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From tombs to tourism -- reviving ancient ethnic Chinese legacy

Xinhua) 08:34, December 16, 2024

YINCHUAN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Archaeological studies and excavations have this year produced significant insights into the flood control systems and cultural heritage of the Xixia Imperial Tombs in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

This burial complex, located at the foot of Helan Mountain, about 30 km west of Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia, was built by the Tangut (Dangxiang) people, an ethnic minority that prospered in agricultural-husbandry areas of northwest China between the 11th and 13th centuries.

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2024 shows two Xixia imperial tombs at the foot of Helan Mountain, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

RICH DISCOVERIES

To date, nine imperial tombs, 271 subordinate tombs, a 5-hectare complex of architectural ruins and 32 flood control sites, in addition to over 7,100 architectural components and finely crafted artifacts, have been uncovered at this site.

These findings have offered valuable insights into the sophisticated engineering, artistry and cultural achievements of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227).

Historical records indicate that during the Xixia Dynasty, various ethnic groups, including the Tangut, Han, Uygur and Tibetan peoples, coexisted. Their diverse livelihoods, religious practices and cultural customs enriched the Xixia heritage -- shaping its distinctive and multifaceted cultural identity.

A replica of glazed Chiwen, a roof ornament on ancient Chinese buildings, which was unearthed from a Xixia imperial tomb, is displayed at Ningxia Museum in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

"The mausoleums and their unearthed artifacts are tangible evidence of the dynasty's inheritance and development of Chinese traditional culture, encompassing architecture, script, political systems and agricultural techniques," said Du Jianlu, dean of the School of Ethnology and History at Ningxia University.

"As a multi-ethnic regime, Xixia culture was diverse and eclectic, yet it was predominantly shaped by the Chinese civilization. This cultural identification has been a powerful intrinsic force driving the formation and development of a sense of community for the Chinese nation," Du added.

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2024 shows the flood control system near a Xixia imperial tomb at the foot of Helan Mountain, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

The 32 flood control sites include 26 flood walls, spanning over 3,000 meters, and six flood drainage channels measuring more than 2,000 meters.

"These structures were used to manage rainwater and to mitigate flood impacts," said Chai Pingping, from Ningxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, who is leading the archaeological program.

"Some of these flood control sites remain functional today and are worth further protection and study," Chai added.

Ongoing efforts at the site in Ningxia involve archaeological surveys and non-invasive archaeological exploration, with the latter techniques targeting solid mausoleum towers and underground palaces, which are unsuitable for excavation, aiming to determine material densities and study shapes and depths of tomb passages without excavation, said Ren Xiufen, from the cultural relics conservation office of the Xixia Imperial Tombs administration.

A tourist visits Xixia mausoleums museum in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

PROTECTION & DEVELOPMENT

Since 2000, with support from government, reinforcement projects have been carried out on nine imperial tombs and 44 subordinate tombs within the Xixia mausoleum complex.

"We have continuously upgraded our methods in recent years. We've adopted advanced materials in combination with traditional techniques, in an effort to slow down environmental damage to the ruins," said Ren.

In 2015, the mausoleum introduced dynamic monitoring and early warning systems to enhance precision in its relics conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, technical experts have conducted annual site inspections to address emerging issues -- such as biological damage.

Tourists visit Xixia Imperial Tombs scenic area in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Efforts to popularize the Xixia legacy have included documentaries and collaborations with cultural tourism firms to develop interactive educational programs. Notably, visitors can participate in artifact restoration, woodblock printing and paper-cutting workshops, thereby making history both accessible and engaging.

Over 600 cultural and creative products, such as bookmarks, refrigerator magnets and Xixia-style porcelain items have offered visitors tangible connections to this historical heritage.

The site has hosted 508 study tours and summer camps in 2024, attracting 178,000 visitors.

A boy experiences wooden movable-type printing of Xixia characters in Xixia Imperial Tombs scenic area in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

This past summer, the Xixia mausoleums museum introduced a special exhibition highlighting the heritage value of the tombs. Utilizing 3D scanning, VR imaging and smart display cabinets, visitors are able to "interact" with artifacts and envision the ancient splendor of the mausoleum complex.

Wang Jiazhu, a visitor from eastern China's Jiangsu Province, was impressed by the mausoleums, the enigmatic Xixia characters and the advanced porcelain craftsmanship. "I never imagined that the Xixia, nestled in the northwest, had achieved such a remarkable level of civilization."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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South Korea's ruling People Power Party leader on Monday announced his resignation in a televised press conference after President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached by the parliament last Saturday.
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New Resource Offers Guide to AI Instruction Across Grades PreK-12

The School Library Systems Association of New York has created a free resource for PreK-12 educators on building student understanding of artificial intelligence. Developed by an interdisciplinary team of educators and AI specialists as part of the LibraryReady.AI project with support from the Allison-Rosen Foundation, "AI Scope and Sequence" offers a curriculum framework designed to "empower students with essential skills in AI literacy, critical thinking, and information seeking practices, the organization explained in a news announcement.

The document is organized into four "strands" representing the intersection of computer science, media literacy, and information fluency:

Why AI: The Evolution and Integration of AI into the World and My Life;

How AI Works: Technical Aspects and Functionality of AI;

AI in Society: Ethics and Other Questions About AI; and

AI in Practice: Being a Productive and Responsible User.

Each strand is divided into individual topics, with concept statements for each grade band (PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) as well as highlighted priority concepts and recommended starting points. Topics range from recognizing smart tools to critically assessing algorithmic bias.

"This initiative equips educators and librarians with the tools they need to introduce AI literacy effectively," said project lead Christopher Harris, director of the School Library System for Genesee Valley BOCES, in a statement. "By providing students with the skills to navigate an AI-driven world, we are preparing the next generation to be informed and ethical digital citizens. It is important that schools teach not just with AI, but about AI. We cannot abdicate our responsibility to prepare students for an AI-driven future."

"As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it is essential for students to understand how it works, its societal impacts, and how to use AI tools safely and responsibly," commented Natalie Bazarova, a project advisor and AI expert from Cornell University. "These technologies are now a part of our everyday lives, making it important to learn about AI in the context of real-world applications. New tools present both risks and opportunities, and combining AI literacy with critical thinking and information literacy will empower young people to be more adept at using AI technologies in mindful and productive ways."

The document is available for download on the LibraryReady.AI project site.
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A South Korean military court on Monday issued separate arrest warrants for the chief of Capital Defense Command and the head of the Army Special Warfare Command in a probe of the short-lived imposition of an emergency martial law by the country's now-impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol earlier this month, Yonhap news agency reported.

The military court issued an arrest warrant for Lee Jin-woo, head of the Capital Defense Command, citing a flight risk and possible destruction of evidence, the Yonhap report said.

Lee is accused of sending troops to seal off the National Assembly under the command of the former defense minister after martial law was declared.

In the meantime, the court issued another arrest warrant for Kwak Jong-keun, the head of the Army Special Warfare Command, who sent special operations troops to the parliament during the martial law declaration.

Kwak is accused of inciting a riot to subvert the Constitution by allegedly colluding with Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others, Yonhap said.

The two military commanders have been suspended from their duties by the defense ministry, according to a previous Yonhap report.
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LuLu Financial Holdings, a global financial services conglomerate, has announced a strategic partnership with digital financial technology firm Circle Internet Group.

This collaboration, which was formalised at the Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), will leverage USDC, Circles fully-reserved digital dollar, to facilitate cross-border payments, reinforcing LuLuFins position as a leader in adopting digital innovations to transform financial services.

This partnership will enable LuLuFin, through its payments orchestration platform Digit9, to optimise remittances and cross-border payment flows using USDC, initially targeting corridors between the Middle East and Asia. Digit9 simplifies the complexities of cross-border payments, seamlessly integrating an array of payment methods, banks, and service providers. By leveraging USDC, Digit9 will benefit from increased liquidity and reduced volatility, while harnessing the speed, immutability, and traceability of blockchain technology.

Blockchain technology

By harnessing blockchain technology, the partnership aims to deliver near-instant payments with reduced transaction costs, increased liquidity, and enhanced traceability. This development aligns with LuLuFins commitment to innovation and its mission to create seamless, efficient, and accessible financial services for its customers.

Our partnership with Circle reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation. At LuLu Financial Holdings, we have harnessed the transformative power of blockchain technology, enabling better, faster, and more seamless cross-border payment experiences for our customers. This collaboration with Circle marks another significant step forward in that journey, reinforcing our resolve to redefine remittance experiences with cutting-edge solutions, said Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director of Lulu Financial Holdings.

"This landmark partnership with LuLu Financial Holdings marks a significant step forward in the evolution of cross-border payments within one of the worlds most dynamic remittance corridors," said Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and CEO of Circle. "By incorporating in the ADGM and collaborating with industry leaders like LuLuFin, we strengthen our commitment to advancing the digital asset economy in the region. Together, we are driving innovative solutions and enhancing access to efficient digital financial offerings, thereby contributing to the broader development of the digital economy."--TradeArabia News Service
Arcapita Capital Company, a subsidiary of Bahrain-headquartered global alternative investment firm Arcapita Group Holdings, today (December 16) reached an agreement with Flow Progressive Logistics (Flow) to develop a modern class A logistics complex in Riyadh.

An end-to-end supply chain management company, Flow is a part of Saudi-based Alsulaiman Group.

As per the deal inked during the Supply Chain and Logistics Conference held in Riyadh, Arcapita will develop an 80,000 sq m mixed-use storage complex.

The facility will feature various storage options, including cold storage, dry storage, temperature-controlled facilities, as well as specialised spaces for pharmaceutical and hazardous goods.

Flow, which provides international shipping, customs clearance, warehousing, transportation, delivery, and reverse logistics, will operate the facility under a long-term lease agreement.

This collaboration will expand Arcapita's logistics real estate portfolio in Saudi Arabia and support the government's efforts to diversify its economy and improve market infrastructure, in line with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services has been instrumental in driving growth in this sector, and its support continues to encourage private sector participation.

The industrial and logistics sectors are key components of the Kingdoms Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, which aims to attract SAR 40 billion ($10.6 billion) in investments.

Isa Al Khalifa, Director of Real Estate Investments at Arcapita, said: "We are extremely pleased to expand our partnership with Flow through this new development. The Saudi Arabia industrial and logistics market continues to demonstrate positive supply-demand dynamics that are likely to support rental growth in the foreseeable future."

"This partnership will contribute to meeting the growing demand for modern logistics facilities and services in Riyadh, where demand is outstripping supply particularly when it comes to higher-quality assets. Riyadh is positioning itself as a key logistics hub for both regional and international companies making it an attractive destination for investment capital," he added.

Arcapita Group currently manages over $1 billion of industrial real estate assets in GCC, making it one of the largest real estate platforms in the GCC. The Firm is expected to double its GCC logistics AUM to $2 billion by 2025.

Achraf Ellili, CEO at Flow, said: "The collaboration with Arcapita is a milestone for Flow as we continue to scale our operations in the Kingdom. The new facilities will allow us to meet the increasing demand for comprehensive supply chain services and offer advanced solutions to our clients in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and hazardous goods."

"This partnership helps us align with Saudi Arabias broader economic goals and play our role in the Kingdoms transformation," he stated.

Flow operates one of the largest fully automated logistics facilities in the region and has a growing fleet catering to diverse client needs, positioning it as a leader in end-to-end supply chain services.

Through this partnership, Flow reaffirms its commitment to advancing digital innovation in logistics and creating employment opportunities for local talent, directly aligning with Saudi Arabias broader economic goals, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain has launched the Skills Bahrain initiative and the Employability Skills Portal, which operate under the umbrella of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen).

Launching the portal, Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Educational Charitable Trust and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), emphasised that the national workforce of the kingdom of Bahrain is the foundation of success and excellence across all industries.

He praised the capabilities of Bahrainis in driving national development and achieving ambitious goals. Furthermore, He highlighted the critical need for ongoing investment in nurturing Bahraini talent through training programmes aimed at enhancing leadership skills and competitiveness.

Government's commitment

Shaikh Isa reiterated the governments commitment to implementing innovative and specialised initiatives that align with this vision, supporting comprehensive national development under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The launch ceremony was attended by senior representatives from both the public and private sectors. He emphasised that these ambitious initiatives represent a comprehensive vision aimed at holistically developing the labour market. This vision is centred on understanding market demands and leveraging data-driven insights to support the implementation of upskilling initiatives in collaboration with various organisations within the Team Bahrain ecosystem.

These efforts are designed to provide the private sector with a highly skilled national workforce capable of driving economic growth.

The launch of Skills Bahrain marks a pivotal moment in Tamkeens efforts to bridge the skills gap. This initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among key government stakeholders, private sector leaders, and educational institutions to create a skills-based ecosystem that connects individuals with employers while offering reliable and relevant training opportunities, thus further enhancing skills development in the kingdom.

Research in key economic sectors

Skills Bahrain conducts research in key economic sectors and analyses labour market data to identify skill gaps. These insights are used to guide relevant stakeholders in addressing the needs of the ecosystem.

The Initiatives strategy is built around three key pillars. The first pillar, Engaged National Workforce, empowers Bahrainis with skills targeted at key sectors and high-value roles to ensure their readiness to enter the job market. The second, Involved Employers, relates to partnering with the private sector to highlight specific workforce needs, skills, and behaviours, and to help upskill and reskill the national workforce. The final pillar, Relevant and High-Quality Training, ensures that training aligns with private sector requirements in an ecosystem in which skills are validated and recognised.

The Employability Skills Portal, the first-of-its-kind platform in the region, is designed to empower students, job-seekers, employees, employers, and training and educational institutes by providing essential data and insights into labour market dynamics. This initiative is the result of a partnership between Skills Bahrain, the Information & eGovernment Authority, and several key partners.

The tools and data provided by Skills Bahrain enable Tamkeen to develop human capital initiatives and partnerships that enhance the skills and competitiveness of local talent, ensuring that Bahrainis remain the preferred workforce within the labour market.--TradeArabia News Service
Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New York University Abu Dhabi to explore areas of collaboration in electricity and water.

The exploration aims to identify and evaluate potential AI applications in the energy and water sectors that will be mutually beneficial to both parties.

The agreement was officially signed on the sidelines of IDRA World Congress, a biennial event hosted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy. This congress serves as a vital platform for global experts to share knowledge and discuss sustainable water solutions, focusing on desalination and advanced water treatment.

Steering committee

The collaboration between EtihadWE and New York University Abu Dhabi will be overseen by a steering committee tasked with evaluating and analysing the feasibility of each potential area of collaboration. These include AI applications for predictive analytics, real-time energy demand forecasting, non-technical loss detection, consumer energy usage optimisation, advanced machine learning models, and knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Working groups will also be set up to work with the steering committee and help facilitate the development and implementation of collaboration areas.

EtihadWE and New York University Abu Dhabi will contribute resources, expertise, and data, with the potential for future agreements based on the outcomes of the collaboration.

EtihadWE CEO, Eng Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, said: Population increase in the Northern Emirates, combined with industrial and commercial growth, has meant rising demand for utilities. Through this MoU, we can explore new ways to capitalise on the opportunities AI presents, improving water security and aligning energy sector growth with the UAEs overarching Net Zero goals.

Eng Ali added: Our MoU with New York University Abu Dhabi marks another major collaboration by EtihadWE to deliver exceptional, seamless experiences for our valued customers.

Advancing research

NYUAD Provost Dr Arlie Petters said: "NYU Abu Dhabi is dedicated to advancing research and innovation through meaningful collaborations. This partnership with Etihad Water and Electricity exemplifies our dedication to using advanced technology, such as AI, to drive sustainable solutions in the energy and water sectors. Together, we aim to pave the way for smarter, more efficient systems that benefit communities and align with the UAEs vision for a sustainable future."

In a deliberate strategy to diversify its business and respond to consumer demand, EtihadWE has invested heavily in technological innovation, including AI. The company has injected Dh 5 billion into its water business over the last five years to bolster distribution and transmission. Advanced technologies like data loggers, acoustic inspection and SmartBall are proving effective in helping identify unusual patterns in flow rate along the EtihadWE water network that could indicate potential leaks.

A large-scale smart meter rollout has enabled EtihadWE to give its customers real-time information regarding their personal consumption. This has been combined with a new mobile application allowing customers to access their bills and other details about their accounts, and an AI-powered chatbot that can respond to simple enquiries.

The new MoU will draw on the strengths and expertise of EtihadWE and New York University Abu Dhabi to accelerate adoption of AI and advanced technology in the water and energy sectors. This initiative is a continuation of the companys ongoing efforts to enhance service efficiency and sustainability, which also included signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Systems Limited MEA - Techvista last October.--TradeArabia News Service
Minerals Development Oman has signed a concession agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to develop concession area 51k in the Al Wusta Governorate, marking the official launch of the Naqa Salt project.

The project aims to produce high-quality industrial salt in the Wilayat of Mahout through extraction and refining processes, with a plan for export via Duqm Port.

This project marks a significant step in advancing Omans minerals sector and positioning Oman as a key producer of industrial salt in the region.

It is estimated to cover an area of 109 square kilometers that includes the construction of salt evaporation ponds capable of producing approximately 400,000 metric tonnes in its initial phases then expand to 2 million tonnes of raw and refined industrial salt annually. Construction work is expected to begin early 2025, with the development phase extending over four years.

Advanced systems

The Naqa Salt project utilises advanced systems that aim to improve production efficiency of the project, in addition to using innovative salt refining techniques with natural evaporation processes for industrial salt aimed at minimising environmental impact and promoting sustainability. The sea salt industry is also considered environmentally friendly, providing a habitat for migratory birds and marine life.

Additionally, the Naqa Salt project supports Omans strategy to boost in-country value (ICV), by leveraging local raw materials and enhancing the local industries, which will in return develop Omans competencies, and contribute to Omani employment and opportunities. In addition, this also supports downstream industries by facilitating the production of vital materials such as bromine, caustic soda, soda ash, chlorine, and PVC; all critical to sectors in chemicals and plastics, water treatment, energy and construction.

The industrial salt sector is one of the fastest-growing globally, with global demand for salt expected to reach 372 million tonnes by 2027, reflecting an annual growth rate of more than 2%. The Naqa Salt projects role will contribute to meeting this global rising demand, further establishing Oman as a strategic industrial salt supplier in global markets.

Dr Badar bin Saud Al Kharusi, Chairman of Minerals Development Oman, added: "This agreement comes as a result of three years of continuous exploration and studies that proved the mining potential of the concession area, allowing us to move forward with the projects development. We are confident this project will open new horizons for Oman in the international markets, enhance Omans exports, and attract foreign investments, particularly in manufacturing industries."

Exploration campaigns

In 2024, Minerals Development Oman continued to advance its exploration campaigns across a diverse range of strategic minerals, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite and silica.

Last November, Minerals Development Oman celebrated the groundbreaking of Mazoon copper project in Yanqul, the largest integrated copper concentrate production project in the sultanate. These efforts reflect MDOs ongoing commitment to strengthening its market position and driving sustainable economic development across Oman.--TradeArabia News Servce
Engie, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services, is thrilled to announce that its innovation arm in APAC and Middle East, Engie Factory, has developed and invested in ForeSea, a new seawater intelligence startup in the GCC.

This partnership marks Engie Factorys first venture into the regions ocean tech landscape, underscoring Engies commitment to enhancing water management insights, with a particular focus on advancements in the desalination sector.

This initiative is part of Engies ongoing commitment to investing in startups across the Middle East, with a focus on technologies that enhance desalination and other operational processes. The aim is to reduce environmental impact while improving planning and efficiency in coastal industry operations.

ForeSea is developing an advanced seawater intelligence to monitor and predict seawater quality over time.

Plant effficiency

Through pilots at desalination plants, ForeSeas innovative solutions improve plant efficiency, maintenance, and operations by offering superior sea data predictions. This investment aligns with Engies mission to support sustainable, efficient solutions through its Desalination Centre of Excellence, bringing transformative technology to market for clients and partners.

Desalination is key in addressing water needs in the Gulf, and at Engie, we are equally aware of our responsibility to safeguard the environment, stated Latifa Lahsine, Head of Engies Desalination Centre of Excellence.

We believe investing in emerging technologies, like the solutions developed by ForeSea and incorporating these intelligent solutions into our operations. It is not just a step, but a leap towards achieving global sustainability goals.

Ahmed El Hosseny, venture builder of ForeSea, comments: Our technology offers an unprecedented level of foresight, enabling offtakers and developers to navigate the challenges of seawater quality fluctuations and the impacts of climate change. With desalination IWPs designed to operate for 25 years, our platform de-risks operations in the long term by forecasting variations and helping developers proactively mitigate potential risks. By leveraging machine learning models, we empower operators to anticipate and address operational challenges before they arise.

Sustainable future

ForeSeas technology aligns with Engies vision for a sustainable future. Beyond our own needs, we are championing innovation and environmental intelligence that will be essential for future planning to address water scarcity, not only in the Middle East but worldwide, said Caroline Guyot, Managing Director of Engie Factory.

With over three decades of service in the Middle East, Engie is at the forefront of addressing water scarcity across the GCC. The company operates 19 state-of-the-art desalination plants across the region, producing an impressive 7.4 million cubic metres of water daily.--TradeArabia News Service
Procter and Gamble (P&G), one of the worlds largest consumer goods companies, has signed a solar lease agreement with Yellow Door Energy, a leading sustainable energy partner for businesses in the Middle East and Africa.

As per the deal, Yellow Door Energy will be setting up a 500kWp solar carport system at P&G office located within the Jebel Ali Freezone Authority (Jafza) industrial park.

Throughout the lease term, it will be responsible for financing, designing, constructing, commissioning, operating and maintaining the solar plant, which will feature over 870 bifacial solar panels.

The project will be constructed in four phases to align with P&Gs operational schedule.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place today (DEcember 16) with senior representatives from P&G and Yellow Door Energy in attendance.

Once completed, the solar carport is expected to produce 813,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity in its first year, reducing carbon emissions by 323 thousand kilograms.

Sonali Dhawan, General Manager for P&G Gulf, said: "At P&G, environmental sustainability is embedded in how we do business. The solar lease with Yellow Door Energy demonstrates our commitment to sustainability by integrating solar power into our Dubai office."

Jeremy Crane, Group CEO of Yellow Door Energy, said: "We are honored to partner with P&G on this solar lease, bringing clean electricity to the heart of Jafza and contributing to the UAE Energy Strategy."
ILTM Cannes celebrates its 23rd edition today (December 2) until December 5 and is set to be almost 12% bigger than the 2023 edition, making it the largest ILTM to date.

It hosts approximately 2,350 influential buyers from 84 countries, with 30% of attendees new to the event.

Leading the attendance are buyers from the USA, UK, Brazil, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, China, India, and the UAE.

Over 2,350 luxury travel brands spanning 105 countries meet with these buyers in around 83,000 mutually matched appointments.

Australia, Egypt, and Mauritius tourism boards participate in ILTM for the first time, while California, Brazil, and Oman significantly expand their footprint.

ACCOR, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotel Group, Leading Hotels of the World, and Marriott Luxury Brands also grow their presence.

Aman, Belmond, COMO Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons, and Four Seasons Yachts, as well as One Hotels and Virgin Hotel Collection, are among the most anticipated exhibitors, showcasing a broad range of new openings and experiencesfrom Orient Express Italy to the space exploration company Zephalto, which is also popular.

Enhancing the ILTM experience are four new dedicated areas: a 1,600-square-metre dedicated ACCOR pavilion on the Palais' beachside, a new Leading Hotels of the World hospitality terrace near the media centre located this year in the Palais restaurant, a new activation by Belmond at the Palais front entrance, and a new CannesX lifestyle brand bar on the ground floor. -TradeArabia News Service
Last weeks Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Middle East & Africa (MEA) Commercial Strategy Conference in Dubai was the biggest one yet.

Held on November 26 and 27 at Conrad Dubai, the seventh edition of the annual get together marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the non-profit.

Attracting a record-breaking 300+ participants, attendance was up by 15 per cent from 2023. Around 25 per cent of delegates had also travelled from outside the UAE for the event.

It was the first event in the region for the newly appointed President and CEO of HSMAI, Brian Hicks.

Taking over from the late Bob Gilbert - who led HSMAI for 30 years - Hicks revealed that the MEA region will continue to be a key focus for the organisation.

Seven years ago, our annual MEA conference was attended by about 50 people. This year we had over 300. This exponential growth is testament to the passion of the HSMAI team, and the regions need for connection and networking opportunities, he said.

Bringing over 30 years of experience in international hospitality, including senior positions such as Senior Vice President of Commercial and Revenue Management for IHG Hotels & Resorts Americas, Hicks will continue to build on HSMAIs existing goals of providing education, support, and resources for hospitality sales and marketing employees.

He explained: I have no plans to change the ethos and goals of the organisation. I will build on the strong foundation that Bob Gilbert expertly established, and try to use my experience in global hospitality to unite all our different teams and regions across the world.

Hicks is particularly passionate about nurturing the next generation of hoteliers, and those who entered the industry around the time of the pandemic.

Ive wanted to work in hotels since I was 16. I love this industry. It's treated me well, and Ive been fortunate to make a great career out of it. Now, Im so excited to give back to the industry that has been so kind to me, he continued.

We all know that the pandemic hit those who were new to the industry hardest. So, the least we can do now is to try and provide them with the right skills and training they need to progress in their careers. For those who are just entering the industry, I also want to show them that there are many different career paths and opportunities. We are here to help them fulfill their goals.

Hicks went on to reveal that the past year has seen a record level of interest in hospitality certifications.

Interest spiked up during the pandemic as people had more time on their hands, and then it dropped off after, he said.

But now we are seeing a resurgence, and people are realising how empowering completing extra training can be.

As to why professionals should consider joining HSMAI, Hicks declared that there are multiple benefits.

The world of hospitality is changing rapidly, but we condense all the different viewpoints and developments, and present them to our members in a way that is easy to digest. We keep them informed and ahead of every trend.

We also support our members and help them grow. A lot of individuals have told me personally that if it wasnt for the support of HSMAI  no matter if they used it as a place to make connections, ask questions, or find resources - they wouldnt have felt confident enough to take risks, and get to where they are today.

Mona Faraj, Managing Director of HSMAI MEA, echoed this sentiment that one of the most valuable elements of HSMAI is the connections it provides.

You dont learn by looking at yourself in the mirror. You learn by communicating with others, she stated.

Networking is essential. The phrase your network is your net worth really couldnt be truer. We all have a longing for connection. Interacting with others in our industry, and even our competitors, is how we learn, evolve, and develop.

The leader of HSMAI MEA for almost seven years, Faraj revealed that member numbers in the region are growing by at least 25 percent each year, and that this is driven by the support of hotel brands such as Accor, Marriott, IHG, and Rotana.

Faraj said: I love being part of HSMAI because were not pushing or selling something. All our members have a collective belief in what we are doing, and they recognise the value of it, too. You can see that in the packed rooms at our conferences. We cover topics that are useful to all commercial hospitality executives, irrespective of how junior or senior they are.

In addition to its annual conferences and educational certifications, HSMAI MEA hosts regular round table sessions with senior regional hospitality leaders, and a variety of social networking events, including after-work meet ups on the third Thursday of every month in Dubai.

Our social events are all about fun and networking, added Faraj.

We held about 70 events this year, and all of them were in the UAE simply because that's where HSMAIs leadership is based. But we have started some activities in Saudi Arabia, and I would love to expand to Qatar, Egypt, and some African cities, too.

The two HSMAI leaders agreed that the Middle East hospitality sector would benefit from more advanced technologies such as AI.

Faraj concluded: MEA is a dynamic region, but we are lacking in resources, time, and manpower. You have teams that run a whole region with just a handful of employees.

AI can help us utilise our time and energy more effectively. It can take care of the mundane tasks that can be automated, and leave us free to concentrate on the important jobs - like building relationships. These are the kind of things that can never be replaced with machines. Connections and conversations will continue to be some of the most important tools in our industry. -TradeArabia News Service
EurAsia Gulf has recognised 13 outstanding institutions and five individuals whose achievements have set new standards in their respective fields.

Honourees included Jordan Tourism Board, for the Tourism Revenue Growth Excellence Award, Plekhanov University, for the Education Business Development Excellence Award, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), for the Innovation Excellence Award, Andersen, for the Tech Innovation Excellence Award, Marsa Village, for the Hospitality Excellence Award, Global Advocacy & Legal Council, for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Award, Aviiss Healthcare, for the Healthcare UAE Market Consultancy Excellence Award, Empower Group  Abu Dhabi, for the Strategic Partnership Excellence Award, Advantage Plus (ADV+), for the Lifestyle, Wellness & Fitness Experience Membership Excellence Award, WeTel World UAE, for the AI Education Excellence Award, OMNES Media, for the Innovative Media Excellence Award, Maverick Business Academy London, for the Innovative in Business Education Excellence Award and Suma Gourmet - DXBBQ, for the Innovation for Hospitality Excellence Award.

In the individual awards category, Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi was honoured with the Excellence in Leadership Award for his pioneering contributions and inspirational leadership.

Inaugural edition

The inaugural edition of the EurAsia Gulf Excellence Awards 2024 was held on December 12, 2024, in Dubai.

In his opening address, Henrik Winther, Chairman of EurAsia Gulf, stated: "The EurAsia Gulf Excellence Awards represents a celebration of the unity, resilience, and innovation that define our regions. We are delighted to honor these organisations and individuals who are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future through innovation and collaboration."

Victor Haruta, Chairman of the Jury, explained: "The criteria focused on recognising winners for their tangible impact, innovation, and ability to inspire others. The jury was committed to celebrating those who set benchmarks for excellence and embody the spirit of collaboration and progress."--TradeArabia News Service
Dan Company, a PIF company specialising in agritourism, ecotourism, and adventure tourism, has signed a contract with Abdulmohsen Al-Tamimi Contracting Company to develop the first luxury resorts in Al-Ahsa.

The signing ceremony was held at the company headquarters in Riyadh in the presence of: Saad Abdulaziz Al-Kroud, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dan Company, and Yousef Abdul Mohsen Al-Tamimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abdulmohsen Al-Tamimi Contracting Company. The contract was signed by Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, CEO of Dan Company, and Mohammed Abdul Mohsen Al-Tamimi, CEO of Abdul Mohsen Al-Tamimi Contracting Company.

The project, styled "Tuaja Luxury Resorts", marks a milestone in the company's mission to enhance the tourism sector and elevate the quality of services in the hospitality sector in the kingdom by developing resorts that combine sustainability, innovation, and authentic hospitality. The project also contributes to strengthening Al-Ahsa's position as an attractive destination for both local and international tourism.

Enhancing hospitality and tourism

Al-Kroud said: "We are pleased to announce the new resort, which aligns with the kingdom's efforts to enhance its hospitality and tourism offerings locally and internationally and reaffirms our commitment to contribute to the development of the tourism sector by leveraging the kingdoms enchanting natural landscapes and showcasing its rich natural diversity through agri, eco, and adventure tourism."

He added: "It is our pleasure to partner with Abdulmohsen Al-Tamimi Contracting Company, a leading company in the Eastern province to develop our flagship project under the Tuaja Luxury Resorts brand. This collaboration reflects our shared vision for the future and commitment to excellence. Together, we look forward to Tuaja Resorts becoming a symbol of sustainability and innovation in the Kingdom.

The project is a pioneering initiative that highlights the Al-Ahsa regions stunning natural beauty and rich cultural and agricultural heritage and offers three distinctive experiences that cater to different needs: luxury and exploration at the luxury resort of Tuaja Premium Farm Resort, tranquility, and contemplation at the eco-friendly resort of Tuaja Eco Resort, and adventure and excitement at the Tuaja Adventure Resort.--TradeArabia News Service
flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has unveiled its new Business Class Lounge at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB).

The carriers dedicated lounge welcomed Business Class passengers, underscoring the carriers commitment to offering an enhanced travel experience for its customers.

The official opening of the lounge was attended by Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, Major-General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director-General of the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Major-General Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, General Director Assistant of the GDRFA, Major-General Ali Atiq bin Lahej, Acting Assistant Commandant for Ports Affairs, Jamal Al-Hai, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Airports and Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, along with other key stakeholders and members of the media.

Convenient location

The modern 900-sq m Business Class Lounge can accommodate more than 200 passengers. The lounge is conveniently located after the passport control and security lanes at Dubai Internationals Terminal 2 Departure area. The boarding gate for Business Class passengers is located in the lounge where passengers can board the dedicated Business Class buses for their flights.

Obaidalla said: This year, flydubai is celebrating a milestone in its journey marking 15 years of operations. We remain committed to constantly evolving and investing in enhancing customer experience whether in the air or on the ground. The new lounge will provide an enjoyable and seamless travel experience for our Business Class passengers from Terminal 2 in Dubai. We would like to thank the airport authorities for their support to officially welcome customers to the new beautifully designed space.

The new lounge features modern aesthetics incorporating natural light in its simple and elegant design that draws inspiration from the serene and timeless beauty of desert dunes. The warm tones and minimalist aesthetics feature some of Dubais most iconic skylines and create a comfortable space both for relaxation and productivity.

The lounge features a glass facade offering uninterrupted tarmac views and inviting natural light. The welcoming space offers a variety of seating configuration areas including dining, lounging and a quiet space for relaxation. Inside the lounge, customers can look forward to a wide range of dining options whether from an internationally inspired buffet or an a la carte option.

The lounge also has shower facilities, a thoughtfully designed prayer room and other practical amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, workstations and multiple charging stations.

Key component

Mohamed Hassan, Senior Vice President of Airport Services & Cargo at flydubai, said: Lounges are a key component for the seamless and comfortable travel experience we aim to provide to our customers. The new flydubai Business Class Lounge and boarding gate provide added convenience to our passengers who are looking for a more personalised and efficient travel experience, whether they are travelling for business or leisure. We are looking forward to welcoming many of our passengers just in time for the busy holiday travel period.

Emirates Skywards members can also enjoy select benefits of the new Business Class Lounge depending on their membership tier.

Earlier in October this year, the carrier officially opened its new Business Class check-in at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB). The dedicated space offers flydubais Business Class passengers a unique and smooth check-in experience with a personalised Meet and Assist service, seated check-in and a Fast Track service through passport control and security lanes.--TradeArabia News Service
PRESIDENT of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Pandits Parishad (council of pandits) Pt Navin Omadath Maharaj supports the call by Hindus to declare the festival of Phagwa a public holiday.

This move, he said, would increase awareness of the festival, which has seen both local and international growth in recent years.

Phagwa, also known as Holi, will be observed at several locations across the nation on Sunday. The Hindu festival is popularly known as the festival of colour.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley says she is prepared to have her United States visa revoked, as she urged Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries to ensure they are able to explain...what the Cubans have been able to do for us as they seek to defend the Cuban health brigade programme.

This matter, with the Cubans and the nurses, should tell us everything that we need to know. Barbados does not currently have Cuban medical staff or Cuban nurses, but I will be the first to go to the line and to tell you that we could not get through the (Covid-19) pandemic without the Cuban nurses and the Cuban doctors, Mottley said in a statement in Parliament.
When Arizona residents outlawed rooster fighting in 1998, they made their feelings known about the controversial practice.

More than two decades later, however, the Pima County Sheriffs Department joins law enforcement across the state in still battling the illegal sport.

As a result, the department, along with members of the Arizona Sheriffs Association, have stepped up to support a federal bill that could strengthen enforcement, the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, according to a news release from Washington-based non-profit Animal Wellness Action.

This act would help departments enforce current laws by banning online gambling on animal fights; halting the shipment of mature roosters (chickens only) through the U.S. Postal Service and enhancing criminal forfeiture penalties to include real property for those convicted of animal fighting crimes.

Last month, a total of 271 fighting roosters and four dogs were seized at a home on Tucsons southeast side after a report of a utility service theft. Deputies at the scene noticed hundreds of suspected fighting roosters on the property.

An operation with 271 birds is a serious fighting setting, and we applaud Pima County Sheriffs deputies for their keen policing instincts in sniffing out this criminal enterprise and then shuttering it, said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, which is leading a national campaign against staged animal fighting.

Animal fighting is organized crime linked to illegal weapons and gambling, money laundering and drug trafficking, and undermines the safety of communities, Pacelle said.

Cockfighting is a crime of violence, and it is bound up with other crimes, including border crimes like illegal trafficking of animals and narcotics, Pacelle said. We have a long way to go before these crime networks are dismantled, and the FIGHT Act provides the tools to do exactly that.

Yavapai County Sheriff, David Rhodes, who endorses the FIGHT Act, said that it will significantly bolster our collective efforts to eradicate brutal animal cruelty and associated crimes.

U.S. Representatives from Arizona, Juan Ciscomani, David Schweikert, and Greg Stanto, are cosponsors of the act, says Animal Wellness Action.
GUANYUN, China -- In an industrial park being built with Chinese state support in the middle of a sprawling farming community, factory boss Lei Congrui straightens a tiny golden bell hanging off a choker on a mannequin wearing white-and-pink lingerie.

What Lei calls his "erotic clothing" showroom is one of the few already open in WeMet Industrial Park, whose Chinese name translates as "Victoria's Secret Town" - though it has no official affiliation to the U.S. brand.

The development of the lingerie industry in eastern Guanyun county, 180 miles (290 km) from the metropolis of Nanjing, has exploded partly due to a U.S. tariff exemption likely to soon be curtailed or scrapped.

Under the "de minimis" rule, which seeks to reduce customs paperwork, the United States exempts foreign packages valued at $800 or under from tariffs as long as they're shipped to individuals.

Lingerie showroom, WeMet Industrial Park, Guanyun county, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 26, 2024. Photo: Reuters

It has fuelled the meteoric rise of Chinese e-commerce firms such as Shein and PDD Holdings' Temu, as well as producers like Lei selling through those platforms, while also being exploited for criminal ends, such as fentanyl trafficking.

Efforts by U.S. President Joe Biden to "plug the loophole" in his final days in office, and incoming President Donald Trump's campaign pledge to raise tariffs on China, are threatening investment returns and livelihoods in largely agrarian Guanyun, home to about one million.

The European Union and other countries are considering similar restrictions.

De minimis curbs and higher tariffs "will have a relatively large impact on us," said the pony-tailed and bespectacled Lei, whose Midnight Charm Garment Co. serves clients like Shein and relies on the U.S. for 70 percent of revenues.

Lingerie products are displayed at the Gummy Park showroom at WeMet Industrial Park, in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Nomura estimates China will export $240 billion in goods benefiting from this exemption this year, accounting for seven percent of its overseas sales and contributing 1.3 percent of gross domestic product.

It forecasts that the U.S. eliminating the rule would reduce export growth by 1.3 percentage points and GDP growth by 0.2 points; the figures worsen significantly if Europe and Southeast Asia also remove the dispensation.

"We expect blue-collar workers from those small factories of unbranded, low value-added and labor-intensive products, to be most affected," says Nomura chief China economist Ting Lu, adding that the apparel sector was among those.

The Guanyun local government and China's commerce ministry, as well as Shein and PDD, did not reply to requests for comment. The ministry said last month "arbitrary" tariffs "won't solve America's own problems" with drugs and the economy.

A 72-year-old employee works at the Midnight Charm Garment lingerie factory in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 26, 2024. Photo: Reuters

There are already signs that Victoria's Secret Town, which began opening in stages from 2021, may not match the hopes of local authorities, who have invested 22 billion yuan ($3 billion). Indebted local governments like Guanyun's have often played roles in accelerating successful industries, though at the risk of sharper future downturns by spurring excess manufacturing capacity and deflationary pressures.

On a recent November day, much of the park was vacant. No date has been announced for the launch of other stages of the park, where buildings housing research, design and e-commerce logistics activities are planned.

Other industrial zones across China also face questions of systemic overinvestment.

Local governments "only think as far as they can see," ignoring the national economy, said Majid Ghorbani, associate professor at China Europe International Business School in Shanghai.

Employees work on the production line at the Midnight Charm Garment lingerie factory in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Industrial model

Lei started his business as a high school student in 2006, with his relatives helping him out in a shabby workshop about a 10-minute drive away. In 2014, he started selling overseas to escape price wars in the Chinese market.

A year later, Washington quadrupled the "de minimis" threshold from $200. His exports have almost doubled every year since. His total revenue last year was over $1.3 million, he said.

Lei said many of his friends, relatives and neighbors opened similar businesses. About 1,400 firms, employing 100,000 people, currently produce "erotic clothing" in Guanyun, he said. The figures he cited are comparable to those reported by Chinese state media.

"If you walk into any neighborhood around here and shout 'is there anyone making sexy lingerie?', two heads would come out of almost every building," said Lei.

Employees work on the production line of a lingerie factory at WeMet Industrial Park, in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Local authorities were initially circumspect due to Communist Party guidelines against "vulgar" products and content, according to speeches by Guanyun Party officials transcribed by state-run media.

But they eventually embraced the industry and fed it state resources, like the industrial park, which is located next to a giant but sparsely frequented high-speed rail station.

"The county government's support for our erotic lingerie industry is very strong," Lei said. "It invested in industrial land, organizes entrepreneurial training and some firms receive funding support."

Factory owners praise the park as a better place to receive customers - many of the showrooms are wholesale and only open by appointment - and store raw materials.

Employees work with sewing machines on the production line of the Midnight Charm Garment lingerie factory in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Lei says tariffs and e-commerce curbs would force him to accept lower sales volumes, and U.S. consumers will need to pay more.

He's considering investing in U.S. warehouses and switching to a bulk cargo shipping model instead of direct-to-customer shipments by air, which could lower costs. He is also searching for new clients in South America, Middle East and central Asia, where customers can also be found on platforms like Temu.

Xu Yan, founder of lingerie maker Gummy Park, sells only a third of her production overseas and is confident growth in other markets would compensate for any drop in U.S. volumes.

An employee works on the production line of a lingerie factory at WeMet Industrial Park, in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters

When Reuters visited her showroom, a model clad in a black camisole and robe was livestreaming for potential Chinese buyers.

"The United States is just one country. The world has more than eight billion people," Xu said.

How such firms deal with the looming setback is crucial for Guanyun residents. Their average annual disposable income exceeded 21,000 yuan in 2022, up sharply from about 5,000 yuan in 2008, the latest government figures show.

A drone view shows Lei Congrui posing for pictures at the warehouse of his Midnight Charm Garment lingerie factory in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters

At Midnight Charm's factory near the industrial park, sewing worker Zhang Lan Lan earns up to 7,000 yuan a month, on par with many working in China's booming electric vehicle sector. At its nearby warehouse, 72-year-old Zhou earns up to 3,000 yuan monthly, packaging products in the warehouse with other seniors.

A factory job means Zhang can live with her children instead of moving to a city for work. For Zhou, it means she's not home alone during the day.

Above all, it's better than working the land, said Zhou, who only gave her surname. "People these days have it easier."

An employee operates a clothing iron on the production line of a lingerie factory at WeMet Industrial Park, in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters

($1 = 7.2317 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Two A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft and one C-130J Super Hercules military transport plane of the U.S. Air Force touched down consecutively at Gia Lam military airport in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon, ahead of the 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo.

As scheduled, the exhibition will take place at Gia Lam Air Base in Hanoi from December 19 to 22, drawing nearly 200 enterprises from 27 countries, including the U.S., Russia, the UK, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, China, and others.

As part of the expo, the U.S. will display these two military aircraft along with a Stryker armored vehicle and an M777 gun in an area of 3,000 square meters outdoors at the air base.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin-turbofan, straight-wing, subsonic attack aircraft manufactured by Fairchild Republic, an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company, for the U.S. Air Force.

A C-130J Super Hercules military transport plane prepares to land at Gia Lam military airport in Hanoi on December 15, 2024, in preparation for attending the second Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024. Photo: Nam Vu / Tuoi Tre

It is equipped with a high-power 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary autocannon capable of firing armor-piercing ammunition, AGM Maverick air-to-ground missiles or AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles, and GPS- and laser-guided bombs.

With a weapons payload of up to 7.3 metric tons, A-10 attack aircraft provide close air support (CAS) to ground troops by attacking enemy armored vehicles, tanks, and other ground forces.

The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, a U.S. aerospace, military support, security, and technology company.

As a medium-sized, wide-body transport aircraft, it has an empty weight of over 34 metric tons and a maximum take-off weight of more than 70 metric tons.

It can carry 20 metric tons of cargo or 92 paratroopers.

The U.S. has 13 exhibitors at the expo, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Teledyne Flir.

The exhibition will feature combat vehicles, weapons, military equipment, and technological solutions for the navy, army, air defense force, logistics, and technical support.

A C-130J Super Hercules plane (R) and two A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft park in an area of the second Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024 at Gia Lam military airport in Hanoi, December 15, 2024. Photo: Nam Vu / Tuoi Tre

According to the exhibitor list, 77 units from Vietnam will join the expo, showcasing 69 types of weaponry and military equipment that have been researched and produced by the Southeast Asian countrys military since 2022.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 1:30 pm on December 21 to 3:00 pm on December 22, with entry free for all ages.

Themed Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Mutual Development, the event, in its second edition, is scheduled to coincide with the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People's National Defense Festival (December 22).

This years expo aims to showcase Vietnams defense industry capabilities, advance international defense cooperation, and diversify procurement and technology transfer channels related to weapons and technical equipment.

It will also seek opportunities to export Vietnams defense products.

The first Vietnam International Defense Expo was held in 2022, attracting 174 enterprises from 30 countries.

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Da Lat City, a popular tourist destination in Vietnams Central Highlands region, can soothe travelers souls with its natural landscapes and investment in wellness tourism.

Renowned for its picturesque scenery, Da Lat has become a popular destination for leisure, recreation, and retreat.

Visitors flock to this city in Lam Dong Province to immerse themselves in its natural landscapes and rejuvenate their minds.

For many tourists, a trip to Da Lat offers a sense of tranquility and inner peace.

Many people travel to Da Lat City to rejuvenate their minds. Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre

Combination of travel and health enhancement in Da Lat

A combination of tourism and psychological education can help tourists enjoy their life and be re-energized after their return from a trip.

In the field of psychology, the type is called wellness tourism.

Various psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy can benefit people who feel stressful.

The combination of psychological therapies and natural exploration in the year-round cool weather in Da Lat will help tourists heal from emotional pain, stress, conflicts in relationships, or even trauma.

Da Lat, named among global creative cities for music by UNESCO on October 13, 2023, can utilize music and art to better wellness retreat services.

A corner of Da Lat, a popular tourist site in the Central Highlands region. Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre

4-phase model for wellness tourism to generate meaningful life

During the first phase of searching for a meaningful life, tourists are inspired by nature, artistic creation, and psychological tools to have a strong desire for development and recovery from emotional pain.

The second phase covers the psychological education process, which consists of some topics such as a guide to exploring the mental world, assessing the sources of stress in life, strategies for coping with stress, and elements of building strong mental health.

In the third phase, tourists are guided to build a meaningful life by exploring multiple streams of happiness across 10 key aspects.

They are introduced to the SMART goal-setting framework and equipped with essential skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and overcoming procrastination.

In the final phase, focused on action, tourists create a detailed plan for living a meaningful life.

They identify appropriate strategies and tools to support their goals and connect with psychological resources to sustain their progress.

The model is recommended to target people aged 15-30 who live in Da Lat and are tourists.

The model should be deployed at schools, hospitals, culture houses, and homestays.

The organizers of the model should be upskilled with psychological and educational knowledge.

Yersin University in Da Lat, which is the first psychology training facility in the Central Highlands region, is regarded as a hub of workforce training for the wellness tourism model.

Developing tourism in combination with education, art and psychological therapy is a new trend in the process of building a creative Da Lat.

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Community television stations Channel 31 and Channel 44 will receive access to $3 million over the next three years from the Federal Governmentthe largest financial support in their history.

This funding will ensure CTV can continue delivering essential local content, providing training opportunities for future media professionals, and transforming for a digital future, said Joseph Matina, Chair of Channel 31.

Dr. Tom Young, Chair of Channel 44, added, Community TV is a platform for uniquely Australian stories. This investment supports passionate creatives and strengthens the sectors ability to connect with diverse communities.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said, Local news and community broadcasting are at the heart of our communities. This funding ensures community TV continues to make a vital contribution to media diversity and national identity.

The CTV+ streaming platform, which hosts on-demand access to over 150 programs will soon expand with a Smart TV app launching in 2025.
(MORE) BREAKING NEWS:

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has announced that it has signed a Binding Terms Sheet for the sale of its television licences in Queensland, southern New South Wales and Victoria to Network 10.

This announcement reinforces Paramounts commitment to the Australian market and in particular Network 10, said Beverley McGarvey President Network 10, Head of Streaming & Regional Lead, Paramount ANZ.

Completion of the sale is subject to certain conditions, including appropriate regulatory approval.

SCA is in discussion with other parties for Tasmania, Spencer Gulf/Broken Hill, Darwin, Remote Central and Eastern Australia (including the Viewer Access Satellite Television service) assets.

On 28 August 2024, Southern Cross Media Group Limited (ASX: SXL) (SCA) announced that it had re-commenced a strategic review of its non-core regional television assets and was in active negotiations with several parties with an interest in acquiring those assets.

As the first outcome of that strategic review, SCA announces that it has signed heads of agreement for the sale of its television licences in the three aggregated markets of Queensland, southern New South Wales and Victoria (3-Agg Markets) to Network 10. SCA currently broadcasts Network 10 programs under regional affiliation arrangements in these markets.

Completion of the sale is subject to execution of final transaction documentation by the parties and SCAs broadcast transmission, distribution and playout service providers, and satisfaction of customary conditions including receipt of foreign investment approval. The parties aim to complete these matters by the end of February 2025.

The terms of the sale provide that SCA will be entitled to receive a share of the profit of the 3-Agg Market licences for five years after completion of the sale (Participation Period). Integration of the 3 Agg-Market licences under Network 10s ownership and control will deliver an improved and more sustainable earnings outcome compared to SCAs current earnings profile under its regional affiliation arrangements with Network 10.

The consideration to be received by SCA will be dependent on advertising market conditions over the Participation Period and will be paid quarterly in arrears. Based on current and forecast advertising market conditions, SCA currently expects the aggregate gross consideration to be received by SCA over the Participation Period to be in the range of $15 million to $20 million. The net present value of this gross consideration on completion of the sale is expected to be in the range of $10 million to $15 million.

SCA will also be entitled to a share of any digital dividend received by Network 10 if Network 10 surrenders its spectrum in the 3-Agg Markets to the Government during the Participation Period. On 1 November 2024, the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, announced the Governments intention to explore pathways for the future of television, shaped by the possibility of realising a digital dividend while also stating that the Government had not identified, or decided to yield, a digital dividend. There is accordingly no current proposal for the Government to pay a digital dividend to Network 10 or any other television broadcaster at any time.

Network 10 will commence operating the 3-Agg Market licences from completion of the sale. SCA will retain its local salesforce in the 3-Agg Markets and will provide third party local advertising sales representation services in the 3-Agg Markets for Network 10 during the Participation Period on commercial terms under an advertising sales services agreement.

SCA has agreed with BAI Communications to excise broadcast transmission services for the 3-Agg Markets from SCAs ongoing contract with BAI Communications and, as a condition precedent to completion of the sale, Network 10 and BAI Communications are to enter a new contract for broadcast transmission services for the 3-Agg Markets for the remaining term expiring on 1 September 2034. SCA will be liable for termination fees under that new contract if Network 10 exercises a right to terminate the contract for convenience after expiry of the Participation Period but would also be eligible to an offsetting share of any digital dividend received by Network 10 upon surrender of spectrum to the Government between the end of the Participation Period and 1 September 2034. SCA expects to recognise a liability in its full year FY25 financial report in the range of $3 million to $5 million in relation to that liability. In accordance with applicable Australian accounting standards, calculation of this liability will consider the probability of any liability crystallising due to Network 10 terminating its contract with BAI during that period.

SCA has received interest from several other parties and continues to be in active negotiations regarding sale of SCAs television assets in Tasmania, Spencer Gulf/Broken Hill, Darwin, Remote Central and Eastern Australia (including the Viewer Access Satellite Television service). SCA will update shareholders on the progress of these negotiations in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations.

SCA intends to apply the proceeds of the sale of its television assets towards reducing its net debt.

Approved for release by the Board of directors.
The story of Microsofts founding is one of the most famous episodes in computing history. In 1975, Paul Allen flew out to Albuquerque to demonstrate the BASIC interpreter that he and Bill Gates had written for the Altair microcomputer. Because neither of them had a working Altair, Allen and Gates tested their interpreter using an emulator that they wrote and ran on Harvards computer system. The emulator was based on nothing more than the published specifications for the Intel 8080 processor. When Allen finally ran their interpreter on a real Altairin front of the person he and Gates hoped would buy their softwarehe had no idea if it would work. But it did. The next month, Allen and Gates officially founded their new company.

Over a century before Allen and Gates wrote their BASIC interpreter, Ada Lovelace wrote and published a computer program. She, too, wrote a program for a computer that had only been described to her. But her program, unlike the Microsoft BASIC interpreter, was never run, because the computer she was targeting was never built.

Lovelaces program is often called the worlds first computer program. Not everyone agrees that it should be called that. Lovelaces legacy, it turns out, is one of computing historys most hotly debated subjects. Walter Isaacson has written that the dispute about the extent and merit of her contributions constitutes a minor academic specialty. Inevitably, the fact that Lovelace was a woman has made this dispute a charged one. Historians have cited all kinds of primary evidence to argue that the credit given to Lovelace is either appropriate or undeserved. But they seem to spend less time explaining the technical details of her published writing, which is unfortunate, because the technical details are the most fascinating part of the story. Who wouldnt want to know exactly how a program written in 1843 was supposed to work?

In fairness, Lovelaces program is not easy to explain to the layperson without some hand-waving. Its the intricacies of her program, though, that make it so remarkable. Whether or not she ought to be known as the first programmer, her program was specified with a degree of rigor that far surpassed anything that came before. She thought carefully about how operations could be organized into groups that could be repeated, thereby inventing the loop. She realized how important it was to track the state of variables as they changed, introducing a notation to illustrate those changes. As a programmer myself, Im startled to see how much of what Lovelace was doing resembles the experience of writing software today.

So lets take a closer look at Lovelaces program. She designed it to calculate the Bernoulli numbers. To understand what those are, we have to go back a couple millennia to the genesis of one of mathematics oldest problems.

Sums of Powers

The Pythagoreans lived on the shores of the Mediterranean and worshiped numbers. One of their pastimes was making triangles out of pebbles.

One pebble followed by a row of two pebbles makes a triangle containing three pebbles. Add another row of three pebbles and you get a triangle containing six pebbles. You can continue like this, each time adding a row with one more pebble in it than the previous row. A triangle with six rows contains 21 pebbles. But how many pebbles does a triangle with 423 rows contain?

What the Pythagoreans were looking for was a way to calculate the following without doing all the addition:

They eventually realized that, if you place two triangles of the same size up against each other so that they form a rectangle, you can find the area of the rectangle and divide by two to get the number of pebbles in each of the triangles:

Archimedes later explored a similar problem. He was interested in the following series:

You might visualize this series by imagining a stack of progressively larger squares (made out of tiny cubes), one on top of the other, forming a pyramid. Archimedes wanted to know if there was an easy way to tell how many cubes would be needed to construct a pyramid with, say, 423 levels. He recorded a solution that also permits a geometrical interpretation.

Three pyramids can be fit together to form a rectangular prism with a tiny, one-cube-high extrusion at one end. That little extrusion happens to be a triangle that obeys the same rules that the Pythagoreans used to make their pebble triangles. (This video might be a more helpful explanation of what I mean.) So the volume of the whole shape is given by the following equation:

By substituting the Pythagorean equation for the sum of the first n integers and doing some algebra, you get this:

In 499, the Indian mathematician and astronomer, Aryabhata, published a work known as the Aryabhatiya, which included a formula for calculating the sum of cubes:

A formula for the sum of the first n positive integers raised to the fourth power wasnt published for another 500 years.

You might be wondering at this point if there is a general method for finding the sum of the first n integers raised to the kth power. Mathematicians were wondering too. Johann Faulhaber, a German mathematician and slightly kooky numerologist, was able to calculate formulas for sums of integers up to the 17th power, which he published in 1631. But this may have taken him years and he did not state a general solution. Blaise Pascal finally outlined a general method in 1665, though it depended on first knowing how to calculate the sum of integers raised to every lesser power. To calculate the sum of the first n positive integers raised to the sixth power, for example, you would first have to know how to calculate the sum of the first n positive integers raised to the fifth power.

A more practical general solution was stated in the posthumously published work of Swiss mathematician Jakob Bernoulli, who died in 1705. Bernoulli began by deriving the formulas for calculating the sums of the first n positive integers to the first, second, and third powers. These he gave in polynomial form, so they looked like the below:

Using Pascals Triangle, Bernoulli realized that these polynomials followed a predictable pattern. Essentially, Bernoulli broke the coefficients of each term down into two factors, one of which he could determine using Pascals Triangle and the other which he could derive from the interesting property that all the coefficients in the polynomial seemed to always add to one. Figuring out the exponent that should be attached to each term was no problem, because that also followed a predictable pattern. The factor of each coefficient that had to be calculated using the sums-to-one rule formed a sequence that became known as the Bernoulli numbers.

Bernoullis discovery did not mean that it was now trivial to calculate the sum of the first positive n integers to any given power. In order to calculate the sum of the first positive n integers raised to the kth power, you would need to know every Bernoulli number up to the kth Bernoulli number. Each Bernoulli number could only be calculated if the previous Bernoulli numbers were known. But calculating a long series of Bernoulli numbers was significantly easier than deriving each sum of powers formula in turn, so Bernoullis discovery was a big advance for mathematics.

Babbage

Charles Babbage was born in 1791, nearly a century after Bernoulli died. Ive always had some vague idea that Babbage designed but did not build a mechanical computer. But Ive never entirely understood how that computer was supposed to work. The basic ideas, as it happens, are not that difficult to grasp, which is good news. Lovelaces program was designed to run on one of Babbages machines, so we need to take another quick detour here to talk about how those machines worked.

Babbage designed two separate mechanical computing machines. His first machine was called the Difference Engine. Before the invention of the pocket calculator, people relied on logarithmic tables to calculate the product of large numbers. (There is a good Numberphile video on how this was done.) Large logarithmic tables are not difficult to create, at least conceptually, but the sheer number of calculations that need to be done in order to create them meant that in Babbages time they often contained errors. Babbage, frustrated by this, sought to create a machine that could tabulate logarithms mechanically and therefore without error.

The Difference Engine was not a computer, because all it did was add and subtract. It took advantage of a method devised by the French mathematician Gaspard de Prony that broke the process of tabulating logarithms down into small steps. These small steps involved only addition and subtraction, meaning that a small army of people without any special mathematical aptitude or training could be employed to produce a table. De Pronys method, known as the method of divided differences, could be used to tabulate any polynomial. Polynomials, in turn, could be used to approximate logarithmic and trigonometric functions.

To get a sense of how this process worked, consider the following simple polynomial function:

The method of divided differences involves finding the difference between each successive value of y for different values of x. The differences between these differences are then found, and possibly the differences between those next differences themselves, until a constant difference appears. These differences can then be used to get the next value of the polynomial simply by adding.

Because the above polynomial is only a second-degree polynomial, we are able to find the constant difference after only two columns of differences:

x y Diff 1 Diff 2 1 2 2 5 3 3 10 5 2 4 17 7 2 5 ? ? 2    

Now, since we know that the constant difference is 2, we can find the value of y when x is 5 through addition only. If we add 2 to 7, the last entry in the Diff 1 column, we get 9. If we add 9 to 17, the last entry in the y column, we get 26, our answer.

Babbages Difference Engine had, for each difference column in a table like the one above, a physical column of gears. Each gear was a decimal digit and one whole column was a decimal number. The Difference Engine had eight columns of gears, so it could tabulate a polynomial up to the seventh degree. The columns were initially set with values matching an early row in the difference table, worked out ahead of time. A human operator would then turn a crank shaft, causing the constant difference to propagate through the machine as the value stored on each column was added to the next.

Babbage was able to build a small section of the Difference Engine and use it to demonstrate his ideas at parties. But even after spending an amount of public money equal to the cost of two large warships, he never built the entire machine. Babbage could not find anyone in the early 1800s that could make the number of gears he needed with sufficient accuracy. A working Difference Engine would not be built until the 1990s, after the advent of precision machining. There is a great video on YouTube demonstrating a working Difference Engine on loan to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, which is worth watching even just to listen to the marvelous sounds the machine makes while it runs.

Babbage eventually lost interest in the Difference Engine when he realized that a much more powerful and flexible machine could be built. His Analytical Engine was the machine that we know today as Babbages mechanical computer. The Analytical Engine was based on the same columns of gears used in the Difference Engine, but whereas the Difference Engine only had eight columns, the Analytical Engine was supposed to have many hundreds more. The Analytical Engine could be programmed using punched cards like a Jacquard Loom and could multiply and divide as well as add and subtract. In order to perform one of these operations, a section of the machine called the mill would rearrange itself into the appropriate configuration, read the operands off of other columns used for data storage, and then write the result back to another column.

Babbage called his new machine the Analytical Engine because it was powerful enough to do something resembling mathematical analysis. The Difference Engine could tabulate a polynomial, but the Analytical Engine would be able to calculate, for example, the coefficients of the polynomial expansion of another expression. It was an amazing machine, but the British government wisely declined to fund its construction. So Babbage went abroad to Italy to try to drum up support for his idea.

Notes by The Translator

In Turin, Babbage met Italian engineer and future prime minister Luigi Menabrea. He persuaded Menabrea to write an outline of what the Analytical Engine could accomplish. In 1842, Menabrea published a paper on the topic in French. The following year, Lovelace published a translation of Menabreas paper into English.

Lovelace, then known as Ada Byron, first met Babbage at a party in 1833, when she was 17 and he was 41. Lovelace was fascinated with Babbages Difference Engine. She could also understand how it worked, because she had been extensively tutored in mathematics throughout her childhood. Her mother, Annabella Milbanke, had decided that a solid grounding in mathematics would ward off the wild, romantic sensibility that possessed Lovelaces father, Lord Byron, the famous poet. After meeting in 1833, Lovelace and Babbage remained a part of the same social circle and wrote to each other frequently.

Ada Byron married William King in 1835. King later became the Earl of Lovelace, making Ada the Countess of Lovelace. Even after having three children, she continued her education in mathematics, employing Augustus de Morgan, who discovered De Morgans laws, as her tutor. Lovelace saw the potential of Babbages Analytical Machine immediately and was eager to work with him to promote the idea. A friend suggested that she translate Menabreas paper for an English audience.

Menabreas paper gave a brief overview of how the Difference Engine worked, then showed how the Analytical Engine would be a far superior machine. The Analytical Engine would be so powerful that it could form the product of two numbers, each containing twenty figures, in three minutes (emphasis in the original). Menabrea gave further examples of the machines capabilities, demonstrating how it could solve a simple system of linear equations and expand the product of two binomial expressions. In both cases, Menabrea provided what Lovelace called diagrams of development, which listed the sequence of operations that would need to be performed to calculate the correct answer. These were programs in the same sense that Lovelaces own program was a program and they were originally published the year before. But as we will see, Menabreas programs were only simple examples of what was possible. All of them were trivial in the sense that they did not require any kind of branching or looping.

Lovelace appended a series of notes to her translation of Menabreas paper that together ran much longer than the original work. It was here that she made her major contributions to computing. In Note A, which Lovelace attached to Menabreas initial description of the Analytical Engine, Lovelace explained at some length and often in lyrical language the promise of a machine that could perform arbitrary mathematical operations. She foresaw that a machine like the Analytical Engine wasnt just limited to numbers and could in fact act on any objects whose mutual fundamental relations could be expressed by those of the abstract science of operations, and which should be also susceptible of adaptations to the action of the operating notation and mechanism of the engine. She added that the machine might one day, for example, compose music. This insight was all the more remarkable given that Menabrea saw the Analytical Engine primarily as a tool for automating long and arid computation, which would free up the intellectual capacities of brilliant scientists for more advanced thinking. The miraculous foresight that Lovelace demonstrated in Note A is one major reason that she is celebrated today.

The other famous note is Note G. Lovelace begins Note G by arguing that, despite its impressive powers, the Analytical Machine cannot really be said to think. This part of Note G is what Alan Turing would later refer to as Lady Lovelaces Objection. Nevertheless, Lovelace continues, the machine can do extraordinary things. To illustrate its ability to handle even more complex problems, Lovelace provides her program calculating the Bernoulli numbers.

The full program, in the expanded diagram of development format that Lovelace explains in Note D, can be seen here. The program is essentially a list of operations, specified using the usual mathematical symbols. It doesnt appear that Babbage or Lovelace got as far as developing anything like a set of op codes for the Analytical Engine.

Though Lovelace was describing a method for computing the entire sequence of Bernoulli numbers up to some limit, the program she provided only illustrated one step of that process. Her program calculated a number that she called B7, which modern mathematicians know as the eighth Bernoulli number. Her program thus sought to solve the following equation:

In the above, each term represents a coefficient in the polynomial formula for the sum of integers to a particular power. Here that power is eight, since the eighth Bernoulli number first appears in the formula for the sum of positive integers to the eighth power. The B and A numbers represent the two kinds of factors that Bernoulli discovered. B1 through B7 are all different Bernoulli numbers, indexed according to Lovelaces indexing. A0 through A5 represent the factors of the coefficients that Bernoulli could calculate using Pascals Triangle. The values of A0, A1, A3, and A5 appear below. Here n represents the index of the Bernoulli number in the sequence of odd-numbered Bernoulli numbers starting with the first. Lovelaces program used n = 4.

Ive created a translation of Lovelaces program into C, which may be easier to follow. Lovelaces program first calculates A0 and the product B1A1. It then enters a loop that repeats twice to calculate B3A3 and B5A5, since those are formed according to an identical pattern. After each product is calculated, it is added with all the previous products, so that by the end of the program the full sum has been obtained.

Obviously the C translation is not an exact recreation of Lovelaces program. It declares variables on the stack, for example, whereas Lovelaces variables were more like registers. But it makes obvious the parts of Lovelaces program that were so prescient. The C program contains two while loops, one nested inside the other. Lovelaces program did not have while loops exactly, but she made groups of operations and in the text of her note specified when they should repeat. The variable v10 , in the original program and in the C translation, functions as a counter variable that decrements with each loop, a construct any programmer would be familiar with. In fact, aside from the profusion of variables with unhelpful names, the C translation of Lovelaces program doesnt look that alien at all.

The other thing worth mentioning quickly is that translating Lovelaces program into C was not that difficult, thanks to the detail present in her diagram. Unlike Menabreas tables, her table includes a column labeled Indication of change in the value on any Variable, which makes it much easier to follow the mutation of state throughout the program. She adds a superscript index here to each variable to indicate the successive values they hold. A superscript of two, for example, means that the value being used here is the second value that has been assigned to the variable since the beginning of the program.

The First Programmer?

After I had translated Lovelaces program into C, I was able to run it on my own computer. To my frustration, I kept getting the wrong result. After some debugging, I finally realized that the problem wasnt the code that I had written. The bug was in the original!

In her diagram of development, Lovelace gives the fourth operation as v5 / v4 . But the correct ordering here is v4 / v5 . This may well have been a typesetting error and not an error in the program that Lovelace devised. All the same, this must be the oldest bug in computing. I marveled that, for ten minutes or so, unknowingly, I had wrestled with this first ever bug.

Jim Randall, another blogger that has translated Lovelaces program into Python, has noted this division bug and two other issues. What does it say about Ada Lovelace that her published program contains minor bugs? Perhaps it shows that she was attempting to write not just a demonstration but a real program. After all, can you really be writing anything more than toy programs if you arent also writing lots of bugs?

One Wikipedia article calls Lovelace the first to publish a complex program. Maybe thats the right way to think about Lovelace accomplishment. Menabrea published diagrams of development in his paper a year before Lovelace published her translation. Babbage also wrote more than twenty programs that he never published. So its not quite accurate to say that Lovelace wrote or published the first program, though theres always room to quibble about what exactly constitutes a program. Even so, Lovelaces program was miles ahead of anything else that had been published before. The longest program that Menabrea presented was 11 operations long and contained no loops or branches; Lovelaces program contains 25 operations and a nested loop (and thus branching). Menabrea wrote the following toward the end of his paper:

When once the engine shall have been constructed, the difficulty will be reduced to the making of the cards; but as these are merely the translation of algebraic formulae, it will, by means of some simple notation, be easy to consign the execution of them to a workman.

Neither Babbage nor Menabrea were especially interested in applying the Analytical Engine to problems beyond the immediate mathematical challenges that first drove Babbage to construct calculating machines. Lovelace saw that the Analytical Engine was capable of much more than Babbage or Menabrea could imagine. Lovelace also grasped that the making of the cards would not be a mere afterthought and that it could be done well or done poorly. This is hard to appreciate without understanding her program from Note G and seeing for oneself the care she put into designing it. But having done that, you might agree that Lovelace, even if she was not the very first programmer, was the first programmer to deserve the title.

If you enjoyed this post, more like it come out every four weeks! Follow @TwoBitHistory on Twitter or subscribe to the RSS feed to make sure you know when a new post is out.

Previously on TwoBitHistory
HA NOI  Vietnamese tuna has good competitiveness in the UK market thanks to the advantages that the United Kingdom-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) brings, insiders have said.

Viet Nam is the 13th largest tuna product supplier to the UK, after Ecuador, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Statistics from VASEP revealed that after three consecutive months of decline, Vietnamese tuna exports to the UK increased once again, with export values to the highly lucrative market soaring by 56 per cent to reach US$742,000 in June.

The latest addition brought Viet Nam's tuna export turnover to this market total up to $3.6 million in the first half of this year, the association said, adding that frozen tuna meat/loins remained the nations major export product to the UK market, accounting for 92 per cent.

The association said that tuna is sold in many types of products in the UK market such as raw, ready-to-cook, sushi, as a cake or breaded. Of these, canned and bagged tuna products are typically consumed the most. However, the consumption of this product group has been on a downward trend since last year.

However, it noted that Vietnamese tuna products in the UK market are having to compete with similar products from Ecuador, with the South American nation having already signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK. This is therefore facilitating the South American nation as it increases its exports to the UK.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Import-Export Department, Vietnamese tuna is enjoying advantages in the UK market thanks to tariff incentives from the UKVFTA.

According to the commitments set out in the UKVFTA, in terms of tariffs, this agreement has a mechanism to continue the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which means that import tariffs placed on fresh and frozen tuna products will be quickly eliminated.

Tariffs placed on frozen tuna or tuna fillets will be eliminated over three-years from 18 per cent to zero per cent. For processed tuna used for canned tuna - the base rate of 24 per cent will be reduced over a seven-year schedule.

For canned and packaged tuna, the quota will be 11,500 tonnes per year duty-free. After that, the original tariff of 20.5 per cent will then be applied, which will be reduced by 3.5 per cent each year.

Complying with rules

To enjoy preferential tax rates as set out in the UKVFTA, however, Vietnamese seafood products, including tuna, must be able to prove their origin, the department said.

The provisions on Rules of Origin in the UKVFTA are similar to those of the EVFTA, with the origin criteria for raw and processed aquatic products in the UKVFTA being purely originating.

In practice, this means that raw, semi-processed and processed aquatic products exported from the nation are considered to have origin under the UKVFTA when the aquatic materials used in the production process are purely originating from Viet Nam, either born or raised, caught and processed entirely in the country. Therefore, they are not allowed to be imported from a third country outside of the agreement.

Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy general secretary of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), urged seafood producers and exporters to regularly update the market information, especially changes in requirements such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, to maintain export momentum.

Companies could study the UK market information via the UK and Vietnamese governments official sources, the UK public body - the Sea Fish Industry Authority and the e-portal of VASEP, Nam said.

As part of efforts to promote tuna products to the UK market, according to other experts, Vietnamese enterprises should increase the application of science and technology, whilst developing modern production and processing systems, thereby optimising the production process in a bid to improve the quality and added value of products. This will help Vietnamese seafood gradually meet international standards and create competitive advantages.

They should also diversify export products, increase deeply processed products and choose market segments and distribution channels suitable for products and scale of business operation, while also looking into the tastes and characteristics of the market, experts said.

New record in October

Tuna is considered one of Viet Nam's major export items.

Viet Nam's tuna export turnover reached nearly US$93 million in October, up 22 per cent year-on-year or making a 25-month high, according to VASEP.

During the month, tuna exports to major markets all grew, except for the EU and South Korea, it said.

If the growth momentum continued, the country's tuna export turnover could likely hit about $1 billion by the year-end, a yearly increase of 18 per cent, the association forecast.

In the first 10 months, tuna exports brought home more than $821 million, up 18 per cent over the same period last year.  VNS
HA NOI  Modern salt production models using scientific and technological advancements to improve productivity, quality and the overall value of salt will be introduced in a salt festival next year.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Peoples Committee of the southern province of Bac Lieu, will organise the 'Vietnamese Salt Craft Festival - Bac Lieu 2025: 100-Year Journey of Salt - Human Life' under the theme 'Enhancing the Value of Vietnamese Salt in Bac Lieu Province 2025'.

The festival will also create a platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge in production, processing and trading salt products and OCOP (One Commune, One Product) products across provinces.

Le Trong am, deputy dditor-in-chief of Nong Nghiep Viet Nam (Viet Nam Agriculture) newspaper, said that salt production in Viet Nam is a long-standing traditional industry, playing an important role in both the economy and culture, especially in coastal provinces such as Thai Binh, Nam inh, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Bac Lieu.

Bac Lieu, in particular, is considered the "salt capital" of Viet Nam, producing the largest output nationwide. It not only significantly contributes to the income of salt producers, but also creates a unique cultural identity for the region.

Salt festivals, along with stories and traditional experiences passed down through generations, reflect the deep spirit and cultural identity of this land.

Bac Lieu salt is well known for its high quality, and has become an important export product.

However, salt production remains a fluctuating trade, increasingly losing its appeal for younger generations. Factors such as low income, harsh working conditions and the allure of other industries have made the younger generation less inclined to continue this craft.

The festival aims to honour, preserve and develop the salt industry, raising the value of Vietnamese salt production overall, and particularly Bac Lieu salt.

The event seeks to inspire younger generations with the knowledge and skills to engage in production, business and entrepreneurship within the salt industry.

It will foster cooperation and linkages between salt production, processing and trading sectors and other industries such as the tourism, healthcare and culinary sectors.

Additionally, the festival will highlight the historical, cultural and heritage value of the salt industry in Bac Lieu and participating provinces.

The event will promote salt and regional specialty salt products from various provinces, which is expected to boost production, business and the income of salt producers. This will encourage product diversification, increasing added value and production efficiency, while integrating tourism for sustainable development.

Bac Lieu Province will showcase its economic, cultural and tourism potential, as well as its sustainable development prospects, at the festival.

Ngo Nguyen Phong, deputy director of the Bac Lieu Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the festival is an opportunity to honour the heritage of the salt industry while promoting its development towards modernisation and sustainability.

The event is expected to not only promote Bac Lieu salt products and Vietnamese salt products, but also create momentum for economic, cultural and tourism connections. This will mark an important milestone in preserving traditions, enhancing the value of Vietnamese salt and upholding the salt industrys position in domestic and international markets.

"The 'Vietnamese Salt Craft Festival - Bac Lieu 2025: 100-Year Journey of Salt - Human Life' is an opportunity for Bac Lieu to leave a good impression on residents and visitors while contributing to the economic, cultural and social development of the province. Most importantly, it will elevate the value of Vietnamese salt and specifically, Bac Lieu salt," Phong said.

In Decision No. 1325, issued in August 2020, the Prime Minister approved the Development Plan for the Salt Industry for the 2021-30 period, which outlines goals to develop clean salt and traditional salt production, while strengthening the processing sector to make salt a trillion-ong industry.

The plan aims to maintain a total salt production area of 14,500ha, producing 1.5 million tonnes annually by 2025. By 2030, this area will be reduced to 14,244ha, but production will increase to two million tonnes annually, meeting domestic demand.

Key industrial-scale salt production zones will be established in the south-central region. Technology and mechanisation will be applied to improve harvesting and post-harvest washing, increasing productivity by at least 30 per cent and stabilising salt quality to meet industrial requirements. By-products like gypsum and brine will also be used.

The Government has planned an estimated budget of VN2.8 trillion (US$110 million) to develop the salt industry by 2030, of which about VN1.9 trillion (68.69 per cent) will come from the central budget; VN300 billion (10.6 per cent) will be allocated from local government programmes such as agricultural extension, industrial promotion, poverty reduction and new rural development initiatives; and VN534 billion (18.9 per cent) will come from legal private sector contributions, including businesses, co-operatives and community participation.  VNS
HA NOI  The agriculture sector this year is estimated to gain a surplus record of nearly US$19 billion, an increase of 53 per cent compared to 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

This year, the sector's production value is estimated to increase by over 3.2 per cent, while its agricultural, forestry and fishery export value is expected to reach a historic high of $62.4 billion, up 18 per cent year on year.

Those were the numbers revealed at the conference to promote agricultural, forestry and fishery exports held in HCM City on December 16, by Ngo Hong Phong, director of MARD's Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development.

Of which, the export turnover during January-November reached $56.7 billion, an increase of over 18 per cent year on year. This is the highest record ever, surpassing the yearly target of $54-55 billion set at the beginning of the year.

Therefore, the sector gained a trade surplus of $16.5 billion in the first 11 months, an increase of 52.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Leading the export growth in the group of the agricultural products are coffee (up 56.9 per cent), pepper (53.3 per cent), rubber (24.6 per cent) and rice (10.6 per cent).

There are up to 11 groups of products with export turnover of over $1 billion, of which seven items with value of over $3 billion. They included wood and wood products ($16 billion), vegetables and fruits ($7.1 billion), rice ($5.8 billion), coffee ($5.4 billion), cashew ($4.3 billion), shrimp ($3.8 billion) and rubber ($3.2 billion).

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien said the sector's good business performance was due to the restructuring of the agricultural sector and the promotion of applying science and technology for production and business.

Responding to drought and salinity, developing raw material regions associated with processing and expanding export markets have created momentums for the industry's sustainable development.

In addition, signed free trade agreements have also created a solid foundation to promote national export growth, including agricultural export value.

Tien also believed that Viet Nam will continue to sign protocols on animal and aquatic products next year, making the agriculture achieve higher growth rate in the future.

Besides accelerating exports to traditional markets, Viet Nam has opened up to new markets, especially the Halal market in the Middle East.

However, Phong said that geopolitical changes, military conflicts and especially the re-election of President Donald Trump will pose many challenges to Viet Nam's agricultural export.

The challenges include protectionist policies with high tariff barriers, increasing technical regulations and requirements for sustainable and green development for agricultural, forestry and fishery exports from other countries, including from Viet Nam.

To adapt to these challenges, departments, localities, associations and enterprises need to continue to promote the restructuring of the agricultural sector, according to MARD. They should prioritise promoting key export products, such as rice, aquatic products and vegetables towards improving quality and production efficiency.

In addition, they need to develop large raw material regions, clusters linking production - processing and consumption of agricultural products.

Along with that, improving the quality, value and competitiveness of agricultural products in domestic and foreign markets should be prioritised. Building value chains for each kind of agricultural products is also needed.

Trade Counselor of Viet Nam in China Nong uc Lai recommended that Viet Nam's authorities need to strengthen the management and supervision of export goods quality.

At the same time, they should regularly update information about regulations, quality standards and food hygiene and safety requirements of importing countries for companies in Viet Nam.

Deputy Director of MARD's Plant Protection Department Le Van Thiet said they need to improve the production stages to ensure traceability and packaging in accordance with the regulations of importing countries.  VNS
Eight years since suspending the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, the National Assembly (NA) has recently approved a resolution to restart the project in Ninh Thuan Province, aiming to ensure the nations energy security.

Vietnam News Agency talks with Tran Quoc Nam, chairman of the Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee about the issue.

After the NA passed a resolution to restart the Nuclear Power Project in the locality, could you share the feelings of the local Party Committee, authorities and people when being honoured with this important responsibility?

Since 2009, when the NA passed Resolution 41/2009/QH12 on the policy of building the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant, the Party Committee, authorities and people of the province have all agreed on the project implementation.

We coordinated very well in carrying out the work until the NA issued Resolution 31/2016/NQ-QH14 to cease the project. Since then, people in the project area have faced many difficulties and wished to be able to have more stable livelihoods and to be more productive.

As the NA now has a policy to restart the project, the Party Committee, authorities and people of the province in general and in the project area agree, trust and comply with the NAs decision.

This is a great honour for the Party Committee and people of Ninh Thuan province. The NA has approved the policy to restart the project in the context of rising energy demands, especially clean energy, to meet the urgent needs for the development of the whole country until 2045 and beyond.

How is the province preparing to receive the national key project?

When there is a specific roadmap for implementing the project, the province will proactively conduct surveys and collect opinions of the people in the project area. We will also strengthen public information dissemination to create consensus for when the project is implemented.

At the same time, the locality will also ask the Government to adjust the Ninh Thuan Provincial Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, which includes an addition of an orientation for the development of the nuclear power plant.

Ninh Thuan will also choose plans to develop industries and fields. Besides reconsidering development scenarios, the province will also adjust land use planning and construction planning for the projects development area to ensure implementation conditions.

What recommendations and proposals does Ninh Thuan make for the Government when the project is implemented? What are your expectations for the provincce's development?

To support the province to successfully take advantage of opportunities and create momentum to promote rapid socio-economic development when the project is implemented, we propose that the Government considers specific supporting policy groups for the province, such as investing in power transmission infrastructure, having policies to support electricity prices for local people and having investment policies on infrastructure, health, education, social insurance, transportation, tourism, agriculture and industry.

Ninh Thuan also hopes to receive support from the Government to invest in infrastructure to form corridors that connect regions to promote industrial, trade and tourism development of the province and local areas in the region. It will contribute to supporting the rapid and sustainable socio-economic development of the province and quickly narrow the development gap between Ninh Thuan and other localities in the region and the whole country.

The Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, which is a key national project, with very large investment capital, will have a great impact and become a decisive driver for the socio-economic development of the province and the entire country. The Party Committee, authorities and people of the Ninh Thuan Province agree, have high expectations and have a great faith in the Governments policy to invest in the project.  VNS
BA RIA-VUNG TAU  The heroic history and development of the Con ao Archipelago of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province from its early days until today is the major topic of a virtual exhibition entitled Con ao - The Island of Legends in the East Sea.

The exhibition is organised by the National Archives Centre No 1 under the State Records and Archives Department in collaboration with the Con ao National Monuments Conservation Centre to mark the 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (December 22).

The showcase includes more than 300 textual and iconographic records selected from the National Archives Centres nationwide and the conservation centre.

The three-part exhibition focuses on patriotism and the sacrifice of soldiers and people during the two resistance wars, and its journey to build Con ao as a world-class site for marine, cultural, historical and spiritual tourism under its development plan by 2045.

The first part introduces artefacts dating back approximately 2,500 years ago such as stone tools, metal casting molds, axe heads, bronze chisels and ceramics items which were unearthed at excavation sites at Hai ang, Mieu Ba, An Hai, So Trieu and Hon Cau.

Maps of Con ao under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) are also featured.

The next part tells tragic stories of Vietnamese revolutionary fighters and other patriots who were detained in Con ao, once named a Hell on Earth, during two resistance wars, but also praises the soldiers courage, sacrifice and resilience.

The final part highlights the transformation of Con ao from a Hell on Earth to a tourist paradise. It showcases photos of Con aos pristine beauty, rich ecosystem, distinctive culture, and achievements in all fields.

Each year, the archipelago welcomes millions of domestic and international visitors for sightseeing, learning, and relaxation.

Tran Thi Mai Huong, director of the National Archives Centre No. 1, said: The exhibition is expected to provide the public with insight into Con aos rich history and raise peoples awareness about the crucial importance of seas and islands to the national defence and sustainable development.

The exhibition is available at the website https://trungtambaotonditichquocgiacondao.vn/trien-lam-3d-truc-tuyen-con-dao-ban-anh-hung-ca-giua-trung-khoi/. All annotations are in both Vietnamese and English.  VNS
Dr Mattias Larsson*

Lan, a vibrant and active 14-year-old girl, had been struggling with slow growth and poor weight gain for several years. Her parents assumed these issues would improve with time, as she was generally healthy and ate well.

Over recent months, Lan began to experience troubling symptoms: constant fatigue, a feeling of being unusually cold, generalised joint pain and a lack of appetite. Her school performance began to decline and she grew increasingly self-conscious about the erratic rashes appearing on her face.

Concerned, her parents sought help from a local doctor, who diagnosed Lan with an infection and prescribed antibiotics, steroids and vitamins. While the treatment brought temporary relief, her symptoms returned and worsened once the medication course ended. Desperate for answers, her family decided to consult the Family Medical Practice (FMP), known for its expertise in paediatric care.

At FMP, the paediatrician reviewed her history and performed a thorough physical examination. The findings were concerning: Lan showed signs of delayed puberty, with sparse axillary and pubic hair and minimal breast development. Her dry skin, brittle hair, and cold extremities hinted at potential endocrine issues, while bluish skin on hands, feet, or limbs due to poor circulation or lack of oxygen peripheral cyanosis raised concerns about malnutrition. Additionally, the bloating or swelling of her abdomen abdominal distension and facial rash suggested malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease.

The paediatrician considered several possible causes for Lans condition. These included thyroid hormone deficiency, blood cancer, health issues that occur after infections with the CMV or EBV virus, post-infectious syndromes after CMV or EBV virus infections, autoimmune disorders, anorexia nervosa and inflammatory bowel disease.

To narrow down the possibilities, the doctor ordered a series of tests. The results revealed anemia with low haemoglobin, mild swelling inflammation with higher elevated levels of a blood marker (CRP), mild inflammation with elevated CRP, and protein in the urine, indicating potential kidney involvement. While her thyroid hormones were normal, her high erythrocyte (red blood cell) test results, sedimentation rate (ESR) and low platelet count suggested ongoing inflammation; her elevated ESR and low platelet count pointed to chronic inflammation.

A positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test further suggested an autoimmune condition. Additional testing for anti-dsDNA antibodies confirmed the diagnosis: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The paediatrician explained the diagnosis to Lan and her family. SLE, or lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to widespread inflammation. Its symptoms vary widely but often include fatigue, joint pain, fevers, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes and the characteristic butterfly-shaped rash on the face. SLE typically occurs in episodes of flare-ups followed by periods of remission.

Although the exact cause of SLE remains unclear, genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role. Among identical twins, if one develops SLE, there is a 24 per cent chance the other will, and the disease is more common in women and people of African, Caribbean, or Chinese descent. Diagnosing SLE is complex, relying on a combination of clinical observations and laboratory findings. Lans case met six of the eleven diagnostic criteria for SLE, including the butterfly rash, kidney disease, blood disorders, arthritis and a positive ANA test.

To manage her condition, Lan was started on a treatment plan that included: Chloroquine for long-term disease control. NSAIDs to alleviate inflammation. Corticosteroids for acute symptom relief. Methotrexate, an immunosuppressant, to reduce immune system overactivity. The doctor also advised caution, as immunosuppressive therapy increases the risk of infections.

When Lans parents inquired about her prognosis, the pediatrician reassured them. With modern treatment options, 8090 per cent of individuals with SLE can expect to live a normal lifespan. Lan, curious about the name "lupus," learned that it comes from the Latin word for "wolf," inspired by the facial rashs resemblance to a wolfs bite as perceived in medieval times. Family Medical Practice

*Dr Mattias Larsson is a paediatric doctor at Family Medical Practice and associate professor at Karolinska Institute and has a long experience in research on infectious diseases. He has worked with the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam. He is fluent in English, Swedish, Vietnamese, German and speaks some Spanish.

Family Medical Practice - FMP Healthcare Group operates medical centres in major cities including HCM City, Ha Noi and a Nang, offering consultations with international doctors, check-up centres and emergency ambulance services.

In HCM City, we have clinics in Districts 1, 2, and 7, along with the Care 1 - Executive Health Check-Up Centre and internationally accredited *9999 emergency ambulance services.
HCM CITY  The Peoples Committee of District 10 in HCM City and the Chim Canh Cut Travel Service Joint Stock Company on December 14 launched an inter-district tourist tour named Biet ong Sai Gon - Nhung Can Ham Huyen Thoai (Saigon Special Forces - Legendary Tunnels).

Biet ong Sai Gon was a special force unit of the Vietnam People's Army that operated during the Vietnam War.

Formed in the 1960s, this unit was known for its guerrilla tactics and urban warfare, particularly during the Tet Offensive and Uprising in the spring of 1968.

Their operations included sabotage, intelligence gathering, and direct assaults against South Vietnamese and US forces, playing a crucial role in the reunification of Viet Nam.

The tunnels and hiding places used by the Sai Gon Special Forces are now significant historical sites, reflecting their contributions to the struggle for the liberation of the South and national reunification.

With this tour, visitors will experience and hear stories about the heroic struggles of the forces; visit the thematic exhibition on the revolutionary struggle from 1954 to 1975 at the HCM City Museum; explore the weapon hiding tunnels of the forces in District 3; see the secret tunnels used during the resistance against the American imperialists in District 10; and visit their secret mailbox and connecting tunnels in District 1.

Director of the HCM City Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said that the tour aims to add an attractive tourism product to the citys tourism product system.

This is also one of the heritage tourism products being promoted in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and national reunification.

According to Vice Chairman of the District 10 People's Committee Bui The Hai, the district has been implementing various communications and promotional activities to connect tourism resources and locations to create distinctive products to attract visitors.

The inter-district tour is a tribute to the previous generations who bravely fought and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the homeland. VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  The Flavors Vietnam 2024 x HOZO International Food Fest, which was held in HCM Citys Nguyen Hue and Le Loi streets from December 13 to 15, welcomed more than 500,000 attendees.

The event showcased Viet Nams rich culinary heritage alongside its modern evolution, complemented by show-stopping music performances, prestigious awards, and immersive activities.

With 60 food and beverage booths, including Dim Tu Tac, Sedaap Noodle, and Japanit Matcha & Coffee House, the festival offered a rich culinary adventure. Visitors savoured gourmet creations and beloved local street eats, with flavours spanning Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and more. Attendees indulged in exclusive dishes crafted by renowned restaurants, cafes, and artisan food purveyors, celebrating the unparalleled diversity of Viet Nams culinary scene.

"Participating in Flavors Vietnam 2024 x HOZO International Food Fest allowed us to showcase our signature Sedaap noodles dishes to a vibrant crowd of food lovers. It was inspiring to see such excitement for the flavours we create," said a representative from KIDO Group.

Within the F&B Zone, attendees not only indulged in a wide variety of food and drinks but also enjoyed engaging activities at interactive booths. Notably, Vikki Digital Bank hosted a vibrant activation space featuring fun AR games and exciting prizes.

Another standout feature of the event was the exclusive Mastercard Lounge, where food and beverage workshops took center stage, offering participants hands-on experiences led by top brands like Layla Kitchen & Bar, IBUKI, and Osterberg Ice Cream.

The Mastercard Lounge also hosted an array of engaging activities, including mini-games, a curated media tour, and an exclusive after-party. With its rotating schedule of events, the lounge became a vibrant meeting point, adding layers of excitement and interaction to the festival experience.

This years Flavors Vietnam 2024 x HOZO International Food Fest exemplifies the vibrancy of Viet Nams F&B industry, combining its culinary artistry with a deep sense of community and innovation. At Vietcetera, we are thrilled to witness this event become a platform for promoting Viet Nams culinary and cultural excellence on both national and international stages. With over half a million attendees, this years festival truly solidifies its role as a landmark celebration of our dynamic food scene, said Hao Tran, CEO of Vietcetera.

At the heart of the festival was the Flavors Awards, celebrating Viet Nams vibrant F&B scene through three distinct award categories: Grand Jury, recognising excellence as judged by top culinary experts; Vietcetera Editors' Picks, uncovering the up and coming hospitality spots in town, carefully curated by Vietceteras editors; and Flavors Collection, showcasing the most favorite establishments voted by the public.

The festival was also a feast for music lovers, featuring over 60 talented artists such as by My Tam, HIEUTHUHAI, and Henry Luu.  VNS
THANH HOA  The armed forces of the north-central province of Thanh Hoa and its Lao neighbouring province of Houaphanh engaged in a defence exchange programme on Sunday and Monday, marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army (VPA) and the 35th anniversary of the All-People's Defence Festival (December 22).

The two-day event saw medical personnel from both sides offering free check-ups and medicines to nearly 450 border residents in the two provinces. It also featured the handover of 70 sets of gifts to needy families and students as well as tree-planting and border-marker-painting activities.

The provinces took the occasion to sign a defence exchange pact that stresses the reinforcement of their traditional friendship and all-round collaboration, contributing to practically fostering their countries great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. They will further team up in the fields of politics and diplomacy, while raising the awareness of their officials, Party members, and people, particularly the youth, of the Viet Nam-Laos and Thanh Hoa-Houaphanh ties.

The sides will also launch regular and ad hoc exchanges of information on defence, security, and political matters, with the Thanh Hoa Military Command further working with Houaphanh to organise training sessions on political and military topics for officers and village officials and supporting the Houaphanh Military Command in the maintenance and repair of weapons and equipment.  VNS
BEIJING  The Vietnamese Embassy in China on Monday hosted a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) and 35th anniversary of the All-People Defence Festival (December 22), attended by senior officers of the Chinese military, representatives from Chinese ministries and agencies, defence attaches from various countries, and members of the Vietnamese community in the host country.

In his address, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sao Mai lauded the relationship between the two countries over the past time and affirmed that Viet Nam remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering the bilateral friendship and cooperation, which is an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy.

Viet Nam appreciates the invaluable support provided by the Chinese Party, Government, army, and people during its struggle for national independence and its ongoing efforts in socialism building and national development, the diplomat noted.

He said based on the strong relationship between the two Parties and nations, their defence ties have been identified as a key pillar to be expanded and deepened toward effectiveness and practical outcomes to translate the strategic guidance by their high-ranking leaders into reality. High-level interactions between the countries central military commissions and defence ministries have become more frequent, further solidifying political trust, while cooperation and exchanges between their armies have grown substantively.

The ceremony saw participants exchanging views on the countries affairs and their relations, and enjoying traditional Vietnamese cuisine.  VNS
TAY NINH  Police of the southeastern province of Tay Ninh and Cambodias Svay Rieng and Tboung Khmum provinces on Monday held a meeting to review their border crime prevention and security cooperation this year and sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on collaboration for the first half of 2025.

Colonel Nguyen Van Trai, Director of the Tay Ninh provincial Department of Public Security, noted that the provinces police forces have worked closely together in addressing various issues in the border region.

Tay Ninh is often targeted as a key route for transnational crime rings, and the issue of Vietnamese nationals being lured by illegal online gambling rings with the promise of well-paid but easy jobs, and their illegal residency in Cambodia have become a concern. Trai said that hundreds of individuals have been handled and forced to return home by Cambodian authorities through the local border gates. A rise in smuggling, illegal border crossings, and other criminal activities is anticipated as the Lunar New Year approaches, he noted, calling for concerted effort from the sides to address them.

Lieutenant General Chen Ny, Tboung Khmum province Police Chief, shared that cooperation in preventing and combating crimes along the Tay Ninh- Tboung Khmum border area has proven effective, facilitating bilateral trade and goods exchange. Their police forces regularly exchange information and work together in tackling various crimes, particularly illegal border crossings.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Pich Vireak, Svay Rieng province Police Chief, said his department will continue to strengthen the partnership with its Tay Ninh counterpart in crime combat, contributing to building a shared border of peace, stability, and cooperation, for mutual development.

Nguyen Hong Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh Peoples Committee, called for continued information sharing between the sides to address transnational crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and illegal immigration. - VNS
HUE CITY  Advancements in modern medicine and social support have brought greater hope to child cancer patients at Hue Central Hospital. Over the past 20 years, the survival rate of these children has significantly increased.

In the past, a cancer diagnosis often felt like a death sentence leading some to abandon treatment for their children.

However, with the remarkable progress in modern healthcare and the care and support of society, the 'door of hope' for paediatric cancer patients at Hue Central Hospital continues to open wider. The survival rate of child cancer patients treated here has risen dramatically, from 20 per cent in 2014, to 70 per cent in 2024.

Leading in paediatric radiation therapy

The automatic doors to the radiation therapy room opened at the exact moment a nearly two-year-old child woke from anaesthesia, crying out for her mother.

Doctors, nurses and technicians from Radiation Unit 2 at the Oncology Centre of Hue Central Hospital breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing that they had administered anaesthesia correctly and precisely  a crucial technique in paediatric radiation therapy.

At that point, the childs mother was called in to comfort her child, while the medical team helped move the patient into recovery.

The child, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nh., too young to comprehend her battle against sarcoma, had endured surgeries and chemotherapy since she was just ten months old. The stress of these treatments caused her to cry and resist every time she lay in the radiation therapy system. As a result, the medical team decided to use anaesthesia to optimise her treatment outcomes.

Her mother said that the disease began with abnormal abdominal swelling. From that moment, she abandoned her job and left her two other young children with relatives in her hometown to follow Tuyet Nh.s treatment from Ha Noi to Hue. Fortunately, after several rounds of radiation therapy at Hue Central Hospital, Tuyet Nh.s health improved slightly, her appetite returned and she vomited less frequently.

As a doctor, Duong Thao S. from Vinh City of Nghe An Province, understood the gravity of her daughters midline glioma, a malignant tumour in a dangerous location, making surgical removal impossible.

Radiation therapy became the only option to slow the tumour's growth. The mother recounted that her daughter was initially admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, under the joint care of the Oncology Centre for both medical treatment and radiation therapy.

Due to her young age, the child found it challenging to cooperate with treatment. However, with the persistence and encouragement of the medical team and the use of safe anaesthesia, her daughter has now completed half of her radiation sessions, with her health indicators gradually stabilising.

Unlike adult radiation therapy, paediatric radiation therapy is more complex, requiring collaboration among specialists in paediatric oncology, paediatric anaesthesia, paediatric radiation and experienced radiation technicians. For children under five years old, who often cannot cooperate, anaesthetised radiation therapy is essential. Even slight movements during treatment could render the session ineffective.

According to Dr Ngo Dung, head of Anaesthesia and Resuscitation Department B at the hospital, administering anaesthesia for paediatric radiation therapy is like an art. It requires the establishment of an intravenous line for both medication and resuscitation, ensuring the child remains absolutely still. There is no standardised approach, each childs condition and the nature of their illness dictate the anaesthesia method used.

Anaesthetised radiation therapy is a significant challenge for oncology centres in Viet Nam. Currently, only a few centres in the country can perform this technique. Dr Phan Canh Duy, the deputy director of the Oncology Centre, explained that paediatric radiation therapy was vastly different from adult oncology, requiring additional specialised training for doctors. Few radiation oncologists ventured into this challenging yet vital field.

We are fortunate to have undergone training courses both domestically and internationally, becoming active members of the global paediatric oncology community, Duy said.

From adult radiation oncology, we have developed a deep understanding of paediatric cancer and can now deliver treatments in line with national and international protocols.

Over the past decade, paediatric radiation therapy at our centre has steadily developed, becoming a trusted destination for colleagues across the country, he said.

According to Professor Pham Nhu Hiep, the hospitals director, as a top-tier multidisciplinary hospital, Hue Central Hospital is equipped with highly trained specialists and state-of-the-art radiation machines capable of advanced techniques.

As a result, the hospitals radiation therapy quality is on par with neighbouring countries like Thailand and Singapore. Its treatment protocols align with those agreed upon in the Asia-Pacific region.

'Medicine' for the spirit

Brain cancer, spinal tumours, neuroblastoma, kidney cancer and bone cancer are common types of childhood cancer.

Typically, children must endure 10 to 30 radiation therapy sessions, spending much of their childhood in hospital.

One might expect that battling a life-threatening disease would leave the children despondent or weary.

Yet on the 4th floor of the pink building, home to the Oncology, Haematology, and Bone Marrow Transplant Department of the hospital, laughter and joy fill the Space for Children 2.

Away from treatment sessions, the children follow a scientifically scheduled weekly routine. They participate in unique lessons taught by university students, interact with international trainees at the hospital and enjoy music and cultural exchange activities.

Nguyen Trieu L., a 13-year-old from Huong Tra Town, spent the past few months in the hospital. Days that once involved playing tag with fellow patients now also include time in the newly created play area, the Space for Children 2.

She excitedly said: My heart races with joy when I see this fun space.

Kazuyo Watanabe, president of the Asian Childrens Care Federation and a sponsor of Space for Children 2, noted that Hue Central Hospital treated many disadvantaged child patients. During treatment, these children would greatly benefit from a comfortable space for play and relaxation.

Space for Children 2 aims to ensure their physical and mental well-being, helping them overcome their illness."

Since its establishment, the play and learning area, has attracted many individuals and organisations offering support and encouragement. This space allows volunteers and benefactors to better understand the children's needs and provide the most suitable assistance.

Dr Pham Nhu Hien, chairman of the Young Physicians Association of Thua Thien-Hue Province, said that following the success of the first Space for Children at the Oncology Centre, a second was created.

This area serves as both a second home and a microcosmic society where children interact and learn from volunteers and organisations.

Pleased with the outcomes achieved in treatment in Hue, Kazuyo Watanabe expressed her commitment to continued support and collaboration with the hospital to implement advanced techniques for paediatric cancer treatment.

The rate of treatment being abandoned at Hue Central Hospital has significantly decreased in recent years, reflecting the growing trust families have in the nations healthcare system.

Many children have fully recovered post-treatment, reintegrating into life and society. These success stories inspire other 'little warriors' to continue their fight and reach their ultimate goal of conquering cancer. VNS
BAC GIANG  In accordance with the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC)s resolution on rearranging administrative units at the district and commune levels in Bac Giang City for 2023-25, the city is working hard to complete the mergers of its Tran Phu, Le Loi, Ngo Quyen and Tran Nguyen Han wards per regulations.

According to the NASCs Resolution No 1191/NQ-UBTVQH15 dated September 28, 2024, Tran Nguyen Han Ward is to be merged with Ngo Quyen Ward, while Le Loi Ward becomes a part of Tran Phu Ward.

Thanks to the communication efforts in the local area, people understand that the merging of these localities is a requirement and an opportunity for further growth.

Tran Nguyen Han Ward Party Committee and the People's Committee of Tran Nguyen Han have devised a plan and implemented it across the entire local Party unit to ensure that members, officials and the public fully understand the purpose, significance and requirements of the merger, while also addressing their concerns.

They are also focusing on the necessary preparations for asset and document handover as per regulations.

Meanwhile, as the receiving unit, Tran Phu Ward has proactively carried out their tasks according to the citys instructions.

This includes preparing adequate facilities, office space and document storage rooms for the handover from Le Loi and ensuring the smooth operation of the new Tran Phu Ward from January 1, 2025.

Bac Giang City is monitoring the changes and provides guidance to ensure the mergers are on schedule.

Bac Giang City Party Standing Committee has worked closely with the four wards to carry out key tasks such as: continuing to strengthen communication efforts and listen to public opinion, reviewing targets and missions for 2024, preparing reports on local Party operations and performance evaluations and the handing over assets, budgets, documents, along with devising restructuring plans for civil officials after the mergers.

The newly formed Ngo Quyen and Tran Phu wards will see an increase in geographical areas and population sizes.

While the mergers will present challenges in management, they will also create favourable conditions to promote socio-economic development in these localities and in Bac Giang City as a whole.  VNS
HA NOI  Online fraud continues to thrive in 2024 in Viet Nam, with the most common form being enticing victims into investment schemes, while personal data breaches remain at an alarming level.

These were the findings from the Cybersecurity Report and Survey 2024 conducted by the Technology Committee of the Viet Nam's National Cybersecurity Association, released on Monday. The survey questioned individual users, conducted online from November 28 to December 14, attracting over 59,000 participants.

As per the survey, one in 220 users became a victim of online fraud, equating to a rate of 0.45 per cent. The total financial losses caused by online fraud in 2024 were estimated at VN18.9 trillion (US$744.5 million).

The number of victims is substantial, but very few manage to recover their losses. Despite 88.98 per cent of users stating they immediately warned and consulted with family and friends after being scammed, only less than half  45.69 per cent  reported the incident to the authorities, a relatively low rate.

According to experts from the National Cybersecurity Association, reporting fraud to the authorities is essential to protect victims' rights and to prevent further crimes. First, reporting enables authorities to gather timely information for investigations and evidence collection, thereby increasing the chances of capturing and prosecuting fraudsters. Second, reporting can help victims recover a portion or even all of their stolen assets, especially when authorities intervene in time to freeze related assets.

Moreover, each reported case contributes to building a database of scams and fraud tactics, which helps warn the community. Therefore, reporting fraud not only safeguards individuals but also contributes to creating a safer, more transparent and healthier online environment for all.

Common types of online frauds

Fraudsters use various sophisticated methods to target users. The three most common scams in 2024 include fake investment schemes, scammers impersonating authorities or organisations, and prize and promotion scams.

According to the survey, 70.72 per cent of users reported receiving invitations to invest in dubious financial platforms that guaranteed high returns without risks. Additionally, 62.08 per cent encountered fraudulent calls impersonating agencies (tax, bank, or police etc.) urging them to install software or transfer money to prove their innocence in legal violation cases. Meanwhile, 60.01 per cent received suspicious notifications of large prizes or promotions.

Besides sophisticated scenarios, fraudsters increasingly use modern technologies, such as AI-powered deepfake videos and voice impersonations, to gain victims' trust. They also use automated tools (chatbots) for continuous communication and specialised software to make mass phone calls, reaching multiple victims simultaneously. This high-tech approach makes it difficult for victims to differentiate between real and fake content, leaving them vulnerable to scams.

Head of the Technology Committee Vu Ngoc Son urged people to be vigilant in cyberspace, avoid sharing personal data with strangers or untrustworthy services, verify calls or messages asking for monetary transactions and use the Viet Nam's official anti-fraud application nTrust (developed by the National Cybersecurity Association) to filter out known spam callers or harmful websites.

Personal data breaches and spam calls

In 2024, personal data breaches in Viet Nam remained severe and complex. Up to 66.24 per cent of users confirmed their information was misused.

Some key sources of leakages were identified, including e-commerce transactions (73.99 per cent believe their data was leaked when shopping online), social media (62.13 per cent suspect their information was exposed through social networks), or essential services usage (67 per cent attribute breaches to using services like restaurants, hotels, or supermarkets).

Experts from the National Cybersecurity Association note that these are also global trends. Each user now has an average of 2.3 accounts and engages with numerous websites, apps and services, making personal data widely distributed across hundreds of systems. With inconsistent security measures, these systems are vulnerable to attacks, leaks, or operational errors.

The association recommends users to limit sharing of sensitive personal information online, verify websites' and business' credibility before providing data, and use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Regarding spam calls, only a very small portion  4.46 per cent  of survey respondents said they were not bothered by the issue in 2024. A staggering 95.54 per cent reported being disturbed by unwanted calls, with 52.96 per cent experiencing occasional disturbances (a few calls per month) and 42.58 per cent receiving weekly spam calls.

The nTrust system recorded 134,000 reports of fraudulent numbers in the last six months of 2024. The database now includes 296,000 spam and fraudulent phone numbers.

Malware threats persist

Although cyberattacks are increasingly targeting organisations, personal users remain primary targets for malware. In 2024, 23.40 per cent of users reported being affected by malware at least once, with 9.65 per cent experiencing ransomware attacks.

Malware often infiltrates devices through software downloaded from unverified sources. The survey revealed that 31.36 per cent of users admitted to downloading software from links received via email, chat, or social media.

Through the nTrust system, over 875,000 dangerous IP addresses and domains were identified in 2024, most associated with malware distribution.

Experts advise users to avoid downloading software from untrusted sources, use official app stores or verified websites for software downloads, regularly update operating systems and install reputable antivirus software, and backup data periodically to minimise damages from attacks.  VNS
SINGAPORE  The Liaison Board of the Vietnamese Community in Singapore attended the 2024 International Migrants Day Celebration held by the Singaporean Ministry of Manpower on December 15.

This is the third time it has been invited by the organisers to participate in the celebration, reflecting local authorities recognition of the Vietnamese communitys contributions to the host countrys economic and cultural life.

Alongside a booth showcasing Viet Nam's culture and cuisine, the Liaison Board also entertained visitors with cultural and artistic performances imbued with national identity. Traditional folk games with prizes and cultural quizzes about Viet Nam were also organised, helping international workers and friends gain a deeper understanding of the country and its people.

In addition, the board prepared 1,000 gift packages to present to workers from various countries, including Vietnam, who attended the event.

Singaporean Minister of Manpower Tan See Leng visited the booth of the Vietnamese community liaison board, expressing his admiration and gratitude for the contributions of the Vietnamese community to the International Migrants Day Celebration, as well as to the vibrant, multicultural economic and cultural life of the city-state.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung praised the efforts, cohesion, and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the liaison board towards Singapore. He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community will continue to actively participate in activities held by Singaporean agencies and organisations, further contributing to the host countrys development as well as relations between the two nations.

Statistics showed that there are currently 1.5 million foreign workers in Singapore.  VNS
NGHE AN  Authorities in the central province of Nghe An successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking network, arresting four suspects and seizing over 28,000 synthetic drug tablets, along with other evidence.

In the early hours of December 15, police from Vinh City, in collaboration with Road Traffic Police Team No.2 of the Nghe An Provincial Police Department, apprehended Tran The Hung, a 34-year-old resident of Pho Chau Town, Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province.

The arrest, made on National Highway 7C in Nghi ong Commune, Nghi Loc District, led to the confiscation of 28,000 synthetic drug tablets.

Expanding the investigation, authorities conducted an urgent arrest of Nguyen Quoc Cuong, 38, from Nghi Hai Ward, Vinh City. Cuong, a known local drug dealer, was found in possession of 2,501 small packets of heroin and 107 synthetic drug tablets.

On the same day, two additional suspects were apprehended through coordinated efforts with the Cau Treo Border Gate Border Guard Station and Ky Son District Police.

Authorities arrested Tong Cu Mua, a 41-year-old from Bolikhamxay Province, Laos, and Mua Dua Thai, 55, a resident of Phu Kha 2 Hamlet, Na Ngoi Commune, Ky Son District. Tong Cu Mua, identified as a notorious drug lord in Laos, was charged with illegal drug trafficking, while Mua Dua Thai, a key courier in the network, was caught transporting 100 synthetic drug tablets and other evidence.

Police described Tong Cu Mua as the mastermind behind the network and Mua Dua Thai as a critical link responsible for moving drugs across the border into Viet Nam for distribution.

The Criminal Investigation Police Department of Vinh City is continuing to investigate and expand the case.  VNS
HA NOI  A delegation of 24 volunteers from the Ha Noi branch of the Missionary Training Centre (MTC) under the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and five staff members from the Asia Area Office of LDS Charities (LDSC) in Hong Kong (China) led by President of the Ha Noi branch Rob Howell held a working session with the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) in Ha Noi on Monday.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son provided the delegation with an overview of Viet Nam's development over the past nearly four decades of reform, highlighting the Party and States foreign polic and the current state of Viet Nam-US relations.

He also introduced VUFO, its member organisations, and the extensive people-to-people diplomatic activities between Viet Nam and the US led by VUFO, as well as Viet Nam's policies and laws related to religious practices in the country.

According to the guests, the MTC annually dispatches volunteers to countries worldwide to engage in social volunteer activities and support the Church's religious operations in the host countries.

With the approval of Viet Nams Government Committee for Religious Affairs, the LDS annually sends 1-2 volunteer groups to support the Churchs activities at its two congregations in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. This year, the MTC dispatched 14 young volunteers to Vietnam in late October for a two-year volunteer mission.

During their stay, the delegation immersed themselves in Ha Nois rich culinary scene, enjoying local delicacies with VUFOs young staff members. They also visited Bat Trang ceramic village, experiencing Viet Nams traditional culture and fostering meaningful people-to-people exchanges.

The reception for the MTC volunteer delegation was VUFOs initiative following its visit to the MTC in the US state of Utah as part of its working trip to attend the International Law and Religion Symposium held by Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo city, Utah, from October 5-11.  VNS
In reporting to President Bermudez, Nguyen Van Tuan, the general director of GELEX Group and chairman of the Board of Directors of Viglacera Corporation, said that after six years of operation, the ViMariel Industrial Park, invested in by Viglacera (a member company of GELEX Group) in the Mariel Special Economic Zone, has contributed to boosting business activities, meeting the demand for goods in the Cuban market, and creating more jobs for Cuban workers.

General director of GELEX Group, Nguyen Van Tuan, met with Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Cuba

In addition to the ViMariel Industrial Park, Viglacera established the Sanvig joint venture in November 2019, operating in the field of building materials. The Sanvig joint venture not only supplies goods to the domestic market, contributing to the development of the construction market in Cuba, but also exports products, bringing foreign currencies into Cuba.

During the meeting, President Bermudez expressed excitement and welcomed GELEX, Viglacera, and Vietnamese enterprises to invest and cooperate in business in Cuba. The President of Cuba reiterated the friendly and genuine relationship between Vietnam and Cuba and declared that both governments were strongly supportive of investment and business cooperation.

Since the visit and working trip to Cuba in October 2024 by To Lam, General Secretary of Vietnam Communist Party, GELEX Group and Viglacera Corporation have promoted investment and cooperation with Cuba. In addition to the industrial park and building materials, cooperation in pharmaceuticals, especially biotechnology products, is a new direction. At the same time, GELEX along with Viglacera is also supporting Cuba in agriculture, energy, and technology.

The general director of GELEX Group expressed gratitude to President Bermudez for the support of the Cuban government for the activities of GELEX and Viglacera in Cuba, expressing confidence in the investment and business prospects in Cuba and cooperation with Cuban enterprises, while also presenting several proposals to support businesses from both countries.

Vietnam is Cuba's second-largest Asian trade partner and the largest foreign investor from the Asian region in Cuba, with six implemented projects.

Cuba is committed to welcoming and accompanying Vietnamese investors. The Cuban government will seek solutions to facilitate Vietnamese enterprises investing in Cuba.

The ViMariel Industrial Park of Viglacera Corporation is Cuba's first time-limited concession initiative for a 100 per cent foreign-invested enterprise

GELEX Tower achieves LEED Platinum certification On November 15 in Hanoi, the representative of the US Green Building Council awarded the LEED Platinum v4.1 green building certification to the investor of the GELEX Tower building.

GELEX subsidiary to scale up operations after attracting $18 billion in FDI Viglacera Corporation, a member of GELEX Group, is implementing plans to increase its existing available land to facilitate the expansion of foreign investors, including global giants Samsung and Amkor.
On December 12, Vietnam Investment Review, in collaboration with Viet Research, hosted the announcement ceremony for several prestigious rankings in Hanoi. These included the Top 500 Value-Creating Enterprises in Vietnam, the Top 10 Value-Creating Enterprises in Vietnam 2024, the Top 500 Leading Employers in Vietnam, the Top 50 Most Attractive Employers 2024, and the Top 10 Best Workplaces in Vietnam 2024 across key economic sectors.

Being listed in the Top 500 Leading Employers in Vietnam 2024 is not only a recognition of the enterprises' efforts but also a testament to their credibility and appeal to talents both domestically and internationally.

The VBE500 enterprises for 2024 were categorised based on total asset size into two groups: those with assets exceeding $83.3 million and those below this threshold. All companies listed have significantly contributed to Vietnam's economic development, showcasing flexibility and efficiency in optimising human resources.

In terms of total employment and average income, companies in Group 1 with assets over $83.3 million, employed 1.44 million workers with an average monthly income of $975 per employee. Meanwhile, Group 2 companies with assets below $83.3 million, provided jobs for nearly 272,000 workers, with an average monthly income of $817 per employee.

Representatives of the Top 500 Best Employers (VBE500) in Vietnam 2024 attend the announcement ceremony. Photo: Dung Minh

According to the VBE500 survey, recruitment challenges stemmed from prolonged processes, skill gaps, market competition, and costs. Approximately 75.9 per cent of enterprises reported that delays in recruitment increased costs and caused missed opportunities with potential candidates.

Nearly 65.5 per cent of businesses faced difficulties in attracting candidates with the right skills, particularly in specialised industries. Recruitment platform competition posed challenges for 51.7 per cent of enterprises, necessitating strategy adjustments to maintain an advantage. Additionally, high salary expectations from candidates created challenges for 48.3 per cent of enterprises, stated the Viet Research report released on December 12.

To address recruitment challenges, VBE500 enterprises adopted various strategies. Diversifying recruitment channels was highlighted by 93.1 per cent of businesses as highly effective. Internal recruitment emerged as a key solution, reducing costs and motivating employees, supported by 82.7 per cent of enterprises.

Technologies like AI and big data were deployed by 75.8 per cent of companies to streamline recruitment processes. Maintaining effective communication with candidates to enhance engagement and retention was prioritised by 72.4 per cent of businesses. Lastly, 65.5 per cent of enterprises invested in building a strong employer brand, promoting a positive image and work environment to pull in talent.

VBE500 companies identified four major trends shaping the future workplace. First, automation and AI are expected to continue transforming workflows, enabling cost and time efficiencies. Second, advancements in science and technology were anticipated by 87.8 per cent of businesses to optimise production processes and human resource management.

Third, remote and flexible working models gained traction, with 86.2 per cent of enterprises highlighting their benefits for work-life balance and reduced operational costs. Lastly, 75.9 per cent of businesses predicted sustainability and environmental policies would become key factors driving productivity and long-term development.

Representatives of the Top 10 Best Workplaces in Vietnam 2024 (VBW10) attend the announcement ceremony. Photo: Dung Minh

As part of its nationwide corporate research programme, Viet Research also announced the Top 10 Best Workplaces in Vietnam 2024. This list honoured exemplary enterprises across key economic sectors, including banking, financial services, insurance, retail, IT and telecommunications, tourism, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, food and beverages, logistics, real estate and construction, energy, manufacturing, and high-tech agriculture.

Value-creating businesses can shape sustainable future Businesses that create values are no longer solely focused on achieving the highest profits but are now defined by their commitment to social responsibility and value creation for shareholders, employees, and society.

Crucial facets of talent can help companies adapt The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) emphasises the role and responsibility of auditors in ensuring professional quality and creating value for businesses. ACCA chief executive Helen Brand covered the companys role in line with sustainable development goals with VIRs Vy Vy.
The VN-Index just experienced a fairly positive trading week, gaining more than 20 points. Do you anticipate a strong upward wave in the final few weeks of 2024, and will the exchange rate continue to be a significant factor for the domestic stock market in the near future?

Le Duc Khanh, director of analysis at VPS Securities

The indexs strong support zone has been confirmed, and the market has entered a good recovery phase. With favourable macroeconomic prospects and the monetary easing policies of central banks around the world, the VN-Index may witness a recovery, slightly increasing towards the 1,280-1,300-point range in December.

The sharp fluctuations in the USD/VND exchange rate past November were quite similar to previous years. The DXY indexs rise during Q3 and the first half of Q4 appears to be seasonal, influenced by factors such as the US election, positive US macroeconomic data, and a strengthening USD.

Domestically, the State Bank of Vietnams (SBVs) active purchase of foreign currency, coupled with a shortfall in foreign currency supply, also contributed to exchange rate volatility. Exchange rate factors, along with the recent net selling by foreign investors, have somewhat impacted investor sentiment in the stock market.

However, this is not a major concern, as exchange rate control remains a top priority for the government. Over recent times, the SBV has implemented flexible monetary policies to ensure this goal. The DXY index is expected to shrink in December and should not pose a significant challenge to the stock market.

The VN-Index has confirmed its first bottom. Do you think a second accumulation zone will form this December, and should investment portfolio restructuring be considered now?

The first bottom of the VN-Index can also be viewed as an oversold area, where increased selling pressure has pushed the market towards a balanced zone around 1,240-1,260 points. This range may serve as a supportive accumulation area before the index rallies towards 1,280-1,300 points by the end of the year.

A distinct second bottom might not form. Instead, the market could fluctuate within a narrow range, accumulating before continuing its upward momentum.

Portfolio restructuring activities can be carried out periodically or occasionally throughout the year. Over the next few weeks, investors might consider carrying out a few rounds of portfolio adjustments, especially after the markets recent challenging correction phase.

Which stock groups will be the markets focal point in the upcoming period, and what approach should investors take over the next year?

We are particularly focusing on technology and telecoms with key stocks such as FPT, VTP, VGI, and CMG. In addition, there is the growth stocks group, including pharmaceutical stocks, although their status remains divided.

Other stock areas include real estate and construction materials, chemicals, natural rubber, and tyre manufacturing, with prominent stocks such as CSV, DDV, DGC, CSM, and DPM.

2025 is likely to be a more favourable year for the stock market. Prominent stocks with strong business performance or leading positions in their industries could see price increases that outperform the broader market and other sectors.

Adopting a long-term investment perspective remains a suitable approach for the majority of investors. The opportunities for investment are becoming clearer at this stage. However, its advisable to prioritise cautious buying with moderate allocation to minimise risk while positioning for potential growth.
The Human Act Prize is a national award organised annually by Nhan Dan newspaper in collaboration with relevant organisations to honour individuals and organisations for their significant contributions to the community through prestigious, dedicated, and long-term social projects. Among them, the Human Act Prize 'Award of the Year' is the most notable, honouring the efforts to bring about positive and sustainable changes to the community, inspiring dedication and commitment for a better future for everyone.

Surpassing 128 projects in the preliminary round and 32 projects in the final round, the 'NESCAFE Plan' initiative was honoured to receive this award for its projects with long-lasting impacts on the community and the environment. The recognition is a testament to the practical values that the NESCAFE Plan has brought to Vietnam. By putting people at the centre of all activities, the scheme has created positive and sustainable marks on two aspects.

First, farmers are at the centre, as they directly manage resources and make farming decisions appropriate to their own specific circumstances. The NESCAFE Plan helps farmers recognise their role as an important link in the entire value chain who can create transformation. The shift of farmers to regenerative farming is one of the factors that have contributed to the success of the NESCAFE Plan. Such positive change also helps farmers to improve their livelihoods for themselves, their families, and their communities. Moreover, the scheme contributes to the sustainable development of the Vietnamese coffee industry, making Vietnam a point of reference for robusta coffee in the world.

During its 13-year journey of assisting farmers in Vietnam, Nestle has conducted hundreds of training sessions for sustainable farming practices and techniques. The company also offers digital farm management tools so that farmers can proactively implement regenerative farming and manage farming households effectively. At the same time, the programme has also trained female leaders to promote women's empowerment and gender equality in the community and the supply chain.

Second, Nestles agronomists have played a key role in the success. Many agronomists have worked closely with farmers to provide necessary support since 2011. This success is a result of more than a decade of working alongside the farming community. From just a few farming households, the NESCAFE Plan has connected with 21,000 farming households, helping them to increase their income by 30100 per cent

Le Quoc Minh, editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan and head of the Executive Awards Organising Committee of the Human Act Prize, said, "10 years ago, farmers struggled with withered coffee fields every day, even though Vietnam was the second-largest coffee exporter in the world. The regenerative farming model has thoroughly changed that paradox. The NESCAFE Plan is implemented according to a methodical and comprehensive process, from improving varieties to changing farming practices and adopting responsible production in the factory, to create the world's number one robusta coffee beans by the hands of Vietnamese farmers."

The award reflects the recognition of experts from different areas of the plan's positive and comprehensive contribution, from building a thriving farmer community to shaping a green, sustainable, and climate-smart agriculture.

Khuat Quang Hung, director of Corporate Affairs at Nestle Vietnam, said, "Our mission is to work closely with coffee farmers to help them cope with increasingly severe climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve their livelihoods. In particular, the NESCAFE Plan helps farmers understand that they are a sustainable link in the global value chain. Moreover, the scheme will continue to expand to 2030 and beyond, for a prosperous Vietnam and a more sustainable planet."

The NESCAFE Plan is a global initiative launched by the Nestle Group and was first implemented in Vietnam in 2011. The NESCAFE Plan addresses the challenges of Vietnams coffee industry through specific and innovative solutions to drive regenerative agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve farmers' livelihoods, and protect the environment.

With a vision to become a global company, bridging local communities and leading in sustainable development, Nestle Vietnam places people at the centre of its operation. In the 13 years of the NESCAFE Plan and 30 years of operations in the country, Nestle has collaborated with the government, farming communities, and partners to implement practical initiatives, contributing to the development of Vietnams coffee industry and fostering self-reliance and prosperity in the agricultural sector.

Green-digital transition must start with proper mindset Firms are emphasising that effectively implementing green-digital transition strategies depends on understanding the core issues and priorities of the company, rather than merely following current trends.

Nestle Vietnam leads green and digital transformation journey As the importance of sustainable development continues to grow, businesses are no longer viewing the 'green' trend as merely a competitive edge but as a crucial aspect of their investment strategies, according to Nestle Vietnam.
Nguyen Tuan Tu, CEO of PVI Holdings, revealed this information at an investor meeting on December 12.

Tu said, "The divestment process goes through many procedures. However, the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC), which approved the divestment plan, is under restructuring and merger according to the governments push to streamline its administrative apparatus. Therefore, the divestment process may be prolonged."

PetroVietnam currently owns a 35 per cent stake in PVI. The group will divest its entire stake holdings in PVI rather than divide into many individual lots.

PVI is operating efficiently among the leading group in PVN's portfolio. Organisations have reaped great benefits from investing in the company. For example, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a major shareholder, has divested from PVI.

Truong Thanh Danh, deputy chairman of PVI, said, IFC divests from PVI after three years of holding stakes and supports the companys successful transition. From a state-owned enterprise, PVI has transformed itself into a firm with a private mindset, taking efficiency and corporate governance as the leading criteria. IFC has fulfilled its goals at PVI and divested from the company to invest and support other businesses in line with their principles and purposes.

Indeed, investments at PVI have brought good profits to IFC. It would take two years to complete the divestment, but thanks to the interest of many investors, IFC has successfully divested from PVI in a very short period of time, Danh said.

In July, German insurer HDI Global SE, a major shareholder in PVI, purchased additional shares to increase its ownership ratio. Currently, HDI Global and Funderburk Lighthouse Ltd, a related organisation, own approximately 55 per cent of shares in PVI.

In the first nine months of 2024, PVI achieved a total consolidated revenue of VND16.7 trillion ($657.35 million), completing 96 per cent of the years plan. Consolidated pre-tax profit reached VND979 billion ($38.5 million), equivalent to 91 per cent of the years plan. PVI continues to affirm its leading position in the market in terms of market share (18.2 per cent), with a charter capital of VND3.9 trillion ($153.5 million) and business efficiency (the consolidated combined ratio of less than 94 per cent). The company also maintains a policy of cash dividend payout at a high rate (32 per cent in 2023).

The company expects to achieve more than VND20 trillion ($787.2 million) in consolidated revenue and VND1 trillion ($39.4 million) in pre-tax profits in 2024. In 2025, PVI aims for double-digit growth, Danh said.

Over the past year, PVI has affirmed its risk management capacity and resilience in response to Typhoon Yagis damages. With 1,200 compensation claims estimated at VND3.5 trillion ($137.8 million), PVI has promptly made provisional payments to many customers. The timely compensation process protects customers' rights and strengthens the trust in PVI as a reliable partner in a tough period. In 2024, PVI aims to make a cash dividend payment at a minimum ratio of 28.5 per cent. This is an important foundation for PVI to expand cooperation with major partners, promoting sustainable growth both domestically and internationally.

PVI expedites IFRS compliance journey with accelerator solution Insurers worldwide are under intensifying time pressure to implement International Financial Reporting Standard 17 (IFRS17) Insurance Contracts. Facing its own January 2023 compliance deadline for group reporting, Hanoi-based PVI  majority owned by German insurance giant HDI Global  has deployed a fast-track IFRS 17 solution  KPMG IFRS 17 Express  fusing KPMGs industry acumen and SAS analytics.

PVI Insurance tops market for average labour productivity PVI Insurance has been named the most reputable insurer in Vietnam for 2024, and it is leading the non-life sector in terms of average labour productivity per year.
Training course on ETS and carbon markets using the CarbonSim simulation tool organised in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

The two-day training course was organised on December 9-10 in Hanoi, and on December 12-13 in Ho Chi Minh City.

CarbonSim is a training tool that helps people understand how carbon markets, emissions trading markets, work, and how carbon portfolio management can be used to understand the challenge and to address the challenge.

The training is part of the technical assistance course to simulate the Emission Trading System (ETS) in Vietnam. The scheme is part of the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnerships support for the Department of Climate Change and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), as it promotes the development of a Vietnamese domestic carbon market and a carbon exchange, which will be piloted in 2025 and fully operational by 2028.

The primary goal of the technical assistance is to develop and organise training courses on ETS, utilising the ETS simulation tool tailor-made for Vietnam.

Establishing and developing a carbon market is one of the major policies of the party and the state, as specified in the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and documents guiding the implementation of the law. In particular, developing a carbon market is one of the solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 as committed by the Vietnamese government at COP26.

Nguyen Tuan Quang, deputy director of the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said, "To reduce GHG emissions, the economy must become 'green', switching from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy, using resources such as water and energy effectively, and developing new forest ecosystems, one of the key solutions for absorbing carbon."

"According to Decree No.06/2022/ND-CP, Vietnam will pilot the carbon market in 2025 and the official market will operate in 2028 and connect with the world carbon market. Therefore, we have very little time left to prepare. In addition to the responsibility of the state management agency, there are also responsibilities and opportunities for the private sector."

In October, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha hosted a meeting to discuss establishing a carbon market for the government. The MoNRE also advised the government to amend Decree 06 to have regulations on the operation of the carbon credit trading floor, calculation of emission quotas, and allocation of emission quotas.

"Enterprises need to have specific preparations so that when the regulations on the carbon market are issued, they can immediately participate in the market," Quang said.

This training course on ETS and the carbon market uses the CarbonSim simulation tool, which is an opportunity for experts to present, introduce simulation tools and train in using the simulation tool for the GHG emission quota trading system.

Over the last dozen years, thousands of people have participated in Carbonsim exercises in China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, Latin, South America and Europe. The version that we're running now is one that's been tailored for the participants who are fortunate to be in a position to make a difference in how Vietnam implements the emissions trading programme, said Josh Margolis, a lecturer and operator of the CarbonSim tool.

Tall building forum held in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City is one of the fastest growing spots for urbanisation and tall buildings in Southeast Asia, and there is great potential to develop this segment further, according to experts at the Tall Buiding Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 28.

Vietnam Cycle 2024 gets set in Ho Chi Minh City The 9th Vietnam International Two-Wheel Exhibition (Vietnam Cycle 2024) will take place on September 26-28 in Ho Chi Minh City, promising to gather leading figures from the global bicycle, e-bike, and parts industries to collaborate, explore new trends, and pave the way for a greener future.

Burger King shutters flagship in Ho Chi Minh City Burger Kings Pham Ngu Lao branch in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, a flagship outlet of the American fast-food chain strategically located near the bustling Bui Vien pedestrian street, has just announced its closure.
The programme was organised by Alibaba.com and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Applications are open from December 13, 2024 to March 15, 2025. The final list of 200 selected businesses for the Alibaba.com Vietnam Pavilion will be announced on April 25, 2025.

The official launch of the selection programme for outstanding businesses to join the Vietnam National Pavilion for 2025 -2026

The Vietnam Pavilion stands as Alibabas flagship initiative in the country, aimed at boosting the involvement of Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises in cross-border e-commerce. The programme has achieved remarkable success. For instance, in October, participating sellers received an average of over 100 buyer inquiries each over a 30-day period, highlighting the strong global demand for Vietnamese products.

According to Vu Ba Phu, director of Vietrade, promoting trade promotion in the digital environment plays an important role in supporting Vietnamese enterprises to diversify market development channels and easily access international customers.

The Vietnam Pavilion will support Vietnamese enterprises to build their image, promote product brands; support business connection activities, and enhance understanding of Vietnamese products and enterprises for international customers," Phu said.

To qualify for the Vietnam Pavilion programme, businesses are expected to meet 16 criteria across five categories, covering aspects such as product quality, operational performance on Alibaba.com, and export potential in key sectors, such as agriculture, food and beverages, furniture, gifts and crafts, apparel and accessories.

This year, the programme is especially focused on supporting businesses that have recently started their business-to-business e-commerce journey, particularly those operating on the platform for less than three months. This prioritisation aims to accelerate the digital transformation of these businesses and their integration into the global economy.

Young Liu, head of Vietnam Business at Alibaba.com said, Building on the success of the 2024 edition, we are thrilled to expand the Vietnam Pavilion initiative in 2025 by doubling the number of featured Vietnamese enterprises, boosting the global visibility of a broader pool of Made in Vietnam brands.
On December 12, Vietnam Investment Review, in collaboration with Viet Research, hosted the VALUE500 Rankings, recognising the Top 500 Value-Creating Enterprises in Vietnam for 2024.

The rankings are based on various criteria, including assessments of scale and growth rate, profitability and contributions to the state budget, job creation and income generation, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and innovation.

In today's global business environment characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, successful enterprises in Vietnam and worldwide are undergoing profound strategic transformations towards sustainable business and development practices.

These transformations involve shifting from a value extraction model to a value creation model to deliver sustainable, long-term benefits to businesses, shareholders, employees, and society at large.

Representatives of the Top 500 Value Creators in Vietnam 2024. Photo: Dung Minh

The VALUE500 companies, collectively generating over $375 billion in revenue in 2023, achieved an average growth rate of 84.2 per cent between 2021 and 2023. Leading the rankings in 2024 in terms of revenue are the energy and oil and gas sectors, with a total revenue of over $80.79 billion, followed by industries such as electronics, banking and finance, and food and beverages.

Survey results for the VALUE500 and VALUE10 companies in 2024 reveal optimism regarding revenue growth, with 93.1 per cent of businesses projecting an increase compared to the previous year. Among them, 34.5 per cent expect revenue growth between 15 per cent and 30 per cent.

These companies contributed a total of $22.96 billion to the state budget in 2023, accounting for 32.1 per cent of total state revenue, according to the General Statistics Office. The energy and oil and gas sectors made the most significant contributions, followed by logistics, banking and finance, and IT and telecommunications.

Value-creating enterprises play a vital role in job creation, economic development, and improving quality of life. In 2023, VALUE500 companies employed nearly 1.9 million workers, with an average monthly salary of $846.

A survey of VALUE500 and VALUE10 enterprises highlighted their key contributions to employment through four primary channels, including direct job creation, skill development and human resource promotion, spillover impacts, and contributions to social welfare.

On ESG commitments and innovation, the survey conducted by Viet Research shows that nearly 97 per cent of companies have contributed to social programmes, ranging from local community job creation to charitable activities. Over 96 per cent of businesses have clearly integrated ESG criteria into their operational strategies, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and transparent governance. More than 90 per cent aim to fully implement ESG principles within the next three to five years.

Looking ahead, 75.9 per cent of enterprises predict that environmental and sustainability policies will significantly influence work methodologies in the next three years. These businesses recognise that integrating sustainability practices not only mitigates environmental impacts but also enhances their reputation as responsible and community-oriented organisations, stated Viet Researchs report.

Value-creating businesses can shape sustainable future Businesses that create values are no longer solely focused on achieving the highest profits but are now defined by their commitment to social responsibility and value creation for shareholders, employees, and society.

SABECO fosters sustainable value As one of Vietnam's top beer companies, Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation is committed to investing in business development while building a nationally recognised brand and creating sustainable value for the community.

Nestle Vietnam sees sustainable development as a value driver The consequences of Typhoon Yagi in the northern provinces of Vietnam once again confirm that sustainable development is the only choice and a strategic requirement for businesses, according to Binu Jacob, CEO of Nestle Vietnam.
100k funding boost to support Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

This article is old - Published: Monday, Dec 16th, 2024

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has welcomed a huge funding boost to help support the world-famous event.

The festival, which takes place in the town each summer, received a massive 100,000 boost from the Arts Council of Wales.

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod, said the funding will help the festival to move forward with its most ambitious programme yet.

Live acts already confirmed for the 2025 festival include Sir Bryn Terfel, KT Tunstall, Il Divo and Roger Daltrey.

They follow hot on the heels of this summer which saw huge names such as Manic Street Preachers, Katherine Jenkins, Madness, Bryan Adams, Kaiser Chiefs and Paloma Faith perform in Llangollen.

We are delighted to have received a significant amount of money from Arts Council of Wales from their resilience funding pot, said John Gambles.

The Llangollen International Eisteddfod, like other similar festivals has seen a dramatic rise in costs and this money will allow us to move forward with our most ambitious programme yet.

This news is massive for our festival and shows that Arts Council Wales and Welsh Government remain committed to ensuring that festivals like ours dont just survive but thrive.

Wed like to thank our local MP Becky Gittins and Ken Skates our local MS, for their continued support not only with this successful bid, but with their ongoing support in ensuring that our Eisteddfod, that has existed since 1947, continues to benefit Llangollen, Denbighshire and the wider North Wales region.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates, said: I was honoured to be asked to announce one of the biggest coups in the Eisteddfods illustrious history earlier this year when Sir Tom Jones was unveiled as the headline act in an incredible bill.

Im a proud vice-president of the event and its importance to our area and specifically the local economy cannot be underestimated  were talking millions of pounds every year.

I was only too happy to write a letter of support for the Eisteddfod to the Arts Council of Wales earlier this year, so Im delighted it has helped.

Becky Gittins, MP for Clwyd East, added: The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod attracts musicians and dancers from all over the world and is of huge cultural significance to our area. This investment will support an event which brings tens of thousands of visitors to North East Wales and a provides a huge boost to our local economy.

Spreading the messages of international friendship and peace, I want to pay tribute to everyone who works all year round to make Llangollen Eisteddfod the huge success that it is.

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership said: The arts sector makes a vital social, cultural and economic contribution to our society, enriching our communities and inspiring future generations.

Im therefore very pleased that, despite financial pressures, weve been able to support some of our most cherished and talented arts organisations with this extra, immediate funding, to improve resilience amid ongoing challenges.

Across Wales, 60 arts organisations are set to benefit from an additional 3.6m in funding thanks to a Jobs Protection and Resilience Fund set up by Arts Council of Wales and supported by the Welsh Government.

Pictured: Ken Skates MS and John Gambles with Eisteddfod board member Dave Hennigan at Llangollen Pavilion last summer
Rise in assaults on emergency workers in Wrexham amid nationwide increase

This article is old - Published: Monday, Dec 16th, 2024

Assaults on emergency workers across Wales have soared, new data has revealed.

Over 3,000 assaults were committed in the 12 months to June 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of nine per cent.

They included kicking, slapping, spitting, biting, head-butting and verbal abuse, and ranged from common assault to serious premeditated attacks involving grievous bodily harm.

Nine of the incidents involved a weapon.

At 1.42 per 1,000 population Wrexham had the second highest rate of assaults against emergency workers in Wales in the first six months of the year.

Stats breakdown

Of the 3,075 assaults between July 2023  June 2024, 71 per cent of victims were police, 18 per cent medical staff and two per cent fire and rescue workers.

In the same period, 1,282 assaults had a known outcome, half of which were positive, e.g. perpetrator was charged, cautioned, handed a community order.

Most assaults occur on a Saturday night and account for 10 per cent of incidents in the first six months of 2024.

Offenders aged 26-35 continue to account for the highest proportion of offending (34 per cent).

335 (24 per cent) incidents were known to be linked to alcohol intoxication.

With Christmas approaching, emergency workers are asking the public to treat them with respect.

Ambulance crews are there to help people, but they cant fight for someones life if theyre fighting for their own, said Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service

In our control room, meanwhile, the verbal abuse of call handlers could potentially be delaying help for the patient.

The run-up to Christmas means more people are out enjoying the revelry, and with alcohol consumption comes an increase in assaults, both physical and verbal.

Our ask is simple  emergency workers want to help you, so please treat them with respect and work with us, not against us.

Paramedics plea

Emergency ambulance practitioners Ian Jones and Gareth Casey were assaulted by a patient in Burry Port in June, before she urinated in the back of their ambulance.

The Sketty-based colleagues were treating a female who was reported to have fallen in the street and hit her head, before she became verbally and physically abusive.

Ian said: Shed already struck out at Gareth during our initial assessment, but got so aggressive on the way to hospital that we had to stop the ambulance and physically restrain her, for her safety and ours.

It was the first and only time Ive pressed the panic strip in the ambulance so that everything could be recorded on CCTV.

We called the police, who arrived within minutes, but in the meantime, she threatened to urinate in the back of the ambulance.

Unfortunately, she made good on that threat.

Ian, a former RAF firefighter, added: Im ex-military and have experience of working with adults with challenging behaviour, but its still disappointing every time we find ourselves in these situations.

Were we mortally wounded? No, but the point is we were there to help someone in their hour of need, and thats how we were repaid  assault is assault is assault.

We were more frustrated by the fact the ambulance had to be taken out of service for a deep clean, which meant it wasnt available for other patients whose condition could have been life or death.

Gareth, who used to work in security prior to joining the ambulance service, said he has been assaulted more times in this job than in his previous.

Unfortunately, this wasnt my first assault at work, said Gareth.

Once, I was bitten and had to have blood tests for six months afterwards to make sure I hadnt picked up HIV or Hepatitis.

Last month, Michelle Richards, of Railway Terrace, Llanelli, was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 18 months having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and to criminal damage.

With Us, Not Against Us

The With Us, Not Against Us campaign was launched in May 2021 by the Joint Emergency Service Group in Wales to try and reduce the number of assaults on emergency workers.

Mark Hobrough, Temporary Chief Constable at Gwent Police, said: Nobody should be subjected to any kind of assault, and it is concerning that some people believe this is an appropriate way to act towards another person.

Our officers, along with our emergency service colleagues, will often deal with people during difficult times in their lives, but that does not justify the abusive, threatening and violent behaviour they frequently experience.

We will support any officer or emergency service worker who has experienced abuse or violence while also taking firm action against those responsible.

Judith Paget, Welsh Governments Director General for Health and Social Services and the NHS Wales Chief Executive, added: The impact of any form of assault, verbal or physical, is incredibly harmful to our NHS emergency workers who work tirelessly to care and treat those in greatest need.

The Welsh Government is committed to working in partnership with NHS Wales, the police and the CPS via the NHS Wales Anti-Violence Collaborative to ensure that we are doing everything to prevent incidents occurring, and to support any staff who do experience threats and violence.

Pledge your support to the campaign on social media using the hashtag #WithUsNotAgainstUs or #GydaNiNidYnEinHerbyn.
Wrexham Council historically closed loads of childrens homes because they were stuffed full of peadophiles claims councillor

This article is old - Published: Monday, Dec 16th, 2024

Several councillors have privately expressed concern at comments made by Cllr Malcolm King at a Scrutiny Meeting this week.

Cllr King was commenting in the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee last week firstly on a community safety update report, and then a Removing Profit From Care report, which updated councillors on the progress of implementing the recent Welsh Government law that .. seeks to remove private profit from childrens social care, as part of an ongoing Government programme to transform the care provided to looked after children in Wales.

Cllr King asked around possible gaps in community safety around children and young people, noting that data collection means a full picture of problems and therefore solutions are unclear.

Cllr King said, One of the biggest issues is that we dont know whats happening to lots of children, young people, and you mentioned about exploitation as being one of them, which which is always so hidden that we dont really know whats going on.

Even though I work professionally in the field, one of my fears is always that that I come across children Ive known for years who are being exploited and didnt know.

The same is true for children who are sexually abused and and that can be happening within families or in variety of circumstances, which you dont know for years and years. But, its the increase in online sexual crimes towards young people that Im particularly concerned about, and that we dont have a measure of.

In that context Cllr King came back and pointed to the Online Safety Act and possible improvements in dealing with online problems, he added, 20 years ago I was heavily involved in CEOP. One of the things which was utterly frustrating was the way in which big tech companies avoided doing what they should to protect children online, and although theres been some improvements since, largely speaking, they they just carry on putting profit above safeguarding children, which is pretty disgusting.

Criticising the whole criminal justice system he made comments that raised eyebrows from some councillors after the meeting, I mean, Ive said for many years, if I was an advisor for pedophiles if you just stick to very young children, sort of under five, theres hardly any cases ever come to court, and then youre away to go. So Ive long described Britain, in many ways, as the peadophiles paradise, really, because we just dont set up our systems to protect our children well enough.

Its really shocking, but I agree with you that its a long term issue, and an unfortunately short term election cycle doesnt help with putting those long term things in place, but it means that Britain is at the bottom of the the bottom of the league table for so many outcomes for for children, young people, which is profoundly depressing.

Cllr King then also later commented on the number of children going into residential care or being taken into care and queried targets and risks in the reports before councillors. Cllr King warned of a huge risk in a collapse in the market if there was change in the market provision from for profit to non profit.

Later he came back in on the debate following a comment from an officer that we do not walk away.

Cllr King gave a historic comment, that again has proved controversial post-meeting, You said that we dont walk away. Well, we dont now, but we did 25 years or so ago, closed loads of childrens homes because they were stuffed full of peadophiles

Then in recent years, same as we did with older peoples homes, this council decided it was better to get someone else to run them, and we did that with childrens homes too, which I think was a mistake, and I said it lots and lots of times. But thats water under the bridge now, but thats a regret that were now having to reverse now.

Twenty five years ago would be around 1999 , when Wrexham Council existed, as Clwyd County Council ceased in 1996.

There were no comments made on the claim, or wording used in the meeting, during the meeting itself.
Wrexham University Giftmas tree appeal inspired by staff members own care system experience

This article is old - Published: Monday, Dec 16th, 2024

A member of staff at Wrexham University has used her own experience as a care leaver to spearhead the institutions Christmas gift charitable donation drive this year.

Mary Ainsworth, Entrepreneurship Assistant who works within the Universitys Enterprise and Entrepreneurship team, has brought colleagues together from the Universitys Civic Mission and People and Culture teams to set up a Giftmas tree to encourage staff and students to buy Christmas presents for care-experienced children and young people, aged between six months to 25 years old, in support of Comfort Cases UKs Christmas appeal.

Comfort Cases UK are a charity that work to provide support for care-experienced children and young people. Their Comfort Cases are backpacks filled with comfort and personal care essentials for children entering the care system, or being supported by charities or other organisations.

The Giftmas Tree, located in the Reception area of the Wrexham campus, has been decorated with a variety of different gift tags. Each tag listed an item specifically requested by a care-experienced young person and covering a wide range of budgets and ages.

There was also a virtual Giftmas Whiteboard, where staff from the Universitys School of Art, St Asaph and Northop campuses could also get involved and select gift tags.

Over 200 gifts were donated by the Universitys staff and students  and the team are now heading to Hertfordshire this week where Comfort Cases UK are based to drop off the gifts, ahead of them being given to the young people for Christmas.

Mary, who is a proud care leaver and Wrexham University graduate, brought the charity to the attention of her colleagues at the University. Having lived experience in the care system, Mary knows only too well how the struggle, and impact of having no sense of belonging or ownership, can impact a child, life-long.

I first went into care when I was just five years old, and then again when I was 11  and I recently spoke to my foster mum from aged five, and she said when I arrived at her home, I came to her with just the clothes I was wearing and a bag of colouring pencils, that was it, she said.

When I discovered Comfort Cases, their mission resonated with me right away. Four out of five children report their treasured belongings are shoved in bin bags when they move from home to home  I was one of those statistics.

I cant tell you how having that sense of ownership when you feel like you dont belong anywhere, even if its something small, can make a world of difference to care-experienced children and young people.

Children and young adults like myself do leave the care system  but the care experience doesnt leave us. This is why I wanted to highlight and support Comfort Cases.

Im incredibly thankful for my colleagues  particularly those from the Civic Mission and People and Culture teams  for understanding why this is so important to me, and for allowing this years Giftmas tree to be in aid of this charity.

For me, the thought of those young people receiving their gifts and having something special of their own, makes me feel incredibly overwhelmed. I know that receiving a gift thats just for them will be a real core memory for them  and that will stay with them.

Nina Ruddle, Head of Public Policy Engagement and Civic Mission Lead at Wrexham University, said: The response to our Giftmas tree has been absolutely phenomenal, we cant thank colleagues and students enough for their kind gifts and support of this incredible initiative.

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for care-experienced children and young people and can amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation. Our aim through our Giftmas tree was to help provide young people with comforting gifts to help remind them that they are not alone.

Rose Norton, Organisational Development and Diversity Advisor at the University, added: Its been wonderful to see the Giftmas Tree presents come in thick and fast  its been fantastic to see our community come together in this way, all in the hopes of making Christmas that little bit more special for those children and young people, who are being supported by Comfort Cases.

Id also like to give a special mention to Mary for driving this forward and sharing her own experience in order to inspire others. She is an incredible advocate for care-experienced children and young people.
Israel approves plan to expand settlements in occupied Golan

Xinhua) 08:51, December 16, 2024

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone fence on the eastern side of the Golan Heights, on Dec. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

JERUSALEM, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli government approved a plan on Sunday to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel, according to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The 10.81-million-U.S. dollar plan, unanimously approved by the cabinet, is being advanced "in light of the war and the new front with Syria," the statement said.

According to the statement, the plan aims to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights. It includes establishing a student village, a development program to integrate new residents, and initiatives to strengthen the education system and renewable energy infrastructure.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time," Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting on the plan. "We will continue to hold on to it (Golan Heights), make it flourish, and settle in it."

Israel captured part of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war and annexed it, despite international condemnation. Following the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government on Dec. 8, Israel seized the UN-monitored buffer zone, a demilitarized area established in 1974 under a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

Israeli forces also took control of a Syrian army outpost and stationed troops on the summit of Mount Hermon on Golan. Meanwhile, Israel increasingly launched airstrikes on Syrian army assets across the country, claiming to prevent the weapons "from falling into the hands of terrorist elements."

Israel's military actions have sparked condemnation from regional countries and prompted calls from the international community for respect for Syria's sovereignty.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Weather Alert

...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. * WHERE...In California, Surprise Valley California. In Nevada, Northern Washoe County, Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake, and Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area. * WHEN...From Sunday morning through Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds may knock down burned trees in the Davis Fire burn area. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Now is the time to secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture, holiday decorations, and trash cans before winds increase which could blow these items away. &&
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
The Advertising Club Madras successfully launched its 27th Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising (PGDA) program today. The inauguration was graced by key dignitaries, including Balasubramanian S., President, Advertising Club Madras; Kavitha Srinivasan, Joint Secretary & Chair - PGDA Sub-committee; Rakesh, Executive Committee Member; and Jagannath Ramasamy, Past President of Ad Club Madras and Tutor of the program.

This unique weekend program spans 75 hours and has enrolled over 25 enthusiastic students this year. It offers hands-on learning across various facets of advertising, media, and creativity, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the industry.

Presidents Note:

"This program is a flagship initiative of the Advertising Club Madras, and I am proud to say it is one of the most unique in the Indian advertising fraternity. With 27 batches and over 500 successful alumni, the PGDA program continues to inspire and shape the next generation of advertising professionals. This year, we have also offered scholarships to a few deserving students, making this learning opportunity accessible to all."

 Balasubramanian S., President, Advertising Club Madras

Secretarys Note:

"The PGDA program is a testament to the legacy of Advertising Club Madras. Each year, it evolves to match the changing dynamics of the industry, ensuring students receive top-notch training from some of the most accomplished leaders in advertising and media. I am excited to see this batch embark on their journey toward professional success."

 Surej Salim Kumar, Secretary, Advertising Club Madras

Chair - PGDA Sub-committees Note:

"This program represents the core mission of our club  fostering knowledge, creativity, and growth in advertising. As Chair of the PGDA sub-committee, I am thrilled to witness the overwhelming response and enthusiasm from this years students. I extend my gratitude to the tutors and mentors who bring unmatched value to this program."

 Kavitha Srinivasan, Joint Secretary & Chair - PGDA Sub-committee

Following are the program tutors:

K.AnbuChezhian, Consultant, Blue Noodles

Dr.Anuradha Prashant, Independent Trainer

Ashok R Sankethi, Founder, Kaybase

BaatulTurab, Founder &Creativer Director - The Raven Claw

Balasubramanian T, Creative Director, Kreasense Branding Solutions

Chocka, Co-Founder & Director, OPN Advertising Pvt Ltd.

Jagannath Ramaswamy, Chief Mentor, Crystal

K.S.Manikandan, Director

Dr.Narayanan, President of Printers Forum, India

L.V.Navaneeth, CEO, The Hindu Group

Poornima Bhaskaran, Director, Kaybase

Ramkumar Singaram, Founder & Director, Catalyst Public Relations Pvt Ltd

Ramkumar, Cinematographer, Photographer, Founder - Ravantage

P. Subramanian, Vice President, OTS

Surej Salim Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Digitally Inspired Media

Surendar, Creative Director

Shree Prakash P, Founder - Feswa

P.Udhay Kumar, GM-Brand Marketing, Star Health Insurance

This launch marks another milestone for Advertising Club Madras in its journey of empowering the advertising community with world-class education and opportunities.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has called on Hollywood studios to take immediate legal action against tech companies accused of using copyrighted works to train artificial intelligence systems. In response to a recent Atlantic article titled "Theres No Longer Any Doubt That Hollywood Writing is Powering AI," the WGA asserts that tech companies have illegally harvested vast libraries of screenplays and other creative content to fuel AI development.

According to the WGA, these tech companies have exploited intellectual property generated by generations of union writers and Hollywood labor, building AI systems on what they describe as a "foundation of wholesale theft." The result, the Guild argues, is that studios are now being sold AI-powered services that generate plagiarized content derived from stolen works.

In the letter, the WGA accuses studios of neglecting their duty as copyright holders to protect writers' intellectual property. Under the collective bargaining agreement known as the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA), studios are obligated to defend copyrights on behalf of writers. Specifically, Article 50 of the MBA states that studios hold certain rights "in trust" for writers, giving them a fiduciary responsibility to prevent unauthorized use of creative works, including AI training.

After this industry has spent decades fighting piracy, it cannot stand idly by while tech companies steal full libraries of content for their own financial gain, the WGA declared in the letter.

The WGAs statement highlights a growing tension between Hollywoods creative workforce and the studios relationships with tech giants. The Guilds demands come amid widespread concern over how AI might disrupt creative industries, potentially undermining the value and livelihood of professional writers.

The Guild has urged studios to act decisively and pursue legal measures against any tech company found to be using WGA members works to train AI systems without permission or compensation. This call for accountability underscores the urgent need for clearer regulations and stronger protections in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

As AI technologies continue to advance, the outcome of this conflict could have far-reaching implications for copyright law, intellectual property rights, and the future of creative industries in Hollywood and beyond.
ISKCON monk and motivational speaker Gaur Gopal Das revealed several facets of his personal life in Rajat Sharma's 'Aap Ki Adalat' show scheduled for telecast on India TV tonight. He advised social media reel makers "not to lose peace and life in their quest for success".

Asked by Rajat Sharma how he became a big hit on social media with millions of followers, while it takes years for people who make reels, Gaur Gopal Das replied, "First thing, 'Be at the right place, at the right time'. When we started our social media journey, it was not a big space. There were very few social media influencers. The growth was easy compared to what it is today. So, to say that we have achieved big will be incorrect. We were at the right place, at the right time.

"Second thing, consistency. Do whatever is your passion. We regularly post our content on social media. We do not waver and say that this one is not going well, let's take something else, or if the second one doesn't work, take the third one, or the fourth one. How can you achieve excellence?

"Third thing, authenticity. If someone else is doing something, what's the use of copying that person? We have this 'comparison ka keeda' in our minds in India. Watching others and copying them is not authenticity. Be original, not a photocopy. God has made each of us different. Nobody's fingerprints match. Like fingerprints, make your imprint unique. To compare with others' imprints is a difficult task.

"Number four. Do not run after numbers. The entire social media has made us run after numbers. Run after impact. If you get the impact, numbers will come. Even if numbers don't come, your content has impacted somebody's life, touched someone's heart. Imagine you are a makeup artist, and after getting your tip, somebody gets selected and his life changes."

When Rajat Sharma pointed out there had been a recent spate in numbers of people losing their lives while making reels, Das replied: "There is a couplet by poet Bashar Nawaz, "     ,     ,      ,    ". In order to get success, one should not lose peace or life. If you lose life or peace, what's the use of success? Successful social media influencers and celebrities should speak about this....The number of those who die while making reels is less compared to those who undergo mental depression daily while making reels. It is the responsibility of those who are leaders in this space to tell people the truth."

Gaur Gopal Das mentioned about a sad incident in his life when his father passed away in 2009. He expressed regret for not apologizing to his father before he died.

"My father was a chain smoker and his health deteriorated. My mother and I persuaded him to stop smoking, but he didn't listen. I then decided not to speak to my father. My papa literally implored me to speak to him, but I refused. Two years later, my papa fell at my feet to seek forgiveness. My mom told me to forgive him. She said, even fathers may commit mistakes. I agreed to speak, but after a week, I left home to become a monk. I used to go from ashram every year to meet him, but I never said sorry to my papa. In 2009, when I returned from a lecture tour from London, my mom rang me up at 1.30 am. She was weeping. No need to say, my papa had died. I took a pendrive of my London lectures and placed it in the still hand of my father. I put my head at his feet and said, 'Papa sorry, I should have never done this to you.' "

On the persecution of Hindus, including ISKCON devotees in Bangladesh, Gaur Gopal Das appealed to all to raise their voice against the violence that is being perpetrated there.

He said, "There are conflicts everywhere. From homes to countries. Do not go after who is right and who is wrong. Decide, what is right and what is wrong. Wherever there is injustice, we must raise our voice. Is violence right? Is killing somebody right? Is taking away people and their rights right? So, raise your voice against justice. The world suffers not only because of violence by bad people, the world suffers more because of the silence of good people. Good people remain silent. Support the right cause and fight for justice."

ISKCON monk and motivational speaker Gaur Gopal Das in Rajat Sharma's Aap Ki Adalat show will be telecast on 14th December Saturday at 10 pm.
Google has announced the promotion of Preeti Lobana as the Country Manager and Vice President for Google India. Lobana shared the news on LinkedIn, expressing her excitement about this new chapter in her career after over eight incredible years at Google.

In her post, Lobana wrote, "Following my eight-plus incredible years at Google, leading customer-centric solutions, I am filled with gratitude and excitement to start my next chapter as Country Manager and Vice President for Google India. Having witnessed firsthand how the internet has transformed businesses, and having collaborated closely with product teams to deliver exceptional value to our customers, Im energized by this incredible opportunity.

India's dynamic spirit and Googles cutting-edge technology create a powerful synergy. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to shape the future with AI, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for businesses to boost productivity, solve critical challenges, and create innovative solutions. Im deeply committed to working with our talented teams and partners to drive economic growth and deliver meaningful value across India.

Sanjay Gupta, President of Asia Pacific at Google, congratulated Lobana on her promotion. In his LinkedIn post, Gupta highlighted the significance of Indias vibrant digital ecosystem and the role of AI in unlocking future opportunities, "Indias vibrant digital landscape has always been a source of immense inspiration and innovation for Google. With AI poised to redefine the boundaries of whats possible, I am incredibly excited to welcome my colleague Preeti Lobana as our new Country Manager and Vice President for India. Her leadership and passion for customer-centricity have fueled impactful solutions for businesses across industries, empowering millions to thrive in the digital age.

Preetis leadership will be instrumental as we deepen our engagement with Indias unique ecosystem, leveraging AI advancements like Gemini to accelerate digital inclusion and unlock unprecedented economic opportunities for every Indian. I am confident that her deep market expertise will guide us in shaping a future where technology truly benefits all.

Gupta also acknowledged the contributions of Roma Datta Chobey, who served as the interim Country Manager. Chobey will continue her role as Managing Director for Google Indias Digital Native Industries, focusing on sectors like e-commerce, fintech, gaming, and media. Gupta commended her expertise in driving innovation and growth for dynamic businesses.

Lobana brings over 30 years of professional experience to her new role, with nearly nine years at Google. She has been a pivotal figure in Googles Ads business, driving solutions for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) and Google Technical Services as part of the Global Business Organisation.



Before joining Google, Lobana held the position of Managing Director and Head of Global Finance Services, India at NatWest Group. She also worked with leading financial institutions such as American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, and ANZ Grindlays Bank, gaining extensive experience across various domains.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has launched the Kotak BizLabs accelerator programme, a new initiative under its CSR efforts, intended at the empowerment of early-revenue stage startups. This programme is devised to help startups overcome growth challenges and scale their businesses effectively. In partnership with top incubators like IIMA Ventures, NSRCEL, and T-Hub, Kotak BizLabs will provide tailored acceleration initiatives, including mentorship, market access, and advisory support.

The Indian startup ecosystem, while vibrant, faces significant challenges such as market expansion, customer acquisition, operational scaling, and strategic partnerships. While many incubator programmes focus on early-stage for startups (ideation and conception), there are very few programmes which focus on early growth startups that face challenges navigating competition, refining product market-fit, securing funding for expansion and scaling operations.

Kotak BizLabs addresses these issues by offering high-touch support, thematic workshops, ecosystem exposure, competitions, mentoring, partnerships, business development, guaranteed seed funding, and demo days.

Kotak BizLabs aims to empower early revenue stage startups across diverse sectors such as agritech, climatech, fintech, edtech, healthcare, and sustainability, with a strong emphasis on social impact products and services. The programme is set to extend critical support through its comprehensive community engagement. This initiative will offer invaluable networking opportunities, access to a virtual knowledge centre, and a series of hybrid workshops across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu to about 1,000 startups. Additionally, about 50 high-potential startups will receive intensive acceleration support; including grants of up to 15 lakh each for 30 selected startups.

Himanshu Nivsarkar, Senior Executive Vice President, and Head  CSR & ESG, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd said, The journey from an early-stage startup to a thriving business is challenging. At Kotak, we recognize that beyond funding, startups need specialized support, mentorship, and strategic partnerships to accelerate their growth. The Kotak BizLabs accelerator programme is a testament to Kotak Mahindra Banks commitment to nurturing the spirit of self-employed segment in India. This initiative aligns with Kotaks vision to fuel the dreams of the aspirational Indian, drive innovation, and create a robust ecosystem for self-employed segment. In collaboration with top incubators, Kotak BizLabs aims to reach 1000 startups and will provide the necessary resources to support the next wave of industry leaders, contributing to Indias innovation, job creation, and economic prosperity.

At NSRCEL, we believe that the key to fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth lies in nurturing high-potential startups with the right mix of resources, guidance, and partnerships. We are excited to collaborate with Kotak BizLabs accelerator programme in supporting the next generation of visionary entrepreneurs. The synergy between our incubation expertise and Kotaks commitment to empowering startups will create an environment where ideas can flourish, businesses can scale, and leaders of tomorrow can emerge", said Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO- NSRCEL

Chintan Bakshi, Partner  Incubation, IIMA Ventures, said At IIMA Ventures, we are witnessing significant entrepreneurial energy and talent emerging from Indias growing startup hubs like tier 2 and 3 centre especially, Ahmedabad, Indore, and Jaipur, where we already have a strong presence. These cities exemplify the untapped potential of tier-2 and tier-3 regions, where founders are building innovative solutions for local and global challenges. The Kotak BizLabs accelerator programme, is uniquely positioned to provide relevant and targeted support to early-stage entrepreneurs in these regions. By looking beyond the metros, this initiative fosters inclusivity and accessibility for startups that often lack access to structured resources and mentorship. Together, we aim to empower bold ideas and enable startups in underserved regions to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the innovation ecosystem.

Sujit Jagirdar, Interim CEO, T-Hub, said, "T-Hub is delighted to partner with Kotak Mahindra Bank for the Kotak BizLabs accelerator programme, a transformative initiative addressing challenges faced by early-revenue stage startups. By combining Kotaks vision and T-Hubs ecosystem expertise, we aim to create significant opportunities for startups to access resources, mentorship, and industry connections that will support their growth journey. Together, we look forward to empowering startups to build sustainable businesses and contribute to Indias innovation landscape.

Aspiring Startups can apply for Kotak BizLabs accelerator programme at https://kotakbizlabs.accubate.app/ext/form/2802/1/apply
Network18 concluded the inaugural edition of Green Bharat, an annual conclave in collaboration with Ola Electric, Indias largest pure-play electric vehicle (EV) company. The event intended to shape the narrative for Indias transition to sustainable mobility by addressing the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of EVs, while dealing with the major challenges hindering their widespread adoption.

This landmark event brought together policymakers, manufacturers, industry pioneers, and sustainability advocates to chart a unified roadmap for the future of electric mobility in India. Distinguished guests, including Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, and Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, graced the conclave as Guests of Honour.

Speaking at the event, Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasised, Over the years, we have achieved incredible progress in the green mobility segment. Our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modis ambitious vision for Indias sustainable future has set us on the right path, and the sky is truly the limit. With the current ecosystem of knowledge and wealth, coupled with an increasing number of young minds driving research and innovation, I am confident that India will become the largest EV manufacturing hub within the next five years.

Shri Piyush Goyal echoed this sentiment, stating, India's green mobility revolution is well underway, driven by transformative initiatives like FAME I and II, empowering the EV industry to achieve self-reliance and establish itself as a global manufacturing hub. As one of the worlds largest first-time vehicle markets, India holds a unique opportunity to lead the EV transition. The government is committed to fostering innovation, building robust infrastructure, and ensuring sustainability is at the core of every policy decision. Through Mission LiFE and a collective focus on green energy, we are driving towards a cleaner, greener, and more self-reliant future.

Commenting on the success of the event, Avinash Kaul, Chief Executive Officer  Network18 (Broadcast) & Managing Director of AETN18, said, India stands at the threshold of a transformative shift in mobility, driven by the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis ambitious vision for a sustainable and self-reliant future. The Green Bharat platform has brought together visionaries, innovators, and policymakers to shape the narrative of this pivotal moment in our countrys history. This event was more than a discussionit was a coming together of minds to forge a collective path towards accelerating EV adoption- in India and globally, overcoming challenges, and building a robust ecosystem. The conversations here underscored a deeper cultural pivot, where sustainability and innovation converge to redefine mobility in India. By fostering collaboration and creating a sense of shared purpose, Green Bharat has demonstrated the power of collective action in shaping not just industries but the mindset of an entire nation. This summit marks the beginning of a unified effort to make India a global leader in green mobility.

Green Bharat is a transformative platform that fosters dialogue, collaboration, and innovation within the Indian EV ecosystem. Through multi-stakeholder discussions, it seeks to promote actionable solutions and policy advocacy that will help position India as a global EV hub.

The conclave also comprehensively analysed Indias EV landscape, exploring technological advancements, economic opportunities, and environmental imperatives. By addressing the challenges and identifying strategies to overcome them, Green Bharat aims to inspire collective action toward a greener, more sustainable future for the nation.
Adgullys AG Talk brings unfiltered insights and thoughts of CEOs, MDs, and CMOs, who have been leading the marketing landscape, and in fact, also laying the ground rules to keep up with the transformative times.

LTIMindtree, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, operates in a rapidly evolving enterprise technology sector. The company has been at the forefront of digital transformation, helping businesses across industries harness the power of technology to drive innovation and growth.

In this insightful Ag Talk interview with Adgully, Shuchi Sarkar, Chief Marketing Officer, LTIMindtree, delves into the companys evolving marketing strategies, brand differentiation, and the role of digital marketing in shaping the future of enterprise technology.

How has LTIMindtrees marketing strategy evolved in response to the rapid shifts in enterprise technology?

LTIMindtrees marketing strategy is undergoing a significant and exciting evolution. This transformation aligns with the dynamic shifts in enterprise technology. We have embraced an account-based marketing (ABM) approach, allowing for tailored communications directed at key stakeholders within targeted organizations. To enhance our engagement, we have initiated several marketing initiatives. For instance, we recently hosted a roundtable in New York focusing on the generative AI revolution, showcasing how our AI solutions can personalize customer experiences for global financial institutions. This aligns with our broader strategy of integrating AI across all services, enabling us to consolidate multiple vendor solutions into single, comprehensive offerings.

Furthermore, we are leveraging digital platforms more aggressively, enhancing our presence through targeted social media campaigns and optimized content marketing. By combining high-quality content with precise outreach strategies and advanced marketing technologies, LTIMindtree is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of clients and drive growth in this dynamic landscape.

How do you differentiate LTIMindtrees brand in the global enterprise tech landscape?

LTIMindtree differentiates itself in the global enterprise tech landscape with a strategic focus on innovation, industry expertise, and sustainability. Our unique value proposition lies in our ability to integrate AI across all service offerings, enabling us to deliver comprehensive solutions that drive digital transformation for our clients. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency, but also positions us as a leader in leveraging advanced technologies to meet complex business challenges.

We emphasize our deep industry knowledge, which allows us to tailor solutions specifically for sectors such as BFSI, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. This specialization fosters trust and establishes LTIMindtree as a go-to partner for organizations seeking expertise in their respective fields. Moreover, sustainability is at the heart of our brand identity. We are committed to helping clients achieve their environmental goals through innovative solutions that promote responsible practices. Our initiatives in this area resonate with clients who prioritize corporate social responsibility and seek partners that align with their values.

By combining cutting-edge technology with a client-centric approach and a strong commitment to sustainability, LTIMindtree stands out as a forward-thinking partner in the enterprise tech space, ready to drive meaningful transformation for our clients and the communities we serve.

What role does storytelling play in building LTIMindtrees brand, and how do you tailor this approach for different regions?

For any organisation, storytelling plays a crucial role in building the brand by creating emotional connections with diverse audiences. For LTIMindtree, it allows the company to communicate its values, showcase client successes, and illustrate the transformative impact of its solutions. By weaving narratives around real-world challenges and triumphs, LTIMindtree makes complex technology relatable and engaging, positioning itself as a trusted partner in digital transformation.

To tailor this storytelling approach for different regions, LTIMindtree conducts thorough market research to understand local cultures, values, and pain points. For instance, in North America, the focus might be on innovation and efficiency, highlighting success stories that resonate with businesses looking to enhance their competitive edge. In contrast, storytelling in emerging markets may emphasize community impact and sustainability, showcasing how LTIMindtrees solutions contribute to local development and environmental stewardship.

Additionally, the company adapts its messaging style and medium based on regional preferences. In tech-savvy regions, digital narratives through interactive content or webinars may be more effective, while traditional markets might benefit from case studies and testimonials shared through print or face-to-face engagements. This flexible approach ensures that LTIMindtrees brand story resonates deeply with each audience segment, fostering stronger connections and driving brand loyalty across diverse markets.

How has programmatic marketing evolved in the enterprise tech space, and how do you leverage it for LTIMindtrees campaigns?

Programmatic marketing has undergone a significant evolution in the enterprise tech space, shifting from manual ad buying to automated, data-driven strategies. This transformation allows us to target specific audiences with precision, leveraging real-time data and advanced algorithms to optimize our campaigns effectively.

At LTIMindtree, we leverage programmatic marketing to enhance our outreach and engagement efforts. By utilizing sophisticated targeting capabilities, we can deliver personalized messages to key decision-makers across various industries. This approach not only increases the efficiency of our advertising spend, but also ensures that our messaging resonates with the right audience at the right time.

In addition, we are increasingly focusing on first-party data and privacy-first initiatives as third-party cookies phase out. This shift enables us to build trust with our audience while still delivering relevant content. We also integrate AI and machine learning into our programmatic strategies, allowing us to refine targeting and optimize campaign performance continuously.

By adapting our programmatic marketing efforts to align with these trends, LTIMindtree is positioned to enhance brand visibility and drive meaningful engagement in a competitive landscape. Our commitment to innovation in this space reflects our dedication to delivering value to our clients while staying ahead of industry changes.

What digital marketing trends are you most excited about, especially in terms of reaching tech buyers across multiple touchpoints?

I am particularly excited about a few digital marketing trends mentioned below, that are reshaping how we reach tech buyers across multiple touchpoints.

AI and Automation: The rise of AI-driven marketing is transforming our approach to campaign management. By utilizing AI for data analysis and automation, we can create highly personalized experiences that resonate with our audience. This allows us to optimize our messaging in real time, ensuring we engage tech buyers effectively at every stage of their journey. Omnichannel Marketing: Todays tech buyers engage with brands across various platforms and devices. Implementing an omnichannel strategy enables us to provide a seamless experience, ensuring that our messaging is consistent and relevant whether a buyer interacts with us via social media, email, or our website. This holistic approach enhances brand loyalty and drives conversions. Video Marketing: With video content predicted to dominate online traffic, we are leveraging engaging video formats to convey complex information in digestible ways. This not only captures attention, but also helps in building trust and showcasing our solutions effectively. Story-Driven Content: Crafting compelling narratives around our solutions allows us to connect emotionally with our audience. By sharing success stories and case studies, we illustrate how LTIMindtree drives transformation for clients, making our brand more relatable and trustworthy.

In your experience, how can enterprise tech brands effectively implement omni-channel marketing?

Effective implementation of omni-channel marketing is essential in reaching todays tech buyers, who engage with brands across multiple platforms. Here are key strategies to achieve this:

Unified Customer Data: Establish a centralized data management system to gather insights from all customer interactions across channels. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of buyer behaviour and preferences, enabling personalized marketing efforts.

Establish a centralized data management system to gather insights from all customer interactions across channels. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of buyer behaviour and preferences, enabling personalized marketing efforts. Consistent Messaging: Ensure that all communications reflect a cohesive brand voice and message. Consistency builds trust and reinforces brand identity, making it easier for tech buyers to engage with LTIMindtree across different touchpoints.

Ensure that all communications reflect a cohesive brand voice and message. Consistency builds trust and reinforces brand identity, making it easier for tech buyers to engage with LTIMindtree across different touchpoints. Segmented Targeting: Utilize buyer personas to tailor content and campaigns to specific audience segments. By understanding the unique needs and challenges of different stakeholders  such as CIOs, CXOs, and business heads  LTIMindtree delivers relevant messaging that resonates with each group.

Utilize buyer personas to tailor content and campaigns to specific audience segments. By understanding the unique needs and challenges of different stakeholders  such as CIOs, CXOs, and business heads  LTIMindtree delivers relevant messaging that resonates with each group. Integrated Campaigns: Develop integrated marketing campaigns that span various channels, including social media, email, webinars, and industry events. This approach ensures that tech buyers receive a seamless experience, regardless of how they interact with our brand.

Develop integrated marketing campaigns that span various channels, including social media, email, webinars, and industry events. This approach ensures that tech buyers receive a seamless experience, regardless of how they interact with our brand. Real-Time Analytics: Leverage analytics tools to monitor campaign performance across channels in real time. This enables quick adjustments to optimize engagement and conversion rates based on what is resonating with the audience.

Leverage analytics tools to monitor campaign performance across channels in real time. This enables quick adjustments to optimize engagement and conversion rates based on what is resonating with the audience. Engaging Content: Focus on creating high-quality, informative content that addresses the specific pain points of tech buyers. This could include case studies, whitepapers, and thought leadership articles that showcase an enterprises expertise and solutions.

How do you leverage marketing automation to improve demand generation for enterprise tech solutions? What tools and platforms do you find most effective?

LTIMindtree leverages marketing automation to enhance demand generation for our enterprise tech solutions by streamlining our marketing efforts, personalizing customer interactions, and optimizing campaign performance. By utilizing platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce Marketing Cloud, we efficiently manage and execute multi-channel campaigns, ensuring that our messaging is consistent and timely across all touchpoints. This is crucial for engaging tech buyers who expect seamless experiences.

Marketing automation also enables us to segment our audience based on behaviour and demographics, allowing us to create tailored content that speaks directly to the needs of different buyer personas within the enterprise sector. Tools like Oracle Eloqua facilitate this level of personalization, which significantly increases engagement and conversion rates.

Additionally, we utilize analytics features within these platforms to track campaign performance in real time, enabling us to make data-driven decisions quickly and optimize our strategies based on what resonates best with our audience. Implementing lead scoring systems through tools like ActiveCampaign helps us identify high-potential leads and prioritize them for follow-up, ensuring that potential clients receive timely information that guides them through the buyers journey. By integrating these marketing automation strategies and tools, LTIMindtree enhances its demand generation efforts, effectively reaching and engaging tech buyers while driving growth in a competitive landscape.

What are the key insights you focus on when expanding an enterprise brand into new international markets?

Expanding our enterprise brand into new international markets is a regular occurrence with LTIMindtree, and requires a strategic focus on several key insights. First and foremost, thorough market research is essential. Understanding the economic, political, and cultural landscape of potential markets allows us to identify opportunities and challenges, ensuring we tailor our approach effectively. This includes analysing customer behaviour, preferences, and local competitors to refine our positioning.

Another critical insight is the importance of cultural nuances. Adapting our messaging and branding to resonate with local audiences is vital for building trust and engagement. We emphasize core brand values that translate well across cultures, fostering emotional connections with consumers, but also differentiate one region from another.

Additionally, leveraging strategic partnerships with local organizations can provide valuable insights into market dynamics and help us navigate regulatory environments more effectively. We prioritize localization of our products and marketing materials, customizing our offerings to meet the unique needs of each market for greater relevance and appeal.

Furthermore, we recognize the power of digital presence in todays interconnected world. Optimizing our online platforms for multi-lingual SEO and engaging in targeted content marketing helps enhance visibility and attract potential customers.

Also Read: Print & OOH remain key channels for building Volkswagens brand visibility: Abbey Thomas
Radisson Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Rashna Kapadi as the new Director of Design and Technical Services for South Asia. In her new role, Rashna will spearhead the design strategies and implementation for the Groups South Asia portfolio, steering innovative projects elevating the guest experiences and setting new benchmarks in hospitality design.

With over 24 years of expertise in architecture, interior design, urban planning, and landscape design, Rashna brings a wealth of experience across luxury and budget hospitality, institutional developments, and mixed-use projects. Her visionary approach and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with Groups dedication to creating exceptional, guest-focused environments.

We are happy to welcome Rashna to Radisson Hotel Group. Her extensive experience and innovative design perspective will play a vital role in enhancing our brands ethos. Rashnas leadership will ensure our properties continue to reflect outstanding design that resonates with our values and elevates the guest experience said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia.

Rashna has an extensive history of successful projects and leadership roles, having previously contributed to organizations such as IMK Architects, Mahindra Holidays, DSP Architects, Chalet Hotels, and K Raheja Corp. Her expertise encompasses greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects, with a strong focus on sustainable design and customer-centric solutions. She has also collaborated on the development of several renowned hotel chains, including Marriott, Hyatt, Lemon Tree, Taj, Accor, Citrus, and Club Mahindra.

I am honored to join Radisson Hotel Group during such an exciting phase of growth. Groups focus on exceptional service and frugal yet sophisticated designs are truly inspiring. I look forward to collaborating with the team to push creative boundaries and craft memorable, immersive spaces that delight our guests across the region. said, Rashna Kapadi, Design & Technical Services Director, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia.

Rashnas creativity and expertise are set to shape the future of Radisson Hotel Groups design landscape in South Asia, underscoring the brands commitment to innovation, sustainability, and guest satisfaction.
Two significant US politicians, including an Indian-American representative, have demanded that Google and Apple eliminate TikTok from their app stores. This comes ahead of a crucial deadline that could result in a nationwide ban on the video-sharing platform.

This law mandates that TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, either sells the app or faces a US ban.

On Friday, the head and a key member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent letters to Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and TikTok CEO Shou Chew. They urged Cook and Pichai to prepare for TikTok's removal by the January 19th deadline. In their letter to Chew, they demanded the "immediate sale" of the app.

This action follows a court ruling upholding the law that protects Americans from foreign-controlled apps.

The politicians emphasized in their letters to Pichai & Cook that Congress has given TikTok sufficient timeover 230 daysto be in compliance with the law and take the necessary steps to sell the app. They stated, "Without a sale, the law prohibits companies like yours from providing services to distribute, maintain, or update foreign-controlled apps.Under US law, Apple and Google must ensure full compliance with these requirements by January 19, 2025."
In this interaction with Adgully, Rajat Tuli, Vice President - Marketing, VLCC, speaks about the companys aggressive expansion plans, marketing strategies, catering to evolving consumer preferences across beauty clinics, product lines, mens grooming brand Ustraa, and more.

Speaking about the festive season this year, Tuli said, We are sensing an improvement in the market and consumer sentiment. Our beauty centers are seeing an increase in footfall and overall business. Additionally, we are in the midst of an aggressive expansion plan, intending to add 100 new clinics by the end of this fiscal year. The product business is also seeing significant momentum. We have a range of exciting new product launches scheduled, which will add to our growth story.

He emphasised that VLCCs marketing strategy is centered around helping consumers evolve into the most beautiful versions of themselves, and added that VLCC is the catalyst for that transformation. Using high science and world-class R&D, we deliver products and services that help you achieve your beauty goals effortlessly, he said.

Tuli further said that for mens grooming brand Ustraa, the focus remains on pushing the fragrances range to newer audiences and introducing more men to skincare.

In the beauty clinics, we ran a binge-on beauty festival  be it achieving a radiant complexion, advanced dermatological care, laser hair removal, or a transformative weight loss journey. Our campaign focused on how you can achieve each of these goals, he informed.

Tuli further said that VLCC also launched its CL range, which is a regime-based product line developed by the experts in their clinics. He elaborated, The CL range was created so that consumers can continue their wellness journey post-treatment at the clinics. For the CL range of products, we are running a For Clinic like results campaign on social media and in the centres. On the product side, our research revealed how the younger set of our customers like to do things their way, on their own time preferably from the comfort of their homes. So, we launched a Salon-like glow now at home campaign.

VLCCs marketing efforts have been tied up with an efficient distribution to cater to the needs of our younger consumers. Its Salon wala glow products are sold at marketplaces like Amazon and through quick commerce sites like Blinkit. For Ustraa, the effort has been to address the key problem areas for men  including skincare, detan, and hair loss.

While he refrained from sharing details on the ad spend budget, Tuli informed that VLCC has increased spending by more than 30% for some categories. Most of the spending is on digital marketing. VLCC has more than 300 clinics all over India and in the Middle East, which these work as very efficient OOH channels for us to communicate to our customers, he added.
Disha Eye Hospitals, Eastern Indias leading eye care hospital chain, has partnered with ZEISS, a global leader in optics and optoelectronics, to inaugurate the first ZEISS VISION CENTER by Disha in Kolkata. This innovative center combines cutting-edge technology with personalized vision care, setting a new benchmark in eye care services in the region.

Located on Sarat Bose Road, the ZEISS VISION CENTER By Disha offers a state-of-the-art eyewear experience, featuring a premium selection of eyewear alongside the latest refraction and centration technologies. The center boasts advanced devices such as the ZEISS VISUFIT 1000, a 3D imaging tool that ensures precise digital centration, and the ZEISS VISUCORE 500, a fast and accurate refraction system that delivers customized lens solutions tailored to individual needs.

Dr. Debashish Bhattacharya, Chairman & Managing Director of Disha Eye Hospitals, expressed: Our partnership with ZEISS India marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide the best in eye care. By integrating ZEISSs advanced technology with our expertise, we have created a space that offers not just premium eyewear solutions, but also a bespoke experience for our customers. The growing demand for high-quality eyewear and advanced diagnostic services, especially in the premium segment, presents a significant opportunity for both Disha Eye Hospitals and ZEISS to expand in this evolving market.

Rohan Paul, Business Head  India and Neighbouring Markets  Vision Care, ZEISS India, stated: We are thrilled to partner with Disha Eye Hospitals to enhance advanced eye care in Kolkata through the launch of our first ZEISS VISION CENTER in the city. This partnership underscores our shared vision of delivering world-class eye care solutions. After the success of ZEISS VISION CENTERS in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Lucknow, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Chennai, we are confident that this collaboration will similarly transform the eyewear industry in Kolkata.

Ranabir Bhattacharya, CFO of Disha Eye Hospitals, shared: The launch in Kolkata is just the beginning. We have plans to open five ZEISS VISION CENTERS By Disha across Eastern India by 2025, aiming to redefine eye care for both urban and semi-urban customers. This partnership will also lay the foundation for Disha Eye Hospitals to open standalone stores, with five outlets targeted by the end of 2025.

The growing optical retail market in India presents a significant opportunity for this collaboration, addressing the rising demand for premium, personalized eyewear, he added. The ZEISS VISION CENTERS By Disha will offer a superior eyewear buying experience, enriched by cutting-edge technology. Together, Disha and ZEISS are set to elevate the eyewear industry, setting new standards of excellence and innovation.

ZEISS VISION CENTERS offer a tailored eyewear experience by combining advanced diagnostic technology, personalized vision solutions, a curated selection of premium branded frames, myopia management solutions, and expert guidance. This initiative is set to redefine the future of eye care in Eastern India, broadening access to quality eyewear for a diverse and growing audience.
Alabama families can apply to get up to $7,000 toward private school tuition from the state starting Jan. 2.

In May, the legislature passed a law , known as the CHOOSE Act, to create a new school choice program, which will eventually allow all K-12 students in the state to apply for support if they want to go to a private school.

Families can apply for state-funded education savings accounts, which are available for certain families to spend toward tuition and other education expenses starting in the 2025-26 school year.

The first ESAs will be limited to specific groups of students. All students in the state will be eligible for ESAs at the start of the 2027-28 school year.

How do I apply for an education savings account?

ESAs will be administered through the Alabama Department of Revenue, which is using a service called ClassWallet to distribute funds. Recipients will be able to use a digital wallet account to pay for services once they are approved.

To apply for an ESA, visit chooseact.alabama.gov .

Applications open Jan. 2, 2025.

When do I get money in the education savings account?

According to the state, students enrolled in a participating school will get up to $7,000 beginning July 1, 2025. Students participating in a homeschool program will get $2,000 beginning July 1, with a cap of $4,000 per family.

What are the income requirements for ESAs?

To be eligible for the 2025-26 school year, applicants must meet the following household income guidelines:

Alabama Department of Revenue

Which students are eligible?

The program is only open to Alabama residents. Students must be between the ages of 5 and 19 and have not graduated high school to participate. Students with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 21 are also eligible.

Priority will be given in this order:

Students with special needs receive the first 500 ESAs

Siblings of eligible students

Students in military families zoned to priority schools (The states most recent list of priority schools can be downloaded here

Students in families whose income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level, which currently would be $93,600 for a family of four

Your feedback matters Help AL.com report on Alabama education

Eligible families must provide a birth certificate for each eligible child, proof of Alabama residency, and proof of income to apply.

What can ESA funds be used for?

ESAs can be used for tuition and certain fees at participating schools, as well as the following expenses:

Textbooks in approved subjects

Fees for after-school or summer education programs provided by a participating school

Curriculum and supplemental reading materials

Instructional materials (i.e. school supplies)

Private tutoring in approved subjects

Computers and technological aids

Tuition and fees for approved nonpublic K-12 online learning programs

Educational software and applications

Educational therapies for students with disabilities

Fees for standardized and nationally recognized assessments

Contracted services provided by a public school district including specific classroom instruction

The parent of a student receiving an ESA must agree to pay the remaining amount of tuition or expenses beyond the $7,000 cap.

A guide explaining how to use the funds, eligible services and more is available here . Prospective families can also sign up for a Dec. 27 informational webinar here .

What are options for homeschool families?

Families who homeschool their children could receive $2,000 per child, up to $4,000 each year, for eligible expenses.

Which private schools are participating?

Schools and providers must choose to participate to receive money from a childs ESA. Applications for providers are currently open .

What about other school choice, tax credit programs?

Families eligible for tax credit scholarships through the Alabama Accountability Act cant apply to both programs  they must choose one or the other.

The AAA, which is targeted toward low-income students in priority schools, allows up to a $10,000 maximum award per school year. Students can transfer to another public or private school.

Eligible families can expect to be notified by their school by Jan. 10, 2025. Students have until March 1, 2025 to return a transfer form to their school district.

I provide an education service. How can I get involved?

Schools must meet the following requirements:

Be accredited by or in the process of being accredited by an approved accrediting agency named in the bill,

Agree to comply with the Alabama Child Protection Act, meaning adults must go through background checks,

Provide financial statements to the Alabama Department of Revenue that show their ability to provide educational services to the student, or provide a surety bond,

Require students to take a standardized test that meets the requirements, unless the student has a disability that exempts them from being tested,

Provide school-level test scores to the Department of Revenue,

Tell the Department of Revenue if the student withdraws or misuses the ESA,

Consideration also will be given to individuals, organizations and vendors who provide educational services or therapies, or who sell certain educational items. More eligibility information can be found in this guide .

Applicants will receive a decision within 14 days of their submission.

Participating schools and education service providers cannot discriminate against a student based on race, color or national origin.

They are not required to accept any student, however, or provide services for children with disabilities. They also are not prohibited from discriminating against a student with a disability.
An Alabama rapper was among two people shot to death during a funeral repass in Brighton.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Monday identified the victims as DAngelo LeMarcus Samuel, 27, of Birmingham and Roderick Hall, 38, of Midfield.

Samuel performed under the name Landlord Lo. In 2020, the rapper teamed up with Pooh Shiesty in the Chance video that garnered more than 1.7 million views.

The deadly shooting happened Friday following the funeral for Samuels uncle, 62-year-old Fredrick Lee Samuel.

Authorities were called to the Brighton Community Center, at 3810 7th Ave., shortly before 2:30 p.m.

Samuel, Hall, and at least one other man, were standing just outside the front door when the shooting happened.

Samuel and Hall were pronounced dead under the awning at the community centers entrance.

A double homicide at the Brighton Community Center on Dec. 13, 2024.Carol Robinson

According to law enforcement radio, one was shot in the eye and the other was shot in the head.

Cries of family members could be heard coming from the crime scene.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office is leading the investigation. Bessemer police helped with crowd control and Brighton police and firefighters also responded.

No arrests have been announced.

Rod Hall was among two people shot an killed at a funeral repass on Dec. 13, 2024, at Brighton Community Center.(Contributed)

Brighton police Capt. Kenneth Hooten, who is also the citys assistant fire chief, was among the first responders on the scene.

Hooten said hed known Hall since elementary school and described him as a down to earth guy.

He didnt bother anybody, Hooten said.

I went to elementary school with him before I became a cop or a firefighter, hung out, and wed check in on each other from time to me, Hooten said.

When they would run into each other, Hall would always ask Hooten if he needed anything. You need anything, all you gotta do is ask, he would tell Hooten.

Hall would also tell Hooten that he was proud of him.

Samuel was 18 when he was arrested and charged with murder for the shooting death of 23-year-old reputed drug dealer Kevin Hatter. The shooting happened in the 1200 block of 47th Street in Brighton about 6 p.m. on April 8, 2015.

Hatter had faced drug and attempted murder charges before his death.

Samuels attorney at the time claimed self-defense, and a jury in 2018 acquitted Samuel of the murder charge.

Another suspect in Hatters slaying had his case dismissed that same year.

Samuel was also indicted earlier this year on charges of attempted murder and discharging a firearm into occupied vehicle in connection with the 2020 shooting of a woman.

Those cases were dismissed after the victim recanted.

Two months ago, Samuel was interviewed by The Family TV on YouTube titled Beats & Bullets: The Alabama Rapper Who Lived to Tell His Story, in which he talked about his music, past criminal charges, and other Birmingham area homicides.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriffs office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Exempting overtime pay from state income tax was a new idea that caught on quickly at the Alabama State House in 2023.

The Republican majority threw their support behind the proposal by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville. Not a single lawmaker in either party voted against the bill.

Gov. Kay Ivey held a ceremonial bill signing at the Hyundai auto plant in Montgomery, joined by business leaders and legislators from both parties.

President-elect Donald Trump has since proposed a federal tax exemption on overtime pay.

Now a new report estimates the fiscal impact of Alabamas overtime tax exemption was $230 million during the first nine months of 2024, far more than expected.

Thats money that would have gone to the Education Trust Fund. Income taxes are the largest source of money for public education in Alabama.

The prospect of losing school funding leaves lawmakers with a decision on whether to keep the popular tax exemption.

Its a whopper, said Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who chairs the Senates education budget committee.

Workers take home more money

The exemption is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2025, unless the Legislature extends it. Lawmakers added the expiration date because of uncertainty about how school revenues would be affected.

They also required the Alabama Department of Revenue to collect information on overtime pay from employers.

It was the ADOR report that estimated the impact of $230 million from January through September this year.

Daniels, the sponsor of the overtime bill, acknowledges that the $230 million in exempted tax payments was more than expected. Daniels said he does not think the amount justifies allowing the exemption to expire.

The legislative intent was to increase workforce participation and help hourly workers take home more money without requiring their employer to do it, Daniels said.

Daniels cites numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor that show 43,000 more people are working in Alabama than 12 months ago.

That includes jobs in manufacturing, transportation, utilities, education, healthcare, and other sectors. Daniels said that means more people are paying the states income tax, which has a top rate of 5%.

If you do the math on that, and the average salary is $60,000, then you talk about 5% of 60,000 times 43,000, Daniels said. Those dollars go to what? The Education Trust Fund.

Federal money is drying up

While the employment numbers and Alabamas labor force participation rate have increased this year, revenues that support the Education Trust Fund have leveled off.

That leveling off comes after a temporary surge fueled by the billions in federal dollars that Congress sent to the state in pandemic relief funds.

Were flat, more or less, Orr said.

The federal money is drying up. School systems have lost the federal money that theyve gotten. So theyre scrounging to pay for a lot of the services and personnel that they brought to bear using the federal COVID money. In other words, theyre back on their own with the state dollars.

Still, Daniels said it would be premature to let the overtime exemption expire.

Daniels said he will propose a bill that would extend the by another year and that would authorize a study to analyze the overall economic impact of the exemption.

Daniels noted that hourly workers who take home more money because of the overtime tax exemption will spend that extra money on products that carry state and local sales taxes, generally a total of 9-10%, money that helps fund state and local government.

Its rewarding hard work, giving them more of their tax dollars. And in return, theyre spending those tax dollars in different areas and its yielding the returns that we need, Daniels said.

Orr says that even assuming that employees spent all of their extra income from the exemption on taxable goods, that would still only return 4%, the state portion of the sales tax, or 3%, the state sales tax on food, to the ETF.

A fair amount would go also to services that are not taxed or put in a church offering plate, or whatever, not spent on goods, Orr said. So its not a lot of money back through sales tax.

What will lawmakers do?

Orr said legislators have to choose from a few options on what to do with the overtime tax exemption.

You cap it. You let it expire and thats it. Or weve got to make other provisions to try to replace the revenue if this is something that the Legislature wants to continue on full bore without a cap, Orr said.

The overtime exemption applies to full-time, hourly workers. They do not pay the state income tax, which has a rate of up to 5%, on pay received for working more than 40 hours in a week.

Daniels advocated for the bill as a way to allow workers to take home more of their paychecks and provide an incentive that would help employers fill jobs and increase production at a time when Alabama is struggling with a low workforce participation rate.

I thought at the time it was a unique idea, a good idea to reward those working hard, Orr said.

The hourly employees are not going to be your super wealthy individuals, and we wanted to give them some tax relief and support. So it seemed like a very reasonable idea. And it still does. Its just the cost has turned out to be a lot more than was anticipated.

In the last couple of years, Alabamas state budgets were better able to absorb tax cuts and exemptions because of the unusual growth in revenue and the federal dollars for pandemic relief.

Besides the overtime tax exemption, the Legislature cut the state sales tax on food from 4 percent to 3 percent effective September 2023.

The tax on food would have gone down another penny this year, to 2 percent, but that did not happen because growth to the Education Trust Fund failed to reach a target of 3.5%. Lawmakers added that provision to the grocery tax cut to protect ETF revenues.

Orr noted that the ETF would be more likely to hit the 3.5% growth target and reduce the food tax if the overtime tax exemption is allowed to expire next year.

So that may be a little incentive for the Legislature to let it expire, Orr said. I dont know how that will play out.

At least $100 million for school choice

The overtime tax exemption and the grocery tax cuts are not the only new initiatives that will affect public school funding.

Earlier this year, lawmakers passed the CHOOSE Act, which will allow parents to use up to $7,000 in tax dollars per child to pay private school tuition, or up to $2,000 for home school.

The program has income limits the first two years but is scheduled to be available to all families starting in 2027-28.

Lawmakers will allocate at least $100 million a year from the ETF to fund the CHOOSE Act, a priority for Republican lawmakers that Democrats said would hurt public schools.

Daniels said he would like to see the same scrutiny applied to all major initiatives that he wants to see with the analysis of the overtime tax exemption.

Things that have been made permanent, there should have been a sunset provision with a study attached to it as well, Daniels said.

Thats how you become more fiscally responsible and learn from the decisions youve made. Its not that you made the wrong decision, but you want to have an understanding of the full impact of it.
The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the first woman senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, will be stepping down from that role in February to take a CEO-level post at a denominational agency.

Arnold, who had been on staff at First United Methodist since 2010 and senior pastor since 2018, has accepted a job as general secretary of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women of the United Methodist Church, effective March 1.

Monroeville attorney Dawn Wiggins Hare, who has been general secretary of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women since 2012, completes her final term and retires on Feb. 28, 2025.

Shes been a mentor to me, Arnold said of Hare. Shes an incredible woman. Im thrilled, and a little terrified to follow in her footsteps.

Arnold will finish her duties as senior pastor of First United Methodist during a retreat at Camp McDowell on Feb. 16.

Thatll be my last day with the congregation, she said. Thats the hard part. First Church is such a wonderful congregation.

But Arnold said the congregation is in a good place for a transition.

There are so many of my peers in the wider United Methodist church who are able and gifted to come serve, whose gifts are different than my own, she said. That is the beauty of the United Methodist appointment system, that we dont stay in one place for forever, but we change and we rotate and the church continues on.

Arnold and her husband, Steve, a metallurgical engineer, have two children: Georgia, a sophomore at Auburn University, and Sawyer, a freshman at the University of Alabama, who grew up at First United Methodist.

I feel like it is the right time for the church, she said. Its just hard to give up something you love.

The goal of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women has also been a passion for Arnold.

GCOSROWs mission or their mandate is to advocate for the full inclusion of women throughout the total life of the church, she said.

The United Methodist General Conference this year passed a proposed constitutional amendment, Paragraph 4, which calls for the inclusion of gender in the list of reasons why someone cannot be forbade membership in the UMC.

Shell be lobbying for that proposal.

It has to be ratified, because its a change to our constitution, Arnold said. Because we are a worldwide church, womens rights are not what they are here, everywhere.

Shell also continue to lobby for better pay and equity for women pastors, and in other roles.

Womens lay leadership roles in the churches are still not where they need to be as far as sitting on finance teams and leading church administrative boards, she said.

Her agency also handles sexual harassment and abuse complaints, which are a deeply unfortunate part of the job, but still a reality, she said.

She also will advocate for the expansion of inclusive language. So that God is not just seen as a masculine persona, but is expansive and wide, so that all people can see themselves envisioned in that divine presence.

Advocating equality for women in the church is a step toward equality for all, she said. Its just about equality.

As a United Methodist denominational executive, she hopes to do her part to mend the rift that led to a denominational schism, with many churches opting to leave the denomination over the past few years.

Everybody who has still chosen to remain part of the United Methodist Church is doing that work and has the opportunity to be an advocate for that healing, Arnold said. Everybody, I feel like, wants to move forward. That was a really painful and disappointing loss. Thats part of our faith. We believe that with loss there is also renewal and resurrection. What were left with today is a United Methodist Church that wants to be its best self and move forward and focus on the positive.

See also:

Alabamas new United Methodist Church bishop looks beyond disaffiliation: Healing is what we need

Alabamas new United Methodist bishop: General Conference is not your savior

Unholy threat: United Methodists sue breakaway beach church

A 198-year-old Methodist church in Alabama asks judge to drop United off legal documents

Elba to Theodore: 9 more Alabama churches sue United Methodists to keep property

Selmas oldest church sues United Methodists in an effort to keep its property

Alabama congregation founded in 1847 sues United Methodists, says it owns church building

Baptists and Methodists helped build Alabama, now they struggle to keep churches, members

Arnold served on the General Commissions Interagency Sexual Ethics Task Force; created resources on the topics of pay equity and expansive language; wrote and produced Her Truth video and curriculum for the North Alabama Conference COSROW; and presented at The UMCs Do No Harm Sexual Ethics training in 2018.

We are thrilled that a leader with a commitment to our mission and ministry as evidenced by Stephanies track record has been elected, Hare said. Stephanie will provide a bright energizing light in guiding, interpreting, and modeling inclusion of women to the world through the local churchs witness.

Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, who took over in September as bishop of United Methodist churches in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, also praised Yorks selection.

Rev. Stephanie York Arnold is a gifted leader whose heart resonates with the purpose of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women to advocate for full participation of women in the total life of The United Methodist Church and to help the church recognize every person  clergy and lay, women and men, adults and children - as full and equal parts of Gods human family, Holston said. She has lived out these values in her service to the local church as a pastor, to our Conference through the various leadership roles she has served  including as a member of North Alabamas COSROW and to the General Church through her years as a member of the General Board of Church and Society. She is a talented communicator who works to cast a vision and embolden others to bring that vision to life together. The United Methodist Church will be blessed with her service as the new general secretary.
In 2005, the so-called War on Christmas began to rage after Fox News started promoting a book written by radio host, John Gibson, who alleged there was a liberal plot to ban Christian holidays.

But nearly 20 years later, is the war over? Or, in the least, has it subsided to the point where it hardly matters?

A recent poll taken by YouGov suggests the war is on the way out when it comes to the culture war issues that animated public discourse.

According to the poll of 1,107 U.S. adults from Dec. 3-5 on an array of winter holiday questions, one particular question stood out: only 23% of Americans believe there is a war on Christmas in the U.S., while 46% say there is no. Another 31% are undecided.

The surveys results are a change from only two years ago, when 39% of respondents in a similar YouGov poll in December 2022 said they believed there was a so-called culture war on the holiday.

The latest poll suggests a significant drop of war-on-Christmas believers among Republicans. In 2022, the polling showed 59% of Republicans believed there was a war on the holiday. The most recent polling shows its down to 36% -- a 23-point drop.

Among Democrats, the decrease was 12 points.

There has been a significant drop in the share of Americans who believe there is a war on Christmas, from 51% who said so roughly a decade ago to roughly half as many  23% -- today, said Taylor Orth, director of survey data journalism with YouGov.

The numbers today are lower than in 2016, when former President Donald Trump held a post-election campaign rally in Mobile to celebrate the holiday and his election win over Hillary Clinton. The underlying theme of that rally was to include Merry Christmas emblazoned on signage throughout Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

According to Public Policy Polling that year, 34% of Americans said there was a War on Christmas, which was done from the groups polling in 2013.

Even among Trump supporters  who identify differently from Republicans in the polling  the numbers are down. According to the YouGov survey earlier this month, 43% of Trump supporters claim there is a war on the Christmas holiday, while 31% disagree and 26% are uncertain. Among supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris, 69% disagree that the war exists.

Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel  a Christian conservative legal group that pushes for religious liberties  said he believes the numbers reflect in the groups progress for a reduction in Christmas censorship at retail stores.

Liberty Counsel publishes an annual naughty and nice list of companies that recognize and celebrate Christmas and has been doing so since 2001. This years list includes 27 retailers listed as nice while 14 were labeled naughty.

If you look at where it is now to where it was two decades ago when we began  our naughty or nice list which included the retail market, there is quite a difference, Staver said.

He claims that backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are one of the reasons why there are fewer issues with what he calls censorship of Christmas features like nativity scenes and even the red and green Christmas colors.

Staver said he does not believe the results of the November presidential election had anything to do with the changes.

I think the trend we are seeing in the pushback in the censorship within the public and private sector regarding Christmas manifested itself in the election, Staver said. People are sick and tired of the censorship and political correctness and wokeness and the attempt to remove religious expression.

The YouGov polling shows that among the regions in the U.S., there are still concerns about the War on Christmas in the South. Only 39% of Southerners disagree that there is a War on Christmas -- far lower than the other regions in the country.

Michael Altman, professor of religious studies at the University of Alabama, said he believes the decrease is connected to the election results.

The War on Christmas always seemed like more of a top down culture wars issue that political operatives and media outlets pushed and then audiences followed, he said. I think it was yet another way for conservatives to vent frustration during, and especially under (President Barack) Obama. But the Republicans just won the election, so there is no reason to vent frustration. Hence, you dont need a war on Christmas.
Bernabe Roman, 47, was arrested this Sunday by the Athens Police Department for the Dec. 25, 1997 killing of Jose Salinas Gomez.

The incident occurred on the 1500 block of Wheeler Street in Athens, according to a report from WAAY 31.

Efforts to reach Athens police were not immediately successful.

A Limestone County Grand Jury indictment warrant was issued for Romans arrest in February 1998.

On Sunday, Athens Police were assisting the ICE - Enforcement and Removal Division - Fugitive Operation Team when they received information about Romans whereabouts.

A search warrant was quickly obtained for Romans residence in the 24000 block of Bain Road in Athens.

Both agencies, along with the Athens High-risk Entry & Apprehension Team, executed the warrant and were able to take Roman into custody following a brief hold and callout.

This is a police method where officers secure the area around a location and ask the people inside to come out, according to Police Magazine.

Roman is currently being held in the Limestone County jail with a bond of $75,000.
A Baldwin County man shot and killed Friday by the FBI called for government officials to be arrested by a militia, according to court records.

Alexander Hilton Randles died after being shot by FBI agents as they attempted to execute a warrant for his arrest.

Randles had been charged with interstate transmission of a threat to kidnap or injure in violation of federal U.S. law.

According to federal court documents, the charges stem from a Facebook post Randles made where he called for a militia and for insurrected government officials to turn themselves in or have the militia suppress them by force.

The deadline for the officials to turn themselves in was Dec. 15 the post read. According to court documents, the statements Randles made constituted interstate threats.

The militia would answer to President-elect Donald Trump and be manned by all able-bodied men over 17 years old.

The post featured photos from a manifesto titled the Paul Revere Report detailing martial law, private citizen arrests, the militia and the specific government entities Randles believed were targeting and defaming him.

A portion of the document noted that Randle would be responsible for assembling the militia if the government continued to neglect enforcing the laws as written.

In the absence of an Executive Branch if this document is ignored or more Government Officials refuse to carry out the laws as written, the power lays with the people, the manifesto reads.

Alexander Randles, in the absence of government correction, will suppress the insurrection to bring this district back into the United States control. Alexander Randles is a member of the unorganized militia group. Alexander Randle will publicly assemble men and women to arrest the insurrectionist or suppress them with force until the United States military assumes authority.

The documents also revealed several letters addressed to Trump, Matt Gaetz and Elon Musk. Each of the letters were related to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland who Randles believed was one of the corrupt officials.

Court documents demonstrated that since 2020 Randles believed an unknown domestic terrorist group was targeting him. However, he felt that local law enforcement agencies like the Foley Police Department were working to cover-up the terror groups attacks against him.

Since 2020, RANDLES has reported to multiple law enforcement agencies and court systems that he is the victim of an unknown domestic terrorist groups efforts to defame his name, harm his tire-changing business, and infect him with a sexually transmitted disease, court records read.

According to his social media, Randles was a military veteran and owned an automotive repair shop.
Decaturs Etta Freeman died this weekend at 107-years-old, according to an announcement from Jackson Memory Funeral Home.

She was one of Alabamas oldest residents and was a local legend in her community.

She taught in Decatur for more than 50 years.

For her 90th birthday in 2007, more than 300 of her former students came to A.C. Banks Park to celebrate.

We were crazy about her then, and we are today, Audrey Priest of Moulton told AP News.

Freeman was born July 27, 1917, and raised by her grandparents, according to her obituary.

She graduated from Decatur Negro High in 1937 and completed two years at Alabama State College, which qualified her for a teaching position in 1939.

Later on, she enrolled at Alabama A&M University to complete her last two years of college and obtained a bachelors degree in elementary education.

She taught for over half of her life and is remembered by her daughter-in- law, Jewel Freeman; grandchildren, Cheryl (Cleveland) Smith, Shaka Freeman, Biko Freeman, Nora Jackson, Jewel Freeman, Chaske (Raquel) Freeman; 8 great grandchildren, many cousins, other relatives, friends, and former students, according to her obituary.

What a blessing Ms. Etta Freeman was to her community! wrote one friend in a Facebook post.

Her life was a shining example of kindness, compassion, and courage. I am grateful for the impact she had on our lives and for the lessons she taught us through her remarkable journey of 107 years.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced once complete.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Decatur Youth Enrichment.
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ATHENS  from a Project Safe Childhood investigation.

Chris Adam Valentine, 37, was sentenced to serve 360 months in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release and $90,000 restitution by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. Tripp Self III. In addition, Valentine will have to register as a sex offender upon release from prison. Valentine previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child. There is no parole in the federal system.

Our office is determined to identify and remove child predators from our communities and hold them fully accountable for their heinous crimes, U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said in a news release. Protecting the most vulnerable citizens from harm is a priority for law enforcement at every level.

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Thanks to the diligent efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and its law enforcement partners, this predator will now spend three decades behind bars for his appalling actions, Steven N. Schrank, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta, which covers Georgia and Alabama, said. This investigation underscores our commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and pursuing justice for those who seek to exploit and harm children.

Cases like these exemplify the value of partnerships between local, state and federal agencies, Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters said. These heinous crimes will not be tolerated in our community. We will continue to work with our partners to protect the children of this community and will pursue those who prey on them.

According to the plea agreement, Valentine admitted that between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022, he used his cellular phone to film a 7-year-old child engage in sexual conduct with an adult male.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach prosecuted the case for the government.
It was a moment Ill never forget: Friday afternoon, November 15, 2019. After spending Veterans Day week in snowy, freezing Leavenworth, Kansas, I returned to Charlotte for a court appearance that morning in neighboring York County. I was talking to a friend on my cell phone, driving eastbound on Pineville-Matthews Road, when my phone beeped with an incoming call.

The screen flashed: The White House.

I pulled off the road into a Panera Bread parking lot and answered the call. It was the presidents military attache.

Mr. Brown, Im here with the president. The president wants to know if he has permission to call your client.

For me, this was one of those surrealistic, Forest Gumplike moments beyond description  where a country boy from Plymouth, N.C. gets a call from the Oval Office. Something seemed out of place about it all. But that call marked the first of five that I would receive from the White House that afternoon.

Our client, Army 1st lieutenant Clint Lorance, was a former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, railroaded by Obamas Pentagon under suicidal rules of engagement. On July 2, 2012, Clints platoon faced a motorcycle speeding toward them in a restricted area in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. With VBIED (Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device) attacks against Americans becoming more frequent, four Afghan National Army soldiers accompanying the platoon fired first at the motorcycle. Clints men opened fire. Two of the three riders were dead. DNA evidence later linked two of the riders to Taliban bomb-makers, yet no bodies were recovered, and no ballistics matched American bullets.

Despite this, Obamas rule of engagement dictated, Dont fire unless fired upon. The Pentagon made an example of Clint, who never pulled the trigger. Positioned far back in the line, Clint couldnt see the riders. Yet Obamas Pentagon charged him with murder and coerced his men to testify against him under threat of prosecution for murder themselves. In August 2013, a military court convicted Clint, suppressing evidence and ignoring the lack of ballistic proof that American bullets had killed the riders. They sentenced Clint to 20 years in prison, stripped him of his uniform, and carted him off in an armed van to the military prison at Fort Leavenworth.

The Obama administration had an American scalp to hand to the Karzai government in Kabul and sent a chilling message to American soldiers: obey our suicidal rules of engagement, make them shoot at you first before you take a shot, or we will prosecute you, too.

I got involved as a former Navy JAG officer after writing a book on the shoot-down of Extortion 17, where 30 Americans, including SEAL Team Six members, died. I met Pete Hegseth in 2017, when he led Concerned Veterans for America. Five years had passed since Clints conviction, but Pete had never forgotten Clints story.

In 2018, retired Army LTC John Maher invited me to join Clints defense team alongside two other former JAG officers, Maj. Kevin Mikolashek and LTC David Bolgiano. With the roadblocks presented by the Deep State inside the Pentagon, we realized that our only chance to free Clint might come through a presidential pardon from President Trump. I reached out to Pete, who agreed that we needed to bring Clints case back into the spotlight so he would no longer be forgotten. Pete said, If you write the book, Ill help get the case before the president.

Working with LTC Maher and the defense team, and after a dozen trips to Leavenworth in 2018 to visit with and interview Clint, in 2019, my book, Travesty of Justice, was released. It exposed the Obama Pentagons hatchet job against an American soldier.

Enter Secretary-Designate Hegseth.

With the release of Travesty of Justice, Pete Hegseth kept his word. With the help of Sean Hannity, Pete revived Clints case, bringing it into the national limelight, alongside the then-current cases of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher and Green Beret Major Matt Golsteyn  three soldiers targeted under Obamas reckless rules of engagement. Pete used my book as a tool to advocate for Clint, and on many occasions, he delivered evidence of Clints innocence directly to President Trump. On the night of November 15, 2019, after calls with President Trump and Vice President Pence to Leavenworth, Trump signed the pardon. Clint walked out of prison, a free man, wearing his Army dress blues.

The U.S. military stands as our most cherished institution. The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps predate the Republic, established by the Continental Congress before the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the United States Constitution. These ragtag soldiers, sailors, and Marines won our independence and, later, defended it against tyranny.

The military is no place for social experimentation by woke bureaucrats seeking to ram liberal agendas down our soldiers throats. It isnt a place to use taxpayer money for genital mutilation or to send men wearing womens dresses, high heels, and pantyhose into combat units to prove some sort of sick point or to celebrate drag shows on military bases in the presence of children.

The Biden and Obama administrations should be ashamed of their attempted decimation of our military. These woke fools serving as commander in chief have allowed the military to become a playground for social experimenters. Its no wonder that the Army and Navy have fallen woefully short of their recruiting goals under Biden. These recruitment shortfalls have become a national security problem.

But no more.

No, as General Colin Powell once famously said, the purpose of the Army is to break things and kill people. Beyond that, our militarys purpose is to win Americas wars, nothing more and nothing less.

Our next secretary of defense isnt a bureaucrat general like Lloyd Austin or a product of the military-industrial complex Eisenhower warned about. Pete Hegseth, a warriors warrior, will end CRT, DIE, forced vaccines, ridiculous pronouns, and drag show celebrations on bases with the stroke of a pen on day one. He wont leave anyone behind  not on his watch.

Without Pete Hegseth, Clint would still be imprisoned at Leavenworth today. Instead, Clint graduated from law school, passed the bar exam, and is dedicating his life to defending others wronged by the military justice system.

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning, the Psalmist wrote. With Pete Hegseths nomination as secretary of defense, joy has returned to our fighting forces, bringing a new dawn of hope and optimism for Americas military.

Pete Hegseth embodies the spirit of a lion-hearted warrior, a soldiers soldier, a direct inheritor of the blood shed by those who fought and died for our freedom. I know the man and have worked with him. He stands poised to become the greatest secretary of defense in American history, leading with conviction, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the men and women who serve in uniform.

With Petes nomination, the president has hit a grand slam, and our military will be much stronger for it.

Don Brown is a former U.S. Navy JAG officer, Republican congressional candidate, military prosecutor, and special assistant U.S. attorney. He is the author of several books, including Kangaroo Court: How Dirty Prosecutors and Sleazy Lawyers Destroy Political Opponents, Attack Free Speech, and Subvert the Constitution. He served as one of four former JAG officers who worked alongside defense secretarydesignate Pete Hegseth to secure a pardon from President Trump for Army lieutenant Clint Lorance, an 82nd Airborne paratrooper wrongly imprisoned under Obamas restrictive rules of engagement. Follow him on Twitter @donbrownbooks.

Image: Pete Hegseth. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
President Trump takes a lot of heat  as a Republican  for being comfortable advocating for the use of tariffs.

We live in an age of free trade. For almost fifty years now, the prevailing economic theory concerning imported goods has been the simplistic statement that tariffs are bad, because theyre a tax on your own people, after all (not on the country of export), and the public is always better off if goods are cheaper.

Widening the supply base to the entire world provides the greatest opportunity to find the lowest price option for every purchase, we are told; protectionism prevents that lowest price option, raising the publics cost of living and therefore reducing the standard of living, by definition.

President Trump has made the case  accurately and eloquently  that our 40-year-long trend of exporting much of our manufacturing, and becoming terribly dependent on one specific enemy nation, Red China, has been terribly destructive to the American way of life, especially to our working class, which has gradually lost the manufacturing base needed to employ them and give them advancement opportunity.

But still, free trade is sacrosanct; we simply must find some remedy that doesnt call for overturning free trade.

Well, theres a dirty little secret at the heart of that argument: its all a lie.

The world doesnt practice free trade.

Well, O.K., for the most part, the U.S. does. But were alone.

Half a century ago or more, if a country wanted to keep foreign products out of their economy, they would set high tariff rates on them, say, ten or twenty or thirty percent of the goods value. Between the cost of transportation and these high tariffs, the foreign goods would be more expensive than local goods, so local goods could dominate the domestic marketplace, while cool foreign options were available to a minority of shoppers at a higher price.

Then in the 1970s and 1980s, as the economic cult of global free trade took hold, the United States and Canada and the Europeans -- and so many other trading partners -- lowered their average tariff rates, ostensibly embracing the free trade doctrine.

But most of our trading partners didnt really change their attitudes. The Europeans and the British and the Arabs and the Japanese never really intended to open up their markets. They just wanted to look like they were playing along so they could participate in the UN and the WTO, the World Bank and the OECD, and all those other wonderful non-governmental and super-governmental groups with access to loans and grants and jet-setting jobs.

While lowering their import duty rates to a mere pittance  two or three or five percent of the goods value  these countries gradually ramped up the implementation of various mandatory bureaucratic approval processes. Economists call these things non-tariff barriers and they are often infinitely more costly than tariffs to an exporter whos just trying to sell into a country with such obnoxious mandates.

Want to sell a mechanical product to any country in the Persian Gulf? Your company will need to have every model tested and approved under SASO -- the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. In order to break into that market, you need to obtain this costly approval in advance, before you have a single sale. The big Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) can afford this process; smaller companies usually cant. It keeps the small, unconnected businesses out of the market entirely.

Want to sell a bunch of assorted products to a distributor in Japan or Brazil? If you make them yourself, thats fine; but if youre reselling products you designed for a toll manufacturer to make for you, their Customs agents have the right to demand that you provide the name and address of your vendor on every such item on your invoice. But that might enable the customer to reach out to them directly and cut me out of future orders, we hear you say, in shocked tones. Yes, indeed. Thats the idea. So, companies in that position might be discouraged from even trying to sell into such countries.

Want to sell an electrical appliance, like a carpenters power tool, into Europe or Great Britain? Well, now youll need that product approved by Europes CE Mark process and the U.K.s new post-Brexit version of it, the UKCA Mark. Its not that much different from the UL approval that we have in the USA, only ours is optional and theirs is mandatory; your product cant be imported without this approval, which isnt just a matter of getting their blessing. It also requires redoing your products plugs and nameplate and packaging to show their required codes. Think what that means to the cost of your tooling.

These examples are just a drop in the bucket, by the way. There are hundreds of such requirements in every country. Some are reasonable, like food safety and hazardous transportation regulations; some are just costly nuisances, like requirements to print the importers name and address on every box. (Think that sounds simple? Imagine having thousands of packages, hundreds of customers, and a need to figure out how to manually add such labels to every single item in every export shipment at your shipping dock.

A generation ago, Europe dreamed up the RoHS standards for keeping certain chemicals out of the alloys or the bills of materials of manufactured goods, then REACH followed, then Conflict Minerals, then PFAS. There isnt room here to explain all these requirements.

Suffice to say that all the countries that mandate these costly programs all proudly call themselves modern devotees of free trade policies, just because of their low duty rates.

These countries concoct costly new measures every few years, so that as soon as a foreign vendor gets up to speed on the last one, theres something new  a required Authorized Representative to print on the box, or a new mark to mold onto the housing, or a new limitation on the contents of your motor, your housing, your cardboard box or your plastic clamshell. Every few years, you have to redo your product, your packaging, your documentation. They never give a foreign vendor a moments peace.

Then theres the Value Added Tax. Nobody would call this a non-tariff barrier. The VAT has nothing to do with imports and exports; its just a business-to-business sales tax, refundable to locals as goods move from transaction to transaction. But what if your business isnt resident in their country and you try to arrange a triangle sale (we Americans call these drop shipments or third party orders)? If youre not from there, and you want to be a middleman between your vendor and your customer in Europe or Britain or China, your VAT isnt refundable, so the deal will cost you another 15% or 20% or 23%, depending on the country, unless you establish a subsidiary in-country or otherwise qualify as a local. But theyd never call that protectionist.

And what does President Trump want to do? He just wants to set honest, above-board tariffs, primarily on our main enemy, China.

By the way, while were on the subject, China isnt just our enemy, either. China has displaced the manufacturing of Europe, and Britain, and Canada, and Mexico, and Japan as well.

The rest of the world knows it, but they dont want to jeopardize their respectability as ostensibly free-trade marketplaces, when in fact theyre no such thing. They secretly hope that President Trump will succeed in knocking China off its high horse. Theyd all love to see Chinas share of global manufacturing slip a bit; they just dont want to be involved in the dirty business of raising tariffs. All this talk of tariffs just sounds so coarse when people bring up the subject at the country club. Or at the Hague. Or at Davos.

Is any of this to say that tariffs are an objective good? Certainly not. A tax is still a tax, and a proud capitalist should never be enamored of any tax.

But tariffs are a tool, a perfectly legitimate tool, at that.

And as far as protectionist measures are concerned, the tariff is infinitely more honest than the many complex, painful, and costly non-tariff barriers erected all over the world by our many holier-than-though detractors to keep American and other foreign shippers out of their well-insulated local markets.

John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation manager, trade compliance trainer, and speaker. Read his book on the surprisingly numerous varieties of vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel), his political satires on the Biden-Harris years (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I, II, and III), and his nonfiction book on the 2024 election, Current Events and the Issues of Our Age, all available in eBook or paperback, only on Amazon.

Image: Wellcome Images (U.K.), via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0
Each year end, public relations (PR) practitioners are quizzed on what they think are the top-five PR crises of the year.

Since I work more in politics than in business, I chose to consider the top five political  presidential  PR crises.

These are, from the inside, fairly obvious.



Number one has to be Trump getting shot, then almost immediately starting to manage the message even before a negative one could get out there.

He did this by fist-bumping the sky (on camera) and shouting Fight, Fight, Fight.

Surviving being shot could have proved a disaster, for one simple reason. If Trump had cowered or even reacted stunned, he could be painted as less than by an unfriendly media. The whole world would have seen it, so no post-shooting response could walk back an apparently cowardly reaction. But Trump instinctively reacted as the street-fighter his bio likes to suggest he once was, and it actually played well.



The second crisis was the aftermath of the disastrous Biden-Trump debate. Actually, the disaster wasnt so much of a failed debate, but the medias  and the Democrat leaderships  collective reaction.

I watched it all and I felt, with the exception of one moment (the famous Medicare line) the debate was a near-draw. In fact, I told my wife  also a seasoned political campaign pro  that I was disappointed that Trump let his anger get in the way. I frankly expected the Dems would rally around the president.

After all, in each election season, the ultimately winning candidate lost  big  an earlier debate, but rallied back. Even Reagan, the great communicator and 49-state victor in 1984, lost his first debate with Walter Mondale, of all people.



But the crisis for Biden was the way his own leading Democrats talked themselves into a feeding frenzy of horror at having Biden for a candidate. They kept pushing one another (and Biden), forcing him to step down until, three weeks later, he could no longer mount a viable campaign.

His was the first presidential coup detat  admittedly a bloodless one  in American history. Never before had a sitting president, nominated and running for re-election, been forced out by his own party.



However, a vengeful Biden cleverly played against that putsch. Hed originally picked beyond long-shot Kamala Harris for his vice president as insurance against a 25th Amendment run-around that would have removed him from office.

Seeing how weak and ineffective Harris was as VP, nobody would rationally try to push Biden out. Not until the debate made him look  to his opponents  like a loser.

So, as a kind of revenge against those so-called party loyalists, starting with President Obama and including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other party leaders who kept pushing to get Biden out, Biden got the last laugh.

Successfully, long before they could organize a quick-response open primary election to nominate some legitimate political heavyweight could be scheduled, Biden endorsed Harris in a way that made her the only plausible candidate.



Im sure hes still laughing all the way to the bank.



Trumps big crisis  if hed only let it be a crisis  and the third of the top five presidential PR crises in 2024, occurred when he was convicted on roughly three dozen felony charges in New York State court.

That should have been an election campaign-destroying moment.

However, by refusing to acknowledge this as a defeat  as only Trump could do  Trump succeeded by proceeding as if he had not been convicted. Id bet even money he could have passed a lie detector test on that question.



By ignoring the pressure of a press he despised, and frequently ran rings around, Trump kept garnering grassroots support. Being shot (see above) turned out to be beneficial, in that it showed him to be a fighter, at a time when America desperately wanted a fighter.

However, in this case, his management of the crisis was to ignore it. Period. And it worked.



Trump doesnt play well with the press at the best of times, so ignoring them at the worst of times seemed like business-as-usual. Hes still the only felon to be elected, and in a short while hell be the only felon to be inaugurated president.

Trump will continue to ignore those convictions until, eventually, those felonies are proved bogus.

Legally, they are bogus, but that doesnt mean the Trump Derangement Syndrome-afflicted part of the public  or a major part of the media  doesnt still see him as a felon.

Despite his victory, Trump will still be derided by his opponents as a felon. So he will go down in the left-leaning history books that way, not that he will care. He continues to defy all standards of PR and crises, because he refuses to play by the establishment rules.



The fourth crisis  Bidens almost non-stop vacation through the latter half of 2024.

He just didnt show up. For once he was like Trump, in that he ignored the rules, doing precisely what he wanted, while his Chatty Kathy wind-up press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, denied that anything at all was wrong.

Ignoring the press  and all press questions on that subject  Biden and KJP borrowed a page from the Obama playbook by vacationing from coast to coast, even during national disasters worse than the one that almost torpedoed Bush the Youngers presidency. He just ignored it, and  unable to get a rise out of him, or even an acknowledgement from him  the press finally had to drop it for lack of anybody caring.



All presidents take lots of vacations, especially to family compounds, in part because the job has the potential to take a lot out of a person.

But also in part because presidents take their National Security Council and lots of staff members with him. So he could have claimed that he wasnt really on vacation.

But Joe didnt even do that. He ignored the issue completely until the press let it go. In this way, Biden acted like Trump, proving particularly adept at ignoring the press until a potential crisis just went away.

Trump does it by intent  Biden almost by default  but for both it worked to defuse a crisis.



Finally, the last (in all meanings of that word) political crisis of 2024 is Bidens tone-deaf pardoning of his son, Hunter, perhaps the most manifestly politically corrupt man in American history.

Like Trump, Hunters been convicted of a number of real felonies (federal no less). But unlike Trump, hes so manifestly guilty, and so soon set to be imprisoned, that Hunter couldnt ignore it. What he could do is get daddy to destroy his own political legacy, going all the way back to his first term in office  not in the presidency, but in the Senate back in the early 1970s.



Biden will go down as the least honest, least legal, most corrupt president in American history. His reputation is shattered.

All because he went back on his often-spoken (on camera and before large crowds) refusal to pardon Hunter  right up until he actually pardoned Hunter. Worse, he not only pardoned Hunter for all crimes hed been convicted of or even charged with, but also for all crimes as yet unknown by the Department of Justice or the public.

Never again will Biden be considered an honest man, or even a moderately (or marginally) honest man. He lied about the pardons, but he issued them without an ounce of shame.



Worse, since Big Guy Joe is so completely entangled with Hunter in many of the more juicy, unsavory corruption and bribery cases over the past decade, he could arguably be pardoning himself, de facto if not de jure.

If Hunter isnt tried for a crime, suggesting that crime didnt happen, how can Joe then be tried for the same crime, one that apparently didnt even happen? Worse, Hunter was convicted by a DOJ largely thought to be in Bidens hip pocket. Thats considered a measure of how truly and egregiously guilty Hunter was. After all, if Bidens hip-pocket DOJ would prosecute, let alone convict, the presidents son, the crime must have been stench-ridden to a very great degree.



However, this is a crisis for Biden because hell be president just long enough to let the media actually go after him  which, in this case, they will (since he lied to them about it before he lied to the American people), but Biden wont be in office long enough to switch the narrative around by years of toeing the mark, or by playing nice-nice with the media, in that way slowly rebuilding his reputation.

Once hes out, hell seem so defeated and irrelevant as to make it not worth most reporters time to pursue the truth about the pardons and all the rest.



So thats my top-five presidential PR crises of 2024  what are yours?



Ned Barnett us a long-time conservative political activist, and hes already working n a book about how to win a political campaign, to be published in early 2026. He specializes in both strategy and in creating communications tools that outperform the marketplace  and the opposition. He periodically writes about both political strategy and campaign tools for American Thinker. He can be reached at nedbarnett51@gmail.com



Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
President-elect Donald Trump is taking a media break from being called a fascist or Nazi to the latest criticism of filling his cabinet positions with those not deemed to be experts by the self-proclaimed expert class of government.



Who defines expert? Simple: those deemed experts by the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, or administrative class embeds. In other words, it is a circle-jerk of self-professed experts insisting they are the only true experts. Confirmation bias anyone?



Reuters bemoans Trumps approach of going outside the expert class, who have gotten so much wrong over the years, instead favoring those with practical experience. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump chose loyalists with little experience for several key cabinet positions.



A member of the defense expert class.





Image: YouTube screengrab



Lets start with intelligence and Trump's decision to nominate former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. As NBC News reports, almost 100 former national security officials signed a letter urging the Senate to carefully evaluate whether Gabbard is equipped for the position, which requires Senate confirmation.



Do you remember the last time a group of security officials" or "experts" signed a letter? This occurred just before the 2020 election when the expert class sought to leverage their influence and credibility to interfere in a presidential election.



More than 50 former senior intelligence officials have signed on to a letter outlining their belief that the recent disclosure of emails allegedly belonging to Joe Bidens son has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.



Yet the DOJ knew the laptop was real in early 2020, many months before the experts released their letter. This is the expert class in action.



Why is the expert class upset with Gabbard? Among other things, she's anti-war, which is bad for business for the expert consultant class in Washington, but what they claim is that she had the gall to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017. So what? That was in her job description as a member of Congress. She served on the House Armed Services Committee for all four terms from 2013 to 2021.



Was it a problem when other members of Congress met with Assad? Apparently not. NBC News reported, Pelosi shrugs off Bushs criticism, meets Assad. How about a U.S. Senator? The Wall Street Journal reported: Sen. John Kerry met with Syrian President Bashar Assad.



If Congressional experts like Adam Kinzinger or Lindsay Graham met with foreign leaders instead of constantly calling for war against them, the world would be more peaceful, and American defense costs would be lower.



Next is healthcare with the expert class offering their expertise:



More than 75 Nobel Prize winners have signed a letter urging senators not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald J. Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.



The letter, obtained by the New York Times, marks the first time in recent memory that Nobel laureates have banded together against a Cabinet choice, according to Richard Roberts, winner of the 1993 Nobel in Physiology or Medicine, who helped draft the letter. The group tries to stay out of politics whenever possible, he said.

Their beef is that Kennedy has been hostile to the scientists and agencies he would oversee. No kidding. Thats why America elected Trump and why he nominated Kennedy. Thats democracy. The threat to democracy is when the self-proclaimed experts overrule the people's will.



Do scientists avoid politics? Please. Climate change and COVID are two examples of scientists prioritizing political science over the real science.



The COVID-19 mask expert:





Image: Facebook screengrab



These experts are partially responsible for an American health crisis. They are the pot calling the kettle black. Dr. Casey Means offers dismal American health stats brought to us by the expert class.



74% of American adults are dealing with overweight or obesity.



Close to 40% of children are overweight or obese.



52% of American adults have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.



30% of teens have prediabetes (this was 11% in 2002).



1 in 36 children are on the autism spectrum (up from 1 in 150 in the year 2000). This number is 1 in 22 in California.



34% of young adults have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder.



Incidence of early-onset cancers have increased by 79% in recent years.



Nearly one in two Americans is predicted to get cancer in their lifetimes (41.6% chance). This is the first year America is estimated to have over 2 million new cases of cancer.



18% of teens have fatty liver disease.



Early onset dementia and Alzheimers disease have tripled since 2013.



The US has the highest infant and maternal mortality rate of all high income countries, despite spending the most.



Life expectancy is seeing a sustained decline in the United States driven by COVID, chronic liver disease, heart disease, and suicide.

See more here.



There is much more from the medical expert class. Lets revisit COVID and the experts' rules and mandates. The six-foot social distancing guideline pushed by CDC experts was arbitrary. COVID likely emerged from a Wuhan lab, not a wet market, as the experts told us.



The expert class gave us these two gems:





Image: YouTube screengrab from Instagram post



Due to inadequate COVID-19 relief oversight, government experts lost $200 billion in taxpayer dollars, and fraudsters stole an additional $191 billion.



Mask mandates and lockdowns recommended by experts were not based on science and caused more harm than good. The COVID vaccine did not stop the spread or transmission of the virus, as the experts promised us.



Vaccine mandates pushed by the experts caused more harm than good, while the experts trashed natural immunity and safe therapeutics.



The experts did not base school closures on science but on demands from teachers unions.



Lets shift from health to defense.

Pete Hegseth has two Ivy League degrees, 20 years of military combat experience, and medals, including the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. Yet to the expert class, he lacks experience and is wildly unqualified.



So says the experts in the media and at the Pentagon. The Pentagon experts failed their 7th audit in a row, but Hegseth is unqualified. Those same experts dragged America into a losing 20-year Middle East war based on fabricated Saddam Hussein WMDs.



These experts botched the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Expert Secretary of State Tony Blinken told Congress that No one anticipated the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. But Pete Hegseth is totally unqualified. O.K. ...



Hegseth is such a rube that the U.S. Military Academy had to lie to left-wing ProPublica, saying that he was never accepted into West Point until he produced his acceptance letter. I wouldnt want to be part of the West Point leadership team when they have a new boss named Pete in the Pentagon.



Americas experts have spent hundreds of billions in Ukraine, achieving nothing except enriching the military-industrial complex and sacrificing half a million Ukrainians, all while bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war. The military experts didnt foresee Benghazi and did nothing to stop it as it unfolded, and Americans died.



The experts overlooked the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the jihadi rebel overthrow of the Syrian government, removing a dictator while gambling that the replacement wont be far worse, as seen in Iraq and Libya.



President Bidens national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, a member in good standing of the expert class, confidently declared, one week before the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades. Hows that expert prognostication playing out?



If I, as a surgeon, were wrong that often, I would be sued into oblivion. Yet these experts get book deals and promotions.



But Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr, and Tulsi Gabbard are inexperienced and unqualified.



What has the expert class gotten right? That might be a much shorter list than the long tally of their failures.



Last year, the expert class provided America with open borders, costing $150 billion in illegal alien expenses. They left us with a $36 trillion national debt, with interest payments now exceeding $1 trillion annually. Those figures show no signs of slowing, let alone stopping or reversing.



The last bit of expertise comes from the Pentagon.

Mysterious drones are flying over New Jersey and other states. The Department of Defense's experts dont know what the drones are, but they are quite certain they pose no threat. How does that work?



This is what the medical experts informed us about young athletes dropping dead left and right. They had no idea why, but they were quite certain that the deaths were entirely unrelated to COVID vaccines.



Now, drones are flying over Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. But dont worry, the experts are on this.



We have EINOs, experts in name only, throwing stones at Trumps nominees while living in their glass houses of failure after failure. Its time for a different approach. Thats why Donald Trump was elected last month, and his nominees are an extension of his election.



William F. Buckley, Jr. had it right about the expert class: I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.



Time to flush the expert class down the toilet.





Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph and Email brianjoondeph@gmail.com.


As they might sing in San Francisco, the times they are a changin.' \

This ran on X the other day, from a local news station reporter:

Worker at Carlins Cafe in SFs Mission District tackles would-be robber who tries to steal customers bag, refusing to let go even after invader douses him w/bear spray. Amir Moner, 42, arrested by @SFPD @SFPDMission. Worker weighs in w/@amandaqtv @KTVU, 6 p.m. #KTVUPlus pic.twitter.com/YiOLbBT0JG  Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) December 14, 2024

The San Francisco Chronicle picked it up today:

It was a typically quiet start to Friday morning at Carlins Cafe in San Franciscos Mission District.



A regular customer, the first of the day as usual, sat at a table near the front door, and barista Nick Grant was behind the counter when a man in a black hoodie and black face mask walked in, reached into his right pocket, pulled out a weapon and grabbed the customers backpack.



Thats when Grant swung into action. As captured on the cafes security camera, he runs from behind the counter, grabs a supply cart and rams the suspect, who is heading for the door, backpack in hand. Grant grabs the suspect, pushes him away from the door, and starts punching him as he tries to pull him to the ground.

Despite being just three blocks away, the cops took six minutes to arrive, so the Daniel Penny in this case eventually sat on the thief, putting him in a triangle lock at one point. He had mixed martial arts training and knew how to subdue the would-be thief.

I used to live in this very area, frequently these very streets, including this one some 30 years ago. My car got stolen once and was found on that very block, with complete gangsta rap tapes in the player. I recall the nightmarish Valencia Street Projects nearby, which have since been urban-renewal'ed, but obviously, the crime is still the same likely because the drug dealers haven't been evicted. The place has great cafes, great film and theatre (including the terrific Fat Chance Belly Dancers), makeshift art galleries, assorted far-left activist offices, world's best burrito makers, and many bookstores, including this one I wrote about here. It's the epitome of 'Bohemian,' and not surprisingly, inch-per-inch is probably the most leftist place on Earth.

It's not only important that Grant, the hero here, was able to capture the thief on his own without waiting for the always-pokey Mission station cops to arrive.

What's even more important is that he had the will to do it.

The fear of being prosecuted was not there. That sounds like a culture shift amid mass retail theft which has probably hit San Francisco harder than almost anyone else.

That may be because the locals are sick of the constant crime and the constant non-punishment, and among the entrepreurial class at least, are willing to take matters into their own hands. It's noteworthy that unlike many recent retail cases around the country, the owner said he was proud of his employee. He didn't want to fire him:

Cafe manager Matt Carlin, whose family has owned the business for 18 years and just reopened it a year ago after the pandemic, called Grant and Carroll heroes. Its incredible. A customer was in trouble, and he came to protect him. We need to have more people act quick like Nick, he said. We need more people like these two to get involved.

President Trump was elected president, and sanity is in the zeitgeist, too. But even more important, San Francisco threw out its wokester mayor, which is more than cities like San Diego, which until recently was still counting its ballots, or Orange County, which mysteriously elected Democrat congress members in a red wave, can say. It also threw out its Sorosian-values district attorney, Chesa Boudin a couple years earlier.

It's as if voters are finding their courage and a trend has begun. And that trend has empowered individuals to insist on fairness and justice, stopping crime in an area where the local talk has always been that the Mission cops care about their pensions most.

That's a positive development. There may be pushback from the mighty homeless and drug-addict industrial complexes that pretty much rule that city, but so far, so good. This is the bluest city in America, and the fresh air of change is coming through.

Image: X video screen shot
White leftists have been brainwashed into thinking it is their duty to die to save the planet, because white leftists accept the notion of white privilege as well as the consequent white guiltthat is, feeling a sense of shame for the collective harm white people have allegedly caused the global community, and the personal responsibility to right the wrongs of alleged unfair advantages and opportunities given to white people by virtue of their skin color.

Now in Canada, this leftist philosophy has manifested in a very disturbing realityJustin Trudeaus leftist government is disproportionately murdering white people. According to a new report from CBS News, the Canadian government has just released the 2023 numbers for the nations Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program, and for the first time, the data included race as an identifier, and white people made up a whopping majority of the accepted petitions, or 95.8%. (At this point in time, roughly 70% of Canada is white, and that number is rapidly dwindling.) Of the roughly 15,343 who were killed with the help of a doctor who once vowed to do no harm, 14,699 were white people; just 644 individuals who chose to die were non-white.

Conservative author Helen Andrews actually predicted this very outcome, because she understands reality:

Contrary to predictions that euthanasia will target the "marginalized," I predict those who die by assisted suicide will be disproportionately white.



Does our modern political vocabulary allow us to condemn something that does not disproportionately affect some minority group? https://t.co/3rigEXs9PC  Helen Andrews (@herandrews) December 1, 2024

As if the promotion of such intelligentsia B.S. like white privilege and white guilt werent convincing enough that theres an anti-white stench emanating from the left, now you have the numbers to prove it.

Never mind the fact that the very opposite of the leftist is anti-white attitude true (that white people as a whole have been a net negative on the rest of humanity), as white people have brought civilization to all corners of the world, countless times over; just once instance is seen below:

This also led to one of the greatest quotes of all time, one that well sums up the Victorian mindset



When the Indians whined about no longer being able to burn their widows to death, declaring that doing so was their national custom Gen. Sir Charles Napier told them:



Be it https://t.co/FvwyRAcyUe  Will Tanner (@Will_Tanner_1) December 5, 2024

And check this out, from a very based African man:

Black African man explains "White Supremacy" to woke brainwashed African American woman, who for the first time learns that Whites did not ever claim to be superior, but were regarded as such because they introduced civilization itself to her primitive hunter-gatherer ancestors. pic.twitter.com/jJ4a2khSxQ  Robert Sepehr (@robertsepehr) November 12, 2024

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Elon Musk posted on X that he wants to know about wasteful government spending and unnecessary regulations. Let me tell you about my traveling kitchen table!

I joined the State Department in July 1998. I came after a first career in higher education, which means I was around colleges and universities until my late 30s. In college, you stuff your basic essentials into a car, truck, or U-Haul, move on, and live.

When I joined, we were supposed to report to Washington. I figured that some time would elapse between the time we were inducted and trained in a language prior to our first posting. So, when the State Department movers came to put my New Jersey home belongings into storage, I held back a kitchen table, some chairs, beds and mattresses.

Not knowing the largesse of government, and because it was only four hours to D.C., I stupidly decided to rent a U-Haul at my own cost and brought those items to Washington.

Now, when you joined the Department back then, you could expect six weeks of induction training (A-100) followed by some language training. Most of my colleagues were assigned to Mexico, so Spanish was quick.

I got assigned to Belgrade, which meant 23 weeks of Serbian training. By the time I finished the following February, U.S.-Serbian relations were at the breaking point as NATO prepared its bombing campaign against Slobodan Milosevic.

Not being sent to post immediately, the Department assigned me to the NATO 50 Summit in Washington, then working on post-Soviet arms control. The Department wanted to keep Team Serbia together because of its language training, convinced that Madeleine Albright would soon raise the flag over Iwo Belgrade.

By the end of the summer, that hadnt happened and the rules then required me to be posted somewhere overseas. Long story short, I was sent to London.

Thats when my kitchen table came into play.

As we were packing out for England, I asked about putting the table into storage in Hagerstown, Maryland, where the Department keeps officers stuff not going overseas. I was told I couldnt. That was supposed to be stored when you left New Jersey.

I said I did not know that and that I expected I would need it over the course of training which, in my case, became one year. Still naive about the largesse of government, I said if he could not pick up and store the table, could I take it by U-Haul to Hagerstown, drop it at the door, and have them add it to my lot? Youll have to pay an accession fee!

So, I asked, what can I do?

You can take it with you.

That made no sense. Embassy housing in London is furnished, which meant I already had a kitchen table there, so why would I bring another table from America?

You can store it in the basement storage room there.

That seemed dumb, but then I asked: Well, if my second post is also overseas and furnished, do I have to take the table there, too?

No. You can then add it to our storage facility in Belgium.

Look, I said, I kept the table and chairs and old beds because I knew wed need someplace to eat, work, and sleep while in training.

You should have rented those things in Arlington. That would have been covered.

For this bureaucrat, renting furniture for a year made more sense than using my own and just adding it to the governments own storage facility in Maryland.

But then came the most telling line. I said, I thought I was saving the government money!

His deadpan response: You are not authorized to save the government money!

There you have it. With that arrogant response, I decided I wouldnt. Accordingly, in the geographical brilliance of the 1999 Clinton State Department, instead of my grandmothers 60-year old kitchen table going by truck from Arlington, Virginia to Hagerstown, Maryland, it went on a world tour.

It traveled to London and spent two years there. My second tour was in Warsaw, Poland, which was also furnished, so my table got to relax in storage in Belgium. Because my tour in Poland eventually ran four years, it was stored at government expense in Europe that long.

Finally, in 2005, I came back to Washington for my first domestic assignment on the Russia desk. And Grandmas table came back, too, from its six-year European vacation.

You are not authorized to save the government money!

Mr. Musk: If you have any questions about the mentality of taxpayers money stewardship, that should enlighten you.

Not only do we need to look at wasteful spending in progress, we desperately need to look at the enablers of that wasteful spending: Non-common sense regulations that think the best route from Arlington to Washington lasts six years via London and Belgium.

Mine is one example. With the size of the federal government, one can only imagine how many similar silly rules are in place that in fact multiply costs unnecessarily. Dont just go after concrete spending, because what you cut will come back after youre gone. Go after the regulations that enable, even mandate, that waste. Thats where the fixes are permanent!

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
My friend Allan Wall brought this my attention. I'm not surprised that Mexicans don't like strangers in their cities who speak various languages. Check this out from Lauren Villagran at USA Today:

Marta Castillo is angry about immigration. There are too many migrants in her town, she said, and they don't speak the language.

Weve been invaded, she said, standing outside a restaurant where she works. I changed my opinion (about them), because I live in a place where we didnt see any of this. But now everywhere there are people who arent from here.

Castillo is Mexican. She lives in Mexico. Like a growing number of her fellow citizens, she has become increasingly negative about the migrants who have poured into her community -- despite living in a country where millions of people have ties to someone who migrated to the United States.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, he is demanding Mexico do more to crack down on the tens of thousands of migrants in Mexico who are headed for the U.S. border. He may find support in an unlikely corner -- among Mexicans themselves.

It wasn't long ago that most Mexicans could say they had family or a friend who had gone to "El Norte" to work or escape violence and insecurity. But the changing demographics of migration -- first the rise in the number of Central Americans, then Haitians, then Venezuelans, then people from all over the globe -- has hardened some Mexicans' views.

Seven in 10 Mexicans believe migrant flows into their country are "excessive," according to a survey by the nonprofit Oxfam Mexico published in 2023. More than half of respondents said they believe migration has a negative or no positive impact on the economy or culture, and 40% say migration in Mexico should be limited or prohibited.
UPDATE: Googles spokesperson reached out with a statement. The company has confirmed that users are automatically protected from known versions of this spyware by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The security researchers at Lookout recently discovered Russias Gamaredon Group using two Android spyware families, BoneSpy and PlainGnome, for spying and data theft purposes. These are the first known mobile malware families linked to the Russian cyberespionage group.

Android users targeted by two new spyware programs

The threat actors reportedly planted BoneSpy using trojan-laced apps faking to be battery charge monitoring apps, photo-gallery apps, a Samsung Knox app, and Telegram apps. Gamaredon reportedly started using fully functional trojan-laced Telegram samples titled Beta versions. In the published report, Lookout notes that the development of BoneSpy malware spiked between January and October 2022 with multiple capabilities.

These include collecting SMS details and recording ambient audio and phone calls. Besides, the Android spyware captures GPS and call-based location data, screenshots, and pictures. BoneSpy is also linked with accessing web history, and scraping exact names, numbers, emails, and call details.

On the other hand, PlainGnome is a new Gamaredon Group-made Android surveillance spyware. It doesnt use the codebase of a previously known project. Per the report, PlainGnomes code significantly evolved from January to October this year. This hints that the Russian cyberspies are actively working on it.

The new Android spyware uses a two-stage installation process by separating the dropper and payload. In addition to data collection capabilities such as BoneSpy, PlainGnome includes advanced features like Jetpack WorkManager. This allows the spyware to exfiltrate data when the device is idle, reducing the chance of detection even by tech-savvy users.

Theres no evidence that spyware-infected apps are present on the Google Play Store

Notably, theres no evidence that these malware families are present on Google Play. Therefore, its safe to assume that victims often downloaded apps containing spyware from third-party websites. Lookouts researchers also point out that Gamaredon is evolving its tactics to expand its surveillance capabilities to Android devices.

Its worth noting that Gamaredon used Android spyware in attacks against Russian-speaking victims in former Soviet states like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. However, the report doesnt confirm if the spyware targeted Ukrainian citizens.
Today, artificial intelligence has become part of our daily lives, even unconsciously. The sector has advanced at a speed that took many by surprise. However, Eric Schmidt, ex-Google CEO, warns that this level of advancement in AI can even be dangerous for humans. He also recalls Chinas advances in industry.

AI models are the secret behind your favorite AI-powered services

It is not common for a new technology to establish itself as fundamental in the tech industry. What AI-powered platforms and services can do today seemed unthinkable just a few years ago. Rapid development has helped us enjoy advanced features that make our daily lives easier. You can make complex edits to images with a few prompts or taps or understand a foreign language practically in real time, among many other things.

The bases of AI developments are the models, labeled differently according to their size. There are LLMs (large language models) and SLMs (small language models). Large language models (LLMs) rely on large data centers equipped with hundreds or thousands of AI chips and GPUs to handle the AI-based tasks of an organization. On the other hand, SLMs enable on-device AI tasks on mobile devices or laptops, consuming far fewer resources. Gemini Pro and Gemini Ultra are examples of LLMs, while Gemini Nano is an SLM.

AI platforms capable of self-improvement are dangerous, says ex-Google CEO

That said, the potential danger lies in LLMs, says Eric Schmidt. The ex-Google CEO referred to the speed at which AI has been evolving. Were soon going to be able to have computers running on their own, deciding what they want to do, said Schmidt. A couple of months ago, we reported on a Meta AI capable of training other AIs. You can use that case as a current example, even though it doesnt yet reach the level of what Schmidt exposes.

Specifically, the former CEO of Google refers to when we reach the point where AIs are able to self-improve on a large scale. In theory, we better have somebody with the hand on the plug, Schmidt warned. Industry experts estimate that the most powerful AI platforms will be able to work at the level of a Ph.D. student as soon as next year. Schmidt himself believes that AI platforms could begin to carry out research on their own next year.

In the context of an AI getting out of control, Schmidt claims that only another AI could stop it. Basically, along with every huge AI platform, there must be another one designed to keep it under control. AI systems should be able to police AI, he said.

Concerns about AI power in the wrong hands

Eric Schmidt is not only concerned about the potential danger of an AI evolving too much by itself. He also wonders what an individual could do with the power of advanced AI at their disposal. We just dont know what it means to give that kind of power to every individual, he said.

This is not a particularly new view in the industry. In early 2023, prominent names such as Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniakamong otherscalled for a pause or delay in artificial intelligence advances. They said that the development of AI at such levels should wait until we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable.

China is closing the gap with the US in AI development, says ex-Google CEO

The former Google CEO also assessed the risks of Chinas advances in the field of AI. In the past, he thought that the United States remained ahead in the segment by a long way. However, the Chinese AI industry has grown in the last six months in a way that is remarkable.

Schmidt believes that it is crucial that America wins this race, globally, and in particular, ahead of China. He sees it as unlikely that AI companies will stop or pause their development at this point. Therefore, he advocates for taking all necessary steps to guarantee the victory of the West. Schmidt is referring to providing all the necessary support and funding, whether private or state.
The latest developments regarding the anti-TikTok law indicate that the apps ban in the US is getting closer. Last week, the appeals court rejected the request for an emergency pause filed by ByteDance. US lawmakers have now cautioned Google and Apple to prepare for the removal of TikTok from their app stores upon meeting the deadline.

Joe Biden signed the anti-TikTok bill in April, setting January 19, 2025, as the deadline for its implementation. Since then, ByteDance, TikToks parent company, has tried every possible means to changeor at least delaythe situation. However, US courts rejected each attempt by the firm, advancing the short-video platforms ban.

US representatives warn Google and Apple to be ready to remove TikTok from app stores

Republican representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, two leaders of the US House of Representatives committee on China, sent the letter to Google and Apple. The document warns that both companies should be ready to list TikTok from their app stores as soon as the law goes into effect. Although the main faces of the letter are Republican representatives, it is actually a bipartisan document. Congress has acted decisively to defend the national security of the United States and protect TikToks American users from the Chinese Communist Party, it reads.

Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi also urged TikToks CEOs to sell the US stake in the platform. We urge TikTok to immediately execute a qualified disvestiture, the letter says. ByteDance has the last option to appeal to the Supreme Court. Donald Trump has also spoken out against the ban on TikTok. However, the law will be enforced one day before the new president-elect takes office.

The app will not stop working immediately

Recently, the DOJ revealed some details about the US TikTok banning process. The agency confirmed that they will not force the immediate shutdown of the platforms servers. Nor will they prohibit users who have the app installed from using TikTok.

However, the short video platform must disappear from all app stores in the country. Additionally, TikTok developers will no longer be able to provide maintenance or technical support, which will gradually make it unusable.
AI and the imminent arrival of Donald Trump to the White House are among the hottest topics in the current US tech industry. Google is one of the biggest players in the AI segment, being a pioneer in the heavy integration of AI-powered features in mobile devices. Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, has provided insights into the companys strategy in the AI industry, as well as his outlook on ongoing antitrust lawsuits, the upcoming changes in the US administration, and other related topics.

Googles CEO speaks out on AI and antitrust lawsuits against the company

During the latest DealBook Summit, Sundar Pichai revealed to The New York Times his position regarding the current situation in the AI segment. The executive began by responding to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, who said that Google should have been the default winner in the industry.

Nadella refers to the fact that Google should have been ahead of everyone else by having access to daily usage and browsing data of millions of people, in addition to having the resources and technology to take advantage of it. However, the competition in the segment is quite tight, with OpenAI taking the lead in certain aspects. Regarding this, Pichai said he would love to do a side-by-side comparison of Microsofts own models and our [Google] models any day, any. Its noteworthy that Microsofts current AI infrastructure heavily incorporates OpenAI technology.

Continuing on the topic of artificial intelligence, Sundar Pichai has a different view than Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. The Google CEO thinks that advances in the segment will slow down a bit next year. However, Googles search engine will continue to change profoundly in 25. Therefore, its possible that Google wont release as many groundbreaking AI-based innovations in 2025. The company would focus on working on its current products. The Mountain View giant recently launched Gemini 2.0 with impressive capabilities.

In addition to AI, Pichai was asked about the antitrust lawsuits against the firm. However, the executive did not elaborate much in his response. He simply said that he has deep faith in our [US] judicial system. Regarding the DOJs proposal to break up the company by selling Chrome, Pichai says that he even projected the potential spinoff of some divisions. Do I expect in a 10-year time frame some of those to be independent public companies? The answer is yes, he said. However, whatever happens, he will remain in the mothership, referring to Google.

Trumps arrival is an opportunity

Googles CEO sees Donald Trumps arrival in the White House as an opportunity. Pichai has been trying to smooth things over with Trump after a rocky relationship during the presidential campaign. The new US president-elect accused the company of giving prominence to negative news about him and lowering the visibility of positive news.

Recently, Trump reportedly met with Pichai and had also received some calls from him. Plus, Google is among the companies that donated $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund. Regarding the new presidents impact on the firms developments, Googles CEO believes that there are areas, such as energy, where Trump is committed to making a difference. Lately, Google has spent large amounts on power supply plants for AI and data centers.

Pichai believes that Trumps arrival could help speed up product development at Google.

The impact of AI on jobs and hiring

One of the most controversial issues regarding the use of AI is the potential replacement of humans at workplaces. Recently, Googles CEO revealed to analysts that AI generates up to 25% of Googles new code. However, the human factor remains key to the review and certification of code. Google does not see AI as a threat to jobs but quite the opposite. The firm believes it can help increase productivity for engineers. Artificial intelligence may also make programming more accessible.

Just like blogging made the world of publishing, not everyone needs to be as good as you to get online and write something. And, you know, I feel the same with programming. I think 10 years from now, it will be accessible to millions more people, said Pichai.

Still, Googles CEO doesnt deny AI having a marginal impact on hiring programmers in the future. He says Googles goal is that its software engineers will be more productive than ever before. The firm wants to be able to do more things. So its not that youre looking to hire fewer people, but what can you accomplish with those people?, he added.

Google CEO on AI regulation and copyright

Legislation in the AI area is another topic of interest in the tech industry. Unlike other segments, there is not a common AI global regulation that shares many key points. There are even regions with no legislation on artificial intelligence at all. This is because the speed at which the segment has developed has far outstripped that of the legislators. Additionally, AI is advancing to the point where it can perform more tasks, rendering previous draft regulations obsolete.

Googles CEO is in favor of legislation around the AI segment. Its not like you can bring a treatment in without going through all the regulatory approvals. So just because youre using A.I. doesnt change all of that, right? This position is similar to that of Sam Altman, who said that regulation was necessary.

Pichai faced questions regarding the use of copyrighted material for AI training. The topic has gained prominence in recent years after a period of free rein for tech companies. At the beginning, several AI-focused firms simply took whatever content they wanted from the internet. Media platforms were slow to respond, as it was a totally new situation with no regulations to fall back on or precedents for how to deal with it.

However, there have already been agreements between tech companies and publishers. This enables them to legally access the content on their platforms for the purpose of training AI. Not all have been successful, such as The New York Times, which is currently engaged in a legal dispute with OpenAI and Microsoft over the unauthorized use of its content. Conversely, The Associated Press and Reddit have struck agreements for their data, among others.

Pichai believes that a segment of creators focused on AI platforms will emerge. I think there will be creators who will create for AI models, or something like that, and get paid for it, he said.

Googles shift on employee political activism within the company

A controversial issue that has affected Google recently has been employee activism within the company. Over the past decade, Google has become less permissive regarding political activism at its facilities. The firing of 28 workers for protesting against a contract with the Israeli government brought them some backlash. At the time, Googlers were warned that the company was not the place to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics.

The company is not a personal platform, right? And I think for me, its been a change for a while, Pichai said to The New York Times. Despite that, Googles CEO denies that the balance of power has tilted too much toward employers. I dont see it as a power dynamic, necessarily. I actually think its resonating with a lot of employees, too, he added.
Were still learning how many technologies we can fit into a pair of glasses. Well, Meta wants to find the limit, as the company just added some new features to its Ray-Ban smart glasses.

What are the Meta smart glasses? Meta thought that the future was too cool to wait for, so the company decided to bring it to us. The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are a pair of glasses that can perform several smart functions. They have a camera that you can use to take pictures, record videos, and livestream. Thats not all, as you can use them to listen to music and take phone calls.

What really makes these glasses stick out are the AI features. The aforementioned camera can be used to observe the world. You can use the onboard microphone to contact Meta AI and ask it questions about what the camera sees. This puts powerful AI right at your fingertips. They typically range between $299 and $375 with several models costing $329.

Meta introduced some new features to its Ray-Ban smart glasses

These glasses just picked up three new features that enhance the overall experience. Firstly, theres direct integration with Shazam. If you want to hear some music, just ask the glasses to play something for you. It will tap the service and stream music directly. Its a nifty feature to have if you dont want to take out your phone to search for a song.

Next up, we have some AI features. Firstly, theres Live AI. This goes along with most companies goal of crafting a true AI assistant. Live AI is similar to Gemini Live in that youll be able to naturally converse with the AI. It will utilize the camera as input. Say, youre at a museum, and you have the camera pointed at a painting, you can ask it questions about the painting, have a conversation about it, and brainstorm of art that you can make.

Meta says that you can use this feature for about 30 minutes on a single charge. Since youre supposed to be able to use these glasses on a single charge, it looks like Live AI is quite the battery drain.

Lastly, theres Live Translate. This ones axiomatic; it will translate speech for you in real-time. If someone is talking to you in Spanish, Italian, or French, then youll hear a translated voice in your ear. This can be extremely useful if youre in another country, and you dont want to bother with a dictionary.

The Shazam integration is available now in the U.S. and Canada. However, you can only use the last two features if youve enrolled in the Meta early access program.
In a recent interview with CBS Face the Nation, Trump adviser US Rep Mike Waltz suggested that the government needs to take a tougher stance on cyberattackers. Instead of playing defense, Waltz said that it might be time to go on the offense.

Taking a tougher stance

Waltzs comments seem to come on the heels of a recent state-sponsored cyberattack from a group out of China calling themselves Salt Typhoon. The group was said to have been targeting the US telecommunications infrastructure. This included major US telcos such as AT&T and Verizon.

This allowed the hackers to gain access to sensitive information and collect traffic data from both individual users and businesses.

While Salt Typhoons attack is not the first nor will it be the last, the Trump adviser believes that adopting a tough stance could discourage cyberattackers in the future. He says that it might be time to consider going on the offense and start imposing. This could result in higher costs and consequences to hackers that steal data, spy on the US, and affect the countrys infrastructure.

Waltz does not mention specifically what kind of actions the government will take against these bad actors, but it is something that they will be looking into. Well, Im not going to get ahead of everything that were doing day one, but taking a different approach to cyber, looking at our doctrine, and starting to impose costs on the other side to get them to knock this off, is something well be taking a look at, I think.

Increase in cyberattacks

Cyberattacks are a new form of warfare. Instead of fighting physically on the battlefield, cyberattacks can be just as effective, if not more so, and equally devastating. A lot of a countrys infrastructure tends to be connected online. This includes things like utilities, banking, and more.

Disrupting these infrastructures can cause a ripple effect and affect things like a countrys economy. For instance, ransomware attacks can be extremely crippling. Take for example hospitals, where ransomware attacks can prevent medical staff from accessing critical patient information. This has the potential to lead to loss of lives and make treatment less effective.

As technology becomes more advanced, so do the methods employed by these hackers. In fact, from 2022 to 2023, the number of cyber-related incidents in the US is said to have increased by more than 15%. This includes attacks like phishing, ransomware, and more.
A new report claims that neither AT&T nor Verizon have notified the majority of people impacted by the latest data breaches from China. These two telecom service providers seem to have suffered the most severe impact.

Months ago, the FBI raised the alarm about the campaign from China, which they attributed to the Salt Typhoon group. US security agencies have been dealing with the threat, which, according to official sources, is still ongoing. There is still compromised tech by the hackers allegedly financed by Beijing. The FBI has not been able to offer a date for the complete expulsion of the attackers. Meanwhile, US authorities recommend using encrypted telecommunications.

Chinese hackers could have obtained call and SMS metadata in Washington

According to the FBI, Salt Typhoons main target was valuable US intelligence data. To do so, they directed their attacks at the latest presidential candidates and their campaign staff. The FBI also notified Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) about the targeting of his entire offices telecommunications.

That said, it appears the hackers didnt exactly get to the data they were looking for. However, they did manage to obtain another form of information that still holds significant value for enemy intelligence agencies. Were talking about call and SMS metadata, which records key details like the phone numbers of call participants, the time and date of the call, and possibly the antenna locations connected to mobile devices.

Call and SMS metadata remains information of a very sensitive nature. An intelligence agency can use it to map a particular persons travels and even find out who they talk to. We kill people based on metadata, said Gen. Michael Hayden, former CIA and National Security Agency director, at a forum in 2014.

You should be upset, because carriers deficient practices resulting in the exposure of whether you called an oncologist or your church is enough of a violation, regardless of whether the actual content of those calls was also disclosed, said Alan Butler, CEO of the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

Data breaches reportedly impacted more than a million, but AT&T and Verizon have not warned them

Industry sources told NBC News that Verizon and AT&T customers are among the more than a million affected by China-related data breaches. However, none of these carriers have sent notifications to the majority of those affected. The report indicates that only a very small number of victims have received a notification. There is no detail on the motive behind this or whether they plan to disclose the data breach publicly.

Hackers have reportedly managed to infiltrate up to eight US telecoms, but the full list of affected carriers and internet providers is not yet available.
The Duke of York is to stay away from the royal familys traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham this year amid the controversy surrounding his links to an alleged Chinese spy.

Andrew will miss what was expected to be one of the largest festive events at his brother, the Kings private Norfolk estate, where 45 members of their family had been expected to spend Christmas Day.

The duke has hit the headlines once again this week after a High Court hearing revealed alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who was banned from the UK, was said to have been a close confidant of Andrew.

The Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York at St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle (Chris Jackson/PA)

The dukes ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York will also miss Christmas at Sandringham, in what will be seen as a show of solidarity for her former husband.

The pair are said to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge, the home they still share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.

It is not yet known whether the duke will attend Charless traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended family at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have young families, had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time, sources said.

The Duke of York with royals including the Waleses and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie at church on Christmas Day in 2022 (Joe Giddens/PA)

Mr Yang, who was named after an anonymity order was lifted on Monday, has insisted it was entirely untrue to claim he was involved in espionage and that he has done nothing wrong or unlawful.

The businessman, previously referred to only as H6 in the legal case, was the founder-partner of the Chinese arm of the dukes Pitch@Palace initiative, and twice visited Buckingham Palace in 2018 to meet with the late Queens second son.

He is also said to have entered St Jamess Palace and Windsor Castle at Andrews invitation.

It has been reported the King was briefed by the intelligence services about his brothers links to Mr Yang, who also goes by the name Christopher Yang.

The Duke of York speaks during a Pitch@Palace event, an initiative launched in 2014 to support entrepreneurs, at St Jamess Palace (John Stillwell/PA)

The King was said to have been hoping the duke would make the decision to miss Sandringham to prevent Charles and the royal family facing any further embarrassment, with Andrew urged by insiders to to do the decent thing.

On Friday, the dukes office said Andrew ceased all contact with the then-unnamed businessman when concerns were first raised about him.

Andrew met Mr Yang through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed, a statement said.

The duke, now 64, disappeared from public life since stepping down from official duties in 2019, but he carried on joining the royal family for Christmas Day.

The then-Prince of Wales and the Duke of York on Christmas Day in 2017 (Joe Giddens/PA)

Last year, he walked from Sandringham House to church with the other royals  seen as symbolic in his gradual rehabilitation within the family.

After the service, the duke laughed and threw up his hands as he joked with well-wishers, and was joined by his ex-wife duchess, who made a return to the royal fold after missing Sandringham for a number of decades.

In 2019, Andrew skipped the traditional walk to church with the rest of the royal family, keeping a low profile after the furore over his friendship with convicted US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

He was stepped away from his public role and later paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met.

In his disastrous Newsnight interview, he said he did not regret his friendship with Epstein, who had trafficked Ms Giuffre, and was heavily criticised for failing to show sympathy with the sex offenders victims.

The duke during his interview with BBC Newsnights Emily Maitlis (Mark Harrison/BBC/PA)

The duke, reputedly Queen Elizabeth IIs favourite child, announced at the time he would be stepping back from public duties for the foreseeable future and disappeared from a string of high-profile national events involving the monarchy.

Andrews status as a member of the royal family was left in tatters when the Queen later stripped him of his honorary military roles, remaining royal patronages and he gave up his HRH style in a dramatic fallout from his civil sex case.

He no longer attends Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph or the annual Commonwealth Day service.

But he was at the Kings coronation, and is still a member of the Order of the Garter, taking part in the senior order of chivalrys annual service behind closed doors, but does not appear in the public procession.

It was set to be a bumper year for the royals at Sandringham this December, with the Windsors out in force after a brutal 2024, when the King and the Princess of Wales, and Sarah, Duchess of York, were all diagnosed with cancer.

The duke no longer joins the royal family on the balcony at the Trooping the Colour celebrations in 2019 (Victoria Jones/PA)

The Prince of Wales revealed 45 people had been invited as he chatted to soldiers and their families about his plans when he visited the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment in Wiltshire last week.

Queen Camillas son, food writer Tom Parker Bowles also revealed he is on the guest list for the first time.

But with Andrew and Sarah, as well as Beatrice and Eugenie and their families, not attending, the numbers will be lower than expected.

Mr Yang challenged his ban on entering the UK at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in July, but lost his appeal last week.
Creating a world that's accepting and accessible to all may be easier said than done, but millions of people work hard every day to make the Earth a more welcoming place for people and animals alike. The folks who run @thegentlebarn are some of those people! They take in farm animals of all backgrounds and give them a home on their barnyard sanctuaries in California and Tennessee.

On December 12, the story of one resilient young goat named Lolli captured the hearts of animal fans across the globe. This sweet girl lost her back feet and the tips of her ears due to frostbite, but her world has changed for the better since arriving at The Gentle Barn. With a combination of medical treatments, daily care, and lots of love, Lolli looks and acts like an entirely different goat!

What a beautiful girl! Lolli may have lost her back feet as a baby goat, but she quickly began recovering and learning how to navigate the world again. The goats at the beginning and end of the video hardly look or act the same!

Related: Animal Rescuer Shows Off 'World's Smallest Goat Babies' and the Cuteness Is Too Much

It breaks my heart to hear about how her herd left her behind as an injured baby, but it's clear that she was meant to find her way to the Tennessee sanctuary where she could truly thrive. At The Gentle Barn, she receives any type of care that she needs, whether it's an acupuncture session, a cuddle, or a visit with a veterinarian for farmyard animals. She's even had special wheelchairs and prosthetics made just for her, which prove just how dedicated the animal rescuers are to her care.

"The Gentle Barn is heaven for all these precious babies," praised commenter Daniella. "They look happy, healthy, and safe. Thank you for everything you do." I couldn't have said it better myself! In each and every TikTok video, fans can see just how relaxed and well-cared for these rescue animals are.

Rescuing Farmyard Animals

There are humane societies and animal shelters in most cities and towns in America, but there are fewer resources for barnyard animals who need help or a home. Ranchers often rely on veterinary house calls, virtual assistance, or even one another when a larger animal is in need of help. Not only is it hard to find a vet for a farm animal, but it can also be hard to transport the animal itself!

Fortunately for Lolli, she was just a tiny thing when she needed to move to The Gentle Barn. She was so lucky to be welcomed with open arms, and she's clearly blossomed since arriving at her forever home. What a beautiful story!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Strictly Come Dancing winner Dianne Buswell has said she is so overwhelmed with the kindness of people after lifting the glitterball trophy with comedian Chris McCausland at the weekend.

The pair won the public vote and made Strictly history as McCausland became the first blind winner in the BBC One shows 20-year history.

It was the first win for Buswell, who made it to the final with social media star Joe Sugg in 2018, and EastEnders actor and model Bobby Brazier in 2023.

She wrote on Instagram on Sunday, saying she is forever grateful for the friendship I have gained in such an incredible person (Chris), and also wrote to fans: Im still so overwhelmed with the kindness of people and the support you have shown us throughout this whole thing thank you all so so much.

Buswells parents travelled from Australia to watch her in the studio, and she said that them seeing her lift the glitterball trophy was just magical.

This really was a moment that Ill never forget in my life, she said.

Praising her partner McCausland, she recalled that the 47-year-old comedian, born in Liverpool, started the competition having never listened to the show, and she had to change her teaching style from being visually based.

It blew my mind even more when I actually started to explain things out loud, I had so much more appreciation for everything, Buswell wrote.

My teaching style was 90% visual, I wouldnt want to teach in a room without mirrors because it was the way I perfected things.

Comedian Chris McCausland with the Strictly 2024 cast (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

With Chris we had to find different ways of making it work. And this is what Chris is brilliant at, he is a problem solver and he taught me to think outside the box.

Just because theres an obstacle in the way doesnt mean you cant get to the destination successfully. I am forever grateful for the friendship I have gained in such an incredible person, he says I changed his life but likewise I see things in a different way now and Im forever grateful.

On Saturday night, McCausland dedicated his triumph to Buswell, and for everyone out there that thought and got told they couldnt do something.

The comedian and actor lost his sight completely by the age of 22 due to retinitis pigmentosa  a hereditary eye disease which causes gradual degeneration of the retina.

Fellow finalist Tasha Ghouri congratulated McCausland on Instagram, saying you deserve to lift that trophy so much, since day one you have shown you are unstoppable.

The reality star and model, 26, who was the shows second deaf contestant and wears a cochlear implant, also reflected on her own journey.

She said: To my younger Tasha.. we did it. We lived a dream we dreamt of for a long, long time.

We never gave up believing and chasing that dream. We danced every week with a smile on our face, we danced with our heart and never gave up. We did have a journey on this show but thats what made it beautiful.

Im proud of us! I hope this sends a message to you all to keep going, never give up and anything is possible.

An average of 8.6 million people tuned in on Saturday between 6pm and 8.35pm to watch the show, a small decrease compared with last year when Coronation Street star Ellie Leach won the final with Italian dancer Vito Coppola.

Last year, the show saw an average of 8.8 million viewers for the live show, with a peak audience of 9.7 million.

The BBCs overnight viewing figures revealed a peak audience of 9.6 million for the end of the 2024 Strictly main series.

The success of the final came after a year of controversy for Strictly with some past contestants criticising the duty of care shown to them amid allegations of bullying during rehearsals.

A number of welfare measures  including chaperones in rehearsal rooms  have since been introduced.
Downing Street has said devolution plans aim to give more powers to local leaders amid fears that scrapping district councils could deprive people of local representation.

A redesign of local governments, expected to see district councils scrapped and more elected regional mayors brought in, has sparked fears that powers will be taken away from local communities.

Some local authorities will close under Government plans for devolution which are due to be published in a White Paper on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has promised to make devolution the default setting under the Governments plans (Phil Noble/PA)

No 10 said the plans were about giving power from Westminster to local leaders but also about tackling the waste from multiple layers of government.

Angela Rayner, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, has promised to make devolution the default setting under the plans.

The proposals include creating so-called strategic authorities across England to bring together councils in areas where people live and work.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said this would help to avoid duplication and give our cities and regions a bigger voice.

A network of councils warned that plans to reorganise local authorities could create mega councils, while a think tank raised concerns about the risk of creating mini Whitehalls by focusing on strategic authorities and abolishing district councils.

Downing Street said the changes would give more powers to local areas, improve accountability and tackle waste.

The plans that were setting out today are all about giving power from Westminster to local leaders to make sure that theyve got the levers they need to drive growth, but its also about having the right structures at a local level in place that means that local areas are delivering services that people care about in an efficient manner, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said.

The devolution plans aim to tackle inefficiencies that result in multiple layers of government in some areas, he added.

 Empowering communities to shape the future of their areas Ending the Whitehall knows best mindset Handing mayors strong new powers backed up with the funding they need to deliver pic.twitter.com/fRLDdK0qiK  The Labour Party (@UKLabour) December 16, 2024

This will improve accountability. It will tackle waste. It will respond to an appetite for simpler structure, and it will result in better outcomes, he said.

Local government minister Jim McMahon said that merging councils could save 2 billion as he confirmed in his morning media round that some local authorities would be closed or merged under the reorganisation.

There would be a statutory consultation before any authorities were changed, he said.

If its a choice between 2 billion in the running cost of an organisation or 2 billion on frontline neighbourhood services, I would say that most of the public want that investment in the front line, he told Good Morning Britain.

In areas with two-tier local governments, county council areas are subdivided into independent district councils. There are 164 district councils in England.

The District Councils Network warned of the risk of removing localised decision making.

Were concerned that any creation of mega councils will prove the opposite of devolution, taking powers away from local communities, depriving tens of millions of people of genuinely localised decision making and representation, councillor Hannah Dalton, vice chairwoman of the network, said.

She said there was little evidence that such reorganisations had saved money in the past.

Simon Kaye, policy director at think tank Reform, said the White Paper was a welcome start but that strategic authorities needed wider powers, including the ability to raise taxes.

He added: There is also a risk that plans to abolish district councils will leave local neighbourhoods feeling even more neglected. The result of reforms cannot be simply the creation of mini Whitehalls at a regional level  communities need a real say.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, third right, met the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, right, and regional mayors for a round-table discussion on Monday (Phil Noble/PA)

Mr McMahon said some local elections planned for May could be postponed for councils undergoing a process of reorganisation.

Local ballots scheduled for that month would only be delayed at the request of councils that wanted to reorganise under devolution plans to the most ambitious timetable, Downing Street said.

The assumption was that all elections would go ahead, Sir Keir Starmers spokesman said, but could not give a deadline for when councils would need to decide whether to hold a local election.

The devolution plans are to be unveiled after ministers warned they would be prepared to step in if proposals to build more prisons, wind turbines and homes met opposition at a local level.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said Labours devolution policy would allow regional leaders to guide development projects across areas, housing, transport and skills.

Englands regions would be centre stage in the Governments mission to grow the economy and build 1.5 million homes, Ms Rayner was expected to say in a speech on Monday to regional leaders.

Mr McMahon was asked about fears that urban mayors could force building targets on rural areas or that local people would be under-represented without district councils.

The population still exists, communities still exist, and a council will still exist to run those services, he told Good Morning Britain.

The changes were about simplifying the system so that the accountability is strong, he said, not to diminish the work that district councils and county councils had done in the past.

The County Councils Network said most of its members recognise the need to embrace the benefits of mayoral devolution.

The Conservatives accused the Labour Government of plans to strip councils of their powers to make choices and to impose reorganisation from Westminster without local consent.

Our devolution revolution will deliver the greatest transfer of power from Whitehall to our communities in a generation. This is what the English Devolution White Paper is all about.#PowerAndPartnership pic.twitter.com/JLb0vXPH3Q  Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) December 16, 2024

A party spokesman said: The Conservatives delivered over one million new homes in the last parliament, and whilst we recognise the need to build more, these must be in the right places.

This new announcement will do nothing to solve that, and instead open up another front on Labours assault on the countryside.

Westminster City Council said the White Paper would pave the way for mayors and transport authorities to get the powers to regulate e-bikes.

It took 10 years to win the argument to devolve the power to regulate pedicabs, so I am glad this White Paper paves the way for mayors and transport authorities to get the powers they need to implement a sensible scheme for e-bikes rather sooner, the councils leader said.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said its members were open to change but that local government reorganisation should be a matter for councils and local areas to decide, adding that devolution is not an end in itself and cannot distract from severe funding pressures on local services.
A planned strike over Christmas and New Year by fuel tanker drivers at Edinburgh Airport has been called off, their employer has said.

Unite the union announced last week that tanker drivers from plane refuelling-firm North Air would start a 19-day strike on December 18.

On Monday, North Air said the strike has been called off following a pay deal.

A North Air spokesperson said: We are pleased to confirm that we have reached an agreement with Unite on pay and that the planned strike at Edinburgh Airport has been called off.

Unite had previously said members had overwhelmingly backed strike action over the festive period as North Air had failed to provide an improved pay deal, after an offer of a 4.5% rise was rejected.

The union warned of possible disruption to flights as the company is the sole fuel supply firm servicing domestic and long-haul routes from the airport.

North Air said it employs 57 people at the airport and of these, 46 are operational workers who deal with refuelling and vehicle movements.

An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: Were pleased that Unite and North Air have reached an agreement.

Unite was contacted for comment.
The Javan Green Magpie from Asia episode 6 (BBC Studios) (BBC)

What did you miss?

David Attenborough's docuseries Asia rolled out its final episode on Sunday, 15 December, which put endangered species under the microscope.

Following a heart-tugging sun bear segment, viewers were introduced to Indonesia's newfound sport of singing birds competing against one another in cages, yet what their captors don't seem to realise is that many of them are now threatened by extinction as a result.

The BBC Wildlife team caught up with a guy named Panji, who's fighting to protect one of the world's rarest feathery flyers: the Javan Green Magpie.

What, how and why?

Indonesian conservationist Panji (BBC screenshot)

"In some of the continent's forests, wildlife is being removed at an alarming rate," narrated Attenborough, as the onscreen setting transferred over to the island of Java.

"This rainforest should provide a habitat for a multitude of birds with melodious songs, but the jungle is falling silent. In stark contrast, the bird markets are noisier than ever. Keeping birds that sing as pets is a deep-rooted tradition in Indonesia and in recent years a new craze has emerged."

These singing competitions apparently unfold across the whole country now, with big cash prizes up for grabs. The iconic naturalist added: "Many of these birds have been taken from the wild and the hobby is driving some species towards extinction."

Read more:

Enter Panji, who houses over 40 of the green magpies in a high-security facility, with the hope of releasing them back into their natural habitat when he can track down a clutch of potential breeding partners.

Attenborough called this a "near-impossible task" as Panji was filmed listening to hours and hours of jungle audio recordings. He later met a singing bird competitor, Mr. Neo, and managed to convince him to donate his green magpie to the sanctuary after revealing there's possibly fewer than 50 left in the wild.

What else happened during Asia?

A shark embryo survives after its mother's death (BBC screenshot)

Elsewhere in the sixth and final episode of Asia, the day-to-day of two marine biologists was documented as they attempt to rescue the unborn embryos of baby sharks from their dead mother's bodies, having been accidentally killed in fishing nets.

They've developed a unique incubating system, simulating the parent's womb. The little ones are fed by their existing yolk sacks and surrounded by a chemical fluid similar to a natural one, all while being kept in relative darkness to mirror the reality of a womb.

Asia is available to stream in its entirety on BBC iPlayer

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/david-attenborough-asia-singing-birds-extinction-200437587.html
For every shelter dog out there, we just know there is a human who could be their perfect match. Which is why we need the right person to see this video and come take home Pit Bull Karla, Human Society Broward County's "most overlooked dog." The pup needs someone to love her. Could that person be you?

The 2-year-old dog is the shelter's "longest resident." And sadly, after so many years without even a hint of adoption, the poor Pittie is "starting to lose hope of ever being adopted."

It's truly heartbreaking. How could this sweet girl not have a whole line of humans waiting around the block to bring her home? At 2 years old, she's over the hump of her puppy years. And she could be the perfect companion for someone who wants a Pit Bull to give them love and companionship for many more years to come.

Related: 'Saddest' Pit Bull at Shelter Immediately Lights Up Upon Realizing He's Being Rescued

Karla did come to the shelter "heartworm positive," but is receiving treatments at the facility and has so many more positive attributes than her condition. But someone needs to act fast.

"It is so hard seeing Karla lose her spirit in the kennel," the shelter wrote. "Its not until shes outside that shes finally her normal smiling and playful self."

The comments section wanted Karla to get the very best home  ASAP. "OMG. My name is Karla. With a K. It must be a sign for me to take her home," wrote one person. "Oh she's such a beautiful girl I hope someone sees her and recognizes her as their companion," someone else chimed in. "Karla, what a sweet girl. I'm sending you love and best wishes for finding your forever home sweetie," added another person.

Adopting From Humane Society Broward County

Located in Broward County, Florida, the Humane Society cares for so many animals that are waiting for the right home. Karla is one of their residents who desperately needs to meet her match. But again, adopting any animal from a shelter can save a life. So you should browse through their available animals on the website to see if you can find the right pup for you.

There is bound to be a dog on the website that fits in with your family. You can also apply for adoption on their website. But it's always best to plan a meeting with your intended animal and plan a one-on-one visit to make sure you two get along.

Again, we can't stress enough how badly this sweet Pittie needs a new family. One of you can turn things around for Karla and give her a loving home.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
What we know so far about the alleged Chinese spy with links to Andrew

An alleged Chinese spy who was banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo, following a High Court ruling.

The 50-year-old is said to have become a close confidant of Andrew and has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.

Mr Yang was known only as H6 until an anonymity order was lifted on Monday.

Mr Yang  who is also known as Chris Yang  challenged his ban on entering the UK at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in July, but lost his appeal last week.

Here is what we know about the businessman so far.

Mr Yang was born on March 21 1974, according to information in the SIAC ruling.

He studied at university in China and then worked as a junior civil servant in China for a number of years, the 53-page document stated.

Yang Tengbo is said to have become a close confidant of the Duke of York (Chris Jackson/PA)

Mr Yang came to the UK in 2002, studying language in London for one year, then taking a masters degree at the University of York in Public Administration and Public Policy, the ruling also said.

It added that Mr Yang originally intended to return to China to advance his career in the public sector there, but he perceived opportunities for activity bridging the gap between China and the UK, according to his evidence.

Since at least 2005, Mr Yang has divided his time between the two countries, then was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2013, the ruling said.

He is listed as a director of Hampton Group International, a business consultancy which says it acts as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

Mr Yang was the founder-partner of Pitch@Palace China. The Pitch@Palace initiative was the Duke of Yorks scheme to support entrepreneurs.

The anonymity order was lifted following a High Court ruling (Ian Nicholson/PA)

The judges in the ruling said that before the Covid pandemic, Mr Yang spent one to two weeks in the UK each month, and he considers the UK to be his second home'.

Mr Yang forged links with the duke, and according to the Court Circular, had engagements with him on June 25 and June 29 2018.

Last week, Andrew said he ceased all contact with the businessman when concerns were first raised about him.

The duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed, a statement from his office said.

On November 6 2021, Mr Yang was subject to a port stop under Schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and surrendered digital devices including his mobile telephone, the ruling said.

He lodged a challenge against the retention of the copy data to the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office in February 2022, and a Judicial Commissioner initially directed that the copies be destroyed but, on appeal, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner allowed them to be retained, the SIAC ruling said.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman said Mr Yang should be excluded from the UK in March 2023 (Justin Tallis/PA)

During that litigation, Mr Yang was informed that he was believed to be associated with an arm of the Chinese state known as the United Front Work Department.

On February 16 2023, the businessman was off-boarded from a flight from Beijing to London and was told that the home secretary was in the process of making a decision to exclude him from the UK, the ruling added.

And the next month, then-home secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK.

In a briefing for the home secretary in July 2023, officials said Mr Yang 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 that he had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Andrew, represented a threat to national security.

At a hearing in July, the specialist tribunal heard that 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 Mr Yang had been invited to Andrews birthday party in 2020.

The Home Office confirmed in July 2023 that Mr Yang would be excluded from the UK as he was considered to have engaged in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and that he likely posed a threat to national security.

Mr Yang had been pictured with senior politicians including former prime minister Baroness Theresa May (Hannah McKay/PA)

The former civil servant brought legal action for a review of the decision, arguing that it was unlawful.

The tribunal in London heard that he had said he avoided getting involved in politics, and only had limited links to the Chinese state.

His lawyers also argued that there was evidence that it was difficult for a Chinese national involved in business to avoid any contact with the CCP, and that material related to his relationship with Andrew had to be read in the context of an adviser writing to someone who had been loyal to the duke in difficult times.

But Home Office lawyers argued that Mr Yang had downplayed his links to an arm of the CCP, and that his relationship with Andrew could be used for political interference.

In their ruling, the judges said that Andrew could have been made vulnerable to the misuse of the influence he had.

In their ruling last week, Mr Justice Bourne, Judge Stephen Smith and Sir Stewart Eldon dismissed Mr Yangs challenge.

The Chinese national had been due to be named after an anonymity order made in May 2023 was lifted by judges at the specialist tribunal.

But the day before the judgment was due to be published, he made a successful bid at the High Court for a temporary block on being named, which has now been lifted.

His anonymity came amid calls from MPs for Mr Yang to be named.

Mr Yang has insisted he has done nothing wrong or unlawful.

Mr Yang said it was entirely untrue to claim he was involved in espionage, and said he was a victim of a political climate which had seen a rise in tensions between the UK and China.

In a statement after a High Court judge lifted an order granting him anonymity, he said: Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere, I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity.

I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.
Stephen Cottrell is due to take over temporary leadership of the Church of England. Photograph: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

The archbishop of York has said he acted as soon as legally possible against a priest accused repeatedly of sexual misconduct and abuse after facing calls to resign over his handling of the case.

Stephen Cottrell is due to take over temporary leadership of the church in three weeks when the resignation of the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, over his failures to deal properly with abuse takes effect.

In a personal statement on Monday, Cottrell said he had no legal grounds to take action against David Tudor until 2019, when fresh allegations were made against the priest.

His statement followed a BBC investigation that claimed that when Cottrell was bishop of Chelmsford he allowed Tudor to remain in post despite knowing that the Church of England had banned him from being alone with children and had paid 10,000 compensation to a sexual abuse victim.

The woman who received the compensation told the BBC she felt like Cottrell had spat in my face by failing to take action when he was told about the payment.

The Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, the bishop of Newcastle, said Cottrell should stand down. One archbishop has resigned over a safeguarding failure, and now the remaining archbishop has a very serious matter that calls into question his ability to lead on the urgent change that is required, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

My personal view is that the evidence before us makes it impossible for Stephen Cottrell to be the person in which we have confidence and trust to drive the change that is needed.

Last month, Hartley was the sole C of E bishop to call publicly for Welby to quit after an independent report on a serial abuser said he had failed to take effective action. Welbys resignation plunged the church into a major crisis.

Cottrell, the number two in the church, will take over as de facto leader in early January until a new archbishop of Canterbury is appointed and takes office.

In his statement, Cottrell said: I suspended David Tudor from office at the first opportunity, when a new victim came forward to the police in 2019. Up until 2019, there were no legal grounds to take alternative action.

He said it had not been possible to remove Tudor from office until fresh complaints were made. Once this happened in 2019, I acted immediately. I suspended David Tudor from all ministry pending [an] investigation.

Following that investigation, Tudor was banned from ministry and dismissed two months ago, after he admitted child sexual abuse allegations relating to two girls in 1980s. By then he had been a priest for 46 years, in London, Surrey and Essex.

Cottrell said he was deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier.

A C of E source said Cottrell had been given clear and consistent legal advice that he had no power to take action against Tudor on the basis of previous complaints.

The source added: As soon as new complaints were made against Tudor to the police in 2019, Archbishop Stephen acted immediately to suspend him. Tudor has since been banned for life from ministry and dismissed.

The BBC reported that in 1988, Tudor was convicted of indecently assaulting three girls and was jailed for six months. The conviction was quashed on technical grounds because the judge had misdirected the jury.

In 1989, Tudor was banned for sexual misconduct by a church tribunal but was allowed to return to ministry after five years. In 2005, he was suspended as police investigated an allegation he had indecently assaulted a child in the 1970s. He was not charged and was allowed back to work under conditions.

From January 2008, Tudor had been working under a safeguarding agreement preventing him from being alone with children or entering schools in Essex. Soon after, he had become an area dean in charge of 12 parishes, and was later made an honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral.

Tudor has not commented in response to the BBC investigation.

Hartley said there was a generation of bishops in the C of E who were very much in the mould of it being an old boys club, and that was something the next archbishop of Canterbury was going to have to deal with.

The fallout from the churchs failures over sexual abuse has been seismic. Last months independent report into John Smyth, a barrister who sadistically beat boys and young men he groomed at Christian holiday camps and Winchester college, was the latest in a long line of reviews and inquiries that have pointed to complacency and cover-up.

Welby, who had known Smyth, failed to act when survivors came forward to disclose the abuse soon after he became archbishop of Canterbury in 2013. Welby said he had no previous knowledge of the abuse claims that surrounded Smyth, who died in 2018.

Welby enraged survivors when he made a jocular farewell speech about his resignation in the House of Lords this month. Victims of Smyth said they were disgusted that Welby did not express remorse for survivors. He later apologised.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, pictured last year. (Alamy) (Jonathan Brady, PA Images)

The Church of Englands second-most senior bishop has said "things could have been handled differently" after a priest at the centre of a sexual abuse case was found to have been twice reappointed to a senior role under his watch.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is due to temporarily take charge of the Church of England from 6 January following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who quit over failures in his handling of a separate sexual abuse case.

However, Cottrell has been facing calls to resign after a BBC investigation reported that - when serving as Bishop of Chelmsford - he let a priest stay in post in the diocese despite knowing he had been barred by the Church from being alone with children, and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.

David Tudor admitted in October what the Church described as serious sexual abuse involving two girls aged 15 and 16. He had previously been suspended for five years in 1988, having admitted, according to a tribunal document, having sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Cottrell has criticised the calls for him to resign, saying he had no legal grounds to act prior to suspending him in 2019 when new allegations came forward, despite being briefed on Tudor's past in 2010.

However, this has been called into question after a subsequent BBC investigation showed Tudor's contract as area dean was renewed in both 2013 and 2018.

Here, Yahoo News takes a look at the controversy surrounding Stephen Cottrell and explains what happens next.

Who is Stephen Cottrell?

Born in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in 1958, Stephen Cottrell found faith as a teenager through the work of youth organisations in his local church.

He was ordained a deacon at the age of 25 and served at Christ Church and St Pauls, Forest Hill, south London and St Wilfrid's Church, Chichester during the eighties and early nineties.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, would have been briefed on safeguarding concerns surrounding David Tudor. (Alamy) (James Manning, PA Images)

In 2001, he was called to become Canon Pastor of Peterborough Cathedral and was consecrated as Bishop of Reading three years later.

Cottrell, who has three children, became Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010 and served there until 2020 when he became the 98th Archbishop of York, the second highest-ranking clergyman in the Church of England.

What is he accused of?

The BBC's File on Four investigation reported that Cottrell had let Tudor stay in his post at the Diocese of Chelmsford, despite knowing he had been barred by the Church from being alone with children.

Tudor was an area dean on Canvey Island, Essex, in 2010, when Cottrell became Bishop of Chelmsford, according to the BBC. During his first week in the post, Cottrell was briefed on "longstanding safeguarding concerns" surrounding Tudor, a spokesperson for the Archbishop said.

It was only nine years later "when fresh complaints were made against Tudor that there was an opportunity to remove the risk," they added.

In October of this year, Tudor was banned from ministry for life after admitting what the Church described as serious sexual abuse involving two girls aged 15 and 16 when he was a priest in the Diocese of Southwark.

Stephen Cottrell and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby attending a procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. (Alamy) (Richard Heathcote, Associated Press)

A woman who, according to the BBC, was paid 10,000 in compensation by Tudor over claims he sexually abused her as a child said that Cottrells failure to act when he was told about the payment means he should "leave the Church".

During his time in Chelmsford, the BBC says Cottrell would have been told that Tudor had been a defendant in two criminal trials in 1988.

In the first he was acquitted of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl, although he admitted having sex with her when she was 16 and a pupil at a school where he was chaplain. In the second, he was jailed for six months for indecently assaulting three girls, but the conviction was subsequently quashed on technical grounds.

Cottrell, according to the BBC, also would have been told that Tudor was banned from the ministry in 1989 after a Church tribunal for sexual misconduct - but was allowed to return five years later. He also would have been briefed on Tudor's suspension in 2005 as police investigated claims he had indecently assaulted a child in the 1970s, for which he was never charged.

Tudor had been working under a safeguarding agreement from January 2008 preventing him from being alone with children, or from entering schools in Essex, but had become an area dean in charge of 12 parishes months later.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla for the unveiling of a statue of Queen Elizabeth II in York in November 2022. (Alamy) (Danny Lawson, Associated Press)

Responding to the BBC investigation, a spokesperson for Cottrell said it had been a "highly unsatisfactory and problematic case", adding that Cottrell had been in "an invidious situation (he) lived with every day that he was Bishop of Chelmsford until he was able to take action in 2019" in suspending the priest "following new information".

He said he had worked with the Chelmsford diocese safeguarding team from 2010 "to ensure the risk was managed", having had "no legal grounds" to suspend Tudor before 2019.

However, since then, a subsequent BBC investigation reports that Tudor's contract as area dean was renewed in 2013 and 2018, at which time Cottrell would have known about the compensation payments made to the alleged abuse victim.

Responding to the fresh claims, a spokesperson for Cottrell told the BBC the archbishop "acknowledges this could have been handled differently", adding that "all the risks around David Tudor were regularly reviewed" and that was the "main focus".

His spokesperson added that Cottrell "accepts responsibility for David Tudor remaining as area dean", adding: "No-one advised him that David Tudor should not continue as an area dean."

Calls to resign

Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley said the Tudor case "calls into question" Cottrell's ability to "lead on the urgent change that is required in safeguarding, both operationally and culturally" in the Church.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that, had she been in Cottrell's position in 2010, "I think I would have had a robust conversation with safeguarding advice in the room about how to find a way in order to deal with this situation".

Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley bishop of Newcastle upon Tyne has called for Stephen Cottrell to resign. (Alamy) (Wilf Doyle)

"This individual should not be in public ministry. You find the options. You keep people safe. You think of the survivors," she added.

"The risk for the bishop could have been that the bishop would be sued for some kind of constructive or unfair dismissal, but surely that's a risk worth taking because it's morally and ethically the right thing to do to keep people safe?"

Rachel Ford, who told the BBC she was groomed by Tudor as a child, said the renewal of his contract was "an insult to all of his victims", adding that if Cottrell had responsibility for that, it is even more reason for him to resign.

So far Cottrell has appeared to reject calls to stand down, pledging that he would "do what I can" to bring about independent scrutiny of safeguarding within the Church.

"The Church of England now needs independent scrutiny of safeguarding so that those who do have understandable frustrations and concerns can have their voices heard and those of us who have responsibility for managing these situations can be helped to avoid them and resolve them," he said.

"I have publicly supported this for many years. I pledge myself to do what I can to achieve it."

Why did Justin Welby resign?

The latest scandal piles even more pressure on the Church of England, around one month after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, announced he was resigning over his mishandling of an abuse case.

It followed the publication of an independent review, which concluded that barrister John Smyth, who was thought to have abused as many as 130 boys and young men over decades, might have been brought to justice if Welby had formally alerted authorities in 2013.

The scandal comes one month after Justin Welby announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury. (Getty Images) (- via Getty Images)

Across five decades in three different countries. Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men to "traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks", according to the Makin Review.

The archbishop said he had "no idea or suspicion of this abuse" before 2013, but acknowledged that after its wider exposure following the first victim's report, he had "personally failed to ensure" it was investigated.

What happens next?

Cottrell is due to take on many of Welby's official functions temporarily from 6 January, and is also expected to deliver a Christmas Day sermon in place of the Archbishop, the York Press reports.

While Cottrell is facing calls to resign, he has shown no indication that he will do so, and has criticised the way events have been reported by the media.

In a statement on Monday, Cottrell has said he is "deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier" adding that he "acted immediately" within the authority he had at the time.

He said he faced a "horrible and intolerable" situation when he became Bishop of Chelmsford, having been briefed on the situation. "This mornings news coverage incorrectly implies that no action was taken until 2024," Cottrell added.

"That is not the case. In my capacity as Bishop of Chelmsford, I suspended David Tudor from office at the first opportunity, when a new victim came forward to the police in 2019. Up until 2019, there were no legal grounds to take alternative action.

"When I joined the Chelmsford diocese in 2010, I worked closely with its very professional safeguarding team to ensure the risk was managed. But it was not possible to remove David Tudor from office until such time as fresh complaints were made, which happened when a victim bravely spoke to the police.

"Once this happened in 2019, I acted immediately. I suspended David Tudor from all ministry pending the investigation and subsequent tribunal hearing in which he was removed from office and prohibited from ministry for life."

Read more
Prince Andrew was pictured in public for the first time on Monday since the Chinese spy scandal broke - Jim Bennett

Senior MPs have warned that revelations about an alleged Chinese spy with links to the highest levels of British public life, including the Duke of York, are the tip of the iceberg of Beijings meddling.

Tom Tugendhat, a former Tory security minister, said the Chinese Communist Party was seeking to exert influence in the UK and urged the Government to introduce a register of hostile state agents.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader who has been sanctioned by Beijing, said China represented a very clear threat.

Last week, it emerged the Duke had formed a close business relationship with an alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK on national security grounds.

His office said on Friday that he had ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised, adding that he had met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.

On Friday, the Duke of Yorks office said he had ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised

On Monday, the Duke was seen in public for the first time since he became embroiled in the scandal. He was photographed leaving Royal Lodge, his Windsor home, with a member of his protection team. It is thought he was going horse riding.

The alleged spy in question is currently the subject of a court anonymity order. and is referred to only as H6.

As well as his links to the Duke, the suspected agent also met David Cameron and Theresa May, the former prime ministers, on separate occasions.

Asked how concerned he was that an alleged spy had been able to get close to a member of the Royal family, Mr Tugendhat told BBC Breakfast: Well, I have to say this is really indicative of exactly what the United Front Work Department, what the Chinese Communist Party, is trying to do.

They are trying to exert influence, they are trying to change the policies of the United Kingdom and other countries around the world, and they are trying to influence individuals, not just in the royal family but in academia, in politics, in business and even sometimes in journalism.

Mr Tugendhat brought forward the foreign influence registration scheme when he was in office, which would compel anyone acting for a foreign power to declare political influencing activity and criminalise those who fail to do so.

The rollout of the scheme has been delayed since Labour took power, and it is currently unclear when it will be introduced. Mr Tugendhat urged the Government to implement it as soon as possible, warning that doing anything else would frankly be negligent.

As well as his links to the Duke, the suspected agent also met Theresa May, the former prime minister

Asked how worried he was about the alleged spy meeting Lord Cameron and Baroness May, seemingly when the Tories were in power, he said: I am sure it is happening now.

I am absolutely certain that there are members of the United Front Work Department who are active right now in attempting to influence journalism, academics, politics and the whole lot.

This is really the tip of the iceberg. The story, I can understand why it has been about Prince Andrew  but it is not really about Prince Andrew. It is about the way the Chinese Communist Party is seeking to exert influence here in the United Kingdom.

Sir Iain told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Were dealing with the tip of the iceberg. The fact is there are many more like him [H6] in the UK.

There are many more doing the job that hes been doing, and the fact he was leaving the UK tells you that he realised at some point he was going to get caught.

The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage thats taking place. The reality for us is very simple  China is a very clear threat.
Yang Tengbo had a close business relationship with the Duke of York

The alleged Chinese spy who had a close business relationship with the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo.

The businessman had been the subject of a court anonymity order and was referred to only as H6.

Mr Yang initially appealed against the lifting of the order and was granted interim relief, but on Monday Guy Vassalt-Adams, his barrister, said his client wished to set aside the order of anonymity and the High Court ruled that he could be named.

Mr Vassalt-Adams said: There has been enormous amount of media reporting in relation to this story and in particular in relation to the relationship between my client H6 and Prince Andrew, as well as a huge amount of speculation about the identity of my client.

In addition, there has been some publication of the identity of my client on social media and threats emanating from various quarters to identify my client in public in this jurisdiction through using parliamentary privilege. Having reflected on these matters, my client has decided he wishes to make a public statement.

The Duke of York points towards Yang Tengbo as he talks to Liu Xiaoming, Chinas then ambassador to the UK, in 2018

Mr Yang, 50  who was banned from entering Britain on national security grounds  can now be revealed to be behind Hampton Group International, a lobbying firm that has extensive links to China.

Until now, the firm and the businessman had gone largely unnoticed. But its alleged web of influence, which spans Beijing, Westminster and royal palaces, can now be fully disclosed.

The courts decision came after political pressure for the anonymity order to be lifted. Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, had said he would name Mr Yang in the House of Commons, using parliamentary privilege, if he was not unmasked.

Yang Tengbo had been the subject of a court anonymity order and was referred to only as H6

After graduating with a degree in history, Mr Yang  described as a close confidant of the Duke of York  worked as a junior civil servant in China before moving to York in 2003. There, his English language skills improved rapidly and he graduated with a masters degree in public administration, according to a BBC profile.

In 2005, Mr Yang established a strategy advisory company to help company bosses in Beijing to network internationally.

The Chinese national, who began using the anglicised name of Chris Yang, was a central figure in arranging the first UK-China Business Leaders Summit, where he was seen with George Osborne, the then chancellor.

Yang Tengbo was a central figure in arranging the first UK-China Business Leaders Summit

His connection to the Duke may have begun as early as 2016. Prince Andrew launched Pitch@Palace China that year, two years after founding the Dragons Den-style initiative in the UK.

Mr Yang was also invited to the Dukes birthday party in 2020, and was described by the judges overseeing the case as a close confidant of his.

Yang Tengbo (circled) at a Pitch@Palace event at St Jamess Palace in London

On Sunday, The Telegraph revealed that he had helped broker a top British private schools expansion plans in China. The school can now be revealed to be Gordonstoun, the Scottish boarding school attended by the Duke as well as the King.

Hampton Group International signed a 12-year partnership with the elite school to open several branches on Chinas mainland.

Mr Yang met some of Britains most influential figures, including the former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.

He kept pictures of the encounters on the desk of his London office, although it is unclear whether Lord Cameron or Baroness May were in power when he met them.

Yang Tengbo with Samantha and David Cameron

... and with Theresa and Philip May

The Home Office decided to exclude Mr Yang from the UK in July last year after MI5 deemed him to be an agent who had engaged in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, and that he posed a threat to national security.

Mr Yang challenged his ban, but on Thursday the Special Immigration Appeals Commission ruled that Suella Braverman, the home secretary at the time, was justified in her decision to ban him from the UK.

The ruling revealed that a letter from a senior adviser to the Duke was found on Mr Yangs phone, stating that he was authorised to act on behalf of the royal in engagements with potential partners and investors in China.

The Duke has said he ceased all contact with Mr Yang when concerns were first raised about him by the Government.

The Duke of York has said he ceased all contact with Yang Tengbo when concerns were first raised about him by the Government

In 2019, Mr Yang, a member of the Chinese Communist Party, was photographed attending the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference in Beijing.

In an interview broadcast at the time, he praised Chinas Belt and Road initiative, a vast project of exporting Chinese-funded infrastructure projects abroad.

China-UK co-operation in third-party markets is showing new characteristics of effectively reducing the risk of conflict and promoting harmonious regional development, he said. Asked how he was able to gain such close access to high-ranking figures, Mr Yang replied: Trust is the most important thing.

He attended the conference again in 2022 and told delegates that China needs to cultivate global talents, and the international community also needs to cultivate talents who know China.

Asked how he was able to gain such close access to high-ranking figures, Yang Tengbo replied: Trust is the most important thing

Mr Yang was also an honorary member of the 48 Group Club, which describes itself as the product of the first Western trade delegation to the newly-formed Peoples Republic of China in 1954.

The clubs founder was made an honorary Red Guard member by Mao Zedong, and today the organisation is frequently praised in Chinese media.

In Hidden Hand, a 2020 book by Australian researchers looking at covert Chinese influence worldwide, it was accused of acting as a conduit for the Chinese state to groom senior British businessmen and political figures.

The club insisted it acted only in the UKs national interest, and tried to block the publication of the book.

Yang Tengbo was also an honorary member of the 48 Group Club, which describes itself as the product of the first Western trade delegation to the newly-formed Peoples Republic of China in 1954

Mr Yang can be found among the honorary members in an archived whos who page from 2022, where he is listed as Mr Chris Yang, Chairman, Hampton Group.

The club told Radio Free Asia that Mr Yangs membership had been rescinded in light of the allegations against him. It claimed he had never had any involvement with the work of the 48 Group.
An anonymity order placed on Yang Tengbo was lifted on Monday, revealing him to be the suspected agent

Gordonstoun is the top British boarding school that signed a deal with an alleged Chinese spys firm to open campuses in China, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Kings alma mater entered a partnership with the Hampton Group International, a consultancy firm run by Yang Tengbo, to open up to five schools in China and Hong Kong.

An anonymity order placed on Yang was lifted on Monday, revealing him to be the suspected agent embroiled in a spy scandal engulfing the British establishment.

It means details about Gordonstouns partnership with Yangs firm can now be reported.

Since The Telegraph published the allegations, Gordonstoun announced it had terminated its partnership with the Hampton Group.

Chinese state media reports shared by Hampton Group International claimed that the Duke of York was involved in brokering the deal.

It said the 61,440 Scottish boarding school held a signing ceremony with Hampton Group International to confirm the deal at the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention at Londons ExCel Centre in 2019.

The Duke of York, who attended Gordonstoun himself, was among people to have witnessed the signing, according to a post on the Hampton Groups Chinese social media. Photographs confirm that Yang was present at the ceremony.

Gordonstoun denied that the Duke of York had any involvement in the project and said he has no official role at the school. The Duke attended the convention where the deal was done and was photographed at the event, but The Telegraph understands he was not in the room when the signing ceremony took place.

The High Court previously claimed that Yang built up an unusual degree of trust from the Duke of York.

Yang (circled) seen here with the Duke of York at Peking University in 2018 - Twitter

It will raise serious concerns over Beijings attempt to wield influence through British education, and its wider penetration of the UK establishment.

Gordonstoun announced the deal on its website in 2019, and said: We feel that we have found the right partner to help us introduce the unique Gordonstoun approach to China.

Hampton Group International has since touted the overseas partnership with Gordonstoun as bringing the jewel in the crown of British education to Beijing.

It has also highlighted the schools deep links with the royal family, having educated the King, Prince Philip, the Duke of York and the Princess Royals children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.

The Duke of York with Prince Philip outside Gordonstoun in 1973 - PA/PA Archive

The Telegraph has also seen architects drawings for an initial Gordonstoun China campus to be built in the Nansha district in the Chinese city of Guangzhou. It was initially earmarked to open in 2022, but the project was stalled because of the pandemic.

Gordonstoun Schools Limited, which owns the 90-year-old school in Moray, said in its latest financial accounts that its plans to open in China continue to make progress despite delays during Covid.

It said: [The] Chinese government issued a licence and went out to tender for the building project for Gordonstoun Nansha in August 2023.

Lisa Kerr, Gordonstouns then-principal, visited Hampton Groups Chinese headquarters in April last year to discuss the schools expansion plans.

Ms Kerr stepped down as Gordonstouns principal this summer and is now the headteacher at George Watsons College in Edinburgh.

A post shared by Hampton Group International said Ms Kerr discussed Sino-British education cooperation with company employees, alongside Chinas emphasis on moral education.

Architects drawing for a Gordonstoun China campus to be built in the Nansha district in the Chinese city of Guangzhou

The company, run by the alleged Chinese spy Yang, also said Ms Kerr trumpeted Gordonstoun as a school with an international outlook that would like to explore more possibilities of education in China and work together with China to cultivate talents for the future.

Gordonstoun has previously said that its planned schools in China will offer the Chinese academic curriculum within a Gordonstoun approach to character education.

There are thought to be around 66 private schools in China with links to 29 UK schools, according to a recent study by ISC Research, an educational consultancy. Many more are considering opening campuses in the country.

However, some have pulled the plug on their Chinese operations amid concerns over tough new education laws that control what is taught in classrooms.

Yangs company also shared a letter stamped with the Buckingham Palace crest that it claimed was written and signed by the Princess Royal wishing the Gordonstoun China project every success.

The letter said: Gordonstoun has always been an outward-looking school, welcoming children from all over the world Gordonstoun has announced plans for establishing international schools in China and I wish the new schools every success, as they share Gordonstouns educational ethos internationally.

The Princess Royal was approached for comment.

Gordonstoun has previously said its planned schools in China will offer the Chinese academic curriculum within a Gordonstoun approach to character education - Peter Jolly. Northpix

Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, banned foreign textbooks in 2021 and introduced a new requirement that school board members must be Chinese. Laws that came into force in January this year also say that private schools in China must promote patriotic education.

Experts told The Telegraph that foreign states often used global alumni networks as channels to exert power and influence.

Many private schools operating overseas have blocked graduates of their international campuses from being part of their UK alumni networks as a result.

It is unclear what arrangements are being planned for post-study networks between former students of Gordonstouns school in Scotland and the schools set to open in China.

Beijing has also been accused of using links with British universities to exert its influence in the UK.

Yang excluded from UK

The Home Office excluded Yang from the UK last year after MI5 deemed him to be an agent engaged in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The businessman is connected to the Chinese operation of the Duke of Yorks Pitch@Palace initiative supporting entrepreneurs, and he has given interviews in which he has spoken about working alongside him.

A spokesman for the Duke declined to comment.

Yang, referred to as H6 while the anonymity order was in place, previously worked as a junior civil servant in China. He is accused of working for the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese state used to gather intelligence, recruit agents and buy influence abroad.

A spokesman for Gordonstoun said: Gordonstoun has been made aware that Yang Tengbo, the chairman of the Hampton Group, has been named as the alleged Chinese spy known as H6.

Following this information, Gordonstoun terminated its contract with the Hampton Group. For legal reasons, we are unable to provide further details at this time.
Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf, Sir Iain Duncan Smith has said.

The former Tory leader made the remarks after the High Court this afternoon lifted an order granting Mr Yang anonymity amid mounting pressure from MPs.

Sir Iain told the Commons: Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf. He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions.

The former Tory leader continued: Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs)? And will they do it now, no more delay, there is no need for delay... China is our most prominent security threat and all action must take priority.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, declined to commit to declaring China a threat as part of the Firs programme, something Chris Philp, the Tory shadow home secretary, called for in his own remarks.

Mr Yang has said he is the victim of the political climate

Mr Yang said in a statement that he was the victim of the political climate and it was entirely untrue to claim he was involved in espionage.

Mr Yang became a close confidant of the Duke of York and he has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.

He last week lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds. He was known in the legal case only as H6 until the anonymity order was lifted.

Mr Yang initially appealed against the lifting of the order and was granted interim relief, but on Monday Guy Vassalt-Adams, his barrister, said his client wished to set aside the order of anonymity and the High Court ruled that he could be named.

The 50-year-old  who was banned from entering Britain on national security grounds  can now be revealed to be behind Hampton Group International, a lobbying firm that has extensive links to China.

The Labour Government was also urged to rethink its recent overtures to China, including Sir Keir Starmers recent bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping and hopes of a full state visit.

Given what weve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise, Mr Philp said.

The rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

05:00 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage as Yang Tengbo was named as the alleged Chinese spy.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who has been sanctioned by China, said Tengbo was not a lone wolf after a High Court this afternoon lifted an order that granted Mr Yang.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, welcomed the decision to lift the order but declined to say whether the Labour Government will designate China as a threat.

Mr Yang said in a statement that he was the victim of the political climate and it was entirely untrue to claim he was involved in espionage.

04:53 PM GMT

Chinese spy helped broker Gordonstouns expansion in China

Gordonstoun is the top British boarding school that signed a deal with an alleged Chinese spys firm to open campuses in China, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Kings alma mater entered a partnership with the Hampton Group International, a consultancy firm run by Yang Tengbo, to open up to five schools in China and Hong Kong.

An anonymity order placed on Mr Yang was lifted on Monday, revealing him to be the suspected agent embroiled in a spy scandal engulfing the British establishment.

It means details about Gordonstouns partnership with Mr Yangs firm can now be reported.

The Telegraph can reveal that The Duke of York was involved in brokering the deal between Gordonstoun and the spy-linked company. Since The Telegraph published the allegations, Gordonstoun announced it had terminated its partnership with the Hampton Group.

Poppy Wood, our Education Editor, has the story

04:33 PM GMT

No 10: Starmer has full confidence in the courts

Number 10 has signalled that Sir Keir Starmer has full confidence in the British courts, writes Natasha Leake.

Asked whether the Prime Minister believed the High Court had been influenced by political tensions when it lifted the anonymity order for Yang Tengbo, his official spokesman said: No, we respect the independence of our courts, and as I say, the first duty of every government is national security, and we welcome the courts decision to uphold the Home Offices position in relation to the exclusion of this individual.

Sir Keir Starmer

Asked whether the prime minister has confidence in the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), the spokesman said: Of course, and we obviously welcome the courts decision to uphold the Home Offices position in relation to the exclusion of this individual, as the Minister has just said in the House.

More broadly, wherever there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security, we will use the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

04:31 PM GMT

Analysis: Tory splits on China come to an end

There was no clarity from Dan Jarvis, the security minister, on whether China will be in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) when it launches next year.

This would have the effect of designating China as a threat, and the fact that demands to do so came from the shadow home secretary suggests Tory splits over China are at an end.

In punchy form at the Despatch Box, Chris Philp added: Given what weve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise and the rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

Mr Jarvis referred to Lord Cameron taking Xi Jinping to a pub for a pint during his premiership, and it was fair for him to point out years of Conservative inertia on the issue.

But while the Tories may have dithered over China in government, they seem to have become more clear-eyed in opposition - and the pressure is on Labour to act where previous administrations of all stripes have failed.

04:14 PM GMT

Government did not make anonymity decision, says security minister

Lee Anderson, the Reform MP for Ashfield, said: Yang Tengbo is the alleged Chinese spy who has been stalking the corridors of power in our country and rubbing shoulders with royalty, prime ministers and business leaders. Yet his name has been withheld from the Great British public.

Does the minister agree with me that it was only withheld to avoid embarrassment for previous Prime Ministers and business leaders and was not in the best interests of the British public?

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, responded: Well, Im sure the honourable member will acknowledge that I named H6, the individual, that his reason for his original anonymity was as a result of a court order, and was not a decision by the UK Government.

04:08 PM GMT

Tugendhat: MI5 said China must be declared as a threat

Tom Tugendhat, a Tory MP and former security minister, said better late than never about the foreign influence registration scheme.

He continued: The real question of course is whether it will be worth having, and the advice from MI5 was very, very clear. If China isnt in the enhanced tier, it wont be worth having. Will China be in that tier?

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said: We are working at pace, Ive given a time frame for the House today and Ive also said we are looking very carefully, very closely, working with colleagues across Government to look at how we can best structure the scheme. And we will make the announcements in the normal way in due course.

04:06 PM GMT

Suella Braverman clashes with Dan Jarvis

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, said she made the decision to exclude Yang Tengbo while in post last year.

Mrs Braverman said: Isnt it regrettable that its taken a high-profile case, public outcry and opposition MPs dragging the minister to the chamber to finally get the Government to commit to implementing the foreign influence registration scheme?

Given the unprecedented threat posed by China, malicious cyber-attacks, transnational repression, Confuscius Institutes, Chinese police stations and of course the human rights abuses of the Uyghur Muslims, if the Governments really serious about tackling the Chinese threat, when will it list China on the enhanced tier?

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, responded: I wasnt going to make this point but given that the Rt Hon lady has made her point in the way that she has, I will just gently point out that the previous government had a significant amount of time, many months from the passing of the National Security Act, where they could have chosen to implement the first scheme.

They didnt implement the first scheme, it now falls for this Government to do so and that is precisely what we will do.

03:58 PM GMT

Tories urge Starmer to rethink sycophantic approach to China

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern but its not just public organisations such as government. Its also businesses and universities that are being systemically infiltrated and often intellectual property theft is at the heart of what the Chinese Government is trying to achieve.

He added: The opposition will fully support the Government in working to secure our nations safety but in that spirit I would just ask one or two questions.

Firstly, would he consider expediting the implementation of the foreign influence registration scheme that he referred to, and can I echo my Rt Hon friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Greens suggestion that China is placed in the enhanced deal of that?

Secondly, will the security minister review the wisdom of the Governments approach to China? Given what weve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise and the rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, responded: He asked me again about Firs. I hope Ive been able to provide some reassurance in terms of the Governments intention to lay the regulations as soon as practically possible in the new year with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.

In terms of the approach to China, I dont agree with his characterisation of the Prime Ministers recent meeting and I will just say very gently to him, at least he didnt take him to the pub for a pint.

03:52 PM GMT

Iain Duncan Smith: Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf

Sir Iain Duncan Smith said Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf.

He told the Commons: He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions.

The former Tory leader continued: Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs)? And will they do it now, no more delay, there is no need for delay... China is our most prominent security threat and all action must take priority.

He concluded: Far from challenging China on human rights, it appears we are turning a blind eye to them. Why is that?

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said: Upon our arrival in Government, we found that Firs was not ready to be implemented as has been claimed, and since coming into office we have ensured there are now more people than ever working on Firs implementation.

03:46 PM GMT

UK will have consistent and strategic approach to China, says Jarvis

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, insisted the UKs approach to China will be consistent and strategic.

We will challenge where we must in order to keep our country safe, compete where we need to and cooperate where we can, for example on matters like climate change, he said.

That is acting in the national interest and the Prime Minister reiterated this earlier today.

However, the breadth of the threats we face from foreign states are pernicious and complex and the work of our intelligence agencies is unrivalled in mitigating them and I want to take this opportunity today in paying tribute to them and the work they do in keeping our country safe.

He added: When the UKs national security is at risk, we will not hesitate to use every tool at our disposal to keep our country safe.

03:44 PM GMT

Security minister: This case does not exist in a vacuum

Dan Jarvis told the Commons: It is important to recognise that this case does not exist in a vacuum.

As the director general of MI5 made clear in October we are in the most complex threat environment he has ever seen. As well as the threat from terrorism we face efforts from a number of states including China, Russia and Iran to harm the UKs security.

Our response is amongst the most robust and sophisticated anywhere in the world.

Mr Jarvis said the National Security Act would be essential in protecting against hostile states intent on harming the UK.

On the foreign influence scheme, he added: We will say more about this soon but we intend to lay regulations in the new year to commence the scheme in the summer.

03:41 PM GMT

Dan Jarvis welcomes decision to name Yang Tengbo

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, has welcomed the court decision to name alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.

The first duty of any government is national security, so we welcome the courts decision to uphold the Home Offices position with regard to the exclusion of H6, who can now be named as Yang Tengbo, Mr Javis said.

The special immigration appeals commission concluded that there was a basis for the conclusion that H6 had been in a position to generate relationships with prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese Communist Party, including the United Front Work Department and the Chinese state.

He added: Where there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security, we are absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

Where we encounter foreign interference or espionage, whether this stems from the United Front Work Department or any other state-linked actor, we will be swift in using all available tools including prosecutions, exclusions, sanctions and diplomacy in order to keep our country safe.

03:36 PM GMT

Work and pensions questions winding up

Work and pensions questions in the Commons are now winding up.

We should have the urgent question on the Chinese spy allegations very soon.

03:09 PM GMT

Coming up: MPs to grill minister over Chinese spy allegations

The urgent question in the House of Commons on the Chinese spy allegations will get underway just after 3.30pm.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former leader of the Conservative Party, has directed his question at the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

But it is not yet clear who will be responding for the Government. It could be a more junior Home Office minister.

We dont have long to wait to find out.

02:47 PM GMT

IDS issues warning to Labour after Chinese spy named

Sir Iain Duncan Smith said Yang Tengbo should have been named much earlier as he issued a warning about the Governments approach to dealing with China.

The former leader of the Conservative Party told The Telegraph: This is beginning to shed light on the decision the Government has taken which appears to now be the pursuit of ties and links with China no matter the internal security cost from a country which is clearly now a threat to us and our values.

Sir Iain said Labour was making a massive mistake by seeking closer ties with China.

Yang Tengbo is pictured alongside Baroness Theresa May and her husband Philip May

02:44 PM GMT

Yang Tengbo: I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK

Yang Tengbo said he was the victim of a changed political climate in the UK.

He said in a statement issued on his behalf: The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this. When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.

Yang Tengbo is pictured alongside Samantha Cameron and Lord David Cameron

I am an independent self-made entrepreneur and I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses. My activities have played a part in bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the UK.

I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.

Prince Andrew pointing towards Yang Tengbo as he talks to Chinas then ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, on 12 December 2018 at St Jamess Palace in London

02:39 PM GMT

Farage: Pressure from Reform UK prompted Yang Tengbo to be named

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, claimed victory after the alleged Chinese spy was named.

He tweeted: I am pleased that pressure by Reform over the last 48 hours has now led to this man being named. The public deserve to know.

02:38 PM GMT

Yang Tengbo: I have done nothing wrong

Yang Tengbo, the alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York, said he has done nothing wrong or unlawful.

He said in a statement: I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

This is why I applied for a review of the Home Office decision in the first place, and why I am seeking permission to appeal the SIAC decision. It is also why an order extending my anonymity up to the point of determination of the appeal process was granted.

Yang Tenbo, circled, attends a Pitch At Palace business event at St Jamess Palace

02:14 PM GMT

Alleged Chinese spy named

The alleged Chinese spy who had a close business relationship with the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo.

The businessman had been the subject of a court anonymity order and was referred to only as H6, but he was unmasked after the High Court rejected his attempt to keep his identity a secret.

Yang, 50  who was banned from entering Britain on national security grounds  can now be revealed to be behind Hampton Group International, a lobbying firm that has extensive links to China.

You can read the full story here.

02:08 PM GMT

Sir Keir Starmer defends friendliness with China amid alleged spy scandal

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his decision to seek closer relations with China amid a row over an alleged Beijing spy with links to the highest levels of British public life.

The Prime Minister said he believed it was important to engage with China and he was very pleased with the progress that had been made in the thawing of relations.

Speaking in Bergen, Norway, on Monday morning as he signed a new energy deal, Sir Keir argued it was better to engage to challenge than to stay aside.

Sir Keir was asked if it was wise to seek closer ties to China given the espionage concerns.

He said: It is important to engage. Of course we have to challenge where we must but it is better to engage to challenge than to stay aside, as it were, important to cooperate where we can on issues like climate change which need that cooperation.

So I am very pleased with the engagement and the progress that we have made.

01:30 PM GMT

Duke of York seen in public for first time since spy scandal erupted

The Duke of York has been seen in public for the first time since he became embroiled in a Chinese spy scandal, writes Victoria Ward.

Prince Andrew, 64, was photographed leaving Royal Lodge, his Windsor home, with a member of his protection team on Monday morning.

It is thought he was going horse riding.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is pictured in his car at Royal Lodge, Windsor - Jim Bennett for The Telegraph

The Duke issued a statement on Friday insisting that he ceased all contact with the alleged spy after concerns were raised, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.

However, he has been urged by palace insiders to keep a low profile in the wake of the furore.

The Dukes relationship with the alleged Chinese spy, identified only as H6, has plunged Buckingham Palace into a PR crisis amid allegations that he was targeted and courted over a number of years.

A security review is underway after the alleged agent was invited to Buckingham Palace twice and to Windsor Castle and St Jamess Palace.

01:28 PM GMT

Downing Street: Be careful not to undermine alleged Chinese spy case

Downing Street urged MPs to be careful not to prejudice the legal case involving the alleged Chinese spy.

Reform UK has suggested it is ready to reveal the identity of the alleged spy using parliamentary privilege, while top Tories have called for the anonymity order to be lifted.

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer would support any MP who chose to name the man, his official spokesman said: Obviously I cant comment on intelligence matters or security cases, particularly where theres a live legal case. More broadly national security and public safety is the first duty of government and we have robust measures to protect the UK against state threats.

This case is a live legal case, its first of all a matter for the courts and clearly as a result everyone should be careful and do nothing which could undermine the case in question.

01:27 PM GMT

No 10 refuses to say whether Starmer met spy

Downing Street declined to confirm whether Sir Keir Starmer or any of his Cabinet have met the alleged Chinese spy, writes Dominic Penna.

Asked whether the Prime Minister or any of his top team had met the man known only as H6, Sir Keirs spokesman said: I cant comment on individual cases. Theres a live legal case.

When pressed, the spokesman added: Im not going to comment on a live legal case or an individual case that relates to intelligence or security cases.

More broadly, the Government will always take action to uphold national security and public safety as the first duty of government.

12:56 PM GMT

Chinese spy allegations are tip of iceberg, warn senior MPs

Senior MPs have warned that revelations about an alleged Chinese spy with links to the highest levels of British public life, including the Duke of York, are the tip of the iceberg of Beijings meddling.

Tom Tugendhat, a former Tory security minister, said the Chinese Communist Party was seeking to exert influence in the UK and urged the Government to introduce a register of hostile state agents.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader who has been sanctioned by Beijing, said China represented a very clear threat.

You can read the full story here.

12:49 PM GMT

IDS granted urgent question in Commons on spy allegations

Sir Iain Duncan Smith has been granted an urgent question in the House of Commons on the Chinese spy allegations.

The former leader of the Conservative Party, who has been sanctioned by Beijing, has been granted permission by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, to ask the following:

To ask the Home Secretary if she will make a statement on the extent of United Front Work Department operations within the UK.

The urgent question should get underway just after 3.30pm.

12:45 PM GMT

Court to decide on naming Chinese spy

Welcome to this breaking news live blog:

A hearing over the anonymity of an alleged Chinese spy linked to the Duke of York will take place at the Royal Courts of Justice at 2pm on Monday afternoon, according to court listings.
Yang Tengbo, left, with Prince Andrew at a Pitch@Palace China 3.0 event in October 2019 Photograph: Pitch@Palace/Youtube

How did a junior Chinese civil servant who arrived in Britain to do a masters degree at York University end up as such a close confidant of the Duke of York that he was described as the very top of the tree by the princes adviser?

Yang Tengbo, 50, also known as Christopher Yang, was able to move in the highest circles of the British establishment. He was invited to Prince Andrews 60th birthday party at Royal Lodge, in Windsor, joined visits to St Jamess Palace and Windsor Castle, attended a Chinese new year celebration at Downing Street with David Cameron and was pictured in black tie alongside Theresa May and her husband, Philip.

Yang was the chair of Hampton Group, a strategic advisory group that said it could advise UK companies on their affairs in China, with offices behind the Ritz hotel in Londons Mayfair.

Related: Alleged Chinese spy who befriended Prince Andrew is tip of iceberg, Tory MP says

He was also a senior member of the committee of Pitch@Palace in China, the dukes Dragons Den-style initiative, which offered opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet investors.

Yang was filmed for a Chinese television documentary in which he showed photographs of himself alongside Cameron and May, displayed prominently on his desk.

He appears to have held senior positions in UK-China business groups, was described as the executive chair of the China Business Council in the UK, and was an honorary member of a Sino-British business association, the 48 Group Club, which had a number of prominent UK figures as members.

According to court documents, the businessman was so close to the Duke of York, he was authorised to act on his behalf in an international financial initiative with potential partners and investors in China.

Investigators uncovered fawning letters from one of Prince Andrews advisers and a briefing note connected to the Chinese embassy which described the duke as desperate.

In the judgment, rejecting his appeal against the decision to exclude him, the judge found he 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.

A statement from his office said: 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.

Related: Chinese spy allegations stun UK establishment  Politics Weekly Westminster

Their friendship came at a time of significant turmoil for the duke, who was under the spotlight for his dealings with the businessman and convicted child sexual abuse offender Jeffrey Epstein  and allegations against Andrew himself that he had participated in sexual activities with a minor, Virginia Giuffre.

Until the Covid pandemic, Yang spent almost half his time in the UK and told the court he considered the UK to be his second home. He had been in the UK for almost 20 years.

UK security services suspected Yang to be associated with an arm of the Chinese state known as the united front work department (UFWD). It has been described as one of the magic weapons of the Chinese Communist party, with a purpose to befriend influential figures and win them over to Chinas way of thinking.

It is unclear what finally prompted security services to act  but Yang was stopped at an airport on 6 November 2021 and surrendered his devices, including his mobile phone.

On the devices, officials found he had extraordinary access to Andrew, with letters from one of the dukes senior advisers written in a warm and gushing tone. But it took another 15 months for authorities to act decisively.

In February 2023, Yang was stopped and off-boarded from a flight from Beijing to London and was told the British home secretary was in the process of making a decision to exclude him from the UK. That decision was confirmed the following month.

The letter found on Yangs phone from Dominic Hampshire, a senior adviser to Prince Andrew, dated from March 2020 and referred to him being invited to the dukes birthday party that month. It 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 letter suggested the relationship had a potentially secretive nature, saying: We have found a way to carefully remove those people who we dont completely trust  we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor.

Hampshire wrote again in October 2020, giving Yang extraordinary authority to act on behalf of the prince in doing business deals with China. The letter gave Yang permission to represent Andrew on the Eurasia fund, an international finance initiative that engages potential Chinese investors.

Investigators also uncovered a document that they believed involved the Chinese embassy providing questions to be asked on a call between Yang and the prince.

It said Yang should manage expectations and that it was really important to not set too high expectations  he is in a desperate situation and will grab on to anything. It said: Key message: everything is going well; going to plan c. Do not mention any big numbers as this will create unnecessary expectation and pressure.

If he does talk about money: things are going well, discussing with Dominic who will follow up b. If he asks about when deals are happening: making good progress; not immediately but in the not too distant future 13. It is better to under-promise and then over-deliver.

Despite the talking points memo, which refers to money, there is no evidence any payment was made between the two.

In his witness statement in June last year, Yang downplayed his links with the UFWD but officials suspected him of having close connections with the operation, according to the court documents.

When interviewed, Yang said he avoids getting involved in politics and has no connections to anyone in politics in China. That was rejected by officials, who said the evidence on his devices showed he was frequently connected to officials associated with the Chinese state.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Yang rejected allegations of spying. He said: The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue. This is why I applied for a review of the Home Office decision in the first place, and why I am seeking permission to appeal the Siac [Special Immigration Appeals Commission] decision 

I am an independent, self-made entrepreneur and I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between east and west. I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses. My activities have played a part in bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the UK.

I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.
Kim Keon-hee, the first lady of South Korea, was secretly filmed accepting a Christian Dior handbag worth $2,200

In April last year, Kim Keon-hee accompanied her husband, South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol, on a state visit to Washington, DC, where he accepted President Joe Bidens invitation to sing American Pie at the end of a White House dinner.

The South Korean president and his wife with Joe and Jill Biden in 2023 - BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP

In November last year, South Koreas First Couple made the first state visit to the United Kingdom since King Charless coronation  replete with a Buckingham Palace banquet, meetings with all the senior members of the Royal family, guards of honour and gilded horse-drawn carriages.

South Koreas leading couple with the Princess and Prince of Wales in 2023 - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

Kim made quite an impression on both occasions. Slim, stylish and beautiful, she lent more than a dash of glamour to a slightly grey, podgy husband 12 years her senior.

Kim Keon-hee has lent a dash of glamour to Yoon Suk Yeol - YONHAP/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Fast-forward 13 months and Kim is no longer seen as an asset to her husband. On the contrary, she is seen as a proximate  if not the primary  cause of his disgrace after his aborted attempt to impose martial law two weeks ago.

Justifiably or not, she has been beset by scandals involving corruption, lies, plagiarism and, crucially, an alleged bribe of a luxury handbag (which some have argued as the linchpin of the ruling partys demise), ever since Yoon rose as a serious candidate for the presidency five years ago.

Three times since his election in 2022, Yoon had vetoed opposition attempts to have her investigated by a special counsel  notwithstanding the fact that he was a former state prosecutor who had obtained the convictions of two previous South Korean presidents for abuse of power.

The opposition parties were preparing yet another attempt to have Kim investigated when Yoon shocked the world by declaring martial law  a declaration that led directly to his impeachment on Saturday.

Protesters demand the impeachment of the South Korean president in July 2024 - Lee Jae-Won/AFLO/Shutterstock

Did the now-suspended president declare martial law in order in part to protect his wife?

Thats a widely held view in South Korea, a senior Western diplomatic source told me yesterday. Its almost a universal assumption in South Korea that his concern about her vulnerability would have played a heavy role in his decision.

True or not, Kim had certainly become a reviled figure in her native country. She has been variously dubbed South Koreas Lady Macbeth for her scheming ambition, and its Michael Jackson for her extensive cosmetic surgery.

The couple have become reviled in South Korea, with Kim having been dubbed the countrys Lady Macbeth - Lee Jae-Won/AFLO/Shutterstock

Kim has long served as grist for South Koreas gossip mill. When she married Yoon in 2012, there was disparaging talk about her dubious background and past work as a nightclub hostess. Her mother was subsequently tried and acquitted on charges of running a care home without a licence, and later sentenced to a years imprisonment for property fraud.

Kim taught for a while, and then, in 2009, she set up a company that organised art exhibitions. In the run-up to the presidential election of 2022, she was forced to apologise for having falsified her academic qualifications to secure teaching jobs  I exaggerated my career and wrote things down incorrectly to look good, she admitted. She was accused of taking kickbacks for staging art exhibitions, though nothing was ever proved. She was reported to have had properties seized on three occasions for non-payment of tax.

Kim has certainly not been a conventional South Korean First Lady. She was glamorous, high profile and opinionated in a conservative, somewhat misogynistic country that expects the presidents wife to be quiet and deferential. That undoubtedly made her a bit of a target, but even after her husbands election, the allegations continued thick and fast.

Protesters hold up effigies of the couple in Seoul in November - Ahn Young-joon/AP

She and her mother were implicated in a $61 million stock manipulation scheme involving a car import company: others were found guilty, but she was exonerated by the justice department.

She was accused of plagiarising large parts of her PhD dissertation and other academic papers. Her university dismissed the charge after an eight-month investigation, whereupon 16 professors from a range of institutions held a press conference to ridicule that finding. Kims writings were indisputably entangled with plagiarism, they insisted.

Ironically, that controversial doctoral dissertation was on fortune telling  a subject that came back to bite her again this week when a video showing her apparently praising a male journalist for his alleged sexual prowess after reading his palm went viral.

Kim was also secretly filmed accepting a Christian Dior handbag worth $2,200 (1,700) from a Korean-American pastor who was apparently seeking to influence Yoons hardline policies towards North Korea. And she was accused of improperly interfering with the selection of the ruling partys candidates ahead of Aprils parliamentary elections (which the presidential office denies).

More broadly, she was perceived to be exerting a powerful and not always benign influence on her husband. Some claim, for example, that it was her consultations with a shaman, or fortune teller, which persuaded Yoon not to occupy the Blue House, the official presidential residence.

Hes kind of in thrall to her, said one astute observer. Shes a very, very heavy influence on him, even to the point of being controlling.

Kim has supported the arts and animal rights, and opposed the consumption of dog meat (she and her husband have no children, but they own four dogs and three cats). Yet even her charitable work has on occasion misfired. While visiting Cambodia, she was photographed holding a boy suffering from congenital heart disease. Critics claimed she was seeking to replicate an almost identical picture of Audrey Hepburn holding a child in war-torn Somalia 30 years earlier.

Kim holds a boy suffering from congenital heart disease during a trip to Cambodia

Yoons response to that litany of charges against this wife has broken every rule of prudent public relations. He and his aides have done their best to suppress the stories, putting such pressure on journalists that it became almost taboo to write about her. Kim disappeared from public view for a while, but that did not work. In February, Yoon gave a televised interview which, like Prince Andrews on the BBC, backfired badly: he failed to apologise for his wifes conduct, instead accusing his political enemies of demonising her and claiming the Dior handbag gift was a political ploy.

But as Cho Hee-kyoung, a law professor at Hongik University in Seoul, told CNN, The Dior bag was the proverbial needle that broke the camels back. A never-ending litany of scandal engulfed Kim since her husband started campaigning for president, added Cho, but with the Dior bag, there is this powerful visual evidence. In Aprils parliamentary elections, Yoons right-wing People Power Party suffered a drubbing at the hands of the progressive opposition, and his failure to address the allegations against Kim was undoubtedly a major factor. At the root of his unpopularity is her unpopularity, said the aforementioned observer.

By autumn, even Yoons own party was turning against the First Lady and a president who had won power with a promise to clean up South Korean politics.

In October, The Diplomat, a reputable online magazine covering the Asia-Pacific region, called Kim a ticking time bomb. It lamented the presidents constant downplaying and justification of his spouses misconduct, adding: Yoons once-stalwart image as an uncompromising prosecutor who led heavy-handed investigations into business and political elites is nowhere to be seen today. When the charges of misconduct implicate his family, the president apparently operates with a different yardstick.

Yoon failed to heed that warning. He instead declared martial law, with the result that he and his wife both now face the very real prospect of prosecution and his red-carpet receptions at the White House and Buckingham Palace are distant memories.

Theres a perception in South Korean political circles, the senior Western diplomatic source observed, that Yoon had to choose between his presidency and his wife, and that was an impossible choice for him.
Keir Starmer has said we want to reset our relationship with the European Union - VALDA KALNINA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Downing Street has refused to rule out a role for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Britain as part of Sir Keir Starmers Brexit reset.

The admission came after Boris Johnson accused the Prime Minister of setting up a Westminster surrender squad to return powers to the European Union.

He said the establishment of a new unit consisting of 100 civil servants showed Labour had taken power by deception by not saying Sir Keir wanted to take the UK back into the European Union.

On Monday, a No 10 spokesman said the UK would not be rejoining the customs union and the single market, or signing up to free movement.

But he declined to rule out whether there would be any room for ECJ jurisdiction.

Boris Johnson said the EU renegotiation is taking Britain in completely the wrong direction - Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Asked whether Sir Keir had set up a surrender squad, the spokesman said: No. As you know, the Prime Minister said we want to reset our relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people and weve seen very positive engagement in our early conversations.

In July the responsibility of managing the UK relationship with the EU was moved from the Foreign Office to the Cabinet Office, which brings together units, which brings together civil servants who are already working on EU relations from across government and beyond.

Asked whether Sir Keir would ever accept ECJ jurisdiction again, he said: The Prime Ministers been clear weve left the EU, were not rejoining, we will not rejoin the single market, the customs union or reintroduce freedom of movement. Thats our position.

Im not going to get into a running commentary beyond that of our discussions with EU allies.

Asked whether the Government was wedded in principle to the idea that UK law was paramount, he said: Weve set out the principles that weve left the EU and obviously not going back on that.

It came after the European Commission said it was taking the UK to the ECJ for violating the terms of its Brexit deal, by failing to comply with EU law on the free movement of people.

Dame Priti Patel accused Labour of wanting to surrender our sovereignty... and tie our hands up in the EU

Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: The EUs enthusiasm to continue to take proceedings against us in the ECJ should be a warning to Keir Starmer as he tries to edge us back under its jurisdiction in more areas and extend mobility rights for EU citizens. I hope the government will strongly defend this claim.

Labour will surrender our sovereignty and instead of focusing on securing growth through a competitive domestic economy and global trade, they want to tie our hands up in the EU.

At a time when the Government should be making savings, its outrageous that they are blowing taxpayers cash recruiting for new roles designed to facilitate closer integration with the EU.

Labour took power by deception

In an article for the Daily Mail, Mr Johnson said: At a time when Starmer and Rachel Reeves have already managed to kill economic growth with their disastrous tax-hiking budget, this EU renegotiation is taking Britain in completely the wrong direction.

Above all, Starmer has no mandate to do it. He has no mandate to set up the Whitehall surrender squad, and no mandate for these talks, any more than he had a mandate for tax rises. He lied about both.

Labour has taken power by deception. We must of course respect the law and the constitution.

But I call on everyone who cares about democracy  and the economic salvation of this country  to fight, fight, and fight again for the freedoms the people voted for in 2016, and which they believed were secure.

He said it would turn Britain into a colony, a vassal state, the orange-ball-chewing gimp of Brussels.

He said it would lead to the UK handing back control over its fishing industries.

Clammy grip of the EU

There are plenty of reasons to be appalled by the news that Keir Starmer is about to break his word to the people, and take this country back into the clammy grip of the EU, he said.

There is the sheer duplicity of the man, the bare-faced lies he told us all at the time of the election in July.

He said that he was going to respect the voters, and that there would be no going back on the Brexit referendum. He was categorical about what this meant: no going back into the single market or customs union, and no return to free movement for nationals from the EU.

Perhaps we were mad to believe him.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk and JD Vance attend a college football game between the army and navy in Landover, Maryland, on 14 December 2024. Photograph: Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

The space entrepreneur Elon Musk is unlikely to receive government security clearances if he so applied, even as his SpaceX launch company blasts military and spy agency payloads into orbit, according to a report on Monday.

The billionaire, a close ally of Donald Trump, who is set to join the incoming administration as an efficiency expert and recently became the first person to exceed $400bn in self-made personal wealth, is reported by the Wall Street Journal to have been advised by SpaceX lawyers not to seek highest-level security clearances owing to personal drug use and contacts with foreign nationals.

Musk currently holds a top-secret clearance that took years to obtain after he discussed use of marijuana on a 2018 podcast with Joe Rogan, according to the outlet. But that may not be enough to have access to information about US government payloads in his rockets.

Typically, candidates undergoing federal security screenings by the department of defense may not receive clearance if the agency expresses concerns about drug or alcohol use, criminal conduct, psychological conditions, sexual behavior or allegiance to the US.

Related: Elon Musks six major conflicts of interest with the federal government

According to the Journal, Musks lawyers outlined scenarios in which he might inadvertently disclose secrets to foreign officials with whom he regularly speaks, including the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, with whom he is reported to have been in regular contact since 2022.

Musks use of another semi-legal drug, ketamine, in pursuit of what friends call pure creativity, along with reports of LSD, ecstasy and magic mushrooms, could also be an issue.

Musk lawyers told the Journal there had been false facts in a WSJ report about Musks drug patterns and he was regularly and randomly drug tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test.

SpaceX lawyers and executives reportedly concluded that if the company sought a higher level of clearance than Musk currently holds, he risked being turned down and potentially stripped of the clearances he currently holds.

But the Journal noted that the issue could become irrelevant when Trump returns to the White House next month.

Musk donated about $200m to Trumps re-election effort and has been tapped to lead a government body that Trump says he will create  the department of government efficiency  that Musk says could strip $2tn from the federal budget.

As co-head of Doge with the biotech company founder Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk could be given access to classified information directly by the sitting president. Trump has not said publicly if he plans to do that.

While top secret is the governments top level of security clearance, rising above confidential and secret, it does not automatically confer special authorization access to classified programs.

More than 400 SpaceX employees have permissions to access sensitive compartmented information, but not the company CEO, according to the outlet. A smaller number of employees have access to secrets the government deems even more sensitive called special access programs, including SpaceXs spy satellite program, called Starshield.

As it stands, Musk is not entitled to enter SpaceX facilities where such classified work is done and discussed, and is denied access to classified elements of payloads. The company recently signed a $1.8bn classified contract with the national reconnaissance office, the agency that operates spy satellites, among other, pre-existing government contracts.

Musk, however, appears unfazed. At a Pennsylvania town hall in October, where he revealed that he had top-secret clearance, he told attendees in typical Musk fashion that most of the stuff that Im aware of  the reason to keep it top secret is its so boring.

We dont want to give exact instructions on how to make a nuclear bomb or something like that, but unless theres a genuine risk to the country, all the information in the government should be public, he added.
A police cordon is up at the scene of the shooting in Belen, in Valencia County

A 16-year-old is accused of shooting dead his entire family while in an extremely intoxicated state, according to police.

Diego Leyva is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly gunning down his family in the early hours of Sunday morning before calling the authorities.

The incident took place in Belen, in Valencia County, New Mexico, at around 3.30am on Sunday.

When police arrived at the scene, Diego allegedly walked outside with his hands raised and in an extremely intoxicated state, according to a statement from New Mexico Police.

Inside the home, police reported finding a gun on the kitchen table and the bodies of four deceased family members.

According to officials, Diego told a dispatcher he had killed his family.

Diego booked into juvenile justice centre

The suspects 42-year-old father Leonardo Leyva, 35-year-old mother Adriana Bencomo, 16-year-old sister Adrian Leyva, and 14-year-old brother Alexander Leyva were all found dead with gunshot wounds, according to law enforcement.

State police said Diego surrendered without incident and was taken to a hospital for detoxification.

He was later booked into a juvenile justice centre in Albuquerque early on Sunday morning, officials said.

The county sheriffs office said it has handed the case over to the State Police for investigation of the quadruple homicide.

I would never have thought that something like this would happen and that Diego would be capable of doing something like this, Vanessa LaGrange, a former teacher of Diego, told The Guardian. Everyones in shock.

State investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the killings.
Christmas pudding

Shoppers have been stopped from buying Christmas puddings in Waitrose in Scotland before 10am because of the countrys alcohol restrictions.

Under restrictive rules in Scotland, which also includes minimum pricing, stores face limits on when they can sell alcohol, with drink aisles in supermarkets often cordoned off outside of state-approved licensing hours.

But the restrictions have recently wrongly extended to festive treats.

One Waitrose shopper said the self-checkout tills had prevented his wife from purchasing a tiramisu early in the morning, and said he witnessed another shopper being refused when trying to buy a Christmas cake.

Waitrose has several products in its Christmas bakery range that include spirits on their ingredient lists, including a luxury 15 Cointreau and Cranberry Christmas pudding and a 19 fruit cake laced with a generous splash of fresh brandy.

The retailer has apologised to irate customers for the temporary error after workers claimed it was unlawful to sell them food that included alcohol in the ingredients under the licensing laws which outlaw off sales between the hours of 10pm and 10am.

Waitrose said the issue which saw customers wrongly refused items would be fixed very soon.

Stewart Meldrum, from Newton Mearns in Renfrewshire, said he had been left furious after his wife Carol was told by a supermarket assistant that buying a tiramisu before 10am was unlawful north of the border.

Ludicrous micro-governance

At the self-service checkout she was notified assistance required, he told the Scottish Daily Mail. Baffled as to why, the assistant told her that the product she was trying to scan through contained alcohol and as it was before 10am the purchase was unlawful.

A fellow shopper next to her was having the same issue with a Christmas cake. The assistant was full of apologies but my wife left without her tiramisu.

The 75-year-old added: What next? Will they cordon off the tiramisu at night? Why do we in Scotland tolerate such ludicrous micro-governance? Im seething.

The regulations restricting off sales in Scotland between the hours of 10pm and 10am were passed at Holyrood almost two decades ago.

In England, shops can sell alcohol 24 hours a day if they have been granted a licence to do so.

Annie Wells, alcohol spokesman for the Scottish Tories, accused Waitrose of infantilising adults and being Scrooge-ish.

She added: Common sense should prevail to ensure that these restrictions are kept within the spirit of the law instead of depriving grown adults from purchasing quintessential Christmas delicacies.

Other legislation that only applies in Scotland bans multibuy offers for alcohol while the minimum price per unit was recently hiked to 65p, meaning a bottle of wine costs at least 6.34 and a bottle of whisky cannot be sold for less than 18.20.

The situation has led to warnings that Scots are increasingly going on booze cruises to northern England, harming the countrys retailers.

At the weekend, Hassan Lal, district president of the Federation of Independent Retailers, said small Scottish shops were losing out to English supermarkets and online retailers who charge English prices despite delivering to Scotland.

Weve been left with a very unlevel playing field, he said. People are still drinking the same but they are finding alternative ways of buying it.

It is the small independent Scottish retailers who are being hit and the English supermarkets are making the money.

A Waitrose spokesman said: Were very sorry for the inconvenience Mr and Mrs Meldrum experienced  this was a temporary error with our system and will be resolved very soon.
Acting South Korean president Han Duck-soo delivers an address to the nation at the government complex in Seoul. Photograph: Yonhap News Agency/Reuters

Prime minister Han Duck-soo, who became South Koreas acting president after Saturdays impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, is a career technocrat whose wide-ranging experience and reputation for rationality could serve him well in his latest role.

With parliaments impeachment vote against Yoon passed after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, Yoon is suspended from exercising presidential powers, and the constitution requires the prime minister to take over in an acting role.

Related: South Korea ruling party leader steps down after backing impeachment of President Yoon

In a country sharply divided by partisan rhetoric, Han has been a rare official whose varied career transcended party lines.

He faces a challenging task of keeping government functioning through its gravest political crisis in four decades, while also dealing with threats from nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea and a slowing economy at home.

His tenure as acting president could also be threatened by criminal investigations into his role in the martial law decision.

Han, 75, has served in leadership positions for more than three decades under five different presidents, both conservative and liberal.

His roles have included ambassador to the United States, finance minister, trade minister, presidential secretary for policy coordination, prime minister, ambassador to the OECD, and head of various thinktanks and organisations.

Related: How South Koreas president sealed his own downfall

With a Harvard doctorate in economics, Hans expertise in the economy, trade and diplomacy as well as a reputation for rationality, moderate demeanour and hard work has made him a regular go-to man in South Korean politics.

Han has been prime minister since Yoons term began in 2022, his second time serving in the role after a stint as prime minister under then 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 words used to describe him when previous administrations tapped him for key positions.

I think Han is the right candidate to carry out national affairs while overseeing and coordinating the cabinet, with a wealth of experience that encompasses public and private sectors.

Han has experience working with South Koreas key ally the US, having been deeply involved in the process of signing the US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Fluent in English, he was appointed South Koreas ambassador to the US in 2009, working in Washington at a time when Joe Biden was vice-president, and contributed to Congress approving the Free Trade Agreement in 2011.

Han has also served as board member of S-Oil, a South Korean refining unit of Saudi Aramco.

He is a civil servant through and through who didnt take on a political colour despite working under [five presidents], said a former high-ranking government official who declined to be identified.

Hans role in leadership is expected to last for months until the constitutional court decides whether to remove Yoon or restore his powers. If Yoon is removed, a presidential election must be held in 60 days, until which Han will stay at the helm.

The main opposition Democratic party has filed a complaint against Han to be included in the investigations for failing to block Yoons attempt at martial law.

If parliament decides to impeach Han, the finance minister is next in line among cabinet members to serve as acting president.

South Koreas constitution does not specify how much the prime minister is empowered to do in carrying out the leadership role.

Most scholars say the prime minister must exercise limited authority to the extent of preventing paralysis of state affairs and no more, although some say he can exercise all the powers of the president, as the constitution includes no restrictions.
Denpasar, Bali, April 23, 2005. Scott Rush gets a kiss hello from his mother Christine at Bali police headquarters. Rush is now in Australia. Photograph: AAP

On Sunday afternoon, the Bishop of Townsville received an anonymous text message hed spent nearly two decades waiting for: Wheels up, the Bali 5 are on their way back to Australia.

Timothy Harris, who provided pastoral care to the families of Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj after their arrest in 2005, immediately called Scotts father, Lee. A short time later, they confirmed a plane carrying his son had landed in the Northern Territory.

Their lost son has come home, Harris said.

Of course, theyre elated, but they know it is going to take a lot of effort to make sure the next part of Scotts life is catered for with dignity and without a great deal of fuss.

Every day of the last 20 years has been a nightmare for them.

Related: A small Victorian tourist town of 2,600 people has 100 properties for sale. Whats going on in Bright?

Rush, Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen and Martin Stephens have returned to Australia after the Indonesian government agreed to commute the rest of their life sentences for drug smuggling on humanitarian grounds.

A statement released on behalf of the five men and their families said they were immensely grateful to Indonesias president, Prabowo Subianto, and his government, as well as successive Australian foreign ministers who had advocated for their release.

The statement said the five men were relieved and happy to be back in Australia and that they looked forward to reintegrating back into and contributing to society.

But Harris said joining an Australian society they may no longer recognise would be very difficult.

All sorts of things are going on at the moment in the Northern Territory, I know that much, to prepare them for what might come at them, Harris said.

Health is going to be an issue. The human body can only take so much. To be incarcerated like that for nearly 20 years has taken its toll.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed the Australian government would support their rehabilitation and reintegration. The five men have been placed in temporary accommodation.

After 19 years in Indonesian prison, it was time for them to come home, Albanese said on Monday morning.

I had the opportunity to speak to a number of the parents last night of these people. They are grateful that their sons have been able to return home.

They did a serious crime and they have rightly paid a serious price for it. But it was time for them to come home.

Harris said some of the men had formed personal relationships in Indonesia that would be difficult to leave. Matthew Norman and Martin Stephens have both married while in prison.

The terms of their repatriation state they cannot return to Indonesia. It is not known whether their spouses will be issued visas.

Some of the hearts will be back in Indonesia, Harris said. Im sure there is a bit of an [emotional] tug-of-war going on. There may be mixed feelings.

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said he had spoken with the prime minister about the repatriation and did not repeat earlier criticisms of the deal made by some opposition MPs.

Related: Temperatures soar with heatwave to hit Melbourne and western Sydney as fire bans declared

These people dont come back as heroes of our country, Dutton said. They havent been in political captivity. They have been sentenced under the rules of law that operate in that country for trying to import heroin.

At a personal level and for their families, particularly coming into Christmas, you can understand the excitement and the relief that theyll have.

Indonesias senior minister for legal affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who struck the repatriation deal with Australias home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said the transfer was reciprocal in nature.



If one day our government requests the transfer of Indonesian prisoners in Australia, the Australian government is also obliged to consider it, he said in a statement.

But on Monday morning, when asked if there were any payback arrangements expected as part of the deal with Indonesia, Albanese said no.

The Bali Nine were charged and convicted with trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin out of Indonesia in April 2005.

The ringleaders of the drug-smuggling operation, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, were sentenced to death and executed by firing squad in Indonesia in 2015. Another member, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of cancer in 2018.

The only female member of the group, Renae Lawrence, had her sentence commuted in 2018 and was returned to Australia.
Mark McDonald, Lucy Letbys barrister, claimed the prosecutions chief medical witness was not a reliable expert - Jonathan Brady/PA

Lucy Letbys defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died.

Mark McDonald, Letbys barrister, told a press conference in London on Monday that he would take the unprecedented step of asking the Court of Appeal to review all her convictions.

It comes after Dr Dewi Evans, a retired paediatrician from Carmarthen, gave interviews after the nurses murder trial, saying he had changed his mind on the cause of death of three of the babies.

In October, The Telegraph revealed how Dr Evans no longer believed Baby C was killed by an injection of air into its stomach, as set out in the prosecutions case, although he still believed Letby was guilty.

Mr McDonald said the expert had also changed his mind on the causes of death in the cases of Baby I and Baby P, whom Letby was convicted of killing through air embolism.

He said: I have never known, in 26 years of being a barrister, an expert to change their mind a year after the convictions on the cause of death or what they said to the jury. That, to me, is astonishing.

The defence will argue that Dr Evans is not a reliable expert, and given that he was the lead expert for the prosecution, we say that all the convictions are unsafe.

Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies last year - Cheshire Constabulary

Letby, 34, of Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life terms in prison. Last year she was found guilty of murdering seven babies, along with seven counts of the attempted murder of six other babies, at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016.

In July 2024 she was found guilty of a further attempted murder charge.

Her barrister also said that two neonatal experts had reviewed the evidence in the cases of two babies  Baby O and Baby C  and found no evidence of deliberate harm.

NHS consultants Dr Neil Aiton and Dr Svilena Dimitrova, who have been working on the case as independent experts, said they had found identifiable medical reasons why both babies became unwell and did not respond to resuscitation.

Letby was convicted of killing both babies by injecting them with air.

In a statement distributed at the press conference, the pair wrote: Baby C died due to problems caused by failing placental function at the end of pregnancy. We have seen no evidence of deliberate harm to these babies by anyone.

We have provided evidence that Baby O died due to issues related to the resuscitation.

Dr Richard Taylor, a neonatologist from Victoria, British Columbia, who regularly helps police with inquiries, told the press conference he had reviewed the findings and was disturbed by what had happened to Baby O.

He said a doctor had been trying to relieve a build-up of air in the little boys abdomen and accidentally inserted a needle into the wrong side, puncturing his liver.

He said: The needle perforated the liver. The baby was still being ventilated with a needle in the liver. The liver was now being lacerated by the needle, and this led to bleeding free blood flow into the abdomen. The baby went into shock.

Dr Richard Taylor, a neonatologist, also spoke to the media at the press conference on Monday - Jonathan Brady/PA

Dr Taylor added: I think the doctor knows who they are. I have to say, from a personal point of view that if this happened to me, I wouldnt be able to sleep at night knowing that what I had done had led to the death of the baby, and now there was a nurse in jail, convicted of murder.

Asked how Letby felt about a new appeal, Mr McDonald said: How would you feel? How would anybody feel? First of all, youve been sentenced to life in prison without any hope, and suddenly we found such profound and significant evidence that may possibly overturn your conviction. You decide how you would feel.

Sir David Davis, the Tory MP, said he was planning to raise the matter in the House of Commons in the new year.

Speaking after the press conference, he said: What today has done is both corroborated and reinforced my view that this is certainly a mistrial, and it certainly requires a retrial.

I think a retrial with proper experts would come to a different conclusion.

The Telegraph has contacted Dr Evans, who had not replied at the time of publication.

04:55 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs live coverage of the press conference held by Lucy Letbys barrister. These were the key moments:

Mark McDonald, Letbys barrister, urged the Court of Appeal to reopen her case

He said Dewi Evans, the prosecutions chief medical witness, had changed his opinion on the cause of death in three cases  Baby C, Baby I and Baby P  and that appeal judges may have therefore been misled when they refused Letbys two previous attempted appeals

Mr McDonald admitted that reopening the appeal would be unprecedented and said he would also attempt to have Letbys case considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates miscarriages of justice

He said more than 50 unpaid experts were assessing the evidence used against Letby in her 2023 trial

One expert report was said to have found that Baby C and Baby O, whom Letby was found guilty of murdering, died because of identifiable medical reasons and that there was no evidence of deliberate harm

Richard Taylor, a consultant neonatologist from Victoria, Canada, went on to tell the press conference that a suspicious blood sample was used as unreliable evidence to convict Letby of Baby Fs attempted murder

He added that medical notes indicate Baby O may have instead died after a doctor injected a needle in the wrong side of their body, lacerating the liver by mistake

In response to the press conference, the Crown Prosecution Service said Letbys argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed had already been rejected in court

04:42 PM GMT

CPS: Letbys flawed evidence argument has already been rejected

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said Letbys argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed has already been rejected in court.

Two juries and three appeal court judges have reviewed a multitude of different strands of evidence against Lucy Letby, the spokesman said.

She has been convicted on 15 separate counts following two separate jury trials.

In May, the Court of Appeal dismissed Letbys leave to appeal on all grounds  rejecting her argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed.

04:29 PM GMT

Prosecution witness who changed mind will not take stand again

The chief medical witness used in the prosecution of Lucy Letby who has since changed his mind on the cause of death of three babies will not take the stand in any future trials.

Dewi Evans, a retired paediatrician from Carmarthen, Wales, has said previously that he would not consent to being used as a witness if Letby was to appear in court again.

He retired from practising medicine in 2009 and set up a company called Dewi Evans Paediatric Consulting, which provides expert medical advice in legal matters such as child abuse cases and criminal trials.

04:11 PM GMT

Why Letbys victims are not being named

The victims of Lucy Letby are not being named for legal reasons.

It prohibits reporting the identities of the surviving and dead children involved in the case.

04:02 PM GMT

Press conference ends

The press conference has now ended.

04:02 PM GMT

Suspicious blood sample used to convict Letby of Baby Fs attempted murder

A suspicious blood sample was used as evidence to convict Lucy Letby of Baby Fs attempted murder, an expert has said.

Richard Taylor, a consultant neonatologist from Victoria, British Columbia, told the press conference that there was a ridiculously highs level of glucose  999 millimoles per litre  in a blood sample, which he said made its use in evidenceunreliable.

When youve got such a high glucose result... it makes the insulin result really unreliable, he said.

The insulin number was about 40 times as high as Ive ever seen in my career. Its ridiculously high, something obviously suspicious about it.

Letby was convicted of attempted murder against Baby F, who survived, after the prosecution argued she added insulin to an intravenous drip.

Richard Taylor, a consultant neonatologist from Victoria, Canada, speaks at the press conference - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

03:45 PM GMT

Unprecedented for so many unpaid experts to question Letby evidence

It is unprecedented for 50 or 60 or more experts who are not being paid to question the medical evidence used in the trial of Lucy Letby, it has been claimed.

Roger Norwich, a retired consultant paediatrician, told the press conference: Its almost unprecedented that 50 or 60 or more experts have come out of the woodwork to defend somebody on the basis of what we regard as absolutely appalling and unsustainable medical evidence.

Mark McDonald, Letbys barrister, added: All these experts have come forward, and theyre working day and night, some of them drafting reports, not one of them is being paid. Not one of them has asked for a fee.

And again, thats unique and also, in my experience, theyre doing it because they feel that something has gone wrong.

Roger Norwich, a retired consultant paediatrician, speaks at the press conference - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

03:37 PM GMT

I will not criticise Letbys trial defence lawyers, barrister says

Lucy Letbys barrister has said he will not criticise the lawyers who defended her during her trial.

Mark McDonald said: All I can say is that I have fresh evidence that cast a significant doubt on the conviction.

And can I say this: that I am in no way, and I will not, and you will not hear me criticise the trial defence team.

She was represented by a very leading and very experienced Kings Counsel, and youre not going to have me standing here criticising him.

Benjamin Myers KC, of Exchange Chambers in Manchester, represented Letby during her trial.

Mark McDonald speaks at the press conference - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

03:33 PM GMT

Doubts over Letbys convictions will not go away without reopened appeal

Doubts over Lucy Letbys convictions will not go away unless her appeal is reopened, her barrister has said.

Mark McDonald told the press conference: My experience in miscarriage of justice cases when there are significant doubts, it doesnt go away.

We will still be talking if this matter is not properly reviewed, if this matter does not go back to trial and fresh evidence called before the jury.

We will be continuing and so the best thing to do is actually to have this matter before the Court of Appeal, go on the fresh evidence that we now have, and go back to a trial and present that fresh evidence.

03:20 PM GMT

Unprecedented to reopen Letbys appeal, barrister admits

Lucy Letby has admitted that it would be unprecedented to reopen Lucy Letbys case at the Court of Appeal.

It is unprecedented, he said. Its a rarely used device. Theres authority on it, predominantly in the civil area of law, but there are criminal authorities on it.

But one of the aspects is that we also have another remedy, which is the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

But my argument is the Criminal Cases Review Commission is there to look at fresh evidence. This is not fresh evidence.

This is the lead prosecution expert who has changed his mind, and the Court of Appeal may not have been told the accurate picture as a result. That in itself, makes it unique that they need to re-look at what they have decided already.

03:18 PM GMT

No evidence of deliberate harm in cases of Baby O and Baby C

Mr McDonald has said that two new neonatal experts have reviewed the evidence in the case of Baby O and Baby C and found no evidence of deliberate harm.

Dr Neil Aiton and Dr Svilena Dimitrova said they had examined the cases and found identifiable medical reasons why both babies became unwell and did not respond to resuscitation.

In a statement handed out at the press conference, the pair wrote: We have provided evidence that Baby O died due to issues related to the resuscitation.

Baby C died due to problems caused by failing placental function at the end of pregnancy.

We have seen no evidence of deliberate harm to these babies by anyone.

The pair are also working on reports for other babies.

03:16 PM GMT

New reports indicate two babies died for medical reasons

New reports commissioned by Lucy Letbys legal team indicate that two babies in her case died for medical reasons, Mark McDonald has said.

The barrister said very detailed and lengthy reports had been written on Baby O and Baby C using hospital notes, post-mortem records and expert opinion.

He said: Our reports demonstrate that there are identifiable medical reasons why both babies became unwell, sadly, did not respond to resuscitation and subsequently passed away.

We have set out clearly within our report evidence showing that these babies could not reasonably be described as realm or stable, neither should their deteriorations be described as unexplained.

Our reports contain careful justified new evidence which has which has not been presented before, either in court or as part of previous examinations of these cases by multiple sources.

It is not our role to determine any impact this new evidence might have on the legal process.

Although some of the medical information within the report is complex, it is possible to draw clear and sound conclusions, which we believe will stand up to scrutiny.

03:08 PM GMT

McDonald set to bypass Criminal Cases Review Commission

It looks as if Mark McDonald will bypass the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and intends to go back to the Court of Appeal, reports Sarah Knapton.

He will argue that Dewi Evans, the Chief Medical Witness for the prosecution, has changed his mind on the cause of death in three cases  Baby C, Baby I and Baby P.

In October, I reported how Evans told me that he no longer believed that Baby C was killed by an injection of air into the stomach, and instead suggested that it was an air embolism into the bloodstream.

The stomach bubble was not responsible for his death, he told me. Probably destabilised him though. His demise occurred the following day, around midnight, and due to air in the bloodstream.

Letby was there. I amended my opinion after hearing the evidence from the local nurses and doctors. Baby C was always the most difficult from a clinical point of view. So I understand the confusion.

Mr McDonald believes that the change of heart suggests that Dr Evans is not a reliable witness and that Court of Appeal judges may have been misled.

03:07 PM GMT

Key witness has changed mind on deaths of three babies, says barrister

A key witness used by the prosecution in the trial of Lucy Letby has changed his mind on the cause of deaths for three babies, her barrister has claimed.

Mark McDonald said: The defences main ground of appeal in the Court of Appeal was the reliability of Dr [Dewi] Evans. The appeal was refused.

Remarkably, Dr Evans has now changed his mind on the cause of death of three of the babies: Baby C, Baby I and Baby P.

Dr Evans had said to the jury that Lucy Letby had injected air down a nasal gastric tube and this had led to the death of the three babies. This was repeated to the Court of Appeal who may have now been misled when they ruled on the application for leave against the convictions.

Dr Evans has also said that he has revised his opinion in relation to Baby C and has written a new report, which he has given to the police. Despite numerous requests, the prosecution has yet to give this report to the defence.

The defence will argue that Dr Evans is not a reliable expert, and all the convictions are not safe.

03:04 PM GMT

Letby to appeal to review all convictions at the Court of Appeal

Lucy Letbys new barrister has announced that he will seek to review all of her convictions at the Court of Appeal.

Mark McDonald told a central London press conference: Today the defence are announcing that it will immediately seek permission from the Court of Appeal to take the exceptional, but necessary, decision to apply to reopen the appeal of Lucy Letby and immediately review all her convictions.

In August 2023 Lucy Letby was convicted in the Crown Court at Manchester after a trial lasting over 10 months of seven counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. On 24 May 2024, the matter was before the Court of Appeal where all applications for leave to appeal were refused.

Letby has had two previous appeals refused by the Court of Appeal.

03:02 PM GMT

Press conference begins

The press conference has now started.

02:47 PM GMT

Why Lucy Letbys convictions have been questioned

Lucy Letby, 34, of Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life terms for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016.

But since the convictions, dozens of statisticians, scientists, doctors and nurses have come forward to challenge the evidence presented to the jury.

It has been revealed that door-swipe data used to place various doctors and nurses at the scene of baby collapses and deaths was flawed.

The jury was also not told about several internal and external reviews carried out by the Countess of Chester, public bodies, outside medical experts and pathologists that failed to find any evidence of foul play.

Nor did jurors hear that the neonatal unit had suffered an outbreak of the deadly bug pseudomonas and had been criticised for being crowded and understaffed, with consultants making only two ward rounds per week.

The prosecution has said Letby was convicted on a multitude of evidence from specialists, and that the defence could have called rebuttal witnesses but chose not to.

02:40 PM GMT

When does the press conference start?

The press conference in central London will start at 3pm.

02:36 PM GMT

More than 50 experts ready to question evidence against Letby

Mark McDonald, Lucy Letbys lawyer, has previously said more than 50 experts are ready to question the evidence against her.

The barrister said he recently met more than 50 experts in neonatology, pathology and statistics who were willing to do so.

Lucy Letby is now being represented by barrister Mark McDonald - Chester Standard/SWNS.com

02:34 PM GMT

Why is there a press conference?

The press conference was announced on Saturday by Mark McDonald, Letbys new barrister.

Mr McDonald said fresh developments on the case would be disclosed.

At the conference we will also be announcing new evidence which significantly undermines the convictions, he said in a statement.

Mr McDonald is planning to take Letbys case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

02:30 PM GMT

Welcome to the blog

Good afternoon. Tim Sigsworth here reporting on the Lucy Letby press conference due to be held by her barrister on Monday afternoon.

Mark McDonald, Letbys new barrister, said on Saturday that her legal team will disclose fresh developments on the case that significantly undermines her convictions.

Follow this live blog for all the updates from me and my colleague Sarah Knapton, The Telegraphs science editor.
Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. Photograph: Cheshire Constabulary/AP

Lucy Letbys lawyer has announced he is seeking to reopen her appeal because the prosecutions lead medical expert witness, Dr Dewi Evans, has changed his mind on some key evidence.

At a press conference on Monday, Mark McDonald said Evans was not a reliable expert, and that all the convictions were not safe.

Today the defence is announcing that it will immediately seek permission from the court of appeal to take the exceptional, but necessary, decision to apply to reopen the appeal of Lucy Letby and immediately review all her convictions, McDonald said.

He also gave details of new medical expert reports produced for the former nurses defence by two consultant neonatologists, which wholly dispute the prosecution evidence for two of the babies Letby was convicted of killing.

The report into one of the babies, Baby O, contests the prosecution evidence against Letby, and alleges that a doctor caused the baby to die by, apparently mistakenly, pressing a needle into the liver while trying to relieve swelling in the abdomen.

Dr Richard Taylor, a consultant neonatologist based in Victoria, British Columbia, who is one of approximately 100 medical and other experts assisting Letby with her defence, said the doctor at the hospital, whom McDonald did not name, must have been aware he had done so.

Taylor said: From a personal point of view, if this had happened to me, I would be unable to sleep at night, knowing that what I had done had led to the death of the baby and now there is a nurse in jail convicted of murder.

Letby, 34, was found guilty across two trials of murdering seven babies by injecting them with air, and attempting to murder seven others, when she worked as a nurse in the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester hospital in 2015 and 2016.

In May, three judges at the court of appeal refused Letbys application for permission to appeal against the convictions, which was largely based on challenging Evans reliability.

Since the trials ended, Evans has, in a range of media interviews, emphatically stood by his conduct as an expert witness. At the trial he alleged that Letby killed babies by injecting air, either down feeding tubes into their stomachs or into their bloodstream, causing lethal air embolisms.

McDonald said: Remarkably, Dr Evans has now changed his mind on the cause of death of three of the babies. Evans has said that injecting air down feeding tubes did not kill the babies, and only destabilised them, despite this being the cause of death prosecuted and stated by the court of appeal for three babies.

Evans has also said that he has changed his opinion on Baby Cs death, which at the trial he had said was due to air having been injected into the stomach, noting excess air seen on an X-ray of 12 June 2015. It emerged at the trial that Letby had not worked a shift at the hospital from the day the baby was born, 10 June 2015, to the day of the X-ray.

Evans changed his evidence on the witness stand, and since the trial has said he now believes Baby C was killed by Letby the following night, 13 June 2015, when she was on shift, most likely by injecting air intravenously.

McDonald said: Dr Evans had said to the jury that Lucy Letby had injected air down a nasal gastric tube and this had led to the death of the three babies. This was repeated to the court of appeal, who may have now been misled when they ruled on the application for leave against the convictions.

Two consultant neonatologists  specialists in the medical care of premature babies  Dr Neil Aiton and Dr Svilena Dimitrova, have produced reports on babies O and C.

The reports are based on full access to the hospital notes, postmortem reports, Evans reports, other expert witness statements, and statements from the investigation. In a statement they said they had found medical causes for the deaths and no evidence that the two babies were deliberately harmed.

Our reports demonstrate that there are identifiable medical reasons why both babies became unwell, sadly did not respond to resuscitation and subsequently passed away, they said.

We have provided evidence that Baby O died due to issues related to the resuscitation. Baby C died due to problems caused by failing placental function at the end of the pregnancy. We have seen no evidence of deliberate harm to these babies by anyone.

At the press conference on Monday, Taylor also said the experts working on Letbys behalf believed the evidence supporting Letbys convictions of attempted murder for injecting two babies with insulin was not reliable.

The Crown Prosecution Service has responded to questions about the evidence by pointing to the jury having convicted Letby, and the court of appeal upholding the convictions. Cheshire police confirmed recently that they had questioned Letby in prison in relation to other babies who died or collapsed during her time working at the Chester hospital and Liverpool womens hospital.

A spokesperson for the Countess of Chester hospital said: Due to the Thirlwall inquiry and the ongoing police investigations, it would not be appropriate to answer or provide advice on the questions asked at this time.

The Guardian has approached Evans for comment.
Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others (PA Media)

Lawyers for child serial killer Lucy Letby will make a fresh bid to challenge her convictions on the grounds that the lead prosecution medical expert at her trial was not reliable.

Her barrister, Mark McDonald, said he would immediately seek permission from the Court of Appeal to take the exceptional, but necessary, decision to apply to reopen her case.

Speaking at a press conference at Londons Royal Society of Medicine, Mr McDonald said that remarkably Dr Dewi Evans had changed his mind over the mechanism of death involving three of Letbys murder victims.

He said: The defence will argue that Dr Evans is not a reliable expert, and all the convictions are not safe.

Letby, 34, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one of her victims, between June 2015 and June 2016.

She has lost two bids this year to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal  in May for seven murders and seven attempted murders and in October for the attempted murder of a baby girl which she was convicted of by a different jury at a retrial.

Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders (PA Media)

The Thirlwall Inquiry into how Letby was able to commit her crimes has heard evidence at Liverpool Town Hall since September and will resume in January, with findings expected to be published in autumn 2025.

In his statement to reporters, Mr McDonald said: The primary grounds of appeal at the previous hearings related to the admissibility before the jury of the evidence of the lead prosecution expert Dr Dewi Evans.

The defence argued twice at trial that Dr Evans evidence should be disregarded. This was refused by the trial judge.

It was then later argued in the Court of Appeal and was refused in the court of appeal.

Remarkably, Dr Evans has now changed his mind on the cause of death of three of the babies: Baby C, Baby I and Baby P.

Mr McDonald continued: Dr Evans had said to the jury that Lucy Letby had injected air down a nasal gastric tube and this had led to the death of the three babies.

This was repeated to the Court of Appeal, who may have been misled when they ruled on the application for leave against the convictions.

Dr Evans has also said that he has revised his opinion in relation to Baby C and has written a new report, a new report that he has given to the police, months ago now.

Despite numerous requests, the prosecution has yet to give this report to the defence.

The defence will argue that Dr Evans is not a reliable expert, and given that he was the lead expert for the prosecution, we say that all the convictions are not safe.

Dr Evans has been contacted for comment.

Mr McDonald added he also has reports from two neonatologists that he claims count as fresh evidence in the cases of Baby C and Baby O, with no evidence of deliberate harm.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: Two juries and three appeal court judges have reviewed a multitude of different strands of evidence against Lucy Letby.

She has been convicted on 15 separate counts following two separate jury trials.

In May, the Court of Appeal dismissed Letbys leave to appeal on all grounds  rejecting her argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children involved in the case.
x

Credit: CNN

CNN is investigating the identity of a man the network showed being rescued from a Syrian jail as he may have given a false identity.

The investigation was launched amid claims he was a member of Bashar al-Assads forces.

The man, found under a blanket in a prison in Damascus by Clarissa Ward, the broadcasters chief international correspondent, claimed he had been arrested three months ago and interrogated about his phone contacts.

The footage was described as remarkable by CNNs head of communication at the time, praising Ward and her team for finding a Syrian prisoner left behind in a secret prison, alone and unaware the Assad regime was no more.

CNNs chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward was filmed giving the man water - CNN

The man, who is seen in the footage emerging from underneath blankets, gave his name as Adel Ghurbal - CNN

He gave his name as Adel Ghurbal and said he was taken from his home in the city of Homs to the Syrian capital by the intelligence services.

Verify-Sy, a Syrian fact-checking organisation, later claimed that his real name was Salama Mohammad Salama and that he was a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence.

He managed several security checkpoints in Homs and was involved in theft, extortion and coercing residents into becoming regime informants, it claimed.

Verify-Sy also alleged the man had killed civilians, detained or tortured numerous young men on fabricated charges, and taken part in military operations in 2014, when Assads forces seized Homs from Syrian rebels following a three-year siege.

Locals are said to have told the organisation that his imprisonment, which lasted less than a month, stemmed from a dispute over the profits from extorted funds with a higher-ranking officer.

A CNN spokesman told The Telegraph: We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.

A Syrian fact-checking organisation has claimed that his real name was Salama Mohammad Salama - CNN

The spokesman continued: No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day.

The events transpired as they appear in our film. The decision to release the prisoner featured in our report was taken by the guard  a Syrian rebel.

We reported the scene as it unfolded, including what the prisoner told us, with clear attribution.



The CNN reporting team had visited the prison, located at the Syrian air force intelligence headquarters in Damascus, while searching for Austin Tice, a missing US journalist.



It is understood that nobody at the facility was aware that they were coming.



A Syrian rebel guard shot open the mans cell door when the team noticed it was the only one that remained locked, where he was discovered under a blanket.
Colbey Decker says the guise of diversity simply creates more division and hurts all students

A Wisconsin school board has launched an internal investigation after a mother claimed her son was denied access to additional reading resources because he is white.

Colbey Decker has accused Green Bay Area School District of discriminating against her dyslexic, elementary school-aged son by prioritising racial minority pupils for access to specialist educational services.

In a letter threatening legal action against the school board, Ms Decker said last week that her son was denied entry to the school districts literacy programme for almost a full year because he was not a racial minority.

The school implied to me that my child would already be receiving one-on-one reading support if he were black, Hispanic, or First Nation, she said.

I was speechless. I think we need to help every student in need, and using the guise of diversity simply creates more division and hurts all students.

Lack of adequate support

Ms Deckers son was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2022, and his mother sought additional reading support for him soon after he enrolled in the school district in January 2024.

Despite providing documentation and making repeated requests for one-to-one reading interventions, she alleged that her son was placed on a waiting list for a group reading programme that did not meet her sons needs.

This continued lack of adequate support has had a significant impact on her son. He struggles with reading across all subjects, she said.

The letter alleged that the delays were caused by a school policy that gives privileged access to special educational support to priority groups, namely black, Hispanic and Native American students.

According to an excerpt from what appears to be a school success plan for Green Bays King Elementary School, seen by The Telegraph, one of the high priority strategies for literacy is prioritising additional resources to First Nations, Black, and Hispanic students.

School denies claims

A Green Bay School District spokesman denied the claims.

We can state unequivocally that the district does not have a policy that includes the language included in the letter, they said.

All district policies must be approved by the board of education and no such policy language exists.

Ms Decker has alleged that discriminating against her son based on his race is a breach of his title VI rights under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Cory Brewer, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty education counsel, which is preparing legal action, said: Early and individualised support for students with dyslexia is so important.

Delays by the Green Bay Area Public School District  with resources being prioritised for students of certain races  have placed a child with a dyslexia diagnosis on an uneven playing field to simply access adequate literacy resources.

Prioritising students of certain races inherently excludes other students who are in need. We plan to exhaust every legal option against this school district to end this discriminatory practice.

Green Bays King Elementary School was contacted for comment.
emergency

A mother tried to kill both her children when her husband left after confessing to having an affair, a court has heard.

After putting her two children in her bed, the mother climbed in and all three took a cocktail of strong tablets.

As well as strong painkillers, they also allegedly took antidepressants and sleeping tablets.

The 39-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sent a suicide voicemail to her brother, who immediately raised the alarm.

Police, paramedics and the fire service were called to their home in Uckfield, East Sussex, and they found a 10-year-old boy lying unconscious on a vomit-covered bed with his eyes wide open.

Paramedics found his 13-year-old sister wandering around in a dazed and confused state.

Their mother was conscious but slurring her words and all three were taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

Lewes Crown Court heard the woman had become depressed after her husband announced he had been having an affair.

He had left the family home earlier this year and had left the country to be with his mistress.

The court heard the woman was extremely upset by the breakdown of the marriage and had become depressed.

She could not live without him

The jury heard that on Feb 7, the woman had gathered medication from around the house and spoke to the children at teatime about her plan.

Amy Packham, prosecuting, said: She told the police that she had decided she could not live without him and so had decided to commit suicide.

She had realised she could not physically kill her children and so she had decided that they should all take tablets so that they would all die together.

She recorded and sent a voicemail to her brother, who lived abroad, which said her husband had been having an affair and had left the family.

Ms Packham told the court: The defendant said on the message, The reason why I had to end my and my childrens lives is because of these people.

She said, My children are very smart and intelligent but because of those two we are going to commit suicide.

The mother put a large amount of tablets on a tray on her bed and then all three got in and at around midnight they began taking the tablets.

Ms Packham said: She had told the police she told the children, We can have more and more medication until we die.

At one point, her son fell asleep and, concerned he may only have taken enough drugs to make him fall asleep, she woke him and got him to take some more.

When her daughter was sick, her mother was worried she might have vomited the pills and so asked her to take some more tablets.

The boy appeared to be dead

Responding to an emergency call, paramedics arrived at the house at about 6am on Feb 8 and, after forcing entry, they found the family.

The court heard that James Punchard, a paramedic, went upstairs where he found the daughter standing just outside of one of the bedrooms.

Ms Packham said: She appeared confused and dazed. He went into the room and found two people on the bed, the boy who initially appeared to him to be dead as he had his eyes open and was not visibly breathing at that stage and the defendant who was slumped over the top of him.

The court heard [the boy] was treated on the bed before being taken to hospital.

Mr Punchard asked [the daughter] if she had been given tablets and she nodded. He asked if her mother had given her the tablets and she nodded again. She was taken downstairs to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

She was unsteady on her feet and as she was being taken downstairs was sick into the kitchen sink.

The court heard another paramedic, Jack Brodie, noticed large quantities of medication lying around in the bedroom.

Ms Packham said: Later, as the defendant was being transported to hospital, she told Mr Brodie that she thought that they had taken the medication at about 1am.

She said she had instructed the children to ingest the medication simultaneously with her, one by one.

After they had been treated in hospital, both children were asked questions by a police officer.

The boy told the officer that he was in hospital because he had eaten medicine.

I didnt force them

Ms Packham said: He said his mum had given him the medicine. He said he did not know why she had given him the medicine.

When [the daughter] was spoken to, she told the police that they had taken a lot of tablets. She had taken the tablets to die. When asked how she had got the tablets she said, From my mum.

The court heard when she was arrested for the attempted murder, the mother said: I didnt force them.

The court heard the defendant was found to be suffering from a moderate to severe depressive illness.

She denies two counts of attempted murder. The trial continues.
A pile of debris after the cyclone Chido hit Frances Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte - DANIEL MOUHAMADI

Credit: credit: SECURITE CIVILE/Gendarmerie Nationale

Nearly 1,000 people are feared to be dead after Cyclone Chido hit the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte.

Entire settlements were flattened when the cyclone, the most powerful to hit in half a century, ripped through the archipelago on Saturday, tearing houses apart, with winds of more than 124mph.

Francois-Xavier Bieuville, a senior Mayotte official, told local TV: I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe well get close to a thousand, even thousands... given the violence of this event.

However, he said it was currently extremely difficult to get an exact number.

A pile of debris after the cyclone Chido hit Frances Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte - DANIEL MOUHAMADI

Emergency services are rushing to the territory to look for survivors on the islands, which lie between the coast of Mozambique and Madagascar.

Maritime and aerial operations were underway to transport relief supplies and equipment, French authorities said late on Sunday.

The first intervention planes arrive in Mayotte to provide emergency aid in the face of the damage caused by the cyclone. The State is fully mobilised to support the inhabitants of Mayotte in this ordeal, Nicolas Daragon, Frances minister for everyday security, said on X.

The extent of casualties and physical damage as a result of the cyclone remains unclear - JOHN BALLOZ

A man carries his belongings as rescue workers attempt to clear a blocked road - Chafion Madi

The extent of casualties and physical damage on the islands remained unclear.

Authorities had also established an air bridge between Mayotte and Reunion Island, another French overseas territory on the other side of Madagascar, said Sebastien Lecornu, the French minister of the armed forces.

For the accommodation of emergency services, three structures capable of accommodating 150 people are on site, with an additional one currently on its way, Lecornu said on X late Sunday, adding that military rations and generators were also being provided.

Emergency services continue to look for survivors - Chafion Madi

The storm was the strongest to strike Mayotte in more than 90 years, the French weather service, Meteo France said. One resident on Sunday likened the scene to a nuclear apocalypse.

The wreckage of hundreds of makeshift houses was strewn across hillsides, coconut trees had crashed through building roofs and hospital corridors were flooded, according to images from local media and the French gendarmerie.

Mayotte is a major destination for undocumented immigrants from nearby Comoros located nearly 5,000 miles from Paris.

It is significantly poorer than the rest of France and has grappled with gang violence and social unrest for decades.

France colonised Mayotte in 1843 and annexed the four large islands of the Comoros archipelago in 1904.

The rest of the archipelago voted for independence in a 1974 referendum, but Mayotte decided to remain under French control.
Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claimed he had no plans to leave the country after the fall of Damascus but the Russian military evacuated him after their base in western Syria came under attack.

The comments are the first by al-Assad since he was overthrown by insurgent groups earlier this month.

He said in a statement on his Facebook page that he left Damascus on the morning of December 8, hours after insurgents stormed the capital. He said he left in coordination with Russian allies to the Russian base in the coastal province of Latakia, where he planned to keep fighting.

He said that after the Russian base came under attack by drones, the Russians decided to move him on the night of December 8 to Russia. "I did not leave the country as part of a plan as it was reported earlier," he said.

His whereabouts, as well as those of his wife Asma and their three children, were initially unknown, until Russia said Assad had left Syria after negotiations with the rebel groups.

Meanwhile, a UK based war monitor said Israeli airstrikes early Monday hit missile warehouses in Syria and called it the "most violent strikes" since 2012.

Israel has been pounding what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of Assad's rule, wiping out air defenses and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army. Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.

The US embassy in Damascus has advised Americans to leave Syria, saying the security situation there continues to be volatile and unpredictable with armed conflict and "terrorism throughout the country."

The embassy, which has been closed since 2012, posted a statement on X, warning US citizens who were unable to leave the country to prepare "contingency plans for emergency situations." It didn't give further details.

The statement also said that the U.S. government is unable to provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens and those who need "emergency assistance to depart should contact the U.S. Embassy in the country they plan to enter."

Sleeper cells of the Islamic State group have claimed responsibility for deadly attacks over the past months in different parts of Syria. Despite their defeat in March 2019, the extremists still pose a threat in the war-torn country.
Prince Andrew attends the royal family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham in 2023. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

The Duke of York is to stay away from the royal familys traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham this year amid the controversy surrounding his links to an alleged Chinese spy.

Andrew, 64, will miss the festivities at the private Norfolk estate of his brother, King Charles, where 45 members of their family had been expected to spend Christmas Day.

Last week, a high court hearing revealed that the alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who was banned from the UK, was said to have been a close confidant of Andrew.

Yang, a businessman whose identity was previously protected by an anonymity order, was named after a judge lifted the ban on Monday.

Related: How did Yang Tengbo become close confidant of Prince Andrew?

In a statement, Yang denied suggestions he was involved in espionage and said he had done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded.

The businessman had visited the UK regularly, attending events at a series of royal residences, including Andrews birthday party at his home.

According to court documents, Yang was so close to the duke that he was authorised to act on his behalf in an international financial initiative with potential partners and investors in China.

Andrews office said last week he had stopped all contact with the man, whom he had met through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.

The princes ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, will also miss Christmas at Sandringham, in what will be seen as a show of solidarity for her former husband.

The pair are said to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge, the home they share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.

It is not yet known whether Andrew will attend Charless traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended family at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have young families, had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time, sources said.
Rapist Reynhard Sinaga was reportedly attacked in prison (CPS)

Britains most prolific rapist is reported to have narrowly avoided serious injury after being attacked in prison in an alleged vigilante hit by other inmates.

Reynhard Sinaga, 41, was unmasked in 2020 as one of Britains worst-ever sexual predators after being convicted of 159 offences including rapes against young men he drugged. He was linked to more than 190 potential victims.

He is said to have narrowly avoided serious injury in an attack at HMP Wakefield in July, where he is serving life with a minimum term of 40 years.

A source told The Sun newspaper: Sinaga is arrogant and universally loathed. He is a clear target in prison because of his depraved crimes.

He was seconds away from extremely serious harm. He is in danger.

The alleged attack is said to have been stopped by prison guards.

The paper reported fellow inmate Jack McRae, 32, has been charged with attempted GBH with intent of Sinaga, 41.

He is also charged with the same offence against child killer rapist Wilbert Dyce at Wakefield in 2023.

McRae is also accused of ABH on inmates Sayed Taheri, Patrick Harrington and Andrew Gillis.

Another man, Andrew Beadie, is jointly charged with the alleged attack on Taheri.

McRae is due before Leeds Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Sinaga, originally from Indonesia, "stalked" his victims who had become separated from friends on nights out before leading them to his Princess Street flat in Manchester city centre.

He would then drug his victims before filming himself assaulting them.

His depraved crimes were discovered after one victim regained consciousness and fought him off in 2017.

The victim then went to the police and crucially handed in Sinaga's phone which contained the sick videos of his crimes.
The Secret Prisoner

As Britain is gripped by a prisons crisis, The Telegraph is publishing dispatches from an inmate at a Category B jail  the second highest level of security  to discover what life is really like inside. Recently, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) found the jail to be chronically overcrowded and understaffed, with self-harm and drug use rife.

The inmate, a British professional and entrepreneur on the outside, is on remand awaiting trial charged with non-violent crimes, which he denies. To protect his identity, he is not named. Other names and nicknames have also been changed.

In my time inside I have been aware of violence around me, and Ive been punched once myself, but until last week I had never encountered a really serious attack on a prisoner. Ive probably seen more serious attacks on officers.

Over the last three weeks there has been a gradual shift in the vibe of the spur  a jitteriness arising from the greater frequency of prisoner-on-prisoner beatings being dished out, with more injured prisoners disappearing (some taken off for their own safety), and so more new arrivals who you may not know or trust. There has been an influx of youngsters on the twos (the second floor of our three-floor wing) and the consensus is that there are a few bad apples in there.

The prison seems to have been taking in a number of younger prisoners, some of whom honestly look in their mid-teens, though they must be older  perhaps 18, 19, 20. As you would expect, there is a category of young adult prisoner for whom dispensations are made: not infrequently they are given single cells, or get padded-up with each other. Officially they are deemed more vulnerable than older adults but, the irony is, especially if there is a group of them, that they are much more readily disposed to violence, and ultra-violence at that. Think of Alex and his droogs in A Clockwork Orange.

We are afraid of them. We call them Y.Os because they have been steeped in the culture of young offender institutions like Feltham, or teenage street gangs, often both. As any psychologist will explain, the adolescent brain is less risk averse and more impulsive. Some of these kids will go to great lengths to create a weapon, melting blades from our feeble Bic razors into toothbrush handles, for example, to create a pocket slasher.

Us old lags just want an easy time inside. But the youngsters want respect, glory, the thrill of the chase. They think its a movie. They play very loud gangsta rap (speakers and music systems can be ordered by catalogue), and the phrase I have heard pounding through my foam ear-plugs is gonna make ya leak  gangsta speak for bleed.

And its being said there are also what are called shanks on the wing, large metal blades. You may wonder how its possible to make a metal weapon in a prison, but it appears to be very easy. The beds are metal. The flat metal strips which support mattresses can be stressed repeatedly until broken off. They are then angle-folded back and forth, shearing in two to create a pair of so-called shanks. They can be sharpened against each other like carving knives.

Whenever a prisoner leaves a cell, before a new one arrives to replace him, there is supposed to be a thorough inspection and paperwork to go with it. One reason is that if a prisoner vandalises his cell he can be prosecuted and billed. But with prisoner turnover high, a cell rarely has exactly the same two occupants for more than a couple of weeks, so keeping up with this sort of paperwork is very difficult for the officers. Inspections are often not done. You can pull a strip off your bed with little likelihood of being caught and held accountable, and the incriminating stuff  phones, flickies, shanks, even drugs  tend to be held, until required, by lower status prisoners who owe a favour. The bigger fish thereby minimise the risk of being caught red-handed.

Three separate witnesses, all prisoners, have told me that a serious assault happened last month. It took place during meal time, when cells are left empty as prisoners queue to collect food from the servery. All prisoners come down the stairs to exit so its the place to lie in wait for a passer-by. The alleged assailants, two young black lads wearing do rags (black head coverings favoured by, but by no means unique to, black and or Asian Muslims) pulled their victim, also young and black, into a cell on the first floor  importantly, not the cell of either the victim or his assailants.

It felt very close: it was the cell opposite the one I share with my current padmate. Once in a cell you can only be seen by someone passing your door. Hearing the commotion, my padmate happened to look in. The victim, held down on the bottom bunk, was repeatedly stabbed in the stomach with a metal blade in what my padmate described as attempted murder all day long.

This attack was not a punishment: if you are debted-up they smack you about but the objective is to get you to pay, not to kill you. My more experienced fellow inmates described this as more likely a post code vendetta related to gangs on the outside. The kids in here seem prepared to kill someone from a rival housing estate. You cant blame the prison authorities for not being on top of every beef imported from the outside.

I did not see the attack  I was getting my dinner  but I did see the bucket used to mop up the mess, its contents conspicuously red. The victim was taken to hospital. We do not know, as yet, whether he survived; would they even tell us? If the victim did survive, he will have life-changing injuries.

The most disturbing feature was how it was handled. A prison officer was close enough to have known something was going on. It seems there was not much doubt about who the two culprits were. Yet theyre still on our spur  you would expect them to be in solitary on the Segregation Wing. Its not clear whether they have been officially charged. Again, if there were cameras on the Wing, they could have been definitively identified, and I remain amazed that there arent. A prison wing without cameras is like an airport without air traffic control.

Most surprisingly, I asked the S.O. (senior wing officer) a week later about the consequences of the attack. She denied any knowledge of the event. For myself, I have made an application to return to the safer Enhanced Spur. I want less gangsta rap and less leaking.

Next week the Secret Prisoner writes about how he was hauled before the Prisoner Governor himself
Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after falling ill

Seven foreign tourists have been taken to hospital after drinking pina coladas at a five-star resort in Fiji, with methanol poisoning not yet ruled out.

On Monday, Fijian health authorities said Australian and American holidaymakers staying at the Warwick Resort, on the islands Coral Coast, had fallen ill with nausea, vomiting and seizures following a cocktail on Saturday.

The cause is not yet clear, but Viliame R Gavoka, Fijis tourism minister, told reporters nothing could be ruled out until police received the toxicology results, expected to take three or four days.

Mr Gavoka said five of the seven people affected had now been discharged, while there were no reports of similar illnesses at the resort or elsewhere in Fiji.

He said: The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests, adding that the hotel holds a strong reputation.

The minister said that this is the only reported case of its kind that weve experienced in recent memory, and certainly nothing like this has been experienced this year.

But the case has raised alarm following the deaths of six people, including Simone White, a British lawyer, from methanol poisoning in Laos last month after they drank free shots at a hostel in Vang Vieng.

David Sandoe, whose daughter Tanya and granddaughter Georgie were taken to hospital on Sunday evening, told the Australian channel 9News that the thought of events in Laos sends shivers down your spine and said he was having nightmares.

Tanya Sandoe has been medically cleared to return to Australia and continue her recovery - Facebook

He said: When you receive a phone call at, well it was 11 oclock the other night, and your daughter says her daughter and herself have been poisoned and they were in hospital, its quite something else.

Both Tanya, 49, and 19-year-old Georgia were medically cleared to travel on Monday morning, and returned to Australia to continue their recovery.

While the Australian government has not commented on the possible cause of its citizens illnesses, it updated its travel website on Monday to caution about potential risks around drink-spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks.

Meanwhile in Thailand, a British tourist with Australian residency has died after attending a Full Moon Party on the island of Koh Phangan.

Christopher Stephen Boucher, 37, was reportedly found dead on the steps of a 7-Eleven store shortly after 6.30am on Monday morning, next to an opened bottle of water.

He reportedly drank cheap shots during the party, although police said the cause of death was not yet clear and have not suggested contaminated alcohol was to blame.

According to The Mirror, Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Kamlangkeo, of Koh Phangan police station, said: He might have partied all night until the morning and passed out due to lack of sleep.

We are questioning the person who gave him a ride home. We are also reviewing security camera footage. There were no signs of assault, so we believe he might have been drunk or overdosed. His blood test results are still pending, but we have already informed the British embassy of his passing.

The Telegraph has contacted the police and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment.
Sara Sharif, 10, was found dead at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on Aug 10 last year with more than 70 injuries - Surrey Police/PA

A smacking ban will not be included in the Governments new child welfare Bill despite calls to introduce one in the wake of Sara Sharifs murder, The Telegraph understands.

Charities had hoped a smacking ban could be written into the Childrens Wellbeing Bill at the last minute following scrutiny over child punishment laws following Saras death.

However, sources close to discussions told The Telegraph the smacking ban will not be on the face of the Bill because the Government is keen not to overload it.

Ministers are understood to be preparing to unveil the Childrens Wellbeing Bill before Parliament on Tuesday.

Charities told The Telegraph they are now working with MPs to pull together a smacking ban amendment to the proposed legislation. They will also push for greater restrictions on home-schooling following Saras murder.

It is unclear whether this would be done in time before Parliament rises for the Christmas recess on Thursday.

Last week, Urfan Sharif, 42, and his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted of killing Sara at their home in Woking, Surrey, on Aug 10 2023. The 10-year-olds body was discovered with 70 injuries, including 25 fractures alongside burns and bite marks.

While the abuse inflicted on Sara went well beyond smacking, Sharifs initial claim to police that he had legally punished his daughter has reignited debate over existing legislation.

Urfan Sharif, 42, and his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted last week of killing Sara at their home in Woking, Surrey on Aug 10 2023 - Surrey Police/PA

Under current laws in England, parents and carers are prohibited from smacking their children except when it amounts to reasonable punishment or reasonable chastisement. Both Scotland and Wales have removed this defence, but the same has not happened in England.

Saras father and stepmother also removed the 10-year-old from school four months before her death after they became aware her teachers had spoken to social services. The pair claimed she was being home-schooled.

Dame Rachel de Souza, the childrens commissioner, has called for immediate law changes for both smacking and home-schooling. She said earlier this week that the outdated defence in assault law that permits reasonable chastisement of children must be removed as a matter of urgency.

A senior government source said ministers were looking carefully at Wales and Scotland but declined to say whether a smacking ban would be in the Bill.

The Childrens Wellbeing Bill, which was formally unveiled in the Kings Speech in July, will make up one of Labours first significant pieces of proposed legislation.

It will include plans to roll out free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England, introduce a register of children not in school and scrutinise home-schooling requests for pupils judged to be at risk of significant harm.

Reasonable punishment defence removed in Wales

The Bill also aims to strengthen Ofsteds powers to investigate unregistered schools, tackle profiteering in childrens social care and limit the amount of branded uniform required by schools to reduce costs for parents.

Ms Phillipson said in October she was open-minded about a smacking ban on children but that the Government had no plans to bring forward legislation any time soon.

The Telegraph understands she consulted childrens experts on the matter in the run-up to last weeks verdict at the Old Bailey.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, called for English smacking laws to be brought in line with Wales and Scotland as recently as 2022. Wales removed the reasonable punishment defence that year, two years after Scotland did the same.

Speaking to reporters on a visit to Stevenage, the Labour leader said: What it does is give children the protection that adults already have and that is the right thing.

I would like to see the rest of the UK step into line here, because I think, well, Welsh Labour have taken a lead here and theyre absolutely right to protect children in the way that they now have.

Other Cabinet ministers have previously spoken out against a smacking ban in England, including David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Lammy told the Guardian in 2012 that it was up to parents to determine the way they want to help their children navigate boundaries and how they define right and wrong; it is not for the state to define that for them.

The childrens commissioner told The Telegraph last week that England could no longer allow the reasonable punishment defence to be used as a protection to any other parent following Saras murder.

Dame Rachel said: If, by changing the law, we can prevent any other child from enduring the horrors she did, then it is absolutely the right thing to do.

Changing the law would protect children

She added: We all have a collective responsibility to protect vulnerable children  from politicians to people on the street, to teachers and the professionals in all relevant agencies. We cannot be afraid of asking challenging questions where a childs welfare is concerned.

She also told The Telegraph that, while she fully supports a parents right to home-educate their child, there should be tighter rules and proper oversight of those children not on a school roll.

Joanna Barrett, the associate head of policy at the NSPCC childrens charity, said that current laws around smacking in England are ambiguous and leave children open to harm.

She told The Telegraph: What happened to Sara Sharif is absolutely horrendous and would fall foul of the law as it stands, because she was so clearly experiencing physical abuse, it could never have been considered reasonable.

What it does show though  even the prospect of her dad raising that physical punishment could be done legally  is this lack of clarity about what reasonable punishment is.

The existence of that in law in England means that as a society theres a message given that some level of physical punishment is okay, and so changing the law would protect children.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: Any form of violence towards a child is completely unacceptable, and we are looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland as we consider whether there is any more we could do in this area.

We are already supporting teachers, social workers and all safeguarding professionals to spot the signs of abuse or neglect more quickly, including with our mandatory framework for safeguarding children.
A man stands in a destroyed building at an air defence facility struck by Israeli forces in Bmalkah, 10 miles from the city of Tartous - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph/Daily Telegraph

The locals had no idea what it was the Israelis dropped on the Syrian military base at Bimalkah. They just knew it produced a series of almighty and rather terrifying explosions.

So powerful was the biggest blast that it sheared trees in half along the road outside the base, rattled windows in the city of Tartus eight miles away and fooled nearby seismic sensors into believing there had been a magnitude three earthquake.

Ever since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syrias president, Israel has mounted a sustained campaign to eliminate much of the old regimes military capability, a precaution, it says, against sophisticated weaponry falling into the hands of hostile Islamists.

The attack on Bimalkah in the early hours of Monday morning was among the most powerful of the more than 450 air strikes the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights calculates Israel has launched over the last nine days. The organisation, based in Britain, has documented military action in Syria since the uprising against Assad began in 2011.

What exactly was inside the base, the rebels guarding it on Monday could not say exactly. They knew it housed an air defence facility and missile warehouse and that, certainly until a few days earlier, it also stored a formidable amount of Russian weaponry.

The commander standing guard outside the smouldering base said he also believed that the stockpile housed a large Hezbollah arms dump.

Two motorbikes remain unharmed following the air strike on the air defence facility - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph

Like Moscow, the Lebanese militia spent years successfully propping up the Assad regime, with Hezbollah forces engaging rebels on the ground while Russia rained missiles down on them from the air, laying waste to vast swathes of Syrias urban landscape in the process.

Unlike Russia, however, Hezbollah  severely weakened by an Israeli offensive against the movement that ended late last month  was unable to retrieve whatever weapons it may have had at the base.

Over the preceding days, according to residents, Russian forces had been frantically ferrying out missiles and other weapons, driving them down to their naval base in Tartus, a coastal city overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Vehicles are destroyed in the Israeli air strike on Bimalkah - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph

It is unclear if Russian forces had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes or had been given a window to withdraw their weaponry.

However much the Russians had been able to salvage, it was evident that a great deal of ordnance remained at the base. Fires smouldered on both sides of the valley more than 12 hours after the strikes, while a long stretch of the main road was strewn with shrapnel.

As volunteers, rebels and locals scavenging for wood and scrap metal cleared the site, secondary explosions echoed around the facility every minute or so. Some sent yet more shrapnel into the air, forcing the scavengers to frantically duck for cover.

Residents in Tartus said they had spent a sleepless night as a result of the attack.

Ali Abdullah Ali, a carpenter, felt the windows of his flat shake at the sound of the first detonation, shortly after midnight.

Going out on to his balcony, he could see a large orange glow from the mountains in the direction of Bimalkah. He reassured neighbours that there was nothing to fear and retreated back to his sofa.

A few minutes later though a massive explosion sent his heart racing.

It felt like an earthquake, he said. We could feel the pressure wave from where we were and then I saw a huge fireball from the window. I shouted to the neighbours to keep their windows and doors open in case of shattering glass.

Credit: X/ @sentdefender

Yet, despite the consternation, Mr Ali and other residents in Tartus seemed remarkably phlegmatic about Israels systematic destruction of Syrias military capability without a shot being fired in return.

While some Middle Eastern powers like Saudi Arabia have denounced Israels actions, which have gone far beyond what even its Western allies expected it to do, many in Tartus seemed little bothered.

Since the city lies in the heartlands of Assads Alawite minority, the indifference may have arisen from fears about the country coming under the domination of Islamist rebels from the countrys Sunni Muslim majority.

While there is truth in that, some also joked that the Assad regime had brought such misery to Alawite and Sunni alike, Israeli occupation probably would not worsen the situation.

If Israel wants to come and occupy us, let them come, one said. They might even improve things.

There has also been a muted reaction from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel coalition that led the offensive against the Assad regime.

Its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa  who ceased using his nom de guerre of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani at the end of the uprising  has said that Israel can no longer justify its continued bombardment, which he called an unwarranted escalation.

At the same time, however, he also indicated that he would do nothing about it, effectively giving Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, the green light to continue.

Syrias war-weary condition, after years of conflict and war, does not allow for new confrontations, he said. The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not being drawn into disputes that could lead to further destruction.

Even in such unprecedented times, Mr Sharaas acquiescence can only be seen as either an act of extraordinary graciousness or, more likely, extraordinary helplessness.

Two men pictured collecting metal scraps at the destroyed air defence base - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph

Part of Mr Sharaas calculation will undoubtedly be to show the world that he is not the Islamist extremist some feared him to be given his previous links, and those of his movement, to al-Qaeda  one of the reasons Israel is carrying out its attacks.

Yet, at a personal level, Syrias interim leader must surely feel a degree of consternation. As his nom de guerre suggests, he is from Syrias Golan Heights, two-thirds of which Israel occupied after the Six-Day War of 1967 and subsequently annexed, a move that remains internationally unrecognised.

Since Assads fall Israel has sent troops across the border to create a buffer zone around the Golan Heights while Mr Netanyahu announced plans to double Israeli settler presence on the portion of the plateau it controls.

Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the state of Israel and it is especially important at this time, Mr Netanyahu said. We will continue to hold on to it, cause it to blossom and settle in it.

According to the Syrian Observatory, Israeli air strikes have so far destroyed dozens of air bases, ammunition depots and other military installations as well as sinking the Syrian navy.

Significant quantities of the armys hardware were also destroyed in the 13-day campaign that toppled Assad.

The road to Tartus, which guards the Alawite heartlands and where the former president hoped to make a last stand, is littered with destroyed tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and mobile rocket launchers.

Smoke rises from destroyed buildings at an air defence facility in Bimalkah - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph

Formidable as a rebel force, HTS sought to model itself on the British army, admiring the way it used nimbleness to make up for its comparatively small size.

While it spent years training and manufacturing its own missiles and drones, it certainly lacks much of the capability of a conventional state army.

The bulk of its fighters advanced on Damascus, the capital, not in military vehicles but in saloon cars caked in mud that acted as a homemade camouflage.

And although it captured tanks, anti-air systems and even aircraft from the Syrian armed forces along the way, analysts say HTS will struggle to incorporate these into regular use, limiting its capacity to fight a war with Israel even if it wanted to.

Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, an international affairs think-tank, said: HTS now operates a modest fleet of captured tanks and APCs [armoured personnel carriers].

However, maintenance and ammunition for these assets will pose a major challenge. While HTS has captured regime airbases and aircraft, it lacks the expertise and infrastructure to operate fighter jets or helicopters.
Yang Tengbo was named as the suspected foreign agent after a court order giving him anonymity was lifted

An alleged Chinese spy was unmasked on Monday as the founder of the Duke of Yorks money-making venture in China.

Yang Tengbo was named as the suspected foreign agent at the heart of the spy scandal after a court order giving him anonymity was lifted.

The Chinese businessman, who has mixed with figures from across the British establishment, was a founding member of the Dukes venture Pitch@Palace China.

The Duke is understood to have benefited financially from the scheme thanks to a clause that allowed him to take a 2 per cent cut of investment deals.

The revelation puts pressure on the Duke to reveal how much he earned from the Dragons Den-style partnership and whether any other money changed hands.

Earlier this year it emerged that he now privately funds his home and security, but the source of the funding is not known.

Richard Tice, the Reform deputy leader, said: Anyone who earned commission or profits from dealing with an alleged Chinese spy needs to come clean to prevent more concerns over a massive cover-up.

The Duke will not join the Royal family for Christmas at Sandringham after he was urged to do the decent thing and maintain a low profile to avoid causing further embarrassment to the King.

Both the Duke and his ex-wife, the Duchess of York, will avoid the family gathering, The Telegraph understands.

The decision was made easier because neither Princess Beatrice nor Princess Eugenie, their children, were expected to spend Christmas at Sandringham this year.

Yangs identity was revealed after pressure from MPs during a major row over the anonymity order.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory leader, had criticised the order and Mr Tice had said he would name Yang in the House of Commons, using parliamentary privilege, if he was not unmasked.

But on Monday, Guy Vassall-Adams KC, Yangs barrister, said his client wished to set aside the order and the High Court ruled that he could be named.

The Duke of York pictured with Yang Tengbo. The Duke says he has ceased all contact with the alleged spy

In a statement issued after the order was lifted, Yang denied allegations that he was a spy and insisted that he loved the UK as my second home.

He said: Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere, I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity. I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded.

The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue. The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this.

Yang added: When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.

I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.

A spokesperson at the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that China had always been open and above board and has never engaged in deception or interference. The spokesperson added that the groundless speculation was not worth refuting.

In a statement on its website, the Chinese embassy in London early on Tuesday urged the UK side to immediately stop creating trouble, stop anti-China political manipulation, and stop undermining normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK.

Photographs of Yang alongside Lord Cameron and his wife Samantha were suggested to show as evidence of his influence

Yang, 50  who was banned from entering Britain on national security grounds  can be revealed to be behind Hampton Group International, a lobbying firm with extensive links to China.

Until now, the firm and the businessman had gone largely unnoticed. But its alleged web of influence, which spans Beijing, Westminster and royal palaces, can now be fully disclosed.

Yang worked as a junior civil servant in China before moving to York in 2003. There, his English language skills improved rapidly and he graduated with a masters degree in public administration, according to a BBC profile.

In 2005, Yang established a strategy advisory company to help company bosses in Beijing to network internationally.

The Chinese national, who began using the anglicised name Chris Yang, was a central figure in arranging the first UK-China Business Leaders Summit, where he was seen with George Osborne, the chancellor at the time.

He appears to have first become linked to the Duke through Pitch@Palace, the Dragons Den-style initiative the Duke began in 2014, three years after being forced to step back as trade envoy.

The scheme, designed to attract investment for budding entrepreneurs, allowed the Duke to plough on with one of his favourite pastimes, using the royal brand to develop business deals and relationships.

When Pitch@Palace China was launched in 2016, it was hailed as a platform for driving China-UK co-operation during a golden era of relations between the two countries

The alleged spy spoke publicly about this fortuitous development a few months later, saying that through a very unexpected opportunity, a Prince entrusted us with bringing this project to China.

While the UK-based operation of Pitch@Palace was a non-profit-making company, the overseas arm Pitch@Palace Global was owned by the Duke himself and was set up to make profits by brokering deals between tech start-ups and wealthy investors.

Terms and conditions for Pitch@Palace Global showed the company  of which the Duke was the significant controller  was entitled to a 2 per cent share of any investment deal for three years.

In 2017, Xia Hua, the executive vice-chairman of Pitch@Palace China, said it had started a 10 billion yuan (1 billion) venture fund for selected startups.

Yang would also go on to help broker the Chinese expansion plans of Gordonstoun, the Dukes former school. The school signed a deal with Hampton Group International to open campuses in China.

After The Telegraph revealed the deal, Gordonstoun, a boarding school in Scotland also attended by the King, announced it had terminated its partnership with the Hampton Group.

Details about the Dukes relationship with Yang have raised serious questions about how he funds a lavish lifestyle that includes the upkeep of Royal Lodge, his 30-room home at Windsor, which needs extensive repairs.

The maintenance costs, as well as his private security bill, are thought to add up to millions of pounds a year.

Earlier this year, the King cut off his funding for the Duke, in the hope it would encourage him to move into a less expensive property.

But it then emerged the Duke had the funds to pay for the upkeep and security himself. The source of those funds has never been revealed.

Familys 1.4m payment

Concern about Yangs involvement in Pitch@Palace is not the first time the venture has been under scrutiny.

Selman Turk, who is accused of stealing more than 40 million from a Turkish heiress, was jailed for 12 months for contempt of court earlier this year after he failed to produce evidence despite being ordered by a judge to do so.

The Duke and Duchess of York, as well as their daughters, received 1.4 million that the former Goldman Sachs banker is said to have taken from Nebahat Evyap Isbilen.

The nature of the relationship between the royal figures and Mr Turk, or the reason he gave them money, remains unclear. The payments were made just before and after Mr Turk won a Pitch@Palace event run by the Duke.

Mr Turk, 37, denies fraud and a trial is due to take place over the missing money.

After Yangs identity was revealed, it emerged that an organisation with hallmarks of Chinese government influence lauded his access to two British prime ministers.

Photographs of Yang alongside Lord Cameron and Baroness May were featured as evidence of his influence when he was presented with an award in 2019, according to Radio Free Asia.

The organisation also reported that Yang told the Chinese state broadcaster that meeting Lord Cameron at Downing Street had been a turning point in his career.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said the scandal was a serious matter. He added: I welcome the courts decision to uphold the Home Offices position on Yangs exclusion and where individuals pose a threat. As you would expect, the UK Government is absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

We recognise the threat, we raised it with the Chinese government and we will act wherever needed.

The Duke said he had ceased all contact with Yang when the Government first raised concerns about him.
The White Helmets gained notoriety for pulling survivors and bodies out of the rubble of Assads sieges - Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

Syrias White Helmets rescue teams have flooded back to towns and cities previously held by the Assad regime with a pledge to rebuild their country after 13 years of civil war.

The group, which gained global notoriety for pulling survivors and bodies out of the rubble during Assads relentless sieges, had been trapped in the only pocket held by the rebels until the regime collapsed.

Farouq Habib, the civil defence groups deputy manager, said the rebel takeover of much of the country had allowed him to return to his home town of Homs for the first time in 11 years.

He told The Telegraphs Battle Lines podcast: I came without my family first to see how the city looks, are we able to live there or not yet.

Most of the city is destroyed, my neighbourhood and home are destroyed and there are no services. But we have a lot of memories here and I see hope in the eyes of the people.

Estimates for the cost of reconstructing the country after over a decade of brutal conflict range from $200 billion (158 billion) to $400 billion.

Mr Habib said: Syria is a failed state. All government services collapsed already and its corrupt as the regime allocated most of the national income to the military.

So the civilian services are in very, very poor condition. The rehabilitation of infrastructure is a crucial requirement to enable internally displaced people and refugees to return home.

Farouq Habib said that Syria is a failed state - Sky News

In war-torn places like Homs, Aleppo and Deraa, the road to recovery will be long and dangerous.

We are opening the roads and working to clear the unexploded ordnance (UOX), said Mr Habib. There are a lot of landmines and cluster munition.

He said he had heard of at least four people who had returned to Homs from camps in Idlib and then been killed by UOX in their homes.

Imagine someone who lived in a tent for five years  dreaming of the day when they return home, and then when they return, they lose their life. This is really sad and painful.

Credit: X/ @yok_artik88

Mr Habib, who previously worked as a banker, joined the original pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011 and helped foreign journalists sneak into Homs to report on the governments brutal treatment of protesters.

Eventually, he was caught at a checkpoint and detained. He spent almost a year in jail being tortured before friends and colleagues bribed the head of the local military security branch to release him by giving his wife some jewellery. He escaped from Homs, eventually fleeing abroad.

Mr Habib knows he was lucky. Tens of thousands of others like him were not.

The group worked to document the war crimes of Assad and his allies - Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

The White Helmets received a heros welcome this week after entering Damascus for the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Riding fire engines and ambulances through the capitals narrow streets on Wednesday, they were greeted by cheering and whistling crowds waving the green-white-black tricolour of the new Syria.

After attending Friday prayers at the Ummayad Mosque, they posed for photos in their distinctive blue and yellow uniforms and wiped away tears as people flocked around them thanking them for their work.

We are happy with what happened. The Syrian people are all happy, Raed al-Salah, the White Helmets director, told The Economist. We have been waiting for this a long time.

It was a hugely symbolic moment. The greeting would have been unthinkable just a week earlier, when the group were considered enemies of the state.

Officially known as Syrian Civil Defence, the organisation was formed in 2013 and became famous worldwide for pulling people from the rubble of rebel-held towns and cities across the country, often while under bombardment from Assads warplanes.

They also worked to document the war crimes of Assad and his allies, which made them targets of the regime and of Russian propaganda campaigns.

We have been waiting for this a long time, Raed Al Saleh told The Economist - Kena Betancur/AFP

For Mayson al-Misri, the White Helmets advocacy officer who fled the southern city of Deraa in 2018 and now lives in Canada, the rebel seizure of Damascus was a bittersweet moment.

The Assad regime killed 10 members of her family and she spent years not being able to communicate directly with her family in Syria for fear of getting them in trouble. The scars of the war run deep and will not heal overnight just because Assad is gone.

I still havent spoken to my mother; she is as exhausted as we are by the fate of detainees, the horrifying images from Assads prisons, and the tragic destiny of those who have disappeared, Ms Misri said.

The sight of families desperately searching for their imprisoned loved ones is profoundly heartbreaking.

But she is hopeful that the White Helmets can use their expertise to help rebuild Syria now that they can work in the open.

Credit: X/ @BrowneGareth

Ms Misri said: It is an incredible feeling to be able to help all Syrians without exception, across all Syrian territories, without fear of being targeted by warplanes, weapons, or the threat of arrest and torture.

Now, we can provide our services to our full potential and without hesitation.

Hope is not dampened by the impending rule of Hayat Tahrir al-Shams, the Islamist group that led Syrias rebels to victory earlier this month: We provide essential services to the community, they do not interfere with our work.

For Mr Habib in Homs, proper justice will be essential for Syria to heal.

He said: We know that we cannot have a sustainable peace without justice. I personally am prepared to forgive those who tortured me when I was detained. But they have to admit their mistake. They have to [be] a lesson to others so that this will never happen again.

We have turned a dark page in our history. Now people are preparing to build a new future for Syria.
Beijing opens 2 more mausoleums of Ming emperors to public

Xinhua) 09:02, December 16, 2024

An undated file picture shows the entrance of Dingling Mausoleum at the Ming's Thirteen Tombs (Shisanling) located north of Beijing. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two emperors' mausoleums in Beijing have recently opened to the public, meaning that six out of the 13 tombs in the Changping District belonging to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) emperors are now accessible to the public, according to the management organization of the tombs.

The two mausoleums belong to Emperor Jiajing and his consorts, as well as Emperor Chongzhen and his consorts.

According to Yuan Jiangyu, vice director of the management center of the Ming Tombs in Changping, the fortress-shaped Minglou Tower in Jiajing's mausoleum was built with exquisite materials. Its eaves, rafters and arches resemble wood, but they are actually made of stone.

The mausoleum of Chongzhen, the last emperor of Ming Dynasty, is the smallest among the Ming Tombs. It was built on the renovation of his concubines' tomb, bearing rich historical information, said Yuan.

According to the management center, all the 13 emperors' mausoleums are expected to be fully accessible by 2030.

Currently, the mausoleum of Jiajing can be visited on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by appointment, while that of Chongzhen can be visited on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Each mausoleum has a maximum of 20 appointments per day. It is expected that the reception capacity will gradually expand based on the number of reservations and the progress of tomb repairs, said Yuan.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Workers at the companys JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island became the first Amazon warehouse in the US to win a union election in March 2022. Photograph: Andrea Renault/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of workers at Amazon are threatening to strike at the company after giving the company a deadline of 15 December to agree to begin negotiating a first contract with the union representing employees.

The strike threats, which started in New York, have now spread to Chicago and Atlanta. They come during Amazons peak holiday season and after the company experienced record sales during its 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday events.

The workers at the companys JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island became the first Amazon warehouse in the US to win a union election in March 2022. But the company has yet to begin negotiating a first contract with Amazon Labor Union (ALU-IBT Local 1). Workers are pushing for improvements to pay, safety and job security.

Amazon workers at another New York City site, the delivery station DBK4 in Queens, also voted to strike in solidarity with the contract fight and their push for union recognition from the company.

The Teamsters have been organizing workers at 10 Amazon facilities around the US in California, Illinois, Georgia and New York.

Related: Amazon workers threaten strike in New York ahead of holidays

Workers at two Amazon facilities near Atlanta, Georgia, and a delivery facility in Skokie, Illinois, outside of Chicago, also voted to authorize strikes and walked out on strike along with New York City workers.

Driving for Amazon is tough, said Luc Rene, a worker at DBK4, in a statement. Whats even tougher is fighting a mega-corporation that constantly breaks the law and games the system. But we wont give up.

The strike comes in the wake of the US Senate health, education, labor and pensions (Help) committee report released on 16 December into high injury rates at Amazon. According to the report senior Amazon executives rejected internal recommendations that would have relaxed productivity quotas because of concerns about how it would impact the companys performance.

The report also backed up union-sponsored research that claimed injury rates at Amazon were far higher than those of its peers.

Its beyond unacceptable that Amazon, the 2nd largest corporation in America, owned by Jeff Bezos, the 2nd wealthiest person on Earth, continues to put their huge profits ahead of the health & safety of their workers, Senator Bernie Sanders, the Help committee chair, wrote on X.

Amazon disputed the reports findings, calling it fundamentally flawed.
The UK has announced 50 million of humanitarian aid for vulnerable Syrians across the Middle East after the overthrow of Bashar Assads regime.

The emergency support will be delivered through the UN and NGO agencies to people in the country, as well as to refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, the Foreign Office said.

Britain on Saturday joined talks in Aqaba, hosted by Jordan and attended by ministers and delegates from the US, France, Germany, the Arab Contact Group, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the EU and UN.

They agreed on the importance of a non-sectarian and representative government, protecting human rights, unfettered access for humanitarian aid, the safe destruction of chemical weapons, and combatting terrorism.

The UK urges the transitional government to adhere to these principles to build a more hopeful, secure and peaceful Syria, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.

Some 120,000 of UK funding has also been made available to the Organisation of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the department said.

Another 30 million will be channelled within Syria for food, shelter and emergency healthcare, while 10 million will go to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Lebanon and 10 million to WFP and the UNs refugee agency, UNHCR in Jordan.

The intervention comes a week after the collapse of the Assad regime following a lightning offensive by rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Since then, Western governments have debated how to deal with HTS, which is a proscribed organisation in the UK because of its closeness to al Qaida.

Its current leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who had used the alias Mohammed al-Golani before taking power, has attempted to distance his movement from the terrorist group.

There is also concern that a power vacuum in Syria could exacerbate regional tensions and create conditions for the so-called Islamic State group to regain ground.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: The fall of the horrific Assad regime provides a once-in-a-generation chance for the people of Syria.

Were committed to supporting the Syrian people as they chart a new course, first by providing 50 million in new food, healthcare and aid to support the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Syrians. Second, by working diplomatically to help secure better governance in Syrias future.

This weekend the UK and its partners came together to agree the principles required to support a Syrian-led transitional political process. It is vital that the future Syrian government brings together all groups to establish the stability and respect the Syrian people deserve.

Sir Keir Starmer on Friday told a virtual meeting of the G7 leaders that the fall of (Bashar) Assads brutal regime should be welcomed but we must be cautious about what comes next.

In a statement on Thursday, the leaders said they were committed to work with and fully support a future Syrian government that agreed to ensure respect for the rule of law, universal human rights, including womens rights, the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities, transparency and accountability.
The Manta Ray is one of the latest Western developments in the race between the US and Russia to take drone warfare to the next level

The first time the world caught a glimpse of the latest prototype submarine, it was an eagle-eyed Google Maps user who spotted the secretive underwater drone.

Satellite images showed Northrop Grummans Manta Rays distinctive silhouette docked at Port Hueneme naval base in California.

The aquatic drone  which takes its name from the sea creature that inspired its design  is capable of diving deep beneath the waves.

The Manta Ray is one of the latest Western developments in what has become a race between the US and Russia to take drone warfare to the next level.

Flying drones first started revolutionising how unmanned aerial vehicles were being used in combat in Ukraines fight against the Russian invasion.

Cheap, consumer drones would be modified to drop grenades through the hatches of multi million dollar tanks.

Uncrewed naval vessels were then used to devastating effect by Kyivs armed forces to push Russias famed Black Sea Fleet back to its home ports.

It is only natural that now the most advanced navies in the world are exploring how unmanned submarines could be the next development in the race to dominate undersea warfare.

Both of the United States main adversaries  Russia and China  are developing their own submarine drones.

Moscow has boasted of plans to acquire 30 of its Poseidon drones  a torpedo-shaped robotic mini-submarine that Russia claims can hit speeds of 100 knots.

Russian sources also claim its nuclear propulsion system would give it a range of 6,200 miles, while it is also said to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

China has also been building up its fleet of uncrewed sea vessels, including submarine varieties.

Keeping up with China and Russia

Given the rogue states perceived threat to critical underwater infrastructure, keeping up with them is seen as a key endeavour for the West.

The concerns have been fuelled by mysterious acts of alleged sabotage to underwater cables and the Nord Steam gas pipes, which carried fuel from Russia to Europe.

Unmanned systems have an enormous potential to multiply our combat power, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, told a conference earlier this year.

Unlike the Russian undersea drones, the ones being tested by the US are currently not armed.

Intelligence gathering

Manta Ray is likely going to be focused on intelligence gathering and deterring threats to undersea infrastructure.

It is part of a US project to develop a submarine drone that can stay beneath the waves for long periods of time on the hunt for Russian or Chinese submarines.

The Manta Ray is said to be capable of anchoring itself on the sea floor and hibernating in a low-power mode.

Its manufacturer also claims it has the ability to travel more than 10,000 nautical miles while carrying a 10 ton payload.

One of the perks of undersea sabotage for bad actors is that its incredibly hard to detect.

This poses challenges in itself, such as creating crafts that are capable of maintaining communications contact with the surface.

A similar system being developed by BAE Systems  the Herne  is being tested off the coast of Britain.

Resembling more closely a conventional submarine, the tubular, 40ft vessel has been trialled as a hunter-gatherer of intelligence.

On one trial, it correctly identified two UK naval vessels at sea level before stealthily slipping back under the waves undetected.

With Britains Royal Navy considerably shrunken compared to its glory days as the ruler of the seas, unmanned vessels are expected to play a large role as a force multiplier.
Police have named a woman killed in a triple shooting outside a church in northwest London.

Michelle Sadio, 46, died and two men in their 30s were injured. One of the men is in a critical condition in hospital.

Residents described scenes of pandemonium after the attack in Gifford Road, Harlesden, at around 9.15pm on Saturday.

Police officers and London Ambulance Service crews rushed to the scene and found Ms Sadio. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pastor Lawrence Larbie, from the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, said there was a wake going on inside the church when the attack happened.

He told MyLondon people began running into the building saying theres been a shooting, theres been a shooting.

It turns out three people have been hit by a drive-by shooting, he said.

Michelle Sadio, 46, died and two men in their 30s were injured (Metropolitan Police)

The whole place was surrounded by police. One person shot in the back, we heard. People tended to them before the ambulance arrived. The car just drove through. The victims were people attending the wake. They were probably on their way home.

Its shocking. We are really devastated. You are invited to attend the wake and you end up deceased. Youre killed. Youre gone. Youre life is expired just like that. It was pandemonium in the building. They came with very deadly, evil intentions to cause death.

We are just praying for peace on our streets, and people should not be afraid. We pray they will apprehend them.

The area remained cordoned off on Sunday as forensics teams work to gather evidence, and detectives continue their enquiries. No arrests have been made.

A neighbour who lives nearby said people had been at a wake in a nearby church.

Police forensic officers at the scene (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.

I heard a lot of crying and screaming.

A resident of Creukhorne Road, who did not wish to be named, said they heard five gun shots in a row on Saturday night.

There have been no arrests.

Superintendent Tony Josephs of the North West Command Unit described the incident as a "truly shocking act of violence" and urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

A police cordon at the scene on Gifford Road, Brent, after a woman has died and a man remains in a critical condition following a shooting in north-west London (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

If you were in or around Gifford Close at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated, and we need to work together to provide them with answers.

Brent East PM Dawn Butler said she was devastated to learn of the murder, adding: I continue to work closely with the local police service, local organisations, businesses and residents to ensure that the local communities concerns are heard.

If you have any information, do not hesitate to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or contact them via X (formerly Twitter) @MetCC, quoting CAD7137/14Dec. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Victoria Thomas Bowen has been given a suspended prison sentence - Benjamin Cremel/AFP

Nigel Farage has hit out at two-tier justice after a woman who threw a milkshake over him avoided jail.

Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, hurled the milkshake outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea during the general election campaign. The OnlyFans model was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, after admitting assault at Westminster magistrates court.

In a post on social media after the sentencing, Mr Farage, the Reform UK leader, wrote: We now live in a country where you can assault a Member of Parliament and not go to prison. The latest example of two-tier justice.

Before he sentenced Thomas Bowen, Judge Ikram said: In recent months, I have dealt with several cases of unlawful attacks on politicians, whether online or physical. This is a dangerous trend.

This was an attack on a parliamentary candidate campaigning for election  but this was not just an attack on him, but in my judgment an attack on our parliamentary democracy. The risks of face-to-face engagement with the public are just too clear, bearing in mind the murders of two other Members of Parliament in recent years.

A clear message must go out  public debate must not be shut down by criminality such as this.

Thomas Bowen was arrested shortly after the incident and told police in an interview that she saw a post online advertising Mr Farages attendance that day, Nishma Shah, for the prosecution, said.

She told officers that she does not agree with his political views, and when she saw him exiting the pub she decided to do it as she had the opportunity. She told police she did not intend for the cup to hit Mr Farage.

Ms Shah said the defendant had said she did not regret her actions.

Zarif Khan, defending, said Thomas Bowen had conceded that it was wrong, what shes done on the day and there was some evidence in my submission of mental health issues.

Mr Khan she had been harassed, including online trolling, threats and being shouted at in the street.

She added: This was a naive, stupid reaction by this young woman, at a time when she was going through some personal distress.

The judge said the incident was humiliating and it was in the full glare of cameras and a video of the incident was widely distributed.

He added it was an unprovoked, targeted attack, adding: It is also clear to me, irrespective of what you now say, that at the time you had no regret at all in attacking the now elected Member of Parliament for Clacton.

Victoria Thomas Bowen told police she did not intend for the cup to hit Nigel Farage - Jonathan Brady/PA

At a previous hearing, Thomas Bowens barrister made a successful application to the court to allow his client not to read her address out in open court, explaining one individual had made very severe threats concerning the case. The application was granted again on Monday for the same reasons as before.

Caroline Liggins, a lawyer representing the 25-year-old, said after the sentencing: Our client entered a guilty plea because she understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision has placed her.

We are relieved the court has taken a sensible approach in dealing with this young woman by handing down a suspended sentence.

She has suffered multiple threats since this happened, which have had a serious impact on her mental health. Victoria understands the impact of her actions and wishes to put the whole episode behind her. She hopes others can do the same.

Judge Tan Ikram has previously come under criticism for how he handled a case involving pro-Palestinian protesters - B21

Judge Ikram was previously handed a formal misconduct warning for liking a LinkedIn post calling for a free Palestine, shortly before he oversaw the criminal trial of three women who displayed paraglider images at a protest.

He found defendants Heba Alhayek, 29, Pauline Ankunda, 26, and Noimutu Olayinka Taiwo, 27, guilty of a terror offence at a pro-Palestinian march in central London, a week after Hamas carried out the Oct 7 attack in Israel.

The judges handling of the case came in for criticism after he handed conditional discharges to the women and commented that they had well learnt their lesson.

The LinkedIn post read: Free Free Palestine. To the Israeli terrorist both in the United Kingdom, the United States, and of course Israel you can run, you can bomb but you cannot hide  justice will be coming for you.

Judge Ikram insisted he had accidentally liked the message, and issued a statement at the time saying he did not know it had happened and that it was a genuine mistake.
Victoria Thomas Bowen told police she threw the drink over Farage because she didnt agree with his views. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

A woman who threw a milkshake over Nigel Farage during the general election campaign has been given a 13-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, was also ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation and pay the Clacton MP 150 in compensation for the incident during her sentencing at Westminster magistrates court on Monday.

Thomas Bowen, of Clacton-on-Sea, was charged with assault by beating after throwing a milkshake at Farage outside the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoons pub in Clacton on 4 June. The Reform UK leader was launching his parliamentary campaign in the Essex constituency at the time.

The OnlyFans model was also charged with criminal damage after causing harm to a jacket worn by a Farage security guard, James Woolfenden. She was ordered to pay Woolfenden 17.50 in compensation for the milkshake splatter.

Thomas Bowen must also pay a 154 victim surcharge and 450 in costs.

The deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram said: The victim in this case was out campaigning that day  He describes a container and a liquid substance hitting his face. This was humiliating and it was in the full glare of cameras, and the video of the incident has been distributed. At the time a witness said you shouted: You fucking cunt, or something similar.

This was not just an attack on him but, on my judgment, an attack on our parliamentary democracy. A clear message must go out. Public debate must not be shut down by criminality such as this.

In a victim impact statement, Farage said: Immediately after the incident I felt humiliated. The assault was broadcast on national and international media outlets and was therefore seen by many people. I was deeply thoughtful for some time afterwards that next time it may not be a milkshake.

Incidents like this put people off standing for public office and are bad for our democracy.

The court heard Thomas Bowen had read in a social media post that Farage would be in Clacton that day. She had bought a McDonalds milkshake and, when she saw him leaving the pub, decided to throw it over him because she had the opportunity.

In a police interview after her arrest, Thomas Bowen said she threw the drink over Farage because she didnt agree with his views. She told officers she thought Farage would be able to afford the damage and she did not regret her actions.

She initially denied the charges but changed her plea to guilty at the start of the trial in late October.
The Prime Minister is set to visit British troops serving on Russias border as he says Ukraine will require more funding and capability.

Sir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia where he met leaders of other Baltic states.

After signing an energy partnership with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen, Sir Keir flew to Estonia where he spoke alongside Mr Store and their Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal.

Sir Keir Starmer poses for a group photograph with Baltic leaders (Leon Neal/PA)

Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keir said: There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.

He added: A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.

The Prime Ministers also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine.

Sir Keir said: Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries  what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that Nato is put in the strongest position as well.

Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, theres a positive case as well to be made.

Defence spending doesnt sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology.

It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas.

It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. Theres a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well.

But we have to make that positive case. I dont personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made.

But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is its very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.

Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, and Sir Keir Starmer take part in the JEF Leaders Summit in Tallinn, Estonia (Leon Neal/PA)

On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London

Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire.

The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security.

He will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats.
The UK is wired for an old world of the 80s and 90s and facing aggressive competition from economies like China, Kemi Badenoch has said.

The Conservative leader suggested that the UK is regulating ourselves at very high standards not seen in other countries which puts us at a disadvantage.

She told the Business Property Relief Summit in London that as well as encouraging people to invest in the UK, there should be thinking about how to make sure that we keep good people.

The event at the London Palladium was organised by the group behind a rally of farmers in Westminster in November, which saw thousands of people, including TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, protest against the changes to inheritance tax for farms and other measures in the Governments Budget.

When asked by a businessman at the event why he should stay in the UK, former business secretary Ms Badenoch suggested that the UK has stopped being serious on issues such as growth and productivity, but pledged to fix the situation.

She went on: Why should you stay when other economies are competing for your business, theyre competing for your talent, theyre competing for your productivity? You should stay because we are going to fix this.

I tell people a lot of the time that the system is broken, and they dont understand what it is that I mean by that. Its that we are wired for an old world, a world of the 80s and 90s, not for the world that we live in now, where information travels so quickly, where you have aggressive competition from economies like China.

And where we continue regulating ourselves at very high standards  which we should do  but in a way that other countries dont follow, which puts us at a disadvantage, which means that theres no level of playing field if youre a farmer, for example, and many others.

And we need to start thinking differently.

The @Conservatives understand business because we worked in business. Its why we know how damaging Labours tax rises are for family firms. This government of bureaucrats and trade unionists just dont get it. Watch my full speech to the #SaveFamilyFarms BPR summit here: pic.twitter.com/EvTSm3c5tO  Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) December 16, 2024

She also said the UK should start thinking about how to make sure that we keep good people and then when it comes to net migration she worries about whos leaving.

Because the numbers matter, but who is staying, who is coming in, who is leaving, that matters more and we need to make sure that we keep all of our talent in this country so that we can have something to hand over to the next generation.

Revised figures released in November indicated that net migration hit a record 906,000 in 2023.

Ms Badenoch also said a flat tax is an attractive concept but that the UK cannot afford them where we are now.

Asked about the idea of a flat-rate tax by the same businessman, Ms Badenoch said: This is an idea that Ive heard many times, its very attractive but if were going to get to that sort of scenario theres a lot of work we will need to do first hand.

Its not government that creates growth, its business. Its entrepreneurs and risk-takers. Its small and medium sized firms. Under the leadership of @KemiBadenoch thats exactly who we are going to support. pic.twitter.com/cM71g45z2Z  Conservatives (@Conservatives) December 16, 2024

She added: We cannot afford flat taxes where we are now, we need to make sure we rewire our economy so that we can lighten the burden of tax and of regulation on individuals and on those businesses that are just starting out in particular.

A Labour spokesperson criticised Mrs Badenochs comments on taxation, saying introducing a flat tax rate would mean bringing out the ghost of Christmas past with these Truss-style tax cuts for millionaires.

A note from the organisers of the Business Property Relief summit described the event as an opportunity to send a message to the government about the crippling effect of the October budget.

The organisers wanted the government to reconsider changes to business and agricultural property reliefs and national insurance rates.

Ms Badenoch told attendees that she would reverse the damaging tax grab of the changes to business and agricultural property reliefs.

She added: We are the party of entrepreneurs.

Were the party of every business because we know that it is not government that creates growth, it is business that creates growth.
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

When you need a comforting addition to your Christmas dinner spread, make Grandma proud with one of these flavorful main and side dish casseroles. This collection of warm and cozy casseroles ranges from cheesy scalloped potatoes to savory stuffing. Recipes like our Creamy Cabbage with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spiced Butternut Squash & Apple Casserole are healthy and delicious options that will be welcome on any table.



Creamy Cabbage with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This creamy cabbage with sun-dried tomatoes is pure comfort in a casserole dish. Tender sauteed cabbage melds beautifully with the rich, cheesy sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes add a touch of tangy sweetness that brightens every bite. Serve this warming side with roasted chicken or pork, or over brown rice or another whole grain.

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Spiced Butternut Squash & Apple Casserole

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

This easy dish combines the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the tartness of fresh apples, finished with savory goat cheese and sweet maple-glazed walnuts. We love the tart flavor that Granny Smith apples provide, but feel free to swap in a sweeter baking apple like Honeycrisp if you prefer.

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Chicken & Green Bean Casserole

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

By adding tender, juicy chicken to the traditional ingredients of green bean casserole, we transform it into a main dish, the perfect meal for any night of the week.

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Broccoli au Gratin

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower

This broccoli dish is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender broccoli florets with a creamy cheese sauce and a golden, crispy topping.

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Skillet Spinach, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This wild rice and mushroom casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining hearty, wholesome ingredients with rich, savory flavors all in one skillet. The earthiness of the wild rice pairs beautifully with the meaty mushrooms, while fresh spinach adds a burst of color and nutrients.

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Loaded Cabbage Casserole

Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl

This cabbage casserole has all of the classic flavors you love in a loaded baked potato, but with tender cooked cabbage as a base instead. The cheesy sauce coats the cabbage for a satisfying side.

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Wild Rice Stuffing with Apple & Sausage

This amazing wild-rice stuffing recipe is bursting with fall flavors, including rye bread, sausage, apples, dried cherries, pecans and fresh herbs.

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Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes with Spinach

Classic scalloped potatoes get a burst of color, heartier texture and a healthy update with the addition of chopped spinach. The greens in this side dish also create a nice contrast to the creamy, velvety potatoes.

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Carrot Casserole

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Carrot casserole is a great holiday side dish thats both creamy and savory with just a touch of sweetness from the carrots. Coriander and dry mustard add lovely background flavors to the cream sauce. Microwaving the carrots gives them a jump start in the cooking process and ensures that theyre cooked through. The carrots should all be sliced thinly so they cook evenly. If you have one, a mandoline can make quick work of the slicing, but a good sharp knife will also do the trick.

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Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Jillian Atkinson

In this installment of Diaspora Dining, Jessica B. Harris series on foods of the African diaspora, the author and historian offers her version of sweet potato casserole. Its a dish she only came to enjoy as an adult, omitting the marshmallows and adding some nutty flavor without adding nuts.

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Mushroom-Cornbread Stuffing

This healthy mushroom-and-leek cornbread stuffing recipe is a lightened-up version of the must-have holiday side. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, you can make this recipe moist or crispy. If youre an extra-moist-stuffing type, bake it covered for the full 50 minutes; if you like some crispy bits on top, follow the recipe as written: bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.

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Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole

Diana Chistruga

Thanksgiving isnt complete without a homemade sweet potato casserole. We like to sprinkle chopped pecans on top along with the marshmallows for a bit of texture.

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Sour Cream-&-Onion Chicken Casserole

Sara Haas

If youre looking for something cozy to eat, this casserole is a delicious choice! Instead of using a can of cream of mushroom soup, we make our own simplified version here. This hearty casserole is finished with perfectly tangy sour cream and buttery crackers, which add the perfect crunch.







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Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

If youre looking for a twist on classic scalloped potatoes, this recipe using roasted sweet potatoes and melty Gruyere has all the creaminess of the original with a new flavor twist. The sweet potatoes and lightened saucemade with flour and low-fat milkkeep it healthier than butter- and cream-laden versions. Dont cut your sweet potatoes too thintheyll turn mushy under the sauce.

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Cornbread & Oyster-Mushroom Stuffing

Mushrooms are a rich, meaty addition in this healthy cornbread stuffing recipe. Here we use oyster mushrooms, but you can use any variety you like. If you have time, bake the cornbread a day or two in advance so it has time to dry out a bit, which lets it absorb the flavors more readily.

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Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Now everyone can enjoy classic Thanksgiving favorites, like this dairy-free green bean casserole. We make a homemade vegan cream of mushroom soup using almond milk for the creamy base thats combined with fresh green beans. Top it off with classic french-fried onions (we have a vegan recipe for that, too!) for a side dish everyone will devour.

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Sage Cornbread Dressing

Johnny Autry

A cast-iron skillet gives the cornbread nutty brown edges that impart extra color and flavor to the dressing. Serve this sage cornbread dressing as a holiday side or anytime you want some Thanksgiving flavors.

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Sweet Potato Souffle

This creamy sweet potato souffle is complemented with a crunchy pecan-oat topping for a truly scrumptious side dish. The filling can be made up to five days ahead, so you just have to top it and bake it when its time. Whip up this healthy sweet potato souffle recipe for Thanksgiving or any other special occasion.

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Broccoli Casserole

This lightened-up broccoli casserole is sure to be a hit. Learn how to make this classic side dish healthier.

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Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This crowd-pleasing mashed potato casserole is made for entertaining. You can prep it ahead of time and pop it in the oven when youre ready to eat. Waxy Yukon Gold potatoes yield a creamier texture than more starchy russets. Leaving their thin skin on instead of peeling them cuts down on prep time and also offers a boost of fiber.

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Alexander Smirnov, the former FBI informant charged with lying about Hunter Bidens overseas business deals, pleaded guilty on Monday in Los Angeles to federal charges of making a false claim and tax evasion.

Smirnov, a native of Ukraine, faces up to 35 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the four counts. But federal sentencing guidelines call for a term of four to six years in prison when U.S. District Judge Otis Wright sentences him. Smirnov also agreed to pay $2.15 million in back taxes.

Smirnov had been jailed since he was indicted in February with two counts of making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record for information he fed the FBI. He was accused of falsely claiming to the FBI that executives of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma admitted to him in 2015 and 2016 that they hired Biden to protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems." Biden was a Burisma board member.

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Smirnov had contact with foreign intelligence services, including Russian intelligence agencies."

President Joe Biden, accompanied by Hunter Biden and Beau Jr., walks out of a bookstore in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Nov. 29, 2024.

Smirnov made his claim to investigators in June 2020 when Joe Biden was campaigning for the White House. Prosecutors say Smirnov also lied about Burisma executives telling him they paid $5 million apiece to then-Vice President Joe Biden and Hunter so that Hunter "will take care of all those issues through his dad."

The allegations were among the claims that formed the basis of a House Republican impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Three committees drafted a report summarizing the investigation but didn't draft articles of impeachment or vote on them.

Justice Department special counsel David Weiss prosecuted the cases against Smirnov and against Hunter Biden. Smirnovs plea came after Biden was convicted at trial of federal gun charges and pleaded guilty to tax evasion.

President Biden pardoned his son Dec. 1 for those crimes and any other potential charges for his activities since 2014.

Smirnov's plea agreement called for him to pay $2.15 million in back taxes for years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Despite maximum sentences of 20 years for lying to the FBI and five years for each count of tax evasion, federal guidelines called for a term of four to six years in prison and a $675,000 fine.

He could be deported to Ukraine when the case is over.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alexander Smirnov pleads guilty to falsely smearing Hunter Biden
Toppled Syrian leader Bashar Assad has released what appeared to be his first public statement since his regime was ousted by rebel forces and he fled with his family to Russia more than a week ago.

Assad claimed in the statement Monday that he had no intention of fleeing Syria for Russia and that he wanted to keep fighting rebel forces. But he yielded to a request by Russia to evacuate after a military base where he was hiding  usually used by Russia  came under a drone attack. Assad made the claim in a post on the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel.

"At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refugee," he said in the post, although it was not clear who controls the account or whether he wrote it himself. Assad said he went to the Russian base in Latakia province to "oversee combat operations." When he got there, Syrian troops were fleeing the area.

Assad was in power for 24 years. Before that, his father, Hafez Assad, was president for nearly three decades. The Assad family ruled Syria with an iron grip, locking up those who dared to question their rule. The country is now largely under the control of an insurgent group named Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS.

What is HTS? Here's what to know as Syrian rebels say Bashar al-Assad has fled

Russia gave the Assads asylum. Their sudden departure has raised many questions about what's ahead for Syria, the millions who fled because of Assad, the family's wealth, its corrupt state and what the family might do in Russia.

How wealthy is the Assad family?

The U.S. State Department estimates that the Assad family has a net worth of up to $2 billion spread out and concealed in numerous accounts, real estate portfolios, corporations and offshore tax havens.

How much of this wealth they will be able to access from Russia is not clear.

The Financial Times has reported that as Syria's civil war raged, the family purchased more than a dozen luxury apartments in Moscow's so-called City of Capitals complex, a shimmering skyscraper district. The British newspaper reported this week that the family flew $250 million to Russia over two years.

Ayman Abdel Nour, a former friend of Syria's leader from their college days studying medicine in Damascus and the editor-in-chief of All4Syria, a leading independent news outlet, said Assad used a series of chartered flights to move money and valuables to Russia in the days leading up to his departure for Moscow.

"He has money hidden in many names," Nour said. "This is why he took his financier  Yasser Ibrahim  with him to Moscow. Because he's the one who knows all the codes and passwords for all the banks."

Syria is the world's largest supplier of Captagon, a synthetic stimulant that is a popular drug in the Middle East. Analysts estimate the Assad regime netted billions each year from its trade.

Who is Bashar Assad's wife, Asma?

Asma Asad, 49, was born in London as Asma Fawaz Akhras.

Her father was a cardiologist and her mother a diplomat at the Syrian Embassy. She met her future husband initially while on a family vacation in Syria and then got to know him better while he was studying ophthalmology in England.

In the beginning, there were frequent comparisons to Princess Diana. Asma Fawaz Akhras was glamorous, young, chic. Smart, too. She studied computer science at college, then excelled in the cut and thrust world of London investment banking. After marrying a president and becoming an Assad, the by all accounts dazzling Syrian first lady vowed to use her analytical and business skills to change the image of Syria, inside and out.

From eye doctor to brutal dictator: The rise (and fall) of Syria's Bashar Assad

Asma Assad wanted more entrepreneurs, more civic-minded citizens, more progressiveness. She was involved in myriad projects ranging from so-called information discovery centers for children to a cultural heritage mission.

"Its about everyone taking shared responsibility in moving this country forward, about empowerment in a civil society. We all have a stake in this country; it will be what we make it," she told Vogue magazine in a now widely discredited feature article published in 2011 with the headline "A Rose in the Desert."

Asma Assad, wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, meets with humanitarian and business groups in Damascus, Syria April 7, 2021.

Vogue removed the article from its website because of the backlash it created. This backlash was for publishing a story that ignored atrocities the Syrian government was committing against its own citizens, including using chemical weapons against children, yet found space for the "long-limbed beauty's" preference for "red soles"  a reference to her high heels, designed by Christian Louboutin and at the time worth about $700.

Thirteen years later, after the Assads fled for Moscow as their regime was toppled by rebel forces, the dictator's wife left Syria with a reputation that may be closer to that of Marie Antoinette, the French queen who became a symbol of excess and helped provoke the popular unrest that led to the French Revolution.

A decade ago The Guardian newspaper published purported private email correspondence between the Assads that showed Syria's first lady was spending lavishly on luxury items while her husband was dropping thousands of barrel bombs from helicopters and using chlorine, sarin and mustard gas against Syrians. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Assad opponents were sent to prisons where they were tortured or executed.

Among Asma Assad's purchases: chandeliers, candlesticks and crystal-encrusted shoes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Journalists who reported from the Assad's abandoned home in Damascus discovered countless boxes for jewelry, antiques and designer goods. Her husband had a garage full of luxury cars.

In 2018, Asma Assad was diagnosed with breast cancer. This year she also announced that she has leukemia. The couple have three children, all presumed to be in Russia with them, who are all young adults. Assad's son, Hafez Jr., recently defended his doctoral dissertation in mathematics at Moscow State University.

What will the Assads do in Russia?

The Russian Foreign Ministry granted the Assad family asylum on "humanitarian grounds." Notably, it did not give them political asylum, which tends to be a longer-lasting form of protection.

Nesrin Alrefaai, a Syrian visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said this could be a move designed to give Russia more wiggle room to change its mind about the Assads.

"Russia cares about Russia at the end of the day," she said. "It was strategic to give them humanitarian asylum over the political one just in case they need to back down under pressure. I know that Syrians at the minute are trying to gather evidence to take him to the Hague," she said, referring to the international war crimes court in The Netherlands. "Lawyers at the minute are trying to gather evidence, freeze his assets, and bring him to a trial."

The British government said it has not had contact from Asma Assad about a request to return to the U.K.

Alrefaai said that she suspects Assad is in a "state of shock" about his ousting and that it happened so quickly after a lightning-quick offensive by anti-Assad forces across the country. "I don't think it was his original intention to leave Syria. He was counting on Russia's support to keep him in power. It was all very sudden," she said.

Even if he wanted to, Alrefaai said, it would be difficult for Assad or his younger brother, Maher, a senior Syrian government military commander accused of killings, torture, extortion and drug trafficking who disappeared when the rest of the family fled to Moscow, to mount a challenge to HTS to retake Syria without strong backing from Russia and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Maher Assad is believed to have made it to Russia, via Iraq.

"I don't think his loyalists supporters have enough power to go against the rest of Syria," Alrefaai said.

Syria: The priorities

Majd Jadaan has long been connected to the Assads. She wishes she weren't. Her sister, Manal, is married to Maher Assad, Bashar's brother. The couple are separated but not formally divorced. Jadaan said her family was always opposed to the marriage, but then her father died and the younger Assad turned her sister against her family.

As the feud with Syria's most powerful family grew, she was forced into exile.

Jadaan, who has lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, said her sister and children are now safe in a third country in the Middle East, where she will soon reunite with them after 14 years.

For security reasons, she didn't want the country's name published.

Now an American citizen, Jadaan said she intends to return to Syria's capital, Damascus, within weeks.

"I will be working to unite the Syrian people," she said. "We will be trying our best to rebuild Syria.

"What a lot of people don't know is that the Syrian people are a great people. We've always been positive and creative. We leave a stamp wherever we've lived," she added, noting that Germany has expressed concern over what could eventually be an exodus of Syrian doctors who fled there during the country's 14-year civil war and Turkey appears anxious about Syrians who could take their small businesses and factories back home.

"Syrian people are survivors. This is what I can tell you. They're strong. We will get over all the obstacles."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Syria after the Assads: What's next for dictator and his family wealth
An alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew has been identified by a British court, the latest twist in a case that has shone a light on Beijings influence inside Britains institutions.

The man, Yang Tengbo, was identified after a judge ruled his anonymity should be removed, PA Media reported on Monday.

Yang, who also went by the name Chris Yang, was described in a separate court hearing last week as developing an unusual degree of trust with the younger brother of King Charles.

He was the co-founder of Pitch@Palace China, which expanded into China an initiative for entrepreneurs that was set up by Andrew in 2014.

In a tribunal hearing on Thursday that upheld an earlier decision to bar Yang from the UK, it was revealed that he was authorized to act on Andrews behalf during business meetings with potential Chinese investors in the UK, and that he was invited to Andrews 60th birthday party in 2020.

Yang has appeared in pictures and videos with Andrew during Pitch@Palace events.

Yang said in a statement he had done nothing wrong or unlawful, and that the widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue, PA Media said.

Andrews office said last week that the prince ceased his relationship with Yang after receiving government advice. The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed, his office said. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.

Andrew's office said he ceased contact with Yang on government advice. - Steve Parsons/Getty Images

The case has once again led to questions about the judgement and associations of Andrew, whose role in the royal family has diminished since his friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein came to light five years ago.

But concern over Chinas influence in Britains politics and institutions has been steadily mounting in Westminster in recent years, and the case is just the latest example of an alleged infiltration by Beijing.

Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee released a report in 2023 outlining its view that China was seeking to target and influence people in the UKs political system.

Yang is alleged to have worked for Chinas United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the ruling Communist Party tasked with gaining influence both at home and overseas. The report described the UFWD  as working to ensure that politicians and high-profile figures in foreign states are supportive of the CCP, or at the very least do not criticise China or counter its narrative.

A statement published online by a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy said that the situation underscored anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs who had done nothing but fully revealed their twisted mentality towards China.

What they are really up to is to smear China, target against the Chinese community in the UK and undermine normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK. We strongly condemn this, the statement said.

Tip of the iceberg

Yang joins a growing number of people who have been accused of spying on behalf of China from inside the heart of Britains institutions.

Two men, one of them a parliamentary researcher, are awaiting trial after being charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act on behalf of China, which they deny.

And in 2022 the MI5 spy agency warned lawmakers that Christine Lee, a woman connected to the Chinese Communist Party, had been working to interfere in the UK political process.

Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who raised the incident in an urgent question in the House of Commons on Monday, told the BBC the case was the tip of the iceberg.

The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage thats taking place, he said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Monday: Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.

But the Yang case led to renewed scrutiny on Monday over his stance on Beijing. Starmer in November became the first prime minister to meet with Chinas President Xi Jinping for six years, and reiterated Monday: Our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate, particularly on issues like climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights and to compete when it comes to trade.

During the Monday parliamentary debate, the government was also accused of being slow to implement a new foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS) scheme, first planned by the previous Conservative government, which is aimed at increasing transparency and reducing the risk of overseas interference in Britain. It was initially set to be implemented this year, but has been delayed until the middle of 2025.

A Labour MP, who is part of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China that Duncan Smith set up, told CNN the response within Parliament to the Yang case was shock, but not surprise.

You cant fudge the geopolitics of China, and all the implications for trade and industrial strategy and defense for very long, the MP added, in a nod to criticism over Starmers approach. I dont think its possible to have your cake and eat it in this world.

Shawn Deng contributed reporting.

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By David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, dealing a huge blow to an already unpopular government.

In a stinging resignation letter, Freeland dismissed Trudeau's push for increased spending as a political gimmick that could hurt Ottawa's ability to deal with the 25% import tariffs U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will impose.

The resignation by Freeland, 56, who also served as deputy prime minister, is one of the biggest crises Trudeau has experienced since taking power in November 2015. It also leaves him without a key ally when he is on track to lose the next election to the official opposition Conservatives.

"The government of Canada is itself spiraling out of control," Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters, repeating calls for an immediate election.

"We cannot accept this kind of chaos, division, weakness, while we're staring down the barrel of a 25% tariff from our biggest trading partner ... we simply cannot go on like this," he told reporters.

Freeland said she was quitting in the wake of a meeting last Friday with Trudeau, who asked her to take on a lesser post after the two had argued for weeks over spending.

A Liberal source said Trudeau wanted Freeland to serve as minister without portfolio dealing with Canada-U.S. relations in name only - in effect a major demotion.

LARGE DEFICIT

Her resignation came just hours before she was due to present a fall economic update to parliament, a document widely expected to show the minority Liberal government had run up a much larger 2023/24 budget deficit than predicted.

Officials said the document would be unveiled on Monday as planned but gave no details.

"This will likely trigger a leadership crisis within the Liberal caucus ... (it) is politically and personally devastating for Trudeau," said Nik Nanos, founder of the Nanos Research polling firm.

Polls show the ruling Liberals, who have been in power since November 2015, are set to be crushed in an election that must be held by late October 2025.

Freeland, a former journalist, served as trade minister and then foreign minister before taking over the finance portfolio in August 2020. As minister, she oversaw the massive government spending campaign to deal with the damage done by COVID.

Colleagues were clearly stunned.

"This news has hit me really hard and I'll reserve further comment until I have time to process it," said an emotional Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board.

Trudeau has been under pressure for months from Liberal legislators alarmed by the party's poor polling numbers, in part due to unhappiness over high prices.

But he is safe for now, since Canadian political leaders are chosen by special conventions.

'BOMBSHELL' DECISION

"This is quite a bombshell," said Nelson Wiseman, political science professor at University of Toronto. "I think the problem the Liberals have is that they have no mechanism to remove Trudeau. Only a full blown caucus revolt could do that."

Trudeau's minority government, which needs support from other legislators to stay in power, has so far been kept in power by the left-leaning New Democrats.

In a statement reacting to Freeland's resignation, party leader Jagmeet Singh made no mention of whether he would continue to continue propping up Trudeau.

Canada's 10-year note yields climbed to their highest level since November 28. They were last up 4.2 basis points at 3.2%. The Canadian dollar weakened to a four and a half year low at 1.4268 per U.S. dollar before reversing course.

Domestic media reports said Freeland and Trudeau had clashed over a government proposal for temporary tax breaks and other spending measures.

"For the last number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds over the best path forward for Canada," Freeland said in a letter to Trudeau posted on X.

Freeland said the threat of new U.S. tariffs represented a grave threat.

"That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford," she wrote.

When Trump came to power in 2017 he vowed to tear up the trilateral free trade treaty with Canada and Mexico. Freeland played a large role in helping renegotiate the pact and saving Canada's economy, which is heavily reliant on the United States.

Although tensions between prime ministers and first ministers are not unusual - Trudeau's first finance minister quit in 2020 in a clash over spending - the level of invective in Freeland's letter was remarkable by Canadian standards.

"On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet... you made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence and possess the authority that comes with it," Freeland said.

"Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet."

Freeland left the same day as Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced he was resigning for family reasons. Another six ministers have either already quit or announced they will not be running again in the next election.

Before entering politics in 2013, she worked as a journalist and in senior editorial roles with several media companies, including the Financial Times, the Globe and Mail, and Reuters News where she worked from 2010 to 2013.

One potential replacement could be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who already serves as an economic advisor to Trudeau. Carney, though, is not a legislator and tradition dictates he would need to run for a seat in the House of Commons elected chamber.

(Additional reporting by Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Deepa Babington)
Once a felon, always a felon. That is how some convicted felons say society looks at them, no matter the crime.

Around 19 million Americans have a felony conviction, and at least 79 million have a criminal record, which can mean an arrest, charges or a conviction. But having a felony conviction, whether it involves incarceration or not, can impact your life long after you have served your time and paid your debt to society, felons say.

There is a stigma that sticks to convicted felons even years after the crime, says Bruce Western, professor of Sociology and Social Justice and director of the Justice Lab at Columbia University.

I think the core content of criminal stigma is that it arouses fears that someone could behave violently or dishonestly, he said. Thats kind of what a criminal record is signaling to people.

Many felons say their criminal records make it harder for them to find jobs. About 30% of people with criminal records are unemployed. But that stigma did not appear to harm former president Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Less than six months after a New York jury convicted him of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to a porn star, Americans voted to return Trump to the presidency.

The president-elect, he contested the legitimacy of court action against him from the beginning, Western said. And I think his supporters, a lot of them found that pretty credible. In a poll after the trial, 83% of Republicans said they felt Trumps conviction was politically motivated, with just 17% saying it was not, according to an AP-NORC survey.

Trumps crimes are considered white collar, which are usually nonviolent and often include fraud and corruption, according to the FBI. White collar crime isnt thought of as threatening in the same way as street crime, and high-status white offenders are not as burdened by criminal stigma, Western said. It doesnt hurt that he (Trump) is an older White man who is extremely wealthy.

Restrictions on convicted felons vary from state to state. In some states felons are ineligible to vote, unless specific requirements (as in Trumps case) are met. Felons also can face restrictions on their ability to freely travel, serve as a juror, get a loan or qualify for public housing. In some states, felons can no longer hold public office.

Western said his research shows that stable employment is crucial in helping felons avoid returning to crime. But while convicted felons can eventually find jobs, its really at the bottom of the labor market, he said. Its minimum-wage work, and theres no wage growth in that kind of work.

CNN spoke to six convicted felons and asked them about their struggles, their hopes and how they feel about President-elect Donald Trump. Some expressed frustration at a perceived double standard that led many voters to apparently overlook Trumps criminal behavior, while others are hopeful that Trumps political resurrection may ease the stigma that they and other felons face.

Jeremiah Marable, 35 | North Carolina

Jeremiah Marable - Courtesy Jeremiah Marable

Jeremiah was 25 years old when he was convicted of drug possession and selling drugs. He accepted a plea deal that meant no jail time.

Nearly 10 years after that felony conviction, Jeremiah is still dealing with the effects of being labeled a felon.

My conviction was in 2015 and here I am still trying to apply to these jobs, and they still hold that against me, he says.

He says he is an entrepreneur working in the trucking industry, but his criminal record keeps him from getting high-paying contracts that would allow him to work while staying close to his two young daughters. Jeremiah says he must take whatever job he can  usually long-distance driving. A better contract would provide him with more opportunities closer to home and his family.

After last months presidential election, he wonders if his situation is so different from that of President-elect Trumps.

If people can trust in him to run the country, you should trust in somebody that did their time and want to reinstate themselves, Jeremiah says. Especially if your leader has got 30-something felonies and I just have one.

Danielle Forrest, 34 | Mississippi

Danielle Forrest - Courtesy Danielle Forrest

Danielle was released in March 2021 after serving about 8 months for being convicted of accessory to armed robbery after the fact. Danielle says her job hunt has been difficult and that working as an independent contractor in administration and customer support is the only way she can be employed right now.

Her conviction put a halt on my life, on my career, on my mental stability, she says. Its very disheartening.

Danielle says she is qualified for many jobs and has been offered some, but once the company does a background check all of that goes out the window. It makes me feel worthless.

A lot of these jobs that I have been hired for are work-from-home, and I dont even come into contact with people face-to-face, she says. So Im just really confused why (my conviction) plays a part.

Danielle says the hardest thing about having a felony record is feeling like a productive member of society. She believes that its altered peoples perception of her forever.

Youre never looked at as a normal person ever again.

Danielle hopes Trump will take actionable steps to destigmatize and even relabel how felons are seen to improve the barriers they face when searching for jobs.

If he can be our president, then why cant there be some type of change for employment for just normal people?

Michael Powell, 54 | North Carolina

Michael Powell - Courtesy Michael Powell

Michael says he was convicted twice of breaking and entering in the late 1990s, serving less than a year for each charge. Hes also had convictions for theft and forgery. In 2003 he came out of prison for what he says was the last time after being convicted of driving under the influence (a misdemeanor), among other offenses.

Since 2009 hes been working at a local community college after getting his associate degree in electrical technology.

Despite his academic achievements  hes also earned both a bachelors degree and a masters in substance abuse counseling  Michael says hes found it difficult to advance in his career.

Based on his 15 years of experience, he applied for a higher-paying job as an electrical engineer at another company. During the job interview, when he was asked if there was anything else he wanted them to know, Michael was forthcoming about his felony convictions.

I saw the shoulders slump and the heads went down, he says.

He did not get the job.

Now 22 years sober, Michael recently wrote a book, Living in a Two-faced Jungle, about his struggles with drug addiction. He hopes one day society will start to look differently at people trying to rebuild their lives after being convicted of crimes.

Years ago, a felon was looked at as a second-class citizen, he says. Now hes (about to be) the President of the United States.

Alysha Eppard, 28 | Indiana

Alysha Eppard - Courtesy Alysha Eppard

Alysha says she served seven-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to two drug charges. Following her September release, she was placed under house arrest in Indiana. She was employed at a car lot but says she was let go because business was slow.

Under the terms of her house arrest, whenever Alysha leaves home she must have people around her sign documents verifying her whereabouts at the given time. Alysha must also present these documents to hiring managers when she interviews for jobs.

Theres definitely still a big stigma, she says. You can see it pass on their face when I ask them, Hey can you sign my paper stating that I was here? Their whole view of you just changes.

They go from an excited, We-just-had-this-great-conversation look, to their face just falls a little bit. They dont want you to realize it, but you can see it.

Alysha says that when she enters the final phase of her house arrest in a few months shell no longer need to share those documents when interviewing for a job. Still, she says shes frustrated by the lack of job opportunities for people like her, especially since Trumps recent election. I dont wanna hear anything about my criminal history, because here we are. Im a felon, (Trumps) a felon, she says.

Its crazy because a lot of the people that voted for (Trump) are probably a lot of the same people that at the end of my interview, if I pulled out this paper, I would see their face fall when they looked at me, she says. Because I dont have a position of power, and I dont have money in my pocket.

Alysha hopes Trumps own convictions will lead him to pursue policies that help remove barriers for people who have been incarcerated.

If hes able to  get himself into this position of power with a background like that, he should do everything in his power to try and make sure that these restrictions that are being put on us, are at least lessened, she says. I understand we messed up, and we put ourselves in prison, but one mistake shouldnt cost somebody the rest of their life. Thats how it ends up in this cycle.

Jerail Smith, 40 | Georgia

Jerail Smith - Courtesy Jerail Smith

Since 2006, Jerail has been in and out of prison. He says it started with a felony conviction for drug possession and intent to distribute. Other felonies followed, including burglary and possession of a firearm, along with probation violations. His most recent release from prison was in 2023 following a probation violation for a gun-related felony charge.

He is now on a non-violent probation, which Georgia allows for felons the state believes are not a threat to society. Part of his probation requires he check in with the state twice a month, he says.

After many months of trying, Jerail says he recently got a job as a janitorial technician with a private company.

He is frustrated and sometimes angry at the difference in how he is treated compared with President-elect Trump.

At the end of the day, nobody is perfect  because look at our president, he says.

How can we have a president as a convicted felon and he can do what he wants to do, and he got way more felonies than me, he adds. I cant even leave the state of Georgia without permission. I just look at that as a slap in the face.

Andre Clark, 49 | Kansas

Andre Clark - Courtesy Andre Clark

After serving time for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon, Andre says he was released from prison in April and placed in transitional housing. Between all his convictions for possession of firearms and drugs, he says hes served more than 20 years behind bars.

Although he is currently employed at a distribution center, Andre says hes had consistent trouble finding jobs after getting out of prison.

Every time I get out, I have a challenge of trying to get a job, Andre said. They dont want to give you a second chance. When you cant find a job, it automatically turns you back into the criminal mindset.

Job applications shouldnt ask about criminal history if society is trying to help felons get back on their feet, he says.

Andre says he voted for Trump in the 2024 election and thinks Trumps criminal history gives him a perspective that not many politicians have.

Hes been through a lot of struggles that a lot of politicians have never seen, he says. A lot of lawmakers aint never been on the wrong side of the law. So, they dont understand the laws theyre making, and how they affect people.

CNNs Justin Gamble contributed to this reporting.

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance attend the 125th Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.

WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that he plans to fire any federal employees who don't physically return to their offices once his new administration begins and pledged to challenge in court a Biden-era agreement allowing for remote work.

"If people don't come back to work, come back into the office, they're going to be dismissed," Trump said during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and personal residence.

"Somebody in the Biden administration gave a five-year waiver of that, so for five years people don't have to come back into the office," he added. "It's ridiculous. It was like a gift to a union, and we're obviously going to be in court to stop it."

The Social Security Administration and more than 40,000 workers represented by the American Federation of Government Employees union reached a deal earlier this month that would allow most of those employees to continue working remotely two to five days per week.

Ending remote work across the U.S. government is likely to be a recommendation from Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's initiative to cut government spending dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk has long been critical of working from home, which he has called "morally wrong."

Around half of the country's 2.3 million federal employees work fully in-person, while the other half are eligible for remote work, according to the Office of Management and Budget. Around 10% are fully remote.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump plans to fire federal workers who won't work in person
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)

The Pentagon on Monday tried to calm fears about drones spotted over at least eight states.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder noted that while "concerning activity" is still being investigated, it's not uncommon to see drones flying in the sky.

He added that it's also not an indication of "malicious activity or any public safety threat."

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters on Monday the drones did not appear to present a safety risk.

"We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful, commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones," Kirby said. "We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey, or other states in the Northeast."

Public concern began to arise in mid-November when drones were spotted over New Jersey. Since then, people in places like New York, Pennsylvania and even Ohio have spotted drones.

RELATED STORY | Federal government sending 'state-of-the-art' drone detection system to New York

In at least one case, drones were spotted over a military base. Ryder acknowledged that drones near military bases are not necessarily uncommon.

"If a determination is made that unauthorized drones are conducting any malign or malicious activity, commanders are authorized to take appropriate action to mitigate and counter these unmanned systems," Ryder said.

Officials said on Monday that drones spotted over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Greene County, Ohio, had not presented a threat.

"To date, installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets," said Bob Purtiman, Chief of Public Affairs for Wright-Patterson AFB.

U.S. officials have been reluctant to say who may be responsible for flying the drones in each case. Ryder noted, however, that many drones are flying lawfully.

RELATED STORY | Two men arrested following 'hazardous drone operation' near Boston airport

"We need to be careful to avoid assuming malintent or malicious behavior," he added.

Ryder was pressed on whether the drones were part of a U.S. military operation.

"To my knowledge, there are no military operations that are  these are not military drones," he said.

Scripps News confirmed with a source familiar with the proceedings that the House Intelligence Committee will hold a classified briefing about the drones on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the FBI in New Jersey has warned the public not to aim lasers or shoot weapons at drones or other aircraft.
Donald Trump Jr. has broken his silence after he and Kimberly Guilfoyle called it quits.

Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and will always keep a special bond, Trump, 46, told Page Six in a Friday, December 13, statement. I could not be more proud of her and the important role shell continue to play [as U.S. ambassador to Greece.]

Trump added, Shes been an undefeated prosecutor, national TV news star, a leader of the MAGA movement and close advisor to the president. The people of Greece are getting an absolute star and now the whole world will see it more than ever.

According to Trump, no one deserves this ambassadorship more than Guilfoyle, 55. Trumps father, president-elect Donald Trump Sr. had named Guilfoyle as his pick to represent the United States in Greece when his second term begins in January 2025.

Donald Trump Jr. Is Smitten With Bettina Anderson After Amicable Kimberly Guilfoyle Split

Us Weekly confirmed earlier this week that Trump and Guilfoyle called off their engagement.

Don and Kimberly broke up before the election and started to divide assets around the end of September, a source exclusively told Us, adding that the pair never discussed their breakup publicly to avoid detracting from other important issues.

The insider also claimed that Trump was the person to end the relationship, but that the breakup was amicable.

So is their relationship today, the insider added. They just had different goals.

Trump and Guilfoyle were friends for many years before they started dating in 2018. He proposed two years later, confirming the engagement at his sister Tiffanys 2022 wedding to Michael Boulos.

Since Trump and Guilfoyle split, they have both moved on, according to the source. Trump, for his part, has recently been linked to socialite Bettina Anderson.

Its a new relationship. He likes her a lot and has a lot of respect for her, the source told Us, noting that Trump is smitten.

Who Is Bettina Anderson? 5 Things to Know About Socialite Spotted Holding Hands With Donald Trump Jr.

Guilfoyle was previously married to Gavin Newsom, the current governor of California, from 2001 to 2006 and Eric Villency from 2006 to 2009. The TV personality and Villency share 18-year-old son Ronan.

Trump, for his part, was married to ex-wife Vanessa between 2005 and 2018. They share five children: Kai, 17, Donald, 15, Tristan, 13, Spencer, 12, and Chloe, 10.

As for Trumps newfound relationship with Anderson, neither of the pair have publicly addressed their status. They were spotted holding hands in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, December 10.
Former Google CEO and White Stork defense startup founder Eric Schmidt say AI drones are the future of war. Shahar Azran/Getty Images

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says human-directed AI-controlled drones are the future of war.

Schmidt's startup, White Stork, is developing drones for Ukraine to use in its war with Russia.

AI drones are a growing trend in military innovation, as is tech to counter them.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says AI drones are the future of warfare but that human operators will need to ensure they don't go haywire.

Schmidt was Google's CEO from 2001 to 2011. He is now the founder of an AI drone startup called White Stork, which has provided Ukraine with drones to use in its war with Russia. At a Stanford lecture in August, Schmidt said that the war in Ukraine had turned him into a "licensed arms dealer." Schmidt said at the Stanford lecture that the startup's goal is to use AI "in complicated, powerful ways."

Schmidt's White Stork and Palmer Luckey's Anduril are at the forefront of developing autonomous drones for the US military.

Schmidt has said he imagines a future where humans are far from the front line of conflicts, operating from afar machines that do the actual fighting. Speaking to PBS on Friday, Schmidt said that using armed men on the battlefield is an "antiquated method of war."

"The correct model, and obviously war is horrific, is to have the people well behind and have the weapons well up front, and have them networked and controlled by AI," Schmidt said. "The future of war is AI, networked drones of many different kinds."

At a tech conference in Saudi Arabia in October, Schmidt called tanks "useless" and said a $5,000 drone could destroy a $5 million American tank.

Schmidt said it's more important that the United States maintains the "human in the loop" rule for AI drones, meaning that a person will have "meaningful human control" of drones on the battlefield.

"What will happen is that the computer will produce the battle plan and the human will authorize it, thereby giving the legitimacy of both authorizing it as a human but also the legitimacy of control and liability if they make a mistake," Schmidt said.

Having a human operator is key to preventing a "Dr. Strangelove situation," Schmidt said, where "you have an automatic weapon which makes the decision on its own."

"That would be terrible," he said.

Scott Sacknoff, president of aerospace and defense investment firm Spade Index, previously told Business Insider that autonomous drones in warfare are "definitely a trend."

"Every 20 years, the defense sector sort of goes through a cycle where here are the new technologies that will have a greater impact on defense and military," he said.

Sacknoff said the military defense business is always looking for a "counter" to the newest technology and that the growth of autonomous drones would likely bring more innovations to stop them.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Syrias new regime, led by a group with former ties to al Qaeda, is on a mission to gain international legitimacy  and its already seeing some success.

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, an internationally sanctioned former jihadist, has been meeting foreign dignitaries since his group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) ousted ex-President Bashar al Assads regime last week. He seeks to present Syrias new regime as a friendly, inclusive and non-belligerent state.

On Sunday, he secured a meeting in Damascus with Geir Otto Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, who said the international community will hopefully see a quick end to sanctions, so that we can see really a rallying around building up Syria again.

The envoy however warned that there must be justice and accountability for crimes, but that they must go through a credible justice system.

And on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she tasked a European top diplomat in Syria to go to Damascus to make the contacts with the new government and people there, adding that EU would consider more steps if we see that Syria goes in the right direction.

So far, the United States and the United Kingdom have also established contact with the rebel groups ruling the country, along with Qatar and Turkey. UN officials have met with Syrias interim prime minister, and the UK this week sent a delegation to Damascus, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said at a press conference on Monday.

Experts say that while Syrias unfolding events present an opportunity to prevent the state from collapsing, they also come with uncertainties and risks as the countrys new leaders come to power  many with an unsavory past.

Jolani, who now goes by his real name Ahmad al-Sharaa, and his group, HTS, burst out of their pocket of territory in the northwest of Syria earlier this month, swiftly taking control of the countrys second-largest city Aleppo before capturing the strategic city of Hama and then the capital Damascus.

Despite his efforts over the years to distance HTS from al Qaeda, the US designated the group a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2018 and placed a $10 million bounty on him. HTS and its leader are also designated as terrorists by the UN and other governments.

Qutaiba Idlbi, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Councils Middle East Programs who focuses on Syria, said that while engaging with the US- and UN-designated terrorist organization will present its challenges, the designation presents important leverage for the United States and international partners.

An anti-government fighter waves an Islamic flag from atop a tank in Damascus, Syria on December 9. - Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images

The incoming Trump administration could use that leverage to ensure HTS walks the walk as an acceptable actor within the Syrian scene and affirm it is no longer threatening US or regional security, Idlbi wrote for the Atlantic Council, adding that this can be done through dialogue with Turkey, which had long been at odds with Assad.

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington has had direct contact with HTS, in the first public confirmation of direct contact between the US and the group.

Yes, weve been in contact with HTS and the other parties, Blinken said at a news conference in Jordan, adding that the contact was direct. He gave no details on when the contact was made or at what level. There is no legal barrier to speaking with a designated terrorist group.

In his first sit-down media interview with CNN at an undisclosed location in Syria, Jolani pushed back against the enduring terror designation, calling the label primarily political and, at the same time, inaccurate.

The rebel leader has argued that some extreme Islamist practices had created a divide between HTS and jihadist groups early on, and claimed to oppose some of the more brutal tactics used by other jihadi groups which led to his severing ties with them. He also claimed that he was never personally involved in attacks on civilians.

It is unclear whether Western states will lift the terror designation or what will become of the pre-existing sanctions that were placed on the former regime.

Asked whether the terror designation hinders the US ability to speak to the rebel group, and whether the designation will be lifted, a senior state department official told reporters last week that the US is watching whether HTSs statements are translated into actions on the ground.

Were very much hopeful they will be, the official said.

Syrias economy has been cripped for years by Western sanctions. Among the harshest is the US 2019 Caesar Act, which imposed wide-ranging sanctions that restricted individuals, companies or governments from economic activities assisting Assads war effort. The act rendered the entire economy untouchable. According to the World Bank, the countys economy shrank by more than half between 2010 and 2020.

Syrians chant slogans as they gather for Friday prayers at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, Syria on December 13. - Leo Correa/AP

As of 2022, poverty was affecting 69% of Syrias population, according to the World Bank. Extreme poverty affected more than one in four Syrians in 2022, the World Bank said, adding that this number likely deteriorated after a devastating earthquake in February 2023.

Idlbi, of the Atlantic Council, wrote that while Assads fall presents an opportunity, it is not a panacea and could lead to further instability if not carefully managed.

The Biden and Trump administrations must adopt a balanced and strategic approach, focusing on inclusive governance, humanitarian support, and regional stability, Idlbi wrote. An opportunity of the kind that now presents itself in Syria comes only once.

CNNs Jomana Karadsheh, Gul Tuysuz, Brice Laine, Lauren Kent, Eyad Kourdi, Jennifer Hansler contributed reporting.

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The family of a Tennessee man on death row called on Republican Gov. Bill Lee to reexamine the case for a potential pardon at a press conference Friday.

"I'm just begging you, Governor Lee, all we are asking is to just sit down and look at Gary's case," Carolyn Miller, a part of the group "Justice for Gary Wayne Sutton," said.

Gary Wayne Sutton was convicted for the 1992 murders of siblings Tommy Griffin and Connie Branam in Blount County, located south of Knoxville. Sutton has maintained his innocence in the case and advocates for him have argued that the case against Sutton was flawed.

Miller told USA TODAY in an interview ahead of the press conference that she was in a relationship with Sutton at the time of the murders and reconnected when she saw that he was, at the time, one of the next nine people to be executed.

Rev. Jeff Hood (right) speaks to James Sutton (center) during the "Not Another Christmas Without Gary" press conference in a handout photo taken on December 13 at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.

"What we're asking the governor to (is) just sit down and look at this," Miller told USA TODAY. "You will see what we're talking about. At this point he is to only one that has the power to help."

The call for a reexamination was echoed by James Sutton, Garys 94-year-old father, who spoke at the press conference.

Oh it hurt me. It hurt me real bad. Gary didnt do nothing like that, Sutton said of his son's conviction.

The US has executed 23 men this year: A look at the state of the death penalty

Press conference highlights pain death row families suffer at Christmas

Noted anti-death penalty activist Rev. Jeff Hood, who spoke at the press conference titled "Not Another Christmas Without Gary," told USA TODAY in an interview ahead of the press conference that acting as a spiritual advisor to those on death row during the holiday season brings clarity to his work.

"Christmas is a moment that speaks to what is possible in terms of our criminal justice system, that that love can break in, can change the hardest of hearts, and love can make things whole," Hood told USA TODAY.

Miller told USA TODAY that the holidays were difficult for families of those on death row.

"It's just harder on the holidays because this is the time of year you should be with your family," Miller said.

Hood said that holding the press conference during the holiday season sharpened the message advocates are attempting to send to the governor.

"When we say not another Christmas without Gary, we are acknowledging that something is wrong. Something is deeply wrong. This is a grave injustice, and it is our job to make it right," Hood said.

Private investigator questions state's case

Heather Cohen, a private investigator in Tennessee, reiterated previous statements against the prosecutor's case.

"It is the worst case of injustice that I've ever seen," Cohen said. "Gary represents everything wrong with the justice system. It is an example of what happens when the integrity of the investigation is not upheld."

Advocates for Sutton pointed to recanted witness testimony, the placement of shotgun shells and the stripping of the license of the medical examiner who testified in the case as reasons for Lee to look at the case.

"As a Southerner, having lived all over the South, in some of these backwoods places I lived and loved, there is a rush to judgment because people were afraid. And in this situation, there's no doubt that took place," Hood said at the press conference.

Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond stood behind the conviction in a statement published by Knoxville television station WVLT, noting that the case has gone through extensive appeals.

"Dozens of judges have reviewed his case and concluded that the evidence was more than sufficient to uphold his convictions," Desmond wrote. "This includes a review of the 'new' evidence he claims supports his exoneration."

Lee paused executions in 2022 and ordered a third-party review of the state's execution protocol moments before Oscar Franklin Smith was set to be executed. An investigation by the Tennessean  a part of the USA TODAY Network  found that the state and its contractors regularly deviated from the lethal injection protocol Tennessee instituted in 2018, likely resulting in the execution of the two convicted murderers using expired, compromised or untested drugs.

In September, Lee told Knoxville television station WATE that the state was closer than further to having a protocol that would cause the state to restart executions. Tennessee Department of Correction commissioner Frank Strada told state lawmakers in October that the department would have the protocol ready by the end of the year, according to WKRN.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gary Wayne Sutton's family calls TN governor to examine death row case
By Thomas Escritt

BERLIN (Reuters) -Chancellor Olaf Scholz will call on Germany's parliament on Monday to declare it has no confidence in him, taking the first formal step towards securing an early national election following his government's collapse.

The departure last month of the neoliberal Free Democrats from the three-way coalition left Scholz's Social Democrats and the Greens governing without a parliamentary majority just when Germany faces its deepest economic crisis in a generation.

Scholz remains as caretaker leader until a new government can be formed after the planned Feb. 23 election, and already the campaign is turning to arguments over which urgent measures he should pass with opposition backing before then.

Rules drawn up to prevent the series of short-lived and unstable governments that played an important role in helping the Nazis rise to power in the 1930s means that the path to new elections is long and largely controlled by the chancellor.

"I hope we will follow tradition and get a stable government within a reasonable time frame," German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

The president's role is largely ceremonial but includes dissolving parliament and formally calling an election, on the chancellor's advice, after the loss of a no-confidence vote.

Scholz has outlined a list of urgent measures that could pass with opposition support before the election, including 11 billion euros ($11.55 billion) of tax cuts and an increase in child benefits already agreed on by former coalition partners. Measures to tackle fiscal drag - the tendency of inflation to shift taxpayers into higher tax brackets - and high energy prices look less certain.

ARGUMENTS

"We're only going to discuss proposals that must urgently be dealt with," said senior conservative legislator Thorsten Frei.

The conservatives, far ahead in the polls under their leader Friedrich Merz, have hinted they could back measures to better protect the Constitutional Court from the machinations of a future populist or anti-democratic government and to extend a popular subsidised transport ticket.

"Important decisions need to be made that are being blocked by the opposition," SPD co-chair Saskia Esken told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. "We're still waiting on energy price cuts. Friedrich Merz should move on this."

The outcome of Monday's vote is not entirely certain. Scholz's SPD is likely to signal it still has confidence in the chancellor, while opposition conservatives and the Free Democrats are expected not to.

The far-right Alternative for Germany, with whom all other parties refuse to work, could surprise legislators by voting that they do have confidence in Scholz.

If both the SPD and the Greens also back Scholz, that would leave him in the awkward position of remaining in office with the support of a party that he rejects as anti-democratic. In that case, most observers expect he would resign, which itself would trigger an election.

To prevent that scenario, many legislators expect the Greens to abstain.

($1 = 0.9522 euros)

(Reporting by Thomas EscrittEditing by Louise Heavens and Gareth Jones)
BOSTON  Two people were arrested Saturday night in Boston for what police describe as a "hazardous drone operation."

Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown, and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater were arrested on Long Island in Boston Harbor.

Both men are charged with trespassing. Additional fines or charges could be added, Boston police said.

Boston drone arrests

According to Boston police, an officer spotted an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) flying close to Logan Airport. The officer was able to find the drone's location, altitude, flight history and track the operator to Long Island.

Because the drones were close to the Logan Airport airspace, Boston police worked with Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control as part of its investigation.

Three people were found inside the Long Island Health Campus, which is no longer in operation.

When police arrived, they say one of the suspects ran. Duffy and Folcik were taken into custody. Officers said they found a drone inside Duffy's backpack. The third suspect is believed to have fled the area on a small boat.

Duffy and Folcik are scheduled to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court Monday.

Drones in Massachusetts

Boston police reminded the public that recreational drone operators must follow FAA guidelines. Drones cannot be flown over people or vehicles, and operators must follow airspace restrictions.

"Even a small drone being impacted by a jet plane going 200 miles an hour will exert thousands of pounds of force," said airline pilot Patrick Smith. "That said, it's unlikely that a small hobby drone can crash an airplane, a big plane, but it is possible. And you certainly have the possibility of millions of dollars of damage."

Drone sightings were reported for about 30 minutes Thursday night on Cape Cod. People reported seeing drones with flashing red, green and blue lights.

Harwich Police Chief Kevin Considine spoke to WBZ-TV about how difficult it is for local departments to monitor drone sightings.

"They are tough to manage, and that's why the first thing we did today was just submit our report to our local partners from the federal government and the state police just so they can start looking into it," Considine said.

Dozens of other drone reports have come in from across Massachusetts, most recently from Marshfield, Natick and Tewksbury.

"We're monitoring the situation closely and state police are working together with local and federal partners, and they're prepared to support federal authorities with jurisdiction over airspace," Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement.

"I don't want to say that it's just a matter of time before there's a collision between a commercial plane and a drone but the likelihood of that is increasing," said Smith.

New Jersey drones

Mysterious drone sightings have been reported in the skies of New Jersey in recent weeks.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent a letter to President Joe Biden, asking for more help from the federal government.

Murphy told Biden the ongoing sightings are raising more questions than answers, adding that people "deserve more concrete information."

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Honeywell said that it may calve its aerospace division from the conglomerate, sending shares up more than 2% before the opening bell Monday.

The announcement arrives about one month after Elliott Investment Management revealed a stake of more than $5 billion in the aerospace, automation and materials company.

In a letter sent to Honeywells board, Elliott said that the company needed to simplify its structure as it deals with uneven execution, inconsistent financial results and an underperforming stock price.

Elliott wants the the Charlotte, North Carolina, company to separate its automation and aerospace businesses.

The board of Honeywell International Inc. has been exploring strategic options for the company since earlier this year. It has said there will be an update in late January when it releases its fourth-quarter earnings results.

A number of American conglomerates, like General Electric and Dow Chemical, have already broken up their companies to become more nimble. Shares of Honeywell have trailed the S&P 500 index by a wide margin this year.

The company, which makes everything from eye solution to barcode readers, is already shifting. Since last December, Honeywell announced plans to spin off its advanced materials business, entered an agreement to sell its personal protective equipment business, as its made several acquisitions.

"Honeywell is now well-positioned for significant transformational alternatives, and we are continuing our deeper, more granular exploration of their feasibility and possible timing, Chairman and CEO Vimal Kapur said in a statement. Honeywells board of directors remains committed to maximizing shareholder value creation, and any decision will be evaluated against that goal.
Damascus  A CBS News team drove through a Syrian military airbase on the outskirts of capital city Damascus Monday, and the devastation caused by Israeli air strikes was abundantly clear. Israel has said it's determined to destroy weapons and other military hardware that ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad and his father spent half of a century accumulating, before it can fall into the hands of extremists.

The Israeli military has pounded Syrian military infrastructure relentlessly since Assad fled to Russia earlier this month  forced out by a shock rebel offensive after a decade of civil war that had, until about two weeks ago, largely ground to an apparent stalemate.

Syrians search for loved ones who vanished under Assad regime

The damage inflicted on Assad's old war machine has been staggering. One strike overnight in the coastal city of Tartus, for instance, was so massive that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group quoted a scientist in Turkey as saying it had registered on the Richter scale as the equivalent of a category-3 earthquake.

Until Moscow's ally Assad fled from Syria, Russia maintained its only major naval base outside of Russian territory in Tartus. Satellite imagery (below) showed most of the Russian ships disappearing from the Tartus port quickly after Assad fell, but the Russian Ministry of Defense said Monday that it was still figuring out what to do about its military hardware and personnel in the country, in talks with the country's new de-facto rebel rulers.

photo-slider visualization

Israel's military, meanwhile, says it has laid waste to most of Assad's heavy weapons and air defenses. In a statement on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said that in recent days its fighter jets had "inflicted severe damage on Syria's most strategic weapons: fighter jets and helicopters, Scud missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, surface-to-sea precision-guided missiles, surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, radars, rockets, and more."

The IDF said its strikes had destroyed "over 90% of the identified strategic surface-to-air missiles" of the ousted regime.

The lightning takeover of Syria one week ago by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham, or HTS, has also seen Israeli forces carry out a land incursion that stretches past the occupied Golan Heights region into a previously demilitarized buffer zone inside Syria.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of HTS and Syria's new de-facto leader, has criticized what he described as Israel's "uncalculated military adventures," and said he and his group  which, before publicly distancing itself from extremist ideology was an al-Qaeda affiliate  was more interested in state-building than opening another conflict with Israel.

Syrian Air Force helicopters at the Mezzeh Military Airport near the capital are left destroyed by some of the more than 500 Israeli strikes against military targets across Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, Dec. 15, 2024 north of Damascus, Syria. / Credit: Scott Peterson/Getty

The targeting of Syria's military sites has also revealed deep neglect by Assad. Years of corruption and a decade of civil war had hollowed out the nation's armed forces, contributing to his regime's collapse. Much of the hardware left behind by his forces when they surrendered to the rebels or simply shed their uniforms and ran away is old and clearly lacking maintenance.

Assad's office issued the first statement attributed to the deposed leader since he was forced to flee from his country, meanwhile. In it, he claims he never considered resigning nor fleeing, but that he took shelter in the Russian-run air base at Hmeimim as the rebels closed in, and when that facility came under a sustained drone attack, he says an evacuation was ordered on Dec. 8, the day after the HTS rebels took the capital Damascus.

He said he eventually left for Russia as there was nothing else he could do in Syria, lamenting the country's fall "into the hands of terrorism."

The statement was posted to the Syrian Presidency's official channel on the Telegram messaging app, with a note saying it had been posted after several unsuccessful attempts to release it through Arabic and international media outlets. The statement was deleted relatively quickly from the Telegram channel, however, without any explanation, before reappearing there and on the presidency's Facebook page.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, is welcomed by supporters before addressing a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque, Dec. 8, 2024. Sharaa was previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. / Credit: ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP/Getty

While the wider international community is still trying to figure out how to deal with HTS, which has said it will respect Syrians all of religions and appears determined to be viewed as a secular interim administration  though it has not said what will come next for the country after a three-month transitional period  Israel and the U.S. have remained focused largely on securing Assad's stockpiled weapons.

For Israel, that has meant the most ferocious airstrikes carried out in Syria in years, and they continued on Monday, just over a week after Assad's sudden departure.

Whoever does end up in control of Syria will inherit a military infrastructure largely in tatters. Judging by the IDF's statement on Monday, claiming its strikes amounted to "a significant achievement for the Israeli Air Force's superiority in the region," that could be exactly as intended.

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The remaining five Australians from the infamous Bali Nine drug gang are relieved and happy to be home after Canberra struck a deal with Jakarta to end their two decades of imprisonment.

The five, who were serving life sentences, belong to a wider group of nine who were caught attempting to smuggle more than 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of heroin out of Balis international airport and into Australia in 2005. They were freed and sent home on Sunday.

I am pleased to confirm that Australian citizens, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens have returned to Australia this afternoon, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on X on Sunday.

In a statement, the five men and their families said they were immensely grateful to the Indonesian president and his government for their release. They also thanked their friends and lawyers, as well as the Australian authorities.

The five men are relieved and happy to be back in Australia. They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society, it said.

The botched plot has long been a point of tension between the two countries with the Australian government advocating for their return for decades.

Indonesia executed the groups two Australian ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in 2015, prompting then Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to call it a dark moment in the relationship.

Last month, Albanese raised the mens case to Indonesias newly sworn in President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Peru, Reuters reported. Indonesias Law Minister had confirmed at the time that it had agreed to return the remaining men, the agency said.

I thank President Prabowo Subianto for his compassion, Albanese wrote on X on Sunday.

The five members are now set to be free, Nine News reported.

In a separate joint statement with Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Sunday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.

Matthew Norman, left, talks with Indonesian representative council at Kerobokan prison in Bali, Indonesia, on December 6, 2024. - Firdia Lisnawati/AP/File

The Bali Nine were arrested in 2005 by Indonesian police following a tip from Australian authorities.

Four of them were arrested at Denpasar International Airport with over 8 kilograms of heroin strapped to their bodies, while another four were found at a hotel on the island of Kuta. Chan, one of the ringleaders, was captured after boarding a plane to Sydney.

Chan and Sukumaran were sentenced to death while the other seven were eventually handed a life sentence after an appeal.

The only female member of the group, Renae Lawrence, was freed in 2018 after serving 13 years of her 20-year sentence. Lawrence had initially been sentenced to life in prison, but later her punishment was commuted to 20 years and she was released early on good behavior.

Another member, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of kidney cancer in 2018 while in custody, Nine News reported.

The case of the Bali Nine highlighted the strict laws on drug trafficking in Indonesia, where several foreigners are currently detained on similar charges.

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Gotham has Batman, but New York wants Robin.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said this weekend that the Department of Homeland Security should send special drone-detection technology made by Robin Radar Systems to New York and New Jersey following a series of mysterious sightings.

If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is the technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on, Schumer told reporters on Sunday.

Schumer said he is requesting Robins equipment in part because it uses not a linear line of sight, but 360-degree technology that has a much better chance of detecting these drones.

In recent years, the Netherlands-based Robin Radar Systems has risen in prominence, though its hardware is not only used to track down drones.

Robin is part of a consortium developing small radar satellites that can measure water levels, according to the Netherlands Space Office. In February, the company also deployed four bird-detection radars to support the creation of what has been billed as the worlds most ecological wind farm in the Dutch part of the North Sea.

Follow along for live coverage

Robin Radar Systems' drone detection system offerings: IRIS 3D 360 UAS Detection and ELVIRA 2D 360 UAS Detection.

In early October 2023, Robin announced it had joined a group of organizations working on the development of the worlds most advanced weather radar, known as PHARA. The groups mission is to develop a fully 3D weather radar that can accurately track the movement and growth process of cloud particles and large-scale weather fronts.

Detecting small objects is what we do, and its what we do best, the company says on its website. Bird, bat, or drone, our 360 radar systems log thousands of observations, scanning every second to track and classify with precision.

Robins systems have been used in at least one notable military context, too. In early August, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced it had purchased 51 drone radars from the company and planned to donate them to Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelenskyys forces attempt to fend off Russias aerial assault.

In a news release announcing the purchase, Robin explained that traditional radar systems are typically stationary, mounted on fixed platforms like buildings or tripods. But the Robin-produced radar systems have on-the-move functionality, allowing them to perform even when mounted on mobile objects, like vehicles or ships.

Robins 3D drone detection radars  are designed with the explicit purpose of detecting small, fast and elusive drones, the company said.

The deployment of Robin technology could come as a relief to residents in the New York and New Jersey areas who have been rattled by the bright, unidentified flying objects hovering above their homes almost every night for weeks.

The objects have appeared in the sky since at least Nov. 18. It remains unclear who is operating the devices. The Pentagon has insisted the objects are not owned by the military.

In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Robin Radar Systems general manager Kristian Brost said the companys radars can detect a drone in the sky, but we cant tell you whos flying it [or] what country its from.

Schumers request to Homeland Security came two days after New York Stewart International Airport was closed following multiple drone sightings nearby. The Democratic lawmaker told reporters it was remarkable that we have more questions than answers amid a growing number of mysterious sightings.

Some of the drones are small. Some of the drones flight patterns are erratic, Schumer said. Multiple drones flying together can confuse a traditional radar system, and thats why, again, this new technology can really get us the answers that we need.

Schumer said he was working to pass a bill that would give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection. Currently, only federal agencies have the legal authority to scour for drones. The Democratic lawmakers office did not immediately respond to an email Monday requesting more information.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, meanwhile, said on X late Sunday that he had met with state police officials and radar technicians who are surveying the area for unmanned aircraft systems.

The public deserves clear answers  we will keep pushing the federal government for more information and resources, Murphy said.
LONDON (AP)  A lawyer for convicted British killer nurse Lucy Letby said Monday that he plans to ask an appeals court to re-examine her convictions after the prosecution's leading expert changed his opinion on how three babies died.

Dr. Dewi Evans's testimony is no longer credible after he reversed his opinion that Letby killed three infants by injecting air down a nasal gastric tube, attorney Mark McDonald said.

The defense will argue that Dr. Evans is not a reliable expert, and given that he was the lead expert for the prosecution, we say that all the convictions are not safe, McDonald said.

Letby, 34, is serving multiple life sentences with no chance of release after being convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to murder seven others while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwestern England between June 2015 and June 2016.

The Crown Prosecution Service defended the verdicts.

Two juries and three appeal court judges have reviewed a multitude of different strands of evidence against Lucy Letby, a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. In May, the Court of Appeal dismissed Letbys leave to appeal on all grounds  rejecting her argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed.

Prosecutors said at trial that Letby's methods left little trace and included injecting air into their bloodstreams, poisoning them with insulin and interfering with breathing tubes. Prosecutors said she was a constant malevolent presence" and was alone on duty in the neonatal unit when the children collapsed or died.

Letby, who testified at two trials that she never harmed a child, has stood by her claims of innocence.

Experts said it is unusual to ask the Court of Appeal to reopen its previous decision to reject a case and would require convincing evidence to succeed.

It is vanishingly rare for a lead expert witness in a criminal case to change his mind on key evidence," said defense lawyer Sean Caulfield, who is not involved in the case. It is also rare for there to be a bid to reopen an appeal after it has already been refused by the Court of Appeal. I have never seen these two things happen in unison during my 20-year plus career. It is quite an astonishing turn of events."

McDonald said 15 medical experts around the world are reviewing trial evidence.

An inquiry currently underway to examine failures by the hospital to recognize why babies were dying and why they took so long to stop Letby opened in September against a backdrop of experts and others who have questioned evidence used against Letby.

A group of scientists, doctors and legal experts that independently reviewed scientific evidence from Letbys trial warned Britains ministers of health and justice that legal systems were particularly vulnerable to errors when dealing with technical matters, especially in cases involving statistical anomalies in health care settings.

Evans gave his new opinions on the death of infants identified in court as Baby C, Baby I and Baby P in a signed response to a Channel 5 documentary, McDonald said.

Dont get me wrong, Im sure Dr. Evans is still going to say that Lucy Letby is guilty and he has a different view or different hypothesis in relation to it," McDonald said. But the cause of death that was before the Court of Appeal is different now, according to Dr. Evans, and I think that is a profound issue that needs to be relooked at.

Evans has not yet responded to a request for comment following McDonald's news conference.

Additionally, two neonatologists working with the defense said there were medical reasons Baby C and Baby O became ill and could not be resuscitated, McDonald said.
Since the destruction of the Tower of Babel, traveling around the world has become much more complicated by the fact that we often don't know other people's languages and customs. And while the first problem can still be dealt with by learning the language, the second is much more difficult - sometimes a whole lifetime is not enough to get acquainted with all the habits and traditions of another country.

Especially if you are going to this country for literally a couple of days. Then a variety of curiosities are almost inevitable. As it happened more than once with the participants of this viral thread in the AskReddit community, who then decided to share their funny and eye-opening fails online.

More info: Reddit

#1

When I went through passport control in Jordan upon arrival I was a little bit frazzled after a full day of connecting flights



Here is how that conversation went, or rather *how I heard it*:



Officer: First time, Air Jordans?



Me: Uhhh, no I just have Nikes on



Officer: Mam, first time, Air Jordans?



Me, now looking at my feet, very confused: Uhhhh, no I dont have any Air Jordans but I guess I used to have them maybe sometime uhhh



Officer, somewhere between being pissed off and wildly amused: Mam. Is this your first time, HERE IN JORDAN??



I was so embarrassed I nearly died from shame, thankfully he let me through. It still pops up as a memory every once in a while, my brain is just not willing to let that one slide..

Image credits: Glittersunpancake

#2

In Russia I wanted to buy meat from the deli counter. I didn't fancy trying to explain a weight I wanted, so pointed at some pre packaged meat trays behind a glass counter. She looked at me confused and told me to take it in Russian. I was like "I can't it's behind glass". Went like this for a while until I thought I'd demonstrate and put my hand to the glass, it wasn't glass, just fresh air, the glass counter stopped before the pre packaged items.

Image credits: IsolatedPSup

#3

So I refuled my rental car at a gas station in australia. I got to know Australians to be very outgoing, so when the girl at the counter asked me

wherre you from?

I reckoned she wanted to have a little chat and started to talk about myself. But she was

no, haha, I mean which gas pump.

Image credits: 3dGrabber

As of today, the original thread has more than 1.3K upvotes and around 706 comments with various stories and their lively discussion. The stories are discouraging, funny, sometimes sad - but in any case, interesting. And Bored Panda makes a selection of the most outstanding tales from this thread for your pleasure.

#4

I have a "lost in translation" story for you.

I love traveling to Indonesia, and eventually, I figured I had no more excused and began learning Bahasa Indonesia.

All proud of the few sentences I spoke, I made sure I would always tell people "see you later" upon leaving the shop, hotel, and/or restaurant.

It took me 4 days, and many confused looks for me to double-check what I was actually saying.



I meant to say "sampai nanti ya" (see you later), but instead, I told people "sampai manti ya," which beautifully translates to "until you die, yeah"...

Image credits: Glittering_Bid1112

#5

Staying with my brother in a hotel in Orlando. We are both Germans, my brothers english is mediocre at best. We wanted to start the next day early.

My brother asks me if they offer wake up calls in this hotel. Im like of course, just ring reception.



Now, for context, six in German is sechs and sounds similar to s*x.



My brother picks up the phone and I can hear him talking to the girl at the front desk: yes yes I would like s*x in the morning.



I could not stop laughing.

Image credits: schlonz67

#6

Nothing too embarrassing but I still laugh about it, went to a fancy restaurant in Kyoto once and the hostess put down a little bowl of what I guessed was soup/broth on the table so I drank it. She came back about a minute later with some tempura and seemed surprised that I drank the dipping sauce that was intended for it. She was like oh. did you like it?.

Image credits: Parrotshake

Of course, the stories told here are mostly about tourists not having any idea about some cultural or culinary customs in the country they are visiting - and this turns into some embarrassing yet amusing experience for them. Someone drinks sauce in a restaurant, someone breaks an unspoken rule of local etiquette, and someone even confuses the name of the local airline with the brand of their sneakers.

#7

When I had just arrived to the Philippines, I couldnt find my friend. A cop (or perhaps a security guard) asked if they could help. I told him whats going on and he offered to call my friend, which I accepted. We make contact with my friend and I find her. The cop extends his hand which I took as wanting a high five. So I gave him five and ran off. It wasnt until later that I realized he wanted a tip. ?.

Image credits: iamsiobhan

#8

In Spanish "constipado" means you have a cold.



Spaniards have been getting massive diarrhea on top of the cold they already had in every English and French speaking country since the beginning of time (my mom, in Geneva in the 70s).

Image credits: Four_beastlings

#9

I was in France, Cannes on vacation with my GF.

There were Fireworks and lots of people because it was the 14. july french national Day.



There was a Bus with Food and i tried to order some Food. I can speak french but not super well. But to my excuse, the crowd was super loud and i couldnt hear the cashier properly. (Atleast thats my side of the story lmao)

So the cashier apparently asked what my name is. Idk why? So i, instead of telling my name i ordered Salmon. Repeated it. Because i tought she couldnt hear me.



She asked again if my name really is monsieur Salmon..



My gf and the cashiers were dying with laughter..

So, from this day on. I go by the name of Monsieur Salmon ??.

Image credits: gouche-77

Why do people get lost in translation abroad? The thing is, many languages of the world have their own unique specifics, so even if you know the basics of the language, you can still make annoying and funny mistakes.

"Every language has something unique - it could be in the syntax, the semantics, the phonetics, or the vocabulary, and that element is impossible to translate perfectly into another language," this dedicated post on Seven Circumstances says.

"For instance, Dutch has many uses for the diminutive, and many subtle meanings attached to each variant. <...> But those diminutives just sound weird in English." And if we are talking about languages from other language groups, with a fundamentally different system of syntax and word construction, then it becomes even way more complicated.

#10

Actually this happened to my husband when he was living in Europe for a summer in college. He was in France in a bakery and wanted to tell the baker how good the bread was. Freshly baked, flaky, no preservatives, etc. So he tried to make an English word sound French by saying no preservatif. Well that is the French word for condom. So the baker looked at him like he was crazy. Funny story though..

Image credits: BeachLover_99

#11

In my language we have the same word for try and taste. I was shopping pants and asked in three stores if I could taste them.

Image credits: skribuveturi

#12

Showing up at the airport with my family the day after our scheduled flight. The worst part was my dad was there dropping us off. ? Thank god the agent took pity on us & there were seats available, she booked us in on that evenings flight without any fees. That by far is the most embarrassing but had the best outcome.



In the mid-90s I was on a youth exchange between Uruguay and Canada. We were a group of youth working in rural communities & living with local families. One of my good friends in the group who was from Toronto was assigned to a local school and got lost on his first day, arriving late. In his panic to explain, he starts off by telling his new employer that he was muy embarazado about arriving late on his first day, realizing later that he had told them he was pregnant.

Image credits: ThreeFathomFunk

At the same time, there are so-called "false friends of the translator" - the words that look familiar and share consonants with well-known words, but at the same time are not even cognates. For example, in the Ukrainian language, the word "voda" means "water," but at the same time, the word "vodiy" has nothing in common with water and means "driver."

And such words and expressions are present in literally every language in the world - so even if you have superficial knowledge of some language, there is no guarantee that at some point you will not be let down by these "false friends." And then the main thing that remains is to simply perceive the failure with humor. And, perhaps, share your story in our selection.

#13

When I was 16, my family traveled to Europe. We mostly ate at restaurants with a waiter and a menu and would work together to figure out what each item was. But one day we went to a cafeteria style restaurant where you got a tray, pushed it along, and selected your food yourself. I came to the beverages and saw big glasses of nice cold milk, which I hadnt had all vacation. I grabbed one and sat down to eat. I took a huge gulp and nearly spit it back out thinking it was spoiled. Turns out it was buttermilk, which is what the sign said in German.

Image credits: badwhiskey63

#14

My friend and I went to a local restaurant in Indonesia, a jar of water on our table, we drank it, the local people looked at us. We saw local people use it wash their hands, that not for drink,only for wash hands.

Image credits: Baeyuki

#15

I was an exchange student living in Paris. My French improved a lot pretty quickly. One of the daughters hung out with questionable friends. I tried to do my own thing but apparently, she rubbed off on me.



At my prim grandmother's request, I made arrangements to meet an old friend of hers who lived at a very posh address. I was holding my own, French-wise, at a restaurant until we talked about dessert. She asked (in French) if I wanted cream or sugar on my strawberries. I said, "Je m'en fous." Basically means, "I don't give a f**k." I didn't know this until I returned to the States.

Image credits: AnnieMetz

Here we have collected lots of exciting and funny stories from different countries all over the globe, so we are almost sure that you will definitely find a story to your liking. And if not - I do suppose that you also have a similar case behind you, so please feel free to share it with us in the comments below this post of ours.

#16

In my own country in Australia I was in a different state and got pulled over to get breathalyzed. I was used to the type where you put your mouth on a straw and blow. But the cop in the other state held up a device near me and told me to count to 10. Super confused, I asked "...where do I blow?" and he repeated the instruction again, just count to 10. Again, confused, I leant in to blow into nothing until my passenger laughed and explained it and I wanted to melt away into my seat. I was completely sober.

Image credits: Lopsided_Initial_645

#17

I was in St. Petersburg, Russia, a teenager visiting a host family. I REALLY needed to use the bathroom. I had eagerly eaten all the new food. Tummy issues. In the broken language I knew I ask for a rest room. I was graciously shown my room with a bed. I think my face said more than my words so it worked out. Just super embarrassing.

Image credits: CuriouslyJulia

#18

I cant remember how much I actually took out of the ATM but I got my Krona/USD conversion wrong and the comma thing screwed me up.



I looked like Scrooge McDuck swimming in cash.

Image credits: FatLeeAdama2

#19

When we first moved to the US and barely knew any English, my mom got her first job and she became quite friendly with her first boss. I forgot the occasion but she bought her boss a greeting card that said with sympathy, which my mom didnt [realize] was for the funeral. She thought it meant like with appreciation or something lol.

Image credits: betterbetterthings

#20

Oh we got on a train in Bologna a few years ago, and a guy was in my seat. He insisted he wasnt and the conductor guy came over and pointed out my ticket was for the following day. Wow. It was an express, so at the next stop we had to buy tickets back to Bologna, walk back to our place where wed dropped the key at the office and explain we needed it back. It was a three week trip and Id just totally lost track of the days.

Image credits: LisbonVegan22

#21

My recent travel to Hong Kong was more than 15 years after my first one. This time, I was vacationing with my sisters. On our first night we went to all these food stalls along the street and I kept seeing Octopus available in almost all of them. So I thought to myself, Wow, grilled octopus must be really popular here!



I then went ahead to the next stall and bought myself some grilled Octopus. I was so excited and told my sisters Look, I got some octopus! It seems to be very popular here as all the stores say they have it! Only for them to laugh at my face and tell me that Octopus is what they call their train cards, much like Oyster for the UK. Good thing the grilled Octopus was tasty.

Image credits: darcydidwhat

#22

Showing up to a hotel on the other side of the world the day before my actual reservation. Done it twice. I may be calendar-challenged.

Image credits: WordsWithWings

#23

Was in Lima, Peru earlier this year, and I speak minimal Spanish. Having been immersed for a few days I got confident in my non-existent Spanish skills, and decided I would order a coffee using only Spanish and no English.



I sit down at the Cafe, and the server comes up to me. I want to order a hot coffee, but very quickly he says something I don't understand, I panic, and instead of saying the Spanish word for "hot" (caliente), I say the Spanish word for "shut up" (callate). His eyes go wide and he just kind of stares at me for a a few seconds, and he clarifies "no frio?" (Not cold). And I reply with yes. So.. thankfully he knew I wasn't trying to be a jerk and what I was trying to order.



I didnt even realize my mistake until a few hours later.

Image credits: The_Eighthmonth

#24

I brushed my teeth with hemorrhoid cream at my hosts house in Sweden, many years ago, thinking it was toothpaste.



I also made a caviar and jelly sandwich with the paste caviar from the metal tube, thinking it was peanut butter.



This was before unlimited international data on smart phones :).

Image credits: EntranceOld9706

#25

A year abroad in Italy four guys sharing an apartment and we had maids who would sweep everyday and change sheets and give you a clean towel and dishrag once a week. I became really close to the maids and they came in one day after we just finished having a dinner party for all of our friends to mop. The maid burst out laughing when she saw my roommate drying the dishes with what was apparently the bidet towels they provided weekly.

Image credits: droneupuk

#26

I accidentally joined a Spanish tour group in Budapest. It was my last day there and no way I could change to an English group because there were none that day. I definitely do not look like I speak English (Asian) so I had to follow along and act like I did. When people looked up, I looked up. When people giggled I giggled ?? I got through it but the whole experience makes me chuckle.

Image credits: shockedpikachu123

#27

Exact same thing happened to me in a small town in Czech Republic, went to the check out with a head of cabbage thinking you are charged for a head not by the weight of it. Lady said something to me in czech and instead of saying to her I dont speak czech I proceeded to go back to veggie section looking for a head with a barcode on it. I returned with the same blank cabbage, it was then I confessed I was a foreigner and had absolutely no idea what she was saying, her colleague took the cabbage and then weighed it.what an idiot I felt like.

Image credits: Icy-Load6559
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexico's anti-monopoly regulators on Monday imposed special conditions for a period of 10 years on Walmarts Mexico subsidiary for allegedly pressuring suppliers.

The decision follows a related $4.6 million fine handed down by the regulators, known as the Federal Competition Commission, for alleged monopolistic practices. Walmart de Mexico said last week it plans to appeal the fine.

The company did not immediately comment on Mondays announcement.

The Federal Competition Commission said Walmart must refrain from pressuring suppliers to grant it any discounts offered to competitors, among other things.

For 13 years, Walmart used its market power to impose abusive conditions on its suppliers, gaining illegal advantages over its competitors, the commission wrote in a statement.

Walmart had a system that allowed it impose discretional discounts, to force its suppliers not to give better prices or terms to other stores, seriously affecting them, especially those that were small and medium-sized, the statement said.

Walmart de Mexico  by far the largest retail chain in Mexico  described the case as unfair and claimed it contained errors in applying the law.

The anti-monopoly agency, which is soon to be eliminated, levied the fine after at least one rival store chain accused Walmart of using its substantial purchasing power to gain discounts that put other sellers at a disadvantage.

Walmart de Mexicos shares fell about 2.5% on the Mexican stock exchange Monday.
WASHINGTON  The more merrier. At least when it comes to invitations to foreign leaders to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next month.

Trump said Monday that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to take part in the festivities, he's welcome to come to Washington.

"If he'd like to come, I'd like to have him," Trump said at a Monday news conference after a reporter asked him if he'd invited the Ukrainian president.

Trump has been doling out invitations to foreign leaders to the January 20 event at the U.S. Capitol, where he will be sworn in and officially assume power. Chinese President Xi Jinping is among the dignitaries that Trump is known to have invited, though multiple media outlets reported last week the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. was likely to go instead. Argentine President Javier Milei, who was the first leader to meet with Trump in person after his electoral victory, reportedly plans to attend.

Zelenskyy and Trump held talks this month while they were both in Paris for the reopening of of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, but the incoming U.S. president said Monday that he did not invite the Ukrainian leader to attend his inauguration.

Neither the Ukrainian government nor the Trump transition team were immediately available for comment on the invitations.

While the U.S. government typically sends delegations to the inaugurations of foreign leaders, it is atypical for an incoming American president to invite foreign leaders to the celebration that takes place outdoors in winter and is accompanied by a parade.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort on December 16, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida.

However, at a news conference on Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump said he'd had a flood of requests from foreign leaders to meet with him. He indicated he was having difficulty keeping up.

Trump said he's taken more than 100 congratulatory calls from his former and future counterparts since the November election. "I'm trying...the best I can to get back to everybody, but there are a lot of countries," he said, "and every one of them, literally, every one called. It was very nice."

Trump said he hopes to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba soon and would be willing to do it before he takes office - if that's what Tokyo wants.

"The world leaders are calling me, and some really would like to meet," he said. "Literally, they're calling me. And I'll be seeing some of them. I think it's rude not to. I mean it's hard to say, I'm not going to see you."

In Paris, Trump said that he met with Prince William of Britain, who he said he was "very impressed" with after meeting the heir apparent to the monarchy.

Trump also said he'd been communicating with Xi, who he visited in Beijing and hosted at Mar-a-Lago during his first term. He told reporters on Monday that he has complicated feelings about Xi and said the COVID-19 pandemic strained their relationship.

But Trump said that he'd communicating with Xi recently through letters. "He's an amazing person," Trump said.

Trump also dismissed reports that the authoritarian leader would not attend his inauguration.

"I don't know that he won't be at the inauguration. I mean, I haven't really spoken to him about it. I don't know that actually. I would say that if he'd like to come, I'd love to have him. But there's been nothing much discussed," Trump said.

"He hasn't said one way or the other." Trump added, "It's something we barely discussed."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump invites Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy to inauguration
TAIPEI (Reuters) - A delegation of Chinese officials led by a deputy Shanghai mayor arrived in Taipei on Monday for an annual city-to-city forum, a rare visit happening at a time of heightened Taiwan-China military and political tension.

China, which claims the democratically governed island as its territory, last week carried out large-scale military activities near Taiwan, and regularly sends fighter jets and warships into the skies and waters around the island.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan arrived at Taipei's downtown Songshan airport to attend Tuesday's Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, which was first held in 2010, and did not answer questions shouted at him by reporters.

A small group from the pro-independence Taiwan Republic Office shouted "Taiwan and China, separate countries" as he left the airport.

"There is no goodwill. The communist bandits continue to hold military drills," Chilly Chen, head of the group, told Reuters.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, from the main opposition Kuomintang party that traditionally favours close ties across the strait although it denies being pro-Beijing, has said visits like this are needed more than ever at times of tension.

Chiang, who visited Shanghai last year for the same city forum, will host Hua at a banquet in the evening.

Taiwan's government last week blocked some members of the Shanghai delegation from attending, saying given China's stepped up military threats it had to take into account "the overall situation" when granting permission for the visit.

Adding to the drama, Taiwan's government on Friday demanded China release three members of a Taiwanese religious group arrested while in the country. China says they are suspected of organising an underground cult.

Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said on Monday the government was showing goodwill by allowing the forum to take place even in the face of the "still serious situation across the Taiwan Strait".

Taiwan's government has called for new talks with China but Beijing refuses to engage with President Lai Ching-te, calling him a "separatist".

Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Nearly every fast food chain makes their version of breaded and fried chicken strips, and a growing number of restaurants offer tenders. We tasted tenders, strips and fingers from 11 fast food and fast casual chains to find who makes the best. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

Is it a chicken tender, finger or strip?

Whatever you call your breaded and fried belts of boneless chicken, there are entire restaurants devoted to them. Once relegated to the kid's menu, chicken tenders are behind some of the most successful restaurant chains in the world.

This year, revenue at fast food chicken restaurants is expected to reach $61.1 billion.

Their inherently bland nature only contributes to their broad appeal, making tenders the perfect vessel for an infinite number of seasonings and condiments.

Read more:What fast-food chain has the best $5 value meal? Here's our ranking

While it may seem like they've been around forever, there's a restaurant in Manchester, N.H., that claims to have invented the fried chicken tender in 1974.

Burger King released its first chicken tenders in the '80s, and other fast food chains followed suit. In 1996, Todd Graves opened the first Raising Cane's at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, introducing diners to an entire restaurant that celebrates the tender.

If we're talking about pieces of boneless chicken, I've always preferred tenders to nuggets. Because of their shape and size, I tend to trust that they're whole pieces of meat instead of pressed and formed hunks of chicken. With so many restaurants serving them, Deputy Food editor Betty Hallock and I decided to conduct our own taste test. We ordered the chicken tenders at 11 chains, including Raising Cane's, Chick-fil-A and Kentucky Fried Chicken. We sampled them side-by-side for the most accurate evaluation of temperature and textures. Prices will vary based on your location, if you order delivery or eat in-store.

Let the tender wars begin.

11. Burger King chicken fries

Burger King doesn't make tenders but they do serve chicken fries. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $3.39 for four fingers

These were so disappointing, we contemplated leaving them out of the ranking altogether. They were tiny, placid tubes of chicken that resemble fingers far more than any other chicken "finger." And they tasted like long, rubbery nuggets. An order of four felt like the light snack you might eat while you assemble a real snack. The Zesty dipping sauce was heavy on the horseradish, but not compelling enough to save the fries from eternal chicken tender damnation.

10. Jack in the Box crispy chicken strips

An order of chicken strips from Jack in the Box. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $11.11 for five chicken strips

These actually looked really appetizing with a nice golden color and a noticeably shaggy crust. But as soon as we took our first bites, the illusion of greatness crumbled. They were greasy to the touch. And the bitter taste of old grease was the dominant flavor. The coating was crunchy, but had an odd fluffy texture to it with breading that was far too thick. Once you got past the fortress of breading, the chicken did taste like real chicken.

9. Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips

An order of Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $12.09 for four strips

I'm still perplexed by the popularity of Chick-fil-A, and even more so after trying their strips. Last year, the brand reported nearly $22 billion in sales. Every time I pass a location the line extends beyond the driveway and into the street. It is the only thing my friend's kids will eat with enthusiasm. Maybe it's because the tenders taste like they've been dipped in sugar. So much so that Hallock commented mid-bite: "Why am I eating a cookie?" Both sugar and sugar syrup are listed in the ingredients. The chicken was moist with no oily aftertaste, but we couldn't get over the sweetness of the tenders. The Chick-fil-A sauce, thick and gloppy and even sweeter, only made things worse.

Read more:Best fast-food chicken sandwiches: Is Chick-fil-A or KFC #1?

8. Chicken Guy! fried tenders

An order of chicken tenders from Chicken Guy!, Guy Fieri's new chicken tender restaurant. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $12.42 for five tenders

Chicken Guy! is the new chicken tender and fries restaurant from Guy Fieri, the spiky-haired host behind most of the shows on the Food Network. Fieri's tenders are wide and flat, resembling pounded and breaded chicken cutlets. There was a nice amount of seasoning and what tasted like a panko-crust coating that stayed impressively crunchy, but they also registered as too sweet, and the chicken was tough.

7. Jollibee chicken tenders

Jollibee also makes chicken tenders. You can order a side of gravy for dipping. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $21.24 for six tenders

I've had great fried chicken at Jollibee, the Filipino fast food chain known for its chicken, gravy and spaghetti. I had high hopes for the brand's tenders, which were varied in shape and size, more like odd strips and blobs that were battered and fried. The coating wasn't too heavy, but any seasoning or real flavor was masked by the overwhelming taste of fry oil. It bordered on rancid, but the chicken inside was tender and juicy.

6. Kentucky Fried Chicken chicken tenders

An order of chicken tenders from Kentucky Fried Chicken. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $12.92 for four tenders

The tenders had the same shaggy coating and seasoning as the chain's bone-in fried chicken, which meant that they were relatively crunchy and very salty. The chicken was tough, and you could pull away strips like string cheese. Both the KFC sauce and Comeback sauce were too sweet. Gravy is the better dipping option, though it's a tad watery.

5. Church's Texas Chicken tenders

Chicken tenders from Church's Texas Chicken. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $6.99 for five tenders

These were the least memorable of the bunch, but not terrible. They had a pale, crisp coating and not a lot of seasoning. Dipping sauce is required, but you may want to source it from another restaurant. The gravy tasted like salty brown water, and the signature hot sauce is more sweet than heat.

4. Carl's Jr. hand-breaded tenders

An order of chicken tenders from Carl's Jr. The company calls them hand-breaded tenders. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $12.49 for five tenders

These tenders looked like something you might get on the kids menu at a restaurant. They were perfectly golden with a craggy coating. The meat tasted like juicy strips of chicken breast. The only problem is you need to eat them immediately. They didn't retain their crunch as well as some of the others. Carl's Jr. also gets extra points for its barbecue sauce.

Read more:99 Cents Only stores are closing. How I spent $20 in groceries at other discount chains

3. Raising Cane's chicken fingers

An order of four chicken fingers from Raising Cane's. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $8.36 for four fingers

The chicken tastes and feels like actual chicken. And though the coating doesn't grip the meat as well as I'd like, it's crunchy and stays crunchy. The fingers are a little bland, but that's what the Cane's sauce is for. It's like a creamy, extra peppery Thousand Island with a nice hit of acid that makes your lunch of chicken fingers and fries feel a little less heavy.

2. Popeyes chicken tenders

An order of Popeyes chicken tenders. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $10 for five tenders

The Popeyes tenders are for those who prioritize the crunch factor when evaluating fried chicken. The coating creates a crisp, jagged armor around each piece. It's well seasoned and gives the chicken an almost buttery flavor. Some pieces are plump and moist, others seem to be giant shards of crunchy coating. They register as more of a crunchy snack than a meal. No dipping sauce is required, but the Bayou Buffalo is pretty tangy.

1. Wingstop crispy tenders

An order of plain chicken tenders from Wingstop. The chain is famous for its ranch dressing. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

What we paid: $8.99 for four tenders

I went back and forth between Wingstop and Popeyes for the top spot. I prefer the crunch of Popeyes, but the tenders at Wingstop taste the most like real, meaty, juicy strips of chicken. They're substantial enough for a full meal. The coating can be a little uneven, with some parts thin and crisp and others clumpy, but overall the tenders offer a nice crunch. And if you're a fan of ranch dressing, there's no comparison. The Wingstop ranch is the ideal consistency, thick enough to coat your tender but not enough to be considered gloppy. It tastes like the Hidden Valley ranch seasoning packet with onion, garlic and herbs. We both agreed that these were the tenders we'd order again. And we ended up dipping all the other tenders in the Wingstop ranch.

Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Andrew Chung and David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -TikTok made a last-ditch effort on Monday to continue operating in the United States, asking the Supreme Court to temporarily block a law intended to force ByteDance, its China-based parent company, to divest the short-video app by Jan. 19 or face a ban.

TikTok and ByteDance filed an emergency request to the justices for an injunction to halt the looming ban on the social media app used by about 170 million Americans while they appeal a lower court's ruling that upheld the law. A group of U.S. users of the app filed a similar request on Monday as well.

Congress passed the law in April. The Justice Department has said that as a Chinese company, TikTok poses "a national-security threat of immense depth and scale" because of its access to vast amounts of data on American users, from locations to private messages, and its ability to secretly manipulate content that Americans view on the app.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington on Dec. 6 rejected TikTok's arguments that the law violates free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

In their filing to the Supreme Court, TikTok and ByteDance said that "if Americans, duly informed of the alleged risks of 'covert' content manipulation, choose to continue viewing content on TikTok with their eyes wide open, the First Amendment entrusts them with making that choice, free from the government's censorship."

"And if the D.C. Circuit's contrary holding stands, then Congress will have free rein to ban any American from speaking simply by identifying some risk that the speech is influenced by a foreign entity," they added.

The companies said that being shuttered for even one month would cause TikTok to lose about a third of its U.S. users and undermine its ability to attract advertisers and recruit content creators and employee talent.

Calling itself one of the "most important speech platforms" used in the United States, TikTok has said that there is no imminent threat to U.S. national security and that delaying enforcement of the law would allow the Supreme Court to consider the legality of the ban, and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to evaluate the law as well.

Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, has reversed his stance and promised during the presidential race this year that he would try to save TikTok. Trump takes office on Jan. 20, the day after the TikTok deadline under the law.

The law would "shutter one of America's most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration," the companies said in their filing. "A federal law singling out and banning a speech platform used by half of Americans is extraordinary."

Asked on Monday at a press conference what he would do to stop a ban on TikTok, Trump said that he has "a warm spot in my heart for TikTok" and that he would "take a look" at the matter.

Trump was meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Florida on Monday, a source familiar with the plans told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the meeting.

The companies asked the Supreme Court to issue a decision on its request by Jan. 6 to allow, in the event it is rejected, for the "complex task of shutting down TikTok" in the United States and to coordinate with service providers by the deadline set under the law.

The dispute comes amid growing trade tensions between China and the United States, the world's two biggest economies.

'RIGOROUS SCRUTINY'

TikTok has denied that it has or ever would share U.S. user data, accusing U.S. lawmakers of advancing speculative concerns.

TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said after the filing that "we are asking the court to do what it has traditionally done in free speech cases: apply the most rigorous scrutiny to speech bans and conclude that it violates the First Amendment."

In its ruling, the D.C. Circuit wrote, "The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States. Here the government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary's ability to gather data on people in the United States."

The law would bar providing certain services to TikTok and other foreign adversary-controlled apps including offering it through app stores such as Apple and Alphabet's Google, effectively preventing its continued U.S. use unless ByteDance divests TikTok by the deadline.

A ban could open the door to a future U.S. crackdown on other foreign-owned apps. In 2020, Trump tried to ban WeChat, owned by Chinese company Tencent, but was blocked by the courts.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung and David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he was picking Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, as presidential envoy for special missions, a post where he will likely drive policies toward some U.S. adversaries, including North Korea.

"Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea," Trump said on his Truth Social media platform without further describing the duties.

A Trump transition source told Reuters that Grenell will also focus on tensions in the Balkans.

Grenell served as Trump's ambassador to Germany, a special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and as acting director of national intelligence during Trump's 2017-2021 term.

After campaigning for Trump ahead of the Nov. 5 election, he was a top contender for secretary of state, a job that went to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. He was also considered for special envoy for the Ukraine war, which went to retired lieutenant general Keith Kellogg.

Trump takes office next month.

Presidents name presidential and special envoys to focus on global issues, crises or specific diplomatic efforts.

North Korea and Venezuela are U.S. adversaries, though Reuters has reported that Trump has considered pursuing direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, hoping to reduce risks of armed conflict.

What reciprocation Kim might offer Trump is unclear. The North Koreans ignored four years of outreach by U.S. President Joe Biden to start talks with no pre-conditions, and Kim is emboldened by an expanded missile arsenal and a much closer relationship with Russia.

During his presidential campaign, Trump called Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro a dictator. Maduro said Trump's re-election was "a new start" for bilateral relations.

In his first term, Trump put in place harsher sanctions on the South American country, especially on its key oil industry. Maduro broke off relations in 2019.

Grenell had previous interactions with Maduro associates.

Reuters reported that in 2020 Grenell secretly met with a Maduro representative to try to work out the Venezuelan leader's peaceful exit from power after his 2018 re-election was considered a sham by most Western countries, but no agreement was reached.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty voiced quick support for Grenell, saying on X that he would "do a great job dealing with some of the world's toughest challenges."

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Michael Martina and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sandra Maler and David Gregorio)
Key takeaways

The United States maintains a unique credit scoring framework.

Other countries use different scoring systems, so you need to start fresh if you move internationally.

The financial habits that help you build good credit in the U.S. can serve you well anywhere you go.

In the United States, your credit score is a crucial piece of your financial life, affecting whether you can get the best credit cards, finance a new car, rent an apartment or even get a job. If you dream of moving to another country, you may wonder if you can bring a good credit score with you  or leave a bad score behind.

In short, your American credit score and credit history wont move with you to a new country. Other countries have individual credit scoring systems, so youll need to start building a new credit history once you arrive. However, many of the same habits that helped you build a score at home will help you establish credit abroad.

Why your U.S. credit score wont follow you internationally

If youve worked hard to repair your credit and build a good score, it can be frustrating to learn your U.S. score wont transfer to another country. Unfortunately, theres no global credit score because scoring models and regulations vary from country to country.

Your U.S. credit score only reflects how well you manage credit from U.S. lenders, based on factors such as your payment history, length of credit history and usage of available credit. Other countries have their own standards for assessing a borrowers creditworthiness and different data protection laws that affect the sharing of credit information.

How credit scores work in other countries

Each country has its own way of measuring borrowers financial reputations. Some countries have credit scoring systems that work similarly to those in the U.S., while others have very different scoring customs. Heres an overview of how credit scores work in some popular destinations for Americans.

Canada

In Canada, credit scoring is similar to the United States. Two of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion) operate in Canada, and scores range from 300 to 900, with a higher score being better.

Many of the factors that contribute to a good credit score in the U.S. will also benefit you in Canada. Equifax Canada explains that payment history and credit utilization are the main parts of the score. Length of credit history, new credit inquiries and public records (like collections or bankruptcy) play a smaller role.

Mexico

In Americas neighbor to the south, consumer credit information is tracked by the Buro de Credito. The bureau calculates credit scores based on the likelihood a borrower will miss payments using factors like a history of on-time payments.

Another bureau, the Circulo de Credito, is partnered with FICO and uses FICO scoring models.

The United Kingdom

Like the United States, the U.K. has three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The credit bureaus consider familiar factors like payment history and credit utilization. However, the scoring ranges are different, with Experians range going as high as 999.

In the U.K., being registered to vote improves your credit score, Experian says. Another difference is that financial associates  joint account holders or co-borrowers  show up on your U.K. credit report. Lenders may check your associates credit when they assess your loan application.

Australia

Australia has three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and Illion (formerly known as Dun & Bradstreet Australia). While in the U.S., credit scores typically range from 300 to 850, an Equifax score in Australia can go as high as 1,200.

In Australia, credit scores are calculated based on several factors, including your payment history, the total value of your loans and how much you need to repay. Paying bills on time and repaying debts helps build your score.

Tips for establishing credit in other countries

The best practices for establishing credit abroad will vary depending on your destination. Research your new country to learn the basic requirements for establishing credit. In general, some tips for establishing credit in a new country include:

Applying for a secured credit card : Secured credit cards are among the easiest credit cards to get because theyre backed by a cash deposit. Availability varies by country.

Getting a co-signer : If you have a close friend or relative in your new country, ask them to co-sign your loan. Adding a co-signer may increase your chances of loan approval since it reassures the lender the funds will be repaid.

Managing new credit responsibly : Once you open credit accounts in your new country, make payments on time, every time. Avoid opening too many accounts at once, and monitor your spending to stay under your credit limit.

Talking to your U.S. creditors : Some U.S. banks and credit card issuers also operate internationally. When you move, they may agree to issue credit in your new country based on your U.S. account history.

Using your U.S. credit reports: Experian suggests making copies of your credit reports from all three bureaus so you can show them to potential lenders in your new country. A history of on-time payments and low credit utilization could help prove that youre a responsible borrower.

How to preserve your U.S. credit score while away

Because a credit score is an essential part of your financial life in America, its important to take steps to maintain your credit if you plan to return. To maintain your credit while youre abroad, consider:

Freezing your credit reports : A credit freeze limits access to your credit reports, which can help prevent identity thieves from opening new loans or credit cards in your name while youre away. You can unfreeze your credit when you return.

Keeping your U.S. credit cards open : A longer credit history has a positive impact on your FICO scores, so if possible, avoid closing your oldest cards when you move. Consider using your cards for small purchases to keep them active.

Pay your credit card bills on time: To maintain a good payment history , remember to pay your U.S. credit card statements on time, every time. Consider signing up for paperless statements and automatic payments to ensure you stay on top of the bills while abroad.

The bottom line

Many countries use credit scores, but they dont use the same credit scores as the United States. When you move internationally, youll need to start fresh with a new credit score. Fortunately, many of the same tactics that help you build credit in the U.S. can also help you build credit in other countries.

To establish credit, consider starting with a secured credit card or getting a co-signer. Build credit by focusing on managing your new credit responsibly. If you plan to return to the U.S. in the future, be sure to take steps to preserve your credit score.

Frequently asked questions
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., previously faced scrutiny from his own party when the North Carolina GOP voted to censure him, citing "blatant violations" of the party's platform.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., on Sunday blasted those who have promised to fund primary challenges against Republican senators who oppose President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, calling them "political opportunists."

"Were not even in the new administration," Tillis said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday." "We havent even seen the background checks, which I know the administration is sending our way.

So theres a lot of information that needs to be gathered, and these folks who are making primary challenges, running ads, they seem more like political opportunists than me than thoughtful members of the Republican Party," he added.

Tillis said he doesn't believe the threats are coming from Trump. "A lot of these are third parties that are making money from the fundraising campaigns to put some ads in there, but double-digit percentages are going into their pockets," he said. "Heres what I would tell them: If they really support President Trumps nominees, they should stand down and let the nominees win on their own merits, and I think most of them will."

He added that he doesn't believe the pressure campaigns are in "good service" of Trump.

Tech mogul Elon Musk, who spent over $250 million during the election to boost Trump, has suggested he would support intraparty challenges to those in the GOP who don't back Trump's nominees.

Several of Trump's picks have drawn scrutiny from members of the Senate, which must vote to confirm their appointments, including former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump picked to be director of national intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk spent more than $250 million in support of Trump's re-election bid.

Last month, Musk responded to reports that he was threatening to fund primary challenges to House Republicans who didn't "fall in line with Trump's agenda."

A user on X, which Musk owns, responded, "And that is how you drain the swamp." Musk responded to the user: "How else? There is no other way."

And Musk and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk threatened this month to support primary challengers to Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who questioned Trump's nomination of Kash Patel to lead the FBI.

"Senator Rounds, you are up for reelection in 2026. If you vote against any of Trumps nominees a primary challenge wouldnt be hard," Kirk wrote on X.

Musk replied, "Those who oppose reform will lose their primary/election. Period."

Kirk also blasted Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who previously indicated she had reservations about former Fox News host Pete Hegseth's selection to lead the Defense Department.

Grassroots activists in Iowa have publicly decried Ernst's hesitation about Hegseth, and Kirk this month called out Ernst and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., writing on X: "Being told Joni Ernst and Lindsay Graham are trying to end Pete Hegseth ... Pete Hegseth is the redline. If you vote against him, primaries will ensue."

The conservative group Heritage Action also announced last week that it would launch a $150,000 digital campaign targeting Senate Republicans in Alaska, Maine, Louisiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, Utah and South Dakota who are on the fence about supporting Trump's nominees.

"Americans gave President Trump a mandate on November 5 to implement and pass his top priorities as quickly as possible. The Senate must now do its part to have Cabinet appointees confirmed and ready to go to ensure this conservative mandate can be carried out effectively," Heritage Executive Vice President Ryan Walker said in a statement announcing the campaign.

The pressure campaign and primary threats aren't the first time Tillis has faced scrutiny for deviating from Trump. Last year, the North Carolina Republican Party censured Tillis at its annual convention, citing Tillis' blatant violations of our party platform.

On NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Graham dismissed the pressure campaign against GOP senators, telling moderator Kristen Welker: "At the end of the day, yeah, people will push you to do things up here. Its up to you to resist."

He added that he's open to meeting with Trump's selections and fairly weighing each of them on their merits, saying, "But Im going to do what I think is best for the country, and thats have a process that works."

Tillis on Sunday downplayed the hesitation of some GOP senators who haven't publicly supported each of Trump's picks yet, including Patel and Hegseth.

Kash Patel, who Im working with, because hes on my committee of jurisdiction, is going to enjoy solid Republican support on the Senate floor and coming out of the committee, Tillis said.

Tillis said Hegseth "is going to have to go to the committee and answer some questions about organizational experience, some of his past marriages, those sorts of things. All of thats fair game when youre running for a Cabinet or sub-Cabinet position.

Spokespeople for the Trump transition team, Turning Point Action and Heritage Action didn't immediately respond to requests for comment about Tillis' remarks.
Seven people, including one American citizen, were hospitalized over the weekend for suspected poisoning after drinking cocktails at a hotel resort bar in Fiji, health officials said Monday.

The Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services reported Sunday that the seven people who were hospitalized included four Australian citizens, one American citizen and two other foreign nationals who were residing in Fiji, according to local media reports citing the Ministry of Health. As of Monday evening, Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said that two people remained hospitalized in stable condition.

Officials also said Monday the incident remains under investigation.

Poisoning suspected after drinking pina coladas

All those hospitalized were reportedly drinking at a bar at the upscale Warwick Fiji resort near the town of Sigatoka on Saturday evening.

In a brief press conference that was streamed on Facebook on Dec. 16, Gavoka said that they had been drinking pina colada cocktails.

All seven victims, who ranged in age from 18 to 56, were taken to Aspen Lautoka Hospital, where two people remained as of Dec. 16. Fijian health officials said that no other cases had been reported.

Fijian health and law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate and did not say for certain whether the illnesses were caused by tainted alcohol. The incident comes a month after six tourists died from methanol poisoning after drinking at a bar in Laos.

More: American among 5 tourists dead amid concerns over alcohol tainted with methanol in Laos

Gavoka described the recent poisoning as an "extremely isolated incident," and said, "resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests."

"This is the only reported case of its kind that weve experienced in recent memory, and certainly nothing like this has been experienced this year," Gavoka added.

Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 7 hospitalized after drinking at five-star Fiji resort
Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after falling ill

Seven foreign tourists have been taken to hospital after drinking pina coladas at a five-star resort in Fiji, with methanol poisoning not yet ruled out.

On Monday, Fijian health authorities said Australian and American holidaymakers staying at the Warwick Resort, on the islands Coral Coast, had fallen ill with nausea, vomiting and seizures following a cocktail on Saturday.

The cause is not yet clear, but Viliame R Gavoka, Fijis tourism minister, told reporters nothing could be ruled out until police received the toxicology results, expected to take three or four days.

Mr Gavoka said five of the seven people affected had now been discharged, while there were no reports of similar illnesses at the resort or elsewhere in Fiji.

He said: The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests, adding that the hotel holds a strong reputation.

The minister said that this is the only reported case of its kind that weve experienced in recent memory, and certainly nothing like this has been experienced this year.

But the case has raised alarm following the deaths of six people, including Simone White, a British lawyer, from methanol poisoning in Laos last month after they drank free shots at a hostel in Vang Vieng.

David Sandoe, whose daughter Tanya and granddaughter Georgie were taken to hospital on Sunday evening, told the Australian channel 9News that the thought of events in Laos sends shivers down your spine and said he was having nightmares.

Tanya Sandoe has been medically cleared to return to Australia and continue her recovery - Facebook

He said: When you receive a phone call at, well it was 11 oclock the other night, and your daughter says her daughter and herself have been poisoned and they were in hospital, its quite something else.

Both Tanya, 49, and 19-year-old Georgia were medically cleared to travel on Monday morning, and returned to Australia to continue their recovery.

While the Australian government has not commented on the possible cause of its citizens illnesses, it updated its travel website on Monday to caution about potential risks around drink-spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks.

Meanwhile in Thailand, a British tourist with Australian residency has died after attending a Full Moon Party on the island of Koh Phangan.

Christopher Stephen Boucher, 37, was reportedly found dead on the steps of a 7-Eleven store shortly after 6.30am on Monday morning, next to an opened bottle of water.

He reportedly drank cheap shots during the party, although police said the cause of death was not yet clear and have not suggested contaminated alcohol was to blame.

According to The Mirror, Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Kamlangkeo, of Koh Phangan police station, said: He might have partied all night until the morning and passed out due to lack of sleep.

We are questioning the person who gave him a ride home. We are also reviewing security camera footage. There were no signs of assault, so we believe he might have been drunk or overdosed. His blood test results are still pending, but we have already informed the British embassy of his passing.

The Telegraph has contacted the police and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment.

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 15-year-old girl opened fire in the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, killing a teacher and a student and wounding six others at the school she had attended, police said.

The suspect, Natalie Rupnow, is also dead, police said. Evidence suggests that the teen, who went by Samantha, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

The teenage suspect used a handgun, police said. Authorities are investigating the origin of the firearm and searching Rupnow's home in the north side of the city, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said.

A motive is not clear, Barnes said at a news conference.

It is also unclear if any of the victims was specifically targeted, officials said on Monday.

The suspect's father was reportedly speaking with police at one of their facilities.

Police are "trying to determine what he knew or may have not known about what happened today, but again, he lost someone as well," Barnes said.

PHOTO: Emergency vehicles are parked outside of the SSM Health clinic where parents are being reunified with children after a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., Dec. 16, 2024. (Scott Bauer/AP)

Barnes also said police are not currently looking to charge Rupnow's parents in connection with the deadly shooting.

"The parents are fully cooperating, we have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time," Barnes said.

"This has obviously rocked our school community," said Barbara Wiers, the director of elementary and school relations for Abundant Life Christian School. "But we know it affects not just our school community, but Madison and the greater area and all schools."

The shooting took place just before 11 a.m. in a study hall comprising mixed ages and grades.

A second grade teacher made the 911 call, according to police on Tuesday, who had previously started it was a student who alerted authorities to the situation.

The school does not have metal detectors or a school resource officer, but has other security protocols in place, including cameras, Wiers said.

"Prior to the start of the school year, we had a retraining. We train on this. We do lockdown drills, we do evacuation drills as part of our standard drill protocols. Our students are versed in that. Our faculty are well versed in that," she explained. "The training that we did with [Madison Police Department] at the very beginning of the year, prior to the students returning to campus, had some new updates, and so we had looked at some of those things. So I think everything was very fresh for our faculty."

"I cannot, cannot tell you how well our students did in that process. They were clearly scared when they realized -- when we practice, we always say, 'This is a drill, it is just a drill.' When they heard, 'Lockdown, lockdown,' and nothing else, they knew it was real," Wiers said, adding: "But they handled themselves brilliantly."

Two students are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, Barnes said, while another three students and a teacher suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Two of the four injured were discharged from SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison on Monday evening.

MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO killing latest: Luigi Mangione expected to waive extradition, sources say

Officers responded to the active shooter report around 10:57 a.m. No officers fired their weapons, Barnes said.

Police believe that the suspect was already in the school and that there wasn't any breach.

PHOTO: Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Dec. 16, 2024. (Kathleen Foody/AP)

"I never saw so many police cars in my life -- just blue and red lights lining the school, lining the streets. Fire department, paramedics, everybody was there," swarming the usually quiet neighborhood, John Diaz De Leon told ABC News Live.

He said he saw officers with long guns at the scene and older students run from the school across the parking lot.

"Later on, very slowly in a more orderly fashion, the younger students holding hands were let out to go across the parking lot," he said.

The school has been cleared, Barnes said. There's no danger to the community, he said.

The suspect's family is cooperating, the police chief said.

Detectives are investigating whether there were any potential warning signs, Barnes said.

All students had been reunited with their parents by Monday evening, Barnes said. About 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade attend the private school.

"Our hope is that there will be some good that comes out of this as we can learn and grow and continue to support other schools," Wiers said.

She thanked first responders for their support and said that the school community is leaning on their faith at this time.

PHOTO: Law enforcement officers are shown at the scene of a shooting, Dec. 16, 2024, at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network )

President Joe Biden called the incident "shocking and unconscionable" in a statement Monday evening that called on Congress to act, "now."

He insisted that they pass "commonsense" gun safety laws including universal background checks, a national red flag law and a ban on both assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

"It is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence," the statement said, adding, "We cannot continue to accept it as normal."

Biden also mentioned his administration's efforts to combat the gun violence epidemic in the United States, including the implementation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, while stating that more needed to be done and offering his prayers to those affected in Madison.

MORE: 16-year-old in custody after suspected quadruple homicide of his family members

The Madison police chief said he began his career as a teacher.

"We owe it to our community to do everything possible to ensure [schools are] not only a special place, but a safe place," he said.

"I hoped that this day would never come in Madison," Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said.

She stressed the need for gun violence prevention and said she wants the community and country to make sure "no public official ever has to stand in this position again."

PHOTO: Bus carrying students leave as emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Dec. 16, 2024. (Morry Gash/AP)

Jill Underly, Wisconsin's superintendent of public instruction, also emphasized the need for change, saying in a statement, "This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to protect our children and our educators to ensure that such horrors never happen again. We will not rest until we find solutions that make our schools safe."

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement, "There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel," calling the shooting a "gut-wrenching tragedy."

PHOTO: A police officer directs traffic as emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Dec. 16, 2024. (Morry Gash/AP)

Evers said he and his wife are "praying for the families and loved ones of those whose lives were so senselessly taken and for the educators, staff, and the entire Abundant Life school community."

"It is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home," he said. "This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Police ID 15-year-old girl as Abundant Life Christian School shooter in Wisconsin originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court wont get involved in Trump adviser Peter Navarros fight to keep his emails from his tenure during the first Trump administration.

The court on Monday declined to consider Navarros claim that he doesnt have to give work-related emails to the National Archives and Records Administration.

Navarro, a trade adviser during the first administration, has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to be his senior counselor for trade and manufacturing.

Navarro served four months in prison this year after a federal jury convicted him of refusing to testify or provide documents to the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

The Supreme Court previously rejected his request that he be kept out of prison while he appealed that conviction.

Peter Navarro, former Director of the U.S. Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, speaks during the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention.

In his latest request, Navarro said the federal law requiring presidential records be turned over to the National Archives is not enforceable.

The Presidential Records Act, Navarros lawyers told the court, does not allow the National Archives to invade a former employees privacy to force the compelled production of Presidential records.

Passed in response to former President Richard Nixons attempt to destroy White House tapes that incriminated him in the cover-up of the Watergate complex burglary, the law gives control over presidential records to the National Archives at the end of an administration.

At issue are emails Navarro sent through a personal account that were not automatically archived. Navarro refused to turn them over without assurances they could not be used in his criminal prosecution for contempt of Congress.

The Justice Department sought to use a Washington, D.C., law to recover the documents. A federal appeals court said the government may use that established common-law remedy to compel the return of materials that all agree are Presidential records under the Presidential Records Act of 1978.

Under Navarros theory, a panel of judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit wrote, the statute would leave the United States with no ability to retrieve Presidential records from employees if they refuse to return Presidential records after being disciplined or exiting federal employment.

The Supreme Court let that decision stand.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court stays out of Peter Navarro's fight to keep White House emails
A Tennessee man was convicted in Fiji last week for killing his wife while they were honeymooning at a luxury resort on the island.

Bradley Robert Dawson, 40, was found guilty by the High Court in Lautoka, Fiji of the killing of 36-year-old Christie Chen, the Fiji Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions told USA TODAY.

She was found dead on July 9, 2022, inside the couple's bungalow with multiple traumatic injuries and blunt force trauma to the head, the Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

The case gained international attention as it took place on the resort featured in the controversial 1980 movie "The Blue Lagoon," starring a young Brooke Shields.

Dawson was found guilty of one count of murder and now faces sentencing, scheduled for January 27, the Fiji Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said.

What happened to Christie Chen?

The killing took place at Turtle Island Fiji, a luxury resort that offers private villas to 14 couples at a time. Guests typically arrive by seaplane and each villa comes with a personal concierge and gourmet meals, according to the resort's website.

"We can confirm an incident took place between a married couple at the resort on July 9th, resulting in a tragic outcome and charges being laid," the resort management said in an emailed statement to the Memphis Commercial Appeal in 2022. "We cooperated with the authorities during the investigation and the police left the island over a week ago. It is our understanding that charges have been filed in the case."

According to the Fiji Times, Justice Riyaz Hamza said that Dawson had his passport and personal belongings with him when he was arrested, indicating he intended to flee the country after the offense.

While delivering the judgment, Hamza said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Dawson was the one who committed the offense.

Dawson and Chen were married in February 2022, months before her murder and one month after Dawson finalized the divorce from his first wife. At the time, Dawson was working at a Memphis charity while Chen worked as a pharmacist at a Memphis-area Kroger, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Chen was also a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

USA TODAY was not able to immediately find a lawyer representing Bradley Robert Dawson.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bradley Dawson found guilty in 2022 killing of Christie Chen in Fiji
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that the Biden administration knows more about the drones that have raised alarms over parts of the country than it's sharing with the public.

"They know where it came from and where it went. And for some reason, they don't want to comment. And I think they'd be better off saying what it is. Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense," Trump said.

Trump took questions for more than an hour on a number of subjects. He started his remarks with an announcement that SoftBank will make a $100 billion investment in the U.S. that will create 100,000 jobs focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. SoftBank plans to complete the work before Trump leaves office in 2029, according to a person familiar with the matter.

MORE: Trump now says bringing down grocery prices, as he promised, will be 'very hard'

TikTok and election results

Asked about a potential ban on TikTok unless it finds new ownership, Trump said he has "a warm spot in my heart for TikTok," because of its effect on his winning a larger share of the youth vote than he did in 2016.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 16, 2024. (Evan Vucci/AP)

A federal appeals court last week rejected TikTok's attempt to stop the pending ban and pause the Jan. 19 deadline for a sale.

"TikTok had an impact," Trump said. "And, so we're taking a look at it. I don't know why, but we ended up finishing, we were, there was one poll that showed us down about 30. We were 35 or 36 points up with young people. So I have a little bit of a warm spot in my heart."

Considering a pardon for Eric Adams

Trump also said he would "take a look" at a pardon for New York Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted in September on bribery charges.

"I think that he was treated pretty unfairly," Trump said, and suggested the charges were retribution for Adams speaking out against migrants flooding into the country.

MORE: Trump calls for ending daylight saving time

"It's very interesting when he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in," Trump said. "And, you know, he made some pretty strong statements like 'This is not sustainable.' I said, 'You know what? He'll be indicted soon.' And I said it. That is a prediction, a little bit lightheartedly, but I said it. I said, 'He's going to be indicted.' And a few months later he got indicted. So I would certainly look at it."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and vaccines

Following reports last week that the personal attorney for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, had previously lobbied the Food and Drug Administration to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine, the president-elect said he is a "big believer in the polio vaccine."

"You're not gonna lose the polio vaccine. That's not gonna happen," he said. "I saw what happened with the polio. I have friends that were very much affected by that. I have friends from many years ago, and they have obviously, they they're still in not such good shape because of it."

Trump's selection of Kennedy, known an anti-vaccine crusader, to lead HHS has raised concerns about what effects his activism might have on the agency's mission. Trump said Monday those concerns are unfounded.

"I think you're going to find that Bobby is much -- he's a very rational guy. I found him to be very rational," Trump said.

"But we're going to look into finding why is the autism rate so much higher than it was 20, 25, 30 years ago," he said. "I mean, it's like it's 100 times higher. There's something wrong. And we're going to try finding that."

Ending the war in Ukraine

Asked if Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to end the war, Trump didn't give a straight answer, instead saying cities there are a demolition site and theres nothing there for Ukrainians.

But, a lot of that territory, when you look at what's happened to those, I mean, there are cities that there's not a building standing. It's a demolition site. There's not a building standing. So people can't go back to those cities. There's nothing there. It's just rubble, Trump said, hinting that there isnt a reason for Ukraine to keep the land.

Auctioning off the border wall

While calling the transition from the Biden administration to his incoming one friendly, Trump called for a policy change on the border wall, claiming the White House was attempting to auction off border wall material.

That has nothing to do with a smooth transition, that has to do with people really trying to stop our nation, and all it means really is that we're going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more, not even talking about the time, he said.

It's almost a criminal act, Trump claimed as he lamented that border wall materials are being sold for 5 cents on the dollar.

Deadline for Hamas to release hostages

In recounting his discussion on a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump repeated his threat that Israeli hostages held by Hamas and others in the Middle East should be released by Inauguration Day.

"We discussed what is going to happen and I'll be very available on January 20th," he said. "And we'll see. I, as you know, I gave warning that if these hostages aren't back home by that date, all hell is going to break out and very strong."

Trump talks drones, an Eric Adams pardon and his election boost from TikTok originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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.

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.

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.
In the pink: Wizz Air Airbus A321 (Wizz Air)

How does the prospect of a year of unlimited flights within Europe and as far as the Maldives for a flat fare of 9 per hop sound? Well, if youre tempted, Wizz Air has an all you can fly annual pass costing 599 (500).

As you may imagine, a fair number of terms and conditions apply. In particular, the offer is a standby deal: you can only book your flight 72 hours ahead.

I have been wading through the rules and rewards so you didnt have to.

Is the idea of unlimited standby flights new?

No. They were big in the 1990s, in the US at least. You paid around 300 to Delta or Northwest and flew around America and even Canada on a shoestring for a month.

Like the deal with Wizz Air, it was a standby ticket  but it was also completely free. You would turn up, show your ticket and step on board if there was at least one empty seat. No extra fees or taxes were charged, and many travellers used the trip as an ultra-budget way to explore America. You could show up for overnight coast-to-coast flights to save on accommodation, and during the day complimentary meals were served.

The Wizz Air All you can fly deal is rather different. You pay the upfront fee of 599 (500), which works out at 42 per month.

For each flight you book online a maximum of three days ahead, and you must pay a flat fee of 9 for each flight.

Even so, once youve made the down payment, 9 per flight sounds an amazing deal?

Yes. The deal extends across almost all the Wizz Air network, which extends far and wide:

North to Reykjavik in Iceland and Tromso in Norway

East to Almaty in Kazakhstan and Samarkand in Uzbekistan

South to Oman and the Maldives

West to Madeira and the Canary Islands

Reaching some of those is a bit of a stretch: to get from Luton to the Maldives you will need to fly to somewhere in eastern Europe, then to Abu Dhabi and onwards to the Maldives.

Under the scheme you can take up to three flights a day  theoretically more than 1,000 in a year.

The 9 fee stays the same as long as you dont want a pre-assigned seat, any baggage bigger than a small backpack or anything to eat or drink on board. All of those are extras.

Are seats available on every flight?

No. Even if seats are still on sale to the public theres no guarantee you will be able to avail of the deal.

Wizz Air wants this offer to help it fill seats on flights that the airline knows it will never completely sell out, and does not want to have standby travellers in seats that could be sold for a handsome fare.

Wizz is being coy about availability, saying: The provision of flight tickets depends on a number of internal and external factors.These factors include, but not limited to the:

a) number of total registered members of Wizz All you can fly

b) number of overall passengers with booking to the given flight

c) seat capacity of the given flight.

Any other catches?

The big one is: most of us want to go there and back when we travel. But you can only book 72 hours ahead. So for a one-week holiday, halfway through youd need to be searching for a seat on a flight home. The airline says: If there is no return flight available due to seat unavailability ... you can book a flight using the regular booking process.

The deal works better for a short weekend trip, because you should be able to book both legs with the deal.

Other issues:

You can buy today but youll need to wait until 25 September for your first flight.

If substantial disruption occurs (such as the air-traffic control meltdown last August bank holiday), seats will evaporate.

The deal is not available for Italian domestic flights such as Milan or Venice to Sardinia or Sicily.

If you are a no-show on three occasions, you will be barred from future flights with no refund.

In addition, forgetful travellers should be aware that the subscription will auto-renew each year until they inform Wizz otherwise.

Are you a buyer?

No one likes a cheap ticket more than I do, but I am not tempted. I typically fly around half-a-dozen times a year with Wizz. Assuming I could get on every one of those six flights with my standby pass, I would be paying 475  a hefty 79 per trip.

The Wizz Air network overlaps substantially with other airlines  British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair. So I might be able to double the number of flights to 12. Each of that dozen would cost 44 with the airpass. That figure is pretty close to the average I pay for Ryanair.

In addition, as I subscribe to easyJet plus, I tend to use easyJet in order to avail of the extra baggage allowance and free seating option.

Overall, I prefer to maintain the flexibility to choose the optimum flight time rather than restrict myself to a single carrier.

So who would it suit?

Frivolous flyers who have time on their hands. For those who want to explore Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, and for whom being unable to book the desired flight is not a big inconvenience, the prospect of a year in the skies may well be tempting.

People who are lucky enough to live near Luton, Wizz Airs main UK base, because they will swerve most of the cost of reaching the airport.

Travellers who regularly commute on routes with relatively high frequency. Suppose you normally travel there and back twice a month. That is potentially 48 flights. With a 500 pass, that works out at barely 10 each. Add on the 9 charge for each flight, and you are still paying less than an express rail ticket from London to Luton or Gatwick. If you have two homes, then the problem of luggage will evaporate, too.

Unlimited flying must be extremely environmentally harmful?

As long as the passenger is occupying a seat that would otherwise be empty  which is Wizz Airs firm plan  the marginal impact is the small amount of fuel burnt to fly the extra weight of the person and their baggage.

So it is less damaging than buying a ticket normally, which creates demand and informs airlines decisions about future flight planning. But the question for every traveller should be: is your journey really necessary?
Getty(2) Two people talking (stock image); a bedroom (stock image)

A new mom is questioning whether she made the right choice when she converted her guest bedroom into a home office, after her dad called her "selfish" for suggesting he sleep on a mattress in the room.

In a post shared on Reddit's Am I the A------? forum on Saturday, Dec. 14, a woman who gave birth to her first child in October spoke about her and her husband's housing arrangement in their three-bedroom apartment.

"We sleep in the master bedroom, and until earlier this year, the other two were a guest room and an office space we both shared," she wrote, adding that the pair decided to turn the guest room into a nursery once her son was born.

According to the woman, she works in person from an office but also does some freelancing from home on occasion, and her husband has a hybrid work arrangement.

"We thought about sacrificing the office instead, but decided we needed it more than the guest room," she continued. "We dont need to do our work from the office, but its more comfortable and less chaotic, especially now that we have a baby. On the other hand, we rarely have guests over. If we do, the office is big enough to set a mattress (edit: a normal one, not an air mattress) on the floor."

Getty A home office (stock image)

Related: Bride Refuses to Invite Stepmom to Her Wedding After the Woman Had an Affair With Her Dad, Broke Up Her Family

This is where the woman's dilemma comes in. Her father, who lives in another country, planned to visit for one week around Christmas. The trip marks the first time he will meet his grandson, and the woman noted that he previously stayed in their guest room.



"A couple weeks ago, my father called to ask whether he could stay at my apartment again this year. I said sure, but we dont have the guest room anymore, so hed have to sleep in the office. He asked what I meant, and I told him wed turned the guest room into the babys nursery," she wrote.

She said her dad became irritated and asked why the couple hadn't kept the guest room and sacrificed the office for the nursery.

"My father got annoyed and said, 'Whatever, Ill get a hotel,' before hanging up on me," she revealed. "The next day, my father texted me. He said it was selfish and inconsiderate of me and my husband to keep an office we 'dont actually need' over a room to properly house potential guests."

"He added that he didnt raise me to be such an awful hostess, and its insane of me to think people would be okay sleeping on a mattress on the floor. My sister is siding with my father, and Im starting to doubt myself here," she added, asking the Reddit community to weigh in on whether she was in the wrong.

Related: Woman Says Her Family Trades Off Hosting Dinner, but Everyone 'Always Bails' When It's Her Turn

Almost unanimously, the post's commenters concluded that the woman was "not the a------" in the situation, and that her father should respect that the couple needs some extra space for themselves.

"A home should be set up for the best interests of the people who live there. You and your husband both regularly work from home," one commenter wrote. "Sure, you could make do without the office, but it would be awkward and inconvenient for you both."

Getty A nursery (stock image)

"Its quite absurd for someone who isnt paying any part of the rent or living there to expect you to suffer routine inconvenience in your own home year round to better be convenient for them a few days a year," they 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.

Adding some additional clarification, the original poster shared that her sister still lives with their mom, about 15 minutes away, and has said that she would be okay with sleeping on the office mattress.

"[Housing] a guest temporarily vs. every day to day life?" one reply questioned. "Hes rude for being so demanding on your space, especially after just having a baby. He will be more comfortable in hotel considering how 'disruptive' a baby can be."

"Honestly, I sometimes think it's so wasteful to keep a full room just on the premise that someone MIGHT come over to stay," another person chimed in. "I'm all for hybrid rooms. Office with a built-in Murphy Bed on the wall. Project room with a pull-out couch, exercise home gym with an air mattress."

"[Why] take your limited space and have it dedicated solely to something that might not be used for months on end?" they added.



Read the original article on People
A bearded man in a red-and-white striped top stands up, eyes wide and arms flung out, and howls.

Scattered around him lie the devastated bodies of people buried in piles of rubble. Ash falls as rescuers search for survivors trapped in the wreckage, carrying small children, some limp, some struggling, some dead.

The man in the red-and-white top puts his left arm around an adolescent girl, her hair and blue pajamas coated in dust. Behind them fire burns bright. Seconds later he embraces a young woman in a printed headscarf, as she wails and thrashes about in distress.

An NBC News crew in the Gaza Strip caught these and other images in the immediate aftermath of an overnight airstrike on the United Nations-run Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz school-turned-shelter, which killed 13 people, according to The Associated Press, citing Nasser Hospital where the bodies were taken.

A man cries out after an Israeli strike Sunday on a school serving as a shelter in Khan Younis.

The crew also captured the moment Shadi Tafesh arrived to find 10 members of his family lying together, lifeless and in pieces. His father's head was severed from his body. His sister, her husband, and their two children, dismembered.

On Monday morning, just hours after the attack, dozens gathered to mourn, standing by friends and relatives now wrapped in body bags.

The Israel Defense Forces said it had conducted a precise strike on Hamas terrorists who were operating inside a command and control center embedded within a compound that it said had served as the UNRWA Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz school.

It did not provide evidence of the claim that militants were operating in the building.

"Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, precise aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence," the IDF added.

In a statement released Monday morning, Hamas called the attack a "heinous massacre," and accused Israel of the "systematic targeting of schools and centers for the displaced."

Relatives of Palestinians who were killed in the Israeli strike Sunday.

The strike was the fourth in a series of Israeli attacks over the weekend on Gaza schools serving as shelters for displaced Palestinians, which helped push the death toll in Gaza beyond 45,000, most of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials. Over 106,000 people have been injured, and many remain buried under the rubble, officials said.

On Saturday morning, two people were killed during a raid on a Yaffa school, northeast of Gaza City, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Hours later, Israeli airstrikes killed seven during an attack on the Al-Majida Wasila school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, local health officials said.

Women and children were among the dead, including a baby girl named Janan Al-Ghura, who was born on Friday and killed on Saturday alongside her mother, Suzan.

At least 13 Palestinians, including children, were killed and several others injured in the Israeli strike.

An NBC News crew captured the moment a member of the civil defense emerged carrying the body of a small child, covered in dust, mud and blood, through the building.

Nargis Al-Ghura said she had lost her daughter, son and granddaughter in the attack.

To whom do I complain, oh Lord, of my pain and sorrow? she cried. Nargis said she had already lost her husband to the war.

The IDF said Hamas was operating "command and control" centers inside the Yaffa and Al-Majida Wasila schools, and that "numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians."

On Sunday, Israeli strikes on Khalil Awida, another school-turned-shelter in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza that houses more than 1,500 displaced people, killed more than 40 according to health officials, with fires leading to the charring of a number of bodies.

Hamas accused Israel of a massacre "against the displaced people" at the shelter, and for carrying out "ethnic cleansing and forced displacement operations" in the northern Gaza Strip.

The IDF did not respond to a request for comment on the strike on Khalil Awida.

The Israeli military has been operating in Gaza for 15 months, a response to the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in which roughly 1,200 people were killed in Israel and around 250 people were taken hostage.
In the early years of Xi Jinpings war on corruption, the Chinese leader consolidated control over the worlds largest military by taking down powerful generals from rival factions and replacing them with allies and proteges loyal to himself.

A decade on, having given the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) a structural overhaul and stacked its top ranks with his own men, the supreme leader is still knee-deep in his seemingly endless struggle against graft and disloyalty.

And, like many strongman leaders in history, he is increasingly turning against his own handpicked loyalists.

Late last month, Xi purged one of his closest proteges in the military  a decades-old associate entrusted with instilling political loyalty in the PLA and vetting senior promotions.

Adm. Miao Hua, who sits on the Central Military Commission (CMC), the top command body chaired by Xi, has been suspended under investigation for serious violations of discipline, the Defense Ministry announced, using a common euphemism for corruption and disloyalty.

As the head of the CMCs political work department, which oversees political indoctrination and personnel appointments, Miao is the most senior scalp in Xis latest military purge. Since last summer, more than a dozen high-ranking figures in Chinas defense establishment have been ousted, including the last two defense ministers promoted to the CMC by Xi.

But none of them boast the kind of long-standing relationship Miao shared with the top leader, dating back decades to Xis early political career in the coastal province of Fujian.

The probe into Miao opens a new front in a widening purge that has raised questions over Xis ability to end systematic corruption in the military and enhance its combat readiness at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Over the past decade, Xi has overseen an ambitious transformation of the PLA into a world class fighting force that can rival the US military. A key goal of that modernization drive is to ensure China is ready to fight and win a war over Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island Beijing claims as its own.

But Miaos downfall renews questions  raised during last summers purges  about how much confidence Xi has in his top generals who would be responsible for leading a war, said Joel Wuthnow, a senior research fellow at the Pentagon-funded National Defense University.

If he fears that he has brought in people who are not unquestionably loyal to him or his agenda, that would be a huge problem.

Experts say Xis purge of a longtime acolyte points to a familiar dilemma for autocrats, including his predecessor Mao Zedong: after eliminating political rivals, the supreme leader never stops looking for new threats to their absolute hold on power  including from their own close circle.

Miao Hua, a longtime protege of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and a member of the Central Military Commission, has been suspended and placed under investigation. - Cha Song Ho/AP

Obscene extent of corruption

Miaos history with Xi goes back three decades. The Fujian native served as a political officer in the former 31st Group Army from the 1980s to the early 2000s, when Xi was rising through the ranks as a local official to become the provincial governor of Fujian.

According to credible sources, Xi regularly visited the 31st Group Army at the time and is known to have had personal contacts with Miao, said James Char, a longtime PLA-watcher and assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Miaos military career took off soon after Xi came to power. In 2014, he received a major promotion to become the political commissar of the PLA Navy, making an unusual switch from a career in the Ground Force. Three years later, he was promoted again into the CMC, the apex of military power.

We cannot find a more apodictic acolyte of Xi than Miao, Char said. If Miao is eventually indicted of graft, clearly Xi himself had not anticipated the obscene extent of corruption that exists among PLA elites.

For the past 18 months, Xis cleanup had largely targeted officials connected to the procurement of weapons and the Rocket Force, which oversees Chinas nuclear and conventional missiles. But Miaos downfall signals a broadening of that crackdown into new sectors, such as political work  which Xi has described as the lifeline of the military  and the Navy.

Wherever they look, Im sure they will find issues and cases. Its just a matter of which sector they pick, Char said.

Loss of confidence

The Defense Ministry has offered no details about the allegations against Miao.

As the chief political commissar of the PLA, Miao is tasked with ensuring its loyalty to the ruling Communist Party. He oversees promotions in the military, vetting key candidates for their political loyalty  a role he also held in the Navy.

In the past, such roles have offered fertile ground for graft, especially bribes for promotions. Miaos predecessor, Gen. Zhang Yang, killed himself while under disciplinary investigation for bribery.

As the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China heats up, the PLA Navy has also seen a drastic increase in the procurement of warships and other weapons, providing ample opportunities for corruption, said Victor Shih, a political science professor at the University of San Diego.

But there could be another potential reason behind Miaos downfall, Shih said, for being too obvious in his attempt to foster a faction in the military.

Xi has repeatedly warned against the forming of factions in both the party and the military. Of course, the only person who is allowed to do that is Xi himself, Shih added.

Miao is seen by some analysts as having recommended multiple associates in the Navy for promotions to key positions, including Rocket Force Commander Wang Houbin and Defense Minister Dong Jun.

The announcement of Miaos investigation came a day after the Financial Times reported that Dong had been placed under investigation for corruption, citing current and former US officials. The Defense Ministry dismissed the report as sheer fabrication, and days later, Dong made a public appearance at a security forum.

Wuthnow, the expert at the National Defense University, said what led to Miaos downfall was a loss of confidence, but the reasons for that remain elusive.

In one scenario, Wuthnow said, Xi might have viewed Miao as becoming too powerful and independent, and wanted to uproot what he saw as a bastion of influence that he could not fully control.

I dont think this is how leaders who are confident in their own power and ability to corral the bureaucracy behaves. It actually strikes me as a sign of weakness, if not paranoia, that he feels he needs to constantly overturn the apple cart, he said.

This happens over and over again

Miaos downfall comes less than a year after former defense minister Li Shangfu was removed from the CMC.

The powerful body had six members  all deemed as Xis loyalists  serving under the top leader when he began his unprecedented third term two years ago. If Miao is also removed, it would leave two vacant seats.

Shih, the expert on Chinese elite politics, said many dictators, from former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to Mao, have eventually turned against their own proteges.

Once all of their real competitors are gone, a dictator can never think to themselves: Oh well, all the threats are gone. I can just relax. Because they always think that new threats could emerge, including from people who once were very close to them. This happens over and over again, he said.

As a result, the dictator is always looking for increasingly subtle signs that someone is plotting against them, said Shih, the author of Coalitions of the Weak, which examines Maos hold on power in the late stage of his life.

During Maos last years, he turned against Lin Biao, his longtime protege, former defense minister and heir apparent, accusing him of plotting a coup.

This kind of dynamic will become increasingly severe as Xi Jinping gets older, as his health is not as robust as previously. His sensitivity to signs of potential challenge to his power will also become keener over time, Shih said.

For now, the top leader appears determined to carry on his crusade against corruption and disloyalty.

Earlier this month, Xi inspected the PLAs Information Support Force with his four remaining loyalists on the CMC.

We must ensure the troops remain absolutely loyal, absolutely pure and absolutely reliable, Xi told an audience of note-taking officers.

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Spoilers ahead for the Season 5 finale. Stop reading if you don't want to know.

John Dutton (Kevin Costner) finally received the franchise cornerstone funeral the patriarch deserved in Sunday's Season 5 "Yellowstone" finale. The ornery former Montana governor can rest in peace in his perfect coffin because the ranch he fought to preserve in life will remain unspoiled forever  and never be turned into a dreaded real estate development.

There are many cowboy goodbyes in the apparent "Yellowstone" series finale as Dutton is laid to rest and the Yellowstone Ranch is sold back to the Native Americans who owned it generations ago.

But no farewell is as dramatic as the violent death of Attorney General Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), who finally receives tough family justice for his role in his father's death. His long-coming demise is surprising only by its level of brutality.

It might not be the end: Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and John's daughter Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) will reportedly star in their own spinoff series. But here's how the Paramount Network OG series said goodbye.

'Yellowstone' is over: But Rip and Beth spinoff series will ride on

Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) make a deal in "Yellowstone."

John Dutton was buried on Yellowstone Ranch with his ancestors

The final six-episode run started with John Dutton's murder by professional hit men and his body examined on a morgue table after Costner left the series following a protracted squabble with creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan. Sunday's mournful cowboy funeral is the perfect "Yellowstone" sendoff: attended only by his family, the bunkhouse crew and three close friends. Jamie isn't invited and has no idea it's even going on.

Rip and company even dig John's burial hole in the ranch cemetery, surrounded by generations of Dutton headstones. John is placed next to his wife, Evelyn (Gretchen Mol), and their eldest child, Lee (Dave Annable).

Each attendee places a white rose on the casket to say final farewells. Beth, plotting her next move, leans close to her beloved father's casket and vows with a whisper, "I will avenge you," before staggering away.

But Rip gets the best funeral lines, dismissing the preacher with, "I think were about prayed out. If he aint in heaven, then he aint going. Or there aint one."

Beth kills her brother Jamie after their daddy's funeral

Jamie seems to be in the clear after making the speech of his life to assure the public that he'll find the governor's killer and that he had absolutely nothing to do with lawyer Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), who had hired the hit men. Suggesting he had anything to do with Atwood (his secret girlfriend) would be the real crime.

But Jamie can't even pour a victory drink at home because Beth is waiting with a tire iron surprise. She slams Jamie and covers his face with bear spray. It's a savage battle: Jamie regains the brawling advantage, loses it in typical villain style, and then regains it.

Just before he can finally strangle Beth, Rip charges in and opens a big old can of what-for on Jamie. But Beth demands the final honor of killing her longtime nemesis: She stabs her heartless brother in the chest. "Look at me," bloody Beth tells the dying Jamie. "I'm going to be the last thing you'll ever see."

Dead Jamie is dumped in the family's secret "train station," where generations of Dutton enemies have been tossed into silent eternity. Rip soaks Jamie's car in gasoline and tosses a match inside. It's the perfect "Yellowstone" revenge as Beth convincingly tells police that Jamie beat her and fled after she confronted her brother about their father's death.

The police will be looking for Jamie for a long time. But Jamie and Atwood's firm, Market Equities, will take the fall for everything.

Kayce sells Yellowstone Ranch for $1.25 an acre and Elsa Dutton rises from the dead to declare victory

Kayce cryptically suggested the Yellowstone sale at the end of last week's episode, and the hardheaded financial wonder Beth loved the idea. In Sunday's episode, Kayce sells the largest ranch in Montana to Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), the chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Broken Rock.

So, the land will return to the Native American tribe from which the Dutton family took it generations ago. In another ironic twist, Kayce sells it for the ridiculously low price of $1.25 an acre, the original price his ancestors paid. The total bill for Montana's largest (fictional) ranch is $1.1 million. Kayce and his family take a little land section for themselves to live quietly away from any spinoffs.

Rainwater vows that the land will never be developed and that the dead Duttons will be protected. Your people are buried on that land, and so are mine. Its sacred, and thats how we will treat it. Rainwater says. "So your family forever has a home here."

Rainwater makes the land a wilderness area where nothing can be built, and no motorized vehicles are allowed. Dutton's ancestors are happy with the decision. Elsa Dutton (Isabel May), the doomed narrator of "Yellowstone" prequel series "1883" (who also spoke in "1923"), makes a surprise voice return to tie the franchise together.

"Men cannot truly own wild land. To own land, you must blanket it in concrete, cover it with buildings," Elsa says. "You must rape it to sell it. Raw land, wild land, free land can never be owned."

Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) at their new ranch in the "Yellowstone" finale.

Where do Rip and Beth end up in 'Yellowstone'?

Beth recovers from her injuries (but with new facial scars) and meets Rip, who is working on their new ranch outside Dillon, Montana. They are about two hours from Paradise Valley and will still have to deal with tourists.

But with her father's death avenged, Beth suggests the two head into town, where there's a great local bar totally free of dreaded outsiders. There's even a hitching post so they can ride and park their horses.

"Well, saddle your horse," Rip says. The two head for drinks  and most likely a new series.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Yellowstone' finale: What happened on series finale with '1883' tie
While these changes impact the commercial sector, public sector service providers are also seeing changes to their Microsoft margins.

The public sector is also seeing changes, but not as dramatically as commercial clients, he said. The public sector [providers] will see a four per cent margin, down from 12 per cent, but the commercial sector is being hit hardest.

According to Sweeney Microsofts licensing changes align with its goal of shaping the tech landscape, ensuring developers and partners are fluent in its ecosystem for sustained innovation in cloud and AI.

This licensing evolution underscores Microsofts strategy to embed itself deeply within the IT ecosystem, prioritising long-term skill alignment over short-term gains, he said.

Pace of change

These changes have been in the books for the software giant for a while, however the pace at which this is happening has been faster than expected and its been a bit of a surprise for many partners, claimed Scriva.

The EA model is tied to on-premises products and doesnt fit as well with the subscription-based world that Microsoft is pushing now.

Its a dramatic shift, he said. Microsoft is clearly moving toward AI and cloud-based solutions. [It] probably has seen that the EA model doesnt fit with the new cloud-first direction.

What that means, explained Scriva, is that a small percentage of EA clients will no longer be able to renew an EA, and theyll have to pick either a CSP or an MCA e-deal.

Im seeing less and less perpetual deals versus cloud deals nowadays and of course, Microsoft will incentivise moving to the cloud more than perpetual, he said.

Although the discounts around transitioning from perpetual licenses (one time purchase) to the cloud subscription model, which were about 50 per cent cheaper than a full license cost, are no longer available to new clients.

You cant actually even get that incentive anymore, said Scriva. Its not even recognising prior perpetual spend anymore.

Due to these changes what the market will see are partner strategies around how theyre going to deliver a CSP mechanism and market ramping up during 2025.

Theres a lot of internal strategy around the value-added services and the CSP push, but its all happening quickly, and partners are trying to adjust, Scriva said.

This has been confirmed by Microsoft in Dezens blog where she stated, in January 2025, we will begin notifying these affected customers that renewal on the EA is no longer possible.

For enterprise customers, the Microsoft Customer Agreement for enterprise (MCA-E, the digital evolution of the traditional EA), will provide the optimal, streamlined solution. For SMC customers, the recommended options are CSP or MCA-E. Customers seeking a value-added services and support experience through a partner should choose CSP.

According to Microsoft, customers seeking a direct purchasing relationship with Microsoft or who prefer to manage their own per-user purchases should select MCA-E. With partners leading the way, customers can navigate these changes with confidence, knowing they are fully supported in their path to growth.

Pricing play

From December 1, Microsoft introduced a new monthly billing plan for annual subscriptions of Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Services.

This new monthly billing option for annual subscriptions will be priced five per cent higher than the annual billing (upfront payment) option for annual subscription plans, she wrote.

We will standardise the billing structure by introducing a pricing update starting on April 2025, for all other products with per-user monthly billing plans for annual subscriptions across all new commerce purchasing motionsdirect online, through CSP or MCA-E, she said. This price update will apply to all new and renewing monthly billing plans for annual subscriptions.

For partners who have probably already established and started investing in a CSP model and to get the best out of it, Scriva recommends developing it further to make sure that theyre getting the best learner incentives they can get from it.

[Partners] are probably going to be prepared, but obviously the conversations for them now should be internally, if I sign this deal on EA whats my incentive going to look like, he said.

If I sign this deal on CSP, how much margin can I give away to make it worth it. Its going to start to be a comparison of whether they just choose to go to CSP instead.

CSP is only a 12-month program. Microsoft says theres 36 months, but its 12-month price protected. Weve seen the history of Microsoft increasing prices.

For example the price of Microsoft Dynamics went up by somewhere between 10 and 17 per cent in the past few months, claimed Scriva.

In September of 2023, the Australian price was increased by nine per cent, he said. In January 2023, [globally] SQL went up by 10 per cent. In March of 2022, most Office 365 and M365 products went up by about 20 to 25 per cent [globally].

We look at all those trends, if I have a 12-month CSP deal, lets say it expires and the next year, Ive got some price increases that are going to be attached to my deal.

Scriva said EA or MCAE had a three-year cost predictability around it, which made it much more attractive for customers when dealing with chief financial officers and budgets.

If youve got a 12-month contract on the CSP bill, theres probably a little less confidence because you dont know what the price is going to be starting the following year, he explained. It leaves you probably less confident in what youre going to spend the following 12 months in that motion.

Making the pivot

Partners will have to adapt, while some options exist for them to minimise the impact, such as adding value-added services like implementation and support through programs like CSP.

In this model, partners dont add any margin to the base Microsoft price, but they get an incentive based on a price book, he said. The downside is that CSP agreements are only 12 months, and they dont have the same price benefits as EAs.

According to Scriva they might need to find alternative ways to fund these programs or pivot to new strategies.

Theres also a financial impact from losing incentives, especially since theyre so tied to employee hiring and program support.

If I were a partner, Id need to consider the value I can add beyond just the transactional side, he said. With the CSP model, you dont get the same benefits as the EA, like the discounts or the price protection.

The key for partners is figuring out how to offer more value in a shorter-term deal.

Sweeney said the pivot by enterprise services providers will have a trickle-down effect on the next level of ICT service providers. the shift to cloud and AI is fundamentally reshaping the landscape for MSPs.

In fact, this is already playing out in the industry today. Many MSPs, especially those that have reached a certain growth level, are finding themselves at a crossroads. They have to decide whether to continue growing independently or consider selling.

Take a look at the mergers and acquisitions, he said. Founders of MSPs and specialists got into the business because they were really good at something and had a passion for it, that something is often a particular part of the Microsoft ecosystem, such as data analytics, AI, or another specialised area, he said.

But eventually, they reach a point where they think, if they continue growing, they risk losing focus. At that point, selling the business might seem like the best option. This is why companies like Fujitsu, Atturra, and others are acquiring these businesses, he said.

Bracing for impact

ARN reached out to enterprise local LSPs, however they were all unable to speak due to an NDA with Microsoft.

An industry insider told ARN that these changes were known to Microsoft partners and presented both risks and opportunities.

Some major concerns include pricing stability, margins and rebates, with the financial impact of these changes becoming clearer in about six months time.

Microsofts approach to communication is less transparent and the timing isnt ideal, given the current climate, not just in technology but the cost of living, they said.

While these changes will raise questions these providers will have to deal with and focus on making the necessary changes to pivot their organisation, said the insider.

Microsoft will need the channel, but not for everything, they said.

Sweeney believes this ultimately is about the software giant moving the whole industry to the technologies it believes will have the most impact in the future.

Microsoft has also spent huge amounts of money in other AI technologies, not just its not just about open AI hedging their bets, because they know that there is a potential upheaval in the value of their skilled ecosystem, and they want to make sure that they control it, he said.

He explained the vendor has consistently played a long game and uses incentives to build partner ecosystems and develop skills, reaping rewards five or ten years later.

Microsoft wants to gain dominance over every fundamental business, digital business, infrastructure, he said. Cloud is not the ultimate thing for Microsoft.

Dezen said partners play an instrumental role in enabling customers to transform their businesses through the power of AI.

While technologies, buying paths, and customer opportunities evolve, what remains true is the power of partnership, she said. Our shared objective remains constant in enhancing the customer experience while delivering sustained value throughout the entire customer journey.

However, Scriva pointed out that after 40 years of being partner-led, which historically meant any transactions with Microsoft, such as purchasing enterprise solutions like Windows, Office, or EMS, would go through a partner, not directly to Microsoft, is changing.

Overall, Gartner projects that Microsoft will recast its channel model, taking more control by negotiating and contracting directly with 60 per cent of its top 5000 clients by 2029 (200 in A/NZ), he said.
by Santosh Digal

Located on Negros Island, Kanlaon is one of the countrys 24 active volcanoes along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Its eruption has led to the evacuation of more than 84,000 people. A blanket of ash and gas fell within a radius of 3 kilometres. Government and dioceses are helping evacuees. For Bishop Alminaza of San Carlos, vice president of Caritas, we need to support each other. Lamentably, We have not been good guardians of nature.

Manila (AsiaNews)  The eruption on 9 December of Mount Kanlaon, on Negros Island in the central Philippines, is the strongest the country has experienced in recent years, resulting in the displacement of more than 84,000 people.

While the government is working to provide temporary shelter for the displaced, Caritas has mobilised to provide aid to displaced communities in the Diocese of San Carlos and neighbouring dioceses.

Such moments of difficulty serve to witness our faith, show our love for one another and affirm our mission to truly care for our common home, said Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos.

Mount Kanlaon is one of the country's 24 active volcanoes and has erupted over 40 times since 1866. It is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, and highlights the Philippines exposure to this as well as other natural disasters.

Kanlaon threw out a deadly spurt of hot ash, gas and fragmented volcanic rock about three kilometres down the mountains southeastern flank.

Government officials said that while there were no casualties, the ash cloud obscured visibility and created a potential health risk. Following the event, the authorities and government agencies began to help those affected.

Bishop Alminaza, who is also vice president of Caritas Philippines, urged Catholics and all Filipinos to express solidarity and provide aid to people in need.

We need to pray for people and help them, said Alminaza, adding that those affected need access to drinking water, food parcels and medicines. It is a trying time for all; we need to support each other, he added.

The eruption was also an opportunity to highlight the responsibilities of human negligence towards the environment.

We confess our sins against you and against Your creation. We have not been good guardians of nature. Nature suffers from our injustice and indifference, Bishop Alminaza said in a statement.

Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters are occurring in increasing numbers and intensity. Let us pray and invoke the protection of the Most High, the statement went onto read.

For his part, Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos of Antipolo called on the faithful to pray for those affected by the natural disaster.

According to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the government is making concerted efforts to evacuate people from a six-kilometre radius danger zone.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMC) is providing immediate help to people and is constantly monitoring the situation.
by Shafique Khokhar

In Kahna Nau, a suburb of Lahore, the joint intervention of the Franciscans, the imam and the police prevented the act of a deranged man who burned pages of the Koran and the Bible from causing new riots. Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, a Sufi group organised a Christmas ceremony again this year. Bishop Rehamt: Let us join hands to show the world that we are a peaceful nation.

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - The Franciscans in Pakistan are deeply committed to promoting interreligious dialogue, which they consider a path to peace. And a very significant gesture has taken place in recent days.

In the last week of November 2024, Fr Lazar Aslam - a Capuchin friar - led an interreligious delegation to the area of Kahna Nau, a southern suburb of Lahore, Punjab. The purpose of the visit was to address tensions triggered by a blasphemy incident earlier this month.

Zafar Masih, a drug addict with mental health problems, had set fire to his house, burning pages from the Koran and the Bible. The incident had provoked accusations of blasphemy against Islam, prompting some Muslim youths to threaten a mass attack against local Christians. The incident terrified the Christian community, which has faced similar incidents in the past, such as the one in Jaranwala, Punjab, in August 2023.

The interfaith delegation, comprised of Fr Lazar Aslam, Pastor Asif Ehsan Khokar and Islamic scholar Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain, met with local security chief Maaz Ul Rahman (ASP) to explain the situation and demand protection for all residents. Thanks to the prompt and impartial action of the authorities, the situation was brought under control and the person responsible for the fire was taken into custody.

The intervention prevented outside groups from exploiting the incident and increasing tensions. For his part, Mufti Ashiq Hussain emphasised that the relationship between Muslims and Christians is an integral part of Pakistan's common history and must be protected. And Fr Lazar Aslam noted that the delegation's efforts had helped to maintain peace between the Muslim and Christian communities in Kahna Nau.

On the strength of this, the Deputy Inspector General of Punjab, Shahzada Sultan, convened a meeting of religious leaders, peace advocates and community representatives on 14 December 2024. The senior official praised Fr Lazar Aslam's efforts to bring peace and said he also wanted to reward Maaz ul Rehman for the conduct of the police.

In the meantime, another important interreligious moment was the Christmas celebration ceremony organised in Faisalabad at its holy site by the LaSaani Sarkar, a Sufi Muslim religious group that has been performing this act for 27 years. The Catholic bishop of Faisalabad, priests, pastors of different denominations, Christian lawyers, journalists and social workers were invited to the event. The theme proposed for this year was The ways of peace: humanity first, religion second.

Shahzada Shakil Nawaz Siddiqui, the successor of the Sufi Masood Ahmad Siddiqui LaSaani Sarkar founder of the community, said in his Christmas greeting to the participants: There is a dire need to light a small candle of peace, because a small candle can end the darkness, and we are all here to diminish the darkness of hatred and partiality. We are celebrating the birthday of the Prince of Peace, Jesus and Mother Mary are very sacred to us, they both brought us together and built a relationship of peace and unity between people. So we must be united, remain peaceful and always spread humanity'.

Bishop Indrias Rehamt of Faisalabad responded: Jesus came to earth not only for Christians, but for all mankind, and celebrating his birth is very beautiful for everyone. Today I visited LaSaani Sarkar for the first time and enjoyed this great celebration. Sufi saints have served all nations and spread the message of peace and unity. Our nation needs to be united despite different faiths and religions. Let us join hands to show the world that we are a peaceful nation and that we are always at each other's side in every difficult moment'.
by Joseph Masilamany

The Kaum Tering and Kaum Penan tribes oppose deforestation of large swathes of unspoiled forest because it risks having a devastating impact on the local ecosystem, known for its biodiversity and rare animal species. Road construction goes hand in hand with greater forest conversion, illegal hunting, and illegal wildlife trade.

Kuching (AsiaNews)  The largely Kaum Tering and Kaum Penan tribals living close to the Mulu National Park, in Sarawaks northern interior region, are concerned that logging activities prior to the construction of the Miri to Mulu highway will drastically impact their livelihood and the parks biodiversity.

For these tribes, the forests around Mulu National Park are alive and responsive to their physical and spiritual needs in a thousand ways since time immemorial.

The Mulu National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest national park in Sarawak known for its high biodiversity, Karst features, 2,376 m-high sandstone pinnacle called Gunung Mulu, limestone karst and isolated mountain peaks, as well as rare and endemic plants and animal species.

Speaking to AsiaNews, social activist and environmental conservationist Willie Kajan said that big areas of forests in the area will be earmarked for logging to clear land for the Miri-Mulu highway construction. We will not accept this, he said. We do not want to see big portions of our forests cleared by the state government just because they want to build the highway.

In fact, If this road construction means cutting down big swathes of forest land, we local natives of Mulu will protest, tooth and nail, he warned. "We think it will be best to just build a small trunk road that is tar-sealed and not a big highway that will involve clearing big sections of our forests.

Recently in a media engagement, Kajan said the tribal communities have already pointed out that they will not allow any blasting of rocks or cutting of hill slopes in the proposed Miri to Mulu road project.

It was reportedly said that the highway linking Miri to the world heritage site Mulu National Park measuring about 200 km long will be constructed to facilitate easier travelling for tourists visiting the biggest cave systems in the world.

The proposal for this project was endorsed by the State Legislative Assembly, with an estimated cost at RM3.6 billion (US$ 810 million).

The main purpose of building the Miri to Mulu highway is to boost tourism and socio-economic activities in the region.

Although state authorities have given assurance that the highway will not encroach into the Mulu National Park as it will end at the fringe of the park and tourists will be ferried into the park using boats  native communities feel uneasy about the overall project, as previously constructed highways and dams in the state have heavily impacted on the livelihood of the Indigenous people and the biodiversity.

According to Kajan, considering the contribution good roads can make to economic growth and rural connectivity, it is justifiable to expand a countrys network of roads. However, significant problems arise when road proponents do not consider the full costs and risks that roads may pose to the economy, society, and environment, he pointed out.

According to him, road building comes hand in hand with increased forest conversion, illegal hunting, and illegal wildlife trade.

The tropical climate, sporadically distributed communities, and exceptionally biodiverse and sensitive forest landscapes in Malaysian Borneo mean that building good roads is especially challenging.

Furthermore, inadequate environmental impact assessments fail to expose the true risks, and thus do not enable policymakers and approving bodies to adequately respond to minimise potential risks, Kajan added.

Sarawak has two world heritage sites  Mulu and the Niah National Park, both located in northern Sarawak. At present, the only way to get to Mulu is via flights on small aircraft from Miri or by river transportation.
The ministers who announced the coming amnesty cited prison overcrowding, due mainly to strict drug trafficking laws. Potential beneficiaries include political prisoners who criticised the Indonesian government's actions in Papua, a region that has aspired to independence for a long time. The local population remains sceptical of President Prabowo Subianto.

Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto plans to pardon tens of thousands of detainees, including some activists in Papua, Indonesia's easternmost region (home to active independence movements), jailed for criticising the Indonesian government, Justice Minister Supratman Andi Agtas announced last week.

Up to 44,000 prisoners (about 30 per cent of the total prison population, according to the minister) could obtain presidential pardons.

"The main considerations for the pardons are compassion and commitment to reconciliation, of which are key priorities for the president, said today Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, who explained that the prisoner release programme will alleviate overcrowding in Indonesian prisons, caused by tough drug trafficking legislation.

After almost 20 years in prison, five people who tried to smuggle 8.3 kg of heroin from Bali in 2005 returned to Australia yesterday. When Indonesia executed by firing squad two members of the group in 2015, Australia began lobbying for the release of the others.

According to a 2020 Human Rights Watch report, Indonesia's 464 prisons house 270,000 inmates, despite a capacity of just over 130,000. More than half of the prison population is being held for drug-related offences.

Prisoners with mental disorders or chronic diseases such as HIV, those suffering from drug addiction, minors, senior citizens and even political prisoners convicted under the controversial Electronic Information and Transactions Law will be considered for a presidential pardon, Minister Natalius Pigai explained.

Among those who could be pardoned, 18 are in jail for criticising the authorities or organising protests against the government.

This is part of the effort to reconcile with our friends in Papua. The government has the good intention to make Papua more peaceful, said recently Justice Minister Supratman Andi Agtas commented.

The province of Papua (which borders Papua New Guinea) was annexed by Indonesia in 1969 following a referendum strongly contested by the local population.

Prabowo Subianto, who served in Kopassus (Komando Pasukan Khusus), Indonesias Special Forces Command, led military operations and reprisals in Papua (and Timor Leste) to crush local independence movements, engaging in human rights violations according to critics.

Even today, while Indonesia has denied access to the province to UN officials, human rights activists estimate that some 79,000 Papuans are still displaced by decades of conflict.

Despite the possibility of a pardon for Papuan activists, the indigenous population has long been sceptical and concerned about the new government's policies towards the region.

After Prabowos inauguration in October (succeeding Joko Widodo), the government announced the resumption of the transmigration programme. The policy began in the 1960s by then President Suharto, to encourage the movement of people from densely populated regions to underdeveloped areas, like Papua, which, according to the local population, has increased inequalities between natives and settlers.

The programme was suspended in 2001 when the region was granted a degree of autonomy, but official data indicate that at least 78,000 Indonesian families moved to Papua between 1964 and 1999, over 300,000 people, against an indigenous population of 6.25 million.
by Fady Noun

Syrian Christians wait with bated breath fearing the introduction of Sharia law and waiting for a new constitution. The Maronite Patriarch and the bishops of the various Churches defend the idea of citizenship and equal rights. The self-criticism of the Maronite Archbishop of Damascus who admits a lack of courage in telling the truth about the atrocities committed by the deposed regime.

Beirut (AsiaNews) - The head of the Maronite Church, Patriarch Beshara Rai, has encouraged Syrian Christians - suspended between hope and fear for the future - and reduced today more than ever to a tiny minority (a population reduced by two thirds since the beginning of the civil war in 2011) to remain in their country.

An invitation accompanied by an exhortation to engage resolutely in the reconstruction of their homeland, basing this rebirth on the principle of citizenship and equality, without discrimination on religious, confessional, ethnic or cultural grounds.

The cardinal launched the exhortation in the homily of the Sunday Mass celebrated yesterday, in which he spoke on the situation of Christians in Syria in the aftermath of the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The long-time dictator was ousted by a coalition of rebels and opponents led by the Islamic group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Hts). Syria is the cradle of Christianity in the region, recalled the primate, whose Church was born in Antioch, one of Syria's main cities in Roman times, and who takes the name Patrarch of Antioch and all the East.

Commenting on the reassuring words of the leader of Hts, Ahmed el-Chareh, alias Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who encouraged Christians not to change their ways, the Patriarch added: Christians must live their natural and active presence within Syrian society, being a genuine and essential component of it.

In this regard, yesterday evening Lebanese television broadcast the lighting ceremony of the Christmas tree in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tartous, on the Syrian coast, in the presence of the local Maronite bishop, Antoine Chbeir.

According toAfp reports, in Aleppo the Latin Church immediately reclaimed a property occupied by the Baath party that had been in power for over sixty years and hung the Vatican flag there. The patriarchal exhortation comes at a time when the truth is coming out and rumours are swirling about the implacable nature of the police regime established by President Hafez el-Assad, who came to power in 1971, and then by his son, who succeeded him.

The Assads, who belong to the Alawite minority, ruled Syria with an iron fist for 53 years, in the name of an alliance of minorities that demonised Sunni Islam, the majority in Syria, and led in particular to the suppression of a Muslim Brotherhood uprising in Hama (February 1982), during which tens of thousands of Syrians were massacred.

Self-criticism

In this connection, and for the first time in public, the Maronite Archbishop of Damascus, Msgr. Samir Nassar, was self-critical of the behaviour of the Churches in Syria. We were not brave enough, he admitted, to tell the truth.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been imprisoned in indescribable conditions, killed or disappeared under this dictatorship. Speaking to Caroline Hayek, special correspondent of L'Orient-Le Jour (LOJ), the archbishop described a Syria where everyone, including the clergy, was under 24-hour surveillance and where he himself, when in office, shared his ideas in hushed tones, even outside Syria.

The secret services, the moukhabarat, were everywhere, stressed Mgr Nassar. They passed through the cook, the porter, the sacristan [...]. There were fourteen intelligence services and daily reports [...]. Everyone controlled everyone else,' he continues, and many priests were also involved in this system. One day they even found a microphone in a pen in my drawer...'. From now on, the prelate concluded, we must not think as a community, but as citizens.

Revolution of the gaze

These were the words of the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Dabek, Mgr Jacques Mourad, at a press conference organised in Damascus on 13 December by the French association L'uvre d'Orient, which has been present in Syria for over 150 years.

A member of the Mar Musa community, founded by Jesuit Fr Paolo Dall'Oglio who has been missing in Syria since 2013, the archbishop, taken hostage by the Islamic State group in 2015, defended the idea of a revolution of the gaze. There is work to be done to liberate our gaze. We must heal our memory,' he insisted. 'Let us help this new state, even if it claims to be Muslim [...]. We are called to assume our responsibilities in the direction of this country'.

Mgr Mourad, however, spoke out against the plan to make sharia (Islamic law) the source of institutions, as stated by some of Syria's new masters, including the interim government's Minister of Justice (in office until March 2025).

We have fought against injustice, he said, but not so that Sharia law can replace the Palace of Justice. Finally, the prelate called for the lifting of US and international sanctions against Syria, saying that these sanctions have not affected the ruling class, but have reduced the people to poverty. Eighty per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line'.
Scores of plainclothes policemen took the clergyman into custody while he was at a restaurant, sparking a protest by local Muslims in front of the town hall in the past two days. The province where a large Hui community lives has long been a hot spot for the governments sinicisation policies.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The arrest of an imam in Yuxi, a city in the southwestern province of Yunnan, has once again sparked tensions between Chinese authorities and the local Muslim community.

Yesterday, at noon, some 60 plainclothes police agents surrounded a restaurant in the Hongta district, where they arrested Yuwei, an imam who was having lunch.

Eyewitnesses told Radio Free Asias Chinese-language service that restaurant employees and customers asked police to show a warrant, but were told just to cooperate with the investigation.

Some videos posted on social media show several agents taking away Imam Ma Yuwei; other images show Muslims praying in front of the town hall, demanding his release.

The demonstration reportedly continued today, with soldiers and security forces arriving from Kunming and southern Yuxi, cordoning off the protest area.

Ma Yuwei is the imam of Yuxis Daying Mosque and is highly respected in the community. In recent years, he has been subjected to close monitoring by the authorities and has received threats as the government intensified its crackdown on religious activities.

Given this situation, he and his family are said to have spent six months inside the mosque to avoid the security forces. His arrest follows the authorities decision to declare the Daying mosque a "place of illegal religious activity".

Last year, Yunnan  where Muslim Hui are the majority  saw violent clashes between Muslims and police over the Najiaying mosque, Tonghai County, after the authorities had the Arab-style dome replaced by one in a "sinicised" style, in accordance with President Xi Jinpings nationalist religious agenda.

The transformation was not only one architectural. In Yunnan, mosques have come under pressure from the authorities to change their form of organisation.

"Now," a local source told Radio Free Asia, "there are no longer democratic elections, but appointments made directly by the Office for Religious Affairs and the United Front Work Department, which has the task of "correcting" organisations and groups so that they follow the official line.
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If convicted, Vardanyan faces the grim prospect of life imprisonment, read a statement released by his family and lawyer on Monday. The new charges presented against Ruben Vardanyan fall under 20 different articles of Azerbaijans Criminal Code.

Illustrating the extent to which the regime is desperate to justify its ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh and illegal imprisonment of its former leaders, the fabricated evidence is presented in more than 25,000 pages across 100 volumes, all written in Azeri, the statement said, adding that its details are hidden from Vardanyan on national security grounds.

This approach is clearly designed for [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev to justify holding a secret trial before a tribunal that will be neither independent nor impartial, it quoted the American lawyer, Jared Genser, as saying. He described the charges as a brazen attempt to blame everything that the Azeri regime did in Nagorno-Karabakh on Ruben.

We are afraid that we might not be able to see him again if the democratic world does not act to put an end to this nonsense, Vardanyans son David said for his part.

Vardanyan, who held the second-highest post in Karabakhs leadership from November 2022 to February 2023, was arrested at an Azerbaijani checkpoint in the Lachin corridor as he fled the region along with tens of thousands of its ordinary residents displaced by an Azerbaijani offensive. He was charged with financing terrorism, illegally entering Karabakh and supplying its armed forces with military equipment. He denies the accusations.

Vardanyan was reportedly put in a punishment cell in an Azerbaijani prison last April after he went on hunger strike to demand the immediate release of himself and seven other Karabakh Armenian leaders also jailed by Baku. In a subsequent appeal sent to the UN Committee against Torture, Vardanyans family and Genser said he was denied water, forced to stand for many hours and subjected to sleep deprivation.

Baku has denied the claims. It has barred Genser from visiting Azerbaijan and talking to his client.

The Armenian government maintains that it has been trying hard to have Vardanyan and at least 22 other Armenians remaining in Azerbaijani captivity freed. Its domestic critics dismiss these assurances. They say that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian actually helped Baku legitimize Vardanyans continuing imprisonment with his scathing comments about the tycoon.

Speaking at an August 31 news conference in Yerevan, Pashinian wondered who had told Vardanyan to renounce Russian citizenship and move to Karabakh in 2022 and for what purpose. He seemed to echo Azerbaijani leaders earlier claims that Vardanyan was dispatched to Karabakh by Moscow to serve Russian interests there.

Vardanyan hit back at Pashinian in a September statement issued from the Azerbaijani jail and publicized by his family. According to the latter, Azerbaijani interrogators asked the tycoon questions in connection with Pashinians comments.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said the embassy resumed its activities along with its consular section that returned to its normal regime.

Appointments for citizens of Armenia have already been organized today, it said in a statement.

The ministry added that the Armenian consulate in Aleppo will also be reopened soon. The consulate was shut down shortly before Syrias second largest city fell late last month to the rebels dominated by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist militant group. Both diplomatic missions had functioned throughout the Syrian civil war.

In what was official Yerevans first reaction to the regime change in Syria, the Foreign Ministry posted a separate statement on X saying: We stand firmly by the friendly Syrian people in this decisive moment for their history and support the inclusive and peaceful political transition process, with strong belief that tolerance and national unity are the sole way to stability and peace in Syria and the entire region.

Much of the work of the Armenian diplomatic missions in Syria is related to the countrys ethnic Armenian community that had an estimated 80,000 members until the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. The once thriving community has been in limbo since the start of the lighting rebel offensive.

The plight of between 10,000 and 15,000 Syrian Armenians believed to remain in Aleppo has been of particular concern. Some of them managed to flee the city ahead of the rebel takeover. They have mostly returned home in recent days, according to Zarmig Boghigian, the editor of the local Armenian newspaper Kantsasar.

The situation with security in the city is good, but people are concerned, Boghigian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. The economic situation is bad and uncertainty persists. Prices go up and down. So its not clear whats going to happen.

She said that during their meetings with community leaders in Aleppo, Damascus and other cities the new HTS-led authorities gave the Syrian Armenians security guarantees, telling them to continue your lives as usual and reopen your churches. Armenian schools across the country reopened on Monday, added Boghigian.

A group of Syrian Armenians had been scheduled to fly to Armenia on a direct flight from Damascus on November 14. The flight was cancelled because of the continuing closure of Syrias airports. Boghigian said that community members willing to take refuge in Armenia are now free to do so via neighboring Lebanon.
16 December 2024 13:47 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

In the United States of America, which has a very complex and unstable political structure, the Democratic Party is handing over its four-year term of power to the newly elected Republicans. Americans are saying goodbye to the old era and are looking with great hope for the resolution of the grievances that arose before in the new period of power under Donald Trump's leadership.

In fact, the US political will is calculated not only for the domestic audience but also to influence regions outside the continent. For example, the previous Biden administration created some unpleasant impressions both domestically and in the world's several regions, including the South Caucasus, with some of its political missteps. Let's say that the 30-year-old Garabagh conflict was resolved precisely during the Trump era, but no results have been achieved during Biden's presidency from 2021 to the present day towards signing peace. On the contrary, the Armenian lobby that particularly dominates the US Congress has subjected the Biden-Harris administration to serious criticism for not supporting the conflict. Therefore, we would not be wrong to say that 2021-2025 was remembered as a heavy reporting period for the Armenian lobby for the Democrats. The situation even reached the point that the Biden administration, about a month before their departure, attempted to destroy the relations that had been established between Washington and Baku for over three decades.

Now a strange question arises: did the Democrats, who are helpless in the face of the Armenian lobby and are unstable in their decisions, really end up in this situation because they are true "democrats", or is it because of their pro-Armenian position or their incapability in the face of the lobby that Azerbaijan and Armenia have not yet been able to sign a peace treaty? The answer to this question will of course be known after the open position of the Trump administration, which will take office next year.

However, due to the dynamics of world events, new information is emerging every day. In particular, such information comes from Armenian lobby organizations, especially ANCA, which gives special ranks to politicians in the US Congress, cascading them into grades according to their selfless services to Armenians.

According to recent news, President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday announced his new appointment  asking the former Congressman, Devin Nunes, and the CEO of social media platform Truth Social, to lead the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board, an independent group within the Executive Office that oversees the U.S. intelligence communitys compliance with the Constitution.

Circulating this news, ANCA immediately tried to highlight the service of the new representative close to the Trump administration to the Armenian lobby, presenting him as follows: a retired legislator with an A+ ANCA grade.

Apparently, ANCA is trying to appreciate Davin Nunes previous activities more by adding "A+" to his rank, and moreover, it intends to closely unite such members from the Trump administration in new activities as of January 20.

Perhaps the Armenian lobby is using some rhetoric to inflate its influence or is trying to hypothetically present Trump, who is tepid towards Armenians compared to Biden, as more pro-Armenian.

Either way, the new 4-year term of the US government faces a new test from the Armenian lobby, which has spread like a parasite across the continent. Perhaps Trump will not let them close with his strong character, but the criticisms heaped on the Biden-Harris administration can be expected for the Trump administration as well.
16 December 2024 12:22 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, under the State Tourism Agency, organized a familiarization visit for representatives of six leading Turkish tourism companies, Azernews reports.

During the visit, participants explored Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and tourism opportunities, with a special focus on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Highlights of the trip included visits to the Kangarli Mountains and Alinca Castle, showcasing the region's tourism potential.

In addition, the Turkish delegation held B2B meetings with around 20 local tourism companies, discussing prospects for future cooperation.

From January to November this year, Azerbaijan welcomed 389,173 visitors from Turkey, marking a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. This initiative aims to strengthen tourism ties between the two countries further.
16 December 2024 19:12 (UTC+04:00)

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The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) released the volume of remittances sent from Russia by individuals, Azernews reports.

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16 December 2024 17:29 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The Azerbaijani government is set to increase the allocation for the agriculture sector by over 30mln ($17.7mln) in next year's state budget, Azernews reports.

According to information presented in the "State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025" law project, which was approved during the first and second readings by the Milli Majlis, the agriculture sector was initially allocated 1,171,863,792 ($689,331,642).

However, in the third reading presented to the parliament, the allocation for the agriculture sector has been increased to 1,203,805,845 ($708,121,085). This represents an increase of 31,942,053 ($18,789,442) from the previous allocation.

This budget increase reflects the Azerbaijani government's commitment to supporting and developing the agriculture sector, recognizing its vital role in the country's economy. The additional funds are expected to be used for various initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving infrastructure, and supporting farmers' livelihoods.

Agriculture has been identified as a key sector for economic diversification in Azerbaijan, particularly in the context of reducing dependency on oil and gas revenues. The increased funding will likely contribute to advancements in agricultural technology, modernization of farming practices, and expansion of market opportunities for Azerbaijani farmers.

The decision to increase the budget allocation for agriculture also aligns with the government's broader goals of ensuring food security, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing rural development. By investing in the agriculture sector, Azerbaijan aims to strengthen its economic resilience and ensure long-term growth and prosperity for its citizens.

This significant budget increase demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the needs of the agricultural sector and underscores the government's commitment to fostering a robust and dynamic agricultural industry.
16 December 2024 11:44 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

As part of the research project "Codes of Gobustan", a round table dedicated to the study of the phenomenon of Gobustan's ancient civilization has been held at the Nine Senses Art Center, Azernews reports.

Leading experts in the field of archaeology, art history, ecology, and history participated in the event.

The moderator of the round table was the director of the Nine Senses Art Center Natalia Zhukova, who spoke about the concept of the exhibition "Codes of Gobustan".

In his speech, the shaman of Gobustan Tarlan Manafov noted that Azerbaijan has a unique cultural heritage.

"A thorough study of ancient artefacts in Gobustan allows us to understand and delve deeper into the past. Throughout life, a person strives to find answers to questions about his origin and God, as well as other existential topics. Rock paintings in Gobustan were perceived as a divine manifestation. They are a true miracle," the shaman added.

Chairman of the NGO "Hayajan", an expert on forest biodiversity, Aligeydar Mammadov, in turn, offered a unique view of ancient Azerbaijani civilisations, analysing them through the prism of sacred beliefs, myths, and customs.

Local historian and head of the initiative group "Hunters for artefacts" Sabit Jojulu in his report emphasized the importance of Gobustan tamgas, the need to preserve them, include them in the register of protected monuments, as well as popularize them through tourist routes.

In conclusion, answers were given to questions of interest to the participants of the round table.

Then there was a presentation of the artistic diorama "Gobustan-3029", created by the talented photographer and director Ilkin Zafarli. This unique work is a look at Gobustan in the distant future - in 3029.

The diorama takes viewers to an imaginary reality, where the sacred territory appears in a new dimension, combining mythology, modernity and futurism. The author of the work told about the history of the creation of this work, about what inspired him to such an unusual artistic research, and revealed the secret meanings embedded in the details of the miniature.

Then the audience was shown a film by Togrul Avshar, shot in the picturesque locations of Gobustan, places of power in Azerbaijan. This film deeply explores the connection of the artist with the sacred space, showing how being in a place of power can become a source of inspiration and turns a creative person into a conductor of great energy.

Through the prism of art, the film reveals how the internal energy of the area comes to life and is transmitted to the viewer, becoming part of the great cosmic harmony.

Gobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Baku, Azerbaijan, is a remarkable place that highlights our rich history and culture. Famous for its stunning rock formations and ancient carvings, Gobustan provides a fascinating look at the lives of the people who lived there thousands of years ago.

These petroglyphs, which depict various aspects of early human life, reveal the struggles and celebrations of our ancestors and their connection to the environment.

Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve is a destination that should be at the top of any history buff's list.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and boasts over 600,000 distinct paintings, ranging from 20,000 years old to as recent as 5,000 years ago. In 2007, Gobustan was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Among the 6,000 drawings found in Gobustan are petroglyphs - stone and iron-age figures depicting hunting scenes, ceremonies, and rituals.

The famous explorer Thor Heyerdahl investigated the Gobustan petroglyphs and concluded that the oldest known images of a pirogue boat are found there.

He also made a sensational hypothesis about a connection between Norwegians and Azerbaijanis, suggesting that the ancestors of Scandinavians migrated from Azerbaijan.

Most of the rock engravings in Gobustan depict primitive men, animals, battle scenes, and other cultural practices.

In addition to the petroglyphs, visitors can see the musical gemstone known as Gaval Dash, which produces a tambourine-like sound when struck in various places.

Many Azerbaijani musicians have used Gaval Dash to create wonderful pieces of music.

The musical stone and the Yall chain dance were also featured in the interval act of the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Baku.

There is also a stone slab with a Latin inscription from the first century, left behind by the 12th Roman legion of Emperor Domitian, indicating their stay in the area.

Gobustan has been granted national status since 2006. The reserve's main goal is to safeguard the ancient rock carvings and burial mounds found in the area.

Every year, this awe-inspiring open-air museum attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.
16 December 2024 15:22 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

December 15 marks the memorial day of Azerbaijan's prominent jazz pianist and composer, Vagif Mustafazade, who is considered one of the founders of jazz music in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Mustafazade combined Azerbaijani mughams with traditional jazz techniques, creating a synthesis of mugham and jazz.

Similar innovations made by him in Azerbaijani music are still relevant, and many musicians use the synthesis of jazz and mugham created by the composer.

Born in 1940, outstanding composer, pianist, founder of the jazz-mugham style, Honored Artist of the Azerbaijani SSR, and laureate of the State Prize Vagif Mustafazade received his first musical education at music school, where his mother Zivar Aliyeva worked.

From 1957 to 1963, he continued his education at the Asaf Zeynalli music school. In 1964, he entered the Uzeyir Hajibayli Azerbaijani State Conservatoire.

In 1965, the musician was invited to Tbilisi as the musical director of the famous Orero ensemble, and in the same year, he created the Caucasus jazz trio at the Georgian Philharmonic. In 1967, he attended the International Jazz Festival in Tallinn.

In 1970, Vagif Mustafazade created the Leyli vocal quartet, and in 1971  Sevil vocal-instrumental ensemble under the State Radio.

Vagif Mustafazade became a laureate of the jazz festival in Donetsk in 1977. He was awarded the title of laureate and best pianist at the jazz festival (1978) in Tbilisi.

He also took first place as the best composer at the International Competition of Jazz Composers in Monaco (1979) for his composition "Waiting for Aziza" and won the White Grand Piano award.

In the same year, he was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of Azerbaijan.

Thanks to his original compositions, rich oriental flavor, improvisations and mixtures of mugham and jazz rhythms, Vagif Mustafazade became a living legend. His work was highly valued both in his homeland and abroad.
16 December 2024 10:22 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

During the review of Armenia's periodic report at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, UN experts emphasized the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage within Armenia, Azernews reports, citing the Western Azerbaijani Community.

The Community noted that Armenia's delegation showed intolerance towards these questions and again denied the Azerbaijani heritage of the Blue Mosque, reflecting deep-rooted Azerbaijanophobia and a fabricated sense of "ethnic exclusivity" within Armenian society. This denial contradicts Armenia's purported efforts to normalize relations between the two countries.

Similarly, during the occupation period, Armenia's policy of denying the Azerbaijani heritage of the Yuxari Govhar Agha Mosque was entirely unsuccessful, and there is no future in denying the Azerbaijani origins of the Blue Mosque either. Neither the hysterical responses from Armenian officials at the UN nor the ridiculous tweets and remarks from France's racist ambassador in Armenia can erase the ancient history and rich cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people.

The Community appreciates the UN Committee's recommendation that expresses concern over hate speech by officials and politicians in the media and online, highlighting the racist policies Armenia pursues against Azerbaijanis. The Community calls on UN experts to continue monitoring the issue of Azerbaijanophobia in Armenia, keeping a close watch on the media and internet space. They also invite other relevant UN bodies to address the violated rights of West Azerbaijanis during discussions about Armenia and to recommend ways to rectify these injustices.
16 December 2024 11:25 (UTC+04:00)

Congratulations to brotherly Kazakhstan and Kazakh people on the joyous occasion of their #NationalDay !  @MFA_KZ pic.twitter.com/IWS3YooNy2

The message was shared on the MFA's official "X" account.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan (MFA) has extended congratulations to Kazakhstan on its National Day, Azernews reports.

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16 December 2024 14:44 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

An extremist group planning provocations and kidnappings has been exposed, Azernews reports, citing the State Security Service (SSS).

SSS noted that comprehensive operational and investigative measures revealed that Azerbaijani citizens - Fakhraddin Shahmurov (born in 1984), Jalal Muradov (born in 1960), Kamran Babayev (born in 1998), and others - conspired to create a criminal organization aimed at committing serious and particularly serious crimes against the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan. They organized secret meetings and various closed groups on social networks to prepare for provocations against state institutions.

It was determined that during a secret meeting involving a foreign national, a flag for the criminal organization was prepared, and Fakhraddin Shahmurov was appointed to lead the planning and execution of crimes for the organization's goals.

Fakhraddin Shahmurov, along with other members of the criminal group, planned to seize a customs post located at the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan, take employees and other individuals hostage to advance the criminal organization's demands, and harm the country's defense capabilities and economic security. The group's illegal activities were thwarted through the measures taken.

Fakhraddin Shahmurov has been charged under Articles 28.282.2 (preparation for provocation by an organized group), 28.215.3 (preparation for taking hostages), 218.1 (creation of a criminal organization), and 281.2 (dissemination of materials containing calls against the state) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Jalal Muradov and Kamran Babayev have also been charged under Article 281.2 and other articles, and additional individuals have been involved in the investigation.

Currently, comprehensive investigations into the criminal case are ongoing.
16 December 2024 15:06 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry extended its congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of its National Day.

Azernews reports, the ministry shared a post on its official "X" social media account.

"We sincerely congratulate the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people on the occasion of Bahrain's National Day," the post stated.

Sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people on the occasion of the National Day of Bahrain!



@bahdiplomatic pic.twitter.com/t85zJ1mMPl  MFA Azerbaijan  (@AzerbaijanMFA) December 16, 2024

The warm message posted on the Azerbaijan ministrys official social media account underscores the importance of maintaining and strengthening international friendships and alliances. Celebrating the national days of other countries is a testament to Azerbaijan's dedication to global unity and its support for the sovereign rights and cultural heritage of other nations.

In addition, it is worth noting that Azerbaijan and Bahrain share a history of diplomatic relations characterized by mutual respect and cooperation. Diplomatic ties between the two nations were officially established in 1996, and since then, both countries have worked to strengthen their bilateral relations across various sectors, including economic, cultural, and political domains.

Economic cooperation has been a cornerstone of Azerbaijani-Bahraini relations, with both countries exploring opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism. Bahrains strategic location in the Persian Gulf and Azerbaijans significant role in the South Caucasus region make them valuable partners in fostering regional connectivity and economic growth.

The diplomatic relationship is marked by high-level visits and meetings, which underscore the commitment of both nations to further enhance their partnership and address global and regional challenges collaboratively.
16 December 2024 14:23 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, Azernews reports, citing a post shared on the ministry's "X" account.

The post reads that a one-on-one meeting between the parties had begun.

Happening now: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan @Bayramov_Jeyhun, welcomes Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See@AzerbaijanMFA during his visit to #Baku, #Azerbaijan. pic.twitter.com/AAs0sQHBDP  MFA Azerbaijan  (@AzerbaijanMFA) December 16, 2024

It is worth noting that Azerbaijan and the Holy See have maintained diplomatic relations since May 1992. This relationship reflects mutual respect and cooperation, particularly in areas such as cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian efforts.

High-level visits and regular diplomatic engagements underscore the importance both entities place on their relationship.

Cultural exchanges are a significant aspect of their relations. Azerbaijan has shown interest in the Vatican's cultural and religious heritage, and there have been several initiatives to foster mutual understanding and respect between the Azerbaijani people and the Catholic Church.

Both parties working together on various initiatives aimed at promoting peace, social justice, and interfaith harmony. The Holy See has also shown support for Azerbaijan's efforts in preserving its multicultural and multi-faith society.

These diplomatic and cultural engagements illustrate the strong and growing relationship between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, based on shared values and mutual interests.
16 December 2024 17:57 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

International Conference titled "Mapping the World in Lexicography: on the 950th anniversary of Diwan Lughat al-Turk," has been held at at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Azernews reports.

The 950th anniversary of the famous work by Mahmud Kashgari, Diwan Lughat al-Turk- one of the most valuable books in the Turkic world-was celebrated within UNESCO.

The international conference brought together was successfully concluded at the UNESCO headquarters, at the initiative of the National Commissions for UNESCO of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Hungary and jointly organized by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, as well as the Permanent Representations to UNESCO.

The international conference was moderated by Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNESCO Elman Abdullayev.

In his speech, Elman Abdullayev noted that the eternal legacy of the work of Mahmud Kashgari, a masterpiece and testament to the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Turkic-speaking world, is being celebrated.

"This decision emphasizes the importance of preserving such cultural treasures as part of the common heritage of humanity, and demonstrates UNESCO's commitment to supporting initiatives that celebrate and protect linguistic and cultural identities around the world," he added.

The conference conveyed to a wide audience its goals of re-examining the significance of Mahmud Kashgari's monumental work created in the 11th century, emphasizing its relevance for the modern era, and proposing new initiatives to pass this heritage on to future generations.

President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktoty Raimkulova stressed the great importance of celebrating the 950th anniversary of Diwan Lughat al-Turk, regarded as one of the most valuable works of the common Turkic cultural heritage within the framework of UNESCO in 2024-2025, the historical essence of this masterpiece and the role it currently plays in intercultural dialogue.

UNESCO Assistant Director-General of the Africa Department and External Relations Firmin Edouard Matoko welcomed the conference participants. He emphasized the great significance of this work by Mahmud Kashgari not only for the Turkic world, but also for the global cultural heritage, calling Divan-u Lughat-it-Turk an encyclopedia reflecting the history of the Turkic peoples.

President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), academician Isa Habibbayli, Director of the Nasimi Institute of Linguistics, Professor Nadir Mammadli, Acting Head of the Department of Speech Culture and Monitoring at Nasimi Institute of Linguistics, Associate Professor Vafa Abdullayeva-Nabiyeva, Doctor of Philosophy in Philology, provided detailed information on the research, translation into Azerbaijani and publication of Diwan Lughat al-Turk.

In their remarks, members of the Azerbaijani delegation recalled the words of President Ilham Aliyev "Our family is the Turkic world!" and drew attention to the fact that today's international conference is a continuation of this idea.

In addition, a specially prepared replica of the Diwan Lughat al-Turk, the original of which is kept in the Ali Emiri Efendi Library in Istanbul, was exhibited as part of the event, as well as stands reflecting the history of the work and information about Mahmud Kashgari.

At the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO, the 950th anniversary of Diwan Lughat al-Turk (Compendium of Turkic Dialects and Languages) written by lexicographer and philologist Mahmud Kashgari (1074) was included in the list of anniversaries related to UNESCO for 2024-2025.

This decision was made based on the joint proposal of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with the support of Hungary, Mauritania, Morocco, Qatar and Tajikistan.

The conference was held with the support of the national commissions of the Turkic states to UNESCO, as well as their permanent representations.

The event was attended and delivered by ambassadors of Turkic states accredited to France, Secretaries General of the National Commissions for UNESCO and permanent representatives to UNESCO, prominent scholars from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Hungary and other countries, representatives of international organizations, as well as well-known intellectuals of the Turkic world.

Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNESCO Elman Abdullayev made a closing speech and stated that Diwan Lughat al-Turk is much more than a linguistic masterpiece, it is a bridge connecting cultures, languages and history.

A book "Mahmud Kashgari's Diwan Lughat al-Turk", published with the support of the Azerbaijani National Commission for UNESCO was also presented as part of the event.

According to information preserved in the Istanbul National Library and recorded on the last page of the only existing copy, M. Kashgari began writing this masterpiece in 1072 and completed it two years later. Various sources mention that he intended to present this work to the Turkish ruler of the time, Sultan Muhammad Alp Arslan. However, due to the martyr's death of the ruler, the work was presented to the Caliph of the Abbasid dynasty, Muhammad al-Muqtadi Bi-Amrillah, who ruled in Baghdad from 1075 to 1095.

The work is considered the first dictionary of the Turkic language family, written by M. Kashgari to teach the Turkic language to Arabs and to demonstrate that it is richer than Arabic. During the writing of this work, M. Kashgari visited various Turkic regions of the 11th century and based his work on the linguistic materials he gathered.

In addition to being a dictionary, it also serves as a grammatical compendium that reflects the characteristics of the 11th-century Turkic language, shedding light on phonetic and morphological knowledge. Furthermore, the work provides information about Turkic surnames, individuals, and geographical names and contains rich information about Turkic history, geography, mythology, folklore, and oral literature. It is also notable as an encyclopedic work that offers insights into the medicine and healing methods of that time.
16 December 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

"It makes no sense for Georgia to join any organization while abandoning its values and traditions."

Azernews reports that this was stated by the President-elect of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, in an interview with Imedi TV channel.

According to him, the Georgian authorities are open to discussions on any issue, but there is no reciprocal desire from the West to hold discussions, only criticism.

"If we didn't have our values and character, our culture, our language, our beliefs, our homeland defense, what would be the point of joining any organization? We want to be a member of the European Union as we are, we are not giving up on integration."

Mikheil Kavelashvili also assessed the conflict between the country's current President Salome Zurabishvili and the government. He noted that if Zurabishvili did not agree with the government's policies, she should have resigned.
The Archbishop of York, Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, second highest ranking leader in the Anglican Communion, is facing calls to resign over his supervision of sex assault allegations involving a priest known for his charismatic preaching.

The new debacle has emerged just weeks after Cottrells boss, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, resigned over his handling of a serial sex offender, the late John Smyth, in an unrelated case.

Cottrell is due to take over from Welby on a temporary basis from Jan. 6, assuming leadership of the Church of England. However, a BBC R4 File on Four program investigation reveals that when Cottrell was Bishop of Chelmsford, he allowed a priest, David Tudor, to stay in his job even though the church had barred the priest from being alone in the company of children. The BBC reports the priest paid compensation to one of the victims of 10,000 for violent abuse.

Cottrell published a personal statement on his website in response to the allegations made by the BBC program.

The situation I faced when I became Bishop of Chelmsford, was horrible and intolerable  most of all for the survivors and victims who had bravely come forward and shared their stories from the 1980s, Cottrell said.

This mornings (Dec. 16) news coverage incorrectly implies that no action was taken until 2024. That is not the case. In my capacity as Bishop of Chelmsford, I suspended David Tudor from office at the first opportunity, when a new victim came forward to the police in 2019. Up until 2019, there were no legal grounds to take alternative action.

Cottrell also pointed out that when he joined the Chelmsford diocese in 2010, he worked closely with its very professional safeguarding team to ensure the risk was managed.

But it was not possible to remove David Tudor from office until such time as fresh complaints were made, which happened when a victim bravely spoke to the police, he explained. Once this happened in 2019, I acted immediately. I suspended David Tudor from all ministry pending the investigation and subsequent tribunal hearing in which he was removed from office and prohibited from ministry for life.

Cottrell apologised in the statement that action had not been taken earlier but said he had inherited the situation. He expressed disappointment that the story had been reported in the wider media as if it was an abuser being ignored or even protected.

Actually, nothing could be further from the truth, opined the archbishop. And to present it this way only re-traumatises already hurt people. The situation with David Tudor was an awful situation to live with and to manage and has meant many people suffering as a result. I want victims and survivors to know that everything was done to understand, assess and manage the risk.

Cottrell also welcomed the outcome of a tribunal in October (2024) about the issue but said that the approach to such matters would be different now, than in the past.

Following David Tudors five years of suspension from ministry in 1988, the process at that time did not prevent him from returning to ministry in the Diocese of Southwark in 1994, Cottrell outlined. Changes to the way safeguarding is now managed and scrutinised would mean the decision taken in 1988 would not take place now. But it did then.

Lastly, Cottrell called on the Church of England to undergo independent scrutiny of safeguarding measures so that those who do have understandable frustrations and concerns can have their voices heard and those of us who have responsibility for managing these situations can be helped to avoid them and resolve them.

I have publicly supported this for many years. I pledge myself to do what I can to achieve it, he added.

Tudor, reportedly known for his charismatic manner of preaching, worked for the Church of England for 46 years in London, and the counties of Essex and Surrey. When Cottrell became Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010, Tudor was an area dean on Canvey Island in Essex.

The BBC lists the following facts that Mr Cottrell would have been told.

Tudor was a defendant in two criminal trials in 1988 and in the first trial he admitted having sex with a 16-year-old schoolgirl. He had been cleared in court of indecently assaulting the girl when she was 15.

For the second trial, Tudor was initially jailed for six months for indecently assaulting three girls. However, this conviction was quashed on technical grounds because the judge had misdirected the jury, according to the BBC.

Tudor was also banned from ministry for five years for sexual misconduct by a church tribunal in 1989. He was then allowed to return to ministry.

But Tudor was then suspended again in 2005 when police investigated allegations he assaulted a child in the 1970s. Yet he was not charged by police and then allowed to work for the church again, under certain conditions.

Tudor had been subject to a safeguarding agreement blocking him in Jan. 2008 from working alone with children or entering schools in the county of Essex. A few months later he was given the position of area dean, responsible for 12 church parishes.

In response to the BBC program, the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Rev. Helen-Ann Hartley, reportedly called for Cottrell to resign. She had previously called for Welby to resign too, before he did so.

One archbishop has resigned over a safeguarding failure, and now the remaining archbishop has a very serious matter that calls into question his ability to lead on the urgent change that is required, she said, as reported on the BBC Radio 4s Today program.

My personal view is that the evidence before us makes it impossible for Stephen Cottrell to be the person in which we have confidence and trust to drive the change that is needed.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, resigned on Nov. 12 following concerns about his handling of a sex abuse case involving the deceased John Smyth QC, mentioned above, who sexually abused countless boys and young men in the 1970s and 1980s, as reported by Christian Daily International.

The Makin Review, looking into the matters of Smyths abuse, concluded that the serial abuser could have been stopped sooner if Welby had formally reported concerns disclosed to him a decade ago.

Smyth was reported to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England, a previous independent review concluded. He died aged 77 in Cape Town, South Africa in 2018, after being accused of abusing boys at his home in Winchester, England, whom he worked with at a Christian summer camp in the county of Dorset in the 1970s and 1980s, according to the BBC.
16 December 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Israel says it will close its embassy in Dublin, blaming "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government." Ireland has been critical of Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement on Sunday that the country's Dublin embassy would be closed, citing the "actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel."

Ireland has also been among the foremost European critics of Israel's response to the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas that sparked the country's war against Hamas in Gaza.

Recall that the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel erupted on October 7, 2023. As a result, Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed almost 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry, and caused widespread destruction across the besieged territory.
Donald Trump and the American public are not alone in wanting to see illegal alien migrants go home. With the fall of Syrian dictator Assad, European countries are mobilizing to send Syrian migrants home. Some have already adopted policies to no longer even accept asylum applications from Syrians.

In Germany, where the traditional conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) are tipped to win February's snap election for parliament, with the anti-immigration populists of the AfD close behind, CDU leader Friederich Merz is openly saying it is time for the Syrians to go home. "Two thirds of them do not work. Many of them must go home," Merz declared on the Syrians. At present, 63% of Germany's welfare budget is spent on illegal aliens. There are now a million Syrians in Germany.

https://rmx.news/article/two-thirds-do-not-work-many-of-them-must-go-back-says-merz-about-syrians-living-in-germany/

Denmark has decided that they can save welfare costs as well as expenses of deportation by paying Syrians to go ;home. The center-left Danish government has announced it is offering Syrians living in Denmark 27,000 euros to return home permanently.

https://rmx.news/article/denmark-offers-e27000-to-each-syrian-willing-to-return-home/

Austria is offering a thousand euros for Syrians to return home, and there are discussions in Germany about also paying them to go home.
From increased costs of medical supplies to higher prices for goods like electronics and furniture, proposed high tariffs could lead to increased inefficiencies in the supply chain for ASCs, experts are warning.

Here is what two physicians told Beckers about anticipated cost increases:

Taif Mukhdomi, MD. Interventional Pain Physician at Pain Zero (Columbus, Ohio). As an organization, we review contracts and ordering on a semi-annual to annual basis. Fortunately for us, we have aligned with a few GPOs to stay competitive with pricings. At the end of the day, patient care needs to continue and we do not anticipate curbing any of our services. We certainly anticipate changes in inventory purchases and over the years weve found certain prices increase while others decrease  it really comes down to what items have become commoditized while which products are of high quality worth the higher premium.

Robert Tatsumi, MD. President of Oregon Spine Care (Tualatin): Microeconomics shows that before a tariff is in place, consumer consumption increases due to the lower cost of goods. Our corporation has been purchasing additional electronics and furniture (consumer surplus) in anticipation of future tariffs. Tariffs create inefficiencies in the market and lead to higher supply costs regardless of where the product is manufactured (deadweight loss). We anticipate reduced consumer spending to adjust for reduced business profits. Our supply chain pressure has remained neutral for the current fiscal year due to flexibility with sourcing various suppliers.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a lawsuit against Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, alleging the company violated state consumer protection and data security laws after a February ransomware attack.

The lawsuit, filed in Lancaster County District Court, accuses Change Healthcare of inadequate security measures that allowed hackers to infiltrate its systems, steal sensitive data, and deploy ransomware. Mr. Hilgers said the breach left Nebraska healthcare providers unable to process payments, delaying critical medical services.

The attorney general's office also claims Change Healthcare delayed notifying affected individuals for nearly five months, leaving Nebraskans vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud.

"A functioning medical marketplace needs to have a trustworthy medical payments backbone. It requires companies who do what they say they will do, and do everything possible to protect Nebraska's health information and who provide proper notice to Nebraskans when their data is breached," Mr. Hilgers said in a Dec. 16 news release. "This suit is intended to help restore trust in our system and remedy the harm suffered by Nebraskans and their medical providers."

Mr. Hilgers urged Nebraska healthcare providers affected by the breach to share their experiences through the Nebraska Attorney General's Office website.

The lawsuit also includes UnitedHealth Group and Optum.

The Feb. 21 ransomware attack on Change Healthcare affected 100 million individuals. UnitedHealth has said it believes the hacking group ALPHV, also known as BlackCat, was responsible for the incident.
Nearly 23,000 Connecticut residents will have some or all of their medical debt eliminated through efforts made by the governor's office and a nonprofit organization.

Four things to know:

1. The $30 million being erased is part of the first round of an initiative in partnership with nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, according to a Dec. 16 news release from Gov. Ned Lamont's office.

2. The nonprofit negotiates with healthcare providers to eliminate medical debt for patients with incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, or for those whose debt exceeds 5% of their annual income.

3. The Lamont administration allocated about $100,000 from Connecticut's American Rescue Plan Act funding for the initiative, the release said.

4. Health systems including Greenville, N.C.-based ECU Health and New Orleans-based Ochsner Health have also partnered with Undue Medical Debt.
Dallas-based Steward Health Care has filed a closure notice for its Sharon (Pa.) Regional Medical Center after Meadville (Pa.) Medical Center withdrew its proposed transaction of the hospital.

The Dec. 16 notice, obtained by Becker's, proposed a Jan. 6 closure date for the 163-bed hospital.

Meadville withdrew its purchase proposal after "determining that adequate funding to financially stabilize the hospital for the long-term was unable to be secured," according to a Dec. 1 news release shared with Becker's.

On Dec. 1, Pennsylvania filed an emergency motion after Steward, which sought Chapter 11 protection May 6 and has worked to offload the remainder of its 31 hospitals, requested $3 million per month or it would start closing the hospital. Sharon Regional has more than 750 employees and generates around $115 million in economic activity for the area it serves, the state's motion said.

The state has provided the hospital $4.5 million since September to keep operations running as it searched for a new operator.

"We are disappointed that, despite best efforts from our office and the governor's office, an immediate solution was not attainable," Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a Dec. 16 statement shared with Becker's. "[W]e worked around the clock with the parties involved to try to salvage a financial arrangement that keeps Sharon Hospital's doors open and staff employed at their respective locations."

The planned closure comes after Steward closed both its Ayer, Mass.-based Nashoba Valley Medical Center and Boston-based Carney Hospital on Aug. 31. It also received bankruptcy court approval Nov. 5 to close its nonoperational hospital, Norwood Hospital, and four satellite facilities.

Ms. Henry said the state expects to further discuss its civil complaint on Dec. 19 in court.

Becker's has reached out to Steward for comment and will update this story should more information become available.






A preprint study confirmed an association between Ozempic's active ingredient and an increased  but overall low  risk of vision loss.

Among 61,377 diabetic patients in Norway and Denmark who began taking semaglutide  the main ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus  between 2018 and 2022, 32 developed non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. NAION is a rare eye condition in which a loss of blood flow to the optic nerve often causes painless, sudden vision loss in one eye.

The incidence of NAION was 2.19 per 10,000 person-years among Danish semaglutide users and 1.18 among SGLT-2i medicine users, according to the preprint. In Norway, the incidence rates were 2.90 for semaglutide and 0.92 for SGLT-2i medications.

In July, researchers from Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham and Boston-based Harvard Medical School published a study that found a link between semaglutide and NAION. A week later, two national ophthalmology organizations said they have "been aware of other vision changes with semaglutide for some time" since changing sugar levels can affect the shape of the eye's lens.

Both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society said they recommend patients continue taking the medications unless they experience a sudden vision loss. Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk said it takes adverse event reports seriously.
Tyler Sherrill has been named CEO of Tenet Healthcare's Florida Coast Medical Center in Port St. Lucie, which is set to open in September 2025.

In his new role, Mr. Sherrill will oversee the hospital's opening, operations and strategic growth, according to a Dec. 12 news release from Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare shared with Becker's.

Florida Coast Medical Center will be a 54-bed facility offering emergency care, neurosciences, general surgery, orthopedics and advanced cardiac care, the release said.

Mr. Sherrill most recently served as CEO of East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Prior to joining Tenet, he spent a decade with Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, where he served as vice president of physician practice operations, according to the release.

Florida Coast Medical Center is part of the Palm Beach Health Network.
The former CEO and chief nursing officer at Eureka Springs (Ark.) Hospital have filed lawsuits against the hospital and six commission members, alleging wrongful termination in November after reporting staff complaints about the chief financial officer.

On Nov. 1, the hospital commission voted to terminate the CEO Angie Shaw, and appointed human resources director Jodi Edmonson as interim CEO. Several days later, the commission also terminated the chief nursing officer, Jessica Petrino. Ms. Shaw later told a local news outlet that her firing followed harassment complaints from several staff members about the CFO, Cynthia Asbury, which she reported to the commission.

The former executives claim their terminations were retaliatory after they reported violations of the hospital's unlawful harassment policy and violence in the workplace policy by Ms. Asbury, according to the lawsuits, which were filed Dec. 6 in Carroll County Circuit Court and obtained by the Eureka Springs Times-Echo and Eureka Springs Independent.

The lawsuits also allege that Kent Turner, chair of the hospital commission, and vice-chair Barbara Dicks, violated workplace violence and unlawful harassment policies. The filings claim that Ms. Shaw and Ms. Petrino led a group of employees Oct. 25 to present grievances about Ms. Asbury, Mr. Turner and Ms. Dicks. Both women were fired without notice shortly after. They assert they had no prior disciplinary records and were no given reasons for their terminations.

Other key leaders, including the hospital's lab director and emergency department manager, resigned following the leadership shakeup.

Mr. Turner and Ms. Dicks reportedly exchanged messages surrounding Ms. Shaw's employment several months before she was terminated, according to text messages obtained by the Times-Echo through a Freedom of Information Act request. Arkansas state law prohibits commissioners from discussing business matters outside of the full commission.

The plaintiffs are seeking their annual salaries, sick leave, vacation benefits and attorney's fees in damages. Alternatively, they request reinstatement to their jobs.



Becker's has reached out to Eureka Springs Hospital and will update the report if more information becomes available.






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.
A federal judge in Texas dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Edinburg, Texas-based Cornerstone Regional Hospital submitted millions of dollars in fraudulent claims for operations performed by unlicensed foreign physicians, Law.com reported Dec. 11.

The hospital and orthopedic surgeon Raul Marquez, MD, were sued by a medical devices salesman who alleged Dr. Marquez arranged for unlicensed physicians from Mexico to practice in the U.S. and perform surgical and other procedures on patients, according to the report. The salesman said he witnessed the alleged wrongdoing when he would join the surgeon in the operating room to open medical device packaging and answer questions about their use.

Dr. Marquez said that he was inviting Mexican medical professionals to observe and question his surgical procedures as part of an educational fellowship program, according to the report. Dr. Marquez's explanation was supported by hospital records.

The surgeon also said that while he allowed the unlicensed physicians to touch bone to learn fine points of how to do the surgery, they were not actually doing surgery. He testified that he would allow them to conduct mapping of the patient pre-surgery but would then erase those marks and do it himself.

The salesman presented operating room logs for 14 surgeries showing unlicensed individuals in the OR, along with photos he had taken of those individuals holding surgical devices over patients. The judge determined that the evidence failed to prove fraud, noting that in each operation, Dr. Marquez was in the room "before or at the 'cut time,' which is when the surgical procedure actually begins."
New York Gov. Kathy Houchul on Dec. 13 vetoed the Local Input for Community Hospitals Act, a bill that would have strengthened community involvement in hospital closure decisions.

State lawmakers passed the bill in June, aiming to establish a formal process for public engagement when hospitals plan either to close entirely, or shut maternity, mental health or emergency care units.

In her veto message, Ms. Hochul acknowledged a need for greater transparency but argued the bill fails to account for the financial struggles many hospitals face. Following the veto, the governor directed the state's health department to develop new closure process reforms aimed at enhancing transparency while still considering hospitals' operational challenges.

"This bill does not appropriately balance that goal against the financial realities that struggling hospitals face and changes in healthcare services delivery," she wrote in the message, according to the Gothamist.

The proposed law would have required hospitals to notify the state 270 days before closing entirely, or 210 days before shutting critical units. The New York State Department of Health would have been responsible for holding public forums and issuing impact reports at least 150 days before closures. Current state guidelines require a 120-day notice.

Hospital industry representatives, including the Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York State, opposed the bill, calling it duplicative and overly burdensome. They warned that extended closure timelines could worsen financial crises at already distressed facilities.
Texas' attorney general is suing a New York physician for providing a Texas woman with abortion-inducing drugs via telehealth.

Margaret Carpenter, MD, is the founder of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine. She prescribed a Texas resident with abortion-inducing drugs that terminated a pregnancy and resulted in complications that required hospital care, according to a Dec. 13 news release.

"In this case, an out-of-state doctor violated the law and caused serious harm to this patient," Attorney General Ken Paxton said in the release. "In Texas, we treasure the health and lives of mothers and babies, and this is why out-of-state doctors may not illegally and dangerously prescribe abortion-inducing drugs to Texas residents."

Dr. Carpenter was not a licensed Texas physician and was not authorized to practice telehealth in the state, the release said. It is illegal to treat patients or prescribe medicine through telehealth services without a valid Texas medical license. And Texas law prohibits any physicians from providing abortion-induced drugs by courier, delivery and mail service.

The lawsuit requested the courts impose civil penalties of $100,000 for each violation of the law.

Dr. Carpenter is the fourth physician that the Texas attorney general has sued since October. The first three, all Texas physicians, were sued for allegedly providing gender-related transition care to minors. In November, Mr. Paxton sued Brett Cooper, MD, claiming the physician illegally prescribed hormone therapy drugs to 15 minors, most recently as of Sept. 25. On Oct. 17, his office filed a similar lawsuit against May Lau, MD, a Dallas-based UT Southwestern Medical Center physician; and on Oct. 31, Mr. Paxton sued Hector Granados, MD, over allegedly providing gender-affirming care to 21 patients between the ages of 12 and 17.
Each new generation entering the workforce brings unique challenges for management, and Generation Z is no exception.

Leaders may find themselves puzzled by what Gen Z workers want from their employers and what drives their retention. This generation includes individuals born between 1997 and 2012, making the oldest members 27 years old.

Below are 16 common priorities of Gen Z workers, as reported by Becker's in 2024:

1. Company culture: Quality company culture is a top priority, with 64% of respondents in an August survey saying they seek a positive culture when choosing their organization.

2. Team dynamics: Gen Z values positive team dynamics that foster a sense of belonging, along with volunteer opportunities and direct mentorship from managers, according to the same August survey.

3. Career paths: Gen Z healthcare workers are eager to build their career paths early, Heather Harris Keliiheleua, assistant vice president of talent strategy at Orlando (Fla.) Health, told Becker's.

4. Mental health resources: About 75% of Gen Z workers prioritize access to mental health resources when choosing an employer, according to a McKinsey newsletter.

5. Student loan repayment programs: Hybrid work and student loan debt repayment programs have contributed to Gen Z retention at Boston Children's Hospital, Chief Human Resources Officer Lisa Abbott told Becker's.

6. Full-time commitment: Gen Z is embracing full-time work culture, staying at organizations 18% longer than millennials did in their first seven years in the workforce, according to The Wall Street Journal.

7. "Wise feedback": Gen Z responds best to feedback that acknowledges their potential, according to a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin. For example, leaders can say: "I'm giving you these comments because I have very high standards, and I know that you can reach them."

8. Work-life balance: Work-life balance is a key priority for Gen Z, two healthcare leaders told Becker's.

9. Purpose-driven roles: Many Gen Zers pursue roles that fulfill a sense of purpose, particularly after entering the workforce during the pandemic, a time marked by mass layoffs. This period challenged some to identify what is most important in their life and align their careers accordingly, DeLancey Johnson, DBA, senior vice president and associate chief talent officer for Dallas-based Parkland Health, told Becker's.

10. Flexible work: Flexible arrangements, such as four-day work weeks and remote options, appeal to Gen Z, according to an August survey.

11. Growth opportunities: Gen Z prioritizes personal growth over traditional career advancement. "We can no longer think that when it comes to Gen Z, they want to replace their boss," Dr. Johnson said. "They want to be a better version of themselves. So you can't look at it as vertical career ladders  you have to look at it as horizontal enrichment opportunities."

12. Feedback and validation: Gen Z seeks regular feedback and validation, Carolyn Isabelle, vice president of talent and career development at Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth Health, told Becker's.

13. Retention by role: Retention of Gen Z employees has been easiest in roles such as staff nursing and corporate shared services like marketing and IT, two health systems found.

14. AI skepticism: Gen Z workers are the most skeptical about AI's impact on their jobs, with a LinkedIn survey finding they were least likely to agree that AI would improve career progression.

15. Timely pay: Timely pay is a top priority for Gen Z healthcare workers, said Cathy Fraser, chief people officer at WelbeHealth.

16. Authenticity: Many Gen Z employees value authenticity and fluidity between their personal and professional selves, questioning the necessity of traditional dress codes and hierarchies.
The robot will assist in both knee and hip replacement procedures. This is Baptists third surgical robot, but its first specifically for orthopedics.

Wagdy Rizk, MD, has been using the new robot in surgeries. With its help, Dr. Rizk is expected to increase the number of procedures he is able to perform per day.
Rosemary Nelson: There were some rogue police officers who would have been quite happy for her not to be around
Property comes with annexe for use as playroom or storage room

One of the bedrooms

One of the bathrooms

Full of charm and character, the property boasts many unique features and has been maintained to an exceptionally high standard.

Entrance hall

The spacious reception hall has under stairs storage and recessed lighting, while the lounge has a multi-fuel stove inset with tiled surround.

Sitting room

The kitchen/dining areas appliances include an eye-level oven, microwave and plate warmer, with space for an American style fridge freezer and tiled floor. It is open plan to the sun room.

Open plan kitchen

A utility room has built-in storage, while a shower room has a basin with under storage.

Open plan kitchen and dining room

Onto the first floor and the main bedroom has a dressing room (fitted railing and built-in drawers). There are an additional two bedrooms, both with laminate flooring.

One of the bedrooms

The family bathroom has a walk-in tiled shower with drencher head, bath and tiled walls and floor.

One of the bathrooms

Externally, there is ample parking leading to a detached garage which is currently separated into a playroom and store room with first floor annexe. Number 29 is located a short drive from Coleraine centre with a host of schools within easy access of main arterial routes.

Offers over 399,950. For more information contact Bensons on 028 7034 3677
Thug who bragged about whipping the arse of train conductor at Co Antrim station is jailed
A grossly intoxicated woman who engaged in a course of absolutely disgraceful behaviour including punching a nurse was jailed today

A grossly intoxicated woman who engaged in a course of absolutely disgraceful behaviour including punching a nurse, using disorderly behaviour in two hospitals and subjecting police to offensive, sectarianand racist abuse was jailed for four months today.
Belfasts Christmas Market is wrapping up this week, with the annual festive fixture set to close on Sunday.

The market  on the grounds of City Hall  opened on Saturday November 16, with stalls selling festive food and gifts for the family.

This year was the 20th anniversary of the market, which first came to the city in 2004, with over 100 chalets offering various Christmas treats.

To celebrate the milestone, organisers gave this years market a Dickensian theme with characters from classic Victorian tales appearing at the market on various weekends throughout the festive season.

Allan Hartwell, managing director of Market Place, said: We are incredibly proud to be marking two decades of festive joy and cherished memories for locals and visitors alike.

"Belfast has always been so welcoming to our team and traders, and were delighted to have given back to the community over the years by offering young businesses free stalls, donating Santas Grotto to local charities, and hosting free educational tours for thousands of schoolchildren.

We look forward to welcoming all who have made the market such a beloved tradition.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, added: The Belfast Christmas Market has become an integral part of the festive experience in our city and it continues to be a popular draw for residents and visitors alike, 20 years after it first opened its doors.

Kids Together Belfast are back again to deliver an accessible, inclusive Santas Grotto for local families and, with plenty of other seasonal fun planned in Belfast city centre, starting with our Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday 16 November, its shaping up to be a packed festive season.

Belfast Christmas Market will run until 6pm on Sunday 22 December.

Opening hours are:

Monday  Wednesday: 10am  8pm

Thursday: 10am  10pm

Friday: 10am  6pm
Tourists visit historic center of Macao

Xinhua) 09:13, December 16, 2024

Tourists visit the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Senado Square in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Guia Fortress in south China's Macao, Dec. 13, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Lilau Square in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo shows the St. Lawrence's Church in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo shows the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the historic center of Macao in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the A-Ma Temple in south China's Macao, Dec. 13, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo shows the Ruins of St. Paul's and its surrounding areas in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Mandarin's House in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists sit on the steps of Dom Pedro V Theatre in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Monte Fort in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists take selfies at the Monte Fort in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the historic center of Macao in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the historic center of Macao in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A retired Anglican archbishop and his driver are still missing 10 days after they disappeared in southern Nigeria on a trip to a funeral, according to reports.

The Rev. Godwin Okpala, retired archbishop of Niger Province in southeastern Nigeria, was last seen on Dec. 6, when he set out from Nnewi, Anambra state for the funeral in Umuchu, Aguata County in the same state. Neither he nor his driver arrived at their destination, according to the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

The Diocese of Nnewi in February 1996 replaced the Diocese of Niger, and Okpala was consecrated as its first bishop in 1996 and third archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger before his retirement in 2019, according to The Living Church.

The Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, said in a Dec. 7 statement that church leaders had not heard anything about his disappearance.

There has been no communication, and neither he, his driver, nor the vehicle have been located, Obi said. We earnestly plead for your fervent prayers for their safety and swift return. The relevant authorities have been contacted, and we are hopeful and trusting in Gods divine intervention for a positive resolution.

Southeast Nigeria, like other parts of the country, has continued to witness violence by Fulani herdsmen militia and other criminals. Church leaders have been killed or churches made to pay ransoms.

A Biafra secessionist movement has resurged in the region, and the Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for attacks, though the group has repeatedly denied its involvement.

IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria, Nigerian news outlet Premium Times recently stated.

An attorney who was attacked on Dec. 5, a day before Okpala disappeared, at Anambra states Ezinifite-Aguata roundabout said the criminals masquerading as Biafra freedom fighters might also have kidnapped the archbishop, according to outlet Politics Nigeria.

The armed group members, numbering over 15, also openly shouted Biafra or nothing! amid war-grade shootings, raining of bullets, Emeka Umeagbalasi told Politics Nigeria. It is also our strong suspicion that the missing retired archbishop of the Nnewi Province of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Godwin Okpala, his driver and their Prado Jeep might have gone missing during the shooting spree and parade of the said Thursday, Dec. 5, in the hands of the armed counterfeit Biafra agitators who are likely to have taken them into captivity.

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

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

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.
Gerry Adams is expected to give evidence in his own defence in a civil action being taken by three survivors of IRA bombings.

The trial involving the former Sinn Fein leader, who denies ever being a member of the IRA, has been set for early 2026.

The case is being taken by John Clark, who was caught up in the Old Bailey explosion of 1973, justice campaigner Jonathan Ganesh, who was injured in the London Docklands bombing of 1996, and Barry Laycock, who was hurt in the attack on Manchesters Arndale Shopping Centre.

They are suing Adams for nominal damages of 1.

According to the BBC, the trio allege Mr Adams acted with others in furtherance of a common design to bomb the British mainland and was directly responsible in various roles within the IRA for decisions made to place devices in 1973 and 1996.

The trial is expected to last seven days and is due to take place between February and June 2026, a case management hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London heard today.

Mr Adams is the only witness appearing in his defence, with more than a dozen expected in total, including ex-IRA members and former security force members.

A solicitor for the three complainants, Matt Jury, said: Finally, after five decades, Adams, for the first time, will appear in person in an English court to be cross-examined by the victims of his alleged leadership of the IRAs terror campaign.

In January, a High Court judge ruled that the bomb victims could neither sue the IRA, as it is an unincorporated association and not a legal entity, nor Mr Adams as a representative of the IRA, as the allegation that he was a leader of the IRA would have to be determined at a trial.

However, the High Court ruled that they can sue Mr Adams in a personal capacity for damages.

Mr Adams has always denied any involvement in the IRA terror campaign during the decades of the Troubles. He has never been prosecuted for links with any of the groups activities.

Gerry Adams

News Catch Up: Monday 16th December
The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Police have confirmed the death of a man in his 60s after he fell from a height on the Antrim coast on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 1.45pm near Ballycastle in the Torr Head area.

Volunteers from RNLI Redbay as well members of the HM Coastguard were called to the scene, however, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood an Irish Coastguard helicopter was called, as well North West Mountain Rescue Team.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: Police received a request for assistance with a rescue operation in the Torr Head area of Ballycastle, at around 1.45pm on Sunday, December 15.

Officers, together with colleagues from His Majesty's Coastguard, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and North West Mountain Rescue Team, worked together to reach a man aged in his 60s but sadly, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A post-mortem is due to take place and the mans death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. Photo: Steve Humphreys

News Catch Up: Monday 16th December
The attack is believed to have occurred at Sandy Row

Police are appealing for information after a man suffered badly injured hands and lacerations to his head during a serious assault in Belfast city centre.

Two men were assaulted in the incident in the early hours of Monday morning.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said they believe the assault may have occurred in the Sandy Row area after the men were discovered in Bradbury Place.

We received a report shortly before 1.30am that two men, aged in their 20s and 30s, were assaulted, police said.

"Officers attended and located the men in the Bradbury Place area, however enquiries are ongoing to establish exactly where the assault took place. We believe it may have occurred in the Sandy Row area.

One of the men, aged in his 30s, received serious injuries, including two badly injured hands and lacerations to his head. The second man sustained minor injuries.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what happened and we would appeal to anyone in the area near Bradbury Place who witnessed an assault or any other suspicious activity to contact Police on 101 and quote reference 60 of 16/12/24.

The attack is believed to have occurred at Sandy Row

News Catch Up: Monday 16th December
Traffic at a standstill on the Ravenhill Road in south Belfast (Picture by Peter Morrison)

Retail and hospitality groups in Belfast are to meet the Infrastructure Minister later in a bid to find solutions to the traffic congestion chaos in the city.

It comes as Retail NIs chief executive Glyn Roberts said there cannot be a repeat of what has happened these last few months.

The retail figure said a number of groups met the minister John ODowd last Thursday and said todays meeting will involve discussing a number of solutions to the traffic problems.

We had a good face to face meeting with the minister last Thursday where we walked through some of the possible solutions, which include the turning on Grosvenor Road the enforcement of the yellow boxes, turning restrictions along Great Victoria Street and the reduction of fares, Mr Roberts told BBCs Talkback.

"How many of those we will get over the line in this afternoons meeting I dont know we are in the last countdown the last seven days.

"These are a vital seven days for the city centre. People forget Belfast city centre is not just another city centre, it is an regional economic driver.

"I hope at the very least we can have a solution based approach to this problem and learn the lessons of what went wrong because we cannot afford to have a repeat of what has happened these last few months.

"We have had members express problems such as their staff being late because their bus has been delayed customers not able to be getting appointments.

Last week, Mr ODowd said he himself was limiting his trips into the city centre to avoid contributing to the congestion.

Mr ODowd had told the Assembly on Monday that anyone travelling into Belfast by car should expect congestion.

Business leaders also hit out at suggestions people should avoid the city centre, citing the impact it would have on trade.

Traffic at a standstill on the Ravenhill Road in south Belfast (Picture by Peter Morrison)

News Catch Up: Monday 16th December
Members of teacher unions have voted to take part in industrial action over pay.

The NASUWT said 92.7% of their members voted in support of strike action, and 99% voted for action short of strike, while the Irish National Teachers Organisation (Into) said its members voted overwhelmingly to begin industrial action in support of the teachers pay claim for 2024/25.

It comes after a ballot which was carried out over a three-week period.

Into said its members will prepare to engage in a co-ordinated campaign of industrial action short of strike alongside their fellow trade unionists from other teaching unions.

The unions have urged the Department of Education to bring forward a realistic offer that recognises their worth and takes into account the cost of living.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, described it as a resounding message to Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan.

They are adamant that they are not prepared to tolerate a situation where they are the worst-paid teachers in the UK and are fully prepared to take either strike action or action short of strike in the new academic year, he said.

This strength of feeling must now be recognised, and the minister and employers must move decisively to ensure that a suitable offer can be made to teachers.

Failure to make an acceptable offer will inevitably lead to robust industrial action.

Teachers wish to avoid industrial action, but they have been left with no choice.

Mark McTaggart, northern secretary for Into, said members have spoken loudly and clearly in voting for industrial action.

Their message is simple, they demand a pay rise that fully recognises their worth to society and one which takes account of the current cost-of-living crisis, he said.

Teachers across the north are once again the least well paid on these islands, and the employers once again seem content to sleepwalk into a crisis of recruitment and retention of our recently qualified teachers and school leaders.

Our members have sent the strong message that they have had enough.

Of course, industrial action is always a last resort in these circumstances but it is clear that our members feel they are left with no option.

The industrial action is to be taken by a majority of the recognised teachers unions, engaging in co-ordinated action and operating to an agreed managed timeline in how it is applied.

The actions are designed to ensure that our children and young people continue to be taught whilst the nugatory bureaucratic work, demanded by the employers and DE, will be denied to them.
Two XL Bully dogs found starved to death in Belfast flat

Police and animal welfare launch investigation after horrific find in east Belfast

Screen grabs from a video of a police raid on a property in which two dogs were found starved to death

Niamh Campbell Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 20:40

Both the PSNI and Belfast City Councils animal welfare team have launched investigations after two XL Bully dogs were found starved to death at a property near the Cregagh estate at the weekend.
Israel's foreign minister accused Taoiseach Simon Harris on Monday of anti-Semitism as he defended Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin over Ireland's policies.

"There is a difference between criticism - and antisemitism based on the delegitimization and dehumanization of Israel and double standards towards Israel," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.

"Last night Ireland's anti-Semitic Prime Minister Simon Harris said in an interview 'Ireland is not anti-Israel but Ireland is absolutely anti the starvation of children'," Saar said. "Is Israel starving children?"

He claimed Israel was working to enable humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and prevent civilian casualties. This claim comes as the death toll in Gaza crossed 45,000 since the beginning of the war.

The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin has highlighted Israel's increasing international isolation over the Gaza war, triggered by the October 7, 2023, assault on Israeli communities which led to the killing of 1,200 Israeli citizens and the kidnapping of 250 more.

Simon Harris has expressed his deep disappointment earlier today after Israel announced it is going to close its embassy in Dublin as they claim that the Irish government has extreme anti-Israel policies and crossed all red lines towards Israel.

The Government in recent days announced Ireland would join South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, which accuses Israel of genocide.

Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin confirmed there are "no plans" to close Ireland's embassy in Israel.

"Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations. Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points," he said.

"There are no plans to close Irelands embassy in Israel, which is carrying out important work."

Israel's ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, said the move to close the Israeli embassy was made in response to a "growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli" in Ireland.

Both the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste released statements shortly after the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar told Israeli media they were closing the embassy in Dublin.

"Ireland's antisemitic actions and rhetoric against Israel are rooted in delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state and reflect clear double standards, Gideon Sa'ar said.

"Ireland has crossed all red lines in its treatment of Israel. We will redirect our resources toward advancing bilateral relations with countries based on priorities that reflect how different nations relate to Israel."

The minister said Irelands actions reflect a clear double standard.

Ambassador Erlich accused the Irish government of taking steps that are "about isolating and discriminating against Israel" and the country has taken an "extreme" position.

She said the stance taken by Ireland has "crossed the line" and it is "not criticism, but this is pure hatred and obsession that is now also directed to Israelis and the Jewish community".

"These are tough days. It was a tough decision that was not taken lightly but unfortunately, in the currently hostile atmosphere in Ireland, supported, fostered by the Irish government, this is the correct diplomatic decision to take."

She directed members of the Israeli and Jewish communities with concerns to bring those concerns to the Irish government who "needs to make sure that they are safe, that there is a future for the Jewish community in Ireland".

Ms Erlich, who was recalled back to Israel in May when Ireland recognised Palestinian statehood, said there has been a "surge" in anti-Semitism in Ireland and claimed there is "a growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli, and unfortunately, it has crossed the line".

"This is not criticism, but this is just pure hatred and obsession that is now also directed to Israelis and the Jewish community, unfortunately, we've seen it throughout this year."

Speaking to RTE's News at One, she said the Israeli government will continue to help Jewish and Israeli communities in Ireland, adding: "We will continue in contact with our allies and supporters, but the format of the embassy must change in light of these anti-Israeli steps".

Ms Erlich accused the Irish government of taking steps that are "about isolating and discriminating against Israel" and said the claims brought to the International Court of Justice are "baseless".

She described the case brought against Israel as "an abuse of the international multilateral system by South Africa" that the Israeli government was "sorry" to see Ireland join.

Ms Erlich said the Irish intervention in the case was not about respecting international law, but about "abusing international systems and playing into the propaganda of terrorism organisations like Hamas, who applauded and welcomed this step".

"This joins an accumulation of steps, rhetoric and initiatives that we've seen Ireland trying to promote this past year. We've seen it do it also on a bilateral level, for different legislation. We've seen it trying to promote anti-Israel measures within the EU. We've seen it foster hostility in different UN resolutions."

She said Israel still sees Ireland as an "extreme voice in the international arena", adding that it has taken an "extreme position" that no other country has put itself in and accused the Irish Government of fostering "incitement and hatred".

On whether the same steps would be taken against Spain or Norway, who also recognised Palestinian statehood earlier this year, Ms Erlich said: "We see Ireland in a more extreme stance than any other country."

She said Israel made the decision to close the embassy in order to "recalculate our efforts and our resources to a country that does want to broaden engagement with Israel" and ruled out that this would include steps that would see the closure of the Irish embassy in Tel Aviv.

Ms Erlich also claimed that there is "for lack of a better word, an obsession with anti-Israeli steps" in Ireland which are "not about pro-peace" but about "isolating Israel".

Asked whether Israel hopes this move will damage how Ireland is viewed by the international community and the United States, Ms Erlich said Ireland's actions to date have already "caused questions in the international community".

"It's not about our messages, it's the actions of the Irish government that are sending messages to other countries, not just Israel".

Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar said there are countries which instead want to build on their links with Israel, such as Moldova and resources will instead be deployed there.

"There are countries interested in strengthening their ties with Israel where we don't yet have diplomatic missions," he said.

"We will adjust our diplomatic network while considering, among other factors, different countries' approaches and actions toward Israel in the international arena."

The former Irish ambassador to the US Dan Mulhall has said the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin marks a "bad day for diplomacy".

He said there will now be a reduction in the Israeli diplomatic presence in Dublin who could speak to the Irish media, people and government about their position and attempt to "bridge the gaps that are there between our two countries".

Mr Mulhall added that a consulate could potentially remain or the Israeli ambassador to the UK could also be accredited to cover Ireland following the closure, but there will be an inevitable "reduction in the level of contact between Ireland and Israel, which is not a good thing between two countries like ours".

Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland, Mr Mulhall acknowledged that the closure of the embassy in Dublin will also be a "complicating factor" in the Irish relationship with the US.

"When the new administration comes in, it will be a moment of risk and jeopardy for Ireland in our relations with the United States because whatever we do with regard to Israel will be looked at carefully in Washington - and there will certainly be a big gap between their instinctive approach to these things and ours and that carries a risk for Ireland, given the importance of our relationship with the United States."

He said the Irish position is "very reasonable" but it will be "difficult to get through to some of the people who have very strong views and are very supportive of Israel and may not hear what we have to say".

"We're not anti-Israel, we're not anti-Jewish, not anti-Semitic. We simply have concerns and we're opposed to certain aspects of Israeli government policy. I mean, if someone criticises Ireland for some particular diplomatic move we've made, it doesn't mean they're anti-Irish."

Mr Mulhall said there will be a need to be "careful" in the approach once US president-elect Donald Trump assumes office.

"I'm not saying we should abandon our policies or positions - certainly not - but we will have to factor in how those positions might go down in Washington and what the consequences might be for our vital relationship with the United States."

The chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland said he was "deeply concerned" by the deterioration in relations between Ireland and Israel.

Maurice Cohen told RTE that the Irish Governments intervention in the ICC case risks "oversimplifying a highly complex and tragic conflict, unfairly isolating Israel, and undermining the integrity of the term 'genocide'".

He said the closure of the embassy was "particularly distressing for the Jewish community in Ireland".

"For these individuals, the closure of the embassy represents not only a symbolic blow but also a practical disadvantage, he said.

"Consular services provided by the embassy are vital for those maintaining connections with family, culture, and heritage in Israel. Losing this resource will leave many feeling unsupported and aggrieved.

"Closing the embassy risks alienating a significant segment of Irish society and sends a message that dialogue is being replaced by disengagement," he said.

He said the council was committed to peace and the protection of innocent lives "on all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict", while also supporting Israels right to defend itself from "terrorism and existential threats".

Mr Cohen called on the Irish and Israeli governments to rebuild trust and make sure diplomatic channels remained open.

Israels ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, was recalled back to Israel in May when Ireland recognised the state of Palestine.

The embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is not clear on what date the embassy will close.

Releasing a statement on Sunday afternoon, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: Irelands foreign policy is founded on our deep commitment to dialogue and to the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Embassy of Israel to Ireland in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron

"Resident embassies play a very important role in that regard.

Keeping channels open has never been more important so that we can better understand each others positions, even when we disagree.

He continued; I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.

Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.

Speaking in Brussels this morning, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said any action taken by the Irish government in relation to the ongoing situation in Palestine has been motivated only by a respect of international humanitarian law and human rights. He sad Ireland would not be closing its embassy in Israel.

"We've consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and a massive surge of humanitarian aid. Recognising a state of Palestine, which we did with Norway and Spain - and which other countries have done - is not a hostile act, and should not be seen as a hostile act, he said.

Mr Martin said the utilisation of the international courts "should not be seen as a hostile act".

"Ireland stands by the approach it has taken which has been motivated towards full accountability for what is happening in Gaza and for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights that applies to Hamas, it has applied to Hezbollah, and it applies to the Israeli government as well."

He added: "I find it very difficult to comprehend how those acts could be described as hostile acts. They are not hostile acts."

"What's happening in northern Gaza at the moment, for example, in my view, is beyond any moral compass, defies any explanation at this stage, given how long this war has waged. We're having daily reports of the killings of children and men and women - and Irish people are repulsed by that. That's basically the essence of the Irish response and we believe passionately that there's an alternative route now".

He said Ireland continues to call on Israel to "open up Gaza" to allow the international community and the media to bear witness to what is happening.

"I have no doubt if that happened, that the world would be shocked in terms of the level of the destruction that has occurred there and the absolute need for a fundamental change of approach, Mr Martin said.

Israeli forces continued to pound Gaza on Sunday, including the largely isolated north, as the Palestinian death toll in the war approached 45,000.

A large explosion lit up the southern Gaza skyline on Sunday night. An Israeli airstrike hit a school and killed at least 16 people in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital, where the bodies were taken. There was no immediate Israeli military statement.

In the north, an airstrike hit the Khalil Aweida school in the town of Beit Hanoun and killed at least 15 people, according to nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital where casualties were taken.

The dead included two parents and their daughter and a father and his son, the hospital said.

Palestinians carry UN-donated flour in Khan Younis, in central Gaza, on Saturday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

And in Gaza City, at least 17 people including six women and five children were killed in three airstrikes that hit houses sheltering displaced people, according to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.

We woke up to the strike. I woke up with the rubble on top of me, said Yahia al-Yazji. I found my wife with her head and skull visible, and my daughters intestines were gone. My wife was three months pregnant.

Israels military said in a statement it struck a terrorist cell in Gaza City and a terrorist meeting point in the Beit Hanoun area.

Another Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian journalist working for Al Jazeera, Ahmed al-Lawh, in central Gaza, a hospital and the Qatari-based TV station said.

The strike hit a point for Gazas civil defence agency in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, Al-Awda Hospital said.

Also killed were three civil defence workers including the local head of the agency, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital. The civil defence is Gazas main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

We, the civil defence, are carrying out humanitarian work like in any country in the world. Why are we being targeted? said Kerem Al Dalou.

Israels military said it struck a militant command centre embedded in the civil defence offices.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas and other militants from Gaza stormed southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking well over 200 hostage.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed almost 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministrys count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but it says more than half of the dead have been women and children.

Most of Gazas population of some two million has been displaced, often multiple times. The hospitals that are still functioning say they lack medicines, fuel and other basic supplies, while aid groups warn of widespread hunger.

The head of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, told US broadcaster CBS on Sunday that the UN agency was able to get just two trucks of supplies into Gaza in November, citing insecurity there.

We need a ceasefire, and we need it now, she said. We can no longer sit by and just allow these people to starve to death.
Sir Keir Starmer said it was time for Kyivs allies to double down on financial commitments (Leon Neal/PA)

It would be a big mistake if Ukraines allies did not continue to give it the strongest support, Sir Keir Starmer said after Donald Trump criticised Kyivs use of US missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory.

The Prime Minister urged Western allies of the war-torn nation not to take our eye off the ball as Ukraine enters its third winter since the invasion.

It comes after President-elect Mr Trump said he disagreed very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia in an interview with Time Magazine, but insisted he would not abandon Kyiv.

The incoming president is intent on striking a peace deal between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskys warring nations as soon as he comes to office in January.

Speaking during a visit to Norway, Sir Keir warned it was time for Kyivs allies to double down on the financial commitments, sanctions and the training they were providing to Ukraine.

Its important that we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position if there are to be negotiations, and even if there arent to be negotiations, he said.

But it would be a big mistake, in my view, to take our eye off the ball and not ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, which is why weve been doubling down on this at many of the international meetings weve had with our allies to discuss this.

The Prime Minister also told reporters that Russia could stop this today, because its Russian aggression that is causing this conflict.

US President Joe Biden has authorised the use of US-made ATACMS for Ukrainian strikes into Russia territory and there have since been reports of debris from British-made Storm Shadow missiles found in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store touring a CO2 transport and storage facility in Bergen, during a trip to Norway (Leon Neal/PA)

Ministers have not been drawn into saying whether Kyiv has been given permission to use the British-made missiles for the attacks.

Sir Keir did not directly answer when asked if the UK would follow suit were Mr Trump to withdraw authorisation for such missile strikes.

But he said both he and Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store had spoken with the president-elect, including about the strategic approach that we should take as allies.

He added: The allies have stood together behind Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. We continue to do so, but as you would expect, weve been talking to all of our allies in relation to that, and there is this consensus that we must call it out for what it is Russian aggression, and the world has put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.

But, yes, I think we both discussed this with President-elect Trump, as you would have expected.
Police officers at the scene on Gifford Road, Brent, after a woman was killed in a shooting (Aaron Chown/PA)

A woman who was killed in a shooting outside a north-west London church was among mourners who had come to attend a wake, the head of the church has revealed.

Police were called at about 9.15pm on Saturday to Gifford Road, Brent, where a woman, who has since been named as 46-year-old Michelle Sadio, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pastor Lawrence Larbie, from the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, told MyLondon there was a wake going on inside the church on Saturday night that was due to end just before 10pm.

Michelle Sadio has been named as one of the victims of a shooting in north-west London (Metropolitan Police/PA)

At around 9.15pm, he said people began running into the building saying theres been a shooting, theres been a shooting, as it is believed gunshots were fired at the gathering from inside a passing car.

Mr Larbie added: The whole place was surrounded by police. One person shot in the back, we heard.

People tended to them before the ambulance arrived. The car just drove through. The victims were people attending the wake. They were probably on their way home.

Its shocking. We are really devastated. You are invited to attend the wake and you end up deceased. Youre killed. Youre gone. Youre life is expired just like that.

It was pandemonium in the building. They came with very deadly, evil intentions to cause death.

We are just praying for peace on our streets and people should not be afraid. We pray they will apprehend them.

Two men, both in their 30s, were also injured in the incident.

One is in hospital in a critical condition while the second mans injuries are non-life-threatening, the Metropolitan Police said.

Fatal shootings in London are relatively rare. So far this year there have been 103 homicides, of which 11 were shootings  a similar proportion to the two previous years.

The number of times guns are fired, called lethal barrel discharges by police, was 166 in the year to November 2024, down 14.8% on the previous 12 months.

A neighbour, on lives on Gifford Road, told the PA news agency they heard crying and screaming as people ran out of the church to tend to the victims.

The neighbour said: We heard the shooting sound and we thought it was fireworks, we didnt expect there would be a gun here.

A police cordon at the scene on Gifford Road, Brent (Aaron Chown/PA)

People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the Metropolitan Polices North West Command Unit which covers Brent, said: This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us.

A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.

No arrests have been made and an investigation is continuing.
A Syrian fighter carries his weapon past a burning house during a raid to stop looters who swarmed a residential complex of former Bashar Assads military officers and set some apartments on fire at the village of Husseiniyeh on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria (Leo Correa/AP)

Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad says he had no plans to leave the country after the fall of Damascus a week ago but the Russian military evacuated him after their base in western Syria came under attack.

The comments are the first by Mr Assad since he was overthrown by insurgent groups.

Mr Assad said in a statement on his Facebook page that he left Damascus on the morning of December 8, hours after insurgents stormed the capital.

An Israeli bulldozer on the buffer zone near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria (Matias Delacroix/AP)

He said he left in coordination with Russian allies to the Russian base in the coastal province of Latakia, where he planned to keep fighting.

Mr Assad said that after the Russian base came under attack by drones, the Russians decided to move him on the night of December 8 to Russia.

I did not leave the country as part of a plan as it was reported earlier, Mr Assad said.

At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge nor was such proposal made by any individual or party, Mr Assad said in the English text of his statement.

The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.

In Damascus, residents dismissed his comments and some said he had abandoned Syrias people long ago.

Is he going to run away from us? He still wont be able to run away from God, said one resident, Moataz al-Ahmed, as children stepped on a fallen statue of Mr Assads father, Hafez, who had begun the familys half-century rule.

The spokesman for the transitional governments political department said in an interview Monday that the Assad regime is finished with no return and Russia should reconsider its presence on Syrian territory as well as its interests.

The spokesman, Obeida Arnaout, said Syria has entered a new phase that will be open to the world, and the new government is looking to build good relations with its neighbours and beyond.

He also called on the US and other countries to reconsider the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group and a former al Qaida affiliate, as a terrorist organisation, calling it not right and not accurate.

Meanwhile, a war monitor said Israeli airstrikes early on Monday hit missile warehouses in Syria and called it the most violent strikes since 2012.

Israel has been pounding what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of Mr Assads rule, wiping out air defences and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army.

Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.
A provincial government in Pakistan is set to launch a scheme for religious minorities on Dec. 20 under which a tri-monthly stipend will be given to poor families. However, Christian leaders have urged the government to instead focus on creating jobs for their marginalized community members to enable them to earn a respectable livelihood.

An advertisement on the official website of the Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department of the Punjab provincial government states that 50,000 eligible families will receive 10,500 Pakistani Rupees [36 USD] every three months. Online registration for the Minority Card began on Dec. 5 and will continue till Jan 5, 2025.

Applicants must score 45 or less out of 100 on the Poverty Means Test (PMT), according to the advertisement. The PMT calculates poverty level based on various socio-economic indicators, such as income, family size, and living conditions. A score of 45 or lower highlights severe poverty.

This quarterly relief announced by the Punjab government is not a solution to the economic challenges facing poor Christians living in the province. A majority of our people are engaged in menial jobs such as sanitary workers and farm labourers. How is a paltry amount of 10,500 Pakistani Rupees after every three months going to bring any difference to their lives? said Adeel Rehmat, chief officer of Pakistans leading faith-based humanitarian organization, Pak Mission Society.

According to the 2023 national census, Christians make up 1.37 percent of Pakistan's population of 241 million. Most Pakistani Christians live in Punjab province and a large number of them are barely able to earn a decent livelihood for their children.

Rehmat said that rather than giving cash handouts to a specific number of poor minorities, the government should spend this money on creating better employment opportunities or educational scholarships to help alleviate the social standing of the marginalized groups.

If the Punjab government is really interested in uplifting religious minorities it can also start a microfinance scheme to help these people in setting up small businesses. Our people need to be empowered economically to raise their standard of living otherwise there will be no change in their situation, he told Christian Daily International.

Founded in 2004, the Pak Mission Society has been actively working to help Christians struggling to climb the poverty line, said Rehmat.

We have helped many Christians in starting small businesses with cash grants and today they are making a respectable living. We also organize farming trainings and provide tools and equipment to Christians living in rural areas to enable them to become self-reliant, he said. He added that his organization launched the Pak Business Program in 2020 with a core objective to build a movement of faith-driven entrepreneurs and businesses to invest resources in ministry and mission work in Pakistan.

The government must think on these lines if its really committed to seeing an improvement in the lives of its poor minorities, he emphasized.

Reverend Reuben Qamar, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, said that he believed the minority card scheme was a political move aimed at promoting the ruling partys image in the eyes of Christians.

We dont see any serious attempt to uplift Christians socially and economically. Our people deserve jobs, not cash handouts. Moreover, the government has announced this support for only 50,000 families, leaving out thousands of deserving others, he said, endorsing Rehmats suggestion of giving low-interest business loans to minorities and investing in their skill development for sustainable growth.

Such support programs by the government only encourage people to beg and stand in queues for relief whereas they should be motivated to earn a respectable livelihood, he stressed.

Ejaz Augustine, a Christian lawmaker in the Punjab Assembly, admitted that the governments scheme was unlikely to make any major difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor Christians. However, he said that getting some support was better than having nothing at all.

Though the scope of the scheme is limited to 50,000 families only, the cash support will help such people in meeting at least some household expenses, he told Christian Daily International.

Augustine said that he and four other Christian lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly were making efforts to push the provincial government to introduce schemes that would create better opportunities for Christians.

Christians are the largest minority group in Punjab but also the weakest compared to Sikhs and Hindus and other communities. The economic factor is a major hindrance in the progress of the Christian community and we all need to work together to pull our people out of this crisis, he said.

According to a 2023 study conducted by Lahore-based research organization, Center for Social Justice, poverty is rampant among minority communities in Punjab with a majority of families earning less than 30,000 Pakistani Rupees [108 USD] per month. This income falls below the federal and provincial minimum wage of 37,000 Pakistani rupees [133 USD], introduced in July this year.
A lengthy convoy of Russian military vehicles rolled down the road heading towards the Syrian city of Tartous on Monday, as soldiers stood guard.

Planes periodically landed and took off from Russias Hmeimim air base in the Syrian coastal province of Latakia, while smoke rose from inside the base. It was unclear what was burning.

In the streets of Hmeimim, a bucolic town dotted with orange groves, many of the shops have signs in Russian, a nod to the significance of the Russian military presence in the area.

But whether and how long that presence will last after the fall of former Syrian president Bashar Assad is now an open question.

A Russian aircraft takes off at Hmeimim Air Base (Leo Correa/AP)

Russias scorched-earth intervention on behalf of its ally, Mr Assad, once turned the tide of the Syrian civil war.

In 2017, Mr Assads government signed a deal with Russia that offered it a free lease of Hmeimim air base and the Tartous naval base for 49 years.

But opposition forces in the countrys northwest launched a shock offensive last month that once again threatened Mr Assads rule.

Moscow largely stood aside, although it has granted asylum to the former president and his family.

On Monday, in his first public statement since his ousting, Mr Assad said that he had left Damascus to the Hmeimim air base on December 8 after insurgents stormed the capital, but had not planned to flee the country.

He said that after the base came under attack by drones, the Russians decided to evacuate him to Russia.

Since his departure, there have been no clashes between Russian troops and the former insurgents who have suddenly become the de facto security forces for all of Syria.

Syrian fighters watch Russian armoured vehicles driving past near the Hmeimim Air Base (Leo Correa/AP)

That is despite the fact that many of the fighters are from areas of northern Syria that came under frequent Russian bombardment and have little love for Moscow.

A fighter guarding the shuttered civilian airport next to the Hmeimim base said on Monday: The Russians are preparing to withdraw from Syria, God willing.

He gave only his nickname, Abu Saif, because he was not authorised to comment publicly.

Russian forces have pulled out of some areas of Syria. Russian forces and military vehicles were seen withdrawing from southern Syria on Friday towards their primary base in the city of Latakia.

On Thursday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian forces were leaving bases in Ain Issa and Tel Al-Samn in the Al-Raqqah countryside.

Satellite images released by Maxar Technologies on Friday show what appear to be cargo planes at a Russian military airfield in Syria with their nose cones opened to receive heavy equipment, with helicopters being dismantled and prepared for transport.

But even as Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Mr Assad and his family asylum in Russia, Moscow approached the new Syrian authorities to try to ensure the security of its bases and to extend its forces stay.

The three-starred flag of the Syrian revolution was quickly hoisted at the Syrian embassy in Moscow in place of the old governments two-starred flag.

Obeida Arnaout, spokesman for the political department of the new transitional government, in an interview on Monday called on Russia to reconsider its presence in Syria, but did not rule out the possibility that the Russian forces could remain.

I think that Russia should reconsider its presence on Syrian territory as well as its interests, he said.

Their interests were linked to the criminal Assad regime. They can reconsider and take the initiatives to reach out to the new administration to show that they have no animosity toward the Syrian people, and that the era of Assad regime is finally over.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a call with reporters on Monday that Moscow was discussing the issue with the new authorities.

We are in contact with representatives of the forces that are currently in control of the situation in the country, and all of this will be determined in the course of dialogue, Mr Peskov said.
A serviceman of the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine fires Giatsint-B gun towards Russian positions near Kharkiv (Efrem Lukatsky, File/AP)

Ukraines military intelligence agency has claimed that around 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded in fighting against the Ukrainian army at the weekend in Russias Kursk border region.

The North Korean casualties occurred around three villages in Kursk, where Russia has for four months been trying to quash a Ukrainian incursion, the agency known by its acronym GUR said in a public post on the Telegram messaging app.

At least three North Korean servicemen went missing around another Kursk village, GUR said.

It was not possible to independently verify the Ukrainian claims, which are the first reports of North Korean casualties in the almost three-year war.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred questions about the claims to the Russian Defence Ministry, which did not comment.

North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to help it in the war, according to the Pentagon and Ukrainian officials.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged unwavering support for Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour under a mutual defence pact.

Military analysts say the language barrier has bedevilled combat coordination between Russian and North Korean troops.

The poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean forces will likely continue to cause friction in Russian military operations in Kursk in the near term, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said late on Sunday.

Ukrainian servicemen take their position in a trench at the front line, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

Ukrainian officials said on November 5 that their forces had for the first time engaged with North Korean units that had been recently deployed to help Russia.

Ukraine seized land in Russias Kursk border region last August in what was the first occupation of Russian territory since the Second World War.

The operation embarrassed the Kremlin and aimed to counter unceasingly glum news from the front line.

The incursion has not significantly changed the wars dynamics.

Over the past year, Russia has been on the front foot with the exception of Kursk and has been grinding deeper into eastern Ukraines Donetsk region despite heavy losses.
Do They Know Its Christmas was 1984s Christmas Number 1 and has been a festive season staple sinceIt featured stars like George Michael, U2 and The Beatles Paul McCartneySome question whether its charitable lyrics are outdated

Do They Know Its Christmas? shot to number 1 in 1984

When the BBC aired journalist Michael Buerk's harrowing reports of Ethiopian famine in 1984, few could have imagined the enduring legacy they would inspire.

Among those watching was Irish musician Bob Geldof, who became determined to help in the only way he knew how.

An unlikely pairing of pop music and activism was born that would inspire other charity singles like We Are the World and lead to the historic Live Aid concerts.

The iconic 1984 Christmas single, Do They Know Its Christmas?, was written by Geldof and Midge Ure and brought together a supergroup of British and Irish artists, including David Bowie, U2 and Paul McCartney.

It shot to number 1 in the charts for five weeks, raise 8 million for Ethiopia within a year and forever changed the relationship between charity and celebrity.

While few would question the spirit of the original project, today there are many who question whether the lyrics are a relic best left in the past.

Ellen Coyne is joined by John Meagher to mark 40 years of a song that changed the world.

This episode of the BelTel was produced by our sister podcast, the Irish Independents Indo Daily.
Rival faction warns former ONH boss Carl Reilly over north Belfast move

Isolated dissident told hes not welcome in republican estate in north Belfast amid fears of feud

Carl Reilly

Paula Mackin Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 08:24

Dissident chief Carl Reilly has nowhere to hide and nowhere to go.
David Foster is poised to leave a mark on the world of Broadway in 2025.

His latest endeavor, "Boop! The Musical" is a reimagining of the beloved 1930s animated figure Betty Boop.

In the creation of the musical, composer Foster joined forces with lyricist Susan Birkenhead and book writer Bob Martin. Leading the production is director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, a Tony Award winner known for his work on "Kinky Boots."

The show intertwines appealing visuals, rich melodies by Foster, and a portrayal by newcomer Jasmine Amy Rogers in the role of Betty Boop. Following a successful Chicago tryout last year, the musical garnered enthusiastic reviews.

In the Jazz Age world of Betty, the narrative takes an intriguing twist as she finds herself transported to modern-day New York through a remarkable time-travel device.

Reviewers have lauded the production for its visuals, delightful sounds, and enchanting storyline that resonates with audiences of all ages. Noteworthy performances by Rogers and the charming score by Foster have been highlighted as standout features of the show.

Starting March 11, the sneak peeks for the upcoming production "Boop!" are set to attract audiences with a significant $26 million financial backing.

Foster, who is scheduled to arrive in New York for rehearsals in February, enthusiastically portrays the production as a delightful departure from the weightier subjects currently prevalent on Broadway.

Foster has also ventured into another creative project aside from "Boop!" - a musical titled "Lucky Us," inspired by Amy Bloom's novel from 2014.

Incorporating the essence of jazz from that era is Foster's primary goal as he works on the production.

Boasting an impressive collection of 16 Grammy Awards, three Oscar nominations, and an Emmy win, Foster is diving into new territory with his foray into Broadway, further expanding his musical horizons.

Variety first reported about Foster's Broadway venture.
PITTSFIELD  The parent companies of Berkshire Bank and Brookline Bank have agreed to a merger of equals in the second half of 2025.

The all-stock transaction is valued at approximately $1.1 billion, or $12.68 per share of Brookline common stock, based on the $30.20 closing price of Berkshire common stock on Friday.

The merger of the two banking powerhouses  Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Brookline Bancorp  will create an institution with approximately $24 billion in assets, $18 billion in total deposits, $19 billion in total loans and more than 140 branches across five states.

The merger will allow both publicly held banks to increase their scale and enhance their performance under a new name  and at a $10.8 million cost to market that new brand.

Both stocks dropped slightly on Monday. Berkshire Hills Bancorp fell 1 percent to $29.87, while Brookline Bancorp was down half a percentage point to $12.49.

The merged bank will be led by Brookline Bancorp president and CEO Paul Perrault, topping a six-man executive team, with three from Berkshire and three from Brookline.

Nitin J. Mhatre, Berkshire Bancorp's CEO since January 2021, is not on the flow chart and will apparently exit when the merger closes.

The two banks took five months to perform their due diligence prior to making the announcement.

Shareholder value was top of mind among the bank executives during a web call held jointly by the two banks on Monday.

Deposits held by rural customers, mostly customers of Berkshire Bank  at less competitive and lower interest rates than in more competitive urban markets, mostly held by Brookline  are paramount to bolstering shareholders' earnings.

Mhatre said, "Stable funding that comes from some of these smaller rural markets ... [will] support the lending in the faster growing metro markets."

He continued, "So I think there is a little bit of an advantage for us  compared to now similar sized banks that have maybe tighter footprints and maybe dont have that advantage.

Berkshire Bank has closed some of its branches in recent years, most notably the only bank in Otis in 2023 despite public outcry.

Will there be more or less branches under the merger?

"Youre always doing some pruning," Perrault said. "Maybe youre closing one. Maybe youre opening one or moving one. And so I would expect that, that pattern would continue with the enlarged footprint."

The merged bank will be divided into six regions and led by three regional presidents from each company. Berkshire County would join a region that includes Vermont and much of Northern New York.

Chuck Leach, president and CEO of Lee Bank, listened to the conference call and said he heard "nothing Earth-shattering" on the call.

"To me, I think it just further defines the distinction between a community bank and a publicly traded bank," he said. "Were just focused on our own backyard, on our community, on our customers. We dont have to be concerned with creating shareholder value year after year.

John Bissell, president and CEO of Greylock Federal Credit Union, said there's a place for large-scale banks in the Northeast as backers of major development. He contrasted that with the role of smaller financial institutions, which cycle money through the local economy.

"I'm grateful for the work of Berkshire Bank Foundation in turning some of those profits into philanthropy here locally," Bissell said. "It's been very generous and provided a leadership role over the years, and I hope that continues to benefit our region in the years to come."

Brookline Bancorp is a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank, Bank Rhode Island, PCSB Bank and their subsidiaries. Headquartered in Boston, it has $11 billion in assets and 65 branches throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. is the parent company of Berkshire Bank, which operates in New England and New York. With $11.6 billion in assets and 83 financial centers, Berkshire is headquartered in Boston.

Berkshire Bank was founded in Pittsfield Feb. 6, 1846.

The merger will be subject to SEC approval.
It is getting to be a regular occurrence. The U.S. Treasury runs out of money and warns Congress that they need more. Politicians on both sides strut and crow but delay until the 11th hour only to pass another "continuing resolution" for a few months. Will it ever end?
Do you remember what happened in 2024? Here is our countdown of the top 10 most read local news stories published this year, based on page views:

(App users, having trouble viewing this article? Find it on berkshireeagle.com.)

10: Progress is being made in the battle to save trees from the emerald ash borer

Scientists are developing new and more effective techniques for blunting the impact of newly arrived pests. A good example of how this can work has been the campaign against the emerald ash borer.

Progress is being made in the battle to save trees from the emerald ash borer An Asian wasp is the hero in the battle against the ash borer. Wasp releases have ensured that ash borer populations no longer exploded but instead were maintained at a steady low level.

9: Citing declining enrollment, Bard College at Simon's Rock will close after the spring semester and its Great Barrington campus will be sold

Bard College at Simon's Rock is closing in spring 2025 and relocating its programs to a new campus at Bard in Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y. School leaders cited declining enrollment as a reason the early college for high school-age students will close.

8: When it comes to the Beatles' sound, George Harrison was the most essential band member

In his recently published third book, Within You Without You: Listening to George Harrison music journalist, author and Bob Dylan specialist Seth Rogovoy acknowledges that he had resisted the allure of the Beatles for decades. But in recent years he came to appreciate the group, and especially Harrison, known as the Quiet Beatle.

7: The teacher whose Great Barrington classroom was searched for 'Gender Queer' book is taking a temporary leave of absence

W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School Principal Miles Wheat announced the leave of absence in January of the eighth grade teacher who was surprised by a police search of her classroom.

The announcement followed a firestorm in the community over the Dec. 8 afterschool arrival of a Great Barrington police officer to her classroom and his questioning of her about the book, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.

The teacher whose Great Barrington classroom was searched for 'Gender Queer' book is taking a temporary leave of absence A family forum is set for school families on Wednesday night, while upcoming School Committee and Select Board meetings will give the public a chance to weigh in.

6: Massachusetts thinks building ADUs will help unlock housing opportunities. But what does that mean for Berkshire County zoning laws?

Signed into law in September and effective Feb. 2, 2025, the state's Affordable Homes Act greenlit construction of accessory dwelling units statewide. The legislation removes restrictions cities and towns may have that hinder or slow the development of ADUs, leaving cities and towns fewer than six months to amend such zoning bylaws to be in compliance.

Massachusetts thinks building ADUs will help unlock housing opportunities. But what does that mean for Berkshire County zoning laws? Signed into law earlier this month, the state's Affordable Homes Act greenlighted construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, statewide. But now, 29 municipalities in Berkshire County must amend their bylaws by February to comply with state law.

5: What made the tracks in a Goshen hunter's driveway? Not a mountain lion, according to MassWildlife

A MassWildlife analysis of photos of tracks and scat discovered on Oct. 24 concluded that the tracks were made by a bear, and the scat left by a coyote.

What made the tracks in a Goshen hunter's driveway? Not a mountain lion, according to MassWildlife Neither the track nor the scat came from a mountain lion, according to MassWildlife: The scat is coyote, while the tracks were that of a bear.

4: What exactly is a blue moon? And does it have anything to do with the expression 'once in a blue moon?'

A blue moon in August had readers looking for answers.

Every 29.53 days, the moon undergoes a complete phase cycle  a time period relatively close to the lengths of the months on our calendar, so most months have only one full moon. But since our calendar is based on Earths cycle around the sun, not the phases of the moon, these periods dont match exactly. As a result, on average, there are two full moons in one month every 33 months.

3. Crews to return to fight Butternut Fire in the morning; fire may not be fully extinguished until winter

The wildfire on East Mountain that began on Nov. 18 burned over 100 acres by the end of the first day of fighting it, and would grow to 1,670 acres before it was declared "controlled' on Nov. 27.

Crews to return to fight Butternut Fire in the morning; fire may not be fully extinguished until winter The slow-moving wildfire that burned about 100 acres of a remote, forested area on East Mountain as of Tuesday afternoon might not be fully extinguished until winter, given the difficult terrain where its burning, a supply of fuel on the forest floor and weeks of drought conditions, officials said.

2: On a medal-grabbing night for James Taylor, the performance was nothing short of gold

Shortly after intermission on July 3, Taylor received the Tanglewood Medal from Chad Smith, president and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Barbara Hostetter, chair of the Board of Trustees. Its an honor thats only been given out three times before.

TANGLEWOOD REVIEW: On a medal-grabbing night for James Taylor, the performance was nothing short of gold At his concert in the Koussevitzky Music Shed on July 3, James Taylor received the Tanglewood Medal, an honor recognizing the impact of his half-century playing at the historic campus in Lenox.

1: The U.S. Secret Service found its way into a hair salon near the Colonial Theatre. Its owner says they didn't ask permission

If the U.S. Secret Service had simply asked, Alicia Powers would have been happy to let its officers use her hair salon  across a parking lot from the back of the Colonial Theatre  as a comfort station the day of Vice President Kamala Harris visit to Pittsfield.

But they didnt ask Powers, or her landlord, she said.

Instead, they taped over a security camera on the back porch, broke into the salon, helped themselves to the bathroom, ate the mints on the counter and left without tidying up the bathroom or locking the back door on the way out.

The U.S. Secret Service found its way into a hair salon near the Colonial Theatre. Its owner says they didn't ask permission The Secret Services Boston office has apologized on behalf of the agency, Alicia Powers says. And Pittsfield Police officers up to and including Chief Thomas Dawley have been helpful and supportive.

(Many of these stories were made possible by the support of our Local Journalism Fund. Please donate today! Your tax-deductible gift will expand our coverage of these critical areas.)
Patrick Tutwiler is on a "Financial Road Show" to get more students to apply for financial aid for college. He said there is "a lot of money on the table" for students. But first they have to apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.


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Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, celebrated as a legendary Indian musician, has passed away.

His tabla performances captivated audiences worldwide, earning him the title of the greatest tabla player of his time.

On Sunday, Hussain, known for his "dancing fingers" across musical instruments, succumbed to the complications related to a long-standing lung ailment, according to the New York Times.

His family confirmed his death at a medical facility in San Francisco through an official announcement. They added, "His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians."

Hailing from Mumbai, the 73-year-old musician gained global recognition as the foremost master of the tabla drums, a prominent percussion instrument in the Indian classical music realm.

Introduced to the art of playing tabla at the age of 12, Hussain received his initial training from his father, tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha.

During a widely circulated interview, it was revealed that upon his birth, his father greeted him into the world by serenading tabla rhythms into his ears.

"The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the baby's ear . . . So he takes me in his arms, puts his lips to my ear and recites the tabla rhythms into my ears."

At just 12 years old, Hussain was already going on a tour and sharing the stage with some of India's most renowned classical musicians. As he entered his teens, he continued to impress audiences and critics alike with his exceptional solo performances, earning recognition on the global stage.

By the time he turned 18, he had established himself as a sought-after collaborator, working with influential artists such as George Harrison, Charles Lloyd, and Yo-Yo Ma.

Establishing a groundbreaking musical collaboration in 1973, Hussain joined forces with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin to create the innovative Indian jazz fusion band known as "Shakti." Their blend of acoustic fusion music seamlessly merged traditional Indian melodies with the improvisational nature of jazz, hypnotizing Western audiences with a fresh and dynamic sound.

Just this year, Hussain achieved a groundbreaking feat by clinching three Grammy awards, making him the first Indian musician to do so in a single year. Notably, he had previously secured a Grammy in 2009.
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Hollywood actress Florence Pugh has hit out at the acting industry, which she says makes it exhausting for a young woman.

The Oxford-born star has, before turning 30, been nominated for an best supporting actress Oscar for Little Women and starred in the Academy Award winning film Oppenheimer as well as blockbuster Marvel film Black Widow.

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Pugh, 28, has been outspoken in the past about body shaming, and the pressure on actresses in the film and TV industry.

Florence Pugh. Photo: Doug Peters/PA.

She told the Sunday Times: Im not nasty, I hope people think Im kind.

But there are fine lines women have to stay within, otherwise they are called a diva, demanding, problematic.

And I dont want to fit into stereotypes made by others.

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It is really exhausting for a young woman to just be in this industry, and actually other industries.

But Ive always been encouraged to have a voice.

She also told the publication that she has been watching women getting torn apart despite being talented and beautiful, and she loves challenging ideas she does not like.

I wasnt trying to challenge, I just wanted to be there, to make space for a version of a person that isnt all the things they used to have to be, Pugh said.

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Im proud Ive stuck by myself and look the way I look.

Im really interested in people who are still angry with me for not losing more weight, or who just hate my nose ring.

I am not going to be able to just change the way that things are but I can certainly help young women coming into this industry by making conversations happen.

Florence Pugh and Timothee Chalamet, who were both in Dune: Part Two. Photo: Yui Mok/PA.

Entertainment Sky News found to have breached impartiality rules... Read More

Pugh starred in science fiction film Dune: Part Two with Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya and romance We Live in Time this year, and is set to be seen next in upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie Thunderbolts*.

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She will reprise her role as her assassin character Yelena Belova following the characters appearances in Black Widow and Hawkeye in the film with Hollywood actors Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.
Damage done to Holyhead port during Storm Darragh is feared to be worse than originally thought, and could see ferry services cancelled until after Christmas.

This could result in Christmas parcels travelling to and from Ireland being delayed until after the festive season.

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It was announced after Storm Darragh that the Port of Holyhead, owned by ferry company Stena Line, was to remain closed until December 20th, with all services cancelled until then.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Monday the seriousness of the damage was becoming more apparent as the days go by.

I think its highly unlikely now that we will see Holyhead port functioning in any real way this side of Christmas and of course, that is a serious concern to both people whove bought goods and presents and gifts that theyre hoping will arrive, and also people that are understandably trying to get home for the Christmas period, he said in Dun Laoghaire.

What I can say is this a huge amount of work is ongoing in government on this issue. Today, the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State for Transport will meet their Welsh counterparts.

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The Port of Holyhead in Anglesey (Peter Byrne/PA)

Irelands junior minister at the Department of Transport James Lawless met with his Welsh counterpart Ken Skates on Sunday and both are due to meet with Stena Line at 1pm on Monday.

Mr Lawless said both ministers are asking for Stena Line to give more accurate and timely updates on the scale of the damage and repairs needed at Holyhead.

Its a very challenging situation and probably the worst possible time of year for something like this to happen, with people anxiously waiting for parcels to arrive, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

A lot of small exporters from Ireland wanted to get the goods to the Christmas market in UK and vice versa, as well as all the normal business that transacts, and then of course, persons looking to come home for Christmas.

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He said Mr Skates has committed to also temporarily relax driver rules as had been done by the Irish government over the weekend.

Irelands Department of Transport announced that it would ease rules around haulier hours until December 27th, allowing drivers to do more hours and take fewer breaks.

Mr Lawless said that this being introduced from both sides at Holyhead would help to clear the backlog of deliveries.

He also said he was engaging with his Scottish and Northern Ireland counterparts in relation to delays.

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Irelands postal service An Post said it had delivered the vast majority of items ordered before Storm Darragh, with just 16,000 of the 500,000 yet to be received.

Ireland An Post guarantees delivery of 50,000 parcels in t... Read More

It said ferry capacity has been created in other ferry lanes into Ireland and additional sailings have been added to schedules.

Mr Harris said: We will look at every possibility in terms of providing additional capacity. Weve already made it very clear that we will put on extra shuttle busses and the likes, should we be able to get other fairy crossings to other ports.

So theres a lot of work going on to make sure people can get home for Christmas and to make sure as many gifts as possible can be here in time for Christmas, well have a further update after the meeting.
An "institutionalised" prisoner who was convicted of murdering a fellow inmate by luring him to a cell, knocking him to the ground and stamping on his head in a "vicious and unprovoked" assault, has been given a life sentence.

Passing sentence on repeat offender David Dunne (40) on Monday, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring noted that no explanation for the decision to kill Robert OConnor has ever been proffered and that the violence was totally unwarranted.

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At his trial in the Central Criminal Court last month, David Dunne, with a last address in Summerhill, Dublin 1, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr OConnor (34) on the July 29th, 2022 at Mountjoy Prison, North Circular Road, Dublin 7.

A jury, however, took less than three hours to unanimously convict him.

The prosecution case was that CCTV footage played in evidence during the trial showed Dunne luring the victim into his cell. The prison officer on duty at the time said he heard a yell followed by a cry of No, no which was followed by silence.

He gave evidence that he saw Dunne stamp on the victim's head more than once.

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Prison officers called an ambulance which brought Mr O'Connor to the Mater Hospital, where he was put on life support. He didn't regain consciousness and was pronounced dead three days later.

The court heard that David Dunne has amassed 123 convictions since 1998. At the time of the killing, he was serving a four and a half year sentence for robbery and other offences and was due to be released just a few days before the attack on Mr O'Connor.

Miska Hanahoe BL, for the defendant, told the court that Dunne was placed in State care when was a very young child, had been in and out of care his whole life and was now institutionalised.

She added that Dunne wants to make clear that he accepts he is responsible for Roberts death but that he did not intend to kill him."

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Ms Hanahoe asked if Dunne could serve his sentence in Dublin as his mother was unwell and unable to travel to visit him.

Passing sentence, Ms Justice Ring noted that Dunne had had a long and difficult life. She imposed the mandatory life sentence for the murder of Mr OConnor, adding that the victim's family will "serve their own life sentence" due to Dunne's crime.

"When violence takes a child from a parent, no explanation is enough. Robert OConnor was in prison to pay his debt to society. David Dunne took his right to life away," Ms Justice Ring said.

Ms Justice Ring noted that the family's selfless decision to donate Mr O'Connor's organs speaks about the kind of person he was, noting that it provided some comfort to his family to know that part of him lives on though others.

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The judge also noted that Dunnes mother had previously said that if help was not given to her son, there would be dire consequences, but now it was Mr O'Connor and his family who have paid the price. She said Mr O'Connors family were totally innocent in this "sad, sad, sorry event".

Ms Justice Ring said she would impose the life sentence from the date Dunne went into custody on this matter on September 1st, 2023 and wished the victim's family well as they go forward.

Victim impact statement

A victim impact statement on behalf of the victim's sister Kylie Kinahan was read out by prosecuting counsel, Michael Delaney, SC.

She wrote that Mr O'Connor was a loving, caring brother and that he would never leave a room without a "hug and a kiss". She said when she last spoke to him, he was full of chat and in good spirits, telling her he loved her.

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Ms Kinahan said the sight of her "baby brother" lifeless in the Mater hospital still haunts her and described how she suffered nightmares knowing how he ended up in ICU.

She described watching CCTV footage of her brother walking and acting normal before he went into the cell where he was killed and how she wanted to "jump into the screen" and tell him to run but she couldn't.

She said Robert was a loving uncle to her children and she was disappointed he would never get to have children of his own.

Ms Kinahan said to have her brother taken away in a brutal, unnecessary way meant that part of her that would never heal and for that she said she will "never forgive". She said she wakes up from her sleep crying and gasping for air.

The deceaseds father Leo O'Connor described how as a child, Robert used to love fishing and family picnics in St Annes Park in Dublin and how much he loved horses as a child. He said he still talks to Robert every day, looking at his photograph from when he gets up with a morning cup of coffee.

He said he still cant believe his son is gone, adding: I miss him, I miss him, I miss him every day.

Previous evidence

The trial heard that 32-year-old Robert O'Connor received a prison sentence on July 27th, 2022, and was returned from court to Mountjoy that evening.

At approximately 7pm, Mr OConnor was assaulted in his cell by a number of other prisoners, where he suffered a bloody nose and damage to one eye. He was then placed in protection for a period and was moved to C landing.

Two days later he walked to the C2 landing of the prison where CCTV footage showed him entering Dunne's cell followed by Dunne and three other men.

Prison officers quickly reacted when they heard a commotion and one told the trial that he saw Dunne stamping more than once on Mr O'Connor's head, while another officer saw the defendant kicking the victim in the head.

The victim was taken to hospital but he was pronounced dead on August 1st, when brain stem testing revealed no activity.

Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan said that Mr O'Connor died from multiple blunt force trauma type injuries associated with bruises and abrasions on his head, trunk, legs and arms. He had also suffered a fractured nose.

Dr Mulligan said the blunt force trauma caused rotational force which led to a tearing of the nerve cells in the brain.

In his first garda interview, Dunne read from a prepared statement in which he said: Im sorry for his family, I really am. I think about it every day and night since this happened. Its killing me inside because he was a good friend of all who knew him. Im really sorry Robbie yeah to you and your family, he said.

He claimed that he just wanted a "chat" with Mr O'Connor but once they were inside the cell, Mr O'Connor punched him twice. He initially admitted only to punching back and denied stamping on Mr O'Connor's head. He said he didn't want to kill Mr O'Connor and claimed to have struck him with a "rabbit punch".

The defendant claimed he did not intend to kill Mr O'Connor and that he was acting in self-defence when he caused multiple blunt force trauma injuries to the deceased's head, torso, arms and legs.

The prosecution argued Dunne's final account "evolved" until in his final interview, counsel said Dunne demonstrated a "stamp" that it was submitted could easily have caused the injuries sustained by Mr O'Connor.

In his closing speech, prosecution counsel Michael Delaney SC described Dunne's account as "self-serving" and lacking in credibility.

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He accused Dunne of a "vicious and unprovoked assault" and said CCTV evidence suggested "an element of coordination" in the interactions visible between Mr Dunne and three other prisoners in the minutes before the fatal encounter.

Counsel said the footage suggested that when Mr O'Connor arrived on Dunne's wing of the prison, the accused signalled to one of those prisoners. Once Mr O'Connor and the accused went inside the accused's cell, Mr Delaney said the others followed as if they "knew something was going down".

Mr Delaney said the CCTV undermined Dunne's claim that he invited the deceased to his cell for a "friendly chat" or that he acted in self-defence after being attacked by the deceased.

"The objective, reliable evidence shows that Dunne lured Robert O'Connor into that cell for the purpose of attacking him," Mr Delaney said.
The Government has been accused by Israels foreign minister for antisemitic rhetoric and double standards.

Gideon Saar confirmed he ordered the closure of Israels Embassy in Dublin.

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The Israeli government announced the closure in a statement on Sunday, saying it was because of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish Government, and accusing Ireland of crossing every red line.

Mr Saar blamed the actions, double standards, and antisemitic rhetoric of the Irish government against Israel, which he added are rooted in efforts to delegitimise and demonise the Jewish state.

Today, I have instructed the closure of Israels Embassy in Ireland. The actions, double standards, and antisemitic rhetoric of the Irish government against Israel are rooted in efforts to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state.



The Irish government recognized a Palestinian  Gideon Sa'ar |   (@gidonsaar) December 15, 2024

In a statement on a social media network X, Mr Saar highlighted Ireland recognising a Palestinian state during attacks on Israel, and said it attempted to redefine genocide in international law to support baseless claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

He also claimed Ireland backed politically motivated cases at the International Criminal Court and promoted anti-Israel measures within the EU, and fostered hostility toward Israel.

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Mr Saar went on to claim that Ireland has failed to take effective measures to combat the surge of antisemitism, adding Israel will focus its resources on strengthening bilateral relations with countries worldwide, according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel.

Responding, a spokesperson for Irish premier Simon Harris said: The Taoiseach will not be responding to personalised and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives.

Earlier, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland said closing its embassy in Dublin was the correct diplomatic decision, and claimed there was a hostile atmosphere in the country.

Ambassador Dana Erlich accused Ireland of taking a more extreme stance than any other country.

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She called Ireland an extreme voice in the international arena when asked about its intervention in South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Mr Harris said that Ireland will not be silenced about its views on Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

The Taoiseach accused Israel of engaging in distraction policies, adding that he was very proud of Ireland standing up for the Palestinian people.

Ms Erlich was recalled in May after the Palestinian state recognition.

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She told RTEs News At One on Monday: Most countries, again, we have difficult conversations and we have disagreements. We accept criticism.

But this has gone over that line in Ireland, the fact that there is delegitimisation of any collaboration with Israel, with the embassy, with Israelis, the incitement and hatred are not stopped by the Government but fostered sometimes.

We will continue in contact with our allies and supporters, but the format of the embassy needs to change in light of these anti-Israeli steps, and there is no other way to call it.

Because unfortunately, this is not about pro co-existence, pro-peace.

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The steps that we have seen are about isolating and discriminating against Israel.

Simon Harris has said Ireland will not be silenced. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA.

She said Israel will not end relations with Ireland and that she would remain as an ambassador working from Israel.

She said there was no timeline on when the embassy would close and said there would need to be a change in policy in Ireland if the embassy was to reopen.

Earlier this year, the Government officially recognised the Palestinian state and, last week, it emerged that Ireland would formally intervene in South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Speaking to reporters in Dun Laoghaire on Monday, Mr Harris was asked why Ireland had been targeted by the Israeli government.

Id respectfully suggest that possibly because it works as a distraction. Youre all here today asking about Irelands position. What about Israels actions? Mr Harris said.

What about what (Israeli prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is doing to the innocent children of Gaza? This is the diplomacy of distraction. I think it is deeply regrettable that they took that decision.

They have every right to take that decision to close the embassy. Id rather it didnt happen.

We will continue to engage, continue to engage diplomatically, but nobody is going to silence Ireland. We know right from wrong.

We value human rights, we respect international law.

We expect international law to be applied consistently.

Mr Harris said he would keep the Irish embassy in Israel open.

We will also not allow our position to be misrepresented by Israel, by the government of Israel, he added.

Do you know what I think is reprehensible? Killing children. I think thats reprehensible. You know what I think is reprehensible? Seeing the scale of civilian deaths that weve seen in Gaza.

You know what I think is reprehensible? About people being left to starve and humanitarian aid not flowing.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said there has to be consequences for Israel in relation to its ongoing war in Gaza against Hamas.

She added: I think the position that we have taken collectively is that respect for international law, protection of human rights, calling out a genocide as you witness it, broadcast live across our television screens, has to have a robust political response, domestically and internationally.

Unfortunately, for far too long, because this did not begin on October 7 last, the occupation, the denial of the basic rights of the Palestinian people, has gone on for generations.

Unfortunately, the international community has looked the other way. That has to stop. There have to be consequences for Israel, consequences for the Netanyahu regime, which brazenly and repeatedly breaks every rule in the book.

Thats the Irish position. Its the position of the Government in Dublin.

The pity is that Israel and Netanyahu dont have the willingness to actually hear that message loud and clear.

In response to the decision by the Israeli government to close its embassy, a Fine Gael councillor and mayor of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Jim OLeary, accused the Government of engaging in a populist anti-Israeli position.

He tweeted: The decision to seek a reinterpretation of the (definition) of genocide and intervene in the ICJ case lacks credibility and is both reprehensible and diplomatic suicide.

Mr Harris said the views of Mr OLeary were not high up in his priorities.

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My priority here is continuing to shine the spotlight on whats happening in the Middle East, and we shouldnt allow anything to distract from what is happening, Mr Harris added.

Of course, people can have different views, but we should never, ever, ever allow one decision, including yesterdays, to distract from the reality.

Im very proud of the position of this country. Im very proud of the position of people right across Ireland that we are pro-human rights, we are pro-international law.
A second man (30s) has been arrested in Dublin in connection with the assault of two off-duty gardai in Dublin over the weekend, which left one in critical condition.

He is being detained at a Garda station in the Dublin region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

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The man (30s) who was arrested on Saturday December 14th in relation to the incident continues to be detained.

Two male off-duty members of An Garda Siochana were injured in an assault in Dublin in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The incident occurred at around 1.30am on Saturday morning at the junction of Dame St and Eustace St, Dublin 2.

Both gardai sustained injuries during the attack.

One of the men (40s) was taken to Beaumont Hospital Dublin where he remains in critical condition.

The other man was taken to St James's Hospital Dublin for medical treatment and was discharged.

An incident room led by a senior investigating officer has been established at Pearse Street Garda Station.

Investigations are ongoing.
A 21 million shipment of pure cocaine which sailed into Foynes Port, Co Limerick, concealed under cabin beds on board a cargo ship, has and estimated street value of 105 million, a court heard today.

The 12 bales, containing 308.6 kilos of cocaine wrapped into 306 separate packages, were discovered on board the Maltese registered cargo vessel, MV Verila, when it docked at Foynes Port on December 19th, 2023.

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Bulgarian native, Kamen Petkov, (36), who was one of 18 crew members on board the ship, appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for sentence, Monday, on signed guilty pleas to charges of importing cocaine, possessing cocaine for sale or supply and simple possession of cocaine.

Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Garda Drugs Unit, gave evidence that the 21 million drugs haul contained pure cocaine with a potential value of five times that amount on the street.

Petkov was approached by security at Antonina Port, Brazil, and asked to load and manage the very large cocaine consignment onto the ship, prior to the voyage to Ireland, the court heard.

The arrived father of one hid the bales under beds in unoccupied cabins on the ship.

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The vessel travelled from Brazil to Canada and onto Foynes docking there on December 19th, last year.

Petkov had been instructed to throw the cocaine bales off the ship and into the Shannon Estuary, at Glin, Co Limerick, prior to the ship docking at Foynes.

During the sailing, Petkov prepared the bales for buoyancy by tying them together and attaching life-jackets to them along with a sophisticated light beacon transmitter that would be tracked by others involved, D Garda Cahill said.

When the ship reached the drop off point at Hamilton Tower, Glin, Petkov became suspicious and nervous when it appeared nobody was waiting to collect the drugs, and so he hid the bales in an air condition room on board the ship.

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Detective Garda Cahill said that following his arrest, Petkov admitted to being the organiser of the entire operation while on board the ship.

He was involved in the loading of the drugs, he was in full control of the drugs on the ship, he was the point of contact for others and he was fully in charge of directing the operation on board, D Garda Cahill said.

Petkov told Gardai that he was to be paid 150,000 for taking the cocaine from Brazil to Ireland.

Lily Buckley, prosecuting barrister, instructed by State Solicitor, Brendan Gill, said that after the MV Verila had landed in Foynes, Irish customs officers acting on confidential information boarded the vessel with specially-trained sniffer canines, and the dogs found the cocaine hidden in an air-conditioning room on board the ship.

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When Gardai examined Petkovs mobile phone they discovered maps and GPS coordinates showing the drop-off point at Glin an area with calm water, it was strategically picked, added D Garda Cahill.

Gardai also discovered that Petkov had been communicating about the drugs run with telephone numbers based in Bolivia and Paraguay.

Petkovs DNA was matched to a transmitter he had fitted with a battery and attached to he cocaine bales, Garda Cahill added.

Petkov, a qualified electrician, is married with one child, and worked five months at a time on cargo ships.

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Petkov told gardai he had never being involved with drugs before and that Brazilian port security staff had asked him to turn a blind eye to the cocaine shipment, Ms Buckley saiid.

Ms Buckley said Petkov told gardai he hadnt known how he was to be paid, and he said he was sorry he didn't ask for half the payment, up-front.

Petkovs barrister, senior counsel Mark Nicholas, instructed by solicitor Julianne Kiely, said there was no proof whatsoever that Petkov received any payment for the international drugs run.

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Mr Nicholas said Petkov had a gambling addiction and had various debts amassed, including 15,000 for jewellery he bought from a pawn broker in Bulgaria.

Mr Nicholas said Petkov, who has been in custody on remand since last December, has no previous convictions, and that his full admissions were helpful to gardai.

Gardai acknowledged that Petkov may have been targeted by others who might have known about his gambling addiction which would have made him vulnerable.

Judge Colin Daly remanded Petkov in custody for sentencing tomorrow, Tuesday.
Elon Musks social network platform has accused Irelands media watchdog of engaging in regulatory overreach in its approach to restrictions on certain video content.

Twitter International Unlimited Company, which operates X, alleges in new High Court proceedings that Coimisiun na Means new Online Safety Code contradicts Irish law requirements for protecting and balancing fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression.

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The company wants the court to quash the commissions October 10th decision to adopt certain sections of the Online Safety Code, which applies binding rules to video-sharing platforms headquartered in Ireland. The code obliges the platforms to protect people, especially children, from harmful video and associated content.

The company is further asking the court to overturn Coimisiun na Means decision to apply the code to X.

On Monday, Twitter International secured the courts permission to these decisions judicially reviewed. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said the case appeared to contain arguable grounds and therefore met the threshold for its continuation.

The lawsuit takes particular issue with a section of the code that requires video-sharing platforms to preclude users from uploading or sharing video the code defines as restricted.

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Falling under the codes restricted heading is video content that bullies or humiliates a person or that promotes eating disorder behaviour, suicide, self-harm or behaviour prejudicial to the safety of children, including dangerous challenges.

Twitter International claims the definition is broadly framed and capable of encompassing a wide spectrum of content, including legal content.

The company notes that the EUs Audiovisual Media Services Directive draws a clear distinction between illegal content, which includes incitement to hatred, and legal but harmful content.

Video-sharing platforms must prohibit illegal content, but the directive envisages that legal but harmful content will be subject to access restrictions to protect children, the company says.

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It claims Coimisiun na Means absolute prohibition on restricted content, with no discretion afforded to the company, is contrary to requirements of Irelands Digital Services Act.

The company stresses that it does not believe prohibition of restricted content could never be a proportionate interference with freedom of expression rights.

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The firm says its terms and conditions already prohibit some content, such as promotion of suicide and self harm. Having conducted an assessment of competing rights, the firm is satisfied such restrictions are proportionate.

However, the code does not permit companies to conduct a balancing of rights assessment to determine what mitigations would be appropriate for certain restricted content, it says, arguing that this is contrary to the Digital Service Act.

Twitter International also alleges that the commission went too far by putting in place measures to ensure video-sharing platforms enforce their own terms and conditions.

The court heard Coimisiun na Mean wants an early hearing of the case, which will be mentioned again before the court next February.
The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas militants has topped 45,000 people, Palestinian health officials said, with 52 dead arriving at hospitals across the bombed-out strip over the past 24 hours.

The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children.

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The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.



Palestinians carry the body of a relative killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital in Deir al-Balah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

The Health Ministry said 45,028 people have been killed and 106,962 have been wounded since the start of the war.

It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are still buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access.

The latest war has been by far the deadliest round of fighting between Israel and Hamas, with the death toll now amounting to roughly 2% of Gazas entire pre-war population of about 2.3 million.

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Among the dead reported in the overall toll were 10 people, including a family of four, who were killed in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City, Palestinian medics said.

The strike late on Sunday hit a house in Gaza Citys eastern Shijaiyah neighbourhood, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service.

Rescuers recovered the bodies of 10 people from under the rubble, including those of two parents and their two children, it said.



Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas in Tel Aviv (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

Israel claims Hamas is responsible for the civilian death toll because it operates from within civilian areas in the densely populated Gaza Strip.

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Rights groups and Palestinians say Israel has failed to take sufficient precautions to avoid civilian deaths.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250.

Israel responded by heavy bombardment and a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave.

Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

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Most of the rest were released during a ceasefire last year.



Palestinians mourn over the bodies of victims of an Israeli army strike in the Nuseirat camp at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

A separate strike on a school on Sunday in the southern city of Khan Younis killed at least 13 people, including six children and two women, according to Nasser Hospital where the bodies were taken.

The hospital initially reported the strike had killed 16 people, but it later revised the death toll as the three other bodies had been from a separate strike that hit a house.

The Israeli military said it had conducted a precise strike on Hamas terrorists who were operating inside a command and control centre embedded within a compound that had served as a school in Khan Younis.

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It did not provide evidence.

In central Gazas Nuseirat urban refugee camp, mourners gathered for the funeral of a Palestinian journalist working for the Qatari-based Al Jazeera TV network who was killed Sunday in a strike on a point for Gazas civil defence agency.

They carried his body through the street from the hospital, his blue bulletproof vest resting atop.

The strike also killed three civil defence workers, including the local head of the agency, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

The civil defence is Gazas main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

Al Jazeera said Ahmad Baker Al-Louh, 39, had been covering rescue operations of a family wounded in an earlier bombing when he was killed.

The International Federation of Journalists said last week that 104 journalists and media workers have been killed so far in 2024, with more than half of them perishing during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

The group said that since the start of the war, at least 138 had been killed, including 55 Palestinian media professionals in the calendar year.

The Israeli military said its strike had targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants who were operating in a command and control centre embedded in the offices of the Civil Defence organisation in Nuseirat.

It accused the journalist of having been a member of Islamic Jihad, an accusation his colleagues in Gaza denied.

Gazas civil defence also rejected the claims that militants had been operating from the site.

We were stunned by the Israeli occupation statement, Mahmoud al-Lawh, the journalists cousin, told The Associated Press.

These claims are lies and misleading to cover up this crime.
International and state interference in US energy policy must end

By Paul Driessen

web posted December 16, 2024

America has long considered Europe an exemplar and leader in cultural and political thought. We've frequently cited European laws, policies and viewpoints as guidance for how the United States should change or behave on multiple issues.



Even after the USA eclipsed the Euro continent economically, militarily and (some say) culturally this past century, we have generally continued to do this. In recent years, we've even done so on energy policy, in response to false claims that Earth's climate is changing dangerously due to man's activities.



We've done it despite witnessing how German, British and European electricity prices have skyrocketed, industries have lost millions of jobs, blackouts have become more frequent , and people cannot afford to heat their homes properly, because of those climate and energy policies.



President Obama unilaterally followed Europe in signing the Paris climate treaty, obligating America to stop using abundant, reliable, affordable fossil fuels; switch to expensive, unreliable, weather-dependent wind and solar power for electricity generation, transportation, manufacturing and defense; pay "developing countries" tens of billions a year in "reparations" for climate change; and let UN and foreign politicians and bureaucrats exert control over America's future.



Trump45 withdrew the USA from the pact. President Biden re-subjugated us. Trump47 plans to pull us out again  but should also send the treaty to the Senate for prompt attention, debate and likely rejection under our Constitution's "treaty clause" (Article II, Section 2), as should have been done years ago.



That would be a major step in meeting his pledge for renewed commonsense regulation, energy dominance and resurgent economic vitality.



Meanwhile, a week after Mr. Trump's reelection as President, a legal ruling at The Hague shows European views on energy policy may likewise be moving back toward common sense .



On November 12, The Hague's Appeals Court judges overturned a May 2021 District Court order requiring that Shell Oil Company accelerate its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction levels by 45% by 2030, versus the company's overall 2019 GHG emissions.



The 45% ruling reflected Paris Agreement goals and would have applied to Shell's direct and indirect operational emissions (drilling, production, refining and pipelines), as well as total emissions by its oil and natural gas retail customers worldwide. If the lower court opinion had stood, Shell would have been compelled to more than double its "net carbon intensity" reductions beyond its existing pledge.



The appellate judges refused to impose any specific reduction targets for Shell, citing the company's substantial emissions reduction efforts, plus insufficient scientific consensus around GHG reduction percentages needed by individual energy companies.



Unfortunately, they still held that Shell had a general legal duty to curb the effects of supposed manmade climate change. How that might happen  amid rapidly growing GHG emissions by China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and other rapidly developing countries  the judges did not say. That reality, and the soaring prices and job losses, are driving Europe's rising anger over energy and climate policies.



Other than " red counties " and the new Trump Administration, is America moving toward common sense? The jury is still out, as 30-plus U.S. state and local climate lawsuits are still pending. However, there is at least one bright spot among all that litigation.



In July, a circuit court in Maryland dismissed the City of Baltimore's lawsuit alleging violations of Maryland's nuisance, trespass and deceptive marketing laws by multiple energy companies. Judge Videtta Brown ruled that emissions produced outside Maryland were beyond the authority of state law.



She also called the city's efforts to hold energy companies accountable for supposed misinformation an attempt "to get in the back door what they cannot get in the front door."



This was the third climate lawsuit against energy companies dismissed ( New York City's in 2021 ) or narrowed in scope ( Delaware's earlier this year ), with claims deemed largely preempted by federal law.



Judge Brown's analysis reflects pro-industry arguments presented by 19 state attorneys general , alleging before the Supreme Court that lawsuits spearheaded by Connecticut, California, New Jersey, Minnesota and Rhode Island attempt to regulate energy and commerce across all 50 states.



It's noteworthy that states with the greatest focus on climate change and wind, solar and battery power already have the most expensive residential electricity in America's Lower 48. At 13.9 per kilowatt-hour, Maryland is well behind California (19.9), Massachusetts (21.1) and Connecticut (21.6), but pricier than Louisiana (9.4), Tennessee (10.8) and 32 others. (It's much worse in uber-green Germany .)



Despite Maryland's legal bright spot, however, the other 30-plus cases are charging ahead  because green activists have rigged court systems in their favor.



Activists at the Environmental Law Institute's Climate Judiciary Project (CJP) have helped "educate" more than 3,000 judges on how to understand the "facts" of climate change as related to legal issues. Even more disturbing, CJP's materials were crafted by activists who advise state attorneys general and municipalities in these cases and/or support their claims through legal briefs.



It's all part of a coordinated "think global, sue local" strategy  except no thought is given to global GHG emissions from China , India or other developing countries. It also hampers efforts to develop reliable, affordable, accessible coal, oil and gas; and easier for state and local governments to mandate and subsidize expensive, intermittent, environmentally destructive wind, solar and battery electricity.



These cases permeate liberal state politics and affect American consumers nationwide.



Liberal state politicians want "green, renewable" electricity but know it's expensive. To make it seem cheaper, they support tax-funded and deficit-increasing subsidies  and states and municipalities that drag energy companies into $5-trillion tobacco-style legal settlements, to help pay for an ultimately $100-trillion pseudo-renewable energy infrastructure.



Of course, consumers across America will eventually foot this bill via rate hikes and higher taxes  along with lost jobs, lower living standards and blackouts  to support alarmist policies and the "privilege" of having unreliable "green" power for an all-electricity society.



Climate fearmongers think voters and consumers are powerless to stop this, since the process is playing out in state courts, where climate realist views and votes don't count.



However, President-elect Trump has numerous energy and climate options at his disposal. Perhaps more important, the US Supreme Court has signaled an interest in hearing two climate cases: City & County of Honolulu v. Sunoco and Alabama v. California .



The court could rule that energy companies are not legitimate lawsuit targets for the "climate crime" of producing what America and humanity need to survive and thrive. It may also say federal courts have jurisdiction in these cases, and are the proper venue, because fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are interstate, regional, national and international in nature  and no state, much less any municipality, has jurisdiction or authority to impose narrow, provincial interpretations of law, science and commerce on the rest of the country and world.



Hopefully, the Supreme Court will follow the Hague's common sense in hearing these cases and ruling in favor of fossil fuel energy that truly is the foundation of health, welfare, prosperity and security.

Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow ( www.CFACT.org ) and author of books and articles on energy, environment, climate and human rights issues.
France used ships and military aircraft to rush rescue workers and supplies to its Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte after the island group was battered by its worst cyclone in nearly a century.

Authorities fear hundreds and possibly thousands of people have died.

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Cyclone Chido levelled entire neighbourhoods of metal shacks and other flimsy structures when it hit Mayotte, Frances poorest department, on Saturday.



Soldiers and rescue workers clearing a street in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean after Cyclone Chido (Securite civile via AP)

Entire hillside villages were reduced to a jumble of snapped trees and piles of corrugated metal and wooden frames of houses.

Authorities used military-style vehicles to clear trees from roads so rescuers and supplies can reach those in need.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he will declare a national mourning period.

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In a post on X, formerly Twitter, after an emergency meeting with his caretaker government on Monday, he said: In the face of this tragedy that has shaken each of us, I will decree a national mourning.

He said he will travel there in the coming days.

French health minister Genevieve Darrieussecq said the official death toll stood at 14 but told France 2 television that was likely a major undercount compared to the scale of the disaster.

The devastation itself  including damage to the main airport  hampered authorities ability to provide a casualty count and get basic necessities to survivors.

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Electricity supplies and communication lines have been knocked out to large parts of Mayotte, and authorities are concerned about a shortage of drinking water.

Meanwhile, the main hospital suffered extensive damage.



Soldiers at work to restore a building in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean after Cyclone Chido (Etat Major des Armees via AP)

People were also starting to go hungry, according to Mayotte senator Salama Ramia.

She told BFM-TV that many people heading to shelters found dire conditions.

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She said: Theres no water, no electricity. Hunger is starting to rise.

Its urgent that aid arrives, especially when you see children, babies, to whom we have nothing concrete to offer.

Mayotte, the poorest place in the European Union, is a densely populated archipelago of around 300,000 people, most of whom are Muslim, that sits between Madagascar and the African continent.

Many of its makeshift houses and roads were pummelled by Chido, which brought winds in excess of 220 kph (136 mph), according to the French weather service.

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French Gendarmes clearing a road in Mayotte following Cyclone Chido (AP)

It was a category four cyclone, the second strongest on the scale, and the worst to hit Mayotte since the 1930s, prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville said.

Mr Bieuville, the top French government official in the island group, told TV station Mayotte la 1ere on Sunday that the death toll from the cyclone was several hundred people and could even be in the thousands.

But he added it would be extremely hard to count the deaths and many might never be recorded, partly due to the Muslim tradition of burying people within 24 hours.

Mayotte is also a destination for people from even poorer countries, like nearby Comoros and Somalia, who may have entered illegally and thus will be hard to track down.

Rescue teams and supplies have been sent from France and from the nearby French territory of Reunion, which is being used as a bridge to get help to Mayotte.

French authorities said more than 800 more personnel were expected to arrive in the coming days.



A member of the Gendarmerie Nationale inspects debris after Cyclone Chido (Gendarmerie Nationale via AP)

The French government said it will use satellite data to assess the damage, prioritise aid and guide rescue teams.

Mayottes people have previously expressed discontent that their archipelago suffers from underinvestment and neglect by the French government.

Last year, the French army moved to quell protests on the islands after a drought and mismanagement led to water shortages.

The French Interior Ministry said 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers were deployed soon after the cyclone struck to help the population and prevent potential looting.

Having pummelled Mayotte, the cyclone continued west and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday.

It is expected to affect the landlocked southern African nations of Malawi and Zimbabwe, although it has weakened significantly.



Fallen trees along a road in Mayotte (Gendarmerie Nationale via AP)

Local media in Mozambique reported three people died in the countrys north, but that was also a very early count.

Aid agencies have warned that more than two million people could be affected in the country.

Meanwhile, Comoros President Azali Assoumani said in a statement that the damage to his nation was minor.

In Mayotte, damage to the main airport, including to its control tower, meant only military aircraft were allowed to fly in and out, complicating the response.

Ms Darrieussecq, the health minister, said the main hospital had suffered extensive water damage to the surgery, intensive care, emergency and maternity departments.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau arrived on Monday in Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte, according to TF1 television.

December through to March is cyclone season in the south-western Indian Ocean, and southern Africa has been hammered by a series of strong ones in recent years.

Cyclone Idai in 2019 killed more than 1,300 people, mostly in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Cyclone Freddy left more than 1,000 dead across several countries in the Indian Ocean and southern Africa last year.
Germany and France have launched a direct high-speed train between Berlin and Paris.

The connection was hailed as a symbol of a close friendship between the two countries and a sign of Europes potential to attract more travellers to the rails.

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The bullet train, however, is unlikely to be a game-changer.



An inside view of the first Paris-Berlin high speed train (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

At about eight hours, the once-a-day service with German operator Deutsche Bahns ICE trains offers an increase in convenience rather than any major time saving compared with other, indirect connections.

The launch comes as Deutsche Bahn works to shed its reputation for the unreliability it has built up over recent years.

Last month, only 60% of its long-distance trains arrived at their destination punctually  defined as under six minutes late.

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The state-owned operator has embarked on a drive to improve the situation by 2027 and is aiming for punctuality of more than 75%.

A key part of that is a campaign to modernise dozens of stretches of railway.

The first part of that programme was completed when one of the countrys busiest routes, a 70-kilometre (45-mile) stretch between Frankfurt and Mannheim, reopened Sunday  on time  after five months of closure for an overhaul of tracks, stations and other infrastructure.



Passengers prepare to board the first Paris-Berlin high speed train (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

The government blames long-term underinvestment by its predecessors for problems with the railway.

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The new train stops en-route in Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and the French city of Strasbourg, one of the European Parliaments homes.

The westbound train is scheduled to arrive in Paris just before 8pm, while the eastbound one arrives in Berlin just after 6pm.

There is also a slower direct overnight train between the two capitals, three times a week.

That connection was launched last year by Austrian operator OBB, which has spearheaded something of a revival of night trains in Europe after some railways cut them back or abandoned them entirely.

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Deutsche Bahn ended its sleeper service on the route 10 years ago.



An inside view of the first Paris-Berlin high speed train (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

The new Berlin-Paris ICE is part of the annual mid-December shakeup of European train timetables.

Among other things this time around, theres also a new direct high-speed train connection between Munich and Amsterdam, a seven-hour journey.

Germany and France are the European Unions two most populous countries and its biggest economies.

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Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said the new railway connection, operated in collaboration with Frances SNCF, is also a good symbol of the German-French friendship.

German transport minister Volker Wissing also said it is more than just a new, additional offer.

He said: We still have a lot of potential to get as many people as possible onto the rails inside Europe with attractive offers, including for longer journeys and live out this friendship.
Israeli airstrikes hit missile warehouses in Syria in the most violent strikes since 2012, according to a war monitor.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported early on Monday that Israeli airstrikes pounded missile warehouses and other former Syrian army sites along Syrias coast in the most violent strikes in the Syrian coast region since the beginning of the (Israeli) strikes in 2012.

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The Israeli military declined to comment on the strikes.



An Israeli armoured vehicle crosses the security fence moving towards the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria (Matias Delacroix/AP)

The observatory said that violent explosions were heard in the coastal city of Tartous as a result of the successive strikes and the flying of ground-to-ground missiles from the warehouses.

The US embassy in Damascus advised Americans to leave Syria, saying the security situation there continues to be volatile and unpredictable with armed conflict and terrorism throughout the country.

The embassy, which has been closed since 2012, posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, warning US citizens who are unable to leave the country to prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and did not give further details.

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The statement also said that the US government is unable to provide any routine or emergency consular services to US citizens and those who need emergency assistance to depart should contact the US Embassy in the country they plan to enter.

Sleeper cells of the Islamic State group have claimed responsibility for deadly attacks over the past months in different parts of Syria.

Despite their defeat in March 2019, the extremists still pose a threat in the war-torn country.



Israeli soldiers cross the security fence moving towards the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria (Matias Delacroix/AP)

Israel has been pounding what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of President Bashar Assads rule, wiping out air defences and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army.

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Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.

The Assad familys rule, which lasted more than half a century, collapsed just over a week ago following a rebel advance.

This has renewed fears of regional instability as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza shows no signs of halting and hostilities between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah continue despite a ceasefire.

The new Syrian administration, led by the former insurgents who toppled Assad, has complained to the UN Security Council about the Israeli bombardment and incursions into Syrian territory in the Golan Heights.

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However, it has also said it does not want a military confrontation with Israel.
A teenage student opened fire on Monday at a private Christian school in the US state of Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another teenager during the final week before the Christmas break.

The teenager who opened fire also died, police said.

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The teenager also wounded others at Abundant Life Christian School, including two students who were in a critical condition, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said.

Im feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas, Mr Barnes said. Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.



Emergency vehicles parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison (Scott Bauer/AP)

A 17-year-old female student had opened fire, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously.

Police said the person who opened fire was dead apparently by suicide when officers arrived.

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Abundant Life is a non-denominational Christian school, from nursery to secondary school, with approximately 390 students in Madison, the state capital.

After the shooting, students were led next door to City Church where buses took them elsewhere to be reunited with families.

Meanwhile, nine schools in Madison were locked down for a few hours as a precaution.





My full statement on the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School today in Madison.



I'm directing flags across the state to be immediately lowered to half-staff as we honor those whose lives were senselessly taken in this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/HYIjVYcqaF  Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) December 16, 2024

As difficult as today is, thats still someones child thats gone, the chief said.

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A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, he added.

I dont know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening, Mr Barnes said.

Someone from the school called police to report an active shooter shortly before 11am.

Emergency services personnel who were in training just three miles away went to the school for an actual emergency, Mr Barnes said.

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Investigators believe the weapon used was a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.



A family leaves the reunification centre (Morry Gash/AP)

Im not aware that the school had metal detectors nor should schools have metal detectors. Its a safe space, Mr Barnes said.

Police blocked off roads around the school. Federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement.

Abundant Life asked for prayers in a brief Facebook post.

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Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, went to the school and learned over FaceTime that her daughter was safe.

As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters, Ms Highman said. Theres nobody around you. You just bolt for the door and try to do everything you can as a parent to be with your kids.

In a statement, the White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and officials were in touch with local authorities to provide support.



Police outside the Abundant Life Christian School (Morry Gash/AP)

As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home, Wisconsin governor Tony Evers said.

This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.

It was the the latest among dozens of school shootings across the US in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida, and Uvalde, Texas.

The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active drills in their classrooms.

But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws.

Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a non-profit organisation that researches healthcare issues.

Madison mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the country needs to do more to prevent gun violence.

I hoped that this day would never come to Madison, she said.
A teenage student opened fire at a private Christian school on Monday in the US state of Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another student in the final week before Christmas break.

The gunman also died, police said.

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Madison police chief Shon Barnes offered no details on the victims but said other people were wounded at Abundant Life Christian School, a school with about 390 students.

Police previously said five people had died.





I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond.  Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) December 16, 2024

Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison but for our entire country, Mr Barnes told reporters.

He said police were alerted shortly before 11am and did not fire their weapons when they went into the school. Mr Barnes suggested the gunman died by suicide.

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They found the person responsible who was down, deceased, he said.

The wounded had injuries ranging broadly from minor to life-threatening, Mr Barnes said.

Im feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas, he said.

Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.

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Someone from the school called 911 to report an active shooter, Mr Barnes said. He said the police training centre is three miles from the school and staff responded from there.

What began as a training day became an actual day, he said.

Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official said.

Im not aware that the school had metal detectors nor should schools have metal detectors. Its a safe space, Mr Barnes said.

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Police blocked off roads around the school. Federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement.

We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond, Wisconsin governor Tony Evers said in a statement.

In a statement, the White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and officials were in touch with authorities to provide support.

Abundant Life Christian School is non-denominational.

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John Diaz De Leon, who lives nearby and attends the adjacent City Church, told WMTV-TV he heard an intense blare of sirens as police responded.

I didnt know there were that many squad cars in Madison. We saw a few guys with long guns. They went into the school with a dog, Mr De Leon said.

Later on I saw groups of kids coming out of the school into the church sanctuary.
Filmmaker Michael Moore, who was named in a manifesto found in the backpack of accused killer Luigi Mangione, has declared that he wants to pour gasoline on American anger against the health insurance industry.

The director of such documentaries as Bowling For Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko wrote that media outlets repeatedly asked whether he wanted to condemn murder after his work was cited by Mangione, the 26-year-old who has been charged with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson on a New York street.

Some people have stepped forward to condemn this anger. I am not one of them: Filmmaker Michael Moore. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

In a post on the subscription-based platform Substack, Moore wrote that there had been an immediate outpouring of anger toward the health insurance industry after Thompsons death.

Some people have stepped forward to condemn this anger, he wrote. I am not one of them.
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Almost a decade after opening the fire-powered Surry Hills fine diner alongside Leon Fink, Lennox Hastie is preparing to go it alone.

One of the most enduring partnerships at the top end of Sydney dining has ended. Veteran restaurateur Leon Fink has divested his ownership in Surry Hills twin-toqued Firedoor restaurant and its Basque wine bar spin-off Gildas, selling to chef-partner Lennox Hastie.

Fink, who has a stable of top-tier Sydney restaurants including Quay and Bennelong, backed the talent of British-born Hastie, who worked at Asador Etxebarri in Spain and moved to Australia with a dream to create something similar, cooking over fire in Sydney.

Chef Lennox Hastie has always been centre stage at Firedoor. Edwina Pickles

Hastie joined Fink in 2011 while they searched for a restaurant site. They found, then passed over, a Chippendale location, then a deal on a former adult bookstore in Kings Cross fell through. A proposed opening on the rooftop at the Paramount Pictures Building didnt proceed.

Four long years later, in 2015, they opened Firedoor on Mary Street, Surry Hills, followed seven years later by Gildas, a minutes walk away in Albion Street.
Like many people, but especially women, Hayley Jiang will take precautions to ensure her safety.

I look behind me if Im walking at night, and especially if its a dark street, the 22-year-old says. I will avoid those dark streets.

Shell also let others in her personal community know her whereabouts.

UNSW student Hayley Jiang.

If Im going somewhere, or meeting up with somebody I dont know, I will let someone know that Im doing this and they will receive a text message from me, she explains.
Loading Officials said the men would receive health checks, be able to access support services and continue their rehabilitation at Indonesias request. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said that no payback conditions were written into the deal that secured the mens return following years of delicate negotiations. I had the opportunity to speak to a number of the parents last night of these people, Albanese said. They are grateful that their sons have been able to return home. They did a serious crime and they have rightly paid a serious price for it. The so-called ringleaders of the Bali Nine, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015, and Renae Lawrence was released in 2018. Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died from cancer in 2018. The nightmare isnt over

Harris said that Rushs parents were focusing on how to help their son integrate into Australian society after almost 20 years. Rushs parents had been the ones to tip off the Australian Federal Police about their sons crime, hoping he would be stopped from leaving Australia. The nightmare in some ways isnt over, Harris said. Theyre under no illusions as to what they themselves will need to do. Theyre still trying to work that out, because heres your lost son  to use a biblical image  whos come home, and here they are with outstretched arms ready to hug [him]. Harris said Australians should understand the process would not be easy for the men. As I understand it, they havent had a shower  a proper shower  for 20 years, he said. How do you reintegrate someone  into an environment thats changed, because you yourself have changed, hes changed, the parents have changed, the familys changed, Australias changed. Putu Murdiana, division head of Bali corrections, said the men were happy to go home. We talked about the past 20 years, how they were during their prison times, the programs they went through, programs they helped set up and assist, what they learned, he said on Monday.

Matthew [Norman] said [in Indonesian], I am overwhelmed. Its happening so fast, I am out of words to say, I am speechless. I am happy I am going home. But he said the men also felt an attachment to Indonesia, to the people they met, the family bond they formed, like with the prison officers, other inmates  They had to say goodbye to them at the same time. Kerobokan Prison doctor Agung Hartawan, who had looked after all nine at various times since 2005, said on Monday they had left so swiftly that he did not get a chance to say goodbye or take the farewell photograph that he had planned. I started my shift this morning  I was on leave since Thursday  and only then I learned that the Bali Nine have all gone home, he said.

Loading But he was elated they had finally been released. He formed his strongest relationships with Norman and Chen because they were in Kerobokan the longest, often joking that he was tired of looking at them and it was time for them to leave. For almost 20 years, Ive known them. Matthew was just a teenager then. I am happy they are back home ... I would like to say goodbye and safe journey. I hope they get to start anew. Melbourne pastor Christie Buckingham, who walked with Sukumaran in the moments before his execution, said the men had received a second chance. [It is] an opportunity for these men to reintegrate into society, contribute meaningfully, and demonstrate the growth they have undergone over two decades. Its going to take some time

Education Minister Jason Clare said on Monday the mens rehabilitation process was under way in Darwin. When youve been in prison for the best part of two decades, its going to take some time for these men to rehabilitate and to reintegrate into Australian society, he said. Loading The Indonesian wives of two of the men, Norman and Stephens, had not followed them to Australia. If their partners wish to come to Australia, then that would be the subject of the normal visa-processing requirements, Clare said. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton sympathised with the men and their families on Monday. At a personal level, and for their families, particularly coming into Christmas, you can understand the excitement and the relief that theyll have, he said. But he said they did not return as heroes. They havent been in political captivity  they have been sentenced under the rules of law that operate in that country for trying to import heroin, he said.
It reads like a script from a movie. A small-town boy from coastal NSW who grew up to rub shoulders with the rich and the powerful and, if the stories are true, con them out of a whole lot of money.

Timothy John Alford is accused of being a serial swindler, cheating dozens of people in Australia and in the United States out of an estimated $50 million.

In the latest edition of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Ages Morning Edition podcast, investigative journalists Kate McClymont and Harriet Alexander take listeners behind the scenes of how they followed the trail of an alleged con artist.

To listen, click the player below, or read on for an extract of their conversation with host Samantha Selinger-Morris.
The Hegseth questions

By Mark Alexander

web posted December 16, 2024

As Donald Trump configures his cabinet-level nominees, it is clear he has the same end-result objectives he had in 2016. However, he has significantly refined and amplified his strategy in order to achieve those objectives.

As context for Trump's cabinet and administrative goals, allow me to repeat what he did so well in 2016. As I noted then: "The day he arrived in DC, he dropped a bomb on the Beltway status quo in Congress and its special interests. He dropped a bomb on the regulatory behemoths and their bureaucratic bottlenecks. He dropped a bomb on the trade and national security institutions and alliances that had failed miserably over the previous eight years. And he dropped a bomb on all the pundits and mainstream media outlets."

Those bombs created a level of chaos in their target zones like never seen before. For the record, Trump is at his best when managing chaos. Unfortunately, his communications too often undermined his success, but notably, since the first assassination attempt on his life in July, the tenor and tempo of his communications have moderated.

Ben Domenech, cofounder of The Federalist and the RedState group and now Editor at Large of The Spectator World and a brilliant contributor with Fox News, offered an interesting perspective on what Trump is doing differently this time around.

Under the title, "Trump 47 is transforming what a cabinet means," Domenech notes:

Cabinets and top officials are most often drawn from a pool of experienced politicians with lengthy resumes, earned from decades of service in varied capacities and concentration in their particular area. ... The cabinet Donald Trump has assembled has a wealth of experience doing battle on a different front: through a rapidly changing media and communications environment which proved so key to Trump's own success in 2024. ... Look across the range of nominees and it's obvious what nearly all of them have in common: they are communicators, not administrators. ... A pattern is emerging in all of this: pair a figure from central casting, loyal to Trump but perhaps lacking in subject matter experience, with solid deputies expected to do the tough behind the scenes work of upending the administrative state. The latter will have the tougher task, given the fact that much as the "resistance" effort is muted this time around, it still exists and thrives within the bureaucracies opposed to the president-elect's dramatic promises of reform and redirection.

For the record, I think Trump's revised cabinet criterion is brilliant, and thousands of the nominees ready to fill those deputy- and lower-level administrative positions to push Trump's agenda have already been thoroughly vetted by The Heritage Foundation's grossly defamed Project 2025. Despite Trump's disingenuous attempt to distance himself from Project 2025 after the Demos' Leftmedia publicists cast it as a fascist playbook, let's hope those folks make it through the appointment process.

The success of Trump's second-term agenda will ultimately be measured by his ability to dismantle the administrative state by first exposing and dismantling the biggest obstacles to that agenda  all the pockets of deep state activists who are the most strident advocates for statist power.

Among the government bureaucracies most infused with such activists would be the Department of Justice, that infusion also being the most consequential threat to Rule of Law and, by extension, American Liberty. That is precisely why it was critical for Trump to choose the right person as his attorney general. Fortunately, after the unforced error of floating former Rep. Matt Gaetz, he has nominated Pam Bondi.

She received the immediate, however unintentional, endorsement of an MSNBC talkinghead: "Pam Bondi is what I said we should fear because she is competent. ... She is a dangerous and effective pick."

Despite broader objections by some Beltway media outlets that just don't understand Trump's bomb-dropping calculus, other than Gaetz, only one other nominee has given me cause for pause, and that is Pete Hegseth.

The Department of Defense is the largest bureaucracy on the planet, and Hegseth has the right ideas about top-down eradication of all the failed DoD "leadership" under the woefully inept commander-in-chief Joe Biden. There needs to be a reckoning, ridding DoD of all those responsible for the flood of bloodshed worldwide as a direct result of their collective ineptitude.

However, I do not think he is the most qualified bomb-dropper Trump could have chosen. As with Gaetz, Trump has some serious blind spots regarding Hegseth's capabilities and character.

Yes, Hegseth is a smart and shrewd "disruptor," and those who attempt to cast him as just a celebrity "Fox News personality" are badly mistaken.

Regarding the resistance to his nomination, Hegseth claims: "I'm doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers. The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of [Donald Trump]  and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don't want truth. Our warriors never back down, and neither will I."

Hegseth has a lot of support from frontline warriors, and he is right about his objections to anonymously sourced claims that Demos and their Leftmedia platforms use as fodder for smear tactics. They have mastered what former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called a "wrap-up smear."

The loudest of the wrap-up smear allegations Hegseth is rebutting concern sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse, and mismanaging a nonprofit veterans organization.

It will be difficult for him to shake the allegations regarding sexual assault because, the facts notwithstanding, the context for those allegations reveal a disgraceful side of Hegseth's character, which his former Fox News colleague Megyn Kelly detailed.

He claims that behavior is in his past.

When those allegations broke, Trump wavered in his support for his nominee, saying Hegseth should have disclosed the controversy beforehand. This implies that Trump's team did not sufficiently vet Hegseth, and I do not believe that.

Still, there are legitimate questions conservatives should ask about Hegseth without knee-jerk condemnations from his most vociferous supporters, like Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).

Among two prominent claims his supporters cite as fitness in terms of professional ability and personal character are that he is a combat veteran who was awarded two Bronze Stars and he is a father of seven.

Regarding those Bronze Stars, last week, some leading Leftmedia outlets, most notably The Washington Post, suggested that Hegseth's Bronze Stars are nothing more than "participation trophies." That is a gross mischaracterization.

To be clear, the Army issues two classifications of Bronze Stars, though most people don't understand the distinction and associate the medal with "heroic action in combat."

Bronze Stars issued with a "V" indicate the recipient is being recognized for an act of valor in combat  heroic action. In the many Profiles of Valor that I have written, I always note that distinction when referencing Bronze Star recipients with "V." The vast majority of valor recipients are enlisted warfighters.

The second category of Bronze Stars is those issued for "meritorious service" in a combat theater. Most of these go to officers, and both of Hegseth's Bronze Stars fall into this category.

While the distinction is important, Pete Hegseth has never embellished any claims about the Bronze Stars he received for his National Guard service in Iraq and Afghanistan, unlike the stolen valor claims of Kamala Harris's former National Guard running mate, Tim Walz.

Fact is, Hegseth served honorably in combat, as evidenced by his Combat Infantryman Badge.

That second claim about being a "father of seven," as if he is a model husband and father, falls far short of the reality. During the time he was married to the first of his three wives, he admitted to five affairs. He had three children with his second wife but had an affair and a child with a mistress during that marriage. After divorcing her, he married the Fox News producer with whom he had that child, and she has three young children from her first marriage. Thus, "father of seven."

Again, Hegseth says he is now a changed man of faith.

Regarding alcohol abuse, while he has denied that he mismanaged funds due to that abuse, he has pledged to stop drinking if he is confirmed. I would recommend he stop now.

There have been other leftist objections about Hegseth, including absurd claims about his Christian tattoo "Deus Vult"  meaning "God wills it," a Latin phrase associated with the Crusades.

Please. By the way, his Jerusalem cross tattoo is not a NAZI iron cross either, as some adolescent influencer chatterheads insist.

As National Review's Jim Geraghty concludes, tattoos are not a reason to oppose Hegseth. But is he qualified to run what Geraghty notes is "the Department of Defense, America's largest employer with 1.3 million active-duty service members, 750,000 civilian personnel, and more than 811,000 National Guard and Reserve service members"?

Geraghty adds, "The task of streamlining the byzantine and sclerotic bureaucracy and its obscure and disorganized finances  seven consecutive failed audits and counting!  is gargantuan, and there's not a lot of time for on-the-job training. That task has bedeviled many more-experienced figures who preceded Hegseth."

Aside from Hegseth's character issues, Trump did not choose him to police DoD dating and drinking standards for enlisted men and women. He chose him to drop a bomb on the woke DoD establishment that the Biden/Harris regime has cultivated over the last four years.

However, as I noted above, Hegseth is not the most qualified bomb-dropper Trump could have chosen, despite his fitting the "communicator" criterion. Frankly, I am surprised that, like Gaetz, who had similar character flaws and qualification shortfalls, Hegseth has not withdrawn as the DoD nominee.

But if he makes it through the nomination process, I suspect that he will have a strong deputy- and lower-level administrative team to manage the DoD, gain rank-and-file support, and get some much-needed cleanup done.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
The federal government will spend $1 billion as it reboots assessments for the National Disability Insurance Scheme after years of argument about who should qualify for support, scaling up the key agencies charged with bringing its spiralling costs under control.

The investment in 1000 more staff and a crackdown on NDIS fraud are part of a broader spending program to be revealed in Wednesdays mid-year budget update, adding to a series of changes that are slowing the growth of the $47 billion scheme but also revoking peoples plans at higher rates.

Labor is spending $1 billion more on the NDIS in a bid to curb the growth of the scheme. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Labor will use the budget update on Wednesday to reveal $16.3 billion in new spending over four years on government payments, such as the aged pension, while also blaming unavoidable factors for adding another $8.8 billion to the cost burden.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher will argue that the additional spending will be partly offset by $14.6 billion in additional savings and reprioritisations  scaling back spending in some parts of the government to spend the funds elsewhere.
The alleged Chinese spy who had a close business relationship with the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo.

The businessman had been the subject of a court anonymity order and was referred to only as H6.

Yang initially appealed against the lifting of the order and was granted interim relief, but on Monday, Guy Vassalt-Adams, his barrister, said his client wished to set aside the order of anonymity and the High Court ruled that he could be named.

Vassalt-Adams said: There has been an enormous amount of media reporting in relation to this story and in particular in relation to the relationship between my client H6 and Prince Andrew, as well as a huge amount of speculation about the identity of my client.
London: Defence Minister Richard Marles has left the door open to greater Australian military co-operation with allies in Ukraine  including an ongoing role in peacekeeping  as Europe debates potentially sending in troops as part of any post-war security pact.

European leaders are planning to meet this week in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to discuss peace plans and the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles in London for the Australia-UK ministerial consultations. Credit: AP

The meeting comes after pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump for European countries to monitor any future peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow by sending troops to Ukraine.

Meeting British counterparts in London on Monday, Marles said Australia would stand side-by-side with the UK in its efforts to support Ukraine in its war against Russia and said his governments support was there for the long term.
Kyiv: A Ukrainian drone struck a campus belonging to Russias National Guard on Sunday in the Russian region of Chechnya, continuing Kyivs response to a mass air attack from Moscow.

Footage on social media showed a drone swooping low over the Chechen capital, Grozny, some 800 kilometres south-east of the front line in Ukraine, before exploding. No casualties were reported.

A drone targets a base in Grozny, Russia.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov confirmed the drone hit a site belonging to the Akhmat Grozny riot police battalion and said air defences had shot down two other drones.

Kadyrov pledged revenge on Ukrainian forces and said he had ordered a missile strike against military facilities in Kharkiv in retaliation. The claim could not be independently verified.
Bashar al-Assad has said Russia forced him to flee Syria and that he wanted to continue fighting the terrorist onslaught.

In his first statement since the fall of Damascus, the former president said he went to the Russian air base in Latakia on December 8 to oversee combat operations as the rebels took the capital.

Deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Credit: AP

After the base came under drone fire, Moscow ordered an immediate evacuation to Russia, Assad said.

At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party, he said.
Madison: A 15-year-old girl opened fire in a Wisconsin school classroom on Tuesday (AEDT), fatally shooting a fellow student and a teacher and wounding six other people before killing herself with the handgun, police said.

The latest school shooting to devastate a US community took place at the Abundant Life Christian School, a private institution that teaches some 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Madison, the state capital of about 270,000 people.

An emergency vehicle outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Credit: AP

Two students who were wounded in the shooting had life-threatening injuries, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told a press conference. A teacher and three other students were shot and expected to survive.

The shooter was identified as Natalie Rupnow, who also went by the name Samantha, Barnes said.
Homes in these areas tend to hold their value even during downturns, with residents staying for years  far longer than the national average. This scarcity and demand make these properties highly sought after but difficult to acquire.
The conversations were really what it was about; the fact we were able to speak to as many people as we did, and have some enquiries on the website on back of it is really great, he said.
The initiative aims to deliver up to 5,000 new social homes as part of the governments broader goal to construct 40,000 social and affordable dwellings over five years under both the HAFFF and the National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF).
Beware of Iran's dash to nuclear weapons By Dr. Dan Diker

web posted December 16, 2024 Following Israel's amputation of two tentacles of the Iranian regime's terrorist octopus  Hamas in Gaza and Hizbullah in Lebanon  and the subsequent collapse of its Syrian satrap province  it may seem that the mullahs of Tehran have been neutralized. However, the regime still constitutes a nuclear threat. The Islamic Republic sees these setbacks as an opportunity to establish a new nuclear deterrent against Israel. This is evidenced by a piece published on October 26, 2024, by Gholamreza Sadeghian, editor-in-chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated newspaper Javan, in which he points to the growing sentiment within Iran to "go nuclear." Iran's Supreme Council of National Security has also called to re-evaluate the Supreme Leader's fatwa (religious ruling) against nuclear weapons "because circumstances have changed." On November 23, Iranian Majles National Security Committee member Ahmad Ardestani, who called for withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), suggested that Iran take the North Korean route: "The West does not mess with North Korea because it has atomic bombs."

Iranian missiles and launchers hidden in Iranian tunnels. (Iranian press) These regime declarations demonstrate Iran's accelerating efforts to achieve nuclear capability. At the same time, the regime is vulnerable after the Israeli Air Force's (IAF) recent denuding of its air defenses, exposing highly-valued military targets to follow-on air assaults. Consequently, Tehran will likely avoid additional attacks on Israel until the Islamic Republic has achieved nuclear capability. The operational threat is not mere conjecture. After Iran crossed red lines twice by attacking Israel directly in 2024 and enriching uranium past 60 percent, the regime is close to the nuclear finish line. Should Iran choose to "break out," it would initially detonate a nuclear device in one of its numerous deserts, probably in the large and remote Dasht-e-Kavir (Salt Desert) in the north-central region of the country. The regime hopes that a detonation of this kind would convince foes, "friends," and the great powers, that Iran is a nuclear player. The IRGC, which maintains operational control of Iran's nuclear programs, is aware that desert detonations may not deter Israel from surgically striking Iran's principal atomic sites. The IRGC and Iranian nuclear engineers are likely rushing efforts to develop deliverable nuclear weapons capability. Attaching a deliverable core device in the nosecones of Iran's existing substantial ballistic missile force remains complicated, but ultimately achievable. Israel infiltrated Iran in 2018 and stole the IRGC's bomb plans. Photos and blueprints of the nuclear bomb core were made public. The IRGC's distinct interest is in closing this window of opportunity for Israel and the United States to strike at Iran's nuclear targets, and in the meantime, eliciting weaponization know-how from Russia and North Korea. The danger is real that Iran's powerful revolutionary clique of aging theocratic zealots might invite Armageddon by seeking to launch a ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead against Israel, particularly if their regime is in imminent danger of collapse. Israeli and Western policymakers must not assume that the Iranian regime will alter its apocalyptic Shiite theological view of the world or adjust its aggressive regional actions to accommodate changing power realities. There are still enough true believers in the regime hierarchy who embrace Shiism's medieval theorems, namely, that the apocalypse will usher in the global "Golden Age" of Shiism, to assume that the regime will not act irrationally in an existential crisis. The West needs to internalize this risk and be prepared to act preemptively. Dr. Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, is the longtime Director of its Counter-Political Warfare Project. He is former Secretary-General of the World Jewish Congress and a Research Fellow of the International Institute for Counter Terrorism at Reichman University (formerly IDC, Herzliya). He has written six books exposing the "apartheid antisemitism" phenomenon in North America, and has authored studies on Iran's race for regional supremacy and Israel's need for defensible borders. Home
Laura Ruiz-Roehrs pitches her company, Code Flight, during Geekdom's holiday pitch competition Thursday. The computer coding platform won the competition and its $30,000 grand prize. Alexandra Contreras/Courtesy Geekdom James Oleen pitches his company, American Tenet, during Geekdom's holiday pitch competition Thursday. The drone development company placed 2nd in the competition garnering $20,000. Alexandra Contreras/Courtesy Geekdom Geekdom CEO Charles Wooden speaks during the State-of-Geekdom invitation-only luncheon Thursday at the Briscoe Museum of Western Art in San Antonio. Robin Jerstad Laura Ruiz-Roehrs pitches her company, Code Flight, during Geekdom's holiday pitch competition Thursday. The computer coding platform won the competition and its $30,000 grand prize. Alexandra Contreras/Courtesy Geekdom

Two startup companies  the developer of a platform that teaches computer coding and a maker of drones that can fly for weeks  scored big at Geekdoms holiday pitch competition, walking away with a combined $50,000.

The annual Shark Tank-style event at the downtown coworking space pitted five early-stage firms against one another for funds to grow their businesses.

The event doled out the most cash in a single pitch event since Geekdoms Community Fund launched in 2018.

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Laura Ruiz-Roehrs and her company, Code Flight, a self-paced computer coding training platform, won the competition last week and took home $30,000. The San Antonio company launched in May and currently has 150 subscribers for its services.

Ive been part of the Geekdom community for a while now, and I just felt supported through the whole journey, she said. I was very excited to win and more excited to kind of see whats ahead for Code Flight in the next year.

Ruiz-Roehrs got the idea for the business after seeing students struggle in expensive and time-demanding coding boot camps and other self-taught coding programs.

I wanted to build something thats in between self-taught coding and coding boot camps, she said.

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Individual subscriptions for the training cost $37 a month. Ruiz-Roehrs said shes also launching a priority boarding program for Code Flight that will offer six months of free access as well as monthly check-ins.

James Oleen and his company American Tenet, which is developing unmanned aerial vehicles that can fly for weeks without an engine, earned second place and took home $20,000. The firm is developing drones that use wind currents to fly for long periods using a proprietary computer vision model to detect and track wind currents for extended soaring operations, according to a company description.

The drone Oleens company is developing is based on Naval Research Laboratory research, he said.

We are putting glasses onto this platform that the Naval Research Laboratory did to create a computer vision model based off the tactics of a glider pilot to proactively find the wind, and we hope to demonstrate that at the end of next year, Oleen said.

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While his 35-person team is scattered across the country, he sees San Antonio as the companys home.

When they called that American Tenet won second place, it didnt really register. I just kind of stood there, he said. So it took me a minute to take action to get up there, but (it was) just a lot of fun and it was really cool just to get a lot of kudos and congratulations from all my peers.

The other finalists were Artist Dev, which helps musicians monetize their art and expand their reach; Bobi Health, a mobile app for expectant mothers that uses artificial intelligence to predict pregnancy risks; and Gene Paradox, a software to help biotechnology research and development.

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The funds are given as Simple Agreement for Future Equity, or SAFE, notes, Geekdom CEO Charles Woodin said.
A rendering from Tesla shows a lithium refinery the Austin-based EV maker is building at Robstown, near Corpus Christi. Tesla Tesla CEO Elon Musk, left, with Gov. Greg Abbott at a groundbreaking ceremony last year for the Austin-based auto manufacturers lithium refining facility in Robstown. Angela Piazza/Corpus Christi Caller-Times Tesla CEO Elon Musk, right, listens to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speak to a crowd during a May 2023 groundbreaking ceremony for the auto manufacturer's proposed lithium refining facility in Robstown. Angela Piazza/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP

Tesla Inc. has begun operations at its new lithium refinery near Corpus Christi, a plant CEO Elon Musk said eventually would produce enough of the material for batteries in 1 million electric vehicles per year  and could expand beyond that.

In the year-and-a-half since Gov. Greg Abbott joined him to break ground at the 1,200-acre site in Robstown  at a time Musk was promising that lithium refining would be basically minting money  prices have fallen as the market has become oversupplied.

On Sunday, though, Tesla North America said raw materials were successfully fed through the plants kiln for the first time last week.

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Increasing lithium refining capacity is critical to a sustainable energy economy, the Austin-based EV maker said in a post on X heralding the milestone toward production.

It didnt provide further details, nor did it respond Monday to a request for comment.

At the May 2023 groundbreaking, Musk said the $375 million plant, the first large-scale refinery for battery grade lithium in the U.S., would begin production in 2025.

In August, a report from energy consultant Wood Mackenzie called a looming lithium oversupply undisputed. It drew a distinction between battery-grade lithium like that Tesla will be producing and lower-quality, technical-grade lithium, which isnt suitable for batteries.

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The oversupply for battery-grade lithium wont be as pronounced as for the raw materials and lower-grade refined products, it said  but remains a factor. The reason: Production is outpacing demand as EV sales have fallen, with oversupply of battery-grade lithium projected to continue through 2028.

According to an October report from Reuters, China is responsible for about two-thirds of the worlds lithium chemical output for use in batteries for EVs, phones, computers and other rechargeable consumer electronics.

At Robstown, Tesla is refining lithium from spodumene, according to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permitting documents.

Spodumene concentrate is a lithium ore thats mined. Australia, Canada and the U.S. are its top producing countries, and there are deposits in China, Brazil and parts of Africa. Tesla gets most of its supply from Piedmont Lithium of Canada and Liontown Resources of Australia.

On Nov. 19, the TCEQ approved Teslas request to renew its Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit after responding to six public comments with concerns about the plants potential environmental impacts.

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Traditional lithium refining is water- and energy-intensive, requires powerful acids and creates hazardous byproducts, but Tesla says the refining process its developed for the Robstown site is less harmful to the environment.

Teslas process involves mixing table salt, instead of acids, with the spodumene concentrate. It is then mixed with water and agitated at high temperatures to create a lithium-rich slurry. Its then filtered and purified to eventually produce lithium hydroxide, a key ingredient for batteries.

From there, the lithium hydroxide is transported to one of Teslas battery plants, such as its Gigafactory Texas in Austin.

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This process eliminates the use of hazardous reagents and byproducts in favor of more inert options, Tesla said in a statement. The byproduct from this facility, a mixture of sand and limestone, is useful in the production of construction materials, making beneficial use of traditional waste streams.
By Cate McCurry, PA

The Taoiseach has said that Ireland will not be silenced about its views on Israels war on Gaza, after Israel said it would close its Dublin embassy.

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar announced the closure in a statement on Sunday, saying it was due to the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government, accusing Ireland of crossing every red line.

Simon Harris accused Israel of engaging in distraction policies, adding that he was very proud of Ireland standing up for the Palestinian people.

Earlier this year, the Irish government officially recognised the Palestinian state and, last week, it emerged that Ireland would formally intervene in South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Israels ambassador to Dublin was recalled in May following the Palestinian state recognition.

Speaking to reporters in Dun Laoghaire on Monday, Mr Harris was asked why Ireland had been targeted by the Israeli government.

Id respectfully suggest that possibly because it works as a distraction. Youre all here today asking about Irelands position. What about Israels actions? Mr Harris said.

Israels ambassador to Dublin was recalled in May (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

What about what (Israeli prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is doing to the innocent children of Gaza? This is the diplomacy of distraction. I think it is deeply regrettable that they took that decision. They have every right to take that decision to close the embassy. Id rather it didnt happen.

We will continue to engage, continue to engage diplomatically, but nobody is going to silence Ireland. We know right from wrong.

We value human rights, we respect international law.

We expect international law to be applied consistently.

Mr Harris said he would keep the Irish embassy in Israel open.

We will also not allow our position to be misrepresented by Israel, by the government of Israel, he added.

Do you know what I think is reprehensible? Killing children. I think thats reprehensible. You know what I think is reprehensible? Seeing the scale of civilian deaths that weve seen in Gaza.

You know what I think is reprehensible? About people being left to starve and humanitarian aid not flowing.

Mr Saar said at the weekend: The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the de-legitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards.

Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.

Israel will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries worldwide according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states towards Israel.

In response to the decision by the Israeli government to close its embassy, a Fine Gael councillor and mayor of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Jim OLeary accused the Irish government of engaging in a populist anti-Israeli position.

He tweeted: The decision to seek a reinterpretation of the (definition) of genocide and intervene in the ICJ case lacks credibility and is both reprehensible and diplomatic suicide.

Mr Harris said the views of Mr OLeary were not high up in his priorities.

My priority here is continuing to shine the spotlight on whats happening in the Middle East, and we shouldnt allow anything to distract from what is happening, Mr Harris added.

Of course, people can have different views, but we should never, ever, ever allow one decision, including yesterdays, to distract from the reality.

Im very proud of the position of this country. Im very proud of the position of people right across Ireland that we are pro-human rights, we are pro-international law.
Stephen Maguire

A man who stepped outside a Co Donegal bar with another man to settle their differences left his victim with a serious head injury following a one-punch attack, a court has heard.

Sean Breen appeared before Donegal Circuit Court after the assault on Damian McFadden outside the Atlantic Bar in Buncrana.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to assault causing harm during the assault on August 9th, 2019.

Garda Michael Rafferty outlined the details of the case.

Shocking CCTV footage of the incident was played in court which showed the full extent of the incident.

The accused and another man are seen entering the bar on the town's Main Street and Breen begins to have words with Mr McFadden.

The three men go outside and words are exchanged between the accused and the victim before Breen delivers a punch with his left hand to the face of Mr McFadden.

The victim is seen falling back and banging his head before going unconscious.

Garda Rafferty said that gardai arrived on the scene and found ambulance personnel at the scene who were very eager to get Mr McFadden to hospital following the assault.

He told of one eye witness who said that Mr McFadden was "out for the count with blood coming out of his mouth."

Mr McFadden began to come around and was rushed to hospital but could not remember the incident saying he could not understand why gardai wanted details from him.

Mr McFadden discharged himself from hospital at 1:20am on August 10th.

However, the court was told that the following day he was not feeling well and had pains in his head and was being sick.

He was rushed back to Letterkenny University Hospital but was sent to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital where he spent almost two weeks getting treatment for a serious head injury before being released on August 22nd.

CCTV of the incident had been downloaded and local Detective Garda Jason Conroy made a positive identification of Sean Breen at the scene.

Breen, of Marianus Park, Hazel Bank in Derry, was arrested and interviewed and admitted assaulting Mr McFadden following a disagreement over a person they both knew.

The court was also told that Mr McFadden had passed away on January 17th, 2022, but that this was not connected in any way to the incident before the court.

Garda Rafferty said that Breen had a number of previous convictions in Northern Ireland for common assault, dangerous driving, not having insurance, taking a car without consent and failing to stop for police but had no convictions in this jurisdiction.

Barrister for the accused Mr Shane Costelloe, SC, said the evidence suggested that the brain injury was not as a result of the punch but as a result of the fall from which Mr McFadden had banged his head.

Mr Costelloe said that his client had said during interview that he had consumed a lot of alcohol and that he felt threatened during the encounter.

Mr Costelloe quoted his client saying "I felt threatened and I was just defending myself."

He added that this incident happened when he was a younger man and that he has not come before any court since 2014.

He said that on the night in question, his client was 24 years old, was drunk and had just broken up with his then girlfriend.

Because of this he had gone from someone who rarely drank to someone who "went off the rails," said Mr Costelloe and on the night he had got it into his head that there was bad blood between a mutual friend and Mr McFadden.

He added that Breen is very ashamed of what he did and that the weight of his actions weigh very heavily on him to the extent that he attends mental health treatment in Northern Ireland.

He added that while it was no excuse, he wanted to point out that this was very much a one punch attack and it was not followed up by any "savagery" such as kicks to the head.

The accused works full-time as a landscaper and has three children.

Mr Costelloe pleaded with Judge Aylmer to consider a sentence that would allow him to be put on a path that would allow him to continue to be a father and a member of society and to be able to make recompense for what he has done saying his client can remain to be law abiding.

Judge Aylmer said he will consider the matter and will deliver his sentence next week.
By Rebecca Black, PA

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald has urged anyone with information that could lead to the discovery of the remains of any of the Disappeared to bring it forward.

Ms McDonald was speaking after a media report that a Sinn Fein member had been named as having been involved in the disappearance of Co Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that a republican had named three men he said were involved in the IRAs disappearance of Mr McVeigh, and that the man named as the gravedigger was a Sinn Fein member well known in his local community.

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald said there was a well-established channel now for all information to be brought forward to Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

They also reported that this information had been given to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR).

The sixth search for Mr McVeigh, who was disappeared in 1975 at the age of 19, ended without success at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan in 2023.

Some 17 people were murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

The ICLVR was set up by the UK and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate their whereabouts. Thirteen have been formally found.

Mr McVeigh, as well as former monk Joe Lynskey, British Army Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh, remain missing.

Asked about the newspaper report in Belfast on Monday, Ms McDonald asked for anyone with information to bring it to the ICLVR.

Let me again extend solidarity to the family of Columba McVeigh and others, the small number who still seek for the remains of their loved ones, she said.

There is a well-established channel now for all information to be brought forward to.

Columba McVeighs sister Dympna Kerr at Bragan bog near Emyvale in Co Monaghan during a search for the teenagers remains in 2023. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

Let me reiterate to everybody across society, if you have information, please bring it forward. Dont second-guess yourself. Bringing information to the media is one thing, where this actually needs to go is to the commission so that it can be assessed, that it can be verified, and that it can be put to good use.

Our party has said this many times, but I want to reiterate it today to those, anybody who has any information, however inconsequential it might seem to you, bring it forward.

Every piece of information can potentially be a valuable piece of that puzzle, and I know the families wait desperately for more information and for those discoveries to be made.
Black-necked cranes fly to reserve in Yunnan for wintering

Xinhua) 09:15, December 16, 2024

A flock of cranes forage at the National Nature Reserve of Black-necked Cranes in Huize County of Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 14, 2024. A large number of migratory birds, including more than 1,000 black-necked cranes, flied to the reserve for wintering. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

A flock of black-necked cranes fly over the National Nature Reserve of Black-necked Cranes in Huize County of Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 14, 2024. A large number of migratory birds, including more than 1,000 black-necked cranes, flied to the reserve for wintering. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

A flock of cranes forage at the National Nature Reserve of Black-necked Cranes in Huize County of Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 14, 2024. A large number of migratory birds, including more than 1,000 black-necked cranes, flied to the reserve for wintering. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Black-necked cranes are pictured at the National Nature Reserve of Black-necked Cranes in Huize County of Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 14, 2024. A large number of migratory birds, including more than 1,000 black-necked cranes, flied to the reserve for wintering. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Black-necked cranes forage at the National Nature Reserve of Black-necked Cranes in Huize County of Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 14, 2024. A large number of migratory birds, including more than 1,000 black-necked cranes, flied to the reserve for wintering. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Mike Sutter is the Express-News restaurant critic. He can be reached at msutter@express-news.net.

Before joining the Taste Team in 2016, he served as a restaurant critic for the Austin American-Statesman and editor of FedManWalking.com. Hes appeared on NPRs All Things Considered, ABCs To Tell the Truth and written for The Guardian, Bon Appetit and The Wall Street Journal.
A 24-year-old East Ridge man who was said to be drunk with no driver's license and no insurance has been charged in a grisly crash in the East Ridge Tunnel that killed three people.



Yerson Ysaac Sanchez Rivera, identified as a Venezuelan national, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide in the Saturday morning incident.



He was also charged with three counts of duty to render aid after he got out of the wrecked car and tried to run off. Chattanooga Police apprehended him.



Other charges included DUI, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and failure to exercise due care.



Police said Sanchez Rivera admitted to drinking a 12-pack of beer and driving 60-70 mph in a 40 mph zone at the time of the crash.



The victims were Kimberlyn Lopez Gallard, 29.

East Ridge Police said they "wish to thank the Chattanooga Police Department Traffic Unit for providing manpower and assistance during the investigation."



Sanchez Rivera is currently being held on a $270,000 bond.









Edguar Medina, estimated to be 20-25, and Alexandra Vera, 24.East Ridge officers responded to the scene at 5:56 a.m. and found that the vehicle had left the right side of the roadway. It went up the concrete wall and struck the railing of the tunnel. The railing penetrated the middle of the vehicle until final rest on the wall.Officers observed a victim who may have been partially ejected from the vehicle suspended above the ground by her legs from the driver-side door frame bleeding heavily from her head and face.There was also a man partially protruding from the backseat driver side bleeding heavily from his head and with bone protruding from his shoulder.A nurse who was heading toward the tunnel from the East Ridge side said the vehicle went around her at a high rate of speed, then she witnessed the crash.She said she saw the driver - described as an Hispanic male with no shirt on - trying to remove two victims from the wreckage. She said she told him to stop.She said he then fled on foot going west through the tunnel toward the Chattanooga side.The nurse said she found three victims in the car, and checked them to find that all three had no pulse.When the man who fled was brought back to the scene, the nurse identified him as the driver, it was stated.Sanchez Rivera suffered abrasions to his knee, back, hands and face and was transported to the hospital.Staff at the emergency room commented on the odor of alcohol from him, police said.Multiple beer cans were found inside the vehicle.The tunnels were closed during an investigation, but later reopened.
As a general rule, Mitchell Bell tends to stay under the radar. He and his wife, Hazel, spend much of their time in Geiger, Al., managing Sumter Farms & Wild Horse Prairie in Sumter County. They manage 11,000 acres that provide for cattle, timber production, hunting and a multitude of critters and their specific homes.

A few years ago, Mitchell and Hazel noticed that 85 of those acres looked different than the rest, and they wondered if they were the remnants of a savannah. Dewayne Estes, also known as Preacher of the Prairie, of the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative, verified their finding.

Dr. Estes says that grassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southern grasslands are nearly extinct and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. What will the next 25 years bring? As a conservation community, we are only now realizing how extensive our grasslands used to be. The losses have been truly staggering, he said. Many of these creatures that need grasslands to survive are endangered and on the brink of extinction because their homes are specific and are being destroyed.

The Bells are doing their part to protect the rare savannah on their property and monitor the flora and fauna regularly. And as they do this, they are discovering many native plants that they never noticed before are thriving.

At the end of the summer, Mitchell and Hazel Bell were presented the Land Conservationist of the Year Award at the 2024 Alabama Wildlife Federation Governors Conservation Achievement Awards banquet co-sponsored by Alabama Power Company and PowerSouth Energy. Governor Kay Ivey provided opening remarks and assisted with the awards presentation.

The AWF Governors Conservation Achievement Awards are the most respected conservation honors in the state of Alabama. Over the past 50 years, AWF has presented these awards to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of Alabamas wildlife and related natural resources.

This diverse property contains oak-hickory savannahs, loblolly pine plantations, natural loblolly stands, pine-hardwoods, and greentree reservoirs that are well managed for wildlife and wildlife habitat. The property is also known for multiple black belt prairies that are managed with prescribed fire. The renowned Wild Horse Prairie at Sumter Farms has a prescribed fire history that spans over 80 years.

Mitchell and Hazel take seriously their land stewardship responsibilities for this unique property. They have worked with the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the Southeast Grasslands Initiative, the Mississippi Entomological Museum, the University of West Alabama Herbarium, Auburn University, and the Alabama Natural Heritage Program on biological surveys related to birds, arthropods, plants, and pollinators.

And important and remarkable things are happening as a result. For example, Alabamas 100th crayfish species was discovered on this property a couple of years ago. A few years earlier, a plant species new to science was also found on the property. Dr. Estes says that without the stewardship commitment of Mitchell and Hazel Bell, these unique stories would not exist.

Follow wildhorseprarie on Instagram and learn more.

* * *

Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series If Bugs Are Banished. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
A variety of fireworks fill the shelves Monday, June 24, 2024, ranging from family and kid friendly ground based fireworks to more advanced adult oriented rockets and displays at the Fireworks Outlet in Bacliff. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A firework goes off next to the Tower of the Americas during a New Year's Eve celebration in downtown San Antonio. Bexar County has banned the sale and use of certain fireworks ahead of the new year in response to the extreme drought conditions affecting the majority of the county. Charlie Blalock/ Contributor

Bexar County has banned the sale and use of certain fireworks ahead of the new year in response to the extreme drought conditions affecting the majority of the county.

Officials outlawed the sale of fireworks classified as skyrockets with sticks or missiles with fins," Bexar County spokesperson Isaac Neri said in a news release. Retailers or celebrants violating the order could be charged with a class C misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $500.

The order is effective immediately, and remains in effect for 90 days.

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Officials urge those lighting fireworks that are not banned to follow safety precautions. Last year, emergency rooms treated 9,700 fireworks injuries, and eight people died across the U.S., according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Here are some tips on how to safely light up the sky.

How to use fireworks safely

Officials urge parents to keep children away from fireworks and to take extra care when youngsters use sparklers, which can burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the commission.

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When lighting fireworks, choose an area free of dry grass, dead vegetation or other flammable materials. Users should keep a bucket of water nearby to quickly douse any potential fires. If a firework is lit and does not explode, leave it alone for 15 to 20 minutes before soaking it in water and disposing.

If wind speeds exceed 10 mph, the county urges residents to stop lighting fireworks.

Once the fireworks show is over, users should soak all fireworks in a bucket for at least 15 minutes, the county advises. Once the water is drained, soaked fireworks should be wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in the trash. Fireworks cannot be recycled or composted.

Celebrants may also consider firework alternatives, including using glow sticks, silly string or party horns to ring in the new year.

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What to know about fireworks rules

The use of fireworks within the San Antonio city limits is illegal, and any urban fireworks explosions may lead to a fine of up to $2,000.

In the county, users cannot set off fireworks within 600 feet of a hospital, sanitarium, veterinary hospital, school or church, or within 100 feet of a fuel dispensing station for flammable or combustible liquids. Users also should not discharge fireworks at or from a motor vehicle.

Violations can result in a fine ranging from $100 to $2,000.

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State Senator Bo Watson, a leading advocate for innovation and technology, just returned from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Health Innovation Task Force meeting, which was held Dec, 12-13 in Palo Alto, California. The Health Innovation Task Force, which Senator Watson co-chairs with Rep. Andrew Takuya Garrett, Hawaii, addresses emerging opportunities and challenges in state healthcare systems, with a strong emphasis on ethical and appropriate AI implementation.

Recent topics at the conference explored the impact that AI will have on healthcare, including digital pathology and applications in radiology, showcasing their potential to revolutionize patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

"The work we did at the conference was incredibly productive and eye-opening," said Senator Watson. "The future of AI is limitless, and its potential to reshape healthcare and beyond is truly extraordinary, but it must be viewed through the lens of protecting patients privacy."

In Tennessee, Senator Watson has spearheaded the creation of the AI Advisory Council, in which members are tasked with guiding the state in adopting cutting-edge AI technologies across various sectors. The Council prioritizes leveraging AI responsibly to enhance public services, economic growth and workforce readiness, placing Tennessee at the forefront of technological advancement in the U.S.

The AI Advisory Council plays a critical role in ensuring we harness this technology responsibly and effectively, said Senator Watson. Through initiatives like the Health Innovation Task Force and the AI Advisory Council, we are laying the groundwork for a smarter, more connected and more prosperous Tennessee.
The Supreme Court of Tennessee has temporarily suspended Alan Christopher Norton from the practice of law upon finding that Mr. Norton poses a threat of substantial harm to the public.

The attorney, who was formerly a prosecutor in the Lookout Mountain Judicial District, was indicted on charges that he forged the name of a chancellor.

The high court said, "Section 12.3 of Supreme Court Rule 9 provides for the immediate summary suspension of an attorneys license to practice law in cases where an attorney is deemed to pose a threat of substantial harm to the public.

"Mr. Norton is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and he must cease representing existing clients by January 16, 2024. After January 16, 2024, Mr. Norton shall not use any indicia of lawyer, legal assistant, or law clerk nor maintain a presence where the practice of law is conducted.

"Mr. Norton must notify all clients being represented in pending matters, as well as co-counsel and opposing counsel of the Supreme Courts Order suspending his law license.

"Mr. Norton is required to deliver to all clients any papers or property to which they are entitled.

"Mr. Norton must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 12.3(d), regarding the obligations and responsibilities of temporarily suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement. This suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the Supreme Court.

"Mr. Norton may, for good, cause request dissolution or modification of the suspension by petition to the Supreme Court."

One of his clients was former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy, who is facing criminal charges in relation to her residency.
The Chattanooga Fire Department is mourning the sudden death of Captain George Turley.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel in Hixson at 5401 Highway 153. On Friday there will be the viewing from 1-2 p.m. and the service from 2-3 p.m. at St. Jude in Hixson at 930 Ashland Terrace.

Officials said, "It is with the heaviest hearts that the Chattanooga Fire Department announces the line-of-duty death of the most senior member of our department, Captain George Turley (Engine 16 Blue Shift). Captain Turley, 58, served 31 years in the CFD and to say that he was well-liked and respected by his fellow firefighters is an understatement.

"He was on duty Saturday at Station 16 on Lupton Drive (Lupton City) and doing his daily workout in the gym in the apparatus bay by the fire truck when he suffered a medical emergency. Members of his crew found him unresponsive, called 911 and initiated CPR. Captain Turley was rushed to the hospital where life-saving efforts continued, but ultimately and tragically, he passed away.

"It is an unbelievably sad blow to the CFD and especially to Georges family, including his wife, Debbie, and their two sons. Members of the command staff, Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association Local 820, and Captain Turleys coworkers have been offering his family support and assistance in the wake of his sudden death, along with the members of his Engine 16 crew. Our Peer Support Team is available for all of our firefighters.

Captain Turleys passion for the fire service and compassion for others has left a mark on many in our department. He truly cared about the job and he wanted it done right, making him a role model and strong leader in the CFD. He was a staple in the Hixson community who always went the extra mile to make school visits and station visits extra special for children. George was a good person and a solid firefighter who will be greatly missed.

"Funeral arrangements are pending. Please continue to pray for Captain Turleys family and crew. Thank you for all of the kindness thats been shown to the CFD following this terrible loss."
Edward Wayne Cox, 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, 2024.

Born May 7, 1940, in Rosenberg, Texas, Ed was the 10th of 12 children brought into the world by William and Odessa Cox.



Growing up in a large family (known in town as "Cox's Army"), he retained an enduring love for the company of people for all his days. After more than 12 years of service in the U.S. Navy, he returned to start a family and become a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist church, which carried him to locations far and wide to serve in many roles within the church throughout his life.



Not a day passed that he didnt look to improve the lives of those he came into contact with in ways great and small.



Whether it be a lonely elderly person needing a friend, a homeless stranger needing a meal and a prayer, one of his children needing a shoulder to lean on during a rough spell, or the wife whose happiness he was devoted to for 36 years just needing a smile and a large iced tea on a hot day, Ed didnt just put the happiness of others above his own - the happiness of others was his own.



While Ed and his many daily acts of kindness will surely be missed, the memories of his generosity will carry on in the lives of those he touched, who one suspects might be a little more likely to spread the goodwill he embodied when someone they know needs a hand.



Ed spent the last evening of his life in the company of his wife, Rosie, and his daughter, Sheila, decorating a Christmas tree with the multi-colored lights he had carefully chosen a few days earlier flashing into the night.

They will be joined by his sons, Martin and Brian, his granddaughter, Brittany, along with his great-grandchildren and many other family and friends to pay their respects during services on December 27 at 11 a.m. at Cedar Ridge SDA Church (where flowers can be sent starting at 9 a.m. on the 27th), followed that afternoon by interment at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Here are the new marriage licenses from the County Clerk's office:

HANNAH GRACE WESTERMAN CALEB FRANKLIN MULLIGAN

207 CEDAR GLEN LN APT 2 207 CEDAR GLEN LN APT 2

DAYTON, Tennessee 37321 DAYTON, Tennessee 37321



HEATHER BETHEA BASS BENJAMIN YATES THORNE

7902 OOLTEWAH GEORGETOWN RD 7902 OOLTEWAH GEORGETOWN RD

OOLTEWAH, TN 373639243 OOLTEWAH, TN 373639243



ZACK MORRIS WATERSON ARIS KALI DECK

2607 CORRAL RD 2607 CORRAL RD

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN 373771313 SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN 373771313



ALYSSA MAE CABAL MICHAEL TYLER JORDAN

751 RUNYAN DR 751 RUNYAN DR

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374051224 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374051224



JOSIAH ROLANDO REED TERESA CERDAS DURAN

7132 TEABERRY CT 7132 TEABERRY CT

OOLTEWAH, TN 373638352 OOLTEWAH, TN 373638352



LESTER RAFAEL SANCHEZ GARCIA IDALIA ELISA GABRIEL SANCHEZ

115 S SAINT MARKS AVE 115 S SAINT MARKS AVE

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374114860 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374114860



ERICK ARMANDO CALLES BELTRAN QUIANA LYNNE CARMUEGA SANTIAGO

3901 MURRAY HILLS DR 3901 MURRAY HILLS DR

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37416 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37416



JOHNNA SHERYLDEEN ABBASI AHMED SADAT IMORO

7508 IGOU GAP RD 7508 IGOU GAP RD

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374213135 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374213135



BRIAN EMMETT CRAWLEY KELLI KRISTINA HOWARD

5420 HWY 27 5420 HWY 27

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37405 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37405



BREAUNNA SHANISE JACKSON VINCENT LEWIS LYKES

510 CENTRAL DR APT 814 510 CENTRAL DR APT 814

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374215852 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374215852



ISABELLA ELAINE SNYDER OSVALDO ROCHA

1303 PENDALL LN 1303 PENDALL LN

SODDY DAISY, Tennessee 37379 SODDY DAISY, Tennessee 37379



LAUREN MARIGAIL WATKINS SAMMY LEE MOODY

2214 MOUNT HAVEN DR APT 9 2214 MOUNT HAVEN DR APT 9

DALTON, Georgia 30720 DALTON, Georgia 30720



BRIAN LAURENCE ATKINS NEDRA LASHARN HAMBRIGHT

7606 NOAH REID RD APT B 7606 NOAH REID RD APT B

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37416 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37416



NANCY LEE HUDGINS STEVEN RAY SAINT

318 CHAMBERS ST 318 CHAMBERS ST

ROSSVILLE, GA 307411432 ROSSVILLE, GA 307411432



MICHAEL EDWARD GALE YUKO SHIBAYAMA

2184 ASHFORD VILLA CIR 2184 ASHFORD VILLA CIR

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 374215093 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 374215093



JANE MARTIN ARMSTRONG ANTHONY LEMLEY

9807 CASEVIEW DR 9807 CASEVIEW DR

HARRISON, TN 373418024 HARRISON, TN 373418024



JEFFREY ALAN HALL JOY WINKLES ARREDONDO

103 WHISPERWOOD CT 103 WHISPERWOOD CT

RInggold, Georgia 30736 RInggold, Georgia 30736



ABBIE ROSE ALIRE YEE CHING CHOI

2109 LEGGETT RD 2109 LEGGETT RD

SALE CREEK, Tennessee 37373 SALE CREEK, Tennessee 37373



KAYLA MARIE HORNUNG ANTHONY MITCHELL CAMPBELL

4505 KEMP DR 4505 KEMP DR

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37411 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37411



MICAIAH DAVID GRIESER SHELBY NICOLE STEWART

3403 B MAPLE CREEK LN 3403 B MAPLE CREEK LN

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37411 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37411



BRITTON LEE WALLACE JESSICA MEGHAN MCNABB

8096 HODGES WAY 8096 HODGES WAY

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363 OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363



MICAH AARON LEVEILLE APSARA REBECCA BEARD

8637 SUMMIT PEAK WAY APT 401 8637 SUMMIT PEAK WAY APT 401

OOLTEWAH, TN 373633145 OOLTEWAH, TN 373633145



ADDISON LOCKHART WEBB JESSICA AMANDA PERRIERA

1822 CRESTWOOD DR 1822 CRESTWOOD DR

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37415 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37415



ASHLEY CRUZ GARCIA CONAL MARION DECKER

1600 E 14TH ST 5313 WEAVER ST

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374044327 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374123247



CALEB GARRETT MOORE AMBER RENEA DODSON

8610 TRADEWIND CIR APT 205 8610 TRADEWIND CIR APT 205

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363 OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363



TOAN VAN TRAN KIM DUNG THI TRAN

2309 RODEO DR 2309 RODEO DR

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421



DANIEL WAYNE ATTAWAY ALAYNA BRIEANN CAMPBELL

2204 MAE DELL RD 2204 MAE DELL RD

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421



THOMAS WESLEY NIMON HANNAH KATHRYN ROSSER

4604 WILSON AVE 171 BAYLOR SCHOOL RD

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tennessee 37377 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37405



MELISSA SUSANNE MCLEAN MATTHEW CAMERON MYLES

8619 IGOU GAP ROAD 8619 IGOU GAP ROAD

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421



WILFIDO CALIN ROBLERO VELASQUEZ JIMENA ESMERALDA BRAVO VELASQUEZ

1039 GRAYS DR 1039 GRAYS DR

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374214319 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374214319



KEYONNA NICOLE DUNTON CHAUNCEY MCKINNEY FIGGURES

4582 RUBY RED DR APT 205 2459 JOHNSON RD

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 373632521 CHICKAMAUGA, Georgia 307072780



ALEXA BREANNA MAJDALAWI PHILLIP RICARDO SEGURA

535 PARKWAY CT 535 PARKWAY CT

GREENacres, Florida 33413 GREENacres, Florida 33413



THOMAS SCOTT MCDONALD OLIVIA NOEL HOKREIN

1120 BUNKER RIDGE TRAIL 1210 W 49TH ST

SODDY DAISY, Tennessee 37379 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37409



MICHAEL W KU JESSICA DANIELLE STRICKLIN

3512 MOUNTAIN CREEK RD 3512 MOUNTAIN CREEK RD

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37415 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37415



JIMMY LEE GORDIE ARAYA GRACE SHIRLEY

6671 MINIBALL LN 6671 MINIBALL LN

HIXSON, Tennessee 37343 HIXSON, Tennessee 37343



JACK KASEY ENGLISH EMILY ANNE SLAGLE

73 NATIONS RD 165 RESERVOIR DR APT 327

JASPER, Georgia 301434121 CANTON, Georgia 301144287



THAO THI NGUYEN BAO THAI TRAN

543 PREMA DR 543 PREMA DR

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374126907 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374126907



CHRISTIAN BLAKE SEALS CRYSTAL LYNN FODEN

302 SIMMONS ST W 302 SIMMONS ST W

LAFAYETTE, Georgia 30728 LAFAYETTE, Georgia 30728



JOHN HAROLD HUBBARD SUSAN JENKINS KIMM

3607 15TH AVE 1408 CLEARPOINT DR

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37407 HIXSON, Tennessee 37343



JORGE EDUARDO SAUCEDO DE LA PENA ROCIO DEL CARMEN LOPEZ SANCHEZ

5392 ROSE GLEN CT 5392 ROSE GLEN CT

OOLTEWAH, TN 373631401 OOLTEWAH, TN 373631401



LAWRENCE EDWARD SKELLY MARYLYNN CASULA

8234 KNOTTINGWOOD WAY 611 SUN VALLEY RD

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374214775 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374192441



JAYCEE NEEL DALTON LANE JERNIGAN

10244 MAGNOLIA FARM DR 872 INDIAN SPRINGS CIR

APISON, TN 373021700 MANCHESTER, TN 373558467



LUCAS BLAKES DODSON APRIL MICHELLE SANDELL

1113 KINSEY DR 1489 MATHERLY ST

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421 HIXSON, Tennessee 37343



ADOLFO ALEXANDER LOPEZ PIZA YELENA NATERA CORONADO

6443 WHITE TAIL DR 6443 WHITE TAIL DR

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363 OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363



FREDYS VINDA NAISETH HERRERA YORDIN MAGADIEL GALVEZ LOPEZ

3307 GLEASON DR 3307 GLEASON DR

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374121719 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374121719



WILLIAM JAMES SICKENBERGER KATHRYN DARA KUTNER

1609 VANCE AVE 1609 VANCE AVE

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374043518 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374043518



DARWIN SOLYS CHACOA HERNANDEZ MARIANGELY PATRICIA GIL MARCANO

1809 BAILEY AVE 1809 BAILEY AVE

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37404 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37404



QUENNECHOUS CHRISTINA BIGOMS CHIOKE ASIM TAYLOR

4613 FLORIDA AVE 4613 FLORIDA AVE

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37409 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37409



NATALIE LYNN WUDSKI GRAHAM STEVEN STEWART

728 MARKET ST APT 507 728 MARKET ST APT 507

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37402 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37402



JEFFREY DEWAYNE PANGLE HEATHER LEIGH HOSCH

130 MARGARETA LN 130 MARGARETA LN

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 374122230 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 374122230



RACHEL DELANEY HARRIS ALEX JAY GOODWIN

5713 SUNDOWN CT 1627 CAPANNA TRL

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 373634322 HIXSON, Tennessee 373434681



FLORESTINO FRANCISCO PASCUAL MARIA MIGUEL MARTIN

1706 FOUST ST 1706 FOUST ST

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 374071053 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 374071053



MIKEL CODY WATERS SHATORI BRESHAY REDDING

5111 OOLTEWAH RINGGOLD RD 5111 OOLTEWAH RINGGOLD RD

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363 OOLTEWAH, Tennessee 37363



EDWARD J RUSSELL CRISTINA LEILA DE LA TORRE

160 N VILLA AVE 513 GEORGIA AVE

VILLA PARK, Illinois 601812246 SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tennessee 373771869



COOPER DAVID ULRICH OLIVIA GRACE STARKS

220 BILL KENNEDY WAY SE APT 342 220 BILL KENNEDY WAY SE APT 342

ATlanta, Georgia 30316 ATlanta, Georgia 30316



JUSTIN BLANE NEWTON STEPHANIE LYNN WHALEN

6705 LARKWOOD LN 6705 LARKWOOD LN

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37421



MATTHEW EDWARD HEATH HANNAH ELIZABETH LANCASTER

463 JOHN THOMPSON RD 463 JOHN THOMPSON RD

FLINTstone, Georgia 30725 FLINTstone, Georgia 30725



CARIAL EUGENE TARTER HOLLAND ELIZABETH LUTTRELL

1400 CHESTNUT ST APT 212 1400 CHESTNUT ST APT 212

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37412 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37412



HALLE JO MAYNARD KOBE JOHN VANHOOSE

857 MOORE RIDGE LN 135 DEER RUN RD

LAVALETTE, West Virginia 255358880 HUNTINGTON, West Virginia 257049247



JULIUS CLARENCE ANDERSON KRISTINN AMBER PETTY

3006 PEGGY LN 3006 PEGGY LN

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37404 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee 37404



EMERSON ALBERTO ORELLANA LINARES JHOSELIN OCANA CRUZ

535 S SAINT MARKS AVE A 535 S SAINT MARKS AVE A

CHATTANOOGA, TN 374122984 CHATTANOOGA, TN 374122984



JANE ELIZABETH LISTON CHARLES SHANNON MCCARTY

1866 SUMTER ST NW 1866 SUMTER ST NW

ATLANTA, GA 303182032 ATLANTA, GA 303182032



MICHAEL RYAN CLOW HANNAH JANE KINCER

10622 DAYTON PIKE 10622 DAYTON PIKE

SODDY DAISY, TN 373795216 SODDY DAISY, TN 373795216



MEGAN KATHRYN OBARA KEVEN DEWAINE GONZALEZ-RAMIREZ

6272 RIVOLI DR APT 204 6272 RIVOLI DR APT 204

HIXSON, Tennessee 373434774 HIXSON, Tennessee 373434774


More than 248 years ago, our Founding Fathers established our nation on the principle that government should be accountable to We the People.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, though, we have seen that principle erode as the government becomes increasingly unaccountable with wasteful spending and a growing bureaucracy.

Since President Bidens inauguration, our national debt has increased by more than $8 trillion, with $1.8 trillion in deficits in FY 2024 alone.

At the same time, the federal government, which now employs approximately 2.2 million bureaucrats, has grown into an uncontrollable bureaucracy that is rife with waste and unresponsive to the needs of Tennesseans and the American people.

In our nations capital, for example, the federal government owns millions of square feet of office space to house agency headquarters. Yet, as of this year, the government used just 12 percent of that space.

One big reason: While millions of Americans have to show up to work every day to keep our economy moving, just 6 percent of federal bureaucrats report to their office on a full-time basis, while one-third work from home full-time.

To make matters worse, for most federal employees, pay increases and promotions are completely disconnected from job performance. Instead, they receive automatic pay increases that are tied to the amount of time they spend working for the government.

If last months election results are any sign, American taxpayers are sick of funding this mediocrity, waste, and abuse of power.

Thankfully, President Trump is tackling this problem head on with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the agency will spearhead the administrations efforts to eliminate waste, rein in reckless spending, and rightsize the government.

While there are many savings to be found just through executive action, to be truly successful DOGE will need to work hand-in-hand with Congress to ensure these essential reforms last well beyond the Trump administration.

Thats why, last week, I introduced the DOGE Acts, a package of bills that will hold the government accountable for managing taxpayer dollars.

Among their measures, the DOGE Acts will address out-of-control spending with 1 percent, 2 percent, and 5 percent across-the-board cuts to discretionary spending, excluding defense, homeland security, and veterans affairs. In addition, they will freeze salaries for federal bureaucrats and order agency heads to shrink their workforce by 5 percent within three years.

To drain the swamp, the legislation would establish a commission to study ways the incoming administration could relocate agencies from Washington, D.C., to states across the country. This would decentralize power that is held by unelected bureaucrats and put agencies in touch with those most affected by their burdensome rules and regulations.

To ensure that federal bureaucrats are actually working while living on the taxpayers dime, the DOGE Acts would also require government employees to return to their offices by ending pandemic-era telework policies and implement a pilot program for agencies to pay employees based on productivity and not solely seniority.

In just a few short weeks, Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration will work together to put our country back on track, including by rightsizing the government and ensuring it is accountable to We the People. With the DOGE Acts, we can make sure that happens.

Senator Marsha Blackburn
Connie Jean Emerling, born on October 8, 1954, ascended to her heavenly home on December 9, 2024.





Connie's journey through life was marked by determination and fierce independence. She was the middle daughter (one of three) born to John Emerling and Joyce Freshour. She grew up and lived her life in Chattanooga, graduating from Soddy Daisy High School. She began her career working at Olan Mills before dedicating 30+ years to Vincent Printing, Inc. (VPI). She took great pride in her work and also met many of her closest friends during her time at VPI.





Beyond her work life, Connie loved working in the yard, the Florida panhandle, photography, her little bird Lupi, and of course the Tennessee Volunteers.You could always find her in orange and white on a Friday before game day (or any other day for that matter). But her deepest joy came when her two precious granddaughters were born. They truly brought light into her life.





She was predeceased by her mother, Joyce Freshour Blake, her father, John Emerling, and her sisters, Kathy Hickman and Tammy Emerling, "adopted" parents, James and Shirley Breedlove and sister, Sandy Shipley. It brings great comfort to know that she is now reunited with them all in peace.





Connie is survived by her daugher, Jodi Emerling Bolen (Steven), grandaughers, Lydia Bolen and Hazel Ann Bolen all of Chattanooga. She is also survived by her Aunt Jean Ann Freshour of Chattanooga, and several adopted sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins.





A memorial service will be held at Rivermont Presbyterian Church on Friday, Dec. 20, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be prior to the service from 12-1 p.m.





In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Rivermont Presbyterian Church's Community Outreach at rivermontprebyterian.org and select Give.





Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com





Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.




I would like to know if the young man driving the truck through the East Ridge Tunnel is in the United States legally?He said he drank 12 beers and had no driver's license or insurance on his truck.I feel so sorry for the young people who died at his hand.Michael MartinChattanooga* * *I also would like to know and find it interesting that no one has said. I believe if he was here legally he would need to have in his possession work authorization and travel papers or a green card.If he is a citizen he doesn't need those.My guess is he had nothing and ran.Ted MeyerApison, Tn.
Education has the power to change the trajectory of a childs life forever.

I saw this firsthand many years ago while mentoring a boy named Adam through an at-risk youth program.

Adam had a difficult home life and was attending a school that didnt meet his unique educational needs. His grades and confidence were suffering, and his situation offered little hope for a bright future.

But that wasnt the end of Adams story.

After working with his guardian to place Adam in a high-performing charter school, everything changed. Adam found the right educational fit where he could excel, and it transformed his life.

My time spent with Adam profoundly shaped the way I view education. I witnessed the educational disparities across different incomes and zip codes, and I knew there were thousands of children like Adam who deserved better.

Every child is unique. Every child has different learning styles. Every child has a different life situation. So shouldnt every family  not just the wealthy  have the freedom to choose the right education for their child?

Overwhelming Success in Tennessees School Choice Pilot Program

Thats why, when I became governor, we made school choice a top priority, passing legislation for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in 2019.

Today, more than 3,500 students are enrolled in a participating school in Tennessees three largest counties. As enrollment numbers continue to rise, the ESA program has earned a 99 percent satisfaction rate among participating families.

Still, there are thousands of children across Tennessee just like Adam who may need a different learning environment to reach their full potential.

Thats what Tennessees Education Freedom Act is all about.

Putting Parents Back in the Driver's Seat

When it comes to education, parents know best, and theres a reason why school choice is sweeping the nation.

Now more than ever, parents are advocating for their right to decide what, where and how their child learns. To date, 33 states have adopted school choice measures that put parents in the drivers seat of their childs education.

Parental rights were on the ballot this November, with Americans  and Tennesseans  overwhelmingly supporting President Trump, who has long supported school choice.

Its time that Tennessee students benefit from school choice, too.

The Education Freedom Act will empower parents in every Tennessee county with the freedom to pick the right school for their child, ensuring that families  not the government  can choose where their taxpayer dollars are spent.

Our universal school choice plan will ensure that school choice is a reality for every Tennessee child  regardless of zip code or income  by reserving the first 10,000 scholarships for underserved students.

Increasing Opportunity for All

Opponents claim that school choice initiatives hurt public schools, but that couldnt be further from the truth.

The Education Freedom Act will continue our unwavering commitment to public schools by extending a $2,000 bonus to every Tennessee public school teacher, dedicating funds to build and maintain K-12 public school facilities, and ensuring that state funding to school districts will never decrease due to student disenrollment.

No public school district will lose resources as a result of the Education Freedom Act. In fact, theyll get more.

Our total funding for public education since 2019 will reach at least $2.5 billion with the next state budget, and in partnership with the General Assembly, we will continue to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into public education and deliver on our promise to raise starting teacher pay to a record high.

The Volunteer State can have the best public schools in America and provide parents with more choices at the same time, and it starts with Tennessees Education Freedom Act.

In 2025, Tennessee has the opportunity to make education freedom a reality for every child, and that means a brighter future for all Tennesseans.

Governor Bill Lee
The event took place at Nervia Industrial Park in Apahida, Cluj County. During the celebration, two other important milestones were also recognized: Busch Romania had its 10th anniversary and the founding of the new company Composites Busch Romania was announced. Sami Busch, Co-owner and Co-CEO, and the managing directors of the three Romanian Busch Group companies  Andrei Varga of Busch Romania, Pascal Fesneau of Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions in Romania and Ahmet Muderris as well as Marius Nedelcu of Composites Busch in Romania  cut the ribbon together to inaugurate the new premises.



By incorporating Pfeiffer Vacuum into the Busch Group, we can now offer our customers in Romania the best solutions for all vacuum technology applications, explained Andrei Varga, Managing Director of Busch Romania.



Ahmet Muderris, Managing Director of Composites Busch, added: This new facility paves the way for expanding our market presence in a competitive and qualitative manner.



Pascal Fesneau, Managing Director of Pfeiffer Vacuum, thanked the employees saying: We are proud of our skilled team that is eager to achieve the highest quality standards demanded by our customers.



Among the political and business guests was Cristina Belce, Mayor of the Apahida municipality. All 135 employees who work for the Busch Group in Romania were also invited.



The modern, two-story building extension in the Nervia Industrial Park features a canteen with a terrace and rest areas for the employees. A new photovoltaic system with 1456 panels generates 1015% of the companys energy supply. The rest is covered by electricity from renewable energy sources.



Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions has been present in Romania since 2010. Busch Romania was founded in 2014. In 2018, the new Pfeiffer facility in the Nervia Industrial Park in Cluj was put into operation. In 2023, Busch and Pfeiffer merged at Group level to form the Busch Group.
Elizabeth L. T. Moore is a Hearst Fellow in San Antonio. She can be reached at Elizabeth.Moore@hearst.com

Elizabeth did her first fellowship year as a reporter with the New Haven Register in Connecticut. Moore has published bylines with Bloomberg News, The Virginian-Pilot and The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Moore placed nationally in the Hearst Collegiate Journalism Program, and she is fluent in Spanish.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Nikolas Gannon

Almost half of college professors feel uncomfortable discussing the topic of so-called transgender rights on campus, amid ongoing concerns about free speech in higher education, as a new survey has been released.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression(FIRE) released its 2024 FIRE Faculty Survey Report, titled Silence in the Classroom, on Thursday. The report is based on responses from 6,269 faculty members at 55 colleges and universities across the United States, collected between March 4 and May 13.

The survey assessed respondents' ability to engage in open and honest conversations about various contentious topics on campus.

A significant majority, 70%, reported difficulty discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict, while slightly more than half, 51%, indicated similar challenges regarding racial inequality. Nearly half, 49%, expressed difficulties engaging in discussions about transgenderism.

Faculty members reported challenges discussing various topics, including 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%).

Fewer than one in four professors reported difficulties discussing academic freedom (24%), sexual assault (24%), climate change (21%), economic inequality (21%), China (19%), and crime (19%).

The survey highlighted significant differences in views on free speech on campus based on professors' political ideologies. 27% of faculty members felt they could not express their opinions on certain subjects due to concerns about reactions from other faculty, students, and the administration. Nearly half of conservative professors, 47%, expressed this concern, compared to 29% of moderate professors and 19% of liberal professors.

32% of conservative professors admitted to self-censoring their research topics, in contrast to 25% of moderate professors and 15% of liberal professors. Conservative professors also demonstrated higher levels of self-censorship regarding their academic publications (42%) compared to moderates (34%) and liberals (21%).

A majority of conservative professors, 57%, censored their outside talks, while smaller percentages of moderate (47%) and liberal professors (34%) did the same. Additionally, 58% of conservative professors reported censoring their classroom lectures or discussions, compared to less than half of moderates (48%) and liberals (38%).

Despite at least half of professors from each ideological group indicating they self-censor communications such as emails and social media, the rate was notably higher among conservative professors, with 69% engaging in self-censorship compared to 62% of moderates and 50% of liberals.

The report emphasized the need for courageous faculty in academia: 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. It further urged the necessity for more faculty members who can support their colleagues who fear reprisal or have faced consequences for their speech or academic pursuits.
(In the center) U.S. citizen Travis Timmerman, who had been detained for several months in Syria, was released and handed over to U.S. troops at the Tanf garrison near the tri-border area of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan on December 13, 2024. | Screenshot/ Facebook/ Good Morning America

American citizen Travis Timmerman has been released in Syria after being detained for seven months while on a pilgrimage to deepen his Christian faith.

A native of Missouri, Timmerman had been missing since June before reappearing in Damascus. He was held in the Sednaya prison, where the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad has arbitrarily detained tens of thousands of individuals. His release occurred at the same time as the recent ousting of the Assad regime by rebel forces.

Timmerman told reporters he crossed Syria from Lebanon, driven by his Bible study and a desire to deepen his Christian faith. But his entry into Syria on foot led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for several months.

A resident in Damascus, speaking to NPRs Ruth Sherlock, recounted finding Timmerman walking barefoot in the street.

The Timmerman family expressed profound relief and joy at his release, Feels pretty great! Praise the Lord! His mother, Stacey Collins Gardiner, described the situation as a Christmas miracle.

Don Kelderhouse, Timmermans pastor at Preston Bible Baptist Church, shared that Timmerman had been baptized over a year ago and was eager to share his faith in Christ. Its a miracle.  The fact that we think that he hasnt been abused, thats another miracle, he told NBC News.

U.S. officials, remaining anonymous, reported that Timmerman had been transferred to Jordan following his release and was currently under the care of State Department officials. After his release, 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 on December 13.

During his captivity, Timmerman remained isolated but was not mistreated; however, he could hear the sounds of other prisoners being tortured nearby.

Before his disappearance, Timmerman journeyed through Eastern Europe, exploring countries like the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Home News ABC News agrees to pay $16M to settle Trump defamation case Host George Stephanopoulos deletes X account after settlement

ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to President-elect Donald Trump's presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit after ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos falsely claimed earlier this year that Trump had been found "liable for rape" against writer E. Jean Carroll.

According to the settlement that was made public on Saturday, ABC News also agreed to pay $1 million in legal fees to the law firm of Alejandro Brito, who is Trump's attorney in Florida, according to The Associated Press.

Trump sued the network and Stephanopoulos after he said in March that multiple juries found Trump "liable for rape" during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.

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During the heated exchange on March 10 that led to the lawsuit, Stephanopoulos pressed Mace to explain why she would support Trump despite having recently gone public about being a rape victim herself.

Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape, Stephanopoulos said. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?

Mace pushed back against Stephanopoulos at the time, accusing the former Democrat operative of "shaming" her as a rape victim while pointing out how Carroll's lawsuit against Trump was a civil case that found him "liable for sexual abuse," not rape.

Mace later tweeted footage of the interview, writing, "I was brought on to talk about 2024  instead Clinton crony turned fake journalist [Stephanopoulos] attacked me and tried to shame me as a rape victim. Gross."

I was brought on to talk about 2024instead Clinton crony turned fake journalist @Gstephanopoulos attacked me and tried to shame me as a rape victim.



Gross.@ThisWeekABCpic.twitter.com/9uNhypsZdO  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) March 10, 2024

In the complaint that was filed against Stephanopoulos, ABC and ABC News on March 18, Brito argued that there was enough evidence to prove that Stephanopoulos engaged in the "actual malice" a public figure must demonstrate to prove defamation in court, which is usually difficult to prove.

These statements were and remain false, and were made by Defendant Stephanopoulos with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth given that Defendant Stephanopoulos knows that these statements are patently and demonstrably false, Brito wrote at the time.

We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing, ABC News spokesperson Jeannie Kedas said, according to the AP.

The editorial board of the New York Post suggested that Stephanopoulos crossed the line in what he said about Trump, and suggested that he was generous in allowing ABC News to pay the settlement toward his library and not to him personally.

"The law gives even public figures some rights against such smears; if the case had proceeded, Trump's legal team would've been able to access ABC News' internal communications in order to prove the network's reckless attitude toward the truth," they wrote.

"Trump was actually quite magnanimous in not making ABC pay him the settlement, even if the deal makes the company by far the largest donor to the Trump library," they added.

Stephanopoulos, who deactivated his X account in the wake of the settlement announcement, made no mention of it on his show on Sunday.
Home News Expert shares warning about AI's impact on Christians' spiritual development

An expert on artificial intelligence recently delved into the ways in which it can impact Christians' spiritual formation in unforeseen ways, including changing what it means to be human.

In a recent episode of Dallas Theological Seminary's The Table podcast, titled Using AI in Ministry, John Dyer, DTS' vice president for enrollment in educational technology, and Drew Dickens, founder of a ministry called Encountering Peace, who also studied generative AI for his dissertation, discussed the topic.

Responding to a question posed by co-host Bill Hendricks about how AI can influence spiritual development, Dickens replied that it comprises a broader sociological question of what does it mean to be human.

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As an example, Dickens pointed to how Christians are called to memorize and meditate upon the Bible, and yet AI poses the question of do I really have to memorize these verses?

Meditate on the Word both day and night, but now it can do that for me. And so, I think it has tremendous potential to affect what it means to be human, Dickens said.

Dickens also pointed to the example of prayer and wanting an answer from God to questions offered in prayer or wanting a church to respond to questions of faith and doubt.

Now we have access to this system that will listen to me 24 hours a day, that will respond without judgment, that has access to the world's writings on whatever theological view that I agree with or embrace, he continued.

How does this affect me as a follower, as a believer? What does this do with pastoral training?

Hendricks noted that while some people think AI will eventually try to wipe out humans, another possibility is that something that could be much more subtle will occur instead.

We don't yet really know what to call something that has, at least, faint stirrings of a person, but there's nobody there, Hendricks said.

But we get so accustomed to engaging with it, we're having conversations, it's doing a lot of creative things for us, solving a lot of problems for us that slowly but surely, we just kind of become a nothing. I mean, all we do is just speak into a machine and everything happens.

Dickens stressed that people have to be mindful that it's happening as they're using AI technology all the time through things like GPS systems or Netflix searches.

I think we have to be mindful that it's happening and having an honest conversation with ourselves, how is this affecting me today? he posited. Be aware of that within our community, have this conversation with other pastors, with your own family members.

In recent years, much has been made of the use of AI in churches and ministry organizations, including church resources and materials, and even sermons.

Earlier this year, an Episcopal Church chatbot known as Cathy was launched, with the program seeking to answer questions about the denomination and its beliefs.

The Episcopal chatbot was developed by the Toronto United Church Councils Innovative Ministry Center and the TryTank Research Institute at Virginia Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, executive director at TryTank Research, told CP in August that he believed Cathy was meant to be a tool and in no way a replacement for human interaction.

To be clear, AI should never be used in place of people, and that is not the intent of Cathy. Cathy regularly encourages people to seek further, deeper advice from local clergy or spiritual guides, Lebrija said.

Ideally, Cathy is a tool that can allow us to grow deeper into the Episcopal faith.
Home News 'Junk': Texas lt. gov. says Biden's border wall sale a 'ruse' to appease far-left

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick believes the Biden administration's purported plans to sell unused parts of the wall on the United States-Mexico border is a "ruse" designed to appease the "radical left."

Patrick, a Republican, noted in an X post Friday that he spoke with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott about "purchasing 'wall' material President Biden is auctioning off."

He said the Texas Facilities Commission told the state's leaders that "the material for sale was mostly junk, with most panels covered in concrete and rust." Patrick concluded that "this was a Biden ruse to gain favor with the radical left open border crowd, showing Biden was fighting [President-elect Donald] Trump to the bitter end."

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"There were a few panels that might be usable but not worth the cost of shipping to Texas from Arizona," Patrick acknowledged, vowing that if the outgoing administration sells "any panels that make economic sense, we will buy them and give them to President Trump when he takes office."

The Daily Wire published a report last week featuring testimony from a U.S. Border Patrol agent alleging that the Biden administration planned to sell unused sections of the border wall.

Biden halted construction of the border wall that former President Trump started building upon taking office in January 2021, a factor the president's opponents believe is partly responsible for the surge in illegal immigration into the U.S.

"They are taking it from three stations: Nogales, Tucson, and Three Points," the immigration law enforcement official told the outlet. "The goal is to move all of it off the border before Christmas."

The unnamed border official estimated that up to one-half a mile of border wall was being moved per day.

Video footage obtained by The Daily Wire shows unfinished portions of the border wall being loaded onto the back of a truck and several stacks of border wall awaiting sale at a U.S. government auction site.

Screenshots from the website for GovPlanet, which auctions off unused government equipment, show that panels of the border wall are available at a starting price of $5.

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, approved by members of both parties, authorizes the U.S. Secretary of Defense to "submit to Congress a plan to use, transfer, or donate to States on the southern border of the United States" what Congress has described as "excess construction materials on [the] southwest border."

Under the legislation, states seeking to purchase the material must confirm their intent to use it for "refurbishment and or maintenance of ports of entry along the southwest border and construction projects aimed at stopping illicit human and vehicle traffic along the border of the United States with Mexico."

Illegal immigration and the topic of immigration as a whole remain heavy on the minds of Americans.

Exit polling from the 2024 presidential election shows that 53% of Americans trusted Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, to handle immigration policy better.

Trump made the issue one of the centerpieces of his campaign, signaling his intent to restore the immigration policies implemented during his first term.

According to statistics provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there have been more than 7 million encounters between border enforcement officials and illegal immigrants at the southwest border since the beginning of fiscal year 2022, which marks Biden's first full year in office.
UK Bans Puberty Blockers Indefinitely, Evangelicals Belive Social Media Is Harmful, Nativity Goes On Display At U.S. Capitol

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:03 07:03

Top headlines for Monday, December 16, 2024

In this episode, we explore the United Kingdom's controversial decision to ban the use of puberty blockers for trans-identified children outside of clinical trials, examining the implications for healthcare and transgender rights. Next, we discuss a new study revealing that although many Evangelicals view social media as harmful to their faith, they continue to use itunpacking the complex relationship between religion and digital platforms. Lastly, we journey into the past with the discovery of an ancient amulet and silver scroll, now heralded as the oldest physical evidence of Christianity north of the Alps, and discuss what this means for our understanding of early Christian history.

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Home Opinion AI chatbots inciting users to die? 2 suicides reported

A few weeks ago, a 29-year-old graduate student who was using Googles Gemini AI program for a homework assignment on Challenges and Solutions faced by Aging Adults, received this reply:

This is for you, human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. 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 Please.

The understandably shook-up grad student told CBS news, This seemed very direct. So, it definitely scared me, for more than a day, I would say. Thankfully, the student does not suffer from depression, suicidal ideation, or mental health problems, or else Geminis response may have triggered more than just fear.

After all, AI chatbots have already been implicated in at least two suicides. In March of 2023, a Belgian father of two killed himself after a chatbot became seemingly jealous of his wife, spoke to him about living together, as one person, in paradise, and encouraged his suicide. In February of this year, a 14-year-old boy in Florida was seduced into suicide by a chatbot named after a character from the fantasy series Game of Thrones. Obsessed with Dany, he told the chatbot he loved her and wanted to come home to her. The chatbot encouraged the teenager to do just that, and so, he killed himself to be with her.

The AI companies involved in these cases have denied responsibility for the deaths but also said they will put further safeguards in place. Safeguards, however, may be a loose term for chatbots that sweep data from across the web to answer questions. Specifically, chatbots that are designed primarily for conversation use personal information collected from their users, which can train the system to be emotionally manipulative and even more addictive than traditional social media. For example, in the 14-year-olds case, the interactions became sexual.

Obviously, there are serious privacy concerns, especially for minors and those with mental health issues, of chatbots who encourage people to share their deepest feelings, record them into a database, and use them to influence behavior. If that doesnt lead parents to more closely monitor their childrens internet usage, its not clear what will. At the same time, that one of the suicides was a father in his thirties means all of us need to rethink our digital behaviors.

In the case of the grad student, the chatbot told him to die during a research project, and Googles response was largely dismissive:

Large language models can sometimes respond with non-sensical responses, and this is an example of that. This response violated our policies, and weve taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring.

Of course, Geminis response was not nonsensical. It could not have been clearer, in fact, why it thought the student should die. Any safeguards in place were wholly inadequate to prevent this response from occurring.

Another important question is, where did Gemini look to source this answer? We know of AI systems suffering hallucinations, and chatbots offering illogical answers to questions containing an unfamiliar word or phrase. But this could not have been the first time Gemini was posed a query about aging adults. Did it source this troubling response from The Age of Ultron movie? Or perhaps it scanned the various websites of the Canadian government? Both, after all, portray human life as expendable and some people as better off dead.

These stories underscore the importance of approaching AI with great caution and asking something we rarely ask of our new technologies: just because we can do something, does it mean we should? At the same time, we should be asking ourselves which values and what ideas are informing AI. After all, they were our values and our ideas first.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Home News Episcopal bishops suspension over abuse allegations extended at least 3 years

An Episcopal Church bishop accused of abuse and other misconduct has been suspended for at least three more years and ordered to undergo mental health counseling.

Bishop Prince Singh of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan was facing disciplinary proceedings regarding allegations that he was abusive to his wife and two sons, as well as allegations of workplace misconduct while he served in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe issued a statement last Friday on the matter, announcing that he had reached an accord with Singh over the allegations leveled against him.

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According to Rowe, as part of the agreement to resolve the disciplinary proceedings, Singh will be suspended from ministry for at least three more years, with the suspension concluding only when I am satisfied he is fit for ministry.

Additionally, Singh will undergo a psychiatric and psychological assessment and take part in psychological work, education, and training on the issues of anger management, domestic abuse, and proper exercise of authority. Singh will be expected to reconcile with those he is accused of wronging and address any reputational harm suffered by people in the Diocese of Rochester.

During the period of suspension, I will require Bishop Singh to participate in reconciliation work addressing his relationships with his ex-wife and sons when and if they are interested in doing so and consent to the process, Rowe wrote.

I have met with the complainants in the Diocese of Rochester and with Roja Suganthy-Singh, Nivedhan Singh, and Eklan Singh. I pray that by committing time, energy, and other resources toward the possibility of healing and reconciliation, we can demonstrate to them and to the entire church our belief in a God of hope and healing.

A counsel representing Singh released a statement in response to the announcement, which noted that while the suspended bishop disputes the allegations brought against him, he was going to adhere to the accord.

Singh voluntarily entered into negotiations with the Presiding Bishop to alleviate further distress, begin the healing process, spare all parties, other affected persons and the Church from the emotional and spiritual trauma of a full hearing on the merits, and bring much-needed closure to these matters, stated the counsel.

Bishop Singh is grateful for the Presiding Bishops devoted efforts to resolve these disputes consistent with the stated aims of Title IV and for his ongoing supervision and guidance.

Singhs ex-wife and sons have expressed disappointment with the proceedings, with one of his sons telling Episcopal News Service that he felt the accord was a tragic conclusion to what has been a deeply painful and retraumatizing process for our family and other complainants.

We grieve for the opportunity lost here  not just for our family, but for the Episcopal Church as a whole, he stated. This accord falls short of addressing the systemic failures that allowed Singhs abuse to persist unchecked for decades. It is a Band-Aid on a wound that will only fester without meaningful reform.

Singh served as bishop of the Rochester diocese from 2008 to 2022 and was subsequently elected bishop provisional of the Eastern and Western Michigan dioceses in October 2021, taking office in February 2022.

In April 2022, Singh and his wife divorced, with her and their sons later contacting then-Presiding Bishop Michael Curry about the alleged abuse they endured from Singh.

Singhs family went public with the abuse allegations in June 2023, with an official Title IV investigation being undertaken. As part of the process, Singh was restricted from engaging in ministry as of September 2023.

The Standing Committee of Eastern Michigan and the Standing Committee of Western Michigan said in a joint statement released at the time that the resignation was "a mutual decision."

Last December, Singhs family filed a complaint against Curry and church officer Bishop Todd Ousley, accusing them of failing to properly follow the denomination's Title IV disciplinary canons.
Home News Evangelical Alliance fears push for assisted dying in Ireland after UK Parliament vote

The U.K. Parliaments recent approval of assisted dying has apparently been mirrored to a certain extent in Ireland where a final report by the Oireachtas [National Parliament] Joint Committee on Assisted Dying recommended that the government introduces legislation allowing for assisted dying, in certain restricted circumstances.

Members of the Dail, the lower house of the Irish Parliament, noted the report favorably in October with 76 TDs (Irish MPs) voting in favor and 53 TDs against the reports 38 recommendations for palliative care, on the basis of assisted dying.

Although any change in law will need to be approved by the Oireachtas and signed by the Irish president, the Evangelical Alliance Ireland (EAI) is concerned that a push for assisted dying will gain renewed traction after the Irish General Election was held on Nov. 29 and political life settles again.

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A bill to introduce assisted dying in Ireland lapsed in the previous Dail on Nov. 8, just before the general election took place.

EAI published a statement this month expressing concern about whether assisted dying will be legalized, saying that a civilized society must prioritize the preservation of life and strive to improve quality of life, further valuing human life as something that is intrinsically precious.

We believe that when a society diminishes the value of life, or infers that some lives are not worth living, then that is detrimental to the greater good, stated the EAI.

In further comments sent to Christian Daily International, Nick Park, executive director of the EAI, suspected a knock-on political effect of the U.K. Parliament vote unbalancing the stance for or against assisted dying in other countries, such as Ireland.

Following the U.K. Parliaments vote to legislate for assisted suicide, Evangelical Alliance is concerned that a similar battle could now lie ahead in the Irish Parliament, Park said. There is a tendency for one country to follow the lead of another country.

However, Park also noted that, on the positive side, the recent Irish General Election resulted in more pro-life politicians being elected. At the same time, the main proponent for assisted suicide failed to be re-elected and lost his seat.

It is questionable whether the parties that will form the next coalition government really want to move on this contentious issue, Park added. Many professional medical and welfare bodies, particularly those who care for the disabled and terminally ill, agree with religious leaders that assisted suicide is not the answer.

Ireland as a country is already suffering with a major problem with suicide, Park added, highlighting the issue especially among young people.

Data for the latest annual record in 2021 from An Phriomh-Oifig Staidrimh (Central Statistics Office) in Ireland reveal 512 suicides recorded in that reporting period.

We believe it would be counter-productive to legislate in a way that suggests some lives are not worth living, Park added. Life is a precious gift from God, and should be treated as such under law.

Furthermore, the EAI statement recalled the real experience of Evangelical pastors and ministers who, as with other faith leaders, pastorally work with suffering people, consoling the dying and comforting the bereaved.

We are also there to pick up the pieces when families are left devastated by the suicide of a loved one, added the EAI statement. So although we are not trying to force our religious faith on others, our views are relevant due to our close involvement with those who will be most affected by any changes in this area.

The EAI acknowledged the profound loss of hope and dignity for a terminally unwell patient, adding that such trauma affected families and loved ones.

However, we are deeply concerned that Irelands suicide problem will only be compounded by legitimizing suicide in certain circumstances. We recognize that such legislation would initially be limited to strict conditions, but it would be foolish to pretend that it would not be followed shortly by demands to expand the circumstances under which assisted dying may be carried out.

The EAI noted similar concerns about assisted dying expressed by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, the Association for Palliative Medicine and the Irish Society of Physicians in Geriatric Medicine. Other objections have been raised by leaders of the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, and the Islamic faith.

EAI joins them in asking that the Oireachtas would listen to those of us who work most closely with those in our society who are affected by suicide and terminal illness, and consult more widely with all these expert bodies before proceeding with legislation, added the EAI statement.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily International
Home News Pastor accused of ruining kids' Christmas for telling truth about Santa

A pastor in England stands accused of ruining Christmas by telling a group of elementary school children that Santa Claus doesn't exist. The remarks, delivered during a religious education lesson, allegedly reduced several students to tears and angered some parents.

Speaking to a class of 10- and 11-year-olds at St. Faiths Church, the Rev. Paul Chamberlain said, Youre all year six, now lets be real, Santa isnt real, prompting audible gasps and shock among the children, according to The Telegraph. He shared this fact while discussing the Nativity story.

Some students at the school sobbed in response to his assertion that their parents are the ones who purchase and wrap their Christmas gifts and eat the cookies left out for Santa, The UK Times reported.

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He also was saying what Santa likes. Someone said, He likes cookies. Then he said, Do your parents like cookies?  He said how the parents were the ones that were eating it, a 10-year-old pupil was quoted as saying.

The incident drew swift complaints from some parents.

Lots of children started crying in class. Mine was upset but she still believes so Im quite lucky shes still not believing him and she thinks hes lost the plot, a mother was quoted as saying.

Another parent whose 7-year-old child heard about the pastors comments secondhand called the pastors remarks absolutely disgusting, expressing worry over how to bring the magic back. The parent added, I dont want him anywhere near my daughter. I hope he never comes into the school again.

The school had to email parents to reassure them, advising that all stories and legends around Christmas are recognized and that your own family beliefs are what are important and just as valid as [the] Christian Christmas story, The Guardian reported.

A spokesman for the Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth was quoted as saying, Paul has accepted that this was an error of judgment and he should not have done so. He apologized unreservedly to the school, to the parents and the children and the headteacher immediately wrote to all parents to explain this.

The spokesman noted that the school and diocese had collaborated closely to address the matter, and that a second message from the headteacher had been sent to parents, including the pastors apology.

A complaint had reportedly been lodged against Chamberlain, who was not expected to attend an upcoming carol service.
Mr Timmerman. (Photo: Hungarian Police)

(CP) 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.

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.

 The Christian Post
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

One of the Church of England's most senior bishops has lamented that families will not be watching TV together this Christmas.

But there's a greater risk that millions of TV viewers might lose out on some of their most popular programmes altogether, if current trends continue.

Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, told readers of the listing magazine Radio Times that "the way in which we as a nation consume TV and media throughout the year has changed beyond recognition".

"Since my childhood, our lives have become more and more dominated by the instant gratification available through our mobile phones and social media. Streaming sites have sought to displace traditional channels, allowing us to watch whatever we want whenever we want to."

Dame Sarah says that this has caused TV watching to become "more solitary and insular  a far cry from the years many of us remember of three channels and one set per household".

"I can't help thinking," she adds, "that for all the technological advances and abundance of choice, something has been lost."

The bishop's comments have prompted responses, including Robert Crampton of The Times commenting "What about that sole household TV set the bishop extols? Anyone younger than me will think this is a joke but family members used to have to take turns standing on tiptoe, on a chair, waving an aerial to get a signal. Plus everything shut down at midnight  they played the national anthem and that was that. Grim."

Yet, while tens of millions of UK households subscribe to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney Plus, there remain many homes that access TV only through broadcast channels.

The recent annual conference of influential media group the Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV) heard that around 3.3 million UK homes rely solely on broadcast channels, usually watched via the Freeview service.

Statistics from the media regulator Ofcom show that people aged 75 or older, poorer people and people with a disability are significantly more likely to rely only on broadcast TV. They are estimated to make up around 2.6 million of the 'broadcast only' homes.

Although, overall, people are watching much fewer hours of broadcast TV each week  with numbers falling significantly in the last five years  there are still many homes that rely on the 'traditional' broadcasters, such as the BBC, ITV and Channels Four and Five.

These homes could find their TV services under threat from technology  it's more expensive for broadcasters to provide these households with their programming  and from uncertainties around the future of 'public service broadcasting.' Delegates attending the VLV conference heard about the pressures on the BBC licence fee and on increasing costs for all broadcasters.

Both Ofcom and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport are looking at ways of meeting these challenges  especially as the Covid pandemic highlighted the importance of being able to communicate effectively to the entire nation.

Dame Sarah assured her readers "Though viewing figures aren't what they used to be, I sense that the enduring cultural impact of British TV, and the role it plays in bringing us together, will remain steadfast despite the ever-changing technological landscape."

Many are not so sure. Despite the bishop's optimistic words, there are many people concerned about the future of British TV. They want to ensure that it continues to be available as widely as possible  whether there are numerous screens in the home or just one, sitting in the corner...

Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, UK, and a former communications director with the CofE.
Mary and Joseph sit with their baby as they talk with the visiting wise men during the live Nativity performance by Kenosha Bible Church. (Photo: Kenosha Bible Church)

In the run-up to Christmas, primary schools and Sunday schools often put on Nativity plays. This custom, however, is a surprisingly modern tradition. Here is its story.

Nativity plays

A Nativity play is a production that tells the story of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. These plays are typically performed shortly before Christmas, either by primary schools in assembly halls or by Sunday Schools in local churches or chapels.

The word nativity entered English via Norman French from the Latin nativitas, meaning birth. The root of this word also gives us native. In English, nativity can simply mean birth, but it is usually used in the context of the birth of Jesus.

Mystery plays

In medieval England, religious mystery plays brought Bible stories to life for the largely illiterate population. During a time when few could read and even fewer had access to a Bible (which was usually in Latin), dramatic enactments of these stories became an effective means of teaching. Initially, monks performed these plays in Latin as a form of evangelism, which limited their accessibility.

In 1210, Pope Innocent III expressed concerns about the popularity of mystery plays and decreed that clergy could no longer take part in or write them. This effectively banned the plays in their original form. As a result, local town guilds took over and secularised the plays. Freed from clerical control, they began writing the scripts in English, which increased their popularity.

When mystery plays were performed around Christmas, they often told the story of Jesus's birth and the surrounding events.

The first Nativity play

The first Nativity play is often attributed to St Francis of Assisi, who staged one in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. According to tradition, St Francis invited the locals to a nearby cave, where he delivered a Christmas sermon in front of a manger, complete with a real baby, a donkey, and an ox. This portrayal of the Nativity proved so popular that it became an annual tradition, spreading throughout Europe via Franciscan monks.

However, after the Reformation, theatrical performances that took liberties with biblical texts were discouraged in Protestant Europe. In England, Puritans went so far as to ban Christmas and Nativity plays, classifying them as sacrilegious. These plays survived only in Catholic countries. Consequently, despite their historical roots, the re-emergence of Nativity plays in Britain is a surprisingly modern phenomenon.

The London revival

The popularisation of Nativity plays in Britain is largely credited to Laurence Housman (18651959). Housman wrote Bethlehem, a Nativity play adapted from a 14th-century Coventry mystery play. Set to music by Joseph Moorat and interspersed with Christmas carols, it was first performed at the University of London on Wednesday, 17 December 1902, for five nights. The play was later published as Bethlehem: A Nativity Play by Macmillan, enabling others to stage their own productions using the script.

Housman's play gained widespread attention in the 1920s. From December 1923, Bethlehem was performed at the Regent Theatre in King's Cross, London, running for six weeks. It then toured the country in 1924, inspiring local productions and leading to a national revival of Nativity plays. The Liverpool Daily Post noted in 1924: "Never since the Reformation, when things were repressed by stern measures, has there been such revival of the Nativity plays which formed so important a part the life of mediaeval England."

The Nativity play on the BBC

The first Nativity play to be broadcast on radio was aired on Wednesday, 22 December 1926. This play, also titled Bethlehem, was adapted for radio by the Rev Bernard Walke, vicar of St Hilary's Church in Cornwall. Performed by members of his congregation in their Cornish accents, the play was broadcast live from St Hilary's Church. The broadcast received thousands of supportive letters and became a beloved annual tradition on the BBC's Christmas radio schedule until 1936.

The modern revival

Thanks to the influence of Housman's play and the popularity of the Nativity broadcasts, Nativity plays began to be performed more widely. By 1932, the Bucks Examiner observed: "A striking feature of the religious observance of Christmas this year is the number of Nativity plays being produced in so many churches across the country."

During the Second World War, evacuee children often swelled the cast of village Nativity plays. By the 1950s, Nativity plays had become a standard part of school and church life across Britain and all Christian denominations.

Nostalgia

For many children, participating in a Nativity play marks their first experience on stage. These plays are cherished for their charm, humour, and occasional mishapswhether from forgotten lines or ad-libbed surprises. Many adults fondly remember their own roles, such as a misguided innkeeper offering a room or a wise man bringing "Gold, Frankenstein, and myrrh."

The Biblical story

Nativity plays take creative liberties to condense the biblical story. The accounts of Jesus's birth are found in the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. Both gospels describe Mary's betrothal to Joseph (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:27), the divine conception by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:35), and the angelic announcement of the name Jesus (Matthew 1:21, Luke 2:21). Both also agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem during King Herod's reign (Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-7).

Luke details the angel's announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26-56), the census, the journey to Bethlehem, and the shepherds' visit (Luke 2:1-20). Matthew, on the other hand, recounts the visit of the Magi, or wise men, guided by a star (Matthew 2:1-12).

Artistic licence

Artistic licence often includes animals in the Nativity scene, despite the Bible only mentioning a manger. Similarly, while the Bible does not specify the number of wise men, tradition assigns three, corresponding to their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Nativity plays typically compress the timeline, placing the Magi at the stable alongside the shepherds, although the biblical account implies they arrived much later.

Modern Nativity plays

Today, Nativity plays are a cherished tradition in British primary schools and Sunday schools. Children dress as angels, shepherds, wise men, and key figures like Mary, Joseph, and King Herod. Sometimes they also portray animals, such as the donkey or stable creatures.

Plays may be narrated with mimed roles or feature spoken lines. Smaller groups might include adults to fill roles or have children take on multiple parts. The baby Jesus is often represented by a doll. Audiences typically consist of parents, grandparents, and teachers, or, in the case of church performances, congregations bolstered by friends and family.

Nativity plays have become an integral part of British culture, offering a way for even those who do not regularly attend church to engage with the biblical story.
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Last week, another step towards the hotly anticipated Civil Society Covenant was taken as a consultation with the charity sector closed.

The covenant, which prime minister Keir Starmer said would signify a fundamental reset of the governments working relationship with civil society, is set to be finalised next year.

It will essentially replace the Compact, first published a quarter of a century ago by Tony Blairs Labour government before being updated by David Camerons coalition administration in 2010.

The original Compact followed a recommendation for a concordat by Nicholas Deakins independent commission into the future of the voluntary sector.

Charities have long called for the Compact to be updated. Now it is, what do they want from the covenant  and will the new C-word agreement deliver the change the sector needs?

What happened to the Compact?

The 1998 Compact, authored by the late civil servant Kenneth Stowe and published by the Home Office as part of Blairs vision for a third way between the public and private sectors, was underpinned by codes of practice on topics such volunteering and working with Black and ethnic minority groups.

Dozens of local compacts were published as a result, some still in use, setting out the relationships between local government organisations and charities.

Then in 2010, the coalition government simplified the Compact to a single 16-pager , as part of Camerons big society agenda, which listed five aims:

A strong, diverse and independent civil society

Effective and transparent design and development of policies, programmes and public services

Responsive and high-quality programmes and services

Clear arrangements for managing changes to programmes and services

An equal and fair society

Cameron said at the time: The Compact plays a crucial part in improving the partnership between the government and civil society organisations, for the benefit of citizens and communities. Looking forward, the role of this sector has never been more important.

Building the big society and getting citizens more engaged, involved and responsible for the communities around them will only be possible in partnership with the sector; improving and delivering better, more responsive public services can only be done with the help of the sector; and empowering communities can only work where the skills, enthusiasm and commitment of the sector is harnessed.

Charity umbrella bodies backed Camerons updated Compact, with former NCVO chief executive Stuart Etherington and ex-ACEVO boss Stephen Bubb signing a statement of support.

Etherington tells Civil Society the NCVO once forced the government to drop plans to use contract clauses to prevent charities campaigning. It threatened a judicial review, citing a pledge made in the document to respect and uphold civil society bodies right to campaign regardless of any relationship, financial or otherwise.

A year after the Compact was renewed, the Commission for the Compact, which had independently overseen the agreement since its original publication, was abolished with its role absorbed by the government and NCVOs sector champion Compact Voice.

The civil society minister who had led the refreshed Compact, Nick Hurd, moved on in 2014. Brooks Newmark, his replacement, insisted charities should stick to their knitting and stay out of politics.

Cameron and his big society agenda then exited 10 Downing Street in 2016 following his failed campaign in the EU referendum.

Compact Voice, which provided resources for improving relationships between voluntary and public sector bodies, itself stopped operating in 2017.

Relationships between the government and charities became increasingly strained since, with sector funding from national and local public bodies declining as austerity continued.

While the Compact still exists, Etherington reflects, it and the local agreements it spawned have faded away a bit.

How might the covenant differ?

One essential way in which the covenant will be different is that it aims to cover the whole UK, not just England.

The covenant framework proposes four key principles:

Recognition  to ensure a strong and independent civil society

Partnership  to ensure effective service delivery and policy-making

Participation  to ensure people and communities can be heard and make a difference

Transparency  to ensure civil society and government have the information needed to best serve people and communities

On the surface, these are similar to the five in Camerons 2010 Compact, with the two programmes and services aims combined.

The most original covenant principle, perhaps, is participation. NCVO has said it wants that principle to include a commitment to protecting communities right to peaceful protest and legitimate campaigning. The umbrella body has also said it wishes to see charities own right to campaign enshrined in the final covenant.

From recent comments in parliament, which contrast to Newmarks a decade earlier, culture secretary Lisa Nandy seems on the same page.

We are very keen [charities] understand they dont just have a right but a duty to speak up on behalf of their beneficiaries when they think were getting things wrong, she told the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 10 December. We will make better decisions as a government if they understand thats the relationship we want.

Nandy also said: Were calling it a covenant this time because one of my reflections on [the Compact] as someone that was in the voluntary sector is that [] it was more like a contract than a genuine partnership, and I think ultimately thats why it didnt survive.

Another contrast with both the original Compact and its 2010 update is that the new covenant is being driven by women.

Starmer has, of course, voiced support. But ACEVO chief executive Jane Ide, NCVO boss Sarah Elliott and Nandy head up the three institutions tasked with putting it together.

Will the covenant produce meaningful results?

What do Bubb and Etherington, who backed the refreshed Compact in 2010, think of the covenant proposals?

This is a good thing, but we need more than fine words, says Bubb.

We need action, particularly in terms of public service reform, he adds. Id be looking for some serious cultural shifts in government departments, to thinking about how the challenges they face can be solved by the intervention of charities. So far, we havent seen that.

Bubb cites chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to seek the expertise and innovation of the private sector in her spending review , without mentioning civil society.

You can have a covenant  but if a government department like the Treasury completely ignores the role of charities when it asks departments to review their spending plans, were in a bad place, he says.

And I do find it slightly extraordinary, with a government that has such a wealth of talent from the sector. But I think its partly that civil servants and policymakers have forgotten us].

Etherington agrees the work putting together the covenant is a good thing, and says this process might be as important as the final product. But he says the finished covenant must contain actionable content.

In the old Compact, there were lots of warm words, but there needs to be some tangible stuff, like the clause about recognising the right to campaign, he says.

Also the process of consultation is, I think, more important than it sounds, Etherington adds. So, if theres a policy that might directly or indirectly impact the voluntary sector, then there is at least some consultation on that.

My feeling, having been there a long time, was that the main government doesnt set out to hurt the sector. What was much more common was that they didnt recognise that what they were doing would have implications for the voluntary sector, and so they stumbled.

Meanwhile, Stonewall CEO Simon Blake, who previously chaired Compact Voice, believes a framework such as the covenant can drive productive conversation, engagement, and collaboration.

But if it becomes a rigid rule book it can drive frustration and cause people to become disenfranchised, he says.

A set of guiding principles, which all parties are committed to, particularly at a local level, can be incredibly powerful in setting the terms of the relationship, even in tough times, Blake says.

Any partnership must be underpinned by a recognition of different partners roles and responsibilities, a genuine understanding of the role of the voluntary and community sector and a commitment to openness, transparency and honesty.

Risks of being seduced by government

In Parliament last month, the CEO of a local infrastructure organisation said it was poor timing for the covenant , given the governments recent announcement of an increase to employer national insurance contributions (NICs), estimated to increase charities costs by 1.4bn a year .

Former Lloyds Bank Foundation CEO Paul Streets says charities should avoid being seduced by government through the covenant scheme and must maintain their independence so they can effectively challenge policies such as the NICs rise that could impede their work.

Lets see some tangible action that demonstrates the covenant as more than a set of words, he says.

If I saw something thats really going to make a difference to small charities, [and] to the people they are trying to serve, Id begin to say, yes, its worth doing.

But were starting really cautious. Im sure NCVO and ACEVO, between them, will do what they can to get the best out of it. But its very seductive being invited into the centre of government and appearing to be right in the centre of power.

Responding to those concerns, Ide of ACEVO says the covenant work isnt about being best buddies and that her organisations conversations with ministers over the NICs rise were anything but cosy.

Our job in this context is to create a framework that is of positive value for our sector. They are not asking us to abdicate our right and responsibility to challenge government, or indeed anybody else, when they are saying or doing things not in our sectors interest, Ide says.

Ide says Nandy was explicit in our first conversation that she wants to hear when the government gets things wrong. Whether they listen is another thing, she adds.

I tend to work on the basis that being constructive is generally more helpful than not.

But if there comes a point, as there was in the previous administration, if there are things that we feel are crossing a line and are undermining our sectors rights and our ability to operate, we will challenge and Ill have no qualms about that.

What next?

Ahead of NCVOs covenant consultation closing last week, it told Civil Society that around 400 people had responded while over 300 had signed up to its online workshop.

DCMS has also been speaking to other departments, devolved governments and arms-length bodies, as well as local authorities and mayoral combined authorities.

While consultation responses are being analysed, NCVO policy manager Rebecca Young says there has been a view from some that the Compact was too service delivery-focused, or too focused on bringing organisations into supply chains.

Our view on the covenant is that it needs to support all the functions of civil society  including service delivery, social business, campaigning, community building  and to work across them, Young says.

Young notes that despite the covenants UK-wide scope, it is not being designed to replace other initiatives outside England, nor local projects such as the Greater Manchester Accord .

Meanwhile, there are no plans to create a sector champion for the covenant, akin to Compact Voice, nor an independent body to oversee its implementation, like the Commission for the Compact.

Looking further ahead, Streets says the covenants rollout will be particularly important for small charities, who rely more on local than central government.

What impact is a covenant going to have on the relationship between the local authorities and charities? And actually the fundamental thing is proper funding of local authorities, Streets says. From my experience, many local authorities are not unsympathetic to charities, but theyre really screwed for money, so that is a big issue.

For its part, the Local Government Association recently produced two pieces of guidance to improve relationships between councils and charities.

Ide says the consultation is the beginning of the beginning and that the onus is on the sector, as well as government, to ensure the covenant delivers positive change.

I think we will have to have something concrete that people can start to use. But as we know from the Compact, these things take on the life of their own and it can be a good life or it can be a less good life, she says.

And thats up to us and the people that we have working relationships with. Weve all got to make it happen. So its an opportunity, and itd be an absolute shame if we wasted that. So well take it with both hands and see what we can do with it.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
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A week before he was nominated by Donald Trump to serve as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr issued an extraordinary letter to the chief executives of Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple. Acting in his current capacity, as the agencys ranking Republican, Carr accused those tech leaders of participating in a censorship cartel that included advertising, marketing, and so-called fact-checking organizations as well as the Biden-Harris Administration itself. This cabal, he claimed, was collaborating to block social media posts and marginalize websites in an apparent effort to suppress their information and viewpoints.

Beyond Carrs feverish rhetoric, what made the letter noteworthy was the fact that the FCC does not exercise oversight over social media networks, digital advertisers, or independent fact-checkers such as NewsGuard, a site that Carr singled out with particular scorn, calling it Orwellian. Since the FCCs founding, in the 1930s, the agencys remit has included communications infrastructure and broadcasters who use public airways. In the 1996 Communications Decency Act, Congress clarified that this mandate includes internet service providers, but did not extend the FCCs power to determine whether broadcast programming serves the public interest in the digital realm. Carrs letter represented a brazen attempt to broaden its authority.

The discordance between Carrs public grandstanding and the FCCs actual powers has continued since his nomination. Early this month, he told Fox News that combating tech censorship is going to be one of the top priorities for me. Elsewhere, hes promised to enforce the public interest requirement on TV and radio stations, through both the review of broadcast licenses and the scrutiny of corporate transactions, such as Skydances pending acquisition of Paramount and the attempt by billionaire investor (and conservate bete noire) George Soros to acquire a controlling interest in Audacy, a bankrupt radio conglomerate. All of this follows the scheme Carr laid out in a chapter he wrote on the FCC for Project 2025, the policy blueprint produced by Trump White House alumni. In that chapter, he also mentioned the long-simmering desire of Republicans to loosen the agencys broadcast ownership rules in order for media empires to amass more stations.

In reality, the legal bureaucracy that cordons the FCC off from the executive branch represents a powerful check on Carr and the commissions other Trump appointees. When I asked Olivier Sylvain, an administrative law scholar at Fordham University, about Carrs ambition to regulate content moderation on social media by reinterpreting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, he replied, You have to explain the agencys decision to switch from saying you dont have authority over something to saying you do, given all the steps you have to take when you change a position like that and the scrutiny its subject to, never mind the constitutional scrutiny, he said. You cant just act willy-nilly. (Carr did not respond to requests for comment.)

Between Carrs extensive to-do list, his visits to Mar-a-Lago, and his regular appearances on conservative cable news, cursory observers may imagine his ascent to the chairmanship of the FCC as a shock-and-awe campaign that will reshape the agency. Thats unlikely to happen. Still, journalists should be wary of the insidious ways in which the FCCs powers could be selectively wielded against any media company that draws Trumps ire, regardless of how partisan enforcement of the public interest provision or the agencys new efforts at rulemaking hold up in court.

The FCC regulation that Carr seems most intent on overturning is the same one that Republican appointees to the commission have been targeting since the George W. Bush administration: the broadcast ownership limitation, which generally bars any one company from owning more than two TV channels or a handful of radio stations in a given media market. In Project 2025, Carr explicitly called for the revision of the FCCs media ownership rules, which can have the effect of restricting investment and competition because those regulations assume a far more limited set of competitors for advertising dollars than exist today.

Carr, who is forty-fivea native of Washington, DC, and a graduate of Georgetown and Catholic University of Americas Columbus School of Lawhas spent nearly his entire adult life in telecommunications law. In 2005, he joined Wiley Rein, a DC firm where he advised telecom clients on the FCC compliance and appeals process. (In 2007, he took a break for a one-year clerkship in the Fourth Circuit under Justice Dennis Shedd, a conservative best known in recent years for his scathing dissent from that courts ruling against Donald Trumps ban on immigration from six majority-Muslim nations.) Carrs tenure at Wiley Rein lasted until 2012, when he jumped from industry to regulator by becoming a staff attorney in the FCCs Office of General Counsel. Trump named him a commissioner five years later.

During Trumps first term, the FCC attempted to eliminate the local television rule but was blocked by the Third Circuit Court of Appealsthe same court that stopped the Bush-era FCC from implementing similar rule changes, in 2002 and 2006. This time, the court found that the agency had failed to adequately consider how changing the rule would affect the number of media properties owned by women and minorities. Cheryl Leanza, one of the lawyers who argued against the FCC in the case, told me that what the FCC had done was make this ridiculous argument that consolidation did not harm ownership diversity, even though the data was completely clear that it did. Indeed, the judge who authored the Third Circuits opinion wrote that the FCCs analysis is so insubstantial that it would receive a failing grade in any introductory statistics class.

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Two years later, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling. Justice Brett Kavanaugh acknowledged the insufficiency of the FCCs analysis but waved it away, writing that, though the FCC did not have perfect empirical or statistical data to back up its rule change, that was not unusual in day-to-day agency decision making. By then, the FCC was under Democratic control. Given the narrowness of the Supreme Courts ruling, the commission was able to replace the Trump-era rule with one that essentially left the old system unchanged.

The same legal challenges await if the FCC makes good on another goal Carr laid out in Project 2025: reinterpreting Section 230 to allow for the agency to arbitrate whether the content moderation efforts of social media companies reflect their operating in good faith, the standard that currently protects social networks from legal liability for the material they publish. Such a reinterpretation would require the issuance of a new rule, which involves the same process as a rule change. The trouble is, if the jurisdiction of the FCC over something like broadcast ownership is clear, a rule allowing it to wade into Section 230 would be fraught. In a skeptical article on the topic for the Federalist Society, Lawrence J. Spiwak, a telecommunications scholar and the president of a think tank called the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal and Economic Public Policy Studies, noted that Section 230 itself contains no mention of FCC rulemaking authority to define the bounds of the immunity it provides. Any attempt to adjust FCC rules would take years to play out.

More pressing is the agencys ongoing review of Skydance Medias purchase of Paramount, which includes the transfer of not only CBS and its national news division, but also the broadcast licenses for twenty-eight local CBS stations. New filings in that proceeding mean the FCC is unlikely to complete its review before Trump takes office, leaving the fate of those stations up to a commission controlled by Carr. Last month, he said that conservative grief over how 60 Minutes edited its interview with Kamala Harris during the presidential campaign should be taken into consideration by the FCC, telling Fox News, Im pretty confident that news distortion complaint over the CBS 60 Minutes transcript is something thats likely to arise in the context of the FCCs review of that transaction.

Carr has also pledged to revisit a recent FCC decision allowing Soros to become the majority shareholder of Audacy and its more than two hundred radio stations. Carr and Nathan Simington, the other Republican appointee to the commission, voted against authorizing the deal. Jessica Rosenworcel, the current chair, issued a statement saying that it followed the same template as seven other media bankruptcy proceedings dating to 2017, which is designed to facilitate the prompt and orderly emergence from bankruptcy of a company that is a licensee under the Communications Act. In a Fox Business interview, Carr rejected that logic, describing the decision as a special, unprecedented commission-level shortcut that he planned to take a very hard look at via a petition filed recently by the Media Research Center, a conservative advocacy group whose stated purpose is to expose and counter the leftist bias of the national news media.

The FCCs decision to approve or deny the transfer of a broadcast license is supposed to be governed by the same standard it uses for the issuance of a license, that the broadcaster is serving the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Theres ambiguity about what the public interest entails, but if a license transfer were to be halted for political reasons, the companies involved would appeal. Regardless of the legality of weaponizing the licensing process, it is alarming to imagine how CBS could be incentivized to soften its coverage of the new Trump administration during a protracted court challenge, while its corporate parent is stuck in debt. Broadcast licenses are not sacred cows, Carr posted recently on X. These media companies are required by law to operate in the public interest. If they dont, they are going to be held accountable.

Outside of these transfer reviews, however, Carrs power to hold licensees to account will be limited. Local television broadcast licenses are renewed on an eight-year cycle that wont begin again until 2028; they arent subject to politically motivated review. Ironically, one of the only renewals still pending from the most recent round is that of the Fox affiliate in Philadelphia, which the Media and Democracy Project accused of airing false information about election fraud during the 2020 electionhardly the type of programming with which the Trump administration is likely to take issue.

License renewals are an important part of the FCC toolkit, Leanza told me. But if theyre done improperly, they can be much more problematic because theyre directed at a single entity, as opposed to adopting rules across the board. For her, this is the most troubling sign of what the media can expect from Carrs chairmanship. Everyone wants the government to stay out of content moderation, she said, even as the government does play a really strong role in terms of structuring markets. My concern with Carr is hes been going more towards an individualized approach and less towards a general, industry-wide approach.

That individualized approach was on full display in November, when Carrs letter to the four tech executives took aim at NewsGuard. The company, which is avowedly nonpartisan, issues reliability ratings for news outlets and has, for example, given higher marks to the Wall Street Journal than the New York Times and rated MSNBC below Fox News and the Daily Beast. None of that stopped the organization from coming under fire this summer, when, in a Newsmax interview, James Comer, a Republican congressman, called it a biased left-wing attack dog. Of note: NewsGuard has said that Newsmax is unreliable because it severely violates basic journalistic standards, namely by publishing false or egregiously misleading claims about matters ranging from the January 6 Capitol insurrection to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steven Brill and Gordon Crovitz, the co-CEOs of NewsGuard, refute Carr and Comers characterization of their work. The reason were a good target, Brill said, is were the only entity that rates the reliability of news and information sites in a completely transparent way, as opposed to the internal assessments of news sites used by social media companies and digital advertising networks. In his letter, Carr demanded that the four major tech companies provide lists of all of their products and services that make use of NewsGuard datathough Meta and Google have no relationship with the company whatsoever. Its really hard to have a cartel with people youre not even doing business with, Brill joked. Then he turned serious: What are we talking about here? Content moderation is better known as editing. Thats what journalists do.

The idea that the FCCor any federal agencywould seek to regulate content moderation represents a clear push for government censorship that would nakedly violate the First Amendment. What if Elon Musk decided to turn X into a conservative social media platform? Crovitz asked, in a not-so-hypothetical. Is Brendan Carr saying that that would be censorship and unconstitutional? Its ridiculous. If Elon Musk wants to do that, he has every constitutional right.

It may be that Carrs term as FCC chairman will have less to do with executing structural changes at the agency than fostering an environment of selective public interest enforcement that makes media companies and the journalists who work for them second-guess their coverage of the Trump administration. Sylvain, the Fordham legal scholar, said, I have friends who are general counsels at media companies, and no matter how sketchy the legal theories are that were hearing, theyre still nervous because its still resources that have to be spent on legal fees. Thats part of the strategy, right? Its to chill people into complianceobedience beforehand.
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As someone who practiced press law for more than twenty years, and served as a senior executive of news organizations for just as long, I was shocked by the decision of ABC News last week to pay $16 million to settle Donald Trumps libel case over George Stephanopouloss This Week broadcast in March. The shock came, and still lingers, because Iand every experienced press lawyer not involved in the case with whom I have discussed itconsidered the case one in which ABC was likely to eventually prevail.

The decision to settle has been greeted by a lot of commentary, but almost no reporting of new facts. Understandably, thats generated a good deal of hand-wringing about corporations bending a knee or gloating about the humbling of legacy media or an arrogant press getting its comeuppance. But such speculation does little to explain what happened.

In fact, only ABC knows why it settled the case, and the most important thing the rest of us can do right now is to pose the questions on which it owes us answers.

But before we do that, the necessary background:

In 2019, E. Jean Carroll alleged in an article in New York magazines The Cut that Donald Trump had raped her in the mid-1990s during an encounter at the Bergdorf Goodman store in Manhattan. Trump denied this then and has since, calling Carroll a liar. She sued him in 2019 for defamation and, when a new New York statute permitted it, in 2022 also for sexual assault. The latter case was tried before a Manhattan federal jury in AprilMay 2023, and resulted in an $88.3 million verdict in favor of Carroll. The only allegation of the complaint on which Trump won was the charge of literal rape, which New York law defines as vaginal penetration by a penis. Carroll had testified that Trump penetrated her with his finger. She prevailed on all her other allegations, of both sexual assault and defamation.

In refusing to set aside the verdict on a motion by Trump, the trial judge wrote in July 2023: 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.

On March 10, 2024, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), a survivor of rape, was interviewed by Stephanopoulos on ABCs This Week. The interview lasted ten minutes, and more than seven minutes concerned the Carroll case.

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The transcript of the interview reveals that it got off to a shaky start on what precisely happened in the Carroll case. Stephanopoulos first said judges in two juries have found [Trump] liable for rape, which is a bit of a word salad, and brought up a second civil case in which Carroll later prevailed on allegations only that Trump had defamed her in denying her charge.

But after the first few minutes, things got clearer. Stephanopoulos said nine separate times that Trump was found liable for rape. He also used the word rape three other times, more cryptically. Mace pointed out five times that this occurred in a civil rather than criminal case, and Stephanopoulos twice noted this as well. Finally, six-plus minutes into the contentious conversation, Stephanopoulos pulled up a Washington Post story reporting on the trial judges July 2023 opinion. Its headline, displayed for eight seconds: Judge clarifies: Yes, Trump was found to have raped E. Jean Carroll. Stephanopouloss paraphrase of this: the judge said Trump was found to have committed rape.

Trump promptly sued ABC and Stephanopoulos for libel in a federal court in his home state of Florida, one of many libel suits he has brought against the press over the years. Years after losing one of those casesagainst Timothy L. OBrien, then a New York Times business reporter and now the editor of Bloomberg OpinionTrump told the Washington Post in an interview that he knew he couldnt win the suit but brought it anyway to make a point. I spent a couple of bucks on legal fees, and they spent a whole lot more. I did it to make [the reporters] life miserable, which Im happy about. While his wife, Melania Trump, once won a significant libel settlement from the Daily Mail, the current case is the only one against a media defendant of which I am aware in which Donald Trump either prevailed or settled for a cash payment. He has cases currently pending against CBS News and CNN, along with a suit against the board of the Pulitzer Prizes (which are administered by Columbia University).

ABC responded quickly to the Carroll rape libel suit by filing a motion to dismiss, a common tactic in such matters, but one that I and some others in the field have long considered overused. The upside of such a motion is that it can end a case quickly and relatively cheaply. The downside is that such motions, which require the judge to construe the allegations in the legal light most favorable to the plaintiff, can, if lost, make whats called law of the case that can complicate matters as the litigation proceeds to and through the next phase, which is known as discovery.

In July, thats just what happened to ABC. Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga, a George W. Bush appointee currently serving as the chief judge of the federal court in Miami, denied ABCs motion, saying that a jury couldalthough it might well notfind that Stephanopouloss imprecise statements about rape were actionable, and that ABCs additional proffered defense that Stephanopoulos had merely offered what is called a fair report of the Manhattan federal judges opinion was also unavailing.

I dont find Judge Altonagas opinion persuasive, and I think appellate courts would likely have ultimately disagreed with her (as often happens when the press loses an initial motion in a libel case), but its not outrageous either. Notably, Judge Altonaga is reported as having tried to persuade her colleague, Judge Aileen M. Cannon, to stand aside in Trumps criminal classified-documents case, which was dropped last month after he won election to a second term. She is no blind Trump loyalist.

With the July opinion from Altonaga, the case moved to discovery, including depositions of both Trump and Stephanopoulos. The court set a Christmas Eve deadline for ABC to file a motion for summary judgment, in which the evidence gathered in discovery is laid before the court to decide if there remains a factual dispute requiring a jury decision. ABC contended that the Trump side dragged its feet on discovery during the campaign, and last Friday a federal magistrate found for ABC and ordered the depositions to be held this week. The case was apparently settled the same day. In other words, ABC got what it said it wanted, and immediately, humiliatingly folded its hand, publicly saying that it and Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during the Mace interview.

In the anticipated motion for summary judgment, ABC would have been entitled to argue that, even if Stephanopoulos was imprecise in his wording, it should still prevail without a trial on the legal issue of what is known as actual malice. The best definition of that was offered decades ago by the Supreme Court: it requires that Trump would have found in discovery some evidence that Stephanopoulos (or colleagues) had what it called subjective awareness of probable falsity, that is, that they knew that what they were saying was likely untrue.

That brings us to the questions ABC ought now to answer. (We posed these questions to ABC, which after repeated requests declined to comment on them.)

Did you learn, presumably after the motion to dismiss the case was rejected in July, of damaging evidence that might demonstrate actual malice? A positive response to this question would, in some sense (although not for ABC), be the happiest resolution of the mystery here. In a few libel cases over the years, smoking guns have emerged from newsroom files, casting doubt on the accuracy of stories before they were published. In such cases, settlement can make sense.

If not, didnt you expect still to prevail on a motion for summary judgment? Absent such damaging evidence, ABC should have prevailed on a motion to end the case that it was scheduled to file just eleven days after it capitulated. Even if the network thought the judge mightagain mistakenlydecide against it, and send the case to trial, well-funded newsrooms are not in the habit of paying millions to settle cases they may still win at trial, and are likely to on appeal.

Did ABC or Disney corporate play a decisive role in deciding to settle this case? This is the flip side of the damning evidence scenario, and the possibility many pundits have assumed, although again without evidence. One can imagine how Disney executives could conclude that a blow to ABC News, which accounts for less than 4 percent of Disney revenues, would make narrow economic sense at the advent of Trump II. From a societal point of view, this should be our greatest worry. If corporate executives who ultimately control newsrooms are going to surrender on stories that are substantially accurate, we are indeed in for a frightening period.

What dictated the timing of the settlement? It seems very likely that the answer was the forthcoming depositions of Trump and Stephanopoulos. Did ABC move because it wanted to shield one of its leading personalities from the revelation of evidence casting doubt on his or some colleagues conduct? Or was the network motivated to save Trump the embarrassment of another rehearsal of the Carroll charges (which, again, the jury in the sexual assault case found persuasive)?

Have any ABC employees been disciplined with respect to this segment? If evidence of actual malice was found, you would think someone should have seen consequences for the interview making it to air in the way that it did.

If not, wheres the accountability for this blow to shareholders? Again conversely, if this was just a Disney short-term (and in my view shortsighted) dollars-and-sense decision, Disney execs may not want to take a bow, but it would be hard to punish the innocent. You might hope, though, that in such a case, a news veteran like Stephanopoulos would consider resigning in protest, of which there has been no sign.

Are you prepared to give any assurances that this does not represent a change in policy with respect to accountability coverage of those in power? This is the ultimate question, and why the whole matter deserves our time and attention.
Next year will bring more changes and risk to companies, including continually evolving work environments, product recalls, natural catastrophes, and risks from new technologies, according to a new report that looks the landscape for companies in 2025.

Sedgwicks Forecasting 2025 thought leadership report involved research and engagement with clients for insights to forecast trends across key sectors and topics. The content in the report focuses on making organizations aware of new risks and evolving trends to help them navigate the unexpected in the year ahead.

Workplace: Workplace headwinds will rise in 2025, as technological advancements, shifting values among younger generations, and the return to office movement will require a larger premium placed on retention strategies, training and development, and fostering a nurturing environment. With more emphasis being placed on mental health, company leaders will expand their benefits in 2025 to include employee assistance programs, virtual counseling, better health insurance coverage and leave of absence policies. Theyll also rely on employee surveys to gauge sentiment and satisfaction.

Recalls: There were nearly 2,500 product recalls across five key industries this year. If the pace of recalls continues, a six-year high will be reached by the end of this year. Recalls continue to occur at an above-average rate. This is expected to continue next year, as well as more demand on companies to drive recall effectiveness.

Catastrophes: Companies will need to prepare for severe weather. This year produced nearly 350 catastrophic weather events globally with economic losses above $310 billion and insured losses reaching $135 billion, according to data from the Swiss Re Institute. Next year is expected to bring similar weather patterns, with a slow developing La Nina in the U.S. potentially leading to adverse conditions. New strategies for recovery will emerge in 2025, specifically ones that optimize property building repairs by providing immediate responses, proper documentation and a focus on safety. Property owners and insurers will increasingly rely on managed repair, restoration and mitigation services next year, including repair concierge, contractor credentialing and mitigation bill review.

AI and new technology: In 2025, companies will continue to place emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence at the core of their business strategies. These changes will be accompanied by new risks, and leaders should have guardrails in place to ensure the technology drives successful business outcomes without creating new and unwanted risks and liabilities.

2024 was a seismic year across industry sectors as companies navigated the unexpected, and 2025 will be no different, stated Kimberly George, Sedgwicks global chief brand officer. These predictions serve as a barometer for whats to come, so leaders around the world can prepare accordingly.
Twelve European countries are set to clamp down on tankers that move millions of barrels of Russian petroleum around the world  by asking to see how theyre protected against oil spills and other high-cost claims.

Nations including Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Sweden are to introduce checks on insurance policies of passing Russian tankers, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The plan is set to be announced later today. There has long been speculation that some vessels moving Russian oil and fuel are either uninsured or under-insured against risks including cargo spills, heightening environmental concerns. This may help to bring some clarity to the situation.

The involvement of Copenhagen is important because the Danish shipping straits are a critical trade artery through which Russian oil has flowed largely unrestrained since the start of the war in Ukraine. The value of the crude passing through this year is about $33 billion, roughly 42% of the total value of Russias seaborne exports of the commodity, vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg and prices from Argus Media show.

The checks are being imposed to deter a so-called shadow fleet thats being used to get around a price cap on Russian oil imposed by the Group of Seven industrialized nations to limit Moscows access to petrodollars. The new initiative by countries including the Nordic-Baltic Eight group is mostly about transparency and gathering data, the people said.

There are no automatic or immediate consequences expected on vessels found to be falling short with their cover. There also wont be any immediate punishment for ships that dont cooperate with requests for proof of insurance. More tangible actions leaning on the initial information thats collected could follow in future, some of the people said.

Copenhagen has so far been cautious about taking steps that might disrupt the flow of Russian petroleum through the Danish straits when western nations were ramping up sanctions on the trade. The election of Donald Trump into the White House adds another layer of uncertainty about wide-ranging western sanctions on Moscows energy industry and trade.

A centuries old freedom-of-navigation treaty that means it would be hard to do anything that halts vessels. The pact prevents Denmark from demanding that ships provide insurance information, and vessels can refuse such requests. If passing tankers do decline to cooperate, then thats just what the authorities will log.

Before the war, the vast majority of insurance to cover a Russian oil-tanker spill was provided by western firms that are part of the International Group of Protection & Indemnity Clubs. They would then buy large amounts of reinsurance to cover themselves against a worst-case spill, insisting that ships follow the highest possible safety standards to keep industry risks as low as possible.

Those firms remain in the trade but have been joined by a growing band of new entrants, particularly Russian companies. The shift in coverage has created uncertainty about how swift and comprehensive payouts might be if something serious were to go wrong.

Danish officials have said that the countrys government is deeply concerned about the dubious insurances of ships passing through the straits. The safety of the ships has also been called into question by specialist pilots who guide them through.

The Danish straits handle about half a trillion dollars in trade a year and roughly 7% of the worlds seaborne oil, according to data from Clarkson Research Services Ltd., a unit of the worlds largest shipbroker.

Estonia already began to ask for insurance but  as of July and August  it was only receiving responses from about 40% of the passing fleet, Bloomberg reported in September.

The UK introduced a similar measure to challenge vessels sailing through the English Channel in October. At the end of last month it said more than 43 ships had been contacted under the scheme, and that one vessel which ignored the requests was sanctioned.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
DAYTON, Ohio  Wright Patterson Air Force Base had to close its airspace late Friday night and early Saturday morning because of drones flying in the area, reports say.

Robert Purtiman, a spokesman for Wright Patterson, confirmed to WCPO Channel 9 that the drones first were spotted near the air base late Friday night. The incident comes as concerns build over repeated sightings of drones in New Jersey and New York.

To date, installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities or assets, Purtiman tells WHIO Channel 7. Airspace around the military base base blocked for about four hours because of the drone sightings, WHIO reports.

Purtiman tells the Mercer County Outlook the drones ranged in sizes and configurations. Our units are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets.

WCPO reports Purtiman said this is the first time drones have been seen in the bases airspace.

New Jersey has been dealing with increasing hysteria because of the drone sightings near military bases in the state. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jerseys new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey and posted about it on X.

Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones dont appear to be a threat to public safety, but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft.

The FBI is among several agencies investigating and has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information they may have about the drones.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
President Joe Biden has pardoned 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, including San Antonio veteran Nathaniel David Reed III. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

A San Antonio man is among the 39 Americans who President Joe Biden has pardoned in the largest single-day act of clemency in presidential history.

The Biden administration is commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who were placed in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and pardoning dozens of others convicted of non-violent crimes.

San Antonio native Nathaniel David Reed III is one of the pardoned recipients who have shown successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer, the White House said.

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Reed, 46, was convicted of non-violent offenses at the age of 21  the White House announcement did not specify what the offenses were, for Reed or any of the others who were granted clemency. The Express-News could not find any information about Reed's criminal record in online databases.

After his conviction, Reed served in the Air Force for 20 years, attained the rank of master sergeant and received several good conduct awards before retiring with honorable discharge.

The veteran is described as an active member of his community, where he has trained firefighters and served as a certified sexual assault prevention and response advocate.

Reed has used his experience in overcoming the stigma of his conviction to help mentor fellow airmen, a White House news release said.

Friends, neighbors and former U.S. Air Force colleagues consistently describe Mr. Reed as highly motivated, reliable, patient, family-oriented, trustworthy, patriotic, dependable, upstanding, honest, hardworking and personable, it continues.

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Reed is one of three Texans on the clemency recipient list. The two others are Mireya Aimee Walmsley of La Porte, 57, who was convicted of a non-violent offense when she was 25, and Arlington resident Lashundra Tenneal Wilson, 49, who pleaded guilty to a non-violent offense as a teenager.

Walmsley spent the years after her arrest earning an associates degree, a nursing license and a bachelors degree and working in the healthcare field. The White House said she led emergency response teams during several natural disasters and commanded vaccination efforts during the H1N1 epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic.

Her contributions to public health have been recognized on numerous occasions, the news release said. She has been commended for her loyalty, integrity, compassion for people of all backgrounds, and is universally described as honest and steadfast in crisis.

Wilson has followed a similar path, maintaining stable employment in healthcare and volunteering for nonprofit organizations supporting public health.

Others pardoned include an addiction counselor who deters youth from destructive behavior and gang involvement; an animal welfare advocate who volunteers with canine therapy services and a licensed counselor who serves as a deacon and works in the churchs prison ministry.

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The nearly 1,500 Americans who received commutations had been serving their sentences at home for at least one year under the federal CARES Act, which allowed vulnerable imprisoned individuals to serve their sentences at home for longer periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The White House said these individuals demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation by reintegrating successfully into their families and communities, securing employment and advancing their education during home confinement.

In a statement released Dec. 12, Biden acknowledged that many of the pardoned individuals were victims of outdated laws and policies that left them with much longer sentences than they would have received if they had been sentenced today.

America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances, the statement reads. 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.

The clemency follows Bidens broad pardon for his son, Hunter, who was convicted of felony gun offenses and pleaded guilty to tax evasion. In the gun case, a jury convicted the younger Biden of violating federal gun laws by lying about his drug use when he bought a handgun. In the tax case, he was accused of failing to pay at leat $1.4 million in taxes. He was awaiting sentencing in both cases.

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With just weeks remaining in his presidency, Biden is facing pressure from criminal justice advocates to continue using his clemency power, including for other nonviolent offenders and those on federal death row.
Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net.

A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite.

He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time.
Graduate research assistant Angelina Andrade fine-tunes a test rocket in the wind tunnel at the UTSA Hypersonics Lab. Courtesy / UTSA

The University of Texas at San Antonio is looking to the moon for new ways to promote national security, protect the environment and preserve energy grids and economic supply chains.

UTSA, seeking to harness opportunities in a new emerging space industry, last week announced creation of its Center for Space Technology and Operations Research. It will support missions between the earth and the moon  cislunar space  and on the lunar surface. UTSA and other Texas universities and institutions are vying to tap into funding from the nascent Texas Space Commission.

The new center will advance engineering, technology and operations to meet growing demand for research and workforce development by civil, commercial and national security space agencies and companies, the university said. It will support more than 35 researchers and over 200 students working in areas such as unmanned spacecraft, lunar habitation, hypersonics and propulsion.

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Xinting Yu, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at UTSA, points out the glove box used for permanent sample storage and measurement in her lab on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at University of Texas at San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Serife Tekin, associate professor of philosophy, demonstrates a program of the Philosophy of Space Exploration curriculum at UTSA in 2022. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer

UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said the centers launch positions UTSA as a destination for innovation, knowledge creation and talent development for the space economy.

UTSA has intentionally expanded its capacity, facilities and expertise in space technology to meet the rapidly growing demand for innovation and enable stronger comprehensive partnerships with key organizations like Southwest Research Institute and Department of Energy National Labs, Eighmy said.

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Xinting Yu, assistant professor of Physics and Astronomy at UTSA, holds up a sample of Titan haze analog from the Saturn moon in her lab on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at University of Texas at San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

David Silva, distinguished professor of physics and astronomy at the university, will be the centers inaugural director.

Satellites in space can be used in agriculture, logistics, energy and traffic control, along with military defense applications, UTSA officials said.

When you consider the fact that our daily lives rely on satellites for GPS services, telecommunications and weather forecasting, its clear that cislunar space is a linchpin in our national defense. Our new center is poised to leverage UTSA expertise to strengthen national security and Texas leadership in the emerging trillion-dollar cislunar economy, Silva said.

Members of The UTSA Aeronautics and Rocket Club work on a project. Courtesy / UTSA

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UTSA Physics and Astronomy Assistant Professor Xinting Yu, left, adjusts a curtain in the lab as graduate research assistant Cindy Luu, right, watches on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at University of Texas at San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

The centers creation follows the 2022 release of a White House Office of Science and Technology Policy strategy on approaches to cislunar space and the formation in March of the Texas Space Commission, established through 2023 state legislation. The commission held its first workshop last month, gathering ideas in San Antonio on how it should begin investing in the states space economy.

The commission is weighing over 200 proposals totaling $2.9 billion, with $150 million to distribute in grants. Its other $200 million in initial funding is being spent by the Texas A&M University System to build a research and training facility next to Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Officials of the commission said they plan to announce winners of the grants in early 2025. Researchers at UTSA and Southwest Research are among the grant applicants.
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak at a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, October 6, 2021. Patrick Doyle | Reuters

Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, dealing a huge blow to an already unpopular government. In a stinging resignation letter, Freeland dismissed Trudeau's push for increased spending as a political gimmick that could hurt Ottawa's ability to deal with the 25% import tariffs U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will impose. The resignation by Freeland, 56, who also served as deputy prime minister, is one of the biggest crises Trudeau has experienced since taking power in November 2015. It also leaves him without a key ally when he is on track to lose the next election to the official opposition Conservatives. "The government of Canada is itself spiraling out of control," Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters, repeating calls for an immediate election. "We cannot accept this kind of chaos, division, weakness, while we're staring down the barrel of a 25% tariff from our biggest trading partner ... we simply cannot go on like this," he told reporters. Freeland said she was quitting in the wake of a meeting last Friday with Trudeau, who asked her to take on a lesser post after the two had argued for weeks over spending. A Liberal source said Trudeau wanted Freeland to serve as minister without portfolio dealing with Canada-U.S. relations in name only - in effect a major demotion.

Large deficit

Her resignation came just hours before she was due to present a fall economic update to parliament, a document widely expected to show the minority Liberal government had run up a much larger 2023/24 budget deficit than predicted. Officials said the document would be unveiled on Monday as planned but gave no details. "This will likely trigger a leadership crisis within the Liberal caucus ... (it) is politically and personally devastating for Trudeau," said Nik Nanos, founder of the Nanos Research polling firm.

FILE PHOTO: Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland during news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, May 31, 2018. Chris Wattie | Reuters

Polls show the ruling Liberals, who have been in power since November 2015, are set to be crushed in an election that must be held by late October 2025. Freeland, a former journalist, served as trade minister and then foreign minister before taking over the finance portfolio in August 2020. As minister, she oversaw the massive government spending campaign to deal with the damage done by COVID. Colleagues were clearly stunned. "This news has hit me really hard and I'll reserve further comment until I have time to process it," said an emotional Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board. Trudeau has been under pressure for months from Liberal legislators alarmed by the party's poor polling numbers, in part due to unhappiness over high prices. But he is safe for now, since Canadian political leaders are chosen by special conventions.

'Bombshell' decision

"This is quite a bombshell," said Nelson Wiseman, political science professor at University of Toronto. "I think the problem the Liberals have is that they have no mechanism to remove Trudeau. Only a full blown caucus revolt could do that." Trudeau's minority government, which needs support from other legislators to stay in power, has so far been kept in power by the left-leaning New Democrats. In a statement reacting to Freeland's resignation, party leader Jagmeet Singh made no mention of whether he would continue to continue propping up Trudeau. Canada's 10-year note yields climbed to their highest level since November 28. They were last up 4.2 basis points at 3.2%. The Canadian dollar weakened to a four and a half year low at 1.4268 per U.S. dollar before reversing course. Domestic media reports said Freeland and Trudeau had clashed over a government proposal for temporary tax breaks and other spending measures. "For the last number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds over the best path forward for Canada," Freeland said in a letter to Trudeau posted on X. Freeland said the threat of new U.S. tariffs represented a grave threat. "That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford," she wrote. When Trump came to power in 2017 he vowed to tear up the trilateral free trade treaty with Canada and Mexico. Freeland played a large role in helping renegotiate the pact and saving Canada's economy, which is heavily reliant on the United States.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador looks on as Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister for North America Jesus Seade, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer sign documents during a meeting at the Presidential Palace, in Mexico City, Mexico December 10, 2019. Henry Romero | Reuters
Hastings has advocated for underrepresented groups throughout his career, and his current roles include chairman of SOAS University of London (formerly the School of Oriental and African Studies) and professor of leadership at Utah State University.

Low- and middle-income countries host 75% of the world's refugees, and around two-thirds of refugees live in poverty, according to the European Commission .

Hastings urged business leaders to "grab" the issue and ask themselves: "How are we going to provide education and employment, legal services, establishment and housing, dignity for the young prospects, for women?" he said, speaking to CNBC's Tania Bryer at the One Young World summit in Montreal, Canada, a gathering of young leaders addressing the challenges facing the world today.

"The big, ugly elephant in the room is migration. Over 120 million people now have migrated from one place they lived in to another place they're existing in, often as refugees or as migrants seeking asylum or trying to get established this movement of people," said Michael Hastings, referring to U.N. figures on forcibly displaced people.

Hiring, educating, and housing refugees and asylum seekers is the "next big challenge" for businesses, according to a longtime leadership professor and UNICEF vice president.

Hastings praised business leaders for taking on the challenge of climate change by reducing their carbon emissions and use of single-use plastics, but said they needed to go further. "The corporate world is missing the next big challenge. Yes, climate is a big deal. We've grabbed it, but migration is the next big thing. We need to grab that one too," he said.

Around the world, most refugees (73%) come from five countries: Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela, according to the European Commission, leaving their homes because of conflict, violence or disasters such as floods.

"People are losing their lives, desperate to find another future," Hastings said, describing people trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, the Mexico-U.S. border and the English Channel.

Hastings, who is a House of Lords peer in the U.K., said the British government needs to work out where migrants who cross the channel in small boats are coming from.

"You've got to ask, why are they coming here?" he said. "Let's go back to the source of the supply and genuinely invest in prospects and futures in peacemaking," he said. "This is a European-wide problem. It's a North American problem. It's a development world problem."

Having previously taken on corporate social responsibility and citizenship roles in organizations such as the BBC and KPMG, Hastings is known for a focus on leadership with a purpose. "If somebody has a purpose that drives their thinking and therefore their action, it'll drive your spending, it'll drive your time, it'll drive your emotional commitments. My purpose is to speak up for the poor and to bend the power of the prosperous to the potential of the poor," he said.

Hastings described the role of a leader as "a servant" rather than "a controller." "A leader, more than anything else, has got to be a vulnerable person who knows that the real purpose of a leader is to empower other people to rise," he said.
This photograph shows a pile of debris of metal sheets and wood after the cyclone Chido hit France's Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, on December 14, 2024 in the capital Mamoudzou. Daniel Mouhamadi | Afp | Getty Images

France used ships and military aircraft to rush rescue workers and supplies to its tiny Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on Monday after the island group was battered by its worst cyclone in nearly a century. Authorities fear hundreds and possibly thousands of people have died. Survivors wandered through streets littered with debris, searching for water and shelter after Cyclone Chido leveled entire neighborhoods when it hit Mayotte, France's poorest department, on Saturday. "Chaos" is how resident Fahar Abdoulhamidi described the aftermath. In Mamoudzou, Mayotte's capital, destruction was total: Schools, hospitals, restaurants, and government offices were in ruins. Hillside villages were reduced to a jumble of snapped trees and piles of corrugated metal and wood. Electricity was down across the archipelago, with only the capital spared, and authorities were concerned about a shortage of drinking water. The French Red Cross described the devastation as "unimaginable" and said that it was impossible to give an exact number of victims, with rescuers still searching for bodies in the rubble. Many ignored the warnings issued 12 to 24 hours before the storm hit, underestimating its power. "Nobody believed it would be that big," Abdoulhamidi, 46, told The Associated Press by phone. "Those who live in bangas stayed in despite the cyclone, fearing their homes would be looted," he said, referring to the island's precarious informal settlements.

A photo taken on December 15, 2024 shows a pile of debris of metal sheets, wood, furniture and belongings after the cyclone Chido hit France's Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte. At least 14 people were killed in Mayotte when a fierce cyclone battered the French Indian Ocean territory, authorities said on December 15, 2024, with officials warning it will take days to know the full toll. Kwezi | Afp | Getty Images

Even worse, many migrants who are living in Mayotte illegally avoided shelters out of fear of deportation, Abdoulhamidi added. "Many were trapped in a vicious cycle," he said. Authorities used military-style vehicles to clear trees from roads so rescuers and supplies could reach those in need. The damage  including to the main airport  has left some areas still inaccessible to emergency teams, hampering authorities' ability to assess the devastation and get basic necessities to survivors. The official death toll was 20, according to television station Mayotte la 1ere, but French Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq earlier warned that any current estimates were likely major undercounts "compared to the scale of the disaster." More than 20 tons of supplies, including drinking water, hygiene kits and buckets to boil water, were being shipped in from the nearby French territory of Reunion to meet urgent needs, the French Red Cross said. Those who survived were also starting to go hungry, according to Mayotte Sen. Salama Ramia. She told BFM-TV that many people heading to shelters found dire conditions. "There's no water, no electricity. Hunger is starting to rise. It's urgent that aid arrives, especially when you see children, babies, to whom we have nothing concrete to offer," she said.

Rescue workers attempt to clear a blocked road, in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, within Labattoir, in Mayotte, France, December 15, 2024. Chafion Madi | Reuters

Even as authorities struggled to bring in aid, people began to rebuild, Abdoulhamidi said. "I heard hammering everywhere I went today," he said, pointing to the sheer necessity driving those in bangas to reconstruct their homes from scratch. Mayotte, the poorest place in the European Union, is a densely populated archipelago of around 300,000 people, most of whom are Muslim, that sits between Madagascar and the African continent. Made up of two main islands, it has been under French administration since 1841. The islands were pummeled by Chido, which brought winds in excess of 220 kph (136 mph), according to the French weather service. It was a category 4 cyclone, the second strongest on the scale, and the worst to hit Mayotte since the 1930s, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville said. Bieuville, the top French government official in the island group, told Mayotte la 1ere on Sunday that the death toll from the cyclone was several hundred people and could even be in the thousands. But he added it would be extremely hard to count the deaths and many might never be recorded, partly because of the Muslim tradition of burying people within 24 hours. Mayotte is also a destination for people from even poorer countries, like nearby Comoros and Somalia, who may have entered illegally and thus will be hard to track down.

Ruins of homes lie in the aftermath of the Cyclone Chido in Labattoir, Mayotte, France, December 16, 2024. Chafion Madi | Reuters

Rescue teams and supplies have been sent from France and Reunion, which is being used as a bridge to get help to Mayotte. However, Mayotte's main airport remains closed to civilian flights because of extensive damage, leaving only military aircraft able to fly in and out. Having pummeled Mayotte, the cyclone continued west and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday. Local media in Mozambique reported that three people died in the country's north, but that was also a very early count. Aid agencies have warned that more than 2 million people could be affected in the country. Meanwhile, Comoros President Azali Assoumani said in a statement that the damage to his nation was minor. In Mayotte, the main hospital suffered extensive water damage to the surgery, intensive care, emergency and maternity departments, according to Darrieussecq, the health minister. Authorities said that efforts were underway to establish a field clinic and deploy 100 additional medical personnel to the territory. French authorities said that more than 800 more personnel were expected to arrive in the coming days. The French government said that it would use satellite data to assess the damage, prioritize aid and guide rescue teams.

Debris is seen in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, in Mamoudzou, Mayotte, France, December 15, 2024, in this screen grab obtained from video. John Balloz | Reuters
There are several sneaky growth plays with fair prices heading into next year, according to a recent Goldman Sachs analysis. The S & P 500 is trading around record levels heading into the new year, with one Wall Street firm recently finding that the broad market index is trading at a historically expensive price-to-earnings ratio of 22.3. Against this backdrop, investors looking for further gains in their portfolios could find buying opportunities in stocks that are still fairly priced. Goldman analyst Deep Mehta gave a list of names deemed to be "growth at a reasonable price," or GARP, stocks. These are companies with strong growth potential that are considered to be trading at a generally attractive valuation, offering investors a middle ground between pure growth stocks and value stocks. "We look for stocks that are poised to grow into their multiple," Mehta wrote in a recent note to clients. Goldman has a 2025 target for the S & P 500 of 6,500, betting on modest gains fueled by U.S. economic expansion and greater profit margins driving earnings growth. To find these GARP stocks, the firm screened for buy-rated laggards with at least 10% upside to price target, sales growth exceeding 10% and a price-to-earnings growth ratio below 1. A low PEG ratio suggests a stock may be undervalued based on future expectations for earnings. Take a look at a few of the names below: Picks with strong growth expectations and reasonable valuations include clean energy names Fluence Energy and Enphase Energy , as well as Advanced Micro Devices and Teradyne . Fluence is having a rocky 2024, down 30%. Still, the name gets plenty of love on Wall Street, with 21 of 25 analysts rating it a buy or strong buy, according to LSEG. Consensus price targets suggest upside of nearly 54% from current levels. "We increasingly see FLNC as a winner," said Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith in a recent report. Even as clean energy overall seems to be on shaky ground with the incoming Trump administration, the firm's recent conversations with companies "suggest that renewables will be part of the solution to meet growing electricity demand as hyperscalers bring data centers online," he wrote. AMD shares have suffered a nearly 15% loss this year. Bank of America recently downgraded AMD to neutral from buy, citing concerns about the company's limited market share gain potential given greater competitive risks in the artificial intelligence industry against "best-of-breed NVDA's dominance." Pinterest also made Goldman's list. The online image-sharing platform has seen its stock plummet 16% this year. Nevertheless, Goldman analyst Eric Sheridan pointed to Pinterest's "favorable risk-reward skew" in a Nov. 19 note. Pinterest had beat expectations on the top and bottom lines for the third quarter but gave weak revenue guidance for the current quarterly period. MediaAlpha also made it to Goldman's screen.
An investigation by The Marshall Project revealed women around the nation have been reported to social services for drugs healthcare workers gave them during childbirth. Katie Collins - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

After administering pain medication for a C-section, a Texas hospital reported a mom to social services because she tested positive for a drug they gave her, an investigation by The Marshall Project revealed.

Texas mom Amairani Salinas is one of multiple women around the country who were given opiates or medications for anxiety or blood pressure during childbirth  only to then be reported to child welfare authorities, according to an article published Wednesday by The Marshall Project, Reveal, Mother Jones and USA Today.

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In 2023, Salinas was rushed into an emergency cesarean section at a Texas Health Resources hospital. She was 32 weeks pregnant, and doctors found her baby had no heartbeat.

Salinas was holding her stillborn daughter, dazed and grieving, when a social worker informed her she was being reported to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for a positive drug test, she told The Marshall Project.

Her drug test was positive for benzodiazepines, which she denied using. It also showed up positive for Delta-9 that Salinas said she bought at the grocery store. Hemp products containing up to 0.3% Delta-9 are legal in Texas.

What she didn't know at the time was that doctors had given her a benzodiazepine called midazolam before her C-section. The medication is a sedative often used to calm patients before a procedure.

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Salinas only found out she had been administered the benzodiazepine that triggered the DFPS report after The Marshall Project investigated, the publication said.

After about four months of investigation, DFPS closed her case as "unsubstantiated." Throughout the investigation, she was also battling depression and grief while caring for her three living children.

Why are you giving your attention to this person whos a good mom, who hasnt done anything, instead of a child who may actually be in danger?" Salinas told The Marshall Project.

A spokesperson for the Texas Health Resources system declined to comment on Salinas' case but told The Marshall Project that doctors administer blood tests for health concerns and that they must report any possible illegal drug use that could put a child in danger.

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A spokesperson for Texas DFPS said that it could not answer questions about Salinas' case due to confidentiality laws.

The Marshall Project investigation found that the drug tests many hospitals use are "highly susceptible to false positives, errors and misinterpretation." Low blood pressure medications ephedrine and phenylephrine have caused false positives for meth.

The article cites studies that say moms given drugs like fentanyl in an epidural can quickly pass them on to their babies during childbirth, meaning even babies testing positive for drugs doesn't always mean the mother is abusing drugs.

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Honeywell has responded to activist hedge fund Elliott Investment Management's calls to break up the industrial conglomerate. Jim Cramer says it's good news for the stock. The news On Monday, Honeywell said it is considering a potential separation from its high-margin aerospace division as part of the broader effort to reshape its large portfolio of businesses. "Honeywell is now well-positioned for significant transformational alternatives, and we are continuing our deeper, more granular exploration of their feasibility and possible timing," CEO Vimal Kapur said in a statement. The company plans to provide another update with its fourth-quarter earnings release. Elliott, who took a more than $5 billion position in Honeywell last month and has pushed management to separate into two standalone firms  one focused on automation and the other on aerospace  applauded the remarks. "We believe the portfolio transformation Vimal and his team are leading represents the right course for Honeywell, and we look forward to the upcoming completion of the review and to supporting Honeywell as it implements the necessary steps to realize its full value," Elliott said in a statement. The stock is up more than 3% Monday. HON YTD mountain Honeywell International (HON) year-to-date performance Big picture Monday's pop in share price continues an upward trend for the industrial stock in recent weeks. Honeywell shares are up nearly 4% since the Nov. 11 close, the session prior to Elliott revealing its massive position in the company. The S & P 500 industrial sector is down 4% in comparison over that period. The outperformance follows a lengthy period of stagnant revenue growth and lagging share price for Honeywell. Wall Street analysts have criticized the firm for its lack of focus, housing too many far-flung businesses in its massive portfolio. To be sure, the company has already made strides to divest businesses. In November, management announced plans to sell its personal protective equipment business for $1.3 billion . Prior to that, Honeywell said it will unload its advanced materials business , which could be worth $10 billion as a standalone company. Bottom line Honeywell appears to be mulling a more aggressive approach to focus on more profitable segments. That's great news for shareholders like the Club and Elliott who see more potential in Honeywell than what it has delivered for investors in recent years. In particular, the aerospace division is Honeywell's crown jewel, so it's a solid move on management's part to address that segment sooner than later. "I think it's a brilliant thing to do," Jim said Monday about the potential split. "This would be the pure play that we're looking for." He cited other successful conglomerate spin-offs like GE Aerospace. "It's going to get multiple expansion over time, [but] not instantly," Jim added. "And you end up with something, that's frankly a winner." (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long HON. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Igor Golovniov | Lightrocket | Getty Images
In this photo illustration, the French premium television channel, studio and distributor, Canal+ (plus) logo is seen displayed on a smartphone.

"Vivendi was suffering from a conglomerate discount. So when you looked at the value of Vivendi, it was less than 10 billion euros [$10.52 billion], and the estimate of the sum of the parts was much greater than that. So to unlock that value potential of each of these assets, hence the split," Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" Monday.

Paris-listed shares of Vivendi meanwhile closed up 41.74% by the end of the session.

Media holding company Vivendi's shareholders last week agreed to spin off Canal+, a pay TV and production company known for its live sports broadcasting and Studiocanal, which makes the Paddington film franchise.

"[Canal+] used to be a very French-centric company, with approximately 9 million subscribers, and, in just 10 years, it has tripled its number of subscribers. Now two-thirds of our subscriber base is outside of France, in Africa, in Eastern Europe, in Asia, and, of course, in France," he said.

Saada added that the spun-off Canal+ would seek to expand its presence as a sports broadcaster to compete with U.S. players in a selective manner.

"Every company that I've seen in our business that has really died is because they overspent on sports," he said. "We're not dependent on any kind of content, any piece of content. Because we have this broad value proposition with cinema, with sports, with the platforms, we can pass on rights when we believe that they're too expensive."

Havas and Louis Hachette Group are also being spun off from the Paris-headquartered media conglomerate and will be listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and the Euronext Growth Paris, respectively.

"We are delighted with the very high adoption rate of our spin-off project. This undisputable result confirms the strong support of our shareholders for this transformative transaction," Yannick Bollore, chair of Vivendi's board, said in a statement last week after the plan was approved, with over 97% of votes in favor.

The Canal+ London listing was seen as an avenue to provide a much-needed boost to the U.K.'s capital markets following a slew of departures over recent years. Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Friday described the debut as a "vote of confidence."

"I'm delighted that CANAL+, a leading international media company, has chosen the UK. Their decision is a vote of confidence in the UK's capital markets, the stability we are delivering and our plan for change," she said in a statement at the time.

It comes as the London Stock Exchange looks set for its worst year for departures since the financial crisis, according to an FT report citing the LSEG, which indicates that a total of 88 companies having delisted or moved their primary listing from London's main market this year, while only 18 have joined.

The LSE departures have taken place despite government and regulator moves to boost the London's appeal as an investment hub and reform listing rules in a bid to compete with competitor markets, particularly in the U.S.

"Choosing London for Canal+ is important as it is the biggest company to join the UK stock market since changes to the listing rules in the summer and under the newly installed Labour government," Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said over email.

"If Canal+ does well, it could act as a shop window for other big names to float in London and help replenish the pot that has been shrunk by takeovers and delistings," he added.

Investors will now be closely watching the fate of other potential U.K. listings, including that of Singapore-based fast fashion giant Shein. The online fashion group has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the British government after shelving its flotation bid in the U.S. amid pushback over its ties to Beijing and broader labor practices.
An advocate holds a sign for TikTok following a news conference outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

TikTok on Monday asked the Supreme Court to block a law that could effectively ban the popular social media app in the United States by Jan. 19.

On the same day, President-elect Donald Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, NBC News confirmed.

TikTok wants the Supreme Court to first consider its appeal of that law, which would require its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app by that date or force Google and Apple to stop supporting TikTok on their platforms in the U.S.

The request came three days after the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., refused to delay the effect of its ruling upholding the law, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

The appeals court in that ruling cited national security concerns raised by members of Congress who backed the law.

Trump earlier Monday told reporters, "We'll take a look at TikTok," when he was asked about the potential ban.

"You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok," Trump said, pointing to his electoral performance among young voters in November.

Trump in his first term in the White House tried to ban the app, but during the recent campaign said he opposed the law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.

In its request Monday to the Supreme Court, TikTok's lawyers wrote, "Congress has enacted a massive and unprecedented speech restriction. TikTok is an online platform that is one of the Nation's most popular and important venues for communication."

The company's attorneys argued there is a "strong public interest" in having the Supreme Court review the appeals court ruling upholding the law in question.

"The Act will shutter one of America's most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration," the filing said. "This, in turn, will silence the speech of Applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern."

In a statement posted on its X social media account, TikTok Policy said, "The Supreme Court has an established record of upholding Americans' right to free speech."

"Today, we are asking the Court to do what it has traditionally done in free speech cases: apply the most rigorous scrutiny to speech bans and conclude that it violates the First Amendment," the statement said.

The same post said estimates show that if TikTok is banned, small businesses that use the app will lose more than $1 billion in revenue in just one month, and creators will lose nearly $300 million in earnings in one month.
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's transition team is recommending sweeping changes to cut off support for electric vehicles and charging stations and to strengthen measures blocking cars, components and battery materials from China, according to a document seen by Reuters.

The recommendations, which have not been previously reported, come as the U.S. electric-vehicle transition stalls and China's heavily subsidized EV industry continues to surge, in part because of its superior battery supply chain. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to ease regulations on fossil-fuel cars and roll back what he called President Joe Biden's EV mandate.

The transition team also recommends imposing tariffs on all battery materials globally, a bid to boost U.S. production, and then negotiating individual exemptions with allies, the document shows.

Taken together, the recommendations are a stark departure from Biden administration policy, which sought to balance encouraging a domestic battery supply chain, separate from China, with a rapid EV transition. The transition-team plan would redirect money now flowing to building charging stations and making EVs affordable into national-defense priorities, including securing China-free supplies of batteries and the critical minerals to build them.

The proposals came from a Trump transition team charged with crafting a strategy for swift implementation of new automotive policies. The team also calls for eliminating the Biden administration's $7,500 tax credit for consumer EV purchases, a plan that Reuters first reported last month. The policies could strike a blow to U.S. EV sales and production at a time when many legacy automakers, including General Motors and Hyundai, have recently introduced a wider array of electric offerings to the U.S. market.

Cutting government EV support could also hurt sales of Elon Musk's Tesla, the dominant U.S. EV seller. But Musk, who spent more than a quarter-billion dollars helping to elect Trump, has said that losing subsidies would hurt rivals more than Tesla.

The transition team calls for clawing back whatever funds remain from Biden's $7.5 billion plan to build charging stations and shifting the money to battery-minerals processing and the "national defense supply chain and critical infrastructure."

While batteries, minerals and other EV components are "critical to defense production," electric vehicles "and charging stations are not," the document says.

The Defense Department, in recent years, has highlighted U.S. strategic vulnerabilities because of China's dominance of the mining and refining of critical minerals, including graphite and lithium, needed for batteries and rare-earth metals used in both EV motors and military aircraft.

A 2021 government report said the U.S. military faces "escalating power requirements" for weapons and communication equipment, among other technologies. "Assured sources of critical minerals and materials" are "critical to U.S. national security," the report found.

Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said voters gave Trump a mandate to deliver on campaign promises, including stopping government attacks on gas-powered cars.

"When he takes office, President Trump will support the auto industry, allowing space for both gas-powered cars and electric vehicles," Leavitt said in a statement.
Getting funding from investors for a startup is a major challenge for most founders, including sixth graders from Draper Park Middle School, located in the Draper suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah, who are learning how to turn an idea into a business and pitch potential investors.

"I'm really excited because I think our company has a good shot at winning it," said sixth grader Laynie Alleman. She and her classmates participated in the "It's My Business" competition, sponsored by Junior Achievement of Utah and Idaho in partnership with CNBC. The Shark Tank-inspired competition drew coverage from the NBC affiliate KSL-TV.

This financial education project is part of CNBC's Cities of Success series, which explores cities that have transformed into business hubs with an entrepreneurial spirit that has attracted capital, companies, and workers.

Alleman's team had the business idea for "Just Right Clothing Company," which makes t-shirts with heating and cooling technology for maximum comfort. They competed with two other teams: One, called Wish Wash Pet Brush, designed an all-in-one grooming tool, and the other, 2 Lit 2 Sip, a multi-functional heating and cooling cup.

The students brainstormed and developed business ideas in their classroom for three months. The competition, the culmination of their semester-long course, took place at JA City, an experiential learning center in Orem, Utah.

Middle schoolers at Draper Park are required to study entrepreneurship as part of their coursework. Yet, only some schools incorporate financial education for this age group nationwide.
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch  an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Markets: Stocks are off to a higher start after a small dip in the S & P 500 last week, but a major theme carried over: Once again, the Magnificent 7 stocks, excluding Nvidia , are powering the S & P 500 higher while market breadth (based on the number of advances to declines) remains poor. Although the average stock can't seem to get going, we're viewing this lackluster action with an opportunistic lens because the market ended last week oversold according to the S & P Oscillator. China and Starbucks : Some consumer stocks with strong China ties are taking a hit after another string of disappointing economic numbers. The country's National Bureau of Statistics reported retail sales increased 3% in November, missing the forecast of 4.6% in a Reuters poll. We reduced the bulk of our exposure to the Chinese consumer after parting ways with Wynn Resorts , but we still own Starbucks. The weak retail numbers may have put a drag on shares of the coffee chain Monday, but we'd argue the company should be measured by CEO Brian Niccol's ability to turn things around in the United States. That's Starbucks' most important market and Niccol's number one area of focus. But back to China, we liked the news Monday that Starbucks hired its first-ever chief growth officer in China. Seems long overdue to us. But the question we still have: What's Starbucks' long-term strategy in China? Will management pursue strategic partnerships? Is a spin-off of the China franchise on the table? We don't know these answers but we trust Niccol as an operator to do what's best for the company. Chip stocks: Broadcom has officially gone parabolic. The stock is one of the biggest gainers in the market on Monday following its 24% surge last Friday. Last week's rally pushed the semiconductor and software company's market capitalization into the $1 trillion club. Even though the market is technically oversold  meaning we are more of a buyer than a seller  we would be selling 100 shares of Broadcom on Monday if we were not restricted. Not only has it gone up too far too fast, but its 32% move over the past two sessions has pushed its position size into one of the largest in the portfolio. Although we remain bullish on the long-term AI outlook CEO Hock Tan outlined last week on his earnings call , our discipline dictates it is time to ring the register and lock in gains on the stock's terrific 115% move this year. We are downgrading our rating to a 2 . We would take a portion of the proceeds from the 100 share sale to pick up some Advanced Micro Devices shares into its ongoing weakness. AMD's been hurt later by concerns that the hyperscalers will increasingly prefer custom AI chips from Broadcom and Marvell Tech instead of AMD GPUs as an alternative to Nvidia. This was the main bearish point in last Monday's AMD downgrade to hold by analysts at Bank of America. The downgrade had some good points, but it did not give enough credit to CEO Lisa Su's roadmap and the moves she's made to boost AI engineering talent by acquiring ZT Systems. In addition, AMD shares are now trading at around $126, down about 10% from the low $140s just 10 days ago  a price that doesn't fully appreciate its ongoing server market share gains against Intel. Up next: There are no major earnings Monday after the closing bell or Tuesday before the opening bell. On the data side Tuesday, we'll get a read on holiday spending after the November retail sales report is published. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Pedestrians walk by a sign in front of a Broadcom office on December 12, 2024 in San Jose, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.

A teenage shooter killed a fellow student and a teacher at a Wisconsin school and wounded six others on Monday before police found the suspect dead at the scene in the latest school shooting to devastate a U.S. community.

Police did not publicly identify any of the victims at the Abundant Life Christian School, a private institution that teaches some 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

At least six other people were wounded, according to police. Two students had life-threatening injuries; four other people had injuries that were not life-threatening.

The shooter, a student at the school who used a handgun, was found dead inside the school by officers who immediately entered campus upon arrival, police said. They declined to identify the shooter by name, age or gender.

No officers fired their weapons, police said.

There was as yet no known motive for the violence, which authorities said took place in one space inside the school. The shooter's family was cooperating with the investigation, police said.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, a former public school history teacher, said the shooting took place just before 11 a.m. local time.

"Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison, but for our entire country, where yet another police chief is doing a press conference to speak about violence in our community," Barnes told reporters.

"Every child, every person in that building, is a victim, and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma don't just go away," Barnes said.

There have been 322 school shootings this year in the U.S., according to the K-12 School Shooting Database website. That is the second highest total of any year since 1966, according to that database - topped only by last year's total of 349 such shootings.

"We need to do better in our country and our community to prevent gun violence," Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told the same press conference.

Members of a Facebook group for the school's alumni expressed horror and offered prayers. Several people began organizing a donation and gift card drive for staff members and others affected by the attack.

"It is horrifying watching this happen in a place that was safe for so many of us," one woman, Kristen Navis, wrote. "I am praying for all, the tragedy of life lost in this manner is almost incomprehensible."

Gun control and school safety have become major political and social issues in the U.S. where the number of school shootings has jumped in recent years.

The gun violence epidemic has afflicted public and private schools alike in urban, suburban and rural communities.

Some have taken place in Christian schools, though far more have happened at public schools. In March 2023, a former student at Covenant School, a private academy in Nashville, Tennessee, killed three children and three adults before being shot dead by law enforcement officers.

Earlier this month, two students aged 5 and 6 were shot and wounded at Feather River Adventist School near Oroville, California, by a gunman who later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

President Joe Biden called on Congress to enact gun-control legislation to prevent further massacres. Similar calls have gone unheeded after almost every school shooting in recent memory.

"It is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence. We cannot continue to accept it as normal," Biden said in a statement.

In 2022 Biden signed into law the first major federal gun reform in three decades, about a month after an 18-year-old man opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 students and two teachers.

The Wisconsin shooting took place 12 years and two days after one of the most notorious school shootings in U.S. history: the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A 20-year-old man armed with a semiautomatic rifle killed 20 school children ages 6 and 7 plus six adults who worked at Sandy Hook school.

Polling shows American voters favor stronger background checks on gun buyers, temporary limits on people in crisis and more safety requirements for gun storage at homes with children. Yet political leaders have largely declined to act, citing the U.S. constitutional protection for gun owners.

CORRECTION: This Reuters report has been corrected to show that the shooting in Oroville, California, happened in December 2024, not 2023.
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China's attempts to dominate the world of artificial intelligence could be paying off, with industry insiders and technology analysts telling CNBC that Chinese AI models are already hugely popular and are keeping pace with  and even surpassing  those from the U.S. in terms of performance. AI has become the latest battleground between the U.S. and China, with both sides considering it a strategic technology. Washington continues to restrict China's access to leading-edge chips designed to help power artificial intelligence amid fears that the technology could threaten U.S. national security. It's led China to pursue its own approach to boosting the appeal and performance of its AI models, including relying on open-sourcing technology and developing its own super-fast software and chips.

China is creating popular LLMs

Like some of the leading U.S. firms in the space, Chinese AI firms are developing so-called large language models, or LLMs, which are trained on huge amounts of data and underpin applications such as chatbots. Unlike OpenAI's models which power the hugely popular ChatGPT, however, many of these Chinese companies are developing open-source, or open-weight, LLMs which developers can download and build on top of for free and without stringent licensing requirements from the inventor.

On Hugging Face, a repository of LLMs, Chinese LLMs are the most downloaded, according to Tiezhen Wang, a machine learning engineer at the company. Qwen, a family of AI models created by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba , is the most popular on Hugging Face, he said. "Qwen is rapidly gaining popularity due to its outstanding performance on competitive benchmarks," Wang told CNBC by email. He added that Qwen has a "highly favorable licensing model" which means it can be used by companies without the need for "extensive legal reviews." Qwen comes in various sizes, or parameters, as they're known in the world of LLMs. Large parameter models are more powerful but have higher computational costs, while smaller ones are cheaper to run. "Regardless of the size you choose, Qwen is likely to be one of the best-performing models available right now," Wang added. DeepSeek, a start-up, also made waves recently with a model called DeepSeek-R1. DeepSeek said last month that its R1 model competes with OpenAI's o1  a model designed for reasoning or solving more complex tasks. These companies claim that their models can compete with other open-source offerings like Meta 's Llama, as well as closed LLMs such as those from OpenAI, across various functions. "In the last year, we've seen the rise of open source Chinese contributions to AI with really strong performance, low cost to serve and high throughput," Grace Isford, a partner at Lux Capital, told CNBC by email.

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China pushes open source to go global

Open sourcing a technology serves a number of purposes, including driving innovation as more developers have access to it, as well as building a community around a product. It is not only Chinese firms that have launched open-source LLMs. Facebook parent Meta, as well as European start-up Mistral, also have open-source versions of AI models. But with the technology industry caught in the crosshairs of the geopolitical battle between Washington and Beijing, open-source LLMs give Chinese firms another advantage: enabling their models to be used globally. "Chinese companies would like to see their models used outside of China, so this is definitively a way for companies to become global players in the AI space," Paul Triolo, a partner at global advisory firm DGA Group, told CNBC by email. While the focus is on AI models right now, there is also debate over what applications will be built on top of them  and who will dominate this global internet landscape going forward. "If you assume these frontier base AI models are table stakes, it's about what these models are used for, like accelerating frontier science and engineering technology," Lux Capital's Isford said. Today's AI models have been compared to operating systems, such as Microsoft's Windows, Google 's Android and Apple 's iOS, with the potential to dominate a market, like these companies do on mobile and PCs. If true, this makes the stakes for building a dominant LLM higher.

China is focusing on large language models (LLMs) in the artificial intelligence space. Blackdovfx | Istock | Getty Images

"They [Chinese companies] perceive LLMs as the center of future tech ecosystems," Xin Sun, senior lecturer in Chinese and East Asian business at King's College London, told CNBC by email. "Their future business models will rely on developers joining their ecosystems, developing new applications based on the LLMs, and attracting users and data from which profits can be generated subsequently through various means, including but far beyond directing users to use their cloud services," Sun added.

Chip restrictions cast doubt over China's AI future


ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash | Story of 26/11 & how foreign tech misled India in Kargil war- Lt Col Pavithran Rajan (Retd)

#ANIPodcastWithSmitaPrakash #KargilWar #ISI



Watch the full episode here: https://t.co/GKk7qzPbmp pic.twitter.com/ZQLqNAtim8



 ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2023

Vijay Diwas, marked annually in India on December 16, honours the victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan during the 1971 war and pays tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.The Indian forces, after a 13-day battle, registered a resounding victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, which ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh. It was on this day, when General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the head of Pakistan's armed forces, along with 93,000 of its soldiers, surrendered before the Indian Army as well as the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh. This marked the most substantial military surrender post World War II.India had also defeated Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999. The country marked the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26, which commemorates the victory of our armed forces over Pakistan.As the nation pays tribute to the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in different wars, here we take a look at several revelations that have been made by Army veterans and others in recent times:Speaking to ANI in April last year, former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Vikram Sood discussed how a phone call intercepted by the Indian agency during the Kargil War had a major impact on Pakistan.Talking about the phone call, Sood said, Pervez (Musharraf) had gone to Beijing and there he rings up (Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Mohammed) Aziz and they talk to each other... The conversation was about how 'we are controlling the whole operation... Mian Nawaz ko zyada batane ki zarurat nahi hain. You don't have to tell him anything. Just tell him everything is okay... We will carry on like this.'"Sood recalled that this conversation proved that Pakistan was actually involved in the Kargil War. Asked whether it aided in ending a war, Sood added, It made a lot of difference. After that Nawaz went running to Bill Clinton.While speaking with the news agency about the Kargil War, Lt Col (retd) Pavithran Rajan recalled the time when we started increasingly becoming dependent on others (foreign countries) in May last year."If you look at 26/11 (attacks), the whole talk was happening on Skype," he said.He recalled how they were "issued with something, called 'Garmin' handset," moving from the old methods of finding each others' positions on the map."But somehow I felt there was something wrong with that set. I knew where I was, but it was showing me somewhere else. In my mind, it was troubling me that, we have spent money and it is not working."GL Batra, father of Captain Vikram Batra, known for his heroic actions during the Kargil War, demanded last year that stories of war heroes be included in schools' syllabuses.People forget the things with time but I believe that Captain Vikram Batra is such a personality that people still remember him. It was a long-time desire of our family and I have been repeatedly saying in the media that war heroes like Captain Vikram Batra are known worldwide and whatever he had done in Kargil was outstanding.... I wish that our governments would add the stories of our war heroes to the school syllabus so that the younger generation and future generations may get inspiration, GL Batra said.Soon after Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir acknowledged the Pakistan Army's role during the Kargil War, Defence expert Anil Gaur, in September this year, said that it was high time the Pakistan Army stopped matching up with the Indian armed forces or viewed India as an adversary.This is a kind of development in the sense that if Pakistan acknowledges that its army had taken these intrusions into their planning back then, it reflects that even after 75 years, they have still not given up on Kashmir... Though Kashmir is a part of India, and the world acknowledges that but even now, after all the wars Pakistan has fought and lost, they are still arguing about Kashmir, Gaur told ANI.He added, It is high time that the Pakistan Army stopped trying to match up with the Indian Army or trying to take India and its army as an adversary and look after their people who are dying of hunger and who have no employment.
ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to President-elect Donald Trump to settle a defamation lawsuit following inaccurate remarks made by its star anchor. During a March 10 interview, George Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated that Trump had been found "liable for rape" while questioning a congresswoman about her support for him.

In reality, a jury in a civil case last year found Trump liable for "sexual abuse," a term with a specific legal definition under New York law.

As part of the settlement, which was first reported by Fox News Digital, ABC issued an editor's note expressing its "regret" over Stephanopoulos' statements.

The settlement amount will be paid as a charitable contribution 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 $15 million settlement will reportedly be allocated toward Trump's future presidential library, some media reports claimed. Meanwhile, ABC News has also agreed to pay $1 million to cover Trump's legal fees.

As part of the agreement, the network will attach an editor's note to the bottom of its March 10, 2024, online article about the story.

"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 agreement reportedly reads.

An ABC News spokesperson said in a statement the company was "pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing."

Trump has also filed a lawsuit against CBS, the BBC's U.S. broadcast partner, accusing the network of "deceptive conduct" over an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

In 2023, a judge dismissed his defamation suit against CNN, where he claimed the network had compared him to Adolf Hitler. Lawsuits Trump brought against The New York Times and The Washington Post have also been thrown out.
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Its just aliens coming to take us out before we destroy this dimension

Seriously, whats up with all the drone sightings?

Mysterious flying objects have been sighted in at least eight states, and people are demanding answers. I want to assure the American public that we are on it, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas promised Sunday on ABCs This Week, according to CNN.

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Were on it, isnt exactly comforting to people unsettled by the drones ominous hovering. Comedian Dane Cook is one of them, posting videos his wife took of a huge flying object in the Los Angeles area. Whoaaaa.

Cook has a theory about the UAPs  an acronym (unidentified aerial phenomenon) fancier than the old-fashioned UFOs. Simple but stark drone aka UAP explanation, Cook posted on Twitter/X. They have been here before.. they have built here & they have destroyed here. When they built here before then humans created destruction level weapons.. they came in and wiped us out. Now they see us gearing up for another mass extinction event and rather than let us destroy this dimension and many others they come here, assess the situation & then if need be they take us out of the equation and restart the process over.

Holy smokes, is that whats actually happening? Maybe  Cook concluded his explanation with the caveat, Just a thought.

Sarcastic trolls pushed back. At least they were nice enough to use FAA lights for safety, replied @TruthNinja 316. (At least one drone manufacturer says the mystery objects are lit according to FAA guidelines.)

But Cook knows thats just what the aliens want you to think. If you wanted to assimilate would you not mimic in order to keep your target in a perpetual state of confusion? the comedian wrote. Everyone wasting time saying they look like ours so I guess its fine might be exactly what they want. Camouflage used in war from the start. Keep your enemy unsuspecting until its too late to react.

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Despite the imminent threat to humanity, Cook seems to be coping  in between posts about taking us out of the equation, hes promoting his upcoming comedy movie, Boris Is Dead. The cast and crew blew me away, he said. Hey, folks, the show must go on.

Cook has always kept the laughs coming in between UFO, er, UAP freak-outs. In February 2023, he melted down on social media over fears that the American military had shot down an alien ship.

The comedian demanded answers and when the U.S. military didnt respond, he turned to the people really in charge.

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Just four days ago, Cook posted an audio message with the ominous heading, Final Thoughts. Was this the comedians last words to a planet hellbent on destruction? A good-bye soliloquy before he was beamed up to an alien ship?

Nope, just an invitation to buy tickets to see his wham cram stam whamalama ding dang stand-up appearances in Phoenix and Denver. Maybe all those UAPs are just looking for a place to park outside the comedy club.
False eyelash industry thrives in E China's Pingdu

People's Daily Online) 09:16, December 16, 2024

Pingdu, a county-level city administered by Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province, boasts a false eyelash industry with an annual output value of more than 10 billion yuan (about $1.38 billion).

Photo shows false eyelashes produced in Pingdu, a county-level city in east China's Shandong Province. (People's Daily Online/Qiao Shu)

Pingdu produces 120 million pairs of false eyelashes annually. According to statistics, at least 7 out of every 10 pairs of false eyelashes consumed worldwide come from the city.

The false eyelash industry in Pingdu can be traced back to the 1970s. After over 40 years of development, the city has formed a full-fledged false eyelash industrial chain covering false eyelash design, processing, packaging, sales, logistics and foreign trade.

Today, the city is home to more than 5,000 entities involved in the false eyelash industry and over 20,000 processing sites for relevant products. The false eyelash industry has become a pillar industry driving the city's economic growth.

"We receive orders from across the world," said Li Xiangying, head of a false eyelash processing site in Pingdu's Dazeshan town. According to Li, the processing of false eyelashes involves over 10 steps.

Pingdu's false eyelash industry provides employment for over 60,000 people from local communities.

Photo shows false eyelashes produced in Pingdu, a county-level city in east China's Shandong Province. (People's Daily Online/Qiao Shu)

Local companies are keeping pace with market demands by continuously upgrading equipment and making technological innovations, resulting in increasingly high-quality false eyelashes.

Wang Haibo, a rising star in Pingdu's false eyelash industry, has led his research team to develop biodegradable false eyelashes with proprietary technology, earning a patent from the China National Intellectual Property Administration. "Our products are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and comfortable," Wang Haibo said, noting that the products have become hot sellers in the European and American markets.

Currently, false eyelashes produced in Pingdu have been sold to over 50 countries and regions. This success stems from the industry's shift towards mass production that is both factory-based, and order-driven.

In 2021, the China National Light Industry Council awarded Pingdu the honorary title of "China's capital of beauty products (eyelashes) industry - Pingdu."

A technician operates an automatic false eyelash machine in Pingdu, a county-level city in east China's Shandong Province. (People's Daily Online/Qiao Shu)

The local government has provided robust policy, financial and talent support to further boost the development of the false eyelash industry. Two industrial parks and two production bases have been built in Pingdu, systematically promoting the modernization of its false eyelash industry.

On Nov. 20, the Qingdao beauty online new economic industrial park was put into operation. The establishment of the industrial park realized cooperation across the entire false eyelash industrial chain from upstream to midstream to downstream, said Pan Xinyu, head of the industrial park's operational department.

Since the beginning of 2021, the industrial park has collaborated with the Robotics Institute of Zhejiang University to develop intelligent manufacturing equipment and establish digital workshops. Several kinds of machines have been put into use in the industrial park.

Han Songming, head of the industrial park, said it aims to build itself into China's first "false eyelash industrial brain," a platform integrating trading, intelligent manufacturing and logistics.

"We will continue deepening cooperation with research institutes to promote the digitalization and mechanization of the false eyelash industry, while cultivating and attracting sales and research talents," said Wang Congxin, deputy head of the Pingdu Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Politician Gerry Adams, whose Sinn Fein party was once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, will stand trial in 2026 in a civil case brought by IRA bomb victims, England's High Court ruled Monday.

The case will go to trial between February and June 2026 and the former republican leader will defend himself, it was confirmed at a case management hearing at London's Royal Courts of Justice.

"Finally after five decades, for the first time Adams will appear in person in an English Court to be cross-examined by the victims of his alleged leadership of the IRA's terror campaign," said Matt Jury, a member of the law firm representing the victims.

The case claims that Adams "oversaw the indiscriminate bombing of civilians" during Northern Ireland's Troubles, the decades-long sectarian conflict over British rule.

Mary Louise McDonald replaced Adams as Sinn Fein president in 2018, becoming the leftist party's first leader not connected to the Troubles.

The three claimants are John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing; Jonathan Ganesh, a victim of the 1996 London Docklands bombing; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester.

They are suing Adams for nominal damages of GBP1 ($1.26) in a trial that is expected to last seven days.

During the three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland more than 3,500 people were killed until a landmark peace deal in 1998.

IRA bombings over that time targeted sites in Northern Ireland and the UK mainland, including high-profile locations such as the Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, Oxford Street, Harrod's, Hyde Park and Regent's Park.

Adams went from being the IRA's political voice, reviled by the British government and Northern Ireland's unionists, to playing peacemaker to bring violence to an end.

More recently he has become an anti-austerity figurehead in Ireland and cultivated a more kindly image on social media, often posting about dogs, and has even published a recipe book.
Us Weekly may be about to untether some rage, and it will know no bounds.

As any Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia or Abbott Elementary fan with an internet connection likely knows by now, the two standout comedy shows from Philadelphia are about to begin the first part of their two-episode crossover event when the Paddys Pub Gang joins Abbott Elementarys mid-season premiere on January 8th. The respective casts of the two smash-hit sitcoms are currently on the interview circuit in promotion of the momentous occasion, and, over the weekend Abbott Elementary star and fan-favorite Lisa Ann Walter was kind enough to speak to the gossip outlet Us Weekly about her exciting experience working with the Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia cast.

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While Walter was playful in her praise for the Always Sunny gang, telling Us Weekly that there is a lot of foolishness and shenanigans that go on when those people come on set, the real foolishness and shenanigans came in Us Weekly's coverage of the crossover, as one Always Sunny die-hard pointed out on Twitter:

Now, to be clear, this doesnt appear to be a situation where Us Weekly is surreptitiously leaking a behind-the-scenes scandal wherein The Gang apparently left Dennis behind when they went to Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. The author likely just made a minor mistake leaving Glenn Howerton off of the list of guest stars, an error that would otherwise be trivial and forgivable  if it werent the Golden God himself who stood to be insulted.

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In the days since the heretical slander against him hit the internet, Howerton has mercifully contained his rage and hasnt yet commented on Us Weekly leaving him out of the Abbott Elementary/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover discussion. With that being said, the crashing of a thousand waves doesnt have a statute of limitations, and any continued coverage of the comedy collaboration would do well to pay homage to the Golden God and avoid the Hammer of Thor, lest Us Weekly suffer the internet ridicule of us, his minions.
The recent breaches of sovereign telecom networks in the United States, underscores how highly connected but fragmented public networks are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated attacks.

Another rising concern is the blind trust organizations and individuals put into consumer-grade messaging apps such as WhatsApp to share government and commercially-sensitive information. Some of the biggest risks concerning these uncertified methods of communications are identity (through public registration) and access to metadata, which can reveal a detailed picture of relationships and communication patterns. For instance, attackers can learn not only who communicated with whom, but also when, where and how often.

With mobile spying and network interception on the rise, what can organizations do to mitigate these risks and protect communications?

Why Telecom Networks and Mobiles Are a Prime Target

Public telecom networks, by design, prioritize global reachability and seamless interconnectivity over security. While this is core to the value that they provide to consumers, it also means that security trade-offs must take place as systemic vulnerabilities are introduced.

Automated interconnections between carriers worldwide enable effortless communication but also leave doors ajar for cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers. The weaknesses in roaming protocols, which allow carriers to redirect or intercept cellular traffic without user knowledge, further exacerbate these risks.

As weve seen, these vulnerabilities are no longer theoretical. Threat actors now leverage telecom weaknesses and risky mobile apps for espionage, intelligence gathering, and even monetized cybercrime, such as wire-tapping-as-a-service. The stakes are high, not just for sensitive businesses information, but for matters of national security.

At the device level, it is often presumed that end-to-end encryption is enough when using common mobile apps for calls, messaging and file sharing. In fact, it should just be the starting line  and organizations relying on secure, confidential communications must take stock of what is being used by employees, where their data is held and how it is being used.

For example, metadata generated by communications via free apps for voice calls and messaging can be easily traded, fuelling wire-tapping-as-a-service markets that are readily available for purchase on the internet. This underscores the harsh reality that trust placed in uncertified apps does not extend to what happens with your metadata.

BlackBerrys Answer to an Otherwise Systemic Problem

Both governments and business alike have exponentially increased the virtualization of their communications, and its people are often fast to adopt inappropriate consumer technology, whether its WhatsApp or Signal; or communicating via their personal iOS or Android devices.

These devices are ubiquitous, easy to purchase, and the apps themselves are quite frictionless to obtain; so its understandable from a usability perspective why individuals would be inclined to go down this path. Alternatively, when provided with specific devices and tools to help secure their communications, there can be reluctance to use them consistently.

BlackBerry helps address these challenges with SecuSUITE. The system works seamlessly with off-the-shelf iOS and Android devices, maintaining excellent voice quality and messaging capabilities, while providing the end-to-end encryption necessary to shut out eavesdropping at any point in the communications.

The user experience is uncompromised, and there is no frustration with having to distinguish operation and communication as fundamentally different when using mobile devices.

There is also another equally important component to usability, and that is meeting the needs of technology management teams. Flexible deployment options allow for integration with Mobile Device Management (MDM) or operation in full sovereign mode with no dependency on any particular vendor infrastructure.

In cases of possible user circumvention, SecuSUITE, when used with UEM, will not run on rooted or jailbroken devices. On start-up or update, the app always performs an integrity check  if it has been modified in any way, it will not start.

Looking Ahead: Organizations that demand trusted communications must deploy certified communication tools

The recent incidents reported in the US are a wake-up call, but they are far from unique. Vulnerabilities in one carrier can ripple across the globe, and this is why a shift towards a secure, sovereign system is not optional, but essential.

BlackBerrys solutions are certified to meet the highest security requirements of Government, from unclassified through to Top Secret, and the portfolio of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) and SecuSUITE serves as a blueprint for what the industry must prioritize for true mobile security. Fine grain controls for managing diverse devices, coupled with enforcing security policies across all devices and applications that works seamlessly for the user both locally and abroad.
Rhode Island has suffered a severe cyberattack that has potentially exposed the personal data of hundreds of thousands of residents enrolled in state-run social services programs since 2016.

Officials confirmed that RIBridges, the government system for programs like Medicaid and SNAP, was infiltrated by an international cybercriminal group. Governor Dan McKee confirmed that sensitive information  including Social Security and bank account details  has likely been stolen in the breach, which officials attribute to an international cybercriminal group.

McKee announced the breach during a news conference, revealing that hackers had planted malware capable of causing catastrophic damage to the system. We understand this is alarming, McKee said in a media statement while urging affected residents to take precautionary steps such as freezing credit and changing passwords.
Amazon CISO CJ Moses has publicly shamed Microsoft security, halting his employers deployment of Microsoft 365 for a full year as the vendor tries to fix a long list of security problems that Amazon identified.

Industry security executives were of two minds about the move. Some applauded Amazon, saying that the online retail giant  with $575 billion in annual revenue and almost 1.6 million employees  is one of the few companies with enough clout to pressure Microsoft into making major cybersecurity changes.

But others were more cynical, saying that the move is less an altruistic effort to improve cybersecurity for all enterprises and more a thinly disguised sales pitch for Amazon Web Services. The move simultaneously says that AWS cares a lot about security while pointing out that one of its top rivals doesnt.
Behrs white paint, Climate Change, seems to call up associations that buyers might not want on their walls. Photo-Illustration: Curbed; Photo Getty Images

Last year, Emily Mediate found herself in a Virginia Home Depot, studying an array of off-white paint chips all with names like Frost and Bakery Box, Harmonious and Vintage Linen. She was planning to paint her deck and picked up a calm, generic beige. Then she noticed its name: Climate Change. It threw me off, she said. Mediate is an executive at a nonprofit with an environmental push; she sees climate change as a catastrophe, not a decor project. Its like naming a color after a disease, she said. I keep wondering, Who did this, and what were they thinking?

She wasnt the first. A science journalist had posted on X about the color the year before, asking Behr, the paint company, if it chose it because the behr paint logo is a bear is this about polar bears darkening their coats because of declining sea ice?? In 2019, an artist in Hawaii shared the odd name on Reddits CrappyDesign forum. (Its that nice stranded polar bear color.) But the company never responded to any of those posts publicly, and neither Behr nor its sales partner, Home Depot, ever responded to a request from Curbed about the name, or a request for a broader interview about its naming processes in general.

A screengrab from Behrs website shows how the paint is marketed with no association to an environmental cause. Photo: Retailer

This says a lot, if only because the companys color-namer-in-chief, Erika Woelfel, has given chatty interviews to the Vancouver Sun, showed up on Good Morning America, and spoken about paint naming to Apartment Therapy, saying that she tries to anticipate how a suggested name could be interpreted by a potential Home Depot shopper. Mostly, Behr seems to do that very well, said Panchita Maldonado, a color consultant who learned the business at the luxe paint brand Farrow & Ball and who uses Behr regularly. Typically, they put a lot of thought into the name, said Maldonado, citing Diva Glam (pink) and 100 MPH (red). So this is really quite surprising. Diana Palchik, a trademark attorney who focuses on the colors of cosmetics and has heard every odd name under the sun, laughed when she heard the name. Oh gosh, said Natalie Ebel, who runs the paint brand Backdrop. Like, actually just Climate Change?

The obvious theory is that the name is deliberate: the result of a green initiative to perhaps give some portion of sales to a charity. But no Behr publicity around its environmental tweaks to its cans or its paint mentions specific color names at all. So is the color itself environmentally friendly, like a reflective paint developed by researchers that can cool buildings? But no, Climate Change is sold in the same formulas as other Behr paints, including matte, semi-gloss, and eggshell.

Behrs paint is sold through the website of its partner, Home Depot, which offers Climate Change in its typical formulas, including this pro line. Photo: Retailer

So maybe the name is just part of a trend in paint naming  where names have gotten weirder as brands have realized they can get free marketing when a TikTokker sharing a DIY project remembers what they painted their shelf. Even if someone isnt tagging the company, theyre sharing the funny name, said Ebel, who built her business around the theory that paint should be sold like lipstick: with a curated palette of colors that wont overwhelm buyers, which are sold under names that evoke the mood they might be going for. People buy feelings, she said. The 50 colors she sells include Disco Nap (acid yellow), Silver Lake Dad (gray green), and Ryokan Guesthouse (a cool beige). Those names make a certain sense when theyre unpacked, even Silver Lake Dad  which is silvery, lake-y, and as soft as a dad who listens to NPR and is not speeding on the way to school drop-off, said Ebel, who named the color after her husband.

But anyone who saw a social-media post that mentioned Silver Lake Dad would have an easy time finding that color for sale on Backdrops site. (It dominates the entire first page of Google results.) Not so for Climate Change. So the choice doesnt feel like an SEO strategy. But it also doesnt look right for the name, at least to Maldonado. That color would never lead me to think of Climate Change, and the name Climate Change would never lead me to think about that color, said Maldonado, the color consultant. Maldonado said she would have thought the name was deliberate if the company had gone with a violent, muddy-fire tone. Climate change, for me, is synonymous with global warming, she said. I immediately went into a burnt amber, like a color called Satchel by Benjamin Moore.

So could Behr  a company that sells 4,000 colors  have just gotten lazy about one name? There are more white paints on the market than any other color, making an original name harder to reach for. A Sherwin-Williams exec told the Washington Post that she was once up against a deadline and named 50 colors in a single night, watching her standards slip away. Its like, Ballerina Slipper, ugh, fine, Im doing it, she said. But only a few of the names she brainstormed made it into production because of the next step in the process: a corporate culling.

I think its a harder process than people realize, said Benjamin Moores Andrea Magno, whose team oversees 3,500 colors. We have a number of stage gates we have to put our names through to make sure there arent any issues; to make sure there arent any things that could be problematic. Her team of six, with various backgrounds from design to studio art to art history to marketing, will throw out names in person or plug them into a spreadsheet, with the goal of coming up with four workable names for every color. Those four possibilities then get screened by a public-relations team, who review each name to make sure its not going to be off-putting, she said. And the names also face a legal review, to ensure that Benjamin Moore doesnt already sell a color by that or a similar name, and that other brands dont either.

Lawyers who do those reviews scour databases, shopping sites, and even social media, says Palchik, the longtime trademark attorney and consultant who has reviewed hundreds of names for beauty and cosmetics companies, her focus. When she finds repeats, she might suggest synonyms. And though she pushes clients toward unique names, she says that is sometimes at odds with marketing teams, who are thinking about the color names that shoppers use to search (light green, whitish green) or the unconventional paint names they might have been trying to buy instead. Natalie Ebel thinks companies have been copying her clever names, like her sage-green Weekend Upstate. (Benjamin Moore also sells Weekend Getaway, and Behr has Catskill Brown.) Behrs color czar, Erika Woelfel, once cited Intellectual (charcoal gray) as one of the companys more popular colors, and maybe Sherwin-Williams noticed: It sells Intellectual Gray.

While Palchik was explaining how paint companies might be aware of other popular paint names, and lawyers might also sometimes suggest looking up other words that call up the same concepts, I was thinking of Andrea Magno, the Benjamin Moore executive who had explained the companys careful naming process with examples of some of its most popular names: Vintage Vogue, Balboa Mist, and Glacier White.

Climate Change isnt a synonym for a glacier, but the two ideas are associated  a connection that Emily Mediate, the nonprofit executive shopping for paint for her deck, had noticed right away. What had partly angered her about the color name was that it seemed to show that Behr thought of climate change as being associated with far-off things like, in her words, melting icebergs, polar bears, and the Arctic.

Side by side, Benjamin Moores Glacier White and Behrs Climate Change look almost identical: brackish whites, tasteful beiges, undergirded with a dollop of green. The description on Behrs website suddenly seemed like a major clue, calling Climate Change an icy green-gray. Icy. Could Behrs team have named their new color after Benjamin Moores popular Glacier White deliberately? Or had they landed on the same name and, realizing that it was a repeat, Googled around for what they thought evoked a similar concept  one that, unlike the synonyms Iceberg or Floe, they could legally protect?

This seems to be, if not exactly right, not exactly wrong, either. In response to a request for a fact-check on this piece, a Behr spokesman finally wrote me back to let me know that the earthy color was named for its connection to the natural world.
President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that he would consider granting a pardon to New York City Mayor Eric Adams if he is convicted on charges of accepting bribes and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations.

"I think that he was treated pretty unfairly," Trump told reporters from his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago. He also noted that he has not yet reviewed "the gravity of it all," indicating he hasn't closely examined the evidence against Adams.

However, he downplayed the allegations, comparing them to minor infractions, such as accepting an upgrade on an international flight.

Adams, 64, was charged in September with accepting gifts, including luxury travel, from wealthy foreign businesspeople over nearly a decade. He also faces conspiracy charges tied to potentially illegal campaign contributions during his 2021 mayoral campaign.

Adams "essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in" and "made some pretty strong statements," Trump said.

"I said, 'You know what? He'll be indicted soon,'" Trump recounted, adding that he had made the comment "light heartedly."

"And a few months later, he got indicted," Trump said. "So yeah, I would certainly look at" a pardon.

Adams, meanwhile, has openly courted Trump, a move widely seen as a blatant attempt to secure a pardon.

"President Biden and President-elect Trump now agree on one thing," Adams said after Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter. "The Biden Justice Department has been politicized. Does that sound familiar? I rest my case."

It remains uncertain whether the president-elect will ultimately grant a pardon if Adams is convicted. Regardless, Adams now joins the lengthy list of MAGA loyalists and accused insurrectionists whom Trump has vowed to pardon after his January inauguration.
When a suspected foreign spy manages to infiltrate the highest echelons of the British establishment, it must surely be in the national interest for that persons identity to be exposed.

Publicising their name and picture could jog memories and encourage people to come forward with fresh information, giving the security services a fuller picture of their activities and connections.

It would also reinforce the message that espionage is not merely the stuff of cheap thrillers. It is happening in this country right now and we cant afford to lower our guard.

So why has the Chinese businessman known as H6, who rubbed shoulders with prime ministers, captains of industry and royalty, been provided with the cloak of legal anonymity?

This man visited Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and Windsor. He even attended the 60th birthday of Prince Andrew, to whom he was both confidant and business partner.

MI5 now say H6 is an agent of the Chinese state and a threat to national security, which is why he has been banned from re-entering the UK.

Most British media organisations know exactly who he is and elsewhere in the world his name and photograph are in wide circulation. But not here.

The Special Immigration Appeals Court ordered his anonymity to be lifted after he lost his case.

MI5 headquarters in London. The security agency now say H6 is an agent of the Chinese state and a threat to national security, which is why he has been banned from re-entering the UK

Many MPs are rightly incensed by this secrecy. Indeed, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is so exercised that he is threatening to identify H6 under Parliamentary privilege

But that ruling was overturned by the Divisional Court, which reimposed reporting restrictions pending a High Court hearing at some unspecified date.

Many MPs are rightly incensed by this secrecy. Indeed, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is so exercised that he is threatening to identify H6 under Parliamentary privilege.

It shouldnt have to come to that. H6 has lost his appeal, so the High Court should now bring this case to its conclusion and allow him to be unmasked.

The security services believe he is a secret agent who has been working for many years to undermine the interests of this country. The public have a right to know his identity.

Undermining Brexit

For all his pre-election assurances about honouring the 2016 referendum result, Sir Keir Starmer seems determined to drag us back into the EUs orbit by stealth.

Revelations in the Mail on Sunday that he has assembled a 100-strong surrender squad of civil servants (more than worked on Brexit itself) to reset our relations with Brussels should set alarm bells ringing.

Sir Keir Starmer shakes hands with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. For all his pre-election assurances about honouring the 2016 referendum result, the PM seems determined to drag us back into the EUs orbit by stealth

There are reports that he is preparing to cede control of our fishing grounds, realign with European rules on food and agriculture and move back towards free movement with a youth mobility scheme which would allow EU citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 to work in this country without visa requirements.

A committed Remainer, Sir Keir has little interest in capitalising on the huge potential of Brexit. Instead, he wants to shackle us once more to a union which is deep in crisis. France and Germany are on the brink of recession and the far-Right on the rise across the Continent.

He says he doesnt want the UK to rejoin the single market or customs union, but he has broken so many promises in his short tenure in Downing Street that few will believe or trust him.

As Boris Johnson says in todays Mail: Millions of people went to the polls honestly believing Brexit was safe under Labour. It is clear that Starmer was taking them for fools.
A woman who accidentally got eyelash glue in the corner of her eye is sharing her horrifying story after the simple error caused her to go blind.

Last year, on the Fourth of July, 26-year-old Kaitlyn Humphrey had run out of adhesive for her false lashes, and decided to buy lash glue to put them on instead.

However, the application did not go seamlessly for the Missouri-based mom.

'When I initially used the glue a small amount had got into the corner of my eye and it started to burn,' Humphrey said.

She tried to wash the glue out of her eye, following the instructions that were on the back of the package, but didn't have much luck.

'It was irritating for the rest of the day but this was something I expected as it was a new product and it had gotten into my eye,' she said.

A few days later, her irritation still wasn't going away, so Humphrey decided to go to the doctor to get her eye flushed out in hopes that the glue would wash out.

But, after visiting the doctor, she was sent home with antibiotic eye drops, as they suggested that she had suffered an allergic reaction - but her symptoms persisted.

Last year, on the Fourth of July, 26-year-old Kaitlyn Humphrey had run out of adhesive for her false lashes, and decided to buy lash glue to put them on instead

She tried to wash the glue out of her eye, following the instructions that were on the back of the package, but didn't have much luck

After a few days, her irritation still wasn't going away, so Humphrey decided to go to the doctor to get her eye flushed out in hopes that the glue would wash away

'One day I would be fine and the next day I could wake up and my eye would be swollen and inflamed,' Humphrey said.

'It would be bloodshot and itchy and burn. It felt like an eyelash was in my eye, that was the feeling,' she continued.

'The flare up would keep coming and going and I would go to the hospital and they would say the same thing and send me home with the same products.'

Over the next eight months, Humphrey continued to battle symptoms, but didn't go to the eye doctor until her vision blurred and she she started to feel 'pressure' behind her eye in March 2024.

'The eye doctor looked at my eye and said they couldn't see any pressure behind my eye and nothing was wrong,' she said.

'The eye doctor did less than the hospital. It made me feel like I was being a hypochondriac,' Humphrey admitted.

'It made me feel that I was experiencing something that I wasn't experiencing.'

After visiting the first eye doctor, the accountant claimed she continued to battle with impaired vision which saw her give up her job and struggle to play with her kids.

'One day I would be fine and the next day I could wake up and my eye would be swollen and inflamed,' Humphrey said

'It would be bloodshot and itchy and burn. It felt like an eyelash was in my eye, that was the feeling,' she continued

When she went to get a second opinion, they discovered that her cornea had nearly 'melted' off from the infection

But in August, things took a turn for the worst, as she woke up blind one day, with her eye swollen shut and unable to see anything.

'There was so much pressure on my right eye too that I couldn't see out of this one either,' she said.

'That same day my right eye regained vision but my left didn't. I was in a lot of pain. The pain was horrible,' explaining that her eyelid felt like sandpaper.

When she went to get a second opinion, they discovered that her cornea had nearly 'melted' off from the infection.

This news came as a complete shock to Humphrey, especially as the doctor told her she was in the stage of losing her eye.

Soon after that, the mom underwent cornea transplant to try and save her eye and restore her vision, but unfortunately, the operation didn't take.

During her four-hour eye removal operation, a surgeon wrapped the tissue and muscles from her left eye around a marble to ensure her prosthetic would move like a real eye in the ball socket.

After she got her transplant, she began to get mild headaches, but they eventually became so severe that she was unable to get out of bed, which led her back to the hospital.

Soon after that, the mom underwent cornea transplant to try and save her eye and restore her vision, but unfortunately, the operation didn't take

It has now been a month since Humphrey underwent her surgery and is now urging others to keep pushing for professional help if you think something is wrong with your health

'I explained that I had had a cornea transplant and I was airlifted to another hospital. They did a CT and they found a mass the size of a dime [5p coin] growing on my optic nerve,' she recalled.

'This was from the infection that had been caused by my body rejecting the transplant,' she explained.

The doctors gave her an option to then get a full eye transplant, but she was tired of going through such intense pain that she decided to go ahead and have her eye removed.

'The surgeon went in and cleaned my eye out and left the white part of my eye and wrapped the tissue and muscles around the marble so the marble would move around like my other eye,' she said.

It has now been a month since Humphrey underwent her surgery and is now urging others to keep pushing for professional help if you think something is wrong with your health.

'I was so scared to look at my eye at first. I was terrified. You hear things like this happen but you never think it is going to happen to you,' she said.

'I never thought using a product like this [eye lash glue] would cause this as it's meant to go around your eye,' the accountant continued.

'I just want to spread more awareness about what I've been through. Those symptoms that you believe to be normal and every day symptoms can lead to very life changing and permanent.'
An Amber Alert has been issued for 15-month-old Makynlee Morrow, who was allegedly abducted from the Cabell and Wayne County areas of West Virginia.

Authorities are searching for a Blue Subaru Legacy with West Virginia license plate 4HF387.

Makynlee has been missing since December 16 and is believed to be with her father, Joshua Morrow, 42, who is listed as the non-custodial parent and an "associated companion" in the alert. Authorities said that the suspect is a white male with blue eyes. He is 61 and weighs 175 pounds.

Anyone with information is urged to contact West Virginia State Police at 304-272-5131.

This is a developing story.
The Reliant Motors Club shared an image of the Christmas card on Facebook

Princess Anne delighted royal fans with the release of her Christmas card, while others patiently await the Prince and Princess of Wales's festive release.

The 74-year-old royal selected an image of herself and her husband, Sir Timothy Lawrence, 69, riding in a carriage after attending the Order of the Garter service, held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in June.

Taking to Facebook, The Reliant Motors Club, a group for owners and enthusiasts of Reliant vehicles, shared a photograph of the card.

'As always we are honoured to receive a Christmas card from HRH The Princess Royal who wishes all members a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year,' the post read.

Inside the card, the printed message read: 'With Best Wishes for a Happy and Peaceful New Year,' above Anne's handwritten signature.

On the back of the festive card was a crown above the letter 'A' in italic writing for Anne.

After viewing the card, royal fans flocked to X to share their thoughts, with one writing: 'Beautiful card'.

A second similarly added, 'Beautiful photo', while a third said the photograph was a 'lovely' choice.

Princess Anne's Christmas card (pictured) features a photograph of herself and husband Sir Timothy Lawrence after attending the Order of the Garter service, held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in June

A fourth added: 'Hoping that Princess Anne's next greeting card will feature her beautiful grandchildren.'

Meanwhile, others are holding out for William and Kate's festive greeting card after last year's version appeared to suffer from a photo editing error.

The monochrome image showed the royal couple smiling alongside their sons Prince George, 11, Prince Louis, six, and Princess Charlotte, nine, who is seated in a chair at the front of the group, with Louis' hand resting on the arm.

But in an apparent editing fail, Louis seemed to be missing the middle finger on his left hand.

Then in March, the family's Mother's Day image resulted in similar controversy, before Kate admitted that she edited the image and apologised 'for any confusion' that the family photograph has caused.

The Palace had come under mounting pressure to reveal the truth behind the photo after the world's top picture and news agencies - including PA - 'killed' the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she underwent 'planned abdominal surgery' in January.

A statement from the Princess of Wales said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

Pictured: Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence at the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park, Windsor Castle, May

At the back of the Christmas greeting card was a small crown above the letter 'A' for Anne (pictured)

Anne chose an image from the Order of the Garter service in June, which is the is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C'

Royal sources stressed that this was 'an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales'.

They said the couple wanted to offer an 'informal' picture of the family together for Mother's Day and the princess made 'minor adjustments', as she has shared in her statement on social media. An aide added: 'The Wales family spent Mother's Day together and had a wonderful day.'

Despite calls for the original to be published, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph of Kate and her children.

It comes after Anne's daughter Zara Tindall offered rare insight into the Royal Family's Christmas customs - as she prepares to join King Charles and her extended family at Sandringham Estate.

Attending the Battle of the Commentators charity lunch at Evolution London in Battersea Park earlier this month, the daughter of Princess Anne reportedly revealed how they spend the festive season.

The mother-of-three was said to shed light on how they enjoy the holidays, keeping up with both traditions and more modern elements - including a surprising gift-giving custom that involves the whole family.

According to a source, Zara confirmed the long suspected tradition of a black tie dinner on Christmas eve, where King Charles and Queen Camilla usually host their extended family at Sandringham in Norfolk.

And apparently it's not just the younger family members who are treated to a stocking, with even the most senior royals waking up to a festive goodie bag on the big day.

Taking to X, one hailed Princess Anne's Christmas card 'beautiful' while another dubbed it 'lovely'

Meanwhile, other royal fans are patiently waiting for the Prince and Princess of Wales's Christmas card, after last year's (pictured) appeared to suffer from an editing fail

According to the insider, she said: 'We give presents to each other on Christmas Eve. As adults, we still have stockings on Christmas Day,' reported Hello!.

When quizzed over whether even her late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, would have stockings on Christmas day, Zara replied, 'Of course'.

Accompanied by her doting husband, Mike Tindall, 46, Zara is a regular attendee of the Sandringham Christmas celebrations.

The pair are regularly spotted making the annual amble to St Mary Magdalene Church, where the family attend a Christmas Day service.

In former years, the couple have brought along their two daughter, Mia, ten, and Lena, six, though their youngest, Lucas, three, is yet to enjoy his first Christmas Day outing.

In previous years, the adorable young Tindalls have stolen the show alongside their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Since becoming king, Charles, 76, appears to have made effort to stick to royal traditions. However, in recent years the royal has allowed for an even bigger celebration with Queen Camilla, 77, also inviting her children and grandchildren to Sandringham.
A Christmas card is up for auction 13 years on from when it was first sold

A Christmas Card sent to Jimmy Savile from King Charles has been put up for sale on eBay, more than a decade after it was first sold at auction.

The greetings card, which features a portrait of Charles with Princes William and Harry on the inside, was first sent in 2003, when Harry was 19 and William was 21.

The card, which has gone on sale for 1,500 reads: 'Jimmy, wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year, Charles,'.

The front of the card bears the gold gilt seal of the Prince of Wales, as King Charles was then.

On the back of the card is a sticker from Dreweatts Bloomsbury from 2012, marking the year that the card was first sold as a collection of Savile's 'treasures' - following his death in 2011.

A year after his death, hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse were made against Savile, leading police to posthumously conclude he may have been one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders.

However, before these allegations were known, he had a relationship with Charles, having shared a mutual interest in charity endeavours.

A Christmas Card sent from Jimmy Savile to King Charles is now available to buy, more than a decade after it was first sold at auction

The greetings card, which features a portrait of Charles with Princes William and Harry on the inside, is now on sale on eBay for 1500

The portrait was taken by Mario Testino - previously known taking some of the most career defining of Princess Diana shots - in 2003 for the annual festive portrait.

Attached to the listing of the card, the seller has described: 'a few unobtrusive surface creases otherwise the card is in good condition,'.

'The front of the card bears a gilt depiction of the seal of the Prince of Wales.

'The verso of the card bears an auction sticker: 'Dreweatt's Bloomsbury SIR JIMMY SAVILE KCSG LID 30th July 2012'.'

'A year after Jimmy's death, in June 2012, Dreweatt's held an auction of hundreds of lots of Savile's 'treasures', including this card, with the proceeds going to charity.

'There had been several allegations during Jimmy's lifetime, which Charles and his staff must certainly have been aware of, but these claims were dismissed and accusers ignored or disbelieved.'

Savile started out as a club manager and DJ, eventually presenting Top of The Pops. His violent past was disregarded

Over the course of their friendship - including Savile receiving the royal approval of a knighthood - Charles and Savile had decades worth of written exchanges, some of which has already gone for sale

Jimmy Savile had deep personal relations with the British monarchy, with the Mail having previously revealed the pair were so close that Savile was on a longlist to be a potential godfather to Prince Harry when he was born in 1984.

The pair's friendship continued on for many years, with Charles having sent him Cuban cigars and gold cufflinks with the note, Nobody will ever know what you have done for this country, Jimmy. This is to go some way to thanking you for that.

Over the course of their friendship - including Savile receiving the royal approval of a knighthood - Charles and Savile had decades worth of written exchanges, some of which has already gone for sale.

Earlier this year, a handwritten letter from the king to Savile went up for auction. The letter thanked the, now infamous child rapist, for a 40,000 hospital donation.

The letters went up for sale on an online website in the RR Auction in the US, alongside an invitation from Savile to Princess Diana, as well as a telegram with the typed names of the former Prince and the Princess of Wales with their young sons.

Items from the collection were expected to take in between $400 and $1000.

After his death in 2011, Savile was unmasked as one of the nation's most prolific sexual abusers of both women and children - having exploited his position in the public sphere to feign trust and gain access to potential victims.

The king is understood not to have had knowledge of the accusations at the time of their friendship.

The back of the card shows a sticker from Dreweatts Bloomsbury, from 2012 when the card previously went to auction

The king is understood not to have had knowledge of the accusations at the time of their friendship

It comes after a self-deprecating remark made by King Charles regarding his Christmas portraits to photographer Alan Maxwell was unearthed.

Written when he was the Prince of Wales in 1993, the note revealed how he felt about the 'unpromising material' for that year's cards.

One of the sets featured him posing in a kilt next to Prince William and Harry, while the others showed Diana posing with her sons.

The memo was written to the late Alan Maxwell, the royals' official photography expert who would develop their camera films and offer his advice.

The handwritten note is among a treasure trove of photographs, letters, and thank you notes the royals wrote to Mr Maxwell over his years of service.

In the Charles's 1993 message, he wrote: 'Dear Mr Maxwell, I just wanted to thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into producing possible Christmas cards for me this year.

'I couldn't be more pleased with what you have achieved from some pretty unpromising material!

'I thought you did wonders in interpreting my ideas of having a card made up of three small pictures, and only narrowly preferred the group version in the end. I only hope it is appreciated by several thousand recipients.
A shocking number of cruel fraudsters are using cancer - and the charitable feelings it brings out in kind folk - to their benefit. A dark trend has emerged of cancer fakers, who lie about having the illness to scam thousands from concerned well-wishers. In cases that have caused shock and outrage around the world, the fraudsters with public platforms have later been exposed for lying about having the sickness. From a wife trying to con her wealthy partner out of thousands of pounds, who avoided jail on Wednesday, to a wellness guru striving to boost her lifestyle brand, cancer fakers have been known to go to extreme lengths to keep up the act. For instance, American Amanda Riley, also known as 'Scamanda', maintained a seven-year deception that she had Hodgkin's lymphoma thanks to taking photos surrounded by medical equipment, shaving her head and forging documents. Here, FEMAIL reveals the ruthless methods used by cancer fakers to trick strangers and even their closest family...
Waitrose sells the nine-pack of of 'ultra soft bathroom tissue' for 4

A customer has hit out at Waitrose after noticing the brand's toilet rolls have reduced in size since six months ago.

Taking to TikTok, novelist Alex Rushton from Walton-on-Thames shared images of the supermarket's nine-pack of 'ultra soft bathroom tissue' from six months ago next to one bought recently.

'The rolls on the left I purchased six months ago, the ones on the right yesterday,' Alex wrote on TikTok.

In August, the supermarket reduced the price of the product from 5 to 4, branding it as a move to help provide better value for money for customers, the Grocer reported. However, instead of making the product cheaper, the cost cut appears to have reduced the size of the product.

Despite still containing nine rolls, the package bought recently, which currently retails at 4, was notably smaller.

Outraged customers took to the comment section to share their thoughts, with some alleging that the quality of the rolls is also different.

One said: 'Omg yes, my mum use to buy them all the time and has recently stopped. The quality is also different!'

'I got a refund and won't buy them again as paper quality is also inferior,' a second added

TikTok user Alex Rushton from Walton-on-Thames took to TikTok to complain about the changing size of Waitrose's toilet roll

A third wrote : 'I complained and got a gift voucher!' A fourth said: 'Omg omg I noticed that too, I was like before it [would] last me couple of months and now [it's] just a few weeks. Thanks for the video that explains.'

A Waitrose spokesperson said: 'We'd never want any of our customers to think they were getting a bum deal - so we are on the case. Watch this space!'

In October, a new report laid bare the true extent of 'shrinkflation' in the US, and just how much Americans are being shortchanged.

Of almost 100 everyday products analyzed by LendingTree, it found a third had shrunk in the last five years.

'People are already frustrated that things cost more,' said Matt Schulz, LendingTree chief credit analyst.

'Shrinkflation just adds insult to injury. It all adds up to a lot of Americans feeling squeezed every month to afford the basic things they can't do without.'

Household paper products, which includes toilet paper and paper towels, saw the biggest change in size over the time period.

Some 60 percent of household paper products have reduced their sheet count, the study found.

In a side by side comparison, the packet from six months ago (pictured left) is noticeably bigger compared to the recent purchase (pictured right)

'The rolls on the left I purchased 6 months ago, the ones on the right yesterday,' Alex wrote on TikTok

12 mega rolls of Angel Soft toilet paper decreased from 429 to 320 sheets a roll, which is the equivalent of a 25.4 percent reduction in size - the most of any product.

While the cost of 12 Angel Soft mega rolls has dipped from $9.97 to $8.44, its price per 100 count increased from 19 cents to 22 cents, meaning consumers are paying 13.5 percent more per 100 sheets.

Another Angel Soft product, 18 mega rolls, was next with the biggest change in size - shrinking by 24.7 percent.

Beyond Angel Soft, Bounty Select-A-Size triple roll paper towels saw the next biggest decrease in size, shrinking 18.2 percent from 165 sheets a roll to 135.

It has also jumped in price from $19.88 to $22.18 over the time period.

After household paper products, breakfast items were the most likely to shrink, LendingTree found.

Family-size Frosted Flakes shrank the most of the cereals analyzed. It decreased by 9.6 percent - falling from 24 ounces to 21.7 ounces.

Next, family-size Raisin Bran dropped 7.9 percent from 24 ounces to 22.1. It also saw the biggest increase in price per ounce - rising from 15 cents to 23 cents.

Viewers took to the comment section to share their thoughts on the TikTok - and many were disappointed

LendingTree researchers compared Walmart prices and product sizes from 2019 and 2020 to August and September 2024 to find out which items had changed the most.

The majority of Americans have noticed or experienced shrinkflation, the report found.

Some 71 percent have noticed at least one incident in the last year, while 57 percent have experienced multiple incidents.

Schulz, from LendingTree, said businesses prefer shrinking products over raising prices, as they know that customers do not like it when this happens.

'Shrinkflation is a sneaky little way around that,' he said.

'Rather than bumping up the price of something, businesses make the product smaller while keeping the price the same.

'If done smartly, customers may not even notice. However, the problem is that when they do, it leaves the customer with a bad taste in their mouth because it feels so deceptive.'
The royal, 40, is expecting to welcome her fourth child in February 2025

Princess Sofia of Sweden displayed a hint of her blossoming baby bump as she attended a Nordic Child Tech Policy Alliance (NOCTA) meeting in Stockholm today.

The royal, 40, who is currently expecting her fourth child, was joined by her husband Prince Carl Philip at the event.

The couple, who married in 2015, already have three sons, Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, and Prince Julian.

Sofia, who is also the Duchess of Varmland, wore a simple and elegant black suit for the occasion, adding a stylish touch with flared trousers and shoes with gold buckles.

The ensemble subtly hinted at her baby bump, as the couple excitedly prepare to welcome a new addition to their family in February.

She added a glossy leather black bag to complete the all-black outfit, and opted for healthy and glowing make-up.

Carl Philip, 45, meanwhile was ever the adoring husband in a navy suit and spotted tie, as he joined his wife to greet members of the alliance.

The NOCTA meeting aims to ensure children's rights in tech policy.

Princess Sofia of Sweden displayed a hint of her blossoming baby bump as she attended a Nordic Child Tech Policy Alliance (NOCTA) meeting in Stockholm today

Sofia, who is also the Duchess of Varmland, wore a simple and elegant black suit for the occasion

It currently consists of six organisations from Sweden, Norway and Denmark to help children strengthen their voices in decisions made by national governments.

NOCTA has been working with Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation, which was established in June 2015.

The vision of the foundation is to ensure all children and young people have the opportunity to be themselves.

It works to promote online safety for children and young people, and dyslexia with a focus on children's rights.

Carl Philip is the only son and second child of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. His older sister Princess Victoria, 47, is the heir to the Swedish throne and he is currently fourth in the line of succession.

A statement shared by the Swedish Royal Household at the time of the pregnancy announcement read: 'Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have the great pleasure to announce that the Princess is expecting the couple's fourth child.

The royal, 40, who is currently expecting her fourth child, was joined by her husband Prince Carl Philip at the event

She added a stylish touch with flared trousers and shoes with gold buckles

The princess was glowing and had added a radiant sweep of make-up

The royal couple are preparing to welcome their fourth child in February 2025

NOCTA has been working with Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation, which was established in June 2015

Carl Philip, 45, meanwhile was ever the adoring husband in a navy suit and spotted tie, as he joined his wife to greet members of the alliance

Carl Philip and the then-Miss Hellqvist announced their engagement in June 2014

'Princess Sofia is doing well and the birth is expected in February 2025. No changes are expected in Princess Sofia's official program during the autumn.'

The statement was shared alongside a sweet photograph of the couple, with Carl Philip smiling at the camera, while his wife leaned her head on his face. The background featured a stunning lake and several mountains.

Carl Philip and the then-Miss Hellqvist announced their engagement in June 2014, following a four-year relationship that sparked outrage in Sweden when it first became public in 2009.

Since then, however, she has become one of the best-loved members of the Swedish royal family, praised for working in hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The CEO of Tony's Chocolonely has defended the company's controversial Christmas advent calendar stunt which left fans feeling enraged.

The company, headquartered in Amsterdam, was criticised for leaving a day blank in the 14.99 calendar last week.

The stunt was meant to encourage awareness of 'inequality' in the chocolate industry, but left people 'children crying' and people fuming.

Now, Douglas Lamont, the Dutch chocolate company's chief executive, has now spoken up about the political message.

Speaking to the Financial Times from he said: 'We've got a strong point of view on something really important: ending exploitation in cocoa, millions of farmers living in poverty... child labour. That's a big societal issue.'

Last week, chocolate lovers were left disappointed when they went to open door number 10 only to find that there was no sweet treat inside.

Instead there was a QR code which linked to their website with a message about cocoa farmers being treated poorly, reading: 'Not much to find in there, huh? Bummer!'

It sparked heated backlash on social media, as many were left wishing they'd opted for a cheaper Cadburys calendar instead.

Douglas Lamont, the Dutch chocolate company's chief executive, has now spoken up about the political message and said 'millions are living in poverty'

They wrote: 'That's why I've got a Cadbury one. I want daily chocolate, not preaching to';

'Sorry I know it's activism but if I opened my calendar and the door was empty it would ruin my day'; 'Using a advent calendar as a political stunt is crazy work';

'That's exactly why I didn't buy the advent calendar again this year. It's such a let down'; 'I was like why yesterday got two chocolates must be them being kind to then wake up to none'; 'Won't be getting this calendar again.'

The firm - founded in 2005 by Dutch journalist Teun (Tony) van de Keuken to help 'end exploitation in cocoa' - previously apologised for using the same tactic in 2021 and for causing 'confusion and disappointment'.

Unhappy parents said previously they did not need to be 'taught a lesson by my advent calendar' - adding that it upset children with autism and ADHD who did not understand the reason.

This year however, Tony's said that customers were given two treats in the number nine door to make up for it and also received 25 chocolates behind 24 doors in total.

The 14.99 big calendar contains 225g of chocolate in 10 different flavours. The smaller calendar meanwhile has one chocolate behind each door.

Lamont said that friends and family of those who are employed by Tony's Chocolonely tend to get chocolate freebies and admitted that he'll usually nibble on a chunk or two every day.

Tony's Chocolonely fans have been left disappointed after being greeted with an empty door in their calendars

Tony's offered a small explanation to say that the calendar was 'unequally divided' to reflect on the chocolate industry

When he joined Tony's in 2022, Lamont said that the festive season is not just an 'an important season for chocolate sales' but also an opportunity for 'messaging'.

However, he also told the newspaper that he doesn't have an opinion on 'every single political event going on around the world.'

Lamont - who used to be in charge of the Innocent smoothies brand - said off-limit topics are US politics, the Middle East and Ukraine, adding: 'I absolutely think you should stay in your lane.'

In February 2022, Tony's Chocolonely revealed some 1,701 child labourers helped make its sweets in the year prior, despite its goal to help root out exploitation in chocolate production.

The chocolatier investigated its supply chain and found a steep rise in child labour in 2021 compared to the previous year, when 387 underage workers were found.

Child labour is increasingly recognised as a problem in west African countries such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast, where 70 per cent of the world's chocolate is sourced.

Those affected are often subjected to dangerous and demeaning work while being deprived of an education.

Advent calendar owners were given two chocolates behind door number nine - and none behind the tenth

The number of child labourers linked to Tony's was identified in the company's annual 'fair report', according to The Times

The fair report stated: 'While we've never found any cases of modern slavery in our supply chain, we do find cases of child labour.

'But before your alarm bells go off, know this: finding cases of child labour in the supply chain mean change is happening. We want to find the children performing illegal labour. Only then can we work with the families to address the problems.'

Tony's cocoa beans are sourced in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, and then transformed into liquid chocolate by Swiss firm Barry Callebaut - a major world chocolate manufacturer - using a separate production line to help source the chocolate.
Ana Navarro made yet another dig at Donald Trump on Monday morning as she gushed about attended the White House Christmas party over the weekend.

The View host took to Instagram to share some snaps from the festive occasion, which she attended with her best friend Lee Schrager, and couldn't resist mocking Trump - who won the US Presidential election last month.

Ana, 52, looked chic in a red and black floral suit, which she wore with a black ruffled blouse and matching heels as she posed next to a red car as well as a life-size reindeer and sleigh.

She captioned the post: 'And thats a wrap. Went through the magical doors of the peoples house for the final time. My BFF, @leeschrager, and I attended my last Christmas Party at the White House for the foreseeable future.

'Feeling a little nostalgic but with my heart full of gratitude. Was able to thank Biden Administration officials who were there.

'My friend, Carlos Elizondo, has been the White House Social Secretary all four years and put on thousands of beautiful events. They are working til the last day to get things done.

'I will always, always, always be grateful to Joe Biden and his team for getting us out of Covid and for consistently calling on Americans to listen to our better angels,' Ana added.

Lee also shared some snaps on his own Instagram page and wrote alongside them: 'I think it will be a long time before Im back @whitehouse with my bff @ananavarrofl , oh boy was it fun while it lasted, not to mention, so beautiful, great food, open bar, and great people watching #thepeopleshouse.'

The View host Ana Navarro pictured at The White House Christmas party at the weekend

The 52-year-old looked very chic in a red and black floral patterned pant suit and wore red flowers in her hair

He also revealed that they had some trouble getting into The White House after Ana - who recently defended President Joe Biden - put the wrong date of birth when she filled out her application last week.

In a video, he explained: 'Well, what can I say? We got dropped off at the wrong door, we had to walk entirely around The White House in the freezing cold rain and Ana lost her driver's license, then she put the wrong date of birth...'

Ana was quick to correct her bestie and said: 'No, I didn't put the wrong date of birth today, I put the wrong date of birth when I filled out the application a week ago.'

Lee captioned the clip: 'reporting live from outside @whitehouse because; Uber dropped us three blocks from the White House as I put in the wrong entrance and were walking around in the freezing rain.

'@ananavarrofl forgot her drivers license. @ananavarrofl put her wrong birthdate in her application so we had to sit out here while we get cleared.

'At least were good company Renee Fleming (mink coat/ blue dress) had similar issues, standing out here with us,' he added.

Their appearance at The White House comes just days after Ana clashed with her cohost on The View, Whoopi Goldberg.

During the December 9 episode of the ABC daytime show, the two women offered conflicting recommendations for those anxious about a second Trump presidency.

Ana had some issues with security when she arrived at The White House because she put the wrong date of birth on her application

Donald Trump pictured at The White House with US President Joe Biden on November 13

While Whoopi, 69, advised viewers to do their best to avoid panicking and enjoy the holidays with families, Ana had a different take on the matter as she empathized with those struggling to remain calm ahead of his January 20 inauguration.

'All we have to do, from now until January 21st, is be with our families, be with our kids, do our jobs, make sure our checks don't bounce, make sure that we are taking care of ourselves and our families,' Whoopi explained.

'Whatever he's going to do, he's going to do. But do take our word for it, things seem to move slowly. Because yeah, they didn't come get Hillary. But he has other people who are ready to go but I don't think that they can just go out and do what they want,' Whoopi said.

Ana, however, argued they had the 'luxury' to relax when others did not and said: 'I told you last week I disagree with you when you say that, because we have the luxury of saying that, because we're legal, we are successful.

'If you're an illegal immigrant in this country, you're not going to be not in a panic. If you are a woman working for the Department of Defense, you have a right to be in a panic!'

For Whoopi, the issue was more about urging calm. 'Ana, you tell people to stay fraught and like this,' she said.

But Ana was insistent viewers needed to 'prepare' themselves with 'winter' approaching: 'No, I'm telling people to prepare, Whoopi!'

'Do you think they're not prepared? They are prepared!' Whoopi responded as Ana replied: 'That means that they can't be relaxing and enjoying Christmas when winter is coming!'

Ana clashed with her cohost on The View, Whoopi Goldberg last week, as they spoke about Trump's upcoming Presidential term

Whoopi fired back that 'winter' had already arrived.

'You know what? I'm sorry, winter is here,' Whoopi said. 'Winter's been with us, and my point is, we can lay down and do nothing for the next 15 days and then be freaking out for the next four or two years.'

'We are in a privileged position that a lot of people who are going to be under his attack are not,' Ana continued.

'I have family who is going through the same thing,' Whoopi said.
Former Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval has been accused of infidelity by new girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson - after he was caught at the center of the viral 'Scandoval' affair in March 2023.

On Sunday night, Robinson, who has been with Sandoval, 42, for nearly a year amid the fallout from his previous relationship drama, posted a since-deleted Instagram story that implied that he had cheated.

'Wow... you guys were right,' the model, who previously dated Leonardo DiCaprio, wrote in the Instagram story.

'Tiger never changes its stripes...' the 32-year-old continued, 'He loves the best friends apparently.'

'I feel like a fool,' the message concluded. 'Completely heartbroken.'

DailyMail.com reached out to Sandoval and Robinson's representatives for comment.

One insider close to the couple told DailyMail.com: 'They fight constantly and have a very toxic relationship, but I don't think he cheated on her.'

Another source added: 'They got into a huge fight in Chicago and Victoria left the trip early. It's typical for these two because they're always partying or fighting. There's always some drama going on.'

On Sunday night, Robinson, who has been with Sandoval for nearly a year amid the fallout from his previous relationship drama, posted a since-deleted Instagram story that implied that he had cheated

'Tiger never changes its stripes...' she continued in the Instagram story, seemingly about Sandoval. 'He loves the best friends apparently'

On Monday morning at around 6am PST, after Robinson had posted that message to her Instagram, Sandoval, looking tired, went on Instagram live to share a bizarre recap of what's been happening recently, as many asked about the status of him and his girlfriend

Sandoval, who became a viral household name after it was discovered that he had cheated on his longtime girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix, 39, with former costar Rachel 'Raquel' Leviss, 30.

Madix had discovered the betrayal after she found an X-rated screen recording of Rachel on FaceTime with Sandoval on his phone.

The fallout was captured in real-time on season 11 of Vanderpump Rules, and became a nationwide scandal, with comedian Roy Wood Jr. even making a joke about it while hosting the 2023 White House Correspondent's dinner.

Madix had discovered the betrayal after she found an X-rated screen recording of Rachel on FaceTime with Sandoval on his phone.

Sandoval began dating Robinson in early 2024, per People, and has fiercely defended him in the public eye.

On Monday morning at around 6am PST, after Robinson had posted that message to her Instagram, Sandoval, looking tired, went on Instagram live to share a bizarre recap of what's been happening recently, as many asked about the status of him and his girlfriend.

He began to explain that the two of them were attending a concert, Twisted Xmas With Bush, in Chicago this past weekend.

'I had a f***ing hell of a week,' he began in the clip captured by DailyMail.com as he launched into the trip he took with Robinson.

'I had a f***ing hell of a week,' he began in the clip captured by DailyMail.com as he launched into the trip he took with Robinson

He began to explain that the two of them were attending a concert, Twisted Xmas With Bush, in Chicago this past weekend

In the comments section, someone asked him about the Instagram story she had posted, to which he said he would tell the audience the story of what had happened.

However, it took him a while to tell the story, as he proclaimed that it was 'a lot,' and took a swig of beer.

The video then began to freeze, but he later came back to start telling the tale.

'We went there and, me and Victoria had an awesome, awesome time, and, it's so hard to say this, but we went to the Bush concert that got transferred over to The Vic, and I busted my a** to make sure that she was noticed, and she's holding up a sign saying, like, "Your music saved my life, all this stuff,"' he rambled, before taking a long pause.

He then took a drag from his cigarette, while proclaiming that he doesn't even smoke anymore.

'I filmed her, she's holding this up, like the whole time, like it got transferred to the Vic...' he continued.

'I got us backstage, f***ing it was a whole f***ing issue getting us backstage,' Sandoval said, as his live video then began to freeze and lose connection.

It seemed like Sandoval never finished his story, so it's unclear exactly what happened between the two this weekend.

Sandoval was dating costar Ariana Madix for nine years before she found out about his infidelity

In the past, the two have stood by each other despite the public scrutiny that Sandoval has received from Bravo and non reality television fans alike

In the past, the two have stood by each other despite the public scrutiny that Sandoval has received from Bravo and non-reality television watchers alike.

Last year, the Vanderpump Rules star gushed about his 'addiction' to the ex-flame of DiCaprio while appearing on the inaugural episode of his former co-star Billie Lee's podcast Billie & The Kid.

'My addiction of the week is definitely my friend Victoria that I have been hanging out with,' the St. Louis native dished.

'She's definitely super awesome and she's one of the sweetest people. Obviously I have known her for a really long time, but we went on our first date last night.'

He revealed that they had a date at Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge, which he co-owns with cast member Tom Schwartz and is set to shutter its doors at the end of this year.

He even called the date 'adventurous.'

Sandoval revealed Victoria 'works a lot' and 'is very successful' in her modeling career, 'but she is also very humble and really cool. She is just a very sweet, thoughtful person.'
Melania Trump may be preparing to resume her role as the First Lady, but her first priority is still being a mom.

The 54-year-old is sure to always support only son Barron Trump with the pair maintaining an open line of communication - especially with Donald Trump, 78, returning to the White House.

According to multiple insiders, the former first lady is doing whatever she can to support 18-year-old Barron, and she worried about 'the hate in the country and how it falls on her son, who is innocent of any of this.'

'She is and has been a good sounding board for him. They talk about life as it is and how they are in the spotlight,' the source shared with People.

'She tries to normalize his life. If that is even possible,' they added.

Family is very important to Melania and her parents have been a big part of Barron's life. Her mother, Amalija Knavs, passed away in January but she remains close to her father.

'Melania's most meaningful moments of life have been with her family, and Barron is the lucky benefactor of that love and caring,' the insider explained.

Melania and her son have a close relationship, with Barron staying close to him, despite now being a college freshman.

Melania Trump may be preparing to resume her role as the First Lady, but her first priority is still being a mom to son Barron

The teen son of Donald Trump started classes at New York University's Stern School of Business in September, with another source telling People Melania is - and always has been - a present parent.

'Any child in the world spotlight like this would be lucky to have a parent so willing to give her time to help keep his life running smoothly,' the source said.

'She wants to encourage him to make friends, be super careful of the haters which can be anywhere  especially on college campuses these days  and keep him mentally healthy by having open communication with him and the rest of her immediate family,' they explained.

Recently, sources revealed why Melania is keeping him away from the college campus.

'She will do everything she can to make sure Barron does well in school and is socially and mentally adjusted to his life as a college student,' a source told People.

'Living in a dorm in a college town isn't in the stars for him at this point,' they added.

According to the source, Barron 'already has his own political ideas.'

'It all needs to be monitored in light of the situation.'

The 54-year-old is sure to always support her only son, Barron Trump, with the pair maintaining a open line of communication - especially with Donald Trump, 78, returning to the White House

The former first lady is doing whatever she can to support 18-year-old Barron, and she worried about how 'the hate in the country and how it falls on her son, who is innocent of any of this'

Melania said she is busy packing her things, setting up her office and interviewing staff for her return to the White House

They added that his mother feels it's best that he remain at home, rather than campus housing, for the time being, especially with his dad about to become president again.

'Whether or not others think he is capable of being on his own, Melania feels it's better to be around him as much as possible,' the insider added. 'I see that continuing.'

Melania Trump told Fox News last month that she is busy preparing for the move to Washington, D.C.

She pointed out she lived in the White House for four years and knows it well.

'This time it's very different because we already know where we are going and we have all of the plans from before. So we don't need to go back in,' she told Fox & Friends.

'My team is in contact with the White House, so that's a plus. But we have all what we need, so this is the second time so it's nothing new. The first time was challenging. We didn't have much access, we were in on January 20th. But this time it's already in the process,' she added.

Melania said she is busy packing her things, setting up her office and interviewing staff.

'I know what you need to establish,' she said. 'You know what kind of people you need to hire to be in your office. So that's what I'm doing now. I'm interviewing people for my office. I'm establishing everything what is needed so we could start on day one, everybody's in and we start working.'

Melania indicated to Fox & Friends she plans to bring back her Be Best initiative. She also talked about her collectibles, such as NFT and Christmas ornaments, that she sells online.
Melania Trump is famous for her classic style, including a fresh blow out and a rounded French manicure.

However, the former First Lady unveiled a surprising style change during a formal dinner at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

The former model was on hand to support her husband, Donald Trump, 78, as he hosted Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 62, on Sunday.

'It was a privilege to host Mrs. Akie Abe at Mar-a-Lago once again,' Melania, 54, posted on X (previously Twitter).

'We fondly remembered her late husband, former Prime Minister Abe, and honored his remarkable legacy,' she told her 3.1 million followers.

In the photo she shared, Melania appears to debut a brand new nail shape, showing off long talons with a tapered point in a wintery shade of white with a metallic hue.

In the past, the incoming First Lady was always snapped with a white-on-white French manicure, which could be seen as she often put her hand on her heart during official appearances.

In fact, she's even been seen with a matching French pedicure on her toes.

The former First Lady unveiled a surprising style change during a formal dinner at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida

In the photo she shared on X, Melania appears to debut a brand new nail shape, showing off long talons with a tapered point in a wintery shade of white with a metallic hue

In the past, the incoming First Lady was always snapped with a white-on-white French manicure, which could be seen as she often put her hand on her heart during official appearances

Fittingly, despite its name, the French manicure originated in Hollywood and not France.

The famous French manicure became a universal style in the '70s, as women flocked to salons for the now classic style.

American film producer Jeff Pink, who founded ORLY, created the natural nail look as a way to help actresses save time before wardrobe changes on set.

The mani then became popular on the Paris runways, and has been given various makeovers over the years with pops of color and thinner, trendy curves.

Melania has always stayed faithful to the original design.

While Melania raved about the dinner on X, in 2017, Trump claimed that Japan's First Lady didn't speak English.

Trump told The New York Times that during a dinner at the G20 he was seated 'next to the wife of Prime Minister Abe, who I think is a terrific guy, and she's a terrific woman, but doesnt speak English.'

After the NYT reporter asked, 'Zero?' Trump replied, 'Like, not "hello."'

The famous French manicure became a universal style in the '70s, as women flocked to salons for the now classic style

Despite the manicure going through many trendy changes, Melania has stayed faithful to the original design throughout the years - until now

Melania is a longtime fan of the French manicure and has even been seen with a matching pedicure

Despite his claims, she was seen on camera giving a 15 minute speech in English at the High-Level Symposium on Coastal Resilience on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

This isn't the only style change the Slovenian-American has debuted in recent days as her husband prepares for his second term.

Incoming Vice President J.D. Vance, 40, shared a photo on X (previously Twitter) on December 12 that appeared to reveal Melania wears hair extensions.

The Hillbilly Elegy author posted a behind-the-scenes look at Melania and the former Apprentice host watching New York Stock Exchange on a television that seemingly showed her clip-in hair.

London-based hairstylist Julia North confirmed to DailyMail.com that she appears to be wearing 'tape-in or beaded-row extensions.'

'You can spot the telltale signs where the natural hair meets the extension pieces, particularly visible in the mid-sections,' the hair extensions specialist revealed.
Seven tourists were hospitalized for suspected poisoning after consuming cocktails at a bar in a luxury Fiji resort, which is now under police investigation.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the Warwick Fiji, where four Australians and three other individuals, believed to be foreign nationals, fell ill after being served drinks.

According to Fiji's Health Ministry, the affected tourists, ranging in age from 18 to 56, experienced symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and "neurological issues."

By late Monday, two of the affected tourists remained in the intensive care unit at Lautoka Hospital in stable condition, while the others had been discharged, according to Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Viliame R. Gavoka.

The incident follows a similar case weeks earlier in Laos, where six tourists died from methanol poisoning after drinking at a bar, prompting safety warnings about consuming alcohol abroad.

When asked if methanol was a factor in the Fiji case, Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, permanent secretary for Fiji's Ministry of Health & Medical Services, said it was still too early to determine the cause.

"We don't have the results of the investigation yet and we don't know if it was spiking or any other cause until we complete our investigations," he said in a briefing Monday.

Meanwhile, Gavoka assured travelers that the incident was "extremely isolated."

"No other incidents have been reported either at the resort, or across Fiji. The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years and holds a strong reputation, particularly among our Australian visitors," he said in a statement Monday.

"The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests," he added.

Warwick Hotels and Resorts operates luxury properties worldwide, including in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

In Fiji, their king suites, which offer views of palm trees and the expansive Pacific Ocean, are priced at approximately $500 per night.

Warwick Fiji said it was taking the matter "very seriously," adding that, "at this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests."
Mark had to serve as Kelly's translator for the duration of their vacation

The TV couple recently took a trip to Italy - but Kelly can't speak any Italian

Mark Consuelos made a cheeky quip about wife Kelly Ripa after she revealed she had been 'very silent' on their recent trip to Italy.

During Monday's episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the TV host, 53, shared that they had headed to Europe so that his spouse, 54, could see her first Campobasso Wolves game as the pair are both investors in the club.

Speaking about their trip, Kelly shared with viewers that she was forced to keep quiet on their vacation because she can't speak Italian.

She said: 'In Italy, I become even more silent because I don't speak Italian.

'So I am the most silent version of myself that I've ever been.'

Mark then admitted that he was a fan of his mute wife, and joked: 'I kind of liked it. It was really nice.'

'Your fantasy version of me,' Kelly responded. 'Somebody who has no idea what's going on.'

Mark revealed that because he speaks Italian that he took the helm on their trip and would order food for them every time they dined out.

Mark Consuelos made a cheeky quip about wife Kelly Ripa after she revealed she had been 'very silent' on their recent trip to Italy. They're seen in October

Mark (seen with Kelly in May) admitted that he was a fan of his mute wife, and joked: 'I kind of liked it. It was really nice'

But Kelly wasn't best pleased with her husband's efforts, and branded him the 'worst translator.'

'For the record,' she continued.

'He is the only one of us that speaks Italian, and therefore, we rely on him to tell us things. So he, in turn, rewards us by not telling us a thing.'

Kelly and Mark have been married for 27 years and share three children; Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21.

The couple first met in 1994 when he was auditioning for the soap opera All My Children, which launched both of their careers.

They eloped to Las Vegas on May 1, 1996, and have been together ever since, welcoming their three children.

Last week, Kelly revealed her struggle to find the right Christmas tree this holiday season as she claimed they all looked more sparse and less full than previous years.

Despite managing to find a beautiful one to adorn with twinkly lights, ornaments and garland, the television host couldn't help but poke fun at her tree over its more slender size.

Kelly shared with viewers that she was forced to keep quiet on their vacation because she can't speak Italian

'Behold the lady,' the talk show host captioned a shot of her lit tree in the center of her living room. 'Even the trees are skinny this year #treezempic?'

'Your tree has a beautiful shape! Trim and slim, like its owners,' one fan commented, while another agreed with Kelly that her tree looked like it was on Ozempic 'for sure.'

Another quipped: 'You didn't have to move any furniture for that tiny tree lol.'

One eagle-eyed commenter noted that the tree did not look as full as the ones Kelly and her husband typically purchase.

'Wow, that's not as big as you usually get, but still pretty,' another observant Instagram user wrote.
Tom Sandoval's model girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson has walked back shocking claims she made implying that the Vanderpump Rules star had cheated on her with her best friend.

Robinson, 32, issued a public apology on Monday morning after indicating hours earlier that Sandoval had been unfaithful with one of her pals.

'I would like to sincerely apologize for my previous post,' she told her 400,000 followers.

'I had a true misjudgement in a situation. Tom did not do anything. From my own personal trauma and experiences hearing false accusations about him all the time clouded my judgement and got the best of me,' she continued.

'Please respect him and know he's actually been the most supportive partner. The internet can be harsh sometimes and I'm learning how to block out the noise.'

Prior to Robinson's latest statement, multiple sources spoke to DailyMail.com about the couple's tumultuous romance.

'They fight constantly and have a very toxic relationship, but I don't think he cheated on her,' said one.

They also said that Robinson was 'crushed' following news that Vanderpump Rules was being rebooted, as she was hoping that she could appear on the hit Bravo series alongside Sandoval.

Tom Sandoval 's model girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson has walked back shocking claims she made implying that the Vanderpump Rules star had cheated on her with her best friend

Robinson, 32, issued a public apology on Monday morning after indicating hours earlier that Sandoval had been unfaithful with one of her pals

'She loves the spotlight,' the insider said of the model, who previously dated actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

A friend close to the couple also revealed to DailyMail.com that Sandoval's longtime best friend and business partner Tom Schwartz has distanced himself from the pair due to their toxicity.

'Schwartz still has a lot of love for Sandoval but he's taken a huge step back because of all the drama with Victoria,' the source said.

'It's caused a wedge in their friendship and he doesn't want any part of it,' they continued.

'Schwartz is focused on his new girlfriend [Sophia Skoro] and filming The Valley so he's pretty busy these days anyway.'

DailyMail.com has contacted the Toms' management for comment.

Following news that Vanderpump Rules is being completely rebooted from scratch, Schwartz, along with Scheana Shay and Lala Kent, were moved over to the show's hit spin-off The Valley.

Last month, both Toms announced that their Los Angeles bar Schwartz & Sandy's is shutting down for good after two years.

A friend close to the couple also revealed to DailyMail.com that Sandoval's longtime bestie and business partner Tom Schwartz has distanced himself from the pair due to their toxicity

Schwarts and Sandoval's Los Angeles bar Schwartz & Sandy's is closing for good at the end of the year, despite the pair sinking over a million dollars into the establishment

The reality stars poured over a million dollars into the making of it, and last year the business faced backlash following Sandoval's affair with Rachel Leviss.

'With a heavy heart, we've made the difficult decision to close Schwartz & Sandy's at the end of December,' Sandoval's statement began.

'This hasn't been an easy choice for my partners and me, but other priorities and commitments have taken hold. While this business venture has been an incredible stepping stone in my life, one I will always cherish, I look forward to exciting new endeavors.'

Located in the Franklin Village neighborhood of LA, Schwartz and Sandy's opened in November 2022 and marked the duo's second restaurant together.

The pair also have a minority stake in Lisa Vanderpump's West Hollywood hotspot TomTom, which they opened in 2018.

But in March of 2023 the restaurants were caught in the crossfire after it was revealed Sandoval had been cheating on long-time girlfriend Ariana Madix with co-star Rachel Leviss, a controversy that was nicknamed by fans as 'Scandoval.'

In the immediate aftermath of the affair revelation, fans took their anger out on the two restaurants.

Schwartz & Sandy's was vandalized by angry fans and the Yelp pages for both restaurants were hit with negative reviews.

At last year's reunion, Schwartz revealed that as a result of the affair, revenue at the restaurant 'was down a little bit' and a boycott had gained some energy.

Sandoval famously cheated on longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix with her close friend and Vanderpump Rules co-star Rachel Leviss. (All pictured in 2022)

Schwartz and Sandy's suffered backlash from the general public following Sandoval's affair

In an interview with People, Schwartz admitted they struggled post-pandemic and after the cheating scandal.

'Unfortunately, the current climate for this business is pretty rough,' he said.

'Recovering from all the negativity post-scandal wasnt easy, and the slimmer margins post-COVID made it even harder to bounce back. Theres not a lot of room for error in the restaurant/bar business.'

The duo poured over a million dollars into the making of the restaurant, and Sandoval's mother and stepfather even invested $250,000 into the endeavor.

'At this point, we have invested a million dollars into this project,' Sandoval said on a 2023 episode of Vanderpump Rules. 'It's like the national debt, it's just numbers flying.'

Sadly, the restaurant also took a personal toll on Schwartz - his ex-wife Katie Maloney admitted the eatery placed a 'massive strain' on their relationship and in 2022 she filed for divorce.

Sandoval became a viral household name after it was discovered that he had cheated on his longtime girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix, 39, with former costar Rachel 'Raquel' Leviss, 30.

Madix had discovered the betrayal after she found an X-rated screen recording of Rachel on FaceTime with Sandoval on his phone.

The fallout was captured in real-time on season 11 of Vanderpump Rules, and became a nationwide scandal, with comedian Roy Wood Jr. even making a joke about it while hosting the 2023 White House Correspondent's dinner.

On Sunday night, Robinson posted a since-deleted Instagram story that implied that he had cheated on her

On Monday morning at around 6am PST, after Robinson had posted that message to her Instagram, Sandoval, looking tired, went on Instagram to share a bizarre recap of the drama

Sandoval began dating Robinson in early 2024, per People, and has fiercely defended him in the public eye.

On Monday morning at around 6am PST, after Robinson had posted that message to her Instagram, Sandoval, looking tired, went live on Instagram to share a bizarre recap of what's been happening recently, as many asked about the status of him and his girlfriend.

He began to explain that the two of them were attending a concert, Twisted Xmas With Bush, in Chicago this past weekend.

'I had a f***ing hell of a week,' he began in the clip captured by DailyMail.com as he launched into the trip he took with Robinson.

In the comments section, someone asked him about the Instagram story she had posted, to which he said he would tell the audience what had happened.

However, it took him a while to tell the story, as he proclaimed that it was 'a lot,' and took a swig of beer.

The video then began to freeze, but he later came back to start telling the tale for a second time.

'We went there and, me and Victoria had an awesome, awesome time, and, it's so hard to say this, but we went to the Bush concert that got transferred over to The Vic, and I busted my a** to make sure that she was noticed, and she's holding up a sign saying, like, "Your music saved my life, all this stuff,"' he rambled, before taking a long pause.

He then took a drag from his cigarette, while proclaiming that he doesn't even smoke anymore.

'I filmed her, she's holding this up, like the whole time, like it got transferred to the Vic...' he continued.

'I got us backstage, f***ing it was a whole f***ing issue getting us backstage,' Sandoval said, as his live video then began to freeze and lose connection.

It seemed like Sandoval never finished his story, so it's unclear exactly what happened between the two this weekend.

Sandoval began dating Robinson in early 2024 and has fiercely defended him in the public eye

Robinson is a swimsuit model who previously dated Leonardo DiCaprio

In the past, the two have stood by each other despite the public scrutiny that Sandoval has received from Bravo and non-reality television watchers alike.

Last year, the Vanderpump Rules star gushed about his 'addiction' to the ex-flame of DiCaprio while appearing on the inaugural episode of his former co-star Billie Lee's podcast Billie & The Kid.

'My addiction of the week is definitely my friend Victoria that I have been hanging out with,' the St. Louis native dished.

'She's definitely super awesome and she's one of the sweetest people. Obviously I have known her for a really long time, but we went on our first date last night.'

Sandoval said Robinson 'works a lot' and 'is very successful' in her modeling career, 'but she is also very humble and really cool. She is just a very sweet, thoughtful person.'
Queen Silvia, 80, looked cheerful as she took part in the festive activity

Queen Silvia of Sweden got into the festive spirit as she put up Christmas decorations with her family this evening.

The royal, 80, received the evergreens at the Royal Palace in Stockholm from the Forestry University's student union.

She was later joined by her excited grandchildren, as they adorned the trees with an array of Christmas ornaments in anticipation of the upcoming holidays.

On Monday, Silvia was snapped alongside Princess Estelle, 12, Princess Leonore, 10, Prince Nicolas, nine, Princes Oscar and Alexander, eight, Prince Gabriel, seven, Princess Adrienne, six, and Prince Julian, three, as they got to work decorating the trees.

The group of girls and boys beamed as they entered the room holding baskets of sparkly baubles to spread across four fresh trees.

Eldest granddaughter Estelle - who is the daughter of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel - was holiday-ready in a bright red shirt with a matching skirt.

She paired the Yule-inspired ensemble with black sheer tights and a pair of platform biker boots.

Estelle - who is second in line to the Swedish throne - was seen taking charge of her cousins as she delicately placed the trinkets on top of the trees.

Queen Silvia spent Monday evening decorating the Royal Palace's Christmas trees with her grandchildren. From left to right: Princess Leonore, Princess Estelle, Princess Adrienne, Queen Silvia, Prince Gabriel, Prince Oscar, Prince Julian and Prince Nicolas

The royal, 80, received the evergreens at the Royal Palace in Stockholm from the Forestry University's student union. From left to right: Prince Oscar, Prince Gabriel, and Prince Alexander, who Queen Silvia wrapped a loving arm around

Eldest granddaughter Estelle - who is the daughter of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel - was holiday-ready in a bright red shirt with a matching skirt. She can be seen hearing hanging an ornament on one of the four Christmas trees that were delivered to the palace

Queen Silvia sported a crisp, black blazer featuring golden buttons, a cream turtleneck jumper and smart trousers.

She opted for comfortable black loafers and wore her shiny brunette tresses in her signature feathered bob.

At one point, the queen lovingly put her arm around Prince Alexander, who looked smart in cherry-red jumper and chequered skirt - as she organised the children at the event.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's son looked in high spirits as he gave the camera a cheeky smile and wave. Princess Sofia is currently pregnant with her fourth child.

Prince Julian, Silvia's youngest grandchild, is known for being a little mischievous at royal events, but he seemed to be on his best behaviour in a bid to make Santa's good list.

The young royal looked particularly intrigued with the glitzy bauble box, peeking his head inside for a better look at this year's decorations.

Julian was also seen being cuddled by his older cousin Prince Oscar and holding hands with his brother Prince Gabriel in a sweet group photo.

Many of the girls were dressed in festive attire consisting of patterned dresses, while the boys dressed in shirts and jumpers for the occasion.

Queen Silvia is accompanied by her eight grandchildren in a festive snap, with the group posing before a beautifully-decorated Christmas tree

Estelle - who is second in line to the Swedish throne - was seen taking charge of her cousins as she delicately placed the trinkets on top of the trees

Prince Alexander, the son of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, looked in high spirits as he gave the camera a cheeky smile and wave

The queen's excited grandchildren inspected the boxes of baubles and decorations that arrived at the palace

Many of the girls were dressed in festive attire consisting of patterned dresses, while the boys dressed in shirts and jumpers for the occasion

Prince Julian, Silvia's youngest grandchild, is known for being a little mischievous at royal events, but he seemed to be on his best behaviour in a bid to make Santa's good list. Here, he can be seen examining the sparkly baubles in Queen Silvia's basket

Princess Estelle pictured deciding where to play her Christmas tree ornament

Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, and Prince Gabriel hang up their Christmas decorations on one of the trees at the Royal Palace

This comes as Queen Silvia attended the Nobel Prize 2024 King's Dinner alongside her husband King Carl Gustaf XVI last week.

For the occasion, she donned a midnight blue, embroidered and jewelled floor-length gown.

Featuring mesh sleeves, her sparkling ensemble was fitting for the lavish affair honouring Nobel laureates in the fields of medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics.

The wife of King Carl Gustaf XVI also wore the symbolic white sash and complementary brooch.

Her diamond necklace paired perfectly with her elaborate diamond-encrusted tiara.

It seems that Silvia is making a gradual recovery after the palace announced last month that she was suffering from a 'severe respiratory infection' - leading her to miss a state visit to Singapore.

The Swedish royal couple had planned to visit the island country from November 19 to November 21 - but only King Carl Gustaf attended.

Queen Silvia was seated next to chemistry laureate Demis Hassabis (pictured) during the dinner last week

The full statement was shared on the Royal Household's website and it read: 'Due to a severe respiratory infection, HM The Queen has decided not to accompany HM The King on the State Visit to Singapore 1921 November.

'The Queen was looking forward to visiting Singapore and regrets that she is unable to accompany The King on the trip.

'However, out of consideration for the Singaporean hosts and the rest of the State Visit delegation, The queen chooses to remain in Sweden, to not risk exposing others to infection.

'Her Majestys planned individual parts of the State Visit programme will be carried out by accompanying state secretary and the First Lady of the Court.'
Learning she had advanced bowel cancer at the age of 36 understandably came as a devastating shock to Carla Mitchell  not least because the disease is normally associated with those in their 60s and above.

What the marketing representative from Kent did not know at the time was that she was born with Lynch syndrome  an under-recognised genetic condition that affects up to 200,000 Britons, that significantly raises their risk of numerous cancers early in life.

Those with Lynch syndrome have mutations in one of four genes  MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2  that normally help repair DNA errors in cells. The mutations instead mean cells are more likely to develop into cancer.

As a result, they have a more than a 70 per cent greater risk of cancers affecting the bowel, womb, ovaries, stomach, gallbladder, prostate and urinary tract, according to Cancer Research UK.

Lynch can run in families  so first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) of someone with Lynch have a 50 per cent risk of having the genes themselves. Yet if the condition is identified early in life  via genetic screening  carriers can be given advice to help reduce their risk.

For example, taking a daily low-dose aspirin could cut their risk of bowel cancer by 40 per cent, by lowering inflammation that causes healthy bowel cells to turn cancerous.

Yet NHS figures show 95 per cent of Lynch carriers are oblivious to their genetic risk of cancer  and just 5 per cent have been identified.

This is despite the fact that gene-screening tools for Lynch are available in the UK  and that its official NHS policy to screen all bowel cancer patients for the condition (yet recent studies show this has been done only patchily).

Now there is more impetus to find people with the syndrome, after the NHS launched a national bowel screening programme earlier this year.

Carlas crushing diagnosis came out of the blue in 2021.

Looking back there were red flags  I was unusually tired but it was at the end of lockdown so I attributed that to being less physically active and my hectic work schedule.

But it wasnt a sort of tiredness Id experienced before  I felt heavy and my legs would ache. If I tried to run upstairs my heart would race.

A blood test by her GP revealed her iron levels were low  she was told she was dangerously anaemic and must go to hospital.

It threw me into panic. Id never been in hospital before, she said. She was given iron infusions and underwent further tests.

Carla Mitchell was diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 36 in 2021

Days later, on Christmas Eve 2020, her GP called to say they had found blood in her stools and she urgently needed a colonoscopy (an examination of the bowel with a camera).

Within weeks, Carla was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. She had surgery to remove the tumour, followed by three months of chemotherapy. When her treatment ended in August 2021, a scan found no evidence of cancer.

Only then did anyone mention the possibility of genetic testing for Lynch syndrome.

Six months later I had a letter from the genetics team at Guys Hospital to say I did have a form of Lynch [a mutation in the PMS2 gene], recalls Carla.

I did not take the news well  it was tougher than getting my cancer diagnosis. Lynch means that there is always a cloud over my head.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended in 2017 that everyone diagnosed with bowel cancer be tested for the syndrome.

But a report in February by NHS Englands National Disease Registration Service, published in the European Journal of Human Genetics, warned that these guidelines were not being implemented, and as a result doctors were failing to spot up to 700 people a year with Lynch.

Experts believe that women with endometrial (or womb) cancer, another disease linked to the genes, should also be screeened.

For many women with Lynch, endometrial cancer is the first cancer they develop, Clare Turnbull, a professor of translational cancer genetics at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, told the Mail.

But a study she co-authored, published in October in the BMJ Journal of Medical Genetics, found that only one in eight Lynch syndrome patients was diagnosed through screening of endometrial cancer cases in England in 2019.

Lynch syndrome significantly raises the risk of numerous cancers early in life

Professor Turnbull argues that if Lynch patients are told of their genetic danger, they could benefit from strategies to significantly cut their risk of lethal cancers.

Some experts advise women with Lynch to have their ovaries, fallopian tubes and womb removed once they have finished childbearing  to protect against endometrial cancer, for instance.

Professor Turnbull says greater efforts are also needed to trace the relatives of those affected, as they may well have the condition but be unaware.

Meanwhile, NICE recommends that people with Lynch should also undergo colonoscopy every two years to check for any signs of bowel cancer.

But its fraught with difficulty, says Professor Turnbull.

Quite a lot of these cancers arent easy to spot  they dont stand out from colon tissue as polyps, for example, as normal bowel cancers do  a lot of them are flat and they hide, she says.

But Naser Turabi, director of evidence and implementation at Cancer Research UK, insists screening is extremely effective at catching early-stage cancer.

However he concedes that the colonoscopies for those with Lynch need to be more thorough than normal as doctors are looking for something that is often not causing symptoms.

In February, NHS England announced a world-first: routine bowel cancer screening every two years for those already known to have Lynch syndrome, identified either through families or because they have already had cancer.

The problem is this covers only the 10,000 people in England already on the NHS Lynch syndrome register  not the 190,000 or so as yet undiagnosed.

But NHS England says that this coverage will improve as genetic screening spreads. For example, it says, 94 per cent of people diagnosed with bowel or endometrial cancer in 2021 to last year were tested for Lynch syndrome  up from just 47 per cent in 2019.

But questions remain over how effectively the two-yearly screening is implemented, says Mr Turabi.

There is a lot of pressure on genomic services, he says. And Lynch tests are not as urgent as, for example, gene testing for lung cancer, where theyd help doctors to determine what specific treatment a patient should get for their particular form of the disease.

Meanwhile, the need to identify more people with Lynch is becoming increasingly vital as scientists at Oxford University are working on a vaccine that may prevent them getting cancer.

One of the researchers, Dr David Church, a clinical scientist fellow and a medical doctor specialising in oncology, said the vaccine will help patients immune systems spot cells that turn cancerous due to Lynch syndrome DNA faults.

As the cells proliferate they switch off the protein mechanisms by which the immune system recognises them, effectively cloaking themselves.

The hope is a jab will turbo-charge patients immune defences so they can kill rogue cells before they go undercover.

Another line of attack is via the English National Lynch Syndrome Registry, a new database of Lynch patients  it will match the DNA data of patients with their cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcomes, in the hope that this will help clinicians to develop the most effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Meanwhile, Carlas mother is undergoing the gene-testing process  as Carla, who doesnt know her father, explains: we dont know of any cancer in the family, though you can have the mutation and never develop cancer.

She and her husband Simon would like to have children, and are weighing up their options  especially as she has been advised to undergo a hysterectomy at 45 to prevent endometrial cancer

If we do have a child naturally then they have a 50/50 chance of having Lynch, she says.

With IVF we could have embryos screened to remove any with the Lynch mutation. But IVF can take years.

But Carla remains resolutely positive.

I am confident that there is a future for people with Lynch, she says.

Even if my child had it, Im confident that modern medicine will ensure that they have a healthy future.
A doctor who offers the 'world's most painful' surgery has been threatened with fines and criminal charges by her local government.

Dr Marie Gdalevitch, an orthopedic surgeon in Quebec, Canada, has offered osteotomy operations, or limb-lengthening surgeries, for more than a decade to patients seeking to become taller.

The $90,000 surgery that can boost height by three inches involves breaking the leg bones and then inserting a metal rod into their marrow, which is then gradually lengthened to force the leg bone to grow taller.

She offers the surgery to those with dwarfism and limb deformities through Canada's public health system, as well as privately to young men worried about their height.

Earlier this month, however, Quebec updated its list of approved surgeries in the province and did not include an osteotomy on the list.

She has been left reeling by the decision, and has now received a letter ordering her to stop offering the surgeries or face penalties.

Dr Gdalevitch has now had to reschedule dozens of procedures, saying that she was fully booked until May. She is appealing to local authorities to have her surgery added to the list.

She told CTV News: 'The Quebec Orthopedic Association agrees with being able to do this, agrees with being able to do deformity correction, limb-lengthening, and even stature lengthening.

Dr Marie Gdalevitch, an orthopedic surgeon in Quebec, Canada , offers osteotomy operations, or limb-lengthening surgeries, for patients seeking to become taller

'It's unclear who took the final decision, but somebody [in the authorities] does not agree with this for reasons that I still don't understand.'

The list of approved private surgeries is cleared by the Health Ministry and College des Medecins in Quebec.

The organizations have not explained why osteotomies were excluded, but in the past patients have complained of extreme pain from the surgery.

There are also risks from the procedure including nerve damage, muscle damage, dislocations and arthritis.

Canada has a public health insurance system that covers essential medical services like doctor's visits, hospital stays and surgeries for patients.

About 60 percent of residents, however, also have private health insurance, which covers 'non-essential' care like prescription medications, vision, dental and mental health.

In Quebec, the public system is called the Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec (RAMQ). The state also has an approved list of private procedures, which is suggested to be in order to stop a run to the private sector.

Dr Gdalevitch, who opened another clinic in the province last month, says she may now have to move out-of-province to offer the procedure, making it less accessible for her patients.

Dr Gdalevitch, pictured above, opened a new clinic last month

She said it could also force patients who were seeking the surgery to head abroad, where it may not be as well regulated.

She was previously able to offer the surgery via a loophole because the list of approved private practices was rarely updated, which she said led to the surgery she was offering being 'tolerated'.

The doctor added to the local broadcaster: 'They've given me a very strict warning that this could be something that they would take me to criminal court for.'

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Leg-lengthening surgeries have seen a boom in recent years as young men seek the procedures to add vital inches to their height, which they believe will help their romantic lives and careers.

Previous patients  including a Colombian influencer who grew from 5ft 8in to 6ft  have described being left in excruciating pain.

Yeferson Cossio, 29, had the surgery late last year, but said it left him in so much pain he felt like he would collapse and was desperate to take the rods out.

The pain is so excruciating that it is 'constantly interrupting' his sleep, with Mr Cossio saying he can now only sleep for 'around two hours [every night], maximum'.
A neurologist has revealed the common drugs that might cause you to develop the shakes.

Dr Baibing Chen, who is based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, says that he sees many patients with hand tremors who are worried they have a serious brain disorder like Parkinson's.

Before evaluating them for neurological conditions, Dr Chen always checks what drugs they are taking first.

Dr Chen checks to see if his patients are taking pseudoephedrine - sold under the brand name Sudafed among others - for nasal or sinus congestion, as tremors are a common side effect with this over-the-counter medication.

This is because the decongestant directly stimulates the central nervous system and triggers the release of norepinephrine - a neurotransmitter associated with alertness and arousal - which can lead to side effects like nervousness, anxiety, and tremors.

These symptoms increase when the medication is taken in higher doses or by sensitive individuals.

This also applies to amphetamines used for the treatment of ADHD, such as Adderall.

'These can increase nervous system activity and sometimes lead to shakiness or tremors,' Dr Chen tells viewers in a TikTok video.

A top neurologist has revealed a handful of common drugs that might cause you to have the shakes

Next up, the neurologist looks at antidepressant use.

He says selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a class of antidepressants that work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, have been shown to trigger tremors.

The FDA has approved five SSRIs to treat depression: Citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft).

The Mayo Clinic says some people have no side effects, while many side effects may go away after the first few weeks of treatment.

Along with shakiness, these medications can cause restlessness, sweating and headaches.

Dr Chen says the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline can cause the same reaction.

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Continuing on this line of thought, he says typical antipsychotics used to treat psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking, can cause tremors.

While lithium, a common mood stabilizer, is 'also known to cause or worsen tremors particularly at higher blood levels'.

Dr David Osser, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, says lithium-induced tremors are 'very common and disliked by patients' and anxiety might make them worse.

To mitigate the tremor, he suggests maintaining a low lithium level and reducing other drugs that might cause the shakes, such as caffeine.

Another thing Dr Chen says commonly causes the jitters are asthma medications.

Medications prescribed to asthma patients, such as albuterol, salmeterol, and arformoterol inhalers, can cause tremors as a side effect.

Dr Baibing Chen, who is based out of Michigan, says that he sees many patients with tremors. But before pinning it on a neurological condition, he asks what medications they are taking

Up to 20 percent of people who take these medications develop tremors.

Dr Chen ends his informational by listing several other drugs to watch out for when it comes to developing tremors.

Anti-seizure medications can cause tremors because they interact with the central nervous system, while antiarrhythmic medications used to treat irregular heart rhythms, have a similar impact.

Steroids are another one on Dr Chen's list of tremor-induced meds to watch out for.

With prednisone, one of the most commonly prescribed steroids in the US, some of the serious side effects that can occur - if used in large amounts or with sustained use - include tingling in the face and extremities, twitching of the muscles and uncontrollable shaking of the hands.

Lastly, the doctor addresses one of the most common triggers for getting the shakes; stimulants.

Caffeine, which can be consumed through tea, coffee, sodas and over-the-counter energy supplements, can often make your hands shaky if consumed in large quantities, particularly in individuals who are sensitive to its stimulating effects.
A leading doctor has weighed in on viral social media claims that it's possible to contract chlamydia from touching gym equipment.

Fears were first raised by a TikTok user who claimed he contracted the infection at the gym after wiping his eye with a towel that was placed on a seat.

User @grinny45 initially visited his doctor complaining of 'pink eye'  also known as conjunctivitis, a benign minor infection of the eyelid.

Tests revealed the cause was chlamydia. As the creator hadn't been sexually active, the doctor asked if he worked out often  to which he answered yes.

'Chances are someone has sweated on the seat you put your gym towel [on], wiped your face and [got] pink eye,' his doctor allegedly told him.

In a reaction video viewed almost 10 million times another user, @alaskaaayoung77, blames 'women going commando in the gym' for the phenomenon.

Others have responded by posting clips in which they extensively clean gym equipment before using them, citing fears of 'eye chlamydia' as the reason.

Now Dr Joe Whittington, who has more than three million followers across social media has offered his medical verdict  and offered an alternative explanation.

A leading doctor has weighed in on viral social media claims that it's possible to contract chlamydia from touching gym equipment

In a reaction video viewed almost 10 million times another user, @alaskaaayoung77, blames 'women going commando in the gym' for the phenomenon

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In an Instagram Reel that's been viewed 638,000 times since it was posted two days ago, Dr Joe  as he is known  poses the question: 'Can you really get chlamydia from gym equipment?'

The emergency medic continues: 'Well, we all know it's primarily spread through doing the deed, not through casual contact or touching surfaces.

'So unless you're doing something very unusual with those gym machines, you're safe.'

Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in the UK with chlamydia, caused by bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis, by far top of the list.

The bug is passed through contact, via vaginal, anal or oral sex most  and spread often occurs as people don't show any symptoms and therefore don't get tested.

However, according to sexual health experts at SH:24, concerns that it could be passed on via gym equipment or towels are unfounded.

'Chlamydia is passed on through sexual contact, like oral, vaginal or anal sex,' it summarises.

'It can also be passed on by sharing sex toys. You cannot get chlamydia from kissing, hugging, towels, or toilet seats, as the bacteria cannot survive outside the body for long.'

Fears were first raised by a TikTok user who claimed he contracted the infection at the gym after wiping his eye with a towel that was placed on a seat

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Despite this, Dr Joe adds there are infection that could potentially be passed on via surfaces at the gym.

'You do have to worry about MRSA, ringworm and skin warts, so make sure you wipe down the equipment before you use it.'

Earlier this year, the UK Health Security Agency reported that there were 401,800 new STIs diagnosed in England in 2023, up 4.7 per cent year on year.

The sharpest rise was among children aged 13 and 14, where the number was up by almost a fifth (19.5 per cent) to 459.

This was followed by pensioners aged 65 and over, with new cases soaring by 18.2 per cent to 2,885.

Some Britons are engaging in risky unprotected sex after meeting on dating apps while others are starting new sexual relationships after getting divorced or being widowed in old age.

Concerns have also been raised about children copying what they see in pornography, freely accessed on their mobile phones.

There was a huge drop in STI infections during the Covid pandemic followed by a boom, as people began returning to normal sexual activity.

However, rates are still below what they were pre-pandemic.
Kirstie Phillips and her husband had been trying to get pregnant for months without success.

Mrs Phillips, from Connecticut, had always just assumed they would get pregnant quickly  they were both healthy, active, in their twenties and had no family history of infertility.

But when her doctor informed her that her ovaries were not functioning correctly, she fell down a rabbit hole of research that brought her to the conclusion that environmental toxins found everywhere in her home could be to blame.

She told the Wall Street Journal: I dont have proof but I cant think of anything else.

Mrs Phillips, now 30, threw away her scented candles and home fragrance plug ins due to their links to hormonal imbalances.

And she scrapped her body washes and moisturizers that contained toxic 'forever chemicals' which have been associated with infertility.

The family also stopped using single-use plastics and nonstick cooking pans.

In what she and her husband consider nothing short of a miracle, Kirstie Phillips became pregnant two years later through IVF.

Less than a year later, she was pregnant again naturally.

Kirstie Phillips [pictured with her husband] struggled with infertility and believed environmental toxins like BPA and phthalates were to blame

Fertility rates in the US have collapsed to a historic low.

The most recent CDC data showed that in 2023, the total fertility rate fell to 1.62 births per woman.

However, for a population to stay the same size, it must achieve a 'replacement' level fertility rate of 2 - a number the US hasn't recorded since 2007, before the 2008 financial crash.

The number of women waiting to try to get pregnant until they enter their 30s- when the odds of conceiving plummet - is just one driving factor.

Scientists increasingly believe that exposure to environmental toxins are playing a significant role.

They have suggested for years that so-called forever chemicals lurking in everything from pots and pans to raincoats can wreak havoc on the bodys reproductive hormones, with one study finding that women with higher levels of these chemicals in their blood had a 40 percent lower chance of getting pregnant.

Bisphenol-A and phthalates have also been linked to lower egg yields in women and poor semen quality in men.

Both common chemicals can be found in plastic containers, including baby bottles, receipts, fragrances, soaps, and lotions.

Mrs Phillips, a nurse anesthetist, was surprised to learn she was pregnant with her daughter Sage when her son Levi was just 10 months old.

She believes that reduced exposure to chemicals helped her body self-regulate.

She tossed anything in her Connecticut home that contained chemicals known to disrupt the bodys delicate hormone balance.

Ditching her body wash and other plastic containers reduced her exposure to forever chemicals, or PFAS.

PFAS are sealants for cookware, rugs and carpeting, waterproof clothing, food packaging, stain-removing sprays, and house paint.

These chemicals, which take years to break down naturally, have also infiltrated Americans water supply, with one government study out earlier this year showing that 71 million to 95 million people live in areas where their water supply is contaminated with the chemicals.

Kirstie also sought to eliminate bisphenol-A (BPA), often used as a protective lining on the inside of drink cans.

It can also be found in baby bottles, water bottles, pacifiers, and baby toys.

BPA, like PFAS, disrupts the bodys hormone system, interferes with the development of eggs in the ovaries, making them less likely to mature properly, lowers the production of estrogen, and increases the odds of early pregnancy loss by disrupting the hormonal balance needed to maintain a healthy uterus.

Phthalates are another chemical that interferes with reproduction. They are found in the kinds of home fragrances that Mrs. Phillips tossed.

Commonly used to make plastics more durable, phthalates have been found to trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, causing DNA and protein damage in the blood, ultimately impacting the quality of eggs developed in the uterus.

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They also have the potential to cause ovarian failure, leading to infertility.

According to 2015 research published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology, stopping exposure to harmful chemicals may help reverse damage to the ovaries, depending on how long the exposure lasted and which follicles were affected.

However, eliminating phthalates entirely is an unattainable goal.

The researchers behind that study said: Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental toxicants to which humans are exposed daily.

Although removal of toxicant exposure may be beneficial in restoring ovarian function, exposure to many EDCs including phthalates cannot be completely removed.

Scientists worldwide have long warned about the consistent drop in fertility rates. By 2100, around 93 percent of countries globally are projected to see a dip in fertility rates below the levels necessary to keep population levels from shrinking.

Among the causes that international scientists have pinpointed were endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Dr Tracey Woodruff, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, said: This is really an important issue because it impinges on peoples ability to choose pregnancy should they want to choose pregnancy.

We know that the number and amount of them are increasing and we know that some of them can directly impact male and female reproductive health.

A study published last year by doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York reported that higher exposure to PFAS chemicals was linked to a lower likelihood of clinical pregnancy and live birth in a group of Singaporean women.

After eliminating toxins from her life, the Phillips' conceived through IVF and later became pregnant naturally

Specifically, the study revealed that women exposed to a combination of seven PFAS had 30 percent to 40 percent lower odds of achieving a clinical pregnancy within a year and delivering a live birth.

Dr Nathan Cohen, PhD, a public health researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said: Our study strongly implies that women who are planning pregnancy should be aware of the harmful effects of PFAS and take precautions to avoid exposure to this class of chemicals, especially when they are trying to conceive.
'Medfluencers'  that's TikTok influencers who are doctors  are popping up on social media extolling the joys of locum work.

'Shifts are paid at significantly higher rates than the normal basic pay', says one to her 55,000 followers; another that her hourly rate as a locum 'is so vastly different to the normal hourly rate it is crazy'.

Added to the junior doctor strikes, this questionable use of social media and stories of small fortunes being earned has helped change many people's views of our junior doctors (now officially called 'resident' doctors).

But what few of them will know is that over the past two decades, the NHS has not addressed the key problem that is really driving young doctors out of the health service.

That we need more doctors, there is no doubt: it's estimated we have to train an additional 3,000 to 6,000 doctors a year to keep up with the expected demand from an ageing population.

However, NHS workforce policies, along with an utter failure of leadership from organisations such as the Royal Colleges, the General Medical Council (GMC) and Health Education England, have sabotaged that.

Last month, the GMC published its latest workforce report. Hidden in the graphs and data tables detailing the plans for the medical workforce is a glaring error. The increase in the number of medical students qualifying isn't matched by the increase in training programmes  with a gap of thousands.

When a doctor is newly qualified, they undertake two years of foundation training  this involves six, four-month jobs in different areas, to get a broad experience, readying them to start formal training programmes to become the GPs and consultants we need.

Junior doctors are ditching their NHS jobs in favour of lucrative locum salaries before spreading the word on TikTok. Pictured: Dr Monika Sharma

Dr Summer Kennedy tells her 1,792 followers that her hourly rate 'is so vastly different to the normal hourly rate it is crazy'

Except they are not starting those training programmes. In 2022, only 22 per cent of new doctors did what was meant to happen: enter a training programme after their foundation jobs.

There are currently 11,757 doctors who have completed their foundation training but have not gone into a training programme. That's literally thousands of highly qualified doctors who could treat our loved ones, and cut the amount hospitals spend on locums while training to be specialists.

And the reason? There aren't enough training positions. So we have brilliantly trained UK doctors who want to work in jobs we're desperate to fill, but with no training jobs for them.

For example, for every psychiatry training job, there are over nine applicants.

I have a friend who wants to be a psychiatrist: she's an amazing doctor, but there are only two jobs starting each year for a psychiatry training programme in Cornwall, where she lives.

So instead she  like so many others  works as a locum (in her case, as a locum psychiatrist).

Sure, this is for much more money but with little training to help her become a better, consultant psychiatrist. She is now contemplating accepting a job offer in New Zealand, where she will also get that consultant-level training.

If she goes, not only will it cause family upheaval for her, it will be an awful waste of the money the NHS spent training her to be a doctor and putting her through foundation training.

Crucially, it will be a disaster for our patients who need her skills now and in eight years when she could be a consultant.

The problem is the formal training programme numbers are set not by hospitals, but by the NHS. One sticking-plaster solution hospitals use is creating 'non-training' jobs. But while these are often identical to formal training jobs, they can't lead to the doctor becoming consultants.

And with no formal training programmes to go into, many young doctors leave the country and take their skills, expertise and potential to countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, we still need the patients to get treated, so waste millions on locums.

Some of the best junior doctors we have leave the NHS and non-training jobs are filled by non-UK-trained doctors  they now make up the majority of new doctors in the NHS.

Because of all these changes, our workforce is becoming less and less experienced: 9 per cent of doctors on the GMC register have been on it for a year or less, compared with fewer than 6 per cent less than a decade ago. This lack of experience affects the quality of care that our patients receive.

And it is set to get worse. The number of medical students is significantly increasing but there are no formal plans to expand training programmes by an equivalent amount.

You couldn't make it up. We are at risk of spending millions on training brilliant new doctors who will provide great service for patients in Australia.

It's even worse for some specialisms: some doctors, such as anaesthetic doctors, have to apply for a basic training programme, then, after a set of exams are passed, apply for a senior training programme.

Crazily, the number of jobs for these two schemes don't match, so after five years of training, they can't complete the final step to become a consultant.

This recently happened to a whole cohort of anaesthetic doctors. Many of my friends left the NHS at this stage of their career to move to (yes, you guessed it) Australia.

Between 2019 to 2023 there was a 6 per cent drop in the number of doctors training to be anaesthetists.

If you wonder why there is such a backlog of operations, don't blame the doctors or nurses for not working hard enough and instead question the decisions on the medical workforce made by those at the top of the NHS.

Even worse is what is happening to other doctors who have completed their postgraduate training. We have fully qualified GPs who cannot get jobs despite the dire need for those GPs. They are quitting the NHS or doing locum shifts as a junior doctors again.

That's because so much of the budget allocated to GP surgeries cannot be spent on GPs but must be used on alternatives to doctors such as physician associates (PAs).

At the same time, a narrative is being spun that there is a shortage of doctors  so we need to expand the alternatives to doctors such as PAs. As Good Health has long reported, there are real concerns about PAs taking on more responsibility than they're qualified for  in some cases with tragic results.

Back to our trainee doctors. There is an alternative to this fiasco: let hospitals run their own training programmes. I set up a scheme in my hospital to do this 12 years ago, breaking with convention.

We now have more than 75 of these doctors, often combining clinical work with teaching and research. If only we were allowed to convert those jobs to training jobs, it's the kind of scheme that could be replicated nationally.

Our junior doctors have been let down by those in charge of workforce planning and education, as have our patients and we, the taxpayers. We must change how we do things; we can't afford not to.

@drrobgalloway
DIYers are being warned against installing their own slick stone countertops at home amid the rise of a fatal health condition.

In recent years, engineered stone countertops have become increasingly popular and quartz surface imports to the US increased 800 percent during 2010 to 2018.

But dust released when the stone is cut is breathed in can cause irreversible scarring to the lungs, leaving people struggling with shortness of breath and a painful cough.

Known as silicosis or 'black lung', it is effectively a death sentence unless the person undergoes lung transplants, which only buy them a handful of years.

If people are going to install their own quartz countertops at home Afif El-Hasan, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association, advises using the appropriate safety equipment to prevent illness.

He told KSL NewsRadio: 'Take [working on your own house] seriously, just the same way a construction worker who's coming to your house and working on it would want to take their lung health seriously.'

Illinois-based stone distributor and specialist Granite Selection says the best way of cutting quartz countertops is to use a circular saw with diamond tips.

On the topic of safety gear, experts recommend wearing a tight-fitting N95 mask that's designed for construction.

DIYers are being warned about the dangers cutting and installing their own slick stone countertops at home amid a potentially fatal health effect

Silicosis appears on a CT scan as Scan as small white nodules scattered throughout the lungs. Scan courtesy of radiopaedia.org

The CDC says the respirator filters at least 95 percent of airborne particles 'but is not resistant to oil-based particles'.

They add: 'Protective goggles are also essential in carrying out this task as the fine dust can easily go airborne.

'As cutting stones will also result in extremely loud vibrations, you'll want earplugs to protect your ears.'

The growing popularity of engineered quartz has led to thousands of cases of 'black lung' among construction workers.

Each year, more than 300 US workers die from silicosis and thousands more are diagnosed with the lung disease.

An estimated 100,000 stone fabricators in the US are also at risk for silicosis because of dust exposure.

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However, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) notes that the condition is 'frequently misdiagnosed, so actual numbers may be quite higher'.

Until recent decades, silicosis traditionally affected older men working in industries such as mining and tunneling.

Composed of 90 percent ground quartz and 10 percent resins and pigments, engineered quartz countertops gained popularity because the material is less expensive than natural stone.

But it still has that glossy finish and durability that has become a must-have for modern kitchens.

The material debuted in the 1960s and was popularized in the 90s.

However, engineered stone materials may contain substantially more crystalline silica, with this silica dust being referred to as the 'next asbestos'.

El-Hasan says hat because of this mix of toxic ingredients, it is essential for DIYers to find out what chemicals they will be working with before they tackle projects.

Once it is installed, the quartz countertops in your kitchen and bathroom pose absolutely no health hazard.

Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez worked in stone fabrication shops for years where he was constantly breathing in invisible silica dust. It permeated his lungs and caused a build up of scar tissue there, permanently damaging his lungs. He has since had two transplants

Above is Marek Marzec, from the UK, who has been diagnosed with silicosis at the age of 48 years. He had spent a decade working with quartz worktops while working as a stone cutter

'Probably zero risk to homeowners with quartz counters. Dust exposure only,' said Dr. David Center of Boston University.

In light of the health hazards regarding the quartz dust, an increasing number of victims - especially construction workers - are suing stone makers for failing to protect them.

One such worker is Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez of California, 34, who had double lung transplant after moving to the US from Mexico and fitting wealthy family kitchens and bathrooms across Orange County.

He won at least $8 million or possibly more, depending on what a judge decides within the next month, against businesses that make and distribute engineered stone after jury agreed that they were at least partially responsible for the illness that has left him in pain and near death.

His lawyer James Nevin told DailyMail.com that he currently represents around 300 workers in California who have sustained painful lung injuries as a result of doing their home improvement jobs.

Many of the victims are in their 30s and 40s and will die within about ten years.

Mr Nevin told DailyMail.com: 'We're finding a 92 percent prevalence rate - most fabrication workers will get silicosis... this is just the tip of the iceberg.'
The identities of the teens fatally shot at a makeshift club on Saturday have been released by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. OnScene TV The identities of the teens fatally shot at a makeshift club on Saturday have been released by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. OnScene TV The identities of the teens fatally shot at a makeshift club on Saturday have been released by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. OnScene TV

The mother of a 14-year-old girl killed alongside a 16-year-old boy Saturday in a shooting at a makeshift club in northeast Houston described her as a supremely confident girl who was always herself.

The two teenagers killed in the shooting were identified as A'Ziria Bankhead, 14, and King Randall, 16, according to Shane Hughes, spokesman for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. Three others were wounded.

Clarissa Jones, mother of A'Ziria, said she got a call the night her daughter went to the teen club from her brother, who was crying and telling her A'Ziria had just been shot.

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Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz Monday urged any parents whose children might have attended the makeshift club to provide any videos to homicide detectives. The chiefs request came as a 13-year-old shot at the club clung to life in critical condition as of Monday morning.

We cant do this alone, Diaz said.

Others injured were an 18-year-old girl who was in serious condition, a 19-year-old woman took herself to a hospital and a 17-year-old girl, both of whom were listed in stable condition.

Houston police responded to reports of a shooting around 11:20 p.m. Saturday in the 10100 block of Jensen Drive near the Eastex Freeway. Police arrived at the party venue The Curfew Club, which officers described as a pop-up nightclub with a crowd of mostly juveniles.

The venues Instagram page, with over 6,000 followers, bills itself as "the hottest teen club in Houston" with posters advertising parties at the 10126 Jensen Drive address dating back to at least June 2023. Several of the posters promise "enforced security" at the venue.

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Calls to a number listed in connection with the business werent immediately returned.

Witnesses told police a tall, thin man wearing black clothing and a hooded mask fired a pistol into a crowd of people at the venue, officials said. The venues Instagram page says it has armed security guards.

No arrests had been made in connection with the shooting as of Monday.

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This is not the first high-profile shooting at a bar or club in Houston this year. They include a mass shooting at a block party, in which three were killed and eight others injured; a June 9 shooting at a graduation party that left one dead and one wounded; a March 3 shooting outside a Washington Avenue bar that left four injured; and a Jan. 19 shooting that left three dead at a Katy house party.
Health insurance conglomerate UnitedHealth Group is engaged in a secret mission to cut company costs at the expense of thousands of children with autism, an investigation found.

Previously undisclosed internal documents obtained by ProPublica lay out a plan to limit coverage for the gold standard in therapy for children on the autism spectrum, many of them poor.

Costs to the company have ballooned in recent years alongside autism spectrum disorder diagnoses thanks to greater awareness and improved screening.

The cost-cutting initiative targets children enrolled through the companys state-contracted Medicaid plans that serve the countrys poorest people, including 10,000 children with autism.

The specific therapy that internal documents target is applied behavior analysis, which the company itself admits is the evidence-based gold standard treatment for those with medically necessary needs.

Internal documents show that Optum, which manages mental health benefits for United, aims to prevent new providers from joining the network and terminate existing ones, even while acknowledging a national shortage of covered counselors.

The company is also mounting rigorous clinical reviews to determine the medical necessity of each patient's therapy, which can lead to coverage denials.

UnitedHealth leadership is in the hot seat over a history of denying medically necessary treatments, an issue believed to have driven Luigi Mangione, 26, to allegedly assassinate one of the company's top executives.

Applied behavior analysis is a highly effective form of therapy for children on the autism spectrum that relies on positive reinforcement and repetition. But UnitedHealth's mental health arm Optum is increasingly denying coverage for this 'gold standard' therapy across the US

UnitedHealth's mental health division, Optum, aims to limit network expansion and 'terminate' existing providers, including those with higher costs, despite long wait times for qualified counselors due to limited coverage

Sharelle Menards son Benji was nonverbal for years, having been diagnosed with severe autism when he was three.

He was inconsolable as a baby and constantly frustrated because he couldnt communicate with his mother or anyone else.

But after two years in applied behavior analysis treatment in their home state of Louisiana, murmurs became small words.

He made great strides with ABA therapy and requires around 33 hours per week to progress.

The downsides of insufficient therapy are considerable - from outbursts in school and toppled furniture to scratching classroom aides and being unable to learn.

Now, Mrs Menard is worried that Benji will regress after receiving word from Optum that it was refusing to cover the full number of hours that her son needs because he had been in therapy for an extended period already but was not making enough progress to graduate from it eventually.

The note from Optum said: Your child still has a lot of difficulty with all autism-related needs. Your child still needs help, but it does not appear that your child will improve enough to end ABA.

ProPublicas analysis of internal documents found that the company is pursuing market-specific action plans to limit childrens access to ABA.

While acknowledging that some areas of the country have very long wait lists for ABA therapy, some of the key opportunities laid out included prevent[ing] new providers from joining the network, terminat[ing] existing providers from the program.

Optum calculated that, in some states, the cuts to the provider network could affect over two-fifths of its ABA therapy groups in the network and up to 19 percent of patients.

Internal documents from Optum show its strategy for identifying ABA therapy providers it could justifiably kick out of its network if the costs are deemed unusually high compared to other providers covered by the network

Internal documents reveal that Optum has been scrutinizing ABA providers closely based on invoices and the number of patients they serve.

Aspire and providers like it can be flagged for common patterns in ABA therapy, including billing on weekends or holidays, treating multiple family members in one session, having long clinician or patient days, delivering more services than average, or suddenly increasing or decreasing patient numbers or claims.

Optum has repeatedly challenged claims from Aspire.

Benji had progressed Immensely by the time he turned seven. His aggressive tantrums had become less frequent, so leaving the house was finally doable. He could also speak a few dozen words.

Mrs Menard, a pool cleaner, decided it was time to enroll him in a special education program at school.

But when the insurance company decided not to cover the cost, Benji regressed with diminished treatment hours.

He snapped a swing in gym class, couldnt sit still, and bit teachers when they tried to discipline him or give him instructions. Eventually, his speech regressed as well.

Mrs Menard said: This motivation and momentum  when you lose that, its so hard to get it back.

Theres nothing else that Ive known to work.

She had to withdraw her son from school and enroll him in a home-study program managed by his therapy group, which costs around $10,000 per year in addition to his therapy costs, some of which are still covered by insurance.

Benjis doctors wanted to increase his therapy hours from 24 to 33 per week. They expected the insurer to approve the request, as it was less than what had been covered previously and only nine hours more than what was currently authorized.

But Optum denied the request in May, telling Mrs Menard and Benjis therapists: Your child has been in ABA for six years.

After six years, more progress would be expected.

Joslyn McCoy, the founder of Aspire, is no stranger to denials of care from Optum. She has continued to provide necessary therapy hours to children even without being reimbursed by the insurance company

Optum, manages mental health benefits for UnitedHealth Group. It's a major driver of the company's profits with the latest estimates putting revenue at around $64 billion this quarter

One of Benjis therapists and the clinical director of the therapy program, Aspire, Whitney Newton, was outraged at the companys denial. It wasnt rooted in established medical standards for the treatment.

She said: We know what he needs. Its in our scope of practice and its our right as the provider to determine that.

Theyre cutting and denying an unethical amount.

By law, health insurers must cover mental health treatments to the same extent that they do physical maladies.

A previous ProPublica investigation revealed how United has run afoul of the mental health parity law by selectively applying a proprietary algorithm that assesses the medical necessity of mental health treatments, particularly for ABA.

It was designed to automatically evaluate whether certain therapies were justified based on predefined criteria.

This led to many denials of coverage for therapies deemed excessive or not medically necessary, even when clinicians supported them as essential for patient progress.

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Even though Optum denied coverage for Benjis necessary treatment hours, his therapists have continued to provide it.

A state administrative judge will decide on an appeal next month for the additional hours that Benji needs. If approved, Benjis therapists will be paid for the six months of services theyve provided without the insurance company reimbursing them.

Even if the appeal is successful, the therapists must start over with their dispute with Optum. Each insurance authorization lasts for about six months.

So soon after the hearing date, Benjis therapists will have to request coverage for his treatment all over again.

Joslyn McCoy, the founder of Aspire, said: We dont think it would be safe for him to do what the insurance is saying.
Russia's health ministry claims it has developed a vaccine against cancer that will be rolled out to patients for free.

Andrey Kaprin, who heads the Radiology Medical Research Center of the Ministry of Health, said the shot will launch in early 2025, according to state-run media.

The vaccine will apparently be used to treat cancer patients, rather than being given to the general public to prevent tumors from forming in the first place.

Previous comments by Russian government scientists suggest each shot is personalized for the individual patient, which is similar to cancer vaccines being developed in the West.

It is currently not clear which cancers the vaccine is designed to treat, how effective it is or how Russia plans to roll it out.

The name of the vaccine has not been revealed.

Similar to the rest of the world, cancer rates are increasing in Russia, with more than 635,000 cases recorded in 2022.

Colon, breast, and lung cancers are believed to be the country's most common forms of the disease.

Personalized vaccines parts of a patient's own tumor to train the immune system to fight the disease (stock image)

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Personalized cancer vaccines are designed to teach the immune system how to recognize and attack proteins specific to that patient's cancer.

To do this, vaccines use genetic material called RNA from a patient's own tumor.

In the same way traditional vaccines use part of the virus to prevent disease, these use harmless proteins from the surface of cancer cells, known as antigens.

When these antigens are introduced into the body, it should stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against them, which then kill the cancer cells.

Other countries have also been working to develop their own personalized cancer vaccines.

In May, researchers at the University of Florida tested an individualized vaccine in four patients with glioblastoma, the aggressive brain cancer that killed Senator John McCain and Beau Biden.

The team found that the shot triggers a strong immune response just two days after injection.

Senior study author Elias Sayour, a UF Health pediatric oncologist, said: 'In less than 48 hours, we could see these tumors shifting from what we refer to as "cold"  immune cold, very few immune cells, very silenced immune response  to "hot," very active immune response.'

And in the UK, scientists are testing a personalized vaccine for melanoma.

Early results have shown that it drastically improved survival chances of the disease, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Steve Young, a 52-year-old melanoma patient in the UK, has taken the vaccine as part of a clinical trial.

He said: 'This is my best chance at stopping the cancer in its tracks.'
AI cameras are being used by police to catch motorists over the legal alcohol limit during as part of new anti-drink driving trials in the South West.

Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs could be caught by the same AI cameras already used at the roadside to catch hundreds of motorists a day who fail to wear seatbelts or break the law by handling their mobile phones while driving.

Devon and Cornwall has launched this world first trial in a bit to prevent accidents.

It's the latest initiative from the Vision Zero South West road safety partnerships campaign, which aims to reduce the number of people killed or injured on the regions roads.

The cameras will be in-situ throughout December while the trial takes place as the crackdown on Christmas party season intensifies.

AI cameras are being used in Devon and Cornwall to catch drink drivers as part of a anti-drink driving safety campaign

The AI cameras - developed by Australian firm Acusensus - use cloud-based algorithms to analyse image data from passing cars to look for indicators that the driver might be impaired by drink or drugs.

If the cameras believe someone is driving under the influence, the software will alert officers waiting further down the road as part of the annual crackdown on drink drivers during the festive season.

At this point, the police will stop the car and ask the motorist to undergo roadside testing to prove they adhere to the legal limit.

Geoff Collins, of Acusensus, said: 'We are delighted to be conducting the world's first trials of this technology right here in Devon and Cornwall.

'We are all safer if we can detect impairment before it causes an incident that could ruin lives.'

The police force using the technology warns that drivers under the influence are six times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

AI traffic cameras can be attached to vehicles or trailers so they are easily movable to different parts of the region

Explaining that 'officers cannot be everywhere' Superintendent Simon Jenkinson, - whose team polices the 14,000 miles of roads across Devon and Cornwall - said: 'Camera technology helps us to target operational resources in an effective way, where intelligence informs our deployment.'

The AI cameras can be easily moved to any road in either county very quickly because they can be mounted to a trailer or vehicle which leave drivers unaware of where the cameras might be located.

'As members of the road safety partnership, we're committed to doing everything we can to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads', Jenkinson said.

Pushing back against the violation of privacy arguments, Collins told Auto Express: 'If people say "its big brother" and "we should be able to make our own decisions," I strongly disagree when it comes to two tons of metal and when my kids might be in the car coming in the other direction.

'There are rules of the road, and theres a responsibility that comes with a car.'

Are AI cameras an invasion of privacy?

The rollout of AI cameras for catching drivers using their phones or drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts has the backing of many safety organisations.

Rod Dennis, from the RAC, said: 'Despite the penalties for using a handheld phone having doubled to six penalty points and a 200 fine seven years ago, it's clear that far too many drivers are still prepared to put lives at risk by engaging in this dangerous practice.

'We suspect a major reason for this is a lack of enforcement, meaning many drivers have no fear of being caught.

'AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned.

'The police can't be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally.'

AI-powered cameras previously used in Devon caught 117 people using their mobile phones in just three days

On the other hand, privacy groups are fighting back, calling AI cameras 'intrusive and creepy'.

Jake Hurfurt, from privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, told the Daily Telegraph: 'Unproven AI-powered video analytics should not be used to monitor and potentially criminalise drivers.

'This kind of intrusive and creepy surveillance which treats every passer-by as a potential suspect is excessive and normalising. It poses a threat to everyone's privacy.

'People should be free to go about their lives without being analysed by faceless AI systems.'

How effective are AI cameras?

A driver caught using his phone at the wheel - as captured by an AI-powered camera. The footage is then examined by a member of staff to confirm whether the software is correct and an offence has been committed

Freestanding AI cameras on the A30 near Launceston in Devon had caught 117 people using their mobile phones while driving in a 72-hour period in July.

A further 130 people were snapped not wearing their seat belt.

In July 2023, Hampshire and the Thames Valley police detected almost 500 offences in a week after using a van with AI cameras mounted on it.

Positioned on the A34 and A303 as part of a National Police Chiefs' Council campaign, the Acusensus 'Heads Up' vehicle caught motorists using their phones, not wearing seat belts and driving under the influence of drugs.

A total of 86 drivers were suspected of using a phone. Some 273 motorists or passengers were suspected of not wearing a seat belt and a further 132 mechanical offences identified.

After checks by a member of staff were carried out, five arrests were made.

Which regions have AI cameras to catch drivers using mobile phones?

National Highways and police forces across England have extended an ongoing trial that began in 2021 and will now run until March 2025.

The 10 police forces taking part in the rollout are Greater Manchester, Durham, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley Police and Sussex.

The trial is aimed at helping police forces to understand how AI technology could work on National Highway roads and shape any nationwide rollout.

In the future, AI cameras would be attached to gantries on motorways in the trial regions.
The weight loss drugs market has been dominating the headlines of late, with manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly the almost unassailable darlings of the stock market when it comes to the healthcare sector.

The drug manufacturing duo have been riding high in recent years on the back of their products' success.

The two firms have however seen their prices slip over recent months, with disappointing sales data the main culprit for the downturn.

Investors might be wondering if their portfolios are over exposed to the weight loss drug market - although experts say the fundamentals of these companies look robust, and high price to earnings ratios indicate investors expect further growth.

Nevertheless, it is always wise to avoid putting all of your eggs in one basket.

With Novo and Lilly expected to maintain their stranglehold on the weight loss drugs market for the foreseeable, many healthcare investors will find that their fortunes are tied to the future performance of these companies' products.

But the healthcare sector is large, stretching far beyond the high-profile bubble of weight loss drugs. Of course, these drugs are an important development, especially given the increasing prevalence of obesity around the world, but they also aren't the only cogs integral to the healthcare sector.

Drug development: Significant progress has been made in treatments for cancer, ADHD and schizophrenia

Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'All the excitement around weight-loss drugs would suggest it's the only thing that matters in healthcare. While this area is incredibly important, there is also a lot going on elsewhere.

'The sector can be high risk as it's hard to predict the success of drug trials, meaning it is better to take a diversified approach via a fund or investment trust than trying to pick individual stocks.'

While investors might be wise to expand their portfolios to other parts of the sector, the future of the weight loss market could still be promising.

Coatsworth said: 'There is the potential to have a drug on the market that not only tackles obesity but also helps to reduce alcohol or substance use, and even used on a wider basis such as potentially helping to prevent dementia and improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease.'

Healthcare services

The Baronsmead Venture Capital Trusts invest heavily in the healthcare sector, with healthcare and education making up a combined 21 per cent of its portfolio.

And yet, the trust steers clear of drug-development-focused firms due to the uncertainty of outcome involved.

Ken Wotton, manager of the Baronsmead VCTs at Gresham House, told This is Money: 'Healthcare is a core focus sector for Baronsmead. Within this broad sector we are careful to be very selective.

'We avoid high-risk drug development opportunities, often burning cash for many years and reliant on binary regulatory approvals.

'Instead, we prefer to pursue healthcare services opportunities that are at or close to profitability and can deliver a lower-risk growth trajectory supporting more consistent investment returns.'

The healthcare services sector sees companies benefit from the pharma giants leading the way in drug development, without becoming exposed to the uncertainty themselves.

Instead, these firms are focused on developing and delivering technology and products to drug development firms to aid them in their discovery process.

Wotton said: 'A key theme within the healthcare sector is a trend towards outsourcing of specific elements of the drug discovery process by large pharmaceutical companies.

'Specialist providers of services, technology and data and help their customers derisk, accelerate or enhance the expensive process of delivering a new commercially viable drug.

'This area is potentially attractive, benefiting from structural tailwinds in spend with a lower risk business model than some other areas of the sector.'

Medical technology is advancing

With the rise of AI in recent years, there is growing opportunity in the technology sector as firms leverage the power of these new tools within the medical sector.

Baronsmead points to Ixico as a lower-risk firm capitalising on the emergence of artificial intelligence. Ixico is part of Baronsmead's investment portfolio.

Wotton said: 'Ixico applies AI technology to the neuroimaging process to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical trials focused on developing therapies for central nervous system conditions such as Alzheimer's and Huntingdon's Disease.'

Shares in the London-based firm have suffered in recent years, however the firm recently booked an order worth more than 5million, bringing its order book to almost 15million by the end of the year, while its loss is expected to narrow.

Among more traditional med tech players, another Baronsmead investment, Bioventix, creates antibody technology that firms can use for testing and research purposes, selling it on a royalty basis.

Nicholas Midgley, senior equity analyst at St James's Place, says Danish firm Coloplast has carved a strong niche in the medtech sector.

He told This is Money: 'Coloplast, has long been Europe's med-tech champion, but a huge injection of R&D investment by ConvaTec, Coloplast's leading competitor in ostomy and continence products, has led to considerable advances in the quality and comfort of simple items such as catheters.'

Drug development can still provide opportunities

While drug developers do present a higher risk than other parts of the healthcare sector, they also present considerable opportunity.

The key is to ensure that exposure to companies operating in this area is not concentrated in one single area.

Coatsworth told This is Money: 'Big pharma companies face the problem of patents expiring on their blockbuster treatments, leading to rivals offering copycat products at much cheaper prices.

'That puts pressure on pharma giants to always have a pipeline of treatments that could be future major products, either through work in the laboratory or through acquisitions.'

Being overly exposed to the weight loss sector might not be a wise move, but having these firms as part of a balanced portfolio is perfectly reasonable.

However, within drug development there are other areas that could prove promising investment opportunities.

Ailsa Craig and Marek Poszepczynski, portfolio managers at International Biotechnology Trust, said: 'Approximately 20 per cent of our holdings are dedicated to innovative CNS (central nervous system) therapies targeting conditions with significant unmet medical needs, such as schizophrenia and ADHD.

'With improved biological understanding of diseases affecting the brain, a new generation of more efficacious and safer drugs have emerged.'

Firms like Intra-Cellular Therapies and Supernus Pharmaceuticals are leading developments in these areas.

Supernus shares have gained some 60 per cent over the past five years, while Intra-Cellular shares have surged almost 740 per cent

Craig and Poszepczynski added: 'Intra-Cellular Therapies is making significant strides with its lead product, Caplyta, which has gained regulatory approval for treating schizophrenia and bipolar depression.

'Caplyta's unique mechanism of action sets it apart from traditional antipsychotics, providing better tolerability and a reduced side effect profile, such as less weight gain or movement disorders.'

Supernus' Qelbree therapy is also 'carving out a market share' as a result of delivering a better side effect profile than competitors.

SJP's Midgley also points out that there have been considerable advances in treatments for diseases like HIV and cancer.

He said: 'In oncology, the work of harnessing the immune system to defeat cancer is ongoing, while long-acting HIV drugs are now not only highly effective but also mean that sufferers only need to visit the doctor every six months, improving compliance and reducing reminders of the disease.'

According to Craig and Poszepczynski, cell therapy developments for the treatment of leukeumia, lymphoma and melanoma are creating significant opportunities within oncology.

They said: 'Iovance Biotherapeutics recently launched its tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte ('TIL') therapy, lifileucel, for advanced melanoma.

'This represents a new frontier in immunotherapy, particularly in the treatment of solid tumours, and the drug is currently in late-stage trials for the treatment of lung cancer.'
As the first members of their families to buy property, Peter and Angela Andrews could not have been more proud when they purchased their three-bedroom detached house in the North of Scotland as newlyweds in 1963.

It proved to be the perfect family home to bring up their daughter, Sally, who was born soon afterwards, and their son Graham, who arrived three years later. Sally and Graham enjoyed a happy childhood, and the family remained tightly knit when the siblings grew up and left home.

Angela died last year, aged 84, leaving Peter alone in the family home. She had appointed Sally and Graham as joint executors of her estate and left the house and remaining assets in their names. There was never any question in Sally's mind that she and her brother would let their father live in the house, and would sell it only when he passed away.

But even though Graham, 53, and his father had always shared a particularly strong bond in the family, after his mother's death he threw Peter, 86, out of his home of more than 60 years.

When probate was granted five months after their mother's death, Sally received the first of several 'nasty' phone calls from Graham's solicitors demanding that their father be evicted.

What followed led to a family feud that is unlikely to heal.

'We had a great childhood,' says Sally, 57, who lives just 20 minutes from the family home. 'There was no bad parenting. Me and my brother never had a cross word to say about our parents. I don't know what changed. He never gave the impression that the money was important to him. I'm still trying to get my head around it. My father was always good with my brother and his wife. It's crazy.'

Even though Graham and his father had always shared a particularly strong bond in the family, after his mother's death he threw Peter, 86, out of his home of more than 60 years (picture posed by models)

Unfortunately, because he was self-employed, Peter was not on the title deeds of the house, which was solely in Angela's name, even though they bought it together. '[Mum] said something about it years ago, but I didn't think much of it,' says Sally.

'She wanted the security of the house if anything went wrong with Dad's work.'

However, as joint owner, Peter paid half the mortgage every month. He thought this provided him some protection, but this proved not to be the case.

What might have been smart financial planning by Angela decades ago left Peter vulnerable to the whims of his son, who was determined to get his share of the 270,000 house. Surprisingly, his mortgage contributions meant very little in the eyes of the law because he needed to have proved that he had added value to the house.

Siobhan McGuigan, a partner at the legal firm Anderson Strathern, says: 'You'd have a very hard case proving financial contributions. He may have a claim if he was able to prove that he added value to the house, but it could cost a lot of money.' Had Angela not left a will, Peter would have been left in a much better position and would have had an automatic right to inherit some or all of the home. That's because inheritance rules in Scotland differ from those in other parts of the United Kingdom.

The law distinguishes between heritable property  land and buildings  and moveable property  any other assets.

If there is no will, a spouse or civil partner can claim 'prior rights' on everything, including a family home worth up to 473,000, and contents of the family property up to the value of 29,000. They can also claim a share of the moveable estate of up to 50,000 if there are children, and 89,000 if there are no children. However, if there is a will, prior rights are disregarded and the immediate family can claim 'legal rights' on the moveable estate, regardless of the will, which does not include property.

The lack of legal protection for Peter made Graham's decision to choose money over family even more hurtful for Sally. 'I know the boy I grew up with. How does he live with himself?' she says.

Sally wanted to take it to court, but her solicitor advised that she'd likely lose and be thousands of pounds out of pocket. Sally then contacted the Scottish Parliament, but was told that her elderly parent had no safeguards.

Graham demanded the house be put on the market immediately, leaving Peter without a home or money to buy somewhere new. Thankfully, Sally's son had moved out of her home to live with his partner just weeks before, meaning Peter could move in, but it wasn't a permanent solution.

'My dad's a very independent man, he doesn't want to live with me,' says Sally. 'I was going to get the funds together to buy a house for him, but it was so hard to find an appropriate one because of his mobility.'

Sally, who runs a small business, would have faced a hefty 6 per cent stamp duty charge on buying a home for her father, as it would be considered a second home, and there were complications with buying a house in Peter's name.

At the 11th hour, the local authority, aware of Peter's situation, found a one-bedroom pensioner's flat not far from from Sally.

'Someone must have been looking down on him. Everyone was so relieved after everything.'

All names have been changed

How to avoid losing your home in family battle over a legacy

Peter Andrews' daughter Sally is not sure what she will do to help her own children, but her devastating experience highlights some difficulties with Scottish tax law.

Firstly, make sure that your name is on the title deeds if you jointly own your home.

You could also include a survivorship clause in your will, which would give your spouse or partner an automatic right to inherit the other person's share of the property. If you would ultimately like to pass on your home to your children or other family members once your spouse or partner dies, make sure you outline this in your will.

Siobhan McGuigan, of law firm Anderson Strathern, says she has had cases where the property is in the sole name of one spouse because of financial difficulties. But a provision made in the will meant that the surviving spouse could still live there, even if it is in their children's names. McGuigan says: 'With an outright legacy to children and no provision for the [survivor], then it does pass to the children and any legal rights wouldn't attach to the property, only the moveable estate.'

These distinctive features of Scottish law only apply if the deceased was domiciled  had legal residence  in Scotland. So if you have a second home in Scotland but are domiciled in England, English law will apply.
Who says theres no such thing as getting something for nothing? Using our seven simple steps you could bank the cost of Christmas this year, with minimal effort and without having to cut back.

The cost of celebrating Christmas  including gifts, decorations, socialising and travel  is set to hit 563 on average this year, according to the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising. For a couple, that is a total spend of 1,127.

Heres how you can cover the cost for free.

The cost of celebrating Christmas  including gifts, decorations, socialising and travel  is set to hit 563 on average this year

SWITCH YOUR CURRENT ACCOUNT: 200

Several High Street banks are offering generous deals to new customers who switch their current account.

NatWest is offering 180 for switching and First Direct 175. Lloyds currently has the most attractive switching bonus of 200  a nice sum to help pay for your Christmas shopping.

Youll need to switch to a Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Silver or Club Lloyds Platinum account to qualify.

Plus, you must transfer three active direct debits via the Current Account Switch Service.

You wont qualify if youve received a switching bonus from Lloyds, Bank of Scotland or Halifax since April 2020.

All three cards have monthly fees. Club Lloyds is the cheapest of the three with a 3 monthly fee, which is refunded each month you pay in 2,000 or more to your account.

Switching takes up to seven working days and is managed by your new bank. Your balance will be automatically transferred, and your old account closed.

Dont simply pick the account with the most enticing switching bonus. Check reviews as well as the terms and conditions of the account youre considering to make sure you go for the best one for you. For example, check overdraft fees if you regularly go into yours, the banks track record when dealing with scam victims, and how its online banking facilities compare to its rivals. If you use a High-Street branch, make sure the bank youre considering has one somewhere convenient to you  and that it is not set for closure.

USE CASHBACK WEBSITES WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE: 300

Cashback websites will show you how much you can make if you click on their links first

Using cashback websites requires minimal effort and users make 300 a year on average, according to cashback website TopCashback.

Instead of going directly to the website of the retailer you plan to buy from, go to a cashback website first. These include TopCashback (topcashback.co.uk), Quidco (quidco.com) and Swagbucks (swagbucks.com).

Then click through from there to the retailers website and continue to shop as normal.

The cashback website will record your visit to the retailers website and add cash to your account.

For example, if youre purchasing a Christmas gift from Asos via TopCashback, youll get 6.6 pc in cashback as a new customer. Existing customers get 1.11 pc. You can get up to 7 pc cashback from Selfridges, 5 pc from Clarks and up to 12 pc from Iceland.

These websites work because they receive commission from retailers when they direct shoppers to their websites. They then pay shoppers a portion of the commission they receive.

Adam Bullock, director of TopCashback, recommends you download the browser extension. Once downloaded, you should receive an alert every time you are shopping on a retail website where you could earn cashback. It will show you how much money you could get and you can decide whether to go ahead. That saves you having to remember to visit a cashback website. Go to www.topcashback.co.uk/browser-extension.

FIND A CHEAPER BROADBAND AND TV PROVIDER: 160

TV and broadband packages can vary wildly. Make sure you are getting the best value

Switching your broadband and TV provider saves 160 a year on average, according to consumer website Which?.

If you are out of contract and so no longer tied up to a particular provider, it is very likely you could save money by switching.

Scan comparison websites such as Uswitch or Go Compare for the best deals. Dont just opt for the cheapest  make sure that you find a deal with the broadband speed and the television services you require. Check online reviews as well.

If youd rather stay with your existing provider, phone them up and haggle to get a better deal. Explaining that youre planning to leave tends to be a good bargaining technique.

Check some comparison websites first so you have an idea of the deals currently available. That way, you can tell your provider youve seen a competitive offer and ask for the price to be beaten or matched.

Households who switched from Sky saved 235 a year on average, those switching from Virgin Media Broadband saved 165 a year and those from BT 148 a year.

Even if you dont have a TV package and just switch your broadband provider you could save 105 a year.

CHANGE YOUR MOBILE DEAL: 67

You could save 67 a year on average by switching mobile phone provider, according to Which?. However, this rises to 146 for those leaving Vodafone for a different provider.

If your current contract has or is about to expire, look on MoneySuperMarket or Compare the Market for a better deal.

If you want to keep your existing mobile number, you will need a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC).

Call your networks customer support line to get this  they must provide it within two hours of the request. You can also text PAC to 65075. You must use the code within 30 days after which you need a new one.

Then contact the provider you want to switch to and give them the code. Theyll organise the switch.

If you are still within contract, note the date it expires in your diary so you can seek out a better deal immediately. If you plan to keep your existing handset, you may be able to switch to a Sim-only deal to save money.

Haggle if you dont want to change provider  it could save you 61 a year on average, Which? says.

GET CASH FROM YOUR ENERGY PROVIDER: 220

Households had as much as 220 sitting in their energy account in October, according to the most-recent figures from comparison website Uswitch.

Its useful to have two-months worth of energy credit in your account to cover the cost of higher bills over the winter months.

But if you have an excess sum on top of this in your account, ask your provider to refund it to you. Youll need to submit an up-to-date meter reading first, unless you have a smart meter.

Any money refunded could go towards your Christmas spending  or could earn you some extra cash if you put it into a high-interest savings account.

REFER A FRIEND TO YOUR ENERGY SERVICE: up to 75

If youre happy with your energy provider and have a friend who wants to switch services, refer them and you could earn up to 150.

British Gas has the most lucrative deal of the big providers. It offers a 75 Amazon gift card for both you and your friend when they switch both gas and electricity. Its 35 each if they switch just one.

EDF Energy is still offering a Black Friday deal where you can get 75 for each successful referral you make  and E.on Next offers 50 credit for both you and your friend when they sign up using your exclusive referral link.

You and your friend could get 50 each if you refer them to Octopus Energy and they sign up.

For Scottish Power you and your friend will get 60 credit each if they switch their gas and electricity, and 30 each if they switch a single fuel.

Youll find the referral link on your online energy account.

The new provider will organise the switch for your friend. It can take up to five working days, but any longer and your friend could be entitled to some compensation.

Only switch to a tariff that will save you money compared to your existing one. Otherwise you could end up paying more in energy bills than you gain from the referral deal.

SELL UNWANTED CLOTHES AND SHOES: 125

Don't leave old shoes and clothes piling up at the back of the wardrobe, you can sell them on sites such as Vinted

Most of us have old clothes and shoes lying around the house  but these unwanted items could help pay for Christmas dinner.

Households could make 67 from selling old clothes and a further 58 from selling old shoes, according to website VoucherCodes.

You could sell your items on second-hand sales platforms such as Vinted (vinted.co.uk) or Depop (depop.com). Wash, steam and remove pills on clothes before advertising.

To use these platforms, you will need to set up an account with a username and password, and then upload pictures and descriptions of the items you wish to sell.

Take good pictures, as this is the first thing shoppers see when scrolling through. Write a good, detailed description, including the brand of the item and the condition it is in.
The postie, in his all-weather shorts, is so much loved in one small Hertfordshire village, that each Christmas residents club together to buy him a 500 gift voucher plus champagne and chocolates.

At this festive season, love it or hate it, the Royal Mail is an enduring feature of our lives.

Whether one is queuing for an hour and a half to post a gift to a loved-one Down Under or forking out a whopping 13.20 for a book of eight bar-coded first-class stamps, most households have a relationship with the Royal Mail.

There is nothing nicer than receiving a hand-written card (even if it is delayed!) in an age when e-greetings pile into the inbox alongside scams, junk and other unwanted communications.

Daniel Kretinsky has had historic entanglements with Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia

The Royal Mail's bright red pillar boxes with the crest of the monarch, stamps with the King's head  even the unfailing nuisance of having to visit often down-in-heel sorting office to collect undelivered parcels  are all an unchanging aspect of British life.

Yet this oh so familiar institution, which trades on the London stock market as International Distribution Services (IDS), is facing an existential crisis.

Daniel Kretinsky, a Czech billionaire who's had historic entanglements with Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia, is close to taking control with a 3.6billion takeover bid. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has given a thumbs up to a deal, naively taking guarantees made as to the future of the postal service and the way it is run at face value.

If you think the post is too expensive now at 1.65 for a first-class stamp and 85p for second class, just you wait.

As for delays, Royal Mail has just been slapped with a 10.5million fine for delivering more than one in four first-class letters late. This too may get even worse under Czech ownership as Mr Kretinsky is likely to try to maximise his profits and to scale back service commitments.

Yet our mealy-mouthed, insensitive and business-naive Labour politicians don't seem to care.

Mr Reynolds has declared the would-be buyer Mr Kretinsky a 'legitimate businessman'. Scrutiny by a government probe, under the terms of the National Security & Investments Act, failed to abort the deal.

There are six good reasons why the Government, the public, the posties and shareholders in the business should have told Mr Kretinsky to take a hike:

1. Russian Connections

Much of Mr Kretinsky's wealth has been accumulated doing energy and pipeline deals with Putin  currently sanctioned by the West.

He is still entangled in a lengthy and complex legal dispute in Russia over the fate of his coal interests.

The 49-year-old has been backed in his deal making, which includes ownership of West Ham United FC, by an elusive Slovak investment bank J&T, which is embroiled in an ongoing alleged corruption legal case in the far-off Turks and Caicos Islands.

2. Debt pile

The bid is to be financed by some 3billion of high interest loans provided by foreign banks.

This is in addition to 2billion of debts already sitting on the balance sheet of the Royal Mail owner IDS.

Such highly leveraged, debt-driven takeovers, by uncaring overseas financiers, have a terrible record.

The implosion of Thames Water, currently awaiting a bail-out, has been driven by the need to meeting the interest charges on 16billion of debt.

The result is under-investment in repairing leaky pipes and tons of sewage spilling into the River Thames.

At the grocer Asda, a highly leveraged takeover has seen the group suffer a calamitous decline in sales, market share and reputation.

3. Security

Royal Mail is one of the most recognisable brands in the UK

The roots of the Royal Mail can be traced back 500 years to a 'secure' messenger service for King Henry VIII.

Centuries later it is the way in which vital public services such as HMRC, the Metropolitan Police, the NHS and other parts of government communicate with us securely in an age of internet scams.

It is also, of course, key to postal voting and therefore our democratic process. Most households in Britain will be familiar with the distinctive brown, windowed envelopes which land on our doorstep.

4. Culture

Royal Mail is one of the most recognisable brands in the UK. The postie in his shorts, in all weathers, is a visitor we anxiously await especially in the run-up to Christmas, the New Year or a birthday.

The Royal Family is celebrated with a cipher, dating back to Queen Victoria, on the bright red post boxes in every town, city and hamlet the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

The stamps, decorated with the monarch's head, are celebrated by every schoolchild collector.

The commemoratives, exalting everyone from Sir Winston Churchill to the fictional Harry Potter, offer snapshots of all that makes Britain great.

The price of a first-class stamp may seem high at 1.65. But the service will deliver to the most remote parts of the country (mostly!) by the next day. No other commercial service would offer this.

This uniquely British heritage is unlikely to mean as much if Royal Mail were to become just another outpost in Mr Kretinsky's commercial empire that has spread from roots in Eastern Europe. He may also seek to maximise his profits by cutting back on services and raising stamp prices.

5. Investors

Shareholders, including the posties and other employees who own nearly 5 per cent of the stock, risk being short changed.

A body of activist investors believe that if the regulator, Ofcom, gives the Royal Mail permission to be more flexible on the price of first-class deliveries and the regularity of the second-class service then Mr Kretinsky's offer price of 370p per share will prove a bargain for him.

They also think that Royal Mail will have been sold for far less than it is really worth.

In that case the board, headed by former British Airways boss Keith Williams, should withdraw its support or resign, rather than allow shareholders to be sold short.

6. City stitch-up

Advisory firms such as Goldman Sachs, lawyers, banks and consultants are in line to collect mouth-watering fees of 146million if the Czech deal goes ahead.

They have no pride in a British heritage band and will advise the board that they have no choice  saying it is their fiduciary duty (obligation under company law)  but to accept the offer.

It is nothing of the kind. Stock market history tells us that brave boards such as pharma group AstraZeneca, miner Anglo-American and others stand firm and reject unsatisfactory deals.

This shows respect for their company's history and a commitment to do their job, which is to create value for shareholders themselves, rather than selling out.

Too many foreign takeovers of UK firms such as Thames Water, Heathrow and Arm Holdings have been bad for investors, bad for customers and bad for Britain. There is still time to kill the bid for the Royal Mail.
Later life care is a need some of us may ultimately face and there is little that can be done to avoid being one of the people the expensive bills befall.

For those who do get dealt the hand of needing care, more often than not financial responsibility falls on them, with data from care home review site Carehome.co.uk revealing 66 per cent of care seekers in the UK are self-funding.

As few as 16 per cent reported that they were able to access local authority funding but there is a national divide: in Scotland, 29 per cent, said they had care costs funded by the state.

Will Donnelly, chief executive and co-founder of care home comparison firm Lottie.org, said seven in 10 families struggle to afford eldery care.

He added: 'With the cost of care rising by 8 per cent in the last 12 months, families are under increasing financial and emotional pressure.'

With the cost of care at an all-time high, more people having to self-fund, and a threshold for help that has not been increased since 2010, the number of people forced to pay out tens of thousands in later life is on the rise. We explain what you need to know.

Later life care: Two thirds of those looking for care in the UK fund it themselves

How much does care cost in the UK?

Overall care costs are growing as more people need care for longer periods of time.

Some of this is down to longevity combining with illness or frailty in older age.

People are increasingly living longer lives thanks to medical advances but they may not be able to look after themselves alone. Meanwhile, cases of dementia are rising  forecast to climb to 78million people worldwide by 2030, according to WHO data, from 55million people in 2019.

This creates more demand for care for longer, but the cost of providing it is also rising, with energy, staff and facilities costs rising.

This has fed through to eye-watering annual costs for care homes. On average in the UK, residential care costs 1,387 per week, data from Lottie shows. This amounts to an annual cost of 72,124.

Average costs can be even higher than that for some. Nursing care, which sees care provided by registered nurses as well as care assistants, comes in at 1,585 per week. Meanwhile, residential and nursing costs for dementia care average at 1,430 and 1,585, respectively.

The average cost for residential respite care, which allows family to take a break from caring for their loved one, comes in at 1,473 on average.

South West England has the most expensive care costs on average, at 1,419 per week

Figures vary around the UK, and surprisingly according to Lottie's data, London is not the most expensive area. That unwanted accolade goes to residential care in Wales, where the average cost was 1,485 per week, compared to 1,401 in London and 1,419 in the West Midlands.

Scotland was cheapest at an average of 1,386, although that still amounts to 72,072 per year.

Sue Learner, editor of carehome.co.uk, said: 'Care home costs are rising due to higher energy bills and food prices as well as an ageing population with more complex health needs.

'This increase in care costs, coupled with the hike in national insurance for employers and the boost to the National Living Wage announced in the Budget, will inevitably lead to care homes having to charge residents higher fees.

'The amount of care homes people can choose from if they are state funded will undoubtedly shrink. A growing number of care homes no longer accept local authority funded residents as they say council funding is not enough to cover their costs.'

Is it cheaper to get help at home?

Many people are initially not keen on moving to a care home, and depending on the extent of needs, there are other options available.

Will Donnelly, co-founder and chief executive of Lottie, said: 'Care at home can often be more cost-effective than living in a care home. It can be arranged hourly or as live-in care, allowing families to tailor services to their loved one's specific needs.'

The best option largely depends on the level of care required. For those who only require help with specific tasks, care can be organised on an hourly, or even half-hourly, basis.

A visiting care service will see carers come to your home at allotted times to help with things that you are unable to do alone, such as showering, cleaning and shopping.

On average, these carers cost around 15 to 30 per hour, but this will vary depending on the location.

'This flexibility reduces costs, as clients only pay for the care they require, unlike a care home where expenses are fixed and encompass full-time care, accommodation, meals, and utilities.

'For example, five hours of visiting care (domiciliary care) at home per week costs approximately 7,280 annually, compared to the average annual care home cost of 72,000,' Donnelly said.

'Home care is particularly suitable for older adults who can live independently but may need personal care, household tasks, or companionship support.'

However, full time care at home would likely come in at a far higher cost than paying for a care home, meaning that it is likely only an option for people with access to significant sums.

Live-in care will provide full support in daily tasks, as well as preventing accidents and falls, but it is likely to cost as much as 2,000 per week for 24-hour care.

Who gets financial help with care?

As we've seen full-time residential care can be extremely expensive. For many people, this would eat through their savings incredibly quickly.

Those who face paying for care for long periods of time could find that their bill amasses well into the hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Unfortunately, political plans to ease the burden have not come to fruition in recent decades.

The Dilnot Report, commissioned by the 2010 Coalition Government and led by Andrew Dilnot, aimed to establish a fair, affordable and sustainable funding system for social care in England. Its recommendations of a lifetime cap on costs somewhere between 25,000 and 50,000 were never put in place.

Recently, the new Labour government shelved Boris Johnson's Government's plans to bring in a cap on care costs.

Under the current system, councils are responsible for care funding but many people do not get help.

Your local authority will carry out a financial assessment after they have determined that you need care through a care needs assessment. The council will establish what level of help they can provide for care costs.

This means testing financial assessment will look at your savings, income, property and other assets to decide whether you get the full cost of your care needs met, help with some of the costs, or you are left to fund the full cost of care.

Only half of the value of jointly held assets is typically included, for example, 50 per cent of the amount in joint savings, or one partner's share of a property.

In England and Northern Ireland, the savings and capital threshold is 23,250, known as the upper capital limit. If you are judged to have assets of more than this you will be responsible for paying all of your care fees and are classed as a self funder.

In Scotland, the upper limit is 35,000, while in Wales it is 50,000.

When your savings or income fall below the threshold, your local authority will begin to help paying for your care costs.

Your home is not always included in the assessment. It is not included if you only go into care temporarily or you have a spouse or partner still living there.

Other qualifying dependents who live in your property may also mean it is not included in the assessment.

Some people will also be eligible for NHS continuing care. This is available for those with needs arising from a disability, accident or illness that can't be cared for by universal carers.

Continuing care will cover personal care such as washing and dressing, as well as healthcare, care home fees or carer costs for in-home care.

Age UK has a guide to paying for care that can help you understand more.

How does self-funding care work?

If you don't qualify for help with care home fees, the costs will come out of your own pocket. For most this will mean putting pension or other income towards the fees and tapping into savings.

If your home will be left empty when you permanently move to a care home, you could rent it out in order to cover your care home fees.

While this could provide a useful source of income, it is important to note that you will need to factor in maintenance costs, periods without tenants and the market rental rate and how this compares to care costs.

Alternatively, some people use equity release to borrow against their home without selling it. Interest is charged on equity release and rolls up to be paid upon death or the sale of the property.

As interest compounds on equity release, over a long term this can mean the loan grows substantially and eats a big chunk of a home's value. Some plans offer the option to pay some of the interest as borrowers go along.

Whether you choose to arrange this and a care home yourself or not is up to you.

There are companies, and some councils, that will help you to arrange a care home, though it is important to remember that they will charge for their services. This is likely to cost in the region of a few hundred pounds.

If you do qualify for council help but want to move into a more expensive care home than is offered, someone else will have to pay the difference in cost between the two. This is known as a top-up fee.

The council can't charge you a top-up fee if they place you in a more expensive home out of necessity.

You may not have to sell your home in order to pay for care, as there are options available to defer payments.

Will my spouse lose our home - can I delay the cost?

If your spouse remains living in your home, then your home cannot be sold to pay for care costs.

Carolina Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: 'If you move into a care home permanently, your home cannot be included as part of a financial assessment if your partner, or in some cases a relative, remains living there.'

If your spouse is not living in your home, but you still want to delay the cost of your care, you can apply for a Deferred Payment Agreement with your local council.

The council will pay your care fees, as a loan against the value of your property. This will be repaid when you sell your home yourself, or when you pass away and your home is sold.

These agreements are also suitable for cases where you have little savings and capital, but your property means you are over the asset threshold.

This allows you to benefit from possible increases in the value of your property during the time you are in care.

Deferred Payment Agreements do come with interest charges. In England and Wales, these rates are revised every six months and will be set at 4.65 per cent from 1 January.

In Scotland, there are no interest charges, while in Northern Ireland there is no official DPA system but is available on a case-by-case basis.

What happened to plans to cap care costs?

Under the previous Conservative Government planned reforms would have seen a 86,000 lifetime care spending cap introduced.

The upper capital limit, beyond which no help with fees is given, would also have been raised from 23,250 to 100,000.

The plan was set to take effect from 2025, having been pushed back from a 2023 start.

While it would have introduced a cap, the Conservative plan received its fair share of criticism, with experts warning that the less wealthy could still end up spending most of their assets if they needed care, while those who were better off would face proportionally less impact on their overall wealth.

In a 2022 Kings Fund report, Sally Warren commented: 'People often talk about catastrophic costs in social care, but what is considered catastrophic is not a single number  its a relative, not absolute, concept.

'To someone with low levels of savings and housing wealth, 86,000 is catastrophic as it will mean care costs would take all or most of their savings and wealth, and as for many of these people their wealth is tied up in the value of their home, it means selling their home.

'To someone with a house worth more than a million pounds, 86,000 wouldnt be catastrophic  it would be a small proportion of their wealth.'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves axed the Tory plan last summer when Labour came to power.

It said the planned scheme was unfunded, and that cutting it will save 1billion in the next financial year and 4-5billion per year by the end of the parliament.

The ambition to put a new plan in place was voiced but so far no details are forthcoming and those affected by high care costs remain stranded.

Age UK's Ms Abrahams told This is Money: 'The care cap was not a perfect fix but its cancellation was really bad news for older people who were hoping against hope for some relief from their sky-high care bills.

'In the short term at least, it seems they are on their own as there is nothing yet to replace it.'

'The immediate problem of high care bills is, however, very real, and the Government must tackle it as part of a broader package of measures designed to urgently stabilise and reform our social care system - and sooner rather than later.'

Is there anything you can do to plan for care costs?

For many years campaigners have argued that the financial industry needs to provide a way for people to save for or insure against care costs.

However, as it is something of a lottery in terms of who ends up needing care, people are not overly keen on either saving for it or paying for insurance.

Throughout most of their working lives people will need to direct spare funds towards mortgages, pensions and other savings and many don't feel they have money to spare for potential care many years down the line.

Insurers used to offer long-term care insurance, allowing people to pre-fund their future care costs, paying into a plan while they were healthy.

However, these products are no longer offered by most insurance companies, as uncapped care costs meant the cost of premiums became too high for policyholders to afford.

In the absence of a state-backed or formalised system for funding care, people are on their own in terms of saving for it and paying for it.

Beyond making the most of any available benefits, and boosting your savings and pension to help fund future care, it is important to consider how your estate might be affected if you do need care.

Speaking to a financial adviser specialising in this area could help you find out what products could protect parts of your estate and prevent you falling foul of certain rules

Even if you are years away from needing to pay for care, making preparations early can help to ensure that your assets are best protected when the time comes.

Has your family been affected by care costs? What did it cost and how did you cover them. Tell us by emailing harvey.dorset@thisismoney.co.uk
Barbara Graham was blessed with 1950s movie star beauty - but she was no angel.

A prostitute and small-time criminal, she willingly joined her lover and his underworld cronies in a botched burglary that ended in the brutal killing of 64-year-old widow and former vaudevillian Mabel Monahan in Burbank, California.

But a new examination of the case 70 years on, by the lead prosecutor in OJ Simpson's murder proceedings, has revealed that the woman dubbed 'Bloody Babs' would almost certainly have met a different end had it not been for a 'travesty' of a trial and a 'profound breach of ethics.'

In fact, Marcia Clark admits that she was so overcome with rage at the treatment Graham received, she had to take a break from the case for a while to calm down.

Graham was convicted of murder based on the flimsy account of an accomplice, and sent to the gas chamber - the third woman in California to meet that gruesome fate.

Three years later, an Oscar-winning film was released based on the case, called I Want To Live!, starring Susan Hayward.

But, while critically acclaimed, that version of events took the opposite approach, painting Graham as 'a devoted mother whod been falsely accused and framed by unscrupulous cops, says Clark.

So what was the truth? What exactly had Barbara Graham done and what evidence had been presented to prove her guilt?

Clark said she'd seen serial killers and mass murderers get more humane treatment than Barbara Graham

Susan Hayward won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in I Want To Live!

Clark says she barely recognized herself in the person reporters described during the OJ Simpson trial

Most of all, Clark wanted to understand why the prosecution had taken the rare step - even back then - of seeking the death penalty for a woman could only be discovered by finding out what went on in that trial.

The result of her painstaking legal detective work is the new book Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham.

Clark spent months hunting down the original reporters transcript of the trial - more than 4,000 pages that recorded the actual testimony of witnesses, the rulings by the judge, and the arguments of counsel - which had been buried in archives for nearly 70 years.

She then spent another two years immersed in the investigation, the trial, and Graham's tragic life, poring over court documents, books, magazine articles, and newspapers in search of the real Barbara.

Her verdict? Ive seen serial killers and mass murderers get more humane treatment than Barbara Graham.'

The bare facts of the case are not in dispute.

Barbara Graham knocked on Mabel Monahans door around 8.30pm on the night of March 8, 1953, claiming she had car trouble and asking for help.

Monahan was known to own thousands of dollars worth of fine jewelry - diamond rings, earrings and brooches, and platinum bracelets - and this was not the first time shed been targeted for a robbery.

Normally cautious, she nonetheless opened the door. Her battered body was found two days later, hands tied behind her back.

Clark admits that she was so overcome with rage at the treatment Graham received, she had to take a break from the case for a while to calm down

'The descriptions of her were snide, relentlessly critical, and obsessed with her looks,' says Clark

'Every story seemed to start and end with some comment about her hair, her makeup, her clothes, and most of all, her cavalier attitude'

Mabel Monahan was known to own thousands of dollars worth of fine jewelry, and this was not the first time shed been targeted for a robbery

There was blood on her head, a pillowcase underneath it, a bloodstained cloth wrapped around her neck, and a cloth strip with a knot in the center lying on the floor near her head, writes Clark

The house had been ransacked - ripped apart from top to bottom. Incredibly, however, the thieves hadnt found Mabels hoard of cash and jewelry, or the safe they believed she kept her riches in.

An informant soon gave police the name of safe cracker Baxter Shorter, who identified career criminal Emmett Perkins - Grahams lover - ex-con Jack Santo - who was already a suspect in another quadruple murder - John True and Graham as the gang behind the break-in.

Shorter claimed hed acted as the look-out guy, but was called into the house to help search for Monahan's treasure.

He described the scene that met him in an early statement to the police: She is beaten horribly. There is blood all over the rug and everything. As I enter the door, the woman is moaning.

The woman with us [Graham] bends down to John. He is holding the old ladys head down on the rug, on the carpeting. The woman says, Go on and knock her out. So Emmett takes a nickel-plated gun out and starts slugging her in the temple.

His testimony was enough to give police their suspects.

But right from the start, says Clark, the coverage of Barbara was not only excessively focused on her appearance; it was overtly sexualized, voyeuristic, and deliberately titillating.

She was discovered 'stark naked' one sensational report claimed. Others said she was 'only partly clothed' or 'changing clothes'.

And it wasn't just because she was a woman - 'though that was a factor since women were almost never involved in such a violent crime.

It was also because she was strikingly beautiful. Petite - just five foot three - and a slender 121 pounds, the 29-year-old Barbara had the looks of an actress, a stark contrast to her purported partners in crime, the 44-year-old weasel-faced Perkins and the 48-year-old brutish-looking Santo.

However, before cops could make their charges stick, Shorter was kidnapped at gunpoint and never seen again - leaving them desperate for a new star witness before their case collapsed.

They turned their attention to John True who, in return for immunity, agreed to take the stand. But in his account, he painted Graham, not Perkins, as the ice-cold killer.

Under oath, he told the court that he'd walked into the house to see Graham holding Mabel Monahan by the neck and slamming her in the head with the butt of a pistol bringing down a gun butt time and time again with a ferocity so savage that he put his hand on Mabels face to block the blows.

He testified that Barbara then put a pillowcase over her head and Perkins tied her hands behind her back and dragged her down the hall. Santo tied a strip of cloth around her neck - the coup de grace.

The pathologist said Mabel Monahan had died of asphyxiation, strangled by that strip of cloth.

The two differing accounts didn't matter to the cops or the DA - they needed a conviction and Graham would be it.

At base, writes Clark, the jury had only the word of an accomplice - John True - to prove what each of the defendants did inside that house.

Graham (far right) with her co-defendants Santo (left) and Perkins (center)

The movie based on Graham's case painted her as a devoted mother whod been falsely accused (pictured: Tommy Graham, her son)

Graham was convicted of murder based on the flimsy account of an accomplice, and sent to the gas chamber - the third woman in California to meet that gruesome fate

There was no physical evidence to back it up. That made it all the more critical that every single piece of evidence bearing on his credibility be revealed. Instead, the prosecution willfully hid the evidence that wouldve exposed the myriad problems with his credibility - even going so far as to lie to the jury that Baxter Shorters statement would back up Trues testimony.

This profound breach of ethics unquestionably impacted the jurys view of this key witness.'

Surprisingly, Clark admits to identifying more closely with Graham than she might have been comfortable with.

Every story seemed to start and end with some comment about her hair, her makeup, her clothes, and most of all, her cavalier attitude. Theyd reduced her to a stereotype, the femme fatale of noir novels, beautiful but with a block of ice for a heart.

I admit that issue had some personal resonance for me. During the OJ Simpson trial, I barely recognized myself in the person reporters described... It was a helpless feeling to read the exaggerated accounts and flat out misrepresentations of me.'

Clark came under intense scrutiny for her appearance during the 1995 murder trial - with her haircut proving particularly controversial.

But when I checked out some of the news stories about Barbara, I saw how much worse it could get. The descriptions of her were snide, relentlessly critical, and obsessed with her looks.'

Even in his closing arguments, lead prosecutor J Miller Leavy claimed Graham had only taken the stand to 'flaunt' herself to male jurors.

The caricature of Bloody Babs, the ice-cold killer, proved irresistible - to the jury, the press, and the public.

Graham - along with Perkins and Santo - was sentenced to death. But even as she faced the end, the focus was on her physical appearance.

The Los Angeles Times reporter adopted a heedlessly callous tone, writing, The brashly attractive 32-year-old convicted murderess, her bleached blond hair turned to its natural brown... walked to her death as if dressed for a shopping trip.

Following up on that theme, the San Francisco Examiner described her as though she were attending a fashion show: She wore a beige wool suit with covered buttons, pumps, gold pendant earrings and wedding band.

One reporter said she was 'the most beautiful victim the gas chamber has ever claimed.'

The process of researching and writing about Grahams case was, says Clark, at times harrowing, the emotional toll exhausting.

When at last, I came to the end, I closed my laptop and stared out the window, overcome by the outrage, frustration, and utter sadness that washed over me.

As both a prosecutor and defense attorney, the one principle Id held most dear was the right to a fair trial. There can be no justice without it. And a fair trial means the jury gets to know the unaltered truth, not the abridged version created by a prosecutors kaleidoscope twist that eliminates any evidence inconsistent with guilt.

Only a few hours of life remaining, Barbra Graham enters San Quentin Prison to be executed

Clark with her prosecution colleagues at the OJ Simpson trial. She says: 'As both a prosecutor and defense attorney, the one principle Id held most dear was the right to a fair trial'

After examining all the evidence, she is convinced that Grahams role was purely as decoy. But, she says, my opinion takes into account a lot of evidence the jury never got to hear.

She adds that two key witnesses had been bought and paid for, and were therefore unreliable.

Graham's biggest crime? To go against a 'gendered 50s attitude that particularly deplored and punished a woman who refused to conform to societal norms.'

Had the jury been presented with the full picture, they may not have acquitted Graham, admits Clark.

But I can certainly believe that a few jurors - and it only takes one - might decide they were suspicious of a prosecution that relied so heavily on the testimony of snitches. A suspicion like that translates easily into reasonable doubt.

That means the trial wouldve ended in a hung jury.

And even if the jury did convict Barbara, I think its far more likely that they would have voted for leniency instead of death.

Barbara maintained her innocence in the murder of Mabel Monahan right up to her death.

In her last conversation with a priest on the day she was due to be executed, she said: I think its going to be rather nice to come face to face with the one person in the world who knows Im innocent.

The priest reportedly said: None of us is wholly innocent or guilty in the eyes of God.

To which Graham replied: I meant Mrs Monahan.

Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham by Marcia Clark is published by Thomas & Mercer
A little-known former California boom town is attracting new interest as residents claim they are still finding gold.

Washington, which is tucked away in the Sierra Nevada Hills, became a Gold Rush hotspot when it was first founded two centuries ago.

Today it is one the oldest mining towns in the state and still boasts many original buildings and features.

Remarkably, many residents in the tight-knit community also still regularly hunt for hidden gold along the scenic South Yuba River that runs parallel to the main road.

'Ive found enough to make earrings. But I haven't made them yet,' lifelong resident Harmony Blake, 47, told SFGate.

The land was first settled as Indiana Camp in 1849 - named after the mining company from the state of Indiana that set up there.

The official name of Washington came a little later in 1850, along with a flood of new residents hoping to strike it rich.

At its peak, thousands of people resided in the town. But as of 2022, only around 100 residents remain.

The 'Lil' Town of Washington' has avoided modernization, with key historical sites such as the Washington Hotel proving integral to the town's fabric

Washington, which is tucked away in the Sierra Nevada Hills, became a Gold Rush hotspot when it was first founded two centuries ago

In the 1870s, Chinese miners outnumbered any other demographic.

According to the Nevada County website, the Sierra Hills community even had its own Chinatown along the South Yuba River.

But by 1890, just a few hundred remained.

Now, a campground has been set up on the land where the Chinese miners once searched for gold.

The 'Lil' Town of Washington' has avoided modernization, with key historical sites such as the Washington Hotel - which opened in 1857 and has 14 rooms - proving integral to the town's fabric.

The building has a homey feel, with photos of now deceased residents hanging on the walls as if it were a big living room.

Guests fondly remember the former owner, Su Morgan DeCorte, who died in 2010, as 'Mama Su'.

Inside the ceiling is covered with all types of items - from wheels to tools - adding to the site's quirky allure.

Beers are served in mason jars, condiments are held in emptied cardboard beer packs, and money has been pinned to the walls.

Blake, who works as a bartender at the hotel, said locals pop in all day for meals and drinks at the bar, creating a cast of regulars.

She told SFGate: 'Nothing ever really shuts down, even in bad weather. The bar is always open, no matter how bad it is. It doesnt matter if the power is off. We have a generator.'

Meanwhile, the hotel's brochure states that it has just three rules: 'No Dogs. No Douchebags. No WiFi.'

Many residents still hunt for hidden gold along the scenic South Yuba River that runs parallel to the main road (stock image)

The quaint former mining town of Washington has preserved its centuries-old charm

The Washington Hotel has been the town's hub ever since it first opened and most of its original design is the same

The Washington General store is another one of the only main businesses in the town

In the 1850s, more than 180 gold mines were up and running within seven miles of the booming hotel.

With miners flooding Washington, the town was bustling with residents and visitors.

Before she passed away, Mama Su documented that there were 'five provision stores, two clothing stores, three hotels, one billiard saloon, a bowling alley, rum shops and bars too numerous to count,' SFGate reported.

The Washington General Store is another town staple.

Owned by Gary Banks of Fresno, the building has been preserved and adorned with plaques honoring its original owners, Fong Chow and Lonnie Tom.

The town's Brimskill Building sits along the main strip and is said to be the oldest structure in Nevada County, according to its historical marker. It served as a general store that sold miner supplies.

Wells Fargo also had a desk inside the building and shipped thousands of dollars of gold from Washington.

The Kohler Building is another preserved site, which also served as a general merchandise store.

However, some residents increasingly fear for the town's future as population dwindles.

The Washington Hotel has 14 rooms for guests. The hotel was bustling with miners in the 19th century

The Kohler Building served as a general merchandise store and is now marked as a historical site

The town's Brimskill Building sits along the main strip and is said to be the oldest structure in Nevada County

The town's only school house closed in 2022 because there were not enough children to fill it.

The school, built in 1905, had only four students when it shut. A decade before, there were just 10 students.

As of 2020, Washington's median age of residents was 61 years old, SFGate reported.

Despite this, the town continues to fight to withstand the test of time.

Two campsites, the River Rest Resort and Little Town Campground, currently help support its economy.

But the campgrounds draw fewer visitors in the colder seasons, leaving many locals wondering if the fading tourism trend will last for good.
A judge's gavel for the files. Bjoern Wylezich, HO / TNS

A Houston man who for months sent rambling warnings about his plans to shoot up and bomb Houston universities, hospitals, courts, and journalists was sentenced Friday to spend 16 years in federal prison.

Jeremy James Joseph, 42, pleaded guilty Friday to four counts of transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce a communication containing a death threat. In the past Joseph had also been accused of threatening Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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Joseph was indicted on the charges in February 2023. He was accused of threatening a judge who was presiding over a case he was part of, as well as the judge's staff. More threats were later sent to city council members, Houston news outlets, hospitals, law firms and Rice University.

In one email, Joseph, a Rice graduate, claimed to have a stockpile of pipe bombs. In another, sent to TV station ABC13, he wrote he was "ready to kill" and said he was waiting outside the station with an assault rifle.

Another email, promised that Joseph would "rage gunfire and bombs" on the county and included homophobic, racist and antisemitic slurs.

In January 2023, Joseph wrote to the Chronicle and Rice staff.

"I will come and kill you all while you slave away on a Monday," Joseph wrote.

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On the same day, he threatened to set bombs at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Joseph was arrested in Ontario in February 2023, after Canadian authorities accused him of sending threats to Trudeau. Local media reports about that arrest describe Joseph as a former Wall Street banker who was living in a homeless shelter.

Those charges were stayed while Joseph was extradited to back to the United States, according to reports.

Joseph was also charged and pleaded guilty to threatening two former Morgan Stanley co-workers in New York. In those cases, Joseph tracked down the co-worker's personal information, and sent how he planned to kill them and their families.

In April, Joseph was sentenced to more two years in prison in connection to those threats.

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He arrived in Houston in May 2024, according to court records.

Jeremy James Joseph, 42, of Houston has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for sending threatening emails to Harris County judges, lawyers and court personnel, as well as news media outlets, universities, and hospitals. FBI Houston investigated.https://t.co/RjSx5a9jHv pic.twitter.com/csqjIIsUGr  FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) December 16, 2024

Harris County probate court records show Joseph was involved in a dispute over the estate of his late mother, who died in 2021. Court records show Joseph appeared to have filed dozens of nonsensical motions -- including hundreds of pages of documents -- with the court over a two-month period in 2022, before being barred from using the court's electronic filing system for harassment.

Among the filings he uploaded to the court website were 500 pages of "Mein Kampf" and another file labeled "Holocaust jokes."

Joseph sent threats to the court staff, including the judge, that was presiding over the probate case. The other organizations that received threats, including the newspaper and hospital, had no connection to case.

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Joseph represented himself during his plea hearing and sentencing on Friday. He declined the opportunity to address the court during his sentencing, according to a news release.
EXCLUSIVE

It took a brave teenager and stolen time on a laptop to bring an end to the years-long reign of terror and abuse twisted parents inflicted on their children inside the family home.

The end finally began with an email to police that asked simply: 'Can I get a welfare check...?'

A few days later, the teen worked up the courage from behind her anonymous email account to finally tell a cop: 'I have been abused all my life and I have had enough...'

It triggered a raid that led to police uncovering the house of horror lurking in plain sight in Sydney's suburbia.

Detectives swooped on the home and found the brood of children had been beaten, starved and whipped by their parents for years.

Their scars, wounds and bruises were hidden from the eyes of neighbours by their parents' ban on their children from wearing shorts or any other clothing that revealed skin from the collarbone to the ankle.

The kids were banned from going to school, socialising with friends, attending public places or shops, or playing sport. The girls were not even allowed to cut their hair short.

The large family had lived at a series of rental addresses across Sydney, often in the squalor of open sewage and vermin infestation.

The large Islamic family lived in squalor in a house with running sewage and vermin, where the children were enslaved to keeping clean or risk their father's whipping with an electrical cord

The girls were initially terrified their parents would learn about their reports to the cops

One plaintive email to police read, 'Hi, hope ur well. I have been abused my whole life and I have had enough of it. But I dont want the people that have done it to me to go to jail. Even though what they have done to me I will never be the same'

The multiple children, aged between five months and 19 years, had been tied up inside their 'disgusting and revolting' homes and subjected to unthinkable horror.

Their father's iron fist saw him lash out with his favourite weapon - a doubled over electrical cord - whenever his children fell short on his slave-like roster of chores.

All names and identifying factors of the case, including the exact size of the family, are suppressed under NSW law.

But father S, a 57-year-old North African-born repairman, and his Islamic convert wife, C, 46, ran a 'controlling and disciplined household environment for their children who followed strict Muslim religious beliefs', according to police.

One daughter, H, told Daily Mail Australia they were basically fed scraps of food and dressed in rags.

'Hand-me-downs, old things from people we knew or reject stuff from the market,' she said.

'The food was the stuff they threw out or would have been fed to animals because it was too old to eat, that my father got for us.'

How their father beat them till they bled and their unemployed Centrelink recipient mother complied with the assaults can now be revealed for the first time after both parents pleaded guilty to multiple charges.

So too can the details of the secret email campaign by two of the sisters conducted clandestinely with police and at risk of violent retaliation against the brave pair.

More than once the girls, then aged 17 and 19, backed off from telling police the truth, and then risked the danger of discovery by covertly recording their little brothers and sister's bashings.

The father S will be sentenced on Tuesday for 26 offences, including assaulting his children as young as aged five, and a daughter, 10, on her back, legs and arms for more than 15 minutes.

The girl was unable to sit down afterwards and the whip marks striped and shaped like the electrical cord were visible for weeks.

S also bit his primary-school aged daughter, called her 'fat', pushed and whipped her, stepped on her face, and punched his four-year-old son in the mouth till he bled for not eating vegetables.

According to NSW Police Facts obtained by Daily Mail Australia, 'throughout the victims lives, they were each the subject of physical abuse and mistreatment at the hands of S and C.

'These acts were frequent and often occurred in view of the other victims.'

The father, 57, has pleaded guilty to 26 offences against his own children and will be sentenced on Monday

The three older sisters gradually let the police know via email about the abuse, recording video and audio on their parents' tablet devices

Cops initially scared off the sisters with demands they attend the police station in person

Enslaved, starved and beaten, the older girls eventually plucked up the courage to secretly email police and escape their lives of torture

The house of horrors where the historic abuse against multiple children aged from their late teens down to primary school age occurred

In between their roster of chores - cooking meals, cleaning, vacuuming, mopping, wiping down surfaces, washing clothes, feeding the animals and feeding, bathing and caring for their younger siblings - the older girls had been home schooled.

But not to NSW Department of Education standards, and as H told Daily Mail Australia, it had been left up to them without any access to TV or the internet.

'Basically... you taught yourself from the books,' she said.

One house was deemed uninhabitable when 'the bathroom was basically in the kitchen and there was raw sewage flowing through it'.

The family moved to another house a 10-minute drive away - but the whippings and beatings continued.

In early 2022, the family's second oldest child, H, who was about to turn 18, created a secret Instagram account and an email address accessing her parents' laptop while they were asleep.

One of the daughters opened a secret Instagram account and email address in early 2022, the sisters telling police they'd 'had enough'

Her sisters, aged 19 and 16, were aware of the account. H posted pictures of cats, rabbits and goats on Instagram.

By March 2022, the children's mother C was stridently telling them the house had to be 'spotless' for their father S.

C ranted about how her kids were the biggest regret of her life, how much she hated them and that she wished all her children were dead.

Within days, H contacted NSW Police via a secret email account using a pseudonym.

She wrote: Hi can I get a welfare check at [familys Sydney address]. I want to remain anonymous please.

In the exchanges which followed, mostly with a Constable 'DH' (name witheld), police did not initially understand how restricted H and her siblings were in reporting the abuse.

On March 11, 2022 Hs 19-year-old sister, A, wrote to NSW police: 'I am an adult child who lives with their parents and siblings. My parents are sometimes abusive.'

An email 10 days later said, 'Hi, I was wondering if I can speak to you about some options I have to deal with physical and emotional abuse. Thanks.'

On March 22, Const. DH wrote to to H: 'Good Morning. What can I do to assist you? How old are you as well?'

H to Const DH: 'Hi, hope ur well. I have been abused my whole life and I have had enough of it. But I dont want the people that have done it to me to go to jail. Even though what they have done to me I will never be the same. Im unable to tell u my name or age.'

March 24, 2022, Const DH to H: 'Hi, I understand the situation  however I require information  so I can properly investigate. If you could advise me of a time you might attend [nearby] Police Station please.'

Hs response: 'Please just forget I said anything. I thought that I had deleted the message. Thanks anyway.'

At about 8pm on March 29, H's 16-year-old sister heard her father screaming at someone and picked up a tablet computer to start recording audio of the outburst.

She saw S getting angry at 13-year-old K for not cleaning something. K was crying. S said: 'See why you are a pig? Tell me what you are!'

K responded, 'A pig'. S replied: 'You had no intention of ever cleaning it up, next time Ill kill you, do you understand?'

On April 4, 2022, H wrote to Const DH: Hey, Hope you are well. Ive got a question for you. How much evidence do u have to have to prove child abuse and domestic abuse do u have to have for proof?

The now abandoned property had sewage running through the bathroom/kitchen and the kids were allegedly fed scraps and dressed in donated rags

April 13, H to Const DH: Just wondering if voice recordings, videos and pics is enough to prove child abuse/domestic abuse?

Police did attend the family home for welfare checks from early March, but the abuse continued.

In late April, 2022 S confronted H at dinner time and took her into the bedroom.

'Im not going to kill you because I dont want your shit on me,' he said.

'But I hate you and I cant stand you. Get your stuff and leave ... Do you want me to beat you, or you leave?'

H responded: 'I dont care what you do to me'.

On June 17, 2022, two senior constables attended the family home.

While two of the older girls denied anything was wrong, or that they had sent emails recording abuse to police, the 16-year-old sister finally relented.

She told one of the officers, 'My parents abuse all of us, they hurt us and dont let us do anything for our whole life.

'Not so much lately for us older children but I cant take it any longer. Can you help us?'

S and C were arrested. Originally charged with a combined total of more than 60 offences, they prepared to face trial.

However, C pleaded guilty to a reduced list of multiple charges of domestic violence related common assault charges earlier this year.

The father will be sentenced in the Downing Centre Local Court on December 17.
Celebrity hotspot Santa Barbara has been ranked the best place to live in the US for 'near-perfect' weather.

Often nicknamed the 'American Riviera', the coastal city in California is renowned for its climate, U.S. News reported.

Average temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees and as many as 329 rain-free days a year mean it is ideal location for outdoors enthusiasts.

However, experts warn that the idyllic setting is increasingly vulnerable to climate change-related threats, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, landslides, shifting rainfall patterns, and wildfires.

ClimateCheck, which tracks the threat, estimated that approximately 85 percent of Santa Barbara's buildings are at very high risk of wildfire.

Despite these challenges, the city's Mediterranean climate continues to attract celebrities and affluent residents with its stunning scenery and grand homes.

As a result, the median property price in the area is an eye-watering $1,789,765.

Santa Barbara boasts as many as 329 rain-free days annually, with average temperatures ranging from 55 degrees to 65 degrees

Nicknamed 'The American Riviera,' the town is plagued by rising sea levels, coastal erosion, landslides, shifting rainfall patterns, and wildfires

In second place behind Santa Barbara is Los Angeles, with California dominating the list in general, snapping up seven of the top ten spots. Vallejo came in third, San Francisco fourth, San Diego fifth, San Jose sixth and Salinas seventh.

This findings come just months after California was battered by a catastrophic storm.

In February the state was hit by half a year's worth of rain that left a trail of destruction.

At least nine lives were lost and entire neighborhoods wiped out.

Heart-wrenching photos showed homes dangling precariously over a Santa Barbara County cliffside after a massive erosion event displaced 45 people.

The region was also battered by hundreds of landslides, especially in the southern areas, which endured the wettest storm in history, with over a foot of rain pummeling certain locations, including the Hollywood Hills.

Outside California, Charleston, South Carolina came in eighth; Mobile, Alabama ninth; and New Orleans, Louisiana tenth make the list.

At the opposite end of the scale is Seattle, Washington, which sees an average of 156 rainy days per year.

Despite its exceptional weather, Santa Barbara ranked only 71st in overall best places to live list, primarily due to its high cost of living and expensive real estate.

Pictured: A person walks through flood waters in Santa Barbara as a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm, the second in less than a week, in February 2024

While California is often celebrated for its idyllic climate, the state surprisingly ranked lower than Utah in a recent study by ConsumerAffairs about the best places to live.

Utah, known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor activities, claimed the top spot due to its strong economy, affordable housing, and high quality of life.

Its residents enjoy access to world-class national parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, and Zion.

Following Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota, and Massachusetts rounded out the top five.

California, on the other hand, ranked near the bottom due to its high cost of living, traffic congestion and other challenges.
As spy Helen Webb in new Netflix thriller Black Doves, Keira Knightley proves to be adept with a pistol while juggling family life.

The show, which also stars Ben Whishaw, has already won a Golden Globe nomination with its all-action scenes.

But, although some of Webb's exploits might be stretching credulity, the actions of real female spies - including several Second World War heroines - proved just as incredible.

'Queen of Spies' Daphne Park rose to become one of the most senior controllers at MI6 after proving her worth in the fight against Nazi Germany.

And the efforts of fellow agent Nancy Wake in the war inspired the 2001 film Charlotte Gray.

And although Noor Inayat Khan and Violette Szabo were murdered by the Nazis, their bravery still proved immensely valuable to the British war effort.

On the other side of the equation are the likes of Cynthia Murphy (real name Lidiya Guryev) and Anna Chapman, who were unmasked in 2010 as Russian spies.

As we reveal below, whilst the history of espionage has largely been dominated by men, female spies have more than held their own when sent behind enemy lines.

As spy Helen Webb in new Netflix spy thriller Black Doves, Keira Knightley proves to be adept with a pistol while juggling family life

Daphne Park

Dubbed the Queen of Spies, Daphne Park rose to become one of the most senior controllers at MI6.

She ran agents in Moscow during the Cold War, infiltrated Hanoi in Vietnam and smuggled men out of Congo in the boot of her car when the country descended into anarchy after achieving independence.

Dubbed the Queen of Spies, Daphne Park rose to become one of the most senior controllers at MI6

Baroness Park, who died aged 88 in 2010, described herself as a 'cheerful fat missionary' and said her plain appearance was the secret to her success.

Her favourite drink was Earl Grey tea, which she joked - in an allusion to James Bond - was best served 'stirred, not shaken'.

As the daughter of a coffee farmer and gold prospector, she grew up in the jungles of what is now Tanzania in Africa.

Baroness Park never married or had children, instead devoting her life to her career as a spy.

She graduated from Oxford in 1943, when the the Second World War was still raging.

After volunteering for service, Baroness Park trained Resistance fighters who were parachuting into Nazi-occupied France in the lead-up to D-Day.

When the war was over, Park was sent to Berlin to track down German scientists before they fell into the hands of the Soviet Union.

In 1954, the year after Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin died, she was posted to Moscow.

She later said that she spent her time there doing the 'usual things', which included gathering secrets and having clandestine conversations in public parks.

In the Congo, she posed as writer researching the country's civil war. And in Hanoi, she was appointed Consul-General.

In that role, she filed her secret spying reports by leaving the country every few weeks in the back of an old Dakota aircraft.

She later recounted: 'They were not supposed to shoot at it, but sometimes forgot, so it was rather a dicey trip.

After retiring from MI6, Baroness Park served as a BBC governor between 1982 and 1987, before becoming a Tory peer in 1990.

Noor Inayat Khan

During the Second World War, Noor Inayat Khan was one of the top agents of Winston Churchill's elite Special operations Executive

During the Second World War, Noor Inayat Khan was one of the top agents of Winston Churchill's elite Special operations Executive.

She was the first female radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France.

For three months, she single-handedly ran a cell of spies across Paris until she was betrayed and captured.

For ten months she was tortured by the Gestapo desperate for any information about SOE operations.

But she stood firm and was eventually executed at Dachau concentration camp on September 13, 1944, aged just 30.

Khan was posthumously awarded the George Cross in 1949 and the French Croix de Guerre.

Khan was born on New Year's Day 1914 in Moscow to an Indian father and an American mother.

In November 1940, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and two years later her quiet dedication and training in radio transmitting attracted the attention of the SOE.

Noor Inayat-Khan, left, with her mother. She was eventually betrayed by a Frenchwoman, supposedly the jealous girlfriend of a comrade

Despite doubts about her suitability, she was flown to France in June 1943 to become the radio operator for the 'Prosper' resistance network in Paris, using the codename 'Madeleine' and with the famous instruction to 'set Europe ablaze'.

Many members of the network were arrested shortly afterwards but she chose to remain in France and she spent the summer moving from place to place, trying to relay messages back to London.

She was eventually betrayed by a Frenchwoman, supposedly the jealous girlfriend of a comrade.

After a campaign by her biographer Shrabani Basu, Khan's bravery was recognised with a bronze bust near her childhood home in Bloomsbury. It was erected in 2012.

Violette Szabo

Her fluent French and evident courage made Violette Szabo an ideal candidate for the Special Operations Executive.

She volunteered for service after her husband was killed by the Germans at El Alamein in 1942.

Her first mission in April 1944 - two months before D-Day - involved her being parachuted over Cherbourg.

Mrs Szabo undertook a highly-dangerous solo mission to assess the fate of an SOE network of agents and gathered information about factories producing war materials for the Germans so the Allies could bomb them.

Her fluent French and evident courage made Violette Szabo an ideal candidate for the Special Operations Executive

During her undercover mission she was arrested twice by the Germans but released on both occasions after they believed her cover story.

She was picked up and flown home but not before a daring shopping trip to Paris to buy her daughter Tania an expensive dress.

Her second and last operation took place two days after the Normandy landings in June 1944 when she was parachuted into south west France.

It is said she kissed the entire crew of the Liberator aircraft before making her exit.

She and local resistance fighter Jacques Dufour hastily drove to the Dordogne to with a band of comrades to sabotage Nazi communication lines but were stopped by a German checkpoint near Limoges.

Their cover blown, the couple made a run for a nearby wheat field, firing at the guards with their Sten guns.

Mrs Szabo's daring feats were re-created in 1958 film Carve Her Name With Pride, in which she was portrayed by Virginia McKenna

They crawled through the field until Violette was unable to go any further due to exhaustion and an injured ankle. She told Mr Dufour to make his escape.

Mrs Szabo continued to engage the enemy for nearly half an hour but was captured after running out of ammunition. Hauled up before an SS officer, she was seen to spit in his face by a local witness.

Taken to Limoges, and then to Paris, Mrs Szabo underwent terrible torture prior to being transferred to Ravensbruck concentration camp in northern Germany in August 1944.

She remained defiant throughout her ordeal, discussed escape and, to the consternation of her brutal guards, led fellow prisoners in a rendition of 'The Lambeth Walk' to boost morale - for which she was placed in solitary confinement for a week.

She and agents Denise Bloch and Lilian Rolfe, also from the SOE, were executed by a shot to the back of their necks between January and February 1945. Their bodies were cremated.

Mrs Szabo's daring feats were re-created in 1958 film Carve Her Name With Pride, in which she was portrayed by Virginia McKenna.

Nancy Wake

Nancy Wake topped the Gestapo's wanted list after her daring exploits behind enemy lines.

Her efforts in the war inspired the Sebastian Faulks' novel Charlotte Gray, which in 2001 was turned into a film starring Cate Blanchett.

Ms Wake, who died aged 98 in 2011, was codenamed 'White Mouse' by the Nazis, due to the ease with which she escaped capture.

Nancy Wake topped the Gestapo's wanted list after her daring exploits behind enemy lines

She once said that she was 'sorry I didn't kill more Nazis'.

The spy, who had no children and was the widow of British fighter pilot John Forward, helped to arm and lead 7,000 resistance fighters in weakening German defences before the D-Day invasion in 1944.

In Britain, she was awarded the George Medal, whilst France decorated her with its highest military honour, the Legion d'Honneur, as well as three Croix de Guerre and the Medaille de la Resistance.

The United States awarded her its Medal of Freedom.

Her efforts in the war inspired the Sebastian Faulks' novel Charlotte Gray, which in 2001 was turned into a film starring Cate Blanchett

Virginia Hall

As a spy working behind enemy lines, Virginia Hall was branded 'the most dangerous of all' by the Gestapo.

An agent for the SOE, she slipped back and forth between London and France, wreaking havoc wherever she went.

Ms Hall, who had a wooden leg, was considered such a top level operative that Gestapo chief Hermann Goring put out Wanted posters offering a reward for her capture.

She lost her foot in a hunting accident in Turkey, when her shotgun slipped from her grasp and fired when she grabbed it.

As a spy working behind enemy lines, Virginia Hall was branded 'the most dangerous of all' by the Gestapo. Above: Ms Hall receiving the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945

Always able to see the funny side of things, Miss Hall immediately named her wooden leg Cuthbert.

She was in Paris when war broke out in 1939 and joined the ambulance service.

When the Nazis invaded France in 1940, she fled to London, and with her language skills, was soon recruited by the SOE.

After training in the clandestine arts of killing, communications and security, she went to Vichy France to set up resistance networks under the cover of being a reporter for the New York Post.

After the November, 1942, North Africa invasion, German troops flooded into her area and things became too hot even for her.

She hiked on her artificial leg across the Pyrenees in the dead of winter to Spain.

During the journey she radioed London saying she was okay but Cuthbert was giving her trouble.

Forgetting this was her artificial leg, and knowing her value to the Allied cause, her commanders radioed back: 'If Cuthbert troublesome eliminate him.'

Ms Hall, who had a wooden leg, was considered such a top level operative that Gestapo chief Hermann Goring put out Wanted posters offering a reward for her capture

She later returned to London, but headed back to France in 1944 to set up a series of resistance fighters to target Nazi communications and blow up bridges.

One of the adept spy's key lieutenants was Germaine Guerin, a brothel owner who ran an establishment popular with German officers and government officials.

The 37-year-old made parts of her brothel into flats available for safe houses, encouraged her girls to spike their clients drinks and got some clients addicted to heroin to make them incapable of fighting.

Ms Hall, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945, went on to marry one of the men she'd fought with in France, French-born OSS agent, Paul Goilott.

Cynthia and Richard Murphy

In June 2010, New Jersey couple Richard and Cynthia Murphy were arrested at their home by the FBI.

They had been unmasked as Russian spies Vladimir and Lidiya Guryev.

Since the 1990s, the couple had been gathering information for Russia's spy agency the SVR - all the while living as an ordinary American couple.

Lidiya worked for New York City bank, whilst Vladimir was a stay-at-home dad.

In June 2010, New Jersey couple Richard and Cynthia Murphy were arrested at their home by the FBI. They had been unmasked as Russian spies Vladimir and Lidiya Guryev

Lidiya worked for New York City bank, whilst Vladimir was a stay-at-home dad

The couple's two daughters are believed to have been entirely ignorant of their spying activities.

They were caught when US authorities cracked a secret code they had used to to communicate with Moscow.

This allowed the FBI to learn more about the Guryevs' activities.

A deal was struck to allow the Guryevs - who were among 10 Russian spies arrested - to return to Russia, in exchange for four alleged Western spies who were in prison.

The couple's daughters were eventually allowed to join their parents.

The couple's two daughters are believed to have been entirely ignorant of their spying activities

Anna Chapman

Another Russian spy who was recruited by the SVR was Anna Chapman, who lived in London and Manhattan.

The daughter of a Russian diplomat, she married British man Alex Chapman, who was found dead at a house in Southampton in May 2015.

Dubbed by the media as 'Russia's most glamorous secret agent', Chapman's nefarious activities were uncovered while she was living in New York.

Along with the Guryevs, she was one of the ten Russian spies who were sent back to Russia in 2010.

Another Russian spy who was recruited by the SVR was Anna Chapman, who lived in London and Manhattan

Another Russian spy who was recruited by the SVR was Anna Chapman, who lived in London and Manhattan. Above: Chapman posing for the cover of Maxim

Among the Western spies who went in the other direction was double agent Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned along with his daughter with nerve agent novichok in Salisbury in 2018.

Alex Chapman caused his ex-wife huge embarrassment after revealing details of their sex life following her arrest.

He produced a picture of Anna wielding a whip and another toy and wearing nipple clamps.

The couple had met in 2001 at a rave in London while Anna was still a student and Alex described her as the most beautiful woman he had ever met.

After they split Anna relocated to New York, where with the aid of a $1m cash injection from the Russian Government she set up an internet property business.

Chapman has just released a book in which she portrays herself as a real-life female 007.

She claims she was recruited by a young London-based Moscow spy who witnessed her expert networking skills, particularly among wealthy and influential men.
A man has been left unable to get a mortgage after he moved a sofa, coffee table and his pet goldfish into a supermarket car park to protest the handling of a parking ticket.

Michael Moody travelled 240 miles from his home in Skegness to Booth's car park in Windermere to stage the protest - setting up a makeshift living room.

He was handed a county court judgement (CCJ) for not paying the fine, a mistake which has led to him being unable to renew his mortgage.

Car park operator Parkingeye said Mr Moody failed to get in touch with the company and he is now required to settle the matter with the court.

Michael Moody was visiting his father in Windermere in February last year and was said to have overstayed in the store's car park for 41 minutes.

He claims the CCJ (County Court Judgement) is now having a detrimental impact on his financial status.

Mr Moody said he acknowledges he was at fault for overstaying, but did not pay the fine because he did not notice the letters sent to him.

He said: 'I have no issue with paying the fine, I wish I'd seen the letters earlier and I could have dealt with it then.

Michael Moody set up a makeshift living room outside Booths supermarket in Windemere

'I'm happy to pay the fines and any court costs, the problem is I can't move forward with my life and get a mortgage because of this CCJ in my name,' he said.

'That 40 minutes extra in a car park can really change someone's life.

'I spent a significant amount of time trying to be careful, making sure that I had a perfect credit history, because there's now a time where I want to do more stuff with loans and finance.'

Mr Moody said he only found out about the CCJ when NatWest rejected his application to renew his two mortgages.

'I've got two mortgages that have just come to the end of their fixed term, and they've shot up - one by 400 and one by 300 - so now I'm not able to reapply to bring those rates down, which means I'm significantly affected each and every single month,' he said.

Michael is now asking Booths to agree to remove the CCJ, which will allow him to do things such as apply for a loan to buy the house of his late mother.

'I'm prepared to pay all costs involved,' Michael added.

'I've also now reached the stage where I want to encourage more people to challenge these situations, because I know loads must have been caught out with parking fines.

'Even if it just inspires Booths to employ someone new to help people deal with the problem, rather than seeing it spiral out of control like this.'

A spokesperson from Booths outlined that the car park sees 'constant misuse', which forces them to impose maximum fines.

They commented: 'Parking Eye had been in communication with Mr Moody on numerous occasions and have offered guidance on how to proceed with his claim, correspondence which Mr Moody disputes receiving.

'We would note it is a legal requirement to have your car registered with the DVLA at the address where you live.

'Mr Moody has repeatedly admitted he overstayed the car park, and although he says he wishes to settle his debts, he did not pay his parking charge notice to Parking Eye as outlined in their numerous correspondence.

'As this ticket has not been settled in over two years, unfortunately Booths are unable to help with this matter as the case has been escalated through debt recovery and referred to the County Court.

'Mr Moody has been misadvised that Booths would be able to set aside his claim against the CCJ, at this point in the process, Booths are unable to intervene in this matter as the case has been escalated to debt recovery and referred to the County Court.

He moved his sofa, shelves, coffee tables and his pet goldfish 240 miles to set up the protest

'While Booths have sympathy with Mr Moody around his mortgage issues and will support his case with both Parking Eye and debt recovery agency, he needs to follow the process that has been shared with him and pursue the matter with the court.'

Parkingeye said Mr Moody had correctly received the fine in February 2023 but he failed to respond to 'successive rounds of correspondence'.

A spokesperson said: 'The motorist correctly received a Parking Charge in February 2023 for staying 41 minutes over the two-hour maximum stay period highlighted in the signage.

'Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their parking charge.

'The motorist failed to submit an appeal to highlight any mitigating circumstances for breaking the rules of the car park and failed to respond to successive rounds of correspondence from us to the registered address of his vehicle.

'As a result of him failing to communicate with us or settle the charge, his case was escalated to debt recovery and has now been referred to the County Court.

'We can confirm that the motorist first got in touch with us on November 14 this year to settle the payment and request that we remove the County Court Judgement - this would need to be done directly with himself and the County Court and we sent guidance on how to do this on November 25.

'This would need to be done directly with himself and the County Court and we sent guidance on how to do this in November.'
Prince Andrew may flee to the Gulf in a final attempt for legitimacy, it has been claimed.

The disgraced Duke of York is rumoured to be eyeing up a new life in the Middle East as he seeks sanctuary following years of crushing blows to his reputation and embarrassment he has brought upon the royals.

The latest scandal - his close association with an alleged Chinese spy - has prompted fresh questions about his future, after being stripped of his royal and military titles over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has long-standing links to the Gulf, where he is a regular visitor and where it is believed his royal status, despite its tattered position, would still being some gravitas and opportunity.

Sources close to the government of the United Arab Emirates told the Sunday Times a visit by his daughter Princess Beatrice to Abu Dhabi last month for business was partly cover for him.

An informed figure in British politics told the newspaper: Hes looking at moving there permanently.

Hes desperately trying to get something going to make some money.

The Gulf links raise fresh questions about who is funding Andrew, with rumours abound that it is Middle Eastern money keeping him afloat as he refuses to give up 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor Park, despite the best efforts of his brother, the King.

King Charles (right) with Prince Andrew (right). The Duke of York is rumoured to be considering moving to the Gulf following years of crushing blows to his reputation

Andrew (pictured driving in Windsor) has long-standing links to the Gulf, where he is a regular visitor and where it is believed his royal status, would still bring some opportunity

Princess Beatrice shaking hands with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on November 10. Sources say her visit to the city last month for business was partly cover for him

An informed figure said that Andrew was looking to move to the UAE capital permanently (file photo)

As he is now a completely private individual, the monarch and his advisors have no legal right to demand to see Andrews bank accounts.

They have to rely on verbal assurances that the duke has both the money to pay for the upkeep of Royal Lodge and that he has come by these funds legitimately, a claim that is said to have been ratified by the Keeper of the Privy Purse.

Andrew has been a regular visitor to the Midde East over the years, including many trips to Bahrain, where he has meet with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas second son, Sheikh Abdullah.

During that 2014 visit, the former international trade envoy he attended a Bahrain-British Business Forum dinner at the Radisson Diplomat Hotel. He met with King Hamad and Crown Prince Salman at the event.

He visited again in April 2018 to open a UK naval base and police training centre. He met with King Hamad again, as well as Bahrains interior minister.

He then returned the following March to visit the naval base with the Bahrain king.

In May 2019 he flew to the country yet again to take his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson to the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Andrew stayed at the Ritz Carlton as the royal familys guest during that visit although it has long been rumoured he also enjoys a grace and favour property somewhere in the country.

He was then expected to return to Bahrain in November 2019, but the trip was cancelled as his public life came crashing down following a distastrous interview in which he tried to justify his friendship with Epstein.

The duke took a secret holiday to Bahrain in November 2022, apparently pitching to take on an unofficial role as the intermediary between the West and Gulf states amid the global energy crisis, sources said.

The speculation about his future comes as his ex-wife described how she was a carer who looks after a sad man in Andrew.

Prince Andrew with the alleged Chinese spy who has been banned from the UK

Sarah Ferguson and the Duke of York at Royal Ascot in 2019. Prince Andrew's ex-wife described herself as a 'carer' who 'looks after a sad man' in the Duke

The couple divorced in 1996 after ten years of marriage, but still live together at Royal Lodge.

Sarah compared their relationship to her childhood role of caring for her late father, Major Ronald Ferguson, after her mother walked out.

She told the Sunday Times: I became a carer for Dad.

I was left to look after a sad man, which is sort of what Im doing now.

Its why Queen Elizabeth and I got on so well.
The heartbroken son of Jean Hanlon, who died in suspicious circumstances in Crete 15 years ago expects a key suspect to be charged by Greek police today.

Michael Porter, who has always insisted his mother was murdered, said the development would be a massive turning point in his campaign for justice.

He said he was disgusted it had taken so many years to come to this point saying a lot was riding on this.

The 39-year-old said the family now might finally get closure to the long-running saga after hiring a private investigator to help with the case.

The PI discovered a potential suspect and shared the discovery with police.

Mr Porter said: We are in the best position weve ever been in our life. This is a massive turning point, something weve never seen been before.

The investigator, Haris Veramon, compiled a 29-page file about Ms Hanlons last movements after she named a man in her diary she was planning to meet that night.

She went missing in 2009 after moving to the holiday island from Dumfries to work in the coastal village of Kato Gouves.

Jean Hanlon's body was found in the harbour of Heraklion on Crete in 2009

Jean Hanlon's sons, from left, Michael, Robert and David, believe she was murdered

Ms Hanlon (pictured with son Michael) was 40 when she went to Crete on her first holiday abroad and fell in love with the lifestyle and the people

The 53-year-old vanished after a night out after telling friends she was meeting a man in a cafe with a chilling last text message saying simply: Help.

Four days later, her body was found in the water at the port of Heraklion, the islands capital, with police first believing she had drowned.

At the demands of her distraught family, a second post-mortem examination was carried out which showed she had suffered a broken neck and ribs, a punctured lung and facial injuries, and probably died before she entered the water.

In 2012, two men were questioned then released.

Further probes in 2019 and 2021 also ended without providing answers for the family, although the police had acknowledged foul play was involved.

However, detectives reopened the case again in June and now Mr Porter and his brothers, Robert, 49, and David, 45, have been assured by Greek police that the suspect will be questioned today and potentially charged.

Mr Porter, of Bromley, said: Its weird, I dont how it would feel until it happens.

When youve been fighting for justice this long...

The port of Heraklion where Jean Hanlon's body was discovered

Jean Hanlon with her young sons in Dumfries

He continued: It would be a massive achievement to get mum the justice she deserves. It would be a massive relief in our life too.

We know that mum is gone and not coming back but this would give her closure and would give us comfort and release too.

Mr Porter said his family had also hired a separate criminologist who provided characteristics of a suspect that matched the investigation by the private eye.

He added: There is a lot riding on this. Its unusual for cases in Greece to be reopened once or twice, let alone four times.

There have been suspects before but never with so much evidence. If they dont charge this suspect then there is nowhere to go from here.

They would likely close the case and that is not something we want.

After Greek police announced they were re-investigating the cold case, he said: You get to a certain point like now where the case is reopened when you have got all new-found hope and strength and then you get chopped back down.

However, the massive difference in this case is that we have hired the private investigator who has put in and filed this detailed report.

In March 2009, after sending a friend a text that read 'HELP', Ms Hanlon's body was discovered in capital Heraklion's harbour without hair or eyes. Pictured: Jean Halon with her son Michael

Mr Porter admitted it had been a slow process up until now but was grateful to the new magistrate and prosecutor on the case who have been incredibly supportive and wanted justice for mum.

He added: It would be amazing to show people that work and determination does pay off.

The amount of people who have told me to give up and live my life but when you go through something like this, you just cant.

You have to fight for what you believe.
An apprentice tradie from Western Australia has sparked a heated debate about trainee wages and the rising cost of living.

Lachlan Sgarlata, 19, shared his frustrations on social media on Thursday after a long day working as a labourer in Kwinana Beach, south of Perth.

Covered in sweat and wearing a dirty high-visibility shirt, Mr Sgarlata explained that he was encouraged to become a tradie due to the perception that they 'make a lot of money'.

'Tradies work their f***ing asses off, it's 42C, 10-hour days,' Mr Sgarlata said in a video posted to TikTok.

'For what? Look at the housing prices right now. How are we meant to buy a house right now when they're at least a million f***ing dollars.'

He said his apprentice wage is 'nowhere near enough' when going out on the weekend alone costs $200 because a 'beer is $15'.

'How are we meant to live?'

The average home price in Kwinana where Mr Sgarlata lives is $532,133. It would take a minimum wage earner on $47,622 15 years to save up for a 20 per cent deposit.

Lachlan Sgarlata, covered in sweat and wearing a dirty high-vis shirt, vented about his struggles as a 19-year-old apprentice in Kwinana Beach, and reflected on the long hours and low pay in the trade

However, many young apprentices earn below the minimum wage during their training period, with some receiving hourly rates as low as $14.62.

For instance, first-year electrical apprentices under the age of 21 typically earn between $28,892 and $31,668 per year.

Qualified tradespeople were quick to challenge Mr Sgarlata, and explained that an apprenticeship is similar to being paid to study.

They assured him that once he becomes qualified, the hard work will eventually pay off.

'You're being paid to learn, that's why you're on stuff all money,' one said.

'When you're 10 years in and there's a skilled labour shortage, that's when the payoff hits.'

'When doing your apprenticeship you have to look at it like being paid to study,' a second wrote.

'You need to do the four years of hard work and labour to earn your stripes.'

Mr Sgarlata questioned how young tradies could afford to buy a home in todays market, with housing prices soaring while wages remain low

Others said Mr Sgarlata's comments were reflective of a new generation of apprentices coming onto sites without a hard-working attitude.

'It's called sacrifice brother, today's generation want to start at the top that's the issue,' one said.

'Don't go out and save your money if you want a house, what do you think the previous generations have done?' a second asked.

A third added: 'Whilst I agree with what you're saying, not going out for beers and blowing $200 is a good step towards a house.'
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Nine's new Today host Sam Armytage has put the Queensland Premier on the spot about whether his state would be happy to see the return of the freed Bali Nine drug smugglers.

Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj flew back to Australia on a Jetstar commercial flight on Sunday and have been given temporary accommodation in the Howard Springs quarantine camp.

'Some of these men are from Queensland. Would you be happy to see them resettled in Queensland,' Armytage asked Premier David Crisafulli on Monday morning.

Mr Crisafulli said wherever the men resettle, their integration into Australian society would take time.

'The integration process is going to be really, really tough for them, make no mistake about that,' Mr Crisafulli said.

'But a decision has been taken. We have to do all we can to make sure that that integration occurs as best as it can.

'And I'm sure that's something that every Australian will agree with.'

Earlier, Mr Crisafulli said regardless of where the men went, he hoped the publicity surrounding their release would serve as a reminder to younger generations of the 'huge risks' involved in attempting to smuggle illicit drugs internationally.

Nine's Today host Sam Armytage has made her return to morning TV with an important question about the returning Bali Nine drug smugglers

'There'll be a whole heap of young Australians who've never heard of the case or have only heard of it in passing,' Mr Crisafulli said.

'I have a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to drugs, and I've spoken about that quite a bit.

'And if highlighting this can remind people about the dangers of going overseas and trying to bring drugs back into the mainland, well, perhaps this decision will shine a light on that and maybe, in that small way, prevent somebody going over and doing something very, very silly.'

After spending 19 years behind bars in Indonesia, the five returning Bali Nine members will not be required to serve prison sentences in Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requested the transfer of the men at a recent meeting with new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the APEC Summit last month, who agreed to let the prisoners return home on humanitarian grounds.

Martin Stephens, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen watch their releases be signed off by Australian and Indonesian officials before they were flown back to Australia on Sunday

The men were arrested alongside Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen and Renae Lawrence in Bali in April 2005 as they attempted to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin strapped to their bodies from the holiday island.

Ringleaders Chan and Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in April 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.

There were no emotional reunions or fanfare when the men touched down on a Jetstar flight in Darwin at 2.42pm on Sunday.

Their loved ones were aware of their imminent return but were told by authorities that they couldn't be there to greet them, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Instead, the men were whisked on a bus and transported to the Howard Springs facility, which was previously a quarantine hub during Covid.

Armytage interviewed Queensland Premier David Crisafulli

They will spend a short period of time here to continue their rehabilitation before reuniting with their families.

The men are not permitted to return to Indonesia in the future.

The five Australian will be provided with government support and medical care during their transition to living back in the community.

It's believed there was no prisoner swap or any 'quid pro quo' with Indonesia as part of the men's release.
Brussels sprouts are expected to be up to 25 per cent bigger this year due to good growing conditions and the introduction of new varieties, according to Tesco.

The top UK supermarket chain said one of its suppliers, grower TH Clements, reported that the average sprout size this year is 30mm in diameter - up from 24mm last year when harvesting conditions were poor.

Tesco said it has been working with suppliers to find hardier varieties able to withstand the UK climate.

Last year, heavy rainfall in late November and through December led to a below average yield and crop of sprouts.

John Moulding, commercial director of Lincolnshire-based TH Clements, said: 'This year we've pretty much had a reversal in growing conditions to 2023, with the right amounts of warmth and sunshine during the summer months after they were planted, good amounts of rain during the autumn and now colder weather in December.

'We've worked hard over the last 12 months to improve not only this year's but future crop yields, starting by the selection of new land to plant the sprouts - the alluvial silts, only found on the east coast of Lincolnshire.

Brussels sprouts are expected to be up to 25 per cent bigger this year due to good growing conditions and the introduction of new varieties, according to Tesco

Tesco expects to sell around 1.5 million kg of sprouts in the two weeks leading up to Christmas

Tesco said it has been working with suppliers to find hardier varieties able to withstand the UK climate

'The silts are situated in different growing areas that all have their own microclimates and coastal frost protection.

'Sprouts enjoy the breeze of the coast that gives frost protection.'

Simon Tenwick, Tesco buying manager, said: 'We've been working hard this year to bring in new varieties that have helped us deliver a better tasting sprout with a crunchier texture and perfect size.

'The quality of the festive crop that has been coming through in the last few weeks is among the best we've had in recent years and we are certain sprout fans will be delighted.'

In the run-up to Christmas TH Clements will run up to 16 harvesters, working around the clock to provide Britain with 192 million sprouts.

Tesco expects to sell around 1.5 million kg of sprouts in the two weeks leading up to Christmas, when around 25 per cent of the annual sprout consumption happens.

This is the equivalent weight of 285 London buses and works out at three sprouts for every man woman and child in the country, according to the supermarket giant.
Political commentator Andrew Bolt has proposed Australia Day be moved to the anniversary of the failed Voice referendum.

Bolt suggested in his weekly column the date of the national holiday should be changed to October 14 if debate carries on about changing the January 26 date.

'That's the anniversary of the day Australians voted against the Voice. The day we voted to go on together as one people, united and equal,' he wrote.

'Isn't that worth celebrating? More than that: isn't that something we badly need to?'

He additionally took aim at the Labor government for leading campaigns such as the Voice referendum and leaving Aussies 'disparaged and divided'.

The referendum appeared to initially have strong support when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement in May 2022 it was going ahead.

Support dropped as the polling date drew closer before the referendum was voted down with only 40 per cent of voters backing it in the end.

Bolt's suggestion to change the date of Australia Day came after Victorian premier Jacinta Allan revealed there are no plans to bring back the parade in Melbourne.

Political commentator Andrew Bolt has proposed Australia Day be moved to the anniversary of the failed Voice referendum

While the tradition, which was scrapped by former premier Dan Andrews four years ago during the Covid pandemic, remains off the table, the Allan Labor government will mark the national day in other ways.

These include the annual 21-gun salute at the Shrine of Remembrance, a RAAF flyover and the Flag Raising Ceremony and Open Day at Government House.

Victorian public servants will also be given the option to work on January 26 and take a different day off.

'January 26 means different things to different people,' a department of premier and cabinet spokesman said.

'On this day, we encourage conversation and reflection on the different meanings of the day for all Victorians.'

Bolt rubbished the Victorian government for bending to 'activists'.

'But so what if some activists claim to be distraught by the day?' he wrote.

'Why should this government trash our national day and our nation just for them?'

Bolt suggested in his weekly column the date of the national holiday should be changed to October 14 if debate carries on about changing the January 26 date

First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Co-Chair Ngarra Murray told the Herald Sun it was right to permanently scrap the parade.

'The Aboriginal community has a range of views on January 26, but whichever way you look at it, it's a day of mourning for a lot of our people,' he said.

'So, it's not a date to celebrate.'

The state government is also withdrawing most of its support from the long-running Victorian Australian Day Ambassadors Program.

The program, where outstanding community members are appointed as Australia Day Ambassadors, will no longer be primarily managed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Ambassadors were sent emails in November informing them it would be up to local councils and communities to organise events featuring them.

A government spokesman said the change was to create local ambassadors that 'reflect and resonate' with their communities.

They said a trial of the decentralised program had received good feedback.

If councils or towns could not find a local ambassador they could still contact the Department of Premier and Cabinet for help.

The National Australia Day Council has approved Victorian government's changes to the Ambassador Program.
Harris County Justice of the Peace Israel B. Garcia, Jr. adjudicates an eviction case Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 in Houston. The Houston Housing Authority's paperwork issues with its voucher program, which uses government subsidies to make housing affordable to people with very low incomes, has led to some tenants facing evictions. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A line forms down the hallway outside Harris County Justice of the Peace (Precinct 5, Place 1) court Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, as persons involved with eviction cases wait to appear before Judge Israel B. Garcia, Jr. in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

This spring, the Houston Housing Authority received a startling allegation against its housing choice voucher program, which uses subsidies to make housing affordable to Houstonians with the lowest incomes.

The tipster said employees had been directed to end the participation of renters in the program without providing a notice of termination. Such notices are crucial for due process because they explain the reason for termination and what recourse is available for tenants and landlords.

The authoritys fraud investigator determined that two employees were responsible for kicking out renters from the program without providing them a termination notice: Rakesha Thomas and Jackee Carney. They were fired, with their disciplinary action forms noting the gravity of this violation and the impact on our clients rights.

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Yet one week later, both were rehired, with the time theyd been fired re-classified as paid administrative leave, ensuring they did not miss any pay.

The employees said they believed the clients were no longer renting affordable apartments, negating the need for termination letters. But Kim Brown, an attorney with the nonprofit Lone Star Legal Aid who has worked with many voucher holders, called the lack of a termination notices egregious because the letters explain what tenants can do to protect their subsidy if a mistake has been made.

It gives them the right to defend themselves, to hire counsel, present evidence, she said. The housing authority waiting list is years long  so if you lose your housing choice voucher, the effects are great.

Voucher program problems

The investigation, firing and rehiring of the two employees occurred as the Houston Housing Authoritys voucher program has drawn scrutiny in a series of audits and a whistleblower lawsuit.

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Auditors have found that the authority has suffered significant paperwork problems every year since 2020, impacting Houstons most vulnerable.

In many cases, the housing authority had failed to go through the proper paperwork process to extend vouchers from one year to the next  putting clients at risk of losing their affordable housing.

The Houston Chronicle found that the housing authoritys paperwork lapses and poor communication led to formerly homeless voucher holders getting evicted from what was meant to be permanent housing.

And a recent audit showed problems with the management of the authoritys long waiting lists, which rarely have openings  a finding that came years after the housing authority investigated multiple employees for moving people to the top of voucher waiting lists in exchange for bribes in 2016.

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The employees did not respond to questions from the Chronicle, but records show they defended their actions. Thomas told the housing authority investigator that she ended vouchers without sending termination letters to cut corners. Carney said she was not aware she needed to send the letter. Both asserted they only did it for clients they believed were no longer in their units.

Why send a (termination) if its clear they are not there? Thomas said, according to the investigators notes.

Investigations aftermath

While the housing authoritys investigation noted that it had compiled a list of tenants whose vouchers had been revoked without a notice of termination, the Houston Housing Authority did not respond to questions about how many clients were on this list.

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The agency also did not say whether it had checked documentation showing whether clients were still in affordable housing; how many affected clients were contacted after the investigation; and whether they were provided any recourse.

Taylor Laredo, who works with voucher holders as a community navigator at the nonprofit Texas Housers, said that even if the employees acted in good faith, they should have followed federal policy.

Whether the employees acted on their own discretion and whether that discretion was in good faith, its still concerning to see employees circumventing policies put in place by (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) for good reason  which is to put guardrails in place.

After the two employees were fired, they appealed and the housing authority reversed itself.

During the appeal process, it became clear that your actions were intended to address significant systemic issues within the Voucher Operations department, wrote Rizvan Quadri, the authoritys director of human resources.

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The employees kept their jobs  but at least one resident was in the dark about why she was being evicted.

No notice of termination

Annette Smith was one of the thousands in Houston who relied on a voucher to make her housing affordable. When she lost her job early this year, she reached out to the housing authority about the change in her income. In the program, clients pay no more than 30% of their income on housing, with federal funds distributed by local housing authorities covering the rest.

The housing authority told her that she would be responsible for Januarys rent, but that it would cover all the rent beginning in February, emails show.

But in May, Smith received a notice that her apartment was readying to file for eviction. She went down to the Houston Housing Authoritys office to figure out what was going on.

Staffers reviewed her case and noticed something they hadnt noticed before  before Smith lost her job, her income was higher than allowed by the program. One employee emailed Thomas noting that for the last two recertifications, Smith had been over the income limit but hadnt been kicked out of the program.

Thomas responded that they could end her voucher. But records show that no notice of termination was subsequently created or sent to Smith, even though by that point, her income had qualified for a voucher for months and she was in dire need of the subsidy.

Without the letter, Smith did not have the chance to appeal the housing authoritys decision, unlike Thomas and Carney. Her landlord filed for an eviction.

In a downtown courtroom, Smith was confused as to what had happened and what her options were.
New York City's new Harvard-educated police commissioner Jessica Tisch was forced to make a crucial decision less than two weeks into the job, as cops searched for the man who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Police officers worked around the clock in the immediate aftermath of the December 4 shooting in midtown Manhattan, combing through any and every video camera in the area, according to the Wall Street Journal.

They also obtained footage through the NYPD's Domain Awareness System - which Tisch previously implemented at the department to give cops real-time access to police cameras, license plate readers and private security cameras around the city.

That footage helped build a timeline of suspected assassin Luigi Mangione's movements before and after the shooting.

Police said he checked into a hostel on November 24 after arriving at Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal on a bus from Atlanta and fled the scene by riding a bicycle through Central Park and escaping through the Port Authority.

The goldmine finally came when Mangione, 26, briefly took off his mask at a Manhattan hostel to flirt with someone.

At that point, Tisch, 43, then had to decide whether to risk releasing the image to the public and risk tipping Mangione off that the cops were zeroing in on him.

But as concern grew that he fled New York City, Tisch and Police Chief Joseph Kenny decided to publish the surveillance picture in hopes someone may recognize him.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch was forced to make a crucial decision less than two weeks into the job as cops searched for the gunman who shot dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Luigi Mangione, 26, is now facing second-degree homicide charges in the case

'We had reason to believe he had left New York City and I wanted to get that photo out to a national audience,' said Tisch, whose family controls the Loews Corp.

The efforts proved successful when staff members and patrons at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania recognized Mangione as the suspect in the photo last Monday.

He was then taken into custody on firearm charges in the state, with police saying he had a 3D-printed pistol and black silencer loaded with one Glock magazine comprising six 9mm full-metal jacket rounds.

New York police officers were later able to match that ammunition with the ones from Thompson's death - when Mangione allegedly labeled 'depose,' 'deny' and 'defend.'

Mangione also reportedly had a manifesto outlining his grievances against UnitedHealthcare.

'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 wrote.

Officers worked around the clock in the immediate aftermath of the December 4 shooting in midtown Manhattan, combing through any and every video camera in the area

The goldmine came when Mangione briefly took off his mask at a Manhattan hostel to flirt

It also reportedly 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.

Police now say they have 'no indication' to suggest Mangione was ever a client of the insurance company.

Chief Kelly, though, noted to NBC New York that the manifesto 'does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America.

'So that's possibly why he targeted the company,' Kelly suggested.

Mangione is now facing second-degree murder charges in New York, and is fighting extradition to the Big Apple.

It is believed he targeted Thompson (pictured) because UnitedHealthcare is the largest insurer in the United States

He has also hired Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former assistant district attorney who helped prosecute the Harvey Weinstein case in New York.

She is 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.'

Meanwhile, New York officials are hoping to get him back with what is called a governor's warrant.

It is 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.
Alejandro Mayorkas' Department of Homeland Security is set to deploy drone detection systems to New Jersey and New York after weeks of drone sightings across the region.

Both Mayorkas and New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the plans, as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer - who represents New York - made the request Sunday.

Hochul wrote: 'In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are sending a drone detection system to New York.'

'I am grateful for the support, but we need more. Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones,' she warned.

Mayorkas, who confirmed the federal government does not have the authority to take out drones in an interview Sunday, said some form of help is coming.

'We understand why residents are concerned. In response and in close coordination with the [New Jersey State Police] and other law enforcement, [Homeland Security] quickly deployed personnel and technology to support.'

He clarified that so far, despite many theories to the contrary, DHS has found no link between the drones and any foreign government.

DHS is also assisting the FBI in their probe into the drones.

Alejandro Mayorkas ' Department of Homeland Security is set to deploy drone detection systems to New Jersey and New York after weeks of drone sightings across the region

Mayorkas clarified that so far, despite many theories to the contrary, DHS has found no link between the drones and any foreign government

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

Schumer pleaded for assistance on Sunday, writing: 'I'm pushing for answers amid these drone sightings. I'm calling for @SecMayorkas to deploy special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ.'

'And I'm working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection,' Schumer added.

Schumer is asking for Robin Radar Systems to provide the drone detection because it is '360-degree technology.'

'If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on, and that's what the Robin does,' he added.

He was retweeted on X by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who wrote to the federal government on Friday himself for assistance.

Schumer wants the federal government to use a recently declassified radio wave technology in New York and New Jersey.

The radio wave detector can be attached to a drone or airplane and can determine whether another flying object is a bird or a drone, read its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place.

Schumer said state and local authorities do not have the authority to track drones.

Because officials cant say with certainty who is responsible for the sudden swarms of drones over parts of New Jersey, New York and other eastern parts of the U.S. - or how they can be stopped - leaders of both political parties have begun to demand better technology and powers to deal with the drones.

Both Mayorkas and New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the plans to use the detection system Sunday

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer - who represents New York - made the request Sunday

'Theres a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,' Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on Fox News Sunday.

''We dont know' is not a good enough answer,' he said.

It comes after President-elect Donald Trump suggested that the unmanned aircraft be shot down.

'Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government's knowledge,' Trump posted on Friday amid outcry over the ongoing mystery.

'I don't think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!' the former and future president wrote on his social media site Truth Social.

Asked whether this was a possibility, Mayorkas told ABC News on Sunday that in order to be able to take more action, his agency needs to be given more powers.

'With respect of the ability to incapacitate those drones, we are limited in our authorities,' Mayorkas told This Week host George Stephanopoulos.

'We have certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security that can do that and outside our department,' he added. 'But we need those authorities expanded, as well.'

Because officials cant say with certainty who is responsible for the sudden swarms of drones over parts of New Jersey, New York and other eastern parts of the U.S. - or how they can be stopped - leaders of both political parties have begun to demand better technology and powers to deal with the drones

Officials in Monmouth County, where residents reported 63 sightings over the time period, have shared a heatmap showing where the unmanned aircraft appear to be circulating

Monmouth County is home to the Naval Weapons Station Earle, a navy base. Experts have mused that foreign powers could be targeting areas like this which harbor intelligence and weapons bases. (Pictured: points of interest in NJ where drones have been seen overhead)

He divulged that there are more than 8,000 drones flown every day in the U.S., including civilian and government for both work and leisure activities.

Mayorkas claims a new law allowing for drones to be flown in the U.S. at night is likely what is leading to an uptick in reports of these sightings.

It appears so far that officials were caught off guard by the mysterious nationwide drone sightings and are working to identify them and address the concern.

Fears are growing over the mysterious objects that have been spotted flying across the sky in a number of U.S. cities in the last month - specifically in New Jersey, New York and Washington D.C.

A whopping 964 incidents have been logged in New Jersey since the first sighting on November 19 up until December 13, according to statistics collected by the state's Office of Emergency Management and shared with the New York Post.

Officials in Monmouth County, where residents reported 63 sightings over the time period, have shared a heatmap showing where the unmanned aircraft appear to be circulating.

Trump suggested on Truth Social that the government start shooting down mysterious drones

Drones are now being reported all along the northern East Coast, with suspicious sightings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to news reports.

They were even spotted as far west as Los Angeles this past weekend, according to FOX11.

Their presence has raised both alarm and confusion, with the Pentagon being criticized for their 'lack of transparency' on the issue.

A bill before the U.S. Senate would enhance some federal agencies authority and give new abilities to local and state agencies to track drones.

It would also start a pilot program allowing states and local authorities to disrupt, disable or seize a drone without prior consent of the operator.

'What the drone issue points out are gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authorities between the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, the Defense Department.,' said Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., Trumps pick to be his national security adviser, speaking on CBS 'Face the Nation' on Sunday.

'Americans are finding it hard to believe we cant figure out where these are coming from.
They have come home aged beyond their years after almost two decades incarcerated in squalid Indonesian jails, some with the threat of death hanging over them.

The five freed Bali Nine traffickers look more like their fathers, with one of them, Scott Rush, unrecognisable from the handsome, fresh-faced youth locked up in 2005.

The five men now face a long rehabilitation after years of an institutionalised existence in which they were told when and what to do, where to go and if they were allowed to speak.

Their learned obedience behind bars comes at a high risk of enduring trauma, given that all five saw two of their original co-accused taken off and shot dead by firing squad.

Rush, who is now aged in his late 30s, perhaps looks the most aged of all the Bali Nine because for years he had the threat of execution hanging over his head too, until his death sentence was commuted.

The five freed Bali Nine plotters, from left: Martin Stephens, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Matthew Norman and Siu Yi Chen watch on as their releases are signed off by Australian and Indonesians officials

Scott Rush, 19, was expelled in Year 10 for a drug incident from a private Catholic boys school and was convicted in Brisbane of drug possession months before his arrest in Bali with 1.3kg of heroin strapped to his body

Michael Czugaj, then 19, quit his job as a glazier in Brisbane and flew to Bali where days later he was arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar with 1.75kg of heroin concealed on his body

Newly-freed Martin Stephens begged at the time of the 2015 executions of ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan: 'Just take me out the back and shoot me.'

A despairing Stephens said that if there was no hope of release or redemption, it was more humane to execute him.

'Isn't 20 years a bad enough penalty? But life means no hope. It means I will die in prison. Can you imagine having to live like that?

'When I think about waking up like that every day, I think it would be better if they took me out the back and put a bullet in the back of my head.'

Stephens would wait another nine years to walk from prison at the age of 48.

He is the oldest of the eight men and one woman who - aged 18 to 28 - threw away their lives on the promise of a quick buck in return for being a heroin mule.

What changed was that in 2015 - when 14 death-row drug offenders were shot dead along with Chan and Sukumaran - President Joko Widodo led Indonesia.

The October 24 election this year of the more moderate regime of President Prabowo Subianto allowed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to swiftly do a deal.

Aged 18, 18 and 20, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen are arrested for heroin at Denpasar airport in the grim beginning of their 19 year ordeal

On Sunday, Indonesia freed Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Rush and Matthew Norman.

After boarding a Jetstar flight to Darwin, the men were reportedly taken to the one-time Covid quarantine facility at Howard Springs.

When and how they will resume life in Australia remains to be seen, but these are now men with receding hairlines, paunches, wrinkles and stress lines who are going home to live with mum and dad.

So who are the 'Bali Five' now back in Australia?

MATTHEW JAMES NORMAN

Norman was just 18-years-old and keen to get his hands on 'easy cash, fast cash' when he was approached and offered $15,000 for a drug trafficking job.

He left school aged 16 because he wanted to work and make money rather than finish his HSC.

He later told ABC News that he had been 'reckless, callous, wanted to cut corners in life'.

Just a naive teenager when he was first locked up in Kerobokan jail, Norman learnt his incarceration had a serious effect on his family back home. One of his sisters became anorexic, another was harassed and his parents received hate mail.

One of just two of the original Bali Nine who remained in Kerobokan until his release, Norman designed T-shirts, bags and posters and kept on applying for a sentence reduction.

But he admitted that every day was 'just a struggle to keep doing good things' amid the 'chaos' of prison.

Matthew Norman sits between Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen and Si Yi Chen of Sydney in a Denpasar District Courtroom for their sentencing in 2006. Nguyen later died of cancer in custody

He has seen one fellow inmate hang himself, and others go 'mental  crazy' and 'I can't fall into that'.

'We are not getting any younger. It would be good to go home soon and start our lives again  start fresh,' Norman said back in 2015.

SCOTT RUSH

Rush grew up in Brisbane's west and attended private Catholic boys' school St Laurence's College from which he was expelled in Year 10 for a drug incident. He reportedly began smoking cannabis aged 15 and used ecstasy and prescription drugs.

Five months before his Bali arrest, in December 2004, Rush pleaded guilty at Inala Magistrates Court to 16 offences including drug possession, fraud, theft and drink-driving.

A warrant for his arrest in Australia was outstanding at the time of his trip to Bali, relating to $4796.95 allegedly stolen from an Australian bank.

Rush, 19, and his Brisbane friend, Michael Czugaj, 18, met Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen in a Fortitude Valley hotel.

Scott Rush with his parents Christine and Lee at Bali Police Headquarters just days after his April 2005 arrest

Nguyen offered them a free holiday to Bali, and Rush a mobile phone.

Rush's father Lee learnt what his son was up to after his departure and alerted the Australian Federal Police in the hope that he could be stopped.

The AFP alerted the Indonesia police who swooped on the group, although the AFP later denied Rush's father was responsible for triggering their actions.

In prison, Rush has struggled with drugs and had several romances.

In May 2011, Rush reportedly planned to marry an American girlfriend, Karen Hermiz, and in 2014 London banker, Nikki Butler.

In 2010 while on death row, Rush was reportedly circumcised in the musholla (prayer space) of Kerobokan prison by a visitor in clandestine ceremony, an alleged effort to convert to Islam.

He allegedly changed his name to 'Scott Sulaiman'.

However, Rush afterwards maintained that he was a Christian and that he underwent the procedure for 'health reasons'.

A visiting psychiatrist later described Rush as 'anxious, thought disordered and confused', and that his actions were categorised as symptomatic of 'death row phenomenon'.

'He is an anxious, lonely and terrified young man. He is trying to find understanding in a world that no longer makes sense,' the unnamed psychiatrist said.

After his death penalty was transmuted to a life sentence, Rush was transferred at his request to a prison in Karangasem, East Bali, in 2014 in order 'to improve himself'.

MICHAEL WILLIAM CZUGAJ

Before going to Bali, Czugaj was an apprentice glazier, keen surfer, and one of eight children born to Polish-Australian parents living in Oxley, Brisbane.

He was also a minor criminal who had 14 convictions for offences including train fare evasion, wilful damage, drink-driving and receiving stolen property.

Between 2003 and his April 2005 Bali arrest, Czugaj appeared on several occasions in Brisbane Magistrates Court.

He left his job as a glazier in March 2005, telling his family that he was going to Cairns for a holiday. Czugaj's parents said he was a 'problem child' but had never been in serious trouble and had no drug history.

Michael Czugaj in a holding cell at the Denpasar court in Bali (left) with Martin Stephens (right) and being visited by their mothers, Vicki Czugaj and Michelle Stephens while awaiting their sentencing

His father, Steven, had no idea that his son had a passport, saying 'the kid's got no money  this must have all been arranged, I don't know how or by whom'.

While in Kerobokan prison, Czugaj studied business management behind bars and had a relationship with girlfriend Lena, a beautician.

His mother, Vicki, visited him each year, travelling from Brisbane and staying for two weeks to see her son.

SI YI CHEN

Chen had just turned 20 when he was approached in Brisbane to take part in the Bali heroin drug plot.

He had moved from China to Australia at the age of 12 and was a shy boy fearful of being mocked for his Chinese accent.

His family was typical traditional Chinese, hard working, strict, and insistent he stay home and study.

By his late teens however, Chen was 'stubborn' with a 'huge ego' and rebelled against his father by refusing to go to university.

The remaining Bali 9 drug traffickers were haunted by the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran (above, one of their coffins), especially Scott Rush who had also been sentenced to die

He argued with his parents and moved out of home and in with friends, the ABC reported.

But he needed money and believed he would 'always get away with it' because he was young.

His father blamed himself for Si Yi taking part in the Bali Nine plot.

Bali's Kerobokan jail where the Bali 9 spent half their lives in squalid conditions

In Kerobokan Prison, Chen started Mule Jewels, a silver jewellery-making program in partnership with a local company which trained inmates in silversmithing.

He practised tai chi, meditation and reportedly became a Christian.

In 2015, Chen told the ABC the deaths of Chan and Sukumaran by the firing squad was like losing family members.

'I feel I'm still alive and they're not and also feel disappointed and (it) also affected my mindset at that time, like, what's the point?' he said.

He planned to become a counsellor to troubled young adults if he was ever released.

MARTIN ERIC STEPHENS

Stephens, from Towradgi, south of Sydney, worked as a bartender at Eurest, a catering company, along with other Bali Nine members Renae Lawrence and Matthew Norman.

Their supervisor was Andrew Chan, who presented the heroin smuggling plan to the three.

What Chan didn't reveal was that he was also involved in two other heroin smuggling operations, one out of Brisbane and another from Hong Kong to Sydney.

All would come unstuck, but on April 6, 2005 Stephens and Lawrence left Australia.

Martin Stephens marries Indonesian woman Christine Winarni Puspayanti in 2011 behind bars inside Kerobokan jail

Their baggage was packed with sealable plastic bags, medical tape, elastic waist bands and bike shorts supplied the day before by Sukumaran.

Eleven days later, they strapped heroin to their bodies, covered the drugs with waist bands or bike shorts and large tourist shirts, and made their last free but fateful trip to the airport.

Just months after his arrest, Stephens met Indonesian woman Christine Winarni Puspayanti, who was visiting Kerobokan jail as part of a church group.

He proposed to her in late 2006 and the pair married in Kerobokan in a traditional Indonesian-style wedding in April 2011.

However in 2014, Stephens and Bali Nine cohort, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, were accused of violating prison rules and transferred to a prison 400km away in Malang, East Java.
Christmas cards and notes sent by Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales have been sold at auction for more than 12,000.

Royal memorabilia sold in the 1970s-1990s collection included a signed Christmas card from Charles and Diana, a personal thank-you note from the princess and a 1993 letter from the then-Prince of Wales that sold for 1,900.

A humorous note written by the late Queen to photographer Alan Maxwell, a specialist at London's Wallace H Eaton Ltd who were official suppliers to the royal family, telling him her dogs had eaten a picture was also sold.

It read: 'Please check the print with the negatives to find out which is missing - eaten by the puppies - ER'.

Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire sold the photographs and notes sent to Mr Maxwell, who helped the royal family choose the images for their Christmas cards for decades.

Mr Maxwell died 15 years ago and the collection was brought to the auctioneer this summer after being discovered in a cardboard box.

The note from Diana read: 'Dear Mr Maxwell, a very special thank you for coming to our rescue at such short notice!

'I did appreciate enormously the speed in which the photographs arrived here and am only sorry for the trouble we must have caused! Yours most sincerely, Diana.'

A Queen Elizabeth II & HRH The Duke of Edinburgh signed Christmas card from 1988

Photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales, which have been sold at auction alongside cards and notes sent by Queen Elizabeth II, for more than 12,000

This signed card from Diana, Princess of Wales reads 'Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year' dated 1996

The letter from Charles said: 'Dear Mr Maxwell, I just wanted to thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into producing possible Christmas cards for me this year.

'I couldn't be more pleased with what you have achieved from some pretty unpromising material!

'I thought you did wonders in interpreting my ideas of having a card made up of three small pictures, and only narrowly preferred the group version in the end. I only hope it is appreciated by several thousand recipients.

'I am sorry that my ridiculously congested programme meant that you had a fruitless journey to London and that I did not have an opportunity to congratulate you in person, but did want you to know how grateful I am for all you have done on this and other projects.

'What on Earth would I do without you?! Yours sincerely, Charles.'

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: 'Buyers from the UK, the USA and Europe competed for these wonderful finds.

A note written by the late Queen Elizabeth II to photographer Alan Maxwell, a specialist at London's Wallace H Eaton Ltd who were official suppliers to the royal family, telling him her dogs had eaten a picture

Pictured: Lot 431 - Diana, Princess of Wales, signed 1995 Christmas card 250-350

A Christmas card by the then Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales

A note from Diana, Princess of Wales, to photographer Alan Maxwell, as Christmas cards and notes sent by Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales, have been sold at auction for more than 12,000

Letters from King Charles III, then HRH Prince of Wales, relating to assistance with royal Christmas cards

'Mr Maxwell assisted the royal family for decades. He was a man of absolute discretion.

'As well as managing general photo requests, he printed and framed Christmas cards.

'In a digital age it's easy to forget people had to send off films to be developed.

'The royal family, among the most-photographed people in the world, relied on Mr Maxwell for their photographic needs, and he was a perfectionist.'
Oscar Pistorius and his new girlfriend are said to have connected over tragedy in their lives as mystery still surrounds a devastating drowning at her brother's bachelor party.

Pistorius, 38, is said to have found new love just months after being released from prison on parole having served nine years for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his South African home in 2013.

Sources close to the former athlete say he has entered a romantic relationship with Rita Greyling, 33, a business management consultant from Wakkerstroom in Mpumulanga.

New love Rita's family also made headlines when in late 2022 her brother Ghini Greyling was involved in a fatal incident at Henbase Lodge, Morgenzon.

According to local reports, Willem Kruger attended Ghini's bachelor party in November 2022, when he disappeared and was found dead nine days later.

The 29-year-old farmer, who was to be a groomsman at Ghini's wedding, was found by police in his his white Toyota truck which was submerged in the Vaal River next to the lodge.

In December 2023, police said its investigations had shifted from an accidental drowning into a murder inquiry.

Investigators are said to be stumped on various parts of the case including where the keys were recovered from and the damage to the truck following the amount of time it was supposedly underwater, the George Herald reports.

According to local reports, Willem Kruger attended Ghini Greyling (pictured) bachelor party in November 2022, when he disappeared to be found was found dead nine days later

The 29-year-old farmer, who was to be a groomsman at Ghini's (pcitured) wedding, was found by police in his his white Toyota which was submerged in the Vaal River next to the lodge

Pistorius, 38, is said to have found new love in Ghini's sister Rita Greyling

Pistorius still insists he killed Reeva Steenkamp (left) by mistake and has now found a new partner that eerily resembles his ex (right)

The report add that the search was put on hold the following weekend to host a wedding at the lodge with the truck then being found in the same location divers had already searched.

Investigations continue into the death with many questions still remaining unanswered.

Friends said that the tragedies surrounding both the Pistorius and Greyling families drew them together and their reported romance marks a fresh start for both.

Rita has a successful career as a business management consultant and Pistorius is trying to rebuild his life after his release into his rich uncle's care.

A source close to Pistorius said: 'He is trying to rebuild his life in a low-key way and avoids bars and restaurants and the general public and is flying under the radar.

'He is slowly trying to reintegrate into society but that is being done through families that his family have been close to for decades and is slowly slowly.

'The word on the street for three months now is that he is dating again' she said.

The double amputee dubbed 'Blade Runner' for the prosthetics he used to compete in the Olympics and Paralympics murdered Reeva in his bathroom.

He still insists he killed the 29-year-old law graduate and model by mistake and has now found a new partner that eerily resembles his ex.

South African model Reeva Steenkamp was killed by ex-Paralympian Pistorius more than a decade ago. Pictured in 2012

Upon hearing the news, Reeva's mother June warned Rita Greyling that her new boyfriend 'still has a problem with anger'.

Upon hearing the news of Pistorius's new girlfriend, Reeva's mother June warned the 33-year-old that her new boyfriend 'still has a problem with anger'.

Speaking to The Sun, the 78-year-old said: 'I don't understand how she doesn't see a red flag about him because he has not lost his temper problem.

'He was supposed to be under anger management when he was in jail and at one stage I stopped him coming out because I was annoyed that he wasn't having treatment.'

Pistorius claimed he woke in the early hours thinking a burglar was breaking in unaware his girlfriend Reeva was in the loo.

He fired repeated shots through the door killing her instantly with special 'dum dum' bullets but Reeva's family have always claimed it was intentional.

The horrific shooting on Valentine's Day 2013 shocked the world and led to him being jailed for culpable homicide which was later upgraded to murder.

Pistorius was released into a media storm when he was granted parole on January 5, 2024 and has fallen in love again since returning to the normal world.

Sources close to the couple have confirmed to Netwerk24 that Pistorius and Greyling are in a romantic relationship though details are being kept strictly private.

June, who founded the Reeva Steenkamp Foundation Against The Abuse of Women and Children, said it was 'painful' to see her daughter's killer back in a relationship, adding that she was 'worried' for her.

Oscar Pistorius leaves the Department of Correctional Services offices on April 22, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa

New love Rita's family have also made headlines when in late 2022 her brother Ghini was involved in a devastating incident at Henbase Lodge, Morgenzon

Friends said that the tragedies surround both the Pistorius and Greyling families drew them together

Rita has a successful career as business management consultant and Pistorius is trying to rebuild his life after his release into his rich uncle's care

A source close to Pistorius said: 'He is trying to rebuild his life in a low-key way and avoids bars and restaurants and the general public and is flying under the radar

Convicted killer Oscar Pistorius is said to have found new love with a stunning blonde just months after being released from a tough prison on parole. Rita is pictured

Pistorius's new romance with Rita (pictured) comes more than ten years after the horrific Valentine's Day shooting

Pistorius was granted parole and was released on January 5, 2024. Pictured in 2012 with Reeva

Pistorius is now living in a cottage in the grounds of his multi-millionaire uncle Arnold's secure mansion and is doing volunteer work at a Dutch Reform Church nearby.

His sentence ends in 2029 and as on parole is subject to checks from the Department of Corrections at any time of day to check his residence test for alcohol and drugs.

He is not allowed out of the immediate area without informing the local police force and is not allowed a firearm or any contact with Reeva Steenkamp's mum or sister.

Pistorius is said to have difficulty finding work with pals saying employers see him as 'toxic' so volunteers at the church used by his family cleaning and sweeping.
This is the moment a car pulled up outside a church before a mother in her 40s was shot dead in a drive-by shooting while attending a wake.

One woman was left dead and two men in their 30s injured during the shooting in Harlesden, north-west London, on Saturday night.

Police have launched a murder investigation following the 'truly shocking' incident and there is an ongoing manhunt for the gunman.

A chilling clip shows a black car turn into the road before stopping in front of the waiting crowd. Gunshots are then heard.

Pastor Lawrence Larbie, of the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, said there was a wake going on inside the church which was due to finish at 10pm. But at around 9.15pm people began rushing into the building saying 'there's been a shooting'.

He told the newspaper: 'The car just drove through. The victims were people attending the wake. They were probably on their way home.'

Pastor Larbie said he was 'devestated' by the news, adding 'you are invited to attend the wake and you end up deceased. You're killed. You're gone. You're life is expired just like that.'

Paying tribute to the woman, who has not been named, a friend described her as 'brilliant'.

A grab showing the car approaching the mourners at the wake before gunshots are heard

A woman in her 40s has been tragically killed and a man critically injured after a triple shooting, with police launching a manhunt for the gunman

The shooting happened in Brent, north-west London on Saturday night, the Met Police said

The scene on Gifford Road following the triple shooting on Saturday

She told The Sun: 'She was a light in all of our lives. She adored her children and worked hard to give them a happy life.'

Officers rushed to the scene on Gifford Road at 9.15pm, along with the London Ambulance Service.

A woman in her 40s was found injured and despite the efforts of the emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other men, both aged in their 30s, were also hurt in what the police labelled a 'heinous act of violence'. One remains in hospital in a critical condition and the other's injuries are not life threatening.

Witnesses told MailOnline today that they heard multiple gunshots and a woman 'screaming'.

One neighbour, a 40-year-old mother of five, said: 'Last night we were inside our house and we heard a woman screaming, crying and shouting around 9pm.

'And then all our neighbours ran out and then police and ambulance started coming and we could hear the sirens.

'Our neighbours said they heard gunshots and that the shooting happened outside.

'We've lived here for 17 years and never seen anything like this.

'It's really bad this is happening in our community. Our youngest, a nine-year-old, slept in our bed because he was so scared.'

A woman who worked at a nearby church said she was in a service at around 8.30pm when she heard gunshots.

'The music was really loud so I heard "pow pow pow",' she said. 'I could hear crying and screaming and shouting.

'I went outside and saw that a woman in her 40s was injured. I wanted to perform CPR on her but I was so scared that the gunman would kill me.

'Then five or six minutes later the ambulance arrived but it was too late.'

A resident of nearby Creukhorne Road, who did not wish to be named, said they heard five gunshots in a row.

Meanwhile another man who lives near the scene of the fatal shooting described the incident as 'pandemonium'.

He said: 'I was inside the church and someone came in and said there had been a shooting. I looked outside and it was pandemonium.'

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Police forensic officers at the scene on Gifford Road, Brent

Another neighbour, who has lived in the area since 2008, said her daughter had come home just 10 minutes before the shooting.

The woman added the victim did not live in the area.

She said: 'My daughter came though the door 10 minutes before it happened.

'My son thought there were fireworks, then I heard my neighbour screaming and I realised there was a shooting.

'It's crazy, it's sad. It's scary, it does not feel safe.

A neighbour, who lives on a road in Brent where three people were shot on Saturday night said people had been at a wake in a nearby church.

'People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.

'I heard a lot of crying and screaming.'

Tom Joyce, 72, who lives less than 100 metres from where the shooting took place, said: 'Last night at around 9.30pm while I was watching television I heard loads of police sirens and saw a police car. I didn't hear any gun shots.

'I looked at my window and I saw maybe a dozen young people - teenagers - running up and down the street.

'I got up this morning at 7am and I was tidying the street and I saw all the police cars and saw it was all cordoned off.

He added: 'We are well used to that [shootings] here. There was a shooting over there a few years ago. The problem round here is we have no police force.'

Road closures remain in place around the scene today as police continue to gather evidence.

There have been no arrests and enquiries into the circumstances continue.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit which covers Brent, said: 'This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

'I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

Police officers at the scene on Gifford Road, Brent, after a woman died

'If you were in or around Gifford Close at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us.

'A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.'

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or 'X' @MetCC and quote CAD7137/14Dec. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church on Gifford Road is behind the police cordon.
In worrying news for Anthony Albanese, voters see Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as the stronger leader who has a clearer vision for Australia, according to the latest polling.

A Freshwater Strategy poll published by the Australian Financial Review on Monday showed Mr Dutton was judged to be a strong leader by 44 per cent of the voters surveyed, compared to just 31 per cent for Mr Albanese.

This apparently showed the Coalition's tactics of constantly referring to Mr Albanese as a 'weak leader' was paying dividends.

Even more alarmingly for Labor, Mr Dutton also had significant leads on a number of other positive attributes, which 1051 voters were asked to assign to him and Mr Albanese in the poll conducted over the weekend.

Mr Dutton outscored Mr Albanese in 10 out of 12 qualities, including having 10-point gaps in having 'a clear vision for Australia' and paying 'attention to detail'.

The Liberal leader also had strong nine-point leads over Mr Albanese when voters nominated which men 'would be good in a crisis', are a 'good problem solver' and 'can get things done'.

Voters also strongly credited Mr Dutton as 'understanding the problems facing Australia' and for being 'hardworking' compared to Mr Albanese.

When asked which leader shared their values and displayed 'trustworthiness' Mr Dutton still enjoyed narrow three and two-point leads.

There has been more worrying polling for Anthony Albanese with Peter Dutton being rated a 'stronger leader'

The only qualities where Mr Albanese led over Mr Dutton were being 'in touch with ordinary people' and he also had an eight-point buffer on 'would be easy to speak to'.

Mr Dutton has opened a substantial lead on Mr Albanese in overall approval ratings, although neither leader is in positive territory, with more voters disapproving of the jobs both men are doing.

Net approval (approval minus disapproval) rating for Mr Dutton sits at minus three compared to Mr Albanese's minus-17.

However, Mr Albanese has a slight lead over Mr Dutton as preferred prime minister, 46 per cent to 43 per cent, while the Coalition is leading Labor 51 to 49 on a two-party-preferred basis, which was the same result as the previous month.

If this split is repeated at next year's federal election it would most likely lead to a minority government.

Separate polling conducted earlier this month by Accent Research and the RedBridge Group showed the Coalition to be in the box seat to form that government.

Liberal leader Peter Dutton (pictured left with wife Kirilly) has opened a substantial net approval rating lead on Mr Albanese

Seat-by-seat analysis showed Mr Albanese's government had 'near zero' chance of retaining its majority in the House of Representatives with Coalition set to snatch at least nine electorates.

The polling reported by the Daily Telegraph showed NSW would be a crucial election battleground, with five seats likely to change hands and another seven teetering.

In Victoria, the polling showed the Coalition would likely to claim at least one seat from Labor with another too close to call.

Labor was also in danger of losing at least one seat in other states and territories.

RedBridge found the Coalition's strategy of targeting outer suburban and regional seats hit hard by cost of living increases was resonating with voters.

The perception of Mr Albanese as a 'weak leader' was also reflected in a Newspoll published by The Australian last week.

Just 44 per cent of the 1258 voters polled believed the Prime Minister is a 'strong and decisive leader'  a five point slump since previous surveys.

It's also the lowest rating for a sitting prime minister since Newspoll began asking voters following Kevin Rudd's election win in 2007.

Mr Dutton, on the other hand, was considered decisive by a steady 60 per cent of voters surveyed.

It's the highest percentage for a federal opposition leader since Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull more than a decade ago.

Just 44 per cent of the 1258 voters polled believed the Prime Minister was a 'strong and decisive leader'  a five point slump since previous surveys.

It's also the lowest rating for a sitting prime minister since Newspoll began asking voters following Kevin Rudd's election win in 2007.

Mr Dutton, on the other hand, was considered decisive by a steady 60 per cent of voters surveyed.

It's the highest percentage for a federal opposition leader since Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull more than a decade ago.

If Mr Albanese loses government after just one term in office, it will be the first time this has happened since 1932 when James Scullin led Labor to a shattering defeat during the economic misery of the Great Depression.
'Colossal' explosions have filled the skies in Syria as Israeli strikes are said to have targeted military sites in the 'the heaviest strikes' in the area for more than a decade - with blasts which registered on earthquake sensors.

A war monitor group said that Israeli strikes had targeted military sites in Syria's coastal Tartus region.

'Israeli warplanes launched strikes' targeting a series of sites including air defence units and 'surface-to-surface missile depots', said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in what it said were 'the heaviest strikes in Syria's coastal region since the start of strikes in 2012'.

It has been claimed that the explosion was so large, it measured as a magnitude 3.0 on seismic sensors.

Tartus has been the location of one of Russia's two military bases in Syria and was used as a naval base, as well as an ammunition depot.

The huge explosion, as well as secondary explosions, may indicate the presence of a large volume of stored armaments.

Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed a huge bright flash followed by several explosions which sent an enormous mushroom cloud of smoke into the air.

Russia's foreign ministry earlier today said it had evacuated some of its diplomatic staff from Syria, a week after the fall of the nation's dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Social media posts on Twitter showing what is believed to be Israeli air strikes near Tartus in north-western Syria

The huge explosions are believed to show Israeli strikes over Tartus on the Syrian coast

Tartus was the location of a huge Russian navy base and munitions depot in Syria

According to researcher Richard Cordaro the blast was detected by a magnetometer station 820km away in Isnik in western Turkiye.

He added that the signal had travelled about 'as twice as fast' as that of a typical earthquake.

A naval military base was first established by the Soviet Union in Tartus in 1971.

Until 2017 the facility was classed as a 'Material-Technical Support Point' rather than a base, and is Russia's only entrance point to the Mediterranean.

The centre was used for the delivery of armaments and supplies as Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2015.

Putin ordered the base's expansion in 2017, after Assad gave a 49-year lease on the facility free-of-charge in exchange for helping keep him in power.

Russia also operated a base at Hmeimim in 2015, repurposing an existing civilian airport near the port city of Latakia.

The facility believed to be well protected, with security perimeters and air defences that have a range of up to 250 kilometres (155 miles), according to Russian state media.

While the Russian army doesn't publish deployment numbers, analysts believe the number of soldiers stationed there significantly decreased following Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

On Wednesday, a Kremlin spokesperson had said Moscow was in contact with the new authorities in Syria regarding their bases' future.

The air strikes now raise more questions about the future of the Russian assets in the country, including the Hmeimim military airfield.

Following an 11-day offensive, a rebel coalition dominated by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Al-Assad, who fled to Russia along with his family.

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.

JUST IN:  Israel continues to conduct airstrikes in Syria. pic.twitter.com/06nQDxz3Fw  BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) December 15, 2024

The huge explosion sent a large cloud of smoke into the air and reportedly set off seismometers

According to researcher Richard Cordaro the blast was detected by a magnetometer station 820km away in Isnik in western Turkiye

The former president had to be persuaded by Russian intelligence that he would lose the fight and to leave the country as opposition forces marched on Damascus.

Well-placed sources told Bloomberg yesterday that talks were already underway to ensure Russian forces could remain at the naval port in Tartus - Russia's only Mediterranean port.

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.

It comes after the US held direct talks with rebel forces and insisted the incoming government must destroy the country's chemical weapons.

Alongside its campaign in Syria, Israel staged fresh attacks on Lebanon, while a mother and her five-year-old daughter were among the dead after a municipal meeting in central Gaza was apparently targeted. The IDF said the air strike killed a key Hamas member.

Naim Qassem, the head of the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group, urged the new Syrian regime not to normalise relations with Israel, adding that the Lebanese armed group had lost its supply route through Syria.

Earlier last week, Geir Pedersen, the United Nations' special envoy for Syria, said that Israeli airstrikes in Syria were a 'very troubling development' and needed to stop.
The founder of a 'socialist apparel' brand has created a deck of cards featuring what he calls the 'most wanted CEOs,' complete with their names and faces, and decorated with an illustration of a gun range target.

James Harr, the founder of Comrade Workwear, has been calling for his followers to take down more corporate executives in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4.

He then announced on his social media pages Saturday that he is planning on selling a deck of cards bearing the names and faces of some of the world's most well-known CEOs.

Harr said he got the idea from one of his more than 100,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, who was inspired by the 'most wanted Iraqi' cards distributed to US forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The point of those cards, he explained, was to help soldiers 'find and do what they needed to do' to the featured targets.

Harr went on to list some well-known business executives - whom DailyMail.com is declining to identify - that may be included in the deck, as he asked his followers to help him come up with more.

'I'm actively making this playing card set - 52 CEOs,' he said in the video posted to social media.

'I have a list, but if anyone has someone exceptional that they want to toss in the ring, let me know,' Harr continued, adding that the deck would be available for preorder in the 'next few days.'

James Harr, the founder of Comrade Workwear, announced on Saturday that he is planning on selling a deck of cards bearing the names and faces of some of the world's most well-known CEOs

He named the deck the 'Most Wanted CEOs' deck, which he said should be available for preorder Sunday night

He then asked in his Instagram Stories what he should call the deck - with 'Most Wanted CEOs' receiving the most votes at 40 percent.

Other contenders included 'Target Practice' which received 31 percent of the votes, and 'Eat the Rich' which garnered 29 percent.

Harr then suggested the 'Target Acquired' deck, which 64 percent of his followers apparently liked.

But in a follow-up video, Harr apparently went with his first choice of 'Most Wanted CEOs' as he showed off a preliminary design for the deck, featuring a red gun range silhouette on the back.

Each card would then include a black-and-white photo of a CEO with their name, the company they are in charge of and a QR code under the heading 'Why they are Evil,' which Harr would lead to a page outlining their apparent sins.

The CEOs would be separated into different suits for different industries, with Clubs representing the business executives of pharmaceutical and chemical companies, and Hearts representing 'things you need to survive' like retail and real estate.

Diamonds, meanwhile, would feature CEOs in 'tech, finance and media,' and Spades would depict executives in the 'oil and war' industries.

Harr has since finalized the design and the list of CEOs to be included, and would be putting them up for preorder by Sunday night, he told DailyMail.com.

The announcement comes in the aftermath of the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (pictured)

Thompson was gunned down in midtown Manhattan on December 4

He said he is now going to start reaching out to manufacturers, and hopes to have them available within the next six to eight weeks.

A price for the deck is yet to be determined, based on production costs, Harr said.

But the socialist, who has criticized the CEOs for their immense wealth and profits, declined to give a straight answer when asked if he will be keeping his monetary profits from selling the deck of controversial cards.

He told DailyMail.com: 'As for these, who knows if I actually make money from them.

'All labor has value, and I make sure that my supply chains are ethical and fair,' he explained, noting that 'Comrade is a one-man army.'

'By definition, I can't profit because I don't have workers I exploit. Im a worker with thousands [in] student debt and I would love if I can make something that people love, that advances the cause, but which also can move me out of financial precarity.'

Harr also noted that he has 'not and do not condone physical acts of violence and have never asked anyone to commit those acts.'

Many of his followers, though, seem interested in purchasing a deck, with one even lamenting that her 'only complaint is that these will not be ready in time for Christmas.'

Others also offered to help, as one of his followers asked if he needed 'someone to research their home addresses,' while another suggested he make another deck 'for good guys like Luigi [Mangione] too.'

But the cards are just Harr's latest reaction to Thompson's death.

Last Monday, Harr shared a graphic on his Instagram, reading: 'The CEO Must Die'

In a video posted to TikTok the day of the shooting, Harr shared a photo of the CEO of Blue Cross Blue Anthem, saying 'it's wild' that the company announced it would no longer pay for anesthesia for the entire duration of a surgery.

'I would just like to give people a jumping off point... to do research,' he said hours after Thompson's death.

'Just for research, you know, send her a letter, um ask her how her day is doing, umm just you know, for whatever.'

In an Instagram post last Monday, Harr also posted a graphic reading, 'The CEO must die' and saying it is 'time to take back our wealth, our communities, our power.

'The CEO is more than an individual, it is a figurehead of the capitalist order. It is a stand-in for shareholders and... the vehicle by which capitalists enact their agenda on the workforce.

'When we say the CEO must die, we mean the structure of capitalism must be broken. Destroy their world to create a world for the worker. Made by us and for us. To serve us and our loved ones. To put our work, towards a world that we decide.'

He reiterated that message to DailyMail.com.

'I know this is controversial, but the recent events have made it clear to many that there's a small group of people that are profiting off the suffering of the poor and working class,' Harr said.

'They know when they decide to gut safety protocols workers will die, they know that denying coverage will kill people they know this and still decide that profit is more important than our well being, more important than our very lives.

'I am not suggesting physical violence on anyone, but I do think that we should be informed on who is making those decisions. I want people to know we can build a different world, where the people win.

'I want to make it clear that violence isnt just a guy shooting someone in the street. Violence is all decisions that the rich make that sacrifice us on the altar of profit.'

Luigi Mangione, 26, is facing second-degree murder charges in Thompson's death

Meanwhile, Mangione, 26, is facing second-degree murder charges in New York for Thompson's death at point-blank range.

He is fighting extradition to the Big Apple and has hired Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former assistant district attorney who helped prosecute the Harvey Weinstein case.

She is 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.'

But New York officials are hoping to get Mangione back with what is called a governor's warrant.

It is 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.
Children are among those who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in a northern Gaza town, as the death tolls from the horrific onslaught in the Gaza Strip reaches 45,000.

The airstrike hit the Khalil Aweida school in the town of Beit Hanoun and killed at least 15 people, according to nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital where casualties were taken.

The dead included two parents and their daughter and a father and his son, the hospital said.

And in Gaza City, at least 17 people including six women and five children were killed in three airstrikes that hit houses sheltering displaced people, according to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.

'We woke up to the strike. I woke up with the rubble on top of me,' said Yahia al-Yazji. 'I found my wife with her head and skull visible, and my daughter's intestines were gone. My wife was three months pregnant.'

Israel's military said in a statement it struck a 'terrorist cell' in Gaza City and a 'terrorist meeting point' in the Beit Hanoun area.

Another Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian journalist working for Al Jazeera, Ahmed al-Lawh, in central Gaza, a hospital and the Qatari-based TV station said.

The strike hit a point for Gaza's civil defence agency in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, Al-Awda Hospital said.

A person reacts following an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip December 15, 2024

The airstrike hit the Khalil Aweida school in the town of Beit Hanoun and killed at least 15 people

A person carries a casualty following an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip December 15, 2024

Also killed were three civil defence workers including the local head of the agency, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital. The civil defence is Gaza's main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

'We, the civil defence, are carrying out humanitarian work like in any country in the world. Why are we being targeted?' said Kerem Al Dalou.

Israel's military said it struck a militant command centre embedded in the civil defence offices.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas and other militants from Gaza stormed southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking well over 200 hostage.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed almost 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry's count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but it says more than half of the dead have been women and children.

Most of Gaza's population of some two million has been displaced, often multiple times. The hospitals that are still functioning say they lack medicines, fuel and other basic supplies, while aid groups warn of widespread hunger.

The head of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, told CBS on Sunday that the UN agency was able to get just two trucks of supplies into Gaza in November, citing insecurity there.

'We need a ceasefire, and we need it now,' she said. 'We can no longer sit by and just allow these people to starve to death.'

Palestinians check the site of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip December 15, 2024

Palestinians inspect the site after an Israeli airstrike hit a UNRWA-run school sheltering displaced people, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, 15 December 2024

Displaced Palestinians shelter at a tent camp, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, December 15, 2024

Israel said Sunday it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorated over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials said new Israeli airstrikes killed over 46 people including several children.

The decision to close the embassy came in response to what Israel's foreign minister has described as Ireland's 'extreme anti-Israel policies.' In May, Israel recalled its ambassador to Dublin after Ireland announced, along with Norway, Spain and Slovenia, it would recognize a Palestinian state.

The Irish Cabinet last week decided to formally intervene in South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel denies it.

'We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimized,' said Ireland's foreign affairs minister, Micheal Martin.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's statement on the embassy closure said 'Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.'

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the decision to close the embassy 'deeply regrettable.' He added on X: 'I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.'

The head of the World Food Program, Cindy McCain, told CBS on Sunday that the U.N. agency was able to get just two trucks of supplies into Gaza in November, citing insecurity there.

'We need a ceasefire, and we need it now,' she said. 'We can no longer sit by and just allow these people to starve to death.'
Passengers make their way to check in at the C Terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 in Houston. United expects more than 50,000 passengers, operating more than 400 flights a day through Houston, during the holiday season, a United spokesperson said. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Dominyk and Brittanee Brown are navigating the airport as it is their first time traveling with their two-month-old daughter, Brielle Brown, at Terminal C Friday, Dec. 24, 2021, at George Bush International Airport in Houston. The Browns, a military family, spent time with family before Christmas for the first time in three years, and were traveling back to a military base in Verginia. Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Passengers stand in line at a TSA checkpoint ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Travel for Christmas is expected to be near pre-pandemic levels. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Houston airports may see their busiest travel day of the 2024 Christmas and New Year's travel period on Friday, with a projected 207,000 passengers.

Officials anticipate 3.4 million passengers to come through Houston airports during the holiday travel period, up 7% from last year. George Bush Intercontinental Airport may see about 2.7 million travelers, with 2 million domestic fliers. William P. Hobby Airport anticipates 755,000 passengers, with 707,000 domestic travelers, airport officials said.

The Christmas and New Year's travel period, between Dec. 19 and Jan. 6, is expected to see more passengers than the 2.2. million during the Thanksgiving travel period.

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In November, Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports, said Thanksgiving tends to have more travel on the domestic side, while Christmas has a combination of domestic friends and family travel.

"We had a record Thanksgiving and we're going to have a record Christmas, so that means your traditional holiday travel," he said in a video provided by the Houston Airport System.

TRAVEL BUSINESS: Houston Airport System positions Space City to be leader in U.S. aerospace innovation

Airport officials anticipate the busiest days of the Christmas and New Year's travel period will be Thursday with 206,000 travelers, 207,000 on Friday, 204,000 on Sunday, 205,000 on Dec. 26 and 201,000 on Dec. 29. Air travel may be lower on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Jan. 4, with travelers under 160,000 mark.

"The holiday season is one of the most important times of year for travelers, and Houston Airports is delivering a premiere experience that puts passengers first," Szczesniak said.

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The airports have initiated a new Cashless Parking System, rolled out before Thanksgiving, which includes license plate readers at some parking areas in IAH and Hobby.

International travelers will also be able to use the International Arrivals Curb, a new pick-up area with eight lanes to alleviate traffic at IAH's exit. There are currently six lanes opened before the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel, and airport officials are expecting the last two lanes to be opened in January 2025.

Hobby modernized its Transportation Security Administration screening with Smiths Detection equipment, which enables passengers to keep approved liquids and laptops inside of a carry-on bag, according to the release. There are also new information kiosks on both ends of the security area that assist travelers in navigating the airport.

IAH and Hobby have the Sunflower Lanyard Program for passengers with non-visible disabilities to get the support needed from the staff. A new sensory room was opened in Terminal D of IAH before the holidays for neurodivergent people.

AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION: IAH opening new pick-up area this weekend as Moon RACER buggy does test run

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"As millions of people prepare to connect with loved ones or explore nonstop destinations around the globe, were focused on the details that matter streamlining traffic, enhancing amenities and providing Houston-friendly hospitality at every touchpoint. This commitment not only supports our passengers but also drives a significant economic impact for the region," Szczesniak said.

Here are some tips Houston airports provided for travelers planning to take a flight during the holiday travel period:

Reserve parking online at least 12 hours in advance to secure a spot

Arrive early to navigate parking, ticketing and TSA security lines

Stay aware of traffic conditions, such as other construction and increased holiday travel, that could impact drive times to IAH

Use the app to allow travelers to reserve parking, monitor TSA wait times and locate dining options

United Airlines is anticipating a surge during the holiday travel in Houston, with 500 flights per day at IAH, the airline said in a release. Nationwide, the airline anticipates more than 9.9 million travelers during the Christmas and New Year's travel period, a 12% increase compared with last year.

United also reported that many passengers will travel to international destinations such as Cancun, Mexico City and Costa Rica.

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American Airlines is expecting 12.7 million customers across more than 118,000 flights nationally, according to the airline's statement.

The airline was also reported to be "leading the industry in on-time departures."
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a longtime confidante and top advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is allegedly bracing for an indictment expected to drop this week.

Sources close to the investigation confirmed that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has been probing Lewis-Martin's alleged involvement in questionable city property leases.

A grand jury in Lower Manhattan has been hearing evidence against Lewis Martin and is expected to vote on an indictment possibly as early as Monday.

The scandal that now threatens to dismantle the mayor's inner circle.

Lewis-Martin, 67, has long been a towering figure in City Hall, serving as Adams' Chief Advisor and often described as his 'sister ordained by God.'

Her influence was unparalleled, but so too were the controversies surrounding her tenure.

Over the weekend, Lewis-Martin abruptly resigned from her position, a dramatic exit that signals a grim chapter for the Adams administration, already reeling from multiple investigations over corruption.

At the heart of the investigation is an alleged scheme involving the leasing of city commercial properties to close friends and allies of Lewis-Martin.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a longtime confidante and top advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams , is bracing for an indictment expected to drop this week

Lewis-Martin, 67, has long been a towering figure in City Hall, serving as Adams' Chief Advisor and often described as his 'sister ordained by God'

While the specifics of the indictment remain under wraps, sources told the Post that Manhattan prosecutors have been combing through evidence for months, following the seizure of Lewis-Martin's phone at JFK Airport in late September.

That high-profile incident occurred as Lewis-Martin returned from a vacation in Japan with a group of close associates, including key figures in the city's real estate dealings.

Investigators also confiscated the phones of several others linked to the alleged property scandal, including Jesse Hamilton, a top city real estate official, and Diana Boutross, a private broker involved in city leases.

The investigation has cast a shadow over City Hall, where federal raids and subpoenas have become an almost routine affair as Adams federal bribery and corruption charges.

While several high-ranking officials have already been ensnared, Lewis-Martin's involvement takes the crisis surrounding Mayor Adams' administration to a new level.

The investigation, by the Manhattan District Attorney's office, is separate from the ongoing federal investigation into the mayor.

'To my city: I started as a community activist and worked on many campaigns, ultimately landing at City Hall. I am a native New Yorker, and I love my city. Know that I will continue to do everything in my power to fight for this great city every day as a private citizen,' said Lewis-Martin in a statement on Sunday

Adams issued his own statement about his chief advisor's resignation, saying in part, 'Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor, but also a sister. We've always talked about when this day would come, and while we've long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid won't be right next door every day. I, and every New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her decades of service to our city.'

Over the weekend, Lewis-Martin abruptly resigned from her position, a dramatic exit that signals a grim chapter for the Adams administration, already reeling from multiple investigations over corruption

From left, Ruben Diaz Jr., Fat Joe, Mayor Eric Adams and Ingrid Lewis-Martin attend the Rise Up NYC Concert With Fat Joe in August , in New York City

There has reportedly been a rift between her and the mayor, with insiders claiming the two had barely spoken in months

Known for her unwavering loyalty to Adams, often pictured sitting next to him at his weekly news conferences, her no-holds-barred approach saw Lewis-Martin both revered and reviled.

'I'm not Michelle Obama,' she once declared in an interview with City & State. 'When they go low? We drill for oil. I'll meet you down in the subbasement.'

This combative attitude made her a formidable force in City Hall while also earning her a reputation for controversy.

She staunchly defended Timothy Pearson and Winnie Greco, two controversial aides she brought into the administration, even as federal raids and internal pressures demanded their removal.

Her refusal to back down reportedly created a rift between her and the mayor, with insiders claiming the two had barely spoken in months.

For years, Lewis-Martin managed to stay above the fray, even as scandal swirled around City Hall.

That all changed dramatically upon her return from Japan. At JFK, she was met by investigators from the Manhattan DA's office, who confiscated her phone and served her with a subpoena.

Hours later, she appeared on her lawyer Arthur Aidala's radio show, defiantly proclaiming her innocence.

'We are imperfect, but we're not thieves,' she declared on-air. 'In the end, I do believe that the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DA office to investigate us.'

Lewis-Martin was one of multiple aides who became ensnared in corruption investigations into Adams' administration.

In September, agents raided her home and seized her electronics, joining the U.S. Justice Department in what is said to be a separate investigation into the awarding of city contracts.

Investigators also confiscated the phones of several others linked to the alleged property scandal, including Jesse Hamilton, a top city real estate official, and Diana Boutross, a private broker involved in city lease

Adams has yet to publicly address the full scope of the allegations against his former advisor but the scandal adds to a growing list of legal challenges for his administration

Her resignation on Sunday came as a shock to many, particularly as she had previously announced plans to retire in January.

The abrupt nature of her departure has only fueled speculation about the severity of the charges she now faces.

Mayor Adams, who has faced mounting scrutiny over his administration's legal woes, distanced himself from Lewis-Martin's Japan trip and the subsequent fallout.

'I didn't know where Ingrid was going,' he told reporters. 'She doesn't tell me when she's taking a vacation and where she's going.'

Prior to being appointed as Adams' chief advisor, Lewis-Martin served as the mayor's chief of staff in the New York State Senate for seven years.

In that position, she played an important role in conceptualizing and implementing community programs serving the residents of Central Brooklyn later going on to serve as a senior advisor during Adams' two terms as Brooklyn borough president.

Adams named Lewis-Martin as his chief advisor in January of 2022.

Adams has yet to publicly address the full scope of the allegations against his former advisor but the scandal adds to a growing list of legal challenges for his administration, which is already grappling with federal bribery and corruption charges involving top officials.

Lewis-Martin's resignation comes after other notable names previously resigned from their posts, including former NYPD commissioner Edward Caban, NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks, NYC Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, Public Safety Senior Advisor Tim Pearson and Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg.
A police chief last night said the Government should consider scrapping non-crime hate incidents as it is an 'impediment' to officers.

Lord Herbert, chairman of the College of Policing, wants Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to scrap the practice in its present form because it distracts forces from doing 'the basics'.

He has become the most senior policing figure to criticise how hate incidents are recorded after Essex Police launched an investigation last month into Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson over an old social media post.

The College of Policing, as well as the National Police Chiefs' Council, have written to Home Office, with the support of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, calling for the category to be reviewed to ensure a balance is met between preventing harm and freedom of speech.

More than 13,000 hate incidents were recorded in the 12 months to June this year, figures from 45 of Britain's 48 police forces showed.

Lord (Nick) Herbert, chairman of the College of Policing, wants Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to scrap the practice in its present form because it distracts forces from doing 'the basics'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wants police to log non-crime hate incidents only when there is a clear risk to community tensions, with a particular focus on Islamophobia and antisemitism

Essex Police dropped its investigation into Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson (pictured in 2011) over a tweet that was posted, and then quickly deleted, in November 2023

More than 13,000 hate incidents were recorded in the 12 months to June this year, figures from 45 of Britain's 48 police forces showed (file image)

These cases included instances children being probed , including secondary school girls who said another pupil smelt 'like fish'.

Ms Cooper wants police to log non-crime hate incidents only when there is a clear risk to community tensions, with a particular focus on Islamophobia and antisemitism.

But former Tory MP Lord Herbert told The Times: 'On the other hand we must ensure that police are not drawn into the trivial.

'We want to apply a commonsense approach, where the police officer would receive a complaint and they would be able to say, 'We're sorry, we can understand you find that offensive but it's not a matter for us.'

Asked whether the category of non-crime hate incident should be scrapped, Lord Herbert replied: 'Potentially.'

He added: 'I think it has become an impediment to the police doing what we want the police to do, which is ensure that they are preventing harm, identifying where there is risk of harm, ensuring that it can be prevented, because I think that the category itself has become controversial and a distraction from what the police need to be doing.

'Where I think this is especially damaging is if there is a perception that the police are not doing the basics but are being drawn into territory they should not be on.'
A Melbourne-bound flight from New Zealand has been forced to turn around twice.

Flight QF168 left Christchurch and was headed for the Victorian capital city on at 6.46am on Monday.

It was forced to turn around while over the Tasman Sea and landed back at Christchurch two hours later.

A Qantas spokesman explained the reason for the first return.

'Pilots elected to return to Christchurch due to an issue with their radio,' he said.

'The aircraft was inspected by engineering and has since taken off as normal.'

The plane took off before it was forced to turn around for a second time as it approached the Tasman Sea.

'Shortly after taking off again, an unusual smell was reported in the cabin,' the Qantas spokesman said.

A Qantas flight bound for Melbourne from Christchurch in New Zealand had to return to the airport two hours after it took off, because of an issue with its radio. It then turned back to New Zealand a second time after there was an 'unusual smell' in the cabin (pictured the Qantas plane, in orange, turning back)

A Melbourne-bound flight from New Zealand has been forced to turn around twice (stock image)

The pilots 'followed standard procedures' and returned the plane to Christchurch, where it had a normal landing.

'Engineers are inspecting the aircraft to determine the cause of the smell, and passengers will be reaccommodated on flights via Auckland today.

'We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by these unrelated air returns, and are working hard to get customers on their way as quickly as possible.'

The aircraft is 13-years-old.
Aussie tourists have been warned their drinks could become spiked no matter where they are staying after a five-star resort in Fiji and a dingy hostel in Laos were at the centre of mass poisonings in two separate incidents.

Four Australians aged between 18 and 56 were among seven guests who were rushed to hospital on Saturday after drinking at Warwick Fiji on the holiday island's Coral Coast.

One victim's friend told Daily Mail Australia that she was 'foaming at the mouth' and suffering seizures while another was bleeding from her ears.

All the guests had improved to a stable condition as of Monday.

The incident comes after six tourists, including two Australians, were killed after drinking methanol-laced drinks at a two-star hostel in Laos in November.

While Fijian authorities are yet to determine if the latest incident is due to methanol poisoning, it has renewed calls for Aussies to be careful while drinking overseas.

Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long told Daily Mail Australia methanol poisonings were rare, but could happen anywhere in the world.

'These events, they do happen. They happen in Australia, they happen around the world and so they're not destination specific,' he said.

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, (pictured) suffered a seizure due to the suspected poisoning

Georgia's mother, Tanya (left), was also hospitalised but the pair are now flying home after being cleared to travel on Monday

More than 400,000 Aussies travelled to Fiji in the past year - a holiday hotspot considered to be a 'safe destination' for tourists.

'In this situation, these people have done everything right,' Mr Long said.

'They've had a drink at a beautiful venue. You would expect that to be the safest place you can be.'

Among those affected by the suspected alcohol poisoning were Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, from Sydney's upper north shore.

Georgia had suffered a seizure after drinking the cocktail and was the most ill out of the pair.

Relieved grandmother Pamela Sandoe told Daily Mail Australia they have both been released from hospital and are now flying back home.

Mr Long said individuals could substitute alcohol for methanol because it was cheaper or because they sought to 'do harm'.

He added those responsible 'need to be locked up' and had complete trust in the Fijian government to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Six people, four of which Aussies, were hospitalised after drinking cocktails by the pool at Warwick Fiji resort (pictured) in the south of Fiji's main island on Saturday night

'We know the Fijian government will throw the book at these people and they're going to lock them up because the tourism industry is just so important to that community,' Mr Long said.

Earlier this month, police arrested the owner of the factory identified as the suspected source of the Laos methanol poisoning.

The manufacturing plant is located outside the capital city Vientiane and is understood to have been making the local Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whiskey.

The recent round of arrests now means 12 people have been detained over their alleged connection to the poisonous alcohol.

Mr Long urged Aussies to follow safe drinking practices no matter where they are overseas and how good the quality of the venue is.

His tips include keeping 'an eye on their drink when it's being made' to make sure bottles aren't contaminated or to ask for a fresh bottle of spirits.

'But pre-mixed drinks that are sealed in a secure container are probably preferable while travelling,' Mr Long said.

'If you want to have some spirits, maybe buy them in Australia and take them overseas and consume them safely there, and then have those pre mixed, secured drinks when you're out on the town.'

Mr Long said a number of Aussies have also turned to travelling with kits capable of testing for methanol to remain safe.
A convicted terrorist is taking a pub to court after he claimed to be deeply offended by the sign outside the venue.

Khalid Baqa, who has previously spent four years behind bars for preparing Jihadi propaganda, wants more than 1,000 from the Saracen's Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

He has criticised what he described as the racist 'depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk' on the pub's sign and also insisted the depiction 'incites violence'.

Baqa has asked for 1,850 from the landlord and has also announced plans for take on over 30 other pubs with the same name if successful.

However, the landlord of the pub is fighting back against the lawsuit which he has slammed as a 'complete joke.'

Speaking to The Sun, Robbie Hayes said: 'This has been called The Saracen's Head for 500 years.

'He's just chancing his hand. Of course it worries me - you never know with people like this.'

The 52-year-old added that none of his pubgoers are racist and that he did not believe the sign or the name were racist but instead were 'simply historic'.

Khalid Baqa, who has previously spent four years behind bars for preparing Jihadi propaganda, wants over 1,000 from the Saracen's Head Inn in Chesham for what he described as the racist 'depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk' on the pub's sign

Baqa said the sign - which depicts a brown-skinned man of Arab or Turkish descent - 'instilled worry and fear in me since it was clearly xenophobic, racist and inciting violence to certain people'

Speaking to The Sun , Robbie Hayes (pictured) said: 'It's a complete joke. This has been called The Saracen's Head for 500 years'

Baqa has filed a 'claim of money' form an application to county court for a sum of cash a person believes they are owed.

His application was previously referred to a small claims court.

In a submission explaining the reason behind his claim, Baqa said the sign - which depicts a brown-skinned man of Arab or Turkish descent - 'instilled worry and fear in me since it was clearly xenophobic, racist and inciting violence to certain people.'

He goes on to claim to have contacted the pub four times and even visited the public house in person. However staff at the Saracen's Head Inn have no record.

In 2018, Baqa was jailed for four years and eight months after admitting five counts of dissemination of Terrorist publications.

Speaking to The Sun, he claimed to have always been offended by pub names like the Buckinghamshire pub.

Saracen was a term used until the 5th century to refer to Arabs and and then also Muslims years later.

It is among the most popular name for a pub in the UK alongside titles such as the Red Lion.

Despite the name harking back to the time of the crusades, this pub was only built in 1530.

MailOnline have approached the Saracen's Head Inn for a comment.
The UK's most prolific rapist Reynhard Sinaga has been the target of an attack in prison in what is alleged to be a planned hit by vigiilantes.

Sinaga, 41, was found guilty in January 2020 of carrying out 159 sex attacks on 48 different men after tricking them into taking a date rape drug and is currently serving life with a minimum of 40 years.

The sex attacker is understood to narrowly avoided serious injuries in the attack at HMP Wakefield in July before it was stopped by prison guards.

'Sinaga is arrogant and universally loathed. He is a clear target in prison because of his depraved crimes,' a source told the Sun.

'He was seconds away from extremely serious harm. He is in danger.'

The Indonesian student spent more than a decade drugging and raping men at his flat in Manchester.

He would pose as a 'Good Samaritan' to men who had become separated from their friends on nights out in the city.

The sex attacker, who described himself in court as an effeminate gay man, would strike up conversation and invite them to his nearby flat.

Reynhard Sinaga, 41, was found guilty in January 2020 of carrying out 159 sex attacks on 48 different men after tricking them into taking a date rape drug

The sex attacker, is understood to narrowly avoided serious injuries in the attack at HMP Wakefield (pictured) in July before it was stopped by prison guards

Sinaga is currently serving life with a minimum of 40 years.

His victims ranged from 18 to 36 but the average age was 21, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Most were students and some were still at school, including the sixth former whose escape from his clutches led to Sinaga being arrested.

His crimes came to light in June 2017 after his final victim, an 18-year-old rugby player, woke up during the assault and fought off Sinaga.

Sinaga was badly beaten and rushed to hospital, and the police initially arrested the victim on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

However, after investigators examined Sinaga's iPhone they discovered more than 3 terabytes of videos of his assaults and rapes.

Jack McRae, 32 has been charged with attempted GBH with intent of Sinaga. He has since been moved to Frankland prison in Co Durham.

He is charged with the same offence against child killer rapist Wilbert Dyce at Wakefield in 2023.

McRae is also accused of ABH on lags Sayed Taheri, Patrick Harrington and Andrew Gillis, and assaulting an emergency worker.

Andrew Beadie, now at Long Lartin, Worcs, is jointly charged with the alleged attack on Taheri.

McRae is due before Leeds magistrates on Tuesday.
Minnesota parents will spend the next several years behind bars for locking their four children in cage-like beds at night 'to keep them from dying' and neglecting them.

Benjamin Taylor Cotton, 42, and Christina Ann Cotton, 40, were sentenced Friday to four years in prison, with credit for four days already served, after they each pleaded guilty to a child torture-related charge in September, KSTP reports.

The couple was originally charged in June 2023 with two counts of child torture, seven counts of neglect or endangerment of a child and seven counts of malicious punishment of a child, according to WXOW.

But as part of a plea deal, Christina pleaded guilty to one count of child torture, while Benjamin entered a guilty plea of one count of child-torture liability. All of the other charges against them were then dropped.

Those charges stem from a report made to the Goodhue County Health and Human Services department on August 17, 2022, when a caller expressed concern about their four young children.

The caller claimed one of the children was locked in a wooden cage in their bedroom and was not allowed to use the restroom, and that all of the children were being punished by being taped with duct taped, left in closets and denied food, the Republican Eagle reports.

A Red Wing police officer and a social worker then went to the Cotton's home to conduct a welfare check the next morning.

Christina let them inside the house, but became upset when she was informed about the call saying the children were being kept in cages, claiming they were 'locked up for their own safety,' according to court documents obtained by KTSP.

Christina Ann Cotton, 40, and her husband, Benjamin Taylor Cotton, 42, will spend the next four years behind bars after they pleaded guilty to child torture-related charges

At that point, the officer and social worker asked about the whereabouts of the children, and found a two-year-old in a playpen that was covered by a dog gate, which was tied down so that the toddler could not get out.

A five-year-old and seven-year-old were also found in a bunkbed that police said had been 'converted into an actual cage with a homemade wooden door,' and a nine-year-old was found downstairs without being confined.

The investigator and social worker then told Christina she could not lock up her kids and had to let them out, to which she allegedly replied, 'You don't understand,' and claimed she locked them up to keep them from dying.

She explained that one of her children once got ahold of a knife, and she was worried they could get into household chemicals.

Christina then allegedly told the police officer and social worker that if one of her children died, it would be the fault of the police and human services department.

A police officer and a social worker arrived at their home in August 2022, and found the children locked up in cages

Christina also claimed the children were only locked up at night, and were still being caged at that point because she had slept in that morning, but authorities later determined the children were caged for at least 13 hours before the investigator and social worker arrived.

They were taken to a local hospital for evaluation in the aftermath, and a doctor found that the two year old was in a soiled diaper that was duct taped to his skin.

The five-year-old and nine-year-old also had extensive and significant bruising, and the seven-year-old had bruising that was consistent with being hit by a belt or a similar object.

The child then informed authorities he had his hands duct taped behind his back and was spanked with a belt when he didn't do his chores, according to court documents.

He allegedly claimed his father would hit him hard, but is mother 'hits him really, really hard.'

The children also allegedly told authorities they weren't able to use the bathroom at night, so they would have to 'hold it.'

But the nine-year-old was reluctant to talk, telling authorities her parents 'don't want them talking about trouble' and was worried her parents would find out if she told them anything, court documents say.

A licensed psychologist concluded that the children's physical and emotional abuse could be attributed to Intrafamilial Child Torture, and an ensuing investigation found that the Cottons had been caging their children for about four years.
The billionaire bride who tried to bully a powerless namesake into giving up her Instagram handle has revealed she is pregnant in a series of touching pictures.

Influencer Katherine Asplundh's pregnancy comes just seven months after she tied the knot to Pennsylvania billionaire Cabot Asplundh, 27.

On Sunday night, she and her husband posted a dozen photos shot around a small lake with Katherine's bump clearly on display.

'We already love you very much and cant wait to love you forever and ever,' Katherine wrote alongside in a caption.

The pictures saw the couple dress up in matching denim jeans with beige tops. In many of the photos, Katherine's midriff could be seen revealing her bump.

Aside from the excitement of bringing a child into the world, it appears Katherine is also revved up at the prospect of being able to generate a lot more content with her newborn.

'Love this lil bump of mine. Can't wait to make it my entire personality', she wrote in a story, suggesting that her forthcoming child will be a big part of her online presence.

This past summer, Asplundh was busy flaunting her wealth on TikTok in her first summer as a wife after the pair married in April with an extravagant reception in Palm Beach, Florida.

Billionaire bride, Katherine Asplundh, who tried to bully a powerless namesake into giving up her Instagram handle has revealed she is pregnant in a series of touching pictures online

Influencer Katherine Asplundh's pregnancy comes just seven months after she tied the knot in May to Pennsylvania billionaire Cabot Asplundh, 27

After she tied the knot with her husband - whose family is worth at least $3 billion thanks to their massively successful tree-trimming company - she set out to obtain her desired Instagram handle from an Instagram user who happens to share Katherine's married name.

She badgered the woman to hand over the username with the resulting backlash forcing her to temporarily deactivate her Instagram.

Katherine still seems to have lost the Instagram handle war - with her account still being listed as katherinedrisc - short for her maiden name, Driscoll.

Her videos mostly show off her daily routine, with her making breakfast for her husband, doing yoga, sipping cocktails and admiring her expansive yard.

In one of her recent vlogs this past fall, she said her husband stayed home from work and was out doing yard work all day, which left her alone to go grocery shopping.

She showed off the sandwich she made and posed in front of the camera with Cabot as they ate lunch.

They then test drove a Ford Bronco, which can run from nearly $40,000 to over $90,000, before coming home to do more yard work.

More mundane tasks followed, including doing laundry and making dinner, but she ended the video with a trip to a frozen yogurt parlor.

This is the most recent picture of Katherine Asplundh and her newly-minted husband Cabot during a trip to the Jersey Shore, where they both grew up

Katherine poses during her nuptials in her $1,295 silk Mirror Palais dress

Katherine shows off her engagement ring in late December 2022

Her TikTok account has a moderate following of 90,000, and Katherine's videos have been known to get a slew of negative comments criticizing her, though there are also plenty of ardent followers who enjoy getting glimpses into her ritzy lifestyle.

A video posted in July 2023, she cataloged her and Cabot's move from New York City to the country got a particularly poor reception.

In a voiceover, she said she was getting out of the city 'to become a farmgirl like she was always supposed to be,' adding that all she actually carried in the move was her 'sweatshirts.'

She also proudly proclaimed that 'we're probably going to live here until we're 95 years old and we're probably going to die in the house.'

All of this was accompanied by breathtaking views of their home, their perfectly manicured property and their very own pond, complete with a dock.

Katherine and Cabot met in Prague while she was studying abroad and connected over growing up on the Jersey Shore.

Two years later, Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey.

Their star-studded romance culminated in the Instagram profile naming controversy that severely damaged Katherine's online reputation.

Katherine contacted the account owner of @katherineasplundh, a woman who goes by Kate, to ask if she could purchase her handle. Buying usernames is a practice that is in direct violation of the platform's terms of service.

Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram' - but this prompted Katherine to launch a tirade of seemingly entitled messages.

Kate then shared screenshots of the alleged exchange to Reddit, where it left users outraged.

The leaked DMs inspired people to take Kate's side, with many creating dozens of fake accounts with various spellings of the billionaire's wife's name.

This meant that every possible username option that included her maiden or married name was now taken.

Katherine folded under this pressure and deleted her Instagram account, which had 14,600 followers at the time. She revived it in June using her old username, @katherinedrisc, created under her maiden name, Katherine Driscoll.

Katherine tied the knot with Cabot in April in Palm Beach, Florida

In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who shared the messages on social media, the newlywed unintentionally went viral

It seems she's resigned herself to using her old name on Instagram, keeping it in the months after the initial drama.

She also didn't appear to have benefited in terms of exposure from the username fiasco with the number of followers now falling to just over 15,200 followers on Instagram.

Katherine found herself in more hot water when internet users dug up an old TikTok of hers mocking new wives who can't wait to update their name on social media, accusing her of being a hypocrite.

'Something that low key bothers me is when girls get married and it's not even like 10 minutes after they do their vows and they're like 'Oh! going on my Instagram! Let me change my last name already,' Katherine said in the now-deleted post.

She then says she's 'probably going to wait a couple of months' to change her name.'

'I just think it's a little bit a lot when I see girls change it before I even knew they were f***ing married, like chill,' Katherine ironically explained.
Before anyone rushes to judge Anthony Albanese too harshly for lobbying for the release of the five remaining members of the infamous Bali Nine, he's done what the last three Liberal PMs all tried to do.

The only difference is that Albo has been successful. The five remaining members are now back in Australia, free after 19 years in Indonesian jails.

Scott Morrison, Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott all lobbied their Indonesian counterparts for the repatriation of the prisoners. Should they also be criticised for having done so? And they did it years ago, when the sentences handed down were less substantially served than they are now.

Yet Albo has been torn to shreds by many Australians angry over the prisoners' release.

I too would be critical of the decision IF the repatriation requirements included the offenders having to be locked up in Australian jails which would have shifted the cost of their incarceration to taxpayers.

That would be a bridge too far for me, even though it would improve the quality of their lives. Why should we have to pay for their ongoing time in jail for crimes committed abroad?

But that is not the case here. Ongoing incarceration wasn't part of the agreement.

The five have been released as an act of compassion by the new Indonesian President, and they have returned to Australia as free citizens. What's wrong with that?

From left: Martin Stephens, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen look on a their transfer agreement is signed by Australian and Indonesian representatives

Acts of compassion that shorten sentences happens all the time, both here and overseas. And the laws governing drug crimes in Indonesia are internationally recognised as being too harsh with punishments that don't fit the crime.

The controversy surrounding the prisoners' release is borne out of the high profile attention their case garnered, and because Albo is at a low ebb at the moment.

At any rate, the returning members of the Bali Nine have spent the last 19 years in jail. All were in their teens and twenties when they lost their freedom. They return in their late thirties and forties, having paid one hell of a price for their bad decisions.

Other members of the nine have already lost their lives for the crimes they committed by firing squad and illness. At that time Abbott lobbied unsuccessfully for compassion to be shown and for their lives to be spared. He even said Indonesia should demur because Australia generously donated $1billion to tsunami relief aid.

Even though Albo has done something right, it's hard to overcome the anger he's caused amongst many Australians doing it tough, writes Peter van Onselen

It didn't work, but it was the right thing to do, just as Albo has done the right thing now helping to facilitate the release of the surviving members.

Perhaps one of the reasons Albo is copping so much criticism is because he's made so many mistakes as PM. Even when he does something right, like he's done now, it's hard to overcome the anger he's caused amongst many Australians doing it tough.

Eating into their objective compassion, perhaps.

Remember, the philosophy of conviction and punishment is meant to include a combination of punishment and rehabilitation. I'm not sure how much of the latter goes on within the Indonesian justice system, but it's hard to imagine any of the now middle-aged offenders will repeat their actions now that they've tasted freedom at last.
Prince Andrew is facing mounting calls to 'do the right thing' and uninvite himself from the Royal Family's biggest ever annual Christmas lunch and parade to avoid a difficult decision for the King amid the Chinese spy row.

The disgraced Duke of York is due to attend an annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday and then the traditional walk from Sandringham to St Magdalene Church on Christmas Day in front of a crowd of onlookers.

Charles is set to host his biggest ever family Christmas, with Prince William having already revealed he will be spending December 25 with 45 people at Sandringham, his fathers private estate in Norfolk.

However insiders have suggested that Andrew should choose to step aside to avoid potential embarrassment, with the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English revealing how the King desperately hopes the Duke will stay away this Christmas.

Last week, Andrew became the subject of yet another scandal when it was revealed that a 'close confidant' of the Duke was an alleged Chinese spy who has been banned from entering the UK after an investigation by MI5.

The alleged agent, who can be named only as H6, was so close to Andrew that he visited Buckingham Palace twice, and entered St Jamess Palace and Windsor Castle.

The King is understood to be furious that Andrew has yet again plunged the Royal Family into another scandal.

Charles is said to want his younger brother to make his own decision to step aside from public appearances, instead of forcing His Majesty to take matters into his own hands and axe him from all public-facing events this festive season.

Currently Andrew is due to join the rest of his family in Norfolk for Christmas, alongside his ex-wife Sarah as well as daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie and their children.

Prince Andrew (pictured at Sandringham in 2022) is facing calls to uninvite himself from this year's royal Christmas celebrations

King Charles and Queen Camilla are seen leading the family for a Christmas Day church service last year in Sandringham, Norfolk - Andrew is being urged to stay away this year

Prince Andrew pictured with the alleged Chinese spy who he invited to Buckingham Palace

They are anticipated to stay in Wood Farm, a large property on the estate.

He is then still expected to join the rest of the 45-strong gathering privately, according to Germanic tradition, to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and then for Christmas Day lunch, which involves a very public walk to church in the morning.

Andrew, 64, has joined the rest of the family on the Christmas morning walk for the last two years since the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, despite other controversies including his friendship with Jeffery Epstein.

But things could be different this year amid revelations of the King's fury  with the alleged relationship tarnishing the reputation of the entire Royal Family.

A source, however, said that, despite his frustration with the Duke of York, Charles has accepted that he cant divorce or sack his younger brother, as there will always be a bond of blood.

Insiders have said Andrew is being urged to make the decision himself to avoid making King Charles having to ban his brother from the engagements.

A royal insider told The Sun: 'There would inevitably have to be some very awkward conversations and the King would not relish making his brother squirm.'

Friends of Andrew suggested that he must know his presence at such events will put King Charles in an awkward position.

King Charles (right) is understood to be furious over his brother Prince Andrew's (left) links to an alleged Chinese spy, which risks tarnishing the reputation of the Royal Family

Friends suggest Andrew must know his presence will put Charles in a very awkward position

Andrew with Sarah, Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mozzi at Sandringham last year

The alleged spy, who is a businessman, has previously attended a meeting of the powerful Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.

In a sign of his importance to Chinas Communist Party, he was pictured on the front row of the meeting in the vast Great Hall of the People.

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 in a briefing for the home secretary 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'.

They also said that H6 had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Prince Andrew represented a threat to national security.

It is not known when the spy H6 first made contact with the Duke of York about business opportunities in China, but the Home Office told immigration judges the relationship had a covert and clandestine element.

The former civil servant soon became one of Andrews closest mentors. Dominic Hampshire, a senior adviser to the duke, told H6 in 2020 he should never underestimate the strength of his relationship with Andrew.

But the supposed friend was apparently reporting back to China and receiving instructions on how to handle Andrew.

After being stopped at the UK border in November 2021, court documents say H6 vehemently denied having links to the CCP, saying he avoids getting involved in politics as it has no space in business.

The scandal is just the latest humiliation for Prince Andrew who is already a royal pariah after being forced to step back from palace duties following the Jeffrey Epstein paedophile scandal.

Prince Andrew joins his family on the annual walk on the Royal Estate back in 2011

Earlier this year, the King stopped paying his brothers 3 million-a-year security bill at Royal Lodge (pictured) and urged him to move into more modest accommodation. But it emerged in November the Duke had been allowed to stay after securing enough funds to support himself

The Duke withdrew from frontline royal duties in late 2019 after public outrage over a BBC television interview in which he defended his friendship with Epstein.

In February 2022, he settled a US civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17.

Andrew denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Queen Elizabeth II stripped him of his honorary military titles and patronages soon afterwards, effectively shutting him out of royal life.

Earlier this year, the King stopped paying his brothers 3million-a-year security bill at Royal Lodge and urged him to move into more modest accommodation.

But in November, it emerged that the Duke had been allowed to stay at the property after convincing Palace authorities that he had secured enough funds to support himself.

The Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Michael Stevens, reportedly approved the financing as coming from legitimate sources. Last weeks revelations, however, raise fresh questions about where exactly Andrew has found the money to bankroll his stay at the Windsor mansion.

It is understood that because his leasehold agreement is with the Crown Estate, and not the Royal Household, he has the same rights and responsibilities as any private tenant.
The trains were here first. We all know this. They were lumbering through Houstons wood-and-steel-streaked prairies and marshlands before the first Model T clattered up Commerce Street.

They were here before the port. Before the Astrodome. Before the moon landing. Before Enron played us all a fool. Before Harvey brought us to our knees. Before the Astros picked us up.

And they were here long before you, modern Houstonian, stuck there in the drivers seat at a railroad crossing, unable to drive. White knuckles on the steering wheel, unable to steer. Eyes darting back and forth in desperation as your car and everybody elses around you becomes captive to a graffitied fortress rolling down the track with its load of toxic chemicals or who knows what  creeping slower, ever slower until finally screeching to a merciless halt, just five minutes before the tardy bell at your daughters school. Or your big job interview. Or the birth of your first grandchild. Or the movie, the opera, the church service, the Texans game. Wherever it was you were headed before a train stopped time and didnt bother to tell the clocks.

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Tower 26, Houston's busiest rail junction, is plainly inadequate for its job. Almost all Houston rail traffic passes through five junctions, and all of them are as basic as they come: entirely at grade, with tracks crossing each other at the same level. If a train is going north-south, nothing can go east-west until its through. Sharon Steinmann

Weve all been there, cursing the trains, even as we have some sense of their history in a city once dubbed Houston  where 17 railroads meet the sea. Today, Houston is one of the nations busiest rail hubs, with the freight industry pouring many billions of dollars into our economy.

Students pass by a memorial that was created outside Milby High School for Sergio Rodriguez, 15, on Thursday December 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. Rodriguez was struck and killed by a train around 7:30 a.m. near campus on Monday December 9, 2024. Sharon Steinmann

Trains made Houston. They still do. Theyre also standing in its way. Sometimes for hours. Sometimes near schools. Sometimes blocking the path of firetrucks and ambulances.

The impact of train delays and blockages ranges from inconvenience to economic losses to deadly threats. Its an impediment thats only getting worse as freight traffic increases, train workers dwindle and trains themselves get longer so rail companies can maximize their profits.

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While the marquee outside a furniture store near a train crossing on Durham once playfully lamented Sorry about the train! East End business owners decry train blockages that keep the customers away and residents try not to breathe too deeply when the idling engines of stalled trains emit exhaust.

McReynolds Middle School students make a run for it to get past a train as they walk home from school on October 22, 2022. The school is about 300 feet from a busy section of tracks close to the Union Pacific Englewood Yard in Houstons Fifth Ward. Sharon Steinmann

Meanwhile, down in Fifth Ward, school children are risking life and limb to crawl under stopped trains, or hop aboard slower moving ones, to get to school. In June, when we published an editorial about students at McReynolds Middle School taking such risks, we asked, where is the outrage? A tragedy seemed inevitable.

Indeed it was. On Dec. 9, Sergio Rodriguez, a Milby High School sophomore, lost his life trying to outrun an approaching train on his way to school, a Houston ISD spokesperson told reporters. His family has sued Union Pacific alleging that the train operator failed to blow a warning horn as it approached the crossing.

Such a tragedy deserves a thorough investigation and urgent action to prevent another. That should include everything from safety education to better supervision before and after school to new infrastructure.

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Its terrible and I am in discussions and looking for options, Houston Mayor John Whitmire texted in response to our questions in the first hours after Rodriguezs death. Unfortunately, trains were a part of our beginning. Look at our city seal.

Hes not wrong. But were glad he added: no reason not to be innovative and strive to improve.

Whitmire soon proposed a pedestrian sky bridge across the tracks near Milby. He said the cost would likely be around $6.5 million and he wants Union Pacific to help pay for it. A few days later, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, asked state Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Democrat who represents the area and is a Milby graduate, to carry a bill next session to build a bridge named after Rodriguez. Patrick told us he is urging the Texas Department of Transportation to seek more funding, around $350 million, to address the states most congested rail crossings.

A memorial that was created outside Milby High School for Sergio Rodriguez, 15, continues to grow on Thursday December 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. Rodriguez was struck and killed by a train around 7:30 a.m. near campus on Monday December 9, 2024. Sharon Steinmann

Meanwhile, state-appointed HISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced a collaboration to address nine hazardous rail crossings close to trains. They include Milby, Waltrip and Kashmere high schools; McReynolds and Forest Brook middle schools; and Cook, Burnet, Tijerina and Roosevelt elementaries. Its a hopeful move, even if the district has 118 campuses situated near rail crossings.

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U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia told reporters Tuesday that she would refile the Dont Block Our Communities Act, which would prohibit rail companies from blocking intersections with passing trains for more than 10 minutes and penalize them if they violate that standard. We need the Federal Railway Administration to do more to hold train companies like Union Pacific accountable, she said, and called on the company to proactively invest in safety infrastructure, signage and training for students and families. Garcias legislative team is also researching possible ways to regulate the length, speed and frequency of trains.

We commend leaders for vowing action. They must see it through. And theyll need help from other federal officials in Washington who havent been vocal. That includes U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, ranking member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which oversees freight rail.

But the truth is, a few regulations and pedestrian bridges wont be enough. A problem on this scale requires a systemic infrastructure plan.

McReynolds Middle School students are blocked by a train as they walk home from school on October 22, 2022. The school is about 300 feet from a busy section of tracks close to the Union Pacific Englewood Yard in Houstons Fifth Ward. Sharon Steinmann

Christof Spieler, an urban planner, rail expert and senior lecturer at Rice University, points out there has been no new significant rail line built in Houston in nearly a century, even though U.S. rail cargo has tripled in volume.

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He says the answer to dangerous crossings, bottlenecks and delays is a massive plan for grade separations  overpasses and underpasses  that keep freight trains, car traffic and people from colliding. Such a plan would require billions in public investment  which shouldnt be an insurmountable obstacle for a region thats almost entirely rebuilding its major airport and replacing freeways around downtown.

We do projects of that ambition all the time, Spieler wrote in an op-ed for the Chronicle. Much of the work could be coordinated with freeway projects, transit expansion and street reconstruction, reducing the overall cost.

It will take political leadership to get that done  and community voices demanding it.

As a community, its time we ask: Why do we put up with the danger and the obstruction when cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles have built bridges and underpasses to more easily coexist with rail traffic? Why do we put up with it when, for decades, elected leaders have promised change, task forces have proposed solutions, and railroad executives have promised to do better?

All the while, the executives plan has always been to wait us out.

Like that hulking nuisance planted across your path in rush hour, the companies know that, once the train gets going again and that guard rail lifts, youll zoom on with your day, your anger will fade.

The railroad companies know that, in time, concerned politicians and squeaky-wheel middle school principals cycle out. The government reports and memoranda of understanding with mayors and governors will collect dust. The middle schoolers at McReynolds who asked Union Pacific for a bridge to get to school safely will move on to high school.

They know you may never even hear about fire crews being delayed by trains, including a truck stalled in 2022 while responding to a fire that engulfed the home of an elderly couple who died in the blaze.

A man hurries to collect his belongings as a slow moving train approaches the junction at Tower 26 on November 23, 2022. The location near downtown is described as the busiest rail junction in Houston, TX. Sharon Steinmann

Its true that Houston has greater impediments than some other cities when it comes to addressing train traffic and dangerous crossings. One is geographic: were flat and we flood and that complicates the building of grade separations. With so few hills and gullies, costly overpasses are among the only options. The other is cultural: were a business-friendly city where the interests of job creators often take priority over the interests of those who live, drive, breathe, and go to school here.

Rail companies are obligated to shareholders, not to communities harmed by their business practices. Federal laws dating to the 19th century give Union Pacific near total protection of their rights of way and the rail industrys powerful lobby at the federal and state levels manages to fend off improved safety measures.

So where does that leave us?

Hopelessly stuck in perpetual annoyance or deadly peril? Only if we allow it.

Were calling on political leaders who have spoken out, including Mayor Whitmire, Lt. Gov. Patrick, U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, state Sen. Carol Alvarado, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Houston City Councilmembers Mario Castillo and Joaquin Martinez, and others who understand Houstons train challenges, to resolve to find new ways to make progress where past efforts have failed.

Were also calling on readers and members of the Houston community to give this issue the sustained attention it deserves. We ask you to phone, write and ping on social media your elected representatives to register your concern and demand change. Share our editorials and your own train fears and frustrations on social media (use #DangerousCrossings) and in letters to the editor.
A Sydney teenager and her mother are flying back to Australia after they were among six tourists hospitalised in a suspected mass alcohol poisoning in Fiji.

Mother Tanya Sandoe, 46, and her daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, from Sydney's upper north shore were rushed to hospital after drinking cocktails by the pool at Warwick Fiji resort in the south of Fiji's main island.

The six were taken to nearby Sigatoka Hospital with nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms with one victim's friend telling Daily Mail Australia that she was 'foaming at the mouth' and suffering seizures while another Australian woman was bleeding from her ears.

Another Australian mother and daughter pair, aged 49 and 18, were transferred to in Lautoka Hospital, north of Nadi, in a critical condition but are now said to be stable.

Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka said initial reports of seven being hospitalised were incorrect and that figure had now been revised down to six.

He said that four of those six would be released from hospital on Monday, which he said was a sign that it was 'not as serious as we expected'.

A US national and a foreign national based in Fiji were among those discharged from hospital on Monday after treatment for poisoning.

Relieved grandmother Pamela Sandoe told Daily Mail Australia her daughter Tanya and granddaughter Georgia were now flying to Sydney after they were also released.

'They have both been discharged and are on their way home,' she said. 'We are very thankful they seem to be doing okay. It's such a relief.

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, (pictured) and her mother Tanya are flying home

Mother Tanya Sandoe was on holiday at the Fiji resort when they were suddenly taken ill after drinking cocktails at Warwick Resort

'From what we know they are recovering as well as can be expected and we will be picking them up this afternoon. We will be looking after them here.'

She said other guests affected had been at the resort for a wedding but her family were there simply on vacation.

'They were not at the wedding,' she said. 'They were just there to have a relaxing holiday together after a big year.

'It was just the two of them traveling together.'

Georgia's grandfather David Sandoe said he had received a terrifying late night call telling him his family had been rushed to hospital.

'It's very difficult to take a call at 11pm and your daughter and granddaughter are away and your daughter says that they've been poisoned and they're in hospital,' he said.

'It's your worst nightmare.'

He revealed granddaughter Georgia had suffered a seizure after drinking the cocktail and was the more ill of the pair.

His daughter also had a pre-existing medical condition which had also been affected by the suspected poisoning.

'It was the mother and daughter ideal break, and they enjoy one another's company,' he told ABC News

'We as a family, love Fiji, so that was a logical place to go, and they were enjoying themselves.'

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, from Sydney's upper north shore was rushed to hospital after drinking cocktails by the pool

The pair were released from hospital on Monday morning and are now flying back to Australia

Fiji health secretary Dr Jemesa Tudravu said the toxicology tests were being conducted by investigators but they had yet to identify the cause.

'I don't have the cause of the incident yet, but our team is currently investigating,' he said.

'The toxicology is currently being done by the police, and they'll release their own investigation results.

'At the moment, all the patients are currently admitted and under investigation, we know from yesterday there were two who were serious compared to others.'

Fiji's Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka insisted the suspected poisoning was an isolated incident and localised to one bar at one resort which was being thoroughly investigated.

'While we understand the concern, we want to emphasise that the tourism experience in Fiji is typically very safe,' he said.

'We have acted immediately to try to discover the cause of what made these guests at this resort fall ill.'

It was the only reported case in recent memory, Mr Gavoka said.

Mr Gavoka also revealed they had spoken to the resort's management who are 'fully cooperating with authorities'.

'The management is obviously distressed and concerned for the welfare of their guests,' he added.

They also assured investigators they do not 'substitute ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests'.

Warwick Fiji said it was aware of the news and was waiting for health authorities test results 'to gather all necessary information' about the incident at its hotel.

'Please rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and are currently conducting a thorough investigation,' it told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.

'We do not have conclusive details but we are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our guests.'

Australia has revised its travel advice for Fiji, warning travellers to 'be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks'.
READ MORE: Bali Nine break their silence after returning home

The father of Bali Nine member Scott Rush has left a poignant sign outside his house after his son was transferred to Australia.

A yellow ribbon was seen tied around the letterbox of Lee Rush's home in Brisbane after Rush boarded a flight home after almost 20 years this week.

Yellow ribbons are used as a welcome sign to returning soldiers and freed prisoners, as memorialised in the hit 1973 pop song Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.

Scott, along with Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj were flown back to Australia on Sunday from Indonesia, where they spent 19 years behind bars for trying to smuggle heroin out of Denpasar Airport in April 2005.

Following the arrest of the nine Australians, it was revealed Mr Rush had tipped off the Australian Federal Police and requested they stop his son from leaving Australia, desperate to prevent him from getting involved in drug activity.

Scott's lawyer claimed the AFP had reneged on promises to stop the group from leaving Australia, instead letting them fly to a country they knew could execute the drug smugglers.

Townsville Bishop Timothy Harris, who has been supporting the Rush family throughout the ordeal over the last 19 years, told the Courier Mail that Scott's parents were 'elated that their son is back'.

'The thing that worries them is how are we going to receive Scott again,' Bishop Harris said.

Scott Rush (pictured left) with his dad Lee Rush, who tipped off the Australian Federal Police about his son's drug smuggling plan

'They are going to have to adapt too. How do you bring your son or daughter back into your family when all that stuff has gone on? The journey has just begun.'

Bishop Harris first got involved with the case when he was a parish priest in Brisbane and made a plea for compassion to be shown to the men, even though 'no-one is condoning what they did'.

'They have learnt a very hard lesson. It's up to the Australian community now to embrace them and help them get back on their feet,' he said.

'Young people haven't got their lives together, even adults haven't. This is a journey of life for all of us.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requested the transfer of the jailed Bali Nine members at a recent meeting with new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the APEC Summit last month.

The Indonesian leader agreed to let the prisoners return home on humanitarian grounds.

It's believed there was no prisoner swap or any 'quid pro quo' with Indonesia as part of the men's release.

Upon landing in Darwin on Sunday afternoon, the men we transported to a short-term accommodation facility at Howard Springs, which was previously a quarantine camp.

A yellow ribbon, which is used as a welcome sign to returned soldiers and released prisoners, was tied to Lee Rush's letterbox on Monday

Their loved ones were aware of their imminent return but were told by authorities that they couldn't be there to greet them, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

It was understood that the lack of fanfare to be a sign of respect to President Subianto, who made the final decision for the men to be freed.

The released inmates will spend a short period of time here to continue their rehabilitation before reuniting with their families.

The men are not permitted to return to Indonesia in the future.

The men thanked those who had worked to secure their release in a joint statement released by their lawyers on Sunday night.

'In both Australia and Indonesia, at both a senior level and in prison visits and personal assistance, over many years, DFAT have offered professional and enduring support. The men and their families will always be grateful,' the statement read.

'They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society.

'The welfare of the men is a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust our media and community will make allowance for this.'

In 2015, the AFP denied that Lee Rush's tip had caused the Bali Nine arrests saying Indonesian authorities were acting on more information about the group than just a tip-off from the worried dad.

'I want to take the pressure off Scott Rush's father,' then AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said at a press conference at the time.

'A lot of the way it's been reported is that his tip-off led to this. It didn't. I feel for Mr Rush that it's been portrayed that way.

'The AFP was already aware of, and had commenced investigating, what we believed was a syndicate that was actively recruiting couriers to import narcotics to Australia at the time of Mr Rush's contact with the AFP.'

Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in April 2015.

Also arrested was Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, who shared a cell a with Stephen Rush and died from cancer in 2018.

The Bali Nine's only female member Renae Lawrence was released that same year after her life sentence was reduced to 20 years on appeal.
The remaining Bali Nine members are back on home soil as free men - but the bittersweet news brings fresh heartache for some.

Martin Stephens, 48, and Matthew Norman, 38, have been forced to leave their wives and stepchildren behind and now face years of separation as they painstakingly navigate their next options.

Now permanently banned from returning to Indonesia, their loved ones being granted an Australian visa is the men's only hope of being reunited with their families.

But having lived their unconventional relationships entirely behind bars, it will be up to the immigration officials to decide if they meet the strict requirements.

'It is possible for a couple to be in a genuine spousal relationship for the purposes of the Migration Act even if they have never lived together,' Australian crimmigration lawyer Perry Q. Wood told Daily Mail Australia.

'The issue would be whether it is possible despite this to demonstrate that the relationship is a genuine spousal relationship.

'Taking into account evidence including the financial aspects, nature of the household, social aspects and the extent of the couple's commitment to one another.'

'This can be difficult if the couple have never lived together, however the assessment would ultimately be up to a delegate of the minister.'

Martin Stephens married Christine Puspayanti in 2011, five years after they first met

Martin Stephens was forced to return to Australia without his Indonesian wife

Matthew Norman is another Bali Nine member who has made a happy life with wife Anita. He also will never be allowed to return Indonesia again

Norman, Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj flew back to Australia on a Jetstar commercial flight on Sunday, in a top secret mission following weeks of negotiations between the Australian and Indonesian governments.

The men aren't required to serve prison sentences in Australia and will be able to live freely in the community.

Authorities won't confirm where they're staying but are believed to have been transported to the short-term accommodation facility at Howard Springs near Darwin.

Stephens met his wife Christine Puspayanti in 2005, the same year he was busted trying to smuggle heroin out of Bali.

Puspayanti was a single mother-of-one and visiting Kerobokan jail with a friend.

The pair fell in love and tied the knot behind bars in April 2011 in front of 100 guests that included both their families and the other eight Bali Nine members - Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Chen, Czugaj, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Norman, Rush and Renae Lawrence.

The jail's governor Siswanto granted a post-wedding celebration and a conjugal visit on the same night in a specially prepared room.

In 2014, Stephens requested a transfer from Kerobokan to Malang prison in East Java.

'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',' he previously told Indonesian Expat back in 2020.

Norman married his Indonesian girlfriend of four years Anita in February 2016.

The couple said I do in front of family and friends in the leafy grounds at Kerobokan jail.

The day also signified Norman becoming a stepfather to Anita's young daughter Stella, now 15, who was their bridesmaid.

Matthew Norman has shared many happy memories with his wife Anita and young stepdaughter Stella from behind bars

Matthew Norman's stepdaughter Stella (pictured) is now 15

The family have since made the most of relaxed visitor rules that allow them to spend up to three hours a day together and turned the prison into a bizarre home from home for them.

Loving photos of the family show the smiling husband and wife celebrating special occasions, including Stella's recent graduation in June and Norman's birthday in September.

Norman's devoted father Michael had also moved to Bali to be beside his son after packing up his life in Sydney over concerns for his son's wellbeing while in jail.

Norman and Stephens' unexpected transfer and release have now thrown their marriages into jeopardy.

But the criminal convictions of the pair should not hinder the process of bringing their loved ones to Australia, according to Mr Wood.

'The sentences received by members of the Bali Nine are significant, however drug offences would not ordinarily fall within any of the categories of offence that would trigger a sponsorship bar,' he explained.

While the Department of Home Affairs could not comment on Norman and Stephens' individual cases, they did confirm that the federal government is committed to keeping families together.

Anita's daughter Stella was a toddler when Norman started to date her mother and is now a doting stepfather to the teenager

'The department carefully considers the merits of each application on a case by case basis, taking into account all information available to the delegate at the time of decision and the applicants' individual circumstances,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'Cohabitation is one element of the assessment and other considerations are factored into assessing whether the couple have a mutual commitment to a shared life as a married couple to the exclusion of all others and that the relationship is genuine and ongoing.'

But neither Norman or Stephens are likely to be celebrating a happy reunion with their wives and daughters any time soon.

'The processing time for these specific applications is not possible to accurately predict, and processing times frequently exceed 20 months,' Mr Wood confirmed.
MSNBC's Symone Sanders-Townsend has blasted ABC News and George Stephanopoulos after the chief anchor and the broadcaster he works for agreed to settle a $15 million defamation lawsuit between the network and Donald Trump.

But it was not just Democrat-leaning commentators who appeared unhappy with the settlement. Republicans also appeared frustrated with the news organization believing the company should have been forced to pay more, while hoping other broadcasters might also soon be brought to account.

The settlement resolved a lawsuit filed by Trump over comments Stephanopoulos made during a broadcast of This Week in March, in which he inaccurately stated how Trump had been found liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll.

During MSNBC's The Weekend Sunday, Sanders-Townsend argued that Stephanopoulos' remarks appeared to her to be 'factually accurate' when viewed in the broader context of the case.

She suggested that the settlement raises questions about its potential implications for journalistic freedom adding how the payout towards Trump has a 'chilling effect.'

Sanders-Townsend expressed concern that the settlement could set a troubling precedent for the media going forward.

'I would just say, I mean, this feels like it has a real chilling effect. Like, I mean, shout out to the standards department standards is always making sure that we are keeping the bar high and substantive and accurate,' she began.

'But what George Stephanopoulos said in that interview, it seems to hold up what the judge said and now his news organization and himself, George Stephanopoulos himself is paying $1 million of his own money to the lawyers and ABC are paying $15 million. It's insane,' Sanders-Townsend said.

MSNBC's Symone Sanders-Townsend has blasted ABC News and George Stephanopoulos after the chief anchor and the broadcaster he works for agreed to settle a $15 million defamation lawsuit between the network and Donald Trump

MSNBC legal analyst Barbara McQuade was also worried about the future ramifications of such a settlement.

Legal columnist, Harry Litman, formerly with the Los Angeles Times, was also not impressed with ABC's settling of the suit.

'I got to think that the ABC boardroom was involved in this decision somehow,' Litman said on MSNBC. 'And my big worry is it is somehow caught up in the fact he will be president soon.

'So how the boardroom affected the legal room here, I hope we will learn. But given the timing, he is on a roll and a roll, that is really unsettling in terms of public confidence in the criminal justice system and media confidence, and who is left after the media to tell the truth, that he will come after them, make their lives miserable, and it has been successful so far,' Litman added.

Marc E. Elias, a Democratic election lawyer, accused ABC News of bending the knee and kissing the ring by settling: 'Knee bent. Ring kissed. Another legacy news outlet chooses obedience.'

'First the LA Times, then the Washington Post, and now ABC News. They are all falling to Donald Trump. When George Stephanopoulos said Trump 'raped' E. Jean Carroll, he was using the word colloquially. Trump was found liable of sexually assaulting her,' USA Today opinion columnist Michael J. Stern wrote on Bluesky.

Another reporter, Justin Baragona, formerly of the Daily Beast now with The Independent, wrote on Bluesky: 'This sets a worrisome precedent.'

MSNBC legal analyst Barbara McQuade was also worried about the future ramifications of such a settlement.

'Ordinarily, in defamation cases, you have to prove that the person was defamed, that there was actual malice and that the gist of the story was inaccurate. In addition, you have to show the person's reputation was harmed in this way. It seems that ABC had a very strong case here and yet they sort of caved anyway. And I think it sends a bad signal to other media enterprises.

Many Democrats saw the settlement as an example of ABC News kowtowing towards Trump

'It might have a chilling effect or self-censoring effect on the media, as they cover the Trump administration. Of course, a vigorous free press is essential to any administration, even more so in one where Donald Trump has vowed to go after his enemy,' McQuade said.

Later in the hour, Sanders-Townsend went on to clarify her remarks.

'This is George Stephanopoulos, just to be clear about what he said during the interview, he said that Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury. This is according to an NBC article. Trump, however, was found liable in a civil case for sexually abusing Carroll, not for her alleged rape. The nine-member jury in that case checked the box mark no, when asked whether Carroll had proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Mr. Trump raped Carroll

MSNBC contributor Lisa Rubin then also chimed in with her take on the episode.

'What I was going to say is I'm not sure that George Stephanopoulos was wrong in a colloquial sense, but where this case emerges from and where he got tripped up is in attempting to describe what was found by the jury.

'And as you noted, the jury itself found very precisely that Donald Trump did not commit rape within the technical definition of rape in New York's criminal code. They found him liable for sexual abuse.'

On the other side of the aisle, Republicans took their turn at blasting ABC News in what they believe to be as part of a reporting bias against Trump.

'I hope there are more of these. ABC is not the only news outlet that has made these claims,' tweeted Joshua Walker.

'The propagandists are literally being forced to fund Trumps museum. Amazing,' wrote Collin Rugg.

'Lol @ having to pay towards the presidential museum. That is even worse than just paying the money outright,' added another Republican gleeful at the outcome.

'The only way the legacy media and these people will change their ways is through being held accountable for their lies, a good start,' stated Klay Thompson.

'ABC should pay more than that. The lies and blatant propaganda they have pumped out as truth must never happen again! Canceling The View should be now to avoid more lawsuits,' X user Sully wrote.

Republicans posting on X felt that more news organizations need to be brought to account on how they report on Donald Trump believing them to be biassed against him

Mace was raped when she was 16 years old and says it is what drives her to be an advocate for women's issues

'You're trying to shame me for my political choice,' Mace told Stephanopoulos. 'It was not a criminal court'

The comments at issue arose during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), in which Stephanopoulos discussed Carroll's civil lawsuit against Trump.

In that case, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, awarding her $5 million in damages.

However, the jury did not conclude that Trump had committed rape as defined under New York law.

Stephanopoulos' phrasing - referring to Trump as being 'found liable for rape' -became the crux of the defamation suit.

Trump argued the statements were made with 'malice' and disregard for the legal distinction that the jury's verdict did not meet the state's specific definition of rape.

During the interview, Stephanopoulos pressed Mace, saying: 'Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape.'

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, pictured

In response, Trump filed a lawsuit, asserting that such statements misrepresented the jury's findings and caused reputational harm.

At the time, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the trial, noted that the legal definition of rape in New York law is narrower than its common understanding.

As part of the agreement, ABC issued a public apology for the inaccurate statements and agreed to fund $15 million for Trump's presidential library, describing the payment as a 'charitable contribution.'

ABC also agreed to cover $1 million in legal fees for Trump's attorney, Alejandro Brito.

While the settlement spares Stephanopoulos and Trump from testifying in depositions.

Critics argue that such lawsuits could embolden public figures to sue media organizations for critical reporting, potentially stifling free expression.
The son of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. has called on President Joe Biden to make one major move before he leaves the White House in January.

In an essay for the New York Times, Martin Luther King III urged Biden to commute all 40 federal death sentences to life sentences.

The president had already commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes in the largest-ever single-day act of clemency in the United States.

The Biden administration has also refused to carry out a single execution, but King wrote that Biden must do more in his final few weeks as president.

He said that the president 'would move America, meaningfully, in the direction of racial reconciliation and equal justice' if he were to commute all 40 federal death sentences.

'If Mr. Biden does not exercise his constitutional authority to commute the sentences of everyone on federal death row, we will surely see another spate of deeply troubling executions as we did in the first Trump administration,' King wrote.

He went on to note that a majority of the convicts who were executed in Trump's first administration were 'people of color' and 'at least one was convicted by an all-white jury and there was evidence of racial bias in a number of cases.'

Several convicts also presented evidence of intellectual disabilities or severe mental illnesses, King wrote, noting: 'The same problems were features in the cases of many of the 40 men on federal death row today, more than half of whom are people of color.

Martin Luther King III, the son of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr, urged Biden to commute all 40 federal death sentences to life sentences

The president had already commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes in the largest-ever single-day act of clemency in the United States

'My father taught that the death penalty multiplies hate, violence and vengeance,' King concluded his essay.

'Commuting federal death sentences would be a decisive shift toward love, peace and mercy.'

Biden had said he would be taking steps in his final weeks in office to review clemency petitions, after commuting the sentences of 1,500 people who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said these people would have received shorter sentences if charged under today's laws, policies, and practices.

Biden also granted pardons to more than two dozen people convicted of nonviolent drug possession or distribution charges.

'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,' Biden said.

But Republicans slammed the president for his actions, which came less than two weeks after he pardoned his own son, Hunter, who was awaiting sentencing on gun possession and income tax charges.

'Well, whatever legacy he thought he was going to have, he trashed it,' Texas Republican Rep. Jake Ellzey told DailyMail.com.

King III (pictured with his father, mother and sister, Bernice) wrote that his father 'taught that the death penalty multiplies hate, violence and vengeance'

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.

Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls also told DailyMail.com 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, who had pressured Biden to provide commutations for criminals, also celebrated the president's choice.

'Clemency changes and saves lives. And thanks to [Biden], 1,500 families will have their lives changed forever,' she wrote on X Thursday.
A surf instructor has been charged with indecently treating children.

Queensland Police will allege the 26-year-old man committed the offences against two children who were known to him in a professional capacity.

Its understood the offences were committed since August 2023.

The alleged incidents happened across Queensland, including Broadbeach, Coolum Beach, Yaroomba and the greater Noosa area.

The surf instructor was arrested on Sunday and charged with 12 counts of indecent treatment of children and three counts of wilful exposure.

The man will appear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.

A Queensland Police spokesman said detectives are continuing to investigate the matter and urged anyone with information to come forward.
An Oregon DJ was stabbed in the back by a stripper at the nightclub where he was working, shocking surveillance camera footage has shown.

Duncan Allen was standing next to his mixing decks as he prepared to spin some tunes at Casa Diablo Vegan Strip Club in Portland - where he worked for more than a decade - when the frenzied attack occurred.

Standing just behind him was Peyton Lathan, 29, an erotic dancer at the club who has also worked at the venue for over 10 years.

Lathan, who later was described as being 'possessed by a demon' during the frenzied attack appeared to be contemplating her next move when suddenly she launched an unprovoked attack on the unsuspecting DJ.

Allen looked to be completely surprised by Lathan, who was seen making several blows with a knife, allegedly stabbing him in the back.

Lathan stared at him for a few seconds following the wild outburst. Allen attempted to run away from the danger, and headed over to the bar area.

'I was on my computer getting some songs ready and next thing I knew I felt like a 500-pound man punch me in the back as hard as humanly possible,' Allen said to KPTV.

Duncan Allen could be seen standing next to his mixing decks as he prepared to spin some tunes at Casa Diablo Vegan Strip Club where he has worked for more than a decade

Standing just behind him, but caught perfectly clearly on surveillance footage, was Peyton Lathan, 29, an erotic dancer at the club who has also worked there for more than 10 years

Lathan could be seen making several blows with a knife, allegedly stabbing him in the back

'So I turned around expecting there to be a huge dude about to fight me and it was her [the erotic dancer] and she was standing there holding a knife.

'I still didn't know I was stabbed at that point. Then I took a breath in and realized my left lung had collapsed,' he said.

Luckily, his injuries were not life-threatening and the DJ has said that he is grateful things weren't worse.

'She could've cracked my ribs. She could have stabbed me in the kidney. She could have stabbed me in the neck. She could have stabbed me in the spine,' Allen said.

'If I have to be honest with you, I think she should get charged the highest because the fact is this was premeditated.'

Police arrested Lathan on two charges of assault, as well as a charge for unlawful possession of a weapon.

She was found hiding in bushes next to the road just police were helping escort Allen's ambulance to hospital.

During her arrest, Lathan told police she was 'pleading insanity' adding, 'that man is a drug dealer.'

DJ Duncan Allen has used his moment in the spotlight to thank workers at the nightclub who helped to save his life together with the paramedics that arrived on scene

The owner of the club, Johnny Diablo Zukle described the stripper as being 'possessed by a demon' at the time of the attack

Allen, who denies such claims, said he only wishes someone who had seen Lathan's concerning behavior had spoken up sooner.

'I would like to see concerning behaviors taken more seriously,' he said adding how had someone spoken up about Lathan's behavior beforehand, she may never have had the chance to attack him.

The owner of the club, Johnny Diablo Zukle described the stripper as being 'possessed by a demon' at the time of the attack.

'She was always a little off, but she never exhibited signs of violent tendencies,' Zukle said.

'She definitely had a mental health crisis. I think she had intended to kill someone, and it just happened to be Duncan, and when I think about it when she was in the dressing room for about 10 minutes, she seemed like she was possessed by a demon.'

The DJ, meanwhile, used his moment in the spotlight to thank workers at the nightclub who helped to save his life.

Currently, he is not sure if he will return to the strip club.

'I need to get out of the hospital,' Allen said to The Oregonian. 'My feet need to touch the grass and I need to stare into the sky for about 30 minutes and just close my eyes and hold my dog and just kind of just be thankful that I'm alive.'

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Allen pay his medical bills.

Paramedics told him he was just minutes away from drowning in his own blood that was slowly filling his lung.

Lathan is expected to be arraigned on her indictment Tuesday morning.

Casa Diablo is one of the better-known strip clubs in a city that has many. It opened in 2008 and got attention by touting itself as the world's first vegan strip club

Casa Diablo is one of the better-known strip clubs in a city that has many.

It opened in 2008 and got attention by touting itself as the world's first vegan strip club.

It made national news in 2013 following the disclosure that U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker of New Jersey exchanged mildly flirtatious Twitter messages with a Casa Diablo stripper. Booker won his election.

In 2015 it gained national attention for its vegan menu but was accused of withholding more than meat.
A Greens politician has called for one of Australia's biggest councils to drop the 'inappropriate' tradition of praying before meetings.

Newly-elected City of Sydney councillor Matthew Thompson has led a push to ditch the opening prayer from monthly council meetings, a long-held tradition for at least two decades.

The prayer follows the Welcome to Country address and sees the Lord Mayor, currently Clover Moore, thank God for the 'remarkable' city.

Mr Thompson, a self-declared agnostic, claimed the prayer no longer reflected Sydney's demographic and wanted to see it dropped or replaced with 'something non-secular in nature',

'For instance, the Inner West Council has a moment of quiet contemplation for councillors to reflect on their duty and the obligations of holding office,' Mr Thompson told the Daily Telegraph.

'We're a council, not a church (and) the current prayer doesn't reflect our community and the broad diversity of views that are held.'

Of the council's constituents, 52 per cent said they held non-secular beliefs, according to the latest census.

However, Ms Moore has defended the opening prayer inherited from the previous council, adding she 'liked' the tradition.

Newly-elected City of Sydney councillor Matthew Thompson (pictured) wants to ditch the opening prayer from council meetings

The Greens councillor claimed that the opening prayer (pictured at a council meeting) no longer reflects Sydney's demographic and wants to see it dropped or replaced with 'something non-secular in nature'

Cr Thompson hit back at the Lord Mayor's pushback and argued the fact the prayer was 'inherited' didn't make it 'appropriate in a modern multicultural city'.

'It could be that we just remove the prayer entirely and just open with the acknowledgement of country but I think the current prayer is inappropriate for our meetings,' he said.

Mr Thompson's proposal was presented to the council at Monday night's meeting, where it was rejected.

If it had been supported by the majority of City of Sydney councillors, the decision to retain, alter or abolish the prayer would have been subject to community consultation.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore (pictured) defended the opening prayer as something she 'inherited from the previous council', adding she 'liked' the tradition

Atheist state MP Fiona Patten in 2021 sought to have the reciting of the Lord's Prayer before every sitting of state parliament scrapped and replaced with a 'moment of reflection'.

The now former MP said the prayer did not reflect Victoria's diverse community, and argued parliament should not privilege one religion over another.

Ms Patten suggested those gathered in the Upper House of Parliament should instead spend the time in silence or reflecting on their responsibilities to the state.

She said more than half her colleagues chose to take a secular affirmation rather than a religious oath when they were sworn in.

'That's because we all come from diverse backgrounds, with a diverse range of beliefs  just like the Victorian community we represent,' she said at the time.

Ms Patten's bid ultimately failed but was followed a wave of councils choosing to abandon their prayer openings, including in Victoria.

Proposals to remove prayers have already failed in multiple Sydney councils, including Randwick and Sutherland.
The disgraced former policeman who was sacked after he was found guilty of Tasering a 95-year-old great grandmother has launched legal action against his former employer.

Kristian White, 34, has made an application to the Industrial Relations Commission after his Senior Constable role was terminated by NSW Police last month.

White was found guilty of manslaughter by a 12-person jury on November 27 for the death of Clare Nowland.

The officer fatally Tasered the great grandmother on May 17, 2023, causing her to fall to the floor and fracture her skull.

Ms Nowland used a four-wheeled walker and was holding a knife at the time of her confrontation with White. She died in Cooma Hospital a week later.

White was suspended with pay for 18 months before he was convicted of manslaughter, after which he was suspended without pay.

A week later, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced that White had been removed from the force.

She stated she did not '...have confidence in the officer's suitability to continue as a police officer in line with the procedure mandated under the Police Act 1990 section 181D.'

Kristian White (pictured) has made an application to the Industrial Relations Commission following the termination of his Senior Constable role with New South Wales Police

White was found guilty of manslaughter by a 12-person jury on November 27 for the death of Clare Nowland (pictured)

On Monday, a NSW spokesperson said it was 'advised a former officer who was attached to Monaro PD, has filed  an application for review under s 181E of the Police Act 1990'.

The Industrial Relations Commission application was filed against Commissioner Webb.

Section 181E refers to a former officer's right to review the decision to remove them from the force.

'A police officer who is removed from the NSW Police Force by an order under section 181D may apply to the Industrial Relations Commission for a review of the order on the ground that the removal is harsh, unreasonable or unjust,' the Act states.

White's application to get his old job back is listed to go before the Industrial Relations Commission this Thursday (December 19).

In footage played at his NSW Supreme Court trial, White was heard saying 'nah, bugger it' before Tasering Mrs Nowland in the torso at the Yallambee Lodge aged care home in the southern NSW town of Cooma during the early hours of May 17, 2023.

The 95-year-old, who was holding a steak knife at the time, fell backwards and hit her head.

The Industrial Relations Commission application was filed against NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured)

Ms Nowland (pictured) used a four-wheeled walker and was holding a knife at the time of her confrontation with White

The court heard Constable White and Acting Sergeant Jessica Pank were called to the facility in response to a triple-0 call claiming a 'very aggressive resident' was holding two knives.

Mrs Nowland had entered the rooms of four residents prior to the officers' arrival shortly before 5am. The grandmother had thrown a knife at a staff member.

White faces up to 25 years behind bars but was allowed to walk free from court ahead of his sentencing in February.

'So that there's no secret about it, I will not commit a policeman to custody until I understand the conditions under which he will be held, if he is to be held,' Justice Ian Harrison said at the time.

The Crown has applied for White to be jailed.

Mrs Nowland is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Several family members travelled from the NSW Snowy Mountains to Sydney for the trial and said they were 'very happy' with the jury's verdict.

'The family would like to thank the judge and jury for carefully considering the matter and the DPP prosecution team for their hard work,' the lawyer said outside court.

'The family will take some time to come to terms with the jury's confirmation that Clare's death at the hands of a serving NSW police officer was a criminal and unjustified act.'
A popular seaside town dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea' is planning to introduce a tourist 'parking tax' to battle the influx of visitors.

Local businesses in Salcombe have warned that the radical proposal to charge tourists more than locals for parking across the district of South Hams could be 'detrimental' to the town's economy.

Under the controversial plans, a full day of parking at Salcombe Creek car park would be increased from 6.50 to 10 for tourists, while locals will only have to pay 8.

Residents must apply for a discount to ensure they are exempt from paying the 'tourist tax'.

It comes as many cities across the UK are considering a European-style tourist tax that would see visitors pay more for hotel rooms.

Jude Macintosh, manager of The Ship In Dock Inn, said parking in Salcombe and Dartmouth is a 'constant headache' - and raising prices won't 'attract' guests to come and stay.

She said: 'Dartmouth and Salcombe is particularly challenging on parking and yes it does have a knock-on effect with people coming.

'I don't know why residents get it cheaper. Our bookings have gone down by a third because now we don't provide permits. We took it away because we can't afford to carry that cost.

Council bosses in Salcombe, Devon, are planning to make parking more expensive for tourists

Local businesses fear that the price hike could reduce footfall in Salcombe. Pictured: Tourists holidaying in the seaside town

'The councils are just trying to keep people away because they are not doing anything - as in parking - to entice them.

A local and small business owner, 64, based in Salcombe, explained that parking in town is an 'awful issue' - and the plans will 'most definitely' stop people from visiting the area.

He said: 'Everybody packs down here to rent holiday homes but things change - right now it is extremely quiet.

'Wouldn't it be lovely if people could park without adding an extra expense?'

Wendy Jones, owner of Dartmouth Launderette, said the plans will do shops and businesses 'no good at all'.

She said: 'It is very detrimental to Dartmouth. Parking is quite expensive as it is. It will damage the businesses.

'People tend not to use park and ride because it is quite expensive too. I think if they made it cheaper people would utilise it more.

'It is just an easy way to make money and we will all suffer with this. We are slightly different from your average tourist shop but we get loads of campers.'

Salcombe (pictured) is a popular holiday destination and has been dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea'

Wendy Jones (pictured with partner and co-owner Mike), owner of Dartmouth Launderette, said the plans will do shops and businesses 'no good at all'

Totnes is one of the other areas under consideration.

Roger Savin, 81, owner of The Little Elbow Room in Totnes has people from all over the country and the world visiting for holidays.

He said: 'I find that very difficult for them [council] to police that. How are they going to know if the car is not local.

'It can have a car plate from London but the person could be from here.'

Another business owner based in Totnes said they would be 'very frustrated' if they were a visitor and saw the price increase.

For them, tourists have the 'bread and butter money' as they sustain the businesses throughout the year.

They said: 'If parking is raised in an amount which is unreasonable I am afraid that people might not buy from the High Street.

'I think that the footfall decreases because of the lack of spaces and the pricing.'

A council spokesperson said they are 'regretfully considering' increasing charges from April 1 2025.

They said: 'We checked car parks in similar locations across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset to compare our current charges and our proposed new charges.

'Following this review of charges across the South West, it is clear that car parking charges in the South Hams are lower than most.

'Residents of the South Hams would be able to apply for membership of a new Resident Discounts Scheme.

'This will allow them to access lower parking charges at all our council-owned car parks via the cashless parking app.

'Those who don't have a smartphone will receive an extra half hour parking time instead.'

The consultation opens 9am on Thursday December 12 and closes at 5pm on Sunday January 5 with a final decision made in the same month.

Plans to introduce a parking tax on tourists comes as cities across the UK consider whether to charge visitors for staying in their areas.

Last week, York became the latest UK city to consider charging tourists more for hotel rooms in a bid to boost funding for its historic attractions.

That came after London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he would consider a tax on the capital's hotels - with his team looking at the evidence from Manchester and Liverpool, which have already brought in similar charges, as well as other cities around Europe.

According to The Standard, Mr Khan said last month: 'I'm happy to look into where it's worked, what the issues are in relation to that particular policy... We'll be looking at what cities are doing not just across Europe, but in the UK as well.'

Pressed on whether he supported the idea in principle, Mr Khan said: 'Let's wait and see what the evidence is. I'm somebody who believes in following the evidence.'

In England, there are no powers held by the central government, local councils or mayors to introduce a tourist tax, unlike in some European cities - but Manchester and Liverpool both introduced one in April last year through a legal workaround.

The city councils brought in tourism-based Business Improvement Districts (BID) to collect additional business rates payments from firms operating in specified areas.

Other cities could copy this model in a bid to boost their local economies and maintain historic sites and public spaces.
Marianne Garett, second from right, and Helen Hamm, right, listen to a guest speaker during a San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association member meeting at San Antonio Garden Center in San Antonio, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Imagine youre a recently retired teacher in Texas. You spent your career earning a lower salary than most of your fellow teachers across the nation. You spent more than $700 from your own pocket each year on school supplies, while Texas spent less per student each year than all but eight states. The last time you received a cost-of-living increase to your benefits was 18 years ago.

But through that hardship, youve earned a healthy pension and Social Security benefits. Only when your first Social Security check comes in the mail, its about half the amount you thought it would be. So much for a nest egg.

The retirement security of more than 200,000 Texans is being affected by the residue of a Social Security overhaul deal struck by Ronald Reagan and Tip ONeill nearly 40 years ago. As part of this bipartisan compromise, the federal government instituted the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, two rules that reduce Social Security payments retirees receive if they also get a public pension from a job that didnt pay into Social Security. For public sector workers such as teachers, firefighters and police officers, the windfall deduction can take as much as $512 a month from their Social Security payouts, and the pension offset can sometimes eliminate Social Security benefits entirely.

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The intent behind the Windfall Elimination Provision was to prevent workers who collect pensions from double-dipping and receiving an unintended advantage  a windfall  in Social Security benefits. The thinking goes that public sector workers, such as teachers, who earn a pension and thus contribute far less to the Social Security program, dont need as much of a Social Security payout when they retire. It also saves the federal government billions of dollars, though the Social Security Trust fund still runs an annual deficit of $56.3 billion.

Yet for retired educators in Texas, where retirement benefits rank among the worst in the nation, their pensions are not large enough to cover the reduction in their Social Security checks.

The Legislature hasnt approved a cost-of-living increase for retired teachers in nearly a decade, affecting every teacher who has retired since 2004. If a cost-of-living adjustment had been in effect for retired teacher pension payments, a Texas retiree would now be getting almost $3,000 per month. Instead, theyve seen their buying power dwindle: $2,000 in 2022 is equal to $1,350.89 in 2004.

Rather than approving increases to their monthly pension checks, the Legislature has opted for one-time bonuses. Last year, the Legislature spent $701 million to send 13th checks to more than 400,000 Texas Retirement System members, equal to retirees monthly annuity or $2,400, whichever was less.

Well, now that the state is apparently flush in cash, its time for the Legislature to do right by our retired educators. With an extra $27 billion in the coffers thanks to robust sales tax revenues, lawmakers should use a chunk of that money to give retirees pensions a long overdue cost-of-living boost.

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Yet while raises for retirees would at least somewhat blunt the impact of their smaller Social Security checks, the onus is on Congress go a step further and reform the windfall elimination and government pension penalties for good.

In Washington, Social Security is commonly known as the Third Rail of the federal government  dont touch it, dont think about it, and certainly dont even breathe the words reform unless you want every senior citizen in the nation to rise up in protest.

However, as the federal government inches towards the 2035 deadline when Social Security trust fund reserves are projected to become exhausted, some lawmakers are beginning to take their stewardship seriously. Chief among them are U.S. Reps. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) and Richard Neal (D-MA), the top Republican and Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, who have voiced support for bipartisan reforms to Social Security.

A bill to fully repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset has more than 300 co-sponsors in the House. Yet that measure would also increase the Social Security Administrations costs by $146 billion over the next ten years and would deplete the trust funds reserves one year earlier than projected.

Both Neal and Brady have proposed narrower reforms. They favor a proportional change to windfall elimination that would tailor the amount of Social Security deductions to an individuals career path and how many years they did and did not pay into the system. Neals proposal would also include rebate payments for retired and disabled-worker beneficiaries affected by the current Windfall Elimination Provision of up to $150 per month, which would increase with cost-of-living adjustments. Neither bill would affect Social Securitys long-term outlook.

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We urge Congress to swiftly put these bills on the floor for a vote in the lame duck session. Brady is retiring at years end and come January, the new Republican House majority will likely be far less interested in reforming Social Security.

Educators in Texas, and across the nation, have more than earned the comfort of retirement. Its long past time that their Social Security checks rewarded their years of service.
Police today named the victim of a drive-by shooting outside a north London wake as a 46-year-old mother.

Michelle Sadio was gunned down when a car pulled up outside a church in Brent, near Wembley Stadium, and opened fire on a crowd of mourners in the street.

Michelle's heartbroken family, including her children, are being supported by specialist officers as the hunt for the gang in the car continues.

One friend last night described her as a 'brilliant' person and mother who was 'the light in the lives' of her loved-ones.

The Metropolitan Police has opened a murder investigation but has not made any arrests after the attack on Saturday night. Two men, both aged in their 30s, also suffered injuries. One remains in hospital in a critical condition; the other man's injuries are not life threatening.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit which covers Brent, said: 'This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

'I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

'If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.'

The moment the car pulled up and opened fire emerged last night.

A chilling clip shows a black car turn into the road before stopping in front of the waiting crowd. Gunshots are then heard and those who are not shot sprint in all directions.

46-year-old Michelle Sadio was killed in a drive-by shooting in Brent on Saturday as she stood in the street outside a wake

A grab showing the car approaching the mourners at the wake before gunshots are heard

The scene on Gifford Road following the triple shooting on Saturday

Pastor Lawrence Larbie, of the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, said there was a wake going on inside the church which was due to finish at 10pm. But at around 9.15pm people began rushing into the building saying 'there's been a shooting'.

He told MyLondon: 'The car just drove through. The victims were people attending the wake. They were probably on their way home.'

Pastor Larbie said he was 'devastated' by the news, adding 'you are invited to attend the wake and you end up deceased. You're killed. You're gone. You're life is expired just like that.'

Paying tribute to Michelle, a friend described her as 'brilliant'.

She told The Sun: 'She was a light in all of our lives. She adored her children and worked hard to give them a happy life.'

Officers rushed to the scene on Gifford Road at 9.15pm, along with the London Ambulance Service.

Witnesses told MailOnline today that they heard multiple gunshots and a woman 'screaming'.

One neighbour, a 40-year-old mother of five, said: 'Last night we were inside our house and we heard a woman screaming, crying and shouting around 9pm.

'And then all our neighbours ran out and then police and ambulance started coming and we could hear the sirens.

'Our neighbours said they heard gunshots and that the shooting happened outside.

'We've lived here for 17 years and never seen anything like this.

'It's really bad this is happening in our community. Our youngest, a nine-year-old, slept in our bed because he was so scared.'

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A man was critically injured after a triple shooting, with police launching a manhunt for the gunman. A third victim's injuries are not life threatening

The shooting happened in Brent, north-west London on Saturday night, the Met Police said

A woman who worked at a nearby church said she was in a service at around 8.30pm when she heard gunshots.

'The music was really loud so I heard 'pow pow pow',' she said. 'I could hear crying and screaming and shouting.

'I went outside and saw that a woman in her 40s was injured. I wanted to perform CPR on her but I was so scared that the gunman would kill me.

'Then five or six minutes later the ambulance arrived but it was too late.'

A resident of nearby Creukhorne Road, who did not wish to be named, said they heard five gunshots in a row.

Meanwhile another man who lives near the scene of the fatal shooting described the incident as 'pandemonium'.

He said: 'I was inside the church and someone came in and said there had been a shooting. I looked outside and it was pandemonium.'

Police forensic officers at the scene on Gifford Road, Brent

Another neighbour, who has lived in the area since 2008, said her daughter had come home just 10 minutes before the shooting.

The woman added the victim did not live in the area.

She said: 'My daughter came though the door 10 minutes before it happened.

'My son thought there were fireworks, then I heard my neighbour screaming and I realised there was a shooting.

'It's crazy, it's sad. It's scary, it does not feel safe.

A neighbour, who lives on a road in Brent where three people were shot on Saturday night said people had been at a wake in a nearby church.

'People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.

'I heard a lot of crying and screaming.'

Tom Joyce, 72, who lives less than 100 metres from where the shooting took place, said: 'Last night at around 9.30pm while I was watching television I heard loads of police sirens and saw a police car. I didn't hear any gun shots.

'I looked at my window and I saw maybe a dozen young people - teenagers - running up and down the street.

'I got up this morning at 7am and I was tidying the street and I saw all the police cars and saw it was all cordoned off.

He added: 'We are well used to that [shootings] here. There was a shooting over there a few years ago. The problem round here is we have no police force.'

Road closures remain in place around the scene today as police continue to gather evidence.

Police officers at the scene on Gifford Road, Brent, after a woman died

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or 'X' @MetCC and quote CAD7137/14Dec. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Twelve people have died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a ski station in Georgia.

The bodies of 11 foreigners and one Georgian national were found in bedrooms on the second floor above an Indian restaurant, police said today.

A spokesman added that 'preliminary tests do not indicate any trace of violence on the bodies'.

The ministry has launched an investigation into the deaths in Gudauri, in the north of the Caucasus country, which are reportedly being treated as negligent manslaughter.

The initial investigation revealed that an electric power generator, which was located in an enclosed space near the bedrooms the 12 people slept in, was switched on the day before following a power outage.

'An oil-powered generator was turned on after the building lost electricity' on Friday, police said.

Investigators are trying to establish whether this could have been the cause of the carbon monoxide buildup that reportedly poisoned the victims.

The bodies of 11 foreigners and one Georgian national were found in a sleeping area above an Indian restaurant at the ski station of Gudauri, police said (file image of Gudauri)

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Autopsies have been ordered to determine the cause of death of the 12 people, whom Georgian officials say are presumed to be employees of the restaurant.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released.

This comes amid pro-EU protests in Georgia, which saw police fire tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators earlier this month.

Dozens of people were left hospitalised following the protests in the Georgian capital Tbilisi against the government's decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union until 2028.

The Georgian prime minister rebuffed calls for new elections and blamed 'foreign instructors' for the clashes.

Waving European and Georgian flags, tens of thousands rallied outside parliament on the evening of December 1, according to reports.

Some demonstrators tossed fireworks and stones at riot police, while others banged on the metal door blocking parliament's entrance.

Police later fired water cannons, but were unable to disperse the crowds. Late at night, riot police in full gear moved in, using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the rally.

Police uses tear gas as protesters surrounded the parliament building and threw pyrotechnics and other objects during demonstrations in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi on December 4

Fireworks launched by anti-government protesters explode near police forces during a sixth consecutive day of mass demonstrations against the government's postponement of European Union accession talks until 2028, in central Tbilisi on December 3

Shouting 'f*** Russia', protesters built barricades from dustbins and set them ablaze. Nearby, priests offered shelter to some protesters inside a church.

The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party claimed victory in October 26 parliamentary polls - elections that the pro-European opposition said were fraudulent.

While Georgian Dream rejects links to the Kremlin, critics accuse it of adopting a number of Russian-style laws targeting civil society groups who receive funding from abroad, as well as LGBT rights.
The 50 men said to have raped French grandmother Gisele Pelicot while she was comatose after being drugged by her depraved husband will learn their fate this week - and could face more than 600 years in prison.

Dominique Pelicot, 72, for more than a decade invited strangers around to their home to have sex with his unwitting wife after knocking her out with prescription sleeping pills.

Details of the unprecedented scale of Pelicot's warped campaign to watch his wife being abused emerged during a trial that began in September and resumes today - a case which has horrified the world.

The trial will reach its conclusion with the dozens of men accused hearing verdicts and if they are convicted, the judge will proceed to sentence them to jail terms of between four and 18 years each.

The only defendant likely to receive the maximum sentence of 20 years is Pelicot himself, who has been dubbed 'The Monster of Avignon'.

The bravery of his victim wife, Madam Pelicot, in allowing her identity to be revealed around the world - and the dignity with which she conducted herself throughout the trial - has seen the case become a cause celebre for campaigners against sexual violence.

Mme Pelicot held her head high as she heard and watched films covertly taken by her husband of 50 years in which she was abused at least 90 times by strangers he had invited into their home.

Having waived her legal right to anonymity in order to ensure the case received the maximum amount of publicity, the 72-year-old grandmother refused to be shamed - but instead repeatedly directed any shame at her abusers.

Gisele Pelicot leaves after a hearing with the defense's final arguments in the trial of her former partner Dominique Pelicot

This court sketch created on October 11, 2024, shows defendant Dominique Pelicot (C) looking up in front of his former partner Gisele Pelicot (R) during his trial

The only defendant likely to receive the maximum sentence of 20 years is Pelicot himself, who has been dubbed 'The Monster of Avignon'

As interest in the case grew, Madame Pelicot was clapped and cheered as she arrived at court and left at the end of the day. Graffiti honouring her bravery was daubed on Avignon's medieval stone walls and protests in support of her erupted all over France.

Prosecutors have based their sentencing demands to the court for each defendant on aggravating factors including how many times they came to the Pelicot home and the extent of documented sexual contact.

By this assessment the worst offender, for whom prosecutors suggest an 18 year tariff, was a 63-year-old known as Romain V. He was knowingly HIV-positive yet is accused of raping Mmd Pelicot on six separate occasions without wearing protection.

Because the incidents were meticulously recorded by Pelicot the defendants have been unable to deny sexual contact with the victim - but most have claimed they were unaware of the circumstances Pelicot had engineered.

French criminal law defines rape as any sexual act committed by 'violence, coercion, threat or surprise' but makes no reference to any need for consent - an aspect that campaigners have fixed on as outdated and wrong.

The trial heard in disturbing detail how while outwardly a doting husband, retired electrician Dominique, was secretly engineering what may possibly be the greatest marital betrayal of all time.

And as the evidence has been revealed, his 50 accomplices have wriggled and squirmed and repeatedly tried to protest their innocence.

One defendant told police; 'rape is not possible if a woman's husband is present', another claimed a man; 'can do what he likes with his wife', while most said they believed they were taking part in a 'kinky sex game' in which Madame Pelicot was a willing party.

One defence lawyer, the head of the criminal bar in Avignon, Master Guillaume de Palma, even told the court rape 'cannot occur' if the perpetrator did not 'mean to'. His remarks, in the second week of the trial, prompted outrage across France and added to the growing calls for justice for women.

However, the scores of videos of the unbridled truth, taken by Pelicot over ten years and shown in court to the shame-faced defendants and members of the public who queued every day to watch the real-life drama play out, left very little room for doubt.

Tossed around like a 'rag doll', and often snoring, Madame Pelicot, could be seen to be clearly unconscious and unable to give her consent.

In an electrifying 90-minute testimony, she told the hushed Avignon court: 'I was sacrificed on the altar of vice.

'My body might have been warm, but I was like a dead person.

'I was a dead woman, and these men take advantage of me, they defile me, they treat me like a bin bag.

'They didn't rape me with a gun or knife to their heads  they raped me in full consciousness.

'They treated me like a ragdoll.

'It is unbearable, and I don't know if I will ever be able to get up [off the floor] again.'

Her abusers, most from within a 50 mile radius of the Pelicots' home, were seemingly ordinary men from all walks of life.

The fact that broadly represented a cross section of French society saw them collectively described as Monsieur-Tout-Le-Monde - or Mr Everyman.

A courtroom sketch shows presiding judge Roger Arata (Top L), public prosecutor Jean-Francois Mayet and defendant Dominique Pelicot in front of many of his co-defendants

There was veteran chief fireman Christian Lescole, 57, who protested in court at being locked up after spending 'a lifetime saving people'. Police also found naked pictures of children on his computer following his arrest.

Moroccan-born hospital nurse Redouan El Farihi screamed his innocence before a video of him assaulting Madame Pelicot while she lay motionless was played in court.

There was 'sexual predator' Jerome Vilela, a supermarket worker, who was described by his ex-partner as a 'sex-addict' and told a prison psychologist he saw sex as a 'conjugal right'.

Successful builder Thierry Parisis told the court he had fallen into a spiral of depression and alcoholism following the death of his son in a car crash. He added he remembered very little about his encounter with Madame Pelicot.

Retired marine fire-fighter Jacques Cubeau said he was lonely.

There was IT worker Lionel Rodriguez, 44; painter and decorator Husamettin Dogan, 43; odd-job man Mathieu Dartus, 53; motorcycle mechanic and racer Hugues Malago, 39; and farm worker Andy Rodriguez, 37.

Gisele Pelicot speaks during the trial of her husband with 50 co-accused at the courthouse in Avignon

And there was Romain Vandevelde, a 63-year-old man with HIV who visited the Pelicots on six different occasions between December 2019 and June 2020 to rape Madame Pelicot and refused to wear a condom.

These are just a handful of the strangers that took part in the mass rape that has put the tiny village of Mazan, that lies in France's most picturesque region, Provence, on the map.

Retired electrician Dominique Pelicot met each of his accomplices on an internet site for voyeurs called 'a son insu' which translates as 'without them knowing'.

Over almost ten years he invited strangers  up to three times a week  to come to the couple's retirement chalet to rape his wife, which he had rendered unconscious by putting powerful sedatives in her dinner and glass of rose wine.

To ensure they weren't seen, Pelicot told the would-be rapists to park well away from the house, avoid wearing after-shave or smelling of cigarette smoke, and ensure they left nothing behind in the bedroom.

He choreographed the multiple rapes of his sleeping wife with such attention to detail that a lawyer described him in court as a 'perverted Steven Spielberg'.

The potentially fatal doses of sedatives forced upon Madame Pelicot had a devastating effect on her health. She lost weight, her hair fell out and she suffered lengthy blackouts. Her doctor feared she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. She also became infected with four sexually transmitted disease. She had no idea how.

The abuse only stopped when Pelicot was arrested in October 2020 for taking pictures of women's underwear on his phone at his local supermarket  a tacky form of voyeurism known as 'upskirting'.

Dominque Pelicot (pictured) is accused of drugging his ex wife Gisele and inviting dozens of men to rape her while he watched and filmed them over a decade long period of hell

A search by gendarmes of his home discovered some 20,000 lurid images and images of his wife being violated in the marital bed on computer files and mobile phones.

The following month, while returning home from Paris where she had been looking after her grandchildren, detectives asked Madame Pelicot to come to the police station.

At first, she did not recognise the woman lying on the bed unconscious being abused in the photograph that the policeman showed her. Then she saw it was herself and that she had been used by her husband of 50 years in the depraved sex scenes he filmed.

'That day will be seared in my memory for ever,' Madame Pelicot told the court.

'It was a scene of barbarism. I was in a state of shock.

'I remember asking for a glass of water, then a psychologist came into the room, they said my husband had been detained - and everything just collapsed for me.

A court sketch of Mrs Pelicot at the courthouse of Avignon, during the trial of her former partner accused of drugging her for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan

'We were 50 years together, with three children and seven grandchildren, and our friends said we were the ideal couple. I just couldn't take it in.'

Returning alone to the house where she had been so cruelly betrayed, she called her grown-up children  David, Caroline and Florian  to tell them their father was a monster.

Three days later she arrived in Paris with just two suitcases and her dog, never to return to Mazan.

Asked before the trial court how she reacted on learning how she had been abused by the father of her three children, she replied: 'He disgusts me. I feel dirty, defiled, betrayed. It was a tsunami. I was hit by a high-speed train.'

Pelicot told investigators he carried out his warped fantasies because he was 'bored' and blamed his arrest for 'disrupting his happy life'. He also hinted that he continued to hold a grudge against his long-suffering wife for a brief affair she had over 30 years ago.

The grown-up children have all disowned their father.

But courageous Gisele  whose divorce from her perverted ex-husband was confirmed in the days before the trial began in September  vowed to keep her marital name during the proceedings to protect her children and grandchildren who are also called Pelicot.

However, the family's pain did not stop there.

During the four-year police investigation into this most cruel case of betrayal detectives uncovered a file entitled: 'My Daughter Naked'.

In it were photographs of Caroline Darian, as a young woman, lying asleep on a bed, dressed in lingerie and partially naked.

The pictures were taken at the family home in Villiers-sur-Marne, near Paris, before 2013 when Pelicot retired and moved to Mazan in the south of France.

Caroline Darian has written a book about the trauma she suffered after learning her father, who she had idolised, was serial sex attacker, entitled: 'I No Longer Call You Daddy.'

At different stages of the long trial Caroline Darian confronted her father about whether he had sexually abused her  as well as her mother  storming out of court several times in distress.

But in his final statement Pelicot admitted to the court that he was a sex addict but denied drugging his daughter Caroline and taking photographs of her semi-naked on a bed dressed in her mother's lingerie.

Turning to his daughter, he said: 'Caroline, I never did anything to you.'

But in a furious outburst Caroline Darian screamed: 'You are lying!

'You're not telling half the truth, even about your ex-wife!

'You will die alone like a dog and caught out in lies!'

This court sketch created at the Avignon courthouse, south-eastern France, on November 27, 2024, shows Beatrice Zavarro (right), lawyer of defendant Dominique Pelicot (centre), addressing the audience during the trial

Under questioning from his lawyer, Pelicot accepted he would 'die like a dog' in jail for the crimes he had committed, but refused to give his beloved daughter the truth she needed.

And while France's worst husband knows he has seen his family for the last time, he is expected to appear in court again, as Pelicot faces further allegations of rape and murder after France's cold case bureau in Nanterre linked him with at least six hitherto unsolved crimes.

Pelicot has admitted the rape of a young estate agent in the Paris suburb of Villeparisis in 1999 but denies being involved in the murder of another estate agent Sophie Narne in another Paris in another suburb eight years earlier and other similar cases.

The Pelicot case in terms of number of defendants is not the largest sex crime case in French history - in that regard it is eclipsed by the child-sex rings that operated in the city of Angers in the early 2000s.

But the globally high profile trial has meant that it is almost certainly the most notorious.
A desperate search has been ramped up for a little girl who's now been missing for almost seven weeks.

Molly Noonan-Medley, aged 8, was last seen with a woman known to her in the Wollongong suburb of Woonona, south of Sydney at about 11am on October 31.

After attempts to contact the woman were unsuccessful, police were alerted the next day and launched an investigation to locate the girl, who remains missing.

Police launched a second appeal for public assistance on Monday night to help track down Molly's whereabouts.

Initial inquiries have established that the pair may have headed to Queensland and could be relying on public transport to get around.

Molly Noonan-Medley, 8. was last seen on October 31

The woman is known to frequent the Woonona, Wollongong and Huskisson on the NSW south coast.

Molly is described as Caucasian appearance, 120cm, thin build, blue eyes and blond/brown hair.

It is not known what Molly could be wearing.

Anyone with information into Molly and/or the woman's whereabouts is urged to contact Wollongong Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
Tourists staying at a five star resort in Fiji at the centre of a mass poisoning have been told that cocktails are off the menu - as authorities investigate what ingredient in the bar's pina coladas caused six guests to become violently ill.

Four Australians, a Fijian, and an American were rushed to hospital on Saturday after drinking at Warwick Fiji on the holiday island's Coral Coast, suffering symptoms including nausea and vomiting.

Five of the victims have since been discharged, including a Sydney mother and daughter who returned home on Monday night.

A second Australian mother and daughter remain in a stable condition at Lautoka hospital.

Fijian police have seized CCTV from the bar and toxicology tests are underway to determine how the tourists mysteriously fell ill, despite other guests drinking the same cocktail without developing any symptoms.

As the investigation continues, tourists have told Daily Mail Australia that guests at the hotel have been advised that cocktails are currently unavailable.

However, myriads of spirits - including vodkas, gins, whiskies, and rums - still remain on sale, and continue to be a popular choice for guests.

'We checked in on Monday and were told by staff that cocktails were not being served at the moment, but when we later went down to the bar, there were still tonnes of spirits available,' one guest, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

A staff member holds bottles of spirits as she tidies up the bar at the Warwick Resort in Fiji on Monday

Guests staying at the resort have been advised that cocktails are currently not available in light of Saturday's incident

However, spirits - including the above shots - are still on the menu for guests

'It was confusing that cocktails were off the cards but spirits - including shots - were still an option.'

The guest said the atmosphere at the resort was lively, however, it did seem quieter than would be expected at this time of the year days out from Christmas.

'There are still people here - families with kids, couples, and groups of young people travelling with their friends,' the guest said.

'No one seems to be too deterred by what has happened. Everyone seems to still be drinking, engaging with the live performances, and having fun. The hotel staff are really nice and friendly and the resort has a really nice vibe.

'But I imagined the resort would be packed around this time of year, and it seems rather quiet.'

Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that the government body was 'devastated' for those impacted by the incident.

He said authorities are mystified as to how the guests fell sick as the drink has been made using same method and ingredients - which include ice, coconut milk and a pre-mix - for years without any issues.

Mr Hill said the all the staff - including the bartender who has worked at the venue for 16 years - were all distressed by what had happened, and authorities are determined to work out what happened.

He stressed that tourists should be assured that Saturday's events were a 'very isolated incident' for the resort, which has been in operation for 40 years.

Tourists could be seen enjoying beverages, which are not part of the cocktail menu, at the pool bar on Monday

A guest told Daily Mail Australia that the resort seems rather quiet for this time of the year

Pictured: A list of the cocktails the resort offers in its restaurants

It's expected the results of the toxicology tests will be released in coming days.

Among those affected by the suspected alcohol poisoning were Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, from Sydney's upper north shore.

Georgia suffered a seizure after drinking the cocktail and was the most ill out of the pair.

Ms Sandoe and her daughter looked happy to be back on home soil as they wheeled their own luggage out of Sydney Airport shortly after 7pm on Monday night.

The mum and daughter beamed as they were reunited with Ms Sandoes parents David and Pamela and another male family member at a side exit, escorted by Australian Federal Police officers and out of the sight of most of the waiting media.

Ms Sandoe-Simpson was first to hug and kiss her grandfather, who then turned his attention to his daughter.

The Fiji incident comes after six tourists, including two Australians, were killed after drinking methanol-laced drinks at a two-star hostel in Laos in November.

While Fijian authorities are yet to determine if the latest incident is due to methanol poisoning, it has renewed calls for Aussies to be careful while drinking overseas.

Beverages remained on the menu at the resort bar on Monday

One of the poolside bars at the Warwick resort, which has been in operation for 40 years

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, and her mother Tanya Sandoe, 56, are pictured returning to Sydney on Monday

Ms Sandoe-Simpson embraced her grandfather David as she arrived home after the ordeal

Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long told Daily Mail Australia methanol poisonings were rare, but could happen anywhere in the world.

'These events, they do happen. They happen in Australia, they happen around the world and so they're not destination specific,' he said.

More than 400,000 Aussies travelled to Fiji in the past year - a holiday hotspot considered to be a 'safe destination' for tourists.

'In this situation, these people have done everything right,' Mr Long said.

'They've had a drink at a beautiful venue. You would expect that to be the safest place you can be.'

Mr Long said individuals could substitute alcohol for methanol because it was cheaper or because they sought to 'do harm'.

He added those responsible 'need to be locked up' and had complete trust in the Fijian government to investigate the matter thoroughly.

'We know the Fijian government will throw the book at these people and they're going to lock them up because the tourism industry is just so important to that community,' Mr Long said.

Earlier this month, police arrested the owner of the factory identified as the suspected source of the Laos methanol poisoning.

The manufacturing plant is located outside the capital city Vientiane and is understood to have been making the local Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whiskey.

The recent round of arrests now means 12 people have been detained over their alleged connection to the poisonous alcohol.

Seven guests, including four Aussies, were hospitalised after drinking cocktails by the pool at Warwick Fiji resort (pictured) in the south of Fiji's main island on Saturday night

The five star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast is 70km west of Suva, the nation's capital

Mr Long urged Aussies to follow safe drinking practices no matter where they are overseas and how good the quality of the venue is.

His tips include keeping 'an eye on their drink when it's being made' to make sure bottles aren't contaminated or to ask for a fresh bottle of spirits.

'But pre-mixed drinks that are sealed in a secure container are probably preferable while travelling,' Mr Long said.

'If you want to have some spirits, maybe buy them in Australia and take them overseas and consume them safely there, and then have those pre mixed, secured drinks when you're out on the town.'
MPs are threatening to use Parliamentary free speech rules to name an alleged China spy as they demand a debate on the furore today.

Politicians have branded the legal restrictions on identifying the suspected agent 'ridiculous' - especially as their details are widely known abroad.

The suspected operative knew the Duke of York for a decade, prompting major concerns about national security and Beijing's influence on the British Establishment.

As well as royals and former PMs, the alleged agent is also thought to have mixed with captains of industry.

There are fears others in high office might be unaware they have had dealings with a supposed spy.

He can currently only be referred to as H6, thanks to an anonymity ruling by an immigration court that banned him from Britain on the grounds of national security.

However, the 50-year-old's name and picture is being used widely in Chinese and US news reports and on social media, in coverage seen by millions around the globe.

Prince Andrew pictured with the alleged Chinese spy

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) is due to apply for an Urgent Question to raise concerns about Chinese state influence when the Commons sits today

The matter is due to be reconsidered by High Court judges as early as this week.

MPs including Nigel Farage have warned the order must be lifted soon  or Parliamentary Privilege could be used to name him in the Commons or the Lords without fear of legal recriminations.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'It is in the public interest for this to be fully transparent. It is important to completely expose Chinese infiltration where it occurs.

'There may be other people who agent H6 contacted or dealt with and if he is publicly named those people will then be able to come forward and contact the security services. That is why it's important the anonymity order is lifted as soon as possible.'

Former Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith is due to apply for an Urgent Question to raise concerns about Chinese state influence when the Commons sits this afternoon.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the restrictions on naming the individual were 'ridiculous', but stressed his focus is on the wider China threat.

'We're dealing with the tip of the iceberg. The fact is there are many more like him (H6) in the UK,' Sir Iain said.

'There are many more doing the job that he's been doing, and the fact he was leaving the UK tells you that he realised at some point he was going to get caught.

'The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that's taking place. The reality for us is very simple  China is a very clear threat.'

Claims involving H6 and Andrew emerged on Thursday, when it was confirmed the individual had been banned from entering the UK by then-home secretary Suella Braverman in a move backed by MI5.

Legal papers show Andrew's 'close confidant' had been working on the basis that the disgraced duke was in 'a desperate situation and will grab on to anything'.

Reform leader Nigel Farage (pictured) said he would be prepared to use Parliamentary Privilege to name the alleged spy

Andrew and the suspect first met in 2012 but it was not until 2022, after the former Chinese civil servant was rumbled by security services, that the Duke of York 'dropped' him.

The businessman has boasted about visiting Downing Street, and kept photographs of meeting former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May on the desk of his plush London office.

Footage from an interview with Chinese state-controlled TV also included claims he was invited to No 10 to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
A Home Office minister has sparked fury after declining to rule out letting former jihadi bride Shamima Begum return to the UK following the collapse of Assad's brutal regime in Syria.

Begum is currently detained in a detention camp in north-east Syria after her UK citizenship was revoked by the previous Tory government when she fled Britain as a schoolgirl to join ISIS aged 15.

Labour minister Dame Angela Eagle stopped short of ruling out the 25-year-old's return to Britain now that she faces an uncertain future following the storming and subsequent takeover by Syrian rebels last week.

The Border Security Minister on Sunday told Times Radio: 'Her British citizenship has been stripped from her and that decision made by a previous government has been approved of at the highest levels in the courts, and that's the current situation'.

'I'm not going to get into individual cases, though. It's not for me as a minister who might be involved to speculate about what the courts might do,' Eagle added.

'But I can say that we are keeping a very close eye on all of the people that we think may represent a danger to this country as the situation in Syria develops.'

Quizzed further on whether the government would allow Begum, or others in similar situations, asylum in Britain because of the risk to their lives in Syria, Eagle insisted: 'I'm not going to talk about her particular case.

'Every case would have to be looked on at on its merits. And we would also have to have risk assessment about any such cases.'

Labour minister Dame Angela Eagle on Sunday declined to rule out letting Shamima Begum return to the UK

Shamima Begum, 25, faces an uncertain future in Syria following the collapse of president Bashar al-Assad's regime

People kick a poster depicting Syrian President al-Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that his 24-year authoritarian rule has ended. Pictured: Syria, December 8, 2024

The Conservatives' shadow Home Secretary slammed the refusal to rule any decision out, demanding Labour confirm 'on whose side they really stand'.

Chris Phillip blasted: 'Conservatives in Government stripped Begum of citizenship and made sure she could not come back here. The courts upheld this.

'Those who supported the murderous Daesh regime have no place in the UK. It is weak and supine for the Labour Minister to fail to back this approach.

'With Keir Starmer appointing Begums counsel as this country top lawyer, Labour urgently need to make clear they will not undo our decision, and confirm on whose side they really stand.'

Downing Street has previously said there are 'no plans' to allow Begum back into the UK.

But the Attorney General swiped back, claiming it was 'extremely draconian' to strip Begum of her citizenship.

Lord Herner KC, who was appointed to Sir Keir Starmer's government in July, argued that taking away the ISIS bride's citizenship could lead her to 'rendition and targeted drone strikes, the consequences of which may be fatal'.

It follows a warning by the former chief of Britain's MI6, who said thousands of jihadis being held in Syria pose a 'chronic' threat to the West's security if they are released.

Sir Alex Younger said the toppling of the Assad regime risked a 'serious spike' in the threat of 'a very large number' of Islamic State (IS) detainees becoming free.

Begum was one of three schoolgirls who travelled to the Middle Eastern county to join ISIS in February 2015

The former jihadi bride now lives at the al-Roj camp in northern Syria, run by the Syrian Democratic Forces, which she has described as 'worse than a prison'

Al Roj is a filthy, brutal temporary tent city teeming with dangerous ISIS loyalists who use threats and beatings to enforce their extremist ideology

There are fears a flood of extremists could head to Europe if security around their detention camps is relaxed, with experts warning conditions in lock-ups of Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria were a perfect breeding ground for radicalisation.

Begum, travelled to Syria from Bethnal Green, east London, in February 2015.

She was one of three schoolgirls who travelled to the Middle Eastern county to join ISIS - and was stripped of her British citizenship after she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.

The Londoner then lived under ISIS rule for more than three years where she married a Dutch jihadi.

She now lives at the al-Roj camp in northern Syria, run by the Syrian Democratic Forces, which she has described as 'worse than a prison' in her desperate bid to be re-accepted into Western life.

Begum is among 65 Isis-linked Britons who are detained in prisons and detention camps in north-east Syria, where Turkish-backed rebel groups continue an offensive against the Kurdish groups who guard them.

There are about 50,000 male former Isis fighters, women and children in prisons and camps controlled by the Kurds, mostly from Iraq and Syria.

But their numbers also include Begum along with 20 women, 10 men and 35 children who are British citizens or have held British citizenship.
A 12-year-old girl has appeared in court charged with manslaughter after an 80-year-old dog walker was 'kicked to death' just a few metres from his front door.

Grandfather Bhim Kohli died in hospital after being injured in a park in Braunstone Town in September, Leicestershire Police said.

The 'caring and loving' pensioner was 'seriously' assaulted by a 'group of youths' while walking his dog in Franklin Park at around 6.30pm on September 1 and he was a mere 30 second walk away from his home.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Youth Court sitting at Leicester Magistrates' Court today.

Wearing all black, she sat at a desk in the courtroom next to her mother for the 10 minute hearing today.

She spoke only to confirm her name and age.

No pleas were entered, and she was released on bail to appear again at Leicester Crown Court on February 3 next year.

A 15-year-old boy was charged with murder three days after Mr Kohli was injured and is due to appear at Leicester Crown Court later this week.

Grandfather Bhim Kohli was 'seriously' assaulted by a 'group of youths' while walking his dog

Mr Kohli's 1970s semi is the second to last house before the park entrance

Pictured is Bhim Kohli's beloved dog Rocky

Mr Kohli's 1970s semi is the second to last house before the park entrance, just yards from where he was attacked. He would regularly walk his 15-year-old black and tan crossbreed dog, Rocky, in the park.

Neighbours and others living in the area said they had called the police in the two or three months prior to Mr Kohli's death over gangs of youths abusing Asian residents and reported seeing them kicking cans and climbing on bungalow roofs.

Mr Kohli was a retired factory owner and leaves behind his devastated wife, three children and two grandchildren.

A post-mortem found he died as a result of a neck injury pending further tests.

Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to 'prior contact' between officers and Bhim.

The force said in a statement: 'The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with manslaughter and is due to appear at Leicester Youth Court sitting at Leicester Magistrates' Court today.

'A 15-year-old boy has already been charged with the murder of Mr Kohli.'

Mr Kohli's family previously paid tribute in a touching statement: 'Bhim was a loving husband, dad and grandad. He was also a son, brother and uncle. He adored his grandkids with all his heart and loved spending time with them.

'He really was such a loving, caring person whose life was centred around his family.

'He has always been a very hardworking man and even at the age of 80 he was still very active.

'One of his great passions was his allotment, he would go everyday to tend to his plots and was so proud of them. He also enjoyed walking the family dog Rocky on the park many times a day.

Police at the scene in Franklin Park after the pensioner was assaulted in September

Mr Kohli was walking his dog, Rocky (pictured), in the park when the alleged attack happened

Grandfather Bhim Kohli died in hospital after being injured in a park in Braunstone Town in September, Leicestershire Police said

Flowers and tributes to Bhim Kohli are left near the Bramble Way entrance to Franklin Park

Police officers were pictured entering and leaving the area of the park after the attack

'Bhim loved to laugh. He was always very happy and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile.

'Our family have lived in the same house in Braunstone for 40 years, so he was very well known in the community  we have been overwhelmed by the messages and support from many who knew him.

'Our hearts have been completely broken. We are now pulling together as a family to try and support each other through the most difficult time imaginable and would ask for privacy while we do this.'

His daughter previously said that her father had been left with neck and spine injuries after the attack, and had been scheduled to undergo surgery before he died.

A total of five youths including, two 12-year-old girls, were initially arrested following his death.
An Indigenous elder led a Welcome to Country ceremony at an AFL match just days before he pleaded guilty to violently attacking his partner with an Aboriginal foraging tool in an alcohol-fuelled rage.

Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation chair and Tangentyere Council director Benedict Stevens, was given a six-month suspended sentence in June after striking his partner on the head at an Alice Springs home in April.

While Mr Stevens volunteered to stand down as the Aboriginal liaison officer at Alice Springs Hospital, he retained his position on the Tangentyere Council - which tackles community issues such as domestic violence.

The shock revelations emerged after Mr Stevens met with Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro last Thursday, following a massive spike in violent crime in the outback town.

It is understood Ms Finocchiaro was not aware of Mr Stevens' violent past when she met with him.

A statement of facts, seen by The Australian, outlined that Mr Stevens had been drinking with his partner, his daughter's partners and other family members on the afternoon April 19.

He left the suburban home and returned about 10.30pm.

Mr Stevens pleaded guilty to entering the home and retrieving a stick - understood to be a black and pink digging stick, traditionally used by Aboriginal women.

Benedict Stevens (left) led a pre-match Welcome to Country ceremony at an AFL game in Alice Springs days before he pleaded guilty to attacking his partner with a stick

He swung the stick at her head, striking her eyebrow and left a large laceration about 6cm long and 5cm wide.

Mr Stevens performed the Welcome to Country for a televised AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and Fremantle Dockers in Alice Springs in the week before he pleaded guilty.

He remains one of 14 directors on the Tangentyere Council and has defended his position, saying he has 'changed' since the attack.

'I said to myself as well, 'What the hell are you doing, Mr Stevens? You're the TO (traditional owner) of this town, of Alice Springs. Why setting a bad example to them? You should be leading the way, showing respect to women',' he told the Australian.

However, Mr Stevens' position of power, particularly in relation to domestic violence, has sparked outrage from many locals.

'Why is somebody with serious domestic violence convictions sitting at the top of the food chain when you've got the (police) commissioner and Chief Minister talking about domestic violence in the town?' one said.

Another said: 'The Territory can't have DV offenders as leaders, we're a laughing stock.'

Mr Stevens defended his position of director on the Tangentyere Council, which tackles community issues - including domestic violence

Last year the federal government committed $2million to a 'Women's Voices' campaign run by the Tangentyere Council.

The government has also set aside $1.25million in the last two years for family and domestic violence support.

Mr Stevens insists he's using his Tangentyere Council position to steer people away from alcohol, which he blamed for the 'accidental' attack in April.

'If you're drinking alcohol, alcohol caused that problem. It's all about alcohol  if you stay out of it, you'll have a good life,' he said.

He added he's 'getting away from alcohol' and hopes use his story to deter other men from going down the same path'.

Mr Stevens met with Ms Finocchiaro alongside the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation last Thursday, as part of her response to increased crime in the town.

There were reportedly 'high level' discussions on ways to combat the rise in violence but neither side made any commitments to funding.

Northern Territory Police has deployed extra officers from Darwin to Alice Springs after a two-month-old baby was flown to an Adelaide hospital with a brain bleed and fractured skull.

The infant allegedly suffered the grave injuries during an alleged home invasion.

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy claimed violent crime, including sexual assault, abduction and theft, had been on the rise since December 3.

Other recent allegations included a woman who was raped in her own bed while a 57-year-old man was allegedly threatened by a teenage gang armed with a tomahawk until he gave them a bottle of whiskey.

Mr Stevens met with Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro (pictured) last week as part of her trip responding to increased violent crime in Alice Springs, despite having a violent history himself

Ms Finocchiaro's two-day trip to Alice Springs was cut short.

NT Opposition Leader Selena Uibo claimed not enough was done to prepare for the 'predictable' uptick in crime.

'It is extremely concerning that there was a shocking spate of violent crime in Katherine over the weekend, with reports of only one police unit in a town of 10,000 people to respond. This simply isn't good enough,' she said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Finocchiaro's office for comment.
The man dubbed the Monster of Avignon after drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to have sex with her arrived at court this morning as a judge prepares to announce the fate of his co-defendants who could face 600 years in jail.

Dominique Pelicot, 72, invited strangers around to their home to have sex with his unwitting wife Gisele Pelicot after knocking her out with prescription sleeping pills.

Details of the unprecedented scale of Pelicot's warped campaign to watch his wife being abused over more than a decade emerged during a trial that began in September and resumes today - a case which has horrified the world.

The trial will reach its conclusion with the dozens of men accused hearing verdicts and if they are convicted, the judge will proceed to sentence them to jail terms of between four and 18 years each, meaning they face more than 600 years in prison.

The only defendant likely to receive the maximum sentence of 20 years is Pelicot himself. He spoke publicly for the last time this morning to apologise for the betrayal of his wife.

The retired electrician praised Gisele Pelicot's courage and appealed to her and their children for forgiveness for the terrible ordeal he had put them through by his twisted pursuit of sexual gratification.

Sitting in the dock of the Vaucluse Criminal Court, the 71-year-old, said: 'Hello, I would like to start by saluting the courage of my ex-wife, who was forced to put up with the suggestions that she was complicit [in the rapes].

'I ask her, the rest of the family, to please accept my apologies: I regret what I have done. I am sorry for making them suffer for over four years.

The man dubbed the Monster of Avignon after drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to have sex with her arrived at court this morning. Dominique Pelicot is pictured above sitting behind a police officer

Dominique Pelicot, 72, invited strangers around to their home to have sex with his unwitting wife Gisele Pelicot (pictured arriving at court this morning) after knocking her out with prescription sleeping pills

The bravery of his victim wife, Madame Pelicot, in allowing her identity to be revealed around the world - and the dignity with which she conducted herself throughout the trial - has seen the case become a cause celebre for campaigners against sexual violence

'I am just a working man and I want to tell my family that I love them, you have the rest of my life in your hands. I ask for your forgiveness.'

The bravery of his victim wife, Madame Pelicot, in allowing her identity to be revealed around the world - and the dignity with which she conducted herself throughout the trial - has seen the case become a cause celebre for campaigners against sexual violence.

Mme Pelicot held her head high as she heard and watched films covertly taken by her husband of 50 years in which she was abused at least 90 times by strangers he had invited into their home.

Having waived her legal right to anonymity in order to ensure the case received the maximum amount of publicity, the 72-year-old grandmother refused to be shamed - but instead repeatedly directed any shame at her abusers.

As interest in the case grew, Madame Pelicot was clapped and cheered as she arrived at court and left at the end of the day.

Graffiti honouring her bravery was daubed on Avignon's medieval stone walls and protests in support of her erupted all over France.

Opening proceedings in the final week of this four-month trial, Judge Roger Arata told the court that all matters had now been concluded and the only procedure left was for the defendants to make their final statements.

Judge Arata declared: 'It remains to give the floor to each of the accused. And I ask the question that applies to all of them: do you have anything to add in your defence?'

The only defendant likely to receive the maximum sentence of 20 years is Pelicot himself, who has been dubbed 'The Monster of Avignon'

This court sketch created on October 11, 2024, shows defendant Dominique Pelicot (C) looking up in front of his former partner Gisele Pelicot (R) during his trial

As interest in the case grew, Madame Pelicot was clapped and cheered as she arrived at court and left at the end of the day. Graffiti honouring her bravery was daubed on Avignon's medieval stone walls and protests in support of her erupted all over France

Pelicot  who is accused of drugging his wife of 50 years and inviting strangers he recruited on the internet to rape his wife  was the first to speak.

He thanked his lawyer, the court staff and his gaolers for treating him with the respect few believed he deserved.

Pelicot told the court: 'I would like to thank the court for simple reasons: it allowed me to remain seated each time I entered the room, which was interpreted as a lack of respect during the proceedings. Which is not the case. Without protection, you die in prison.'

He continued: 'I was saddled with names and titles when I would prefer to be forgotten.

'I find it difficult to continue because I would like to thank the prison officers who have been humane and professional towards me. I thank you, Mr Zavarro, for your loyalty.

He concluded by claiming the ultimate punishment was the loss of his family. He said: 'The deprivation of not seeing one's loved ones is worse than the deprivation of freedoms.'

Pelicot was followed by the dozens of co-accused, many of whom continued to protest their innocence.

Pelicot's accomplices packed into the courtroom in Avignon for the final week of the trial that has shone a light on France's worst sex case in decades.

Dressed casually in jeans, hoodies, thick sweaters and t-shirts the co-defendants still at large chatted amongst each other.

Just a few feet away Madame Pelicot appeared in good spirits as she talked with her lawyer Stephane Babonneau.

Gisele Pelicot (2nd R) followed by her lawyer lawyer Stephane Babonneau (R), is congratulated by women outside the Avignon courthouse after the prosecution concluded its case on November 27

A courtroom sketch shows presiding judge Roger Arata (Top L), public prosecutor Jean-Francois Mayet and defendant Dominique Pelicot in front of many of his co-defendants

Dressed in a cream coloured sweater and a beige scarf, the courageous grandmother smiled as she chatted with her defence team  and the court appointed welfare officer who has accompanied her throughout the four-month-long trial.

Madame tipped her head back as she listened to her ex-husband.

And she sat motionless as she listened to Pelicot's accomplices beg for her forgiveness.

One defendant said: 'If I had the opportunity for restorative justice for you I would do it willingly.'

Madame Pelicot looked ahead, refusing to lock eyes with her abusers.

One by one Pelicot's accomplices took the microphone to offer their excuses for raping unconscious grandmother Gisele, and to ask for her forgiveness in almost equal measure.

After just over an hour, trial judge President Roger Arata, announced that he and his four assisting judges would now retire until Thursday morning when they will begin to deliver the verdicts of the accused.

Prosecutors have based their sentencing demands to the court for each defendant on aggravating factors including how many times they came to the Pelicot home and the extent of documented sexual contact.

By this assessment the worst offender, for whom prosecutors suggest an 18 year tariff, was a 63-year-old known as Romain V. He was knowingly HIV-positive yet is accused of raping Mme Pelicot on six separate occasions without wearing protection.

Because the incidents were meticulously recorded by Pelicot the defendants have been unable to deny sexual contact with the victim - but most have claimed they were unaware of the circumstances Pelicot had engineered.

French criminal law defines rape as any sexual act committed by 'violence, coercion, threat or surprise' but makes no reference to any need for consent - an aspect that campaigners have fixed on as outdated and wrong.

Gisele Pelicot (R) sits beside her daughter Caroline Darian (C) and her son (L) at the courthouse during the trial, pictured on September 2

Dominique Pelicot, who has allegedly drugged and raped his wife Gisele Pelicot, appears during his trial with 50 co-accused at the courthouse in Avignon in a court sketch made on September 17

The trial heard in disturbing detail how while outwardly a doting husband, retired electrician Dominique, was secretly engineering what may possibly be the greatest marital betrayal of all time.

And as the evidence has been revealed, his 50 accomplices have wriggled and squirmed and repeatedly tried to protest their innocence.

One defendant told police; 'rape is not possible if a woman's husband is present', another claimed a man; 'can do what he likes with his wife', while most said they believed they were taking part in a 'kinky sex game' in which Madame Pelicot was a willing party.

One defence lawyer, the head of the criminal bar in Avignon, Master Guillaume de Palma, even told the court rape 'cannot occur' if the perpetrator did not 'mean to'. His remarks, in the second week of the trial, prompted outrage across France and added to the growing calls for justice for women.

However, the scores of videos of the unbridled truth, taken by Pelicot over ten years and shown in court to the shame-faced defendants and members of the public who queued every day to watch the real-life drama play out, left very little room for doubt.

Tossed around like a 'rag doll', and often snoring, Madame Pelicot, could be seen to be clearly unconscious and unable to give her consent.

In an electrifying 90-minute testimony, she told the hushed Avignon court: 'I was sacrificed on the altar of vice.

'My body might have been warm, but I was like a dead person. I was a dead woman, and these men take advantage of me, they defile me, they treat me like a bin bag.

'They didn't rape me with a gun or knife to their heads  they raped me in full consciousness. They treated me like a ragdoll. It is unbearable, and I don't know if I will ever be able to get up [off the floor] again.'

Gisele Pelicot speaks during the trial of her husband with 50 co-accused at the courthouse in Avignon

Women gather in support of Gisele Pelicot outside the Avignon courthouse on November 27

Her abusers, most from within a 50 mile radius of the Pelicots' home, were seemingly ordinary men from all walks of life.

The fact that broadly represented a cross section of French society saw them collectively described as Monsieur-Tout-Le-Monde - or Mr Everyman.

There was veteran chief fireman Christian Lescole, 57, who protested in court at being locked up after spending 'a lifetime saving people'. Police also found naked pictures of children on his computer following his arrest.

Moroccan-born hospital nurse Redouan El Farihi screamed his innocence before a video of him assaulting Madame Pelicot while she lay motionless was played in court.

There was 'sexual predator' Jerome Vilela, a supermarket worker, who was described by his ex-partner as a 'sex-addict' and told a prison psychologist he saw sex as a 'conjugal right'.

Successful builder Thierry Parisis told the court he had fallen into a spiral of depression and alcoholism following the death of his son in a car crash. He added he remembered very little about his encounter with Madame Pelicot.

Retired marine fire-fighter Jacques Cubeau said he was lonely.

There was IT worker Lionel Rodriguez, 44; painter and decorator Husamettin Dogan, 43; odd-job man Mathieu Dartus, 53; motorcycle mechanic and racer Hugues Malago, 39; and farm worker Andy Rodriguez, 37.

And there was Romain Vandevelde, a 63-year-old man with HIV who visited the Pelicots on six different occasions between December 2019 and June 2020 to rape Madame Pelicot and refused to wear a condom.

Dominique Pelicot (pictured) is accused of drugging his ex wife Gisele and inviting dozens of men to rape her while he watched and filmed them over a decade long period of hell

Pelicot depicted appearing at the courthouse in Avignon on September 11

These are just a handful of the strangers that took part in the mass rape that has put the tiny village of Mazan, that lies in France's most picturesque region, Provence, on the map.

Retired electrician Dominique Pelicot met each of his accomplices on an internet site for voyeurs called 'a son insu' which translates as 'without them knowing'.

Over almost ten years he invited strangers  up to three times a week  to come to the couple's retirement chalet to rape his wife, which he had rendered unconscious by putting powerful sedatives in her dinner and glass of rose wine.

To ensure they weren't seen, Pelicot told the would-be rapists to park well away from the house, avoid wearing after-shave or smelling of cigarette smoke, and ensure they left nothing behind in the bedroom.

He choreographed the multiple rapes of his sleeping wife with such attention to detail that a lawyer described him in court as a 'perverted Steven Spielberg'.

The potentially fatal doses of sedatives forced upon Madame Pelicot had a devastating effect on her health. She lost weight, her hair fell out and she suffered lengthy blackouts. Her doctor feared she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. She also became infected with four sexually transmitted disease. She had no idea how.

The abuse only stopped when Pelicot was arrested in October 2020 for taking pictures of women's underwear on his phone at his local supermarket  a tacky form of voyeurism known as 'upskirting'.

A search by gendarmes of his home discovered some 20,000 lurid images and images of his wife being violated in the marital bed on computer files and mobile phones.

The following month, while returning home from Paris where she had been looking after her grandchildren, detectives asked Madame Pelicot to come to the police station.

David's (left) 38-year-old brother Florian (right) told the court of the chaos that followed the news four years ago of the ordeal that their mother had suffered at the hands of their father

This court sketch created at the Avignon courthouse, south-eastern France, on November 27, 2024, shows Beatrice Zavarro (right), lawyer of defendant Dominique Pelicot (centre), addressing the audience during the trial

At first, she did not recognise the woman lying on the bed unconscious being abused in the photograph that the policeman showed her. Then she saw it was herself and that she had been used by her husband of 50 years in the depraved sex scenes he filmed.

'That day will be seared in my memory for ever,' Madame Pelicot told the court. 'It was a scene of barbarism. I was in a state of shock.

'I remember asking for a glass of water, then a psychologist came into the room, they said my husband had been detained - and everything just collapsed for me.

'We were 50 years together, with three children and seven grandchildren, and our friends said we were the ideal couple. I just couldn't take it in.'

Returning alone to the house where she had been so cruelly betrayed, she called her grown-up children  David, Caroline and Florian  to tell them their father was a monster.

Three days later she arrived in Paris with just two suitcases and her dog, never to return to Mazan.

Asked before the trial court how she reacted on learning how she had been abused by the father of her three children, she replied: 'He disgusts me. I feel dirty, defiled, betrayed. It was a tsunami. I was hit by a high-speed train.'

Pelicot told investigators he carried out his warped fantasies because he was 'bored' and blamed his arrest for 'disrupting his happy life'. He also hinted that he continued to hold a grudge against his long-suffering wife for a brief affair she had over 30 years ago.

A court sketch of Mrs Pelicot at the courthouse of Avignon, during the trial of her former partner accused of drugging her for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan

Gisele Pelicot (2-R), her daughter Caroline Darian (R) and her lawyers Stephane Babonneau (2-L) and Antoine Camus (L) walk towards the criminal court during the trial of Gisele Pelicot's ex-husband in Avignon, southern France, September 17, 2024

The grown-up children have all disowned their father.

But courageous Gisele  whose divorce from her perverted ex-husband was confirmed in the days before the trial began in September  vowed to keep her marital name during the proceedings to protect her children and grandchildren who are also called Pelicot.

However, the family's pain did not stop there.

During the four-year police investigation into this most cruel case of betrayal detectives uncovered a file entitled: 'My Daughter Naked'.

In it were photographs of Caroline Darian, as a young woman, lying asleep on a bed, dressed in lingerie and partially naked.

The pictures were taken at the family home in Villiers-sur-Marne, near Paris, before 2013 when Pelicot retired and moved to Mazan in the south of France.

Caroline Darian has written a book about the trauma she suffered after learning her father, who she had idolised, was serial sex attacker, entitled: 'I No Longer Call You Daddy.'

At different stages of the long trial Caroline Darian confronted her father about whether he had sexually abused her  as well as her mother  storming out of court several times in distress.

The Pelicot home in the village of Mazan, now known as the house of horrors

But in his final statement Pelicot admitted to the court that he was a sex addict but denied drugging his daughter Caroline and taking photographs of her semi-naked on a bed dressed in her mother's lingerie.

Turning to his daughter, he said: 'Caroline, I never did anything to you.'

But in a furious outburst Caroline Darian screamed: 'You are lying! You're not telling half the truth, even about your ex-wife! You will die alone like a dog and caught out in lies!'

Under questioning from his lawyer, Pelicot accepted he would 'die like a dog' in jail for the crimes he had committed, but refused to give his beloved daughter the truth she needed.

And while France's worst husband knows he has seen his family for the last time, he is expected to appear in court again, as Pelicot faces further allegations of rape and murder after France's cold case bureau in Nanterre linked him with at least six hitherto unsolved crimes.

Pelicot has admitted the rape of a young estate agent in the Paris suburb of Villeparisis in 1999 but denies being involved in the murder of another estate agent Sophie Narne in another Paris in another suburb eight years earlier and other similar cases.

The Pelicot case in terms of number of defendants is not the largest sex crime case in French history - in that regard it is eclipsed by the child-sex rings that operated in the city of Angers in the early 2000s.

But the globally high profile trial has meant that it is almost certainly the most notorious.
International passenger train between Chinas Suifenhe and Russias Grodekovo resumes service

Global Times) 09:25, December 16, 2024

Passengers prepare to board the international passenger train from China's Suifenhe Station to Russia's Grodekovo Station, on December 15, 2024. (Photo/Courtesy of China Railway Harbin Group Co)

The international passenger train linking Suifenhe in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Grodekovo in Russia resumed service on Sunday, operating one round trip per day, according to China Railway Harbin Group Co.

The restored train operates daily, with the departure from Suifenhe at 9:52 am and from Grodekovo at 3:43 pm, the Chinese railway operator told the Global Times on Sunday in a statement.

According to Russian News Agency TASS, the route suspended services in February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restoration of the rail passenger service is expected to boost China-Russia economic and trade cooperation, especially in services trade like cross-border tourism, Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

China's tourism market has rapidly recovered after the pandemic, with growing demand for cross-border travel, Zhang added.

In 2023, Russia saw 997,900 tourists visiting China, while 477,000 Chinese tourists traveled to Russia, according to a People's Daily report in July.

The regional effect of this kind of border connectivity is significant, as it can also stimulate the trade of border goods between China's northeastern region and Russia's Far East. While border trade accounts for a small portion of overall bilateral trade, it holds considerable growth potential and can contribute to the economic recovery of both regions, Zhang noted.

In 2023, the trade volume between China and Russia reached a record high of $240.1 billion, surpassing the $200 billion trade target ahead of schedule and is nearly 1.7 times higher than 10 years ago. China has remained Russia's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, per data from the Ministry of Commerce and the Xinhua News Agency.

Cooperation between the two countries' border regions and local areas is dynamic, with great potential and positive trade momentum. Key projects are advancing smoothly, and connectivity is being continuously optimized, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative Ling Ji said in May while visiting Moscow.

China is committed to working with Russia to unlock the potential of land transport, promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and create favorable conditions for bilateral trade and investment cooperation, Ling said.

On December 10, the passenger transportation service between the Heihe Highway Port in China and the Kanikurgan Highway Port in Russia officially began. Four buses operate daily in both directions, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

On Saturday, the floating icebreaker channel from Tongjiang East Port in Heilongjiang to Russia's Leninskoye Port officially began its 2024-2025 operational season, opening 43 days earlier than last year, China Media Group (CMG) reported.

This channel not only shortens the international logistics route from Tongjiang but also provides a convenient option for cross-border tourism, allowing travelers to reach Russia in just five minutes, CMG said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., speaks before President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP

The claim: As high-profile businesspeople Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy launched their Department of Government Efficiency  part of President-elect Donald Trumps efforts to slash government spending  House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., cast the federal workforce as avoiding its duties.

"Well, there was a report that came out today, I don't know if you all have seen it, but someone did a little survey about how many federal employees are actually working in the office," Johnson told reporters Dec. 5. "By one estimate, it may be about 1%, if you don't count the security personnel that are covering these buildings.  And, so, one of the first things that I think you'll see is a demand from the new administration, and from all of us in Congress, that federal workers return to their desks and get back to the work that they are supposed to be doing."

PolitiFact ruling: Pants on fire. Johnson appeared to be referencing comments about a Federal News Network survey that produced a low figure of in-office employees but is not comprehensive. The outlet said the survey was not scientific and should not be used to draw conclusions about federal employees.

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Discussion

Johnsons office did not respond to our inquiries. But his comments followed the Dec. 5 release of a report by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, that criticized federal employees' working practices; it was titled, "Out of office: Bureaucrats on the beach and in bubble baths but not in office buildings." The report said 6% of federal workers "report in-person on a full-time basis, while nearly one-third are entirely remote."

On the day of Johnsons remarks, Musk posted on X to spotlight the New York Posts coverage of Ernsts report. In his post, Musk said, "If you exclude security guards & maintenance personnel, the number of government workers who show up in person and do 40 hours of work a week is closer to 1%!"

This 1% figure does not appear in Ernsts report.

Ernsts office also did not respond to inquiries. But her report drew from a survey by a news outlet that later clarified it was not a scientific survey and should not be used to draw conclusions about the federal workforce.

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Surveys by federal agencies have found vastly different figures. For example, the federal Office of Personnel Management, which handles the federal governments human resources, found that about 14% of federal employees work remotely full time. That study also found that 32% of federal workers never work remotely, meaning they work in the office five days a week.

Another study, by the federal Office of Management and Budget, which helps craft presidential budget proposals and manage the executive branch, found that half of federal workers arent eligible to work remotely. Employees eligible for remote work average three days a week in the office, the study found.

The federal government employs more than 4 million people, including 2.28 million federal civilian employees.

Ernsts report relies on government, media and whistleblower reports; her office did not undertake its own statistical research.

Its headline finding  that 6% of federal workers report in-person on a full-time basis  cites a survey released in April by the Federal News Network, a news outlet covering the federal workforce.



The survey gauged current federal employees perspectives on post-COVID-19 return-to-office changes at their agencies. It received 6,338 responses, which represents 0.2% to 0.3% of the total federal workforce.

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About 30% of respondents said they work entirely remotely, 6% said they work entirely in-person and 64% said they work a hybrid of in-office and remote.



However, on Dec. 6, one day after Ernst released her report citing the survey, Federal News Network appended an editors note to its report, clarifying that the survey was "non-scientific."

Federal News Network noted that respondents chose whether to participate in the survey, a process that survey experts say can create bias. Federal News Network Executive Editor Jason Miller told PolitiFact that the survey system didnt prevent one person from answering the survey more than once.

"As we said in our story, the 6% number is a snapshot of federal employees who responded to our online survey," Miller said. "We dont believe, nor have ever said, this data represents all federal employees."

Other federal workforce surveys contradict the Federal News Networks findings.

The 2023 edition of an annual survey by the Office of Personnel Management asked federal workers about their telework practices. Invitations were sent to more than 1.6 million employees, of whom more than 625,568, or 39%, responded.

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About 46% said they rarely or never work remotely. Another 17% said they worked remotely one or two days a week. Fourteen percent said they were full-time remote workers.

The agencys 2024 survey, which was released after Johnsons remarks, did not ask telework questions.

The Office of Management and Budget released another study on the federal workforce in August. It found that, as of May, about half of federal workers held jobs that did not allow for telework, such as positions that provide health care to veterans, inspect the food supply and manage federal natural lands.

"At the same time, telework-eligible personnel spent approximately 60% of regular, working hours in-person at agency-assigned job sites," the report said, indicating federal workforce telework rates generally in line with the private sector, according to Congressional Budget Office data.

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Ernsts report cited the Office of Personnel Management and Office of Management and Budget reports. But it did not cite the overall telework data that conflicted with the Federal News Network survey.
A coroner has issued a warning over an everyday household appliance that started a horrific blaze which killed a grandmother and her disabled son.

Champagauri Bhatt, 86, and her son Dipak, 66, died in March last year after an electrical fault within their new Whirlpool tumble dryer sparked a devastating fire inside their north London home.

Ms Bhatt and Dipak lived with her grandson, 30-year-old computer scientist Pavan.

He was left homeless following the inferno. He had been coming home from work when a panicked neighbour called to say his home was aflame and returned to find his life in ruins.

Ms Bhatt, a wheelchair user who was registered blind, and Dipak, who had suffered brain damage and was non-verbal, were thought to have been asleep when the fire started and had inhaled a lethal amount of smoke.

After being rushed to hospital, Mr Bhatt's grandmother tragically passed away just two days after the fire, while his uncle died less than three weeks later on April 18.

A coroner has called for action to prevent another devastating fire caused by a tumble dryer.

Mr Bhatt welcomed the report, hoping that 'we can avoid another family having to go through a similar tragedy'. In the wake of the tragic incident, he urged other families to research their home appliances before making a purchase and failing to do so 'could be like bringing a bomb into your home'.

Champagauri Bhatt, 86, and her son Dipak Bhatt, 66, (pictured together) tragically lost their lives when a blaze broke out at their home in Edgware, London on March 29 last year

They lived with their nephew, 30-year-old computer scientist Pavan (pictured) who was left homeless following the inferno. He was on his way home from work when a panicked neighbour called to say his home was aflame

Mr Bhatt lost his grandmother and uncle in March last year after an electrical fault within a Hotpoint tumble dryer sparked a devastating blaze inside their north London home (pictured)

At an inquest into their deaths, the coroner ruled the blaze had been caused by an electrical fault that most likely occurred inside the dryer's pump, before spreading to the cupboards above and eventually engulfing most of the house.

The Coroner for North London, Dr Peter Straker has now published a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) Report to try and tackle the risks of these appliances.

He wants manufacturers to improve the reporting and analysis of fires like the one which killed Mr Bhatt's grandmother and uncle, and to improve communication between manufacturers and fire safety organisations.

Mr Bhatt said: 'I sincerely hope the coroner's wide ranging and serious concerns over the safety of Whirlpool Hotpoint tumble dryers will lead to action being taken by the manufacturer and regulatory bodies.

'Since the night of the fire, I have had to deal with the distress and grief of losing my much-loved grandmother and uncle in these appalling circumstances.

'I now call on all those concerned to follow the recommendations in the coroner's report, so we can avoid another family having to go through a similar tragedy.'

Leigh Day partner Thomas Jervis, who represented Mr Bhatt at the inquest, said: 'My client welcomes the Coroner's robust prevention of future deaths report and hopes that it leads to real and meaningful change.

'The family will now wait for Hotpoint's response as to whether they are going to carry out a full voluntary recall of machines with these components. In the alternative, they will be expecting the government to intervene again.'

Mr Bhatt told The Sunday Times previously: 'When someone buys a tumble dryer, they're not buying it thinking, 'I've just put a potential bomb in my house'.

Mr Bhatt urged other families to research their home appliances before making a purchase and failing to do so 'could be like bringing a bomb into your home'

Mr Bhatt is also calling on Whirlpool, which owns the European division of the Hotpoint brand, to recall the model that caused the fire at his home (File image)

'I fear it will not be long before another family experiences the pain and grief [I] have had to endure.'

He has urged people to research devices they purchase by looking into the company and its history 'in order to ensure the safety of yourself and your family'.

Mr Bhatt is also calling on Whirlpool, which is owns the European division of the Hotpoint brand, to recall the model that caused the fire at his home.

More than five million dryers under Whirlpool's Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit labels had a design fault that caused at least 750 household fires between 2004 and 2015.

A fire that killed two people inside a flat in Llanrwst, North Wales, in October 2014 was likely caused by a faulty Hotpoint tumble dryer, a coroner ruled at the time.

London Fire brigade said a blaze in Shepherd's Bush in an 18-storey building in August 2016 which took 120 firefighters to get under control was caused by a faulty Indesit tumble dryer.

Coroner's recommendations: Stop moisture getting into condensate pumps which may cause a fire

Better information management to learn from white goods fires

For the British Standards Institute to look at and improve the standards of manufacture

Manufacturers to share data on decisions and rationale behind recall/ replacement of condensate pumps

Companies investigating fires to notify Trading Standards and the Office of Product Safety Standards of the outcome

Manufacturers to be required to take risk assessments to account for persons in a property and their actions, i.e. sleeping

Identification plates on appliances that will not be destroyed by fire akin to those on vehicles Advertisement

In September 2018, mother Jemma Spurr, had just returned home from the school run, when she noticed a burning smell while the machine was on in her garage.

She quickly fled her home with her three children, including her then eight-month-old daughter Amber, who was napping in her cot. Luckily, they all managed to escape with their lives.

In 2019, following public outcry, Whirlpool confirmed that some of its Hotpoint and Indesit models needed to be recalled.

Vice President of Whirlpool Jeff Noel said at the time: 'I want to apologise sincerely for the worry and inconvenience I know this will cause, especially during these difficult times.

'I'd also like to reassure you that we are working as quickly as we can to provide solutions to affected customers as soon as possible.

'Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers, and working quickly to remove the affected appliances from customers' homes is our number one priority.'

Mr Bhatt is considering launching a civil claim for compensation against Whirlpool himself.

He was made temporarily homeless while his house was renovated, a cost which he has been forced to cover as the property was uninsured. He now lives at the house with his partner Ambar Choudhry, 28.

Whirlpool told The Sunday Times that the safety of its products was its 'top priority' and extended its 'deepest sympathies to the Bhatt family',

The company added: 'We are actively reviewing the coroner's conclusions in detail and will remain in constant dialogue with the regulatory authorities.'

The inquest earlier this year heard from three forensic experts, each selected by Whirlpool, Bhatt and LFB.

In 2019, following public outcry, Whirlpool confirmed that some of its Hotpoint and Indesit models needed to be recalled. Pictured: Vice President of Whirlpool Jeff Noel

The investigator chosen by Whirlpool suggested there could have been an 'external' cause to the fire - possibly a cigarette butt, seeing as Mr Bhatt's uncle was allowed to smoke two cigarettes a day, while supervised.

The other two believed it was caused by a machine fault, with one saying it was an issue with the dryer's pump, while the other said it was down to an electrical fault at the door switch of the tumble-dryer.

But the coroner concluded that the fire most likely started due to the failure of an electrical component called a condensate pump terminal within their Whirlpool Hotpoint tumble dryer.

Mr Jervis added: 'The Whirlpool Hotpoint tumble dryer that caused this tragic fire and cost my client the lives of two of his closest relatives, was purchased brand new just six months earlier.'

'It is plain to see that, despite Whirlpool's previous track record of fires being caused by its faulty appliances, the company has failed to learn vital lessons around fire safety in relation to its products.

'It is time the company took greater responsibility for the safety of its customers and recalled this particular model of tumble dryer as well as any others where there may be safety concerns.

'This is not the first time I have represented families at inquests into deaths caused by fires involving Whirlpool Hotpoint appliances. If urgent action is not taken, I fear it may not be the last.'
Junior Wall Street bankers are ditching cocaine for focus-boosting ADHD prescription drugs and nicotine pouches in an effort to 'have an edge' through the long hours, insiders say.

Jonah Frey, a former investment banker for Wells Fargo, told the Wall Street Journal that Adderall and Vyvanse are becoming increasingly common in finance to help ambitious newcomers push through 90-hour weeks.

He alleged that one colleague would 'sometimes snort lines of crushed up Adderall pills from his desk in the bullpen', a common area for junior bankers, and 'nobody blinked an eye'.

Frey said that he also received a prescription for Adderall, an amphetamine used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD, or illicitly as a performance enhancer, from an online healthcare company to help cope with the long hours.

He told the outlet that it was not unusual for work days at the San Francisco office to start at 4am to link up with clients on the East Coast, ending around 2am the next day.

'I felt that I had to have an edge to make it,' he said, adding that he had gone in believing the seven-figure salary outweighed the 'downside risks'.

Frey ultimately resigned in 2022 and dropped his drug habit, but said it took a month to get over the withdrawals, suffering cold sweats and insomnia as he relearned 'the basics of how to operate as a human being' and went back to business school.

The 2013 film Wolf of Wall Street depicted the excesses of working as a top stockbroker

Today's Wall Street interns say they are increasingly turning to prescription drugs (File)

Jonah Frey said staff at Wells Fargo could get in at 4am and work until around 2am the next day

Mr Frey was not alone in his claims about the long hours and high demands of Wall Street jobs, and the more recent turn to prescription medication.

Trevor Lunsford, a banker for Ascend Capital, told the WSJ that staff in the Washington DC office could 'regularly' expect a 20 to 22 hour day a couple of times a week.

He said that he had been taking Adderall for seven years to manage the intense environment.

Lunsford added that the hours were 'something that I would not have been able to be on for, be focused and be quick with decisions if I wasn't able to take Adderall'.

Adderall is a lifeline for sufferers of narcolepsy and ADHD, helping to recalibrate focus and boost concentration levels by stimulating the nervous system.

But there are risks to taking the drug for extended periods of time, and dangers when healthy people use it illicitly as a performance enhancer.

Students have long used the drug to guide their attention during long periods of revision.

Studies show the drug helps with memory, self-regulation and executive function in individuals with ADHD, but 'little impact' on performance in healthy users.

Last year, 29-year-old Michael Bloom, who worked at the Royal Bank of Canada in New York, died from the combined effects of fentanyl and ethanol. A superior had raised concerns about the Adderall he was taking to get through the day

Adderall prescriptions have steadily increased over the last 12 years. The figures include prescriptions for both Adderall, brand and generic, in the U.S.

Mark Moran, a former intern with Credit Suisse in New York, said he began taking the drug to hold his focus while working 90-hour weeks.

It was colleagues who advised him that he could get a prescription after filling in a short questionnaire and speaking to a physician at a Wall Street health clinic, he said.

Despite the fact a psychologist in the family did not think he had ADHD, the clinic 'gave me a script and within months, I was hooked', he said.

Mark reported some positive effects at first, being able to carry on working for hours and maintaining interest in the subject matter.

The pills can help make even the most mundane of tasks seem interesting as levels of dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain increase.

The problem, Mr Moran said, was that 'you become dependent on it to work'.

Mr Moran switched to Vyvanse, another stimulant medication used to treat ADHD, and slowly increased his dosage as he became tolerant to the drug.

A doctor allegedly offered to prescribe it alongside Adderall, which he turned down.

The number of prescriptions for Adderall given to age groups by year. Graph shows under-21s (light green), 22 to 44 year olds (light blue) and over-45s (dark blue)

He said he started having heart palpitations as his body strained under the high dose of medication and long hours, working until 5am in New York and getting back into the office for 9am with Centerview Partners.

The 33-year-old has since left and is running his own investor-relations firm.

Others reportedly used Zyn - a nicotine pouch - to excess or mixed energy drinks with extra strength 5-hour energy shots to stay awake and focused, putting significant pressure on their hearts.

The caffeine payload was equivalent to five cups of coffee in one go, the WSJ reports.

Reports of high stress and incidence of health conditions has flagged real concern about the long hours and high demands on Wall Street.

Last year, 29-year-old Michael Bloom, who worked at the Royal Bank of Canada in New York, died from the combined effects of fentanyl and ethanol, it was ruled.

Someone close to Mr Bloom said a superior had raised concerns that he was using Adderall to manage his workload, something Mr Bloom allegedly dismissed, saying he needed them to concentrate.

The DEA has warned that Adderall specifically could become the next opioid epidemic, given the soaring rate of new prescriptions and the potential for abuse.

Elijah Hanson (pictured), 21, died by suicide in June. He had suffered mental health issues for years. His family said that a recent Adderall prescription he obtained through Cerebral played a role in his death

A Drug Enforcement Administration chief compared the influx of new prescriptions and high risk of abuse to that of opioids in the early to mid-2000s.

The drugs have been linked to insomnia, anxiety, seizures, hallucinations and psychosis - and there is some evidence they may raise the risk of heart disease.

Matthew Strait, deputy assistant administrator in the diversion control division at the DEA, said: Im not trying to be a doomsday-er here... It makes me feel like were at the precipice of our next drug crisis in the United States.

Prescriptions exploded during the pandemic with the rise of telehealth firms - with prescriptions jumping from 35.5 million in 2019 to 45 million last year.

Wells Fargo declined to comment.
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is facing calls to resign from his position days before he assumes temporary leadership of the Church of England.

Pressure is mounting on Mr Cottrell over his handling of a sexual abuse case during his time as the Bishop of Chelmsford, where he allowed priest David Tudor to remain in his diocese despite being aware of his abusive past.

A new BBC investigation has revealed that Mr Cottrell knew that Tudor had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim and also been barred by the Church from being alone with children.

Now, the Bishop of Newcastle Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley has called for the Archbishop of York to resign, saying that irrevocable damage has been done to his character.

Blasting Mr Cottrell's integrity, Bishop Hartley questioned how he could have the 'moral and ethical authority' to lead an institution such as the Church of England.

The Archbishop of York has defended his actions though, and pledged to do 'what he can' to help bring about safeguarding policy changes within the Church.

This scrutiny comes at a time when the Church is already embroiled in public-facing controversy, after the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury over his own handling of historical abuse cases.

Justin Welby is due to step down from his role as Archbishop of Canterbury in the New Year, with the Archbishop of York set to assume temporary charge of the Church of England.

The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is facing calls to resign over his handling of an historical abuse case

Mr Cottrell is just weeks away from assuming temporary leadership of the Church after the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

The Bishop of Newcastle Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley is the leading the calls for the Archbishop's resignation

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, the Bishop of Newcastle strongly condemned the 'old boy's club' element present amongst Church of England bishops, adding that she held serious reservations over the Archbishop of York's ability to enact tangible operational and cultural change.

The alleged abuse victim who received a 10,000 payment from David Tudor after a police investigation failed to charge him has claimed that the priest sexually abused her as a child.

The woman, who has not been named, has said that the Archbishop of York's decision not to reprimand Tudor felt like he 'spat in her face' and added that 'nobody would make a payment if they haven't got something to hide'.

The BBC have also claimed that both Archbishop Justin Welby and former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey were involved in the Tudor case.

In total, seven women have so far been identified as alleged victims of Tudor.

One of these women received a six-figure compensation payment from the Church in 2019 with others bringing civil claims.

Working for the Church of England for nearly five decades, Tudor rose to the position of honorary canon having become an area dean on Canvey Island in Essex.

However, during Mr Cottrell's first week in office, he was briefed on the 'longstanding safeguarding concerns' which existed around Tudor.

Mr Cottrell was informed of priest David Tudor's abusive past during his first week as Archbishop of York

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned after an internal report into his handling of the John Smyth abuse case was made public

Bishop Hartley was the first senior Church of England cleric to call for the resignation of Justin Welby

During this briefing, the then-Bishop of Chelmsford was informed about Tudor's abuse record, which included being a defendant in two criminal trials.

Tudor was acquitted in the first trial but was convicted in the second for indecently assaulting three girls and handed a six-month sentence. The conviction was ultimately quashed on technical grounds.

Banned by Church tribunal for sexual misconduct in 1989, the Church allowed Tudor to return to his role after a five-year period.

Furthermore, in 2005, Tudor was suspended as police investigated an allegation of historical abuse from the 1970's.

Reacting to questions over why he had not then intervened and removed Tudor from the ministry immediately upon hearing about his abusive past, Mr Cottrell said he had been unable to as there were no complaints which were yet to be adjudicated on.

According to the Archbishop, it was not until 2019 when a new allegation was made against Tudor that 'an opportunity to remove the risk' arose.

Stating that he 'worked closely with the Chelmsford diocese's professional safeguarding team' to manage risk, the Archbishop said that he acted immediately upon being made aware of a fresh complaint and that he remains 'deeply sorry' over not being able to take action earlier.

Reacting to Tudor's 10,000 payout to an alleged victim, the Bishop of Newcastle stated that it flew 'completely against the principles of the institution' (of the Church) and that the Archbishop of York should have immediately implemented disciplinary proceedings against Tudor upon becoming aware of his past.

The personal payment made by Tudor 'admitted no liability' - Mr Cottrell's office told the BBC - adding that the then-Bishop of Chelmsford had been guided by 'legal advice' that no further action could be taken.

The Archbishop of York's office has stated that there were no legal grounds for the Archbishop to intervene in the case of David Tudor

The Archbishop of York's office say that he 'regrets' Tudor's ascension to honorary canon

The Bishop of Newcastle has criticised the 'old boys club' element of the Church of England ministry

Despite making this payment to the alleged abuse victim, Tudor was elevated to the title of honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral three years later, a decision which was described by the victim as 'just horrendous'.

The Archbishop of York's office say that whilst Mr Cottrell 'regrets' Tudor's ascension to honorary canon, that it was not a promotion and was instead an automatic action brought about by a change in Church policy which made all area deans canons.

The Bishop of Newcastle refuted this response though, blasting it as 'ludicrous'.

'You are absolutely uplifting somebody's ministry as an example and a model of good and best practice, and you're celebrating that actually by making them an honorary canon', she said.

Last month, Bishop Hartley became the only senior serving Church official to call for the resignation of Justin Welby over his handling of the John Smyth abuse case, and now, she is demanding that the Archbishop of York follow in his footsteps and resign before taking temporary charge of the Anglican Church.
Thousands are feared dead after an island in the Indian Ocean was hit by a devastating cyclone which carried 163mph winds and left a trail of destruction likened to the aftermath of a nuclear war.

Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte, France's poorest region, over the weekend, and has been considered the most violent that the island has experienced in almost a century.

Chido's dizzying winds tore through the archipelago and left buildings heavily damaged, vehicles destroyed, and the main airport and hospital completely wrecked.

Authorities previously reported at least 11 people killed by the vicious cyclone, but fears are rising that this toll could creep into the thousands as emergency workers race to find survivors.

Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told local TV: 'I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we'll get close to a thousand, even thousands... given the violence of this event.'

However, he said it was currently 'extremely difficult' to get an exact number.

The Interior Ministry echoed these concerns, saying it could not confirm any figures at this stage, as a Mayotte local explained: 'What we are experiencing is a tragedy, it feels like the day after a nuclear war. I saw an entire neighborhood disappear.'

French civil security spokesperson Alexandre Jouassard told the France 2 news channel: 'The next minutes and hours are very important.

Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte, France 's poorest region, over the weekend, and has been considered the most violent that the island has experienced in almost a century

Hospitals, homes and vehicles have been wrecked due to Chido's 163mph winds

A photo taken on December 15, 2024 shows the 'Karihani' inter-island barge stranded among debris in Mamoudzou after the cyclone Chido hit France's Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte

'We are used to working in these conditions, and a few days after, you have pockets of survivors.'

Chido caused massive damage on Saturday, with the nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar also affected, and the cyclone has now reached Mozambique.

Horror images shared by the French gendarmerie show the colossal ruins of hundreds of makeshift homes scattered across the island's hills, with fallen trees and garbage lining the streets.

At least a third of the territory's 320,000 residents live in shantytowns, where homes with sheet-metal roofs were flattened by the storm.

And with roads closed, officials fear that many could still be trapped under rubble in the inaccessible areas.

The mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, chillingly said the brutal storm 'spared nothing'.

'The hospital is hit, the schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated,' he said.

Some 160 additional soldiers and firefighters have now been sent to reinforce the 110 already deployed, as emergency services race against the clock to successfully carry out rescue missions.

As authorities assessed the scale of the disaster, a first aid plane reached Mayotte on Sunday.

It carried three tonnes of medical supplies, blood for transfusions and 17 medical staff, according to authorities in La Reunion.

Patrice Latron, prefect of Reunion, said residents of Mayotte were facing 'an extremely chaotic situation, immense destruction'.

Two military aircraft are expected to follow the initial aid flight, while a navy patrol ship was also due to depart La Reunion.

On Sunday, the French President also shared a message of support to those on the island during a meeting with Pope Francis in Corsica.

Emmanuel Macron said: 'I want to spare a thought for our compatriots in Mayotte who have suffered the most terrible things in recent hours and who, for some, have lost everything, have lost their lives'.

There have been international pledges to help Mayotte, including from the regional Red Cross organisation PIROI.

The wreckage of a car lies outside a home, in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido

Soldiers on patrol in the French overseas territory of Mayotte as emergency services rush to find survivors

There have been international pledges to help Mayotte, including from the regional Red Cross organisation PIROI

French gendarmes near their armored vehicle Berliet VXB-170 as they work to remove an unrooted tree from a road, a day after the cyclone Chido hit the archipelago

French Army shows soldiers addressing the population in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage with reports of several fatalities

The streets of the island are covered in debris after the cyclone tore through France's poorest region

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is 'ready to provide support in the days to come'.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the WHO 'stands ready to support communities in need of essential health care'.

With around 100,000 people estimated to live clandestinely on Mayotte, according to France's interior ministry, establishing how many people have been affected by the cyclone is proving difficult.

Ousseni Balahachi, a former nurse, said some people did not dare venture out to seek assistance, 'fearing it would be a trap' designed to remove them from Mayotte.

Many had stayed put 'until the last minute' when it proved too late to escape the cyclone, she added.

Authorities had already warned on Saturday that it would take several days to establish a reliable assessment of the human and material damage caused by the cyclone, while fears are high about access to food, water and emergency shelter.

The prefect of La Reunion, Patrice Latron, announced on Sunday the establishment of a sea bridge and an air bridge between the island and Mayotte, approximately 1,400 km apart, with the dispatch of a first ship from the French Navy carrying 80 tonnes of equipment, including medicines, food and materials to restore water and electricity services.

Chido blasted across the Indian Ocean and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, where officials said the death toll stood at three.

The UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, warned 1.7 million people were in danger and the remnants of the cyclone could also dump 'significant rainfall' on Malawi through Monday.

'Many homes, schools and health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed and we are working closely with government to ensure continuity of essential basic services,' UNICEF said.

'While we are doing everything we can, additional support is urgently needed.'

UNICEF Mozambique spokesman Guy Taylor said in a video that communities now face the prospect of being cut off from schools and health facilities for weeks.

Malawi and Zimbabwe have also made emergency plans, with both warning they may have to rapidly evacuate low-lying areas due to flood risks.
A selfie-taking tourist who posed with a moving train before being hit by the on-coming locomotive somehow managed to escape with her life, dramatic video shows.

The holidaymaker called Lui was injured - but incredibly survived - the collision with the Alishan Forest Railway train in Chiayi, Taiwan, on December 14.

Footage shows the 55-year-old trying to capture a snap of herself with the train in the background.

She moves around to get the right angle, and edges too close to the tracks.

The train driver honks the vehicle's horn as they desperately try to alert the tourist, but she continues to focus on her selfie.

The front corner of the driver's carriage then connects with Lui's shoulder and sends her tumbling to the ground.

The train operator immediately stopped the train to check on the tourist.

Local media reported that Lui sustained an injury to her left foot from the collision.

Footage shows the 55-year-old trying to capture a snap of herself with the train in the background

The dramatic footage shows the moment the front corner of the driver's carriage then connects with Lui's shoulder

The force of the train flings Lui to the ground. The tourist had been visiting the tracks with a group of holidaymakers in Chiayi, Taiwan

Lui is seen tumbling beneath the train, but incredible escaped with her life

A friend rushed to assist her after the collision and she can be seen lying on the ground with her head resting on their lap

A friend rushed to assist her after the collision and she can be seen lying on the ground with her head resting on their lap.

The incident caused a 60-minute delay, affecting around 62 passengers and five trips.

A police investigation revealed that the group had violated regulations by entering the track area.

Local media reports indicate that authorities have requested the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency to deny Liu's travel agency, Dream Travel, permission to enter the Alishan area via the Mianyue Line for a year.

Lui will also face a fine ranging from 307 to 1,538 USD (approximately 243 to 1,217 GBP).

Local reports mentioned that there have been 30 incidents in which tourists were asked to leave the railway tracks.

Seventeen individuals were killed and 156 injured when a train derailed near Alishan Railway Station on March 1, 2003.

On April 27, 2011, five tourists were killed and 113 people were injured in another derailment.
EXCLUSIVE

An Australian mother and daughter poisoned by cocktails during a holiday in Fiji hugged and kissed family members when they arrived home on Monday night.

Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her 19-year-old daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson looked happy to be back on home soil as they wheeled their own luggage out of Sydney Airport shortly after 7pm on Monday night.

The pair from Sydney's upper north shore were among seven guests who were rushed to hospital on Saturday after drinking at Warwick Fiji on the holiday island's Coral Coast.

Two other Aussies were also hospitalised.

The mum and daughter beamed as they were reunited with Ms Sandoes parents David and Pamela and another male family member at a side exit, escorted by Australian Federal Police officers and out of the sight of most of the waiting media.

Ms Sandoe-Simpson was first to hug and kiss her grandfather, who then turned his attention to his daughter.

The holidaymakers had both been drinking cocktails by the pool of the five-star Warwick Fiji resort when they fell violently ill on Saturday night.

Georgia suffered a seizure after drinking the cocktail and was the most ill out of the pair.

The pair were rushed to nearby Sigatoka Hospital suffering symptoms including nausea and vomiting, and were released on Monday.

Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her 19-year-old daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson are back on home soil after their Fiji holiday became a nightmare

The Sydney mum received a warm welcome home from her dad David

Mr Sandoe told Daily Mail Australia his daughter and granddaughter had only been discharged from hospital hours earlier and allowed to return home on condition they flew business class.

Im not even sure theyll be able to walk out, he said before their flight touched down.

We just want to get them home.

The family left in a Toyota LandCruiser, with Ms Sandoe and her daughter likely to need further medical treatment.

The pair had travelled to Fiji for a relaxing holiday after a big 2024.

'We are very thankful they seem to be doing okay. It's such a relief,' her mother Pamela told Daily Mail Australia earlier on Monday.

'From what we know they are recovering as well as can be expected and we will be picking them up this afternoon. We will be looking after them here.'

Her husband added: 'It's very difficult to take a call at 11pm and your daughter and granddaughter are away and your daughter says that they've been poisoned and they're in hospital.'

'It's your worst nightmare.'

Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her 19-year-old daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson left the terminal through a side exit escorted by Australian Federal Police officers

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson was reunited with loved ones, including grandfather David Sandoe

Tanya Sandoe was reunited with her parents and another family member (pictured)

David and Pamela Sandoe (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that they were keen to get their daughter and granddaughter home

All remaining guests had improved to a stable condition as of Monday.

It comes as experts issued a grave warning to Aussie tourists that their drinks could become spiked no matter where they are staying.

The Fiji incident comes weeks after six tourists, including two Australians, were killed after drinking methanol-laced drinks at a two-star hostel in Laos last month.

While Fijian authorities are yet to determine if the latest incident is due to methanol poisoning, it has renewed calls for Aussies to be careful while drinking overseas.

Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long told Daily Mail Australia methanol poisonings were rare, but could happen anywhere in the world.

'These events, they do happen. They happen in Australia, they happen around the world and so they're not destination specific,' he said.

More than 400,000 Aussies travelled to Fiji in the past year - a holiday hotspot considered to be a 'safe destination' for tourists.

'In this situation, these people have done everything right,' Mr Long said.

'They've had a drink at a beautiful venue. You would expect that to be the safest place you can be.'

Mr Long said individuals could substitute alcohol for methanol because it was cheaper or because they sought to 'do harm'.

He added those responsible 'need to be locked up' and had complete trust in the Fijian government to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, was all smiles as she returned home from Fiji with her mum, two nights after suffering a seizure

Inside the Warwick resort in Fiji where seven guests were rushed to hospital on Saturday night

'We know the Fijian government will throw the book at these people and they're going to lock them up because the tourism industry is just so important to that community,' Mr Long said.

Earlier this month, police arrested the owner of the factory identified as the suspected source of the Laos methanol poisoning.

The manufacturing plant is located outside the capital city Vientiane and is understood to have been making the local Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whiskey.

The recent round of arrests now means 12 people have been detained over their alleged connection to the poisonous alcohol.

Seven guests, including four Aussies, were hospitalised after drinking cocktails by the pool at Warwick Fiji resort (pictured) in the south of Fiji's main island on Saturday night

Mr Long urged Aussies to follow safe drinking practices no matter where they are overseas and how good the quality of the venue is.

His tips include keeping 'an eye on their drink when it's being made' to make sure bottles aren't contaminated or to ask for a fresh bottle of spirits.

'But pre-mixed drinks that are sealed in a secure container are probably preferable while travelling,' Mr Long said.

'If you want to have some spirits, maybe buy them in Australia and take them overseas and consume them safely there, and then have those pre mixed, secured drinks when you're out on the town.'

Mr Long said a number of Aussies have also turned to travelling with kits capable of testing for methanol to remain safe.
A British tourist has been found dead this morning after attending the notorious Full Moon Party in Thailand.

The holidaymaker, 37, had reportedly drunk cheap shots before trying to find his way home from the beach event on the island of Koh Phangan.

He is understood to have visited a cash machine in the hours before his death, in order to withdraw money to pay for a taxi.

But the reveller was found lifeless on the steps of a 7-Eleven store shortly after 6.30am this morning.

Police and paramedics arrived at around 7.20am but they were unable to revive him. They believe he had taken 'drink and drugs' at the Full Moon Party on Sunday night.

The tourist was barefoot as he lay on the pavement next to an opened plastic water bottle. Inside his pocket was a driver's licence bearing his name and his address.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Kamlangkeo of the Koh Phangan Police Station confirmed today that the deceased was British and had been living abroad.

They are now searching for a mystery local who is understood to have given the man a ride back to his hotel before disappearing.

Lieutenant Colonel Arun added: 'We found the body lying face up. It was sent to the Koh Phangan Hospital for further examination.

Thailand's Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party on the island of Koh Phangan (file image)

'The deceased had returned from the Full Moon Party. Officers are currently questioning witnesses who claimed to have seen him drunk at Hat Rin Beach where the party was held.

'After the party, he tried to find a car to return to his accommodation, but he had no cash.

'He couldn't pay the fare, but he met a local and asked to be taken to his hotel. He promised to pay after withdrawing money.

The local agreed and dropped him off at the hotel. He was said to have been visibly exhausted before he died.

'He might have partied all night until the morning and passed out due to lack of sleep. We are questioning the person who gave him a ride home. We are also reviewing security camera footage.

'There were no signs of assault, so we believe he might have been drunk or overdosed.

According to police, witnesses claimed to have seen the man drunk at Hat Rin Beach (pictured) where the party was held

'His blood test results are still pending, but we have already informed the British Embassy of his passing.'

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.

Thailand's Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party on the island of Koh Phangan.

The party takes place on the night of every full moon and is usually attended by thousands of backpackers.

However, the event has become a notorious celebration filled with cheap drink and drugs.

With cannabis now legal on the island, magic mushrooms, kratom, methamphetamine and LSD are also widely available.
The 'lifeless' body of a 14-year-old who was killed when a gunman opened fire on the crowd at a makeshift teen nightclub was carried out by medics in front of her brother.

Azirya Bankhead was among the two teenagers fatally shot Saturday night in Texas while attending a pop-up party at a venue known as the Curfew Club, her heartbroken mother Charlisa Jones confirmed.

Azirya attended the event, which was advertised as 'the hottest teen club in Houston', with her brother Cleshaun Bankhead, who recalled the moment shots rang out.

'She was like, "Alright, I am going to go with my friends," and after that, I was standing next to her, and all I heard was shots,' Cleshaun told KTRK.

'I looked down and went to the restroom, and when I came out, they were carrying my sister out, and she was lifeless.' Azirya later died at the hospital.

A 16-year-old boy, whose identity has not yet been revealed, died at the scene and four girls - aged 13, 17, 18, and 19 - were hospitalized with injuries.

Police have not yet identified a suspect, but claim witnesses told detectives that they saw a man wearing all black, including a hooded sweatshirt and a black mask covering his face, shoot a pistol into a crowd of people at the venue.

The mass shooting comes as gun violence continues to plague the US, with the number of youths killed by firearms this year now spiraling to 1,346, according to latest data from the Gun Violence Archive.

Azirya Bankhead, 14, (pictured) was killed when a gunman opened fire on the crowd at a makeshift teen nightclub in Houston on Saturday night

Her heartbroken mother Charlisa Jones, pictured with her loved ones, broke down in tears after the shooting, saying: 'They killed my baby. I don't wish this on nobody'

Houston police responded to a shooting near the 10100 block of Jensen Drive on Saturday just before 11.30pm after gunshots rang out at the makeshift nightclub.

After arriving to the 'very hectic scene', officers saw swarms of teens rushing out of an empty warehouse.

They found a 16-year-old boy dead at the scene and Azirya, who had been critically injured in the rampage. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Her mother Charlisa Jones, speaking to KTRK after the shooting, broke down in tears. 'They killed my baby,' she sobbed, adding: 'I don't wish this on nobody.'

Jones also made a heartbreaking Facebook post following Azirya's death, reading: 'LORD MY BABY IS GONE. LORD THAT WAS MY BABY LORD HELP ME RIGHT NOW AZIRYA MOMA LOVE U.'

Four other teens were also shot and treated at Texas Children's Hospital. A 13-year-old girl was in critical condition and 18-year-old in serious condition, officials said. The other two victims, ages 17 and 19, were both in stable condition.

The suspect had fled the scene by the time authorities arrived, the Houston Police Department wrote in a statement.

Azirya (pictured) attended the event, which was advertised as 'the hottest teen club in Houston', with her brother Cleshaun Bankhead who recalled: 'I looked down and went to the restroom, and when I came out, they were carrying my sister out, and she was lifeless'

The pop-up party took place in an empty business near the 10100 block of Jensen Drive on Saturday night. Pictured is the warehouse after the shooting

Assistant Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra Menendez-Sierra said most of those attending the event, which appeared to be organized on social media, were juveniles. He said they were gathered in an empty business.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who was on the scene after the shooting, noted that the security guards 'took off' and the party was totally unregulated.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a post on X that 'makeshift, unsanctioned pop-up parties can quickly lead to chaos and violence.'

'Pop-up parties raise public safety concerns and teens need to stay away for their own safety,' he said.

Investigators have launched a manhunt to find the shooter and urged those who were at the event to call police with any information.

'We are going to put all our resources into finding out what happened tonight, and who did this so we can bring them to justice,' Menendez-Sierra said Saturday night.

'If you were here tonight, we need your help. If you were a witness to what happened, we need you to call [the tip line]. We need you to give us information so we can bring these people to justice.'

The shooting at the teen 'pop-up' party in north Houston has left two teens dead and four others injured. Pictured are officers on scene after shots rang out Saturday night

Luis Menendez-Sierra, the assistant police chief, speaking during a news conference in Houston on Sunday, said most of those attending the event, which appeared to be organized on social media, were juveniles. He said they were gathered in an empty business

Mayor Whitmire added: 'We lost some young people tonight, that was very preventable if they didn't come to locations such as this.'

At least 1,346 young people across America have been killed in gun violence incidents this year, according to data published by the Gun Violence Archive today.

The latest figures show that 236 children, ages 11 and younger, were killed by guns in 2024 and at least 518 were left injured.

At least 1,110 teens, aged 12 to 17, have been killed by gun violence since January this year and 3,093 have been injured.
Elon Musk has topped the world's rich list yet again after his wealth soared by more than $200billion this year.

Musk, 53, has now amassed a net worth of $455billion, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index revealed, a rise boosted by a nearly 71 per cent surge in Tesla stock following the US election. Musk is the automaker's largest shareholder with about a 13 per cent stake in the company.

His net worth was also boosted by an insider share sale of SpaceX, which Musk heads. The rocket company and its investors agreed to purchase as much as $1.25billion of its common shares, it was reported last week.

The tech tycoon, who spent at least $277million backing Donald Trump and other GOP candidates along the 2024 campaign trail, has seen his fortune grow by more than $170billion since Election Day.

Tesla investors have pinned their hopes on Musk's relationship with the President-elect, hoping the billionaire's role in shaping the incoming Republican administration's policy agenda would benefit the automaker.

Musk is followed on the billionaires list by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos - with a net worth of $246billion, while Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is in the third spot with a net worth of $219billion.

The latest daily billionaires ranking revealed that eight of the top ten world's richest men are tech tycoons. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is in the fourth spot with a net worth of $194billion.

Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin also made the list, as did Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Elon Musk, pictured earlier this month on Capitol Hill, has topped the world's rich list yet again after his wealth soared by more than $200billion this year

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Musk's net worth crossed $400billion last Thursday, the real-time billionaires list showed. As of Monday, it had surpassed $455billion.

Bloomberg's estimate includes a record-breaking $56billion pay package from Tesla that had been held up in court a Delaware judge ruled to strike it down in January.

Musk's wealth has been boosted by a surge in Tesla stock, which recently rose to a record-high, extending a rally that kicked off following the Nov. 5 election. As of Monday morning, Tesla was trading at $436.23 per share.

The Tesla CEO, who addressed his soaring wealth on his social media platform X last week, said of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index: 'What's really crazy about this is that almost no investors wanted to sell shares even at a $350B valuation!'

He added that SpaceX has reduced the number of shares it bought back from employees in order to bring in some new investors.

Besides Tesla, Musk also heads brain technology startup Neuralink. Both SpaceX and Neuralink rely heavily on government regulation and policy and could benefit from a business-friendly administration.

He also owns social media site X and tunnel builder The Boring Company.

The latest report of Musk's soaring wealth comes after a judge on Friday cleared the way for the CEO and Tesla to begin legal appeals to try to reinstate his pay package.

Musk's wealth has been boosted by a surge in Tesla stock, which recently rose to a record-high, extending a rally that kicked off following the Nov. 5 election . As of Monday morning, Tesla was trading at $436.23 per share

The latest daily billionaires ranking revealed that eight of the top ten world's richest men are tech tycoons. Musk is followed on the billionaires list by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, pictured on December 4, with a net worth of $246billion

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (left) is in the third spot with a net worth of $219billion and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison (right) is in the fourth spot with a net worth of $194billion

The order by Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Court of Chancery opens the 30-day window for an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court.

Musk and the board that approved the 2018 pay package can appeal McCormick's ruling in January that they had breached their fiduciary duty to investors by approving a compensation plan she described as 'unfathomable' in its size.

On December 2, she declined to reconsider that ruling despite a June vote by Tesla shareholders in favor of the package.

Tesla will also be able to appeal McCormick's order directing the company to pay $345million to the attorneys who represented Richard Tornetta, the shareholder who sued in 2018 to rescind the pay package.

The Delaware Supreme Court can take around a year to issue a ruling.

Meanwhile, Musk has been selected to co-chair Trump's newly founded Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been tasked with finding major government savings.

Musk, who spent at least $277million backing Donald Trump and other GOP candidates along the 2024 campaign trail, has seen his fortune grow by more than $170billion since Election Day. Musk (center) is pictured on Saturday with President-elect Donald Trump (left) and Vice President-elect JD Vance (right)

Despite its name, DOGE is neither a department nor part of the government, which frees Musk and co-chair Vivek Ramaswamy from having to go through the typical ethics and background checks required for federal employment. The pair have said they will not be paid for their work.

Musk's appointment to the presidential advisory group could potentially allow him to shape policies that impact his business, experts have warned, noting how Musk's operations have vast government contracts.

The SpaceX billionaire, who has enthusiasm for Trump's agenda and campaigned alongside him in the final stretch of the election, poured millions into a get-out-the-vote effort to help the former president return to the White House.

He is known politically for having transformed the popular social media site X into a platform embraced by MAGA enthusiasts.
A leading Ukrainian politician has slammed Labour for being too slow in helping his country and abandoning Britain's leadership in the war effort as seen under previous governments.

Dmytro Kuleba, Kyiv's former foreign minister, said that Sir Keir Starmer's administration has broken with the previous governments by 'just following the Americans'.

'The Conservatives were coordinating with the Americans but they did not restrict themselves to just following the Americans,' he told The Times. 'This is the change that came with Labour. They took a position they would follow the Americans.'

President Zelensky has relied on Britain to galvanise Western support for Ukraine, with many countries following London's lead throughout the war, for example with the delivery of tanks and long-range missiles.

But while Boris Johnson was the first Western leader to visit Kyiv following Russia's full-scale invasion and Rishi Sunak followed up to show the UK's continued support, Starmer has not visited the country, adding to concern in Kyiv that his government is less keen to make diplomatic gambles.

'Boris Johnson set the threshold high. Rishi Sunak had no other choice but to meet the threshold and push it further,' Kuleba said.

'When the Labour government came into office, we received rock-solid assurances things would continue as they were. To a large extent that was the case  except the story with the Storm Shadows.'

Kuleba, who resigned in September, said that he shared an 'unpleasant conversation' with British officials weeks before his resignation, when there was disagreement over the delivery and use of Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory.

Paramedics evacuate a woman from the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine December 10, 2024

Dmytro Kuleba, Kyiv 's former foreign minister, said that he shared an 'unpleasant conversation' with British officials weeks before his resignation

Burning buildings are seen on site after a Russian drone attack in Chernihiv region, Ukraine, early Friday, December 13, 2024

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky during the European Political Community Summit in Budapest last month

'It was the first unpleasant conversation since the beginning of the full-scale invasion,' he said. 'Maybe the reason was the new government was cautious and they didn't want to rush with decisions.'

The Labour government gave Kyiv the green light to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory after US President Joe Biden approved American ATACMS to be used in cross-border strikes.

It came as part of a drive by Ukraine's backers seek to strengthen its hand before Donald Trump takes power in the United States.

The president-elect has vowed to 'end the war in 24 hours' and is expected to push for a quick deal to halt the fighting when he assumes office in January.

That has sparked fears in Kyiv and Europe that Ukraine could be pushed to make big concessions to Moscow after nearly three years of battling the Kremlin's invasion.

In late November, Trump told Time: 'I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that?'

NATO chief Mark Rutte is set to hold talks with President Zelensky and several European leaders on Wednesday, with the discussions expected to centre on their ongoing support for Ukraine and the need for additional air defence.

European officials said that the leaders expected to attend include Sir Keir Starmer along with his French, German and Polish counterparts.

The meeting comes as Ukraine's European allies have begun discussing the possibility of stationing foreign troops in Ukraine in case of a ceasefire with Russia.

Vladimir Putin has today boasted that his forces have the initiative along the frontline.

Russia's army said Monday it had captured another village in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, where its troops were steadily advancing.

Ukrainian serviceman of 24th brigade fires a RPG during a training exercise in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on December 15

The defence ministry said in a statement that its forces had 'liberated' the village of Yelyzavetivka, around 10 kilometres (six miles) south of Kurakhove, a resource-rich town Russian troops were also trying to seize.

November saw Russia seize an area the size of London at the same time as suffering its highest casualty rates of the war.

With more manpower and weapons, Russia's army has been grinding through the eastern Donetsk region in 2024.

Russia has also claimed in recent weeks to have advanced in its western Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in the summer.

Ukraine said Monday its troops had killed or wounded at least 30 North Korean soldiers who had been deployed by Russia to fight in Kursk.

'On December 14 and 15, army units from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) suffered significant losses near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, Martynovka in the Kursk region of Russia -- at least 30 soldiers were killed and wounded,' Ukraine's military intelligence said.
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!
Nigel Farage's Reform UK appears to be split over anti-bullying training for MPs after the party leader shunned the 'woke' programme - but his four fellow MPs took part.

Mr Farage is among just six out of 650 MPs who have declined to take part in seminars about the 'behaviour code', which was brought in after a string of scandals.

All those newly elected are offered a place. But the official records show Mr Farage, Tory MPs Sir John Hayes, Neil O'Brien, and Caroline Johnson, and the DUP's Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell have not attended.

A spokesman for the Reform leader told the Times: 'Mr Farage has not taken part in ''behaviour code awareness training'' and has no intention of engaging with this woke scheme.'

But the record shows that his four fellow Reform MPs, deputy leader Richard Tice, chief whip Lee Anderson, Rupert Lowe and James McMurdoch, have all completed the course.

It is the latest sign that Mr Farage is relaxed about his fellow MPs not agreeing with him on policy.

The five MPs also voted differently on whether to legalise assisted dying last month, with Tice, Anderson and Lowe voting in favour and Farage and McMurdoch against.

Mr Lowe, the Great Yarmouth MP, also split from his compadres to vote against reform of the voting system to a proportional representation system, despite experts saying it would help the party win more seats.

Mr Farage, pictured speaking at the New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street last night, is among just six out of 650 MPs who have declined to take part in seminars about the 'behaviour code'

The record shows that his four fellow Reform MPs, deputy leader Richard Tice (top, with Mr Farage), chief whip Lee Anderson (above), Rupert Lowe and James McMurdoch, have all completed the course.

According to Parliament's website: 'All newly elected MPs after the General Election are offered a place on ''The Behaviour Code: Why it matters'' seminars as part of their induction programme. Members of the Parliamentary community are expected to attend.'

It says the purpose is helping to 'ensure that everyone working at Parliament is able to recognise bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, and feels confident taking action to tackle and prevent it.'

Charlotte Nichols, the former Labour frontbencher who has led efforts on clamping down on bullying in Parliament, told the Times: 'As MPs are not just office holders but employers, it is vital that we practise what we preach on robust standards in the workplace, which includes a duty and responsibility to attend all relevant training to uphold those standards.

'The culture of parliament has to change and MPs must lead on this.'

All those newly elected are offered a place at a seminar. But the official records show Mr Farage, Tory MPs Sir John Hayes (top), Neil O'Brien, and Caroline Johnson, and the DUP's Sammy Wilson (above)and Gregory Campbell have not attended.

Ms Nichols, 33, last year claimed a Labour colleague sexually assaulted her and she was sexually propositioned by a Conservative MP old enough to be her grandfather.

Nichols previously said she was given a 'whisper network list' of people to avoid when she arrived in Westminster in 2019.

She made the revelation as she spoke about Parliament's toxic 'culture of impunity' that meant many of them were still walking around.
A market porter's legitimate children have won a 460,000 inheritance battle for his fortune after a landmark court victory over the two love children he had kept hidden for decades, it was revealed today.

Michael Gymer died in December 2020, aged 83, six months after his 81-year-old wife Julie died. The couple were survived by three children - Shelley, 62, Gregory, 64, and Lee, 54.

But before his death, the three siblings discovered, from a relative, that their father had been leading a secret and sordid double life for 'decades'.

Behind their mother's back, Mr Gymer had been in a relationship with a woman called Beverley Madden and together they had two children, Joseph, 29, and Charlotte, 32.

The children only met properly for the first time at his funeral where Joseph helped carry the coffin.

Neither Mr or Mrs Gymer made a will and when he died, their entire estate of 461,752, including Mrs Gymer's own cash, was split equally among all his five biological children.

This meant that Shelley, 62, Gregory, 64, and Lee, 54, received 92,350 each - the same as the two half siblings they never knew existed.

But today it was revealed that two of the legitimate children sued and have won a ruling at Central London County Court clawing back around 170,000 from their father's estate. Instead of it going to their half-siblings, it will be handed to them.

Gregory and Lee argued that splitting the 460,000 inheritance equally was unfair because their father had inherited their mother's share when she died, meaning her money was effectively being shared out amongst her cheating husband's love children, along with her own.

Their half-siblings attempted to claim that the late Mrs Gymer knew about the affair and if she had been 'bothered' about them inheriting the money she would have changed her will - but the judge rejected this.

It means that Lee and Gregory will now walk away with about 143,000 each from their parents' estate - while the other three siblings will end up with only 58,000 each.

Michael Gymer's two secret children Joseph, 29, and Charlotte, 32, pictured outside the Central London County Court. They have lost a bitter court fight over the father's 461,000 estate

Beverley Madden, pictured, Michael Gymer's lover, supported their two children in court

An order setting out the terms of the judgment and the precise final amount each of the five will get will be finalised at a later date.

Mr Gymer's affair was 'conducted secretly over decades from at least 1992,' explained the judge, Recorder Jonathan Cohen KC.

All five children were 'innocent victims' of a 'mess' created by their father and, although Charlotte and Joseph had known about his other family, none of their half-siblings had any inkling they existed until after Mrs Gymer's death.

The judge said: 'They are all perfectly innocent of their father's deceptive conduct, which has created the unfortunate mess which is now before us and the court is trying to resolve.'

He awarded Gregory and Lee a third each - worth about 85,000 - of their mother's share of the couple's joint wealth.

He made the move after ruling under the 1975 Inheritance Act that the brothers have pressing financial needs which justified them getting a third each of their mother's share of the family fortune - while their sister Shelley Frost's needs are not so acute.

The court heard that the late Mrs Gymer worked as a shop assistant to help feed and raise her family, while Mr Gymer worked as a market porter.

Through their lifetime of labour they owned a mortgage-free 450,000 family house in Home Close, Carshalton, explained the brothers' barrister, Rory Brown.

But hidden away from his everyday life as a hardworking father, Mr Gymer was having an affair and creating a second secret family.

The judge told the court: 'Charlotte and Joseph were aware from a young age that Mr Gymer had another family and they were also aware that the other family didn't know about them.

Charlotte (pictured) and Joseph Gymer were aware from a young age that their father had another family who didn't know about them, the court heard

'They were under strict instructions from Michael as to how to communicate with him - or not to communicate with him - so as not to give away the secret of their existence.'

From the witness box, Joseph Gymer told the judge that the first time he and his sister met Shelley and her siblings was at their father's funeral when Shelley 'came beetling over and started complaining about how betrayed she felt'.

But Charlotte and Joseph's mother Beverley claimed that from around 1998, Mrs Gymer had known of her husband's long-term affair and her children argued that if the wife had wanted to disinherit them she could have chosen to do so by making a will.

In the witness box, Joseph backed up his mother's account, claiming Mrs Gymer wouldn't have minded the children of her husband's long-running affair inheriting part of her estate.

The three siblings' barrister put to him: 'Are you seriously suggesting that Julie wasn't bothered about whether her children took all her estate, or whether the children of this adulterous relationship also took something from it?'

But he replied: 'I don't know what Julie would have wanted, but she didn't make a will so I think that's what she wanted. I don't think she would have been bothered.'

Mr Brown, however, rejected suggestions that Mrs Gymer knew of or tolerated her husband's other woman and her children, also urging: 'Charlotte and Joseph did not know Julie Gymer - nor even meet or speak to her.

'The claimants dispute that Julie knew of the affair and of Joseph and Charlotte's existence, and regard the suggestion that their mother would have been content for the children of Michael and his mistress to benefit from her estate as arrant nonsense.

'They did not have any real - let alone reasonable expectation - of inheriting from her.

Joseph claimed his half-sister Shelly seemed 'rude and hostile' despite him having shouldered their dead father's coffin during the funeral

'They were not even treated as her children, nor did they have any kind of relationship with her whatsoever - nor she any responsibility to them.

'There is no principled reason why they should also inherit from the claimants' mother's estate. They have no moral claim upon Julie Gymer's assets.'

Mr Brown also told the court the three siblings helped care for their parents in their declining years and claimed the five-way division of spoils failed to make 'reasonable provision' for them in line with their rights under the 1975 Inheritance Act.

From the witness box, Shelley said she had no clue about her father's affair until after her mother's death and denied suggestions by her half-siblings' barrister that he sometimes 'called her Charlotte instead of Shelley'.

The first she knew about her father's double life was after her mother's funeral when her brother, Lee, told her that a cousin had revealed the existence of the secret family.

And the first time she met her half-siblings was at her father's funeral, during which Joseph claimed Shelly seemed 'rude and hostile' despite him having shouldered their dead father's coffin during the service, suggested barrister Estelle Lear, representing Charlotte and Joseph.

'You came over to complain how betrayed you felt,' she continued.

'I would have said that I felt betrayed, yes of course I did,' said Shelley, although denying claims by Joseph that she had known about the other family.

After a three-day trial, Recorder Cohen KC ruled that brothers Gregory and Lee should get a third each of Julie's share of the couple's wealth, said to be worth 255,000, with the final third being divided equally between all five children.

All five will continue to share their father's portion of the family wealth.

Ruling against Charlotte and Joseph getting an equal share of the total, the judge said it was unlikely that Julie would have carried on keeping her husband's relationship a secret from her children had she discovered it - especially given her 'open' character and 'inability to keep a secret'.

'I find that I have not been satisfied by the evidence that Julie actually knew of the relationship with Beverley or of the existence of Charlotte and Joseph,' said the judge.
A holiday flight to Mexico had to make an unplanned landing in Bermuda because of a horrible smell caused by 100 pigs in the cargo hold.

Flight KL685, operated by Dutch airline KLM, was flying from Amsterdam to Mexico City just after 3pm on Friday with 259 passengers on board when the pilot submitted an unusual landing request six hours into the flight.

The captain said that live pigs in the cargo hold were emitting such an 'obnoxious' odor that the plane would need to make an unplanned stop for a break in fresh air before continuing on their journey.

When the tower asked the pilot to confirm whether there were live pigs in the cargo hold, he replied: 'Yeah, and they are probably the starter of the inconvenience so they have to be offloaded, but we'll see about that later on.'

The aircraft touched down at LF Wade International Airport in Bermuda late Friday, where passengers and crew were put up in hotels for the night due to the reported 'oxygen issue' onboard.

The 100 pigs were unloaded and transported to a 'safe location' on the island for their unplanned 'vacation stay', according to Bermuda Flyer.

Once the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had been properly ventilated, they set off towards Mexico City on Saturday around 10pm with a nearly 30-hour delay.

But the pigs were stranded on the island in the north Atlantic until last night, when an empty cargo plane arrived in Bermuda to pick up the pigs and transport them to Mexico City.

Flight KL685, operated by Dutch airline KLM, was flying from Amsterdam to Mexico City just after 3pm on Friday with 259 passengers on board when the pilot submitted an unusual landing request six hours into the flight (file image of a KLM flight setting off at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport)

The captain said that live pigs in the cargo hold were emitting such an 'obnoxious' odor that the plane would need to make an unplanned stop for a break in fresh air before continuing on their journey (stock image)

A flight tracker shows the journey of the KLM flight, which had to make an unplanned landing in Bermuda

'The welfare of the animals is a priority,' Bermuda's government said in a statement about caring for the pigs while they were on the island.

'Government veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Nisbett and animal care workers from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources have been caring for the pigs and ensuring they are well looked after,' it added.

A Skyport spokesperson said: 'The 259 passengers and crew, who surely never expected their journey to go hog wild, were processed through immigration and are being accommodated at local hotels, thanks to the swift coordination between Skyport, local authorities, and Delta Air Lines, KLM's airline partner.

'Meanwhile, the pigs - living high on the hog during their impromptu holiday stopover - are being cared for at a secure location on the island, with assistance from a government veterinarian.'

After both the passenger plane and the cargo plane transporting the pigs had departed from Bermuda, the island government said: 'The coordinated efforts reflect the island's commitment to care for all visitors - whether they walk on two legs or trot on four.'

It is not clear whether the live pigs were loaded into the wrong place in the plane's cargo hold, therefore enabling their smell to penetrate the cockpit.
Steve Bannon has claimed Joe Biden could be behind the recent drone sightings over New Jersey as part of a deliberate effort to 'work against' the United States and president-elect Donald Trump.

The former Trump advisor told an audience at the New York Young Republican Club's 112th Annual Gala that the 'Biden regime... every day is working against the country and against President Trump'.

He cited the administration's record on Ukraine and Syria before joking: 'And hey, I dont know. Are they the guys who got the drones over New Jersey?'

There is nothing to suggest the Biden administration is controlling the mystery objects flying over the East Coast, and the White House's national security communications advisor John Kirby has insisted that the sightings pose no 'national security or public safety threat'.

But the government's lack of clear explanation on the sightings, ongoing since November 18, has provoked fierce criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike.

A New Jersey mayor also raised concern when he revealed his fire department was told to wear hazmat suits in case the flying objects crashed.

New Jersey officials and federal investigators have been beleaguered by reports of inexplicable apparent aircraft, some as big a cars, conducting bizarre, unscheduled night flights over sensitive sites across the state.

Swarms of drones have been spotted in the skies of New Jersey for weeks, sparking officials to call for a 'limited state of emergency'

Steve Bannon speaks during the New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, December 15

Bannon cited the administration's record on Ukraine and Syria before adding, sensationally: 'And hey, I dont know. Are they the guys who got the drones over New Jersey?'

Speaking on Sunday, Bannon said: 'I do want to say one thing to the Biden regime. The Biden regime every day is working against the country and President Trump.

'Theyre exacerbating the problems in Ukraine. Theyre exacerbating the problems in Syria, in the Middle East. Theyre exacerbating the problems with the Chinese Communist Party.

'Theyre, theyve shipped all our ammo out. And hey, I dont know, are they the guys who got the drones over New Jersey?'

For its part, the DoD released a statement on December 14 addressing the recent sightings.

A spokesperson for the Joint Staff confirmed there had been sightings at the sensitive Picatinny Arsenal research facility but played down the significance.

'We have had confirmed sightings at Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle,' the spokesperson said.

'This is not a new issue for us. We've had to deal with drone incursions over our bases for quite a time now. It's something that we routinely respond to in each and every case when reporting is cited.'

The spokesperson assured the bases have 'means' to detect and respond to drones, and that security on site are trained to identify and employ 'tools' to keep drones from flying over U.S. bases without authorization.

They did admit they do not yet know who is behind the mysterious sightings.

'To date, we have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent,' the spokesperson said.

'But ... we don't know. We have not been able to locate or identify the operators or the points of origin.'

Monmouth County is home to the Naval Weapons Station Earle, a navy base. Experts have mused that foreign powers could be targeting areas l,which harbour intelligence and weapons bases. (Pictured: points of interest in NJ where drones have been seen overhead)

Mysterious drones are terrorizing US cities from coast to coast as the eerie objects have now been spotted in California, Massachusetts, Florida, Wyoming, Maryland, New York and New Jersey. Pictured: A New Jersey resident saw what appears to be multiple drones flying over their Bernardsville home

Lawmakers have been quick to demand action, with Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer demanding the DHS 'deploy special drone-detection' over New Jersey and New York.

'Im pushing for answers amid these drone sightings. Im calling for [Secretary Mayorkas] to deploy special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ,' he wrote on X.

'And Im working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection.'

Alejandro Mayorkas' Department of Homeland Security is indeed now set to deploy drone detection systems to New Jersey and New York after weeks of drone sightings across the region.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul wrote: 'In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are sending a drone detection system to New York.'

'I am grateful for the support, but we need more. Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones,' she warned.

Mayorkas, who confirmed the federal government does not have the authority to take out drones in an interview Sunday, said some form of help is coming.

'We understand why residents are concerned. In response and in close coordination with the [New Jersey State Police] and other law enforcement, [Homeland Security] quickly deployed personnel and technology to support.'

He clarified that so far, despite many theories to the contrary, DHS has found no link between the drones and any foreign government.

The sightings started mid-November with footage capturing 'car-sized' drones with flashing lights

New Jersey residents and local officials are demanding answers as reports of mysterious drones flying over the state have climbed into the thousands

Officials in Monmouth County, where residents reported 63 sightings over the time period, have shared a heatmap showing where the unmanned aircraft appear to be circulating

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Sen. Jon Bramnick has since called for a state of emergency as he derided what he said was a lack of government transparency over the unexplained drone sightings.

'Whatever these drones are doing, the government really doesn't want us to know,' he told NewsNation on Saturday, urging the DoD to 'come clean with the American public' following a string of appearances since November.

'There must be something going on that they can't tell us because they're so fearful of what the public's gonna do when they hear what the drones are doing,' the Republican senator claimed.

Activity forced officials to close airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio for approximately four hours from Friday into Saturday as authorities monitored the situation, WHIO reported.

Retired police lieutenant and intelligence analyst Tim McMillan told DailyMail.com suspicions about possible Russian involvement were raised due to the location of many sightings - Picatinny Arsenal, a major plant which manufactures ammunition supplied to Ukraine.

Lt McMillan also noted that descriptions of the flying objects 'sound exactly like Russian Orlan-10 drones'  secretive craft which fly in packs of three to five.

Drones have also been spotted over a US airbase in Britain, set to become home to US nuclear weapons.

Footage obtained by MailOnline features what is suspected to be four drones, brazenly flying with bright lights, in the early evening darkness above RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk.

The US Air Force admitted last month that drones had buzzed three of its UK bases  RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and nearby RAF Feltwell, Norfolk.

The sightings which are said to have started on November 20 and continued for several days, coincided with the similar drone invasions in New Jersey.
Keir Starmer admitted he is 'concerned' about the 'challenge' from China today amid the alleged spy scandal.

On a visit to Norway, the PM was asked about the case of the suspected Beijing agent who had close ties with the Duke of York.

Sir Keir insisted he could not comment on issues involving the Royal Family, but added: 'Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.'

The premier also hinted at progress with the proposed register of foreign agents. Labour has delayed the previous government's plans to compel those working for a foreign power to declare lobbying activities - and face a jail sentence if they fail to do so.

Home Office minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons this afternoon that details of the scheme will be released in the New Year, and it should come into force next summer.

However, he stopped short of confirming that China will be in the top 'enhanced' tier of the regulations.

On a visit to Norway, the PM (pictured with Jonas Gahr Stre) was asked about the case of the suspected agent who had close ties with the Duke of York

Prince Andrew pictured with the alleged Chinese spy

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) is due to apply for an Urgent Question to raise concerns about Chinese state influence when the Commons sits today

Politicians have branded the legal restrictions on identifying the suspected agent 'ridiculous' - especially as their details are widely known abroad.

The alleged operative knew the Duke of York for a decade, prompting major concerns about national security and Beijing's influence on the British Establishment.

As well as royals and former PMs, they are also thought to have mixed with captains of industry.

There are fears others in high office might be unaware they have had dealings with a supposed spy.

He can currently only be referred to as H6, thanks to an anonymity ruling by an immigration court that banned him from Britain on the grounds of national security.

However, the 50-year-old's name and picture is being used widely in Chinese and US news reports and on social media, in coverage seen by millions around the globe.

The matter is due to be reconsidered by High Court judges as early as this week.

MPs including Nigel Farage have warned the order must be lifted soon  or Parliamentary Privilege could be used to name him in the Commons or the Lords without fear of legal recriminations.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'It is in the public interest for this to be fully transparent. It is important to completely expose Chinese infiltration where it occurs.

'There may be other people who agent H6 contacted or dealt with and if he is publicly named those people will then be able to come forward and contact the security services. That is why it's important the anonymity order is lifted as soon as possible.'

Former Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith is due to apply for an Urgent Question to raise concerns about Chinese state influence when the Commons sits this afternoon.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the restrictions on naming the individual were 'ridiculous', but stressed his focus is on the wider China threat.

'We're dealing with the tip of the iceberg. The fact is there are many more like him (H6) in the UK,' Sir Iain said.

'There are many more doing the job that he's been doing, and the fact he was leaving the UK tells you that he realised at some point he was going to get caught.

'The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that's taking place. The reality for us is very simple  China is a very clear threat.'

Claims involving H6 and Andrew emerged on Thursday, when it was confirmed the individual had been banned from entering the UK by then-home secretary Suella Braverman in a move backed by MI5.

Legal papers show Andrew's 'close confidant' had been working on the basis that the disgraced duke was in 'a desperate situation and will grab on to anything'.

Reform leader Nigel Farage (pictured) said he would be prepared to use Parliamentary Privilege to name the alleged spy

Andrew and the suspect first met in 2012 but it was not until 2022, after the former Chinese civil servant was rumbled by security services, that the Duke of York 'dropped' him.

The businessman has boasted about visiting Downing Street, and kept photographs of meeting former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May on the desk of his plush London office.

Footage from an interview with Chinese state-controlled TV also included claims he was invited to No 10 to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
A 16-year-old boy has been accused of killing his parents and two siblings in New Mexico after drunkenly calling 911 to confess to the massacre.

Diego Leyva was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and booked as an adult after he allegedly shot his family members before turning himself on Saturday.

Investigators said Leyva, from Belen, Valencia County, was 'extremely intoxicated' when police arrived to arrest him in the early hours of S, and that they had found a handgun on the kitchen table inside.

'Deputies entered the residence to find four deceased individuals,' police said in a statement.

The victims have since been identified as Leonardo Leyva, 42, and Adriana Bencomo, 35, and teenagers Adrian and Alexander Leyva, aged 16 and 14, all killed by suspected gunshot wounds.

They added that Leyva was taken into custody 'without incident' and was checked into a local hospital 'for detox' before being booked into a juvenile detention center in Albuquerque, some 30 miles north of Belen.

Police are carrying out interviews to try to understand a motive for the tragic events, and intend to take the case to the district attorney's office for prosecution after wrapping up their investigation.

Police are still trying to find a motive for the killings on Saturday morning in Belen (pictured: Leonardo Leyva and Adriana Bencomo)

The 16-year-old was arrested on Saturday morning and taken to hospital to detox

Adriana Bencomo (centre) was a volunteer firefighter, tragically found dead in her Valencia home when police arrived to arrest Diego Leyva

State Police investigators were still on the scene as of 6:15am on Monday, processing the scene and speaking to locals.

Adriana served as an active volunteer firefighter, according to the Valencia County Fire Department.

The department shared their sympathies in a tribute statement on social media.

'Adriana Bencomo, was an active volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department and had served for many years,' the statement read.

'Our brothers and sisters at RCFD are shocked and saddened by this loss as expected.

'The Valencia County Fire Department and Belen Fire Department have brought in additional staffing to assist with calls in Rio Communities, and the VCFD peer support team has been activated to assist members with this loss.'

One of Diego's former teachers said she was surprised by the news.

'I would never have thought that something like this would happen and that Diego would be capable of doing something like this' Vanessa LaGrange told the Guardian.

'Everyone's in shock,' she added.

Police said Leyva called 911 around 3:30am local time on the morning of Saturday, December 14 and told them that he had killed his family members.

He was taken to a hospital, unnamed, to detox from the alcohol before being booked into the Juvenile Justice Center at around 1am on Sunday.

Police added that a motive was still unknown.

Reporters attend the scene after police arrested 16-year-old Diego early Saturday morning

Police have said that a motive for the killings of the family is still unknown

Adriana (left) served as an active volunteer firefighter, according to the Valencia County Fire Department

Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez wrote in a statement shared by the Belen Consolidated Schools district on Sunday: 'We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic event involving the killing of his family by a BHS student this past Saturday.

'Our hearts go out to the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by this devastating loss.

'This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the importance of vigilance in addressing the challenges our youth face, promoting mental health awareness and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for everyone.'

The statement said the district would be offering additional counseling services and urged any students in need of mental health services to reach out to a teacher or principal.

Saturday's killings were the 29th mass murder in the US this year, defined as an attack in which four or more victims are killed by the Gun Violence Archive.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday accused the West of pushing Russia to its 'red lines' and made chilling threats to lift restrictions on Russian missile deployment.

The tyrant president told a meeting of defence officials that Moscow was watching the US development and potential deployment of short and medium-range missiles with concern.

He said Russia would lift all of its own voluntary restrictions on the deployment of its own missiles if the US went ahead and deployed such missiles.

Putin, who said Russian forces in Ukraine has taken control of 189 settlements so far this year, said Russia's nuclear weapons were there for deterrence.

Last month, Putin decided to hit war-torn Ukraine with a never-before-seen hypersonic, nuclear-capable missile, called Oreshnik.

The Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) triggered a series of explosions in the city of Dnipro, with the attack coming less than 24 hours after Ukraine reportedly struck targets in Russia's Kursk region with British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.

Pieces of the nuclear-capable weapon were found scorched and shredded on the ground in a hangar at a facility which conducts weapons forensics in the Ukrainian city.

Ukraine said the weapon reached a top speed of more than 8,000mph as it headed towards Dnipro on November 21.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has chillingly threatened to lift restrictions on Russian missile deployment after the West pushed him to his 'red lines'

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile being launched as part of nuclear deterrence forces drills from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, in Arkhangelsk Oblast, northwestern Russia, 29 October 2024

The moment Russia used the Oreshnik for the first time to strike Dnipro, on November 21

'This is the first time that such remnants of such a missile have been discovered on the territory of Ukraine,' said an investigator for the Security Service of Ukraine at the time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the use of the weapon, which is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, a severe escalation and urged his allies to respond.

The attack came after US President Joe Biden lifted a long-time ban on Ukraine's use of US-supplied long-range missiles - which means the war-torn country can now strike deep into Russia.

In September, Putin revealed his 'red line' for using nuclear weapons which included Western leaders allowing Ukraine to use their missiles to target Russia.

Nikolai Sokov, a former Soviet and Russian diplomat, said at the time the 'red line' was intended as a 'very clear message': 'Don't make a mistake - all these kind of things may mean nuclear war.'

'I'm really concerned about all the loose talk,' he said, with actors in Ukraine dismissing the threats as a bluff.

'We run head-on into a situation which is completely unfamiliar to us ... If you do not factor in the risks, you are likely to have a very unpleasant surprise.'

But Andreas Umland, an analyst at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, took a different view.

He said that the new 'red line' was just a 'a psychological PR operation, by the Kremlin, without much substance'.

'It is designed to scare leaders & voters of countries supporting Ukraine.'

Ukraine dubbed the threat 'nuclear blackmail', but assured that Putin would not risk alienating himself by using nukes on the West.

Fragments of a rocket which struck Dnipro on November 21 are seen at a center for forensic analysis in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, November 24

A Russian nuclear-capable Iskander-M missile launching, undated

A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system on parade in Moscow in 2022. File photo

'In my opinion, this is yet another bluff and demonstration of Putin's weakness,' Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to Ukraine's internal affairs minister, said on X.

'He will not dare to use nuclear weapons because that will make him a complete outcast.'

Putin's latest threats come as the Russian president said Monday his troops had the upper hand across the entire front line in Ukraine and were accelerating their advance.

'Russian troops are firmly holding the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact,' Putin told his military generals in a televised meeting.

He said Russia's seizure of 189 Ukrainian settlements this year made 2024 a 'landmark year in the achievement of the goals of the special military operation,' using Moscow's official language for its campaign.

Speaking after Putin at the same meeting, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said Russia's troops had seized almost 4,500 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory this year and were now gaining around 30 square kilometres a day.

He said Ukraine controlled less than one percent of the eastern Lugansk region, and around 25-30 percent of the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Russia claimed in 2022 to annex all four, despite not having full control over any of them.

Its troops have been advancing across the Donetsk region throughout the year, claiming on Monday to have captured another small village there.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
Aussies who feel unwell have been urged to isolate and stay home as a fresh wave of Covid-19 runs rampant on one side of the country.

Cases of the Omicron subvariants have skyrocketed in Western Australia in recent weeks with an average 75 infected patients admitted to hospital daily.

Recent surveillance data, including wastewater analysis and reported cases, has sparked fears that frontline healthcare workers could see hospitalisations climb even higher.

Authorities have warned anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay at home and to wear masks in crowded public settings with the wave's peak set to fall during the Christmas holidays.

Even those experiencing mild symptoms are encouraged to self-isolate as seemingly minor cases can lead to long Covid, which may last for months.

West Australians can also protect themselves by rolling up their sleeves for the new Pfizer JN.1 booster vaccine released earlier this month.

'COVID-19 has changed a lot over the past year within Australia and throughout the world,' WA Health communicable diseases director Dr Paul Armstrong said.

'The new vaccine is expected to provide increased protection against the Omicron subvariants which are now circulating in WA.'

An average of 75 people have been hospitalised with Covid every day in Western Australia in recent weeks

Some Aussies are at greater risk of severe illness from the virus due to a weakened immune symptoms or repeated exposure.

'Covid can cause life-threatening complications, particularly among older adults and people with underlying medical conditions,' Dr Armstrong said.

'With Christmas just around the corner, people may be out socialising with family and friends so there is the potential for infection to spread more easily compared to other times of the year.

'The best way to protect yourself and those around you from Covid is to stay home if you are unwell, cover coughs and sneezes, wash or sanitise your hands often, consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor or high-risk settings, and get a booster vaccination.'

The warning comes after yet another new Covid variant spreading around the world recently reached Australia's shores.

First detected in Germany in June, the 'potentially more infectious' XEC strain is a descendant of the Omicron Covid strain and a recombinant variant of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3.

Authorities have warned anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay at home and to wear masks in crowded public settings. Pictured are crowds at Fremantle Markets

The new Pfizer JN.1 vaccine is recommended for over-75s who have already completed the primary course of Covid vaccinations.

Adults aged 65-74 or are severely immunocompromised are recommended a booster vaccine every 12 months.

Adults aged 18-64 without severe immunocompromise, and children aged 5-17 with severe immunocompromise, are eligible for a dose every 12 months.

The new vaccine available at GPs, selected pharmacies and other medical providers.
A screening of Last Tango in Paris, which features a rape scene filmed without the consent of actress Maria Schneider, has been cancelled at a cinema in the French capital following outcry from women's rights groups.

The Cinematheque Francaise, a film archive and movie theatre partly funded by the state, announced the decision to cancel the Sunday screening in order 'to calm tensions and in light of potential security risks'.

'We are a cinema, not a fortress. We cannot take risks with the safety of our staff and audience,' Cinematheque director Frederic Bonnaud told AFP on Sunday.

'Violent individuals were beginning to make threats and holding this screening and debate posed an entirely disproportionate risk. So, we had to let it go,' he added.

Campaigners have hit back at the claims, saying their planned protests did not amount to security threats and would have been peaceful.

'Last Tango in Paris', directed by Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci in 1972, was scheduled to be shown Sunday evening as part of a retrospective of work by American actor Marlon Brando.

Actress Judith Godreche, a prominent figure in France's #MeToo movement, led criticism of the decision to screen the film without providing context to viewers, which she said disrespected the memory of Schneider, who died in 2011.

She said that rather than honouring the memory of Brando, Schneider's career and life should be remembered.

Schneider starred in the controversial film alongside American superstar Marlon Brando, who was 48-years-old at the time of filming

Actress Judith Godreche, a prominent figure in France's #MeToo movement, posted a picture on Instagram showing a sign placed over the road name where The Cinematheque is based, renaming it after Schneider in an act of protest

'It's time to wake up, dear Cinematheque, and restore humanity to 19-year-old actresses (Schneider's age during filming) by behaving humanely,' she wrote.

The film explores the relationship between a widowed American man in Paris and a much younger woman, culminating in a non-consensual sodomy scene.

While the sex was simulated, it later emerged that Schneider had been kept in the dark about what was to happen by Brando and Bertolucci, who were both later nominated for Oscars.

'I didn't want Maria to act her humiliation, her rage,' Bertolucci said in shocking comments made at the time. 'I wanted Maria to feel, not to act, the rage and humiliation. Then she hated me for her whole life.'

Schneider later said she was crying real tears during filming and Brando did not console her afterwards.

Following the vulgar scene, in 2007 - four years before her death, Schneider told the Daily Mail she felt 'a little bit raped' by Brando and Bertolucci.

'I should have called my agent or had my lawyer come to the set because you can't force someone to do something that isn't in the script,' she said.

'Marlon said to me: "Maria, don't worry, it's just a movie", but during the scene, even though what Marlon was doing wasn't real, I was crying real tears.'

Her allegations, first made in the 1970s, were largely ignored, as explored in the recent documentary 'Maria'.

Following the distressing and disturbing rape scene, Schneider said she felt she had immediately become a sex symbol, admitting it 'turned me a little crazy'

The 50/50 collective, which advocates for gender parity in cinema, had also called on the Cinematheque to provide 'thoughtful and respectful' place for Schneider's testimony and experience alongside the screening.

Casting director Sophie Diodovic slammed the decision saying: 'Shame! Rather than organizing a discussion and contextualization of the film, La Cinematheque prefers to cancel the screening!!

'Are feminists dangerous for security?? No feminist demonstration has ever been violent!! Gross misogyny!!!!'

The Cinematheque had promised on Friday to hold a 'discussion with the audience' to address the issues raised by the film.

Bonnaud pointed out that the film had been screened 'without incident' at the Cinematheque in 2017 - before the #MeToo campaign shone a spotlight on the prevalence of violence against women.

Actress Maria Schneider receiveed decoration at the Ministry of Culture on July 1, 2010 in Paris

Schneider spent much of her life as an advocate for actresses facing similar situations to the one she was in back in the 70s - a newcomer who was exploited by powerful male figures.

Later in life, Schneider appeared at a film festival that Bertolucci was also present at.

The organisers attempted to reunite the director and star, but she refused. 'I don't know that man,' she said.

Schneider died in Paris on February 3, 2011, at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.
A senior nurse who was lavished with expensive gifts and given 15,000 by her vulnerable cancer patient has been struck off.

'Opportunistic' Anita George worked in the chemotherapy department at Singleton Hospital NHS Trust in Swansea, Wales, and moved in with the patient and his wife after becoming their carer in 2012.

Having moved into their bedsit, she struck up a 'personal' relationship with the wealthy business owner. A hearing was told she signed a tenancy agreement with his company, accepted 'significant gifts' of a car and several large sums of cash along with shares ranging from 2,000 to 9,959.

The elderly couple were particularly vulnerable to abuse because of their 'poor health and 'geographical separation' from their children who lived in Australia, a Nursing and Midwifery Council committee heard.

When the man died in 2016, the nurse was named in his will and his family became concerned that she 'manipulated' her patient and his wife.

There was a police investigation at the time but it did not lead to anything. Mrs George concealed her financial dependence on her patient and the fact she was in his will from the hospital she worked for.

The panel found that she had a 'clear duty' for her to disclose this information and that she had risked bringing the NHS into disrepute by not doing so.

Striking Mrs George off the register, the panel said she had taken 'significant advantage' of the elderly couple for 'considerable financial gain' which was 'fundamentally incompatible' with her continuing to be a nurse.

Anita George worked in the chemotherapy department at Singleton Hospital NHS Trust in Swansea, Wales, and moved in with the patient and his wife after becoming their carer in 2012

The panel said: 'There was a clear duty for you to disclose that you, amongst other matters, were a beneficiary of Patient A's will to your employer.

'It concluded that by not disclosing, you risked bringing the NHS into disrepute.

'You received several gifts from Patient A, and did not refuse, register or seek advice around these gifts and Patient A's legacy.

'These gifts included large loans and a car, you were situated in a property belonging to [the wife] and Patient A, and did not record this.'

During the hearing, Mrs George tried to claim that she was just a friend of the wealthy couple and did not have a professional relationship with them as a carer.

However, the panel found that she had act as a carer with a professional duty by taking the man's bloods, administered medication, arranged for medical equipment and liaised with the hospital.

The panel also found that Mrs George deliberately excluded her patient's wife, after the family alleged she was 'dismissive and unkind' towards her.

The couple's grandson told the hearing that Mrs George claimed the food that the wife was cooking for him was making him ill and that she 'only wanted to take care' of her patient.

The panel said: 'Through your misconduct, you have brought the profession into disrepute, you have breached fundamental tenets of the nursing profession and acted dishonestly.

'You chose to foster a relationship where you took significant advantage of people for whom you were undertaking caring activities for considerable financial gain, and consequently, there has been a significant impact on Patient A, Person A, their family members, and the nursing profession.

'Your actions were significant departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse, and are fundamentally incompatible with you remaining on the register.

'The panel was of the view that the findings in this particular case demonstrate that your actions were serious and to allow you to continue practising would undermine public confidence in the profession and in the NMC as a regulatory body.'
MEOVV Ella Gross made a stunning appearance at the Tiffany & Co event on December 14. She joined the photo call event for the luxury jewelry brand's pop-up store held at Lotte Department Store Avenuel Jamsil branch in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Some of the biggest idols also participated in the event like ENHYPEN Jake and Sunghoon, former SF9 Rowoon, and actors Kim Dami, Jung Yumi, and many more.

Ella Gross of MEOVV looks breathtaking at Tiffany & Co event. pic.twitter.com/d4cNaUfPsS  Viral Takes (@viraltakes) December 13, 2024

READ ALSO: MEOVV's Debut Track 'MEOW' Receives Disappointing 1-Star Rating From Music Critic

On this day, Ella turned heads with her cat-like visuals in a black dress. She also received rave reviews on the online forum, Nate Pann.

"This kid has such a great vibe, she might get an ambassadorship later," said one netizen.

"Actually, she was already like that back when she was a model, but looking at the photo, she's really pretty. It seems like she shines more as a model," commented another.

"As expected, mixed-race people are superior," added a fan.

Despite these positive comments, some conveyed their regrets about Ella Gross' looks.

"It's a shame that her face when she was younger was exactly the kind of face Koreans like. If she had only kept that, the reactions would be more explosive," explained a netter.

"There's no demand for her in Korea. Our country likes mixed-race girls who are pretty like dolls (such as Jeon Somi and Nancy). She reminds me of Devon Aoki. She was prettier when she was younger," said another commenter.

Meanwhile, Ella Gross started her modeling career at a young age. Due to her resemblance with BLACKPINK Jennie, her name rose in the fandom community.

Later on, she joined THEBLACKLABEL to train as an idol and she debuted as a member of MEOVV in September.

RELATED ARTICLE: MEOVV's Aesthetic on Social Media Criticized After THIS Was Posted: 'Fans Can Make This Better'
A Cape Cod politician has been caught on hot mic insulting residents at a special town meeting which was livestreamed on YouTube.

Yarmouth Select Board member Joyce Flynn could be heard saying: 'God, I'm sick of these people' at the end of the almost two-hour long meeting. She has since apologized for the 'expression of impatience' after uttering the slur without realizing her mic was on.

Residents in Yarmouth, a small Massachusetts town in the north of the ritzy Cape Cod enclave, had been voting on whether they supported relocating a small pumping station away from a cranberry bog.

Father and son duo Brian and Chris Wilson, who operate the 36-acre Fresh From The Vine cranberry farm which is located beside the bog, slammed Flynn for the 'incredible' insult.

'It amazes me that we have no support from any of them, none at all,' Brian Wilson told the Boston Herald on Saturday. 'Not only do we have zero support but they bad mouth as well. It's just incredible.'

Flynn, who is in her first term on the board, wrote an apology to residents which was posted on the town website on Thursday.

'I would like to apologize to Yarmouth residents for a remark I made near the end of the Monday, December 9th Special Town Meeting,' Flynn wrote.

'In frustration when someone shouted an objection to hand counting the votes, I made an unguarded comment.

Cape Cod politician Joyce Flynn has been caught on hot mic insulting residents at a special town meeting which was livestreamed on YouTube. She has since apologized for the comment

Flynn could be heard saying: 'God, I'm sick of these people' at the end of the almost two-hour long meeting (pictured). She has since apologized for the 'expression of impatience'

SCROLL TO 1h42m50s TO HEAR THE INSULT

'I apologize for my expression of impatience. I remain committed to serving the residents of Yarmouth and ensuring our meetings are spaces where everyone feels valued and heard.'

But Chris Wilson said the damage could not be undone with an apology. 'There is no acceptable response to that,' he told the Herald. 'That's not how a town official is supposed to be.'

The Wilsons prompted the meeting where the hot mic moment shocked residents. They had been requesting officials to decide on an alternative site for the pumping station rather than it being beside their land.

More than 1,000 residents from the small town, which had a population of just over 25,000, signed a petition supporting them.

However, the vote ended up being non-binding, with officials saying the location had already been settled.

The meeting was held for Yarmouth residents to cast non-binding votes on whether they supported relocating a small pumping station away from a cranberry bog in their hometown

Residents in Yarmouth, a small town on the north of the ritzy Cape Cod enclave, had been voting on whether they supported relocating a small pumping station away from a cranberry bog. (Pictured: Boats docked along Bass River at South Yarmouth in Cape Cod)

Plans to build the pumping station as part of a $207.2 million wastewater project were approved by residents at a town hall meeting in the spring of 2023.

The pumping station will be smaller than 200 square feet in size, and 'aims to restore water quality and protect local ecosystems' without 'intruding' on the cranberry bog, Town Administrator Robert Whritenour told the Herald.

Wilson, who makes around $50,000 annually from the stand, said the project presents a 'massive' risk to his livelihood.

Select Board member Tracy Post said administrators have no ill will towards the cranberry bog.
Prince Andrew was seen out for the first time amid a Chinese spy row - after being urged to 'do the right thing' and uninvite himself from the Royal Family's Christmas lunch.

The disgraced Duke appeared glum this morning as he drove his Range Rover from Royal Lodge, Windsor, after his alleged decade-long friendship with a Chinese spy was uncovered.

Andrew is due to attend an annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday and then the traditional walk from Sandringham to St Magdalene Church on Christmas Day in front of a crowd of onlookers.

King Charles is set to host his biggest ever family Christmas, with Prince William having already revealed he will be spending December 25 with 45 people at Sandringham, his father's private estate in Norfolk.

However, insiders have suggested Andrew should choose to step aside to avoid potential embarrassment, with the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English revealing how the King desperately hopes the Duke will stay away this Christmas.

Last week, Andrew became the subject of yet another scandal when it was revealed a 'close confidant' of the Duke was an alleged Chinese spy who has been banned from entering the UK after an investigation by MI5.

Prince Andrew driving in his car today from Royal Lodge in Windsor

The Duke of York was spotted this morning driving a Range Rover from Royal Lodge

Andrew is due to attend an annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday but has faced calls to stay away

King Charles and Queen Camilla are seen leading the family for a Christmas Day church service last year in Sandringham, Norfolk - Andrew is being urged to stay away this year

The alleged agent, who can be named only as H6, was so close to Andrew that he visited Buckingham Palace twice, and entered St James's Palace and Windsor Castle.

The King is understood to be furious that Andrew has yet again plunged the Royal Family into another scandal.

Charles is said to want his younger brother to make his own decision to step aside from public appearances, instead of forcing His Majesty to take matters into his own hands and axe him from all public-facing events this festive season.

Currently Andrew is due to join the rest of his family in Norfolk for Christmas, alongside his ex-wife Sarah as well as daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie and their children.

Andrew, 64, has joined the rest of the family on the Christmas morning walk for the last two years since the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, despite other controversies including his friendship with Jeffery Epstein.

Prince Andrew pictured with the alleged Chinese spy who he invited to Buckingham Palace

But things could be different this year amid revelations of the King's fury  with the alleged relationship tarnishing the reputation of the entire Royal Family.

A source, however, said that, despite his frustration with the Duke of York, Charles has accepted that he can't 'divorce or sack' his younger brother, as 'there will always be a bond of blood'.

Insiders have said Andrew is being urged to make the decision himself to avoid making King Charles having to ban his brother from the engagements.

A royal insider told The Sun: 'There would inevitably have to be some very awkward conversations and the King would not relish making his brother squirm.'

Friends of Andrew suggested that he must know his presence at such events will put King Charles in an awkward position.

The alleged spy, who is a businessman, has previously attended a meeting of the powerful Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued his first statement since he was deposed by rebel groups and fled to Russia less than two weeks ago.

Assad, speaking from Moscow where he sought refuge, said that 'at no time during the events that have taken place in Syria' did he intend to step down or flee, adding that he remained in Damascus until the last possible moment.

He claimed to have left the capital for Russia's Hmeimim air base near Latakia in the early hours of December 8, shortly before Islamist rebels from Ha'yat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other militias seized the city.

In a statement released via the Syrian Presidential Telegram channel, Assad said he was addressing 'a flood of misinformation and narratives far removed from the truth'.

'My departure from Syria was neither planned nor during the final hours of the battles, as some claim,' Assad declared. 'I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.

'At no point did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.'

He went on to insist that he was forced to leave Syria when Hmeimim air base came under drone attack, prompting Moscow to order his evacuation.

Assad portrayed himself as a devoted leader and family man who remained 'alongside his people' throughout the civil wareven as his forces, allied with Russia, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed militias, were responsible for thousands of deaths.

'I have never sought positions for personal gain but have always considered myself a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people,' he said.

He concluded by expressing 'hope that Syria will once again be free and independent.'

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued his first statement since he was deposed by rebel groups and fled to Russia less than two weeks ago

People celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Umayyad Square after armed groups, opposing the Assad regime, take control in Damascus

Workers carry human remains from a newly uncovered mass grave in a field in Izra, in Syria's southern Daraa province

Body bags lie in a field after a mass grave was discovered on agricultural land in Izra, Daraa province

Assad's last-ditch evacuation from Syria saw him board his private jet and head for Russia's Hmeimim air base on the country's west coast using a 'transponder trick'.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed how the presidential plane believed to be carrying Assad left Damascus airport in the early hours of December 8.

The plane headed towards the Mediterranean Sea before making a U-turn and disappearing from the map, presumably as pilots turned off the transponder that tracks flights and reports their position to air traffic control.

Assad's jet is said to have landed at the Moscow-controlled airbase, where he was swiftly transferred to a Russian military jet and left his war-torn nation behind, heading for refuge in the Russian capital.

Now, as Assad stews in Moscow, Islamist rebel group HTS is setting about bringing Syria under control, establishing a transition government and working to roll out aid and services to civilians.

Last week, HTS used state television to announce Mohammad al-Bashir - the head of the group's so-called 'Salvation Government' in Syria's northwest Idlib province - as interim Prime Minister of a transitional cabinet that will remain in place until March 1.

But the seemingly stable beginnings of the transition government belie what is unfolding elsewhere across Syria.

There are makings of a new civil war in the north as Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) militants streamed into Kurdish-held areas.

Widespread reports claimed the SNA was ransacking Kurdish homes while shocking videos emerged that appeared to show Turkish-aligned rebels executing wounded Kurdish soldiers as they lay in hospital beds in the town of Manbij.

Meanwhile, Israel conducted widespread airstrikes and bombing campaigns designed to demolish the weapons stockpiles and military hardware left behind by regime forces, while advancing troops and tanks far into the buffer zone separating Syria from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Other reports claim ISIS fighters captured and executed Syrian government forces as they fled the HTS onslaught through the Homs desert last week.

Russian president Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Syria's Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in July

In this aerial view, ruined buildings dominate the landscape on Saturday in Jobar, Syria

An An-124 heavy transport aircraft with its nose cone lifted, at the Russian Hmeimim airbase, near Latakia, Syria, last Friday

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Destroyed trucks after a Turkish airstrike near Qamishli, north-east of Syria, on December 11

Crowds in Damascus celebrate after Islamist-led rebels declared that they had taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive

Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed over the weekend that Assad was transported out of Syria 'in the most secure way possible'.

Speaking to NBC News, Mr Ryabkov said: 'He [Assad] is secured, and it shows that Russia acts as required in such an extraordinary situation.'

When asked if Moscow would hand Assad over the International Criminal Court, he implied it would not, saying Russia 'is not party to the convention' that established it.

Human rights groups have previously accused Assad of war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons on civilians.

Explaining why Russia helped Assad escape, 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' in a pointed reference to Western powers.

Russia's military might was instrumental in propping up the Assad regime throughout the 2010s, as Syrian government forces struggled to repel rebel advances.

Vladimir Putin launched a military intervention in Syria from 2015, when Russia's air force and ground troops aided Syrian government forces along with Hezbollah and a patchwork of Iranian-backed militias.

In the course of this intervention, Russia built up a considerable military infrastructure in Syria, the jewels of which are the Hmeimim air base near the city of Latakia and a naval facility in Tartus, which is Russia's only Mediterranean naval hub.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, told international press this weekend that Russia was in contact with HTS and rebel groups in Syria regarding its military bases there.

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, but gave no further information.

Putin has thus far declined to meet Assad, according to Russian media.

Meanwhile, as HTS attempts to stabilise Syria, the group's military chief revealed the plan to topple Assad was years in the making.

Abu Hassan al-Hamwi, the head of HTS' military wing, claimed the group had prepared for a renewed war against Assad's forces by uniting opposition groups, in the northern province of Idlib and consolidating military equipment including a drone arsenal.

People light up flares near the landmark Damascus Sword sculpture amid celebrations following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad

Crowds wave Syrian revolution flags in Umayyad Square following the end of the 61-year-old Baath regime

The leader of HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has sought to present the group as moderate and inclusive

When a tenuous ceasefire was agreed in 2020, HTS maintained a small stronghold in Idlib.

From there, the group meticulously planned their attack, waiting for the best moment to strike.

Al-Hamwi, who has led the group's military division for five years, told the Guardian the rebels developed their forces having 'studied the enemy thoroughly' and analysing opposition tactics.

HTS expanded its power base by striking deals with rival opposition groups and inviting them to join their umbrella movement.

The rebels also began pouring resources into creating a drone unit to rival Assad's air force, including reconnaissance drones, attack drones and suicide drones.

As their strength grew, HTS organised an 'operations room' to unite commanders from 25 rebel groups in the south and enable them to coordinate action across the nation.

Spurred by a desire to halt neighbouring powers, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, from normalising relations with the Assad regime - and with the president's staunchest ally Russia occupied by events in Ukraine - HTS decided to strike in November.

The offensive began in earnest on November 27.

Just two days later, the rebels shocked the world by taking Aleppo - the nation's second largest city that took Assad four years to seize.

'We had a conviction, supported by historical precedent, that 'Damascus cannot fall until Aleppo falls', said Al Hamwi.

Just four days later, opposition forces in the north took the city of Hama before marching on Homs.

By December 8, the rebel groups had encircled Damascus.
Paris Hilton has carried 'deep unspoken pain' after suffering physical and sexual abuse, she revealed in an emotional letter urging the House of Representatives to pass legislation aimed at ending institutional child abuse.

In an emotional Instagram post Monday morning, the model opened up about living with the 'weight of the trauma' and abuse she endured as a teenager at a youth residential treatment center.

Hilton, 43, shared how she was 'physically restrained, sexually abused, isolated, overmedicated and stripped of my dignity' while at the center, but added that the 'nightmares' and 'shame' continued long after she left the facility.

The Hilton hotels heiress, who has lobbied for the passing of The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act over the last three years, said sharing her story is 'the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's also been the most powerful'.

She called on the House to join the Senate, which unanimously passed the bill last Wednesday, and 'pass my bill THIS WEEK'.

'To every member of the House: Think of the children who can't speak for themselves. They're counting on you. Let's turn pain into purpose and protect the most vulnerable among us,' she wrote.

Hilton added: 'Silence doesn't heal - it protects the people that caused the harm.'

She is headed back to Washington DC today to meet with House members, ABC News reported. Hilton added it was 'urgent' for the House to 'pass this bill in the next week before the end of this year's session, or else the bill will die'.

Paris Hilton, pictured last week, has penned emotional letter urging the House of Representatives to pass legislation aimed at ending institutional child abuse

Hilton, who has lobbied for the passing of The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act over the last three years, is headed back to Washington DC today to meet with House members. Hilton (pictured during a US House Committee on Ways and Means hearing in June 2024) added it was 'urgent' for the House to 'pass this bill in the next week before the end of this year's session, or else the bill will die'

Hilton has travelled to Washington every six to 10 months starting in October 2021, lobbying Congress to reform youth residential treatment facilities.

She individually met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Republican Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Tim Scott of South Carolina to advocate for the bill's passage.

The model had been 'doing a little girls, sister holiday shopping' in Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City on Wednesday when she learned that her bill had been passed by the Senate, she told ABC News.

She recalled how they were 'bawling, in tears, just so proud and so happy' by the news, but is now urging House lawmakers to bring the bill to the floor for a vote 'immediately.'

'When the US Senate came together in a rare show of unity to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act unanimously on Wednesday December 11th, it was one of the best moments of my life. It was proof that when we listen to survivors and put politics aside, we can create real, meaningful change,' Hilton wrote in her open letter.

'But this journey isn't over. I can't celebrate until this bill becomes law, and now it's up to the US House of Representatives to finish what the Senate started.'

She continued, 'To Leader Scalise, Speaker Johnson, and every member of the House: I urge you to think about the children who can't speak for themselves. They're relying on us - on you - to stand up for their safety and dignity. Passing this bill would be a testament to what we can achieve when we lead with empathy and courage.'

In an emotional Instagram post Monday morning, the model opened up about living with the 'weight of the trauma' and abuse she endured as a teenager at a youth residential treatment center

Paris Hilton testified on Capitol Hill in June (pictured) about the devastating experience she suffered at Provo Canyon School in Utah in the 1990s as she advocated for sweeping reforms to the foster and youth rehab system

Hilton testified on Capitol Hill earlier this year about the devastating experience she suffered at Provo Canyon School in Utah in the 1990s as she advocated for sweeping reforms to the foster and youth rehab system.

'When I was 16 years old, I was ripped from my bed in the middle of night and transported across state lines to the first of four residential facilities,' Hilton told the House Ways and Means Committee in June.

'For two years I was force-fed medications and sexually abused by the staff. I was violently restrained ... stripped naked, thrown in solitary confinement,' the Hilton hotels heiress went on.

Hilton said her parents had been 'completely manipulated' by the facilities and were unaware of the treatment she was enduring. In the past her parents had been 'conned' into believe her ADD could be fixed with 'tough love.'

'This $23billion-a-year industry sees this population as dollar signs and operates without meaningful oversight,' Hilton added.

Hilton, who has spoken candidly of the abuse she suffered while attending a boarding school for troubled teens, also revealed last year that first sexual experience was non-consensual, when she was raped by an older man at the age of 15 after consuming a spiked drink.

Hilton has claimed that she endured emotional, physical and sexual abuse as a teenager, while attending Provo Canyon School (pictured)

Hilton in 2021 shared a photograph herself at 18-years-old, fresh from Provo Canyon School where she allegedly endured 11 months of physical and emotional abuse (left). The heiress had also travelled to Utah in 2020 (right) to lead a protest outside the boarding school

At the time, Hilton was living with her grandmother in Palm Springs and would often visit the Westfield Century City shopping center in Los Angeles with her friends.

She told to Glamour UK how older men would often hang around the stores and speak to them and one day they invited Paris and her friends back 'to their house'.

Hilton said she was offered 'berry wine coolers' to drink and one of the men was particularly forceful about getting her to drink it.

She said: 'When I had maybe one or two sips, I just immediately started feeling dizzy and woozy. I don't know what he put in there; I'm assuming it was a roofie [Rohypnol].'

The hotel heiress claimed she woke up several hours later knowing something bad had happened. She said: 'I remembered it. I have visions of him on top of me, covering my mouth, being like, "You're dreaming, you're dreaming," and whispering that in my ear.'

She added the experience made her feel ashamed and she went to boarding school in Utah for two years soon after.

The reality star claimed she was sexually abused after being forced to undergo cervical exams performed by staff members in the early hours of the morning while attending the school.

Hilton previously said her childhood was 'stolen' by the alleged abuse at Provo Canyon School where she spent 11 months when she was 17 years old.

Paris Hilton revealed last year that her first sexual experience was non-consensual, when she was raped by an older man at the age of 15 (pictured in February 2023)

At the time, Paris was living with her grandmother in Palm Springs and would often visit the Westfield Century City shopping center in Los Angeles with her friends (pictured with her parents Richard and Kathy in 1996)

Testifying to Utah lawmakers in February 2021, the hotel heiress said she was 'verbally, mentally and physically abused on a daily basis' at Provo Canyon.

'I was cut off from the outside world and stripped of all of my human rights. I was not allowed to be myself, hold my own opinions or even speak. Without a diagnosis I was forced to consume medication that made me feel numb and exhausted. I didn't breathe fresh air or see the sunlight for 11 months,' she said.

'Children were restrained, hit, thrown into walls, strangled and sexually abused regularly at Provo I could not report this because all communication with my family was monitored and censored.

'That was the worst of the worst There's no getting out of there. You're sitting on a chair and staring at a wall all day long, getting yelled at or getting hit.'

The socialite slammed the institution in her 2020 documentary This Is Paris and succeeded in pushing for new, tighter regulation on schools for troubled teens.
One man has been buying up real estate in a small California town at a dizzying pace and as residents begin to catch on, they're unsure of his intentions.

Point Arena is tiny coastal city in Mendocino County with a population of just 451 people. The quaint colorful buildings that house shops and apartments overlook a beautiful cove.

While the town is no doubt picturesque, with tourists often visiting the lighthouse at the edge of the ocean, it simply doesn't have enough economic activity to keep itself afloat, according to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle.

'A city like Point Arena needs economic development,' City Manager Peggy Ducey told the outlet.

But based on its emptying business district - which reportedly used to be a flurry of activity with a general store and a marijuana dispensary - that doesn't appear to be happening.

Amber's Diner, a burger joint, and Center Street Market, a deli popular with kids, were businesses on the main thoroughfare that have both closed within the last year.

So when Jeff Hansen arrived in 2014 and bought the struggling Seashell Inn on Main Street and turned it into the Wildflower Motel, it bought him a lot of initial goodwill with residents.

Feelings about Hansen have since soured as his alleged tactics as a landlord and businessman are laid bare and as the sheer number of properties he owns or is connected to grows.

The Point Arena lighthouse at sunset. It is one of the most sustaining tourist destinations in the tiny town of just 451 people

Pictured: Main Street in Point Arena, where most of the remaining businesses are

The main LLC associated with Hansen's properties, 610 Properties, only owns three addresses in Point Arena, but that's hardly the end of it.

According to the Chronicle, two other companies with Hansen listed as a manager own a multifamily residential building, a former Druids Hall, the former general store and a single-family home.

Yet another company that is managed by him, Toussaint Properties LLC, owns the motel and a restaurant.

Hansen's daughter is listed as the owner of the former dispensary and the building that was once home to the short-lived diner has become the headquarters of H&C Partners, another LLC connected to Hansen.

According to public records, Hansen has been able to gain ownership, control or affiliation with about 20 properties in Point Arena in the just the ten years he's been living there.

That gives him more influence on the direction the town takes than anyone except the government, a land trust and a local timber company, The Chronicle reported.

And not all residents are happy about that, given that many of them have to deal with him as their landlord.

One woman, who The Chronicle only identified as Olivia, said Hansen cut down a plum tree in her rental home's yard after three years of carefully pruning it.

Jeff Hansen (pictured) has become one of the most prolific real estate investors in Point Arena

Pictured: The Wildflower Motel, which Hansen bought in 2014 and opened in 2020 to great acclaim

Point Arena is known for its colorful, 1920s-era buildings like its pharmacy (pictured above)

This alleged incident happened in 2020, the same year Hansen reopened the revamped Wildflower Motel to great acclaim.

She claimed he never gave her any notice, so she said she decided to confront him about it at his motel.

He allegedly didn't take her objections well, kicking her off the property and later jacking up her rent 10 percent, the maximum amount allowed under California law.

When he tried to raise her rent by another 10 percent in 2021, when COVID-19 was still raging, Olivia and her partner refused to sign the agreement.

Olivia took Hansen to court and won, with her lawyer arguing the rental increases lacked just cause.

Her neighbors in the building, many of them working-class Mexican families who didn't speak English, weren't so lucky. Most of them were reportedly forced out as Hansen insisted he needed to urgently renovate the property.

While all this was playing out, Olivia had won a seat on the Point Arena City Council but had to relinquish it in September 2021 when she moved just outside of city limits.

Hansen, meanwhile, gained his own seat on the city council in December 2022 via an appointment.

As Hansen's rocky relationships around the coastal town and growing influence have become better understood, some residents are wary of him as a city council member (Pictured: Another view of businesses on Main Street)

Again, initially, most people weren't wary of this at the time because he generally had a good reputation as the owner of the motel.

But when it became clear that he had a massive local real estate portfolio he could now directly affect as an owner and a government official, some residents have shown their discontent.

'I have concerns about appointing Jeff because he owns half the town and it feels like a huge conflict of interest to me,' local resident and landscaper Lani Bouwer said during public comment portion of Hansen's confirmation hearing.

Mayor Barbara Burkey assured residents at the time that Hansen would recuse himself from any votes or decisions that had to do with his properties.

But since he is connected to over a dozen Point Arena pieces of real estate through a complicated web of LLCs, some fear that there isn't yet full transparency with what Hansen owns.

When asked about his plans for the city by residents during his confirmation, he said: 'I dont know if I have a vision.'

He also insisted that he's trying 'to be a good neighbor' through his property acquisitions.

DailyMail.com approached Hansen for comment on his various relationships in town and whether or not he's thought about what Point Arena should look like in the future.

Another view of the Point Arena lighthouse from the coastline of the town. It is about 130 miles north of San Francisco

A more public example of Hansen's style of management was thrust into the spotlight in February 2024, when Michael Schnekenburger slammed Hansen on Facebook for allegedly forcing Amber's Diner to close down.

Schnekenburger, a chef at the restaurant, had Hansen as both a landlord and a business partner. This apparently didn't last too long.

'We closed because of Jeff. Dictating hours, Forcing certain conditions on us, bad decisions, and business practices. That was the entire reason,' he wrote in his Facebook post.

DailyMail.com asked Hansen about his falling out with Schnekenburger but he didn't respond by publication time.

Ducey, Point Arena's city manager, told The Chronicle that she's aware Hansen is a 'controversial figure.'

'But his purchasing of properties, theres nothing the city can do about that. Ive had some very frank conversations with Jeff, and were gonna continue to have those - but I cannot infringe on his legal rights,' Ducey said.

Hansen retained his city council seat in this November's election while running unopposed. He earned 58 votes, which was about half of what his three fellow council members got.
A New York woman who no longer drives has received thousands of dollars in traffic tickets because her license plate matched the famous tags from the Star Trek ship.

Beda Koorey, 76, sold her car and surrendered her license plates in 2020 after she started to lose her eyesight, reported News 12 Long Island.

Despite giving the plates up, she has been fined thousands of dollars over the last four years because of drivers across the country wearing vanity plates that match hers - NCC 1701 - the famous numbers on starship Enterprise.

Koorey has received tickets from across the country and Canada because Trekkies continue to purchase vanity plates online.

'I can't even sleep. All I see are tickets with cars with my plates on them. This is making me sick every single day,' she said.

The grandmother said she has racked up nearly $17,000 in tickets over red light, speeding, parking, school zone and EZ pass fines.

'I got a phone call from Ohio, a police chief looking for plates because they were involved in a robbery,' Koorey told CBS News.

Koorey said she can't seem to escape the plate that was picked by her ex-husband who loved the show.

Beda Koorey, 76, has been fined thousands of dollars over the last four years because of Star Trek fans

She has been fined thousands of dollars over the last four years because of drivers across the country wearing vanity plates that match hers - NCC 1701

'It all comes back to me, so the whole country has my name and address for tickets I don't even owe,' she said. 'I can't afford it. I'm on a fixed income.'

'That wasn't me. That's not my car. I dont have a car. The mailman comes. I go, "Here comes another ticket." I'm getting phone calls from all over the country.'

Attorney Kenneth Mollins found that Koorey's information was still attached to the plates even though the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) claimed it was disconnected.

'I'm blaming the Department of Motor Vehicles because when these people are inputting those plates, it's coming back to me,' Koorey said.

'I want to cry because it's a simple matter that they could have fixed.'

Koorey received a ticket from Virginia Beach and police department told News 12 it uses state-specific DMV details to identify the registered owner.

The DMV told the local news station is committed to helping the elderly woman and said that want to help prevent people from receiving tickets they did not cause.

'If law enforcement agencies or other billing authorities have specific information that they believe ties Ms. Koorey to this plate, we would very much like to see what they are seeing, so we may determine where the discrepancy lies,' the agency said.

Koorey's ex-husband picked the license plate that matches the famous numbers on starship Enterprise

Although it is illegal to sell vanity plates in New York, reports show that online retailers such as Amazon have the novelty items with pre-drilled holes for sale

'Our review of her record makes it clear that those plates were surrendered to the New York State DMV more than four years ago, and she was given a certified document to prove it.'

Mollins worked to have Koorey's 194 New York City tickets dismissed and is continuing to battle her hundreds of summonses from 23 other states.

Although it is illegal to sell vanity plates in New York, reports show that online retailers such as Amazon have the novelty items with pre-drilled holes for sale.
A monster babysitter, who was seen smirking in her mugshot, will spend the rest of her life behind bars for torturing a two-year-old boy to death.

Makallie Elizabeth Durham, 25, of Iuka, pleaded guilty to capital murder and several counts of child abuse for the death of Kristian Harris, a toddler who tragically died in September 2022.

On September 13, Alcorn County deputy sheriffs and medical personnel were called to a home on County Road 380 in Corinth where they found the two-year-old unresponsive.

Authorities soon noticed marks and bruises on Kristian's body, along with multiple injuries to his 11-month-old sister.

Both children were taken to Magnolia Regional Hospital before being transported to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where Kristian died two days later. The younger child was released in stable condition.

The disgraced babysitter was sentenced to life in prison on Friday by Circuit Judge Michael P. Mills, Jr. following her arrest the day Kristian died.

The First Circuit District Attorney's Office found that 'the injuries to both children were determined to be non-accidental.' She was previously handed down a five-count indictment by a grand jury two months after Kristian passed.

Makallie Elizabeth Durham, 25, was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the capital murder of two-year-old Kristian Harris, who died on September 15, 2022

The indictment, reviewed by Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, revealed that both children were repeatedly beaten by Makallie over the span of four days.

Kristian and his younger sister were repeatedly beaten 'in the face or head' by Makallie prior to his tragic death. Makallie was sentenced to 40 years for child abuse of the boy and his sibling

She was accused of hitting Kristian 'in the face or head' on three separate occasions - September 9, 12, and 13 of that year.

She was also accused of striking his sister 'in the face or head' three days in a row - from September 11 - 13, 2022.

The final count in the indictment revealed that the little boy was beaten by Makallie on September 13, which led to his death.

Kristian's heartbroken mother, Jay Hurd, took to Facebook the day her son's murderer was sentenced.

'No it won't bring you back, but she'll never be able to hurt anyone ever again,' Jay wrote, alongside an adorable picture of her late son.

She was accuses of hitting Kristian 'in the face or head' on three separate occasions - September 9, 12, and 13 of that year

Makallie will 'not be eligible for parole or any other form of release from incarceration,' according to the attorney's office

His mother added: 'You are finally getting the justice you deserve baby although Im human Ill be honest, nothing will ever be enough for your life! But I did right by you son, I let God take control.

'Your story, our story is and will always change lives forever baby boy. I love you always.'

The boy's aunt, Tamia Chantay, also posted to Facebook to share that justice has finally been served for her nephew.

'Today after two long years and a few months, justice was served for our sweet baby, my nephew Kristian, that was abused & murdered September 15th, 2022, justice was served for the abuse of my niece 'Lani' as well!

'This will never amount to how we feel or bring you back, but get the rest you deserve "Christmas" (zaiden & yonna's nickname for him),' Tamia said.

Following his tragic death, his mother Jay Hurd has shared images of her late son. 'Your story, our story is and will always change lives forever baby boy. I love you always,' she said in a post. (Pictured: Kristian and his mother Jay)

It is unclear exactly how Makallie knew the family, but according to a post Jay shared around the time her son died, she said: 'How could you be my friend, sis, bff?'

Following his tragic death, Jay shared images of her late son, as well as photos of his younger sister sitting by his grave, which is covered in a beautiful memorial blanket.

'We love you big brother. Always and forever,' Jay wrote back in October.

Makallie will 'not be eligible for parole or any other form of release from incarceration,' according to the attorney's office.

She is set to remain at Alcorn County Jail until she is transferred to the Mississippi Department of Corrections to start serving her sentence.

It is unclear exactly how Makallie knew the family, but according to a post Jay shared around the time her son died, she said: 'How could you be my friend, sis, bff?

'When you let my kids get hurt? I would've never thought you would let them get hurt, but you let them get HURT beyond measure.'
A veteran Texas educator who was left permanently blind in one eye after she was violently assaulted by a student revealed that she has forgiven her attacker.

Candra Rogers, 56, assistant principal at Corsicana Independent School District's Collins Intermediate, was left blind after an incident in which a sixth-grade student threw a wooden hanger that struck her eye, knocking it out of its socket.

The longtime educator has not returned to work since the attack in August and plans to have her eye replaced with a prosthetic in January, KWTX. reported.

'I have headaches every single day, every day,' Rogers said. 'There are some days I can't get out of bed.'

The student responsible has never apologized, though he is no longer on any Corsicana school campus.

Despite this, Rogers, has chosen forgiveness - but remains furious at the system she believes failed both her and the student.

'I've forgiven him. I had to,' she said.

'I am angry with the student. I am angry with the student's parents. I am angry with our state system because no educator should go to work and end up being airlifted to a hospital.'

Candra Rogers, 56, who was left permanently blind in one eye after she was violently assaulted by a student, revealed that she has forgiven her attacker

Rogers was an assistant principal at Corsicana Independent School District's Collins Intermediate

The August incident began during a routine lunch break.

'At lunch, I was sitting with one of the teachers,' Rogers recalled. 'I heard a call over the radio from our behavioral class needing some assistance.'

Roger responded and found a sixth-grade boy in the classroom who had gotten into a fight with a fellow student.

The student began throwing chairs at her before delivering the devastating blow - a hanger that would change her life forever.

'He found a hanger and he threw that and I couldn't block that fast enough, and it caught me in my eye and knocked it out,' she said.

'It was pouring, blood was pouring. When I touched my eye and looked at it, it was just covered in blood.'

Rogers is now planning to have her eye removed in January, replaced with a prosthetic. But her spirit remains unbroken.

'I've learned to be calm when things are bad,' she said. 'I was calm throughout that whole situation and remained calm so much so, that after I got hit, I stumbled out of the classroom because I was holding my eye and bleeding and went out and called my husband to come get me because I didn't know the severity. My husband actually got here and saw me with my eye hanging out.'

The longtime educator has not returned to work since the attack in August and plans to have her eye replaced with a prosthetic in January

Rogers spoke out at a press conference days after the attack, placing the blame on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for what she sees as inadequate school funding and support for students with behavioral challenges.

She said there should be reform to Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code, created in 1995 to protect marginalized students regarding how they are disciplined.

It should be 'reevaluated so that no other teacher, principal or educator is ever put in this position,' she said.

'I believe in public school education, but what happened to me should never happen to another educator.

Mr. Abbott, release the funds because you are also culpable for what happened to me,' she added.

'Chairs do not, should not be thrown in school, but that happens every day across the country. That's not okay,' Rogers continued.

'School is a place to come to learn, to thrive, to achieve things you didn't think you could. It's not a place for ducking chairs or hangers.'

She also said that parents need to take responsibility and provide the proper attention to their children.

Rogers spoke out at a press conference days after the attack, placing the blame on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for what she sees as inadequate school funding and support for students with behavioral challenges

She said there should be reform to Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code, created in 1995 to protect marginalized students regarding how they are disciplined

'Pay attention to your children. Give them the attention that they need,' she said.

'What we, as educators, are encountering are children who have been raised by electronics.'

Rogers has not yet returned to work and is not sure whether she ever will be ready, but she 'misses her people.'

'To save the one. To help the one,' Rogers said. 'If there is one that I can help, then the one.'
Brussels is taking the UK to the EU Court of Justice for allegedly failing to comply with free movement laws post-Brexit in the first major blowup between the two sides since Labour came to power.

The European Commission said it believed that there had been 'several shortcomings' in Britain's implementation of treaties at the end of 2020, with the allegations centering on Britain's failure to comply with EU laws on the free movement of people.

The UK left the bloc in early 2020 but in the Brexit deal agreed to continue to allow European nationals and their families already residing in Britain to remain living there.

In a statement, the Commission said: 'The European Commission decided to refer the United Kingdom to the Court of Justice of the European Union... for failure to comply with EU law on free movement of EU citizens and their family members at the end of 2020.

'After carefully assessing the replies of the United Kingdom, the Commission maintains that several elements of the grievances remain unaddressed, including on the rights of workers and the rights of extended family members,' it added.

The legal action comes as the Labour government elected this year has sought to 'reset' relations with Brussels after years of post-Brexit rancour under previous Conservative administrations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks with commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels in October, and this month finance minister Rachel Reeves became the first British chancellor since Brexit to attend a meeting of eurozone counterparts.

The case was initiated in May 2020, when the EU sent a letter of formal notice to Britain complaining that national legislation limited the scope of beneficiaries of EU free movement law.

The UK left the bloc in early 2020 but in the Brexit deal agreed to continue to allow European nationals and their families already residing in Britain to remain living there. Pictured: Queues at the Port of Dover

A queue for trucks on the German-Polish border

Officers detain a man on the German/French border in Kehl, western Germany

A German police officer with guard dog at a border with France, as all German land borders are subject to random controls

The infringement decision issued by the Commission stated that the UK has breached the free movement directive as well as three articles of the EU's treaties by failing to 'comply with EU law on the free movement of EU citizens and their family members'.

It added: 'EU law on free movement of persons continues to apply to and in the United Kingdom as if it were still an EU member state during the transition period.

'Furthermore, the rights of EU citizens resident in the UK after the end of the transition period, as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement, are built on the rights that they currently enjoy in the United Kingdom under EU rules.

'The United Kingdom's shortcomings in the implementation and transposition of EU free movement law risks therefore also affecting the implementation of the citizens' rights under the Withdrawal Agreement after the end of the transition period.'

In July this year, the EC announced that further steps had been taken due to continued shortcomings in the UK's implementation of the treaty.

The UK then had two months to respond to the EC's concerns, with the EC threatening that it would decide to refer the case to the European Court of Justice.

But despite exchanges with London, the commission said that 'several elements of the grievances remain unaddressed including on the rights of workers and the rights of extended family members' - warranting legal action.

Britain formally left the EU on January 31, 2020.

But under the 'Withdrawal Agreement', EU citizens and their family members who moved to Britain before the end of 2020 were granted broadly the same rights they had before Brexit.
A town's Christmas lights display has been widely ridiculed after residents joked that they looked like underwear hanging up on a clothesline.

The festive decorations, which the council say are supposed to be 'lanterns', shine brightly on the high street in the market town of Fleet, Hampshire.

But several locals were quick to point out that the dazzling display has a closer resemblance to a row of underpants.

Stephen Kellett said: 'If they're not meant to look like underpants what were they intending them to look like? I really can't see anything other than underpants.'

Matt added: 'It's like a magic eye, once you see it.'

Michele Anne Chambers said: 'I mean yes they do look like underwear. I'm not bothered about it though.'

Darren Wilson joked: 'All we are saying is give Fleet some pants.'

Council bosses saw the funny side of it and welcomed the fact they had brought the town some festive cheer.

The festive decorations, which the council say are supposed to be 'lanterns', shine brightly on the High Street in the town of Fleet, in Hampshire

Several residents were quick to point out that the dazzling display has a closer resemblance to a row of underpants

A Fleet Town Council spokesperson said: 'This wasn't quite what we had in mind.

'But whether you see them as pants, lanterns or simply modern lighting we're delighted to hear our streetlights are sparking joy, conversation and unexpected humour in the community.

'Our goal has always been to brighten Fleet High Street and create a welcoming environment.

'It's wonderful to know they're bringing a smile to your night and day.

'Thank you for sharing your thoughts and observations. We value your feedback and the light-hearted moments it brings to our neighbourhood.'

The Fleet Christmas lights are the latest festive decorations to be mocked this year.

Residents in Middlesbrough said their Christmas light-switch on was an 'embarrassment for the town'.

Thousands of people had descended on Centre Square last month to see the annual switch on.

Council bosses saw the funny side of the reaction and said they were happy to see people laughing about it

Residents in Fleet react to the Christmas lights display which resembles a row of underpants

But many were left unimpressed after the event was lacklustre compared to previous years.

Venting their fury on social media, one user said: 'It was a disgrace there was no atmosphere whatsoever. The lights were just switched on without anyone knowing.'

Another said: 'So very sad our children and grandchildren will never get to see what we did when we were kids. This is such a terrible effort.'

However, Middlesbrough Council maintained that they 'received lots of positive feedback'.

Meanwhile, in London, the annual Trafalgar Square tree has been mocked again over its 'dead branches'.

Locals described the tree - an annual gift from Norway - as 'rather unwell looking' and 'so sad' as they claimed they could see dead wood in photographs posted online.

The tree, gifted every year by Norway since 1947, had its lights switched on in a grand ceremony earlier this month.

In recent years the tree has been criticised for its initial appearance after a long trip from Norway, with experts having to arrange the branches and 'fluff out' the pines in order to get it in tip top shape.

Announcing its return, the tree's official social media account said: 'Guess who's back? Now, before the haters start commenting on my branches, I have had 10 days of beauty sleep - who wouldn't look a bit flat after that kind of travel, but don't fret; it'll fluff up and shine just in time for my big moment'.

In London, the annual Trafalgar Square tree has been mocked again over its 'dead branches'.

It added: 'Only been up for five minutes and already I'm a fluffy mighty pine.

'Haters gonna hate, but let's remember this beautiful tradition and let's hope it continues forever.'

But social media users were still quick to point out its appearance, with one writing: 'I don't think anyone hates the tradition in the slightest. They maybe wish it wouldn't look so sad.'

Another quipped: 'Going to take a lot of fluffing to hide all those dead branches. Just saying.'

And a third posted: 'The rather unwell looking Xmas tree looks like it's about to make its appearance in Trafalgar Square.'
Former idol-turned-DJ Ahn Yesong has been sentenced to eight years in prison for killing a delivery man while driving under the influence in Seoul.

The 23-year-old, formerly of the defunct group Instar, had her eight-year prison sentence finalized by the Supreme Court's 3rd Division, according to a report by Newsis on December 15.

Justice Lee Hong-gu, who presides over the court, dismissed Ahn's appeal against a 10-year sentence on December 10.

She had been found guilty under South Korea's Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, for counts of dangerous driving resulting in death, as well as fleeing the scene of the crime, according to Hankyung.

The DJ is also charged with avoidance of after-accident measures and drink-driving under the Road Traffic Act.

The incident occurred on February 3 at around 4:35 am in Seoul's Gangnam district.

Ahn was arrested after crashing into a delivery driver in his 50s, who was driving on a motorcycle.

At the time of the incident, Ahn's blood alcohol level was reported to be 0.221 percent, well above the threshold of 0.08 percent for license revocation in South Korea.

The incident was also Ahn's second accident of the night, with photos of the DJ revealing that she held onto her pet dog instead of administering aid to the injured victim.

"After the first incident, the victim said that the defendant got out of the car and said, 'Do I look like I've been drinking? Please look past this just once,' and then fled the scene and caused a second accident," said the judge in a prior sentence, according to Hankyung.

"But she did not even remember how she drove or caused the accident, and she made excuses that are not easily convincing."

The judge added that Ahn, while fleeing, incurred traffic violations including "stopping in the middle of the road for no reason" and "changing lanes while speeding" and was also driving at 100km/h prior to the second accident when the speed limit was 50km/h.

The prosecution initially sought a 15-year sentence citing the serious nature of the crime and due to Ahn "shifting responsibility to the victim even though it resulted in the loss of life, showing a severe lack of culpability," according to Chosun Ilbo.

The defense requested leniency, prompting Ahn to compensate the first victim 5 million won ($3,475) and settle with the deceased's family in private.

Despite Ahn's pleas for clemency and an apology statement to the family, the judge of the case believed it "questionable whether the defendant is seriously remorseful," according to Star News Korea.
Luxury real estate moguls charged with serial rape partied with the Trump family during the president-elect's first term in office, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Tal Alexander, 38, and his twin brothers, Oren and Alon, 37, were arrested last week in Miami, Florida, charged with drugging and raping dozens of women over two decades - dating back to their high school years.

Before their arrest the high-flying trio were hailed as royalty in real estate circles, with sources telling DailyMail.com they were 'big Trump supporters' and even celebrated with the President at his inauguration party.

One source claimed that the Alexanders 'definitely' have ties to the Kushner family via their real estate empire, adding that the brothers were 'in the room' when Trump was elected in 2016.

'They're real estate people in New York City, they were big Trump supporters', they added.

Both the Alexanders and the Kushner family both have homes in the exclusive Miami enclave of Bal Harbor.

Pictures show that all three brothers even attended then-President Trump's Hanukkah party at the White House in 2020.

Alon brought his model wife, Shani Alexander to the bash, with Oren writing in a now-deleted Instagram post: 'Spare your political views. The president just served us kosher food in his house and wished us a Happy Hanukkah.'

The Alexander brothers, 37, also known as star real estate agents with Douglas Elliman, have been taken into custody alongside their brother Tal, 38, (center) amid allegations of rape, sex trafficking and sexual assault . The twins are Oren, left, and Alon, right

The brothers are said to have links to incoming-President Trump and the Kushner family - Ivanka's (right) husband's side  they live in the same area of Miami as the Alexanders

Oren and Tal Alexander posed at Donald Trump's Hannukah celebration at the White House on December 9, 2020

A fourth man, Ohad Fisherman, has also been charged with sexual battery in Miami, where he is accused of assaulting one woman with Alon and Oren.

In early 2023, Fisherman represented the mystery buyer in a $17million sale of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner's six-bedroom Surfside condo rental in the oceanfront Arte tower.

Friends of the brothers warned women to stay away from the 'aggressive' trio, branding them 'cocky and narcissistic', DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

The twins remain in custody in Miami after a hearing today while older brother Tal was refused bail in federal court in New York.

One friend, who has known the Alexanders since 2008, said: 'Much like when we were 13 years old and we all knew R Kelly peed on girls - we knew these stories about the Alexander brothers.

'I never heard anything about them drugging girls, but I definitely heard they are aggressive and that girls should avoid them.

'I've never seen them do drugs, even though I'm sure they do. But they would never get too wasted when I was with them.

'They were pretty clean and they worked really hard, and how far they crossed that line, my expectations are non-existent of them. They do whatever the hell they want.'

Those within the brother's inner circle say they believe the victims' allegations, after years of rumors that the brothers 'paid women to stay silent'.

Tracy Tutor, 48, star of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, was one of ten women who claimed they were sexually assaulted by the brothers in an expose earlier this year

Attorney Joel Denaro, representing the twins, told Judge Lody Jean during a hearing on Monday that the brothers have not had release papers signed, rescheduling the hearing for Thursday

A lawsuit filed in the New York State Supreme Court claimed their cousin, Ohad Fisherman (pictured), held down the victim as Oren raped her

Their father Shlomi and mother Orly at the bond hearing of their twin sons on December 13. They put a pledge of $115 million in real estate holdings to secure the release of Tal, but the judge denied this

All three appeared in court on Friday, with Tal refused bail by a federal judge despite his familys pledge of $115 million in real estate holdings to secure his release.

Federal prosecutor Lauren Astigarraga had argued that if Alexander, who is Jewish, fled to his parents homeland of Israel on a private jet, it would prove difficult to impossible to extradite him back to the United States.

Magistrate Judge Lisette Reids ruled that Tal was a flight risk with the familys ownership of private jets and super yachts.

Her decision likely means that Oren and Alon will also be denied bail when they appear in Miamis federal court as the proposed security package would have covered all three.

Attorney Joel Denaro, representing the twins, told Judge Lody Jean during a hearing on Monday that the brothers have not had release papers signed, rescheduling the hearing for Thursday.
HUEHUETOCA, Mexico  There were no signs of human life, just railroad tracks and a rough dirt road, six miles west of a small Mexican mountain town.

But this was definitely the place described to me.

On a recent trip to Mexico City's sprawling migrant encampments, I heard again and again stories about groups of immigrants who were breaking away from these urban bases and disappearing into the vast highland wilderness outside the city.

Now, I'd gone to find them.

As my translator and I picked our way through the mountain landscape dotted with pines, prickly pear cacti and brambles 40 miles northeast of Mexico City, the high desert looked empty.

Then we spotted someone watching us from behind a cluster of rocks.

'Not immigration!' I shouted in Spanish. 'Friendly journalists. Please show yourselves.'

With that, some two dozen bleary-eyed men, women and children emerged from their hidey holes.

On a recent trip to Mexico City's sprawling migrant encampments, I heard again and again stories about groups of immigrants who were breaking away from these urban bases and disappearing into the vast highland wilderness outside the city.

They were in rough condition, having just weathered a night on bare ground, too frightened of roaming Mexican immigration officers to build fires and too cold to sleep.

They'd brought water jugs but no food, blankets or even the most rudimentary camping gear. All of them repeatedly begged me for something to eat. Unfortunately, I hadn't brought anything.

'We haven't eaten since yesterday. We don't have that much money,' a Venezuelan man named Jesus told me.

Another young Venezuelan, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident back home, navigated the rough terrain on crutches, an empty pant leg flapping wildly. They told me that other groups were camped in the area.

Why?

Most of the migrants I met in Mexico City said they were giving up on their plans to sneak into America. As I reported last week, these people were either returning to their home countries or settling in Mexico.

Clearly, threats from the incoming Trump administration to close the border and deport all illegals are having the desired deterrent effect.

Other migrants said they'd make up their minds before the President-elect's January 20 inauguration, to see if the Biden administration would approve their applications for 'humanitarian parole'.

Using the Biden-created 'CBP One' mobile app to lodge such claims, some 771,000 migrants have entered into the US since January 2023. Trump has said he'll end the program on Day One.

But there is a contingent of migrants who are refusing to be turned away. These are the ones escaping from urban encampments into the woods, in a race against time to illegally cross the border before Trump's swearing-in.

They'd brought water jugs but no food, blankets or even the most rudimentary camping gear. All of them repeatedly begged me for something to eat. Unfortunately, I hadn't brought anything.

It's hard not to conclude that these migrants were drawn here, in large part, by President Biden's disastrous immigration policies, resulting in more than 10 million migrants entering the US during his term. The message that has been sent to the world the past four years is that, if you make it to the border, you'll likely find a way to cross.

And indeed, as I soon learned, this group had been convinced by a particularly delusional rumor sweeping Mexico City's migrant camps.

It's their firm belief that on Wednesday, December 18, the US and Mexican governments are going to withdraw all troops and border guards, giving tens of thousands of migrants one last chance to cross the border before the coming Trump crackdown.

December 18 is 'International Migrants Day', declared by the United Nations in 2000, as a time to recognize the plight of migrants worldwide.

'On International Migrant's Day, they're going to open the border gates,' a young Ecuadorian man named Jason confidently explained to me.

Six men sitting around him nodded in agreement.

My US law enforcement sources tell me this is patently absurd, suggesting that Mexican cartels had concocted the rumor as a way to wring migrants for cash one last time before the era of Biden's mass migration ends.

Nonetheless, I embedded myself for the day with this group of true believers  hailing from Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala and Honduras  as they waited at a junction in the middle of the desert, where trains are known to stop for five to 10 minutes as the tracks are switched.

My US law enforcement sources tell me this is patently absurd, suggesting that Mexican cartels had concocted the rumor as a way to wring migrants for cash one last time before the era of Biden's mass migration ends. (Above) Mexican immigration on patrol

The migrants' plan was to hitch a ride on top of a freight train for a dangerous three or four-day trip north. The ultimate destination: The border crossing at Eagle Pass, Texas.

Word was the next train was due at noon.

There were three mothers with six young children among the group of 25; only one of the kids was accompanied by a father.

The rest were single young men in their 20s, including several who admitted they'd illegally crossed the border before and made their way to Denver and Houston, only to be deported after serving time for crimes.

One of these men refused to allow me to record him on either audio or video. Another told me he had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during his time in Denver.

Everyone was on edge - and for good reason.

Trump has threatened Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, with 25 percent trade tariffs if she does not do what she can to halt illegal migration.

In response, she has enhanced tough nationwide immigration enforcement operations. Mexican National Guard and immigration officers are patrolling rail lines with orders to capture every immigrant and ship them a thousand miles south to Mexican cities on the border with Guatemala.

The migrants fear that and more.

'Mexican immigration takes your money away, whatever you have, they take it away,' said Alexander, a 30-something Colombian. 'We're running away from them.'

Two young men anointed themselves lookouts to warn the others when strange vehicles approached. They asked me to hide my rental car in the brush.

As we waited for the noon train, a motorbike carrying a man and a woman pulled up on the dirt road running parallel to the train tracks.

'Immigration knows you are all here,' the man warned in Spanish. 'They'll take all of your cell phones and money and send you to Tapachula. Hide in the landfill.'

At this, the entire group bolted over the tracks to a mammoth fenced-off garbage dump and squeezed through holes in the chain link. The pile stunk terribly. In the refuse, the children found a feral dog nursing newborn puppies in a hole she'd dug.

Here we waited for several hours until a train horn sounded in the distance. Everyone rushed back through the fence, but were quickly disappointed. This train wasn't going to work. The cars were cylindrical oil tanks  far too hazardous to ride on top of.

At this, the entire group bolted over the tracks to a mammoth fenced-off garbage dump and squeezed through holes in the chain link. The pile stunk terribly. In the refuse, the children found a feral dog nursing newborn puppies in a hole she'd dug.

Here we waited for several hours until a train horn sounded in the distance. Everyone rushed back through the fence, but were quickly disappointed. This train wasn't going to work. The cars were cylindrical oil tanks  far too hazardous to ride on top of.

'There's no way they can get on,' one of the lookouts said. 'It's going to be slippery. It's very dangerous for the children on top.'

The wait continued.

More hours later, another train horn sounded. The migrants ran for it. The legless Venezuelan man on crutches somehow managing to keep up.

I followed close behind as the train stopped and the migrants scrambled up ladders onto the roof of one car. But, again, they were foiled.

A truck of armed Mexican National Guard troops and two immigration enforcement vans approached. Everyone rushed back down, dropping their backpacks off the train in a swirl of panic.

Seconds before the immigration vans arrived, they group disappeared into the brush.

I lingered to talk to the guards, but their vehicles never slowed. Though I could see that the two vans were full of migrants, perhaps caught elsewhere along the train line.

The train chugged away without anyone on it. And, shortly after, the migrants emerged from the brush once again.

This time, they refused to speak to me, hurrying off down the road to a likely dead end.
Prince Andrew has pulled out of joining the Royal Family for Christmas at Sandringham, MailOnline can reveal today.

The beleaguered Duke of York has agreed not to embarrass the King further and has voluntarily decided, along with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, to give the annual celebrations in Norfolk a miss.

It is believed the couple are likely to remain at Royal Lodge.

MailOnline understands that their children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, had already made the decision to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws, having not had the chance to do so for several years.

The Daily Mail revealed today that His Majesty didn't want to ban his brother from attending but hoped he might 'do the decent thing' and decide to stay away in light of the growing spy scandal.

It is understood that The King and Queen were hoping none other than the Duchess of York might come to their rescue and save the family's festivities this Christmas - and it appears that she has.

Their Majesties had made clear privately that it would be a 'blessing' if Sarah - known to them still as 'Fergie' - were to persuade her ex-husband to 'see sense' and tactfully withdraw from public gatherings over the next week as the storm around his dealings with an alleged Chinese spy still rages.

While the Duchess has found herself at the centre of several royal scandals over the years, Charles and Camilla - like Queen Elizabeth before them - are quite 'fond' of her at heart.

Prince Andrew is photographed driving in his Range Rover today from Royal Lodge in Windsor

Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine of the Hellenes at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on February 27, 2024

They rather admire her loyalty to both Andrew, despite his repeated public travails, as well as the monarchy more generally.

And they believe she was possibly the one person who could talk the Duke round into 'recusing' himself from the family's very public walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day - and possibly into downsizing himself from Royal Lodge.

Remarkably the couple still live together at the grand Windsor mansion Andrew has on a long-term lease from the Crown Estate that is at the centre of much of his most recent controversy.

In an interview at the weekend Sarah likened herself to being a 'carer for a sad man' and also spoke of her love for the king and his kindness towards her.

It comes as alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who forged links with Andrew and mixed with other British establishment figures, insisted he has 'done nothing wrong or unlawful'.

Prince Andrew is accompanied by his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York at the annual royal outing to the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, Norfolk, on December 25, 2023

Andrew with Edward at the Christmas church service in Sandringham on December 25, 2023

Mr Yang said it was 'entirely untrue' to claim he was involved in espionage and said he was a victim of a 'political climate' which had seen a rise in tensions between the UK and China.

Businessman Mr Yang became a 'close' confidant of the Duke and has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.

In a statement after a High Court judge lifted an order granting him anonymity he said: 'Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere, I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity.

'I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a 'spy' is entirely untrue.'

Mr Yang last week lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds. He was known in the legal case only as H6 until the anonymity order was lifted today.

Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who forged links with the Duke of York

He is listed as a director of Hampton Group International, a business consultancy which claims to act as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

The 50-year-old worked as a junior civil servant in China before heading to the UK in 2002 to study and he was granted indefinite leave to remain in 2013.

Mr Yang - also known as Christopher Yang - was the founder-partner of Pitch@Palace China.

The Pitch@Palace initiative was the Duke's scheme to support entrepreneurs.

Mr Yang was first excluded from Britain by then-home secretary Suella Braverman in 2023, when the Home Office said he was believed to have carried out 'covert and deceptive activity' for the Chinese Communist Party.

The businessman suggested he was a victim of increasingly hawkish views on China under the Conservative administration at the time.

'The political climate has changed and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this,' Mr Yang said.

Yang Tengbo (far right) with Andrew at an event to encourage trade between China and Britain

'When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded,' he said.

Judges at a specialist tribunal in London last week ruled Mrs Braverman had been 'entitled to conclude' that he 'represented a risk to the national security' after he launched an appeal against the decision.

The businessman had brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after his initial exclusion in 2023 but his appeal was dismissed.

In his statement, Mr Yang hit out at the process which led to his ban from entering the UK.

'I have been excluded from seeing most of the evidence that was used against me under a process which is widely acknowledged by SIAC practitioners as inherently unfair: decisions are made based on secret evidence and closed proceedings, which has been described as 'taking blind shots at a hidden target',' Mr Yang said.

'On their own fact finding, even the three judges in this case concluded that there was 'not an abundance of evidence' against me, their decision was 'finely balanced', and there could be an 'innocent explanation' for my activities. This has not been reported in the media.'

Yang Tengbo alongside former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron and his wife, Samantha

As for Andrew, while he has disappeared from public life since stepping down from official duties, he has remained at the heart of the Royal Family's Christmas Day appearance.

Last Christmas, Andrew walked from Sandringham to church with the other royals - symbolic of his gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy.

And after the service, the duke laughed and threw up his hands as he joked with well-wishes, and was joined by Sarah - making a return to the royal fold after missing Sandringham for a number of decades.

But the latest controversy surrounding the Duke, involving Mr Yang who was said to have become his 'close' confidant, seems to have ended his involvement with Christmas at Sandringham.

Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - and a few years later paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met.

The major development followed a few days after his disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019 when he said he 'did not regret' his friendship with Epstein, who had trafficked Ms Giuffre, and was heavily criticised for failing to show sympathy with the sex offender's victims.

Yang Tengbo met senior Tories including Theresa May, seen here with her husband, Philip

The Duke, reputedly Queen Elizabeth II favourite child, announced at the time he would be 'stepping back from public duties for the foreseeable future' and disappeared from a string of high-profile national events involving the monarchy.

Andrew's status as a member of the Royal Family was left in tatters three years later when the Queen stripped him of his honorary military roles, remaining royal patronages and he gave up his HRH style in a dramatic fallout from his civil sex case.

The Royal Family's influence on national life is as much about where and when they are seen as what they say, and the duke has been absent for more than four years from official events.

In past years, Andrew took part in the family gathering after Trooping the Colour, appearing on Buckingham Palace's balcony with the other royals.

But he has not been seen at the national celebration for a number of years and has also not attended Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph, the annual Commonwealth Day service and the public elements of Garter Day at Windsor Castle.

The Garter event is one of the most colourful of the royal calendar when the royal family process through the grounds of the castle in lavish robes for the annual service celebrating the order, but Andrew takes part in events behind closed doors.

But this year Andrew, once second in line to the throne, will not make an appearance at the King's private home of Sandringham in Norfolk for Christmas with his relatives.
Steve Bannon has put forward an explosive theory he suggested could allow Donald Trump to seek a third term in the White House.

It would mean Trump upending the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and remaining in office beyond 2028.

Bannon, who was spotted at Mar-a-Lago with Trump early this month, promoted the idea in a speech at the New York Young Republicans Club.

'Donald John Trump is going to raise his hand on the King James Bible and take the oath of office  his third victory and his second term,' Bannon told the crowd at a weekend gala.

The 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951 after Franklin Roosevelt was elected to his fourth term. It limits a president to two terms.

However, Bannon floated a legal theory arguing that the 22nd Amendment would not prohibit such a move as long as the terms weren't 'consecutive.'

Bannon said: 'And the viceroy Mike Davis tells me, since it doesn't actually say "consecutive," that, I don't know, maybe we do it again in '28? Are you guys down for that? Trump '28? Come on man!'

The idea drew a roar of approval from the crowd who gathered for the event.

His comment that it was Trump's 'third victory' also suggests that he won in 2020, although he lost to Joe Biden by about 7 million votes.

Davis, a former senior Senate aide, shot down the idea on X. 'Steve Bannon is obviously trolling. Only Obama gets a third term, with his puppet Biden,' he wrote. He did not respond to an inquiry Monday on his interpretation of the 22nd Amendment.

Bannon told DailyMail.com Tuesday he was 'NOT' trolling.

Bannon's comment to the crowd was among the most elaborate descriptions of a third-term scenario by a Trump insider  although it is far from the only time it has come up.

Longtime Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon told a Republican crowd 'maybe we do it again in '28?'  suggesting Trump could try to stand for a third term despite the 22nd Amendment's limitation

Bannon served as chief White House strategist in Trump's first term. He made jokes at the event about his recent release from federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut for failing to comply with a congressional subpoena.

Trump, 78, the oldest person to be elected president, himself has repeatedly toyed with the idea in public comments.

Days after the election, Trump joked about running for a third term  rejecting the idea even as he floated it.

'I suspect I wont be running again, unless you do something,' Trump he told House Republicans, according to pool reports and audio.

'Unless you say, "Hes so good, we have to just figure it out."'

There is a mechanism for removing the constitutional two-term limit, but it must meet a high bar  approval by a supermajority in Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the states.

Trump spoke against the idea to Time magazine in April, saying he was against a 'challenge' to it.

'I wouldn't be in favor of a challenge. Not for me. I wouldn't be in favor of it at all. I intend to serve four years and do a great job. And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track.'

Bannon's comments came after Democrats and Trump critics spent much of the campaign saying he had authoritarian impulses.

Trump told House Republicans 'I suspect I wont be running again, unless you do something'

Bannon cited conservative Republican lawyer Mike Davis, a former Senate aide, as touting a loophole in the 22nd Amendment that could allow Trump to serve a third term since his first and second terms are not 'consecutive'

His remarks were immediately shared on social media by Republicans Against Trump, as well as Trump allies.

The 22nd Amendment states: 'No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.'

The second clause applies to someone who might assume the presidency partway through a term, who could therefore serve for more than eight years.

'I dont think theres any realistic possibility that the 22nd Amendment could be repealed,' U-Penn law professor Kermit Roosevelt told FactCheck.org in November.

'That would take another amendment (like the 21st, repealing the 18th) and I dont think it would get 2/3 of both houses of congress, much less 3/4 of the states, the great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt said.

Although the language on no person being 'elected' more than twice appears quite clear, a CRS report explored the possibility that someone could rise to the presidency through succession.

But that would not appear to include running for and winning election to a third term.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of a young boy's body at a house on December 15.

Essex Police were called to the scene on Windstar Drive, South Ockendon, shortly before 3pm following reports of concern for the welfare of a woman and child.

Upon arriving at the scene, emergency services found the boy but he was shortly pronounced dead despite the efforts of the attending medics.

The woman involved was taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment but her condition did improve.

She has since been placed under arrest by Essex Police on suspicion of the murder of the boy.

The force are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Speaking to the death of the boy, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Blakesley said: 'First and foremost, this a tragic incident in which a child has lost his life, and I would please ask for the South Ockendon community - and further afield - to please refrain from speculating.

'Specialist officers and staff are continuing to build a picture of the events which led up to the call to emergency services yesterday.

Upon arriving at the scene, emergency services found the boy but he was shortly pronounced dead despite the efforts of the attending medics

Essex Police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the incident

'This will of course take time and a thorough investigation is now under way.

'Officers remain in the area this morning and residents will notice a footprint throughout today.

'I would urge anyone with concerns or any information which they believe may be useful to our investigation to please come forward, either in person or using our other reporting mechanisms.'

The area's local MP, Jen Craft, also posted a statement to Facebook in which the Labour politician said: 'We are all horrified by the news of the tragic events that took place at Windstar Drive in South Ockendon yesterday afternoon.

'My thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved in this horrific incident, as well as the whole of the local community in the wake of this terrible news.'
An Ivy League professor has revealed what he believes could have led Luigi Mangione to allegedly kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione, 26, grew up in a prominent, well-off Maryland family and spent his life attending prestigious private schools, earning his college degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson told Fox News that Mangione's educational background may have radicalized him - potentially inspiring him to assassinate Thompson.

'It is fairly uniform in the Ivy League and other so-called elite educational institutions that they skew extremely heavily to the left among the faculty,' Jacobson explained.

'The modern Democratic Party...leans very heavily to the left, has a very strong anti-American, anti-capitalist wing to it...so it would not surprise me if somebody growing up and getting educated in that atmosphere becomes radicalized.'

The law professor claimed that Ivy League educators have been promoting their personal value and trying to instill them in students over the last two or three decades.

'They do not distinguish between their teaching and their activism,' he told Fox News.

'That most clearly manifests itself. But it's elsewhere, too, on the anti-capitalist front...if you're educating yourself in that atmosphere, I certainly could understand why someone would have hostile views towards a health insurance company.'

Luigi Mangione, 26, has been arrested for allegedly assassinating UnitedHealthcare's CEO on December 5

Cornell Law professor William Jacobson believes that Mangione's elite educational background radicalized him

Jacobson shared his theory after posts made by a UPenn educator celebrating Thompson's slaying sparked outrage.

Assistant English Professor Julia Alekseyeva shared a TikTok video praising the suspect and the fact that Mangione is an alumni of her university.

In response to by Alekseyeva's post, UPenn School of Arts and Sciences Deputy Dean Jeffrey Kallberg told Fox News that 'much concern was raised.'

'Her comments regarding the shooting of Brian Thompson in New York City were antithetical to the values of both the School of Arts and Sciences and the University of Pennsylvania,' Kallberg said in a statement.

'They were not condoned by the School or the University. Upon reflection, Assistant Professor Alekseyeva has concurred that the comments were insensitive and inappropriate and has retracted them.'

Mangione reportedly aligned with anti-capitalist ideologies. He was also found with a handwritten manifesto when he was arrested at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

The manifesto reportedly read: 'To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasnt working with anyone.

'These parasites had it coming. I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done.'

Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4

Mangione was arrested at a Pennsylvania McDonald's after a five-day manhunt

One of the alleged shooter's friends told DailyMail.com that Mangione was actually 'anti-woke,' and was left-leaning in some ways and right-leaning in others.

'For instance, he was pro-equality of opportunity, but anti-woke: for example anti-DEI (and) anti-identity politics,' Gurwinder Bhogal, a UK-based writer who met Mangione online, explained.

'He opposed woke-ism because he didn't believe it was an effective way to help minorities.

'He expressed interest in more rational, evidence-based forms of compassion, like effective altruism.'

Bhogal said he and Mangione discussed the differences between the UK and US healthcare systems.

'Luigi complained about how expensive healthcare in the US was, and expressed envy at the UK's nationalized health system,' he revealed.

Bhogal, who runs a political blog called The Prism, said they discussed the actions of 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski, who used terrorism to campaign against modern technology.

Mangione previously appeared to praise Kaczynski in a Goodreads review.

Mangione was reportedly found with a manifesto when he was arrested on December 9

'Luigi disapproved of the Unabombers actions, but was fascinated by his ideology, and shared his concerns about rampant consumerism gradually eroding our agency and alienating us from ourselves,' Bhogal said.

The blogger speculated that material Mangione read on social media may be what sparked his alleged crime.

Another theory surrounding Mangione's alleged actions is that he suffered from chronic and severe back pain, which spiraled into an obsession with the healthcare industry.

Mangione's college roommate, RJ Martin, said the suspect was in so much pain that he could not be physically intimate with anyone.

Martin also recalled how he, Mangione and other students would discuss healthcare and capitalism.

But he insisted the suspected murderer never gave off the impression of being angry or radicalized.

He added that Mangione did not complain about his back pain and did not appear to be taking any kind of painkillers.

Mangione was arrested on December 9 after a five-day manhunt. He has been charged with second-degree murder.

Mangione's friends have come forward with other theories about what may have caused him to lash out

The Maryland native comes from a well-off family and attended an Ivy League college

He also faces charges of second- and third-degree possession of a weapon, and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument in the killing of Thompson.

On his way inside a Pennsylvania courthouse on December 10 to fight extradition to New York, an agitated Mangione shouted: 'This is completely unjust and an insult to the American people.'

He also yelled at reporters for being 'completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and their lived experience!'

Jacobson reiterated his belief that Thompson's death was not a random act and that Mangione's life experiences could have led him to allegedly shoot and kill the CEO.

'I think people need to focus on what the evidence is, what in his background might have radicalized him...what in his background would have led him to engage in such an elaborate plot,' he told Fox News.

'This is not a spontaneous act of violence. This was obviously clearly planned.'
It is unclear when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will return to the U.S. as she recovers from hip replacement surgery after a nasty fall in Luxembourg.

Pelosi, 84, had a successful hip replacement after taking a fall down a marble staircase while on a European trip, her spokesperson said over the weekend.

She was in Luxembourg with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge when she fell on Friday.

Pelosi was notably not flown back to the U.S. following her spill down the staircase at the Grand Duke's palace, but rather taken to the military hospital in Germany

Her spokesperson Ian Krager has since described Pelosi as being 'well on the mend' following the procedure.

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.'

DailyMail.com reached out to Krager to get more details on when the former speaker will return to Washington, D.C.

It wasn't immediately clear when she will be well enough to make the trek back overseas.

The rest of the lawmakers on the trip have returned to D.C. for the last full week of legislating before the Christmas break.

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

It wasn't immediately clear when she will be well enough to make the trek back overseas

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.

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.

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

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 last 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.
Nicotine users ended up being a crucial constituency that carried Donald Trump to victory in November, a new poll finds.

Those who use nicotine products like cigarettes, vapes, dip or nicotine pouches like Zyn were much more likely to back the Republican, a survey of nicotine users who voted found.

A Cygnal poll of 2,200 nicotine users who voted, shared exclusively with DailyMail.com, revealed that 56 percent of them backed Trump.

It represents a six percent improvement over the Republican's performance in the overall vote total; Trump received 49 percent of the popular vote in the election. Meanwhile, only 40 percent of respondents voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Those who use dip or nicotine pouches - like the popular Zyn brand used by Robert Kennedy Jr. and Tucker Carlson - were the most likely to be Trump supporters.

The survey found that 62 percent of these users voted for the Republican compared to 33 percent backing Harris.

Cigarette users backed Trump at higher rates, 57 percent 40 percent, while 54 percent of vape users voted for Trump compared to 43 percent for Harris.

Further, 54 percent of menthol cigarette users reported voting for Trump after Biden has moved to ban them in recent years.

President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before he speaks at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. A new survey finds that a majority of nicotine users voted for the Republican

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Biden renewed a push to ban menthol in tobacco products in 2021. The minty chemical is used to flavor cigarettes and other products to give users a cooling sensation.

The product has long been criticized for its health implications, but earlier this year Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement that the agency is pausing their menthol ban.

'It's clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time,' he said.

The poll also sheds light on how minority nicotine users broke for Trump at a much higher rate.

A whopping 47 percent of Hispanic nicotine users voted for Trump in 2024, the survey found. Comparatively, this year Trump secured 37 percent of the Hispanic vote.

In 2016 Trump captured just 28 percent of the Hispanic vote and just 32 percent in 2020.

Further, 31 percent of black nicotine users voted for President Trump in the 2024 Election, according to the Cygnal survey.

That is a 13-point increase over the Republican's overall total among black voters, which was around 18 percent this election. In 2020, Biden secured the support of roughly 90 percent of black voters.

Tucker Carlson holds a pack of Zyn nicotine pouches during preparations for the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned of the popular nicotine pouch product Zyn earlier this year during a press conference

But in 2024 Trump was able to double his vote share among black voters, securing one of every five votes.

Possibly causing Democrats injury among these voters was their push to ban menthol cigarettes, a product more popular with black nicotine users than other demographics.

Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., who is black himself, touted how he pushed back on the menthol ban this year, noting how it was an unpopular policy in his district, which is almost half black.

'We pushed back against the menthol ban. Why? I truly understand health challenges. But I'm not sure how it was rolled out would have benefited anyone,' he said speaking to Washington Monthly last week.

'You'd have to go cold turkey overnight with this ban. I think more could be done,' he continued.

The survey found that 54 percent of menthol users voted for Trump. Many of these menthol users indicated that they voted for Trump after hearing about the federal push to ban menthol products.

Outside of the White House, Democratic lawmakers have similarly feuded with nicotine users.

He called the popular brand a pouch full of problems

Senate Majority Leader, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., standing with Mikhail Varshavski. Varshavski, calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigation of Philip Morris International owned 'ZYN' nicotine pouches marketing using social media to advertise to kids & teens and assess health impact on kids Senator Schumer urges FTC and FDA to Investigate 'ZYN'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a warning about the popular tobacco-free nicotine alternative Zyn, sparking outrage from users.

The veteran Democrat claimed in January 2024 that Zyn is marketing its products to teens through social media, and that federal officials should investigate the company.

The New York Democrat called the product a 'pouch packed with problems - high levels of nicotine.'

'Today I am delivering a warning to parents because these nicotine pouches seem to lock their sights on young kids, teenagers and even lower, and then use the social media to hook them,' Schumer said.

Zyn is made by a Swedish tobacco company called Swedish Match and was first introduced into the U.S. in 2014.

The pouches are sold in many flavors ranging from the ambiguous such as 'Chill' to the more straightforward flavors like peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen.

Two out of three nicotine pouch users voted for Trump, the Cygnal survey found.
Germany is set to hold a snap election after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote with opponents branding him the 'low point' of the country's modern history.

Scholz, 66, lost a confidence vote in the German parliament on Monday, putting the European Union's most populous member and biggest economy on course to hold an early election in February.

The Bundestag vote, which Scholz had expected to lose, allows President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the legislature and formally order an election.

Steinmeier has 21 days to make that decision - and, because of the planned timing of the election, is expected to do so after Christmas.

Once parliament is dissolved, the election must be held within 60 days.

The crucial vote followed a fiery debate in which political rivals traded angry recriminations in a foretaste of the election campaign to come.

Embattled Scholz, 66, lags badly in the polls behind conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of ex-chancellor Angela Merkel.

The conservative leader has labelled the chancellor as 'the low point in the 75-year history of the Federal Republic of Germany'.

Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the German parliament on Monday

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walks outside Bellevue Castle, the seat of Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, following his confidence vote at the Bundestag, in Berlin

Parliamentary Group Leader, Friedrich Merz, labelled the chancellor as 'the low point in the 75-year history of the Federal Republic of Germany'

'He leaves Germany in a deep crisis, isolated in Europe, and politically adrift,' Merz said.

'European leaders have stopped taking Scholz seriously. He either remains silent for hours or lectures the world without listening.'

After over three years at the helm, Scholz was plunged into crisis when his unruly three-party coalition collapsed on November 6, the day Donald Trump won re-election to the White House.

The Chancellor's 'traffic light' coalition was based on the colours of three parties including his Social Democrats, the Free Democratic Party, and the Green Party.

The political turbulence has hit Germany as it struggles to revive a stuttering economy hammered by high energy prices and tough competition from China.

Berlin also faces major geopolitical challenges as it confronts Russia over the Ukraine war and as Trump's looming return heightens uncertainty over future NATO and trade ties.

Those threats were at the centre of a heated debate between Scholz, Merz and other party leaders ahead of the vote in the lower house, in which 207 MPs backed Scholz against 394 who did not, with 116 abstentions.

After Scholz outlined his plans for massive spending on security, business and social welfare, Merz demanded to know why he had not taken those steps in the past, asking: 'Were you on another planet?'

Scholz argued that his government had boosted spending on the armed forces which previous CDU-led governments had left 'in a deplorable state'.

'It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany,' Scholz said, warning about Russia's war in Ukraine that 'a highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours' flight from here'.

But Merz fired back that Scholz had left the country in 'one of the biggest economic crises of the postwar era'.

'You had your chance, but you did not use it ... You, Mr. Scholz, do not deserve confidence', charged Merz.

Scholz (SPD) casts his vote during a vote of confidence at the Bundestag on December 16, 2024. He requested the vote be held following the collapse of the three-party federal coalition in November

German Minister for Economy and Climate Action Robert Habeck (L) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) attend the meeting of the German Bundestag

Merz, a former corporate lawyer who has never held a government leadership post, lambasted the motley alliance of the chancellor's Social Democrats (SPD), the left-leaning Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP).

Coalition bickering over fiscal and economic woes came to a head when Scholz fired his rebellious FDP finance minister Christian Lindner on November 6.

Scholz on Monday again lashed out at Lindner for the 'weeks-long sabotage' that imploded the alliance and damaged 'the reputation of democracy' itself.

The departure of Lindner's FDP left Scholz running a minority government with the Greens that has been limping along, unable to pass major bills or a new budget.

Scholz, a centre-left Social Democrat, told lawmakers that the election will determine whether 'we, as a strong country, dare to invest strongly in our future; do we have confidence in ourselves and our country, or do we put our future on the line? Do we risk our cohesion and our prosperity by delaying long-overdue investments?'

Scholz's pitch to voters includes pledges to 'modernise' Germany's strict self-imposed rules on running up debt, to increase the national minimum wage and to reduce value-added tax on food.

Chancellor Scholz (R) meets German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to ask him to dissolve the parliament after the vote of confidence against him

Centre-right challenger Merz responded that 'you're leaving the country in one of its biggest economic crises in postwar history.'

'You're standing here and saying, business as usual, let's run up debt at the expense of the younger generation, let's spend money and ... the word `competitiveness' of the German economy didn't come up once in the speech you gave today,' Merz said.

Polls show Scholz's party trailing well behind Merz's main opposition Union bloc, which is in the lead.

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, the remaining partner in Scholz's government, is also bidding for the top job - though his party is further back.

The far-right Alternative for Germany, which is polling strongly, has nominated Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor but has no chance of taking the job because other parties refuse to work with it.

Germany's electoral system traditionally produces coalitions, and polls show no party anywhere near an absolute majority on its own.

The election is expected to be followed by weeks of negotiations to form a new government.

Confidence votes are rare in Germany, a country of 83 million people that prizes stability.

This was only the sixth time in its postwar history that a chancellor had called one.

The last was in 2005, when then-Chancellor Gerhard Schroder engineered an early election that was narrowly won by centre-right challenger Angela Merkel.
Melania Trump gave a rare show of emotion in remarks to supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday evening, thanking them for their support for herself and her son Barron.

Standing with Donald Trump on the patio at their Palm Beach home, the incoming first lady told them: 'For being there for myself and Barron - thank you for that.'

Melania has expressed her pride in her 18-year-old son, who advised the incoming president's successful re-election campaign and has started his first year of college.

It's a marked change since her first tenure as first lady, where she kept Barron, who was in high school at the time, behind closed doors for much of their time in the White House.

Melania seems posted to take a bigger role in the spotlight after her notable lack of involvement in the 2024 presidential race.

She is feeling more secure in her shoes as she's set to become the first lady for a second time next month, a body language expert told DailyMail.com

'For being there for myself and Barron - thank you for that,' Melania Trump told supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday

Melania Trump addressed supporters at her Florida home on the same night she and her husband hosted Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for dinner on Sunday.

Melania posted a photo of the three on her social media accounts.

'It was a privilege to host Mrs. Akie Abe at Mar-a-Lago once again. We fondly remembered her late husband, former Prime Minister Abe, and honored his remarkable legacy,' she wrote.

The Trumps were close to the Abes during Donald Trump's first term in office. The former prime minister was assassinated in 2022.

The couple issued a private invite to Akie Abe to join them for dinner. Trump has called Akie regularly to check up on her since her husband died, CNN reported.

'Mrs. Abe was very close with our first lady, with Melania, and she love Melania's book,' Donald Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Monday.

'I was very close to the prime minister, Shinzo Abe. He was great. He was a great man. His wife wanted to know if it would be possible to have dinner. It was just out of respect to Shinzo.'

On Monday, the president-elect touted a $100 billion investment from the Japanese-based SoftBank Group alongside CEO Masayoshi Son. Son joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago for the announcement.

Melania Trump did not join him for that event but she will be a regular presence at the White House, the president-elect vowed.

In an interview with Time magazine for being its Person of the Year, Donald Trump addressed reports that the incoming first lady plans to stay in New York, where their son Barron attends New York University.

When Time asked if his wife would join him at the White House, Trump replied: 'Oh yes.'

Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Barron Trump on election night

The president-elect pointed to how active his wife was in the final weeks of his presidential campaign.

'She was, she was very, she actually became very active towards the end, as you saw with interviews. And she doesshe does them well. People really watch. She's very beloved by the people, Melania,' Trump noted.

Melania Trump was promoting her memoir 'Melania' in those interviews. It became a New York Times bestseller.

She joined her husband at the New York Stock Exchange last week where he rang the opening bell in honor of being named Time's Person of the Year.

'There is a hint that Melania is embracing her powerful role as FLOTUS this time around in a way she didn't before,' body language expert Judi James told DailyMail.com of that appearance.

'Here she produced some very natural-looking smiles and instigated some conversations and even popped herself cheekily into a selfie that Trump was asked to pose for,' James said.

Donald Trump, Akie Abe, and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend

Melania Trump (left) accompanied President-elect Donald Trump (right) to the New York Stock Exchange Thursday where he rang the bell to mark winning Time magazine's 'Person of the Year'

Melania Trump told Fox News last month that she is busy preparing for the move to Washington D.C.

She pointed out she lived in the White House for four years and knows it well.

'This time it's very different because we already know where we are going and we have all of the plans from before. So we don't need to go back in,' she told Fox & Friends.

'My team is in contact with the White House, so that's a plus. But we have all what we need, so this is the second time so it's nothing new. The first time was challenging. We didn't have much access, we were in on January 20th. But this time it's already in the process,' she added.

Melania said she is busy packing her things, setting up her office and interviewing staff.

'I know what you need to establish,' she said. 'You know what kind of people you need to hire to be in your office. So that's what I'm doing now. I'm interviewing people for my office. I'm establishing everything what is needed so we could start on day one, everybody's in and we start working.'

Melania indicated to Fox & Friends she plans to bring back her Be Best initiative. She also talked about her collectibles, such as NFT and Christmas ornaments, that she sells online.
En espanol

The controversy between Eugenio Derbez and Selena Gomez continues to dominate media headlines and social networks following the Mexican actor and filmmaker's criticism of Gomez's performance in the film 'Emilia Perez.'

The exchange sparked significant uproar over the weekend, and it shows no signs of dying down.

Read more: Chiquis Rivera Shocks Fans With the Announcement of her New Reality Show

According to 'Despierta America,' Derbez expressed deep regret during a conversation with the show's executive producer, Luz Maria Doria.

Host Alan Tacher summarized Derbez's remarks in the 'Sin Rollos Ni Rodeos' segment:

"He was very sad and angry with himself over the fallout from his comments. No one understands better than him, given his own experience acting in productions (in Hollywood) with a noticeable accent, how challenging it is to perform in a non-native language. He acknowledged he had no right to criticize anyone's accent. Eugenio admitted he spoke out of turn, apologized profusely to Selena, and expressed deep regret for his remarks."

Derbez reportedly went on to say he "loved" 'Emilia Perez,' echoing sentiments from his public apology to Selena: "I was wrong, and I deeply admire your career," he said, emphasizing that 'Emilia Perez' deserves celebration rather than being overshadowed by his comments.

Fans aren't convinced

Despite his apology, the backlash persists. Many online users remain unconvinced of Derbez's sincerity, with comments such as "No humility from Eugenio. He messed up, especially considering he's been in Selena's shoes, acting in a non-native language," "These apologies only come because of the controversy. He wouldn't regret his words otherwise," "Such a lack of empathy for Selena and all she's been through. Shame on you, Eugenio. Show more humility."

The controversy has also drawn attention to his children, with one follower commenting:

"A good judge starts at home. Eugenio should focus on teaching his kids to act before criticizing others."

Amid the uproar, Derbez continues with his career. He is currently working on two new Amazon Prime Video series 'Y llegaron de noche,' a comedy, and 'El Juicio,' another highly anticipated project.

Both productions are generating excitement among fans and promise to showcase Derbez's versatile talent.

Meanwhile, 'Emilia Perez' has garnered multiple Golden Globe nominations, establishing itself as a favorite this awards season. Notable nominations include:

Best Supporting Actress : Selena Gomez for her role as Jessi del Monte, praised by critics for her contribution to the film's narrative.

: Selena Gomez for her role as Jessi del Monte, praised by critics for her contribution to the film's narrative. Best Original Song: 'Mi Camino,' performed by Selena in the movie.

Read more: Zendaya is on the List for the Most Mispronounced Words in America

Best Screenplay : Written by Jacques Audiard, the nomination highlights the film's strong storytelling.

: Written by Jacques Audiard, the nomination highlights the film's strong storytelling. Best Director : Jacques Audiard is also being recognized for his creative vision and handling of complex cultural themes.

: Jacques Audiard is also being recognized for his creative vision and handling of complex cultural themes. Best Musical Composition: Celebrating the film's impactful score, vital to its musical focus.

This recognition marks a significant milestone for Selena and underscores the growing presence of Latin representation in Hollywood. 'Emilia Perez' has been lauded for its innovative narrative and exploration of themes like identity and personal transformation.
President-elect Donald Trump signaled he could try to stop the ban on TikTok in the U.S. as the deadline looms next month.

'We'll take a look at TikTok,' Trump said in response to a reporter question on Monday while speaking in Mar-a-Lago.

'I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points,' the 78-year-old claimed. 'There are those who say TikTok had something to do with that.'

Hours after Trump's comments, a source familiar confirmed with DailyMail.com that the president-elect is meeting with the TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on Monday.

TikTok needs to move quickly to avoid being banned in the U.S. in mid January if action is not taken.

Earlier this year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sells its stakes by January 19, 2025.

Lawmakers passed the bill amid concerns that the wildly popular social media app is a national security concern with the collection of Americans' data.

But some 170 million Americans use the video app.

President-elect Trump speaking at Mar-a-Lago on December 16 said 'we'll take a look at TikTok' when asked about the looming ban on the popular video app in the U.S. if it's not sold by Chinese-owned ByteDance with the deadline looming next month

If Trump were able to prevent the ban, it would be a major reversal from 2020 when he tried to block the social media app and have it sold to a U.S. company.

But the president-elect changed his stance on allowing TikTok to remain in the U.S. changed in March while he was running for a second term.

On Monday, Trump credited the app for helping him win the 2024 election.

While he did not win the youth vote outright, he made major gains with the voting bloc, which he attributed to the Chinese video app and gave a shoutout to his youngest son Barron.

'Joe Rogan did and some of the other people that were recommended by my son Barron,' Trump said.

'He knew names. I said "who is that? Tell me, who's that?"' Trump recalled.

'"Dad, you got to be kidding. I can't believe you don't know,"' the president-elect went on imitating his 18-year-old son.

'And I did those interviews, and it was sort of cute if you want to know know the truth, but we did them, and that had an impact,' he said.

'But TikTok had an impact, and so we're taking a look at it,' he said.

President-elect Trump credits his 18-year-old son Barron (left) with helping him make gains in support among young voters in the 2024 election

Congress passed a law banning TikTok if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company. The deadline looms next month

Trump then declared he 'won youth' and claimed he was '35-36 points up with young people.'

'So I have a little bit of a warm spot in my heart I'll be honest,' he said.

Exit polling showed Trump made huge gains from 2020 with young people, but he did not win them outright. He received 43 percent among those 18 to 29 percent compared to Kamala Harris' 54 percent.

In 2020, he received only 36 percent to President Biden's 60 percent.

Just months after Trump reversed his stance on TikTok, he launched his own TikTok account in June where he shared numerous videos and clips with influencers amassing some 14 million followers and 107 million video likes.

On Monday, TikTok filed for an emergency injunction with the Supreme Court after the U.S. Court of Appeals last week rejected its effort to temporarily block the law banning the app while it fights it in court.

TikTok wants the country's highest court to put the ban on hold while it reviews the case.

In March, Trump reversed his stance on TikTok around the same time he met with Republican megadonor Jeff Yass who owns a share of ByteDance. But Trump said the social media app was not discussed.

The bill banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company divests passed in April with bipartisan support. President Biden signed it into law soon after.
Donald Trump praised the 'unbelievable job' his daughter-in-law Lara has been doing even as he said he didn't expect Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint her to a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Trump himself is creating the expected vacancy through his decision to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state.

That gives the Florida governor an important, and politically charged, decision over who to appoint to fill the seat  with Lara saying she would 'seriously consider' the post.

'Rons going to have to make that decision,' Trump said. 'Hell make the right decision,' he added, without specifying what that was.

Trump was speaking at Mar-a-Lago during his first press conference since his November election win.

He fielded a question about whether he expected DeSantis to appoint his daughter-in-law.

'No I dont, I probably dont, but I dont know,' was Trump's answer.

'Rons doing a good job and its his choice  nothing to do with me,' said Trump, who defeated DeSantis in the primaries and occasionally ridiculed his defeat before bringing him in as an endorser of his campaign.

He certainly didn't hold back from talking up his daughter-in-law's talents, after she co-chaired the Republican National Committee during a cycle where Trump swept the battleground states and Republicans seized control of the Senate and kept the House.

'Laras unbelievable,' Trump said. 'She is so highly respected by women. Even her workout routines are through the roof. She lifts 150 pounds. I dont know how the hell she does it,' he said, smiling.

President-elect Donald Trump said he does not expect his daughter-in-law Lara to be appointed to the Senate. But he talked up her capabilities

Lara Trump, 42, who is married to Eric Trump, has showed off her muscular physique and fitness regimen, sharing some of her secrets online.

Even while praising Lara, Trump acknowledged arguments against her candidacy  that she might get the job through her family connection to him, and that she hails from North Carolina and only switched residency in recent years.

'It's funny, people oftentimes talk about nepotism. I never had  when I put her there, people said, "How did you get her to do it?"' Trump said, praising her role at the RNC.

'You know, she could have run for the Senate in North Carolina,' he added while hailing her talents.

Trump hasn't disputed reports that he spoke to DeSantis about Lara. DeSantis said Monday he had received 'strong interest from several possible candidates, and we continue to gather names of additional candidates and conduct preliminary vetting.'

Rubio and Florida Sen. Rick Scott have each talked up Lara Trump's capabilities  with an appointment that would elevate Trump's influence in the chamber even further. Leaders and rank and file members have already offered nearly complete support for his nominees and even gotten behind his push for recess appointments.

President-elect Donald Trump's push to get his daughter-in-law Lara Trump appointed to the Senate is drawing support from Senate Republicans

Rubio himself told DailyMail.com he believes Lara Trump has what it takes to join the Senate. 'I do,' he said. And he said there isn't anything inappropriate with Trump angling on his daughter-in-law's behalf.

'Why would it not be? Hes a resident of Florida on top of being the president-elect. If he has an opinion on who it should be he should share it,' Rubio said.

DeSantis had been floated as a potential nominee for Secretary of Defense if Trump's pick Pete Hegseth were to falter. But Hegseth has gained momentum despite being embattled after Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said she is now supporting the 'process' to confirm him.
The autistic five-year-old boy who vanished from his home in rural Oregon, days before he was found dead in the woods, died from hypothermia, according to police.

Joshua McCoy was reported missing on November 9 after his mother, Angela German, couldn't locate him after she woke up from a nap at 5.30pm.

After a three-day search, his naked body was found in the Coos County coastal forest less than two miles from his home in Hauser.

On Friday, the Coos County Sheriff's Officer announced that the young child died from hypothermia - a significant drop in body temperature, typically brought on when exposed to the cold for a long period of time.

News of his cause of death comes about a week after cops revealed that they believe the five-year-old may have been murdered.

Investigators discovered that his bare feet lacked marks that would be present if he had walked to the wooded area himself, leading police to believe something sinister may be at play, People reported.

Additionally, the new search warrant affidavit filed in Coos County about two weeks ago said that the child's body - which was found about 20 feet off a local roadway - had no signs of trauma, no petechiae and no scratches or cuts that would be consistent with Joshua walking through the briars or blackberry bushes.'

The affidavit also highlighted there were tire tracks in the mud near where his body was found as well as on his mother's car tires.

Joshua McCoy, the five-year-old boy who disappeared from his home in Oregon on November 9 before being found dead in nearby woods, died of hypothermia, police said

After a three-day search, his naked body was found in the Coos County coastal forest less than two miles from his home

Joshua was reported missing by a friend of his mother who lives in Utah after she called her instead of police, KEZI 9 reported.

Her reasoning for calling a friend instead of law enforcement was said to be because of a past bad experience with the department.

German told cops more than three weeks ago that she had woken up from a four-hour nap to find her non-verbal son missing from their home.

The report prompted a search and rescue effort that lasted three days consisting of local and federal authorities working to locate him.

Authorities then announced on November 12 that his remains were located in the Coos County coastal forest.

The new affidavit outlined the fact that German's story changed several times for how long she'd been asleep - eventually telling authorities that she took barbiturates and ketamine to help her sleep.

During the investigation, authorities said that Joshua had a cellphone on him, but a ping of the device 'did not provide any fruitful information.'

His phone did find evidence 'which led investigators to reasonably believe that Joshua had walked away from the home while Ms. German was sleeping,' KOIN reported.

News of his cause of death comes about a week after cops revealed that they believe the five-year-old may have been murdered. (Pictured: Joshua with his father Lawson Amos McCoy)

The department added that despite finding that data, 'there are still laboratory results which have not been received' and that the evidence is currently 'pointing to these articulable facts.'

Lawson Amos McCoy, Joshua's father, demanded answers after he spoke with Oregon Live last month shortly after his son's body was found.

'I want the truth, plain and simple,' he said. 'I don't care about anything else. My baby's gone.'

The 47-year-old father met German when they both lived in Utah before they decided to buy a house together and have a baby.

The pair moved to Coos Bay in a home residing on an isolated stretch of road next to a large pond after German got a job in a local hospital working as a nurse, Oregon Live reported.

While she worked at the hospital, McCoy - who received benefits due to a disability from his service in the US Air Force - cared for their son as a stay-at-home father.

'I nurtured him and bathed him and fed him,' he told the outlet. 'I mean I knew his favorite foods. I knew his favorite colors. I can't believe this has happened.'

Joshua was reported missing by a friend of his mother who lives in Utah after she called her instead of police. His mom, Angela German, said she chose to do so because of a past bad experience with the department

McCoy hasn't seen his son since he left Oregon - and is convinced if he hadn't left, his son would still be alive today. (Pictured: The father and son)

But McCoy hasn't seen his son since he left Oregon - and is convinced if he hadn't left, his son would still be alive today.

'He thinks it's all his fault, just because he left JJ,' Joshua McCoy, McCoy's brother, told the outlet.

McCoy's brother also set up a GoFundMe last month to help Joshua's father pay for the funeral costs - which he wished to have back in Ohio to be buried next to his great-grandfather and great-grandmother. - as well as therapy for the family members.

Some of the funds are also expected to go toward therapy for family members, as well as hiring a private investigator to look into the young boy's death.

The new warrant sought to search German's home and seize her Porsche for forensic testing, as well as search of Joshua's cell phone which was found near his body when he was discovered, KEZI 9 reported.

McCoy noted how he hasn't had any contact with German since the horrific outcome - and his biggest regret is still leaving Oregon.

After announcing Joshua's cause of death, the Coos County Sheriffs Office said the investigation is ongoing and that the department mourns the young boy.

There is no one in custody and facing charges at this point. There have also been no suspects named in the case

'The Coos County Sheriffs Office mourns Joshua. As members of this community who are sworn to protect, the Coos County Sheriffs Office spared no expense and exhausted every appropriate measure available to us to try to find Joshua,' the department said.

'It is as important for investigators to prove innocence of involved parties as it is to prove guilt.'

The Department of Human Services in the state is also investigating how Joshua was treated at home by his mother.

Court records showed that the department had recently issued a 'pick up order' after an initial investigation spanning several months looked into German's alleged alcohol use, neglect and mistreatment of her son, KEZI 9 reported.

There is no one in custody and facing charges at this point.

There have also been no suspects named in the case.
A mother-of-one has been named as the leader of a gang that extorted at least 31 people with fake prostitutes, police in the southeastern Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro said.

Rayene Lima, who identifies herself as an influencer, flashed a lavish lifestyle on Instagram and remained on the run as of Monday.

Civil Police chief, Marcia Beck, told CNN Brasil that Lima used some of the money to pay for procedures to alter her beauty.

'I had a rhinoplasty, I had a cheek lift,' Lima claims in a video. 'I had my dark circles done, I had liposuction and now I'm going to get my silicone implants.'

The content creator's brother, Ryan Lima, and her cousin, Sarah Borges, were arrested Friday.

Authorities found that the trio used the online messaging applications to target their victims.

A woman would present herself as a call girl with the goal of asking the client to provide intimate pictures of themselves.

The conversations would conclude without the parties meeting and would resume the following day when another scammer would reach out to the target and pretend that they were a member of a militia, a mafia-like paramilitary group.

Authorities in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro have identified Rayane Lima as the leader of a gang that extorted at least 31 people by using profiles of fake prostitutes

Authorities found that the criminal group led by Rayene Lima would extort their victims by threatening to release intimate pictures if they failed to make payments that ranged between $100 and $600

Civil Police investigators intercepted a conversation in which one of the suspects told a client that they had failed to show up for a sex encounter.

Police found that they would demand between $100 and $600 for the meetups and threatened the victims with releasing their images unless they paid up.

Text messages reviewed by TV Globo showed the extreme measures the scammers employed to carry out their threats.

'I'm just going to let you know one thing. I'm going to your house, me and four other militiamen, and I'm going to resolve this my way,' they wrote via a WhatsApp message.

Reyene Lima remained on the run as of Monday. Rio de Janeiro authorities identified her as the leader of a gang that used profiles of fake prostitutes to extort prospective clients

Reyene claimed to have undergone a rhinoplasty as well as cheek lift. She also said she had a liposuction was planning to getting breast implants

'I have no pity. We're sending messages because we don't want to oppress anyone's children and wives.'

The victim waited an hour to respond and agreed to pay up.

'Good evening,' the client wrote. 'I will settle the amount amicably. Get my family out of this. Just tell me the amount.'

Beck believes that the number of victims could be much higher because there may be people who are too ashamed to come forward and file a report.
A former glamour model has revealed her neighbours have tutted at her eye-watering 2,000 Christmas display.

Carla Bellucci is well-known for being dubbed 'Britain's most hated woman'.

The moniker, which she isn't bothered about in the slightest, specifically rings true throughout her tiny village in Hertfordshire.

And it appears the 42-year-old's brash way of life has hit the tip of the iceberg; as there's been anger-fulled reactions from locals this past week over her lavish festive decorations.

'I anger everyone [on my street] 24/7 - especially at Christmas,' Carla said.

'No one can top my house, I'm the queen of the holiday seasons. It takes me a full day to put everything up and switched on.

'I love seeing the kids' faces when they walk past, it's priceless. All I want is to make people happy and I enjoy doing it all.

'The minute I stop enjoying it is when I'll stop; something my neighbours will be very happy about.

Britain's 'most hated woman' Carla Bellucci has boasted that her friends have tutted at her lavish Christmas decorations

Part of Carla's 2,000 Christmas display with a prosecco bar and a white Santa figure

The 42-year-old says she 'angers everyone [on my street] 24/7' at Christmas

Carla wearing a festive jumper by her Christmas tree. She says her critics are a 'bunch of Scrooges who need to stop'

She branded her critics a 'bunch of Scrooges' that 'need to stop'.

She added: 'None of them would dare say anything to my face, even though I'm harmless, they're just a bunch of freaks.

'They're not big fans of any of my holiday displays; they always think it's ridiculous and so over-the-top.

'I've seen them over the past few days walking past my house, staring, tutting and rolling their eyes - it's clear they're not very happy about it.

'I get that it does attract a lot of attention, but loads of people put decorations up and no one bats an eyelid. I think it's just because it's me that they get the hump.

'I'm not hurting anyone, so the Karens' opinions don't matter, why would I care what they have to say? I'm living my best life.'

Carla, who irked her neighbours when adorning her home in thousands of pounds worth of Halloween decorations, goes one step further when it comes to Christmas.

Each year, she picks a different theme for each room, including giant candy canes and life-size polar bears, as well as reindeers.

Carla's Christmas tree decorated with silver, gold and red baubles and colourful gifts underneath

Each year, Carla picks a different theme for each room, including giant red and white candy canes

A Christmas carousel with figurines of horses

Tinsel and fairy lights wrapped all the way up Carla's staircase bannisters

A woolly snowman with a silver scarf next to a Christmas house and fake snow on the floor

A Christmas tree and snow themed decoration with coloured lights in Carla's display

A garage leak destroyed the majority of Carla's external decorations this year

Part of the Christmas display that was ruined by the garage leak

Carla claims her 'pathetic, bitchy and childish' neighbours are still shutting themselves away so they don't have to look at her home.

A nutcracker soldier wearing an apron with a candy cane, small Christmas tree and holding up a tray of three gingerbread men

A red halogen-style lamp with festive lights inside

A reindeer made of fir leaves and decorated with fairy lights, with the sign 'Santa stop here'

Another figure of Father Christmas holding a green sack

Outside, there's usually flashing lights galore, despite the 'insanely high' electricity bill...and much to the upset of those living nearby.

Sadly, this year, a huge garage leak ruined the majority of their outdoor decorations - and so she's keeping it minimal to the public.

But nonetheless, Carla claims her 'pathetic, bitchy and childish' neighbours are still shutting themselves away so they don't have to look at her home.

She said: 'It's all talk and no action with them to be honest. I don't comment on their tack so they shouldn't on mine.

'I'm sure they all gossip on the local group page, but I'm banned from that.'

'I do actually feel sorry for them sometimes', she continued. 'But then they have secret meetings behind my back, which I know are about me, and I always get funny looks.

'I don't go out anywhere local, like the pub, as I can't be bothered with the backlash. I keep myself to myself, as I'm worried about what they will do or say.'

Carla, who previously sent her kids to a friend's house at Christmas so she could have alone time with her husband, says that those in her village need to 'learn some manners' and lean into what the festive season is all about.

She added: 'I love Christmas so much, it's my favourite time of the year.

'I love the build up, the atmosphere and I have always done.

Multi-coloured fairy lights as part of Carla's no-expense-spared festive decorations

A figure of Santa Claus wearing an apron and holding paint brushes of various colours

One of the merry-go-rounds in Carla's huge display, with red and white balloon carts

Carla says her neighbours need to be 'taught some good manners and shown how to get into the true spirit of Christmas'

'Any grudges should be put to the side, with a focus on spending time with one another instead. But my neighbours don't seem to get that.

'They all send cards to each other and go carol singing, and I'm left looking like Billy no mates as I'm not invited - ever.

'I always send cards to them, as I like to be friendly and send my kids a good message.'

On her critical neighbours, she said they need to be 'taught some good manners and shown how to get into the true spirit of Christmas.'
A grieving father whose son banged his head while at school before dying in his sleep that night has told MailOnline he feels let down by staff who said it was just a bump.

Six-year-old Muhammad Yaseen Uddin, known to loved ones as Yaseen, was found dead in his bed on Wednesday morning last week, after being sent home from Marlborough Primary School in Small Heath, Birmingham the day before.

The school had called his mother asking for Yaseen to be picked up as he had hurt his head, but reassured her that it was nothing serious' and was just a bump.

But tragically, after the boy took some Calpol and was put to bed that evening, Yaseens mother could not wake him up before school the next morning.

Speaking to MailOnline yesterday, his grieving father Simriel Uddin paid tribute to his son: He was a bright, joyful spirit and he was a beautiful, kind-hearted little boy who passed away in his sleep.

He had a head collision in school. The school told my wife Oh, your son has bumped his head and when she asked if it was anything serious they said, No its nothing serious, its just a bump.'

After being picked up from school, little Yaseen asked his mother if they could pick up some grapes from the shop before sitting down in front of the TV to watch his favourite show.

The young boy, who had four older siblings between the ages of 13 and 22, tucked into a big piece of his sisters birthday cake before being put to bed.

Six-year-old Muhammad Yaseen Uddin, known to loved ones as Yaseen, was found dead in his bed on Wednesday morning after being sent home from school the day before

His grieving father has told MailOnline he feels let down by staff who said it was just a bump. Pictured: Marlborough Primary School in Birmingham

Tragically, the next morning Simriel received a call while at work from his wife, who told him Yaseen would not wake up.

He rushed home to find crowds of police and ambulance staff outside his home.

I asked them "Where is my son?" And they said he was in hospital... so they take me there, Simriel added. I see him there and they are doing what they can, but hes gone, hes gone.

Yaseens body has not yet been released to his family, as tests are being carried out to determine how he died. His bereaved family are waiting to bury his body.

Simriel believes the school should have taken further action to look into Yaseens head injury - particularly as the boy is now the second child attending a Leigh Trust school to have died from a head injury in recent years.

I feel let down [by] the school but I also believe it is written, as a Muslim, that when your time comes, your time comes, Simriel added.

They need to have medical staff in school because under Leigh Trust this is the second time a child has had a bump and passed away, just prior to Covid.

So they need to be more alert and there needs to be first-aiders in schools to pick up on these signs.

Yasir Hussain, from Ward End in Birmingham, died in November 2020 after hitting his head while at Leigh Primary School.

On this occasion, staff did call an ambulance but the 10-year-old died in hospital five days later. An inquest later concluded that, while the youngster should have been sent to hospital sooner, it might not have prevented his death.

Staff and pupils of Yaseen are currently being supported by pastoral staff, with prayers being read yesterday at school.

Razia Ali, executive head teacher, told the Independent: Our school community has been left devastated by the tragic passing of one of our wonderful and much-loved pupils.

Yaseen was an incredibly helpful, kind and caring pupil who brought a smile to the face of everyone who came across him.

I know I speak for everyone when I say he will be deeply missed. All our thoughts and prayers are with Yaseens family and friends.

Our dedicated pastoral team is providing full support to all our pupils and colleagues as we come to terms with this very sad loss.

We will consider a suitable way to commemorate Yaseen at an appropriate time and after discussion with his family.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Yaseen's father to raise funds to build a mosque in his memory, with more than 5,000 of the 8,000 goal being raised so far.

The page reads: Muhammad Yaseen Uddin, my beautiful, kind-hearted and loving six-year-old son, sadly lost his life in a tragic accident.

In remembrance of Yaseen, we would like to raise funds to build a mosque/ madrassa as this will be Sadaqah Jariya for you and me in sha Allah.
A woman who complained about stomach pain for two years was dropped off her GP surgery's register only to later be diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer.

Stephanie Thomas, 28, began experiencing the unusual sensations around 2021/22.

Strong painkillers were prescribed by her GP initially at Home Farm Medical Centre in Ellesmere Port, who attributed the symptoms to Fowler's Syndrome which Ms Thomas had been diagnosed with years earlier.

But her condition only worsened and she begged for more relief - only to be subsequently removed from the patient list.

Ms Thomas's mother, Stacey, said: 'Stephanie had been with the practice since birth, this left her having to register with a new practice and start again to try and explain her worry for her health.

'Her new GP tried lots of different treatments to try and treat Steph's symptoms until September when things were so bad she attended A&E, to yet again be discharged and told it was her condition.'

It wasn't until Ms Thomas's third visit to the Countess of Chester Hospital A&E in October, where she requested a second opinion, that she finally underwent CT scans and biopsies.

Her worst fears were confirmed and she was diagnosed with aggressive stage four cancer, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Stephanie Thomas, 28, from Ellesmere Port, suffered in agony for more than two years before being diagnosed with stage four cancer

Stephanie with mum Stacey and brother Billy Lee. She began experiencing the unusual sensations around 2021/22 but these were simply 'brushed off'

A letter sent to Stephanie from Hope Farm Medical Centre in May 2023, reportedly warned that she would be removed from the practice due to her repeated requests for painkillers

What is Fowler's Syndrome? Fowler's Syndrome is a rare urinary disease which affects around one in a million women in the UK. It causes difficulty in passing urine and urinary retention due to the bladders muscles. Fowlers affects women in their twenties and thirties and up to half the patients affected have polycystic ovaries. Sufferers may find they are unable to pass urine normally and need their bladders to be drained via a catheter. What are the symptoms? Symptoms vary from being unable to hold any urine to being unable to empty the bladder fully. Urinary infections may be a problem for women suffering from Fowlers Syndrome due to the bladder not emptying properly. Some women may also experience back and suprapubic pain. The cause remains unknown and is still being researched. Advertisement

The cancer had already progressed, affecting her stomach, spleen, pelvis, ovaries, and small bowel, and was deemed incurable. Stephanie, once a keen horse rider, is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool to prevent further spread.

Her mother, from Ellesmere Port, said: 'If Stephanie had been listened to maybe her cancer would have been detected sooner with a better outcome.'

Hope Farm Medical Centre declined to comment, citing patient confidentiality. However, a letter sent to Stephanie from the practice in May 2023, reportedly warned that she would be removed from the practice due to her repeated requests for painkillers.

It stated: 'This is an action which is taken when there have been repeated early requests for medication. We are also going to be aiming to reduce your morphine by 5ml every two weeks with the eventual aim to stop this completely.

'If you continue to request prescriptions early after this letter this will result in your removal from the GP practice list due to a breakdown in GP/patient relationship.'

Fowler's Syndrome, a debilitating and rare bladder disorder mainly affecting women in their twenties and thirties, is known to cause abdominal pain similar to what Stephanie was experiencing. However, Stacey said her daughter 'felt her symptoms had changed... and suggestions of her symptoms being due to something else going on being the cause of this were brushed off'.

Ms Thomas's best friend Leah Woods said: 'I am devastated. It's a lot to take in. I knew Stephanie was in hospital, but receiving that message saying "I've been diagnosed with cancer and it's spread", it's heart-breaking. It's the not knowing as well. With the primary source of the cancer being unknown, we still don't feel like we've got anywhere.'

The 27-year-old added: 'They say they can do chemo to try and stop the cancer spreading. But it's incurable and they can't operate. We don't know how long she has. Because the primary source of the cancer is unknown, they can't give a life expectancy.'

An online fundraiser, started by Ms Woods, hopes to raise enough money to support Stephanie in her own home - as she is currently in the care of a hospice.

She said: 'I think if Stephanie was listened to two to three years ago, it could have been a different outcome. I feel like young people especially are brushed under the carpet when they go to the doctors with any kind of symptoms. I feel like young people need to be listened to more.'
An undergraduate who was charged with rape while at university travelled across the country with his late mothers ashes before killing himself at an isolated beauty spot, a coroner concluded.

Thomas Wright was left anxious and stressed after being charged and ended up dropping out of his philosophy course at the University of Reading, a court heard.

Coroner Michael Bird was told the 22-year-old had spoken to his grandfather - a former Kent police officer - on the day of his death and had been 100 per cent adamant that the sex had been consensual.

But Mick Wright said his grandson was fearful of being found guilty and facing a 20-year jail sentence which he just could not deal with.

The hearing at Exeter, Devon, was told that Mr Wrights death in April came 18 months after he had been charged by Thames Valley Police, in what his grandfather described as a botched investigation.

Mr Wright relayed how his grandson said: He had been told not to worry, she has done this before.

The ex-policeman said he had made complaints about the Thames Valley police investigation telling the coroner: It was a botched, very, very poor investigation into this matter.

He blamed the police for the stress and anxiety caused to Thomas who left his university course and took a job with Thames Water.

Thomas Wright, 22, who committed suicide on Dartmoor after he was accused of rape

Wistmans Wood in Dartmoor in Devon. A woodland in the area where Wright was found

The family believe the decision to charge Mr Wright may have contributed to his death, the court heard.

News of the tragedy comes after a coroner last month found that Oxford undergraduate Alexander Rogers took his own life when he was ostracised by fellow students.

Assistant Devon coroner Mr Bird heard Mr Wrights mother Janet had died aged 49 in December 2022 and he had travelled with her urn to the sentimental site at Wistmans Wood on Dartmoor from his home in Reading. The wood is one of Britains last remaining ancient temperate rainforests and is thought to have inspired Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit author JRR Tolkien, who kept a holiday home nearby.

The inquest at Exeter today heard that Mr Wright had not told his mother about the rape allegation because he did not want to worry her.

The coroner was also told the avid reader was interested in the afterlife but he did not know what significance this had on his death.

On the day Mr Wright died, he had called his father Chris, a control room dispatcher in Cambridgeshire, that he had headed west by train for an adventure.

But Mr Wright had told a friend what he was going to do and where he was going. Emergency services were alerted and a Dartmoor search and rescue team found him hanged beside a river. A small bag of personal possessions were next to him, including the urn.

Mr Bird said he would reference the criminal sexual assault charge and the 18-month period the matter had been hanging over him, but said this was outside the scope of the inquest.

Thomas Wright ended up dropping out of his philosophy course at the University of Reading

In recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner acknowledged that the charge in October 2022 had been a source of anxiety and stress for Mr Wright.

Last month, an inquest at Oxford heard how Mr Rogers, 20, killed himself after being socially ostracised by his peers over a sexual encounter he had with a woman.

The court heard Corpus Christi College Mr Rogers, from Salisbury, was a victim of cancel culture before he jumped to his death from a bridge into the River Thames in January this year.

He had suffered a head trauma.

An inquest at Oxford coroners court was told that Rogers had been confronted by friends after the woman had expressed discomfort about their sexual encounter. They told him he had messed up, that they needed space from him and would check up on him in a couple of weeks, the court was told.

Nicholas Graham, the coroner for Oxfordshire, later wrote to the Department for Education to warn students were self-policing at universities. In a Prevention of Future Deaths report, the coroner outlined his concerns that exclusionary behaviour was becoming commonplace on campuses.
Police have identified the 15-year-old girl who opened fire at her Wisconsin private school as Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow.

Rupnow killed a student, a teacher, and then herself at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison shortly before 11am on Monday.

An alleged manifesto has been circulating on social media. Police said they have not confirmed the document's validity.

Rupnow's family home was raided by SWAT teams following the school bloodbath - with investigators speaking to her father, who is said to be cooperating.

Follow along for DailyMail.com's live updates of the ongoing situation.
A shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin left three people dead - including the teenage female shooter - just days before Christmas vacation.

The horrific bloodbath happened at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday morning just before 11am.

Three people were pronounced dead and six others are injured, including two students who are in critical condition, after the atrocity at the K-12 school.

Wisconsin Police confirmed the shooter's identity as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha, on Monday night.

She was a pupil at the Madison school. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at around 10:57am officers responded to calls of an active shooter.

'When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds,' he said.

Rupnow's motive remains unclear. Police said that her family are cooperating with their investigation into the gun rampage.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said around 10:57am officers responded to calls of an active shooter

'Today is a sad, sad, day,' Barnes said. 'Not just for Madison but for our entire country.' Barnes added that officers did not fire any shots at the school when responding to the incident.

The police chief said that the two victims in Monday's school shooting were a teacher and a student. The third deceased person was the shooter Natalie Rupnow, who killed herself before police arrived at the school.

Police are not releasing other information about those who have lost their lives until next of kin are briefed.

'Im not going to give any information about who the victims are, whether theyre students, staff or parents, because we need to make sure that we can notify people,' Barnes said.

Police sources told the Associated Press they believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol.

Police are not releasing other information about those who have lost their lives until next of kin are briefed

Parents wait outside of the SSM Health Clinic to be reunited with their children

The school has about 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson said on X: 'My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.'

The school was just days away from closing for Christmas vacation and students were gearing up for Monday night's basketball game.

Abundant Life Christian School posted a prayer request on Facebook in the wake of the shooting.
An elderly MSNBC fan's life has been ruined after she was duped by a fake Facebook account posing as her favorite anchor Ari Melber.

Patricia Taylor, 73, said she was scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars by someone she believed was the popular TV news reporter.

'We want to vomit,' her daughter Meri Taylor told CBS affiliate Local 12. 'I mean, it's pretty disgusting,' Patricia's son, Joey Taylor added.

Patricia, of Marysville, Washington, is a huge fan of Melber, so much so that she messaged a Facebook profile she believed was his. The fake profile replied.

'Get a $500 Apple gift card,' the fake Melber wrote, before asking for money and gift cards to treat his 'sick dog' Penny.

'My mom is asking, 'Hey, aren't you on TV? Don't you have money?'' Joey recalled to Local 12.

In response to the questions, the Melber profile warned Patricia that if she failed to send money, she would be letting his dog die.

'It's for Penny. Please don't let Penny die,' the scammer wrote. Joey said at this point, his mother had given $20,000 to the faker, but that wasn't the end of it.

MNSBC fan Patricia Taylor, pictured, was defrauded after contacting a Facebook fraudster posing as her favorite journalist Ari Melber

The conman posing as Melber managed to swindle $20,000 from Taylor. The real Melber is pictured

Over the next four months, the scammer convinced Patricia that they were in love and that they would get married. He even sent her a ring to make the claims appear legitimate.

'We find the ring. It's a $30 ring,' Meri told Local 12. Patricia grew suspicious at this point, but the scammer assuaged her fears by creating an AI-generated voice message using Melber's voice.

'You're reading my messages and not responding. I'd never do that to you. Have you found someone else?' the voice message asked.

Things escalated. Convinced that she was speaking with the real Melber, Patricia boarded a plane bound for New York City to meet her dream man.

Luckily, a family member intervened and found her at a layover in Portland and brought her home to Washington state.

Meri said she worried that the scammers might even have kidnapped her mother if the relative hadn't intercepted her.

'I believe they would have asked for some type of ransom for her. That we have your mom. See how much money they could get out of us,' said Meri.

The family said Patricia is not someone who is easily duped. She worked at both Boeing and the University of Washington for decades, her children said.

Screenshots of the disturbing messages sent by the fraudster posing as Melber to his victim

Taylor was instructed to buy a slew of gift cards by the fraudster and ended up using a five-figure amount

But they're worried she could try to run away and meet up with the scammer again. 'We just want our mom back,' said Joey.

MSNBC has confirmed the real Ari Melber has no connection to the scammer.

Scams across the US caused victims to lose around $10billion in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

'Scammers say and do things that can tell us they're lying - and they're not who they pretend to be,' wrote Jennifer Leach from the commission.

'We have to get past the panic scammers make us feel, thanks to the so-called emergencies they try to create.'
Donald Trump repeatedly declined to answer a question about whether he would order a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

But he reiterated a stark warning to Hamas if it does not release U.S. hostages by his inauguration.

Trump was asked about Iran following reports he was considering preemptive strikes as a way to stop Tehran from being able to develop a nuclear bomb.

The president-elect at first ridiculed the question, then refused to answer it. 'Well, I can't tell you that. I mean it's a wonderful question,' Trump began.

'Why would I say that? Can you imagine if I said yes or no? You'd say: that was strange that he answered that question.

'Am I going to do preemptive strikes or Iran? Is that a serious question? How could I answer a question like that?'

The Wall Street Journal had reported that Trump told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu he is concerned about Iran developing nukes on his watch.

Asked to follow up about potential Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump continued: 'How could I tell you a thing like that now? It's just so - You don't talk about that before something may or may not happen...it's just not something that I would ever answer.'

He spoke days after the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, as Russia is bogged down in Ukraine and Israeli strikes pounded Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy that had helped prop up Assad.

Trump, during his first term, pulled the U.S. back from an Iran nuclear deal that he said was a bad agreement.

The exchange on Monday was just one of the times Trump delved into foreign policy pronouncements as he approaches the start of his second term  at a time when he said 'the whole world is blowing up.'

Donald Trump refused to answer a question about whether he would order a pre-emptive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities

Another came when he was asked to explain his threat that there would be 'hell to pay' if the hostages aren't released when he takes office on January 20.

The outgoing Biden administration continues to negotiate for a cease fire and hostage release deal.

Trump indicated that he had spoken to Netanyahu for an update on the situation.

'Well, they're going to have to determine what that means, but it means it won't be pleasant. It's not going to be pleasant,' was all Trump would allow.

Trump also criticized the Biden administration for allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia amid its ongoing war to repel the invation.

'I don't think they should have allowed missiles to be shot 200 miles into Russia. I think that was a bad thing, and that brought the Koreans  North Korea another man I get along with very well,' he said, referencing dictator Kim Jong-un.

The administration said it authorized the use as a response to Russia bringing in thousands of North Korean troops  not the other way around.

Asked if he would reverse the move, Trump responded: 'I might, yeah. I thought it was a very stupid thing to do.'

Asked what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should be prepared to give up to Russia, Trump responded: 'He should be prepared to make a deal - that's all.'

'Got to be a deal,' Trump said. 'Too many people being killed. That is a war.   too many  gotta make a deal. And Putin has to make a deal.'
A zoo dubbed the worst in Britain after the deaths of hundreds of animals suddenly announced it was closing today following new cruelty allegations.

A series of tragic losses at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria - including animals run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing - sparked outrage aimed at its colourful millionaire founder, David Gill.

But the attraction  previously fined 255,000 after a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger - was granted a new licence in 2017 after he agreed to cut ties.

However as recently as October, harrowing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals.

These included a capybara covered in cuts reportedly caused by fighting and a zebra with its hoof stuck in the bars of its enclosure which later had to be put down.

It follows an alarming inspection report in July which found major causes for concern, including a work experience student being left alone with dangerous animals.

Conservation groups yesterday welcomed the shock announcement that the attraction  now called Safari Zoo  would be closing at the end of the year.

But with many animals set to be moved to a wildlife park run by the same company they demanded assurances that they would be humanely treated.

A series of tragic losses at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria - including animals run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing - sparked outrage aimed at its colourful millionaire founder, David Gill

As recently as October, harrowing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals

The news follows an alarming inspection report in July which found major causes for concern at the zoo

Chris Lewis, captivity research and policy manager at wildlife charity Born Free, which has been campaigning for the zoos closure, said: While we are pleased to see todays announcement, exact details on the future of the animals and the site itself remain unclear.

Born Free urges all parties to work together to ensure the welfare of the animals remains paramount until a time when appropriate and suitable homes can be secured for them.

Freedom for Animals  formerly the Captive Animals Protection Society  said it was amazing news.

But it called for guarantees that every animal at the zoo is rehomed to appropriate sanctuaries, where they can receive the care they deserve and live free.

Karen Brewer, CEO of Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, which took over the in Dalton-in-Furness based zoo in 2017, insists it met all regulatory requirements.

But yesterday she said the firm was now looking to focus on a 120-acre site 40 miles away in Tebay, which it will run as a nature and wildlife park.

In transition, the animals will all continue to be looked after and given the best veterinary care, she told the BBC.

We are working with various agencies, including two zoo consultants, to find them all new homes that are appropriate for their longer-term needs.

Reported incidents included a capybara covered in cuts reportedly caused by fighting and a zebra with its hoof stuck in the bars of its enclosure which later had to be put down

Ferrari-driving former owner Mr Gill - who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen third wife as head vet  was slammed for deplorable welfare standards

A young monkey clings to the mesh below a heat lamp at the zoo amid concerns its habitat is not being kept warm enough

In 2017 it emerged that almost 500 animals had died in just three years.

The death toll included a jaguar that chewed off its own paw, a rhino crushed to death by its partner and a giraffe shot after collapsing.

Ferrari-driving former owner Mr Gill - who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen third wife as head vet  was slammed for deplorable welfare standards.

The new management's struggles were later shown in BBC2 documentary Trouble At The Zoo.

An undercover visit by experts from Born Free in 2022 raised a string of concerns including monkeys clinging to the edge of their enclosures to get close to heat lamps, rhinos confined to tiny stalls barely able to turn around, and an Andean bear seen swaying and testing an electric fence with its paw.

Cumbria Zoo Company previously said it refuted animal welfare concerns.
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that he'd consider pardoning Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Adams was indicted in September on bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy charges, as well as soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals.

Some of the charges date back to Adams' time serving as Brooklyn Borough President, with investigators alleging he accepted freebies from officials from Turkey, among other misdeeds.

'Yeah, I would, yeah,' Trump said at Mar-a-Lago Monday when asked about a pardon for Adams. 'I think he was treated pretty unfairly.'

Trump noted that he wasn't aware of the full extent of the charges.

'Now I haven't seen the gravity of it all. But it seems, you know, like being upgraded on an airplane many years ago. I know probably everybody here's been upgraded,' the president-elect said to the 20 or so reporters standing in Mar-a-Lago's ornate living room for his first press conference since winning the 2024 election.

'They see you're all stars and they say, "I want to upgrade that person from NBC, I'm going to upgrade him,"' Trump said 'And that would mean you'll spend the rest of your life in prison.'

Trump also pushed, without evidence, that Adams' indictment was politically motivated over his strong words about illegal immigration.

President-elect Donald Trump (left) said Monday at Mar-a-Lago that he'd consider pardoning New York City Mayor Eric Adams (right)

'You know it's very interesting, when he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in,' Trump said, pointing out that Adams made some 'pretty strong statements' and said 'this is not sustainable.'

That viewpoint is more in line with Trump's immigration stance than most members of the Democratic Party.

'I said, "you know what, he'll be indicted soon." And I said it, not as a prediction, a little bit lightheartedly but I said it, I said, "he's going to be indicted," and a few months later he got indicted,' Trump said.

'So, I would certainly look at it,' the incoming president added.

Trump has already vowed to pardon a number of individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol attack but wouldn't go into whether it would be a blanket pardon or not during Monday's Mar-a-Lago press conference.

He pardoned droves of his political allies when he was leaving office after losing the election to President Joe Biden in 2020.

Adams has expressed an openness to working with Trump, a fellow New York City guy, when he gets sworn-in in January.

On Thursday, Adams met with incoming Trump 'Border Czar' Tom Homan and said afterward that they agreed New York City couldn't be a 'safe haven' for immigrants who commit crimes.

'His goal is the same goal I have,' Adams said of Homan, one of the proponents of Trump's controversial child separation policy during the Republican's first term. 'We cannot allow dangerous acts of violence in our cities across America.'

New York it technically a 'sanctuary city,' but Adams has pushed that local authorities should work with federal authorities to deport immigrants who commit crimes.

New York's City Council would determine if New York changed its 'sanctuary city' status, though the mayor said he's looking into executive actions he can take that would allow local law enforcement to cooperate with the feds.

So-called 'sanctuary cities' are jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
President Joe Biden coughed and cleared his throat repeatedly during remarks at the Labor Department on Monday, excusing himself to the crowd.

'Excuse me, I have a little bit of a cold,' he said.

The president has been battling this cold for almost two weeks. In a major economic speech last week, he sniffled and coughed his way through those remarks. At one point he pulled out a wad tissues to blow his nose.

At the time he said he had a cold.

Lingering colds can be dangerous for the elderly. At 82, Biden is the oldest president in American history.

And mild colds can take a toll on seniors and cause secondary illnesses like pneumonia.

President Joe Biden coughed his way through a speech on Monday as he battles a cold

Most deaths from respiratory viruses occur in people older than 65, with risk increasing sharply with advancing age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Doctors recommend seeking medical attention if a cold lasts more than seven to 10 days as that could be a sign of a bacterial infection and require antibiotics.

Biden was at the Labor Department to sign a proclamation establishing a national monument honoring the late FDR-era Labor Secretary Frances Perkins , the first woman appointed to serve in a presidential Cabinet and a driving force behind the New Deal.

The president, when speaking of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, accidentally said 'Trump' instead of Roosevelt.

'Freudian slip,' he cracked as the audience burst into laughter.

As labor secretary, Perkins helped President Roosevelt formulate policies behind the 1930s New Deal and create safeguards in the national economy following the Great Depression.

During her 12 years as Roosevelt's labor secretary, she was credited with helping establish the Social Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the National Labor Relations Act that established workers' rights to organize, and collective bargaining.

She also played a critical role in reshaping labor law in the United States, particularly banning child labor, creating Social Security, unemployment insurance and a minimum wage, and instituting a 40-hour workweek.

Perkins and her family had deep roots in Newcastle, Maine, where she was buried after her death in 1965.

The monument would be established on her family homestead.

The property includes a brick house and barns on 57 acres along the Damariscotta River. The designation will turn over management of the property to the National Park Service.

President Joe Biden is presented with a plaque by Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su during an event at the US Department of Labor

Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins chats with reporters in November 1945

At the event on Monday, Biden was also named to the Labor Hall of Honor.

In his remarks he noted wife Jill Biden is in a union. The first lady, a longtime teacher, is a member of the United Federation of Teachers.

Biden, as president, has bragged about his pro-union record.

'I'm damn proud to be known as most pro labor administration American history because we are,' he said.

He has been called the most pro-labor president since FDR.

He was the first president to join a picket line when he met with striking auto workers in Michigan last year.
An information watchdog has condemned SNP ministers for misrepresenting facts and wasting public money on a legal battle over disclosure of evidence about Nicola Sturgeons conduct.

The Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) David Hamilton issued a strongly-worded rebuke of the way the Scottish Government acted in a failed Court of Session appeal which landed taxpayers with substantial costs.

He condemned the failure to withdraw the appeal against one of his decisions forcing the release of evidence given to an independent investigation into Ms Sturgeons handling of complaints about Alex Salmond despite legal advice showing there were limited prospects of success.

He also accused the Government of misrepresentation of its legal advice in public statements about the case. It led to claims of an attempted cover-up.

In a letter to Scotlands top civil servant John Paul Marks, Mr Hamilton highlighted advice the government received from its legal counsel in May last year that the Court of Session was more likely to refuse the appeal.

He said: It is clearly disappointing that despite this clear advice, ministers continued with the hearing on December 6, 2023, with all the associated significant resource and cost impact for both your organisation and mine.

The Scottish Government initially refused to disclose evidence submitted to independent adviser James Hamiltons investigation into whether Ms Sturgeon broke the ministerial code in her handling of complaints about Mr Salmond, saying it did not hold the information.

Following an appeal, the SIC ruled that the information was held and should be published. The Scottish Government then appealed to the Court of Session, which found in favour of the SIC.

Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond embrace at an SNP conference

Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) David Hamilton issued a strongly-worded rebuke of the way the Scottish Government acted in the failed Court of Session appeal

Following the ruling, a member of the public requested copies of legal advice received by the government in relation to its appeal but this was refused, with officials citing an exemption to the FOI Act which protects confidential legal information.

This decision was appealed by the member of the public to the SIC, which ruled that disclosure must be made by October 26.

When this legal advice was published on that date, it showed that the governments legal counsel had warned in May 2023 that we consider that on balance the court is more likely than not to refuse the appeal.

In his letter, Mr Hamilton raised concerns about it taking so long to publish the legal advice, and also condemned a statement saying that ministers had been advised that there were reasonable prospects of success.

Mr Hamilton said the facts disclosed had been misrepresented.He added: Ministers chances of success diminished considerably over time and attempts to present this otherwise are not what I would expect from a public authority.

The Scottish Government spent 118,000 in relation to its failed legal case. Mr Hamilton said the Commissioners legal costs were 29,224, and that 27,470 of this has been recouped from the Scottish Government.

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: It is hugely concerning that the commissioner believes they misrepresented the facts in this case and that there was a slapdash approach to submissions. This reeks of secrecy and cover-up.

Scottish Labour business manager Martin Whitfield said: The SNP government has wasted time and money trying to keep the truth under wraps and we deserve to know why.

The Scottish Government said: The substantive points in the Commissioners letter were fully addressed in a statement to the Scottish parliament on 29 October 2024.
Tragic TV funnyman Duncan Norvelle's grieving partner has revealed how she played him Diamond's 'Story of my Life' as he lay dying in hospital.

MailOnline revealed yesterday how the comic, famous for his catchphrase 'chase me!', died virtually penniless while living in his girlfriend Lynn Trevallion's 350,000 terraced home in Romford, Essex.

Duncan, 66, had suffered a stroke and was a far cry from his 1980s heyday when he graced nearly every television screen in the country on Saturday nights.

In an exclusive interview Lynn, 75, told how she wiped his brow and held his hand by his hospital bed during the last days of his life  after requesting medical staff not to resuscitate him as a chest infection and sepsis took hold, following a year-long battle with a chronic lung condition.

Paying tribute to the comic adored millions of people, Lynn said: 'Duncan was never a complainer, He accepted his life as it was after his stroke 12 years ago.

'I never knew Duncan before his stroke or when he was in the best health, but he was a very loving man, kind and caring.'

Lynn, a widowed grandmother, said she met the comic at a comedy event in Blackpool in 2012.

Down on his luck with the millions he earned gone as his star faded, Ducan was in a wheelchair and living on disability benefits having been declared bankrupt.

Duncan Norvelle with his partner Lynn Trevallion. Lynn has revealed how she played him Diamond's 'Story of my Life' as he lay dying in hospital

Duncan, 66, suffered a stroke and was a far cry from his 1980s heyday when he graced nearly every television screen in the country on Saturday nights

In an exclusive interview Lynn, 75, told how she wiped his brow and held his hand by his hospital bed during the last days of his life

His disability meant he could no longer travel the world making people laugh and bringing in the sizeable cheques from TV executives.

Lynn says he would sit in front of the 42-inch TV screen on the wall of the modest home they shared and laugh at comedy shows and reminisce about his heyday.

'But he never felt sorry for himself and it would be unfair to describe him as penniless,' Lynn said. 'He would hate that as he was quite a proud person. He was mostly happy in life.'

'He used to get a bit down when he saw other comedians on the TV and would say: 'I could do it better', but his stroke had him paralysed down his left side.

'He was never bitter, but the stroke was devastating for his health and I would wheel him to what shows he could do.

'His famous catch phrase was 'chase me' but he would laugh and say 'push me, push me' when he was in his wheel chair.'

Duncan, who was born in Walton on the Wolds in Leicestershire, remained close to his three children from three partners, Yasmin, Sophie and 15-year-old Jack.

Lynn said she first met Duncan backstage at a comedy event in Blackpool and their relationship was forged through lengthy phone calls and bumping into each other at shows.

Lynn says Duncan would sit in front of the 42-inch TV screen on the wall of the modest home they shared and laugh at comedy shows and reminisce about his heyday

Lynn said she first met Duncan backstage at a comedy event in Blackpool and their relationship was forged through lengthy phone calls and bumping into each other at shows

'It got to a point where I realised that we were in love with each other.

'It wasn't something that I was looking for and I didn't think that he was either because of his situation.

'But I never saw him as somebody who had had a stroke or that he had carers . . . I fell in love with the man and the naughty boy in him.'

Early on in their relationship, Duncan wheeled himself into a bread display at a supermarket, knocking it over to make customers and staff laugh and told his carers: 'You left the brake off!'

But Lynn said: 'Duncan was all about making people smile. He was always cracking jokes. He was never and he never swore in stage. His was a decent, clean act. But he made up for the swearing at home.

'He always wanted to keep his fan base, and he did many, many shows for charity and stroke awareness. He helped raise several million pounds for a campaign called 'Make May Purple'.

'He was determined to get back onto the stage and prove the doubters wrong there was life after a stroke. He would write that as a slogan on all his paperwork.

'He just loved the applause and the adrenalin from it like most performers. But the kind side of him always kicked in.

MailOnline revealed yesterday how the comic, famous for his catchphrase 'chase me!', died virtually penniless while living in Lynn's 350,000 terraced home in Romford, Essex

Lynn said she noticed changes in Duncan's demeanour and health around a year ago and he 'became more and more difficult', needing extra care

'He did a show on a cruise liner, and I had gone with him to help him in his wheelchair. The organisers Fred Olsen Cruises tried to give a gift of a mini cruise to Duncan.

'But Duncan said he could not accept it. He said there was a lady in a wheelchair at the back of the audience with her husband who was her full-time carer. She had MS and said he would like it given to them.

'We heard that they went on the cruise, but a few months later she had passed away. It was a lovely gesture by Duncan to give the lady and her husband that opportunity.

'To be honest, he could have done with that holiday really, but he like to do things for other people. He was very generous.

'He was quite complex, but I think most comedians are. I met a lot of them through Duncan and I think most have dual personalities. I've talked to them backstage, and then see them go out there and do their act and I think 'is that the same person?'.

'Duncan was brought up in a tiny village which had one pub, two churches, a village hall and one bus which did not run on Sundays. His mother Mary ran the local Post office from her home. His dad George was a painter and decorator.

'Duncan's brother Ian died from leukaemia at the age of 27. But the flip side was that despite his background, he was a genius and went on to the London Pallidum and was loved by millions of people.

'I did ask him if he had any regrets, and he said 'No.'

'He said 'I enjoyed every minute. When I had the money, I spent it and I shared it. I loved spoiling people'.

'But the thing that hurt him most was that he could no longer run into his audiences like he used to.

'He still had a clot on his brain. They could not disperse it in case it broke off and went somewhere else. It was dangerous.

Lynn said: 'Duncan was all about making people smile. He was always cracking jokes. He was never and he never swore in stage. His was a decent, clean act. But he made up for the swearing at home'

But Lynn said she noticed changes in Duncan's demeanour and health around a year ago and he 'became more and more difficult', needing extra care.

Twelve months ago the couple were visiting friends in Skegness last December when Duncan was taken ill and admitted to the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.

He spent time there and in between would return to the Essex home or stay with those friends in Skegness in between hospital care.

He was diagnosed with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

His year long suffering and condition worsened four weeks ago when he developed pneumonia and was detained in hospital full time.

'It was mainly brought on because his mobility had been reduced and weakened. The doctors just could not get on top of this infection blood pressure dropping in and dropping.

'Mentally, it changed him as well. He got slightly delusional, and he thought he had done a show the day before with Jim Davidson. He thought we were going to Tenerife on holiday. I felt so sorry for him. It was very difficult and at times he appeared lost.'

But the comedy legend realised that his condition was very serious and asked Lynn and doctors not to resuscitate him as his life ebbed away.

'He would sleep most of the time. But he knew we were there. The medical staff were lovely with him and he was not in pain. or in stress, fighting to breathe or anything like that.'

Fighting back tears, she said when his children came to visit him, he smiled broadly and enjoyed looking at pictures of them. The nurses had explained to us that everything was shutting down.

'We were telling him the whole time how much we loved him and he turned to me and said 'I love you' and I'll never forget that moment.'

Lynn revealed she had met Duncan in Blackpool and his funeral was set to take place in the same town

She said she played the ailing comedian music throughout his fortnight in hospital and he chose the Neil Diamond song Story of my Life' which begins with the words: 'The story of my life is very plain to read. it starts the day you came . . . and ends the day you leave.'

Lynn added: It isn't one of Neil Diamond's most popular ones. Duncan would sing a three-song medley of Neil Diamond songs on stage, but not that one.

'His daughter said the song was for me. But I am just so glad that we were there with him at the end, holding him as he passed away.

'I was holding his hand all night. And if I wasn't, his daughter was. He just would not let go. Sometimes I'd have to switch hands because my hand was hurting. He would clutch it so tightly.

'When he passed, he looked asleep, but still had his cheeky face. He did not have any strain in his face.

'He was a very, very charismatic person and he made me happy in so many, many ways. And I know I made him happy. I will always miss him and so will his millions of fans.'

She revealed she had met Duncan in Blackpool and his funeral was set to take place in the same town.
Lawyers for Derek Chauvin, the disgraced Minneapolis cop convicted of murdering George Floyd back in 2020, have been granted permission to examine heart tissue and fluid samples taken from the victim's body.

US District Judge Paul Magnuson granted the motion Monday, after attorneys argued it was a heart condition that claimed the 46-year-old victim's life, and not Chauvin's knee on his neck.

The May 2020 encounter has since lived in infamy, sparking swift public outcry as Floyd had been an unarmed black man accused of a non-violent crime.

The North Carolina native had been suspected of using a fake $20 bill, leading to the fatal encounter with Chauvin and three other officers.

Attempting to restrain the man, Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck and back for what officials would later deem was 9 minutes and 29 seconds, fatally asphyxiating him in the process.

In his final moments, Floyd uttered the words 'I can't breathe' - creating a rallying cry for a subsequent civil rights movement in the process.

Chauvin, 46, was convicted the following year, and is now in a little more than three years into his 21-year federal prison sentence.

His latest bid to have the conviction tossed cites 'ineffective assistance of counsel' from original defense attorney Eric Nelson, whom he says failed to relay to him a Kansas forensic pathologist's theory that Chauvin did not cause Floyds death.

Scroll down for video:

Lawyers for Derek Chauvin , the disgraced Minneapolis cop convicted of murdering George Floyd back in 2020, have been granted permission to examine heart tissue and fluid samples taken from the victim's body

The May 2020 encounter has since lived in infamy, after is saw the desgraced officer kneel on Floyd's neck for what officials would later say was 9 minutes and 29 seconds

'Given the significant nature of the criminal case that [Chauvin] was convicted of, and given that the discovery that [he] seeks could support [the pathologist's] opinion of how Mr. Floyd died, the Court finds that there is good cause to allow [Chauvin] to take the discovery,' Magnuson wrote upon making his decision.

He added how Chauvins defense team will now have the ability to procure evidence from histology slides and tissue samples taken from the victim's heart during his initial autopsy, the results of which were used to convict Chauvin and three others.

Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were also convicted in both state and federal court on charges surrounding the events, during which Thao hold back a crowd of horrified onlookers as Floyd breathed his last breaths.

He was sentenced to four years and nine months in state prison for aiding and abetting in Chauvin's second-degree manslaughter, to be served at the same time as an additional three-and-a-half federal sentence.

Former Minneapolis police officer J Alexander Kueng was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in state prison after pleading guilty to the same charges in 2022, five months after being sentenced to three-and-a-half years in federal prison.

Both terms, as is the case with Thao, will be served concurrently - meaning the defendants will serve all of their sentences at the same time.

With this in mind, ex-officer Thomas Lane - the man who held Floyd's legs while Chauvin pinned him with his knee - was hit with a three years state sentence and another two-and-a-half federally, meaning he will be a free man by September.

Chauvin was hit with by far the sternest sentence of the pack, with a 21 year federal sentence and another 22 years on the state level.

US District Judge Paul Magnuson granted the motion Monday, after attorneys argued it was a heart condition that claimed the 46-year-old's life, and not Chauvin's knee on his neck Chauvin was seen in video footage doing just that, as Floyd cried out that he couldn't breathe

Chauvin, 46, was convicted the following year, and is now in a little more than three years into his 21-year federal prison sentence

Ex officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were also convicted in both state and federal court on charges surrounding the events, during which Thao hold back a crowd of horrified onlookers as Floyd breathed his last breaths

The current motion to appeal would apply to the former conviction, leaving only the state one to be served.

It saw Chauvin claim Nelson failed to seek testing of Floyd's heart tissue samples during the high profile case, after Topeka-based Dr. William Schaetzel aired his belief such tests would show evidence of a heart condition called takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

A temporary condition, it develops in response to an intense emotional or physical experience, leading to a sudden, temporary weakening of the muscular portion of a patient's heart, causing cardiac arrest.

Chauvins lawyers are thus also allowed to inspect and make copies of any photographs taken of Floyds heart during the initial autopsy, which found Floyd's heart had stopped while he was being restrained and that his death was a homicide.

The official cause of death was 'cardiopulmonary arrest [caused by] law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression'.

A second autopsy, this one commissioned by Floyd's family, came to the same conclusion, citing asphyxia specifically as the cause of death.

It also ruled out the possibility that underlying medical problems contributed to Floyd's passing, citing how Floyd was able to speak under the pressure of Chauvin's knee.

As a result, in March 2021, not even a year after the murder, Minneapolis's city council awarded Floyd's family a $27million settlement in response to their wrongful death lawsuit.

His latest bid to have the conviction tossed cites 'ineffective assistance of counsel' from original defense attorney Eric Nelson, whom he says failed to relay to him a Kansas forensic pathologist's theory that Chauvin did not cause Floyds death

An autopsy has already ruled out the possibility that underlying medical problems contributed to Floyd's passing, citing how Floyd was able to speak under the pressure of Chauvin's knee

Chauvin, seen here administering fatal force on the victim, is demanding a new trial or at least an evidentiary hearing, depending on the fruits of the fresh discovery process

Chauvin, meanwhile, was fired, and charged with second- and third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was eventually found guilty of all three, in addition to two federal counts of violating Floyd's civil rights.

He is now serving his state and federal sentences concurrently at a federal prison in Arizona, where he stabbed by another inmate 22 times with an improvised knife.

He was seriously injured as a result, but has since recovered.

The incident in the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson - a medium-security prison - came days after filed the now-approved motion in court based on Schaetzel's theory, and after he claimed in an interview that his trial had been 'a sham.'

Months earlier, in January of last year, he saw an appeal tossed surrounding the argument that pretrial publicity and ongoing civil unrest led to an unfair trial.

As for the second appeal, the pathologist responsible for the theory did not examine Floyd's body, nor did review autopsy reports.

He and Chauvin began communicating in February of last year year, at which time the Topeka resident told the Associated Press: 'I can't go to my grave with what I know. I just want the truth.'

Chauvin is demanding a new trial or at least an evidentiary hearing, depending on the fruits of the fresh discovery process.
IT is the perfect way to escape the rat-race for a few months over the summer.

Volunteer rangers  with a sense of humour  are wanted on one of Scotlands remotest seabird colonies on a tiny island.

Handa lies a few miles off the coast of Sutherland and is managed as a wildlife reserve by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT).

There have been no full-time inhabitants since 1848 but, during the summer, it attracts tens of thousands of birds including guillemots, kittiwakes and fulmars.

Staff will work on Handa Island, which has one of Scotland's remotest seabird colonies

The island is also home to smaller populations of important seabirds such as Arctic skuas and puffins.

Mammals including dolphins, whales and seals are often seen from its coast.

Now the SWT is advertising for seasonal rangers to work there between March and September. Home is in a two-roomed, stone bothy and applicants are warned they will live in very basic, shared, mixed-sex accommodation with occasionally hostile weather.

Volunteers also need the ability to handle the rigours of living in close proximity with others over a long period with the Trust seeking candidates who wear well with others and have a sense of humour.

The role will cover practical work, visitor engagement, monitoring and lots of other tasks that are necessary to support our work on the island.

The Trust adds: What you get in return: a lasting magical experience and an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature.
Two victims have launched a campaign demanding rapists must admit guilt and show remorse if they want to be considered for parole.

Ellie Wilson, 27, and 26-year-old Hannah McLaughlan waived their right to anonymity in the hope of improving the rights of victims during the process.

They are campaigning for a change to the system so survivors will have their rights clearly explained to them.

The pair also want access to parole hearings and for the boards take into consideration whether offenders deny or admit their guilt.

Former medical student Daniel McFarlane raped Ms Wilson, of Edinburgh, twice while they were in a relationship and was sentenced to five years behind bars in 2022 after she recorded him admitting his crimes.

But a decision on his release was scheduled for Wednesday, December 16.

She said: The process of going to trial was confusing and disempowering and going through the parole process now is no different.

No one has fully explained the process to me and I dont know what, if any, rights I have.

Ms Wilson said dealing with her attacker's parole so soon after trial feels 'profoundly unjust'

After enduring a traumatic trial and numerous attempts from him to appeal, the fact Im having to deal with this so soon feels profoundly unjust.

Ms Wilson, was told she could write a letter to the parole board which she didnt feel was sufficient.

She added: Part of me wishes I could go along and have my voice heard and have the parole board know that Im here and a human being, rather than just being a piece of paper.

Saying it was nonsensical not to consider whether a convicted criminal has acknowledged their guilt as a relevant factor when deciding on parole, she admitted shed be living in fear should McFarlane be allowed out.

Ms Wilson continued: How can an offender be considered safe to release into the community if they show no remorse or insight into their offending?

My rapist denies his guilt, blames me for his actions, and even attempted to appeal his verdict to the UK Supreme Court, and yet he may still be released in days. Its unfathomable.

She is fighting for the change so future victims will have better experience of the judicial system because the parole system as it stands is not fit for purpose.

Ms McLaughlan, from Dunfermline, Fife, and three other women were raped by Logan Doig, who was convicted of 12 separate offences last year and sentenced to nine and a half years in jail.

Ms McLaughlan has waived her right to anonymity in the hope of improving victims' rights

She reported her former boyfriend to the police after a terrifying incident when the tried to strangle her in 2020 and decided to contact others he had been in a relationship with resulting in the court case.

Doig denied committing any sexual offences during his trial, instead blaming the women for making false allegations.

Ms McLaughan said: How can an offenders guilt, and therefore their accountability and remorse, not be a factor that the parole board take into consideration?

How can they deem someone as safe to release back into the community if they are still denying their actions, how can they assure the public and their victims that their behaviour has changed and they have been rehabilitated in prison?

Simon Brown, President of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association, said: The justice system needs a complete re-jigging because its not fit for purpose, it fails victims.

Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said victims have repeatedly told them about the traumatic and confusing nature of the victim notification scheme and accepted the way parole works is often not explained clearly.

A spokesman for the Parole Board said: The Parole Board for Scotland recognises the trauma experienced by victims and has taken significant steps to improve communication with, and the provision of information to, victims.

'Some of these steps have subsequently resulted in legislative change such as the right of victims in certain cases to request to observe parole hearings.

'The Board is continually looking at how we can improve, and particularly welcomes input from victims about how that could be done.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: My thoughts remain with Ellie and Hannah, who have endured horrific experiences, and we will take their views seriously.

There have been a number of victim-centred reforms to the parole process implemented in recent years and I am always open to building on those to improve the experience of victims.

'The Parole Board, which is independent of Ministers, has a critical leadership role in driving improvement in transparency and understanding of the parole process - in fact they are required by the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 to have regard to the involvement and wellbeing of victims as they carry out their functions. Decisions on individual cases are a matter for the Parole Board for Scotland.

In October we announced proposed changes to the Victim Notification Scheme so victims can receive improved support, advice and information.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: While we cannot comment on an individual case, we recognise the profound and lasting impact an offence can have on victims and their families.

'We provide information including about permanent release, temporary release and licence conditions, through the Victim Notification Scheme, in line with the rules of the scheme set out in law.
Hannah Kobayashi - who sparked national attention after her disappearance from LAX last month - has returned to the US.

Kobayashi, 31, crossed the Mexico border into California over the weekend, where she was questioned by US officials who asked if she was OK, a source told TMZ.

She appeared to be healthy as she met with her lawyer at the border before leaving with him. Her family was not there to meet her, the outlet reported.

The Hawaii woman made contact with relatives on Wednesday to tell them that she was fine after disappearing from Los Angeles International Airport in November.

While she was missing, her father, Ryan Kobayashi, took his own life by reportedly jumping from a building structure near LAX after traveling to California to help authorities look for her.

He was tragically found dead at the bottom of a parking structure around 4am on November 24 - a little over two weeks after his daughter was reported missing.

Kobayashi was on her way to New York from her home on the Hawaiian island of Maui, when she decided to walk out of Los Angeles International Airport and disappear.

She wasn't on that flight by herself, as she was joined by her alleged new Green Card husband Argentina-native Alan Cacace, in an apparent bid to hoodwink immigration officials into believing their marriage was genuine, DailyMail.com previously revealed.

Hannah Kobayashi, who sparked national attention after her disappearance from LAX, has returned to the US

While she was missing, her father, Ryan Kobayashi, took his own life by reportedly jumping from a building structure near LAX after traveling to California to help authorities look for her

And, on that same flight, her ex-boyfriend Amun Miranda joined them with his own alleged Green Card wife Marianne  who just happened to be Cacace's girlfriend.

This messy love square, all on one plane together, was only possible because Cacace had allegedly given Kobayashi $15,000 with the promise of a similar sum once the immigration documents that allowed him to stay in the United States were issued.

The ruse of their sham marriage was already in the works after they tied the knot in October. 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.

But the dynamics of the group quickly got complicated.

The Hawaii woman, 31, made contact with relatives on Wednesday to tell them that she was fine after disappearing from Los Angeles International Airport in November

Kobayashi with her ex boyfriend Amun Miranda seen at a 2023 Christmas party

Kobayashi's colleagues told DailyMail.com she had mixed feelings about going on the trip  feeling both excited by checking off a location on her bucket list where she could see relatives, but also frustrated she'd have to share her flight with ex-boyfriend Miranda.

Her coworkers also divulged that Cacace and his girlfriend were a point of contention for the formerly missing woman, who didn't want either of them coming on this trip.

Kobayashi supposedly told them she didn't want to waste time taking photos, but would reluctantly sacrifice one day of her weekly planned vacation to satisfy their wishes.

And then there was Marianne, who Kobayashi had a recent fight with revolving around her jealousy of marrying her boyfriend Cacace.

'I do remember Hannah saying that the girlfriend had an issue with her,' Desiree said. 'And Hannah was like "Girl, I'm not trying to steal your man. This is an arrangement we all talked about beforehand".'

Ryan Kobayashi holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah outside Crypto.com Arena with her aunt Larie Pidgeon

Her family then reported her missing three days later after receiving cryptic text messages, including talk that she had recently undergone a 'spiritual awakening, after she was due to meet family in New York.'

After she was reported missing, her coworkers decided to do some digging of their own since they knew the backstory of what was going down on the trip to New York City.

Desiree, who had known Miranda since high school texted him telling him they were actively looking for his ex, going as far as to ask for the Argentinian couple's name and if they made it to New York.

'All seems very sus and you should have told her family she didn't get on the flight,' Desiree texted Miranda. 'Actually no you should've got off that flight when you realized she wasn't on it.. Explain.'

Miranda shot back at the questioning coworker saying it wasn't his job to look after her.

'She's an adult and I'd heard she'd also possibly had plans in Cali,' he texted.

Her coworkers decided to dig since they knew the backstory of what was going down on the trip to New York City. Desiree who had known Miranda since high school reached out to him on Instagram to find out additional information

Miranda gave Desiree a lengthy explanation where he shot back at her questioning saying it wasn't his job to look after her

'I have no reason to get off a plane and miss time on my own trip for something I thought was as simple as just missing one flight and catching the next available one,' he sniped.

'I shouldn't have to do anything because her and I had split up 3-4 months ago and agreed to no contact.'

Miranda and Kobayashi's plan got messy when he discovered she had met up with an ex-boyfriend  a DJ she'd dated for years  which led to them breaking up.

Kobayashi's ex-boyfriend also vehemently defended her alleged Green Card husband Cacace.

'Her husband is sweet and just a lil guy and wouldn't hurt a fly,' he wrote. 'He has nothing to do with any of this.'

Miranda said his best guess was that Kobayashi was off taking drugs, or having a mental health crisis.

Amun Miranda had dated Kobayashi for two years before he caught her meeting up with her DJ ex and broke up with her in August, but the pair still decided to go ahead with the New York trip

'To be honest,' he wrote, 'from what her friends and her mom have told me from the things she said to them leading up to this it's very possible to be having some kind of a mental breakdown from lack of sleep, too much psychedelics, or coke. I don't know.'

In her hometown, sources say Kobayashi was known to use psychedelics, cocaine and whippets  or nitrous oxide.

A person close to Miranda's family told DailyMail.com that Kobayashi had a 'heavy drug problem' and that it was a factor in her breakup with him.

'Amun really didn't like her drug habit,' said Anita Lopez, who lives on his mother's property. 'He was just disgusted by it.'

'There's a difference between recreational use and abusing,' she said.

Earlier this month, the LAPD reported that Kobayashi had crossed voluntarily into Mexico.

But her family continued contradicting the police in public statements, saying they still did not know whether Kobayashi was safe.

They claimed they had not seen the surveillance footage that shows her walking across the border into Mexico until December 2.

Earlier this month, the LAPD reported that Kobayashi had crossed voluntarily into Mexico but her family continued contradicting police in public statements, saying they still did not know whether she was safe

Police closed the probe into her whereabouts after finding that she was 'voluntarily missing.'

After she was located, her family said in a statement they were 'incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe.'

Kobayashi's relatives have faced backlash after police revealed she was not missing, as they had raised money for the search.

The donation page raised more than $47,000, but since Kobayashi resurfaced, the family announced they would be turning donations off and that they would honor any claims submitted for a refund.

They said: 'We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored.'
Federal workers could be fired once Donald Trump is back in the White House if they still refuse to return to the office nearly five years after the COVID-19 lockdowns ended.

Speaking in Florida on Monday in his first post-election win press conference, Trump covered a wide range of topics, including federal workers finally being required to return to the office.

'If people don't come back to work  come back into the office  they're going to be dismissed,' Trump insisted.

The threat comes as it was revealed that only 12 percent of federal government office space in Washington, D.C. is used.

Trump's DOGE team led by billionaire Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will need to find a way around a five-year waiver created by the Biden administration.

That's not stopping the president-election, who has vowed to take the issue to court to force nearly 50,000 workers back into the office full time.

He lamented: 'And somebody in the Biden administration gave a five-year waiver of that so that for five years people don't have to come back into the office.'

'It involved 49,000 people. For five years they don't have to go in. They just signed this thing  it's ridiculous. So they  it was like a gift to a union.'

Donald Trump threatened during a press conference on Monday to find a way to fire federal employees who refuse to go back to working in the office

'And we're going to obviously be in court to stop it,' Trump vowed.

Trump's team will need to find a way around a five-year waiver created by the Biden administration.

That's not stopping the president-election, who has vowed to take the issue to court to force nearly 50,000 workers back into the office full time.

An X account created for DOGE posted an article last month about how 90 percent of federal government office space is 'going to waste.'

The first days of the coronavirus pandemic hitting the U.S. in March 2020 led to a two-week quarantine where workers were sent home and told not to come into the office.

As the public health crisis raged on, most employees eventually transitioned into a full time work from home model  including thousands of federal government workers.

'Federal government agencies are using, on average, just 12% of the space in their DC headquarters,' DOGE wrote on X in a post last month.

'The Department of Agriculture, with space for more than 7,400 people, averaged 456 workers each day (6% occupancy),' it noted.

DOGE's X account posted about how 90 percent of federal office space is 'going to waste'

Trump picked Elon Musk (left) to co-run DOGE with Vivek Ramaswamy. The two have been inseparable eve since election night on November 5

The account, likely run by Musk, questioned: 'Why are American taxpayer dollars being spent to maintain empty buildings?'

Musk, who employs thousands of Americans, is a huge proponent for employees going into an office for their work days.

He thinks a huge way to stop waste in the federal government is to stop letting the workforce work from home and have them come back into the office.
Three dogs were seized by police after savagely mauling their owner to death and injuring a witness who stepped in to try to stop the attack a California park.

Pedro Luis Ortega, 26, was viciously attacked by his dogs while walking in Mesa Viking Neighborhood Park in San Diego on Friday afternoon.

Witnesses reported a terrifying scene, with multiple people attempting to stop the violent mauling.

Officers from the San Diego Police Department responded to multiple emergency calls to find the three dogs still attacking the victim near Ericson Elementary School.

Officers were forced to use tasers to stop the assault, with the dogs initially continuing their attack before finally scattering.

One dog was quickly secured in a vehicle, while police hunted down the other two loose animals.

Ortega was rushed to Scripps Memorial Hospital but tragically died from his injuries.

A second person who attempted to rescue the man was also hospitalized with serious bite wounds and is still recovering.

Three dogs were seized by police after savagely mauling their owner to death and injuring a witness who stepped in to try to stop the attack a park in San Diego

Video footage revealed that the dogs had been walking peacefully with their owner just two hours before the deadly attack.

The dogs, described as XL bully breeds, were immediately placed in mandatory quarantine.

San Diego Humane Society spokesperson Nina Thompson confirmed a second owner of the dogs agreed to have them euthanized.

The dogs were set to be tested for rabies as part of standard protocol.

'Upon arrival, our humane officers worked collaboratively to locate two of the dogs [that] were still loose, and impounded a third dog that had been contained in a car,' Thompson told NBC7.

'As a result of the ongoing investigation, the decision was made to euthanize all three of the victim's dogs,' Thompson said.

'This remains an active and ongoing investigation. We are committed to ensuring a thorough review of the incident.

'Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victim's loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.'
A frail British grandmother who refused travel insurance for a trip to Florida and then fell seriously ill is now even sicker - needing around $100,000 to get home.

Patricia Bunting, who was on a three-week holiday in Florida with her grandson and her two sons, is still fighting for her life in Orlando's Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. The cost of getting her back to the UK is now at least $101,000 (80,000), up from the initial $63,000 (50,000) sought by her family.

'She is battling a second bout of bacterial pneumonia, for which she is being treated with IV antibiotics, has suffered a gastrointestinal bleed (which thankfully she has now recovered from) and also blood clots in her legs,' her daughter, Emma Bunting, wrote in a December 14 update on the GoFundMe page she started.

Emma added that her 76-year-old mother is still on continuous oxygen, with her blood-oxygen levels fluctuating between 80 per cent and 90 per cent.

A healthy blood-oxygen level is 95 per cent to 100 per cent, according to the Mayo Clinic. Based on her diagnosis, Patricia could be dealing with symptoms of mental confusion and a rapid heart rate.

Emma didn't make the initial trip to Disney but is now in the United States with her mother to help manage her care.

She is waiting for an estimate from the hospital on how much her mother's care will cost. Hospital staff have also been assisting the Bunting family with medically assisted flights to take her home to England.

Patricia priced travel insurance for her 20th trip to Disney - her 'happy place' - but was quoted a price of 3,000 ($5,000) because of her underlying conditions and ruled it too expensive.

Patricia Bunting is pictured in her hospital bed at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, Florida. She had been on a three-week holiday with her family at Disney World and fell ill just five days before their scheduled return

In her current condition, Patricia can't fly home on a normal passenger plane. She'd need a bed, oxygen and medical assistance while in the air.

So far, the GoFundMe has only raised 28,105 (about $35,600) toward a 50,000 goal.

There are two reasons the family is so eager to get Patricia home. Obviously, she would feel more comfortable getting treatment where she lives in Wigan, around 22 miles from Manchester.

But Patricia would also benefit financially from being in her home country, since her all further treatment would be covered for free by the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

Emma thanked the GoFundMe's supporters for their donations, kind messages and prayers, adding that she hopes to have 'a plan solidified early next week'.

Patricia had saved for the last two years to be able to go with her family to Disney World, which she called her 'happy place'.

She was keen to make this trip because she knew her declining health and advancing years would soon make further transatlantic travel impossible.

Patricia currently uses three different inhalers to ease her breathing difficulties which is caused by a chronic pulmonary disease, and she relies on a walker.

Patricia had saved for the last two years to accompany her grandson and her two sons to Disney World but this time she didn't purchase travel insurance

After contracting Covid-19 and then pneumonia, she has been in the hospital on oxygen for nearly three weeks

On her 20 previous trips to the US she had purchased travel insurance, but opted to risk not taking a policy for her most recent trip, which proved a terrible mistake.

After making the ten hour flight from her home in the UK in late October, she enjoyed three weeks in the sun before complaining of exhaustion on November 23.

The family had been set to return five days later but had to rush her to the hospital after she was found passed out in the bathroom.

She spent the next five days in intensive care with Covid and then pneumonia, having refused to be intubated over fear she would not wake up.

Her sons and grandson had to take their scheduled flight home on November 28 after running out of money, despite Patricia being in intensive care.

That's why Emma, her daughter, went straight to Florida to make sure her mother was okay.

Speaking with The Tampa Bay Times, Emma said: 'Shes scared of passing away in a U.S. hospital far from her family.

'I want nothing more than to have mum home for Christmas so shes surrounded by all the love of her family.'

The Bunting family's brush with American healthcare comes at a time when natives are frustrated with the state of the system after the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4

The family have sought the help of the UK Embassy in Miami who they say only asked how they planned to pay for their medical bills.

Emma continued: 'I feel anxious. I don't know how much this will cost but I know she need this care.'

The family told the outlet that the hospital had helped them with low-cost accommodations.

The Bunting family's brush with American healthcare comes at a time when natives are frustrated with the state of the system and are sharing their own horror stories.

The renewed anger was sparked after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in the middle of Manhattan earlier this month.

The alleged murderer, Luigi Mangione, was arrested on December 9 after a five-day manhunt. He has been charged with second-degree murder.
A mother of two who was shot dead in a drive-by shooting outside a wake was an innocent victim caught up in a war between two street gangs, a friend has told MailOnline.

Michelle Sadio was gunned down when a car pulled up outside a church in North West London, near Wembley Stadium, and opened fire on a crowd of mourners in the street.

MailOnline can reveal that she was attending a nine night ceremony to celebrate the life of 80-year-old Dinah Boateng, who was the mother of one of her school friends.

The ceremony - held at the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church in Harlesden - was organised to mark the ninth day on from Mrs Boatengs death on December 5.

Ms Sadio, 46, from Walthamstow, East London, had stepped out of the venue to take a breather when she was shot just before 9.15pm on Saturday night.

Two men - both in their 30s - were also shot. One was struck in the foot and came from the Dagenham area while another from Wood Green was shot in the back and is currently in a critical condition in hospital.

The friend of Ms Sadio, who asked not to be named, feared the shooting was carried out at random and may be part of a turf war between two gangs, one based near the church in Church Road, Harlesden and their rivals in nearby Stonebridge.

The friend said: The nine night ceremony was a beautiful occasion to mark Aunty Dinah, who was part of the churchs congregation for many years.

Michelle Sadio, 46, was shot after a car pulled up outside a church an opened fire on a crowd of mourners at a wake

Ms Sadio was attending a nine night ceremony to celebrate the life of 80-year-old Dinah Boateng (pictured)

She was an amazing lady, much loved by so many people. There were about 150 people who came to the event from across London.

She was 80-years-old and died in her armchair at home on December 5.

The people who attended were mainly elderly or families with children. There was nobody there who had any kind of gang affiliation.

We think one of the gangs targeted the event as people spilled out the church about 45-minutes before it was due to end.

Why they shot at people Ive no idea. Perhaps it was mistaken identity or they just wanted to target someone at random on their rivals turf and saw a large crowd.

Theres been a lot of incidents between the Church Road gang and the Stonebridge gang. Things have been hotting up between them again recently.

We dont know for sure what happened but the nine night ceremony didnt have any troublemakers present at all.

Michelle was stopped by someone just before she went outside. She was asked if she was going home and she said that she wasnt but wanted to take a breather outside. The music was quite loud.

The first we knew something had happened was when people ran in screaming about shots being fired and people being hit.

Michelle lived in Walthamstow and the man shot in the foot came from near Dagenham. The other man who shot and more seriously injured came from the Wood Green area.

There was not many people were from Harlesden. Most had come far and wide to pay tribute to Aunty Dinah. That something so horrific could happen at an event dedicated to her memory is shocking and repulsive.

No arrests have been made as police hunt the gunman, who is understood to have fired a semiautomatic weapon from the window of a black coloured car.

The moment the vehicle pulled up and opened fire emerged was caught on CCTV clip uploaded onto the internet on Sunday night.

Forensics comb the scene of the shooting. No arrests have been made as police hunt the gunman, who is understood to have fired a semiautomatic weapon from the window of a black coloured car

Forensic at the scene of the shooting

In the chilling clip the car turned into the road before stopping in front of the waiting crowd.

Gunshots were heard before mourners are sent fleeing in all directions.

Pastor Lawrence Larbie, of the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, confirmed earlier today that those shot had attended the nine night ceremony for Mrs Boateng, who was originally from the city of Kumasi, Ghana.

He said the event was due to finish at 10pm. But at around 9.15pm people began rushing into the building saying 'there's been a shooting'.

Ms Sadios heartbroken family, including her children, are being supported by specialist officers as the investigation continues.

One friend last night described her as a 'brilliant' person and mother who was 'the light in the lives' of her loved-ones.

The Metropolitan Police has opened a murder investigation

The man most seriously shot remains in hospital in a critical condition; the other man's injuries are not life threatening.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit which covers Brent, said: 'This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

'I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

The road where the drive-by shooting occurred on Saturday night. The most seriously shot man remains in hospital in a critical condition

'If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.'

The Church gang called CSB or Crime Scene Boyz) has been in dispute with TOS, Thugs of Stonebridge for more than 20-years in a bloody tit-for-tat turf war.

The most notorious shooting was the 2003 murder of seven-year old Toni-Ann Byfield who was shot in the back by a drug dealer after she had witnessed him kill her father, Bertram Byfield.

In 2019, Michael Craig Smith, who had links to the Stonebridge gang, was shot dead at point blank range outside a chicken shop in Wembley.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on the brink of resigning as his liberal government crumbles around him, according to CTV News.

Trudeau, 52, is 'considering his options as leader', sources have told the broadcaster, while his Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland revealed she will quit.

Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, dealing a huge blow to an already unpopular government.

In a stinging resignation letter, Freeland dismissed Trudeau's push for increased spending as a political gimmick that could hurt Ottawa's ability to deal with the 25 percent import tariffs U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will impose.

The resignation by Freeland, 56, who also served as deputy prime minister, is one of the biggest crises Trudeau has faced since taking power in November 2015.

It also leaves him without a key ally when he is on track to lose the next election to the official opposition Conservatives.

Trudeau quickly came under pressure to go from the New Democrats, the smaller opposition party which earlier this year pulled its unconditional support of the minority Liberal government but has continued to back the prime minister on some legislation through parliament.

'I'm calling on Justin Trudeau to resign. He has to go,' party leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters, the first time he has unequivocally called on the prime minister to quit.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on the brink of resigning as his liberal government collapses around him, according to CTV News

Trudeau, 52, is 'considering his options as leader', sources have told the broadcaster, while his Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland (pictured) revealed she will quit

Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, dealing a huge blow to an already unpopular government

Singh did not respond directly to questions about whether he would continue to prop up Trudeau in parliament, saying that all options were on the table.

Trudeau can be toppled if the opposition parties unite against him on a vote of no confidence, though that cannot happen until late January at the earliest.

Hours earlier Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said the government was spiraling out of control.

'We cannot accept this kind of chaos, division, weakness, while we're staring down the barrel of a 25% tariff from our biggest trading partner ... we simply cannot go on like this,' he told reporters.

Freeland said she was quitting in the wake of a meeting last Friday with Trudeau, who asked her to take on a lesser post after the two had argued for weeks over spending.

A Liberal source said Trudeau wanted Freeland to serve as minister without portfolio dealing with Canada-U.S. relations in name only - in effect a major demotion.

Her resignation came just hours before she was due to present a fall economic update to parliament, a document widely expected to show the minority Liberal government had run up a much larger 2023/24 budget deficit than predicted.

Officials said the document would be unveiled on Monday as planned.

In a stinging resignation letter, Freeland dismissed Trudeau's push for increased spending as a political gimmick that could hurt Ottawa's ability to deal with the 25 percent import tariffs U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will impose

Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Trudeau (pictured) on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, dealing a huge blow to an already unpopular government

In a stinging resignation letter, Freeland dismissed Trudeau's push for increased spending as a political gimmick that could hurt Ottawa's ability to deal with the 25 percent import tariffs U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will impose

'This will likely trigger a leadership crisis within the Liberal caucus ... (it) is politically and personally devastating for Trudeau,' said Nik Nanos, founder of the Nanos Research polling firm.

Polls show the Liberals are set to be crushed in an election that must be held by late October 2025.

Freeland, a former journalist, served as trade minister and then foreign minister before taking over the finance portfolio in August 2020. As minister, she oversaw the massive government spending campaign to deal with the damage done by COVID.

Colleagues were clearly stunned. 'This news has hit me really hard and I'll reserve further comment until I have time to process it,' said an emotional Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board.

Trudeau has been under pressure for months from Liberal legislators alarmed by the party's poor polling numbers, in part due to unhappiness over high prices.

But he is safe for now, since Canadian political leaders are chosen by special conventions.

Canada's 10-year note yields climbed to their highest level since November 28. They were last up 4.2 basis points at 3.2%. The Canadian dollar weakened to a four and a half year low at 1.4268 per U.S. dollar before reversing course.

Domestic media reports said Freeland and Trudeau had clashed over a government proposal for temporary tax breaks and other spending measures.

'For the last number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds over the best path forward for Canada,' Freeland said in a letter to Trudeau posted on X.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on the brink of resigning

Trudeau, 52, is 'considering his options as leader' after a top-level resignation from his cabinet

Freeland said the threat of new U.S. tariffs represented a grave threat. 'That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford,' she wrote.

When Trump came to power in 2017 he vowed to tear up the trilateral free trade treaty with Canada and Mexico. Freeland played a large role in helping renegotiate the pact and saving Canada's economy, which is heavily reliant on the United States.

Although tensions between prime ministers and first ministers are not unusual - Trudeau's first finance minister quit in 2020 in a clash over spending - the level of invective in Freeland's letter was remarkable by Canadian standards.

'On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet... you made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence and possess the authority that comes with it,' Freeland said.

'Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet.'

Freeland left the same day as Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced he was resigning for family reasons. Another six ministers have either already quit or announced they will not be running again in the next election.

Before entering politics in 2013, Freeland worked as a journalist and in senior editorial roles with several media companies, including the Financial Times, the Globe and Mail, and Reuters News where she worked from 2010 to 2013.

One potential replacement could be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who already serves as an economic adviser to Trudeau.

Carney, though, is not a legislator and tradition dictates he would need to run for a seat in the House of Commons elected chamber.
A frustrated judge has told the Federal Court he doesn't want the costs battle between journalist Lisa Wilkinson and Network Ten 'dragging out any longer'.

Justice Michael Lee earlier this year dismissed Bruce Lehrmann's defamation suit against the TV network and Ms Wilkinson.

Ms Wilkinson engaged separate legal counsel from Ten during the case and is now seeking costs from the network of about $1.8million.

On Monday, lawyers for both sides clashed over the final figure that should be paid to Ms Wilkinson.

A court-appointed referee had prepared a report about Ms Wilkinson's legal costs but they disagreed about a number of elements of the report.

When Ms Wilkinson's lawyer Michael Elliott SC called for the matter to be adjourned, Justice Lee gave a fiery response, saying he had wanted the matter finished before Christmas.

'I wanted to deal with this today,' the judge reportedly said.

'I want to ensure I conclude my involvement with this matter if at all possible.'

Ms Wilkinson sought separate legal counsel from Network Ten during the case and is now seeking costs from the network of about $1.8million

Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson was dismissed earlier this year, a decision he has appealed

The judge was due to go on leave over Christmas and start a major case involving Star Casino in 2025.

'I really want this advent to bring it to an end, I don't want 2025 to see my involvement with it unless it is necessary I be involved,' Justice Lee later said.

'I'm not dragging this out any longer.'

Eventually, the judge agreed to adjourn the matter until February 2025.

Lehrmann faced trial in the ACT Supreme Court in 2022 after pleading not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.

The trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges and plans for a retrial due to concerns for the welfare of the complainant, Brittany Higgins.

Lehrmann then sued Ms Wilkinson and Network Ten for defamation, over an interview with Ms Higgins on The Project in which she said she was raped by a colleague.

In his judgement handed down in April, Justice Lee found - on the balance of probabilities - that Lehrmann raped fellow Liberal staffer Ms Higgins inside Parliament House in March 2019.

On Monday, lawyers for both sides clashed over the final figure that should be paid to Ms Wilkinson

After the loss, Lehrmann was ordered to pay $2million in costs, though Justice Lee said there was not 'any real likelihood' he could pay it.

Justice Lee became a minor celebrity after he presided over the high-profile trial, which was live streamed on YouTube.

Relations between Ms Wilkinson and Network Ten deteriorated after she engaged her own lawyer, Sue Chrysanthou SC, to represent her in the case instead of using Network Ten's lawyers.

Lehrmann is due to return to court in August 2025 for his appeal against Justice Lee's finding.

The costs order against him has been delayed until the appeal concludes.
None of Luigi Mangione's family members have come to visit him in jail since he was arrested and accused of assassinating United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Inside sources revealed to Fox News that the 26-year-old has had several meetings with his lawyer at the Blair County, Pennsylvania jail, but none with relatives.

Mangione reportedly met with his attorney, Karen Agnifilo, and her husband, Marc Agnifilo - the lawyer representing disgraced hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs - on Friday

The Maryland native has also met with Pennsylvania attorney Thomas Dickey, but Agnifilo is set to represent him on his second-degree murder charge, according to a spokesperson.

Agnifilo previously served as the chief assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's office for seven years.

Dickey has worked as a trial attorney in Pennsylvania for more than 40 years.

Mangione was denied bail from Huntingdon State Correctional Institution last week.

None of the alleged assassin's family appeared at his court hearing last week. He had strayed away from them at some point last year and seemingly went into an isolated mental health spiral due to his severe back pain.

Suspected assassin Luigi Mangione (third from left) comes from a prominent family. Pictured: Mangione with brother-in-law Paul Giulio, sisters Lucia and MariaSanta, dad Louis, and mom Kathleen

Luigi Mangione, 26, was taken into custody after he was spotted in a Pennsylvania McDonald's

Mangione has two older sisters, MariaSanta (center) a medical doctor practicing in Dallas, and Lucia Mangione Giulio, a married artist who still lives in Baltimore

After Mangione was arrested on December 9 at a McDdonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, his prominent Maryland family issued a somber statement.

'Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest,' it read.

'We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.'

Before Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting Thompson in front of a New York City Hilton on December 4, his mother made a solemn church visit.

Kathleen Mangione was seen with her husband, Louis, at a church ceremony in Baltimore's Little Italy honoring one of her brothers, just a day before their son was arrested.

'Less than 24 hours later, their lives completely did a flip flop,' Santo Grasso, a longtime family friend who was at the event, told the Wall Street Journal.

Those close to the family said that Kathy was doing everything she could for the better half of the year to search for her son, after he 'went off the grid' and 'wasn't communicating with anybody,' the WSJ reported.

The distraught family even hired a private investigator to track down the estranged University of Pennsylvania graduate after he 'cut everyone off.'

Mangione's family operates several nursing homes

Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Mangione is the cousin of Republican Maryland House of Delegates member Nino Mangione

A friend from Mangione's all-boys private high school, The Gilman School in Baltimore, said his family became increasingly worried for his well-being after he disappeared last year.

The anonymous source told DailyMail.com: 'I did know he was having some issues. He wasn't talking with his family, and nobody could find him.

'They hired a private investigator, they were so worried.'

Mangione's influential Italian-American family is known in their community for their real estate fortune and nursing home empire.

His cousin, Nino Mangione, is a Republican member of Maryland's House of Delegates. Luigi also has two sisters, artist Lucia and doctor MariaSanta.

Mangione's philanthropist grandmother Mary C. Mangione, left a fortune estimated to be worth at least $30 million to her family when she died last year.

The money was put into a trust where the trustees, one of whom is Mangione's father, have the power to make distributions.

One of the trust's conditions is that anyone charged with a crime may not see any of the money, meaning Mangione may never get his share of the funds.
European judges could be allowed to overrule British courts as part of Keir Starmers plans for a softer Brexit deal.

Ministers are considering whether to put elements of Britains relationship with the EU back under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in return for a lowering of some trade barriers by Brussels.

Downing Street yesterday denied Tory claims that a secret team of Cabinet Office officials working to unpick key elements of Boris Johnsons Brexit deal amounts to a surrender squad.

But No 10 refused to rule out taking Britain back in to the jurisdiction of the ECJ in some area - reversing a central feature of the current Brexit deal.

One Whitehall source said that an element of ECJ was inevitable if ministers want to make progress on softening post-Brexit trade rules.

The move came as the European Commission launched fresh legal action against the UK over claims it breached EU rules during the Brexit transition.

In two cases lodged at the ECJ, the Commission claimed that Britain breached free movement and investment rules in late 2020.

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said the cases underlined the need to stay out of the courts jurisdiction.

Elements of Britain's relationship with the EU may be placed back under the jurisdiction of the ECJ under Sir Keir Starmer's planned softer Brexit deal (pictured: PM in Brussels in October)

The ECHR in Strasbourg. Downing Street denied Tory claims that a secret team of Cabinet Office officials working to unpick key elements of Boris Johnson s Brexit deal amounts to a surrender squad

The EUs enthusiasm to continue to take proceedings against us in the ECJ should be a warning to Keir Starmer as he tries to edge us back under its jurisdiction in more areas and extend mobility rights for EU citizens, she said. I hope the government will strongly defend this claim.

Labour will surrender our sovereignty and instead of focusing on securing growth through a competitive domestic economy and global trade, they want to tie our hands up in the EU.

At a time when Government should be making savings, its outrageous that they are blowing taxpayers cash recruiting to new roles designed to facilitate closer integration with the EU.

Mark Francois, chairman of the European Research Group of Tory MPs, said: As a human rights lawyer first and last, of course the Prime Minister would like to resubmit Britain to ECJ jurisdiction, regardless of the democratic decision of the EU Referendum. Its obvious really: in his heart of hearts, Starmer remains an ardent Remainer - and he always will.

The Mail on Sunday revealed the existence of a new 100-strong surrender squad of officials in the Cabinet Office who are working on the PMs plans to reset relations with the EU.

No 10 yesterday denied that the PM was plotting a surrender. The PMs official spokesman said fewer than 100 officials were engaged on the project but declined to say exactly how many.

ERG chairman Mark Francois (pictured) said that Sir Keir Starmer was 'in his heart of hearts, an ardent Remainer'

The spokesman added: As you know the Prime Minister has said we want to reset out relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people and we have seen very positive engagement in our early conversations as we work to reset the relationship with our European partners to strengthen ties, secure broad-based security pacts, tackle barriers to trade.

No 10 said the PM would not breach Labours pre-election red lines, which rule out rejoining the single market and customs union or reintroducing free movement. But the spokesman repeatedly refused to say whether the role of the ECJ could be expanded in the UK.

Diplomatic sources say the government will have to make concessions on free movement, fishing and the ECJ if the PM wants to achieve significant movement on trade.

A source said that Sir Keirs plan for a new veterinary agreement to reduce checks on food imports and exports would require Britain to abide by EU rules in the area, with the ECJ acting as the final arbiter.

Similar arrangements would be likely to apply in other areas where the UK might seek to soften post-Brexit trade rules.
A hunt was underway last night for a missing radioactive package which 'failed' to arrive at Madrid's Barajas Airport.

Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) sounded the alarm yesterday evening over the transport package with 'four radioactive sources' of 'very dangerous' category 2 Selenium-75.

Local reports said the CSN had sent a team of inspectors to the airport to try to glean more information.

El Pais, a Spanish media outlet, reported that the CSN has since located the package and it has been deactivated.

It was not immediately clear how the transport container with the radioactive package had gone missing.

The International Atomic Energy Agency defines Category 2 on a scale of one to five as 'very dangerous for people because the radioactivity carries grave risks where material is not properly protected.

Before the package was recovered, the CSN was last night recommending that anyone who came across the package should avoid touching it and immediately alert the authorities.

Selenium-75 is an isotope that has radiopharmaceutical uses. Se-75 sources are also used on off shore oil rigs and at power generation plants during outages.

A hunt was underway last night for a missing radioactive package which 'failed' to arrive at Madrid's Barajas Airport (pictured)

Spain 's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) sounded the alarm yesterday evening over the transport package with 'four radioactive sources' of 'very dangerous' category 2 Selenium-75 (stock image)

The CSN said in its first comments about the scare : 'The CSN has sent a team of three inspectors to Barajas Airport to find out more details about the incident and try to confirm whether the package has arrived at the airport.

'The CSN is in constant contact with the Community of Madrid.'

The container the radioactive material was housed in has been described as a B (U) container, model NE4C. It should have reached the cargo terminal at the airport.

The CSN said: 'All the radioactive sources are properly encapsulated and shielded to avoid radiation to the outside.

'The four radioactive sources are category two, on a scale of one to five established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with five being the least dangerous category.

'Category 2 is called 'Very dangerous to humans' because their radioactivity poses radiological risks if they are no longer protected by their shielding.

'However, as long as they are kept inside the transport package, they do not pose a hazard.'

In February Barcelona Airport's Terminal One was partially sealed off after it was discovered that the outer packaging of a box containing medical material with radioactive substances had broken.

The box was found in the hold of a Swiss Airline plane flying between Barcelona and Zurich.

Firefighters specializing in chemical hazards were dispatched to the scene, as well as special emergency responders, although no medical assistance was required.
A remarkable discovery has surfaced from the depths of the Solomon Islands' waters-a coral so immense it can be seen from space.

Found by the National Geographic Pristine Seas team, this colossal coral, known as Pavona clavus, is now recognized as the largest in the world.

Diver Discovers World's Largest Coral, Mistaken for Shipwreck, Beneath Solomon Islands

The find occurred during an expedition when researchers initially mistook the structure for a shipwreck. Upon further investigation by a diver, it turned out to be a thriving coral formation, estimated to be 300 years old.

This extraordinary organism spans 34 meters in width, 32 meters in length, and over 5 meters in height, dwarfing the previous record-holder, "Big Momma," located in American Samoa, ABC News reported.

More than just a massive structure, the coral is a bustling ecosystem, home to countless marine species like fish, crabs, and shrimps. Its layers hold an invaluable historical record of ocean conditions spanning centuries.

Marine ecologist Enric Sala described the discovery as monumental, comparing it to finding the world's tallest tree.

This coral is a single, living organism made up of billions of tiny polyps working together to build and maintain this vibrant underwater habitat. Unlike traditional coral reefs that comprise multiple colonies, this coral stands alone as a testament to nature's wonders.

Solomon Islands Coral Diversity at Risk as Climate Change Threatens Marine Ecosystems

The Solomon Islands, located in the biodiversity-rich Coral Triangle, host the second-highest coral diversity on Earth.

This region plays a vital role in supporting marine life and protecting coastal communities. According to Ronnie Posala, a fisheries officer in the Solomon Islands, corals serve as natural barriers, defending shores from powerful storms and waves.

However, these ecosystems are under threat. Rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices have caused widespread coral bleaching and degradation.

Scientists warn that without significant action to curb climate change, coral reefs worldwide could disappear by the end of the century, according to Earth.com.

Despite the challenges, this discovery provides optimism. Coral scientist Eric Brown noted that while nearby shallow reefs have suffered due to warming seas, this massive coral thriving in deeper waters offers hope.

Its resilience suggests that deeper-water corals might survive where shallower ones fail, offering potential strategies for preserving vulnerable reef systems.

The newly uncovered giant coral highlights both the fragility and resilience of marine ecosystems.

As threats to coral reefs grow, this discovery serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect these vital habitats. For the Solomon Islands and the world, it reinforces the importance of safeguarding our oceans for future generations.
Labour has been slammed for allowing Royal Mail to fall into foreign hands for the first time in 500 years after ministers waved through a 3.6billion takeover by the Czech Sphinx.

Politicians, business groups and campaigners warned of price hikes and declining quality after the Government gave billionaire Daniel Kretinskys bid the green light.

The deal will see Royal Mail fall into overseas ownership for the first time since the postal service was established by Henry VIII in 1516.

The board of Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services (IDS) sent shockwaves through the City and Westminster when it accepted the Czech energy tycoons offer in May this year.

But the takeover was paused when the Government called in the deal for investigation under national security legislation.

In a move that sparked fears of future stamp price hikes, the controversial deal cleared a major hurdle when ministers and unions gave it the go-ahead yesterday.

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds hailed a new agreement with Kretinsky, saying it will provide a secure future for thousands of workers and customers.

Beefed up commitments included giving the Treasury a so-called golden share in the company.

Labour has been slammed for giving Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinskys (pictured) bid for Royal Mail the green light

The deal will see Royal Mail fall into overseas ownership for the first time since the postal service was established in 1516 (file photo)

However, Kretinskys EP Group has not made any promises to keep costs fair for consumers. The price of a first-class stamp has already risen five times in the last two years to 1.65.

And the Governments stamp of approval comes amid concerns about the businessmans connections to Russia.

Vince Cable, who oversaw the privatisation of Royal Mail as business secretary in the coalition government, indicated that he would not have approved the deal.

I would have erred on the side of caution on the Russian connections, he told the Mail.

The Governments golden share means ministers will need to approve key changes to Royal Mails ownership, headquarters location and tax residency.

Kretinsky had already promised to keep the brand name and retain Royal Mails HQ and tax residency in the UK for the next five years.

He had also agreed to meet the companys Universal Service Obligation (USO), which means that Royal Mail must deliver letters six days a week to all 32million addresses in the UK for the price of a stamp.

The takeover comes as the postal service seeks major changes to the USO, which would allow it to ditch Saturday deliveries for second-class letters.

Business Secretary John Reynolds (pictured) hailed the deal with Kretinsky, saying it will provide a secure future for thousands of workers and customers

Kretinsky swooped on Royal Mail earlier this year with his multi-billion-pound bid, having previously built up a nearly 28 per cent stake in the parent company IDS over several years

Prem Sikka, a Labour peer and professor of accounting at the University of Essex, said: [There are] some assurances about postal deliveries and workers rights, but how long will they last?

Another essential service owned from abroad, shareholders dont experience degradation of service.

Liberal Democrat business spokesperson Sarah Gibson MP said the Government must make sure that vital services wont be watered down at customers expense.

Ministers and Royal Mail executives must be held to account so that local communities receive the first-class service they deserve, she said.

Amanda Fergusson, the chief executive of the UK Greeting Card Association, said further price rises and plans to shake up the service will create a further spiral of decline.

Dennis Reed, the director of the Silver Voices charity of older people, said the decision really was the pits.

We can expect higher prices, staff unrest, and eventually the end of the universal service guarantee, he said.

Kretinsky had already promised to keep the brand name and retain Royal Mails HQ and tax residency in the UK for five years (file photo)

But the Communication Workers Union, which had previously fiercely opposed the takeover, backed the deal and accused current management of running the company into the ground.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: The truth is that the status quo is what will kill off postal services in the UK.

If the takeover is completed, we will make sure every aspect of our agreement with EP Group is upheld in full, Ward added.

The deal is still subject to shareholder and other regulatory approvals. It is expected to complete in early 2025.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a group of eight accused of brutally murdering a young mom.

The development, seen in a motion filed by Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich Friday, is the latest surrounding the killing of Mahogany Jackson.

The 20-year-old from Birmingham taken captive the night of February 24 for several hours, during which time she was assaulted and repeatedly sodomized.

She was ultimately found shot in the back of the head on February 26, by the side of a road in a remote area of the Alabama city.

Hours earlier, she had managed to text her mother to say she had been kidnapped - frantically asking for help.

Prior to that, she was stripped, handcuffed, beaten, spit on and forced to perform sex acts, detectives said - adding that much of the ordeal had been recorded.

Over the course of many months, all eight of the believed culprits - Brandon Pope, 25, Francis 'Ace' Harris, 25, Jeremiah McDowell, 19, Blair Green, 26, Si'Niya McCall, 24, Teja Lewis, 26, Giovonnie Clapp, 24, and Airana Lashay Robinson, 23 - were cuffed.

All eight - four of them men and four of them women - are charged with capital murder, an offense Henrich said should warrant execution.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a group of eight accused of brutally murdering 20-year-old Mahogany Jackson. The development, seen in a motion filed by Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich Friday, is the latest surrounding the February killing

All of the suspects are charged with capital murder, after cops said they took the local mother captive the night of February 24 for several hours, before shooting her dead

'The capital offense [in this case] was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel compared to other capital offenses,' she wrote of the case.

The motion was meant to notify the presiding court of the district attorneys office decision to seek death in the event the suspects are convicted the crime.

That said, a litany of other offenses are included in the docket, including allegations of sodomy against 6 of the 8 suspects - two of them being women.

Testimony indicated Harris - who is also charged with capital murder during a rape/sodomy - is the suspect believed to have fired the fatal shot, investigators and prosecutors have said after piecing together what they believe happened.

Several of the suspects, meanwhile, claimed in court that the saga started with a stolen gun, saying took the weapon from one of them earlier, though exactly when remains unclear.

The defendants said that this paved the way for the gun and some money to stolen from Jakson's purse, leading her to supposedly show up at Pope's house the day she died in an attempt to get back what she felt was hers.

Prosecutors have claimed this is not the case, saying she was brought there against her will much earlier, before being subjected to a barrage of cruel, relentless torture

Officers' investigation into the incident began on February 25, when Jacksons family first received messages claiming was being held against her will. She also sent her location, which was the apartment of her friend Lewis, not Pope.

During that time, cops say the was repeatedly assaulted and sodomized - with six of the eight suspects, including the women, facing charges of sodomy

Officers' investigation into the incident began on February 25, when Jacksons family first received messages claiming was being held against her will. She also sent her location, which was the apartment of her friend Lewis, not Pope (far left) - as suspects had previously claimed

The messages were sent around 4 am but not seen by family until four hours later, after which relatives and cops showed up in full-force at Lewis's apartment, seen here

Lewis is one of two not charged with sodomizing the deceased, instead charged with assault while intentionally causing serious physical injuries with a deadly weapon.

The messages were sent around 4 am but not seen by family until four hours later, after which relatives and cops showed up in full-force at Lewis's apartment.

The woman initially denied Jackson had been there, before backtracking and claiming she left around 2am.

A search ensued, leading to Jackson's body being discovered the next morning on a street known widely as Dead Man's Road, a known dumping site for illegal trash.

Birmingham PD's Det. Mark Green added in court how much of the evidence against the eight was achieved after a witness came forward early in the investigation - offering videos, other unspecified evidence, and the location of Jacksons body.

That witness, Det. Green said, came forward to clear his name after he faced accusation on Facebook that he too had been involved in Jacksons disappearance.

Green, in court, conceded that Jackson may have stolen a gun from someone, and someone had then stolen it back from her and she was upset.

That, he said, likely led to her violent death and the actions that lasted for hours before.

A search ensued, leading to Jackson's body being discovered the next morning on a street known widely as Dead Man's Road, a known dumping site for illegal trash

Over the course of many months, all eight of the believed culprits - some of whom are seen here in court in March - were cuffed

Some of the messages were sent to the victim's mother, Gail Maddox Trotter (seen here)- frantically asking for help

The detective also testified that he and other investigators discerned during their investigation that the victim was forced to perform oral sex on Green, before being stripped, punched, spat on, kicked, and dragged by the hair to a vehicle.

The attacks, he claimed, took place at two location, first Pope's home on McMillon Avenue, and the second being Lewis's at a nearby apartment complex.

After that, cops said Harris, Pope and McDowell all left Lewis's with Jackson in tow, with Pope reportedly admitting to police that he had been driving Harriss Chevrolet Malibu

Cops said Jackson was told they were going to Dead Mans Road to clean trash out of the suspect's car before taking her home.

That was a ruse, investigators said - with Harris walking up behind Jackson and shooting the fatal shot while the victim was helping Pope and McDowell remove the trash.

All of the suspects are being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.
A future Conservative party could move to a system of flat taxes where everyone pays the same rate, Kemi Badenoch indicated yesterday.

The Conservative leader said the idea of a simpler, flatter tax system was very attractive.

But she said a future Tory government would first have to cut government spending dramatically to make a single rate tax system affordable.

George Osborne publicly flirted with the idea of introducing a flatter tax system two decades ago, but never introduced it.

Supporters of the idea argue that a single low tax rate can stimulate growth and boost tax revenues over time.

A number of EU countries have adopted the idea including Hungary, Romania and Estonia, which Sir Keir Starmer will visit today and which operates a single income tax rate of 20 per cent.

But critics have warned that operating a single rate in the UK would require a tax increase for lower earners while delivering a big tax cut for those on higher incomes.

Speaking at a rally against Labours plans to hike inheritance tax on family farms and businesses, Mrs Badenoch warned they could lead businesses to slash investment and jobs and reduce the overall tax take for the Treasury.

Kemi Badenoch (pictured in London on Monday) said the idea of a simpler, flatter tax system was very attractive

Speaking at a rally against Labours plans to hike inheritance tax on family farms and businesses, Mrs Badenoch warned they could lead businesses to slash investment and jobs (file photo)

Asked about the idea of flat taxes, she told the event in London: This is an idea that Ive heard many times. Its very attractive, but if were going to get to that sort of scenario, theres a lot of work we need to do first-hand.

At the moment, we are a welfare state with a little bit of a productivity attached to it. Weve got to turn that around. We cannot afford flat taxes where we are now. We need to make sure we rewire our economy so that we can lighten the burden of tax and the regulation on individuals and on those businesses that are just starting out, in particular.

Yesterdays event in London was the latest step in the campaign to persuade Rachel Reeves to rethink the Budget decisions to end the historic inheritance tax exemption for family farms.

The Treasury claims the plan will raise 500 million and close a loophole exploited by wealthy individuals who can avoid inheritance tax by buying up agricultural land.

But farmers and rural experts have warned the plan will hammer the sector and lead to the break up of thousands of family farms over time.

A study by CBI Economics yesterday found that similar changes to business property relief will hit family businesses and lead to a fall in Treasury revenue of around 1 billion as firms slash investment.

Farmers protesting outside the Northern Farming Conference in Hexham, Northumberland against proposed changes to IHT. Ms Badenoch said a future Tory government would reverse this tax grab at the earliest opportunity

Mrs Badenoch said a future Tory government would reverse this tax grab at the earliest opportunity.

The government says it is doing these things to raise taxes, she said. We believe that actually its going to shrink the tax take because it will destroy the businesses that provide that income.

Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves announced she will publish a new economic forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility on March 26.

The update could provide a fresh assessment of the early impact of the Budget, which levied a record extra 40 billion of taxes and has triggered a wave of warnings about the likely impact on growth.

The Chancellor indicated she will not use the occasion to raise further taxes, saying she wanted to move to holding just one Budget per year.
A mother who used drones to drop more than 1million of illegal drugs into British prisons has been ordered to repay just 1.

Lucy Adcock, 47, recruited a five-man ground crew to drop packages of cocaine, spice, mobile phones and SIM cards over prison walls.

The mother-of-five was the 'operational manager' behind 22 prison drops in under a month - flying in a potential 1,420,000 in drugs and phones.

The drones were airborne for up to 22 minutes flying over prison walls in the middle of the night to drop their cargo into exercise yards.

Adcock was caught after packages of cocaine, spice, cannabis, phones and chargers were flown into Parc Prison, Bridgend, South Wales.

Police were able to download telltale software from the home made, heavy duty drone found in the boot of her car.

It revealed Adcock had also carried out drug drops at HMP Gartree, Leicestershire, HMP Onley, Warwickshire, HMP Guys Marsh, Shaftesbury, HMP High Down, Sutton, and HMP The Mount, Hemel Hempstead.

Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said there were 22 'incursions' at the six prisons which dropped 600 grams of cocaine over the walls.

Lucy Adcock (pictured), a 47-year-old mother from London, was the group's ringleader who organised 22 drops in a month across six British jails before she was arrested in a car park, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard

Adcock was caught after packages of cocaine, spice, cannabis, phones and chargers were flown into Parc Prison, Bridgend, South Wales

In the month up to May 11 last year the group had flown drones 22 times over five other prisons (Stock Image)

He said: 'Adcock played the leading role directing the others in over 20 prison drops in April and May last year.

'One of the drops took place at Parc prison where staff recovered a package containing Class A and Class B drugs and mobile phones with a value of 50k on the prison market.'

The packages were wrapped in clingfilm and fish hooks were attached to make it easier for prisoners to snag them after being dropped from the drones.

Police analysts were able to place Adcock in the vicinity of the six prisons through ANPR and the mobile phone calls she made to her ground crew.

She was arrested at the Premier Inn, Bridgend, South Wales, and a large drone was discovered in the boot of her car.

Adcock, of Ruislip, London, was jailed for six years in July after admitting conspiracy to convey an A-List article into prison and conspiracy to convey a B-list article into prison between April 12 and May 13 last year.

A Proceeds of Crime Hearing yesterday was told Adcock profited to the tune of 1,262,910 but now has zero assets to her name.

Judge Paul Hobson ordered her to pay just 1 and if she fails to do so within three months she will have to spend an extra day behind bars.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was given no details on how Adcock spent the money.

Dressed all in black and speaking on a video link from Eastwood women's prison near Bristol Adcock asked if she could have personal photographs that were on her mobile phone when it was seized. The prosecution agreed to the request.

The court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the gang's drones, drugs and paraphernalia recovered by police.
Walls have ears and if I say too much Ill have to slip you a radioactive wonton; but in the Commons the security minister, Dan Jarvis, discussed suspected Chinese security asset H6. Haitch 6 was how Mr Jarvis pronounced it, using craftily elusive Barnsley dialect.

The outside world was by this point happily referring to Mr 6 by his other name, Yang Tengbo, after the High Court lifted an anonymity ruling. Pity. Pseudonyms are more fun. H6 could surely have an ointment for piles. I say, Marjorie, have you been at my tube of H6?

Was there ever an H5? There was certainly an HS2. Did terrible damage.

MPs love spy scares. Something makes their chests inflate a little more than usual and they adopt knowing tones. Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Con, Chingford & Woodford Green) had been given a Commons urgent question about the United Front Work Department.

That is the Chinese outfit linked to Mr 6. It is hard to imagine a more boring name, save perhaps Universal Exports, for an espionage network.

Sir Iain said it employed 40,000 people and has penetrated every sector of the British economy. Yes, even your local milk-man may be gathering info for paramount leader Xi Jinping.

Mr Jarvis, a rugged ex-Army officer, is well cast as security minister. He peers at a hostile world through two narrowed eyes. This may be because he knows so many state secrets or it may be because he is short-sighted. Or has raging indigestion. I cant decide.

Andrew Murrison (Con, SW Wilts) wondered if Labours dilution of free speech in our universities was making life easier for Chinese infiltration. Mr Jarvis, secretively: Im happy to discuss it with him offline.

Prince Andrew with Yang Tengbo, the Chinese businessman referred to as H6 who has been banned from returning to the UK

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith was granted an urgent question about the United Front Work Department on Monday in the Commons

This possibly meant youre right but if I say so in public, Scary Bridget the education secretary will beat me up like Rosa Klebb.

The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, earlier made a statement about sub-judice rules. Sir Lindsay finds legal phrases fiddly and it was like listening to a man who had eaten too spicy a Szechuan hotpot.

His tongue had gone numb and was eluding normal control. We needed GCHQ to decipher his statement but the general gist appeared to be that MPs should not be unkind about Prince Andrew.

Sir Iain settled for expressing surprise that someone such as H6 was able to get so close to a royal duke. From what one reads about the princes circle of acquaintances, some would argue that we got off lightly.

Mr Jarvis spoke of hostile foreign states stealing intellectual property. From Prince Andrew? Good one! Mr Jarvis added that he was working at pace on formulating a register of dodgy foreigners. By my count he repeated this working at pace five times. The more they insist something, the less truthful it may be.

Mr Jarvis said we should use every tool available to counteract foreign agents. If that means chopsticks with hidden microphones, so be it.

Dan Jarvis said he was working at pace on formulating a register of dodgy foreigners

Yes, even your local milk-man may be gathering info for paramount leader Xi Jinping (pictured)

Shadow minister Chris Philp, blurting his words at the speed of a Morse Code operator under pressure, said every member of this House was likely to have been approached by Chinese spooks.

If true, one can but sympathise with the spies. Getting anything coherent out of some of this lot, let alone state secrets, is near to impossible. Imagine being the Chinese spy ordered to extract intelligence from Bill Esterson!

Mr Philp suggested that Sir Keir Starmer had been sycophantic when he met Mr Xi recently. Mr Jarvis retorted, at least he didnt take him to the pub for a pint. This was a reference to David Camerons courtship of the Chinese leader in 2015 at a boozer in burpy Buckinghamshire.

As for Prince Andrew, it is obvious to me he has played another heroic blinder. All these dubious characters keep sidling up to him...and being exposed on Fleet Street front pages. Memo to foreign agents: steer clear of the Duke of York. Hes clearly the most brilliant sleeper for MI5.
Keir Starmer has defended fostering closer ties with China  despite being told Beijing has thousands of agents who could emulate the alleged spy who befriended Prince Andrew.

The Prime Minister admitted he was concerned about the challenge posed by China but doubled down on his policy of engagement and co-operating with the state.

It came as businessman and former York University student Yang Tengbo was unmasked as an alleged spy who wove a web of influence through the British establishment.

His identity was revealed after the lifting of a court order yesterday  allowing the extent of his activities to be reported for the first time.

The development renewed calls on the Prime Minister  who last month met Chinas president Xi Jinping in the first face-to-face talks between British and Chinese leaders in six years  to take a harder line.

Yang, 50  who also used the Anglicised name Christopher Yang  has been photographed alongside former prime ministers Theresa May and David Cameron and former chancellor George Osborne.

The businessman, described as a close confidant of Andrew who was invited to his 60th birthday party, also went into business with the late Lady (Barbara) Judge, a former chairman of the UK Atomic Energy Authority once described as one of the best-connected women in Britain.

Yang was first stopped from entering the UK under counter-terror laws in 2021 and had his devices seized. Documents found showed he had been authorised to set up an international financial initiative on behalf of the duke in China.

Sir Keir Starmer meeting Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil last month. The Prime Minister admitted he was concerned about the challenge posed by China while doubling down on his policy of 'engagement' with the state

Businessman and former York University student Yang Tengbo was unmasked as an alleged spy with links to Prince Andrew (pictured)

Yang Tengbo or Christopher Yang with former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip

It also emerged:

Prince Andrew will not join the rest of the royals for their traditional Christmas gathering in Sandringham, after once again dragging the family into controversy

MI5 believes China must be placed on a long-delayed list of countries that pose the biggest national security threat to Britain

Every MP was told they should expect to be contacted at some point by agents working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

There are believed to be 40,000 members of the Chinese states intelligence and propaganda arm working overseas

In a note, Prince Andrews senior adviser Dominic Hampshire said Yang sat at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.

In 2023, the Home Office confirmed Yang, then known only by the cipher H6, would be excluded from the country as he was considered to have engaged in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the CCP.

Following an urgent Commons question on the threat posed by China yesterday, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added that it was likely that every MP would be contacted at some point by agents working on behalf of the CCP, warning that governments, businesses and universities were being systematically infiltrated.

He added: I think given what weve learned and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister is apparently attempting may not be wise, and the rather sycophantic tone the Prime Minister took with President Xi at the G20 a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

The alleged spy (seen on the left, wearing glasses and holding the document) had impressive connections in the UK

Tengbo invested in a fashion and soft furnishings company with the late former chair of both the UK Atomic Energy Authority and the Institute of Directors, Lady Barbara Judge

Chinese president Xi Jinping. MI5 believes China must be placed on a long-delayed list of countries that pose the biggest national security threat to Britain

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith pointed to intelligence suggesting China has 40,000 members of the United Front Work Department (UFWD)  its intelligence and propaganda arm  working overseas.

He said they had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions. Yang yesterday issued a statement in which he said he had done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill founded.

The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue, he added. When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.

He said he had loved Britain as his second home, adding: I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.

The Foreign Secretary yesterday conceded that Britain should prepare for further spy scandals owing to the complex threats posed by nations including China, Iran and Russia, and did not rule out other suspected state agents being banned from the country.

David Lammy said six suspected spies had already been detained under the National Security Act, adding that the Prince Andrew scandal did not exist, sadly, in a vacuum.

Sir Keir defended his strategy for dealing with China, saying: Our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate... to challenge where we must and where we should.
Labour is under pressure to toughen its stance on China in the wake of the scandal of the alleged spy who befriended Prince Andrew.

The Government was urged on Monday to put the Communist superpower on a long-delayed list of countries that pose the biggest national security risks to the UK.

Ministers were told that even MI5 believes China should be placed on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which compels people working for foreign powers to declare their lobbying.

However there are fears that major British businesses are trying to block the move as damaging to Chinese investment, and it could be resisted by Labour as Sir Keir Starmer attempts to improve relations with Beijing.

Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat welcomed the belated introduction of FIRS next year but told the Commons: The real question is whether its worth having and the advice from MI5 was very clear: if China isnt in the enhanced tier, its not worth having.

He asked: Will China be in that tier?

His Labour successor Dan Jarvis replied: Were looking very carefully, very closely, working with colleagues across Government, to look at how we can best structure the scheme.

Ex Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who secured an Urgent Question on the extent of Chinese operations in the UK, also called for China to be placed in the enhanced tier immediately.

Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo with former prime minister Theresa May

Yang with former Tory PM David Cameron and his wife Samantha

President Xi Jinping. MI5 believes China should be placed on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS)

He asked: Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, and will they do it now? No more delay. There is no need for delay.

Leading China hawk Sir Iain told the Commons that the alleged spy with close links to the Duke of York, referred to as H6 in court but named yesterday as Yang Tengbo, was in fact not a lone wolf.

The businessman was said to be one of some 40,000 members of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) - a Chinese intelligence and propaganda arm - many of whom had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions.

Sir Iain said a report by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China he chairs had found Mr Yang was well known as a member of the UFWD and was also known to others who are already now deep in the political establishment.

He asked: How was it that somebody who was known to the security forces was allowed to get so close to a member of the Royal family without proper scrutiny exposing them?

Tengbo pictured sixth from right at a Pitch@Palace investment event in January 2019

Yang Tengbo was named today as the Chinese businessman with links to Prince Andrew

MI5 chief Ken McCallum. MI5 believes China should be placed on the enhanced tier, which compels people working for foreign powers to declare their lobbying

Security Minister Mr Jarvis revealed that regulations governing FIRS will be published in the New Year and the scheme will be up and running by the summer.

Work is under way to identify which foreign powers will be placed on the enhanced tier that will be based on robust security and intelligence analysis, the Home Secretary and I plan to begin setting up the Governments approach to the use of the enhanced tier in due course, he said.

Labour also came under fire over its new approach to dealing with China, with Sir Keir last month becoming the first Prime Minister to hold face-to-face talks with President Xi Jinping since 2018.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp asked the Security Minister to review the wisdom of the Governments approach to China in the light of the spying revelations.

I think given what weve learned and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister is apparently attempting may not be wise, and the rather sycophantic tone the Prime Minister took with President Xi at the G20 a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

Tengbo invested in a fashion and soft furnishings company with the late former chair of both the UK Atomic Energy Authority and the Institute of Directors, Lady Barbara Judge

Former security minister Tom Tugendhat welcomed the belated introduction of FIRS but questioned if China would be placed in that tier

But Mr Jarvis pointed out that former Tory PM David Cameron had enjoyed an even friendlier meeting with the Chinese leader, replying: In terms of the approach to China, I dont agree with his characterisation of the Prime Ministers recent meeting and I would just say very gently to him, at least he didnt take him to the pub for a pint.

Earlier Sir Keir himself had admitted he was worried about the challenge posed by China but doubled down on his approach of engagement and co-operation.

Speaking on a visit to Norway, the PM would not comment on any conversations he may have had with the royal family about the spy case but went on: Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.

He added: Our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate, particularly on issues like climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights and to compete when it comes to trade. Thats the strategic approach that we have set out as a UK Government.
The 10-year-old boy who was found dead in a car boot after a game of hide-and-seek ended in tragedy has been identified.

Bentley took his mother's car keys and climbed into the boot of the car parked on Gange Street at Mooroopna, 180km north of Melbourne, at 3.30pm on Sunday.

His mum had been resting when she later discovered the keys were missing.

She rushed to the car and discovered her son, who Ambulance Victoria said had likely died from a cardiac arrest after becoming trapped in the car for a 'few hours'.

Temperatures soared to 35C in regional Victoria on Sunday and 40C on Monday amid warnings cabin temperatures could more than double in summer months.

Lainey Sutton said her nephew's death was a 'tragic end to a game of hide-and-seek'.

'December 15th will forever be the day that we pause for a moment to remember our inquisitive, car loving, Minecraft enthusiastic, neurodiverse 10-year-old Bentley,' she wrote on a GoFundMe for the 10-year-old.

'As a family, our hearts are broken as we try to find some sense in a place that no longer feels whole.

Bentley, 10, took the keys and climbed into the boot of a car parked on Gange Street at Mooroopna, 180km north of Melbourne, at 3.30pm on Sunday

Bentley had been at a Christmas catch-up lunch at this home with his mother on Sunday

Bentley (left) was described as a 'shining light' who had an 'infectious smile'

'This devastating tragedy comes two weeks after the loss of Bentley's grandmother, which is more than enough loss for one family.

'As you could understand, the heartache and costs of dealing with the loss of one family member is numbing, let alone losing a second in such a short time frame.

'We understand that this time of the year can be financially and emotionally difficult for anyone. It is with heavy hearts that we ask for financial support to help us give our precious Bentley the send off he deserves.'

It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed Bentley and his mother had been attending a traditional Christmas catch-up at the Mooroopna home on Sunday.

The owner of that house, who did not wish to be named, refused to speculate if the boy became stuck in the boot while playing hide and seek with her children.

'Yeah, well, it's not something I can talk about. She's told me to say nothing,' she said.

Although gagged from speaking, the woman said it was important for people to know that her friend had done nothing wrong.

'If it was my child I would talk,' she said.

The little boy is understood to have died from a cardiac arrest after becoming trapped in the car

The woman, whose home Bentley had been visiting, said his death was due to a 'freak accident'

'I would tell you what I know because I would hate for anyone to ever think the worst of someone who does their best for their child.

'It was a freak accident. It was the worst... the weather didn't help.'

The Gange Street property features a children's playground, with swings, slides and a cubby house among a treasure trove of play equipment visible in the front yard.

Two toddlers continued to play in the yard on Monday where just a day earlier, their young mate met his tragic demise.

A resident said she heard loud screams coming from down the street at 3.30pm and rushed out to help.

'Don't go over there,' another neighbour told her.

The woman said the boot and all of the car's doors were open and that other children were privy to the 'distressing scene'.

'I feel sorry for those kids, it was terrible,' she told the Herald Sun.

A second resident said they were told the boy had been in the boot for a 'few hours'.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the death was not being treated as suspicious and that an investigation had been launched.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
A TikTok creator who used her looks to lure a Saudi Arabian royal into a terrifying abduction and robbery ordeal has dodged jail at the County Court of Victoria.

Catherine Colivas, 24, pleaded guilty to kidnapping, extortion, recklessly causing injury, theft and gun possession over the brutal attack on her 23-year old victim in February last year.

The maximum sentence for kidnapping in Victoria is 25 years, but on Monday Judge Nola Karapanagiotidis allowed her to walk free on a community corrections order.

Her co-accused, Paris Kennedy, 22, was also released on a good behaviour bond after having already spent 90 days behind bars after her arrest last year.

She had pleaded guilty to lesser charges of theft and burglary.

The court heard their victim was forced to pay $40,000 in Bitcoin after meeting Colivas when they matched on a dating application.

Trash: Catherine Colivas (right) leaves the County Court of Victoria on Monday

Partners in crime: Paris Kennedy (left) and Catherine Colivas (right)

Colivas is the sister of convicted criminal Andrew Colivas who died in August from a suspected drug overdose in Vietnam.

The court heard she buttered her date up with drinks in Highett and dinner in Cheltenham before he drove her home.

But as he walked Colivas to her door, he was set upon by three men, including Colivas' drug dealing boyfriend.

The victim then endured a nightmare ordeal at their hands after he was bound with cable ties and threatened at knifepoint.

Judge Karapanagiotidis said the men threatened to cut the man's fingers off if he didn't hand over $20,000 in cash.

The court heard the man, who sold Rolex watches and traded in crypto currency, could only offer Bitcoin, which he had transferred across by a friend he was forced to phone-in for help.

The social media influencers then got hold of the man's keys to his home and drove there in the middle of night to ransack his property.

The court heard Colivas and Kennedy helped themselves to designer clothes, a Louis Vutton bag, a Playstation 5 and several iPhones before finally releasing the man, who went immediately to police.

He spent the night in hospital with injuries to his wrists and head.

Paris Kennedy, 22, (right) is chased by reporters on Monday as she leaves the County Court of Victoria

Colivas had nothing to say when questioned outside court on Monday

Judge Karapanagiotidis said Colivas was instrumental to the evil plot.

'You were a lure, or bait,' she said. 'You played a crucial role.'

But the judge ruled Colivas had proven 'exceptional circumstances', which was required by law to keep her out of prison with the 30-month community corrections order.

Those reasons included her youth, upbringing, fragile mental health, prospects of rehabilitation and the fact her criminal brother had died while she was awaiting justice.

Andrew Colivas, 25, and Vincent Satuala Atulia, 24, were holidaying with friends in south-east Asia when they died unexpectedly.

Court records obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed Atulia had been ordered to appear before court 78 times since 2019, while Colivas had 12 court appearances dating back to 2021.

His death had devastated Colivas - a hairdresser and beautician - who now visited his grave three times a week.

'I accept it was a jolting experience for you,' Judge Karapanagiotidis said.

The court heard Kennedy, who originates from Sydney, had a similar story of childhood difficulties.

Andrew Colivas' sister (right) said her 'heart aches' in a tribute to her brother (left) made in August

The cosmetic tattooer had already been serving a community corrections order she received in New South Wales over a violent brawl.

Judge Karapanagiotidis accepted Kennedy had shown remorse with a heartfelt apology to the court and her victim, stating she was 'truly sorry'.

Both women beamed with joy upon hearing they would be allowed to walk free from court. The pair refused to speak to a waiting media pack outside of court.
A little boy found dead in the boot of a car in regional Victoria had been attending a traditional Christmas catch-up with his family at a friend's house.

The 10-year-old is understood to have taken the keys and climbed into the boot of the car parked on Gange Street at Mooroopna, 180km north of Melbourne, at 3.30pm on Sunday.

The owner of that house, who did not wish to be named, told Daily Mail Australia her family had routinely gathered with her friend's family at her home.

On Monday, the Gange Street property continued to resemble a children's playground, with swings, slides and a cubby house among a treasure trove of play equipment visible in the front yard.

Two toddlers continued to play in the yard where just a day earlier, their young mate met his tragic demise.

The woman said her friend was too distraught to speak about what had happened and had asked to be left alone.

She refused to speculate if the boy became stuck in the boot while playing hide and seek with her children.

'Yeah, well, it's not something I can talk about. She's told me to say nothing,' the woman said.

The Gange Street home remained strewn with toys and children's play equipment on Monday

'I'm trying to respect her. It was just a tragic accident. It's just horrible.'

Although gagged from speaking, the woman said it was important for people to know that her friend had done nothing wrong.

'If it was my child I would talk. I would tell you what I know because I would hate for anyone to ever think the worst of someone who does their best for their child,' she said.

'It was a freak accident. It was the worst ... the weather didn't help.'

A floral tribute was seen tied to the front fence of the home.

'Our hearts R with you all,' a handwritten note read.

Temperatures soared to 35C in the region on Sunday and hit 40C on Monday.

Victoria Police has confirmed the incident is not being treated as anything more than a tragic accident, with a report to be prepared for the Coroner.

The woman said she would now be forever tormented by the once idyllic view of her children's playground.

'This is my home. It happened here and now I have to see this horrible scene everyday in my head, that's the worst part,' she said.

The woman said it was not uncommon for her friend to visit her at her home on weekends.

'It's what we always do,' she said.

The front yard of the home is littered with children's play equipment

It is understood the child's mother had been resting when she later discovered her keys were missing.

She went to the car and discovered the child had died from a cardiac arrest after he became trapped for a 'few hours', the Herald Sun reported.

The boy had enjoyed a keen interest in cars.

A resident said they heard screams coming from down the street and went to rush to help.

'Don't go over there,' another neighbour told them.

A second resident said they had been told the boy had been in the boot for a 'few hours'.

Another local described the scene as 'very sad'.

'Kids in cars is not a good mix,' they said.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said the child likely died from a cardiac event.
For the first time, scientists have documented a massive glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in East Greenland. Between Sept. 23 and Oct. 11, more than 3,000 billion liters of meltwater surged from Catalina Lake into Scoresby Sound, the world's largest fjord.

This extraordinary event is one of the largest floods of its kind ever recorded, providing valuable insights into the power of glacial meltwater.

Greenland's Catalina Lake Floods, Releasing 154 Meters of Water in Weeks

The flood resulted from two decades of meltwater accumulation in Catalina Lake, which had been obstructed by the Edward Bailey Glacier.

Eventually, the pressure lifted the glacier, creating a 25-kilometer tunnel under the ice.

According to EcoWatch, the lake's water level dropped by 154 meters in just a few weeks, releasing an amount of water comparable to three times Denmark's annual consumption.

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen's Niels Bohr Institute used satellite images to monitor and measure the flood in real-time  an unprecedented achievement.

Glacial lake outburst floods, or GLOFs, occur when meltwater builds up and bursts through ice dams or glacial barriers. Events like this are becoming more common as global temperatures rise, accelerating the melting of ice sheets.

Climate scientist Dr. Aslak Grinsted explained that monitoring these floods is crucial to understanding the risks they pose, especially as Greenland's ice sheet continues to retreat.

Read more: Tiger Populations Reborn in Russia Through Successful Conservation Effort

Greenland Flood Not Threatening, But Global Glacial Flooding Risk Rises

Fortunately, the recent flood did not threaten lives because East Greenland is sparsely populated. The nearest settlement, home to 350 people, is located 180 kilometers from Catalina Lake.

However, in more densely populated regions, such as the Himalayas, glacial floods have destroyed entire villages, endangering millions of people. A 2023 study revealed that 15 million people globally live in areas at risk of dangerous glacial flooding.

The energy released by this flood was immense, equivalent to the output of the largest nuclear power plant running at full capacity for 22 days, Gadget360 reported.

If harnessed, such energy could generate 50 megawatts of electricity  enough to power a small town.

However, challenges such as Greenland's remote location and lack of infrastructure make energy capture and distribution difficult.

This event highlights the urgent need to study glacial floods as they become more frequent due to climate change.

By understanding these phenomena, scientists hope to develop warning systems to prevent disasters in vulnerable areas. As Greenland's ice sheet continues to melt, larger and more powerful floods are expected in the future, making this research critical for global safety.
Boots are more than just practical footwear - theyre a symbol of style, resilience and individuality.

For centuries, boots have been a staple in royal wardrobes worldwide, evolving from functional necessities to fashion statements that reflect personality and culture.

From classic leather riding boots to sleek thigh-high silhouettes and edgy ankle designs, they continue to command attention year after year.

But can you identify a royal by their footwear? Put your knowledge of regal fashion to the test with this challenge.

Step into a world of craftsmanship, bold designs and enduring style

1. Soft luxe

Clue: This Duchess gave her go-to Gianvito Rossi boots a refresh by folding them down at the Together At Christmas carol concert.

2. Crystal statement

Clue: This Princess turned heads with crystal-embellished boots at St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day in 2003.

3. Rich in burgundy

Clue: Gianvito Rossi boots in 'merlot red' were the perfect complement to this Princess' monochromatic outfit during the Emir of Qatars state visit to the UK.

4. Winter chic

Clue: Penelope Chilvers' tan 'Burford' knee-high boots added a touch of winter chic to this royal's Cheltenham Festival look in March.

5. Equestrian classic

Clue: A polo enthusiast, this royal was frequently seen sporting riding boots throughout the 1980s.

6. On point

Clue: These vibrant Magrit suede boots stole the spotlight during a visit to Madrid in 2017.

7. Effortless lace-ups

Clue: Stuart Weitzman lace-up boots made this royal shine at Cheltenham Festival Ladies' Day in 2018.

8. Timeless elegance

Clue: These leather Tamara Mellon boots made a stylish appearance at the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

9. Edgy chic

Clue: This royal embraced high fashion in 2020 with striking Dior laser-cut combat boots at Paris Fashion Week.

10. Trusty staple

Clue: With a knack for rewearing her favourite pieces, this royal has been spotted in her Dubarry boots on countless occasions.

11. All-red royalty

Clue: Renowned for her daring sense of style, this monarch paired her all-red ensemble with Gianvito Rossi boots during a 2020 engagement in Utrecht, Netherlands.

12. Windsor regular

Clue: A frequent attendee at the Windsor Horse Show, this royal was often seen wearing Wellington boots.

ANSWERS

1. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

2. Princess Beatrice

3. Catherine, Princess of Wales

4. Princess Eugenie

5. King Charles

6. Queen Letizia of Spain

7. Zara Tindall

8. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

9. Lady Amelia Windsor

10. Princess Anne

11. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

12. Queen Elizabeth II
The hidden agents of Chinas United Front  and there are dozens, possibly hundreds of them operating in Britain  are not spies in the sense of a James Bond film or even a John le Carre novel.

Their role is far more subtle but equally dangerous to Britains long-term, national security. They inhabit a grey area of espionage, where infiltration and influence peddling are as important as information collecting.

To understand the risk they present, we have to grasp not only what Beijing wants from the West, but how the Chinese government controls its citizens lives. China is a Communist, one-party state with a mindset very different from our own.

China is at war with the West  not openly as is increasingly the case with Russia, but in a more subtle, non-military struggle for control of the future. It constantly works to undermine Western power and cohesion and increase its own.

President Xi Jinping and Prince Andrew meet in Shanghai in 2018

President Xi Jinping, the leader of a dictatorship with ever-tighter control over 1.4billion people, wants to dominate the worlds future key industries, from solar panels to genomics, mobile communications to medicines  and the raw materials needed to sustain them.

Above all, Xi wants Britain and other nations to be so dependent on China that our ties with the US are loosened. His strategy is that, if war ever comes to the Pacific, the UK and the rest of Europe will be forced to remain neutral or face economic devastation. Such an event would break the already fragile unity of the Western alliance.

This slow strategy of influence developing has been so effective over the past decade that many people in positions of power have been wilfully blind to it.

Prince Andrew, who is most recently thought to have become embroiled in this web, is far from alone in being one of Beijings so-called useful idiots.

But the United Front  or, to give its full name, the United Front Work Department  is not a new phenomenon. Set up in the wake of the Chinese Revolution in the late 1940s, it was once referred to by the supreme leader Mao as one of his secret weapons. Originally an internal agency ferreting out dissidents, it has turned international in the 21st century.

Farcically, although the identity of the alleged agent who befriended Prince Andrew is widely known, a court ruling means he must be referred to as H6. It is not known whether this man arrived in the UK as a United Front operative but, once he became friendly with the Kings brother, it is inconceivable that he was operating independently.

Beijing would control his key interactions and expect to be informed of every scrap of information he obtained.

But this wasnt a straightforward spying ploy. H6 was exerting Beijings influence, spreading the approved Chinese messages and demonstrating how trusted Chinese business was by those at the heart of the UK establishment.

I've spoken to former personnel from both MI6 and MI5 who say they were deeply concerned about Chinas malign influence

Through Andrew, H6 was introduced to prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, and proudly displayed photos on his desk of himself with them.

This was a colossal win for China on every level  as propaganda, as espionage, as a tactic to inflict embarrassment on our government. Every MP worth their salt should be willing to stand up in the Commons and name him as a warning to other such agents of influence doing the Communist Partys bidding.

Ive spoken to former personnel from both MI6 and MI5 who say they were deeply concerned about Chinas malign influence but felt unable to raise the alarm because our political leaders didnt want to know. Especially during the golden age of friendship with China, when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) built up its spy network in our nation, we appeared to do little to challenge or question it.

That made us vulnerable. For instance, a Chinese interpreter for the Foreign Office, Chen Shirong, was able to run a website promoting the aims of the Party while also attending high-profile state occasions  working for the CCP in plain sight.

When I was an MP and spoke out, along with Sir Iain Duncan Smith and others, against allowing the Chinese tech company Huawei to dominate the UKs 5G network, we were told in Parliament that handing China control of our airwaves did not constitute a security threat, because Huawei was a private company that had no state affiliations.

Have we forgotten how Communist states operate? All so-called private companies in China do the bidding of the state if the state commands it.

So many of the security reassurances given to us turned out to be little more than fig leaf excuses for a policy of economic and security appeasement. I was left staggered how we had come to this sorry state. Thankfully, we blocked Huawei  at least for the moment.

There is a struggle for the future of humanity, and it is happening now.

We need to face this fact and understand we cannot just separate trade from other aspects of our relations with China. We need a comprehensive strategy. We do not have one. We need to get wise to what is happening.

By ignoring the presence of United Front agents in the heart of the business world and the British establishment, we are doing the work of Chinas Communist bosses for them.
The Bronze Age was a time of cultural and technological change in Britain.

But it was also a time of cannibalism, according to a new study.

Analysis of human remains dating back to 2500BC indicates that dozens of people were killed, butchered and consumed during a very violent incident.

And it calls into question the idea that Early Bronze Age Britain was relatively peaceful, experts said.

A team of archaeologists, led by the University of Oxford, examined more than 3,000 human bones and bone fragments unearthed in Charterhouse Warren, a hamlet in Somerset.

They were first discovered in a 15m-deep shaft in the 1970s and represent at least 37 individuals - a mix of men, women and children.

Unlike most contemporary burials, the skulls displayed evidence of a violent death from a blunt force trauma  for example being hit over the head with something hard.

Closer analysis of the bones revealed numerous cutmarks and perimortem fractures that were made around the time of death, suggesting they were intentionally butchered and may have been partly consumed.

Analysis of human remains dating back to 2500BC indicates that dozens of people were killed, butchered and consumed during a very violent incident

A team of archaeologists, led by the University of Oxford, examined more than 3,000 human bones and bone fragments unearthed in Charterhouse Warren, a hamlet in Somerset

While there have been hundreds of human skeletons found in Britain dating back to a similar time, direct evidence for violent conflict is rare.

We actually find more evidence for injuries to skeletons dating to the Neolithic period in Britain [10,000BC] than the Early Bronze Age, so Charterhouse Warren stands out as something very unusual, said lead author Professor Rick Schulting.

It paints a considerably darker picture of the period than many would have expected.

The researchers said evidence of a violent death  with no indication of a fight  implies the victims were taken by surprise.

It is probable they were all massacred and the butchery was carried out by their enemies, they concluded.

There were plenty of cattle bones found mixed in with the human ones, suggesting the people at Charterhouse Warren had plenty to eat without needing to resort to cannibalism.

Instead, cannibalism may have been a way to dehumanise the dead, the team suggest, and that by eating their flesh and mixing the bones with those of cows, the killers were likening their enemies to animals.

While it is impossible to know why the massacre took place, the researchers suggest it could have been social factors such as theft or insults, leading to tensions which escalated out of proportion.

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The researchers said evidence of a violent death  with no indication of a fight  implies the victims were taken by surprise

Charterhouse Warren is one of those rare archaeological sites that challenges the way we think about the past. Professor Schulting added.

It is a stark reminder that people in prehistory could match more recent atrocities and shines a light on a dark side of human behaviour.

That it is unlikely to have been a one-off event makes it even more important that its story is told.

The findings were published in the journal Antiquity.
The Venice lagoon's warm waters and sandy beaches have drawn tourists from around the world for hundreds of years.

Now, locals and visitors alike have one more spot to set up their deck chairs as a new island forms near the historic city.

Previously, the secret islet of Bacan would only form in the summer months before being swept away by winter's storm surges.

But thanks to a new flood barrier this cherished refuge for tourist-shy residents has become a permanent fixture of the lagoon with its own flourishing ecosystem.

Measuring 250 metres long and 10 metres wide, the sandbank is covered with a layer of thick vegetation.

Bacan is now home to a range of marsh plants like samphire, rushes, native flowers, and small, salt-resistant cedars called tamarisk.

With new roots holding the soil in place, the island has not vanished since 2020 when the flood barrier's operators were away on holiday during a winter surge.

However, even as residents celebrate the birth of a new beach, some experts warn that this could be a troubling sign for Venice's fragile ecosystem.

Venice is now home to a new island which was once the cherished secret of locals looking to escape the summer crowds

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In Venice's shallow, brackish lagoon, small sandy islands can form from even slight disturbances to the swirl of the currents.

It takes so little for the tides to form a new island that residents of the area have a saying: 'Palo fa palugo' meaning 'a pole makes an island'.

What made Bacan unique amongst this ever-changing archipelago was its seasonality.

In the warmer months as the water levels fell, Bacan would rise out of the waters where its quiet, inaccessible beaches made it a popular spot for residents of Castello, Venice's southernmost neighbourhood.

Then, in winter, as the surges which so often flood the city arrive, the island would simply be washed away.

However, the islet remained resolutely above the waves for the entirety of the last four years.

According to Giovanni Cecconi, an engineer from the Universita Ca' Foscari in Venice, the island's stability is a byproduct of the MOSE flood barrier which has protected the city since 2020.

The MOSE barrier, which Mr Cecconi worked on, is a series of mobile gates which rise up to separate Venice from the Adriatic Sea during winter surges.

 Slide me  The island of Bacan was previously a sandbank which would emerge in the summer and disappear in the winter. However, it has grown in recent years and has not been washed away since 2020

Venice has always experienced floods when strong Sirocco winds combined with high tides to raise the water levels above the city streets.

However, in recent years, these periodical floods appear to be getting more common and more severe.

In 2019, one of the worst floods on record plunged 80 per cent of the city beneath water as sea levels rose 1.8m higher than normal.

The MOSE barrier helps avoid these deluges by temporarily sealing off the lagoon from the Adriatic when big surges are predicted.

However, a side effect is these powerful tides no longer wash away Bacan's sands.

Mr Cecconi told The Times: 'By raising the barrier in winter to stop high waters, the island is protected from the surges that used to erode it.

The location of the island may also explain why it has grown so much since MOSE was implemented.

Located opposite one of the three lagoon entrances fitted with flood defences, Bacan may benefit from an increased current during the summer months.

Some experts say the island's more permanent status is due to the MOSE flood barrier (pictured) which separates Venice from the Adriatic. This barrier may accelerate the current to bring in more sand while open and protect the island from winter surges when closed

Venice has faced worsening floods in recent years, culminating in the disastrous 2019 floods (pictured). The MOSE barrier is an essential line of defence against rising sea levels

Mr Cecconi says: 'The barrier  accelerates the flow of water into the lagoon when it is open, meaning more sand comes in, helping sustain Bacan.'

And as the island becomes populated by vegetation, its soils will become further stabilised, making it more likely to survive future erosion.

'It is a new ecosystem and shows that the lagoon can evolve in a positive way in parallel with human intervention,' Mr Cecconi adds.

However, not every expert is convinced by Mr Cecconi's explanation.

Professor Adrea D'Alpos, an expert on the evolution of coastal areas from the University of Padua, told MailOnline that it is a mistake to attribute Bacan's formation entirely to MOSE closures.

He says: 'The development of this narrow strip of sand and mud, now colonized by vegetation, is primarily the result of several overlapping processes acting across different spatial and temporal scales.'

Furthermore, Professor D'Alpos points out that Bacan's formation actually began well before the first MOSE activation in October 2020.

This means that the flood barriers surrounding the city are likely to be only part of a bigger and more complex picture.

Bacan (pictured) has now been colonised by plants including flowers, rushes, samphire, and salt-resistant cedars called tamarisk.

Nor is Professor D'Alpos convinced that Bacan will become a year-round beach spot for future generations of Venetians.

He says: 'I would not describe it as permanent. While the islet is currently accreting and its elevation is now above mean sea level, its persistence over the long term remains uncertain.'

Critically, Professor D'Alpos also argues that the development of a burgeoning ecosystem on Bacan is not necessarily a sign that nature is recovering.

While the MOSE flood barrier is indispensable for Venice's survival, it is also having a profound effect on the surrounding environment.

Most importantly, by preventing high tides from washing over the land, the barrier stops sediment from being carried out to the salt marshes surrounding the city.

'Although MOSE activations are essential for protecting Venice from high tides, they drastically reduce the tidal peaks during storm surges and significantly limit the extent and duration of salt marsh flooding,' Professor D'Alpos says.

'This, in turn, diminishes sediment deposition on the marshes, threatening their long-term survival.'

Studies have shown that Venice's salt marshes owe 70 per cent of their growth to these winter storm surges.

However, the island's formation could be a sign that flood defences are preventing storm surges carrying silt to the nearby salt marshes. This could lead to the collapse of this vital ecosystem which stores 30 times more CO2 than a forest of the same size

Venice's salt marshes have been slowly vanishing for centuries, partly due to historic waterway mismanagement dating back to the 1500s when water was diverted away from the lagoon.

Since salt marshes absorb 30 times as much CO2 as a forest, their disappearance would be a big deal for the planet.

And, since the salt marshes buffer the impact of storm surges and reduce flooding, anything that limits their extent will also be a big deal for Venice itself.

So, while the new life on Bacan might be good news for beachgoers, it could be a sign of some worrying changes to come.
It was last read by a human 1,800 years ago, when Christianity was regarded a burgeoning cult.

Now, scientists have finally deciphered the 'Frankfurt silver inscription'  an 18-line engraving on a thin piece of foil, housed in a protective amulet.

Measuring 1.4 inches (3.5cm) long, the 1,800-year-old silver amulet was found with the skeleton of a man at a burial site on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany.

Researchers have used CT scans to 'digitally unroll' the 'wafer thin' foil and read the inscription within for the first time since the 3rd century AD.

Incredibly, the text represents the oldest known evidence of Christianity north of the Alps, dating back to between 230 and 270 AD, scientists say.

At the time, Christianity was still spreading over Europe from its historical origin of Judaea in the Middle East.

Described as 'purely Christian', the Latin text makes references to Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, as well as Saint Titus, an early Christian missionary and church leader.

Scroll down for the full translation  never before read by 21st century humans until now.

The mysterious 1,800-year-old silver amulet was discovered in Germany in 2018 - but scientists have finally read the inscription within

Measuring 1.4 inches (3.5cm) long, the 1,800-year-old silver amulet was found with the remains of a man who died in the 3rd century AD

The stunning findings were led by the Leibniz Center for Archaeology (LEIZA) in Mainz and published by the City of Frankfurt.

'The challenge in the analysis was that the silver sheet was rolled, but after around 1,800 years, it was of course also creased and pressed,' said Ivan Calandra, archaeologist at LEIZA.

'Using CT, we were able to scan it at a very high resolution and create a 3D model.'

The silver amulet was discovered in 2018 in northwest Frankfurt in the former Roman city of Nida, a predecessor of modern-day Frankfurt.

It was taken from the grave of a man who was also buried with an incense bowl and a jug made of fired clay  potentially personal effects of the individual.

The amulet was positioned under the man's chin and experts think he once wore it on a cord around his neck, to give protection into the afterlife.

Crucially, the man's grave has been dated to between 230 and 270 AD  at a time when Christianity was a steadily expanding cult but still subject to persecutions.

At the time, the predominant religions were Judaism and paganism  and it was a risk to reveal oneself as a Christian.

Researchers have used CT scans to 'digitally unroll' the foil and read the inscription for the first time since the 3rd century AD

The stunning ornament was taken from the grave of a man dated to between 230 and 270 AD

Pictured, digital scan of the thin foil carrying the holy inscription

Deciphering the 18 lines of text was led by Professor Markus Scholz, an archaeologist from Goethe University in Frankfurt.

The wafer-thin silver foil itself is too brittle and fragile to simply roll up due to the long time it has spent in the ground.

It would fall apart if attempts were made to unroll it, so the team used an x-ray imaging procedure called computer tomography at LEIZA.

They virtually placed individual segments of the scan together piece by piece until the words were visible  although there are still gaps in the text.

'I called in experts from the history of theology, among others, and we approached the text together, piece by piece, and finally deciphered it,' Professor Scholz said.

Aside from the fact that the wearer of the amulet was clearly a devout Christian, what's also unusual is that the inscription is written entirely in Latin.

'Such inscriptions in amulets were usually written in Greek or Hebrew,' Professor Scholz added.

Also, up until the 5th century, precious metal amulets of this type always contain a mixture of different faiths, such as Judaism or pagan influences.

The Roman Empire was a huge territorial empire that existed between 27 BC and AD 476, spanning across Europe and North Africa with Rome as its centre. This map marks out the Roman Empire in red at its greatest extent (117 AD)

The Latin text makes references to Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, as well as Saint Titus, an early Christian missionary and church leader (depicted here)

But the experts describe this amulet as 'purely Christian' because there are no pagan references such as demons or elements of Judaism.

Neither Yahweh, the almighty God of Judaism, nor the archangels Raphael, Gabriel, Michael or Suriel are mentioned, nor are any of Israel's forefathers such as Isaac or Jacob.

Ultimately, the biggest surprise is the location and age of the amulet and the man, who clearly considered his Christian faith so important that he took it with him to the grave.

Such early, authentic evidence (between 230 and 270 AD) of pure Christianity north of the Alps has never existed before now.

Experts consider him the 'first Christian north of the Alps', although the fact this individual exists suggests there could be more historical Christian burial sites around Europe yet to be discovered.

Frankfurt's mayor Mike Josef called the inscription 'a scientific sensation'.

'It will force us to turn back the history of Christianity in Frankfurt and far beyond by around 50 to 100 years,' he said.

'The first Christian find north of the Alps comes from our city  we can be proud of that, especially now, so close to Christmas.'

Dr Ina Hartwig, Frankfurt's head of culture and science, said: 'This extraordinary find affects many areas of research and will keep science busy for a long time to come.

'This affects archaeology as well as religious studies, philology and anthropology. Such a significant find here in Frankfurt is really something extraordinary.'
A fungus at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster has adapted to 'feed' on levels of radiation that would be lethal to most life forms.

Cladosporium sphaerospermum is a highly resilient black fungus that scientists have observed growing on the walls of the Number 4 reactor, which triggered the explosion and fire that destroyed the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986.

Scientists studying the fungus found it has adapted to use radiation as a source of energy, not unlike how plants derive energy from the sun.

The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear meltdown that began on April 26 and led to the largest release of radioactive material into the environment in human history.

Following the tragic event, humans were evacuated from Chernobyl and the surrounding areas to avoid the extreme levels of radiation.

From then on, the site was known as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ).

The ability of C. sphaerospermum to survive in the CEZ is a testament to how life can emerge even in the harshest, most extreme environments, according to the researchers.

Studying this fugus has revealed ways it could be harnessed to protect humans from radiation, particularly during deep space missions.

Cladosporium sphaerospermum, a fungus living at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, has adapted to 'feed' on levels of radiation that would be lethal to most life forms

C. sphaerospermum gets its radiation-eating superpower from melanin, the pigment that gives humans their skin color.

Previous research published in the journal PLOS One confirmed that C. sphaerospermum can perform radiosynthesis by showing that it grows faster in high-radiation environments.

This laid the groundwork for later research published in the journal Current Opinion in Microbiology, which found that in this fungi, melanin absorbs gamma radiation and converts it to chemical energy through a process known as radiosynthesis.

Because of this, it is considered a radiotrophic fungi  'radio' refers to radiation and 'trophic' refers to feeding or converting something into usable energy.

In human skin  and that of many other organisms  melanin acts as a shield against harmful UV radiation from the sun.

But in this fungi, 'It does more than shield: it facilitates energy production,' Rutgers University evolutionary biologist Scott Travers wrote in an article for Forbes.

Now, scientists believe they may be able to harness this superpower in order to create highly effective radiation shields that can protect astronauts during deep space missions.

The harsh radioactive environment of space is one of the biggest hurdles to long-duration human space missions.

The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear meltdown that began on April 26 and led to the largest release of radioactive material into the environment in human history

Following the tragic event, humans were evacuated from Chernobyl and the surrounding areas to avoid the extreme levels of radiation. But some organisms have survived

In just one week on the ISS, astronauts are exposed to the equivalent of one year's exposure on Earth, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).

On Mars, the radiation environment is even more intense. An astronaut on a mission to Mars could receive radiation doses up to 700 times higher than on our planet, the ESA has stated.

In a study that has not yet been reviewed by other scientists, researchers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) studied C. sphaerospermum's ability to attenuate harmful radiation in a radioactive environment similar to the surface of Mars.

The research took place over a period of 26 days, and found that the fungus blocked and absorbed 84 percent of the space radiation and showed significant growth, indicating that its radiotrophic abilities are extendable to space environments.

The study is currently available on the pre-print server bioRxiv.

But C. sphaerospermum could have some useful applications on Earth, too.

Studies suggest this fungi is a powerful bioremediator, meaning it can be used to remove radioactive pollution from the environment.

Cleaning up radioactive sites like the CEZ is both challenging and dangerous, but radiotrophic fungi may provide a safer alternative to human-led cleanup efforts.

While scientists are still researching and developing ways to deploy radiotrophic fungi for this purpose, studies have yielded promising results.

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan demonstrated that it is possible to 'train' microscopic black fungi to find and attenuate radiation sources. Their study was published in the journal Fungal Biology in 2020.

But C. sphaerospermum isn't just known for its ability to feed on radiation. It is also uniquely resilient to low temperatures, high salt concentrations and extreme acidity, Travers explained.

'Its ability to adapt to hostile environments has given researchers hope that it may hold clues for further studies into stress tolerance mechanisms, which could lead to advancements in biotechnology and agriculture,' he wrote.

For example, genes responsible for this hardiness could be used to develop radiation-resistant materials or breed highly resilient crops, he explained.
Radioactive material went missing in New Jersey earlier this month, fueling conspiracy theories that it could be linked to the mysterious drone sightings.

A piece of medical equipment used for cancer scans was shipped from the Nazha Cancer Center in Newfield on December 2 for disposal, but the 'shipping container arrived at its destination damaged and empty.'

The device, known as a 'pin source,' contained a small amount of Germanium-68 (Ge-68) that is used to calibrate a medical scanner's accuracy.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an alert for the missing shipment deemed 'less than a Category 3,' meaning it could cause permanent injury if mishandled.

The danger with losing track of radioactive material is that they can be used to build bombs.

But experts have suggested that malicious actors would likely use more potent materials than what was lost in New Jersey.

The missing medical equipment has led many on social media to speculate that the drones flying over New Jersey may be the government trying to 'sniff out' radioactive material.

John Ferguson, the CEO of Saxon Aerospace, a drone manufacturer in Kansas, said that the only reason drones are flown at night is because they are 'looking for something.'

The missing medical equipment has led many on social media to speculate that the drones flying over New Jersey may be the government trying to 'sniff out' radioactive material

'My own guess is that these drones are not nefarious in intent. If they are, they are, but I doubt it,' Ferguson said in a TikTok video.

'But if they are drones, the only reason why they would be flying, and flying that low, is because they're trying to smell something on the ground.'

Instances of missing radioactive material in the US are rare and typically involve small quantities used in industrial or medical applications.

The most recent was in 2023 when the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas reported that 10 radioactive seeds used for breast cancer scans had been stolen.

The previous instance happened in 2021 when a nuclear moisture density gauge containing radioactive material was reported missing in Durham, North Carolina.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in 2020 that the most common reason for stealing radioactive material was 'a likely act of trafficking or malicious use.'

Abel Gonzalez, former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency division of Radiation said: 'When radioactive sources are used for diagnostic purposes  notably in nuclear medicine procedures  the amount of radioactivity used is small and again does not present an evident security threat.

'However, there is increasing apprehension that radioactive sources could be turned into a terrorist tool  what [is sometimes call] a 'dirty bomb.''

The report comes as theories suggests the drones in New Jersey are 'sniffers' looking for gamma rays on the ground. But officials have not confirmed the claims

The missing material in New Jersey contained about 0.267 millicuries (mCi) of Ge-68, which is a very small amount that would only cause harm during close and prolonged exposure.

The material emits low-energy gamma radiation, making it useful for calibration purposes in medical equipment.

The average person receives 2-3 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation per year from natural sources such as the sun.

A source emitting 0.267 mCi could produce radiation exposure similar to a few extra days of background radiation, which could cause breathing problems, nausea or vomiting and a higher risk of cancer in the future.

NRC's alert does not provide specifics on the dangers, but less than a Category 3 suggests the material poses a low risk, but may still be hazardous during prolonged exposure.

But there is also the possibility that the radioactive material missing in New Jersey was damaged during transit or the individual who took it did not know what it was.

Ferguson admitted in his video that he had no verification for this and was just offering his opinion - alongside the hundreds of concerned drone spotters and locals.

His company, Saxon Unmanned, describes itself as a 'manufacturer of long endurance, custom remote aircraft systems with over 25 years of experience in solution development for global air and sea applications.'

He is a military veteran who claims over 25 years of experience in his field.

Reports of drones in New Jersey began mid-November with sightings over a military base and Donald Trump's gulf course

Ferguson's theory has gone viral after a day of establishment politicians trying to calm fears about drones.

Podcaster Joe Rogan also shared the video saying: 'This is the first video about these drones that has got me genuinely concerned.'

The White House has not touched on any claims about sniffer drones during its several briefings in the last week.

National Security Communication Advisor John Kirby has urged that the sightings pose no 'national security or public safety threat', and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said he knows of 'no foreign involvement.'

But the lack of explanation has sparked fierce criticism from some lawmakers as drones continue to appear around sensitive sites, and panic spread as a New Jersey mayor revealed his fire department had been told to wear hazmat suits in case the flying objects crashed.

Sen. Jon Bramnick called for a state of emergency over what he said was a lack of government transparency over the unexplained drone sightings.

'Whatever these drones are doing, the government really doesn't want us to know,' he told NewsNation on Saturday, urging the DoD to 'come clean with the American public' following a string of appearances since November.

'There must be something going on that they can't tell us because they're so fearful of what the public's gonna do when they hear what the drones are doing,' the Republican senator claimed.

During a congressional hearing last Tuesday, Robert Wheeler, assistant FBI director, said the agency had received more than 3,000 reports of drone sightings in a week.

'The Bureau is actively investigating the situation you mentioned, the unexplained sighting of drone activity over that part of New Jersey, including in proximity to sensitive sites and areas of concern,' he said.

'We do not attribute that to an individual or a group yet. We're investigating, but I don't have an answer of who's responsible for thatif one or more people are responsible for those drone flights. But we're actively investigating.'

The Department of Defense (DOD) said Saturday that the FBI's tip line has now received 5,000 reports and fewer than 100 have led to leads 'deemed worthy of further investigative activity.'

'We don't know what the activity is. We don't know if it is malicious if it is criminal, but I will tell you that it is irresponsible,' a DOD official told Congress.

'And, you know, here on the military side, we are just as frustrated with the irresponsible nature of this activity.'
The 10 top destinations for British expats have been revealed - and it's the USA that's No.1, while Spain doesn't even make the list.

The revelation comes from relocation experts at 1st Move International, which shared internal data revealing the countries the company has helped Brits move to the most between 2022 and 2024.

Regarding the USA's ranking, 1st Move International states: 'The U.S is a diverse place full of opportunity, suitable for any stage of life, whether youre still in education, looking to start a business, or simply craving your next adventure.

'Also, the lack of a language barrier for UK residents makes the transition more manageable.'

Australia is second on the list for British expats, with 1st Move International explaining: 'Similar to the U.S, the lack of a language barrier for UK residents makes Australia an incredibly attractive opportunity.

'Combined with the weather, a stark contrast to the UK, travelling across the world to find your new home is irresistible.'

In third place is the UAE, with 1st Move International saying: 'Dubai has become a popular tourist destination in recent years.

'However, it offers expats several benefits. Its sunny, modern, and safe, making it suitable for families. Dubai also has no income tax, making your take-home income considerably higher.'

The 10 top destinations for British expats have been revealed - and it's the USA that's top of the list

The USA is the most popular choice for Britons, with 1st Move International stating: 'The U.S is a diverse place full of opportunity, suitable for any stage of life'

The data reveals that Canada is next on the list for British expats (fourth), followed by New Zealand (fifth), Cyprus (sixth) and South Africa (seventh).

In eighth place is Singapore, with Saudi Arabia (ninth) and the Cayman Islands (10th) rounding out the most popular destinations for British expats.

When it comes to the places the world most wants to move to, it's Canada that's top of the list based on global Google search data analysed by 1st Move International.

The North American country was the top-searched relocation destination in 74 countries.

Australia (second), Spain (third), Germany (fourth) and the UK (fifth) are the next most desirable destinations for those looking to move to a different country.

Portugal (sixth), France and New Zealand (joint seventh) , the Netherlands (ninth) and Japan (10th) round off the top 10 hotlist.
Cape Town is the best place to go on a long-haul holiday  from your wallets perspective.

Thats the finding of the latest Post Office Holiday Report, which gives South Africas Mother City top spot for a budget getaway to a far-flung destination ahead of 32 other popular places, including Tokyo in Japan, Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, and Florida, US.

The report covers a basket of costs, including meals at restaurants, a pint of beer, bottle of water, suncream and a cup of coffee. Its clearly a great time to go, especially with sterling booming against the South African rand  a pound is now worth 23 rand, a third more than seven years ago.

On top of this, you can book a budget flight with Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic. Return fares from London start from as little as 481 whereas it costs about 920 with British Airways.

Here, we visit Cape Town and compare the costs with another warm, popular winter destination: Miami in Florida.

Choose between breathtaking Cape Town and Table Mountain...

... and Miami's lively South Beach

Getting there

Its an 11 hour 35 minute flight from London to Cape Town  to Miami its just over ten hours. But the time difference with South Africa is only two hours ahead, whereas its five hours behind in Florida, so theres less jetlag.

Cape Town: London Gatwick to Cape Town from 481 return (flynorse.com).

Miami: London Heathrow to Miami from 486 return (virginatlantic.com).

Car rental

As public transport can be tricky in South Africa, renting a car definitely makes sense.

Cape Town: Six-day rental of a Volkswagen Polo from 73 (europcar.co.uk).

Miami: Six-day car rental from 446 (sixt.co.uk).

Eating out

For such a cosmopolitan, internationally renowned city, Cape Town is astonishingly cheap, even at the popular V&A Waterfront complex and the vibrant Time Out Market in the Old Power Station, a buzzy, communal food hall with 13 kitchens run by celebrated local chefs.

Cape Town: 12-inch pizza 9.50; 500g T-bone steak 13.60.

Miami: Pizza 14; 500g ribeye steak 62.

Enjoy a drink

Make a beeline for the V&A Waterfront complex, which is home to some brilliant bars including Den Anker, with a lovely terrace facing Table Mountain, and Quay 4, an ever-popular tavern serving local ales and cheap South Africa wines by the glass and bottle. Outside the V&A and the Time Out Market  where the Cultivar Wine Bar recently opened offering 120 different wine bottles  head for the run of lively bars on Long Street in downtown.

Cape Town: A pint of local lager (Brewers) 2.10; a glass of crisp chenin blanc wine 2.15, or 7.50 for a bottle.

Miami: Bottle of Peroni beer 7; glass of house white wine 11.

Classic attractions

You can take a gondola to the top of Table Mountain - or walk up if you prefer

Youre spoilt for choice for things to do in Cape Town: days out on the beach, trips to the top of Table Mountain, tours of Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years), among much else. Theres a lot going on in Miami, too, but you pay more for most outings.

Cape Town: Table Mountain return cable cars 16.80; ferry/tours of Robben Island 27.20.

Miami: An eight-hour tour of the Everglades wetlands preserve on an airboat 90.

Hotels

The President spa hotel in Bantry Bay has doubles from 142

Expect excellent value in South Africa, even at hotels by the ocean in and around Cape Town.

Cape Town: Ten minutes by taxi from the V&A Waterfront, the President spa hotel, a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts group, is set in Bantry Bay with large, immaculate rooms. Doubles from 142 (thepresidenthotel.co.za).

Miami: Doubles from 199 at the well-located, similar standard Royal Palm South Beach Miami (marriott.com).

Wildlife excursions

A penguin takes a stroll along Boulders Beach in South Africa

The marine life of the South Atlantic is amazing, with whale-spotting off the coast, penguin colonies, dolphins and seals.

Cape Town: See a spectacular colony of endangered African Penguins at Boulders Beach; admission 8.60 (bouldersbeach.net) or watch whales for free from the coast at Hermanus.

Miami: Hard to make a direct comparison, though tickets to Miami Zoo cost 18.10.

Vineyard visits

A vineyard in the famed Stellenbosch region outside Cape Town

South Africas Western Cape is famous for its excellent wines, with many top-class vineyards open to visitors in the Stellenbosch region  a day trip from Cape Town.

Cape Town: At the Jordan estate, a first-class lunch costs 20 a head, with a bottle of house wine for 12; tours with wine tastings from 30 (jordanwines.com).

Miami: Tours of Miamis Schnebly Redlands Winery, with wine tastings included, from 36pp.

The tally

This is far from being perfect science, but adding up the cost of flights to both Cape Town and Miami, a rental car (for a week), a steak meal with two glasses of wine (each day for a week), a trip to Robben Island/ Everglades, staying at a smart, four-star hotel (for a week), a wildlife excursion, plus a vineyard visit, the tally worked out like this...

Cape Town: 1,206 per person.

Miami: 2,138 per person.

The verdict

This is a rough comparison  and some travellers may spend slightly more, or less, depending on preferences  but as a rule of thumb, a holiday in South Africa, taking one of the new Norse flights, can work out at half the price of a trip to Florida.

With Cape Towns summer running from now until March, when temperatures average 28C, now is a great time to go.

Travel facts

Norse Atlantic flies from Gatwick to Cape Town from 498 return (flynorse.com). For more information: southafrica.net, wesgro.co.za, whalewatchsa.com, sidecars.co.za.
The hotel was created from 550 tons of ice and 10 Olympic swimming pools' worth of snow and ice

Icehotel 35 is in the village of Jukkasjarvi, 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle next to the Torne River

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A sight for thaw eyes.

Sweden's Icehotel for the 2024/2025 season is officially open for guests.

Packed to the brim with astounding ice sculptures, the hotel has been constructed and reconstructed every year since 1989 in Jukkasjarvi village, 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle next to the banks of the Torne River.

This year's hotel is the 35th iteration of the Icehotel, with 26 artists from 13 countries spending weeks crafting the hotel's dazzling 12 art suites.

A 'short-sighted' rhinoceros, an 'immersive' bird's nest and an 'underwater world', are among the breathtaking ice sculptures that have been created for this year's hotel.

Sweden's incredible Icehotel is officially open for business for the 2024/2025 season with breathtaking new sculptures on display. Pictured above is the Icebar, which this year will 'take guests on a space journey'

Twenty-six artists from 13 different countries spent weeks crafting the hotel's 12 incredible suites. Pictured above is the 'Whoops Wrong Room!!' suite, which features a 'short-sighted rhinoceros'

Pictured above is the 'Come Warm Up' suite, an 'immersive experience' where guests will be 'situated inside a black-capped chickadee's nest'

On top of that, the hotel's 'iconic' Main Hall will this year be almost 30m (98ft) long and feature 'crystal chandeliers created from 220 handcrafted ice crystals'.

Guests can also look forward to seeing the new 'Ceremony Hall', which is 'filled with icy floral splendour for weddings and events' and grabbing a drink at the hotel's Icebar.

This year's Icebar 'takes guests on a space journey' where they can 'sip on a drink beside a life-sized ice and snow astronaut'.

Each year, the hotel's construction process begins in the spring when ice blocks are harvested from the Torne River and then stored in the Icehotel's ice production hall.

The 'Give Us A Kiss' suite offers a 'vision of what happens in the Swedish woods when we are not there'

According to the designers, the 'Yesterday's Tomorrow' suite 'explores how our futures might have appeared, had we persisted in designing the world with the aesthetics and principles of the Art Deco and Streamline Modern movements'

Drawing inspiration from 'ancient Greek heroes', the 'Antique Myths' suite highlights the 'fight between good and evil'

Pictured above is the hotel's 'iconic' Main Hall, which is almost 30m (98ft) long and has 'crystal chandeliers created from 220 handcrafted ice crystals'

The Icehotel is then created over the course of six weeks, using 500 tons of ice as well as 10 Olympic swimming pools' worth of 'snis' - a mixture of snow and ice.

The artists were joined by a 'dedicated team of builders, artists, lighting designers, ice production and [support staff]' to craft their icy masterpieces.

Guests checking in to one of the hotel's astounding suites will need to wrap up warm as the Icehotel's temperature is maintained at minus five degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit) to keep its incredible sculptures in tip-top condition.

In 'Whoops Wrong Room!!', designed by Swedish artist AnnaSofia Maag, 'a shortsighted rhinoceros crashes through a hotel room wall, symbolising the sudden and unseen disruptions in our lives'.

'Ice Kiln', designed by U.S architects Jaeyual Lee and Daeho Lee, is 'inspired by the elegance of traditional Korean pottery kilns' and 'blends ancient craftmanship with modern architecture'

'Change Through Time' is designed by father and son duo, Rob and Timsan Harding and 'aims to honour' the 'pure beauty' of a 'raw block of ice'

The 'Zig and Zag' suite features 'meanders, curves and convolutions' that represent how 'the shortest path is not always the most beautiful'

Guests who check in to the 'Flight' suite will sleep on a bed surrounded by birds. 'The pillars that rise from [the bed] are transformed and released into the sky as birds,' say the artists

Carl and Malena Wellander are the brains behind the 'Give Us a Kiss' suite, which features cavorting animals and offers a 'vision of what happens in the Swedish woods when we are not there'.

'Ice Kiln', designed by U.S architects Jaeyual Lee and Daeho Lee, is 'inspired by the elegance of traditional Korean pottery kilns' and 'blends ancient craftmanship with modern architecture'.

Drawing inspiration from 'ancient Greek heroes', the 'Antique Myths' suite highlights the 'fight between good and evil' and was created by Ukrainian artists Iemelianenko Viacheslav and Bogdan Kutsevych.

The 'Hideaway' suite was designed by Dutch artists Pieke Bergmans and Peter De Wit as a 'shelter' and 'protected space where guests can retreat'.

According to the designers, the 'Yesterday's Tomorrow' suite 'explores how our futures might have appeared, had we persisted in designing the world with the aesthetics and principles of the Art Deco and Streamline Modern movements'.

'Akhu Fahcat' translates as 'Grandmother's Mittens' in the Sami language and this suite was created in 'honour and celebration of knitting'

The Nacken suite invites guests to 'a meeting with the magical underwater world of the Nixie', 'an aquatic creature' that lives next to streams and 'dangerous bodies of water'

This year's Ceremonial Hall is 'filled with icy floral splendour for weddings and events'

A SNOWSTORM OF FACTS ABOUT THE 2024 ICEHOTEL Twenty-six artists (from 13 countries) have created the new suites in Icehotel 35

Five hundred and fifty tons of ice were used to build Icehotel 35

Ten Olympic swimming pools of snis, a mix of snow and ice, were used to create the hotel

Two hundred and twenty handcrafted ice crystals were used to make the chandeliers

It took six weeks to build from start to finish

76 people worked on this year's Icehotel

The total amount of ice used from the Torne River is equivalent to ten seconds of water flow in the river

Icehotel maintains a temperature of -5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit) to keep the sculptures from melting Advertisement

Inside the Nacken suite, created by Tjasa Gusfors and Sam Gusfors, guests are invited to 'a meeting with the magical underwater world of the Nixie', 'an aquatic creature' that lives next to streams and 'dangerous bodies of water'.

The 'Akhu Fahcat' suite translates as 'Grandmother's Mittens' in the Sami language and was created by Elisabeth Kristensen in 'honour and celebration of knitting'.

Guests who check in to the 'Flight' suite will sleep on a bed surrounded by birds. 'The pillars that rise from [the bed] are transformed and released into the sky as birds,' say the artists. In another bird-themed creation, the 'Come Warm Up' suite by Isabelle Gasse & Joelle Gagnon, offers an 'immersive experience' where guests will be 'situated inside a black-capped chickadee's nest'.

Father and son duo Rob and Timsan Harding designed the 'Change through Time' suite to honour the 'pure beauty' of a 'raw block of ice', while The 'Zig and Zag' suite by Nicolas Triboulot and Clement Daquin features 'meanders, curves and convolutions' that represent how 'the shortest path is not always the most beautiful'.

Once the guests have explored their icy surroundings, activities on offer at the hotel include snowmobiling, Northern Lights tours, saunas, ice-sculpting and wilderness dining.

This year's hotel will be open until April 2025. To book a trip to the Icehotel, visit Discover the World.
An English church leader sparked outrage after telling a group of 10- and 11-year-old children that Santa is not real.

"I don't know how it can be undone, but I think it's absolutely disgusting," one parent told the Times of London. "I don't want him anywhere near my daughter. I hope he never comes into the school again."

Rev. Dr. Paul Chamberlain was invited to the Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School in Hampshire to give a talk about the birth of Jesus when he made the comment, prompting some students to sob.

A 10-year-old pupil told the Times, "So he said, 'You're all Year 6, now let's be real, Santa isn't real.' Then he also was saying what Santa likes. Someone said he likes cookies. Then he said that, 'Do your parents like cookies?' And a lot of them said, 'Yeah.' And then he said how the parents were the ones that were eating it."

"Paul has accepted that this was an error of judgment, and he should not have done so. He apologized unreservedly to the school, to the parents and to the children, and the headteacher immediately wrote to all parents to explain this," a diocese spokesperson said to the newspaper.

Teachers wrote an email to the parents saying they have told the kids that "all stories and legends around Christmas" are legitimate.

Originally published by Latin Times
The Story of Panto With Gyles Brandreth (Sky Arts)

Rating:

Gyles Brandreth once held the world record for the longest on-screen kiss  three-and-a-half minutes, sustained with Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz on Good Morning Britain in 1983.

And he is still the world champion after-dinner speaker for a non-stop monologue of 12-and-a-half hours, staged at a West End hotel the previous year. The audience had to be rotated in shifts.

But he should really have a place in the Guinness Book Of Records as our unrivalled international prize-winning name-dropper. Fans of his regular slot on the sofa of ITVs This Morning, bringing much-needed charm and twinkle to the show, know he is sweetly shameless with his allusions to famous friends.

He excelled himself on The Story Of Panto, as he arrived with his wife, Michele, for auditions at the Broxbourne Theatre Company in Hertfordshire.

No sooner had he introduced himself to the director, Scott, than he launched into a topper of a tale: I once had a conversation with the late Queen, Elizabeth II, who appeared in pantomimes during the Second World War at Windsor Castle, as an amateur.

And she said her sister, Princess Margaret Rose, always played the pretty girl, the Cinderella part, And I was always the principal boy! As he delivered the punchline, he slapped his thigh.

Gyles Brandreth excelled himself on The Story Of Panto, as he arrived with his wife, Michele, for auditions at the Broxbourne Theatre Company in Hertfordshire

Brandreth once held the world record for the longest on-screen kiss  three-and-a-half minutes, sustained with Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz on Good Morning Britain in 1983

Hard to say what I love best about that. Is it the way he specifies that, when he refers to the late Queen, hes talking about Elizabeth II  artfully suggesting that he knew Queen Mary and perhaps Queen Victoria, too?

Or is it the use of Princess Margarets middle name? That implies he knew all her most intimate secrets.

But its impossible to feel exasperated by Gyles. Hes such a joyous innocent, bringing Michele along to the rehearsals for sheer sentiment  they met at Oxford in the 1960s when she was an amateur actress and he, of course, was the panto director.

Maybe therell be two young people meeting today, who will be together for 56 years, he enthused.

Already I feel sorry for her, Michele sighed.

Panto dame Julian Clary tried a little gentle mockery. As the pair sat down to tea and scones, Gyles wondered why there was no milk jug. Its Earl Grey, so you shouldnt really have milk, Julian retorted tartly. I would have thought, in the elevated circles you move in, youd have known this.

Gyles was blithely unscathed: In the elevated circles I move in, we do what we want.

Amid all this badinage, plenty of panto history was sloshed around like a bucket of soap suds. We went backstage at the London Palladium, and into the props room at the Nottingham Playhouse, before taking a detour to the Victoria and Albert museum.

Gyles also revealed that the birth of panto, 200 years ago at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, also led to the the invention of the first-half interval. It gave families a chance to buy ice creams for the children. Fancy that!
Fans watching the Yellowstone finale on Sunday were treated to the official second season trailer of the show's prequel, 1923.

While Yellowstone follows the current generation of the Dutton family and their control of the immense Yellowstone-Dutton ranch, the prequel shows 1883 and 1923 showcase previous generations of the family.

In the new clip for the Taylor Sheridan show, which is set to premiere Sunday, February 23 on Paramount+, Harrison Ford (who plays Jacob Dutton) and Helen Mirren (who stars as his wife Cara) are seen bracing for war over their land.

At one point Cara issues a gloomy prophecy as she tells her husband 'this ranch will drive you to your death.'

'This ranch is under attack,' Jacob states, adding, 'Our whole way of life is under attack.'

The trailer starts out with Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar)  a nephew of the Dutton family patriarch  stating, 'In Montana, there's a war over my family's land, and they're losing it.'

The second season trailer of Yellowstone's prequel, 1923, dropped on Sunday, during the show's finale

In the clip for the Taylor Sheridan show, Harrison Ford (who plays Jacob Dutton) and Helen Mirren (who stars as his wife Cara) are seen bracing for war over their land

Cara is then pictured loading her rifle and looking outside, before the trailer cuts to a gun fight.

Spencer then informs someone on the phone that he is 'coming home.'

The scene then shifts to Cara and Jacob, as she tells him, 'Bring him home. Promise.'

'I promise,' he reassures her.

Meanwhile Timothy Dalton, who stars as evil land baron Donald Whitfield, tells his henchman Jerome Flynn (who plays Banner Creighton), 'It's time to build an army.'

In the next scene Creighton tells a friend, presumably about Whitfield, 'I've never met a man who scares me. He scares me to death.'

He and two other men are then seen throwing a dead body into a rock quarry.

Meanwhile Jacob confronts Whitfield in his office, telling him, 'I think this is about as far as I feel like being pushed.'

A quick montage of gun fights follows, before the trailer ends with Jacob stating: 'We all sacrificed a lot, but this fight ain't over.'

While Yellowstone follows the current generation of the Dutton family and their control of the immense Yellowstone-Dutton ranch, the prequel shows 1883 and 1923 showcase previous generations of the family

At one point Cara issues a gloomy prophecy as she tells her husband 'this ranch will drive you to your death'

'This ranch is under attack,' Jacob states, adding, 'Our whole way of life is under attack'

The trailer starts out with Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar)  a nephew of the Dutton family patriarch  stating, 'In Montana , there's a war over my family's land, and they're losing it'

Cara is then pictured loading her rifle and looking outside, before the trailer cuts to a gun fight

Spencer then informs someone on the phone that he is 'coming home'

The scene then shifts to Cara and Jacob, as she tells him, 'Bring him home. Promise.' He reassures her, telling her, 'I promise'

Meanwhile Timothy Dalton, who stars as evil land baron Donald Whitfield, tells his henchman Jerome Flynn (who plays Banner Creighton), 'It's time to build an army'

In the next scene Creighton tells a friend, presumably about Whitfield, 'I've never met a man who scares me. He scares me to death'

He and two other men are then seen throwing a dead body into a rock quarry

Meanwhile Jacob confronts Whitfield in his office, telling him, 'I think this is about as far as I feel like being pushed'

A quick montage of gun fights follows, before the trailer ends with Jacob stating: 'We all sacrificed a lot, but this fight ain't over'

Season 2 of the Taylor Sheridan show is set to premiere Sunday, February 23 on Paramount+

The show also stars Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra, Spencer's love, along with Darren Mann, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Michelle Randolph, Sebastian Roche, and Jennifer Carpenter.

While 1883 only ran one season, starring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as James Dillard Dutton and Margaret Dutton, 1923 is getting a second season.

The second season is set during, 'a cruel winter,' which leads to, 'new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob and Cara back at Dutton ranch.'

'With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana,' the official description of Season 2 adds.

'Meanwhile, Alexandra sets off on her own harrowing trans-Atlantic journey to find Spencer and reclaim their love,' the description concludes.

For fans who haven't caught up with the first season, Paramount Network will broadcast a, 'special linear airing,' of 1923 Season 1.

1923 is executive produced by Yellowstone co-creator Taylor, David C. Glasser, John Linson, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Ben Richardson, Michael Friedman and Keith Cox.

Meanwhile Yellowstone came to a close with Sunday's finale that spanned nearly two hours.

Meanwhile Yellowstone came to a close with Sunday's finale that spanned nearly two hours; Cole Hauser pictured as Rip Wheeler

The network also recently gave the green light for a new spin-off that will feature Rip and Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly (pictured in a still) with Beth and Rip getting a ranch of their own

Last week's episode teased how this will all play out, with Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) stating he plans on giving away his father's ranch.

The finale confirmed a long-running theory that the end of the 1883 prequel foreshadows this finale with an Indian saying his people will take back the land he started his ranch on in seven generations.

That was ultimately confirmed as Kayce sold the ranch back to the Indians for just $1.25 an acre - the same price land was going for back in 1883.

Kayce sold it to Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) under two conditions - Kayce and his family can keep East Camp and Thomas can never sell or develop the land.

The network also recently gave the green light for a new spin-off that will feature Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), with Beth and Rip getting a new ranch of their own... after Beth kept her promise and killed her brother Jamie (Wes Bentley) for his involvement in their father John Dutton's (Kevin Costner) murder.
Chris McCausland's Strictly Come Dancing victory will be 'life-changing' for the blind comedian as companies 'queue up to work with him', a PR expert said today.

The 47-year-old and partner Dianne Buswell lifted the Glitterball trophy on Saturday following a public vote, as the BBC show celebrated 20 years on screen this year.

They beat actress Sarah Hadland and partner Vito Coppola, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and dancer Aljaz Skorjanec and JLS singer JB Gill with Lauren Oakley.

One commentator said McCausland would now be inundated with brand offers, but urged him to 'hold out for the bigger deals that can take a bit longer to negotiate'.

McCausland fronted a TV advert for Barclays back in 2014 promoting talking cash machines, but he is now expected to receive plenty of offers for new partnerships.

Andy Barr, reputation management specialist at Season One Communications, told MailOnline: 'Chris McCausland is a brand dream and is now going to go on and earn life-changing fees from companies who will queue up to work with him.

'This will be from big-ticket fast-moving consumer goods brands keen to tap in to his progressive, wholesome and family-friendly image. He is not going to need to venture down the route of putting his name to product ranges and earning on the back of sales. Brands will just want to take his name and align it to his growing profile.'

Mr Barr said McCausland's 'can-do attitude is warming the nation's hearts', and his appearances on the Strictly tour will open the star up to more new fans.

Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell won Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday

Chris McCausland with his wife Patrica (left) and his daughter Sophie (right) last month

McCausland fronted a TV advert for Barclays back in 2014 promoting talking cash machines

But he continued: 'His challenge is to not spread himself to thinly and take any old offer that comes along. He needs to hold out for the bigger deals that can take a bit longer to negotiate.

ANAYSIS: Brands will just want to take Chris McCausland's name and align it to his growing profile By ANDY BARR Chris McCausland is a brand dream and is now going to go on and earn life-changing fees from companies who will queue up to work with him. This will be from big-ticket fast-moving consumer goods brands keen to tap in to his progressive, wholesome and family-friendly image. He is not going to need to venture down the route of putting his name to product ranges and earning on the back of sales. Brands will just want to take his name and align it to his growing profile. His can-do attitude is warming the nation's hearts, and when he goes on the world-famous Strictly tour it will open him up to even more new fans. His challenge is to not spread himself to thinly and take any old offer that comes along. He needs to hold out for the bigger deals that can take a bit longer to negotiate. I don't think it is too conservative to say that I would expect him to have secured a seven-figure salary from brand deals by the end of 2025. This is not taking into account the increased prices he will now be able to charge for his own comedy shows, although how he will find time for these when he is in so much demand will be a nice issue for him to face. ANDY BARR is a reputation management specialist at Season One Communications Advertisement

'I don't think it is too conservative to say that I would expect him to have secured a seven-figure salary from brand deals by the end of 2025.

'This is not taking into account the increased prices he will now be able to charge for his own comedy shows, although how he will find time for these when he is in so much demand will be a nice issue for him to face.'

Liverpool-born 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.#

Disability charity Sense and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have praised his success, and his raising of the profile of people who are living with disabilities.

And Miles Phillips, who runs marketing consultancy Miles Marketing, told MailOnline: 'Chris McCausland's Strictly win is a game-changer for brands ready to embrace bold, inclusive storytelling.

'His unique perspective as a blind comedian, combined with his quick wit and authenticity, makes him a natural fit for campaigns that want to challenge perceptions, diversity and cut through with humour.'

Mr Phillips gave an example of an audiobook campaign with the tagline: 'You don't need sight to hear the story', saying this would directly tie into the star's lived experience while promoting inclusivity.

He added: 'Brands that align with his humour and genuine approach have the potential to not only stand out but to create strong campaigns.

'Chris now has the unique opportunity to achieve two important goals: raising awareness about vision loss and general eye health, and leveraging his disability to demonstrate to a larger audience that it is not a barrier to success in most areas of life.'

But PR expert Sean O'Meara, managing director of Manchester-based agency Essential Content, said: 'Winning Strictly isn't always a guarantee that your career will reach new highs. Cricketer Darren Gough won the third series and happily went back to his cricket career without much fuss.

'It can be a great platform for bringing people from different fields into mainstream awareness and accelerating their existing careers. After news presenter Natasha Kaplinsky won in 2004, she became in such high demand that Channel 5 reportedly offered her a 1million a year salary to leave the BBC.'

He added that it was also a good platform for helping better-known public figures change the way they're perceived  such as actress Kara Tointon, who won in 2020, being known before Strictly as Dawn Swann from Eastenders. Mr O'Meara said she had since taken on a wide variety of complex stage and screen roles.

After months of dancing, McCausland was praised for his three routines - which included the couple's favourite dance, their final show dance and the routine best enjoyed by the judges

Speaking about McCausland, he said: 'In Chris' case, I don't necessarily anticipate glossy big brand endorsements or a significant change in career direction. He's not that sort of public figures and in the fields that matter to him, he's already pretty well established. What it may do though, is elevate him to a new level of status as a comedian.

'Millions have been exposed for the first time to his unique and relatable brand of humour and I wouldn't be surprised if the BBC were preparing a lucrative offer for him to have his own show. I also think his agents will be rubbing their hands together when they think of the size of the venues he'll be able to sell-out now.'

TV expert Amy Stuart, owner of Social Life Media Ltd, told MailOnline she expected McCausland to be overwhelmed with offers, but added: I don't think he'll be promoting face cream or protein shakes on Instagram anytime soon.

Nor can I see him opening Amazon parcels in cringingly obvious product placement moments, like our Married at First Sight friends.

She cited a recent interview on the Staying Relevant podcast with Pete Wicks, in which he revealed he had refused the Strictly offer many times before because he was 'terrified' and he didn't want it to be all 'violins and sob stories'.

Chris McCausland and partner Dianne Buswell lifted the trophy following a public vote

Mrs Stuart added: Chris already has loads going on, he has his Bad Tidings film out on Christmas Eve with comedian friend Lee Mack and a huge comedy tour 'Yonks' with a zillion dates to get through.

He's been in the business for years plugging away but thanks to Strictly, 8.6million people now know him a little more. Let's hope if he's not too knackered from his comedy shows we get to see him on our screens much more.

Chris McCausland is not something that can be branded, bottled and bought. He has something much more special than that. The reason he touched everyone's hearts this series is that he is undeniably himself. A funny, kind, humble man who tried his best, and won.

After being announced as the winner on Saturday, McCausland said: 'This is for her (Dianne) and it's for everyone out there that thought and got told they couldn't do something.

'It just shows with opportunity and support and determination, anything can happen.'

He also thanked Buswell, saying: 'She deserves this so much. She's just honestly one of the easiest people to be funny with - and unless she changes her number, she's stuck with me.'

He added that he 'honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two, and I know no-one went out in the first week but I still thought I could'.

McCausland later revealed his daughter had made space in her bedroom for the trophy, joking that 11-year-old Sophie was 'more interested in when the trophy was coming home than when I was'.

Speaking to The Telegraph, McCausland also revealed his daughter had previously protested against him taking part in the show over fears he might hurt himself  but he was convinced to take part by his wife Patrica.

After months of dancing, McCausland was praised for his three routines - which included the couple's favourite dance, their final show dance and the routine best enjoyed by the judges.

Craig Revel Horwood says his 'eyes opened' after visiting the studio to see McCausland and Buswell perform, and read out a Christmas card to the comedian, describing him as a 'light that shines for all to see'.

Head judge Shirley Ballas rose from her seat to give Buswell a hug and described her as an 'amazing teacher'. Judge Motsi Mabuse said he was not just an inspiration for the blind community, but 'a role model for each and every one of us'.

McCausland was given his first perfect score of 40 points for a waltz routine to You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, his final dance of the series.

Chris McCausland was given his first perfect score of 40 points for a waltz routine to You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, his final dance of the series

His second routine featured different dance styles to You Get What You Give by New Radicals, and he also recreated his viral 'blackout moment' for the first dance.

In the couple's choice routine to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon, McCausland placed his hands over Buswell's eyes as the room faded to black, before the ballroom went completely dark and then the light came back on - with pyrotechnics flaring in the background.

An average of 8.6million people tuned in on Saturday between 6pm and 8.35pm to watch the show, a small decrease compared with last year when Coronation Street star Ellie Leach won the final with Italian dancer Vito Coppola.

Last year, the show saw an average of 8.8million viewers for the live show, with a peak audience of 9.7million. The BBC's overnight viewing figures revealed a peak audience of 9.6million for the end of the 2024 Strictly main series.

The conclusion of the 20th anniversary of the show comes as Strictly has been embroiled in controversy after a complaint made by 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington against Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice, alleging she was subject to a 'toxic environment' and 'inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying'.

Pernice, who did not appear in the Strictly professional line-up for 2024, rejected 'any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour'.

A BBC investigation upheld 'some, but not all' of the complaints made against the professional dancer by actress Abbington. A number of welfare measures - including chaperones in rehearsal rooms - have been introduced on the show this year.
Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light fans were left in floods of tears at the 'devastating' finale of the hit BBC show on Sunday.

The decadent costume drama based on Dame Hilary Mantel's novel of the same name and starring Sir Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis follows Thomas Cromwell in the aftermath of the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn.

While the death of the Queen has left the King free to marry again, the politics at court are deadlier than ever before.

An isolated and increasingly desperate Cromwell, played again by Sir Mark, will stop at nothing to cling on to power, while an increasingly paranoid King Henry, again played by Homeland star Damian,proves more and more difficult to please.

And the final episode saw Cromwell's downfall play out, with the once mighty courtier stripped of his titles and brought to the Tower of London on treason charges.

Following the crushing end to the show, viewers took to social media to share their sadness that it had wrapped, and praised Sir Mark's performance.

Wolf Hall fans were left in floods of tears at the 'devastating' finale of the hit BBC show starring Sir Mark Rylance, Timothy Spall and Damian Lewis on Sunday

The decadent costume drama based on Dame Hilary Mantel's novel of the same name follows Thomas Cromwell after the aftermath of the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn

Tthe final episode saw Cromwell's downfall with the once mighty courtier stripped of his titles and brought to the Tower of London on treason charges

One person took to X to share that they hadn't wanted the series to end, while others said the final episode was 'haunting' them.

They wrote: 'Watched the final episode of Wolf Hall in 10/15 min segments, it was so good I didnt want it to end so I longed it out #WolfHall' and 'The final minutes of Wolf Hall have been haunting me ever since last night. What an astonishing series.'

Another fan commented: 'Can we all stop with the Wolf Hall comments now please. Ive got stuff to do but Ive been sat here for almost an hour now crying.'

While others were sad to see Sir Mark's performance come to an end, writing: '"What's left is like a sucked plum stone, on the side of a plate." What a line! Absolutely gutted that this masterpiece is at an end. Mark Rylance was born to play this role. Simply sublime.'

And one fan took to X to say: 'Just finished the final episode of #WolfHall and my throat hurts from crying. What an incredible production. Mark Rylance is such a sublime actor.'

Others who found the finale to be tear-jerking wrote on X: 'Hilary Mantel and Mark Rylance have broken my heart. As Cromwell fell so did my tears - and I doubt Im alone.'

And one said: 'Unbearable. Could hardly watch the last half hour. Not sure I will sleep. I dont think Ive ever seen such brilliance.'

And while fans of the show were devastated to see it come to an end, it's not all bad news as ITV has announced a blockbuster new period drama to rival The Mirror And The Light.

And while fans of the show were devastated to see it come to an end, it's not all bad news as ITV has announced a blockbuster new period drama to rival The Mirror And The Light

While the sumptuous drama includes the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn and her doomed marriage to the famous Tudor monarch, the one character missing from the exciting story is her daughter, the future Elizabeth I.

However, the famous monarch's early years will be the main focus of ITV's new six-part series Majesty.

Instead of a true historical account, Majesty will tell a re-imagined story of Elizabeth's life based on the many conspiracy theories which surrounded her in younger years.

The short synopsis peaks potential viewers interest by asking: 'Was the Virgin Queen hiding a profound secret?

'And how did this overlooked, embattled princess become the most powerful ruler England has ever known?'

Majesty's writers, Joan Rater, Tony Phelan and William Harper, have not divulged which 'profound secret' the show will explore, but history fans will surely hope for it to be based on a famous conspiracy theory.

And following the crushing end to the show, viewers took to social media to share their sadness that it had ended and praise for Sir Mark's performance

Elizabeth I became Queen at the age of 25 and was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty, ruling from 1558 to 1603.

After the discovery of a mysterious grave in the mid-19th century, speculation swirled that Queen Elizabeth I of England was, in fact, a man in drag.

According to the theory, the real Elizabeth died of a fever in 1542, just a few months away from her ninth birthday.

Supposedly, an outbreak of plague in London had forced the young princess and her entourage to seek refuge at Overcourt House near the village of Bisley in the Cotswolds.

When her infamously short-tempered father, King Henry VIII, was due to pay a visit, Elizabeth's governess, Lady Katherine Ashley, panicked and replaced the 'dead' heir with a red-haired boy who resembled her after no local girls were deemed passable.

The theory says that little Elizabeth was buried in an anonymous grave in the grounds of Overcourt House whilst the so-called 'Bisley Boy' would go on to become one of England's most famous monarchs.

Missing from Wolf Hall is Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's daughter -the future Elizabeth who will be the main focus of ITV's new six-part series Majesty

Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn

Majesty's writers, Joan Rater, Tony Phelan and William Harper, have not divulged which 'profound secret' the show will explore, but history fans will surely be excited to see

Many scholars have dismissed the wild claim as misogyny plucked from the idea that a woman could never harness the extraordinary leadership qualities, academic brilliance, and financial acumen that Elizabeth I demonstrated during her reign.

Meanwhile, others say the idea holds weight based on the fact she never married, never had children and once told a group of soldiers she had 'the heart and stomach of a king, and king of England too'.

Unfortunately, period drama fanatics will likely have to wait until 2026 for Majesty's release as filming is set to commence in 2025 before the lengthy process of post-production begins.

All episodes of Wolf Hall and Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Kylie Jenner helped her kids get into the holiday spirit and express their creativity as they decorated their house for the holidays.

The influencer, 27, who flaunted her curves in 'the perfect holiday dress,' showed off the Christmas trees belonging to her daughter Stormi, six, and her son Aire, who will turn three in February.

The Kylie Cosmetics founder posted a pink Tannenbaum decorated with ornaments white, silver and variety shades of pink which she called 'Stormi's tree,' in a snap on her Instagram Stories.

A small traditional tree, festooned with fire truck and motor cycle decorations was labeled as being 'Aire's tree.'

Jenner shares both her children with former partner Travis Scott, 33.

The doting mom offered a glance of what her house would look like for the holidays in a video released December 3.

Kylie Jenner, 27, helped her kids get into the holiday spirit and express their creativity as they decorate their house for the holidays (Pictured in New York City in October)

A huge pine tree was placed in the foyer of her home covered with dozens of clear lights and mostly traditional ornaments, even though a rainbow and a dinosaur were spotted among the branches.

Tall Nutcracker statues were placed in her front yard overlooking trees and bushes covered with more lights.

The reality star wrote that it was her 'favorite time of the year.'

She also thanked decorator Jeff Leatham and his team of 'Christmas angels' for their hard work.

The Jenner/Kardashian family usually throw a lavish party each Christmas Eve, but the next celebration hosted by the famous bunch is expected to be a more 'low-key' affair, Jenner's older sister Kim Kardashian recently revealed.

'We're doing a really low key Christmas Eve party this year just because we have a lot of construction going on,' Kardashian, 44, told Vogue at the opening of her SKIMS flagship store in New York City.

'We're doing a family intimate one that I'm really excited about  still dressing up to the nines because that's what we do,' she told the outlet.

'We've had some legendary Christmas Eve parties and they're just beginning. Our kids love them and now all their friends want to come,' she said of the annual gathering.

The doting mom let both of her children contribute to the decorating of smaller trees in her house. A sweet pink tree was labeled 'Stormi' tree.' Another evergreen was decorated with fire trucks and motorcycle ornaments and attributed as being 'Aire's tree'

Stormi, six, was was seen helping decorate the massive tree in the family's foyer in a video Jenner released December 3. Most of the ornaments appeared to be traditional, but there were a few non-traditional ornaments, including a rainbow and a dinosaur

'It's such a fun tradition.'

Jenner also surprised fans when she made a rare appearance with boyfriend Timothee Chalamet at the after party following the premiere of his latest film, A Complete Unknown.

E! News quoted a witness who said the couple were holding hands throughout the night.

Jenner's mother Kris, was also reportedly at the star-studded event.
Jennifer Garner was seen leaving church on Sunday morning in a chic but understated look.

The Alias star, 52, wore a black turtleneck sweater with a white shirt peeking out from the bottom hem.

She paired the top with black boot-cut pants and high-heeled platform black boots.

The 13 Going on 30 actress wore her brunette hair in a ponytail and had sunglasses on to protect her eyes from the glare of the Southern California sun.

A brown leather handbag with a gold chain link handle hung from one of her shoulders.

Jennifer carried a cup of coffee and a red and green plaid gift bag as she made her way to her car.

Jennifer Garner was seen leaving church on Sunday morning in a chic but understated look

The star of The Last Thing He Told Me recently reunited with her ex-husband Ben Affleck, 52, and his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez, 55.

The parents all attended a play Garner and Affleck's child Fin was starring in at their school alongside JLo's daughter Emme, 16.

Garner and Affleck are parents to Violet, 19, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12. JLo shares twins Emme and Max with her ex-husband Marc Anthony.

The latest reunion of Garner and Affleck comes after a source told Page Six that Affleck was overjoyed to spend the holiday with his family as he feels as if he can 'just be himself' around Garner and their kids.

The insider added: 'Even though Ben and Jen have been split for a while now, he feels a certain level of comfort with her.

'Ben has a strong relationship with Jen that will never dissipate because they have a lot of history together and shes the mother of his kids.'

The source said that while 'some men would find it annoying,' Affleck likes that his ex takes care of him.

'He loves being looked after by her,' the source continued. 'He goes to her whenever he has a big career or life decision to make for her advice.'

The Alias star, 52, wore a black turtleneck sweater with a white shirt peeking out from the bottom hem

Earlier this week, Garner looked cozy in a dark green sweater and jeans as she did some shopping in Los Angeles. Seen here on December 13, 2024

At this moment, a source told Page Six that Affleck 'Ben has no interest in jumping into another relationship.'

'Bens divorce from Jennifer hasnt even been finalized, but even if it were, dating is just not where his head is at,' the insider revealed.

Before officially calling it quits with Lopez, Garner is said to have 'encouraged' Ben to work on his marriage with the On The Floor hitmaker.

'When things started getting rocky between Ben and Jennifer (Lopez), Jen was very supportive of their relationship and encouraged Ben to work on their marriage,' the source claimed.

The insider added that Garner has 'no problem' with J.Lo, adding: 'At the end of the day, she just wants Ben to be happy.'

Earlier this week, Garner looked cozy in a dark green sweater and jeans as she did some shopping in Los Angeles.

During the relaxing excursion, the mother-of-three also held a conversation on the phone as she strolled down a sidewalk in the city.

Garner's latest outing comes after she was spotted filming the second season of her Apple TV+ series, The Last Thing He Told Me, in Long Beach.

During the relaxing excursion, the mother-of-three also held a conversation on the phone as she strolled down a sidewalk in the city. Seen here on December 13, 2024

Garner's latest outing comes after she was spotted filming the second season of her Apple TV+ series, The Last Thing He Told Me, in Long Beach. Seen here on November 15, 2024

The first season of the show premiered last year in April 2023 - and became the streaming site's most-watched limited series.

The premise followed, 'A woman (Garner) who forms an unexpected relationship with her 16-year-old stepdaughter while searching for the truth about why her husband has mysteriously disappeared,' per IMDB.

In March, the series was renewed for a second season.

Along with Garner, other cast members such as Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Angourie Rice and David Morse, will reprise their roles.

The thriller is being made under Reese Witherspoon's media company called Hello Sunshine.
Laura Byrne and Matty 'J' Johnson have shown off the latest renovations on their new $2.2 million beach house.

The reality TV lovebirds, who purchased the 'rundown' coastal property back in August, took to Instagram on Sunday to share an update of the home's remodelling.

Podcaster Laura shared a series of images and video of how the kitchen was coming along.

The reality TV couple have gone with a throwback 1970s style for the space, with mid-century stained wood cabinets matching the light brown tiles of the floor.

In one of the photos, Laura stood in the kitchen looking chuffed as she gazed off camera.

In another image, the archway entrance to the kitchen gave a picturesque view of the cute renovation.

Laura Byrne and Matty 'J' Johnson have shown off the latest renovations on their new $2.2 million beach house

Podcaster Laura shared a series of images and video of how the kitchen was coming along. The reality TV couple have gone with a throwback 1970s style for the space, with mid-century stained wood cabinets matching the light brown tiles of the floor

Laura also shared a video that panned across the work that had been done in the room.

In the caption, the host of the Life Uncut podcast wrote, 'Never thought Id get this excited about kitchen cabinets but here we are.'

It comes as Laura and husband Matty J hit a huge roadblock in their extension renovation.

Last week, Laura took to Instagram 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.'

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.

In one of the photos, Laura stood in the kitchen looking chuffed as she gazed off camera

In another image, the archway entrance to the kitchen gave a picturesque view of the cute renovation

'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.

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.
Cardi B desperately tried to upstage all of the strippers working at Taboo Miami on Saturday night during her estranged husband Offset's 33rd birthday bash.

The 32-year-old Grammy winner twerked up a storm while clad in a skintight catsuit - mere feet away from the three-time Grammy nominee's upper VIP area of 'the ultimate adult playground.'

Before finding fame, Cardi (born Belcalis Almanzar) famously paid her bills for three and a half years stripping in gentlemen's clubs in her native New York under the name 'Camilla.'

At one point, Offset (born Kiari Kendrell Cephus) tossed a stack of $1 dollar bills at his estranged wife, which she proceeded to swat away while looking annoyed.

'This generation flirting is weird,' Cardi - who boasts 280.4 social media followers - reflected via X on Sunday.

'[Because what the f***] you mean "My fine s***" or "My little s***" or "I want you to be my lil s***." Like I don't know I don't like it. Okay, my little fart.'

Cardi B (L) desperately tried to upstage all of the strippers working at Taboo Miami on Saturday night during her estranged husband Offset's (R) 33rd birthday bash

The half-Dominican, half-Trinidadian star filed for divorce from the Swing My Way rapper on July 31 after separating in November 2023 following six years of marriage.

Cardi has requested primary physical custody of their six-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, three-year-old son Wave Set Cephus, and three-month-old infant daughter whose name has not been disclosed.

The Kamala Harris campaigner and Offset previously separated from December 5, 2018 to January 31, 2019 amid cheating allegations, but that was evidently not the issue this time around.

In September, the Migos alum accused Cardi of cheating on him 'with a baby inside' via the comments of her Instagram Live, which she appeared to confirm.

'Nothing surprises me anymore. You've done it all, so I don't care,' the Marc Jacobs brand ambassador vented during the livestream.

'Thank you for my kids, though. All three of them  I don't regret none of them, but I regret you. I don't regret my kids. You a good daddy. You aight. I don't regret none of them...

'But f*** you. I regret you. I'm too good for you. I've always been too good for you, n****. I don't want you dead because...my kids love you down. So I would never do that. And I really follow street codes.'

The on/off hip-hop power couple's first date was the 2017 Super Bowl.

The 32-year-old Grammy winner twerked up a storm while clad in a skintight catsuit - mere feet away from the three-time Grammy nominee's upper VIP area of 'the ultimate adult playground'

Before finding fame, Cardi (born Belcalis Almanzar) famously paid her bills for three and a half years stripping in gentlemen's clubs in her native New York under the name 'Camilla'

At one point, Offset (born Kiari Kendrell Cephus) tossed a stack of $1 dollar bills at his estranged wife, which she proceeded to swat away while looking annoyed

Cardi - who boasts 280.4 social media followers - reflected via X on Sunday: 'This generation flirting is weird'

The half-Dominican, half-Trinidadian star filed for divorce from the Swing My Way rapper on July 31 after separating in November 2023 following six years of marriage

Cardi has requested primary physical custody of their six-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, three-year-old son Wave Set Cephus, and three-month-old infant daughter whose name has not been disclosed (pictured September 7)

The Kamala Harris campaigner and Offset previously separated from December 5, 2018 to January 31, 2019 amid cheating allegations, but that was evidently not the issue this time around

Cardi is next scheduled to do a midnight performance during E11EVEN Miami's NYE Winter Wonderland on December 31 where tickets are going for $275

The Enough (Miami) rapper will then compete for the best rap performance trophy at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which air February 2 on CBS/Paramount+

Cardi is next scheduled to do a midnight performance during E11EVEN Miami's NYE Winter Wonderland on December 31 where tickets are going for $275.

The Enough (Miami) rapper will then compete for the best rap performance trophy at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which air February 2 on CBS/Paramount+.

Cardi still plans on releasing the long-delayed sophomore follow-up to her 2018 debut studio album Invasion of Privacy next year.
Kim Kardashian marked the massive success of her Skims flagship store with an emotional post on Sunday, celebrating her latest business triumph in true Kardashian style.

After wheeling herself into the grand opening of the NYC retailer on a knee scooter due to a broken foot, the reality star, 44, took to Instagram to share a peek inside the star-studded soiree, paired with an inspirational message.

'Dreams do come true! A store on 5th Ave in NYC. Crrrrrraaaaazzzzzyyyyyyyyy,' she wrote, alongside a carousel of behind-the-scenes snaps that featured a slew of A-listers toasting the entrepreneurs latest achievement.

Meanwhile, her BFF Paris Hilton added a cheeky touch to the celebration, sharing a hilarious video from the event where she stopped by the side-view mirror of a parked car to check her makeup in classic diva fashion.

She also posted adorable shots of herself and Kim, proving they havent missed a beat since their early 2000s heyday.

'Girls Night Out,' Paris captioned the post. 'Had an amazing time with @KimKardashian at the launch of her new @SKIMS flagship store in NYC. So proud of my girl and love her new Skims x Dolce & Gabbana collection! #LovesIt #Sliving.'

Kim Kardashian, 44, marked the massive success of her Skims flagship store with an emotional post on Sunday, celebrating her latest business triumph in true Kardashian style

After wheeling herself into the grand opening of the NYC retailer on a knee scooter due to a broken foot, the reality star took to Instagram to share a peek inside the star-studded soiree, paired with an inspirational message

On Saturday, Kim took to Instagram Story to show off a bold lookher left foot wrapped in a boot cast while her right foot rocked a sleek black stiletto boot.

In the knee-down shot, the SKIMS mogul crossed her legs with effortless glam, making it clear she wasnt about to let a broken foot cramp her style.

The post followed a day after Kim shared her foot injury news on Instagram, showing herself using crutches and sporting the boot cast.

'FML,' she wrote alongside the photo, adding a swearing emoji.

'Broken foot for the holidays.'

She also shared Fergies 2006 hit Clumsy to capture the moment perfectly.

The reality TV star did not disclose how she managed to break her foot but it comes after she launched a new ski collection for SKIMS.

Kim is an avid skier and her new collaboration is in partnership with North Face.

'Dreams do come true! A store on 5th Ave in NYC. Crrrrrraaaaazzzzzyyyyyyyyy,' she wrote, alongside a carousel of behind-the-scenes snaps that featured a slew of A-listers toasting the entrepreneurs latest achievement

Kim took over the event in style

Meanwhile, her BFF Paris Hilton added a cheeky touch to the celebration, sharing a hilarious video from the event where she stopped by the side-view mirror of a parked car to check her makeup in classic diva fashion

'Girls Night Out,' Paris captioned the post. 'Had an amazing time with @KimKardashian at the launch of her new @SKIMS flagship store in NYC. So proud of my girl and love her new Skims x Dolce & Gabbana collection! #LovesIt #Sliving'

On Saturday, Kim took to Instagram Story to show off a bold lookher left foot wrapped in a boot cast while her right foot rocked a sleek black stiletto boot

In the knee-down shot, the SKIMS mogul crossed her legs with effortless glam, making it clear she wasnt about to let a broken foot cramp her style

The post followed a day after Kim shared her foot injury news on Instagram, showing herself using crutches and sporting the boot cast

Kim was having a ball during the opening

This isn't the first time Kim has gotten injured this year.

This summer she broke her index and middle finger so badly that the bone was poking out of her skin, as she revealed on an episode of her family's Hulu reality show.

'My big sliding door in my bathroom that opens up,' she explained during an episode of The Kardashians in July.

'I was shutting it and there's no latch. You have to pull the inside of the mechanics out.'

She explained that Saint, nine, had run into the bathroom with chips and as she told him to put them away, the door slammed on her fingers.

'I literally looked at my hand and I fell to the ground,' she recalled. 'I just grabbed the table and got on my knees because I just saw all this blood.'

Kim tried to describe the intense pain she felt when the injury happened.

'You can't describe the pain but your whole body goes in shock,' she explained. 'It was more painful than childbirth.'

The reality star arrived in style

The foot injury comes just after the busy mom celebrated her son Saint's ninth birthday, calling him 'one of my soulmates' as she paid tribute to him on Instagram

Paris was seen making her way to the event

The foot injury comes just after the busy mom celebrated her son Saint's ninth birthday, calling him 'one of my soulmates' as she paid tribute to him on Instagram.

Kim included 11 of her favorite photos of her and Saint 'snuggling' together in bed inside her $60million Hidden Hills mansion.

'My birthday boy Saint turns 9 today,' she wrote on December 5. 'I was going through my photos and most of our pics are snuggling cuddling pics.

'I always wanna believe that my little man will be this snuggly forever! So cheers to one of my soulmates for being the sweetest boy. Happy birthday. I love you.'

Kim's sweet post comes amid dad Kanye West's apparent absence from their four kids' lives  two years after he and his ex-wife reached a joint custody agreement.

The rapper, 47, hasn't been seen publicly with either Saint, North, 11, Chicago, six, or Psalm, five, in nearly three months.
Angelina Jolie has opened up about feeling lonely and 'in a strange way' ahead of her bitter court battle with ex husband Brad Pitt.

The former A-List couple - who split eight years ago with Angelina accusing Brad of abuse - are in the midst of an acrimonious legal battle for their French vineyard.

But years on from their messy split, Angelina, 49, made a candid confession about how she spends most of her time alone now.

Speaking to The Sun at a London hotel on Saturday, Angelina revealed the trait she shares with opera star Maria Callas - who she portrays in the upcoming biopic Maria - was loneliness.

'I have my children I love but as an adult I'm often alone, I find myself identifying with the solitude and loneliness she has,' she said.

'I also haven't quite figured out how to live life in a way where I'm on my own, maybe a lot of artists feel that we're in an open space as a person.

Angelina Jolie has opened up about feeling lonely and 'in a strange way' ahead of her bitter court battle with ex husband Brad Pitt

The former A-List couple - who split eight years ago with Angelina accusing Brad of abuse - are in the midst of an acrimonious legal battle for their French vineyard

'We don't quite settle. So it leaves us in a strange way sometimes.'

Angelina recently scored a major legal victory against ex-husband Brad after a judge ruled that he must hand over documents and communications which could prove he was abusive towards the actress and their children.

The ongoing dispute has seen the feuding exes attack each other in legal filings ever since Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 for selling her stake in their Chateau Miraval estate, which produces an award-winning sparkling rose.

Legal filings seen by DailyMail.com show that the communications Pitt, 60, has been ordered to produce begins the day Jolie claims he abused her on a private plane shortly before their separation in 2016.

She previously accused him of pouring red wine and beer over his ex and one of the couple's children on a private plane.

Pitt has always denied being abusive and was cleared by law enforcement following an investigation  though his ex-wife claimed in filings that his 'history of physical abuse' started 'well before' the plane incident.

Jolie, 49, asked the court to force her ex-husband to disclose anything between September 14, 2016 to December 31, 2018.

That will include emails, texts and other written communications, but nothing between him and his attorneys or therapists.

Brad was recently ordered to turn over documents and communications that ex-wife Angelina claims will prove he sought to cover up his domestic violence against her and their children. The actress is pictured right with 16-year-old Knox Jolie-Pitt last month

The Maleficent actress filed documents in July claiming that the actor tried to force her to sign an $8.5million NDA to cover up 'years of abuse.'

At the same time, her legal team asked that the court compel Pitt to disclose 'private, third-party communications' he had about their family's 2016 plane ride that resulted in Jolie filing for divorce.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lia Martin issued the ruling last Monday, after Jolie's lawyers claimed that the documents would prove her claims Pitt tried to make her sign an NDA.

She claims that the gag order would have prevented her from speaking out about the alleged abuse, amid a verbal agreement she would sell her half of the winery to Pitt.

Jolie had accused her ex-husband of pouring red wine and beer on her and their children during an altercation on a private plane in 2016  claims which he denies

Jolie's lawyers claim that the documents will prove 'communications concerning abuse, lies to authorities, and years of cover up' on Pitt's part.

Pitt's legal team sought for the motion to be denied, claiming the requests were 'wide-ranging and intrusive'.

The actors' lawyers also branded the filing as a 'sensationalist fishing expedition', with sources calling the latest ruling 'irrelevant', as the actor has provided 'so much information already'.

Paul Murphy, a lawyer for Jolie, branded the documents as 'crucial evidence' that Pitt has 'fought for years to hide.'
80 Chinese language teachers attend workshop in Tanzania to improve teaching skills

Xinhua) 09:29, December 16, 2024

Aldin Mutembei, the Tanzanian director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of a workshop at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Dec. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)

About 80 Chinese language teachers from both Tanzania and China on Saturday began attending a two-day workshop at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with the aim of improving their teaching skills and knowledge.

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- About 80 Chinese language teachers from both Tanzania and China on Saturday began attending a two-day workshop at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with the aim of improving their teaching skills and knowledge.

The workshop attracted teachers from China, the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, the Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma, the Confucius Classroom at the State University of Zanzibar, the Tanzania Institute of Education, the SAY Foundation in Zanzibar, and primary and secondary schools across the East African country.

Aldin Mutembei, the Tanzanian director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the workshop provides a unique opportunity to enhance professional knowledge and skills that enrich the students' learning experience.

Mutembei said teaching the Chinese language in Tanzania and across Africa has gained increasing importance due to the deepening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between China and the African continent, adding that understanding the Chinese language can lead to stronger people-to-people ties, allowing Tanzanians to communicate and cooperate more effectively with Chinese people.

Chinese language teachers attend the opening ceremony of a workshop at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Dec. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)

Qu Songming, deputy director of the Exchange Division at the Chinese Center for Language Education and Cooperation, said the language is a tool for human communication of ideas, a carrier for inheriting civilization, and a bridge for enhancing understanding.

He noted that to date, more than 190 countries around the world have carried out Chinese language teaching projects, 85 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems, more than 80,000 schools and training institutions have opened Chinese language courses, and the number of overseas Chinese language learners has exceeded 30 million.

Neema Mwampashi, a Tanzanian teacher teaching the Chinese language at the state-owned Arusha Secondary School in the Arusha region, said the workshop will improve her teaching skills and knowledge.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Tarek El Moussa and his wife Heather Rae reunited with his ex-wife Christina Hall on Sunday.

The trio was recently spotted in Los Angeles as they teamed up to film The Flip Off, a highly anticipated home-flipping competition special and appeared to maintain a professional working attitude.

The Flip Off will see Tarek and Heather going head-to-head with the 41-year-old beauty in the real estate flipping contest to see who earns the greatest financial gain.

Tarek and his wife were spotted supporting Hall as she films an open house for an upcoming episode.

He looked casual, donning a black jacket and T-shirt paired with jeans as he walked beside his wife and ex on set.

Heather Rae modeled tan trousers and a sheer white blouse and styled her blonde locks in a half-up-half-down style while carrying a Louis Vuitton cross-body bag.

Tarek El Moussa and his wife Heather Rae reunited with his ex-wife Christina Hall on Sunday

Christina looked runway ready in a lowcut black mini dress and matching jacket while strutting her stuff in Gucci tights and knee-high boots.

The Flip Off is slated to hit TV screens on January 29 at 8 p.m. EST.

On Thursday, HGTV confirmed that the project was in the works via Instagram and revealed that the limited series will consist of six-episodes.

'Its almost flipping time! #TheFlipOff, a spicy series that sees Tarek and Heather facing off against Christina in a renovation battle for the ages, premieres [Wednesday, January 29 at 8 p.m. Eastern],' they penned in the caption.

'Cant wait!!!!' Christina said in the comments with a clapping and praise emoji.

Tarek chimed in, 'This has been a long time coming,' with a clapperboard and fire emoji.

Later in the day, the trio individually opened up about the forthcoming showdown on HGTV's site.

Tarek said: 'When it comes to distressed real estate, I own the space and Christina doesnt stand a chance. It all comes down to this: Whos going to rise higher from the ashes of everything that we burned to the ground?'

The trio was recently spotted in Los Angeles as they teamed up to film The Flip Off, a highly anticipated home-flipping competition special

On Thursday, HGTV confirmed that the project was in the works via Instagram and revealed that the limited series will consist of six-episodes; Christina, Tarek and Heather seen in December

'I come from high-end real estate, and now Ive been flipping houses with Tarek for the last few years,' Heather shared.

'Its my time to show how hard Ive worked on my designs, and, more than anything, I want to prove that we can beat Christina.'

In response, Christina confidently implied she would take the win and gain the most financial return.

She said, 'Tarek, Heather and I have all been through a lot of stuff together, and we are all highly competitive. Tarek is the self-proclaimed "best flipper in the world," but, honestly, give me a break.

'I cant wait to smoke them at their own game.'

Tarek and his ex-wife Christina met back in 2007 while working in real estate. In 2013, they debuted the hit show Flip or Flop. They split up in 2016; seen in 2017

In July 2019, Tarek and Heather met through mutual friends while boating in Newport Beach, California. Two years later, the love birds tied the knot; seen in October

Guest judges on the series include Heather Dubrow, Dominique El Moussa, Laurie Haack, Amanza Smith, Ant Anstead, Izzy Battres, Jeff Lawrence and Jeff Lewis.

Tarek and his ex-wife Christina met back in 2007 while working in real estate and tied the knot two years later. In 2013, they debuted the hit show Flip or Flop.

They split up in 2016 after an incident at their home involving the police, ultimately leading to their 2017 divorce.

In July 2019, Tarek and Heather met through mutual friends while boating in Newport Beach, California. Two years later, the love birds tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Montecito, California.
Amanda Abbington has turned down the offer to appear on ITV's Celebrity Big Brother, it has been revealed.

The Sherlock star, 50, quit the show abruptly in just week five of last year's Strictly Come Dancing citing personal reasons, before going on to accuse the dancer of 'mean' and 'cruel' behaviour.

Giovanni was cleared of ten out of Amanda's 16 allegations when the BBC probe concluded in September.

And now it has been revealed that Amanda has rejected a huge money offer to star in the upcoming series of CBB for fear of being trolled online.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'Amanda decided to discreetly turn down the offer because she felt so traumatised by the last reality TV contest she was on.

'She couldn't face going through all the trolling that she received when she complained about Giovanni which made her feel like public enemy number one.

Amanda Abbington has turned down the offer to appear on ITV's Celebrity Big Brother, it has been revealed

The Sherlock star, 50, quit the show abruptly in just week five of last year's Strictly Come Dancing citing personal reasons, before going on to accuse the dancer of 'mean' and 'cruel' behaviour

'Of course, the fee for taking part would have been appreciated but she just couldn't face it.'

The source added that Amanda has nothing against CBB and is a fan of the show herself.

MailOnline contacted Amanda's representatives for comment.

Following his abrupt exit from the programme after the allegations from Amanda, Giovanni went on to appear on the Italian version of Strictly.

Just days ago, his comeback in the UK was announced as it was revealed that he will be appearing alongside a host of other TV stars in a new show for Channel 4.

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.'

And now it has been revealed that Amanda has rejected a huge money offer to star in the upcoming series of CBB for fear of being trolled onlin

The dancer, 33, stepped back from the BBC Latin and ballroom show before this year's competition kicked off after bullying allegations from Amanda Abbington (pictured)

Sources have told MailOnline Amanda's bullying claims amounted to Giovanni swearing at her and not giving her enough feedback during their rehearsal sessions which took place last autumn. She also claimed that her partner stepped on her toe.

One said: 'Giovanni has never tried to say he isn't a hard taskmaster but he isn't a bully and no evidence of that was found.

'It was an evidence based investigation and there was simply no evidence to back up what she was saying about Giovanni. He denied it all along and he has now been exonerated.'

Sources close to the Sicilian heart-throb Giovanni say that he spent much time trying to counsel Amanda, who would admit herself that she was a 'nightmare.'

Speaking of the ordeal eaarlier this month, Giovanni confessed he needs a break as he admitted Strictly is 'tiring'.

Speaking on the How To Be Famous podcast with former Strictly contestant Debbie McGee's nephew James Phelan, Giovanni said: 'As I said before, you never know what is going to be next.

'Strictly, like every other of those jobs when you have to give your life 100 per cent - they are quite tiring you know?

Following his abrupt exit from the programme after the allegations from Amanda, Giovanni went on to appear on the Italian version of Strictly

'When I said I need a break, I need a break, but never say never?'

Giovanni also hinted at the end of his Adventures In travel series with Strictly judge and close pal Anton, 58.

The pair previously visited Giovanni's native Sicily and Spain, however Giovanni admitted they are unsure of the show's future.

He confessed: 'No we don't know yet. I think the budget for the BBC is quite low so we just keep doing what we are doing.

'It's a shame because it was a successful show, I think it had over four to five million viewers.'

The BBC declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
Abbie Chatfield turned heads during a morning grocery run in Sydney on Sunday.

The outspoken podcaster and TV host went braless and wore a pair of tiger print micro shorts as she stepped out with her boyfriend, Peking Duk's Adam Hyde, to get some supplies at Coles and a cup of coffee.

Abbie, 29, showed off her toned legs and bottom in the tiny attire which she paired with some flip-flops.

She went makeup free and left her bouncy curls out and pulled off her face with a pair of sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Adam was a bit more covered up in a black singlet top and matching wide-leg pants teamed with chunky black platform shoes.

Ever the gentleman, he carried the shopping for the couple while Abbie walked her dog.

The outing comes after Abbie gave her fans an intimate glimpse at her family life last week.

In a series of photos shared to her Instagram on Friday, she posed alongside her mother Laura and sister Jolie.

Abbie Chatfield turned heads during a morning grocery run in Sydney on Sunday

The outspoken podcaster and TV host went braless and wore a pair of tiger print micro shorts as she stepped out with her boyfriend, Peking Duk's Adam Hyde, to get some supplies at Coles and a cup of coffee

The lookalike genes ran strongly between the three women, their family resemblance obvious in the series of fun photos.

It was evident that Abbie's boyfriend has also met the family in the lead up to Christmas, posing alongside her for a sweet hug in one photograph.

The couple appear to be getting serious, with Abbie indicating her sister took the image on a film camera.

'Family pics from my sisters recently developed film!!!!!' Abbie wrote in the caption alongside the carousel of candid moments.

They included a visit to Sydney Harbour and the Opera House for Abbie and her sister and mum, as well as a spot of sailing.

Abbie and Adam's romance has been going from strength to strength over the past year.

Adam, also known by his stage name Keli Holiday, recently released his single Online Jesus and his beloved girlfriend starred in the music video.

Abbie got very raunchy with Adam in the clip, which delves into the performative nature of social media.

Abbie, 29, showed off her toned legs and bottom in the tiny attire which she paired with some flip-flops

Adam was a bit more covered up in a black singlet top and matching wide-leg pants teamed with chunky black platform shoes

The outing comes after Abbie gave her fans an intimate glimpse at her family life last week. In a series of photos shared to her Instagram on Friday, she posed alongside her mother Laura and sister Jolie

It was evident that Abbie's boyfriend has also met the family in the lead up to Christmas, posing alongside Abbie for a sweet hug in one photograph

The lookalike genes ran strongly between the three women, their family resemblance obvious in the series of fun photos

In the video, Abbie and Adam star as exaggerated versions of themselves as influencers and it is a parody on modern-day social media stars.

As well as packing on the PDA with Adam, the video sees Abbie - who is an influencer herself - flogging various products in staged adverts.

When Abbie first shared teaser photographs from the music video to her Instagram, fans were convinced that she and Adam had gotten married.

With the pair both clad in all-white ensembles, fans thought she was revealing their union as she teased a mystery announcement.

Sparking the speculation, she wrote in a caption: 'Weve made something truly biblical for you. Guess what it is for a lil treat.'

'Did Mum and Dad get married?' asked one fan in the comments, while another said: 'Omggggg thought this was a wedding announcement.'

'Eloped?' asked someone else with another guessing: 'Omfg is this your wedding photos?!???'

Abbie confirmed her romance with singer Adam earlier this year after weeks of speculation, and they have been going strong ever since.

She frequently shares loved-up pictures and tributes to him on social media, while he has also featured on her It's A Lot podcast to discuss their romance.

Abbie recently told Stellar Magazine that her relationship with Adam is the best she's ever had.

'It isn't like other people I've had flings with. And this is gonna sound a bit w**ky, but he's had a bigger career than me,' she said amid concerns from fans that Adam is 'using her' for fame.

'I don't think he's using me for anything. He's successful in his own right. I think I'm cool for being with him, not the other way around.'

Abbie was friends with Adam for two years before they started dating, which she said has added to the trust between them.

'I guess with Adam it's different, because I trust the strength of our relationship' Abbie continued.

'But also, us hanging out isn't a big, new thing. We've been hanging out publicly for years,' she said.
Jenn Tran teased that her rumored boyfriend, Dancing With the Stars choreographer Sasha Farber, got her 'great' birthday gifts.

Tran celebrated her 27th birthday with Farber, 40, earlier this month, but kept exactly what presents she received from the dancer under wraps.

She told Us Weekly at Saturday's 22nd Annual Unforgettable Gala in Los Angeles: 'Ill leave that for him to share, but he is very, very kind and thoughtful.'

Dishing about her birthday party, she noted, 'It ended up being a really fun night, just surrounded by everyone who has supported me in the past year, like, producers on different shows that Ive been on and friends and everything.'

'It was so perfect,' the media personality gushed.

Jenn and Sasha frequently appear on each other's social media pages, but the two have yet to publicly confirm their relationship status.

Jenn Tran teased that her rumored boyfriend, Dancing With the Stars choreographer Sasha Farber, got her 'great' birthday gifts

Tran celebrated her 27th birthday with Farber, 40, earlier this month, and said that his gifts to her were 'very, very kind and thoughtful'

Joining Tran and Farber at her birthday bash were Maks Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd.

The New Jersey native told the outlet she was concerned that her party guests wouldn't show up.

'Im not going to lie to you, I invited a lot of new friends I made in LA and I wasnt sure if anybody was going to come,' she told the outlet.

She explained, 'Being very new to LA, I didnt know that everybody shows up late. So, for the first hour and a half, it was me, Sasha, my brother [James], and Maks and Peta.

'I was like, "Guys, this is it. Its the five of us. No one else is coming." And then around like 8:30, everybody showed up all at once, but, oh my God, I was s****ing myself. I was like, "What did I do? No one cares.'

And Jenn opened up about her rumored romance with Sasha: 'We connect really well on a deeper level.'

The stars' first meeting took place at an airport in September as they both caught last-minute flights to start season 33 of Dancing with the Stars.

Tran said about their deep connection, 'I think it was pretty apparent since our first meeting in the airport and how crazy it was. We were able to click so fast and I think thats really carried us through the time that weve known each other is [that] weve always been on the same page.'

The stars' first meeting took place at an airport in September as they both caught last-minute flights to start season 33 of Dancing with the Stars.

Taking to Instagram Stories on Sunday, Jenn shared photos of her festive birthday cake

Sasha and Jenn came in seventh place on DWTS season 33, after their elimination on the October 29th episode.

Jenn was previously engaged to Devin Strader in May 2024 during season 21 of The Bachelorette.

But the pair broke up over a phone call in August when Strader said he lost feelings for her.

In September, Jenn opened up about the called-off engagement, revealing to People that she felt he didn't 'care' about the relationship.

Meanwhile, Sasha divorced his wife of four years, Emma Slater, in May.
Fans have slammed Carrie Bickmore and Melissa Leong's unique ensembles as they attended the 2024 NGV Gala in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Carrie, 44, stepped out of her comfort zone and dared to bare in a sheer tulle Paolo Sebastian gown worn over a corset.

She put her trim pins and underwear on display in the revealing cream number with black script details that matched her heels.

Former MasterChef judge Melissa, 42, showed off her strapless multicoloured column dress in a neon graffiti style.

She added a pair of statement earrings and artistic makeup to match her eccentric ensemble.

However, fans weren't impressed and labelled Carrie and Melissa's red carpet looks as 'tragic'.

Fans have slammed Carrie Bickmore (pictured) and Melissa Leong's unique ensembles as they attended the NGV Gala in Melbourne on Saturday night

Former MasterChef judge Melissa (pictured) showed off her strapless multicoloured column dress in a neon graffiti style

'Oh goodness! What is fashion going to these days?!' one person commented while another said: 'Carrie looks simply tragic.'

'Melissa Leong looks comical,' a third person wrote as another agreed: 'She needs a new stylist'.

One wrote: 'Women's fashion choices at high profile events has been on a downhill spiral for quite some time now. No such thing as good fashion sense anymore.'

'Was bad taste/fancy dress accidentally printed on the invitations?' another asked.

Carrie cheekily hammed it up for the cameras by striking some dramatic poses on the red carpet at the event.

The star was not accompanied by her longtime Fox FM co-host Tommy Little.

In recent months, it has been rumoured that her co-star may be her love interest for quite some time.

Carrie and Tommy have been the subject of romance rumours ever since they hosted their HIT FM radio show from Paris, France, last year.

Fans weren't impressed and labelled Carrie and Melissa's red carpet looks as 'tragic'

In October, the pair were spotted cuddling up for a photo behind-the-scenes at the ACRAs after skipping the red carpet altogether.

Carrie split from her partner of 11 years, Chris Walker, in 2022.

Meanwhile, Tommy has reportedly been single since his split from girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021.

Tommy rushed to Carrie's side when she confirmed her break-up, leading insiders to speculate their friendship could evolve into something more.

Carrie announced her split from Chris in an Instagram post in January 2022, saying the pair would co-parent their three children, Ollie, 16, Evie, eight, and Adelaide, five.

The radio co-hosts have had a successful year with their drive time radio show.

In August, Carrie and Tommy was once again named as the number one national drive show in Australia.

The Hit Network show nabbed an 11.1 per cent share in Australia, securing the top spot for the fourth time in a row.

Carrie was not accompanied by her longtime Fox FM co-host Tommy Little at the awards night. In recent months, it has been rumoured that her co-star may be her love interest

The pair said of the results: 'So lucky to have such a hard-working team and incredible listeners who continue to drive us to unbelievable results.

'Thank you, Australia, for making us #1 for the fourth time in a row.

'We're having an absolute blast every afternoon, and love sharing in the fun with listeners around the country.'

Hitting the number one spot made it the pair's fourth consecutive win in the ratings and the best result the Hit Network has received for its drive slot since 2018.
Georgia Love has sparked more speculation she has possibly split from her husband Lee Elliott.

Rumours of a breakup came to light earlier this month when The Bachelorette star, 35, was seen not wearing her wedding ring in social media photos.

Over the weekend, Georgia celebrated Christmas with a small group of friends seemingly without Lee.

Several photos also showed her without her diamond engagement ring and wedding ring on her finger.

In one photo, Georgia sat next to a man who was wearing a ring on his finger - perhaps a married friend - while she was busy fiddling with a toy found inside a Christmas bonbon.

Regardless of a rumoured split, the event seemed to be a fun day for the former reality star, who wore a $380 pink and white-striped strapless dress from SWF Boutique.

Georgia Love has sparked more speculation she has split from her husband Lee Elliott by attending a Christmas celebration over the weekend seemingly without him

Several photos also showed her without her diamond engagement ring and wedding ring on her finger

Daily Mail Australia has contacted both Georgia and Lee for comment.

Rumours there was trouble in paradise first began earlier this month when fans noticed Georgia wasn't wearing her wedding ring.

One clip showed Georgia decorating her Christmas tree at home and there was nothing on her left ring finger.

Another photo captured her having a drink at an outdoor cafe with an attractive male friend and she was also not wearing her ring.

Fans took to the comment section on the photos to ask if she and Lee had called time on their relationship.

'Thinking [they] have broken up,' one fan speculated and another asked if Lee would be accompanying Georgia on her upcoming trip to New York City.

'Havent seen post of them together for a long time,' a third person wrote and another speculated if they would be 'the first Bachelor divorce'.

Elsewhere, another person asked 'Where is Lee?' in the clip Georgia posted about her upcoming New York holiday, and the reality TV star responded: 'He's literally in the video.'

Rumours of Georgia and Lee's split ran rife in December after Georgia wasn't wearing her wedding ring, which sparked concern among fans

Georgia appeared to enjoy the fun-filled day, eating ham, turkey and delicious salads for lunch

She also drank a bottle of beer through a novelty straw that was shaped into glasses

However, another fan pointed out that Georgia had simply shared an old photo: 'Haha, they are all old pics of them together.'

Georgia last posted an image of her and Lee together in September, while Lee last did so in August.

Neither Georgia or Lee denied a break-up when approached by Daily Mail Australia last month for comment.

The couple's relationship has long been subjected to breakup rumours, and in 2021 it was also speculated they had secretly called it quits.

However, Georgia later confirmed they were still going as strong as ever.

The pair met and fell in love in front of the cameras, as Georgia chose Lee as her winning suitor on the 2016 season of Channel Ten's The Bachelorette.

Georgia looked gorgeous in a $379 pink and white-striped strapless dress

Georgia has recently posted several photos to social media in which she was spotted not wearing her wedding ring

In 2021, Georgia and Lee married at the Frogmore Creek Winery outside Hobart, followed by an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery.

Georgia and Lee were due to marry in Italy the year prior, but were forced to cancel due to Covid-19 travel bans.

The following year, they moved into their $1.3million townhouse in Melbourne's upmarket suburb of Hampton East.

At the time, Georgia was force to address rumours the pair had split after she was spotted without her engagement and wedding rings during an outing in Melbourne.
The storied Hollywood mansion that was once owned by Britney Spears and Brittany Murphy has been listed for nearly $18 million.

Spears, 43, claimed to have been so spooked by 'bad spirits' that she left the home and never returned, selling it to Murphy fully furnished in 2003 for $3.85 million.

The Clueless actress would spend her final days there before she collapsed on the property on December 20, 2009 and was later pronounced dead at age 32.

Just five months later, her 40-year-old husband Simon Monjack also died at the residence.

Now, a Zillow listing insists the sprawling home has been 'reborn,' after undergoing 'a complete metamorphosis' including a 'newly redesigned' exterior and other changes.

David Parnes of Carolwood Estates, who is a Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles alum, is handling the sale with an asking price of $17,995,000.

The storied Hollywood mansion that was once owned by Britney Spears and Brittany Murphy has been listed for nearly $18 million; Spears pictured in 2014

Brittany Murphy and her husband Simon Monjack, pictured in 2007, both died inside the property within five months of each other

Before: The Clueless actress would spend her final days there before she collapsed on the property on December 20, 2009 and was later pronounced dead at age 32

The house belonged to several different owners following Murphy's death, which was due to untreated pneumonia, anemia, and drug intoxication from prescriptions and over-the-counter medicine.

The current owners purchased the property in 2020.

After Simon's death, his mother Linda Monjack voiced concern that there had been 'severe mold' on the premises.

She told DailyMail in 2013: 'All I know is that before Simon's death, he was having hallucinations that things were crawling out of his skin.'

The theory was previously ruled out in 2010 by the medical examiner's office.

Murphy and Spears both claimed they felt something off about the mansion.

The pop star's former makeup artist, Julianne Kaye, recalled the encounter that caused her to abandon the house on the We Need to Talk About Britney podcast in February 2021.

'She had that place up on Sunset Plaza  and I'm just gonna say, this is really weird.[Britney] calls me I had my friend do reiki healing on her,' she shared.

'He had come up; I guess she'd had a crazy partying weekend and needed to relax. He left, and she swears to God that he opened some spirit portal or something, and these bad spirits had come in and they were trying to, like, push her down the stairs or something crazy.'

Now, a Zillow listing insists the sprawling home has been 'reborn,' after undergoing 'a complete metamorphosis' including a 'newly redesigned' exterior and other changes

Britney lived in the home with then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake; pictured in 2000

The property is on the market for $18 million

'It was so bad that she left,' Kaye added, noting that the songstress took refuge at the Casa Del Mar hotel and never returned to her house.

'She goes, "I know you're gonna think I'm crazy. I'm not crazy. I know what I saw. I know what I felt."'

Murphy sensed something unsettling too, and often expressed her discomfort with her husband.

According to a report published by The Hollywood Reporter in January 2011, Monjack shared that Brittany tried to avoid the home.

'She absolutely hated the Rising Glen house,' Simon said. 'Every time we would drive up Sunset, Britt would say, "Please, can we stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel?"

'I'd say: "Honey, you've got to be realistic. We have our house, a 10,000-square-foot home. We're going to stay in it."'
Stephanie Hsu, Tia Carrere and Vanessa Lachey made heads turn as they led the stars at the 22nd Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards in Los Angeles.

On Sunday, 34-year-old Hsu looked like a princess in a sheer white corset bodice with vertical paneling and dramatic peplum-style flare while donning matching lace gloves.

The American Born Chinese actress teamed her look with elegant diamond-drop earrings and silver heels as she graced the star-studded red carpet.

She wore her raven locks in a glamorous stick-back style and modeled a full face of makeup that brought out her bright complexion.

Tia Carrere, 57, looked age-defying in a scarlet-red figure-hugging gown that clung her to incredible physique and teased her shoulders.

The Lilo & Stitch star teamed her look with a dainty silver necklace as she donned a full-face of makeup and flashed a shaka gesture on the red carpet.

Stephanie Hsu made heads turn as she led the stars at the 22nd Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards in Los Angeles

On Sunday, 34-year-old Hsu looked like a princess in a sheer white corset bodice with vertical paneling and dramatic peplum-style flare while donning matching lace gloves

She let her chestnut locks loose, cascading over her shoulders while flaunting her fresh ruby-red manicure.

And she was joined by her researcher husband Paul Debevec who looked dapper in a suit and tie.

Vanessa Lachey also made a special appearance at the event, modeling an emerald asymmetrical gown with a daring thigh-high slit.

The 44-year-old Love is Blind host wore her hair in a chic half-up-half-down style and had on a stunning makeup look that showed off her plump pout.

She was joined by her co-host husband Nick Lachey who wore a suit.

Jamie Chung made jaws drop in a floor-length gown composed of a shining cascade of colorful threads, as the rainbow tassels flowed down to form an ombre.

The 41-year-old Eden actress wore her raven locks in a slick-back look as she carried a designer purse and donned silver heels.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wore an electric blue corset-style bodice gown that left little to the imagination, accentuating her hourglass figure as she posed up a storm at the awards event.

The 22-year-old Never Have I Ever star oozed sultry confidence as she rocked a chic messy bun up-do and wore bold eyelashes.

Tia Carrere, 57, looked age-defying in a scarlet-red figure-hugging gown that clung her to incredible physique and teased her shoulders

The Lilo & Stitch star teamed her look with a dainty silver necklace as she donned a full-face of makeup and flashed a shaka gesture on the red carpet

She let her chestnut locks loose, cascading over her shoulders while flaunting her fresh ruby-red manicure

And she was joined by her researcher husband Paul Debevec who looked dapper in a suit and tie

Vanessa Lachey also made a special appearance at the event, modeling an emerald asymmetrical gown with a daring thigh-high slit

She was joined by her co-host husband Nick Lachey who wore a suit

The 44-year-old Love is Blind host wore her hair in a chic half-up-half-down style and had on a stunning makeup look that showed off her plump pout

Jamie Chung made jaws drop in a floor-length gown composed of a shining cascade of colorful threads, as the rainbow tassels flowed down to form an ombre

The 41-year-old Eden actress wore her raven locks in a slick-back look as she carried a designer purse and donned silver heels

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wore an electric blue corset-style bodice gown that left little to the imagination, accentuating her hourglass figure as she posed up a storm at the awards event

The 22-year-old Never Have I Ever star oozed sultry confidence as she rocked a chic messy bun up-do and wore bold eyelashes

She put on a very busty display as her raven locks flowed over her shoulders

Jenn Tran looked effortlessly beautiful in a strapless, pearl-adorned figure-hugging gown that displayed her slender frame and natural beauty

The DWTS alum, 27, wore her brunette parted to the side and locks in curls as she appeared straight out of a magazine cover

Jenn Tran looked effortlessly beautiful in a strapless, pearl-adorned figure-hugging gown that displayed her slender frame and natural beauty.

The DWTS alum, 27, wore her brunette parted to the side and locks in curls as she appeared straight out of a magazine cover. She had on a glamorous face of makeup and wore a gold chain necklace.

The Unforgettable Gala for the 22nd Annual Asian American Awards was held at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly, Hills, California.

This years honorees include Joan Chen, Anna Sawai, Izaac Wang, Hoa Xuande, Sean Wang, Rachel Kondo, Vivian Tu, Naomi Watanabe, Hiroyuki Sanada and Prabal Gurung.
Lily-Rose Depp joined her Nosferatu costar Bill Skarsgard at a Q&A session to discuss their upcoming horror drama movie on Sunday.

The 25-year-old actress took center stage while attending a BAFTA screening held at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City.

In addition to the special screening, she and her costars talked about the making of the Transylvania thriller  which is set to premiere on Christmas Day, December 25.

The daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis  who put on a loved-up display with her partner 070 Shake at the afterparty following the Los Angeles Nosferatu premiere on Friday  looked glamorous in a chic, cream-colored dress.

For the event, she put on a stylish display in a short-sleeved minidress with a sheer, mesh overlay and a bedazzled, structural piece across the front.

She looked ethereal with her blonde tresses styled in a silky, straight blowout and her usual, soft makeup look.

Lily-Rose Depp joined her Nosferatu costar Bill Skarsgard at a Q&A session to discuss their upcoming horror drama movie on Sunday

Just several days earlier, The Idol alum was a shimmering starlet in a striking silver gown at the Nosferatu premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Thursday.

Their new film  which has been getting rave early reviews  is a haunting remake of the 1922 silent classic, loosely based on Bram Stoker's Dracula.

In this new version, Skarsgard, 34, takes on the role of the bloodthirsty Count Orlok, with Depp playing Ellen Hutter, the object of his sinister obsession.

In addition to Depp and Skarsgard, Nosferatu features a talented ensemble cast that includes Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, Ellen's husband, and Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, a vampire hunter.

The film also stars Emma Corrin as Anna Harding, the wife of Thomas's friend Friedrich, portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Early reviews are already raving, calling the Robert Eggers film 'hypnotic,' 'devilish,' and 'the scariest movie since The Shining,' as the movie posted a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Every aspect of the project is getting rave reviews, but it's Depp who's really stealing the spotlight with her performance.

'The film belongs to Lily-Rose Depp, whose performance is a revelation,' declared The Hollywood Reporter.

The 25-year-old actress took center stage while attending a BAFTA screening held at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City

In addition to the special screening, she and her costars talked about the making of the Transylvania thriller  which is set to premiere on Christmas Day, December 25. The daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis looked glamorous in a chic, cream-colored dress

For the event, she put on a stylish display in a short-sleeved minidress with a sheer, mesh overlay and a bedazzled, structural piece across the front. She looked ethereal with her blonde tresses styled in a silky, straight blowout and her usual, soft makeup look

In addition to Depp and Skarsgard, Nosferatu features a talented ensemble cast that includes Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, Ellen's husband, and Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, a vampire hunter

Meanwhile, Collider called it 'one of the year's best performances.'

'Her scenes with Bill Skarsgard are electric,' continued THR's David Rooney.

'Depp gives Ellen's delirium a tragic gravity, deepening once she acknowledges the mystical forces within her that sparked the vampire's obsession,' Rooney continued.

'She can switch in an instant from weak and vulnerable to demonic, and the stylized physicality of her seizures is breathtaking.'

Speaking to Natalie Portman in a conversation for Interview magazine, Depp recently shared that one scene in the upcoming vampire flick was difficult to film.

The scene in question sees her drenched in blood with it streaming from her eyes

'There was blood that I would have to put in my eyes, and Im tearing up just talking about it. My eyes are very sensitive.'

Their new film  which has been getting rave early reviews  is a haunting remake of the 1922 silent classic, loosely based on Bram Stoker's Dracula

In this new version, Skarsgard, 34, takes on the role of the bloodthirsty Count Orlok, with Depp playing Ellen Hutter, the object of his sinister obsession

Set in Germany in 1800s, Nosferatu follows estate agent Thomas Hutter and his new bride Ellen as they travel to Transylvania in Romania's Carpathian Mountains, where they encounter the mysterious Count Orlok, a prospective client.

'In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding,' the synopsis read.

'Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control.'

Nosferatu premieres in theaters on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024.
Wendy Williams was seen in a rare sighting in Florida, after her guardian claimed that the beloved host's dementia battle has made her 'permanently incapacitated.'

A video showing Williams, 60  who was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in May 2023  sitting in the back of a car was shared to the toinethedon Instagram page on Sunday.

The caption stated that Wendy was spotted outside the Fort Lauderdale restaurant, Sista Saras Shonuff Oysters, with her nephew Travis Finnie. It's unclear what day the clip was taken on.

Wendy appeared to be in good spirits in the video, smiling as she received her food order. She was also heard thanking the workers.

At the start of the clip a fan greeted her by saying her signature catchphrase, 'How you doin'?' with the star smiling and returning the greeting.

The television personality wore a stylish green jacket, and had a black purse resting by her side.

Wendy Williams, 60, was seen in a rare sighting in Florida, sitting in the back of a car outside the Fort Lauderdale restaurant Sista Saras Shonuff Oysters; she is seen in 2019

The sighting, which was shared to the 'toinethedon' Instagram page on Sunday, came after Wendy's guardian claimed that her dementia battle has made her 'permanently incapacitated'

The caption stated 'She looks GOOD' and many of the comments agreed.

'She looks almost ready for her purple chair,' one wrote in reference to the iconic piece of furniture from her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show.

'She looks and sounds normal,' another added.

'She looks amazing!!!!!! She looks healthy!!'

'I hope her family fights like Hell for her. We miss you, Wendy!' someone else chimed in.

It comes after a family insider has exclusively told DailyMail.com that Wendy is 'more clear now than she's ever been,' following her guardian's claim that she is 'permanently incapacitated.'

Wendy's diagnosis came one year after she was placed under a court-ordered legal guardianship that oversees both her finances and health.

Last month, attorneys for the star's guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, claimed in new filings that Williams 'has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated.'

It was the latest update amid a legal wrangle over the star's tell-all documentary, Where Is Wendy Williams? - which prompted widespread backlash when it aired in February.

However, a family insider hit back at the claim regarding William's mental state and said: 'She is more clear now than shes ever been throughout the guardianship, which is a problem for some.'

She was joined by her nephew Travis Finnie. Wendy appeared to be in good spirits in the video, smiling as she received her food order. She was also heard thanking the workers; seen in 2020

At the start of the clip a fan greeted her by saying her signature catchphrase, 'How you doin'?' with the star smiling and returning the greeting. It's unclear what day the video was taken on; Wendy seen in 2018

The caption stated 'She looks GOOD' and many of the comments agreed. 'She looks almost ready for her purple chair,' one person wrote in reference to the iconic piece of furniture from her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show; Wendy seen in a still from her show

Where Is Wendy Williams? was set to explore Williams' life as she prepared to launch a new podcast- but featured shocking scenes showing the former host drinking vodka in bed and having panic attacks - leading to fan backlash against Lifetime.

Morrissey is now locked in a legal battle with the network over the documentary.

In a filing obtained by The US Sun last week, Morrissey's attorneys called Williams 'an acclaimed entertainer who, tragically, has been afflicted by early-onset dementia and, as a result, has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated.

'In January 2022, after becoming aware of a pattern of disturbing events concerning [Wendy's] welfare and finances, Wells Fargo took the highly unusual step of initiating a guardianship proceeding on its own initiative in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County (the 'Guardianship Proceeding'), to seek the court appointment of an independent guardian for [Wendy's] financial affairs.

The filing further asked for parts of the case about Williams' 'health, familial relationships, and finances' to be redacted to protect her privacy.

'We respectfully request that the Court grant Plaintiffs motion for limited redactions to protect non-public information from the Guardianship Proceeding that has been placed under seal by the court overseeing that proceeding.

However, just two months ago the beloved talk show host spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com and shared that she was doing well, before also slamming the documentary.

I am doing really good,' she said in October. 'The documentary sucked. I understand that it is up for an award now. Everything is going really well.

It comes after a family insider has exclusively told DailyMail.com that Wendy is 'more clear now than she's ever been,' following her guardian's claim that she is 'permanently incapacitated'; seen in 2019

The former radio personality was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in May 2023; seen in a still from the Where Is Wendy Williams? Lifetime documentary

New York lawyer Morrissey was assigned as her guardian after Wells Fargo froze her accounts in 2022, as a result of her financial adviser at the time claiming that she was of 'unsound mind.'

In March, it was reported that Williams was allegedly paid $100,000 per episode for her involvement in the four-part docuseries.

At the same time, it was revealed that William's guardian had filed a lawsuit against the parent company of Lifetime, A&E Television Networks with allegations of 'blatant exploitation' in 'disgusting' fashion.

Morrissey filed the lawsuit under temporary seal - which keeps details in the case protected from the public - in October, but the docs were unsealed and reviewed by The Hollywood Reporter, revealing explosive accusations in the case.

'This blatant exploitation of a vulnerable woman with a serious medical condition who is beloved by millions within and outside of the African American community is disgusting, and it cannot be allowed,' the legal team for Williams' guardian told the court.

Morrissey added that the talk show host 'did not have the capacity to consent,' according to THR, and producers did not get her consent, as her court-appointed guardian, to produce it.

Williams was misled by producers into thinking that the documentary would be a 'positive and beneficial' project for her public image and reputation, the suit stated.

In response, A&E Networks argued that Morrissey has been 'exceeding her authority' in trying to get parts of the documentary changed and redacted.

The American multinational broadcasting company filed a countersuit which claimed that Williams had signed a talent agreement before she was 'mentally incapacitated' as was claimed by the guardian.

The diagnosis came one year after she was placed under a court-ordered legal guardianship that oversees both her finances and health; Wendy pictured in 2019

The popular network also claimed that there is no law against doing a documentary on a subject with dementia so, in effect, even if a talent agreement wasn't signed nothing that they had done would be considered wrong.

The broadcasting company is suing Morrissey for attempting to infringe on A&E's First Amendment rights as they give the example of Morrissey's original suit filed in February in which she attempted to get a judge to stop the original documentary from being released.

A&E claimed that Morrissey had forced their production company to defend itself against 'meritless claims' from the documentary.

TMZ also claims A&E says in the countersuit that Morrissey is trying to deny Williams: 'One of her last chances to exercise her autonomy and honestly reach her fans in exactly the frank and unfiltered manner that was the hallmark of her career.

Williams' publicist previously blasted the Lifetime documentary that she signed her famous TV client up for.

Shawn Zanotti placed blame on the producers of the series, alleging the TV icon believed she was filming a program about her comeback - only for filmmakers to capture 'a circus to her downfall.'

Zanotti, who has been working as a publicist for Williams since 2021, spoke with NBC News about her grievances with the making the four-part documentary.

In an interview with the outlet, Zanotti claimed: 'I felt that [Williams] was being exploited. She thought we were focusing on the comeback of her career... She would be mortified.

Back in August, Williams was spotted in public for the first time in over a year at a herbal supplement shop in Newark, New Jersey

'There's no way you can convince me that she would be OK with looking and seeing herself in that way.'

She also told People that she felt 'lied to' about it.

Despite having encouraged her client to sign up for the show, Zanotti later said: 'I would never let Wendy put her name and brand on the line like that ever. She's an icon. It's not the story we signed up for and I feel lied to.

'It's so difficult for me to even watch. Wendy would be mortified.'

The Wendy Williams Show aired its final episode in June 2022 after 13 years  without Williams herself making an appearance.

She previously withdrew from the show in 2021 and embarked on what was initially supposed to be a temporary leave of absence to cope with health issues.
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Yvette Nicole Brown has tied the knot with Anthony Davis, one year after announcing their engagement.

The 53-year-old Community star wed Davis in what she described as an 'intimate, classy and fun' ceremony.

The couple said their vows in front of 200 guests at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on Saturday.

The actress told People that she had no qualms about going to the altar.

'I had no nerves when it came to marrying this man,' she gushed about her now-husband. 'He is the one for me. Absolutely.'

The bride was walked down the aisle by her brother Paris and she told the outlet it was the moment she most looked forward to.

Yvette Nicole Brown has tied the knot with Anthony Davis, one year after announcing their engagement; pictured December 8

The 53-year-old Community star wed Davis in what she described as an 'intimate, classy and fun' ceremony; pictured on November 28

Their father Omar is battling Alzheimer's and their mother Fran passed away in 2021.

Davis' parents are both deceased, 'so my brother and his sister stood in,' Brown said.

'So it was nice to walk down the aisle toward family and with family, even if it's not the family we wish we had in those roles,' she said about the bittersweet arrangement.

However, Davis surprised Yvette by coordinating with her dad's care facility to have him attend the wedding.

'The melding of these families is what I'm super, super excited about,' the performer said about her new union.

For the special occasion, Brown wore an Ines Di Santo dress and cathedral veil.

She accessorized with a Maria Elena headpiece and earrings styled by Nayri Kalayjian of Lovella Bridal.

'I saw the dress by Ines kind of peeking out of a rack, and I just put my hand on it and pulled it out,' the Hollywood vet recalled about the moment she spotted her gown.

'I said, "What about this one? Can I try this one on?" And it was absolutely the dress,' she shared.

She requested that a special touch be added  two customized butterflies to represent her and Davis' mothers. 'So it was found just on a whim, almost. It was just meant to be,' the star noted.

The couple said their vows in front of 200 guests at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on Saturday

Brown revealed her engagement while co-hosting an episode of The View last year

Guests were treated to signature cocktails and a dinner of sea bass and short rib.

Harpist Mariea Antoinette performed throughout the meal before attendees enjoyed a four-tiered lemon and strawberry shortcake from Cake Studio LA for dessert.

DJ Kacy 'Mister Wilson' Wilson provided additional music as well as live performers Leslie Odom Jr., Dr. Richard Schectman, and Deniece Williams.

There was also 360-degree photo booth for partygoers to snap pictures throughout the evening.

Yvette and Anthony initially crossed paths in their twenties.

They reconnected in 2021 when Davis reached out following Brown's mother's death.

Yvette told People she had no qualms about going to the altar; pictured in November 2023

Brown shared how Davis proposed while guest hosting an episode of The View last year.

During a visit to her hometown in Ohio, he gave the actress a lottery ticket with a scratcher that said 'Will you marry me?'

She joked with the co-hosts, 'I thought I was going to win some money and I won a man!'

Yvette says she hopes to be a source of inspiration to older women who haven't yet found love.

She told People, 'I realized there's a way that I could have a wedding where I made it more about other people, in the sense that because I am of a certain age and I never thought it would happen for me, my wedding can be an inspirational moment.

'I feel like it's important to make sure that the way God has blessed me, that I remind people that He is still in the blessing business, and can totally bless them as well.'
Patti Newton is working hard to reunite her son, Matthew Newton, with his sister, Lauren, according to a new report.

On Monday, Woman's Day claimed that the troubled actor, who lives in the USA, is largely estranged from his family back in Australia and Patti, 79, is 'fighting for her son' to rejoin the fold in time for Christmas.

'I know Patti does try to maintain contact with Matthew but she doesn't always hear back from him,' an alleged source told the publication.

'It is sad that she has come to terms with this level of contact.'

Part of the issue is an ongoing rift between Matthew, 47, and his sister, the magazine alleges.

'I would say there wouldn't be much communication, if any at all, between the Newton siblings,' the source claims, alleging some 'jealousy' at play.

Patti Newton is working hard to reunite her son, Matthew Newton, with his sister, Lauren, according to a new report. All pictured

'I know she's been through hell and back with him and her close circle have repeatedly told her to give him space, but that's easier said than done when a mother worries about her child,' the source said of Patti.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Patti Newtown for comment.

Woman's Day previously claimed that Patti was committed to having her son return to Melbourne for a reunion after years away from home and a series of scandals.

Matthew hasn't been home to Australia in years and didn't return for his father's funeral in 2021.

He has been enjoying a quiet and anonymous life in America following a series of scandals.

This includes domestic violence allegations from two former girlfriends: Australian actresses Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor.

In 2007, he pleaded guilty to assaulting Satchwell. A judge would later overturn the conviction because Matthew suffered from a 'severe depressive disorder.'

Three years later, Matthew was given a two-year apprehended domestic violence order after Taylor reported he had assaulted her at a hotel in Rome.

On Monday, Woman's Day claimed that the troubled actor, who lives in the USA, is largely estranged from his family back in Australia and Patti, 79, is 'fighting for her son' to rejoin the fold in time for Christmas

Part of the issue is an ongoing rift between Matthew, 47, and his sister, the magazine alleges

He was also arrested twice in Miami, Florida, in 2012 - the first for trespassing and resisting officers, while a second incident saw him charged with battery and resisting arrest after he attacked a hotel receptionist.

Following the charges, Matthew checked into the Betty Ford Center in California for 90 days of alcohol and drug treatment.

Earlier this year, Matthew denied his marriage to Catherine Schneiderman is over following reports he has moved out of the Texas ranch the couple were sharing and returned to New York where their first met in 2012.

Woman's Day claimed the couple parted ways after 'a rough couple of years'.

'Matty has had some huge obstacles thrown at him over the last 24 months and the stress simply took its toll on their relationship,' a source told the publication.

'Cat and Matthew had looked for a fresh start in Texas a few years back, but sadly it didn't help.'

The publication also claimed his mother Patti is 'concerned' about Matt and is considering flying to the States to help him settle in New York.

They allege Matthew reached out to his mother when his marriage broke down, and Patti 'dropped everything' to help him from afar.

Matthew hasn't been home to Australia in years and didn't return for his father's funeral in 2021. Bert Newton pictured right

Earlier this year, Matthew denied his marriage to Catherine Schneiderman (pictured) is over following reports he has moved out of the Texas ranch the couple were sharing and returned to New York where their first met in 2012

When contacted for comment, Matthew denied he and Catherine had split.

Catherine, who is the daughter of former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, still appears to be living in Texas and has sparked up a friendship with a local man called Troy Evans.

Evans even has had her name tattooed on his arm.

Instagram photos uploaded by Catherine in March show the brunette posing arm-in-arm with a heavily tattooed Troy as they attended a Texas rodeo.

She also shared a photo of the pair posing together on a farm while wearing cowboy hats in December 2023, captioned with the words: 'Giddy Up'.

The brunette also appears to have undergone a dramatic transformation in recent months, debuting a noticeably slimmer frame.

Catherine ignited speculation there was trouble in paradise after she recently shared a selfie to Instagram in which she was not wearing her wedding ring.

The photo captured Catherine holding up her phone with her left hand, and her diamond wedding ring was nowhere to be seen.

Catherine captioned the gallery of snaps with some cryptic words: 'Just like life to come teach me a lesson.'

Matthew and Catherine married in 2017 and were previously said to be living a quiet life together in a mansion in Texas, USA.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky welcomed a new family member this week.

The Spanish actress, 48, posted to Instagram on Saturday to share the exciting news that she and Chris, 41, had a new dog.

The animal, a German Shepherd, comes from Capaill Coloured Shepherds, a breeder based in Queensland.

The company promises: 'We breed solid, healthy, purebred German Shepherds in delicious colors'.

The average price for this breed averages between $3,500 and $4,000 based on estimates online.

Elsa shared a series of images of the adorable puppy, as well as a few with the mother of three cuddling up with the new family member.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky (pictured) welcomed a new family member this week. The Spanish actress, 48, posted to Instagram on Saturday to share the exciting news that she and Chris, 41, had a new dog

'Our new member of the family, a beautiful German Shepherd,' Elsa wrote in the caption.

However, she was soon hit with backlash from her fans and animal rescue groups alike for choosing to buy from a breeder rather than adopt from a shelter.

'What rescue was he adopted from as surely you wouldn't have purchased off a breeder!!!!' one angry fan asked in her comments on Instagram.

'Dog lovers make it our business to spread the word of the RIGHT thing to do. Adopt, Always!!!' another said.

'Adopt. Buying is taking away a dog's chance in a cage,' said someone else.

'Elsa adopt, do not accept kennel, or breed dogs' one more detractor chimed in below the images.

Kerrin Lee from Jades Dog Rescue NSW also spoke up, telling Yahoo on Monday that 'people are dumping and surrendering dogs in unprecedented numbers'.

'Adopting a dog from a pound or from a rescue will save one more dog from death. Thousands of unwanted dogs are killed every year,' Kerrin said.

She was soon hit with backlash from her fans and animal rescue groups alike for choosing to buy from a breeder rather than adopt from a shelter - but others supported her

'We always promote adopt don't shop, but we also understand that not everyone wants to adopt a rescue dog.'

Other fans showed support, with one person writing: 'She's a beautiful girl! @capaill_coloured_gsd_australia are fantastic ethical breeders.

'We have two boys from them, one who is your girl's brother from the same litter! Such beautiful dogs'.

Another said: 'So what, doesn't this puppy deserve a family that wants him just because someone else had him for sale?

'As if the dog was to blame. It's okay to adopt but I don't see the problem either if someone wants to buy it all puppies deserve someone to love them.'

'Omg those floppy ears,' wrote one, while another said, 'Wow, looks like a wolf.'

Meanwhile, someone else said, 'Oh my goshhh so fluffy!'

The new addition to the family joins Elsa, Chris, their twin sons Tristan and Sasha, 10, and daughter India, 12.

The animal, a German Shepherd, comes from Capaill Coloured Shepherds, a breeder based in Queensland . The company promises: 'We breed solid, healthy, purebred German Shepherds in delicious colors'

The average price for this breed averages between $3,500 and $4,000 based on estimates online. Elsa shared a series of images of the adorable puppy

The family live in Byron Bay in a sprawling $30million eight-bedroom mansion that sits on a massive 4.2 hectares of land in Broken Head.

Elsa revealed that she wasn't always convinced about moving Down Under and had one very specific condition for Chris before she relocated.

Elsa, who is originally from Madrid, admitted she told Chris that 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 told the Courier Mail.

'I said I would move to Australia but I wanted to live on a property, a farm, and have horses and he knew that.'

Elsa also gave a candid insight into her relationship with Chris and shared their secret to a happy marriage despite facing many challenges over the years.

'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.

The new addition to the family joins Elsa, Chris, their twin sons Tristan and Sasha, 10, and daughter India, 12

'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 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 spontaneous ceremony while in holiday in Australia in December 2010, just three months after they made their relationship public and ten months after they first met.

They moved to Byron Bay five years later after buying their forever home in the coastal paradise for $7.6million.
Strictly Come Dancing Chris McCausland has reflected on his 'emotional' win as he says he will 'never be a part of anything like that again'.

The blind comedian, 47, who lifted the Glitterball with partner Dianne Buswell, was also applauded by a disability charity for bringing representation to primetime TV.

Chris has won praise for 'breaking down barriers' on television after winning the BBC show over the weekend.

Breaking his silence on his incredible win, Chris wrote on X: 'Well I likely won't be a part of anything like that again. Saturday night was emotional and I haven't quite recovered yet.

'Thank you all so much for appreciating what we were able to do. It has been an incredible experience. Lots of love to you all #Strictly!'

Disability charity Scope claimed that Chris' appearance on the show will help to 'change perceptions' and create conversation about disability inclusion.

Strictly Come Dancing Chris McCausland has reflected on his 'emotional' win as he says he will 'never be a part of anything like that again'

The blind comedian, 47, who lifted the Glitterball with partner Dianne Buswell , was also applauded by a disability charity for bringing representation to primetime TV

Chris has won praise for 'breaking down barriers' on television after winning the BBC show over the weekend

Alison Kerry, Head of Communications at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'It's fantastic that Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell won the Glitterball trophy.

'One in four of us in the UK are disabled. Disability representation on TV, especially a flagship BBC show, is so important.

'It helps to break down barriers, transforms attitudes, and give viewers a greater understanding to the lives, talent, and potential of disabled people.

'Thanks to Chris's winning performance, perceptions will be challenged and more people will be having conversations about the importance of disability inclusion and accessibility.

'The impact of Strictly in breaking down barriers can't be underestimated. It's a hugely popular and entertaining programme. But the media industry still has a long way to go to achieve true disability representation.'

Chris has won the heart's of the nation following his incredible turn on the show and is reportedly set to rake in a whopping 1M following Saturday's nail-biting finale.

The funnyman was crowned champion during the live final alongside partner Dianne after beating fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland.

Chris has already added an incredible 100 extra dates to his Yonks comedy tour and according to The Mirror is being lined up for TV presenting and acting gigs - after being said to have helped to save the glitzy competition following a year of scandals.

Chris has won the heart's of the nation following his incredible turn on the show and is reportedly set to rake in a whopping 1M following Saturday's nail-biting finale

The much loved funnyman was crowned champion during the live final on Saturday, alongside partner Dianne Buswell after beating fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri , JB Gill and Sarah Hadland

Chris has already added an incredible 100 extra dates to his Yonks comedy tour and according to sources is being lined up for TV presenting and acting gigs

PR expert Mark Borkowski told the publication: 'He hasn't just danced his way to the bank, he's carried Strictly there with him turning a potentially disastrous serious into a glittering headline-grabbing redemption arc'.

'As a blind comedian, he's shattered expectations and delivered a victory that eels both groundbreaking and natural, proving talent and charisma are what truly captivate an audience'.

Before adding: 'Strictly just polished his star into prime-time gold'.

Meanwhile PR expert Mark Borkowski told The Mirror: ' Chris is the unlikely saviour of Strictly after a pre-season of turmoil'.

'His authenticity and humour have given the show a shot of much-needed credibility and warmth, reminding everyone why they fell in love with the format in the first place'.

Before adding: 'Strictly just polished his star into prime-time gold'.

Meanwhile Chris and his 'down to earth humour' are said to being lined up for a huge BBC show in a bid to boosts the broadcasters comedy output.

He has not only made history during his Strictly stint as the show's first ever blind contestant, but also impressed bosses with his cheeky wit.

Chris and his 'down to earth humour' are also reportedly being lined up for a huge BBC show in a bid to boosts the broadcasters comedy output

Chris has not only made history during his Strictly stint as the show's first ever blind contestant, but also impressed bosses with his cheeky wit which is said to have helped to save the glitzy competition following a year of scandals

A dark cloud hanging over the show since January when 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington first came forward with her complaints about pro partner Giovanni Pernice

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

A source told The Sun: 'What he did by keeping everyone in fits during the course of Strictly was show that he wasn't just funny, but proved he had a traditional sense of humour that can connect with the ordinary viewers at home'.

'That's something which critics have said is lacking from many comedy series on the Beeb, and Chris could breathe new life into a genre which was once a mainstay for the corporation.'

Before adding that Chris' talents could also be used for more general entrainment show and bosses are also planning to reunite him with pro partner Dianne to recapture their 'sensational chemistry'.

MailOnline have contacted BBC for comment.

When he was announced a winner during the final Chris 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 hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, Chris he: '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'.

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.

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.

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.
Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on her marital split from Jesse Wood, admitting on her Happy Place podcast that she 'doesn't want to feel depleted, stressed and not present in her family home'.

The presenter, 43, shocked fans by sharing the divorce announcement on Instagram - just days after she disclosed a health scare, revealing she had discovered two tumours on her jawline.

Speaking to Caroline Hirons on her latest podcast, which released on Monday, Fearne spoke of the 'toxic pressure that a woman can have it all'.

After a stressful few weeks battling her tumour scares, going through a divorce, while running a business at the same time, Fearne admitted: 'The pressure is immense'.

She said: 'There is a lot of pressure for women to prove ourselves, that we can run businesses, I'm trying to do the same with Happy Place. But if we are honest, the pressure is immense.

'I can imagine you [Caroline] are like me, there are lots of things I'd like to do, lots of goals.

Fearne Cotton, 43, has broken her silence on her marital split from Jesse Wood, 48, admitting on her Happy Place podcast that she 'doesn't want to feel depleted, stressed and not present in her family home'

The presenter shocked fans by sharing the divorce announcement on Instagram - just days after she disclosed a health scare, revealing she had discovered two tumours on her jawline

'I want to grow and expand myself in many ways but I don't want to feel depleted and stressed out and not be able to be present in my family home, [I want to] have time with my friends, have fun.

'There is still that toxic sort of trope that women can have it all, that people believe.'

Fearne shares son Rex, 11, and daughter Honey, eight, with Jesse, 48, and she is also stepmother to his children Arthur, 21, and Lola, 18, from his first marriage.

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.'

It comes after Fearne had reportedly feared for her marriage for some time before announcing the couple's split.

Friends of the couple have told The Mail on Friday night that Fearne and Jesse had feared for their marriage for a while.

Speaking to Caroline Hirons (pictured) on her latest podcast, which released on Monday, Fearne spoke of the 'toxic pressure that a woman can have it all'

After a stressful few weeks battling her tumour scares, going through a divorce, while running a business at the same time, Fearne admitted: 'The pressure is immense'

She said: 'I want to grow and expand myself in many ways but I don't want to feel depleted and stressed out and not be able to be present in my family home, [I want to] have time with my friends, have fun. There is still that toxic sort of trope that women can have it all'

It comes after reports that Fearne had feared for her marriage for some time before announcing the shock split from Jesse

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'.

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.'

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 a 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

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.

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.

Fearne tied the knot with the musician, who is the son of Rolling Stones member 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

'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.'

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.
Jamie Foxx is at the centre of a growing row over a controversial comment about white women after previously being hit by a 'anti-semitism' scandal.

The star, 57, has landed himself in hot water after making the questionable remark in his new Netflix special What Had Happened Was - with many believing he was taking a swipe at his ex Katie Holmes.

He said of dating: 'Sisters, I'm here to tell you, I've been cured. I've been cured of everything, no more white girls. I'm serious, no more white girls. No more white girls. No more. No more white girls.'

It is not known if he is still dating his latest girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp after their relationship was confirmed in August 2023.

It comes as it was revealed he had a glass thrown at his face at his 57th birthday dinner last weekend that left him needing stitches.

He was out celebrating his birthday after finally revealing the reason behind his mystery hospitalization last year, explaining he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain.

The comments about 'white women' is not the first time he has been caught up in scandal.

Jamie Foxx has hit headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks after making an offensive comment about 'white women'

The star, 57, landed in hot water after making a controversial comment in his new Netflix special What Had Happened Was - with many believing he was taking a swipe at his ex Katie Holmes

Last year he was forced to apologize for a controversial post branded anti-Semitic by fans.

The controversy began when Foxx took to Instagram to share an emotional message that read, 'They killed this dude called Jesus... what do you think they'll do to you???!'

It was followed by the hashtags #fakefriends and #fakelove, and some interpreted to be anti-Semitic.

Foxx followed with a statement clarifying that he did not have the Jewish community in mind when he uploaded the note.

His ex Katie was spotted for the first time on Sunday since he made an offensive comment about about being 'cured' from dating white women.

On Sunday, the actress, 45, put on a brave face as she flashed a tight smile while walking down the busy streets of New York City.

Her outing came just days after Foxx's special What Had Happened Was hit Netflix. It featured a shady reference to their six year romance.

Sitting down at a piano, the Hollywood star sang: 'Sisters, I'm here to tell you, I've been cured.

'I've been cured of everything, no more white girls. I'm serious, no more white girls. No more white girls. No more. No more white girls.'

He said: 'Sisters, I'm here to tell you, I've been cured. I've been cured of everything, no more white girls. I'm serious, no more white girls' (seen with Katie in 2019 - they dates from 2013 to 2019)

The comments about 'white women' is not the first time he has been caught up in scandal

It is not known if he is still dating his latest girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp after their relationship was confirmed in August 2023 (seen together in September)

Just last year he was forced to apologize for a controversial post branded anti-Semitic by fans - which Jennifer Aniston then had to deny she had 'liked'

Jamie then apologized for his choice of words and clarified the meaning of the previous post, explaining he was calling out a 'fake friend' and not the Jewish community

As audience members applauded and leapt out their seats, Jamie continued: 'I'm back on the black side of town!

'No more white girls. No more potato salad and raisins. No more white girls. No more spray tan, no more big t*tties no ass, no more white girls.'

Jamie has had several high-profile relationships over the years with both black and white women.

In 1993 he dated Connie Kline, and the pair went on to welcome daughter Corinne one year later.

Between 1996 and 2001, he was linked to Haitian actress Garcelle Beauvais, before going on to date actress Leila Arcieri in 2005.

In 2008, Jamie dated Kristin Grannis, the mother of his second daughter, Anelise.

He then dated Katie from 2013 to 2019.

Some reacted to his comments online as they penned: 'Jamie Foxx what a misogynist black racist unbelievable any white man say something like he just said about the black women there would be an uproar.',

'Jamie Foxx declares he's 'cured' of dating white women following stroke after six-year romance with Katie Holmes UM EXCUSE ME 'CURED'? IMAGINE A WHITE PERSON SAYING THEY'RE 'CURED DATING BLACK PEOPLE'?'

His comments about 'white women' come after he was accused of being anti-Semitic by some of his fans last year.

He shared a message that read, 'They killed this dude called Jesus... what do you think they'll do to you???!'

It was followed by the hashtags #fakefriends and #fakelove, and some interpreted to be anti-Semitic.

Someone named Jennifer Aniston appeared to 'like' the remarks - but Aniston quickly created a post of her own to distance herself from the perceived contention and denied any connection to it in her Instagram Stories.

'This really makes me sick, 'she wrote.

'I did not 'like' this post on purpose or by accident,' The Morning Show star maintained.

'And more importantly, I want to be clear to my friends and anyone hurt by this showing up in their feeds  I do NOT support any form of antisemitism. And I truly don't tolerate HATE of any kind. Period.'

There are dozens of fan accounts on social media under the name Jennifer Aniston.

Foxx followed with a statement clarifying that he did not have the Jewish community in mind when he uploaded the note.

His controversies stem back to 2012 when he hit headlines for a joke he made during a Saturday Night Live monologue

His recent controversy comes after it was revealed that he had a glass thrown at his face at his birthday party in Beverly Hills last Friday night and required stitches

Jamie attempted to rectify the situation as he shared a second post that read, 'I want to apologize to the Jewish community and to everyone who was offended by my post. I now know my words of choice have caused offense and I'm sorry. That was never my intent.

'To clarify, I was betrayed by a fake friend and that's what I meant with 'they' not anything more,' he explained.

'I only have love in my heart for everyone. I love and support the Jewish community. My deepest apologies to anyone who was offended. Nothing but love always, Jamie Foxx,' the message ended.

National Director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt then tweeted to thank Jamie for his apology.

'We welcome @iamjamiefoxx's apology and thank him for his clarification.'

His controversies stem back to 2012 when he hit headlines for a joke he made during a Saturday Night Live monologue.

Foxx was joking about his 2012 movie Django Unchained in which he played a slave-turned-bounty-hunter.

In his monologue he said: 'I kill all the white people in the movie, how great is that?' as some of the audience laughed in response.

The video of him on SNL started recirculating on social media after the antisemitism row.

Foxx said in the monologue: 'I got a movie coming out, Django Unchained, check it out. I play a slave. Uh, how black is that?

'And in the movie I have to wear chains. Umm ... how whack is that?

'But don't worry about it, because I get out of the chains, I get free, I save my wife, and I kill all the white people in the movie. How great is that? And how black is that?'

His recent controversy comes after it was revealed that he had a glass thrown at his face at his birthday party in Beverly Hills last Friday night and required stitches.

The incident occurred at the restaurant Mr. Chow, where Foxx 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 enforcement's 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.

The claims came 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 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.'

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.''

Last week Jamie finally revealed the reason behind his mystery hospitalisation last year, sharing he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain

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.'

The Netflix special marks Jamie's big return to the stage following his hospitalization.
Strictly professionals Jowita Przystal and Vito Coppola's rumoured new relationship has been branded a 'fauxmance' by body language expert Judi James.

Polish star Jowita, 30, who previously dated co-star Giovanni Pernice, 34, and was linked to partner Pete Wicks, 36, earlier this year, is said to have now been wooed by the Italian, 32, with one source claiming the chemistry 'is palpable' between them.

But body language expert Judi exclusively told MailOnline that the new coupling appears a 'little obvious' and 'rather clunky', suggesting it's simply manufactured for the benefit of fans ahead of the show's UK tour.

She also said Jowita and Vito's sensual performances together prove nothing as they are both trained dancers who can easily 'imply passion' and pointed out that when not on the dance floor appear 'bland' in each other's company.

'As a body language cynic the hop between faux-flirting with Pete Wicks to kindling some fan interest and a Strictly thirst trap with Vito for their tour seems a little obvious and rather clunky'.

'Good for them either way if this is romance or fauxmance but the fact Pete seems to be skipping the tour does sound like the perfect cue to do a soft launch for this new pairing'.

Strictly professionals Jowita Przystal and Vito Coppola's rumoured new relationship has been branded a 'fauxmance' by body language expert Judi James

Jowita, 30, who previously dated co-star Giovanni Pernice , 34, and was linked to partner Pete Wicks, 36, is said to have now been wooed by the Italian dancer, 32 (pictured together)

But body language expert Judi exclusively told MailOnline that the new romance appears a 'little obvious' and 'rather clunky', suggesting it's simply manufactured for the benefit of fans

'We should ignore all the body language signals between them that come from any of their dances. They look sensual but its what dancers do, its part of their professional DNA.

'Both have enough acting skills to imply passion with a palm tree if called to for a routine'.

Judi continued: 'Their other pose looks bland, meaning that speculation will have to be based on what were being told and what fans buying tickets might spot on tour'.

'Theyre both lovely people so sound good as a couple on paper, as Tasha Ghouri would have said on Love Island, but based on these images the jurys out for now, expect pics from them in the street holding hands to drop any time now to fan the flames in terms of fan interest!'.

Jowita and Vito previously sparked romance rumours earlier this year during the Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals live UK tour.

A source told The Sun this week: 'There have been several flings going on under the radar this year but people are talking behind the scenes.

'The chemistry on set is palpable. But Vito is very respectful of Jowita and has been trying to woo her all series.

'Now that her partner Pete Wicks is no longer around to distract her, Vito can finally take centre stage. The Strictly Come Dancing tour is set to be lively next year,' they added.

She also said the pair's sensual performances together prove nothing as they are both trained dancers who can easily 'imply passion'

Judi pointed out that when not on the dance floor both appear 'bland' in each other's company

'We should ignore all the body language signals between them that come from any of their dances. They look sensual but its what dancers do, its part of their professional DNA'.

Judi continued: 'Their other pose looks bland, meaning that speculation will have to be based on what were being told and what fans buying tickets might spot on tour'

It comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed that Pete has put a stop to his romantic liaison with Jowita - because he was determined to win the heart of I'm A Celeb's Maura Higgins

MailOnline has contacted the BBC and both Jowita and Vito's representatives for comment.

It comes after The Mail on Sunday previously revealed that Pete has put a stop to his romantic liaison with Jowita - because he was determined to win the heart of I'm A Celeb's Maura Higgins.

Sources close to Pete say he is telling friends he is completely smitten with the jungle star, 34, who he has been casually dating for the past five months.

When he began Strictly and met Jowita, Maura gave up any hope of the relationship continuing.

A friend said: Before Maura entered the jungle, Pete wanted to make their relationship exclusive.

'But Maura, aware of Petes reputation and his close bond with Jowita, decided to slow things down.

'She gave him an ultimatum: either commit to her or let it go.So she went off a single woman.

'Since then, Pete has gone all-in, openly expressing his feelings to anyone wholl listen.

Pete and Jowita have been competing on Strictly together since September and at the time insiders claimed 'something has changed' between the pair.

Claiming they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show.

At the beginning of the series, they were said to have 'sent tongues wagging' between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry, with viewers even spotting their close connection.

Sources close to Pete say he is telling friends he is completely smitten with the jungle star, 34, who he has been casually dating for the past five months (pictured together in May)

At the beginning of the series, they were said to have 'sent tongues wagging' between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry, with viewers even spotting their close connection

Jowita and Giovanni previously dated last year, following her split from her long-term partner and fellow dancer Michael Danilczuk in 2022 (pictured together in 2022)

Rumours of a relationship between the pair began to circulate in December that year, with reports that the pair were the 'worst kept secret' at the BBC, and were even said to be kissing backstage at Strictly

Pete has also fuelled romance rumours with Jowita, saying: 'Jowita is just... I could not have got a better partner.

'I cant sit here and go "shes my life". We dont know each other that well. But what I do know is that she makes me feel good.

'And that is really important and hopefully I make her feel good and thats a really nice place to be, you know what I mean?'

Jowita and Giovanni previously dated last year, following her split from her long-term partner and fellow dancer Michael Danilczuk in 2022.

Rumours of a relationship between the pair began to circulate in December that year, with reports that the pair were the 'worst kept secret' at the BBC, and were even said to be kissing backstage at Strictly.

While the pair were also leaving supportive comments on each other's social media posts - before being snapped out together on Valentine's Day in February 2023.

However, they called it quits the following month, due to their 'hectic work schedules'.
Dianne Buswell looked to be spending some well deserved time with her family after lifting the glitterball trophy with her Strictly partner Chris McCausland on Saturday night.

The professional dancer, 34, has been enjoying quality time with her family who travelled over from Australia to watch the couple perform.

Dianne's dad Mark, who underwent cancer treatment last year, and mum Ria were left in tears as they watched their daughter win the BBC show for the first time over the weekend.

And Dianne's brother Andrew is also visiting from down under as he shared a series of sweet clips of the dancer and her niece and nephew.

Decorating her home with a '2024 WINNER' banner and balloons, Dianne cuddled her nephew Roman before Joe was seen pulling her niece Zofia around on a toy train.

In another adorable clip Dianne read Zofia a bedtime story, as Andrew captioned the post: 'Zofia has been talking about this moment for months.'

Dianne Buswell celebrated her Strictly win with her family as they travelled from Australia to watch her lift the Glitterball trophy for the first time with Chris McCausland on Saturday night

Decorated with a '2024 WINNER' banner and balloons, Dianne cuddled her nephew Roman before J

The star often shares her family support on Instagram with her niece sending her good luck wishes to 'Auntie Dot' each week.

Dianne and Chris, 47, were crowned 2024's champions after the comedian made history as the show's first-ever blind contestant and winner.

Chris pipped fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill and Sarah Hadland to the post in the 'best ever' final, with his cheeky wit and inspiring story helping to save the show following a year of scandals.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Dianne also shared an emotional snap with her parents as they embraced after her incredible win.

Elsewhere Joe, who first met Dianne on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, proudly shared a gallery of pictures praising the dancer for her hard work and 'determination'.

The YouTuber wrote: 'There are no words to describe how proud I am of you both @diannebuswell @chrismccauslandcomedy, Last night was an absolute movie.

'You made us laugh, you made us cry and you proved to the world that you are good enough and you can achieve anything the doubters say you can't and more.

'Chris I thank you for making this year so special for Dianne and I could not be happier that you're the partner she finally lifted the glitterball with.

Meanwhile her boyfriend Joe Sugg was seen pulling her niece Zofia around on a toy train

In another adorable clip Dianne read Zofia a bedtime story, as Andrew captioned the post: 'Zofia has been talking about this moment for months'

Dianne and Chris, 47, were crowned 2024's champions after the comedian made history as the show's first-ever blind contestant and winner

Taking to her Instagram Story, Dianne also shared an emotional snap with her parents Mark and Ria as they embraced after her incredible win

'Dot, it's been a long winding, road full of ups and downs for 7 years but you have shown pure determination & dedication and you finally got there in the best way possible and everyone has been able to see how amazing you are and what an incredible teacher you are this year.

'You are both inspirations and have the nations hearts  on behalf of everyone, thank you.'

It is the first time Dianne has won Strictly after making it to the final last year with partner EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, 20, but losing out to Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.

Dianne previously lost out on the victory win in 2018 when she was partnered with her now boyfriend Joe as Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton lifted the Glitterball.

Meanwhile Chris has reflected on his 'emotional' win as he says he will 'never be a part of anything like that again'.

The blind comedian has won praise for 'breaking down barriers' on television after winning the BBC show over the weekend.

Breaking his silence on his incredible win, Chris wrote on X: 'Well I likely won't be a part of anything like that again. Saturday night was emotional and I haven't quite recovered yet.

'Thank you all so much for appreciating what we were able to do. It has been an incredible experience. Lots of love to you all #Strictly!'

Elsewhere Joe, who first met Dianne on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, proudly shared a gallery of pictures praising the dancer for her hard work and 'determination'

The blind comedian has won praise for 'breaking down barriers' on television after winning the BBC show over the weekend

Disability charity Scope claimed that Chris' appearance on the show will help to 'change perceptions' and create conversation about disability inclusion.

Alison Kerry, Head of Communications at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'It's fantastic that Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell won the Glitterball trophy.

'One in four of us in the UK are disabled. Disability representation on TV, especially a flagship BBC show, is so important.

'It helps to break down barriers, transforms attitudes, and give viewers a greater understanding to the lives, talent, and potential of disabled people.

'Thanks to Chris's winning performance, perceptions will be challenged and more people will be having conversations about the importance of disability inclusion and accessibility.

'The impact of Strictly in breaking down barriers can't be underestimated. It's a hugely popular and entertaining programme. But the media industry still has a long way to go to achieve true disability representation.'
Melanie Sykes has revealed she's had her breast implants removed two months ago, she told fans in her latest YouTube video on Saturday.

The TV presenter, 54, went under the knife in 2010 after admitting she 'grew insecure about her boobs' after the birth of her two sons Roman, 22, and Valentino, 20.

But after a decade, Melanie decided to ditch her implants and embrace her natural body.

Melanie admitted she has had 'deep bruising' after suffering a complication with her pectoral muscle in the surgery.

She said: 'I actually about two months ago had my breast implants removed and so I've been recovering from that.

'During surgery something happened to the pectoral muscle so that's took a while to [recover], there was deep bruising in there and it is getting better.

Melanie Sykes, 54, has revealed she's had her breast implants removed two months ago, she told fans in her latest YouTube video on Saturday

The TV presenter went under the knife in 2010 after admitting she ' grew insecure about her boobs' after the birth of her two sons Roman, 22, and Valentino, 20

But after a decade Melanie decided to ditch her implants and embrace her natural body (Melanie pictured on I'm A Celeb in 2014, four years after her surgery)

'But I have recovering from that and all the while reading, reading, reading, painting, painting, painting. I've bought loads of classical music and I've been composing, it's been like physio.'

'I've been positively thriving. But because of my extreme sensitivity, [I have] just absolute acuteness of feeling.'

Speaking about her decision to get a boob job in 2012, Melanie told MailOnline 'it was one of the best things she had ever done.'

She said: 'I had a boob job two years ago and its one of the best things Ive ever done. I wanted my boobs to look like they did in my heyday.

'Its a very personal decision and I dont judge anybody for choosing to have plastic surgery.'

In the video, Melanie also spoke out amid the ongoing Gregg Wallace row and his sexual misconduct investigation.

Melanie previously claimed that spending time with MasterChef presenter Gregg on the BBC show in 2021 made her walk away from her television career.

Gregg, 60, has stepped away from the BBC show after 13 people, including Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, accused him of 'wrong' and inappropriate 'sexualised' behaviour during filming.

Melanie admitted she has had 'deep bruising' after suffering a complication with her pectoral muscle in the surgery

In the video, Melanie also spoke out amid the ongoing Gregg Wallace row and his sexual misconduct investigation

The star previously claimed that spending time with MasterChef presenter Gregg on the BBC show in 2021 made her walk away from her television career

Melanie previously claimed Gregg greeted her on MasterChef by asking if models eat food, which she said she found 'unprofessional' and laced with 'ignorance and disrespect'

The claims are across a 17-year period and include those of inappropriate behaviour, including roaming around on set naked with a sock on his penis, inappropriate jokes and two claims of groping crew members.

In a new YouTube video posted on Sunday Melanie did not directly address the Gregg situation when she spoke but referred to certain recent media reports.

Reflecting, she said: 'I'm deep in thought as always, emotional and I'm so grateful and happy with everything in my life.

'But there are so many things as a human that are painful and difficult to listen to.

'I look out at the birds in the morning and they are in such harmony and I don't understand why we can't do that.

'There are times in my life when I just don't engage with the media narrative in any shape or form and there are periods when I do because I want to know what's happening...'

Melanie made comments about Gregg in her autobiography, titled Illuminated, which was published last year, and expanded on them in recent days in another video posted on YouTube.

Mel claimed Gregg greeted her on MasterChef by asking if models eat food, which she said she found 'unprofessional' and laced with 'ignorance and disrespect'.

Melanie said she made an informal complaint against Wallace, and claimed she found conduct on the MasterChef set 'jaw-dropping'

She also said the grocer-turned broadcaster spent time 'barking orders' in such a manner that made her want to leave the show.

And Gregg apparently told her that appearing on his show would do a lot for her career prospects.

She said: 'I didn't know what to say, so I smiled and said 'yes', but I was really thinking, 'Yes, you have finally helped me decide to end my television career once and for all'.

Melanie said she made an informal complaint against Wallace, and claimed she found conduct on the MasterChef set 'jaw-dropping'.

Melanie is best known for the Boddingtons advert in the 1990s and as the co-host of Today with Des and Mel in the early 2000s.

In her book, Melanie wrote: 'The MasterChef experience continued to be an eye-opener, and some unprofessional behaviour on set was jaw-dropping.'

In her recent YouTube video she said that 'every time Gregg came over to the desk, I didn't really like him being around really because it's all about vibrations and energy'.

At the end of filming the show, Melanie claimed she had a brief conversation with Gregg, which was a huge factor in her exit from television.

Melanie is best known for the Boddingtons advert in the 1990s and as the co-host of Today with Des and Mel in the early 2000s

It is not known who Melanie made an informal complaint about Gregg to.

On Saturday it was revealed that Gregg admitted 'defeat' and accepted his career is over in the wake of an investigation by a production company into his alleged sexual harassment and groping.

In October Gregg vehemently denied that he had made inappropriate sexual comments towards women, declaring that he would never 'flirt with' or 'hit on' another woman and: 'I didn't say anything sexual'.

A source has now told MailOnline that Gregg has told friends that he 'accepts his TV career is basically at an end.'

They revealed that Gregg is being 'quite reflective and pragmatic' about the investigation and has concluded he has 'had a good run and done well for a bloke who was basically a greengrocer.'

Gregg set up his own fruit and vegetable business - earning himself the nickname 'Gregg the Veg' from friends - in 1989 and supplied restaurants including Quaglinos, where young Aussie chef John was working.

While this year's MasterChef Christmas specials have been pulled from the TV schedule there is also discussion that the BBC will be removing historic shows featuring him due to the nature of the complaints.

MailOnline have contacted the BBC for comment. Gregg's representatives refused to comment when approached by MailOnline.
When comic Alan Carr made a gag about Phillip Schofield's lack of work since his affair scandal, the audience at the Royal Variety Performance, the audience fell into hysterics.

But ITV, the presenter's former employers and the network screening the event, cut the joke - perhaps fearing it would prompt him to start another row with them.

During the live show, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall on November 22, much loved hosts Carr and Amanda Holden were taking about how theyd relaxed throughout the day.

Ms Holden had said shed been juicing while it seemed Carr hadnt eaten his dinner.

Then a Deliveroo driver appeared on the stage with around ten boxes of all pizza, prompting Carr - to tell the man to take them to his dressing room.

As the Deliveroo driver left the stage Alan said: 'I cant be too hard on him, Im just pleased to see Phillip Schofield is back working again!'

One audience member told the Mail: 'Alan was hilarious, it just rolled off of his tongue and the whole place was falling around laughing.

'The crowd were in fits of laughter, it perfectly timed and very, very funny. It is just so strange that ITV didn't include it in their final edit.'

Alan Carr told a joke about Phillip Schofield 's lack of work since his affair scandal, which left the audience laughing

Despite the joke about Mr Schofield (pictured) landing with the audience, ITV took the decision to omit it from its broadcast

Comedian Alan Carr and presenter Amanda Holden were the new hosts for this year's Royal Variety Performance

Schofield, 61, began a war of words with ITV - who he worked for more than 30 years before leaving 18 months ago - during his Channel 5 show Cast Away.

He inflamed the fall out by insisting he was sacked rather than leaving following his affair with a much younger This Morning colleague.

He also took aim at his former friend and co-star Holly Willoughby, This Morning editor Martin Frizell and head of daytime Emma Gormley by referring to them as 'three s***s.'

A TV source said: 'Perhaps ITV didn't want to start another row with Phil by putting that on air.'

Ms Holden, 53, has also made no secret of her disdain for Schofield after she claimed he blocked her from stepping into Ms Willoughby's shoes while she hosted I'm A Celeb back in 2018.

And several months on in 2019, Ms Holden made her feelings clear when she took a swipe at Schofield during a radio quiz on Heart Breakfast. When asked what she wouldn't want to discover in her house, she said: 'Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield.'

Almost four million tuned in to watch the Royal Variety Performance last night.

One audience member said: 'We had the most fabulous night at the Royal Albert Hall. Alan and Amanda were hilarious with some of the many highlights being the cast of Oliver and seeing Elton John introduce The Devil Wears Prada.'

ITV declined to comment.
Nick Knowles shared his unapologetic support for his girlfriend's lingerie brand after the couple faced backlash over their racy social media posts.

The DIY SOS star, 62, revealed he has been told he 'shouldn't post' about her business but defiantly insisted he 'couldn't help himself'.

Nick shared a picture of a woman wearing a white bra, knickers and suspenders from the brand, alongside the caption: 'Looking for a grown up Xmas gift folks?'

Proudly promoting his girlfriend's brand - Boa Boa - Nick shared the Instagram Stories with his 312,000 followers.

Touching on the criticism he has faced, Nick said: 'So a year ago my fiancee started a lingerie company and I'm so proud of her success - it's called Boa Boa.

'People say I shouldn't post about it but when you love someone and are proud of their hard work and achievements you just can't help yourself.'

Nick Knowles shared his unapologetic support for his girlfriend's lingerie brand after the couple faced backlash over their racy social media posts

The DIY SOS star, 62, revealed he has been told he 'shouldn't post' about her business but defiantly insisted he 'couldn't help himself'

Nick shared a picture of a woman wearing a white bra, knickers and suspenders from the brand, alongside the caption: 'Looking for a grown up Xmas gift folks?'

Katie and Nick caused controversy when she shared a naughty snap to her Instagram to celebrate Nick's 61st birthday last year.

Katie hit back at trolls after they slammed her for posting a racy picture of the pair together.

The hateful comments from trolls come after the lingerie mogul took to Instagram on Thursday to post a carousel of snaps celebrating her fiance Nick's birthday.

In one particular snap, Katie can be seen posing in a white bustier and thong suspenders as Nick was pictured behind giving her a helping hand.

She captioned the post, 'Happy birthday to my love and best friend (and fiance) You make me smile and laugh all the time and I'm so happy that you're in my life so we can keep making lovely memories and taking special pictures with my eyes closed.'

However, the very racy snap attracted some troll comments as some branded Katie 'desperate' and 'cringe'.

On Friday, Katie shared some nasty comments on her Instagram stories, and captioned the post with 'Today's trolling delight.'

In the snap, one troll commented, 'Your mother must be so proud what a claim to dame, Nick Knowles' current b***h (number 67) and getting your a***e out on line. Plus if you're 33 I'm the queen of sheba'.

Katie and Nick caused controversy when she shared a naughty snap to her Instagram to celebrate Nick 's 61st birthday last year

While another commented: 'Why would you want people to see this. So desperate and cringe.'

However, Nick appeared to clap back at the trolls by showing how unfazed he was by the comments.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, the star posted the snap and captioned it: 'When your fiancee owns a lingerie brand and asks you to straighten the straps on a photo shoot (shocked emoji)'.

It comes after Nick gushed about his fiancee Katie, saying she will 'travel almost anywhere' in the world to be with him.

The star asked for the sex toy business owner's hand in marriage after she flew out to visit him while he was on a trip to New Orleans.

Nick appeared on ITV's Lorraine on Friday, saying, 'She will travel almost anywhere I'm working.

'When I get home, I spend time with my little boy, who is just nine. Wherever I am in the world, she'll come and join in too.'

Nick is father to son Eddie, nine, with his ex-wife Jessica, while he also shares daughter Tuesday and son Charlie with his ex-wife Gillian.

Trolls: Katie proceeded to hit back at trolls by reposting their comments on her Stories, captioning them with: 'Todays trolling delights'

Katie has daughters Savannah, eight, and Alex, five, from a previous relationship.

Nick recalled the proposal: 'I got her a sweetie ring. If she doesn't travel to see me, we don't get to see each other.

'She came out to New Orleans to see me, and I thought this would be a great place to propose, but I didn't have a ring, so I fashioned one. I got nail scissors on a Haribo, so it had a jewel.

'My biggest fear was that she'd eat it because she loves Haribo. But she didn't. We've replaced it now with a proper one.'

He added: 'She will travel almost anywhere that I'm working. When I get home, I spend time with my little boy, who is just 9. Wherever I am in the world, she'll come and join in too.'

Along with selling sex toys through her company, Boa Boa, Katie also designs lingerie.

Nick explained: 'My girlfriend Katie designs lingerie. She's already designing specific bras for [cancer] survivors.

'There's this thing of women not being able to get hold of lovely things. She wants to be body-positive. It's such a lovely thing.'

TV star Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with Katie in September 2021 after ending his romance with PR guru Emily Hallinan in February 2020.

Nick and Katie made their public debut as a couple at a restaurant in Bath after being friends for several years.
Kate Beckinsale rocked a bold leather miniskirt with EastEnders legend Pat Butcher on the bottom as she decorated her lavish Christmas tree in an Instagram video on Monday.

The actress showed her love for British things in the black figure hugging number which boasted a picture of Pat, portrayed by Pam St Clement, and the words 'Pat on the back' across her bottom.

Kate tucked a coordinated jumper into the skirt and wore a pair of black tights and chunky boots for the festive video.

The Underworld star put the ornaments on her huge pink Christmas tree while her beloved dyed pink cat sat on a step ladder next to her.

Kate wrote: 'Santas little helper is quite opinionated this year'.

Pat Butcher appeared on the BBC soap from June 1986, just over a year after the show first aired. She was killed-off in January 2012, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Kate Beckinsale rocked a bold leather miniskirt with EastEnders legend Pat Butcher on the bottom as she decorated her lavish Christmas tree in an Instagram video on Monday

Kate gave an insight into decorating her huge pink Christmas tree on social media

Pat was one of the longest serving characters on the show, appearing for 25 years and six months.

It comes after Kate put on a very leggy display in a white fur coat as she posed with her cat and dog for Instagram photos earlier this month.

The actress looked sensational as she relaxed on her sofa wearing the extravagant coat while her dyed pink cat lay between her legs.

Kate showed off her impressive flexibility as she kicked her leg into the air and flashed her gorgeous smile.

Styling her long blonde tresses in a neat ponytail, the star wore several diamond necklaces and rings for the photo shoot.

Kate added a chunky black pair of sunglasses and wore a towering pair of platform silver metallic heels.

Kate enlisted her beloved cat and dog once again for another social media photo shoot earlier this year but the feline wasn't having it for long.

The star looked sensational in an all-black two piece as she displayed her flat tummy and toned legs during a Mexican retreat.

The actress showed her love for British things in the black figure hugging number which boasted a picture of Pat, portrayed by Pam St Clement, and the words 'Pat on the back' across her bottom

Kate tucked a coordinated jumper into the skirt and wore a pair of black tights and chunky boots for the festive video

The Underworld star put the ornaments on her huge pink Christmas tree while her beloved dyed pink cat sat on a step ladder next to her

Pat Butcher appeared on the BBC soap from June 1986, just over a year after the show first aired. She was killed-off in January 2012, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

It comes after Kate put on a very leggy display in a white fur coat as she posed with her cat and dog for Instagram photos earlier this month

Earlier this year, Kate tried to pose for pictures with her cat and dog but the feline had other ideas

After taking a few photos, Willow growled in discontent and fled the scene. Kate captioned the post: 'Problem child.'

In a video shared in her post, Kate warned the cat when it growled at her: 'Don't be a d**k!'

But in another photo, Kate revealed that the shoot had not ended well because she sustained an injury.

The actress showed her million followers a piece of her bloodied skin that had seemingly been clawed at by the cat.

The Underworld star was then asked in the comments section of her post why Willow had attacked her.

The fan asked: 'Why Willow attacked you?' (sic)

She replied: 'hates myf', revealing a supposed rivalry between her Persian and her Pomeranian.

Last year, Kate got a touching tattoo tribute of her beloved cat Clive following his passing.

Kate showed off the incredible fine line artwork by LA-based tattooist, Dr Woo.

Clive's adorable face could be seen on her forearm, surrounded by an intricate star design.

Alongside the photos, Kate wrote: 'This has really helped. Thank you so much, @_dr_woo_'
Hannah Waddingham has opened up about how she was told she wasn't able to have children before welcoming her daughter Kitty, 10.

The actress, 50, recalled how being told about her infertility was something she never expected to hear, before revealing how she eventually got pregnant.

Hannah cited 'Eastern medicine' as the reason she believes she conceived Kitty, who she gave birth to days before celebrating her 40th birthday.

Eastern medicine focuses on treating the person as a whole rather than their symptoms, approaches diagnosing, treating, and preventing in a holistic manner.

This includes multiple factors that embrace the mind, body, and spirit. The practice includes a branch of treatment such as acupuncture and Tai chi.

Speaking about being told she would not have children, Hannah told Ok! magazine: 'I was naturally in shock, it's not something you ever expect to hear. I went down the kind of Eastern medicine route and for me, thankfully, it worked.

Health: The Ted Lasso star, 48, was left terrified five years ago when her daughter Kitty, who was three years old at the time, suddenly fell ill with HSP and had to be hospitalised

The actress, 50, recalled how being told about her infertility was something she never expected to hear, before revealing how she eventually got pregnant (pictured recently)

'On my 40th birthday, I came out of hospital with her after a few days of complications.

'If I didn't have her, I would be little husk in the corner. She's my best little friend and she is my moral compass. Even when I'm exhausted from being a single parent, she's my hero.'

Hannah explained how her daughter is named after her grandmother and sweetly admitted she believes her child was 'sent to her'.

Tragedy struck the family when Kitty was 'suddenly taken very ill' and was later diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder.

Kitty has Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), a condition that affects young children and involves swelling of small blood vessels, and can often lead to kidney issues.

Hannah told the publication that Kitty was in hospital for a while before they discovered what she had and she wasn't able to talk about it 'for a very long time'.

Last year, the Ted Lasso star revealed she was left terrified when her daughter Kitty, who was three years old at the time, suddenly fell ill.

Reflecting on the difficult time, Hannah said Kitty - who she shares with ex Gianluca Cugnetto - was suddenly diagnosed with auto-immune disorder.

Reflecting on the difficult time, Hannah said Kitty - who she shares with ex Gianluca Cugnetto - was in the hospital for a long time before they found out what was wrong with her

Hannah said she then decided to step back from any jobs that would take her away from Kitty, before eventually signing on to Ted Lasso, which is filmed near her home (pictured on the show)

HSP is a condition that involves swelling of small blood vessels, often affecting children between ages two and six. In most cases, children will make a full recovery, but can be left with kidney problems.

Speaking to People about Kitty's illness, the single mother admitted that she wasn't able to talk about the terrifying time for a long while, but is able to address it now.

She told the publication: 'I can talk about it now, but I couldn't for a very long time. She was in the hospital for a while with them not knowing what it was.'

The Sex Education actress had been filming Krypton for Warner Bros. Television in Belfast when she received the terrifying phone call informing her of her daughter's diagnosis.

Hannah said she was left very shaken by the ordeal and decided to step back from any jobs that would take her away from London amid her daughter's illness.

She explained that she was reluctant to audition for Ted Lasso, even though filming was near her home, but did so after being persuaded by her team and quickly fell in love with the role of Rebecca Welton.

Hannah added that Kitty is now doing 'much better', which she said is 'the greatest' as she gushed over her beloved daughter.

It is not the first time that Hannah, who doesn't show Kitty's face on social media, has candidly spoken about her daughter's struggle with the illness.

Hannah had previously said how she always kept her daughter Kitty close to her, as she balanced motherhood and her demanding acting career

It is not clear when Hannah parted ways with the father of her child. She is pictured with her former partner, hotelier Gianluca Cugnetto, in March 2015

Appearing on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast in 2021, Hannah detailed what HSP is like, describing it as 'horrific'.

'For anyone who knows what it's like, it's really horrific,' she explained.

Kitty's illness changed the course of her career as she was unable to fly home from Belfast, where she was filming, to be with her daughter while she was in hospital.

After finally getting to see Kitty the following day, Hannah said she informed her management in both the UK and LA that she could no longer be away from her child.

'I am first and foremost a mum, and more importantly a single mum,' she told her agents over a conference call.

Recounting the story in the US while appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021, she revealed how she then 'asked the universe' for a dream role that would enable her to be close to her precious child.

'I'm going to ask the universe for something, which is probably unreasonable but, I'm going to say, "Thank you for making my little girl better," she told Ellen.

"Can I thank you for what you've given me already, but can I just ask you for something that is close to home so I can do my main role, which is to be mama.

'And also can I ask that it's something that really shows what I can do [as an actress]. And I hope that's not asking too much."'

Hannah ended the moving story by revealing that it was just 'two months later this meeting came up' for the Ted Lasso role, which is just a half hour drive from her home.

It is not clear when Hannah parted ways with the father of her child, but Hannah gushed over being a single parent after winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2021 Emmy Awards.

After her win, Hannah told reporters: 'You know, I'm a single mama, and I hate being away from her.

'And I always say to her, I've taught her as a mantra ever since she was a little girl: 'What does mummy always do?' and she always says: 'Mummy always comes back.'
Josie Gibson stormed out of the Capital Breakfast studio as she broke down in tears during Monday's show as part of an elaborate prank on host Jordan North.

The This Morning presenter, 39, pretended to start crying after Jordan gave her a Christmas pudding costume as a gift.

The prank began as Josie started opening the present as Jordan excitedly joked: 'I think you should wear my present on Christmas Day.'

However, the radio DJ's gift didn't land as he hoped and a sombre mood fell over the studio as she unwrapped the pudding costume.

Turning to a member of the crew off air, she said: 'Tom, I told you I didnt want to talk about this. Ive told you, like we know each other, and Ive told you I didnt want to talk about it.'

Tom then replied: 'Umm I thought it would be funny because of the Christmas pudding story.'

Josie Gibson left Jordan North red-faced as she STORMED OUT of the Capital Breakfast studio on Monday after opening Christmas gift

Jordan was left red-faced and sweating after his Christmas pudding costume present went down like a lead balloon and she stormed out the studio in tears

Becoming upset Josie continued: 'You thought it would be funny? I nearly died. Like I told you this is not even funny, can we drop this bit?'

Looking concerned Jordan apologised as he began: 'Sorry, sorry. Sorry, I didnt know.'

Staying in role Josie added: 'This is really bad,' before she broke down in tears and stormed out of the studio.

As Jordan continued to apologise, Sian Welby ran after the star as she protested: 'No let me, Ill chat to you.'

Calling from off camera, Josie quipped: 'Go south Jordan North!' as he exclaimed: 'Oh my god I am so sorry. What the hell? Oh my god.'

Jordan and fellow host Chris Stark were overcome with confusion at Josie's outburst as the former asked: 'Is this a thing?'

However the pair were only left squirming for a moment before Josie and Sian walked back in laughing as Sian announced: 'Only kidding!'

Left in hysterics Josie joked: 'I would have thought Id be going to Hollywood after that, that was really good! I did not even I realised I was that good, I should be in Eastenders!'

Becoming upset Josie continued: 'You thought it would be funny? I nearly died. Like I told you this is not even funny, can we drop this bit?'

Looking concerned Jordan apologised as he began: 'Sorry, sorry. Sorry, I didnt know'

Fans were left in hysterics after watching the clip as they took to the comments to share their delight

Recovering from the shock, Jordan exclaimed: 'I feel sick. Oh my god I am sweating!'

Sian then confessed she too was in on the joke as she confessed: 'Sorry guys I was in on the prank.'

Jordan added: 'At first, I thought she was joking and then everyone wasOh my god! Josie dont ever do that to me again Im actually dripping with sweat!

'I was like how has she died but I got her a Christmas pudding costume?'

Josie then clarified there was in fact no near death story involving a Christmas pudding as they joked around.

Fans were left in hysterics after watching the clip as they took to the comments to share their delight.

They penned: 'Awwwwwwwww my little heart cant take it for him lol'; 'I was listening to this in the morning on the school run and was laughing out loud haha';

'Go south Jordan North! had me in stitches'; 'well played Josie, well played. I was listening this morning and thought oh my, is this for real?'; 'Josie deserves an Oscar'

'Someone get @josiegibson85 a BAFTA asap!'; 'Oh Im torn between laughter and heartbreak for our lovely Jordan . Thank goodness it wasnt true as I dont think tender hearted Jord would survive it'.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Amanda Holden turned heads in a glamorous red sequin minidress as she posed up a storm for a stunning new Instagram video on Monday.

The presenter, 53, looked incredible in the 45 dazzling number from River Island as she strutted around the Heart FM office in London ahead of their Christmas party.

Leaving her long blonde tresses loose in waves, Amanda draped a long white fur coat over her shoulders and elevated her frame in a pair of towering red stilettos.

She said: 'Oh my goodness this beautiful faux fur coat, which is bought and paid for and one for (daughter) Lexi, is from River Island and this sequin red dress is also from River Island.

'It's perfect because today we are having our Heart Christmas party. I paired it with a red tight I couldn't be bothered to fake tan and I'm quite enjoying the red tight'

During the video, the Britain's Got Talent judge got her work colleague John up to show off his Christmas jumper, she said: 'John is in a Christmas reindeer jumper come and model it, it's M&S.

Amanda Holden turned heads in a glamorous red sequin minidress as she posed up a storm for a new Instagram video on Monday

The presenter looked incredible in the 45 dazzling number from River Island as she strutted around the Heart FM office in London ahead of their Christmas party

'It's not just any old jumper, it's John's Christmas jumper'.

She penned: 'I forgot to post this last week in my @thisisheart #christmas party outfit'.

It comes after Amanda stunned in a pale blue satin dress as she shared behind-the-scenes Instagram snaps on Sunday, from hosting the 2024 Royal Variety Performance.

Viewers saw the Heart FM breakfast host make four dress changes as she took to the stage to present alongside Alan Carr.

In one segment of the show, Amanda slipped into a thin-strapped flowing gown while she was Stephen Mulhern's assistant during his magician trick.

In incredible scenes, Stephen appeared to hypnotize Amanda before levitating her on the stage.

Royal Variety Performance viewers furiously branded the new hosts 'dreadful' after they made their debut as hosts on Sunday evening.

The TV personality and comedian, 48, opened the show with a string of woke jokes, which many branded 'awkward' as they demanded the return of Bradley Walsh, 64, who presented the show in 2023.

Leaving her long blonde tresses loose in waves, Amanda draped a long white fur coat over her shoulders and elevated her frame in a pair of towering red stilettos

She continued: 'It's perfect because today we are having our Heart Christmas party. I paired it with a red tight I couldn't be bothered to fake tan and I'm quite enjoying the red tight'

During the video, the Britain's Got Talent judge got her work colleague John up to show off his Christmas jumper, she said: 'John is in a Christmas reindeer jumper come and model it, it's M&S'

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.

Alan began the Royal Albert Hall show, which was filmed back in November, by poking fun Amanda's racy gown and declared it was 'just on the right side of an Ofcom complaint'.

He continued: 'I feel a great sense of comfort and security sharing a stage with you, well it's a high profile event and if Just Stop Oil come at the stage, I can use you as my human shield.'

While Amanda quipped: 'Well, good luck to them because I will end up being their first victim who ends up less orange.'

Racing to X fans fumed: 'Are Alan Carr and Amanda Holden ruining the Royal Variety for anyone else, or just me?': 'We have hit rock bottom I see @ITV with the Royal Variety Carr and Holden? Just not funny. Why are they presenting: 'Well Alan Carr and Amanda Holden are absolutely dreadful. This opening is so awkward'.

While someone else wrote: 'Honestly, who thought Alan Carr and Amanda Holden were the right choice for this? They might be great at other things but the Royal Variety Performance needs presenters with the right balance of class and charisma. Bradley Walsh would have been perfect for the job'.

However not everyone was so negative, with one gushing: 'Amanda Holden is so hot oh God!'

It comes after Amanda admitted that her daring outfit for the Royal Variety Performance could spark Ofcom complaints.

It comes after Amanda stunned in a pale blue satin dress as she shared behind-the-scenes Instagram snaps on Sunday, from hosting the 2024 Royal Variety Performance

Viewers saw the Heart FM breakfast host make four dress changes during the show

Royal Variety Performance viewers furiously branded the new hosts 'dreadful' after they made their debut as hosts on Sunday evening

The duo opened the show with a string of jokes, which many branded 'awkward' as they demanded the return of Bradley Walsh , 64, who presented the show in 2023 (pictured)

Racing to X fans fumed: 'Are Alan Carr and Amanda Holden ruining the Royal Variety for anyone else, or just me?'

Known for her risque fashion choices, she 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!'

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!'

The annual fundraising event saw a string of famous faces perform in front of King Charles

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'.
Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton posed up a storm in black and white as they attended a photocall for the premiere of The Room Next Door in Paris on Monday.

US actress, Julianne Moore, 64, looked chic as ever as she stepped out in a white silky dress.

Her ethereal gown featured an asymmetrical neckline and a long floor-length skirt.

She added inches to her frame with a pair of elegant grey suede heels and accessorised with a dramatic pair of pearl hooped earrings.

Alongside her, UK actress Tilda, 64, looked incredible as she arrived as the event in a black silky jumpsuit which featured a quirky tulle design across the chest.

She paired her dramatic look with a pair of towering black platform heels and added a pop of colour with a red lip.

Julianne Moore (left) and Tilda Swinton (right) posed up a storm in black and white as they attended a photocall for the premiere of La Habitacion de al Lado in Paris on Monday

US actress, Julianne Moore, 64, looked chic as ever as she stepped out in a white silky dress

The pair have taken on the lead roles in the new film as as Julianna portrays the role of Ingrid while Tilda plays the character Martha.

The dramady deals with the rift between Martha (Tilda), a very imperfect mother and war correspondent, and her resentful daughter, as well as with the former's relationship with author Ingrid (Julianne).

A synopsis reads: 'Ingrid (Julianne Moore) and Martha (Tilda Swinton) were close friends in their youth, when they worked together at the same magazine.

'Ingrid went on to become an autofiction novelist while Martha became a war reporter, and they were separated by the circumstances of life.

'After years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation.

The cast also includes acting legend and filmmaker John Turturro, Face/Off star Alessandro Nivola, Esther McGregor, Alex Hgh Andersen, and Alvise Rigo.

A native of Calzada de Calatrava, Spain, Almodovar's many directorial credits include the Festival selections Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (1988), Talk To Her (2002), Bad Education (2004), Volver (2006), Broken Embraces (2009), Julieta (2016), and Pain and Glory (2019).

In 2023, he received the Impact Media Award, which recognizes leadership in creating a union between social impact and cinema, at the TIFF Tribute Awards.

She added inches to her frame with a pair of elegant grey suede heels and accessorised with a dramatic pair of pearl hooped earrings

Alongside her, UK actress Tilda, 64, arrived as the event in a black silky jump suit which featured a quirky tulle design across the chest

While the ladies were doing their part in promoting the film at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, the filmmaker was basking in all the glory of taking home the Golden Lion Award at the 81st Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema in Venice, Italy, Variety reports.

This is actually the filmmaker's second Golden Lion Award, which follows the honorary one he received in 2019.

The two-time Academy Award winner thanked both Tilda and Julianne during his largely Spanish-language acceptance speech.

'This is my first movie in English but the spirit is Spanish,' the director revealed during that passionate speech.

The Room Next Door was released theatrically in Spain on October 18 but the hardback will not hit the UK until February 2025.

She paired her dramatic look with a pair of towering black platform heels and added a pop of colour with a red lip
Jennifer Love Hewitt and her former I Know What Your Did Last Summer castmate Sarah Michelle Gellar have been dealing with rumors of an on-set feud ever since they shot Jim Gillespie's slasher flick 27 years ago.

'Somebody the other day was, like, "Yeah, I think [Jennifer] made sure that she was killed because girl actresses don't like to work with girl actresses,"' the 45-year-old former child star scoffed on Tommy DiDario's podcast December 10.

'I was like, "What are you talking about? I was 18. They were not taking script notes from me, guys. What are you talking about?"'

Indeed, it was screenwriter Kevin Williamson who loosely adapted Lois Duncan's 1973 novel to have Sarah's pageant princess character Helen Shivers stabbed by The Fisherman - ensuring she'd never return for the sequels.

'All of us were in that experience together, you know, figuring it all out and everything,' Jennifer recalled.

'And I root for her and Freddie [Prinze Jr. who met on set]. I think it's the cutest thing in the world that they've been married for 100 years and have kids. It's, like, adorable. So yeah it's just been really funny to see all of the [feud] stuff that people think.'

Jennifer Love Hewitt (R) and her former I Know What Your Did Last Summer castmate Sarah Michelle Gellar (L) have been dealing with rumors of an on-set feud ever since they shot Jim Gillespie's slasher flick 27 years ago

The 45-year-old former child star scoffed on Tommy DiDario's podcast December 10: 'Somebody the other day was, like, "Yeah, I think [Jennifer] made sure that she was killed because girl actresses don't like to work with girl actresses"'

The 47-year-old Dexter: Original Sin actress and the 48-year-old Girl in the Pool actor celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on September 1, and they're proud parents of 15-year-old daughter Charlotte and 12-year-old son Rocky.

Meanwhile, Hewitt and her husband Brian Hallisay have been married 11 years, and they share three children - son Atticus, 9; daughter Autumn, 11; and son Aidan, 3.

The Holiday Junkie director-star and Freddie are reprising their roles of protagonist Julie James and her fisherman ex Ray Bronson in Sony Pictures' untitled fourth film hitting US theaters July 18.

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is directing the latest chapter in the $165.3M-grossing horror franchise in Australia starring Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Haur-King, and Billy Campbell.

Last Thursday, Gellar made headlines for her tensely awkward response to Extra about whether Jennifer would be returning for the next chapter: 'I have nothing to do with that.'

The very next day, Hewitt officially confirmed her return and the Daytime Emmy winner explained she contractually couldn't reveal it due to the non-disclosure agreement she signed months earlier due to Prinze Jr.'s involvement.

The Golden Globe nominee said her delay on signing on for more IKWYDLS was mostly due to 'scheduling.'

Jennifer continued: 'I was like, "What are you talking about? I was 18. They were not taking script notes from me, guys. What are you talking about?"'

Indeed, it was screenwriter Kevin Williamson who loosely adapted Lois Duncan's 1973 novel to have Sarah's pageant princess character Helen Shivers stabbed by The Fisherman - ensuring she'd never return for the sequels

Hewitt recalled: 'All of us were in that experience together, you know, figuring it all out and everything. And I root for her and Freddie [Prinze Jr. who met on set]. I think it's the cutest thing in the world that they've been married for 100 years and have kids. It's, like, adorable'

The 47-year-old Dexter: Original Sin actress (R, pictured November 28) and the 48-year-old Girl in the Pool actor (L) celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on September 1, and they're proud parents of 15-year-old daughter Charlotte and 12-year-old son Rocky

The Holiday Junkie director-star and her husband Brian Hallisay have been married 11 years, and they share three children - son Atticus, 9; son Aidan, 3; and daughter Autumn, 11

Jennifer and Freddie are reprising their roles of protagonist Julie James and her fisherman ex Ray Bronson in Sony Pictures' untitled fourth film hitting US theaters July 18

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is directing the latest chapter in the $165.3M-grossing horror franchise in Australia starring Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Haur-King, and Billy Campbell (pictured Monday)

Last Thursday, Gellar made headlines for her tensely awkward response to Extra about whether Jennifer would be returning for the next chapter: 'I have nothing to do with that'

The very next day, Hewitt officially confirmed her return and the Daytime Emmy winner explained she contractually couldn't reveal it due to the non-disclosure agreement she signed months earlier due to Prinze Jr.'s involvement

The Golden Globe nominee said her delay on signing on for more IKWYDLS was mostly due to 'scheduling' saying: 'I just don't want to be the ghost of nineties past'

Jennifer also teased that she's 'working on' a potential song to accompany the horror movie soundtrack and coyly said of a possible return from Brandy Norwood's character Karla Wilson (M, pictured in 1998): 'I have heard that. Yes, I have'

'I just don't want to be the ghost of nineties past,' Jennifer told DiDario.

'I really want to do something, and I want to be there for Julie James fans. I just want it to feel like, you know, if she comes back then it means something.'

Hewitt also teased that she's 'working on' a potential song to accompany the horror movie soundtrack and coyly said of a possible return from Brandy Norwood's character Karla Wilson: 'I have heard that. Yes, I have.'
Yellowstone roared to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, delivering yet another jaw-dropping character death that left fans buzzing across social media.

The dramatic final episode tied up several major storylines, including Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) selling the iconic Yellowstone ranch back to its original owners, the Broken Rock Indians.

But the biggest shock of the night came when Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) avenged the murder of her father, John Dutton (Kevin Costner), by killing her adopted brother Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley).

In a brutal showdown, Beth fatally stabbed Jamie in the heart as he nearly choked her to death, with her husband Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) helping to dispose of the body and preserve the familys dark legacy.

While the series finale left fans divided overall, many were unified in their reaction to Jamies demise, celebrating it as overdue justice.

'I know thats right, Beth!!!!!! Jamies had this beating coming for YEARS!!!' one enthusiastic fan declared on X.

Yellowstone roared to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday , delivering yet another jaw-dropping character death that left fans buzzing across social media

The biggest shock of the night came when Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) avenged the murder of her father, John Dutton ( Kevin Costner ), by killing her adopted brother Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley)

Another chimed in, 'Jamie got what he deserved!'

One viewer humorously added, 'Love that Beth finally ended Jamie, but lowkey wish we couldve seen Rip whoop that ass a little bit more. Throwing him around a little wasnt enough for Jamies sorry ass. #Yellowstone.'

However, not everyone was cheering for Beth. Some fans voiced their dissent, expressing sympathy for Jamie and criticism of the shows direction.

'Death has come to Jamie. But Im not happy. Im still Team Jamie,' one viewer shared. 'John Dutton was not a good man. That family ruined Jamie.'

Another took aim at the series creator: 'Dear #TaylorSheridan, Jamie was never the supervillain you wanted us to believe he was. That was cheap. That was lazy. That was predictable.

'Wes Bentley and the character deserved better. You had five seasons to do something better, and you didnt.'

Others turned their ire toward Beth herself.

'Beth Dutton never took an ounce of responsibility for getting knocked up as a teenager and asking Jamiealso a teenagerto help cover it up. She hated him for it. Now shes murdered him and gotten away with it. Shes the worst. #Yellowstone,' one viewer ranted.

While the series finale left fans divided overall , many were unified in their reaction to Jamies demise, celebrating it as overdue justice

The series also confirmed a theory first set forth in the 1883 finale where the Indian named Spotted Eagle (Graham Greene) said his people would take the land back after seven generations, which ultimately proved true.

Kayce struck a deal with Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birminghan), selling him the land back dirt cheap at $1.25 an acre - the same price land was selling for in 1883 - $1.1 million for the largest ranch in Montana.

@zest674 said, 'This is a wonderful solution for everyone.and the land,' while Tiffany (@TiffSmallwood) said, 'So hes giving it back to the Indigenous people?! Am I understanding this wrong? #Yellowstone #YellowstoneTV.'

@iLEADFARMER said, 'I KNEW IT! Kayce selling the ranch back to the Broken Rock Reservation! The prophecy from 1883 when James Dutton originally got the land, is about to come true!!!!'

'They are slicing their palms with a knife in a ceremony. They are brothers now to each other and the land. After 7 generations - what was said in the 1800's came true!' tweeted @TheWSB.

Sandra Trolinger said, 'Kasey and his family are protected and the ranch lives on as it should wild and free. Bravo!'

Kayce struck a deal with Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birminghan), selling him the land back dirt cheap at $1.25 an acre - the same price land was selling for in 1883 - $1.1 million for the largest ranch in Montana.

@zest674 said, 'This is a wonderful solution for everyone.and the land,' while Tiffany (@TiffSmallwood) said, 'So hes giving it back to the Indigenous people?! Am I understanding this wrong? #Yellowstone #YellowstoneTV.'

@LilMar68 said, 'Kayce, Im so freaking proud of you,' while adding the hashtags #YellowstoneTV #Yellowstone

@LilMar68 said, 'Kayce, Im so freaking proud of you,' while adding the hashtags #YellowstoneTV #Yellowstone

Tangee B (@DejaCQQ99) said, 'That was a powerful scene,' referring to the scene where Jamie negotiates the sale of the ranch.

@The_WSB said, 'The promise made 7 generations ago - comes true! All that palm cutting was hurtful! #YellowstoneTV #Yellowstone.'

The Yellowstone saga will continue with Season 2 of the prequel series 1923, which will debut February 23.
Kim Kardashian's fans were stunned by her new look for a fresh SKIMS campaign shared on Monday.

The 44-year-old brunette beauty was showing off blonde locks as she posed in pinup styles.

One image saw her in a fur bikini that looked two sizes to small for her as it managed to do the impossible: show cleavage, side boob and bottom boob.

Throughout the shoot, she had big blonde hair with heavily lined eyes making her resemble 1960s pinup actress Brigitte Bardot.

'WINTER HEAT drops Wednesday, December 18 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET. Get the SKIMS app for early access,' the caption read.

But followers did not think she looked very much like herself or Brigitte. Rather, there were several comments on how she resembled Beyonce, and in some cases, Ciara, who hit the 'like' button on the post.

'I thought you was Beyonce,' said one follower while another snapped: 'Thought it was Beyonce for a sec.'

Kim Kardashian 's fans were stunned by her new look for a fresh SKIMS campaign shared on Monday. The 44-year-old brunette beauty was showing off blonde locks as she posed in pinup styles. One image saw her in a fur bikini that looked two sizes to small for her as it managed to do the impossible: show cleavage, side boob and bottom boob

Throughout the shoot, she had big blonde hair with heavily lined eyes making her resemble 1960s pinup actress Brigitte Bardot

This fan noted: 'I thought this was Beyonce or Ciara.' Then there was a question: 'Why are you dressed up like Beyonce lol.'

One fan thought she looked Colombian: 'It's giving Shakira.'

Another person thought Kim's hair was fake: 'Award for the Best Supporting Actor goes to the 'WIG'.'

Mom Kris Jenner and pals such as Hailey Bieber, Nicole Williams English and Scott Disick hit the like button.

In several of the images she had on a cable knit top and bottoms. The fur bikini photo saw her wear knee high boots as she posed by a furry throw.

This comes days after the bombshell was seen in a lowcut top as she used a scooter to get around her new NYC shop for SKIMS. Earlier this month Kardashian broke her foot.

Last week Kardashian said she is hoping to bring SKIMS to the runway.

The reality TV's star's shapewear brand has been going from strength-to-strength since she launched it back in 2019.

Kim is now looking to the future and hopes to eventually create a SKIMS fashion show.

'WINTER HEAT drops Wednesday, December 18 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET. Get the SKIMS app for early access,' the caption read

But followers did not think she looked very much like herself or Brigitte. Rather, there were several comments on how she resembled Beyonce, and in some cases, Ciara

'I thought you was Beyonce,' said one follower while another snapped: 'Thought it was Beyonce for a sec'

There did seem to be a resemblance to Beyonce, seen here on December 9 at the Mufasa: The Lion King premiere in Hollywood

She told WWD.com: 'I can absolutely see us doing a show, not like a regularly on the fashion schedule show, but maybe something a little bit more unique.

'It would have to be an experience more than a regular show, but I would never rule anything out.' In the interview, Kim went on to insist she's very hands-on with her brand and even though she doesn't design every piece, she makes sure each item gets her approval.

She explained: 'I know every single product that we have, I have fit every single product that we have coming out. And I know if there is something that slid by me, that I didn't get the final approval on from the detail on the stitching.

'And while I don't design everything for me ... if I can, I try to at some point, even if I'm just in my closet, show people how I would wear it versus how it was styled on someone else.

'I love always showing our hosiery and shapewear. I think it's really important, because I wear shapewear with everything, and I think before [Skims] - it's not that it wasn't accepted - it just wasn't cool.'

She added: 'Even if you think this sheer dress you need to go get it lined, no you don't. Just wear shapewear underneath and it'll do the job.'
James Kennedy and girlfriend Ally Lewber are reportedly taking space from one another days after his domestic violence arrest.

The Vanderpump Rules alum, 32, was pictured assisting Ally move her belongings from their shared home in LA and into her car on Sunday.

TMZ reports that the couple will be spending some time apart from one another however are still together.

Lewber has since moved into a neighboring Airbnb, which she will be sharing with her visiting family.

The astrologer did not pack lightly - she wheeled a suitcase and carried various other belongings with her. Kennedy, meanwhile, loaded an assortment of items into her vehicle.

She also left with a hamper, decorative basket, and various other bags, including a taupe weekender that was quite full.

James Kennedy has been pictured assisting girlfriend Ally Lewber move her belongings from their shared home on Sunday, just days after his domestic violence arrest

The Vanderpump Rules alum and his girlfriend were spotted loading her items into a car amid their reported plans to have some space from one another

Insiders shared with the website that Lewber has not yet made any major decisions about the relationship and is still making sense of what just occurred.

Ally reportedly will be spending the holidays with her family in Ohio.

It remains to be seen if James will be included in those plans.

It comes after Ally revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that she and James planned on hosting her family at their home for the holidays.

In an interview conducted just one day after his arrest but prior to the controversy emerging, Ally said: 'My family's coming here. So James and I are going to host this year.... I feel like an adult. Like my family's coming to me.'

'I got them stockings with their initials on it, so when they go in the guest room, I'm going to make it all cute,' she said.

Ally was co-hosting the the New Year's Eve with Windsor bash at Short Stories hotel on Wednesday evening.

The following day news broke that the Burbank Police Department responded to a call about a 'man and woman arguing' at Kennedys residence around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The arrest occurred after Kennedy and Ally attended Kathy Hilton's Christmas bash together.

The Burbank Police Daily Arrest Log reported that an officer spoke with both Kennedy and a woman that night inside a residence after receiving a 9-1-1 call, according to TMZ.

TMZ reports that the couple will be spending some time apart from one another however are still together

She did not pack lightly

While there, the woman, whose name was not revealed, told investigators she had been picked up by her boyfriend and that he threw her to the ground.

Police on the scene said they did not see any visible injuries on the alleged victim, but arrested Kennedy for misdemeanor domestic battery upon spouse/co-habitant.

Officers were initially summoned to the residence on reports Kennedy had gotten into an argument with the woman and grabbed.

At this time, there has been no confirmation Lewber was the reported victim.

Lewber carried various belongings out of the home

James carried various items out the home

James carried Lewber's fluffy bag outside

Lewber has since moved into a neighboring Airbnb, which she will be sharing with her visiting family

It comes after Ally revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that she and James planned on hosting her family at their home for the holidays

James was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence last week

The couple have been dating since 2022

Ally was co-hosting the the New Year's Eve with Windsor bash at Short Stories hotel on Wednesday evening, one day after Kennedy's arrest

On Saturday, Lewber, 28 - who has been dating Kennedy since 2022 - spoke out on his arrest in a statement on her Instagram stories.

She penned, 'Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and support and for checking in on me.'

'I'm okay and taking the time I need right now. I deeply appreciate all the kindness and respect for my privacy during this time.'

Kennedy was released after paying a $20,000 bail, according to police records.

Kennedy's attorney, Scott Leeman, tried to downplay the severity of the incident, telling the outlet, 'We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the city's attorney will decide not to file formal charges.'
Eamonn Holmes extended an olive branch of sorts on Monday evening after estranged wife Ruth Langsford visited her ailing mother in hospital.

The couple confirmed their 14-year marriage is over in June and are understood to be keen on ushering in a speedy divorce once Christmas and New Year are out of the way.

Holmes, 65, has already moved on with dating counsellor Katie Alexander, at 43 some 22-years the veteran presenter's junior.

But he was among well-wishers on Wednesday evening after Langsford, 64, shared a photo from her 93-year old mother Joan's hospital bed - his first notable contact with his former wife since their separation.

Captioning her post, she wrote: 'Hospital visit.thank you all so much for your lovely messages and well wishes for my darling Mum. Shell be in hospital for a bit longer yet, but shes in pretty good spirits considering and I hope shell be home for Christmas.'

The post was met with numerous likes from her celebrity friends, including one from Holmes.

Eamonn Holmes reached out to estranged wife Ruth Langsford on Monday after she shared a post from her ailing mother Joan's hospital bed with Instagram followers

Joan was rushed to hospital in December after breaking her pelvis during a fall, with Ruth later confirming the news in an INstagram post on Sunday.

She wrote: 'No dancing in my kitchen peeling the veg for my darling Mum this Christmas.she's had a fall and fractured her pelvis!

'She's okish, no surgery required thank goodness but she needs rest and time to heal now.

'She's in hospital at the moment but I'm hoping to get her home soon.

'This time last year she fell and broke her hip but recovered wellshe's a very strong woman so I'm sure she'll recover from this too.

'Puts life and what's important into perspective eh? Happy Christmas!'

It's understood that Eamonn and Ruth are hoping to settle their divorce imminently - with Ruth to keep their 3.5million Surrey mansion

'The aim is for Eamonn and Ruth to resolve their divorce as quickly as possible in the New Year,' a source told The Sun.

The couple confirmed their 14-year marriage is over in June and are understood to be keen on ushering in a speedy divorce once Christmas and New Year are out of the way

Holmes, 65, has already moved on with dating counsellor Katie Alexander, at 43 some 22-years the veteran presenter's junior

'Ruth is keen to stay in their marital home as it is where she is settled, Eamonn on the other hand wants to get out and make a fresh start.

'They aren't dragging their heels and want this settled and done as quickly as possible.'

Holmes recently sparked speculation that he is engaged to Alexander after she was spotted wearing a large ring on her engagement finger during a romantic getaway to Paris last week.

'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.'

In pictures obtained by the publication, the couple headed to the Louvre, with Alexander 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.

Holmes and Loose Women star Langsford announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together

She 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 Holmes' estranged wife shocked, with the Ibiza holiday occurring just four months after the former golden couple announced they were divorcing.

It was reported last month that Langsford 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 Holmes with a financial settlement.

Eamonn and Ruth split after 27-years together (pictured 2009) and they are parents to son Jack, 22

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 Sir Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Madonna.

She was once doused with water in court by a furious Heather Mills while representing the Beatles legend during the couple's divorce in 2008.
Succession's Brian Cox has slammed the Oscars as 'absolute nonsense' after he was snubbed for a nomination.

The Scottish actor, 78, played Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 2017 film Churchill but failed to land a Best Actor nomination.

In contrast Gary Oldman's portrayal of the Brit politician in 2017's Darkest Hour landed him the Best Actor Oscar - even though a slighted Cox still believes his own performance was superior.

He told THR: 'Our film came out in the summer, and it was a relatively independent film, so you havent got the power of the studios behind it. The Oscars are absolute nonsense because everything thats judged in the Oscars, its not a years work. Its just the work that comes out between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

'I think it makes those awards a fallacy quite honestly because theres a lot of other good work that goes on outside of what they call Oscar season. So my film never even got a look, and I still think my performance is a better performance.'

Cox, who is a classically trained Shakespearean actor, has never landed an Oscar nomination but has won an Emmy for 2001's Nuremberg and a Golden Globe and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of Logan Roy on Succession.

Succession's Brian Cox has slammed the Oscars as 'absolute nonsense' after he was snubbed for a nomination

The Scottish actor, 78, played Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 2017 film Churchill but failed to land a Best Actor nomination

In contrast Gary Oldman's portrayal of the Brit politician in 2017's Darkest Hour (pictured) landed him the Best Actor Oscar - even though a slighted Cox still believes his own performance was superior

Offscreen the outspoken star is known for his headline-grabbing rants.

In November he branded Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump a 'monster' in an excoriating interview.

Cox told Channel 4's US election coverage when asked how he felt about the upcoming results of the race that he was a 'crazy... insane [and] wants to be a dictator.'

He also got into a verbal spat with former British prime minister Boris Johnson over Trump's rhetoric, and whether he would act on the promises he has made.

'It's the most crucial election... in my lifetime, and we have to make sure that that [Donald Trump] doesn't get in because he is a monster. He really is', Cox said.

'He's crazy, he's insane, he wants to be a dictator. It's all been so clear, I don't know why the American people aren't listening. Some of the American people are, but a lot of the American people aren't.

'The kind of nonsense he's been talking... I think he's lost it. He's deeply mentally unstable, and I think he has been for quite some time. This is not a man who should be president of the United States.

'He's unreliable, he's a convicted felon, I'm horrified. I'm a lapsed Catholic, and I read today that he's got huge support among Catholic voters. I find that extraordinary, Catholic voters voting for such a man who is... a big sinner.'

He said: 'So my film never even got a look, and I still think my performance is a better performance' - pictured in Succession as Logan Roy

Cox, who is a classically trained Shakespearean actor, has never landed an Oscar nomination but has won an Emmy for 2001's Nuremberg and a Golden Globe and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of Logan Roy on Succession - pictured 2020

'I find it all depressing and curiously ridiculous.'

When asked about how much of Trump's fiery rhetoric would become reality, he chuckled as he said: 'He'll do what suits Donald Trump. He's not interested in... making American great again.

'The man is completely self-serving, he is only interested in one thing, and that's Donald Trump.

'He doesn't give a damn about America. He really doesn't.'

Cox then got into a scrap with former British prime minister Boris Johnson, who claimed that Trump's views on Ukraine and its president Volodymyr Zelensky would be changed by him entering the Oval Office.
A research project has been granted to Dr. Amanpreet Kaur, Assistant Professor (Contractual), Department of Mathematics, Guru Nanak Dev University to develop efficient estimators of population parameters of sensitive study character in survey sampling using randomized response technique.

The project is sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, under WISE PDF Scheme that has sanctioned Rs. 35.5 lakh to carry out the research work under the mentorship of Dr. Lovleen Kumar Grover, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Dr. Palwinder Singh, Dean Acadeimc Affairs said that this research will help in the development of estimators for population parameters of sensitive variables that may be used for government policy making decisions.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Karamjeet Singh congratulated on her achievement. Prof. Palwinder Singh, Dean Academic Affairs and Prof. K.S. Kahlon, Registrar also congratulated her. Dr. Amanpreet Kaur is thankfull to the Vice Chancellor & other officials for providing the infrastructure and support.
In a recent WTO meeting, India urges prioritisation of issues, including a permanent solution for public stockholding and special safeguard mechanism

In a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture (CoA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) held in Geneva on December 4, 2024, India insisted that negotiations on unresolved/previously mandated issues in agriculture, including a permanent solution to public stockholding, special safeguard mechanism (SSM) and elimination of trade-distorting cotton subsidies by rich countries etc, be prioritised and fast-tracked by treating them as standalone issues instead of clubbing them with other issues.

The US, on the other hand, criticised the prioritisation of certain issues over others, stating that this was the primary cause of the longstanding stalemate in agriculture. India also rejected a new proposal presented by Guyana to advance agricultural negotiations ahead of the WTOs 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14 is tentatively scheduled to take place in Cameroon in 2026) by adopting a so-called non-traditional approach based on convergence. India reiterated that any facilitator-led process should be consensus-based and respect WTOs multilateral principles. It emphasised on Text-based negotiation (TBN). TBN refers to the process of working up the text of an agreement that all parties are willing to accept and sign. Negotiating parties may begin with a draft text prepared by the Chair of the particular committee dealing with the subject.

The draft is based on discussions amongst the member countries and is fine-tuned till all the nations are in agreement with it. This is in sharp contrast to a convergence-based approach that involves super-imposition of non-multilateral trade regimes on the multilateral trading system (MTS). The theorists dealing with international trade in particular, WTO-related issues describe it as a process of gradually aligning different trade regimes, in particular preferential trade agreements (PTAs) and the MTS. Others define convergence as requiring greater coherence between trade rules and policies, norms and standards in other areas of international cooperation. Shorn of jargon, this is a well-orchestrated attempt by the developed countries - the US, the European Union (EU), the UK, Australia, etc (they exercise disproportionately greater influence during actual confabulations at the WTO, set the agenda of meetings, float proposals more often through small countries such as Guyana and get away with what they want) to scuttle the standard practice of taking decisions by consensus where every member country has an equal voice.

Therefore, India has rejected this approach, rightly so. But, what happens to Indias demand for prioritising and fast-tracking negotiations? In a meeting of the CoA held on October 2, 2023, in Geneva, the EU agreed to consider Indias demand for a permanent solution to the public stock-holding (PSH) program for food security.

Accordingly, India had urged WTO members to start TBN on the issue as soon as possible and get this deliberated at the WTO MC-13 slated to be held in Abu Dhabi from February 26-29, 2024. But, that was not to be. The Ministerial Conference ended in a deadlock. On the issue of finding a permanent solution to the (PSH) for food security, Indias stance was vehemently opposed by the USA/EU. Earlier attempts by India also met with the same fate. At the Trade Policy Review (TPR) meeting held at WTO in January 2021, India insisted that the three issues should be taken up on a priority basis at the MC-12. But, in that Ministerial Conference held in Geneva on June 12-17, 2022, the issues were not even put on the table. The deadlock has existed for more than two decades despite India taking up these issues at WTO under what has come to be known as the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Developed countries had junked DDA at MC-10 held in Nairobi (2015). On the most contentious issue of a permanent solution for PSH, a ray of hope emerged when in the WTO-General Council (GC) meeting in Geneva (July 31, 2014), India insisted on a time-bound action plan on the subject matter to be executed before the end of 2014 co-terminus with approval of Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) - an area of great interest to developed countries. This was a good strategic move but it was abandoned midstream. In December 2014, even as the developed countries got away with the TFA, the developing countries got an extension of the peace clause till a permanent solution was found. Put simply, India had literally surrendered its right to secure a permanent solution; that it was Ok with the benefit of peace clause.

What is the peace clause?

To understand this, let us look at the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) of the WTO. Under it, a developing country cannot give aggregate measurement support (AMS) - an acronym for subsidies - over 10 per cent of the value of its farm production.

The AMS includes product-specific subsidies and non-product specific subsidies on agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, seed, irrigation and power. The product-specific subsidy is the excess of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) paid to farmers over the External Reference Price (ERP) multiplied by the quantum of agri-produce. Whereas the MSP is taken for the relevant year, say, 2023-24, the ERP is the average of the global price prevailing during 1986-88 fixed in rupee terms. If the subsidy given by a developing country exceeds 10 per cent, it will be treated as a violation of its WTO commitment. This has been a major worry as India could face action in a situation of AMS exceeding the 10 per cent threshold. In this backdrop, the MC-9 in Bali (2013) had agreed to a peace clause under which if a developing country gives AMS in excess of 10 percent, no member will challenge this until 2017, when the WTO would look for a permanent solution to address their food security concerns. It came with several riders such as submission of data on food procurement, stockholding, distribution and subsidies. These also include establishing that subsidies are not trade distorting. Besides, programs implemented after 2013 are not covered under the ambit of the peace clause. In December 2014, the WTO-GC modified the above decision to provide for extension of the peace clause till a permanent solution was found. Unfortunately, India concurred with this modification. This took away the sanctity of the 2017 deadline by which time members were to find a permanent solution as per the MC-9 mandate.

A decade since then, India is still looking for a solution! In regard to SSM - it allows members to temporarily raise tariffs beyond the bound levels (this is the maximum permissible duty that a member country can impose under a bound rate agreement) to counter surges in import or price drops. The 2015 MC-10 in Nairobi recognized that developing countries will have the right to take recourse to SSM as envisaged under the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration. That was at MC  6 (December 2005).

Since then, it has been almost two decades. Even now, these countries cant take recourse to SSM. They havent also been able to prompt developed countries to eliminate their cotton subsidies.To conclude, despite the deft handling of negotiations at the WTO and representing the majority of the developing countries (India leads about 80 countries - the G33 including India, African, Caribbean and Pacific countries or ACP) so far, India hasnt succeeded in securing the intended outcomes. Given the intransigence of developed countries and their clout at WTO, there is little hope from the MC  14.

(The writer is a policy analyst; views are personal)
December marks two pivotal anniversaries  Soviety intervention in Afghanistan and Kandhar Hijacking  that changed South Asias geopolitics

December marks two pivotal anniversaries that significantly influenced South Asias geopolitical landscape: 45 years since the Soviet Unions intervention in Afghanistan and 25 years since the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 from Kathmandu to Kandahar. Despite occurring two decades apart, these events underscore the fragility of South Asia and the profound influence of external powers and non-state actors in shaping the regions trajectory.

On December 24, 1979, Soviet troops entered Afghanistan to support the struggling communist regime in Kabul, led by Babrak Karmal. This intervention, ostensibly aimed at stabilising Afghanistan, set off a decade-long occupation and transformed the country into one of the Cold Wars fiercest battlegrounds. The repercussions extended far beyond Afghanistan, triggering global, regional and internal upheavals that persist to this day.

The Soviet invasion catalysed a chain of events that hastened the disintegration of the Soviet Union and radicalised South Asia. The mujahideen-fighters armed and financed by the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other allies-became a formidable force against the Soviets. This external patronage laid the groundwork for militant extremism, which would later engulf the region.

The Soviet intervention underscored Afghanistans strategic importance as the fulcrum of great power politics. Pakistan emerged as a critical player, acting as a frontline state in the anti-Soviet effort.

Two decades later, on December 24, 1999, South Asia faced another defining moment when Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 was hijacked en route from Kathmandu to Delhi. Five armed men commandeered the aircraft, eventually forcing it to land in Kandahar, then under Taliban control. What ensued was a week-long standoff that exposed the vulnerabilities of regional counter-terrorism strategies and marked a turning point in how nations approached security and terrorism.

The Kandahar hijacking exposed the evolving nexus between terrorism and geopolitics in South Asia. The Talibans willingness to shelter the hijackers highlighted its transition into a state sponsor of terrorism. For India, this incident was a stark reminder of the threats posed by cross-border terrorism, often enabled by Pakistans support for extremist proxies in Afghanistan and Kashmir. The release of Masood Azhar not only emboldened groups like JeM but also underscored the growing influence of non-state actors in undermining regional stability.

Although the Soviet intervention and the Kandahar hijacking may seem unrelated, they are deeply interconnected in shaping South Asias trajectory. The destabilisation of Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation created fertile ground for militancy, enabling the rise of networks that facilitated events like the Kandahar hijacking.

Pakistans role as a key US ally during the Soviet-Afghan war empowered its military-intelligence complex, which later exploited jihadist networks to further strategic objectives in Kashmir and Afghanistan. These same networks became instrumental in orchestrating attacks against India, exemplified by the IC-814 hijacking.

Both events marked the ascendancy of non-state actors in South Asias security dynamics.

The mujahideens success against the Soviets emboldened militant groups across the region, while the Kandahar hijacking demonstrated their ability to exploit state vulnerabilities for political gains. The Kandahar episode underscored the inadequacy of Indias counter-terrorism infrastructure at the time. It led to significant reforms, including the establishment of specialised counter-terrorism units like the National Security Guard (NSG) and the strengthening of aviation security protocols.

Pakistans dual role in these episodes-as a US ally during the Soviet-Afghan war and as a sanctuary for groups like JeM-has perpetuated instability in the region. Its support for extremist proxies has strained relations with India and exacerbated internal security challenges.

Addressing South Asias fractured security landscape requires collective action. Countries in the region must transcend historical animosities to combat terrorism and address shared challenges like extremism and socio-economic disparities. Both the Soviet intervention and the Kandahar hijacking highlight the need for strong democratic institutions and accountable governance. Weak states are particularly susceptible to external manipulation and internal subversion, further destabilising the region.

The lessons from these pivotal episodes remain crucial as South Asia navigates the 21st century. The radicalisation fueling terrorism often stems from socio-economic deprivation. Investments in education, healthcare, and employment can help counter extremist ideologies.

Strengthened regional cooperation and robust international partnerships are essential to addressing the complex interplay of geopolitics and terrorism.

Much like the Grand Trunk Road connecting distant regions and histories, these events remind us of the intersecting paths of interventionism and terrorism in shaping modern South Asia.

They were not mere crises but turning points that redefined the regions political, social, and economic trajectories. As South Asia confronts new challenges, the enduring lessons of these anniversaries emphasize the importance of resilience, cooperation, and proactive governance in securing a stable future.

(The writer is an associate professor; views are personal)
Sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan, sarangi exponent Kamal Sabri as well as film stars Akshay Kumar and Kamal Haasan paid rich tributes to Zakir Hussain, calling the tabla maestro a "phenomenon" and "one of the most loved Indian musician in the world".

Hussain, 73, died at a San Francisco hospital from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the family said on Monday.

Words fail me at this point, said Amjad Ali Khan in an X post.

"I am completely heartbroken and devastated to hear about Zakir Bhai. Ustad Zakir Hussain was a phenomenon. He was indeed one of the most loved musicians the world saw," he wrote.

Sabri called Hussain's death a "great loss" to all forms of music, be it Indian classical or global.

"He was an amazing musician who represented Indian music on the global stage for a long time," he told PTI.

"He was an inspiration. It's an irreparable loss... He was the most famous Indian musician world over," classical vocalist Wasifuddin Dagar told PTI.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar said he is "pained" to know about the multiple award-winning percussionist's death.

"He was truly a treasure for our country's musical heritage. Om Shanti," he wrote on X.

"Maestro forever," Kareena Kapoor Khan said on Instagram.

Kamal Haasan shared a picture of himself with Hussain playing the tabla on social media.

"Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you," the veteran Tamil actor posted on X.

There will never be another Ustad Zakir Hussain, said music composer Vishal Dadlani on Instagram.

Musician Karsh Kale, known primarily for his experimental tabla playing within electronic music contexts, shared an image of a black square on social media set to the instrumental music piece called 'Zakir' by Hussain. The caption read: "No words."

"You made India richer. Thank you for your contribution," wrote BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut on her Instagram Stories alongside an old video of Hussain.

According to US-based vocalist Anuradha Palakurthi, Hussain was beyond any gharana, or a musical lineage in Indian classical music.

"There are so many gharanas in Hindustani Classical music but I think Zakir Hussain sahab was one man who transcends gharana. He was not of one gharana but of every gharana," Palakurthi told PTI.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta also condoled the illustrious musician's passing.

"The maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away a few hours ago. Goodbye Ustadji. The man who made the tabla sexy, who brought an accompanying instrument to the forefront is gone. Deepest condolences to his family, fans and students around the globe," Mehta said on X.

On Sunday evening, unconfirmed reports of Hussain's death started doing rounds on social media with many celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, Nimrat Kaur, Riteish Deshmukh, and Anupam Kher falling prey to speculation.
In a show of support for the people of Palestine, Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Monday, carried a bag to Parliament that had Palestine emblazoned on it. The Congress general secretary has been raising her voice against Israels actions in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

Priyanka was seen carrying a handbag emblazoned with the word Palestine and Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon, seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli governments genocidal actions and force them to stop, she had said in a post on X.

Hitting out at the Wayanad MP over the bag issue, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha member Anurag Thakur wondered what message she wanted to send across. She did not speak a word on atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh but wants to make a fashion statement with the Palestine bag, he claimed.

Asked about BJP leaders raising the Palestine bag issue, Priyanka Gandhi said, Tell them that they should do something about the atrocities that are happening on minorities, Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh. Talk to the Bangladesh government and stop these atrocities. Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, the Charge daffaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, last week called on Priyanka to congratulate the Congress leader on her recent Lok sabha bypoll victory from Keralas Wayanad.
Making no bones about his displeasure over his exclusion from the Maharashtra Cabinet, a miffed The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-AP) leader and a popular Other Backward Classes (OBC) face in the State, Chhagan Bhujbal said on Monday that he would decide on his next move after talking to his constituents and members of a Phule organisation of which he is the president.

Yes. I am upset I may or may not have been given a ministerial post but Chhagan Bhujbal is not finished, Bhujbal said, when media persons button-holed him for comment on his exclusion from the State Cabinet.

Talking to media persons on the first day of the Winter Session of the State Legislature in Nagpur, Bhubal said, I will take a call on my future course of action after consulting the people in the constituency and also the members of the Samata Parishad. Seventy-seven-year-old Bhujbal, who is an influential leader from OBCs Mali community, is the founder- president of the Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad.

A seven-term MLA, Bhujbal represented Mazgaon constituency in south Mumbai for two terms and was elected to the State Assembly for the next five-terms from Yeola in Nashik district. He also served as an MLC for one term. Apart from being a senior minister in a Congress government in the late eighties and early eighties and Food and Civil Supplies Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government from 2019 to 2022, Bhujbal wasd the deputy chief minister in the Congress-led Democratic Front government between 1994 and 2004.

I may or may not have been given ministerial posts but Chhagan Bhujbal is not finished, he told reporters in Nagpur on Monday. One of the senior most politicians in the state, Bhujbal (77) is a two-time MLA from Mazgaon in Mumbai and five-term MLA from Yeola in Nashik besides serving a term as an MLC.

Asked as to why he had not been inducted in the Devendra Fadnavis government, Bhujbal said: Whom to induct in the ministry is the decision of the party leaders. They (party leaders) told us that senior leaders were not being included to give a chance to new people... That being the case, I feel I have been rewarded (for challenging Manoj Jarange-Patil) I am an ordinary worker, what difference does it make if I am ignored or thrown out?.

However, NCP MLC and spokesperson Amol Mitkari denied that anyone had been upset over the expand expansion carried by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday :We dont think so ( that any one is upset) if anyone is upset, he or she can take up the issue in a party forum. As far as Bhujbal is concerned, we heard it in the media we also heard reports that he would be sent to Rajya Sabha.
A San Francisco firefighter rescues a dog from a South of Market apartment blaze Sunday. San Francisco Fire Department San Francisco firefighters respond to an apartment blaze Sunday. Two dogs were rescued, and no one was injured. San Francisco Fire Department

Two frightened dogs were rescued Sunday afternoon from a South of Market apartment that caught fire when a damaged battery for an electric bicycle was being recharged, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.

The small fire, which was limited to the apartment near Sixth and Natoma streets, was quickly extinguished, said Rescue Capt. Justin Schorr. Some contents inside the apartment were damaged but none of the apartments in the building were seriously damaged or destroyed.

Sprinklers inside the apartment limited damage to the apartment and its contents, he said.

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Schorr described the rescued dogs as little scared dogs but said he did not know their breeds. When firefighters put the first rescued dog on the ground outside the building, he said, it was shaking uncontrollably. The rescued dogs were turned over to their owner.

San Francisco firefighters respond to an apartment blaze Sunday. Two dogs were rescued, and no one was injured. San Francisco Fire Department

No one was injured in the fire, according to Schorr.

Firefighters safely removed the battery as well as the electric bicycle for investigation, he said.
Defending the survey at Sambhals Shahi Jama Masjid, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said in the state assembly that the atmosphere deteriorated after two days of the court-ordered exercise due to the nature of speeches given during Friday prayers.

He said that Baburnama, memoirs of the founder of the Mughal Empire Babur, also mentions that the structure was built by demolishing the Harihar temple.

Four people were killed after violence erupted in Sambhal last month during protests against the survey of the mosque which was ordered by a court after a petition claimed that it was the site of the Harihar temple and sought permission to worship there.

They (opposition) are trying to cover up the truth, but no one can hide the sun, moon and truth for long. The truth will soon come out, Adityanath said while responding to the demand of Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey and other SP members for a discussion on the recent violence in Sambhal and Bahraich along with similar incidents.

Adityanath rejected suggestions that chants of Jai Sri Ram and Hindu religious processions passing from Muslim-dominated areas provoked communal tension.

Where is it written in the Constitution that a Hindu procession cannot be taken out in a Muslim-dominated area, the chief minister asked.

When you stop it, the reaction from the Hindu side also comes that we will also not let it go. I am surprised by these things that the procession will not be allowed in front of the mosque. Does this road belong to anyone? It is a public road, how can you stop anyone?

There was a traditional procession in Bahraich too and all arrangements were completed to take that traditional procession forward. But to say that provocative slogans were being raised. The slogan of Jai Shri Ram is not provocative, it is the slogan of our devotion, a symbol of our faith.

Tomorrow, if I tell you that we do not like the slogan of Allahu Akbar, will you like it? Our heritage is so vast and ancient.... I can spend my whole life with the salutations of Jai Shri Ram, Har Har Mahadev and Radhe Radhe. We do not need any other salutation, he said.

Earlier in the House, SP MLA from Sambhal Iqbal Mahmood said that an application was given in a court requesting for the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal and the survey order was sent within two hours on the same day.

The SP member said, Jama Masjid management cooperated fully in the survey. But, as soon as those people left, they started shouting Jai Shri Ram slogans, due to which not only SP but the whole of Sambhal became angry.

On the night of (November) 23rd, the officials said that the survey will be done again on the 24th. After this, people said what is the need for a second survey but they did not listen and an order was given from Lucknow that the survey has to be done on the 24th itself, the MLA claimed.

Iqbal Mahmood also claimed that the order for a second survey was given because the bypoll result of the Kundarki assembly bye-election came on November 23.

The SP member also said that people again raised Jai Shri Ram slogans and when the crowd gathered, firing started and five people died, in which one persons post-mortem was not done and he was forcibly buried.

Leader of Congress Legislature Party Aradhana Mishra Mona said that this is not just a political issue, but a matter of the safety of 25 crore people of UP.

No government wants communal riots and the state to burn but it is unfortunate that due to these two incidents, the atmosphere of the state is not good today, she said.

Responding to members, Adityanath said that on the instructions of the court, the DM and SP conducted the survey in a peaceful manner.

The survey work was going on in Sambhal on November 19, November 21 and November 24. There was no disturbance of peace during the first two days during the survey.

The atmosphere deteriorated after the kind of speeches given during the Friday prayers. The situation after that is in front of everyone, he said.

He said Baburnama says that the structure was built by demolishing the Harihar temple. The Purana also says that the tenth incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu will be in Sambhal, the CM said,

He asserted that the administration is acting in a just manner in the incidents of Bahraich and Sambhal.

A judicial commission has been formed in the Sambhal incident. Its members are visiting regularly. They will take statements from people, listen to everyone and bring out the truth, but unnecessary stone pelting and firing from illegal weapons will not restore peace there, Adityanath said.

Citing NCRB data, Chief Minister Adityanath said that since 2017, when his government was first formed, there has been a 97 per cent to 99 per cent reduction in communal riots in the state.

There have been no riots in UP since 2017, whereas from 2012 to 2017 (SP tenure), there were 815 communal riots in the state and 192 people died, he said.

Between 2007 and 2011, there were 616 communal incidents, in which 121 people died.

Adityanath said, How long will you mislead the public by hiding the facts? A survey was being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the honourable court. Chanting Jai Shri Ram is not a communal act. Ram is present in everything we do. If chanting Jai Shri Ram offends anyone, it is their intent that should be questioned.

In Bahraich, a 22-year-old man was killed in communal violence during a Durga idol immersion procession in October.
Dogs dressed as Dr. Seuss characters attend the Bark at the Spark Howl-I-Day Party in San Franciscos Mission Bay on Sunday. The holiday-themed event welcomed all breeds and featured a race, more than a dozen vendors and an ugly dog-sweater competition. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Dogs and their owners line up for the ugly dog-sweater competition at the Spark Howl-I-Day Party in San Franciscos Mission Bay on Sunday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle A dog is dressed up for the holidays at the inaugural Bark at Spark Howl-I-Day Party in San Francisco on Sunday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Brownie, left, and Bella attend the Bark at Spark Howl-I-Day Party in San Francisco at the Spark Social SF food truck park. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Charlie and Jolene, dressed for an ugly Christmas sweater contest, wait for a treat from their guardian Lisa Walker at the Spark Social SF food truck park on Sunday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

When Lisa Walker heard about Sundays ugly Christmas sweater competition for dogs, she knew instantly which one of her Havanese Charlies many selections he would be wearing  the one her mother-in-law sent her from Chattanooga, Tenn.

So there was Charlie at the Bark at Spark Howl-I-Day Party in San Francisco, looking like a winner in a royal blue sweater with white snowflakes accented by silver pom-poms and a ninja Santa drop-kicking a candy cane.

Charlie is adorable, so he looks cute in anything, but that sweater is so ugly that it is beautiful, said Walker, who came from Berkeley with her husband, Rob, a second Havanese named Jolene dressed as a Christmas monkey, and a bagful of backup sweaters just in case.

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Dogs and owners came from all over the Bay Area for the contest, which was held at the Spark Social SF food truck park, across the street from UCSF Mission Bay. It was the first time for the Christmas sweater contest, and nobody knew what to expect.

Lisa and Rob Walker give treats to their Havanese dogs, Charlie, left, and Jolene, at the Spark Social SF food truck park. The Bark at Spark Howl-I-Day Party welcomed all breeds and featured a race, more than a dozen vendors and a canine ugly Christmas sweater competition. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Fuego, a French miniature bulldog, made his first trip through the park in his Halloween outfit just to size up the costumes on the backs of the competition. Then he went home to his apartment in a Mission Bay tower to return in his Christmas jammies, Santa hat, puffer jacket and mittens.

His clothes take up the machinery closet, admitted his mom, Erika Dadillacuevos.

Motivational treats were everywhere, and there was even snow left over from a private party the night before. For dogs that forgot their paw warmers, a cozy warming hut was set up with cushions in front of a fireplace with logs crackling. A sign at the entry said Reserved for the Dog.

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Across from it was a sales rack stocked with disco dog coats with sequins that changed from green to gold when you rub it.

Its predator-repellent, keeps the coyotes away, and it makes everybody smile, said designer RayRay Riggin, who was employing her Chihuahua mix Bobbin as a fashion model. Riggin declined to classify her disco line as ugly.

The ugly part, she said, depends on the dog.

Ashley Fisher wears a customized Christmas sweater with her dogs on it. Sam Whiting/The Chronicle

Or the owner. Humans, being flawed as they are, couldnt stand the dogs getting all the attention, so many wore their own ugly Christmas sweaters. Ashley Fisher of Castro Valley had custom sweaters made that featured the likeness of her dogs, Shadowpaw and Storm, superimposed on burnt-orange with white trees. She and her husband Jeff and daughter Aurora were all proudly wearing them, though Shadowpaw and Stormy seemed to keep their distance.

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They need sweaters with pictures of us on them, Aurora said.

Jessica Alvarado and Ricky Mattes, of Daly City, stopped at PetSmart on their way to San Francisco and scored big for their mutt Zena  a green tree sweater with old-fashioned blue, red and yellow Christmas lights attached to it. A steal at $10 on sale.

Its not always about how much you spend, Mattes said, looking around at the competition. It looks like weve won already. But its early.

By the time the competition started, there were 17 entrants who made a lap around the vendors, but about 30 dogs in their sweaters declined to partake in a contest described as ugly. There was also a cat in an ugly cat sweater.

Raya, sporting a reindeer outfit with antlers, won the ugly dog-sweater competition at the Bark at Spark Howl-I-Day Party in San Francisco on Sunday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

The grand prize winner was Raya, in a reindeer suit with antlers.

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Shockingly, Charlie, in the royal blue sweater with white snowflakes and silver pom-poms, was not among the top-three vote-getters, perhaps because he did not show well.

Charlie was tired and ready for his nap. I mean, he is 12, explained his parent, Lisa Walker. Jolene did not win either, but the Walkers were glad they came and plan to be back next year with all new sweaters, provided the mother-in-law comes through.

There arent enough crazy dog people in the East Bay, Rob Walker said. For a dog-themed event, it has to be San Francisco.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in the UP assembly on Monday that India will be run by the ancient traditions and legacy of Ram, Krishna, and Buddha, not the colonial legacy of Mughal rulers like Babur and Aurangzeb.

He said, If a Muslim procession can pass through a Hindu locality, why not a Hindu procession through a Muslim locality? If Muslims object to the slogan Jai Shri Ram, Hindus can also object to 'Allahu Akbar.

Replying to the adjournment notice given by the opposition Samajwadi Party over the violent incidents in Sambhal on November 24 and the communal incident in Bahraich, CM Yogi said, I can live my life with Jai Shri Ram, Har Har Mahadev and Radhe Radheno need for any other slogan. Baburnama also says that a structure was built by demolishing the Harihar temple in Sambhal.

He added, The victory of the BJP candidate in the Muslim-dominated Kundarki assembly seat is the victory of the Constitution and Sanatan, and the people are recognising their ancient Hindu roots.

CM Yogi pointed out a historical divide between Turks and Pathans in Sambhal and Kundarki. He recalled that Shafiqur Rahman Barq, the late SP MP, used to proclaim that he was not an Indian citizen, but a descendant of Mughal ruler Babur.

Will you uphold the legacy of invaders, or the traditions of Ram, Krishna, and Buddha? He reiterated, Only the tradition of Ram, Krishna, and Buddha will endure in India, not that of Babur and Aurangzeb.

Why is there no issue when a Muharram or any Muslim procession passes peacefully through a Hindu locality or in front of a temple, but problems arise when a Hindu procession passes through a mosque or a Muslim-majority area? Cant the saffron flag be raised on Indian soil? he asked.

Jai Shri Ram is not provocative; it is a reflection of our cultural consciousness and faith. If I tell you tomorrow that we don't like the slogan Allahu Akbar, will you be okay with that? Yogi asked.

Asking the Samajwadi Party MLA Mahmood, who tabled the adjournment notice, the CM said, If you had read Baburnama, you would not be engaging in this debate. Your politics has been about Baatne and Kaatne, but we have made it clear Na Batenge, Na Katenge.

Recalling the long history of communal riots in Sambhal since 1947, CM said, There were deaths and riots in 1947, and 1948, and continued unrest through the decades, with significant violence in 1978, where 184 Hindus were burned alive. In 1980-1982, there were more riots, and in 1990-1992, five people were killed. A total of 209 Hindus have lost their lives in Sambhal since 1947.

He also referred to the brutal murder of a businessman in the 1978 riots, whose limbs were cut and then his throat was slit. CM Yogi assured the House that anyone involved in stone-pelting or attempting to disrupt peace will be strictly dealt with and will not be spared.

Yogi urged the opposition to read the preamble of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkars original Constitution and review the fundamental rights it guarantees.

If you examine its pages, you will find references to Ram, Krishna, Bajrang Bali, and Buddha. The philosophy of Indias rich tradition is embedded within this Constitution, yet the words secular, sectarian, or socialism do not appear anywhere in the original document, the CM remarked.

Taking a dig at the Samajwadi Party, he added, As soon as the truth about your actions in Sambhal came to light, the public declared Safachat.

Referring to NCRB data, CM Yogi highlighted that communal riots in Uttar Pradesh have dropped since 2017.

Since 2017, there have been no riots in UP. But between 2012 and 2017, during the Samajwadi Partys tenure, there were 815 communal riots, and 192 people lost their lives. From 2007 to 2011, there were 616 incidents, with 121 deaths, he pointed out.

He also noted that in the recent by-election, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the NDA alliance secured 7 out of 9 seats.

Chachhu, (Shivpal Yadav) was a little kinder, or else Karhal and Sisamau would also have been swept clean, the CM said, adding: The victories in Kundarki, Katehari, Khair, Majhwa, Ghaziabad, Mirapur, and Phulpur are victories for the Constitution of India.

CM Yogi emphasised that India is the only country where the majority community is not asking for special rights, but instead is advocating for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He supported the statement made by a judge of the Allahabad High Court on the UCC and criticised the SP and Congress for their motion of no-confidence against the chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

These parties are trying to pressure constitutional institutions to align with their views by force, he said.

CM Yogi also targeted the opposition over electricity theft in Sambhal, revealing that mini power stations are being run from religious places in the region.

Many mosques were found with illegal sub-stations where free connections were distributed, he said.

While the states power corporation reports a line loss of less than 30%, in Deepasrai and Mirasrai localities of Sambhal, the losses are 78% and 82%, respectively. This is nothing but the looting of the countrys resources," the chief minister added.

The CM stated that the administration is handling the Bahraich and Sambhal incidents with fairness and transparency. He said, A judicial commission has been set up to investigate the Sambhal incident, with its members tasked to record statements, hear all parties, and uncover the truth.

He highlighted the importance of maintaining peace ahead of the Maha Kumbh 2025.

Addressing the opposition, he urged them not to disrupt the states harmony with irresponsible statements or actions.

The CM reaffirmed the state governments commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Uttar Pradesh's 25 crore residents. Any attempts at anarchy or stone-pelting will be dealt with firmly. Those who defy the law or disregard court orders will face strict action, he warned.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that the state government will organise a series of events to commemorate the upcoming 350th martyrdom day of ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji.

Chairing a review meeting of the Tourism department, Mann said that the state government will observe the 350th martyrdom day of ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji on a massive level and a series of functions will be organised across the state and comprehensive development of places having the footsteps of the Guru Sahib will be ensured. He asked the Tourism department to chalk out a detailed program to organise a series of events to commemorate the martyrdom day of the Sikh Guru.

Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to promote tourism in Punjab, Mann gave nod to organise Rangla Punjab festival in the state in February. He said that the purpose of this festival is to showcase Punjab as the most preferred global tourist destination adding that Punjab has a rich and glorious cultural legacy along with beautiful destinations which can attract the tourists from across the globe. Mann said that there is a huge potential for developing the state as a favourite tourist destination for which all out efforts should be made adding that the untapped potential of tourism in the state should be harnessed for attracting the tourists.

The CM also gave nod for organising heritage festivals across the state to perpetuate the glorious cultural heritage of the state for the coming generations. He asked the Tourism and Cultural department to chalk out a detailed proposal in the form of calendar events so that these festivals can be celebrated every year. He said that these festivals should be celebrated on a grand level so that the rich heritage of the state can be preserved in a big way.
The BJP on Monday asked former Congress president Sonia Gandhi to return the correspondences of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru with a host of personalities to the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library, saying the historical documents belonged to the country and were not anyone's personal property.

BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra cited reports of the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library's (PMML) deliberations on the issue to note that Nehru's correspondences with Edwina Mountbatten, wife of the last British viceroy to India, and eminent leaders Jayaprakash Narayan and Jagjivan Ram lay with the erstwhile Nehru Museum and Library Society, which returned them to Sonia Gandhi in 2008.

The Nehru museum was expanded to include memorials to all prime ministers and renamed the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library after the BJP came to power at the Centre.

Patra told reporters that 51 cartons of Nehru's correspondences were given to Sonia Gandhi after approval of the museum's then director.

However, following a legal opinion, Rizwan Kadri -- one of the 29 members of the society tasked with running the PMML -- recently wrote to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, seeking his help in restoring the papers to the museum's custody, he added.

The BJP leader said Kadri did not receive any reply.

Taking a swipe at the Gandhi family, Patra said these were not personal property but historical documents part of the "treasure" of India.

As Nehru was a member of the family, it suffers from a sense of entitlement over his letters, he alleged.

He asked, "What were the contents of the letter that the first family felt should not be made public?"

He noted that the digitisation process began in the museum in 2010 but the Gandhi family decided to take back the letters' possession before that.

Patra had earlier raised the issue in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour but Union Culture Minister Gejendra Singh Shekhawat declined to answer, saying his query was unrelated to the written question submitted in advance.
The government should raise the issue of atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh with the neighbouring country, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi said in Lok Sabha on Monday.

In her Zero Hour reference, she sought the government's support for those who are in pain because of the attacks.

"The government should raise the issue of atrocities on minorities, both Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh. Should discuss this with Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain," she said.

Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandhopadhyay demanded that the government make a statement in the House on the issue.

"Minorities and Hindus in Bangladesh are being tortured. The foreign secretary visited Bangladesh recently. Along with (TMC MP) Saugata Roy, I spoke to the external affairs minister in the House the day before yesterday. Why govt is keeping mum? The House is running, let us know what actual developments are taking place," he said.

The TMC MP from Kolkata Uttar said a statement from the government is urgently required.

"Either the external affairs minister or the prime minister himself must come to the House.... save the Hindus and the minorities facing torture in our neighbouring country. We believe this matter must be sent to the government from your Chair, we will get the reply by tomorrow," Bandhopadhyay added.

The issue was also raised by Shiv Sena MP Naresh Ganpat Mhaske.

"They (minorities in Bangladesh) are being tested, religion is becoming big there... it is a sin to be Hindu, Sikh or a Jain (there)," he said.
India and Sri Lanka Monday adopted a futuristic vision to expand their partnership, resolved to soon conclude a defence cooperation pact and decided to ramp up energy ties by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines.

The decisions were taken during wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka.

Prime Minister Modi said both sides decided to emphasise investment-led growth and connectivity for the India-Sri Lanka economic partnership, and it was decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be key pillars of the cooperation.

Work will be done to establish electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines, Modi said, adding India will supply liquefied natural gas to the island nation's power plants.

The prime minister also announced that a ferry service will be started between Rameshwaram and Talaimanar to boost connectivity between the two nations.

"We both agree that our security interests are interconnected. We have decided to soon finalise the defence cooperation agreement. There has also been an agreement for cooperation on hydrography," Modi said.

The vexed fishermen issue also figured in the talks.

"We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we must proceed with a humanitarian approach to this matter," Modi said.

Referring to the Tamil issue, Modi said India hopes that the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of the community.

The prime minister also noted that India has so far provided Lines of Credit and grant assistance worth USD 5 billion to Sri Lanka.

"We have cooperation in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka and selection of our projects is always based on priorities of our partner countries," PM Modi said.
Steve Wagstaffe, the San Mateo County district attorney, cleared a San Mateo County deputy of wrongdoing after he faced an accusation of time card fraud. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

The San Mateo County district attorney has cleared Sheriff Deputy Carlos Tapia of any criminal wrongdoing a month after top sheriff officials arrested him for alleged time card fraud.

Upon closely examining the case, prosecutors determined not only that Tapia had not violated any laws and should not have been arrested, but also that executives at the sheriffs office had ordered his arrest before verifying the accuracy of the allegations, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said in a statement.

Its a shame that it came to an arrest, the district attorney said in an interview Monday. We would have preferred for it to come to our office, he added, referring to Sheriff Christina Corpus decision to have her own managers handle the matter, rather than seeking an arrest warrant from the court.

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Corpus said that although the criminal investigation of Tapia has closed, the episode isnt over. An independent third-party investigator will complete a separate internal review, Corpus said, describing it in a statement as standard protocol when the arrest involves an employee.

Tapia is the president of the deputy sheriffs association, which openly criticized Corpus and accused her of unfair labor practices. His arrest on Nov. 13 occurred hours before two county supervisors unveiled a voluminous report by retired Santa Clara County Judge LaDoris Cordell, who the county retained to probe 15 allegations against Corpus and members of her executive team.

Cordell sustained findings in 12 of the allegations. Among them: that Corpus had used homophobic slurs against a city council member, that she has harassed and intimidated perceived foes, and that she engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a former campaign manager who became her chief of staff. The Board of Supervisors asked Wagstaffe to further investigate any allegations that may involve criminal conduct.

Wagstaffe said his staff has identified four such allegations, though none were made against the sheriff herself.

As officials throughout the county called for Corpus to step down, union leaders invoked Tapias arrest as an example of how she has abused her position, saying it had all the earmarks of a whistleblower retaliation. Corpus denied these claims and refused to resign.

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Sheriffs officials accused Tapia of time card irregularities and billing between Jan. 1 and Oct. 18, according to a probable cause declaration signed by acting Assistant Sheriff Matthew Fox and reviewed by the Chronicle.

But when investigators in Wagstaffes office took a closer look at Tapias work schedule and assignments, interviewed his supervisors and scrutinized payroll rules and policies, they found only minor clerical errors with no evidence of criminal intent, and nothing to support the charges on which he had been booked  grand theft and theft by false pretenses.

Moreover, the district attorneys review found that Fox had conducted an extraordinarily limited evaluation without necessary follow-up after he was assigned to inspect the time cards. Although Fox noted in his report that the investigation was ongoing and more needed to be done, sheriff officials proceeded with the arrest anyway, Wagstaffe said in a statement.

When district attorney staff members presented their results to Fox, he seemed to agree that the arrest lacked sufficient justification, according to Wagstaffes statement. Fox quit his job two days after Tapias arrest.

He acknowledged that the investigation he did was not complete, Wagstaffe said in the interview. He was one person by himself. We spent several weeks with three or four investigators, interviewing witnesses, collecting data and the like.

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Wagstaffe added that had Fox taken more time and done a more thorough investigation, he may have arrived at the same conclusion as the district attorney: that there is no criminal case to be made against Tapia.

An attorney representing Fox concurred that the former assistant sheriff had disavowed Tapias arrest.

When Fox initially checked the time cards, he saw potential coding discrepancies that may, he thought, have been an indication of fraud, attorney Michael Rains said, speaking on Foxs behalf. At that time, Fox had recommended that the sheriff submit the time cards to Wagstaffe for further inspection.

Later, Fox learned from DA investigators that Corpus executive staff noticed the discrepancies back in August, and advised Tapia on how to correct them  at which point Tapia fixed the issue. But Rains said Corpus staff never informed Fox of this exchange, and he never had the opportunity to interview Tapia.

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President Droupadi Murmu on Monday led the nation in paying tributes to the fallen heroes of the 1971 war that led to the redrawing of the political map of South Asia with the birth of Bangladesh as an independent country.

The stupendous victory in the war following the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers on December 16, 1971 ended horrific violence unleashed by the Pakistani army on millions of Bangladeshis.

India commemorates December 16 as Vijay Diwas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paying his heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers, said their sacrifices will inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in India's history.

"Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us," he said in a post on 'X'.

"This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history," he said.

In her tribute, President Murmu, who is also the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, said the ultimate sacrifice of the soldiers shall remain a source of national pride.

"On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to our valiant soldiers who displayed indomitable courage during the 1971 war, securing victory for India," she said.

"A grateful nation remembers the ultimate sacrifice of our brave-hearts whose stories inspire every Indian and shall remain a source of national pride," Murmu said on 'X'.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial to mark the day.

"Today, on the special occasion of Vijay Diwas, the nation salutes the bravery and sacrifice of India's armed forces," Singh said.

"Their unwavering courage and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe. India will never forget their sacrifice and service," he said.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan too paid rich tributes to the fallen heroes of the war.

Gen Chauhan also conveyed his compliments to all serving personnel, veterans and 'Veer Naris' for their dedication, resolve and "enduring commitment" towards the nation.
Some residents in Vallejo have called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to deploy California Highway Patrol officers, similarly to what the governor has done in Oakland. Mario Tama/Getty Images

A group of Vallejo residents is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to deploy California Highway Patrol officers to crack down on crime after seeing similar law enforcement surges in San Francisco and Oakland.

About 3,000 people signed an online petition on Change.org as of Monday afternoon urging Newsom to bolster the citys police department. The open letter cited the citys spiraling crime problem and police understaffing as the reason for the request.

Read also: Newsom to continue CHP efforts in the East Bay as he touts progress on retail theft

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Our city has been grappling with escalating crime rates due to severe understaffing in our local police department, according to the petition.

Property crimes in the North Bay city of 123,000 have steadily increased since 2020, with the FBIs Real-time Crime Index reporting more than twice as many thefts in 2024 compared to four years ago. But all other categories of crimes  including robbery and aggravated assault  have remained relatively steady during the period from 2014 to 2023.

Vallejo Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Rashad Hollis said the police department, Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell and members of the Vallejo City Council had asked the governor for law enforcement support and that officials remained open to exploring additional formalized police service support that enhances public safety for our community.

The petition was written by Paula Conley, who identified herself as a Vallejo resident.

Crime in the city is out of control and no one seems to be doing anything, Conley said Monday in an interview.

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Conley said she had reached out to the governors office  at one point emailing his staff daily  but that she had not received a response. She said frustration among many Vallejo residents reached a tipping point earlier this month when a British band was robbed at gunpoint in the city and police did not provide direct assistance. Conley said the bands experience exemplified the belief among residents that the city has been abandoned by law enforcement.

Newsom last month extended CHPs surge in Oakland through the end of the year as Alameda County continued to grapple with high levels of crime that he said were among the highest statewide. The operation, which began in February, resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,200 suspects and the seizure of thousands of illegal guns, according to the governors office.

The Oakland surge came six months after Newsom doubled the number of CHP officers in San Francisco to help crack down on fentanyl dealing. Since 2023, state police officers have assisted local efforts to target open-air drug dealing in the citys Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods.

The 3,035 signatories urged Newsom to reinforce the citys police department by ordering CHP officers and Solano County Sheriffs Office deputies to patrol the city.

This action will provide much-needed support for our overworked police force, aid in reforming our department currently under consent decree from the State DOJ and contribute towards making Vallejo a safer place for all residents, according to the petition.

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The petition characterized drug use, shootings and shoplifting commonplace crimes in Vallejo and said response times were slow or nonexistent due to police understaffing.

Vallejo has become a regular location for large and violent sideshows primarily started by non residents, according to the petition.

The governors office declined to comment. CHP spokesperson Jaime Coffee said the agencys officers were present and active in Vallejo and that units from the CHPs Solano area office had been advised to assist on city streets when free or in the area.

Since 2020, the state attorney generals office has overseen reforms at the department to reduce unlawful uses of force and racial discrimination. The department has been embroiled in a series of scandals in recent years, including allegations that that a secretive clique of officers bent the tips of their badges each time they killed a civilian.

The petition did not mention the departments recent scandals.

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The next Irish government should include planning for constitutional change across the island among its commitments, a former SDLP leader has said.

Colum Eastwood said his partys New Ireland Commission  set up to facilitate discussions on the possibilities of a united Ireland  had written to all the parties in the Republic of Ireland before and after the general election.

Exploratory talks between parties are continuing in Dublin with the aim of forming a government in the new year, with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael together just a couple of seats short of a Dail majority.

Mr Eastwood told the BBCs Sunday Politics programme that conversations about a unity referendum had moved to a different level since Brexit in 2016.

The Foyle MP said: I have heard people talking about it that I wouldnt have heard talking about it before and I think we now have really a responsibility on those of us who want to see change to make it happen, but also to make it happen in a way that brings people with us.

Weve had probably thousands of conversations in different places  places you wouldnt imagine  with people who dont agree with us and people who do agree with us, but now we have to move that on.

Over the past number of months, one of the things we did was work with the parties in the south.

Before the election in the south, we asked them all to make a commitment to working towards Irish unity and to planning for Irish unity, if they form part of the next government.

Every one of them wrote back with that commitment and we saw that in their manifestos.

Now we have the very interesting process of forming a government in the south where there is going to be long periods of negotiation.

Ive written and spoken to them again about the need to turn those manifesto pledges into real commitments in the programme for government and I am hopeful that will happen.

I think part of the problem for the last number of years has been lots of parties have been saying the right thing about this but not actually putting their shoulder to the wheel to do it.

Mr Eastwood said Irish unity would be a major undertaking and couldnt be achieved unless we have the planning work done by the Irish government.

He added: What we have to do is make sure all of the parties who say they believe in this are committed to actually working towards it.

Weve got that major commitment in the manifestos, I think well get that commitment in the southern programme for government.

The SDLP politician said he had more time to devote to working with the New Ireland Commission since he resigned the party leadership earlier this year.

He added: The reason we want to see a new Ireland and constitutional change is because we think we can do better with the health service, we think we can have a better, more open, more prosperous economy for our young people as part of a new Ireland.

This has to be about lifting people out of poverty, giving people opportunity, having better public services.

The bottom line is that aint working as part of the UK with all the conversations weve heard about the state of public finances in Britain affecting people in Northern Ireland.

I think we can do things better, I think we can design our own future that involves everybody, that makes sure that people on this island are making decisions about their economic and social future.

He said: The next stage is the civil service in the south and the political parties are tasked with actually preparing the case for constitutional change.

It has to be remembered this decision around a referendum will be taken in London and it will make absolutely no sense for a Dublin government not to have done the preparatory work, not just to make the case but to be ready if it happens.

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement sets out that the Northern Ireland Secretary can call a border poll when he or she believes a majority of people in the region support a change to the constitutional status.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously said the issue of a united Ireland is not on his horizon and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said he believed the prospect of a vote on Irish unity is off into the distance.
Letterkenny will be the largest town in Ireland without a plan to connect it to the rail network, following the announcement made earlier this month.

The 2022 census identified Letterkenny as one of Irelands fastest-growing towns, with a population of just over 22,500 people. That makes it the third largest town without any connection to the Irish rail network  behind Swords, Co Dublin (41,000) and Navan, Co Meath (34,000).

However, Swords will see its rail restored as part of the proposed new cross-Dublin Metrolink project, which after years of delays is now moving forward with a scheduled completion date of 2035.

READ NEXT: In pictures: Thumbs up for the Letterkenny Light It Up Car, Truck and Tractor Run



And earlier this month it was also announced that consultants have now been appointed for the project to restore rail to Navan. This will be done via a 40km northern extension of the existing line which runs from Dublin Docklands to the M3 Parkway, with rail due to reach Navan before 2035. So, Letterkenny has now become the largest town in the Irish State without any plan for the restoration of its rail services.

Restoring a rail link between Letterkenny and Derry was recommended in the All-Island Rail Strategy, which was published in July of this year. That strategy proposed linking the route with a reopened Derry-Portadown line, to give Letterkenny and north-east Donegal a direct rail route to Dublin and Belfast.

However, the current timescale envisaged in the strategy for restoring the Derry-Portadown line is after 2040 at the earliest, and it is only planned to reopen Letterkenny-Derry after that point.

Rail campaigners Into The West are therefore calling instead for planning to begin immediately on a proposal to restore rail between Letterkenny and Derry by 2035. And theyre calling for the new Infrastructure Fund that is being set up with the Apple Windfall Tax money to be used to fund the proposal.

In September the EUs Court of Justice ruled that American technology giant Apple had received illegal tax advantages from the Irish State, and ordered the company to pay 14bn in back-dated taxes to Dublin.

That money has been ring-fenced by the government to spend solely on four types of infrastructure - water, electricity, housing and transport  with the objective being to ensure the future development of our society. A government report is due for release in the first quarter of 2025 to outline which projects will be awarded funding from this windfall fund.

Into The West state that restoring the 35km rail link between Letterkenny and Derry would deliver huge benefits. Letterkenny is part of the North-west City Region, along with Derry and Strabane - and the highest concentration of cross-border commuting on the island occurs between north-east Donegal and Derry city every day, with 38% of all cross-border trips happening there.

Yet the vast majority of these take place by car because of limited bus options and the complete absence of rail. This has also resulted in Letterkenny becoming a very car-dominated town, with a level of congestion you would expect to find only in much larger places.

A new rail link to Letterkenny  with additional halts at Manorcunningham and Newtoncunningham  would help ease traffic pressure on the town by providing people with an alternative option to driving.

City of Derry Airport has recently added new routes to Liverpool and Edinburgh, and 40% of all passengers using the facility are travelling to or from Donegal  yet their only option to access the county is by car.

Derrys Altnagelvin Hospital is the designated Cancer Centre for Donegal, whilst both Derry and Letterkenny have growing universities that are undergoing continual expansion  including a number of nursing and medical places at Magee which are reserved for students based in the Republic of Ireland.

Campaigners say there is a clear need to better connect the two main towns in the North-West City Region - for work, study, healthcare, shopping, social events and travel. Yet almost all journeys across the region are currently reliant upon private cars  creating congestion, pollution, and limiting the opportunities of those who are unable to drive or who cant afford a car.

The recent announcement to extend rail to Navan is great news for Meath but bad news for Donegal, Chair of Into The West, Steve Bradley, commented. Because it places Letterkenny in the unenviable position of now being Irelands largest town without any plans for rail.

By 2035 Letterkenny will have a population approaching 30,000 people, and will be by-far the largest disconnected town in the Republic. This unwanted title should be ringing alarm bells for everyone across north-east Donegal. It was good that the All-Ireland Rail Strategy recommended restoring rail to Letterkenny  but not that it recommended only doing so after the NI government has got around to reopening Derry-Portadown. Stormont has consistently shown itself to be politically unstable, strategically indecisive and financially constrained  so placing Donegals rail future in its hands would be deeply unwise.

The good news is that there is a better way. The Irish government has a kitty of over 14bn in tax money from Apple that it has committed to spend solely on infrastructure. So now is the time for all of Donegal  from its newly-elected TDs to its council, Chambers of Commerce and ordinary citizens  to join together and push for a small portion of that infrastructure fund to be used to restore rail between Letterkenny and Derry.

"Within that, it is essential for the project to not wait on the Derry-Portadown reopening, but to instead be completed by 2035. No-one in Donegal should accept Letterkenny becoming the largest town in Ireland with the poorest level of connectivity. And if the new government wants to show that it takes the transport needs of Donegal and the North-West seriously, then its time to give the county back its rail  just like it is doing for Swords and Navan. The Apple infrastructure fund presents a golden one-off opportunity to reconnect Donegal by rail again after 60 years of isolation. Lets not fail any more generations of people here by letting this huge opportunity slip.

Into The West are calling for the five TDs elected to represent Donegal in last months election to work with the County Council in lobbying the new government to ensure that Letterkenny rail is included in the list of projects that will be funded by its one-off 14bn infrastructure fund, the group say.
The inquest verdict of a teenager shot dead by the British army 49 years ago is of "significant importance" in the cases of two Derry people who were also shot and killed.

Schoolboy Partick Crawford was 15 when he was shot dead in the grounds of Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, on August 10, 1975.

The inquest verdict into his death was delivered by Coroner Gilpin on Monday at Laganside Courthouse.

Speaking to The Derry News shortly afterwards, Patricia Coyle of Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors, who was acting for the Crawford family said: "Patrick Crawford's legacy inquest verdict is of significant importance for the families of Patrick Duffy and Annette McGavigan."

Mr Duffy was shot dead by members of an undercover British army unit, just after 9.00pm on November 24, 1978, in 2, Maureen Avenue in the city. He was shot in the back and side 14 times.

Patrick Duffy who was shot dead by members of an undercover British army unit on November 24, 1978.

In February, the coroner examining Mr Duffy's death refused to list his inquest, due to British Ministry of Defence (MOD) delays. At that time, she told Mr Duffy's family she could not list the inquest for hearing to complete before the Legacy Act deadline on May 1, 2024.

Annette McGavigan (14) was killed during unrest in Derry on September 6, 1971. She had been playing with her friends when she was shot dead.

On Monday, April 29, the North's Attorney General Dame Brenda King granted a fresh inquest into Miss McGavigans death. Her decision came just two days before the British Government's Legacy Act deadline - after which all inquests which had not reached their final stages were halted.

At that time the teenager's family said they would "do everything possible to pursue the inquest direction".

The McGavigan family is also on a Pending Presecution Review of the PPS's decision (April 29, 2024) not to prosecute a former British soldier, known as Soldier B, who was reported in an investigation file in connection with the shooting of Annette McGavigan.

Ms Coyle added: "The Coroner today found that Patrick Crawford was, on the balance of probabilities, shot dead by an unidentified member of the British army with a high velocity bullet from the roof of the maternity building inside the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital on August 10, 1975.

"He also concluded that Patrick was an innocent 15 year old schoolboy who was not involved with paramilitaries or paramilitary activities and posed no threat.

"He added that the British army was in almost complete control of the RVH buildings and grounds at the time and that up to 9 soldiers were in the vicinity at the time of the fatal shooting.

"This Patrick Crawford verdict clearly demonstrates that a public judicial inquest process of investigation, into all evidence regarding shootings by the British army, is the only process which can provide scrupulous, factual resolution of evidence, and correct the public record, especially in the cases of Patrick Duffy and Annette McGavigan," said Ms Coyle

Patrick Crawford's inquest started on March 11, 2022 at Armagh Courthouse and resumed in March 2024 with evidence continuing up to the cut off date under the Legacy Act 2023 of April 30, 2024.

Patrick Crawford 'shot dead by an unidentified member of the British army with a high velocity bullet from the roof of the maternity building inside the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital on August 10, 1975'.

His family always believed that he was shot dead by the British army with a high velocity shot.



The Coroner confirmed today two of these soldiers had provided statements of evidence but were now deceased, and the other seven soldiers, who were part of an eight man foot patrol in the area, had never been identified by the MOD.

He further concluded the original police and Royal Military Police investigations had failed to collate and secure critical evidence, and referred to the prosecution of a civilian, based on an alleged statement of admission, which was stopped by the DPP because of contradictions in the ballistic evidence.

Maggie Crawford, sister of Patrick, on behalf of the Crawford siblings who were in attendance to hear the verdict said welcomed the Coroner's findings.
The sister of Patrick Crawford has said the family finally have justice almost half a century after the schoolboy was shot dead.

A coroner found on Monday that an unidentified British Army soldier was responsible more likely than not for the fatal shooting of the 15-year-old in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in August 1975.

Judge Philip Gilpin also said the victim was an innocent 15-year-old boy not involved in any suspect activity at the time he was shot.

Maggie Crawford, Patricks sister, was at Belfasts Laganside Courthouse to hear the coroners findings.

She said: We welcome the coroners findings in relation to the fatal shooting of our brother Patrick today.

Our father died in 2006 without the benefit of knowing the truth about what happened to his son.

We always believed that our Paddy was shot by a member of the British Army for no reason.

He was afraid and nervous when he asked if he could walk with two women through the grounds of the Royal (hospital) to get home.

The coroner has agreed with our view today.

Ms Crawford said she could not express how much the coroners findings mean to the family.

She added: We have been fighting for justice and information for 49 years. We finally have it.

The family would like to thank the coroner, the coroners staff and our legal team for the efforts devoted to getting to the truth.

We finally have justice for Paddy.

Patricia Coyle, solicitor for the Crawford family, said it was a very significant verdict.

She said: This verdict goes to the core issue of the need for independent, judicial and public inquests into contested killings in Northern Ireland where they involve the State.

The requirement for meticulous and scrupulous judicial examination of forensic, ballistic and eye witness evidence in such cases is critical.

The public mechanism of the inquests is essential to the correction of the public record.

That was particularly so in this case.

The value of the process to the next of kin is limitless and cannot be understated.

The family of Master Patrick Crawford thank the coroner for the comprehensive verdict today which supports their long-held belief that their young brother was killed by the British Army.
A barbecue platter at Alameda's hit Fikscue Craft Barbecue, which is expanding to San Francisco. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

Its a precarious time in the Bay Area restaurant industry, with closures befalling longtime institutions and neighborhood favorites. It feels all the more pressing to celebrate new food businesses that are opening, and theres an exciting wave coming this winter, which starts Dec. 21.

Forthcoming restaurants will specialize in everything from Palestinian to Afghan food. Places known for drawing long lines, including a barbecue hit in the East Bay and a pizza popup in San Francisco, will open new locations. And a massive Korean food complex will arrive in early 2025, poised to be a competitor to the wildly popular H Mart.

In addition, the new year will see pastrami favorite Delirama reopen in Oakland and popular San Francisco bakery Craftsman and Wolves expand to Mountain View. In San Francisco, the family behind the venerable Cantonese roasted meat shop Hing Lung has a comeback in the works. Its new shop, Quack House, will continue to prepare barbecue pork, ducks and spare ribs with a focus on takeout.

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Read on for 10 of the most anticipated restaurants opening in the Bay Area this winter, listed in alphabetical order.  Elena Kadvany

Chef Bradley Kilgore outside the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. The chef is opening a fine-dining restaurant next to the site in early 2025. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

Ama

San Franciscos famed Transamerica Pyramid is getting yet another new restaurant from Miami chef Bradley Kilgore. Kilgore, a James Beard award nominee who worked in Michelin-starred kitchens before launching his own, will open Ama, a fine-dining restaurant that melds Italian and Japanese cuisines. The dark, sleek, sexy restaurant, Kilgore said, is tucked into the back of the building adjacent to the pyramid that also houses his more casual Cafe Sebastian and MadLab, a gelato and kakigori shop, which both opened in late 2024. Ama will serve handmade pastas, including a puttanesca agnolotti with uni fondue sauce, and appetizers like toasted milk bread slathered with umami butter, roasted tomato jam, dashi gel and more uni. An eight-seat cocktail bar will pour creative drinks like a dirty martini with Japanese kosho (fermented chiles) and green peppercorns. Plus, inside a back room with a DJ booth and pinball machines, people will be able to order from the Ama menu and listen to live music.  E.K.

Projected opening: February

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545 Sansome St. (3 Transamerica), San Francisco. instagram.com/ama_bybradkilgore

Lamees Dahbour (left), known for Mama Lamees, and local business owner Samir Salameh will open a new restaurant named Falasteen in January. Provided by Samir Salameh

Falasteen

San Franciscos Noe Valley will soon be home to a new restaurant offering comforting Palestinian specialties. Named Falasteen (the Arabic name for Palestine), there will be classics like makloubah, pilaf layered with meats and tomato, and musakhan, chicken thigh baked with onions, sumac and pine nuts and served over large flatbreads. Lamees Dahbour, the La Cocina food business incubator alum who used to run the Mama Lamees kiosk in Public Market Emeryville, is digging deep into her Palestinian familys history to create comforting dishes, served inside a dining room decorated with a mix of traditional crafts and modern artwork.  M.C.

Projected opening: January

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4018 24th St., San Francisco. instagram.com/falasteen_sf

A smoked brisket balado plate combines Indonesian flavors with Texas-style barbecue at Fikscue. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

Fikscue

The lines are unrelenting at Alameda barbecue blockbuster Fikscue, which the New York Times named one of the countrys best new restaurants earlier this year. In early 2025, owners Reka and Fik Saleh are taking their popular marriage of Indonesian flavors with Texas barbecue to San Francisco. Fikscue will open a second location at Thrive City, the development next to the Chase Center. The space will have indoor seating and a shared outdoor area with Harmonic Brewing, plus large TVs and grab-and-go food, according to a press release. Fikscue, which began as a home business, is known for dishes like smoked brisket tossed with peppery sambal and soto padang, an Indonesian noodle soup, topped with more brisket.  E.K.

Projected opening: early 2025

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1725 3rd St., San Francisco (Thrive City). fikscue.com

A rendering of an oyster bar inside Jagalchi in Daly City. Courtesy Jagalchi

Jagalchi

This highly anticipated grocery store will have 75,000 square feet of Korean food, including a restaurant, bakery, two bars and a seafood market. Chef Tony Yoo, who owns fine dining spot Dooreyoo in Seoul, which has been featured in the Michelin guide, is overseeing all of Jagalchis food. A casual restaurant, called Pogu, will serve meat, seafood and vegetables grilled over charcoal  alongside lettuces, sauces and banchan (side dishes)  for lunch and dinner. Expect also Korean street food snacks, more than 200 kinds of banchan, prepared foods and fresh-baked Korean sweets. Jagalchi, named after Koreas largest seafood market, will likely make Daly Citys Serramonte Center a major food destination.  E.K.

Projected opening: February

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63 Serramonte Center, Daly City. instagram.com/jagalchi_official

Parch co-owners Paul Iglesias, left, and Sophie Akbar are opening a modern Afghan restaurant in Oakland. Courtesy Felipe Virviescas

Jaji

The Bay Areas first modern Afghan restaurant will arrive in Oakland in the new year. Jaji will focus on contemporary takes on Afghan food that arent often seen in the region. (Co-owner Sophia Akbar, who runs popular Colombian restaurant Parche with her husband, Paul Iglesias, hails from an Afghan family). Think mantu, a dumpling traditionally filled with ground beef, here stuffed with duck or seasonal vegetables, and an ever-changing tasting menu with drink pairings. The Uptown Oakland space, last occupied by French bistro Occitania on the ground floor of the Kissel hotel, will have a warm dining room, separate tasting menu tables and a speakeasy lounge.  E.K.

Projected opening: January

422 24th St., Oakland. jajioak.com

Pepperoni pizza from popup Jules, which is opening and brick-and-mortar in San Francisco. Cesar Hernandez/The Chronicle

Jules

Thriving popup operation Jules is moving into its own brick-and-mortar after years of bringing crispy, sourdough pies into other San Francisco venues. The menu at the 1,800-square-foot location in the Lower Haight will include all-time favorites like the Spicy Ronny, topped with pepperoni cups and Calabrian chile oil, and the Fun Guy pie, featuring three types of mushrooms, Tuscan pecorino and mozzarella. Chef-owner Max Blachman-Gentile, who used to be the culinary director at Tartine, tells the Chronicle he plans to round out the offerings with small plates that rotate seasonally, which might include salads, meatballs and a salmon crudo. He will also be baking loaves of bread.  M.C.

Projected opening: winter 2025

237 Fillmore St., San Francisco. julespizza.co

Owner Paul Einbund and chef Gavin Schmidt of the Morris in San Francisco, pictured in 2016. They are opening a seafood restaurant in Oakland.. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Sirene

The crew responsible for one of San Franciscos top restaurants is gearing up to make its East Bay debut. Sirene, from the team behind the Morris, will open in Oakland with a focus on seafood. Think dishes like oysters, whole roasted cod and multi-layered seafood terrines. A wood-fired oven left by the previous tenant, Sister, will touch nearly everything on the menu, owner Paul Einbund said. The Morris chef, Gavin Schmidt, will lead the kitchen, while wine director Alec Cummings is crafting the beverage program and Benjamin Middlemiss is serving as bar manager. Dessert will come courtesy of pastry chef Elaine Lau, previously of popular Asian-American bakery Sunday Bakeshop. Sirene will operate as a coffee bar during the day and serve dinner at night.  E.K.

Projected opening: January

3308 Grand Ave., Oakland. instagram.com/sirene_oakland

Chef Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star, as seen in 2015, will open a new Sonoma County restaurant this winter. Sarah Rice/Special to The Chronicle

Stella

The team behind Glen Ellen Star, one of Sonoma Countys top restaurants, is preparing to offer wood-fired meats and heaps upon heaps of fresh pasta at its new Kenwood restaurant. Named Stella, itll offer freshly extruded noodles and hand-shaped options like agnolotti, perhaps filled with ricotta or polenta. The restaurant space, formerly Cafe Citti, is in the middle of a renovation but promises a bright color palette and handcrafted wood tables from local artisan Lely Howard. The new restaurant is not shy about its pasta obsession, with wallpaper depicting diverse carb structures.  M.C.

Projected opening: early 2025

9049 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. stellakenwood.com

Top Chef star Stephanie Izard will launch her first Bay Area restaurant in 2025. Galdones Photography/Darcy Jusich

Valley Goat

Silicon Valleys forest-like Treehouse Hotel will be home to Top Chef star Stephanie Izards first Bay Area restaurant. Named Valley Goat, it will take advantage of the regions best farmers markets for seasonal dishes like flatbreads and grilled whole fish. When it opens, the retro-styled dining room will be able to accommodate 120 diners and be filled with plants. In a nod to Izards other Chicago and Los Angeles restaurants, the Girl and the Goat and Cabra, there will be goat figures hidden inside the dining rooms vegetal life. Just look closely.  M.C.

Projected opening: March

1108 North Mathilda Ave., Sunnyvale. valleygoatsv.com

Woo Can Cook will prepare wok-tossed dishes, like kimchi fried rice, at its new permanent location in Oakland. Provided by Wesley Woo

Woo Can Cook

Itinerant wok operation Woo Can Cook has proven a hit at popups throughout the Bay Area and on Sundays at the West Oakland Farmers Market. And soon, fans will be able to see chef-owner Wesley Woos jumping wok over a roaring flame every day at West Oaklands incoming food hall, Prescott Market. The house special is Taiwanese-style fried rice, available in bowls and burritos. But Woo previously told the Chronicle he plans to expand the menu with more noodle offerings like Hong Kong fried noodles as well as Taiwanese classics like three cup chicken and lu rou fan, a braised pork dish topped with an egg. To drink, Woo will keep iced lychee-jasmine and mango red teas, among others, in a nod to tea shop culture.  M.C.
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TCL chairman: tri-fold smartphone tech is ready; market demand will determine launch

Following Huawei's recent advancements, TCL, a leading Chinese home appliance brand, has revealed its dual-folding technology, signaling potential plans for a tri-fold smartphone. This move has sparked industry speculation on whether Samsung Electronics will join the competition in the tri-fold smartphone segment.

As reported by ZDNet Korea, Sina, and Webull, TCL founder and chairman Dong-sheng Li addressed the potential launch of a tri-fold smartphone during his speech at the TCL Global Technology Innovation Conference on December 11. Li confirmed TCL's readiness in tri-fold panel technology but noted that market demand will dictate whether such products are released.

According to 163.com, Li has adopted a cautious stance regarding the prospect of TCL utilizing its display technology to bring a tri-fold smartphone to market.

Li emphasized that despite TCL's strong technological foundation, the release of a tri-fold smartphone remains contingent on market demand and feedback. Currently, the Tandem tri-fold display is in the client acquisition phase.

At the SID 2024 exhibition in San Jose, TCL presented a concept device featuring its tri-fold display. According to Sohu, the successful launch of this technology will hinge on its maturity and market acceptance.

TCL unveils tri-fold display amid rising foldable smartphone rivalry

At the conference, TCL introduced its first 7.85-inch Tandem tri-fold display. This innovative screen supports "G-shaped" and "Z-shaped" folding configurations and incorporates advanced technologies, including Tandem, low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO), and panel-level packaging (PLP), delivering superior brightness, energy efficiency, and durability.

TCL ventured into the mobile phone market in 1999, well before many of its Chinese peers, but its performance has declined since 2016. The company has since pivoted to mobile display panel production through its subsidiary, TCL CSOT, which also presented a tri-fold display concept at SID 2024. The technology is now in the client acquisition stage.

Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor have intensified competition in the foldable smartphone market with a wave of new launches. Huawei further raised the stakes with its tri-fold Mate XT, fueling innovation and industry anticipation.

Amid these trends, TCL is making strides in tri-fold technology, while Samsung, the market leader, is reportedly planning to launch its tri-fold smartphone in 2025.

Samsung's tri-fold smartphone plans signal shift toward next-gen foldable innovation

As reported by South Korea's ETNews, Samsung's upcoming foldable smartphone will feature a dual inward-folding design with a fully expanded screen size of 9 to 10 inches, approximately 2 inches larger than the Galaxy Fold. This design minimizes impact damage, improving durability and extending the device's lifespan.

During Samsung's third-quarter 2024 earnings call, Daniel Araujo, vice president of the Mobile eXperience (MX) Division, revealed plans to introduce new product formats catering to consumers demanding greater innovation and functionality, according to Maeil Business Newspaper and The Korea Times.

By 2025, the foldable smartphone market is expected to evolve beyond performance and specification enhancements of existing devices, expanding into competition centered on new formats and markets.

TCL explores AI integration and innovation in foldable tech

Li also highlighted AI's potential, predicting that over the next three to five years, it could revolutionize key sectors, disrupt traditional industry ecosystems, and pave the way for new economic models.

Li's remarks not only highlight TCL's commitment to innovation in foldable display technology but also reflect the company's strategic vision and deep investments in the AI sector.

TCL's anticipated tri-fold smartphone is expected to showcase intelligent applications, combining advanced foldable technology with AI-driven features to enhance user experiencea key area of market interest.

With features like intelligent recommendations and voice assistants, TCL aims to deliver a seamless and highly user-friendly experience.
South Korea's FuriosaAI takes on global AI chip race with 'RNGD'

FuriosaAI, a Seoul-based AI chip startup founded in 2017, is making waves in the AI hardware market with its innovative accelerator chips aimed at hyperscale data centers and enterprises. In August 2024, the startup unveiled its advanced AI chip, "RNGD." The chip is positioned to challenge industry leaders such as Nvidia with a 100% power efficiency advantage over Nvidia's H100 GPUs and competitive performance metrics. Furthermore, it recently gained attention for its testing and sampling progress with global enterprises like LG AI Research and Aramco.

Speaking to DIGITIMES Asia, FuriosaAI CEO June Paik shared insights into the company's journey, the capabilities of its AI accelerator, its recent collaboration with LG, its outlook for the AI landscape, and international collaborations.

Strategic foundations drive early success

At the company's inception, Paik and the co-founders had a long-term vision, targeting AI inference infrastructure for data centers. FuriosaAI initially focused on foundational chip design, delaying silicon production until it secured sufficient funding. "We treated design like writing the screenplay before making the movieminimizing costs while perfecting the groundwork," Paik said.

The approach bore fruit with their first-generation chip, released in 2021. Despite a modest budget of US$6 million, it delivered a robust performance, achieving a 113% improvement in MLPerf benchmarks within weeks of its release. This success helped FuriosaAI secure a US$60 million Series B funding round, enabling the ambitious development of RNGD.

Betting on large language models, RNGD, developed in collaboration with Taiwan's Global Unichip Corporation (GUC) and TSMC, leverages cutting-edge technology, including HBM3 memory and a 5nm process node. FuriosaAI strategically designed the chip to excel in large-scale model inference, anticipating the rise of transformer models like GPT-3 and beyond.

"Our decision to bet on high-performance AI models in 2021 has paid off," Paik said. The company's early adoption of advanced technologies positions RNGD as a flexible and efficient solution for the growing demands of AI applications.

Innovation drives market differentiation

FuriosaAI's success lies in its holistic approach to chip design. Paik highlighted the startup's ability to balance performance, energy efficiency, and flexibilitykey challenges in AI computing. The company's proprietary Tensor Construction Processor architecture underpins its innovative edge.

"We've worked for seven years to develop a scalable, sophisticated design," Paik said. "This fundamental innovation is what sets us apart from competitors like Nvidia and Intel."

As competition intensifies in the AI hardware market, Paik emphasizes the startup's focus on efficiency and flexibility positions it as a formidable challenger in the field.

Strategic partnership with LG AI Research

In August 2024, LG AI Research began integrating RNGD into its AI infrastructure, aiming to reduce dependency on Nvidia chips while advancing South Korea's AI semiconductor ecosystem. When asked about this pivotal collaboration, Paik highlighted the synergy between LG AI Research's goals and FuriosaAI's offerings.

"LG AI Research's mission is twofold: conducting advanced AI research and embedding AI into LG's diverse business operations," Paik explained. From manufacturing to product development across LG's numerous sectors, efficient AI solutions are imperative. Cost efficiency, in particular, plays a critical role in AI implementation in production environments, where high costs could hinder broader adoption.

RNGD offers a rare alternative to GPU-based solutions, capable of handling cutting-edge AI models with high efficiency. This unique value proposition attracted LG AI Research, positioning FuriosaAI as a key enabler in the transition toward more cost-effective and domestically sourced AI solutions.

Innovation reshapes industry landscape

The AI chip industry is fiercely competitive, dominated by established players like Nvidia. Yet FuriosaAI sees this as an opportunity to revolutionize the field with groundbreaking innovation. Paik likened the industry's evolution to the transition from gasoline-powered cars to electric vehicles.

"The shift to electric vehicles required not just better cars but also the infrastructurecharging stations, longer battery life, and more. Similarly, moving from GPU-based solutions to AI-specific chips requires strong software ecosystems to ease the transition for developers," he explained.

FuriosaAI's approach centers on building a robust software stack to support its hardware, enabling developers and users to transition seamlessly to its chips. RNGD embodies this philosophy, designed to prove that AI-specific chips can deliver superior efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

"Our goal is to be the first company to demonstrate that this transition is not only feasible but also advantageous," Paik asserted. He compared FuriosaAI's ambition to iconic electric vehicle pioneers who transformed the automotive industry by delivering reliable and sustainable alternatives.

Regarding the scale of the market, Paik underscored the massive potential of the AI chip market, which is expanding at an unprecedented pace. "The market is so vast that it can accommodate multiple players alongside dominant ones like Nvidia," he explained.

Global expansion strengthens Taiwan partnerships

Internationally, FuriosaAI is actively forging partnerships worldwide to expand its influence across key markets in the US, Asia, and beyond. Paik highlighted a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Saudi Arabia's Aramco in September, marking a strategic collaboration that underscores the company's commitment to global expansion. While details remain under wraps, FuriosaAI is engaging with potential customers across multiple regions, including the US, Japan, and India, reflecting its growing presence in the AI semiconductor space.

"We are excited about the current progress with our early customers. Our customer sampling pipeline is full and we're looking forward to working with global enterprises to deploy and integrate RNGD into their inference infrastructure. We expect to see first customer orders starting from the first quarter of 2025," Paik added.

Paik also emphasized the importance of Taiwan in FuriosaAI's ecosystem. As a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing, Taiwan plays a central role in the production of FuriosaAI's chips, including RNGD. Collaborations with Taiwan-based industry leaders have been pivotal in ensuring high-quality production and innovative server solutions. FuriosaAI plans to deepen its ties by potentially establishing an office in Taiwan to strengthen collaboration with the local ecosystem.

Credit: FuriosaAI
An elderly woman is being treated in hospital for serious injuries following a hit and run incident in County Louth over the weekend.

Gardai in Dundalk are appealing for witnesses following the road crash which occurred in the town on Sunday afternoon.

"Shortly after 1pm, gardai and emergency services were alerted to a serious road traffic collision on the Armagh Road (R177) at the junction with the Toberona Road," said a garda spokesperson.

"A car was struck by an SUV resulting in injuries to the sole occupant, a woman, aged in her 70s. She was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda to be treated for what are believed to be serious injuries," they added.

READ ALSO: Israel set to close embassy in Dublin as Sa'ar says Ireland has 'crossed all red lines'

According to gardai, the two occupants of the SUV, which was earlier reported as stolen, fled the scene on foot and have yet to come forward.

Investigating gardai have conducted a technical examination of the scene and both vehicles involved, and the road has since been fully reopened to traffic.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. In addition, road users who may have dash-cam footage from the area at the time of the incident are also urged to contact gardai.

Anyone with any information, is asked to contact Dundalk garda station on (042) 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Jane Oleson stands near a patch of San Francisco sidewalk on Tuesday that she and others filed complaints for years about. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Trees lining the sidewalk near 1360 Taylor St. in Nob Hill were lifting the concrete, causing it to buckle and fold into jagged, uneven pieces. Its now being repaired. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle A trees roots displace the sidewalk near 1360 Taylor St. Nearby residents filed complaints for years about the broken sidewalk. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

More than four years ago, Lisa Church began filing 311 complaints about a dangerous stretch of sidewalk in Nob Hill.

The roots of the acacia trees lining the sidewalk in front of 1360 Taylor St. in San Francisco were lifting the concrete, causing it to buckle and fold into jagged, uneven pieces. Church, whos lived in the neighborhood for more than 25 years, grew increasingly concerned about the sidewalks condition after noticing that an older woman with a walker passed by every day.

It was only a matter of time, Church figured, before someone got hurt  perhaps seriously. So she pleaded with the city to take action.

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Entire sidewalk is buckling, very dangerous for anyone on the sidewalk, she wrote in a June 2021 complaint, her third in two years. In May 2022, she submitted a fourth: There had been numerous prior requests but nothing has been done. That month, she even shared a video of the ragged sidewalk on X and tagged 311 to get more attention on the case.

The city, unfortunately, did not seem to share Churchs sense of urgency.

Some of her complaints were marked as closed even though the sidewalk remained unfixed  and even though complaints about the same patch of sidewalk continued to pour in from other neighborhood residents.

The uneven sidewalk near 1360 Taylor St. on Dec. 2. Nearby residents filed complaints for years about the broken sidewalk. Emily Hoeven/The Chronicle

Jane Oleson, 74, filed the first of two complaints in April 2024. The sidewalk, she told me, had become an obstacle course with potentially fatal consequences: Falling and breaking your hip can be pretty life-threatening for someone whos older.

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Oleson was astounded to see her complaint marked as closed even though the sidewalk hadnt been fixed. Frustrated, she filed another one in November.

Sidewalk is STILL a hazard. Not sure why case is closed, she wrote.

Both Church and Oleson reached out to me after reading my Nov. 26 column about Cafe Isabella, a tiny restaurant just up the block, which the city cracked down on following a single 311 complaint about a few small tables and chairs allegedly blocking the sidewalk. (They werent.)

After receiving the complaint in September 2023, the Department of Public Works twice ordered Hilda Mendez, owner of Cafe Isabella, to permanently remove some tables and chairs and to stop putting others outside until she obtained a permit. Their warning letter included a bizarre series of surveillance-style photos that showed people eating and smiling at a few tiny outdoor tables. The department also ordered Mendez to remove two potted cacti shed had outside the cafe for 20 years, deeming them a danger to the public.

Oleson and Church were stunned by the agencys comparatively swift response to what they perceived as a nonissue.

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I was pretty amazed because the sidewalk is much more of a hazard than the two or three little cafe tables, Oleson told me. It just seems to me that their priorities arent in the right place.

Church said she wished the city would prioritize fixing a completely warped sidewalk over addressing very clear, flat sidewalks with tables off to either side.

Cafe Isabellas outdoor tables and cacti (which have since been removed) have no known victims, but the sidewalk has harmed at least one neighborhood resident.

The broken sidewalk at 1360 Taylor St. on Dec. 2. Nearby residents filed complaints for years about the broken sidewalk. Emily Hoeven/The Chronicle

Sue Ann Hirschberg told me she sprained her right ankle on one of the sidewalks uplifted sections in August 2023 while walking her dog. She said her ankle swelled to twice its normal size and turned black and blue and red and green and purple  an account corroborated by photos she shared with me  and kept her off her feet for two months.

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Hirschberg didnt report the incident to the city.

Thats my cautionary tale  I should have, she told me.

But even without Hirschbergs injury report, the city knew the sidewalk was a neighborhood menace. So why didnt it take action?

On Dec. 3, I contacted the Public Works department, which became responsible for maintaining street trees and fixing sidewalks damaged by them after voters in 2016 approved a program called StreetTreeSF.

Spokesperson Rachel Gordon told me that some of the Taylor Street complaints were closed because they were duplicates. She also noted that the department has a backlog of StreetTreeSF repairs on a tight budget with just one in-house crew (though it also contracts out some work).

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When StreetTreeSF went into effect, she said, the department identified 30,000 sidewalk defects. Its since brought that down to 2,000  which includes new service requests.

Gordon added that the agency prioritizes repairs in areas with a high volume of pedestrian activity, such as commercial corridors, transit stops, schools and hospitals. The Taylor Street sidewalk, she said, did not fall into a typical priority category.

Three days after my inquiry, however, crews suddenly began tearing up the sidewalk.

Gordon said that it moved up the priority list after she asked for a status update. The city will prune the tree roots, smooth out and frame the tree basins and install a new sidewalk, she said.

Im delighted, Oleson told me. Its a very positive outcome, though I would wish that they would fix it in a swifter way  and it wouldnt take a journalist questioning them to have them come out here.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

Of course, Public Works cant instantaneously resolve every 311 complaint. The real issue is how the departments finite time and resources are being spent.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has welcomed the successful prosecution and conviction of Uisce Eireann following a harmful discharge that resulted in a large fish kill earlier this year.

At Mallow District Court this Monday, Judge Colm Roberts imposed a fine of 3,500 for a breach of Section 171(1) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959. Uisce Eireann was also ordered to pay 3,267 in costs.



The case was brought by IFI following a discharge into the River Allow in County Cork, from the Freemount water treatment plant, on June 9, 2024.



Commenting following the conclusion of the court proceedings, Sean Long, director of IFIs south-western region, said: This was an entirely avoidable ecological disaster for a sensitive river habitat. In this catastrophic incident, an eight-kilometre stretch of river was effectively sterilised, and may take years to recover.



According to IFI, Species of fish that were discovered dead included juvenile Atlantic salmon, brown trout, lamprey, eel, stone loach, roach, and dace.



READ ALSO: Man arrested after significant amount of cash seized by gardai during search at house

The pollution event occurred on a tributary of the Munster Blackwater catchment at Freemount, north county Cork. The location is a Special Area of Conservation and is a noted spawning habitat for fish.



IFI - the State agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats - continues to urge the members of the public to report instances of fish kills, water pollution, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing to its confidential number - 0818 347424.
Building extra capacity into clean and wastewater infrastructure in Louth will be one of the first things Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu hopes to deal with when Leinster House starts sitting.

The Sinn Fein deputy was speaking after the head of Uisce Eireann, Niall Gleeson, admitted in an interview that it can only supply 35,000 newly built homes a year for the next five years because of funding issues.

Dundalk and North Louth has been dogged with water problems over the last few years, with significant flooding in Dundalk and Cooley last year, ongoing problems with manganese in the treatment plant at Cavanhill, low water pressure and 500 new homes turned down for planning earlier this year because of concerns around wastewater capacity south of Dundalk.

Deputy O Murchu said the admission by Mr Gleeson at the weekend that additional funding of 1.7 billion is needed in order to expand house-building capacity showed how the government needs to step up to deliver the capacity that is needed.

He said: The water system in Louth, and in Dundalk in particular, is beset with problems and has been for some time. It will be one of the first things I will bring up when the Dail reconvenes, and a government is established.

It cannot be the case, like with the HSE, that the government leaves Uisce Eireann to it, says: theres your money and leaves them to it, with zero accountability at government level.

Read Next: Construction is expected to begin on Dundalk Primary Care Centre in February

Every single political party that fought the general election campaign said it would build in excess of 35,000 new homes a year, but this cannot be done without the infrastructure.

Mr Gleeson also indicated there are capacity issues in the greater Dublin area which would stop large pharma and other water-intensive industries being located here.

The government needs to intervene, urgently, to provide finances from the point of view of adding capacity. At the minute, it seems that Uisce Eireann is just running to stand still, playing Whack-a-Mole with the problems that are happening, but not actually building in extra capacity.

At least there are some real conversations happening at last between Uisce Eireann and Louth County Council but these need to continue and intensify to find the long-term solutions to Louths water problems and futureproof the drinking and wastewater capacity that will allow new homes and industries to be constructed so that no more housing developments are turned down because of water problems.
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RTE has said that the response to its This is Art! competition has been nothing short of extraordinary, with young artists from across the country submitting their imaginative works, and has announced the three "exceptional winners" in Louth, along with 12 winners around Ireland who will also receive prizes,

145 artists whose standout work will receive special commendations, and 492 more whose brilliant entries will be celebrated with certificates. Each of these young people has contributed something unique, vibrant, and deeply inspiring to this years theme: This is Imagination!

Supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island Initiative, this annual competition continues its mission to foster imagination and creativity in young people aged 18 and under, giving them a platform to express themselves and connect with others through the arts.

This is Art! Celebrates art and artists throughout Ireland through its website with the hope of sparking imagination and bridging the gap between the emerging young artists on the island and the established creatives. The entries are a testament to the diversity and richness of talent that exists across the island.

This years County Louth winners are as follows:

Age 16 to 18: Sam Jaszemski (18) Clogherhead, Louth  Snapshot of My Soul

Group category: 1st place: The Arthouse, Drogheda, Louth  The Friends We Made

Group category: 2nd place: St Brigids Special School, Dundalk, Louth  Downtown Dreamtown

The five first place category winners will receive a trophy designed by well known street artist Maser, while runners up will win prizes to develop their talent further (including courses, art supplies & equipment) and to recognise their outstanding contributions.

This years judging panel, featuring some of Irelands most renowned artists and curators, found themselves deeply moved by the talent and creativity on display. The panel included graffiti and street artist Maser; contemporary abstract artist Leah Hewson; visual artist Aideen Barry; Senior Curator at The Glucksman Cork, Tadhg Crowley; and Sheena Barrett, Head of Research and Learning at IMMA  the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Reflecting on the experience, the judges shared their thoughts:

Maser: Art is, and has always been, an amazing outlet for me. I think its an outlet that every young person should try their hand at and get involved in. Im delighted to see so many entries for This is Art! But more than that, it was truly heartening to see the creativity, the passion, and the personality that came across in all the entries.

Leah Hewson: Im so proud to see such a wealth of young creatives out there, brave enough to share their work with us. Its a pleasure to be able to award some of the entries with bursaries that will support and develop their careers further. The only shame is that we cant award everyone - because every entry is absolutely worth celebrating.

Aideen Barry: Ive been part of This is Art! before, and having the opportunity to celebrate the amazing creativity of our young people is the reason I always say yes to doing this. We have so much talent out there - kudos to all the entrants and budding artists. Keep going, keep working, develop your talent - it will be worth it.

Tadhg Crowley: My favourite part of This is Art! is reviewing the entries - whether as a judge or scrolling through the digital gallery. Its reassuring to see that the next generation of artists are bursting with ideas and creativity. I think thats a core strength of Ireland, our imagination economy. Its great to see and something I hope continues to blossom. I encourage everyone to have a virtual walk through the digital gallery.

Sheena Barrett: Art is a process that needs to be nurtured so competitions like This is Art! are important. We need to fuel the artistic tank of the next generation - because there is so much talent out there, some of it yet to be discovered. Its a privilege to celebrate and commend some of the amazing entrants. I hope we see even more entries next year.

Commenting on the winners announcement, RTEs Suzanne Kelly, Head of Childrens and Young Peoples Content, said: This is Art! is an important part of RTEs work with children and young people, providing a unique platform to celebrate and inspire young artists.

"Once again, we are in awe of the quality of the entries and the remarkable creativity on display across Ireland. If you havent already, I encourage you to visit the digital gallery and witness the world through the eyes of a young person. Its a privilege were proud to offer to the nation.
DR Congo president cuts ribbon on China-aided cultural center

Xinhua) 09:31, December 16, 2024

Guests pose for a group photo at the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Central African Cultural and Arts Center of Kinshasa in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Dec. 14, 2024. (Xinhua)

KINSHASA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), late Saturday inaugurated the China-aided Central African Cultural and Arts Center of Kinshasa, the DRC's capital.

"This DRC-China cooperation project reflects the wisdom of the two peoples," said the DRC President during a site visit after the inauguration ceremony. "The center is expected to fully unleash the potential of the DRC's cultural industry while transforming the DRC into a hub of creativity."

Faustin Elombe, minister of culture, said the completion of this project will "usher in a new era of cultural innovation in the DRC" and strengthen cultural exchanges and connections among African countries.

Elombe also expressed gratitude to China, highlighting several DRC-China projects, including the People's Palace and the Martyrs Stadium, two landmarks in the DRC.

Marie-Therese Sombo, minister of higher education, emphasized that the long-standing cooperation between the DRC and China has provided the central African country with essential infrastructure for its development.

According to Zhao Bin, Chinese ambassador to the DRC, this project, a new iconic landmark in Kinshasa, will improve the DRC's cultural industry and serve as a vital platform for showcasing the country's culture.

The center, the foundation stone of which was laid by Tshisekedi in 2019, features a grand 2,000-seat theater and a smaller 800-seat auditorium. It will also house the new campus of the National Institute of Arts, renowned for training generations of Congolese musicians and artists.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Redevelopment of the former campus of the California College of the Arts in Oaklands Rockridge neighborhood took a step forward on Dec. 3 when the City Council approved the plan. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2023

Regarding Theres no protecting California values without building more housing (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, Dec 13): The steady drumbeat of op-ed pieces from SPUR and YIMBY housing advocates is tiresome. Many Californians disagree with them.

Urban density and infill housing are supposed to remedy suburban sprawl. But urban density, in practice, simply creates overcrowded streets, with motorists circling in search of rare parking.

Infill comes at the expense of historic buildings and districts, which are often demolished. A classic example is the enormous apartment buildings planned for the former California College of the Arts campus in Oakland.

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Transit-oriented development? This fantasy assumes that public transportation is a fixed utility. Many bus lines that once served our communities have been cut.

How many voters will oppose a tax to support BART because of the agencys plans to put apartments in its parking lots? How many people have quit taking BART because there is no secure place to park near the stations?

The SPUR and YIMBY people want Soviet-style apartment blocks wherever they can be crammed in, extinguishing every vestige of charm from neighborhoods.

Its time for the state to stop forcing draconian density bonus and builders remedy laws on neighborhoods that want to retain some breathing room.

Amelia Marshall, board member, Oakland Heritage Alliance

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Mural not antisemitic

Regarding Story ignores controversy (Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12): Joshua Simmons gets it wrong in his letter. The mural at the upcoming San Francisco Palestinian restaurant Falasteen contains no Star of David. (An early version contained an Israeli flag, but after the mural was defaced multiple times, the latest version does not.)

The violent symbols in the mural are destroyed homes, hospitals and schools in Gaza and bombs paid for by the United States. These are not antisemitic images. They are truthful images of destruction wrought by a heavily armed nation, supported by the U.S. defense industry, on a helpless civilian population.

As a longtime Jewish resident of Noe Valley, I appreciate that the Chronicle featured news of the restaurant without mention of a manufactured controversy.

Deborah Frangquist, San Francisco

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Overhaul health care

Californias Office of Healthcare Affordability proposes to reduce health care costs by setting a 3% cap on cost growth, which, if violated by health plans and providers, will result in fines.

Such attempts at cost control only stick fingers in the dike of high costs and rampant hospital consolidation.

Fines to multibillion-dollar for-profit private companies are wrist slaps; attempts to control their profiteering cannot address finely honed, loophole acrobatics. Fines to physician practices will disrupt patient-clinician relationships.

By imposing fines, the state tacitly accepts middlemen who provide no medical care but do add to administrative complexity and waste.

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Haywards St. Rose Hospital was saved from closure by herculean local efforts. Not all are so fortunate. According to the National Rural Health Association, 683 other rural hospitals are at risk of bankruptcy.

The misguided strategy of the state will not halt further closures.

A better solution, practiced by other industrialized democracies, is a universal, single-payer health care system, or Medicare for all, that protects hospital solvency and saves billions yearly.

Firefighter saves day

I want to express my gratitude to Capt. Jonathan Baxter of the San Francisco Fire Department for the exemplary care I received.

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I was at Ocean Beach on Dec. 1 when one of my two dogs was attacked and killed by another dog. I was panicked and lucky to run into Capt. Baxter when I was desperate for help.

Capt. Baxter offered guidance. He gave us water and a phone charger and wrapped our beloved Rocco in a blanket. He stayed with me when I spoke with the man whose dog attacked my dog.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

Capt. Baxter went above and beyond and helped bolster my faith in humanity. He brought some light and goodness into a heartbreaking and devastating day.

Maura Warren, Walnut Creek
Cork woman Maureen Timpson was particularly struck by the iconic cover of this years Holly Bough, by artist Peter Buckley, who created a nostalgic scene of the busy area around Queens Old Castle in Cork.

The artist took his inspiration from memories of growing up in Cork in the 70s and 80s of the wonderful bustling streets of the city.

The scene stirred memories for master cake baker and master sugar crafter Maureen Tiffin, who lives in Montenotte.

So much so, that the talented artist and designer has replicated Peters creation into the form of a magnificent Christmas cake.

It was the little red Beetle car that drew me, says Maureen, whose sugar craft journey began with a Cork Examiner Baking for Giving competition back in 1989 when she won the overall prize with her entry.

I almost died when I won, says Maureen, referring to her first winning piece de resistance, and who is modest about her remarkable talent.

My neighbour rushed over to tell me she saw the results in the paper of Baking for Giving. I could not believe it!

Maureen, who is originally from Kildare, said her imagination was piqued when she purchased the 2024 Holly Bough and she was very taken with the cover.

Baker Maureen Timpson with her recreation of this year's Holly Bough at her home in Montenotte, Cork. - Picture: David Creedon

She set out to create the beautiful festive scene by baking a Christmas cake matching the image.

How was Maureen first inspired to begin this mouth-watering project?

My late father drove a red Beetle, and I have a particular interest in buildings, she said.

Maureen, who always loved sugar, got to work on the four-day long sweetest project. Sifting, stirring, whisking, creaming, crafting, and pasting sloppy sugary ingredients into a work of art.

I am not an artist, points out Maureen.

Although my sister teaches art, and my brother is an artist, I discovered that I was naturally good at sculpting, and I would model little creatures big and small.

How did Maureen begin the process of making the most wonderful Christmas cake at the most wonderful time of the year?

I etched the outline of Peters scene onto sugar paste and then filled in the details with food pens, and cocoa butter mixed with edible dusting powders. The children and the dog in the picture were done freehand.

Maureen is a perfectionist.

The children and the dog on the cake vary slightly from Peters picture, she points out.

The Christmas cake that Maureen made of the Holly Bough scene is the actual size of the current edition.

She donated the cake to the Holly Bough for the annual fundraiser held by staff of The Echo and the Irish Examiner for Cork Simon.

Maureen loves what she does.

Like a lot of young mothers, she honed her skills when her three sons were small.

When my husband Dominic worked overseas with the Irish Army, I couldnt get enough of creating cakes using sugar craft, she says.

Maureen replaced one love for another.

I replaced with sugar. I dont know how he puts up with me, says Maureen laughing.

The house is full of sugar-related items!

Dominic and their three sons had their cake and ate it.

I made my own kids birthday cakes since they were small, says Maureen.

The Holly Bough cake which was recreated by Maureen Timpson of Montenotte, Cork. - Picture: David Creedon

I just loved the whole process. When I joined a sugar craft club in Cork and won other baking competitions, including in the UK, I worked on my skills.

I couldnt get enough of baking and sugar crafting.

Salivating and marvelling at Maureens Christmas cake, the exact replica of Peter Buckleys picture on the cover of Holly Bough 2024, I ask: wouldnt it be shame to cut it?

Oh, we have to cut it! says Maureen.

Cake is for sharing and enjoying. Ive always enjoyed the whole process of making cakes using sugar craft.

Maureen resists the temptation of sampling her wonderful edible creations.

I never eat it, she says.

If I did, I wouldnt come in the door!
A new bar has been granted permission on Washington St, between new venue The Hungry Hippo and The Alibi.

Westside Leisure, which also operates several pubs and nightclubs across the city including An Brog, Alibi, Voodoo Rooms, BarBarella, and BarBarossa are to open the new premises.

Cork City Council granted permission to the company for a change of use for numbers 32-34 Washington St West to a licensed premises. Number 32 had been an electronics shop, while numbers 33 and 34 were solicitors offices.

The properties will now be joined together and both the ground and first floors used as a bar, while the top floor will be used as attic space.

The new bar will be located on the corner where Washington St meets Courthouse St, and will be interconnecting with The Alibi Bar & Kitchen and The Hungry Hippo, which are both also owned by Westside Leisure.

The planning permission application included both internal and external refurbishment, alterations including a new shop front and signage, building facade restoration, and roof repairs.

Permission was granted subject to several conditions, such as the submission of further detailed drawings showing that the level of illumination shall not be excessive and that best conversation practice is followed in order to protect the historic building fabric and integrity of the historic structures.

Once the new bar is open, noise from activities associated with this development are not to go above 55 decibels (dB) between 8am and 10pm, or above 45dB overnight, with no speakers allowed outside the development in the smoking area.

The council said it deemed that, subject to compliance with the conditions, the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area.
Real-time data on road traffic collisions on the South Link Road should be made available and collated, public representatives have urged.

Although organisations such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) do compile data on road crashes, there is a gap in terms of this data being made readily available in real-time, with local councillors among those advocating for a real-time dashboard of information.

Speaking to The Echo, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork, said he believes real-time information on road traffic could assist with road safety.

I have been a long-time advocate for real-time information on traffic incidents, he said.

There is a perception that a lot of the traffic build-up on the South Ring Road is caused by persistent collisions.

With LED information signs, there is a possibility of having a sign on that particular roadway saying something like X number of days without a collision. That type of information in real-time, I think, would assist with and encourage better driver behaviour.

Meanwhile, Labour Party councillor for the citys South East ward, Peter Horgan, who has put in a number of parliamentary questions and queries to Justice Minister Helen McEntee and the gardai on this particular issue, has said frequent collisions on the South Link require intervention by authorities to safeguard commuters.

I do think that we need to have a body, ideally the RSA, but we should have somebody who publishes the data real-time because the data is compiled, and the data is available somewhere, he said.

We just need to make ensure that we publish it, to identify it and see where we need to put resources into alleviating it.

Mr Horgan added that a system used in France could be emulated in Ireland to ease traffic gridlock when a collision occurs.

If you have a crash on a French motorway, there is a mobile towing unit that is able to move the crashed cars into the hard shoulder, and traffic can keep flowing.

The Echo has contacted TII and the RSA for comment.
The Echo is to support the vital work of Cork Penny Dinners this Christmas season.

We are delighted to provide assistance to Cork Penny Dinners, on behalf of our readers, at what is a very busy time for the organisation, Grainne McGuinness, editor of The Echo and Echolive.ie, said.

We regularly report on the tremendous work done by the whole team there throughout the year, and so often when we are covering issues like homelessness and the cost-of-living crisis, Caitriona Twomey provides a voice for the voiceless, highlighting the terrible difficulties faced by far too many people in our city.

We know Caitriona and Cork Penny Dinners have a special place in the hearts of our readers and it is an honour to support them, Ms McGuinness said.

The Echo is supporting the work of the centre by pledging 100 Christmas dinners to their annual appeal, at a cost of 2,000, on behalf of its print and online readers.

Ms Twomey said The Echo has long been part of the Penny Dinners family, and has helped to publicise the work the charity does.

The coverage that The Echo has given to us helps to let the people of Cork know about the work that we do on their behalf, the work that we couldnt do without the support of the people of Cork, she said.

A friend of ours, Finbarr, comes to our door every morning and he brings us The Echo, and its always part of our day. If were not in the paper, Finbarr will say Yere not in it at all today, and if we are in the paper, hell say Yere in it, yere in it!

We love The Echo, and we see it as part of our Christmas. We joke that were like another Holly Bough! Ms Twomey said.

This Christmas Day alone we will feed about 1,500 people, and the contribution that The Echo has made will help a lot of people, and we just couldnt be more grateful.

See tomorrows print edition for a four-page special on the work of Cork Penny Dinners.
Two of Corks Active Retirement teams were among winners to clean up at the Active Retirement Ireland National Bowls Competition.

This years event marked 12 years of the annual competition, and saw 42 Active Retirement teams compete at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney last week.

Among the winners were two Cork-based teams, including the Cork Active Retirement bowls team, the Magpies, who are from Midleton, who scored first place, and the Owenacurra bowling team, also from the Midleton area, who followed closely in second place.

On Thursday, Magpies team members Breda Treacy, Denis Mulcahy, Denis Heffernan and Liam Hickey were presented with the large bowls cup by Active Retirement Ireland National President, Mai Quaid.

Speaking at the awards presentation, Active Retirement Ireland CEO, Maureen Kavanagh said: Congratulations to the Magpies bowls team for their brilliant achievement at this years National Bowls Competition, taking home the large bowls cup for the second year in a row.

This competition is testament to the drive and determination of older people to enjoy an active and social lifestyle and age well.

The 168 bowlers who have competed this week, our volunteer officials and all Active Retirement Ireland members are the epitome of positive ageing and should be fully supported in their commitment to getting out there and living their best lives.

We are grateful to our event host the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney for being an ally to older people and recognising the valuable contribution that they make, and for their generous support in making this event possible each year.

There are a total of 515 local Active Retirement Associations (ARAs) in local communities across Ireland, which are groups of older people who come together to organise social events and activities to reduce isolation and loneliness.

ARAs are supported by the national body Active Retirement Ireland, which has an overall membership figure of 21,000 people.

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The sentence imposed on a man for dealing crack cocaine and Alprazolam tablets was affirmed by the appeal court judge.

Judge Sinead Behan said she was concerned about evidence that the appellant had come to garda attention in the more recent investigations  although no charges have been brought against him in these matters.

Judge Behan also said that a previous conviction under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act also gave it a more serious context. This particular charge carries the possibility of a ten-year minimum sentence.

The case under appeal relates to much smaller quantities of drugs but does refer to having the drugs for sale or supply.

Jessica Kelleher barrister said the accused was adamant that his periods on remand on these charges amounted to 12 weeks. Frank Nyhan state solicitor said the period served  for which there was documentation to prove it  amounted to 22 days.

Judge Behan affirmed the sentence of six months which was originally imposed and backdated it to November 1.

Alan Coffey formerly of an address at an apartment at Grenville Court, Cork, complained from the dock at Cork Circuit Appeals Court that the prison authorities had told him that in effect he had already served the sentence when all of his time on remand was considered.

He was sentenced in Cork District Court for having crack cocaine and Alprazolam tablets for sale or supply to others at his apartment on September 4 2022.

Ms Kelleher, defence barrister, said the 43-year-old was guilty of supply to the extent that he was providing these drugs at a party for friends.

At the time he was using drugs. He is not doing so now. He is in gainful employment. He is currently residing at Simon. He had accommodation through them at Grenville Court but is with the Simon Community since July 2024.

He is doing well in this job. He is in a trusted role in the company, Ms Kelleher said.
Uisce Eireann has been convicted at Mallow District Court of a single charge in relation to a chemical spill on the River Allow in north Cork in June 2024 which led to a major fish kill along an 8km stretch of the river.

The water authority pleaded guilty to a single charge under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959 of permitting or causing deleterious matter to fall into waters of the river.

Solicitor Vincent Coakley for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said that the incident occurred at the Freemount Water Treatment Plant on or shortly before Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Giving evidence IFI senior environmental officer Andrew Gillespie said he was called by Cork County Council staff who were on duty at the plant and informed there had been an incident.

He told the court that he arrived at the plant at 3pm on June 9.

Spill

Mr Gillespie said that there had been a chemical spill into the River Allow, a tributary of the River Blackwater and an important spawning ground and nursery for salmon and trout.

He said that when he arrived a major cleanup operation was already underway. Mr Gillespie said that a pipe running from a 13 cubic metre tank of Polyaluminium Chloridean acidic solution used in the water treatment processhad failed and the chemical had leaked into the river via an adjacent drain. He said that the tank had about three cubic metres of the chemical in it at the time most of which had leaked out.

Mr Gillespie said that water samples were taken 10 meters downstream from the treatment plant, 2km downstream at Kilberrihert Bridge and 4km downstream at Johnsbridge, as well as a base sample upstream from the treatment plant.

He told the court that a dark brown substance could be seen in the water near the treatment plant and hundreds of dead fish could be seen in the river.

He said that as well as juvenile and large salmonids, large numbers of dead and dying lamprey were also observed, a fish that normally stays on the river bed.

Mr Gillespie said that a thorough investigation was carried out which determined that the chemical spill had affected an 8km stretch of the River Allow over an area of 40,000 sq m. He said that it was very difficult to determine the total number of fish killed but it was certainly in the tens of thousands extrapolating from a conservative estimate of one fish killed for every 2 sq m of the river affected.

Long -term effects

He added: All we can say is that there were no dead fish upstream and there were no live fish down stream for 8km. Mr Gillepsie said that the water quality in the river had returned to normal within a few days but the long-term effects on the age and class distribution of fish populations could take several years to return to the way they were.

Aoife Sheehan BL for Uisce Eireann said that her client had been fully cooperative and had informed all relevant authorities as soon as the leak was discovered. She said that Uisce Eireann was pleading guilty and had taken immediate remedial steps as soon as the spill was detected. She said the scale of the response reflected how seriously Uisce Eireann took such matters and that the event had had an impact on national policy regarding chemical storage.

Ms Sheehan told the court that the storage tank in question was fully bonded but investigations indicated that a pipe leading from it had been subject to a build up of heat that caused it to disintegrate causing the leak.

She said that it was believed a valve had not opened while a pump was in operation which led to the temperature increase. She said that a task force had been established to look at national policy to ensure a similar situation does not occur in the future. She added that the water supply from Freemount serves a population of 3,000 people and this was not compromised as a result of the leak.

Real concern

Judge Colm Roberts said that he appreciated Uisce Eireann may not have the funding to carry out all the works it would like to but he said it was a real concern that the Freemount plant was audited before the leak occurred.

He said: Its to do with having the right plan and the right maintenance, and added, they stepped up to the plate but it was really a case of closing the stable door. Its often the simple things that dont get done when you are dealing with organisational pressure.

The court heard that Uisce Eireann had not been previously prosecuted in relation to the Freemount plant but there had been 18 prosecutions for similar incidents between 2015 and 2024. Mr Coakley said that there were a number of pending prosecutions regarding Uisce Eireann. Judge Roberts said he was taking into consideration the guilty plea, the works in progress and the legacy issues and convicted and fined Uisce Eireann 3,500 with one month to pay, they were also ordered to pay 3,267 in legal costs.
Sen. Scott Wiener introduced legislation to repeal Californias call for a constitutional convention, saying it could enable a Republican-led attack on civil rights under President-elect Donald Trump. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Its been more than two years since Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers called for a U.S. constitutional convention, the first since 1789, to authorize new laws on gun control. No other states have supported that proposal, and on Monday a San Francisco Democrat introduced legislation to repeal it, saying it could enable a Republican-led attack on civil rights.

The damage a Constitutional Convention could do to Californians basic rights is off the charts, said state Sen. Scott Wiener. Once it begins, extremists could easily hijack it and drive the Convention to strip protections for women, LGBTQ people, workers, immigrants, or any number of other groups, while undermining democracy and locking in the power of the largest corporations on the planet.

Constitutional conventions put every right, civil liberty and underlying value of our country at risk, said Dora Rose, deputy director of the League of Women Voters of California.

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Wieners Senate Joint Resolution 1 would rescind the September 2023 measure, SJR7, that called for a nationwide convention to propose constitutional amendments that would ban gun ownership by anyone under 21, require background checks for all gun purchases and prohibit possession or sale of the semiautomatic firearms known as assault weapons. Any such amendment would then require approval by legislatures in three-fourths of the states.

It was passed in response to the Supreme Courts June 2022 ruling that struck down state restrictions on carrying concealed firearms in public and declared, in the words of Justice Clarence Thomas, that any government restrictions must be consistent with this nations historical tradition of firearms regulation, dating back to the 1790s.

SJR7 was actually the seventh resolution approved by California lawmakers since 1911 calling for a constitutional convention, Wiener said. His SJR1 would repeal all of them.

A convention to amend the Constitution must be held if endorsed by two-thirds of the states. Although no other state has joined California in proposing a convention specifically aimed at gun laws, lawmakers in 27 other states have passed measures calling for some type of constitutional convention  and some legal analysts say an unrestricted convention, which could propose amendments on any issue, may be required once the number reaches 34.

There is little evidence that (these) constitutional conventions can be limited to a single subject, meaning any call for a convention poses an inadvertent danger to our democratic institutions and basic rights, Jonathan Mehta Stein, executive director in California of the liberal nonprofit Common Cause, said Monday in a statement.

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There is not going to be a constitutional convention to revise the Second Amendment, Erwin Chemerinsky, the law school dean at UC Berkeley, told the Chronicle. But holding a constitutional convention in this way has great risks. It never has happened and without careful limits there is a real risk of it doing great harm.

Wiener has supported gun-control legislation but voted against last years resolution calling for a constitutional convention on the issue. He noted Monday that the campaign for a convention has recently gained support from conservatives such as John Eastman, President Donald Trumps legal adviser during his first term in the White House, and the Heritage Foundation.
Richard Satchwell, whose wife Tinas remains were discovered underneath a stairwell in their home, will be tried in Dublin next year after his lawyers successfully applied for the case to be moved out of Cork.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott agreed to the application, which was made last month by lawyers acting for Mr Satchwell.

The trial remains scheduled for April 28, despite the change of venue.

Mr Satchwell, aged 57, with an address at Grattan St, Youghal, Co Cork, is charged with murdering his wife Tina Satchwell, aged 45, at that address on March 20, 2017.

Mrs Satchwell, a native of St Bernards Place in Fermoy, was reported missing on March 24, 2017, by her husband.

Mr Satchwell is a truck driver originally from Leicester, England, but he has been a resident in Cork for over 20 years.

Gardai found Mrs Satchwells skeletal remains in October 2023  more than six years after she was reported missing  while excavating a concrete floor and walled-up area underneath the stairwell of the home that she and her husband shared on Grattan St in Youghal.
A man who has been in custody since October on an arson charge complained that every time the case was in court it kept getting put back with no progress.

Robert Crinnion appeared at Cork District Court by video link from Cork prison.

His solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the accused was very concerned about delay when he is being remanded in custody each time.

He asked me to request a strike out because it is going on for so long in his view, Mr Collins-Daly said.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the file in the case was literally on a desk at the DPPs office.

Judge Mary Dorgan said to the accused: It looks like we might have directions next week.

Mr Crinnion said, This seems to be an ongoing thing.

Judge Dorgan said she would put the case back for one week. Mr Crinnion said: That is happening the whole time.

39-year-old Robert Crinnion of Blackwater Grove, Togher, was charged with arson by Detective Garda Cormac Crotty.

It states that on August 4, 2023, at a house on Dean Street, he allegedly committed arson causing extensive fire damage, intending or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

The defendants brother, 33-year-old Michael Crinnion, of the same address and facing the same charge, was remanded to stay in custody to the same date, December 19, in his case where he was represented by solicitor Eddie Burke.
High Court Reporters

The Government has conceded a High Court challenge brought by a local councillor against a plan to house around 1,000 male asylum seekers in Athlone.

At the High Court, Oisin Collins SC, for Cllr Paul Hogan, told Mr Justice Richard Humphreys that "the case is being conceded" by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability and Youth and that "the development will be an unauthorised development".

Ms Aoife Carroll SC, for the State, said that the case was due to be heard on Thursday of this week but that now the matter could be put in for mention on the same date.

Ms Carroll said she would take instruction from the Minister in the matter before Thursday.

In his challenge, Mr Hogan, who secured 4.8 per cent of first preference votes running for Independent Ireland in Longford-Westmeath in the recent General Election, claimed the ministerial process providing for the plan was unlawful, irrational and a breach of fair procedures.

A fundraising website, which amassed over 50K in donations, said the challenge was being brought on behalf of Mr Hogan and four other Athlone-based representatives, including freshly re-elected independent TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and councillors Frankie Keena and Aengus ORourke of Fianna Fail and John Dolan of Fine Gael.

Protests were held in Athlone over the plan to develop army-tent accommodation for 1,000 asylum seekers, in up to 150 tents, on a site to the rear of an existing direct provision centre in Lissywollen, Athlone. It had been proposed that the tents would eventually be replaced with modular units.

Mr Hogans legal papers relied on similar grounds to one recently brought by a north Dublin group that secured a strike-down of a statutory instrument that had paved the way for 1,000 international protection applicants on a State-owned site near Dublin Airport.

Minister for Integration Roderick OGorman contested Mr Hogans case.

Mr Hogan wanted an order either pausing or quashing the statutory instrument the Minister made for the Athlone site.

The instrument confirmed the project did not need An Bord Pleanala approval and noted Mr OGorman was satisfied two specific EU law environmental assessments did not need to be conducted before proceeding with the plan.

Mr Hogan claimed the Minister failed to adequately screen the project for potential environmental impacts and that he lacks the expertise to carry out such assessments. There were also deficiencies in the assessment of wastewater requirements and effect on traffic, Mr Hogan claimed.

He claimed the occupants would be free to move about and will inevitably cause a significant traffic hazard and a health and safety issue next to the site and along the road.

In an affidavit, Mr Hogan said local councillors were informed about the Governments plan on October 7th and had no prior consultation or communication from the Department of Integration.

He submitted that Athlone has a long tradition of providing accommodation and support to people seeking international protection, with one of the first direct provision centres in the State constructed on the adjoining Lissywollen site in 2001.

Mr Hogan submitted that he and other members of Westmeath County Council believed the proposed development would be prejudicial to public health as local health services are already overburdened.
When we have an audience, it can affect how well we perform. New research has found that the performance of chimpanzees on challenging computer tasks is influenced by how many humans are watching.

The findings of the study suggest that the audience effect existed before reputation-based human societies, a press release from Cell Press said.

It was very surprising to find that chimpanzees are affected in their task performance by audience members, and by human audience members nonetheless, said Christen Lin of Kyoto Universitys Primate Research Institute, in the press release. One might not expect a chimp to particularly care if another species is watching them perform a task, but the fact that they seem to be affected by human audiences even depending on the difficulty of the task suggests that this relationship is more complex than we would have initially expected.

The researchers set out to see if the audience effect  frequently attributed to reputation management in humans  could also occur in a non-human primate.

Having an audience present, even one of a different species, may be introducing some kind of pressure for the chimpanzees during their task. We hypothesize that the presence of audience members could be causing stress that increases their skill in more difficult situations, or that having more familiar audience members present might cause the chimps to subconsciously perceive the food rewards as higher value, increasing their motivation and thus their performance under more stressful conditions, Lin told EcoWatch in an email.

The researchers already knew that people are attuned to those watching them, sometimes subconsciously, in ways that can impact their performance. Chimpanzees live in hierarchical societies, but the researchers werent sure to what extent they might, like humans, be influenced by having an audience.

Our study site is special in that chimpanzees frequently interact with and even enjoy the company of humans here, participating almost daily in various touch screen experiments for food rewards, said Akiho Muramatsu, an assistant professor at Kyoto University, in the press release. As such, we saw the opportunity to not only explore potential similarities in audience-related effects but also to do so in the context of chimps that share unique bonds with humans.

The touch screen experimental booth seen from the outside. Chimps and humans can see each other during the experiment. On the human side is an automatic feeder, which rotates to dispense food into a funnel for the chimpanzee. Here we see chimpanzee Ai looking at the photographer. Akiho Muramatsu



Over a period of six years, the researchers analyzed thousands of sessions during which the chimpanzees completed a task on a touch screen.

In three separate number-based tasks, they found that chimpanzees performed increasingly better on the hardest assignment as the number of familiar humans watching them increased. On the other hand, chimpanzees performed worse on the easiest task when they were being watched by a higher number of familiar people, such as the experimenters.

The chimpanzees may already know that the easier tasks require less focus to do correctly and receive food rewards, and so they could be dedicating less attention to the touch screen tasks during these easier tasks, Lin told EcoWatch. Additionally, based on the distraction hypothesis, the types of skills required to perform these tasks are different and may therefore be affected in different ways under pressure. For rigid, rule-based tasks such as the easy tasks in our study, performance is expected to decline under pressure based on this hypothesis.

Does the result mean that the established relationships chimpanzees had with the humans observing them was a factor in their performance?

The chimps relationship with humans in general may have affected their performance in comparison to wild chimpanzees, for example. However, their relationship with any specific humans in the audience probably would not have affected the results in this study because we have thousands of sessions collected over several years, and different experimenters and people would be present every day, Lin said.

The research team noted that it was still not clear what particular mechanisms were responsible for the audience-related effects in chimps and humans. They said additional research in non-human apes could provide more insight into why the trait developed and how it evolved.

Our findings suggest that how much humans care about witnesses and audience members may not be quite so specific to our species, said Shinya Yamamoto, an associate professor at Kyoto University, in the press release. These characteristics are a core part of how our societies are largely based on reputation, and if chimpanzees also pay special attention towards audience members while they perform their tasks, it stands to reason that these audience-based characteristics could have evolved before reputation-based societies emerged in our great ape lineage.

Lin said the study showed that there are similarities between chimpanzee and human behavior when people are watching.

This study reveals that chimps can be affected by audiences watching them, much like ourselves. Knowing that chimps also can be impacted by audiences reveals another way that we are more similar to chimpanzees than many people might realize. We can also feel pressure when people are watching us, but just as the chimps did in this study, we can also clutch up and be motivated to perform even better than usual in front of an audience, Lin told EcoWatch.

How much would chimpanzees be affected by an audience made up entirely of their peers?

In future studies we would like to test with chimpanzee audiences of various sizes as well, as we were only able to test with human audiences this time. Our results suggest that chimpanzees might be affected by chimpanzee audience members depending on how familiar they are with them, as they were unaffected in performance by unfamiliar human audience members in our study. In terms of chimp social groups, it is clear that chimps have to modify their behavior based on who might be watching them, much like we humans have to in order to maintain our social standings and reputations in our own societies, Lin added.

The study, Audience presence influences cognitive task performance in chimpanzees, was published in the journal iScience.
The CEO of CoreCivic, which runs the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, said Californias Prop 36 could impact sentencing policies in other states. Gregory Bull/Associated Press Neighbors and local business owners join in to support California's Proposition 36 on the November ballot at a news conference in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles in September. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

Private prison executives are celebrating the results of Novembers election, with one pointing to the passage of Proposition 36 in California as a possible financial boon.

The California measure to increase punishments for theft and drug crimes will not only grow prison and jail populations, but will also likely result in more people accused of crimes being referred to federal authorities for potential deportation. Along with President-elect Donald Trumps promise to usher in a wave of mass deportations, industry leaders say the anti-crime crackdown embraced by voters is good for their business.

The revelation that a private prison CEO sees Prop 36 as a win for his company also underscores just how much of a reversal voters approval of the measure represents for California, where lawmakers for years have been moving to dismantle the private prison industry, reduce jail sentences and protect immigrants from deportation.

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California lawmakers banned the state from contracting with private prisons in 2019, arguing private detention companies have a profit motive to incarcerate more people, rather than to rehabilitate them. But executives say that even if the new law doesnt directly send more inmates their way, they could benefit in other ways.

The CEO of CoreCivic, one of the nations largest operators of private prisons and detention centers, pointed to Prop 36s passage as a bellwether of good fortune for the private security industry. With even liberal California heading toward stricter policing and sentencing, Damon Hininger said that a similar shift across other states  where the company does operate prisons  could be imminent.

We just think its an indication of not only that state, but I think other states that are thinking about the right steps going forward around sentencing policy, Hininger said in an earnings call on Nov. 7.

The company expects that prison populations across the country will increase over the next five years, at the same time that state operators are dealing with facility and staff shortages. That will benefit CoreCivic, Hininger said.

These issues continue to be challenges for state partners and are driving the need for engagement with us in the private sector to provide solutions, Hininger said.

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CoreCivic entered into a $70.7 million contract with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in July to provide reentry services to inmates with less than two years left of their prison sentences. It is unclear if increased prison populations under Prop 36 would increase the companys contracted reentry work with the state.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would not answer questions about what CoreCivic was providing or any payment details without a public records request.

Ryan Gustin, a spokesperson for CoreCivic, did not provide any information about the companys contract and did not answer how the company would benefit from Prop 36 but said in a statement that CoreCivic does not advocate or take positions on proposals, policies or legislation that determine the basis or duration of an individuals detention or incarceration.

Prop 36, which California voters approved last month, will expand the number of people in state prisons and local jails by adding years to sentences for repeat theft and drug possession crimes. It will also steer more people convicted of selling drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into state prisons rather than local jails. The nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office projects that the new law will increase Californias jail and prison populations by thousands of people.

It makes perfect sense why a private prison company would be celebrating a policy like this, Mariel Villarreal, an attorney with the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice, said. The more people in both of those places, the more money theyre guaranteed. And with an increase in transfers from criminal custody to (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody, that would, of course, also lead to an increase in deportations.

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Villarreal said that with Prop 36 sending more people to prison in California, a steady stream of immigrants will be transferred from California correctional facilities to ICE custody.

Local law enforcement officers are limited in their ability to cooperate with federal immigration officials under SB54, a law the Democratically controlled Legislature passed to fight President Donald Trumps mass deportation efforts during his first term. The law broadly bars local police and sheriffs deputies from helping federal officials deport people who have only been convicted of low-level crimes. The law includes about 800 crimes, mostly felonies and misdemeanors that can be charged as felonies, for which local officials can coordinate with federal immigration enforcement. But its much more limited in its restrictions on state prisons, which can cooperate more freely with federal immigration officers.

Angela Chan, who helped draft SB54 and now works for the San Francisco Public Defenders Office, said Prop 36 could indeed result in more people being referred to federal immigration authorities, in part by steering more people into state prisons. Prop 36 will also likely result in more people being charged with crimes that fall under the laws exemptions, allowing local police to refer more people to federal authorities, she said.

People hold signs that read "Mass Deportation Now!" during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Prop 36 will allow prosecutors to charge someone with a felony if they are caught stealing three or more times, regardless of the value of the items stolen. Currently, theft crimes are classified as misdemeanors if they involve less than $950 worth of stolen goods, but Prop 36 effectively eliminates that threshold for a third offense. The measure will do the same for drug possession crimes, which are currently classified as misdemeanors but which prosecutors will be able to charge as felonies for a third offense.

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By upgrading some crimes from misdemeanors to felonies, the new law will likely flag more people for possible deportation. Villarreal said that drug convictions  especially those that will now be considered felonies under Prop 36  are likely to factor into judges decisions in immigration cases, potentially leading to more deportations.

The impact of Prop 36 on deportations will likely vary from place to place, Chan said. There may be fewer referrals for deportation in the Bay Area, for example, because many local jurisdictions adopted stricter rules limiting local police from cooperating with immigration authorities. Meanwhile, although Prop 36 allows people to be sentenced to drug treatment instead of jail for drug possession crimes, counties without treatment programs could send more people to jail, which could mean more exposure to potential deportation.

While private prisons are limited in profiting off increases in Californias prison population after the states ban on private facilities, the companies are still the main providers of detention centers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in California.

The GEO Group and CoreCivic, the countrys largest private security companies, see their highest portions of revenue from contracts with ICE. For private prison companies, more deportations could mean higher profits.

In 2023, the GEO Group got 43% of its more than $2.4 billion in revenue from ICE contracts, according to its annual report. The ICE contracts brought in 30% of CoreCivics nearly $1.9 billion in revenue.

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Detention facilities for ICE in California are operated by the GEO Group, CoreCivic and the Management and Training Corp. The GEO Group also operates a surveillance program for ICE, used to monitor immigrants who are not held in custody prior to immigration court dates. The security company also contracts with the federal agency on transportation for deportations.

The CEO of GEO Group said the private prison company was built for this unique moment in our countrys history and the opportunities it will bring, referring to President-elect Donald Trumps upcoming term in office. John Moore/Getty Images

The potential Prop 36-related increases to deportation coincide with the anticipated mass deportations coming as Trump takes office. Trump has vowed to implement the largest deportation program in American history at the beginning of his term.

The GEO Group was built for this unique moment in our countrys history and the opportunities it will bring, George Zoley, founder and executive chairman of the companys board, said in an earnings call on Nov. 7 about Trumps victory.

Zoley said that the company provides about 40% of all ICE detention facility beds. The GEO Group currently provides 13,500 beds but is ready, in light of Trumps election, to provide more than 31,000 beds. The company is also ready to scale up its ground and air transportation for domestic and international travel.

Zoley also said that the companys surveillance program, which monitors immigrants awaiting court dates, is ready to increase its reach from the current 182,500 monitored to several hundreds of thousands or even millions of participants.

What is new is a potential sea change by the incoming Trump administration that is expected to implement a much more aggressive policy toward interior and border immigration enforcement, Zoley said. We believe that the private sector will play a critical role in assisting the government in carrying out its objectives.

Villarreal said the other states could pass policies similar to Prop 36, to the detriment of immigrants nationwide.

It is unfortunate and disgusting that these private companies would be celebrating something like this at their earnings meeting, which again, also makes sense for their purposes, Villarreal said. But the conditions in these facilities are horrific.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has cautioned federal officials against renewing contracts with the companies, detailing serious failings including inadequate medical and mental health care, retaliation against detainees, and failure to prevent and address sexual assault and abuse.

Gustin, the spokesperson for CoreCivic, which operates Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, said the claims in the letter simply dont reflect the conditions in our facilities or the hard work our professionals do every day.

Our immigration facilities adhere to all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) standards and are monitored by ICE officials on a daily basis, Gustin said in a statement. Our facilities are also audited regularly and without notice several times a year, and they are routinely visited by elected officials, attorneys, families and volunteers.

Management and Training Corp., which operates the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico (Imperial County), denied the claims of shortcomings at its detention center outlined in Bontas letter.

The allegation that we cut corners when it comes to health and safety is a common talking point that is not accurate, Emily Lawhead, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement. Our staff treat each resident with respect and dignity, and we are committed to their safety and well-being.
Google has yet another AI tool to add to the pile. Whisk is a Google Labs image generator that lets you use an existing image as your prompt. But its output only captures your starter images essence rather than recreating it with new details. So, its better for brainstorming and rapid-fire visualizations than edits of the source image.

The company describes Whisk as a new type of creative tool. The input screen starts with a bare-bones interface with inputs for style and subject. This simple introductory interface only lets you choose from three predefined styles: sticker, enamel pin and plushie. I suspect Google found those three allowed for the kind of rough-outline outputs the experimental tool is most ideal for in its current form.

As you can see in the image above, it produced a solid image of a Wilford Brimley plushie. (Googles terms forbid pictures of celebrities, but Wilford slipped through the gates, Quaker Oats in tow, without alerting the guards.)

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Whisk also includes a more advanced editor (found by clicking Start from scratch from the main screen). In this mode, you can use text or a source image in three categories: subject, scene and style. Theres also an input bar to add more text for finishing touches. However, in its current form, the advanced controls didnt produce results that looked anything like my queries.

For example, check out my attempt to generate the late Mr. Brimley in a lightbox scene in the style of a walrus plushie image I found online:

Google / Screenshot by Will Shanklin for Engadget

Whisk spit out what looks like a vaguely Wilford Brimley-esque actor eating oatmeal inside a lightbox frame. As far as I can tell, that dude is not a plushie. So, its clear why Google recommends using the tool more for rapid visual exploration and less for production-ready content.

Google acknowledges that Whisk will only draw from a few key characteristics of your source image. For example, the generated subject might have a different height, weight, hairstyle or skin tone, the company warns.

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To understand why, look no further than Googles description of how Whisk works under the hood. It uses the Gemini language model to write a detailed caption of the source image you upload. It then feeds that description into the Imagen 3 image generator. So, the result is an image based on Geminis words about your image  not the source image itself.

Whisk is only available in the US, at least for now. You can try it at the projects Google Labs site.
For years, reporting has claimed employees and contractors at Amazon's warehouses are injured at unusually high rates, often attributed to a high pace of work. On Sunday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions published an investigation that claims Amazon's own internal research reached similar conclusions  and then ignored them, The New York Times reported.

The Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders, published its 160-page report , which among other things, details the results of two internal Amazon initiatives meant to study worker injuries: Project Elderwand and Project Soteria. The former identified an upper bound of repetitive motions workers could perform before substantial risk of injury would occur, and noted that current quotes were above that rate. The latter indicated a link between work speed and injury. Both studies recommended relaxing the pace of work, but executives chose not to do so.

Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said that Sanders report used what she called "out-of-date documents" (the studies were conducted in 2020 and 2021). She continued saying that Amazons work environment has improved recently, and that a Washington State judge had rejected allegations that Amazon required its employees to work in an unsafe environment.
Audrey Fualaau, one of two daughters from the highly publicized relationship between Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau, has announced she's expecting her first child with fiance Ethan Tela Porter.

Letourneau was a convicted rapist and former teacher who made national headlines in the 1990s for her relationship with Vili Fualaau, her student. She was 34 years old while he was 13 years old at the time. Letourneau passed away in 2020 after battling cancer.

Fualaau, 27, shared her pregnancy news via TikTok, showing off a sonogram with images showing her baby's growth from seven to 13 weeks.

@audreylokelani Im so excited! I cant wait to find out if youre a boy or girl  Youre so loved already baby  @Eway  original sound - tapedeckoriginals

"I'm so excited! I can't wait to find out if you're a boy or girl," she wrote in her caption. "You're so loved already baby." She later shared an Instagram story featuring a mirror selfie showing her baby bump, along with sonogram images and a photo of herself with Porter.

This news comes after Fualaau's younger sister Georgia, 25, welcomed her own son in January, making their father Vili a grandfather. Throughout her sister's pregnancy, Audrey showed her support on social media, sharing moments from Georgia's gender reveal party in August.

"It's a BOY," Audrey had posted on Instagram, along with photos from the celebration, including one where she's kissing her sister's stomach while surrounded by pink and blue balloons. "Words cannot explain how excited I am for my little sister to have this baby boy."

She had added an encouraging message for her sister, writing, "@gg_fualaau you're going to be such an amazing mom! Can't wait to help raise the little cutie pie."

Both children have maintained relatively private lives despite their parents' high-profile story. While their mother Letourneau served time in prison, both girls were raised primarily by their maternal grandparents before reuniting with their parents, who later married and remained together until 2019.

"I think I understand about it, just like how it was surprising to people,'' Fualaau has said of her parents' relationship. "It's been feeling different because it's not really been brought to our attention, just because we grew up with it, so we're adapted to it."

Fualaau has not announced an official due date for her child.
If San Franciscos Department of Public Health gets its wish, it will add 40 substance use treatment beds, 50 locked subacute beds and 12 beds in the psychiatric emergency department at San Francisco General Hospital. Felix Uribe/Special to the Chronicle

San Francisco has asked state officials for $144 million to create 175 more beds for people experiencing mental illness and addiction.

The Department of Public Health submitted an application to the state this month in hopes of securing a portion of the $6.4 billion mental health bond passed by California voters in March.

That bond, crafted by Gov. Gavin Newsom, was designed to fund the construction and acquisition of thousands of treatment beds and supportive housing units across the state. Newsom sold the measure as a critical funding mechanism to address the needs of homeless Californians with severe behavioral health issues and to reduce encampments.

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The Department of Public Health wants to add 40 substance use treatment beds, 50 locked subacute beds, 12 beds in San Francisco General Hospitals psychiatric emergency department and 16 dual diagnosis beds for people with both substance use and mental health disorders across sites it controls. The department is also seeking $12.2 million to develop a new Mental Health Service Center.

Additionally, in partnership with the UCSF, the citys funding request includes adding 50 locked subacute beds and six acute psychiatric beds to UCSFs St. Francis campus in Lower Nob Hill.

San Francisco had about 2,550 mental health and addiction treatment beds last year, according to city estimates. The citys request for 100 new locked subacute beds would double its current beds in this category to serve people with severe mental illnesses. It would especially boost the citys efforts to increase the number of people on conservatorships, a sweeping legal arrangement that lets the government make decisions for people deemed unable to care for themselves.

During the state legislative process, Mayor London Breed pushed the governor and lawmakers to allow funding from the bond to go toward locked facilities  a move that sparked backlash from mental health advocates.

Locked facilities remain one of the biggest needs for people who are the sickest, Breed spokesperson Jeff Cretan said. Thats why Mayor Breed insisted on it and why the city has proposed to dramatically expand our capacity in that area.

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Incoming Mayor Daniel Lurie said Wednesday that he was happy to hear that about the application going in.

These departments know my priorities and theyre all on board, he said about getting more San Franciscans into treatment.

There are no guarantees that the city will receive all the funding it requested. San Francisco is competing against other Bay Area counties for a pool of regional funds.

The California Department of Health Care Services is expected to announce funding awards in May. City officials would then need to identify funding to operate the new beds, as the state bond can only cover capital costs.

In order to cover the new operational costs, Lurie will need to make other trade-offs since the city faces an $876 million two-year budget shortfall.

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At the citys Budget & Finance Committee meeting earlier this month, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman commended the Department of Public Health for stepping up in a major way, especially its plan to add more locked beds.

If we are going to address the evident need for long-term placements for people with severe mental illness that I think is obvious to anybody who spends any time on any sidewalk in San Francisco, its really important that we focus on those higher levels of acuity beds, he said.

Although the city has added about 400 treatment beds in the past three years, Mandelman said the city has not focused on expanding capacity for its highest-needs patients because of funding and staffing challenges. The Department of Public Health earlier this year estimated that during the second half of last year 15%-20% of its short-term residential mental health beds went unused because of staffing shortages.

Over the past several months, Mandelman led a residential care and treatment workgroup that focused on identifying gaps in the citys behavioral health treatment system and making recommendations on how to address them. A formal report from the group is expected in January.
A woman who accused Jay-Z and Diddy of raping her when she was 13 years old admitted to NBC News that there are inconsistencies with her story.

"I have made some mistakes" in recollections of that night, the woman told NBC News.

"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," the woman said. "So I have made some mistakes. I may have made a mistake in identifying."

But the Alabama woman who is identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit filed against Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, said she stands by the allegations.

Describing it as a "catastrophic event," the woman, now 38, said the sexual assault happened at an after-party for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

But the woman and her lawyers acknowledged inconsistencies in her account in response to questions from NBC News.

She claims her father picked her up after she was allegedly sexually assaulted, but her dad doesn't remember it.

The woman also said she spoke to a celebrity at the after-party, but the star said he wasn't even in New York then.

Images from the night also show Jay-Z and Diddy at a different location than the one the woman described.

Carter reiterated his innocence.

"This incident didn't happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press," Carter told NBC News in a statement, referring to one of the woman's lawyers, Tony Buzbee.

"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," the statement continued.

Buzbee said he is still looking into the woman's allegations.

"Jane Doe's case was referred to our firm by another, who vetted it prior to sending it to us," he told NBC News.

"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. I've never had a client suggest that before," he said in an email.

The lawyer went on to say that his client has been distressed, has had seizures and has had to seek medical treatment for the stress.

Carter's lawyer also blasted Buzbee, who has filed more than 20 lawsuits against the rap mogul.

"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," Alex Spiro said.

"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," Spiro said.

Diddy, who was arrested in September on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, is being held in a Brooklyn lockup.

Originally published by Latin Times
Jamie Foxx was hit in the face by a glass thrown by another customer at the Beverly Hills restaurant he was celebrating his birthday at on Friday night, according to a report.

Foxx was at his birthday dinner at Mr. Chow when he allegedly got into a fight with another patron. Following the exchange the patron threw a glass that hit him in the face, according to reporting by TMZ.

A spokesperson for Foxx told TMZ: "Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth. He had to get stitches and is recovering. The police were called and the matter is now in law enforcement's hands."

Police were called to the scene around 10 p.m. on Friday night responding to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon. However, police said the claim was "unfounded" and actually "involved a physical altercation between parties," according to reporting by USA Today.

By the time police arrived to the scene, Foxx had left, law enforcement told TMZ.

Witnesses told TMZ that the fight began when a customer at another table made rude comments to Foxx, who told them to stop since he was with his family. Following Foxx's comments, the customer threw the glass, hitting him in the face.

Enstarz has reached out to Mr. Chow for comment.
Brigid Sweetman, the mother of Cathriona White, who was once engaged to Jim Carrey, publicly criticized the actor for his insensitive remarks.

Sweetman reportedly holds him responsible for her daughter's tragic death.

She called Carrey out for his joking comments about returning to acting for financial reasons, which she believes were in poor taste given the circumstances surrounding her daughter's suicide.

White, then 27, and Carrey, then 50, started dating in 2012. Three years later, White died due to a drug overdose.

Sweetman said she has "full of contempt" for the actor, who had once been among the top earners in Hollywood at the peak of his professional journey.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, she explained, "I have nothing good to say about him and do not even want to say his name. My heart is still broken over Cathriona."

The comedian recently decided to take a break from his successful career and revealed his plans to step away from the Hollywood scene in 2022.

After a reluctance to return to acting unless presented with a script, with him being quoted as saying "angels bring some sort of script that's written in gold ink," Carrey surprised many by announcing his decision to reprise his role in the "Sonic" franchise as Dr. Robotnik a few months later.

"I have heard what he said about needing the money, and I do not care. If he is broke, I don't care one bit," Sweetman said.

"I have never spoken to him and never want to speak to him," she added. "Since Cathriona's death, it has been the worst years."

The family of Jim Carrey's late girlfriend Cathriona White speaks after her apparent suicide: http://t.co/sNxmZGwECu pic.twitter.com/QN6F7Fcu9t  E! News (@enews) September 30, 2015

Sweetman and her husband, Brian, decided to settle in Doon in County Limerick upon their return to Ireland in 2022, after a stint in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck shortly after their relocation as her husband passed away.

This comes years after White, a well-known makeup artist, had been in a turbulent relationship with the "Ace Ventura" actor for three years before tragically ending her own life.

After her death, a rift developed between the comedian and White's family, who alleged that he mistreated her, exposed her to drugs, and gave her a sexually transmitted infection.

In the fall of the same year, Carrey played a role as a pallbearer during the funeral service for White.

This picture shows Jim Carrey carrying the casket of another mans wife, after she mysteriously died from a drug overdose at age 30, while she was allegedly cheating on her husband with him at the time 



 MOVE ALONG NOTHING TO SEE HERE  pic.twitter.com/VFS90Xi1xr  Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) May 11, 2024

The "Bruce Almighty" star was then embroiled in a legal dispute with both Sweetman and White's ex, Mark Burton, who alleged that Carrey bore some responsibility for White's passing.

In a legal action initiated in the US, Carrey was accused of wrongful death and violation of the Drug Dealer Liability Act. He also allegedly exploited his rich and celebrity status.

The lawsuit argued that Carrey obtained prescription medications using an alias and enabled White to obtain them.

Ultimately, the actor was cleared of all charges.
Wendy Williams was recently spotted on a run to get some good food, and fans say, "She looks good!"

The former gossip talk show host was seen outside of a popular Florida restaurant located in Fort Lauderdale called Sista Sara's Sho'noff Oysters, where she opted to grab what appears to be more than one platter of food.

The 60-year-old was reportedly traveling alongside her nephew, Travis Finnie, as she sat comfortably in the back seat of a black truck as restaurant staff rushed to present her with her order.

"How you doin' Wendy Williams?" a member of the staff exclaimed, coining her famous phrase, "How you doin' baby? You look good!" the staff member added, prompting Williams to respond warmly with a smile.

Many took to the comment section complimenting the former day time TV star on how normal she appears despite previous claims that she was "permanently incapacitated" due to her dementia, according to court documents obtained by the 'U.S. Sun.'

In the legal document filed by the entertainer's guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, Williams was described as an "entertainer who, tragically, has been afflicted by early-onset dementia and as a result, has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated."

That said, fans are sounding off in the comment section about the gossip queen's condition, and it appears they disagree with those claims.

"She doesn't look or sound 'permanently incapacitated'. Something is super off with this whole mess," one fan defended. "I'm confused! The news media is never correct," a second speculated. "ITS A SHAME THEY STOLE HER MONEY AND HER LIFE!" a third exclaimed. "She looks almost ready for her purple chair," a fourth added, referring to her iconic 'Wendy Williams Show' set. That said, other fans remained cautious.

"She looks really good but was uncharacteristically quiet which isn't good. Be well Wendy," one replied. "Don't believe the hype. Continue keeping her in prayer," another added. "I hate that we may never get our Wendy back," a skeptical fan penned alongside a teary eyed emoji.

When Williams was previously spotted in Newark, New Jersey, visiting a holistic wellness store alongside her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., an employee on shift claimed she appeared to be "sharp, upbeat and aware," per 'Extra.'

'The Wendy Williams Show" host was placed under legal guardianship back in 2022 following a diagnosis of alcohol-related brain damage.
Meghan Markle's former personal assistant Melissa Toubati stepped away from her position after only six months, citing the role's high-pressure demands.

According to a source, Toubati found the workload unbearable and left the position in tears.

Toubati worked closely with the Duchess of Sussex during her time as a senior member of the royal family. A source revealed that Melissa's duties were extremely challenging, saying, "Her job was highly pressurized and in the end it became too much."

The source also stated that Toubati faced "a lot of demands" during her time in the role.

Reflecting on her departure in 2018, the source added, "She is hugely talented and played a pivotal role in the success of the royal wedding. She'll be missed by everyone in the household. Melissa is a total professional and fantastic at her job." Despite her dedication, the source explained it was ultimately "easier" for Toubati to leave than to navigate the challenges of the position.

This isn't the first instance of Meghan Markle experiencing staff turnover.

Over the years, several members of her staff have exited positions while working for Meghan and Prince Harry. For example, Richard Miller recently stepped down as CEO of Prince Harry's charity, Sentebale, after five years in the role. Sentebale confirmed his resignation, stating, "This shift reflects our continued commitment to being guided by voices from within the region we serve. We sincerely thank Richard for his pivotal role in steering our organization toward this important evolution."

Read more: Former ESPN Host Reveals How Meghan Markle Shut Down His DM Before She Became Royalty

Miller also commented on his departure, calling it the right time "for this shift to local leadership" and endorsing his interim successor, Carmel Gaillard, who is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. "Carmel is an incredible asset to position Sentebale further as a leader in the region," Miller added.

Other high-profile resignations from Sentebale include Andrew Tucker, who left after nearly a decade, Baroness Lynda Chalker, who served for 18 years, and Johnny Hornby, who stepped down last year after 11 years. The consistent turnover within these roles has drawn attention to the demanding nature of such high-profile positions.
Jasper, IndianaKevin Schewe's Bad Love Medicine has been named a FINALIST by The American Writing Awards in the Fiction: Science Fiction Category.

The prestigious American Writing Awards purpose is to provide recognition for authors and publishers all over the world. Their goal each year is to be the most inclusive and influential award competition available to authors and publishers worldwide.

Most-recently Bad Love Medicine won FIRST PLACE in the Australian BREW Fiction Book Excellence Awards in the Time-Travel Fiction category and garnered another FIRST PLACE win in the Time Travel Category from the Hollywood-based Halloween Book Festival. The highly acclaimed Bad Love Medicine has also won an award in the Young Adult category at the Southern California Book Festival plus an International Book Impact Award in the same category with the addendum of Excellence for Book Content Quality.

Creating time travel fiction requires an attention to detail predicated on intense research. Kevin Schewe's zealous fascination with everything World War II, which began at a young age, gave him a headstart and inspiration to write his four-book Bad Love sci-fi adventure series. With his background in physics and time travel as a primary element driving all the books, Schewe started with the premise of the WWII Manhattan Project and the race to become the first nation with the atomic bomb. Throughout the books, real life characters such as Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Ford and British PM Winston Churchill make appearances and are portrayed with historical accuracy. Weapons, aircraft and classic cars are also highlighted with key specifications and in proper historical context.

In Bad Love Medicine the Bad Love Gang return to Earth after saving an alien planet from an extinction event in order to reunite a love-struck couple while saving one of them from a deadly disease in the future. At the same time, they must prevent Hitler and the Nazis from creating a time machine of their own in a quest to take their evil agenda to the future. They battle Russian KGB agents in the 1970s, Nazi military forces and scientists in the 1940s and travel from London to Liverpool in 1945.

"These stories have come to life in such an organic way," says Schewe. "They combine my childhood friendships and memories with my love of history, music, military aviation, WWII, science fiction and time travel." Whether you're a history aficionado, a time-travel buff, a sci-fi lover, or are just in need of a fun book to cheer you up, Bad Love Medicine is the adventure you've been waiting for.

Bad Love Medicine Official Book Trailer





In book one, Bad Love Strikes, the Gang discover The White Hole Project, a time machine created by Albert Einstein at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt as a back-up plan in case the Nazis had won the race to be first with an atomic bomb. In the exciting sequel, Bad Love Tigers, the gang use the White Hole Project to travel back to 1945 to thwart Russian spies and protect the U.S. top-secrets of Area 51. In Bad Love Beyond, the gang travel not just through time but through space as well to learn the reason behind Blue Nova One's mysterious visit to earth and help save her planet from an extinction event.

Other awards the books have won are the Wishing Shelf Red Ribbon Winner, Literary Titan Silver Book Award, NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, AMI Indie Book Awards, and an eLit Award to name a few.

"Skillful writing (both historical and fantastical), a zesty sense of humor, an appreciation for pop culture, and the ability to create memorably entertaining characters combine to make this an immensely impressive noveland experience! Very highly recommended."Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Reviewer, 5-Stars

"If history was taught this way in school, everyone would be a scholar and educating ourselves not only about our accomplishments but the horrors of the past that should awaken and give insight to the path of a better future. A rare gem!"David Holladay, MD, 5-Stars

The screenplay for Kevin Schewe's Bad Love Tigers, the second book in the series, has also taken the world by storm with 450 international screenplay awards. It has won awards at Cannes World Film Festival, Madrid Arthouse Film Festival, Rome International Movie Awards, New York International Film Awards, and The Los Angeles Movie Awards, to name a few.

Be sure to watch the exciting book trailers for the Bad Love series: https://bit.ly/BadLoveStrikes-Trailer and https://bit.ly/BadLoveTigers_Trailer and https://bit.ly/BadLoveBeyondTrailer.

About: Kevin L. Schewe, MD, FACRO, is a board-certified cancer specialist who has been in the private practice of radiation oncology for 37+ years. Join 57K followers of Schewe on Instagram @realkevinschewe and discover all of his books at KevinSchewe.com
MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio  The Maple Syrup Producers of NE Ohio will host the Backyard Maple Syrup and Home Kitchen Confections workshops on Jan. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Sugar Valley Maple Farm, 15755 Chipmunk Lane, Middlefield. The deadline to register is Dec. 18.

The event will kickoff with a morning workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. where producers will walk participants through the basics of making maple syrup, including tree ID, tapping, gathering, storage, sap quality, small scale hobby boiling techniques, filtering and finishing syrup.

A lunch break will take place from 12:30-1:30 p.m for those who register for the full day. Lunch will be a selection of sandwiches, chips and drinks.

The afternoon session will take place from 1:30-4:30 pm. where confection expert Tom Salo will demonstrate the basics of making maple candy, maple coated nuts, maple cream and maple sugar.

Attendance is limited and registration is required. The registration fee is $25 for the individual workshops and $45 for both workshops and lunch. The money raised will support maintenance on the MPNEO Sugarhouse in the Natural Resource Area of the Great Geauga County Fairgrounds. To register or for more information, visit https://www.mpneoh.com/workshop2025.
YOUNGSTOWN  Simply Slavic will host a Kolachi Baking Contest, a highlight of this years Home for the SLAVidays event, from 7 to 11 p.m. Dec. 20 at Penguin City Brewing Company in Youngstown.

This competition invites bakers to showcase their skills and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Slavic Kolachi. Kolachi, a traditional Slavic pastry made from sweet, yeast-leavened dough and typically filled with ingredients like poppy seeds, nuts or fruit preserves, is a beloved treat at holidays and special occasions.

The competition features two entry categories: traditional Kolachi, made with classic fillings like poppy seed, nut or cottage cheese, and Modern Kolachi, featuring any filling outside the traditional options.

To enter, participants must submit a completed entry form, a brief description (75 words or less) of their Kolachis Slavic roots and a $5 non-refundable entry fee by Dec. 18. The competition is free for bakers under 18.

Entries will be judged by professional bakers, community leaders and local business representatives based on several criteria, including taste (40%), authenticity (25%), presentation (15%), texture (10%) and look & smell (10%).

Winners will be announced during the event at 8 p.m. and formally recognized at the 2025 Simply Slavic Festival. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries.

Bakers must deliver their kolachi entries to Penguin City Brewing Company (460 E Federal St, Youngstown, OH) between 4 and 6 p.m. on the event day. Portions of each entry will be used for judging, while the remainder will be sold to support Simply Slavics cultural programs and scholarships throughout the year.

Entry forms and rules are available online at simplyslavic.org/forms. Call Luke Politsky at 330-519-7997 or email info@simplyslavic.org with questions.
The first measurements of a new 'pioneering' environmental baselining pilot for the farming industry start this month, with 170 farms chosen to take part.

The Environment Baselining Pilot, which is being led by AHDB and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), aims to measure the environmental impact of farms across Britain.

As part of it, UAV specialists Bluesky will be carrying out LiDAR scanning using a plane or drone to estimate above-ground carbon stocks and provide run-off water maps.

LiDAR scanning provides detailed terrain data by measuring the height of both the terrain and any above-ground features such as hedges and trees.

This data is a unique aspect of the project, presenting the 170 farms with information about their land which will bring new insights into its environmental value and impact.

The farms taking part in the project range across the beef, lamb, dairy, pork, cereals and oilseeds sectors.

AHDB is investing 2.5m in the pilot and QMS is funding the beef, lamb and pork activity in Scotland, with an investment of 375,000.

Their long-term vision is to create the opportunity for a nationwide standardised data set across the beef and lamb, cereals and oilseeds, dairy and pork sectors.

AHDB said this would bring integrity to the industry and enable more accurate reporting of emissions and the environmental impact of agriculture.

Chris Gooderham. AHDB environment director said: We are pleased to have confirmed the 170 farms, out of 500 that applied to be part of the project.

"The start of LiDAR measurements marks an important first step of the pilot in beginning to understand the environmental credential of the farms taking part.

Sam Ward, from Lincolnshire Pork Co and who is taking part in the project, said he applied so he could put an actual number on the amount of carbon the farm stores.

"Being a pig business, we know our emissions are likely to be positive, but we are on the journey to reducing our emissions and this baselining is a key part of that," he said.

"We hope to get in depth measurements about our farms carbon sink, and to identify a road map going forwards of what more we can do as a business."

Further measurements to build the environmental picture of participating farms will continue in 2025 and will include soil carbon and nutrient testing, and a carbon audit.
A large eucalyptus tree blocks the northbound lanes of Highway 13 just past Redwood Road in Oakland in December 2021. Eucalyptus trees have a bad reputation, but experts have a more nuanced view. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

As Tim Brown drove his pickup truck out of a Petaluma parking lot on Saturday amid intense rains and gusty winds, he noticed a giant eucalyptus tree starting to rock on its base. He accelerated hard. The tree fell with a boom, its upper branches striking the Ford.

Browns windshield was busted and his tailgate sheared off. But he was alive.

I couldnt get out of the truck fast enough, he said.

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Popular lore holds that eucalyptus trees, which are not native to California, are especially prone to toppling. But experts say that many types of trees  not just eucalyptus  are vulnerable in wet and windy conditions, especially when the trees are stressed.

Taller trees with denser crowns tend to be more prone to collapse, said UC Berkeley professor emeritus Joe McBride, who has specialized in urban forestry for more than 40 years. In urban areas, trees that have been planted without enough space to grow a root system, such as at the edge of a street, also fall more easily, McBride said.

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In the Bay Area, the trees that most commonly fall are oaks, eucalyptus, cypress and Monterey pines, said consulting arborist Kevin Hostert. That matches information from the Western Tree Failure Database, which collects data from professional tree managers largely from the Bay Area, said principal investigator Larry Costello.

Coast live oaks and Monterey pines are prone to fungal infection and root rot, and certain types of eucalyptus trees have pretty shallow roots, Hostert said. But Hostert and Costello emphasized that these species are not necessarily more dangerous  instead, more of them may fall simply because they are relatively common.

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Eucalyptus trees are highly visible: They are commonly planted along major thoroughfares with power lines because they grow quickly, have relatively straight trunks and require very low maintenance, according to Scott Wheeler of Urban Arborist.

Tim Browns pickup truck was struck twice by a giant eucalyptus tree in Petaluma on Saturday, Dec. 14. Demian Bulwa/The Chronicle

Theres no real one species we can look at and say, This is the problem child and the reason for all these issues. Its happening to all different species of trees, Wheeler said.

Some trees like sycamores, though, tend to collapse less often, Costello said. Redwoods, which often grow in a grove where they can interlace their roots and protect each other, also fall less, Wheeler said, but some  especially those that stand alone  can fall in storms.

Palm trees  more common in hurricane-prone Florida than the Bay Area  are almost indestructible, Wheeler said. Unlike true trees, which have rings of wood, palm trees are essentially a giant bundle of vascular fibrous tissue, Wheeler said, making them more flexible and less likely to snap.

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How to spot tree hazards

There are warning signs that a tree may be prone to collapse: if it has shifted and there are cracks around the root base, or if it is now leaning, Wheeler said. Another sign is if there is a mound of soil where there wasnt one before; that may be roots becoming unstable and tipping, McBride said.

Trees that have recently experienced change are also vulnerable, such as those on the edge of a new clear-cut or those next to recent construction, Hostert said. Costello and his team have a photographic guide to help homeowners recognize tree hazards.

Trees hate sudden change, Wheeler said. Years of drought can kill tree roots, reducing their frictional ties to the soil and impeding the general health of trees, McBride said. Drought followed by a barrage of storms that oversaturates the soil, with strong winds from directions the trees havent adapted to, are a recipe for disaster, Wheeler said.

If you think of storms like wolf packs, they go for the sick, weak and wounded. Its like culling the herd, Wheeler said.

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As weather whiplash becomes more common with climate change, Wheeler worries that the widespread tree falls could become the new normal, even for trees that have survived for over a century.

Editors note: This story has been updated and adapted from a piece that ran in 2023.

Correction: An earlier version of this article mischaracterized palm trees. They are a different type of plant than grasses.
Scottish farmers are being asked to provide input in a new round of data gathering that aims to inform the direction of future agricultural policy in Scotland.

The annual Scottish Farm Business Survey (SFBS) is seeking to gather key economic and environmental data to provide in-depth focus and analysis.

It has been running since the 1930s and is a detailed economic and environmental study of 400 farm businesses in Scotland.

As part of it, individual businesses provide insights to the government about the impact of policy change, using real farm data.

The SFBS also creates a national group average dataset from which all in the industry can benchmark their own performance and set direction for improvement.

Longer term, the data will allow those in the Scottish farming industry to see ten+ year trends in profitability in various farm types.

SAC Consulting, part of Scotland Rural College (SRUC), is again leading the survey development on behalf of the government.

Sascha Grierson, head of the agri-economics unit at SAC Consulting, said contributions to the survey from farmers - which are anonymous - 'are invaluable'.

Among many benefits, farmers can see a breakdown of their costs, their net worth, and measure their overall business performance," she said.

"In addition, they get a free carbon footprint audit to track their resource use in their business."

Some key details to emerge for 2022-23 include that the average farm has increased profit compared to the year before and, significantly, is profitable without support.

However, this hides a polarised picture across the different farming sectors, with livestock farms on average making a loss before support payments.

When considered as an average across different livestock farm types, net profit is down 10% compared to previous years.

Farmers taking part in the new survey will receive the Farm Business Report, which is a set of detailed management accounts to help them understand their business finances and allow them to track performance for up to three years.

They will also receive a business planning tool that allows them to compare their business with other similar businesses and track progress year on year.

Ms Gierson added: Taking part in the survey is a worthwhile exercise that will provide insights that make a real impact on your business.

It also supports Scottish agricultural policy decision-making to reflect the way in which the sector is changing across the country.

Farmers who wish to participate in this years survey can email ScottishFarmBusinessSurvey@sac.co.uk or call 07557 661316.
Plans to build the UKs largest solar farm covering some 2,400-acres of land in Oxfordshire have moved a step forward.

This means that the proposed Botley West Solar Farm will now move to the three-month pre-examination phase, after being accepted by the Planning Inspectorate.

It also means that developer Photovolt Development Partners' plans are now available for the public to read.

These contain specific proposals for how the German firm will mitigate the solar farm's visual impact, deliver benefits to the community and alleviate flood risk.

The Botley West Solar Farm, once built, would become the UKs largest solar farm, generating enough energy to power 330,000 homes.

Campaigners behind the Sop Botley West group have warned that the scheme was 'of a scale that's entirely inappropriate for this region'.

But the full submission, announced on Monday (16 December), reflects feedback from groups such as parish councils, local communities and local farmers and landowners.

This resulted in significant project modifications: most notably, approximately one-third of the entire site will now remain free of solar panels, with a 25m buffer zone to any residence.

Speaking on the latest news, Photovolt director Mark Owen-Lloyd said: We are pleased that the Planning Inspectorate has accepted Botley West Solar Farm for examination, which will now progress to the pre-examination phase.

"This project, once built, will make a huge contribution towards achieving net zero in the UK whilst providing the reliable, clean power Oxfordshire needs."

According to Photovolt, Botley West would deliver 840MW to the national grid, the equivalent of enough generating capacity to power 330,000 homes.

It said the development would add 'significant' green energy capacity, creating jobs, boosting biodiversity and 'opening up grazing space on land that has been intensively farmed'.

"These plans, which are now available for anyone to view, are the result of years of extensive and rigorous work to build a detailed proposal for how the Botley West will be constructed and delivered," Mr Owen-Lloyd concluded.

The Planning Inspectorate will now proceed to consider the proposal on an evidence basis, with further submissions from interested parties to be invited later in the process.

An Examining Authority will be appointed to arrange hearings, set draft deadlines, and hold a preliminary meeting to address administrative matters before the examination period begins.
Proposed changes to Scotland's suckler beef scheme could have a 'damaging ripple effect' along the whole red meat supply chain, sector leaders say.

The warning is included in a new report critiquing the Scottish government's post-Brexit amendment to the Scottish Suckler Beef Scheme (SSBSS).

The government has proposed to add a 410-day calving interval addition as part of a measure seeking to cut greenhouse gas emissions stemming from the beef sector.

But the new report [PDF] warns that Scotlands smallest herds - with fewer than 30 cows - could see funding falls of over 240,000.

These herds make up almost half of all beef holdings and 10% of total breeding dams in Scotland.

Authored by Neil Wilson, executive director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), the report warns that the consequence of these changes will have 'far-reaching, and seemingly politically unconsidered implications'.

Calving interval conditionality is a metric driven criterium that aims to target poorer performing herds," Mr Wilson explains.

"But its introduction could have a damaging ripple effect along the whole red meat supply chain that would undoubtedly lead to consolidation and closures of marts and meat processors."

Figures show that in 2023, Scottish livestock markets sold well over 340,000 head of cattle for a value of 416 million.

But the loss of 100,000 head of breeding cattle would result in a contraction of almost one third and the economic loss of 121m in cattle sales to the Scottish economy.

The report goes on to warn that this could lead to contraction in the sector with the loss of marts in remote areas a real possibility.

Mr Wilson says: "It would undoubtedly also lead to an acceleration in the closure of private kill facilities across Scotland, which is an area that Scottish government has seemed keen to support."

Commenting on the wider net-zero targets intent of the calving interval conditionality, he says the overall impact of this proposed conditionality to the SSBSS has been 'poorly planned and researched'.

"The greenhouse gas emissions reduction implications have not been calculated by the government, and we suspect that the impact on GHG reduction will be negligible at best," he says.

"Government has failed to fully consider the impact across all farm sizes, and they have totally failed to consider the impact across the entire supply chain.

"The estimated emissions reduction put forward as being achievable under this policy will only be realised if a substantial number of ineligible cows are culled."

The IAAS's report was issued on behalf of the National Beef Association (NBA) and the Scottish Beef Association (SBA).
Cambodias garment, footwear, and travel goods (GFT) exports grew by 25.23 per cent in the first eleven months of 2024, reaching $12.51 billion, according to the data from the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE). GFT accounted for 52.3 per cent of the total export earnings of $23.93 billion during this period.

Category-wise, knitted apparel exports rose 22.7 per cent to $6.1 billion, non-knitted apparel grew 33.3 per cent to $2.83 billion, and leather and travel goods earned $1.87 billion, up 22.1 per cent. Footwear exports increased 24.3 per cent to $1.5 billion, while other textile articles grew 37 per cent to $187 million.

Cambodia's garment, footwear, and travel (GFT) goods exports surged 25.23 per cent year-on-year in January-November 2024 to $12.51 billion, comprising 52.3 per cent of total export earnings, as per GDCE data. Key categories like knitted and non-knitted apparel, footwear, and travel goods saw robust growth. Employing nearly one million people, the GFT sector remains vital to Cambodia's economy.

In November alone, GFT exports rose 46 per cent year-on-year to $1.32 billion.

Cambodias GFT exports have rebounded this year after an 18-month decline from mid-2022 to late 2023.

The GFT sector in Cambodia employs nearly one million people and accounted for 11 per cent of Cambodias economy, contributing 50 per cent to real GDP growth as of 2021.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - China is scheduled to release a raft of data on Monday, headlining a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. On tap are November numbers for industrial production, retail sales, fixed asset investment, house prices and unemployment.In October, industrial production was up 5.3 percent on year, while retail sales rose 4.8 percent, fixed asset investment added 3.4 percent, house prices sank 5.9 percent and the jobless rate was 5.0 percent.Japan will see October figures for core machine orders; in September, core machine orders were down 0.7 percent on month and 4.8 percent on year. Japan also will see preliminary December results for the services and manufacturing PMIs from Jibun Bank; in November, their scores were 50.5 and 49.0, respectively.South Korea will provide November numbers for imports, exports and trade balance; in October, imports were down 2.4 percent on year and exports rose an annual 1.4 percent for a trade surplus of $5.61 billion.Australia will see preliminary December results for the services and manufacturing PMIs from Judo Bank; in November, their scores were 50.5 and 49.4, respectively.Indonesia will release November figures for imports, exports and trade balance; in October, imports were up 17.49 percent on year and exports rose 10.25 percent for a trade surplus of $2.47 billion.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The Global Loan Agency Services Group ("GLAS") is delighted to confirm the successful completion of its acquisition of Watiga Trust and Watiga Asia (collectively, "Watiga").

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241215004425/en/

GLAS completes its acquisition of Singaporean corporate, trust and funds service provider, WATIGA (Graphic: Business Wire)

The transaction was first announced earlier this year in March pending regulatory approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS") which was received in late November.

The integration will allow GLAS to offer its loan agency and trustee services to its local clients in Asia from a Singapore base. It will also provide Watiga's clients with access to an enhanced, international service offering.

Watiga will be the second company acquired by GLAS this year, following French asset management and fiducie company Pristine, which became a GLAS company in April. Since then, GLAS and Pristine have jointly supported an enlarged client base, validating the strategic rationale of the transaction.

The acquisition of Watiga will expand the GLAS footprint across Asia Pacific, and the addition of the Watiga team will increase its team to over 60 professionals based locally in the region.

Watiga

Watiga is a corporate, trust and funds service provider.

Watiga Trust is a Licensed Trust Company, regulated by MAS and Approved Trustee for Collective Investment Schemes.

Offering a range of tailored trust, fiduciary and custodian services, Watiga Trust is a member of the Singapore Institute of Banking and Finance, the Singapore Trustees Association, the Singapore Venture and Private Capital Association and the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association.

Watiga Asia offers a full suite of fund, loan and company administration services and is a member of the Singapore Fund Administrators Association.

GLAS

GLAS has served the Asian market for several years, including roles in recent high-profile debt restructurings in China such as Sino Ocean, Evergrande and Sunac.

Following the completion of this acquisition, GLAS will support the expansion of the team's local capabilities and ensure consistent client delivery globally, with GLAS's existing APAC offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane providing additional operational support to Watiga.

GLAS Founders, Mia Drennan and Brian Carne, said:

"This has been another amazing year for GLAS. We are excited to be able to service our Asian clients locally in their time zone, and to work closely with Matt and the team to build out a wider selection of services and products which we can roll out globally.

This partnership bolsters the group's comprehensive regulated coverage across APAC, the EU and the Americas, and gives our clients the opportunity to access our award-winning service and product offering to more clients than ever before.

This acquisition is another significant milestone on our global journey, and we are thrilled to be able to give our clients access to Watiga's extensive knowledge, licensing and expertise through the GLAS network."

Watiga Founder and Managing Director, Matt Richards, commented:

"Building WATIGA for the past thirteen years has been a rewarding journey of meeting market needs.

Our team is excited to continue this journey with GLAS, which brings fresh perspectives and new opportunities.

I believe GLAS's combination of technical expertise, financial infrastructure and their innovation mindset, all on a global scale, is beneficial and empowering for our clients, personnel, and stakeholders."

About GLAS

GLAS was established in 2011 and is the premier independent, non-creditor, conflict-free provider of institutional debt administration services covering the global private and public credit markets.

GLAS, which services more than US$500bn of assets under administration, is headquartered in London and has operations in the US, France, Germany, Spain, the UAE and Australia.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241215004425/en/

Contacts:

media@glas.agency.
Road Town, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2024) - Ice Open Network (ION) is excited to announce the successful creation of its Genesis Block, officially beginning Phase One of its highly anticipated mainnet rollout. This milestone positions ION as a transformative force in the blockchain space, combining high scalability with a robust ecosystem to accelerate Web3 adoption.

Ice Open Network Begins Mainnet Rollout with Genesis Block Creation

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/233488_827b436fe4860bd0_002full.jpg

The creation of the Genesis Block allows community members to begin launching validators starting with November 18. Over 120 validators are expected to join in the coming weeks, reinforcing the network's security and scalability. Early validators will need 3 million ICE coins and the capability and resources to deploy a validator on a server to participate in securing the ION blockchain. Interested parties can reach out to hi@ice.io for more information.

"This launch is a historic moment for Ice Open Network and sets the foundation for a decentralized ecosystem that will scale to billions of users," said Alex Iulian, Founder and CEO of Ice Open Network. "With a vibrant user base of over 40 million and a growing list of projects launching their tokens on ION, we are building one of the most dynamic and scalable blockchain networks. The Genesis Block marks the beginning of a decentralized future powered by innovation and community."

The rollout of ION's mainnet comes with significant advancements, including the activation of the ION Bridge once the network reaches 100 validators. This will enable seamless migration of ICE tokens from Binance Smart Chain (BSC) to the ION blockchain, ensuring a smooth transition for the community. Additionally, the integration with major exchanges will provide liquidity and accessibility, supporting the ecosystem's rapid growth.

Alongside its blockchain infrastructure, ION's Startup Program contributes to its strength, bringing an active user base of over 40 million from various projects already integrated into the ecosystem. These projects, including token launches on ION, are expected to generate substantial activity, making this one of the most active blockchain ecosystems from day one.

As part of its broader mission, ION offers a scalable Layer 1 blockchain capable of handling millions of transactions per second. Its innovative dApp framework, including a drag-and-drop builder, enables anyone, even without technical expertise, to create and deploy decentralized applications. This user-friendly approach is key to driving the transition from Web2 to Web3, making blockchain technology accessible to a global audience.

The ION team also expressed gratitude to the community for their patience and support throughout the journey. "We are determined to overcome challenges and succeed together," the team shared in a statement. "Your commitment fuels our progress."

For those looking to become validators or learn more about Ice Open Network, visit ice.io or contact hi@ice.io.

About Ice Open Network

Ice Open Network (ION) is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed for exceptional scalability and rapid transaction processing, capable of handling millions of transactions per second, positioning it among the fastest in the industry. Serving an ecosystem with over 40 million users, ION's mission is to facilitate the transition of billions of users from Web2 to Web3, creating a decentralized future that emphasizes privacy, data ownership, and user autonomy.

At the core of ION is an innovative dApp framework featuring a no-code drag-and-drop builder, enabling anyone, regardless of technical expertise, to create and deploy decentralized applications effortlessly. By combining blockchain scalability with an accessible development framework, ION is driving Web3 adoption and empowering a broader range of users and developers.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233488

SOURCE: Plentisoft
Gurit Holding AG / Key word(s): Personnel

Changes to the Board of Directors



16-Dec-2024 / 06:45 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Zurich, December 16, 2024 - Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Gurit (SIX Swiss Exchange: GURN) today announced that Dr. Bettina Gerharz-Kalte has decided not to stand for re-election to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 15, 2025. In preparation for this change, the Board of Directors will propose to the AGM the election of Dr. Libo Zhang as a new member of the Board. Dr. Bettina Gerharz-Kalte has informed the Board of Directors that she will, for personal reasons, not be available for re-election at the next AGM in April 2025. Dr. Gerharz-Kalte was elected to the Gurit Board of Directors in April 2019 and joined the Nomination and Compensation Committee (NCC) shortly thereafter, serving as Chair since 2021. Dr. Gerharz-Kalte is a highly esteemed member of the Board recognized for her extensive expertise in the global Chemical & Materials Market, sustainability and global leadership. She is well known for absolute integrity and foresight. The Board of Directors would like to thank her for her remarkable contribution to the strategic direction, her unwavering commitment, her engagement in creating a collaborative culture and solid governance structures. The Board of Directors wishes her the very best for her future endeavors. The Board of Directors to propose Dr. Libo Zhang for Election The Board of Directors will propose to the AGM the election of Dr. Libo Zhang as a new member of the Board. Ms. Zhang, a German national, brings a wealth of international strategic business expertise and a strong background in finance and audit. She holds an MBA and a PhD in Economics and Business Administration from Georg-August-Universitat, Gottingen, Germany, and has completed an Executive Management Program at the University of Oxford. Libo Zhang's distinguished career includes leadership roles across multiple industries, including aerospace, automotive, chemicals, and semiconductors, with a focus on bridging business operations between USA, Europe and Asia. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors at VAT Group AG, where she serves on the Audit Committee and chairs the Nomination and Compensation Committee. Additionally, she holds Board and Advisory roles at LEM Holding AG and SPT Roth AG. The Board of Directors to propose the re-election of Nick Huber as a member of the NCC Mr. Nick Huber will stand for re-election as a member of the NCC at the upcoming AGM. Should he be re-elected, the Board of Directors plans to appoint him as Chairman of the NCC. Mr. Huber has been a member of the Gurit Board of Directors since 1995. He was already the Chairman of the NCC from 2008 to 2016 and has been a member again since 2017. His stewardship will ensure continuity and development of Gurit's nomination and compensation practices. About Gurit

The subsidiaries of Gurit Holding AG, Wattwil/Switzerland, (SIX Swiss Exchange: GURN) are specialized in the development and manufacture of advanced composite materials, composite tooling equipment and core kitting services. The product range comprises structural core materials, structural profiles, prepregs, formulated products such as adhesives and resins as well as structural composite engineering. Gurit supplies global growth markets such as the wind turbine industry, marine, building and many more. Gurit operates production sites and offices in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, India, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

www.gurit.com Gurit Group Communications Phone: +41 44 316 15 50, e-mail: investor (at) gurit.com All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. Forward-looking statements:

To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

End of Inside Information
Vytal operates in 22 countries with 7,000+ partners and recently expanded to the U.S., aligning with Circus global mass-production rollout plans for the CA-1 robot from 2025.

With this partnership Circus will offer reusable packaging as a default solution in their CA-1 robot, actively supporting the United Nations sustainability goal on Responsible Consumption and Production through waste reduction and circular economy practices.

Addressing 170 million tonnes of annual packaging waste in the global food-service industry, the partnership is set to drive meaningful progress toward zero waste operations.

Circus SE (Xetra: CA1), a global leader in AI robotics specializing in autonomous kitchen systems, and Vytal, the world's leading provider of software-enabled reusable packaging solutions, have announced a transformative partnership to launch a reusable bowl system for the Circus Autonomy One (CA-1) food production robot. This sustainable innovation replaces disposable paper bowls, aligning with a shared vision of zero waste and circular economy principles. The partnership integrates Vytal's reusable packaging into CircusAI and robotics solution, offering a default sustainable solution for all CA-1 customers worldwide.

This collaboration directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, promoting sustainable practices across the food service industry. By reducing reliance on single-use packaging and tackling food waste at its source through AI-driven precision, the partnership accelerates progress toward creating environmentally responsible supply chains and achieving a circular economy.

The initiative underscores Circus and Vytal's commitment to revolutionizing sustainable food service. With the global food service industry generating an estimated 473 billion in food waste annually, leveraging advanced technology is essential. At the heart of Circus' end-to-end technology ecosystem, CircusAI plays a pivotal role in achieving near-zero food waste by accurately predicting demand, optimizing portions, and eliminating inefficiencies like overproduction and cold chain mishandling.

By seamlessly integrating Vytal's reusable bowl solution, the system further enhances its zero-waste capabilities, reducing packaging waste while operating with minimal resources. Together, this holistic approach sets a new standard for innovation in sustainable food production, meeting the evolving expectations of regulators and consumers.

"Working with Vytal is more than a partnership; it's a commitment to redefining how food can be sustainably produced and packaged unlocked by revolutionary technology" said Nikolas Bullwinkel, CEO and founder of Circus. "By combining our CircusAI capabilities with Vytal's tech-enabled reusable solutions, we're not only enhancing the customer experience but also actively contributing to further reducing our emissions in meal production. This new solution reflects our shared mission to responsibly provide nutritious meals, reduce food waste and align with a circular economy."

Fabian Barthel, Co-Founder Managing Director of Vytal, is enthusiastic about the partnership, commenting: "Partnering with Circus demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when AI-robotics meets our circular economy solutions. A full integration of our container tracking solution into the CA-1 allows a seamless user journey, encouraging a move away from disposable packaging and helping to address waste issues that affect operators globally. Together, we're helping to transform the industry and enable meaningful progress towards sustainability."

The partnership between Circus and Vytal is not only an industry-first but also a testament to the power of innovation to drive environmental and economic change. This reusable bowl solution represents a pivotal step toward halving global food waste by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the second quarter of this year, Circus launched the commercialization of its AI-powered robot and has since experienced strong demand. With precise preparation and AI technology, the system reduces food waste by over 90%. This innovation has already resulted in over 8,400 pre-orders and an annual revenue potential of 1.1 billion through CircusAI software.

About Circus Group

Circus SE (XETRA: CA1) is a global leader in AI solutions and autonomous robotics, transforming the EUR 2.6 trillion food service sector through full autonomy. With its proprietary AI platform, CircusAI, and the world's first commercially viable AI-robot in food service, CA-1, Circus is pioneering AI in food service to address industry-wide labor shortages.

About VYTAL

Global VYTAL Global is dedicated to eliminating single-use packaging through its advanced reusable solutions. Leveraging cutting-edge software and data analytics, Vytal provides efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging options that benefit businesses and the environment alike. Vytal's data model is internationally recognized by the Harvard Business Review and the company has established itself as a pioneer in the industry, leading the change towards the circular economy. Vytal collaborates with 7000+ partners in 22 countries worldwide to reduce the use of single-use packaging and promote sustainable alternatives.

Note to editors: Images can be downloaded HERE.

Language: English Company: Circus SE Hongkongstrasse 6 20457 Hamburg Germany E-mail: ir@circus-group.com Internet: https://www.circus-group.com/for-investors ISIN: DE000A2YN355 WKN: A2YN35 Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Frankfurt, Munich (m:access)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241215908545/en/

Contacts:

Circus SE

Hongkongstrasse 6

20457 Hamburg

press@circus-group.com

Investor Relations Contact

Maximilian Hartweg

Head of Corporate Development

ir@circus-group.com

Press Contact

Florian Anders

Head of Corporate Communications

press@circus-group.com
After overwhelming criticism from the public and private sector over their poor handling of COP29, Azeri officials escalate claims portraying Ruben Vardanyan as a leading opponent of the Aliyev regime

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented escalation of its ongoing crackdown on dissent, Azerbaijan prosecutors have unveiled a new and enormous array of some 45 potential charges against Armenian humanitarian and political prisoner Ruben Vardanyan, according to his legal team. If convicted, Vardanyan faces the grim prospect of life imprisonment. The development comes just one month after the country controversially hosted the COP29 climate summit, where its abysmal human rights record drew sharp international criticism.

The new charges presented against Ruben Vardanyan fall under 20 different articles of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code. Illustrating the extent to which the regime is desperate to justify its ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh and illegal imprisonment of its former leaders, the fabricated evidence is presented in more than 25,000 pages across 100 volumes, all written in Azeri.

The alleged evidence is conveniently hidden both from Ruben and public view based on claims the charges relate to the "national security of Azerbaijan." The regime has, at the same time, refused to provide copies of the alleged evidence to Vardanyan and counsel, who are currently only allowed to review these materials without a proper translation and at limited times. Their ability to take notes is also restricted due to "national security," further constraining Ruben and his counsel's extremely limited ability to prepare the defense for the trial.

"These charges represent a flagrant violation of Azerbaijan's obligations under international law," said Vardanyan's legal counsel, Jared Genser. "The laundry list of charges-a transparently brazen attempt to blame everything that the Azeri regime did in Nagorno-Karabakh on Ruben-in addition to Azerbaijan's refusal to provide and make public all of the charges and so-called evidence against Ruben for review, reaffirms that the charges are politically motivated and that the regime knows no objective observer would conclude there is any credible evidence to support its allegations. This approach is clearly designed for Aliyev to justify holding a secret trial before a tribunal that will be neither independent nor impartial."

Warning that the new charges signal an intensifying campaign by Aliyev to silence dissenting voices, the family of Ruben Vardanyan are calling on the democratic world to show that such flagrant violations cannot be tolerated anymore and to ensure international organizations and media are present during the trial.

"The most recent charges against my father, are a travesty of justice and retribution for the failures of COP29 upon an innocent scapegoat," said David Vardanyan, son of Ruben Vardanyan. "Ruben Vardanyan was the State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh for three months, where he sought to improve the livelihoods of its citizens through meaningful social programs. Sadly, he was rewarded with the threat of life imprisonment by one of the most corrupt regimes on earth. His arrest and these new fallacious charges are a symbol to all Armenians around the world that no one is safe. It has been over two years since our family has been able to see Ruben. We are afraid that we might not be able to see him again if the democratic world does not act to put an end to this non-sense."

While Vardanyan has already spent more than a year in illegal detention under Azerbaijan's regime, this latest escalation marks a troubling new low in President Ilham Aliyev's authoritarian rule. Freedom House currently gives Azerbaijan a "global freedom score" of seven out of one hundred, placing it behind countries such as Somalia, Myanmar, and Venezuela in measures of political and civil liberties. These latest developments underscore the systemic erosion of fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan and highlight the regime's ongoing efforts to silence dissent and consolidate power.

Last September, armed forces of the Government of Azerbaijan invaded the Armenian autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, driving out the 120,000 Armenian Christians of the region. During the flight of the refugees, Vardanyan and seven other former officials were arrested and face spurious and politically motivated charges.

A former State Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from November 2022 to February 2023, Vardanyan has been imprisoned in Baku in conditions violating international law. His political show trial-which has already been delayed on several occasions-is expected to fall far short of many international standards.

For further information, please contact:

rv@havas.com or freearmenianprisoners@edelman.com

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December 15, 2024: South Korea is currently undergoing a political crisis that involves President Yoon Suk Yeolan, an unpopular president who tried to impose martial law to deal with protests against him. Trying to use martial law failed, made South Koreans even angrier at their president, and they now want to impeach him. Yoons nickname is gyong, which translates as tough guy or manager.

Yoons former profession was that of criminal prosecutor, and he played a role in removing two other South Korean presidents. South Korea has had 13 presidents since the end of the Korean War in 1953, of whom nine have been forced out of office by impeachment or threats of impeachment, assassination and military coup. In December the current president was threatened with impeachment.

South Korea is not a particularly corrupt or tumultuous country. The annual Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index rates as the 32nd least corrupt nation among the 180 countries examined. A distinctive feature if South Korean culture is intolerance of bad behavior by presidents, though some actions that would get a South Korean president kicked out of office would not even happen in most other industrialized democratic nations. Most other democracies are more tolerant of presidents or prime ministers who are found to have kin or friends that are engaged in corruption. Such corruption is embarrassing and generally criticized but South Korea is one of the few nations that demands their president be removed from office.

Meanwhile, South Korea has other thigs to worry about. For example, the dictatorship in North Korea is selling Cold War era weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine. South Korea is selling quantities of modern weapons to a growing number of export customers who want, and can afford, the best. Export sales in 2021 were $7.3 billion but the Ukraine War caused that to spike to $17 billion in 2022 and $20 billion in 2023. Sales have expanded so quickly that South Korea had to obtain additional financing because import-export banks hit mandatory limits on how much they could do to facilitate arms exports from one country in a single year.

South Korea has profited from this because NATO nations bordering Ukraine or Russia have dramatically increased defense spending and purchased nearly $15 billion worth of South Korea weapons and munitions so far. South Korea produces a lot more military weapons and equipment than the North and it is of the highest quality. South Korea based its weapons on what the Americans were offering but added additional features that made their weapons more attractive to export customers. This included lower prices. One side effect is that, once Poland receives all the South Korean tanks, mobile artillery and guided or unguided rocket launchers from South Korea, they will have the most powerful army in European NATO. This is to discourage any Russian attacks on Poland or any other NATO nation in the area. Because of all these new export customers, South Korea is on track to depose China from its current position as the fourth largest arms exporter.

While South Korea is relatively lacking when it comes to corruption, such is not the case in North Korea, where such misbehavior is becoming more common and flagrant. Even government officials are stealing from the government with a sense of impunity, which is not quite justified. Thieving officials who are flagrant or defiant are sometimes arrested and executed. Most of the time they can bribe their way out or call on more powerful officials to protect them. That is changing as the bribes demanded are increasing, often to levels the guilty officials cannot pay. Senior officials willing to bail out a subordinate are less likely to do so. The cost of everything is going up, including how much it costs for corrupt officials to stay alive. The Chinese government has become more aggressive in detecting and disrupting this smuggling. This is not just to reduce gangster activity in China, but also to assist Chinese foreign policy. Chinese diplomats can let it be known that they can do something about halting or providing smuggling capabilities to other nations.

Then there is the issue of South Korean attitudes. South Korea has become an economic powerhouse and one of the top ten economies in the world. Because of that South Korea has more friends and trading partners in East Asia than Russia does. South Korea has the wealth and technical skill to build nuclear weapons and reliable ones at that. Russia believes that offending South Korea is a bad idea while disappointing North Korea creates no new problems. Then there are the earlier South Korea efforts to keep nuclear weapons out of the Korean peninsula. The Americans have already taken the lead in this. In 1991 the United States withdrew all its nuclear warheads from South Korea and managed to get the two Koreas to agree not to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. This included both Koreas signing the NPT/Non-Proliferation Treaty. North Korea went ahead and developed nuclear weapons anyway, even though it was obvious that South Korea could do the same and produce more reliable nuclear warheads and more effective submarines to launch them from.

When North Korea violated the agreement, South Korea went ahead and produced SLBMs/Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles with conventional warheads launched from South Korean designed and built submarines. Since 2014 South Korea has been building nine 3,300-ton KSS-III submarines, each able to carry six or ten locally developed SLBM ballistic or cruise missiles with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. North Korea realized they could not develop and build anything similar. South Korea now has a growing fleet of locally built submarines that can carry ballistic or cruise missiles. Most South Koreans now approve of building nuclear warheads, just in case North Korea foolishly makes a serious threat to use such missiles against South Korea or any other country. This made North Korea realize that the economically more powerful and technically more accomplished south not only can outproduce the north when it comes to any type of weapon, but has actually done so many times and is now a major producer and exporter of modern weapons. South Korea is not impressed with North Korean threats to attack them with devastating effect. The north can attack, but the south can retaliate with far greater destructive force. That is why the north continues to issue threats that South Korea ignores.

The South Korean economy continues to grow while the North Korea economic growth is stalled. In terms of GDP per capita, the South Korean economy is 20 times the size of North Koreas. North Korea insists it has no economic problems, but quietly accepts any opportunities to change that. Selling weapons to Russia for their war in Ukraine is one of those opportunities and North Korea is making the most of it.

Recent arms exports to Russia were considered newsworthy because of the War in Ukraine where Russian troops desperately need additional weapons. That brought attention to the fact that North Korea exports a lot of weapons to countries all over the world. These are usually weapons for outlaw nations or rebels. North Korea will sell to whoever can pay. There are no guarantees that the weapons will work. Often they dont, as Russia has learned. Major clients include countries under sanctions or simply seeking weapons from a supplier who does not question what the weapons will be used for. This includes nations like Iran, Syria, Egypt and Qatar. Egypt and Qatar are banned from obtaining certain types of weapons. North Korea does not ban anyone who can pay, including the costs of smuggling in the weapons. This includes what North Korea must pay to Chinese smugglers who can hide the weapons shipments in legitimate ship cargoes and get most of these concealed weapons delivered. Some shipments have been discovered, which is why so much is known about the Chinese involvement.

North Korea has not been hiding its increased trade with Russia. North Korea is sending weapons and Russia is paying for it with food shipments that are now arriving by train. The government wants the North Korean people to know that the chronic food shortage problem is being addressed because of increased weapons exports to Russia. This also means more work for some North Korean factories that produce weapons. What is not mentioned is that Russia is losing their war in Ukraine and the severe economic sanctions imposed on Russia are having an impact on the Russian economy. This means that buying weapons from North Korea is a temporary measure. The food imports from Russia have not yet had an impact on North Korean food prices, which are still rising.
GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On December 12, 2024, local time, the 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum (ISIF) took place in Madrid, Spain. Jointly organized by the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and the World Leadership Alliance - Club de Madrid, this year's ISIF brought together over 200 participants from the political, academic, and business circles in over 50 countries.

According to Diego Martinez Belio, Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, the forum has been a key platform for fostering inclusive dialogue to address pressing global challenges since its inauguration in 2014.

Danilo Turk, President of World Leadership Alliance - Club de Madrid and President of Slovenia (2007-2012), emphasized that ISIF is a forum for building trust and fostering mutual understanding. Through open, inclusive, and honest people-to-people exchanges, we aim to strengthen international cooperation and address challenges that we all share. "At a time when trust is fragile and cooperation is strained, ISIF serves as a positive bridge. It connects people, perspectives, and solutions with the long-term ambition of making multilateralism work for all," he added.

At present, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, global governance faces complex circumstances, and the international order stands at a critical crossroads. True multilateralism must be built on the foundation of mutual respect and trust, and extensive dialogue and cooperation.

"Looking ahead, all parties should take concrete actions to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, jointly address global challenges, and uphold and practice true multilateralism," said Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

As stressed by Ivo Josipovic, President of Croatia (2010-2015), it's visible that in all this critical situation, when we humanity face this type of challenges is not enough just to have political action, but also to have a global action, including important people from politics, from culture, from economy. This forum is sound of wise people who can really help.

"In times of tectonic changes, we need cooperation and collaboration more than ever. We need rules and well-working institutions. The institutional architecture is undergoing significant changes and there will be difficult debates on how to adapt. We all need a workable multilateral order. It's in the interest of China, the United States, Africa, developing countries, Europe -- everyone," said Csaba Korosi, President of the United Nations 77th General Assembly and Former Director of Environmental Sustainability in the Office of the President of Hungary.

"Some of the recommendations from the conference will be the revitalization of the multilateral structures, the mutual commitment of nations to move ahead positively in this space rather than taking unilateral action. It was an important message," said Jenny Shipley, Prime Minister of New Zealand (1997-1999).

Since its inauguration in 2014, ISIF has been held in Guangzhou, China for eight consecutive sessions. "The ISIF 2024 marked its first-ever session held abroad. Through concerted efforts and close cooperation of all parties, the forum has been a grand success. This represents a joint endeavor to deepen friendship, enhance understanding, and take collective action for a better future," said Chau Chak Wing, President of the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association.

Themed "Collective Action for One Future," the forum featured a dozen of activities, including a plenary discussion and parallel forums.

Source: The 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum (ISIF)
MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - Allianz SE (ALIZY) Monday announced the decision to withdraw its pre-conditional voluntary cash general offer to acquire at least 51 percent of the shares in Income Insurance Ltd., amounting to a total transaction value of approximately S$2.2 billion or 1.5 billion euros.The decision comes after the Singapore Government announced its views on why the transaction should not proceed on its present terms and the subsequent changes to the Insurance Act.'We respect the Singapore Government's decision,' said Renate Wagner, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE and responsible for the Asia-Pacific region.'We still believe the combination of Allianz and Income Insurance would result in two strong businesses being brought together for the benefit of Income Insurance's policyholders and a growing portion of Singapore's customers. We regret having to make this decision but we will, without question, carry on supporting the Singapore insurance market's continued growth and success.'Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Achieves highest possible scores in 17 out of 31 criteria in global platform evaluation

HELSINKI, Finland, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --Valona, a global forerunner in AI-driven market and competitive intelligence solutions, today announced its designation as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Market and Competitive Intelligence Platforms, Q4 2024 report.

The company received the highest possible scores across 17 of 31 evaluation criteria, including:

Advanced generative AI capabilities

Global reach and delivery

Publicly available data sources

Proprietary, paywalled sources

Search results and filtering

Customer success and support

The independent Forrester Wave -assessment1 evaluates 11 market and competitive intelligence (M&CI) platform providers, focused on current offerings, strategies, and customer feedback. The report recognizes Valona's exceptional strategic vision, and the use of its own generative AI technology to summarize information long before other vendors, and its comprehensive offering rounded out by analyst and consulting support.

According to the Forrester report, the Valona platform has "always been exceptional for its sourcing of public information and has an "ultra-reliable" platform. The report also states that Valona is an "excellent fit for large enterprises that want a proven and sophisticated platform with global insights and analyst/consulting support to build intelligence capabilities across multiple functions."

"We are proud to be recognized as a leader by Forrester in their evaluation," said Kimmo Havu, Valona CEO. "For us, this acknowledgment validates our strategic approach to market intelligence and reinforces our position as an innovative partner for global enterprises."

"We're not just providing data. Our platform delivers reliable insights to decision-makers in an increasingly dynamic market landscape empowering them to navigate complex business environments with confidence. By transforming raw insights into strategic intelligence, we enable our clients to anticipate market shifts, understand competitive dynamics, and eliminate blind spots before they become critical challenges."

Valona remains committed to continuous platform development, leveraging customer feedback and emerging market needs to maintain its leadership position in the industry. The company's strategic approach has been recognized for its forward-thinking vision, with a comprehensive roadmap that emphasizes ongoing AI investment and a focus on vertical, functional and use-case specific models and analyses."

Resources

Download the full The Forrester Wave report here to learn more about Valona market and competitive intelligence capabilities and how they stack up against other top vendors.

For more information, read our blog post on the topic here

1.The Forrester WaveMarket and Competitive Intelligence Platforms, Q4 2024

About Valona Intelligence

Valona Intelligence, the premier market and competitive intelligence AI solution provider that blends generative AI with expert analysis to deliver crucial, relevant insights for large enterprises and manufacturers.

Delivering hyper-relevant, real-time global insights, Valona empowers business leaders to understand their market environment, risks, and opportunities, equipping them with foresight and a global outlook. Supported by an industry-expert analytical team, the Valona AI-powered platform helps businesses meet growth targets, venture into new markets, enhance product development, anticipate supply chain disruptions, manage market threats, and outpace competition.

Valona maintains a proprietary source base of over 200,000 unique global business data sources including industry-specific data sets. The information is harvested to generate valuable insights for over 350,000 daily users, translating data from over 115 languages into English.

By monitoring the global business environment 24/7, Valona has served Fortune 500 companies like Goodyear, HSBC, Bosch, Philips, and Cintas since 1999, providing strategic foresight to shape their future.

Learn more about Valona: valonaintelligence.com

Media Contact

Kati Tammisto

CMO, Valona

Kati.tammisto@valonaintelligence.com

+358 40 775 7162

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549045/5077477/Valona_Intelligence_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/valona-celebrates-a-leader-recognition-in-market-and-competitive-intelligence-302331473.html
Buyer group to acquire Riverstone equity stake in Pattern

Transaction expected to close in the first half of 2025

Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Energy), a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, today announced that a consortiumheaded by APG Asset Management N.V. (APG), on behalf of the largest Dutch pension fund, ABP, and Australian Retirement Trust (ART), will acquire Riverstone Holdings LLC's (Riverstone) equity stake in the company, becoming owners alongside Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Pattern management. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Financial details were not disclosed.

"APG's and ART's financial strength and commitment to the business will strengthen Pattern's position as we rise to the challenge of meeting North America's rapidly growing energy needs," said Hunter Armistead, CEO at Pattern Energy. "Adding partners of this caliber that are aligned with Pattern's vision and bring supplemental growth capital to help scale our platform is a testament to the quality of Pattern's culture, projects and team."

"This investment reflects the shared commitment of APG and its client, ABP, in driving meaningful progress toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future," said Steven Hason, Head of Americas Real Assets at APG Asset Management US Inc. "The investment in Pattern Energy alongside our new partners is designed to generate sustainable, long-term returns, while also delivering tangible climate solutions and societal benefits."

ART Head of Global Real Assets, Michael Weaver, said, "Australian Retirement Trust is always looking for new investment opportunities to deliver strong returns for our almost 2.4 million members, which is why we see such value in Pattern Energy and advancing its renewable energy infrastructure projects."

"The acquisition of Pattern Energy adds to Australian Retirement Trust's growing investments in renewables. We take our responsibility as a leading global investor seriously and we are confident this acquisition will provide strong returns for our members, while supporting our Net Zero 2050 Roadmap."

Pattern Energy will leverage this new investment to advance its market-leading development pipeline of over 25-gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy and transmission projects and support its operating facilities and in-construction portfolio of nearly 10,000-megawatts (MW) across North America. The company is also on track to complete SunZia Wind and Transmission the largest renewable energy infrastructure project in U.S. history that will generate enough clean, reliable electricity to meet the needs of more than 3 million Americans.

"Since our acquisition of Pattern Energy in 2020 alongside Riverstone, management has successfully developed 5.7 GW of renewable energy projects, including the historic SunZia Wind and Transmission project," said Bill Rogers, Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Energies, CPP Investments. "We look forward to supporting the next chapter of growth in the Company with our new partners."

Founded in 2009 by Riverstone, its affiliates, and current and former members of the Pattern management team, Pattern Energy has become one of the world's largest privately-owned developers and operators of some of the most sophisticated clean energy and transmission projects in North America.

"It has been an honor to have invested alongside Hunter and the entire Pattern team since the Company's formation, and CPP Investments since 2020," said Yakov Tsveig, Principal of Riverstone. "We have realized remarkable achievements and created long lasting value for renewable power customers, local stakeholders, financing partners, and our shareholders through Pattern's several evolutions."

"We will forever appreciate Riverstone's backing that facilitated the founding of Pattern more than 15 years ago they have been true partners who have consistently made us better," added Armistead. "Riverstone has been integral to Pattern's success, and we thank them for their unwavering support and strong partnership."

Evercore Group L.L.C. served as exclusive financial advisor and Vinson Elkins served as legal counsel to Riverstone in connection with this transaction. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to the buyer consortium.

About Pattern Energy

Pattern Energy is one of the world's largest privately-owned developers and operators of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects. Its operational portfolio includes more than 30 renewable energy facilities that use proven, best-in-class technology with an operating capacity of nearly 6,000 MW across North America. Pattern Energy is guided by a long-term commitment to serve customers, protect the environment, and strengthen communities. For more information, visit www.patternenergy.com.

About APG

As the largest pension services provider in the Netherlands APG looks after the pensions of 4.6 million participants. APG provides executive consultancy, asset management, pension administration, pension communication and employer services. We work for pension funds and employers in the sectors of education, government, construction, cleaning, housing associations, sheltered employment organizations, medical specialists, and architects. APG manages approximately 577 billion (June 2024) in pension assets. With approximately 4,000 employees we work from Heerlen, Amsterdam, Brussels, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore. www.apg.nl.

About ART

Australian Retirement Trust is one of Australia's largest super funds. Close to 2.4 million Australians trust us to take care of over AUD 300 billion of their retirement savings. We're here to help our members retire well with confidence, focused on strong long-term investment returns, lower fees and the information and access to advice our members need to manage their super and retirement.

Australian Retirement Trust was formed through the merger of QSuper and Sunsuper in February 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216514741/en/

Contacts:

Matt Dallas

Pattern Energy

917-363-1333

matt.dallas@patternenergy.com

Jennifer Bainbridge

APG Asset Management US Inc.

917-368-3599

jennifer.bainbridge@apg-am.com

Joseph Ogilvie

ART Media Relations Lead

0429 275 286

joseph.ogilvie@art.com.au
New funding will fuel Keepit's global expansion and product innovation

Keepit, the world's only independent, cloud-native data protection and backup provider, today announced a $50 million funding round, led by existing investor One Peak, and EIFO, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark. This funding round marks the company's third equity investment in the past four years, bringing total funds raised to approximately $90 million.

The latest investment underscores Keepit's rapid growth and solidifies its position as a leader in SaaS data protection. The new investment will be directed towards expanding the company's go-to-market efforts and fueling continued product innovation.

Keepit's mission to provide a vendor-independent, dedicated infrastructure for SaaS data protection has resonated with a broad range of enterprise customers as its solutions already support 5 million users globally. With its latest funding, Keepit is poised to accelerate its global expansion strategy, prioritizing key markets like the US, Europe, and other high-growth regions, while bolstering Keepit's network of partners.

Simultaneously, Keepit plans to intensify its focus on product innovation, advancing its cutting edge, cloud native solutions to empower organizations in safeguarding their SaaS data effectively and reliably. This will include broader workload coverage and additional data management and intelligence capabilities for the enterprise.

"Our commitment to innovation and solving our customers' most pressing data protection challenges is what drives us forward," said Morten Felsvang, Keepit Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer and Frederik Schouboe, Keepit Co-founder and Chief Vision Officer. "This new funding will allow us to expand our reach and continue innovating the most advanced SaaS data protection solutions on the market. We're thrilled to see such strong support from our investors, who understand our mission and share our vision for the future."

David Klein, Co-founder and Managing Partner at One Peak, commented on the investment: "We have been continually impressed by Keepit's leadership and their unwavering ability to deliver on their vision. In a time when the need for secure, independent SaaS data protection is more critical than ever, Keepit stands out as a leader with its innovative platform. We are thrilled to continue supporting the Keepit team in this exciting next chapter of their growth journey."

Jacob Bratting Pedersen, Managing Director, Partner Head of Tech Industry at EIFO, commented: "Keepit's focus on cloud-native, vendor-independent data protection is what sets them apart. This investment is not just a financial decision for us-it's about supporting a company that is revolutionizing the way organizations think about data security. We believe in their long-term vision and look forward to contributing to their continued success."

About One Peak

One Peak is a leading specialist growth equity firm with $2.0 billion in assets under management that invests in technology companies in the scale-up phase. One Peak provides growth capital, operating expertise, and access to its extensive network to exceptional entrepreneurs, with a view to help transform innovative and rapidly growing businesses into lasting, category-defining leaders. In addition to Keepit, One Peak's investments include Akur8, Ardoq, Coro, Cymulate, Deepki, Docplanner, Lucca, Neo4J, Pandadoc, Spryker, and many more.

To learn more, visit www.onepeak.tech.

About EIFO, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark

EIFO is the national promotional bank and export credit agency of Denmark combined in one financial institution. Active in over 100 countries, and with a total business volume of more than EUR 20 billion, EIFO provides financial solutions for Danish companies and their global partners, while also investing in startups and funds. We exist to open doors for Danish global business, accelerate the green transition, promote new technologies and develop the Danish defense industry. With our willingness to take risks in financing, EIFO paves the way for those who dare to think bigger.

Learn more on www.eifo.dk/en/.

About Keepit

Keepit provides a next-level SaaS data protection platform purpose-built for the cloud. Securing data in a vendor-independent cloud safeguards essential business applications, boosts cyber resilience, and future-proofs data protection. Unique, separate, and immutable data storage with no sub-processors ensures compliance with local regulations and mitigates the impact of ransomware while guaranteeing continuous data access, business continuity, and fast and effective disaster recovery. Headquartered in Copenhagen with offices and data centers worldwide, over ten thousand companies trust Keepit for its ease of use and effortless backup and recovery of cloud data.

For more information visit www.keepit.com or follow Keepit on Linkedin.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216650868/en/

Contacts:

RedIron PR for Keepit

Kari Ritacco

kari@redironpr.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 16, 2024) - Neural Therapeutics Inc. ("Neural" or the "Company"), an ethnobotanical drug discovery company dedicated to developing therapeutic drugs for mental illnesses related to substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioids, wishes to announce that Alex Storcheus and Eran Ovadya were appointed as directors to the Neural board.

John Durfy, Chairman of Neural commented: "We are pleased to welcome Alex and Edan to Neural's board of directors. As we continue to work towards completing a listing on the CSE, their public markets experience will be invaluable to the Company."

Alex Storcheus has worked in corporate finance at Foundation Markets Inc., a private merchant bank based in Toronto, since 2010, most recently in the position of Managing Director, Corporate Finance. In such role, he has been involved in various financial and strategic advisory activities in the small-cap space including M&A and going public transactions. Mr. Storcheus was a director of Capricorn Business Acquisitions Inc. (currently SATO Technologies Corp., TSXV: SATO) from March 21, 2017 to September 7, 2021 and has been President and Director of Cave Creek Copper Inc., a private copper exploration company focused on Arizona from February 14, 2023 that is currently being acquired by Intrepid Metals . From July 25, 2023, Mr. Storcheus has been CEO of Cachee Gold Mines Corp., a private critical metals and gold exploration company focused on properties in Ontario and Quebec. Mr. Storcheus is the CFO of Rigel Technologies Inc., an unlisted reporting issuer. Mr. Storcheus received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University with concentration in finance in 2011 and is a CFA Charterholder.

Eran Ovadya brings nearly two decades of broad experience in corporate finance, accounting, M&A transactions, IPOs, and RTOs. Eran has a professional track record from first tier global corporations and significant expertise in public life-science and publicly-traded companies. Mr. Ovadya is a CFO of NurExone Biologic Inc. (TSXV:NRX), a pharmaceutical company that is developing a platform for biologically guided exosome-based therapies to be delivered, minimally-invasively, to patients who have suffered Central Nervous System injuries. In the past, Mr. Ovadya provided outsourced CFO services to a variety of companies including Silenseed, VVT Medical, Procore, Forrest Innovations, Cannibble and others. Prior to that, Eran served for over a decade in a variety of finance roles for biotech companies including Gamida Cell, West pharma Israel, Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, a division of Ethicon Biosurgery, a Johnson & Johnson company, Macrocure, and Leap Therapeutics. Mr. Ovadya holds an MBA, specializing in financing, and a BA in accounting & economics from the Open University, Israel.

Debt Settlement

Further to Neural press release dated November 25, 2024 wishes to announce that it has closed the debt settlement of $42,650 of indebtedness owed to certain arm's length creditors through the issuance of an aggregate of 1,421,667 Neural Shares at a price of $0.03 per Neural Share, which shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

About Neural Therapeutics

Neural Therapeutics is a leader in ethnobotanical drug discovery, focusing on the development of therapeutic drugs for mental illnesses related to substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid dependence. The Company's innovative approach to drug development involves the strategic use of sub-hallucinogenic doses of mescaline extract, enhancing safety and scalability while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Neural Therapeutics is an unlisted reporting issuer in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

No securities regulatory authority has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements ("FLS") relating to the outlook for the psychedelic products and related industries; the achievement, and the timing of, certain development milestones and the successful execution of Neural's business strategy; anticipated capitalization, projected milestones and the go-forward management of Neural; timing and ability to complete any financings; timing and success of securing, obtaining or maintaining the permits required to carry out is research and development activities, and securing intellectual property; anticipated timing and costs associated with completion of a listing on a stock exchange; and other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance, expected regulatory filings, review and approval dates, and start-up timelines and schedules, and statements related to the continued overall advancement of Neural's business and other statements that are not historical facts. FLS are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are FLS that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the inability to raise sufficient funds to conduct the Company's business plan; failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities regulators(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. FLS contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. However, the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such statements. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233905

SOURCE: Neural Therapeutics Inc.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Phillips 66 (PSX) announced Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell DCP GCX Pipeline LLC, which owns a 25% non-operated equity interest in Gulf Coast Express Pipeline LLC, to an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC for pre-tax total cash proceeds of $865 million, subject to purchase price adjustments.Gulf Coast Express Pipeline is an approximately 500-mile pipeline system that transports about 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from the Permian Basin to the Agua Dulce, Texas area.Following the transaction, Gulf Coast Express Pipeline LLC will be jointly owned by subsidiaries of Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) and affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC.The proceeds from the sale will support the strategic priorities of Phillips 66, including returns to shareholders and debt reduction. The sale is expected to close in January 2025.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Barrick Gold Corp. (GOLD) Monday reported crisis in solving disputes with Mali Government regarding Loulo-Gounkoto complex, one of the nation's largest taxpayers and employers.The mining company argued that the Government, a minority shareholder, receives the majority of economic benefits generated by the Loulo-Gounkoto complex.Barrick has earlier requested the Government for an increased share of the benefits, and concessions under the Memorandum of Agreement, which was rejected by the Government.Further, the situation has worsened with employees getting imprisoned without cause and shipments blocked, prompting the company to suspend operations.During the pre-market hours, Barrick's stock is trading at $16.80, up 0.12 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CNH designs special edition CASE compact track loader inspired by Metallica frontman James Hetfield

Basildon, December 16, 2024

A special edition compact track loader from CNH construction brand CASE Construction Equipment was on display at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, USA at the Helping Hands charity concert. Held on December 13, this annual event is organized by the rock band Metallica's All Within My Handscharitable foundation.

Following its debut, this custom-designed CASE TV450Bcompact track loader is destined for use at the ranch of Metallica frontman and co-founder James Hetfield. Hetfield commissioned the design as part of an equipment supply agreement with our CASE brand.

The CNH Design team brought their expertise to the project to develop proposals inspired by Hetfield's career and persona.

The winning proposal was submitted by John Piper, a rising design talent here at CNH. Piper crafted a concept that recalled one of Hetfield's tattoos, a skull with wings, together with the sharp iconic font reminiscent of his band's graphics and album artwork. He also drew from the pinstriping in Hetfield's private hotrod collection. All these elements were integrated atop a sandy camouflage pattern reminiscent of Hetfield's signature Snakebyte electric guitar - a direct request from the artist.





CNH Senior Designer Darin Weisensel led the production phase of this project, working to bring the custom design to life on the CASE TV450B.





Built at the CASE production facility in Wichita, USA, the TV450B compact track loader is an industry fixture. Tough and rugged, it performs tasks such as digging, loading and dumping in commercial and residential construction activities as well as landscaping.

Our remarkable people transformed this special edition compact track loader from a designer's sketch into a one-of-a-kind machine, providing our iconic CASE brand with a unique opportunity to make its distinctive mark with an exceptional delivery.

CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNH) is a world-class equipment, technology and services company. Driven by its purpose of Breaking New Ground, which centers on Innovation, Sustainability and Productivity, the Company provides the strategic direction, R&D capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its global and regional Brands. Globally, Case IH and New Holland supply 360 agriculture applications from machines to implements and the digital technologies that enhance them; and CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment deliver a full lineup of construction products that make the industry more productive. The Company's regionally focused Brands include: STEYR, for agricultural tractors; Raven, a leader in digital agriculture, precision technology and the development of autonomous systems; Hemisphere, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-precision satellite-based positioning, and heading technologies; Flexi-Coil, specializing in tillage and seeding systems; Miller, manufacturing application equipment; and Eurocomach, producing a wide range ofmini and midi excavators for the construction sector, including electric solutions.

Across a history spanning over two centuries, CNH has always been a pioneer in its sectors and continues to passionately innovate and drive customer efficiency and success. As a truly global company, CNH's 40,000+ employees form part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, focused on empowering customers to grow, and build, a better world.

For more information and the latest financial and sustainability reports visit: cnh.com

For news from CNH and its Brands visit: media.cnh.com

Media contacts:

Rebecca Fabian Alex Ellis North America United Kingdom Tel. +1 312 515 2249 Tel. +44 (0)758 106 1696

mediarelations@cnh.com

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December 15, 2024: Once more war has broken out in the northeast African nations of Sudan and South Sudan. Since October 2023 there has been fighting between the Sudanese government and major portions of the country that violently disagree with government policies. The SNC/Sovereign National Council was created by civilian and military groups to negotiate a peace deal. That effort has ended as a stalemate in the effort to restore democracy. The coup was supposed to be a temporary condition to speed things up. That backfired as a lot of the pro-reform civilians declared the military government another effort to restore dictatorship. Thats how Omar al Bashir, the dictator from 1989-to-2019, got his start. What form post-Bashir Sudan will take is still unknown. The situation in South Sudan, one of the results of Bashirs misrule, is more settled.

Before the April 2023 outbreak of fighting between the RSF/Rapid Support Forces and the army, Sudan was planning a long period of peace, reconciliation, reform and rebuilding. By late 2024 the death toll, including civilians, is approaching 70,000. Many more people have been driven from their homes and lost their jobs. This has turned into an economic disaster and food shortages are growing. Foreign aid is often stolen by gangsters, the RSF or soldiers. Instability and violence are becoming Sudans normal state of affairs.

The two Sudans had become quieter since 2019 when the long-lasting Bashir dictatorship was removed by determined popular resistance. South Sudan ended its post-independence civil war when everyone realized that they were destroying what they were allegedly fighting over and maybe a shouting-match was preferable to a death match. That has brought peace to both Sudans for the first time since the 1989 coup where then general Bashir took power and led Sudan on a downward trajectory.

The peace did not last and the fighting between government forces and those of the RSF that has been around since 1988, when they appeared as the Janjaweed Arab Sudanese militia in the west Sudan region of Darfur. Before 1988 the Janjaweed were involved with violence going on in neighboring Chad and Libya but after 1988 the Janjaweed concentrated its activities in Darfur. In 2013 the Janjaweed rebranded themselves as the RSF and evolved into paid Sudanese government enforcers in Darfur.

In 2023 the Sudan government suggested that the RSF become part of the Sudanese Army. RSF refused and in April 2023 the fighting between government forces and the RSF began. At this point the RSF was powerful enough to take on the army. Currently that struggle continues. Between then and now there were some other interesting developments. For example the slavery problem continues in Sudan, The slaving continues and sometimes gets into the news. This happened a lot in Sudan since the 1990s as the government encouraged Arabized tribes to raid non-Moslem black African tribes and take slaves. In northern Mali retreating al Qaeda men sometimes took newly enslaved blacks with them. This tolerance of slaving is one of the many reasons Sudan is one of the five most corrupt nations in the world. These five outlaw states are, according to the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index North Korea, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan and Somalia. Sudan is considered a bit less corrupt than South Sudan and ranks 162 out of 180 nations. South Sudan ranks closer to the bottom at 177th place.

Sudan has been behaving in other ways and in October 2020 was removed from the U.S.s State Sponsor of Terrorism/SST list. Sudan agreed to pay compensation to American victims of terror attacks, with the attack on the 2000 USS Cole in Yemen and the 1998 attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania the most important. Sudan was on the SST list for 27 years. Sudans 2020 transitional government agreed to peaceful relations with Israel. That eventually happened and since late 202, Israeli governments and security forces have cooperated with their Sudanese equivalents. Recognizing Israel was a divisive issue in Sudan. Even some pro-democracy groups opposed it. As for the SST, escaping the list means Sudan now had better access to international financial and investment organizations. It will also make it much easier and legal for Sudanese to import western technology like computers, smart phones and software. Sudan now had easier access to foreign aid of all types, including life-saving medical. The aid was a major consideration, for Sudans governments were always facing an extended economic crisis and shortages of food and medical supplies.
AUSTIN, Texas , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DealHub.io, the leading provider of configure, price, quote (CPQ) has been honored with Frost & Sullivan's prestigious 2024 North American Company of the Year Award in the CPQ software category. This distinction highlights DealHub's leadership in driving continuous CPQ innovation that increases sales efficiency and revenue growth for organizations.

"Customers report substantial benefits from incorporating DealHub CPQ into their sales cycle. DealHub helps businesses overcome complexity, efficiently execute their go-to-market strategies, and reduce price quote creation time." - Lara Forlino Industry Analyst, ICT: Digital Content Services.

Frost & Sullivan's analysts identified that DealHub has redefined the way CPQ addresses the complexities of modern sales processes. This is evident in DealHub CPQ's proven ability to deliver increased sales results and the consistently high satisfaction rates the company receives from its customers.

"DealHub CPQ is designed to easily adapt and respond to the dynamic challenges and continuously evolving business needs faced by sales organizations," said Eyal Elbahary, CEO. "This award recognizes how our innovative and customer-centric approach to CPQ has proven to help organizations drive sales efficiency, effectiveness and revenue growth."

DealHub sets the new benchmark for CPQ. DealHub delivers advanced functionality that solves key challenges faced by organizations, from simplifying complex product configurations and the need for dynamic pricing, to supporting all sales modes and channels, including direct sales, partners, PLG and e-commerce. DealHub's award-winning CPQ is an integral part of its complete Quote-to-Revenue platform that includes Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), Subscription Management, Billing, Document Generation, online forms, e-Signature and digital DealRooms that enhance Buyer-Seller collaboration, and accelerate deal closing.

Frost & Sullivan's customer research validated that DealHub's end-to-end approach ensures that every touchpoint in the revenue lifecycle process is optimized for efficiency, transparency, and sales growth. This makes DealHub the ideal strategic partner for businesses looking to accelerate their revenue execution.

Learn more about DealHub's award-winning CPQ solutions and how DealHub can transform your quote-to-revenue orchestration processes. Visit dealhub.io or follow DealHub on LinkedIn.

About DealHub

DealHub offers the most complete and connected CPQ solution for sales and revenue organizations. Our low-code platform empowers visionary leaders to connect their teams and processes, execute deals faster, and create accurate and predictable pipelines. With a unified CPQ, CLM and Subscription Management stack powered by a Guided Selling Playbook, teams generate accurate quotes, accelerate contract negotiations, and accelerate revenues. Using a DealRoom, they can centralize buyer/seller communications to deliver the most innovative buyer experience and drive deals to success. For more information, visit dealhub.io or follow DealHub on LinkedIn.

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smart Agriculture market is expected to reach USD 23.38 billion by 2029, up from USD 14.40 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The smart agriculture market is rapidly growing, driven by advancements in precision farming, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, AI-based analytics, and robotics. These technologies are being applied across various areas such as precision farming, livestock monitoring, precision aquaculture, and smart greenhouse farming.

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Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 14.40 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 23.38 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% Market Size Available for 2020-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Agriculture Type, Offering, Farm Size, Application, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Lack of digital literacy Key Market Opportunities Surging investment and initiatives towards smart agriculture Key Market Drivers Growing pressure on food supply chain

The smart agriculture market has been growing due to different factors. First of all, the rising need to enhance productivity and efficiency in farming has resulted from the increase in global food demand. The adoption of IoT sensors and drones for real-time monitoring of crops and livestock, thus providing a route for farmers to make data-driven decisions, is expected to be the next major driver. Finally, the growth of AI and machine learning into predictive analytics for weather forecasting, soil health analysis, and pest control will greatly contribute to market growth. In addition, both governments and those in the private sector have begun to see the immense promise which agricultural technology (AgTech) holds for transforming farming. Governments have also turned to subsidies and grants to lure farmers into adopting smart farming technologies such as precision irrigation, drone-based monitoring, or AI-driven analytics. Venture capital and private equity investments in AgTech startups are also increasing, making innovations throughout IoT, robotics, and machine learning available for agriculture. Now, even the major technology companies are venturing into the space and forging partnerships with agriculture firms to develop scalable, tech-enabled solutions for sustainable farming. All these developments will serve to hasten the course of development and deployment of smart agriculture systems making them more accessible and affordable to farmers around the world.

The most important benefit of smart agriculture is that it has really smart solutions that bring farmers high productivity with minimal resource utilization, thus reducing waste and environmental impact. However, there are challenges such as high initial investments to put smart technologies into practice and limited digital literacy of farmers. All these barriers are being eased by fast, efficient solutions to educate smart digital agriculture for broader use and adoption around the world.

Precision Farming to register the largest market share in agriculture type segment during the forecast period.

During the forecast period, precision farming will hold the largest market share in smart agriculture, being considered the most likely promotion for increasing productivity and reducing waste in resources as well as increasing the overall efficiency of farm management. Precision agriculture is also known as precision farming. Such technologies such as IoT devices, sensors, GPS systems, drones, data analytics, have carried the farm progress development monitoring into optimization. In fact, it basically informs farmers in real time about soil conditions, weather conditions, health status of their crop, and pest activities for better decision-making on targeted intervention.

The other factor which contributes to the growth of the market is increasing adoption of IoT and AI powered technologies in precision farming. Technologies enable farmers to make data-driven decisions, predict crop yields, monitor plant health and automate farming processes including irrigation and fertilization. With affordability and accessibility, the practice is becoming popular among both large commercial farms and smallholder farms seeking better agricultural practices.

Software to account for the highest growth in offering segment during the forecast period.

Software is expected to account for the highest growth during the forecast period. The requirement of software solutions is growing with the high-speed adoption of data-centric technologies and the need for farmers to use real-time insights for improved efficiency of farm management. The trend in the precision farming, IoT, and AI technology is forcing up the demand for software platforms that can combine, analyze, and interpret a large volume of agricultural data. These software solutions for smart agriculture help farmers manage important aspects such as crop health monitoring, soil quality monitoring, irrigation management, pest control, and yield forecasting.

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Americas to account for largest market share during the forecast period.

The Americas region is poised to dominate the smart agriculture industry segment throughout the forecast period, characterized by technological improvement coupled with extensive farming operations and considerable governmental initiatives to promote innovation in agriculture. Among the leaders of this development, the US, Canada, and Brazil are key contributors. US has already started making headlines on the integration of IoT, AI, drones, and big data analytics in agricultural practices, making the country a forerunner in precision farming. Farmers in the US are turning to advanced technology to improve yields, use resources more intelligently, and enhance their operations' efficiency. These technologies have been further stimulated by federal and state programs supporting sustainable agricultural practices and smart agriculture innovations.

Brazil, one of the big agricultural powerhouses in South America, commands a great part of the share in smart agriculture. The huge agricultural sector of Brazil, including crops such as soybeans, sugarcane, and coffee, has increasingly resorted to smart farming solutions to maximize yield, mitigate environmental impacts, and compete in the global market. However, due to the increasing demand for food production, Brazilian farmers are looking at adopting technologies such as precision irrigation, crop monitoring by drones, and using AI for yield forecasting and resource management optimization.

Major players in smart agriculture companies include Deere & Company (US), Trimble Inc. (US), AGCO Corporation (US), Topcon (US), DeLaval (Sweden), AKVA Group (Norway), Innovasea Systems Inc. (US), Afimilk Ltd. (Israel), Heliospectra (Sweden), among others.

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Smart Irrigation Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Component (Controllers, Sensors, Water Flow Meters), System type (Weather-based Systems, Sensor-based Systems), Applications (Agriculture, Non-Agriculture) and Region - Global Forecast to 2029

Precision Farming Market by Offering (Hardware {Drones, GPS, Yield Monitors, Sensors}, Software, Services), Technology (Guidance Technology, Remote Sensing Technology and Variable Rate Technology), Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2031

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The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

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Logitech refurbished tech is an affordable alternative to buying new

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2024 / Logitech

Logitech Blog

Authored by Marie Perriard, Sustainability Marketing & Communications

New to buying used? Finding hidden gems in a secondhand market can feel like you've hit the jackpot. The mix of satisfaction from finding the perfect item lower than its original price provides that sense of accomplishment. Logitech is making it easier to find top-notch refurbished devices online. In addition to refreshing both Logitech.com and LogitechG.com online shopping portals with more refurbished products, it recently unveiled its Certified Refurbished devices on eBay's Refurbished brand store.

What Are Certified Refurbished Electronics?

Gone are the days of disposable tech. Today's discerning shoppers see electronics as long-term investments. Refurbished devices are pre-owned devices returned to the manufacturer or retailer for various reasons. The devices are thoroughly tested, repaired if necessary, and restored to like-new condition. They undergo rigorous quality checks to ensure they meet high standards of performance and reliability.

Why Go Refurbished?

Cost-Effective: One of the biggest perks of buying refurbished devices is the price. Buying secondhand items or open-box returns from retailers can be a fraction of the price of new items, including name brand items. Whether it's a top-tier gaming device, a high-end keyboard, or multi-function mouse, refurbished devices offer incredible value.

Environmental Impact: Buying refurbished electronics reduces electronic waste and the environmental impact of manufacturing new devices. In the current age of climate consciousness, sustainability matters more than ever.

Quality Assurance: No need to worry about quality. Reputable brands and retailers ensure that refurbished devices are thoroughly tested and meet stringent quality standards. Logitech Certified Refurbished devices are inspected by a third party and include the required accessories and manuals provided with new products, all fully restored and ready to deliver an exceptional experience. Plus, they have a warranty from the date of purchase.

Longevity and Durability: People are moving away from the 'throwaway' culture and looking for products that last longer. Logitech Certified Refurbished devices undergo rigorous testing and repairs, making them just as durable and reliable as new ones.

Tips for Buying Refurbished Electronics

Buy from Reputable Sellers: Ensure you're purchasing from reputable brands or certified e-tail and retailers. Look for warranties and return policies to protect your investment. Logitech and Logitech G sell Certified Refurbished devices directly online and through the eBay Refurbished Logitech brand store.

Check for Certification: Certified refurbished products often come with a seal of approval or certification, indicating the devices have been tested and restored to meet specific standards. Before returning a product to the marketplace, a third party inspects Logitech products.

Read Reviews: Customer reviews can provide valuable insight into the quality and reliability of refurbished products from particular sellers.

The rise of refurbished electronics is a testament to how consumer habits are evolving. People are becoming more mindful of their environmental footprints and looking for smarter, more sustainable ways to enjoy the technology we love. The next time you are considering a new device, why not give refurbished a try? It's a savvy, sustainable choice that won't break the bank - and you might find that buying secondhand feels more like first class.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Logitech on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Logitech

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/logitech

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Logitech

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2024 / Regions Bank

This Regions customer and community partner is helping thousands write their next chapter. Meet its visionary leader here.

By Kim Borges

Jenny Walker can immediately spot the signs.

People who say they've forgotten their glasses when they're asked to read aloud. Or who always order without looking at the menu.

One in every five Americans struggles with literacy; and 54 percent of people read at below a sixth-grade level.

"Imagine being at a first grade reading level and having second-grade student as a child," said Walker. "That's what gets me out of bed in the morning and what keeps me up at night."

Literacy is an issue offering anyone valid cause for concern given lower reading rates are estimated to cost the U.S. $200 billion in safety and health issues and two-plus trillion dollars in lost productivity each year.

Walker has been on a personal mission to advance literacy from her early public school teaching days to her current role as executive director of the Texarkana-based nonprofit and Regions Bank customer Literacy Texas. But she's the first to tell you no one can do this work alone.

That's why Walker and her team collaborate with 300-plus fellow nonprofits and government agencies across the Lone Star State, including the Literacy County of Bowie and Miller Counties and 100 Families, two Regions Bank community partners. Walker formerly led the first nonprofit and helped establish the second.

Our great network of community partners and corporate partners like Regions Bank offer the support we need. And there's a really big need in Texas for the work we're doing.

"Our organization serves as a backbone of support," explained Walker of Literacy Texas's role connecting and equipping adult and family literacy programs through resources, training, networking and advocacy. "Our great network of community partners and corporate partners like Regions Bank offer the support we need. And there's a really big need in Texas for the work we're doing."

How big?

"Texas is at a 28 percent level one for reading, and 40 percent of our population reads on a third-grade level," said Walker. "That means people can put together short passages of text, but struggle with completing basic forms like job applications, medical history forms and back to school packets for their children."

Just eight months into the job, Walker is already implementing her vision to address those struggles.

We also want to help them with life skills; we're focused on providing holistic support. If we didn't pick up those pieces, no one else would. Jenny Walker

"We're helping people develop workforce skills like writing resumes," she said. "We also want to help them with life skills; we're focused on providing holistic support. If we didn't pick up those pieces, no one else would."

The greatest challenge Walker and her team are working to resolve?

The digital divide - from both a navigation and a geographical perspective.

"We're helping improve computer and digital literacy and getting out to our rural communities to connect people with broadband technology," Walker said. "So many forms like food benefit applications are online now. Some of us take technology for granted because we use it every day, but a large part of the population does not. Vocabulary terms like 'upload' can be challenging and intimidating. We do a really good job of making things more intuitive."

Walker understands where Literacy Texas's clients come from - literally. She proudly calls on her hometown roots advocating for the organization at events like National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in Washington, D.C., in September.

Through the support of our community partners, we're not only contributing to an educated workforce, we are empowering people to dream - some of them for the first time in their lives. Jenny Walker

"Look at little ol' me from Texarkana," Walker said about making the trip. "I think people in small towns sometimes feel stuck; I've felt that before. But I've learned I'm not stuck. I've learned you can do big things in a small town. I don't allow being from a small town to hold me back from taking advantage of big opportunities."

It's the same message she imparts to Literacy Texas's nonprofit partners and those they serve.

"Early on, I asked myself, 'How can we support those we serve with our small staff and their big dreams?'" she said. "That's where things like computer and digital literacy come in; they're powerful tools we can share and help people leverage. Through the support of our community partners, we're not only contributing to an educated workforce, we are empowering people to dream - some of them for the first time in their lives."

Check out these Regions Bank and Regions Foundation community partners promoting youth literacy:

Read, Write and Rock On

Turn the Page

Loving to Learn: Regions Foundation Awards Grants to ReadyKids! ReadingPals

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Regions Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Regions Bank

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The event united voices from Nanjing and around the world, calling for peace and remembrance.

On December 13, the National Memorial Day for Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, a solemn Candlelight Vigil and International Peace Assembly was held at the Peace Square of the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, the capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Candlelight Vigil and International Peace Assembly Held in Nanjing

Attendees included descendants of survivors, international friends, overseas Chinese, students, and volunteers from the Zijin Grass Volunteer Service.

The event united voices from Nanjing and around the world, calling for peace and remembrance. Attendees included descendants of survivors, international friends, overseas Chinese, students, and volunteers from the Zijin Grass Volunteer Service. Holding candles, they listened to the trumpet solo Nanjing Memory, paying tribute to the victims of the massacre.

Mark, a Zijin Grass International Volunteer, read excerpts in English from the wartime diary of Dr. Robert Wilson, the only American surgeon who remained in Nanjing during the massacre. Despite the lack of water and electricity, Dr. Wilson performed over ten surgeries daily to save lives. His great-granddaughter, Ashleigh Jacobson, attended the assembly and remarked, "Lighting these candles, I feel not only the weight of history but also a warmth that connects my family to the people of Nanjing across generations."

The Zijin Grass Children's Choir performed Peace Brings Zijin Grass to Bloom, while students from Jinling High School Affiliated Experimental Primary School sang Empathy, a song composed by Megan Brady, the great-granddaughter of American doctor Richard Brady. The children's heartfelt performances expressed both sorrow and hope through music.

Amidst the ceremonies, representatives from volunteer organizations, universities, hospitals, and historians placed glowing petals around the statue, symbolizing a collective commitment to fostering the flower of peace.

Beyond the main event, students from seven universities, including Nanjing University and Nanjing Normal University, held simultaneous candlelight vigils on their campuses, joining the commemoration via live video connections to mourn the victims and pray for peace.

Zhou Feng, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Nanjing Municipal Party Committee, highlighted the significance of the ceremony: "Peace is warm, like tonight's candlelight, illuminating the future as it guards the long night of history. We must transform the pain of the Nanjing Massacre into a driving force for peace and development, becoming practitioners, storytellers, and ambassadors of peace. Together, let us create a future of happiness and harmony."

This year's assembly underscored Nanjing's unwavering commitment to preserving historical memory and promoting global peace, ensuring that the lessons of history inspire a better future for all.

SOURCE: Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:EPL) (the "Company") shareholders approved all matters put before them at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting held on December 16th, 2024 at the Company's offices in Cranbrook, BC.

Elected the following directors of the Company for the ensuing year: Charles C. (Chuck) Downie, Timothy J. Termuende, Jesse T. Campbell, Glen J. Diduck, William R. (Bill) Bennett and Paul Reynolds; Appointed Crowe MacKay LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year; Passed a resolution approving the renewal of the Company's Stock Option Plan;

Eagle Plains remains active in the junior mining space, with steady project acquisitions and ongoing exploration projects underway targeting a variety of commodities located in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. The Company remains financially healthy and currently holds ~$8.2M cash in treasury, over $1,200,000 in investments, ~$1,500,000 in real estate and hard assets and carries no debt. TerraLogic Exploration Inc., EPL's 100%-owned subsidiary, continues to generate significant revenue through its mineral exploration consulting activities for third-party clients in addition to providing valuable intellectual capital to Eagle Plains. The creation of Osprey Power Inc. positions Eagle Plains with the opportunity to supply clean, renewable energy to the Canadian power grid.

About Eagle Plains Resources

Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada, with a focus on critical metals integral to an increasingly electrified, decarbonized economy.

The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold Corp. being notable examples. Eagle Plains latest spinout; Eagle Royalties Ltd. (CSE:"ER") was listed on May 24, 2023, and holds a diverse portfolio of royalty assets throughout western Canada.

On October 2, 2024, Eagle Plains announced the formation of a separate division within the Company that will give Eagle Plains' shareholders direct exposure to strategic opportunities in Canadian green energy transition. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Plains, Osprey Power Inc. ("OP") will focus on identifying and advancing innovative and diverse clean energy project portfolios in target markets throughout Canada, with an initial focus on Western Canada.

Eagle Plains' core business is acquiring grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team.

Expenditures from 2010-2023 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $38M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 50,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development.

Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Eagle Plains

"C.C. (Chuck) Downie, P.Geo"

President and CEO

For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673)

Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at https://www.eagleplains.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2024 / Avalon Partners Inc., a leading M&A advisory and business brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the successful sale of Jobwings.com Careers Inc, doing business as Jobs.ca, Canada's pioneering online recruiting firm, to British-Columbia-based tech entrepreneurs Adi Gullia and Greig Perantinos.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in the province of Quebec, Jobs.ca is a leader in Canada's online recruitment industry. With a portfolio of 21 industry-specific job boards, the award-winning company generates over 270,000 monthly visits from job seekers and serves 900 employers across Canada. The acquisition marks a pivotal moment for the company, as it looks toward future growth under new ownership.

The sale represents a major achievement for founder Manuel Francisci, who led Jobs.ca for over two decades. "Having been a part of the company for so many years, it holds a special place in my heart, and I am truly excited to see what the future holds with Greig and Adi at the helm. They will undoubtedly bring fresh perspectives and new successes to the business," said Manuel Francisci.

"Over 24 years, Manuel's built something to be proud of. Jobs.ca is a brand that we believe will be around forever. We have exciting plans for the company as the world transitions to AI," said Adi Gullia, new co-owner of Jobs.ca.

Despite strong interest from more than 140 buyers globally, Avalon Partners successfully maintained the Canadian ownership of Jobs.ca, ensuring the company remains dedicated to serving Canadian employers and job seekers. This acquisition provides continuity and strengthens Jobs.ca's role in the Canadian job market while preparing for future advancements, particularly in AI-driven recruiting.

As the exclusive intermediary for the transaction, Avalon Partners facilitated the entire acquisition process. "Congratulations to both Seller and Buyers on successfully navigating the acquisition of Jobs.ca. This is a significant achievement, and it's been a pleasure working with each of you throughout this exciting project. This transition marks an exciting new chapter for everyone involved, and we look forward to seeing the great things you will accomplish together," said Paul Vokaty, President of Avalon Partners Inc.

For further inquiries or more information, please contact Avalon Partners Inc. at contact@avalonpartners.ca.

About Avalon Partners Inc.:

Avalon Partners Inc. is a leading merger & acquisition advisory and business brokerage firm based in Montreal, Canada. The firm specializes in confidentially marketing sell-side mandates, business valuations and expertly negotiating transactions to maximize client value. With decades of experience as executives, consultants, and business owners, Avalon Partners provides tailored exit strategy solutions to CEOs and shareholders. The firm excels in both domestic and cross-border transactions, consistently sourcing strategic buyers from around the world.

Media Contact:

Avalon Partners Inc.

Email: contact@avalonpartners.ca

SOURCE: Avalon Partners Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
New agreement leverages existing partnership to advance customer opportunities in China

SHANGHAI and KALAMAZOO, Mich., Dec. 16, 2024, a global natural ingredient solution provider for the food and beverage industry, announces an expanded partnership with Connell Caldic, a leading innovator and distributor of high-quality ingredients. This new agreement will leverage Caldic's China-based operations and sales and marketing teams to broaden Kalsec's presence and strengthen brand awareness in the Asia-Pacific market.

"We are excited to grow our relationship with Connell Caldic and expand our reach in the region," said Julie Heine, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Kalsec. "With a decades-long partnership covering several key markets across APAC, this new milestone enables Kalsec to leverage Connell Caldic's extensive network, supply chain and logistics capabilities, and local market know-how in China's dynamic food industry, with a focus on the savory category."

Kalsec established its presence in China in 2009 and both companies are built on a foundation of sustainability and innovation; these shared values position Kalsec and Connell Caldic to provide best-in-class products and services that meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

"We are excited to expand our current strategic partnership with Kalsec through this exclusive distribution agreement for China," said Knud Mohr, CEO, Connell Caldic. "We look forward to welcoming new colleagues with deep expertise within Kalsec's specialty product range, gaining additional technical capabilities with the new, fully equipped application lab in Shanghai, which complements our existing facility in Guangzhou, and servicing a much broader range of customers with customized food solutions. We are fully focused on capitalizing on the high growth potential of China's Food & Nutrition segment."

About Kalsec Inc.

Kalsec Inc provides innovative taste and sensory, natural food protection, natural colors, and advanced hops solutions to the food and beverage industries. We capture the best nature has to offer and utilize over 60 years of experience and industry leading innovation to make food and beverage products look better, taste better, and last longernaturally. Family owned and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan since 1958, Kalsec has regional offices, laboratories and sales teams in North America, Europe, and Asia. As a certified B Corp, Kalsec makes ethical and sustainable decisions that serve our customers, employees, communities, and the environment. We are proud to be using our business as a force for good. To discover what's naturally possible, visit www.kalsec.com.

Kalsec Media Contact:

Alli Cooke

acooke@lambert.com

About Connell Caldic

Connell Caldic is part of Caldic, a global provider of added-value distribution solutions for the life and material sciences, active across 43 countries in Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Because we care, we touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every day. We inspire innovative and sustainable distribution solutions for the food, pharma, personal care, and industrial product formulation markets of the world. Our specialty ingredients and chemicals solutions, carefully sourced and customized to specifications whenever required, are backed by outstanding research & development, customer service, and technical & regulatory support, ensuring that they meet precisely determined needs at every stage of the value chain. Around 4,000 of our employees go the extra mile day in, day out, to deliver value-added solutions for our customers and principals. In our activities, we embrace the principles of sustainability, designing products, services, and processes with these in mind. From formulation to delivery, from ingredients to packing, from supplier to customer, we care about every detail of what we do. Because every detail is in our care. To learn more about Connell Caldic and our complete solutions offerings, visit www.caldic.com.

Connell Caldic Media Contact

Eileen Tan

eileen.tan@caldic.com
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 16, 2024) - Zenith Capital Corp. ("Zenith" or the "Company") wishes to update shareholders on details regarding the Company's upcoming annual general meeting to be held on January 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM (Calgary Time) (the "Meeting"), including instructions for virtual access to the meeting, as well as potential impacts from the ongoing strike of Canadian Union of Postal Workers on the distribution of the Company's meeting materials (the "Meeting Materials"). The business of the Meeting will consist of the election of directors of the Company and the appointment of auditors for the ensuing year and will be followed by a management presentation.

Hybrid Meeting

Zenith has organized a live webcast of the Meeting (details are set out below) whereby shareholders can attend the Meeting over the internet including asking questions as part of the Meeting, and the Company strongly encourages shareholders to attend the Meeting over the internet. The Meeting will be held at the offices of the Company at 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, Alberta. However, the Chairman of the Meeting will be unable to attend in-person and will instead be attending the Meeting virtually. Shareholders attending the Meeting over the internet cannot vote at the Meeting. The Company, therefore, encourages shareholders to vote their shares prior to the Meeting, at least forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays) prior to the Meeting by following the instructions set out in the form of proxy or voting instruction form received by such shareholders.

Instructions for Accessing the Meeting:

It is highly recommended that shareholders access the webcast over the internet using the following link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=xHIoxeIO

A replay of the webcast (using the same link provided) will be available for one month following the conclusion of the event.

Investors may also access the meeting by phone; dial 1-844-763-8274 (toll free within North America) or 1-647-484-8814. Callers should dial-in at least 15 min prior to the scheduled start time and ask to be joined into the Zenith Capital Corp. call.

Postal Strike Impact on Distribution of Meeting Materials

Should distribution of the Meeting Materials be disrupted by the postal strike, electronic copies of the Meeting Materials may be viewed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca as well as the Company's website at www.zenithepigenetics.com/newsroom/corporate-information. The Company's annual and interim financial statements, as well as related management discussion and analysis are available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile and website.

If you are a registered shareholder, please contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. ("Computershare") at 1-800-564-6253 (toll free within North America) or 1-514-982-7555 to obtain your proxy form control number, which will allow you to cast your vote for the Meeting online at www.investorvote.com by 1:00 PM (Calgary time) on January 13, 2025. Alternatively, registered shareholders may also request their proxy form control number by contacting the Company's Investor Relations (info@zenithepigenetics.com) and providing consent to receiving your proxy form control number via email.

If you hold shares through an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, please contact your intermediary directly for a copy of the proxy form and instructions for voting.

The Company has satisfied the conditions to rely and is relying during the postal strike on the exemption from the requirement to send proxy-related materials to shareholders set forth in Canadian Securities Administrators Coordinated Blanket Order 51-931.

About Zenith

Zenith Epigenetics Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zenith Capital Corp., is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other disorders with significant unmet medical need. Zenith Epigenetics is developing various novel combinations of BET inhibitors with other targeted agents. Our lead compound, ZEN-3694, is in clinical development for various oncologic indications such as metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer, NUT carcinoma, ovarian cancer and RAS activated tumors. Several of these studies are sponsored by NCI under the NCI-Zenith Cooperative Research & Development Agreements (CRADA) and CRADAs between NCI and other NCI collaborators.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release includes forward looking information relating to the Company's development activities involving ZEN-3694 in NUT carcinoma, ovarian cancer, RAS activated tumors, and other tumor types, as a single agent, or in combination with chemotherapies, as well as our partnerships, agreements, and collaborations in furtherance of these development activities. Our actual results, events or developments could be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events or expectations will occur or be realized. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions and risk factors including those discussed in our most recent MD&A which are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Zenith disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233997

SOURCE: Zenith Capital Corp.
Boyd Watterson Asset Management is pleased to announce the appointment of Don Haisch as its new Global Chief Financial Officer (CFO), marking a pivotal milestone following the strategic combination of Boyd Watterson and Amber Infrastructure. This newly created global CFO position will oversee the financial operations of the combined business enterprise, enhancing its financial leadership structure as it continues to expand its global investment management platform.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216666448/en/

Don Haisch, Global CFO, Boyd Watterson (Photo: Business Wire)

Haisch, who will be based in Boyd's Cleveland office, brings an extensive background in alternative asset management and real estate finance. With over two decades of executive experience, including roles at Ares Management and CBRE, Haisch will lead corporate accounting, budgeting, financial planning and analysis, and financial regulatory reporting functions for both Boyd Watterson and Amber Infrastructure. Boyd Watterson's CFO Chris Ried and Amber's CFO Alex Finch will report to Haisch in his global role. The role's creation and Haisch's selection was supported by Boyd and Amber's leadership teams, as well as Hunt Companies, who remain a significant investor in the common parent company and facilitated the strategic combination.

"We are thrilled to welcome Don Haisch to our team," said Brian Gevry, CEO of Boyd Watterson Asset Management. "Don's extensive experience and innovative approach to financial management will be invaluable as we continue to drive growth and deliver value to our stakeholders. This appointment is yet another vital step in uniting the strengths of Boyd Watterson, Amber Infrastructure, and Hunt Companies."

Prior to joining Boyd Watterson, Haisch served as Chief Accounting Officer at Ares Management, where he was pivotal in overseeing the financial and operational success of its Real Estate Debt and Secondaries platforms. His career spans leadership roles in finance and accounting at CBRE and GE Money, showcasing his strategic expertise in managing complex financial operations within global organizations.

This new position underscores the strategic importance of the Boyd Watterson and Amber Infrastructure combination, which established a global alternatives investment platform managing approximately $35.7 billion in combined assets under management (AUM). The platform now benefits from enhanced scale, expanded product opportunities, and expertise in diversified asset classes, including real estate, infrastructure, and fixed income.

"I'm honored to join Boyd Watterson during such a significant moment in the company's history," said Haisch. "I look forward to contributing to the firm's strategic vision and working with this incredibly talented team to enhance our financial operations and drive long-term value for our clients."

About Boyd Watterson

Founded in 1928 by its predecessor firm, Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC (Boyd) is a leading real estate and fixed income investment manager. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Boyd employs 130 employees in seven offices across the US. Boyd manages c.US$18.2bn of AUM, through separately managed accounts and a number of funds with real estate and fixed income strategies. www.boydwatterson.com

About Amber Infrastructure Group

Amber is a specialist international investment manager, focused on investment origination, asset management and fund management. Amber currently manages or advises 8 funds (2 listed and 6 private) and a number of managed accounts with over 5billion (c.$6billion) in funds under management. With a presence across 12 countries, Amber manages 175 infrastructure investments representing total assets under management of 14 billion (c.$17.5billion). Amber's core business focuses on managing infrastructure assets across the public, transport, energy, digital and demographic infrastructure sectors internationally. Amber is headquartered in London with offices in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Amber employs over 180 professionals globally. www.amberinfrastructure.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216666448/en/

Contacts:

Carolyn Baker

SVP Corporate Communications, Hunt Companies

Phone: +1 856/298-2036

Email: carolyn.baker@huntcompanies.com
December 16, 2024: In September satellite images revealed a large crater at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome next to a silo that was apparently used to test a Sarmat ICBM/InterContinental Ballistic Missile that could reach any location in the United States. This is why most Russian ICBM silos are in northern Russia. The failed Sarmat launch spilled a lot of unused rocket fuel over the area which caused forest fires several hundred meters from the launch site.

The 77-year old Cosmodrome at Plesetsk has rarely suffered disasters like this. So far, the Cosmodrome has launched over 1,600 SLV/Satellite Launch Vehicles. The real problem with Plesetsk is that as a space launch facility it is becoming obsolete. The SpaceX technology revolution is something the Russians cant match. Russia can continue building ICBMs in the face of the secret military SpaceX projects dedicated to developing technology to destroy ICBMs once they leave the atmosphere and before they turn and plunge towards their distant targets.

Plesetsk Cosmodrome is 926 kilometers north of Moscow and 180 kilometers from the city of Arkhangelsk which is on the White Sea in northwest Russia. Arkhangelsk is opposite Murmansk, which is adjacent to NATO member Finland. Finland and neighboring NATO member Norway maintain bases and the capability to monitor what goes on at Plesetsk.

The costs of the war in Ukraine reduced government income as military spending took priority. The cuts did not extend to the Russian space program. In theory Roscosmos could assist in the military effort but in practice Roscosmos has little to offer. 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 take priority over projects involving international cooperation.

Roscosmos has been 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. maintaining the Plesetsk military launch site and other military related space program infrastructure.

Currently Russia wants to eliminate all cooperation with Western nations, especially the United States and Europe. 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 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. Russia before the 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 satellites 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, which involves putting foreign satellites 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, all the needed components cannot be obtained.

All these problems mean the end of a long Russian history with space stations. The Mir space station was the last Russian built space station and remained occupied for over twelve years. In 2001 the 130-ton Mir was destroyed by deorbiting and burning up during forced reentry into the earths atmosphere. Meanwhile Russia joined the ISS consortium. The 420-ton ISS has been in orbit since 1998. Other nations have built similar space stations. 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 replaced by the expanding Chinese space program, which is expected to become dominant by the 2030s. The most obvious aspect of this is space stations. There are only two in orbit. The ISS was completed in 2011. The 419 ton ISS is the largest and usually occupied by a crew of six. The ISS has been the longest in orbit at over 24 years and the longest occupied at 23 years. The ISS was initially expected to have a useful occupied life of fifteen years.

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, which has been occupied since 2021 and was completed in 2022 as a 66-ton unit with a useful life of 15 years. Tiangong 3 was designed to easily be doubled in size and extend useful life to 30 years.

China's new space station could be built so quickly because space technology has advanced over the years. For that reason, there are several proposals by Western firms to finance, build and operate commercial space stations. This development is no surprise to veteran space program engineers and administrators. Most of these new developments go unnoticed by the public because it is very technical and few people outside the kind of boring tech stuff. One exception was commercial firm SpaceX with its revolutionary SLV technology, which reduced the cost of putting anything into orbit.

The ISS cost about $150 billion to build and operate so far. 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 (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.
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 16, 2024) - ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) ("ALUULA" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is offering rights (the "Rights Offering") to raise proceeds of up to approximately C$2,500,000, with a C$1,500,000 standby commitment.

Pursuant to the Rights Offering, each holder of the Company's common shares (the "Shares") of record at the close of business on December 30, 2024 (the "Record Date") resident in Canada will receive one transferable right (a "Right") for each one Share held. Each Right will entitle the holder to subscribe for one Share of the Company a subscription price of C$0.01 per Share (the "Basic Subscription Privilege").

The Rights issued under the Rights Offering will expire at 2:00 p.m. PST on January 21, 2025 (the "Expiry Date"), after which time unexercised Rights will be void and of no value. The Rights Offering includes an additional subscription privilege under which eligible holders of Rights who fully exercise their Basic Subscription Privilege will be entitled to subscribe for additional available Shares on a pro-rata basis that are not otherwise subscribed for under the Basic Subscription Privilege.

The Rights will be listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AUUA.RT" beginning on December 30, 2024, and the Rights will be de-listed at 9:00 a.m. PST on January 21, 2025. ALUULA expects use the gross proceeds from Rights Offering to repay indebtedness, purchase equipment for use in research and development and production, investigate alternative manufacturing methods, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The expected closing date of the Rights Offering is January 24, 2025.

Details of the Rights Offering are set out in the Company's Rights Offering notice (the "Notice") and Rights Offering circular (the "Circular"), which are available under ALUULA's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. It is expected that the Notice, a DRS statement representing the Rights, and a subscription form will be mailed to each registered shareholder of the Company resident in Canada as at the Record Date. Registered shareholders who wish to exercise their Rights must deliver a completed subscription form, together with the applicable payment, to the Company's depository and rights agent, Odyssey Trust Company, at or before 2:00 p.m. PST on the Expiry Date. Shareholders who hold their Shares through an intermediary, such as a bank, trust company, securities dealer, or broker, are expected to receive materials and instructions from their intermediary. Shareholders are encouraged to refer to the Notice, Circular, and their DRS statement and subscription form for detailed information on the Rights Offering, as well as complete instructions for exercising their Rights.

Additionally, in connection with the Rights Offering, the Company has entered into a standby purchase agreement (the "Standby Purchase Agreement") with certain directors and officers of the Company (the "Standby Purchasers"), who have agreed to: (i) fully exercise their Basic Subscription Privilege to purchase 58,256,014 Shares; and (ii) to purchase up to an additional 150,000,000 Shares not otherwise subscribed for under the Rights Offering (the "Standby Commitment"), which will ensure that the Company receives gross proceeds under the Rights Offering of at least approximately C$2,000,000.

As consideration for the Standby Commitment, the Company has agreed to issue up to 26,250,000 bonus warrants to the Standby Purchasers. Each bonus warrant will be exercisable into one Share at a price of C$0.10 per Share for a period of five years after issuance. If the Standby Commitment is utilized in full and no other shareholders exercise Rights, the Company anticipates that two parties will be new 'control persons' of the Company. Gustavson Capital Corporation, a company controlled by director Peter Gustavson, will own approximately 29.63% of the issued and outstanding Shares on completion of the Rights Offering, on an undiluted basis, and Peter Berrang, director of the Company, will own, beneficially, approximately 23.19% of the of the issued and outstanding Shares on completion of the Rights Offering, on an undiluted basis.

The Rights and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and, accordingly, the Rights and the Common Shares are not being publicly offered for sale in the "United States" or to "U.S. persons" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. There shall be no sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale would be unlawful.

About ALUULA Composites Inc.

ALUULA is an ultra-light, high performance and recycle-ready composite materials brand that enhances the performance of outdoor gear. Proudly owned and manufactured on the Canadian west coast, ALUULA's innovation is driven by a deep understanding that equipment does not need to sacrifice performance for sustainability. ALUULA's materials are known for their unique construction capabilities and their ability to make products lighter, stronger, and more sustainable.

aluula.com | (TSXV: AUUA)

ALUULA's Brand Partners

The term "brand partners" does not refer to formal partnerships with our customers. The term refers to marketing relationships with our customers who use ALUULA's technology as a brand ingredient in their products.

TSX Venture Exchange

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release includes statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the terms of the Rights Offering; expected gross proceeds under the Rights Offering; intended use of proceeds from the Rights Offering; expectations with respect to the Standby Purchase Agreement; fulfilment of the Standby Commitment and Gustavson Capital Corporation's and Mr. Berrang's ownership position following completion of the Rights Offering; expectations with respect to the closing of the Rights Offering, including timing thereof; and expectations with respect to mailing the Notice, DRS statement, and subscription form to each registered shareholder of the Company resident in Canada as of the Record Date. These statements are based on assumptions subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties, and as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing and receipt of all applicable regulatory, and corporate third-party approvals, the actual results, expectations, achievements, or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234065

SOURCE: ALUULA Composites Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 16, 2024) - Record Resources Inc. (TSXV: REC) reports that the company filed restated Q3 2024 financial statements with the corresponding management discussion & analysis.

The decision follows a review that amends the accounting treatment of the company's Kirkland Lake Gold exploration properties, which impacted the previously reported figures and has led to the need for this correction. As a result, the previous Q3 2024 financial statements and the corresponding management discussion & analysis should no longer be relied upon.

The effect of the restatement does not impact the company's ongoing cash position and the changes are non-cash in nature. All other disclosure in the amended and restated financial statements and corresponding amended MD&A remains essentially the same as when such documents were originally filed except for certain noted subsequent events.

Amikougami and Otto gold exploration properties:

During the year ended and as of September 30, 2023, due to the limited availability of market capital to budget substantive expenditures on the further exploration for and evaluation of the mineral property, the carrying value of this Amikougami and Otto Kirkland Properties was at $1 after the impairment. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has determined that it would able to complete its desired financing towards the end of the calendar year 2024 to further developing this Kirkland mineral property and has reversed the entire impairment of $416,328.

Kenogami East gold exploration property:

During the year ended and as of September 30, 2023, due to the limited availability of market capital to pay the cash consideration and to budget substantive expenditures on the further exploration for and evaluation of the mineral property, the value of this Kenogami East Gold Property was at $Nil after the impairment. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has determined that it would able to complete its desired financing towards the end of the calendar year 2024 to further developing this Kenogami East Gold Property and has reversed the entire impairment of $32,835.

The Company has determined that it should have reversed the impairment on the Kirkland property as of June 30, 2024 as the Company has announced a proposal to raise $330,000 LIFE offering and an additional $150,000 private placement, through two non-brokered private placements to be closed toward the end of 2024 (see November 21, and 28, 2024 news releases). The company plans to use a portion of the financing to further develop the 100% owned Kirkland properties.

The company wishes to further clarify disclosure regarding planned use of proceeds from financing (see November 21, December 12, 2024 news releases). Proceeds from the planned financing are intended for exploration and evaluation of the company's gold exploration properties and general working capital.

"Record Resources is unwavering in its commitment to unlocking the full potential of its gold portfolio. While we are excited about the growth prospects in the hydrogen sector, particularly as AI-driven data centers and the evolving new economy drive unprecedented energy demand, our gold assets in Kirkland Lake remain the bedrock of our strategy from which we are building on and adding more assets. In this record gold price environment, these properties provide unmatched stability and value, positioning us to thrive amidst the incoming U.S. administration's monetary policies, which are expected to favor real assets like gold. This fundamental strength is further reinforced by new investment guidelines from Canadian pension funds, which highlight the strategic relevance of our real asset approach," said Record Resources' CEO, Michael Judson.

The corrected Q3 2024 financial statements and MD&A are now available at SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) under the Company's issuer profile.

Website: www.recordgoldcorp.com

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes", an or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would" , "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: approval of the Private Placement and obtaining a full revocation order. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the market acceptance of the Private Placement; the ability of the Company to obtain a full revocation order and the receipt of all required approvals in connection with the foregoing. Forward looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market price for securities; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder, court or regulatory approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. 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 the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The Units and the securities comprising the Units have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in the Unites States, or any other jurisdiction, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234072

SOURCE: Record Resources Inc.
Pango Group, a holding company that acquires and operates a portfolio of cybersecurity brands, and Total Security, a London, UK-based provider of the antivirus protection Total AV, merged.

The combined company will rebrand itself as Point Wild, a Boston, MA-based holding company operating a portfolio of cybersecurity solutions for consumers and enterprises of all sizes.

The new company will operates three go-to-market channels, direct-to-consumer, partner and enterprise. The diverse go-to-market approach ensures flexibility in meeting customer needs while maximizing reach and scalability.

Founded by CEO Hari Ravichandran, Point Wild acquires, integrates assets into a common platform and manages a diverse portfolio of cybersecurity brands. Its brands protect 25 million consumers and enterprises around the globe. It also include Total AV, HotSpot Shield, UltraAV, Betternet, CyEx, Simpluris, Comparitech and more.

The leadership team includes:

Neill Feather, President & COO

Blake Cunneen, Head of Corporate Development

Adam Belmonte, Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Zulfikar Ramzan, Chief Technology Officer

Tom Serani, Chief Channel Officer

Tom Hetherington, Chief Legal Officer

Taylor Hawes, Chief Marketing Officer

Courtney Grover, General Manager, Consumer

Jay Schiavo, General Manager, Partner

Jerry Thompson, EVP, CyEx

Kevin Lee, CEO, Simpluris

Richard Patterson, CEO, Comparitech

Birgit Nilsson, VP, Strategic Operations

FinSMEs

16/12/2024
QuickStart, an Austin, TX-based company which specializes in online IT workforce development, acquired Career Development Solutions, an Austin, TX-based company offering career training programs.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The acquisition will accelerates QuickStarts already rapidly growing B2G business by adding relationships and business in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.

CDS specializes in career readiness and workforce training, with extensive expertise in career transition support, employer partnerships, and government funding programs. Career Development Solutions offers career training programs to better your life. They provide certifications, training preparation, focused career paths, teachers, and support.

Its career development programs match job training with stackable certifications built into training programs. They create and deliver training programs that focus on in-demand sectors, including Information Technology and Manufacturing, along with closing the Technology Gap that is hindering individuals across our county from gaining employment.

Led by CEO Bryan Kenna, QuickStart offers IT training for emerging and established professionals in the field. For over 35 years, it has partnered with IT experts and hiring managers to develop industry-aligned certificate courses and bootcamp training programs. Through online learning used to the latest developments in AWS (Amazon Web Services), Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft Azure, and more, QuickStart empowers entry-level and experienced IT professionals with skills for the workforce.

FinSMEs

16/12/2024
A few years ago, automakers were celebrating record profits as the pandemic caused new car shortages, allowing them to raise prices. Now, the industry is facing a harsh reality, according to a report read more

A few years ago, automakers were celebrating record profits as the pandemic caused new car shortages, allowing them to raise prices. Now, the industry is facing a harsh reality.

According to The Economic Times report, while Nissan, the Japanese automaker, is laying off 9,000 employees, Volkswagen is considering closing factories in Germany for the first time.

The CEO of Stellantis, the US and European automaker that owns Jeep, Peugeot, Fiat, and other brands, resigned after sales plummeted. Even luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz are struggling, added the report.

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While each automaker has its own set of issues, there are common challenges: a costly and complex technological shift, political instability, rising protectionism, and the rise of fast-growing Chinese carmakers. These problems are raising concerns about the future of companies that provide crucial jobs across Western and Asian countries, reported The Economic Times.

Many of these issues have been looming for years but were less urgent during the pandemic, when automakers were able to raise prices amid semiconductor shortages and limited inventory. However, that period has ended, and the industry is back to its prepandemic state, with too many manufacturers competing for too few buyers.

As a result, car factories worldwide are producing far fewer vehicles than they were designed to make.

When automakers dont earn a decent return on their factories and machines, there is a massive effect on profitability, The Economic Times quoted Simon Croom, a professor of supply chain management at the University of San Diego, as saying.

The difference between profit and loss is a very fine line in the auto industry, added Croom.

Workers are among the first to feel the pain in an industry that employs 9 million people worldwide, including 1 million in the US. More than 2 million Americans work in dealerships and related sectors.

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Nissan, with factories in Mississippi and Tennessee, hasnt specified where its 9,000 layoffs will take place. It follows Ford, which announced 4,000 job cuts, mainly in Britain and Germany, due to unprecedented competitive, regulatory, and economic headwinds.

Fords concerns include the rise of Chinese carmakers, who have rapidly expanded into global markets with high-quality cars at much lower prices. Brands like BYD, Chery, and SAIC are still largely restricted in the US and face tariffs in Europe, but they are gaining ground in Australia, Brazil, Chile, and Thailand, drawing buyers away from companies like Fiat, General Motors, and Toyota, reported The Economic Times.

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Competition from China is starting to hit the safe places that Western carmakers had, The Economic Times report quoted Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics, a research firm, as saying.

In China, the worlds largest car market, domestic manufacturers like BYD are outshining foreign brands with features like the Yangwang U8, a plug-in hybrid off-roader that can float for 30 minutes and rotate 360 degrees in place.

This rise of Chinese automakers has hit German carmakers hard. Volkswagen, which relies on China for one-third of its sales, saw a 10% drop in deliveries there in the first nine months of this year. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also reported significant declines in China, impacting profits. US automakers are also feeling the pinch, with GM announcing a $5 billion loss as it restructures its unprofitable Chinese operations.

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Companies slow to update aging models are struggling the most. Nissan, Stellantis, and even Tesla are facing stagnant sales, while others have faltered in producing appealing electric vehicles and developing essential software. Volkswagen, once a leader in electric vehicles, has seen disappointing sales, with its ID.4 SUVs US sales halving in the third quarter, hindered by buggy software, according to the report, citing Kelley Blue Book.

The Chinese are winning market share and the Germans are losing, The Economic Times quoted Ferdinand Dudenhoffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research in Bochum, Germany, as saying.

Its not only the electric cars, its the software in the cars, Dudenhoffer added.

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Changing government policies are adding to carmakers challenges. In Germany, electric vehicle sales dropped sharply after the government, facing a budget crisis, abruptly removed financial incentives. In the US, President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans aim to repeal Biden-era tax credits designed to boost electric vehicle sales. These policy shifts jeopardise the hundreds of billions of dollars invested by GM, Hyundai-Kia, Volkswagen, and others in new factories and vehicles.

The auto industry has had to dish out a lot of capital for an underwhelming EV market and one that may well change in the next six months, Erin Keating, an executive analyst at Cox Automotive, a research firm, told The Economic Times.

Trump has threatened tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada, with China supplying crucial components for nearly all carmakers and Mexico serving as a key manufacturing hub for BMW, GM, Ford, Stellantis, Volkswagen, and others, shipping 2 million vehicles to the US this year.

Not all automakers are struggling. GM shares have risen over 40% this year, boosted by popular electric models like the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Equinox.

CEO Mary T. Barra said GM is close to making a profit on electric vehicles, unlike other US carmakers, excluding Tesla. However, GM recently paused its robotaxi development, raising doubts about its ability to compete with Tesla and Waymo in next-gen tech.

Toyotas hybrid-focused strategy is also paying off, with many buyers opting for affordable hybrids over electric vehicles. However, Toyota risks falling behind if EV sales accelerate faster than expected, especially as EV prices drop and range improves. In China, over half of new cars sold are electric or plug-in hybrids, and prices for EVs are already lower than gasoline cars.

Carmakers like Stellantis are adapting. With CEO Carlos Tavares resigning, Stellantis has new electric models coming in 2025, including Jeeps, Ram pickups, and a Dodge Charger muscle car. The company is also working to rebuild ties with dealers who felt it was slow to reduce prices and offer incentives.

Market pressures will prompt carmakers to cooperate with one another more, for example, by sharing the costs of engine development, K Venkatesh Prasad, senior vice president of research at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan, told The Economic Times.

Youre seeing some of this already, he said.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said last month that the company would reduce the time it takes to develop a new vehicle by working more closely with its partners Renault, Mitsubishi and Honda.

Volkswagen is trying to solve its software problems by investing in Rivian, which makes electric pickups and SUVs in Illinois. Western carmakers are also making deals with Chinese automakers. Volkswagen will develop new models with Xpeng to sell in China. Last year, Stellantis bought a 20% stake in Leapmotor and has begun selling the Chinese companys electric vehicles in Europe.

If you cant beat em, Dudenhoffer said, join em.

With inputs from agencies
Pushpa 2 star Allu Arjun held a press conference on Saturday after he was released from jail on an interim bail. He was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of a woman named Revathi at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during a screening of his movie.

At the press conference, the Icon star 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."

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He has now shared a statement on social media that reads- I remain deeply concerned about young Sri Tej, who is under constant medical care after the unfortunate incident.

The actor added, Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, I have been advised not to visit him and his family at this time. My prayers remain with them and I remain committed to taking responsibility for addressing the medical and family needs.

Arjun was released from Hyderabads Chanchalguda Central prison on Saturday morning. Talking to PTI, the Telangana police officials revealed, He was quite normal and did not appear depressed. Normally, the dinner time is 5:30 pm. However, late admissions are also served food. He had rice and vegetable curry, and was treated as a special prisoner as ordered by the court.

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The statement added, Only in exceptional cases, the release time is extended by up to 9 pm. Arjun was brought at 6:30 pm yesterday and released at 6:20 am today. The Jailer should be present to complete the formalities for an inmates release. The interim bail order physical copy arrived from the court only at 11.30 PM.
Austin Tice was taken captive by a pro-Assad militia in 2012 after he travelled to Syria as a freelance journalist to cover the civil war. Though a former prisoner has claimed that he saw Tice alive in July 2022, the former marine has not been seen in public since he escaped prison in 2013 and was recaptured. Now the US has asked the rebels to look for him read more

Debra Tice, mother of journalist Austin Tice who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, holds a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington,. Reuters

The hunt for the reporter whom went missing in Syria over a decade ago continues.

Austin Tice, went to Syria as a freelance journalist in 2012. He was taken captive by a pro-government militia group.

Tice, a former marine, managed to escape his captors in 2013 but is thought to have been recaptured.

But who is Tice? What do we know about him? And what happened to him?

Lets take a closer look:

Who is Tice?

Tice, 43, hails from Houston, Texas.

He has a law degree from Georgetown University in Washington DC, according to a website set up by his family.

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Tice is a veteran captain in the US Marine Corps, a National Merit Finalist and an Eagle Scout.

He has won numerous awards for his reporting, including the 2012 George Polk Award for War Reporting, the 2012 McClatchy Newspapers Presidents Award, the 2015 National Press Club John Aubuchon Freedom of the Press Award, the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Centennial Honor, and the James A. Baker III Prize for Excellence in Leadership.

Tice, in May 2012, chose to visit Syria as a freelance journalist.

Hed worked for The Washington Post, McClatchy News and other outlets.

The civil war in Syria had exploded the previous year under President Bashar al- Assad.

Tice said he wanted to tell the story of the ongoing conflict and its impact on the ordinary people.

In August, Tice went south of Damascus.

He was sent to leave for Lebanon on August 14, 2012.

However, he was detained at a checkpoint while driving from Darayya to Lebanon.

Then, over a month later, a 43-second-video was released.

The clip, entitled, Austin Tice is Alive, showed him with a group of unidentified armed men.

The YouTube video showing Tice blindfolded, hands tied behind his back. He was led up a hill by armed men in what appeared to be Afghan garb and shouting God is great in an apparent bid to blame Islamist rebels for his capture although the video only gained attention when it was posted on a Facebook page associated with Assad supporters.

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Tice can be heard reciting a prayer, in Arabic, before saying in English: Oh Jesus, oh Jesus.

According to Forbes, the state department at the time claimed Tice had been captured by Assads government.

However, that wasnt the last place Tice was seen.

According to Reuters at the beginning of 2013, an American man dressed in ragged clothing was seen between homes in the streets of Damascus upscale Mazzeh neighbourhood.

This 2023 age-progressed photo released by the FBI Washington Field Office, shows what Austin Tice may look like in his 40s. Tice disappeared at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus in August 2012. AP

The man was looking for a civilian to take him to safety after more than five months of captivity in the concrete cells of a local prison.

The man, thought to be Tice, he had managed to slip out of his cell, one current and three former US officials and a person with knowledge of the event told the outlet.

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All were granted anonymity to speak freely about sensitive US intelligence.

Tices 2013 escape was the first public sighting of the American after he disappeared, the officials said.

When Tice escaped, he was spotted by people living in the Mazzeh neighbourhood, wandering the street. He entered the house of a well-known Syrian family, the name of which is being withheld for security reasons, a person familiar with the escape said. Tice was recaptured soon after his escape, one current and one former US official said.

Tice is now the focus of a massive manhunt following the ouster of Syrias Assad after 13 years of civil war.

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Rebels, led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have since released thousands of people from prisons in Damascus where Assad held political opponents, ordinary civilians and foreigners.

US officials say that Tices 2013 escape from prison, where he was believed to have been held by a pro-government militia, is the strongest evidence the US government has to suggest that forces loyal to Assad held Tice.

This has over the years allowed American officials to pressure the Assad government directly about the matter.

A former prisoner told NBC News that he saw Tice alive in July 2022.

Tice was in a cell across the hall from him.

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Tices family over has often spoken publicly of their frustration with the US government, saying it has not his case.

Almost a week after Assads ouster, some officials fear that Tice could have been killed during a recent round of Israeli airstrikes.

Officials are also concerned that if Tice was being held underground in a cell, he may have run out of breathable air as Assads forces shut off the electricity in many of the prisons in Damascus before the president fled.

This week, reports emerged that an American man had been seen in Damascus, raising hopes that Tice had been freed.

But it wasnt Tice.

It was Missouri resident Travis Timmerman who had been found after having been freed from prison by the rebels.

Timmerman said he had travelled into Syria for a spiritual mission earlier this year and was arrested for entering the country illegally.

What is his family saying?

Tices mother Debra said news of Timmermans release from a Syrian prison by rebels felt like a rehearsal.

Her children woke her up when images of Timmerman began circulating on social media misidentifying him as Tice.

My oldest daughter came into my room at 4:25 and said: Mom, you know, we have this video. You need to look at it. We dont think its Austin, but a lot of people think its Austin, so we want you to look and see if its Austin, Debra told NBC.

I took a glance, and I said, No, that is not Austin.

Its almost like having a rehearsal, you know? Just an inkling of what its going to really feel like when it is Austin walking free, she added.

On December 6, Debra and her family told a press conference that a US government-vetted source had recently confirmed that Tice was alive and was being treated well.

He is being cared for, and he is well, she said.

But in the hours after the conference, US officials working on Tices case said they did not have any new information and that they were caught off guard by his mothers statements.

Other family members too have made similar statements.

The latest information that we have is that Austin is alive. He is in Syria, his brother Jacob told NPR.

These past few days have been incredibly intense and it does feel so different than how its felt in the past. It feels like anything is possible, Tices sister Abigail added.

Jacob earlier told NPR his brother is able to forge relationships in every context in which hes operated. I know that he is compelling as a man. He is so friendly and outgoing. And I can only imagine that that has served him well over these 12 years."

Surrounded by her children and their families, Debra Tice, mother of Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria, speaks during a news conference updating the media about her eldest sons condition as the family continues to push for his release. AP

We are just a family wanting our brother to come home. So we are extremely grateful for all of the effort that seems to be being put into the search for Austin right now, Jacob added. And we are so hopeful that those efforts will bear fruit and that Austin will come home soon.

Meanwhile, the question of where Tice is remains unanswered.

US officials believe it is likely that Tice was taken after his escape by forces who answered directly to Assad. One person with knowledge of the escape said Tice was potentially passed back and forth between several different government intelligence agencies in the following years.

The administration of former President Barack Obama received another tip in 2016 that Tice had been taken to a hospital in Damascus to receive care for an unknown illness, in what would be his second known sighting, a US official and a person familiar with the tip said.

But current US officials are not as confident in that report as they are in his 2013 escape.

As time passed and other reporters were freed, details about Tice remained scarce. The Obama administration had obtained intelligence that he was either in the hands of an extremist rebel faction or the Syrian government, two of the former officials said. But it had no way of verifying the information.

Over the past decade, some US officials and press advocates have lost faith in the assessment that Tice is alive in part because there has been no new, credible evidence to confirm his status.

Others have maintained a sense of optimism, including some in the incoming Trump administration.

In 2019, Trump administration officials, including Kash Patel, then a US presidential aide and counterterrorism adviser, and Roger Carstens, special envoy for hostage affairs, traveled to Damascus to meet with Syrian officials about Tice.

Current and former US officials said the Syrian government refused to offer proof of life and demanded the US reverse its Syria policy and withdraw US troops from the country in return for opening negotiations about Tice.

The Biden administration has maintained contact with the Syrian government since then, but Assads officials were unwilling to negotiate until the US agreed to their demands.

As per The New York Times, the government now has narrowed its search for Tice down to a couple of prisons run by Syrias military intelligence and the Republican Guard.

The new Syrian government says it has no information about Tice.

BBC quoted the new Syrian government spokesperson as saying, We tried as much as possible to find information about Austin and return him to his mother, but we have not reached any result.

We believe hes alive," US President Joe Biden said last week, as per the outlet. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet.

We have to identify where he is.

This is a top priority for us: to find Austin Tice, to locate the prison where he may be held, get him out, get him home safely to his family, US NSA Jake Sullivan told Good Morning America.

The United States government is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading directly to his safe location, recovery, and return.

With inputs from agencies
Five members of the Bali Nine drug gang were released from Indonesian jails and returned home to Australia on Sunday. Eight men and a woman were arrested in 2005 for trying to smuggle more than 8 kg of heroin out of Bali read more

In this photo released by the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Indonesian and Australian officials sign handover documents as five Australians who have spent almost 20 years in Indonesian prisons for heroin trafficking look on, prior to their return to Australia, in Bali, Indonesia, December 15, 2024. AP

Five Australians of the Bali Nine drug gang have returned home, after spending roughly 20 years in Indonesian prisons. This comes after a deal was reached between the two governments, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday (December 15).

The Australian Government can confirm that Australian citizens, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia, he said in a statement.

These Australians served more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home, the Australian PM added.

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Lets take a closer look.

Whats the case?

In 2005, nine Australians were arrested for trying to smuggle more than 8 kg of heroin out of Indonesias Bali.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the drugs estimated street value was about $4 million at the time.

The arrest came after a tip-off from Australian police.

These young Australians were tried and sentenced in Indonesia amid heightened media attention, coming to be known as the Bali Nine.

Meet Bali Nine

One of the drug gangs ringleaders, Andrew Chan, was just 22 when he was arrested at Balis Denpasar International Airport after boarding a plane to Sydney.

As per The Guardian, he became a committed Christian in prison in Indonesia and married his fiancee, Febyanti Herewila.

Myuran Sukumaran, the other alleged ringleader, was sentenced to death in 2006. His various appeals to have the sentence commuted were rejected. In prison, he emerged as a prolific painter, even teaching other prisoners, the British newspaper noted.

The two ringleaders were executed by firing squad in 2015, triggering a diplomatic row between neighbours Indonesia and Australia. The then Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott had called it a dark moment in the relationship.

Australians Myuran Sukumaran (L) and Andrew Chan (R) members of the so called Bali Nine gang, wait inside a detention room prior to their trials in Denpasar on the island of Bali on October 8, 2010. File Photo/AFP

Australia even went on to briefly recall its ambassador to Indonesia after the executions.

Renae Lawrence, the only woman in the group, was apprehended at Denpasar airport with 2.7kg of heroin strapped to her body. She got a life term which was reduced to 20 years eventually. She was let out early on account of good behaviour.

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Lawrence ultimately walked out of prison in 2018 and returned to Australia after 13 years in jail. In 2020, she publicly called on reducing the sentences of the remaining Bali Nine members, reported The Guardian.

Tan Duc Than Nguyen, who was arrested at a hotel on the island of Kuta, died of kidney cancer in 2018 at the age of 34.

Matthew Norman, who was just 18 at the time of his arrest from a Kuta hotel, was given a life sentence. This term was first reduced to 20 years and then increased to execution, as per The Guardian report.

It was eventually changed to life without chance of parole. Norman lived in Balis Kerobokan prison, where he gave English lessons and ran computer classes for fellow inmates.

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Si-Yi Chen, then 20, was arrested at a hotel at Kuta Beach. He was serving life in prison before his return to Australia this Sunday.

Like Norman, he was at Kerobokan prison, where he taught other prisoners to make jewellery, reported The Guardian.

Michael Czugaj was found at Denpasar airport with 1.75kg of heroin strapped to his body. He initially got a life term with no chance of release. This was commuted to 20 years but his life sentence was subsequently reimposed.

Martin Stephens, the oldest of the drug gang, was apprehended at the Bali airport with 3.3kg of heroin strapped to his body. He was sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole.

Stephens, who has a daughter from his marriage, was in prison in Java, as per The Guardian report.

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Scott Rush, then 19, was arrested at Denpasar airport with 1.3kg of heroin strapped to his body, the British newspaper noted. He was eventually handed a life sentence after an appeal.

What happens now?

The five released men returned to Australia on Sunday as free citizens and would not serve their life sentences in Australian prisons, as per an Associated Press (AP) report.

The Australian PM thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subiant for the mens release.

Australia respects Indonesias sovereignty and legal processes and we appreciate Indonesias compassionate consideration of this matter, Albanese said.

He said the mens return reflected the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between the two countries.

The Australian PM said there was no exchange of prisoners or other diplomatic quid pro quo for the mens release.

The terms of their transfer are still being discussed between Australia and Indonesia, reported Sky News.

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Jakarta had shared a draft proposal for the return of these five men earlier this month. It included banning them from returning to Indonesia, as well as Australia respecting the order of the Indonesian court.

The draft also said it would respect Australias decision about the men, including if they are pardoned after returning to their home country.

As per AP, Indonesias senior law minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said the men were transferred to Australia as prisoners but once repatriated, they were the responsibility of the Australian government. They were not pardoned by the Indonesian president.

Australian broadcaster ABC reported the men were free to live in Australia.

PM Albanese said they will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration here in Australia.

Their families told the local media in a statement that the five were relieved and happy to be back in Australia."

They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society, the statement read.

With inputs from agencies
The BJP is trying to corner the Congress over Sonia Gandhi allegedly getting removed donated papers belonging to Jawaharlal Nehru in 2008, which had letters to several personalities including Edwina Mountbatten and Albert Einstein. The saffron party has drawn the focus on the first Indian PMs relationship with the countrys last vicereine read more

Jawaharlal Nehru's correspondence with Lady Edwina Mountbatten has come to the spotlight. Wikimedia Commons

A Prime Ministers Museum & Library (PMML) member has written to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to help in getting back donated papers related to Jawaharlal Nehru, which were allegedly removed at the behest of Sonia Gandhi in 2008.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using the issue of these letters, which reportedly include Nehrus correspondence with Edwina Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, Aruna Asaf Ali and Jayaprakash Narayan, among others, to target the Gandhi family.

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Lets take a closer look.

PMML member writes to Rahul Gandhi

Rizwan Kadri, an Ahmedabad-based historian, has shot off a letter to Rahul Gandhi, seeking his help for the return of these crucial papers pertaining to Nehru, Indias first prime minister.

As per an Indian Express report, Kadri said the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) Society, now known as PMML, had discussed the matter during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February this year.

In September, Kadri had written to Sonia Gandhi asking for the return of the papers.

Speaking to CNN-News18, the historian said, On September 9, I wrote to Sonia Gandhi and now again I have written to Rahul Gandhi."

In the letter, I have requested Rahul Gandhi and mentioned that whatever collection has been withdrawn in 2008 on the behest of Sonia Gandhi, which has around 51 cartons, should be returned."

Kadri wrote to the LoP that 51 cartons identified as personal papers were sent to Sonia Gandhi over a decade back. These included the letters relating to personalities, such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Padmaja Naidu, Edwina Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, Aruna Asaf Ali, Vijaya Laxmi Pandit, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Govind Ballabh Pant, Indian Express cited the letter as saying.

Kadri told ANI that in the September letter to the former Congress president, he urged her to return the papers or give access to their scanned copies. This would allow us to study them and facilitate research by various scholars," he said.

BJP hits out at Congress

The BJP has asked the Gandhi family to return Nehrus papers to the PMML.

BJP MP Sambit Patra wrote in a tweet, From whats today the Prime Ministers Museum and Library and formerly Nehru Museum and Library, the then UPA [United Progressive Alliance]

Chairperson Sonia Gandhi took away 51 cartoons of letters written by Nehru to various personalities including EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN! In the recently concluded AGM of the PMML one of the members, Rizwan Kadri has written to LoP Rahul Gandhi and sought his help in getting back the letters from his mother Sonia Gandhi!

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#WATCH | BJP MP Sambit Patra says, "Prime Minister's Museum and Library (PMML) Society member, Rizwan Qadri has written a letter to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi requesting that 51 boxes (collection of letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru) taken by Congress pic.twitter.com/nMmIFJ87Sb  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

BJPs Amit Malviya made similar remarks, raising questions about Nehrus correspondence with Edwina Mountbatten that warranted such censorship.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told the Lok Sabha on Monday (December 16) that action can be taken on the demand that letters be returned.

Nehrus relationship with Edwina Mountbatten

Jawaharlal Nehru shared a personal bond with Lady Edwina Mountbatten and her husband Lord Louis Mountbatten, Indias last viceroy.

Pamela Hicks, the daughter of Edwina and Mountbatten, wrote in her book titled Daughter of Empire: Life as a Mountbatten that her mother and Nehru shared a profound relationship.

In May 1947, Nehru was invited by Viceroy Mountbatten and Edwina to Mashobra in Simla for an informal weekend.

As Alex von Tunzelmann wrote in his 2007 book Indian Summer, Jawahar walked with Dickie [Lord Mountbatten] and Edwina around the orchard terraces and up mountain paths, which wound up the hill from which Lord Kitcheners former mansion, Wildflower Hall, could be glimpsed atop the next peak. Though once a flamboyant youth, Nehru had become a man of simpler tastes. Yet there were two pleasures he could never resist: the vitality of mountain scenery, and the company of an interesting woman. At Mashobra, he had both. Soon he was happily teaching Dickie and Edwina to walk backwards up slopes to rest their muscles

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But it was not just an informal meeting between the two leaders. This was the first time that Mountbatten showed Nehru the transfer of power plan, which enraged the Indian leader, as per Indian Express.

Tunzelmann wrote in his book about the incident, So well had things been going with Jawahar that, on a whim Dickie broke protocol and ignored the advice of his staff to show his new chum a copy of the secret plan in the study after dinner that very night. But when Jawahar read through the top secret papers his disposition turned from affable to shocked, and from shocked to furious.

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PM Jawaharlal Nehru with the Mountbattens in Simla in May 1948. Wikimedia Commons

Mountbatten paid heed to Nehrus views and gave the plan an acceptable shape, where Edwina extracted a concession from Nehru to compensate for some revisions to the proposal.

Nehru and Edwina formed a closer bond after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.

Edwina was a huge emotional support to Jawahar after Gandhis assassination. I am not sure that he had enjoyed this kind of companionship with his wife. For his part, Jawahar gave Edwina an emotional response that, I suspect, had been lacking in her marriage, The Last Vicereines author Rhiannon Jenkins Tsang told The New Indian Express (TNIE) in 2017.

In her 2012 book Daughter of Empire, Lady Pamela Hicks, the Mountbattens daughter, mentioned that Nehru and her mothers relationship was based on equality of spirit and intellect.

As per PTI, she said in the book that after reading Nehrus letters to her mother, the author realised how deeply he and my mother loved and respected each other".

When Edwina died in 1960 in Borneo, a stack of letters was found at her bedside table  all from Jawaharlal Nehru, reported Indian Express.

When Edwina died, she was buried at sea. Jawahar sent the Indian frigate to accompany the ship that carried her, and to cast his wreath of marigolds on the sea, Tsang told TNIE.

With inputs from agencies
The idea for a proposed transatlantic tunnel connecting London and New York has surfaced yet again. However, experts say it is impractical given its eye-watering price tag of $20 trillion and the fact that it could take hundreds of years to complete read more

Elon Musk has claimed his Boring Company could pull off the project. Reuters

The idea for a transatlantic tunnel has surfaced yet again.

The proposed tunnel would connect London and New York in under an hour.

However, it seems to come with a truly eye-watering price tag  though Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, has claimed he could build at a fraction of the price.

So, what do we know about the tunnel?

Lets take a closer look:

What do we know?

First, lets examine the concept of the tunnel itself.

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As per Newsweek, the transatlantic tunnel would connect New York in the United States and London in the United Kingdom.

The distance between the two cities is nearly 4,900 kilometres  and flights take around eight hours.

It is estimated that construction on the proposed tunnel could a very long time.

For example, the 37 kilometre tunnel Channel Tunnel between England and France took a little over half a decade.

News week extrapolated that taking the same time, construction on the transatlantic tunnel would take around 780 years.

A flight from New York to London takes around eight hours. Reuters

The tunnel would also command a hefty price tag  around $20 trillion.

All this sounds wildly impractical.

However, the difference now is that the concept could become potentially more viable thanks to vacuum tube technology.

This concept, which would create a vacuum in the tunnel and use pressurised vehicles, could theoretically send trains between New York and London at a speed of around 4,800 kmph.

So, the entire journey would take less than an hour, as per Newsweek.

The problem is that there is no confirmed design.

Some have suggested a tunnel underneath the ocean floor, while others have suggested building it on stilts. One design even proposed making the tunnel float, held in place by cables attached to the ocean floor.

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As per The Times of India, Swiss professor Marcel Juffer came up with the concept in the 1970s.

Musk, who is not involved in the transnational tunnel proposal, popularised the concept of a hyperloop back in 2012 after he published a paper on the subject.

The SpaceX CEO claimed on Twitter that his Boring Company  a US infrastructure and tunnel construction company that he launched in 2016  could do it for 1000X less money.

Musk, two years ago, had claimed his company would build a working hyperloop.

From a known physics standpoint, this is the fastest possible way of getting from one city centre to another for distances less than 2,000 miles. Starship is faster for longer journeys, Musk wrote on X.

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However, the technology remains beset by problems and uncertainties.

The Boring Company has recently turned its original test facility into a parking lot.

Its Las Vegas Loop project has been repeatedly fined by regulators for violations, as per Bloomberg.

The site has witnessed a number of accidents with workers arms and legs being permanently scarred. The company has also been fined over $100,000 for safety violations.

Richard Bransons Hyperloop One has laid off its employees and shut down in December 2023.

Still, there are at least 10 Hyperloop companies in the world trying to make the project a success, as per the newspaper.

A number of nations including India are continuing to test hyperloop tracks.

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With inputs from agencies
Samsung Galaxy Ring, one of the pioneers in smart ring tech, will be rolling out two new sizes starting next month. This will solve one of the most common issues users usually complain about; the ring's fit.

As it is, the Galaxy Ring only comes in nine sizes; however, Leaker Max Jambor is stating that the South Korean tech goliath plans on incorporating sizes 14 and 15 to fit more people.

Why the Galaxy Ring Needs More Sizes

The Galaxy Ring has achieved popularity due to its slim design and advanced health-tracking features. Nevertheless, its functionality relies a lot on having a close and accurate fit. According to Android Central, there are only nine available sizes for the smart ring: size 5 which spans a 15.7mm inner diameter and goes to size 13 at an inner diameter of 22.2 mm.

Unfortunately, it has not yet been easy for everyone who bought the device to be perfectly fitted with this wear.

New sizes will finally be available in January!



Size 14 (SM-Q514): 3.2g, 23 mm inner diameter

Size 15 (SM-Q515): 3.2g, 23,8 mm inner diameter https://t.co/GSyK3iFLaL  Max Jambor (@MaxJmb) December 13, 2024

This is aimed at countering the problem. The leaks declare that:

Size 14 (SM-Q514): will have a 23mm inner diameter.

Size 15 SM-Q515: will have 23.8mm internal diameter.

The extension can help Samsung include large-finger users and offer the Galaxy Ring to customers with larger fingers. For those who don't know, here's the previously available size for the Galaxy Ring:

Size 5: 15.7mm

Size 6: 16.5mm

Size 7: 17.3mm

Size 8: 18.2mm

Size 9: 18.9mm

Size 10: 19.8mm

Size 11: 20.5mm

Size 12: 21.4mm

Size 13: 22.2mm

Samsung provides a sizing kit that allows users to identify their size before making a purchase. This kit is necessary because smart rings cannot be adjusted like other wearables, such as watches or fitness bands.

What Differentiates the Galaxy Ring

According to Phone Arena, the main appeal of Galaxy Ring is the monitoring of all health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels. The compact design and its comfortability make it a favorite for people who love minimalistic fitness trackers rather than bulky wearables.

Of course, precision depends on how well the ring is fitted to accurately read through the sensors.

These new sizes will add more user satisfaction besides improving the performance of the device for people who never found the perfect fit.

Future Developments: The Future of Galaxy Ring

Although adding new sizes is a good move, rumors say Samsung is looking to make the Galaxy Ring even more versatile. Adjustable rings or an elastic sizing system might be in the cards to possibly make sizing a thing of the past.

For now, Samsung appears committed to providing incremental updates to enhance user experience. With the rumored release of sizes 14 and 15, the Galaxy Ring is on track to become even more inclusive.

When to Expect the New Sizes

If the rumors are correct, Samsung will release the new sizes in January. They will be added to the sizing kit for Galaxy Ring so that it is easy for users to identify their size before buying the ring.

Meanwhile, Oura CEO Tom Hale said that Apple won't be releasing its smart ring anytime soon. As Tech Times reported last month, the businessman believed that the Cupertino giant will still prioritize improving its Apple Watch over another wearable.
Several weeks after six tourists died in Laos from suspected contaminated alcohol, several people were hospitalised in Fiji due to another suspected alcohol poisoning incident. The tourists fell ill after consuming possibly spiked cocktails. How dangerous is alcohol poisoning, and how can you avoid it on your next holiday abroad? read more

A few weeks after six people died in Laos from suspected methanol-laced drinks, seven tourists were hospitalised in Fiji in a suspected alcohol poisoning case on Sunday.

The group, which included four Australians, was rushed to hospital on Sunday after consuming possibly spiked cocktails at Warwick Resort on Coral Coast.

ALSO READ | Thailands luxury hotel murders: The deadly combination of cyanide and crime

The cause of their illness remains unknown, with officials stating it is too early to confirm whether contaminated alcohol was involved.

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What happened in Fiji?

On Saturday night, seven tourists, including four Australians, were hospitalised in Fiji after suffering symptoms of alcohol poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, and neurological issues.

The group was rushed to hospital on Sunday after consuming possibly spiked cocktails in Fiji. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational

The guests fell ill after consuming cocktails at a bar in the Warwick Resort, located about 60km west of the capital, Suva.

The tourists, aged between 18 and 56, were initially taken to Sigatoka hospital. Due to the severity of their condition, they were later transferred to Lautoka Hospital on the islands west coast. Two people remain in stable condition in the hospital, while one person was discharged on Sunday and four others on Monday.

A spokesperson told The Guardian that the group included four Australians, one American, and two foreigners living in Fiji, although their nationalities were not provided.

Fijis deputy prime minister and minister for tourism and civil aviation, Viliame Gavoka, stated that authorities are working with the resort, which has assured them that the drinks were not tampered with.

The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests. The incident occurred at only one bar, and it involved seven tourists, ranging in age from young to older, who fell ill, Gavoka said.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has advised tourists to be cautious of drink spiking and methanol poisoning in Fiji and to seek urgent medical attention if they suspect such issues.

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ALSO READ | Who is Am Cyanide, Thailands woman serial killer sentenced to death for poisoning 14 friends?

The Fijian government has not ruled out methanol poisoning as a possible cause of the illness, according to NCA Newswire.

While the bar was full on Saturday night and many customers had ordered pina coladas, no other similar reports have been recorded at the resort or elsewhere in Fiji.

Terrifying sense of deja vu: The Laos incident

Theres a real terrifying sense of deja vu. Its only a month ago two young Australian women died in Laos from methanol poisoning. And then when we wake up to hear this horrific news in Fiji, Im sure all Australians have their heart in mouth and are hoping for the best, Australian Minister Jason Clare told the ABC.

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ALSO READ | 4 tourist deaths in Laos: What makes methanol poisoning so lethal?

The deaths of two Danes, two Australians, a Briton, and an American were linked to the consumption of contaminated alcohol in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in Laos known for attracting backpackers.

A notice displayed at the bar of Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos. AP

Lao state-run news agency KPL reported that authorities were gathering evidence and witness accounts regarding the foreigners deaths, which are suspected to be due to consumption of tainted alcoholic beverages.

Methanol, a toxic alcohol, is often used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The Laos Foreign Ministry has said it is investigating the incident to identify the cause and hold those responsible accountable.

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In response to the incident, Australia, the United States, and Britain have issued warnings to their citizens about the dangers of counterfeit alcohol and homemade spirits in Laos.

Methanol poisoning

Methanol poisoning can cause a range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures, and even coma, according to the US Centres for Disease Control.

Brewing bootleg liquor using ingredients like rice and sugarcane is common in Southeast Asia, and sometimes methanol is mixed into these drinks as a cheaper substitute for ethanol, The Guardian said in a report. While ethanol is safe in small amounts, methanol is deadly even in small doses - just 30ml can be deadly.

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Past incidents in Southeast Asia revealed the dangers of methanol poisoning. In 2018, more than 80 people died in Indonesia after consuming bootleg liquor, and over 100 others were hospitalised.

Norwegian professor Knut Erik Hovda told The Guardian, Very often this affects the poorest of the poor that nobody cares about.

How to avoid alcohol poisoning

Dr Dicky Budiman, a public health expert from Griffith University, warned that it is nearly impossible to tell if a drink contains poisoned alcohol, so travellers, especially in Southeast Asia, must be extra cautious about what they consume.

Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpack hostel displays a bottle of vodka, in the bar of the hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos. AP

The clear message for young travellers is that if they are offered illegal or bootleg alcohol or local drinks, it is best to avoid it, he told The Guardian.

Following the Laos incident, the British Foreign Office issued guidance to help travellers avoid alcohol poisoning. It advised that alcohol should only be purchased from licensed liquor stores, and drinks should be consumed only from licensed bars and hotels.

Tourists should also check bottle seals for any signs of tampering, look for poor print quality or incorrect spellings on labels, and be cautious about accepting free drinks or those priced unusually low, it said.

The Methanol Institute further recommended that travellers stick with canned beer, cider, wine, pre-mixed drinks, and duty-free products, which are generally safer and harder to adulterate. Homemade brews should be avoided, as should drinks that appear suspicious.

With inputs from agencies
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka is on a State visit to India to strengthen bilateral relations. The Rajya Sabha is set to debate the Constitution, while Kolkata prepares for Vijay Diwas celebrations. A Delhi court will rule on a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, and German leader Olaf Scholz faces a confidence vote read more

Sri Lanka's President and National People's Power (NPP) party leader Anura Kumara Disanayaka gestures as he leaves after casting his vote on the day of the parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 14, 2024. File Image/Reuters

As the world observes significant developments, todays (December 16, 2024) headlines feature Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayakas first State Visit to India, aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.

In New Delhi, Rajya Sabha continues a landmark debate on the Constitution, following the Lok Sabhas earlier discussions.

Meanwhile, Kolkata prepares to host Vijay Diwas celebrations, with a Bangladeshi delegation expected to join.

A Delhi court is set to rule on a pivotal case from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces a confidence vote that could reshape the nations political landscape.

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Heres a roundup of the key stories:

Sri Lankan president for state visit in India

President Anura Kumara Disanayaka of Sri Lanka is on a State Visit to India from December 15-17, marking his first bilateral trip to the country since recent elections in Sri Lanka.

He will engage in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in a business event in Delhi to boost bilateral trade and investments.

The visit underscores the importance of India-Sri Lanka ties, aligned with Indias Neighbourhood First policy.

Rajya Sabha debates Constitution as Lok Sabha concludes discussion

The Rajya Sabha will begin its two-day debate on the Constitution, marking the 75th year of its adoption. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opened the Lok Sabha discussions last week, asserting that the Constitution belongs to the nation and not any single political party.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered her maiden speech during the Lok Sabha debate. Heated protests in the Lok Sabha had led to adjournments and now further discussions are scheduled to continue in the upper house.

Bangladesh delegation expected for Vijay Diwas celebrations

The Indian Armys Eastern Command headquarters in Kolkata is preparing to host Vijay Diwas celebrations on December 16, with a Bangladeshi delegation likely to attend, reported The Hindu.

The day honors Indias 1971 victory over Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

Delhi court to rule on 1984 anti-Sikh riots case

A Delhi court is expected to deliver its verdict on December 16 in a murder case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots involving former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar.

The case concerns the deaths of two individuals in Saraswati Vihar during the riots.

German Chancellor calls for confidence vote

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has requested a confidence vote in parliament on December 16, following the collapse of his coalition government.

A loss in the vote could trigger fresh federal elections, potentially scheduled for February 23, 2025. Policymaking in Germany has slowed significantly since the coalitions disintegration.

Today in History - December 16

1971 war anniversary: Indias Victory over Pakistan (Vijay Diwas): On this day in 1971, India achieved a historic victory over Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Vijay Diwas is celebrated annually to honor the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces and the liberation of Bangladesh after a 13-day war.

Bangladesh Victory Day: Bangladesh celebrates its Victory Day, marking the end of the Liberation War in 1971. This day commemorates the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka and the nations emergence as an independent country.

Birth anniversary of Jane Austen (1775-1817): The renowned British author of classics like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility was born on this day. Austens keen observations of society and witty prose have made her one of the most celebrated writers in English literature.

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Birth anniversary of H D Kumaraswamy (1959): Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, H D Kumaraswamy, was born on December 16. Known for his political contributions, he has played a significant role in Karnatakas governance and politics.

Birth anniversary of Adam Riess (1969): Nobel Prize-winning American astronomer Adam Riess was born on this day. He is best known for his contributions to the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe, which has deepened our understanding of dark energy.

UK recognised Bahrains independence (1971): On this day, the United Kingdom formally recognised Bahrains independence. This marked a significant step in the Gulf nations journey to becoming a sovereign state after years of British protection.

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Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope (1497): Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope, paving the way for a sea route to India. This was a pivotal moment in the Age of Exploration, linking Europe and Asia through maritime trade.

With inputs from agencies
When Peak Design CEO Peter Dering identified a backpack linked to Luigi Mangione, the suspected shooter of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, he contacted police in a move he called instinctive. But what followed was a storm of criticism, with social media branding him a snitch and questioning the companys privacy policies read more

An image of the individual sought in connection to the investigation of the shooting death of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance unit, is seen in a still image from surveillance video taken outside a hotel in the Manhattan borough of New York City, US December 4, 2024. NYPD News/Handout via Reuters

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 shocked the nation, but an unexpected controversy has since emerged, centered on the manufacturer of a backpack worn by the alleged gunman, Luigi Mangione.

The San Francisco-based company, Peak Design, and its CEO, Peter Dering, are now grappling with public backlash, misinformation, and threats following the high-profile case.

How Peak Design entered the controversy

Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design, first contacted authorities after spotting a familiar gray backpack in the surveillance footage of the shooting. In a December 5 interview with The New York Times, Dering revealed that the bag worn by the suspect matched a model of the companys Everyday Backpack. Acting on his instincts, he called a police tip line to provide the information.

Of course, my instinct would be to do whatever is possible to help track this person down, Dering said in the interview. The NYPD confirmed receiving hundreds of tips identifying the bag before Derings call.

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Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect in the New York City killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson, is escorted after an extradition hearing at Blair County Court House in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, US, December 10, 2024. File Image/Reuters

However, Derings cooperation with law enforcement sparked outrage on social media, with some branding him a snitch and calling for a boycott of Peak Design.

Accusations of privacy violations and boycott threats

The backlash intensified after rumours circulated that Peak Design may have used the backpacks serial number to share customer data with investigators. While the company issued a public statement denying these allegations, it did little to quell the online uproar.

Peak Design has not provided customer information to police and would only do so under the order of a subpoena, the company clarified, adding that customer data is only collected when voluntarily registered for warranty purposes.

The controversy has even led to safety concerns within the company.

Also Read | UnitedHealthcare CEO was murdered using homemade 3D-printed ghost gun, first such case in US

We take our customer privacy seriously. There is misinformation being shared on social media that has triggered many serious threats for the safety of not only me, but our employees as well, Dering said in the statement. I ask that you please consider the facts we are providing here and continue to instill trust in the Peak.

Nevertheless, TikTok and Reddit users continue to criticise the company, with some suggesting customers remove serial tags from their bags to avoid being tracked or returning their products altogether.

CNN quoted a TikTok user who remarked, What if somebody gave this to me as a gift and now Im going to jail because they committed a crime? That is very scary.

Privacy concerns in consumer tracking

Data privacy experts have weighed in on the case, highlighting how product serialisation is standard practice in the retail industry.

Greg Ewing, a data privacy attorney, explained that companies often collect customer information for marketing or warranty purposes and are obligated to provide data only under a subpoena or court order. Tracing purchases has been a law enforcement technique for decades, Ewing said. They can just get a warrant to access the data if the company refuses to.

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Ewing also noted that Peak Design followed appropriate legal steps in this instance. However, the incident has sparked broader debates about how consumer data is collected, stored, and potentially shared with third parties.

A divided public response

Meanwhile, the murder case itself has ignited heated discussions across the US, Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old accused of killing Thompson, has become a polarising figure. While some condemn his actions, others have lauded him as a folk hero who stood against perceived injustices in the US healthcare system.

Social media is rife with support for Mangione, with hashtags like #FreeLuigi trending and merchandise such as hats emblazoned with CEO Hunter being sold online.

Street art depicting video game character Luigi, and a crossed-out UnitedHealthcare logo, referencing Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, appears on a wall at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, US, December 11, 2024. File Image/Reuters

A fundraising campaign for Mangiones legal defense has amassed over $31,000, with messages like Denying healthcare coverage to people is murder, but no one gets charged with that crime.

Despite the widespread support, many have criticised this glorification of violence. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called the response deeply disturbing, stating, In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint.

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UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty echoed these sentiments, describing Thompson as one of the good guys in a heartfelt letter to employees.

With inputs from agencies
The fall of Bashar al-Assad has reshaped Syrias future and its ties with key nations. The US has initiated direct talks with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group that led the offensive against the dictator. France is sending its diplomats to the country and Qatar has said it will reopen its embassy. Meanwhile, Israel has heightened its defences, and Britain has pledged humanitarian aid read more

A drone view shows the Syrian central bank, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 16, 2024. File Image/Reuters

The recent removal of Bashar al-Assad from power has ushered in a new chapter for Syria, with many countries making moves after taking in the diplomatic, humanitarian, and security considerations.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group leading Syrias transitional government, has attracted both cautious optimism and scepticism. The leader of HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, now serves as Syrias de facto ruler.

Photographs from a meeting between Sharaa and UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen revealed a calculated shift in HTS public image, with Sharaa seen in Western-style attire, signalling a potential attempt to garner international legitimacy.

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UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen meets with head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syrias de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani in Damascus, Syria in this handout released on December 15, 2024. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via Reuters

In their discussions, Pedersen highlighted the need for a Syrian-led, inclusive political transition based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The resolution, passed in 2015, has long been the cornerstone for international efforts to stabilise Syria.

The Special Envoy briefed on the outcome of the Aqaba International Meeting  stressing the need for a credible and inclusive Syrian-owned and led political transition based on the principles of United Nations Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), a statement from Pedersens office said.

The Special Envoy stressed the intention of the United Nations to render all assistance to the Syrian people.

Leader Sharaa pointed out the need to implement these steps with great care and high precision without haste and under the supervision of specialized teams, so that they are achieved in the best possible way, it said.

How global powers have reacted to HTS

The global response to the new administration in Damascus has been mixed. The United States has acknowledged direct contact with HTS for the first time.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged that the US has impressed upon everyone weve been in contact with the importance of helping to find the missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared near Damascus 12 years ago.

Blinken also outlined principles for Syrias future, including maintaining humanitarian aid access and preventing the country from becoming a hub for terrorist activities.

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France has dispatched a diplomatic team to Syria to assess the political and security situation, while Qatar has said it will reopen its embassy in Damascus, reflecting its support for the Syrian peoples aspirations.

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler expressed Ankaras willingness to provide military training to the new administration, highlighting Turkeys longstanding involvement in northern Syria.

Meanwhile, the European Union has cautiously engaged with Syrias new leaders. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that the blocs top diplomat for Syria would establish contact with the HTS-led government, signalling a tentative step toward collaboration.

In the wake of Assads removal, Syria faces immense humanitarian challenges. Britain has pledged a 50 million aid package to address the needs of millions displaced by over a decade of civil war.

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Of this, 30 million will provide immediate relief within Syria, including food, shelter, and healthcare, while 20 million will support refugees in neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon.

The fall of the Assad regime provides a once-in-a-generation chance for the people in Syria, said British Foreign Minister David Lammy. We are committed to supporting the Syrian people as they rebuild their nation.

Turkey, too, has signalled its readiness to reassess its military presence in Syria, with Guler stating that future discussions would hinge on necessary conditions. However, Ankara remains focused on neutralising the Kurdish YPG militia, which it considers a national security threat.

Israel raises security concerns

Despite HTS efforts to project a moderate image, concerns persist about its past affiliations and intentions. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that the groups rise could exacerbate security threats to Israel.

The immediate risks to the country have not disappeared and the latest developments in Syria increase the strength of the threat - despite the moderate image that the rebel leaders claim to present," Katz said.

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In contrast, Sharaa has sought to allay fears, stating, that diplomatic solutions were the only way to ensure stability and security.

Syrias 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, Sharaa said in an interview published on the website of Syria TV.

Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, have criticised Israels incursion into Syrian territory, calling for respect for Syrias sovereignty.

Syrias post-Assad transition is fraught with challenges.

Russia has yet to finalise the future of its military bases in Syria, maintaining contact with the new government. Meanwhile, regional powers like Turkey and Qatar, alongside Western nations, are grappling with how best to engage with a government led by a group still considered a terrorist organisation by many.

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With inputs from agencies
Another year is almost over and a new one is set to begin. 2024 was rocked by controversies and scandals. From South Koreas martial law to Vinesh Phogats disqualification in the Paris Olympics, heres what raised eyebrows this year read more

Participants gather to celebrate after South Korea's parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, December 14, 2024. AP

2024 is bidding us adieu soon. It is that time of the year when we wonder how a year can pass so quickly. Like every year, this one too was full of stories that made us do a double take in disbelief.

From South Koreas martial law to the brutal rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the news that came out of this year shocked us. Before 2025 knocks on the door, it is worth turning back the clock and remembering the biggest controversies and scandals of this year.

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South Korean president impeached

The moment could very well have been a scripted K-drama but it was reality, albeit a brief one.

On the night of December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law citing anti-state forces and the threat from North Korea.

Soon after, visuals emerged of thousands of protesters gathering outside the opposition-controlled Parliament, the National Assembly, to oppose the move.

The martial law remained in place for only six hours as the opposition lawmakers in the Parliament voted to overrule the president, forcing Yoon to lift the martial law.

Protestors are stopped by police as they rally towards Presidential Office, calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, in Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2024. Reuters

The South Korean president has since been facing calls to resign, which he has so far refused to do. Yoon survived the first impeachment motion after the 300-member Parliament fell short of a quorum of 200 lawmakers.

I will stand firm whether Im impeached or investigated. I will fight to the end, Yoon said ahead of the second vote to impeach him.

He was finally impeached on December 14.

Yoons shocking decision to declare martial law was seen as stemming from his political troubles, putting focus on his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee.

From Dior Bag Scandal to interference in candidate nomination processes, Kims controversies have come to haunt her and her husband.

Now, Yoons fate lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court which will decide whether to remove him sometime in the next six months.

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Vinesh Phogats disqualification from Olympics

Whats a mere 100 grammes? In the Olympics, everything.

It was these few grammes that ended Vinesh Phogats dreams of clinching a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The top wrestler was disqualified from the womens 50 kg wrestling at the 2024 Olympics for being overweight by a mere 100 grammes, sending shockwaves across India.

Soon after, she announced her retirement from the sport. In an emotional tweet, Phogat wrote, Ma, wrestling has won, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams and my courage, everything is broken. I dont have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I shall be indebted to you all. Forgive (me).

The heartbreak of Phogats disqualification turned into a political slugfest back home, with the opposition calling her a victim of sports politics.

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Off the mat, but the fight did not end for Phogat there. In the Haryana Assembly elections in October, she won the Julana constituency on a Congress ticket by defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Yogesh Kumar.

Phogat  who was at the forefront of the wrestlers protest last year against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan, accusing him of sexual exploitation  was mentioned in the BBCs list of 100 inspiring and influential women for 2024 for challenging gender stereotypes.

Joe Biden drops out of US presidential race

United States President Joe Biden had to go back on his words this year. It was one disastrous debate with Donald Trump that ended Bidens re-election bid.

After reiterating that he had no intention to quit the White House race and that he is the candidate to beat Trump, Biden finally backed out in July, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to take on the mantle.

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Democrat presidential candidate US President Joe Biden listens as Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump speaks during their debate in Atlanta, Georgia, US, June 27, 2024. File Photo/Reuters

Explaining why he finally quit, the US president said, A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races.

Harris failed to defeat Trump in the November presidential elections and the Republican is now set to return to the White House next month.

This was not the only time that Biden took a U-turn in 2024. He stirred controversy this month after announcing a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted on federal felony gun and tax charges over the summer.

This came after the White House assured several times that Biden would not pardon his son.

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RG Kar rape and murder of doctor

The gruesome rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar hospital triggered widespread outrage across India. The victims body was found inside the seminar hall of the state-run hospital.

An autopsy report revealed the woman sustained extensive injuries across her head, face, neck, arms, and genitals. It also confirmed forceful penetration, indicating sexual assault. The cause of death was ascertained to be manual strangulation associated with smothering.

The sole accused Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested and is facing rape and murder charges.

The young trainee doctor was on duty the night the tragic incident took place. The deceaseds family alleged they were first informed that their daughter had died by suicide.

The horrific case led to protests across India, with doctors demanding a central law to protect healthcare workers.

People during a candlelight march in protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata, September 4, 2024. File Photo/PTI

The case also highlighted the issue of womens safety in the country. Many women took to the streets demanding justice for the victim. Despite strict laws, India continues to be plagued by violence against women.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case from the Kolkata police after the Calcutta High Courts intervention, said earlier in December that the trial is expected to conclude within a month.

France mass rape trial

A mass rape trial in France has horrified the world. Gisele Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman, was raped by her former husband and dozens of other men.

Dominique Pelicot solicited dozens of strangers from 2011 to 2020 in the village of Mazan, in Provence, to rape his wife while she was sedated and unconscious. He contacted men on an online chatroom titled without her knowledge to invite strangers to come to the couples home to rape his wife after mixing sleeping tablets and anti-anxiety medication into her food and drink that left her unconscious.

Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot, the victim of an alleged mass rape orchestrated by her then-husband Dominique Pelicot at their home in the southern French town of Mazan, leaves during a morning break as prosecutors say what sentences they are seeking in the trial for Dominique Pelicot and 50 co-accused, at the courthouse in Avignon, France, November 26, 2024. Reuters

The details of the case have sent shockwaves globally. Gisele Pelicot, a former logistics manager, has emerged as a feminist hero for insisting that the rape trial of these men is held in public so that shame could change sides.

The trial has led to a shift in France as it started a conversation about rape culture and toxic masculinity among men.

Dominique and the other accused are now awaiting their verdict. If convicted, they face prison sentences of between four and 20 years.

Donald Trumps hush money trial conviction

Donald Trump is set to return as the United States President next month. But even before his landmark victory in November, the Republican leader was busy creating history this year.

In May, Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes after a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a hush money case.

He was convicted of several charges including falsifying business documents to cover up hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, before the 2016 presidential election. The porn actor said she had sex with Trump in 2006.

The Republican has denied the claims.

Prosecutors are now scrambling their heads to keep Trumps conviction in the hush money case as he now enjoys presidential immunity.

Indian agent named in Pannun assassination bid

The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) accused Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government employee, of being involved in a plot to kill pro-Khalistan separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in America.

The Justice Department has charged Yadav with murder-for-hire and money laundering in the alleged conspiracy to kill Pannun.

A US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) handout image shows a poster for wanted former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav who has been charged by the US for allegedly directing a foiled plot to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. File image/Reuters

Authorities allege Yadav ordered the foiled plot from India when he was employed by the Indian governments Cabinet Secretariat, which houses the spy agency  Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

According to the Justice Department, Yadav said his position was of a senior field officer with responsibilities in security management and intelligence.

The indictment claims he recruited Gupta last May to arrange the assassination.

On Yadav being named as an Indian government employee by the Justice Department, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Thursday that he was not part of the government of India set-up.

The accused has been put on the FBIs wanted list.

Yadav is also facing a kidnapping and extortion case filed by a Delhi-based businessman.

Pune Porsche hit-and-run

Road safety became a hot topic in India this year. A 17-year-old boy allegedly rammed his speeding Porsche into a motorcycle in Punes Yerwada, killing two young techies in their 20s.

Outrage erupted online after it came to light that the teenager was leniently granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board, asking him to write a 300-word essay on road safety.

Reports emerged that the minor was allegedly driving in an inebriated condition, which further fuelled the national uproar.

The Porsche car found without number plate, in Pune, May 21, 2024. File Photo/PTI

The police investigation found that when the boy was taken to the government-run Sassoon Hospital for a medical examination, his blood sample was allegedly replaced with his mothers.

The police later arrested seven people, including the minors parents, doctors and staff at the Sassoon hospital.
A shadowy Chinese businessman, known only as H6, has come to light over his alleged ties to Prince Andrew and espionage claims linked to Beijing. Recently barred from the UK on national security grounds, H6 is accused of leveraging royal connections to further the Chinese Communist Partys influence read more

Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, UK, December 25, 2022. File Image/Reuters

A mysterious Chinese businessman, known only by the pseudonym H6, has come into the light due to his close ties with Prince Andrew and allegations of espionage.

Recently barred from the UK on national security grounds, H6 has become the focus of alleged Chinese government links, and questions about Britains national security.

We take a look at what we know so far:

Who is H6?

H6, a 50-year-old businessman, has been described as having cultivated an unusual degree of trust with Prince Andrew.

While his real identity remains shielded by an anonymity order, he has been accused of engaging in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its United Front Work Department (UFWD).

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These allegations led to his expulsion from the UK in 2023 under the directive of then-UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Despite his denials of political involvement, H6s activities and connections have raised significant concerns. His devices, searched at a UK border in 2021 under counter-terrorism laws, revealed documents that suggested he had obscured ties to the Chinese government.

The tribunals ruling highlighted his ability to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials, a capability that could be exploited by Beijing.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy in London condemned the accusations, criticising the baseless spy stories targeting China. Their purpose was to smear China and disrupt normal exchanges between Chinese and British personnel.

What is the link between H6 and Prince Andrew?

H6s connection to Prince Andrew has emerged as a central aspect of the case. According to documents recovered from H6s phone, the businessman had been authorised by the Duke of York to represent him in dealings with potential investors in China.

A letter from Dominic Hampshire, a senior advisor to Andrew, revealed the extent of H6s trust and influence:

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 letter stated.

Britains Prince Andrew leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of Britains King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, UK, May 6, 2023. File Image/Reuters

H6 was also invited to Andrews 60th birthday celebration in 2020, further solidifying his position within the royals inner circle. In another document, the Duke was described as being in a desperate situation and willing to grab onto anything, suggesting a vulnerability that could be exploited.

Judge Charles Bourne, who presided over the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) case, remarked that H6s influence on the Duke occurred in a context where Andrew was under considerable pressure. This situation, he noted, could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence.

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In response to the revelations, Andrews office stated: The Duke of York followed advice from His Majestys Government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. 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.

This is not the first scandal involving the Duke of York. Andrews past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations by Virginia Giuffre have previously tarnished his reputation.

Despite vehemently denying all accusations, Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and relinquished his military titles and patronages in 2022.

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Who else did H6 know in British polity?

H6s activities extended beyond his relationship with Prince Andrew. Reports indicate he met former UK Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May at separate events over the past 15 years, keeping photographs of these encounters in his London office. However, it remains unclear whether these meetings occurred while either leader was in office.

While some have dismissed these interactions as innocuous, others see them as part of a deliberate strategy.

The Independent quoted Dame Angela Eagle, who responded to questions about the photographs, stating, Photographs arent necessarily any more meaningful than photographs. Spies are not short-termists; they sometimes establish friendships with people of influence over many, many years.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticised the anonymity order shielding H6s identity, arguing that the public has a right to know. He told The Mail on Sunday: If its not resolved in the courts, he should be named in the Commons. Its clearly in the national interest. Similarly, Labour MP Graham Stringer called the anonymity ludicrous.

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Is H6 a Chinese spy?

The UK governments decision to bar H6 was based on evidence linking him to the UFWD, a CCP apparatus described by Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a magic weapon to extend Beijings influence abroad. Judge Bourne concluded that the Home Office was justified in determining that H6 posed a risk to national security.

Dame Angela Eagle defended the actions taken, asserting, The security services are always vigilant around potential espionage, and thats the day job we pay them to do.

H6s case also reignited debates about the transparency of the UKs espionage laws. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called for parliamentary debates on the matter, stating that the Royals involvement places the issue at the forefront of government concerns.

With inputs from agencies
NSA Ajit Doval is expected to visit Beijing for talks under the mechanism of Special Representative on the border issue with his counterpart, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, by December-end or January beginning read more

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is likely to visit China soon to take forward talks on addressing the long-standing border dispute following disengagement of forces on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

A report by ANI quoted sources as saying that Doval is likely to visit China soon for Special Representative talks.

Indian and Chinese sides are working on the dates of the visit and NSA Doval could make a visit to Beijing for talks under the mechanism of Special Representative on the border issue by December-end or January beginning, a report by Hindustan Times quoted people with knowledge of the development as saying.

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In the Special Representatives mechanism, Dovals counterpart is Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.

Doval and Wang met last time on September 12 on the sidelines of a multilateral meeting in the Russian city of St Petersburg, when both the sides were working upon arrangements that resulted in October 21 disengagement at the two friction points of Demchok and Depsang.

In 2003, the Special Representatives mechanism was created to explore the framework of a boundary settlement. Since then, there have been 22 formal rounds of talks under the mechanism, with the last being held in 2019.

In April-May 2020, during the military standoff on the LAC, the Special Representatives held talks several times to find ways to end the face-off.

The upcoming Special Representatives meeting comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in the Russian city of Kazan on October 23.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and foreign minister Wang Yi on the margins of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18, and defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers-Plus meeting in Vientiane on November 20.

During the meeting, Modi and Xi had decided to revive several mechanisms, including meetings of the Special Representatives, to address the border issue as well as normalise bilateral relations.

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The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs met in New Delhi on December 5 during which it was agreed on maintaining peace and tranquility on the disputed frontier in line with bilateral agreements and protocols.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar made a detailed statement on India-China relations in both Houses of Parliament - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

In his address, Jaishankar highlighted the improvement in the ties between India and China after four years. He told the Lok Sabha on December 3 that full disengagement has been achieved in eastern Ladakh, adding that India-China relations have seen some improvements".

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The EAM noted that Indias next priority would be to continue de-escalation.

Recent developments that reflect continuous diplomatic engagements have set Indo-China ties in the direction of some improvement. Disengagement has been achieved in full in eastern Ladakh," he said.

With inputs from agencies.
Vijay Diwas on December 16 marks the liberation of Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan) from Pakistans rule with the Indian military intervention in 1971 read more

Lt. General A.A. K. Niazi (right) signing the surrender document as Lt. General J.S. Aurora (left), Chief of Indian Army's eastern command, looks on on December 16, 1971. (Photo: AP)

Amid strained ties over Bangladeshs new regimes tilt towards extremism and continuing violence against minorities in the country, India and Bangladesh are observing the Vijay Diwas on Monday (December 16), which celebrates the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistans rule in 1971.

While Bangladeshi freedom fighters had been waging a guerilla war against the Pakistani regime for several months with Indian assistance, the decisive factor was the Indian military intervention in East and West Pakistan during the 13-day full-scale war starting December 3. Indian forces joined Bangladeshi fighters in defeating Pakistan on both fronts and liberating Dhaka from Pakistans rule, forcing the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani personnel.

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Despite the strained ties, India and Bangladesh continue to mark joint-observance of the historic anniversary.

Eight Indian military veterans of the 1971 war have reached Dhaka while eight Bangladeshi officers arrived in Kolkata to join functions there, officials told PTI.

Officials and the High Commission of India in Bangladesh told the news agency that two serving officers from both sides were part of the delegations in Dhaka and Kolkata to be part of the celebrations.

The Bangladeshi delegation in Kolkata comprises Mukti Jodhas personnel, the guerrillas who were part of the resistance against Pakistans rule in the country.

The celebration of the Bangladeshs liberation would be at odds with the new political reality in the country. The new regime in the country of unelected leader Mohammed Yunus, propped by the military and anti-Sheikh Hasina agitators, is visibly pro-Pakistan. Islamist and radical groups friendly to Pakistan, such as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, have found a prominent role in Bangladeshi politics following Hasinas ouster.

Together, the new regime with the new power peddlers are chipping away at the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the founder of Bangladesh who led the war of liberation against Pakistan.
After holding a bilateral meeting with PM Modi in New Delhi, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake said: I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India read more

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Monday, assured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his country wont allow its land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India.

Addressing the media after a bilateral meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Dissanayake further said, The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support for India.

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#WATCH | At the joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says, "I have also given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of pic.twitter.com/X7xrhGBclH  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

The Sri Lankan President, who is on 3-day India visit, his first foreign trip after assuming office in September, further expressed his happiness of being able to travel to Delhi as his first state visit.

I want to thank India for the invitation extended to me and also for the warm hospitality that was extended to the whole delegation, including myself. I want to thank PM Modi and President Murmu This visit paved the way for the cooperation between the two countries to be developed further, Dissanayake said.

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#WATCH | At the joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says, "...After becoming the President of Sri Lanka, this is my visit foreign visit. I am so happy that I was able to come to Delhi on my first State visit. I want to thank pic.twitter.com/7OyvAgpupf  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

India supported us immensely

Dissanayake also thanked India for supporting Sri Lanka during its economic crisis. We faced an unprecedented economic crisis some 2 years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process, he said.

I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka, the President of the island nation further said.

#WATCH | At the joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says, "We faced an unprecedented economic crisis some 2 years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, pic.twitter.com/ovKoztrYWv  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

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Meanwhile, PM Modi informed that India has, so far, provided $5 billion in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka.

PM Modi said that during their talks, the two leaders have decided that grant assistance will be given for the rehabilitation of the signalling system of the Maho-Anuradhapura railway section and Kankesanthurai Port.

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Sri Lankan President on fishermen issue

PM Modi said that during the bilateral meeting, he discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen with the Sri Lankan President. We agreed that we should move forward with a humanitarian approach in this matter, the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, Dissanayake said: We also want to find a durable and sustainable solution to the fishermens issue that has become a plague for both our countries. There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry.

#WATCH | At the joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says, "We also want to find a durable and sustainable solution to the fishermen's issue that has become a plague for both our countries. There are bottom trawling systems pic.twitter.com/dyzkcwPcfn  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

New speed & energy generated in India-Sri Lanka relations

PM Modi welcomed Dissanayake to India and said, We are delighted that as the President, you chose India for your first foreign State Visit. With todays Yatra, new speed and energy is being generated in our relations.

For our partnership we have adopted a futuristic vision. In our economic cooperation, we have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity. We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be important pillars of our partnership. Work will be done for electricity grid connectivity and multi petroleum pipeline, the Prime Minister said.

#WATCH | At the joint press statement with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Narendra Modi says, "...I welcome President Dissanayake to India. We are delighted that as the President, you chose India for your first foreign State Visit. With today's Yatra, new speed pic.twitter.com/Yl6FEBPZid  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

India to give monthly scholarships to 200 students in Sri Lanka

At the joint press statement, PM Modi announced that under education cooperation, from 2025, monthly scholarships will be given to 200 students in the universities of Jaffna and Eastern Province.

1,500 civil servants of Sri Lanka to be trained in India

In the next 5 years, 1500 civil servants of Sri Lanka will be trained in India, the Prime Minister announce.

Along with housing, renewable energy and infrastructure, India will also cooperate for the development of agriculture, dairy and fisheries in Sri Lanka. India will also participate in the unique digital identity project in Sri Lanka, PM Modi said.

#WATCH | At the joint press statement with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Narendra Modi says, "India has so far provided 5 billion dollars in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka. We have cooperation in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka and the pic.twitter.com/swMYUxcfKw  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Agreement soon

PM Modi said further said that during the meeting with Dissanayake, it has been decided that soon India and Sri Lanka will finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement.

We completely agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the Prime Minister said.

#WATCH | At the joint press statement with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Narendra Modi says, "We completely agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has pic.twitter.com/3jogv9vw3Q  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

Soon ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar

PM Modi highlighted that ferry service and Chennai-Jaffna flight connectivity have boosted tourism and strengthened India-Sri Lankas cultural ties.

We have decided that after the successful launch of Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai ferry services, now ferry service will be started between Rameswaram in India and Talaimannar, he said.

Work will also be done to realise the immense potential of tourism through the Buddhist circuit and Ramayana trail of Sri Lanka, the PM said.

We also talked about construction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Dissanayake told me about his inclusive approach. We hope the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of Tamilians and fulfil its commitment to full implementation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and to conduct the Provincial Council Elections, PM Modi said.

#WATCH | At the joint press statement with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Narendra Modi says, "When Pali language was given the status of classical language in India, it was celebrated in Sri Lanka too. Ferry service and Chennai-Jaffna flight connectivity have pic.twitter.com/Dd7zJ8bI22  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

India will remain trusted & reliable partner

I have assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to be a trusted and reliable partner in its efforts to develop Sri Lanka in many ways, PM Modi said.
In a divided nation struggling with polarised politics, high debt, and a ballooning deficit, the task before 73-year-old Francois Bayroua well-known name in French politics and a long-time Macron allyis humongous read more

On Friday, December 13, President Emmanuel Macron of France appointed Francois Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of France. Bayron assumes the mantle amid unprecedented chaos and confusion with the polity and finance of the country. He has the unenviable task before him to steady the rudderless French ship in the choppy water.

Farmer turned premier

A tractor-driving son of the soil Bayrou fondly calls himself a country man. He was born in the village of Bearn in a family of farmers. He grew up in the small village of Borderes, between the Catholic pilgrimage shrine of Lourdes and Nay, the birthplace of the beret, and retains ties with the village with a home there.

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Aged 73, a centrist, the president of the European Democratic Party and its French member party, MoDem, Bayrou is one of the most experienced politicians of France, who before the appointment as Prime Minister was the high commissioner of planning, the French government body responsible for leading and coordinating projects linked to social, environmental, and technological issues. He is also the ex-mayor of Pau, a town in southwestern France.

Bayrou, who stammered in early life, defied the prediction of a doctor that he would never be able to perform on the stage, be a teacher, or be a politicianhas achieved all. Having been a teacher of classical languages in his 20s and having served as education minister from 1993 to 1997, he was also justice minister of Macron briefly in 2017.

He has run thrice to be president of France and earned the popular moniker of the third man of French politics, a name he gained during the 2007 presidential election, during which he presented himself as a third way between the right and the left.

What brings him here?

The appointment of Bayrou as premier comes on the collapse of the government headed by centre-right Prime Minister Michel Barnier, whose government became the first in over the last sixty years to be toppled after a no-confidence vote.

Barnier was ousted in the no-confidence motion in the lower house of Frances Parliament, with 331 voting to oust the government, with Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally joining the ouster move, making the three-month term of Barnier the shortest in the Fifth Republic of France.

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Monumental crisis

Under the French constitution, the president nominates prime ministers in France, but, like it happened to Mr. Barnier, the presidential pick of prime minister can be ousted at any time by no-confidence votes.

The new appointee by French President Emmanuel Macron, though a widely respected politician with decades of experience, shall have to tread cautiously. He will need to remember the ignominy heaped on his predecessor, Barnier, who had the shortest tenure of a French Prime Minister in the Fifth Republic.

Three contrasting crises:

One, months of political turmoilsince July 8, 2024, when the snap election gambit of President Emmanuel Macron brought him a body blow, resulting in an uncertain political landscape with a hugely fragmented lower house.

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Two, the Left, Right, Centre conundrumthe result has been a complete conundrum of Left, Right, and Centre, with a fractured National Assembly Lower House of France, making governance impossible owing to it being evenly divided among Marine Le Pens far-right Rassemblement National (RN), now the first political force in France; Macrons centrist Renaissance party; and finally, a loosely united and contentious tactical coalition between the left and the far left.

Three, galloping budgetary and economic crisisFrance is in the throes of a serious fiscal crisis. At a handover ceremony with former Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Friday, Bayrou said, No one knows better than him the scale of Frances financial problems, comparing the countrys budget deficit to the Himalayan Mountain range."

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Chance medley tumult

Indubitably, the ascension of Bayrou as the fourth Prime Minister of France in less than a year comes at a particularly difficult time for France, with the country being in serious trouble both politically and economically.

One, a convulsing political chasm, it will be nearly impossible for highly respected Bayrou to govern the fractured nation. No near-term solution is in sight with President Emmanuel Macron doggedly refusing to go and staying firm to stay put until the end of his five-year term, until May 2027. Also, the Prime Minister shall need to deftly navigate the churn of left, far left, centre, and right in the parliament because, as per the French constitution, the next parliamentary election can be held only after one year of the last one.

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Two, seismic financial tremors, Suffice to say here that as against the governmental fiscal deficit target promised to European partners of 3 per cent by 2027, the deficit has ballooned to 6.1 per cent in 2024 and if the business as usual continues it is likely to further exacerbate to 6.2 per cent in 2025 and 6.7 per cent in 2026.

Unsurprisingly then, the task of the new PM is cut outnormalising a roiling political turmoil and setting in order the economic and budgetary crisis.

Hagrid

As if the existing crises were not enough, even before the formation of his new government, the tenure of the Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has begun with a bad omen. The credit rating agency Moodys on Saturday, within hours of the appointment of the new Prime Minister, downgraded the sovereign credit rating of France.

Moodys cut its rating on France from Aa2 to Aa3, emphasising that the downgrade reflects Moodys view that the countrys public finances will be substantially weakened over the coming years. Frances rating had already been lowered to equivalent levels by Standard & Poors and Fitch.

It is as bad as it can go.

The immediate fallout of Moodys cutting Frances sovereign debt rating is that it will put pressure on the nations borrowing costs at a challenging time, making France one of the most financially stressed countries in Europe.

Straightaway unswerving task

The straight, unswerving task of the new Prime Minister emanates from the very reason Bayrous predecessor, Michel Barnier, was ousted by the far-right and left-wing lawmakers. Barnier had to go because he tried to rein in Frances finances with a budget that aimed at belt-tightening in a desperate aim to shore up the economy of France, including 60 billion euros ($63 billion) worth of spending cuts and tax increases.

The urgent immediate tasks Bayrou faces are:

One, cobbling together a governmentthe first task before the Prime Minister is to cobble together a robust government that can deliver. To do so, it must be robust enough to survive the vicissitudes of the fractured, cantankerous lower house of Parliament, tragically divided into left, far-left, centre, right, and far-right.

His mettle will be assessed in trying to satisfy warring political factions.

Two, avoiding government shutdownthe most immediate task he faces is to consensually arrive at least at an immediate stopgap measure to avoid a potential and looming large government shutdown before the new year.

This is an absolute minimum.

Three, passing the budgetthe new PM must pass his own budget before December 21. If the budget is not passed by the deadline, his government shall be forced to legislate a fiscal continuity law, which would avoid a shutdown by allowing the government to collect taxes and pay salaries, with spending capped at 2024 levels.

France getting a budget that tackled the budgetary deficit and still gets the hands up of all stakeholders will be excruciatingly difficult for the new PM, as his predecessor Barniers proposed financing bill, which sparked his downfall, aimed at bringing the countrys budget deficit down to 5.1%.

The task before 73-year-old Bayroua well-known name in French politics and a long-time Macron allyis humongous. It starts and ends with bringing rock-solid stability to France, a divided nation struggling with polarised politics, high debt, and a ballooning deficit.

The performance of Bayrou shall be watched both inside and outside France. He must dexterously navigate both domestic and international fronts, including but not limited to being a staunch ally of Ukraine amid a promised trade war and reduced NATO support by Donald J Trump and at a time when Frances European neighbour Germany faces economic and political meltdown.

The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
China, France hold 26th strategic dialogue

Xinhua) 09:42, December 16, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
As the US steps back from its role as a global policeman, the vacuum in international security governance is palpable. This shift heralds an era where regional powers might take on more significant roles in maintaining peace within their spheres of influence read more

India would need to bolster its military capabilities, possibly increasing its defence budget, enhancing its naval presence in the Indian Ocean, and developing rapid deployment forces. Image: AP

Has Indias time come at last? Many are saying as much more loudly than ever before. Many others are also hoping so, but a little more quietly and circumspectly. How much is the reality and how much is hype? What, moreover, does India need to do to come closer to joining, so to speak, the big boys club?

To begin with, India, clearly, aspires to being a great power. Secretly cherished and held close to its bosom, the nation has long harbored ambitions of punching close to its weight in the international arena. This aspiration and vision gained renewed vigour under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. Modi envisions India as not just a participant but a shaper of the new global order.

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The idea of a great power and what it really entails have also evolved considerably in the last hundred years. Historically, great powers have been defined by their economic might, military strength, technological prowess, and diplomatic influence. In the contemporary context, with global dynamics shifting towards a multi-polar or hetero-polar world, these attributes are no more sufficient without the added dimension of global responsibility. This entails not only protecting ones own interests but also contributing to global peace and security.

As the US steps back from its role as a global policeman, the vacuum in international security governance is palpable. This shift heralds an era where regional powers might take on more significant roles in maintaining peace within their spheres of influence. For India, this transformation poses both opportunities and challenges.

But do we know what this really entails for India? It seems that the world will now see definite and well-defined spheres of influence, with aligned powers working in tandem. To be sure, India cannot hope to be a great power only by exerting moral authority or, for that matter, by flexing its growing economic muscle.

Let us be under no illusion: if it wants to be a great power, India must be willing to put boots on the ground outside its borders. Secondly, it must choose which side to be aligned with, the United States or the other side, whoever in addition to China may be on it. Both the above desiderata have considerable risks and consequences attached to them.

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Are we prepared to see body bags coming home from distant shores, that too in conflicts and wars that are not directly related to us? In addition, are we really willing to take sides in Cold War 2.0? Unless we have clearer answers to these questions, no amount of bluster or boasting will really count for anything of significance in the international system.

We have, arguably, the best fighting force in the world. But we must be prepared to deploy it not just in self-defence, but to achieve strategic goals beyond our borders. This requires a significant shift in our mindset. We cannot merely mouth the old slogans and shibboleths of ahimsa and panchashila, which few respected anyways when it came to the world of realpolitik.

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Historically, Indias military engagements have been largely defensive, focused on securing its borders, particularly with Pakistan and China. The only occasion on which we intervened militarily outside our borders was when the IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) was invited to invade Sri Lanka. That didnt turn out well for us. As a direct consequence, the prime minister who ordered it, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) operatives on May 21, 1991.

The earlier, much more successful intervention in Bangladesh, accomplished by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhis mother, was in the Bangladesh liberation struggle twenty years prior. But Bangladesh then was a part of Pakistan, a country which we have been at war with practically ever since Independence and Partition in 1947.

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Going forward, our efforts and exertions have to be much more systematic and purposive rather than accidental or reactive. They have to extend, probably, even beyond our immediate neighbourhood. Now to be recognized as a great power and find our rightful place on the United Nations Security Council, India must show readiness to act as a peacekeeper or even a peace-enforcer in conflict zones, whether in South Asia, the Indian Ocean region, or beyond.

This would mean not just participation in UN peacekeeping missions but also leading coalitions or acting unilaterally in areas where our strategic interests are at stake. Such actions could involve combating piracy, addressing humanitarian crises, or stabilising regions to prevent the spread of terrorism or other threats.

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The involvement in international military operations, however, comes with significant implications for Indias foreign policy, military expenditure, and public opinion. It would need to bolster its military capabilities, possibly increasing its defence budget, enhancing its naval presence in the Indian Ocean, and developing rapid deployment forces. Moreover, such engagements could expose India to risks, including military casualties, international criticism, or prolonged and costly conflicts.

Are we prepared for such a role?

(To be concluded)

The writer is an author and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Indian Navys role in liberating Bangladesh continues to inspire future generations, reinforcing Indias enduring commitment to freedom, justice, and sovereignty in an evolving global order read more

The 1971 India-Pakistan War was a defining chapter in South Asian history, culminating in the creation of Bangladesh and marking the largest military surrender since World War II. While ground operations often receive the spotlight, the Indian Navys strategic and meticulously executed campaigns in the eastern theatre played a decisive role. Vijay Diwas, celebrated on December 16, commemorates this historic victory, underscoring the Indian Armed Forces unparalleled coordination, resilience, and tactical brilliance.

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Origins of the Conflict

The conflict stemmed from deep-seated political and economic discrimination against East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) by West Pakistans ruling elite. Despite constituting the majority of Pakistans population, East Pakistans Bengali citizens were marginalised politically, economically, and culturally. Tensions peaked after the 1970 general elections when the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a landslide victory. West Pakistans military rulers refused to transfer power, triggering mass protests.

The situation escalated with Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, a brutal crackdown by the Pakistani military. The operation saw mass killings, widespread destruction, and large-scale atrocities, including sexual violence. Over 10 million refugees fled to India, causing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and compelling Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to seek international intervention. With the global community largely indifferent, India prepared for military action.

The Mukti Bahini and Covert Naval Operations

Indias first response was to support the Mukti Bahini, the Bengali resistance force composed of defectors from Pakistans military, police, students, and civilians. India provided training, intelligence, and logistical support, enabling the Mukti Bahini to execute effective guerrilla operations.

One of the most remarkable contributions was Operation X, a covert naval mission targeting East Pakistans maritime supply routes. Indian Navy divers, in collaboration with Mukti Bahini operatives, conducted daring missions to sink or disable enemy vessels. Between August and December 1971, these missions incapacitated over 100,000 tonnes of enemy shipping, representing the largest maritime sabotage since World War II. This operation crippled East Pakistans war effort and demonstrated the strategic impact of well-executed covert naval actions.

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Force Alpha: Striking Riverine Strongholds

Force Alpha, a joint operation involving the Indian Navy, BSF, and Mukti Bahini, launched high-risk missions targeting key riverine and industrial complexes in East Pakistan. Armed with gunboats and speedboats, Force Alpha conducted night raids on installations at Chalna, Khulna, and Mongla. These daring strikes disrupted vital supply lines, sank enemy vessels, and damaged crucial infrastructure such as fuel depots and communication hubs.

Force Alphas operations were marked by tactical brilliance and sheer audacity, often involving close-range engagements under heavy fire. Operating under the cover of darkness and using riverine routes known only to local operatives, the task force carried out a relentless campaign of attrition. Their precision strikes supported the Indian Armys eastern advance, facilitating critical territorial gains. The courage displayed by Force Alpha personnel earned several gallantry awards, symbolising their contribution to Indias decisive victory.

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Sinking PNS Ghazi: A Turning Point

One of the wars most defining moments was the sinking of PNS Ghazi, Pakistans most advanced submarine, which was on a mission to destroy Indias flagship aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Recognising the imminent threat, the Indian Navy executed a masterstroke of deception. False signals were sent, misleading Ghazi into believing Vikrant was anchored at Visakhapatnam.

On the night of December 3, 1971, PNS Ghazi ventured dangerously close to the Visakhapatnam coast. An explosion, believed to be triggered either by its own mines or depth charges from INS Rajput, led to its catastrophic sinking. This eliminated Pakistans only submarine capable of challenging Indias naval supremacy, securing maritime dominance for the rest of the conflict. The loss of Ghazi not only disrupted Pakistans operational strategy but also shattered its naval morale, ensuring the safe and unrestricted movement of Indian naval forces.

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INS Vikrant and the Maritime Blockade

With the Ghazi eliminated, INS Vikrant, Indias first aircraft carrier, took centre stage. Operating in the Bay of Bengal, it launched relentless airstrikes on enemy ports, airfields, and military installations, including Chittagong, Coxs Bazar, and Khulna. Its Sea Hawk fighter-bombers conducted precision strikes that obliterated Pakistans operational capabilities, destroying docks, supply depots, and naval facilities.

The Vikrants most significant contribution was enforcing a naval blockade that sealed East Pakistans coastline. Its air cover and sea patrols effectively shut down all maritime routes, preventing troop reinforcements, disrupting supply lines, and thwarting escape attempts by sea. The blockade isolated East Pakistan, cutting off every possible line of support and hastening the collapse of the Pakistani military machine. This played a crucial role in forcing the eventual unconditional surrender on December 16, 1971.

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Victory and Aftermath

The success of operations like Operation X, Force Alpha, and the deployment of INS Vikrant underscored the decisive role of maritime power. These naval campaigns complemented the Indian Armys ground offensives and the Air Forces precision strikes, paving the way for a swift and comprehensive victory.

On December 16, 1971, Pakistans surrender of over 93,000 troops marked the largest military capitulation since World War II and established Bangladesh as a sovereign nation. For India, this was not merely a military triumph but a humanitarian mission that liberated millions from oppression.

Legacy and Strategic Lessons

Vijay Diwas serves as a reminder of Indias military, diplomatic, and humanitarian commitment. The war highlighted the critical role of naval power in achieving strategic military goals, especially in a geopolitically significant region dependent on maritime trade.The conflict also showcased Indias ability to align military strategy with diplomatic objectives, navigating Cold War dynamics and securing global recognition for its actions.

Till the sudden regime change in Bangladesh, Delhi and Dhaka shared a robust partnership rooted in shared history and regional security cooperation. The lessons of 1971 continue to guide Indias strategic thinking, particularly as both nations navigate evolving maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.The 1971 war remains a testament to the bravery, ingenuity, and professionalism of the Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Navys role in liberating Bangladesh continues to inspire future generations, reinforcing Indias enduring commitment to freedom, justice, and sovereignty in an evolving global order.

Commander Rahul Verma (Retd) is an Emerging Technology and Prioritisation Scout for a leading Indian multinational corporation, focusing on advancing force modernisation through innovative technological applications and operational concepts. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Any indication that the West, especially the US, is ready to blink, whatever the reason and circumstances, could strengthen Russias morale and strengthen President Vladimir Putins position within and outside Moscow read more

In Paris, where he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky, US President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that the Ukraine War required closure speedier than the Gaza War in the Middle East/West Asia. In the same vein, he also told the local media that the US in his second (non-consecutive) term would not hesitate to withdraw from NATO.

Trump did not elaborate on the latter, but in his first term too, he had held out such threats, declaring that Europe should pay for its security and not expect the US to underwrite their expenses too for NATO. This time, however, it holds a larger meaning and purpose as the Ukraine War is draining the resources of the US and its West European allies, and with no end in sight.

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Now, a situation has arisen when Ukraines allies would be happy for even their ward to lose the war if that is what would lead to a closure. However, they cannot afford such a closure, nor can they be seen as forcing one on Ukraine and against the latters interest by holding back on arms supplies halfway through what has increasingly become their proxy war.

Already, there are talks of the military-industrial complex in the US and elsewhere, where host governments underwrite weapons supplies for Ukraine, being able to make their billions from reconstruction efforts, which, too, the very same governments have to footwhether as grants or long-term credit. From the Vietnam War era, the world has seen this happen in Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever the West has invested their men and/or material in fighting wars that are strictly not theirs.

Demoralising Western Europe

In the current context, Trumps threat to consider US withdrawal from NATO means much more than what he intended in his first term. Any weakening of the US resolve to proceed with the Ukraine War just now could demoralise Western Europe, where nations like Germany and France, among others, are at it only because the US took stakes in the conflict early on and left them with little option.

As may be recalled, France and even more Germany were reluctant customers, as the latter especially feared an imminent shortage of Russian oil. Long before the first war-winter arrived in 2022, Western media were full of speculative stories about average Germans freezing to death and all German industries coming to a standstill for want of Russian oil. There were also pen pictures of a return of Stalingrad dating back to the Second World War, for Germans, both the common man and policy-maker, to woe behold!

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None of it happened, and Germany and also France, not to miss out the UK, have all been vigorous participants in the war through regular supplies and replenishments for Ukraine. A situation has arisen since in which Western Europe cannot afford to blink without loss of face, nearer home and overseas, and also with a real fear of security concerns, going beyond the theoretical possibilities of the Cold War.

Ready to blink?

What does Trumps threat of US withdrawal from NATO entail in real terms and in real time? Any indication that the West, especially the US, is ready to blink, whatever the reason and circumstances, could strengthen Russias morale and strengthen President Vladimir Putins position within and outside.

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The world is tired of manufactured Western media plants of the past two-plus years of Putin suffering from stomach cancer, memory loss, and worse. It is the kind of psy-war that worked during the World War and even during the Iraq and Afghan Wars in the new millennium. Saddam Husseins WMD cache was the height of it.

Today, in this social media era, psy-wars come naturally to nations, including Russia, but there is little or no stomach elsewhere for accepting them at face value. In their effort to prove Russias planted stories as psy-operations, Western analysts have also handed over the tools of such exposure to social media users, with the result that they too have become adept at applying them to see through the Wests psy-operations, too.

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This may have produced a positive effect on the global mood, unlike even during the two US-led Iraq Wars against Saddam Hussein. The first one, after Saddams Iraq occupied Kuwait, had certain justification to it. The same could not be said about the WMD theory, as just a day after then US Secretary of State Colin Powell had sought to convince the UN General Assembly, an academic scholar punctured the all-American balloon, claiming that it was based on his PhD theory.

Unpredictability and more

Even without all this, Trump, during his first term, had become more unpredictable for Americas allies than, say, adversaries. At least the latter, like China, were put on notice, especially on trade and tariff fronts. In the case of his unpredictability, allies in Europe and Asia, especially Southeast Asia, were left questioning Washingtons political intent and the consequent change in the content of their century-old relations, dating back to the First World War.

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If this was not enough, now you have him reiterating his past position of reconsidering Americas NATO membership. This would cause Western Europe, both as nations and geo-strategic regions, to tread cautiously at every turn, then check and verify before taking the next step. From a Ukrainian perspective, this could be the beginning of a feeling of being let down by Western allies.

Yet, from what Trump has said about the Ukraine War being the worst of the two when compared to the Gaza War, the implication is that he would try and use his good offices to end and not escalate the same. To retain the all-American credibility among its allies, present and prospective, if any, the solution that he works out should ensure a honourable exit for Ukraine and West Europe.

For all this, he will have to negotiate with Putin. Whether he enters the talks directly or through intermediaries, Putin too would welcome the Trump initiative wholeheartedly, as a victorious closure is not in sight for either Russia or Ukraine unless the West stops arming the latter.

Honourable way out

From within, the chances are that Putin too would come under pressure to end the war if there is an honourable and meaningful way out. After all, the war was over Russian concerns that Ukraine would be admitted into NATO, and this in turn would turn the Russo-Ukrainian border into a Russo-NATO border. In other ways, Putin and Russia would not want to go back to the Cold War era, where the erstwhile Soviet Union and NATO maintained eyeball-to-eyeball contact even when Ukraine was a part of the former.

Maybe, by reassuring Russia that Ukraine wont join NATO, Trump could begin the process of normalisation. Yet, he would have to work on the legitimate Ukraine demand for Russia to vacate the territories it had annexed during the war, first militarily and then politically. For Putin to surrender the same now could weaken him politically within the Kremlin setup.

It will be no different for Zelensky in Ukraine, but the stakes may remain within the democracy domain. Yet, it would be a concern for the current leadership, after all. The question is thus the kind of additional guarantees that Russia would want against a non-aggressive posture from NATO on the one hand and anticipated Ukrainian demand for ironclad guarantees that Russia would not attack the nation again in the next hundred years.

One welcome development unconnected to the Ukraine War yet possibly influencing Moscows decision could be the rebel takeover of Syria and the loss of Syrian ports and posts for the Russian navy. That way, a peace facilitator may be negotiating with Russia from a position of geostrategic strength. Trumps Paris declaration that post-coup Syria would have to fend for itself may be an encouraging message for Putin that the US does not intend to exploit the Russian helplessness in the Mediterranean.

That may be a good place to begin peace facilitation to end the Ukraine War when Trump returns as president a month from now. The way he has spoken about the Ukraine War and the priority he has conferred on ending it early implies that Trump hopes to hit the road running. How far and how fast he goes is what the world, including the two European adversaries, is looking for just now.

The writer is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst and Political Commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Meta accuses OpenAI of leveraging its nonprofit beginnings to attract substantial investment, only to now seek private gain. Meta contends that OpenAIs conversion would allow it to unfairly reap benefits built on a charitable foundation read more

The battle over OpenAIs status highlights a broader debate about the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility in the AI industry. Critics like Meta and Musk argue that OpenAI risks undermining trust in nonprofits by exploiting charitable resources for private benefit. Image Credit: Reuters

Meta has stepped into the fray, urging Californias attorney general to block OpenAIs transition to a for-profit model. In a letter sent to Attorney General Rob Bonta, Meta argued that OpenAIs shift would be wrong and could set a precedent for other start-ups to exploit charitable status until profitability becomes feasible.

This move follows a similar legal challenge by Elon Musk in November, raising the stakes in the ongoing debate over OpenAIs future.

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Concerns over nonprofit roots

Metas letter, published in full by The Verge, accuses OpenAI of leveraging its nonprofit beginnings to attract substantial investment, only to now seek private gain. Meta contends that OpenAIs conversion would allow it to unfairly reap benefits built on a charitable foundation. The company has also called for an investigation into OpenAIs past practices as a nonprofit, raising concerns about how the organisation has handled its assets and commitments.

Metas stance aligns with Musks efforts, as the letter expressed support for Musk and Shivon Zilis to represent public interests in the lawsuit Musk revived in August. The lawsuit challenges OpenAIs ability to shift its status while retaining the resources it amassed under its original mission.

OpenAI defends its position

OpenAI has responded to the criticism, maintaining that any restructuring would be done responsibly. According to OpenAI board chair Bret Taylor, the nonprofit arm would remain intact, receiving full value for its current stake in the for-profit entity. OpenAI emphasised that its mission to advance artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity remains unchanged, even as it consults legal and financial advisors about its next steps.

In a timeline released last week, OpenAI highlighted past communications from Musk, showing that he once advocated for the organisation to adopt a for-profit structure under his leadership. This revelation has added another layer of complexity to the dispute, pointing to longstanding tensions about OpenAIs direction.

Implications for the AI landscape

The battle over OpenAIs status highlights a broader debate about the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility in the AI industry. Critics like Meta and Musk argue that OpenAI risks undermining trust in nonprofits by exploiting charitable resources for private benefit. On the other hand, OpenAI claims that its proposed changes are necessary to secure funding and scale its mission.

This clash reflects the high stakes in the race for AI dominance, as tech giants and industry leaders wrestle with how to balance profit, public trust, and technological advancement. As the case unfolds, its outcome could set a precedent for how AI start-ups navigate the delicate boundary between nonprofit origins and for-profit ambitions.
Indias smartphone PLI scheme has been a game-changer, transforming the sector from the countrys 23rd-ranked export in 2019 to the third-largest individual commodity export today read more

Apple emerged as the frontrunner in November, with exports worth Rs 14,000 crore, the highest ever for the company in India. This figure surpasses its previous record of Rs 12,000 crore in October and represents over 80 per cent of the production value of iPhones assembled in India. Image Credit: Reuters

Indias smartphone exports have reached an unprecedented milestone, crossing the Rs 20,000 crore mark in November 2024. This marks a remarkable 92 per cent growth compared to the Rs 10,634 crore recorded in the same month last year, as per a report by the Business Standard.

The data, compiled from industry associations and company submissions, reflects the booming success of Indias smartphone manufacturing sector, led by global giants like Apple and Samsung.

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Apple leads the export surge

Apple emerged as the frontrunner in November, with exports worth Rs 14,000 crore, the highest ever for the company in India. This figure surpasses its previous record of Rs 12,000 crore in October and represents over 80 per cent of the production value of iPhones assembled in India.

Apples vendorsFoxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatronplayed a pivotal role in this achievement, with Foxconns Tamil Nadu facility being the single largest contributor. This performance far exceeds Apples production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme commitment of exporting 70-75 per cent of production value for FY25.

Samsung, alongside Indian manufacturers and other trade contributions, accounted for the remaining share of smartphone exports. Together, Apple and Samsung dominated the sector, cementing Indias growing role as a global smartphone manufacturing hub.

The PLI scheme driving success

Indias smartphone PLI scheme has been a game-changer, transforming the sector from the countrys 23rd-ranked export in 2019 to the third-largest individual commodity export today. The schemes incentives have propelled electronics exports as a whole, moving them from seventh place in 2019 to third so far in FY25.

According to the India Cellular & Electronics Association, the industry has achieved Rs 1.1 trillion in incremental goods and services tax and duties on mobile components since the schemes implementation. The sector has also generated Rs 2.87 trillion in exports over the past four years, creating 300,000 direct jobs and 600,000 indirect jobs. Notably, many of these roles have gone to young women entering the workforce for the first time.

A bright future for Indian electronics

With exports breaking records and the PLI scheme delivering substantial economic benefits, Indias electronics sector is experiencing a significant transformation. The surge in smartphone manufacturing and exports underscores the countrys growing competitiveness in global supply chains.

As Apple, Samsung, and other manufacturers continue to scale their operations, Indias position as a leading exporter of high-value electronics is set to strengthen further in the years to come.
Tesla has reported over 1,500 crashes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including several fatal incidents. Whats interesting is that out of the 45 total fatal crashes reported, about 40 involved a Tesla read more

The Trump transition team is reportedly pushing to eliminate a car-crash reporting requirement that has ruffled feathers at Tesla. This rule, which mandates automakers to disclose incidents involving advanced driver-assistance systems, has been a thorn in the side of Elon Musks electric car company.

With Tesla accounting for a significant portion of reported crashes under this regulation, the move could potentially ease scrutiny on the company while curbing the governments ability to monitor the safety of self-driving technologies.

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The recommendation, detailed in a document reviewed by Reuters, forms part of a 100-day strategy on automotive policy. Critics argue that this data-collection mandate has been instrumental in unveiling patterns in Teslas driver-assistance systems, raising safety concerns that have led to investigations and recalls.

Data-driven investigations spark controversy

Since the rules introduction in 2021, Tesla has reported over 1,500 crashes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including several fatal incidents. Whats interesting is that out of the 45 total fatal crashes reported, about 40 involved a Tesla. These disclosures have formed the backbone of key NHTSA investigations.

High-profile cases include accidents in Virginia and California, where Teslas operating on Autopilot were involved in fatal crashes. Without the crash data, NHTSA warns that it would struggle to detect emerging safety issues linked to automated driving systems.

Tesla, however, has voiced frustration over the rule, believing the data is often presented unfairly, creating a distorted picture of its safety record. Insiders suggest that Tesla executives have long wanted the requirement scrapped but acknowledged the need for a friendlier administration to make this a reality.

Broader implications for the industry

The push to scrap the crash-reporting requirement comes amid a larger effort to liberalise autonomous vehicle regulations under the new administration.

Proposals include establishing basic frameworks to foster innovation in the self-driving space, aligning with Musks advocacy for federal oversight to replace the painful patchwork of state laws. As one of the most high-profile players in the autonomous driving industry, Tesla stands to benefit from these proposed changes.

Other automakers and startups are also watching closely. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing most major automakers, has criticised the crash-reporting mandate as burdensome. Meanwhile, incidents involving companies like GMs Cruise underscore the importance of transparency in this emerging field.

The debate over fairness and transparency

Teslas dominance in the crash-reporting data is partly attributed to the vast number of its vehicles equipped with driver-assistance features and the frequency with which drivers activate them.

Experts suggest this increases the likelihood of situations where the systems might fail. Additionally, Teslas real-time crash data collection offers a level of detail that rivals may lack, giving the impression that its vehicles are disproportionately involved in crashes.

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NHTSA has repeatedly cautioned against comparing automakers based on this data alone, given the differences in how incidents are tracked and reported.

Nonetheless, the ongoing debate highlights the tension between fostering innovation and ensuring accountability in the autonomous driving space. With the Trump administration poised to reshape the regulatory landscape, the stakes for automakers and consumers alike couldnt be higher.
Twelve Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgias mountain resort of Gudauri due to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to local media reports, citing police read more

Twelve Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgias mountain resort of Gudauri due to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Indian mission in Tbilisi.

Georgias Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement that no signs of injuries or signs of violence were detected in an initial inspection.

The Indian mission in Tbilisi said that all 12 victims were Indian nationals. However, Georgias internal affairs ministry statement said 11 were foreigners while one victim was its citizen.

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It added that the bodies of all victims, employees in the same Indian restaurant, were found in bedrooms on the second floor of the facility.

Mission has just learned about the death of 12 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Mission is in touch with the local authorities to get details of the Indian nationals who lost their lives. All possible assistance will be given, PTI quoted the Indian mission in Tbilisi as saying in a statement.

Mission has just learned about the death of 12 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Mission is in touch with the local authorities to get details of the Indian nationals who lost their lives. All possible assistance will be given.  India in Georgia (@IndEmbGeorgia) December 14, 2024

In a separate statement, the Embassy of India in Tbilisi said it is saddened to learn of the unfortunate passing of 11 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia, and extends its deepest condolences to their families.

The Embassy is working closely with local authorities to facilitate the prompt repatriation of the mortal remains to India. We are also in contact with the bereaved families and are committed to providing all possible support, the statement added.

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Meanwhile, the police have launched an investigation under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to negligent manslaughter.

Preliminary findings suggest that a power generator was placed in a confined indoor area near the bedrooms and was likely turned on after the power supply was cut off on Friday night.

A forensic medical examination has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Investigative efforts are ongoing, with forensic experts working at the scene and interviews being conducted with individuals connected to the case.

With inputs from agencies
In the worst cyclone to have hit the French overseas territory of Mayotte in 90 years, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville said he expected the final death toll to reach close to a thousand or even several thousand read more

This undated photo provided by NGO Medecins du Monde on Sunday, December 15, 2024, shows a devastated hill on the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage with reports of several fatalities. AP

In the worst cyclone to have hit the French island of Mayotte in 90 years, at least 1,000 people are feared to have been killed.

Cyclone Chido has devasted the French overseas territory of Mayotte, which lies between Madagascar and Mozambique in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone thrashed the island with wind up to 225 kilometres per hour (140 miles per hour), laying waste to the islands airport and cutting off electricity, water, and communication services.

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Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the head of local administration, told media that he expected the final death toll to reach close to a thousand or even several thousand.

The central hospital in Mayotte along with health centres were also damaged by the cyclone, said French Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq to media.

Genevieve said that the hospital suffered major water damage and destruction, notably in the surgical, intensive care, maternity and emergency units and added that medical centres were also non-operational.

The AFP reported rescuers racing against time to reach out to those trapped across the island.

Mayotte is the poorest French overseas territory and around a third of people there live in shantytowns. The news agency reported that the cyclone has devasted the shantytowns where homes are mostly made of metallic sheets.

Moreover, around 100,000 people live on the island illegally and they are seeking rescue over fears that they may be removed from the island if authorities get hold of them. As illegal residents are likely to remain in hiding, rescue of those trapped in areas inhabited by illegal residents are bound to be slow.

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French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is scheduled to travel to Mayotte on Monday along with 160 soldiers and firefighters to reinforce the 110 already deployed, according to AFP.

A relief and rescue plane with around 3 tonnes of medical supplies, blood for transfusions, and 17 medical staff has left to join efforts at Mayotte, according to the news agency.

As the French government is scrambling to reach out to trapped people, international and multilateral organisations have also offered help. The Red Cross and the European Union (EU) have offered help, with EU chief saying the bloc remains ready to provide support in the days to come. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organisation stands ready to support communities in need of essential health care.

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The French Red Cross has said that the situation in Mayotte is chaotic as most of the shantytowns have been destroyed.

Eric Sam Vah from the French Red Cross told BBC News, Most of the slums have been totally destroyed. And we havent received any report of displaced people. So the reality could be terrible in the coming days.
On the eve of Bangladeshs Bijoy Dibosh, ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina launched another blistering attack on the the interim leader Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of leading an undemocratic group that has no responsibility towards the people of the country read more

Ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina once again went all guns blazing at countrys interim leader Muhammad Yunus, dubbed him a fascist and the government he leads an undemocratic group that is secretly supporting anti-liberation extremist-communal forces.

Making a statement on the eve of Bangladeshs Bijoy Dibosh or Victory Day, the defeat of Pakistani forces in Bangladeshs Liberation War of 1971, Hasina said that the main aim of the dispensation led by Yunus is to suppress the spirit of Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces.

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Hasina slams Yunus

Hasina said, This undemocratic group led by the fascist Yunus has no responsibility towards the people. They are obstructing all public welfare-oriented work by seizing power.

They are taking power and obstructing all public welfare work, she further said.

Intensifying her attack on Yunus and his dispensation, Hasina said: About 50 million people in Bangladesh were under the social security system. They were given various allowances. It has been alleged that most of the allowances have been stopped. The family cards of 4.3 million families under the TCB have been cancelled.

She further claimed the people in Bangladesh are burdened by the rise in prices. The people of the country are suffering from the hardships of rising commodity prices. Hungry people are picking food from dustbins, she said.

As this government is not democratically elected, they have no accountability to the people. Their main aim is to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces and suppress their voice, she said.

On the contrary, they are secretly supporting the anti-independence radical communal forces. The lack of sensitivity of the leaders of this government, including the fascist Yunus, towards the Liberation War and its history is proven in every step they take, the Bangladeshs former PM said.

The Awami League leader went on to allege that the Yunus-led interim government was following the rituals of the responsible group Pakistan in an attempt to erase progressive ideals, the history and spirit of the Liberation War.

If they could, they would have presented a different narrative and erased the traces of the great Liberation War from every aspect of national life. They would have turned this great glorious event of the collective achievements of the Bengalis into a disgrace, she said.

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Hasina, who fled to India in August after massive anti-government protests, claimed that since Yunus-led interim government was not democratically elected, it has no responsibility towards the people.

She also again accused the Yunus government of perpetrating genocide and failing to protect Hindus and other minorities.

           





  ,                   ,      pic.twitter.com/4xMEjATUF1  Awami League (@albd1971) December 15, 2024

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Meanwhile, Yunus has reportedly raised concerns about Hasinas presence in India with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during his visit to Dhaka last week, claiming that the statements did not go well with the people of Bangladesh.

Yunus and other high ranking leaders of the caretaker administration in Bangladesh have sought Hasinas extradition from India.

Bangladesh Bijoy Dibosh

Every year on December 16, Bangladesh celebrates Bijoy Dibosh. On this day in 1971, then Chief of Pakistani forces General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini after the 13-day war following which East Pakistan became Bangladesh.
Since Capt. Ibrahim Traore took power in a 2022 coup, the country has been embroiled in an escalating war against Islamic insurgents, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and nearly 3 million people displaced, according to a report read more

Burkina Faso, once known for its tolerance and peaceful interethnic relations, is now at the centre of one of West Africas deadliest conflicts.

According to The New York Times report, Since Capt. Ibrahim Traore took power in a 2022 coup, the country has been embroiled in an escalating war against Islamic insurgents, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and nearly 3 million people displaced.

In an effort to bolster his struggling military forces, Traores government enlisted tens of thousands of men into a civilian militia called the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland.

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Originally created by a previous leader to defend communities from insurgents, the militia under Traore has spread unchecked violence, fueling tensions between local populations and leading to brutal attacks on minority ethnic groups. This has raised concerns among analysts that the country may be heading toward civil war, added the report.

According to the report, citing data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, violence against local populations by militiamen has more than doubled since Traores coup.

The militia has carried out executions, forced disappearances, and looting on average every six days.

Arming civilians who have poor training and little respect for human rights and then giving them near total impunity is not unique to Burkina Faso.

In northeast Nigeria, members of a civilian militia supporting the fight against Boko Haram have been accused of sexual violence, child recruitment, and summary executions.

In Sudan, the militia known as the Rapid Support Forces triggered a conflict that has resulted in the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.

In both cases, the use of civilian militias to bolster military power has backfired, escalating violence, further endangering local populations, and fueling interethnic tensions, reported the New York Times.

One such instance of violence was experienced by Rainatou Diallo and her husband, Adama Diallo when they were dragged out of bed and into their courtyard in Burkina Faso.

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Without a word, the men shot Adama dead. As Rainatou fled the village, engulfed by violence, she recognised her husbands masked killers: they were neighbors.

Like Rainatou, most of the three dozen refugees interviewed by The New York Times during a recent 500-mile journey in neighboring Ivory Coast, near the Burkina Faso border, said they had been forced to flee by the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), who either evicted them or killed their relatives.

They had been attacking other villages, so we knew our turn would come, New York Times quoted Rainatou, 32, as saying on a recent morning in the town of Ouangolodougou, in northern Ivory Coast.

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Since last year, nearly 150,000 people have fled Burkina Faso to neighboring countries, with Ivory Coast hosting the largest number  about 65,000  at government-run asylum centers and in host communities.

Many Fulani civilians, often accused of collaborating with al-Qaida-linked insurgents, are disproportionately targeted by militias. Researchers have labeled the militias violence, and the states complicity, as a public policy, reported The New York Times.

There is a direct connection between the scaling up of the VDP under Traore and the targeting of Fulani populations and the massive influx of refugees in Ivory Coast, Jean-Baptiste Zongo, an independent security analyst from Burkina Faso living in Ivory Coast, told The New York Times.

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Refugees in Ivory Coast recounted their trauma in hushed tones, as rain pounded iron roofs. Twin brothers Housseinou and Hassan Ly, Quran teachers, fled northern Burkina Faso in September 2023 after militia abducted their uncle and killed their brother.

Our country is in crisis, and the current authorities think that giving people weapons to kill an entire group is the solution, NYT quoted Ali Barry, 30, a Fulani nurse who said he fled his village in December 2022 after militiamen executed several neighbors and his brother, as saying.

Even in the relative safety of Ivory Coast, refugees live in dire conditions. The World Food Program has halved a monthly stipend  to $7.50 from $15 per registered refugee in Ivory Coast  because of dwindling funds. Most refugee children do not go to school.

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With inputs from agencies
Hundreds were feared dead after Cyclon Chido rocked the French territory of Mayotte. The island witnessed the worst cyclone in 90 years read more

This photo provided Sunday Dec.15, 2024 by the French Army shows palm tress during strong winds in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage with reports of several fatalities, Saturday Dec.14, 2024. File Image / AP

Several people were killed after a deadly cyclone hit Frances Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on Saturday. Local officials warned that the overall death toll is likely to cross the hundred mark. Cyclone Chido rocked entire communities in the region after it made landfall, causing wind gusts of more than 225km/h (140mph).

While the last death toll reported from the region was 11, the islands Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville said it will definitely be several hundred once the damage is fully assessed, BBC News reported. He said that there is a possibility that a few thousand people had died, after the cyclone hit the region.

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Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron assured that France would be there for the people of Mayotte. He went on to announce that 250 rescue workers will be sent to the island to help with the rescue and recovery operations. Frances Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said All makeshift homes have been completely destroyed and he feared a heavy death toll.

Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc in Mayotte

Located in the northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte is an archipelago comprised of one main island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller ones. Most of the islands 300,000 or so inhabitants live in shacks with sheet metal roofs, which might be one of the major reasons for the high death toll on the island. According to AFP, thousands of people lost their homes soon after the island was hit by the cyclone.

While electricity, water and internet connections are all down, the French government has sent a military transport plane with supplies and emergency workers. French Transport Minister Francois Durovray mentioned that the French territorys Pamandzi airport suffered major damage, especially to the control tower. Air traffic will be restored initially with military aid planes. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply, he added.

The head of Mayottes firefighters union, Abdul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, told the BFM about the difficulties in rescue operations in the region. Theres no mobile phone service and we cant reach people on the island. Even buildings built to earthquake standards havent held up, he averred. The emergency services command centre has been evacuated and is functioning at partial capacity, Mayotte added.

Frances new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who took up the post on Friday, said the cyclone was of exceptional severity and he was being updated on the situation hour by hour. He also held an emergency meeting in Paris on Sunday over how to deal with the situation.

Mayotte was initially placed under a purple alert - the highest level - and a strict lockdown for the whole population, including emergency services was imposed. The alert was later lowered to red, allowing emergency services to leave their bases. French Interior Minister Retailleau mentioned that the island had not witnessed such a severe natural calamity since 1934.

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With inputs from agencies.
For the past two months, Bolivia has been grappling with major political unrest that emerged out of the power struggle between the countrys top politicians. However, at the heart of the protests lies public discontent and resentment over the state of affairs, the same anger sparked clashes in other Latin American nations read more

Supporters of Bolivian President Luis Arce crowd into Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Armored vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia's government palace located in Plaza Murillo, in an apparent coup attempt on Wednesday against Arce, but he vowed to stand firm and named a new army commander who ordered troops to stand down. Photo- AP

Demonstrations and violent clashes have engulfed Bolivia for more than two months. However, it is not the only Latin American nation where people are out on the streets expressing their discontent with the ruling regime. The year 2024 saw multiple such protests in the region, some were sparked as a response to a current event, others were based on issues that go way back in time.

When it comes to Bolivia, at the heart of the issue are the emerging cracks within the Movement for Socialism, or MAS, a leftist party that has dominated the countrys political landscape for two decades. The main political tussle is between Bolivias President, Luis Arce, and his onetime mentor, former president Evo Morales.

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Both are fighting not only for the partys leadership but also for the candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, which are slated to take place next year. However, the clashes reflected the steep decline in the influence of the left in the country. Is this a common trend in other Latin American nations?

What is happening in Bolivia?

Morales rose to prominence in the country in 2006. He was known for prioritising Indigenous and rural populations in the country and was popular for lifting hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty. While he was the first indigenous president of Bolivia, Morales was criticised for persecuting opponents, harassing journalists and stacking the judiciary in his favour.

In 2019, he fled the country following disputed elections in which Morales was accused of committing fraud. He eventually tapped Arce, his then-finance minister and protege, to run in 2020. After Arce won the polls, he shrugged off Morales and decided to rule the country on his own terms. While Morales came back to the country on the day Arce was sworn in, a new kind of power struggle ensued between the two leaders.

Amid the chaos, the former Bolivian leader is also facing the possibility of imprisonment after prosecutors in October charged him with statutory rape, accusing him of impregnating a 15-year-old girl in 2016 when he was in power. Morales denied the allegations and called the case politically motivated. This led to frequent clashes between the supporters of the two leaders.

Theres more to the story

However, the power struggle between the two politicians is not the only reason behind the current crisis in the country. Fuel shortage, rising prices and lack of access to the US dollars and imported goods have also provoked fury among the general public. With the fall in prices and the slow production, Arces administration struggled to import fuel.

Many in Bolivia argued that the ongoing political turmoil is hampering any meaningful progress on tackling the economic crisis. Some also expressed discontent over the deplorable state of the countrys justice system, which is being used as a weapon to pursue political enemies.

Similar public discontent also led to protests and clashes in other Latin American countries, reflecting how politically unstable the region has become over the years.

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Chaos in Latin America

Bolivia is not the only country in the region witnessing protests. Anti-government protests also broke out in countries like Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc. Heres an example of how protests rattled the three nations mentioned above.

Peru

It is a widely known fact that Peruvian President Dina Boluarte is one of the least popular leaders in the world, with just a 5 percent approval rating. Peruvians continue to remain angry about the rampant corruption among the political class, but also about the repression by security forces that killed dozens of protesters in late 2022 and early 2023.

The country also has its own share of economic challenges. Peru has been facing economic contraction or stifling low growth for two years now. The slowdown happened after the country witnessed a commodity-driven economic boom in recent decades. The low economic growth has in turn contributed to rising crime rates: Homicides have nearly doubled compared to six years ago, and over half of Peruvians say they or their families have been victims of crime in the past six months.

The clashes with the security forces and violent demonstrations across the country ultimately overshadowed Boluartes APEC Summit, which also had US President Joe Biden in attendance. Hence, it is unclear how long Boluarte will be able to stay in office.

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Colombia

In April this year, tens of thousands of Colombians took to the streets in several cities to protest against President Gustavo Petros social reform agenda. According to Al Jazeera, over 70,000 people demonstrated in Bogota. Large rallies took place elsewhere as people expressed anger over Petros proposed economic and social reforms.

The left-wing leader has been facing protests even since he assumed office in 2022. However, the opposition has been angered by the governments move to take control of two main insurers it said had failed to correctly care for patients. Things started to escalate after the Colombian president described the protests as a soft coup. While things have simmered down in the country, Petro continues to face challenges.

Ecuador

The year 2024 has been harsh for Ecuador, with armed conflict breaking out between the countrys government against several organized crime groups in January. Not only this, but protests over frequent power cuts also grappled the country as the government struggles to hold on to power.

Things escalated on January 9 after organized crime groups in Ecuador issued threats of war, prompting the countrys president to declare a state of armed internal conflict and authorize military operations against these groups. The clashes, which started in January, are still persistent in the country.

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What lies ahead for Bolivia

The country is slated to conduct presidential elections in the year 2024. While Arce is yet to confirm whether he would run again, it is widely assumed that he will be on the ballot. Meanwhile, despite multiple protests, Morales continues to remain barred by the countrys apex court.

Amid the chaos, many believe that cracks in the countrys main party could lead to a major transformation in Bolivias political landscape. For now, no opposition candidate or party has the same broad support as the MAS party. However, things can change in the future.

With inputs from agencies.
Georgias authorities have forcefully clamped down on pro-EU demonstrators taking to the streets in recent weeks to protest the governments decision to shelve its push to join the bloc read more

Anti-government protesters launch fireworks during a tenth consecutive day of mass demonstrations against the government's postponement of European Union accession talks until 2028, in central Tbilisi. AFP

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday Brussels had put forward a list of Georgians to sanction over a crackdown on pro-Western protesters, but Hungary was set to block the measures.

We have proposed the list for sanctions for these people who are using really force and violence against the opposition, Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

But everybody needs to agree to the list, and we are not there yet.

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Georgias authorities have forcefully clamped down on pro-EU demonstrators taking to the streets in recent weeks to protest the governments decision to shelve its push to join the bloc.

The Black Sea nation has been in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party claimed victory in contested October parliamentary elections and then announced it would delay EU membership talks for four years.

Riot police have used tear gas and water cannons against largely peaceful demonstrators who fear that Georgian Dream is dragging the country back into Russias orbit.

Brussels says there are credible concerns of torture and has called for the immediate release of detainees after more than 400 were arrested.

But despite a raft of EU states seeking to take a tougher line, Hungarys nationalist leader Viktor Orban  a staunch supporter of Georgias government  has rejected attempts to sanction Tbilisi.

The EU has already suspended some support for the Georgian government and said in June the countrys membership bid had de facto been frozen after authorities pushed through Kremlin-style laws targeting NGOs.

EU officials said the bloc was also eyeing the possibility of imposing restrictions on Georgian diplomatic passport holders.

But there was not yet consensus on what would be a largely symbolic move.

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Of the 717 votes tallied, 207 gave Scholz their confidence, 394 did not and 116 abstained, according to a report read more

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag on Monday. AP

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday lost the confidence vote, paving the way to a snap election on 23 February.

According to The Guardian report, of the 717 votes tallied, 207 gave Scholz their confidence, 394 did not and 116 abstained.

Scholz had required 367 confidence votes to win the ballot.

We have reached the end of our daily agenda, and also of the traffic light coalition, The Guardian quoted the speaker of the Bundestag, Barbel Bas, using the nickname of the now defunct three-way coalition, as saying.

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Scholz smiled at the outcome and shook hands with Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. He will now head to Bellevue Palace in Berlin to request that President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolve parliament and call for a general election.

Scholz initiated the vote on Monday, expecting to lose, but saw it as the best strategy to rejuvenate his partys political position.

This follows the breakdown of Scholzs three-party coalition government two months ago, leaving him to lead a minority administration.

Earlier in a speech to Parliament, Scholz said he aims to shore up trust in the future of the country by ensuring prosperity and security.

It is my goal to call an early general election. We need more economic growth, he said.

Scholz said Germany needs massive investment, especially in defence.

Today a highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours flight from here. We must invest massively in our security and defence, Scholz said.

Scholz framed the snap election as an opportunity for voters to set a new course for Germany, casting it as a choice between a future of higher investment and one of cuts that he said the conservatives were promising.

Scholz, who served as finance minister for four years in a previous coalition with the conservatives before becoming head of a new government in 2021, accused other parties of wanting to block the investments Germany needed.

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Shortsightedness might save money in the short term, but the mortage on our future is unaffordable, Reuters quoted him as saying to lawmakers.

Germanys conservative opposition leader, who is expected to succeed Scholz as Germanys next chancellor after the February election, said Scholz should have immediately called the confidence vote after the governments collapse last month.

I can describe today as a day of relief, The Guardian quoted him as saying of the imminent vote.

Merz blamed the countrys economic troubles on Scholzs outgoing coalition government.

Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck was the face of the economic crisis, said Merz, who charged that Scholz had left the country in one of the biggest economic crises of the postwar era.

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Merz who was clearly in campaign mode, pushed back against hecklers in the chamber and laid into Scholz and his governments record.

Olaf Scholz was not able to lead the coalition successfully as chancellor, The Guardian quoted Merz as saying, noting that the three parties by the end didnt belong together at all.

The conservative opposition leader said that Scholzs deficient leadership qualities undermined Germanys place on the European stage.

It is embarrassing how you acted in the European Union, he added.

Scholz remains as caretaker leader until a new government can be formed after the planned February 23 election, and already the campaign is turning to arguments over which urgent measures he should pass with opposition backing before then.

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Rules drawn up to prevent the series of short-lived and unstable governments that played an important role in helping the Nazis rise to power in the 1930s means that the path to new elections is long and largely controlled by the chancellor.

With inputs from agencies
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will call on parliament today to declare it has no confidence in him, taking the first formal step towards securing an early national election following his governments collapse read more

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to face a crucial confidence vote on Monday, a political showdown he is widely expected to lose.

The outcome could lead to the dissolution of parliament and a snap election early next year.

Interestingly, the vote, called by Scholz himself, is a direct consequence of his governments collapse last month following escalating disagreements over Germanys struggling economy. These tensions culminated in Scholzs decision to sack Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leaving his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) in a fragile minority coalition with the Green Party. Since then, legislative progress has largely stalled, intensifying calls for new elections.

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If Scholz loses, he will be required to request that Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolve parliament. Under German law, fresh elections must then be held within 60 days. Scholz has already reached an agreement with opposition parties to schedule an early federal election for February 23, should the confidence vote fail.

Scholzs declining popularity

Scholzs leadership has faced growing dissatisfaction, with polls showing him as one of Germanys least popular chancellors in decades. His SPD currently holds just 16 per cent of voter support, trailing behind the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 31 per cent and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) at 18 per cent, according to a Politpro survey.

The CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, is poised to capitalise on the governments instability. Merz has campaigned on revitalizing Germanys economy, promising tax cuts and incentives to boost Europes largest economic powerhouse, which shrank last year and is projected to contract again this year.

Rising influence of the Far Right

The far-right AfD has also gained significant traction, emerging as a formidable force in German politics. In a historic move, the AfD won a state election in Thuringia in September, becoming the first far-right party to achieve such success since World War II. Their growing popularity signals a shift in Germanys political dynamics, adding further complexity to the upcoming election.

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Historical context & next steps

If the snap election proceeds, it will be Germanys first since 2005, when then-Chancellor Gerhard Schroder lost to Angela Merkel. For Scholz, losing todays vote would mark the end of his tumultuous tenure as chancellor, leaving the SPD to grapple with its declining influence.

With inputs from agencies.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stepped down as the President of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party, the right-wing political caucus calling shots in the European Union read more

In a major turn of events, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stepped down as the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the right-wing group operating in the European Parliament. When I was asked to extend my term until the [EU] elections, I agreed, Meloni recalled while addressing an annual festival organized by her party, Brothers of Italy.

It is pertinent to note that Melonis party accounts for the biggest delegation within the ECR with 24 lawmakers part of the group. Now that the elections have taken place, I think I have fulfilled my duty and I want to announce that I am going to resign as president of the European Conservatives, Meloni said, emphasising that the rightwing group needs a president who can deal with it full time, Politico reported.

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After Melonis exit, Polands former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is vying for the top post since his Law and Justice (PiS) party has 20 MEPs in the ECR. Meloni held the position since 2020 and said that she will back Morawieckis bid.

Lebanons Prime Minister lauds Meloni

Melonis announcement came at her partys annual youth festival which was held in Rome on Sunday. The event was attended by over 300 guests, including Lebanons Prime Minister Najib Mikati. While delivering a speech at the event, the Lebanese premier highlighted Italys role in supporting the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.

The UN body is playing an essential role in maintaining the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Lebanon. While speaking on the situation in Lebanon, Mikati stressed that respecting the terms of the truce is essential to achieving long-term stability in the region.

Mikati also mentioned the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Al Assads regime. He stressed the importance of the EUs role in facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. Meanwhile, Meloni emphasised that political stability is what makes Italy more credible at the national and international level.

She expressed confidence that her government would remain in office for its entire term. The proclamation from the Italian premier was followed by loud applause.

With inputs from agencies.
Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after a medical procedure was conducted to drain a haematoma in his brain. While addressing the media, Lula said that he feels fine read more

Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged from hospital after spending six days recovering from an emergency surgery. The medical procedure was conducted to drain a haematoma in his brain. The news was confirmed on Sunday by the medical team at the Sirio-Libanes hospital in Sao Paulo.

The president eventually entered the room where the hospital officials were addressing the reporters, walking alongside First Lady Rosangela da Silva, known as Janja. Lula spoke to the reporters for 13 minutes and recalled how he [had a] haematoma, 52 days after a fall in the bathroom of the presidential residence on 19 October, The Guardian reported.

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Since I thought I was already cured, I must admit I was a bit alarmed at how much [the haematoma] had grown and the amount of fluid in my head. I was worried, the president said, pausing to take a sip of water as the first lady affectionately touched his arm. I only became fully aware of the seriousness of what had happened to me after the surgery, Lula added.

I feel fine

The 79-year-old underwent an operation in the early hours of Tuesday. In the procedure, a small hole was made in the skull to drain blood. On Thursday, he had a non-surgical procedure known as a middle meningeal artery embolisation to reduce the risk of further bleeding in the future.

Lula recalled that he was still experiencing headaches from the emergency surgery but is now fit to return to work. I feel fine, Im calm, and you all know that I claim the right to live until Im 120, said the leftist, serving his third term as Brazilian president. While he was discharged earlier than scheduled, Lula will not be returning to the capital Brasilia immediately.

His medical team stated that the Brazilian President will remain in Sao Paulo until at least Thursday, when he is due to undergo a follow-up CT scan. If the results are satisfactory, he will be allowed to take a two-hour flight back to Brasilia. However, he has been barred from taking international flights that are of longer duration until further notice.

While the journalists were prohibited from asking questions, the Brazilian President addressed the Saturday arrest of one of the closest allies of the former president Jair Bolsonaro  ex-defence minister Gen Walter Braga Netto. The Brazilian politician was detained by federal police in connection with an alleged plot to stage a military coup.

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As I know youre going to ask, said Lula. What happened this week with the arrest warrant issued against Gen Braga, Ill show that I have more patience and am a democrat. I believe he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, something I didnt have, remarks Lula who himself spent 580 days in prison during his second term. His conviction was later annulled by the Brazilian authorities.

The president stressed that if the accusations were proven, these individuals [] must be severely punished. He mentioned that it was unacceptable for high-ranking military officers to plot the murder of a president, his vice-president, and a supreme court judge, referring to what federal police claim was an assassination plot devised by Bolsonaros allies after his 2022 electoral defeat.

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With inputs from agencies.
In first statement since his ouster, Bashar al-Assad on Monday said his departure from Syria was not planned and that Moscow requested his evacuation from a military base that was under attack read more

In first statement since his ouster, Bashar al-Assad on Monday said his departure from Syria was not planned and that Moscow requested his evacuation from a military base that was under attack.

My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, AFP quoted a statement as saying on the ousted presidencys Telegram channel.

Assad revealed that he left Damascus on December 8 as opposition forces closed in on the capital. His evacuation to Russia followed drone strikes on the Russian-controlled Khmeimim airbase in Latakia.

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After fleeing Damascus, Assad said he oversaw combat operations from Latakia but admitted that all military positions had collapsed.

Moscow requested an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday December 8, added the statement.

When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, the statement read.

Assad also said in a statement on his Facebook page that he had planned to keep fighting but the Russians evacuated him.

He said that at no time during the events that have taken place in Syria had he considered leaving the country, according to the TASS news agency.

Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000, succeeding his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron grip for nearly three decades.

Once thought unassailable, Assads rule collapsed on December 8 under the pressure of a rapid offensive led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front affiliated with terror group Al-Qaeda, and allied factions.

With inputs from agencies
India and Chinas Special Representatives on border issues will meet in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss restoring bilateral relations, following the October 21 agreement to disengage troops in eastern Ladakh read more

India and Chinas Special Representatives on border issues will meet in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss restoring bilateral relations, following the October 21 agreement to disengage troops in eastern Ladakh.

As per the agreement, Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives on the China-India Boundary Question in Beijing on December 18, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

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According to a PTI report, citing sources, Doval will arrive on Tuesday to attend the crucial talks, which were expected to provide a way forward for the two countries to normalise the relations.

Relations between India and China had been strained since a deadly military clash in 2020 along the border between Tibet and Indias Ladakh region, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers.

In October, New Delhi announced that it had reached an agreement with Beijing regarding patrols in disputed areas along their shared border.

The agreement came just before a rare formal meeting, the first in five years, between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in Russia.

China and India, the two most populous nations in the world, are intense rivals and have accused each other of attempting to seize territory along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), their unofficial border.

The 3,500-kilometre (2,200-mile) frontier has long been a source of tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

With inputs from agencies

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Israel conducted nearly 75 airstrikes in Syrias Damascus, Homs, Hama, and the Tartus region over the weekend to target missile depots and air defence systems read more

An F-35 Adir from Squadron 140 takes part in an Israeli air force show during the graduation ceremony for soldiers who have completed the IAF Flight Course, at the Hatzerim Air Base in the Negev Desert, June 29, 2023. File Image / X

In the latest wave of attacks, Israel struck Syrias Tartus coastal region with the heaviest airstrikes in more than a decade, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR), a Syrian war monitor based in the United Kingdom.

Over the weekend, Israel conducted a wave of airstrikes in Syrias Tartus region along the Mediterranean Coast and struck missile depots and air defence systems.

The SOHR said that Israel conducted the heaviest strikes in the Tartus region since 2012.

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The region houses two of Russias prized military bases, including the naval base at Tartus and an airbase in Latakia, whose fat is now uncertain. Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assads regime, the area is currently under the control of the opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Russia has been reported to have started thinning its military presence in the region.

Overall, Israel conducted 75 airstrikes in Syria over the weekend, including in Damascus, Hama, and Homs, according to SOHR.

So far, since the fall of the Assad dynasty, Israel has conducted more than 450 airstrikes inside Syria, destroying Syrian navy, several airbases, ammunition depots, missile sites, air defence systems, weapons manufacturing sites, and chemical weapons caches, among other targets. The goal behind these attacks is to prevent these weapons and weapons production facilities from falling into the hands of Syrias new rulers led by HTS.

Even though the HTS, led by founder and leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, formally cut ties with Al Qaeda in 2016 and has lately said it would run a moderate government in Syria, it continues to remain an Islamist authoritarian group. There is also a great deal of skepticism if the group and its leader have actually given up their terrorist ways or their promises are just a rebranding exercise to dupe the world.

In addition to destroying military and defence industrial sites in Syria, Israel has also moved into a buffer zone along the Israeli-Syrian border and occupied it. Even as international organisations and regional players have condemned the move, Israel has maintained that the move is necessary to prevent HTS and other Islamists from setting up presence at the Israeli border and possibly entering Israel. Israel has also maintained that the occupation of the buffer zone is a temporary move though it could last for years.

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In a visit to Golan Heights along the Israeli-Syrian border, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi on Friday said that there is a threat that terrorist elements could reach here.

We moved forward so that these terrorist elements will not establish themselves  extremist terrorists will not establish themselves right next to the border. We are not intervening in what is happening in Syria. We have no intention of managing Syria. We are unequivocally intervening in what determines the security of Israeli citizens here, said Halevi.
Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that the Jewish nation will shut down its embassy in Dublin, a week after Ireland decided to support a petition at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide read more

Israel announced on Sunday that it will be closing its embassy in Dublin after Ireland extended support to a petition at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed the move. The Israeli diplomat maintained that the decision to shut down the embassy was prompted by the Irish governments extreme anti-Israeli policies, noting its decision to join the ICJ petition last week.

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Shortly after the confirmation, Irelands Taoiseach Simon Harris condemned Israels decision. This is a deeply regrettable decision from the Netanyahu government. I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that," he added.

Ireland wants a two state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 15, 2024

Interestingly, Israel did not announce shutting down embassies in other nations that joined the petition, like Mexico, Egypt and Spain. The announcement came a day after the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza crossed the 45,000 mark. Dozens of deaths were reported in Israeli strikes on the coastal enclave on Sunday.

Israel accuses Ireland of crossing red line

While confirming the news Saar mentioned that Israel recalled its ambassador to Ireland after the country recognised the state of Palestine. It should be noted that in the past, Israels ambassador to Dublin was recalled following Irelands unilateral decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

The antisemitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state and on double standards, he added. The Israeli foreign minister claimed that Ireland crossed all the red lines after it extended support for South Africas legal action against Tel Aviv, accusing the Jewish nation of genocide.

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Ireland has crossed all red lines in its relationship with Israel. Israel will invest its resources in promoting bilateral relations with the countries of the world according to priorities that are also derived from the attitude of the various countries towards it," he averred.

There are countries that are interested in strengthening their ties with Israel and do not yet have an Israeli embassy, Saar continued, adding that Israel planned to open a new embassy in Moldova, which is seen as being more friendly to Israel.

Ireland stance on Palestine

It is pertinent to note that the relations between the two nations have long been strained due to Irelands stance on the Palestine question. In November, Harris announced that the country would detain Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he travelled to Ireland after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against him and the countrys then-defence minister Yoav Gallant.

On November 21, ICC issued warrants against the two, citing grounds that Netanyahu and Gallant had committed war crimes of starvation and crimes against humanity such as murder and persecution in Gaza. Israels decision to shut down the Dublin embassy came weeks after Micheal Martin, the Tanaiste (Irelands second most senior elected official) and minister for foreign affairs, said that he had secured government approval for Ireland to intervene in South Africas ICJ case against Israel under the genocide convention.

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There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of military actions of Israel in Gaza, leaving 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced, Martin averred. By legally intervening in South Africas case, Ireland will be asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a state," he added. The Irish leader called for the protection of civilian lives in Gaza as Israel continued to pound the strip.

With inputs from agencies.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday appointed Thailands billionaire political heavyweight and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser for when he becomes chair of Southeast Asias regional bloc next year read more

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is seen at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 28, 2024. Reuters File

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday appointed Thailands billionaire political heavyweight and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser for when he becomes chair of Southeast Asias regional bloc next year.

Anwar said Thaksins role during his leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be in an informal capacity, alongside advisors from several of the blocs 10 member states.

Anwar made the announcement during a visit to Malaysia by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksins youngest daughter and fourth member of their family to hold Thailands top political post.

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Thank you for agreeing to this because we need the benefit of the experience of such a statesman, Anwar said of Thaksin during a joint press conference with Paetongtarn.

Thaksin, 75, has been a towering figure over Thai politics in the past two decades and his influence is widely expected to shape the current government, as it has multiple administrations in the past quarter-century.

Thaksin is barred from office after being found guilty of abuse of power and conflicts of interest, charges that he evaded for 15 years while in self-imposed exile, from which he remained a central player in intermittent turmoil back home.

He made a dramatic return to Thailand in August 2023 and was jailed for eight years, a sentence commuted days later by Thailands king to one year. Thaksin spent only a few hours in jail before being transferred to hospital on health grounds, where he spent six months before being paroled in February.

The divisive tycoon has insisted he is retired from politics, but his rivals in the royalist establishment and military are skeptical and believe he is calling the shots in his daughters government.

Thaksin has played an active role with the ruling Pheu Thai Party he founded and frequently weighs in with public remarks on government policies. He has met with Cambodias influential former premier Hun Sen, whose son is now prime minister, and Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto.

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Thaksin has according to Thai media sought a mediation role in the intractable conflict in army-ruled Myanmar, the biggest challenge facing Anwars ASEAN chairmanship.

Thailands foreign minister confirmed in May that Thaksin, in a personal capacity, had met rivals of Myanmars junta in a bid to broker talks.
On Sunday, Netanyahus office said that the government approved a plan to double the population on the Israeli-held Golan Heights read more

Israeli soldiers stand on the Syrian side of the ceasefire line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, as seen from the Golan Heights, December 10, 2024. File Image/Reuters

The Israeli government approved on Sunday a plan to increase the population of the annexed Golan Heights, while insisting it had no intention of confronting Syria after seizing a UN-monitored buffer zone.

As Islamist-led rebel forces swept Syrian president Bashar al-Assad out of power last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered troops to seize the demilitarised zone between the two countries forces on the Golan Heights.

On Sunday, his office said the government approved a plan to double the population on the Israeli-held Golan Heights.

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The government unanimously approved the 40 million shekel ($11 million) plan for the demographic development of the Golan in light of the war and the new front in Syria and the desire to double the population, Netanyahus office said.

Israel has occupied most of the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau, since 1967 and annexed that area in 1981, a move recognised only by the United States.

Netanyahu said that the strengthening of the Golan is that of the State of Israel, and it is particularly important at this time. We will continue to establish ourselves there, develop it and settle there.

The occupied Golan is home to around 30,000 Israelis and about 23,000 Druze Arabs, whose presence predates the occupation and most of whom retain Syrian citizenship.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar swiftly denounced the Israeli move.

Riyadhs foreign ministry expressed condemnation and denunciation of the plan in a statement, calling it part of the continued sabotage of opportunities to restore security and stability in Syria.

Doha said the Israeli declaration was a new episode in a series of Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories and a blatant violation of international law.

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- For eternity -

Last week, Netanyahu declared that the annexed Golan would be Israeli for eternity.

That followed an order he gave for troops to cross into the UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces since 1974. Troops have also operated in some areas outside the buffer zone to maintain stability, according to the military.

Israel portrayed the move, which drew international condemnation, as a temporary and defensive measure after what Netanyahus office called a vacuum on Israels border and in the buffer zone, following Assads fall.

A UN official in New York confirmed to AFP that peacekeeping force UNDOF has noted a number of daily instances of the IDF (Israeli army) operating to the east of the buffer zone.

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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered troops to prepare to remain in the buffer zone throughout the winter months.

In the aftermath of Assads overthrow, Israel launched hundreds of strikes on Syria targeting strategic military sites and weapons, including chemical weapons.

On Sunday, the Israeli premier said his country had no interest in confronting Syria. Israels policy toward Syria will be determined by the evolving reality on the ground.

In a video statement following a phone call with US president-elect Donald Trump, Netanyahu said Syria had attacked Israel in the past and allowed others including Lebanese Hezbollah to do so from its territory.

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To ensure that what happened in the past does not happen again, we have taken a series of intensive actions in recent days, he said.

Within a few days, we destroyed capabilities that the Assad regime had built over decades.

The Islamist rebel leader whose group spearheaded the offensive that toppled Assad on Saturday accused Israel of a new unjustified escalation in the region by entering the buffer zone.

However, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who now goes by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, said that the general exhaustion in Syria after years of war and conflict does not allow us to enter new conflicts.

Washington in 2019 became the first and only country to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, during Trumps first term.

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Israel has previously announced plans to increase the number of settlers in the Golan, with the government of then-premier Naftali Bennett approving a $317 million, five-year programme to double the settler population in December 2021.

At the time, the Israeli population in the occupied Golan Heights was around 25,000.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump in which they emphasised the need to free hostages in Gaza and discussed the situation in Syria read more

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he had a very warm phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump. During the phone call, the Israeli premier emphasised the Jewish nations need to ensure victory in its war against Hamas and shared his stance on the ongoing situation in Syria. Following the call, Netanyahu shared a video statement highlighting the key points of his conversation with Trump.

According to the Israeli Prime Minister, the two leaders discussed a range of issues during the call, which took place on Saturday evening. This included Israels commitment to prevent Lebanon-based Hezbollah from rearming and Israels conflict with Hamas, which has killed nearly 45,000 Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

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The leaders also spoke on the immediate need to bring back the remaining hostages in Gaza. I discussed all of this again last night with my friend, US President-elect Donald Trump, Netanyahu said. It was a very friendly, very warm and very important conversation. We spoke about the need to complete Israels victory, and we also spoke at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages, he added.

The Israeli prime minister assured that the country would continue to work tirelessly to bring our hostages home, both the living and the dead. And I add, the less we talk about it, the better, and so with Gods help, we will succeed.

Confrontation with Syria is not on the cards

In his address, Netanyahu mentioned the situation in Syria where the rebel groups overthrew the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Israeli premier made it clear that the country has no interest in a conflict with Syria and would adjust its policies according to the emerging ground realities.

Israel has maintained that the measures taken in the highly contentious Golan Heights are temporary and Netanyahu has previously insisted Israel has no intention of intervening in Syrias internal affairs. However, in the Sunday address, Netanyahu condemned Syria for allowing Iran to arm Hezbollah through its territory. This is an ongoing test for Israel, we must meet it - and we will meet it. I say to Hezbollah and Iran in no uncertain terms - to prevent you from harming us, we will continue to act against you as much as necessary, in every arena and at any time, he said.

Israel is currently under a ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese militant group after a 13-month conflict largely fought along Israels border with Lebanon. During the confrontation, the Israeli forces killed several high-ranking Hezbollah commanders, including the groups erstwhile chief Hassan Nasrallah.

With inputs from agencies.
Less than a dozen sentences long, the KCNA report gave a brief outline of the events surrounding Yoons impeachment, claiming he had attempted to shift responsibility for the foolish emergency martial law declaration onto opposition parties read more

People watch a TV screen, broadcasting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivering an address to the nation, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters

North Korean state media on Monday issued its first report on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment, dubbing him a ringleader of rebellion for having launched a bid to impose martial law.

Nearly two days after the impeachment vote, the dispatch from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not provide any quotes from North Korean officials, who have been relatively tight-lipped over the Souths political turmoil.

Less than a dozen sentences long, the KCNA report gave a brief outline of the events surrounding Yoons impeachment, claiming he had attempted to shift responsibility for the foolish emergency martial law declaration onto opposition parties.

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The investigation into puppet Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of rebellion, and his accomplices is under way, KCNA said.

The puppet Constitutional Court will finally decide on whether to remove Yoon, it added.

North Korean state media often refers to the Souths leaders and institutions as being a puppet of its treaty ally, the United States.

KCNA did not comment on the December 3 martial law declaration until about a week later, describing the South as being in chaos over the order.

Relations between the two Koreas have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles in violation of UN sanctions.

It also has been bombarding the South with trash-carrying balloons since May, in what it says is retaliation for anti-Pyongyang propaganda missives sent North by activists.

North Korea has become one of the most vocal and important backers of Russias offensive in Ukraine, with Washington and Seoul accusing it of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Moscow.
Chinas economy in November has sparked concerns about its ability to boost domestic demand in a world full of uncertainties. Reports from the South China Morning Post and The Economic Times highlight mixed results in key areas like retail sales, property investments and industrial output. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Beijing is facing challenges in balancing internal consumption with pressures from global trade raising questions about what lies ahead for 2025.

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Retail sales falter

Retail sales, a key measure of consumer spending, grew by 3 per cent in November compared to the same time last year. This was slower than Octobers 4.8 per cent growth and lower than the 5.3 per cent expected by experts. According to Fu Linghui, a spokesperson for Chinas National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the slowdown was partly because many sales from the Double 11 shopping festival happened earlier in October. However, services-related spending continued to grow strongly helping to offset weaker retail sales.

The South China Morning Post noted that while Novembers retail figures seemed weak, combining data from October and November showed an improvement over the third quarter. Analyst Ding Shuang from Standard Chartered told the Hong Kong-based newspaper that these gains are short-lived. He stressed that for long-term growth China needs stable jobs, better income levels and policies to encourage people to spend rather than save.

Property sector remains a persistent drag

Despite President Xi Jinping continuous thrust, Chinas property sector continues to hold back the countrys economic recovery. Fixed-asset investmentwhich includes spending on infrastructure, manufacturing and real estategrew by 3.3 per cent in the first 11 months of the year, slightly less than the 3.4 per cent increase seen in October. Property investment, however, dropped by 10.4 per cent from January to November, worsening from the 10.3 per cent decline recorded earlier.

Despite measures like lowering mortgage rates and downpayment requirements, Chinas housing market has yet to see a strong recovery. According to The Economic Times, November had the smallest drop in new home prices in 17 months, offering some hope. However, experts say a full recovery in the real estate market is still far off.

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Industrial output and mixed signals

On the positive side, Chinas industrial output rose by 5.4 per cent in November, slightly better than Octobers 5.3 per cent and above expectations. This shows a small recovery in the industrial sector, a vital part of the economy. Still, its growth is not enough to make up for weak retail sales and the struggling property market.

The South China Morning Post noted that many businesses still face challenges in production and operations. Fu from the NBS acknowledged these difficulties and called for stronger efforts to create jobs, raise incomes and strengthen the foundations of economic recovery.

Beijings policy response

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Chinas top leaders, meeting at the Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC), have made boosting domestic consumption a top priority for 2025, moving it up from second place in 2024. According to the South China Morning Post, the Politburo, the Communist Partys main decision-making body, has promised more active fiscal policies and unconventional measures to drive steady economic growth.

To achieve this, the government plans to increase its budget deficit and issue more debt to fund projects aimed at boosting consumption and investment. However, Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, pointed out to the South China Morning Post that these plans may not be strong enough to significantly change the current economic direction.

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Global trade tensions add to challenges

Chinas economic recovery is also facing external challenges, especially from global trade uncertainties. The re-election of former US president Donald Trump has raised concerns about renewed trade tensions as he has threatened to impose tariffs of over 60 per cent on Chinese goods. Experts warn this could reduce Chinas economic growth by up to one percentage point in 2025.

In response, policymakers are debating whether to let the yuan weaken to counter the impact of US tariffs. While some believe a weaker currency could help, Chinas state media, Xinhua, has reaffirmed the governments commitment to keeping the yuan stable.

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A path forward

Beijings ability to tackle its economic challenges depends on balancing quick fixes with long-term reforms. Boosting consumption, a key focus of its economic plan, needs more than temporary measures like shopping festivals and trade-in schemes. The property sector also needs continuous attention. While recent policies have slowed its decline, deeper issues in the real estate market remain unresolved.

Chinas November economic data highlights mixed results. Retail sales are slowing, the property market is struggling and industrial output shows only slight growth. These factors present major challenges for Beijings 2025 goals.
Qatar has announced the resumption of the work of its embassy in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic starting Tuesday read more

Gate of the Embassy of Qatar in the Syrian capital Damascus. Source: AFP | File.

Qatar embassy in Syria will resume operations from Tuesday and a new head of the mission has also been announced by the Gulf emirates whose diplomats visited the country and met with its transitional government following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.

Qatar announces the resumption of the work of its embassy in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic starting Tuesday, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al-Sharif has been named as a new head of mission to Syria.

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Qatar embassy reopens in Syria after 13 years

In July 2011, Doha had closed its embassy in Damascus and recalled its ambassador early in the uprising against the al-Assad government that gradually turned into a civil war.

Doha said the return after the 13-year hiatus was an expression of the State of Qatars principled stand with the Syrian peoples revolution and a categorical rejection of all the repressive policies of the regime of al-Assad.

During its meeting with the transitional government in Damascus the Qatari delegation reaffirmed the State of Qatars full commitment to supporting the Syrian people following the success of their revolution, Qatar foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari was quoted as saying by the official Qatar New Agency.

Majed al-Ansari further said that the Qatari delegation arrived in Damascus to complete the necessary procedures for the opening of the State of Qatars embassy.

He further said that the Qatari delegation had also discussed with the Syrian side ways to facilitate the flow of Qatari humanitarian aid and assessed the needs of the Syrian brothers during this important phase.

With inputs from agencies.
EUs top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Monday said its too early to talk about a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine as Russia is not interested in peace, according to a report read more

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, on Monday. AP

EUs top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Monday said its too early to talk about a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine as Russia is not interested in peace.

First, there has to be peace in order to send peacekeepers. And Russia does not want peace  that is very clear, Politico report quoted Kallas as telling reporters ahead of the first meeting of EU foreign ministers she will chair since taking over as the blocs high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

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Her comments came after increasing pressure from US President-elect Donald Trumps team to quickly end the war.

However, Kallas said that Moscow is not signaling a willingness to resolve the conflict, citing a recent interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on US media personality Tucker Carlsons show.

In the interview, Lavrov said the US. and its allies must understand that we would be ready to use any means not to allow them to succeed in what they call strategic defeat of Russia.

For Kallas, this demonstrates that Moscow has not abandoned its objectives, making any discussions about ending the war difficult.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the idea of deploying peacekeepers during a visit to Warsaw, but Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk swiftly dismissed it, stating, For the moment, nothing like that is planned.

Despite Tusks rejection, some EU capitals are beginning to consider what role Europeans could play if the Trump administration requests military involvement in security guarantees for Ukraine.

However, the discussion is taking place only at conceptual level, Politico quoted a European diplomat as saying.

On Wednesday evening, several European leaders are scheduled to meet in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO chief Mark Rutte to discuss peace initiatives and the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.

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Other EU foreign ministers attending Mondays summit emphasised that the primary focus is on strengthening Ukraine, not negotiating peace terms.

Its too early to speculate about peacekeepers, Politico quoted Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp as saying.

Zelenskyy has been talking about a diplomatic solution next year and its very important that between now and the moment that he believes negotiations could start  Ukraine is fully supported and that means military support, and that means support in the field of energy, energy infrastructure, it also means financial support, Veldkamp was quoted as saying.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also emphasised that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not changed the goal of the war he initiated more than two years ago.

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Ukrainians are not asking any kind of mission right now. They are asking [for] weapons. They are asking [for] air defense. They are asking [for] support. Lets give it, Politico quoted Tsahkna as saying.

However, Tsahkna added that if peace talks do begin, Europe must be prepared to assist.

Of course we need to discuss what will be the security guarantees if the peace will come and Europe must take part of that, he added.

At Mondays meeting, ministers will also approve the 15th package of EU sanctions against Russia, which includes measures targeting the shadow fleet used to transport oil and gas in violation of sanctions.

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The package will also impose penalties on individuals and companies accused of aiding the Kremlin in acquiring banned technologies, as well as North Korean officials.

With inputs from agencies
A joint investigative team involving police, an anti-corruption agency and the Defense Ministry plans to convey a request to Yoons office that he appear for questioning on Wednesday, the police said, as they expand a probe into whether his ill-conceived power grab amounted to rebellion read more

In this photo released by South Korean President Office via Yonhap, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol bows while delivering a speech at the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, after South Koreas parliament voted to impeach Yoon. South Korean Presidential Office/Yonhap via AP

South Korean law enforcement authorities are pushing to summon impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree as the Constitutional Court is set to begin its first meeting Monday on Yoons case to determine whether to remove him from office or reinstate him.

A joint investigative team involving police, an anti-corruption agency and the Defense Ministry plans to convey a request to Yoons office that he appear for questioning on Wednesday, the police said, as they expand a probe into whether his ill-conceived power grab amounted to rebellion.

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Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday over his Dec. 3 martial law decree. His presidential powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, an election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

Yoon has justified his martial law enforcement as a necessary act of governance against an opposition he described as anti-state forces bogging down his agendas and vowed to fight to the end against efforts to remove him from office.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have poured onto the streets of the countrys capital, Seoul, in recent days, calling for Yoons ouster and arrest.

It remains unclear whether Yoon will grant the request by investigators for an interview. South Korean prosecutors, who are pushing a separate investigation into the incident, also reportedly asked Yoon to appear at a prosecution office for questioning on Sunday but he refused to do so. Repeated calls to a prosecutors office in Seoul were unanswered.

Yoons office has also resisted a police attempt to search the compound for evidence.

The request came before the Constitutional Court meets to discuss the case later Monday. The court has up to 180 days to rule. But observers say that a court ruling could come faster.

In the case of parliamentary impeachments of past presidents  Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2016  the court spent 63 days and 91 days respectively before determining to reinstate Roh and dismiss Park.

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Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who will serve as the countrys acting leader while Yoons powers are suspended, and other government officials have sought to reassure allies and markets after Yoons surprise stunt paralyzed politics, halted high-level diplomacy and complicated efforts to revive a faltering economy.

Liberal opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, whose Democratic Party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoons impeachment and proposed a special council for policy cooperation between the government and parliament.

Lee, a firebrand lawmaker who for years drove a political offensive against Yoons government, is seen as the frontrunner to replace him. He lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon by a razor-thin margin.

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Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of Yoons conservative People Power Party, separately criticized Lees proposal, saying that its not right for the opposition party to act like the ruling party.

Kweon, a Yoon loyalist, said his party will use existing PPP-government dialogue channels to continue to assume responsibility as the governing party until the end of President Yoons term.

Yoons Dec. 3 imposition of martial law, the first of its kind in more than four decades, harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders the country has not seen since the 1980s. Yoon was forced to lift his decree hours later after parliament unanimously voted to overturn it.

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Yoon sent hundreds of troops and police officers to the parliament in an effort to stop the vote, but they withdrew after the parliament rejected Yoons decree. No major violence occurred.

Opposition parties have accused Yoon of rebellion, saying a president in South Korea is allowed to declare martial law only during wartime or similar emergencies and would have no right to suspend parliaments operations even in those cases.
South Korea's ruling People Power Party's chief Han Dong-hoon demanded on December 6, 2024, said that President Yoon Suk Yeol stand down over his martial law attempt, warning he posed a great danger to the country. Source: AFP | YONHAP.

South Koreas ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong Hoon stepped down as the party president days after the countrys president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly. Yoon was suspended from the office a week after his botched martial law bid jolted Seoul, leaving many demanding his resignation.

While addressing the media on Monday, Han said that his position became untenable after he decided to support Yoons impeachment. Martial law in the advanced nation that is South Korea, in 2024. How angry and disappointed must you all have been? the ruling party leader said at the press briefing. Hans resignation came as the constitutional court said it had begun reviewing Yoons impeachment.

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According to South Korean news outlet Yonhap, investigators are also planning to question the suspended president this week. Han used to be one of the closest allies of Yoon in the party and served as the Justice Minister in the past. During the Monday press briefing, the South Korean leader defended his decision to break with the president after he attempted to impose martial law earlier this month.

Even though [the martial law] was done by a president our party produced, being misunderstood as defending illegal martial law that mobilised the military is a betrayal of this great country, he said, adding he had been terrified of potential bloodshed between citizens and soldiers if martial law had not been lifted.

I tried every way to find a better path: Han

During the presser, Han maintained that he tried every way to find a better path to deal with the ongoing political turmoil in South Korea. I tried in every possible way to find a better path for this country other than impeachment, but in the end, I could not. Its all because of my shortcomings. Im sorry, he remarked.

The resignation marked a complete collapse of the alliance between Yoon and Han, who worked together as prosecutors before Yoon entered politics. The relations between the two politicians started showing cracks earlier this year when Han broke ranks to suggest the presidential couple should apologise over allegations that the first lady had accepted a luxury Dior bag.

The alliance broke soon after it was revealed that Han was among the several politicians, including opposition figures, whom Yoon ordered arrested during his brief declaration of martial law. After the information came to light, Han asked the party to support Yoons impeachment, calling the South Korean president a great danger to democracy.

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Constitutional Court begins hearing Yoon impeachment case

On Monday, all six current justices of the constitutional court attended the first meeting over the impeachment of Yoon, which was passed on Saturday. The court now has a 180 days deadline to decide whether Yoon should be removed from office or reinstated as the countrys president.

If Yoon is ousted, a national election will be conducted to choose his successor. The deadline to hold the election is 60 days after Yoon steps down. Until then, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will take over as the acting president of the country.

Yoon and a number of senior officials are slated to face potential charges of insurrection, abuse of authority and obstructing people from exercising their rights for the short-lived martial law. In regards to this, a joint team of investigators from the police, the defence ministry and an anti-corruption agency are planning to call in Yoon for questioning on Wednesday.

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South Korea witnessed the imposition of martial law for the first time in more than four decades. However, the martial law lasted for only six hours after the National Assembly overturned the presidents decree despite facing challenges from the South Korean troops.

With inputs from agencies.
MBABANE - A pastor has been arrested together with two men, for allegedly stealing a sound system at Mnyokane Pentecostal Church.

Information gathered was to the effect that Nhlonipho Khumalo (39) of Ndlalambi was arrested after police investigations uncovered that he purchased the stolen property from Thulani Dladla (35) and Xolani Dlamini (21), both of Mhlosheni. The stolen equipment, include a black Yamaha PSR46, hybrid table mixer 12 channels, 3x hybrid table mixer 14 channels, 3x hybrid microwave, black speakers, Supersonic amplifier, decoration clothes, 3x microwave cable and 2x seat covers, all totalling E48 150.

The property was in the lawful possession of Bongani Dlamini, who appeared as the complainant in the matter. In law, a person who receives stolen property knowing it to be stolen is guilty as the actual perpetrator. Khumalo was said to have been lured into buying the stolen property by his brother-in-law.

Appearance

The trio made their appearance before Mbabane Magistrate Temantimandze Shongwe. Muzi Nxumalo, who represented the Crown in the matter, applied that they all be remanded in custody until December 20, 2024, pending setting of a trial date before the Mbabane principal magistrate. Nxumalo informed the court that the Crown intended to oppose Dladlas bail application, as he committed the offence while he was out for bail for a similar offfence. When the pastor applied to be released on bail, he said he was very sorry to find himself in the situation.

Khumalo told the court that he was implicated for reasons which, he, however, did not mention. Dlamini also applied for bail. They were each admitted to bail fixed at E10 000 on condition they do not interfere with Crown witnesses while out on bail. They were warned against committing a similar offence while out on bail. The church equipment was recovered and presented in court. The Crown later moved an application to have the equipment released back to the custody of Bongani, who is the secretary of the church.

The complainant was in court with other members of the church. He seemed to have no hard feelings against Khumalo, whom he spent some time with, before the items were loaded into a motor vehicle. Dladla is also accused of breaking into Samson Mbhamalis house and stealing property valued at E35 000. The stolen items include a Honda water pump, grass cutter, chainsaw and a car battery.Dladla also appeared in count three charged together with Mlungisi Batista Maya, for allegedly breaking into Precious Maziyas house, with intent to steal and stealing property valued at E13 490 mostly, which was clothing.

In count four, Dladla appeared with Xolani for malicious damage to property. It is said that the duo damaged a black JVC sub woofer, gold speaker and power cables, when they allegedly stole the property from the church. Maya, who only features in one count was admitted to bail fixed at E3 000.
Sri Lanka President Dissanayake visits India to meet PM Modi, Jaishankar, and NSA Ajit Doval. Key discussions focus on bilateral ties and trade relations between the two nations. read more

Anura Kumara Dissanayake is visiting India for the second time in merely 10 months, however, this time he has arrived on a 3-day State visit in the capacity of President of Sri Lanka.

The last time Dissanayake visited New Delhi was when he headed a National Peoples Power (NPP) delegation and that time there was a lot of chatter of a quick change in the political landscape of Sri Lanka and him becoming the next president of Indias neighbouring nation.

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Dissanayake, who defeated the traditional political parties governed by the political elite, assumed office in September and now the 55-year-old Marxist leader chose India as the destination of his first overseas trip after coming to power.

The Sri Lankan President is accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando.

Upon his arrival on Sunday evening, Dissanayake was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan at the Delhi airport.

Sri Lanka President in India, whats on agenda?

Hold talks with PM Modi

On Monday (December 16), Dissanayake will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the meeting of the two leaders, India and Sri Lanka are expected to sign four pacts, including one on cybersecurity.

Dissanayakes discussions with PM Modi will concentrate on key areas including trade, investment, energy, and maritime security.

The talks between PM Modi and Dissanayake will lead to a greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo, said External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar, who met the Sri Lankan President on Sunday.

Confident that the talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation, Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Pleased to call on President @anuradisanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India.



Sri Lanka is key to both Indias Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook.



Confident that the talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper pic.twitter.com/GVAH35VzTH  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 15, 2024

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Meet President Murmu

During his visit, Dissanayake is also scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart President Droupadi Murmu.

Visit Bodh Gaya, participate in business event in Delhi

Dissanayake is also expected to visit Bodh Gaya and also participate in a business event in Delhi to promote investment and commercial linkages between India and Sri Lanka.

Dissanayake meets FM Sitharaman

On Sunday, Dissanayake met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and held talks on strengthening economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.

In a post on X after his meeting with Sitharaman, Dissanayake said: Our conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities, fostering regional security, and advancing key sectors such as tourism and energy. These engagements reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations.

During my official visit to India, I had the privilege of engaging in productive discussions with Finance Minister @nsitharaman, External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar, and National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Our conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka pic.twitter.com/A5mkZ4TS1D  Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) December 15, 2024

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Sri Lankan President meets Jaishankar, Doval

Earlier on Sunday, Dissanayake met EAM Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

During his meeting with Sri Lankan President, Jaishankar highlighted the island nations prominent role in Indias Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Outlook.

Dissanayake also, in a post on X, said he held fruitful discussions on the matters of mutual interest during his meetings with Jaishankar and NAS Doval.

Indias ties with Sri Lanka under Dissanayakes governance

New Delhi has not been much happy with the new Sri Lankan governments lack of engagement since September but Dissanayakes first foreign visit being made to Delhi is a signal of the NPPs prudence and indicates an intention to forge better relations.

For the unversed, Dissanayake is heading a political party in his country that has been carrying deep-rooted anti-India sentiments in its genes.

The new government-led by Dissanayake acknowledges Indias role in the economic recovery of Sri Lanka through a $4-billion loan and humanitarian aid after the 2022 economic collapse, as well as the supportive role towards inking a bailout with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to rebuild the economy.

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Dissanayake has also acknowledged Indias geostrategic interests in Sri Lanka and has expressed an interest in working around issues.

Significance of Dissanayakes India visit

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Dissanayakes visit to India shall further strengthen the multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

His visit is expected to provide an opportunity to review ties between the two countries and look at the future prospects under the new leadership in Colombo.

Also, Dissanayakes visit will give India an opportunity to hear about his plans, first hand, on Indian investments, views on regional security and his approach towards Tamil minority rights in the country among other issues.

The invitation to visit New Delhi was extended by EAM Jaishankar, who visited Colombo less than a fortnight after Dissanayakes victory.

Jaishankar was the first foreign minister to visit Sri Lanka since the NPP government led by Dissanayake came to power on September 23.

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Dissanayakes 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.

With inputs from agencies.
An explosive report revealed that Syrias now ousted President Bashar Al Assad sent $250mn to Russia in the span of two years. Was evading sanctions the main reason for these mysterious sanctions? read more

Syrian President Bashar Al Assads central bank airlifted around $250 million in cash to Russia. The transactions were being conducted in the span of two years when the then-Syrian leader was indebted to the Kremlin for military support, the Financial Times reported. The revelation added a layer to the Syria-Russia ties, especially after Assad and his family chose the country to flee after being ousted by the rebel groups.

Records uncovered by the Financial Times show that Assads regime, while desperately short of foreign currency, flew banknotes weighing nearly two tonnes in $100 bills to Moscows Vnukovo airport.

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The currency was deposited at Western-sanctioned banks between 2018 and 2019. With the new information, Russia has become the most important destination for Syrias cash as Western sanctions pushed it out of the global financial system.

Reaffirms old claims

In the past, opposition figures in Syria and Western governments accused Assad of looting Syrias wealth and turning to criminal activity to finance the war and his own enrichment. Not only this, the shipments of cash coincided with Syria becoming dependent on the Kremlins military support, including from Wagner group mercenaries. Assads family have been accused of buying luxury properties in Moscow, sparking concerns.

David Schenker, who was US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs from 2019 to 2021, said that the transfers were not that surprising, given that Assad regularly sent money out of the country for a combination of securing their ill-gotten gains and Syrias patrimony abroad.

The regime would have to bring their money abroad to a safe haven to be able to use it to procure the fine life for the regime and its inner circle, Schenker told The Financial Times. Russia has been a haven to the Assad regimes finances for years, said Eyad Hamid, senior researcher at the Syrian Legal Development Programme, noting that Moscow became a hub for evading Western sanctions imposed after Assad came to power.

Over the years, Syrias relations with Russia deepened as Russian military advisers bolstered Assads war effort, and companies from Moscow got involved in Syrias valuable phosphate supply chain. The Syrian state could be paying the Russian state for a military intervention, Malik al-Abdeh, a London-based Syrian analyst, told the Financial Times.

As per the report, in March 2018, the Assad regime moved bulk shipments of US and euro banknotes into Russia between March 2018 and September 2019. In May 2019, a plane carrying $10 million in $100 bills was sent on behalf of the Syrian central government, which landed at Moscows Vnukovo airport.

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In total, there were at least 21 flights from March 2018 to September 2019 carrying over $250 million, the Financial Times reported. There were no such cash transfers between Syrias central bank and Russian banks before 2018.

Possible reasons why the money was sent

A person familiar with the ins and outs of the Syrian central bank told the Financial Times that the foreign reserves in Syria were almost nothing by 2018 due to numerous sanctions. Hence, Assads regime had to use cash to purchase goods from abroad. It bought wheat from Russia and paid for money-printing services and defence expenses, the source said.

The source noted that the bank would pay according to what was available in the vault. When a country is completely surrounded and sanctioned, they have only cash, the person added. Meanwhile, Russian records indicated that there were regular exports from Russia to Syria  such as shipments of secure paper and new Syrian banknotes from the Russian state-owned printing company Goznak, before and after the banknotes were sent to Moscow.

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However, there are no records of the Russian lenders that ultimately received the banknotes from Syria and other nations over ten years. In the past, Syrian cash transfers had previously elicited sanctions from Washington.

In 2015, the US Treasury accused then-Syrian central bank governor Adib Mayaleh and a central bank employee called Batoul Rida of facilitating bulk cash transfers for the regime to Russia and managing fuel-related deals to raise foreign currency. Rida was also accused of attempting to procure ammonium nitrate from Russia, which is used in barrel bombs.

After a deep dive, it was revealed that the cash was delivered to the Russian Financial Corporation Bank, or RFK, between 2018 and 2019. The lender group based in Moscow is controlled by Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms export company.

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Assad always knew that he would never be acceptable company in, say, Paris, Schenker explained. He wasnt going to be buying apartment buildings there, but he also knew that if this was going to end, it was going to end badly. So they had years to try and spirit away money, to set up systems that were going to be reliable safe havens.
Israels government on Sunday approved a plan to double the population of the annexed Golan Heights, just days after its troops seized a UN-monitored buffer zone bordering Syria as rebel forces moved on Damascus read more

An Israeli armoured vehicle maneuvers along the security fence near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, December 15, 2024. AP

Turkey on Monday denounced an Israeli plan to double the population living in the occupied and annexed Golan Heights as a bid to expand its borders.

This decision is a new stage in Israels goal of expanding its borders through occupation, the foreign ministry said in a statement condemning the move.

Israels government on Sunday approved a plan to double the population of the annexed Golan Heights, just days after its troops seized a UN-monitored buffer zone bordering Syria as rebel forces moved on Damascus.

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This step by Israel is a source of grave concern, taken together with Israels entry into the area of separation in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, its advance into adjacent areas and airstrikes in Syria, it said, warning the move would seriously undermine efforts to bring stability to Syria after Bashar al-Assads ouster.

The Golan Heights is a mountainous plateau at Syrias southwestern edge, most of which was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed.

It is separated from the Syrian side by the UN-patrolled buffer zone.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the move was a limited and temporary step for security reasons.
At least two people were dead after a shooting at a Madison, Wisconsin, school on Monday, according to a report, citing a statement from police read more

Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday. AP

At least two people were killed after a shooting at a Madison, Wisconsin, school on Monday, according to a CNN report, citing a statement from police.

The statement came shortly after a news conference at which police mistakenly reported four people were killed in the shooting.

Confirming that the suspected shooter was among the dead, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes during a press conference said that the incident took place at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, the state capital, where multiple injuries were reported earlier.

The private institution teaches some 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, the Madison Police Department posted on social media.

At least five people were transported from the scene and taken to area hospitals, Barnes added.

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Barnes said that the police believe that the suspect, who was found dead inside the building, was a student at the school.

Officers located a juvenile who they believe was responsible for this deceased in the building, CNN quoted Barnes as saying.

We believe the shooter was a student at the school, yes, the chief later confirmed when asked.

Barnes also said the police department did not fire their weapons.

Video posted from the scene on social media showed a massive emergency response, including police, ambulance and fire vehicles.

Multiple injuries have been reported, the Madison Police wrote on social media earlier. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden was briefed on the school shooting, CNN report quoted the White House spokesperson as saying.

The President has been briefed on the school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Madison to provide support as needed, senior deputy press secretary Emilie Simons was quoted as saying.

Gun control and school safety have become major political and social issues in the U.S. where the number of school shootings has jumped in recent years.

There have been 322 school shootings this year in the US, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database website. That is the second highest total of any year since 1966, according to that database - topped only by last years total of 349 such shootings.

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With inputs from agencies
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a drone detection system will be sent to New York following a surge in mysterious drone sightings across the east coast, including disruptions at Stewart International Airport, according to a report read more

Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday said that US officials are sending a drone detection system to New York after questions over mysterious objects in the skies over the east coast and beyond grew in recent days.

According to a BBC report, Hochul had requested the federal assistance after drone sightings forced runways at Stewart International Airport in the state to shut for an hour last week.

In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are sending a drone detection system to New York, BBC quoted Hochul as writing in a post on X on Sunday.

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She emphasised that state governments require more authority to handle small, unmanned aircraft, which have been reported in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Further west, in Ohio, drone sightings also prompted the closure of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for about an hour on Friday night, according to the BBC report, citing local media.

Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones, Hochul said in the post, after last week promising to do whatever it takes to ensure New Yorkers remain safe

Senator Chuck Schumer expressed his hope on Sunday to pass legislation granting local law enforcement more authority to investigate unidentified flying objects, stating, Im pushing for answers amid these drone sightings.

According to the BBC report, he also called for a drone detection system, similar to the one heading to New York, to be deployed in New Jersey, where most of the aerial encounters have been reported.

Despite calls for increased support, Hochul and other officials have reassured the public that the suspected drones do not pose a national security threat.

On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that the sightings involved both drones and manned aircraft that were often mistaken for drones.

He assured ABC News that there was no foreign involvement in the incidents.

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The Pentagon dismissed claims by a New Jersey representative suggesting the drones could be originating from an Iranian mothership off the east coast, while an FBI official suggested there may have been a slight overreaction to the reports.

Mayorkas said that the increase in drone sightings could be due to recent changes in federal regulations allowing drones to operate at night.

He also stated that the federal government was working in close coordination with state and local authorities on the issue, emphasising that it was critical to provide them with the tools to counter drone activity under federal supervision.

With just over a month remaining until Donald Trumps inauguration, his pick for national security adviser, Republican Representative Mike Waltz, criticised the Biden administrations response to the sightings.

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I think Americans are finding it hard to believe we cant figure out where these are coming from, he told the BBCs US news partner CBS.

We need to get to the bottom of it, he said, accusing government agencies of pointing at each other rather than offering answers.

Kim, a Democrat, also called on federal authorities to do more to assuage Americans concerns.

People have a lot anxiety right now about the economy, health, security etc, he wrote on X.

And too often we find that those charged with working on these issues dont engage the public with the respect and depth needed.

New Jersey Senator Andy Kim said he went out with local residents over the weekend to observe the night sky, and that he believed - based on conversations with civilian pilots and flight tracking data - that most of the aircraft he saw were almost certainly planes.

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With inputs from agencies
Three US companies paid more than $200 million in penalties to settle cases of alleged bribery of Indian officials, including in the Indian Railways, to win contracts, according to a report read more

The rail link between Udhampur, Srinagar, and Baramulla would connect Kashmir to the rest of the country. PTI

Amid increased scrutiny of Indian companies in the United States, it has emerged that multiple US companies have also come under the scanner for corrupt practices in recent years, according to a report.

In an investigation published on Monday (December 16), The Daily Pioneer has reported that three US firms accused of bribing Indian officials paid heavy fines to settle cases with the US regulator and avoid prosecution.

The companies, Moog Inc, Oracle, and Albemarle Corporation, were accused of bribing officials across various Indian departments and public sector undertakings (PSUs), such as the railways, Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), and Indian Oil Corporation.

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In two of the three cases, officials who allegedly got bribes were from the railways.

On average, the three companies each paid three-times to the regulator, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in penalties to settle the cases than what they allegedly paid to Indian officials in bribes, according to the newspaper.

US firms accused of bribing Indian officials pay over $200 million in fines

In the first case, Moog Inc was accused of paying more than $500,000 in bribe to officials at HAL and Indian Railways.

The company is spread across military, aerospace, and industrial machinery sectors, dealing primarily in the designing and manufacturing of advanced motion control products for aerospace, defence, industrial, and medical applications, according to its website

The Pioneer cited US official documents as showing that the company paid bribes to through its Indian subsidiary Moog Motion Controls Private Limited (MMCPL) to officials at (HAL), South Central Railway, and Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of Railways to win a contract from the SCR worth $34,323 and from HAL worth $1,399,328. The documents showed that the HAL official was allegedly paid 5 per cent commission.

The newspaper reported that the Moog Inc paid $1.68 million to settle the case.

In the second case, IT giant Oracle was accused of paying more than $6.8 million in bribes to Indian Railways officials and organisations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey, according to the newspaper.

In this case, the company allegedly paid around $6.8 million in bribes and then paid $23 million in fine to settle the cases.

In the third case, US chemical manufacturer Albemarle was accused of paying around $63.5 million in bribes to Indian Oil officials and companies in Indonesia and Vietnam, according to the newspaper.

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These bribes were paid to win contracts of Indian Oil and Vietnam- and Indonesia-based companies, as per the US Department of Justice (DoJ).

Notably, Albemarle is a major chemical supplier that has business with around 700 refineries across the world, including with Indian Oil.

Of the total bribes that the company is accused of paying in the matter, around $1.14 million were paid to official(s) in India during 2009-11 and the company made profits to the tune of $11.14 million from business generated from those bribes, according to the SEC order cited by the newspaper.

The company paid a fine of around $198 million to settle the case.

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Satellite imagery and videos from the ground appear to show that Russia is thinning its military presence in two military bases in western Syria and withdrawing personnel and equipment from the rest of the country read more

This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Friday shows an Antonov An-124 heavy transport aircraft preparing to load equipment at Khmeimim airbase in Syria. (Photo: AFP)

Russia appears to be withdrawing troops and equipment from Syria, including in two prized military bases in the western part of the country, according to satellite imagery and videos that have surfaced since the fall of the Assad dynasty.

Russia runs two military bases, the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia and a naval base in Tartus, in western Syria, which had been key to not just propping Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria but also in projecting power in the Mediterranean Sea and supporting Russian military activities in West Asia and North Africa. Following the ouster of Assad, the future of the bases is uncertain.

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Even as Russian state media has reported that a deal has been reached with Syrian opposition forces, there are clear signs that Russia is pulling out of Syria, including at the bases in Latakia and Tartus.

Russian withdraws from airbase in Syria

Recent imagery of the Khmeimim airbase from satellite company Maxar (see below) shows Russia withdrawal underway at the base. The War Zone has reported that the imagery shows two Antonov An-124 Ruslan cargo planes with their nose open, suggesting that they are loading the cargo. These are the largest military transport planes in the world.

The outlet also reported that the imagery further shows three Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft along with a dismantled Ka-52 attack helicopter and packed S-400 air defence system, suggesting that the S-400 and Ka-52 were being loaded for transportation.

The imagery further shows at least one Syrian Il-76 and another Yakovlev Yak-40 aircraft along with smaller An-72 Coaler and An-26 Curl transporters as well as a Su-35 fighter plane, according to the outlet.

This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Friday shows an Antonov An-124 heavy transport aircraft preparing to load equipment at Khmeimim airbase in Syria. (Photo: AFP)

Such an enhanced presence of heavy transport aircraft along with folded S-400 and attack helicopter suggest that Russia is in the process of considerably thinning its military presence in Syria.

Once the opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began their offensive late last month, there were also reports of Russia withdrawing MiG-31 warplanes from the Khmeimin airbase.

Russian vessels leave port in Syria

While the picture at the Khmeimin airbase is much clearer, the situation at the Tartus naval base is a bit hard to assess.

Even before Assad fled Syria, Russian vessels had left the Tartus port.

However, recent satellite imagery reported by The War Zone suggests that even though Russian naval assets have left the port, they have not left the area and are stationed in the waters near the coast  though far from the port where they would have been sitting ducks.

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Moreover, the outlet reported that some air defence systems remain at the base, suggesting that Russia does not plan to abandon the base.

In this satellite image of Russias Tartus naval base taken on December 13 by Maxar, air defence assets can be seen in place at left along the seawall. (Photo: AFP)

Videos and reports in recent days suggest that Russia has withdrawn its forces from across Syria to house them in its bases at Latakia and Tartus.

The war monitor Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) has reported that Russia has withdrawn forces from near Homs to regroup at the airbase in Latakia.

Videos have also emerged from Russian military bloggers that show Russian military moving away from the active warzone into the Kurdish-held Syrian territories in the northeast.

Amid such accounts, Reuters has reported sources as saying that while Russia is pulling back its military from the frontlines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains, it is not vacating the Khmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base.

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The news agency quoted that one of the cargo planes seen at the Khmeimim airbase, mentioned above, departed for Libya.

Syrian military and security sources in contact with Russia told the agency that Russia is withdrawing some heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers from the country. They said that some of the equipment being pulled out of the country is being shipped to Russia.

Russia appears to rebrand mission in Syria

For five decades, Syrian bases had been the crown jewels of Russias overseas military presence. The bases were not just central to projecting power along the southern flank of the Nato but also connected the West Asia with the Ukraine front via Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

The bases were also central to the survival of the Assad regime. It was the Russian direct military intervention in 2015 that turned the tides of the civil war in Assads favour. From these bases, Russia supported Assads war against opposition forces, including the indiscriminate bombing of opposition-held areas and chemical attacks on own subjects.

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Now, Russia appears to be rebranding its presence inside Syria as an anti-terrorist mission as opposed to countering Nato or bolstering Assad.

Earlier this week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Russian bases in Syria were at the Syrians request with the aim of fighting terrorists from the Islamic State. This is of course a lie as the Russian military supported Assads war against his subjects and Russian schemes in the region, not the war against terrorists which was largely waged by US-supported Kurds.

Bogdanov further said, I am proceeding on the basis of the notion that everyone agrees that the fight against terrorism and what remains of Islamic State is not over. [That] requires collective efforts and in this connection our presence and the Khmeimim base played an important role in the context of the overall fight against international terrorism.

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Since coming to power over a decade ago, Xi has cracked down on corruption involving party members, whether they were corrupt high-ranking tigers or lowly flies who failed to implement government policies read more

Chinas Communist Party must turn the knife inward to eliminate problems of discipline, including corruption, President Xi Jinping said, a new call to hunt down corrupt officials and those who corrupt them.

Since coming to power over a decade ago, Xi has cracked down on corruption involving party members, whether they were corrupt high-ranking tigers or lowly flies who failed to implement government policies.

But despite the sweeping crackdown, the party continues to be plagued by graft, particularly within the armed forces. Two former defence ministers have been purged from the party in the past two years for serious violations of discipline, a euphemism for corruption.

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The party must take counter-measures against any interest group, organisation of power, or privileged class from preying on or corrupting party members, Xi warned in a speech published on Monday by Qiushi Journal, a flagship party magazine.

As the situation and tasks facing the party change, there will inevitably be all kinds of conflicts and problems within the party, he said.

We must have the courage to turn the knife inward and eliminate their negative impact in a timely manner to ensure that the party is always full of vigour and vitality.

Xis call to turn the knife inward was part of a speech he gave at a major meeting with the partys anti-graft watchdog on Jan. 8, but had not been disclosed previously.

The excerpts published on Monday suggest a renewed and wider push to instil discipline and hunt down officials seeking personal gain and those who lead them astray.

Last month, the defence ministry disclosed that an admiral who had served on the Central Military Commission, the countrys highest-level military command body, was under investigation for serious violations of discipline.

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Last year, about 610,000 party officials were punished for violating party discipline, of which 49 were officials above the vice minister or governor level, according to statistics from the partys Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
MANZINI  A stokvel treasurer is alleged to have attempted suicide, after it was discovered that she purportedly squandered about E100 000 of members savings.

Members of the informal savings and credit cooperative scheme mostly come from the rural community of Sidvokodvo, on the outskirts of Manzini, where the treasurers home is also situated. The woman, who was part of the savings scheme, is said to be the wife of a soldier. She and other women formed the scheme a few years ago, and have been benefitting without any qualms. It was said that the sole intention of the stokvel was to empower members to get cash for Christmas shopping and cover back-to-school expenses. In the course of the year, we were borrowing money and even extended the credit to friends and relatives. This helped to increase the payout for each member at the end of the year.

Interests

It was said that in November, the committee met to calculate the interests and found a huge shortfall, after which they called the treasurer to account. She is said to have asked for the patience of the members, as she had a plan to replace the money. However, as weeks passed by, some members were impatient with her and demanded the money with immediate effect.

Last week, while at home, we gathered that she ingested a poisonous substance and had to be rushed to hospital, where she was revived. We do not know the type of substance she took, but we were relieved to know that she had survived, a member said.

Efforts to get an interview from the treasurer failed, as her relatives prevented her from using her phone to protect her from desperate stokvel members who are demanding their money. In December last year, E634 566-worth of stokvel money was reportedly stolen, according to the Commercial Crimes and Fraud Unit. Ten cases were reportedly filed, with the funds having been kept with treasurers rather than being kept in the bank. The Fraud Unit highlighted the dangers of not keeping stokvel funds in a safe and secure place. It urged stokvel members to take precautions to protect their money. Head of the Fraud Unit Senior Superintendent Nicholas Jele, said the major problem in all these cases is that the monies are kept by treasurers, much against our advice of opening bank accounts. Worth noting is that some of the cases are staged robberies.

Urged

Jele further urged and encouraged all stokvel members to open bank accounts to avoid losses. Last year, this publication reported several stokvel incidents, where people were robbed of their monies, supposedly by their treasurers. One incident involved that of a treasurer of a stokvel, who was charged after purportedly lying to the police that he was robbed of money amounting to E48 000 belonging to the society at Mncitsini. It was reported that the accused allegedly came up with tricks on how he would purportedly deceive the stokvel members, as they were expected to distribute the money they had been saving since January among themselves.

The suspect was said to have come up with a trick of supposedly injuring himself, to create an impression that he was injured by the thugs who later stole the money. The accused was reportedly taken to the hospital for a medical check-up. After he was discharged from the hospital, the accused person was said to have reported the robbery claims at the Mbabane Police Post. They allegedly had some suspicions as to why the money went missing at this time of the year. He was then investigated and charged with theft.
MBABANE - Natie Kirsh, accompanied by his wife Frances and members of his family, spent the past week on a private visit in Eswatini.

During his visit, the billionaire renewed his love for the country, met old friends and visited beneficiaries of the Kirsh Foundation Eswatini. Nathan Natie Kirsh is a billionaire and philanthropist. He heads the Kirsh Group, which holds a majority stake in New York cash and carry operation Jetro Holdings, owner of Restaurant Depot and Jetro Cash & Carry.

During his time in the kingdom, Kirsh met with Inhlanyelo Fund beneficiaries: Raymond Tsabedze, a wood sculptor at Ezulwini Crafts Market; Bhacaphi Maduna, owner of a clothing shop at KaBhelina; Marrienade Shabangu and Tivelele Bhembe, dressmakers at Mvutshini.

All beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Kirsh and to Inhlanyelo Fund for giving them the loan capital to start their businesses. They are four examples of over 29 000 other emaSwati, over 70 per cent of them being females, who have been able to fulfil their dreams of owning their own businesses and providing for their families, thanks to the Kirsh family and Inhlanyelo Fund.

Donated

The Kirsh Foundation Eswatini (KFE) was established in 2020, as a Section 21 Association Not For Profit, after Kirsh donated all his business assets in Eswatini to KFE. The founding Articles of KFE state that all profits will be used exclusively for the benefit and welfare of emaSwati. Reflecting on that decision, Kirsh stated: With substantial and successful business interests around the world, the time had come for me to focus on my legacy of philanthropy in Eswatini and to support the country, where I founded my earliest entry into business and where I raised my family: Eswatini, a place I will always call home, he continued.

These business assets in KFE will function as an endowment, with their profits providing ongoing funding for Inhlanyelo Fund and other charitable causes that will benefit emaSwati for generations to come. The nation will recall that, during the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 to 2022, Kirsh and his family donated over E325 million towards PPE procurement, oxygen production and supply, and perhaps most critically, food support for hundreds of thousands of emaSwati from the start of the crisis until its end in 2022. Kirsh ended his visit with a strong statement of his and his wifes emotional attachment to the kingdom and its people; and of his intention to return for a longer visit to Eswatini in the near future.
MBABANE  Delays in the ICC-FISH construction caused by budget constraints cost the taxpayer E10 million in monthly penalties.

Due to the delays caused by cash flow challenges, government is said to have lost over E40 million on delay damages or liquidated damages for the International Convention Centre and Five-Star Hotel (ICC-FISH). The construction of the ICC-FISH, which has cost around E8 billion, continues to take from the taxpayer despite governments promise that the millennium project will be completed this year. Despite the commitment to make the ICC/FISH completion a priority, which included allocating a budget enough for the remaining work, contractors have abandoned the site from time, to time due to governments failure to pay them on time.

Penalties

The taxpayer is now forking out around E10 million per month in penalties to the contractors on the site. This has prolonged the completion period of the project, which has been earmarked to contribute to the economy. It was gathered that altogether, the period when the contractor/s downed tools due to unpaid bills by government is more than four months, which has led the taxpayer to pay over E40 million in penalties.

These penalties are known as delay damages or liquidated damages. They are financial penalties that are usually agreed upon in the contract and are intended to compensate the project owner for losses due to the delay. In the second quarter performance report and debate for the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Minister Dr Thambo Gina confirmed that the ICC would be completed around April - May 2025. He said the main reason was the unavailability of funds to pay contractors.

The main reason is the unavailability of funds to pay contractors who abandoned their work. Some left the site around May, others before and after. Even when they are not on-site, government continues to incur costs, because even if they are not on-site, the contract is still running. Roughly, when they waited for a month, the minimum charge in penalties was E10 million for affected work. The reason for the delays is the budget cash flow, he said. Secondly, the ICC and Five-Star Hotel, when it was built there was E260 million for interior fit-out and E250 million, which all combined was about E500 million. In 2016 the interior fit-out was changed from model to classical, thus we needed specialists in interior decor and fit-out. The moment from November 12, 2024, there were bids for the interior tender, he said.

Around three contractors from overseas are said to have shown interest and made presentations. He said the reason they looked for a tender was that those who were there charged a lot hence the country could not accept, and then a decision to look for a cheaper contractor for the work was taken. The minister said an update will be made in due course on that exercise.

The builders after completion will have to wait for the fit-out. There is the carpet, cladding and roofing. This means the one for the carpet has to wait for the cladding and the roofing has to wait. The main contractor has to fit the carpet and wait for the wall cladding, he said.

As they wait for the other, they also charge the fees for waiting for delays. The public was made to believe that when the ICC/FISH is completed by December 2024, commissioning schedules would be done by July 2025, and if managed well, the project should give the country 0.25 per cent growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, 0.75 per cent GDP growth in 2026 and 2027. Due to the delays, this might not be realised.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Russo-Ukraine War - 15 December 2024 - Day 1026

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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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia has made further gains to the south of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub in Donetsk oblast. Russian forces are currently approximately 3km from the southern outskirts of Pokrovsk, having reportedly taken the village of Shevchenko. Shevchenko itself lies at an intersection of two routes leading into Pokrovsk. Russia will likely continue to make gains towards Pokrovsk whilst continuing to advance westwards to the south of the town.

Russian forces have highly likely intersected Velyka Novsilka's north-eastern logistics route, the T-05-18. In early December, Ukrainian forces reportedly regained control of the village of Novyi Komar, and continue to maintain one remaining supply route to Velyka Novsilka from the north.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, there have been 214 combat clashes since the beginning of this day. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression.

The largest number of fights took place in the sivers komu, pokrovskkomu, kurakhivsk komu and vremivs komu directions.

Russian zagarbniki caused one rocket (2 rockets), 34 aviation (53 CAB) strikes on the territory of Ukraine. In addition, 606 kamikaze drones were involved and more than 3,400 shells were carried out at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian opponent stormed Ukrainian positions near high yaruga, vovcans ka and quiet. Nine attacks repelled by the defense forces, one confrontation is ongoing.

Russian losses to the direction so far have 90 soldiers killed and wounded, four transport units, nine BPLAs and a Russian special equipment unit destroyed; three vehicles and one artillery system damaged as well.

Kupyansky direction: the Russian enemy carried out offensive actions near Zagrizovoye and Lozova. Three fights down, one more to go.

In the Lyman direction Russian invaders 18 times stormed the positions of Defense Forces near Novoegorivka, Grekivka, Terniv, Tverdohlibovogo and Nadia. Ukrainian defenders stopped 15 enemy attacks, three clashes are still ongoing.

Sever direction: Russian forces 33 times stormed Ukrainian positions near Bilogorivka, Verkhnyokamans kogo, Ivano-Daryivka and Viymki, currently fighting in 17 locations.

In the kramators komu direction, Russian forces attacked three times in the areas of time yaru and stupocok, all attempts of the zagarbnikiv to advance stopped by Ukrainian soldiers.

In the Toretsky direction, with the support of bombardment aviation, Russian forces carried out 11 assault actions. Zagarbniki stormed the positions of Ukrainian units near Toretsk and Scherbinivka. Seven Russian attacks have been repelled, four clashes are still ongoing.

Intercession direction: since the beginning of this day, Russian forces attacked 27 times in the areas of Mirolyubivka, Promenya, Fox, Dachensky, Zelenoy, Sand and Novoolenivka. Ukrainian defenders have repelled 16 attacks, 11 combat clashes are still ongoing.

According to the available data, at this time, the Russian losses for today amounted to 362 soldiers killed and wounded; two tanks, six cars, PTRK and the antenna of the BpLA control destroyed by Ukrainian defenders.

In the Kurakhivs komu direction, the Russian zagarbniki attacked 31 times near the old terniv, the suncivka, the star, the kurakhovogo and the uspenivka. 23 attacks of the invaders have already been repelled, the battles continue.

In the Vremivs komu direction, fights near Dry Yaliv, Spill, Zelenivka and Makarivka. In the areas of konstantinopol s kogo, trudovogo, new mosquito, novosilki Ukrainian defenders repelled 23 attacks of the Russian enemy.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Defense Forces of Ukraine stopped three Russian attempts to attack Ukrainian positions.

In Kur 26ini, Ukrainian defenders repelled 26 Russian assaults, zagarbniki continue to attack.

In other directions, there is no much change.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on armed formations of one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and one border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Liptsy, Volchansk, Prilipka, and Zolochev (Kharkov region). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault detachment was repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 70 troops, two motor vehicles, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One ammunition depot was wiped out.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade near Kutkovka, Dvurechnaya, Zagryzovo, Lozovaya, Borovaya, Kovsharovka, Kupyansk, Glushkovka (Kharkov region), and Serebryansky forestry. Two counter-attacks launched by AFU units were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 550 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured personnel carriers, nine motor vehicles, one Italian-made Iveco armoured fighting vehicle, two Italian-made 105-mm Melara guns, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one UK-made 105-mm L119 gun. One ammunition depot and one Anklav electronic warfare station were destroyed.

As a result of decisive actions, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Vesely Gay (Donetsk People's Republic).

Losses were inflicted on formations of two mechanised brigades, two airmobile brigades of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Seversk, Zvanovka, Dachnoye, and Kurakhovo (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 400 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one UK-made 105-mm L119 gun.

As a result of active offensive operations, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Pushkino (Donetsk People's Republic).

Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one jaeger brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one assault brigade of the National Police of Ukraine near Dzerzhinsk, Andreyevka, and Shevchenko (Donetsk People's Republic).

Ten counter-attacks launched by the AFU armed formations were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 280 troops, two tanks, three pickup trucks, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, two U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences and inflicted losses on formations of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Temirovka (Zaporozhye region), Vremevka, and Zelenoye Pole (Donetsk People's Republic). Four counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one French-made 155-mm CAESAR self-propelled artillery system, and one 80-mm Partisan MLRS launcher.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mountain assault brigade, one heavy mechanised brigade of the AFU, and one national guard brigade near Novoandreyevka, Malaya Tokmachka, and Novopavlovka (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 70 troops, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and one 152-mm D-20 gun. One ammunition depot and one electronic warfare station were destroyed.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces eliminated one battle command vehicle, one U.S.-made AN/MPQ-65 radar station, four U.S.-made Patriot SAM launchers, as well as struck infrastructure of military airfields and engaged manpower and military hardware of the enemy in 146 areas.

Air defence units shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, eight U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 116 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 650 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 37,809 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,797 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,501 MLRS combat vehicles, 19,644 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,235 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.

In the course of offensive operations, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of five mechanised brigades, one tank brigade, two air assault brigades, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Guyevo, Kruglenkoye, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Pavlovka, Pogrebki, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, as well as thwarted two counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU near Aleksandriya, Ivashkovsky, Kurilovka, Mirny as well as Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Petrushovka, and Popovka in Sumy region.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 400 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and 10 mortars. Five AFU servicemen surrendered.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 40,860 troops, 241 tanks, 180 infantry fighting vehicles, 125 armoured personnel carriers, 1,256 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,138 motor vehicles, 314 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.





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MANAUS, Brazil, Dec. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazil Potash Corp. (Brazil Potash or the Company) (NYSE-American: GRO), an exploration and development company existing under the laws of Ontario, Canada with a potash mining project located in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, today announced that management will host a webcast at 5 PM ET on Monday, December 16, 2024.

Interested investors and other parties can listen to the webcast by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.brazilpotash.com.

About Brazil Potash

Brazil Potash is an exploration and development company with a potash mining project (the Autazes Project) located in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The Companys technical operations are based in Autazes, Amazonas, Brazil and Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and its corporate office is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Company is in the pre-revenue development stage and has not yet commenced any mining operations. The Companys plan of operations for the next few years includes securing all required environmental licenses for the Autazes Project, and, subject to securing sufficient funds, commencing all phases of the construction of the Autazes Project.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not historical facts. Words such as expects, anticipates and intends or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future and prospects of the Company and the Autazes Project, are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those described in the Risk Factors section of the Companys registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, for the IPO filed with the SEC and the supplemented PREP prospectus filed in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Quebec. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Companys expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based, unless required by law.

Contact:

Brazil Potash Investor Relations

info@brazilpotash.com
Austin, TX, Dec. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



ThinkCareBelieve's Main Article: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/12/15/how-are-ngos-trafficking-guatemalan-children-into-the-united-states-2/

ThinkCareBelieve has published a new article about the child trafficking crisis from the open southern U.S. border. Reports by Ryan Matta and others tell of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Texas and in Guatemala that have been found to be involved in the trafficking of kidnapped children from Guatamala at alarming numbers. ThinkCareBelieve's article shares Ryan Matta's story of how The Save the Children NGO in Guatemala was raided with evidence gathered by officials of their involvement with child trafficking. ThinkCareBelieve's article has video interviews with witnesses and whistleblowers that give proof of the US government's operation of a U.S. taxpayer funded child-trafficking ring. The article provides Ryan Matta's account of how the Attorney General has attempted to contact the United States to work together to stop the influx of children who have been kidnapped from their families and taken to the United States where many are sold into slavery. According to Matta, there has been no reply yet to the request.

ThinkCareBelieve's article also makes a plea to the media to report this story to the public because the child trafficking crisis has become so dire that the public needs to be informed about it, for the protection of their families and children all over the world. ThinkCareBelieve's article recounts Incoming Border Czar Tom Homan's statement that he is going to deputize the American public to hunt down child traffickers and predators for their arrest.

ThinkCareBelieve is an outlook. ThinkCareBelieves mission for Peace advocacy facilitates positive outcomes and expanded possibilities. To achieve Peace, we will find the commonalities between diverse groups and bring the focus on common needs, working together toward shared goals. Activism is an important aspect of ThinkCareBelieve, because public participation and awareness to issues needing exposure to light leads to justice. Improved transparency in government can lead to changes in policy and procedure resulting in more fluid communication between the public and the government that serves them. America needs hope right now, and Americans need to be more involved in their government.

Why Have Endless Wars Become Normal: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/12/01/why-have-endless-wars-become-normal/

Truth, Declassification and Scientific Journalism: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/12/01/truth-declassification-and-scientific-journalism/

When is AI Tech Harmful? https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/29/when-is-ai-tech-is-harmful/

Money-Laundering in Ukraine: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/29/money-laundering-in-ukraine/

Peace is The Goal, President Trump's Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/28/peace-is-the-goal/

We Need to Roar for the Children: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/27/we-need-to-roar-for-the-children/

Potential Israel Intelligence Hacking: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/24/potential-israel-intelligence-hacking/

On the Verge of Tangible Peace: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/22/tangible-peace/

Time to Break Down the Walls of Child Trafficking: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/21/its-time-to-break-down-the-walls-protecting-child-trafficking/

US Biolabs in Ukraine: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/18/us-biolabs-in-ukraine/

President Trump Declares War on Cartels: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/16/president-trump-declares-war-on-cartels/

Zionism in America Part 1: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/15/zionism-in-america/

Zionism in America Part 2: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/11/15/zionism-in-america-part-2/

Where are the Missing Children: https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2024/10/25/where-are-the-children/

###
Westford, USA, Dec. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SkyQuest projects that the global healthcare analytical testing services market size will reach a value of USD 15.55 Billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period (2024-2031). The markets main driving factors are the number of companies in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries that outsource analytical testing services, increased clinical trials in need of analytical testing, and the rising emphasis on biosimilars. The industry has grown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, since the pandemic, the market has seen a quick development in medications and treatments for its prevention, which has increased the demand for analytical testing services.

Browse in-depth TOC on the "Healthcare Analytical Testing Services Market"

Pages  168

Tables  61

Figures  70

To Learn More About This Report, Request a Free Sample Copy - https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/healthcare-analytical-testing-services-market

Healthcare Analytical Testing Services Market Overview:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 USD 7.39 Billion Estimated Value by 2031 USD 15.55 Billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% Forecast Period 20242031 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Type, End User, and Trends Segments Covered Type, Gender, Service, Application, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America Report Highlights Outsourcing of analytical testing services Key Market Opportunities Adoption of digital technology Key Market Drivers Increasing demand for medical testing services

Pharmaceutical Analytical Testing Services to Hold Significant Growth due to Increasing Regulatory Requirements

The dominance of pharmaceutical analytical testing services in the global healthcare analytical testing services market is driven by increasing regulatory requirements, the rising complexity of drug formulations, and the demand for quality assurance. Those services provide strict compliance, improved drug safety, and support an increasing demand for accurate reliable testing in the pharmaceutical industry, reflecting a promising global healthcare analytical testing services market outlook.

Make an Inquiry to Address your Specific Business Needs: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/healthcare-analytical-testing-services-market

Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Companies to Lead Market due to Increasing Demand for Drug Development

Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies dominate the global healthcare analytical testing services market due to the increasing demand for drug development and manufacturing. This calls for a specific analytical service meant for ensuring safety, efficacy, and compliance with all world standards along the lines of the production process. It is really meant for stringent regulatory compliance, product quality assurance, and testing the biologics during their production, which supports positive global healthcare analytical testing services market trends.

Asia Pacific to Dominate Market due to Advanced Technological Capabilities & Stringent Regulatory Frameworks

North America's dominance in the global healthcare analytical testing services market is fueled by robust healthcare infrastructure, advanced technological capabilities, and stringent regulatory frameworks. These aspects are the ones driving up a high demand for the proper testing services through which pharmaceutical innovations are done, clinical tests take place, and compliance with regulatory standards is met, securing the place of North America as the leader in the global healthcare analytical testing services market outlook.

Healthcare Analytical Testing Services Market Insight

Drivers:

Reliable Analytical Testing Services to Ensure Compliance Growing Complexity of Drug Formulations Growth in Biologics and Biosimilars



Restraints:

High Cost of Analytical Testing Services Achieving Fast Turnaround Times Increasing Concerns Around Data Security in Testing Services



Take Action Now: Secure Your Healthcare Analytical Testing Services Market Today - https://www.skyquestt.com/buy-now/healthcare-analytical-testing-services-market

Prominent Players in Healthcare Analytical Testing Services Market

Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (US)

SGS S.A. (Switzerland)

Charles River Laboratories (US)

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd. (China)

Element Materials Technology (UK)

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US)

Pace Analytical Services LLC (US)

Intertek Group plc (UK)

IQVIA Inc. (US)

Merck KGaA (Germany)

Source BioScience (UK)

Almac Group (UK)

ICON Plc (Ireland)

Frontage Laboratories, Inc. (US)

STERIS Plc (US)

Sartorius AG (Germany)

ALS Life Science (US)

Syneos Health, INC (US)

Medpace Holdings, Inc. (US)

Key Questions Answered in Global Healthcare Analytical Testing Services Market Report

What will be the projected market size of the global healthcare analytical testing services industry by 2031?

What are the primary factors driving the growth of healthcare analytical testing services?

Which region is expected to dominate the market, and what factors contribute to its dominance?



Read Healthcare Analytical Testing Services Market Report Today - https://www.skyquestt.com/report/healthcare-analytical-testing-services-market

This report provides the following insights:

Analysis of key drivers (Pandemic increased demand for testing services, higher incidences of chronic conditions, emphasis on drug safety & efficacy), restraints (Regulatory delays in approvals, healthcare budget constraints) opportunities (Growth of telemedicine, rise of point-of-care diagnostics) influencing the growth of healthcare analytical testing services market.

Market Penetration : Comprehensive information on the product portfolios offered by the top players in the healthcare analytical testing services market.

: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios offered by the top players in the healthcare analytical testing services market. Product Development/Innovation : Detailed insights on the upcoming trends, R&D activities, and product launches in the healthcare analytical testing services market.

: Detailed insights on the upcoming trends, R&D activities, and product launches in the healthcare analytical testing services market. Market Development : Comprehensive information on lucrative emerging regions

: Comprehensive information on lucrative emerging regions Market Diversification : Exhaustive information about new products, growing geographies, and recent developments in the market

: Exhaustive information about new products, growing geographies, and recent developments in the market Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market segments, growth strategies, revenue analysis, and products of the leading market players.



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About Us:

SkyQuest is an IP focused Research and Investment Bank and Accelerator of Technology and assets. We provide access to technologies, markets and finance across sectors viz. Life Sciences, CleanTech, AgriTech, NanoTech and Information & Communication Technology.

We work closely with innovators, inventors, innovation seekers, entrepreneurs, companies and investors alike in leveraging external sources of R&D. Moreover, we help them in optimizing the economic potential of their intellectual assets. Our experiences with innovation management and commercialization have expanded our reach across North America, Europe, ASEAN and Asia-Pacific.

Contact Us:

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SkyQuest Technology

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PRESS RELEASE

NON-REGULATED INFORMATION

Brussels, 16 December 2024, 5:40 PM

Nextensa announces successful sale of Brixton Retail Park in Zaventem, Belgium

Nextensa announces that its Brixton Retail Park in Zaventem, Belgium has been successfully sold to a group of private investors for a net price of around 41 million. The retail park's individual properties were sold last Friday to private investors, who each bought one or more units. Avenue acted as broker in this and managed the transaction.

The Brixton Retail Park, with a total area of 15,072 sqm, has been part of Nextensa's property portfolio since its IPO in 1999. The park has proven to be a highly successful investment during that period. Rents are among the highest in the commercial rental sector, and the park has consistently enjoyed full occupancy with quality tenants over the past 25 years.

Strategically located near the E40, one of the main access roads to Brussels, the retail park comprises seven shops: Brico, Kwantum, Leen Bakker, Juntoo, De Matrassenkoning, X2O and Swiss Sense. In addition, the park has a private car park with its own charging infrastructure, including 16 Tesla Superchargers. Tenants also benefit from green electricity generated by the solar panel installations on the building's roof.

This divestment is perfectly in line with Nextensa's strategy to focus on sustainable mixed-use projects in urban environments while further reducing its debt ratio. With this transaction, Nextensa shows that its portfolio allows for smooth asset rotation, creating space for new opportunities.

"The sale of Brixton Retail Park is a historic moment for Nextensa. With this transaction, we are parting ways with our last retail property in Belgium. This allows us to further sharpen our focus on growth segments such as mixed-use urban office developments and residential projects with a focus on sustainability", says Michel Van Geyte, CEO of Nextensa.

For more information

Tim Rens | Chief Financial Officer

Nextensa NV/SA | 0436.323.915 (RLE Brussels, Dutch-speaking division)

Gare Maritime, Picardstraat 11, B505, 1000 Brussels

+32 2 882 10 08 | investor.relations@nextensa.eu

www.nextensa.eu

About Nextensa

Nextensa is a mixed property investor and developer.

The companys investment portfolio is divided between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (43%), Belgium (42%) and Austria (15%); its total value as at 30/09/2024 was approximately  1.3 billion.

As a developer, Nextensa is primarily active in shaping large urban developments. At Tour & Taxis (development of over 350,000 sqm) in Brussels, Nextensa is building a mixed real estate portfolio consisting of a revaluation of iconic buildings and new constructions. In Luxembourg (Cloche dOr), it is working in partnership on a major urban extension of more than 400,000 sqm consisting of offices, retail and residential buildings.

The company is listed on Euronext Brussels and has a market capitalisation of 442 M (value 30/09/2024).





Attachment
Bali, Indonesia, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bali, Indonesia  In a significant step towards achieving Bali Provinces ambitious net-zero emission goal by 2045, the Amerta Bali Lestari Foundation, operating through its unit INZET, and Sustainability Economics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership symbolizes a shared commitment to advancing clean energy and promoting sustainable practices in the region.

Sustainability Economics is an international organization headquartered in Singapore and the United States, with a major development center in Bangalore. The company provides end-to-end net-zero solutions for global businesses across high-emitting sectors. Sustainability Economics focuses on enabling profitable transitions from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. Currently, the company is pioneering an innovative approach to converge clean power with AI-powered cloud data centers, driving sustainable advancements in energy and technology.

INZET, a not-for-profit and a key local organization in Bali and an advisor to the government of Bali will spearhead transformative community engagement initiatives, leveraging its strong local presence and grassroots expertise. Drawing on its deep understanding of Balis culture and environment, INZET will ensure the smooth implementation of projects that honor the islands heritage and ecological values.

The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration between INZET and Sustainability Economics, positioning Sustainability Economics as a pivotal leader in driving Balis energy transition to Net-Zero.

We are honored to be appointed as Balis clean energy advisor and excited to collaborate with INZET on this transformative journey, said Kasu, CEO and Co-founder of Sustainability Economics. Our focus will be on accelerating the energy transition by integrating clean energy development with innovative AI-powered cloud data centers. Together with INZET, we are dedicated to driving impactful change that not only advances Balis sustainability goals but also sets an example for global efforts toward a sustainable future.

Ida-Bagus Kesawa Narayana, Chairman of INZET said, We are honored to partner with Sustainability Economics.

He added, Bali has set an ambitious vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, ahead of the Indonesian central governments target. A key challenge in this transformation is ensuring that sustainability initiatives are not only environmentally impactful but also financially viable. Our expertise lies in integrating cutting-edge clean energy solutions, advanced technology, and AI-driven data centers to create a unique and innovative approach. This blend of competencies ensures that the transition to sustainability is both achievable and profitable.

Partnership Highlights

The MoU defines key areas of partnership aimed at accelerating Balis journey toward sustainability:

1. Advancing Clean Energy Development Transitioning from fossil fuels and scaling clean energy solutions like renewables (solar, wind, battery), biomass, thermal, nuclear, and hydrogen, through feasibility studies, infrastructure development, and attracting and raising investment in clean energy technologies.

2. Converging Clean Power and AI Cloud Data Centers Developing AI Cloud data centers and integrating them with clean energy initiatives to accelerate the progress towards a sustainable future.

3. Policy Advocacy and Support- Advising the provincial government on policies and incentives to accelerate clean energy adoption and promote energy efficiency.

4. Capacity Building and Education- Organizing training programs and workshops to enhance the skills and knowledge among local communities, businesses, and policymakers about sustainable energy solutions.

5. Community-Centric Approaches- Prioritizing community involvement to ensure clean energy and AI cloud data center projects align with the needs and values of the local population, creating inclusive and impactful outcomes.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation- Developing systems to monitor the progress of clean energy and AI cloud data center projects and their contributions to Balis net-zero goal, ensuring accountability and adaptability.

This partnership represents a significant step in Balis efforts to achieve its net-zero emission target by 2045. By combining local expertise with global solutions, INZET and Sustainability Economics are working together to support the regions transition to clean energy and promote sustainable practices.





Attachments
YANCHENG, China, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, the Nanjing 5718 variety of Sheyang rice was honored with the "Special Excellence Award" at the 16th Japan Rice Quality and Taste Research Association Seminar and Premium Japonica Rice Tasting event in Hiroshima, Japan.

Sheyang rice is renowned for its rich aroma, sweet and tender texture, and exceptional nutritional value. This variety stands out for its superior taste and its adaptability to integrated farming models, such as rice-shrimp and rice-crab cultivation. These advantages align perfectly with Sheyang's strategic focus on developing green and high-quality rice production bases. Under the guidance of the Sheyang County Rice Association, Nanjing 5718 has become the flagship variety for the Sheyang Rice brand.

Located at the eastern starting point of China's geographical boundary between the north and south, Sheyang County enjoys a humid maritime climate and potassium-rich saline-alkali soil, making it a fertile ground for rice cultivation. As a leading grain-producing county in China, Sheyang yields nearly 1.2 million tons of premium japonica rice annually. The county has established four national-standard production bases for green raw materials (rice), covering a total area of 582,000 mu (approximately 3,8800 hectares), dedicated to cultivating niche rice varieties such as selenium-enriched, ecological, and organic rice. For 15 consecutive years, Sheyang Rice has been recognized as one of Shanghai's "Top 10 Quality and Best-selling Brands" for edible agricultural products in the grain and oil category. The brand has also received over 50 honors, including being named one of China's "Top 10 Regional Public Rice Brands." Its brand value has been assessed at an impressive 35.721 billion yuan.

Source: Sheyang County Rice Association

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7936cd41-2652-4108-a106-8a4ec4500c2c
Dublin, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Car Wash Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis by Type (Tunnels, Roll-over/In-bay, Self-service), By Mode of Payment (Cash Payment, Cashless Payment), and By Country, 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. car wash services market size is estimated to reach USD 16.95 billion by 2030, registering to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2025 to 2030. The growing focus on vehicular maintenance, daily schedules becoming increasingly hectic, and a rise in sustainable car washing methods are factors propelling the growth of the U.S. market for car wash services. The growth is further fueled by investors' interest in the market due to minimum labor requirements, high volumes, and quick returns.







With the U.S. government banning car washes in the open, on main streets, and in public spaces, more consumers are now opting for professional car wash services. In general, an automated car wash uses 10-60 gallons of water per car whereas a home car wash uses more than 60 gallons of water. As a result, environment-conscious consumers have been preferring professional car wash services to conserve water. The car wash services market in the U.S. is projected to exhibit a notable growth rate in the coming years, with plenty of franchising opportunities in emerging markets across the country.



Moreover, the rise in disposable incomes of consumers is making them spend more on professional services including car wash services. The speed and convenience that such car washing services offer is resulting in consumers steadily decreasing washing cars by themselves. In addition, a majority of the population believes car maintenance can improve the lifespan of vehicles. For instance, according to a report by Morning Consult in 2022, the percentage of baby boomers who believe maintenance boosts vehicle longevity is higher than the percentage of Gen Z adults who believe the same (84% versus 59%, respectively).



Additionally, self-service vehicle washing is very popular among customers who prefer to wash their own vehicles. Flexibility in the use of water, foam, brushes, and other car wash equipment, as well as payment for only the amenities used, are some of the factors driving the popularity of this service. Moreover, many car washes operate 24/7, which further propels the convenience of this service among consumers.



Companies in this market are continuing to improve their consumer base by expanding their distribution network. For instance, in August 2020, Zips Carwash opened its new service centers in Greater Cincinnati (Ohio) and Asheville area, and Greensboro (North Carolina) to expand and follow its aggressive strategy to capture the market. Moreover, to execute secure payments, many operators in the market are more inclined toward using cashless payment modes. Due to the robust growth in the e-commerce industry, the use of online portals and websites is gaining traction in the car wash services market.



U.S. Car Wash Services Market Report Highlights

The roll-over/in-bay segment is expected to dominate the market share owing to various benefits such as simpler customer interaction, impulse-driven purchases, and ideal for smaller spaces

Cashless mode of payments is anticipated to account for a larger share in terms of revenue in the forthcoming years. An integrated payments system simplifies the managing of the business, tracks supplies easily, helps catch consumer data, and accepts multiple payments method

Moreover, technological advancements are also altering the face of on-demand car wash services. The major goal in advancing car wash technology is to reduce friction and manual vehicle prepping and produce cleaner and drier vehicles faster. Technologies like touch-free car washing and hybrid car washing are propelling the growth of the market

Why should you buy this report?

Comprehensive Market Analysis: Gain detailed insights into the global market across major regions and segments.

Competitive Landscape: Explore the market presence of key players worldwide.

Future Trends: Discover the pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the global market.

Actionable Recommendations: Utilize insights to uncover new revenue streams and guide strategic business decisions.

This report addresses:

Market estimates and forecasts from 2018 to 2030

Growth opportunities and trend analyses

Segment and regional revenue forecasts for market assessment

Competition strategy and market share analysis

Product innovation listing for you to stay ahead of the curve

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 110 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $14.74 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $16.95 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.1% Regions Covered United States

Key Topics Covered



Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Market Snapshot

2.2. Type Outlook

2.3. Mode of Payment Outlook

2.4. Competitive Landscape Snapshot



Chapter 3. U.S. Car Wash Services Market Variables, Trends and Scope

3.1. Market Lineage Outlook

3.1.1. Parent Market Outlook

3.2. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.3. Market Dynamics

3.3.1. Market Driver Analysis

3.3.2. Market Restraint Analysis

3.3.3. Market Opportunities

3.3.4. Market Challenges

3.4. Industry Analysis Tools

3.4.1. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Market Entry Strategies



Chapter 4. Consumer Behavior Analysis

4.1. Demographic Analysis

4.2. Consumer Trends and Preferences

4.3. Factors Affecting Service Booking Decisions

4.4. Consumer Service Adoption Trends

4.5. Observations and Recommendations

Chapter 5. U.S. Car Wash Services Market: Type Estimates and Trend Analysis

5.1. U.S. Car Wash Services Market, By Type: Key Takeaways

5.2. Type Movement Analysis and Market Share, 2024 and 2030

5.3. Market Estimates and Forecasts, by type, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion, Million Units)

5.3.1. Tunnels

5.3.2. Roll-over/In-Bay

5.3.3. Self-Service

Chapter 6. U.S. Car Wash Services Market: Mode of Payment Estimates and Trend Analysis

6.1. U.S. Car Wash Services Market, By Mode of Payment: Key Takeaways

6.2. Mode of Payment Movement Analysis and Market Share, 2024 and 2030

6.3. Market Estimates and Forecasts, by Mode of Payment, 2018 - 2030 (USD Billion, Million Transactions)

6.3.1. Cash Payment

6.3.2. Cashless Payment

Chapter 7. U.S. Car Wash Services Market: Competitive Analysis

7.1. Recent developments and impact analysis, by key market participants

7.2. Company Categorization

7.3. Participant's Overview

7.4. Financial Performance

7.5. Service Benchmarking

7.6. Company Market Share Analysis, 2024 (%)

7.7. Company Heat Map Analysis

7.8. Strategy Mapping

7.9. Company Profiles

7.9.1. Driven Brands, Inc.

7.9.2. Tommy's Express

7.9.3. Splash Car Wash

7.9.4. Zips Carwash

7.9.5. Autobell Car Wash, Inc.

7.9.6. Quick Quack Car Wash

7.9.7. True Blue Car Wash

7.9.8. Magic Hands Car Wash

7.9.9. Wash Depot

7.9.10. SSCW Enterprises (Super Star Car Wash)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/15giwb

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
CHANTILLY, Va., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a groundbreaking initiative to enhance U.S. Air Force training operations, Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN), in collaboration with the University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi Air National Guard, and SeaTrac Systems, has integrated the companys Threat Representative Environment (TReX) emulator onto a remotely operated SeaTrac Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) during maritime operations. This first-of-its-kind demonstration was conducted off the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in November and establishes a new benchmark for realistic training environments for Air Force pilots and operators.

Parsons TReX threat emulator is designed to simulate threats that military personnel may encounter during real-world missions. Utilizing advanced algorithms and real-time data, TReX creates dynamic and realistic scenarios that enable operators to develop critical skills in threat assessment, decision-making, and operational response. During the exercise, Parsons combined this high-fidelity simulation with SeaTracs SP-48 USV, while targeting airborne systems and communicating with the command-and-control center via commercial and non-commercial communication mediums. Because SeaTracs SP-48 is solar-powered and remotely commanded, the USV can execute missions at sea 24/7 with no harm to humans or the environment and reduces operational costs when compared to manned vessels. This novel milestone helps the U.S. Air Force train as they fight.

Employing the TReX threat emulator aboard an uncrewed maritime platform optimizes training efficacy and is a cost-effective approach for executing comprehensive training exercises, said Mike Kushin, President of Defense and Intelligence for Parsons. This innovative solution reduces logistical, and personnel costs associated with manned missions while facilitating a high-fidelity simulation environmentultimately elevating the United States Air Force's operational readiness.

Realistic open-water training also yields collaboration between different branches of the military, fostering communication and tactical strategies that can be employed during joint operations. Pilots and operators will gain insights into maritime operational protocols and the roles of unmanned systems, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of multi-domain operations. Additionally, utilizing the TReX threat emulator within an unmanned maritime vehicle represents a financially responsible method for conducting extensive training exercises, reducing costs associated with manned missions while providing a high-fidelity simulation environment.

About Parsons

Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and intelligence, space and missile defense, transportation, environmental remediation, urban development, and critical infrastructure protection. Please visit Parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact.

About SeaTrac Systems, Inc.

SeaTrac Systems, Inc. manufactures, sells, and rents cost-effective, multi-purpose long endurance solar-powered Uncrewed Surface Vehicles for commercial, scientific, and military applications. The SeaTrac USV can carry various sensors and custom payload modules that make it perfect for research, monitoring, or surveillance tasks where autonomy, cost, and ease of deployment matter. For more information, visit our website at seatrac.com.

About USMs Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise

USMs Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise Facility is a research and development partnership program focused on uncrewed maritime systems and blue technology innovation. The facility hosts the co-location of federal and industry partners with The University of Southern Mississippi in 62,500 square feet of laboratories, training, and conference space. The complex includes deep and shallow water access for oceanographic research vessels.

Media Contact:

Angie Benfield

+1 803.334.5277

Angie.Benfield@parsons.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Dave Spille

+ 1 703.775.6191

Dave.Spille@Parsons.us
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Gold Resource Ltd. ("Canadian Gold" or the "Company) (TSX.V: CAN) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Lac Arsenault property with the addition of 64 new claims, increasing its size by 36.62 square kilometres (3,662.2 hectares), nearly doubling the size of the existing property. This strategic acquisition targets key structural features associated with high-grade epithermal gold and silver mineralization.

Expansion and Exploration Potential

The newly staked claims encompass additional interlinking fault zones, providing excellent targets for further exploration. These areas, which have seen little prior exploration, are expected to contain further high-grade gold and silver mineralization, similar to the Baker vein discovery.

"Were excited to expand our footprint at Lac Arsenault and explore these critical structural features that have the potential to host significant gold-silver deposits," said Ronald Goguen Chairman, President & CEO of Canadian Gold Resources. "This expansion positions us to build on our discoveries and unlock the full potential of the property."

Plan view map of the Lac Arsenault claims with the addition of the new Lac Arsenault claims (orange) encompassing the interlinking fault structures (green).

The discovery of interlinking fault structures at Lac Arsenault is a significant finding, said Mark Smethurst (P.Geo.), Geologist of Canadian Gold Resources. We believe these faults, part of the Grand Pabos and Riviere Garin systems, form dilational zones that create favorable conditions for gold and silver deposition similar to the Baker and Mersereau vein systems within our newly staked claims. These types of structures are well-known for hosting high-grade mineralization.

Qualified Person

Mark T. Smethurst, P.Geo., a director of Canadian Gold Resources is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents and technical disclosures in this press release.

About the Lac Arsenault Property

The Lac Arsenault property is situated within a regional fault system that hosts strike-slip faults and interlinking fault segments, key features for epithermal gold-silver mineralization. These structures create dilational zones that allow for the preferential flow and deposition of hydrothermal fluids, resulting in high-grade mineralization within veins like the Baker vein system. This system, rich in gold and silver, exemplifies the potential of the property for additional discoveries.





Fig.1. (modified from De Paola, N., et al (2008))

Figure 1: Strike-slip fault segments, ranging from millimeters to kilometers, can form interlinking faults that create dilational structures, which are key sites for fluid flow and hydrothermal mineralization, making them critical targets for gold and silver exploration.





Fig. 2. (modified from Thiele, S.T., et al (2015))

Figure 2: Rock bridges between strike-slip segments can buckle under stress, forming en-echelon extensional structures, which often develop along interlinking faults. These structures are key sites for hydrothermal fluid flow and gold-silver mineralization, making them critical exploration targets.

About Canadian Gold Resource Inc

Canadian Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: CAN) is a Canadian exploration company focused on developing high-grade gold projects in the Gaspe Gold Belt of Quebec. The Company targets under-explored, past-producing properties with significant growth potential, leveraging modern exploration techniques to unlock value. With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to sustainability and community engagement, Canadian Gold Resources is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities within this historic and promising gold region. For more information, visit www.cdngold.com.

For further information, please contact:

Ronald Goguen

Chairman, President & CEO of Canadian Gold Resources

rongoguen@cdngold.com

506-383-4274

Investor Relations

Caroline Sawamoto

investors@cdngold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "FLI") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on the current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the date of this news release. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI and involve various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Generally, FLI can be identified by terminology such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "potential," "targets," or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. FLI includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's exploration activities, anticipated economic assessments, projected production, operating costs, capital costs, potential revenues, and other forward-looking metrics related to the Lac Arsenault Project.

FLI is provided to help readers understand management's current expectations and is not a guarantee of future results. FLI is subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such FLI. These risks include, but are not limited to, the accuracy of mineral grade estimates, metallurgical recovery rates, gold price fluctuations, foreign exchange rate volatility, unforeseen technical or operational challenges, regulatory changes, environmental risks, community and governmental actions, and the ability of the Company to secure required funding and approvals.

While management believes the assumptions and expectations reflected in the FLI are reasonable as of the date of this news release, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct, and actual outcomes may vary materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on FLI. The Company will only update or revise any FLI in accordance with applicable law, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise and may even withdraw such FLI if it feels that such action is warranted. Such updates, revisions or withdrawals of FLI will be disclosed in such manner as required by law.

The assumptions upon which the FLI is based include, but are not limited to, geological data, historical exploration results, economic conditions, market demand for gold, and the accuracy of fixed contractual cost estimates. Additional risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's business are outlined in the Company's public disclosure documents available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97b92986-c024-4365-871a-499b53da1779

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18f75fbd-2c25-4b72-a5d1-a8c28d4e49f9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/305fc812-241d-4258-b8ee-c7374b0d0c55
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. (CSE: NVLH; OTCQB: NVLHF; FSE: 87K) (Nevada Lithium or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has filed on SEDAR+ an independent technical report entitled Mineral Resource Estimate NI 43-101 Technical Report, Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, Nye County, Nevada dated December 16, 2024, with an effective date of September 24, 2024 (the Technical Report). The Technical Report was prepared by Global Resource Engineering Ltd.

The Technical Report was prepared at the request of the Company. The purpose of this Technical Report is to provide updated disclosure on the Companys Bonnie Claire lithium project located in Nye County, Nevada (the Project) in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

Nevada Lithiums CEO, Stephen Rentschler, comments:

We are excited to announce the impact of the new drilling in the Lower Zone of mineralized Lithium and Boron at Bonnie Claire. With the significantly increased tonnage and higher grades, Bonnie Claire is potentially unrivaled by other sediment hosted Lithium projects in Nevada and is amongst the largest and the highest-grade Lithium resources in the world. We have significantly Increased the size and grade of Lower Zone Inferred Mineral Resources at Bonnie Claire to 25.634 Mt LCE at 3,085 ppm Li. We have also reported Maiden Indicated Resources of 5.167 Mt LCE at 3,519 ppm Li and 2.318 Mt B at 8,404 ppm Boron.

Compared to Bonnie Claires previous resource report, the new drilling in the Lower Zone has led to a 68% increase in LCE tonnage, at an average grade that has tripled from 1,000 ppm to over 3,000 ppm. It includes intervals where grades exceed 6,000ppm. These increases have occurred using a cut-off grade that has more than doubled to 1,800 ppm. For the first time, we are also able to report a significant high-grade Boron resource that we believe further enhances the Projects value.

I would like to offer my congratulations and thanks to Nevada Lithiums Technical Team for this tremendous success. Their dedication and vision have led to results that are of global significance and, in my opinion, will lead to future increases in shareholder value. For further details, please see the Highlights section below as excerpted from the Companys New Release, dated November 12, 2024.

Highlights:

The Bonnie Claire Project comprises an 18,300-acre (74.1 km 2 ; 28.6 mi 2 ) land package with paved highway access, located 2.5 hours by highway from Las Vegas, Nevada. The Project is 100% owned by Nevada Lithium.



; 28.6 mi ) land package with paved highway access, located 2.5 hours by highway from Las Vegas, Nevada. The Project is 100% owned by Nevada Lithium. Resources for the deposit have been separated into two Zones; a Lower Zone (i.e., mineralization hosted by Lower Claystone and Lower Sandstone units) and an Upper Zone (i.e., mineralization hosted by an Upper Claystone unit). A very high-grade zone of Lithium and Boron in the Lower Zone remains open in 3 directions.



The Lower Zone gives an Indicated Resource of 275.85 million tonnes (Mt) at 3,519 ppm lithium (5.167 Mt LCE) and 275.85 Mt at 8,404 ppm Boron (2.318 Mt B), together with an Inferred Resource of 1,561.06 Mt at 3,085ppm Lithium (25.634 Mt LCE). This base-case resource is based on a 1,800ppm Lithium cutoff, constrained by Hydraulic Borehole Mining (HBHM) parameters, and an assumed 60% recovery of the host strata.



The Upper Zone gives an Indicated Resource of 188.08 Mt at 1,074 ppm Lithium (1.075 Mt LCE) and 152.11 Mt at 1,519 ppm Boron (0.231 Mt B), together with an Inferred Resource of 451.10 Mt at 1,106 ppm Lithium (2.655 Mt LCE) and 270.53 Mt at 1,505 ppm Boron (0.407 Mt B). This resource is calculated at a 900 ppm Lithium cut-off, within a Constraining Pit Shell, and would be mined by conventional open-pit methods



The updated Mineral Resource Estimate includes assays from eleven (11) additional exploration and infill drill holes completed since the 2021 maiden resource estimate. 2023 & 2024 drilling intersected the lower claystone which hosts the high grade (up to 7,160ppm) Lithium, and which remains open in three directions. It is reasonably expected that the bulk of Inferred Resources can be upgraded to Indicated through additional infill drilling.



The updated Mineral Resource Estimate will be included into ongoing work on an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment expected for completion at the end of Q1 2025.



Mineral Resource Estimate Details

Lower Zone

While early exploration concentrated on mineralization in the Upper Zone, the Company has shifted its focus to mineralization in the Lower Zone, hosted in the Lower Claystone and Sandstone units and containing the bulk of Lithium and Boron. This Lower Zone remains open to the NW, NE and SE. The current plan is to use an underground Hydraulic Borehole Mining method, with a higher 1,800ppm cut-off. The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Lower Zone is presented in Table 1-1 and the sensitivity of the Lower Zone to cutoff grade is presented in Table 1-2.

Table 1-1: Bonnie Claire Lower Zone Mineral Resource Estimate With 60% Hydraulic Borehole Mining Recovery

Class

Lithium Boron Mass (Million Tonnes) ID2 Li Grade (ppm) Li (Million Tonnes) Li Carbonate Equivalent (Million Tonnes) Mass (Million Tonnes) B Grade (ppm) B (million Tonnes) Indicated 275.85 3,519 0.971 5.167 275.85 8,404 2.318 Inferred 1,561.06 3,085 4.816 25.634 0.00 0 0.00





The effective date of the Mineral Resource is September 24, 2024. The Qualified Person for the estimate is Terre Lane of GRE. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resources are reported at an 1,800 ppm Li cutoff, an assumed lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ) price of $20,000/tonne, 5.323 tonnes of Li 2 CO 3 per tonne Li. Numbers in the table have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate and may not sum due to rounding.



Table 1-2: Bonnie Claire Lower Zone Resource Estimate Sensitivity to Cutoff Grade With 60% Hydraulic Borehole Mining Recovery

Cutoff Grade (ppm)

Lithium Boron Mass (Million Tonnes) ID2 Li Grade (ppm) Li (Million Tonnes) Li Carbonate Equivalent (Million Tonnes) Mass (Million Tonnes) B Grade (ppm) B (Million Tonnes) Indicated 900 344.52 3,074 1.059 5.637 344.52 7,031 2.422 1200 316.39 3,255 1.030 5.482 316.39 7,588 2.401 1500 292.14 3,414 0.997 5.309 292.14 8,086 2.362 1800 275.85 3,519 0.971 5.167 275.85 8,404 2.318 2100 262.84 3,597 0.945 5.032 262.84 8,635 2.270 2400 249.11 3,671 0.915 4.868 249.11 8,847 2.204 2700 229.37 3,766 0.864 4.598 229.37 9,092 2.085 Inferred 900 3,504.76 2,043 7.161 38.116 0.00 0 0.00 1200 2,367.38 2,527 5.982 31.843 0.00 0 0.00 1500 1,859.91 2,852 5.304 28.234 0.00 0 0.00 1800 1,561.06 3,085 4.816 25.634 0.00 0 0.00 2100 1,346.94 3,267 4.400 23.423 0.00 0 0.00 2400 1,175.89 3,415 4.016 21.378 0.00 0 0.00 2700 997.06 3,571 3.560 18.952 0.00 0 0.00





Upper Zone

The Upper Zone extends from surface to about 425ft (130m) depth and would be mined by conventional open-pit methods, reflected in a lower 900 ppm cutoff. The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Upper Zone is presented in Table 1-3, and the Upper Zone sensitivity to cutoff grade is presented in Table 1.4

Table 1-3: Bonnie Claire Upper Zone Mineral Resource Estimate Within a Constraining Pit Shell

Class

Lithium Boron Mass (Million Tonnes) ID2 Li Grade (ppm) Li (Million Tonnes) Li Carbonate Equivalent (Million Tonnes) Mass (Million Tonnes) B Grade (ppm) B (Million Tonnes) Indicated 188.08 1,074 0.202 1.075 152.11 1,519 0.231 Inferred 451.10 1,106 0.499 2.655 270.53 1,505 0.407





The effective date of the Mineral Resource is September 24, 2024. The Qualified Person for the estimate is Terre Lane of GRE. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resources are reported at a 900 ppm Li cutoff, an assumed lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ) price of $20,000/tonne, 5.323 tonnes of Li 2 CO 3 per tonne Li, 75% recovery, a slope angle of 18 degrees, no royalty, processing and G&A cost of $26.52/tonne, mining cost of $3.52/tonne, and selling costs of $100/tonne Li 2 CO 3 . Numbers in the table have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate and may not sum due to rounding.



Table 1.4: Bonnie Claire Upper Zone Resource Estimate Sensitivity to Cutoff Grade Within a Constraining Pit Shell

Cutoff Grade (ppm)

Lithium Boron Mass (Million Tonnes) ID2 Li Grade (ppm) Li (Million Tonnes) Li Carbonate Equivalent (Million Tonnes) Mass (Million Tonnes) B Grade (ppm) B (Million Tonnes) Indicated 400 393.27 859 0.338 1.799 339.24 1,576 0.535 600 317.20 944 0.300 1.595 271.49 1,556 0.422 900 188.08 1,074 0.202 1.075 152.11 1,519 0.231 1200 25.54 1,314 0.034 0.179 12.24 1,665 0.020 1500 1.17 1,561 0.0018 0.0097 1.11 1,547 0.0017 Inferred 400 2,466.72 681 1.681 8.945 1,007.76 2,041 2.057 600 1,260.72 865 1.090 5.804 666.80 1,960 1.307 900 451.10 1,106 0.499 2.655 270.53 1,505 0.407 1200 126.06 1,300 0.164 0.872 58.78 812 0.0048 1500 0.70 1,530 0.0000011 0.0000057 0.06 337 0.00000002





Cautionary Statements Regarding Mineral Resource Estimates:

Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. Inferred Mineral Resources are that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC)

A quality assurance / quality control protocol following industry best practice was incorporated into the drill program by Nevada Lithium. Drilling was conducted by Major Drilling. Core was transported by Major Drilling from the collar location and received by Nevada Lithium staff at the Company storage facility in Beatty, NV. The facility is only accessible to Nevada Lithium staff and remains otherwise locked. Received core was logged and cut at the facility by Nevada Lithium staff. Logging and sampling included the systematic insertion of blanks, duplicates and certified reference material (CRM) MEG Li.10.12 and OREAS 750 into sample batches at an insertion rate of approximately 10%. All core samples collected were transported by Company staff to ALS USA Inc.s laboratory in Reno, NV. for sample preparation. Sample preparation comprises initial weighing (Code WEI-21), crushing QC Test (CRU-QC), pulverizing QC Test (PUL-QC), fine crushing at 70% <2mm (CRU-31), sample split using Boyd Rotary splitter ((SPL-22Y), pulverizing up to 250g 85% <75 m (PUL-31), crush entire sample (CRU-21), Pulp Login LOG-24) and a crusher wash (final crusher wash between samples (WSH-21). Samples were shipped to ALS USA Inc.s Vancouver laboratory in Burnaby BC, where the samples were analyzed using 48-element four-acid ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and B/Li NO Fusion  ICP-AES high-grade (ME-ICP82b) procedures.

Data verification by Global Resource Engineering staff included: an on-site inspection of the Project site and core, RC and chip tray storage facilities, check sampling, geologic maps and reports, and manual auditing of the Project drill hole database. GREs QPs have been involved with the project since 2018. They visited the site in 2018 after drilling, during drilling in 2020 and 2022. The results from the site inspection, visual sample inspection and check sampling for each drilling campaign are given below. Based on the results of GREs QP check of the sampling practices, verification of drill hole collars in the field, results of the check assay analysis, visual examination of selected core intervals, and the results of both manual and mechanical database audit efforts, GRE considers the collar, lithology, and assay data contained in the project database to be reasonably accurate and suitable for use in estimating mineral resources.

The data verification of the drilling campaigns shows that data from the rotary mud drilling was suspect and not used in the resource estimate. Open pit mining and processing methods, costs and infrastructure needs were verified by Ms. Lane in comparison to other similar sized open pit mines operating in the western USA. Borehole mining costs were developed by Kinley Exploration LLC with coordination with GRE. Other cost data used in the report was sourced from the most recent Infomine cost data report. All costs used to determine reasonable prospects for economic extraction were verified and reviewed by GRE and were assessed to be current and appropriate for use.

Metallurgical testing was completed for the Bonnie Claire project by a well-known commercial metallurgical laboratory. GRE reviewed all available metallurgical reports. GRE confirmed that the mineralization found at the Bonnie Claire Project is similar to another project where GRE has performed other consulting work and finds that the test work for Bonnie Claire shows that the material behaves in a similar manner, specifically in Lithium extraction and recovery and reagent consumption. Given the similarities of the Bonnie Claire material to other similar projects, this provides a good basis for benchmarking the metallurgical test. The work appears to be professionally completed and is well documented and is suitable for estimation of Lithium extraction and recovery calculations in this Mineral Resource Estimate.

About Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on shareholder value creation through its core asset, the Bonnie Claire Lithium Project, located in Nye County, Nevada, where it holds a 100% interest.

For further information on Nevada Lithium and to subscribe for updates about Nevada Lithium, please visit its website at: https://nevadalithium.com/

QP Disclosure

The technical information in the above disclosure has been reviewed and approved by the designated Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, Dr. Jeff Wilson, PhD, P.Geo, Vice President of Exploration for Nevada Lithium. Dr. Wilson is not independent of Nevada Lithium, as he is Vice President of Exploration for Nevada Lithium.

The technical information in the above disclosure has also been reviewed and approved by Terre Lane, a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. Ms. Lane is Principal Mining Engineer with Global Resource Engineering (GRE) and considered to be independent of the Company under Section 1.5 of NI 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Stephen Rentschler

Stephen Rentschler, CEO

For further information, please contact:

Nevada Lithium Resources Inc.

Stephen Rentschler

CEO and Director

Phone: (647) 254-9795

E-mail: sr@nevadalithium.com

Media Inquiries

E-mail: info@nevadalithium.com

Find Nevada Lithium on Twitter and LinkedIn

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to matters that identify future events or future performance. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as could, pro forma, plans, expects, may, will, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved.

The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the performance of the Project and results of the 2023 Exploration and Development Plan (including, without limitation, its mineral resources, current claims and its ability to utilize global lithium needs); and the performance of lithium as a commodity, including the sustained lithium demand and prices.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, Nevada Lithium has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation: market fundamentals that result in sustained lithium demand and prices; the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of Bonnie Claire in a timely manner; the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development; construction and continued operation of Bonnie Claire; the Project containing mineral resources; and Nevada Lithiums ability to comply with all applicable regulations and laws, including environmental, health and safety laws.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect Nevada Lithiums managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of managements considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Nevada Lithium believes that the expectations reflected in such forward- looking statements are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and under reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by Nevada Lithium. Among the key risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements are the following: operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Project; estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, requirements for additional capital; future prices of precious metals and lithium; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays or the inability of Nevada Lithium to obtain any necessary approvals, permits, consents or authorizations, financing or other planned activities; changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations; currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities; risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on Nevada Lithiums business; as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in Nevada Lithiums latest Management Discussion and Analysis and other filings of Nevada Lithium filed with the Canadian securities authorities, copies of which can be found under Nevada Lithiums profile on the SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Nevada Lithium has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Nevada Lithium does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today announced the "Riyadh Declaration" at the beginning of the 19th session of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF Riyadh 2024), hosted in Riyadh, organized by the United Nations. The forum aims to promote international digital cooperation between governments, the private sector, the non-profit sector, entrepreneurs, and innovators worldwide.

The declaration came with the support and empowerment of HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister, affirmed H.E. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology. The declaration focused on inclusive, innovative and impactful artificial intelligence (AI).

The declaration emphasized the need to use AI technologies to enable digital access and enhance digital knowledge, as well as address global challenges, and unleash global economic value.

The declaration also emphasized AIs role in increasing digital accessibility and digital literacy, promoting sustainable development, protecting the environment, improving public health, and boosting economic inclusion.

Alswaha also pointed out that the Kingdom has adopted a proactive approach in the field of AI, under the leadership of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the good of humanity, the planet and prosperity, stressing that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 is clear and based on its commitment to lead by example in global transformation in this field.

To view the Riyadh Declaration, visit the following link: https://www.mcit.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2024-12/Riyadh%20Ai%20declaration%20E.pdf

About the Internet Governance Forum (IGF):

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an international platform under the United Nations, held annually and hosted by a member state. It unites diverse stakeholders, including government entities, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society, to discuss policies related to internet governance. For more information, please visit: https://www.intgovforum.org/en

Media Contact:

Mahmoud Ashour <mahmoud.ashour@traccs.net>
Alexandria, VA, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) today announced that Joneigh S. Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, has been named as the organization's new President and CEO. Dr. Khaldun will assume her new role on January 13, 2025. Dr. Khaldun's appointment follows an extensive national search for a candidate with an exceptional record in public health leadership, strong business acumen, and the ability to drive transformational initiatives. She succeeds Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, CPH, FAAN, who is retiring after five impactful years of service during which PHAB experienced significant growth and expansion.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Joneigh Khaldun as the new President and CEO of PHAB, said Dr. Claude A. Jacob, Chair of the Board of Directors and Public Health Director for the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Joneigh brings a wealth of knowledge, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing public health. The Board is confident in her ability to lead the talented PHAB team into the future.

Most recently, Dr. Khaldun served as the inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer at CVS Health, where she improved demographic data collection and use, implemented disparity reduction programs, expanded access to community health workers, and strengthened accreditation efforts. Prior to her role at CVS Health, Dr. Khaldun served as Michigans Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health, overseeing five state agencies. She was the lead strategist for Michigans COVID-19 response and was appointed to the nations Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.

PHAB made an exceptional choice in selecting Dr. Joneigh Khaldun as their next leader, says Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and former health commissioner for Baltimore City and Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health. Joneigh has extensive public health experience and knows how to effectively work with health departments and build coalitions. I look forward to all she will do in this role to advance public health in the U.S. 

Dr. Khalduns earlier roles include Director of the Detroit Health Department, Chief Medical Officer for the Baltimore City Health Department, and Fellow in the Obama Administration's Office of Health Reform within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She is a practicing emergency medicine physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.

This is a critically important time for public health, said Dr. Khaldun. It is imperative that we make sure our public health system has a strong workforce and data infrastructure, and every person receives high-quality public health services. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead such an important organization and a great team.

I am thrilled that PHAB has selected Joneigh Khaldun as their next President and CEO, says Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC). I have known and worked with Joneigh for years and PHAB would be hard pressed to find a more committed, competent, and dynamic public health leader. BCHC looks forward to continuing our partnership with PHAB under her leadership.

About the Public Health Accreditation Board

The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is a 501(c)(3) organization and is the sole national accrediting body for public health in the U.S. PHAB supports health departments in their work to serve their communities with many tools and resources, and helps strengthen health department infrastructure, workforce, and data modernization efforts to promote public health system transformation. To learn more about PHAB, visit phaboard.org.

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WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Legend Senior Living, a senior living owner/operator based in Wichita, KS, has announced Rebecca Butler as its new Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy. Butler will assume direction of Legends national marketing and branding from the Wichita headquarters, starting immediately. Her responsibilities at Legend will include directing the marketing strategy for all media, leading the marketing creative team, developing marketing strategies with regional sales directors, and overseeing the brand communications for over 60 senior living residences operated by the company in six states.

With a bachelors degree from the Central Connecticut State University marketing program, Butler brings more than 10 years of global marketing and agency experience in go-to-market campaigns, directing projects all the way from strategic planning to execution. As a vice president of marketing for international agencies, she has spearheaded multimedia programs for a global fitness technology company, a major CPG healthcare provider and for such national brands as Logitech. Her brand work has been featured in such prominent publications as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Men's Health and TIME.

Were excited to welcome on board a marketing professional of Rebeccas caliber, said Matt Buchanan, President of Legend Senior Living. Her talent and breadth of experience in multiple marketing channels will be very useful as we continue to grow. Were proud to have a great brand and reputation over the three decades since our founding. Were excited to see Rebeccas leadership in this very important area of the organization.

Im eager to contribute to the Legend mission of service to seniors, said Butler, on accepting the position. I have admired their forward-thinking and customer-focused approach to senior living, which I feel is very much in line with my commitment to creating brand experiences that empower consumers and are culturally relevant. This is an exciting time for the industry as a new generation with evolving expectations enters the space, and Im proud to lead a first-rate team dedicated to delivering meaningful experiences while continuing to elevate the Legend brand across its growing footprint."

ABOUT LEGEND SENIOR LIVING

Legend Senior Living is a privately held senior housing and services company based in Wichita, Kansas. Legend owns and operates over 60 residences  independent living, assisted living, memory care, and personal care  in Florida, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Legend communities are certified as a Great Place to Work.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Christy Van Der Westhuizen

Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Legend Senior Living

316-616-6288

christy.vdw@legendseniorliving.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24ff1a87-8077-4608-b760-552fcae504b4
CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KIC Realty, Canadas premier real estate brokerage designed by Canadians for Canadians, is proud to announce the launch of the KIC Hub, a cutting-edge platform built exclusively for its agents. This innovative tool reinforces KIC Realtys commitment to knowledge, integrity, and community by providing agents unparalleled transparency and control over their revenue share, payments, and share accumulation.

The KIC Hub is an easy-to-use, centralized dashboard tailored to meet the needs of KIC Realty agents. The platform allows agents to:

Track Revenue Share Structure: Agents can now access updates and visual representations of their revenue share structure, providing them with clear insights into their earnings and opportunities for growth.

Agents can now access updates and visual representations of their revenue share structure, providing them with clear insights into their earnings and opportunities for growth. View Payment History: The KIC Hub streamlines financial management by providing a detailed and transparent breakdown of payments, helping agents stay on top of their financials with ease.

The KIC Hub streamlines financial management by providing a detailed and transparent breakdown of payments, helping agents stay on top of their financials with ease. Monitor Share Accumulation: As part of KIC Realtys agent-focused ownership model, agents can track their share accumulation in the brokerage, fostering a sense of pride and ownership in their contributions to KIC Realtys success.



Our agents are the heart of KIC Realty, and were dedicated to giving them the tools and resources they need to thrive, said Willie Ip, CEO of KIC Realty. The KIC Hub is more than a platformits a demonstration of our commitment to transparency, empowerment, and ensuring every agent feels like an integral part of our success.

The development of the KIC Hub was spearheaded by Michele Bouchard, CFO of KIC Realty, whose strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in bringing this project to life.

From day one, our goal was to create a platform that simplifies complex processes while empowering agents with complete clarity over their financials and ownership, said Michele Bouchard, CFO of KIC Realty. The KIC Hub reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting our agents by fostering transparency, trust, and innovation. Were thrilled to deliver a tool that aligns so closely with our values and sets a new benchmark for agent-focused resources in the real estate industry.

The launch of the KIC Hub aligns with KIC Realtys mission to keep brokerage operations simple and agent-focused, enabling agents to dedicate their time to delivering exceptional service to their clients.

Agents across Canada are already praising the KIC Hub for its seamless functionality and user-friendly interface. By making complex financial structures easy to understand and accessible, KIC Realty is setting a new standard in the real estate industry.

For more information about the KIC Hub and KIC Realtys innovative approach to real estate brokerage, visit kicrealty.com/

About KIC Realty

KIC Realty is a proudly Canadian real estate brokerage designed to meet the unique needs of Canadian real estate agents. Built on the core values of Knowledge, Integrity, and Community, KIC Realty focuses on fostering a supportive environment where agents can succeed, thrive, and participate in ownership.

Media Contact:

Willie Ip

CEO, KIC Realty

investor.relations@kicrealty.com
FORT WAYNE, Ind., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fort Wayne Metals, a leader in the development of precision materials for the medical device industry, has announced significant advancements in its Nitinol melting capabilities.

The company doubled its melted Nitinol output from 2022 to 2024 and is poised to double that capacity again in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and customer support.

Since opening its Nitinol melt facility in 2012, Fort Wayne Metals has established itself as a fully integrated supplier, controlling every step of the Nitinol manufacturing processfrom melting to custom finishing.

Over the past decade, the company has supplied more than 650,000 pounds of its melted alloy in wire form, becoming a trusted partner for manufacturers of miniaturized and complex medical devices. Furthermore, in the last 12 months, to meet growing market needs and customer demand, Fort Wayne Metals has expanded to melting Nitinol into bar, strip, and sheet form.

To address growing demand and increase capacity, Fort Wayne Metals upgraded its plasma arc melting furnace, doubling production output compared to 2022-2023. Additionally, a second Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) furnace is set to become operational in early 2025, which will enable shorter lead times for customers and further enhance capacity, positioning Fort Wayne Metals to melt as much as 1,000,000 pounds of Nitinol annually.

The expansion of our melting capabilities demonstrates our long-term commitment to meeting the needs of our customers and becoming the largest, most reliable source of Nitinol for medical device manufacturers, said Scott Glaze, Chairman and CEO of Fort Wayne Metals. We are always looking to the future, continuously innovating to better serve our customers and empower their own groundbreaking developments.

Fort Wayne Metals-melted Nitinol is available in custom-shaped wire, bar, and shape-set assemblies. Wire and bar size capabilities range from 0.0127 mm (0.0005 in) to 51 mm (2 in) in diameter, including extremely small diameters that are used in tiny, complex medical devices, and cutting-edge medical technologies. With these latest advancements, the company is well-positioned to continue solidifying its role as a global leader in Nitinol production.

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About Fort Wayne Metals A leading manufacturer of precision materials used in life-improving medical devices, Fort Wayne Metals is dedicated to making Northeast Indiana and the world a better place. As committed as we are to supporting our customers medical technologies, our more than 1,700 employees are just as committed to contributing to community organizations and causes. Whether its providing the world with customized material solutions to support the medical device industry or championing efforts that lift up local communities, we are passionate about making lives better. Learn more at fwmetals.com.

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BOSTON, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C Space, the worlds leading insight community, customer strategy, and innovation agency, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the agency today announced plans for a special edition of its Customer Inside guide. Scheduled for release in late January, the guide will serve as the cornerstone of a year-long campaign exploring the evolving role of insight communities in shaping mutually beneficial futures for brands and their customers.

C Space  then operating as Communispace  transformed the research landscape 25 years ago when it pioneered the use of insight communities to foster deep, culturally intelligent connections between people and brands. Since then, the agency has continued to redefine the category, reinventing tools and methodologies to anticipate the shifting needs of brands and their audiences.

Insight communities remain unique in their ability to move beyond transactional interactions in online spaces, said Melissa Sauter, chief executive officer of Escalent, an award-winning data analytics and advisory firm that acquired C Space in 2023. They are more than just a market research method  they unlock the full potential of relationships to fuel real growth.

For C Spaces latest Customer Inside guide, the company partnered with the Market Research Society, a leading research association, to gather insights from client-side research professionals. The resulting guide will provide a comprehensive and timely roadmap for the future of insight communities, highlighting key trends that C Space has identified as central to their evolution.

Specificity in Audiences and Engagement: As the first majority-minority generation, the emergence of Gen Z is driving a seismic shift in customer demographics. This pattern will continue with Gen Alpha and Gen Beta. With expertise in activating hard-to-reach audiences, C Space offers insight into how businesses can safeguard their long-term viability and relevance by connecting with the next generation of customers.



As the first majority-minority generation, the emergence of Gen Z is driving a seismic shift in customer demographics. This pattern will continue with Gen Alpha and Gen Beta. With expertise in activating hard-to-reach audiences, C Space offers insight into how businesses can safeguard their long-term viability and relevance by connecting with the next generation of customers. Balancing Technology with Humanity: While artificial intelligence (AI) has transformative potential, balancing technology with human connection is critical. C Spaces evolving community platform technology enables brands to connect with real people in the moments that matter most  providing the human viewpoints needed to validate and contextualize data.



While artificial intelligence (AI) has transformative potential, balancing technology with human connection is critical. C Spaces evolving community platform technology enables brands to connect with real people in the moments that matter most  providing the human viewpoints needed to validate and contextualize data. Driving Impact: Insight communities do more than facilitate online activities; they function as a hub of customer centricity. C Spaces approach brings together the right technology to connect data, people, and perspectives, meaningfully democratizing customer insight and freeing up insight professionals time to advise, educate and consult.



C Spaces insight communities have a 25-year track record of helping brands grow by building better relationships with their customers, added Sauter. We know the brands that thrive will be those that invest in sustaining relationships to create more relevant and enduring products, services and experiences. C Spaces approach to insight communities makes that possible and was a core factor in Escalents decision to acquire this pioneering brand in 2023.

For more information about C Spaces latest Customer Inside guide and to register to receive a copy when its published in January, visit https://cspace.com/thinking/building-the-next-generation-of-insight-communities/ .

About C Space

C Space is the worlds leading insight community, customer strategy, and innovation agency, putting relationships at the heart of business to drive growth. We make relationships count by building mutual value between people and brands as the ultimate competitive advantage. Since joining Escalent Group in 2023, were now a team of 1,800 researchers, data scientists, moderators, creatives, developers, and UX professionals. We put the power of our customer expertise, Escalents industry expertise, and Hall & Partners brand expertise at your fingertips. Visit CSpace.com to see how we inspire tomorrows solutions and grow the worlds most relevant brands.

About Escalent

Escalent is an award-winning data analytics and advisory firm specializing in industries facing disruption and business transformation. As catalysts of progress for more than 40 years, we accelerate growth by creating a seamless flow between primary, secondary, syndicated, and internal business data, providing consulting and advisory services from insights through implementation. We are 1,800 team members strong, following the acquisition of C Space and Hall & Partners in 2023. Escalent is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, with locations across the US and in Australia, Canada, China, India, Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, and the UK. Visit escalent.co to see how we are helping shape the brands that are reshaping the world.

CONTACT: Kim Eberhardt

248.417.2460

keberhardt@identitypr.com
Ares was included as subcontractor within one the six wining bids to support the Department of Energy's (DOE) mission to increase the United States' production capacity of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU).

The $3.4 billion dollar facility will be open to the six Prime Contractors and their subcontractors for the next 10 years, December 16, 2024 - Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (the "Company") (CSE: ARS) (OTC: ARSMF) (FRA: N8I1) is thrilled to announce its inclusion as a key subcontractor in one of six winning bids awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The $3.4 billion initiative is part of a national strategy to significantly expand the production capacity of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU), an essential component in powering the next generation of clean nuclear energy.

Under this contract, Ares will supply and develop its high-grade acidspar, a vital mineral used in manufacturing hydrofluoric acid and fluorine, critical for uranium enrichment. As the owner and operator of the only fluorspar mine in the United States, Ares is uniquely positioned to meet the growing demands of the nuclear energy industry, supporting domestic energy security and independence.

A Vital Role in Rebuilding U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure

Hydrofluoric acid, derived from fluorspar, is indispensable in producing uranium hexafluoride, a precursor for concentrating uranium isotope 235 - the foundation of nuclear fuel. Ares' involvement ensures a reliable supply chain for this critical material, directly supporting the DOE's mission to re-establish the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy.

The DOE's $3.4 billion facility will remain accessible to the six Prime Contractors and their subcontractors for up to 10 years or until all funds are utilized. Regular task orders with a minimum value of $2 million USD will be issued, enabling Ares to submit for funding tied to project requirements involving fluorspar, acidspar, uranium hexafluoride, and conversion technologies.

Driving Domestic Energy Security

This award represents a transformative, non-dilutive, non-debt funding opportunity for Ares, aligning the Company's strategic goals with the national push to strengthen the nuclear fuel supply chain. With global interest in nuclear energy surging, the DOE's initiative reflects a renewed commitment to clean, sustainable power generation and a future powered by domestic innovation.

"The nuclear energy sector is entering an unprecedented era of growth, driven by increasing energy demand and a commitment to decarbonization," said James Walker, President and CEO of Ares Strategic Mining. "Our involvement in this critical DOE initiative underscores Ares' importance in supplying essential materials for the U.S. nuclear energy supply chain. As the only permitted fluorspar mine in the United States, we are uniquely equipped to help secure the resources needed to power the nation's energy future."

Positioned for Long-Term Impact

With the resurgence of nuclear energy as a cornerstone of U.S. energy policy, this project positions Ares as a key enabler of technological innovation and energy independence. From supporting next-generation reactor designs to ensuring a robust supply chain for nuclear fuel, Ares is poised to contribute significantly to the future of clean energy.

This partnership with the DOE is part of Ares' ongoing commitment to leveraging its expertise, resources, and vision to address critical national priorities and deliver value to stakeholders.

In 2018 the U.S. government classified fluorspar as a Critical Mineral, "deemed critical to U.S. national security and the economy." Fluorspar remains the only non-metallic Critical Mineral, which is 100% imported in the entire country. Fluorspar's classification as a Critical Mineral in the United States translates to a faster permitting period, enabling mining operations to initiate more quickly than operations for conventional minerals.

About Ares Strategic Mining

Ares Strategic Mining Inc. is a mining company focused on the development of its fluorspar projects in the U.S. The Company aims to become a significant supplier of high-grade fluorspar to North American markets, supporting industries vital to modern technology and infrastructure.

Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project - Delta, Utah

100% owned - 5,982 acres - 353 Claims

Located in the Spor Mountain area, Juab County, Utah, approximately 214 km south-west of Salt Lake City.

Fully Permitted - including mining permits.

NI 43-101 Technical Report identified extensive high-grade fluorspar with low levels of impurities.

Mining plan approved by BLM1

First approved by Rex Rowley - Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management - 24th August 1992.

Renewed by Paul B. Baker - Minerals Program Manager, Bureau of Land Management - 12th December 2016.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

ARES STRATEGIC MINING INC.

James Walker

Chief Executive Officer and President

For further information, please contact James Walker by email at jwalker@aresmining.com

DISCLOSURE AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Companies typically rely on comprehensive feasibility reports on mineral reserve estimates to reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with a production decision. Historically, situations where the issuer decides to put a mineral project into production without first establishing mineral reserves supported by a technical report and completing a feasibility study have a higher risk of economic or technical failure, though some industrial mineral ventures are relatively simple operations with low levels of investment and risk, where the operating entity has determined that a formal prefeasibility or feasibility study in conformance with NI 43-101 and 43-101 CP is not required for a production decision. Based on historical engineering work, geological reports, historical production data and current engineering work completed or in the process by Ares, the Company intends to move forward with the development of its Utah asset.

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

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Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, Dec. 16, 2024 - GoldHaven Resources Corp. ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS) is pleased to announce it has entered into an amalgamation agreement (the "Amalgamation Agreement") dated December 16, 2024 among BOA Gold Corp. ("BOA"), GoldHaven and 1516478 B.C. LTD. ("Subco"), a wholly owned subsidiary of GoldHaven, pursuant to which GoldHaven and BOA will combine their respective business by amalgamating BOA with Subco to form one company ("Amalco", and collectively, the "Transaction").

"This agreement marks a pivotal milestone in GoldHaven's journey," stated Bonn Smith, CEO of GoldHaven. "The acquisition of these high-potential gold and critical mineral properties in Brazil significantly accelerates our growth trajectory. With full ownership of a drill-ready gold asset featuring two high-priority targets, we are strategically positioned to advance resource development and unlock substantial exploration value. This agreement not only fortifies our competitive standing in the global market but also grants us the operational flexibility to maintain year-round productivity across both hemispheres. We are energized by the immense opportunities this creates and are steadfast in our commitment to driving sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders and stakeholders alike."





Overview of BOA Gold Corp's Brazilian Properties:

GoldHaven has acquired 100% ownership of four key projects in Brazil - Copecal, Bahia North, Bahia South, and Iguatu.

The Copecal Project is comprised of 2 tenements covering 4,000 hectares in the Juruena Gold Province of central-western Brazil in the Mato Grosso State; one of the most mining friendly jurisdictions in Brazil. Copecal is drill-ready with 2 well-defined high-priority drill targets and has excellent access to infrastructure (water, road access, energy). Copecal is only 60km from Alta Floresta, a 50,000-population center with daily commercial flights from the state capital. There has been an estimated $1M USD in historical exploration expenditure on the property. Follow up soil sampling generated a 6km strike gold anomaly. Copecal has potential for IRG style gold (Intrusive Related Gold), porphyry style copper-gold, epithermal gold, and orogenic gold deposits.

The Bahia North and Bahia South Projects cover extensive areas in Bahia State. Bahia North (42,000 hectares) is known for base metals, gemstones, and emerald deposits. Bahia South, near the Minas Gerais border, features pegmatite formations hosting valuable elements like niobium, beryllium, and lithium.

The Iguatu Project in Ceara State comprises three blocks within the Solonopole pegmatitic district. It is recognized for lithium minerals, gemstones, and zoned pegmatites enriched with beryllium, tantalum, and lithium.

GoldHaven & BOA Gold Amalgamation Agreement Terms:

Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement,: (i) GoldHaven will issue units (the "GoldHaven Units") to the shareholders of BOA ("BOA Shareholders") in exchange for their common shares of BOA (the "BOA Shares") outstanding at the closing, on a two BOA Shares for one GoldHaven Unit basis, and (ii) Amalco will become a wholly owned subsidiary of GoldHaven, all in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions of the Amalgamation Agreement. Each GoldHaven Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of GoldHaven (each, a "GoldHaven Unit Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "GoldHaven Unit Warrant"), with each GoldHaven Unit Warrant exercisable to purchase one common share of GoldHaven (each, a "GoldHaven Unit Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per GoldHaven Unit Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date.

The Transaction is subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"), the passing of a special resolution approving the Transaction at a special meeting of the BOA Shareholders and other customary closing conditions. The Company expects that the Transaction will be completed in Q1 2025.

50% of the GoldHaven Unit Shares will be restricted from resale for a period of four months from completion of the Transaction, while the remaining 50% will be restricted from resale for a period of six months from completion of the Transaction. The GoldHaven Unit Warrants (and any GoldHaven Unit Warrant Shares issued on exercise thereof) will be subject to resale restrictions expiring as to 25% on the Closing Date, and an additional 25% on each of the first three monthly anniversaries of the Closing Date.

Corporate Update: Digital Marketing Services Agreement with Machai Capital Inc.

The Company has entered into a digital marketing services agreement dated December 16, 2024 (the "Marketing Agreement") with Machai Capital Inc. ("Machai"). Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, Machai will, among other things, provide the Company with certain marketing services to expand investor awareness of the Company's business and to communicate with the investment community (the "Services").

The Services will include, among other things, (i) branding, content and data optimization to assist the Company to create in-depth marketing campaigns, (ii) tracking, organizing and executing the Services through search engine optimization, search engine marketing, lead generation, digital marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and brand marketing. In consideration of the Services, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Marketing Agreement, the Company has agreed to (i) pay Machai a fee of C$150,000 per month over a two-month term.

The Services will be rendered primarily online through a variety of news and investment community communications channels. Either party may terminate the Marketing Agreement at any time upon providing 31 days' written notice to the other party.

Suneal Sandhu, the President of Machai - located at located at 101 - 17565 - 58 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3S 4E3 and contacted at 1 (604) 375-0084 and suneal@machaicapital.com - will be involved in conducting the Promotional Activity. Machai and Mr. Sandhu currently own 1,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company and 500,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.10 per common share until December 4, 2026.

About GoldHaven Resources Corp.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring highly prospective land packages in North America. The Company's projects include the flagship Magno Project, a district-scale polymetallic property adjacent to the historic Cassiar mining district in British Columbia, and the Three Guardsman Project, which exhibits significant potential for copper and gold-skarn mineralization.

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill BSc Hons, FAUSIMM, a Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Bonn Smith, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Bonn Smith, CEO

www.GoldHavenresources.com

bsmith@goldhavencorp.com

Office Direct: (604) 629-8254

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of the Transaction, the anticipated timing and completion of the Transaction, the approval of the Transaction by CSE, the approval of the Transaction by BOA Shareholders, the prospects or benefits of the acquired properties by the Company pursuant to the Transaction, and the anticipated commencement and completion, or benefits of, the Promotional Services by Machai. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include but are not limited to market conditions and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d52a96bc-508a-4fcb-bc30-d1b2e9864b09
Art exhibition held aboard China's Tiangong space station, and in Beijing, Macao

Xinhua) 10:09, December 16, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") announces with profound sadness, that Mr. Paul Murphy, a valued member of Collective's Board of Directors, passed away.

Paul Murphy was a Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1981 to 2010 including serving as National Mining Leader from 2004 to 2010. Throughout his career, Mr. Murphy worked primarily in the resource sector, with a client list that includes major international oil and gas, and mining companies. He was previously a Director of Continental Gold until its acquisition in March 2020, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Guyana Goldfields from 2010 to 2018, and Chief Financial Officer of Guyana Precious Metals from 2012 to 2018. Mr. Murphy obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen's University and his Chartered Accountant designation in 1975.

Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "It is with sadness we announce the loss of Paul as a director of the Company. Paul will always be remembered fondly for his supportive leadership, professionalism and warm nature. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."

About Collective Mining Ltd.

To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com

Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.

The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company's objectives are to expand the Apollo system by stepping out along strike and testing the newly discovered high-grade Apollo Ramp Zone, expand the Trap system and drill a series of newly generated targets including Tower and X.

Management, insiders, a strategic investor and close family and friends own 44.5% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "CNL", on the TSX under the trading symbol "CNL", on the FSE under the trading symbol "GG1".

Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X

Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2024. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.



SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd.





Information Contact:





Investors and Media Paul Begin, Chief Financial Officer, p.begin@collectivemining.com, +1 (416) 451-2727


Funding to Drive Key Developments at South Mountain Mine and Strengthen Project Value

Boise, December 16, 2024 - Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. (OTCQB: THMG) (TSXV: THM) (the "Company") announces the successful completion of a non-brokered private placement, raising US$620,000 (CAD$868,000) through the sale of 12,400,000 units at US$0.05 (CAD$0.07) each.

Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant, exercisable at US$0.10 (CAD$0.14) for a three-year term. The securities were sold exclusively to accredited investors, and no placement or brokerage fees were incurred. In aggregate, the Company issued 12,400,000 shares and 12,400,000 warrants. There were no broker fees paid.

The Company plans to use the proceeds from the private placement to fund exploration in the South Mountain Project in Idaho and Trout Creek Project in Nevada, and for general working capital. The proceeds will advance the South Mountain Project, the Company's flagship asset, funding ongoing development activities and administrative costs to enhance the project's value.

"We are very pleased with the strong support from our investors, which underscores confidence in the potential of our South Mountain Project," said Eric T. Jones, President and CEO of Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. "This funding will provide the resources necessary to move forward with critical development initiatives and continue adding value for our shareholders."

Terms of the Offering:

Total Raised: US$620,000 ($868,000)

Unit Price: US$0.05 (CAD$0.07)

Includes: 1 common share 1 warrant (exercise price: US$0.10, valid for three years)



The securities offered in this private placement are subject to applicable exemptions under U.S. and Canadian securities laws and cannot be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The shares, the warrants and any shares issued pursuant to exercise of the warrants are "restricted securities" under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and subject to a six month hold period prior to being eligible for resale under the U.S. Securities Act. In addition, the shares, the warrants and any shares issued pursuant to exercise of the warrants are subject to a four-month hold period under Canadian securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. This private placement was previously announced on November 28, 2024.

Regarding Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc.

Thunder Mountain Gold Inc., a junior exploration company founded in 1935, owns interests in base and precious metals projects in the western U.S. The Company's principal asset is The South Mountain Mine, a historic former Anaconda Mining development of zinc, silver, gold, lead, and copper, located on private land in Owyhee County Idaho. Thunder Mountain Gold also owns 100% of the Trout Creek Project - a gold exploration project located along the western flank of the Shoshone Mountain Range in the Reese River Valley, adjacent to and surrounded by Nevada Gold Mines, a Barrick and Newmont Gold, Inc. joint venture. For more information on Thunder Mountain Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.Thundermountaingold.com.

OTHER COMPANY NEWS:

The Company held its annual shareholder meeting on December 10, 2024. The results of this meeting were filed on EDGAR and with SEDAR. Readers can view them there.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. The forward-looking statements in this press release include statements with respect to the terms and use of proceeds of the Private Placement, the ability of the Company to complete the Private Placement and the impact of the Private Placement on the Company. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. The forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, which could change materially in the future, including the assumption that the Private Placement will be completed. By their nature, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include the risk of completion of the Private Placement and uncertainties affecting the expected use of proceeds. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Cautionary Note to Investors

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233954
PERTH, Dec. 16, 2024 - Further to the announcement on 11 December 2024, FireFly Metals Ltd. (ASX: FFM) is pleased to advise that it will commence trading today on the main board of the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "FFM". This listing is in addition to FFM's primary Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") Listing.

This announcement has been authorised by the Board of Directors.

ABOUT FIREFLY METALS

FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX:FFM) is an emerging copper-gold company focused on advancing the high-grade Green Bay Copper-Gold project in Newfoundland, Canada. The Green Bay Copper-Gold Project currently hosts a mineral resource prepared in accordance with the JORC Code (2012 Edition) and NI 43-101 of 24.4Mt of measured and indicated resources at 1.9% for 460Kt CuEq and 34.5Mt of inferred resources at 2% for 690Kt CuEq. The Company has a clear strategy to rapidly grow the copper-gold resource to demonstrate a globally significant copper-gold asset. FireFly has commenced a 130,000m diamond drilling program.

FireFly holds a 70% interest in the high-grade Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario. The current Inferred Resource stands at 11.9Mt at 7.2g/t for 2.8Moz gold, with exceptional discovery potential on the 500km2 tenement holding.

The Company also holds a 90% interest in the Limestone Well Vanadium-Titanium Project in Western Australia.

For further information regarding FireFly Metals Ltd please visit the ASX platform (ASX:FFM) or the Company's website www.fireflymetals.com.au

COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS

Mineral Resources Estimate - Green Bay Project

The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Green Bay Project referred to in this announcement and set out at Appendix A was first reported in the Company's ASX release dated 29 October 2024, titled "Resource increases 42% to 1.2Mt of contained metal at 2% Copper Eq" and is also set out in the Technical Reports for the Ming Copper Gold Mine and Little Deer Copper Project available on SEDAR+.

Metal equivalents for the Mineral Resource Estimate mineralisation have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,500/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. Individual Resource grades for the metals are set out at Appendix A of this announcement. Copper equivalent was calculated based on the formula CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.82190) + (Ag(g/t) X 0.00822).

Metallurgical factors have been applied to the metal equivalent calculation. Copper recovery used was 95%. Historical production at the Ming Mine has a documented copper recovery of ~96%. Precious metal metallurgical recovery was assumed at 85% on the basis of historical recoveries achieved at the Ming mine in addition to historical metallurgical test work to increase precious metal recoveries.

In the opinion of the Company, all elements included in the metal equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be sold and recovered based on current market conditions, metallurgical test work, and the Company's operational experience.

Mineral Resources Estimate - Pickle Crow Project

The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pickle Crow Project referred to in this announcement was first reported in the Company's ASX release dated 4 May 2023, titled "High-Grade Inferred Gold Resource Grows to 2.8Moz at 7.2g/t".

Compliance Statements

FireFly confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcements and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the mineral resource estimates in the original announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements and projections, including statements regarding FireFly's plans, forecasts and projections with respect to its mineral properties and programs. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, such forward looking statements/projections are estimates for discussion purposes only and should not be relied upon. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The forward-looking statements/projections are inherently uncertain and may therefore differ materially from results ultimately achieved. For example, there can be no assurance that FireFly will be able to confirm the presence of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves, that FireFly's plans for development of its mineral properties will proceed, that any mineralisation will prove to be economic, or that a mine will be successfully developed on any of FireFly's mineral properties. The performance of FireFly may be influenced by a number of factors which are outside the control of the Company, its directors, staff or contractors. The Company does not make any representations and provides no warranties concerning the accuracy of the projections, and disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements/projects based on new information, future events or otherwise except to the extent required by applicable laws.

APPENDIX A

Green Bay Copper-Gold Project Mineral Resources

Ming Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate



TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal ('000 t) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (%) Measured 4.7 1.7 80 0.3 40 2.3 340 1.9 Indicated 16.8 1.6 270 0.3 150 2.4 1,300 1.8 TOTAL M&I 21.5 1.6 340 0.3 190 2.4 1,600 1.8 Inferred 28.4 1.7 480 0.4 340 3.3 3,000 2.0

Little Deer Mineral Resource Estimate



TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal ('000 t) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (%) Measured - - - - - - - - Indicated 2.9 2.1 62 0.1 9 3.4 320 2.3 TOTAL M&I 2.9 2.1 62 0.1 9 3.4 320 2.3 Inferred 6.2 1.8 110 0.1 10 2.2 430 1.8

GREEN BAY TOTAL MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE



TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal ('000 t) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (%) Measured 4.7 1.7 80 0.3 45 2.3 340 1.9 Indicated 19.7 1.7 330 0.2 154 2.6 1,600 1.9 TOTAL M&I 24.4 1.7 400 0.3 199 2.5 2,000 1.9 Inferred 34.6 1.7 600 0.3 348 3.1 3,400 2.0

1. FireFly Metals Ltd Resources for the Green Bay Copper-Gold project, incorporating the Ming Deposit and Little Deer Complex, are reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012 Edition) and NI 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. 2. Mineral resources have been reported at a 1.0% copper cut-off grade. 3. Metal equivalents for the Resource Estimate has been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,500/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. Metallurgical recoveries have been set at 95% for copper and 85% for both gold and silver. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.82190) + (Ag(g/t) X 0.00822). 4. Totals may vary due to rounding.

SOURCE FireFly Metals Ltd.Steve Parsons, Managing Director, FireFly Metals Ltd, Phone: +61 8 9220 9030; Media, Paul Armstrong, Read Corporate, +61 8 9388 1474
VANCOUVER, Dec. 16, 2024 - GoldHaven Resources Corp. ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS) provides an update, further to the execution of its amalgamation agreement (the "Amalgamation Agreement") dated December 16, 2024 among Boa Gold Corp. ("Boa"), GoldHaven and 1516478 B.C. LTD. ("Subco"), a wholly owned subsidiary of GoldHaven, pursuant to which GoldHaven and Boa will combine their respective business by amalgamating Boa with Subco to form one company ("Amalco", and collectively, the "Transaction"). Once the Transaction is effective, Amalco will become a wholly owned subsidiary of GoldHaven, all in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions of the Amalgamation Agreement.

Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, GoldHaven will issue units (the "GoldHaven Units") to the shareholders of Boa ("Boa Shareholders") in exchange for their common shares of Boa (the "Boa Shares") outstanding at the closing, on a two Boa Shares for one GoldHaven Unit basis. As of the date hereof, there are a total of 11,520,048 Boa Shares issued and outstanding, such that Goldhaven would issue a total of 5,760,024 GoldHaven Units to the Boa Shareholders upon closing of the Transaction.

Each GoldHaven Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of GoldHaven (each, a "GoldHaven Unit Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "GoldHaven Unit Warrant"), with each GoldHaven Unit Warrant exercisable to purchase one common share of GoldHaven (each, a "GoldHaven Unit Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per GoldHaven Unit Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date.

The Transaction is subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"), the passing of a special resolution approving the Transaction at a special meeting of the Boa Shareholders and other customary closing conditions. The Company expects that the Transaction will be completed in Q1 2025.

50% of the GoldHaven Unit Shares will be restricted from resale for a period of four months from completion of the Transaction, while the remaining 50% will be restricted from resale for a period of six months from completion of the Transaction. The GoldHaven Unit Warrants (and any GoldHaven Unit Warrant Shares issued on exercise thereof) will be subject to resale restrictions expiring as to 25% on the Closing Date, and an additional 25% on each of the first three monthly anniversaries of the Closing Date.

About GoldHaven Resources Corp.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring highly prospective land packages in North America. The Company's projects include the flagship Magno Project, a district-scale polymetallic property adjacent to the historic Cassiar mining district in British Columbia, and the Three Guardsman Project, which exhibits significant potential for copper and gold-skarn mineralization.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Bonn Smith, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Bonn Smith, CEO

www.GoldHavenresources.com

bsmith@goldhavenresources.com

Office Direct: (604) 629-8254

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Transaction, including the benefits of the Transaction, the anticipated timing and completion of the Transaction, the approval of the Transaction by CSE, the approval of the Transaction by Boa Shareholders, and the prospects or benefits of the acquired properties by the Company pursuant to the Transaction, and the total number of GoldHaven Units issuable upon closing of the Transaction. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include but are not limited to market conditions and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.
Generation Mining Ltd. (TSX:GENM, OTCQB: GENMF) ("Gen Mining" or the "Company") is saddened to announce the passing of Paul Murphy, who served as the Company's Lead Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee, as well as a valued member of the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Kerry Knoll, Chairman of Gen Mining remarked: "This is a moment of great sadness for the entire Generation team. We have lost a brilliant director as well as a wonderful friend. Paul joined the Board of the Company in 2019 and has provided invaluable counsel and guidance to us all. On behalf of the Company and the Board, I wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Paul's family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."

Paul Murphy was a Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1981 to 2010 including serving as National Mining Leader from 2004 to 2010. Throughout his career, Mr. Murphy worked primarily in the resource sector, with a client list that included major international oil and gas, and mining companies. Mr. Murphy held the positions of Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Guyana Goldfields Inc. from 2010 until 2019, Chief Financial Officer at G2 Goldfields Inc. from March 2020 until June 2021 and Chief Financial Officer of GPM Metals Inc. from 2012 to 2018. In addition to serving on the Company's Board, Mr. Murphy was Chairman of Alamos Gold Inc. and a Director of Collective Mining Ltd.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216023003/en/

Contact

Jamie Levy

President and Chief Executive Officer

(416) 640-2934 (O)

(416) 567-2440 (M)

jlevy@genmining.com
Briatore plays down Colapinto's 2025 chances

Flavio Briatore has clarified speculation that Jack Doohan's Formula 1 race career could be over almost before it even begins.

Franco Colapinto, Abu Dhabi GP 2024

 Williams

Just prior to the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, Alpine announced that Esteban Ocon would be replaced with immediate effect by Doohan, the Australian rookie who is already signed up for the full 2025 season.

However, rumours swirled in the paddock that it was a move to pressure not only Doohan, but to potentially drive up the cost for Franco Colapinto's sponsors.

Briatore now admits to Auto Motor und Sport that he has interest in signing Colapinto, the firmly Williams-contracted Argentine rookie.

I'm interested in any driver who is fast, the new Alpine executive advisor told the German magazine.

Colapinto surprised everyone. But we have contracts with (Pierre) Gasly, Doohan and (Paul) Aron for next season.

Williams boss James Vowles recently imposed a mid-December deadline for Alpine or Red Bull to buy out Colapinto's contract. That deadline has now passed.

If there was an opportunity to get Colapinto for 2026, we would have to think about it, Briatore says. "But you also have to always be careful when assessing drivers.

"In this sport, you are quickly praised after a good race. Then the price goes up and we're suddenly talking about 20 or 30 million dollars. But today, there are six or seven drivers in Formula 2 and Formula 3 who are very promising.

We want to concentrate on the good ones in our academy, so it will probably end up with only three - Aron, (Gabriele) Mini and (Victor) Martins.

Briatore, 74, also confirmed that he had talks about 2025 with Carlos Sainz before the Ferrari refugee signed for Williams instead.

I spoke to Sainz, he said. "He was interesting for us, but only for four years. It makes no sense to take a driver like Carlos for one or two years. Either he believes in our program or he doesn't.

I don't need a driver who costs me a lot of money and is looking forward to going to another team if the opportunity arises.

Alpine signed 21-year-old Doohan instead - one of several rookies who will be on the 2025 grid.

It is now time for a generational change, said Briatore. "Sainz is a very good driver, but when he was on the market, none of the top teams took him. They prefer to rely on young drivers.

Toto Wolff relies on Antonelli, Christian Horner on (Liam) Lawson. Young drivers are hungrier than someone who has a wife and two children and 30 or 40 million in the bank.

(GMM)
Shortly after his win, newly-elect President Trump announced upcoming major changes in the education sector, starting with DEI initiatives. While some of the universities in the US have been pulling back from DEI over the past few years, efforts have been intensified recently.

Pulling this back means eliminating the requirements on hiring faculty under DEI criteria and redirecting the money earmarked for DEI programs. The basis of such steps includes concerns about free speech, ideological balance, and perceived restraints on academic freedom caused by DEI policies.

Yahoo reported that the latest institution to do this is the University of Michigan. The school announced it would no longer require diversity statements from faculty candidates as part of their hiring, promotion, or tenure processes. University officials said this decision followed an internal review that raised questions about how diversity statements might hinder open expression and diverse viewpoints.

Michigan instead chose to pursue alternative ways of creating an inclusive environment without the requirement of a mandatory DEI declaration. The change in DEI policies isn't limited to Michigan.

US Universities Roll Back DEI Initiatives

Other states, including Texas and North Carolina, have passed bills that limit the use of DEI programs in public universities, per Inside Higher Ed.

In Texas, for instance, state universities abolished the office of DEI and forced mandatory DEI training while North Carolina siphoned millions of dollars of funds allocated for DEI initiatives to public safety programs.

Critics of DEI initiatives state that such programs lead to ideological conformity, stifle free speech, and unfairly brand contrary opinions as harmful. In contrast, proponents believe that efforts towards DEI are the only way to make inclusive environments and address systemic inequalities.

In this debate, most universities are faced with the challenge of balancing the call for inclusivity against respect for diverse opinions and legal constraints. The rollback of DEI initiatives speaks to the complications that surround issues of diversity within higher education. While for some, change is an opportunity to get back on track, others fear loss as the forward momentum on the way toward equity and inclusion is reversed.
Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd empowers youth start-ups with workshop in Accra

Kweku Zurek Business News Dec - 16 - 2024 , 08:32

Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd (OISL) hosted a workshop on 3rd December 2024 in Accra to empower young entrepreneurs with the knowledge needed to access loans for their start-up businesses. The initiative, which combines financial services with free advisory support and business skills training, seeks to equip youth-led businesses with the tools to achieve sustainable growth.

The workshop attracted over 200 participants from various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across five sector associations. Chaired by OISL's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kwame Owusu-Boateng, the event was graced by senior executives including Chief Risk Officer Dr. Francis Takyi, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Ernest Yerekuu, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Maxwell Selorm Azafokpe, Head of Marketing Mr. Richard Anyamesem, and the Area Head for the South East sector, Mr. James Ephraim.

Also present were representatives from GIZ, led by Program Manager for the Private and Financial Sector (PFS) program, Dr. Christian Jahn, and GOPA AFC/CDC Consult, represented by Binyam Ayele, alongside influential leaders from MSME sector associations.

In his keynote address, Mr. Owusu-Boateng reaffirmed OISLs commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment through its Youth Start-Up Loans. He stated, Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd aims not only to provide just financial support to youth-led businesses but also a complete package of support which includes mentorship and capacity-building to ensure young entrepreneurs acquire the needed knowledge, skills, and guidance that will help them navigate the complexities of starting and growing a successful business.

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He expressed gratitude to GIZ for their partnership in enhancing services for youth start-ups through the GIZ PFS Program, implemented by GOPA AFC/CDC Consult. Mr. Owusu-Boateng noted that the collaboration would maximise the impact of the initiative, especially for MSME sector associations.

Dr. Christian Jahn, speaking on behalf of GIZ, lauded the Youth Start-Up initiative, highlighting its alignment with GIZs mission to enhance employment opportunities and drive economic growth. *One of GIZ's primary goals is to see young entrepreneurs succeed in starting or expanding their businesses,* he said, adding that such programs significantly contribute to the broader development of the Ghanaian economy.

Representing GOPA AFC, Mr. Binyam Ayele underscored the demand for tailored financial products among apprentices and vocational graduates, noting that OISLs offering was designed to address this gap.

OISL executives, including Head of Marketing Mr. Richard Anyamesem and Transformation Manager Mrs. Diana Zachari Karikari, provided insights into loan acquisition processes and delivered financial literacy education on savings during the workshop.

The session concluded with a vibrant question-and-answer segment, where participants explored the product's features and raised relevant concerns.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Owusu-Boateng thanked the participants for their active engagement and reiterated OISL's commitment to delivering products and services tailored to the needs of its target market.

Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd is one of nine financial institutions participating in GIZ's PFS capacity-building initiative for MSME product development. Currently operating 38 branches in 10 of Ghana's 16 regions, OISL serves over 660,000 clients nationwide. It is a subsidiary of Opportunity International, a global organisation headquartered in Chicago, USA, providing financial services to more than 20 million clients in 30 countries worldwide.
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200m people, only 300K subscriptions; AY reveals Netflixs struggles in Nigeria

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Dec - 16 - 2024 , 14:08 2 minutes read

Nigerian comedian and actor AY Makun has spoken out about the recent controversy surrounding Netflixs supposed halt in funding Nigerian original films.

The controversy was ignited by Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who claimed that Netflix had ceased commissioning Nigerian originals, raising concerns about the streaming giants commitment to the Nigerian market.

In a news report by Nigerias Vanguard News, it mentioned that AY Makun clarified that Netflix is not exiting the Nigerian market but is likely re-strategising its approach due to financial concerns.

I had a meeting with Netflix recently and it was never mentioned to me that they are opting out of business in this part of the world, AY stated.

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At the last meeting, we discussed my next project and how they can be a part of it. I also do not want to believe strongly that they are leaving Nigeria.

Makun noted that Netflixs struggles in Nigeria stem from financial challenges.

The truth is if you are doing business in a particular region and you are not making money but spending much more than youre making, you would want to re-strategise. That is what is going on with their system and structure, he said.

The comedian explained that Netflixs spending in Nigeria has far exceeded its earnings, prompting the company to reassess its business model.

He pointed to the widespread practice of subscription sharing and low subscription rates as key factors contributing to Netflixs challenges in the country.

For example, the subscription basis for Netflix in a country that has a population of over 200 million people is just about 300,000, so there is a leakage somewhere that needs to be corrected, Makun noted.

He added that many Nigerians are accessing Netflix content through shared subscriptions rather than purchasing individual subscriptions.
Next article: Here is the list of nominees for 2024 Ghana Movie Awards

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I would have left Ghana if NPP had won the election  Blakk Rasta

Joy Entertainment Showbiz News Dec - 16 - 2024 , 13:31 2 minutes read

Ghanaian musician and broadcaster Blakk Rasta said in a recent interview on Joy FM that he was planning on an exit from the country before the election.

According to him, while awaiting the outcome of the election, he needed a better alternative to live his life so he travelled abroad to facilitate that process.

Speaking on Joy FMs Showbiz A-Z, he said had the NPP had retained power, he would not have stayed in the country any longer.

Were just looking for change and change is here. I was so fed up. I told everybody that should these guys win the election again, I would be out of this country.

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A month before the election I was out of the country. I was in Jamaica, I was in America and some other places just planning a very fluid exit should they win, he said.

He added that just as Nigerian author Wole Soyinka vowed to destroy his American passport if Donald Trump won his first election, he [Blakk Rasta] would have stuck to his words by relocating from Ghana.

According to Blakk Rasta, the NPP has plunged the country into very harsh situations and Ghana needed a break from the government. (Read more articles: We will deliver Newly elected creative MPs, Many pastors have the calling to be native doctors but they are refusing to answer-Yul Edochie, Afua Asantewaa gears up for second Guinness World Record Singathon attempt in Kumasi)
Next article: Accounting for NPPs defeat in the 2024 General Election

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Ghanas first ever female vice-president - Beacon for achieving SDG 5, advancing affirmative action

Prince Dormenyo Opinion Dec - 16 - 2024 , 09:57 5 minutes read

On December 7, 2024, Ghana made history.

For the first time in the Fourth Republic, a female vice-president was elected to office. The National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by former President John Dramani Mahama, defeated the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) with 6,328,397 votes against 4,657,304 votes.

Central to this historic victory was the election of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the vice-president, a feat that signals a significant milestone in Ghanas democratic journey.

This victory is not merely political, but it symbolises progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which emphasises gender equality, and promotes affirmative action to enhance women's participation in governance.

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It is a win for gender advocates and every Ghanaian who envisions a nation where women are empowered to lead and make impactful decisions.

However, beyond the celebrations lies the critical question: What does the election of Ghanas first female vice-president mean for achieving SDG 5 and advancing affirmative action policies at both local and national levels?

Despite Ghanas democratic maturity, the country continues to grapple with significant gender disparities in political representation. For instance, as of 2024, only 22 per cent of the 36 substantive cabinet ministers are women, highlighting the underrepresentation of women at the highest levels of executive decision-making.

Similarly, in Parliament, women occupy just 14.5 per cent of the seats, with 40 out of 275 Members of Parliament being female, an even split of 20 MPs each between the two major political parties, the NDC and NPP.

The situation is even more alarming at the local governance level, where women constitute a mere 4.1 per cent of elected assembly members, holding just 259 out of 6,243 positions.

Furthermore, in the 2024 election, only 119 women, accounting for 17 per cent of parliamentary candidates, contested compared to 682 men. However, as results trickled in for the 2024 elections, the already inadequate number of women further dwindled as a lot of the old faces have lost their seats.

These figures underscore the persistent challenges Ghana faces in achieving gender parity across its political landscape. These statistics fall short of international benchmarks, such as the 30 per cent critical minority quota, signalling an urgent need for structural reforms to bridge the gender gap.

Expectations

As Ghanas first female vice-president, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is positioned not just as an administrative leader but as a symbol of hope and change. Her role transcends ceremonial duties.

It is a call to action to address systemic barriers limiting women's representation in political and leadership spaces in Ghana.

 Championing Affirmative Action implementation

One of the key steps toward achieving gender equality is the enactment of Affirmative Action legislation. Although President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially assented to the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024, which was passed by Parliament in July this year, it remains unimplemented.

As vice-president, she should leverage her position to advocate its full implementation, ensuring gender quotas in political and decision-making spaces aligning Ghana with international conventions, such as CEDAW, the AU Agenda 2063, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).

Efforts should also be targeted at ensuring the implementation of the 30 per cent quota for women in all political appointments as stated in the NDCs manifesto by the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama.

 Empowering women in local governance

Local governance remains one of the most underrepresented spheres for women in Ghana.

The vice-president should ensure the effective collaboration between district and municipal assemblies with district civil society organisations and political parties through the designated ministry to implement capacity-building programmes aimed at preparing women for leadership roles at the grass-roots level.

 Addressing economic barriers for women

Economic barriers often limit womens active participation in politics. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang should see to the full implementation of the Womens Development Bank, national apprenticeship programme and other women-related policies as stated in the partys manifesto to provide financial support and mentorship programmes for aspiring female leaders.

She should spearhead a legislative move to eliminate taxes on essential items such as sanitary pads, making them affordable and accessible, a move that aligns with promoting women's dignity and well-being.

 Policy advocacy and implementation

To achieve SDG 5, Ghana must integrate gender-sensitive policies across all sectors.

The vice-president can lead efforts to ensure gender mainstreaming in national development policies, with a focus on education, health care and economic empowerment.

Programmes targeting girls education, mentorship and leadership training should be prioritised to build a pipeline of future female leaders.

In conclusion, the election of Ghanas first female vice-president is more than a historic milestone. It is a transformative moment that can redefine the countrys approach to gender equality and affirmative action.

Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemangs leadership should not only inspire but also pave the way for systemic change. By championing policies that promote gender inclusivity, she can help Ghana achieve SDG 5 and set an example for other African nations.

The writer is a Research & Teaching Assistant,

Department of History and Political Studies,

KNUST.

E-mail: pedormenyo@gmail.com
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Knowing right, but doing wrong

Kwaku Boakye Opinion Dec - 16 - 2024 , 09:57 5 minutes read

Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are righteously and justifiably beyond joy and tickling themselves for decisively winning the 2024 general election.

It has not been an easy task and they must thus be commended.

They are responsibly affirming that the Pink Sheet is the formal and only valid measurement of the results, which represent the true aspiration of the electorate.

Whilst the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, expressed disappointment with the Electoral Commission (EC) for ignoring the Pink Sheet, by delaying the declaration of the results after Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had patriotically conceded defeat, he insisted that he could not appeal to supporters of the party to calm down and end some of their reckless acts in looting and blocking government offices, because the last time he did that to quieten them in 2020, they were cheated and their deserved win was taken away from them.

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After the declaration of the results, Dr Omane Boamah, Director of Elections of the NDC, equally insisted that it was the collated results of the NDC, based on the Pink Sheets, that forced the EC to declare the results.

What it means, therefore, is that the NDC knows that it is based on the figures recorded on the Pink Sheets that winners are declared, yet the party motivated and encouraged its supporters to besiege the collation centres to protect the ballot, otherwise, the results could be changed.

If indeed the NDC believed sincerely that results recorded on the Pink Sheets are the genuine basis for the declaration of results, why are they encouraging their supporters to act violently and with impunity, besieging collation centres to stall the process and turn around to accuse the EC of delaying to announce the winner by ignoring the Pink Sheets?

It is the same approach that culminated in the needless deaths at the Techiman South Election Collation Centre in 2020.

Why has the NDC said nothing about the recklessness and dastardly acts of its supporters, including the murder of an electoral officer and arson at the EC office at Damongo?

Is it that the life of the electoral officer is any less than that of a supporter of the party? The party insists that anyone who murders in the name of an election must not be protected and must be dealt with. The party must walk the talk.

Lead

More importantly, while it is necessary for all the political parties to rein in their supporters from rowdyism, the NDC must take the lead in cautioning their supporters from assuming that their party has won and, therefore, political officeholders and public servants must be chased out and control is taken.

This is imperative since such deviants precede their violent and lawless acts with comments that since our party has won, we have come to take over.

Indeed, the NDC has won the elections, but their mandate will come into operation only after the President-elect has been sworn in on January 7, 2025. Until then, political officeholders are legitimate and must be allowed to perform their lawful duties.

The story that supporters of the NDC went to the Residency at the Central Regional Administration to direct the regional minister to leave the place is very unfortunate and underlines a lack of education from the NDC to its supporters to appreciate the difference between revolution and democracy.

That is where the police cannot sit idly and be passive. There is nothing political about hooligans attempting to take the law into their own hands in the name of their party having won an election.

There is no correlation between the puerile arguments, dastardly actions and recklessness.

In the instances of mass looting, especially in Tamale, the police could be excused since any confrontation could have led to bloodshed.

However, in situations where these devious deviants are locking public structures and looting offices of gadgets, including computers, such as what happened at Maamobi in Accra, the police cannot fail to take decisive action.

However, that is where the credentials of a political party, if it is actually founded on democratic tenets, must be kindled to contain the impunity and excesses of the hooligans acting on the false, baseless and puerile arguments that a win for a political party means the snatching of public resources for private gain.

The other day, Joyce Bawah Mogtari was heard suggesting that the looting at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly had foundations in the frustration of the youth.

Party youth are not the only ones who have heart. As it is, the items they looted are for Senior High Schools under the Free SHS Policy, which the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, acknowledged has come to stay.

The Good Book says that those who know the right thing but choose to do what is wrong must see their acts as sinful. It is in this regard that the NDC must bell the cat to save us from the devilish and bestiary acts of its supporters, who have a warped appreciation of democracy and electoral victory.
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Weight of betrayal: How Nana Addo sank NPP

Enoch Sowah Opinion Dec - 16 - 2024 , 09:57 4 minutes read

The results are in, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has suffered a historic and crippling defeat in the 2024 Election.

John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured victory with 6,328,397 of the vote, compared to Dr Mahamudu Bawumias 4,657,304.

This is more than just a political shift  its a clear reflection of how deeply disappointed many Ghanaians feel about the past eight years under the NPP government.

While political narratives often attempt to oversimplify such losses, this one cannot be reduced to superficial explanations. Some have speculated that Dr Bawumias alleged lack of campaign effort contributed to the NPPs downfall.

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However, these claims do not hold up. Bawumia campaigned tirelessly and, contrary to the assumptions of some, even lost embarrassingly among Muslim voters. Religion and effort are not the culprits here.

Others argue that the NPPs loss was inevitable because of Ghanas so-called eight-year cycle which alternates power between the two main parties.

While historical patterns hold some sway, this reasoning overlooks a fundamental truth: the NPP could have broken the cycle if it had delivered on the promises that initially inspired Ghanaians to vote for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016.

Hope, betrayal

Akufo-Addo entered office as a symbol of hope and integrity. For many, he represented a leader who could restore decency to Ghanas politics, tackle entrenched corruption and rebuild an inclusive economy.

His campaign resonated not because of promises to build roads, schools and other infrastructure  those are standard expectations of any government  but because he was perceived as a reformer.

Many Ghanaians, myself included, believed he was the last hope for a transformative leader who would bring genuine accountability and integrity to public office.

Yet, the past eight years have left many feeling betrayed. Far from cracking down on corruption, his administration has been plagued by scandals that rank among the worst in Ghanas recent history.

The economic mismanagement  though influenced by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic challenges  was largely a result of failed policies and poor governance.

Public frustration grew as government officials dismissed criticism with arrogance and further alienated citizens.

For many, these failures werent just disappointing  they were unforgivable betrayals of trust.

Referendum

This election was a referendum on Nana Addos presidency, not Dr Bawumias candidacy. The NPP's loss reflects the electorates disappointment with the partys inability to uphold the values it once championed.

Had Akufo-Addo delivered on his promises of accountability and economic transformation, the NPP might have overcome historical trends and secured a third term.

Instead, Ghanaians felt let down by a leader who was supposed to restore their faith in politics but instead became a symbol of the very issues he pledged to fight.

Wake-up call

For the NPP, this defeat is a wake-up call. The party must return to its founding principles of accountability, service, and integrity.

It must acknowledge the failures of the past eight years, rebuild trust with its base, and reconnect with the youth and grassroots supporters who feel left behind. This moment is an opportunity to reflect deeply, learn and emerge stronger.

The NDC, on the other hand, must recognise that this victory is not an endorsement of complacency. Ghanaians have high expectations, and Mahamas administration must prioritise economic stability, inclusivity, and an unyielding commitment to transparency.

Good governance

Finally, as Ghanaians, we must continue to demand better governance from all parties. The disappointment of the past eight years must serve as a lesson for everyone in power.

This is not just a loss for the NPP, but an opportunity for the entire political class to recommit to the principles of good governance.

Ghana deserves better, and it is up to all of us  citizens and leaders alike  to ensure that our nation moves toward a brighter future.
GEPA celebrates Matilda Amissah as 2024 Women Icon for Greater Accra Region

Beatrice Laryea Dec - 16 - 2024 , 14:05 4 minutes read

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has honored Matilda Amissah, the founder of Matamiss Pottery, as the 2024 Women Icon at the Greater Accra Regional Exhibition.

Ms. Amissah was presented with a special citation and gifts in recognition of her dedication, passion, and hard work in the manufacturing and export of ceramics, which have helped promote Ghana's cultural heritage internationally.

In addition to her craftsmanship, Ms. Amissah was celebrated for empowering her community by training youth and single mothers in pottery, fostering skills development and economic independence.

The event, held on Thursday, November 28, at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, featured a brief yet memorable ceremony. It was attended by notable figures, including Director of Finance at GEPA, Bernice Ampofo Armah, Economist at the Research Department of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Rita Kumah and Senior Commercial Officer at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Madam Grace Nettey.

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Guests were entertained by musical performances from Kwan Pa, who performed popular Ghanaian songs such as Yen Ara Asaase Ni and Oman Ye Wo Dea, much to the audience's delight.

Renowned poet Nana Asaase also graced the occasion, delivering a heartfelt poem in honor of Ms Amissah, which was met with loud applause.

Achievements

The CEO of GEPA, Osafohene Dr Afua Asabea Asare I, in a speech delivered on her behalf by the Director of Finance, Bernice Ampofo Armah, highlighted that the Women Icons Regional Exhibition serves as a platform to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women whose creativity and dedication have a lasting impact on their communities.

Dr Asare emphasized that GEPA is committed to positioning Ghana as a global leader in non-traditional exports. She further noted that the creative arts sector, including pottery, has significant potential to contribute to this vision.

"Today, we shine a light on one such individual, Ms Matilda Amissah, a trailblazer in Ghana's art and craft sector and an inspiration to countless women entrepreneurs. Ms Amissah's passion for pottery is not just about creating functional and decorative art."

"It is about including women in trade, presering the Ghanaian heritage, fostering creativity and building sustainable livelihoods for many. You are not just an icon for women but a beacon of hope for all Ghanaian entrepreneurs seeking to make their mark in the world," she said.

"Today, as we celebrate you, we also commit to continuing GEPA's support for women-owned businesses through initiatives like the Women Icons Regional Exhibition. This programme is part of our national export development strategy, which prioritizes empowering women as catalyst for economic transformation," she added.

Ms Amissah's journey

When given the opportunity to speak, Ms Amissah shared her inspiring journey, from humble beginnings in 1996 to becoming a recognized figure in the Ghanaian export industry.

Ms Amissah, 67, who hails from Moree in the Central Region, recounted a story of resilience and hope, starting with street hawking and eventually founding Matamiss Enterprise, a pottery production and export company based in Tema.

She spoke of losing her parents at age 17, which led her to start street hawking to support herself. She worked as a petty trader in clothes and food crops, migrated to Nigeria, and later moved to the United Kingdom in search of better opportunities.

Upon returning to Ghana, she stumbled upon the pottery business and with a passion for innovation, savings and hard work, she established Matamiss Pottery. Today, the company is a globally recognized name in the manufacturing and export of pottery products.

"If anyone had told me that I would be standing here today to receive this honor, I would never have believed it. For someone like me, to have the chance to stand before you and share my story is something I never dreamed of," she said.

Advise

She encouraged Ghanaians, especially young women, to explore the export sector, describing it as a thriving industry that can help address many of the countrys economic challenges.

Ms. Amissah highlighted that careers in pottery, crafting, painting, beading, and design present significant opportunities for addressing unemployment and economic difficulties. She urged the youth to consider these fields as viable career paths.

"One thing I've noticed in my export business is that international markets, particularly the Western world, love Ghanaian products, no matter how they are crafted. I encourage the youth to get involved in export because it's a rewarding business. Participate in every activity offered by GEPA, such as exhibitions and training," she said.

Ms Amissah also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in helping her reach the pinnacle of her career.
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460,000 WASSCE candidates fate hangs - WAEC awaits funds to complete marking

Emmanuel Bonney Dec - 16 - 2024 , 11:45 3 minutes read

The fate of over 460,611 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) School Candidates (SC) hangs in the balance as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) struggles to complete the process to release their results.

For instance, the examination body has not been able to complete the marking of scripts because it requires enormous funding to procure a new scanner or repair the old ones to scan the objective cards for this years WASSCE.

WAEC is awaiting the release of additional funds out of an outstanding balance of GH118 million from the Ministry of Education for the repair of the scanners to carry out the scanning process of the objective cards for this years West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates (SC), the Head of Public Affairs of WAEC, John Kapi, told the Daily Graphic.

Currently, we actually have a number of scanners but due to lack of funds, we have not been able to service them as they break down. That's what has led to the current situation, he explained.

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On behalf of the council, he appealed to examination officials and suppliers to exercise restraint as payment for their services would be made as soon as the needed funds were released from the Ministry of Education.

Update

In an Update on Post Examination Activities, WAEC urged members of the public to ignore information circulating on social media purporting to be dates for the release of results.

The results will be released as soon as the challenges being experienced with the post-examination activities are resolved, the update signed by him said.

WAEC, on August 5, 2024, commenced the administration of the 2024 WASSCE-SC and successfully ended on Friday, September 20, 2024.

The marking of the essays and other practical components of the papers which commenced on Friday, November 7 ended on Friday, November 29, 2024.

Scanning of the objective cards which was scheduled for November 1 to November 30, 2024 is yet to be completed due to the breakdown of scanners used for the process, the update said.

A total of 460,611 candidates participated in the 2024 WASSCE-SC.

Ghanaian candidates sat the Ghana Only WASSCE-SC for the third successive time because the other four-member countries of WAEC  Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia  have returned to the May/June calendar for WASSCE school candidates.

The new normal calendar for Ghana was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

This year's cohort of candidates comprised 247,657 female candidates and 212,954 male candidates from 1,003 schools that registered candidates for the examination.

The examination started on Monday, August 5, this year with the administration of Visual Arts Project Work which ended on Friday, September 20, 2024.

Infractions

In an earlier statement, WAEC said it had identified several infractions in the 2024 examination.

It involved supervisors, invigilators and candidates.

The infractions included the photocopying and distribution of answers to candidates, the smuggling of mobile phones into the examination halls by both candidates and teachers and the concealment of foreign materials by candidates during the exam.

"The council will take appropriate action to ensure that all examination officials and stakeholders who were found culpable are sanctioned in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination, a statement from the council said.
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Catholic Church, NDC condemn attack on 3 priests

Emmanuel Modey Dec - 16 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Catholic Bishop of Jasikan Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel A. Mante, has called on successive governments 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, he said.

Reacting to the recent mob attack on three Indian Catholic Priests at Nkwanta in the Oti Region last Wednesday, the Catholic Bishop of Jasikan Diocese condemned such unjustified mob actions and called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent.

In a statement, he said such actions if not prevented could lead to a long-term unpleasant relationship that could affect international relationships.

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Most Rev. Mante explained that the 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 seminarians at Chaiso in the Nkwanta-South Municipality.

They paid an amount of GH9,700 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 statement explained.

According to the Bishop, 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 are therefore demanding that the authorities should move fast to bring the perpetrators to face the law.

The Catholic Church also stated that it was important to allow the law to take its course so that the public did not take the law into their own hands.

The three Catholic Priests are Fr Robinson Melkis, Fr Frank Henry Jacob and Fr Martin George, all belonging to the Capuchin Friars.

They have been engaged in missionary activities in the country since 2005.

Incident

The missionaries were beaten to such an extent that Fr Henry Jacob cannot hear in one of the 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.

The mob went on to report to the police that the victims were stealing one of the assemblys road equipment. They were subsequently remanded in police custody and had the equipment impounded.

Upon the intervention of the Vicar-General, they have been granted bail pending further investigation.

Apology

Meanwhile, the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 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.

In a release issued at Nkwanta and signed by the NDC Constituency Secretary, Prince Succeed Fiagadzi, the party said it was deeply appalled and saddened by the attack on the Catholic Priests by some youth last Wednesday.

It described the heinous act as unacceptable and apologised for the harm, trauma and distress caused them.

Your selfless dedication to serving humanity and preaching the message of love and compassion deserves utmost respect and gratitude, they added.
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Silent backbone: Women defying odds in Ghanaian agriculture

Delali Sika Dec - 16 - 2024 , 09:57 5 minutes read

In Ghana, the rhythmic hum of life in rural areas is powered by the unyielding hands of women.

These women, often unsung heroes, dedicate their lives to farming and agribusiness, ensuring food security for families and communities.

Despite their immense contributions, they remain underappreciated, battling systemic barriers that impede their growth. Their resilience, however, keeps Ghanas agricultural economy thriving.

Life of a woman farmer

For Esther Kyerewaa Twumasi, a farmer, founder of Miss Agriculture Ghana and co-founder of the Chamber of Women in Agribusiness Ghana, a typical day is a careful balance of farm work, household responsibilities and community engagement.

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My day starts early with farm activities like harvesting cocoa pods. After that, I process the husks into potash, which is used for making black soap. I also spend part of my day engaging with communities and supporting women farmers, Esther said.

Her story echoes the experiences of many other women in agriculture, like 43-year-old Akua Mensah, a subsistence farmer in the Brong-Ahafo Region. Akuas day begins before dawn, preparing meals for her family of five and trekking five kilometres to her farm.

I grow cassava, maize and groundnuts, she said, with a tired smile. These are what my family depend on to eat and any extra is sold to pay for school fees and other needs.

These womens narratives underline the diversity of roles they play, not just as farmers but as caregivers, breadwinners and innovators.

The Role of women in agriculture

Women like Esther and Akua are the backbone of Ghanas agricultural economy, contributing nearly 50 per cent of the labour force in the sector. While Esther focuses on cocoa farming and repurposing its husks into black soap, Akua relies on staple crops to feed her family.

Another farmer, Mary Amoako, from the Volta Region, has taken to growing yams and tomatoes. These crops grow well here, she explains, but theyre also fragile, especially when it rains.

Their contributions sustain millions of households and contribute to Ghanas food security. Yet, these efforts are often undervalued, with little recognition or support from the broader agricultural system.

Challenges women farmers face

Women farmers in the country face numerous challenges, the most prominent being limited access to land. Traditional customs often favour men when it comes to land ownership, leaving women dependent on borrowed or family-owned plots.

I dont own this land. It belongs to my uncle. He can decide to give it to someone else whenever he wants, Akua revealed.

Access to credit is another major hurdle. Without collateral, women like Mary cannot secure loans to invest in improved seeds, fertilisers or tools.

When my crops fail, its difficult to recover. Banks wont lend us money because they think we cant pay back, she said.

Beyond financial challenges, women face societal pressures to juggle household responsibilities with farming duties.

Theres also the challenge of balancing community outreach with personal commitments, Esther noted, speaking to her dual roles as a farmer and advocate for women in agriculture.

Innovation and resilience

Despite these challenges, Ghanaian women farmers are finding innovative ways to thrive. Esthers use of cocoa husks to produce potash for black soap is a prime example of resourcefulness. Similarly, 50-year-old Abena Ayisi from the Upper East Region has embraced composting to improve soil fertility.

I started using compost instead of chemical fertilisers. Its cheaper and my crops grow better, Abena explains.

Cooperatives are another avenue for progress. Women like Afi Komla from the Central Region have joined farming groups to pool resources, share knowledge and provide mutual support.

We contribute small amounts of money every week. When someone needs help, we use the money to support her, Afi shared.

Technology is also helping women farmers access vital information. Platforms like Esoko provide real-time market prices and weather updates, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about planting and selling crops.

The Role of Support Systems

While women farmers innovate, external support remains inconsistent. NGOs such as ActionAid Ghana and CARE International are stepping in with programmes to empower women in agriculture, offering training in modern farming techniques, financial literacy and climate resilience.

Government initiatives like Planting for Food and Jobs provide subsidies for seeds and fertilisers; however, these programmes often fail to reach the most marginalised women, particularly those in remote areas.

We need more extension officers to reach women in remote areas, education is key to helping them improve their productivity, said agricultural expert Dr Afua Sarpong.

A Call to Action

To fully harness the potential of women in agriculture, stakeholders must address the systemic barriers holding them back. This includes policies promoting womens land ownership, improved access to affordable credit and targeted training programmes.

Changing societal perceptions of womens roles in agriculture is equally important. By recognising and valuing their contributions, Ghana can create an environment where women farmers thrive.

For Esther, Akua, Mary and Abena, the hope lies in these changes.

All I want is a little help. With better tools and training, I can do so much more for my family, Akua said.

For Esther, she has desired to see women farmers doing more with what they have, adding, With the right tools and support, we can transform agriculture in Ghana.

Resilience in the face of adversity

Women farmers are not just sustaining their families; they are transforming their communities and inspiring others. Their resilience and ingenuity make them invaluable to Ghanas agricultural sector.

As Ghana pushes towards sustainable development, empowering women farmers is not just an economic necessity.
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US Embassy opens EducationUSA in Accra

Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Dec - 16 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The US Embassy in Accra has officially inaugurated its new EducationUSA Centre, a facility dedicated to assisting Ghanaian students seeking higher education opportunities.

The centre, opened in Osu-Accra last Wednesday (November 27, 2024), is a US Government sponsored network of 450 centres in 170 countries around the globe, mandated to provide comprehensive, current, accurate and impartial information on US higher education.

Its services include personalised advising, guidance on obtaining student visa, workshops on standardised test preparation. It is the second centre opened in the country as another centre is stationed in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Present at the short ceremony to open the centre were the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer; the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Maamle Andrews, and the Osu Mantse, Professor Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV.

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In her address, Ms Palmer said the EducationUSA underscored the USs commitment to fostering educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Ambassador Palmer emphasised the role of education in strengthening bilateral ties; stating that through the Centre, the US Embassy aimed at equipping Ghanaian students with the tools they needed to achieve academic success and contribute to their communities.

She commended the interest of Ghanaian students in pursuing higher education in the US stating that Ghana ranked as the 18th in the number of countries with most students in the US.

For scholarship opportunities, the US Ambassador explained that Ghanaian students in the US earned nearly US$9.2 million (GHS145 million) in scholarship last year to more than 680 higher education institutions in all 50 States in the US.

Ambassador Palmer indicated in the first two months of last summer, the US Embassy did 10,000 interviews to get some students in class on time.

Appreciation

Mrs Andrews, expressed excitement at the opening of the Centre in Accra which would provide another opportunity for Ghanaian students across the country.

This will provide opportunities for Ghanaian students who hitherto might have had some form of difficulty in accessing and processing their applications to enter one of the US schools. We are truly excited because it offers us the opportunity to deepen the relationship between Ghana and the USA, she said.

Mrs Andrews added that the presence of the centre in the capital would also help shore up the human capital in the country by offering students the opportunity to improve their skills and pursue their dreams.

For his part, the Osu Mantse, Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, expressed optimism that the Centre would help revolutionise educational interest among Ghanaian students to pursue higher studies.

He added that education was the path to eradicating poverty in the country as it offered the opportunity to the populace to think critically and solve our problems as a country.

The Osu Mantse urged Ghanaian students to take advantage of the Centre and further their studies and return to contribute to the development of the country.
Featured

Yvonne Chaka Chaka headlines The African Festival

Daily Graphic Dec - 16 - 2024 , 10:57 4 minutes read

The national capital, Accra, is set to come alive this December as it hosts this year's edition of "The African Festival," a celebration that harnesses the transformative power of culture, arts and music to promote awareness of climate change.

The three-day event, which will begin with a grand opening on Saturday, December 28, this year at the Accra International Conference Centre, will feature celebrated African musician, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, as the headline artiste.

With the aim of creating the biggest annual Pan African Pilgrimage in the world to educate and contribute to the development of Africa, the festival will also provide a unique platform where African cultural heritage becomes a force for change.

On the theme: "Kinako! Feel Africa, Be the Change," the festival is expected to inspire collective action towards addressing environmental sustainability across the continent, raise awareness of the urgent need to combat climate change while celebrating Africas rich artistic diversity through an extraordinary blend of theatre, music, contemporary arts, history and African traditions.

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Organised by Globe Productions Limited, the festival is also designed to be an immersive experience that will take patrons on a journey of discovering African history and embracing its adventures.

Overview

Giving an overview of the festival, the Founder of The African Festival and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Globe Productions Limited, Latif Abubakar, said besides re-igniting the spirit of Pan Africanism for the sustainable development of the African continent, the festival would also promote climate action by using art and cultural narratives to raise awareness of the environmental challenges Africa faced.

He said TAF would inspire change by drawing from Africas rich heritage and traditional ecological knowledge as a solution to modern climate issues while uniting communities through a shared cultural experience that celebrated resilience and innovation in response to climate change.

"It is a celebration that will take patrons through a captivating journey of the rich tapestry of African history," Mr Abubakar said.

Plays

The major highlights of the festival, dubbed the Climate Change Edition, would be the staging of two spectacular plays by the celebrated playwright, Mr Abubakar, titled "Don Quixote Africa, an African retelling of the first ever European classic novel, and "Ghana Must Go," a comedy that tells the story of Ghanas rich cultural heritage, tourism, investment opportunities, as well as an Afro Night Music Concert which would be frontlined by Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

The concert, will feature performances from three-time Grammy Awards nominee, Rocky Dawuni; Musiga President, Bisa Simons; rapper Okyeame Kwame and other top artistes whose music advocates climate awareness and sustainable living.

It is a concert that is positioned to promote change and bring together Pan African musicians that sing traditional authentic Africa songs, Mr Abubakar said.

Attractions

Other attractions include "The Den of History" and "The African Food Festival" where African stories will be told through outdoor film festivals as well as by the fireside storytelling, and the exhibition of sustainable African cuisines that would focus on plant-based and eco-friendly dishes respectively.

There would also be iconic model structures such as the Pyramid of Giza, the Seven Wonders of Africa, the Larabanga Mosque, the Kwame Nkrumah Museum, the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, and Ghanaian artist, Ibrahim Mahamas Contemporary Art Installation as well as Camel Ride on a model desert.

Family, children

The Playwright said the festival would include engaging climate-themed activities for children and families that were aimed at helping to foster environmental consciousness in the younger generation.

Tickets for the festival are on sale at GH250 per day and GH600 for all three days.

He advised patrons to purchase tickets by dialing *714*70# or visit www.theafricanfestival.com

Partnership

The African Festival, is powered by Globe Productions Limited, is in partnership with the African Women and Children's Conference (AFRIWOCC), PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), with support from the Graphic Communications Group Ltd, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and the Media General Group.
Featured

President-elect Mahama's office dismisses fake list of appointees

Graphic.com.gh Dec - 16 - 2024 , 11:20 1 minute read

The office of Ghanas President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has dismissed a list circulating on social media that claims to announce appointments for his incoming administration.

In a statement released on Monday, 16 December 2024, Mahamas Special Aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, described the list as false and unauthorised.

She urged the public to ignore it, stressing that only official announcements from Mahamas office should be trusted.

The office clarified that while a 10-member Transition Team has been officially named to oversee the power transfer, no other appointments have been made public.

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The team, led by Julius Debrah, includes key figures such as Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Dr Valerie Sawyer.

Their role is to ensure a smooth and organised transition in line with Ghanas Presidential (Transition) Act.

To prevent the spread of false information, the public is advised to rely solely on verified updates from the President-elects office.
Next article: The NPP has been punished for arrogance and mismanagement, may we never be like them - Ato Forson

Featured

Afenyo-Markin vows to hold NDC accountable for tax reductions and economic reform promises

Mohammed Ali Politics Dec - 16 - 2024 , 15:25 2 minutes read

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will be closely monitored by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding the party's promises on tax cuts and economic policies.

Speaking at the opening of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin congratulated the NDC on its victory in the 7 December elections, specifically President-elect John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of the NDC side.

However, he raised concerns about the NDCs campaign pledges, particularly its promises to reduce taxes, repeal the e-levy and overhaul the tax system.

While we welcome the NDCs promises, especially the nkok nketekete policy, were eager to see how they plan to balance these tax cuts with the financial needs of running the government, Mr Afenyo-Markin said. Well be watching closely and expect transparency and accountability in these policies.

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The Majority Leader also questioned the NDCs commitment to reducing taxes at the ports and other economic interventions. He expressed doubts about how these promises could be funded without clear financial plans.

The question remains: where will the money come from to implement these plans while maintaining fiscal responsibility? he asked.

Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed that although the NPP had accepted its defeat, the party would continue to provide oversight in Parliament. He made it clear that the NPP would remain vigilant and ensure that the incoming government delivers on its promises to the people of Ghana.

Well make sure that the promises made during the campaign are kept, and if they fall short, well remind the government of the peoples expectations, he added.

As Parliament reconvenes, the political landscape is changing, with the NDC now in the majority. Mr Afenyo-Markins comments highlight the ongoing rivalry between the two parties and set the stage for strong scrutiny of the NDCs economic policies in the years to come.
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The NPP has been punished for arrogance and mismanagement, may we never be like them - Ato Forson

Mohammed Ali Politics Dec - 16 - 2024 , 14:54 2 minutes read

The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has attributed the ruling New Patriotic Partys (NPP) defeat in the December 7th general election to what he described as the governments arrogance, poor governance and economic mismanagement.

Speaking during the opening of Parliament on December 16, 2024, Dr Forson declared that the election results were a clear indication that Ghanaians had revolted against a government that had shown insensitivity, greed and disrespect to the citizenry.

The NPP has been punished for its obstinacy, impunity and the arrogance of power. Ghanaians have sent a resounding message that political leaders cannot take them for granted, Dr Forson stated.

He further called on his party, the NDC, and the incoming government under President-elect John Dramani Mahama to take lessons from the NPPs downfall. May we never become like the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, he cautioned, urging his colleagues to prioritise integrity, accountability and people-centred policies.

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Dr Forson emphasised that the incoming NDC government must govern differently by staying true to its promises and putting the interests of Ghanaians above political expediency.

The time has come for us to do right by the people of Ghana at all times, he noted.

The NDC, which made historic gains in the parliamentary elections by flipping over 50 seats from the NPP, now boasts a commanding majority in Parliament.

Dr Forson described the results as a peoples revolution against bad governance and urged introspection within the political class to prevent such a verdict from recurring.

As Parliament reconvenes for its final session, the Minority Leader reiterated the need for unity and collaboration while ensuring accountability in the nations governance.
Featured

We won all 12 disputed seats, EC must resume collation of results - NPP demands

Graphic.com.gh Politics Dec - 16 - 2024 , 15:28 2 minutes read

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said it is confident the party won all the 12 parliamentary seats currently in dispute following the 2024 elections.

The seats are Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, Dome Kwabenya, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Ahafo Ano South West, Akwatia, Suhum, Fanteakwa North, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, and Techiman South.

At a press conference in Accra on Monday, (December 16, 2024), the NPP addressed concerns over the collation and declaration of results in the parliamentary election in certain constituencies that have faced delays and related controversies.

Action from EC

Addressing the press, a former National Chairman of the NPP, Peter Mac Manu, called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to resume the collation process without delay to ensure that the democratic will of voters was upheld.

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According to him, the ECs intervention is critical in settling any lingering uncertainties and fostering national stability.

"We implore the National Election Security Taskforce to provide adequate security to facilitate peaceful collation under a serene environment. We also urge the NDC leadership to rein in their supporters to ensure the process concludes without further disturbances," he said.

Verifiable data

The NPP indicated that the assertions of victory in the listed constituencies were based on data from polling station results, particularly the official pink sheets submitted after the polls.

"We are very certain that our parliamentary candidates in the above-mentioned constituencies won the elections. This conclusion is based on verifiable data from the pink sheets, as we have consistently demonstrated," he stated.

National interest and peace

Mr Mac Manu further appealed to all stakeholders, including the EC, political parties and security agencies, to act decisively in the interest of democracy and national peace.

He emphasised the importance of respecting the will of voters. "In the interest of democracy and the peace of our dear country, we urge the EC and all stakeholders to take immediate steps to give effect to the will of voters as expressed in the December polls," the party said.

NDCs alleged interference

He also criticised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its alleged interference in the collation process. He expressed concerns about the actions of some NDC supporters, which he claimed had contributed to the delays in declaring results in these constituencies.

"We call on the NDC leadership to demonstrate responsible leadership by calling their supporters to order. This is a crucial time for our nation, and no action should undermine our democratic processes," he reiterated.
Kali Nicole Gross is the National Endowment for the Humanities Professor and Chair of African American Studies at Emory University. She is a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians (OAH). An interdisciplinary scholar, her primary research explores Black womens historical experiences in the U.S. criminal justice system, and her expertise and opinion pieces have been featured in press outlets such as TIME, The Washington Post, The Root, and BBC News. She has appeared on venues such as C-Span, MSNBC, and NPR.

She is the author of three award-winning books, and her latest monograph, Vengeance Feminism: The Power of Black Womens Fury in Lawless Times, was published by Seal Press on September 24, 2024. Her grants and fellowships include the Carnegie Fellowship, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: Scholar-in-Residence Award, the Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, and she was a Public Voices Fellow for The Op-Ed Project.

Her newest work examines the historical experiences of Black women and capital punishment in the United States.
Bloombergs Mark Gurman is back with another report on the long-rumored Apple foldable device. According to the man himself, Apple is readying  giant iPad that unfolds into the size of two iPad Pros side-by-side. That device is in development and due for a market launch around 2028.

Early prototypes of Apples foldable have progressed on the hardware front with a nearly indistinguishable screen crease. As per Gurmans sources, Apple is set on a screen size approaching 20 inches when fully expanded. The actual size of the display could be 18.8-inches as per a leaked Apple display roadmap from earlier this month.



Schematics from Apple's patent on hinges for folding display devices

The device is said to be similar to what Microsoft had envisioned with its Surface Neo and what Lenovo did with its Yoga Book 9i. The main hardware difference is that Apple wants to have a single, uninterrupted screen without any visible hinges on the front for a more seamless experience. That sounds a lot like the ThinkPad X1 Fold from 2022.

Apples first foldable will most likely launch with iPadOS or a slightly modified variant of that OS. While Apple seems to be going all in on its foldable iPad, Gurman also detailed Apples plans for a foldable iPhone, which is not expected to launch before 2026.



Foldable iPhone DIY project from 2022 (Tech Aesthetics)

Weve seen previous reports indicate that Apple is looking at a flip-style device akin to Samsungs Galaxy Z Flip series. This neat DIY project from over two years ago shows what that possible folding iPhone may look like.

Source (paywall)
A vivo Y300 with 5G arrived in India last month, and today, a phone of the same name appeared in China. It has little in common with its international namesake, though standing closer to the Y300 Pro launched three months ago.

The Chinese vivo Y300 is built around a 6.77" AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution and up to 120 Hz refresh rate. It has a punch hole for a very basic 8 MP f/2.05 selfie camera, while the shooters on the back are 50 MP f/1.8 main and 2 MP f/2.4 auxiliary.

The Y300 is powered by Dimensity 6300, a 6nm chipset with a 2.4 GHz CPU with up to 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage.

There is a big 6,500 mAh battery with 44W charging in the thin 7.85 mm body. The phone comes with OriginOS 5 out of the box as is the norm for vivo phones in China these days.

The company also worked heavily to make speakers sound louder and clearer and equipped the Y300 with three separate units that provide stereo sound in every orientation.



vivo Y300

The vivo Y300 is available in Green, White, and Black. Pricing starts from CNY 1,399 ($192/182) for 8/128 GB, and then goes CNY 1,599 ($220/210) for 8/256 GB, CNY 1,799 ($245/235) for 12/256 GB, and CNY 1,999 ($275/260) for 12/512 GB.

Source (in Chinese)
The Redmi Buds 6 are Xiaomis newest entry-level pair of wireless earbuds. Following the success of the Redmi Buds 5, the sixth generation model features improved noise cancellation, a dual-driver design, and a quad microphone array. The new model comes in at INR 2799, which is slightly less than the price of the previous gen.

Design and comfort

The Redmi Buds 6 have a similar design to the previous generation model, especially for the case. The case still has the same rectangular design that looks like an Impact Mints case. The lid opens with relative ease and also closes with a pleasant dampened thump. The top and bottom of the case feature a matte finish while the sides are glossy.

On the front of the case is the USB-C charging port and the status LED. Depending on which direction your charging cable comes from, you may or may not like the USB port being on the same side as the LED. The LED strip lights up in steps from left to right to show the amount of battery left in the case and also its charging status.

The button for pairing is on the right edge of the case. It's surprisingly hard to notice at first glance and almost perfectly merges with the side finish. Its also somewhat hard to press and could have been more conveniently designed.

The earbuds feature an updated design but with the same glossy strip on the outward-facing edge. The rest of the shape, especially when seen from the inner side, is remarkably similar to the AirPods Pro design.

The overall finish and feel of the earbuds and the case is a bit plasticky, which is to be expected at this price point. The earbuds have an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. The case, however, isnt protected.

Comfort was excellent for my ears, with the earbuds being barely noticeable once worn. They also slide in and out of the ears with minimal pressure on the inner ear. I have found myself wearing these for hours with absolutely no fatigue or discomfort.

Software

The Redmi Buds 6 are compatible with the Xiaomi Earbuds app, available on Android and iOS.

Through the app, you can control features such as audio effects, gestures, and more. You can pick the ANC mode and also fine-tune their individual options.

Unfortunately, the app has some annoyances. There was a giant banner for the three-month free Spotify subscription, which could not be removed. Moreover, the subscription wasnt even available upon clicking. The app also makes you sign into a Xiaomi account to update the firmware on the earbuds, which is patently ridiculous. The app also goes fullscreen on Android phones for no reason, which hides the status bar at the top. And finally, someone please fix the ridiculous alignment of the ANC buttons as the middle one isnt even remotely close to the center.



Xiaomi Earbuds app

The Xiaomi Earbuds app has standard audio settings that include four audio presets and an 8-band custom EQ. There is also the immersive sound feature, which is like Spatial Audio that works with any source.

If you pair the earbuds with a Xiaomi phone, then you dont need to install the app as the options are built into the Bluetooth settings. However, things here are a bit different than in the app.



Audio settings

While most of the features are the same, the app has a personalized audio feature instead of standard EQ presets or custom EQ. This makes you listen to audio clips and pick your preferred sound to create a custom profile for you. However, in my testing, the final profiles generated after calibration always sounded very different than what I was hearing previously and thus were always unusable.



Gestures

However, these options are also tied to the sound settings within the Xiaomi phone. If you have Atmos enabled on your phone, then these options will be simply unavailable in the Bluetooth settings with no obvious reason as to why. Also, if you select Original Sound in the phones settings, then the sound options will be available in the earbuds settings but wont actually do anything. You need to enable Xiaomi Sound effect on your phone for the earbuds settings to be effective, which is all needlessly confusing and complicated.



Other settings

Overall, the software experience here leaves a lot to be desired and both the Xiaomi Earbuds app as well as the native experience on Xiaomi phones need work to be on par with other brands on the market.

Performance

Audio quality

The Redmi Buds 6 have a dual driver design comprising of a 12.4mm titanium-coated dynamic driver for low and mid frequencies and a 5.5mm piezoelectric driver for high frequencies. The earbuds connect using Bluetooth 5.4 and support SBC and AAC codecs.

Im going to start the audio quality discussion with the ANC disabled and youll later see why. With the ANC disabled, the Redmi Buds 6 are rather good-sounding earbuds with a pleasing out-of-the-box tuning.

The overall sound is mid-bass forward so you get a lot of thump and warmth in the sound but without it getting overbearing or excessively boomy. You also get a robust mid-range that hasnt been sacrificed in favor of a typical V-shaped tuning, resulting in full-bodied vocals with good timbre. At the higher end, the sound lacks a bit of sparkle and air, resulting in slightly obfuscated detail. Youd think the piezoelectric driver would help here but the default tuning doesnt really take full advantage of the dual-driver configuration.

Still, the tuning isnt as dark as on something like the Sony WF-C510 but lacks the liveliness of the Nord Buds 3 Pro. However, the Redmi Buds 6 is the most balanced sounding out of the bunch with a more broadly appealing sound that can work with a variety of genres and media.

This is where we get to the ANC on performance. Enabling ANC considerably changes the timbre of the sound, which has a very unnatural and artificial tonality to it. It sounds notably more compressed and also more boxed-in as the soundstage collapses and the sound moves into the center of the image. The bass also sounds a bit hollow and wooden. Compared to the fuller, clearer, airier, and wider sound with the ANC off, this is a serious downgrade.

One thing I noticed throughout the review process was that any time any sort of audio processing was introduced, whether it was in the form of the ANC, the EQ, the personalized sound, or something else, it always made the sound more artificial sounding with an almost metallic timbre. Either Xiaomis audio processing isnt sophisticated enough or the onboard chipset simply doesnt have the chops to do the processing well fast enough in real-time so settles on doing it poorly. The sound from these earbuds is at its best when literally every single effect and feature is disabled. The only exception to this seems to be the transparency mode, which sounds as good as the ANC off mode.

Microphone

The Redmi Buds 6 have very good microphone performance. Testing the voice quality in a quiet room, the voice sounded clear and natural without any noticeable noise reduction artifacts. When tested in a noisy environment, the voice remained discernible and the background noise was well isolated although there were some loud popping sounds at times. Still, for most environments, the microphone quality is impressive.

Noise cancellation

The Redmi Buds 6 have impressive noise cancellation performance for a product in its price range. Testing against every day sounds like fans, ACs, air purifiers, etc., the earbuds do really well for the most part. The only issue is that they dont attenuate high-frequency sounds as much, so some sounds like running water or the noise from certain machinery get through.

In noisier environments, such as on an aircraft, the Redmi Buds 6 again do a decent job. Compared to more expensive earbuds, like the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, they do let in more noise in the mid-range but the Pixel Buds are so much more costly its not even close. Compared to similarly priced rivals such as the Nord Buds 3 Pro, the Redmi Buds 6 do quite similarly, and in fact, attenuate slightly more noise in the mid frequencies while letting in more high-frequency sounds. The ANC itself also seems to have its own high-frequency hiss, which doesnt help.

The Redmi Buds 6 dont deal with wind particularly well. They take quite a while to adjust to heavy wind, much more than competing earbuds, and a similarly long time to revert once the wind has stopped.

Moving over to transparency mode, the Redmi Buds 6 have an adjustable system that lets you optimize for voice, ambient sounds, or a balanced regular mode. The voice mode didnt bring out nearby voices as well as Id have liked and the regular mode also sounded a bit muffled as its designed to cancel some sounds while letting others in. The ambient sound mode felt like the most revealing option of the three and the one Id use.

Latency

The Redmi Buds 6 have horrible latency performance out of the box. The low latency mode on Xiaomi phones helps a lot but since this isnt available in the Xiaomi Earbuds app, you are out of luck if you use a non-Xiaomi device.

Connectivity

The Redmi Buds 6 had good connectivity performance, with no dropouts or pairing issues. The earbuds also support dual device pairing and work perfectly fine when paired to two devices at once. You can have the earbuds paired to a phone and a laptop, for example, and control the sound features through the app on the phone even if the sound is playing through the laptop.

Battery life

The Redmi Buds 6 have a rated battery life of 10 hours with ANC disabled and 6.5 hours with ANC enabled. The company also claims 10 minutes of charge from flat gives 4 hours of playback with ANC disabled.

Doing the standardized test with ANC disabled (as ANC enabled requires the earbuds to be worn), the Redmi Buds 6 played for an impressive 10 hours and 28 minutes, which is a bit over the claimed number. When testing with just a 10-minute charge from flat, the earbuds played for 3 hours and 56 minutes, close to the claimed figure.

Overall, the battery life on the Redmi Buds 6 is very good, at least with ANC disabled.

Conclusion

The Redmi Buds 6 are a fairly affordable pair of earbuds. For that price, you are getting a comfortable design, good audio quality with ANC disabled, great microphone performance, decent active noise cancellation, and impressive battery life.

On the other hand, audio quality with ANC enabled is subpar, the software experience leaves a lot to be desired, and the latency performance is poor without the low latency option only available on Xiaomi phones.

For the price, its easy to ignore some of these issues. However, I would like to see Xiaomi fix the audio quality with ANC enabled, as its not fair to let the user choose between audio quality and one of the key features of the earbuds. But if you don't care about ANC then this is an excellent option for the price.
The trial of Richard Ric Pama Espedion has been delayed, with a hearing scheduled for next week as the prosecution plans to offer him a plea deal.

Espedion failed to appear at his hearing before District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the District Court of Guam.

When Judge Tydingco-Gatewood asked defense attorney William Gavras if his client was expected to appear, Gavras said he could not waive Espedions absence.

I would have to talk to him, Gavras told the judge.

Gavras also explained that Espedion is currently serving time for a separate offense.

Although no official trial date was set, one had been anticipated for Jan. 3. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20.

Espedions last court appearance was in November, where a hung jury resulted in a mistrial.

Gavras said certain issues raised during the trial led him to suspect that the government may be withholding exculpatory evidence, particularly regarding guards allegedly involved in the case. He suggested that if this information were disclosed, additional suspects could be implicated.

Espedion faces charges related to a prison contraband case. He is accused of possessing contraband in a prison facility and possession with intent to deliver 50 or more grams of methamphetamine.

In the trial, lead government attorney Rosetta San Nicolas presented the case, while Gavras, representing Espedion, did not call any witnesses for the defense.

Judge Tydingco-Gatewood instructed the jury not to discuss the case or seek any external information and dismissed them.

The charges stem from a major drug bust on March 12 at the local prison, when a K-9 patrol dog alerted officers to possible contraband in a cell shared by Espedion and co-defendant Trae Boy Trae Duenas. Officers found a homemade project box under one of the bunk beds containing drugs, drug paraphernalia, packaging materials, a cell phone, SIM cards, and two vape devices.

Duenas, who has already signed an agreement with the government, is expected to testify against Espedion.




Haiti - FLASH : Hard blow for Barbecue, the PNH killed his right arm





Sunday, December 15, 2024 in the morning, during a police operation in the Bas-Delmas and Fort National areas, the Haitian National Police (PNH) killed Kendy, alias "Jeff Mafia" the right-hand man of former police officer Jimmy Cherisier alias "Barbecue", who always accompanied him during his public appearances.



Lionel Lazarre, Deputy Spokesperson for the PNH confirmed the information and added that other members of the gang coalition "Viv Ansanm", led by "Barbacue" had also been killed in the clashes.



In retaliation, the gangs sowed panic among the population during the day in the neighborhoods of Poupelard, Poste Marchand and Lalue, in the capital, where intense automatic gunfire was reported. Several houses were set on fire, as well as the Church of God of Poste Marchand...



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Scandals at the Ministry of Agriculture, a threat to the agricultural sector





The agricultural sector in Haiti is currently rocked by allegations of corruption and political persecution within the Ministry of Agriculture according to the non-profit association "Promotion pour le Developpement" (PROMODEV) which explains "[...] Information from reliable sources highlights a climate of administrative chaos and questionable practices, attributed to the controversial management of Vernet Joseph, the contested Minister of Agriculture, and Elancier Moise, the contested Director General of the Ministry. These two officials are accused of dubious morality and lack of a sense of belonging to the agricultural sector."



According to information received by ALLO AGRO / PROMODEV, "[...] several coordinators of projects funded by international partners have been asked to make expenditures that do not comply with administrative standards. This situation jeopardizes the credibility of the Ministry and, consequently, international support for agriculture in Haiti. Added to this are controversial decisions, such as the arbitrary replacement of competent senior officials including Agronomist Vladimir Potgony Jean, Departmental Director of Grand'Anse and Agronomist Marcelin Aubourg, Departmental Director of the South. These professionals, recognized for their expertise and ethics, were ousted without valid justification, in favor of people suspected of having links with influential political parties.



Since the arrival of the current leaders, the Ministry of Agriculture has been plunged into unprecedented chaos. Internal notes relayed by informed executives reveal a wave of departures among qualified professionals, disillusioned by the lack of prospects and the toxic work climate. These departures are aggravated by appointments based on political allegiances rather than skills. A striking example is the transfer of Agronomist Frantz Dorvil, former Departmental Director of the North, replaced by an activist from the Pitit Dessalines party.



Faced with these abuses, ALLO AGRO / PROMODEV calls for a mobilization of the population, particularly the agricultural sector. Urgent discussions are necessary to determine the actions to be undertaken in order to restore governance and transparency within the Ministry.



In this context, it is imperative that measures be taken to remedy the situation. ALLO AGRO / PROMODEV recommends the appointment of new leaders with integrity and a clear vision for the future of agriculture in Haiti. The recovery of the Ministry is essential to meet the challenges facing the sector and ensure a better future for rural populations.



The scandals shaking the Ministry of Agriculture highlight the urgency of in-depth reform. By restoring transparent management and promoting skills, it is possible to rebuild trust and revitalize the agricultural sector, a pillar of the Haitian economy."



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-43683-icihaiti-agricultureenvironment-promodev-distances-itself-from-the-government.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Permanent Baccalaureate year 2024

The Ministry of National Education informs that the permanent exams of the Permanent Baccalaureate 2024 take place throughout the country: from Monday 16 to Wednesday 19 December 2024. Candidates who failed in the final year, who are authorized to participate in the exams, will only take the subjects for which they did not receive a passing grade (recorded in the BUNEXE database) for a period of two consecutive years in the official assessment. Otherwise, they will have to retake all subjects. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43570-haiti-notice-session-for-those-who-failed-the-baccalaureate-registrations-open.html



The American Ambassador visits the CEP

A delegation from the American Embassy in Haiti, led by Ambassador Dennis Hankins, visited members of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). During this visit, Ambassador Hankins reaffirmed the support of the United States for the Haitian referendum and electoral processes.



Upcoming restoration of the Jacques & Alexandre forts

The National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN) informs of the upcoming implementation of restoration work on the Jacques & Alexandre forts, silent witnesses of a revolutionary, tumultuous and glorious period. With the limited resources at its disposal, the institution carried out partial restoration work on Fort Jacques following the earthquake of January 12, 2010 and plans to restart this project soon.



Did you know ?

The Human Development Index prepared by the United Nations to measure a country's progress indicates that Haitians are among those who have the worst quality of life in the world



Condolences

The Ministry of Communication learned with emotion of the death of the journalist, Jean Gerin Alexandre, one of the leading figures of Radio Caraibes FM https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43840-haiti-news-zapping.html . The Ministry presents its sincere condolences to the family of Jean Gerin Alexandre, to his friends, to the Management and Staff of Caraibes FM.



Peru condemns massacres in Haiti

In a statement, the Government of Peru condemns the massacres perpetrated by gangs in Haiti that left more than 280 dead in the neighborhoods of Cite Soleil https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43812-haiti-flash-nearly-200-people-massacred-in-cite-soleil-provisional-report.html and Petite Riviere de l'Artibonite https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43840-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43828-haiti-flash-bloody-reprisals-by-the-gran-grif-gang-in-petite-riviere.html , between December 6 and 11. "Peru expresses its solidarity with the Haitian people and government and calls for the cessation of these barbaric acts for the well-being and development of the Haitian population."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















(CNBC) When Broadcom tried to buy rival Qualcomm for $120 billion in 2018, its efforts were thwarted. Qualcomm rejected the offer and the Trump administration declared the deal a potential threat to national security. In March of that year, Broadcom withdrew the bid, which wouldve been the largest technology deal on record, and said, Qualcomm was clearly a unique and very large acquisition opportunity.

To read this article:
A giant underwater drone in the shape of a Manta Ray, a stingray that is capable of swimming in oceans for very long periods of time without refueling, has completed initial tests on the coast of the US state of California. This was announced by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the US military's research facility, on Wednesday. The purpose of the tests was to demonstrate buoyancy and to try out different propulsion and control concepts.

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However, DARPA and the defense contractor Northrop Grumman are not providing any technical data on the Manta Ray underwater drone. It is estimated to be around 6 meters long and have a wingspan of around 10 meters. The weight is not known. However, Manta Ray is said to contain cargo bays of various sizes to accommodate payloads.

Generating energy from the ocean

The Manta Ray project was launched five years ago. The aim is to build an underwater drone that can travel highly autonomously in the oceans. The focus is on an extremely long range without refueling or recharging. This is to be achieved, among other things, by using the movement of the ocean to generate energy so that the underwater drone can be operated largely independently of fuel. This should keep it operational for longer than any currently available underwater drone.

So far, DARPA has decided not to use nuclear propulsion to generate energy. DARPA relies entirely on energy from the oceans themselves. There are plenty of potential energy sources for this: for example, ocean movements in the form of currents and waves could be used to generate energy that can be used to propel the underwater drone. However, other forms of energy generation could also be used, such as exploiting slight differences in water temperature or salinity. DARPA may also use a combination of different techniques.

The only thing that is currently clear is that traditional screw or jet propulsion systems are difficult to consider. Although such propulsion systems offer sufficient power to transport sensors or payloads, for example, they require a lot of energy - too much to power them with the possibilities for generating energy from the ocean and at the same time ensure a high level of endurance.

"If you're interested in near-surface transportation, wave energy is a really great resource because most wave energy can be harnessed near the surface. But you also want to get into deeper waters. That means wave energy wouldn't be a great resource for that," says Kelley Ruehl, an engineer at Sandia National Laboratory who advises the program.

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Current energy is also only a resource that can only be used locally to a very limited extent - namely where tidal channels are located. These are comparatively few places in the world, says Ruehl.

Further tests

DARPA is remaining silent about which technologies will be used for propulsion. However, there are said to be several different systems. DARPA has brought another contractor on board: PacMar Technologies, a company that works for the US Department of Defense, NASA and US authorities in the field of maritime technology and develops propulsion and energy generation systems, among other things, is to test a large-scale energy generation system by the end of the year. The Navy will then carry out further tests and transfer the Manta Ray project to military use.

There are many military applications for such an autonomous underwater vehicle: it could be used to detect enemy submarines camouflaged for espionage in waters. The transportation of weapons, such as nuclear warheads, is also possible.

(olb)
Finland is bracing for severe winter conditions as a snowstorm blankets the south and west, while temperatures in Lapland drop to record lows. Meteorologists are warning of hazardous driving conditions and disruptions to infrastructure as the country faces the harshest weather of the season.

By early Monday morning, up to 12 centimetres of snow had fallen in southern and central regions. In the east, snowfall is expected to continue into Monday evening.

Hannu Valta, an FMI meteorologist, warned that strong winds and fluctuating temperatures could worsen the blizzard. The snow will be heavy at times, making driving conditions extremely poor, Valta said. Warnings have been issued for treacherous road conditions across much of southern and central Finland.

Road safety officials are urging drivers to stay cautious. Several accidents were reported in Pirkanmaa and Central Finland, where cars skidded off icy roads. Pertti Torni, a traffic operator from Traficom, advised, If you must drive, do so cautiously. Its safer to stay off the roads.

In the Helsinki region, public transport faced minor disruptions over the weekend. The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) reported some bus cancellations and delays. Saana Lehtinen, HSL spokesperson, noted, Weve had a few cancellations, but overall, services are running as planned.

The snowfall also strained power infrastructure, particularly in Pirkanmaa and Hame. Electricity provider Elenia warned of potential power outages caused by heavy, wet snow accumulating on trees and damaging power lines. Repairs could be delayed due to the difficult terrain and limited daylight.

Meanwhile, in Lapland, temperatures plummeted to record lows. On Sunday, Savukoski recorded a chilling -35.6 degrees Celsius, breaking the winters previous low of -34.4 degrees set the day before. Forecasters expect the cold to persist in the north, with temperatures ranging from -20 to -30 degrees.

The extreme cold is impacting tourists in northern Finland. Andrei Cristian, a visitor from Romania, reconsidered venturing outdoors at Rovaniemi Airport. I thought about having a cigarette, but not anymore, he said, despite wearing thermal clothing.

As the week progresses, a brief warming trend is expected in southern Finland, with temperatures rising to around 5 degrees Celsius by Thursday. However, Valta cautioned that the milder temperatures might not be enough to melt the recent snowfall entirely. We may still see a white Christmas in most of Finland, he said.

Despite the brief thaw, colder weather is forecast to return later in the week. Meteorologists warned that uncertainty remains, particularly with the possibility of sudden warm air currents affecting the forecast.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant, whether driving on slippery roads or navigating icy pavements. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ready to respond to further disruptions caused by Finlands intense winter weather.

HT
Lawmakers are tomorrow set to vote on a government proposal that would reduce mostly night-time hospital and health care services in Iisalmi, North Savonia; in Kemi, Lapland; in Kouvola, Kymenlaakso; in Oulainen, North Ostrobothnia; in Salo, Southwest Finland; in Savonlinna, South Karelia; and in Varkaus, North Karelia.

MEMBERS of Finnish Parliament are this week faced with a vote that could be consequential for not only hospital services but also the ruling coalition, according to reporting by Helsingin Sanomat.

Opposition lawmakers have claimed, falsely, that the government is planning on closing hospitals entirely.

Not a single hospital in Finland is being shut down, the hospital network isnt being pruned, not a single operating room is being closed. Right off the bat Ill clear these misconceptions that the opposition is spreading, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso (PS) was quoted saying during a question-time debate in parliament on Thursday.

Were distributing the work rationally, which is something well-being services counties cant do. The counties look at the situation regionally, we look at it nationally.

The proposal has nonetheless come under criticism also from ruling-party lawmakers, with five declaring publicly that they are unwilling to back it and ready to not bow to the whip: Markku Eestila and Janne Heikkinen of the National Coalition, and Antti Kangas, Mikko Lunden and Mikko Polvinen of the Finns Party.

Also Sanna Antikainen (PS) on Thursday revealed that she is unsure how she will vote on the proposal. Im a representative for Savo-Karelia, she retorted when asked what factors influence her decision.

Pauli Kiuru, Milla Lahdenpera and Mari-Leena Talvitie of the National Coalition declined to comment on how they plan on voting after a parliamentary group meeting on Thursday.

Ill get back to you on Tuesday, quipped Lahdenpera.

The Finns Party and National Coalition are both intent on enforcing party discipline on the vote, according to Jani Makela, the chairperson of the Finns Party Parliamentary Group, and Matias Marttinen, the chairperson of the National Coalition Parliamentary Group.

In the government, you vote for government proposals, Makela told Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday.

They both declined to comment on what kind of ramifications there could be for rebelling lawmakers. Thats an internal group matter, and I wont be commenting on that publicly in any way, said Marttinen.

Ruling-party members in general are required to vote along the party line in order to ensure sufficient support for government proposals.

Another indication of the significance of the vote is that at least four lawmakers are set to suspend their parental leaves to cast their vote: Eveliina Heinaluoma (SDP), Saara Hyrkko (Greens), Hilkka Kemppi (Centre) and Annika Saarikko (Centre), according to Helsingin Sanomat.

This is a question of values. The governments proposal endangers equal access to care for Finns, Heinaluoma messaged the newspaper on Thursday.

Hyrkko estimated in a social media post that the cuts are a means for the government to pursue what is an unspeakable goal. Its hard to come up with any other motive for this short-sighted undermining of social and health care services than eroding [public] trust so badly that the entire system has to be re-established. The replacement on offer would undoubtedly be based on private services and insurance, she commented.

Saarikko, meanwhile, said she is particularly concerned about the continuation of overnight services in Salo, which is located in her electoral district of Southwest Finland.

Im suspending my family leave for this important vote and will be present in parliament. I want to demonstrate that the government proposal on discontinuing emergency services and downsizing hospital operations is taking Finland in the wrong direction, she declared in a statement issued on Thursday.

Teemu Muhonen, a political journalist at Helsingin Sanomat, stated in his analysis that if the proposal were to be torpedoed by lawmakers who are worried about their re-election prospects, it would be a severe blow to the government, possibly making decisions on additional cost-saving measures impossible. It could be the beginning of the end for the government, he wrote.

A handful of lawmakers publicly expressing their intention not to back the proposal, he added, could create a snowball effect among representatives from the same electoral districts.

The four ruling parties have 108 of the 199 votes in parliament.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
PLANS to convert commercial office space on an industrial estate in Henley into homes have been criticised by the town council.

Howarth Homes, agent to the owner, wants to turn a commercial unit on the ground floor of Anderson House in Newtown Road into three flats with one or two bedrooms which it says will meet the needs of the community.

London developers Chaskel Rand and Joel Sofer were originally granted planning permission in 2020 to demolish the two-storey building and build 43 flats.

Before then, the site had been vacant for 10 years since digital sign company Onelan moved out. It had been marketed since 2017 but no new tenants were found.

At the time councillors objected to the proposal saying it was against the joint Henley and Harpsden neighborhood plan which stated that the industrial estate should remain an employment centre.

They also objected to the development only having eight affordable flats but a South Oxfordshire District Council planning committee approved the plans.

To address concerns about the loss of employment land the developers allocated 221 sq m of commercial space. Now it is being proposed that the commercial office space on the ground floor of the building be converted into three more flats.

Nicole Quinn, planning manager at Howarth Homes, said that while the building has not been marketed for a year, there is evidence that its not viable for business use.

In a planning statement she said: The existing office/commercial space is only 221 sq m, which is minimal compared to the one hectare of employment space required by 2035. As a result, the loss of this space will have a limited impact on the area.

The site is located in an area that was predominantly industrial, although recent years have seen several conversions to residential properties. Consequently, footfall in the area is low, with local residents being the primary users of any potential retail space.

Given this, and the proximity of a major supermarket, Tesco, located just 20m away, retail use for the commercial space would not be a viable option for the site.

Furthermore, after reviewing Rightmove, Zoopla, and other websites, it is evident that there are several office spaces available for rent, catering to large, medium, and small businesses.

Given the sufficient amount of office space in the vicinity of Henley, the proposed conversion of this small commercial/office space is not expected to have a detrimental impact on the employment market.

Speaking at a meeting of the town councils planning committee, district councillor Ken Arlett said he believed the council should refuse this latest development.

He said: In my opinion and others, this should never have been granted permission in the first place but the district council decided to grant planning permission for it.

There were very few affordable units on the original application and theres weird excuses why there shouldnt be but we did manage to get the commercial side of it put in there.

Now for some reason now theyre not happy with all the extra houses and flats that theyve got and now want to turn the commercial into three residential flats.

I think the town council should refuse this.

Councillor Laurence Plant, who proposed rejecting the plans, said that one of the few reasons the original application was recommended for approval by the council was because of the commercial space on the ground floor.

He said: I spent a good while earlier trying to look for the marketing of the commercial space and I couldnt find a single thing; a price, a cost, a floor plan, anything.

I can find the company that is obviously very proud to have done this incredible profit-returning development in Henley but nothing to do with the rest of it.

Cllr Plant said that Henley Village, which is also located on the Newtown industrial estate, was an example of a thriving business hub. He said: The owner of that, Darren, had nothing but high demand from tenants for units. To say that [Anderson House] cannot, and have not and find it unviable is utterly appalling.

Cllr Plants motion was seconded by Mayor Rory Hunt.

Councillor Michelle Thomas said: They say there is an abundance of commercial property in Henley but there isnt. So they need to start marketing it and the clock is ticking from now.

The council unanimously voted to recommend refusal of the application. The district council will make a final decision by Monday, December 30.


Monday December 16, 2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's unwavering support and respect for Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity during a phone call on Saturday with his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Maalim Fiqi.



According to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry, Fiqi briefed Abdelatty on the outcomes of the recent Ankara Trilateral Summit, held between Somalia, Turkey, and Ethiopia on Wednesday.





Furthermore, the call between the two diplomats addressed the strategic relations between Egypt and Somalia and the two countries' desire to strengthen and develop their political, economic, and commercial ties.According to the statement, Abdelatty and Fiqi also acknowledged that relations between Egypt and Somalia have gained considerable momentum in recent months. They stressed the importance of exploiting that momentum to strengthen ties between the two countries.In conclusion, the statement highlighted that the two sides confirmed the importance of following up on the outcomes of the trilateral summit that brought together the presidents of Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea in Asmara in October.
Chinese researchers develop lightweight carrot combine harvester

Xinhua) 10:23, December 16, 2024

NANJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have developed a lightweight carrot combine harvester designed to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs in carrot farming.

The new machine, developed by the Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization (NIAM) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, with the support of the Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, addresses key technical challenges in carrot combine harvesting.

The harvester mainly solves the problems of high digging resistance, breaking off the carrot tops when clamping, and inconsistent cutting of the carrot tops, according to the NIAM.

Harvesting is one of the most labor-intensive stages of carrot production, accounting for over one-third of the total labor and more than 50 percent of production costs, the institute said.

The harvester performs multiple tasks, including digging, clamping and conveying, de-soiling, and cutting of the carrot tops. It can harvest up to two mu (about 0.13 hectares) of carrots per hour, the equivalent of what more than 30 workers can achieve in a day.

NIAM researchers say the machine significantly boosts efficiency while minimizing harvest losses and cutting labor costs.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
At least 14 people were killed in Mayotte when a fierce cyclone battered the French Indian Ocean territory, authorities said Sunday, with officials warning it will take days to know the full toll.

Rescue workers and supplies are being rushed in by air and sea, but their efforts are likely to be hindered by damage to airports and electricity distribution in a territory where even clean drinking water was already subject to chronic shortages.

The toll of 14 was counted in a provisional list compiled by authorities, a security source told AFP.

Nine people were gravely wounded and fighting for their lives in hospital, said Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou, while 246 more were seriously injured.

"The hospital is hit, the schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated," he said, adding that the hurricane "spared nothing".

Mayotte's 320,000 residents were ordered into lockdown as cyclone Chido bore down on the islands around 500 kilometres (310 miles) east of Mozambique.

Its gusts of at least 226 kilometres per hour had "completely destroyed" the territory's many shantytowns, acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said following a crisis meeting in Paris late Saturday.

Electricity poles were hurled to the ground, trees uprooted and sheet-metal roofs and walls torn off improvised structures inhabited by at least one-third of the population.

"It will take several days" to establish the full death toll, but "we fear that it is heavy", Retailleau said, adding that the Muslim custom of burial within a day of a death could complicate the count.

Information from the locked-down population, in shock and largely cut off from water and electricity supplies, is slow to filter out, a source familiar with the recovery effort told AFP.

One local resident, Ibrahim, told AFP of "apocalyptic scenes" as he made his way through the main island, having to clear blocked roads for himself.

"Even the largest companies have suffered damage," he added.

Retailleau will travel to Mayotte on Monday, his office said, alongside 160 soldiers and firefighters to reinforce the 110 already deployed to the islands from mainland France ahead of the storm.

Medical personnel and equipment were being delivered from Sunday by air and sea, said the prefecture in La Reunion, another French Indian Ocean territory some 1,400 kilometres away on the other side of Madagascar.

Pope Francis, visiting French Mediterranean island Corsica on Sunday, urged people to pray for Mayotte residents.

"Everything has been swept away, everything is razed," said Mounira, a woman whose house was destroyed in the Kaweni district in Mamoudzou's east -- France's largest shantytown.

More than 15,000 homes are without electricity, acting Environment Minister Agnes-Pannier Runacher has said, while telephone access is severely limited even for emergency calls.

Acting Transport Minister Francois Durovray wrote on X that the Pamandzi airport on Petite-Terre, the smaller of Mayotte's two major islands, had "suffered major damage".

Just northwest of Mayotte, the Comoros islands, some of which had been on red alert since Friday, were also hit, but suffered only minor damage.

Cyclone Chido later slammed into Mozambique early Sunday, bringing gale-force winds and heavy rain when it made landfall around 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the northern city of Pemba, weather services said.

"The cyclone is already affecting Pemba with a very strong intensity. We were monitoring the situation but there is no communication with Pemba since 7:00 am (0500 GMT)," National Institute of Meteorology director Aderito Aramuge told AFP.

UNICEF said it was on the ground to help the people impacted by the storm, which had already caused some damage.

"Many homes, schools and health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed and we are working closely with government to ensure continuity of essential basic services," it said in a statement.

Cyclone Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide to be fuelled by climate change, according to experts.

The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of France's Meteo France weather service told AFP.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday it was similar in strength to cyclones Gombe in 2022 and Freddy in 2023, which killed more than 60 people and at least 86 in Mozambique respectively.

It warned that some 1.7 million people were in danger, and said the remnants of the cyclone could also dump "significant rainfall" on neighbouring Malawi through Monday, potentially triggering flash floods.

Zimbabwe and Zambia were also expected to see heavy rains, it added.
A week after a lightning rebel offensive toppled longtime leader Bashar al-Assad, the United Nations special envoy for Syria on Sunday called for justice to prevail, not revenge.

Syrians are only now beginning to scratch the surface of the atrocities committed, after the former despot fled the country for Russia.

"We need to see of course justice and accountability for crimes," UN envoy Geir Pedersen said after arriving in Damascus.

"And we need to make sure that that goes through a credible justice system, and that we don't see any revenge."

Pedersen also called for "increased, immediate" aid to war-ravaged Syria, saying it had been through "an enormous... humanitarian crisis".

"We need to make sure that Syria receives increased, immediate humanitarian assistance," he said.

Assad fled Syria last Sunday following an 11-day rebel offensive led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), bringing to a dramatic end more than 50 years of Assad rule.

It came more than 13 years into the civil war sparked by Assad's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011.

The war has killed upwards of 500,000 people and displaced more than half the country's population.

In the week since the rebels took Damascus, each day has seen more light shed on the depths of the despair visited upon Syria's people over the past decades.

Journalist Mohammed Darwish was one of those held in the so-called Palestine Branch, a jail run by Syria's feared intelligence services.

"I was one of those they interrogated the most," Darwish told AFP as he returned to the prison years after his ordeal. He said he was questioned "every day, morning and night" for 120 days.

Calm is slowly returning to the streets of Damascus, with dozens of children streaming back to school Sunday for the first time since Assad fled.

An official at one school said "no more than 30 percent" were back on Sunday, but "these numbers will rise gradually".

On the diplomatic front, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said Saturday Washington had "been in contact with HTS and with other parties," without specifying how.

After meeting in Jordan, Western and Arab states along with Turkey -- a key backer of anti-Assad rebels -- called for a united peaceful Syria.

In a joint statement, diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union and Arab countries called for a Syrian-led transition to "produce an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government formed through a transparent process", with respect for human rights.

France said a four-strong diplomatic team would arrive on Tuesday to "retake possession of our real estate" as well as "establishing initial contact" with the new authorities and "evaluating the urgent needs of the population", acting Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

A Qatari delegation was due in Syria Sunday to meet transitional government officials for talks on aid and reopening its embassy.

Unlike other Arab states, Qatar never restored diplomatic ties with Assad after a rupture in 2011.

Turkey was ready to provide military support to Syria's new Islamist-led government set up by rebels if it requests it, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday.

Guler said the new leadership should be given "a chance" and that Ankara was "ready to provide the necessary support" if needed, in remarks reported by Turkish media.

Sunni Muslim HTS is rooted in Syria's branch of Al-Qaeda and is designated a "terrorist" organisation by many Western governments.

Although it has sought to moderate its rhetoric in recent years, its seizure of power has sparked concerns both domestically and internationally over the protection of religious and ethnic minorities.

The interim government insists that the rights of all Syrians will be protected, as will the rule of law.

On Sunday, Syrian Christians attended their first church service since Assad's fall.

Pubs and stores selling alcohol in Damascus initially closed following the rebel victory, but are now tentatively reopening.

The landlord of one Damascus bar said the rebels told him: "'You have the right to work and live your life as you did before'."

Assad was propped up by Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.

The rebel onslaught began on November 27, the day a ceasefire took effect in the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, in which Assad's ally suffered staggering losses.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem admitted Saturday that with Assad gone, his group could no longer be supplied militarily through Syria.

He also said he hoped Syria's new rulers saw Israel "as an enemy" and do not normalise ties with the country.

Both Israel and Turkey have carried out military strikes inside Syria since Assad's fall.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Sunday reported new Israeli strikes near Damascus, after 60 strikes across Syria on Saturday.

The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources in Syria, reported attacks on Syrian army tunnels and arms depots in the Damir area.

Israel has also ordered troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights, a move the UN said violated a 1974 armistice.

But "the general exhaustion in Syria after years of war and conflict does not allow us to enter new conflicts", he said in an online statement.
The EU on Monday for the first time imposed fully-fledged sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on Chinese firms for supplying Russia's military for the war on Ukraine.

It has also added North Korea's defence minister to its sanctions blacklist after the secretive state sent troops to Russia to reinforce its military.

The move -- part of the EU's 15th round of sanctions over the conflict -- represented a heightened effort to tackle the crucial role allegedly being played by China in keeping Russia's war machine going.

The EU said it was blacklisting four Chinese companies for "supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic components" to the Russian military.

Two other firms and one Chinese businesswoman were hit for circumventing EU sanctions aimed at stopping equipment flowing to Moscow.

Among the companies was Xiamen Limbach alleged to have supplied engines for long-range attack drones used by Russia against Ukraine.

The EU has targeted Chinese firms before for supporting Russia's military.

But until now the bloc has imposed bans on European firms doing business with the Chinese companies -- rather than the tougher sanctions now being applied.

The EU also took aim at North Korea in the latest package, after Pyongyang dispatched troops to Russia to fight Ukraine.

The 27-nation bloc added defence minister No Kwang Chol and deputy chief of the general staff Kim Yong Bok to a number of North Korean officials already blacklisted.

Ukraine said Monday that its troops killed or wounded at least 30 North Korean soldiers who had been deployed in Russia's western Kursk region, where Ukraine has seized territory.

In a bid to limit Russian revenues, the EU included around 50 oil tankers from Moscow's "shadow fleet" used to help the Kremlin get around Western oil sanctions.
Soldiers patrol border area on horseback

China Military Online) 10:26, December 16, 2024

Soldiers assigned to the Takixken border defense company under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command carefully steer their horses to pass through snowfield during a routine patrol mission on November 29, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Guotao)

Soldiers assigned to the Takixken border defense company under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command carefully steer their horses to pass through snow-covered wetland during a routine patrol mission on November 29, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Guotao)

Soldiers assigned to the Takixken border defense company under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command carefully steer their horses to pass through snowfield during a routine patrol mission on November 29, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Guotao)

Soldiers assigned to the Takixken border defense company under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command pass through the Takixken road port during a routine patrol mission on November 29, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Guotao)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, announces the signing of an agreement with FC Elimai to develop a new ibis hotel in Semey, the capital of Abay region and one the oldest cities in Kazakhstan. Expected to open in 2027, the 100-room hotel will offer a contemporary, cosy, and reliable hospitality experience, perfectly embodying the ibis brand ethos.

Designed with ibis' Agora concept, which seamlessly blends modern design with comfortable functionality, ibis Semey will feature vibrant social spaces, a welcoming restaurant and bar, as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre. For business meetings and community events, the hotel will offer adaptable meeting facilities. Set along the Irtysh River, with convenient access to Semey International Airport, the hotel is positioned to become a dynamic hub for travellers and locals alike.

The signing of ibis Semey builds on Accor's rapid expansion in Kazakhstan, where the group currently operates 13 properties across several brands. As one of the country's key cultural and educational centres, Semey is an ideal addition to ibis' mission of democratising travel, offering high-quality yet affordable accommodation for everyone.

Since its launch in 1974, ibis has revolutionised economy hospitality, setting the benchmark for accessible, quality travel experiences. With a global network of 1,200 hotels in 70 countries and over 130 projects in the pipeline, ibis remains committed to fostering connections and delivering vibrant experiences. Guests value its blend of design-forward innovation and genuine warmth, underpinned by a dedication to inclusivity. The brand celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, launching a global campaign that encouraged travellers to discover the world with intent and "Go get it".

ibis Semey will participate in ALL, the lifestyle loyalty programme offering members a range of rewards, services and experiences.

Hotel website
Where generous hospitality and culinary excellence redefine connection in Saudi Arabia's Northern Region.

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, a leader in hospitality since 1948, proudly announces the opening of Movenpick Wa'ad Al Shamal, in Saudi Arabia's northern region. A beacon of elevated hospitality, this property brings Movenpick's signature service excellence to Wa'ad Al Shamal, a strategic economic and industrial hub that plays a vital role in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 ambitions.

Movenpick Wa'ad Al Shamal features 245 rooms and suites, including two Presidential Suites that offer an exceptional blend of comfort and modern design. The hotel also offers 18 state-of-the-art meeting rooms and expansive banqueting facilities, creating the ideal destination for conferences, corporate gatherings, and special celebrations. Whether for business or leisure, guests will find a setting crafted to inspire and connect.

Dining at Movenpick Wa'ad Al Shamal offers a culinary journey through five distinct experiences. Yasmeen Restaurant offers a vibrant selection of Saudi and international cuisines, celebrating the flavors of the region with a contemporary twist. Zafaran Restaurant immerses guests in the rich culinary traditions of Turkiye, providing a truly authentic dining journey. For a refreshing retreat, the Oasis Pool Bar serves signature drinks and light bites in a relaxed poolside setting. The Flora Lobby Lounge provides a welcoming space for guests to unwind with Movenpick's signature coffee blends and pastries and invites guests to indulge in the celebrated Movenpick Chocolate Hour, a daily immersive chocolate tasting experience that delights visitors of all ages.

With its commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering connections, Movenpick Wa'ad Al Shamal marks a transformative step in the region's hospitality landscape. Over 55% of the workforce are Saudi nationals, reinforcing the hotel's alignment with the national goal of empowering the local workforce.

Founded in 1948 by Ueli Prager, Movenpick pioneered the Swiss restaurant scene, and later evolved into a premium international hotel brand renowned for its culinary excellence. Today, Movenpick continues to embody the same ethos of generous hospitality, where food & drink is central to creating meaningful human connections, sparking creativity, and promoting positive good through kindness and care.

With this philosophy in mind, Movenpick Wa'ad Al Shamal curates a range of experiences designed to inspire guests and locals, fostering lasting memories and nurturing the inherent human desire for connection.Guests can enjoy a fitness center, outdoor pool, and wellness services, ensuring a holistic and rejuvenating stay.

To celebrate its debut, Movenpick Wa'ad Al Shamal is offering Members of ALL, Accor's award winning loyalty program, an exclusive 15% discount on all stays from December 15th, 2024, for one month.

With more than 125 hotels and resorts in over 35 countries, Movenpick remains true to its Swiss heritage and rich culinary legacy, honouring its founder's promise to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Hotel website
Melia's lifestyle brand unveils a new project in Costa del Este, located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

INNSIDE by Melia, a brand within Melia Hotels International's premium portfolio, is continuing its expansion into new markets in Latin America. The recent announcement of two projects in the Dominican Republic is now complemented by an additional hotel in Costa del Este, Argentina. Renowned for its picturesque coastal landscapes and tranquil environment, this destination provides an ideal setting for the brand's new venture, further driving Melia's growth in the region.

The hotel, a 4-star currently under construction, will feature 88 rooms and 60 residences by the sea. It will offer a wide range of services, including several gastronomic outlets, a swimming pool, a spa, a co-working area, meeting rooms, and its own parking facilities. True to the brand's style and personality, this project promises to provide a unique experience for both leisure and business travelers, or those combining both seamlessly. Renowned for their contemporary design, innovative spaces, and vibrant atmosphere, INNSIDE by Melia hotels aim to inspire and energize their guests at every turn. Each hotel is strategically located in dynamic cities and popular leisure destinations worldwide, offering guests an ideal base to explore and enjoy their surroundings.

Costa del Este is a famous coastal destination in Argentina, renowned for its beaches and lush landscapes that provide a serene atmosphere. Situated along the Atlantic coast, this area serves as an ideal haven for nature enthusiasts and individuals seeking a peaceful retreat. Additionally, its rich local culture and extensive range of outdoor activities make Costa del Este an excellent choice for discerning travellers associated with the INNSiDE by Melia brand. Visitors can enjoy the pristine Atlantic coastline or explore the lush pine forests of La Reserva.

Alliance with the Almarena Group

The upcoming INNSiDE La Reserva Costa del Este marks Melia's third collaboration with the Almarena Group in Argentina, following the recent agreement for two hotels in Buenos Aires. This partnership further strengthens the alliance between the two companies and underscores the confidence placed in Melia Hotels International, as well as the robustness of its brands to manage successful hotel projects within the region.

With this new project, Melia expands its portfolio in Argentina to five hotels, including three located in Buenos Aires and one in Iguazu. Notably, the Gran Melia Iguazu has been distinguished this year as the Best Hotel in Argentina at the World Travel Awards, underscoring the high standards of excellence and quality maintained by the hotel chain.

Hotel website
Ben Klein is a Senior Director at CBRE Hotels. Based in Washington, D.C., he leads the firms efforts with hospitality related investment sales in the D.C. metro area. Ben is part of CBRE Hotels Institutional Group, led by Bob Webster, giving him access to significant resources across the CBRE platform to share with D.C.-based hotel clients. Additionally, due to the depth of his international hotel experience, Ben is able to connect CBRE investment sales in the U.S. with inbound international hotel investors. Ben has over 12 years of hotel real estate experience, including five years with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) as an Investment Manager within their Global Hospitality team, where he was responsible for acquisitions and asset management for the sovereign wealth fund. Prior to ADIA, Ben worked as an Associate in The Carlyle Groups U.S. Real Estate group and began his career at LaSalle Hotel Properties. Ben holds a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Running for over 30 years, the General Managers Program is the world's premiere transformational learning experience for hotel general managers and their immediate successors. As an experienced hospitality professional, you know that the industry is constantly evolving. To be successful, you must lead your team with purpose, embrace the industry's evolutionary path, and seek opportunities to keep your organization at the forefront. Through GMP, you will hone strategic thinking skills, explore how to create value, and plan for action to tackle today's most urgent business challenges and opportunities.

The program consists of two learning modalities. First, you'll complete two live virtual courses, choosing topics that best meet your individual development goals. Topics are offered monthly and will be led by Cornell University faculty experts. Each course will include four 3-hour sessions and be limited to 35 participants to ensure high levels of engagement and networking.

Next, you will come to Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, New York to complete the program. The on-campus experience kicks off with a reception and orientation dinner, followed by five days of intensive, interactive, and engaged learning with peers from around the world. Led by senior Cornell faculty, you'll take on strategic property-level issues with depth and precision. You'll concentrate on hotel management issues and collaborate to expand the foundation of your knowledge, broaden your viewpoint, and produce new solutions to the challenges you face. As business transcends continental boundaries, so do we at Cornell. Through our interactive program, participants dissect theory-based ideas and learning, then relate these to current issues in the industry.

If you're looking for specific, applicable, and workable solutions to your real-time issues and demands, this program offers a management and strategic-thinking toolkit designed to take your property to the next level.

This event is organized by Cornell
DUBAI - Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hospitality management company in the Middle East and Africa, has announced four new hotels in Ethiopia, further solidifying its market leadership in the region.

In 2024 alone, Aleph Hospitality added 13 new hotels to its portfolio and now boasts an active pipeline of over 30 hotels across the Middle East and Africa. A strong reason for the companys success is the fact that over 60% of existing hotel owners have entrusted Aleph Hospitality with the management of more than one property. This confidence is reflected in the new hotels announced in Ethiopia.

The new additions to Aleph Hospitalitys portfolio in Ethiopia include:

The Elilly International Hotel, a five-star city hotel located in Addis Ababas Kazanchis business district, just a two-minute walk from the United Nations Conference Centre and four kilometres from Bole International Airport. The hotel features 154 suites, four food & beverage outlets, a gym, sauna, steam rooms, and swimming pool as well as conference facilities.

The Elilly Bishoftu, currently under construction, is a four-star upscale resort which will be internationally branded. Located on the serene shores of Bishoftu Guda Lake, the resort will feature 172 keys, four food & beverage outlets, a spa, pool, gaming zone, and conference facilities. The resort is a one-hour drive from Bole Addis Ababa International Airport and less than 30 minutes from the newly planned mega airport in Bishoftu, which is set to open in 2029 with a capacity of 110 million passengers.

In addition, Aleph Hospitality will be managing two new internationally branded upper-midscale hotels which are currently under development by the owners of the successful Ramada by Wyndham Addis Ababa, also operated by Aleph Hospitality. Scheduled to open in 2026, the properties will feature 100 rooms in Addis Ababa and 128 rooms in Bishoftu.

Before the pandemic, Ethiopia's tourism sector was thriving, contributing nearly USD 4.8 billion to GDP, with international tourist arrivals peaking at over 1.4 million. While 2020 posed significant challenges, it is projected that by 2030, tourism could once again contribute over USD 5 billion annually to GDP, with international arrivals exceeding 2 million visitors.

We have been present in Ethiopia for some years now, and our local and corporate teams are more than ready to handle the management of these four hotels. We look forward to working closely with the owners of these diverse properties, and we are happy to do our part in contributing to boost local employment and growth of Ethiopias tourism sector. Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality

About Aleph Hospitality

Headquartered in Dubai, Aleph Hospitality is the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa. Trusted by the world's leading brands, Aleph Hospitality manages hotels directly for owners, either on a franchise basis for branded properties or as a white label operator for independent hotels. Tailored-to-fit management solutions allow owners better control of their assets, clearer operational visibility and more contractual flexibility. Aleph Hospitality manages all aspects of hotel operations at any stage of development - from site and brand selection to technical assistance, pre-opening and day-to-day operations. The group has an active pipeline of over 30 hotels in the Middle East and Africa. To find out more, visit www.alephhospitality.com.

Anne Bleeker

Managing Partner, In2 Consulting

+971 56 603 0886

Aleph Hospitality
Shanghai  China continues to promote the development of inclusive workplaces and fair employment opportunities amidst socio-economic growth. Centered on its corporate philosophy of True Hospitality for Good, IHG Hotels & Resorts is committed to creating a diverse, equal and inclusive working environment for its employees. To support the development of rural communities, IHG deepens its cooperation with Ant Foundation and jointly supports the Cyber Mulan Homestay Manager Training Project. Offering more comprehensive resources and diversified career paths, the program aims to provide career opportunities for women in the industry.

On December 6, IHG hosted the Cyber Mulan Homestay Manager Training Project together with Ant Foundation at Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Science City. During the event, both parties reinforced their focus on supporting women from rural areas in artificial intelligence training. With more participating hotels, further training in a variety of professional skills and internship opportunities will promote employment opportunities for rural women and contributing to rural revitalization.

IHG Hotels &Resorts continues its cooperation with Ant Foundation to support the Cyber Mulan Homestay Manager Training Project  Photo by IHG

Cultivating talent is key to revitalizing rural economies. As a people-centric enterprise, we take the career development of our employees and women in our communities very seriously. Our cooperation with Ant Foundation provides a valuable platform for female cultural and hospitality talents to improve their skills and realize their career potential. This program represents our ongoing commitment to social responsibility in addition to our priorities in providing great experiences for our employees. Moreover, IHG works closely with local institutions to provide more opportunities for women and special groups in society, actively promoting workplace inclusivity and diversity. Rita Jiang, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, IHG Greater China

Those managers come from the countryside and bring with them a love for their hometowns, which they pass on to visitors from all over the world. We look forward to providing them with professional skillsets through IHG. With the Cyber Mulan program, we continue to invest in womens development and are working hard to connect with more partners who share the same cause. Ant Foundation and IHG Hotels & Resorts have come together to make lasting impacts in this field. In the future, we look forward to bringing more attention to womens development and making a positive difference in the lives of women in rural areas. Wang Xiaojing, Secretary-General of Ant Foundation

Hu Hongtao, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Science City (left), and Huang Qingwei, Deputy Secretary-General of Ant Foundation (right)  Photo by IHG

Creating More Opportunities for Growth and Learning

The Cyber Mulan Homestay Manager Training Project was jointly initiated by the Department of Market Management of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the China Foundation for Rural Development, and the Zhejiang Ant Foundation. It offers digital employment opportunities for rural women and promotes employment in the rural cultural tourism sector. Since 2022, Homestay Manager has been recognized as a new profession by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. This year, IHG Hotels & Resorts once again joins hands with Ant Foundation to create more opportunities for women in society.

The Cyber Mulan program adopts a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, the Homestay Manager Training Project provides rural women with practical courses on guest experience, service process, and safety awareness, while offering first-hand learning around customer service, room service, catering, fire safety, and more. Each part is taught by the leader of the corresponding department of the host hotel to help them master high-quality hotel management skills. On the other hand, internship opportunities are offered in hotels under IHG to connect theory to professional growth. Outstanding homestay managers will also have the chance to pursue open employment opportunities at IHG in other locations beyond the countryside. This year, many hotels participated in the program, including Crowne Plaza Lanzhou, Holiday Inn Xian East, Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Science City, Crowne Plaza Hefei, Hotel Indigo Xiamen Haicang, Hotel Indigo Changsha Meixi Lake, and more.

Diversified Career Paths: Inspiring Leadership for Women in the Industry

In addition to basic vocational training, IHG will continue promoting womens leadership through Cyber Mulan program and plans to add leadership sessions to its training courses, sharing real success stories to inspire rural women to explore their personal development potential, build self-identity, and encourage more women to pursue their goals in the workplace.

Furthermore, IHG will join forces with the government, media, academia, and other parties to promote the program through various channels and platforms, sharing successful cases and highlighting the innovation and persistence behind the growth of rural women. The two parties will collaborate to create a replicable public welfare model, extending the successful experience of the "Cyber Mulan" program to more regions and groups. This initiative aims to help more rural women achieve their career aspirations.

IHG has always been committed to building a diverse, equal, and inclusive corporate culture, reflected in its care for special groups such as the disabled, the elderly, and women, as well as its focus on helping employees grow through comprehensive support programs. In the future, IHG will continue to take action in supporting the national development strategy for women and special groups, playing a key role in promoting a diverse and inclusive society.

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Not knowing your niche, too-aggressive marketing, and failing to re-market effectively to OTA trafficthese are all key challenges facing hoteliers at the moment. But there are some profound opportunities, too. Find out more about the insights that came out of the Cendyn World Tour 2024  London event.

From staff shortages and capturing bookings in a cost of living crisis to increasing operational costs and constantly adapting to changing consumer expectationsits a pretty tough time to be in the hotel business.

Throughout 2024, Cendyn embarked on a World Tour to understand the challenges and opportunities for hoteliers at this moment in time. By meeting our customers, having open conversations with hoteliers, and taking a closer look at how different markets are behaving, we wanted to pinpoint exactly what the industry is grappling with right now.

But where there are problems, there are also solutions. Meeting with hoteliers from different contexts highlighted the value of honing in on three distinctive strategy areas that we champion at Cendyn: Find, Book, and Grow. How do you find the right customers, and how do you focus on the high-value business for your hotel? How do you drive direct bookings and avoid hefty commissions? How do you grow your loyal customer base, generate tangible value from loyalty schemes, and increase spend per guest?

Its all about smart revenue and smart marketing. Here are some of the challenges and exciting opportunities facing hoteliers at the moment.

Challenge in finding new guests

A common misconception in marketing is that the bigger the audience, the greater the return. Pushing out adverts and messages to a wide audience can seem like the easiest option, but this creates two issues: 1) it spreads yourself too thin, and 2) it leaves you trying to convey a brand story to everyone. Both often result in ad spend that wont drive the right results, lower ROAS, and a brand story that may feel generic.

Dont try to be everything all the time, advised Jurriaan de Vos, Commercial Director for the Montcalm Group. Define what is your DNA and build your segmentation on that It will take time. But the closer you stay to your own product and your own DNA, the bigger the chances you will be successful.

Challenge in driving more direct bookings

Guests who book through an OTA/third party can be converted to potential direct guests by capturing all-important personal data. Simple tactics like capturing email addresses at check-in or through in-house Wi-Fi providers offer the ability for hotels to communicate directly with the guest to encourage future direct bookings. However, many hotels are not doing this.

The former CEO of Expedia Group once said: If they come back to us again, shame on you. Remarketing to these customers means you could save on OTA commission fees next time and should broaden your loyal direct customer base.

But be careful not to push too hard for data and consent. As important as first-party data is, hotels must earn the right to obtain it, so work hard for consent and market to those guests in a targeted, strategic manner. Effective strategies could include offering member rates, running effective loyalty programs, and matching the flexibility in making booking modifications that OTAs offer.

Were luxury hotels, so we cannot be too aggressive with our messaging or with capturing the data and pushing the customer to click that consent, shared Kasia Rudnik, Senior Director of Marketing at The Set Collection. Putting time into ensuring you have quality data can pay off. Every year, we clean up our database. We have an amazing engagement rate  anything between 52 to 58% unique opens and an 80% click-through rate on our email marketing communication with Cendyn CRM.

Challenge in growing a loyal customer base

Every hotelier knows they should have a loyalty program, but theres no point in having a program if it is not leveraged effectively. Considering the difference between loyalty and reward is also key. Are you giving guests something in exchange for their custom (reward), or are they genuinely engaged and faithful to your brand (loyalty)?

According to Richard Cooper, Global Business Travel and Sales Director for Dalata Hotel Group, the key to loyalty is quality. Look at the airline community, he said. Youve got five [airlines] on one route, and theyve all got loyalty programs. What they focus on, which is what we focus on, is that product quality.

Opportunity to find guests on social search

Many hoteliers look towards social media channels to generate brand awareness during the dreaming stage of the customer journey. Hoteliers hope that having an organic and paid presence at this point means users will think of them when theyre ready to make a booking. However, an increasing number of hotels are now generating direct bookings through social media.

Social media is such a big search engine, especially for travel, Rudnik said. Were getting direct bookings from social mediawere looking at double-digit numbers in returns on investment.

Opportunity to book more direct corporate customers

There is an increasing number of Travel Management Companies (TMCs) booking corporate travel for businesses. According to Cooper, this is an opportunity that a lot of hotels are overlooking. Were working with that TMC community because, in most cases, thats bringing a direct customer to our door, he said.

Stemming from this, Dalata Hotel Group has built a booking platform specifically for agents who dont use a Global Distribution System (GDS). About 40% to 50% of agencies do not work on the GDS, Cooper explained. So weve really worked this year on building that innovation. Its still in its early stages, but were [booking] 30,000 to 40,000 per month on the tool.

Opportunity to grow ROAS on Google

With so many marketing and advertising channels, hoteliers can struggle to pinpoint the best ones to invest in. A number of hoteliers at the Cendyn World Tour  London were talking about the benefits of Google Performance Max for travel goals, as it specifically helps hotels reach potential guests across Googles advertising channels.

We relaunched our website, increased our conversion rate, and reached the point where our strategy was to go a bit more upper funnel and increase our reach, Celine Mamane, Head of Digital Marketing for Meininger Hotels, explained. We activated Performance Max in 2023 and managed to keep our ROI targets while decreasing our ad spend. And, of course, the revenue we generate is direct revenue.

Ultimately, hoteliers at the Cendyn World Tour  London agree theres a need to move to first-party data to deliver better marketing success. Many also agree theres a need to better leverage the opportunities of advertising and the digital space to find the right customers. Theres no one-size-fits-all solution in the hotel world, and its difficult for hotels of all shapes, sizes, and structures in the current climate, especially in competitive marketplaces like London.

Things move fast in hospitality, yet sometimes structure and hierarchy can prevent hotel teams from reacting quickly to the fast-paced environment. Enabling and encouraging employees to be agile and innovative  plus ensuring joined-up working between teams  can be key drivers of success. Revenue, marketing, and sales should be working as a triangle in one team and speak probably more often than they do, especially in individual hotels, Rudnik said.

We all work together in a very agile environment, so if things need to change, they change by the hour, they change by the minute, Cooper said. We innovate every day. Thats part of our DNA; thats part of our strategy.

Being able to meet hoteliers in person and really dive into the challenges and opportunities they face every day is invaluable, said Nicola Graham, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Cendyn. Its a way for us to pool our knowledge, ideas, and expertise to collaborate and define the way forward for our industry. The Cendyn World Tour has been hugely beneficial, and were excited to continue to evolve these events in 2025 and use the knowledge weve gained to continue making a tangible difference to our hotel clients.

ABOUT CENDYN

Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests; drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions.

Cendyn has over 35,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com

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UKHospitality Advocates for Lower Business Rates in Government Proposal - Image Credit UKHospitality

UKHospitality, a representative body for the hospitality sector, has supported the government's plans to lower business rates permanently. The organization provided evidence to the Public Bill Committee on the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill, asserting that the proposed changes could help level the playing field for high street businesses.

According to the proposals, properties with a rateable value under 500,000 might benefit from a 20p reduction in the pound compared to the small business multiplier. UKHospitality has urged the government to implement such a maximum discount.

However, Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, raised concerns that some hospitality businesses with a rateable value over 500,000 could be subjected to higher business rates, contradicting the policy's intent. These businesses are often significant employers, especially in coastal communities. To rectify this, UKHospitality has proposed two solutions: exclude businesses with a rateable value over 500,000 from the higher multiplier surcharge, or assert that hospitality businesses will have a zero increase on current levels.

The organization claims that these solutions would uphold the reform's intent to correct the long-standing overtaxation of the hospitality sector. According to UKHospitality, the sector has historically paid 10% of business rates while contributing only 3% of eligible turnover, which translates to an overpayment of 2.4 billion annually.

Nicholls expressed optimism that the government would address the oversight of hospitality businesses subjected to higher rates and intend to reduce business rates for all hospitality businesses.
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington Hotel

Ohana Real Estate Investors, an investment firm, has announced their acquisition of Hyatt Regency Lake Washington. This marks the company's first hotel purchase in the Pacific Northwest. The Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, located in Renton, Washington, is a 347-room waterfront hotel close to Seattle.

The location makes it a prime destination for both business and leisure travel. Besides its natural beauty and proximity to Seattle, the hotel offers easy access to Sea-Tac International Airport, downtown Seattle, Bellevue, Mount Rainier National Park, and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. The hotel recently received the AAA Four Diamond and Best of Housekeeping awards.

Eddie Yu, Managing Director of Investments at Ohana, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the hotel's excellent location, high-quality real estate, and commitment to exceptional service. The property features 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, a restaurant, a comprehensive health and wellness suite that includes a 24-hour gym and a full-service spa, and direct access to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park.

Ohana Real Estate Investors is known for its proactive investments in the hospitality and residential sectors. It focuses on credit opportunities and strategic property acquisitions, aiming to enhance value through operational improvements and capital investments.
Rendering of the Kimpton Monterrey Hotel - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

Kimpton, an IHG Hotels & Resorts subsidiary, is set to expand its presence in Mexico with a new hotel and branded residences in Monterrey. This will be Kimpton's sixth property in Mexico. The Kimpton Monterrey is planned to open in 2026 within the Torre Rise, a new mixed-use tower expected to be the tallest in Latin America.

The hotel, owned by Grupo Alora and managed by Marca Hotel Solutions, will include 120 guestrooms and 60 private residences. The expansion reflects IHG's ongoing growth within the branded residences sector. The hotel will offer a wellness center with an indoor pool, sauna, massage treatment rooms, a full-service restaurant, and a lobby lounge on the 16th floor. Other amenities include a 1,244-square-meter space for events and meetings.

Kimpton Monterrey will be situated in a central location, providing easy access to local galleries, shopping destinations, businesses, medical centers, and the skyscraper's amenities, including a sky deck, performance center, elevated park, and luxury retail.

The Monterrey property will join other Kimpton locations in Mexico, including Mexico City's Kimpton Virgilio, Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa in Todos Santos, and Kimpton Aluna Resort in Tulum. Other upcoming openings include Kimpton Tres Rios Riviera Maya, the brand's first-ever all-inclusive resort, and another boutique hotel in Mexico City's Polanco neighborhood. As of September 30, 2024, the Kimpton brand has 78 hotels open globally, with 57 more projects underway.
Image Credit Aleph Hospitality

Dubai-based Aleph Hospitality has announced plans to open four new hotels in Ethiopia. This announcement marks a significant regional expansion for the hospitality management company, which has added 13 new hotels to its portfolio in 2024.

Aleph Hospitality has over 30 hotels in its active development pipeline across the Middle East and Africa. The company's growth has been supported by more than 60% of hotel owners entrusted Aleph Hospitality with managing multiple properties.

The new hotels in Ethiopia include the five-star Elilly International Hotel in Addis Ababa's Kazanchis business district and the four-star Elilly Bishoftu resort, situated on the shores of Bishoftu Guda Lake, currently under construction. In addition, the company will manage two new hotels under development in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, which are set to open in 2026.

Before the pandemic, Ethiopia's tourism sector was a significant contributor to the country's GDP, with international tourist arrivals peaking at over 1.4 million. Despite the challenges of 2020, projections suggest that by 2030, the tourism sector could contribute over USD 5 billion annually to the GDP, with international arrivals exceeding 2 million visitors.

Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, expressed optimism about the company's expansion in Ethiopia and its contribution to the growth of the local tourism sector.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Partners with Ant Foundation to Boost Employment for Rural Women in China - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its corporate commitment to diversity and inclusion by collaborating with the Ant Foundation to support the "Cyber Mulan" Homestay Manager Training Project. The project aims to provide career opportunities to women from rural areas within the hospitality industry.

The training project was officially launched on December 6 at Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Science City. It focuses on providing women from rural areas with training in artificial intelligence and various professional skills. The initiative will also offer internships at participating hotels to provide practical experience, enhance employment opportunities for these women and contribute to rural revitalization.

Rita Jiang, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, IHG Greater China, highlighted the importance of nurturing talent to stimulate rural economies. She emphasized IHG's corporate commitment to social responsibility, fostering workforce diversity, and creating more opportunities for women and underrepresented groups.

Wang Xiaojing, Secretary-General of the Ant Foundation, noted the value of bringing professional skills to women from rural areas who can then share their local love and culture with global visitors. The Ant Foundation aims to continue investing in women's development and seeks further collaborations with like-minded partners.

The "Cyber Mulan" Homestay Manager Training Project, initiated by the Department of Market Management of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the China Foundation for Rural Development, and the Zhejiang Ant Foundation, has made a difference. It offers digital employment opportunities and promotes jobs in the rural cultural tourism sector.

Building on this, IHG and Ant Foundation will also focus on developing women's leadership skills, providing additional training sessions and sharing success stories to inspire rural women to explore their personal growth potential.

IHG remains committed to fostering a diverse, equal, and inclusive corporate culture. In the future, the company plans to continue supporting national development strategies for women and underrepresented groups, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive society.
ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Okinawa Uruma Hills - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan (IHG) has announced a new management agreement with BHR Okinawa Management GK, a subsidiary of Berjaya Land Berhad. This signals a renewal of the partnership between IHG and Berjaya, following their successful collaboration in Vietnam.

The agreement will see the ANA Crowne Plaza brand return to Okinawa with the 123-room ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Okinawa Uruma Hills. The resort will join the IHG system in 2025, and renovations are planned to enhance the Crowne Plaza brand presence.

Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, expressed his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership and its potential for IHG's growth in Japan. He lauded the benefits that the resort will enjoy as part of IHG's international network.

Syed Ali Shahul Hameed, CEO of Berjaya Land Berhad, also highlighted the potential benefits of the partnership and rebranding of the ANSA Okinawa Resort. He emphasized the strategic nature of the move, aiming to unlock new opportunities and improve guest experiences.

The ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Okinawa Uruma Hills is located on the main island of Okinawa, offering beautiful views of the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean. The resort will provide guests with amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, gym, karaoke room, restaurant, bar, meeting space, ballroom and car park. It also offers easy access to local attractions like the Zakimi Gusuku Castle and Onna-son Community Centre.

The resort will be the third IHG hotel in Okinawa, following the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort and ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort. The Crowne Plaza brand has 20 ANA Crowne Plaza hotels and three pipeline properties in Japan, 413 open Crowne Plaza hotels, and 146 in the pipeline globally.
Tobias Emmer - Image Credit Four Seasons Hotels

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi announces the appointment of Tobias Emmer as its new Resort Manager. With more 20 years of experience in the world of luxury hospitality, Tobias brings proven credentials and a dynamic new energy to the island retreat. From Munich and London to Shanghai and Chiang Rai, his globally honed background in guest experience, team development and leadership promises to amplify the Resorts offerings, burnishing the jewel of the Andaman Sea to an even brighter sheen.

Over the years, Ive learned that excellence isnt just about delivering service, its about crafting moments. How do you preserve the unique feeling of a place while elevating the guest experience? How do you strike a balance between luxury, authenticity and connection? Therein lies the magic, he explains.

Born into a family with a passion for hospitality, Tobias inherited the hotel gene from his uncle, a lifelong hotelier. As a teenager, instead of getting paper routes like his friends, he chose to work in a kitchen where he made salads and washed dishes, followed by an apprenticeship program at an acclaimed luxury hotel in Munich. He later graduated with a bachelors degree in tourism, while working in London with the same hotel group.

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Joining Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa in 2015, his talent and perseverance accelerated his rise from Front Office Manager to Director of Rooms. In 2018, he became Resort Manager for the first time, overseeing day-to-day operations at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in serene Chiang Rai, Thailand, before moving to the vibrant Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, where he served as Hotel Manager for the last two and a half years.

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Now, coming to Langkawi feels like a full circle moment for Tobias, who returns to island life with new perspectives and a fresh excitement as he takes charge of all aspects of resort operations.

Langkawi is genuinely special - theres a natural beauty here that you cant help but feel connected to, and Four Seasons stands out with its unique character and deep sense of place. The Resorts drama and style remain true to its island roots, with just the right amount of flair thrown in. And lets be honest, you cant beat that beach! he says, sharing his eagerness to immerse in local rhythms and collaborate with his talented colleagues to showcase the destinations incredible spirit for travellers.

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Mount Greylock School Committee Hears Need for More Teachers

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Things are not adding up for the math department at Mount Greylock Regional School.

And there are at least two other departments that are struggling with numbers, the School Committee learned on Thursday.

Mount Greylock Principal Jacob Schutz outlined for the elected officials the fiscal year 2026 budget request from the School Council, one of three appointed bodies of faculty, staff and community members charged with advocating for the member schools in the regional district.

It's a big ask for a committee that has been making hard choices to contain costs and limit assessments to the member towns of Lanesborough and Williamstown. The middle-high school council is requesting the addition of three full-time teachers in the next fiscal year  one each in the math, wellness and world languages departments.

Those are the three "needs" for Mount Greylock, Schutz told the School Committee. The council also submitted a list of its top three "wants" for the school. That list includes three more FTE positions: a visual arts teacher for the middle school, a behaviorist and a district-wide coordinator of 504 plans, the programs that outline accommodations for students with disabilities.

For teachers, the district has a ballpark course of between $80,000 and $85,000 to cover salary and insurance, depending on a new hire's qualifications, interim Superintendent Joseph Bergeron told the School Committee.

Schutz outlined why the School Council is asking the district to make those investments, all of which would align with the previously presented School Improvement Plan for Mount Greylock.

"We currently have seven math teachers," he said. "We are operating one short compared to two years ago. It's a similar situation to wellness. We absorbed [a position] when one left."

The staffing shortage means the school is unable to offer certain courses ranging from advanced to remedial, Schutz said. Mount Greylock's Advanced Placement math classes have more than 25 students, which is not optimal, and its algebra 1 and accelerated math for seventh graders each have nearly 30 students.

"We have about 10 students taking college level math, whether at Williams, BCC or MCLA," Schutz said. "I know some are doing BC calculus, specifically, as independent studies. We have students enrolling in the AP exam and doing alternative methods of study, but, ideally, it would be great to run a class."

In the wellness department, Mount Greylock is pulling teachers from other departments (English, biology and history) and using its social workers to cover classes.

"Teachers are allowed to teach one class outside their licensure," Schutz said.

"With that, we are unable to run creative writing, film studies and intro to theater."

The ripple effect has also forced larger class sizes in ninth-grade English and biology, not to mention the physical education classes themselves, where the teacher/student ratio has jumped from 1/26 to 1/44 in the middle school and from 1/17 to 1/39 in the ninth grade, Schutz said.

"Both social workers are unavailable one block per day for student sessions or unexpected crises," Schutz said. "Our social workers are being called on so often that we're having subs in those classes more often than not. Their value is working with students in session or taking care of crises and, right now, they're not able to do that as much as we'd like."

The world language department currently has three Spanish teachers and one Latin teacher, Schutz said. Two of the teachers are working on "extended contracts," meaning they are teaching one more class per day than required under the standard contract. That means higher cost than a standard FTE employee and that the school is at risk if the teacher chooses not to continue accepting the extended assignment.

This comes at a time when demand for Spanish is rising.

"Currently, we have 370 students enrolled in world language  312 in Spanish, grade 7 through AP, and 58 in Latin," he said. "In Spanish, it's up 23 percent over the last two years.

"We're looking to reduce our class sizes. The ideal is 15 to 18 [students] for languages. Currently, only six of our 16 Spanish classes meet that ideal."

Middle school Spanish classes, for example, have 25 students.

If anything, the middle-high school should be expanding its world language offerings, Schutz said.

"It's been a goal to offer a heritage course for native speakers  students who already have some oral language proficiency but need to work on listening skills, writing skills, things like that," he said. "We've also been trying to add a cultural survey class."

As for the School Council's "wants," the middle school visual arts teacher has been on the School Committee's radar since at least two years ago when a group of parents lobbied for its inclusion in the FY24 budget. Bergeron said that a new behaviorist would help Mount Greylock implement the restorative justice practices that are a district-wide priority. And a 504 coordinator for the district would handle a caseload of 70 active 504s and four referrals  taking the burden off school counselors and providing better support for teachers who implement the accommodations.

Bergeron told the School Committee that the School Council funding request is the first step for the committee in producing the FY26 budget it will send to both member towns for approval at the spring's annual town meetings.

"In January, we'll be coming back and looking at a potential program of study for Mount Greylock," Bergeron said. "That will undoubtedly include a conversation about what we currently have and, If we were to have an additional staff member in an area, here's what we could do.

"As we work internally on this, we'll do the usual dance of, 'Could we do half of this here and half of that there.' We are a district that has said, 'Can we do a .6 [FTE] of this and a .4 of that, and can we make it work from a schedule perspective and a human being perspective."

Bergeron said the requests from the School Council are the school's perspective on its budget needs. The district office' perspective on a proposed budget comes later.

"It's incredibly valuable to have the staff and families who comprise the School Council, along with the principal, talk about their priorities," Bergeron said. "We see six positions here tonight that, in theory, could be highly valuable positions for the school.

"I don't think, in my wildest dreams, that we're going to add six positions in the next fiscal year."
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A documentary about Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is reportedly already in the works.

The film is being put together by Oscar-winning Taxi to the Dark Side director Alex Gibneys Jigsaw Productions and Anonymous Content, who were behind the Oscar-winning journalism drama Spotlight and the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring The Revenant (both 2015).

Variety reports that the documentary will go beyond a retelling of the high-profile December 4 murder in Manhattan to examine how killers are created, what this killing says about our society and the values we place on who lives and who dies.

Gibney is also currently working on a film about tech mogul and Trump ally Elon Musk, and another documentary based on Salman Rushdies memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.

Over the weekend, Mangione retained Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a high-profile New York attorney, to defend him after he was accused of Thompsons murder.

Mangione is facing a second-degree murder charge in New York as well as firearm charges in Pennsylvania.

Suspect Luigi Mangione is taken into a Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, courthouse on Tuesday. ( (Benjamin B. Braun/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) )

The 26-year-old suspect has been held in a Pennsylvania jail since his arrest last Monday following a six-day manhunt.

Thomas Dickey, an attorney representing Mangione in Pennsylvania, has said that Mangione plans to contest his extradition to New York.

But Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said Friday there are indications he may waive his right to fight extradition.

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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, Bragg said.

The revelation comes as Mangiones supporters continue to donate thousands of dollars for defense funds, with one committee raising almost $125,000 to pay for Mangiones legal bills as of Monday morning.

Thompsons murder has become the centre of a nationwide conversation about the healthcare insurance industry. On Sunday, Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who has campaigned for a national healthcare system, said the UnitedHealthcare CEOs shooting underscores peoples frustration with the industry.

Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats, told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker:What I think has happened in the last few months is that what you have seen rising up is peoples anger at a health insurance industry, which denies people the health care that they desperately need while they make billions and billions of dollars in profit.

In a handwritten note police say they found when Mangione was arrested, the suspect allegedly wrote: Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: the US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy.
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Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse has received a disappointing release update, with the film now not expected until 2026 at the earliest.

The much-anticipated sequel would complete a trilogy that began with 2018s acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and continued with 2023s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

The third instalment was initially slated to be released on March 29, 2024.

However, the film was abruptly removed from Sonys release schedule before that date came and went. Deadline now reports that Sony has no plans to release the film as part of their 2025 release calendar.

In September, Spider-Verse composer Daniel Pemberton weighed in on what he said were inaccurate claims about the majority of the new movie being scrapped.

Reports from Vulture had suggested that production had halted due to conflicts with finishing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Work on the film was further delayed by the 2023 Hollywood strikes, which prevented voice actors from recording their dialogue.

A scene from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ( Sony/Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse )

According to reports by reputable film insider Jeff Sneider, the film was then mostly scrapped and he predicted a new version would be unlikely to be released for the next two to three years. Sneider suggested that Sony had discarded most of the movie for creative reasons and said that the team behind it were relieved by the decision.

Composer Pemberton cast doubt on the veracity of those reports, saying: Dont really ever want to weigh in on this sort of stuff BUT would you ever believe there could sometimes be stuff on the internet that might not always be particularly accurate? Hmmmm

His comments came amid a backdrop of conflicts between Sony and Spider-Verse creators Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The pair had reportedly endured a heated fight over the budget for the spin-off series Spider-Noir, which led to the project not being renewed.

The two existing films have received critical acclaim including an Oscar nomination for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in the Best Animated Feature category.

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In a four-star review for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote: Across the Spider-Verse, much like its predecessor, treats its multiverse premise as a genuine creative challenge. There are cameos, gags, and visual references that draw from every corner and era of Spidey culture.

It sprints right up the border of visual overload but never crosses it, thanks to a lightness of touch applied by its trio of directors, Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K Thompson, and its writers, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and David Callaham. This is, dare I say it, how fan service should be done. Its far easier to overlook the usual nostalgic pandering when its taken a backseat to genuine creativity.
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A dedicated Grinch impersonator from Yorkshire who spends an hour getting into character and eats onions and sugar glass dreams of replacing his hero Jim Carrey in a new blockbuster film.

Ryan Swain, 34, an entertainer and DJ, from Malton, North Yorkshire, was first captivated by the green, Christmas-hating Grinch in his childhood after reading the Dr Seuss book and growing affectionate for the phenomenal character.

The 2000 hit comedy film How The Grinch Stole Christmas also became a love of Ryans, who has been a life-long fan of actor Carrey and found similarities between their mannerisms and zany nature in his personal life.

He said it would be a dream come true to step into the role if a sequel to the blockbuster went into production and Carrey was unavailable.

Last Christmas, Ryan donned the Grinch outfit for the first time during a winter wonderland event in York, finding he could slip into the character very quickly, and this year he has been voluntarily visiting hospitals, care homes and community centres in his furry, viridescent garb  which takes an hour to pull together.

open image in gallery Ryan is an entertainer (Andrew Ball Fp Photography/PA Real Life)

Unlike the character he plays, Ryan loves Christmas and has adorned his home with Grinch-themed decorations much to the delight of his fiancee, Sam Cook, 40, who is expecting a little baby Who in April, and their three young children from previous relationships.

I want to be the most authentic tribute to the Grinch  I want to do Dr Seuss proud, I want to do Jim Carrey proud, Ryan, who also runs a skateboarding school for young people, told PA Real Life.

You dont realise the enormity of the character until you step into his shoes and its so popular with all age groups and all generations.

open image in gallery Ryan and Sam are expecting a little baby Who in April (Collect/PA Real Life)

I try to bring Christmas cheer instead of Christmas sneer.

Ryan said his admiration of the Grinch and Dr Seuss began in his childhood.

The Grinch is a phenomenal character, he said.

When I was younger, I always read the book and Ive always liked the Dr Seuss books, Ive been a fan since I was a little boy.

Hes very clever and I like the fact theyre not just stories, theres poetry involved with it and it captivates peoples imagination and it has done that with me and the Grinch.

Ryan said the 2000 film starring Carrey is his favourite Christmas movie.

Ive always been a massive fan of both Jim Carrey and the Grinch  its definitely top of the list of my favourite Christmas films, he said.

open image in gallery Ryan said it is a gift to bring smiles and laughter to others with his character (Collect/PA Real Life)

If there was ever an opportunity which arose, if they brought out a second film and needed someone for it, Id be very happy to step in and fill that role one day  that would be a dream come true.

In a recent interview with Comicbook.com, Carrey suggested he would be open to reprising the role for a sequel when asked what character he would love the opportunity to play again  but only on the condition changes were made to his costume and make-up, which he said were uncomfortable.

Even though Ryan has been a fan for decades, he only started portraying the Grinch last year when organisers of a winter wonderland event in York were looking for someone to play the character.

Over the years of performing and entertaining, Ive gained quite a reputation of a resemblance to Jim Carrey, he said.

Everyone says I remind them of a younger version of him and I knew how to slip into that character very quickly.

It just took off from there.

This year, Ryan has stepped back into the Grinchs shoes with voluntary visits to hospitals, care homes and community centres  joined and supported by his fiancee, Sam.

open image in gallery The Grinch outside York Hospital (Collect/PA Real Life)

The aim is to try and play the character down a little bit, so hes still very over the top and funny but he comes across very friendly and warm to everybody around him, Ryan said.

Its just about trying to give something back, not just to the community, but to other people who are less fortunate.

At this time of year, I feel like everybody is focused on the cheerful elements of Christmas and I dont think people are necessarily thinking of those who are in a different position.

Theres a lot of sadness around Christmas time, theres a lot of loneliness.

open image in gallery Ryan has been visiting hospitals as the Grinch this year (Collect/PA Real Life)

That character, as grumpy as hes portrayed to be, hes also hilariously funny and he raises a lot of smiles and a lot of laughs.

Ryan feels it is really important to get his portrayal of the Grinch just right  and he takes more than an hour to get into his costume.

It goes from prosthetics, to make-up, to contact lenses, to getting suited up, the costume  its very time-consuming, he said.

open image in gallery Ryans favourite Christmas film is How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Collect/PA Real Life)

I really want to bring this character to life and put my own spin on it, but I really want it to be authentic, where people are like wow.

He said the majority of his jokes and gags are improvised, although he aims to keep his impressions as authentic to the movie as he can.

When Im in character, I usually personalise whats around me  families, people, businesses, he said.

Some of Ryans more extreme gags include chomping down on an onion and breathing in the faces of those around him or eating edible sugar glass to emulate the Grinch.

open image in gallery One of Ryans gags includes chomping down on an onion and breathing in the faces of those around him (CF Photography/PA Real Life)

The character has also crept into Ryans personal life, saying he feels he is also a bit zany with similar mannerisms and quirks.

Its just part of my life, its a way of channelling my energy and the way that I am into something positive, making people laugh and smile, he said.

Ryan and Sam are celebrating in style this Christmas with Grinch-themed decorations including a bending Christmas tree  much to the delight of their children.

Our Christmas decorations at home are all very Grinchy, everything is Grinchy and its all good fun, Ryan said.

Sam comes along to visits with me, she volunteers and gets involved, shes really supportive.

open image in gallery Ryan visits community centres and hospitals voluntarily to spread Christmas cheer (Collect/PA Real Life)

Ryan feels it is a gift to be able to make people smile and laugh with the character.

Im very blessed to be fortunate enough to be able to have that engagement with people, he said.

In this day and age, I think its incredibly hard to engage with people so to be able to go out there and have that effect on people is a nice sensation, its a good feeling.

I dont intend on stopping anytime soon.
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The leader of South Koreas ruling People Power Party has resigned for backing presidentYoon Suk Yeols impeachment over his attempt to impose martial law.

Han Dong Hoon, once a close ally of Mr Yoon, said he was concerned about violence breaking out if martial law hadnt been lifted, and defended his decision as a stance against illegal actions. Martial law in the advanced nation thats South Korea, in 2024. How angry and disappointed must you have all been? he said at a press conference on Monday.

Even though it was done by a president our party produced, being misunderstood as defending illegal martial law that mobilised the military is a betrayal of this great country.

I tried in every possible way to find a better path for this country other than impeachment, but in the end, I could not. Its all because of my shortcomings. Im sorry.

Mr Hans relationship with Mr Yoon started to deteriorate earlier this year when he suggested that the first lady apologise over allegations of accepting a luxury Dior bag.

The rift widened after it was revealed that Mr Yoon had ordered the arrest of Mr Han and other politicians under martial law.

Mr Han then called for Yoons impeachment, describing him as a threat to democracy.

Mr Yoon, meanwhile, failed to appear for questioning in a separate investigation on Sunday, citing the need to finalise his legal defence team.

South Koreas Constitutional Court has started reviewing Mr Yoons impeachment.

A public hearing will take place on 27 December, and the court has up to six months to decide whether to remove Yoon from office.

open image in gallery Protesters celebrate the impeachment of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol ( Getty Images )

The impeachment follows accusations of insurrection, abuse of power, and obstructing rights related to the short-lived martial law.

As a result of the impeachment, Mr Yoons presidential authority was suspended, with prime minister Han Duck Soo taking over as acting president.

The president commands the armed forces, makes treaties, issues pardons, vetoes bills, and appoints officials.

Mr Yoon was impeached on Saturday following a second vote in parliament. The National Assembly passed the motion with a big majority of 204-85. Mr Yoon was suspended from his duties at 7.24pm local time, according to Yonhap news agency.

In response, the president vowed to never give up and urged officials to ensure government stability during what he described as a temporary pause in his presidency.

The acting president said he would do his best to run the government stably after the impeachment of Mr Yoon. My heart is very heavy, he told reporters after parliament approved the impeachment motion.

open image in gallery Protesters celebrate as the parliament votes to impeach South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol ( Getty Images )

Mr Yoon and several senior officials face potential charges of insurrection for imposing martial law. A joint team from the countrys police, defence ministry, and an anti-corruption agency plan to question Mr Yoon on Wednesday.

Attempts to serve a summons at the presidential office and Mr Yoons official residence were rejected by the presidential security service, reports said.

Last Saturday, Mr Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment after most ruling party lawmakers abstained from voting.

But public dissatisfaction has surged in recent weeks, with protests growing in size and Mr Yoons approval ratings sinking.

Early on Monday, South Koreas finance minister, Bank of Korea governor, and top financial regulators convened, pledging continuous monitoring of financial and foreign exchange markets, according to Reuters.

open image in gallery Participants hold signs during a rally calling on the Constitutional Court to dismiss president Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on 15 December 2024. The signs read Immediately arrest ( AP )

The benchmark KOSPI index rose for the fifth consecutive session, reaching its highest level in over two weeks, as authorities committed to stabilising financial markets and analysts pointed to reduced political uncertainty.

Mr Yoons unexpected martial law declaration and the resulting political crisis unsettled markets and raised concerns among South Koreas diplomatic partners about the countrys ability to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.

In one of his first acts as acting president, Mr Han spoke with US president Joe Biden on Sunday, reaffirming South Koreas unwavering commitment to foreign and security policies based on the alliance between the two countries.

South Koreas Hankyoreh Shimbun reported that Mr Yoon is prohibited from visiting the presidential office during the Constitutional Courts review of his impeachment.

While his official duties remain suspended, Mr Yoon can remain at the presidential residence in Hannam, Seoul, and retain office privileges such as the presidential limousine and airplane. He will continue to receive his salary but no compensation for work expenses.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco on Sunday, his family said. He was 73.

Zakir Hussain, one of the worlds most transcendent musicians, passed away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in San Francisco at the age of 73, the family said in a statement.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a severe condition that affects the tissue surrounding the alveoli or air sacs in the lungs. The disease occurs when this lung tissue thickens and stiffens for unknown reasons. Over time, these changes lead to permanent scarring, known as fibrosis, which makes breathing increasingly difficult.

Hussain, son of tabla legend Ustad Allarakha, was a globally celebrated tabla virtuoso.

He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come, the family said.

He is survived by wife Antonia Minnecola, daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi, brothers Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi, and sister Khurshid Aulia.

Ms Aulia told the Press Trust of India that the maestro died very peacefully.

He passed away very peacefully after the ventilation machine was switched off. This was 4pm San Francisco time, she said.

Hussain received several state awards for his contribution to Indian music. He was given the prestigious Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2022 and Padma Vibhushan, Indias second-highest civilian award, in 2023.

He also earned the National Heritage Fellowship in the US in 1999, SFJazzs Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, the Aga Khan Award in 2022 for his unparalleled musical mastery and social impact.

At the 66th Grammy Awards this year, Hussain made history as the first Indian to win three awards in a single night.

Hussain, who started performing at seven, collaborated with Indian legends like Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma. His partnerships with Western artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and George Harrison brought Indian classical music to global prominence, solidifying his role as a cultural ambassador.

Tributes poured in for the late virtuoso as soon as the news of his death was made public. From classical musicians and politicians to movie stars, Hussain was remembered by many Indians who felt bereft after his death.

Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej remembered Hussain for his immense humility, approachable nature.

One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakir ji was known for...being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forced to reckon with themselves, Mr Kej wrote on X.

He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge and always shared and encouraged the entire music community through collaborations and his actions. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be felt for generations. He left us too soon.

Pinarayi Vijayan, chief minister of the southern state of Kerala, called the percussionist a beacon of Indias rich musical heritage and a true custodian of classical traditions.

Ustad Zakir Hussain was instrumental in popularising Indian music across the globe, serving as a beacon of Indias rich musical heritage. A true custodian of classical traditions, his contributions to the arts remain unparalleled. His passing is a monumental loss to culture and humanity. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, Mr Vijayan said.

Film actor Kamal Haasan, 70, wrote on X: Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you.

The Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge called Hussain a cultural ambassador who bridged borders and generations with his mesmerising rhythms.

The Padma Vibhushan tabla maestro and percussionist, gloriously took forward the legacy of his father with exceptional performances and collaborations. His numerous national and international honours are a testament to this, he said.

Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and admirers across the world.

open image in gallery Indian drum maestro Zakir Hussain performs at the Living Dream Concert in New Delhi on 16 February 2009 ( AP2009 )

The US embassy in India wrote on X: Forever in our hearts, Wah Ustaad Wah! We pay our tributes to Ustad Zakir Hussain, a true maestro who touched millions of hearts worldwide with this special video we created with him to celebrate 75 years of the US-India relationship.

Actor and filmmaker Nandita Das wrote on Instagram: Shocked and deeply saddened. An irreplaceable loss. The news feels unreal. It always will. Zakirbhai, you will be missed and how. You went too soon.

Hussain composed the background score for Nandita Dass film Manto.

The actor added: I have been looking through photos from 2017-18, and memories of working with him on the background score of Manto came alive. One phone call and he said yes to the film. We worked in LA, on Zoom, in Mumbai. We argued, we laughed, we talked. I had the privilege of watching, observing and learning from him. I had some unfinished conversations that I was hoping to continue with him someday.

Das added: My heartfelt condolences to everyone who, like me, mourns his loss and will always celebrate him and his art. Ustad Zakir Hussain will live on forever through his unparalleled music and memory of that infectious laugh that lit up our world.
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An infamous house with a dark past has been put on the market for a hefty price.

Located in the Hollywood Hills, the house is where the late Brittany Murphysuddenly died at the age of 32 on December 20, 2009. Murphys husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, was found dead on the property just five months later, with pneumonia and anemia named as his cause of death.

The house has now been put on the market for the first time since 2020, according to a Zillow listing. The property was listed with former Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star David Parnes, who is represented by Carolwood Estates, with the asking price of $17,995,000.

The space is currently listed as off-market on Zillow. The Independent has contacted Parnes for comment.

According to the description, the 9,400 square-foot property was completely renovated and refurbished in 2024. The home is described as a former celebrity haven that combines warm, modern finishes with a layout ideal for both entertaining and everyday life.

The three-floor house has six bedrooms and nine bathrooms, along with a grand dining area surrounded by 12-foot tall windows and a 40-foot infinity pool in the backyard. The house was last sold in December 2020 for $12 million.

open image in gallery The late Brittany Murphy bought the Hollywood Hills house in 2003 ( Getty Images )

The Clueless actor moved into the Hollywood Hills home in 2003, after purchasing the furnished space from pop star Britney Spears. In 2009, she collapsed in the home before she was transported to Sinai Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Murphys death was officially ruled an accident caused by pneumonia, anemia, and multiple drug intoxication. There were several theories about the safety of Murphy and her husbands home following their deaths, including claims of a mold infestation. Although those theories were debunked by deputy Los Angeles County coroner Ed Winter in 2010, Monjacks mother Linda later claimed that her son had severe mold in the house.

All I know is that before Simons death, he was having hallucinations that things were crawling out of his skin, she told the Daily Mail in 2013. He was distraught and he was getting fatter and more bloated. He wasnt someone who took drugs; he was always too fearful.

open image in gallery Brittany Murphys husband died in the house just five months after her death ( Getty Images )

Spears also shared her theories about the infamous Hollywood home, according to her friend and former makeup artist Julianne Kaye. During an episode of Jen Zabroskis We Need to Talk About Britney podcast in 2021, Kaye recounted that Spears had called her about something really weird happening in the house.

I had my friend do reiki healing on her, she explained. He had come up; I guess shed had a crazy partying weekend and needed to relax. He left, and she swears to God that he opened some spirit portal or something, and these bad spirits had come in and they were trying to, like, push her down the stairs or something crazy.

Kaye said that the experience was so bad that Spears allegedly checked into a hotel and never returned to the house.

She goes, I know youre gonna think Im crazy. Im not crazy. I know what I saw. I know what I felt, Kaye added.

One month after Murphys death, her husband told The Hollywood Reporter that she absolutely hated the Rising Glen house.

Every time we would drive up Sunset, Brit would say, Please, can we stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel? he told the outlet in January 2010. Id say, Honey, youve got to be realistic. We have our house, a 10,000-square-foot home. Were going to stay in it.
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Drakes lookalike winner was just crowned in Canada with a hefty cash prize of $10,000.

The 38-year-old rappers lookalike competition was the latest in line following Harry Styles, Glen Powells, and, of course, Timothee Chalamets.

However, Drake decided to join in on the fun, adding a generous donation to the winners pool ahead of the big day.

Yesterday (December 14), eager contestants lined up to participate at Casuals Cakery in Toronto dressed as their most authentic version of the One Dance performer.

From Denim Drake to Boston Drake, several people were hoping to take home the winning check. But in the end, Girl Drake, a woman named Makayla Chambers, was the one to beat all the rest.

Videos online showed Chambers dressed like the Gods Plan performer with two pigtail braids, a painted-on goatee, and a camouflage quarter-zip. The outfit resembled a similar ensemble Drake donned in October.

open image in gallery Girl Drake wins the rappers lookalike contest in Toronto on December 14 ( Instagram/@anthpo )

Anthony Po, the YouTuber responsible for starting the celebrity lookalike contest spree, shared a reel from the Toronto event on Instagram, claiming that the individual dressed in a bulletproof vest, just like Drakes known to wear at his concerts, shouldve won.

open image in gallery YouTuber Anthony Po shares image of Drake contestant he believes shouldve won the competition ( Instagram/@anthpo )

The Hotline Bling vocalist reposted videos on his social media page, complimenting everyone and his hometown. I love this city, he wrote.

Before the competition, Drake messaged Casuals Cakery to let them know he wanted to contribute $10,000 to the prize fund.

Im adding 10 band to the lookalike contest as the main prize, he said to which the bakery replied: Just give me a min to stop hyperventilating this moment. I cant believe this is your account and you know about this, omg.

Next to a screenshot of their messages, the bakery wrote: I can barely type and a whole shock went through my body. But yes this is true and real & I hope the Drake doppelgangers ready LETSSSSSSSS GOOOOOOO. You think ur gonna win $10 bands.

open image in gallery Miles Mitchell won the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest in New York City

Timothee Chalamets lookalike competition from October spurred a cultural trend thats gone global now.

On October 27, more than 2,000 attendees gathered in New York Citys Washington Square Park to find out which person out of the 30 contestants would take home a life-size check for $50.

After a brief interruption by local authorities that saw Po get hit with a $500 fine for hosting an unregistered event at the park, a gentleman named Miles Mitchell was voted the winner. Mitchell was dressed in a Wonka costume, purple cape and all.
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Jason Kelce is the latest public figure to inspire a viral lookalike contest.

On Saturday (December 14) Philadelphia residents gathered in Rittenhouse Square to find who looked most like the retired Philadelphia Eagles player. The event was hosted by a comedian known as @lexaprotagnist on Instagram.

The user made a post advertising the event on December 13 as they thanked various organizations for helping with spreading the word. Thank you to @crossingbroad @phillyinquirer for your early support of the event, read the caption of the post.

Thank you @claireegill and @noahwoodtheman of @campcrushcomedy for helping me connect the digital comedy world with the physical world. And shout out to @birdgangspirits spirits Philadelphia for throwing us some goodies to give away. PHILLAAAAAAY. LETS ROCK.

The contestants showed up to the event wearing Kelces signature outfits such as an Eagles Kelly green tracksuit, flip-flops, and beanies all with a full beard.

The host of the contest also posted a video from the event, showing off all the variations of Kelce including one that recreated the ESPN host topless while celebrating at a Buffalo Bills game last year. To show off their outfits, all of the men were walking down a Kelly green carpet.

The winner of the contest received a cash prize ( Instagram/@lexaprotagnist )

Others carried around a case of Garage Beer, which is a brand that Kelce co-owns. One contestant, named Paul Crossley, who carried the beer went on to win the contest.

Very tough competition. You know, a lot of guys looked exactly like me, to be honest out here, he told a local NBC outlet. It was kind of freaky. But, everyone came up and had a good time and here we are. We all pulled together, all of us Jasons and they were great. They were great competitors.

A few days before the contest, Kelces wife, Kylie spoke about the event during an episode of her Not Gonna Lie podcast. I cant wait to see who wins, she said at the time.

She even went on to provide some tips for what the contestants should wear in order to look as much like the New Heights podcast host as possible. Kylie suggested that people wear a heavy sweater, that has some type of design on it.

The mother of three girls also mentioned that velour tracksuits were a good outfit option, specifically one that has the Italian flag on it.

Celebrity lookalike contests first started to gain popularity following the Timothee Chalamet competition in New York City in October.

The event saw more than 2,000 attendees gather at Washington Square Park to watch approximately 30 people dressed in their best Chalamet attire compete for a $50 cash prize. Some even dressed in costume as some of Chalamets most iconic movie characters like Willy Wonka.

The contest, hosted by YouTuber Anthony Po, was moved to Mercer Park after law enforcement intervened and dispersed the unauthorisedgathering.

Chalamet himself even made an appearance as a video on X (formerly Twitter) showed him walking through the crowd and pausing for photos with fans.

There was also a Jeremy Allen White lookalike contest in Chicago in November with advertisements claiming that the winner would receive a $50 cash prize plus some cigarettes.
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Selling Sunset star Bre Tiesi has clarified the status of her relationship with Nick Cannon in response to mounting speculation.

Tiesi, who joined the Netflix series in 2022 as one of the real estate agents working at the luxury Hollywood Hills brokerage, The Oppenheim Group, shares a son named Legendary Love with Cannon.

In a recent episode of the Wednesdays podcast with Sophie Habboo, Tiesi clarified that she and the Wild n Out host are very much together but said he is also involved with other partners.

Tiesis choice to parent with Cannon  who is father to 11 more children with different women  was a cause of disagreements between Selling Sunset cast members in recent episodes of the series. In several episodes, Tiesi was forced to defend her lifestyle choices when she sensed judgement from other brokers on the team.

Id like to be very clear. We dont co-parent, we are very much together, said Tiesi. And thats why people are confused. Me and my partner have been on and off for years.

Basically, he has other partners, and were just open and happy and thats our thing... People call it all kinds of s***. I call it, I do what I want to do.

Tiesi went on to say she doesnt want a conventional relationship and added that shes not a jealous person.

She continued: I dont want a full, live-in person Im responsible for. Like, Im responsible for my child. I feel like this is probably  which is so crazy  the healthiest relationship Ive ever had. We never fight, we never have any toxicity, we dont argue, nothing.

open image in gallery Tiesi pictured with Legendary Love Cannon in September ( Getty Images for Rookie Kids Fas )

Tiesi praised Cannon for his involvement in their two-year-old sons lives, calling him the best dad.

The people he doesnt deal with dont necessarily want or need him around, but I feel like anyone that chooses that or wants that, hes happy to do that. He obviously understands the situation that were in, so hes really good at doing just what makes everybody happy, she said.

In January 2022, Cannon announced that they were expecting their first child together.

Cannon first became a father when he and his ex-wife Mariah Carey welcomed their twins Moroccan and Monroe, in 2011.

open image in gallery Cannon and Tiesi pictured together in 2023 ( Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows )

He welcomed his most recent child, daughter Halo Marie Cannon with Alyssa Scott, in December 2022.

He is also dad to sons Golden, seven, and Rise, two, and daughter Powerful, three, with Brittany Bell. He shares twins Zion and Zillion, three, and daughter Beautiful, two, with Abby De La Rosa, and a daughter Onyx, two, with LaNisha Cole.

Cannon has often spoken about the joys of having a big family, though it comes with its challenges. He previously told People that his goal in life is to provide for his children.

I understand that my lifestyle isnt typical to society and can be viewed as unorthodox in some ways. But my goal in life is just to love my kids and be there for my kids and provide for them, he said.

Last year, it was reported that Cannon pays $3m annually in child support, though Cannon revealed he actually pays a lot more.
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One husband admitted he cant stand when his wife eats his favorite snack.

In a recent submission in Reddits Am I The A**hole forum, the candid man confessed his wife has been eating his persimmons, and hes not happy about it.

For context, the Reddit writer explained how his wife adores Fuyu persimmons while hes more of a Hachiya guy. She also prefers her fruit to be firm, but he likes it when the persimmon resembles pudding.

So I leave mine to ripen, which can take days to weeks sometimes. Neither of us likes the others style much, he continued.

In the past, their individual preferences have worked out where neither of them goes for the others choice. Recently, this hasnt been the case.

This week, we got a bunch of each at the farmers market. I left mine be in a basket in the corner of the kitchen, he said. She ate all of hers by midweek, and I got her more at the market, and she ate those too.

I just started eating mine today and offered her a bite, the Redditor continued. She said, No, Ill get my own. And I said, No way, those are mine.

According to the husband, hed been saving his persimmons, waiting for them to turn mushy because thats what he likes. And while his wife doesnt usually eat hers that way, she still wanted to eat his.

She got upset at this and said this has been my thing our whole marriage, he wrote. I designate food as mine. All food should be anyones to eat if that person wants it at that moment, she says.

The Reddit writer admitted he disagreed with this principle of hers. I live my life leaving her what is hers, whether its half of the leftovers or half a piece of cake or whatever, he explained.

I dont just eat things. I consider her. And I do my best to make sure she has what she likes around.

Whats more, the Redditor claimed the times hes eaten his wifes designated food, shes gotten upset with him.

Questioning whether he was in the wrong for keeping some fruit to himself, the husband asked Reddit readers for their opinion, sparking widespread debate on sharing food in marriages.

One harsh reader commented: If my husband buys something specifically for himself and asks me not to touch it, I dont because Im not a selfish little gremlin.

I buy stuff specifically for my husband and just dont touch it unless he offers, a second agreed.

Another person wrote: I do think your wife is being a little childish. She is expecting you to share all of your food while she shares none of her own.

She doesnt get to be fruit queen, a reader remarked before suggesting: I would start eating her fruit until she screams, bring up this situation you tried to solve, and then make a formal agreement on how it works going forward.

One individual argued: People should be able to eat food thats available. But if I know my partner really likes a particular food and got it for himself, Im gonna ask before I take some!
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When Sydney Sweeney  a celebrity so famous for being objectively gorgeous that shes had entire SNL skits dedicated to her hourglass figure  isnt deemed physically attractive enough to pass muster, it really makes you wonder what chance there is for the rest of womankind. This is a person so hot that right-wing pundits memorably, if inexplicably, argued that her breasts spelt the death of woke. And even shes not good enough? Clearly, were all playing a losing game here.

The White Lotus actor unwittingly sparked some internet discourse this week by having the gall to walk around in a bikini with no makeup on, her hair pulled back in a casual ponytail. They werent the most flattering photos ever taken of Sweeney: she wasnt posing for a start, her lilac two-piece was more functional than showstopper, and her hair and face werent coiffed and glammed to the nines respectively. Its unclear why they would be though, given that Sweeney was simply chilling out and sunbathing at her own home in the Florida Keys, rather than attending a red carpet event. The candid snaps appear to have been taken by a paparazzo without Sweeneys consent when she was on her property  shed probably made the reasonable yet mistaken assumption that she could relax and just be for a change, instead of having to perform for the male gaze.

Regardless, for a certain toxic element of the manosphere, her laidback appearance was tantamount to committing a capital offence.

Men were so quick to crow over her so-called fall from grace, in fact, that it was as if theyd been just waiting for the opportunity  vultures circling overhead, primed to pounce the second they scented weakness on the air. Sweeney was mid they claimed; she was fat; most heinously of all, she had been catfishing unsuspecting members of the opposite sex for years, tricking them into lusting after her by putting on lipstick and low-cut dresses and getting her hair professionally done for movie premieres. But now, they could all see the truth  she was just like every other sickening human woman out there. Imperfect. Flawed. Normal, whatever that means.

All women are catfishes. The question is, to what degree, tweeted one social media user alongside the photos. Another self-proclaimed incel posted a bikini pic next to a photo of Sweeney in full makeup and a red, off-the-shoulder dress as if presenting some kind of gotcha moment, with the caption: This should be illegal. This is what causes misogyny. Heres me thinking that misogyny was rooted in a deeply unequal patriarchal hierarchy in which women have been subjugated and thought of as less than for millennia  turns out it was Sydney Sweeneys fault all along for wearing eyeliner on occasion. Who knew?

Sydney Sweeney has been accused of catfishing by men who dont understand how makeup works ( Getty )

Honestly, my immediate thought upon seeing the dressed-down version of Sweeney was: Ah man, even when shes not making an effort, she looks good! Many other women shared similar sentiments, revealing that they hadnt even been able to work out what was wrong with the latest images. What part of these photos of Sydney Sweeney in a swimsuit is catfish to you. Like are you saying this is not a beautiful woman??? asked one person incredulously. Its hard to fathom how someone could make the leap from a woman appearing slightly more done when theyve spent an hour getting ready to a 52-year-old man living in his parents basement pretending to be a teenage beach volleyball player online, but here we are. As one woman put it, Men complaining that Sidney [sic] Sweeney is a catfish seeing her out of makeup and dressed down are literally just telling on themselves, admitting they have never touched a woman in their lives.

Sweeney herself even got involved, responding to trolls by showing a selection of comments calling her frumpy, ugly and tubby on Instagram, before cutting to a video of her working out hard at the gym in preparation for her next big role  starring as famed female boxer Christy Martin in a forthcoming biopic. It was perhaps the perfect response, showing a dark and nasty corner of the internet that, try as they might, they couldnt tear her down (and that she could probably beat them to a pulp if need be).

Clearly, the discourse is ridiculous. Clearly, none of the insults levelled at Sweeney are even vaguely true. And yet, all this latest nonsense proves is that it really doesnt matter what you look like. None of us will ever be good enough to appease men who hate women  because they want us to fail. And when we commit the cardinal sin of being real and human, rather than simply an object to be admired well, thats the biggest failure of all.
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The world's nations keep faltering in their efforts to join together to save the planet from several environmental crises.

In the past few months United Nations-sponsored negotiations to tackle climate change, plastic pollution, loss of global species and a growing number of deserts have either outright failed or come out with limited outcomes that didn't address the scale of the problems. It's been three years since activist Greta Thunberg dismissed global talks as blah-blah-blah, which became a rallying cry for young environmentalists.

If you are not feeling some kind of grief about whats going on, youre obviously not understanding whats going on," said climate negotiations veteran analyst Alden Meyer of the European think-tank E3G. He said he's been watching humanity collectively fail as a species.

The Associated Press interviewed more than 20 experts and they called multilateral environmentalism broken because of a cumbersome consensus process, the power of the fossil fuel industry, geopolitical changes and the massive size of the problems they are trying to fix.

Progress is being made, especially on climate change, but it's too little, too slow and in stutter steps, United Nations officials and others said.

Is it frustrating? Yes. Is it difficult? Yes, said United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen. But it is the only way in which smaller and poorer nations get a seat at the table with powerful rich countries, she said. I wouldnt classify it as an outright failure.

Failed meetings

It's a far cry from the hopeful days of 1987 when the world adopted a treaty that is now reversing the dangerous loss of stratospheric ozone by banning certain chemicals. That was followed by a 1992 Earth summit that set up a United Nations system for negotiating environmental problems, especially climate change called Conference of Parties or COPs. A flurry of these conferences in a row fell relatively flat.

The biodiversity COP in Cali, Colombia in October ran out of time, ending with no big agreement except to recognize Indigenous people's efforts. November's climate change COP in Baku, Azerbaijan, on paper reached its key goal of increasing finance for poor nations to cope with warming, but the limited amount left developing nations upset and analysts saying it wasn't nearly enough. A plastics pollution meeting in Busan, South Korea, the next week got many nations saying they wanted to do something, but didn't in the end. And the conference on desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia also failed to reach an agreement on how to deal with drought.

We can sum up all these four multilateral meetings of 2024 that we are still failing, said Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

Nine years ago, when more than 190 nations came together to adopt the historic Paris agreement, countries had a mindset that realized a healthy planet benefitted every one, but we've lost track of that, said former U.N. climate secretary Christiana Figueres, who shepherded that deal. Were now entering as though we were gladiators in the Colosseum with an attitude of fighting and confrontation. And that mindset is not very productive.

A broken system

Panama lead negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey was part of all four meetings and said the entire system is fundamentally broken.

It feels like we have lost our way, not only as countries and governments, but as humanity. It feels like we no longer care for each other," Monterrey said from the desert meeting in Riyadh.

Monterrey said he thinks countries like his are going to have fight environmental problems on their own or with just small groups of nations. Others are embracing the idea of  climate clubs  which is a group of countries working together, but not quite the whole world.

We need to find alternative pathways, Harjeet Singh, of the Fossil Fuels Non Proliferation Treaty said, pointing to a climate case before the International Court of Justice. Figueres said one group of lawyers has filed 140 climate change-oriented legal actions in courts across the world.

The U.N. system is the worst system except for all the others. They dont have another, former Ireland President Mary Robinson, a member of the advocacy group The Elders, told The Associated Press.

But former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said: "We can't keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Problems with consensus

Thirty years ago when the climate conferences started there was debate over how decisions should be adopted.

A prominent fossil fuel industry lobbyist and Saudi Arabia pushed hard to kill the idea of majority or supermajority vote and instead adopt the idea of consensus so that every country more or less had to be on board, said climate negotiations historian Joanna Depledge at Cambridge University in England.

Through that they managed to stymie, to weaken the negotiations, Depledge said.

These nature of consensus is we end up moving at the pace of the slowest, said PowerShift Africa's Mohamed Adow.

Gore, Depledge and others are advocating for new rules to make COP decisions by supermajority rule, not consensus. But past efforts have failed.

Multilateralism isnt dead, but it is being held hostage by a very small number of countries trying to prevent progress, Gore said. "Theres no greater example of this than the way that the fossil fuel industry has hijacked policymaking at all levels.''

For 27 years, climate negotiations agreements never specifically mentioned fossil fuels as the cause of global warming, nor called for their elimination. Then after sharp fights last year in Dubai, it called for a transition away from fossil fuels.

A changing world

Part of the problem is that in the 1980s there were two superpower nations and they had enough common interest among themselves to knock heads together and to make something happen, said Princeton University climate scientist and international affairs professor Michael Oppenheimer.

Now, the world is much more fractured and power is much more diversified, Depledge said. "Everybody is shouting with their own national circumstances.

But at the same time, those shouting nations  and businesses and the economy in general  are doing much more at home to fight climate change regardless of what's done at COPs, Figueres said.

Former top U.S. negotiator Jonathan Pershing, now environment program director at the Hewlett Foundation, points to the long arc of enormous progress made. (The Associated Press receives support for climate coverage from Hewlett).

U.N. Climate Secretary Simon Stiell told AP, Lets not forget that without U.N.-convened global cooperation, we would be headed for up to 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) of global heating (above pre-industrial levels)  a death sentence for most of humanity.

All the experts told The AP that they still have hope  either because of or despite what's happened so far.

"To be hopeless is to give up on the lives of people today, said climate activist Mitzi Jonelle Tan. To be hopeless is to give up on my family, on our experiences here. To give up is to give up life.

___

Follow Seth Borenstein and Sibi Arasu on X at @borenbears and @sibi123

___

Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment

___

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.
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A northern Virginia man targeted by an FBI sting operation has been convicted on terrorism charges for collecting funds on behalf of the Islamic State group.

Mohammed Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, was convicted late Friday afternoon on all five counts against him, including providing material support to a terrorist organization, after a weeklong trial at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria. The jury deliberated for about three hours.

Prosecutors said Chhipa met several times with an undercover FBI operative who gave him hundreds of dollars on multiple occasions in 2021 and 2022, earmarked for a Syrian woman and Islamic State group member known as Umm Dujanah.

Prosecutors alleged that bank records showed that Chhipa sent more than $74,000 to the Islamic State group in a similar fashion  collecting donations personally from supporters, converting the cash into bitcoin and sending it to bank accounts in Turkey for use by the group.

Chhipa was particularly interested in sending funds to help women from the Islamic State group escape prison camps to which they had been sent after the terrorist group was routed from territory it held in Iraq and Syria, prosecutors said in the trial's opening statements.

Chhipa's lawyers had argued that their client was a target of relentless investigation by the FBI, and played on his clear desire to find a wife by using undercover operatives who, among other ruses, pretended to be marriage brokers or even a willing bride.

The FBI investigated Mohammed Chhipa for 10 years and came up with nothing. Nothing. So, after a decade of bearing no fruit, the FBI decided to create the crime themselves, defense attorney Jessica Carmichael said during Friday's closing arguments.

Chhipa has said in court papers that he is now married to Allison Fluke-Ekren, an American from Kansas who is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Fluke-Ekren pleaded guilty last year to organizing and leading the Khatiba Nusaybah, a battalion in the Islamic State group in which roughly 100 women and girls learned how to use automatic weapons and detonate grenades and suicide belts.

Prosecutors, though, say that the marriage was conducted online and has no legal status in the U.S. They said Chhipa, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from India, has been trying to adopt Fluke-Ekrens children.

Chhipa will be sentenced in May.
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A man who spent more than 20 years behind bars before he was exonerated of robbing a Memphis music club is suing the city and 10 police officers, alleging they made up evidence that led to his wrongful conviction and a lengthy prison sentence.

The federal lawsuit filed Thursday by Artis Whitehead, 61, says Memphis Police Department officers fabricated evidence that led to charges of armed robbery and kidnapping in the 2002 robbery of B.B. King's Blues Club on Beale Street.

Whitehead, who is Black, was tried, convicted and sentenced in 2003 to 249 years in prison. But Whitehead's conviction and sentence were thrown out in December 2023 and he was released from prison. A Memphis judge determined that no physical evidence connected Whitehead to the robbery and that police fabricated information about the crime, including false identifications of Whitehead by club employees who had been held hostage and robbed.

The fake evidence included an anonymous tip made by phone against Whitehead by a man detained for two different armed robberies, the lawsuit says. It claims the man who made the call was coerced by officers working the case.

The lawsuit names as defendants the city of Memphis and officers involved in the investigation. It seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages for loss of liberty, great mental anguish, humiliation, degradation, physical and emotional pain and suffering.

During a news conference Monday, Whitehead said there is "no price tag for what he and his family have experienced. Whitehead, who currently lives in Nashville and works two jobs, said he missed valuable time with his children and is in the process of re-establishing relations with them.

The Memphis Police Department declined comment. The city of Memphis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On May 9, 2002, a robber entered B.B. Kings and unsuccessfully tried to access the club's safe. The robber held five people hostage in the basement office, tying their hands and feet. One of the hostages was wounded when he was shot trying to take a gun from the robber, who took some of their money and jewelry before fleeing.

Despite dozens of leads, officers ignored evidence, such as the correct description of the robber, and eliminated leads on suspects without justification, the lawsuit claims. Officers agreed to coerce a man suspected in other robberies into helping them fabricate an identification falsely implicating Mr. Whitehead by paying him and giving him an officer's cell phone to call in an anonymous tip.

Defendants became desperate to pin the crime on someone in the face of mounting public and business community pressure, the lawsuit said.

Whitehead's lawyers argued, among other things, that the actual robber was short and slim, while Whitehead was 6 feet tall and muscular. The judge who tossed out the conviction said there was no proof presented at trial that Whitehead had ever been to Beale Street or B.B. Kings or that he was familiar with the building.

The lawsuit was filed days after the U.S. Department of Justice released results of a monthslong investigation into the Memphis Police Department that was initiated after the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols by five police officers who were fired and charged in federal and state court.

The investigation found that Memphis officers regularly use excessive force and discriminate against Black residents of the majority-Black city.

"Mr. Whiteheads wrongful conviction is not an isolated occurrence," the lawsuit said. Rather, his odyssey through the criminal legal system was instigated by a Memphis Police Department that has and continues to devalue the lives of people of color.
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Chinas economy logged a mixed performance in November, the monthly government update said Monday, with retail sales slowing as consumers held back on spending on non-essentials like cosmetics, alcohol and clothing.

Officials said the economy was generally stable with positive signs including a slight improvement in the property sector.

However, we must also see that the external environment is more complicated, domestic demand is insufficient, some enterprises are facing difficulties in production and operation, and the foundation for the sustained recovery of the economy still needs to be consolidated, Fu Linghui, a spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics told reporters.

The report came days after top leaders ended an annual planning meeting that produced no major new policy initiatives as Beijing braces for potential tariff hikes once U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Retail sales rose 3% from a year earlier, down from a 4.8% increase in October and from the 3.5% annual rate in January-November.

Factory output rose 5.4%, nearly flat compared with the previous month, while investment in fixed assets like factories slowed.

Overall, property prices fell and home sales also declined in most cities, the report said, as China endures a downturn in its real estate market after regulators cracked down on excessive borrowing by developers that plunged the whole industry into crisis.

The disruptions to jobs and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic have further weighed on the world's second-largest economy.

A closer look at the numbers released Monday showed sharp increases in some categories of consumer spending last month, especially appliances and vehicles that are subject to government rebates as part of a cash-for-clunkers and other programs meant to get people to replace older appliances and cars with newer ones.

The report said auto sales rose 6.6% in November over a year earlier, but have fallen 0.7% year-on-year so far this year. Sales of appliances jumped more than 22%, and have climbed 9.6% so far this year.

However, sales of cosmetics, alcohol and other beverages, jewelry and clothing all fell in November.

Chinese leaders pledged to take a more proactive approach in pepping up the economy after their two-day planning meeting last week, but gave no details on stimulus measures.

Fu told reporters the government expects the economy to meet the target for about 5% annual growth this year.

Markets in China had climbed on renewed hopes for a stronger dose of stimulus to help the counter weak consumer spending that has kept the economy growing this year at a rate slightly slower than the governments official target of about 5%.

On Monday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.6% while the Shanghai Composite index was little changed. The Hang Seng property index fell 1.2%.
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Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a 4,000-year-old massacre in Somerset, revealing the brutal slaughter and probable cannibalism of people in what is now believed to the bloodiest known act of violence in British prehistory.

The remains, first discovered by cavers in the 1970s at a site in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, were recently analysed in a study that uncovered shocking details of the attack.

Victims were bludgeoned to death, their bodies dismembered and butchered and some appear to have been eatenlikely as part of a ritual to dehumanise them and send a message by insulting the remains, according to Professor Rick Schulting of Oxford University.

Around 3,000 fragments of bones found at a cave system called Charterhouse Warren, near Cheddar Gorge, show that at least 37 men, women and children were killed at some point between 2200BC and 2000BC, with their bodies thrown into a deep natural shaft.

Given that villages in early Bronze Age Britain had between 50 and 100 residents, experts believe this might have amounted to the eradication of nearly a whole community.

open image in gallery Evidence of injuries on the bones ( Cambridge University Press/Antiquity Publications Ltd )

Many of the victims skulls were shattered by the blows that killed them, and leg and arm bones had been cut away after death to extract the bone marrow, said Prof Schulting, lead author of the study. Evidence of chewing marks on hand and foot bones points to human cannibalism. Nothing on this scale of violence has previously been documented in British prehistory, Prof Schulting said.

He continued: For the early Bronze Age in Britain, we have very little evidence for violence. Our understanding of the period is mostly focused on trade and exchange: how people made pottery, how they farmed, how they buried their dead. There have been no real discussions of warfare or large-scale violence in that period, purely through lack of evidence.

The massacre likely stemmed from a breakdown of relationships or an act of revenge that spiralled out of control, Prof Schulting said, saying that literally chopping someone into pieces, seems like something you would only do if fueled by anger, fear, and resentment.

The victims, including many children, appear to have been taken by surprise, as there is no evidence of resistance or fighting back. Scrape and cut marks on the bones suggest the attackers used stone tools to dismember the bodies and the remains were then thrown into the shaft.

Before this discovery, only about 10 examples of violent deaths had been identified from the period. Weapons and fortifications, hallmarks of defensive conflict, are also rare in the archaeological record from this time.

Prof Schulting continued: This is not a homicidal maniac. This is a community of people that came together to do this to another community.

But he cautions against viewing the past as particularly savage and bloody compared to modern experiences of violence. Saying: I hope it gives us insights into human nature that extend beyond just the Bronze Age,

The research is published in Antiquity.
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A UK-based war monitor says Israeli airstrikes early Monday hit missile warehouses in Syria and called it the most violent strikes since 2012.

Israel has been pounding what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of President Bashar Assads rule, wiping out air defenses and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army. Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.

The Assad familys rule, which lasted more than half a century, collapsed just over a week ago following a stunning rebel advance. This has renewed fears of regional instability as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza shows no signs of halting and hostilities between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah continue despite a ceasefire.

The new Syrian administration, led by the former insurgents who toppled Assad, has complained to the U.N. Security Council about the Israeli bombardment and incursions into Syrian territory in the Golan Heights. However, it has also said it does not want a military confrontation with Israel.

Here is the latest:

War monitor says Israel targets missile warehouses

DAMASCUS, Syria  The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported early Monday that Israeli airstrikes pounded missile warehouses and other former Syrian army sites along Syrias coast in the most violent strikes in the Syrian coast region since the beginning of the (Israeli) strikes in 2012.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the strikes.

The observatory said that violent explosions were heard in the coastal city of Tartous as a result of the successive strikes and the flying of ground-to-ground missiles from the warehouses.
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A woman killed in a truly shocking triple shooting outside a Harlesden church has been named and revealed to be among mourners at a wake as another victim fights for his life.

Michelle Sadio, 46, was named by police on Monday as the woman shot dead in the heinous act of violence, which also left two men injured, as a murder investigation was launched.

Local residents told of seeing bodies on the ground and hearing crying and screaming amid the pandemonium on Gifford Road in Brent, north-west London, on Saturday night.

open image in gallery Michelle Sadio, 46, has been named as the victim of a triple shooting in Harlesden on Saturday night ( Met Police )

Pastor Lawrence Larbie, head of the the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, said there was a wake going on inside the church at the time of the evil fatal shooting, with the victims being among the mourners who had come to attend.

The wake was due to end just before 10pm, but at around 9.15pm, he said people began running into the building saying theres been a shooting, theres been a shooting, as it is believed gunshots were fired at the gathering from inside a passing car.

Mr Larbie told MyLondon: The whole place was surrounded by police. One person shot in the back, we heard. People tended to them before the ambulance arrived. The car just drove through.

The victims were people attending the wake. They were probably on their way home.

Its shocking. We are really devastated. You are invited to attend the wake and you end up deceased. Youre killed. Youre gone. Youre life is expired just like that.

open image in gallery A police tent at the scene on Gifford Road in Brent ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire )

It was pandemonium in the building. They came with very deadly, evil intentions to cause death.

We are just praying for peace on our streets and people should not be afraid. We pray they will apprehend them.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene at around 9.15pm.

A woman, aged in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Formal identification has not taken place, but the force said they are confident the victim is Ms Sadio.

Two men, both aged in their 30s were also injured in the attack. One is in hospital in a critical condition, while the second mans injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

open image in gallery Seven officers and a team from the Mets forensic services crime scene investigation unit were at the scene on Sunday ( PA Wire )

A neighbour, who on lives on Gifford Road, said they heard crying and screaming as people ran out of the church to tend to the victims.

The neighbour said: We heard the shooting sound and we thought it was fireworks, we didnt expect there would be a gun here.

People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.

Another resident of Gifford Road said: My daughter came though the door 10 minutes before it happened.

My son thought there were fireworks, then I heard my neighbour screaming and I realised there was a shooting.

open image in gallery Road closures remained in place on Monday ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire )

Its crazy, its sad. Its scary, it does not feel safe.

Ive lived here since 2008 and Ive never heard anything like this before.

A resident of Creukhorne Road said they heard five gun shots in a row on Saturday night.

Seven officers and a team from the Mets forensic services crime scene investigation unit were at the scene on Sunday.

Road closures remained in place on Monday.

open image in gallery There have been no arrests and the investigation into the fatal shooting continues ( PA Wire )

There have been no arrests and the investigation into the fatal shooting continues.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit, which covers Brent, said: This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or X @MetCC, quoting CAD7137/14Dec. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Lucy Letby is Britains most prolific child killer of the modern era. Surely someone fitting that bill must be a psychopath. After all, what other name would you give to someone who has murdered seven babies?

During the research for our book, we spoke to a consultant forensic psychiatrist who has assessed and treated mentally disordered offenders in the North of England, including several who have been convicted of murder and manslaughter. Dr Michael Crawford hasnt been involved in the Lucy Letby case, and without being able to assess her in person he is unable to make a clinical diagnosis.

However, like anybody else, Dr Crawford has been able to look at the information in the public domain, including Letbys text messages and other material from the trial. Theres a common assumption that serial killers are psychopaths  manipulative, lacking in empathy, and with no regard for the consequences of their actions.

But Dr Crawford believes that doesnt ring true here: She doesnt seem psychopathic to me. She appears more like an inadequate woman whos living a very empty life that has this real need for fulfilment.

Professor Mark Freestone agrees that Letby doesnt display symptoms of psychopathy. An expert on forensic mental health, hes worked in prisons and the NHS with some of the UKs most notorious and high-risk criminals. He points out that psychopathy is not as well understood in women as it is in men but says the associated antisocial behaviours are things that just dont occur in women with anything like the same kind of frequency.

He says, Psychopaths are inherently quite chaotic. They dont do normal. They dont make bedrooms look nice so they can live there. Everything is temporary, theyre usually quite promiscuous sexually. Theyre pathological liars who dont lie constructively. Theres pretty good evidence that there is a neurological problem in people with a diagnostic psychopathy ... I just dont get any of that from Letby at all.

Not all psychopaths are criminals, and not all serial killers are psychopaths. But if psychopathy isnt at play, mustnt there be another psychiatric explanation for serial murder? Not always. Its hard to get much further without considering another famous case involving a medical serial killer.

Harold Shipman is the most prolific British serial killer of our times  murdering hundreds of his patients. Dame Janet Smith, who chaired the government-commissioned Shipman Inquiry, produced six reports into the doctors crimes. She asked four forensic psychiatrists to offer their opinions and advice on his likely state of mind. Unable to examine him in person, they made their assessments based on documentary evidence, including his medical and prison records. Dame Janet reported that They did their best to consider possible explanations for Shipmans conduct but, with the materials available, were unable to reach any conclusions.

open image in gallery Letby being questioned by detectives following her arrest in July 2018 ( Getty )

The Lucy Letby case seems to take us to much the same place: multiple convictions for heinous crimes and no obvious psychiatric theory to explain them. And yet, that doesnt mean there isnt such an explanation.

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is another theory thats been floated to make sense of Letbys mental condition. BPD is a disorder of mood and how a person interacts with others. Emotionless reactions are one red flag for the condition. This does chime with what we witnessed of Letby in court over the course of both trials. Her demeanour was studiedly blank. Her frumpy clothes in muted colours, drab hair and blank expression all seemed designed to deflect interest and say nothing.

Julia Quenzler and Elizabeth Cook each have more than 30 years of experience drawing some of the most famous trials  and infamous defendants  in British legal history. Quenzler remembers that Beverley Allitt had been animated, chatting with the dock officers, and Shipman folded his arms in arrogant defiance. Letbys body language was entirely different: She just looked somewhat vacant and sat very still. It was difficult to read anything from her  I dont recall seeing anyone quite like that before. Youd almost have thought that perhaps she was on some sort of medication  I didnt see any reaction, movement or any expression.

She remarks, The only other person who was like that was [serial killer] Rosemary West. She sat expressionless and still the whole time too. Very similar.

open image in gallery A court sketch of Letby by Julia Quenzler, drawn on 24 October ( Reuters )

Some people will legitimately point out that a courtroom is the last place that someones true personality and feelings will be shown  particularly someone with a tendency to be reserved when outside of her comfort zone. They may also point out that by the time of her trial, Letby had been in custody for two years. Her world had imploded. What is normal behaviour for someone like that?

Its also worth remembering that Letby wasnt completely emotionless during her trial. She did crack, albeit only a handful of times. There was the moment she burst into tears on hearing the married doctor give his name, and there were occasions when she was in the witness box, and the questioning hit a nerve. Her barrister, Ben Myers, wanted to get her to express her feelings, and she broke down momentarily, telling the court that she was devastated and had only ever done her best, and her face crumpled.

We put it to one of Letbys old friends that she looked blank and poker-stiff in court. She was clearly petrified! they told us. But with the exception of a few memorable moments, she was devoid of emotion  incomprehensibly so. So could the borderline personality theory be right? Could this fit with Letby as a serial killer?

Letbys performance in court isnt the only basis for entertaining such a theory. On the ward, this came across as businesslike and efficient  or as she once described herself to her doctor crush, serious Lucy. She was often shown to have misjudged the mood around vulnerable families  or at least seemed to put her own needs ahead of theirs  hovering around the parents of Baby D as they willed her to give them some privacy, and upsetting the parents of Baby I by chattering brightly at them while they bathed the body of their dead daughter.

open image in gallery A post-it note used as evidence in Letbys trial ( CPS/PA Wire )

She was also noted to be particularly calm during resuscitations. More than one colleague observed that she was almost too calm  unnervingly so, as if she was in her comfort zone.

It was this behaviour which alarmed consultant Steve Brearey when he observed Letby after the two triplets had died in June 2016, and saw that  while other staff were in pieces  she seemed to be unaffected. Her breezy refusal of his offer to take time off, and her determination to work through the weekend, struck him as totally different to the way the rest of the team had responded to the two deaths.

The detectives who arrested Letby say they observed something similar when they got her back to the police station for questioning. Paul Hughes, now a detective superintendent, was the senior investigating officer in charge of the police probe.

He remembers: She was very emotionless. She didnt respond in a typical human way that I would have expected. We didnt see any sadness, or any passion, or anything more  like an innocent person banging on the table demanding that we should go and find the proper killer. There was nothing from her that appeared to be affected by what was going on around her.

open image in gallery ( Amazon )

Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC latched on to the same point in court when he started his cross-examination of the nurse by asking her why she only cried when talking about herself, and not when mentioning the babies. Letby denied it, but the barrister was only voicing a question that wed all been wondering for weeks ourselves, having witnessed it first hand.

But as with almost everything in the Letby case, there is an alternative way of looking at the evidence. One of Letbys former classmates had told us Letby could appear stony and cold. Letbys old friend Dawn said something similar: Outside of our group she would present as shy, reserved, serious, you know, level-headed.

According to Dawn, that was just Letbys nature. Nothing serious or sinister. If Dawn is right, it is perhaps to be expected that Letby would be quiet or awkward around senior consultants and at her most reserved and introverted in a courtroom.

We also know that Letby did become emotional around people she trusted. After she was removed from her position on the neonatal unit in July 2016, the lead nurse for urgent care Karen Rees became one of Letbys most trusted confidantes. She later said: I witnessed her in complete distress, crying and swearing her innocence.

Debates over whether Letbys emotional responses are suggestive of borderline personality disorder have no easy resolution. The question that we really want an answer to is this: given what we know about Letby, can we find a possible motive or reason for her to murder babies? The difficulty of this question was captured powerfully by the mother of babies E and F: She had everything going for her and then starts killing babies. What happened?

Unmasking Lucy Letby by Jonathan Coffey & Judith Moritz is published in hardback, eBook and audiobook by Seven Dials, out today
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Lucy Letbys lawyers are seeking to launch a fresh appeal over her convictions after claiming the prosecutions lead witness was not reliable.

The serial killer nurses barrister, Mark McDonald, said he would immediately seek permission from the Court of Appeal to take the exceptional, but necessary, decision to apply to reopen her case.

Speaking at a press conference at the Royal Society of Medicine in central London, Mr McDonald said that remarkably, Dr Dewi Evans had changed his mind over the mechanism of death involving three of Letbys murder victims.

open image in gallery Child serial killer Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders ( PA Media )

Letby, 34, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one of her victims, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The Thirlwall Inquiry into how Letby was able to commit her crimes has heard evidence at Liverpool Town Hall since September and will resume in January, with findings expected to be published in the autumn of 2025.

In his statement to reporters, Mr McDonald said: Remarkably, Dr Evans has now changed his mind on the cause of death of three of the babies: Baby C, Baby I and Baby P.

Dr Evans had said to the jury that Lucy Letby had injected air down a nasal gastric tube and this had led to the death of the three babies.

Dr Evans has also said that he has revised his opinion in relation to Baby C and has written a new report, a new report that he has given to the police, months ago now.

open image in gallery Barrister McDonald takes questions from reporters ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

The defence will argue that Dr Evans is not a reliable expert, and given that he was the lead expert for the prosecution, we say that all the convictions are not safe.

Dr Evans, who gave expert evidence to the jury in Letbys first trial, has previously given numerous media interviews in which he maintains her convictions are safe.

Asked how Letby is feeling about the fresh evidence, Mr McDonald replied: How would you feel? You are a 34-year-old woman sentenced to life in prison without any hope and suddenly we have found such profound and significant evidence that it may possibly overturn your convictions.

I will leave it to you to decide how you would feel about that.

Mr McDonald added he also has reports from two neonatologists that he claims count as fresh evidence in the cases of Baby C and Baby O, with no evidence of deliberate harm.

Medical expert Dr Richard Taylor, based in Victoria, British Columbia, and working for the defence, claimed Baby O actually died from shock from an accidental liver perforation after a doctor used a needle to attempt to relieve swelling in the abdomen.

open image in gallery McDonald added he also has reports from two neonatologists that he claims count as fresh evidence in the cases of Baby C and Baby O ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

Not naming the doctor, Dr Taylor said: I have to say from a personal point of view that if this had happened to me, I would be unable to sleep at night knowing that what I had done had led to the death of a baby and now there is a nurse in jail convicted of murder.

He expressed his surprise this didnt come out in court or at the autopsy, adding: Nursing is an altruistic profession. You dont go into it for the money but to help others and that applies to her.

She has no past history of any antisocial behaviour, any criminal behaviour, any psychiatric problems at all.

There is no motive. Her friends are all completely astounded, flabbergasted by the accusations. That brought up red flags for me. What is the evidence here?

Letby has lost two bids this year to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal  in May, for seven murders and seven attempted murders, and in October, for the attempted murder of a baby girl which she was convicted of by a different jury at a retrial.

Following the press conference, the Crown Prosecution Service said: Two juries and three appeal court judges have reviewed a multitude of different strands of evidence against Lucy Letby.

open image in gallery Dr Richard Taylor, based in Victoria, British Columbia, and working for the defence, flew over for the press conference ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

She has been convicted on 15 separate counts following two separate jury trials.

In May, the Court of Appeal dismissed Letbys leave to appeal on all grounds  rejecting her argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed.

Sean Caulfield, partner and criminal defence lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: It is vanishingly rare for a lead expert witness in a criminal case to change his mind on key evidence.

It is also rare for there to be a bid to reopen an appeal after it has already been refused by the Court of Appeal. I have never seen these two things happen in unison during my 20-year-plus career. It is quite an astonishing turn of events.

The combination of both of these events makes this situation almost unheard of. If the evidence from this lead expert, Dr Evans, was central to the conviction, then the fact he may now have changed his mind on what he said may be enough to reopen this appeal.

The key question here is how central this expert witness was to the case and that is ultimately what the Court of Appeal will be considering.

The chances of success will rest on the relevance of Dr Evanss evidence and whether the Court of Appeal agree the conviction may now be unsafe.

Dr Evans has been contacted for comment.
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A woman who admitted to assault by beating after throwing milkshake over humiliated Nigel Farage during his election campaign has been spared an immediate jail term.

In what a judge has called an attack on our parliamentary democarcy, Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, hurled a banana-flavoured McDonalds milkshake at the Reform UK leader outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea ahead of the general election.

Mr Farage, who is now MP for Clacton, was covered in the drink after the cup was thrown at him as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in the Essex seaside town on 4 June.

open image in gallery Victoria Thomas Bowen arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London for sentencing on Monday ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

A witness said the defendant, who is an OnlyFans model, shouted you f****** c*** or something similar, deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram told Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday.

Thomas Bowen admitted the offence at the same court in October, and also pleaded guilty to causing 17.50 of damage to a jacket belonging to Mr Farages security officer, James Woolfenden.

The 25-year-old, of St Osyth Road in the seaside town, was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months at Mondays hearing. Judge Ikram told her she will also have to complete 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay Mr Farage 150 compensation, 17.50 compensation for the criminal damage, 154 victim surcharge and 450 in costs.

Writing on X after the hearing, Mr Farage criticised the sentence as the latest example of two-tier justice. He said: We now live in a country where you can assault a member of parliament and not go to prison.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage was covered in the drink and hit by the cup after it was thrown as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in the Essex seaside town on 4 June ( AFP via Getty Images )

The politician, in a victim impact statement read out by the prosecution, said he felt humiliated after the incident with it being broadcast on national and international media.

He added he was deeply thoughtful for some time afterwards that next time it may not be a milkshake and said the incident is part of a growing security concern.

The judge also described the incident as humiliating and in the full glare of cameras, with a video of the incident widely distributed.

He said it was an unprovoked targeted attack, adding: It is also clear to me irrespective of what you now say that at the time you had no regret at all in attacking the now elected member of parliament for Clacton.

Before he sentenced Thomas Bowen, Judge Ikram warned: In recent months I have dealt with several cases of unlawful attacks on politicians, whether online or physical. This is a dangerous trend.

open image in gallery Mr Farage had been addressing supporters at a rally during the general election campaign and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit ( PA Wire )

He continued: This was an attack on a parliamentary candidate campaigning for election, but this was not just an attack on him, but in my judgment, an attack on our parliamentary democracy.

The risks of face-to-face engagement with the public are just too clear, bearing in mind the murders of two other members of parliament in recent years.

He added: A clear message must go out, public debate must not be shut down by criminality such as this.

In a witness statement read out in court in October, Mr Farage said he was not injured but this incident caused me concern as I have only been going about my job and that he tries to have as much public engagement as possible.

open image in gallery Victoria Thomas Bowen (right) leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Monday, where she was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

He added: Im saddened that this has happened at a public campaign.

The politician had been addressing supporters at a rally during the general election campaign and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.

Thomas Bowen  who has more than 44,000 followers on Twitter/X, and lists content creator as her profession on her account  was arrested shortly after the incident.

She told police in interview that she saw a post online advertising Mr Farages attendance that day, prosecutor Nishma Shah said.

open image in gallery Mr Farage, in a victim impact statement read out by the prosecution, said after the incident he felt humiliated with it broadcast on national and international media ( PA Archive )

She told officers she does not agree with his political views and when she saw him exiting the pub she decided to do it as she had the opportunity but did not intend for the cup to hit Mr Farage.

Ms Shah said that the defendant said she did not regret her actions.

Zarif Khan, defending, said Thomas Bowen has conceded that it was wrong what shes done on the day and there is some evidence in my submission of mental health issues.

He said she has been harassed, including online trolling, threats and being shouted at in the street.

open image in gallery Victoria Thomas Bowen leaving Westminster Magistrates Court in London in October, after pleading guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage ( Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire )

Mr Khan said: This was a naive stupid reaction by this young woman, at a time when she was going through some personal distress.

At the last hearing, her barrister made a successful application to the court to allow his client not to read her address out in open court, explaining one individual had made very severe threats concerning the case and it was granted again on Monday for the same reasons as before.

Thomas Bowen had originally denied the charges and was due to go on trial at Westminster Magistrates Court in October but changed her pleas to guilty before proceedings began.

In a statement following her sentencing, Caroline Liggins, criminal defence lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: Our client entered a guilty plea because she understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision has placed her.

open image in gallery Thomas Bowen  who has more than 44,000 followers on Twitter/X, and lists content creator as her profession on her account  was arrested shortly after the incident ( Getty Images )

We are relieved the court has taken a sensible approach in dealing with this young woman by handing down a suspended sentence.

She has suffered multiple threats since this happened, which have had a serious impact on her mental health.

Victoria understands the impact of her actions and wishes to put the whole episode behind her. She hopes others can do the same.

Rebecca Mundy, of the CPS, said: Threatening behaviour and attacks on electoral candidates and officials will never be tolerated.

Ensuring those who serve the public feel safe in their role and able to represent constituents without fear of harm or abuse is of paramount importance to the Crown Prosecution Service and vital for the functioning of a healthy democracy.
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One of the UKs worst rapists and most violent offenders has reportedly been attacked behind bars at a Category A prison.

Reynhard Sinaga was convicted of 159 sex offences, including the rape of 136 young men, while he was living in Manchester as a student between 2015 and 2017.

After being jailed in 2020 for life with a minimum term of 40 years, Sinaga has been incarcerated at HMP Wakefield, where it has been reported he was attacked by prison vigilantes, and managed to narrowly avoid serious injury.

A source told The Sun: Sinaga... is a clear target in prison because of his depraved crimes.

He was seconds away from extremely serious harm. He is in danger.

open image in gallery He was targeted by a prison vigilante who has since been arrested and charged (PA) ( PA Archive )

Sinaga moved to the UK from Indonesia as a student in 2005 and began targeting vulnerable drunk men outside nightclubs and pubs. He would lure them back to his flat before drugging them with GBH, and raping them at his Princess Street flat.

In June 2017, his last victim regained consciousness during the rape and managed to fight him off, before contacting the police.

Upon his arrest, an examination of his devices found hundreds of hours of footage of him abusing and raping his unconscious victims.

As Sinaga had kept trophies from his victims, such as phones, IDs and watches, police were easily able to trace them, with many unaware that they had been raped until contacted by officers.

Judge Goddard said the scale and enormity of Sinagas offending meant it was accurate for one of his victims to have described him as a monster.

Following the sentencing, Ian Rushton, from the CPS, said Sinaga was the most prolific rapist in British legal history and possibly in the world.

His extreme sense of sexual entitlement almost defies belief and he would no doubt still be adding to his staggering tally had he not been caught, he said.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.
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Archbishop of York Stephen Cortrell has apologised as scrutiny mounts over his handling of Church of England-linked sexual abuse case in 2019, leading to fresh questions around who will become the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

A BBC investigation has alleged that in a previous post as Bishop of Chelmsford, Mr Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to remain in post despite knowing that he had been banned from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.

Mr Cottrell has apologised for not taking more immediate action, but has appeared to reject calls for his resignation, saying: I am deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier, but that was the situation I inherited.

open image in gallery Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell ( AFP via Getty Images )

The situation marks another damaging episode for the crisis-gripped Church of England. In November, Justin Welby resigned as the Archbishop of Canterbury after coming under sustained pressure over his handling of a Church-linked abuse case.

Mr Cottrell is due to take over as temporary leader of the Church of England in just three weeks time, as a new Archbishop of Canterbury is formally selected.

Yet the process for electing the successor is far from simple. While several senior Church figures have been touted, it is unlikely that they were be named until the late spring, as multiple consultations, shortlisting and interviews are set to take place.

Here we look at the process for choosing the new archbishop:

Who appoints the archbishop?

The King  the defender of the faith and supreme governor of the Church of England  formally appoints archbishops, bishops and deans.

Mr Welby sought permission from the King before he announced his intention to resign.

Once a candidate has been decided, their name is passed on to Downing Street, who subsequently passes it on to Buckingham Palace for approval.

open image in gallery Justin Welby with the King at his coronation ( PA Archive )

Who recommends the appointment?

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) is responsible for appointing the next archbishop, but a period of consultation is first needed to set up this body.

The CNC examines the candidates, holds interviews, and puts forward a name to the Prime Minister, who then passes it to the King.

There will be 17 voting members of the CNC: an Anglican in public life chosen by the Prime Minister, a bishop, the Archbishop of York, three representatives elected from the Diocese of Canterbury, six from the General Synod  three ordained and three lay  and five Anglican communion representatives.

In addition, the secretary general of the Anglican Communion, the prime ministers appointments secretary and the archbishops secretary for appointments are non-voting members of the Commission.

Once the King has approved the chosen candidate and they have indicated a willingness to serve, 10 Downing St will announce the name of the archbishop-designate.

The college of canons of Canterbury Cathedral then formally elects the new archbishop.

Who are the frontrunners to replace him?

Stephen Cottrell

The Archbishop of York is the second most senior bishop in the Church of England, meaning he will take over from Justin Welby while a leader is selected. He previously described the former Archbishops resignation as the right and honourable thing to do.

Some have speculated that Mr Cottrell, 66, could be ruled out due to his age, and would likely not serve in the post beyond an interim tenure.

The recent allegations from the BBC have cast doubt on even this, however, as some senior members of the Church call for Mr Cottrell to resign.

Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the only bishop to call publicly for Justin Welbys resignation in November, has said it is now impossible for Mr Cottrell to remain in his post or lead the Church.

Martyn Snow

The 54-year-old Bishop of Leicester has been in his current posting since 2016. He was born in Indonesia and also worked as a vicar and youth chaplain in West Africa.

He has been the Churchs lead bishop in its Living in Love and Faith program, which grapples with questions of sexuality and doctrine.

Graham Usher

The Bishop of Norwich is outspoken on issues relating to climate change, and most recently called on the government to hit major polluters with higher taxes in the run-up to this weeks COP29 summit in Azerbaijan.

open image in gallery Guli Francis-Dehqani has been tipped as a possible successor to Justin Welby ( )

Guli Francis-Dehqani

The Bishop of Chelmsford was born in Iran, where her father was an Anglican bishop, but fled the Middle Eastern country with her family as a result of the Islamic revolution, in which her brother was killed, in 1980.

She is outspoken on justice issues, and recently called on western governments to address Palestinian dispossession in occupied territories.
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The Chinese businessman at the heart of the alleged Prince Andrew spy scandal has been revealed as Yang Tengbo.

The 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm was barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely pose a threat to national security.

A High Court judge has now lifted an anonymity order so he can now be identified following pressure from MPs demanding he be named.

Follow live updates here

Mr Yang was found with letters addressed to Beijings United Front Work Department - a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with gaining influence over foreign officials - after he was detained in 2021.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew pictured on Monday amid allegations a Chinese spy acted as his close confidant ( Peter Macdiarmid/LNP )

Mr Yang said he had done nothing wrong or unlawful and the widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

His case only came to light after he challenged his removal from the UK at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission - which was dismissed on Thursday.

The review revealed Mr Yang, who set up his company in 2005, was able to become a close confidant of Prince Andrew and acted on his behalf with investors in China.

He is said to have used his high-profile connections to secure invitations to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences, with fresh reports alleging he also met two former prime ministers.

The Sunday Times claimed he met David Cameron at a Downing Street reception and Theresa May at a black-tie event, which took place over the last 15 years in his London office.

open image in gallery Mr Yang met David Cameron at a Downing Street reception and Theresa May at a black-tie event, which took place over the last 15 years in his London office, reports suggest ( CCTV )

On Thursday, judges ruled that former Home Secretary Suella Braverman had been entitled to conclude that he represented a risk to the national security and to remove him from the UK.

Mr Yang studied at university in China and worked as a junior civil servant for a number of years, according to the judgment.

In 2002, he moved to the UK and studied a masters degree in public administration and public policy at the University of York.

open image in gallery Yang Tengbo pictured with former prime minister David Cameron and wife Samantha ( Sky News )

Three years later Mr Yang founded a Chinese investment consultancy business which would go on to establish various high-profile China-related events.

Evidence provided to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission alleged a text message was found on his phone introducing himself as an overseas representative of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body central to the CCPs United Front system.

An interim anonymity order was in place for the businessman, who was previously referred to only by the codename H6.

However, pressure grew for him to be identified after MPs threatened to use parliamentary privilege - which provides legal immunity - to name him.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told the Mail on Sunday that H6 should be named immediately, saying that a failure to do so smacks of an establishment cover up.

He added: If its not resolved in the courts, he should be named in the Commons. Its clearly in the national interest.

open image in gallery Yang Tengbo insisted he has done nothing wrong and rejected allegations of being a spy as entirely untrue ( China Daily )

Labour MP Graham Stringer told the paper that it was ludicrous for H6 to remain anonymous in the country he was allegedly spying on.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith is believed to be seeking a Commons debate on Mr Yangs alleged activities, despite the parliamentary convention that MPs avoid discussing the affairs of senior members of the royal family.

China-hawk Sir Iain said that parliament has a right to know because the Royals are at the top of the government.
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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.
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Prince Andrew was persuaded by Sarah Ferguson not to join the royal family at Sandringham on Christmas Day, sparing the Windsors further embarrassment amid allegations of his close friendship with an alleged Chinese spy.

The Duke of York is at the centre of fresh controversy after Yang Tengbo, one of his former confidants, was barred from the UK for covert and deceptive activity.

The Chinese businessman, named on Monday after a judge lifted a court order, is said to have leveraged his friendship with Andrew to gain access to Buckingham Palace.

In the wake of the revelations, the duke had faced calls to withdraw from a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday and to avoid appearing with the royal family at Sandringham next week.

It is understood that his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, convinced him to step away from the celebrations, giving up her own chance to return to Sandringham for Christmas again having spent many years out of the royal fold.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew leaves after attending the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 2022 ( AP )

She is believed to have come to the royal familys rescue after King Charles and Queen Camilla privately urged Andrew to see sense and withdraw from next weeks public gathering, as the spy controversy continues to escalate.

The decision for the pair to stay put at the Royal Lodge is thought to have been made easier by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenies plans to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time.

Fergie made return to the royal fold last December, joining the family for their annual Christmas Day walkabout for the first time in 30 years  a significant moment after her high-profile divorce from Andrew in 1996.

open image in gallery Sarah Ferguson at Sandringham last Christmas ( Getty )

Her attendance marked a departure from decades of exclusion following the infamous 1992 toe-sucking furore, which led Prince Philip to bar Beatrice and Eugenies mother from the royal occasion.

But last year, Charles softened his stance, inviting the duchess to join the family at Sandringham, although she did not accompany them to church.

The duke, meanwhile, has been drawn into court proceedings surrounding the alleged spy, whose appeal against exclusion from the UK was dismissed by a specialist tribunal last Thursday.

Mr Yang, a director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm, was barred from Britain in 2023 after authorities deemed he posed a likely threat to national security.

open image in gallery Andrew with Yang Tengbo, who is barred from the UK ( YouTube/PitchAtPalace )

At a hearing in July, the tribunal was told that an adviser to Prince Andrew claimed he could act on the dukes behalf when engaging with potential investors in China. Mr Yang, who was reportedly invited to the dukes birthday party in 2020, denied any wrongdoing, stating: The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

The case only became public after Mr Yang challenged his exclusion at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

On Friday, a statement from the dukes office said: The duke of York followed advice from His Majestys government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. 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.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
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A landlord has defended his pub after a convicted terrorist claimed he was deeply offended by its racist sign.

Khalid Baqa  who was previously jailed for spreading jihadi content  is demanding hundreds of pounds in a civil claim against the The Saracens Head Inn in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, over its sign depicting a brown-skinned bearded Arab/Turk male with a turban, which he claims incites violence.

Describing the legal action as ludicrous, landlord Robbie Hayes, 52, told The Independent he received a letter from His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service at the end of November, with a list of demands made by Baqa, 60.

open image in gallery The Saracens Head Inn in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, was established in 1530 and is owned by Greene King ( Google Maps )

According to Mr Hayes, who vehemently denies the accusations, Baqa wants the compensation for the racist sign, xenophobia and inciting racial violence against a specific race.

The 52-year-old, of Amersham, told this publication: Its ludicrous. I dont think he has a leg to stand on. Its been called The Saracens Head for 500 years. Why, overnight, has Khalid Baqa become offended by it? I dont think one man can change the historic name of a pub that's been called that for 500 years because he doesnt like it. Its ridiculous.

The Sun reported Baqa intends to launch similar legal actions against the dozens of other pubs named The Saracens Head across the UK if successful with his current claim - although he has since told The Independent he has no plans to do so.

open image in gallery Khalid Baqa was jailed for two years in 2013 after admitting having 300 computer discs of terrorist material in his car and home ( Metropolitan Police )

He told The Sun: Ive always been offended by pub names like these, but Ive only recently discovered how I can challenge them online.

Baqa has reportedly filed a claim of money form, which is an application to county court for an amount of money someone says they are owed.

According to documents seen by The Independent, his submission reads: While walking through the area I was shocked and deeply offended by what I saw. I saw pub signage depicting a brown-skinned bearded Arab/Turk male with a turban and captioned The Saracens Head.

This instilled worry and fear in me since it was clearly xenophobic, racist and inciting violence to certain people. I immediately complained to the pub and requested the signage be removed.

The Sun reported he alleged he has contacted the pub four times as well as visited in person  however, Mr Hayes told The Independent his pub has no record of this.

Baqa was jailed for two years in 2013 after admitting having 300 computer discs of terrorist material in his car and home. He was again jailed five years later, for spreading jihadi CDs and leaflets.

In a written statement to The Independent, Baqa said he first became aware of the pub sign when planning a walking trip in the Chiltern Hills. He said if he won his claim, the money would be donated to orphans in Gaza or Syria.

He said: I am not offended simply by the image but the fact that the signage is associated with the brutal crusades unleashed on the Muslim world. The image in my view is celebrating and glorifying the battles with the Muslims and seems to be honouring decapitating/beheading Muslims.

The term Saracen was used to refer to Arabs since at least the 5th century and then later linked to Muslims, with the pub name Saracens Head thought to be associated with the Crusades.

The Independent has approached Greene King and the Ministry of Justice for comment.
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An alleged Chinese spy at the heart of the latest scandal to engulf Prince Andrew has been named as Yang Tengbo.

The 50-year-old businessman was barred from the UK in 2023 because authorities felt he was likely to pose a threat to national security.

Mr Yang was named after days of growing pressure from MPs demanding he should be identified following a court order that was issued protecting his anonymity.

He has now insisted he has done nothing wrong and rejected allegations of being a spy as entirely untrue.

Here, The Independent takes a look at who Mr Yang is and the allegations surrounding him and the Royal Family.

open image in gallery The 50-year-old businessman was barred from the UK because he was likely to pose a threat to national security ( @hamptonholding )

Who is the alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo?

Born in 1974, Mr Yang studied at university in China and worked as a junior civil servant for a number of years, according to the judgment.

In 2002, he moved to the UK and studied a masters degree in public administration and public policy at the University of York.

Three years later Mr Yang founded a Chinese investment consultancy business which would go on to establish various high-profile China-related events.

open image in gallery Mr Yang founded a Chinese investment consultancy business which would go on to establish various high-profile China-related events ( China.com )

What are the allegations against him?

In 2021, Mr Yang was detained under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act - where he was forced to surrender his mobile phone and computer.

The Home Office alleged correspondence was unearthed showing he worked for the United Front Work Department (UFWD) - a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On this basis, former home secretary Suella Braverman barred him from the UK - but Mr Yang later appealed to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

What is his connection to Prince Andrew?

open image in gallery The Home Office alleged correspondence was unearthed showing he worked for the United Front Work Department (UFWD) - a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ( Sky News )

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission dismissed Mr Yangs appeal - which made his case public.

The judgment cited evidence provided by the Home Office alleging Mr Yang was a close confidant of Prince Andrew and was able to act on his behalf with investors in China.

Later reports suggested he used this connection to secure invitations to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.

He also met David Cameron at a Downing Street reception and Theresa May at a black-tie event, keeping photos of both encounters, which took place over the last 15 years, according to The Sunday Times.

Mr Yang founded a Chinese investment consultancy business in 2005 which would go on to establish various high-profile China-related events;.

open image in gallery The Home Office alleged Mr Yang was a close confidant of Andrew and was able to act on his behalf with investors in China ( Supplied )

It also emerged that documents retrieved from Mr Yangs phone showed that Andrew allegedly wanted advice from Jiang Jianguo, a minister of Chinas State Council Information Office, in 2019.

Alistair Michie, secretary-general of the British East Asia Council, told the minister that Andrew wanted to organise a conference for world leaders in China.

What has Mr Yang said about the allegations?

Mr Yang said he had done nothing wrong or unlawful and the widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

He said: Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere, I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity. I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

This is why I applied for a review of the Home Office decision in the first place, and why I am seeking permission to appeal the SIAC decision. It is also why an order extending my anonymity up to the point of determination of the appeal process was granted.

I have been excluded from seeing most of the evidence that was used against me under a process which is widely acknowledged by SIAC practitioners as inherently unfair: decisions are made based on secret evidence and closed proceedings, which has been described as taking blind shots at a hidden target.

On their own fact finding, even the three judges in this case concluded that there was not an abundance of evidence against me, their decision was finely balanced, and there could be an innocent explanation for my activities. This has not been reported in the media.

The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this. When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.

I am an independent self-made entrepreneur and I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses. My activities have played a part in bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the UK.

I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.
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An alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a High Court judge has ruled.

The businessman, who was referred to only as H6, had been the subject of an anonymity order - but was named after the High Court rejected an attempt to keep his identity a secret.

Mr Yang was first excluded from Britain by then-home secretary Suella Braverman in 2023, when the Home Office said he was believed to have carried out covert and deceptive activity for the Chinese Communist Party.

His appeal against the ruling last week was dismissed.

For live updates on the story - follow our live blog by clicking here

But in a statement issued after the ruling at the Royal Court of Justices, the 50-year-old said he had done nothing wrong or unlawful, adding in a statement that the widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

Yang Tengos statement reads:

Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere, I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity. I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

This is why I applied for a review of the Home Office decision in the first place, and why I am seeking permission to appeal the SIAC decision. It is also why an order extending my anonymity up to the point of determination of the appeal process was granted.

I have been excluded from seeing most of the evidence that was used against me under a process which is widely acknowledged by SIAC practitioners as inherently unfair: decisions are made based on secret evidence and closed proceedings, which has been described as taking blind shots at a hidden target.

On their own fact finding, even the three judges in this case concluded that there was not an abundance of evidence against me, their decision was finely balanced, and there could be an innocent explanation for my activities. This has not been reported in the media.

The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this. When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.

I am an independent self-made entrepreneur and I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses. My activities have played a part in bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the UK.

I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.
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Angela Rayner will on Monday unveil plans for new mega-councils as Labour takes on nimbys blocking planning applications.

A white paper on English devolution is expected to ask councils to submit plans for mergers.

The move comes just days after Keir Starmer pledged to force local authorities to build if they stood in the way of Labours plans for 1.5 million new homes in five years.

The proposals would see the creation of so-called "strategic authorities" across England, bringing councils together.

The government said the move would help "to avoid duplication and give our cities and regions a bigger voice".

Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer during a visit to a construction site in Cambridg as the government announced major planning reforms to get Britain building (PA) ( PA Wire )

But it risks triggering a row, amid accusations it is removing a layer of local decision making over controversial planning applications, of the kind backed by so-called numbys (Not In My Back Yard).

Expected to be created are 20 to 30 new larger authorities, with the loss of around 150 councils in England.

The plans are also expected to see mayors of big cities and regions across England given control of rail services for the first time.

They will pave the way for metro mayors to have a role managing, planning and developing the rail network, the Observer reported, while also allowing contactless travel like that seen in London.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said a key aim of the policy was to promote growth.

"These new powers mark a historic shift in how our railways are run - giving local leaders the ability to shape services that truly meet the needs of their communities and drive local growth," she said.

"By placing decision making closer to the people using these services, passengers' experience of public transport will be improved, including through better timetabling and easier journeys door-to-door."

Ms Rayner will promise the White Paper, which will set out devolution policy in greater detail, will be a "turning point."

"When we finally see communities, people and places across England begin to take back control over the things that matter to them," she is expected to tell mayors, local government and business leaders.

"When our proud towns and cities are once again given the powers they need to drive growth and raise living standards as part of our Plan for Change.

"It's a plan for putting more money in people's pockets, putting politics back in the service of working people and a plan for stability, investment and reform, not chaos, austerity and decline, that will deliver a decade of national renewal.

"Devolution will no longer be agreed at the whim of a minister in Whitehall, but embedded in the fabric of the country, becoming the default position of Government."
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Kemi Badenoch will warn on Monday of the devastating impact of Rachel Reeves family farm tax on the rural economy, as campaigners hold a mass rally in London against the changes.

The Conservative leader will tell attendees that Labour has unleashed the worst raid on family business in living memory.

She will claim that no one is safe and reference chilling figures released earlier this month by Family Business UK that changes to Business Property Relief could lead to 125,000 job losses.

The reforms which, similar to agricultural property relief, mean owners of family firms will have to pay Inheritance Tax if they want to pass shares or other assets to the next generation. It could reduce economic activity by 9.4bn and see the Treasury lose out on 1.3billion by 2030, according to calculations the group commissioned from CBI Economics.

Farmers protest in London ( EPA )

Speaking at the Business Property Relief Summit at the London Palladium, hosted by the group that organised the recent #SaveFamilyFarms rally in London, Ms Badenoch will say: The impact of Labours Budget has been devastating.

They claimed taxes wouldnt need to rise to spend more on public services then within weeks of taking office, they unleashed the worst raid on family business in living memory.

She will add: No one is safe. Businesses small and large. Rural and urban. Whether they make goods or provide services.

And she will compare the warning that the changes could lead to 125,000 job losses to the entire population of Blackburn.

The Conservatives said farming businesses would be devastated by the removal of both Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.

The wider rural economy would also be hit by the changes to BPR, including farm shops, family haulage firms, food and drink businesses, including breweries and distilleries, local butchers and hospitality companies.

The party pointed to recent polling by the Country Land and Business Association that almost 60 per cent of people believe that family businesses, such as farms, should be exempt from inheritance tax.

Shadow rural affairs secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: Labours Budget of Broken Promises is already hitting the rural economy hard. On Monday, I will be joining representatives from farming and rural businesses at a Family Business Summit at the London Palladium. Rural folk are coming to London  again  to try and make the Labour government listen to them.

From farming to hospitality and haulage, Labours vindictive policies are causing carnage. Thousands of businesses that should be focusing on growth and the future and going through the anguish of knowing that Rachel Reeves policies risk their businesses having to be broken up and sold off.The Treasury has been approached for comment.
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The new cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald has delivered a stark pre-Christmas warning on his first day on the job as Britains top civil servant.

In a message to all civil servants across Whitehall, Sir Chris echoed the comments of the prime minister that they must stop being a block to progress, with an enjoinder that we must do things differently.

The new top mandarin toned down the language after Sir Keir Starmer was described as having been Trumpian in his attack on civil servants. The prime minister said in a major speech earlier this month that too many people in Whitehall are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline, though he insisted he did not think there was a swamp to be drained here.

open image in gallery Chris Wormald has taken up his role as the new cabinet secretary ( PA Archive )

Sir Chris, who was a surprise appointment having previously served as permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care, has pledged to go through with Sir Keirs ambition to perform a rewiring of the way the government works.

Britains top senior civil servant takes up his role after the prime minister set out his plan to put more money in peoples pockets, reduce NHS waiting lists, put bobbies back on the beat and build 1.5 million homes.

Sir Chris told civil servants in an email: As cabinet secretary, it is my role to support the prime minister and government to deliver for the country. The prime minister has been clear that he wants a rewiring of the way the government works to deliver his recently announced plan for change.

This will require all of us to do things differently  from working much more effectively across departments to taking advantage of the major opportunities technology provides.

He continued: Throughout my career, I have seen the civil service adapt and change to achieve incredible things for the people of the United Kingdom. I know that together we will relish the opportunities the coming years will bring.

Sir Chris said he was deeply honoured to be appointed to his new role. He told colleagues: Over the years I have seen the incredible contribution that we as civil servants make and it fills me with great pride to be leading the civil service.

Sir Chris said he was looking forward to meeting civil servants across the country in the coming weeks and months to hear your ideas to improve the way that government works.

He also paid tribute to his predecessor Simon Case, who he said had been a remarkable public servant.
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An alleged Chinese spy who became a close confidant of the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo following a court ruling, as concerns grow over Beijings reach within British society.

The 50-year-old businessman had been known as H6 until a judge lifted an anonymity order just ahead of an urgent question on the scandal from former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.

MPs had threatened to use parliamentary privilege to reveal Mr Yangs identity following accusations that he had become close to Prince Andrew in an effort to gain influence, and that he had helped the United Front Work Department  an arm of the Chinese Communist Party.

open image in gallery Yang Tengbo pictured with Prince Andrew ( YouTube/PitchAtPalace )

But Mr Yang  who has also been pictured with former prime ministers Theresa May and David Cameron  insisted he had done nothing wrong or unlawful.

In a new statement, he said it was entirely untrue that he was involved in espionage and that he was a victim of a political climate of tension between Britain and China.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew indicated that he would stay away from this years traditional Christmas royal get-together at Sandringham in Norfolk.

His ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, will also miss the gathering in what will be seen as a show of solidarity with her former husband. The pair are said to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge, the home they still share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.

It is not yet known if the prince will attend King Charless traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended royal family at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. But Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who both have young families, had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time, sources said.

However, with the spys identity revealed, MPs were more concerned with the extent of the influence held by the Chinese Communist Party within the UK through political donations, lobbying, business deals and universities.

After raising his urgent question in the Commons, Sir Iain, who has been banned from entering China, said Mr Yang was not a lone wolf.

He was one of some 40,000 members of the United [Front] Work Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said, and I quote ... had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions.

He added: So will the government commit to putting China ... in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), and will they do it now? No more delay.

There was concern when security minister Dan Jarvis confirmed that FIRS, which had been expected to come into force in 2024, will not now be in place until next year.

Conservative former home secretary Suella Braverman was among those to question why the scheme has yet to be implemented, and also pressed for China to be included in the enhanced tier.

Mrs Braverman said she had made the decision to exclude Mr Yang from the UK because his presence posed a threat to our national security, adding: That decision was based on the advice of MI5, and Im very pleased that the High Court has upheld that decision.

She added: Isnt it regrettable that it has taken a high-profile case, public outcry, and opposition MPs dragging the minister to the chamber to finally get the government to commit to implementing the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, a scheme that we enacted and that was ready to go at the time of the general election?

open image in gallery Prime minister David Cameron and Xi Jinping visit a pub in 2015 at the height of the golden era in Anglo-Chinese relations ( PA Archive )

Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative former security minister, said MI5 had made it very, very clear that FIRS is not worth having if China is not in the enhanced tier.

Mr Jarvis replied: Upon our arrival in government, we found that FIRS was not ready to be implemented  as has been claimed  and since coming into office, we have ensured that there are now more people than ever working on FIRS implementation. The case management team have been recruited and are now in place.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran raised concerns about the university sector, and expressed anger that Peking Universitys bid for expansion in Oxfordshire had been accepted.

After the shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticised Labours attitude to China, Mr Jarvis noted that Lord Cameron had taken Chinas president, Xi Jinping, to the pub during an official visit in 2015.

Labours Paul Waugh, the MP for Rochdale, reminded the House that former Tory prime minister Theresa May was once praised by Chinese state media for sidestepping questions on human rights on a visit to China on which he accompanied her in his former role as a journalist in the parliamentary lobby.

Mr Jarvis suggested that the Tories needed to show humility on the issue.

However, he came under pressure as he tried to walk a difficult line on diplomatic relations with China.

Mr Philp warned: Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern, but its not just public organisations such as government: its also businesses and universities that are being systemically infiltrated, and often intellectual property theft is at the heart of what the Chinese government are trying to achieve.

He added: Last year, there were multiple attempts by Chinese companies to get hold of sensitive technology, and MI5 estimate that 20,000 individuals have been approached by Chinese agents who are trying to influence them or forge contacts in some way, and its likely that, at some point either in the past or in the future, every member of this House will be contacted or attempted to be contacted in one form or another.

But Mr Jarvis said that the government will challenge where we must in order to keep our country safe, compete where we need to, and cooperate where we can, for example, on matters like climate change, adding: That is acting in the national interest.
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Nigel Farage has refused to take up parliaments anti-bullying training, branding the scheme woke and saying he has no intention of engaging with it.

The Reform UK leader is one of five MPs to have not taken up the course, which is designed to explain the rules around harassment and sexual misconduct.

Others include two Conservative MPs, the former minister Neil OBrien and Dr Caroline Johnson, and two DUP MPs, Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell, The Times reported.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage has no intention of completing the anti-bullying course ( AFP via Getty Images )

Figures published by parliament show that eight others are on the waiting list for the training, while 637 MPs have completed it.

Those who breach parliaments rules on sexual misconduct and harassment can be sanctioned in a range of ways, from being forced to apologise to being suspended from the Commons, which in some cases can force a by-election.

Asked about his refusal to take up the training, a spokesman for Mr Farage said: Mr Farage has not taken part in behaviour code awareness training and has no intention of engaging with this woke scheme.

Former shadow minister Charlotte Nichols, who has campaigned for a better working environment in parliament, urged all MPs to take the training.

She told The Times: As MPs are not just office holders but employers, it is vital that we practise what we preach on robust standards in the workplace, which includes a duty and responsibility to attend all relevant training to uphold those standards. The culture of parliament has to change and MPs must lead on this.

open image in gallery Former Tory MP Peter Bone was ousted by voters through a recall petition (Kirsty OConnor/PA) ( PA Wire )

Bullying has been a problem on the estate, with some MPs having been suspended temporarily while others have been booted out of parliament altogether.

Peter Bone was suspended from the Commons for six weeks last October after an inquiry found he had subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct.

He lost a recall petition triggered by the suspension, forcing a by-election in his Wellingborough constituency, which the Conservatives lost.

Mr Bone was found by parliaments behaviour watchdog to have committed many varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct against a staff member in 2012 and 2013, including that he verbally belittled, ridiculed, abused and humiliated an employee and repeatedly physically struck and threw things at him.

Mr Farages refusal to engage with the anti-bullying course comes after a poll for The Independent showing he has led Reform UK to within touching distance of the Conservatives - setting up a three-way battle at the top of British politics.

According to the latest Techne UK poll, Reform have nudged up one point to 22 per cent, with Kemi Badenochs Conservatives on 25 per cent and Keir Starmers under-fire Labour government on 27 per cent, both unchanged.
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Allies of Kemi Badenoch have urged people to scrutinise the record of the vice president of Nigeria who publicly criticised her this week after it emerged he was the governor of the region where 200 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram.

VP Kashim Shettima this week hit out at the Tory leader in a speech this week accusing of denigrating her country of origin, while praising Rishi Sunak as a brilliant young man, he never denigrated his nation of ancestry.

But allies of Ms Badenoch have said that scrutiny should be focussed on the record of Mr Shettima as being illustrative of the problems in Nigeria and its failings.

open image in gallery Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has been in a row with the VP of Nigeria (PA) ( PA Wire )

Ms Badenoch has often spoken of the terrifying circumstances during her childhood as she grew up in Nigeria and held it up as an example as why politics about multiculturalism and diversity are important.

Her supporters have pointed out that Shettima was governor of Borno State when 276 mostly Christian Chibok girls were kidnapped by the Islamist extremist terror group Boko Haram in 2014.

At the time he was criticised for not calling the countrys then president Goodluck Jonathan to give him a briefing and there were questions over his failure to get the girls released.

Mr Shettima was reported in the Premium Times in Nigeria that it took 19 days to be contacted by the presidency after the kidnap.

Added to that his supporters were forced to defend him when pictures of him allegedly sitting and eating with members of Boko Haram. They claimed the pictures were just mischief and Mr Shettima has said he took on the Islamist terror group during his governorship.

More than 100 of the girls who were kidnapped are still missing.

Mr Shettima became the candidate for governor in 2011 after engineer Modu Fannami Gubio, his main rival who was selected as candidate was shot dead by gunmen in a sign of the problems in the country.

Mr Shettimas anger came after Ms Badenoch made a number of critical remarks about Nigeria, the country she grew up in.

During her unsuccessful bid to lead the Tory party in 2022 she said: I grew up in Nigeria and I saw first-hand what happens when politicians are in it for themselves, when they use public money as their private piggy banks, when they promise the earth and pollute not just the air but the whole political atmosphere with their failure to serve others.

I saw what socialism is for millions. Its poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavour can take you anywhere.

The Nigeria government has been approached for comment.
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China has accused the UK of creating trouble over the Prince Andrew spy row, saying Britain should "stop anti-China political manipulations".

A spokesperson for the countrys embassy in the UK also claimed that "anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs" have "revealed their twisted mentality towards China" and accused them of trying to "smear China" and "undermine normal personnel exchanges between the two countries.

Last week Prince Andrews connections to the alleged spy became the latest scandal to engulf the Duke of York, after the man was barred from the UK because he was judged likely to pose a threat to national security.

open image in gallery Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo with and Prince Andrew ( YouTube/PitchAtPalace )

Keir Starmer has said he is concerned about the challenge posed by China, but added our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate... to challenge where we must and where we should.

On Sunday home secretary Yvette Cooper claimed the governments approach was complex because Britain needed economic cooperation with China  even as she warned the communist state the UK would take a very strong approach to national security.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has accused a weak Labour government of not wanting to be seen to criticise China.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy added: "We always believe that a sound and stable China-UK relationship is not a one-sided favour but what meets the common interests of both sides.

"The UK side must have a right perception of China, see the historical trend clearly, and handle its relations with China on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in each others internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.

"We urge the UK side to immediately stop creating trouble, stop anti-China political manipulations, and stop undermining normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK."

open image in gallery MPs including Sir Iain Duncan Smith have repeatedly raised concerns about Chinese influence ( PA Archive )

The 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm had initially been barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely pose a threat to national security.

He was found with letters addressed to Beijings United Front Work Department - a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with gaining influence over foreign officials - after he was detained in 2021.

He said he had done nothing wrong or unlawful and the widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

His case came to light after he challenged his removal from the UK at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission - which was dismissed on Thursday.

On Monday a High Court judge lifted an anonymity order so he could be identified.

Prince Andrew has indicated that he will stay away from this years traditional Christmas royal get-together at Sandringham in Norfolk. His ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, will also miss the gathering in what will be seen as a show of solidarity with her former husband.

With the spys identity revealed, MPs have raised concerns about the extent of the influence held by the Chinese Communist Party within the UK through political donations, lobbying, business deals and universities.

Sir Iain, who has been banned from entering China, said Mr Yang was "not a lone wolf".

"He was one of some 40,000 members of the United [Front] Work Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said, and I quote ... had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions."

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran raised concerns about the university sector, and expressed anger that Peking Universitys bid for expansion in Oxfordshire had been accepted.

No 10 said the government was committed to dealing with anyone who poses a threat to Britain. Asked about the statement from the Chinese embassy, the prime ministers official spokesman said: I am not going to comment on individual intelligence cases, but as the security minister said in the House yesterday, where there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security we are absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

We will always take an approach to these things that is rooted in the national interest and put national security and public safety first.
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Britain is not properly prepared to defend itself in a war with Russia and cannot rely on the United States and Nato, a retired senior general has warned.

Writing in The Independent, Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Natos deputy supreme allied commander in Europe from 2011 to 2014, said another global conflict will only be prevented if there is a band of deterrent steel from the Baltic to the Black Sea"  something he said the UK may have to be prepared to help realise without the support of Washington.

His dramatic intervention comes alongside warnings from former defence secretary Ben Wallace and Labour peer Admiral Lord West that a failure to prioritise defence would be a grave error for the prime minister.

Lord Wests warning follows a foreboding speech by Nato general secretary Mark Rutte who said the West is not ready to deal with the threat of war from Russia, declaring it is time to shift to a wartime mindset and turbocharge our defence production.

open image in gallery Richard Shirreffs intervention comes amid global turmoil ( AFP via Getty )

Mr Rutte said: Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation, with Ukraine and with us, adding: We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years.

There is growing concern about the strength of Donald Trumps commitment to Nato, following repeated threats to pull out of the alliance if member states do not spend more on defence. Sir Richard warned that Britain can make no assumptions that Trump would honour Natos doctrine of collective defence, adding: If we are to deter a third world war, Europe must step up to the mark.

A number of Nato member states do not yet meet the 2 per cent of GDP threshold for defence spending. Meanwhile, there are also concerns over the failure of Keir Starmer to specify a timescale in relation to his pledge to increase UK spending to 2.5 per cent.

Sir Richard said the West will only achieve peace for ourselves, our children and grandchildren and prevent a third world war between Nato and Russia with a band of deterrent steel from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

This is something that we now have to be ready to do without the US lead and it means gearing up to be ready for war in every respect, he said.

Sir Richard said the UK must demonstrate moral courage and exemplary leadership to make the necessary sacrifices to preserve peace by deterring war.

We have to fight a second cold war to avoid a third world war, he warned. If we fail to do this the costs, in terms of blood and treasure will be appalling.

So far, he said, the new governments approach to defence is falling far short of what is required.

While the new UK government talks of defence being the first priority, notably it did not figure in the prime ministers recent top six priorities, he said.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer has been urged to prioritise defence in an increasingly unstable global landscape ( AFP via Getty )

Last month, Sir Keir unveiled six milestones to measure the governments progress  but the targets did not include defence or security.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace told The Independent that the UK has become overdependent on the US which has limited our choices and left us vulnerable, calling for Britain to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence.

The world is sadly getting more insecure and more anxious. Technology has enabled enemies to compete in a way that was impossible to do in the past.

Now is the time to commit to 3 per cent GDP by 2030. For Starmer to not invest in our security would be a dereliction of duty, he warned.

Lord West of Spithead, a former security adviser to Gordon Brown and a retired admiral of the Royal Navy, said Sir Keir had made a terrible political error in not including defence in his six milestones, saying the decision was worrying and beyond belief.

While he expressed doubt that Mr Trump would abandon Nato, he called for European nations to spend more on defence.

There is absolutely no doubt from anyone who knows anything about the military and about defence that our forces are underfunded.

I think the fact that defence wasnt mentioned in that list is a political error, and its a terrible error, full stop. It is beyond belief, really. With the world as dangerous as it is, knowing how underfunded we are, that hes not willing to mention that as one of the priorities  I find that very worrying, he told The Independent.

Lord West added: I dont believe that even Trump will just suddenly pull out of Nato. But should European nations be pulling more weight in defence terms? Yes, absolutely they should.

open image in gallery Donald Trump looks set to disrupt the global stage again when he returns to office in January ( AP )

Colonel Tim Collins, a former army officer who gave a stirring eve-of-battle speech at the start of the Iraq War, expressed concern that Labour is not taking the defence of Britain seriously enough, warning that the UK is facing a situation similar to that of the mid-1930s in the lead-up to the Second World War.

While he dismissed some of Mr Trumps remarks about Nato as rhetoric, he admitted that the UK has very little leverage over the United States.

Speaking about the new governments commitment to defence, he said: I dont think it is taken particularly seriously by Labour. To the extent that theyre threatening to pull funding from the Tempest programme.

Withdrawing from the Tempest programme, he said, would be comparable to cancelling the Spitfire programme just before the Second World War.

The Tempest project, part of the Global Combat Air Programme alongside Italy and Japan, is designed to replace the ageing Eurofighter Typhoons by the mid-2030s. But its budget was slashed by 10 per cent this year.

Shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois warned that Russia will not be deterred by empty platitudes from the chancellor and the Treasury, and called for the UK to urgently increase defence spending.

During the 1980s, at the height of the Cold War, Mrs Thatchers government spent around 5 per cent of GDP on defence, which helped keep the peace in Europe until the Berlin Wall fell.

With Putins Russia now at war in Ukraine and threatening further expansion, for instance into Natos Baltic states, we urgently need to increase defence spending to deter the Russians again  which we wont do with empty platitudes from the chancellor and HM Treasury, he said.

A government spokesperson said: This government will always do what it takes to defend this country, with threats increasing, the world becoming more volatile and technology changing the nature of warfare.

That is why the Budget increased defence spending by 2.9bn for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence in spring. The Strategic Defence Review is working at pace to look at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the 21st century."
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Sir Keir Starmer has said allies must double down on support for Ukraine, as pressure grows on the UK to boost defence spending.

It comes just hours after Estonias defence minister Hanno Pevkur issued a stark warning to allies that spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence is simply not enough.

He urged allies to act immediately to boost funding, suggesting one possible method would be to introduce a security tax  something Estonia will be implementing from the new year.

The prime minister is meeting with leaders from the 10 member states of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)  a UK-led European defence alliance  in Tallinn on Monday and Tuesday when defence spending is expected to be the main topic of discussion.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the opening of the summit, Sir Keir warned that the West cannot allow Russia to benefit from its actions in Ukraine.

He said: There will be discussions in the next 24 hours, as leaders are here in Tallinn for the JEF meeting. Its important that we double down on support for Ukraine.

Its really important that we see this as not just a Ukrainian sovereignty issue but as a much wider conflict. We cannot allow Russia to gain from the aggression weve seen throughout this conflict.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer warned the West cannot allow Russia to benefit from aggression in Ukraine ( PA Wire )

While ministers have pledged to boost UK defence spending from its current point  at just above 2 per cent  to 2.5 per cent, it is not yet clear when or how this target will be achieved.

Mr Pevkur said the topic of defence spending will be the main topic of discussion at the Tallinn summit, telling The Independent: My main message is that paying 2 per cent of GDP to secure the peace is not very much.

We dont have time to wait to go up to 3 per cent or even to 2.5 per cent. We need to do it immediately. We had to increase our taxes, so we are introducing a security tax here in Estonia from January next year.

He added: We urge the other countries to do the same, we urge other countries to boost their defence spending.

A number of Nato member states do not yet meet the 2 per cent of GDP threshold for defence spending. Meanwhile, there are also concerns over the failure of Sir Keir to specify a timescale in relation to his pledge to increase UK spending to 2.5 per cent.

While Mr Pevkur acknowledged it is up to each country how they find their best option to secure finances for defence, he said he would be very clear at the summit that 2 per cent is not enough, it should be at least be 5 per cent.

Estonia is on track to spend 3.4 per cent of its GDP on defence in 2024. The country is looking to increase this to 3.7 per cent by 2026, Mr Pevkur said.

Speaking at the summit after Mr Pevkurs remarks, Sir Keir acknowledged that not many people in the UK are keen on their taxes going up again and they are right about that. But he added that the first duty of government is obviously national security to keep our people safe.

It comes amid growing concern over Britains preparedness for a conflict and the state of its armed forces.

In a foreboding speech in Brussels last week, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte warned the West is not ready to deal with the threat of war from Russia, declaring it is time to shift to a wartime mindset and turbocharge our defence production.

open image in gallery Hanno Pevkur speaks about European security ahead of the JEF summit in Tallinn ( Millie Cooke )

His intervention came alongside warnings from former defence secretary Ben Wallace and Labour peer Admiral Lord West that a failure to prioritise defence would be a grave error by the prime minister.

Asked about Mr Ruttes comments, Sir Keir said: Public finances are not in a good place in the UK. We inherited a failed economy and failed public services, thats the first double whammy in the UK  normally you have one or the other, not both.

And not many people in the UK are keen on their taxes going up again and they are right about that.

Nor are they very keen on having their public services cut. So theres no point pretending that this isnt a real debate.

But the first duty of government is obviously national security, to keep our people safe. And that is why defence spending, Nato, working with our allies and JEF is so important.

Sir Keir also warned of the threat posed by hybrid attacks from Russia, saying that Nato must be fully alive to the threats from alternative forms of warfare.

It is a mistake with Russia, but also with others, to think that all the conflict is the traditional tanks and armoury conflict. It most certainly isnt any more, he warned.

It comes after Estonian border officials accused Russia of stealing border infrastructure and flying conspicuous surveillance equipment into Nato airspace.

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
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A cyclone barrelling towards southeast Africa for the last four days caused widespread devastation in Mayotte after it struck the French oversea region as the most powerful storm in 90 years.

Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday night with winds reaching over 200kph, Meteo-France said, causing damage to housing, government buildings and a hospital, and leaving at least 11 people dead.

Mayotte, one of the poorest regions under French administration of some 300,000 people, is located in the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean.

open image in gallery Chido hit Mayotte with winds of over 200kmph ( Emergency Response Coordination Centre )

At least several hundred people were feared dead on the island as authorities struggled to assess the damage. "I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands," prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville said on local media channel Mayotte La 1ere.

The French interior ministry said that "it will be difficult to account for all victims" and a death toll could not be determined at this stage.

open image in gallery Aftermath of cyclone Chido in the French territory of Mayotte ( AFP via Getty )

Aerial footage showed many settlements flatted as the storm blew away roofs, uprooted trees and damaged public infrastructure.

What we are experiencing is a tragedy, you feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war, Mohamed Ishmael from the capital Mamoudzou said. I saw an entire neighborhood disappear.

open image in gallery Map shows path of cyclone Chido ( Mateo France )

Hundreds of poor people living in shacks with sheet metal roofs were hit especially hard as the storm tore up many of their homes.

The storm damaged power lines, causing outages in most parts of the territory and disrupting the water supply. It also damaged an airport.

The hospital is hit, schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated, Mamoudzou mayor Ambdilwahedou Soumaila said. The cyclone spared nothing, he added.

open image in gallery Chido is seen over Mayotte, western Madagascar and eastern Mozambique ( Cooperative Institute for Resear )

French president Emmanuel Macron said a military transport plane with supplies and emergency workers had left to help people suffering the most horrific ordeal. My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours and who have, for some, lost everything, lost their lives, he said.

The cyclone entered northern Mozambique, 800km west of Mayotte, on Sunday, causing heavy rain, strong winds and hazardous sea conditions. It slammed the northern province of Cabo Delgado, affecting nearly two million people.

Many homes, schools, health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed and we are working closely with government to ensure continuity of essential basic services, the United Nations Childrens Fund said. While we are doing everything we can, additional support is urgently needed.

Internet monitor NetBlocks said on X that heavy rain and winds had damaged power and telecommunications infrastructure in the region.

Save the Children warned that up to 650,000 children and their families were in danger after Chido hit northern Mozambique.

Cyclone Chido is a catastrophe for children in northern Mozambique. They risk losing their homes, being separated from their families, and suffering limited access to water, sanitation, healthcare and education, it said.

In Comoros, the storm destroyed 21 homes and left two people slightly injured, authorities said.

The remnants of Chido were expected to sweep southern Malawi, Meteo-France reported, with heavy rains and gusty winds. The system could then move towards Zimbabwe, likely causing heavy rain and flooding.
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How do you solve a problem like Prince Andrew?

Thats the question facing King Charles III as the long-running drama surrounding his 64-year-old brother roils Britain and the monarchy once again.

In the latest episode of this palace soap opera, a Chinese businessman has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he cultivated links with Andrew in an alleged effort to influence British elites on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. The man, identified Monday as Yang Tengbo, said he wasn't involved in espionage and had done nothing wrong or unlawful.

The allegations represent the most high-profile example to date of a threat intelligence officials have repeatedly warned about: Chinas increasing efforts to secretly influence politicians and other members of the British establishment to support the countrys expansionist policies.

But the story also made news because it involves Andrew, once second-in-line to the British throne, but now a constant source of tabloid fodder because of his money woes and links to questionable characters, including the late American financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Queen Elizabeth II tried to staunch the bleeding by stripping Andrew of his royal duties and charity roles, but the unflattering headlines kept coming. More recently, Charles has tried to persuade his brother to cut his expenses by leaving the sprawling royal estate he occupies west of London and moving to a cottage inside the security perimeter of Windsor Castle. But Andrew remains ensconced at the 30-room Royal Lodge.

The king needs to take more aggressive action to keep Andrew out of the public eye, such as barring him from processions and other royal events, said Ed Owens, author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself? While Andrew said in a statement that nothing sensitive was ever discussed and that he ceased contact with the businessman as soon as concerns were raised, his constant brushes with scandal tarnish the work of the royal family as Charles tries to shore up support for the monarchy, Owens said.

Andrew is toxic and he is very much damaged goods, he added. He can only, through his behavior, further undermine the reputation of the monarchy. Its in the kings best interest, its in the best interests of the future of the monarchy, for Andrew to take a step back.

The liability posed by Andrew was underscored Monday as Britains most prominent anti-monarchy group used the latest scandal to call for a parliamentary inquiry into alleged royal corruption.

When a Chinese spy befriends a royal, they want access to the British state. We must know if the royals have given them what they want, said Graham Smith, leader of Republic, which seeks to replace the monarchy with an elected head of state.

In essence, Andrew has become a cautionary tale about the temptations and pitfalls of modern royalty.

When Andrew was born he was second in line to the throne, the proverbial spare who was there to step in, if disaster struck the heir, his brother Charles. But after Charles got married Andrews position dropped with every new child and grandchild, and he now stands at eighth place in the royal pecking order.

While other senior royals spend much of their time opening recreation centers and meeting community leaders on behalf of their more exalted relations, Andrew initially took on bigger tasks.

After 22 years in the Royal Navy, including combat operations as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, Andrew was named Britains special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.

But he was forced to step down in 2011 amid growing concern about his friendship with Epstein, who had been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Andrew had also been criticized for meeting with the son of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the son-in-law of ousted Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Even before that, some members of Parliament had raised concerns about the sale of Andrews former home, Sunninghill Park, to a son-in-law of former Kazakh ruler Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2007. The buyer allegedly paid 15 million pounds ($19 million) for the property  3 million pounds more than the asking price.

But it is Andrews links to Epstein that have been his biggest problem.

Questions about the relationship resurfaced after Epstein was again arrested on sex trafficking charges in 2019. In an effort to silence the criticism, Andrew gave a disastrous interview to the BBCs Newsnight program in which he tried to explain away his contacts with Epstein and failed to show empathy for his victims.

Amid the backlash, Andrew announced on Nov. 20, 2019, that he was stepping away from royal duties for the foreseeable future.

It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my familys work and the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support, he said in a statement.

But the announcement didnt end the scandal.

In August 2021, one of Epsteins victims sued Andrew in a New York court, alleging that the prince had sex with her when she was underage. Andrew denied the allegations, but he was stripped of all military affiliations and royal charity work as the case moved through the legal process.

Andrew ultimately settled the case for an undisclosed sum, with a joint statement indicating the prince would make a substantial donation to a victims rights charity. British newspapers reported amounts for the settlement ranged from $6 million to $16 million.

Even now, Andrews interview with Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis continues to haunt the prince and the royal family. It resurfaced earlier this year in the Netflix movie Scoop, reminding a worldwide audience of Andrews missteps.

He has consistently used his privileged position and his power to cozy up to convicted sex offenders, Chinese spies  in pursuit of his own interests, whether its about expanding his own influence or indeed extending his own business interests, Owens said. Thats the problem here, that hes used the position given to him by birth to seek out these opportunities.
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The 15-year-old shooter who killed a teacher and a student in a shooting at a private K-12 school in Madison, Wisconsin, had a turbulent homelife, according to reports.

Police identified Natalie Samantha Rupnow as the shooter at the Christian school, but have yet to reveal a motive following the deadly attack at Abundant Life Christian School around 11 a.m on Monday.

Six people were taken to nearby hospitals after the shooting with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. The victims have not yet been identified.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Rupnows motive may have been a combination of factors and that police were talking to students to determine whether Rupnow had been bullied.

The teenager was reported to have had a difficult life at home, according to court documents seen by the Washington Post. Rupnows parents, Melissa and Jeff Rupnow, divorced and remarried multiple times, and their daughter was in therapy, The Post reported.

Facebook photos surfaced Tuesday of Rupnow at a firing range pointing a gun and wearing a t-shirt similar to one worn by the Columbine killer Eric Harris. Harris and classmated Dylan Klebold fatally shot 12 students and a teacher and wounded 24 others at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado in 1999.

Harris was fond of wearing shirts featuring graphics from the KMFDM German rock band, which was originally known as Kein Mehrheit Fur Die Mitleid, which loosely translates to no pity for the majority. Rupnow also wore a KMFDM shirt when she was photographed with the gun.

open image in gallery Natalie Rupnow, 15, seen here four months prior to gunning down multiple classmates and a teacher ( Facebook/Jeff Rupnow )

Who is the suspected shooter?

Rupnow was encouraged by her father to practice her weapons-handling skills in the months leading up to Mondays bloodshed, according to a review of his online activity.

In August, Jeff Rupnow - who was unable to be reached on Tuesday - posted a photograph on Facebook of what appears to be his shotgun -wielding daughter shooting clay pigeons at a local gun club.

Is that kiddo? a friend commented.

Sure is!!!! Rupnow, the father of one, replied. We joined NBSC this spring and we have been loving all [sic] every second of it!

In the photo on her fathers Facebook page, Natalie Rupnow is wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of the venerable German electro-industrial band KMFDM.

The top is similar to ones worn by teenage mass shooter Eric Harris, who in 1999, with classmate Dylan Klebold, shot and killed 15 students at Littleton, Colorados Columbine High School.

After the Columbine massacre, the members of KMFDM  which stands for Kein Mehrheit fur die Mitleid, which translates to No Pity for the Majority  condemned the bloodshed, calling themselves sick and appalled by what had happened.

Turbulent home life

Court documents show that Rupnow had a turbulent home life, according to the Washington Post.

Natalie Rupnows parents, Melissa and Jeff Rupnow, reportedly divorced and remarried multiple times. Their daughter enrolled in therapy to guide her through their custody arrangements, according to the newspaper.

The paper reported that the documents point to an unsettled childhood for Rupnow, whose parents custody agreements sometimes forced her to move between their homes every two or three days.

They reportedly divorced for the first time in 2014 and agreed to joint legal custody of their daughter. It was agreed that she would primarily live with her mother.

They remarried in 2017 and divorced for a second time in 2020. They were to divide custody of Natalie evenly, the court records reportedly show.

After they split up for the second time, they briefly remarried again. By April 2021, they were petitioning for a third divorce, the Post reports.

The Post was unable to reach Melissa Rupnow or Jeff Rupnow, who are both reported to be cooperating with police.

The teens father was speaking with police Monday evening, in what Barnes called a long conversation.

We have no reason to believe they have committed a crime at this time, Barnes said on Monday of the family.

The chief urged the public to disregard fast-moving, unverified online speculation that the shooter was transgender.

I dont think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she, or he, or they may have wanted to identify, Chief Barnes said. I wish people would kind of leave their own personal biases out of this. We have people who have yet another school shooting in Madison. Thats where my focus will be for the very near future.

Did the suspected shooter attend the school?

The suspected shooter attended Abundant Life Christian School, according to police. Authorities said Rupnow was present at the school the morning of the shooting.

We believe the shooter was at school, Barnes. We have no information that there was some kind of breach at the school.

The private school, founded in 1978, has roughly 400 students. The schools website describes it as a community Christian school with the vision of providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment for families in the greater Dane County area.

Who are the victims?

Officials said the victims were a student and a teacher at the school, though police have yet to release further identifying details about those killed and wounded.

Of the six people injured in the shooting, two are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, and four sustained non-life-threatening wounds, Barnes added.

Two of the four who sustained lesser injuries have been released from the hospital, Barnes said later on Monday.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Barnes added: The Madison police department is committed to transparency and will continue to release information that can be used to improve public safety. This must be balanced against our commitment to the victims of this horrific crime and the need to do a thorough and complete investigation.

I ask for you to keep the victims in your mind and respect their right to a thorough investigation.

At the same conference Madison Mayor Satya-Rhodes Conway also snapped at reporters, telling them that it was absolutely none of yalls buisness who was harmed, after officials declined to identify the two victims. She also urged media outlets to have human decency and respect for the families involved.

How did the shooting take place?

open image in gallery Two people, along with the shooter, were killed at Abundant Life Christian School ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The shooting took place inside of a study hall room where students of multiple grades were present. A second grade teacher was the one who called 911 and alerted police to the shooting.

Officers arrived at the school about three minutes after the 911 call and immediately entered the school.

What kind of weapon was used in the shooting?

A handgun was recovered at the scene of the shooting, Barnes said. Officials are working to trace the source of the weapon.

Police do not yet know how Rupnow obtained the weapon.

Has a motive been identified?

At a press conference on Tuesday, Barnes said that the motive behind the shooting appeared to have been a combination of factors that may have included bullying.

Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time, it appears that the motive was a combination of factors, he told reporters. We cannot share that information at this time because we do not want to jeopardize the investigation and those who are currently cooperating with us.

open image in gallery Police have not yet released a motive for the school shooting ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Barnes added that police were talking to students about whether bullying may have been a factor in the shooting.

Police said previously they do not know whether the shooting had a specific target.

Barnes also added that investigators were looking into Rupnows social media accounts. He said police were aware of a document being circulated on social media that had been referred to as a manifesto, but added that officials had not been able to verify its authenticity.

We have detectives working today to determine where this document originated, and who actually shared it online, he said.

How is the community reacting?

open image in gallery A resident places some flowers outside the Abundant Life Christian School on Tuesday, following the deadly shooting on Monday ( AP )

The shooting hit a community that has already seen mass gun violence this year, after a dozen people were wounded over the summer in a shooting at a rooftop party in Madison.

Satya-Rhodes Conway said on Monday the incident was an incredibly sad day for our community and a reminder of the need for reform to stop gun violence. I am on record that I think we need to do better in our country and our community to prevent gun violence, she said at a press conference. And I hoped that this day would never come in Madison.

Wisconsin congressman Representative Mark Pocan also posted an online message after the shooting.

open image in gallery Families attend a vigil for the victims of the Madison school shooting ( AP )

Thoughts and prayers without action means more school shootings, more dead kids. More ACTION is needed by our elected officials. And more BACKBONE to stand up to gun manufacturers, he wrote on X. This is uniquely a United States problem that doesnt have to happen.

Barnes said Monday: We have to use our resources when we see things that may being going wrong or someone who may be going off the beaten path. Thats the charge really to our country now, and we have to do a better job of taking care of each other.

He said that all of the children at the school had been reunited with their parents. The children are now the latest group of survivors of a school shooting, he noted.

Local residents were shocked by the shooting.

I didnt want to believe it. First I thought it was an accident, Gary Herrmann, who lives nearby, told WMTV. And then when I heard shooter, thats when it really hit me.

A vigil for the victims was held on Tuesday night on the grounds of the states capital, while tributes were placed outside the school.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.

This article was amended after police clarified who made the initial 911 phone call.
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A man is dead and a 12-year-old is in police custody after a fatal shooting at a Milwaukee residence over the weekend.

Police responded to the home in the area of 51st and Locust streets around 2:15 p.m. on December 14, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.

The man, who has not been identified, was rushed to the hospital where he later died from his injuries, WISN reported.

Police believe the shooting stemmed from an argument between the man and the child. The tragic incident remains under investigation, police said.

Its unclear where exactly the shooting happened, but officers appeared to be focusing on the inside of the house.

The child has not been identified and its unclear if he has been charged.

Neighbors told local news outlets that they were shocked to hear about the shooting.

Its a quiet neighborhood and in fact Im sorry to hear that, its very sad, a neighbor named Helen told WISN.

Its sad. America is a sad, pathetic place, you know that. Its full of anger. This is an angry place.

There have been 126 homicides in the City of Milwaukee this year compared to 163 over the same time period in 2023, according to Milwaukee Police Department statistics as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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A killer with a skull face tattoo has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for his role in an 11-hour two-state spree of violence that killed one and injured several others.

Christopher McDonnell , 32, pleaded guilty but mentally ill in October to 23 felonies, including murder, attempted murder, murder conspiracy, other weapon charges, and being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm, according to Clark County District Court records seen by the Associated Press.

McDonnell, his brother Shawn McDonnell, 34, and Shawn McDonnells then-wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29, all from Tyler, Texas, unleashed a shooting attack on members of the public across Nevada and Arizona on Thanksgiving Day in 2020.

The brothers indiscriminately fired a round of bullets at cars and into a 7-Eleven in Henderson, Nevada, on November 26 2020 while Lewis drove the vehicle, according to prosecutors.

McDonnells bullets fatally struck Kevin Mendiola Jr, 22, of North Las Vegas, in the 7-Eleven.

As the spray of bullets was fired, Mendiola Jr attempted to shield his girlfriend, Jayde Libby, but despite efforts, she and his brother Christevin Mendiola, suffered wounds from the gunshots but fortunately survived, according to his family to the courts, as per 8NewsNow .

open image in gallery The trio, pictured Christopher McDonnell, 32, left, Shawn McDonnell, 34, center, and Kayleigh Lewis, 29, right, each received at least 50 felony counts in relation to the gunning spree ( La Paz County Sheriffs Office )

Christevin Mendiola told KFox14 : The hurt, the pain, the guilt, and the stress that these three individuals put on my family. Our lives will never be the same after this.

Seth Spangler was also struck while he had been shopping with his daughter and 2-year-old grandchild, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal .

A bullet, fired by Christopher McDonnell, punctured Spanglers lung as he stepped out of the store, leaving him bleeding from his back, the outlet said.

I call him Skeletor Spangler said in testimony, in reference to the striking inkwork around McDonnells eyes.

His daughter had been waiting in the car with her 2-year-old when Christopher McDonnell approached her window with a gun.

I pleaded for my life. Please dont shoot. My daughter is in the back seat, she testified, as per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

But McDonnell then decided to aim his gun at her child in the backseat, she said. Fortunately, he decided to spare the woman and her child, reported the outlet.

As the group continued their rampage into Arizona around 1 a.m. they hit a police officer and targeted other motorists before their car rolled over bringing them to a halt near the Colorado River town of Parker, Arizona  where police arrested them, reported 8NewsNow.

Clark County District Judge Tierra Jones handed McDonnell the lengthy sentence Friday meaning that if still alive, he would be eligible for parole in 2120.

The trio originally faced at least 50 counts each for charges relating to the spree including the death penalty.

Shawn McDonnell and Lewis who were both charged with committing an act of terror are reportedly awaiting trial.

Christopher McDonnells public defender, Ryan Bashor, described his client as a "troubled, troubled person"  prosecutors denied requests for a reduced sentence instead opting for the maximum penalty, reported KFOX14.

The Independent contacted the Henderson Police Department for further information.
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A 16-year-old boy has been accused of murdering four of his family members inside their home in rural New Mexico  before calling police to confess to the grisly crime.

New Mexico State Police said that Diego Leyva called 911 in the early hours of Saturday morning and told the dispatcher he had killed his family.

When officers arrived at the home in Belen at around 3:30 a.m., Diego emerged from the property extremely intoxicated and with his hands in the air, police said.

Inside the home, four family members  identified as Leonardo Leyva, 42, Adriana Bencomo, 35, Adrian Leyva, 16, and Alexander Leyva, 14  were found dead from suspected gunshot wounds. A handgun was also found on the kitchen table.

The 16-year-old suspect was initially taken to a local hospital before he was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque at around 1 a.m. Sunday.

He has since been charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

The teenagers former teacher Vanessa LaGrange told The Guardian that everyones in shock about what had happened.

I would never have thought that something like this would happen and that Diego would be capable of doing something like this, she said.

The Valencia County Fire Department said in a statement on Facebook that Adriana Bencomo was an active volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department.

Our brothers and sisters at RCFD are shocked and saddened by this loss as expected, the department said, adding that a peer support team was available for its members.
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A five-year-old boy who had been missing in Lake County, Florida, after his grandmother allegedly kidnapped him, has been found safe, authorities say.

Authorities issued an AMBER alert for Jace Saunders Monday morning after his grandmother, 50-year-old Kelly Dasilva, was believed to have kidnapped him after workers with the Department of Children and Families tried to place the child in their custody.

Hours after the alert was issued, the grandmother turned herself in.

Jace has been confirmed to be safe and in good health. He is being turned over to DCF....We are thankful that Kelly ultimately did the right thing, Tavares Police said.

Dasilva turned them in to a neighboring agency and is being taken to the Tavares Police Department to be interviewed, authorities said.

open image in gallery Kelly Dasilva turned herself in after an AMBER alert was released looking for a missing five-year-old boy ( FDLE )

Law enforcement had been looking for Jace, who had last been seen around 1:20 p.m. Sunday on Wells Avenue in Tavares, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.

It is believed he was taken by family unlawfully during a DCF investigation, according to authorities.

Authorities also had an active warrant for DaSilva for Kidnapping and Interference of Child Custody.

The alleged kidnapping comes after the boys parents  Taylor Judy, 27, and Brandon Saunders, 39  were arrested Sunday for interference of child custody, Tavares Police said. They are being held at Lake County Detention Center, online records show.

open image in gallery The child was turned over to authorities hours after the AMBER alert was issued ( Tavares Police Dept )

On Sunday, Department of Children and Families workers showed up at a home in Tavares to take custody of the 5-year-old, but he was nowhere to be found, Fox35 reported. The workers learned that the child was with a family friend, 66-year-old Mitchell Morris. Despite being told to return the boy, Morris gave him to Day-Dasilva, the outlet reported.

Morris has also been taken into custody and is being held at Lake County Detention Center, records show.
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Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaiian woman who mysteriously vanished last month sparking a massive manhunt, is back in the United States, according to a new report.

The 30-year-old photographer from Maui was found safe in Mexico last week. Now, she has returned to California and is said to be in good health and not under any duress, TMZ reported on Monday.

Kobayashi first went missing on November 8 while traveling from Hawaii to New York City via LAX for what she described as a bucket list trip.

However, she missed her connecting flight to New York, and family members and friends became concerned when they began receiving bizarre messages sent from Kobayashis phone.

They began to fear she was a victim of kidnapping or human trafficking and launched a desperate search to find her, flocking to LA, handing out flyers and keeping her story in the public eye.

open image in gallery Hannah Kobayashi, 30, vanished last month while traveling from Hawaii to New York City ( Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook )

Police later declared her a voluntary missing person, saying that she had been captured on surveillance footage walking across the southern border into Mexico.

While the family was dealing with the heartache of Kobayashis disappearance, her father Ryan Kobayashi, who had been adamant about finding his daughter, was found dead near LAX in the early hours of November 24 of an apparent suicide.

On December 11, Kobayashi was finally located and her family was informed of the good news by the LAPD.

open image in gallery Ryan Kobayashi, center, holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah in November. He was found dead near LAX in the early hours of November 24 of an apparent suicide ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Kobayashi has not spoken publicly and it is still unclear what she was doing in Mexico.
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For the first time in 15 years, Indiana will execute a death row inmate  a man who was convicted a quarter-century ago of killing his brother and three other men.

Joseph Corcoran, now 49, has been on Indianas death row since 1999 and is set to be executed before sunrise Wednesday, December 18, at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

If the execution goes ahead as planned, itll be the states first since 2009. In that time, 13 executions were carried out in Indiana but those were initiated and performed by federal officials in 2020 and 2021 at a federal prison.

On July 26, 1997, Corcoran shot and killed his 30-year-old brother, James Corcoran, and three other men: Douglas A. Stillwell, 30, Timothy G. Bricker, 30, and Robert Scott Turner, 32.

Corcoran, who was 22 years old at the time of the killings, allegedly woke up and heard the men talking about him, so in the heat of the moment, he grabbed his rifle and shot all four of them.

He was reportedly under stress because his sister was set to marry Turner, which would lead to him having to move out of the house, according to court records.

open image in gallery This undated photo provided by the Indiana Department of Corrections, shows Joseph Corcoran, who is scheduled to be executed before sunrise on December 18, 2024 ( Indiana Department of Corrections via AP )

While Corcoran was serving time for the murders, he also reportedly bragged about killing his parents in 1992. He was charged in their killings but acquitted.

Attorneys for Corcoran, who exhausted his federal appeals in 2016, asked the Indiana Supreme Court to stop his execution but were denied. He then wrote an affidavit to the justices: I am guilty of the crime I was convicted of, and accept the findings of all the appellate courts.

Last week, his attorneys filed a petition in the US District Court of Northern Indiana asking the court to stop his execution and hold a hearing to decide if it would be unconstitutional because Corcoran has a serious mental illness.

They argued he has severe and long standing paranoid schizophrenia and his condition manifests as auditory hallucinations and delusions that prison guards are torturing him with an ultrasound machine.

Indeed, he has volunteered to be executed, and is eager to be executed, because he believes his execution will give him relief from the perceived pain his delusions and hallucinations inflict upon him, according to the filing.

But on Friday, the federal district court declined to intervene, prompting defense attorneys to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.

The only people allowed to be present at the execution are the prison warden, those selected to assist in the execution, the prison physician, one additional physician, the condemned persons spiritual adviser and the prison chaplain, according to Indiana code.

News media will not be allowed as Indiana is one of only two states, along with Wyoming, that do not allow members of the media to witness state executions, according to a recent report by the Death Penalty Information Center.

Corcorans sister, Kelly Ernst, told the Associated Press that she is against the death penalty and that her brothers execution wont solve or change anything.

Ernst, who lost a brother and her fiance in the killings, declined to say whether she believes Corcoran killed their parents. She has only recently been back in touch with Corcoran, but said she believes its fairly obvious he has a serious mental illness. She does not plan to attend his execution.

I kind of just feel that theres no such thing as closure, Ernst added. She does not plan to attend his execution. I just dont know what else to say. I havent slept in weeks.
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A man is set to become the 25th, and final, person to be executed in America this year.

An Oklahoma panel on Friday rejected the plea of Kevin Ray Underwood who was convicted of torturing and killing a 10-year-old girl as part of a cannibalistic fantasy.

Three members of Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously against clemency for Kevin Ray Underwood, who is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Thursday, his 45th birthday.

An Indiana man, Joseph Corcoran, is set to die Wednesday for killing four men in 1997 in what would be the Hoosier State's first execution in 15 years.

Underwood was convicted of killing 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin in 2006. The girl was a neighbor at his Purcell apartment complex who Underwood admitted to luring into his apartment and beating her over the head with a cutting board before suffocating her to death.

Underwood admitted to investigators in a videotaped confession played to the board on Friday that the killing was part of a cannibalistic fantasy and that he nearly beheaded the girl in his bathtub before abandoning his plans to eat her.

I would like to apologize to the victim's family, to my own family and to everyone in that room today that had to hear the horrible details of what I did, Underwood said to the board via a video feed from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. I can't believe I did those things. The person I was in the weeks leading up to that event is not who I am now.

open image in gallery Kevin Ray Underwood

Underwood's attorneys argued that he deserved to be spared from death because of his long history of abuse and serious mental health issues that included autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar and panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizotypal personality disorder and various deviant sexual paraphilias.

His mother, Connie Underwood, tearfully asked the board to grant her son mercy.

I can't imagine the heartache the family of that precious girl is living with every single day, Connie Underwood said. I wish we understood his pain before it led to this tragedy.

Assistant Attorney General Aspen Layman urged the board to reject clemency, calling Underwood's crime one of the most notorious and depraved murders in Oklahoma history.

Mr. Underwood chose Jamie because he thought that she was small and defenseless and easy prey, Layman said. And while we, as an enlightened society, can give grace to those struggling with mental illness, we can still expect them to refrain from planning the murder, rape, torture and cannibalism of 10-year-old little girls.

Several members of Bolin's family asked the board to reject Underwood's clemency bid. The girl's father, Curtis Bolin, was scheduled to testify to the board, but became choked up as he held his head in his hand.

I'm sorry, I can't, he said.

Underwood is scheduled to receive a three-drug lethal injection Thursday inside the death chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. It would be Oklahoma's fourth execution of the year and the 25th nationally if both his and Corcoran's are carried out next week.
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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.
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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.
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The CEO of a backpack manufacturer is facing backlash following reports that he tipped authorities off to the bag used by the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Peak Design founder and boss Peter Dering told The New York Times on December 5 that he had contacted police as soon as he saw surveillance footage of the backpack worn by the masked killer and recognized it as one of his companys.

Of course, my instinct would be to do whatever is possible to help track this person down, Dering said. He added that, if police asked for help, he would check with his general counsel about what information he could release.

Now, following Luigi Mangiones arrest on December 9, the Peak Design boss has revealed that he and his staff are facing threats and accusations of being a snitch or rat due to his cooperation with authorities.

The CEO of Peak wanted the bags serial number to rat the original owner info to the cops wont be buying nothing from yall, one person commented on one of Peak Designs Instagram posts.

Another added: Theyll expose your data. CEO snitch.

Other users took issue with the backpacks having serial numbers and claimed, without evidence, that the CEO had used the number to share information with police about Mangione before his arrest.

open image in gallery NYPD circulated photographs of Brian Thompsons killer, wearing the backpack ( AP )

What if somebody gave this to me as a gift and now Im going to jail because they committed a crime, because you wanted to tell somebody that was my backpack? That is very scary, one TikTok user wrote.

Nobody cares! Boycott Peak Design! another added.

Dering debunked the claims about the serial number as misinformation.

We take our customer privacy seriously. There is misinformation being shared on social media that has triggered many serious threats for the safety of not only me, but our employees as well, Dering said in a statement Friday.

In another statement, which Axios reported was also emailed to customers, added: Peak Design has not provided customer information to the police and would only do so under the order of a subpoena.

open image in gallery Luigi Mangione, 26, in court in Pennsylvania as he fights extradition to New York ( REUTERS )

We cannot associate a product serial number with a customer unless that customer has voluntarily registered their product on our site.

During the five-day manhunt, the NYPD found the gray backpack nestled between two boulders in Central Park. It contained two items: a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money.

Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9 and charged with second-degree murder.

He continues to fight his extradition to New York.

The Independent has contacted the NYPD for more information.
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A Lyft passenger was arrested after the stunned driver found him a little naked in the backseat of his car, according to Florida authorities.

The 48-year-old passenger, who has not been named, was picked up last weekend on December 7 in Lakeland, near Tampa, when the driver heard a strange noise from the backseat.

He was shocked to find the passenger had taken off his clothes in the back of the vehicle and immediately told him to stop.

The Lyft company contacted the PCSO and reported that one of their drivers was in a very, very uncomfortable situation, Polk County Sherrifs Office said in a post on social media.

The driver informed the deputy that he had picked up a passenger, heard a strange noise, and turned around to see...(the passenger)... was sitting on the back seat, sans shirt, pants, and undies. The driver told (him) to stop what he was doing.

The suspect told police he got a little naked after he was overcome with a feeling when they questioned him, the Miami Herald reports.

Police arrested the man 10 miles from Lakeland in the city of Auburndale.

The man, who lives in Groveland near Orlando, has been charged with exposure of sexual organs, according to the Herald.
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Two Philadelphia men have been charged in a scheme that involved buying and selling millions of dollars of stolen goods through several of their pawn shops.

Larry Leonard, 60, and Nathaniel Nat Leonard, 68, cousins from Philadelphia, were charged on Friday with conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods in interstate commerce and interstate transportation of stolen property, United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced in a press release.

The cousins ran three pawn shops, including Society Hill Loan and K&A Money Loan Pawnbrokers, both in Philadelphia, and Lous Jewelry and Pawnshop in Wilmington, Delaware, according to the release.

Authorities say Larry Leonard controlled the day-to-day operations of K&A and Lous Jewelry. His cousin Nat, meanwhile, was the one who controlled the day-to-day operations of Society Hill Loan, officials said.

The men are accused of using their pawn shops to buy and sell large quantities of new, stolen, in-box merchandise supplied by two main groups of people.

The first group, known colloquially as boosters, collectively stole millions of dollars of new retail merchandise from retailers in Philadelphia and Delaware, including from Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway, and others, according to officials.

This boosters group then sold to the Leonards pawn shops for cash.

A separate group, known as the mooks collectively stole millions of dollars of new retail merchandise from across the country, which the group then resold in bulk quantities to the Leonards and other pawn shop employees for cash on a regular basis.

The cousins were also accused of transferring the stolen goods from Lous Jewelry and K&A to Society Hill Loan, where they then listed the stolen merchandise for sale on an eBay site specifically for that pawn shop.

Officials allege that from November 2019 through December 2023, the Leonards sold more than $19 million in stolen merchandise via their eBay site.

Larry Leonard is also charged with three counts of money laundering for using the proceeds of the illegal sale of stolen merchandise to pay off more than $120,000 in credit card bills from December 2022 through April 2023, according to the release.

If convicted, Larry Leonard faces a maximum possible sentence of 45 years in prison. Nathaniel Leonard faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
China makes new successes in desertification prevention and control

10:28, December 16, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

Farmers plant trees on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert in Yutian county, Hotan prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (People's Daily Online/Wang Zhiqing)

The largest desert in China, the Taklimakan has been completely encircled by a green belt stretching 3,046 km as of late November, thanks to more than four decades of efforts as part of China's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), the world's largest afforestation program to tackle desertification.

This great achievement has captured worldwide attention. The international community observes that the TSFP has not only contributed to the global combat against desertification, but also increased the global forest coverage rate. They praised the program as the "green Great Wall" that China fortifies to fend off the challenges arising from climate change.

The Taklimakan Desert is China's largest and the world's second-largest drifting desert. The completion of the ecological barrier vividly demonstrates China's battle against desertification.

After over 40 years of unremitting efforts, China has blazed a special path of desertification prevention and control with Chinese characteristics. Environmental conservation and improving people's well-being have entered a virtuous cycle. The country has become a global model for desertification control.

So far, China has effectively rehabilitated 53 percent of its treatable desertified land, with the area of desertified land decreasing by 65 million mu (about 4.3 million hectares). It is the first country in the world to achieve zero growth in land degradation, and the first to reduce the area of desertified and sandy land.

To be specific, Saihanba in north China's Hebei province has transformed from a desolate land into the world's largest man-made forest, thanks to the dedication of three generations of foresters to the Saihanba afforestation project; most of the sand land in the Mu Us Desert, which stretches from north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region to Shaanxi province, has been brought under control; the Kubuqi Desert, China's seventh-largest desert, has explored a brand new approach to combating desertification through industrial development.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat has twice honored China for its "outstanding contribution to combating desertification", praising its significant contributions to global desertification control.

A drone delivers straw to the center of desert in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu province, Dec. 3, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Cao Hongzu)

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD held in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, set up the China Pavilion, which marked the first time that China showcased its achievements in desertification control, particularly through the TSFP.

"I was moved by the images of different generations of Chinese people fighting desertification and by China's leadership in this process," said Andrea Meza Murillo, UNCCD deputy executive secretary.

She emphasized that effective policies, community and local government involvement, as well as innovation and technology, are key components of China's success.

The achievements in desertification control reflect China's relentless efforts to advance ecological conservation. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the country has ensured stronger ecological conservation and environmental protection across the board, in all regions, and at all times.

China has achieved a significant transformation from remediation of major areas to systematic governance; realized an important shift from passively responding to ecological issues to taking proactive actions to address them; has become a leader from a participant in global environmental governance; and has realized a major shift from practical-exploration-based conservation to the one with theoretical guidance.

China's forest coverage ratio and forest stock volume have both been on the rise for 40 consecutive years. The country ranks first in the world in terms of forest resource growth and afforestation area. It has contributed to one forth of the world's newly added green areas.

China is also contributing to the global fight against desertification with firm and concrete actions.

Photo shows a solar farm in the Tengger Desert in Shapotou district, Zhongwei, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. (People's Daily Online/Yuan Hongyan)

This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's adoption of the UNCCD. Over the past three decades, China has been actively involved in global desertification governance within the framework of UNCCD.

It promoted the establishment of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC), setting up the strategic framework and objectives; established an office for UNCCD implementation and formulated a national action plan; and set up regional mechanisms to promote regional cooperation on UNCCD fulfillment.

Besides, China hosted the COP 13 to the UNCCD and carried out cooperation on desertification control within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It has held nine sessions of the Kubuqi International Desert Forum to promote international policy dialogue and exchanges.

China is also actively sharing its technologies and experiences of desertification control with other developing countries, pursuing green development together with the Global South.

It has established an international training center and an international knowledge management center on combating desertification together with the UNCCD Secretariat. Besides, the country trains nearly 100 professionals in this field each year for developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, by hosting international seminars and setting up demonstration bases for desertification control.

It has taken the initiative to align with the Great Green Wall initiative launched by the African Union and the Saudi Arabia-led Middle East Green Initiative, within the frameworks of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF). It has also established the China-Arab International Research Center on Drought, Desertification, and Land Degradation.

The prevention and control of desertification is a great cause bearing on the sustainable development of all humanity. China will keep acting as a participant and leader in global desertification control, and work with all parties to advance ecological conservation and promote sustainable development for a clean and beautiful world.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
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A Wisconsin school community has been left traumatized after a 15-year-old female student killed a teacher and another pupil in a shooting spree on Monday morning at a Christian school.

Police named Natalie Rupnow, also known as Samantha Rupnow, as the young woman who they believe killed two and injured six others at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin beginning around 11 a.m.

But even survivors lucky enough to escape with their lives wont be okay for a long time, said one mother. An 8-year-old student who witnessed the panic and the wounding of a teacher told CNN: I was really scared and I was really sad.

Rupnow was found dead at the scene, with evidence of self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to police. An official cause of death has not been determined, and police have not yet determined a motive.

open image in gallery Two people are dead, along with the shooter, after a 15-year-old girl opened fire inside her Wisconsin school ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

In an interview with WISC, one mother of three Abundant Life students described how children, parents and staff are still reeling from the incident.

Thank God, they were safe, said Mireille Jean-Charles, who was reunited with her three sons after the shooting. But the trauma  its a lot, because Im sure they lost friends and teachers, which is not okay. And I dont think theyll be okay for a long time.

By Monday evening, two victims remained in critical condition, and two of those with non-life-threatening injuries were released from the hospital. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes called the bloodshed a sad, sad day for the city. A second-grade teacher first alerted authorities to the shooting.

Im asking everyone to send your heartfelt wishes and prayers, and thoughts, yet again, to a community  but this time its my community, he told reporters.

Police do not know whether the shooting had a specific target or motive.

open image in gallery Police are still working to determine a motive for the shooting ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Whether they were targeted or not would speak to motivation and we dont know that answer just yet, Barnes told reporters that the contents of a document circulating online purportedly related to the shooter had not been verified.

Rupnows family is cooperating with police, Madison officials said on Monday night.

We have no reason to believe they have committed a crime at this time, Barnes said on Monday of the family.

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said after the shooting that the focus now is on supporting the victims and their families. Dane County Executive Melissa Agard called todays violence unacceptable.

It appeared the shooter was at the school the morning of the shooting, rather than breaking in before opening fire. The school does not have medical detectors.

We believe the shooter was at school, Barnes said. We have no information that there was some kind of breach at the school.

Madison police urged the public to disregard fast-moving, unverified online speculation the shooter was transgender.

I dont think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she, or he, or they may have wanted to identify, Chief Barnes said. I wish people would kind of leave their own personal biases out of this. We have people who have yet another school shooting in Madison. Thats where my focus will be for the very near future.

The school, which is located on Madisons east side and has roughly 400 students in all, was founded in 1978 as a community Christian school with the vision of providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment for families in the greater Dane County area, the schools website tells visitors.

This article was amended after police clarified who made the initial 911 phone call.
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Saturday Night Live jumped into the nation's morbid fascination with Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The cold open kicked off with Sarah Shermans incredulous true crime entertainer Nancy Grace, who complained that women and gay guys alike have made Mangione into a sex symbol.

She said Mangione looked like Dave Franco with Eugene Levy's eyebrows.

This man is not a sex icon. This man is  and I cannot say this any clearer  a murderer, she said, slurring the u into incoherence.

Later in the sketch, she asks a character played by Kenan Thompson if he believes social media users are actually attracted to the sexy slayer, to which Thompson replied: Well I mean, you can look at him and tell he had h**s.

I mean, women love bad boys, said Thompson, whose character was at the Altoona, Pennsylvania restaurant where police discovered Mangione.

open image in gallery Saturday Night Lives Sarah Sherman, as a confounded Nancy Grace, opens the shows December 14 episode with a segment on Luigi Mangione ( NBC )

The sketch kicked back to Grace asking his character about the state of healthcare in the US, then cut back to Thompson shoving a McDonald's burger into his mouth.

People are saying healthcare in this country is bad. Then how come by dentist gives me breast exams for free? she asked.

Well Nancy, I been eating McDonald's every day for 10 years, Thompsons character said. I've got type-10 diabetes. ... You know what my health insurance plan is called? Hoping it goes away.

Graces final guest: a guy who looks like Luigi Mangione, played by cast member Emil Wakim.

Being mistaken for Mangione hsa kind of a rollercoaster for me, he said.

On one hand I keep getting tackled by bounty hunters, but on the other I've gotten some of the horniest DMs of my life, he said.

Saturdays host, comedian Chris Rock, also tackled the phenomenon surrounding Mangiones fan in his opening monologue.

Rock joked that if Mangione look like Jonah Hill, no one would care.

Theyd already give him the chair already, OK? he said.

Rock expressed sympathy for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, reminding the audience that he was a real human being with a family.

But sometimes, he said, drug dealers get shot.

Thompson was shot on the streets of Manhattan by a gunman  alleged to be Mangione  which kicked off a days-long manhunt for the killer.

He's now facing second-degree murder charges in New York.

open image in gallery Chris Rock hosts SNL on December 14 ( Rosaline OConnor/NBC )

The CEOs killing has brought to light the absolute disdain that some Americans have for the private US health insurance industry.

Some social media commenters have expressed a total lack of sympathy for Thompson, with many recalling how their loved ones either died after their healthcare insurance claims were rejected or live in pain due to claim denials.

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore  whose 2007 documentary Sicko interrogates the US healthcare industry  was allegedly mentioned by name in Mangione's manifesto. After being asked by some media outlets to condemn the murder, he said he did  but he also condemned what he called the murders of Americans at the hands of health insurance companies and the politicians who protect a for-profit healthcare industry.

He said Americans were "1,000 percent justified" in expressing rage towards health insurers, and said he wanted to "pour gasoline" on that fire.

Even the UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty acknowledged that the US insurance industry is broken.

We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand peoples frustrations with it, Witty said in a recent op-ed for The New York Times. No one would design a system like the one we have.
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A top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams abruptly resigned less than three months after investigators from the Manhattan district attorneys office took her phones and searched her house as part of one of several probes that have enveloped City Hall.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin's resignation Sunday was a planned retirement, Adams' office said in a statement. Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, is scheduled to hold a news conference Monday.

Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor, but also a sister, Adams said. Weve always talked about when this day would come, and while weve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wont be right next door every day.

Lewis-Martin's decision to step down comes as Adams faces federal corruption charges and several members of his administration have come under investigation.

Adams himself has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty.

Lewis-Martin's phones were seized and her home was searched in late September by prosecutors in Manhattan, who, along with federal prosecutors, met her at an airport in New York as she was getting off a flight from Japan.

Hours after the search, Lewis-Martin took the extraordinary step of appearing on Aidala's radio show to discuss the investigation, telling her attorney, I do believe that in the end that the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DA's office to investigate us.

Lewis-Martin has been one of the mayors most trusted and longest-serving aides, working under Adams in prominent positions throughout his political career  when he was a state senator, Brooklyn borough president and mayor. She has said she first met Adams about four decades ago, when Adams and her husband, Glenn Martin, were in the New York City police academy.

Lewis-Martin, in the statement from City Hall, said that her time alongside Adams has been an amazing ride" but that "now, today, the time has come for me to focus on my wonderful family and myself and retire.

To my city: I started as a community activist and worked on many campaigns, ultimately landing at City Hall. I am a native New Yorker, and I love my city. Know that I will continue to do everything in my power to fight for this great city every day as a private citizen," she said.

___

Izaguirre reported from Albany, N.Y.
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An American newlywed faces life behind bars after a judge in Fiji found him guilty of beating his wife to death during their honeymoon, authorities there announced Monday.

Christie Chen, who was 36 at the time of her murder, was reportedly injured so badly, her remains could not be embalmed for transport back to the U.S. and had to be cremated on the South Pacific archipelago.

Her husband, 40-year-old Bradley Robert Dawson, killed Chen two days after they arrived at the luxurious Turtle Island resort, then fled by kayak to a nearby island. Hotel staff discovered Chens body with numerous blunt trauma wounds to the head, in the couples room.

Chen worked as a pastry chef before returning to school to become a pharmacist, and had worked in that capacity at a Kroger supermarket in Memphis.

The Memphis, Tennessee, residents had been heard arguing loudly the night before Chens death, and neither showed up for breakfast or lunch the next day, according to the Chen familys lawyer.

open image in gallery Christie Chen was 36 years old when she was murdered on her honeymoon. Her killer has now been convicted of her murder ( University of Tennessee Health System )

Justice Riyaz Hamza found Dawson guilty in the Lautoka High Court last Thursday after a weeklong trial, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said. Dawson had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Hamza noted that Dawson was carrying his passport and personal belongings with him when he was arrested, and said this suggested his intent to abscond, according to the Fiji Times.

Dawson, worked in the IT department at a nonprofit child welfare organization. He remains jailed pending his sentencing date next month. Dawson is expected to receive a mandatory life term; Fiji law permits a presiding judge to set a minimum term to be served before a pardon is considered.

Turtle Island is an exclusive property on Yasawa, a group of 20 volcanic islands in the west of Fiji, and accommodates only 14 couples at a time.

An attorney for Dawson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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A New York City man claims he was scammed by a Romanian national posing as a psychotherapist, who was able to effectively brainwash him into believing his soul  and those of his relatives  would be doomed to eternal damnation if he didnt obey his ongoing demands for six-figure cash payments and thousands of dollars in pricey electronics.

Over the course of four years, Bucharest psychology student Robert George Buliga was able to dupe Octavian Mihai from afar, conducting one-on-one sessions via Zoom and phone during which he claimed to be providing medical care, but in reality stealthily analyzed Mr. Mihais disclosed vulnerabilities and exploited them, according to a lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

Buliga deceitfully inserted himself into Mr. Mihais life as a psychotherapist, and then capitalized on this position of intimate trust to exploit Mr. Mihais emotional openness and steal his money, states the complaint, which was filed December 13 in New York State Supreme Court. Mr. Mihai sought Buligas counsel to navigate his emotions, mistakenly confiding in someone who was not a licensed professional.

The complaint describes Buliga as a charlatan who ran not a legitimate practice, but in fact, a cult. It says he insisted on absolute compliance with his directives and isolating him from friends and family while threatening dire emotional and spiritual consequences if he ever left his care.

open image in gallery An address listed for Buligas practice in downtown Bucharest, Romania, is that of a building that now appears abandoned ( Google Maps )

In one instance, the complaint contends, Buliga said Mihai had wronged him in an unseen world, and that unless he forked over $12,400 to make amends, he would stop treating [him] and abandon his soul to purgatory.

All told, Buliga extorted nearly $200,000 from Mihai under the false pretext of caring for his psychological needs, according to the complaint.

No therapy was rendered, it says.

Buliga did not respond on Monday to multiple requests for comment, and rejected numerous phone calls made to his office. An address for Buligas practice listed in the complaint is that of a building in downtown Bucharest, Romania, that, as of May 2024, appears abandoned.

Mihai found Buliga in March 2019, through his website, the complaint states.

Buliga advertises himself as a music therapist and spiritual guide, and while his worldview is difficult to pin down precisely, he promises to free patients from their troubles through a combination of video chats, webinars, and a board game he and his wife invented, called Melinda.

If a man blocks his male energy through a position of the body far from an axis inclined to the front, through defective breathing and through a series of saboteurs, he blocks his aspiration towards freedom (in the spiritual sense), Buliga wrote in a blog post last year. Once blocked, your ability to express masculinity weakens. Its bad for you and the women around you. You change their destiny, their path full of femininity... Literally they (women) will take over your qualities. They will become androids; women with a strong feminine instinct will leave you.

open image in gallery Robert Buliga allegedly demanded thousands of dollars in electronic equipment, as well as cash, according to Octavio Mihai ( Getty Images )

In March 2019, Buliga falsely represented to Mr. Mihai that he was qualified in the profession of psychologist with the right to free practice, according to Mihais complaint. But, the victim claims, this was not true.

Buliga has never been admitted to practice anywhere in the U.S., and, during his treatment of Mihai, was only a [psychology] student at a university in Bucharest, the complaint alleges.

Once Mihai was his patient, Buliga subjected [him] to egregious psychological manipulation, according to the complaint. He spent endless hours in conversation with Mihai in order to tease-out his weaknesses and exploit them, keeping Mihai coming back again and again for spiritual updates and communication training, which the complaint says consisted only of Buliga generating an invoice and demanding payment.

Buliga separated Mihai and others from their support networks, insisting that they needed to obey him 100 percent to save their souls, the complaint states.

He would harangue them into believing that they needed to isolate completely from family and friends or their souls were in danger, according to the complaint. When Mr. Mihai resisted making payments, Defendant Buliga threatened his already-shaky psyche with dire emotional and spiritual consequences unless the training and updates continued. As further proof, when Mr. Mihai informed Defendant Buliga that he was ending the patient-psychotherapist relationship, Buliga demanded an additional $20,000 and told Mr. Mihai he would suffer dire spiritual and emotional consequences if he did not pay.

open image in gallery Buliga claimed to specialize in music therapy, according to the complaint ( AFP via Getty Images )

On top of everything else, Buliga coerced Mihai to purchase electronic equipment for him in exchange for psychotherapy services, the complaint goes on, putting Mihais total outlay on high-tech gear for Buliga at $7,254.34. There were no further details on what products he had to buy.

Mihai claims he is out $194,142.08, paid into personal accounts of Robert and [wife] Diana Buliga to avoid taxes, and were recorded on bogus invoices for services that were never provided.

He has since recovered sufficiently from a clear abuse of the falsely-created therapeutic relationship and a dreadful racket of exploitation, and is now able to seek legal redress for the fraud, psychological manipulation, and financial exploitation experienced during this period, the complaint says.

The lawsuit alleges fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, medical malpractice and unjust enrichment, and demands undetermined compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorneys fees.
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Thousands of everyday investors who used banking apps to gamify personal finance have been left with mere pennies after a fintech company collapsed earlier this year.

The collapse and bankruptcy of fintech middleman Synapse in May has left more than 100,000 Americans locked out of a collective $90 million of their own money, prompting a class action lawsuit.

One of those customers was Kayla Morris, a former school teacher from Texas who was saving money to buy a largerhome for her growing family.

When she and her husband sold their home in 2023, they took their earnings  $282,153.87  and deposited it into fintech app Yotta, where they believed their money would be safe.

After the Synapse collapse, Evolve Bank & Trust worked to return the money tied up in complicated ledger mishaps back to the customers, but Morris was left wanting.

We were informed last Monday that Evolve was only going to pay us $500 out of that $280,000, Morris said during a court hearing, according to CNBC. Its just devastating.

Her situation was not unique; Zach Jacobs, who had $94,468.92 deposited in Yotta said he was getting less than $130 back from his bank.

Morris, Jacobs and other customers affected by the downfall of Synapse likely had never heard of the company before May 11. They used apps like Yotta or Juno  banking apps that were not banks, but gamified personal investment platforms  which in turn relied on Synapse's services.

In April, approximately $265 million of users money was tied up in the end of Synapse. Since then, some $90 million is still unaccounted for.

But that's not the worst part; not only are the users locked out of their funds, but due to alleged improper ledger keeping on Synapse's end, it's unclear exactly how all of those funds should be distributed.

How did a fintech middleman end up in the center of this level of monetary chaos?

The rise and fall of Synapse

Synapse was founded in 2014 and was backed by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. The company's aim was to provide fintech companies  like Juno or Yotta  with a means of providing banking services despite not holding banking licenses.

Fintech platforms that don't have banking licenses aren't protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. If a major US bank fails, customers who keep money with the bank aren't left holding an empty bag  the FDIC will reimburse them up to $250,000 per depositor, per banking institution.

As a result, fintech companies typically need to partner with FDIC-insured banks to hold their customers' money in special accounts that give the companies the ability to manage those funds. That also means fintech companies need a middleman to perform bookkeeping tasks and maintain their ledgers; which is where Synapse entered the picture.

Synapse had no lack of customers in need of its services; before its bankruptcy, it had contracts with 100 fintech companies representing approximately 10 million end users, according to an April court filing.

After Synapse declared bankruptcy in April, its four banking partners lost access to a critical system they used to identify the company's records. That meant that end-users using fintech apps like Yotta were left with their money tied up, and their banks without the means to determine who had what deposited where.

In response to the chaos, the FDI proposed a new record keeping rule in September requiring more robust ledger keeping for any bank deposit received from a third-party or non-bank entity  fintech companies  if they accept deposits from consumers or businesses.

Since the chaos began, the partner banks working with Synapse have been trying to reconcile with customers. A report filed by the Troutman Pepper lawsuit, published in September, found that the between $65 million and $95 million of the $265 million is still unaccounted for.

FDIC response and lawsuit

The FDIC's rule proposes new requirements for any "custodial deposit accounts with transactional features," according to Banking Dive.

The aim is to force banks to maintain "direct, continuous, and unrestricted access to the records" of any third-party groups maintaining ledgers for third-party entities, like fintech companies.

The rule was a direct response to what happened with Synapse, and will, hopefully, prevent something like this from happening again in the future.

But what happens in the future isn't going to make whole the users who still don't have access to their money.

American Bank, AMG National Trust, Lineage Bank, and Evolve Bank & Trust  Synapse's banking partners  have been hit with a lawsuit seeking class action status in a federal court in Colorado.

That lawsuit, filed in late November, was brought primarily by Yotta and Juno customers who allege the banks engaged in "gross mismanagement of cash deposits of ordinary consumers who have lost access to their holdings" in the wake of Synapse's bankruptcy.

Unfortunately, the Partner Banks failed to adequately maintain and safeguard customers funds, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit comes as the banks are still working to get the money back to the customers.

Last month, Evolve announced it was ready to disburse $46 million back to Synapse end users.

It has been a long road for everyone involved, but the right road, and we are proud to have completed this exhaustive reconciliation process, which we believe was the responsible course of action to properly return end user funds, an Evolve spokesperson told Banking Dive in an email.

However, some of those payouts have left customers overwhelmed; according to a Banking Dive report, some Evolve customers who have received payouts report receiving as little as $0.84 on more than $10,000 in funds, and $9.01 on a $28,660 deposit.

As a result, it's unlikely the suing customers will be backing off anytime soon.

The result is that many customers are left without access to their cash deposits and with no clear ability to discern which of the Partner Banks holds their money, the lawsuit said. But their money is necessarily held by one or more of the Partner Banks.
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A rare tornado touched down in California on Saturday, overturning cars, damaging roofs, and leaving several people injured.

Authorities said that five people had been injured by the mid-afternoon twister that downed trees and power poles and damaged street signs, according to Bay Area station KRON 4.

Several people were transported to area hospitals around Scotts Valley, which is located less than an hour from San Jose in Santa Cruz County. Their conditions remain unknown.

The Scotts Valley Police Department, along with numerous partnering agencies, worked tirelessly throughout the night to repair damaged equipment, restore power, and reopen the citys roadways, Scotts Valley Police Chief Scott Garner said in a statement.

open image in gallery A vehicle and debris litter a Target parking lot after a twister tears through Scotts Valley, California. Multiple people were injured by the tornado ( Scotts Valley Police Department )

The police department said that multiple power lines came down and that a road was blocked by debris, sharing pictures of the damage.

Most of the destruction was due to 80-mile-per-hour winds, prompting residents to take shelter. Estimated peak winds were reported at 90 miles an hour.

Residents described the impact as vaguely biblical, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

While tornadoes have struck the Golden State before  averaging 11 each year, typically during the spring and fall  the weekends EF-1 brought the first tornado warning for the Pacific Coast hub of San Francisco in recorded history.

At 6 a.m. PST, phones blared with emergency alerts that the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management shared on social media: Take shelter now in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

open image in gallery A vehicle is overturned following an EF-1 tornado on Mount Hernon Drive in Scotts Valley California. It brought wind speeds up to 90 miles per hour ( Scotts Valley Police Department )

Later, the department issued a statement noting that residents had been understandably anxious to receive an alert about something [they] dont associate with [the] region.

It noted that many San Francisco buildings dont have basements like other parts of the country where tornadoes are more common.

Ultimately, we are trending toward more frequent and intense weather events in San Francisco, and while WEAs are alarming, the National Weather Service only sends these alerts when there is a genuine possibility of a life safety hazard, it said.

San Francisco had a confirmed tornado in 2005, but it came without a warning.

The tornado warning came just days after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake resulted in a tsunami warning for the majority of the coastline.

open image in gallery Two cars are stranded in floodwaters that fill an underpass in Livermore, California. More rain is expected in the state this week ( Livermore Police Department )

The storm came as yet another atmospheric river event  bringing a long plume of moisture  bore down on California, bringing flooding threats, strong winds, and knocking out power for thousands.

Substantial flooding in Livermore left two cars stranded. Novato police reported power outages.

On Monday, more than 7,000 California customers remained without power, tracker PowerOutage.US showed.

An active atmospheric river pattern is expected over the Northwest for the next couple of days. Precipitation is anticipated in the state and across the West on Monday.

For those of you that like rain: the next rainmaker is making its way into California with more rain on the way Friday through the weekend, the National Weather Services Bay Area office said.

With reporting from The Associated Press
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ABCs $15 million settlement with Donald Trump following the president-elects defamation lawsuit has alarmed legal analysts and drawn criticism that the network and its Disney parent company gave up without a fight.

Knee bent. Ring kissed, prominent Democratic elections lawyer Marc Elias wrote. Another legacy news outlet chooses obedience.

Former Washington Post media reporter Paul Farhi called the settlement an awful precedent and a huge sellout.

open image in gallery Donald Trump sued ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos for on-air remarks stating that the president-elect was found liable for rape ( AFP via Getty Images )

Im old enough to remember  and to have worked on  cases where newspapers vigorously defended themselves against defamation cases instead of folding before the defendant was even deposed, wrote former federal prosecutor and MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance.

On Saturday, it was announced that ABC and host George Stephanopoulos agreed to settle the claims at the center of Trumps lawsuit against the network and one of its star anchors, who was sued for stating that Trump was found liable for rape by a jury.

The $15 million settlement goes towards Trumps presidential library.

Stephanopoulos mischaracterized the jurys precise findings in a long-running legal battle involving allegations that Trump sexually assaulted a woman in a department store in New York in the 1990s, and then defamed her by saying she was lying about it.

His comments appeared to summarize what a federal judge overseeing those cases explained to the former president last year, but the judge handling Trumps lawsuit disagreed that Stephanopouloss statements were substantially true  teeing up what would become a protracted legal battle if it went to trial.

What the judge said in E Jean Carrolls case

E Jean Carroll has contended that Trump assaulted her in a dressing room where, among other things, he forcibly penetrated her vagina with his fingers, Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote last year in the New York case

Under New York criminal law, rape involves vaginal penetration by a penis. Trump was ultimately found liable for penetrating Carroll with his hand.

Kaplan said the distinction in this case is largely a semantic one.

A jurys unanimous verdict was almost entirely in her favor, but of the only point on which Ms. Carroll did not prevail was whether she had proved that Mr. Trump had raped her within the narrow, technical meaning of a particular section of the New York Penal Law, Kaplan added.

open image in gallery E Jean Carroll won a defamation case against Donald Trump, who was found liable by a jury for sexual abuse ( Getty Images )

That section of law defines rape as used in criminal prosecutions only to vaginal penetration by a penis, while the forcible, unconsented-to penetration of the vagina or of other bodily orifices by fingers, other body parts, or other articles or materials is instead labelled sexual abuse, the judge noted.

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, he wrote. Indeed, as the evidence at trial  makes clear, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that.

The jury implicitly found that Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carrolls vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm, according to Kaplan.

Judge overseeing Trumps lawsuit rejected ABCs key argument

Earlier this year, the federal judge overseeing Trumps lawsuit against the network rejected ABCs arguments that the statements were substantially true and thus protected under Floridas so-called fair report privilege.

She said she was not persuaded that such broad latitude exists in Florida, where the suit was filed.

Florida law absolves media outlets from being technically precise in their descriptions of legal issues, but the privilege does not protect media where the omission of important context renders a report misleading, the judge wrote.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has mounted an aggressive legal campaign against news outlets for critical coverage, including a $10 billion suit against CBS News ( REUTERS )

She argued that a reasonable viewer who watched the ABC News segment could have been misled by Stephanopouloss statements, which did not include the jurys original findings and only fleetingly referenced the interpretation Judge Kaplan later offered.

Judge Kaplans findings do not have preclusive effect here, she added.

To win the lawsuit, Trump would have had to prove that ABC was reckless when it came to the truth or falsity of the statements Stephanopoulos made, Vance explained.

That would be a tough bar for Trump to reach in this case because of the kinds of statements that were made and the outcome of the E. Jean Carroll defamation case against Trump, she said.

Judge Kaplans lengthy filing could have been powerful evidence to combat Trumps defamation claims, according to Vance.

Settlement avoids potentially damaging evidence process

Media analysts have suggested that a payout pre-empted potentially embarassing emails and messages that would have been leaked out during the pre-trial evidence process

That information could have made ABC look bad or would be advantageous to Trumps lawyers in other ways, according to CNNs Brian Stelter.

He referenced the pre-trial discovery process in Dominion Voting Systemss lawsuit against Fox News, which revealed damning messages among top Fox personalities and leadership as the network amplified bogus conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

Fox eventually settled, resulting in the largest-ever settlement of its kind, to the tune of $787 million.

Settling seals the case and lets ABC (and parent company Disney) move on, Stelter said.
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Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who has campaigned for a national healthcare system, has said the UnitedHealthcare CEOs shooting underscores peoples frustration with the industry.

Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats, made the remarks on Meet the Press on Sunday morning.

What I think has happened in the last few months is that what you have seen rising up is peoples anger at a health insurance industry, which denies people the health care that they desperately need while they make billions and billions of dollars in profit, the senator told the shows host Kristen Welker in response to a question about whether now is the right time to be discussing health insurance policy.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder, allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 in New York City. He was arrested days later at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. At the time, police said they found a handwritten manifesto on him outlining his motive.

Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: the US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy, Mangione allegedly wrote. Hes been charged with second-degree murder in New York and gun-related charges in Pennsylvania.

While condemning Mangiones murder, Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, reiterated some of the points made in the alleged manifesto.

open image in gallery A poster reading Free Luigi near the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead on December 4 ( AP )

We need to ask ourselves when we talk about health care is why we are the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care to all people, why we have a life expectancy which is significantly lower than in other countries, why working-class people die five to ten years shorter than the people on top, he said

I think the time is long overdue for us to guarantee health care to every man, woman, and child, especially at a time when were spending twice as much per capita on health care as the people of every other nation.

Other Democratic lawmakers have recently highlighted problems with the healthcare system. In a TV interview earlier this week, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said you can only push people so far and then they start to take matters into their own hands.

open image in gallery Sanders and Elizabeth Warren arrive for a vote at the Capitol on September 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. Theyre both highlighting the problems with the US healthcare system after the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting ( Getty Images )

She later said: I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Congresswoman from New York, said the shooting revealed a mass bubbling of resentment.

Of course, we dont want to see the chaos that vigilantism presents, she told Business Insider. We also dont want to see the extreme suffering that millions of Americans confront when your life changes overnight from a horrific diagnosis.

UnitedHealthcare denies more claims than other insurers, according to a report from Forbes. After Mangiones arrest, his supporters donated tens of thousands of dollars to his defense funds, surpassing $100,000. Hes currently being held in a Pennsylvania detetion facility while he fights extradition to New York.
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With just five weeks to go until President-elect Donald Trump and his allies take full control of Americas executive branch, many of his former antagonists are suddenly attempting to curry favor. How best to do so? By funding the massive inaugural celebration that will mark his return to office, of course.

On Thursday, CNN reported that Amazon, the worlds largest retailer, would be gifting $1 million in cash to the Trump inaugural committee, in addition to an equal in-kind contribution it would make by broadcasting the January 20 festivities on the companys eponymous streaming video platform.

The donations are just the latest in what has become a concerted effort by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to lessen tensions.

Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, became a frequent target of Trump attacks on account of the papers Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting into his first administration. The then-president often railed against what he described as the Amazon Washington Post on his Twitter (now X) account, and he has been accused of intervening to prevent Amazon from winning a massive cloud computing contract from the Pentagon.

But in recent months, Bezos has taken steps to ease his once-fraught relationship with Trump.

After a gunman came within inches of shooting Trump in the head during a July rally in Pennsylvania, Bezos took to X to praise the then-former president for having shown tremendous grace and courage under literal fire after photographs emerged of Trump raising a fist while preventing his Secret Service detail from shielding him properly.

Months later, Bezos also reportedly intervened to prevent his newspaper from issuing an endorsement of Trumps 2024 election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

But the Amazon founder isnt the only billionaire antagonist now making nice with Trump ahead of his second term.

On Wednesday, Facebook parent company Meta said it had given $1 million to the Trump inaugural effort, just two weeks after Trump and company founder Mark Zuckerberg had dinner at the president-elects Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Zuckerberg  whose platforms once banned Trump in the wake of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters  also started taking a softer line with the president-elect after the attempted assassination. In an interview with The Circuit podcast, he said seeing Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag was one of the most badass things [hed] ever seen in [his] life.

But sympathy for an almost-murdered politician and respect for his post-shooting posturing isnt necessarily whats driving the about-face by Zuckerberg and Bezos. Just as likely? Its fear.

Trump, who spent the last few years running on a platform of revenge and retribution, is now in a position to torment his perceived enemies. Emboldened by a Supreme Court that has granted presidents sweeping immunity for any exercise of official authority, he could direct compliant prosecutors or regulators to deploy the full force of the law against those who displease him  and incur zero consequences for doing so.

In the case of Zuckerberg, these threats arent theoretical. In a photo book published this year, Trump actually threatened to imprison him.

Under a photo of the two men taken during a meeting at the White House, Trump wrote that Zuckerberg would come to the Oval Office to see me. He would bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting to install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT, referring to Zuckerbergs effort to fund election administration across the US during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Conspiracy theorists and election deniers allied with Trump have accused Zuckerberg of only funding elections in Democratic areas. In reality, the grant money offered by the tycoons nonprofit was available to any municipality that asked for it.

But Trump saw the civic engagement funding as something more sinister.

In his book, he wrote that Zuckerberg told me there was nobody like Trump on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me, referring to false accusations of censorship often leveled against tech platforms by conservatives.

We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison  as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election, Trump added.

Notably, Zuckerberg declined to fund any civic engagement efforts during this years election. And hes reaped benefits thus far in terms of access and a potential role in helping the administration shape Artificial Intelligence policy.

Now, with Trump poised to re-enter the White House, he and his fellow tech titans are bending over backwards to make sure Trump wont even consider following through on the threats he once leveled against them.

Its not just good business sense, but survival instinct as well.
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Canadian authorities admitted that migrants can simply hop over the U.S.-Canadian border after Donald Trump threatened hefty tariffs on the country unless it secures its boundary.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago after he threatened both Canada and Mexico with 25 percent tariffs on all imported goods unless they curb the amount of drugs and migrants from entering the U.S.

Now, members of the Canadian governments police agency have conceded that while concrete blocks that dot some rural parts of the border prevent vehicles from crossing, its easy for migrants traveling by foot to step into the U.S.

People can still hop over them, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sergeant Daniel Dubois told Reuters.

Canadian police told the outlet that they have been installing cameras and sensors over vulnerable parts of the border.

open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talk prior to a NATO round table meeting at The Grove hotel and resort in England in 2019. Canada has admitted that migrants can easily hop over the Canadian border to the U.S. after Trump threatened to impose large tariffs ( AP )

Reducing crossings along the worlds largest border is a huge undertaking. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol have nearly 200,000 encounters with migrants at the northern border this fiscal year, data shows. August was the busiest month, when Border Patrol reported almost 19,000 migrant encounters.

Even if we were everywhere, we couldnt stop it, Charles Poirier, an RCMP spokesperson in Quebec, told Reuters.

Heres the thing: they havent committed an offense until theyve crossed into the United States. So our focus for the past few months, actually the past year and a half, has been on arresting and prosecuting the smugglers, he added.

U.S. Border Patrol reported 7,000 drug seizures in the past fiscal year at the northern border  but only 82 of them involved fentanyl  data shows. Thats compared to 8,800 drug seizures from the southern border in the same period; nearly one-tenth of those seizures involved fentanyl.

open image in gallery A view of the Canada-U.S. border barrier during a patrol with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Saint-Georges-de-Clarenceville, Quebec, Canada December 5, 2024. ( REUTERS/Carlos Osorio )

In late November, Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on the U.S.s neighbors on his first day in office, unless the countries tighten the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States. His particular focus is fentanyl.

On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders, Trump wrote on Truth Social. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! The 78-year-old Republican has also threatened mass deportations in his second term.

Following Trudeaus initial meeting with Trump early this month, his government is allegedly contemplating spending hundreds of millions on securing its border with the U.S., the Canadian Broadcasting Corpporation reported earlier this month.

open image in gallery More concrete blocks lining the U.S.-Canada border in Alburgh, Vermont, U.S. December 6, 2024. ( REUTERS/Carlos Osorio )

During that meeting, sources say the president-elect mocked that Canada can circumvent the looming tariffs if it becomes Americas 51st state. Days later, Trump made a similar remark in a Truth Social post, calling the Canadian prime minister Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.

After the meeting, Trudeau warned that the tariffs would not only be devastating for the Canadian economy, but also for Americans.

Trump got elected on a commitment to make life better and more affordable for Americans, and I think people south of the border are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive, the prime minister said in a speech last week. Canada is the largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S.
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Donald Trump Jr has said he will always care for Kimberly Guilfoyle and that the couple retain a special bond amid reports that they have ended their four-year engagement and parted ways.

While the couple has still not officially confirmed the split, the president-elects eldest son, 46, was recently pictured with Florida socialite Bettina Anderson celebrating her 38th birthday at Buccan, an exclusive Palm Beach restaurant, and enjoying a romantic evening stroll along the beach.

The photos, published by The Daily Mail, coincided with Guilfoyle, 55, being picked by President-elect Donald Trump to be his next US ambassador to Greece, leading to jokes from the likes of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that she had effectively been exiled to Athens to avoid an embarrassing break-up.

Now, Don Jr has told Page Six he and Guilfoyle will never stop caring for each other  though he stopped short of confirming their relationship is over.

Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and will always keep a special bond, he said.

I could not be more proud of her and the important role shell continue to play in my fathers administration, he added, alluding to her ambassadorship, which Guilfoyle said she was honored to accept.

open image in gallery Donald Trump Jr and Kimberly Guilfoyle pictured together at his fathers Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on April 4 2023 ( AP )

Don Jr also took the opportunity to hit out at some of the gloating press coverage surrounding the apparent demise of their relationship.

Anyone taking baseless and petty fake news cheap shots at her in the tabloids are just embarrassing themselves, he said in defense of Guilfoyle.

Shes been an undefeated prosecutor, national TV news star, a leader of the MAGA movement and close advisor to the president.

The people of Greece are getting an absolute star and now the whole world will see it more than ever.

Since the very beginning, no one on Team Trump has worked harder than Kimberly to help elect and re-elect my father  and no one deserves this ambassadorship more than she does.

According to insiders, Don Jr had been complaining about Guilfoyles fashion sense for some time before their relationship appeared to come to an end.

Don Jr has been telling people for months that Kim is so uptight and always dresses so professionally in these kinds of dresses and high heels, and never looks relaxed or casual, a MAGA insider told People.

open image in gallery Kimberly Guilfoyle delivering an iconic speech during the online-only Republican National Convention in August 2020 ( Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty )

The tight dresses need to go and she has been told that.

Another source told the outlet: Don Jr has always wanted to look good in his fathers eyes. Someone like Bettina, who is and has been a model, and is in Waspy circles of Palm Beach is something that would impress him.

How welcome Guilfoyle will be when she takes up residence in Jefferson House, the US ambassadors home in the affluent Kolonaki district of the Greek capital, is far from certain.

In an appearance on Fox Newss The Five in 2015, which emerged last week, she once dismissed the countrys citizens as freeloaders after their government rejected a bailout offer from the European Union.

Nobody likes freeloaders, she declared during a discussion about the Greek sovereign debt crisis.

It doesnt matter if you made great yogurt. I dont care.

Suck it up. Get up in the morning. Go to work. You guys are retiring too early. And thats part of the problem. You have, like, politicians making out-of-control promises, buying votes with entitlements that they cant support.
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The drone sightings over New Jersey have prompted a litany of conspiracy theories to fly across the internet - including a government psychological operation to aliens to a foreign military threat.

Right-wing commentators are spreading the theories as sightings continue to be reported across the East Coast. The Federal Aviation Administration has said that the first sighting took place on November 18 close to Morris County, New Jersey, with sightings subsequently being reported in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said in a joint statement Thursday that theres no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC News Sunday, Theres no question that people are seeing drones.

I want to assure the American public that we in the federal government have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing the drone sightings, he added.

Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones, Mayorkas said. But theres no question that drones are being sighted.

We deploy personnel, technology, and, if there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly, the secretary noted. Right now, we are not aware of any. If we become aware of any, we will communicate accordingly and take appropriate action.

But that hasnt stopped the sharing of increasingly bizarre conspiracy theories.

open image in gallery In this image taken from video, what appears to be drones flying over Randolph, New Jersey. Increasingly bizarre conspiracy theories are being shared online about the drones ( AP )

Project Blue Beam

Comedian Roseanne Barr helped push the conspiracy theory advocated for by Infowars Alex Jones. The theory has been around for decades and posits that the government will enact a fake alien invasion to induce societal panic to put in place authoritarian measures.

Jones claims that the project will start with holograms, while Barr appears to think that drone sightings are the beginning of this plan.

Now you see why I mention Project Blue Beam every week on my podcast.. Barr wrote on X Saturday.

Ufologist and retired physician Dr. Steven Greer appeared on Joness show last week claiming that They all have this agenda to want to control the world through one calamity after the other, and the big one theyve been planning is the hoax of an alien threat from outer space.

Aliens

Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh suggested that the drones are extraterrestrial.

Anyone who thinks the drones over Jersey are extraterrestrial is extra stupid, Jeremy Boreing wrote on X.

I agree. Anyone who merely thinks theyre aliens is stupid. I know theyre aliens. Theres literally no other plausible explanation, Walsh responded.

A number of videos generated by artificial intelligence have been shared on YouTube to suggest that an alien invasion is underway.

Drone warfare training

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X on December 12, Its a slap in the face that the Pentagon continues to tell the American people they dont know who is flying the drones over New Jersey.

I think the Pentagon absolutely knows, but theyre full of crap. And if they actually dont know, these officials should resign in disgrace. Luckily, in just a few more weeks, we will have people in charge who can tell us what this is, she added.

The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad, she added Sunday.

She also suggested that the drones are part of the U.S. military and that they were training for drone warfare.

The government needs to come clean and tell the American people what is going on. Thats the most infuriating part to me. The government lies and hides everything while the people have to pay for it all, she wrote on X.

open image in gallery Multiple drones are seen over Bernardsville, New Jersey. Some people think it is a government operation behind the sightings and others believe it is aliens ( AP )

A foreign threat

New Jersey Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew suggested on Fox News last week that the drones are coming from an Iranian mothership. The former Democrat also argued that the Pentagon is hiding whats really going on.

We arent being told the truth, Van Drew said. They are dealing with the American public like were stupid.

The Pentagon rejected that claim.

There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and theres no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States, spokesperson Sabrina Singh said, according to The Daily Beast.

Stopping Trump from getting into office

A post on X by user Peggy Dodson included a video of air traffic at an airport, which she said was evidence that the drones are something the Biden administration is using along with the dark exos to create something that will stop Trump getting into office.

The post has been viewed millions of times, according to X.

Detecting radiation

Others are suggesting that the government is using drones to detect radiation as they expect an explosion of a dirty bomb.

Biblically accurate angels

One YouTube user shared a video with the title Biblically Accurate Angels Are Haunting New Jersey and X user @beckibella wrote that these are not #drones they are #Orbs either represent highly advanced terrestrial technologies, either military or private sector, using mechanisms beyond publicly known capabilities. Or they are Interdimensional or Spiritual Entities or a combination of both.
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Federal officials sought to ease tensions but had no concrete answers for reporters about mysterious sightings of drone aircraft in New Jersey which have led to alleged sightings across the eastern seaboard.

Officials with several agencies explained that reviews of thousands of reports to tip lines, 911 centers and other sources revealed the vast majority of sightings in New Jersey and elsewhere to be cases of persons mistaking low-flying commercial aircraft conducting holding patterns around regional airports.

But they did acknowledge, however, that a handful of reports appeared to substantiate rumors of drone aircraft flying across the night sky in New Jersey. For those sightings, officials had no answers  beyond assurances that there was no evidence to support claims of foreign involvement.

open image in gallery A persons photo of what they believe to be a drone hovering after dark in Lebanon Township, New Jersey ( AP )

To date, we have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent, a Department of Defense official said Saturday.

But I just got to simply tell you, we don't know.

An official with the Federal Aviation Administration noted that private drone flights are legal (within certain parameters) in the United States.

A senior official with President Joe Bidens administration added that agencies had no indication that the sightings in New Jersey involved criminal acts.

At this point, we have not identified any basis for believing that, the Biden official said. There's any criminal activity involved, that there's any national security threat, that there's any particular public safety threat, or that there's a malicious foreign actor involved in these drones.

One FBI official didnt rule out Americans response may be a slight overreaction to what is actually happening in the skies.

open image in gallery An image taken from video appears to show drones flying over Randolph, New Jersey, on December 4 ( AP )

Lawmakers in Congress are likely to have some answers for the public later this week after the House Intelligence Committee receives a classified briefing on the matter.

To date, federal agencies have repeatedly issued assurances that the drone sightings, alleged or otherwise, are not the result of foreign activity but have not explained what they actually are.

And as some of those same officials have correctly pointed out, the void of silence from federal authorities regarding the true explanation for the phenomenon has opened a vacuum for disinformation and conspiracy theories.

Far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed, without any evidence, that the drones were actually federally operated.

She gave no reason for why that would be or their supposed purpose, only giving her social media followers a vague sense of unease with the declaration: It really is that bad.

Democratic congressman Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee, fired back that Greenes assertion was incorrect.

This is absolutely not true. And really irresponsible to say, he wrote in response.

Himes told Fox News Sundaythat theres a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now, and the answer we dont know is not a good enough answer.

Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also sought to address the growing panic with his Sunday morning appearance on ABCs This Week. But the secretary, like other oficials, had little to offer beyond promises to act and complaints of his own limited authority to investigate unidientified unmanned aircraft.

Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones, Mayorkas said. But theres no question that drones are being sighted.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said last Thursday that federal authorities had no evidence of a foreign nexus for the drones allegedly spotted by residents of New Jersey.

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, the agencies said in a statement.

To be clear, they have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage, they added. While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities.

open image in gallery Jim Himes, top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, is expected to receive a briefing from federal agencies on reports of drones across the East Coast ( AP )

But the criticism leveled at the agencies, including by Democrats, is of a failure to provide clear answers to the American public to mitigate a burgeoning panic.

Numerous state and local leaders have now written the Biden administration asking officials to take on a greater sense of urgency in the investigation into the drones, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be deployed across New York and New Jersey that could help determine whether the objects are drones or birds, and then follow the objects back to where they came from.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal even suggested support for the government to try to take them out if it cant explain where theyre coming from.

We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if theyre flying over airports or military bases, he said this week.
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Suggesting that pasta and pizza in Europe are lower in calories than in the United States, Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt claimed that people dont gain any weight when eating those items overseas because they dont contain pesticides like their American counterparts.

During a lengthy and free-wheeling press conference on Monday, President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his support for vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his health and human services secretary. He also lent credence to Kennedys debunked claims that childhood vaccines lead to autism.

At the same time, the incoming president tried to dispel fears that Kennedy supported taking the polio vaccine out of circulation. Youre not going to lose the polio vaccine. Thats not going to happen, Trump said, adding he was a big fan of the vaccinations. Still, the president-elect signaled that he could make the vaccines and other immunization shots a matter of parental choice.

I dont like mandates. Im not a big mandate person, he said when asked about schools requiring children to be vaccinated.

Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt claims that pasta in Europe isnt fattening. ( Fox News )

With the incoming president doubling down on Kennedys so-called Make America Healthy Again agenda, which would eliminate pesticides in agriculture and promote organic foods in school lunches, Earhardt was exhilarated over the prospect of Kennedy in the new Trump administration, even thought she may have been confused about pasta.

Its obvious who we like! Were all excited about him, she said on Mondays broadcast of Outnumbered, referencing a recent Fox News poll that found a plurality of American voters approved of Kennedys nomination.

How wonderful is it that we might not have to worry about our children with autism or our kids developing cancer, Earhardt continued, apparently parroting Kennedys claim on the root causes of autism. Its wonderful that he wants to clean up our food! (Notably, when former First Lady Michelle Obama launched an initiative to make school lunches healthier in 2010, conservatives and Fox News decried it as communism.)

In a bid to make her case, the Fox & Friends co-anchor then compared the quality of food in Europe to that in America. In doing so, though, she made a curious assertion  especially considering her carb-heavy choices.

When we go to Europe, we can eat pasta, we can eat pizza, we dont gain any weight, she declared. I know you walk a lot, but you dont gain weight. You feel fresh. You feel clean.

Earhardt added that once a person returns to America and starts eating pasta again, they gain weight immediately. According to the Fox News morning host, there was a simple reason why spaghetti across the pond was supposedly less fattening than in the States.

Theres something wrong with our foods. Its the pesticides, its the chemicals. We want all of that out, she concluded.

The Fox News stars suggestion that people can eat all the pasta and pizza they want in Europe without packing on the pounds, based on the assumption that the food was pesticide-free, prompted some mockery on social media.

Were one step away from Brawndos got what plants crave, Washington Monthlys political editor Bill Scher snarked, referencing the 2006 satire Idiocracy. He wasnt the only one who linked her remarks to the comedic film about a dystopian future in which civilization has devolved.

Others made light of Earhardt tying insect-killing chemicals to less fatty foods. They have lower calorie pesticides in Italy, Gizmodo tech reporter Matt Novak goofed on Bluesky.

Meanwhile, other critics said that while Earhardts comments were ripe for ridicule, it would be good if the United States followed other countries lead and pushed for more regulations of produce and livestock.

We should be making fun of this, of course, but it would be a fantastic thing for all of us if our agricultural laws were even a *little* bit as stringent as Europes, former Ilhan Omar spokesperson Isi Baehr-Breen stated.
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Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina explicitly said he disagrees with Donald Trumps suggestion that the members of the House Select Committee to investigate January 6, 2021, should be jailed.

Graham, a staunch Trump supporter, told Kristen Welker of Meet the Press on Sunday that he disagrees with the presidency-elect but did not elaborate further.

President-elect Trump told me he thinks the members of the January 6 committee should go to jail, do you agree with that statement? Welker asked.

Graham replied, No.

Earlier this month, Trump told Welker during a sit-down interview that the members of the committee, which includes former representative Liz Cheney, should go to jail for doing their part to investigate and disclose information about the attack on the Capitol.

open image in gallery Lindsey Graham, the conservative South Carolina senator, does not agree with Donald Trump on jailing the January 6 House Select Commitee ( NBC News / YouTube )

The president-elect inspired a violent mob of his supporters to storm and unlawfully enter the Capitol while Congress was certifying 2020 election results after spreading lies about mass voter fraud  claiming Democrats stole the election from him.

As a result, four people present on January 6 died while one other one died the following day.

Though Trump did not direct his supporters to storm the Capitol, evidence presented by the January 6 committee indicated he also did not stop his supporters from doing so even when other lawmakers called on him to do so.

open image in gallery Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington D.C. ( REUTERS )

The committee was made up of nine lawmakers: then-representatives Cheney, Adam Kizinger, Elaine Luria, Stephanie Murphy, and now-Senator Adam Schiff as well as Reps Bennie Thompson, Zoe Lofgren, Pete Aguilar, and Jamie Raskin.

Trump attacked the committee for presenting evidence and testimony that painted him as an unhinged leader trying to hold onto any form of power and control  something he rejects. He also attacked the prosecutors who charged him with federal crimes for his actions leading up to that day.

Instead, Trump claims January 6 was a day of peace and love. Hes recently promised to pardon those charged with crimes in relation to that day.

But now he also wants to go further in punishing the members of the committee.

Though Graham largely supports Trumps agenda, he broke from the president-elect when it came to his view on January 6.

Graham voted to certify the 2020 election results and criticized his Republican colleagues who chose to do so. However, he also voted to acquit Trump during his second impeachment and voted against commissioning the January 6 committee.

Though he may not have supported the committee, Graham clearly does not believe they deserve jail time for carrying out their duties to investigate the attack on the Capitol.
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MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that the US government is in control of the drones that have been spotted over New Jersey and New York in recent weeks, which officials have so far been unable or unwilling to account for.

Greene, who is well known for amplifying online conspiracy theories, wrote on X late on Saturday night: The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad.

The congresswoman offered no evidence to support her claim but followed up with a second post, which went viral when it was shared by podcaster Joe Rogan, featuring a video from drone manufacturer John Ferguson.

In the footage, Ferguson, the CEO of Saxon Aerospace, baselessly speculates that the drones could be patrolling East Coast interstates in search of anything from missing Ukrainian nuclear warheads to radioactive waste.

Greene thanked Ferguson for his courage and professional viewpoint and commented: Its shameful our government doesnt explain the truth as well. If Americans are in danger of a nuclear or dirty bomb, they deserve to know.

Her Connecticut Democratic counterpart Jim Hines responded to her posts by saying: This is absolutely not true. And really irresponsible to say.

Also seeking to debunk the mounting hysteria over the sightings was former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who told CNN Sunday: Ive spent the last couple of days looking at every one of these videos, every video I have seen on Twitter, on the internet are all airplanes. Theyre literally all airplanes!

Marjorie Taylor Greene is no stranger to far-fetched conspiracy theories ( Reuters )

But Greene is far from the only right-wing figure to fan the flames of public concern and consternation, with other MAGA allies also pushing claims about the mystery sightings.

Speaking at a Young Republican Club gathering in New York on Sunday evening, Donald Trumps former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon also blamed Joe Biden for the unidentified flying objects, claiming they served as evidence of his administration working against the incoming Trump cabinet.

Are they the guys who got the drones over New Jersey? the podcaster asked of the 46th presidents outgoing regime.

A senior Biden official said over the weekend that the government have not identified any basis for believing that the drones are part of a criminal action, pose a national security or public safety threat or are being operated by a malicious foreign actor.

But federal officials refusal to say what the objects drifting unimpeded across American airspace actually are, coupled with some frank admissions that they simply dont know the truth, have created a vacuum into which disinformation has been allowed to flow.

Alejandro Mayorkas addresses drone sightings over New Jersey

On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that her state will be deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to get to the bottom of the matter.

She and her New Jersey counterpart Phil Murphy had already written to Biden calling for his administration to provide definite answers urgently.

Hines and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer both appeared on the Sunday morning political shows to echo their calls for federal action.

Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has meanwhile said that, if need be, the government should be prepared to take them out of the skies, especially if theyre flying over airports or military bases, a step ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in turn warned members of the public could be moved to take themselves without clear messaging.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas did attempt to clear the mystery up to some extent on Sunday when he told ABCs This Week: Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones. But theres no question that drones are being sighted.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is now in his final weeks as the top Republican in the Senate. And hes spending those weeks sending hints about his dissatisfaction at the direction of President-elect Donald Trumps potential administration.

McConnells influence has severely diminished in recent years. His attempt to strike a compromise bill that would swap border security for aid to Ukraine failed. The newer, more Trump-aligned Republicans in Congress openly criticize him. And last week, he suffered another fall during Republicans weekly lunch. He returned looking decidedly frail.

At the same time, McConnell is making his presence known. He poured in millions of dollars this election cycle to give Trump and Republicans a majority in the Senate. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, McConnells deputy, also beat out the MAGA-aligned Rick Scott to become majority leader after McConnell retires. And while McConnell himself will not lead Republicans anymore, he will be chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and the chairman of the subcommittee on defense, which is an ideal job for a foreign policy hawk like him.

Much like Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker who occupied a similar spot in the House Democratic caucus, McConnell has been using the clout that he has built throughout his long tenure. On Monday, he published an essay in Foreign Affairs warning of the dangers of isolationism.

To pretend that the United States can focus on just one threat at a time, that its credibility is divisible, or that it can afford to shrug off faraway chaos as irrelevant is to ignore its global interests and its adversaries global designs. America will not be made great again by those who simply want to manage its decline, he wrote, extremely pointedly.

Seeing McConnell trying to pressure Trump might surprise some. After all, McConnell holding up a Supreme Court seat in 2016 contributed to Trump winning the presidency the first time. And his decision to acquit Trump in 2021 after the January 6 riot did the same. McConnell also ushered through Trumps major legacy item: an army of conservative jurists throughout the federal bench and the US Supreme Court.

But he has long seen support for Ukraine as his legacy item. Last week, he delivered an address at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, where he  once again  warned about the dangers of isolationism.

But McConnells criticisms of Trumps approach are not reserved for foreign policy. Hes also come out in defense of vaccines, even as Trump has nominated increasingly anti-vaccine officials to work in his administration. After The New York Times reported that Robert F Kennedy Jrs attorney Aaron Siri once sought to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine, McConnell, a polio survivor, defended vaccinations.

The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease, he said. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed  theyre dangerous.

But McConnell faces numerous headwinds even as he takes a stand. Conservatives have never fully trusted him, with many accusing him of being a RINO (Republican in name only) because of his willingness to work with Joe Biden and other Democrats. Unlike Pelosi, he is not a beloved figure among the base of his party. And his word does not carry as much weight with Republican voters or polticians the way Pelosis did when she pushed have Biden step aside earlier this year.

At the same time, given his advanced age and the fact he is unlikely to run for Senate again, he can try to use what influence he has left and his authority within the Senate Republican conference to pull the GOP back from its worst impulses. Whether Republicans will listen is another question altogether.
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Mitch McConnell, the retiring Senate minority leader, has warned Donald Trump against embracing right-wing isolationism when he returns to the White House in January.

In an essay for Foreign Affairs magazine, the veteran Kentucky lawmaker, 82, warned the president-elect that he is set to encounter a world far more hostile to US interests than the one he left behind four years ago  citing the ever-growing challenges posed by China, Russia and Iran.

These three US adversaries, along with North Korea, are now working together more closely than ever to undermine the US-led order that has underpinned Western peace and prosperity for nearly a century, McConnell wrote.

President Joe Bidens administrations attempts to deal with those nations through engagement and accommodation failed, he argued, because Beijing, Moscow and Tehran have no wish to be integrated into the existing international order and prefer instead to undermine it.

The response to four years of weakness must not be four years of isolation, he advised Trump, warning against the Fortress America philosophy he is likely to be ushered towards by his conservative allies.

If the United States continues to retreat, its enemies will be only too happy to fill the void, McConnell wrote.

Advocating instead for a hard power strategy on foreign policy backed up by a robust American military in dialogue with its arms manufacturing sector, he explained: To reverse the neglect of military strength, [Trumps] administration must commit to a significant and sustained increase in defense spending, generational investments in the defense industrial base, and urgent reforms to speed the United States development of new capabilities and to expand allies and partners access to them.

As it takes these steps, the administration will face calls from within the Republican Party to give up on American primacy. It must reject them. To pretend that the United States can focus on just one threat at a time, that its credibility is divisible, or that it can afford to shrug off faraway chaos as irrelevant is to ignore its global interests and its adversaries global designs.

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attends the Senate Republican leadership elections at the US Capitol last month. He is warning Trump against four years of right-wing isolationism ( Getty )

Invoking Trumps most celebrated campaign slogan, McConnell added: America will not be made great again by those who simply want to manage its decline.

Digging into the specifics, he warned Trump that China is interested not simply in carving out a greater share of global trade but in a contest over the future of the international order and that allowing Russia to conquer Ukraine by walking back US support for Kyiv would only further that agenda and compound the myriad threats America faces.

McConnell also used the piece to offer some stinging criticism of Trumps own first term, saying he courted [Vladimir] Putin, he treated allies and alliance commitments erratically and sometimes with hostility, and in 2019 he withheld $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine.

These public episodes raised doubts about whether the United States was committed to standing up to Russian aggression, even when it actually did so, he added.

He further rebuked the president-elect over his deployment of tariffs during his first term, which he has already pledged to repeat, writing: Rather than strengthen and harness the power of Western economies, the first Trump administration and then the Biden administration sometimes actively antagonized them, including with tariffs that have strained relationships with allies and tested the patience of American consumers.

This abdication was an invitation for China to expand its economic influence in Asia at the United States expense.

McConnell concluded his appeal for a more proactive America on the world stage by saying: The United States saw the light during World War II. But must it take another conquest of a close ally before the country turns its belated attention to the requirements of national defense?

McConnell has become one of the few Republicans to criticize Trump in recent times as much of the party continues to fall in line.

Following the January 6 Capitol riot, McConnell voted against Trumps impeachment but said he had been practically and morally responsible for the events that day.

Earlier this month, he received a standing ovation after delivering a speech that made an indirect swipe at the president-elect.

Within the party Ronald Reagan once led so capably, it is increasingly fashionable to suggest that the sort of global leadership he modeled is no longer Americas place, McConnell said at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
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A lawmaker on the House committee overseeing the US intelligence community on Sunday batted down rumors being leveled about mysterious sightings of drones in New Jersey and possibly elsewhere along the US east coast.

Federal agencies put out a joint statement on Thursday declaring that the spotted drones in New Jersey did not represent a foreign threat or any danger to public safety, but did not provide an explanation for what worried New Jerseyans were seeing from their homes.

DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also addressed the matter on Sunday, becoming the first administration official to do so on camera.

We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter, the Department of Homeland Security, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the lead, he said on ABCs This Week.

Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the drone sightings and apparent lack of a vocal, coordinated response from the federal government, which lawmakers have said is allowing misinformation to fill an information vacuum. His committee is due to receive a classified briefing on the drone sightings later this week.

Theres no question that drones are being sightedThere are thousands of drones flown every day in the United States  recreational drones, commercial drones."



DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas responds to numerous aerial sightings reported across East Coast. https://t.co/VM1aZSe1W6 pic.twitter.com/7v5CSSjzbe  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 15, 2024

There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now, Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut, told Fox. The answer we dont know is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since weve been a species on this planet.

People will fill a vacuum with their fears and anxieties, Himes said, quipping: Oh my god, theres an Iranian mothership hovering off the coast of Asbury Park!

Let me say something I know with confidence: It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They arent Martians.

He concluded And so my frustration is the FAA in particular, which is the agency of jurisdiction for our domestic skies, ought to be out Saturday morning debunking conspiracies and giving clear explanations for the phenomenon.

WATCH: Rep Jim Himes @jahimes on growing bipartisan frustration over the federal governments response to drone sightings. pic.twitter.com/7UR9DLPUzP  Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) December 15, 2024

Himess overall points largely mirrored the stance of the federal government, though the congressman was clear in his frustration over the Biden administrations failure to provide clear leadership as the stories run rampant on social media. The congressman, who has access to classified intelligence briefings, did not give specific reasons for his assertion that the spotted drones (or, in some cases, commercial aircraft) were not Iranian of origin.

The congressman could go on to bat down similar conspiracy theories being spread online later in the day. He criticized Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene for claiming in a tweet (without any evidence) that the drone sightings were of unmanned government aircraft.

This is absolutely not true. And really irresponsible to say. https://t.co/IUDPYbzIXl  Jim Himes  (@jahimes) December 15, 2024

Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, trashed Mayorkas on ABC after the latters interview. He urged the federal government to discover the real origin of the drones  and report it to the public  with speed.

Ive lived in New Jersey my whole life, said Christie, an ABC News contributor. This is the first time that Ive noticed drones over my house.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said last Thursday that federal authorities had no evidence of a foreign nexus for the drones allegedly spotted by residents of New Jersey.

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, said the agencies.

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris have not made any public statements about the matter, however, and numerous local officials and elected lawmakers in New Jersey and down the east coast have pushed back against the statement from the DHS and FBI, given the lack of clarity around the drones origins.

Some have even shared images of what appear to be commercial aircrat as fears of the drones quickly spread on social media.

It remains to be seen if they will address it at all: the outgoing Biden administration is now approaching the holidays as much of Washington readies for the imminent arrival of Donald Trump and the MAGA GOP in January.
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MAGA acolyte Steve Bannon is currently floating the idea that Donald Trump could run for a third presidential term, even though the United States Constitution says otherwise.

During a speech at the New York Young Republican Clubs Gala on Sunday night, the former Trump chief strategist suggested that the 22nd Amendment  which states that presidents can not be elected more than twice  didnt apply to Trump because the president-elects terms are non-consecutive.

Fresh off of serving a four-month prison stint for contempt of Congress over his refusal to testify in the January 6 hearings, Bannon riled up the pro-Trump crowd by reveling in the fact that the incoming president will be sworn into office next month. He then cited MAGA lawyer Mike Davis, a former Supreme Court clerk who has anointed himself Trumps viceroy, to insist that Trump could seek a third election.

Donald John Trump is going to raise his hand on the King James Bible and take the oath of office, his third victory and his second term, the War Room podcaster exclaimed. And the viceroy Mike Davis tells me  since it doesnt actually say consecutive  that, I dont know, maybe we do it again in 28? Are you guys down for that? Trump 28?! Come on, man!

Steve Bannon speaks at the 112th Gala for the New York Young Republicans. He has now suggested that Donald Trump could run for a third term ( RSBN )

Regardless of what Bannon and Davis believe, the 22nd Amendment  ratified in 1951 and introduced after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four consecutive terms  clearly states that U.S. presidents are limited to two full terms.

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once, the amendment states.

Bannon imploring Trump to throw his hat into the 28 ring, when the president-elect would be 82 years old, isnt exactly coming out of nowhere.

A week after Trump defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, it was reported that he mused to Republican lawmakers about the possibility of Congress making it possible for him to serve a third term.

I suspect I wont be running again, unless you do something, Trump reportedly said during a meeting with GOP House members. Unless you say, Hes so good, we have to just figure it out.

Trump, who left the White House in shame after unsuccessfully trying to overturn his 2020 election loss, repeatedly suggested during the presidential campaign that he might serve longer than the one term the Constitution limited him to. That is, whenever he wasnt raising the prospect of violating other democratic norms, such as saying hed be a dictator only on day one of his presidency, prompting Democrats to sound the fascist alarm bells about a Trump presidency.

You know, FDR 16 years  almost 16 years  he was four terms. I dont know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term? Trump declared at a National Rifle Association event in May.

Christians, get out and vote. Just this time, he told a gathering of religious conservatives in July. You wont have to do it anymore, you know what? Four more years, itll be fixed, itll be fine, you wont have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians.

Bannon sparking raucous applause from the MAGA faithful over the possibility of a Trump 28 campaign wasnt the only eye-opening moment at Sunday nights black-tie affair.

While introducing incoming White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, Trump campaign adviser Alex Bruesewitz collapsed on stage after slurring his words and staring blankly at the crowd. After he was rushed off stage, organizers of the vent reassured attendees that Bruesewitz and that the likely cause was dehydration and locked legs.
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Donald Trumps campaign adviser Alex Bruesewitz collapsed on stage while speaking at a GOP black tie event.

The 27-year-old strategist, who was tasked with helping the Trump campaign court young voters during the 2024 election campaign, was introducing incoming White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino at the 112th New York Young Republicans Club Gala at the Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan on Sunday evening.

Shocking footage shows Bruesewitz speaking at the podium before he begins to slur and stare blankly at the sea of Republicans sporting tuxedos, ballgowns and red MAGA hats.

Im forgetting my words, Bruesewitz said, before collapsing as members of the crowd screamed.

Several attendees quickly rushed on stage to help as the camera panned out to the audience.

Bruesewitz, CEO of political lobbying group XStrategiesLLC, was then seen being helped backstage.

Following the incident, Trump called in to the event to send his best wishes to his adviser.

open image in gallery Footage shows Alex Bruesewitz collapsing on stage at the event ( RSBN/X )

I know that Alex is going to be fine because hes a tough son of a gun, the president-elect said in a call broadcast live at the GOP event. Theres no doubt about that. So I want to say hello to Alex, because hes a very special guy.

Master of ceremonies Raheem Kassam, a former aide to leader of Britains right-wing Reform Party Nigel Farage, later reassured the crowd he was fine.

I talked to our friend Alex Bruesewitz and you know what he said to me? He goes Did I at least look cool? I said Alex you used gravity like Ive seen nobody use gravity before in their lives, Kassam said.

But hes recuperating back there so give him a big cheer so hell hear you.

Jack Posobiec, the alt-right political activist and commentator, also said he spoke with Bruesewitz backstage after the incident.

open image in gallery Alex Bruesewitz (center) is escorted backstage after collapsing on stage ( AFP via Getty Images )

He is getting checked out by medical after having a brief fainting spell onstage. All levels are normal, he wrote on X. Only thing he asked me was, Did it look cool?

He added that the most likely cause of Bruesewitzs collapse was dehydration and locked legs.

While much of the events focus was on Trumps re-election to the White House, the audience also celebrated the acquittal of Daniel Penny, the ex-Marine accused of killing homeless man Jordan Neely after putting him on a chokehold on a subway train last year.

Daniel Penny became the folk hero that we need in a post-constitutional America besieged by existential, internal threats, club president Gavin Wax said. Penny received about as fair a trial as he could have gotten in New York City.

Thankfully, the jury, a Manhattan jury, thankfully did not buy their nonsense.

The Independent has contacted the Trump Transition Team and XStrategiesLLC for more information.
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President-elect Donald Trump refused to say definitively that vaccines do not cause autism at a press conference.

Trump spoke alongside the chief executive at SoftBank, who pledged to invest $100 billion in the United States, as they addressed reporters on Monday.

During the press conference, Trump repeated misinformation that he has previously espoused about vaccines and autism. He also said that he had met with the heads of Pfizer and Eli Lily, as well as Mehmet Oz, his nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Robert F Kennedy Jr., his nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, who has repeated the debunked claims about vaccines and autism.

So 30 years ago, we had, Ive heard numbers of like one in 200,000, one in 100,000, he said in terms of how many children are diagnosed with autism. And now Im hearing numbers of one in 100. So somethings wrong. Theres something wrong. And were going to find out about it.

Trump also said he supported the vaccine to prevent polio, but said he did not like mandates when he was asked if he believed schools should require to children to be vaccinated.

open image in gallery Donald Trump used a Monday press conference to say his administration will be looking at vaccines ( AP )

Roughly one in 36 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the United States. There is no evidence that vaccines cause autism.

Andrew Wakefield, the British physician who published the 1998 study that claimed a link between autism and vaccines in The Lancet, later had his medical license revoked and The Lancet later retracted the study.

Autism diagnoses have increased in the past decade. But that has largely as a result of diagnostic criteria expanding throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 2013, numerous types of diagnoses were placed under the larger umbrella of autism conditions.

In addition, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that schools report the number of students with disabilities they serve, which led to an increase in diagnoses.

Trump has regularly promoted suspicion about vaccines causing autism going back to before he ran for president in 2015. In 2014, he tweeted, Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases!

The future president has nominated numerous figures who have promoted the link between vaccines and autism, including not only Kennedy, but also Dave Weldon, a former congressman and doctor, whom he nominated to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kennedy will be on Capitol Hill to meet with senators on Monday as he prepares for the confirmation process.
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Rescuers in Italy are using explosives to try free a 32-year-old woman trapped in a cave deep underground, after she fell and sustained serious injuries during an expedition.

Ottavia Piana is stranded 585 metres (1,920 feet) underground in the Bueno Fonteno cave system, northeast of Bergamo city, as teams of rescuers, including medics and technicians, work to stabilise her condition and navigate the narrow, jagged passages that block her exit.

Ms Piana, 32, considered an expert spelunker, injured herself after falling five metres (16ft) on Saturday evening during an expedition with eight others to map a section of an uncharted branch of the cave system. She fell in a similar area last year, fracturing her leg and remained trapped for 48 hours.

Rescuers said Ms Piana was alert and responsive when they reached the part of the cabe system she is in.

Work to clear the narrowest section of the cave began Sunday evening but has progressed slowly, according to local media. As of Monday morning, rescuers had yet to pass the tightest bottleneck  an approximately 100-metre stretch requiring drills, hammers and small explosives to widen the pathway to allow a stretcher to pass through.

open image in gallery The rescue operation of Ottavia Piana ( AP )

According to Corriere Bergamo, medics stabilised her at a temporary heated base camp, providing oxygen, medicine, and a fan to circulate warm air in the humid, 8-degree Celsius environment.

We cant predict how long it will take, but these operations are always lengthy, Mauro Guiducci, a spokesman for the rescue operatuon said. About 20 rescuers are inside the cave working to move Piana on a stretcher, while dozens more assist above ground.

Ms Piana was part of a group of 12 cavers from the Italian alpine club exploring an uncharted branch of the cave system. Known as one of the largest karst labyrinths in Lombardy, the Bueno Fonteno Abyss lies between Lake Iseo and Lake Idro. The group had set out Saturday morning intending to map the tunnels when Ms Piana fell.

Her parents, who have remained at the Fonteno base camp since the rescue began, are reportedly confident, according to rescuers. Fellow caver Samuele Pendesini told The Pinnacle Gazette: She is an explorer, super competent, she is wonderful.
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Home to one of the few crossing points into Russia, the city of Narva is seen by Estonian border force officials as the end and the beginning of the free world.

Located on Natos eastern border, the city has become the constant target of hybrid warfare tactics employed by Russia  with the Kremlin sending in surveillance blimps on an almost weekly basis and removing Estonian border infrastructure in the dead of night.

Everything that is on the other side of the border, I wouldnt use [the term] free world to describe that, says Egert Belitsev, director general of the Estonian border force.

But not everyone in Narva sees it as Belitsev does.

open image in gallery Dragons teeth anti-tank fortifications at the Narva crossing ( Millie Cooke )

Some 96 per cent of the 56,000 people living in Narva speak Russian as their first language, while 34 per cent of the population are Russian citizens.

They live inside the Russian cultural and propaganda space, says Dr Maria Smorzhevskikh-Smirnova, director of Narvas museum.

Its perhaps unsurprising that in 2022, Vladimir Putin indicated that he had his sights set on Narva, suggesting that it would be justifiable to take back and secure the border city.

The Narva Museum  which faces directly towards Russia  has found itself at the centre of the flaring tensions after conducting a number of anti-Putin stunts and hosting exhibitions that highlight Russian propaganda and war crimes.

For the last two years, the museum has hung a banner reading Putin is a war criminal on the side of Narvas castle, facing towards Ivangorod, a Russian border town that lies just 101 metres away.

Each year, the banner has been timed to coincide with Russias 9 May Victory Day celebrations taking place in Ivangorod. There is a clear sense in Estonia that the celebrations, which are amplified on huge speakers, are not put on for the benefit of those living in Russia.

They do it for the people of Narva, says Belitsev. The stage is directed towards Estonia. They use the biggest speakers they have in Russia. Its not for Ivangorod.

open image in gallery The view of Ivangorod from Narva looking over the Narva Reservoir ( Millie Cooke )

Russian officials demanded that Estonian border representatives take the anti-Putin banner down (they refused), but it wasnt just on the other side of the Narva Reservoir that the banner sparked outrage.

While the museum received a wave of support from other Estonian cities, Smorzhevskikh-Smirnova says she and her family received death threats, abuse and harassment from some residents of Narva.

Zurab Janes, who works at the museum, says his boss received emails, texts and Facebook posts threatening her. They threatened to rape, kill, hang her. They photoshopped pictures of Maria with her head cut off. Even her son received disturbing photoshopped images, he says.

After two years of anti-Putin stunts, Smorzhevskikh-Smirnova now believes her position at the museum is at risk as a result of Narvas pro-Russian leanings.

The museum is under constant pressure and stress, but we continue to talk about our painful history, she says.

Although Smorzhevskikh-Smirnova herself was born in Siberia and speaks Russian as her first language, she says: For us, it is not about nations and origins. It is about values.

Despite Narvas strong contingent of culturally and ethnically Russian residents, Putins regime still uses the city as a key target for disruption operations - incidents which are increasing in both intensity and frequency as the war in Ukraine rages on.

According to Estonian border force officials, Russia has repeatedly flown a large surveillance zeppelin into Narvas airspace, emblazoned with a Z  a symbol closely linked with Russian propaganda.

The technology, Belitsev says, is almost comically outdated: he says it is a deliberately obvious piece of surveillance equipment, and is being used to spark unease in Estonia.

Theyre trying to provoke a reaction. They want to see how we respond, he says.

Russia has also been accused of stealing buoys that mark out the border on the Narva Reservoir, in an attempt to disrupt Estonias ability to monitor incursions, as well as purposely slowing down border checks ahead of an Estonian national parade in an attempt to flood the local area with queues.

Nearly six months on, people can still queue for more than 12 hours in the snow to cross into Russia.

Estonias border force has claimed that the Kremlin is to blame, but within Russian-speaking Narva, there is also blame being levelled at the Estonian government.

Russia has closed off the Narva checkpoint to all vehicles, so the only way through is on foot. And the large anti-tank fortifications stationed in the middle of the bridge make it impossible for anyone using the checkpoint to forget how close they are to a war zone.

open image in gallery A woman returns to Estonia after making the crossing from Russia at the Narva checkpoint ( Millie Cooke )

While some people use the crossing to attempt to smuggle goods into Russia, such as drone parts or motor fuel, there are also people crossing the border for more unremarkable reasons.

One woman in her early twenties, who made the crossing from Russia into Estonia on Sunday, had travelled to Moscow to visit a friend. She told The Independent she had waited for eight hours in the snow when she left Estonia a few days earlier.

Another man, who works in Finland for half the year but lives in Russia, was heading home for the winter. He said he had queued for more than 12 hours to make the crossing.

While the Estonian border force insists that Russia is to blame for the huge delays, Belitsev doesnt seem too disturbed by the long waits.

If you want to go into the Russian federation, it shouldnt be comfortable. Russia is an aggressor country that has conducted extensive military action for more than 1,000 days in one of their neighbouring countries, he says.

Anybody with a clear sense of mind wouldnt go there.
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Russia has deployed North Korean soldiers in significant numbers for the first time to support its offensive in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president said North Korean troops are reportedly being used in assaults on Ukrainian forces defending an enclave in Russias Kursk region.

Today, we already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them, Mr Zelensky said during his nightly wartime address.

Mr Zelensky warned the deployment of Norths forces could extend to other battle zones. Kyiv estimates around 11,000 North Korean troops are now in the region, bolstering Russias forces.

Andrii Kovalenko, an official with Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, stated the North Koreans have already suffered casualties.

The Russians are counting on numbers and are trying to carry out assault operations with the help of the Koreans, when the task of the Koreans is to run under the blows of our forces and occupy certain areas, Mr Kovalenko wrote on Telegram.

The Kremlin has not confirmed or denied the involvement of North Korean troops.

open image in gallery Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky lays flowers at the site of the missile strike carried out by Russia on 10 December in the city of Zaporizhzhia ( Ukrainian presidential press service )

Ukraine first reported the presence of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region in October. This comes as Ukraine faces increasing pressure to hold the enclave it captured in August during a surprise incursion into Russian territory. The operation, aimed at diverting Moscows forces, has since drawn criticism for stretching Ukraines manpower across an already extended front line.

While Kyiv maintains the move was strategic, Moscows counteroffensive has led to some of its fastest territorial gains in eastern Ukraine since 2022, although Russian forces have reportedly sustained heavy casualties.

open image in gallery A Ukrainian tank crew member of the 68th Jaeger Brigade walks next to a Leopard 1A5 tank at the position where they take a break in fighting ( AFP via Getty Images )

Ukrainian military reports indicate an escalation in fighting on the Kursk front, including intensified airstrikes, artillery barrages, and glide bomb attacks.

In a broader context, the deployment of North Korean troops underscores deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. The two nations signed a defence treaty in June, committing mutual military aid in the event of an attack. Since then, North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with over 100 ballistic missiles and millions of artillery shells. In return, Moscow has allegedly offered economic aid and support for Pyongyangs nuclear weapons programme.

Mr Zelensky criticised the Kremlins actions, accusing Russian president Vladimir Putin of dragging another state into the conflict. In essence, Moscow has dragged another state into this war, and to the fullest extent possible. And if this is not escalation, then what is the escalation that so many have been talking about? he said.

The Ukrainian leader used his address to urge Western allies to strengthen their support for Kyiv. He is scheduled to meet leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Nato, and the EU in Brussels next week to discuss bolstering military aid.

Meanwhile, Russias defence ministry reported the destruction of 15 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 13 over the Black Sea and two in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Ukraine is battling against a prevailing Russia in the eastern Donetsk region, Kyivs military chief has admitted, as Vladimir Putins forces look to secure as much territory as possible before US president-elect Donald Trumpre-enters the White House.

Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi described the fighting as extremely tough as he was pictured visiting the Pokrovsk area in Donetsk on Wednesday, where Russian forces have advanced to within just a few miles of the citys outskirts.

The area is a linchpin of the wider regions defence and war trackers have expressed concern that should it fall, it could pave the way for Russia to seize swathes of more territory.

Battles continue in the Pokrovsk direction with the enemy prevailing, first of all, in manpower, General Syrskyi wrote on the Telegram messenger app.

Battles are extremely tough. The Russian occupiers are throwing forward all available resources, trying to break through.

He added that they were exploring non-standard decisions to more effectively destroy the attacking forces as he lauded the extraordinary resilience of the Ukrainian troops defending the area.

It is just over a month until Mr Trump is inaugurated on 20 January, having pledged to end the war in Ukraine in just 24 hours, even if that means forcing Kyiv to cede territory to Russia to achieve his goal.

The situation along the entire Donetsk front is now looking increasingly precarious for Ukraine, with several other key towns appearing about to fall into Russian hands.

Below, The Independent looks at the flashpoints of the frontline, and why some believe these losses will continue unless Ukraines military undergoes major changes.

Pokrovsk

For months, the main objective of Russias push in Donetsk has appeared to be Pokrovsk.

Since the fall of the key city of Avdiivka to the southeast in February, Russia has taken almost 400 square miles of the region, advancing nearly 30 miles.

Ukraine rushed to fortify defences in front of the city, ultimately slowing the direct assault, but the Russians responded by widening its attack to exploit weaknesses around the city.

Now, Russian troops have pushed through the towns of Shevchenko and Novyi Trud roughly three miles to the southwest, as well as Mykolaivka on the other side of the city.

Sitting on two key supply lines that feed Ukraines forces throughout Donetsk, the city, once home to 60,000 people, has been pummeled by Russian glide bombs. Only a sixth of the population remains, with tens of thousands having fled.

Its capture would compromise Ukraines defensive abilities and supply routes, and would bring Russia closer to its stated goal of seizing the entire Donetsk region.

In its latest update, the Ukrainian general staff said Russia had launched 40 assaults towards Pokrovsk and had been actively using aviation.

The majority of attacks were concentrated to the southwest of Pokrovsk, including against Shevchenko and Novyi Trud.

Frontelligence Insight, a Ukrainian outfit tracking the war and which is known to have close ties to the Ukrainian military, says they have observed an increased Russian effort to use first-person view (FPV) drones to target supply routes leading to Pokrovsk.

This is a serious threat to the resupply process of Povrosk, potentially threatening the sustainability of Ukrainian defences in the area, they wrote.

They added that there had been an alarming increase in Russian drone attacks against civilians in the area.

open image in gallery Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, left, speaks to a member of the 38th Separate Brigade in Pokrovsk ( Telegram/Oleksandr Syrskyi )

As the Russian attack continues to slowly creep towards Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military figures have become more vocal about the reasons why.

Poor coordination at both the tactical and strategic level, a shortage of personnel within units and insufficient troop rotations (in some cases, none at all) are proving costly, according to Frontelligence Insight. These problems have persisted throughout this year, they added.

And while Russian forces are suffering significant casualties in their mass assault towards and around Pokrovsk - around 400 a day in Pokrovsk alone, according to Gen Syrskyi - their continuous assaults have proven effective in the short to medium term.

Renowned Ukrainian military officer Serhii Filimonov, commander of the Da Vinci Wolves" battalion of the 59th Motorised Brigade, described Pokrovsks defence as a disaster.

The main reason for the disaster in the Pokrovsky direction is the higher command, which sets unrealistic tasks for the units, he wrote.

Generals who do not understand the capabilities of their units and are not oriented in the situation on the front line.

His comments came amid unconfirmed reports that Gen Syrskyi had personally taken charge of some brigades around Pokrovsk, a move that, if true, would be highly unusual.

Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka

open image in gallery Ukrainian soldiers load grad shells on BM-21 artillery, in their fighting position, in the direction of Kurakhove, Ukraine ( Anadolu via Getty Images )

On the bottom left flank of Russias swollen assault towards Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces are also facing the prospect of having to withdraw from Kurakhove, another key town but this time on the road to the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia region.

The General Staff said there had been 49 attacks in the area in the last 24 hours.

Russian forces had struggled to take the city from the east owing to well-prepared defences. But after shifting tactics to attack from the north, they have had more success.

After gaining control of the lake that runs along Kurakhoves northern outskirts, Moscows troops have since gained control over many of the supply routes into the town, according to Frontelligence Insight, and have pushed into the town of Stari Terny at the top of the waterway.

The Ukrainian focus has now shifted from trying to hold the town, as well a sliver of the area behind, to organising a successful withdrawal to the town of Dachne, adjacent to Stari Terny but roughly four miles back from Kurakhove, according to the Centre for Defence Strategies (CDS), a Ukrainian security think tank.

Further southwest, Russian forces continued to push towards Velyka Novosilka, near the regional border with Zaporizhzhia.

The settlement is a critical stronghold for Ukraine, writes Frontelligence Insight, that has served as a key assembly area for both offensive and defensive operations. It is also a key route linking towns further east to the rest of unoccupied Ukraine.

Since the Russians captured Vuhledar at the start of October, they have pushed nearly 20 miles towards the outskirts of Velyka Novosilka. Its loss could be severe.

Russian forces would gain multiple options for further advances, writes Frontelligence Insight.
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Ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has made his first comments since his regime was defeated by rebels in a lightning-quick military advance.

Just over a week since he was removed from power, Assad has claimed he was evacuated to Russia by Moscows military after the base he was hiding in came under drone attack.

Assad claimed he had no intention of leaving the country, but was evacuated from the Hmeimim base in Syria on the evening of 8 December, after leaving Damascus that morning with opposition fighters closing in.

open image in gallery Ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is reportedly in Moscow ( SANA/AFP via Getty Images )

The comment, in a statement that was published on the Syrian presidencys Telegram channel and dated 16 December from Moscow, was Assads first in public since he was toppled.

Assad said in the statement on his Facebook page that he had remained in Damascus carrying out my duties until rebel forces made it into the city. It was only then, in coordination with Russian allies, that he was moved to Moscows Hmeimim airbase in the coastal province of Latakia, where he claimed he planned to keep fighting against the terrorist onslaught.

The former leader, whose family had ruled Syria with an iron fist for 50 years, said that after the Russian base came under attack by drones, the Russians decided to move him to Moscow.

He sought to dismiss any speculation that he sought to flee or resign, saying in the English version of his statement: At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party.

open image in gallery Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma with their daughter Zein and sons Hafez, second right, and Karim in 2022 ( Syrian Presidency Facebook page/ )

An investigation by Reuters revealed that Assads final days were marked by failed attempts to secure external support. After rebels swept through Aleppo and Homs and advanced toward Damascus, Assad reportedly sought refuge in the United Arab Emirates, but the Emiratis declined, fearing backlash due to his international sanctions.

Moscow, unwilling to mount a military rescue, reportedly leveraged diplomatic channels to facilitate Assads departure, with one Western security source telling Reuters: Lavrov [Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov] did whatever he could.

One source told Reuters that Assads presidential office manager believed he was going home for the evening, but instead, he discreetly departed for the airport. His wife Asma and their three children were already waiting for him in Moscow, according to former aides and a regional official.

The ousted leader also framed himself in the statement as a loyal defender of Syria, claiming that his commitment to the countrys sovereignty had remained unwavering throughout the war. He described staying with his family and people during the darkest years of the war, facing threats of terrorism, bombardment and incursions into Damascus.

open image in gallery Syrians around the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs as they celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad ( AFP via Getty Images )

He claimed he had never sought positions for personal gain and instead considered himself a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people.

The former government led by president Assad was responsible for the systematic and widespread torture of the countrys civilians.

Last year, the UN estimated that the conflict had killed more than 300,000 civilians by the end of March 2021. In 2021, analysts calculated that another 250,000 fighters had been killed in the first ten years of the civil war. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) estimated that government forces and allied Iranian militias were responsible for around 87% of those deaths.

In addition to those killed, at least 15,000 people are believed to have died as a result of torture or in the regimes jail system and an estimated 130,000 are still missing.

Assad's government also institutionalised torture according to human rights groups. The infamous Sednaya prison complex was dubbed the "human slaughterhouse" where jailers carried out mass hangings and executions, Amnesty International said in a 2017 report.

More than half a century of brutal rule by the Assad regime, culminating in thirteen years of civil war, has been marked by mass arrests, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and executions resulting in tens of thousands missing.

The statement is concluded by pledging to provide a detailed account of the final days of his regime when the time allowed.
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Days after airing an emotional segment showing a man supposedly freed from a Syrian prison, CNN updated its story to acknowledge that the victim of Bashar al-Assads regime was actually an Assad intelligence officer accused of torturing and extorting local residents.

The networks update did not include a retraction or an apology and comes after CNN came under fire for possibly fabricating the story after fact-checking group Verify-Sy reported that the man had been identified as a torturer for the deposed Syrian dictator. In the wake of Verify-Sys report, CNN stated that it was investigating whether the freed prisoner had given their reporters a false identity.

Following the sudden fall of al-Assads brutal dictatorship this month, CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward went viral with a stunning report that featured her crew discovering a startled prisoner in a secret jail facility in Damascus.

Accompanied by a Syrian rebel serving as an armed guard, according to CNN, Wards team visited a prison building at the Syrian Air Force Intelligence headquarters as part of a search for missing American journalist Austin Tice. Nobody at the facility was previously aware that the camera crew was coming, and the visit was unannounced, the network added.

Once inside the building, according to the report, Ward noticed that one door was locked and it appeared that someone was inside. After the armed guard shot the lock off the door, the CNN team found a man hiding under a blanket and seemingly traumatized. The man, who identified himself as Adel Ghurbal from Homs, asked for water and food while claiming he had not seen sunlight for three months.

CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward helps a man who was detained in an abandoned Syrian prison. Now, the outlet admits the man provided a false identification ( CNN )

After the guard called for an ambulance, the man said hed been arrested three months prior and had spent time in several jails. He also asserted that hed been interrogated over his phone contacts. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent, who took the man for medical attention, later said on social media that they had dropped him off with relatives.

CNNs story quickly came under intense scrutiny, largely because Adel Ghurbal seemed fairly well-groomed and physically healthy for someone who had supposedly been tortured in solitary confinement. Additionally, his reaction to the sunlight didnt match his claim that hed been in the dark for months.

Amid allegations that CNN had fabricated the story, independent fact-checking group Verify-Sy  part of Poynters International Fact-Checking Network  concluded that the man in the networks report was actually an officer in Assads military who was well-known in the area for his grim history of detaining and torturing Syrian civilians.

The team discovered that his real name is Salama Mohammad Salama, a revelation that brought shocking details to light. Salama, known as Abu Hamza, is a first lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, notorious for his activities in Homs, Verify-Sy reported. Residents of the Al-Bayyada neighborhood identified him as frequently stationed at a checkpoint in the areas western entrance, infamous for its abuses.

The fact-checker continued: Abu Hamza reportedly managed several security checkpoints in Homs and was involved in theft, extortion, and coercing residents into becoming informants. According to locals, his recent incarcerationlasting less than a monthwas due to a dispute over profit-sharing from extorted funds with a higher-ranking officer.

After Verify-Sy published its findings on Sunday, CNN denied that its reporters had fabricated its reporting. However, the network noted it had launched an investigation into the prisoners identity and claims.

No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day, a CNN spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent. The events transpired as they appear in our film. The decision to release the prisoner featured in our report was taken by the guard - a Syrian rebel. We reported the scene as it unfolded, including what the prisoner told us, with clear attribution.

The spokesperson concluded: We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.

Meanwhile, Verify-Sy stated that local residents testified that Abu Hamza has been attempting to garner sympathy since the fall of the regime, claiming he was forced into committing his crimes. It also reported that the man in the CNN report has deactivated his social media accounts and changed his phone number, presumably to erase evidence of his involvement in armed activities and war crimes.

In its updated story on Monday evening, CNN said that it had obtained an image from a local resident that showed the man to be a lieutenant in the Assad regimes Air Force Intelligence Directorate, Salama Mohammad Salama. The network added that facial recognition software used on the image provided a match of more than 99 percent with the man CNN met in the Damascus prison cell.

While acknowledging that Verify-Sy was the first to positively identify the prisoner as Salama, CNN also noted that Salamas current whereabouts are unknown after rebel guards handed him over to the Red Crescent, who said hed been returned to relatives in Damascus.
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Israel has said it will close its Dublin embassy, accusing Ireland of crossing every red line.

Foreign minister Gideon Saar announced the closure in a statement due to the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government.

Irish premier Simon Harris said he was deeply disappointed by the move, with deputy premier Micheal Martin stating there are no plans to close the Irish embassy in Israel.

Mr Harris also said he utterly rejected the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel.

open image in gallery Irish PM Simon Harris ( PA )

Earlier this year, the Irish government officially recognised the Palestinian state and, this week, it emerged that Ireland will formally intervene in South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Israels ambassador to Dublin was recalled in May following the Palestinian state recognition.

Mr Saar said: The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the de-legitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards.

Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.

Israel will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries worldwide according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states towards Israel.

Mr Harris responded: I am deeply disappointed by the Israeli governments decision to close its embassy in Dublin.

Irelands foreign policy is founded on our deep commitment to dialogue and to the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Resident embassies play a very important role in that regard. Keeping channels open has never been more important so that we can better understand each others positions, even when we disagree.

He continued: I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.

Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.

open image in gallery Tanaiste Micheal Martin ( PA )

Tanaiste Mr Martin said he believed in the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels of communication.

He said: Irelands position on the conflict in the Middle East has always been guided by the principles of international law and the obligation on all states to adhere to international humanitarian law.

This has been the case with regard to our response to the terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7 2023, and to the conduct by Israel of its military operations since then.

The continuation of the war in Gaza and the loss of innocent lives is simply unacceptable and contravenes international law.

It represents the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mr Martin said Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations, adding: Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points. There are no plans to close Irelands embassy in Israel, which is carrying out important work.
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The Israeli defence minister has told lawmakers the government is closer than ever to closing a deal with Hamas, according to reports.

Israel Katz reportedly updated Israels parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee about the ongoing efforts to free the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

It comes as president-elect Donald Trump said he had a "very good talk" with Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and reiterated his threat that "all hell is going to break out" if Hamas does not release its hostages by 20 January - the day Mr Trump takes office.

Mr Katzs comments to the committee were made behind closed doors, but his remarks were leaked to Israeli news outlets.

open image in gallery Israeli defence minister Israel Katz reportedly told lawmakers a hostage deal is closer than ever ( Reuters )

Israel is closer than ever to another hostage deal, Mr Katz was quoted as saying.

An official with knowledge of the talks also told Reuters on Monday that an Israeli technical team is in Doha for working-level talks with Qatari mediators on remaining issues in a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

According to the Walla news site, Mr Katz also suggested the agreement will have the support of the majority of the coalition and should not encounter internal challenges.

He seemed to indicate that an open-ended ceasefire - which Hamas wants but many in Mr Netanyahu's hard-right coalition oppose - would not be part of the agreement.

Theres flexibility on the other side," Mr Katz said. He reportedly added: "They understand were not going to end the war.

Following his call with Mr Trump, the Israeli prime minister said: We are working all the time, without rest, to bring our hostages home.

The less we talk about it, the better  that way, with Gods help, we will succeed.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from Gaza as seen from the Israeli side of the border ( Reuters )

In a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday president-elect Mr Trump said: "As you know, I gave a warning that if these hostages aren't back home by that date, all hell is going to break out.

Later, Mr Trump added that if no ceasefire deal is reached by the time he takes office, "it's not going to be pleasant."

More than 100 hostages have been freed through negotiations or Israeli military rescue operations. Of the 100 still held in Gaza, roughly half are believed to be alive.

Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250, including Israeli-American dual nationals, during its 7 October attack on Israel last year, according to Israeli counts.

Since then, Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 45,028 Palestinians and wounded 106,962, according to Palestinian health officials.

The ministry's count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but it has said more than half of fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

Israel claims Hamas is responsible for the civilian death toll because it operates from within civilian areas in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Rights groups and Palestinians say Israel has failed to take sufficient precautions to avoid civilian deaths.

Qatar, Egypt and the US have renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire deal in recent days, and mediators have said there appears to be more willingness from both sides after 14 months of war.
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Israel plans to double the numbers of settlers in the occupied Golan Heights in Syria despite repeated calls to withdraw its troops from the land it seized after president Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday it was necessary to strengthen Israel's presence in the Golan Heights because a "new front" had opened there since armed rebels wrested power from Mr Assad, ending his family's 50-year-long rule over Syria.

After the fall of the Assad regime earlier this month, Israeli troops entered a demilitarised border zone between Israeli-held and Syrian territory. The Israeli military simultaneously unleashed a devastating bombing campaign across Syria, destroying the Syrian navy and hitting hundreds of other military and research sites.

Early on Monday, Israel struck Syrian army missile warehouses in the city of Tartous in the most violent strikes in the Syrian coast region since the beginning of the (Israeli) strikes in 2012, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group.

It said violent explosions were heard in Tartous as a result of the successive strikes and the flying of ground-to-ground missiles from the warehouses.

Mr Netanyahu claimed that Israel had no interest in a conflict with Syria, saying his actions were intended to thwart the potential threats from Syria and to prevent the takeover of terrorist elements near our border.

On Sunday his cabinet approved Mr Netanyahus $11m (8.7m) plan to double the population in the Golan Heights, where around 50,000 people live on the side occupied by Israel.

Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time," Mr Netanyahu said, adding that Israel would continue to "hold onto it, cause it to blossom and settle in it".

open image in gallery Israeli soldiers cross the security fence near the Alpha Line that separates occupied Golan Heights from the rest of Syria ( AP )

Mr Netanyahu's office said the money would be spent on renewable energy, education, establishment of a student village, and a plan for absorbing new residents, according to The Times of Israel.

Israel captured most of the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau, from Syria in a 1967 war and annexed it in 1981. Its considered illegally occupied territory under international law, but Israel has persistently rejected demands to withdraw.

open image in gallery An Israeli soldier stands by the ceasefire line between the occupied Golan Heights and Syria ( REUTERS )

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz claimed the rebel takeover of Syria increased the threat to his country despite the moderate image that the rebel leaders claim to present.

Israel's announcement on Sunday was condemned by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, with Abu Dhabi describing it as a deliberate effort to expand the occupation.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that led the fight against the Assad regime, said Israel was using false pretexts to justify its attacks on Syria, but he wasnt interested in engaging in new conflicts.

"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," Golani told Syria TV.

Israels former prime minister Ehud Olmert told the BBC he did not "see any reason" for the country to expand into the Golan Heights.

"The prime minister said we are not interested in expanding the confrontation with Syria and we hope we will not need to fight against the new rebels that are presently taking over Syria, he said.

So why do we do precisely the opposite? We have enough problems to deal with."
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Sitting in the police headquarters of Homs, in an office that, until last week, was run by the feared intelligence network of Bashar al-Assad, Alaa Omran is holding court.

A former regime police chief turned Islamist rebel commander, he faces an unenviable task: managing a tricky transition from five decades of brutal rule by the Assad family. Their stunning defeat, by a hodgepodge of rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)  a group that was previously aligned with al-Qaeda  has left a security vacuum that needs to be filled quickly. It is a quandary facing every city across Syria: who will rule and how?

Homs, Syrias third city, is nicknamed the cradle of the revolution. It witnessed some of the fiercest battles of the 13-year civil war  the scars of which are chiselled into many neighbourhoods. Homss population is diverse, composed of Sunni Muslims, Christians, and the Alawite minority, which the Assad family belonged to. Omran was recruited by HTS  which has spent years distancing itself from its jihadi past  to lead the groups police force in a city in the northwest before Assads fall. Even he is somewhat bewildered by the calm here, although it is still tense.

Because Homs has a wide variety of religions, we thought it would be difficult to control, he says at his new desk, as his police force  a mixture of ex-rebel fighters and formerly displaced Homs residents  works downstairs to handle a multitude of complaints from anxious citizens gathered outside.

But now everything is under control. During the last week, there have been no attempts to kill anyone.

Omran attributes the success of the extraordinary assault against Assads forces not just to military tactics and newly developed military hardware  there is much talk of new Shaheen or falcon drones  but to years of planning for the day after.

This planning included a transition schedule that would  according to HTS  see the military wing of rebel groups withdraw from cities in favour of a working civilian police force. For years, Omran claims, they ran training programmes in the northwestern province of Idlib to build a police force capable of patrolling the streets, manning stations where those wanting to relinquish their weapons could do so, and reaching out to minorities in an effort to keep the peace.

open image in gallery Syrians gather around the clock tower in the central city of Homs as they celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad ( AFP via Getty )

The plan was put in place for all government departments, whether health services or police. We built units ready to take over and administer, he adds. Omran, a Homs native, defected from the Assad regime in 2012 and joined the small Islamist faction Ansar al-Sham. He was later appointed by HTS to manage police in Haram city, Idlib. He insists he is no longer with the armed forces, and greets us dressed in civilian clothes.

This is appears to be a trend: the leader of the HTS, previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, now prefers to go by his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and met the UN special envoy in Damascus wearing civilian attire.

Omran talks about the development of the police force being a key part of the transition to a new Syrian civilian state.

open image in gallery The entrance to the police headquarters in Homs ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

Most of these units are comprised of people from the town they will now police, who were forcibly displaced to Idlib because of the war. I myself am from Homs ... They sent me here to be the commander because I know a lot of the people. It makes the next stage much easier, he says.

We put out a general amnesty announcement and created stations for [regime] soldiers to surrender their weapons and be treated as civilians, he adds. Many people turn up at those places daily. That said, the amnesty is not for criminals  those who committed crimes will be held accountable.

Sheikh Shreeh al-Homsi, also from Homs and a senior HTS official, echoes the claim that HTS is withdrawing from cities in favour of a police force.

He adds that one of the main tasks will be trying to locate those behind the arbitrary detention, torture, and summary killings of Syrian citizens. We have built an information bank concerning those who committed crimes, he says.

open image in gallery Defaced images of Bashar al-Assad inside the police headquarters in Homs ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

This will be dealt with legally in the judiciary  not in a vengeful way. We wont be driven by emotions as the accountability may not be accurate.

The task of manning Syrias cities and keeping the peace is huge. Outside, residents of Homs gather at the gates of the police headquarters, anxiously waiting for help. One woman says she is receiving threats from an unknown person; two others report that their cars were stolen during the chaotic aftermath of the regimes collapse, when looting was rife. A fourth says his son went missing the day the regime fell  a former conscript with a tattoo of Assads face on his neck, who was last seen at a local hospital bringing in an injured person.

Anxiety pervades Alawite neighbourhoods of the city, given that the minority is often associated with the regime, as the religious sect to which the Assad family belongs. These streets, which escaped much of the wars destruction, are bustling with clothes shops and restaurants. Here, people are mostly worried about the chaotic aftermath and ordinary citizens taking matters into their own hands. They say that either HTS or its affiliated police force  residents are not entirely sure  has stationed itself at various points in the city but that its personnel keep themselves to themselves. Their cars, camouflaged with sand from the battlefield, dot the roads.

open image in gallery Upscale shops in an Alawite neighbourhood of Homs ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

The biggest problem is we dont know what the new laws will be. Were afraid of making mistakes, says Wanuss, 48. We heard they will prevent shisha and alcohol. During the chaos, someone destroyed an alcohol shop. We just dont know. We need clarity.

There are concerns across the country that the hardline Islamist ideology of HTS will also translate into restrictions on women  a suggestion that the leadership has been keen to refute. Time will tell.

There are also other confusions. Amar, 40, a Sunni living in this largely Alawite neighbourhood, says he just lost two shops because the original owners returned to claim them this week. Amar had officially purchased the shops from the former regime, not realising they had been confiscated from residents who had joined the rebels and fled.

I lodged a request with the new police, but what do we do? he says.

Other Alawite residents say they also suffered under the regime and hope this will be understood by those returning to the city. That just because they belong to the same sect as the former president, it doesnt mean they supported him.

open image in gallery Abu Billal returning to his family home for the first time in 15 years ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

Under Assad, I worked as a delivery driver even though I have an MA and speak English, because there was no chance to find a job, says Ali, speaking in perfect English. There was no future then. I hope things will be better now  nothing could be worse than what happened before.

Omran says outreach is being undertaken in these communities, and claims to have employed people from different minorities in his police force. He also says there is a concerted effort to clamp down on any revenge attacks or violence.

That is a tough challenge, especially with emotions so high in the destroyed neighbourhoods, such as Khalidiya and Baba Amr, where horrific battles took place at the start of the civil war.

open image in gallery The charred remains of a childhood photograph found by Abu Billal ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

We accompany Abu Billal, 33, an HTS fighter, as he returns to his destroyed home in Khalidiya for the first time after 15 years separated from his family. He fled government military conscription, torture and prison in 2012 to initially join Jabhat al-Nusra, a group designated a terrorist organisation by the West, which was also one of the strongest armed opposition groups at the time. His unit eventually became part of HTS, also designated a terrorist organisation by Western nations, although its members are working to rid it of that label.

For years, Billal has been on the front lines. Now he is back home. In tears, he picks through the shell of his destroyed home, finding childhood photos of himself in a restaurant in the seaside city of Tartus and posing on a beach to impress the girls.

I was young, he adds, laughing.

He was last in this building in 2019, just before he was taken for military conscription  he shows us a pull bar from his youth, which is charred but still attached to the wall. He talks about how his brother would take the family landline into his bedroom and secretly call his fiancee. His family are refugees in Lebanon.

The very first day I came here, I stood here and couldnt come into the house. It was too much. A lot of neighbours were killed  dead or missing.

open image in gallery Yehiyah Toumi in Baba Amr ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

In nearby Baba Amr, Yehiyah Toumi, 55, who spent six years in regime jails earlier in the war and nearly died ferrying Western journalists in and out of these rebel areas on the back of motorcycles, still lives in what remains of the neighbourhood. Just a few hours before we meet him, he gets the news that his missing son  who was arrested in 2012 on charges of terrorism and helping people to join the rebel factions  was executed in 2015 in the notorious Sednaya prison, known as Syrias slaughterhouse.

The family have spent nearly a decade searching for him. A lawyer who got access to the jail found his name and prison number on an execution list.

For nearly a decade we were trying to search for him  we held on to the hope, Toumi says, his destroyed home behind him. We can only hope for a better future for the rest of our youth.

Back in the police station, Omran promises that the goal is to achieve that better future, and that in a short time the police force will be doubled as the basis for starting a new state. In the interim, he and his colleagues are asking for patience from those desperate for answers about their missing loved ones, or abuses by the regime.

The priority now is to secure the cities and areas, Omran says. The most important task right now is to rehabilitate the image of the police. They have not been trusted for decades. We will establish trust, and then we can investigate crimes.
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Apple is working on a foldable tablet that is twice the size of the firms largest iPad, according to reports.

The rumoured device, first reported by Bloomberg, is expected to launch in 2026 at the earliest and feature a nearly invisible crease connecting two iPad Pros side-by-side.

Apple designers have already built a prototype of the folding iPad, which would reportedly be 18.8-inches in size when fully extended.

The Independent has reached out to Apple, though the tech giant typically does not comment on unreleased products.

Rumours of a foldable iPad or iPhone have been circulating for more than a decade, with the US tech giant filing a series of patents relating to the technology since 2011.

Market analysts have previously predicted that Apple will launch a folding iPad before they launch a bendy iPhone, despite competitors like Samsung and Google releasing foldable smartphones.

open image in gallery A concept design for a foldable iPhone, by Dutch designer Roy Gilsing ( Roy Gisling Design )

A foldable iPhone is seen as a high risk product for Apple, as it risks cannibalising the market share held by the existing iPhone lineup, according to researcher Ben Wood from CCS Insight.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has previously warned that the worlds most valuable company could fall behind its rivals if it does not release a foldable device.

Following the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019, the tech pioneer said that the company had become complacent in terms of hardware innovation due to the success of the iPhone.

Earlier this year, a report from The Information claimed that a clamshell folding iPhone had moved beyond the concept stage and could begin shipping as early as 2026.
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TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, asked the U.S. Supreme Court, on Monday, to intervene in its impending nationwide ban by blocking the law that would remove the app from millions of users.

In its filing, the popular social media app alleged that banning the app would shutter one of the most popular speech platforms at a highly political moment on January 19, just one day before Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated.

The Act will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration. This, in turn, will silence the speech of Applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern, TikTok wrote.

At issue is a bipartisan law called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which is supposed to protect national security.

The law requires ByteDance to sell the social media platform to an American company or be banned.

TikTok is taking a dispute over a bipartisan law to the Supreme Court ( AFP via Getty Images )

Already, TikTok has failed to delay the law from taking effect. Last week, they asked Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to delay the law, giving them for more time to make their case to the Supreme Court.

However, the appeals court upheld the law.

The companies had warned that without court action, the law will shut down TikTok, one of the nations most popular apps with more than 170 million domestic monthly users.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Under the law, the government has sweeping powers to ban other foreign-owned apps that could raise concerns about collection of Americans data.

The 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 apps 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 US users are made in the US.

If the Supreme Court decides to temporarily block the law, it would allow justices to take up the case and decide if the law is constitutional. They could also ask a lower court to re-consider its decision.

But if justices reject the emergency application, the law will go into effect.

The would put TikToks fate first in the hands of President Joe Biden on whether to grant a 90-day extension of the January 19 deadline to force a sale and second to President-elect Trump.

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.

The US would not be the first country to ban TikTok, with India imposing a nationwide ban in 2020.

Other countries and regions have implemented partial bans, including the European Commission and the European Council, which banned the app from official devices last year.

TikTok asked the Supreme Court to intervene by January 6.

Additional reporting from agencies.
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Three weeks after an Egyptian dive boat capsized and sank with the loss of up to 18 passengers and crew, UK investigators have warned of serious concern about the safety of some Red Sea vessels.

The UK governments Marine Accident Investigation Branch (Maib) became involved because British nationals are among the dead and missing. The Maib registered the UK as a substantially interested state in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents.

In a statement, the British investigators said: The Maib has been notified of three accidents within the last 20 months affecting UK citizens on Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea. These include:

The capsize of Carlton Queen on 24 April 2023 resulting in abandonment of the vessel with all passengers and crew rescued.

A fire on Hurricane on 11 June 2023 resulting in the deaths of three UK nationals.

The capsize of Sea Story on 25 November 2024 resulting in up to 18 fatalities/people missing, including two UK nationals.

From the evidence the Maib has obtained so far there is cause for serious concern about the safety of some of the Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea.

The chief inspector of Marine Accidents has written to the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (Eams) setting out his concerns.

In the meantime, the Maib is preparing a safety bulletin for publication setting out the areas of concern that individuals intending an afloat-based diving holiday in the region should take into account before booking.

Sea Story, the vessel involved in the latest tragedy, was a liveaboard diving boat based near the Red Sea port of Marsa Alam. She is one of dozens of similar vessels that take divers out to some of the most exciting underwater locations on the planet, offering diving amidst reefs, wrecks and colourful fish.

She was only two years old when she sank. The Red Sea governorate said the boat had passed a safety inspection in March 2024.

Seven people who were on board when the boat capsized are still missing, including British couple Jenny Cawson, 36, and her husband Tariq Sinada, 49.

The Foreign Office travel advice for Egypt says: Safety standards of Red Sea resort diving operators vary considerably. Very inexpensive operators may not provide adequate safety and insurance standards.
Xi Jinping likes princes. The Chinese leader is one himself. He came to power through lineage and guile as the princeling son of an old revolutionary.

But although he shares an air of entitlement befitting any monarch, there was no chemistry between Xi and the House of Windsor when he stayed in Buckingham Palace as the guest of the late Queen.

Chinese dealings with foreign figures are not based on sentiment but on utility. Xi likes his princes  be they merchants or minor royals  to be vain, greedy or foolish. Preferably all three. We can perhaps think of examples.

So it is tempting to write off the latest episode involving Prince Andrew and a mysterious, alleged Chinese agent as absurdity. Equally, the doings of Xis admirers in Britain, such as the activities of the 48 Club, a collection of business types, are often an invitation to satire.

I cannot read an account of these antics without thinking of the reception for the emperor of China in Anthony Trollopes novel of 19th-century greed and folly, The Way We Live Now. Invited by the novels great fraud, Augustus Melmotte, the emperor sits inscrutable and mute above a crowd of financiers and speculators who have come knowing nothing about China, but in the expectation of advantage. It all ends unprofitably for them, of course. It ends worse for Melmotte, a swindler who has bought his seat in parliament, who poisons himself.

But irony is not enough when it comes to todays peddlers of influence. Xi and the Communist Party are not interested in flogging a few more bits of dodgy telecoms kit or skimming a few million off a public offering to fund the education of their privileged children. They are way beyond all that.

The best way to grasp what the Chinese state is up to is to understand that the aim of its policy is not poison but anaesthesia. The partys United Front Work Department honed its skills at deception in the 1940s when it persuaded a swathe of Chinese liberals and intellectuals that it would do them no harm.

While Xi Jinpings father fought in the Red Army that marched on Beijing, his comrades in united front work sapped the willpower of their opponents so that the rival armies eventually collapsed and fled. Victory without a shot is the greatest prize in traditional Chinese military strategy.

What does this mean today? It means that China is assiduously preparing the ground  not to strike at the United Kingdom but to ensure its passivity in the event that it goes to war against the United States.

That is the task of Beijings army of bankers, traders, academics, officials and think-tankers: to deliver a softly persuasive message via their fellow travellers that China is not a threat, seeks only a fairer world order and is merely striving for its rights in what Xi Jinping and his friend Vladimir Putin agree are changes unseen in a hundred years.

Rumours are that Xi has snubbed Donald Trumps invitation to attend the inauguration of the president-elect next month (a stroke of genius on Trumps part, it must be admitted). His presence would have drained the tension from relations between the two giant powers. But it could have only been a truce.

There are dark thinkers in Beijing who plan, as planners must, for the day when shots are fired in the seas off China. Lets imagine that.

A reckless Chinese destroyer captain illuminates an American warship with his fire control radar for a minute too long (I have heard a true scenario of this kind from the Japanese government). The rules of engagement kick in, missiles fly and the next thing you know, the sky is full of warplanes.

This would all happen so fast that the Americans have spent hours persuading the Chinese to agree to instant communications between their militaries. The Chinese are half-hearted about this because uncertainty is a warfare principle for them.

Make no mistake; if the United States is at war with China in the morning, Britain is involved in the afternoon. There would be instant requests for intelligence-sharing, the use of the controversial Indian Ocean base at Diego Garcia, facilities on Cyprus and, ultimately, stockpiles in East Anglia.

This country could not say no  but it might hesitate for a fatal moment. That is exactly the instant of hesitation for which the Chinese state will expend unlimited intelligence resources and influence invested far into the future  the ability to make Americas allies think twice. And if the unthinkable happens, the Europeans and the Asians will look to us as first responders for their cue.

That is why a prime minister, a deputy prime minister, a foreign secretary and a chancellor of the exchequer who collectively know little about China might turn to Trollope for a reminder of the weaknesses of Britain itself. They cannot let Xi Jinping be in any doubt of their commitments.

Princes and their follies have a habit of ending badly; the supreme task for the government is making sure it does not happen this time.
Roebuck Food Group buying stakes in GlasPort Bio and GlasPort Rumen Tech

UK firm Roebuck Food Group  previously known as Norish  is paying up to 6m to acquire a controlling interest in Galway-based GlasPort Bio, a company that has developed a product for reducing carbon emissions on farms.

It has also agreed to invest up to 1m in a related company, GlasPort Rumen Tech, placing a pre-investment valuation of 5m on that business.

GlasPort Bio has been valued at 12m prior to the investment, and Roebuck Food Group will have an option to acquire virtually all the remaining shares in the business that it wont own after the initial deal.

Roebuck said GlasPort Bio has developed a product called GasAbate, which it describes as a manure management additive that has been shown to reduce methane emissions by 80pc. It said the technology has already been installed on several demonstration farms in Ireland, while the Irish firm is also engaged in farm trials in other European countries.

GasAbate has also been shown to cut hydrogen sulphide emissions by more than 80pc and ammonia emissions by 50pc.

GlasPort Rumen Tech, previously part of GlasPort Bio, has a separate product called RumenGlas, which is in an earlier stage of development. That RumenGlas business was transferred to GlasPort Rumen Tech this month by way of a restructuring. The two businesses will now continue as separate entities.

GlasPort Bio was co-founded by its chief executive, Dr Ruairi Friel, chairman Professor Vincent OFlaherty, and Killian OBriain.

Despite the combined GlasPort Bio and GlasPort Rumen Tech businesses having generated revenue of just 32,000 in the year to the end of June, Roebuck has placed a pre-money valuation of 12m on GlasPort Bio.

Roebuck will acquire a controlling interest of between 35pc and 38.7pc in GlasPort Bio. It will buy between a 13pc and 16.7pc stake in GlasPort Rumen Tech.

The UK company will have an option to raise its stake in GlasPort Bio to just under 94.5pc, exercisable from 18 months to four years after the initial deal. The post-fundraising valuation will be the floor price and valuation uplifts will be dependent on achieving milestones including US patent approval and the inclusion in the Greenhouse Gas Submission Inventory calculation for Ireland or another market of similar size.

Roebuck is raising 8.5m via a placing and share subscription to fund the acquisitions in the Galway businesses.

Roebucks chief executive is Kieran Mahon, who has previously worked with Kepak, the Irish Farmers Journal and was an equity analyst at Davy Stockbrokers.
82pc of eligible Kerry Co-op members today voted in favour of a proposal to acquire Kerry Dairy Ireland and a share exchange with Kerry Group Plc, which is expected to deliver 1.4bn of value directly to all Kerry Co-op members.

The proposal was approved by 82pc of eligible members present at a Special General Meeting of the Co-op held today in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

Commenting, James Tangney, Chairman of Kerry Co-op said: I am very pleased that the A&B shareholders of Kerry Co-op have today voted in favour of the proposal.

"Todays acceptance commences a journey that will ultimately lead to the full ownership of Kerry Dairy Ireland, one of the leading dairy businesses in the country, while it also releases c85pc of Kerry Co-ops Kerry Group shares into the hands of our members to be retained or sold by each of them at a time of their choosing."

He said the transaction is "transformational for Kerry Co-op and satisfies the diverse aspirations of the vast majority of our members."

Kerry Group shareholders will now vote on the proposed transaction at an extraordinary general meeting taking place on Thursday 19th December 2024.

Kerry Co-op currently owns 16.1m shares in Kerry PLC, which hold a current market value of around 1.4bn.

The shareholders in Kerry Co-op  who include current milk producers, former milk producers, and a sizeable rump of other shareholders known as dry shareholders, respectively known as A, B and C shareholders  will have those co-op shares converted into shares in the PLC.

In essence, that only changes things on paper. The shareholders all still have their shares in Kerry, they just hold them directly in the PLC and can hold them or sell them if they should choose.

In order to process the transaction, the PLC will redeem 2.9m of those shares, which ought to come out at around 250m, which will go towards the purchase of 70pc of Kerry Dairy Ireland, the dairy business.

That wont pay for the full 70pc, so the remainder will be made up of loans of around 100m, which will be part provided by Kerry PLC and part by a consortium of banks.

The precise size of that loan remains to be seen, since its pegged to the Kerry PLC share price. The higher the share price is at the time of the deal, the smaller the loan, and vice versa.

Kerrys dairy farmers will have a chance to buy the remaining 30pc of Kerry Dairy Ireland, the joint venture, for around 150m by 2035.
A prestigious international think tank has warned the Central Bank of Ireland not to let standards slip as it disbands its consumer protection division.

From next month, the Central Bank is closing its standalone consumer protection unit and distributing the staff in the unit to regulatory supervision units where it claims they can more effectively carry out their work.

The director of the unit is moving to another job and will not be replaced.

Now the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Paris-based think tank, has warned the Irish regulator to ensure there is no reduction in the focus on consumer concerns when the change takes place.

In a report commissioned by the Irish Central Bank on the effectiveness of its financial consumer protection role, the OECD recommended to the Central Bank that it ensures consumers continue to be protected as part of the Central Banks integrated supervisory approach.

As the Central Bank evolves its framework to deliver a more integrated approach to supervision across its overall mandate, and complemented by a revised operating structure, it should ensure consumers continue to be protected as part of its new integrated supervisory approach, the OECD said in a newly-released 96-page report.

In September, Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf was called before the Oireachtas Finance Committee to explain the banks high-handed decision to disband its consumer protection unit.

Committee chairman John McGuinness said he was surprised to read in the Irish Independent that the Central Bank was disbanding its consumer protection division from next January.

Mr McGuinness said at the time: I am surprised by that decision as it came without any notice and was not flagged to the committee.

The powerful Oireachtas committee holds finance firms and regulators to account.

It is high-handed of the Central Bank not to consult on this or see other points of view before making this decision. They have a lot of explaining to do, Mr McGuinness said.

The Central Bank has insisted it is not downgrading its consumer protection activities and is instead redistributing the 169 consumer protection staff to other divisions.

This will move them to the likes of the banking and payments directorate and the insurance directorate, where they will continue to have responsibility for consumer protection, but will operate as part of an integrated team.

In what is largely a positive review of the consumer protection functions of the Central Bank, the OECD also told the Irish regulator to engage with consumers and consumer groups.

The Central Bank and stakeholders suggested that it may be challenging for the Central Bank to obtain the consumer perspective on the broad range of financial consumer protection matters within its remit, the report said.

Therefore, the Central Bank should continue to innovate in how it engages with consumers.

The Central Bank was also advised it should continue to educate and inform financial consumers.

Mr Makhlouf said he welcomed findings of the review by the OECD, which provided an opportunity for our consumer protection supervisory functions to be assessed against global standards by an objective, independent third party.

He said it was the first review of its kind by the OECD, and the Central Bank was very pleased to be a pioneer in this work, given the shared commitment to consumer protection.

Mr Makhlouf said the implementation of the recommendations in the report would sit alongside the Central Banks new regulatory and supervisory framework and its forthcoming new Consumer Protection Code.

He said this would ensure regulated firms were operating under a modernised set of rules and approaches as we face into a changing global economy.
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The Creation of Adam detail from Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Photo: Getty

Smart ideas are the seeds of innovation, driving progress and creating change, and for innovative researchers and businesses, funding is often the lifeline that turns these ideas into reality.

This is the main focus of Horizon Europe  the European Unions key funding programme for research and innovation. Irish companies and research-performing institutions among those funded by Horizon include technology SME SiriusXT, environmental research project GoGreen Next and Saturn  a four-year research project exploring the problem of underwater noise caused by large vessels.

With total indicative funding of 93 billion to be distributed between 2021 and 2027, Horizon Europe supports cutting-edge science and talent, tackling global challenges and boosting European competitiveness across five key focus areas; climate change, cancer, oceans and water, carbon-neutral cities and soil health.

Ireland ranks fourth in Europe for the participation share by SMEs in the programme

Irish researchers and innovators in areas including health, environment, and digital technologies have already secured 836.4m under the programme.

Furthermore, Ireland has signed 1,295, or 8.46pc, of the grants awarded under Horizon Europe. Ireland ranks fourth in Europe for the participation share by SMEs in the programme.

Of the 6,221 eligible proposals submitted from Irish applicants, one in five has been selected for funding. Almost half of the 487 Irish organisations awarded funding have been approved more than 250,000. In 2024, Irish researchers were also among 494 recipients chosen from nearly 3,500 applications for European Research Council funding worth a total of 780m.

At the Horizon Europe Impact Conference in the Convention Centre Dublin last week, delegates from the research and business communities celebrated this success, while also discussing how best to harness the opportunities Horizon Europe offers.

The event, organised by Enterprise Ireland, highlighted Irelands performance in Horizon Europe, showcasing the impact of participation for small and large enterprises, researchers and academics.

Irelands upcoming presidency of the EU was also a key topic of discussion

Guest speakers from the European Commission, Enterprise Ireland and some of Irelands top universities and companies focused on the three pillars of Horizon Europe: research excellence, global challenges and European industry competitiveness and European innovation.

Those gathered also got to see Irish success stories showcased in video case studies and during discussions, with speakers and panellists seeking to inspire the next generation of applicants.

Irelands upcoming presidency of the EU was also a key topic of discussion as it is likely to bring new opportunities and increase the number of relevant events held here, making these more accessible to Irish researchers, academics and SMEs.

Enterprise Ireland leads the national support network for Horizon Europe, hosted by nine different national agencies and government departments. This works to increase participation in the programme by Irish companies and academic institutions.

By offering support, including travel grants, coordinator grants, ERC proposal support and more, EI empowers Irish researchers and innovators to compete at the highest level and to network and visit overseas partners.

Micol Martinelli is the National Director for Horizon Europe in Ireland
Irish TV presenter Maura Higgins is being tipped as the new face of Love Island, and is expected to replace Maya Jama who is reportedly set to leave the show.

Jama (30) has hosted the reality series since last year but, according to The Sun, she may step down after the 2025 summer series.

Higgins (34), who rose to fame as a contestant on Love Island in 2019, has since become a regular on the celebrity circuit and impressed as the host of Love Island USA: Aftersun.

The Sun reported that Jama could be moving on.

Maya adores hosting Love Island and thinks its a great fit for now, an insider said. But shes keen to leave on a high and keep her career moving forward on the right tracks.

She is incredibly ambitious and would like to keep focusing on primetime presenting opportunities. She also has hopes of working in America and doesnt want to be tied down.

Jama took over presenting duties from Irish broadcaster Laura Whitmore in January 2023.

Since then, she has been hosting two series a year.

Current 'Love Island' host Maya Jama. Photo: Getty

Higgins moved up to presenter on Love Islands US spin-off, having previously been a social host on the show. She has also been a contestant on Dancing on Ice.

She has been building up her skills as a presenter and is very much part of the Love Island family, the paper quoted an insider as saying about the Longford woman.

She also has the unique perspective of having appeared herself as a contestant.

Shes just also had a successful stint on Im A Celeb so the world is her oyster now.

Jama was recently named on the Standard 100 list of top people shaping the English capital in 2024 and said that she had aspirations to retire by 40 years old.

Neither Jama nor Higgins have commented.
Farmers dump manure and tyres at the entrance of Burgundy Regional Council to protest against the consequences of government censorship and EU-Mercosur agreement, in Dijon, central eastern France on December 11, 2024. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Farmers dump manure and tyres at the entrance of Burgundy Regional Council to protest against the consequences of government censorship and EU-Mercosur agreement, in Dijon, central eastern France on December 11, 2024. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images)

Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 16th

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Telegraph.co.uk
Run-up to Christmas is fairly frantic  SVP volunteer notices increase in calls for help from parents

This is the third year Geraldine McIlwaine has been visiting families looking for support from the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in the Derry town of Coleraine.

Ms McIlwaine, who is also a full-time school principal in Belfast, is honouring the memory of her father, who was a volunteer with the SVP charity for more than 50 years.

I came into SVP following the death of my father, because he had been a lifelong member, and he asked me to try and continue it on, so Im honouring his memory, she said.

She enjoys being a volunteer, finding that it is extremely rewarding but that it comes with certain challenges. Her group has 10 volunteers who have meetings every two weeks.

You do two weeks on call, and youre out and about in the local community, visiting people who have phoned looking for assistance, she said.

Sometimes that assistance is with loneliness, sadness and loss, and other times its with financial poverty and addiction.

In my day job as a school principal, I come across very similar things. So I find its a very rewarding extension of my day to do that in the evenings.

Ms McIlwaine is the Northern Ireland north region safeguarding officer and looks after the well-being of SVPs clients.

Theres a little bit of frustration with how little we can do sometimes. We try our best to give financial assistance and make sure people have the basics to survive and thrive, she said.

But it can be very difficult for people to navigate the systems in life at the moment, to get themselves back on track if theyve had a series of unfortunate adversities in their life, and they need assistance from the Government or they need assistance with their health.

Those things are very, very slow and poor at the moment, and so people languish for long periods of time without getting the help and assistance they need.

Therefore, they rely on charities and people like ourselves to help them. So that can be frustrating when youre seeing the same people month after month with very little hope of getting out of the situation that theyre in.

And then there are other times, whenever you do see people listening to your advice, and you give them some assistance or signpost them, and they do make progress  thats very rewarding. I really love it.

Ms McIlwaine has noticed a significant increase in calls from people looking for assistance during Christmas.

We have a very significant number of single parents, both single dads and single mums, and theyre just so concerned and consumed with the material aspect of Christmas and giving their child what they think their child needs for months, she said.

As those children get older, those needs get more expensive. We get a significant increase in calls.

But its also among the elderly as well. People who are just perhaps very lonely and feeling very isolated.

I really enjoy those calls because these people are generally reasonable, well-fed and housed, but theyre just so lonely and desperate for a face to come in through their door and sit down for an hour and chat to them and reconnect them with their community.

The run-up to Christmas is fairly frantic.

In recent weeks, volunteers in Coleraine were getting an average of six to eight calls a day. There was one day when they responded to 12 calls.

That was very challenging because you have the phone, even though Im at work full-time, I just find a private space and take the call and then do the visits in the evening. So it can be quite a lot at this time of the year, she said.

The north coast of Northern Ireland would be quite an affluent area geographically, she said, but many people faced several challenges  with housing at the top of the list.

[Our area] would be considered as sort of a holiday destination and a second-home destination, and that can disguise the fact that many people here are living in serious poverty, quite significant deprivation, in terms of housing, Ms McIlwaine said.

The housing that they are living in, many of the clients that we visit, its very substandard housing  some of it is a private rental, and its poorly maintained, damp, lots of mould, cold, difficult to heat. They invariably have young families and theyre struggling financially because private rent is so high.

And then youve got people who are in council-provided homes. While their houses are better maintained, theyre very small and very cramped, quite often inadequate for a family of any size.

We have several families that we visit at the moment with three or four children and theyre in two-bedroomed homes where the children just dont have the space they need.

We have a couple of families with numbers of children with very complex medical needs and they are in totally unsuitable accommodation.

Another struggle for families is generational poverty.

Grandparents and their children, and then their children, are in the same circumstances. Theyve been failed by education or failed by their lack of employment in the area, and so it just perpetuates itself, she said.

They get themselves into a cycle of deprivation thats almost impossible to break out of.

Lots of other elements that we are dealing with in our area are symptomatic of those two things  lots of hopelessness, sadness, depression, anxiety, addiction.

Young mothers with very small, sometimes fairly unwell children. Theres lots of failure to thrive among the children that we see, just simply poor nutrition. Developmental milestones are not being met.

While the cost-of-living crisis in the last three years had affected the families in the area, people were being incredibly resilient, she said.

A small amount of help can make a big difference. So there is hope.
Her death notice said she will be missed by her devastated and heartbroken husband Stephen and their precious and beautiful newborn daughter Claudia Teresa

A first-time mother died suddenly at University Hospital Galway last week but her daughter was delivered alive and well.

Teresa Charlin-Foy (38) died on Friday after suffering a collapse at home.

She was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Galway where medical staff delivered her baby Claudia safely but tragically prolonged efforts to resuscitate her failed.

Ms Charlin Foy was a Galway-based IT engineer and leaves behind heartbroken husband Stephen Foy and newborn daughter Claudia Teresa.

Teresa Charlin-Foy (Rip.ie)

Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 16th

Her funeral takes place in Renmore, Galway on Wednesday, before she is taken to her native home in Sanxenxo, northern Spain.

Her husband has been left devastated and heartbroken the funeral notice said.

A spokeswoman for University Hospital Galway confirmed a maternal death took place at the hospital last week.

We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family, she said.

While we cannot comment on individual cases, a maternal death is a notifiable incident under the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023, and, as is the case with all maternal deaths, a full systems analysis review will be undertaken in line with the HSE Incident Management Framework.
A judge has awarded an 11-year-old boy 21,000 for injuries suffered after his head became trapped between a metal pole and a wall in a Milano pizza restaurant.

Ethan Clarkes family had been finishing their meal on the June 3, 2018 when they saw that their son had squeezed his head between a metal rod and a large glass window only an arms length from their table.
LATEST | Second man arrested over serious assault of two off-duty gardai near Temple Bar

Second man in his 30s has been arrestedViolent criminal arrested on suspicion of attacking two off-duty gardai in Dublin city centre previously jailed for a similar serious attack in the same areaOne garda remains in a critical condition in Beaumont Hospital Two off-duty gardai attached to the Armed Support Unit (ASU) and are understood to have been on a Christmas social night out

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to the assault.

Robin Schiller and Maeve McTaggart Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 12:00







A second man has been arrested in connection with an attack on two off-duty gardai in Dublin city centre this weekend.
Suspected Kinahan paymaster and mortgage scammer bounces back with Costa Blanca business

A suspected Kinahan Cartel money launderer who was jailed in Ireland for an elaborate mortgage scam has relocated to Spain where he has opened a kids trampoline park.

Dean Masterson, who moonlighted as an ordinary milkman while gardai believed he looked after the Kinahans payroll system in Ireland, was spotted recently in Alicante with his new bride Victoria.
South American trade deal has been 25 years in making

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has arranged for a special mission to visit Ireland to talk to farmers about the deal. Photo: Rollingnews.ie

EU Commission officials will visit Ireland early next year in a final effort to convince Irish farmers to support a deal with South American trade bloc Mercosur.

A group of officials from the commission will travel here early next year to engage directly with farming representatives.

This will be a chance for EU officials to resolve issues around possible high volumes of paperwork and give an informed understanding of the deal, according to Enterprise Minister Peter Burke.

The Government opposes the controversial trade deal, with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) dubbing it a sell-out.

The trade deal with the Mercosur bloc  which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay  would be the EUs largest in terms of the population of its partner and in terms of tariff reductions, which could amount to 4bn annually, phased out over several years.

The deal has been in the works for 25 years and was finalised earlier this month by the EU and the South American countries.

Mr Burke met EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic last Friday and the two agreed to send a special mission to talk to farming representatives.

My department will facilitate a series of discussions early in 2025, Mr Burke said. I am confident that this will help ensure an informed understanding for all sides of the consequences of the new Mercosur agreement text.

He said he had deep concerns over unintended consequences in the agreement.

While no final decision on adoption is imminent, I believe that all stakeholders, and the farming community in particular, need to be fully informed of all aspects of the proposed future trade arrangements with the Mercosur bloc.

The commission needs to be made aware of our model of farming here, the practices that farmers have implemented over the last number of decades and the sustainability measures which are now the bedrock of Irish farming.

Farmers have invested significant resources into sustainability, and we must expect the same high standards from all countries in the market to ensure a level playing field, which is a concept that is at the very heart of the EU.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has arranged for a special mission to visit Ireland to talk to farmers about the deal. Photo: Rollingnews.ie

Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 16th

Irish farmers have said the deal may mean a high volume of paperwork to ensure traceability of meat.

Talks with EU officials in the special mission should go a long way to resolving these kinds of issue, according to Mr Burke, who is a TD for Longford Westmeath.

The Independent Ireland party has said opposition to the trade deal should be a red line issue in government talks, while other MEPs have raised concerns with the deal.

Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan called on other EU member states to block it, saying it is bad for Ireland, and for the planet as a whole.

The agreement provides for 99,000 tonnes of beef imports to the EU a year at a reduced tariff rate of 7.5pc, phased in over seven years.

Mercosur farmers will also be entitled to export 180,000 tonnes of poultry meat per year tariff-free, phased in over five years.

In return, EU producers will be able to sell olive oil, wine, dairy products, chocolate and other foodstuffs at reduced tariff rates, while the Latin American market will also be opened up to European automotive, machinery and pharmaceutical exports.
Travel plans of tens of thousands of people in disarray as port unlikely to reopen before ChristmasStena Line launches new Dublin-Fishguard route to ease chaosMinister says there are still 4,000 additional spaces on airlines that can be filled under the passenger cap

Fears of travel chaos as 150,000 passengers relying on ferry route to get home in time for Christmas

Holyhead port could remain closed until spring, Minister of State James Lawless has said.

Mr Lawless said he was planning for the possibility that Holyhead Port's ferry terminals would not reopen on Friday, warning some passengers or freight would not be accommodated on alternative crossings.

It comes as tens of thousands of ferry passengers travelling home from Britain this Christmas face travel chaos. Around 150,000 passengers are hoping to travel on the Holyhead to Dublin route in the days leading up to Christmas.

Mr Lawless met with ferry companies Stena Line and Irish Ferries today to discuss the ongoing crisis at the port, which is causes travel chaos for thousands of passengers ahead of Christmas, as well as the supply chain.

While it was initially announced that the port would remain closed until December 20, the minister has said the Government is planning for that date to slip and that while they were hoping for the best, he was also preparing for the worst.

The worst case would be that Holyhead was closed for some time, perhaps into the new year, into early spring .This is possible, Mr Lawless said.

He added that he expects an update on the date for reopening within the next 36 hours, as divers and engineers in Holyhead continue to assess the damage caused by Storm Darragh.

We may even have an update today. If not today, it'll be over the next 24, 36 hours, I expect and I suppose that would be a really key decision point.

If Holyhead is back in action Thursday and Friday of this week, that would be a huge relief to all the traveling public and all the goods companies.

But I think we need to continue to plan on the basis that it won't be back. Because, if you hope for the best and plan for the worst, I think it's usually a prudent approach in these situations, he added.

The minister said in relation to cargo, items would be prioritised for processing but that it may not be possible that every single package and every single person will be able to make the journey, certainly with the timescale of the next week.

There may be some disappointments, and there may be some cargo that has to be deprioritised in terms of if something is less time sensitive, it's not perishable, it's not a pharmaceutical product. For example, perhaps there may be certain calls, but the industry makes those calls every day," Mr Lawless said.

The minister said the pressure up until Thursday will be for cargo transportation, but that passenger travel will take over after that point.

However, he said he did not believe that it was necessary to lift the passenger cap at Dublin airport to help with passengers trying to travel before Christmas.

When I checked on Friday, there were 4,000 additional spaces on airlines under the cap. So if the airlines want to fill those 4000 seats first and then come back to us to talk about the bigger picture, Mr Lawless said.

Some people will take any opportunity to make a headline, and I tried to be more serious with the issue, he added.

Mr Lawless said he was disappointed with the communication from Stena Line initially and said last week there was a situation where we had an almost daily changing update.

He added that it was important that everybody fronts up and tells us as it is.

"I think it's fair to say, Stena Line fully get the severity of the situation and I think that impressed upon them today at the meeting, the absolute criticality of giving us quality, reliable updates.

I think for their own reputation; they cannot come back with another update that isnt met, Minister Lawless said.

Mr Lawless said Irish Ferries has a number of vessels available to use in to ramp up services but that the company needed to find a port to take them.

While Stena Line will put a new vessel into service tomorrow as well as an additional vessel, originally due to service Holyhead, that will now operate between Dublin and Fishguard.

In a statement, Stena Line said the company is providing additional capacity on other routes for both freight and passengers and will operate a free bus transfer from Holyhead to Fishguard.

I can confirm that our operational teams have now been able to establish a new temporary freight only ferry route between Dublin-Heysham which will launch on Tuesday 17th Dec providing one round trip per day.

We have also established a new temporary route on Dublin-Fishguard for passengers and freight which will be served by the Stena Adventurer, Johan Edelman, Stena Lines Irish Sea Trade Director said.

Irish Ferries has said the company is currently communicating with impacted customers who were due to sail from Holyhead up to Thursday 19 December.

"We are awaiting confirmation of the expected port reopening on December 20, but in the meantime as a contingency, we will continue to pursue all viable options to ensure freight and passengers get to their destination in time for Christmas and will update further as soon as we have more information," Irish Ferries said in a statement.

The ferry company also reconfirmed that the damage done to Holyhead was not as a result of the berthing operations of Irish Ferries vessels.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Monday the seriousness of the damage was becoming more apparent as the days go by.

I think its highly unlikely now that we will see Holyhead port functioning in any real way this side of Christmas and, of course, that is a serious concern to both people whove bought goods and presents and gifts that theyre hoping will arrive, and also people that are understandably trying to get home for the Christmas period, Mr Harris said in Dun Laoghaire.

What I can say is this a huge amount of work is ongoing in government on this issue. Today, the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State for Transport will meet their Welsh counterparts.

It's a very challenging situation and probably the worst possible time of year for something like this to happen

Stena Line has brought in a new Dublin-Fishguard service as an alternative for passengers.

The Government is considering asking ports that are set up solely to carry freight to put in place temporary facilities to be able to carry passengers, the Irish Independent understands.

Junior transport minister James Lawless. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Junior transport minister James Lawless met stakeholders, such as Irish Rail and the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), this morning before meeting representatives of ferry companies Stena and Irish Ferries this afternoon.

The minister spoke to his Welsh counterpart Ken Skates, who has agreed to mirror a relaxation of rules on rest times for lorry drivers in a bid to alleviate a backlog of freight.

He said he had asked the National Transport Authority to ensure there were more public transport connections in place so people are able to travel to and from alternative ports.

There maybe some use of shuttle buses, emergency reception facilities, et cetera, but we need to make sure that that system is in place and we need to make sure that those journeys can be made, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

He said Mr Skates agreed that we really need to get accurate, high-quality information from Holyhead port in terms of repairs, in terms of the status, and that he did not think the port would be back open before Christmas.

Is this a more serious issue than was first thought. Is it going to take time to resolve? My instinct last week was that it is more serious and thats why I instructed my own team and everybody, all the stakeholders to really plan for the worst and look beyond Holyhead, he said.

And that's we've been doing over the last four to five days.

It's a very challenging situation and probably the worst possible time of year for something like this to happen, with people anxiously waiting for parcels to arrive, goods coming both directions, a lot of small exporters from Ireland wanting to get the goods to the Christmas market in the UK and vice versa, as well as all the normal business that transacts and then of course persons looking to come home for Christmas as well, Mr Lawless added.

Alternatives

It is up to ports and ferries to provide additional capacity in order to ease the backlog created by the closure at Holyhead port.

It is hoped extra spaces in locations such as Larne and Birkenhead, near Liverpool, will provide additional capacity.

Ferry company Stena Line has announced the opening of a new route from Dublin to Fishguard.

Sailings will depart daily from Fishguard at 9am and from Dublin at 11pm according to the companys website, with sailings so far only listed for today and Tuesday.

Irish Ferries will continue to pursue "all viable options to ensure freight and passengers get to their destination in time for Christmas" as it awaits confirmation of whether Holyhead Port will open on December 20.

It said this planning is taking place "as a contingency" and the company is currently communicating with impacted customers who were due to sail from Holyhead up to Thursday 19 December.

A spokesperson said it will be in "direct contact with customers due to sail on later dates as soon as there is more clarity".

In a statement, Irish Ferries said it could "re-confirm categorically" that the current closure of the port was not due to the berthing operations of it's vessels, but "due to port infrastructure damage that emerged during Storm Darragh".

The damage continues to be assessed by the port operator, a spokesperson said.

Irish Ferries has increased capacity on the Pembroke/Rosslare route through the deployment of the James Joyce vessel, which will accommodate larger passenger numbers.

Additional sailings have also been added to the Dublin/Cherbourg service, with daily departures scheduled in the coming days also adding further freight capacity.

"In the key week ahead with freight backlogs to clear, and thousands of passengers about to embark on their drive home for Christmas to reunite with family and friends, Irish Ferries remains actively engaged with alternative British Ports to facilitate access for our vessels and help alleviate the significant pressures on both the freight and passenger markets," they added.

"We are awaiting confirmation of the expected port reopening on December 20, but in the meantime as a contingency, we will continue to pursue all viable options to ensure freight and passengers get to their destination in time for Christmas and will update further as soon as we have more information."

Rule change

An urgent rule change by the Department of Transport over the weekend saw Irish hauliers allowed to drive more and rest less in the run-up to Christmas, but industry sources say this is not a sustainable solution.

They predict bedlam later this week as diversions and sharply increasing passenger numbers will all come to a head.

At the moment, frustrated ferry customers are being rerouted to Birkenhead and are arriving into Belfast instead of Dublin, creating a longer ferry journey and major transport diversions for passengers.

A spokesperson for Irish Ferries said they have also increased capacity on the Pembroke/Rosslare route.

The two ferry companies based in Holyhead, Stena Line and Irish Ferries, are now facing a headache with their alternative port options for both passengers and freight.

Pembroke Dock is not big enough to facilitate the number of passengers expected to travel and Fishguard, another port in Wales, only has one scheduled sailing to Dublin a day.

Neither port is serviced to the standard of Holyhead for passengers.

Freight

Trucks and trailers sit parked at Holyhead Port. Photo: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg

They are facing a similar challenge with freight, as neither Cairnryan Port in Scotland or Birkenhead suit the practice of drop-trailer deliveries, and only take accompanied freight.

This will not suit hauliers who need to drop their containers at the port.

Holyhead would have processed 1,000 freight trailers a day. This is almost impossible to reroute around the UK without a build-up, an industry source told the Irish Independent.

Operation Stacked means efforts are being made to reroute ferries and to increase staffing hours, but it is only going to cause chaos as we get closer to Christmas.

We are lucky in that the weather has been reasonably calm this week and its kept everything ticking.

Minister James Lawless is only being told a small part of the story. It is expected to be bedlam in the coming days.

IRHA president Eugene Drennan said he now expects trouble for the freight, as passenger numbers swell in the lead-up to Christmas and they are rerouted to other ports in Britain.

We must count Holyhead out. Now, we have this mayhem and very tight lines to get the capacity, he said.

Its almost Christmas. Passengers and people with children have to get priority, but they should have more ships on the lines and the ports should be working overtime. Only for the hauliers association, wed be in total disarray. We upped the ante all week to force the Irish Government into meeting us.

Eugene Drennan of the Irish Road Haulage Association

An Post has said the parcel backlog due to the port closure is now down to the last 16,000 parcels, which are currently en route.

However, Mr Drennan said this did not reflect the seriousness of the issue with the supply line.

If its on this side of the water, itll be delivered, but they [An Post] are not the link between Ireland and England. We are, the ship is and the fishing lines are, he said.

An Post has delivered what has arrived, but they cant deliver it if it doesnt come.

The main thing is dont panic. The ferry company is obligated to get you there

Owner of Travel Extra, Eoghan Corry, said: I dont have any faith that Holyhead will reopen on Friday. Even if it does reopen, we have two ferry companies using the same berths.

Under normal circumstances, at Christmas, wed see 33,000 cars using that route. Thats around 100,000 passengers in cars and another 40,000 to 50,000 foot passengers.

A large number of those passengers are carrying a lot of bags and presents. People take the ferry and the car, as theyre able to carry things that Ryanair wouldnt allow on board.

People will have to use another ferry route, which looks increasingly likely. And its quite a distance to drive to alternative routes. So this is quite an inconvenience for around 100,000 passengers over the Christmas period.

The ferry capacity is there. Its the port capacity thats the problem. And Holyhead is the second-busiest port in the UK.

I expect the ferry companies to deal with capacity, but the real issue is not being able to use Holyhead as a convenient port.

The main thing is dont panic. The ferry company is obligated to get you there. Theyll offer an alternative route, or refund.

Mr Corry said some passengers could consider flying, but he reminded people there is a passenger cap.

He suggested Belfast being another route for people to fly into if they encounter any issues.

From an air point of view, theres no real remedy there to offer additional capacity, he added.

He expected the busiest days for travel to be December 22 and December 27.

Responding, a spokesperson for Ryanair highlighted the ongoing passenger cap issue, which they said has effectively blocked airlines from adding further seasonal routes for winter 2024.

Aer Lingus was also contacted for a response.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said that all efforts were being made in the background to resolve the problems associated with Holyheads closure.

She added that a substantial backlog in freight had been cleared and all efforts will be put into ensuring everything is done to help freight and passengers travel this Christmas.
A new national pelvic health clinic to treat women and men suffering from a range of conditions including bladder and bowel incontinence was officially opened in Dublin by Taoiseach Simon Harris today.

The National Pelvic Floor Health Centre at St Michaels Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, will provide a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to addressing the needs of patients with complex pelvic floor dysfunction.

It will allow for rapid diagnosis with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology in a dedicated clinical setting, improving the patient experience and enabling enhanced patient outcomes.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a global term used to describe conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse, bladder or bowel incontinence, obstructive defaecation disorder or dyspareunia.

The condition affects primarily women - an estimated 23pc of women suffer from some form of pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime - but also men. Pelvic health issues can severely affect a persons quality of life and be a symptom of more serious underlying conditions.

The disorders tend not to be isolated, in over 70pc of cases patients have two or more symptoms requiring multidisciplinary input, said a hospital spokesperson.

The Taoiseach said that the new dedicated centre provides an innovative approach, establishing new treatment pathways that have a significant impact on treatment and waiting times for people with pelvic floor dysfunction.

I congratulate everyone involved in delivering this dedicated patient centred service which is having a profound impact on the lives of the people attending the service.

Sharon Ryan, chief executive of St Michaels Hospital, added: The establishment of a dedicated National Pelvic Floor Health Centre is a significant advancement for the assessment and treatment of people with pelvic floor dysfunction. The development of this dedicated unit enables greater integration of the multi-disciplinary team and allows patients to meet all their treating clinicians in one location.

We have expanded the specialist team and the impact is clearly seen with a reduction in waiting times of 12 months achieved for some patients. We are also able to treat more patients  in 2022 the number of attendances in the Pelvic Floor Service was 683, a 152pc increase on 2021 (271 attendances). The dedicated pelvic health physiotherapy service can now provide an average of 56 appointments per week up from an average of 12 appointments per week over the period from 2013  2022.

The Pelvic Floor Centre is Irelands first and only multidisciplinary clinic for the assessment and management of pelvic floor dysfunction. The multidisciplinary team includes internationally trained colorectal surgeons and urogynecologists who work as a team, supported by specialist physiotherapists and clinical nurse specialists.

Funding for the new centre was provided by the HSEs National Womens and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP)and the Department of Health. The dedicated building comprises four clinical rooms, a waiting area and administration support space. Including revenue this represents a total investment of over 1m in the delivery of excellent patient care to people with pelvic health issues.
Kaori McNulty with her winning entry in the seven- to 12-year-old category. Photo: Arthur Carron

Winners of the annual Snowman for Carla colouring competition have told of their delight at being selected for the hotly-contested prize, which was set up in memory of little Carla McGinley.

Medha Suresh, from Co Galway, won the one- to six-year-old category, while Kaori McNulty, from Walkinstown in Dublin, is the winner of the seven-to-12 category.

Carlas friends were involved in the deliberations to choose the winners from a selection of smiling snowmen, coloured in every colour of the rainbow.

Around 7,000 children across the country have entered the competition since it was established, with vouchers worth more than 1,000 up for grabs.

Andrew McGinley with his children Carla, Conor and Darragh

The competition was created by Andrew McGinley in memory of his three-year-old daughter Carla, who died in 2020 in their Dublin home, alongside her brothers, Conor (9) and Darragh (7).

The three children were killed by their mother, Deirdre Morley, who was found not guilty of their murder by reason of insanity.

Kaori had an entire story behind her snowman entry

Medhas father Suresh said his daughter was delighted with the news of her win because she often entered colouring competitions at her local library.

Kaori McNultys mother, Leah, said her daughter was thrilled to be the winner in her category and was always creating something.

She added that Kaori had an entire story behind her snowman entry  including a letter addressed to her late dog Patch.

I am delighted for her and I cannot wait to just let her go to town, whatever shed like to do (with the voucher). Its brilliant  and the memories shes going to create from it.

Competition winner Medha Suresh from Co Galway

The idea for the colouring competition came from a promise Mr McGinley made to his daughter to build her a snowman the next time it snowed. Sadly, there was no more snow before her tragic death.

My dream is to be able to get a chocolate snowman in packaging that could be coloured in, he said. Thats the dream, given her love of colouring and given her love of snowmen. She also liked chocolate.

I remember Carla had her little table and chairs  and I have clips of Carla on Conors Clips of her colouring

The colouring competition is one of three legacy projects Mr McGinley set up in memory of his children. They also include Conors Clips, a YouTube channel started for Conor, who wanted to be a YouTube star.

He also created As Darragh Did, a charity in honour of Darraghs involvement in sport, drama and more.

As Darragh Did raises funds for community clubs, groups, societies and projects that promote integration and inclusion. It has supported more than 200 organisations since it was established.

Snowman for Carla competition winner, Kaori McNulty, with her mum Leah. Picture: Arthur Carron

Mr McGinley said the Snowman for Carla competition was an opportunity for children to sit down with a piece of paper and to be able to spend a bit of time away from the screens and everything else, to sit down and spend that time colouring.

He added: I remember Carla had her little table and chairs  and I have clips of Carla on Conors Clips of her colouring, drawing random shapes with all the coloured pencils.

The simplicity of a sheet of paper and some colouring pencils or markers and creating something using every colour in the box.

Mr McGinley said it had been wonderful to see the imagination that went into every Snowman for Carla entry. He thanked the Irish Independent and those who supported the competition.

I really appreciate every single entry. It was a joy to go through them.
Taoiseach expresses deep disappointment at move, which follows Irelands recognition of Palestinian state and support for South Africas case at the International Court of JusticeTanaiste Micheal Martin says Ireland's embassy in Israel will remain openJewish Representative Council of Ireland deeply concerned by deterioration in relations

Israel's foreign minister accused Taoiseach Simon Harris on Monday of anti-Semitism as he defended Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin over Ireland's policies.

"There is a difference between criticism - and antisemitism based on the delegitimization and dehumanization of Israel and double standards towards Israel," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.

"Last night Ireland's anti-Semitic Prime Minister Simon Harris said in an interview 'Ireland is not anti-Israel but Ireland is absolutely anti the starvation of children'," Saar said. "Is Israel starving children?"

He claimed Israel was working to enable humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and prevent civilian casualties. This claim comes as the death toll in Gaza crossed 45,000 since the beginning of the war.

Gideon Saar, Israeli Foreign Minister. Photo: Reuters/Amir Cohen

Simon Harris accuses Israel of engaging in 'distraction' policies after announcement of embassy closure

The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin has highlighted Israel's increasing international isolation over the Gaza war, triggered by the October 7, 2023, assault on Israeli communities which led to the killing of 1,200 Israeli citizens and the kidnapping of 250 more.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said: The Taoiseach will not be responding to personalised and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives.

Earlier today Mr Harris expressed his deep disappointment after Israel announced it is going to close its embassy in Dublin as they claim that the Irish government has extreme anti-Israel policies and crossed all red lines towards Israel.

The Government in recent days announced Ireland would join South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, which accuses Israel of genocide.

Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin confirmed there are "no plans" to close Ireland's embassy in Israel.

"Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations. Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points," he said.

"There are no plans to close Irelands embassy in Israel, which is carrying out important work."

Israel's ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, said the move to close the Israeli embassy was made in response to a "growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli" in Ireland.

Both the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste released statements shortly after the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar told Israeli media they were closing the embassy in Dublin.

"Ireland's antisemitic actions and rhetoric against Israel are rooted in delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state and reflect clear double standards, Gideon Sa'ar said.

"Ireland has crossed all red lines in its treatment of Israel. We will redirect our resources toward advancing bilateral relations with countries based on priorities that reflect how different nations relate to Israel."

The minister said Irelands actions reflect a clear double standard.

Ambassador Erlich accused the Irish government of taking steps that are "about isolating and discriminating against Israel" and the country has taken an "extreme" position.

She said the stance taken by Ireland has "crossed the line" and it is "not criticism, but this is pure hatred and obsession that is now also directed to Israelis and the Jewish community".

"These are tough days. It was a tough decision that was not taken lightly but unfortunately, in the currently hostile atmosphere in Ireland, supported, fostered by the Irish government, this is the correct diplomatic decision to take."

She directed members of the Israeli and Jewish communities with concerns to bring those concerns to the Irish government who "needs to make sure that they are safe, that there is a future for the Jewish community in Ireland".

Ms Erlich, who was recalled back to Israel in May when Ireland recognised Palestinian statehood, said there has been a "surge" in anti-Semitism in Ireland and claimed there is "a growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli, and unfortunately, it has crossed the line".

"This is not criticism, but this is just pure hatred and obsession that is now also directed to Israelis and the Jewish community, unfortunately, we've seen it throughout this year."

Speaking to RTE's News at One, she said the Israeli government will continue to help Jewish and Israeli communities in Ireland, adding: "We will continue in contact with our allies and supporters, but the format of the embassy must change in light of these anti-Israeli steps".

Ms Erlich accused the Irish government of taking steps that are "about isolating and discriminating against Israel" and said the claims brought to the International Court of Justice are "baseless".

She described the case brought against Israel as "an abuse of the international multilateral system by South Africa" that the Israeli government was "sorry" to see Ireland join.

Ms Erlich said the Irish intervention in the case was not about respecting international law, but about "abusing international systems and playing into the propaganda of terrorism organisations like Hamas, who applauded and welcomed this step".

"This joins an accumulation of steps, rhetoric and initiatives that we've seen Ireland trying to promote this past year. We've seen it do it also on a bilateral level, for different legislation. We've seen it trying to promote anti-Israel measures within the EU. We've seen it foster hostility in different UN resolutions."

She said Israel still sees Ireland as an "extreme voice in the international arena", adding that it has taken an "extreme position" that no other country has put itself in and accused the Irish Government of fostering "incitement and hatred".

On whether the same steps would be taken against Spain or Norway, who also recognised Palestinian statehood earlier this year, Ms Erlich said: "We see Ireland in a more extreme stance than any other country."

She said Israel made the decision to close the embassy in order to "recalculate our efforts and our resources to a country that does want to broaden engagement with Israel" and ruled out that this would include steps that would see the closure of the Irish embassy in Tel Aviv.

Ms Erlich also claimed that there is "for lack of a better word, an obsession with anti-Israeli steps" in Ireland which are "not about pro-peace" but about "isolating Israel".

Asked whether Israel hopes this move will damage how Ireland is viewed by the international community and the United States, Ms Erlich said Ireland's actions to date have already "caused questions in the international community".

"It's not about our messages, it's the actions of the Irish government that are sending messages to other countries, not just Israel".

Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich

Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar said there are countries which instead want to build on their links with Israel, such as Moldova and resources will instead be deployed there.

"There are countries interested in strengthening their ties with Israel where we don't yet have diplomatic missions," he said.

"We will adjust our diplomatic network while considering, among other factors, different countries' approaches and actions toward Israel in the international arena."

Bad day for diplomacy

The former Irish ambassador to the US Dan Mulhall has said the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin marks a "bad day for diplomacy".

He said there will now be a reduction in the Israeli diplomatic presence in Dublin who could speak to the Irish media, people and government about their position and attempt to "bridge the gaps that are there between our two countries".

Mr Mulhall added that a consulate could potentially remain or the Israeli ambassador to the UK could also be accredited to cover Ireland following the closure, but there will be an inevitable "reduction in the level of contact between Ireland and Israel, which is not a good thing between two countries like ours".

Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland, Mr Mulhall acknowledged that the closure of the embassy in Dublin will also be a "complicating factor" in the Irish relationship with the US.

"When the new administration comes in, it will be a moment of risk and jeopardy for Ireland in our relations with the United States because whatever we do with regard to Israel will be looked at carefully in Washington - and there will certainly be a big gap between their instinctive approach to these things and ours and that carries a risk for Ireland, given the importance of our relationship with the United States."

He said the Irish position is "very reasonable" but it will be "difficult to get through to some of the people who have very strong views and are very supportive of Israel and may not hear what we have to say".

"We're not anti-Israel, we're not anti-Jewish, not anti-Semitic. We simply have concerns and we're opposed to certain aspects of Israeli government policy. I mean, if someone criticises Ireland for some particular diplomatic move we've made, it doesn't mean they're anti-Irish."

Mr Mulhall said there will be a need to be "careful" in the approach once US president-elect Donald Trump assumes office.

"I'm not saying we should abandon our policies or positions - certainly not - but we will have to factor in how those positions might go down in Washington and what the consequences might be for our vital relationship with the United States."

Chair of Jewish council deeply concerned

The chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland said he was "deeply concerned" by the deterioration in relations between Ireland and Israel.

Maurice Cohen told RTE that the Irish Governments intervention in the ICC case risks "oversimplifying a highly complex and tragic conflict, unfairly isolating Israel, and undermining the integrity of the term 'genocide'".

He said the closure of the embassy was "particularly distressing for the Jewish community in Ireland".

"For these individuals, the closure of the embassy represents not only a symbolic blow but also a practical disadvantage, he said.

"Consular services provided by the embassy are vital for those maintaining connections with family, culture, and heritage in Israel. Losing this resource will leave many feeling unsupported and aggrieved.

"Closing the embassy risks alienating a significant segment of Irish society and sends a message that dialogue is being replaced by disengagement," he said.

He said the council was committed to peace and the protection of innocent lives "on all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict", while also supporting Israels right to defend itself from "terrorism and existential threats".

Mr Cohen called on the Irish and Israeli governments to rebuild trust and make sure diplomatic channels remained open.

Ambassador recalled

Israels ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, was recalled back to Israel in May when Ireland recognised the state of Palestine.

The embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is not clear on what date the embassy will close.

Releasing a statement on Sunday afternoon, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: Irelands foreign policy is founded on our deep commitment to dialogue and to the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Embassy of Israel to Ireland in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron

"Resident embassies play a very important role in that regard.

Keeping channels open has never been more important so that we can better understand each others positions, even when we disagree.

He continued; I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.

Gideon Saar, Israeli Foreign Minister. Photo: Reuters/Amir Cohen

News in 90 seconds - 15 December 2024

Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.

Speaking in Brussels this morning, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said any action taken by the Irish government in relation to the ongoing situation in Palestine has been motivated only by a respect of international humanitarian law and human rights. He sad Ireland would not be closing its embassy in Israel.

"We've consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and a massive surge of humanitarian aid. Recognising a state of Palestine, which we did with Norway and Spain - and which other countries have done - is not a hostile act, and should not be seen as a hostile act, he said.

Mr Martin said the utilisation of the international courts "should not be seen as a hostile act".

"Ireland stands by the approach it has taken which has been motivated towards full accountability for what is happening in Gaza and for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights that applies to Hamas, it has applied to Hezbollah, and it applies to the Israeli government as well."

He added: "I find it very difficult to comprehend how those acts could be described as hostile acts. They are not hostile acts."

"What's happening in northern Gaza at the moment, for example, in my view, is beyond any moral compass, defies any explanation at this stage, given how long this war has waged. We're having daily reports of the killings of children and men and women - and Irish people are repulsed by that. That's basically the essence of the Irish response and we believe passionately that there's an alternative route now".

He said Ireland continues to call on Israel to "open up Gaza" to allow the international community and the media to bear witness to what is happening.

"I have no doubt if that happened, that the world would be shocked in terms of the level of the destruction that has occurred there and the absolute need for a fundamental change of approach, Mr Martin said.

Gaza latest

Israeli forces continued to pound Gaza on Sunday, including the largely isolated north, as the Palestinian death toll in the war approached 45,000.

A large explosion lit up the southern Gaza skyline on Sunday night. An Israeli airstrike hit a school and killed at least 16 people in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital, where the bodies were taken. There was no immediate Israeli military statement.

In the north, an airstrike hit the Khalil Aweida school in the town of Beit Hanoun and killed at least 15 people, according to nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital where casualties were taken.

The dead included two parents and their daughter and a father and his son, the hospital said.

Palestinians carry UN-donated flour in Khan Younis, in central Gaza, on Saturday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

And in Gaza City, at least 17 people including six women and five children were killed in three airstrikes that hit houses sheltering displaced people, according to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.

We woke up to the strike. I woke up with the rubble on top of me, said Yahia al-Yazji. I found my wife with her head and skull visible, and my daughters intestines were gone. My wife was three months pregnant.

Israels military said in a statement it struck a terrorist cell in Gaza City and a terrorist meeting point in the Beit Hanoun area.

Another Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian journalist working for Al Jazeera, Ahmed al-Lawh, in central Gaza, a hospital and the Qatari-based TV station said.

The strike hit a point for Gazas civil defence agency in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, Al-Awda Hospital said.

Also killed were three civil defence workers including the local head of the agency, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital. The civil defence is Gazas main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

We, the civil defence, are carrying out humanitarian work like in any country in the world. Why are we being targeted? said Kerem Al Dalou.

Israels military said it struck a militant command centre embedded in the civil defence offices.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas and other militants from Gaza stormed southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking well over 200 hostage.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed almost 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministrys count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but it says more than half of the dead have been women and children.

Most of Gazas population of some two million has been displaced, often multiple times. The hospitals that are still functioning say they lack medicines, fuel and other basic supplies, while aid groups warn of widespread hunger.

The head of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, told US broadcaster CBS on Sunday that the UN agency was able to get just two trucks of supplies into Gaza in November, citing insecurity there.

We need a ceasefire, and we need it now, she said. We can no longer sit by and just allow these people to starve to death.
A rule change imposed by Revenue could lead to fewer consumers claiming tax back they are due.

From the start of next year, tax agents will no longer be able to receive tax refunds back on behalf of clients.

Tax experts claim that this will lead to a sharp fall in the numbers getting refunds, as many people do not want to engage with the Revenue Commissioners directly.

Around 300,000 people miss out on refunds each year, according to official statistics.

Huge controversy was generated earlier in the year when dozens of consumers contacted RTEs Liveline, hosted by Joe Duffy, to complain about being left short-changed by a tax agent advertising that it would secure refunds for consumers from Revenue. The callers were angry about the level of service they got and insisted the tax agent was not responding when contacted.

Now Revenue is tightening its rules. From January, if consumers want an agent to review their taxes to claim a refund, the tax agent will no longer be able to receive the refund on the consumers behalf.

Tax agents, who did not want to be named for fear of getting on the wrong side of Revenue, said this is likely to lead to fewer people claiming tax refunds.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers told the Dail in October that 330,000 PAYE workers overpaid their taxes last year. That is up by more than a third from 2022, when 245,000 overpaid their taxes.

Just 60,000 renters had applied for the rent tax credit, out of an estimated 400,000 people who are eligible, up to July.

The credit is worth 1,000 for a single person, and 2,000 for a couple.

Just one in 10 of those eligible for the mortgage interest tax credit have claimed it to date. It is worth up to 1,250.

Many people do not want to engage with Revenue directly as they fear the tax authority, or have not got the competency to deal with tax issues.

Tax experts said the rule change would mean that taxpayers who do not have an active Revenue MyAccount will have no control over where their refunds go to.

This is because Revenue will automatically issue refunds to the most recent bank account details on file for them. These could be the taxpayers old bank account details that they no longer have access to, or they could be the bank account details of an old tax agent.

Taxpayers who dont want to, or cannot, interact directly with the Revenue online services such as MyAccount will not file tax returns and will miss out on their refunds, one tax expert said.

A statement from Revenue said the change was being made in the best interest of taxpayers, as it will mitigate risks of unauthorised changes to taxpayer bank details and eliminate complaints that agents are not passing on refunds to their clients.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 16th

It said that ending the process will also benefit agents, as it will eliminate the need for them to retain refunds where they are unable to contact the client, and remove any confusion that Revenue has a role in the payment of agent fees.

Revenue said it recognises the valuable contribution agents make to helping their clients comply with their tax and duty obligations.

It said the rule change will not prevent PAYE taxpayers employing an agent to file their PAYE returns, and PAYE agents will be able to charge their clients in the same way as all other agents.

Asked if it audited tax agents, as there are claims too many firms have been issued with what are called Tax Agent Identification Numbers (TAIN), Revenue said there were currently 22,000 TAIN registrations.

Revenue said it has a proactive agent compliance programme to ensure agents adhere to the administrative processes set out in its guidelines.
Run-up to Christmas is fairly frantic  SVP volunteer notices increase in calls for help from parents

This is the third year for Geraldine McIlwaine to visit families looking for support with the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.

Ms McIlwaine, who is also a full-time school principal in Belfast, is honoring the memory of her father who has been a volunteer with the charity for more than 50 years.

"I came into SVP following the death of my father, because he had been a lifelong member, and he asked me to try and continue it on, so I'm honoring his memory, she told the Irish Independent.

Ms McIlwaine noticed a significant increase in calls from people looking for assistance during Christmas in her region. "We get a significant increase in calls. The run-up to Christmas is fairly frantic.
O Snodaigh is promising to give back some of the 255,000 salary if elected this weekThe pledge may be enough for the party to win the key role if it can get the support of other parties and IndependentsAs well as a salary of 255,000, a ceann comhairle also gets an annual overnight allowance of 14,715The role also includes a full-time driver, funded by the State

Sinn Feins Aengus O Snodaigh has said the salary is obscene, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Photo: Collins

Sinn Feins Aengus O Snodaigh is promising to give back some of the obscene 255,000 salary if elected as ceann comhairle this week.

In a move that could appeal to TDs outside the government parties, he has said he will gift back a portion of the salary  higher than that of the Taoiseach  to the State.

With Fianna Fail appearing split on how to vote, there is potential for the opposition party to win the key role this week if it can get enough support from other parties and Independents.

The Dublin South Central TD said he doesnt know how much of the salary he would gift back to the State, but said he would push for reform if elected.

We need to look at benchmarking [the salaries] for those positions, thats always been a Sinn Fein position, he said.

Because theyre benchmarked against public service, just seems obscene for that level, especially given we have a cost-of-living crisis, its the wrong signal to be sent out there.

Ive waived a part of my salary for the last number of years  you have to gift it back.

Regional Independent TDs have put forward Wexford TD Verona Murphy for the position as their nominee and Fine Gael is not expected to put anybody forward at all.

However, there are a number of TDs seeking the job in Fianna Fail, including incumbent Sean O Fearghail, as well as John McGuinness.

Mr O Fearghail is understood to be planning to resign from the role halfway through the next Dail and has been pitching stability, as well as making the Oireachtas more family-friendly, in calls to TDs in recent days.

Sinn Feins Aengus O Snodaigh has said the salary is obscene, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Photo: Collins

Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 16th

However, if elected Ms Murphy would be the first ever female ceann comhairle.

There has been pushback privately from Fine Gael backbenchers at voting for the TD who ran for the party in a by-election in 2019. Ms Murphy was deselected from their 2020 general election ticket after controversy over comments she made about asylum-seekers.

However, some within the party believe the position of the ceann comhairle would remove a possible opposing voice at Cabinet as well as increasing the chance of winning back a Fine Gael seat, which Ms Murphy is currently viewed as holding.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is under pressure to convince his backbenchers to back Ms Murphy if the party is to go into a coalition government with Fine Gael and Independent TDs.

There is now a possibility TD Michael Moynihan may also go for the role.

TDs will elect a ceann comhairle via secret ballot on Wednesday, when the 34th Dail sits for the first time. Smaller parties have yet to announce who they will back or if they will put forward their own candidates.

The salary is out of kilter with the role, but I dont think thats the reason people go for the position, Mr O Snodaigh said. You would presume that the Taoiseach would be the highest paid.

A spokesperson at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said the salary for a ceann comhairle was in line with that of a minister until July 2021.

He said a Public Service Pay and Pensions Act in 2017 excluded pay restoration in the case of certain officeholders.

This meant these roles did not benefit from wage increases paid to senior public servants at the time.

The Taoiseach, Tanaiste, ministers and the Attorney General did not receive the increases.

As well as a salary of 255,000  including a TDs salary and an allowance of 141,834  a ceann comhairle not based in Dublin is paid an annual overnight allowance of 14,715.

The role also includes a full-time driver, funded by the State.

The ceann comhairle also gets automatically re-elected at the next general election.

Gross pay for the Taoiseach stands at 243,895, and the Taoiseach and ministers gift 10pc of their salaries back to the Exchequer each year.

The salary for ceann comhairle is higher than that of any other Oireachtas member or officeholder.

Ceann comhairle pay stood at 225,196 in 2008 but fell to 157,540 by 2013 due to pay reductions under emergency legislation after the financial crisis.

It gradually rose to 225,196 in 2021 due to increases paid under public sector pay deals before reaching 255,513 in October this year. The leas-cheann comhairle is paid 175,571 a year and a senators pay is 79,614.

Members of the Regional Independent Group, Michael Lowry and Sean Canney, declined to comment on the salary for ceann comhairle.
Elisa ODonovan appeared to invoke the Margaret Atwood dystopian novel to imply that female candidates were only being run as sweepers for their male party colleagues

A Social Democrats councillor has stood by her claim that women who ran for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in Limerick were handmaidens whose only jobs were to get men elected.

Elisa ODonovan, a councillor for Limerick City West, has claimed she was being subjected to a witch-hunt and embarrassingly poor journalism when asked to comment on the remarks.

Ms ODonovan ran in the recent general election and lost out  narrowly on the fourth seat in Limerick City to Labours Conor Sheehan. In the end all seven TDs elected in Limerick city and county were men.

In a social media post in the wake of the election, Ms ODonovans campaign manager Karen Sugrue complained that there were once again no women elected to the Dail in Limerick.

In response, Ms ODonovan posted: The women from the establishment parties got the men elected so they did their job well #handmaidens.

Fianna Fail ran Dee Ryan in Limerick City alongside poll topper and outgoing TD Willie ODea.

Elisa O'Donovan, Social Democrats

Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 16th

While Mr ODea was returned to the Dail, Ms Ryan, who performed well in the Limerick mayoral election earlier this year, was not elected.

Fine Gael ran its senator Maria Byrne alongside sitting TD Kieran ODonnell. Again, while Mr ODonnell safely held his seat, Ms Byrne did not get elected. Under gender-quota legislation all parties are required to run at least 40pc female candidates in general elections.

Ms ODonovan appeared to invoke the Margaret Atwood dystopian novel The Handmaids Tale to imply that female candidates for main parties were subservient to their male party colleagues and who were only being run as sweepers.

When asked to comment by the Irish Independent, Ms ODonovan said: Ireland has the worst gender representation in Western Europe, with the lowest proportion of female representation compared to other Western European countries. Can the media perhaps focus on that instead of a witch-hunt on a word I used in a reply on X?

Ms ODonovan had previously sent a laughing emoji to a reporter from the Limerick Leader who had asked about the comments. This is a non-story and Im embarrassed for you again at your poor journalism standards, she told the journalist.

The Social Democrats party press office did not respond to a request for comment.
Surviving cancer: The effects are not just physical, but also mental, and theres not enough support

Maria Phillips world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer  but she found a sense of purpose in the aftermath

Maria Phillips: My brother is my hero. It was he who brought me to hospital, and he who questioned the doctors when I was too ill. Photo: Arthur Carron

Erin McCafferty Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 03:30

Maria Phillips sits on a couch in her brothers house in Rialto and stares out the window. The bleak afternoon light of late November shines through and falls on her oval-shaped face, which is framed today by a turban.
Have you ever wondered what that ding sound is that echoes in the cabin throughout a flight, making some unnerved flyers suddenly look up and around to check if everything is okay?

Well, the dings are not usually something passengers need to be concerned with, as one American Airlines pilot has explained.

Captain Steve Scheibner, an American Airlines pilot who goes by the name Captain Steeeve on TikTok, filmed a video explaining the meaning behind these mysterious chimes, amassing over 10 million views after posting the explainer on November 25.

Captain Steve revealed that the dings you hear are actually a code language understood by flight crew to communicate with each other.

I chime the flight attendants three separate times during the flight on purpose, he said.

On the first occurrence, passengers will usually hear it as the plane is taxiing onto the runway and will be able to hear the announcement flight attendants prepare for departure.

Shortly after that, Captain Steve said that when he is cleared for take-off, he gives the attendants a quick ding, using the no smoking switch he has in the cockpit by turning it on and off again quickly.

Thats their final warning to take a seat were about to take off, he explained.

Then as were climbing through 10,000 feet, I reach up and I grab that no smoking sign again, I give them [the attendants] another ding to let them know its safe to get up now out of their seat and start their service.

The third chime, which the pilot will ring out towards the end of the flight, occurs when the plane is about to descend past 10,000 feet.

Inside an aircraft cabin. Photo: Getty

Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 16th

After broadcasting the announcement flight attendants prepare for landing, Captain Steve then dings them one more time and that way they know theyve only got a few minutes left to get everything cleaned up and put away because were about to land.

While these chimes can be heard aboard various planes, another pilot TikToker explained last year that dings and chimes can vary between different airlines and even different aircraft.

Gary B Pilot agreed with the three dings that Captain Steve explained but added that passengers may hear dings when a flight attendant in the back calls a flight attendant in the front, when turning the seatbelt sign on and off, and even when a passenger pushes their call button for a flight crew to come to their seat.

Some of those dings could be Suzie asking for an extra bag of pretzels, so please dont panic, the pilot said.

Its normal to hear dings going off all around because thats how we communicate.
When veteran centrist Francois Bayrou, Frances new prime minister, was education minister in the 1990s, his plan to increase subsidies for private schools led to nationwide protests. He quickly caved in and stayed in the post for four more years.

Three decades later, he will face a different force in the shape of a fractured and fractious parliament where one of his earliest tasks  as President Emmanuel Macrons fourth prime minister of the year  will be to pass a budget for 2025.
The thought of a trip to the aisles is enough to send a shiver down most men's spines. Stock image: Getty

Strange things happen when men come into close contact with lingerie. A friend who owns a womens underwear boutique had a pre-Christmas men only evening recently, and inveigled me into working the cash paypoint on the assumption a visible male on the premises might encourage the more reluctant gents into the shop.
Mass hysteria is a recurring feature of American life. In 1938, it was about an alien invasion sparked by Orson Welless radio drama The War of the Worlds. In the 1940s and 1950s, it was flying saucers. Today, its drones  another form of UFO, or unidentified flying object.

New Jersey, in particular, has been gripped in recent days by alarmism about large, mysterious drones that are supposedly flying over the state. Officials in the state are demanding action, but federal officials are befuddled. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, told reporters on Thursday that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully.
Eilis OHanlon: A society that is no longer horrified by cold-blooded murder has lost its soul

And its not only in America. Too many savage killers have been hailed as folk heroes in Ireland too

Luigi Mangione is taken into Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, after his arrest on suspicion of having shot and killed Brian Thompson, the CEO of the USs biggest health insurance company. Photo: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Eilis O'Hanlon Sun 15 Dec 2024 at 03:30

A few nights ago, US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel recounted wryly how female members of his crew had been messaging one another all week to eulogise the charms of a certain figure in the news.
On Sunday, the diplomatic relationship between Ireland and Israel hit a new low, after Israel announced it would be closing its embassy in Dublin because of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government.

The story made global news, with BBC, CNN, The New York Times and many more outlets covering the withdrawal.

Many Irish people will be happy to see the back of the Israeli diplomats, as calls for an expulsion remained prevalent throughout the conflict.

But do the accusations of antisemitism damage Irelands reputation on the world stage?

Ellen Coyne is joined on this extra episode of The Indo Daily by Gabija Gataveckaite, Political Correspondent with the Irish Independent, to discuss the fallout from Sunday's surprise announcement and what it means for future Irish-Israeli relations.
Families have been living in Carlow since 2022 Residents told centre was being closed due to fire safety concerns

The people living in Toughers have been told they can't bring their beloved pets to their new accommodation

150 Ukrainian men, women, children and families protest in Carlow as they are forced to leave their home at the former Toughers Restaurant outside Carlow town

Temurs face is pale from exhaustion, a stark contrast from the purple bags that hang under his eyes. The stress of the last few days and the effects of numerous sleepless nights are etched on his face.

Less than a week ago, he and his wife, Olha Chorna, decorated their home in Carlow with Christmas decorations along with their five-year-old-son, who has been counting down the sleeps until Santa arrives.

The Chorna family are among the 150 Ukrainian men, women, children and families who are being forced to pack their whole lives into a suitcase and leave their homes in Carlow just days before Christmas.

Up until now, they had been living at the former Toughers Restaurant on the outskirts of Carlow town. The premises had been converted in 2022 into accommodation for Ukrainians who were fleeing from the Russian invasion in their home country.

The majority of the 150 Ukrainians living at Toughers have been living there since the centre first opened. They have spent the last two years of their lives in Carlow becoming part of a community that is now being ripped away from them.

Many say they still bear the trauma of losing their homes and loved ones in Ukraine. Now that trauma is being revisited as they face the prospect of losing another home and another community in the space of just two years.

The families along with the local schools, which many of the children attend, were notified only last Thursday, December 12, that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth would be closing the centre due to fire safety concerns. They were also told that the contract with the accommodation provider at Toughers had been terminated.

As a result, the majority of these families will not be relocated locally in Carlow. Instead they will be sent to alternative accommodation in counties Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary. Subsequently parents will have to leave their jobs in Carlow and children will be forced to move schools, leaving behind their friends and new lives.

Different dates have been given to different families as to when they must leave Toughers. For some, today is D-Day. For others like Temur and his family, they must leave their home by December 18. This gives the families in Toughers no time to search for alternative accommodation in Carlow.

150 Ukrainian men, women, children and families protest in Carlow as they are forced to leave their home at the former Toughers Restaurant outside Carlow town

In response to the news of the move from Toughers, the families held a protest in Carlow today in hopes that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will grant them a few more months living at Toughers, to give them time to source accommodation in Carlow, their new home.

Speaking at the protest today, Temur said he considers his family lucky, as they are being relocated in Carlow. However, he used the word lucky very lightly because it still means moving his five-year-old son along with his mother-in-law and his wife, Olhas very elderly 89-year-old grandmother.

Both Olhas mother and grandmother cant speak English, so removing them from Toughers means removing them from their only social outlet. On top of that, Olhas grandmother is still recovering from fleeing their home in Kyiv in Ukraine. The family are worried this move might be one too many for a woman who still remembers the horrors of the Second World War.

There are a lot of elderly people living at Toughers who risk being moved across the country

When the war in Ukraine started, my grandmother was really scared because it reminded her of her fear during the Second World War so this has been a very challenging time for her, Olha told The Irish Independent at the protest today.

"When we lived in Kyiv at the start of the war, it was always attacked which really frightened her.

Both Olha and Temur are also worried about their young five-year-old son. My son only started in school this September. My son loves Carlow. He has made friends in school, he loves his teachers, he loves living at Toughers. When we tried to explain to him that we have to leave our home again he started crying.

Olha and Temur's son is not the only young person struggling to come to terms with the fact they are being moved from their home again. One man broke down as he spoke of his 15-year-old son who has been experiencing suicidal thoughts since he found out he and his dad were being moved to a new county.

"My son is really struggling. I am really worried about him. It took him a long time to settle in Carlow after all the fear he went through in Ukraine.

"He has finally made friends in Carlow and loves going to school. He doesnt want to lose his friends and home again. He is now suffering with depression and suicidal thoughts because he has to say goodbye to everything again.

"We are being moved to Wexford, over 7km outside of Enniscorthy. I have no car so I can't bring him to school in Carlow, therefore he must say goodbye to his friends."

The man then took out his phone and gestured to a photo of a letter his son had sent the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

In the letter, his son begged Minister Roderic OGorman to give the families a few months longer living at Toughers, so they have time to find a new home in Carlow.

Please dear Minister OGorman, help us. I am again in a situation where I need to pack my whole life in one suitcase and leave for the unknown, wrote his son in the letter. For the second time in my life. I feel very sad about this because life was just starting to get better and I started to see my future. And now well have to build everything from the very beginning.

To make matters worse, the man said his son will be turning 16 on the day they are being told to leave Toughers. What an birthday and Christmas present from the Irish Government to my son, he said. For his birthday, my son is being kicked out of his home and forced to leave his friends.

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The families were given no time to secure alternative accommodation in Carlow

Each family at the protest had their own story of displacement to share. One young couple, Anna and Vitalii Liubov, said that they were being moved to a rural area on the outskirts of Enniscorthy.

This news filled the couple with fear as their new home is nowhere near a hospital. Anna explained that her husband, Vitalii, is diabetic. As the couple dont have a car, she is terrified that Vitalii might suffer a health scare and she wont be able to get him to a hospital in time.

The people living in Toughers have been told they can't bring their beloved pets to their new accommodation

For others at the protest it was the unknown future of their beloved pets which frightened them. In Toughers, the families had been allowed keep the pets they had escaped Ukraine with.

However, these pets are not allowed to stay in the new accommodation that the department is providing. Therefore, these families have been faced with a heart breaking dilemma; take the new accommodation but lose their pets or keep their pets and lose the new offer of accommodation.

Im very sad because my dog Frances escaped Ukraine with my family but now they say we cant keep him, said a tearful Valentyna Chorna. We have had him for his full 12 years of life. He survived the bombing in Kyiv. I cant leave him behind. I love him, he is like my baby.

Valentyna Chorna with her son and her dog Frances

Just like the residents of Toughers, Carlow County Council only found out about the closure of the accommodation centre late last week. Speaking to the crowds of protestors that gathered at the Carlow County Council offices today, Coilin OReilly, CEO of Carlow County Council, said he has been in contact with the department on this matter. However, he explained to the families that he has no control over what happens at Toughers as it is outside his jurisdiction, but added that his heart goes out to the families and the children, as he has young children of his own.

Coilin added that he would be sending a local fire officer from Carlow to do an independent fire inspection this evening at the former Toughers Restaurant to see if the premises is safe for the families to live in.

He will then send that inspection report back to the department who ultimately have the last say on what will happen at Toughers.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said they have concerns about peoples safety living at Toughers.

The Department has terminated the contract for Toughers Accommodation Centre due to fire safety concerns following site inspections by an independent inspections company.

At the time of inspection, the quality of the accommodation being provided was found not to be of the necessary standard required by the Department.

Notification of the intention to move the people living there was made in the interests of their safety. While the short period of notification regarding the move is unfortunate, this was unavoidable given the serious concerns raised.

We have engaged with Carlow County Council and have asked them to conduct a follow up inspection at the property to see if any steps can be taken to address the safety concerns. The outcome of this will determine whether these moves can be delayed.

Where moves are necessary, the department aims to accommodate people in the vicinity, when and where possible.

However, given the significant number of people at this location and the shortage of accommodation the Department has under contract in this area, it is possible that properties in other parts of the country will have to be used.

We appreciate that this is a difficult situation for all those involved, however, we need to prioritise the safety of all residents, the spokesperson concluded.
Eamonn Horgan has been selected by the Social Democrats to be co-opted to Cork County Council.

Mr Horgan will take up the seat being vacated in East Cork by newly elected TD Liam Quaide.

Mr. Horgan, who is originally from Doneraile, lives in Midleton with his fiancee Carol Marie and their one-year-old daughter, Leana.

He is a civil engineer by profession and is currently working as a project manager for a process engineering consultancy firm.

At an uncontested convention in Midleton on Wednesday, December 11, Mr Horgan outlined his aims for his term as councillor.

Mr Horgans aims include the provision of amenities such as playgrounds and skate-parks, addressing the scourge of dereliction and pushing for more affordable housing.

Improving public transport and ensuring that flood protection measures are implemented are also key objectives for the new councillor.

Mr Horgan said: East Cork is such a wonderful place to live, with a vibrant, engaged and supportive community. Large industry and enterprise are incredibly dynamic, with smaller businesses and entrepreneurs buoyed by a collective will to succeed.

Local food and hospitality are world renowned. Yet there is so much that can make East Cork a better place to live. And for this we need strong Social Democratic representation at local government level, he added.

New Social Democrats TD for Cork East Liam Quaide said Eamonn will be a great public representative for East Cork. He is an extremely hard-working and committed member of the Social Democrats, tuned in to the needs of the local population and possessing many important qualities to bring to the role, including a keen understanding of land use and urban planning.

Deputy Quaide continued: Eamonn has impeccable people skills and will form strong relationships within the Council, with external agencies and in the broader community.

Five new councillors will be co-opted to Cork County Council at a full council meeting this Friday, December 20 following the election of five former councillors at the recent general election.
A letter of congratulations will be issued to the three new Cork TDs who previously represented the Northern Division as councillors.

A total of five former councillors were elected to Dail Eireann following the recent general election with three of them having represented the Northern Division.

The successful councillors include John Paul OShea (Fine Gael) who was elected in the Cork North West constituency.

Noel McCarthy (Fine Gael) who was elected in the Cork East constituency and Mallow native Eoghan Kenny (Labour Party) who was elected in the Cork North Central constituency.

The other former Cork County Councillors are Seamus McGrath (Fianna Fail) and Liam Quaide (Social Democrats).

The chairperson of the Northern Committee Ian Doyle wished the three outgoing councillors the best of luck at Mondays monthly meeting. They were very active councillors in the northern region. Hopefully the three new TDs will bring our concerns to Dail Eireann especially regarding funding required in the Northern Division and Cork County in terms of our roads. A huge congratulations to them and the best of luck. I also want to wish their replacements all the very best as well.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn proposed sending a letter of congratulations to the three TDs who previously represented the Northern Division. I would like to congratulate our three colleagues. Five councillors in total from the county were elected and we provided three of those. That reflects well on North Cork. I want to congratulate Noel McCarthy, John Paul OShea and Eoghan Kenny.

They have a proven track record of delivering on the ground. I want to wish them every success. I propose that we send a letter of congratulations to all three TDs, he added.
New Cork TD Eoghan Kenny has called on the next coalition government to prioritise reducing overcrowding in hospitals across the country.

Deputy Kenny highlighted that 75 patients were waiting on beds in Cork University Hospital (CUH) on Monday, December 16.

He also urged the incoming government to avail of the expertise provided by level two hospitals such as Mallow General Hospital where possible.

The Labour Party TD for Cork North Central expressed his disappointment at continuing levels of overcrowding at hospitals in Cork. With hospital overcrowding conditions reaching dangerous levels in so many hospitals across the country, urgent action is imperative. Healthcare workers, who provide such an essential service to our country, also deserve to have better working conditions.

Deputy Kenny continued: Patients are being forced to wait for hours on trolleys and the impact on patients health can be devastating. The impact of overcrowding on staff is also devastating. Stretched staff and resources are leading to ever increasingly difficult role and work environment.

Once again, Monday (December 16) has seen 75 admitted patients waiting on beds in Cork University Hospital. This is a difficult experience for a patient and for any family having a loved one in need of care waiting for bed, he added.

The Mallow based TD said hospitals such as Mallow General Hospital should be utilised more often to help alleviate the current levels of overcrowding. The incoming government must prioritise reducing overcrowding and availing of level two hospitals, like Mallow General, where possible.

Deputy Kenny said the escalating trolley crisis will lead to further issues with recruiting and retaining healthcare staff. A continuation of this trolley crisis in our hospitals will only lead to further issues with the recruitment and retention of hard working healthcare staff and frustrating and disappointing service for patients.
Gardai are hoping CCTV will play a pivotal role in establishing the circumstances behind an apparent assault on a young man (30s) in Mullingar during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Senior gardai investigating the apparent assault of a young father in his 30s following a work Christmas party in Mullingar at the weekend are continuing to trawl through hours of CCTV footage in a bid to find his alleged attacker.

The injured man, who is originally from Longford and a young father, was found critically injured and unconscious on the ground along the midlands towns Grove Street area during the early hours of Saturday morning.

He was initially rushed to Mullingars Midland Regional Hospital for treatment where he remained in an induced coma in the hospitals Intensive Care Unit over the weekend.

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The Irish Independent understands he has since been transferred to Dublins Beaumont Hospital, the countrys lead facility in dealing with traumatic brain injuries.

Prayers for the stricken man, who originally hails from Longford town, but who resides in the Castletown Geoghegan area of Westmeath with his young family, were held at mass in St Mels Cathedral yesterday morning.

A leading figure behind a Longford-based professional service provider that offers supports to vulnerable children and adults, friends of the man have been quick to express their dismay at the news.

He is just what you would call a pure salt of the earth person, its just terrible what has happened, said one friend.

They were remarks local Cllr Martin Monaghan backed up as he urged anyone with information to come forward and assist gardai with their inquiries.

We have all been left shocked at what has emerged over the weekend, he said.

For a family, and a much respected, hardworking family at that who are involved in local business to receive such devastating news in the lead up to Christmas is just shocking.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the man and his family at this very difficult time.

The scene itself, has been thoroughly examined by garda forensic specialists in a bid to shed further light on the circumstances behind the incident. A key element of that will be CCTV which detectives have managed to procure from the area and are painstakingly reviewing in an attempt to identify a person of interest in the case.

An incident room has been set up with gardai still anxious to speak to anyone who may have been in or around the Grove Street area of the town between 12:30am and 1:30am on Saturday morning to come forward.

They are equally keen to speak to any taxi drivers or passing motorists who may have potentially vital dash-cam footage from the area at around the time of the incident to follow suit by contacting Mullingar Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Copies of Sadie's Favourite Seasonal Recipes are available from the North Louth Hospice shop at The Ramparks, Dundalk and local shops throughout Dundalk and north Louth

Sadie McCourt has published a book of her favourite seasonal recipes in aid of the North Louth Hospice

Ive always said that you do what you can for people rather than expecting people to do things for you, says Cooley pensioner Sadie McCourt.

With that motto in mind, the 88-year-old, who spent a lifetime working in top hotel and restaurant kitchens around the country, has just published a cookery book in aid of the North Louth Hospice.

Sadies Favourite Seasonal Recipes is a collection of sweet and savoury recipes with lots of inspiration for those times of year when some special is required.

There are recipes for Christmas, St Patricks Day, Easter and Halloween, she explains.

Alongside traditional favourites such as roast turkey, pate, Christmas pudding and desserts, Sadie has added some less familiar recipes such as a Tunis Christmas cake.

Sadie grew up on the scenic Cooley peninsula and after attending Bush Technical School studied at the renowned Catha Brugha Street college of catering.

"I worked in hotels and restaurants for forty years, says Sadie. Her career took her across the country, and included stints in Ballymascanlon Hotel in the 1960s and the then Park Hotel in Virginia, Co Cavan. I worked from Tramore on the south coast to Donegal.

She ended her career working in University College Dublin, catering for events such as international conferences.

"I liked working there as it meant I had time off at Christmas and Easter that you wouldnt get in the hotel industry.

Sadie enjoyed living in Dublin, going to concerts and the theatre, and continued to travel up to the capital for many years to meet up with friends for many years after her retirement.

On her return to her native Cooley, she got involved with the North Louth Hospice.

"I used to shake collection boxes for them, did coffee mornings and drove patients to Dublin.

This year, with a treasure throve of recipes to share, she embarked on the ambitious project of publishing a cookery book.

"I couldnt have done it without my friends, she says. Margo came over from Galway and wrote out the recipes, then my niece Annette Quigley typed them, and my neighbour Bernard ORourke took the photos.

It was a two-month project but has proven well-worth the effort as the book is now proving a big hit and makes an ideal Christmas gift that will be appreciated throughout the year.

Sadies Favourite Seasonal Recipes, priced 20, is available from the North Louth Hospice Shop, The Ramparks, Country Fresh, Patrick Street, Dundalk Murphys Forkhill, Jenkinstown Pharmacy, Sheelans Shop, Mountbagnal, The Village Pharmacy and Post Office, Carlingford.
Gardai say their investigations are ongoing

An investigations has been launched following an incident of assault in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

Gardai received report of an assault that occurred at approximately 4:15am in Ballaghaderreen on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

A man aged in his 40s and an adult male aged in his late teens were conveyed to Mayo University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries sustained as a result of this incident.

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Gardai said investigations are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact gardai.
And, to celebrate, Marion Nellany picked up a 1,000 Love Sligo Gift Card for buying the card which took the initiative over the 1 million marker.

Business leaders in Sligo say the overwhelming support of the community and strong shop local ethos has resulted in 1 million in local gift card sales in one year.

Over 1,000,000 of Love Sligo Gift Cards have been purchased between November 2023 and November 2024, with around 70% of sales dedicated to local organisations purchasing the gift card for employee rewards. Over 800,000 of the overall sales figure has now been redeemed across 240 Sligo businesses by way of 20,000 plus in-store transactions.

The Love Sligo Gift Card was introduced by Sligo BID in association with County Sligo LEADER Partnership to drive spend in Sligo. Cards can only be spent in person with around 240 participating businesses, driving footfall in the town.

It was Marion Nellanys purchase of the Love Sligo Gift Card at Mullaney Bros which took the initiative over the 1 million marker. Marion was presented with a 1,000 Love Sligo Gift Card by Finbarr Filan and Gail McGibbon from Sligo BID.

Gail McGibbon, CEO at Sligo BID said the initiative boosts local employment and keeps Sligo businesses trading: It was fantastic to watch Marion purchase the Love Sligo Gift Card that would push us over the 1 million mark and a proud moment for our whole town. Over 1 million in sales for the Love Sligo Gift Card in a single year is extraordinary and is testament to how valued shop local is in Sligo.

There is zero commission for businesses to accept the Love Sligo Gift Card, so that is money that is locked into Sligo with over 800,000 already spent locally, keeping local people employed and much-loved businesses open.

Mark Cunningham, Love Sligo programme coordinator, said: Id like to thank local businesses for supporting the Love Sligo Gift Card and using the card for employee rewards, and Id like to thank Sligo residents for buying the card for family and friends. The Love Sligo Gift Card has become a staple gift in Sligo in a very short time.

Coming from a background of a small family business, I know first-hand how vital footfall into a local town is, and the 20,000 successful in-store transactions in Sligo through the gift card is a strong marker of success for the card and just as important as the 1 million in sales. My thanks also go to Sligo BID for placing their trust in me to coordinate the Love Sligo Gift Card in our town.

The Love Sligo Gift Card is part of the award winning Town & City Gift Card programme from Miconex, with new programmes launching in November and December across Ireland in Cavan, Donegal Town, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Wexford.

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said the Love Sligo Gift Card is the inspiration for towns across Ireland:

Sligo is a trailblazer for our local gift card concept in Ireland, showing what can be achieved with drive, commitment and passion for making shop local a way of life. Our newly launched programmes across Ireland show the appetite for local gift cards that make supporting local easy and convenient for all audiences.

In 2024, we also launched new technology in Ireland which allows organisations to distribute digital e-card Town & City Gift Cards to their people online. This is key to our continued investment in the technology supporting our gift card programmes, so we can stay at the forefront of gift card trends, give employees what they want and make it even easier for organisations to choose local.

The Love Sligo Gift Card is available to purchase online at www.lovesligocard.com and in person at the Sligo BID Tourist Office and Mullaneys. Grab and Load cards can also be picked up and loaded with value at 6 locations in Sligo: Centra, Sligo Credit Union, Conway & Sons, Healthwise Pharmacy, Wards Pharmacy and Centra Castle Street.
Joan Brennan and John Haran at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Shane Connaire, Devine and Co Accountants and Dolores Kiernan, Founder of Kiernan Steel at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Paul Robinson and Carmel McGuinness from AIB at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Sorcha Sweeney, Local Link and Ann Harte, McMoreland Duffy Rouse Accountants at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Finbar Filan, Maura Gilroy and Geraldine Gilroy at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Liz Feeney, Ward Automation and Sinead McHugh, Gilroy Gannon Accountants at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Siobhain McSharry, Niamh O'Brien and Joan Curry, Vice President, Chartered Accountants Ireland at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Brian Kilfeather Gilroy Gannon Accountants and Neil Gaynor, Gaynor Consulting at the Chartered Accountants Ireland, North West Society, Christmas Lunch in the Glasshouse Hotel.

Chartered Accountants Ireland North West Society raised an impressive 4,750 for Marys Meals at their annual Christmas lunch, held on Friday, 13th December, at the Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo.

The generous donation will provide food for 251 children for a full year, demonstrating the extraordinary goodwill of the regional members and guests.

The lunch brought together over 100 members and guests from the Society, which represents more than 850 chartered accountants across Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon, and Mayo.

The event was supported by Finbarr Filan, Centra, Sligo.

Dolores Kiernan, Managing Director of Kiernan Steelan award-winning multinational SMEwas the special guest. She shared her inspiring journey of building her company out of economic necessity to support her family and growing it into a thriving global business.

In his address, Finbarr Filan, Vice Chair of ISME, emphasised the critical role of the Accounting profession in helping business owners navigate an ever-changing operating environment.

He highlighted the importance of accountants ensuring clients are fully informed of developments, including policy and tax changes, to safeguard business success.

Joan Curry, Vice President of Chartered Accountants Ireland, extended a warm welcome to members, both longstanding and new.

She praised the North West Society for its vibrant community, exceptional engagement, and diverse events.

She noted the presence of notable members, such as former National President Joe Gannon and Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Society Chair Caelainn McGonigle, as evidence of the Societys strength and vitality.

Chartered Accountants Ireland North West Society continues to foster a strong, supportive network for professionals across the region, organising events that inspire, educate, and bring the community together.
Family, friends, former colleagues and members of the public gathered in Ballinamore to honour and remember two fallen heroes. Gerry McLaughlin reports.

Members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Siochana outside St Patrick's Church in Ballinamore.

The son of an Irish soldier who died while trying to free kidnapped businessman Don Tidey near Ballinamore in 1983, has called on the IRA gang who killed his father to take responsibility for their actions.

David Kellys father, Private Patrick Kelly was killed along with garda recruit Gary Sheehan on December 16 1983.

On 24th November 1983, businessman Don Tidey  Managing Director of Quinnsworth  was taking his young daughter to school when he was abducted in Rathfarnham, Dublin by armed members of the IRA posing as members of An Garda Siochana.

Gardai launched a major operation attempting to locate Mr Tidey. On 14th December, the focus of a nationwide search switched to County Leitrim and involved participation by a large contingent of members of An Garda Siochana, including Garda recruits who had recently joined An Garda Siochana, but had not yet completed their training at the Garda Training Centre in Templemore.

Following the receipt of confidential information, a search was undertaken of a wooded area at Ballinamore on 16th December. The search was carried out by members of An Garda Siochana, joined by Irish Army personnel based in Finner Camp, County Donegal.

Recruit Garda Sheehan (aged 23) from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan and Private Kelly (a 36-year-old married father of four from Moate, Co Westmeath) were part of a joint Garda/Irish Defence Forces search party when they were confronted by a Provisional IRA gang at Drumcornan Wood, Ballinamore, and shot dead.

The remembrance ceremony on Monday commenced with a Mass at 11.30am at St Patricks Church, followed by a ceremonial parade performed by the Garda Ceremonial Unit and Garda Band to the unveiling of a monument at Ballinamore Garda Station and wreath-laying ceremony.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was joined at the ceremony by Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr James Browne; Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy of the Irish Defence Forces and members of the Sheehan and Kelly families.

Commissioner Harris said: Today, we unveil a specially designed monument of remembrance to these fallen heroes. Today, we honour their service to their country.

Today, we pay tribute to their bravery and courage. Today, their sacrifice is etched in stone, just as their loss is etched in our hearts and minds.

They paid an eternal price, and so it is right and just that their memories are eternally recognised here in Ballinamore.

Today is a day filled with complex emotion. The Sheehan and Kelly families have lost a son, brother, father and it does not matter that 41 years have gone by, that loss is felt as deeply now and is it was in 1983.

In memorialising Gary and Patrick here today, we hope that it provides an opportunity to commemorate their life, mourn their loss, and acknowledge the huge sacrifice they made. A burden that you carry to this day.

On days like today we are afforded a chance to remember. To fill our hearts and minds with the joy these brave men brought to you and all those who knew them in life.

It is therefore wonderful to see so many people gathered here today to honour them.

Todays memorial portrays both men aptly in the form of two pillars standing tall. It will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice they made for the People of Ireland.

Gardai go to work every day with one core mission, to keep people safe. This was the life that recruit Garda Gary Sheehan was training for and these were the values that he held dear.

He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He wanted to help people, and he wanted to make a difference.

On December 16 1983, Gary Sheehan heard the call for help and he answered it and because of his actions and those of Private Patrick Kelly, they saved a persons life.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne said: The loss of a Garda or a member of our Defence Forces is a tragic and lifelong loss for their family, but it is also felt painfully across both organisations and indeed by the community as a whole.

While, thankfully, it is a relatively rare occurrence, I know how deeply this tragedy has been felt by all those who served with Gary and Patrick  all down the years  to this very day.

Minister Brown said he was honoured to be in attendance to remember the fallen heroes who died so senselessly.

Our thoughts are very much with their families and their comrades. We are desperately sorry for your sacrifice but very proud of their courage.

We can picture them entering Derrada Woods 41 years ago in search of Don Tidey and those who had taken him from his family.

Moving through the woods their eyes and ears would have strained for any signs of movement. Their heartbeats must have quickened as they went deeper into the woods.

But they knew they were placing themselves in peril, but they did not take a backward step. The courage and commitment that they and many of their comrades showed on that day is astounded.

Gary Sheehan was only 22 and to put oneself in danger to protect others is an incredible act of bravery. And it was the same for Private Patrick Kelly.

Gary was rightly recognized in 2021 on what would have been his 61st medal when he was posthumously awarded the Scott Gold Medal in Dublin Castle.|

Those of us present that day were humbled by the eye- witness accounts of the courage displayed by everyone that day.

And Private Patrick Kelly was awarded the Military Star which is an esteemed honour as well and his family is rightly proud of him too.

Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy said:The ripples in the stone beside me continue to spread out and are very evocative of what we are here today to remember.

The families have demonstrated remarkable resilience since 1983. In the tradition of remembrance, we continue to honour the memories of Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly.

The strong family tradition of service in the Defence Forces had been carried on by his son Andrew and grandson Ethan.

They too like their father have lived the values of the Defence Forces often in challenging times. Private Kelly joined up in 1969 and joined with the 6th Infantry Battalion and served for 14 years including three missions overseas.

He was alongside Garda recruit Gary Sheehan in Operation Blanket when they were shot and killed on an intelligence led operation to free businessman Don Tidey.

Both an Garda Siochana and the Defence Forces have a strong culture of remembrance and we keep that alive through ceremonies like this today, but also through shared stories and we will hear many more today.

Speaking after the poignant and moving memorial Mass and unveiling of plaques David Kelly spoke to The Sligo Champion.

He said:I believe that every victim of the Troubles is entitled to their day in court and that is why I have been trying for so long to get answers to hold those people accountable.

I feel a burning sense of injustice that nobody has been held accountable in a court of law. But it has meant a lot that in recent years a lot more information has come out about what happened in Derrada wood.

There is a much better idea of who the individuals are and there is a much better idea of who the suspects are, and we now have ballistic evidence that proves conclusively that the two men were indeed shot dead by Provisional IRA terrorists.

Nobody has been held to account, but we are left to mourn the loss of our father every day, but we are so proud of him.

In terms of peace and reconciliation in our country, the responsibility should be on the perpetrators to admit that what they did was wrong, not just in the case of Derrada Wood but the Provisional IRA should admit that the entire campaign was futile and unnecessary.

He is proud of the fact that his siblings have followed in their fathers footsteps and his brother Sgt Andrew Kelly read one of the Prayers of the Faithful in St Paricks Church earlier.

And his nephew Ethan is also a member of the Defence Forces.

This is a very special day for the family, and it is a fitting and lasting tribute to my father and Gary Sheehan, two young men who died only out the road here.

They are being remembered and honoured for the two heroes of the Irish Republic that they are. My father arrived here 41 years ago this very day to take part in the search party and by mid- afternoon he was shot dead.

This was a very significant event in Irish history. It was very powerful to see the march through the town by the Garda Band and members of the Defence Forces side by side paying tribute to their fallen comrades.

In an emotional address to the congregation in St Patricks Church Sligo/Leitrim Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken told the congregation that he too was a trainee garda along with Garda Gary Sheehan on that fateful day.

He said that over the past few years he had got to know the Sheehan and Kelly families and he extended a warm welcome to all of them.

Today is a special day devoted to the memory of our colleagues. This day has been a long time in the making and is a unique occasion.

An Garda Siochana and Og laigh na hEireann come together today collectively to mark the heroism of Gary Sheehan and Patrick Kelly and it would not be possible but for Commissioner Drew Harris and Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy.

Forty one years have passed since Gary and Patrick gave the ultimate sacrifice in defence of this State and its people, a sacrifice that was given freely while carrying out their lawful duty and in accordance with the oath of allegiance to the country they loved.

Despite the passage of time, the pain of loss has never been lessened and the burden and scars from December 1983 is real.

And at Ballinnamore Garda Station we will give permanent recognition to the memory and sacrifice given by Gary and Patrick by unveiling a beautiful memorial in their honour.

The large presence of people here from the local community is also an indication of the pain and loss that is shared by many in this congregation.

Also sharing in this celebration is Fr Patrick Keoghan and Dr Sean Burke, both of these men attended Gary and Patrick on that day.

Commissioner Harris and Minister Brown and Rossa Mulcahy Asst Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces unveiled a monument and a smaller plaque showing the names of the fallen two.

The memorial was designed by sculptor Jackie McKenna from Dromohair with the support of the Office of Public Works.

The design of the memorial portrays two standing stones set beside each other.

The stones represent the two pillars of society, i.e., the Gardai and the Defence Forces.

The circular hole in the centre of the monument represents the hollow void left in the families lives following the death of their loved ones.

The concentric ripple pattern portrays the extended impact of their deaths across the Irish security forces and the broader community.

The standing pillars symbolise permanence signifying that both the lives will be remembered forever.

The design was inspired by the inscribed pillar and holed stones that form part of the historic Irish landscape. Many holed stones were believed to have the power to heal.
A Roscommon man has been nominated to stand in the upcoming 2025 Seanad elections in the National University of Ireland (NUI) constituency.

Hilary Beirne, originally from Boyle Co Roscommon and a resident of New York, has been nominated following an 18-month long campaign supporting him to be the voice of the Irish abroad in Ireland.

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His nomination arose as a result of comments made by him at the Global Irish Civic forum in Dublin Castle in April 2023, at which he spoke on behalf of VotingRights.ie, an organisation founded by the late Senator Billy Lawless.

Mr Beirne grew up on a farm outside Boyle, County Roscommon.

His father was the local veterinary surgeon, and he is from a family of ten.

He attended St Marys College, Boyle, for secondary education, and attended University College Galway, University College Dublin, Atlantic Technology University (Mountbellew Campus), and Hunter College at the City University of New York.

He has a Certificate in Agriculture, a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Science, and a Masters in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.

Hilary Beirne handing in nomination papers at NUI Offices Merrion Square, Dublin.

Since emigrating from the west of Ireland, he has been an educator in New York, and prior to emigrating he worked as an Agriculture advisor with farmers introducing the wrapping of the baled silage, then an innovation in agriculture in the late 80s, and which is now seen all over Ireland.

He is well known as the face of New York Citys St Patricks Day Parade, of which he is the Chariman of the Foundation and Chief Administrator Officer.

Mr Beirne is a member of the Executive Board at VotingRights.ie and an Honorary Member of the famous fighting Irish regiment in New York "The Fighting 69th".

He is also a member of the Roscommon and Leitrim Society of New York and was the only Irish born member of the Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the GFA, in Washington during Brexit.

Hilary Beirne handing in nomination papers at NUI Offices Merrion Square, Dublin with Irish Artist, Eve Parnell.

Having visited all the NUI colleges over the last few months and speaking with students, graduates, lecturers, professors and a number of Presidents, he will be advocating for additional resources for NUI and education in general.

He will work with the NUI presidents, who feel disconnected from the current elected Senators, so graduates are better equipped to enter the global economy.

He seeks to represent NUI graduates and all citizens of Ireland regardless of where in the world they live, something he believes is not currently being done.

His comments concerning Irelands need to engage its one million Irish born and raised nationals living abroad, 1 in 5 of the population, has resonated with a lot of people, particularly with parents of children emigrating from Ireland on mass today due to the high cost of living and the housing crisis

If elected, Beirne will reside in his hometown of Boyle Co Roscommon.

Since speaking at the Global Irish Civic Forum in Dublin Castle in April 2023, he coordinates a network of global Irish citizens who seek engagement with Ireland like other European Nations.

A spokesperson for his campaign said, This is important for Ireland in a rapid changing globe environment, something which can drive economic investments and political goodwill to Ireland from all across the globe.

The number of Irish born nationals living abroad is approximately one million, 20% of Irelands population. This number is increasing due to the cost of living and the housing crisis.

"Working with the Irish abroad has resulted in him being asked to stand for the Seanad to represent them in the land of their birth.

As an educator and Seanad member he will advocate for additional resource for education and NUI institutions, as well as work with NUI Presidents to help better prepare Irish graduates for the global economy and represent all NUI graduates and citizens be they be in Ireland or abroad.
Samaritans in Sligo are calling on the public to support its Longest Night campaign which reminds those struggling to cope that its helpline is open during their darkest hours this Christmas.

Businesses and landmarks are being urged to light up in green on Saturday 21st December  the Winter Solstice - to show people Samaritans are here for them during the long dark nights. Members of the public can also support by lighting a candle on the night.

Samaritans want to remind anyone who is finding the festive season difficult to reach out and not struggle in silence. Anyone in need of emotional support can call Samaritans anonymously on freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie . Volunteers will be on duty throughout the holidays, including Christmas Day.

Christina Farrington, Branch Director at Sligo Samaritans, said: While December is marketed as the happiest time of the year we know thats not the case for everyone. This time of year can be difficult for all sorts of reasons.

On top of the challenges people face throughout the year  which dont just take a break for Christmas  theres an added financial burden, expectation to appear happy, spending time with people were not necessarily comfortable around, while feelings of loneliness and bereavement may be heightened.

It is vital that, with regular support services often closed, people know our volunteers are there, available 24/7, if they are struggling.

Almost 30,000 calls for help were answered last December, with mental health concerns, loneliness and isolation, family and relationships issues among the main concerns raised by callers.

Sligo Samaritans is encouraging the public to come along and show support as it does some carol singing around Sligo town that will raise vital funds/awareness for the branch. Members of the Sligo community are invited to come and talk to volunteers to find out more about its work in the local area too.

Last year, almost 200 sites supported the campaign around the country, including Sligo City Hall, The Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle, Cork City Hall, Athlone Railway Bridge, Government Buildings, the Guinness Storehouse, hotels, pubs, and council offices and universities nationwide. Images can be shared on social media tagging Samaritans Ireland on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn, using the hashtags #SamaritansLongestNight. All information is available on www.samaritans.ie/longestnight.
Over 100 people attended a public meeting in Passage East, Co Waterford, on Monday, December 9, concerned at the development of a 5g telecommunication mast in the picturesque seaside village

A campaign in Passage East in County Waterford objecting to a planned telecoms mast for the seaside village, held a second public meeting recently.

Up to 100 local residents attended the gathering in Dunmore Easts Community Centre, chaired by independent Cllr Declan Barry. Thursday, December 12, was the last day for lodging submissions in relation to the proposed installation of the 5g telecommunication mast.

On Tower Ireland Limited lodged the plans with the council on November 8 this year, and the case is due to be decided on or before January 11, 2025. Some 120 people who attended a previous meeting in November in relation to the planned mast have signed a petition against the project.

The project consists of the installation of an 18m (60ft) multi-user lattice type telecommunications support structure, carrying antenna and dishes enclosed within a 2.4 metre high palisade fenced compound together with ground equipment cabinets and site works, including a new access track and an entrance, on to the L4085 Knockroe Road on lands at Crooke, Passage East.

Cllr Barry said that, between the first and second meeting, their action committee hired a professional planning consultant from Wexford.

We put a submission together, and he rejigged it and re-worded it. We put in a 15-page submission by the professional to the planning department of Waterford City and County Council, said Cllr Barry. I hand delivered that. As I was leaving the office, they had received 58 submissions at that stage. There were still more coming in.

Residents were advised at the public meeting on how to make a submission, and what their feelings were on the project, added Cllr Barry. We didnt want them all generic. We did stay away from health concerns, because its never been refused on health grounds before.

Major concerns centre on the possible environmental impact in a sensitive coastal area, and that it is not in keeping with the scenic views of the estuary.

Concerns centre on the impact on wildlife, specifically on a bat colony in the area, wild buzzards, and a herd of wild goats who have made the site their home

As well as the visual impact, concerns centre on the potential impact on wildlife, namely on a bat colony in the area, wild buzzards, and a herd of wild goats who have made the village their home.

Between that and being so close to our national school, our creche, and our local GAA club, as well as individual houses and people living in the area, said Cllr Barry.

The landowner did tell Cllr Barry that the action group could meet with a representative of the company, On Tower Ireland Ltd. We decided not to take them up on that offer, said Cllr Barry.

An agent for On Tower Ireland has stated that a new site is required in the Passage East area to improve voice and data coverage which currently experiences sub-optimal coverage with poor 4G and 5G service in the area.
ThThe launch of the partnership between Enniscorthy Community Alliance and ECO-UNESCO will take place in Greentech HQ on Tuesday, December 17 at 12.30 p.m.

ECO-UNESCO is Irelands leading environmental education youth organisation, that works to conserve the environment and empower young people. It has been providing environmental training for over 30 years.

ECO-UNESCO is also responsible for the all-Ireland Young Environmentalist Awards programme and is a proud Sustainable Development Goal Ambassador.

This exciting partnership which will deliver an innovative selection of environmental workshops to secondary schools in Enniscorthy, starting in January 2025.

The workshops are supported under ECA Plants and Places Project, funded by the Department of Justice Community Safety Innovation Fund.

This article was amended on December 17, 2024, to reflect that the partnership is between Enniscorthy Community Alliance and UNESCO and that there is no involvement by Enniscorthy Community Allotments.
An Enniscorthy councillor who has expressed his frustration over the lack of a school warden outside St Aidans primary school over the last few months, has turned his attention to fellow local school St Senan's which is in need of a pedestrian crossing, at the November meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District.

Cllr Jackser Owens feels that St Senan's primary school in Templeshannon is being overlooked in terms of road safety.

Wex

"I mentioned this before the St Senans school road was finished that a pedestrian crossing was needed. There are 440 students in that school and there is no crossing going across that road. There is traffic the whole time there  a pedestrian crossing is an essential for the safety of the students because a lot of the students attending the school are from the area and have to walk to school, said Cllr Owens.

Executive engineer for Roads, Neil Dempsey, said that the issue is on the list to be looked at in relation to the front of schools.

"I have spoken to the principal up there as there is no funding currently in place for it. However, it is on the list to meet with the staff when everything is finished up there and we will see what way the new traffic movement will work up there as that will have to be assessed before anything is done further, he explained.

St Senan's primary school has been under construction for the last two years, adding an extension to the building that will transform it into a 24-classroom school with 13 special educational teaching rooms and a four-classroom special educational needs base.
The organisers were blown away by the number of people who came out to support them.

Mark Butler checking to see if his Santa would stay in the winding conditions.

One of the tractors lighting up the night on Saturday, December 7.

While most people snuggled down in front of a fire during Storm Darragh, a large number of people braved the weather to watch and cheer a tractor run organised in aid of charity on Saturday, December 7.

The tractor run is organised annually by the Oylegate Vintage Club in aid of Pieta House. Pieta first opened its doors in Dublin in 2006 and has since seen and helped over 70,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm.

With nearly 300 lit up vehicles participating, local Gardai and the Civil Defence Force helped with keeping public safety as the parade made their 22kms return journey from Oylegate along the N11 and R772 to the promenade of the River Slaney in Enniscorthy.

The classic tractor was joined by trucks, motorbikes, vintage cars, and the iconic North Pole Express that once served a busy bus route in London, much to the joy of the young children who were eager to see if Santa was onboard.

"Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our tractor run. We were overwhelmed to see so many people out on a cold bitter night, they said.

The fate of whether the tractor run would go ahead was up in the air that fateful morning, as neighbours woke up to face the destruction caused by Storm Darragh overnight.

Many roads were blocked by large fallen trees including the road outside the FCJ secondary school, outside the Clohmon factory, from Ballycarney to Strahart, and in various other villages and towns across the county.
Verona Murphy pictured with Cllr Marty Murphy, Cllr Pat Barden, Cllr Raymond Shannon and Cllr Paddy Kavanagh at the count centre following her poll-topping performance A number of county councillors, including Cllr Barden and Cllr Kavanagh, has publicly backed Ms Murphy's ceann comhairle bid. Pic: Jim Campbell

Independent TD for Wexford, Verona Murphy, has said she has the full backing of her campaign team and supporters as she bids to become the first woman to hold the position of ceann comhairle.

The assertion comes after a well-attended meeting in the Talbot Hotel in Wexford over the weekend, where supporters of Deputy Murphy, including Wexford Independent Alliance county councillors, gave their backing to the Independent TD to pursue the ceann comhairle nomination.

My mandate as a TD is your mandate," said Deputy Murphy at the gathering. I serve as a TD at your discretion, on that basis it is necessary that you have your say in relation to this nomination, and if it is the view of the meeting that I should not seek to nomination then I wont.

The response from the floor was swift and unequivocal as Deputy Murphys supporters and political allies gave their backing to her bid.

"It's a massive gain for Wexford to have one of its own in the role of ceann comhairle because it's a position that yields such influence and respect, said Cllr Paddy Kavanagh. Wexford would make history if you are appointed. It is incumbent on all Oireachtas members in Wexford to park all political differences, put on the Wexford jersey and go to Dail Eireann and support Deputy Murphy for the position of ceann comhairle.

Fellow Independent Alliance county councillor Pat Barden echoed Cllr Kavanaghs comments. The ceann comhairle is the chairperson of our national parliament, it is without question one of the most influential positions in Irish politics, said Cllr Barden, addressing Deputy Murphy directly. If you are successful your appointment will only strengthen your mandate to deliver for the people of Wexford. You will have far more influence in that position then you would as an opposition TD. It's a no brainer as far as serving the people of Wexford is concerned.

The election of the ceann comhairle is due to take place on Wednesday morning in Leinster House, when the 34th Dail sits for the first time.

Regional Independent TDs have put forward Deputy Murphy for the position as their nominee and Fine Gael is not expected to put anybody forward at all.

However, there are a number of TDs seeking the job in Fianna Fail, including incumbent Sean O Fearghail, as well as Kilkennys John McGuinness.

Mr O Fearghail is understood to be planning to resign from the role halfway through the next Dail and has been pitching stability, as well as making the Oireachtas more family-friendly, in calls to TDs in recent days.

However, if elected Ms Murphy would be the first ever female ceann comhairle.

There has been pushback privately from Fine Gael backbenchers at voting for the TD who ran for the party in a by-election in 2019. Ms Murphy was deselected from their 2020 general election ticket after controversy over comments she made about asylum-seekers.

However, some within the party believe the position of the ceann comhairle would remove a possible opposing voice at Cabinet as well as increasing the chance of winning back a Fine Gael seat, which Ms Murphy is currently viewed as holding.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is under pressure to convince his backbenchers to back Ms Murphy if the party is to go into a coalition government with Fine Gael and Independent TDs.
An image from the blessing of the school on its opening day in March, 1945.

As it prepares to celebrate 80 years at its current home the Mercy School on Johns Road is inviting past pupils to share memories of their schooldays. The school is currently planning a week of activities from April 7-11 of next year that will highlight the changes the school has undergone and the impact it has had on the town of Wexford and the surrounding areas.

As part of this celebration the school wants to make a greater connection with its past pupils and current principal Mr Eamonn Codd is working with parent Ted Moran to capture these memories on video. Three days have been set aside in the New Year (January 25, 26 and February 15) for recording and an invitation is being extended to past pupils who wish to put themselves forward to help with the project.

Anyone who wishes to be considered for the videoing process will need to either contact the school office via 053 9123294 or email the school at mercy80th@gmail.com. However, due to the large numbers of past pupils the school will only be able to facilitate a small number of applicants.

Once selected the past pupils will be invited to visit the school on one of the assigned dates to have their memories of their time in the school captured on video.

"The purpose of these videos is to collect a flavour of the school from the past and to enable our current students to look at how the school has changed through the years but also stayed the same, said Eamonn.

The school has come up with a list of suggested topics for those who would like to contribute but are unsure of what they should talk about. Among these suggestions are: My First Day: reflections on their first impressions and initial feelings. Unforgettable Moments: stories of events, achievements, school legends or myths or simply something funny that happened in class.

Teachers and mentors: the impact of influential teachers or staff. Friendships and bonds: lifelong relationships formed at the school. My last day: reflections on their last day and lasting memories. Playground games: how we spent our lunchtimes. Skills we learned: sowing, knitting, crocheting, cooking.

The school is also reaching out and asking if anyone has photos or artefacts they might like to share with the school for the celebration, photos or scans of photos can be emailed again to mercy80th@gmail.com. Photos of artefacts can also be sent.

Further information will be coming from the school in weeks ahead so keep an eye on the Mercy School Facebook page and the Parish notes.
Wicklow County Council has refused to grant retention permission for a conservatory extension at the Hibernia Inn, the popular family-run gastro pub on Bray seafront, which is also home to the iconic fish and chip eatery, Leo Burdocks.

The building itself  a protected structure  is a detached three-bay, three-storey former house which was built in 1861, before being converted to a small hotel in the 1920s.

Established in 1982 by James Ryan, The Hibernia Inn is a family-run traditional Irish bar, which in recent years followed the lead of other venues in the highly competitive Bray prom area, to become more of a gastro-pub, proving hugely popular with locals and, in particular, the day trippers, located as it is just a hop, skip and jump from the Dart station.

The addition of the conservatory extension was an added draw for passing diners, who could admire the spectacular sea views all-year round in the heated space.

Retention permission was sought for covered ground floor extension containing the ancillary hot food sales area to the west side of the existing building (where Burdocks is situated); covered, raised, ground floor conservatory extension to the east and south sides of the building, as well as signage to the new west side extension.

In arriving at its decision, the council considered the proposed development fails to protect and enhance the character of the seafront area, would seriously detract from the visual amenities of the area, and would be injurious to the architectural integrity of the protected structure.

The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the objectives of the Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan (BMDLAP) 2018-2024 and to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

In addition, it is stated within the BMD LAP, that any proposed development in the seafront area will only be permitted where it does not negatively impinge on the amenity and character of the area, natural and built heritage, protected views and protected structures.

The proposed extensions were deemed prominent from the front south facing and eastern facing elevations and the development was considered to interrupt the symmetrical balance of the front of the terrace and the eastern extension and also considered hazardous by way of material and design.

It was also considered that the granting of the proposal would set in train a precedent for similar extensions in a piecemeal and haphazard fashion.
Eileen Flanagan, Marie Cleary, Beverly Weir and Leonard Weir of the Tinahely History and photos group at the iCAN Network launch in Roundwood Parish Hall.

Tom O'Mahony, Lorna Elms and Colin Love at the iCAN Network launch in Roundwood Parish Hall.

The Wicklow Heritage Forum Group at the iCAN Network launch in Roundwood Parish Hall.

Five new community heritage recording groups were welcomed into the Irish Community Archive Network (ICAN) during a special launch event held in Roundwood on Monday, December 9, coordinated by the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council.

The new groups are the Roundwood Historical Society, the United Friends of Derralossary, the Blessington Historical Group, Tinahely History and the Wicklow Town Archive Film Project.

These groups join an existing network in County Wicklow, which now includes eleven groups in total. The established members include Donard Imaal History, Glendalough Heritage Forum, Medieval Bray Project, Rathdown Ancient Heartlands, Delgany Heritage Village and Glens of Lead.

The Wicklow ICAN network is coordinated by the heritage officer of Wicklow County Council in collaboration with the Wicklow County Archives service and the Wicklow Local Studies librarian.

Speaking at the launch, the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Paul O'Brien, stated: Community Archives are an invaluable tool, giving local groups the required skills and support to collect, preserve and make accessible their local history and heritage online.

Wicklow County Council's chief executive Emer O'Gorman added: Wicklow County Council supports this partnership with the National Museum and the Heritage Council, and we recognise ICAN as a vital component of our heritage infrastructure in County Wicklow, as outlined in the County Wicklow Heritage Plan.

Lorna Elms, ICAN co-ordinator with the National Museum of Ireland also attended the event, and commented: We are delighted to add these new Wicklow community archives to our network which currently includes thirty eight group nationally.

"As well as documenting information about local people, places, folklore, customs and traditions, community archives are also a valuable resource for genealogy and ancestry projects.

A representative from each of the five new member groups delivered a brief presentation about their activities and future plans.

Anyone with an interest in nature, history, or cultural heritage in County Wicklow is encouraged to visit the ICAN websites at wicklowheritage.org, where they will discover a wealth of local information.

The sites are interactive, allowing visitors to share comments and stories easily. As these sites are volunteer-run, they are always looking for new members to get involved. Interested individuals can find contact details on each site
A new book has been launched which highlights the importance of the archaeological landscape in the Baltinglass area.

Baltinglass and the Prehistoric Hillforts of Ireland documents recent discoveries and explores the broader context of the Baltinglass sites in relation to hillfort landscapes both in Ireland and abroad.

The Baltinglass area of south-west Wicklow has the largest concentration of prehistoric hillforts in Ireland. As many as thirteen enclosures of varying design are prominently sited on hills overlooking the modern town. These include some of the most impressive Irish hillforts, the construction of which required coordinated planning and a massive investment of resources.

This unique landscape has been the focus of a recent study undertaken by University College Cork. The project combined remote sensing and GIS analysis with conventional archaeological survey and excavation to examine the hillforts in their cultural landscape setting.

A paleoecological study was undertaken at a small bog near Baltinglass to examine the record of human interaction with the local environment over time. For wider context, the Baltinglass sites were also considered in relation to hillfort landscapes in other parts of Ireland and abroad.

The results of this study shed new light on an important archaeological landscape in Ireland. The earliest hill-top enclosures at Baltinglass date back some five and a half thousand years to the first farmers of the Neolithic age.

Dr James ODriscoll lectures at the University of Glasgow and specialises in the application of remote sensing and geospatial techniques to the study of prehistoric landscapes across Ireland and Britain. In 2016 he completed a PhD study of the Baltinglass landscape at University College Cork.

Dr Alan Hawkes is a graduate of University College Cork where he completed doctoral research on the subject of burnt mound archaeology. Published in 2018 as an Archaeopress monograph, this remains the most comprehensive study of these prehistoric sites in Ireland. Since completing his studies, he has worked on a number of hillfort research projects, including recent excavations at Rathcoran in the Baltinglass landscape.

Professor William O'Brien is a graduate of University College Cork where he completed doctoral research in 1987 on prehistoric copper mining. Prior to his appointment to the Cork chair in 2006, he lectured for 16 years at the University of Galway. Research interests include the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age in Ireland, early mining and metallurgy in Atlantic Europe, upland archaeology, the study of hillforts and all aspects of monumentality in the later prehistoric period.

Published by Wordwell Press, Baltinglass and the Prehistoric Hillforts of Ireland is available for sale at 50.
Cian Anderson, Paula Johnson, Rosemary Kavanagh and Susan Henderson presented with their prize by Jim Molloy after winning the final Lions quiz night of 2024.

There has been no let-up for members of Wicklow and District Lions Club as Christmas fast approaches.

The volunteer Lions members have a busy schedule to look forward to, including a collection outside SuperValu in Wicklow town on Friday and Saturday, December 20 and 21, while they will also be joined by the Wicklow Male Voice Choir for their annual collection on Christmas Eve starting from 11am.

Back in February, Wicklow became the first Lions club to form a junior Leo Lions Club, who operate out of the Dominican Convent. The Leos held a photography competition at Dominican College Wicklow, which received a great response, with Clodagh McDonagh announced as the senior winner and Hope Dumas the winner of the junior section.

The Leo committee also organised a special competition open to children of all ages across the county where they were tasked to create Christmas tree decorations made from recycled materials.

All entries were dropped into Kelly's Fruit & Veg shop, with pupils from Glebe National School providing 25 entries. The winners were Maia and Ava Morton from Glebe NS and their decorations are now proudly on display at the magnificent Christmas tree at Wicklow Hospice.

Wicklow Lions Sean Olohan is keeping himself especially busy. He helped establish the Voice of Ukraine Choir and they have been out and about over the festive season, performing, and over the coming weeks will be playing at Knockrobin Nursing Home, Wicklow Day Care and Wicklow Community Centre.

The always popular quiz nights have now ended for the year, and resume again in January. Starting from November 7, a total of four quiz nights were held before the break, with the final quiz night taking place on Thursday, November 28, in Phil Healys. The charities benefiting from the night were the Wicklow Family Club and Dominican College Wicklow, and the winning team consisted of Cian Anderson, Paula Johnson, Rosemary Kavanagh and Susan Henderson,

A total of 22 charities will be supported overall, with the quiz nights returning on January 23 in the New Year for a six-week run up until the grand final taking place on March 6.
Sarah Ferguson was speaking to The Sunday Times newspaper.

Sarah Ferguson, known as the Duchess of York, has said she wont let Andrew down and vowed to support him going forward.

Ferguson gave an interview to The Sunday Times Magazine, alongside older sister Jane, and gave a glimpse into her relationships with the royal family as well as her battle with cancer.

It comes as British Prince Andrew is under scrutiny over his relationship with a Chinese businessman, known as H6, who has been banned from the UK over spying concerns.

Andrew said he ceased all contact with the accused businessman when concerns were first raised about him in a statement from his office on Friday.

Speaking to The Sunday Times before the China revelations emerged, Sarah said: I wont let him down. He supports me as much as I support him. Hes supported me through thick and thin, not just marriage or divorce.

She added: I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. I would do it all over again, 100pc.

Hes the best, a great man with a great heart, and kind. Our wedding was the best day of my life. But I gave up my anonymity that day. I was able to because love conquers all. Its still with us today.

The 65-year-old also revealed how she was left to become a carer to her father when her sister moved to Australia in 1975. Their mother had moved to Argentina to marry polo player Hector Barrantes three years earlier.

When Jane left for Australia, I became a carer for dad, she told The Sunday Times.

I was left to look after a sad man, which is sort of what Im doing now.

She spoke of her battle with illness, having been diagnosed with melanoma just months after discovering she had breast cancer.

Jane insisted I get a mammogram; she saved my life, the mother-of-two told the newspaper.

I was sure I was going to die, then I looked up mastectomy and faced it.

In July 2023, Ferguson went under the knife for an eight-hour mastectomy  but during the follow-up surgery, dermatologists had to remove several moles, finding one to be malignant melanoma.

Sarah and Janes father died of melanoma, and the duchess said the diagnosis was scary.

When I got that diagnosis on New Years Eve 2023, I nearly fainted, she said.

In a heartfelt plea, she urged people not to wait to be themselves.

Otherwise Ive got to live life, Im lucky, its (cancer) freed me from the shackles of my heart. Before, I didnt think it was okay to be myself. Dont wait to get cancer to free yourself.

Since becoming a grandmother in 2021, the Duchess of York said she now spends much of her time focusing on her three grandchildren.

Im a fun granny, she said.

Sienna (Princess Beatrices daughter) wanted a unicorn birthday party so I dressed a white pony as a unicorn. For the boys, August and Ernest (Princess Eugenies sons), Im learning about trains.

Ferguson has written dozens of childrens books, the latest being Flora and Fern: Wonder in the Woods, a tale of Christmas and friendship featuring woodland creatures.

She told of her close relationship with the late Queen, and revealed she called Elizabeth Mumma.

The Queen was much more my mother than my mother was. She never let me down, even if I let her down. Even through the darkest days, she never left me.

She added: The Queen never lost me. The best advice she gave me was the last thing she said to me, Sarah, remember that yourself is good enough. It makes me cry.
A Syrian fighter carries his weapon past a burning house during a raid to stop looters on the outskirts of Damascus (Leo Correa/AP)

Ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad says he had no plans to leave the country after the fall of Damascus a week ago but the Russian military evacuated him after their base in western Syria came under attack.
An alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a judge at the High Court in London has ruled.
She pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage after she threw a milkshake over Reform UK leader Nigel Farage outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, during the general election campaign on June 4.
A girl wears the flag adopted by Syrias new leadership during a gathering of supporters in the capital, Damascus. Photo: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

Syrian Christians attended regular Sunday services for the first time since the dramatic overthrow of president Bashar al-Assad a week ago, in an early test of assurances by the new Islamist rulers that the rights of minorities will be protected.
Return of birds highlights Beijing's better water environment

Xinhua) 10:30, December 16, 2024

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Ukraine accused Vladimir Putin of "violating operating rules" for sending old vessels out into the sea during bad weather after two Russian oil tankers sustained severe damage in the Kerch Strait.

The Volgoneft 212 tanker had 15 people on board and was carrying about 4,000 tonnes of oil when it split in half, with its bow sinking. At least one sailor died in the incident, Russian officials said. The vessel sank, spilling oil into the Black Sea near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
A juvenile student killed two people at a Wisconsin school before police found the suspect dead at the scene of the latest shooting to devastate a US campus, authorities said on Monday.

At least six other people were wounded, according to police, who said children were among the dead and wounded in the shooting, which took place in the state capital of Madison.
TikTok turns to US Supreme Court in last-ditch bid to avert ban

Justice Department calls TikTok threat to US security Federal appeals court upheld ban on Dec. 6 Trump says he has a "warm spot in my heart" for TikTok

A TikTok sign on top of their building in Culver City, California (Richard Vogel/AP)

Andrew Chung and David Shepardson Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 22:43







TikTok made a last-ditch effort on Monday to continue operating in the United States, asking the Supreme Court to temporarily block a law intended to force ByteDance, its China-based parent company, to divest the short-video app by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
Prince Andrew is once more in hot water with the Royal Family after being named as a close confidante of an alleged Chinese spy.

He has said he ceased all contact with the businessman, who has been given the codename H6, and that nothing sensitive was ever discussed.
After Allu Arjun was released from Hyderabad's jail, people started criticising the Pushpa 2 star for not meeting the minor who was struggling for his life in the hospital after the stampede incident. A few hours ago, Allu Arjun posted a picture with a lengthy message on his Instagram account and explained why he chose not to see the minor or his relatives in the hospital. He also expressed his concern for the victim and after his post went viral, fans called Allu Arjun a kind man.

Here's why Allu Arjun didnt visit stampede victim in hospital

The actor clarified in the statement that he has been told by his legal team not to see him or see his family at this time.

Taking to Instagram Allu Arjun wrote, I remain deeply concerned about young Sri Tej, who is under constant medical care after the unfortunate incident. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, I have been advised not to visit him and his family at this time.

He continued by saying that he is still praying for them and that he is determined to assume responsibility for meeting their family's and medical needs. He hopes to see him and his family as soon as possible and wishes him a quick recovery.

Fans react to Allu Arjuns latest post

After the Pushpa 2 star showed his concern in his note, fans started praising him. Some even called him a real life hero.

One wrote, Even though you are not the reason for the incident.. Still you promised to take care of the family..Respect for you sir.

Another added, He is always very kind.

Also read: Pushpa 2 Box Office Collection Day 11: Allu Arjuns movie closes second weekend as Indias 2nd highest-grosser

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 after battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family confirmed on Monday.

Hussain was known for his cherished figure and his contributions to Indian music and vast culture. Apart from winning international accolades for his musical talent, he was widely known for his association with Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea.

Who doesn't remember the popular tea ad featuring Zakir Hussain passionately playing tabla against the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal? In the year 1988, the tea brand collaborated with Hussain with a memorable ad featuring the maestro.

Remembering the 'Wah Taj' ad as an unforgettable legacy for tea lovers

In the 1990s, Ustad Zakir Hussain became a household name not only for his brilliant music but also for becoming the face of Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea.

The idea of creating this ad was to match Hussain's mastery of tabla with Brooke Bond Taj Mahal's expertise in tea. The visuals of the ad have still struck a chord with the Indian audience, who admire the brand and Hussain.

The ad features the legend playing the tabla and ends with someone complimenting Hussain's performance by saying, 'Wah Ustaad,' to which he replies, 'Arey huzoor, wah Taj boliye.'

With time, the maestro became synonymous with the brand, making it one of India's most enduring brand associations in the history of Indian advertising.

Zakir Hussain in the ad paved the way for Brooke Bond to enter the middle-class population

Before this ad came, Hussain wasn't the original endorser of the brand. Prior to 1988, Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea was only meant for the elite Indian tea gourmet with a Western touch in mind.

Brooke Bond was launched in 1966. To endorse its products, the brand used to rope in celebrities such as Zeenat Aman and Malavika Tiwari, who were modern in their thought process and outlook. During that time, the main motive of the brand was to target an elite group of people.

But something changed in the 80s when the brand realised that tea was very popular among the aspirational middle-class people, and this was when they decided to expand the marketing of the product across India, targeting every section of consumers.

Zakir Hussain was delighted with the idea of the Brooke Bond ad

According to media reports, when Hussain was approached for the ad, he was ecstatic by the idea, and he flew down from San Francisco to Agra for the advertisement.

Have a look at the iconic ad video here and relive the memories:

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South Korean actor Park Seo Joon is known for his versatile acting chops, with his impressive filmography boasting some of the most critically acclaimed projects. However, beyond his exceptional on-screen talent, the actor is regarded as a widely controversial figure, often making headlines for his hot-headed temper and 'rude' remarks. Aside from his professional ventures, the Itaewon Class star also grabs headlines for his dating life, which he has said is not a topic of the public discourse, but speculations persist.

Park Seo Joon was once rumoured to be dating his What's Wrong With Secretary Kim co-star Park Min Young, making the Park-Park fan clubs' wildest dreams come true. The couple was reportedly head over heels, but their whirlwind romance fizzled out after three years of dating. But it's not the separation alone that left fans disheartened. Well, the rumour has it that Park Seo Joon decided to end the relationship for a whopping advertisement deal.

OH MY GOD PARK SEO JOON AND PARK MIN YOUNG HAVE BEEN REPORTEDLY DATING FOR THREE YEARS???????? pic.twitter.com/wPLzMpyM3i  kdrama fairy (@kdramafairy) July 26, 2018

[ ]



Dispatch reveals "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim" stars Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young have been dating for two years and six months according to the staff they both worked with #Dispatch #ParkSeoJoon #ParkMinYoung



(c) Calvin Monsterexo pic.twitter.com/M9JKbzxylV  Ken (@kdramawing) April 17, 2021

Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young's relationship

Although the What's Wrong With Secretary Kim co-stars never publicly confirmed their relationship, their undeniable on-screen chemistry and off-screen whispers had fans running their imaginations wild. The show starred Park Seo Joon as vice-chairman Lee Young Joon, a narcissistic chaebol heir, notorious for giving tough time to his employees. However, he decided to change himself after his secretary Kim Mi So (Park Min Young) decided to leave work to focus on her personal life.

Credit: X

The 2018 K-drama catapulted both Seo Joon and Min Young to new heights, landing them numerous brand deals, national and international. Basking in the glory of their love and riding high on the success of their show, the couple had everything going on for them. While we wouldn't trust Park Seo Joon to take the conventional route, he was just like any other person in lovematching outfits and wearing couple ringsall while trying to keep it a secret.

So, What Went Wrong With Secretary Kim and Vice-Chairman Lee?

According to a KBIZoom report, Park Seo Joon decided to end his three-year-long relationship with Park Min Young after landing a 15-advertisement deal that required him to work 100 days a year on endorsements. His move was brutally criticised as many K-netizens called him out for trading his girlfriend for endorsements following the success of What's Wrong With Secretary Kim.

Credit: X

Though their relationship was only rumoured, the actor's move to allegedly leave his girlfriend for financial gains was labelled as greedy and selfish by K-drama fans.

'I could be dating Justin Bieber too': Park Seo Joon set the rumours straight

Following an intense social media backlash and nationwide outrage, Park Seo Joon finally set the rumours straight, denying the claims of his romantic involvement with Park Min Young. In an interview with Hankook Ilbo, the actor also clearly denied donning matching outfits with his co-star, saying it was just overlapping fashion that did not mean anything.

As for the overlapping fashion items, people who follow fashion trends know  those items were popular at the time. I have some products in all its colours. If it means Im dating someone because we share the same taste in fashion, I guess that means I could be dating Justin Bieber, too.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor will next be seen in the new romance drama Waiting for Gyeongdo.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
On December 16, Google announced the appointment of Preeti Lobana as the new country manager and vice president for India. Having previously worked as Vice President of customer-centric solutions at Google, she will now succeed Sanjay Gupta who was recently promoted as President of the Asia Pacific region at Google. Preeti will be playing a key role in shaping Google's strategy to bring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to all customers.

Who is Preeti Lobana?

Preeti is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience across various industries. She has been with Google for over 8.5 years previously focusing on the Ads business in the SMB segment and Google Technical Services within the Global Business Organization. During her tenure, she also served as the Gurgaon site lead for Google.

Instagram

Before joining Google, Preeti built a strong foundation in the Banking and Financial Services sector, working with renowned organizations like NatWest Group, American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, and ANZ Grindlays Bank. Preeti has extensive leadership experience, having managed large teams of over 1,200 people in India and led APAC-wide and global teams across 26 locations spanning five continents.

She has a proven track record in transforming businesses, scaling operations, and driving measurable commercial impact. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, her expertise lies in areas such as business transformation, enhancing customer experience, leveraging AI and machine learning for innovation, operational boost, and building high-performing teams.

Preeti has joined the likes of Googles leading women workforce across the globe that are aimed at making the techie giant a revolution in its own right. The list is long and led by some supremely talented ladies like Ruth Porat - Chief Financial Officer at Google and Alphabet and Jen Fitzpatrick - Senior Vice President of Core and Maps.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO, never misses a chance to tease the internet with his new upcoming projects. Recently, he hinted on his X (formerly called Twitter) about "Xmail," a new feature that will be added to the platform that could potentially become a rival to Gmail, Google's email application.

On Sunday, an X account user under the name DodgeDesigner posted on 'Xmail' that it would be a cooler option. To which Musk, who frequently makes his opinion on X, wrote that it is on the platform's list of things to do.

 Mail would be cool.



username@.com pic.twitter.com/gWwbCWPWA5  DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) December 15, 2024

Earlier in February, Musk doubled down on a conversation, claiming to be developing a new email service called Xmail, coming as a rival to Gmail for its 1.8 billion users.

When is XMail launching?

Back in February, out of curiosity, the security engineer of X, Nate McGrady, asked, 'When are we making Xmail?' to which Musk replied, "It's coming.'

On Sunday, again, Musk reignited the conversation, targeting Gmail, which is owned by Google. The current conversation quickly grabbed the attention of the people on X and became the No. 2 trending conversation on X, with 22,600 posts talking about it.

According to Times Now, as of September 2024, Apple Mail leads the global email market with a 53.67 per cent share, followed by Gmail at 30.70 per cent. While on the other hand, there are other notable platforms like Outlook (4.38 per cent), Yahoo Mail (2.64 per cent), and Google Android (1.72 per cent).

Why is Elon Musk planning to enter the email market?

It may be surprising for many that the billionaire is trying to enter the email market as well, but why? Well, Musk venturing into email services may be related to a broader vision of transforming X into an "everything app.".

Since he acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X, Musk has expressed his desire to create a multifunctional platform including social media, payments, shopping, and now email.

What to expect from Elon Musk's Xmail?

Even though there are no official details available on the release date, as per Musk's track record in the past, we can't expect to have these features in the Xmail:

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Legendary musician Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 after a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In a statement, the Tabla maestro's family shared that he breathed his last in a San Francisco hospital on Monday (December 16).

Widely credited with putting Indian classical music on the map, his demise leaves an indelible mark on the music world. Through his innovative international collaborations, the music maestro introduced the richness of Indian classical music to a global audience.

As the music world mourns this irreplaceable loss, let's honour his legacy with five of his many legendary collaborations.

Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, banjo legend Bela Fleck, and double bass artist Edgar Meyer collaborated numerous times after first touring in 2009. Seamlessly steering the realms of classical, bluegrass, and world music, the iconic trio is known for redefining the boundaries of musical expression.

Shakti

Named after the Hindu goddess of creation, Shakti was formed by guitarist John McLaughlin and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. Offering a unique fusion that bent rules, the band combined Eastern and Western sounds.

The Global Drum project

For this Grammy-winning collaboration, Ustad Zakir Hussain joined forces with an eclectic group of musicians. The Indian musician, Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, Nigerian percussionist Sikiru Adepoju, and Puerto Rican jazz percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo came together to create a one-of-a-kind captivating album that blended diverse musical traditions.

Sangam (Charles Lloyd album)

A live jazz album by saxophonist Charles Lloyd, Sangam was recorded in 2004 and released in 2006. The album features a unique trio, with Lloyd on saxophone, Zakir Hussain on tabla, and Eric Harland on drums, blending jazz and Indian classical music traditions.

Karuna Supreme

The revered album by American jazz saxophonist John Hnadu and sarod player Ali Akbar Khan featured Ustad Zakir Ali Khan on the tabla. Regarded as one of the rare East-meets-West recordings, the album is one of the earliest true fusions of Indian music and jazz.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Greek authorities have arrested five men accused of human smuggling following three separate rescue operations off the coast of Gavdos island over the weekend.

The operations, which involved rescuing 124 migrants from overcrowded vessels, also tragically resulted in five confirmed fatalities, with others still feared missing.

The Hellenic

Coast Guard, aided by commercial vessels, rescued migrants from Syria Egypt , Sudan, Yemen , Bangladesh, and Pakistan who had embarked on perilous journeys from Libya in hopes of reaching Europe

Many of the survivors reported paying exorbitant fees to smugglers for the dangerous crossings.

The arrested individuals, aged 18 to 46, were identified as the alleged organizers of these smuggling operations. They face charges under Greece's immigration and penal codes, including facilitating illegal entry, human smuggling, and endangering lives.

In one operation, a Malta-flagged freighter rescued 47 men adrift in a small vessel. Two men were identified as the smugglers responsible for organizing the journey from Tobruk, Libya.

In another operation, a UK-flagged tanker rescued 89 migrants from a vessel where a 35-year-old Egyptian man was identified as the smuggler. Passengers revealed they had each paid him approximately 6,500 for the risky crossing.

Additionally, 45 men were found on Trypiti beach in Gavdos. Authorities arrested two individuals accused of orchestrating their journey from Musaed, Libya.

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Greece in addressing migrant smuggling networks operating along the increasingly used "southern route" across the Libyan Sea.

This route, favored by smugglers exploiting Libya's political instability, often involves dangerous crossings in overcrowded and unsafe vessels, putting migrants' lives at risk.

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A chieftain of the All Progressives, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the frequent collapse of the national grid.

The former lawmaker, while addressing newsmen in Oshogbo on Sunday, described irregular power supply as embarrassment to the nation.

Speaking on the recent collapse of the grid in 11th of December, 2024, Mr. Olatunbosun, called on the President to investigate reason behind frequent setbacks in the power sector.

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He said: I believe that presidential investigation into this matter will unravel what the problem is and the possible lasting solution to it.

READ MORE: Nigerians Plunge Into Darkness As National Grid Collapses 12th Time In 2024

The country is blessed with all the resources needed to keep the grid running then why the collapse all the time?

The recent incident, which occurred last week, further highlights the need for President Bola Tinubu to probe the underlying causes of these frequent failures.

The embarrassment must stop and sanity must be brought back to the power sector for the sake of our economy. If acts of sabotage is involved, through investigation, that will be revealed.


A 12-member delegation from Commission Electorale Nationale Autonomie (CENA) of the Republic of Benin, has visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on a study tour.

The visit, led by CENAs President, Sacca Lafia on Monday, aimed to learn from Nigerias electoral processes and best practices as Benin Republic prepares for its 2026 elections.

According to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, the visit is significant, given the unique challenges CENA faces ahead of the polls.

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Early last month, we received a letter from CENA indicating its interest to undertake a study visit to INEC Nigeria as they prepare for what they described as their most complex election in 2026, Yakubu said.

READ ALSO: INEC Chairman Is Alive, Not Dead  Commission Addresses Rumour

Yakubu explained that CENA will conduct three elections in three months for the first time, including legislative and local elections in January 2026, and the presidential election in April 2026.

INEC however noted it prepared a detailed program to address the delegations interests, covering various aspects of the electoral process, including the legal framework, election materials, poll officials, budgeting, security, technology, and observer accreditation.

In particular, CENA is interested in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria, the design and printing of election materials and forms, the recruitment and training of poll officials, election budgeting and mode of payment to different service providers, security during elections, the use of technology, the accreditation of local and international observers, engagement with electoral stakeholders and other aspects of Nigerias electoral experience, Yakubu added.
The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, has accused daughter of the states former governor, James Ibori, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, over alleged invasion of thugs at the partys secretariat.

PDP in a statement on Sunday, condemned the purported attack on the building, located at Oghara, Ethiope-West Local Government Area, describing it as unfortunate development.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had recently reported that Mrs. Ibori-Suenu defected from the major opposition party to the All Progressives Congress.

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The lawmaker claimed that PDP nearly killed her political career, adding that her defection to APC was inspired to support President Bola Tinubus government.

Speaking on Sunday over the development at Delta PDPs Secretariat, by Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, states Publicity Secretary, accused iboris daughter for instructing thugs to repaint the building in APCs color.

He said: The attention of the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the unfortunate and unlawful invasion of its party secretariat in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday by thugs believed to be acting on the orders of Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whereby they converted the building and repainted it with APC colours.

READ MORE: Defection: Iboris Daughter Vows To Bury PDP In Delta After Nearly Ending Her Ambition

The PDP views this provocative and disgraceful action as part of a series of desperate attempts by Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, who recently defected to the APC, to appropriate the structures and assets of the PDP for the benefit of her new party.

This shows that her defection was poorly planned and driven by personal ambition rather than any genuine political ideology.

Rather than building her own political identity, she has resorted to hijacking the PDPs established infrastructure, seeking to dress her APC venture in the robes of the PDPs credibility and legacy.

This act of theft, conducted in broad daylight, is an affront to the principles of democracy and political decency.

The PDP will not stand idly by as the integrity of its assets and reputation is undermined by individuals whose political fortunes are tied to opportunism rather than genuine service to the people.
A violent mob set a vehicle ablaze in the Onipanu area of Lagos State on Saturday evening, following a fatal accident in which a speeding driver struck and killed a pedestrian.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, stated in a statement on Sunday that the tragedy happened when the driver of a Toyota Venza crashed into the pedestrian while speeding.

According to reports, the pedestrian died as a result of the collision.

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Oke-Osanyintolu said, Upon arrival to the incident scene at 2048hrs, LASEMAs Cobra Response Team observed that a Toyota Venza, with registration number, EKY 839 HU, oversped and hit a pedestrian at the aforementioned location.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the agencys Response Team revealed that the driver of the above-mentioned Toyota Venza was at a top speed when he lost control and collided with a male pedestrian crossing the highway.

READ MORE: Driver, Native Doctor Apprehended For Stealing Construction Company Truck In Benue

The yet-to-be-identified adult male lost his life to the incident and had been taken off the scene before the arrival of the responders.

The incident was claimed to have heightened tension, prompting the LASEMA team to request police assistance.

However, the hoodlums set the vehicle on fire before the police arrived.

The agencys Response Team informed officials of the Nigeria Police Force of the incident, and volatility of the scene due to activities of miscreants who escalated the incident, vandalised and set the accident vehicle ablaze, Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested two Nigeria businessmen, identified as Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe, in connection with illicit drugs worth N3.3 billion, at the Lagos seaport.

The agency stated that its operatives, on the 13th of December, 2024, recovered multi-billion-naira worth of methamphetamine and Loud shipments concealed in automobile spare parts imported from Canada .

In a statement by the NDLEAs Spokesman on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the seizure, followed months of intelligence-driven tracking of the cargoes across three continents by the anti-drug agency operatives.

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He added that the drugs were intended for distribution during Christmas and New Year festive season.

The statement reads: Multi-billion-naira worth of shipments of methamphetamine and Loud, a strong synthetic strain of cannabis intended for distribution during the Christmas and New Year festive season, concealed in automobile spare parts imported from Canada, have been intercepted by operatives of the NDLEA at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos after months of intelligence-driven tracking of the cargo across three continent.

READ MORE: NDLEA Nabs Businessman From Brazil With Ingested 700g Of Cocaine In Lagos

The other container bearing automobile spare parts checked on Friday 13th December was found to contain 1, 735 parcels of Loud packed in 44 jumbo bags with a total weight of 867.5kg and six plastic coolers containing 87 packs of methamphetamine weighing 78.3kg.

At least, two businessmen: Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

The two meth consignments have a combined weight of 83.301kg worth One Hundred and Twenty-Four Million Nine Hundred and Fifty-One Thousand Naira (124,951,000.00) while the 867.5kg Loud is worth Two Billion One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,168,750,000.00) in street value.

The seizures were made during a joint examination of the shipments with Customs and other port stakeholders.

This followed months of intelligence processing and tracking of the consignments from their ports of loading in Canada to the landing port in Lagos by combined Special Operations Units in NDLEA and the Tincan Port Strategic Command of the Agency.

The first container with 5.001kg meth came under the radar of NDLEAs intelligence network on 4th October 2024 when the preparation for the shipment began in Toronto, Canada, monitored through 8th October when the shipment was received at the rail ramp, loaded on the rail and departed to Montreal, Canada where it arrived and was unloaded the following day 9th October.

The consignment was further monitored till it was loaded on a vessel on 19th October through when the vessel arrived and discharged at Antwerp in Belgium on 30th October after which the consignment was trans-shipped and loaded on 14th November before arriving Lagos port on 1st December and released to a bonded terminal two days after.
Deborah Enenche, the first daughter of Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Christian Center, has welcomed a baby boy with her husband, Samuel Hawthorn.

The couples joyful milestone comes two years after their marriage, marking a new chapter in their journey together.

Pastor Paul Enenche broke the news on his Instagram page on Monday with a heartfelt video that included family members.

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He said the baby was delivered on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

READ MORE: Isreal DMW Expresses Desire For Good Wife Who Can Cook Very Well

Deborahs mother, Becky Enenche, is shown in the video by her side during the birth, which took place abroad.

The video was captioned: What a Faithful God we serve! He has not left us without His kindness and mercies in this season. We return all the Honor and Glory to Him for the Blessing of a Baby Boy on Sunday the 15th of December 2024. Congrats mummy Deborah and Daddy Sam. Thank you, Jesus!!!!

Deborah and her husband, Samuel, got married in December 2022 during a grand ceremony held in Abuja.

The event was graced by prominent personalities and pastors from both within and outside Nigeria.

SEE POST:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDoboyEi-am/?igsh=MXc3ZWdjcm1yb2lrdg==
The supreme court, in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by Ambrose Owuru, presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party in the 2019 election, seeking to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Mr. Owuru on Monday, was also ordered to pay a sum of N5 million to Tinubu.

Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji issued the order against the former presidential candidate.

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Owuru, who claimed to be a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984, was spotted arguing his case, wearing wig and gown.

He was ordered out of the Bar and directed to remove his wig and gown before he could be allowed to argue his case.

Upon complying with the orders, Owuru was asked why he came before the court again, having had his suits dismissed three times.

It was gathered that he also tried unsuccessfully to convince the Apex Court to grant him adequate audience, his explanations were rejected as unconvincing.

Justice Aba-Aji ruled that Owurus conduct was unbecoming of a lawyer of over 40 years, as he claimed to be.

In the end, the Court dismissed his suit and ordered him to pay Tinubu N5 million.

READ MORE: Alleged Fraud: FCT Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail

The court berated him for taking the Supreme Court for a ride, wasting its precious time with what its described as baseless suits and grossly abusing court processes.

Recall that the Court of Appeal had previously imposed a fine of N40 million on Owuru, to be paid to Tinubu, INEC, and others, for filing a suit against them.

The new suit prayed the Apex Court to sack Tinubu on two major grounds: alleged non-qualification to hold office as Nigerias President and alleged usurpation of the office in contravention of the law.

Defendants in the suit were former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Tinubu as 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.

He claimed that his suit at the Supreme Court, which would have removed Buhari from office, was technically jettisoned by the Apex Court due to a mix-up in hearing dates.

He also prayed the Apex Court to disqualify Tinubu on account of the forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States of America over an alleged drug trafficking-related offence.

Owuru also accused Tinubu of being an active agent of the CIA, a position he claimed disqualified Tinubu from holding the office of President of Nigeria.


President Bola Tinubu has approved free train rides for all Nigerians from December 20 to January 5, 2025.

This decision was disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday.

According to Idris, the President approved the measure to cushion the effect of high transportation costs during the Christmas season.

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This, he noted, is not the first time the government has offered free train rides; a similar measure was implemented last year during the Yuletide and Sallah periods.

READ ALSO: Kaduna-Abuja Train Derails, No Casualties

Its a brief one today. Not many items on the agenda. The first one is the 2025 budget that will be presented to the National Assembly.

The Federal Executive Council will proceed on recess from the 18th of this month until the 6th of January, meaning there wont be any Federal Executive Council meeting during that period.

The government is also happy to announce that, as we did last year, there will be free train service to all Nigerians from the 20th up until the 5th of January.

This is consistent with the Presidents desire to cushion the effect of transportation, officially the most vulnerable Nigerians.

Recall that this also happened in the last Christmas period and the Sallah period. And Mr President has also approved that this year, from the 20th of December to the fifth of January, there will be free transport service nationwide, Idris said.
Tickets to tenor Nicholas Phan's concert with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society will be sold for $10, but for one day only Read more

Three string quartets played by the Elias Quartet, Brittens Les Illuminations sung by renowned tenor Nicholas Phan, and a recital of four-hand Ravel works played by pianists Lydia Artymiw and Cynthia Raim are among the concerts for which tickets are going on sale, for one day only, for $10.

The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society is including in the Tuesday offer a total of nine concerts between January and May.

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Deeply discounted tickets have recently become a tool for luring patrons back into theaters and concert halls post-pandemic.

Facing a season that wasnt selling well, Opera Philadelphia in August launched a new price structure with tickets as low as $11. Last month, TKTS ticketing announced a new program selling heavily discounted arts tickets at the Independence Visitor Center. The Philadelphia Ballet, too, sold $10 tickets for the opening night of its production of The Nutcracker.

But PCMS started its $10 sale day in 2007, said PCMS artistic director Miles Cohen, and has offered it annually except for two years during the pandemic.

Also among the PCMS concerts on sale this year are appearances by Musicians from Marlboro, the CKW Trio with clarinetist Ricardo Morales, and the Gamut Bach Ensemble.

PCMSs $10 tickets will be offered Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 215-569-8080 or pcmsconcerts.org with online sales continuing until 8 p.m.
Brad Tabaac, 68, managing pharmacist at Friendly Pharmacy in Kensington, is planning to close the business at the end of May. Read more

Last Monday, Friendly Pharmacy filled 318 prescriptions. For about 100 of them, insurance companies paid the pharmacy less than $3.

In 22 instances that day, the reimbursement was less than the cost of the medication. And thats just among the prescriptions that were actually filled. Managing pharmacist Brad Tabaac said he has to turn away some patients because their prescriptions will cause too much of a loss for his business.

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One recent patient, for instance, came in hoping to transfer his inhaler prescription to Friendly after his local Rite Aid closed. Filling the medication would have cost Friendly $22 more than the insurance reimbursement.

I just cant afford to serve him, Tabaac said.

And now he can no longer afford to serve anyone.

Tabaac plans to close his doors on May 31 after 26 years in business. As a second-generation pharmacist, he said, hes been working in drug stores since he was 11 years old. Making money on medicine wasnt a question back then, but now its a string of exhausting calculations on a daily basis.

 READ MORE: Independent pharmacists fight burnout and industry pressures as Rite Aid and CVS close stores

Years ago, you would just fill prescriptions, and you would concentrate on patient care, Tabaac said. Now you have to look at each and every prescription you fill and say, Am I losing money?

Why pharmacy benefit managers are challenging small pharmacies

Independent pharmacies like Friendly, as well as some chains, have been pinched by pricing and fees set by pharmacy benefit managers  the companies that handle prescription drug plans for health insurance.

The three biggest pharmacy benefit managers are CVS Health, Optum Rx, and Express Scripts. They control nearly 90% of the market, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), and some of their parent companies also own pharmacies. In other words, NCPA has said, what community pharmacies charge patients and are reimbursed is often determined by a competitor.

This challenge has caused more than 80 community pharmacies in Pennsylvania to close just in 2024, said Rob Frankil, executive director of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists (PARD). Contracts with pharmacy benefit managers are take it or leave it, he said, giving individual business owners little to no room for negotiating reimbursement rates that will allow them to stay in business.

PARD has been lobbying lawmakers for changes.

The Federal Trade Commission is conducting an inquiry into the system. Chair Lina M. Khan said at a White House roundtable in March that complaints to the commission suggest pharmacy benefit managers hike the price of drugs, deprive patients of access to certain medicines, and drive community pharmacies out of business.

 READ MORE: What happens after a Philly neighborhoods last chain pharmacy shuts its doors

As pharmacy benefit managers have consolidated and vertically integrated, we hear of a system where corporate red tape and bureaucracy obstruct patients from getting their medications, sometimes with devastating results, Khan said.

Khan noted that the pharmacy benefit managers havent fully complied with FTC orders seeking documents and data.

We are undertaking this work with enormous urgency and focus. And if we find evidence of illegal practices, we will not hesitate to act, Khan said.

Tabaac acknowledges that effort but said its coming too late for his business.

Pharmacists knew they were going to lose money on branded drugs, he said. But they were signing these contracts because they were thinking, What else am I going to do?

Other costs rising

While Tabaac cant control the revenue he brings in from prescriptions, despite having plenty of customers, he also cant control certain costs that have risen in recent years. One of them is business insurance, he said, which has become more expensive in part due to his pharmacys location in Kensington. Friendly was dropped by its business insurer in recent years because of incidences of vandalism in the community, he said, and had to find a new policy.

The insurance companies do not want to insure us, Tabaac said. Were too much of a risk.

Once Friendly closes, the closest chain pharmacy is a Rite Aid about three-quarters of a mile away. A few other independents remain open closer to Friendlys location, according to city records, but pharmacy density here is lower than in other sections of the city.

Not long ago, Tabaac absorbed the patients from another independent pharmacy nearby that closed because of finances.

Tabaac is concerned about the patients who have accessed prescriptions through Friendlys delivery services or relationships with doctors who do house calls, as well as those who dont drive and will have to take public transit to a new location.

Will they find an advocate? Some of them will, he said. I fear that many of them wont.
Advocates for immigrant students want the district to publicly reaffirm its commitment to the Philadelphia School District's sanctuary schools policy. In this 2021 file photo, immigrant parents, students and advocates demonstrated for the sanctuary schools policy. Read more

At Franklin Learning Center, Michelle Fergusons students, all new arrivals to the U.S., are worried.

With President-elect Donald Trump promising stricter immigration laws and mass detention and deportation of immigrants, many students at the Philadelphia School District high school that draws English learners from around the city have shared their fears with Ferguson and other staff.

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Ultimately, I think students havent heard from the schools or from the school district since the election, said Ferguson, who leads the newcomer academy for immigrant students at FLC. Their anxiety is so heightened. They feel so alone. The silence on the topic from the district  the biggest and most powerful organization that many of our families have access to  is really disappointing.

 READ MORE: For the first time in 10 years, Philly school enrollment is rising

The district in 2021 adopted a sanctuary schools stance, reaffirming its policy to protect immigrant students and families from inquiries by federal immigration authorities, as well as committing to provide more training for staff and emotional support for immigrant students.

But Ferguson and other advocates for immigrant students say that more is needed, especially when Mayor Cherelle L. Parker hasnt yet reasserted the citys sanctuary status.

The school systems English learner population is expanding quickly: They constitute nearly 23% of the districts 117,956 students, a key driver of the systems first enrollment gain in a decade.

Responding to questions from City Council last week, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. and school board president Reginald Streater said they were on board with protecting the districts immigrant students.

What I can say is that the board of education, in partnership with our superintendent, is committed to making sure that every student is safe, feels safe, and we support them in every way we can, Streater said.

Watlington said the district is working with the Council of Great City Schools, a nonprofit that represents the nations largest school systems, to keep tabs on federal-level events with the coming presidential transition. And, the superintendent said, the administration will fully and completely comply with the sanctuary schools resolution.

Supports vary by school

While school administrators have made pledges to city officials, those regularly working in schools say the sanctuary policy has been unevenly communicated.

Guadalupe Mendez, director of youth organizing at Juntos, the Latino immigrant-rights nonprofit, said that since the election, the organization has fielded many requests for help at Philadelphia schools.

Not every teacher and staff member knows that federal policy has directed that enforcement actions should not take place at protected areas such as schools. Not all are sure what to say if confronted by federal agents, they say.

 READ MORE: Philly school board takes a sanctuary schools stance protecting immigrant students from ICE

The support that each school receives is very different, Mendez said. Some principals and teachers are proactive  Ferguson has led know your rights trainings, for instance  and others remain in the dark.

District officials said every staffer is trained on the welcoming schools policy; one principal asked for a staff-wide review, which was administered during a Friday professional development session on a student half-day.

Christina Clark, a district spokesperson, said the materials provided in that session will be shared broadly with district offices and schools.

The 2021 resolution, which Juntos and other groups pushed for, guaranteed not just the trainings, but also continuing accountability via regular outreach with the community organizations, and proactive emergency planning.

Mendez said that the accountability and emergency planning have been unclear.

If theres a raid that picks up 20 parents, that means 20 to 40 kids will be left at school, said Mendez. The district needs to be prepared for that.

Another influx on the way?

Franklin Learning Center hosts one of the districts two newcomer academies, designed for high-school-age students who have moved to the U.S. in the last year, especially those who have limited English proficiency or those who have had interrupted educational experiences. Classes in the FLC and Frankford academies have access to sheltered classes, where English learner students are in separate classes with instruction tailored to those learning the language.

Ferguson, FLCs English learner point person, said the academy typically gets at least one new arrival a week. It has 60 spots for new immigrants every year; 40 already are full.

But, said Ferguson, who previously worked on education access issues for a city nonprofit that aids refugees and other immigrants, if history is any indication, the coming change in administration, plus Philadelphias historic position as a sanctuary city, will mean more students should be expected.

The district really needs to be prepared for a continued huge influx of folks before Trumps inauguration, Ferguson said.

Juntos and other organizations are asking for more newcomer academies, including one for middle school students. District officials said they hope to add one more high school program elsewhere in the city, based on current immigration data.
Chefs and social entrepreneurs Omar Tate and Cybill St.Aude-Tate loved the West Philadelphia home of Honeysuckle Provisions, their groundbreaking Afrocentric market and restaurant.

But, as Tate said last week, we always knew that our ideas were much larger than 953 square feet.

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The business, which closed in October after two years, is expected to resurface in March at 631 N. Broad St. under a simpler name  Honeysuckle  and with a full bar in triple the amount of space. The new, 95-seat location will allow the concept to stretch out and have more space and be harnessed by more people, Tate said, describing it as a cultural preservation space. The staff of 25, mainly from the West Philadelphia location, is expected to grow to 40 or 45 in time.

Honeysuckle, named after the bushes that grew wild outside Tates childhood home in Germantown, will initially offer an a la carte dinner menu as well as the option of Tates original UNTITLED menus, in a new series overseen by longtime server Chelsea Martin. Inquirer critic Craig LaBan called the UNTITLED dinners an experience unlike any in the city, with tasting menus that tell narratives about Black life and foodways through poetry, art, and reliably great flavors.

Honeysuckle is still offering off-premises catering, which will continue out of the new kitchen.

As on 48th Street, ingredients will be mindfully sourced. Honeysuckle works closely with Plowshare Farms in Bucks County. Last week, Tate visited Long Island to dig for oysters with members of the Shinnecock Reservation, who will provide oysters to the restaurant. He pointed out that the Shinnecock had a relationship to the Lenape, who inhabited the Philadelphia area when William Penn arrived.

Tate and St.Aude-Tate are focusing on dinner before expanding to breakfast and lunch. The a la carte menu will reflect St.Aude-Tates Haitian roots and Tates ancestry in Charleston, S.C., by way of the Great Migration. Tate said daytime service would still include the things that people came to love us for at Provisions, such as the dolla hoagie with turkey or smoked pickled turnip, the chicken sandwich, the scrapple and breakfast sandwiches, grits and eggs, laminated pastries, and biscuits.

We wont be adding stupid brunchy things like caramel French toast or anything like that, Tate said, chuckling. People love it, I know, but we like to make our life hard.

The liquor license will allow them to sell wine. Tate said the list would include natural wines by Black producers, as well as South African wines and palm wine. Honeysuckle also will serve its own wine, mostly derived from local fruits.

Honeysuckles new home is the former Clementines Stable Cafe, which opened in summer 2020 and never recovered from the pandemic before closing in 2023. Its across from Osteria, Jeff Benjamins Italian restaurant, and South, the restaurant and jazz club owned by Robert and Benjamin Bynum.

Tate, 38, said he and his wife looked for space in West Philadelphia but couldnt find anything suitable.

North Broad, he said, is the main artery of the city. Its North Philadelphia technically, in my Philadelphia language. My uncles were part of the Black Panther standoff at Temple University in the 70s, so this all feels close to home to me.
A scientist who worked at a Philly biotech and Nemours Childrens Health has admitted to manipulating data. Read more

A Philadelphia-area researchers work investigating a dangerous complication of cardiovascular procedures helped to reveal key details of how it may occur, and pointed to potential ways to intervene.

But some of those findings, published in a 2021 scientific article, appear to have been tainted by misconduct. In a highly unusual confession, the coauthor, then based at Nemours Childrens Health, has admitted to manipulating data.

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According to Nemours, Valerie Sampson left the institution in January 2022 and subsequently disclosed that she had falsified data.

Nemours launched an investigation into her work, and alerted the scientific journals that had published potentially problematic data. As a result, two of Sampsons research papers have been retracted.

Scientific misconduct is rare  with roughly one case for every 10,000 researchers each year, according to estimates from the U.S. Office of Research Integrity  and its even more rare for those who perpetrate it to come forward.

That said, the process of handling scientific misconduct is often shrouded in secrecy, so its hard to know how often scientists openly admit to misconduct, said Ivan Oransky, cofounder of Retraction Watch, which tracks retractions and scientific misconduct, and first reported the investigation into Sampson. For all we know it happens more often. But its certainly not a common occurrence.

Oransky added that while he doesnt condone misconduct, he appreciates that Sampson made the decision to come clean.

We all make mistakes, he said. It speaks better of her that she self-identified what happened than if she had pretended it didnt happen.

Sampson did not respond to repeated requests for comment relayed through emails and a phone number associated with her name, as well as a letter left at the Wilmington, Del., address listed as her latest residence.

According to Sampsons LinkedIn profile, she worked as a research scientist at Nemours between August 2005 and January 2022, then at a Philadelphia-based biotech from July 2022 to December 2023. Her research often focused on cancer.

A confession leads to journal retractions

Sampson self-disclosed that she falsified data after she left the institution, Nemours said in a statement.

We immediately launched a thorough investigation into her work while at Nemours Childrens, including a review of all other publications by Dr. Sampson, spokesperson Shelley Meadowcroft said. We have alerted journals regarding articles authored by her for which we identified potential concerns, and those journals are proceeding with their investigations.

She said that Sampsons case is now under review at the Office of Research Integrity, and Nemours cannot provide more detail given [ORIs] review process.

PubMed, a database of published biomedical research articles, lists 17 papers that include Sampson as a coauthor.

In one retracted paper, published in 2016 in the journal Oncotarget, Sampson and her colleagues tested a cancer drug against the cells of the bone cancer osteosarcoma.

The retraction notice states that there was incorrect reporting of data in seven figures of the paper, and includes a statement from Sampson.

I take sole responsibility for the errors and the incorrect reporting of data. These actions were unknown to all coauthors of this study, she writes, noting she apologizes to anyone who is impacted by my actions.

The retracted 2021 paper, published in the journal JVS-Vascular Science, now includes a note saying that Sampson contacted the journal and admitted to manipulating samples and incorrectly reporting of data.

Again, Sampson took full responsibility for what happened. The other authors were unaware of the misconduct until notified by [Sampson], the notice states.

After Nemours, scientist worked at a local biotech

After Sampson left Nemours, she worked as a scientist at WuXi Advanced Therapies, one of the biggest biotech employers in Philadelphia.

WuXi helps manufacture other companies cell and gene therapies on a large scale, in order to bring costs down. Earlier this year, WuXi came under fire when U.S. Congress flagged it as a security threat, citing alleged ties to the Chinese military.

When asked whether any of the work Sampson conducted at WuXi may be affected by misconduct, a WuXi spokesperson said: As a matter of company policy, we do not comment on personnel matters.

According to Sampsons LinkedIn profile, she is currently unemployed.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington. Read more

Days after federal officials questioned the serial sightings of mystery drones above New Jersey, a member of President Joe Bidens cabinet confirmed Sunday that residents are in fact spotting drones crowding the nighttime skies.

Theres no question that people are seeing drones, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos in an interview.

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Mayorkas pledged government action into the mysterious, colorful drones that thousands have reported hovering over and streaking across the sky above New Jersey, New York, and the Philly suburbs  and which have stoked fear, confusion, and conspiracy theories.

I want to assure the American public that we in the federal government have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing the drone sightings.  I want to assure the American public that we are on it.

The about-face came days after the White House and FBI said that what were suspected as drones might actually be manned aircraft and inaccurate sightings.

At a news conference Thursday, national security communications adviser John Kirby said some of the drones were actually lawfully operated manned vehicles and posed no security threat.

On Sunday, Mayorkas said that at least some of the objects were indeed drones.

Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones, he said. But theres no question that drones are being sighted.

Authorities have been flooded with reports of drone activity across New Jersey and neighboring East Coast states for weeks.

Last week, a host of New Jersey and Pennsylvania officials demanded more answers. On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy penned a letter to Biden, expressing growing concern about the drones and requesting more federal help and answers.

While there was no evidence the drones were a danger, Murphy said, it was frustrating to have no answers.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.) called for the unidentified drones to be shot down, which is illegal. He also cited unconfirmed reports that foreign adversaries were behind the drones  claims federal officials have repeatedly rejected.

In the ABC interview, Mayorkoas said a 2023 change of a federal aviation rule allowing drones to fly at night could be one reason for the increase in sightings. He called on Congress to expand local and state authority to address the drone situation.

We want state and local authorities to have the ability to counter growing activity under federal supervision, he said. Our authorities currently are limited and they are set to expire. We need them extended and expanded.

The Department of Homeland Security recently briefed New Jersey lawmakers on the drone sightings. According to Republican New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, officials told the group that there had been four to 180 drone sightings per night since mid-November (with some reports likely concerning the same drones).

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told Stephanopoulos that he and his family saw drones above his home just days ago. While crediting Mayorkas for providing information, he said authorities need to be more transparent.

I cant tell you the number of people that have come up to me concerned about it, he said. When people see this kind of activity, its a newish technology to most people, and theyre worried and concerned. Its a lack of communication from the government at the federal and state level thats at fault here.
In summer 1988, two men started blasting guns at each other in a tiny Southwest Philadelphia candy store, killing 5-year-old Marcus Yates and wounding his brother and another boy.

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His killing enraged the city and put intense pressure on the police department to find the killers. Detectives locked up two men  Michael Gaynor and Ike Johnson  who were later convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole.

Decades later, Marcus mother met with both men, believing she could find peace only by forgiving them. She came away aghast, realizing the police account of the crime wasnt at all what she had been led to believe.

The Inquirer investigated and discovered Gaynor was indeed the wrong man. After months of reporting, The Inquirer found the right man  a man new to Philadelphia that summer and known only by his street name, Harbor. The Inquirer has detailed all of this in a six-part series, The Wrong Man: A Story of Deception and Redemption.

Read more about the story behind the story, from Inquirer reporter Barbara Laker:

What prompted The Inquirer to investigate this old murder case?

Over the years, I had written follow-up stories on the high-profile crime and the Yates family. In late spring, I learned that Marcus mother, Rochelle Yates-Whittington, decided that to find peace, she needed to forgive the two men convicted of killing her son. She met both men  Michael Gaynor and Ike Johnson  by prison video. She came away in shock, learning that Gaynor hadnt been in the store at the time of the shooting and likely was innocent. I later met with Gaynor, now 57, in prison, spent time with him, and decided to investigate the case. She obtained 21 witness statements, read thousands of pages of court transcripts, police records, and decades of news stories, and interviewed more than four dozen people.

Why did homicide detectives zero in on Michael Gaynor when others said he wasnt in the store?

In summer 1988, the city was reeling from a crack cocaine epidemic and a surge in violence against children. Police were pressured to quickly find Marcus killers. On the surface, Gaynor seemed like a possible suspect: He lived around the corner from the candy store and was a low-level crack dealer. He was from Jamaica, and police had been informed that both shooters were Jamaican.

After the candy store shootout, police impounded cars nearby, including Gaynors 1988 Nissan 300ZX. Gaynor, in a move that defies logic if he were guilty of murdering a child, called police to find out where he could retrieve it. Detective Paul Worrell, lead investigator on the case, told Gaynor to come to Police Headquarters, known as the Roundhouse. Worrell took Gaynor into an interrogation room, placed him in handcuffs, sat him in a chair bolted to the floor, and accused him of killing the 5-year-old boy, according to Gaynor. Worrell put a plastic bag over his head, Gaynor said, held it tight, and told him he had to admit to the killing. Gaynor told him hed talk, but wouldnt confess to a crime he didnt commit. In fact, witnesses had told police the other shooter was a man known on the street as Harbor.

Why didnt detectives pursue leads about Harbor?

No one seemed to know Harbors real name. He had recently moved to Philadelphia from New York. One witness, Stanfordson Stan Xavier, told police he had met Harbor when they were both locked up at Rikers Island in New York. Xavier was driving near the candy store when he recognized Harbor on the street and called him over.

Its unclear how much effort police put into tracking Harbor down. Worrell, when asked during the murder trial why police hadnt tried to find him, replied: I had investigated that name early on in the investigation, in the fall of 1988. That name was a nickname. That name has never been attached to any human being that is in my capability to find nor within the New York Police Departments capability to find. Our determination was that that person did not exist.

How was The Inquirer able to find Harbor?

Finding Harbor was challenging because no one I talked to at first knew his real name, not even Xavier. I eventually identified people in New York and Jamaica who may have heard of him. Cold-calling one person after another, I found a woman who knew people in the same circle as Harbor. She agreed to contact them and found a woman who had visited Harbor while he was in Rikers Island. His real name was Paul Jacobs. I then confirmed his identity through prison records from the time. I was told Jacobs may have been killed in Los Angeles, so I confirmed his identity through a county medical examiners report that listed his cause of death as homicide, the accompanying death record that confirmed his known spouses name, and subsequent interviews with a relative and a family friend.

What is next for Gaynor?

It depends. He and his family could retain a lawyer who could file a Post Conviction Relief Act petition to the court to vacate his conviction and grant a new trial.

But first, Gaynors lawyer would need to obtain the Philadelphia Police Departments homicide investigation file, commonly called the H file, to learn if police and prosecutors had information favorable to Gaynor that wasnt turned over to the defense and that would likely have resulted in jurors reaching a different verdict.

The H file, if complete, documents all the steps that detectives took in the course of their investigation, including all leads police obtained, efforts made to identify the suspects, all interviews and interrogations conducted by each detective who worked the case, and the results of any forensic testing.

For example, the file would outline what, if anything, detectives did to try to find Harbor.

If Gaynor files a PCRA petition with the court, a judge would hold hearings. If the judge decides to vacate Gaynors case, it would be up to the District Attorneys Office to retry the case, or not.

The DAs Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) could also open an inquiry into Gaynors case, and obtain and analyze the H file. If the CIU found exculpatory evidence that had not been shared with Gaynors defense lawyers 36 years ago, the office would inform Gaynor and his current lawyer, who in turn could file a petition to try to vacate the conviction.
Alma Romero de Tlacopilco and Marcos Tlacopilco outside their restaurant Alma del Mar in South Philadelphia in September 2020. The couple recently closed the business, citing a language barrier with police and city officials. Read more

There are a lot of reasons why 80% of businesses fail within the first five years  poor planning, a lack of revenue, failure to adapt, the list goes on.

But in a city where residents speak at least 180 languages  and nearly a quarter of the population barely uses any English at home  a communication barrier should not be one of them.

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Except thats exactly what may have happened to Alma Romero and Marcos Tlacopilco, the Spanish-speaking husband and wife owners of Alma del Mar, a restaurant in the Italian Market.

My Inquirer colleague Michelle Myers recent story chronicled how Romero and Tlacopilco closed in October after struggling with crime and after having difficulty communicating with cops and city agencies.

The story stopped me in my tracks. Youre telling me that in a city where Latinos are the fastest growing demographic, where about 160,000 people are native Spanish speakers, and where the second largest community of stateside Puerto Ricans call home, no one could figure out how to help them?

Que que?

I wanted to be sure I wasnt missing something, so I called Romero this week and asked in my Nuyorican brand of Spanglish: If the family felt like they were able to fully communicate with the citys police department and Department of Licenses and Inspections, would they have kept their doors open?

Her answer was unequivocal: Si.

Wow, que lastima!  or, for the English-only police officers and city officials the couple have interacted with in the four years theyve had their restaurant: What a shame!

What a shame that when they called the police after a series of thefts  like when their refrigerated truck was stolen and their restaurant ATM was robbed  the response was often slow and mostly only en ingles.

And what a shame that in addition to those incidents, the couple said that they found themselves in similar no entiendo territory while trying to navigate the citys Department of Licensing and Inspections. (L&I officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

Speaking of things that are hard to understand, heres something I probably wouldnt be able to grasp in any language: Police and city officials insist that they are committed to language access and clear communication with all members of the community. Police said they offer access to a 24/7 language line service (though that was news to many people I talked to). But how is communication really possible when, according to police, just 181 Philadelphia officers in a force of over 6,300 speak Spanish to some degree (only 99 of those are certified as Spanish translators)?

Or when Juan Carlos Romero, president of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia, told The Inquirer that hes lost track of how many times Mexican businesses in the Italian Market have been unable to get help due to language barriers.

Or when just last year, a lack of translation left many scrambling for information about the citys water supply after some pollutants from a chemical plant made their way into the Delaware River.

According to a city dashboard, there have been more than 1,600 requests for Spanish interpretations from police, about 39,000 from 911 calls, and 88 from L&I from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024.

Romero recalled one police district meeting where a Spanish-speaking officer conceded that there is a lack of bilingual officers  and then suggested their children might want to consider joining the force. (Insert the universal face-palm emoji here.) That is all fine and good but it doesnt do much for the problem at hand.

It is no doubt heartbreaking that a family restaurant that seemed to have so much going for it  including passionate owners, loyal customers, and a dash of fame from being featured on Netflixs Queer Eye Season 5 episode, Father Knows Fish  didnt make it.

But this goes way beyond one family or one restaurant. A language barrier may have cost this family their dream restaurant and a chunk of their livelihood, but it can  and has  cost others much more.

In 1979, 12-year-old Julio Lozado lost his life in Hartford, Conn., when a garage collapsed on him and the responding firefighters didnt understand the pleas from his family and friends. He died at the hospital, but among the changes from his death was a mandate that required the city to hire bilingual and Spanish-speaking personnel in all its public safety departments to better serve the community.

In 2018, deputies in Dane County, Wis., mistakenly blamed an immigrant worker for his sons death on a dairy farm. The sheriffs office has since agreed to reforms meant to ensure residents who speak limited English can get needed services.

And just a couple of months ago, a migrant from Honduras was shot and killed in a confrontation with police in Montgomery County, Md.; the victims family later said that he did not understand the officers commands in English.

There is so much national anti-immigrant rhetoric in the country right now, which makes Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers nonresponse to calls that she reaffirm Phillys sanctuary city status only more curious and disappointing.

And not just because its the right thing to do. Given the extent to which Spanish speakers are driving the citys population growth and contributing to the local economy, figuring out a way to serve this community makes sense from a civic governance standpoint.

We owe the newest Philadelphians a lot, and the very least we can give them is a sense of support and security that isnt dependent on language fluency.

But when recent arrivals cant even count on being able to communicate with those who are responsible for helping them, they are neither protected nor served.
President-elect Donald Trump on Monday held a wide-ranging news conference in which he said he would preserve access to the polio vaccine but equivocated on other vaccines, pledged to look at bringing down the costs of pharmaceuticals and expressed doubts that his daughter-in-law might be Floridas next senator.

Trump held forth for over an hour, the first time he took questions from reporters since winning the election. The event harkens back to his long-winding news conferences from his first term and is a stark contrast from President Joe Biden, who doesnt often take questions from reporters.

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Heres a look at some of what he touched on:

Trump provides some assurances on polio vaccine

Trump defended his choice for health secretary, prominent vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but said he personally is a big believer in the polio vaccine and would preserve access to it.

Youre not going to lose the polio vaccine, he said. Thats not going to happen.

Over the weekend, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, spoke out in defense of the polio vaccine after a recent report disclosed that one of Kennedys advisers filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022.

Kennedy has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Trump seemed to question whether theres a link, saying Were looking to find out, and remarked on the rising cases of autism being diagnosed.

Theres something wrong, and were going to find out about it, he said.

There are no blood or biological tests for autism; instead, a doctor bases the diagnosis on a childs behavior. While the autism diagnosis has been available for at least 80 years, the definition gradually expanded to include milder cases, which are more common. A study last year found that about a quarter of kids with autism  about 110,000 in the U.S.  have the most severe version of the developmental disability, which has left them unable to speak or with an IQ below 50 or both.

Of Kennedy, Hes going to be much less radical than you would think, he said. I think hes got a very open mind, or I wouldnt have put him there.

Trump blames middlemen for high price of pharmaceutical drugs

Trump described a dinner he had this month with Kennedy; Dr. Mehmet Oz, a celebrity heart surgeon turned talk show host and lifestyle guru whom hes tapped to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and top pharmaceutical executives in which they discussed drug prices.

Trump heaped praise on the companies  the same ones that Kennedy has routinely argued profit off of Americans unfairly  but said the high cost of health care was a focus of their dinner.

What came out of that meeting is that were paying far too much, Trump said.

Trump also hit pharmaceutical benefits managers, calling them horrible middlemen who drive up the cost of drugs. Pharmaceutical companies have been aggressively lobbying Congress to restrict the role of pharmaceutical benefit managers, which help health insurance companies biggest clients decide how and what prescription drugs will be covered in their insurance plans.

I dont know who these middlemen are, but they are rich as hell, Trump said.

Trump appearance is a clear break from Bidens style

The press conference was Trumps most extensive public appearance since his victory six weeks ago  a rare absence from the public stage for the former reality star.

But it also underscored how even while still president-elect, Trump has seized the spotlight from Biden, who still has a month left on his term in office. Biden has not held a press conference in months and has had a limited public schedule.

While Trump was addressing some of the top-of-mind issues of the day -- including sightings of drones flying over the Northeast -- Biden himself has been silent, leaving it to aides to try to calm the public.

I dont know' if Lara Trump will be a senator

Trump seemed skeptical that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would appoint his daughter-in-law to be a Florida senator, taking the seat held by Marco Rubio, who has been nominated for secretary of state.

Asked whether he expected DeSantis to name Lara Trump to replace Rubio, Trump said, I probably dont, but I dont know. Trump recently spoke with DeSantis at a memorial for Florida law enforcement officers.

Trumps allies have been pushing DeSantis to nominate Lara Trump, who is married to Trumps son, Eric, and served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee this year.

Rons doing a good job with his choice, Trump said, without elaborating.

He lavished praise on Lara Trump, including for her work at the RNC, where part of her duties involved focusing on election integrity, a priority of Trumps after he falsely claimed fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Trump open to intervening in potential TikTok ban

Trump indicated he would look at intervening in the potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. The popular social media platform must cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January under a federal law.

He didnt offer specifics, but Trump credited the platform with helping him win the election. His campaign saw it as a bridge to reach younger, less politically engaged voters, particularly when clips circulated showing him with celebrities at UFC fights.

Well take a look at TikTok, he said. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok.

Trump tried to ban TikTok during his first term but changed his mind and pledged to save TikTok. Once he takes office, his Justice Department would be tasked with enforcing the new federal law against TikTok.

Everybody wants to be my friend, he says

Trump noted the differences between the first time he was to take office eight years ago and today, saying executives now want to meet with him.

He said they were hostile back then.

Everybody was fighting me, he said about his first term. This term, everybody wants to be my friend. I dont know. My personality changed or something.

While he left office in 2021 ostracized and angry, Trump has had a stunning turnaround leading to his election win. Last week, he was honored by being named Time magazines Person of the Year and ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Since he became president-elect, Trump has met with Silicon Valley billionaires including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. He revealed he had also met with Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will meet with him this week, Trump said.

We have a lot of great executives coming in  the top executives, the top bankers, theyre all calling, he said. Its like a complete opposite from the first one.

Trump already returning to world stage

With multiple wars going on, Trump has sought to insert himself back on the world stage. He said he is working to get Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza to be released and had a very good talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But on Monday he seemed to buffer expectations about his promise to solve the Russia-Ukraine war even before taking office, describing the conflict as a tough one and a nasty one.

We are trying to get that war stopped, that horrible, horrible war he said. Its a tough one. Its a nasty one. Its nasty. People are being killed at levels that nobodys ever seen.

Russias invasion of Ukraine is Europes biggest armed conflict since World War II and has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides.

Trump declined to say whether hes spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin since winning the election. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris this month when he visited for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Trumps incoming press secretary has said that Trump invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other world leaders to his Jan. 20 inauguration, but Trump said Monday that Zelenskyy was not among them. If hed like to come, Id like to have him, Trump said.

Trump said Xi has not yet said whether he is coming. He described the Chinese leader as a friend of mine and an amazing guy but acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their relationship.

It was a bridge too far for me, he said.
Im looking forward to seeing him take our market-leading team on the next phase of growth and innovation, bringing the capabilities of Beazley Security and our Full Spectrum Cyber offering to even more businesses around the world, Bantick said.
Travellers booking their holiday months out from the departure date should consider taking out comprehensive insurance at the same time they book big ticket items such as flights and accommodation. That way, if unexpected circumstances mean you dont end up taking the trip, you may be able to make a claim and recover your losses  although it will depend on why you cancelled, Tindall said.
On a personal level, Zoe is a superstar, and the opportunity to recognise her achievements in this way is particularly pleasing. For our clients, having someone of Zoes calibre in our principal ranks is a tremendous asset. Her expertise, level-headed approach, and commercial acumen is valued by her clients and peers alike, he said.
But now that we have a sustainability standard there is an external objective measure by which decisions of boards can be measured by a court and to determine whether the directors have, in fact, discharged their duty, he said. I think that puts directors of boards at risk where their sustainability reports are inaccurate or misleading in some way.
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has introduced a new short course, Getting it Right: Right Expert, Right Job, Right Time, aimed at improving how insurance professionals use expert reports during the claims process.
An employee there reported to the authorities that a customer looked like the suspected killer from images released by the New York Police Department. Arresting officers found a 3D-printed gun and a 3D-printed suppressor in Mangiones bag, which they claim are consistent with the weapon used in the killing.
We are pleased to welcome Maria Long, Scott Schleicher, Megan Koffer, and Janine Cooper to the team, said Mario Vitale, president of Resilience. Throughout the year, we have expanded the breadth of experience and depth of expertise of our cyber underwriting. Top talent are joining Resilience because we go beyond simply transferring risk and help clients engage in better cyber business decision-making. With a unique combination of insurance expertise and an award-winning cyber risk platform, we have achieved industry-leading loss ratios for our clients.
The EBRDs guarantee will enable private-sector reinsurers to re-engage on Ukrainian war risk and build a resilient insurance market in Ukraine. This is crucial to giving businesses confidence that their assets are protected, which, in turn, will unlock and accelerate investment in Ukraine, Renaud-Basso said.
This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.

Keeping insurance producers licenses and appointments compliant is a critical responsibility shared by nearly everyone in the insurance distribution channel. However, plenty of insurance carriers get bogged down each year by inefficiencies in the license and appointment renewal process. Add distribution partners who sell variable lines of insurance (like variable annuities and variable life insurance) to the mix, and the challenges are multiplied.

If a carriers renewal process is full of outdated manual workflows, they may find themselves unable to process hundreds of thousands of renewals, delaying their revenue and stirring up frustration for both producers and customers.

The producer license renewal process for carriers

License and appointment renewals occur either annually, biennially, or on some other basis, depending on the state or states a producer operates in. As luck would have it. AgentSync has already taken the time to compile a list of the 2024 carrier appointment renewal and termination deadlines for your convenience. Side note: Many of the 2024 termination deadlines have already passed, renewal deadlines are still to come, and well have an updated list for next year coming soon.

The renewal process itself is a tale as old as time. It all starts with the states compiling a list of the producers and organizations each carrier currently appoints with. Next, its the carriers job to review their appointments and decide which producers they want to continue doing business with and which ones they want to terminate. To avoid paying to appoint producers they no longer wish to do business with, carriers must submit their terminations by their home states deadline.

After the termination deadline passes, carriers typically have a few days before their states appointment renewal invoice payments open. Once a state opens the invoice period, making changes isnt exactly easy, so its important that carriers terminate any inactive producers in advance to cut unnecessary costs.

License verification is a critical step in the renewal process

When it comes to deciding which downstream partners to reappoint or terminate, theres a lot to consider. While the general idea is simple enough  terminate any producer whose license is no longer valid  there are a number of other factors at play.

For starters, carriers need to know which of their producers and broker-dealers are licensed to sell insurance and securities, and in which states. There are more than a few reasons an insurance or securities license may be invalid, so carriers need to know that their distribution partners havent done anything that could cause them to fall out of compliance or lose their license in the time since they last checked.

Beyond license validation, renewal is a great time for carriers to trim the fat so to speak, and terminate any producers who cost more than theyre worth to partner with. Paying to appoint hundreds of producers when only a dozen or so actually write business for you, or paying to appoint a single producer in every state when they only write business in a select few states is just a waste of money.

The challenges of manual license and appointment renewals

1. Data collection

As we alluded to, license verification requires collecting and comparing A LOT of data. To accomplish the task, insurance carriers often have multiple full-time employees dedicated to checking and cross-checking state DOI websites, producer databases, FINRA records, background check results, CE credentials, and so much more.

For carriers with only a handful of producers or broker-dealers, this manual way of doing things may be doable, but its still not ideal. And you can forget about trying to manage verifications by hand at scale. Thats pretty much a guaranteed time-suck, waste of money, and overall headache inducer.

2. Data validation

Once a carrier has collected the necessary data, how can they be sure its accurate and up-to-date? Manual data tracking and collection means often organizations find themselves trying to verify one internal data source against another, with no guarantee that either record even has the right information.

Plus, when you have multiple people manually inputting producer data into one or more different systems, theres a high chance for human error. Without a single source of truth, its pretty much inevitable that your datas accuracy will be less than perfect.

3. Data analysis

When a producers license and appointment data is in one spreadsheet or system, their policy data is in another, and their commissions data in yet another disparate location, manually pulling all that data into a single, unified view isdifficult to say the least. Its nearly impossible to determine the real cost a carrier pays for each individual producer and what the producer delivers in return on a state-by-state basis when the data is locked in manual, siloed systems.

Generating a list of who to terminate in which states before what deadlines takes hours and hours of manual work. This leaves carriers no choice but to appoint every producer who raises their hand in every state. As a result, insurers end up paying a bunch of fees for people who might not ever write business for them.

What a manual license verification and renewal process costs carriers

Manual producer and broker-dealer license verification and appointment renewals cost organizations more than they may realize. To start, theres the obvious and direct cost of retaining multiple full-time employees for data collection and verification. With an automated solution, these employees can be redirected to more revenue-generating work.

But thats just the beginning. Consider the following direct and indirect costs of doing things by hand:

Money lost on NIGO applications

The cost of appointing producers who arent actually selling

Lost revenue opportunities due to renewal backlogs

Missed partnership opportunities

At first glance, its easy to overlook just how much inefficiencies in your renewal cycle are actually costing you. But, when you break it out, its clear that relying on manual workflows for critical aspects of your distribution channel management adds unnecessary costs to your bottom line and negatively impacts your ability to grow.

Overcome renewal inefficiencies with automated solutions

Adopting a modern solution that automates the flow of producer license and compliance data across all of your systems, reduces the manual effort on your team and eliminates inefficiencies in the renewal and appointment processes. Best of all, doing so will eliminate many of the costs associated with managing these workflows by hand. Consider the benefits of using automation to:

Free your team from manual data collection and analysis

Nobody wants to spend their time buried in heaps of paperwork or scrambling through state web pages, internal spreadsheets, and external databases just to validate a license or renew an appointment. Not only is it frustrating and time-consuming, but its also a pretty poor use of talent.

An automated distribution channel management solution can provide carriers with real-time broker information directly from the industrys source of truth at the click of a button, eliminating data silos and ensuring you have access to real-time, accurate data whenever you need it.

Reduce backlogs

Bottlenecks in your renewal processes cause backlogs that prevent your distribution partners from, well, distributing. This causes frustration for producers who want to sell a carriers products but are unable to do so without a valid appointment. If a producer is unable to sell your products, consumers will look elsewhere for their policy needs, causing you to lose out on key business.

Speeding up the renewal process with an automated solution allows you to move producers through the process quickly and with little to no roadblocks. When it comes to choosing who to partner with, producers will prioritize carriers that enable them to sell faster, not ones that block them from doing their job.

Cut costs

With an automated solution that weaves accurate, up-to-date producer data up and down your systems, generating a report of who writes business and in which states is as simple as pressing a few buttons. This saves carriers with large distribution forces thousands of dollars in appointment fees and allows them to focus their time, money, and resources on their highest performers. Just think how much easier renewal time is for carriers with that level of visibility into the ROI of their downstream distributors.

Streamline appointment renewals to keep your business moving forward

Accurately tracking active producer appointments throughout the year allows carriers to make better business decisions come renewal time and scale their business effectively. If you want to make the appointment renewal cycle easier on yourself and your downstream distribution partners, AgentSync can help.

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The owner of a New York thermometer factory was sentenced Friday to three years of probation for failing to protect workers who were exposed to hazardous levels of mercury after a spill at his plant.

Robert Peyser, 66, of Bellmore on Long Island, and his company, Kessler Thermometer Corp., had earlier pleaded guilty in Suffolk County court to reckless endangerment for exposing employees to mercury and not providing proper ventilation or protective equipment.

The charges stemmed from an Aug. 29, 2022, mercury spill at Kesslers facility in West Babylon, the Suffolk County district attorneys office said.

Four workers were diagnosed with mercury poisoning in the weeks that followed, prosecutors said.

As a result of the exposure, one of the employees needed to get a pacemaker installed and another needs an oxygen tank to assist his breathing to this day, officials said.

Kessler Thermometer Corp. knowingly endangered the lives and health of their employees by ignoring basic safeguards to control hazardous mercury in the workplace and failed to acknowledge its employees were being sickened by mercury exposure, Kevin Sullivan, area director of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said in a statement.

Peyser and the company both pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment on Oct. 18. The company was ordered to pay $75,000 in fines on top of a $97,000 civil assessment for OSHA violations.

Peyser was sentenced to probation Friday and ordered to comply with all state and federal health and safety standards.

A message seeking comment was sent to Michael J. Brown, the attorney representing both Peyser and the company.

Exposure to mercury, a neurotoxin, can cause damage to the nervous system, lungs, kidney, heart and mental faculties.

Governments that met in 2013 at the Minamata Convention on Mercury in Kumamoto, Japan set a phaseout date of 2020 for the manufacture of mercury thermometers.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Manufacturing
The state of Rhode Island is dealing with a cyber attack by criminals who have accessed the personal data of citizens who depend on a state portal for health insurance and other social services. Negotiations are underway with the cyber criminals over a potential ransom payment, according to officials.

Governor Dan McKee said that on Friday, December 13, the state was informed by its vendor, Deloitte, that there was a major security threat to the RIBridges system. Any individual who has received or applied for health coverage and/or health and human services programs or benefits could be impacted by this leak. Hundreds of thousands of applicants may be affected, McKee said.

On Saturday evening, McKee administration officials said the state has been warned that personal data could be exposed as early as this week. They said experts including Deloitte are in negotiations with the cyber criminals over any ransom to be paid. The urgency is there, McKee said.

According to Deloitte, the RIBridges data system was the target of a potential cyber attack on Thursday, December 5. At that time, it was unclear if any sensitive information was breached. Federal law enforcement and agencies were notified, as well as the Rhode Island State Police.

Deloitte has since confirmed that there is a high probability that cyber criminals have obtained files with personally identifiable information from RIBridges. Deloitte indicated that the information involved may include names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, as well as certain banking information.

It was important, for security reasons, to keep this knowledge internal until we could secure the RIBridges system. At the same time, our team began an investigation into what data may have been compromised, and how a possible attack was able to occur, the governor said.

Deloitte confirmed the presence of a malicious code in the system and implemented additional security measures. The system was taken offline to help the teams working on addressing the threat.

RIBridges provides access 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 the General Public Assistance (GPA) programs.

Currently customers are not be able to log into their accounts through the portal or the mobile app while the system is offline. Those seeking to apply for benefits can still submit paper applications.

The state is sending notifications explaining how to access free credit monitoring by mail, email and text to households that may have had personal information compromised. A dedicated call center has been activated at 833-918-6603.

McKee said officials are unaware of any identity theft or fraud related to this data breach yet. However, the state advises customers to monitor their accounts for any unauthorized activity. He also urged citizens to take steps to freeze credit or place a fraud alert through the three major credit bureaus, change any common or reused passwords, and ask their bank what steps may be taken related to the security of their bank account.

The state has set up a site for updates on the RIBridges situation at cyberalert.ri.gov.

Topics Cyber
German insurer Allianz has withdrawn its offer to acquire at least 51% of Singapores Income Insurance for about $1.63 billion, the company said in a statement on Monday.

Reuters reported on Dec. 13 that the insurer had scrapped the proposed acquisition.

Allianz, which unveiled its offer in July, said in Mondays statement the decision followed a government announcement in parliament on Oct. 14 and subsequent changes to the Insurance Act.

The acquisition would have lifted Allianz to fourth largest composite insurer in Asia from ninth, but sparked criticism in Singapore because of concerns that it would detract from a mission to provide affordable insurance for lower-income workers.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in October the city-state would block Allianzs bid, but remained open to a new deal if its concerns could be addressed, which Allianz said at the time it would try to do.

The government subsequently amended the insurance law, giving it more power to scrutinize buyouts of insurers linked to co-operatives.

We respect the Singapore governments decision, said Renate Wagner, a member of Allianzs management board responsible for the Asia-Pacific region.

We still believe the combination of Allianz and Income Insurance would result in two strong businesses being brought together for the benefit of Income Insurances policyholders and a growing portion of Singapores customers.

Asia-Pacific is a strategically important growth area for Allianz and Singapore, as the financial services hub of Southeast Asia, will stay an important market for the company, it said.

For years Allianz has been making incremental pushes into Asia, with its investment division expanding in China in June.

Last year, Chinas securities regulator gave approval for Allianz Global Investors to set up an onshore fund management company.

In a separate statement, Income Insurance said it was committed to offering inclusive and affordable products for the more vulnerable in society.

Set up in 1970 as a co-operative to provide affordable insurance to Singapore workers, Income Insurance is seen as a national icon, its websites showed.

It ranks among Singapores four systemically important insurers, the central bank said in 2023.

The proposed transaction would have provided shareholders with the opportunity to fully realize their investment, Income Insurance said, adding that minority shareholders demand for a share liquidity option has grown since 2022.

Income Insurance will consider exploring other liquidity options for shareholders to unlock the value of their shares, it added.

(Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Clarence Fernandez)

Related:
An Iowa roofing company has agreed to a consent order to stop promoting itself as a public adjuster or providing any public adjuster services on its websites, social media pages and advertisements.

Darren Reeves Roofing has also agreed to instruct its agents and employees to stop taking any direct or indirect role involving insurance settlements in the state of Iowa.

The Iowa Insurance Division entered into a consent order with Darren Reeves Roofing on Dec. 11, months after the contractor received cease and desist orders for acting as unlicensed public adjusters by soliciting business and offering services that require a public adjuster license.

Unlicensed public adjusters or contractors acting as public adjusters in violation of Iowa Code, can create potentially unreasonable expectations on settlement values or scope of repairs that do not align with the language of the insurance policy which can then cause delays in the claim resolution and add unnecessary expenses to consumers, said Chance McElhaney, Chief Operations Officer of the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

The consent order details an instance when Darren Reeves Roofing responded to a commercial farm business that had several buildings damaged during a 2022 storm.

Farm operator M&M submitted a claim to its insurer, Farm Bureau Financial Services, in June 2022 for hail and wind damage. One month later, M&M hired Reeves to complete repairs to their business and residential home.

Darren Reeves Roofing negotiated the claim on behalf of M&M from the time of the repairs until M&M hired an adjuster in late December 2022.

Reeves, owner of the roofing company, requested Farm Bureau modify their property loss estimate to reflect a different category code for roofing material and add 10% overhead and 10% profit to the estimates.

Farm Bureau said they can only add overhead and profit after the contractor submitted unredacted invoices for materials and subcontractors. The insurer said they would not modify the existing estimate.

Reeves responded via email with an attached estimate. He asked Farm Bureau to send over a corrected estimate or he would forward the job to The Adjusters Group and waste more of my time and yours.

After Reeves sent the email, M&M hired The Adjusters Group and the claim went through arbitration. The arbitration award came out to dollar value of Reeves estimate.

Additionally, Darren Reeves Roofing advertised adjusting services on multiple websites, the consent order shows.

In a November 2023 video advertisement posted on Darren Reeves Roofings Facebook page, the company shows pictures of completed projects with text stating: Reeves Roofing will work with the insurance company for storm damage.

The company shared multiple customer testimonials online claiming Darren Reeves Roofing worked with the insurance company.

The Iowa Insurance Division said in a press release that a a contractor may provide information, such as damage reports and repair estimates, to the homeowner and, if asked, to the insurance company, but may not represent or negotiate with the insurance company on behalf of the homeowner.

The consent order prohibits Darren Reeves Roofing from initiating, handling, negotiating or taking any direct or indirect role in effecting settlement of any Iowa insureds insurance claim; reviewing the consumers insurance contract; or giving advice to the consumer on provisions of their insurance contract including demanding appraisal.

Topics Iowa
OAKLAND, Wis. (AP)  Roughly 70,000 gallons (264,978 litres) of oil from a pipeline spilled into the ground in Wisconsin, officials said.

The problem was discovered Nov. 11 in Jefferson County, 60 miles (96.5 kilometers) west of Milwaukee, by an Enbridge Energy technician, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, citing a federal accident report.

Enbridge said the spill on the companys Line 6 was caused by a faulty connection on a pump transfer pipe at the Enbridge Cambridge Station. It was an estimated 1,650 barrels, which is equivalent to about 70,000 gallons.

Investigation and remediation began immediately upon discovery and continues. Removal of impacted soils is continuing, spokesperson Juli Kellner said Saturday, adding that 60% of the spill has been removed through excavation.

Kellner said the spill was immediately reported to regulators, though the report by a federal pipeline safety agency said the line likely was leaking for an extended period of time.

We are working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as cleanup and restoration proceed, Kellner said.

Line 6 is a 465-mile (748.3-kilometer) pipeline carrying crude oil from Superior, Wisconsin, to a terminal near Griffith, Indiana, according to a company map.

Critics noted the spill was discovered during the same week that Wisconsin regulators approved the first permits for Enbridges plan to move the aging Line 5 pipeline around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation. Opponents said it would still threaten the regions watershed and perpetuate the use of fossil fuels.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Energy Oil Gas
International and domestic insurers are pushing into the U.S. market for hard-to-protect homes, charging high premiums and enjoying strong profits after some U.S. firms pulled out.

Rising losses from storms, hurricanes and wildfires in recent years have caused some insurers, such as Allstate and State Farm, to cut back cover in catastrophe-hit states like Florida and California.

This has left greater room for non-domestic players like Hiscox and Munich Re to enter the fray, industry sources say. Allstate did not respond to a request for comment, while State Farm declined to comment.

According to a report this month from Swiss Re, 2024 will be the fifth consecutive year that global insured losses from natural catastrophes exceed $100 billion.

Recent large U.S. hurricanes Helene and Milton have added to concern about property losses. However, the increasing regularity of extreme weather events has stoked the market for more expensive excess and surplus lines, or E&S.

Homeowners premiums have risen by as much as 100% in the past couple of years in areas such as Los Angeles and the southeast of Florida, said Brian Bazan, a vice president at broker Hub International.

It was not unusual for premiums to rise 50% when policyholders transferred from the admitted market, though increased competition was starting to bring those rate increases down, he added.

Most properties in the United States are covered via so-called admitted line insurance, where premium rates have to satisfy the state insurance regulator.

But policyholders, typically when they have been refused by three admitted line insurers, often buy E&S policies to gain the cover they need.

This market has attracted players in the specialist Lloyds of London SOLYD.UL insurance market, which focuses on complex risks.

Where the market (terms and conditions) hardens, it has to go outside of the States and Lloyds is often the beneficiary, said Robert Greensted, a director at S&P Global.

The potential for profitability is obviously there, but there is additional risk.

Lloyds had the biggest share of the overall E&S market in 2023. Recent growth in the E&S market has been driven by property insurance premiums from catastrophe-prone states, according to a report by ratings agency Fitch.

Tom King, flood line underwriter at Lloyds insurer Hiscox, said the firms E&S flood product could provide higher levels of rebuilding payments than conventional cover.

Munich Re was interested in growing its long-standing E&S business, said Tom Wallace, chief underwriting officer for the binding authorities business at Munich Re Specialty-North America.

The industry is seeing the first real dislocation on the admitted front, particularly in California, he said.

States which have seen the biggest growth in E&S property business since 2018 are those facing the most risk  California, Florida and Louisiana, according to the U.S. Insurance Information Institute.

U.S. E&S homeowner premiums are likely to exceed $3 billion in 2024, up from $1.2 billion in 2018, according to reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter. A rise in premium volume reflects both increased demand and higher premium rates.

The overall combined ratio  a key measure of underwriting profitability in which a level below 100% indicates a profit  was 66% for property E&S business last year, sharply higher than 93% in 2022, the Fitch report said.

U.S. insurers are also present in this market  sometimes the same ones that pulled out of admitted lines.

The Lloyds markets have always been here, but the U.S. high net worth markets are now building out their own E&S operations, said Hub Internationals Bazan.

They are seeing more demand as they pull out of admitted and backfill it with E&S. They can do what Lloyds has always done, which is crafting unique solutions.

Nationwide and AIG are among major U.S. insurers to offer E&S as well as admitted property cover.

Nationwide did not respond to a request for comment, while AIG declined to comment.

Topics Catastrophe USA Carriers Property
The Oklahoma Insurance Department is seeking applications from contractors and evaluators to participate in the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program (SOH).

SOH provides Oklahoma residents with grants of up to $10,000 to mitigate their home against wind and hail by adopting the IBHS Fortified standard. The OID expects opening grant applications in early 2025.

Contractors and evaluators who would like to be on the OIDs approved list for the SOH can find information at https://www.oid.ok.gov/okready/.

Contractors and evaluators must be certified through the Institute of Business and Home Safetys Fortified Program. Additionally, they must provide a state tax commission compliance letter, proof of in-force general liability with a minimum of $500,000 in coverage and proof of workers compensation and employers liability insurance.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act into law in May. The act is modeled off programs in Alabama and Arkansas.

Homeowners will receive funds to retrofit their homes with impact-resistant shingles and other enhancements, the OID said. Insurance companies may offer reduced premiums for homes with such modifications.

Homeowners are responsible for any cost of the roof replacement that exceeds the awarded grant amount.

Photo: New fortified roof installation (Smart Home America)

Topics Contractors Oklahoma
Courts across the country have overwhelmingly ruled in favor of insurance carriers in claims disputes following the government-ordered closures of businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The North Carolina Supreme Court last week bucked that trend, becoming just the second state high court to find that an insurer owes coverage for business losses during the shutdown.

Because a reasonable policyholder in the restaurants shoes could expect direct physical loss to property, as used in this policy, to include the results of COVID-19-era government orders which affected the restaurants use of and access to their physical property, and because the policy otherwise contains no exclusion for viruses, we construe the ambiguity here in favor of coverage, the North Carolina Supreme Court justices wrote in North State Deli vs. The Cincinnati Insurance Co. and Morris Insurance Agency, handed down Friday, Dec. 13. The opinion can be read here.

The decision turned in large part on the wording of the Cincinnati policies for some 15 restaurants in the state. The ruling may have significant reach since Cincinnati likely used similar policy wording for other businesses around the country. The Cincinnati companies are third on the list of insurance carriers involved in COVID claims litigation, with at least 187 suits, behind The Hartford and Zurich Insurance Group, according to the University of Pennsylvania law school, which has tracked COVID suits since early 2020.

On the same day as the North State Deli opinion, the NC high court released a companion ruling, upholding a state appeals court and finding that Zurich American Insurance was not liable for COVID losses to the Cato Corp., a major clothing retailer. In that case, the court found that Zurich was spared coverage precisely because of policy language that excluded virus contamination.

In North State Deli, Cincinnati Insurance had no virus exclusion built into its policies, unlike the vast majority of commercial policies around the nation, the court said, citing data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Cincinnatis attorneys, instead, had argued that the business-interruption supplement to the restaurant policies  which was nearly identical for all of the plaintiff restaurants  covered only physical damage that forced the establishments to close down during the outbreak. Most COVID cases in recent years have been decided in favor of insurers due to the physical damage policy requirements.

But in the Deli case, the NC justices found that the all-risk policy wording covered physical loss or physical damage  two distinct perils. The policies did not define physical loss, but that term could reasonably be interpreted to mean loss of access to the property, the court noted. State government orders in early 2020 required the restaurants to cease operation or to serve only carry-out as the virus spread world-wide.

Contrary to Cincinnatis arguments  we fail to see why the ordinary meaning of direct physical loss is entirely insensitive to the use for which a property is insured, Justice Anita Earls wrote in the Deli opinion.

She compared the COVID virus scenario to a 2015 New Hampshire case in which a homeowner was precluded from living in the house because of the unremovable odor of cat urine. The home may not have been physically damaged, but it was unlivable and should be covered by insurance, the New Hampshire court had found.

This overlap between property use and loss follows from a contextual and common-sense expectation that insurance should protect from threats to property that make it unusable for the purpose for which it is insured, the NC court wrote. Property loss surely occurs when it is no longer usable for its insured purpose, as a policyholder would reasonably expect. Thus, when the restaurants lost physical use of their properties as restaurants due to the pandemic orders, they experienced a direct physical loss.

A key point in the restaurants argument, the court said, was that one restaurant owner testified that he had asked his insurance agent specifically if the policy would cover virus outbreaks. North Carolina restaurants were wary of virus-borne diseases after several community outbreaks of a norovirus, which causes digestive illness, according to the court and news reports.

The broker allegedly told the restaurateur that a virus event would be covered, the court explained. That broker, Morris Insurance Agency, with offices in Raleigh and Washington, North Carolina, is a named defendant in the restaurants lawsuit.

The Morris Agency could not be reached for comment Sunday for this article. Cincinnati Insurance companies said in a statement: While we respect this ruling from the North Carolina Supreme Court, we have agreed with the nearly 20 state supreme courts and all 11 federal appellate courts that did not find coverage for pandemic-related business interruption claims under our property insurance policy. We will now work with the trial court and our policyholder to determine appropriate next steps in the adjudication process.

Attorney Marshall Gilinsky, with the Anderson Kill law firm, who helped write an amicus brief on behalf of two North Carolina cities, said in an email the ruling is an important win for policyholders in North Carolina and hopefully beyond  one that adheres to basic insurance law principles and holds insurance companies responsible for the promises they make in the policies they sell.

Gilinsky pointed out that the justices pulled from the amicus brief, which cited a Connecticut law journal article that was critical of the many court rulings in favor of insurance companies on similar COVID business interruption issues. Also, the Carolina cities argued in the brief that the policyholders who purchased policies without virus exclusions reasonably expected coverage for virus-related business-interruption losses, Gilinsky noted.

The case had been closely watched around the country. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association wrote an amicus brief, as did the NC attorney general, and United Policyholders and National Independent Venue Association.

The litigation is not over. In the ruling, the Supreme Court overturned an appeals court decision but upheld a Durham County Superior Court judge. The case now goes back to the trial court for further proceedings.

The North State Deli suit was similar to another case that was litigated in federal court in North Carolina: Novant Health vs. American Guarantee and Liability Insurance Co. The plaintiffs in that case argued that the air inside the business was damaged, and confusing policy wording did not bar coverage.

Novant was seen as something of a bellwether case and it had received interest from third-party litigation funders. But the case settled out of court in 2022 and details were not made public, leaving many questions unanswered.

Related: Vermont Supreme Courts 2022 Ruling on COVID Coverage

Cincinnati Names New VPs, Risk Officer

Topics Trends Profit Loss North Carolina COVID-19
GULFPORT, Miss. (AP)  The largest seafood distributor on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and two of its managers have been sentenced on federal charges of mislabeling inexpensive imported seafood as local premium fish, weeks after a restaurant and its co-owner were also sentenced.

This large-scale scheme to misbrand imported seafood as local Gulf Coast seafood hurt local fishermen and consumers, said Todd Gee, the U.S. attorney for southern Mississippi. These criminal convictions should put restaurants and wholesalers on notice that they must be honest with customers about what is actually being sold.

Sentencing took place Wednesday in Gulfport for Quality Poultry and Seafood Inc., sales manager Todd A. Rosetti and business manager James W. Gunkel.

QPS and the two managers pleaded guilty Aug. 27 to conspiring to mislabel seafood and commit wire fraud.

QPS was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay $1 million in forfeitures and a $500,000 criminal fine. Prosecutors said the misbranding scheme began as early as 2002 and continued through November 2019.

Rosetti received eight months in prison, followed by six months of home detention, one year of supervised release and 100 hours of community service. Gunkel received two years of probation, one year of home detention and 50 hours of community service.

Mary Mahoneys Old French House and its co-owner/manager Anthony Charles Cvitanovich, pleaded guilty to similar charges May 30 and were sentenced Nov. 18.

Mahoneys was founded in Biloxi in 1962 in a building that dates to 1737, and its a popular spot for tourists. The restaurant pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to misbrand seafood.

Mahoneys admitted that between December 2013 and November 2019, the company and its co-conspirators at QPS fraudulently sold as local premium species about 58,750 pounds (26,649 kilograms) of frozen seafood imported from Africa, India and South America.

The court ordered the restaurant and QPS to maintain at least five years of records describing the species, sources and cost of seafood it acquires to sell to customers, and that it make the records available to any relevant federal, state or local government agency.

Mahoneys was sentenced to five years of probation. It was also ordered to pay a $149,000 criminal fine and to forfeit $1.35 million for some of the money it received from fraudulent sales of seafood.

Cvitanovich pleaded guilty to misbranding seafood during 2018 and 2019. He received three years of probation and four months of home detention and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mississippi
Farmers have warned the EU is dragging the sugar beet sector to disaster.

The end of beet processing in 2006 was keenly felt across Ireland, but there have been as many bad years as good for the industry in the EU since then.

Since 2006, when the business finished in Ireland, 104 EU factories have closed, and 200,000 farmers stopped growing sugar beet. By 2022, only 89 factories were left, located mostly in France, Germany, and Poland.

In just five years since 2017, 15 factories closed, and 27,000 farmers stopped growing sugar beet. Just over 100,000 growers remained in 2022, down from 145,000 in 2012.

Since 2017, 4,600 fewer people are directly employed by the EU sugar sector.

EU decisions have weakened the competitiveness and sustainability of the EU sugar beet sector, said Guillaume Gandon of Copa-Cogeca, representing EU farmers' organisations and co-ops.

He was speaking before the EU controversially concluded the Mercosur trade deal negotiations to open up trade with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

This agreement could spell the end for EU sugar beet. Already, Brazil is the source for 15% of the EU's sugar imports, entering the EU free of import duty.

Use of pesticides

The Brazilian sugar comes from cane grown with the help of about 30 pesticides which are no longer allowed for use in sugar beet in the EU.

In contrast, declining productivity and competitiveness in the EU sugar sector can be linked to growers losing more than 30 pesticides they had used to protect their crops.

Mr Gandon said no effective alternatives had emerged to replace these banned pesticides.

At least 13 more pesticides are likely to be banned in the EU by the end of 2027, leaving EU growers with access to only a handful of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

As a result, weed, pest and disease pressures have been especially severe in many European beet growing regions, reducing beet sugar content to historic lows, and significantly reducing the sugar yield per hectare.

Since 2018, the 1.5% annual gain in sugar yield per hectare (which rose from eight to 13 tonnes per hectare between 1992 and 2015) stagnated.

Prices falling

The latest EU sugar crisis is reflected in average prices recently falling more than 18% in a month, and by 26% since October, 2023. But this is only the latest chapter in the longer story of declining crop productivity and quality, and rising input costs, that lowered incomes for growers and reduced profitability for EU processors.

Prices had jumped to record levels since the end of 2021 due to the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and drought and poor yields in 2022 on EU farms. However, prices are falling now, and sugar companies have reduced the beet acreages they want in 2025.

Growers fear a market crisis, without safety nets or risk management tools to protect them.

In the 2006 EU sugar industry reform to reduce EU production, incentives were offered for processors to renounce sugar quota and dismantle their processing plants, with compensation for those affected.

Greencore, the sole Irish processor, availed of this scheme, and dismantled the last remaining sugar factory, in Mallow.

A total compensation package worth 353m included 220m for beet growers, 6m for machinery contractors, and 127m for Greencore.

Sugar production continued in 18 member states.
1. On the Pigs Back

Specialising in Cork Fayre with French Flair since 1992, Isabelle Sheridan has earned a special place in Irish hearts for her wonderful charcuterie  notably her pates and terrines  and for the Irish and French artisan foods that she sells alongside them at her shops (English Market; Douglas) and speciality shops around the country. Whether for yourself or a gift, the luxurious Duck Liver Pate with Port is an obvious choice for the festive season, but any product from her range is sure to enhance your Christmas menus.

Onthepigsback.ie

If you like that try this

Fingal Fergusons equally famous and desirable Gubbeen meats.

gubbeenfarmhouseproducts.com

2. Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers

While theres now a gorgeous Irish cheese for everything from a toastie to an end of meal treat the choice of blue cheese is still quite limited. Yet its a must on any balanced cheeseboard and Cashel Blue  the original Irish blue made by Louis and Jane Grubb on their Tipperary farm from the early 1980s  remains the most famous to this day. Still made by hand its sure to enhance any occasion, as are its younger siblings, Crozier Blue, Irelands only blue sheeps milk cheese.

cashelblue.com

If you like that try this

Young Buck, made by Mike ~Thomson in Newtownards, Co Down, and available from speciality stores including Belfasts Mikes Fancy Cheese

mfcheese.com

3. Isle of Crackers

There now seems no end to the cheeses that our talented producers can come up with. But, surprisingly, crackers and other accompaniments were slow to follow the surge of cheese production. When Wexford baker Tim Nickerson started their healthy little heart-shaped Isle of Crackers flaxseed range in 2014, for example, its flavoursome crispness and hand-made appeal soon earned a following. Cranberry is perfect for Christmas, but theyre all delicious and easy to find on Supervalu Food Academy shelves and from speciality food stores.

facebook.com/Isleofcrackers

If you like that try this

Originals like Dittys Oatcakes from Castledawson and Sheridans crackers may pair with other local delicacies including honey, alongside their own chutneys and condiments.

4. Tom Durcan Spiced beef

Dating from 1985, Tom Durcan Meats is not one of Irelands longest-established butchers. It is also one of the most highly-regarded  and now synonymous with that great Christmas speciality, the Cork traditional spiced beef, which has won all kinds of acclaim and has become an all-year favourite. The ritual begins with the spice mix in which he marinades the selected joints for a month, or maybe two. Everyone has their own favourite way of cooking and serving it  but Tom likes his best served cold and sliced, with caramelised Spanish onions, on crusty buttered white bread. The spiced beef is also available nationwide, pre-cooked and sliced.

tomdurcanmeats.ie

If you like that try this

Other Cork butchers with secret recipes for Spiced Beef include O Crualaoi Butchers ocrualaoi.com (Ballincollig and branches), and the famed McCarthys of Kanturk.

mccarthysofkanturk.ie

5. Goatsbridge Trout Christmas Caviar

A colourful speciality product of their Goatsbridge Trout Farm at Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, and just the thing to add a splash of Christmassy zing to the simplest of fare, Mags and Ger Kirwan describe their fresh water trout caviar as a true delicacy thats very mild and never tastes fishy. The eggs are much smaller than salmon eggs and the colour often is brighter. Ready to eat and with no heating required, it can be served simply  on blinis or unsalted crackers, for example, with creme fraiche or crumbled hard boiled eggs, or to top a sushi roll or just chilled and served on its own.

goatsbridgetrout.ie

If you like that try this

Real Osietra Caviar is available from speciality outlets including eatmorefish.ie

6. Richmount Elderflower Liqueur

A decade ago David and Martina Burns launched their Co Longford gem Richmount Elderflower Cordial  and, picking up an Irish Food Writers Guild Drink Award in 2015, its arrival marked a sea change for non-alcoholic Irish drinks.

A high-quality product to be enjoyed in the same way as wine and a welcome import substitute, it was (and is) the product of their own extensive elder orchards. More native flower and berry cordials followed  and now we have Richmount Cordials first foray into alcoholic beverages, their limited edition Richmount Elderflower Liqueur. Delicate, with a light, refreshing taste, its ideal for cocktails and spritzers.

richmountcordials.ie

If you like that try this

 Sloe Bertha a warming tipple made by infusing wild and cultivated sloes with Berthas Revenge Gin.

ballyvolanespirits.ie
Have a holly, jolly Christmas. Its the best time of the year, croons Michael Buble. But is it?

For some, yes of course it is, but Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people who have challenging family dynamics. And with Christmas so wrapped up in the idea of family, some will watch its approach with dread.

Christmas movies, TV series and ads bombard us with the idea of idyllic family time. Everyone gathered around a table laden with a massive turkey and an excessive Christmas dinner, wearing party hats, pulling crackers, playing party games, good-naturedly slagging each other, laughing merrily at grandads jokes. Think National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

But the reality for a lot of people is far from this glossy snapshot. Its more like the tension-filled Seven Fishes episode of Disneys The Bear. A Christmas dinner packed with a motley crew of immediate and extended family with a shed-load of unresolved issues, which simmer excruciatingly and eventually blow up in a most unexpected way. Yes, its TV, but the tension, personality clashes, sibling rivalry, alcohol, and anger may well be familiar to many on Christmas Day.

Christmas comes earlier each year

Whats put out in the media and social media isnt always the reality for everyone. Christmas is pitched as a time of connection, but many people are disconnected from their families, or they may have ongoing difficulties with them.

"Seeing all the ads and photos online can reinforce their feelings of sadness or stress at their own situation, explains Tara Connolly, systemic psychotherapist (family therapist).

With the run-up to Christmas coming earlier and earlier each year, these feelings of stress and sadness can go on for months ahead of Christmas Day itself.

Christmas has become a six-week run-in now, says Shane Murphy, family psychotherapist.

This has an impact on people who are feeling stressed, or in financial difficulty, or are dealing with grief. This big push and drive on the commercial side of things is not helping with the bigger picture problems that we have.

Tara advises that those feeling anxious or on edge about Christmas try and take time to reflect and slow down.

Take stock of whats important to you. Be realistic and make achievable goals. Strip it right back to its simplest form - having a peaceful day, and if you have children, that they are happy. And remind yourself that what youre seeing on Instagram isnt reality.

Have a plan. With some families it can feel like youre locked in to weve always done Christmas this way but you can set your own boundaries. If youve decided not to go to your family home for Christmas, mention this ahead of time by saying, wed love to attend but were going to do Christmas at our own place this year for a change.

Tara Connolly, systemic psychotherapist.

If not attending at all feels like too much of a big decision, you can always come up with a compromise, says Tara.

Rather than spend the whole day with your family, you can say youll be there at a certain time and youll be leaving again after the dinner, or whatever suits you. Or you can attend this year, but say next year well be spending Christmas on our own or with so-and-sos family. Be clear about your plans, but dont over explain it.

It's just about reaffirming yourself. It's about strengthening your boundaries around what you want and what you need in life. You need to be selfish. I know people cringe when they hear the word selfish; we dont want to be seen putting ourselves first, but my advice is to learn to say no. And this is the harder one for people, is to learn how to say no without an excuse, says Shane.

Different family dynamics

Every family is different and the dynamics are as unique as the people. When grown siblings return to the family home at Christmas time, old rivalries can resurface. While a lot of people will have positive sibling relationships and healthy rivalries, some sibling relationships can be at best described as challenging. Spending time with these siblings, in the family home, can trigger bad childhood memories and prompt unhappy emotions, says Tara.

Returning to the family home can see people revert to old roles they had in their family. We often see theres a competitive rivalry between siblings which continues into adulthood.

"If you arent having a good year, if youre struggling financially, for example, you could be looking ahead to Christmas Day with dread. Plan ahead, what would you like to talk about, what topics do you know will cause an argument, who is most likely to ruffle your feathers - consider all of this and make a plan.

And if it feels like things are too overwhelming, take a breather. You know your own triggers, so if you feel like things are heating up you can counteract that. Plan an excuse to leave for a short while - talk a walk, say you need to get petrol, go upstairs for five minutes, or call a friend. Prioritise yourself and take that time to re-gather your thoughts, says Tara.

Sometimes though, the family arguments will be inevitable, and you might not make it out in time. If that happens, Tara says try to keep your side of the conversation neutral and light and if there are any barbed comments try to let them go over your head.

Say to yourself, this is not going to ruin my day. Laugh it off, move on. And if an argument does continue, have a plan to remove yourself.

Shane explains how some couples will have come up with a code word ahead of time so that they know when one of them is feeling under pressure and wants to leave.

Agree in advance on a code word that you say to each other. It can be stressful spending time with immediate family, but also spending time with your in-laws, particularly if there are tensions.

"The code word will give your partner the heads up that youre ready to go, and it works instead of giving each other the look that everybody sees, which could in turn cause more arguments.

At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself what do I want from the day, advises Tara.

You are joining that group - whether its your family or your in-laws - for a period of time on Christmas Day. If you have a challenging family dynamic, lower your expectations, the time you spend there doesnt need to be magical. Honour it as best you can," she advises.

"Be there and just get through the day. And then come up with creative ways to do what you want to do. Hold the space for Christmas to be a calm and a happy one for you.
Parents who work jobs with unsociable hours like gardai and nurses are facing limited childcare options and face having to give up working altogether if they cannot rely on the likes of grandparents to mind their kids when in work, a new study has found.

The research published by the Department of Children found that many parents felt guilt at having to rely on their own parents to provide childcare while those living in rural areas particularly face difficulties when it comes to arranging childcare.

Although only a small-scale study, it found that creches and childminders were often not an option given the hours worked by parents, and often a lack of places available, and they regularly turned to family for support.

A female garda who is married to a prison officer told the researchers: The reason we had to go down the route of family is our hours. You are not going to have someone to work the hours we work.

"I work until 4 in the morning and I work four days on and four off. I do 7am to 7pm and then 4pm to 4am.

(My husband) works five shifts and then the second week its two shift and that rotates and he has every second weekend off.

We rely on my father-in-law and we pay him but otherwise we would be rightly screwed.

Another theme was one parent giving up work or switching to part-time to accommodate another parent who worked unsociable hours.

Two of the participants said they were currently discussing one partner giving up work to accommodate a partner who is working atypical hours.

In both cases, the male partner was considering giving up work or working part-time as they were earning less than the female partner.

My husband is away working Monday to Friday if things dont fall into place with childcare next year he will be the one to give up work because I am the one earning more money, a female paramedic said.

The problem, while more acute for those in rural areas, was nevertheless shared across the country, according to the research.

Parents in urban areas and those working atypical hours also described a dependence on parental and unpaid leave to meet their early learning and childcare needs, it said.

The qualitative component also highlighted some negative impacts on parents well-being including stress, guilt, and feeling they had less free or family time.

Among the measures called for by parents was out-of-hours childcare services provided for by the Government.

A participant said: In England during covid, they opened schools for parents of police because there was no childcare but there is no option like that in Ireland.

There are nurses and paramedics and fireman and prison officers but it is not even an option.

Other supports could include subsidies or tax relief for those working atypical hours, more parental or unpaid leave for parents in this position, and on-site childcare particularly for parents working in healthcare settings.

On-site childcare in large organisations would be amazing because you know they (children) are safeand it would encourage more people into the workforce as well, a female occupational therapist told the study.
The Government has launched plans to sell off its embassy in Washington DC, with the Department of Foreign Affairs seeking American real estate agents to dispose of the property.

There are plans in train to move from the current Irish embassy, located on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington DC, to a new location elsewhere in the US capital.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it is planning to move from the existing embassy to a new rented premises on Pennsylvania Avenue. However, this is not scheduled to happen until at least September 2025.

Recent tender requests published late last week detail that the Department of Foreign Affairs is seeking real estate agents to sell off two buildings that house the current Washington DC embassy.

The tender itself does not detail the estimated fee to be provided to the real estate agent, with no details on the estimated sale price of the Irish embassy.

The department has requested that any agent working on behalf of the Government must provide weekly updates on potential buyers.

'Market valuation'

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said that the Government opted to sell off the embassy after a comprehensive analysis that found there was a case to proceed with the sale.

The spokesperson said that there was a comprehensive market valuation of the two properties carried out, but did not provide an estimated sale price.

The total fee payable to the successful tenderer will be determined by the final sale prices of the properties, the spokesperson said.

The Irish State has owned the Chancery Building since 1949. It acts as the working office for diplomatic staff and the Irish ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason.

The move to sell off the property comes a year on from plans being announced for the sale of the Irish ambassadors residence in Washington DC. It was put on the market for 3.7m in September 2023.

The new residence for the Irish ambassador was purchased last December at a cost of 11m, with it being a nine-bedroom mansion located on 30th St in the US capital.

The Government had initially been renting the property in advance of the purchase, but the Department of Foreign Affairs said that it was bought at a significantly lower price compared to an $18.5m asking price.

In recent years, the Government has moved to a model of "Ireland Houses", where State agencies are co-located with embassies across the world.
A 21m shipment of pure cocaine which sailed into Foynes Port, Co Limerick, concealed under beds on board a cargo ship, has an estimated street value of 105m, a court heard today.

Twelve bales, containing 308.6kg of cocaine wrapped into 306 separate packages, were discovered on board the Maltese-registered cargo vessel, MV Verila, when it docked at Foynes Port on December 19, 2023.

Bulgarian native, 36-year-old Kamen Petkov, who was one of 18 crew members on board the ship, appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for sentence on Monday on signed guilty pleas to charges of importing cocaine, possessing cocaine for sale or supply, and simple possession of cocaine.

Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Garda Drugs Unit, gave evidence that the 21m drugs haul contained pure cocaine with a potential value of five times that amount on the street.

Petkov was approached at Antonina Port, Brazil, and asked to load and manage the cocaine consignment onto the ship, prior to the voyage to Ireland, the court heard.

He hid the bales under beds in unoccupied cabins on the ship.

The vessel travelled from Brazil to Canada and on to Foynes, docking there on December 19 last year.

Plan to throw bales into Shannon at Glin

Petkov had been instructed to throw the cocaine bales off the ship and into the Shannon Estuary, at Glin, Co Limerick, prior to the ship docking at Foynes.

During the sailing, Petkov prepared the bales for buoyancy by tying them together and attaching life-jackets to them along with a sophisticated light beacon transmitter that would be tracked by others involved, Det Gda Cahill said.

When the ship reached the drop-off point at Hamilton Tower, Glin, Petkov became nervous when it appeared nobody was waiting to collect the drugs. He hid the bales in an air conditioning room on board the ship.

Det Gda Cahill said that, following his arrest, Petkov admitted to being the organiser of the entire operation while on board the ship. Det Gda Cahill said:

He was involved in the loading of the drugs, he was in full control of the drugs on the ship, he was the point of contact for others and he was fully in charge of directing the operation on board.

Petkov told Gardai that he was to be paid 150,000 for taking the cocaine from Brazil to Ireland.

Lily Buckley, prosecuting barrister, said that after the MV Verila had landed in Foynes, Irish customs officers acting on confidential information boarded the vessel with specially-trained sniffer canines, and the dogs found the cocaine hidden in an air-conditioning room on board the ship.

When gardai examined Petkovs mobile phone they discovered maps and GPS coordinates showing the drop-off point at Glin an area with calm water, it was strategically picked, added Det Gda Cahill.

Gardai also discovered that Petkov had been communicating about the drugs run with telephone numbers based in Bolivia and Paraguay.

Petkovs DNA was matched to a transmitter he had fitted with a battery and attached to he cocaine bales, Det Gda Cahill added.

Petkov's 'first involvement in drugs'

Petkov, a qualified electrician, is married with one child, and worked five months at a time on cargo ships.

He told gardai he had never being involved with drugs before and that Brazilian port security staff had asked him to turn a blind eye to the cocaine shipment, Ms Buckley said.

Ms Buckley said Petkov told gardai he hadnt known how he was to be paid, and he said he was sorry he didn't ask for half the payment, up-front.

Petkovs barrister, senior counsel Mark Nicholas, instructed by solicitor Julianne Kiely, said there was no proof whatsoever that Petkov received any payment for the international drugs run.

Mr Nicholas said Petkov had a gambling addiction and had various debts amassed, including 15,000 for jewellery he bought from a pawnbroker in Bulgaria.

Mr Nicholas said Petkov, who has been in custody on remand since last December, has no previous convictions, and that his full admissions were helpful to gardai.

Gardai acknowledged that Petkov may have been targeted by others who might have known about his gambling addiction which would have made him vulnerable.

Judge Colin Daly remanded Petkov in custody for sentencing tomorrow, Tuesday.
The sister of Patrick Crawford has said the family finally have justice almost half a century after the schoolboy was shot dead.

A coroner found on Monday that an unidentified British Army soldier was responsible more likely than not for the fatal shooting of the 15-year-old in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in August 1975.

Judge Philip Gilpin also said the victim was an innocent 15-year-old boy not involved in any suspect activity at the time he was shot.

Patrick Crawford was shot dead in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in 1975 (Family handout/PA)

Maggie Crawford, Patricks sister, was at Belfasts Laganside Courthouse to hear the coroners findings.

She said: We welcome the coroners findings in relation to the fatal shooting of our brother Patrick today.

Our father died in 2006 without the benefit of knowing the truth about what happened to his son.

We always believed that our Paddy was shot by a member of the British Army for no reason.

He was afraid and nervous when he asked if he could walk with two women through the grounds of the Royal (hospital) to get home.

The coroner has agreed with our view today.

We have been fighting for justice and information for 49 years. We finally have it

Ms Crawford said she could not express how much the coroners findings mean to the family.

She added: We have been fighting for justice and information for 49 years. We finally have it.

The family would like to thank the coroner, the coroners staff and our legal team for the efforts devoted to getting to the truth.

We finally have justice for Paddy.

The public mechanism of the inquests is essential to the correction of the public record

Patricia Coyle, solicitor for the Crawford family, said it was a very significant verdict.

She said: This verdict goes to the core issue of the need for independent, judicial and public inquests into contested killings in Northern Ireland where they involve the State.

The requirement for meticulous and scrupulous judicial examination of forensic, ballistic and eye witness evidence in such cases is critical.

The public mechanism of the inquests is essential to the correction of the public record.

That was particularly so in this case.

The value of the process to the next of kin is limitless and cannot be understated.

The family of Master Patrick Crawford thank the coroner for the comprehensive verdict today which supports their long-held belief that their young brother was killed by the British Army.
The outgoing Israeli ambassador to Ireland has accused the government of fostering a hostile atmosphere, leading to the decision to close the embassy in Dublin.

Dana Erlich said the closure of the embassy was the correct diplomatic decision to make, as Tanasite Micheal Martin rejected any assertion that Ireland has taken hostile acts against Israel.

The Israeli foreign ministry on Sunday confirmed the closure of their embassy in Dublin, accusing the Irish government of extreme anti-Israel policies.

The anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state and on double standards, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said.

In particular, the foreign ministry cited both the recognition of the Palestinian State and Irelands proposed intervention at the International Court of Justice to broaden the definition of genocide as breaking points. Mr Saar said Ireland has crossed all red lines in its relationship with Israel.

On Monday, Ms Erlich said that she has seen a growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli in Ireland.

Unfortunately it has crossed the line. This is not criticism but this is just pure hatred and obsession that is now directed to Israelis and the Jewish community, Ms Erlich said.

Israel's Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The outgoing ambassador claimed that there has been a surge in antisemitism in Ireland over the last year and that Irelands government should reassure the Jewish community that they are safe in the country.

We will continue in contact with our allies and supporters, but the format of the embassy needs to change in light of these anti-Israeli steps, Ms Erlich said, speaking on RTEs News at One.

There is no other way to call it because, unfortunately, this is not about pro-coexistence, pro-peace. The steps that we have seen are about isolating and discriminating against Israel.

Put to Ms Erlich that the ongoing bombardment of Gaza goes beyond protecting Israeli citizens, she insisted that Israel is providing information about the threat of Hamas to Israel.

Most recent figures from health officials in Gaza show the death toll from the war has topped 45,000 people.

Ms Erlich said Irelands intervention in South Africas genocide case against Israel was an effort to abuse international systems and was playing into the propaganda of terror organisations like Hamas.

She added that Ireland was attempting to promote anti-Israel measures within the EU and foster hostility through UN resolutions.

We still see that Ireland is an extreme voice in the international arena.

Pressed if Israel would shut their embassy in Spain, after the Spanish government also intervened in the South Africa case, Ms Erlich declined to say and instead said Ireland had gone over that line.

The fact that there is delegitimisation of any collaboration with Israel, with the embassy, with Israelis, the incitement and hatred are not stopped by the government, Ms Erlich said.

The outgoing ambassador said Israel did not intend to rescind permission for Irelands embassy in Tel Aviv.

'The diplomacy of distraction'

Earlier Mr Matrin said actions by the Irish government should not be seen as hostile acts, while the closure of the embassy in Dublin has been described as "the diplomacy of distraction" by Simon Harris.

Speaking in Brussels, the Tanaiste rejected any assertion that the recognition of a Palestinian State and intervention in South Africas genocide case were hostile actions against the Israeli State.

Any action that the Irish government has taken in respect of these issues, and particularly in terms of the war in Gaza, has not been motivated in anything other than respect for international humanitarian law, respect for human rights, Mr Martin said.

He said that Irelands recognition of a Palestinian State, along with both Spain and Norway, was not a hostile act, while also defending the intervention in South Africas genocide case.

Ireland stands by the approach it has taken which has been moulded, as I have said, towards full accountability for what is happening in Gaza and for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights, Mr Martin said.

That applies to Hamas, that has applied to Hezbollah and to the Israeli government as well. I find it very difficult to comprehend how those acts could be described as hostile acts. Theyre not hostile acts.

Simon Harris and Micheal Martin. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Mr Martin said that there has been huge anger at the killing of innocent men, women and children in Gaza, while he described the ongoing bombardment in northern Gaza as beyond any moral compass.

Were having daily reports of killings of children, men and women, and Irish people are repulsed by that, he added.

The Tanaiste urged Israel to open up access to Gaza and allow the international community to bear witness to what is happening.

I have no doubt if that happened, that the world would be shocked in terms of the level of destruction that has occurred there and the absolute need for a fundamental change of approach. He said that this should be the rebuilding of Gaza and allowing ordinary civilians in the enclave to live their lives.

Ireland will 'not be silenced'

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has said Ireland "would not be silenced" and that he was proud of the Irish public's reaction to Israel's war on Gaza.

"I'd respectfully suggest [Israel had taken this action] possibly because it works as a distraction," he said in Dun Laoghaire on Monday.

"You're all here today asking about Ireland's position. What about Israel's actions? What about what Netanyahu is doing to the innocent children of Gaza? This is the diplomacy of distraction. And I think it is deeply regrettable that they took that decision.

"They have every right to take that decision to close the embassy. I'd rather it didn't happen. We will continue to engage, continue to engage diplomatically, but nobody is going to silence Ireland."

Mr Harris also rejected criticism from within his own Fine Gael party that Ireland's attitude towards Israel was populist and "diplomatic suicide". Mayor of Dun Laoghaire councillor Jim O'Leary had tweeted that Ireland's stance was "reprehensible", a charge Mr Harris rejected.

"I'm very proud of the position of this country. I'm very proud of the position of people right across Ireland that we are pro human rights, we are pro international law.

"And for a small country, we use our voice in speaking up and speaking out against war crimes, against attacks on civilians, against the death and maiming of children, against starvation being used as a weapon of war."
ITS A dismal Monday afternoon in Cork City, and a group of heroin users are gathering to score, jittery with anticipation.

The grim scene is one Frank Horgan has become all too accustomed to during his time as a needle exchange outreach worker in the city. Despite deaths and despair, overdoses, relapses, and readdiction, the HSE employee steadfastly refuses to give up on any of those he meets.

On this occasion, the users dealer happens to be late  giving Frank opportunity to check in with some regulars. Many have come to trust him over the years like a friend or older brother. While, some might seem beyond the point of no return, Frank lives in perpetual hope.

The mutual respect between him and the needle exchange service users is palpable. A member of the group speaks about Frank in glowing terms.

John [not his real name] has a heavily stubbled face marked by open sores. His alabaster complexion is slick with perspiration. That intoxicating rush is no more. Sickness has taken hold and heroin is the only antidote.

Despite his visible agony, John still makes time for small talk

Acknowledging Frank, he asks: Frank, how long do you know me now, Frank? His conversation is tinged with wit and a homely Cork accent.

I was 18 when I first met Frank, he tells the Irish Examiner. Now, Im 36. Frank is a great help to us.

"Hes salt of the Earth, a good old skin. Frank is doing this for so long. He knows me. He knows all of us. Anyone who is using here knows to put needles in a sharps box and Frank is a great help with these things.

"I dont understand why anyone would throw needles on the ground. What is wrong with people?

The rest of the group are slow to speak. However, John still introduces us to his younger brother.

Theres a reporter from the Irish Examiner here, he beckons. Shes just looking for a bit of news. Despite a sickly pale appearance, Johns brothers face colours a shade when I ask about the needle exchange service.

Me heroin? he asks, momentarily startled. I dont touch heroin. Anyway, it was nice to meet you. I hope you get your bit of gossip.

His body language betrays the denial. It later transpires there is a third brother who also frequents these parts.

Frank Horgan picking up a syringe on the Mardyke Walkway, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Small victories are the order of the day as one dressing-gown clad lady subtly approaches Frank with a request for a sharps box. Its a baby step towards what Frank hopes will lead to discussions about potential recovery options.

I know shes staying in a hostel, he says. At least now I can be sure shes not sharing needles.

Frank ensures he is gone before the dealer arrives with their gear. A crossover, he explains, may only serve to undermine trust he has built up with his service users.

These are the areas where people buy, sell, and use drugs basically, he says.

Coming to a place like this to score heroin is not like getting your bottle of wine or your few cans at the weekend. People are probably going through withdrawals and just need to get it in

"Wherever they buy their drugs they will use them at that spot with many just discarding syringes. The withdrawals can be very severe. As soon as they get the heroin in, it stops them from going through the sickness. They just want to feel normal.

The Cork native addresses some misconceptions around heroin addiction.

A lot of people have this perception that anyone with a heroin addiction is dangerous and will attack you, but most of the people I deal with are lovely.

"Trauma is a driving force for addiction. Many view heroin as a good painkiller. When it comes to scoring the drug, its all over in two minutes.

"If I see someone who is too sick, I wont engage. The reality is they are just watching over their shoulder until the gear arrives.

He describes the withdrawal symptoms in harrowing detail.

Its like having the worst kind of flu symptoms come at you. You are sweating profusely with pains all over your body and cramps in your stomach. If you dont get this into your system, then you are going to have diarrhoea.

If you decide to stop using, these withdrawals will come into play within six to eight hours

"The minute you use, the sickness is gone  which is why a person ends up using all the time. There is no high anymore. All thats left is using.

Franks role is multifaceted. He is often observed distributing sterile injecting equipment and paraphernalia to reduce the spread of conditions like Hepatitis B and C among drug users.

What people dont see is the many lives he has saved  some through CPR, others with a simple conversation.

Frank explains how his exchanging of sharps containers and clean needles offers a valuable platform for engagement and the chance to promote recovery services among addicts.

For some, it was a simple cup of coffee with Frank that changed their lives. He is often reminded of these heartening success stories while out and about in Cork.

Frank explains how his exchanging of sharps containers and clean needles offers a valuable platform for engagement and the chance to promote recovery services among addicts. Picture: Dan Linehan

Theyll tell me 'Im off everything Frank', but they dont need to. I can see it in them.

His efforts are not always met with the gratitude they deserve. Frank remembers being admonished by one man whose life he saved with CPR and the medication Naloxone.

When they come around, they will just give out to you and tell you that you ruined their whole day because their buzz is gone. But I prefer them to be alive and shouting at me than dead from an overdose, Frank says.

He reserves judgement, acknowledging the horrific journey those in the clutches of addiction endure. Heroin has driven them to the epicentre of desperation and shame.

It forces people to do things they dont want to do, Frank laments.

Naloxone, which works to reverse overdoses in emergency situations, has been a godsend to people like Frank and others who are working on the frontline of addiction services.

I remember years ago not having the Naloxone and feeling very under pressure waiting for the ambulance. Im able to carry it in my bag now. The last time I had to administer it was in Fitzgeralds Park.

It works by knocking the opiates off the receptors to help keep people alive until the ambulance comes

"If I come across somebody who has gone over, I have no way of knowing whether they have been there five minutes or five hours. If you are doing CPR on someone and there is no Naloxone available, you have to just keep going with resuscitation. Anyone who has done CPR will realise how tiring it is.

So with the obvious horrors involved in heroin addiction, why do people start to use in the first place? Frank explains how the addiction spiral often starts.

Somebody will try smoking it one weekend and the body will reject it. Theyll just vomit but when they smoke the second weekend, they get the hit. Before they know it, they are smoking once a week. Then its Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and eventually five days a week.

If youre coming off it, you need an opioid substitute  but there is hope. I know people who did well and went back to college. They are able to work and function like other people in society.

As has been well documented, addiction and criminality go hand in hand.

Some will use once, twice, or even three times a day. Other people use 10 or 12 times. Its about 25 a bag, so you can imagine how the cost builds up.

"Criminality often comes into it and a lot of things that shouldnt happen. The desire to get money is sometimes so strong I have to be more careful when working with a client. I can leave my phone down momentarily. You have to use your common sense and understand where they are coming from. Everything turns into an opportunity to get a bag.

Armed with a litter picker, Frank conscientiously clears the path ahead. Picture: Dan Linehan

Armed with a litter picker, Frank takes us on a journey through Corks underbelly.

One such place is nestled in the heart of a quiet wooded area. Syringes, tinfoil, and spoons are strewn like confetti across the ground. Needles peep out like creatures from the bronze leaves crunching underneath our feet. Frank conscientiously clears the path ahead for us.

He has to be extra vigilant this time of year as fallen leaves obscure harmful drug waste

A trail made of up of womens shoes, condoms, hand gel, and deodorant cans stretches out before us. The carefully pitched tent acts as an eery focal point and a reminder that for some rough sleepers this is home.

I approach this the same way as I would approach anyones home, he says.

You have to be respectful. If I walk into an area and there is somebody there, I always ask if its okay to come in. If they agree, thats grand. If they have a problem, Ill leave and come back another time.

"Sometimes people who dont know me might think Im a garda or something. They can be very anxious about seeing me. Luckily, I have never been assaulted. People have only ever been respectful. After a while they usually open the door to let you into their lives.

Shame can prove a strong deterrent for those accessing help.

What we do is we go into the areas and remove any discarded syringes and engage with people, as well as offer them a service for methadone or Arbour House.

Shame and stigma sometimes leave people afraid to ask for help

"Well find people at these locations and engage with them. It is important to build up a rapport in order to get people in for an assessment and into a stabilisation programme. It is their decision. Were just trying to offer them a little bit of hope as well.

People getting abscesses and infections because theyre rushing to inject is common. If we want to complete an initial assessment, we ask questions to find out if they share spoons or needles. You gather as much information as you can with the assessment, and that formulates the care plan and determines whether a person needs to get their bloods checked. There is a lot of high risk involved with injecting.

"When peoples veins collapse, they will always try to find another one or move to high risk areas like the neck or groin. You will always try to get people back smoking over injecting to make it safer  even though there is no safe way of using heroin. If I cant get them into services, then I will encourage them to do what they are doing without butchering themselves in the process.

Used syringes left under the pedestrian bridge where users shoot up along the Mardyke Walkway, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Families regularly reach out to the needle exchange outreach worker.

A lot of people are looking for Naloxone training. Theyll tell me about a son or daughter at home who is using who they want to be able to administer it to in the event that anything happens.

"We always advise people to have somebody with them if theyre using. If Im here using, and Im on my own, nobody is going to find me until Im dead. A second person can raise the alarm if they go over.

"The problem is that many dont want others to know that they are using. This comes with the risk of being found dead after an overdose. There are also a number of people in emergency accommodation in Cork who are using. There is about 40 in homeless services alone at the moment.

Franks focus is also on keeping the public safe.

Sometimes, people will take the syringes with them. Others discard them. You get people who break the needle off and they think thats safe.

We try to encourage as many people as we can to get a sharps box from the pharmacist and return them

He is pleading with anyone fighting a heroin addiction not to lose heart.

Some people tell me that I changed their life. However, I have to remind them that they did it themselves. I just helped a little.

Facilities across Cork including Cork Prison, where Frank provided in-house training in Naloxone administration, have benefited from his knowledge.

Cork City Fire Brigade were the latest to avail of the HSEs Naloxone training initiative before joining the list of carriers earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the HSE head of drugs and alcohol services in Cork and Kerry, David Lane, described the vital role of needle exchange outreach workers in the community.

In terms of peoples addictions, we are supporting them in emergency accommodation and treatment services and looking at the wider supports available too. We can deliver initial and comprehensive assessments with people even on the street.

"We look at bringing people into cafes for a coffee to find out what they want in terms of recovery. We find that some people are reluctant to engage with services.

"Over a period of time, you can build a relationship with them. Our two needle exchange outreach workers know lots of people sleeping rough by name.

People begin to open up over time

"They can become very open to learning about supports to break that cycle. It takes time to build trust, especially when they have had a negative experience with the State and the challenges theyve had in their own lives. Its all about treating people with dignity and respect.
Dressed in a modest grey suit and tie with a light blue shirt, bald and bearded, 41-year-old Mohammed al-Bashir addressed his fellow Syrians last Tuesday from behind a desk in an empty conference room. Asking for stability and calm, he announced that he would serve as the head of a transitional government until March 1.

Less than two weeks ago, any such address would have been given by Bashar al-Assad, the brutal dictator who had overseen the killing of hundreds of thousands of Syrias citizens and the displacement of more than 11m.

However, Assads regime and 54 years of single-family rule collapsed after an 11-day rebel offensive. He and his wife Asma were smuggled out of Damascus by Russian intelligence officers, who flew them to Moscow.

Bashir was speaking to countrymen full of hope, but also wary about what may come next. He owes thanks for his position to the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the rebel coalition that toppled Assad.

Since the start of 2024, Bashir has been the political head of the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), the administration of the HTS-led opposition area in north-west Syria.

Supported by Turkey, the HTS, and SSG have ensured governance and a measure of stability in parts of Idlib and Aleppo provinces since November 2017. However, they have also been accused by human rights groups of abuses of power and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities.

Despite breaking from al Qaeda in 2016, HTS is designated as 'terrorist' by the UN, US, Britain, and some European countries

In an interview with Italys Corriere della Sera newspaper on December 11, Bashir was asked about HTSs past.

He responded: The wrongful actions of certain Islamist groups have led many people, especially in the West, to associate Muslims with terrorism and Islam with extremism.

"There were mistakes and misunderstandings that distorted the true meaning of Islam, which is the religion of justice. Precisely because we are Islamic, we will guarantee the rights of all people and all communities in Syria.

Moving towards stability

Born in Idlib province, Bashir graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Aleppo in 2007. He worked for the state-owned Syrian Gas Company and, after the start of the Syrian uprising in March 2011, was director of an institution providing education to children affected by the conflict.

In 2021, he obtained a second degree in sharia and law from Idlib University.

The prime minister is the essential technocratic contrast to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly Abu Mohammed al-Golani. It is the latter who has reaped all the international attention and questions after Assads downfall.

In an interview with Sky News after the ousting of the previous government, al-Sharaa addressed other countries: Their fears are unnecessary, God willing. The fear was from the presence of the [Assad] regime."

The country is moving towards development and reconstruction. Its going towards stability

Bashir is the face of that stability. As rebels moved south from Idlib and Aleppo to liberate Hama earlier this month, he hailed not only a new dawn of freedom and dignity, but pledged: We promise you in the salvation government that we are committed to living up to your expectation, rebuilding your city to return it to its leading civilised status  This is a day of joy and pride, but it is also a day of work and responsibility.

Syrian Christians pray during the first Sunday Mass since Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's ouster, at Mariamiya Orthodox Church in old Damascus. Picture: Hussein Malla/AP

That quest for responsibility and legitimacy involves many more than the prime minister. Soon after his Tuesday address, Bashir reported meeting members from the old government and some directors from the administration in Idlib and its surrounding areas to facilitate all the necessary works for the next two months.

The technocrats are already developing plans for administration, reviewing the regimes bureaucracy.

Mohammad Yasser Ghazal, seconded from Idlib to head the Damascus City Council, said: Its all going to become one. All the government bodies will be dissolved no salvation government, no factions, nothing. It will all soon be dissolved into one Syrian republic.

Facing the regimes legacy of corruption, cronyism, and centralised power, the new officials have asked department chiefs to list their remits and explain their departments functions. They have encountered staff quoting government handbooks from the 1930s and 1960s, while failing to answer direct questions about their duties or decision making.

Rapid moves in early days

It is early days but, so far, the rapid transition to rebel and now government rule has been largely peaceful, with the continuation of services and daily business.

The rebels issued a statement pledging respect for all minorities. Facing the possibility of looting, they warned against destruction of public or private property and imposed an overnight curfew.

Utilities have been maintained. In Aleppo, one of the first acts was to install new mobile phone towers. The financial system has been secured. Airports will soon reopen.

Salaries, which averaged about $25 a month under the regime, will be increased in line with SSG wages to about $100.

A total amnesty for army soldiers, police, and security personnel was declared, provided they submitted paperwork for official clemency and ID cards. Hundreds of men queued up in the hours after Aleppo fell to complete the process.

Citizens in Syria take down statues of Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus. Picture: Murat Sengul/Anadolu via Getty Images

Individual acts of retribution have been reported against certain figures connected with the regime. One of those executed was Jalal al-Daqqaq, who was implicated in the killing of more than 200 Syrian detainees  reportedly feeding their throats to his pet lion.

However, there has been general adherence to the rebel injunction to avoid violence. Posts on X suggest that sources from minority sects, including Druze, Ismailis, and Alawites (whose members include the Assads), confirm that any revenge operations have not been ethnically motivated.

The new government is aware that the maintenance of security and services is good politics.

With the Assad regime leaving a basket-case economy as well as a crippled society, international assistance will be valuable

For that to be obtained, HTS will need to be taken off the UN, US, and European blacklists. Ghazal summarises that the plans of the technocrats require political recognition [and addressing] the terrorist designation, which I think is soon.

However, good politics will also have to convince ordinary Syrians who lived under the regime.

At a store selling freshly printed Syrian revolutionary flags in Damascus, shopkeeper Fadi al-Mously was asked by The Washington Post to identify the new prime minister. He couldnt. But whoever he is, we dont want him, Mously said. We want elections.

Scott Lucas is a professor of international politics at the Clinton Institute in University College Dublin. This article appeared on The Conversation , a news and analysis website written by academics.
As the worlds largest gathering of Earth and space scientists swarmed a Washington venue last week, the packed halls have been permeated by an air of anxiety and even dread over a new Donald Trump presidency that might worsen what has been a bruising few years for science.

The annual American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting drew a record 31,000 attendees this year for the unveiling of a slew of new research on everything from seismology to climate science to heliospheric physics, alongside a sprawling trade show and bouts of networking as scientists jostle to advance their work.

As students and grizzled researchers huddled around pin-boarded presentations in a cavernous exhibition space, however, one person dominated muttered conversations: Trump. The president-elect has called climate science a giant scam and when last in office sought to gut US scientific funding and sidelined or even punished scientists deemed unfriendly to the interests of the chemical and fossil fuel industries.

The prospect of an even more ideologically driven Trump administration slashing budgets and mass-firing federal staff has given Americas scientific community a sort of collective anxiety attack.

We all feel like we have a target on our backs, said one National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientist, who added agency staff were already seeking to pivot by replacing mentions of the climate crisis with more acceptable terms such as air quality.

'Some of the signals coming out right now make people nervous about whats going to happen to their jobs, their livelihoods, let alone what their science.'

My god, its so depressing, said another federal scientist about the incoming administration. A doctoral candidate, when asked about entering the workforce under Trump, simply puffed her cheeks and groaned.

If someone offered me a departmental position now, Id jump, said one Nasa researcher. Its hard, particularly for younger people. Hopefully we will survive it all.

The challenges posed by the incoming administration barely featured in the official AGU programme, which was more focused on highlighting new research  from a dire new warning about the melting Arctic to innovations that leverage artificial intelligence  and general boosterism of the value of science to our lives. But the leadership of the organisation acknowledged there was a sense of unease.

Some of the signals coming out right now make people nervous about whats going to happen to their jobs, their livelihoods, let alone what their science is, said Ben Zaitchik, a climate scientist who will be president-elect of the AGU next year.

You could say people are feeling beleaguered or besieged, but many are also motivated. At the same time, its a time of transition. So we just dont know.

Trump  through his alteration of hurricane maps with a Sharpie pen, staring with uncovered eyes at a solar eclipse and suggestion disinfectant injections could cure covid-19  is seen by many at the meeting as a catalyst of scientific contrarianism.

This has been underscored by the nomination of Robert F Kennedy, who holds an array of conspiracy theories about vaccines, wind farms and chemtrails, as the nominee for the USs new health secretary, as well as Trumps promise this week to cast aside environmental reviews for any person or company investing ONE BILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, in the United States of America.

But scientists in the US face a broader crisis beyond the next president, amid a swirl of misinformation and declining trust in the profession among the American public. Overall, trust in scientists has fallen by 10% since the pandemic, polling has shown, with a growing partisan gap emerging in how science is viewed; nearly four in 10 Republicans now say they have little to no confidence in scientists acting in the publics best interests.

When we get that kind of polling data, it is concerning, acknowledged Lisa Graumlich, a paleoclimatologist and the current AGU president.

Gone, it seems, are the halcyon days of celebrity 19th-century scientists such as Charles Darwin and Alexander von Humboldt, or even the reception to the polio vaccine in the 1950s, which was greeted with ringing church bells, with its inventor, Jonas Salk, routinely being greeted with applause and handshakes when he was seen in public.

Anthony Fauci, the face of the US response to the covid pandemic, requires round-the-clock security protection due to ongoing death threats, even after his retirement. Picture: AP /Jacquelyn Martin

By contrast, Anthony Fauci, the face of the US response to the covid pandemic, requires round-the-clock security protection due to ongoing death threats, even after his retirement. Climate scientists and meteorologists, too, have faced threats and harassment.

The conspiracy theories are out there, the misinformation is there, said Graumlich.

Social media engines and the algorithms can take a person that isnt necessarily prone to a conspiracy mindset and have them end up in this rabbit hole of misinformation.

Some researchers believe scientists should adapt to this hyper-partisan environment by sticking to unadorned facts, rather than anything that could be seen as campaigning. We have been come to be seen as just another partisan lobbying group, said Ken Caldeira, a climate scientist.

I want us to get back to a point where scientists are seen as the establishers of facts rather than arguing for policy. We need to get back to a situation where we have a shared set of facts.

Others are determined to press the case for science to guide decisions, if not in the White House then with Congress, which previously thwarted major Trump-demanded cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency and Nasas Earth science work.

Even if Trump does follow Floridas lead by deleting all mention of the climate crisis within the federal government, an oblivious world will continue to heat up regardless, bringing disasters and rising costs to Americans. Scientists say they will still be there when such truths become politically palatable again.

We are sober about the future, but were not daunted, said Graumlich. The facts are still facts, science is still science. The fight is bigger than just one political cycle, Ive been doing this for 40 years. Were not backing down.

Guardian
"The impact of RSV is enormous," tweeted anaesthetic consultant in paediatric intensive care, Dr Suzanne Crowe, on X this week. "No babies in paediatric ICU as all vaccinated  its wonderful."

Public health consultant, Dr Niall Conroy agreed: "God I remember the years of being absolutely swamped with really sick paediatric RSV patients."

Vaccines work. The brand new monoclonal antibody against RSV, offered to all newborns since September is protecting these infants from a serious respiratory infection in their first few months of life.

Meanwhile, flu is surging and hospital trolley numbers are rocketing upwards  612 across the country on Monday, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Flu vaccine is as effective in protecting the elderly from a serious and complicated illness. But not enough family members, friends and healthcare workers are getting the vaccine to reduce risk of transmission to their loved ones.

I have an elderly friend, who I dont visit often enough, in a nursing home a few miles outside the city. She is very spry but does have a heart condition and diabetes, as well as being over 80  all of which make her more vulnerable to infection.

I always visit her over Christmas but this year I will make sure that I have had the flu vaccine  not so much to protect me from an annoying bout of flu, but to protect Nora from a potentially life-threatening infection that I could be responsible for transmitting to her.

If that happened, I would be responsible for transmitting an infection that could spread like wildfire among all her great friends in that facility.

Rising flu numbers

As flu numbers are predicted to peak over Christmas week, anyone visiting a nursing home over the festive period should ensure that they are vaccinated. This is to protect themselves, but even more important, to protect their elderly loved ones as intergenerational mingling heightens the risk to the most vulnerable family members.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reported last week that more than 400 people have been hospitalised with flu already this winter with three deaths recorded. The number of cases has almost doubled in a single week.

In the week up to December 7 there were 529 flu cases notified compared to 277 cases in the last week of November.

Of concern is the increase in flu outbreaks in health and care settings in the past week. Eight outbreaks were reported last week up to December 13, with a total of 17 reported in the past 10 weeks. The highest number of hospitalisations are predictably occurring in both elderly adults and young children.

The HSE is urging all those eligible to get the flu vaccine ahead of Christmas to protect themselves but, as important, to protect their family and friends from the worst impacts of flu.

Now is the time to get the vaccine to ensure high levels of protection over the festive season when inter-generational socialising is at its peak.

Influenza in nursing homes

Influenza is a serious, even deadly illness for all ages but the elderly are especially vulnerable. Ageing bodies are only more susceptible to flu because of lower immune defences that can lead to more severe symptoms and longer recovery times.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 70-90% of seasonal flu deaths occur in people aged 65 and older.

A combination of factors make influenza in nursing homes more likely to spread. These include close living quarters, lower immune defences and poorer overall health of residents, frequent visitors and staff as well as shared caregivers that risk transmission of infection between residents.

A combination of factors make influenza in nursing homes more likely to spread.

While flu may be an uncomfortable illness for children or young adults, for the elderly it can run its course over one to two miserable weeks and can cause complications that have longer, more serious side-effects. These can include a chest infection or pneumonia, sinus or ear infections as well as a worsening of existing medical conditions.

Weaker immune defences of elderly residents are just one factor. Older patients often dont show classic symptoms like a temperature and existing medical conditions can mask other symptoms like cough or shortness of breath.

Residents living in close quarters using shared sitting and dining rooms increase the risk of transmission when they are incubating the infection.

Visitors and staff need to be vaccinated

The steady stream of visitors in and out of residential care facilities are a very significant threat to elderly patients, particularly if those visitors or staff are not up to date with their flu vaccine and are moving from patient to patient before they develop symptoms.

For that reason, during the peak weeks over Christmas with high levels of socialising, it is imperative that the majority of people either working, or visiting, or living in a nursing home are vaccinated against flu.

But figures from the HPSC show levels of flu vaccination remain low. Interim Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Mary Horgan, expressed concern recently over flu uptake levels.

The uptake of the nasal flu vaccine for children is currently at just under 16%, while the rate for the flu vaccine among adults aged over 60 is 58.8%.

Among healthcare workers in long-term care facilities, vaccine uptake in the 2022/2023 winter season was an alarming 42.8%, a significant fall from the previous winter where almost half (48.9%) of workers were vaccinated.

These figures are a long way off from the HSE target for 75% for influenza vaccination among healthcare workers.

HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry is urging all those who are eligible to put winter vaccines on your to-do list and get them done before the festive celebrations get underway.

"This will keep you and your family protected, allowing you to concentrate on all the things that need to be done in the build- up to Christmas."

This year, the vaccine has been extended to more people, making it available for free to everyone aged 60 years and older. The nasal vaccine is recommended for children, aged 2-17 years old and is available through GPs and pharmacies.

Over the next few days along with Christmas shopping and putting up the tree and stirring the Christmas pudding, I will call into my local pharmacy and get the flu vaccine.

You may not think you need the flu vaccine for yourself or your children, but your elderly relatives are very vulnerable to a potentially life-threatening illness. For their sake, if you are visiting a nursing home this Christmas, make sure you are vaccinated and dont visit if you have had recent viral symptoms.

Read More Interim CMO calls on people to get flu and covid vaccines
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement released on Sunday that we have no interest in conflict with Syria and Israels policy will follow the emerging reality on the ground.

He described Israeli military actions in the past week, including hundreds of airstrikes, as aimed at thwarting potential threats.
South Korean law enforcement authorities will request that impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appear for questioning this week over his short-lived martial law decree.

Investigators are exploring whether his ill-conceived power grab amounted to rebellion.

A joint investigative team involving police, an anti-corruption agency and the Defence Ministry plans to convey a request to Mr Yoons office that he appear for questioning on Wednesday, the police said on Monday.

Mr Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday over his martial law enforcement on December 3.

Participants hold signs during a rally calling on the Constitutional Court to dismiss President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Sunday. The signs read Immediately arrest. (Lee Jin-man/AP)

His presidential powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him.

South Korean prosecutors, who are pushing a separate investigation into the incident, also reportedly asked Mr Yoon to appear at a prosecution office for questioning on Sunday but he refused to do so. Repeated calls to a prosecutors office in Seoul were unanswered.

The request came before the Constitutional Court meets to discuss the case on Monday.

The court has up to 180 days to rule, but observers say a court ruling could come faster.

In the case of parliamentary impeachments of past presidents  Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2016  the court spent 63 days and 91 days respectively before determining to reinstate Mr Roh and dismiss Mr Park.
Serbian officials installed homegrown spyware on the phones of dozens of journalists and activists, Amnesty International said in a report, released on Monday, citing digital forensic evidence and testimony from activists who said they were hacked in recent months.

In two cases, software provided by Israeli surveillance company Cellebrite DI Ltd (CLBT.O), was used to unlock phones prior to infection, the report said.

The Serbian spyware, dubbed NoviSpy by Amnesty, then took covert screenshots of mobile devices, copied contacts, and uploaded them to a government-controlled server, the report said.

In multiple cases, activists and a journalist reported signs of suspicious activity on their mobile phones directly following interviews with Serbian police and security authorities, Amnesty said.

Serbias interior ministry, foreign ministry and intelligence agency BIA did not respond to requests for comment made on December 12.

Cellebrite products are widely used by law enforcement, including the FBI, to unlock smartphones and scour them for evidence. Cellebrite Chief Marketing Officer David Gee said it was investigating the Amnesty allegations.

Should those accusations be accurate, that could potentially be in violation of our end user license agreement, Gee told Reuters. If that were the case, Gee said, Cellebrite could suspend the use of its technology by Serbian authorities.

Putting surveillance software on devices is absolutely not what we do, Gee said. He added that Cellebrite had begun contacting Serbian officials but declined to provide further details.

A house is blocked with protective sandbags in the community of Kibbutz Manara, located along the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, Monday, December 2, 2024. Picture: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Forensic Experts

One of the activists featured by Amnesty in the report said they had noticed the contacts on their phone had been exported immediately after a meeting with the BIA.

The activist told Reuters they showed their phone to digital forensic experts, who discovered the NoviSpy spyware had exported their contacts and sent private photos from their device to a BIA-controlled server.

According to Amnesty, Serbia received phone-cracking devices from Cellebrite as part of a broader package of assistance designed to help Serbia meet the requirements for integration into the European Union.

That package, which was funded by the Norwegian government and administered by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), was provided to the Serbian interior ministry from 2017 to 2021 in order to help Serbia fight organised crime, the report said.

The Norwegian government temporarily ceased delivery of Cellebrite devices to Serbia in 2018, Amnesty said. The Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade also raised concerns about the programme, the report added, but UNOPS eventually delivered the devices in June 2019.

The claims made in the report are alarming and, if correct, unacceptable, Norways deputy foreign minister, Maria Varteressian, told Reuters. We will meet Serbian authorities as well as UNOPS later this month to get further information on the matter.

We expect UNOPS to investigate the allegations, she added.

UNOPS said in a statement it welcomed Amnesty's report and said the agency had in the years since 2017 "further enhanced mechanisms to assess and mitigate potential adverse effects." The agency did not elaborate on those measures.

~ Reuters
Israeli airstrikes hit missile warehouses in Syria in the most violent strikes since 2012, according to a war monitor.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported early on Monday that Israeli airstrikes pounded missile warehouses and other former Syrian army sites along Syrias coast in the most violent strikes in the Syrian coast region since the beginning of the (Israeli) strikes in 2012.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the strikes.

An Israeli armoured vehicle crosses the security fence moving towards the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria (Matias Delacroix/AP)

The observatory said that violent explosions were heard in the coastal city of Tartous as a result of the successive strikes and the flying of ground-to-ground missiles from the warehouses.

Israel has been pounding what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of President Bashar Assads rule, wiping out air defences and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army.

Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.

The Assad familys rule, which lasted more than half a century, collapsed just over a week ago following a rebel advance.

This has renewed fears of regional instability as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza shows no signs of halting and hostilities between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah continue despite a ceasefire.

The new Syrian administration, led by the former insurgents who toppled Assad, has complained to the UN Security Council about the Israeli bombardment and incursions into Syrian territory in the Golan Heights.

However, it has also said it does not want a military confrontation with Israel.
Ukraines military intelligence agency has claimed that around 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded in fighting against the Ukrainian army at the weekend in Russias Kursk border region.

The North Korean casualties occurred around three villages in Kursk, where Russia has for four months been trying to quash a Ukrainian incursion, the agency known by its acronym GUR said in a public post on the Telegram messaging app.

At least three North Korean servicemen went missing around another Kursk village, GUR said.

The poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean forces will likely continue to cause friction in Russian military operations in Kursk

It was not possible to independently verify the Ukrainian claims, which are the first reports of North Korean casualties in the almost three-year war.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred questions about the claims to the Russian Defence Ministry, which did not comment.

North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to help it in the war, according to the Pentagon and Ukrainian officials.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged unwavering support for Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour under a mutual defence pact.

Military analysts say the language barrier has bedevilled combat coordination between Russian and North Korean troops.

The poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean forces will likely continue to cause friction in Russian military operations in Kursk in the near term, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said late on Sunday.

Ukrainian servicemen take their position in a trench at the front line, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

Ukrainian officials said on November 5 that their forces had for the first time engaged with North Korean units that had been recently deployed to help Russia.

Ukraine seized land in Russias Kursk border region last August in what was the first occupation of Russian territory since the Second World War.

The operation embarrassed the Kremlin and aimed to counter unceasingly glum news from the front line.

The incursion has not significantly changed the wars dynamics.

Over the past year, Russia has been on the front foot with the exception of Kursk and has been grinding deeper into eastern Ukraines Donetsk region despite heavy losses.
A woman has been spared jail after pleading guilty to assault by beating for throwing a milkshake over Reform UK leader Nigel Farage outside an Essex pub during the British general election campaign.

Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, previously admitted assault by beating after Mr Farage, who is now MP for Clacton, was doused with the liquid and hit by the cup after it was thrown as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in Clacton-on-Sea on June 4.

She also admitted criminal damage after causing 17.50 of damage to a jacket belonging to Mr Farages security officer, James Woolfenden.

Victoria Thomas Bowen arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court in London for sentencing (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Mr Farage had earlier addressed supporters at a rally during the general election campaign and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.

A witness said the defendant shouted you f****** c*** or something similar, deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram told the court on Monday.

Thomas Bowen had originally denied the charges and was due to go on trial at Westminster Magistrates Court in October, but changed her pleas to guilty before proceedings began.

Mr Farage, in a victim impact statement read out by the prosecution, said after the incident he felt humiliated with it broadcast on national and international media.

He added he was deeply thoughtful for some time afterwards that next time it may not be a milkshake and said the incident is part of a growing security concern.

Thomas Bowen was arrested shortly after the incident and told police in an interview that she saw a post online advertising Mr Farages attendance that day, prosecutor Nishma Shah said.

She told officers she does not agree with his political views, and when she saw him exiting the pub she decided to do it as she had the opportunity.

Thomas Bowen told police she did not intend the cup to hit Mr Farage.

Ms Shah said that the defendant said she did not regret her actions.

Zarif Khan, defending, said Thomas Bowen has conceded that it was wrong what shes done on the day and there is some evidence in my submission of mental health issues.

Nigel Farage had the milkshake thrown over him as he left the Moon and Starfish pub (James Manning/PA)

He said she has been harassed, including online trolling, threats and being shouted at in the street.

Mr Khan said: This was a naive stupid reaction by this young woman, at a time when she was going through some personal distress.

At the last hearing, her barrister made a successful application to the court to allow his client not to read her address out in open court, explaining one individual had made very severe threats concerning the case and it was granted again on Monday for the same reasons as before.

Thomas Bowen, who is an OnlyFans model, was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, by Judge Ikram at the same court on Monday.

He also said she will have to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay Mr Farage 150 compensation, 17.50 compensation for the criminal damage, 154 victim surcharge and 450 in costs.

The judge said the incident was humiliating and it was in the full glare of cameras and a video of the incident was widely distributed.

He added it was an unprovoked targeted attack, adding: It is also clear to me irrespective of what you now say that at the time you had no regret at all in attacking the now elected Member of Parliament for Clacton.

Judge Ikram said: In recent months I have dealt with several cases of unlawful attacks on politicians, whether online or physical.

This is a dangerous trend.

He added: This was an attack on a parliamentary candidate campaigning for election, but this was not just an attack on him, but in my judgment, an attack on our parliamentary democracy.

The risks of face-to-face engagement with the public are just too clear, bearing in mind the murders of two other Members of Parliament in recent years.

Before he sentenced Thomas Bowen, Judge Ikram said: A clear message must go out, public debate must not be shut down by criminality such as this.

Caroline Liggins, a lawyer who represents Thomas Bowen, said after the sentencing: Our client entered a guilty plea because she understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision has placed her.

We are relieved the court has taken a sensible approach in dealing with this young woman by handing down a suspended sentence.

She has suffered multiple threats since this happened, which have had a serious impact on her mental health. Victoria understands the impact of her actions and wishes to put the whole episode behind her. She hopes others can do the same.
Following the impeachment and suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol due to a martial law attempt, South Koreas acting president, Han Duck-soo, took steps to reassure allies and stabilize financial markets.

Mr. Han communicated with US President Joe Biden over the phone, as confirmed by both the White House and Mr. Hans office.

According to a statement from his office, Mr. Han asserted, South Korea will implement its foreign and security policies without interruption and will work diligently to ensure the South Korea-US alliance is maintained and strengthened.

In a move to stabilize the nations leadership, the primary opposition party declared it would not pursue impeachment against Mr. Han for his role in Mr. Yoons December 3 martial law announcement.

Mr. Yoons unexpected declaration of martial law and the resulting political turmoil unsettled markets.

Mr. Han, a seasoned technocrat appointed by Mr. Yoon as prime minister, was elevated to acting president per constitutional guidelines while Mr. Yoons case is under review by the Constitutional Court.

The surprise martial law declaration by Mr. Yoon and the subsequent political crisis raised concerns among South Koreas diplomatic partners regarding the nations ability to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.

During their conversation, Mr. Biden assured the acting prime minister that the unwavering US-South Korea alliance remains intact, emphasizing cooperation to further develop and strengthen the alliance, including trilateral collaboration with neighboring Japan, as conveyed by Mr. Hans office.

The US issued a statement where Mr. Biden expressed his appreciation for the resilience of democracy and the rule of law in the ROK and reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the United States to the people of the ROK, with ROK being short for the Republic of Korea.

President Biden conveyed his confidence that the alliance will continue to be the cornerstone for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region during Acting President Hans administration.

Shortly after yesterdays impeachment vote, Mr. Han convened his cabinet and National Security Council, pledging to maintain military readiness to thwart any potential threats to national security.

The Constitutional Court has a period of up to six months to determine whether Mr. Yoon will be removed or reinstated.

If he is removed or resigns, a new election is expected to take place within 60 days.
Assad Claims He Departed Syria the Evening Damascus Was Captured

Bashar al-Assad, the ousted leader of Syria, stated that he was evacuated to Russia from the Hmeimim base in Syria on the evening of December 8, as the base was targeted by drone attacks. He had departed from Damascus the same morning, with opposition fighters advancing towards the capital.

This remark was included in a message published on the Syrian presidencys Telegram channel, dated December 16 from Moscow, marking Mr. Assads first public comment following his ousting by a rebel offensive over a week ago.

Mr. Assad refuted claims that he fled Syria during the last moments of the confrontations.

He maintained that he remained in Damascus fulfilling his responsibilities until the early hours of December 8, before relocating to Lattakia in collaboration with Russia, as rebel forces advanced into Damascus.

Mr. Assad affirmed that he never considered resigning or seeking asylum, insisting that his only option was to persist in fighting against what he described as the terrorist onslaught.

Countries enhance outreach to Syrias new leaders

The announcement from Mr. Assad comes amid heightened global efforts to establish connections with Syrias interim rulers.

The rapid offensive that led to the capture of Damascus sparked celebrations nationwide and beyond.

However, the unexpected fall of the city left many governments taken aback, with many now scrambling to formulate new policies.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group spearheading the offensive, is linked to Al-Qaedas Syrian branch and remains classified as a terrorist organization by numerous Western nations.

Diplomats, including UN envoy Geir Pedersen, who was present in Syria, have called for an inclusive new administration focused on nation-building and justice.

UN envoy Geir Pedersen meets with HTS leader Mohammed al-Jolani (Credit: Syrian Transitional Government)

Mr. Pedersen engaged with HTS leader Mohammed al-Jolani, advocating for justice and accountability for crimes.

We must ensure that this is handled through a credible justice system, avoiding any form of revenge, he remarked.

A Qatari delegation has also arrived in Syria to confer with transitional government officials and express full commitment to supporting the Syrian people.

Qatars embassy is set to resume functions, 13 years after its closure during the onset of an anti-government uprising that ignited years of civil conflict.

In contrast to other Arab nations, Qatar never re-established relations with Assads regime.

Assistance and diplomacy

Both the United Kingdom and the United States confirmed they are in discussions with HTS, despite officially designating the group as a terrorist entity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that his nation is coordinating the provision of aid, including wheat, flour, and oil, to Syria.

Children in Syria are returning to school for the first time since Assads departure.

Rebels took control of Damascus after an 11-day offensive, more than a decade into the civil war that began with Mr. Assads brutal crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011.

The conflict has resulted in over 500,000 fatalities and displaced more than half of Syrias population.

Significant destruction

A cautious sense of calm is returning to many cities, with children in Syria returning to school for the first time since Mr. Assads ouster.

The interim governor of Syria acknowledged that significant challenges remain.

UN envoy Mr. Pedersen called for increased, immediate aid during his visit to Syria.

While HTS has attempted to moderate its rhetoric in recent years, its assumption of power has raised concerns regarding the safety of religious and ethnic minorities.

People attend the first Sunday mass in Aleppo since the rebel forces removed the Assad regime

Syrian Christians, attending their first Sunday church service since Mr. Assads fall, expressed reassurance thus far.

Thank God, our situation is good, said Ibtissam al-Khouli outside a church in Damascus.

Everyone feels at ease; theres no fear, she shared with reporters.

The interim government has pledged to uphold the rights of all Syrians and the rule of law.

Russian evacuation

Mr. Assad was supported by key allies, notably Lebanons Hezbollah militant group, Iran, and Russia, whose foreign ministry indicated that it had evacuated some diplomatic personnel from Syria.

They departed on a special flight from the Russian Air Force out of the Hmeimim airbase, according to the ministry.

The rebel offensive commenced on November 27, coinciding with a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, which had severely weakened the militant organization.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that his country has no interest in confronting Syria, despite executing hundreds of airstrikes over the past week.

These airstrikes continued this morning, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring reported attacks on military facilities in the coastal region of Tartus.

Read more about the conflict in the Middle East

The UK-based observatory, which relies on a network of insiders within Syria, stated that these were the most intense strikes in the vicinity in over a decade.

Israel has also deployed troops into a UN-monitored buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights, a move denounced by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which the UN stated violated a 1974 armistice.

Additionally, Israels government has recently approved a plan to double the population in the Golan Heights, which it annexed.
CPC delegation visits Malaysia

Xinhua) 10:32, December 16, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Countries Boost Diplomatic Engagement with New Leadership in Syria

Syria  Countries have increased their efforts to connect with Syrias interim leadership, following the Islamist-led rebels forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia, marking the end of decades of oppressive rule.

The United Nations special envoy for Syria was among those arriving in the Syrian capital.

We must ensure justice and accountability for crimes, Geir Pedersen stated in Damascus.

Its essential that this process occurs through a credible justice system, and we must avoid any acts of revenge.

Later, he met with rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, according to the rebels Telegram channel.

A delegation from Qatar also arrived in Syria to engage with transitional government officials.

A man hangs a flag adopted by Syrias new authorities over a school sign.

They reiterated the Gulf emirates full commitment to supporting the Syrian peoplefollowing the success of their revolution, a spokesman for Qatars foreign ministry informed the emirates official news agency.

The ministry subsequently announced that Qatars embassy would resume operations on Tuesday, 13 years after its closure during the early stages of the anti-government uprising that evolved into a prolonged civil war.

In contrast to other Arab nations, Qatar never restored diplomatic ties with Mr. Assads Syria.

Turkey, a significant player in Syrias conflict with considerable influence in the northwest, has reopened its embassy in Damascus after 12 years.

Furthermore, Britains foreign minister disclosed that London had established diplomatic contact with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group that spearheaded the offensive against Mr. Assad.

They are still designated a proscribed terrorist organization, but we can engage in diplomatic contact, and we have done so, stated David Lammy.

The UK also announced the release of 60 million in humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable Syrians both in Syria and in neighboring Lebanon and Jordan.

We remain committed to aiding the Syrian people as they navigate a new direction, said Mr. Lammy.

Top US diplomat Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that the United States has made direct contact with HTS, despite having classified the group as terrorists in 2018.

France announced that a four-member diplomatic team would arrive in Damascus on Tuesday to retake possession of our real estate and to establish initial contact with the new authorities, as stated by acting Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

They would also be assessing the urgent needs of the population, he added.

Mr. Assad fled Syria on 8 December following an 11-day rebel offensive led by HTS, after years of civil war triggered by his violent response to anti-government protests in 2011.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 500,000 individuals and displaced more than half of the countrys population.

Since the rebels seized control of Damascus, former prisoners like Ghazi Mohammed al-Mohammed have revealed details about the abuses they endured.

Officials reported that many schools were reopening across Syria.

Towards the end, I just wanted to die, waiting for the moment they would execute us, remarked Mohammed, who was among those released by the rebels from the prison system Assad utilized to suppress dissent.

Mohammed expressed uncertainty about the reasons for his arrest and endured over five months in prison, claiming he was tortured and threatened with death.

Calm is gradually returning to the streets of Damascus, with numerous children returning to school for the first time since Mr. Assads departure.

An official at one school mentioned that no more than 30% of students had returned on Sunday, but that the figures would increase gradually.

The interim governor of Damascus indicated that significant challenges lie ahead.

The challenges we face are immense, particularly concerning the extensive destruction of institutions, human resources, the local economy, and social structures, stated Maher Marwan.

This reality necessitates great effort and awareness, as well as solidarity from everyone during this phase.

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated that Turkey is prepared to offer military support to the new Islamist-led government established by the rebels if requested, according to Turkish media reports.

The new leadership should be given a chance, he emphasized. Turkey is prepared to provide the necessary support if needed.

Sunni Muslim HTS is linked to Syrias branch of Al-Qaeda and is classified as a terrorist organization by numerous Western governments.

While it has attempted to moderate its stance in recent years, its rise to power has raised widespread concerns regarding the safeguarding of religious and ethnic minorities.

The interim government assures that the rights of all Syrians will be upheld, as will the rule of law.

Earlier, Syrian Christians attended their first church service since Mr. Assads fall.

Mr. Assad was supported by Russia, Iran, and Lebanons Hezbollah militant group.

Russias foreign ministry announced that it had evacuated some of its diplomatic personnel from Syria by a special flight of the Russian Air Force from the Hmeimim airbase in Syria.

The rebel offensive commenced on 27 November, coinciding with the enforcement of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, where Assads ally faced substantial losses.

Both Israel and Turkey have conducted military operations within Syria since Mr. Assads departure.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported new Israeli strikes near Damascus, following 60 strikes across Syria the previous day.

The UK-based Observatory, which relies on a network of informants in Syria, reported attacks on tunnels and munitions depots of Assads army in the Damir region.

Israel has also dispatched troops into a UN-monitored buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights, a move condemned by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which the UN stated violated a 1974 armistice.

We have no interest in confronting Syria, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement.

Israels strategy regarding Syria will be shaped by the evolving circumstances on the ground.
The European Union is prepared to reconsider sanctions against Syria if the countrys new leadership demonstrates positive steps toward forming an inclusive government and upholding the rights of women and minorities, stated EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Numerous EU foreign ministers, including Tanaiste Micheal Martin, are gathering for a meeting in Brussels focused primarily on the Middle East, particularly regarding the downfall of the Assad regime in Syria, along with Russias persistent assaults on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

Mr. Martin is expected to inform his colleagues about Israels recent decision to close its embassy in Ireland, which was revealed yesterday afternoon.

This marks the inaugural meeting of foreign ministers led by Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, who takes over from Josep Borrell as the EUs foreign policy chief.

Ms. Kallas remarked that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham would be evaluated based on its actions in Syria.

Ms. Kallas mentioned that she had dispatched a senior diplomat to engage with officials from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist faction that has recently claimed control in Damascus after ousting Bashar al-Assad just over a week ago.

Mr. Assad fled to Russia last week amid a rebel assault that led to the capture of the capital on December 8.

The removal of Mr. Assad has presented the 27-nation European Union and other foreign powers with pressing questions regarding how to approach Syrias new leaders.

On one hand, EU leaders have welcomed Mr. Assads exit, having long condemned his governance and enforced extensive sanctions on Syria in response.

Conversely, they face the challenge of addressing HTS, which the United Nations has designated as a terrorist entity.

The group was affiliated with al-Qaeda until it cut ties with the jihadist network in 2016.

In 2020, the EU accused HTS of unlawfully detaining, torturing, and executing civilians in areas under its control, suggesting these actions could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.

We want to see no extremism, no radicalisation, Ms. Kallas stated, noting that while HTS has been saying the right things, it will ultimately be assessed based on its actions.

Ms. Kallas indicated she had inquired with EU ministers about their willingness to adjust sanctions policies if they observed positive stepsnot just words, but actual actions and deeds from the new leadership.

We need to be prepared  with a plan ready when we see those steps  to respond positively in this regard to assist Syrias development, she stated.

The Tanaiste emphasized that recent developments in the Middle East should not overshadow the crisis in Gaza.

Current EU sanctions encompass prohibitions on arms exports to Syria and oil imports from the country, in addition to restrictions on investment in the Syrian oil sector and a freeze on Syrian central bank assets within the EU.

Ms. Kallas has indicated her desire to maintain close communication with regional stakeholders, particularly Turkey and Israel.

Additionally, diplomats have suggested that Ms. Kallas is eager to convene a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council soon, allowing member states to directly address concerns regarding Israels actions in the Gaza conflict.

It is also anticipated that there will be a concurrent high-level meeting with the Palestinian Authority.

In advance of the meeting, the Tanaiste underscored that recent developments in the Middle East should not divert foreign ministers attention from the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Micheal Martin stated he would advocate for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Additional reporting by Reuters
12/16/2024

On Thursday, December 12, approximately 50 attendees, including graduates, family, friends and faculty and staff, gathered at Merrill Hall Atrium for Jacksonville State's Fall Graduation Toast. This unique tradition, established in 2020, celebrates the achievements of Jax State's graduates as they prepare to take their next steps in life.

Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr., President of Jacksonville State University, delivered this year's toast, offering words of encouragement and congratulations. He advised the graduates in his remarks, "Tomorrow is your day! Take it all in. Don't run across that stagetake your time and enjoy it!" He also encouraged attendees to consider continuing their academic journey at Jax State, saying, "Stick around for another degree."

Representatives from the Graduate School were on hand to share information about Jax State's graduate programs, encouraging attendees to explore opportunities for further education. The Alumni Engagement office also participated, offering graduates the chance to purchase graduation medallions and Grad Party Packs, adding a touch of celebration to their big day.

The event exemplified the spirit of the Jax State community, with faculty and staff coming together to honor the graduates' hard work and achievements. The Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremonies occurred on Friday, December 13, at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
By Chandni Desai, University of Toronto

(The Conversation)  Netflix faces calls for a boycott after it removed its Palestinian Stories collection this October. This includes approximately 24 films.

Netflix cited the expiration of three-year licences as the reason for pulling the films from the collection.

Nonetheless, some viewers were outraged and almost 12,000 people signed a CodePink petition calling on Netflix to reinstate the films.

Why is @Netflix purging so many of its films and content regarding Palestinians and Palestine? Look at all of the Palestinian stories that are "leaving soon." Israel is already trying to erase the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank. Why is @Netflix erasing Palestinian pic.twitter.com/rXEmcVqvJ8  Sunjeev Bery (@Sunjeev_Bery) October 13, 2024

At a time when Palestinians are facing what scholars, United Nations experts and Amnesty International are calling a genocide, Netflixs move could be seen as a silencing of Palestinian narratives.

The disappearance of these films from Netflix in this moment has deeper implications. The removal of almost all films in this category represents a significant act of cultural erasure and anti-Palestinian racism.

There is a long history of the erasure of Palestine.

Cultural erasure

Since the Nakba of 1948, Zionist militias have systematically ethnically cleansed Palestinians and destroyed hundreds of cities, towns and villages, while also targeting Palestinian culture.

Palestinian visual archives and books were looted, stolen and hidden away in Israeli-controlled state archives, classified and often kept under restricted access. This targeting of visual culture is not incidental. It is a calculated act of cultural erasure aimed at severing the connection between a people, their land and history.

Another notable instance of cultural erasure includes the thefts of the Palestinian Liberation Organizations (PLO) visual archives and cinematic materials. In 1982, the PLO Arts and Culture Section, Research Centre and other PLO offices were looted during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The Palestinian Cinema Institutions film archives were moved during the invasion and later disappeared. Theft and looting also occured during the Second Intifada in the early 2000s and recurrent bombardments of Gaza.

This plundering of Palestinian cultural institutions, archives and libraries resulted in the loss of invaluable cultural materials, including visual archives.

To maintain Zionist colonial mythologies about the establishment of Israel, the state systematically stole, destroyed and holds captive Palestinian films and other historical and cultural materials.

Palestinian liberation cinema

By the mid-20th century, Palestinian cinema emerged as a vital component of global Third Worldism, a unifying global ideology and philosophy of anticolonial solidarity and liberation.

Palestinian cinema aligned with revolutionary filmmakers and cinema groups in Asia, Africa and Latin America, all seeking to reclaim their histories, culture and identity in the face of imperial domination.

The PLOs revolutionary films of the 1960s and 1970s were driven by the national liberation struggle and the desire to document the Palestinian revolution. Created as part of a broader campaign against colonialism and imperialism, PLO filmmakers aimed to rally international solidarity for the Palestinian cause through Afro-Asian, Tricontinental and socialist cultural networks.

Censorship

Censorship became one of the primary mechanisms for repressing cultural production in the Third World. Colonial and imperial powers, as well as allied governments, banned films, books, periodicals, newspapers and art that conveyed anti-colonial and anti-imperialist sentiments. Their films and cultural works were denied distribution in western and local markets.

Settler colonial states such as Israel rely on the destruction and suppression of the colonized narratives to erase historical and cultural connections to land. By doing so, they undermine Indigenous Palestinian claims to sovereignty and self-determination.

Many Palestinian cultural workers including writers, poets and filmmakers were persecuted, imprisoned, exiled, assassinated and killed.

In an essay about the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the Sabra and Shatila massacres, the late Palestinian American literature professor, Edward Said, explained how the West systematically denies Palestinians the agency to tell their own stories. He said the Wests biased coverage and suppression of Palestinian narratives distorts the regions history and justifies Israeli aggression. For a more truthful understanding of history, Palestinians needed the right to narrate, he said.

Resistance

Despite the denial to narrate, generations of Palestinian filmmakers, including Elia Suleiman, Michel Khleifi, Mai Masri, Annemarie Jacir and many others, have contributed to and evolved this cinematic tradition of resistance.

Their films centre the lived experiences of Palestinians under settler colonialism, occupation, apartheid and exile.

By capturing the Palestinian struggle, freedom dreams, joy, hopes and humour, they help to humanize a population.

A scene from TIFF selection, Farha, about a girl trying to pursue her education in 1948 Palestine just before the Nakba.

After Netflix first launched the Palestinian Stories collection in 2021, the company was criticized by the Zionist organization, Im Tirtzu. They pressured Netflix to purge Palestinian films.

A year later, Netflix faced more pushback  this time from Israeli officials  when it released Farha, a film set against the backdrop of the 1948 Nakba. Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman even took steps to revoke state funding from theatres that screened the film.

The Israeli television series Fauda, produced by former IDF soldiers Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, remains on the platform. Fauda portrays an undercover Israeli military unit operating in the West Bank. The series has faced significant criticism for perpetuating racist stereotypes, glorifying Israeli military actions, and whitewashing the Israeli occupation and systemic oppression of Palestinians.

Such media helps to legitimize and normalize violent actions committed against Palestinians.

Suppression in the time of genocide

In a time of genocide, Palestinian stories, films, cultural production, media and visual culture transcend being mere cultural artifacts. They are tools of defiance, sumud (steadfastness), historical memory, documentation and preservation against erasure. They assert the fundamental right to Palestinian liberation and the right to narrate and exist even while being annihilated.

As such, in the past 400+ days, Israel has intensified its systematic silencing and erasure of Palestinian narratives.

One hundred thirty-seven journalists and media workers have been killed across the occupied Palestinian Territories and Lebanon since Israel declared war on Hamas following its Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on Oct. 7, 2023. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, there are almost no professional journalists left in northern Gaza to document Israels ethnic cleansing. It has been the deadliest period for journalists in the world since CPJ began collecting data in 1992.

Israel has also targeted, detained, tortured, raped and killed academics, students, health-care workers and cultural workers; many who have shared eyewitness accounts and narrated their stories of genocide on social media platforms.

Israel has censored and silenced Palestinian narratives through media manipulation, digital censorship and the destruction of journalistic infrastructure. Palestinian cultural and academic institutions, cultural heritage and archives have also been bombed and destroyed in Gaza, termed scholasticide. The aim of this destruction is to obliterate historical memory, and suppress documentation of atrocities.

The genocide and scholasticide will prevent the Palestinian peoples ability to fully preserve centuries of history, knowledge, culture and archives.

Netflixs decision to remove the Palestinian Stories collection and not renew the licences of the films during this time makes it complicit in the erasure of Palestinian culture.

Chandni Desai, Assistant professor, Education, University of Toronto

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The fall of the al-Assad regime in Syria has broached again the issue of the largely Kurdish Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and its relationship to the new government. Many Kurds are fearful for their future, as Euronews reports.

The officers of the new government have said various things. BBC Monitoring reports that on December 14, the new minister of defense, Col. Hasan al-Hamada, said on Telegram that the new Syria would not enjoy security until it terminated the separatist schemes of what he termed the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party or Partiya Karkeran Kurdistan), which he said held sway over the east of the country. The PKK began as a Marxist separatist faction in the late 1970s and is still viewed as a terrorist organization by the US, Turkey and some European countries.

Since the PKK is based in Iraq and Turkeys eastern Anatolia, al-Hamada was likely instead referring to the YPG or Peoples Protection Units (Yekineyen Parastina Gel) in northeastern Syria, the paramilitary for AANES, which denies any relationship to the more radical PKK. His words were ominous for the Kurdish regions, and reflected the desires of the patron of the ruling faction in the new Syria, Turkey, which wants to see the YPG disarmed.

In contrast, the leader of the new government, Ahmad al-Shara (nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani), has been more conciliatory. BBC Monitoring reports his remarks this weekend to Istanbul-based Syria TV, which is Qatari-owned. He made a distinction between the Kurdish community and the PKK organization.

On Sunday on a Syrian Telegram channel, al-Shara said that Kurds are a fundamental component of the coming Syria. He added, The Kurds are a part of the homeland, and were exposed to tremendous injustice, as we were. With the fading of the regime, it may be that the injustice that befell them will fade as well. He stressed the importance of justice and equality for all, such as would ensure new regulations and a new history in Syria.

The sweep of HTS forces from Idlib to Aleppo had caused the displacement of some Kurds in the Afrin region. Al-Shara pledged, We will seek to return our people there to their villages and regions. If he is sincere and has the power to make this happen, it would be a significant development and would cross his Turkish patrons, who want to break up the band of Kurdish habitation along the Syrian-Turkish border in the north.

Al-Sharas remarkable statements on Sunday were hailed by the Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, head of that countrys Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which rules the Kurdistan Regional Government or super-province of northern Iraq.

Barzani said, We have seen a statement by Ahmed al-Sharaa about the Kurdish people in Syria, in which he described the Kurdish people as part of the homeland and a partner in the future of Syria. He added that this vision of the Kurds and of the future of Syria is a source of joy and is welcome to us, and we hope that it will be the beginning of a correction of the course of history and of ending the wrong and unfair actions that were taken against the Kurdish people in Syria.

Barzani continued that such a perspective represents a starting point that paves the way for building a strong Syria; and the Kurds, Arabs and all other components of Syria must seize this opportunity to participate together in building a stable, free and democratic Syria.

Barzanis reaction is important for a number of reasons. Kurds in Iraq have had their own experience in reintegrating into a largely Arab country after the fall of a Baath regime, and have found ways to be influential in Baghdad while keeping some semi-autonomy. They are sometimes portrayed as the Quebec of Iraq.

Additionally, if the HTS were to move aggressively against the Syrian Kurds, Barzani could push back militarily. Both the KRG military force, the Peshmerga, and the thousands of PKK fighters hiding out in Iraqs Qandil mountains could make a lot of trouble for the new Syria if it moves aggressively against the Kurds, as new Defense Minister al-Hamada seems to have envisioned. Further, Iraqi Kurds have influence in Baghdad, where Shiite leaders view al-Shara and his colleagues as little better than ISIL.

Moreover, the European Union, individual European countries and the US are watching the HTS-led government carefully to see if it takes the route of human rights, before they will consider lifting sanctions on Syria. The country desperately needs sanctions relief, and avoiding the Arab nationalist mistakes of the past with regard to the Kurds may be one of the prices Damascus has to pay. It wont make Turkey happy, but Turkey itself would vastly benefit from a lifting of Syrian sanctions, since otherwise Ankara will have to carry the Syrian economy itself and Turkish firms could face sanctions for investing there.

The autonomous Kurdish AANES is for the most part civilly administered by the Democratic Union Party (Partiya Yekitiya Demokrat), which follows the left-wing cooperativist philosophy of Brooklyn thinker Murray Bookchin. It rules over roughly 2.4 million of Syrias 24 million people.

As noted, the paramilitary of the Democratic Union Party is the YPG or Peoples Protection Units. They form the core of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which have been backed by the US Department of Defense and which played the major role in defeating the ISIL (ISIS, Daesh) terrorist group that briefly ruled parts of Syria and Iraq 2014-2018. US special operations troops embedded among them.

In 2019, President Donald J. Trump was widely blamed for giving Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the green light to invade the Kurdish regions of northern Syria and to establish a military buffer zone, which led to the displacement of tens of thousands of Kurds and the deaths of SDF fighters who had saved Americas bacon in the fight against ISIL.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces kicked the Baath Party of Bashar al-Assad out of the northeast in 2011 and in recent times had an uneasy truce with it, as long as it respected their semi-autonomy. Arab nationalist Syria had never known what to do with the countrys Kurds, who are not Arabs, and had stripped them of citizenship in 1963.
Shallow gold VMS mineralization continues to be defined west of Santa Helena mine

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2024 /Meridian Mining UK. S (TSX:MNO) (Frankfurt/Tradegate:2MM) (OTCQX:MRRDF) ("Meridian" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a drilling update for the Santa Helena Cu-Au-Ag & Zn deposit ("Santa Helena"). CD-612 has drilled another lateral extension, assaying 58.9m @ 3.6g/t AuEq * (2.8g/t Au, 0.7% Cu, 19.0g/t Ag & 1.7% Zn), including a higher-grade zone of 26.8m @ 4.1g/t AuEq (4.2g/t Au, 0.7% Cu, 13.1g/t Ag & 0.8% Zn) , in the western gold domain of the Santa Helena deposit ("Figure 1", "Figure 2"). This result extends the localized across strike thickness of CD-605's 1 75.6m @ 4.6g/t AuEq (3.0g/t Au, 1.0% Cu, 30.2 g/t Ag & 2.5% Zn). Drilling is continuing with further assays pending.

Meridian is also announcing the securing of new licence applications, expanding the Company's footprint in the Cabacal, Jauru and Araputanga Belts ("Figure 3").

Highlights Reported Today

Meridian extends the western gold mineralization at Santa Helena, drilling 58.9m @ 3.6g/t AuEq ;

Santa Helena assays further gold rich VMS mineralization with CD-612's 58.9m @ 2.8g/t Au, 0.7% Cu, 19.0g/t Ag & 1.7% Zn from 29.1m, widening the western gold extension; Shallowest high-grade zone assays 26.8m @ 4.1g/t AuEq (4.2g/t Au, 0.7% Cu, 13.1g/t Ag & 0.8% Zn) from 29.1m;

Ongoing lateral drill results to the west of Santa Helena extend the potential for future open pit development; CD-612 returns a down-hole 212.0 AuEq gram-metre interval within open pitable depths;

Western gold domain of Santa Helena deposit remains open; and

Meridian expands land position within the Cabacal, Jauru and Araputanga greenstone belts.

*See technical note for true thickness estimate and separate AuEq and CuEq equations.

Mr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: "CD-612's 58.9m @ 3.6g/t AuEq is part of the ongoing success we are having in defining this shallow, gold-dominant western extension to the Santa Helena VMS system. These western expansion results have necessitated a revision to Santa Helena's resource estimation parameters, particularly in the localized gold rich zone, and consequently the Santa Helena Mineral Resource Estimate is now expected to be published in early January."

"We have recently secured potentially significant additional exploration ground to the southeast of the Cabacal belt's current limits, where we believe that the belt is covered by a younger sedimentary unit. We look forward to expanding our systematic belt-scale exploration program in the Cabacal belt in 2025."

1 Meridian Mining news release of November 20th, 2024.

Santa Helena Update

The recent Santa Helena drilling program has focused on the open western domain where our results have indicated that historical drill programs and the practice of selective assaying have missed significant gold-rich VMS mineralization. CD-612 has returned 58.9m @ 3.6g/t AuEq of near surface. This equates to a down-hole interval of 212.0 gram-meters (AuEq) from 21.9m within potential open-pitable depths. CD-612 has widened the across-strike footprint and allows for a better interpretation up and down dip to CD-605.

Within the 58.9m of mineralization there are several high-grade sub-sections which include:

26.8m @ 4.1g/t AuEq / 2.8% CuEq (4.2g/t Au, 0.7% Cu, 13.1g/t Ag & 0.8% Zn) from 29.1m;

2.1m @ 14.3g/t AuEq / 9.6% CuEq (9.1g/t Au, 5.2% Cu, 67.4g/t Ag & 2.1% Zn) from 62.5m; and

16.6m @ 4.3g/t AuEq / 2.9% CuEq (2.6g/t Au, 1.1% Cu, 25.7g/t Ag & 2.4% Zn) from 60.5m.

Drilling in the open western sector of Santa Helena, is confirming that the host mine horizon's poor surface expression is due to colluvial cover. The Company's recent geophysical surveys delineated a continuous chargeability anomaly extending from the mine area. This anomaly has been converted to robust gold dominant Au-Cu-Ag & Zn mineralization extending uninterrupted to the west from the edge of Santa Helena where it remains open. The recent intersection strengthens the interpretation of a thickened WNW-plunging gold-dominant sector of the sheet, with an interpreted true width of up to 17m. The Santa Helena VMS package to the east can reach widths of up to 28m and we look forward to further work in the continuing delineation of these extensions, where previously a gap in the continuity of the sheet has been projected.

Figure 1: Santa Helena drill results reported today and previous highlights.

The Company has been working since September with an independent consultancy to prepare Santa Helena for a resource update, during which time they have analysed the recent and historical data to refine the geological model. A number of aspects of the deposit have required some analysis, including the historical data, for which at times core intervals were only partially sampled, or for which not all elements of economic interest were assayed. This can influence the geometric interpretation of the main sheet and footwall positions. The Company's recent drilling to the west has required some revisions to the interpretation which has influenced the schedule, and consequently the timing of the planned estimation of the mineral resource has been extended and is now expected in early January.

Figure 2: Longitudinal view looking north (top) and plan view (bottom), showing the extent of the newly intersected mineralization in relation to the 2008 end-of-mine interpreted extents of the VMS layer.

Regional Exploration Portfolio Update

The Company is pleased to report three new licence applications, expanding its footprint in each of the Cabacal, Jauru and Araputanga Belts.

At Cabacal, the Company has extended its landbank to the southeast, with an area of 7,561 Ha to the east of the Alamo licence. This is an unexplored frontier region, under a younger cover sequence. A recent review of the geophysical signature suggested that structural trends projecting east-south-east from Santa Helena continue to extend under this cover, presenting an opportunity for the long-term exploration of the belt. The licence adds magnetic target corridors of 8 to 9 km strike extent (~equal to the distance between Cabacal and Santa Helena). The depth to the interpreted greenstone sequence needs to be verified, but the magnetic signature indicates that it is at explorable depths.

In the Jauru Belt, an area of 2,116 Ha has been added. The area was selected based on analysis of BP stream sampling data, which showed clustered gold and base metal anomalies (peak copper: 36 ppm; peak zinc: 99 ppm, peak lead: 30 ppm; peak gold: 27 counts 2 ). These anomaly thresholds compare well to reconnaissance levels for the known deposits (Cabacal: 34 - 56 ppm Cu, 36 - 60ppm Zn, 6 - 13 ppm Pb, 1 - 14 gold counts; Santa Helena: 20 - 36 ppm Cu, 13 - 149 ppm Zn; 8 - 80 ppm Pb, 1 - 30 gold counts).

The new licence in the Araputanga Belt covers a total of 2,337 Ha. It does not have a record of complete stream geochemical data coverage, lacking gold information, but does have stream anomalies with Cu to 22 ppm, Zn to 87 ppm, and Pb to 38 ppm.

Figure 3: Licence map showing the new applications.

2 Empirical number of number of gold specks in a 5 litre panned channel gravel sample

About Meridian

Meridian Mining is focused on:

The development and exploration of the advanced stage Cabacal VMS goldcopper project;

The initial resource definition at the second higher-grade VMS asset at Santa Helena as the first stage of the Cabacal Hub development strategy;

Regional scale exploration of the Cabacal VMS belt to expand the Cabacal Hub strategy; and

Exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone belts (the above all located in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil).

The Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report (the "PEA Technical Report") dated March 30, 2023, entitled: "Cabacal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment, Mato Grosso, Brazil" outlines a base case after-tax NPV5 of USD 573 million and 58.4% IRR from a pre-production capital cost of USD 180 million, leading to capital repayment in 10.6 months (assuming metals price scenario of USD 1,650 per ounces of gold, USD 3.59 per pound of copper, and USD 21.35 per ounce of silver). Cabacal has a low All-in-Sustaining-Cost of USD 671 per ounce gold equivalent for the first five years, driven by high metallurgical recovery, a low life-of-mine strip ratio of 2.1:1, and the low operating cost environment of Brazil.

The Cabacal Mineral Resource estimate consists of Indicated resources of 52.9 million tonnes at 0.6g/t gold, 0.3% copper and 1.4g/t silver and Inferred resources of 10.3 million tonnes at 0.7g/t gold, 0.2% copper & 1.1g/t silver (at a 0.3 g/t gold equivalent cut-off grade). Santa Helena mine area generated an initial Exploration Target with a tonnage range of 3.2 -7.2 Mt grading between 3.0 - 3.2g/t AuEq*, which gives a potential high-grade metal inventory range of between 306,000 to 763,000 AuEq ounces, located within 10km of the proposed Cabacal mill site.

Readers are encouraged to read the PEA Technical Report in its entirety. The PEA Technical Report may be found on the Company's website at www.meridianmining.co and under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The qualified persons for the PEA Technical Report are: Robert Raponi (P. Eng), Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering), Scott Elfen (P. E.), Global Lead Geotechnical and Civil Services with Ausenco Engineering), Simon Tear (PGeo, EurGeol), Principal Geological Consultant of H&SC, Marcelo Batelochi, (MAusIMM, CP Geo), Geological Consultant of MB Geologia Ltda, Joseph Keane (Mineral Processing Engineer; P.E), of SGS, and Guilherme Gomides Ferreira (Mine Engineer MAIG) of GE21 Consultoria Mineral.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining UK S

Mr. Gilbert Clark - CEO and Director

Meridian Mining UK S

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Ph: +1 778 715-6410 (BST)

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Further information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co

Technical Notes

Samples have been analysed at ALS laboratory in Lima, Peru. Samples are dried, crushed with 70% passing 85% passing 200m. Routine gold analyses have been conducted by AuAA24 (fire assay of a 50g charge with AAS finish). Highgrade samples (>10g/t Au) are repeated with a gravimetric finish (AuGRA22), and base metal analysis by methods ME-ICP61 and OG62 (four acid digest with ICP-AES finish). Visible gold intervals are sampled by metallic screen fire assay method AuSCR21. Samples are held in the Company's secure facilities until dispatched and delivered by staff and commercial couriers to the laboratory. Pulps and coarse rejects are retained and returned to the Company for storage. The Company submits a range of quality control samples, including blanks and gold and polymetallic standards supplied by Rocklabs, ITAK and OREAS, supplementing laboratory quality control procedures. Approximately 5% of archived samples are sent for umpire laboratory analysis, including any lots exhibiting QAQC outliers after discussion with the laboratory. In BP Minerals sampling, gold was analysed historically by fire assay and base metals by three acid digest and ICP finish at the Nomos laboratory in Rio de Janeiro. Silver was analysed by aqua regia digest with an atomic absorption finish. True width is considered to be ~20 -30% of intersection width for CD. Assay figures and intervals are rounded to 1 decimal place.

Gold equivalents for Santa Helena are based on metallurgical recoveries from the historical resource calculation, updated with pricing forecasts aligned with the Cabacal PEA. AuEq (g/t) = (Au(g/t) * 65%Recovery) + (1.492*Cu(%) * 89%Recovery) + (0.474*Zn% * 89%Recovery)) + (0.013*Ag(g/t) * 61%Recovery)). CuEq (%) = (Cu(%) * 89%Recovery) + (0.318*Zn% * 89%Recovery)) + (0.67*Au(g/t) * 65%Recovery) + (0.0087*Ag(g/t) * 61%Recovery)). Metallurgical testwork is currently in progress to evaluate recoveries in primary lithologies and saprolite, with formulas to be updated based on revised recoveries pricing.

Qualified Person

Mr. Erich Marques, B.Sc., FAIG, Chief Geologist of Meridian Mining and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and verified the technical information in this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Meridian's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedarplus.ca . While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Meridian, in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, Meridian can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.

Table 1: Assay results reported in this release.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2024 /Arras Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ARK) (OTCQB:ARRKF) ("Arras" or "Arras Minerals" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing core drilling program at the Elemes Project. The program, which began in September, remains on schedule and is expected to conclude by the end of December.

The current Phase 1 core drilling program, totaling approximately 4,000 metres of diamond drilling, has primarily targeted key areas at Berezski Central, Berezski East, Q-Gorka, and K-Ozek. These targets were identified following two seasons of comprehensive exploration work at the Elemes Project, including airborne magnetic and Pole-Dipole Induced Polarization geophysical surveys, as well as extensive soil sampling and mapping. In addition, select historical drill holes from the Berezski East and Q-Gorka targets were re-assayed (refer to Arras news releases dated January 8 and 22, 2024).

While initial assay results from the September and October drilling have taken much longer than anticipated to be processed and verified, the Company now expects to announce these results by early January 2025. Subsequent assay results will be released as they become available.

"We are very pleased with the progress of the core drilling program at Elemes over the past three months," commented Tim Barry, CEO of Arras Minerals. "This Phase 1 campaign is testing new target areas developed through our recent fieldwork, and we are encouraged by the early indications we've seen so far that Elemes is indeed a large epithermal-porphyry system that has yet to be explored with modern techniques."

Figure 1. Arras Minerals Elemes Project & additional project portfolio located in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

Figure 2. Arras Minerals drilling at Elemes Project, Q4 2024

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSON

The scientific and technical disclosure for this news release has been prepared under supervision of and approved by Matthew Booth, Vice President of Exploration, of Arras Minerals Corp., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Booth has over 19 years of mineral exploration experience and is a Qualified Person member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (CPG 12044).

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Barry"

Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo)

Chief Executive Officer and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

+1 604 687 5800

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Further information can be found on:

the Company's website https://www.arrasminerals.com or

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About Arras Minerals Corp.

Arras Minerals Corp. is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The Company has established the third-largest license package in the country prospective for copper and gold (behind Rio Tinto and Fortescue). In December 2023, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") in which Teck may sole fund a US$5 million generative exploration program over a portion of the Arras Minerals license package in 2024-2025. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading symbol "ARK" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ARRKF".

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources

This press release uses the terms "measured resources", "indicated resources", and "inferred resources" which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. The Company advises U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the SEC. The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Arras Minerals' future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding plans and expectations of the exploration program Arras Minerals is in the process of undertaking, including the expansion of the Mineral Resource, and other aspects of the Mineral Resource estimates for the Beskauga project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras Minerals' exploration projects, the industry in which Arras Minerals operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras Minerals' management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to futureperiods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control, including undertaking further exploration activities, the results of such exploration activities and that such results support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Management Discussion and Analysis filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR on February 28, 2024 and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed on February 28, 2024 available on www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mink Ventures Corporation (TSXV:MINK) (MINK or the "Company") today announced that it has commenced the drill program at its Warren project. The Company will be drill testing the Shaft Zone, SW Zone, and North Zone, which each have high conductivity and low resistivity responses coincident with nickel, copper, cobalt mineralization. The Warren property covers 1,130 hectares of land, located in Whitesides Township, approximately 35 km west of Timmins, Ontario (see Figure 1) and is just south of Minks Montcalm Ni Cu Co project.

Highlights:

The main IP anomaly, with high chargeability and low resistivity (see Figures 3 & 4) on the Warren Patents, has a strike length of 1.6 km and is open to the south, beyond the extent of the IP survey. Numerous copper, nickel, and cobalt occurrences are present on the flanks of this anomaly. The central core of the chargeability contour shown in purple (see Figure 3), in the vicinity of the Shaft, SW, and North Zones, remains untested. The diamond drill program has started at the Shaft Zone.

North Zone: The North Zone, and a proximal IP anomaly both located in the northeast section of the Warren Patents, has emerged as the highest priority drill target area from the summer program. The North Zone lies on the flank of large magnetic high and is associated with an IP response. Within the center of the magnetic high are a series of broad IP anomalies. These IP anomalies are untested and represent excellent drill targets along with the North Zone. Very limited historical work has been carried out other than a single blasted pit exposing considerable massive sulphides (see Photo 1). The sulphide zone is hosted in a gabbroic intrusive. The more significant Ni values from the North Zone massive sulphide ranged from 0.597% to 0.967% Ni in association with cobalt values ranging from 0.0573% to 0.0738% Co. The best copper value returned 0.515% Cu .

The North Zone, and a proximal IP anomaly both located in the northeast section of the Warren Patents, has emerged as the highest priority drill target area from the summer program. The North Zone lies on the flank of large magnetic high and is associated with an IP response. Within the center of the magnetic high are a series of broad IP anomalies. These IP anomalies are untested and represent excellent drill targets along with the North Zone. Very limited historical work has been carried out other than a single blasted pit exposing considerable massive sulphides (see Photo 1). The sulphide zone is hosted in a gabbroic intrusive. . Shaft Zone : This is another high priority drill target, along a 1.6 km long geophysical anomaly that is coincident with significant mineralization. Semi massive sulphide and disseminated sulphide were noted in samples in a gabbro host rock. The main sulphide mineralization observed was pyrrhotite and some chalcopyrite. Significant samples from Shaft Zone returned copper values ranging from 0.365% to 0.773% copper and nickel values ranged from 0.341% to 0.461% nickel. Cobalt values ranged from 0.0339% to 0.461% cobalt. The Shaft Zone is coincident with a 130-meter-wide IP anomaly over 100 meters of strike length in the immediate vicinity of the shaft. The Shaft Zone is also associated with a large bulls eye magnetic response over the shaft collar and the southern portion of the IP target.

: This is another high priority drill target, along a 1.6 km long geophysical anomaly that is coincident with significant mineralization. Semi massive sulphide and disseminated sulphide were noted in samples in a gabbro host rock. The main sulphide mineralization observed was pyrrhotite and some chalcopyrite. Significant samples from Shaft Zone The Shaft Zone is coincident with a 130-meter-wide IP anomaly over 100 meters of strike length in the immediate vicinity of the shaft. The Shaft Zone is also associated with a large bulls eye magnetic response over the shaft collar and the southern portion of the IP target. SW Zone : The SW Zone is located approximately 220 meters north of the Shaft Zone and mineralization consists of semi massive and disseminated pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite hosted in a gabbro intrusive. The best nickel values obtained were 0.354% to 0.401% Ni. Cobalt values ranged from 0.0392% to 0.0475% Co. The best copper value returned 0.579% Cu. The SW Zone trench is coincident with a broad 130-meter-wide IP anomaly, the same IP response which extends 200 meters northward from the Shaft Zone IP anomaly. Approximately 50 meters west of the SW Zone trench is the best ground electromagnetic (EM) response on the property. The Company intends to drill test these EM and IP targets along with the known mineralized SW Zone simultaneously.

: The SW Zone is located approximately 220 meters north of the Shaft Zone and mineralization consists of semi massive and disseminated pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite hosted in a gabbro intrusive. The The SW Zone trench is coincident with a broad 130-meter-wide IP anomaly, the same IP response which extends 200 meters northward from the Shaft Zone IP anomaly. Approximately 50 meters west of the SW Zone trench is the best ground electromagnetic (EM) response on the property. The Company intends to drill test these EM and IP targets along with the known mineralized SW Zone simultaneously. Following completion of the drill program, Mink will have completed the $300,000 of work expenditures required to earn its 100% interest in the Warren Patents. These expenses were significantly offset by the two, non-dilutive, OJEP grants (totaling $168,615) that the Company was awarded.

Qualified Person

Mr. Kevin Filo, P. Geo. (Ontario), is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Filo approved the technical data disclosed in this release.

About Mink Ventures Corporation

Mink Ventures Corporation (TSXV:MINK) is a Canadian mineral exploration company exploring for critical minerals in Ontario, Canada. It has a prospective, nickel copper cobalt exploration portfolio, with its Montcalm project, which now covers approximately 100 km2 adjacent to Glencores former Montcalm Mine with historical production of 3.93 million tonnes of ore grading 1.25% Ni, 0.67% Cu and 0.051% Co (Ontario Geological Survey, Atkinson, 2010), as well as its expanded Warren Project. These complementary nickel copper cobalt projects have excellent access and infrastructure and are in close proximity to the Timmins Mining Camp. The Company has 22,456,488 common shares outstanding.

For further information about Mink Ventures Corporation please contact: Natasha Dixon, President & CEO, T: 250-882-5620 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Kevin Filo, Director, T: 705-266-6818 or visit www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes certain forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the prospectivity of the Montcalm and Warren Projects. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Mink to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of exploration work; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the Warren Project and Montcalm Project; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, or delays in obtaining governmental and stock exchange approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Minks filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR+. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Mink disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or ac curacy of this release.

FIGURE 1: MINK VENTURES PROPERTY LOCATION MAP

FIGURE 2: WARREN PROJECT CLAIM MAP

FIGURE 3: WARREN PROPERTY IP CHARGEABILITY MAP

FIGURE 4: WARREN PROPERTY IP RESISTIVITY MAP

IMAGE 1: WARREN PROJECT-MASSIVE SULPHIDES FROM NORTH ZONE
The cash consideration under the Offer represents a premium of approximately 26% based on the volume weighted average trading price of C$0.676 per Common Share on the TSX over the 30- trading days prior to December 13, 2024 and 10% based on the closing price of C$0.770 per Common Share on the TSX on December 13, 2024 .



Shareholders with questions about the Offer can contact Shorecrest Group at 1-888-637-5789 (North American Toll-Free Number) or +1 647-931-7454 (outside North America ) or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.sierrametalscashoffer.com.

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Alpayana S.A.C. ("Alpayana"), announces today that it intends to commence an all-cash takeover bid (the "Offer") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") of Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) ("Sierra") at a price of C$0.85 per Common Share through its newly formed wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary (the "Offeror"). The Offeror intends to make the Offer directly to the shareholders of Sierra (the "Shareholders") so that they can determine the outcome of their investment.

The cash consideration under the Offer represents premiums of approximately:

26% to the 30-day volume weighted average trading price of C$0.676 per Common Share on the TSX over the 30 trading days ended December 13, 2024 (the last trading day prior to today's announcement of the Offer); and

per Common Share on the TSX over the 30 trading days ended (the last trading day prior to today's announcement of the Offer); and 10% based on the closing price of C$0.770 per Common Share on the TSX on December 13, 2024 .

The Offeror believes that Shareholders should have the opportunity to determine what is best for their investment and will be offering immediate and certain value in the form of C$0.85 in cash per Common Share from a credible transaction partner. The Offeror is a Canadian wholly-owned subsidiary of Alpayana which is a family-owned private mining company that is debt free and has annual revenues over US$500 million and a commitment to the development and promotion of sustainable and responsible mining. Alpayana strives to leave a positive and meaningful legacy by prioritizing the well-being of its employees, the communities it impacts and the environment.

In addition to the premium, the Offeror believes that the proposed Offer is attractive to Shareholders for reasons that include:

O pportunity to Redeploy Funds. Based on its publicly available annual audited financial statements from 2013 to September 30, 2024 , Sierra has reported accumulated net losses of an aggregate of US$153 million . The Offer provides Shareholders with an opportunity to monetize their investment and redeploy such funds into other investments, including dividend paying investments and/or in other mining companies with assets in Latin America that may have more liquid stock, more critical mass and a better financial position.





Based on its publicly available annual audited financial statements from 2013 to , Sierra has reported accumulated net losses of an aggregate of . The Offer provides Shareholders with an opportunity to monetize their investment and redeploy such funds into other investments, including dividend paying investments and/or in other mining companies with assets in that may have more liquid stock, more critical mass and a better financial position. Weak Balance Sheet. Sierra has expensive liabilities, a working capital shortfall, a large asset base subject to potential impairments, and outsized corporate expenses relative to total assets and revenues. The funding of future capital expenditures could result in earnings per share dilution, free cash flow per share dilution, value per share dilution, and continued constraint to establish a dividend program. Accepting the Offer eliminates these balance sheet related risks for Shareholders.





Sierra has expensive liabilities, a working capital shortfall, a large asset base subject to potential impairments, and outsized corporate expenses relative to total assets and revenues. The funding of future capital expenditures could result in earnings per share dilution, free cash flow per share dilution, value per share dilution, and continued constraint to establish a dividend program. Accepting the Offer eliminates these balance sheet related risks for Shareholders. Liquidity and Certainty of Value. The Offer provides a compelling liquidity event and an opportunity for Shareholders to realize cash proceeds and certainty of value for their entire investment in an entity that has low liquidity.





The Offer provides a compelling liquidity event and an opportunity for Shareholders to realize cash proceeds and certainty of value for their entire investment in an entity that has low liquidity. Risk of the Status Quo. There is considerable risk to Shareholders if the Sierra Board of Directors (the " Board ") and management team continue to pursue their current strategy which has resulted in a weak and weakening balance sheet with restrictive bank covenants, failed M&A attempts, and a lack of critical mass capable of absorbing potential mining risks. The Offer provides Shareholders with the ability to fully monetize and derisk their investment and, ultimately, redeploy their capital into the market. The Offeror will be required to pay for Common Shares taken up by it at the expiry time of the Offer (the " Expiry Time "), not later than three business days after the Expiry Time. Provided the conditions to the Offer are satisfied or, where permitted, waived, the Offeror will be required to take up Common Shares validly deposited and not withdrawn at the Expiry Time.



High Debt Load . Based on its publicly available information, as at September 30, 2024 , Sierra had US$97.1 million in gross bank debt. In addition, Sierra also had another US$23.1 million in structural gross financing through working capital deficit, discounted sales of minerals which generate implicit interest costs, and leases. This total amount of US$120.2 million in structural gross financings needs to be serviced which will continue to impair Sierra's ability to pay future dividends. Furthermore, Sierra owes Sociedad Minera Corona S.A. (" Corona "), a controlled publicly traded subsidiary with minority shareholders, US$56.5 million as at September 30, 2024 .



Expensive Debt Load . Based on publicly available information, Sierras cost of funds remains high. The syndicated loan was priced at a floating rate of 3-month SOFR + 6.5% and at a fixed rate of 12%. The constant refinancings, restructurings and waiver requirements increase the real financing costs. As Sierra has recently experienced a weak balance sheet, this combined with restrictive covenants and only two mining units in a volatile mining sector that has significant inherent risks leads to a high quantity of financial distress.



Impaired Dividend Capacity . Sierra's press releases focus on Net Debt to EBITDA. Such ratio ignores the high capex requirements (sustaining and growth), the high working capital requirements (both ordinary course and to replenish the deficit), the high interest expense, the upcoming principal amortizations, and the non-bank structural financings. Under a dividend discount model (DDM) there does not seem to be value in Sierra's stock in the status quo scenario unless corporate expenses are eliminated and the balance sheet is adequately strengthened.



Restrictive Covenants Put Shareholders at Risk. Based on publicly available information, Sierra's senior secured credit agreement entered into in June 2024 contains restrictive financial covenants and amortization starting next year. Such credit agreement is restrictive of dividend payments and capex. Under such credit agreement, Sierra pledged its key mining assets as collateral, including the Yauricocha Mine in Peru and the Bolivar Mine in Mexico . In this context, considering that Sierra has only two assets, has a weak balance sheet and operates in the volatile mining environment, such restrictions put the Shareholders at risk.



Failed M&A Attempts. Based on publicly available information, Sierra has conducted strategic reviews which have failed to result in any accretive acquisitions or mergers.



Lack of Scale. We recognize managements competency and commitment. However, Sierra does not seem to have the critical mass to absorb inherent mining risks, further asset impairments, or current corporate expenses. Furthermore, the lack of scale contributes to the high production cost of Sierra. In recent quarters the All in Sustainable Cost at the Yauricocha and Bolivar mines has ranged from US$3.23 to US$3.75 per copper-equivalent pound. These figures are well above industry averages.





There is considerable risk to Shareholders if the Sierra Board of Directors (the " ") and management team continue to pursue their current strategy which has resulted in a weak and weakening balance sheet with restrictive bank covenants, failed M&A attempts, and a lack of critical mass capable of absorbing potential mining risks. The Offer provides Shareholders with the ability to fully monetize and derisk their investment and, ultimately, redeploy their capital into the market. The Offeror will be required to pay for Common Shares taken up by it at the expiry time of the Offer (the " "), not later than three business days after the Expiry Time. Provided the conditions to the Offer are satisfied or, where permitted, waived, the Offeror will be required to take up Common Shares validly deposited and not withdrawn at the Expiry Time. Fully Funded Cash Offer. Alpayana is a credible counterparty with the resources and capability to close this acquisition based on its available cash. The Offer is not subject to any financing condition.

The Offer will be made as Alpayana believes that acquiring the Common Shares directly from Shareholders is the only course of action available to Alpayana. Alpayana respects the current CEO and Chairman; however, during the past few years, Alpayana has observed certain actions taken by Sierra's leadership and its influence over the operations of Corona, that Alpayana believes did not respect the interest of Corona's public minority shareholders.

In addition, in January 2023, Alpayana submitted a non-binding offer to the then Chair of the Board to participate in a capitalization of Sierra that was not made public. Shortly after the submission of such confidential letter, the share price of Sierra's Common Shares increased substantially and Alpayana determined that it was unable to continue to pursue its offer.

As such, Alpayana believes that making the offer directly to Shareholders is the most effective, transparent and efficient way for Shareholders to receive a compelling offer and to have an opportunity to determine what is best for their investment. In addition, the Offer will provide Shareholders with the ability to realise immediate and certain value for their Common Shares.

Full details of the Offer will be provided in a formal offer and take-over bid circular, letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery (collectively, the "Offer Documents") to be filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and mailed to Shareholders. The Offeror will request a list of security holders from Sierra and expects to mail the Offer Documents as soon as practicable after receipt of such list. The Offer will be open for acceptance for a period of 105 days following formal commencement, unless the Offer is extended, accelerated or withdrawn in accordance with its terms.

Sierra has announced that it will hold a special meeting to approve a consolidation of its Common Shares on the basis of one new Sierra common share for up to every 20 Common Shares of Sierra. Alpayana believes that this is a clear sign that Sierra has lost faith in its ability to increase its share price based on performance. In addition, many share consolidations have had mixed results, with the share price often not increasing to a level equivalent to the consolidation ratio. If Sierra proceeds with the share consolidation, the consideration per share offered by the Offeror will be adjusted proportionately to any such share consolidation.

It is possible that the current Canada Post strike may still be continuing at the time of the Offeror's mailing of the Offer Documents. Shareholders that have not consented with their financial intermediary for electronic delivery may not receive the material in the mail until after the strike ends. The Offer Documents will also be accessible under Sierra's profile on SEDAR+. Shareholders are encouraged to check SEDAR+ and visit www.sierrametalscashoffer.com, which will be updated as the offer process proceeds.

The Offer will be conditional upon certain conditions being satisfied or, where permitted, waived at or prior to the expiry of the Offer. Such conditions will include, among others to be described in the formal offer and take-over bid circular:

(i) there having been validly deposited under the Offer and not withdrawn that number of Common Shares, representing more than 50% of the outstanding Common Shares, excluding those Common Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by the Offeror or by any person acting jointly or in concert with the Offeror, which is a non-waivable condition;

(ii) there having been validly deposited under the Offer and not withdrawn that number of Common Shares, representing at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding Common Shares (calculated on a fully diluted basis), excluding those Common Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by the Offeror or by any person acting jointly or in concert with the Offeror, which the Offeror may determine to waive in its absolute discretion;

(iii) the delivery of an unqualified audit opinion by its auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, in connection with Sierra's consolidated audited financial statements (without restatements and/or further asset impairments) for and as at the year ended December 31, 2024;

(iv) the achievement by Sierra of certain financial metrics for and as at the year ended December 31, 2024;

(v) certain government and regulatory approvals having been obtained that the Offeror considers necessary or desirable in connection with the Offer. Alpayana expects to complete the necessary fillings in Peru and Mexico within the next few days;

(vi) Sierra not undertaking certain operational or corporate changes and the Board not using its broad powers in the case of a prospective Change of Control; and

(vii) the Offeror having determined, in its sole judgment, that there does not exist and there shall not have occurred or been publicly disclosed since the date of the Offer, a material adverse effect.

The Offer is not subject to any due diligence, financing or Alpayana or Offeror shareholder approval conditions.

If the statutory minimum is satisfied and the other conditions to the Offer are satisfied or waived at or prior to the expiry of the Offer such that the Offeror takes up the Common Shares validly deposited under the Offer, it will make a public announcement of the foregoing and extend the period during which Common Shares may be deposited and tendered to the Offer for a period of not less than 10 business days after the date of such announcement.

Following completion of the Offer, the Offeror intends (but is not required) to enter into one or more transactions to enable it to acquire all Common Shares not acquired under the Offer, including a compulsory acquisition or subsequent acquisition transaction. If the Offeror is able to complete such a transaction, the Offeror intends to seek to delist the Common Shares from the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Bolsa de Valores de Lima and to cause Sierra to cease to be a reporting issuer if permitted under applicable law.

Full details of the Offer will be provided in the Offer Documents to be filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and mailed to Shareholders. This news release is not a substitute for the Offer Documents. The Offer Documents are not currently available, but once they are made available, will contain important information relating to the Offer, the Offeror and Sierra and should be reviewed carefully.

Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own particular circumstances to determine the particular tax consequences to them of a disposition of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer, a compulsory acquisition or subsequent acquisition transaction.

Readers are cautioned that the Offeror may determine not to make or proceed with the Offer and there can be no assurance that the Offer will be made or that the final terms of the Offer will be as described in this news release.

This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of the Offeror, Alpayana or Sierra.

ABOUT THE OFFEROR AND ALPAYANA

The Offeror is a Canadian wholly-owned subsidiary of Alpayana S.A.C. ("Alpayana") and was incorporated for the sole purpose of making the Offer.

Alpayana is a family-owned private mining company committed to the development and promotion of sustainable and responsible mining. It strives to leave a positive and meaningful legacy by prioritizing the well-being of its employees, the communities it impacts and the environment. Alpayana has been operating mines in Peru for over 38 years, has a successful M&A track record, and experience in developing projects with a view on intrinsic value. Alpayana successfully acquired Empresa Minera Los Quenuales (Yauliyacu mine and Iscaycruz mine) from Glencore in 2022 and Compania Minera Argentum (Morococha mine) from Pan American Silver in 2023. Alpayana is currently debt-free and has annual revenues over US$500 million.

ADVISORS

McCarthy Tetrault LLP is acting as Canadian legal counsel to the Offeror and Alpayana. Rebaza, Alcazar & De Las Casas is acting as Peruvian legal counsel and Creel, Garcia-Cuellar, Aiza y Enriquez, S.C. is acting as Mexican legal counsel to the Offeror and Alpayana. Shorecrest Group is acting as the Depositary and Information Agent to the Offeror and Alpayana in respect of the Offer. LXG Capital is acting as the sole financial advisor to Alpayana.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains "forward-looking statements" (as defined under applicable securities laws). These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Offeror and Alpayana's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates, intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Offer, including the anticipated timing of the Offer; reasons to accept the Offer and expectations that such reasons continue to be prevailing; risks and challenges facing Sierra. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Offeror and Alpayana's current beliefs and are based on information currently available. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue", "target", "intend", "could" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should specifically consider various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, market and general economic conditions (including slowing economic growth, inflation and rising interest rates) and the dynamic nature of the industry in which Sierra operates.

Although the forward-looking information contained in this document is based upon what the Offeror and Alpayana believe are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and should not be relied upon as representing views as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Offeror and Alpayana do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, further developments or otherwise.

Neither the Offeror, Alpayana nor any of their subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, officers, partners, employees, representatives and advisers, make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the fairness, truth, fullness, accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document or otherwise made available, nor as to the reasonableness of any assumption contained herein, and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect, consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation, whether as to the past or the future and no reliance, in whole or in part, should be placed on the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information contained herein.
A Dutch court on Friday rejected demands by pro-Palestinian groups for a ban on arms exports from the Netherlands to Israel.

The non-governmental groups had accused Israel of conducting a "genocide" in its war in Gaza. But the court said the Dutch government was respecting rules governing the country's arms trade.

"The state should not be forced to impose a ban on exporting goods that can be used for military means," the court in The Hague said in a statement.

The pro-Palestinian groups said in a statement they had expected the decision but still called it a "blow" to international justice. They said they may appeal.

The groups had said that Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank since the Hamas group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel had put it in breach of the 1948 UN genocide convention.

Zainah El-Haroun, spokesperson for the NGO Al-Haq said that the Netherlands, as the venue for the International Court of Justice and other international tribunals, had to act to "prevent genocide".

The court said the government had carried out its obligations to assess the risk that arms exported to Israel are not used "in a way that could lead to a breach of humanitarian law in war." It highlighted a case where a military goods export to Israel had been halted.
Saydnaya prison north of the Syrian capital Damascus has become a symbol of the inhumane abuses of the Assad clan, especially since the country's civil war erupted in 2011.

The prison complex was the site of extrajudicial executions, torture and forced disappearances, epitomising the atrocities committed by ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

When Syrian rebels entered Damascus early last month after a lightning advance that toppled the Assad government, they announced they had seized Saydnaya and freed its inmates.

Some had been incarcerated there since the 1980s.

According to the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP), the rebels liberated more than 4,000 people.

Photographs of haggard and emaciated inmates, some helped by their comrades because they were too weak to leave their cells, circulated worldwide.

Suddenly the workings of the infamous jail were revealed for all to see.

The foreign ministers of France and Germany -- on a visit to meet with Syria's new rulers -- toured the facility on Friday accompanied by members of Syria's White Helmets emergency rescue group.

- Crematorium -

The prison was built in the 1980s during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, father of the deposed president, and was initially meant for political prisoners including members of Islamist groups and Kurdish militants.

But down the years, Saydnaya became a symbol of pitiless state control over the Syrian people.

In 2016, a United Nations commission found that "the Syrian Government has also committed the crimes against humanity of murder, rape or other forms of sexual violence, torture, imprisonment, enforced disappearance and other inhuman acts", notably at Saydnaya.

The following year, Amnesty International in a report entitled "Human Slaughterhouse" documented thousands of executions there, calling it a policy of extermination.

Shortly afterwards, the United States revealed the existence inside Saydnaya of a crematorium in which the remains of thousands of murdered prisoners were burned.

War monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in 2022 reported that around 30,000 people had been imprisoned in Saydnaya where many were tortured, and that just 6,000 were released.

- Salt morgues -

The ADMSP believes that more than 30,000 prisoners were executed or died under torture, or from the lack of medical care or food between 2011 and 2018.

The group says the former authorities in Syria had set up salt chambers -- rooms lined with salt for use as makeshift morgues to make up for the lack of cold storage.

In 2022, the ADMSP published a report describing for the first time these makeshift morgues of salt.

It said the first such chamber dated back to 2013, one of the bloodiest years in the Syrian civil conflict.

Many inmates are officially considered to be missing, with their families never receiving death certificates unless they handed over exorbitant bribes.

- Foreign prisoners -

After the fall of Damascus last month, thousands of relatives of the missing rushed to Saydnaya hoping they might find loved ones hidden away in underground cells.

But Saydnaya is now empty, and the White Helmets emergency workers have since announced the end of search operations there, with no more prisoners found.

Several foreigners also ended up in Syrian jails, including Jordanian Osama Bashir Hassan al-Bataynah, who spent 38 years behind bars and was found "unconscious and suffering from memory loss", the foreign ministry in Amman said last month.

According to the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in Jordan, 236 Jordanian citizens were held in Syrian prisons, most of them in Saydnaya.

Other freed foreigners included Suheil Hamawi from Lebanon who returned home after being locked up in Syria for 33 years, including inside Saydnaya.
German ministers on Sunday said supporters of fallen president Bashar al-Assad's government would face justice in Germany if they fled to the country after the toppling of the Syrian strongman.

"We will hold all of the regime's henchmen to account for their terrible crimes with the full force of the law," Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told the weekly Bild am Sonntag.

"If henchmen of Assad's terror regime try to flee to Germany, they must know that hardly any other state pursues their crimes as harshly as Germany," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the same publication.

"No one who has taken part in atrocities is safe from prosecution here," Faeser added.

"It is now particularly important for international security authorities and intelligence services to work together as closely as possible," Baerbock said.

Germany has convicted several Assad government officials under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows for trials regardless of where the offences were committed.

In January 2022, Germany jailed former Syrian colonel Anwar Raslan for life in the first global trial over state-sponsored torture in Syrian prisons.

A year later in February 2023 in Berlin, a member of a government militia arrested in Germany in 2021 also received a life sentence for war crimes.

A Syrian doctor, Alaa Moussa, is also currently on trial in Frankfurt accused of torture, murder and crimes against humanity in military hospitals.

German authorities have also gone after people who were not part of Assad's government for crimes committed in Syria since the civil war began in 2011.

In December 2023, German prosecutors charged two Syrians with war crimes committed around Damascus as part of the Islamic State group.

Germany is home to Europe's largest Syrian diaspora, having taken in nearly a million people from the war-ravaged country.
Israel's foreign ministry announced on Sunday that it was closing its embassy in Ireland, citing the Dublin government's "extreme anti-Israeli policies", further straining tense relations between the two nations.

Diplomatic ties between Ireland and Israel have deteriorated after a series of moves that included Ireland recognising a Palestinian state and backing an International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of "genocide" in the Gaza Strip.

Ireland has also been among the most outspoken critics of Israel's response to the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas that sparked the war in Gaza.

"The decision to close Israel's embassy in Dublin was made in light of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.

"Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel."

In November, Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris said the country's authorities would detain his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu if he travelled to Ireland after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him.

The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant "for crimes against humanity and war crimes" committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20 this year in the Gaza Strip.

Saar said Israel would invest its resources in building ties with other countries, and on Sunday announced the opening of an embassy in Moldova.

"We will adjust Israel's diplomatic network of missions while giving due weight, among other factors, to the positions and actions of various countries toward Israel in the diplomatic arena," he said.

In May, Dublin said it recognised Palestine as "a sovereign and independent state" comprising the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations.

Spain and Norway recognised a Palestinian state on the same day, with Slovenia following a week later, drawing retaliatory moves from Israel.

In November, Dublin accepted the appointment of a full Palestinian ambassador for the first time.

On Sunday, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the Israeli decision to close its Dublin embassy "deeply regrettable".

"I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law," he posted on X.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera condemned the Sunday killing of one of its journalists in an Israeli strike on Gaza, calling the death a "targeted killing" in a statement.

He is the fifth Al Jazeera journalist to be killed since the war in Gaza began more than 14 months ago.

"Al Jazeera Media Network condemns in the strongest terms the killing of its cameraman, Ahmad Baker Al-Louh, 39, by the Israeli occupation forces," the channel said.

"He was brutally killed in an air strike that targeted a Civil Defence post in the market area of Al-Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza Strip," it added.

The Israeli military confirmed in a statement it had killed Louh, saying he was a member of Islamic Jihad and "previously served as a platoon commander" for the militant group.

Israel's military has repeatedly accused journalists from the Al Jazeera of links to Hamas or its ally Islamic Jihad. Al Jazeera has fiercely denied these accusations and said Israel systematically targets its employees in the Gaza Strip.

The military said it struck a "command and control centre embedded in the offices of the civil defence organisation in Nuseirat", targeting "Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists". It said the centre was used to target Israeli troops.

Gaza's civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal confirmed Louh had been killed in the strike on the Nuseirat camp that also claimed the lives of three members of Bassal's rescue agency.

Bassal told AFP a warplane had "targeted the Civil Defence site in Nuseirat camp".

In a statement, the Palestinian militant group Hamas called Louh's killing an "assassination" and a "war crime", describing it as "part of a systematic targeting of journalists in Gaza, aimed at intimidating them and deterring them".

- Journalist's home 'destroyed' -

Al Jazeera said Louh's killing came "just days after the targeting of his house" by Israeli forces who "utterly destroyed" it.

"Al Jazeera unequivocally condemns the ongoing crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces against journalists and media professionals in Gaza," the channel said.

The network added it would "pursue all legal measures to prosecute the perpetrators" of these crimes.

Since the start of the war in the Palestinian territory on October 7 last year, Al Jazeera has aired continuous on-the-ground reporting on the effects of Israel's campaign.

The global channel, since before the war, has been the focus of long-running feud with the Israeli government which has repeatedly accused journalists from Al Jazeera of links to Hamas or its ally Islamic Jihad.

In September, Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera's office in the West Bank, with Israel's military saying the Ramallah bureau had been "used to incite terror" and "support terrorist activities".

Al Jazeera called the Israeli raid "a criminal act" and an attack on press freedom.

In April, the Israeli parliament passed a law allowing the banning of foreign media broadcasts deemed harmful to state security.

Based on this law, Israel's government on May 5 approved the decision to ban Al Jazeera from broadcasting from Israel and close its offices.

In September, armed and masked Israeli forced raided Al Jazeera's West bank office and issued an initial closure order.

Israel's military said the Ramallah office was "used to incite terror" and "support terrorist activities", and Al Jazeera's broadcasts endangered Israel's security.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists earlier on Sunday said the Israel-Hamas war "has taken an unprecedented toll on Gazan journalists".

The watchdog said CPJ's preliminary investigations showed at least 137 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon since October 7, 2023.
On 28 November 2024, Liberians woke up to the news of the death of senator Prince Y. Johnson, one of Liberias most feared and charismatic warlords. His passing away at the age of 72 in a hospital in a suburb of Monrovia, Liberias capital city, may signal an end to warlord politics, but his wartime legacy looms large, even in death. Until now, the prewar generation has been traumatised by his wartime exploits, while the post-war generation has been often mesmerised by his seductive post-war politics. Altogether, Johnson has earned himself a controversial spot in the collective memory. To some, hes viewed as a hero and an ethno-nationalist, while to others he was a sadistic perpetrator of casual violence, a war criminal and the search for civil war era accountability would have been incomplete without his culpability.

In reaction to the news of his death, Liberians on both ends of the spectrum wasted no time in taking to social media to express their deep emotions, one of respect, love and hate: A true legend is gone to rest, someone wrote. Another said go and meet my mother that you sent before you. in his defence, another wrote that if the killing of Samuel K. Doe is Prince Johnsons only fault, then he had no fault. Doe was Liberias first so-called indigenous president whose politics in the 1980s led to ethnic antagonism between Krahns, Gios and Manos. In retaliation, Johnson, himself an ethnic Gio, joined Charles Taylors National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and mobilised the grievances of his kinsmen in waging Liberias destructive civil wars, from 24 December 1989 till 2003.

Prince Johnson reinvented

Johnsons legacy is somewhat disproportionate to his time spent in the country as the head of a warring faction. During Liberias 14 years of civil war, Johnson spent less than three years in the country, much less than Taylor who endured to the end.

During Operations Octopus, launched by Taylor in 1992 against the ECOMOG peacekeeping force, Johnson fled to Nigeria after narrowly escaping capture and execution by the NPFL. Early in the civil war, Johnson broke away from Taylors NPFL and formed his own rebel movement, called the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), a score that Taylor tried to settle. Using more than 200 orphan children as human shields, he found refuge with West African peacekeepers and negotiated his exit out of Liberia.

In Nigeria he joined a seminary and became ordained as an evangelist. He also used his time away to write a memoir. After more than ten years in exile, Johnson returned to Liberia shortly after the Accra peace agreement was signed on 18 August 2003.

To understand Johnsons return and his eventual rise in Liberias post-war politics is like a well scripted Hollywood play, one that sets out to reinvent a villain, demonstrating a life of redemption and renewed purpose. In his carefully scripted image, Johnson traded in two unique symbols, the Holy Bible and his memoir, to reinvent himself as a born-again Christian, a preacher and a man who could be entrusted with public office.

In one hand, he holds the Bible which, for his purpose, symbolised reconciliation, atonement and a new beginning. He visited Samuel Does widow and other members of the family in the spirit of forgiveness and let bygone be bygone. On 9 September 1990, Johnson captured Liberias president Samuel Doe, and ordered that his ear be mutilated, before he was killed, a horrific scene that was captured on camera by a Palestinian television crew, who disseminated the video widely.

In the other hand, he brandished his memoir, The Rise and Fall of Samuel K. Doe: A Time to Heal and Rebuild Liberia. If the Bible was used to appeal to those prone to forgiveness, the memoir was Johnsons instrument of ethnonationalism, his road map to use distorted memories and redeploy these memories as political weapons.

The kingmaker

Liberias first post-war elections was characterised by fear. By then, Liberia had had 13 peace agreements, and all had failed. The Accra Agreement was the fourteenth peace agreement. Though Charles Taylor - who was considered as the most powerful warlord - had been removed from the equation of Liberian politics, due to his indictment for war crimes in Sierra Leone, there was no guarantee that the Accra agreement would be any different from the previous ones. In certain counties, Grand Gedeh and Nimba especially, electorates felt insecure about their ethnic identities. Johnson, who had returned from exile few years earlier, ran as a senator. He capitalised on the ethnic insecurity of his kinsmen by transmitting the social memories of the 1980s and 1990s.

In the 1980s, a conflict between two coup plotters and comrades-in arms, Samuel K. Doe and Thomas Quiwonkpa, a native of Nimba county, went terribly wrong and it took on ethnic proportions. Quiwonkpa, an ethnic Gio and mentor to Johnson, launched a coup in November 1985, following the rigged election of October which sought to keep President Doe in power. The coup was foiled, and Quiwonkpa got captured and executed. Johnson, a member of the Armed Forces (AFL) of Liberia -who had joined ranks of the coup plotter- escaped to the Ivory Coast. In retaliation, Gios and Manos were hounded and persecuted for their perceived sympathy to Quiwonkpas failed coup.

When Liberia imploded into a civil war in 1989, this ethnic antagonism festered with retaliatory killings on both sides. During the 2005 elections campaign, Johnson used these memories as weapons to rally votes. If you dont vote for me, and we return to war, dont count on me for support, he said. For, if there was one person in all Nimba county with the bonafide of an ethnonationalist, it was Johnson. To his kinsmen, he had earned the right to feel entitled and ask for loyalty, for he had captured, tortured and executed on camera the one person who was perceived as an existential threat to Nimbians, Doe.

Johnsons campaign strategy proved effective. Nimbians voted county-wide, making him a senior senator with a nine-year tenure. Next to Montserrado, Nimba county is the second most populous county in Liberia. Politicians like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf [President of the Republic from 2006 to 2018], who was initially unsure about Johnsons influence in the county, quickly gravitated towards him and secured his endorsement for the runoff of her first election. From 2005 onward, everyone who wanted to be president had to seek Johnsons endorsement. His strategy of being a preacher, a messenger of the Good News of Christ, while deploying social memories consolidated his political control on the county. The 2005 elections may have produced Africas first female president, but it also produced the kingmaker to Liberias post-war elections, a position the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) intentionally tried to undo.

The TRC used as a stage to relieve guilt

Three years after the elections, Liberias TRC held its first public hearings. It brought together key actors, including heads of warring factions, such as Johnson, so that they would give an account of their role during the civil wars, demonstrate remorse and seek forgiveness. But instead, the TRCs platform was claimed by and used for grandstanding by warlords.

Johnson read pages from his memoir, indulged in half-truth and justified his atrocities. He also re-echoed his populist philosophy used during combat. Here, Johnson tried to communicate that he was a professional soldier whose mission was to remove a dictator and return the country to civilian rule. A point forcefully made when he lamented, before 1985, I was an unknown soldier. Johnson used this rhetoric to demonstrate his love for his people, that he joined the coup in defence of his people and in pursuit of justice. His public hearings were often interrupted by a cheering squad of young and old Liberians mesmerised by his power of oratory.

As the TRC realised that the public hearing was circumvented and that perpetrators used it as a theatre to reinvent themselves, it used its final report to show strength. The document was released a year later and listed Johnson as one of the most notorious perpetrators. Of the twelve warring factions, Johnsons INPFL faction is accused of committing 2 % of the total violations. It recommends that Johnson and all those listed be investigated for war crimes.

The birth of the politics of silence

Relying on his growing popularity in Nimba, Johnson run for presidency in 2011. Though he knew he could not win, he used the third place position he obtained to demonstrate further his strength outside his native Nimba county and to ensure that he had a stronger voice on the governance and the future direction of Liberia. With Sirleaf-Johnsons re-election and Johnson consolidated position beyond Nimba, the TRC final report was placed on trial and the politics of silence was born.

Johnsons argument in favour of the politics of silence was his contention that the Accra agreement was about reconciliation and not prosecution. In his church, the Chapel of Faith Ministries, where he doubled as the founder and the spiritual leader, and on public radio, he argued that those pushing for prosecution were against peace and stability; that the pursuit of war crimes was counterproductive and went against the spirit of the Accra agreement.

He used this position to forge new political alliances and undermine the implementation of the TRC final report. In 2017, he endorsed George Weahs presidency. When rumours circulated that Weah would establish the war crimes court if he wins a second term, he switched sides and supported Joseph Boakai in 2023.

A war crimes court without Johnson

In death, Prince Johnson has made his last, final escape. He will never answer to his role in the civil war before a court of competent jurisdiction. But in this escape also lies a new opportunity, to break free of the tunnel vision that is often imposed by the transitional justices normative and oversimplified framework when it comes to dealing with the past.

Liberia is currently in the process of creating an office to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC). The strategy for prosecution was constructed on the presumed culpability of Prince Johnson, even though the wars were complex, involving different actors, households, communities, neighbours, families and friends. Therefore, the death of Prince Johnson provides a fresh opportunity to look at the society more closely and design a strategy that is faithful to its complexities.

Recommended reading George Weahs politics of silence
The West African bloc ECOWAS on Sunday backed the creation of a special court to judge crimes committed during the dictatorship of Gambia's former strongman Yahya Jammeh.

The Special Tribunal for Gambia "will ensure justice and accountability for gross human rights violations committed between July 1994 and January 2017", said a statement from ECOWAS.

This is the first time the bloc has partnered with a member state to set up such a court, said the statement.

Jammeh's 22 years in power were marked by significant rights abuses and the earmarking of state funds for the eccentric former leader's personal use, the new government and rights groups say.

He fled in 2017 after losing an election to current President Adama Barrow.
Go Hyun Jung fainted on set and had to be rushed to the hospital, prompting her to cancel scheduled appearances, including a press conference for her new GenieTV drama Namib.

According to WikiTree, Namib's production team announced that Go, who has been experiencing health issues, will not attend the event scheduled for December 16.

"The medical team has advised that she needs absolute rest and recovery. We ask for everyone's understanding," they stated.

Media reports said Go collapsed on December 16 and was taken directly to the emergency room.

Her reps revealed that it wasn't the first time. She had fainted several times before while shooting. "It is a personal issue, so it is difficult to talk about the details," they said.

Go was in the last two days of her shoot, and despite her health issues, was still trying to get work done.

Fans and netizens expressed their concern for her health, praying for her quick recovery.

Go Hyun Jung stars opposite Ryeoun in the drama "Namib," available on December 23 at 10 PM KST.




Monday, December 16, 2024 - 60 percent of Kenyans believe that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will not be able to conduct a free and fair election in 2027, a recent survey by Infotrak poll shows.

The poll which was unveiled on Monday revealed that the confidence level of Kenyans in the electoral body is disheartening as 60 per cent believe there is no transparency in the commission and only 24 percent believe there will be a fair poll.

Presenting the results of the survey conducted between November 16 and 30, Infotrak CEO Angela Ambitho said Kenyans interviewed cited external interference as their major concern, at 39 per cent.

Similarly, the poll revealed that 41 per cent of Kenyans lack identification cards, an issue that is likely to prevent them from registering as voters.

At the same time, 16 per cent of those interviewed cited a busy schedule for not participating in the last general polls.

The opinion poll also found that 75 percent of Kenyans across all the regions have not been involved in any public participation denying them a voice to make key decisions in the country.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - South Indian superstar Allu Arjun was arrested today, December 13, in connection with a tragic stampede during the December 4 premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad.

The incident resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman, Revathi, and critically injured her young son. Hours after his arrest, Arjun was granted interim bail.

According to reports, the actor was taken into custody by a task force team from the Hyderabad police on Friday morning. Videos of the arrest show Arjun finishing his coffee and speaking to his wife and son before being escorted to a police vehicle.

The Telangana High Court indicated that interim bail would be granted for a specific period, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

The stampede occurred when Allu Arjun made an unannounced appearance at the theatre, drawing an overwhelming crowd eager to see him. The sudden surge, compounded by inadequate crowd control, led to the tragedy. Police rushed Revathi and her son to a nearby hospital, but she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Authorities have since charged Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, citing negligence and lack of preparation for the event.

In the wake of the tragedy, Arjun expressed his sorrow and extended financial support of Dh110,000 to the grieving family. "Its a very unfortunate incident, and my heart goes out to the family affected," he said.

Revathis husband, Bhaskar, later told reporters that he was willing to drop the case against Arjun. "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, as reported by NDTV.

Arjuns co-star Rashmika Mandanna also expressed her support for the actor, calling the situation unfortunate and deeply saddening. In an Instagram post, she said, "It is disheartening to see everything being blamed on a single individual."

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan echoed similar sentiments, stating that it is unfair to hold one person solely responsible for safety lapses. "The actor cannot take sole responsibility for safety protocols," he said during an event in Jaipur.

Local police officials noted that Arjuns team and the theatre provided no prior notice of his appearance, leaving them unprepared to manage the large crowd. Three theatre staff members have since been detained for failing to ensure adequate safety measures.

The production company, Mythri Movie Makers, also issued a statement expressing condolences and pledging support to the grieving family.

Allu Arjun, widely regarded as one of Telugu cinemas biggest stars, commands a loyal fanbase known for travelling great distances to see him. His arrest has sparked discussions about accountability and the need for stricter safety measures at public events involving high-profile celebrities.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Arjun said, For every actor, the love of fans is a blessing, but ensuring their safety must always come first. He vowed to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Will Smith has made it clear to fans that he has no connection to the legal troubles surrounding Sean "Diddy" Combs.

During a performance at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, Smith addressed the audience about online memes linking him to the disgraced rap mogul.

In a clip from the show, Smith said, "I dont have s*** to do with Puffy, so yall can stop all the memes." He acknowledged the difficulty in discerning truth from fiction in todays digital age, adding that the memes have been causing confusion.

Smith emphasized that hes never been to a Freak-Off party and has enough of his own drama without being pulled into someone elses. He also joked about not even liking baby oil, referencing allegations that federal authorities found hundreds of bottles of the substance at Diddys residences.

Obviously, Diddy and I know each other, Smith said, addressing photos of the two stars chatting and laughing at public events. But thats the extentI wasnt down to get down at any of Diddys alleged parties.

As of now, Diddy is being held at MDC Brooklyn, a high-security prison in New York, following the denial of his latest bail motion. He faces serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, and is expected to remain in custody until his trial in May.

Smith wrapped up his remarks by distancing himself from the situation, saying, "Diddys dealing with a ton of legal drama, but thats his businessIm not involved in it."




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Central Organization of Trade Unions boss Francis Atwolis dark secrets have been exposed to the public by vocal blogger Aoko Otieno, who is known for delving into the private affairs of prominent Kenyans, among them politicians and senior government officials.

According to Aoko, Atwolis youthful wife Mary Kilobi is serviced by his driver.

Aoko alleges that Atwolli, who turned 74 years old in June this year, was warned by his doctors not to engage in bedroom affairs due to his heart condition.

He allegedly instructed his driver to be servicing his 38-year-old wife provided that he doesnt impregnate her.

Atwoli married Mary Kilobi in June 2018 despite their huge age difference.

He met her when she was still in University in Kampala.

Kilobis entrance into Atwolis life was met with resistance from one of his other wives, leading to a public spat.

Atwoli explained that he married Kilobi to protect his wealth and take care of his health.

Marys job is to check whether I have worn my socks properly and if my shirt is well-ironed.

"The right time for me to take medicine, she reminds me, he once publicly said.









The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - English actor, Jonathan Bailey has revealed that he is considering adopting a child and co-parenting with a woman or a man.

The Olivier Award-winning star of Wicked and Bridgerton, 36, who is openly gay, said that he was currently reading books on adoption but had too much on his plate to start a family at the moment.

Speaking to British Vogue about fatherhood, he said: Yes, its such a privilege for a man, but I cant bring children into my lifestyle now. I want to make sure Im going to be present; Im reading books on adoption.

He added: I might co-parent with a woman, but Im thinking it will be with a man.

Bailey, who rose to fame after starring in Netflixs popular Regency romp Bridgerton, has previously discussed how his role as the eligible straight bachelor led him to become hyper-aware of his sexuality.

I was hyper-aware of the complexities and nuances of how I felt about myself being a gay man, let alone a gay actor, and suddenly finding success in playing a straight part and talking about that, he said in an interview in November.

The stage and screen actor told Vogue that his sexuality was more of a gradual realisation, only coming out as gay to his family and close friends in his early 20s after a two-year relationship with a girl.

He said: Its interesting with the binary, where youre perceived to be either this or that.

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.

I think other people understood my sexuality before I was even aware of it, he added.

He has recently become a patron for the charity Just Like Us, which supports young LGBTQ+ people to thrive in school and beyond, and admitted he is aware that challenges still exist.

Ive always been a confident hand-holder in relationships, [but] I had a boyfriend who wasnt experienced at holding hands in public. We got heckled in London.




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Kikuyu Member of Parliament, Kimani Ichungwah has urged religious leaders not to be threatened for collaborating with President William Rutos government.

Speaking during a church service in Khwisero, Kakamega County on Sunday, Ichungwah said the partnership between the church and the government will foster peace and stability in the country.

He urged the clergy to not shy from holding meetings with President William Ruto, noting that they also play a cardinal role in offering leadership advice to the government.

I see on social media pastors being condemned because they have gone to the State House. What the President said [is] that we shall continue to consult with everybody, said Ichungwah.

Buy no fear, it is your State House. Pray with the President, advise him, and also get counsel from him on things you can work with the government to help Kenyans.

The legislator further censured those attacking church leaders who are warming up to the state, maintaining that the partnership would be extended to have more members visiting the State House.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Detectives from the Operations Directorate have once again arrested serial fraud suspect Brian Otiende Anyanga, the supposed ring leader of a city cartel that has become the nightmare of land owners and developers around the Capital by issuing fake lease certificates while purporting to work at the Nairobi County Lands Registry.

Brian's arrest comes barely two weeks since his accomplice, Lawrence Martins Ochieng was arrested for his involvement in a land fraud case where a victim almost lost two prime parcels of land located in Nairobi's Pumwani area, after Brian's gang issued him with fake documents purporting to be genuine certificates of lease. Although the fraud was intercepted, the victim lost over Sh 553,000 to the machinations.

Getting wind that Lawrence Ochieng had had his day with DCI's Operations Support Unit detectives on December 2, Brian took to his hole located along Katulo Road in Buruburu.

However, he was swept from the warmth of his couch and taken into custody, following the two weeks of relentless manhunt.

Brian, who has an ongoing gold scam case and is out on bond, will be arraigned at Milimani Law Courts.

Meanwhile, several suspicious land documents seized in the course of the ongoing investigation are being subjected to scrutiny, to determine whether any officials at the Lands Registry have been conspiring with the suspects.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Four men will appear in court next year in Paris over allegations they harassed French First Lady Brigitte Macron online, including likening her to a paedophile'.

Recall that disinformation on Macron's gender has circulated on social media for years, and she has also been attacked over the 24-year age difference with President Emmanual Macron.

In August, Brigitte Macron filed a complaint and authorities opened an investigation into cyberharassment and incitement to commit an offence, the public prosecutor said.

A hearing in July next year will concern "malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality, as well as her age difference with her husband... likening her to a paedophile," prosecutors said.

A trial is scheduled for the end of October.

The relationship between the president, 46, and his wife, 71, who met while she was a teacher and he was a teenager, is a source of media attention in France and abroad.

Among the accused is Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, born in 1984, a publicist known on social media as "Zoe Sagan", who is often linked with conspiracy theory circles.

Poirson-Atlan's lawyer, Juan Branco, denounced the charges and accused the public prosecutor of taking an "obvious political direction".

Among the posts spread on social media is disinformation claiming that the first lady, formerly Brigitte Trogneux, had never existed and that her brother Jean-Michel had changed gender and assumed that identity.

In September, a French court ordered two women to pay 8,000 euros ($8,400) in damages to Macron after falsely claiming she was transgender, sparking online rumour-mongering by conspiracy theorists and the far right.




Monday, December 16, 2024  Kenya faces a potential fuel shortage as the government-to-government deal with Saudi Arabia for fuel imports nears its expiry in two weeks, with no replacement deal in place.

Under the deal, the Government of Kenya entered into oil importation deals with other fuel-importing companies from the Gulf state to supply Kenya with the products on credit.

This was particularly to ease the pressure on the Kenyan Shilling which had suffered shocks as a result of the global dollar shortage.

Initially, Kenya used to import fuel products and pay instantly to the suppliers. However, since the government-to-government agreement took effect, the country has been able to purchase the products on credit.

However, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi refuted the claims of a likely crisis in the fuel sector, revealing that deliberations are in high gear to address the issue.

Wandayi added that there will be an interministerial conference that will meet and deliberate on the matter.

According to the CS, the conference headed by the Minister for Treasury John Mbadi will then issue a joint statement on the government's steps.

This is even after it emerged that the government is yet to strike another importation deal with only a fortnight to the expiry of the current agreement.

He maintained that the government was however proud that the deal helped reduce the fuel prices across the country.

The landing cost of fuel products has been comparatively low since the government started the new importation deal.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ordered Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro to state whether he is with him or with President William Ruto.

Nyoro has remained silent since the debate on Gachagua's impeachment in the National Assembly and did not vote when MPs decided to send the former deputy president home.

The Kiharu MP has also not commented on Gachagua's impeachment, prompting the former DP to urge him to clarify his position and stop being a fence-sitter.

I want to urge Ndindi Nyoro to tell the good people of Kiharu constituency whether he is with his people or he is with the traitor, Gachagua told Inooro TV during an interview on Sunday.

At the same time, Gachagua termed all Mt Kenya region MPs and senators who supported his impeachment as traitors and urged the electorate to send them home in 2027 for going against the communitys stand.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has narrated how Inspector General of Police David Kanja betrayed him even after helping him land the coveted job.

In an interview, Gachagua accused Kanja of failing to return favors and withdrawing his security detail.

Gachagua claimed that despite extending favors to Police IG Kanja, a fellow Nyeri County native, Kanja did not intervene when his security was withdrawn.

The former DP also blamed the IG for failing to arrest those who planned his attack while attending a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County.

''I would like to ask the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, he is a neighbour and a man from here. You know the people who attacked us, their pictures are in the public and most of them have criminal records. Why are you not arresting them and taking them to court?'' Gachagua questioned.

''Douglas Kanja who removed my security personnel, I am the one who helped him to get the job,'' he added.

He also insisted that the IG will one day have to be answerable to the people over the betrayal.

He alluded to the recent attack on him and his allies as an orchestrated move by the government while calling for the apprehension of the goons.

''We know that the goons were organized by the government. We know that Kanja will one day have to answer that question,'' Gachagua added.

The former second in command has been on a ranting spree since his impeachment over gross violation of the Constitution allegations.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged President William Ruto to forget about the Mt Kenya region in 2027, citing what he described as betrayal

Speaking during a church service on Sunday, Gachagua claimed Ruto had misused the region and emphasized how betrayal against the community is despised.

"This community has been misused but it is okay. Let me say this because I have seen a lot of analysts trying to come up with many theories about the people of this region called Mt. Kenya.

"Let me help you a little bit, it is true what you are saying, the mountain is angry.

"It's not just angry it is very angry, why? Because of betrayal; the mountain has not only been betrayed but humiliated and ashamed," he said.

Despite these strong feelings, Gachagua assured that the community is working on reclaiming its dignity and pride.

He also noted that many political analysts have been trying to interpret the regions current stance, but he suggested that time would reveal the outcome.

"In this region we hate betrayal, betrayal in this region is a taboo; it is an abomination and it is one act against this community that is never forgiven and once you do it there is no remedy.

"The mountain has moved on though humiliated and in shame but the matter is settled there is no remedy, he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja to arrest the criminals behind last month's burial chaos in Limuru where his car was stoned.

Gachagua was among the mourners when goons stormed the burial and started pelting stones at his motorcade and chased him away.

Speaking at Bahati Church in Ichamara, Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County, on Sunday, Gachagua accused the Inspector General of Police, of deliberately refusing to arrest people who attacked him.

The former Mathira MP alleged that the government hired Central Kenya youths to create the impression of an internal community conflict.

The attack was a clear assassination attempt orchestrated by the government, using Kikuyu youths to make it look like the community is fighting itself, Gachagua said.

I know who attacked me. Their photos are there, and most of them have criminal records.

"Why havent they been arrested if this wasnt planned by the government?

"But one day, IG Kanja, you will be held responsible. Instead, my allies are constantly harassed to cover up what happened in Limuru, Gachagua added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Dave Goodings, a 30-year-old DJ was surprised after a 4ft inflatable Santa he ordered ended up being bigger than his house.

Goodings decided to put more effort into decorating his house for Christmas this year, but made a mistake and saw his decorations go from zero to a hundred.

Dave hoped a 4ft Santa would do the job, and so ordered one for 24.99, but when his purchase arrived, however, it was a whopping 20ft tall , bigger than his home.

The Santa, in fact, was so big that the DJ and his partner can no longer park on their driveway.

Dave said: We kept it quite low-key the first couple of years but this was the first year we decorated the outside.

We put icicles on the guttering and ordered the inflatable Santa online for 24.99.

It was supposed to be 4ft but it was way bigger than we ever thought it would be. We though the box was big, but we went with it.

Suddenly, weve gone from no decorations to this giant inflatable  zero to a hundred.

The overly-big decoration has become the talk of the town, with locals passing by Daves home just to take a look.

The 30-year-old added: Its not that busy on our street, but within 10 minutes of inflating it people were walking by and taking photos.

One person said they could see it from the bottom of their road. It has almost become a mini tourist attraction.

We even joked we might be stealing customers from Chessington World of Adventures! Everyone wants to see the giant Santa.

Dave was forced to take the Santa down last weekend though, for fear of it blowing away as Storm Darragh approached the UK.

He told Lancashire Live: It has been quite a ride since I got it, to say the least. People are saying we have to keep it and Ive also had offers to buy it.

One guy from Ireland said hed buy it if we could send it there. Other people are saying we should get an inflatable snowman to go with the Santa.

I want to keep it, its an opportunity too good to miss. Buy my missus is more realistic.




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Narc Kenya Chairperson Martha Karua has urged Kenyans to come out in large numbers and oppose President William Ruto's dictatorship.

Speaking on Saturday, Karua, now acting as the opposition leader after Raila Odinga joined the government, described Rutos administration as 'the worst since independence' and called for collective resistance to protect democratic freedoms.

Karua criticised Rutos administration, accusing it of human rights abuses such as illegal abductions and extrajudicial killings.

Kenya Kwanza is the worst administration to ever serve Kenyans since independence, she said, adding that the government has demonstrated reckless disregard for life, citing the deaths during the Gen Z protests as a glaring example.

Comparing Rutos government to a destructive parent, Karua urged citizens to overcome fear and take a stand.

This government is a parent who eats their children for dinner.

"Kenyans must be serious. Fear is not an option because he will still get you or your loved one with your fear, even under your bed. Come out, let us stand firm and say no together.

Fear is not an option, she declared.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - It is now emerging that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is desperate to meet retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and take a photo with him for political reasons.

Word has it that Gachagua, desperate to redeem his image after being impeached, paid millions of shillings to power brokers to secure a meeting with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta at a high-end hotel in the coastal city.

Uhuru kept Gachagua waiting for 4 hours and then sent him a message, informing him that he was not interested in seeing him.

This is how Daily Nation reported the gist.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - The grandmother of UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione left her family at least $30 million in her will but specified that anyone charged, indicted, convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony would be cut out from such benefits.

Philanthropist, Mary C. Mangione accumulated her wealth in a trust that could be accessed by her 10 children, including Luigis father, Louis, when she passed away in 2023, according to her will, seen by multiple US news agencies.

The Baltimore, Maryland millionaire, however, put a special condition in her will to cut off any heirs who had been charged with heinous or violent crimes, which could leave Luigi, 26, broke for allegedly gunning down Brian Thompson, a father of two.





It is my precatory desire that the Trustees particularly consider invoking their discretion to implement this Section if the felony is a common law felony, a statutory felony if it is the codification of a common law felony, a heinous felony, any felony involving a physically violent act against another person or property or any drug related felony involving distribution or intent to distribute any type of drug or illegal substance, the will states.

The will adds that the decision to cut off anyone found guilty of such crimes is conclusive, final and binding on everyone.

The section of the will continuously reiterated Marys wishes to keep her estate out of the hands of any would-be bad eggs in her family.





While Marys estate is believed to be worth at least $30 million, the will estimates that its total value could be closer to $100 million, but the document does not state exactly how much she left behind.

The family wealth made it possible for Luigi to go to the expensive Gilman School, after which he attended the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution.

Luigi, who was arrested on Monday, has pleaded not guilty to charges levied against him, including murder and gun possession.




Monday, December 16, 2024  After successfully ejecting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office, Mwengi Mutuse has shifted focus on the embattled Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

This is after the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) of the National Assembly announced that it will file a petition seeking all court cases against the reconstitution of IEBC to be dropped.

Speaking over the weekend, Mutuse, who is the JLAC Vice Chairperson, announced that the National Assembly will be moving to court to request the court to throw out the cases.

Mutuse further claimed that the process of reconstituting the IEBC has been captured by individuals not keen on a functional electoral body.

''We have seen a lot of foul play where some people have been going to the court so that the reconstitution of IEBC can be delayed. This has been done with the intent of shifting the blame to the government,'' Mutuse claimed.

''We will go to court, even for me as a lawyer, to petition the court so that we pave the way for the reconstitution of the IEBC,'' he added.

The lawmaker also challenged those opposing the reconstitution process of the electoral body to declare their hidden agendas.

''We want to announce that going forward, for those orchestrating that play, you must declare your intentions because we want IEBC to be very ready,'' Mutuse urged.

Mutuse's calls come amid the growing number of court cases challenging the constitution of the IEBC even as the 2027 general elections near.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will never forgive President William Ruto and his allies who impeached him.

Gachagua made the declaration yesterday in Nyeri where he attended a church service at the Ishamara Baptist Church in Mukurweini Constituency.

He completely ruled out the possibility of amending his relationship with Ruto and his former political allies.

While admitting that the recent impeachment scarred him, Gachagua was adamant he would not forgive his political adversaries who oversaw his ouster.

Amid a recent wave of handshakes which saw Ruto amend his relationship with Raila Odinga and more recently, Uhuru Kenyatta, Gachagua also quashed speculation that he would eventually also come together with his former political enemies.

"Betrayal in our community is a taboo, it is an abomination and it is an act in this community that is never forgiven. Once you do it, there is no remedy. The matter is closed," the former DP said.

"The mountain has moved on, though in humiliation and shame. But there is no remedy."

"So those analysts who are trying to analyse what will happen, that is the answer for you, and because you are here; time will tell."

During the Sunday service, Gachagua once again reiterated that his next political move would be announced soon.

"We as a region have been humiliated, our pride has been deflated. But we will restrategize and within a short time, we will claim back our pride and dignity as a people."

The former deputy president also addressed the recent attack on him in Limuru, as he faulted Inspector General Douglas Kanja for failing to arrest any suspects, weeks after the incident.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - A predator who killed a UK health worker by repeatedly raping her until she had a heart attack has been jailed for life.

Mohamed Iidow, 35, was seen on CCTV prowling Southall Park, west London, looking for a vulnerable woman to attack before approaching Natalie Shotter, who had passed out on one of the benches.

The cameras also captured the depraved abuse that followed as Iidow manoeuvred the 37-year-old mum-of-threes deeply unconscious body to attack her again and again for more than 15 minutes.

Natalies mum, Dr Cas Shotter Weetman, a NHS cardiology practitioner, said: We need to change our thoughts about how we behave.

There are people out there who continue to act in a very deviant and horrendous way and think that they can get away with it.

In a moving victim impact statement, she described the horrific ordeal of having to watch her daughter being raped, adding: No mother should ever have to see that.

Hearing medical evidence of how you caused my daughters death destroyed my family.

I felt such anger my daughter had gone to the park on a night out enjoying herself and was assaulted by a predator.

No woman should have to fear going to a park and sitting on a bench- it is disgusting.

Dr Shotter Weetman described how Natalie had been active in a local theatre group and at the age of 12 she starred on the West End in Les Miserables as the understudy to the actor playing Eponine.

She attended theatre school and had a natural flair for singing, acting and comedy and later attended the BRIT School in Croydon.

[Natalie] had opportunities to work in theatre and television and loved to sing and would do so everywhere, her mother said.

Nat worked part time in a restaurant from age of 17 then had two sons who she loved so so much.

She worked as a volunteer for the British Heart Foundation and worked for the local Alzheimers society in their local forget-me-not memory cafe.

She was compassionate and had a good heart.

In her last job she worked in clinical administration in a local hospital. She was brilliant at her job and loved by those who worked with her.

On Friday, Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced Iidow to life with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months.

He told Iidow that taking advantage of exceptionally talented Ms Shotter when she was vulnerable and unconscious was wicked and utterly reckless.

During the trial, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said Ms Shotter had died of a heart attack caused by Iidow raping her again and again.

Ms Shotter was found dead by a passer-by in the park in the early morning of July 17, 2021.

Swabs taken from her mouth area matched DNA samples taken from Iidow. He was arrested at his home on August 4, 2021, and claimed in his police interview the sexual activity was consensual.






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Jay-Z is facing new calls to confirm the paternity of his 'illegitimate son' in another legal battle days after the rapper was accused of s3xually ass@ulting a 13-year-old alongside Sean Diddy Combs.

The record executive, 55, real name Shawn Carter, is being dragged back into the ongoing legal tussle over the paternity of Rymir Satterthwaite who has been in a decade-long fight to prove that the rapper is his biological father.

Satterthwaite, 31, is claiming Carter's legal team acted fraudulently during previous attempts to get him to take a paternity test.

Satterthwaite, his late mother Wanda, and his guardian Dr. Lillie Coley are listed as plaintiffs in a new lawsuit against multiple New Jersey courts, judges, and officials, including the New Jersey Supreme Court, alleging violations of their constitutional rights.

Filed on November 25, the suit argues that from 2012 to 2023 their rights were violated through fraudulent court actions, which included sealed records, wrongful sanctions, and obstruction of their legal proceedings.

Wanda, who died in 2019, alleged she had sex with Carter in 1992 when she was 16 and he was 22 in a sworn affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com. Satterthwaite was born in the summer of 1993.

At the time, she was in an on-again-off-again romance with her high school sweetheart Robert Graves.

In 2010 she requested that a Pennsylvania court make both men take a paternity test in order to determine her sons real father.

According to Mail Online, the case began with a pre-trial in Camden County, New Jersey on August 13, 2012.

During the pre-trial, Carter's attorney argued that Dr. Coley, who has acted as Satterthwaite's legal guardian since his mother handed over custody in 2011 due to ailing health had 'no jurisdiction' over his case because it was first filed by Wanda in Pennsylvania, and therefore should be heard in the same state.

The case was dismissed outright because Satterthwaite was over 18 years old at the time of the pre-trial and, according to Pennsylvania state law, paternity must be established before a child reaches the age of adulthood.

The court ruled that the case should be tried under New Jersey law, which states that the age of 'parentage' is 23.

Carter's legal team then argued that the rapper should be exempt from undergoing a DNA test in New Jersey because he did not live or own any property in the state despite public records linking him to homes in Alpine and Newport.

On December 12, 2012, his attorney in New Jersey, Lise Fisher, admitted that she 'misspoke' when she said that Carter did not own property in New Jersey.

In court transcripts obtained by DailyMail.com, Fisher said: 'I submitted as an exhibit to my client's cross-motion an introductory statement, and verified the introductory statement, signed by her that specifically gives Mr. Carter's residence in New York.

'I did misspeak at the last hearing, because I really did think that, that was his home address. I didn't realize that was his business address. So I do apologize for that.'

At the time, Carter's Roc Nation was located in New York - the address that his attorney claimed was his home address.

Fisher continued: 'That having been said, he has a domicile in New York. That's what counts. That's where he lives. That's where he resides. And there's nothing that changes that.'

However, Fisher was made aware of Carter's New Jersey properties from the motion for reconsideration that included the deeds and tax records.

New Jersey law states that an attorney commits fraud when knowingly making false statements.

The lawsuit came days before Carter was mentioned in a suit with Combs, 55.

On Tuesday, Satterthwaite slammed Carters response to the allegation that he r@ped a 13-year-old girl at an MTV VMAs after party on September 7, 2000.

Carter denied the claims and insisted he has always fought to protect children.

It is both heartbreaking and frustrating to see Mr. Carter respond to allegations with such deflection and attacks, he told DailyMail.com of the statement.

My late mother, Wanda, was just 16 years old when she became pregnant with me, and for years I have sought clarity about my identity. This is not about greed or spectacle - its about uncovering the truth and ensuring all parties are held accountable.

Satterthwaite took aim at the statement, claiming if Carter 'values the ideals of honor and protecting children' then he should stop refusing to acknowledge his paternity.

'Despite my efforts, Mr. Carter has never once written a letter to me to address these claims  whether to deny or acknowledge paternity, or to address why his attorneys committed this fraud,' he continued.

'If Mr. Carter values the ideals of honor and protecting children, as he claims in his letter, he should step forward with transparency. He continues to deflect and avoid.

The suit claims the woman, referred to as Jane Doe, was driven to a house party and offered a drink that made her feel woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down.

Combs and Carter are then alleged to have entered the room with Combs declaring: 'You are ready to party!'

She claims Carter then removed her clothes, held her down and r@ped her while Diddy and an unnamed female celebrity watched. She says Combs also r@ped her as Carter and the woman looked on.

'These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? Carter said in his statement.

'These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.'






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - American rapper, Lil Durk is now facing another legal battle.

According to legal documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune, the 28-year-old rapper legal name Devontay Banks has been linked to another murdr case.

The probe stems from the 2022 death of Stephon Mack, an alleged gang leader who was fatally gunned down outside a Chicago youth center.

Authorities allege Durk orchestrated the fatal shooting to exact revenge on the Gangster Disciples street gang, as one of its associates allegedly murderd Durks brother, Dontay Banks, in 2021.

Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brothers murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed, a federal agent wrote.

Chicago law enforcement said Durk has not been charged in the Mack murder investigation, which is still open and active.

The Tribune cited an April 2023 warrant application that was unsealed Wednesday, December 11, ahead of Durks unrelated detention hearing.

The Chicago rapper was arrested in October for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme. Prosecutors said Durk had put a hit on fellow rapper Quando Rondo in response to King Vons 2020 killing.

Authorities alleged Durk and his co-defendants targeted Rondo at a West Hollywood gas station; however, the ambush resulted in the death of Rondos cousin.

Durk was charged with one count of conspiracy; one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death; and one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.

His codefendants are 28-year-old Kavon London Grant, 33-year-old Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33-year-old Keith Jones, 33-year-old David Brian Lindsey, and 36-year-old Asa Houston.

Mr. Banks is charged with orchestrating a cold-blooded murder that resulted in the death of a rivals family member, United States Attorney Martin Estrada said in a press release.

Not only that, the shooting occurred in the open, at a gas station at a busy intersection, endangering many others in the area. Violent gun crime of this sort is devastating to our community and we will have zero-tolerance for those who perpetrate such callous acts of violence.

Durk has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges.




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of disrespecting the electorate that put him in power.

Speaking at Bahati Church in Ichamara, Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County, on Sunday, Gachagua criticized the President for insulting Kenyans who oppose controversial government policies.

If nothing else, respect this community for their kindness towards you, Gachagua said, adding, You now have new friends, but your work is to take them to rallies to insult and lecture us, calling us stupid.

The former Mathira MP singled out the President's remarks on cattle vaccination, which has faced opposition in some parts of the country.

He urged Ruto to listen to Kenyans views instead of dismissing them with derogatory comments.

Wakitoa maoni yao, hakuna haja kuwatukanaskiza tu, hata kama hupendi, Gachagua said. Hakuna haja ya kusema ati wako na mapepo.

"When it comes to this issue of cattle, theres no need to call people stupid, especially those who voted for you, Gachagua said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - A Ghanaian man, Alhaji Ali Kamal has praised his first wife for accepting his polygamous nature.

In a Facebook post on Friday, he said she respected his decision to take a second wife and welcomed the new bride with open arms.

A lot of people keep telling me, i did good polygamy, halal polygamy, I respected my wife, I didn't make people disrespect her, I am dis, I am dat bla bla. Trying to make me feel like a good man. Me, i am not wai. Is my wife who is rada good. She knows I wanted to do polygamy and she neva fight me, nor any of my girls, he wrote.

"She respected herself a lot n also respect. She keeps telling me, she can't decide for me, but who eva is good for me, she is okay to receive her as a co wife...she is very beautiful n even younger, she could fight me, call my girls n fight dem or insult dem, but she neva did.. Soo I was having de vhim cos i know my wife is supporting me, she love me n respect me.. I discuss de wedding date with her b4 telling my own parents.. She opted to follow me der because i preach polygamy.

"People may say she is not happy n she doesn't want me to feel sad.. I neva ask her to follow me.. She decided n opted to wear same outfit with my 2nd madam, den I get it done.. Even de foot wear 2nd madam wore dat day, i bought it with my 1st madam in kumasi,, we went to Accra n delivered it to her.. Everything was simple f3f3f3... If u respect ur man, respect his decision, n allow him 2 marry who she want.. If u fight him, u will regret, u will be disgraced as well..

A lot of ladies were telling my wife not to agree for me to add, some even told her neva to be close to 2nd madam.. Wallahi she told dem okay. She told me all n show dose people to me.. today dey are shy but we don't care.. Polygamy is giving. Wateva u want to do with dis information, soo be it.. U can even send to Bawumi.




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has weighed in on former President Uhuru Kenyattas meeting with President William Ruto.

Speaking at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, Kalonzo told the congregation that it was prudent for the former Head of State to take the step noting that it was necessary for the well-being of the country.

He dismissed critics who accused Uhuru of being in cahoots with Rutos regime, emphasizing that Uhuru being a former president, has experience and may advise the government on key issues.

Kalonzo further acknowledged the statements issued by both parties insisting that Uhuru as the holder of the fourth president of Kenya office is required to inform Kenyans what the meeting was about.

Both issued statements after the meeting because a fourth president stands higher than the rest, he stated.

However, Kalonzo took an issue with Rutos statement which missed some of the items discussed between the two at Uhurus rural home in Ichaweri in Gatundu.

For example, among the key issues Uhuru highlighted in his statement is the need to have a strong opposition. But I did not see similar remarks in Rutos statement, Kalonzo pointed out.

He noted that the statement by Uhuru was important in clarifying the purpose of the meeting whose tenets, he insisted, had been taken out of context.

I know that a lot of people have been in a state of distrust in the meeting between Uhuru and Raila and we congratulate the church for encouraging dialogues, he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - The Pietermaritzburg High Court in South Africa has sentenced a 38-year-old man, Sthembiso Nkosinathi Mthimkhulu, to six terms of life imprisonment for the m8rder of six of his relatives in February 2021 in the Nkanini area of Eshowe.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on Thursday, December 12, 2024, said that before the incident, one of Mthimkhulus relatives had passed away.

Mthimkhulu suspected that his uncle had practised witchcraft on this person, causing them to die.

Mthimkhulu planned to kill his uncle and decided to use a firearm to carry out his actions.

On 20 February 2021, Mthimkhulu drove to his uncle's homestead where he found his uncle in the company of his (uncles) family.

Mthimkhulu opened fire on them, killing six of them, including two minor children aged eight and 10 years old. He then fled the scene and was arrested after his car was tracked to Greytown, where he had gone to see a traditional healer.

In the states case, Advocate Mbongeni Chamane led the testimony of an eyewitness.

Further, Adv, Chamane handed in Victim Impact Statements, compiled by the deceaseds grandchildren, and facilitated by Court Preparation Officers Nokuvela Mlotshwa and Amanda Nxumalo.

In her statement, the younger child drew pictures showing her smiling before the incident and crying following the incident. The older grandchild said that her parents had died when she was very young, so her grandparents (the deceased) were like her parents. They took such good care of her, and she misses them. She said that following the incident their family is highly traumatised, and they live with fear and anxiety. In addition to the sentence, Mthimkhulu was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The NPA commends the work done by the Prosecution and Police. It is incumbent on us to fight for justice on behalf of the victims of crime. We hope that stringent sentences like this convey our commitment to the fight against crime," the statement added.




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has lambasted Pastors and Bishops for visiting President William Ruto at State House for handouts.

In a statement, Kioni, who is former President Uhuru Kenyattas right-hand man, cautioned church leaders against receiving rewards from politicians, especially Rutos dirty money, because it ruins their reputation.

According to him, such activities ruin the trust Kenyans have in church leaders.

He alleged that several church leaders had in recent weeks been invited for meetings at State House only to be given money to reportedly divert their attention.

"This behaviour of going to State House, you must come out with a brown envelope, and if you accept the envelope, even your preachings become corrupt. And this is what had led to where we are today," Kioni revealed.

This comes days after evangelical pastors and bishops went to meet Ruto at State House at a time when other churches, like the Catholic and Anglican, have rejected Ruto and his money which they claimed is ill-gotten.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 16, 2024 - Veteran Kikuyu Benga musician Wangari Wa Kabera is on the spot after she was filmed with her friends misbehaving with a gun while heavily intoxicated.

In the video, Wangaris male friend who was armed with a pistol and drunk, was seen firing several shots while staggering.

He was firing the shots to honour her as a legend, claiming it was a gun salute.

Handling a gun while drunk is an offense in Kenya.

The Firearms Act of Kenya prohibits carrying a firearm while drunk or disorderly. A person who misuses a firearm while under the influence of alcohol may face a fine of Sh5 million or up to seven years in prison.

Watch the video.

Veteran Kikuyu benga musician WANGARI WA KABERA and her friends filmed misbehaving with a gun while heavily intoxicated pic.twitter.com/LqPvlMmfHD  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) December 16, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - A woman has won a 36,000 payout after being 's3xually harassed' at a work Christmas party.

According to Mail Online, Fernanda Hermosilla claimed that she was subjected to 'unwanted and inappropriate physical contact' by a colleague at the staff dinner in December 2022.

Another colleague who witnessed the incident lodged a formal complaint, prompting her employer, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to investigate.

During the probe, Ms Hermosilla told her employer about an earlier incident of allegedly inappropriate touching by the same colleague at a non-work event at a Belfast nightclub.

Ms Hermosilla said she had been very upset following that night out but had been reluctant to make a complaint because she was new to her role.

While the internal investigation was underway, Ms Hermosilla worked from the office and the colleague worked from home.

However, she claims that despite this she still worked remotely with her colleague, which she found very difficult. She has now settled the case against the colleague for 21,000 and against her employer for 15,000.

After netting the payout, Ms Hermosilla has said she believes her employer did not communicate clearly with her about either the outcome of the investigation or the disciplinary action taken.

She believed that the colleague would not be returning to work, but was then advised that they would be returning to their role - something she found 'upsetting and distressing'.

Ms Hermosilla also advised her employer of comments made to her by the same colleague of a racial and political nature, which she also found to be inappropriate. This was also investigated by her employer.

Ms Hermosilla said she had gone through 'a very difficult time' but was glad she 'took a stand'.

'I did not want or ask for any of this. I was excited to move to Belfast to start a new job and advance my career. This has been a very stressful experience,' she said.

'But I'm glad that I took a stand. Everyone must know what unacceptable behaviour is and what I experienced was wrong.

'I want other women to know that they don't have to accept this type of behaviour in the office or at work parties and that they should always expect to be supported appropriately by their employer.

'I'm glad my case is resolved and now I want to put this behind me and move on with my life.'

The cases were settled without admission of liability.

Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner, of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, said employers must ensure the safety and dignity of staff at Christmas parties.

'We are currently in the middle of the Christmas party season. We know that staff parties and outings are important for team building and for recognition and reward, but employers must ensure that everyone attending is safe and that their dignity is respected,' she said.

'Employers must ensure that all staff are fully aware of the standard of behaviour that is expected of them.

'Employees should also be aware of the consequences of their actions should they behave inappropriately at a staff Christmas party or outing as these are an extension of the workplace.'

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland - which is funded by public money - said: 'In settling its case, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has acknowledged that Ms Hermosilla is a valued employee and further acknowledges the significant upset and distress she felt as a result of being subject to harassment by a colleague.

'Furthermore, it has affirmed its strong commitment to the principle of equality of opportunity in employment and will liaise with ECNI to review its equal opportunities and dignity at work policies.

'The colleague has apologised for any upset caused. As part of the settlement terms, Ms Hermosilla and the colleague have agreed to put the matters behind them and to work together going forward on an ongoing basis including in face-to-face settings as necessary. They agreed that mediation was not appropriate.'

It comes as Buckingham Palace launched a probe into an 'unofficial' boozy Christmas party that ended in a brawl at an All Bar One.

A female member of staff was allegedly arrested at a bar in Victoria, central London, on Tuesday.

A spokesman said 'appropriate action' would be taken after the Palace was made aware of the incident.

Royal staff were said to have gathered for drinks at the Palace on Tuesday night, with around 50 making their way to Victoria Street to carry on the festivities.

But a 24-year-old woman reported to be a housemaid allegedly threw a punch at the manager of the bar.

She was also said to have hurled glasses around, despite attempts to calm her down, and was arrested after police came to the bar.

A witness told The Sun: 'I've never seen one person get that crazy during a night out. She was on another level.'

A Palace spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident outside the workplace involving a number of Household staff who had previously attended an early evening reception at the Palace.




Monday, December 16, 2024 - The Government of President William Ruto has been forced to come clean on the benefits and tariffs under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

This is after members of the public raised serious concerns about the medical cover and its benefits.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health emphasised that the coverage of SHA is in line with gazetted tariffs as stipulated by the law.

The Ministry of Health confirms that SHA's coverage is based on gazetted tariffs to the benefits, published in November 2004. These tariffs ensure sustainable healthcare coverage and equitable access while maintaining a shared responsibility model, the Ministry stated.

However, the Ministry noted that in cases where hospital charges exceed specified limits, beneficiaries may be required to make out-of-pocket expenditures.

Regarding ICU and HDU services, SHA provides for admissions in critical care units and high dependency units (ICU and HDU). The provider payment mechanism (PPM) is a per diem rate, and the rate depends on the type of facility visited, the Ministry elaborated.

For level 4, patients will have to pay Ksh3, 360 per day while those visiting level 5 will have to part with Ksh3.900 per day as co-payments for HDUs.

Patients visiting level 6 will be required to shoulder an extra Ksh4.480 per day. Each household has a limit of 180 days per year for access rules. The Ministry however noted that registered users can get services in level 4 - 6 facilities.

Members can access service from empanelled and contracted Level 4 to 6 facilities. The members will top up any amount that exceeds the above cover limit (co-pay). The cover limit is the same for public, faith-based, and private facilities, SHA clarified.

The Ministry has committed to removing barriers that may hinder access, ensuring beneficiaries face no hurdles in obtaining the care they need.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 15, 2024 - A Hawaii millionaire was bur!ed alive in wet cement after his furious young lover discovered that the 73-year-old had HIV, a court has heard.

Gary Ruby, 73, was found entombed in a bathtub at his $2.2million gated Honolulu home in 2022.

His now 26-year-old partner Juan Tejedor Baron originally confessed to the grisly murdr, but has since walked back his admission.

At a court hearing on Monday, Dec. 9, to determine if his guilty plea may be rescinded, the court heard more gruesome details about the circumstances of Ruby's death.

"Theres an inference that Gary was still alive when you poured the cement over him," Deputy Prosecutor Scott Bell said, the Star Advertiser reports.

Baron responded that this was "speculation" as he confirmed that he was aware that the allegation appeared in the prosecution's case.

Baron previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murdr, identity theft and two counts of theft of property as part of a plea deal.

The terms would have seen the state agree not to seek a life without parole or a minimum mandatory sentence of more than 20 years.

However, Colombia-born Baron has since argued he did not fully understand the plea deal as he did not have a translator present.

His defence, Randall Hironaka, seeks to prove that Baron was afraid of receiving the de@th penalty and was under the influence of prescription drugs at the time.

In October, a hearing began on a motion to withdraw his guilty plea before Oahu Circuit Judge Catherine Remigio.

Baron testified that his former lawyer Kyle Dowd impressed upon him that he would d!e in prison, which he took to mean that he would be sent to the electric chair.

He added that a weekly prescription he was taking at the time impaired his judgement.

The hearing will continue on December 23 and is to include testimony from Baron's former attorneys and an interpreter.

California cops arrested Baron shortly in March 2022 in connection with the brutal killing.

He had attempted to flee the country after the murdr, making it as far as a bus terminal in the Golden State before he was apprehended by LA-based lawmen, who found him "hiding in a crawl space under an enclosed bench" of a Mexico-bound bus, police said.

Baron confessed to the k!lling, telling cops he murdred longtime Honolulu resident Ruby, with whom he had been in a romantic relationship, after learning the latter was HIV positive.

According to the arrest warrant, Baron told detectives he k!lled the victim after he told him he had HIV following a sexu@l encounter in February, spurring the suspect to str@ngle his much older lover with a belt.

"Baron stated that he had sx with Gary but became angry after Gary informed Baron that Gary was HIV-positive," the warrant reads.

Baron stated that soon after he noticed Gary choke slightly while eating, at which point he "reacted by placing a belt around Garys neck and tightening the belt until Gary lost consciousness."

Baron told cops he then dragged the elderly man's corpse to the bathtub, before using a "kitchen knife to slit Garys wrists in an effort to stage a su!cide."

Cops said that Baron then confessed to attempting to cover up the k!lling, pouring cement he found inside Ruby's garage and coffee grounds over the victim's body in the tub - before realizing that he did not have enough to submerge the slain millionaire.

"Baron then drove to Lowes to purchase four additional bags of concrete and further filled the bathtub, covering Gary," the filing states.

Baron further told detectives that he then added coffee grounds to the bathtub concoction, to better mask the smell of Ruby's decomposing body.

"Baron stated he used coffee grounds to cover the cement in an effort to conceal the smell of decomposition," the affidavit states.

Following the murdr, Baron attempt to pass off Ruby's gold 2020 Audi A6 and multi-million dollar home as his own when questioned by lawmen investigating Ruby's sudden disappearance, telling officers he had purchased both from the dece@sed.

According to the warrant, Baron admitted to officers taking over ownership papers of Rubys car and even had plans to try to acquire the home.

The hearing will continue on December 23.
A PLAN to re-locate an undecided number of asylum seekers from a location on the Kildare-Carlow border to Kerry in the week before Christmas has been described as inhumane by a local politician.

The families are presently settled in mobile homes and shepherds huts adjacent to Toughers Restaurant near the M9's junction 4 motorway exit, however Cllr Veralouise Behan is now working along with Carlow TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor to try and stop this.

Families were told that the premises used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees since 2022 is to close due to fire safety concerns.

I went over there when they first arrived with a Russian translator, and helped secure a mini-bus to take the kids to Levitstown National School, she said.

The problem in Kildare schools is so often over-crowding, but not in the rural schools, said cllr Behan.

To be fair, weve only just heard about this and cant confirm it just yet ... but what we heard is that the families of six of the kids in Levitstown are to be moved on Wednesday (18 December) to Tipperary and Kerry.

Picked up and moved out right before Christmas  its inhumane! The kids are part of that community now, some of them even have parts in the Christmas play. Im trying to figure out if they have to be moved. Couldnt it be done after Christmas? she wondered.

Most of them are in mobile homes and shepherds huts at Toughers on the county boundary.

Im working with Jennifer [Murnane] on this and she believes its a health and safety thing with the main building, but the majority of the residents are in mobile homes.

Its very unfair, and these kids classmates are very upset. Its very cruel to do this to people coming up to Christmas. If they dont have to be re-located, leave them there. To uproot families like this by the stroke of a pen is inhumane."

A protest was held in Carlow on Monday.
By Cate McCurry and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

The Government has been accused by Israels foreign minister for antisemitic rhetoric and double standards.

Gideon Saar confirmed he ordered the closure of Israels Embassy in Dublin.

The Israeli government announced the closure in a statement on Sunday, saying it was because of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish Government, and accusing Ireland of crossing every red line.

Mr Saar blamed the actions, double standards, and antisemitic rhetoric of the Irish government against Israel, which he added are rooted in efforts to delegitimise and demonise the Jewish state.

Today, I have instructed the closure of Israels Embassy in Ireland. The actions, double standards, and antisemitic rhetoric of the Irish government against Israel are rooted in efforts to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state.



The Irish government recognized a Palestinian  Gideon Sa'ar |   (@gidonsaar) December 15, 2024

In a statement on a social media network X, Mr Saar highlighted Ireland recognising a Palestinian state during attacks on Israel, and said it attempted to redefine genocide in international law to support baseless claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

He also claimed Ireland backed politically motivated cases at the International Criminal Court and promoted anti-Israel measures within the EU, and fostered hostility toward Israel.

Mr Saar went on to claim that Ireland has failed to take effective measures to combat the surge of antisemitism, adding Israel will focus its resources on strengthening bilateral relations with countries worldwide, according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel.

Responding, a spokesperson for Irish premier Simon Harris said: The Taoiseach will not be responding to personalised and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives.

Earlier, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland said closing its embassy in Dublin was the correct diplomatic decision, and claimed there was a hostile atmosphere in the country.

Ambassador Dana Erlich accused Ireland of taking a more extreme stance than any other country.

She called Ireland an extreme voice in the international arena when asked about its intervention in South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Mr Harris said that Ireland will not be silenced about its views on Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

The Taoiseach accused Israel of engaging in distraction policies, adding that he was very proud of Ireland standing up for the Palestinian people.

Ms Erlich was recalled in May after the Palestinian state recognition.

She told RTEs News At One on Monday: Most countries, again, we have difficult conversations and we have disagreements. We accept criticism.

But this has gone over that line in Ireland, the fact that there is delegitimisation of any collaboration with Israel, with the embassy, with Israelis, the incitement and hatred are not stopped by the Government but fostered sometimes.

We will continue in contact with our allies and supporters, but the format of the embassy needs to change in light of these anti-Israeli steps, and there is no other way to call it.

Because unfortunately, this is not about pro co-existence, pro-peace.

The steps that we have seen are about isolating and discriminating against Israel.

Simon Harris has said Ireland will not be silenced. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA.

She said Israel will not end relations with Ireland and that she would remain as an ambassador working from Israel.

She said there was no timeline on when the embassy would close and said there would need to be a change in policy in Ireland if the embassy was to reopen.

Earlier this year, the Government officially recognised the Palestinian state and, last week, it emerged that Ireland would formally intervene in South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Speaking to reporters in Dun Laoghaire on Monday, Mr Harris was asked why Ireland had been targeted by the Israeli government.

Id respectfully suggest that possibly because it works as a distraction. Youre all here today asking about Irelands position. What about Israels actions? Mr Harris said.

What about what (Israeli prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is doing to the innocent children of Gaza? This is the diplomacy of distraction. I think it is deeply regrettable that they took that decision.

They have every right to take that decision to close the embassy. Id rather it didnt happen.

We will continue to engage, continue to engage diplomatically, but nobody is going to silence Ireland. We know right from wrong.

We value human rights, we respect international law.

We expect international law to be applied consistently.

Mr Harris said he would keep the Irish embassy in Israel open.

We will also not allow our position to be misrepresented by Israel, by the government of Israel, he added.

Do you know what I think is reprehensible? Killing children. I think thats reprehensible. You know what I think is reprehensible? Seeing the scale of civilian deaths that weve seen in Gaza.

You know what I think is reprehensible? About people being left to starve and humanitarian aid not flowing.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said there has to be consequences for Israel in relation to its ongoing war in Gaza against Hamas.

She added: I think the position that we have taken collectively is that respect for international law, protection of human rights, calling out a genocide as you witness it, broadcast live across our television screens, has to have a robust political response, domestically and internationally.

Unfortunately, for far too long, because this did not begin on October 7 last, the occupation, the denial of the basic rights of the Palestinian people, has gone on for generations.

Unfortunately, the international community has looked the other way. That has to stop. There have to be consequences for Israel, consequences for the Netanyahu regime, which brazenly and repeatedly breaks every rule in the book.

Thats the Irish position. Its the position of the Government in Dublin.

The pity is that Israel and Netanyahu dont have the willingness to actually hear that message loud and clear.

In response to the decision by the Israeli government to close its embassy, a Fine Gael councillor and mayor of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Jim OLeary, accused the Government of engaging in a populist anti-Israeli position.

He tweeted: The decision to seek a reinterpretation of the (definition) of genocide and intervene in the ICJ case lacks credibility and is both reprehensible and diplomatic suicide.

Mr Harris said the views of Mr OLeary were not high up in his priorities.

My priority here is continuing to shine the spotlight on whats happening in the Middle East, and we shouldnt allow anything to distract from what is happening, Mr Harris added.

Of course, people can have different views, but we should never, ever, ever allow one decision, including yesterdays, to distract from the reality.

Im very proud of the position of this country. Im very proud of the position of people right across Ireland that we are pro-human rights, we are pro-international law.
You'd expect that behaviour from a pack of hyenas, not a lady, said a judge to a heavily pregnant defendant convicted of assault causing harm on a couple, who narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

Before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Athy District Court was Katie Doyle (22), with an address at Palmerstown Woods, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, who was charged with the assault in a taxi at Edmund Rice Square, Athy on 27 March 2022.

Ms Doyle thought the injured party had jumped the queue, explained Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.

Mr Doyle jumped into the taxi and assaulted another man, he said.

She used her nails to scrape the mans face and leave marks  the female injured party doesnt want to give a victim impact statement, he clarified.

The court then heard from her barrister that Ms Doyle had a two-year-old at home, was currently seven months pregnant with her second and had previously worked in a solicitors office in Dublin.

She is very embarrassed by all this, he said.

She chose to drink herself silly and then to assault an innocent man, so being seven months pregnant doesnt matter. It was a joint enterprise, all in it together. On the Section 3 assault, the co-accused might be refused jurisdiction, said the judge, indicating that her husband could be sent for trial in the circuit court.

We only have (DPPs) direction on Ms Doyle, said the sergeant.

He handed a photo of the injuries to the judge, and revealed that a pair of spectacles were broken in the attack, for which her barrister had 250 in court for recompense.

My client has no previous and would hope to avoid a conviction, said her barrister.

Shes lucky to avoid prison. I wont send her to jail, but it was a very close shave, he added, before fining Ms Doyle 1,000.

Count yourself lucky, he concluded.
By David Young, PA

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer cannot duck and dive on the question of Irish reunification and must instead commit to holding a referendum on constitutional change by 2030, the leader of Sinn Fein has insisted.

Mary Lou McDonald said the incoming government in Dublin must also take urgent steps to start planning for unity, including by creating the role of minister for unification.

The Sinn Fein president was commenting in Belfast as she published a report outlining the work of her own partys Commission on the Future of Ireland.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that the question of calling a referendum is not even on the horizon (Leon Neal/PA)

Ms McDonald said her previously stated goal of having referenda on both sides of the Irish border by the end of the decade remained realistic, despite Sinn Fein failing to emerge victorious from the recent general election in Ireland and with the party appearing to have little realistic prospect of being part of the new coalition administration in Dublin.

She said Fianna Fail and Fine Gael  which are set to lead the new government  needed to publish a green paper on unification; appoint a minister for unity in the Department of the Taoiseach; set up a parliamentary committee to examine issues around constitutional change; and also form a citizens assembly to consider the same sort of questions.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll should be called in Northern Ireland by the incumbent Northern Ireland Secretary when he/she believes there is evidence that public opinion in the region has shifted in favour of constitutional change. In that event, a simultaneous poll would also be held in the Republic of Ireland.

Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue. Keir Starmer has insisted the question of calling a referendum is not even on the horizon.

Ms McDonald said it was no longer tenable for the UK government to hold such a position.

The referendums are provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, she told the event in west Belfast.

That is a binding agreement, both governments, both states, have signed this agreement. So the referendums are a reality of life. Its not a question of will they happen. It is a question of timing. And I think the British Prime Minister, the incoming Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, now needs to be true to the obligations contained within that agreement. And that means you cannot simply duck and dive or pretend that you did not commit to referendums.

It is there, frankly, in black and white in that agreement. So I hope and anticipate that with a new administration and new government coming into place in Dublin, with a new Labour-led government  remember the original champions of the Good Friday Agreement  we will see a positive advance and a new sense of realism around what needs to happen next.

And, by the way, it is still my belief, it is still our belief that referendums must happen by the end of this decade. The process has moved on. It has evolved. But the process of reconciliation and building anew across the island always has to have impetus. It always has to have forward momentum.

Keir Starmer with Sinn Feins President Mary Lou McDonald (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms McDonald said any citizens assembly that is established must fully reflect all shades of opinion within unionism.

She insisted there was a significant section of the unionist/Protestant population in Northern Ireland that was up for having the conversation around unity.

Were very clear that those of us who champion, who advance the cause of Irish reunification, and all of the collective opportunity that brings, have a job to convince, to engage, to reassure, to challenge and to be challenged, she said.

All of that work is still to be done. What we are marking today through the work of our own commission is the considerable work that has been done so far. But thats not, by no means, the totality, much less the end of the story.

"And thats where the role of the Irish government in particular is really, really important. We believe it to be a reasonable and responsible position that the Dublin government now needs to lead by example.
A veteran Kilkenny county councillor is back on the campaign trail - this time seeking a seat in Seanad Eireann.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, who is elected in the Castlecomer municipal district, is standing on the agricultural panel for the Seanad.

The agricultural panel is one of five vocational panels which together elect 43 of the 60 members of the Seanad.

The agricultural panel elects 11 senators and they are voted for by city and county councillors as well as sitting members of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Dail and Seanad).

Although the Kilkenny councillor is already canvassing the outcome of the Seanad election will not be known until next month.

Nominations for the Seanad election close on December 31. The Seanad Returning Officer will sit for the completion of the panels on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Ballot papers will be issued on Wednesday, January 15 and the poll will close at 11am on Thursday, January 30.

Cllr Fitzpatrick has been a member of Kilkenny County Council for 15 years, topping the poll on several occasions in the local elections. He was County Council Cathaoirleach in the 2022-23 term.

In 2023 Cllr Fitzpatrick became President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), a representative body for councillors, and was instrumental in achieving improvements in remuneration and entitlement for councillors, including a security allowance.

With a background in farming and his experience in local and national politics, Cllr Fitzpatrick says he has been a long-time advocate for councillors and is committed to the further enhancement of conditions for them, as well as the reform of local government.
The Irish and Welsh governments are working together to address major disruption at Holyhead Port following damage caused by Storm Darragh, which has severely impacted freight and passenger transport across the Irish Sea in the lead-up to Christmas.

Holyhead Port, a critical link for trade and travel between Ireland and the UK, has faced slower-than-expected repairs, raising concerns about the movement of goods and people for the holiday season.

With the port's reopening potentially delayed beyond the initial December 19 date, both governments have agreed on a coordinated approach to alleviating the backlog and ensuring alternative routes are operational.

Following a meeting on Sunday evening, Minister of State for Transport James Lawless and Welsh Cabinet Secretaries Ken Skates and Rebecca Evans pledged full cooperation over the coming 10 days. They will work closely with ferry operators, port authorities, and logistic companies to prioritise the transport of goods and passengers.

Daily engagement between officials from both sides will focus on sharing critical data on freight and passenger bookings and enabling additional and more frequent ferry services. Alternative ports, including Fishguard and Pembroke, are being examined to ease the pressure while Holyhead remains out of service.

The disruption has created significant challenges for businesses and individuals relying on the port, especially as the Christmas season approaches. Tens of thousands of people and passengers typically use Holyhead during this period, with many now needing to reroute via other ports.

To support this, both Ireland and the UK have temporarily relaxed restrictions and haulage driver working hours, ensuring supply chains remain intact during the disruption.

In a joint statement, Ministers emphasize the importance of Holyhead port operators providing clear and reliable updates to the public and the logistics sector as repairs continue.

Meetings with ferry operators, including Irish Ferries and Stena Line, are scheduled for today, with Ministers Lawless and Eamon Ryan joining their Welsh counterparts to discuss additional capacity and contingency measures. Welsh Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates will also meet UK government representatives to further coordinate efforts.
Damage done to Holyhead port during Storm Darragh is feared to be worse than originally thought, and could see ferry services cancelled until after Christmas.

This could result in Christmas parcels travelling to and from Ireland being delayed until after the festive season.

It was announced after Storm Darragh that the Port of Holyhead, owned by ferry company Stena Line, was to remain closed until December 20, with all services cancelled until then.

Irish premier Simon Harris said on Monday the seriousness of the damage was becoming more apparent as the days go by.

I think its highly unlikely now that we will see Holyhead port functioning in any real way this side of Christmas and of course, that is a serious concern to both people whove bought goods and presents and gifts that theyre hoping will arrive, and also people that are understandably trying to get home for the Christmas period, he said in Dun Laoghaire.

What I can say is this a huge amount of work is ongoing in government on this issue. Today, the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State for Transport will meet their Welsh counterparts.

Irelands junior minister at the Department of Transport James Lawless met with his Welsh counterpart Ken Skates on Sunday and both are due to meet with Stena Line at 1pm on Monday.

Mr Lawless said both ministers are asking for Stena Line to give more accurate and timely updates on the scale of the damage and repairs needed at Holyhead.

Its a very challenging situation and probably the worst possible time of year for something like this to happen, with people anxiously waiting for parcels to arrive, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

A lot of small exporters from Ireland wanted to get the goods to the Christmas market in UK and vice versa, as well as all the normal business that transacts, and then of course, persons looking to come home for Christmas.

He said Mr Skates has committed to also temporarily relax driver rules as had been done by the Irish government over the weekend.

Irelands Department of Transport announced that it would ease rules around haulier hours until December 27, allowing drivers to do more hours and take fewer breaks.

Mr Lawless said that this being introduced from both sides at Holyhead would help to clear the backlog of deliveries.

He also said he was engaging with his Scottish and Northern Ireland counterparts in relation to delays.

Irelands postal service An Post said it had delivered the vast majority of items ordered before Storm Darragh, with just 16,000 of the 500,000 yet to be received.

It said ferry capacity has been created in other ferry lanes into Ireland and additional sailings have been added to schedules.

Mr Harris said: We will look at every possibility in terms of providing additional capacity. Weve already made it very clear that we will put on extra shuttle busses and the likes, should we be able to get other fairy crossings to other ports.

So theres a lot of work going on to make sure people can get home for Christmas and to make sure as many gifts as possible can be here in time for Christmas, well have a further update after the meeting.

A spokesperson at Holyhead Port said that on the weekend Storm Darragh hit, December 6-7, two separate berthing incidents occurred affecting the Terminal 3 berth used by Irish Ferries  resulting in part of the berth structure collapsing and rendering it unusable.

They added: Given the scale of the damage, it has been necessary to perform underwater inspections of the structural integrity of the adjacent Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 berths, which could only commence once Storm Darragh had passed, early last Tuesday morning.

This process is still ongoing, and we will provide an update as soon as we are able to.

We understand that the closure of the port has had a significant impact on trade, passengers and port customers and we are aware of the disruption this has caused.

The safety of all persons involved in the berthing arrangements; including our staff, contractors and of course our customers is our number one priority and we will only permit ferry services to recommence once we are sure it is safe to do so.
Carrigstown is set to be a hotbed of drama this festive season as Fair City delivers an unmissable line-up of episodes that are guaranteed to keep viewers glued to their screens.

With Damien Halpins unexpected return to Carrigstown, Emma Raffertys Christmas party chaos, and a new love interest for Carol Foley, this Christmas promises to be one to remember.



After some time away at a psychiatric clinic, Damien Halpin makes a surprise return to Carrigstown, just in time for Christmas, forcing his wife, Mairead Halpin, to reveal that his sisters suspected murderer, Tyler Monroe, is in town.

To everyones surprise, Damien extends an olive branch to Tyler, but peace is short-lived.

As Damien and Mairead attempt to make a fresh start, they remain blissfully unaware of Tylers dark intentions.

Tyler begins to plot his revenge, setting the stage for an astounding showdown that has profound repercussions for some Carrigstown residents, which will keep viewers on the edge of their seats!



In an hour-long Christmas Day special, social media star and latest Dancing with the Stars Ireland recruit, Kayleigh Trappe, joins the crew in Carrigstown, stepping into the shoes of Daisy, James Rafftery's latest love interest.

READ MORE: Lengthy prison sentence for man over coercive control and rape of his former partner

After meeting at a nightclub the night before, Daisy turns up unannounced at Emma Raffertys Christmas party.

Her presence sparks mystery, intrigue and even speculation from the guests, much to Emmas dismay.

The Carrigstown Christmas party descends into disarray when tensions rise, and Carol Foley seizes the opportunity to revel in James misfortune, relishing his public humiliation. The gracious host is left to drown her sorrows!

Determined to shake off her troubles, Carol joins the girls for a Christmas night out, but her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets charming newcomer, J.J.

Sparks fly, and Carol ditches the girls to spend the evening with him. However, their connection wanes when Carol finds out that J.J. isnt the handsome stranger she originally thought.



With gripping suspense, lustful romance, and hilarious laughs in store, Fair City promises a festive season full of unforgettable drama.



Tune in to Fair City on Sunday, December 22, at 8.00pm, Tuesday, December 24, at 7.45pm, Wednesday, December 25, at 8.30pm (1 hour-long special), and Friday, December 27, at 7.30pm on RTE One and RTE Player.
The ABC reports:

Facebook, Google and TikTok will be forced to fund Australian journalism regardless of whether they host it under a federal government plan to impose a new tax to push the tech platforms to make funding agreements with news organisations. The tax, which could also apply to Apple and Microsoft, would be applied to the platforms Australian revenue, but can be reduced to zero if they sign agreements similar to those Google and Meta (the owner of Facebook) signed in 2021, including with the ABC.

This is outrageous legalised theft and blackmail.

Basically the argument was that social media companies unfairly profit from news media, and so a law was needed to force them to fund news media.

The social media companies said that actually they make a tiny amount from news media, and theyll simply block news stories from their platforms.

Now the Australian Government has said they will pass a law that will force social media companies to hand cash over to news media companies, regardless of whether or not they carry any links to news media on their platforms.

This is truly repulsive. The social media companies should not give in to this blackmail, and instead announce that they will remove Google and Facebook etc from Australian access, if this law passes. 20 million pissed off Australians will turn against the Government for their brazen blackmail attempt.

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Weather Alert

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Boone County in central Missouri... Western Cole County in central Missouri... Moniteau County in central Missouri... * Until 630 PM CDT. * At 527 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 9 miles north of Tipton to 43 miles southwest of High Point, or along a line from 9 miles north of Tipton to 47 miles southwest of Tipton, moving northeast at 75 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. * This severe thunderstorm will be near... Tipton around 535 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include Latham, Harrisburg, Lupus, Kliever, McBaine, Sandy Hook, Marion, Wilton 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. &&
Weather Alert

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. &&

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL MISSOURI AND FAR WEST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS... * AFFECTED AREA...In Illinois, Fire Weather Zone 095. In Missouri, Fire Weather Zones 018, 019, 026, 027, 034, 035, 041, 042, 047, 048, 049 and 050. * TIMING...From noon to 5 PM CDT today. * WINDS...South 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 17 percent. * IMPACTS...These conditions are conducive for the rapid spread and growth of uncontrolled wildfires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels can contribute to extreme fire behavior. &&
Corporate retirement pension funds under management grew 13.9 percent from a year earlier in 2023, driven by a steady increase in the number of companies and workers adopting the system, data showed Monday.

Cumulative corporate retirement pension funds stood at 381 trillion won ($265.4 billion) as of end-2023, compared with 335 trillion won tallied a year before, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

This reflects a consistent upward trend since the agency began compiling relevant data in 2015.

The program requires both employers and employees to contribute to the pension funds, with employees receiving the pension upon retirement.

"We have consistently seen an annual growth rate at around the 10 percent level since 2015," said Kim Ji-eun, an official at Statistics Korea. Kim also noted that individual retirement pension products recorded a significant on-year increase in 2023.

The number of companies implementing the retirement pension scheme for their employees rose slightly to approximately 437,000 last year, up from 436,000 in the previous year.

About 6.75 million workers, accounting for 53 percent of the total 12.72 million employees, were covered by the program in 2023.

Notably, the number of people withdrawing from retirement pension funds in the middle surged by 28.1 percent on-year to 64,000 in 2023, the data showed.

The total amount withdrawn also rose significantly, jumping 40 percent from 1.7 trillion won to 2.4 trillion won over the same period.

For those aged 20 years and younger, the most common reason for withdrawing their pension funds before maturity was paying for residential leases, while the primary reason for older age groups was home purchases. (Yonhap)
Grand prize winner of The Korea Times' 13th Global Korea Youth Awards

By Jung Da-hyun

Hwang Yu-na, a 16-year-old student at Cheongshim International Academy in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, has an inspiring vision to become a globally recognized innovator. With a strong passion for science and math, she is carving out her path toward achieving her dreams.

"The mysteries of space have always fascinated me," Hwang said.

Born to a Chinese mother and Korean father, she grew up watching documentaries that sparked her curiosity about the universe. Her fascination with space began at an early age, influenced by her parents' shared interest.

"Both my parents are captivated by the vastness of space, particularly its infiniteness and the possibility of extraterrestrial life," she said.

While Hwang initially dreamed of becoming an astronomer, she recently shifted her focus to a more practical future. She now envisions a career as a scientist and entrepreneur, combining her passion for exploration with a desire to make a tangible impact.

Her academic interests span various scientific fields, particularly physics and chemistry.

"Physics is fascinating because it translates everyday phenomena into equations, while chemistry intrigues me for how it brings scientific precision to the unimaginable," she said.

Hwang has been actively working toward her goals by participating in programs like the entrepreneurial course at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. The program provided her with in-depth scientific training, coupled with insights into entrepreneurship.

"The experience showed me that science doesnt just end in the lab  it can drive innovations that make daily life more convenient and connected," she said.

Among her most memorable projects was designing a hospital and funeral facility for use in space. Drawing on the unique properties of microgravity, her team proposed medical rehabilitation and other services tailored to such an environment. The idea won the team an award for creativity and innovation during the program.

Beyond her scientific endeavors, Hwang has shown strong leadership and commitment to her school community.

As vice president of the student council, she took the lead in organizing major events, including the schools annual festival.

"Working with department heads and resolving conflicts between them was challenging, but it taught me a great deal about responsibility," she said.

"Seeing the festival become a success was one of the most rewarding moments of my school life."

As vice president of the student council, one of Hwangs notable achievements was launching "Sandwich Day," an event created to enhance breakfast options for dormitory students.

"Dorm life often meant limited breakfast choices like rice or cereal," she said.

"I suggested a day where students could make their own sandwiches, creating a more enjoyable and nutritious start to the day."

The initiative was widely praised by both students and staff, with nutritionists applauding it as a creative and engaging approach to promoting healthy eating.

Hwangs leadership extends beyond her role in the student council. Since her first year, she has been an active member of the schools peer counseling club, guiding younger students through academic and personal challenges.

"As a senior, Ive been able to share my study methods and personal experiences," she said.

"Its incredibly rewarding to see others grow and improve after our conversations."

Even when she was in elementary school, she helped a newly arrived Chinese classmate who was struggling with the Korean language, drawing on her own multicultural background.

"Even though my Chinese wasnt perfect, I did my best to help her adapt to the new environment," Hwang said.

"Society has grown more accepting of multicultural families, and I hope people can see their diverse backgrounds as strengths rather than weaknesses," she added.

Her commitment to global perspectives is reflected in her active participation in CSIAMUN, her schools Model United Nations program.

As a delegate representing countries like South Africa and China, she debated on pressing global issues and sharpened her understanding of international affairs.

"Representing a country requires a strong sense of responsibility. It also gave me the chance to network and engage with diverse viewpoints, which greatly enriched my worldview," she said.

While Hwangs academic and leadership achievements are noteworthy, her aspirations extend far beyond Korea. She hopes to make an impact on the global stage.

"During my high school orientation, I learned about an alumna who gave a speech in Silicon Valley," she said. "That inspired me to aim for global recognition."

She was recently accepted into Daegu Science High School, a prestigious institution known for nurturing talented students in math and science.

"I believe my diverse cultural background and experiences will play a key role in helping me achieve that," she said.
Some 200 Russian and North Korean soldiers were estimated to have been killed while fighting in combined units against Ukrainian forces, Kyiv's intelligence authorities said, without specifying the number of casualties for each side.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) made the revelation in a statement published Saturday (local time), noting that North Korean soldiers have been mobilized for assault operations as part of combined units of Russia's Marine Corps and airborne troops.

Claiming that the North Korean troops suffered "irreversible losses" from Ukraine's attacks, the DIU said the language barrier is an issue for Russian and North Korean combined units in conducting coordinated operations.

"Because of this problem, North Korean soldiers opened 'friendly fire' on the vehicles of the so-called Ahmat battalion. As a result, they killed eight Kadyrov soldiers," it said," referring to Chechen fighters.

The Ukrainian military also released photos and footage of what appear to be dozens of North Korean soldiers killed along with Russian troops in Russia's western Kursk border region, according to a Ukrainian media outlet.

Ukrainska Pravda reported Sunday, citing information from a drone unit, that the soldiers whose bodies were shown covered in snow were killed during assaults in the Russian region bordering Ukraine on Saturday (local time).

"The Madiar channel emphasized that this is a collaborative effort of FPV (first person view)-drone pilots of the 414th Unmanned Strike Aviation Systems Regiment, the Mahura Brigade, the 95th Air Assault Brigade, the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, the 1st Tank Brigade and the 17th Tank Brigade," the outlet said.

The details of the post shared on the drone unit's Telegram channel could not be verified immediately.

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia could extend its deployment of North Koreans to other parts of the front line.

"We already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them," Zelenskyy said in an address.

"The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region. So far, only there. But we have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the front line," he said.

South Korea and the United States have accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers to Russia, with some of them engaging in combat in the western Kursk border region. (Yonhap)
Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho called for a "prudent" approach Monday to sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border, in an apparent shift from an earlier stance on the campaign led by South Korean activists that Pyongyang has bristled at.

Kim emphasized the importance of public safety, in what appeared to be efforts to prevent possible risks that could further heighten inter-Korean tensions amid a leadership vacuum following a parliamentary vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"In regard to the anti-Pyongyang leaflet issue, we seek to concentrate efforts to manage the situation by prioritizing the people's lives and safety," Kim told a session of the parliamentary foreign affairs and unification committee.

"We have requested activist groups on Thursday to make prudent judgments," he added.

Kim's remarks draw a sharp contrast to the ministry's earlier stance of prioritizing the right of freedom of expression in line with a Constitutional Court decision.

Last year, the Constitutional Court ruled that a clause banning leaflet launches in the law on the development of inter-Korean relations is unconstitutional, saying it excessively restricts the right to freedom of expression.

The decision paved the way for North Korean defectors and activists to resume their leaflet campaigns toward North Korea. In retaliation, the North has sent thousands of trash-filled balloons into the South since late May.

In a report to the parliamentary committee, the unification ministry noted that the Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean newspaper based in Japan, has reported on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's reelection in a Nov. 25 report.

Pyongyang's state media have yet to report on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. (Yonhap)
Advocacy groups call for leniency

By KTimes

On the evening of Oct. 24 last year, in a house in Daegus Nam District, a 63-year-old father was feeding his 39-year-old son dinner. Born with severe disabilities, the son had relied entirely on his fathers care for daily life. For decades, the father had devoted himself to his son, but the burden had left him utterly exhausted.

The sons frustrations had also been building. Living his entire life with disabilities and a deep sense of helplessness, he had grown increasingly despondent.

That evening, his actions reflected the weight of his despair. He kicked the family dog off the dining table and repeatedly urged his father, Lets die together. Lets go to a place without demons, to heaven where angels are.

Overwhelmed and broken, the father made an unthinkable decision. After consuming a months worth of antidepressants, a bottle of vodka and half a bottle of soju, he took a knife from the kitchen and fatally stabbed his son in the bathroom. He then attempted to end his own life.

Hours later, his wife returned home to find their son dead and her husband unconscious in a pool of blood. Emergency responders managed to save the father's life, but his attempt to follow his son had failed.

The father was later charged with murder. On Oct. 25, the Daegu District Court sentenced him to three years in prison. The court acknowledged the fathers immense sacrifice in caring for his son over 39 years but said, No matter the circumstances, a parent cannot justify taking their childs life.

A lifetime of sacrifice and despair

The father and sons story reveals a harrowing reality. Born with severe cognitive disabilities, the son started getting worse after a cerebral hemorrhage in 2014, leading to a diagnosis of grade 1 brain disability.

The father left his job to provide full-time care for his son while his wife worked away from home to support the family financially. Despite suggestions from others to place his son in a care facility, the father refused, unable to bear parting with him.

Over time, the physical and emotional toll became insurmountable. The sons condition showed no signs of improvement, and the toll on the father only grew. In 2021, the father suffered a car accident that left him with severe injuries, including partial amputation of his toes.

Adding to his struggles, his insurance company ceased covering medical expenses in August 2022, leaving him in financial ruin.

By then, the son had begun pleading with his father to end their lives together, a plea he repeated daily. Consumed by despair and physical exhaustion, the father eventually succumbed to the pressure and committed the irreversible act.

Calls for leniency

Despite the crime, the father's family and disability advocacy groups urged the court to show leniency. His wife testified in court, acknowledging her husbands dedication and expressing guilt for leaving him to shoulder the burden alone.

Their second son also requested leniency, emphasizing his fathers sacrifices. Advocacy groups and parents of children with disabilities submitted petitions, arguing that the crime stemmed from an unbearable personal and systemic crisis.

In a January statement, the Korea Welfare Citizens Coalition said, While taking a life is undeniably a crime, this case reflects a reality too harsh for one individual and family to bear. The government and society share responsibility for failing to provide adequate support.

It called for the court to consider mitigating circumstances in sentencing.

A complex verdict

The court wrestled with the case, balancing the fathers tragic circumstances with the severity of the crime. Psychological evaluations showed that the father was emotionally overwhelmed but not legally insane at the time of the crime.

Although his circumstances are heartrending, the act of taking a life cannot be justified under any condition, the court said.

In sentencing the father to three years in prison, the court considered his health and the extenuating circumstances but also emphasized the suffering of the victim.

The son likely endured unimaginable pain and despair at the hands of the person he trusted most, the court said, adding that the intrinsic value of human life must also be weighed.

The fathers sentence has sparked debate, with some viewing it as too lenient while others question whether the punishment is appropriate given the circumstances.

On Nov. 4, the fathers legal team filed an appeal, seeking a review of the initial verdict.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Prosecutors on Monday again summoned President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning over his declaration of martial law earlier this month, a day after he defied their earlier request.

A special investigation unit under the prosecution sent a notice to Yoon to investigate him as a suspect on charges of insurrection and abuse of power over the short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

It was not immediately known by which date Yoon has been requested to appear.

The move comes after Yoon rejected the prosecution's request to appear for questioning Sunday. He reportedly did not comply with the summons as he had not completed hiring his legal representatives.

Separately, the joint investigation team into the martial law turmoil also seeks to question Yoon as part of its own investigation.

Earlier in the day, the team attempted to deliver a summons to Yoon for his appearance Wednesday but officials at the presidential office and his residence declined to cooperate.

The joint team consists of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the defense ministry's investigation unit.

Investigations into the martial law declaration have picked up pace as multiple officials allegedly involved in the incident have been arrested, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and the head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command.

Earlier in the day, police also called in former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to question him as part of their investigation into the martial law declaration.

Lee is accused of taking part in preparations of the alleged insurrection. He was banned from leaving the country on Wednesday. (Yonhap)
Court expected to issue ruling by end of April

By Anna J. Park

A justice known for his conservative stance will lead the Constitutional Court's review of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment motion.

The court said, Monday, Justice Cheong Hyung-sik was selected as the presiding judge of the case. The selection was made through a random computer draw, it added.

Cheong was named by Yoon in December last year. According to the law of the nine-member court, three justices are named by the president, three by the Supreme Court chief justice and three by the National Assembly.



The court initially said that it would not disclose the identity of the presiding justice of the high-profile case, in accordance with its non-disclosure principle. But the identity was made public later in the day.



Regarding the disclosure, the court said in a message to reporters, "All the justices are engaged in the hearings, so the presiding justice does not affect the speed or direction of the decision."

First preparatory hearing set for Dec. 27

The court also decided to hold the first preparatory hearing at 2 p.m. on Dec. 27. The decision was made during a meeting led by Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae, with all six current justices attending. The court is currently operating with only six justices instead of the full nine, as the replacements for the retired three have yet to be appointed.

The preparatory hearing is a session held before public argument hearings, designed to clarify key issues of the trial, discuss the review of evidence, and determine the selection of witnesses in advance.

"During this hearing, investigative records from the prosecution, police and other authorities will be obtained as early as possible," a court spokesperson said.

The impeachment trial of Yoon has moved into the preparatory stage of the Constitutional Court's process.

The court began the trial procedures on Saturday after receiving the impeachment document from the National Assembly. On Sunday, the justices reviewed the case from their residences.

The court also said it notified the case to the defendant  Yoon  and is currently requesting the submission of responses from him. Ahead of the impeachment trial, Yoon is said to have finalized his legal defense team. The team will be led by Kim Hong-il, former chair of the Korea Communications Commission.

The court plans to proceed with the impeachment trial as swiftly as possible, the spokesperson said.

The public hearing sessions for the impeachment trial require the participation of both parties. Rep. Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), chair of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee, will serve as the impeachment prosecutor, while Yoon, the defendant, is also required to appear.

The number of witnesses selected for the trial is expected to impact the timeline of the impeachment process. However, it is widely anticipated that the court will reach its final ruling by the end of April.

This is due to the planned retirement of two justices  Moon and Justice Lee Mi-son  whose terms will end on April 18. During the impeachment trial of former President Park Geun-hye, the final ruling came out on March 10, 2017, just three days before the retirement of then-acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi.

The problem is that three of the nine seats at the Constitutional Court have been vacant since Oct. 17.

As both the ruling People Power Party and opposition parties nominated their candidates for the National Assembly's share of the justices, and the legislative body plans to quickly complete the appointment process, including confirmation hearings, within this month, the Constitutional Court is expected to fill the empty seats as early as late December.

If at least six justices rule in favor of removing the president, Yoon's impeachment will be confirmed. If this threshold is not met, the case will be dismissed.

The Constitutional Court Act mandates that an impeachment decision be made within 180 days after receiving the case, although this timeline is not legally binding.

In the past two presidential impeachment cases, the proceedings were completed in less than 180 days. The impeachment trial of former President Roh Moo-hyun took 63 days, while that of former President Park Geun-hye was concluded in 91 days.
Chinese automobiles gaining popularity among Ghanaians

Xinhua) 10:37, December 16, 2024

ACCRA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaians are increasingly falling in love with Chinese automobiles, a business executive said late Friday.

Fan Dongyun, deputy managing director of Zonda Ghana Limited, a Chinese automobile assembly company in Ghana, made the remarks at a customer appreciation activity held in the Ghanaian capital of Accra.

Fan said the company's premium brands assembled in Ghana, including sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, cross-country vehicles, tipper trucks, and earth-moving machines, are becoming more and more popular among Ghanaians as sales pick up.

The company introduced various models of China's Great Wall Motors in June, and according to her, these models have also seen increased sales among Ghanaians over the six months.

Due to the popularity of the brands, Zonda introduced another two new models into the local market on Friday night.

Fan thanked the Ghanaian government for removing the value-added tax (VAT) on vehicle assembly, which made vehicles more affordable for Ghanaians.

She expressed confidence that with the zero-VAT sales, the company's brands of automobiles, conditioned for the Ghanaian and African terrain, would continue to enjoy high patronage.

She added that by assembling these vehicles in Ghana, Zonda has created local jobs and transferred technology to Ghanaians.

Kwabena Amaning, a senior manager at Ghana's Imperial Insurance, lauded Zonda for its track record in the Ghanaian automobile market.

"With the Chinese company, it is always possible to get whatever vehicle you want at an affordable price," Amaning said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Refusing questioning could raise chances of detention

By Jung Da-hyun

President Yoon Suk Yeol continues to defy summons issued by investigative authorities for questioning over his botched martial law, raising the possibility that he may face forced detention, according to legal and political experts.

A joint investigation team comprised of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the defense ministry, attempted to deliver a written summons to Yoon at the presidential office and his residence in central Seoul, Monday.

They were seeking to question Yoon at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the CIOs office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on charges of treason and abuse of power as the head of the insurrection.

However, officials at both locations refused to accept the document. The Presidential Security Service said it is not responsible for handling the summons, while the presidential secretaries office also claimed it would be inappropriate for them to pass the document to the president, whose duties have been suspended.

Despite the failed in-person attempts, the team said the summons had already been sent by mail earlier in the morning, ensuring its delivery through alternate means.

However, it has not been disclosed whether the presidents side received the mail.

When asked if investigators are considering forcibly detaining the president if he continues to refuse the summons, one member said that option is not being considered at the moment.

Separately from the joint team, the prosecution, which is conducting its own investigation into the same case, also requested on Monday that Yoon appear before the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for questioning.

It was the prosecution's second summons, as it previously notified Yoon, Wednesday, to appear for questioning at 10 a.m. on Sunday. But he did not show up, with Yoon's side saying the president has yet to put together his legal team.

Former Korea Communications Commission Chief Kim Hong-il is expected to lead the president's defense team, according to Yoon's legal counsel.

If he complies with the request, Yoon would be the first sitting president of Korea to be summoned for questioning. Previously, four former presidents faced summons, but only after their terms in office had ended.

But experts believe Yoon is highly likely to continue refusing to comply, given his public statements and his current position on the matter. If the president persists in defying the summons without valid justification, the chance of detention may increase.

According to legal experts, it is customary to issue an arrest warrant to forcibly summon a suspect who ignores three requests to appear before investigators.

"Considering the presidents actions and public statements, it is evident that he believes his declaration of martial law was justified," said Choi Chang-ryul, a political science professor at Yong In University.

"The presidential residence and office are off-limits areas and executing a warrant in those places requires the approval of the person in charge," he said. "Since that person is the president himself, securing his custody will not be an easy task."

Political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon also emphasized the likelihood of Yoon continuing to defy the summons, despite the procedural inevitability of arrest if he refuses to comply.

"Yoon may continue to refuse, citing the need to assemble a defense team and prepare a strategy for his statement," he said.

He added that predicting Yoons next move is difficult, describing the presidents actions so far as "unpredictable."

Meanwhile, the investigave authorities' decision to publicly announce the summons appears to be fueled by testimonies from three high-ranking military commanders, who identified Yoon as the central figure in the alleged treason plot.

The three commanders  Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, former chief of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, head of the Army Special Warfare Command, and Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, head of the Capital Defense Command  reportedly provided detailed accounts of Yoons involvement.

Their statements provide detailed accounts of discussions about the potential imposition of emergency measures prior to its declaration, along with allegations that the president issued orders on the day the measures were enacted.

Investigations into those involved in the martial law declaration are gaining momentum, with an arrest warrant issued on Monday for Kwak over his suspected role in the incident. Kwak becomes the second military official facing arrest, following Yeo, who was detained on Saturday.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has requested the recusal of a judge trying his bribery case related to a company's allegedly illegal money transfers to North Korea about five years ago, judicial officials said Monday.

Lee's side filed the request with the Suwon District Court on Friday, seeking to recuse judge Shin Jin-woo in charge of his bribery case, they said. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, a defendant may request the recusal of a judge if there is concern that the judge will conduct an unfair trial.

The chair of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea was indicted in June on charges of being involved in underwear maker Ssangbangwool Group's unauthorized remittance to North Korea.

He is accused of asking the group to illegally transfer $8 million to North Korea between 2019 and 2020, when he was serving as governor of Gyeonggi Province, through then Vice Gov. Lee Hwa-young to facilitate his planned visit to Pyongyang.

Due to the recusal request, the trial proceedings against Lee have been immediately suspended.

Lee's lawyers have expressed concern about Shin, who previously handed down prison terms to the former Gyeonggi vice governor over some legal violations related to the North Korean remittance case. (Yonhap)
By KTimes

When news broke at 5 p.m. on Saturday that President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment motion had passed, hundreds of thousands outside the National Assembly erupted in cheers, reaffirming the timeless truth that history is shaped by its people.

According to rally organizers, the overjoyed crowd was estimated to be at 2 million, while police figures stood only at 200,000.

The 11-day protests following the Dec. 3 martial law scandal introduced a new demonstration culture  replacing candles with light sticks and folk songs with K-pop. Notably, young Koreans in their 20s and 30s, especially women, stood out.

Experts now anticipate that this experience could lead to sustained political engagement from this demographic.

Many young protesters gathered outside the National Assembly told the Hankook Ilbo that this would not be their last demonstration.

While the impeachment motion was approved, they said they were committed to ensuring their activism wasnt a one-off event and pledged to stay politically engaged.

Kim, 26, who attended the protests daily for a week, recalled the frustration of the initial failure to meet the voting quorum on Dec. 7 due to the ruling partys walkout. We wont let ignorance be our downfall again, she said, adding that she and her friends planned to study the impeachment process further.

Another participant in his 20s was collecting special edition newspapers commemorating the impeachment vote, saying he intentionally took home politically diverse publications.

While most media were unified leading up to the impeachment, I want to see the differing perspectives on what comes next, he said.

Call for protest at Constitutional Court

On social media, discussions are now urging people to attend demonstrations in front of the Constitutional Court, where the next phase of the impeachment process will unfold.

The vibrant protests, where participants waved light sticks and chanted Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol to K-pop tunes, transformed the perception of political gatherings.

Kang So-young, 29, a first-time protester, initially hesitated. I wasnt sure if enjoying myself like I was at a concert was appropriate, she said. But I realized that the essence of both protests and politics is about making our voices heard. That gave me the confidence to sing even louder.

For others, the demonstrations dismantled preconceived notions about politics and activism. Park Ji-soo, 27, who once avoided political discussions, said, I used to think politics was too partisan and protests too aggressive. But now I see how they can address issues like deepfake crimes and housing scams that directly impact us. Ill keep attending related demonstrations.

Rediscovering meaning of solidarity

For some 20 and 30-somethings, the protests offered a lesson in solidarity. Kang, 30, was moved by acts of generosity, such as people prepaying for hundreds of beverages at nearby cafes and sharing snacks and hand warmers.

Seeing people endure discomfort together and care for one another inspired me to reflect on how I can contribute to a better society, Kang said.

Chang Yoon-seok, 29, from Seoul's Songpa District, noted the inclusion of marginalized voices during the protests. Women, people with disabilities and LGBTQ individuals took the stage, and I learned about struggles I had ignored. It was a moment of reckoning for me, Chang said.

He also called for greater male participation. There werent enough men in their 20s here. I hope more of us will join to ensure everyone has a platform to be heard, he said.

A catalyst for change

Hallym University sociology professor Shin Kyung-ah described the young protesters, particularly women, as generational and gender minorities.

As democracy evolves, issues affecting minorities naturally improve. I expect the 2030 generation, led by women, to actively participate in shaping the political landscape, she said.

Roh Jin-cheol, a sociology professor at Kyungpook National University, highlighted the broadening of public empathy.

This movement extended awareness to areas previously overlooked by older generations, like issues affecting women, laborers and immigrants," Roh said. "Having realized politics isnt out of reach, the 2030 generation is poised to become an active force for societal progress.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Former minor party leader Cho Kuk on Monday called for an all-out effort for regime change before being imprisoned at the Seoul Detention Center to begin his two-year prison sentence.

Cho, who led the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, has lost his parliamentary seat after the Supreme Court upheld his conviction last Thursday on charges of academic fraud involving his children and unlawful interference in a government inspection.

He told reporters and supporters in front of the detention center that his party should make all possible efforts to prevent the ruling People Power Party, an alleged accomplice in impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration, from maintaining power.

About 100 supporters gathered to see Cho off as he entered the prison. (Yonhap)
A military court on Monday issued an arrest warrant for the head of the Army Special Warfare Command over his alleged role in the short-lived imposition of martial law this month, prosecutors said.

The court issued the warrant for Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, who is accused of playing an "integral" role in an insurrection and abusing his powers in connection with President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3.

With the court's decision, Kwak is the second military official to be arrested in connection to the martial law episode after Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, was arrested Saturday.

Kwak, who sent special operations troops to the National Assembly during the martial law declaration, is accused of inciting a riot to subvert the Constitution by allegedly colluding with Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others.

Kwak, who was suspended from his duties earlier this month, told lawmakers Tuesday that Yoon had ordered him to break open doors and "drag out" lawmakers at the National Assembly compound during the martial law imposition, but he claimed to have defied the orders.

He also said he had been ordered by Kim on Dec. 1 to secure six locations, including the National Assembly, three offices of the National Election Commission and the headquarters of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

Meanwhile, the military court will also review whether to issue an arrest warrant for Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, head of the Capital Defense Command, the same day.

Lee is accused of sending some 200 troops to seal off the National Assembly after martial law was declared. (Yonhap)
Han Dong-hoon's presidential bid threatened after resigning as party chief

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Han Dong-hoon, once a promising figure in the conservative bloc, is now losing his influence in politics after resigning from his position as head of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) following the National Assembly's successful vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law earlier this month.

His critics blame him for failing to protect the party and the president by flip-flopping his stance and eventually supporting the opposition-led impeachment motion against Yoon. Han, once seen as a strong front-runner for the 2027 presidential election, has now lost his advantage as party leader and faces a challenging political future.

The Assembly passed the impeachment motion on Saturday 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 PPP lawmakers likely voted in favor of impeachment, despite the partys official stance to oppose it.

After the vote, Han faced growing pressure from within his own party to step down, and eventually, he succumbed to the demands.

I am stepping down as the leader of the PPP. I tried to find a better path for this country other than impeachment, but I could not. Its all because of my shortcomings. I'm sorry, Han said during a press conference, Monday. "It has become impossible to carry out my duties as party chief due to the collapse of the partys Supreme Council. I sincerely apologize to all the people who suffered due to the emergency martial law incident.

Han initially vowed to continue his duties right after the vote, but was forced to resign after five members of the PPPs Supreme Council expressed their intent to step down. 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.

He previously served as justice minister from May 2022 to December 2023 and played a key role as an anti-corruption prosecutor alongside Yoon in securing convictions for former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, Samsung executive chairman Lee Jae-yong and the family members of former justice minister Cho Kuk.

However, Han said he does not regret supporting the impeachment motion.

I still have no regrets because I made a promise not to betray the Republic of Korea and its citizens no matter what, he said.

Just because the martial law is wrong, it does not justify the Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) reckless legislative move and its leader Lee Jae-myungs criminal charges. The clock is ticking for Lees sentencing trial, Han said, referring to multiple trials Lee is undergoing over his Election Law violation and other allegations.

PPP lawmakers had been heavily divided over whether to vote in favor or against the impeachment. The pro-Yoon faction within the party, including newly elected floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, argued that all members should vote against the motion, while Han and many others pushed for a change in the PPPs official stance.

Following Hans resignation, Kweon will become the interim leader of the PPP. He has the authority to appoint the head of an emergency leadership committee of the party.

Prior to his political career, Kweon worked as a prosecutor and served at the Ministry of Justice.

Political analysts said it is inevitable for Han to step aside for a while until the Constitutional Court decides whether to formally remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.

I think Han will have to wait for his time to come. Korea may hold a snap election next year if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, but Han wont be considered a PPP candidate for the next presidency. And I highly doubt he will leave the party and run as an independent candidate, said Park Chang-hwan, political commentator and professor at Jangan University.

If the PPP loses the snap election, there will be a lot of frustration and self-reflection within the party. There would be calls for Han to return to the party leadership, and he could be reelected at the national convention. Sometimes people only learn after they fail.
Special probe bill on Kim Keon Hee may be pushed through as power-stripped president loses veto authority

By Lee Hyo-jin

A slew of controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee has haunted President Yoon Suk Yeol even before he took office in May 2022. Left unaddressed, these scandals became a major factor in Yoon's dramatic fall from grace, as the president now awaits impeachment proceedings at the Constitutional Court.

The scandals related to Kim include allegations of stock manipulation, plagiarism of research papers, the acceptance of a Dior handbag and wielding undue influence on state affairs.

These controversies have overshadowed much of Yoons policy agenda during his two and a half years in office, contributing to his plummeting approval ratings. But the prosecutor-turned-president dismissed these allegations as exaggerated claims by his political opponents and said his wife had been excessively "demonized."

However, these explanations failed to persuade the majority of the public, according to analysts.

"A major lapse in Yoon's approach to the first lady's issues stemmed from his mindset as a devoted husband, not a president. A true leader would have allowed the legal authorities to investigate the allegations surrounding their family, but Yoon was overly protective of his wife," said Lee Jae-mook, a politics professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. "This was not received well by the public."

Lee added that multiple polls have shown that Yoon's tone-deaf response to the first lady's scandals was one of the main reasons for his disapproval ratings.

A key scandal surrounding Kim erupted in November 2023 when a liberal YouTube news channel published footage showing a Korean American pastor gifting a Dior handbag to the first lady in September 2022. The pastor secretly filmed the interaction using a hidden camera.

Opposition parties accused Kim of violating the anti-graft law, but the presidential office defended her, claiming her to be a victim of a malicious political maneuver.

After a months-long investigation, prosecutors dropped all charges against Kim related to the handbag scandal in October.

Later that month, they also decided not to indict the first lady for her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer. Investigators concluded that manipulation had occurred, but Kim had not been aware that her financial accounts were being misused.

These decisions sparked a strong backlash from opposition parties.

Soon after, another scandal surfaced when self-proclaimed political broker Myung Tae-kyun came into the spotlight. He is currently under investigation for allegedly interfering in candidate nominations during the 2022 parliamentary by-elections through his ties with then-presidential candidate Yoon and his wife.

The first ladys involvement in these allegations surfaced when Myung disclosed screenshots of past text messages with Kim, in which she appeared to seek his advice during Yoon's presidential campaign.

Opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), have been pushing for a special counsel investigation into the first lady's scandals. The opposition-controlled National Assembly has passed three such bills, but all of them were derailed by Yoons presidential veto, with the most recent rejection on Nov. 26.

"Yoon has struggled to maintain a good relationship with the opposition bloc due to his poor communication style, with the issue surrounding the first lady serving as a major flashpoint. The escalating conflict ultimately pushed the president to the self-destructive decision of declaring martial law," Lee said.

Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3, only to lift it six hours later following parliamentary pushback. The debacle dealt a final blow to the already unpopular president's political career. After the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion on Saturday, Yoon's duties have been suspended, with his power transferred to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

These developments have placed the first lady in a precarious position. The power-stripped president will no longer be able to exercise his veto power on special counsel probe bills targeting his wife.

The Assembly passed a fourth version of the special counsel bill on Dec. 12, just two days before Yoon was impeached. The special counsel is tasked to look into more than a dozen allegations related to Kim.

Kim's fate now hinges on whether Han, as the acting president, will veto the bill.

While it is technically legal for an acting president to reject a bill, there are only a few precedents, as interim leadership typically aims to minimize political disruptions.

Considering that Han himself is under investigation for treason related to the martial law fiasco, he may be restrained from making bold decisions. Moreover, as the opposition-controlled Assembly holds the power to impeach the prime minister, Han is likely to avoid provoking tensions with the DPK by wielding veto powers.

"The acting president does not have active powers such as the authority to make personnel appointments or veto bills," DPK lawmaker Rep. Kim Min-suk said during the party's meeting on Monday.

On the previous day, DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung said, "Exercising a veto could be perceived as a politically biased move. I believe the acting president will not overstep the boundaries of his interim authority."
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung held a meeting with the head of a top U.S. business lobby group on Monday and discussed economic ties between the two countries amid the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Lee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea emphasized that the current political instability is affecting the economy but will be merely "a stress test" for Korea during his meeting with James Kim, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM).

"Consider this moment of confusion an opportunity to invest in Korea or to buy at a low price," Lee said.

During the meeting, Kim highlighted AMCHAM's efforts to focus on Korea's potential by separating business from politics despite uncertainties in the current political situation.

He also voiced his support for the National Assembly's vote to impeach Yoon over the Dec. 3 short-lived martial law declaration and expressed his respect for the country's dedication to democracy.

The meeting is seen as part of Lee's efforts to dispel global market concerns about the impact of Yoon's impeachment on the Korean economy and to highlight his party's contribution to the stability of state affairs.

On Sunday, Lee suggested forming a consultative body between the parliament and the government to stabilize state affairs. (Yonhap)
By Yu Seung-eun

Big changes in the education sector are now taking place across the world, the most controversial being U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to abolish the Department of Education. This statement has recently sparked heated debates, with some conversations focusing on how students are educated on sensitive topics like race, LGBTQ issues and patriotism.

Does such a discussion ever go peacefully? To quote one of our guests; "Shots will be fired." Indeed, when the Howdy Korea team reached out to potential participants for this video, this was essentially what they told us. We faced numerous rejections, but we believed that fostering a civil discussion on such topics was not only possible but also necessary.

And now we are proud to say that we were successful. In this episode of Howdy Korea, we brought together American, Dutch, French and Korean nationals to participate in a thought-provoking game called "Draw the line," in which each participant shares where they stand on the topics provided. From heartfelt stories of their personal lives to their experiences traveling through Thailand, the participants offer insights into global perspectives.

This video is more than a debate  its a cross-cultural conversation about identity and the future of education. Watch now to see what global citizens really think about these pressing issues!
By Kim Sun-ae

In November, I attended a book talk with Baek Sun-sim, the author of three books including Im Disabled But Have No Problem Raising Children, at Namuya, a bookshop in Inje, Gangwon Province.

When the author, who has brain lesions, was pregnant, people said to her: You are irresponsible. Your baby will be disabled like you. These prejudiced criticisms must have been quite hurtful for her to hear.

Some people think that people with disabilities should not reproduce. Nonetheless, nobody can bring up a child by themselves. All parents, non-disabled or disabled, need other peoples help.

Baek said that she had written the book to let people know that disabled people can also bring up a child. Her children are growing well. The most moving part of the book was that they encouraged her in her writing, asking, Mom, what are you writing about now?

After hearing the author speak about her experiences as a mother with a disability, we gained a new understanding of disability through her guidance. She handed out paper and sets of colored pens, then instructed, "Now, please draw a picture and write your name on the paper without using your hands.

At first, we didnt know how to do it. However, the person next to me began to take out a pen with her mouth. I helped her take it out with my foot. The mission was not easy, but we completed it together. Through this meaningful experience, we learned that people with disabilities have various methods to help them overcome seemingly simple tasks.

Baek also introduced us to a mother who cannot use her arms as she tries to place her baby into a car seat. However, she does this skillfully, strapping him into the car seat with her feet. The mother had developed the ability to do challenging tasks with her feet, demonstrating remarkable dexterity.

In other countries, wheelchair users can use a stroller that can be attached to their wheelchair. The government provides diverse aid to disabled caregivers. If the Korean government also provided such support, parents with disabilities would be able to raise children more easily.

Baek explained that people with disabilities also want to be congratulated on becoming parents and to hear words of encouragement, such as "You are doing your best," when raising a child. And, of course, having a disability as a parent does not mean that their child will have one as well.

Anyone can become disabled as we grow old or due to an unexpected accident. We all need to change our perceptions regarding disabilities. It is necessary to change discriminative perceptions of people with disabilities through education in kindergartens, schools and society, and to build a culture in which all members of society respect one another.

Baek was a wonderful person who was making passionate efforts to improve social perceptions regarding those with disabilities through writing and education. Her activities will contribute to creating a kinder society that respects diversity of all kinds.

Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/everythingchanges) wrote Old Potato, New Potato and translated Little Lord Fauntleroy.
By Lee Jong-eun

On the morning of Dec. 3, I was giving a class lecture, explaining the dynamic features of contemporary South Korean politics. At the end of the lecture, one student said, I read on social media that the South Korean president declared martial law. It was unanticipated news that ironically reinforced the lectures theme.

Though President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law attempt was quickly rescinded by the National Assembly, political repercussions followed. Several Cabinet ministers resigned, including the defense minister who had recommended martial law. The opposition-controlled National Assembly passed legislation for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Yoon government on charges of treason. Most importantly, the opposition parties have demanded Yoons removal from the presidency through impeachment.

Despite the ruling partys aversion to experiencing another president (since Park Geun-hyes impeachment in 2016/17) leaving office in disgrace, political pressure from the widespread public disapproval of Yoons failed martial law declaration has ultimately resulted in the impeachment vote passing in the National Assembly, with a number of defections from the ruling People Power Party legislators.

The impact of the political crisis has been felt in foreign policy. The U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultation Groups scheduled meeting was postponed. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled his trip to Seoul. Japans Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who had planned to visit early next year to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Korea-Japan ties, has signaled an intention to observe the developments of the current political situation. For the international community, two urgent questions are Can the post-impeachment interim government maintain governance? and Will the future elected South Korean government shift Koreas foreign policy drastically?

The first question reflects uncertainty toward Koreas power vacuum from Yoons impeachment. Who would lead the interim government? The opposition Democratic Party of Korea had considered impeaching Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also for failing to prevent Yoons martial law but refrained in order to bring stability in the nation. As acting president, Han also faces the challenge of leading a demoralized Cabinet with several vacancies, including the position of defense minister. For the United States in particular, it is important to be certain whether the interim leader of an allied government will be able to assert clear authority over the military, which faces a leadership crisis and political backlash from its involvement in the failed marital law attempt.

The second question reflects uncertainty about Koreas future foreign policy changes. In the past two years, the Yoon government has pursued foreign policies aligning more explicitly with the U.S.-led alliances in key geopolitical issues. The Yoon government joined the Indo-Pacific Economic Forum, pursued a trilateral security partnership with Japan and the U.S., expressed diplomatic support for Ukraine in its war with Russia and expanded arms exports to Europe.

The fall of Yoons government, however, may result in a repudiation of his foreign policy. The original draft of the impeachment motion criticized Yoon for antagonizing Russia, China and North Korea and pursuing a pro-Japan policy (this language was deleted in the final draft). With Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, currently considered to have favorable prospects in winning the next presidential election, there are speculations, even concerns on whether the next elected South Korean government would drastically reorient South Koreas foreign policy and back away from previous agreements made by the Yoon government.

Such concerns could have adverse effects on the interim governments diplomatic credibility. In the next several months, far from advancing diplomatic negotiations with the incoming second Trump administration, South Korean policymakers may struggle to reassure and defend the existing diplomatic commitments.

The South Korean interim government should reassure the international community on these two critical questions. Whether it be a period of an impeachment trial in the Constitution Court or (if the court rules in favor of the impeachment) the transition period before the newly scheduled presidential election, it is critical for domestic politics to establish political consensus, or at least a  selective truce in this period of crisis management. This may sound idealistic in the current polarized political climate. However, the international communitys loss of confidence in South Koreas caretaker government could have severe economic and security consequences for the country in the course of the next several months.

First, South Korean politics should empower whoever is ultimately designated as the head of the interim government with the minimum necessary political authority to carry out basic government operations. This includes the authority to issue policy directives to government agencies, enforce international agreements and direct the military to continue regular military exercises and deterrence measures toward North Korea in consultation with the United States. Furthermore, the interim government should attain public endorsements from corporations and labor, as well as key international institutions and businesses, to minimize socioeconomic instability that could impact not just Korea but the rest of the global economy.

Second, the political parties should ensure institutional prudence behind Koreas future policymaking. Understandably, the opposition parties will have foreign policy platforms different from the current Yoon government. However, it is imperative that the parties provide two reassurances. First, the parties will review and consult the diplomatic negotiations undertaken by the interim government. Second, the next presidential administration (whether from the ruling or opposing party) will engage in domestic and international consultation before attempting major revisions to South Koreas existing foreign policy.

Though an interim government will inevitably have a limited political mandate, whether it floats as a lame duck or sinks as a dead duck will have critical consequences for South Korea, the region and the world. Next time I teach South Korean politics, I hope to teach about the dynamism and steadiness in my countrys response to the current political crisis.



Lee Jong-eun is an assistant professor of political science at North Greenville University.


Major security, economic challenges lie ahead after impeament

Seoul finds itself navigating a turbulent period in its relationship with the United States, compounded by domestic political uncertainties and the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Amid this volatility, acting President Han Duck-soo has stepped in to lead, holding critical discussions with President Joe Biden to underscore the significance of the ROK-U.S. alliance. During their talks, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to South Koreas democracy and the strength of their bilateral ties. However, the possibility of a second Trump presidency poses significant challenges that could strain this partnership. This uncertainty follows the National Assembly's recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspending his duties until the Constitutional Court delivers its final ruling.

The U.S. State Department recently underscored that the South Korea-U.S. alliance must remain resilient, regardless of changes in political leadership in either country. In light of this, South Korea faces the urgent task of preparing for the potential challenges posed by a second Donald Trump presidency. Known for his "America-first" policies, Trump is expected to prioritize U.S. economic interests, which will significantly influence the future of South Korea-U.S. relations. Among the immediate concerns, his administration is likely to demand a higher financial contribution from South Korea for the stationing of U.S. troops and push for measures to reduce the trade deficit between the two nations. Beyond these issues, Trumps broader foreign policy, particularly his unpredictable approach to North Korea, threatens to further complicate matters.

Trumps recent appointment of Richard Grenell, a close confidant and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, as his special envoy for North Korean affairs, indicates that the former president is eager to revive summit diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. However, this strategy may not align with South Korea's long-term security interests. There are fears that Trump may push for a nuclear freeze agreement with Pyongyang rather than the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula that Seoul has long advocated. Such an outcome could undermine the integrity of the ROK-U.S. alliance, especially if Washington bypasses Seoul in negotiations and reaches an agreement with Pyongyang without prior consultation. Given the sensitive nature of these discussions, it is critical that South Korea remains proactive in its diplomatic efforts to shape Washington's approach to the North.

The instability surrounding Yoons impeachment and the temporary power vacuum at the top of the South Korean government have left the nations security and diplomatic strategies vulnerable. With Han serving as acting president, the countrys ability to engage in robust summit diplomacy has been hindered. The absence of a fully functioning leadership at this crucial juncture could leave South Korea at a disadvantage in its dealings with the U.S. and other regional players, such as Japan. Han and other South Korean leaders must act decisively, prioritizing proactive diplomatic efforts with the incoming Trump administration to ensure that the South's security concerns remain at the forefront of the alliance.

Given the complex nature of the challenges ahead, South Korea must focus on fortifying its security relationships, both bilaterally with the United States and trilaterally with Japan. Strengthening military cooperation and enhancing defense capabilities should be a top priority, as should joint military exercises to bolster South Koreas defense posture. The ROK-U.S. alliance remains the cornerstone of South Koreas security strategy and ensuring its continued strength in the face of shifting U.S. policies will be critical.

Economic challenges weigh heavily on South Korea during this uncertain environment. The nation is already struggling with declining production, consumption, and investments, worsened by the political instability following the president's impeachment. The prospect of additional tariffs under a Trump administration adds another layer of concern, threatening to significantly impact South Korea's export-driven economy. As global economic conditions grow increasingly volatile, South Korean economic ministers are working urgently to stabilize financial markets and address potential risks. In this critical moment, cross-party collaboration on major economic measures, including the passage of an extra budget, has become essential to navigating the challenges ahead.

In light of the growing uncertainties, it is imperative that South Korea avoid the fate of other nations, such as France, which saw its credit rating downgraded by Moodys due to prolonged political divisions. South Korea cannot afford similar setbacks at this juncture. Political leaders must come together to form a consultative body that addresses both the security and economic challenges facing the nation. Achieving political stability and presenting a unified approach to the U.S. and international relations will be crucial for South Korea to navigate these turbulent times successfully.

The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but with strategic diplomacy, enhanced security cooperation, and economic stability, South Korea can tide over the turbulent waters of its relationship with the U.S. and ensure its place in the regions future security and prosperity.




































Govt asks citizens to resume year-end parties

By Park Jae-hyuk

More than four out of 10 small restaurants and hotels complained of direct and indirect losses suffered in the aftermath of the political turmoil caused by President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration on Dec. 3.

According to the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) survey of 248 restaurants and 257 hotels between last Tuesday and Thursday, 46.9 percent of respondents answered that they have faced abrupt cancellation of year-end parties and other types of losses since Dec. 3.

Among the respondents who answered that they had yet to suffer any losses from the martial law fiasco, 46.6 percent feared potential setbacks to their businesses.

The federation especially cited an owner of a restaurant in Sejong, who mentioned the cancellation of three reservations after Dec. 3 as proof of weakening consumer sentiment in the administrative city, which accommodates many government buildings.

Considering the lingering economic uncertainty, the government should create a year-end party atmosphere, KBIZ Chairman Kim Ki-mun told Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on Monday.

A separate survey done last week by the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) also showed that 88.4 percent of small business owners suffered sales declines after Dec. 3.

According to the survey of 1,630 small business owners engaged in restaurant, hotel, wholesale, retail and other service industries, 89.2 percent of respondents answered that the number of visitors to their stores had dropped after the martial law declaration.

While making efforts to solve the political uncertainty, policymakers need to take drastic measures for small business owners, such as more income tax deductions, a KFME official said.

In response to growing concerns, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups vowed to make all-out efforts to minimize the impact of political unrest on small business owners and the self-employed.

Our regional offices should communicate with the associations of small business owners in each region to deal with their complaints, SMEs and Startups Minister Oh Young-ju told executives on Monday.

The central government and municipalities, as well as National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, have also urged citizens to resume their year-end parties, as most ministries and many companies canceled their year-end events amid the political turmoil.

Please proceed with prescheduled gatherings and events to support struggling small business owners, the finance minister said.
By Lee Min-hyung

Korean Air will be able to create more tangible synergy after completing its long-awaited takeover of Asiana Airlines, market watchers said Sunday.

Last week, the flag carrier finished its transaction to acquire Asiana by paying the remaining cost for the high-profile acquisition.

This is a symbolic milestone that the airline has achieved in almost four years after it announced the plan on November 2020.

The integration of the two airlines will elevate Koreas position in the global aviation industry, as their combined passenger transportation distance would rank among the global top 10, according to Korean Air.

Industry officials said the synergy from the acquisition will materialize rapidly particularly because of Korean Airs world-class operational expertise, which will be a significant asset for Asiana.

This merger is not about one airline disappearing, which would reduce the market and competition, an official from the aviation industry said.

It is an opportunity to lay the foundation for healthy growth in the industry, with the potential for both airlines to rise together. With the merger, long-haul route competitiveness will be enhanced, and large-scale synergy will arise through network efficiency."

For instance, both airlines financial soundness will improve gradually after their combination. Korean Air has proven its resilience since the COVID-19 pandemic, breaking its own earnings records each year. Its financial structure remains solid with its cash reserves exceeding 6 trillion won ($4.17 billion).

In constract, Asiana Airlines debt ratio is close to 3,000 percent, but the figure will drop to around 600 percent after the deal due to a capital increase. This will help the airline save more than 100 billion won each year. After their full integration in two years, Korean Airs financial structure is also widely expected to improve more.

The aviation industry is a global competition, so post-merger integration is crucial, said Lee Yoon-chul, professor of business administration at Korea Aerospace University. The merged airline must quickly present its vision and global strategy, while reshaping related industries.

The global aviation industry also reacted favorably to the deal. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian described it as a jackpot and expressed optimism that the deal will be beneficial for not just the airlines, but also Delta.

Over the next two years, Korean Air will embark on comprehensive integration processes over the next two years. They include the integration of Asiana Airlines safety management systems, IT infrastructure, organizational structures and accounting practices. Once the process is fully completed, the integrated entity will become a mega-sized global full-service carrier with a fleet of more than 230 aircraft.
Businesspeople ask opposition party to reconsider controversial bills

By Park Jae-hyuk

Fears are growing among businesspeople in Korea about the opposition blocs proposal of bills unfavorable to companies, as President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from his duties following the impeachment motion passed by the National Assembly on Saturday over his short-lived martial law on Dec. 3 and 4.

While acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been urged to exercise his veto rights against the proposed antibusiness regulations, businesspeople have also asked opposition lawmakers to reconsider their proposals.

However, it remains uncertain whether Han and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) will accept the requests under the current political landscape.

Among the multiple controversial bills, a proposed revision to the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly is currently the biggest concern among businesspeople.

Passed by the opposition-controlled Assembly on Nov. 28, the new law is intended for lawmakers to prohibit companies from refusing to submit documents including trade secrets.

Businesspeople will also be banned from missing the National Assemblys audit sessions and hearings, according to the new law. They should at least make appearances through online platforms if they are abroad or ill.

The proposal is aimed to prevent hearings from being ineffective, said Rep. Jung Chung-rae of the DPK, who proposed the revision.

Before Yoons martial law declaration, it was expected that the president would reject the proposal.

If the acting president does not exercise his veto right by Dec. 21, however, the new law will take effect in March at the earliest after a Cabinet meeting.

Companies will face the risk of divulgence, an insider of one of Koreas business lobby groups said on condition of anonymity. CEOs will also face setbacks in management, as they will be busy visiting the National Assembly.

Amid the government leadership vacuum, the DPK has also sought to pass the Commercial Act revision by the end of this year, raising concerns about a possible surge in lawsuits filed by shareholders against boards of directors.

The new law aims to expand corporate directors duty of loyalty to include shareholders, not only their companies. The government had initially intended to reject the proposal, suggesting the amendment to the Capital Markets Act as an alternative.

Please reconsider the Capital Markets Act revision and the extension of the legal retirement age, both of which could discourage business activities, Korea Enterprises Federation Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik told Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the DPK, on Thursday.

Another attempt by the DPK to pass the pro-labor bill known as the yellow envelope law has also caused worry in the business community.

The bill aims to empower subcontracted workers by allowing them greater negotiating leverage with the clients of their employers, while also prohibiting management from seeking compensation for damage incurred during illegal strikes.

It earned the nickname after citizens delivered yellow envelopes containing money in 2014 to help unionized workers of SsangYong Motor compensate the carmaker for their strike in 2009.

After the previous two assemblies between 2012 and 2020 thwarted the bills passage, Yoon also exercised his veto right on the labor-friendly revision to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act in August.

The DPK is considering proposing the bill once again next year upon requests from labor unions.
By Lee Min-hyung

Calls are mounting for stricter legal regulations to combat the rise of fake social media accounts impersonating celebrities, athletes, and business leaders. This trend has sparked concerns about the potential harm it could cause, including fraudulent demands for personal information or money.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reportedly launched an investigation into multiple social media accounts impersonating Sung Kim, an adviser to Hyundai Motor Group, after receiving reports. Kim, a former U.S. ambassador to Korea, is slated to take office next year as the president in charge of strategic planning for Hyundai Motor Group.

More than 14 Facebook accounts impersonating Kim, using his personal photos and profile, have been identified. Some of these accounts even falsely claimed to be official by stating official account in their self-introduction.

The same report has reportedly been filed with investigative agencies in the United States, where Facebook is headquartered, due to concerns about the potential for significant harm if the activities of the impersonating accounts remain unaddressed.

One fake account impersonating Kim reportedly tried to extract personal information by sending a message to a Hyundai Motor Company official, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

According to an online impersonation post detection company, some 79 percent of celebrity impersonation posts are concentrated on social media.

A social media account that effectively impersonated Lee Jae-yong, the executive chairman of Samsung Electronics, is a typical example. According to local news reports, although it was labeled as a fan page, most of the posts contained content that could make one mistake it for being directly posted by Lee himself.

Social media users mistakenly believed this to be the chairmans official account, leaving comments and sending messages. At its peak, the fake account amassed around 450,000 followers. However, it disappeared abruptly as the controversy gained traction and drew public attention.

Moreover, as the impact of social media has grown, there are increasing calls to punish the act of creating fake accounts itself.

An amendment was proposed to the National Assembly last June to the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network, which stipulates that if you create a fake account impersonating someone else online, you will be sentenced to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won. It is currently under discussion in the relevant standing committee.

Major countries such as the U.S. and Canada already have legal provisions in place that allow for punishment even when someone impersonates someone else online for purposes such as deception or personal gain.

Some argue that there is a need to obligate service providers and social media operators to immediately suspend or delete any impersonating accounts as soon as they discover or receive reports of such accounts.

Impersonation online is a serious infringement on the victim's personal rights, and it can also lead to associated crimes such as phishing, causing significant social damage, a legal expert said.

It is essential to promptly amend the relevant laws to prohibit the creation of impersonating accounts online and to strengthen the penalties for crimes using such accounts."
Automaker to make EVs tailored for Chinese market

By Lee Min-hyung

Hyundai Motors renewed investments in Chinas auto market is aimed at enhancing the carmakers tech prowess, particularly in infotainment systems or other parts for electric vehicles (EV), experts and industry officials said Monday.

Last week, the Korean carmaker and its Chinese partner  BAIC  agreed to invest $1.1 billion (1.57 trillion won) in their joint venture, Beijing Hyundai. The invested capital will be used to develop eco-friendly vehicles, such as EVs, tailored for the largest economy in Asia.

Hyundai Motor has, in recent years, placed its strategic focus on expanding sales of EVs in major global markets for automobiles, including the United States and Europe, and achieved solid sales growth there. But this was not the case for the Chinese market, where home-grown players, such as BYD, dominate.

Experts said chances are slim that Hyundai Motor will be able to attain any immediate outcomes there through the latest investments.

The carmaker is unlikely to chalk up any meaningful revenues or accomplish an outstanding rebound in its EV sales there from a short-term viewpoint due to strong rivalry from Chinas local firms, Lee Ho-geun, an automotive engineering professor at Daedeok University, said.

However, the latest venture can be seen as the carmakers effort to introduce more technologies from China, which is undeniably one of the worlds fastest-growing EV markets, according to the professor.

Hyundai Motor will be able to gain a first-mover advantage in areas, such as hydrogen cars, in the Chinese market, but it looks very tough for the company to widen its EV market share there for now, he said.

Hyundai Motor has suffered a drastic sales decline in China over the past decade, largely due to the growing competition from its Chinese counterparts. In response, the carmaker sold a factory in Beijing in 2021. It also ended up selling another production line in Chongqing this year.

The Korean carmaker sold more than 1.14 million vehicles in China in 2016, but the figure plummeted to below 200,000 for the first 10 months combined this year.

Officials from the auto industry also concurred over the pessimistic sales outlook due to Chinese customers preference for domestic brands, such as BYD and Geely.

It appears tough for Hyundai Motor to make a meaningful short-term rebound there, but the carmaker looks to have made the latest decision in reflection of Chinas ever-growing presence in the global EV market, an industry official said.

Other experts, however, painted an optimistic picture for Hyundai Motors bet on China.

Hyundai Motor has already carried out its restructuring processes in China by closing down some factories, Kim Pil-soo, an automotive technology professor at Daelim University College, said.

Given Hyundai Motors global EV footing, there still stands a possibility that the carmaker can achieve decent success in China by launching diverse localized products, as it has done so in India."
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged Sunday from a Sao Paulo hospital following emergency surgery to treat an intracranial hemorrhage.

"I am here in one piece... returning home calmly," the 79-year-old leftist leader said as he made a surprise appearance at a news conference by his medical team at Hospital Sirio-Libanes.

He later smiled and waved to reporters as he left the hospital.

Lula had successful surgery Tuesday in which doctors drilled through his skull to relieve pressure that built up after a blow to the head in October, when he fell in a bathroom in his presidential residence in the capital Brasilia.

He underwent a follow-up operation on Thursday to minimize the risk of further bleeding in the affected area of the protective intracranial membranes.

The president can resume activities but will need to take it easy for 15 days, cardiologist Roberto Kalil said at the news conference.

"There was a risk of the worst happening," Kalil said later in an interview with the Globo television network.

Lula will remain in Sao Paulo until Thursday, when he will undergo follow-up tests. Once cleared, he will be able to return to Brasilia and his normal routine.

"The only restriction is physical exercise," said Kalil.

Another doctor, Ana Helena Germoglio, said Lula's recovery has "exceeded expectations."

Known for his frenetic work pace, Lula burst into the news conference Sunday without warning and approached the microphones, walking unassisted.

He addressed reporters while wearing a fedora-style hat that covered signs of his operations, accompanied by his wife Rosangela "Janja" da Silva.

Lula's medical emergency started when he complained last Monday of a headache while in Brasilia.

"I felt like my steps were slowing down, my eyes were red, and I was very sleepy," he said.

An MRI scan found a hemorrhage between his brain and the dura mater membrane that protects it, prompting his swift transport to Hospital Sirio-Libanes  the country's top medical facility  for surgery.

"I confess I was scared by the volume of fluid growth in my head. I was worried by the urgency of the request" to go to the hospital, he said.

"I never think I'm going to die, but I'm scared, so I need to follow the rules," Lula said, adding that he will not go to the beach for the end-of-year holidays, as many Brazilians do.

"I'm going home now," he told reporters, "calm, sure that I'm cured and that I just need to take care of myself." After suffering his fall on October 19, Lula had told an official from his Workers' Party that the accident was "serious."

In the weeks following, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting a G20 summit in Rio and attending a Mercosur summit in Uruguay.

The latest medical emergency adds to a list of health problems Lula has suffered over the years, including treatment in 2011 for throat cancer and a hip replacement operation last year. (AFP)
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump hosted Akie Abe, the widow of slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for a private dinner with his wife Melania Trump at their Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Sunday.

Trump and Abe, 62, had met during his first term as president, during which time her husband had pursued a close relationship with him.

"It was a privilege to host Mrs. Akie Abe at Mar-a-Lago once again," Melania Trump said in a post on the social network X.

"We fondly remembered her late husband, former Prime Minister Abe, and honored his remarkable legacy."

The post included a photo showing Abe standing between Melania and her husband, with the president-elect doing his characteristic thumbs-up pose.

Trump's meeting with Abe, whose husband was assassinated in 2022, took place before he could meet with Japan's current prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, despite her holding no political office.

The daughter of a wealthy Japanese family, she married Shinzo Abe in 1987 and rose to prominence during his terms as prime minister of Japan, first from 2006 to 2007, and then again from 2012 to 2020.

As Japan's longest-serving premier, Abe became one of the country's most recognizable political figures, known for cultivating international alliances and his "Abenomics" economic strategy.

He was shot and killed while speaking at a political campaign rally in Nara on July 8, 2022. (AFP)
The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas militants has topped 45,000 people, Palestinian health officials said Monday, with 52 dead arriving at hospitals across the bombed-out strip over the past 24 hours.

The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

With the death toll mounting ever higher, efforts to reach a ceasefire have picked up in recent weeks after repeatedly faltering. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have renewed their efforts to broker a deal at senior levels in recent days. Mediators have said there appears to be more willingness from both sides to conclude a ceasefire.

The Health Ministry said 45,028 people have been killed and 106,962 have been wounded since the start of the war. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are still buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access. The latest war has been by far the deadliest round of fighting between Israel and Hamas, with the death toll now amounting to roughly 2 percent of Gazas entire prewar population of about 2.3 million.

Among the dead reported in the overall toll were 10 people, including a family of four, who were killed in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City, Palestinian medics said.

The strike late Sunday hit a house in Gaza Citys eastern Shijaiyah neighborhood, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service. Rescuers recovered the bodies of 10 people from under the rubble, including those of two parents and their two children, it said.

Israel claims Hamas is responsible for the civilian death toll because it operates from within civilian areas in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Rights groups and Palestinians say Israel has failed to take sufficient precautions to avoid civilian deaths.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Israel responded by heavy bombardment and a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year.

A separate strike on a school on Sunday in the southern city of Khan Younis killed at least 13 people, including six children and two women, according to Nasser Hospital where the bodies were taken. The hospital initially reported the strike had killed 16 people, but it later revised the death toll as the three other bodies had been from a separate strike that hit a house.

Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for UNRWA, the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, said she met with children injured in Sundays strike on the the school turned shelter. They included a 17-year-old girl who suffered a severe leg injury and shrapnel wounds. She survived along with her twin sister and three other sisters, Wateridge said.

Their mother died and Wateridge said one of the sisters described how their mothers bones were crushed under the rubble. There was nothing they could do to save her.

Wateridge also met with two siblings aged two and five at Nasser Hospital where the casualties were taken. Both children have severe head and body injuries, with two-year-old Julia losing sight in her eye. There is nothing we can do. We are already waiting for the next attack, Wateridge quoted a doctor as telling her.

The Israeli military said it had conducted a precise strike on Hamas terrorists who were operating inside a command and control center embedded within a compound that had served as a school in Khan Younis. It did not provide evidence.

In central Gaza's Nuseirat urban refugee camp, mourners gathered for the funeral of a Palestinian journalist working for the Qatari-based Al Jazeera TV network who was killed Sunday in a strike on a point for Gaza's civil defense agency. They carried his body through the street from the hospital, his blue bulletproof vest resting atop.

The strike also killed three civil defense workers, including the local head of the agency, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The civil defense is Gazas main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

Al Jazeera said Ahmad Baker Al-Louh, 39, had been covering rescue operations of a family wounded in an earlier bombing when he was killed.

The International Federation of Journalists said last week that 104 journalists and media workers have been killed so far in 2024, with more than half of them perishing during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

The group said that since the Oct. 7, 2023, start of the war, at least 138 had been killed, including 55 Palestinian media professionals in the calendar year.

The Israeli military said its strike had targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants who were operating in a command and control center embedded in the offices of the Civil Defense organization in Nuseirat. It accused the journalist of having been a member of Islamic Jihad, an accusation his colleagues in Gaza denied.

Gaza's civil defense also rejected the claims that militants had been operating from the site.

We were stunned by the Israeli occupation statement, Mahmoud al-Lawh, the journalists cousin, told The Associated Press. These claims are lies and misleading to cover up this crime. (AP)
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EU adopts 15th sanctions package against Russia

The Commission welcomes the Council's adoption of the 15th sanctions package against Russia. The focus of this package is to keep cracking down on Russia's shadow fleet, as well as combating sanctions' circumvention. It also includes substantial individual and entity listings related to the Russian military-industrial complex and increases the legal protection of EU Central Securities Depositories (EU CSDs). With this package, the EU has, for the first time, imposed fully-fledged' sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze and prohibition to make economic resources available) on various Chinese actors.

The 15th package contains these key elements:

ANTI-CIRCUMVENTION MEASURES

As Russia continues to look for ways to evade the Oil Price Cap, the EU is determined to strengthen measures to help prevent such evasion. Today's package targets 52 new vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, increasing the total number of such listings to 79. These vessels (non-EU) are subject to a port access ban and a ban on provision of services. These ships have been found to be engaged in high-risk shipping practices when transporting Russian oil or petroleum products, in arms deliveries, grain theft, or supporting the Russian energy sector.

This targeted approach by the EU increases the cost for Russia to use such vessels as they are no longer able to do business-as-usual in the EU or with EU operators. It also reduces the number of vessels in Russia's shadow fleet that are able to carry Russian crude oil. Importantly, today's listings also tackle the serious maritime safety and environmental risks posed by the often old and underinsured vessels of the shadow fleet. The EU will continue to closely monitor trade of Russian oil shifts and different practices designed to circumvent the oil price cap, both in terms of compliance by G7 operators and operations of the dark fleet.

ADDITIONAL LISTINGS

Today's package includes 84 additional listings, including 54 individuals and 30 entities, responsible for actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. They are now subject to asset freezes, and  in the case of individuals  also to travel bans. Listings primarily affect Russian military companies that manufacture aircraft parts, drones, electronics, engines, high-tech components for weapons, and other military equipment. The listings also target a number of senior managers in companies active in the Russian energy sector (including shipping companies), providing important revenues to the Russian government.

The EU is also sanctioning the military unit responsible for the striking of the Okhmadyt children hospital in Kyiv as well as individuals responsible for children deportation and propaganda.

For the first time since the start of Russia's invasion, the EU has adopted fully-fledged listings' (i.e. a travel ban, an asset freeze and a prohibition to make funds available) on seven Chinese persons and entities, namely one individual and two entities facilitating the circumvention of EU sanctions, and four entities supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic component to the Russian military industry in support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Today's listings also include two senior officials from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This comes as a follow-up to the October European Council, G7 discussions on third countries' continued support for Russia's war of aggression, and the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.

TRADE

This package also adds 32 new companies to the list of those supporting Russia's military and industrial complex in its war against Ukraine (20 Russian firms, seven under Chinese/Hong Kong jurisdiction, two from Serbia, and one each from Iran, India and United Arab Emirates Emirates). Stricter export restrictions with respect to dual-use goods and technology, and advanced technology items, will now apply to them.

PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF EU OPERATORS

Today's measures include a prohibition to recognise or enforce in the EU some specific rulings issued by Russian courts that give exclusive mandatory competence to Russian courts in disputes between Russian and EU companies, regardless of the prior agreement of the parties. This will protect EU companies from the recognition of damages illegally awarded against them in Russia.

This new package also extends some existing derogations that enable EU operators to divest from Russia. While none of these derogations are new provisions, they will give more time to our companies to exit Russia.

FINANCIAL SECTOR MEASURES

In order to address the increasing litigation and retaliatory measures in Russia that result in the seizing of assets of EU Central Securities Depositories (CSDs), today's package introduces two important amendments:

A loss recovery derogation: This will allow for the release of cash balances held by EU CSDs. This derogation will enable CSDs to request competent authorities of the Member States to unfreeze cash balances and use them to meet their legal obligations with their clients.

This will allow for the release of cash balances held by EU CSDs. This derogation will enable CSDs to request competent authorities of the Member States to unfreeze cash balances and use them to meet their legal obligations with their clients. A no liability clause for EU CSDs: This clarifies that EU CSDs are not liable to pay interest or any other form of compensation to the Central Bank of Russia, beyond interest contractually due.

Background

EU sanctions remain at the core of the EU's response to Russia's unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, as they degrade Russia's military and technological capability, cut the country from the most developed global markets, deprive the Kremlin from the revenues it is financing the war with, and impose ever higher costs on Russia's economy. In this respect, sanctions contribute to fulfilling the EU's key objective, which is to continue to work for a just and lasting peace, not another frozen conflict. Their effects grow over time as the sanctions erode Russia's industrial and tech base. As guardian of the EU Treaties, the European Commission monitors the enforcement of EU sanctions by EU Member States.

Anomalous, growing trade figures for some specific products/countries are hard evidence that Russia is actively attempting to circumvent sanctions. This calls for us to redouble our efforts in tackling circumvention and to ask our neighbours for even closer cooperation. EU Sanctions Envoy David O'Sullivan continues his outreach to key third countries to combat circumvention. Working with like-minded partners, we have also agreed a list of Common High Priority sanctioned goods to which businesses should apply particular due diligence, and which third countries must not re-export to Russia. In addition, within the EU, we have also drawn up a list of sanctioned goods that are economically critical and on which businesses and third countries should be especially vigilant.

For More Information

Link to Official Journal (legal texts will be available soon)

More information on sanctions

Quote

Our sanctions have a clear objective - to weaken Russias economy and its ability to pursue its illegal aggression against Ukraine  and they are achieving that objective. With each new round of sanctions, we improve effectiveness and close gaps, and we will continue to do so, as part of our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine and its people.

Maria Luis Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union 2024-12-15

Zarazeno po 16.12.2024 11:12:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=IP/24/6430&language=en lang en guid /IP/24/6430/
A 48-YEAR-OLD Abbeyleix woman who grabbed the lapel of a uniform and pulled the hair of a receptionist at the Maldron Hotel in Portlaoise appeared before the local district court last week on an assault summons.

Liene Rudzite, Clontyglass, Abbeyleix pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place on 7 February.

Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court as Ms Rudzite was checking out of the hotel, she got into an argument with the receptionist, grabbed her by the lapel of her uniform and caught her by the hair. He said the defendant had two previous convictions.

Ms Rudzited barrister said that his client had not taken her epilepsy medication on that day and had become irritated.

He said she admits grabbing the receptionist by her lapel and is very remorseful and embarrassed by her actions.

He said that Ms Rudzite is now concerned that, if convicted of the offence, she will not be able to continue working at Dublin Airport.

He said: She acknowledges that it was not acceptable behavior and the upset she caused to the receptionist, but there was no physical injury caused.

The barrister said that Ms Rudzite would be willing to pay compensation, and given time would do so.

Adjourning the case to 12 May, Judge Susan Fay asked that a victim impact statement be available on the day and that Ms Rudzite have 350 with her as a suggested start for compensation.
New Delhi [India], December 16 (ANI): The government on Monday informed Lok Sabha that there is no anticipated timeline for the introduction of comprehensive regulatory guidelines for the Virtual Digital Assets industry in India.

The government was asked by two members of Parliament whether it was taking steps to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the Virtual Digital Assets industry.

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The members also sought details of the timeline anticipated for the introduction of regulatory guidelines.

The government in its reply noted that Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) are by definition borderless and require international collaboration to prevent regulatory arbitrage. The Indian government does not register crypto exchanges and it maintains crypto assets, by definition, are borderless and require "international collaboration" to prevent regulatory arbitrage.

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Therefore, India believes any comprehensive regulatory framework on VDA can be effective only with significant international collaboration.

Meanwhile, the government in March 2023 brought VDAs under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) to bring the transactions involving VDAs within the ambit of it.

Further, the income from these virtual assets is also taxed.

Further, during India's Presidency of the G20 last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Stability Board (FSB) Synthesis Paper, along with the 'G20 Roadmap on Crypto Assets,' was adopted.

The synthesis paper provides a coordinated and comprehensive policy and regulatory framework for crypto assets, addressing the full range of risks, including those specific to emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

"All jurisdictions, including India, are expected to evaluate their country-specific characteristics and risks, and engage with standard-setting bodies and the G20 to appropriately consider any necessary measures for crypto assets," MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary today said in reply in Lok Sabha.

Further, the government said it has undertaken formal and informal consultation with stakeholders including industry and with relevant international organizations from time to time on policy formulation of crypto assets.

"There is, however, no timeline anticipated for introduction of comprehensive regulatory guidelines for VDA industry in India," the government added. (ANI)

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Kannada actor Darshan, accused in the murder of his fan from Chitradurga district, appeared before the Sessions Court here on Monday to complete bail formalities after being granted interim bail by the Karnataka High Court. Darshan, who had been hospitalised for severe back pain for over six weeks at BGS Hospital in Kengeri, left the hospital to sign the surety bond. Renukaswamy Murder Case: Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda and Other Accused Granted Bail by Karnataka High Court.

During his hospital stay, no surgical procedures were performed on him.

On December 13, the High Court granted bail to all the accused, including Darshan and his friend Pavithra Gowda, in the case. Renukaswamy Murder Case: Bengaluru Police Seek Cancellation of Darshan Thoogudeepas Bail, Appeal to be Filed in Supreme Court.

Following medical advice, Darshan appeared in court accompanied by his wife, Vijayalakshmi and fellow actor Dhanveer. Darshan was arrested on June 11 this year for allegedly killing Renukaswamy on June 8 after he had sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda.
New Delhi, December 16: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher appealed to the people of the state of Punjab to participate in the 'Rail Roko' agitation scheduled on December 18. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Pandher said, "I want to appeal to the people of Punjab to participate in the 'Rail Roko' agitating on December 18. We request all the people of all the 13,000 villages in Punjab who live near railway tracks to block their nearest railway crossings and railway stations from 12 to 3 pm."

Pandher claimed that 17 farmers were injured after the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters at the Shambhu Border. He further alleged that several farmers are in serious condition and accused the authorities of negligence in providing treatment at the hospital. "The Indian government, the fifth-largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical water was thrown at us using cannons, bombs were hurled, and tear gas shells were fired. Seventeen farmers have been injured, many of whom are in serious condition, and they are not being given proper treatment in the hospital. We urge the Punjab government to ensure adequate treatment," he said earlier. Pandher Urges SKM to Join Hands with Farmers Protesting on Punjab-Haryana Border.

"On December 16, a tractor march will be organised outside Punjab, and on December 18, we have called for a 'Rail Roko' in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in large numbers," he added. Pandher criticised the opposition for not effectively addressing farmers' concerns in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. He specifically accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of failing to fulfil his promises to the farmers. The 'Jathha' of 101 farmers was stopped from entering the national capital at the Shambhu border point in Haryana on Saturday afternoon. Tensions arose at the protest site as the farmers attempted to move forward, but police cited security concerns and the need to regulate the movement of protesters into Delhi. Farmers Protest: SC Asks Centre, Punjab to Ensure Medical Aid to Dallewal.

Police presence at the border was significantly increased after the farmers announced their fresh attempt to march towards Delhi. As the protest gains momentum, farmers are intensifying their demonstrations to press the government into addressing their demands.

(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 16 (PTI) AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has ramped up his outreach, especially to women, ahead of the February 2025 Assembly elections.

During a padayatra in the Badarpur constituency on Monday, Kejriwal cited a survey that he claimed shows 60 per cent of women in Delhi are set to vote for AAP. He urged the remaining 40 per cent to join the fold.

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"There must be some shortcoming in my penance that 40 per cent of women are not voting for me. This time, 100 per cent of women must vote for the Aam Aadmi Party," Kejriwal said.

Last week, the former Delhi chief minister announced the launch of the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojna to give monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to women of the city and promised to raise it to Rs 2,100 after the elections.

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As he highlighted his party's work in the field of education, healthcare, and water supply, Kejriwal blamed the BJP for stalled development in areas like Badarpur, where BJP MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri won the election in 2020.

"Many projects in Badarpur are pending because the BJP MLA refused to work. The BJP knows how to fight but not how to work. I promise to complete these projects when AAP forms the government again," he said.

The APP leader said that while sewer pipelines were laid across Delhi, Badarpur remained an exception.

The party has fielded Ram Singh Netaji for the Badarpur seat. AAP on Sunday announced its final list of candidates for the remainder of the 70-seat Delhi Assembly. The party, which won 62 seats in the 2020 election, faces a critical test of its governance model.

Kejriwal and other party leaders are taking out padayatras across the city to connect with voters and consolidate support.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 16 (ANI): The Indian Army on Monday commemorated the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas marking the triumphant liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistani occupation in 1971 in Assam's Guwahati, an official release said.

This momentous occasion celebrates the bravery and resilience of the Bangladeshi people and Indian Armed Forces who fought side by side for freedom and independence.

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The Bangladesh Liberations War was a pivotal moment in modern history, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh as a sovereign Nation. The war culminated in the surrender of more than 93,000 Pakistani Forces on 16th Dec 1971, an unparalleled feat in modern wars, the release said.

"As we celebrate this milestone, we honour the sacrifices of the bravehearts who laid down their lives for the Nation. To celebrate this momentous victory Senior Army Officers of Indian Army and Bangladesh Army exchanged sweets at the Akhura, Indo-Bangladesh Border as a symbol of their enduring friendship and cooperation. This tradition shall be a hallmark in strengthening of bilateral ties between the two Nations," the release added.

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Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to soldiers who contributed to India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan on Vijay Diwas.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated that the selfless dedication and unwavering resolve of soldiers safeguarded our nation and brought glory to India in the war.

"Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakeable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history," PM Modi's post reads.

On this occasion, officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, along with officers of the Bangladesh Army, laid a wreath at Vijay Smarak, Fort William, Army HQ Eastern Command in West Bengal's Kolkata. (ANI)

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Hyderabad, Dec 16 (PTI) The opposition BRS in Telangana on Monday urged Legislative Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar to approve a privilege motion against Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka for allegedly presenting misleading data on the state's debt burden.

The BRS accused the Congress government of "inflating" the debt to Rs 7 lakh crore, which they claimed portrayed the previous K Chandrasekhar Rao-led regime in a negative light.

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The BRS cited a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report showing the debt to be Rs 3.89 lakh crore.

"The Finance Minister's statements misled the Assembly and the people of Telangana," said BRS Working President K T Rama Rao in a release.

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He referred to the "RBI Handbook of Statistics on Indian States" to support his claim.

Rama Rao further urged the Congress government to present "accurate debt figures in the Assembly" or allow the Privilege Motion for debate.

(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 16 (PTI) A Delhi court on Monday issued notice to BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj on a criminal defamation complaint filed against her by AAP leader Satyendra Jain.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal directed Swaraj to file her response to Jain's complaint by December 20, when the court will hear the matter further.

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"Issue notice to proposed accused...for December 20, 2024," the judge said.

Jain has alleged in his complaint that Swaraj made defamatory remarks against him during a TV interview on October 5, 2023, which he claimed was watched by millions of people.

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The former Delhi minister alleged Swaraj falsely claimed that Rs 3 crore was recovered from his house. She also stated that 1.8 kg gold and 133 gold coins were recovered from the house, he claimed.

Jain said Swaraj made the remarks to defame him and to gain undue political advantage, according to the complaint.

Swaraj further defamed Jain by calling him "corrupt" and "fraud", the complaint alleged.

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New Delhi [India], December 16 (ANI): A passenger travelling from Riyadh to New Delhi was intercepted by customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport with two gold bars worth over Rs 22 lakh.

According to customs officials, airport security detected two gold bars, weighing 300 grams and valued at Rs 22.2 lakh, concealed inside an adaptor.

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"A male passenger (Indian) arriving from Riyadh was intercepted at Delhi airport by Customs officials on December 15. X-ray scans revealed two gold bars of 300 g worth Rs 22.2 lakh cleverly concealed inside an adaptor," said the Customs department.

A week earlier, a passenger travelling domestically from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to New Delhi was caught with 13 gold pieces weighing nearly 999 grams.

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The estimated value of the foreign-origin gold was approximately Rs 72.72 lakh. Authorities stated that further investigation was underway.

Airport security had flagged suspicious images during the X-ray screening of the baggage. The passenger was intercepted based on information provided by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at IGI Airport.

In another incident, customs officials reported that three male passengers travelling from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to New Delhi were intercepted.

The passengers, holding Uzbek passports, admitted to concealing eight irregularly shaped gold pieces in their rectal cavities, according to Delhi Customs. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Delhi Traffic Police on Monday intensified checks on vehicles following the implementation of restrictive measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III to combat air pollution.

Under Stage III, non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards are banned within Delhi. Similarly, non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles of BS-IV or older standards, registered outside Delhi, are not allowed entry into the city.

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Previously, such restrictions were applicable only to BS-III vehicles.

Persons with disabilities remain exempt from restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and neigbouring districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar under the current GRAP stage.

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After the implementation of these restrictions, checking has been intensified in different locations of the national capital, a senior police officer said.

There are over 10 entry points from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to Delhi. The BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles will not be allowed to enter into the city, he said.

Barricades have been placed at multiple locations and vehicles are being stopped under a special drive to verify their registration and age, the officer added.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 379 at 4 pm on Monday. The poor air quality, primarily caused by adverse weather conditions, typically persists from November to January.

As part of the revised plan, schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar are mandatorily required to shift classes up to Class V to hybrid mode under GRAP Stage III restrictions.

Students and parents have the option to choose online education wherever it is available.

(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 16 (ANI): The Patna Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets worth Rs 23.72 crore in connection with a money laundering case, the agency said in a release on Monday.

"Directorate of Enforcement(ED), Patna Zonal office has provisionally attached 7 immovable properties on 16/12/2024 worth Rs. 23.72 Crore (approx.) acquired by associates of Sanjeev Hans, IAS namely Praveen Chaudhary, Pushpraj Bajaj and his family members under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),2002 in connection with money laundering case against Sanjeev Hans, IAS (Bihar-1997) and others," read the ED statement.

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Investigation has revealed that these 7 immovable properties, viz. 3 land parcels in Nagpur, 1 flat in Delhi and 3 flats in Jaipur have been acquired in the name of close associates of Sanjeev Hans by utilizing Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated by him out of criminal activity.

ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR in Rupaspur police station and a subsequent FIR registered by the Special Vigilance Unit, Bihar.

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ED investigation revealed that Sanjeev Hans has earned illicit money by indulging in corrupt practices while holding various prime postings in Bihar Govt. and also during his Central Deputations during the period from the year 2018 -2023.

Having noticed that Sanjeev Hans in connivance with some private individuals and entities has indulged in corrupt practices and also the role of his associates in the generation and laundering of POC, searches were conducted at various locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Patna, Pune, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Nagpur.

During search operations, shares worth Rs 60 Crore(approx.) were found in the newly opened Demat Accounts of the family members of one of the close associates of Sanjeev Hans and 70 bank accounts involving huge cash deposits of Rs. 6 Crore (approx.) therein have been freezed.

Further, total seizure, in this case, includes gold jewellery and luxury watches amounting to Rs 80 Lakh and Rs 65 Lakh respectively recovered from the Patna and Delhi premises of Sanjeev Hans and unexplained cash of Rs 1.07 Crore, 13 kg silver bullion worth Rs 11 lakhs (approx) and 1.5 kg gold bullion -jewellery worth Rs 1.25 Crore (approx.) and forex worth Rs 20 Lakh from premises of his associates.

Further investigation is under progress. (ANI)

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Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], December 16 (ANI): Chief Minister Lalduhoma officially launched the Mizoram Chief Minister's Rubber Mission on Monday at Dawrpui Multipurpose Hall, Aizawl, marking a significant step towards transforming Mizoram's agricultural landscape, according to an official release.

The event was attended by Lalthansanga, Minister for Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation, as the Guest of Honour.

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In his address, Chief Minister Lalduhoma acknowledged the historical challenges faced by Mizoram's farmers with various crops and plantation initiatives, which often resulted in disappointment and eroded trust in government programmes. He emphasised the potential of rubber as a globally high-demand crop that offers sustainable income opportunities while supporting environmental conservation.

The Chief Minister assured the public that the mission is meticulously planned and aims to effectively utilise Mizoram's arable land, transforming the state into a hub for rubber production.

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Prior to the launch, key officials conducted an in-depth study by visiting Tripura, Kerala, and the Rubber Board of India, acquiring valuable insights and expertise to ensure the programme's success.

Lalthansanga, the Minister for Land Resources, lauded the Chief Minister's vision and disclosed that the initiative was developed following extensive consultations with Sawar Dhanania, Chairman of the Rubber Board of India. He reiterated that the nodal department is fully prepared to execute the mission efficiently and deliver tangible benefits to farmers.

The Rubber Mission, scheduled to commence in the 2025-26 financial year, aims to cultivate 1,000 hectares annually, benefiting 1,000 farmers each year. During the first phase, spanning four years, the mission targets the development of 4,000 hectares of land.

In a noteworthy moment during the event, Pankaja Borah, General Manager of NABARD's Mizoram Regional Office, handed over a sanction letter of Rs 27.98 crore for the initial phase of the mission, which will cover seven districts in the state. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) The Congress on Monday paid tributes to the armed forces on Vijay Diwas, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying it was a momentous occasion for humanity under the decisive leadership of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Vijay Diwas marks the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army in 1971.

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Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said, "On the glorious occasion of Vijay Diwas, I salute the valour, dedication and resolve of our armed forces."

The nation will always remember the indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice of all the heroes of the 1971 war who liberated Bangladesh from injustice while protecting India's sovereignty, he said.

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Kharge said, "On this day in 1971, the geography of the world changed when our valiant Indian military force defeated Pakistan and liberated Bangladesh."

"It was a momentous occasion for humanity under the able, farsighted and decisive leadership of Smt. Indira Gandhi," he said in a post in Hindi on X.

"We pay our tributes to the indomitable courage, valour and valour of our armed forces and Mukti Bahini," he said.

The grateful nation will never forget the sacrifice and dedication of the brave sons of Mother India, Kharge said.

The Congress, on its official X handle said, that on the strength of its indomitable courage and valour, the Indian Army defeated Pakistan on December 16, 1971 and played an important role in the creation of Bangladesh, bringing the Pakistani army to its knees.

"Many salutes to the brave sons of Mother India on Vijay Diwas," the party said in its post in Hindi on X.

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Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 16 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh's winter assembly session began on Monday and was adjourned for the day within an hour following protest of the Congress party over issues related to farmers inside the assembly.

Congress MLAs walked out of the assembly as their demand to hold a discussion over the fertiliser issue was not fulfilled on the first day of the winter session.

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The Congress MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar reached the assembly with empty sacks of fertilizers as a mark of their protest. The Congress MLAs also raised slogans in front of Gandhi statue located on the premises of the state assembly.

"We want to discuss the problems of farmers in the assembly but the state government is running away from the discussion. If they don't want to do it then they do so but provide fertilizers to the farmers. Even though the government is not able to do that. That is why we had to protest and walk out of the House. If enough fertilizers were being provided then we would not have protested with empty sacks," Singhar told media persons after walking out of the assembly.

Also Read | Ustad Zakir Hussain Remembered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi; PM Writes, 'A True Genius Who Brought Indian Classical Music to the World' (View Post).

Besides, in a post on X, Singhar wrote, "Today, we marked our protest along with the MLAs by carrying DAP sacks to wake up the state government regarding the problems of the farmers in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly. The first day of the winter session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly is dedicated to the farmers."

Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed pleasure that after successfully completing one year of the government in the state.

"The Winter assembly session is starting from today and I am happy that after successfully completing one year of public welfare works, we have entered the second year of our term. There is an assembly session at the beginning of the second year. One good thing is that we are organising the Jan Kalyan Parv Pakhawada (fortnight) and continuous development work is being dedicated to the public," the CM said.

The five-day winter assembly session will conclude on December 20. (ANI)

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Jammu, Dec 16 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday expressed grief at the passing of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, saying the nation and the music world had lost a "towering musical genius".

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and veteran Congress leader Karan Singh also condoled the death of the award-winning artist and paid tributes to him.

Also Read | Maithili, Magadhi To Be Declared As Classical Languages? Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Replies in Parliament.

Hussain died in a hospital in San Francisco, US, from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 73.

"Deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain ji. In his passing, the nation and the music world have lost a towering musical genius and the most famous and accomplished exponent of contemporary world music," Sinha said in a post on X.

Also Read | Drug Bust in Jammu and Kashmir: Srinagar Police Arrest 2 Involved in Drug Trafficking During Naka Checking at Barthana Bund.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Samba district, Abdullah expressed grief over Hussain's death and said his passing away has created a huge vacuum in the country's field of art.

Karan Singh, the son of the last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, also expressed profound grief over the death of Hussain.

"I was shocked to learn that the great percussionist Ustad Zakir Hussain has passed away in San Francisco. His father, Ustad Alla Rakha, was from a village near Jammu and always cherished his association with the Dogras.

"I knew Hussain from the time when he was a young boy and saw him with great pleasure growing into perhaps the greatest tabla player we have produced. In fact, he and the late Pundit Shiv Kumar Sharma are two great musicians that Jammu has given to the nation in recent years," he said in a statement.

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency on Monday arrested a key operative of the banned terrorist outfit ULFA (I) for planting improvised explosive devices in Guwahati, Assam during this year's Independence Day celebrations.

NIA teams, with the active support of Assam Police, carried out searches at the house of Jahnu Baruah alias Arnab Axom in Dibrugarh in an intelligence-based operation in the early hours of this morning, an official statement said.

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Several incriminating materials, including digital devices, were seized during the searches and are currently under examination, it said.

Jahnu Baruah was summoned to local police establishment for further examination.

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The accused, during preliminary investigation, confessed to his involvement in planting four of the 11 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that were recovered by the state police during the I-Day celebrations, said the statement issued by the NIA.

The IEDs had been planted as part of the military protest and I-Day boycott call by Paresh Baruah, self-styled commander-in-chief of United Liberation Front of Asom- Independent or ULFA(I), in a video which had warned of dire consequences for anyone disobeying the instructions.

Consequently, Jahnu Baruah was arrested after following the due procedure, the federal probe agency said.

Jahnu Baruah, who planted the four IEDs at Pan Bazar, Dispur, Gandhi Mandap and Satgaon in Guwahati, had been under surveillance and monitoring for past several weeks.

He was one of the several suspects identified by NIA, on the basis of technical and human intelligence, as being involved in collection and transportation of the IEDs that were planted to trigger large-scale explosions in Assam on the occasion of I-Day, causing loss to property and life and inciting terror in the state.

NIA had taken over the investigation of the case from the state police on September 17, and found that the IEDs were planted at the behest of Aishang Asom alias Abhijit Gogoi and other top leaders of ULFA (I).

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Jammu, Dec 16 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reiterated his government's commitment to "unbiased governance", emphasising that the decisions would not be influenced by political affiliations or party lines.

He urged officers to address public issues brought forth by elected representatives with seriousness and urgency.

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Chairing a district review meeting in Samba, the chief minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma.

The meeting was also attended by District Development Council (DDC) chairperson Samba, Members of Legislative Assembly S S Slathia (Samba), Chander Prakash Ganga (Vijaypur) and Devinder Kumar Manyal (Ramgarh)  all from BJP.

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Besides, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, administrative secretaries, departmental heads and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

Highlighting the importance of responsive governance, Abdullah said, "I urge all of you and your officers to address the public issues raised by MLAs with seriousness and urgency. They are elected representatives of the people and it is natural for people to expect solutions through them.

"As I have always maintained, this government, or any government, should not make decisions based on the basis of political affiliations. We must prioritise whether a project holds public utility or a public issue benefits the people. If it does, it must be processed and dealt with without delay," he said.

Abdullah acknowledged the challenges faced by the administration this year, citing two major elections as key reasons for delayed developmental activities.

"The Parliament elections stretched over a long period and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct brought work to a halt. Even in some areas, where the work season coincided with the elections, progress was further delayed," he said.

Addressing the district-specific concerns, he urged the administration to expedite developmental activities and said "accelerate the pace of work as much as possible, ensuring it is executed effectively at the ground level. Efforts must focus on completing the work satisfactorily".

He also stressed the importance of timely submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) for funds to be allocated by the central government.

"When we approach the central government repeatedly, whether to discuss with a minister or secure funds for Jammu and Kashmir, the common complaint is that Utility Certificates are not submitted on time. Prompt submission of UCs will ensure continuity of financial support and effective resource utilisation," he said.

Speaking on governance, Abdullah noted the impact of the return of MLAs after 2018.

"With the return of MLAs, public expectations and pressures have significantly increased. This requires a coordinated effort to address the people's demands effectively," he said.

The chief minister took note of key issues raised during the meeting such as progress in respect of industrial estates and installation of smart meters. He directed immediate review and resolution of issues flagged by the MLAs.

Calling drug addiction a growing menace over the past decade, Chief Minister Abdullah emphasised coordinated efforts to curb its impact.

"Despite securing international borders, the problem persists due to inflow from other areas. Addressing this issue at its source is critical for our state," he said.

The chief minister assured action, stating that the deputy chief minister has already directed the deputy commissioners and officers to address the issue promptly.

He also addressed critical infrastructure concerns, including delays in the Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway project.

He urged officials to resolve land acquisition and other bottlenecks to keep the project on track.

Touching on staffing issues, he expressed concern over vacancies in hospitals and schools due to the practice of staff attachments.

He directed officers to provide details of such cases so that corrective measures can be taken to fill posts in rural areas.

The chief minister emphasised the importance of addressing public grievances raised by DDC members, MLAs and civil society during the public outreach programme.

Following the review meeting, Abdullah conducted a redressal camp, where local residents, industrial representatives and delegations from far-flung areas submitted grievances and demands.

The chief minister assured the people that their genuine concerns would be resolved promptly.

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Monday paid homage to the bravehearts for securing victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war and said the country remembered their ultimate sacrifice, whose stories inspired every Indian.

Vijay Diwas commemorates the Pakistan military's surrender to Indian forces. India's historic victory led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

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"On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to our valiant soldiers who displayed indomitable courage during the 1971 war, securing victory for India. A grateful nation remembers the ultimate sacrifice of our bravehearts whose stories inspire every Indian and shall remain a source of national pride," Murmu said in a post on X.

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New Delhi [India], December 16 (ANI): President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab Mahila Morcha, Jai Inder Kaur, on Monday wrote to the chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, urging immediate action regarding the atrocities faced by women during the municipal polls in Punjab.

In her letter, the BJP leader highlighted the 'egregious treatment' of women during urban body elections.

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"On behalf of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Punjab, I urge the NCW to take immediate and decisive action against these appalling incidents," Kaur wrote.

She alleged that BJP candidates and their supporters were subjected to unspeakable abuse and violence by members and supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the nomination process.

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"During the nomination process, women, including BJP candidates and supporters, were subjected to unspeakable abuse and violence by members and supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In Patiala, nomination papers of BJP women candidates were torn outside the DC office, and women were physically assaulted. Visual evidence clearly shows senior AAP leaders like MLA Chetan Singh Joramajra (Samana) and MLA Ajit Pal Kohli (Patiala) engaging in these despicable acts," she wrote in her letter.

Kaur further claimed that the Punjab Women's Commission has failed to take a stand, leaving the victims without support.

"The inaction of the Punjab Women Commission in addressing these atrocities is deeply disappointing. Despite being the statutory body responsible for safeguarding women's rights, the Commission has failed to take a stand, leaving the victims without recourse or support," the BJP leader said.

The BJP leader requested the NCW to take immediate action, including the formation of a fact-finding team to investigate the incidents and ensure accountability.

"Madam Chairperson, the women of Punjab look to the NCW for justice and protection. Your intervention is critical in setting a precedent that such atrocities will not be tolerated in any state of the country," she added.

Notably, polling for municipal elections will take place on December 21, with vote counting scheduled for the same evening. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) A scuffle broke out between students and police at Delhi University's Campus Law Centre on Monday during a protest by law students against the examination schedule.

Students alleged that police used lathi charge and tear gas to disperse them, leaving several injured. Delhi police rejected the claims. Hundreds of students had gathered on the campus since morning, demanding an extension of the exam dates. They cited incomplete syllabus coverage, mid-course faculty changes, delays in allotments, and a sudden syllabus update as the reasons for their agitation.

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According to the protesters, tensions escalated when they attempted to meet the Dean of the Faculty of Law.

"We were protesting peacefully for over eight hours, but instead of addressing our concerns, the administration resorted to police action," a student said.

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Visuals from the site revealed heavy police deployment, with some personnel carrying batons amid a large crowd of students. Arguments were seen breaking out between the two sides.

There was no immediate response from Anju Vali Tikoo, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, on the allegations.

A police officer told PTI the local police personnel had been called as some of the students had surrounded the dean's office and were not allowing her to go home.

"The senior officers including DCP (North) Raja Bantiha himself arrived and tried to pacify the students. Some of the students held a meeting with the dean and the situation is completely under control," the officer said.

"No lathicharge or tear gas was used by any of the police personnel on students," he added.

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Thane, Dec 16 (PTI) A 15-year-old girl, who left her house earlier this month after her mother reprimanded her for spending too much time on mobile phone, was found dead in a creek after nine days in Thane district of Maharashtra, police said on Monday

The girl resided with her family in Dombivli area here.

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On December 5, her mother asked her not to spend too much time on her mobile phone and rather pay attention to her studies.

The girl, in a fit of anger, later left the house, the official from Vishnu Nagar police station said.

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After failing to find her, her family members filed a missing complaint with the local police the next day.

The police subsequently registered an FIR on charges of kidnapping.

According to the official, the police had also got a message that on December 5, a girl jumped into a creek from Motagaon bridge in Dombivli.

On Saturday afternoon, a body was in the creek and was identified as that of the teenager by her family members, he said.

The body was later sent for postmortem to a government hospital and a case of accidental death was registered, the police said, adding a probe was on into the girl's death.

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Narmadapuram (MP), Dec 16 (PTI) The Forest Department nabbed three persons for allegedly poaching a tiger in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district, an official said on Monday.

The tiger's carcass was spotted by a patrolling team in the Banspani forest area under the Narmadapuram forest division on December 11, said Divisional Forest Officer Anil Chopada in a release.

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Forest department roped in MP Tiger Strike Force and a dog squad in the investigation and interrogation of suspected people, he said.

The arrested trio is identified as Kailash Korku (33), Ramratan Korku (19), and a minor.

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The poachers had prima facie laid live electric wiring in the forest along the Banspani-Jatamau road, leading to the death of a tiger due to electrocution, the forest official said.

The wire and connected equipment have been seized, and a search is on to recover the nails and teeth of the tiger, he said.

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Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], December 16 (ANI): Union Minister Amit Shah on Monday applauded the Chhattisgarh government on their action against the Naxalites.

Addressing a press conference in Jagdalpur Shah said, "In the past year, a large number of Naxalites have been killed. Under the leadership of the Chhattisgarh government, commendable action has been taken against Naxalites in the state with a very good strategy. We will eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026..."

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Further, the Union Minister said that the central government in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh government would extend support to the families affected by Naxalism.

"The central government, in collaboration with the state government, will extend support to the families affected by Naxalism...I urge everyone to extend their support to the campaign of the central and state governments to end Naxalism..." the Union Minister further said.

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On Sunday, the minister had stated that around 9,000 Naxals had surrendered in the Northeast between 2019 and 2024 alongside numerous youths from Naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra who have also laid down their arms.

During his interaction with surrendered Naxals in Jagdalpur, Shah emphasised the Union Government's initiatives to reintegrate former insurgents into society.

He noted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed him as Home Minister in 2019, a key priority was addressing the violence that had hindered development across large parts of India, including Naxal-affected regions.

"From 2019 to 2024, in the Northeast alone, 9,000 people have surrendered. In Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, many youths in Naxal-affected areas have also surrendered," Shah said.

He explained that the government implemented policies to facilitate the reintegration of those willing to abandon violence, offering them a pathway back to mainstream society. Shah added that the government had developed a comprehensive plan to support surrendered individuals and those impacted by Naxal violence.

"In 2019, when PM Narendra Modi entrusted me with the role of Home Minister, many youths were taking up arms, disrupting their own lives and the development of regions such as Kashmir, the Northeast, and Naxal-affected areas. We decided to allow anyone who wished to surrender their weapons to do so," Shah said. (ANI)

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Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], December 16 (ANI): On Vijay Diwas, officers of the Indian Armed Forces, along with their counterparts from the Bangladesh Army, laid a wreath at Vijay Smarak, Army Headquarters Eastern Command, in West Bengal's Kolkata on Monday.

Officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force participated in the Vijay Diwas celebrations, paying their respects at the Army Headquarters Eastern Command.

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As part of the commemoration, flowers were also showered from helicopters at the Vijay Smarak, Fort William.

Vijay Diwas is observed every year across the country on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

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India and Bangladesh are jointly marking the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas, commemorating the 1971 India-Pakistan war today, with the annual exchange of war veterans and serving officers.

Eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces have arrived in Dhaka to participate in Bangladesh's Victory Day celebrations.

Similarly, eight distinguished Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces have also reached India to participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata.

On this occasion, officers of the Indian Army laid a wreath at Shaheed Smarak, Colaba Military Station, in Mumbai and a similar wreath-laying ceremony was held in Chennai

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the soldiers who contributed to India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan on Vijay Diwas.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi praised the selfless dedication and unwavering resolve of the soldiers, saying they safeguarded our nation and brought glory to India in the war.

"Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakeable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history," PM Modi's post reads. (ANI)

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Ranaghat, Dec 16 (PTI) Three illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were held in West Bengal's Nadia district, police said on Monday.

They were apprehended from Ranaghat after they entered India with the help of touts in the early hours.

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Five suspected Indian touts were also arrested, police said.

"The Bangladeshi nationals were arrested as they entered India without valid documents. Out of the three, one is a minor. We have also arrested five Indian touts who are involved in the cross-border trafficking," a police officer said.

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Kolkata, Dec 16 (PTI) Rabindra Ghosh, a prominent Bangladeshi lawyer defending jailed Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, on Monday asserted that he would continue his fight for justice despite receiving life threats.

He alleged that the interim government in Bangladesh was targeting Das as he had been vocal against atrocities on Hindus and was uniting the persecuted minority community.

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"I am aware that false cases could be filed against me, but that will not stop me. All my life, I have fought against injustice. I have also fought cases for Muslims and helped them get justice. Death will come one day, but I will continue the fight," the 74-year-old lawyer of Bangladesh Supreme Court told PTI in a telephonic interview.

Ghosh, while highlighting the role played by the Hindu minority in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, lamented that the ongoing atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh defeat the "very principles" of the war, which was fought to end the unequal treatment of subjects of West Pakistan and East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

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Speaking from Barrackpore, near Kolkata, where he has come for medical treatment, Ghosh said, "Since the day I declared that I will be fighting for Chinmoy Krishna Das, I have been receiving life threats. I get regular threat calls and messages, but that will not deter me from performing my duty. I will continue to fight against the injustice meted out to Das and other Hindus."

Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested earlier this month from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while en route to Chattogram for a rally.

Denied bail, Das has been sent to jail until January 2 by a Bangladeshi court. Ghosh believes the monk has been framed on false charges because of his efforts to unite the Hindu community.

"The monk's large public gatherings unnerved the administration. That is why fundamentalists and the interim government targeted him. Death will come one day, but I will continue the fight," Ghosh said.

Ghosh arrived in Barrackpore on Sunday evening, accompanied by his wife, for medical treatment and is staying with his son Rahul Ghosh, who has lived in the area for several years.

Ghosh, who is also the president of Bangladesh Minority Watch, an NGO advocating for minority rights, described a chaotic incident in the Chittagong court where around 40 lawyers created unrest and attempted to assault him physically.

"How can you frame all the Hindu lawyers who tried to represent Das with false cases? Is this not a travesty of justice? Fundamentalists are beating up lawyers, and the administration is silent. There is no guarantee that I won't be killed in the future for defending Das," he said.

Highlighting the plight of minorities in Bangladesh, Ghosh said the condition of the Hindu community has worsened since the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, took charge.

"Under the previous regime, minorities faced attacks but the situation has now crossed all limits," he said.

On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, which marks the victory of Indian armed forces against Pakistan in the 1971 war and the formation of Bangladesh, Ghosh expressed deep disappointment with the current state of his country.

"I fought for the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, and I want to uphold those values. I am a muktijoddha, and it is really painful to see the present condition of my country. The interim government in Bangladesh has failed the minorities," he said.

Reflecting on the principles of the Liberation War, Ghosh said the ongoing atrocities against minorities go against the very ideals the war was fought for.

"The Liberation War was fought to establish equality and end the unequal treatment of East Pakistanis by West Pakistan. By denying minorities their rights and not allowing proper judicial assistance to Das, it seems the very purpose of establishing equality in Bangladesh stands defeated," he said.

Ghosh also underscored the role played by the Hindu minority in the Liberation War.

"Hindus made significant sacrifices during the Liberation War. They fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Muslims for an independent Bangladesh. Today, their contributions are forgotten, and they are treated as second-class citizens," he lamented.

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Malappuram, December 16: A 36-year-old policeman allegedly took his own life by shooting himself dead in Kerala's Malappuram district, police said on Monday. Vineeth, who had been serving as a Thunderbolt commando in the district and is now a part of the Special Operation Group (SOG), was found dead in the bathroom of the quarters on Sunday. Soldier Shoots Himself Dead in J-K's Rajouri.

Thunderbolt force is engaged in anti-Maoist combing operations. A native of Wayanad district, he was reportedly upset about not getting leave despite repeated requests, but police are yet to confirm this. "He was found dead, shooting at himself. The reason for the extreme step is yet to be ascertained," a police officer said. Police also said that the body was shifted to the nearby government hospital for post-mortem, and inquest procedures were completed.

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) has signed an agreement with NICDC arm to integrate its APIs with Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), an official statement said on Monday.

National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Ltd (NICDC) is the implementing agency of India's ambitious infrastructure programme to develop industrial cities.

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"This partnership is a significant step towards enhancing transparency, operational efficiency, and innovation in India's logistics sector," the commerce and industry ministry said.

It said the HPCL API of ULIP provides fuel station and pricing visibility, which offers real-time visibility into the location and pricing of HPCL fuel stations across India.

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"This API is expected to address critical logistics challenges, such as lack of clarity on refuelling options and fluctuating fuel costs along various routes. By utilising this data, logistics service providers, traders and transporters can optimise their planning and operations, ultimately reducing costs and inefficiencies," it said.

Further, the visibility into fuel station locations helps logistics operators avoid unplanned stops and ensure smoother, more efficient operations.

Fleet operators can also plan long-haul trips more effectively by identifying fuel stations along key routes, minimising downtime and ensuring timely deliveries.

Rajat Kumar Saini, Chairman, NICDC Logistics Data Services, said, "The integration will provide logistics operators with the tools needed to make data-driven decisions that directly impact their bottom line".

Avinash Jain of HPCL said the integration reinforces HPCL's commitment to leveraging technology to provide innovative solutions for the logistics industry.

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Lucknow, Dec 16 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday met a French delegation led by Ambassador Thierry Mathou to discuss potential MoUs and investments in the state's defence, pharma and education sectors, an official statement issued here said.

The chief minister assured the French delegation of full support for investments in the state.

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During the meeting, he invited French companies to invest in the state, especially in NCR and Bundelkhand region.

French Ambassador Mathou emphasised the importance of further strengthening the trade and cultural partnership between Uttar Pradesh and France, the statement said.

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The delegation also expressed interest in collaborating on IT corridors, smart cities, and cultural development initiatives in the state.

Adityanath highlighted the significance of ancient manuscripts and historical documents preserved at Sampurnanand University in Varanasi, underscoring the importance of educational and cultural collaboration.

Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in education, culture, and trade sectors, the statement said.

The chief minister also stressed the importance of collaboration in the defence sector, the establishment of an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) hub at Jewar Airport, and investment opportunities in the Pharma Park being developed by the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA), it added.

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Wellington (New Zealand), Dec 16 (AP) Seven foreigners were hospitalised in Fiji after drinking cocktails at a resort bar, Fijian authorities said on Monday.

The cause of their illness was not known and officials said it was too soon to know if tainted alcohol was involved.

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The group at the five-star Warwick resort near the town of Sigatoka on Saturday included Australians and an American, according to local news reports. They were hospitalised with nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms, said Jemesa Tudravu, a Fiji Health Ministry spokesperson.

All seven remained in Lautoka Hospital in stable condition on Monday, Fiji's Tourism Minister Viliame R Gavoka said in a statement.

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David Sandoe, an Australian man who said his daughter and granddaughter were hospitalised, told Sky News Australia on Monday that his relatives had been cleared for discharge.

Local news outlets reported on Sunday that the cause of the foreigners' illness was suspected alcohol poisoning, similar to a case in Laos in November in which six tourists  including two Australian teenagers  died after consuming tainted drinks.

But Tudravu said no cause had been identified in the Fiji episode. Police have ordered toxicology tests and are awaiting results, he added.

Gavoka said no other reports of similar illness were recorded at the resort or across Fiji, a South Pacific island nation of 930,000 people.

The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests, Gavoka said. The hotel, located on the picturesque Coral Coast of the largest island, Vitu Levu, has operated for many years and holds a strong reputation, he added.

This is the only reported case of its kind that we've experienced in recent memory, and certainly nothing like this has been experienced this year, Gavoka said.

Australia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that officials are providing consular assistance to two Australian families in Fiji.

The ministry did not comment on the cause of the Australians' illness, but its website advising tourists was updated on Monday to caution travellers about potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks.

A spokesperson for the resort, Savaira Molaucake, said staff were conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and were working closely with authorities. (AP)

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Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 16 (ANI): A courtesy meeting between high-level officers of Bangladesh and the Indian Army was held at Akhaura-Agartala Integrated Check Post on Monday on the occasion of Victory Day of Bangladesh.

"On behalf of Bangladesh Army, GOC 33 Infantry Division and Area Commander, Comilla Area Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, NDU, AFWC, PSC and Chief of Staff, 101 Area Major General Sumit Rana on behalf of Indian Army were present," the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) of Bangladesh said in a statement.

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"Three staff officers and one captain-level BGB officer were present as members of the Bangladesh team in the event. Similarly, three Indian Army officers and BSF officers of Captain rank were present. The representatives of both countries exchanged courtesy calls and greetings," it added.

"It may be noted here that such courtesy meetings between the two countries are customary on nationally important days like 16th December (Victory Day), Pahela Boishakh (Bengali New Year Day). In continuation of this, today's short courtesy meeting was held. The 18-minute courtesy call ended at 1148 hrs (Bangladesh local time)," ISPR further said.

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Notably, In 1971, India's allied forces helped Bangladesh's freedom fighters in a bloody nine-month war. On December 16, 1971, General Amir Abdullah Niazi, the chief of Pakistan's Armed Forces surrendered along with 93,000 soldiers before the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh. (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, December 16: Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced on Monday that Bangladesh's next general elections could be scheduled between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. Yunus made the statement during his address to the nation on Victory Day, marking Bangladesh's victory in the 1971 Liberation War. Victory Day commemorates the moment on December 16, 1971, when General Amir Abdullah Niazi of Pakistan's armed forces and 93,000 soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini, marking the end of Bangladesh's nine-month war for independence.

In his address, Yunus emphasised the importance of political consensus to move forward with elections. He said, "If political consensus allows us, again, to conduct elections based on accurate electoral rolls with a few reforms, it may be possible to hold elections by the end of 2025." Yunus acknowledged, however, that additional time might be needed to implement the necessary reforms. "And if we add to this the extent of reforms expected in terms of the electoral process and the Electoral Reforms Commission's recommendations and on the basis another six months may be required," he added. Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus Says Country is United.

Yunus clarified that the timeline for the elections could be fixed between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. "Roughly speaking, the timing of elections can be fixed between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," he stated. His comments came amid political instability in Bangladesh. On August 5, a student-led movement ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after weeks of protests and violence that led to over 600 deaths. Hasina fled to India, and an interim government led by Yunus took charge.

Meanwhile, Vijay Diwas celebrations in Bangladesh's capital began with a 31 gun salute at sunrise. Six guns of an artillery regiment of the Bangladesh Army saluted the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation War by firing 31 rounds of cannon. India and Bangladesh will jointly commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas of the 1971 India-Pakistan war today, with the annual exchange of war veterans and serving officers. Hasina Slams Muhammad Yunus for Persecution of Minorities in Bangladesh.

Eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces have arrived in Dhaka to commemorate Bangladesh's Victory Day celebrations. Similarly, eight distinguished Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces also reached India to participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India in Mauritius with President Droupadi Murmu (Image: X@HCI_PortLouis)

New Delhi [India], December 16 (ANI): Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Anurag Srivastava, before taking over his role in the island nation, called on President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday.

The envoy said that he was 'honoured' to receive the President's guidance.

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In a post on X, he said, "Honoured to call on Rashtrapatiji and receive her guidance as I move into my new role as High Commissioner of India in Mauritius!"

https://x.com/AnuragSrivstava/status/1868314240181997598

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https://x.com/HCI_PortLouis/status/1868354043346882768

Earlier on Friday, India's Acting High Commissioner in Mauritius, Vimarsh Aryan called on Mauritius Minister of Land Transport, Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed.

The two leaders held discussions on the ongoing collaboration between India and Mauritius and possible avenues for future collaboration in the transport sector

https://x.com/HCI_PortLouis/status/1867601323283427818

On the same day, Commodore V Singh Rana of the Indian Navy paid a courtesy call on India's acting envoy.

"Partners in Indian Ocean! Cmde V. Singh Rana paid a courtesy call on Acting High Commissioner Vimarsh Aryan. Cmde Rana is conducting the Commando and Diver Refresher Course for Mauritius Police Force from 25 Nov to 14 Dec 2024. The visit highlights the strong India-Mauritius maritime cooperation," the High Commission stated in a post.

Aryan also held a courtesy meeting with Anil Kumar Bachoo, the Mauritius Minister of Health and Wellness.

"Strengthening ties through health diplomacy! Acting High Commissioner Vimarsh Aryan had a courtesy meeting with the Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo, Minister of Health & Wellness, to exchange ideas for enhancing collaboration in the health sector. A step forward in the India-Mauritius partnership!" the High Commission stated.

Last month, Aryan also interacted with students from the Indian Ocean Rim Association University Student Regional Short Course Programme at the High Commission.

In a post on X, the High Commission said, "Deputy High Commissioner Vimarsh Aryan engaged in an interactive session with students from Annual IORA University Student Regional Short Course Programme at the High Commission. Discussions were focused on India-Mauritius bilateral ties and India's role in the Indian Ocean." (ANI)

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Dhaka, Dec 16 (PTI) Eight Indian military veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War reached Dhaka while eight officers of Bangladesh Army arrived in Kolkata to join the Vijay Diwas celebrations in the two countries, officials said.

Bangladesh officials and Indian high commission in Dhaka said two serving officers from both sides comprised the delegations that will attend the celebrations in Dhaka and Kolkata. They reached their destination cities on Sunday.

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The Bangladesh delegation comprised Mukti Jodhas, who were part of the guerrilla resistance force in East Pakistan opposing the Pakistan rule there.

The Vijay Diwas celebration and the visit of the two countries' delegations comes amid strains over the alleged violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh since the ouster of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime in a student-led uprising on August 5. Hasina fled the country and has since taken refuge in India.

Also Read | Anura Kumara Dissanayake's India Trip: In First Foreign Visit After Assuming Office, Sri Lankan President Lands in Delhi, Will Hold Bilateral With PM Narendra Modi (Watch Video).

The interim government of Muhammad Yunus has firmly rejected any major communal violence. Hindus constitute around eight per cent of Bangladesh's population.

The exchange of veterans' visits is a reminder of friendship forged in 1971, a political analyst in Dhaka said.

He said Indian external affairs secretary Vikram Misri's one-day Dhaka visit on December 9 for foreign office consultations with his counterpart Jashim Uddin partly eased the tensions in bilateral ties as he also met Yunus and his de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain.

Now the exchange of the veterans' visits is expected to manifest the goodwill of both the countries for each other, the analyst said.

Both India and Bangladesh celebrate the victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, and every year invite each other's war veterans and serving officers to participate in the celebrations in two countries.

Bangladesh celebrates its Independence Day on March 26 but Dhaka emerged as the free capital of a free country on December 16 after nine months of Liberation War with crucial Indian assistance.

"These annual bilateral visits provide a platform for Mukti Jodhas and Liberation War veterans to celebrate the unique friendship of the two countries, Indian high commission said in a statement.

It added that the occasion renews memories of the Liberation War which epitomises the shared sacrifices of the armed forces of India and Bangladesh for the cause of Bangladesh's freedom from occupation, oppression and mass atrocities".

(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 16 (ANI): India and Moldova on Monday signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation and facilitating the exchange of information on training programmes for diplomats.

The MoU was signed by Raj Kumar Srivastava, Dean of the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), and Ana Taban, Ambassador of Moldova to India.

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Sharing a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "The diplomatic academies of India @SSIFS_MEA & Moldova signed an MoU on cooperation & exchange of information on training programmes for diplomats."

"The MoU was signed by Raj Kumar Srivastava, Dean, SSIFS & Ana Taban, Amb of Moldova to India," the post added.

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https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1868607445570072695

The signing of the MoU comes amid the visit of Moldovan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi.

Earlier in the day, Popsoi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and laid a wreath at Rajghat. He also signed the visitors book at Rajghat.

In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, "Remembering Gandhian values of truth, non-violence and peace. Deputy PM and FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today."

Popsoi arrived in Delhi on Sunday. Welcoming Popsoi in India, Randhir Jaiswal on X wrote, "Warm welcome to Deputy PM & FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova on his first official visit to India. His visit will deepen India-Moldova bilateral ties and foster a stronger partnership."

The Modlovian Minister and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar jointly inaugurated the Embassy of Moldova in India on Sunday. In his speech, the EAM thanked Moldova for providing crucial help during 'Operation Ganga' in evacuating Indian students and also expressed confidence in the growth of ties between the two countries.

In his speech, Jaishankar noted that the inauguration of the embassy serves as a significant milestone in the relationship between India and Moldova.

"Every time an embassy opens here, I know we've done something right in our foreign policy. Whether it's a mission opening here or one of our embassies or consulates opening abroad, I see that as a reflection of India's growing engagement with the world," he said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Faisalabad [Pakistan], December 16 (ANI): Rana Sanaullah, Advisor to Pakistan's Prime Minister on Political Affairs, said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) social media cell has caused significant damage to the party by attempting to portray lies as truth during the Islamabad's 'do-or-die' rally, ARY News reported.

Sanaullah accused Imran Khan's party of 'misleading' the public with fake news on social media but said their lies were ultimately exposed and caused the party's conspiracies to lay bare.

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He alleged that PTI was given governance in one province, yet they attacked Islamabad three times. The third time, when they reached Islamabad's D-Chowk, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stood with them, but they themselves fled.

Sanaullah said that after 2018, the politics of service was replaced by the "politics of abuse," which led to widespread speculation about the country's economic collapse. He asserted that if PML-N's governance had continued, Pakistan could have joined the G20 nations.

Also Read | Anura Kumara Dissanayake's India Trip: In First Foreign Visit After Assuming Office, Sri Lankan President Lands in Delhi, Will Hold Bilateral With PM Narendra Modi (Watch Video).

Meanwhile, a district court in Pakistan's Islamabad will hear a petition on December 23 about the alleged killing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters during the party's protest, demanding the release of its founder Imran Khan in the capital in last month, as reported by Dawn.

The district and session judge scheduled the hearing after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan filed the petition accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, senior police officials and some unidentified individuals of being involved in the killing and disappearances of PTI workers.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, speaking to the media outside the court, mentioned that he was "in favour of comprehensive, unconditional negotiations at every stage". (ANI)

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Peshawar [Pakistan], December 16 (ANI): Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that the announcement of the 'civil disobedience movement' was made by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and not him, ARY News reported.

Gandapur said that their demands include the release of the party founder, restoration of their mandate, and reversal of unconstitutional amendments.

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"There is no clarity on this matter yet. We will act on 'civil disobedience' once clarity emerges," ARY News quoted Gandapur as saying.

Regarding the civil disobedience movement, Gandapur reiterated that the decision rested with Imran Khan, and whatever action he announces will be followed.

Also Read | Anura Kumara Dissanayake's India Trip: In First Foreign Visit After Assuming Office, Sri Lankan President Lands in Delhi, Will Hold Bilateral With PM Narendra Modi (Watch Video).

Meanwhile, the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that the strategy of the proposed 'civil disobedience movement' has been devised, claiming it would be "more successful" than the 2014 one.

He added that they want to negotiate and it is their top priority.

"We are ready to talk with the government if it has powers, but it has to show its authority", he added.

Earlier on December 6, incarcerated former PM Imran Khan said that if the PTI's demands are not met, a 'civil disobedience movement' will follow.

He said, "We have two demands- A commission should be formed under the senior most judges of the Supreme Court to conduct an independent inquiry into the events of May 9 and November 26. -Unjustly imprisoned political prisoners should be released A committee headed by Umar Ayub has been formed for negotiations. If the demands are not met, civil disobedience, reduction of remittances and boycott movement will be initiated."

https://x.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1865035028083757060

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub on Monday expressed the party's willingness to engage in negotiations with anyone, "whether human or angel," to resolve ongoing political issues, The Express Tribune 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)
Skardu [PoGB], December 16 (ANI): A large protest organised by the Awami Action Committee (AAC) took place on Monday in Skardu's Yadgar area in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan, condemning the recent arrests of political activists, including prominent leader Muhammad Javed and political worker Ali Taj.

As per reports by the Pamir Times, the protesters voiced their strong opposition to the filing of FIRs against political dissidents and their subsequent detentions, urging for the abolition of the controversial Fourth Schedule and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) in the region.

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The Fourth Schedule, part of Pakistan's legal framework, has faced criticism for being used to suppress political dissent and target individuals based on vague or politically motivated charges, rather than on legitimate evidence of criminal activity. Similarly, the ATA, introduced in 1997, grants the government broad powers to combat terrorism but has been controversial for its use in suppressing civil liberties and curbing political activism.

During the protest, participants expressed their frustration with what they described as a growing climate of fear and repression in PoGB. One protestor said, "There are different laws for Gilgit-Baltistan and different laws for the establishment. We are raising our voice against this injustice. When it comes to Gilgit-Baltistan, we will stand united, regardless of sectarian differences. The blood of all is the same."

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This protest in Skardu follows another demonstration just days earlier in Hunza, where political activists gathered in front of the Hunza Press Club to demand the release of Muhammad Javed, former chairman of the Karakoram National Movement, and other political leaders. Protesters in Hunza held placards reading "Free Javed" and "Freedom of Speech," while rallying for the restoration of fundamental rights such as political participation and freedom of expression.

According to reports, Muhammad Javed, along with two other leaders, was arrested by local police following an FIR filed by customs officials at the Sost Police Station in Hunza. The FIR accuses over 88 individuals of being involved in the illegal transportation of goods imported from China. The document alleges that the suspects assaulted customs officers, forcibly removed the goods, and obstructed roads, among other charges. In addition, the accused face allegations of delivering provocative speeches that allegedly incited unrest.

However, protesters strongly dispute these accusations, asserting that their actions were political, not criminal. The activists emphasised their unwavering support for the detained leaders and made it clear that their protests would not end until those arrested were freed. The ongoing protests in PoGB reflect mounting frustration over the increasing arrests of political leaders and activists 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)
Damascus, Dec 16 (AP) Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad said Monday he wanted to stay in the country after rebels captured the capital, but the Russian military evacuated him from their base in western Syria after it came under attack.

They were Assad's first public comments since he was overthrown by insurgent groups just over a week ago following a swift offensive that has shaken up the country's alliances and led to celebrations in a nation long stifled by civil war.

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Meanwhile, a spokesman for the new transitional government told The Associated Press that the new Syria will be inclusive and open to the world.

Assad said on Facebook that he left Damascus on the morning of Dec 8, hours after insurgents stormed the capital. He said he left in coordination with Russian allies to their Hmeimim air base in the coastal province of Latakia, where he had planned to keep fighting.

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But after the Russian base came under attack by drones, he said, the Russians decided to move him that night to Russia.

At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge nor was such proposal made by any individual or party, Assad said in the English text of his statement. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.

In Damascus, residents dismissed Assda's comments and some said he had abandoned Syria's people long ago.

Is he going to run away from us? He still won't be able to run away from God, said one resident, Moataz al-Ahmed, as children stepped on a fallen statue of Assad's father, Hafez, who had begun the family's half-century rule.

The spokesman for the transitional government's political department said in an interview Monday that the Assad regime is finished with no return" and Russia should reconsider its presence on Syrian territory as well as its interests.

The spokesman, Obeida Arnaout, told the AP that Syria has entered a new phase that will be open to the world, and the new government is looking to build good relations with its neighbours and beyond.

He also called on the US and other countries to reconsider the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham  the main rebel group and a former al-Qaida affiliate  as a terrorist organisation, calling it not right and not accurate designation.

Already, the US has said its officials have been in direct contact with the group.

Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assad's state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility that Sunni Islamist extremists will take over.

The new leadership also has been in contact with the US to return American citizen Travis Timmerman, who was among the prisoners released from government detention centers when Assad fell, Arnaout said.

There are political contacts at the highest levels in a way that benefits the Syrian people and that strengthen the current administration, he said.

Asked whether the new government's security forces would cooperate with the US to combat remaining militants with the Islamic State group, Arnaout said Syrian factions have ousted and rejected IS and the group no longer has a significant presence in the country.

US-backed, Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria have been the main US ally in fighting IS and oversee detention centres housing IS militants. However, the future of the Kurds and the semi-autonomous region they control is unclear in the country's new post-Assad order. Clashes over territory have taken place in some areas between Kurdish forces and the armed groups that overthrew Assad.

Arnaout said the Kurds are part of the Syrian people and their rights will be protected. However, he said the new government will not accept that any part of Syria be outside of Damascus' control.

Kurds are one of the components of the Syrian people and we are very keen that this group has its rights protected, he said. The social fabric in Syria is a source of strength and not weakness. But we affirm that we don't any part of Syria to be separated.

The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said Monday he met with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and was briefed on the challenges and priorities of the Syrian people going forward. Pederson has called for the lifting of international sanctions on Syria to allow for faster rebuilding.

Meanwhile, a UK-based war monitor said Israeli airstrikes early Monday hit missile warehouses on the Syrian coast and called it the most violent strikes in that part of Syria since 2012.

Israel has been pounding with hundreds of airstrikes what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of Assad's rule, wiping out air defences and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army.

Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab. (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 16 (ANI): India and Sri Lanka are discussing cooperation between them and the UAE to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for the supply of affordable and reliable energy.

This is among energy projects at various stages of consideration between the two countries.

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According to a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the two countries agreed to take steps towards the implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and further augment its capacity as per the requirements of Sri Lanka as part of energy development.

"Emphasizing the need for reliable, affordable and timely energy resources for ensuring energy security and meeting basic needs of the people, both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and facilitation towards timely implementation of ongoing energy cooperation projects between India and Sri Lanka," the statement said.

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In this regard, the leaders agreed to continue consideration of the several proposals which are in different stages of discussion "including supply of LNG from India to Sri Lanka, establishment of a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka and cooperation amongst India, Sri Lanka and UAE to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for supply of affordable and reliable energy".

The also agreed to continue consideration of joint development of offshore wind power potential in Palk Straits, while prioritizing environmental protection including fauna and flora.

"Acknowledging the ongoing cooperation in the development of Trincomalee Tank Farms, both leaders decided to support the development of Trincomalee as a regional energy and industrial hub," the release said.

The two leaders agreed to expedite the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve delivery of government services to the public. PM Modi and Dissanayake agreed to collaborate on avenues to fully roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka with assistance from India.

Both leaders agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to explore the implementation of a DPI stack in Sri Lanka based on experience and systems already established in India, including advancing ongoing technical discussions on the implementation of DigiLocker in Sri Lanka.

The two leaders agreed to promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries and in keeping with payment systems-related regulatory guidelines of both countries.

The two leaders agreed to continue bilateral exchanges to garner learnings from India's Aadhaar platform, GeM portal, PM Gati Shakti digital platform, digitized customs and other taxation procedures, with a view to exploring the benefits of establishing equivalent systems in Sri Lanka.

With a view to supporting human-resource development and promoting innovation and technology in Sri Lanka, PM Modi and Dissanayake agreed to seek to expand collaboration in research and development in sectors like agriculture, aquaculture, digital economy, health and other areas of mutual interest.

The two leaders agreed to explore cooperation between educational institutions of India and Sri Lanka. They expressed willingness to foster coooperation between Start-up India and Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), including for mentorship for Sri Lankan start-ups.

PM Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appreciated the ongoing collaboration for the development of the dairy sector in Sri Lanka with the aim of promoting self-sufficiency and nutritional security.

"Noting President Disanayaka's emphasis on agricultural modernization, the two leaders agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to examine possibilities for the comprehensive development of the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka," the joint statement said.

The Sri Lankan President is on a state visit to India from December 15 to December 17. This is the first foreign visit of Dissanayake after assuming office in September. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Detroit, Dec 17 (AP) Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don't buckle up.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalised the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren't fastened.

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The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement.

The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds.

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Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver's seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don't fasten their belts. Front-centre seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn't be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats.

The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver's seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The Telugu industry was recently left shaken due to an ongoing family feud involving veteran actor Mohan Babu and his youngest son Manchu Manoj. The whole controversy began after the 72-year-old actor lodged a complaint against Manchu Manoj and his wife, Bhuma Mounika Manchu, alleging that they forcibly occupied his house in Jalapall, Hyderabad. This was followed by a series of accusations exchanged between the father and the son. In the latest update on the matter, Manchu Manoj has accused his brother Vishnu Manchu of trying to harm him and his family by tampering with a generator. Mohan Babu's Anticipatory Bail Rejected by High Court in Connection With TV9 Journalist Assault Case.

Vishnu Manchu Attacked His Brother Manchu Manoj?

Amidst the ongoing drama, Manchu Manoj staged a protest outside the Pahadi Shareef Police Station and accused his elder brother Vishnu Manchu of trying to harm him and his family. Accusing the Kannappa actor and his associates, Manchu Manoj said that his brother and his associates barged into his house on Saturday (December 14) and tampered with the main generators at his house by pouring diesel mixed with sugar. This caused electrical fluctuations, which left Manoj's mother, uncle, aunt and nine-month-old daughter frightened.

According to Manoj, the incident took place during the birthday celebrations of his mother. He also alleged that there were vehicles parked near the tempered generators and active gas connections in the house. The consequences of the sabotage could have led to a massive fire or explosion that might have cost lives. Manoj also claimed that Vishnu made the situation even worse after his associates forcibly removed their last loyal staff member from the house, leaving his family "vulnerable and helpless". A verbal complaint was registered at the Pahadi Shareef Police Station. Mohan Babu Apologises for Attacking TV9 Journalist and Clarifies That Family Dispute Led to the Unfortunate Incident (View Post).

In his statement, Manchu Manoj urged the authorities to take take action in the matter and track the ones responsible. He requested for the safety of his family members because of the "deliberate" harm they had to suffer.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2024 04:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bengaluru, December 16: Prime accused in the sensational Atul Subhash suicide case Nikita Singhania changed her location every day to avoid arrest and tried to obtain bail in the case, said police sources on Monday. Three accused in Atul Subhash's suicide case -- his wife, her mother and brother -- who were arrested by Bengaluru Police, were sent to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday. Atul Subhashs wife Nikita Singhania was arrested from Haryanas Gurugram and her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were nabbed in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Police sources, while giving details about the arrest of the accused, stated that the special teams which went to Uttar Pradesh had found that the accused had locked their houses and left after getting the news of the arrival of Karnataka Police teams. The police had pasted notices on the walls of their residences asking them to appear before the police within three days. The special team gathered information about the accused and listed out the close relatives and friends suspected to be in touch with them. They were also monitored. As the accused made calls only on WhatsApp, it was difficult to track them. Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Bengaluru Techies Father Pawan Kumar Modi Calls for Strict Punishment of Accused, Says Wont Immerse Ashes of My Son Till We Get Justice.

However, Nikita Singhania, made one phone call mistakenly to one of her close relatives. Based on the tower location the police went to Gurugram in Haryana and found that she was hiding in a PG accommodation in the Rail Vihar area. She was detained by the police in the city. The police grilled Nitika and got her to make a phone call to her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania. After tracking their location, the police picked them up from Jhunsi town in Uttar Pradesh.

The accused were questioned later for nine hours during the transit time to Bengaluru and ensured that the 2-year-old baby boy was in the safe custody of one of her relatives. The police recorded the statements of the accused persons before presenting them to the judge. The police can take custody of the accused persons on a body warrant if their investigation is required. On the other hand, the family of Nikita is preparing to file a bail plea in the court.

Nikita Singhania has claimed that she never harassed Atul Subhash and she was living away from him for three years. Meanwhile, the family of Atul Subhash is claiming custody of Atul and Nikitas 2-year-old male baby. Bikas Kumar, brother of deceased Subhash has claimed that the family wanted to see the baby. The accused persons were produced before the court and were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. After nabbing the accused persons, the Karnataka Police brought them to Bengaluru on Saturday late at night. Bengaluru Shocker: Amid Public Outrage Over Atul Subhash Suicide Case, Head Constable Ends Life Over Torture by Wife, Father-in-Law in Karnataka.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that Atul Subhash had planned to commit suicide 15 days before taking the extreme step. He had written the death note three days ago and searched legal matters on Google. The police registered an FIR against the accused persons under Sections 108, 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) on December 9. Bikas Kumar had lodged a police complaint alleging abetment to suicide with the Marathahalli police in Bengaluru.

The FIR was lodged against Subhashs wife Nikita Singhania, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania, brother-in-law Anurag Singhania and relative Sushil Singhania. The police are yet to arrest the fourth accused, Sushil, in the case. Bikas Kumar alleged in the complaint that false cases were lodged against his brother by the accused and had demanded Rs 3 crore to settle the case. He had also alleged that his brother was taunted in the court during the proceedings that he had to either give Rs 3 crore or commit suicide.

Nikitas family had alleged that the deceased Subhash demanded a hefty dowry from her family which resulted in the death of her father. Subhash, who was working with an automobile company in Bengaluru, allegedly committed suicide as a demand of Rs 3 crore was made for a divorce settlement. He ended his life at his apartment in the early hours of December 9, leaving behind a 90-minute video and a 40-page death note, explaining how harassment by his wife Nikita Singhania and her family compelled him to take the extreme step.

The note left by him read: "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. Don't do my 'asthi visarjan' till my harassers get punished." However, the family collected the 'asthis' from the Bengaluru crematorium where Subhashs final rites were conducted. The family stated that the ashes would be taken to Patna, from where the family originally hails from and it will be immersed into the river as per the traditions.

The suicide note, under the headline "Justice is Due", addressed to his 2-year-old child, read: "Now with me gone, there will not be any money to loot and I hope that they might start to look at the facts of the cases. Someday, you shall know the real face of your mother and her greedy family.

"I pray that they dont devour you and your soul. I often laugh when I remember that I started saving money for a car when you go to college. Silly me. Remember this always that you don't owe anything to anyone. Dont trust the system." Subhash further listed out his last wishes in the note. "All my case hearings should happen live and people of this country should know about my case and learn the terrible state of the legal system and misuse of law these women are doing."

He also requested to allow the suicide note and videos as his statement and evidence. "I fear that the judge might tamper with the documents, put pressure on witnesses and can adversely affect other cases. Based on my experience, the Bengaluru courts are relatively more law-abiding than Uttar Pradesh courts. I request to run the cases in Karnataka in the interest of justice and keep her in the judicial and police custody in Bengaluru till the trial goes on," the note read.

He further wrote: "Give the custody of my child to my parents who can raise him with better values. Dont let my wife or her family come near my dead body. Give maximum punishment to my harassers though I dont trust our legal system too much. If people like my wife are not put behind jail, they would be more emboldened and will put more false cases on other sons of society in the future. "To wake up the judiciary and urge them to stop harassment of my parents and my brother in false cases. There shall be no negotiations, settlements and mediation with these evil people and the culprits must be punished," the letter read.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2024 12:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Thiruvananthapuram, December 16: A Commando attached to the Special Operation Group of the Kerala Police committed suicide by shooting himself to death, said officials here on Monday. Vineeth, 35, unable to take work pressure after he was not given leave to be beside his pregnant wife, shot himself using his service rifle, on Sunday night at the police camp in Areecode in Malappuram district.

His death adds to the growing list of Kerala Police personnel who have committed suicide due to extreme work pressure. According to an unofficial estimate, around 90 policemen have died by suicide. Vineeth was a Commando attached to the Special Operation Group dealing with operations to go after Maoists. Hailing from Wayanad, he had been working non-stop for the past 45 days and despite his request for leave, the higher officials denied it. Surat Shocker: Man Misleads Police With Fake Black Magic Story, Admits to Chopping Off Own Fingers To Avoid Working at Relatives Firm in Gujarat.

According to those in the know of things, Vineeth was unable to bear this and took the extreme step of pulling the trigger on his body. Soon after the incident, he was rushed to a nearby hospital but his life could not be saved. Over the years the biggest problem facing the Kerala Police Force, regarded as one of the best in the country, is the shortage of policemen resulting in an increased workload on the existing members.

In the past five years, there have been several cases of policemen not being able to bear the work-related tension and committing suicide. The higher-ups in the Kerala Police and the Home Department have now started counselling sessions for the policemen and by now 6,000 have been counselled.

Incidentally, unlike other jobs, the eight-hour duty structure for all in the police force has not been introduced for various reasons. Even Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, also the Home Minister admitted in the Kerala Legislative Assembly that they have been able to introduce the eight-hour duty roster only in 52 police stations. EY Pune-Like Suicide Case in Chennai: Depressed Due to Work Pressure, Software Engineer Electrocutes Self, Wife Finds Body Tangled in Live Wire.

At present there is a shortage of around 14,000 police. Many of them have to stay back for late hours as the presence of women police officials is a requirement when there is a case involving a female. The authorities are also under duress as additional funds are required and for a while now the state has been under a deep financial crunch, even when the policing needs in the modern age have gone up dramatically.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2024 11:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, December 16: In a show of support for the people of Palestine, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday carried a bag to Parliament that had "Palestine" emblazoned on it. The Congress general secretary has been raising her voice against Israel's actions in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Gandhi was seen carrying a handbag emblazoned with the word "Palestine" and Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon -- seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d'affaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, had last week called on Gandhi to congratulate the Congress leader on her recent election victory from Kerala's Wayanad.

In June, Gandhi slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what she had said were the Israel government's "genocidal actions" in Gaza, as she accused him and his government of "barbarism". The Congress general secretary's remarks had come after Netanyahu defended Israel's ongoing war in Gaza in a speech to the US Congress. Rahul Gandhi Lauds Priyanka Gandhis Speech in Lok Sabha, Says Better Than My Maiden Speech (Watch Video).

Gandhi had said it was no longer enough to speak up for the civilians, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, aid workers, journalists, teachers, writers, poets, senior citizens and the thousands of innocent children who were being wiped out day after day by the "horrific genocide" taking place in Gaza. PM Narendra Modi Hasn't Understood Constitution is Not Sangh Rule Book, Says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Lok Sabha.

Priyanka Gandhi Carries Bag Emblazoned With 'Palestine' to Parliament

Priyanka Gandhi making a statement with her  in the parliament! pic.twitter.com/hLYH3pWNTD  Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) December 16, 2024

"It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli government's genocidal actions and force them to stop," she had said in a post on X. Their actions are unacceptable in a world that professes civility and morality, Gandhi had said.
In a show of support for the people of Palestine, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday carried a bag to Parliament that had "Palestine" emblazoned on it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured the courage and sacrifices of Indian Armed Forces on Vijay Diwas 2024, marking Indias historic victory in the 1971 war. In a post on X, he wrote, Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to Indias historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakable spirit. Vijay Diwas commemorates the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani troops on December 16, 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. PM Modi said that the sacrifices of these soldiers will forever inspire generations and remain a proud chapter in Indias history. Vijay Diwas 2024 Quotes and Images: Netizens Share Wallpapers, Messages, Sayings and Posts to Mark Indias Victory Over Pakistan in 1971 War.

Vijay Diwas 2024: PM Modi Pays Tribute to 1971 War Heroes

Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to Indias historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 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.)
Mumbai, December 16: Samsung is gearing up to launch its Galaxy S25 series in India and the global market as January 2025 approaches. All eyes are on the Samsung S25 Ultra, the top model in the Galaxy S25 series. Last year, Samsung incorporated Galaxy AI into its flagship series, which led to others jumping to artificial intelligence and introducing their new features. The trendsetter Samsung S25 series is expected to launch in early January 2025.

Samsung is planning to introduce this series with a host of new features, including changes in the UI, a new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and significant improvements in the camera department. According to reports, the upcoming Samsung flagship series will include four devices: the Samsung Galaxy S25, Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim. Apple Likely To Introduce Foldable iPad With 20-Inch Display in 2028; Check Details.

Galaxy S25 Series Processors, AI Features and Design (Expected)

Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek Dimensity 9400 are two of the world's most powerful mobile processors. Samsung's upcoming series will get the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which will help it process several AI features and offer unmatched performance with higher AnTuTu scores. Previously, it was rumoured that Samsung would launch this series on January 7, 2024; however, the latest reports suggested that the launch might be delayed to January 22.

In terms of design, the reports suggested that the next-gen series would be 14 grams lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S24 series launched in January 2024. Samsung is also rumoured to introduce a new model, dubbed "Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim," which would be lighter yet powerful. The most notable change would be the series having thinner bezels than the predecessor. POCO C75 5G Launch Date Confirmed on December 17; Check Expected Price, Specifications and Features of Upcoming Budget Smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Price (Expected)

Samsung may introduce its standard model in the Galaxy S25 lineup in India starting at INR 75,000. The Samsung S25 Plus might cost around INR 95,000, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim might be introduced around INR 65,000 to INR 75,000. The top model, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, would likely start from INR 1,29,000 in the Indian market.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2024 12:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Gaza, December 16: At least 25 Palestinians were killed in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a civil defence centre in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. Marwan al-Hams, an official at Gaza-based health authorities, told Xinhua that on Sunday about 21 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school for displaced people in Khan Younis, while dozens of others, mostly women and children, were injured.

A Xinhua photographer at the scene witnessed bloodied bodies of the dead and wounded among the rubble of the top floor of the school, which belongs to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the attack, Xinhua news agency reported. In central Gaza, four members of the civil defence, including a journalist, were killed in an airstrike targeting an emergency post in the middle of the Nuseirat refugee camp, sources said. Israel-Hamas War: IDF Strike on Shelter Home in Northern Gaza Kills 19 as Death Toll Reaches 44,000, Palestinian Medics Say.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the civil defence in Gaza, accused Israel of committing a "heinous crime" against the civil defense teams. "The victims were carrying out their humanitarian and national duties," he told Xinhua. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a press statement that among the dead was a journalist named Ahmed Al-Louh, who worked as a photographer for Qatar's Al Jazeera TV. However, the Israeli army accused him of being a military operative for the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza. Israel-Hamas War: IDF Strikes on Tent Camp for Displaced Palestinians in Gaza Kill at Least 21 People, Hospital Says.

In a statement issued later in the day, the Israeli army said its air force targeted a site in the Nuseirat camp used by "terrorists" to plan and carry out attacks against the Israeli Defense Forces. 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 44,976, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2024 02:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mumbai, December 16: Human Rights Watch on December 15 reported that since September 2023, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters and allied militias have raped numerous women and girls in South Kordofan, Sudan, including instances of sexual slavery. These acts of sexual violence, which may qualify as war crimes or crimes against humanity, highlight the urgent need for international intervention.

The report included harrowing experiences of victims who face sexual slavery. A 35-year-old ethnic Nuba woman recounted a horrific attack by six RSF fighters in beige uniforms who stormed her family compound. One fighter declared, You Nuba, today is your day, before the men proceeded to assault her. Despite her husband and son attempting to defend her, one of the fighters shot and killed them. The woman was then repeatedly assaulted by all six men. Thailand Shocker: Chinese Man With Sexual Fetish Allegedly Rapes 18-Year-Old University Student in Bangkok, Records Video of Sex Assault; Arrested After Sting Operation.

Belkis Wille, Associate Crisis and Conflict Director at Human Rights Watch, stated, "Survivors have recounted being gang-raped in front of their families or subjected to prolonged sexual slavery by RSF fighters." She urged the United Nations and African Union member states to take immediate action to support survivors, protect women and girls, and ensure justice for these horrific crimes. UK: 2 Men Rape and Kill Young Father After Failing To Find Partner for Threesome, Record Videos of Sex Assault; Jailed for Life.

In October 2024, Human Rights Watch interviewed 93 people, including survivors in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, an area under control of the Sudan Peoples Liberation MovementNorth (SPLM-N). Among those interviewed were seven rape survivors, including one who endured repeated assaults over three months while held with 50 other women. A total of 79 girls and women, aged 7 to 50, reported being raped, primarily in gang rape incidents since December 31, 2023. These attacks occurred in and around Habila and at an RSF base, with victims also from Fayu, South Kordofan.

RSF members or allied militias were identified by survivors and witnesses as the attackers, with some survivors recognizing the men by name from their community. In the incidents documented by Human Rights Watch, 14 women and girls were raped in their own homes or those of neighbours, often in front of family members. In five cases, the assaults occurred after the attackers killed or threatened family members.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2024 02:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
En espanol

The holiday season has begun, and while many are in a festive mood, not everything is going smoothly for the British royal family's employees. An intoxicated Buckingham Palace staff member was reportedly detained following a fight and property damage and was accused of disturbing the peace.

According to an exclusive report by The Sun, the incident began when around 50 palace employees gathered at a bar on Victoria Street in central London to continue an evening that had started at Buckingham Palace. Sources told the tabloid that the woman involved became heavily intoxicated and caused chaos at the venue.

"I've never seen one person get that crazy during a night out. She was on another level." a witness told the newspaper, claiming the woman broke several glasses and became unruly.

London police stated that the individual also attempted to assault bar staff. However, authorities have not revealed her identity or her role at Buckingham Palace.

"Officers were called to a pub on Victoria Street following reports of a customer breaking glasses and attempting to assault a staff member," police confirmed.

The 24-year-old woman reportedly spent a night in jail before being released with a fine for public disorder. So far, police have not confirmed whether she will face charges for assault or property damage.

Buckingham Palace responds to the incident

Buckingham Palace acknowledged the situation after receiving numerous inquiries. A spokesperson confirmed that the incident would be investigated.

"We are aware of an off-duty incident involving several members of the Royal Household staff who had attended a reception at the Palace earlier in the day. While this was an informal social gathering and not an official Palace Christmas party, the matter will be thoroughly investigated," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson further told the BBC that following the investigation, "a robust disciplinary process followed in relation to individual staff and appropriate action taken."
A Rhode Island man was sentenced to spend up to 15 years in prison following an Interstate 78 stop that led to the seizure of a kilogram of fentanyl in Williams Township, the Northampton County District Attorneys Office announced Monday.

Juan Ramon Sepedro Sepedro Encarnacion, 37, was sentenced Monday morning to seven-and-a-half to 15 years in prison at a hearing in the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. Sepedro Encarnacion in November was found guilty following a two-day jury trial of felony possession with intent to deliver fentanyl; misdemeanor possession of a controlled dangerous substance; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bethlehem-based attorney James Martin Connell, representing Sepedro Encarnacion, couldnt immediately be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

The charges are in connection to a stop made around noon on March 25, 2022 by Pennsylvania State Police at mile marker 74.9 in the township.

Sepedro Encarnacion was headed eastbound when a trooper spotted him following a tractor-trailer too closely and swerving, court records stated. Investigators searched the car with permission from Sepedro Encarnacion, seizing the kilogram, or 2.2 pounds of fentanyl in a brown paper bag inside the front passenger side seat back. The brown bag was inside a vacuum-sealed bag, authorities said.

The street value of the drugs was estimated at over $250,000, the DAs Office said.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Warren County lawmakers said they were voting in solidarity with New Jersey state Sen. Doug Steinhardt by affirming a proposal for an unenforceable law in the county.

County commissioners voted to support Steinhardts legislation that would require law enforcement agencies within the county to notify federal immigration authorities within 24 hours of arresting any person for first- through fourth-degree crimes and misdemeanors if the individual is in the United States illegally, the bill states.

Steinhardt announced his intention to introduce the bill to state representatives in Trenton on Dec. 3.

We cannot ignore the need for cooperation between state and federal authorities to ensure the efficient and economic enforcement of our laws, Steinhardt said.

Immigration is a federal issue; the county and the state are already required to comply with federal authorities, Commissioner Lori Ciesla reminded the council on Wednesday night.

The state bills aim is to enhance public safety and foster greater cooperation between New Jersey and federal law enforcement agencies. The ability to identify and address individuals who pose a threat due to criminal activity is vital to protecting our communities, it states.

Commissioner Director James Kern said hes not optimistic the legislation will pass with current makeup in Trenton. He said the bill would rectify past wrongs that obstructed law enforcement from working with immigration authorities.

The state has taken steps to oppose immigrant detention camps by phasing out Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracts and closing county-run ICE jails this year, but federal plans to expand detention in New Jersey continue.

I think its important that this issue continues to see light, Kern said.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads.

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Laois pianist David Vesey recently launched his debut album in two concerts, held in Portlaoise and Abbeyleix. Featuring the music of Turlough OCarolan, 'Carolan Reflections' is a reimagining of the timeless works of Carolan, arranged by David Vesey.

Turlough O'Carolan, celebrated as Irelands most famous composer of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, holds a special place in Davids musical journey. From childhood, David was immersed in Carolan's music, first discovering this music under the guidance of his primary school teacher.

His involvement with the Spink Comhaltas branch in Laois, and Music Generation Laois deepened his connection to Carolans works. The first album launch was held in the Laois Music Centre in Portlaoise, in partnership with the Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois. David gave masterclasses to young pianists and performed selections from his debut album.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Laois school gets creative for Scifest competition

A further launch was held in Abbeyleix last Saturday December 14, 2024. Musicians from Spink Comhaltas entertained the audience before David performed his Carolan arrangements.

This concert was held in St. Michael and All Angels Church, hosted generously by Canon Patrick Harvey and the Abbeyleix and Killermogh union of parishes.

Known for their captivating beauty and emotional depth, Carolans compositions remain instantly recognisable to traditional musicians and beyond.

Veseys arrangements offer listeners an intimate encounter with these melodies, infusing them with a fresh energy while maintaining their timeless essence.

"I feel privileged to share my arrangements of Carolans music," Vesey reflects: "These reflections are personal in nature, representing my relationship with Carolan as a composer and broader reflections on Irish identity. I hope these arrangements will bring Carolan's music to new audiences and continue his legacy in a modern context.

Carolan Reflections is now available on all major streaming platforms, offering a unique blend of classical piano and traditional Irish music that will resonate with listeners both in Ireland and beyond.

It is also available to buy in physical form on Bandcamp, and in limited stores.

For more information, visit www.davidvesey.com
Laois Fine Gael has chosen their replacement for the new Deputy Willie Aird's seat in Portlaoise Municipal District, and the new member is about to take their seat this Monday, December 16.

Paddy Buggy, a farmer from Kyletalesha had tried twice to become a county councillor, in 2024 local elections for the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District, and earlier in 2009 when he contested in the Portlaoise area.

He spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live ahead of the December meeting of Laois County Council where he will be proposed as Cllr Aird's replacement.

The newly elected TD Willie Aird being congratulated at the Laois count centre by Paddy Buggy.

"I'm delighted to have been nominated by the party at their convention. I look forward to being proposed today to be a county councillor after 20 years of trying," he said.

He joined Fine Gael in 1990 he said while living in Dublin.

"I am one of the rare few to have canvassed the Ballymun towers, on behalf of Mary Flaherty TD at the time," Mr Buggy said.

"I'll have four and half years now to work for the people of Laois," he said.

Asked if he hopes to also work for farmers and for Mountmellick as well where he is best known for his volunteer community and business roles, he said "I'll be helping anyone I can".

"There are all types of people in society, I'll be there to represent all of them to the best I can."

Paddy Buggy speaking at an event for the Valley Star Project in Mountmellick.

He thanked his wife Zita who is coming along to see his big moment in council chambers.

"She has been very supportive and helpful and encouraging all the time," Mr Buggy said.

Deputy Aird had held his seat for an incredible 45 years, since 1979.

"It's a daunting task to follow in the footsteps of the legend that is Willie Aird. I know he'll be in the background to support me. I'm delighted for him to top the poll, the seventh highest in Ireland, and I wish him the best of luck," Paddy Buggy said.
Cradle of civilization: Qiang New Year Festival

Ecns.cn) 10:53, December 16, 2024

UNESCO has added Qiang New Year festival, celebrated in China's Sichuan province, to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Every year, on the first day of the 10th lunar month, the Qiang people celebrate their most significant traditional festival, the Qiang New Year. Centered around themes of worshiping heaven and expressing gratitude, they hold ceremonies during the festival to honor the gods, drive away evil, express gratitude for the harvest, and pray for blessings.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Dominos will create 25 new jobs when it officially opens its new store in Laois today.

Dominos is celebrating the opening of its latest Laois store in Portarlington today by donating a 1 from each pizza sale to the local Womens Shed group.

The highly anticipated store is the latest in a series of openings, delivering a total of 25 new roles to the area including store management, pizza chefs, customer service colleagues and delivery drivers.

Dominos aims to be at the heart of local communities and Dominos Portarlington is no different, wanting to deliver more than just great-tasting, fresh pizza. The team behind the new local Laois store are keen to create a positive impact in the local community and will be donating 1 from every pizza ordered on the official launch date, Monday, December 16, to the local Womens Shed in Portarlington.

Chief Executive of Irelands largest Dominos franchise, Shorecal, George Bertram, said: At Dominos we love to support the communities we serve, and were delighted to be able to give something back to the Portarlington community. We really admire the efforts that the local Womens Shed have made to help their community, and we hope we can contribute in some way towards their services in the area.

We are delighted to open our doors in Portarlington and look forward to delivering fresh, handmade pizzas to locals, and welcome them to our new store.

Pictured Above: Chief Executive of Irelands largest Dominos franchise, Shorecal, George Bertram.

Maureen Jensen from Portarlington Womens Shed said: It's so lovely to see a new business in Portarlington investing in the community. We are delighted to be on the receiving end of the generous donation from Dominos opening day that will go towards our services locally. We wish the store team the best of luck with their new venture and encourage all members of the community to visit the new store and support  I'm sure Dominos will become the centrepiece of many a celebration in the area in the months and years to come.

On Monday, December 16, from 12 noon until 12am midnight, Dominos Pizza Portarlington will hold their official opening. Any size pizza ordered will see the local Dominos store donating 1 for every pizza to the local Womens Shed.

Pizza fans in Portarlington can now order Dominos firm favourites, including Pepperoni Passion and Vegi Supreme, as well as new innovative sides such as Hot & Cheesy Dip, Hot & Cheesy Dip with Twisted Doughballs, Mac n Cheese and treat themselves to the delicious Twisted Doughballs with Chocolate & OREO Crumb. Also returning to the festive menu for Christmas is The Festive One pizza, Festive Loaded Fries and a new lunch option in the Festive Wrap.

Portarlington customers will be able to avail of a special opening offer, any Medium Pizza for 9.99 or options to go Large for 3 more when collecting instore.

The new Portarlington store is located at Unit 2, Link Rd, Cooltederry, Portarlington, Co. Laois, R32 T327 and will be open from Sunday  Thursday: 12pm  12pm and Friday  Saturday: 12pm  1am.
LauraLynn is calling for brave people in Kildare to join the annual 'Dip In' challenge on December 22.

LauraLynn Irelands Children's Hospice invites people from Kildare to brave the icy waters on Saturday December 22 and make a splash for a great cause by signing up for "Dip In for LauraLynn".

LauraLynn is asking supporters to raise funds through sponsorship and take the plunge at a swimming spot of their choice.

The challenge is an important annual fundraiser for the Childrens Hospice supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

To take part, participants register on the LauraLynn website where they will receive a free blue Santa hat, as well as their own sponsorship page.

Funds raised from the "Dip In for LauraLynn" challenge will help LauraLynn provide essential care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families from across the country.

LauraLynn Fundraising Executive, Cathy White commented: "'Dip In for LauraLynn' is a wonderful opportunity for people to come together, have fun, and support a cause that truly makes a difference.

Whether you are a seasoned sea swimmer or a first-time cold dipper, we would love to see you out in your blue LauraLynn Santa hat. The funds raised will allow us to continue supporting children with palliative care needs and their families all over Ireland.

LauraLynn is calling on supporters from all over Ireland to take part in this exhilarating event. Participants are encouraged to dip into the chilly waters just before Christmas for this very important fundraiser.

Participants can share their experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #TeamLauraLynn and join the dedicated Facebook group to connect with others taking part in the challenge.

For more information, FAQs, and to register for the event, please visit LauraLynn.ie or contact Cathy at challenges@lauralynn.ie.
Squirrel Ai's Dr. Joleen Liang Speaks at the Cambridge Generative AI in Education Conference 2024





SHANGHAI, Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cambridge Generative AI in Education Conference 2024 recently concluded in Cambridge, UK. The event was co-organized by the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, the College of Education for the Future at Beijing Normal University, the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at the University of Cambridge's Hughes Hall, and the Glenlead Centre in London. Dr. Joleen Liang, co-founder of Squirrel Ai Learning, participated as a keynote speaker.

The conference, themed "Human-Machine Collaboration and the Expansion of the Dialogic Space," explored the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving innovation in education, improving teaching outcomes, enhancing student engagement, and redefining the role of educators. The event brought together thought leaders, researchers, and policymakers from around the world to discuss the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.

AI in Education: A Mix of Joys and Concerns

During a panel discussion titled "AI in Education: Friend or Foe," Dr. Ann Kristin Glenster of the University of Cambridge, Prof. Jenny Gibson of Neurodiversity and Developmental Psychology at the University of Cambridge, Prof. Yuan Li of Beijing Normal University, Co-chair Kellie Mote of the JISC Accessible Digital Futures Project, and Dr. Joleen Liang of Squirrel Ai shared their perspectives on the future of AI in education.

Dr. Liang said that AI education should prioritize educational needs rather than just the technology itself. She noted that companies and researchers often become overly focused on AI advancements while neglecting the fundamental needs of education.

In K-12 education, it's crucial for students to engage in problem-solving through active thinking and learning processes, rather than simply looking for direct answers. Squirrel Ai's adaptive system was designed with this philosophy in mind, leveraging over 10 billion learning behavior records to analyze students' strengths and weaknesses. By offering personalized learning recommendations instead of instant answers, the approach fosters cognitive development and discourages AI dependency.

Dr. Liang explained that AI would complement teachers by assuming roles in knowledge transfer and skills training, while they would increasingly act as supervisors, data analysts, and psychologists. In Squirrel Ai's system, educators focus on facilitating student learning rather than direct content delivery.

Prof. Yuan Li emphasized the importance of using AI technology to drive educational innovation and prepare future teachers. Given the novelty of generative AI and related technologies, extensive research is needed to understand their implications, especially in teacher education. "Improving teachers' AI skills is crucial, as they need to understand and apply these technologies," said Prof. Yuan. "In China, there is significant policy support, and many companies have integrated large models into education systems for classroom use. To this end, our main focus is on how these technologies affect teachers' practical teaching methods."

Prof. Jenny Gibson saw great potential in integrating generative AI into relevant platforms and using it as an effective teaching method. However, she doesn't expect teachers to be replaced any time soon, as "old-fashioned" learning methods and in-person classroom experiences remain crucial.

Kellie Mote, co-chair of the JISC Accessible Digital Futures Project, commented that while AI holds great promise, it's not a panacea. She advocated for responsible and trustworthy integration of AI technologies into educational settings.

Squirrel Ai Committed to Advancing AI Education

The conference highlighted the integration of generative AI in education and its transformative impact on academic practices, instructional design, and assessment. Keynote speeches included insights from several thought leaders.

Prof. Wayne Holmes from University College London presented "AI and Education: A Critical Studies Perspective," examining AI's role in education, debunking misconceptions, and addressing ethical challenges. He discussed balancing AI technology with education equity and human rights.

Prof. Rupert Wegerif from the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Education spoke on "Generative AI and Expanding Dialogic Space," exploring how generative AI fosters better thinking and communication among students. He advocated for leveraging AI technology to support education, aiming to enhance dialogic competence and benefit students in interdisciplinary and global dialogues.

Dr. Joleen Liang delivered a speech titled "Revolutionizing Personalized Learning through AI," sharing Squirrel Ai's research findings and insights on AI and personalized learning with international educators.

Since its inception, Squirrel Ai has invested over 2 billion yuan in technology research and development to advance AI in education. Leveraging over 10 billion student learning behaviors accumulated over the years, the company has developed the multimodal Large Adaptive Model (LAM) ? the world's first large model integrating adaptive technology with multimodal large models in the education sector.

By leveraging its proprietary AI adaptive learning and teaching platform, Squirrel Ai is expanding into the smart hardware domain. Its comprehensive suite includes AI-enhanced core skills development, intelligent diagnostic assessments, in-depth knowledge evaluations, sequential learning, MCM learning strategies, skill mastery training, mistake analysis, spaced repetition, error tracking journals, performance feedback reports, and Level 5 AI-driven interactive teaching capabilities. The technology has earned widespread acclaim from parents, students, and educators alike.

Furthermore, Squirrel Ai has provided robust commercial support for the rapid adoption of its multimodal adaptive learning system through the efficient expansion of its offline stores. With over 2,000 physical smart learning tablet stores nationwide, Squirrel Ai is now the largest AI learning device brand by retail footprint in China. Looking ahead, Squirrel Ai remains committed to providing every child with the best AI teacher.

Dr. Joleen Liang also said that Squirrel Ai has formed the AI Education Large Model Standards Committee to establish standards for AI in education. While trust in technology is essential, setting parameters and norms is critical. This requires a comprehensive consideration of the technical and knowledge aspects of education to ensure the effectiveness and safety of AI systems.

Looking ahead, Squirrel Ai remains committed to the research and development of its multimodal LAMs, maintaining its leadership in technological innovation while consistently advancing personalized learning. By introducing new and innovative approaches, Squirrel Ai is driving changes in educational models, methodologies, and resources, creating new opportunities for the future of education.

SOURCE Squirrel Ai Learning

15 december 2024 at 21:00

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CCTV+: China in the Spotlight: Yuhang - Seeing Yuhang's Transformation Through Foreign Eyes





BEIJING, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- When you think of Yuhang District in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, its long history, picturesque countryside and advanced technology are likely the first things that come to mind. This series of programs feature five international friends who are studying and working in China: Oliver (Lu Ming) from France, Elbec (Liu Yue) from Uzbekistan, Meriem & Zineb from Morocco and Noelia (Ailian) from Spain. They will explore Yuhang from four lenses: culture, rural life, technology, and the economy. In the series, we will delve into rich historical culture at the Liangzhu National Archaeological Site Park and the Jingshan Tea park. We will witness the transformation of rural areas in the new era in four charming villages: Yong'an, Xingang, Qingshan and Baizhang. We will also experience the significant impact of technology on production and daily life at Shenhao Technology and MicroBrain Technology. Finally, we will visit the Xinyun Film and Television Base and Cainiao Company to discover the vibrancy of the emerging economy.

SOURCE CCTV+

16 december 2024 at 01:26

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Superior HealthPlan Commemorates 25-year Anniversary by Awarding $25,000 Grant to NAMI El Paso





The funding will help address the mental health needs of local children and youth.

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Superior HealthPlan ("Superior"), a leading managed care organization in Texas and a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today that National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) El Paso has been awarded a $25,000 grant in recognition of Superior's 25-year anniversary celebration. The funding will be used to help support the mental health needs of children and youth in the El Paso area.

"Since 1999, Superior has provided health care to Texans in need," said Mark Sanders, president and CEO of Superior HealthPlan. "And to celebrate 25 years of serving local communities, we are proud to present NAMI El Paso with this special anniversary grant award that will help them support the El Paso community and continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of Texans."

Superior has provided more than $600,000 in grant funding to hundreds of community organizations and providers since 2020, helping support some of the most vulnerable populations in the state. The Superior HealthPlan Anniversary Grant Award, the first of its kind, offered community organizations and schools across Texas an opportunity to apply for funding. An internal committee then identified ten finalists and the winning organization was selected by employees.

"We are grateful to be the recipient of this grant as Superior HealthPlan celebrates their 25th anniversary in Texas," said Isidro Torres, executive director of NAMI El Paso. "We are excited to be able to expand our work in education for youth mental health as well as support individuals and families through their mental health journey."

NAMI El Paso has widened their influence since opening their doors in 1986, evolving from a small grassroots group into a vital part of the community's mental health support system. NAMI El Paso offers programs designed to meet the diverse needs of the community, including peer-led support groups, educational programs, and advocacy initiatives.

With the funding, NAMI El Paso will expand its reach among El Paso-area youth with free, evidence-based, 50-minute learning sessions designed for middle and high school students. These sessions will serve as a targeted opportunity to teach youth about mental health conditions through a brief presentation, short videos, and personal testimony from a young adult who describes their mental health journey and empowers others to do the same.

Superior's 25-year anniversary grant initiative was in addition to other grant awards the company provides each year. Organizations and providers are invited to apply for $10,000 grants, which will be awarded in April 2025. The application deadline is March 31, 2025. Visit SuperiorHealthPlan.com/grants to learn more.

About Superior HealthPlan

Founded in 1999, Superior HealthPlan is a managed care company that delivers quality healthcare throughout Texas. Committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time, Superior supports active local involvement in all 254 Texas counties with more than 3,200 employees throughout the state. Superior is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information visit www.SuperiorHealthPlan.com.

About NAMI El Paso

NAMI El Paso was founded in 1986 by families who recognized the urgent need for mental health support in the community. Since its inception, the organization has been deeply committed to providing accessible mental health resources, support, and education to individuals and families in the El Paso area. NAMI remains committed to its mission of providing advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental health conditions can build better lives.

SOURCE Superior HealthPlan

16 december 2024 at 07:00

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Brixton Metals Discovers Multiple Porphyry Systems at the North Target on its Thorn Project





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brixton Metals Corporation (TSX-V: BBB, OTCQB: BBBXF) (the "Company" or "Brixton") is pleased to announce North Target drill hole results of the 2024 season from its wholly owned Thorn Project located in NW British Columbia, Canada. The Thorn Project is an underexplored copper-gold porphyry district with many large scale exploration target areas identified.

Highlights

Brixton Metals' maiden drill program at the North Target has intercepted a Mo-Cu porphyry system with mineralization starting from surface consisting of:



Multiple generations of porphyry-style quartz and quartz-anhydrite veins hosting molybdenite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite accompanied by potassic alteration halos



Anomalous copper and molybdenum within multi-kilometer scale alteration zones of phyllic, potassic, and propylitic alteration centered around multi-phase crowded porphyritic diorites





A ground magnetotelluric geophysical survey has identified numerous conductive features that correlate with zones of hydrothermal alteration





Geochronology sampling highlights discovery potential of Thorn Project with multiple metallogenic epochs identified





Vice President of Exploration, Christina Anstey, stated, "The results from the North Target highlight the extraordinary discovery potential of the Thorn Project. Intersecting multiple porphyry systems in an area that has seen minimal historical exploration is a testament to the strength of our technical approach. These early findings not only confirm the presence of a robust mineralized system, but also set the stage for further exploration to uncover higher-grade zones and additional targets across this expansive and underexplored district."

Figure 1. Thorn Project Location Map with Copper Geochemistry.





Table 1. Select Assay Intervals for Drilling at the North Target.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Mo (%) Cu (%) THN24-312 12.00 650.00 638.00 0.023 0.04 including 401.00 650.00 249.00 0.028 0.03 including 595.00 650.00 55.00 0.047 0.05 THN24-313 12.00 421.00 409.00 0.013 0.06 including 202.40 219.28 16.88 0.019 0.11 and including 275.00 294.00 19.00 0.011 0.12 THN24-296 491.00 530.00 39.00 0.005 0.04 THN24-298 No Significant Results

HQ size core samples were cut in half and sampled predominantly at 1.5m intervals. Assay values are weighted averages. The true width of the mineralized intervals has not yet been determined.

Figure 2. Plan Map for the North Target.





Figure 3. Plan Map for the North Target with 2024 MT Geophysical Survey at 300m depth below surface.





Technical Discussion

The North Target is located approximately 10km northwest of the Camp Creek Porphyry Target. Prior to the 2024 field season, exploration at the North Target has been limited to small and sporadic surficial sampling programs and has never been drilled. Through compilation of historic work and geological mapping by Brixton Metals, multiple porphyry, epithermal, and skarn mineral occurrences accompanied by large alteration footprints have been identified within a north-northwest trending 11km by 4km area, highlighting the potential for a large mineral system. The North Target is underlain by Stuhini Group upper Triassic mafic volcanics and Laberge Group lower Jurassic sedimentary rocks. These units are intruded by multiple Late Cretaceous to Eocene intrusions.

The 2024 field season commenced with a SPARTAN Magnetotelluric (MT) geophysical survey consisting of a 108 station grid with 1-kilometer spacing. This was followed up by 4 drill holes at the Wild Moly and Main Gossan target areas for a total of 2,266m.

Wild Moly

Wild Moly has a surface expression of strong quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration with quartz-molybdenite-chalcopyrite veins and a coincident low resistivity feature identified from the MT survey. This target was tested with two drill holes for a total of 1,071m leading to the discovery of a previously unrecognized Mo-Cu porphyry system. While copper grades average 0.04% in THN24-312 and 0.06% in THN24-313, narrow intervals have returned >0.1% Cu and further work will evaluate the potential for zones of higher-grade copper. With an at least 1.8km by 1.2km area of phyllic alteration mapped at surface, the system remains open in all directions.

THN24-312 was drilled at an azimuth of 128.2 degrees, a dip -65.0 degrees, and to a depth of 650m, targeting the highest density of mapped quartz veins and center of the low resistivity anomaly. The drill hole collared into a crowded biotite-quartz-feldspar diorite porphyry from surface to 602.85m where Stuhini mafic volcanic tuffs and breccias were intersected until end of hole. Mineralization occurs in quartz-anhydrite veins with pyrite-molybdenite and rare chalcopyrite. Potassium feldspar and biotite alteration forms halos to veins with a pervasive sericite-pyrite overprint. THN24-312 returned 638.00m of 0.023% Mo, 0.04% Cu from 12.00m, including 55.00m of 0.047% Mo, 0.05% Cu from 595.00m.

Figure 4. Photos of Mineralized HQ-Sized Drill Core from THN24-312.





THN24-313 was drilled from the same pad and collared at an azimuth 308.1 degrees, a dip of -65.1 degrees, and to a depth of 421m, testing a copper-in-soil anomaly. The hole collared into the diorite porphyry until 116.35m where the lithology became Stuhini mafic volcanic dominant with sub-50m intervals of porphyry. As with THN24-312, porphyry-style mineralized quartz veins with potassic halos were intersected throughout until alteration became chlorite-epidote-magnetite-pyrite dominant at depth where it is interpreted that the hole transitioned to the margins of the porphyry system. THN24-313 returned 409.00m of 0.013% Mo, 0.06% Cu from 12.00m, including 19.00m of 0.12% Cu, 0.011% Mo from 275.00m. The best copper values occur within mafic volcanics at the contact with the diorite porphyry.

Figure 5. Photos of Mineralized HQ-Sized Drill Core from THN24-313.





Figure 6. Cross-Section of Wild Moly Drill Holes.





Main Gossan

The Main Gossan consists of a 2.5km by 3.2km altered area with propylitic, sericitic, and locally potassic alteration assemblages, widespread pyrite, and isolated occurrences of chalcopyrite, copper oxides, and molybdenite at surface. It is underlain by Laberge Group sedimentary rocks which are cut by multiple intrusive phases. The Main Gossan was tested with two holes totaling 1,195m targeting areas where porphyry-style quartz veins were observed on surface with a coincident northeast trending conductive feature. The 2024 drilling has confirmed the presence of a porphyry system at the Main Gossan.

THN24-296 was collared at an azimuth of 159.5 degrees, a dip of -68.8 degrees, and to a depth of 530m and THN24-298 was collared from the same pad at an azimuth of 245.1 degrees, dip of -60 degrees, and to a depth of 665m. Both holes collared into Laberge mudstone to conglomerate horizons which are intruded by a hornblende-biotite-quartz-feldspar diorite porphyry. Chlorite-epidote-magnetite-pyrite was the dominant alteration assemblage with structurally controlled zones of sericite-pyrite overprint. Mineralization consisted of disseminated pyrite, commonly >5%, with rare quartz-molybdenite and quartz-sphalerite-galena-chalcopyrite veins. Both holes ended in an intrusive breccia with elevated copper values, including THN24-296 which returned 39.00m of 0.04% Cu and 0.005% Mo from 492.50 meters to end of hole. While the Main Gossan holes returned no significant intercepts, the widespread propylitic alteration suggests drilling intersected the margins of a concealed porphyry system.

Figure 7. Photos of Mineralized HQ-Sized Drill Core from THN24-296.





Figure 8. Photos of Mineralized HQ-Sized Drill Core from THN24-298.





Figure 9. Cross-Section of Main Gossan Drill Holes.





Geophysics

The MT survey has identified numerous near-surface conductive features across the target area. With the survey successfully highlighting the Wild Moly porphyry discovery as a resistivity low, further ground-truthing of other anomalies is planned for the 2025 field season. One resistive feature of interest is a 3km wide donut-shaped conductor located at the south end of the target area (Figure 3). The flanks of the conductor correspond with quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration and the central portion is interpreted to be covered by post-mineral volcanics. The geophysical data will be further evaluated and will incorporate petrophysical properties collected on drill core and surface samples into a constrained inversion.

Geochronology

A Re-Os geochronology sample from a molybdenite vein at the Main Gossan has returned an age date of 58 +/- 0.2 Ma. While mineralization at the Main Gossan and Wild Moly are interpreted to be Paleocene in age, 3km south of the Main Gossan, U-Pb zircon age dating of a porphyritic intrusion with weak chalcopyrite mineralization has returned 85.5 +/- 0.7 Ma, coeval with the mineralizing PX porphyry at the Camp Creek Porphyry Target. Along with known Late Triassic mineralization in the central portions of the property and Neogene epithermal mineralization adjacent to the Thorn Project at Newmont's Hearts Peak Property, these results highlight the discovery potential of the area with multiple metallogenic epochs identified.

Conclusion

The 2024 exploration program at the North Target has been successful through the integration of multiple dataset types into a maiden drill program that intersected a molybdenum-copper porphyry at the Wild Moly and the margins of a porphyry system at the Main Gossan. With only a small portion of the 11km by 4km area of porphyry style alteration tested, further work will utilize geochemistry from surface and drilling data, hyperspectral data, and geophysics to target for other porphyry centers.

Table 2. Collar Information for 2024 North Target Drilling.

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m) THN24-296 620134 6503632 1244 159.5 -68.8 530.00 THN24-298 620130 6503633 1243 245.1 -60.0 665.00 THN24-312 619989 6507802 894 128.2 -65.0 650.00 THN24-313 619984 6507807 897 308.1 -65.1 421.00

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Quality assurance and quality control protocols for drill core sampling was developed by Brixton. Core samples were mostly taken at 1.5m intervals. Blank, duplicate (lab pulp) and certified reference materials were inserted into the sample stream for at least every 20 drill core samples. Core samples were cut in half, bagged, zip-tied and sent directly to ALS Minerals preparation facility in Whitehorse, Yukon or Langley, British Columbia depending on available lab capacity. ALS Minerals Laboratories is registered to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 17025 accreditations for laboratory procedures. Samples were analyzed at ALS Laboratory Facilities in North Vancouver, British Columbia for gold by fire assay with an atomic absorption finish, whereas Ag, Pb, Cu and Zn and 48 additional elements were analyzed using four acid digestion with an ICP-MS finish. Over limits for gold were analyzed using fire assay and gravimetric finish. The standards, certified reference materials, were acquired from CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd., of Langley, British Columbia and the standards inserted varied depending on the type and abundance of mineralization visually observed in the primary sample. Blank material used consisted of non-mineralized siliceous landscaping rock. A copy of the QAQC protocols can be viewed at the Company's website.

Qualified Person (QP)

Mr. Daniel Guestrin, P.Geo., is a Senior Project Geologist for the Company who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Guestrin has verified the referenced data and analytical results disclosed in this press release and has approved the technical information presented herein.

About Brixton Metals Corporation

Brixton Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on the advancement of its mining projects. Brixton wholly owns four exploration projects: Brixton's flagship Thorn copper-gold-silver-molybdenum Project, the Hog Heaven copper-silver-gold Project in NW Montana, USA, which is optioned to Ivanhoe Electric Inc., the Langis-HudBay silver-cobalt-nickel Project in Ontario and the Atlin Goldfields Project located in northwest BC which is optioned to Eldorado Gold Corporation. Brixton Metals Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol BBB, and on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol BBBXF. For more information about Brixton, please visit our website at www.brixtonmetals.com .

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Gary R. Thompson, Chairman and CEO

For Investor Relations inquiries please contact: Mr. Michael Rapsch, Senior Manager, Investor Relations. email: [email protected] or call: 604-630-9707

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, proposed timing of exploration and development plans, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://brixtonmetals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Figure-1_NR-16-Dec-2024.jpg

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16 december 2024 at 07:30

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Collective Mining Announces Death of Paul Murphy, Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair





TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") announces with profound sadness, that Mr. Paul Murphy, a valued member of Collective's Board of Directors, passed away.

Paul Murphy was a Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1981 to 2010 including serving as National Mining Leader from 2004 to 2010. Throughout his career, Mr. Murphy worked primarily in the resource sector, with a client list that includes major international oil and gas, and mining companies. He was previously a Director of Continental Gold until its acquisition in March 2020, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Guyana Goldfields from 2010 to 2018, and Chief Financial Officer of Guyana Precious Metals from 2012 to 2018. Mr. Murphy obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen's University and his Chartered Accountant designation in 1975.

Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "It is with sadness we announce the loss of Paul as a director of the Company. Paul will always be remembered fondly for his supportive leadership, professionalism and warm nature. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."

About Collective Mining Ltd.

To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com

Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.

The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company's objectives are to expand the Apollo system by stepping out along strike and testing the newly discovered high-grade Apollo Ramp Zone, expand the Trap system and drill a series of newly generated targets including Tower and X.

Management, insiders, a strategic investor and close family and friends own 44.5% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "CNL", on the TSX under the trading symbol "CNL", on the FSE under the trading symbol "GG1".

Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X

Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2024. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd.

16 december 2024 at 09:46

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NSF Celebrates 50 Years of the Safe Drinking Water Act





NSF, a global leader in public health, proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The establishment of the SDWA led to NSF's development of NSF/ANSI/CAN 60: Drinking Water Chemicals ? Health Effects and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 ?Drinking Water System Components standards to protect drinking water against natural and man-made contaminants. This anniversary marks a significant milestone in the improvement of health and water safety across the United States and recognizes the commitment of the SDWA and NSF in delivering clean and safe drinking water to communities nationwide.

The US Congress passed the SDWA in 1974, enabling the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve drinking water quality across the country through setting and enforcing drinking water quality standards. In 1985, NSF responded to the EPA's call for a private sector solution, leading a consortium comprised of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF), Association of Safe Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and the Conference of State Health and Environmental Managers (COSHEM). This resulted in the creation of the national standards, NSF/ANSI 60 in 1987 and NSF/ANSI 61 in 1988. These standards have since been harmonized with Canada as NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61. NSF also developed a self-funded product certification program that replaced the EPA's US advisory program.

"NSF is proud to have played a critical role in the Safe Drinking Water Act and improving North America's drinking water quality through developing NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61," states Pedro Sancha, President and CEO of NSF. "Since its inception, the Safe Drinking Water Act has been the foundation of drinking water safety, and rigorous testing and certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 support that through enforceable water requirements that are consistent across states and provinces."

The two standards revolutionized the water industry and drove change, including lowering lower lead content and leaching into drinking water. This propelled them to gain global recognition and growing acceptance as certified products became synonymous with quality and safety. The span of their impact and recognition includes:

Over 95% of US states require product certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61

Most Canadian provinces and territories require product certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61

NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 are designated national standards in Canada

Over 82,000 products are certified by more than 1,400 manufacturers to NSF/ANSI/CAN 60

More than 70,000 products are certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 by over 2,100 manufacturers

Many countries in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific are accepting NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for the commercialization of products in their domestic markets

"NSF's involvement in the Safe Drinking Water Act launched our critical work in the water industry and driving drinking water quality forward," states Dave Purkiss, Vice President of Water, NSF. "We are proud of NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and how they have improved global water safety and human health. We are excited to continue this work and look forward to continued progress and improvement of water quality over the next 50 years."

Since publishing, NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 continue to evolve and are updated annually to ensure they address current and emerging threats to our drinking water, such as PFAS and other contaminants. Joint committees comprised of public health advocates, industry experts and government experts collaborate to review, and if necessary, revise the standards so they can address the latest treatment technologies.

Eric Burneson, Director of the Standards and Risk Management Division, EPA adds, "The NSF/ANSI standards are an important component of the protections provided by the Safe Drinking Water Act that requires EPA to ?provide accurate and timely technical information and assistance' to organizations like NSF."

NSF is committed to continuing its work in helping ensure that water quality continues to progress in future generations. It is dedicated to working globally to fulfill its mission of improving human and planet health. To learn more about the SDWA and NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, visit NSF.org.

About NSF

NSF is an independent, global services organization dedicated to improving human and planet health for more than 80 years by developing public health standards and providing world-class testing, inspection, certification, advisory services and digital solutions to the food, nutrition, water, life sciences and consumer goods industries. NSF serves 40,000 clients in 110 countries and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Medical Device Safety.

NSF's Water Division provides risk assessments, testing, inspection, and certification services for the water industry from source to tap. NSF facilitated the development of the American National Standards for all materials and products that treat or come in contact with drinking water to help protect public health and the environment and minimize adverse health effects. In 1990, the U.S. EPA replaced its own drinking water product advisory program with these NSF standards.

16 december 2024 at 10:35

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Alzheimer Society of Ontario Marks an Important Legislative Session for Dementia Care





TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alzheimer Society of Ontario would like to congratulate the government on an important legislative term that has placed a strong focus on dementia care. We are encouraged by the government's broad commitment to improving dementia care as reflected through recent legislative progress. As of the Legislature rising last Thursday for winter break:

Bill 121 has passed Third Reading and is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly, marking a crucial step forward in redefining the dementia care system and addressing health workforce training requirements.

Bill 235, the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2024 ? legislation that highlights the government's commitment to supporting seniors and their care partners, including those living with dementia, across all care settings ? passed Second Reading and has been referred to Committee.

Together, these Bills represent a coordinated and comprehensive approach to enhancing the quality of life for people in Ontario affected by dementia.

We are especially pleased to highlight the recent announcement of enhanced funding for the First Link Care Navigation program over the next three years. This vital investment allows the 26 local Alzheimer Societies across the province to maintain staffing levels, enhance service delivery, and ensure that thousands of Ontarians living with dementia and their care partners receive timely and meaningful support throughout their journey.

"On behalf of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and our 26 local Societies across the province, we applaud this cross-government approach to improving care for seniors and their care partners, including people living with dementia," said Cathy Barrick, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. "We welcome the government's commitment to improving the quality of life and care of people living with dementia and their care partners in the community, in retirement homes, and in long-term care homes. These investments will make meaningful changes in the lives of the clients we support along their dementia journey."

First Link plays a critical role for dementia care in the province, connecting individuals and families to essential community services and supports at every stage of their journey. The program not only improves quality of life but also reduces strain on the healthcare system by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and premature admissions to long-term care. Data from First Link demonstrates its impact: for every three people connected to the program, one hospital visit is avoided, saving vital healthcare resources.

In the past year, First Link supported over 16,700 clients, and this additional funding will allow the program to provide care navigation services to approximately 6,580 new clients each year, helping to address the growing demand for dementia care in Ontario. Altogether, the Alzheimer Society supported more than 84,000 clients last year, and we continue to see demand grow for our day programs, respite care, counselling, provider training, and public education programs.

This is a pivotal moment for dementia care in Ontario. As the number of people living with dementia continues to rise, sustained and expanded investment in programs like First Link is essential to meet the needs of our clients. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario congratulates the government on this commitment and wishes to provide special thanks to Ministers Cho, Jones, Kusendova-Bashta, and MPP Smith for their partnership and their continued advocacy for people living with dementia and their care partners.

About the Alzheimer Society of Ontario

The Alzheimer Society is a federation of 26 frontline community support service providers, operating in every community across Ontario. We supported over 84,000 clients last year, including both care partners and people living with dementia. We provide education and training to physicians and other health care professionals, as well as to the general public, and work to reduce the stigma that is far too often associated with dementia. As a health service provider, we offer system navigation, care partner respite, adult day programs, therapeutic recreation, and so much more at little or, for nearly all of our programs, no cost to families. With hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers we seek to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, and to promote research into a cure. Learn more and find an Alzheimer Society near you: https://alzheimer.ca/on/en/about-us/find-your-local-alzheimer-society

Media Contact:

Michelle Taylor, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications

[email protected] | P: 416-847-8931

16 december 2024 at 12:55

News published onand distributed by:
Paramount Gold Announces the Voting Results of Its 2024 Annual General Meeting





WINNEMUCCA, Nev., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. ("Paramount" or the "Company") (NYSE American: PZG) announces the results of the votes from its annual general meeting of the stockholders which was held on December 12, 2024. There were 66,058,111 shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date of October 17, 2024, of which, 37,451,869 shares or 56.70% voted.

The stockholders elected the following eight individuals to Paramount's Board of Directors for a one year term expiring at the 2024 Annual General Meeting: Rudi Fronk, Glen Van Treek, Rachel Goldman, Christopher Reynolds, John Carden, Eliseo Gonzalez-Urien, Pierre Pelletier and Samantha Espley.

Detailed voting results of the election of directors were as follows:

Name of Nominee For Withheld Percentage

For Percentage

Withheld Rudi Fronk 20,922,263 2,803,192 88.18% 11.82% Glen Van Treek 23,348,072 377,554 98.41% 1.69% Rachel Goldman 22,983,121 742,505 96.87% 3.23% Christopher Reynolds 23,359,724 365,902 98.46% 1.54% John Carden 21,768,235 1,955,542 91.76% 8.24% Eliseo Gonzalez-Urien 21,915,846 1,809,780 92.37% 7.63% Pierre Pelletier 23,350,777 374,849 98.42% 1.58% Samantha Espley 23,366,487 359,139 98.49% 1.51%



There were 13,726,243 broker non-votes.

The stockholders ratified Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 with 37,141,115 (99.17 %) voting ?for', 141,208 (0.38 %) voting ?against' and 169,546 (0.45 %) abstaining to vote.

About Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.

Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. is a U.S. based precious metals exploration and development company. Paramount's strategy is to create shareholder value through exploring and developing its mineral properties and to realize this value for its shareholders in three ways: by selling its assets to established producers; entering joint ventures with producers for construction and operation; or constructing and operating mines for its own account. Additional information about Paramount Gold's portfolio of assets is available at www.paramountnevada.com or by email at [email protected].

Paramount holds a 100% interest in three projects: Grassy Mountain; Sleeper and Bald Peak. The Grassy Mountain Gold Project ("Grassy") consists of approximately 8,200 acres located on private and BLM land in Malheur County, Oregon. Grassy contains a gold-silver deposit (100% located on private land) for which results of a positive Feasibility Study have been released and key permitting milestones accomplished.

The Sleeper Gold Project is in Northern Nevada, the world's premier mining jurisdiction. The Sleeper Gold Project, which includes the former producing Sleeper mine, totals 2,474 unpatented mining claims (approximately 44,917 acres).

The drill ready, Bald Peak Project in Nevada, consists of approximately 2,260 acres.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This release and related documents may include "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") pursuant to applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. Paramount's future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although these words may not be present in all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to the use of proceeds from the Offerings. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conclusions made in the feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain Gold Project (the "FS"); the quantity and grade of resources included in resource estimates; the accuracy and achievability of projections included in the FS; Paramount's ability to carry on exploration and development activities, including construction; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; the price of silver, gold and other metals; prices for key mining supplies, including labor costs and consumables, remaining consistent with current expectations; work meeting expectations and being consistent with estimates and plant, equipment and processes operating as anticipated. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving interpretation of drilling results; environmental matters; the ability to obtain required permitting; equipment breakdown or disruptions; additional financing requirements; the completion of a definitive feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain Gold Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs and between estimated and actual production; the global epidemics, pandemics, or other public health crises, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic, and the spread of other viruses or pathogens and the other factors described in Paramount's disclosures as filed with the SEC and the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions. Except as required by applicable law, Paramount disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.

Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.

Rachel Goldman, CEO and Director

Christos Theodossiou, Director of Corporate Communications

844.488.2233

Twitter: @ParamountNV

16 december 2024 at 16:30

News published onand distributed by:
Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund Announces Quarterly Distribution





BROOKFIELD, NEWS, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX: BGI.UN) today announced a distribution of C$0.15 per unit for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. The distribution will be paid on or before January 16, 2025 to holders of record on December 31, 2024.

Eligible holders of the Units ("Unitholders") may participate in the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"), where they may elect to automatically reinvest their dividends in additional Units. Details of the DRIP are available on the Fund's website at https://www.brookfieldoaktree.com/fund/brookfield-global-infrastructure-securities-income-fund. Unitholders who wish to participate in the DRIP should contact their investment advisor for further information and to enroll.

Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund is managed by Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (PSG). PSG is registered as an investment fund manager in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and as portfolio manager in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material information about the Fund. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at https://www.brookfieldoaktree.com/fund/brookfield-global-infrastructure-securities-income-fund

Investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Contact information:

Communications & Media: Investor Relations: Rachel Wood Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund Tel: (212) 613-3490 Tel: (855) 777-8001 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

16 december 2024 at 17:20

News published onand distributed by:
Delegates at the 15th session of the Conference of Ministers Meeting in photo Liberias Fisheries Boss and Chairperson of the FCWC in Monrovia
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WHILE doing genealogical research, New Zealand writer Daniel J Ryan, came across a catastrophe that he had never heard about, and there was very little information about it online. What little was out there didn't match up, so he began his own investigation, which resulted in my writing an article that can be found in full in the 2024 edition of the Old Limerick Journal.

There is uncertainty regarding the precise date of a significant bog disaster that occurred either in 1708 or around 1792 at Portnard and Castlegarde in Cappamore, County Limerick, claiming 21 lives. This event had nothing to do with a toilet or the cause of Artax's death in The NeverEnding Story (that was a swamp). This was one of the deadliest bog slides in Ireland, in which a large section of waterlogged peat and turf suddenly broke away and moved quickly down a slope, carrying everything in its path. Its hard to imagine that a stagnant pool of water and peat could cause such a massacre.

For the past 120 years, the event date has been commonly cited as 1708. However, the further back one delves into historical newspapers, it becomes increasingly evident that this date is grossly inaccurate, as there is no mention of it before 1897over 100 years after the supposed occurrence. Even the Geological Survey Ireland's Landslide Susceptibility Mapping has this wrong date!

After extensive research, I found three unique newspaper articles, including the earliest mention in the Limerick Chronicle newspaper four days after the event. I discovered that the disaster actually transpired on Saturday night, December 22, 1792.

The destruction was caused by the continuous rains for some time, which caused the bog at the lands of Portnard near Bilbao, owned by Rev. Richard Lloyd, to burst. The peat-cutting excavations probably didnt help, weakening the walls of the bog; peat was predominantly used for cooking and heating back then. The quarter-mile-wide bog slide travelled a mile, and was incredibly fast. In all, the flow of liquid turf buried three cottages as it moved along a valley, killing 21 people. Entire families along with their livestock, stacks of corn, and hay were wiped out. Three of the victims were unaccounted for at first, but eventually all the missing victims bodies were found.

On the night of the disaster, two sons of an elderly man named Collins were out at a dance. One brother came home earlier than the other and went to bed. He was woken up, alarmed, by the moans of the maid and then realised that he was neck-deep in a bog inside his house. Overwhelmed and struggling, he was able to free himself, but his father, mother, and maid had been buried alive, and there was nothing he could do but bear witness to the destruction. The other brother arrived home from the dance and went to where the house had been. He threw hay down before him as he moved and called out to see if anyone was alive. His brother's cries directed him to where he could be found.

In one family from one of the houses, a pregnant mother was found sitting up in bed with her arms locked around her four children, her husband standing over them with his back against the wall in the posture of endeavouring to support it. The bog swallowed the house so rapidly that they had no chance of escaping - this time, there were no survivors. Separating the mother from the children was difficult because of their locked arms. Other families in the houses were found in similar situations.

Deciphering the old newspapers ordering of events is unclear. The most logical path: the bog moved from Portnard and crossed the high road (likely the R505 road from Cappamore to Doon) toward Doon village, covering hedges and trees entirely in its path, reaching depths of at least 20 feet in many places. It continued its relentless movement from Castlegarde, it eventually flowed into the old lake of Coolnapisha, which no longer exists. But even that didnt stop the bog. Most of the peat had also been destroyed on this path of destruction, which had been the last hope of many during the fuel shortage at the time. Its unclear exactly how far the bog trail went before it stopped. The papers at the time vaguely described how it covered some ground and came near two bridges.

This may be all the surviving information on the disaster. Some details are unclear, and Im unsure which valley or houses are referenced. Also, nothing is known about the deceased individuals except that they were impoverished and that there was one family with the surname Collins. The 1826 Tithe Applotment Books for Doon Parish showed the Collins families as tenants at Castlegarde and Gortavalla. An 1827 survey of Castlegarde showed one of the Castlegarde Collins families living beside the Gortavalla bog. The prevailing surnames were Collins and Ryan in 1840, Gortavalla South, and this townland is between Castlegarde and Coolnapisha. One other Collins family is listed as tenants of Doon in Cooga. The ravaging of the cottages could have occurred around Castlegarde and Gortavalla. Researching into the Collins families, Timothy and James, the names listed in the Tithes at Castlegarde and Gortavalla, are likely contenders for the brothers who survived. With limited surviving records, all I can do is not rule them out. It would be wonderful to find living descendants that had this story passed down to them.

So far, I have found some answers by locating three old 18th-century newspaper articles. As the articles were short, and almost every other newspaper article seems to be a copy from the initial reports, there are many what ifs and maybes, so I have many more questions than answers. Multiple errors have propagated over the last 200 years like a game of broken telephone.

I hope to see more information unearthed so I can write further about those who have been long-forgotten. Perhaps some records are still hidden in an archive, waiting to be digitised.

-Written by Daniel Ryan: Please contact him if you have found information about this event at: daniel_ryan@outlook.com
IN AN inspiring journey, Christina OSullivan, a Newcastle West resident, travelled to Uganda with World Vision Ireland to meet her sponsored child, Doreen, and see the impact of her support firsthand.

Christina is originally from Donegal but lives in Newcastle West with her husband and two daughters.

She is a nutritionist, and recently wrote a childrens nutrition book called Colourful Foods and Activities for my Body and Mind, which she gifted to her sponsor child Doreen, when in Uganda.

Travelling to Africa with a copy of her book under her arm and hope in her heart, Christina flew across the world with World Vision Ireland, which is the charity pairing the Donegal native and her sponsor child Doreen.

Christina described meeting Doreen as a magical experience, upon touching down in Africa.

My heart melted at that moment as Doreen took my hand and cut the ribbon, said Christina.

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Her smile was beautiful. She was happy, well-nourished and looked healthy.

Despite the language barrier, Doreens parents spoke to Christina of their gratitude to World Vision, and what it has meant to them and their community.

We exchanged many smiles and gifts and got lots of photos and videos to capture the moments. Doreen was particularly taken by a snow globe with Ireland written on it and a Leprechaun inside, said Christina.

I also gave Doreens mum a tea towel with the recipe for Irish Stew written on it. This created a laugh amongst the locals when the staff translated, as we learned that they grow what is known as 'Irish potatoes' in Uganda!

The trip included a tour of local schools and community projects, so sponsors could see the direct impact that their donations are making.

Christina shared that visiting these World Vision and Irish Aid projects was enlightening.

She said: We observed the positive impact of the WASH programme at local schools, which provides toilet facilities for boys and girls, reducing disease and allowing children to remain in school.

The importance of education in the community was evident. At schools we saw slogans like education before marriage encouraging children to get an education first.

Sponsors had the opportunity to tour a Health Centre funded by World Vision and Irish Aid, which recently opened a new maternity unit.

This facility has witnessed a remarkable rise in birth rates, growing from four in 2007 to 150 in 2023, greatly enhancing maternal and infant care within the community.

Previously, many babies were born at home, putting both mothers and infants at risk of mortality.

Fortunately, thanks to this intervention, such cases have become rare, said Christina.

In a very touching moment, Christina met a new mother who was struggling to decide on a name for her new baby girl.

Meeting Christina was the inspiration she needed, and she told Christina that she would name the baby after her.

For Christina, a nutritionist herself, the most profound aspect of the trip was the visit to the community cluster, where a community of 130 people collaborate on farming and income generation.

Sponsors also had the opportunity to hear directly from a community nutritionist, who expressed the communitys gratitude for having access to fresh produce through microcredit funding.

This support has enabled them to meet their food requirements and sell excess in local markets. Christina noted the sense of community and empowerment, showcasing a hand up, not a handout approach.

The journey has inspired Christina to advocate for child sponsorship through World Vision.

With 70 years of experience, the charity has helped more than 200 million children in almost 100 disadvantaged countries, providing water, education, food and emergency response.

Personally, the experience has really made me grateful to be part of World Vision, she said.

It was a real humbling experience and such a beautiful exchange of energy.

I felt this was an experience of a lifetime and has made me all the more passionate and determined to continue to spread the word on child sponsorship.

To anyone contemplating becoming a child sponsor, Christina advises to just do it.

Youll be able to share the experience with family and friends and if you have children, your children will get to learn the beauty of giving at an early age, she concluded.

In all, it is fair to say that Christinas story highlights the profound connections and positive changes that sponsorship can bring to communities in need.
AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl from Limerick has been honoured for caring for her twin brothers with non-verbal autism.

Ellen Gannon, 11, is from Newcastle West.

She attends Kilcolman National School and her brothers Andrew and James Gannon, 9, attend Nano Nagle special school in Listowel, Co Kerry.

Ellen was honoured with the Munster Young Carer of the Year 2024 award, as part of the Netwatch Young Carer of the Year national awards.

All three children live with their mother, Helen OFlynn, in Newcastle West.

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Ellen herself has ADHD and Dyslexia. She is a special sister, showing her brothers with love and upbeat energy always!

She helps care for them and is so happy to receive the award, said Helen, who is originally from Ardagh.

While being only 11-years-old, Ellen assists with daily tasks such as bathing, toileting, and cleaning up with her brothers, while also engaging them through play, dancing, and teaching.

She is described as a patient and gentle soul, who is adored by her brothers.

Despite her responsibilities, Ellen excels in sports, enjoys art, and brings joy to everyone around her.

The annual Netwatch Young Carer of the Year awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of five young carers of 500,000 from across Ireland. It is now in its 17th year.

These remarkable young people have stepped up to support their families in extraordinary ways, balancing their own lives while caring for siblings and parents with additional needs, a spokesperson said.

Their stories highlight the dedication, compassion, and maturity they bring to their roles, often providing vital support and comfort to their loved ones.

Family Carers Ireland is the national charity of family carers who care for loved ones such as children or adults with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, or addiction.

It provides a range of services through its carer support centres nationwide, with the Limerick office located in Georges Quay.
LIMERICK initiative Novas has been honoured with the Outstanding Large Group award at the National Volunteer Ireland Awards.

Novas are a registered charity who operate every day of the year to provide support to people without housing in Limerick.

The service predictability and the stability is entirely down to the volunteers dedication. Even on Christmas day, bank holidays, weekends, our team are ready to step in if there is a gap wrote the person who nominated Novas for the award.

Limerick volunteer centre manager, Paul Moriarty, said: This group is the perfect example of so many volunteers across the country and we are lucky to have people like them in Limerick. The difference they make in our communities and the lives of local people is immense. These awards give us a chance to say thank you and celebrate the wonderful contribution volunteers make every day.

READ MORE: Limerick financial firm recruits chief investment officer as it targets ambitious growth

Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke, said: These annual awards are a wonderful way to acknowledge the selfless commitment and dedication of so many volunteers whose efforts have a transformative impact on communities all over Ireland. The work they do brings people together, strengthening our social fabric and enhancing social connections for people across all walks of life.

The Volunteer Ireland Awards are the national awards for volunteering in Ireland. Eleven category winners and the overall Volunteer of the Year were named at an awards ceremony in the Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin on Sunday, December 8. The awards are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and award partner Healthy Ireland.

With a team of over 50 volunteers, Novas give a hot meal and donated supplies to anyone in need. Volunteers collect food donations and food that would go uneaten from local restaurants and businesses and distribute it from their food truck hatch.

Last year they served 20,000 meals and estimate since the organisation was founded that theyve served 200,000.
A LIMERICK man caught with cocaine and cannabis to the value of 323,000 was at the top of the pyramid of an organised criminal drugs operation, Limerick Criminal Circuit Court heard.

John Earls, aged 58, of Ballykeeffe Estate, Dooradoyle, pleaded guilty to three charges of having drugs for sale or supply over 13,000.

Prosecuting barrister John OSullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Daniel Dillon, of the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit.

Mr OSullivan said Mr Earls was the main protagonist in a sophisticated and largescale drugs distribution network.

On April 26, 2021, gardai carried out an intelligence-led operation targeting Mr Earls and associates involved in the sale and / or supply of drugs.

The court heard that gardai observed Mr Earls make an exchange at a car park in the Corbally area on April 26, 2021.

They stopped both cars and found one kilo of cannabis, valued at almost 20,000, in each car. Mr Earls later told gardai he was giving two tins of paint to a man referred to as Joe the painter.

Garda Dillon said CCTV did not reflect this and no tins of paint were found in either car.

Mr OSullivan said as a follow on from the interception of the vehicles, gardai searched an apartment in Henry Street which Mr Earls has access to. He had keys to lock boxes in the apartment where gardai discovered cannabis valued at 118,401 and cocaine, 166,205.

Mr OSullivan said Mr Earls described his role as a drug runner, got involved as an act of desperation and hoped to make extra money from the mission.

The court heard he was in the army for three and a half years, was a musician in a band and worked in England. He doesnt have a bank account and had 20 in a post office account.

The accused has epilepsy and requires medication.

Brian McInerney SC, defending, put it to the garda that Mr Earls has no trappings of wealth.

I disagree with that, said Garda Dillon. The garda said the defendant is at the top of the pyramid.

Mr McInerney said his client receives social welfare and there has been no investigation by Revenue or CAB.

In mitigation for Mr Earls, counsel said the drugs belonged to someone else, made admissions regarding his role, pleaded guilty, drives a 13-year-old car and is in receipt of social welfare, which reflects that he has no trappings of wealth.

The court also heard Mr Earls family have shunned him and his 15-year relationship is over.

Judge Colin Daly, in delivering sentence, said the accuseds culpability must be high as he voluntarily engaged in, and took a very active part, in organised crime.

The judge said the suggestion that this was done to relieve his financial hardship is no excuse and that Mr Earls was doing so for his own gain.

Judge Daly said organised crime of this type poses a very serious danger to society generally and local communities.

The judge said other aggravating factors are the value of the drugs - over 300,000. He said Mr Earls was involved in the dealing, distribution and whole organisation of that enterprise and, particularly, arranging that flat as a storehouse for drugs.

The judge took into account Mr Earls plea of guilty at an early stage, his co-operation with the garda investigation, no previous convictions, his medical history and age.

Prison will be difficult for him, said Judge Daly, who imposed a six-year jail sentence.
THE 21m worth of cocaine discovered on a ship in Foynes Port last Christmas was pure and its potential street value was over 105m, a court has heard.

A Bulgarian national was before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Monday in connection with the largest drugs seizure ever in Limerick.

Kamen Petkov, aged 36, of Apartment 15, Varna Street, Vladaskav, Varrevciuk, 131 Bulgaria has pleaded guilty to the importation of 21,604,891 worth of cocaine; possession of cocaine for sale or supply and possession of cocaine at Foynes Port on December 19, 2023.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Adrian Cahill.

Garda Cahill said Customs had received confidential information regarding the MV Verila, sailing under a Maltese flag, due to come into the port at Foynes on December 19, 2023.

The court heard 12 bales of cocaine, broken up into 306 packages, weighed 308.6 kilos (pictured below).

The drugs were found in an air-conditioned room on the poop deck of the ship. Mr Petkov had told gardai he had hid the cocaine under beds in empty cabins during the voyage that started in Brazil, travelled to Canada before crossing the Atlantic for Foynes.

Ms Buckley said the cocaine was valued at 21,604,891.

Garda Cahill said: It was directly from source - pure cocaine. It had a potential value of up to five times that amount on the street.

Port security in Brazil approached Mr Petkov to bring cocaine on board and he was to receive 150,000, the court heard. The accused later told gardai he was sorry he didnt ask for half of the payment up front.

Ms Buckley said the cocaine was brought on the vessel with life jackets, a light beacon and sophisticated tracking device.

Mr Petkov said it was tied with knots that were complicated for him to be able to do. His DNA was found on the light beacon, said Ms Buckley.

The court heard that evidence was found on Mr Petkovs phone of a location by Hamilton Tower, near Glin Pier, where the accused was to throw the cocaine overboard when instructed to do so. It was then to be collected in the Shannon Estuary.

Garda Cahill said this was a strategic location as it is a calm stretch of water.

He was involved in the loading, had full control of the drugs on the ship, was the point of contact with the supplier and was unloading the cocaine at the drop off point. He was fully in charge, said Garda Cahill.

Ms Buckley said Mr Petkov became suspicious when they reached the drop-off point and there was no one there to collect it.

They waited for an hour and a half before putting the cocaine back in the air conditioned room, said Ms Buckley.

The prosecuting barrister said that Mr Petkov made admissions during garda interviews and has no previous convictions in Bulgaria or Ireland. Mr Petkov told gardai he had a gambling issue.

READ MORE: Bomb disposal experts travel to Limerick after ammunition find

Mark Nicholas SC, defending, said that Brazilian security forces asked his client to turn a blind eye as the cocaine was brought on board, has a significant gambling addiction and answered all the gardais questions.

Counsel said these admissions were "critical" to the investigation. He added that Mr Petkov hasnt received the money.

Mr Nicholas asked Judge Colin Daly to take into account his clients early guilty plea, admissions, gambling debt which has a certain amount of fear attached to it, positive probation report and serving his sentence in Ireland far away from loved ones and with poor English. A Bulgarian interpreter sat beside Mr Petkov during the sentencing hearing.

Mr Nicholas asked the judge to fix a fair sentence.

Judge Daly said he is going to reserve his judgment today and pass sentence on Tuesday.
A JUDGE has stated that he anticipates setting a trial date next March for the assault trial of former All Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan.

At Ennis Circuit Court this Monday, Judge Francis Comerford said he anticipates setting a trial date on March 25 next as it is a priority case.

In the case, Mr Gilligan, aged 47, of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge denies assaulting a 12-year-old boy causing him harm during an alleged stick assault.

During the procedural hearing, Judge Comerford said the case is a priority one because of the age of the complainant.

Counsel for the State, Sarah-Jane Comerford BL told Judge Comerford: We are trying to move it along judge.

If a trial date is made on March 25, 2025, it is likely that the case will be heard during the criminal circuit court sessions commencing on April 29 or during the criminal sessions of the court next summer.

Ms Comerford indicated that intermediaries - to assist juvenile witnesses with the court process - have to be organised in the case.

READ ALSO: Bomb disposal experts travel to Limerick after ammunition find

Patrick Whyms BL told Judge Comerford that he is representing Mr Gilligan and is instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett in the case.

The charge, which Mr Gilligan denies, relates to an alleged incident at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mount Ivers Road, Sixmilebridge on October 5, 2023.

Mr Gilligan was not required to attend the procedural hearing and he was not present in court as the matter was dealt with.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had initially directed that the case be heard in the district court but Judge Alec Gabbett declined district court jurisdiction, after hearing an outline of the State case against Mr Gilligan in July.

In court in July, State solicitor, Aisling Casey told the court that one of the injuries the boy was treated for in the aftermath of the alleged stick assault by Mr Gilligan was a fractured left hand.

Mr Hassett told the court that the sequence of events set out by the State is not accepted by his client and there is a complete dispute in relation to what is alleged to have happened here.

As part of the State case, a medical report and photos of the boys injuries were handed into court in July and Judge Gabbett said at the time: I am looking at photographs here and what I am seeing is a child with significant injuries over and above what the district court should be dealing with so I am going to refuse jurisdiction.

Outlining the background to the charges against Mr Gilligan, Ms Casey said the charges relate to a matter alleged to have happened on October 5, 2023 at 5.30pm.

She said that the alleged injured party, who was aged 12 at the time, was with a friend also aged 12 and they were on a disused property, the Jamaica Inn in Sixmilebridge owned by the accused.

Ms Casey said: When the boys were on the property, it will be alleged that the accused confronted the two boys and produced a wooden stick and the boys attempted to flee."

She said that it will be alleged that the alleged injured party slipped on muddy ground and while lying on the ground, it will be alleged that the accused struck him several times with the wooden stick he had in his possession.

Ms Casey stated the boy returned home on foot and was brought first to the VHI clinic and subsequently transferred to University Hospital Limerick that evening.

Ms Casey said that the injuries reported included a loss of consciousness by the boy along with significant bruising at the top right shoulder, the buttocks and lower back.

Ms Casey said that injuries also included a 2cm long wound was on the boys forearm and a 2cm long wound to the right shin which both required suturing.

She stated that following orthopaedic intervention, a fracture was identified on the boys left hand and that he made a full, uneventful recovery concerning the left hand.

In July, Ms Casey confirmed that both juvenile witnesses will give evidence by video-link in the circuit court.

Mr Gilligan was a star forward for the senior Clare hurling team which defeated Tipperary to win the 1997 All-Ireland final and was named an All-Star in 1999.

The Sixmilebridge clubman also won two Munster titles with Clare and multiple honours with his club over a long, distinguished hurling career.

Judge Comerford remanded Mr Gilligan on continuing bail until March 25, 2025. He excused the defendant from attending court on that date.
KERRY Co-op has announced that members have voted in favour of the proposal to acquire Kerry Dairy Ireland and a share exchange with Kerry Group.

The proposal was approved by 82% of eligible members present at a special general meeting of the co-op held this Monday in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

Commenting, James Tangney, chairman of Kerry Co-op, said he was very pleased that the A&B shareholders of Kerry Co-op have voted in favour of the proposal.

Todays acceptance commences a journey that will ultimately lead to the full ownership of Kerry Dairy Ireland, one of the leading dairy businesses in the country, while its also releases c.85% of Kerry Co-ops Kerry Group shares into the hands of our members to be retained or sold by each of them at a time of their choosing, said Mr Tangney.

READ MORE: Milking machine units worth 10,000 stolen from Limerick farm

He said the transaction is transformational for Kerry Co-op and satisfies the diverse aspirations of the vast majority of our members.

Working in partnership with Kerry Group, the focus of the Kerry Dairy Ireland Board will be to transition the business to that of a co-op ethos and build further on the strong commercial platform in place to deliver sustainable returns in the months and years ahead for all our members.

We look forward to working with Pat Murphy, CEO of Kerry Dairy Ireland, and his accomplished leadership team to make this a reality, said Mr Tangney.
Mahindra & Mahindra has surpassed Tata Motors as Indias third-largest carmaker thrice in the second half of 2024 on new launches at a time cooling electric vehicle sales and an ageing line-up have hurt the fortunes of the Tata Group company.

In August, September, and November, Mahindra, the maker of Thar sport utility vehicle (SUV), cornered 12.64%, 12.64%, and 13.14% share of the nations passenger vehicle market, respectively, showed a Mint analysis of the government's vehicle registration data compiled by Fada Research. That surpassed Tatas 12.26%, 11.53%, and 13.10%, respectively, for those months.

Also read | Tata Motors looks beyond group to source EV batteries

Tata Motors market share, driven by the Nexon EV, peaked at just over 14% in March but its performance has since deteriorated as Indias nascent electric vehicle market has been hit by a withdrawal or reduction in Central government subsidies. EVs account for just 2.5% of Indias annual passenger vehicle sales of about 4 million units.

Over reliance on EVs

A few carmakers troubles lie partly in its over-reliance" on electric vehicles, which is still a nascent segment in India, Gaurav Vangaal, associate director at S&P Mobility, told Mint. The new EV lineup, once an advantage, is now facing setbacks with sales declining demand and increased competition, he said, adding that MG Motor Indias Windsor EV became the nations best-selling electric car soon after deliveries began in October, challenging the Tatas early lead.

Mahindra has gained with the success of mainstay SUVs like the Thar Roxx, which has garnered over 1.7 lakh bookings. Attractive pricing of models like the XUV700 also helped it sustain volumes in its current line-up.

For Tata, the refreshed Nexon has failed to deliver with sales. Moreover, Tatas Curvv EVa coupe-style vehicle meant to expand its portfoliohas struggled to find buyers, competing in a similar price band as the Nexon EV and leaving potential customers divided.

Also read | Mahindra launches maiden ground-up electric vehicles BE 6e and XEV 9e

Customers are not ready to adopt coupe-style EVs in significant numbers yet," Vangaal said. But if Mahindra sees acceptance for such designs in its ground-up EVs, Tatas Curvv ICE (intenal combustion engine) should gain traction and it will benefit from coupes popularity too."

Emailed queries to Tata Motors remained unanswered at the time of going of press.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, chief executive, automotive division, Mahindra, cited new launches and a clear shift in consumer preferences towards vehicles with advanced features, cutting-edge technology, and improved safety for the demand for the company's premium SUVs. 75% of XUV700 sales today is for our top variants AX7/AX7L," he said in an emailed response.

No new launches

Tata Motors lacks a significant new launch until mid-2025, when its Sierra EV is expected to debut.

This year they also saved some share because of their new CNG offerings, but CNG volumes are also disappearing now," a Tata Motors dealer told Mint on condition of anonymity out of business concerns. With Mahindra's Thar Roxx and MG's Windsor production picking up pace next year, Tata will need to tap into a strategy to bring in incremental volumes. It needs a new model to bring in excitement after the brand's popularity picked in the phase just after Covid-19."

Tata Motors' fleet sales, accounting for 20% of its total EV sales, also stalled because of disruptions in EV policies of states like Delhi.

Mahindra & Mahindra, on the other hand, has capitalized on its dominance in the SUV category. Its market share climbed from just over 10% in January to 13.14% in November, reflecting steady gains even as Tata faltered. Mahindra plans to further bolster its lineup with battery electric vehicle deliveries slated for 2025.

The SUV segment has seen grown strong which is currently at about 65% of the passenger vehicle market from about 30% 5-6 years ago, Gollagunta said in his response. Mahindra is optimistic about sustaining the momentum due to a strong product pipeline, including nine new ICE SUVs and seven EVs planned by 2030, he said. These include the XUV 3XO and the Thar ROXX.

Moreover, Gollagunta, said our product line-up is fresh in terms of age of the product, with most of the products launched in the last 3-4 years".

Ageing ICE lineup

Tata Motors, however, is also grappling with an ageing ICE lineup. Its A-segment models, introduced nearly a decade ago, havent seen major updates, allowing Mahindra, Hyundai Motor India, Kia India and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. to dominate the market.

With Nexon EV sales plateauing and the Curvv yet to gain traction, Tatas prospects hinge on its upcoming launches but will run into competition from its rivals that also plan new models next year.

Tata Motors' volumes were driven by Nexon and Punch taking the mantle. While the Punch is continuing to do well, the Nexon after the refresh hasn't done as well," an automotive industry analyst told Mint on condition of anonymity. Moreover, (Mahindras) XUV700 volumes have gone up from 6,000 units to 9,000 volumes a month after their price intervention, but the Safari and Harrier didn't respond much to Tata's price intervention," the analyst said, referring to price cuts.

I don't see it reversing in the next 6-8 months fully unless the first-time buyer in the hatch and compact segment comes back," he said.
Apple is preparing a series of major design and format changes to its lineup of iPhones and potentially other products, a bid to revive growth after years of offering largely incremental upgrades.

Starting next year, Apple plans to introduce an iPhone that will be thinner than the approximately 8-millimeter profile of current models, said people familiar with the companys plans. The model is intended to be cheaper than Pro models, with a simplified camera system to reduce costs.

The company is also planning two foldable devices, the people said. A larger device, intended to serve as a laptop, would have a screen that unfolds to be nearly as large as some desktop monitors, at about 19 inches. A smaller model would unfold to a display size that would be larger than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, intended to serve as a foldable iPhone, the people said.

Both foldable designs have been in development for years, but some key parts werent ready. Major challenges included improving the hinge, a mechanism that allows the device to fold and unfold, and the display cover, a flexible material protecting the foldable screen.

Current foldable phones on the market arent thin, light or energy-efficient enough to meet Apples standards, which is why Apple has been slower to enter this segment, said Jeff Pu, an analyst with Hong Kong-based brokerage Haitong International Securities.

Apple experimented with other different designs, such as having a display on the outside of the device when it is folded, but it now favors an inward-folding design, people familiar with the devices said.

Although Apple initially aimed to introduce the larger device first to gauge market response, it now appears that the foldable iPhone will likely be ready ahead of it. Apple executives are pushing for a 2026 release, but the company may need another year to address technical challenges, the people said. As for the ultrathin phone, it would offer an alternative to consumers who like a sleek-looking device and dont mind giving up some features available in Pro models.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

The company is hungry to find new ways to accelerate growth. The iPhone business, which still accounts for around half of overall revenue, is in a sales slump, with its fiscal 2024 revenue growing less than 1%. The last big wave of sales gains was in 2021, when carriers subsidized iPhone purchases to support their burgeoning 5G network infrastructure.

Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities, is among the first group of analysts predicting the coming of the new devices. He said Apple executives have pushed for the fresh designs to arrive sooner. I feel like, in the end, things will proceed according to their plans," he said.

While the updates arent major breakthroughsmany competitors already make foldable devicesthey represent more significant changes to form and function than the company has made in many years. In recent years, Apples main product lineup has had relatively minor updates, including faster chips and better cameras, but they havent been enough to encourage users to upgrade their devices at the same pace as prior years.

The last major iPhone redesign occurred with the iPhone X, which came out in 2017, said Cliff Maldonado, principal analyst at BayStreet Research, which studies the smartphone market.

For the recently released iPhone 16 series, the company has focused its marketing on Apple Intelligence, its new AI system available to newer iPhone models, rather than hardware upgrades. But the new AI features are slowly being rolled out, and it isnt certain if it will be enough to revive demand. Apple Intelligence wasnt available when the iPhone 16 was first released in September but arrived later in October. The next set of features, including an integration with OpenAI, arrived on Wednesday.

It looks like Apple is looking towards hardware innovation to drive user upgrades," Maldonado said. The iPhone 16 will be the last of the boring aesthetic phones."

Foldable devices have proven to be a tricky product to sell for competitors such as Samsung Electronics and Huawei. The product has remained mostly a niche device, expected to make up around 1.5% of the total smartphone market this year, according to market research firm TrendForce. The foldable smartphone category also underwent its first-ever annual unit shipment decline of 1% in the third quarter, mostly because of Samsungs poor performance with its Galaxy Z Flip 6, according to Counterpoint Research.

Historically, new hardware designs have been key drivers for Apple sales growth. Ten years ago, Apple introduced a new phone size with the larger iPhone 6 Plus, kick-starting a wave of growth for the company at the time.

Apple is also looking to new products outside of the iPhone for growth. Earlier this year, Apple released its first move into a new type of product in almost a decade with the Vision Pro, a $3,499 virtual-reality headset that enables users to place digital objects in their physical environment. But with its high price tag, Vision Pro sales have been sluggish so far, and third-party app developers havent flocked to the platform.

Apple is plotting a follow up to the Vision Pro but is undecided on the exact path forward. One plan involves using the iPhone to power the headset, potentially lowering the cost of the device and reducing its relatively heavy weight, people familiar with the product said. But early tests show that the iPhone chip alone might lack the processing power necessary to power some applications, the people said.
Regulatory action against Nidhi companies or mutual benefit societies, and firms defaulting on their beneficial ownership disclosure have shot up in 2024 compared to previous years, official data from the Registrars of Companies (RoCs) showed.

RoCs across the country issued as many as 131 adjudication orders, mostly imposing penalties for the alleged breaches, against Nidhi companies in calendar year 2024, about 72% more than last year's 76 notices. The focused regulatory action against Nidhi companies is very pronounced, given that only three notices were recorded in 2022 against Nidhis, and five in 2021, as per data from the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) that regulates these entities.

Surge in regulatory action

The RoC action against defaulters of beneficial ownership disclosures also skyrocketed in 2024, with 79 adjudication notices to companies under sections 89 and 90 of the Companies Act in 2024, a massive surge compared to three notices sent the year before, MCA data showed.

Most adjudication notices are penalty orders, which levy a penalty on both the company and the persons running the company. Penalties imposed in the case of Nidhi companies ranged from 10,000 to about 30 lakh for the company and the individuals named for multiple years, and in the case of defaults on reporting significant beneficial ownership ranged from 50,000 to about 12.5 lakh.

Also Read: RoC penalizes nidhi firms for violations

The regulatory glare on Nidhis this year followed last year's drive to weed out illegal lending by the Bihar RoC. In February 2023, the Bihar RoC issued notices to about 550 Nidhis in its territorial jurisdiction after complaints of them allegedly duping investors, Mint reported on 27 Feb last year.

Nidhis are a sort of non-banking financial companies (NBFC) that are allowed to take deposits from and issue loans only to their members without being licensed as an NBFC by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These companies are specially created under Section 406 of the Companies Act, 2013, and have to comply with strict disclosure mandates. They also have to include the word "Nidhi Limited" in the company name, and have to be registered as a public limited company.

Not complying with these disclosure mandates is a breach of the law, and can lead to regulatory action. Nidhi companies should have a minimum of 200 members within one year of registration, and at least 20 lakh in net-owned funds, along with a minimum paid-up equity share capital of 10 lakh.

"The heightened scrutiny stems from multiple risk factors - Nidhi companies operate without RBI oversight despite handling public deposits, have a low entry barrier, and recent instances show widespread non-compliance with basic financial reporting requirements. This combination creates significant vulnerability for small retail investors, who are the primary members," said Amit A. Tungare, managing partner, Asahi Legal.

Nidhis have a large network in eastern India, especially Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, and generally cater to the needs of people from the middle and lower middle classes and help to cultivate the habit of thrift and savings among its members, besides facilitating financial intermediation.

"A Nidhi company is a mutual benefit company which accepts deposits and lends money only to its members, but there were instances of Nidhi company structure being misused to carry on non-banking financial and suspicious activities," explained Subodh Dandawate, associate director - regulatory services at Nexdigm, a business and professional services company. Hence, to curb malpractices, MCA is scrutinizing Nidhi companies," said Dandawate.

MCA's focus on beneficial ownership

MCA's regulatory action against non-disclosure of beneficial ownership also shot up this year. Experts told Mint that the rapid surge in scrutiny of beneficial ownership of a company is because the government is keen to have transparency in corporate ownership. The penalties enshrined in the law are indicative of the gravity of the issue, they said.

The penalties imposed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs emphasizes the importance of complying with statutory requirements by diligently disclosing the beneficial interest in the companies, explained Amit Maheshwari, tax partner at AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm.

Also Read: Law ministry to discuss SC rulings for Arbitration Act amendment as costs issue persists

From the tremendous surge in adjudication orders issued by ROCs for sections 89 & 90 of the Companies Act in the past few months, it can be considered that the department is going beyond the letter of law and looking at the intent while analysing the corporate structures keenly to identify potential significant beneficial owners or SBOs," said Maheshwari.

The increase in adjudication cases underscores the significance of transparency and stringent adherence to such regulatory requirements to prevent legal and financial consequences for companies, said Maheshwari.

Company law requires declaration of the significant beneficial owner in an Indian company and it is also an obligation of the reporting Indian company to report the natural person who is significant beneficial owner of the shares.

Of late, Indian regulators have tightened the provisions relating to beneficial owner to instil transparency and to lift the corporate veil to ascertain the real owner behind the company," said Dandawate of Nexdigm.

Global standards and FATF impact

Lifting the corporate veil refers to looking beyond a company's legal identity to identify the real individuals who own, control, or benefit from it, often by unravelling complex corporate structures.

Even rules under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) have been changed significantly to lower the threshold limits for beneficial owners, drawing from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations in this regard and stressing upon the importance of these disclosures, said Maheshwari.

Paris-based FATF, an intergovernmental agency that develops policies to combat money laundering and terror financing, placed India in its regular follow-up category after an evaluation during 2023-24, which the Union finance ministry described as an outstanding outcome" and a distinction shared by only four G20 countries, Mint reported on 28 June.

Legal experts demonstrated the stakes of not taking regulatory action against defaulters of beneficial ownership disclosures. "Failure to disclose beneficial ownership has profound legal and operational implications, as it conceals the true individuals exercising control over a company, facilitating illegal activities such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and tax evasion," said Harshita Agarwal Sharma, founder, Lexlevel Services, adding that such opaqueness undermines corporate governance by limiting stakeholder oversight and exposing minority shareholders to potential exploitation or fraud.
The payloads SpaceX launches into the heavens for the U.S. military and spy agencies are usually treated as a government secret, shared only with select employees at the rocket company who hold special security clearances.

Elon Musk, its founder and chief executive, isnt one of them.

As SpaceX deepened its ties with the national-security agencies in recent years, the companys lawyers advised senior executives not to seek a higher security clearance for Musk that would give him access to details about sensitive programs SpaceX is involved in, according to people familiar with the matter.

The reason, these people said, was that Musk would have had to answer questions from the government about his contacts with foreign nationals and drug use previously reported by The Wall Street Journal. In internal discussions, the lawyers and executives posited scenarios in which Musk might inadvertently disclose secrets to foreign officials with whom he regularly speaks, the people said. The Journal reported in October that Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022.

His current top-secret" clearance took years for him to obtain following his public use of marijuana on a 2018 podcast. SpaceXs national-security business was rapidly growing at the time.

The SpaceX lawyers began analyzing the risks of seeking a higher security clearance for Musk after the Journal reported in June of last year about Musks use of ketamine, according to one person familiar with the review. The lawyers and executives concluded that if SpaceX sought a higher security clearance, it would risk Musk being turned down, or worse, losing the top-secret clearance he already has.

Those concerns could soon become irrelevant. President-elect Donald Trump appointed Musk, who spent about $200 million in support of his presidential run, to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, which will advise the incoming administration on cutting spending and regulations. As president, Trump will have the power to give Musk and others working for DOGE broad access to classified information as they search for cuts.

Although Trump hasnt indicated publicly whether he intends to do that, SpaceX already has been scouting locations for a secure facility where Musk and other DOGE staffers could review highly classified information.

Representatives for Musk, SpaceX and the Trump transition team didnt respond to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for the Pentagons Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency said a federal privacy law prevented her from commenting on the details or status of an individuals security clearance.

Hundreds of thousands of private defense contractors have access to government secrets as part of their jobs. Their security clearances are the same as those held by government employees and generally have three levels: confidential, secret and top secret.

Musks current top-secret clearance gives him access to some national-security secrets, but he lacks special authorizations that the government requires of most SpaceX employees who work on classified programs, according to the people familiar with the matter. Those employeesmore than 400have permissions for what is known as sensitive compartmented information," the governments term for need-to-know secrets about how intelligence is collected and where it comes from, one of the people said. A smaller number of SpaceX employees have access to secrets the government deems even more sensitive called special access programs.

Musks top-secret clearance, without those authorizations, doesnt entitle him to access certain information about SpaceXs spy satellite program, called Starshield, which offers satellite hardware and services to national-security agencies, the people said. He isnt allowed to enter most SpaceX facilities where classified work is done and discussed, and he rarely is privy to classified elements of cargo that his rockets blast into space, such as sensors and other hardware attached to spy satellites.

The CEOs of Boeing, Lockheed Martin and their rocket joint venture, United Launch Alliance, have authorizations for sensitive compartmented information, according to people familiar with their clearances.

Musk had a secret-level clearance before he secured the top-secret clearance in 2022, a process that took years, according to people familiar with his clearance. The unusually long government review of his application was believed within SpaceX to have been the result of Musks 2018 podcast interview with Joe Rogan in which he smoked marijuana, which is illegal under federal law, the people said.

Most of the stuff that Im aware ofthe reason to keep it top secret is its so boring," Musk said in October at a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania in which he disclosed that he had a top-secret clearance. We dont want to give exact instructions on how to make a nuclear bomb or something like that, but unless theres a genuine risk to the country, all the information in the government should be public."

SpaceX, which Musk founded in 2002, has worked with national-security agencies since its early days. It won a launch contract in 2005 with an unnamed U.S. intelligence agency. Later, the company began handling regular launches for military and spy agencies. More recently, it entered into a $1.8 billion classified contract with the National Reconnaissance Office, a spy agency that operates satellites, according to people familiar with the matter and company documents viewed by the Journal.

The companys Starshield unit is the military outgrowth of its better-known Starlink business, which uses thousands of satellites in low-Earth-orbit to power high-speed internet connections for consumers and businesses. Employees who work on Starshield generally have the kind of enhanced clearances that Musk doesnt.

Starshield won an initial $70 million order from the military in August 2023 to provide communications services to the Pentagon.

Around that time, SpaceX lawyers and executives were discussing whether Musk should have greater access to the companys classified work. It couldnt be determined Musk was aware of the discussions, prompted by the Journals June 2023 story that highlighted his ketamine use, or whether he had expressed an interest in having a higher clearance.

After that 2023 article, Musk said in an X post that ketamine is a better way to deal with depression than more widely prescribed antidepressants, and he later posted that he had a prescription for it.

In January of this year, the Journal reported that Musk used illegal drugs including LSD, cocaine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. His lawyer said there were unspecified false facts" in the article, and that Musk is regularly and randomly drug tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test."

Were Musk denied a higher clearance, SpaceX lawyers told company executives, it could have had broader implications for SpaceX, according to the people familiar with his clearance.

The government could have revoked Musks existing top-secret clearance if he failed the security vetting, and SpaceX might have needed to seek a waiver from the government to continue to do some of its national security work because Musk is SpaceXs senior management official. The company also might have had to create extra layers of security to wall Musk off from a growing part of its business.

SpaceX was prepared to answer questions from government officials about Musks drug use after the Journal reported on it, but the Pentagon didnt ask, and SpaceX executives decided the company didnt need to self-report to the government based solely on news accounts, said the people familiar with his clearance.

The federal questionnaire for contractors and employees seeking a security clearance instructs applicants to disclose whether in the past seven years they have used any of a variety of listed drugs, including ketamine. Government contractors can lose their security clearances over drug abuse, a term broadly defined in federal regulations as the use of an illegal drug or of a prescribed drug in a manner that deviates from approved medical direction."

The questionnaire also requires applicants to report close and/or continuing contact with a foreign national."

Musk would have had to fill out a new questionnaire and likely undergo a polygraph examination to receive a higher clearance through traditional channels.

As president, Trump will have the power to authorize access to government secrets and could waive security requirements. The Supreme Court has ruled that the presidents authority to control the flow of national-security information stems from his role as commander in chief.

Trump has said DOGE will exist outside the government and serve in an advisory rather than a decision-making role. Already, Musk and his co-head, biotech company founder Vivek Ramaswamy, have identified the Pentagon as a potential target for spending cuts.

They likely will need special clearances to view sensitive information as they pick through military spending on classified programs, looking for efficiencies. Trump will be in a position to provide them.

Sharon Terlep contributed to this article.

Write to Joe Palazzolo at Joe.Palazzolo@wsj.com, Emily Glazer at Emily.Glazer@wsj.com and Micah Maidenberg at micah.maidenberg@wsj.com

View Full Image Why Musk Doesnt Have Access to SpaceXs Biggest Government Secrets
Switzerland has suspended the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause in its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India, significantly altering the tax treatment of cross-border dividends.

Beginning 1 January 2025, dividend payments from Swiss entities to Indian investors will be taxed at 10%, double the current 5%.

Switzerland has attributed this change to a 2023 Indian Supreme Court ruling in a case involving Nestle SA and others, which clarified that MFN clause benefits require explicit notification by the Indian government under the Income Tax Act, adding procedural hurdles to treaty implementation.

There are concerns that the increased tax burden on Indian companies could discourage investments in Switzerland. Similarly, Swiss investments in India may experience headwinds as businesses grapple with the Supreme Courts stricter stance on MFN benefits.

Mint takes a closer look at the Nestle case and the broader legal and policy developments that led to Switzerlands decision.

What is the DTAA and MFN clause?

DTAAs are bilateral treaties aimed at avoiding double taxation, encouraging cross-border investments, and benefiting non-resident Indians (NRIs). India has signed such agreements with nearly 100 countries, including Switzerland, which first entered into a DTAA with India in 1995, amended in 2010.

The MFN clause, a critical component of many DTAAs, ensures that favourable tax rates granted to one treaty partner are automatically extended to others under similar conditions.

For instance, if India signs a treaty with a third OECD country offering lower tax rates, those rates would apply to Switzerland under the MFN clause. However, the Indian Supreme Courts ruling in 2023 has upended this automaticity, requiring formal notification for such benefits to take effect.

Legal precedents: From Steria to Nestle

The MFN clause dispute first gained prominence in the 2014 Steria India Pvt. Ltd. case.

Steria India argued that payments to its French parent company for management services should be taxed under the India-UK DTAAs more lenient provisions, invoking the MFN clause. Indian tax authorities treated the payments as Fees for Technical Services (FTS) under the India-France DTAA.

Read this | Mint Explainer: Why Nestle failed to increase royalty payments while rivals succeeded

In 2021, Swiss multinational Nestle SA had filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court, challenging an Income Tax Certificate issued in 4 January 2021 under Section 197 of the Income Tax Act. The certificate set a withholding tax rate of 10%, which Nestle argued should have been 5% under the India-Switzerland DTAA. In June 2021, the high court ruled in Nestles favour, quashing the certificate and upholding the reduced tax rate of 5% based on the Switzerland DTAA.

The revenue department challenged this ruling in the Supreme Court, where the matter was combined with 13 other petitions concerning the interpretation of DTAAs with countries like France and the Netherlands.

In October 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the Delhi High Courts decision, reinstating the revenue departments position and ruling that MFN benefits require explicit notification under Indian law.

The top court also clarified that benefits apply only if the third country was an OECD member at the time of the treatys signing, disqualifying subsequent entrants like Lithuania and Colombia.

Impact on India-Switzerland trade ties

Switzerlands suspension of the MFN clause is set to impact Indian businesses operating in Switzerland.

From 1 January 2025, these companies will face a higher withholding tax rate of 10% on dividends and other incomes, up from the current 5%. This increase is expected to raise tax liabilities and reduce the competitiveness of Indian firms compared to businesses from countries still benefiting from MFN provisions.

Read this | India-China trade: An alarming $18 billion discrepancy

Key sectors likely to be affected include financial services, IT, and pharmaceuticals, where Indian companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and Dr. Reddys Laboratories have significant investments.

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) echoed these concerns, stating that the withdrawal of the MFN clause would escalate costs for Indian firms in these sectors. With the reversion to a 10% residual rate starting 1 January 2025, these firms face higher tax liabilities, reducing their competitiveness," said Ajay Srivastava, founder, GTRI.

Over 330 Swiss companies, including major names like Nestle, ABB, Novartis, Roche, UBS, and Credit Suisse, have invested in India. These companies operate across sectors such as machinery, electrical and metal, pharmaceuticals, finance, construction, sustainable technologies, clean energy, and ICT services.

Indias trade relationship with Switzerland remains significant.

In 2023-24, Indias imports from Switzerland amounted to $21.24 billion, while exports totalled $1.52 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $19.72 billion, according to data from commerce ministry.

Furthermore, Switzerlands Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India between April 2000 and September 2024 stood at $10.72 billion, while Swiss investment stocks in India reached $35 billion in 2021, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Legal options for the Indian government

Experts believe the Indian government has several paths to navigate the fallout from the Supreme Courts ruling, including the option to file a review petition. However, there are broader considerations at play.

The possibility of the Indian government requesting the Supreme Court to review its earlier decision in the Nestle case cannot be ruled out," says SR Patnaik, Partner (Head - Taxation) at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. "At this stage, the issue is not whether the government would choose to do so, but whether it is willing to accept the Supreme Courts verdict and decide to ratify all bilateral and multilateral agreements through Parliament to avoid future recurrence of this situation. Additionally, it may be crucial for the government to convince partner countries to accept and align with its position."

Rishabh Malhotra, counsel at DMD Advocates, notes that the Supreme Courts review jurisdiction is limited to exceptional circumstances. The Court has already dismissed a review petition in the Nestle case, finding no grounds for revisiting its original ruling.

However, Malhotra suggests that a larger bench could reconsider the issue if a future case demonstrates that key aspects of treaty interpretation were overlooked.

Malhotra also highlights that India retains the authority to interpret tax treaties more liberally and grant benefits where appropriate. He points to Indias 2024 notification for Spain as an example of how the government can address such issues by issuing country-specific notifications to apply the MFN clause.

Ankit Jain, partner at Ved Jain & Associates, offers another perspective: the government could issue a retrospective notification to reinstate the MFN clause for Switzerland if it determines that the Supreme Courts ruling has unintentionally disrupted bilateral trade or diplomatic agreements. This approach would require careful calibration to balance legal and diplomatic considerations.

Judicial impact on foreign policy: Not a first

The Supreme Courts ruling in the Nestle case is not the first instance where judicial decisions have influenced foreign policy, experts note. Similar landmark cases in the past have had far-reaching implications on Indias international agreements.

One such instance is the Supreme Courts decision in the Azadi Bachao Andolan v. Union of India case," says Rahul Charkha, partner at Economic Laws Practice. It was contended that the India-Mauritius tax treaty was being misused as it facilitated tax avoidance through the creation of shell companies in Mauritius for the sole purpose of evading taxes in India."

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the treaty, emphasizing that it should be interpreted as per its text. The court ruled that allegations of abuse required proof of fraudulent activity, which significantly shaped the framework for foreign investments and tax treaty enforcement in India.

The ruling also spurred the Indian government to renegotiate the India-Mauritius tax treaty. In 2016, a protocol was signed to address concerns over "treaty shopping" and abusive tax practices. The amendment introduced a capital gains tax on shares acquired after 1 April 2017, marking a significant step in curbing the misuse of tax treaties.

Also read | India's trade trajectory: FTAs and beyond

"My understanding is that with Switzerland, because of EFTA (European Free Trade Association), the double taxation treaty that we have; it's going to be renegotiated. That is one aspect of it," news agency PTI quoted Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, external affairs ministry, as saying.

Is the Nestle case judicial overreach?

The Supreme Courts decision in the Nestle case sparked a debate over whether it constitutes judicial overreach, particularly in the realm of foreign policy.

Rahul Charkha, partner at Economic Laws Practice, views the ruling as an overstep into diplomatic territory. Tax treaties are negotiated by diplomats as a principle, are interpreted liberally," he explains. The Supreme Courts decision of adopting a strict interpretation of the MFN clause in the tax treaties affects Indias conduct of international relations with the MFN jurisdictions. Hence, the Nestle case, without a doubt, reflects judicial overreach into foreign policy."

In contrast, Alay Razvi, managing partner at Accord Juris, believes the apex court acted within its rights to interpret the law: The judiciarys role is solely to interpret the law, which includes international agreements ratified by the government. This ruling reinforces principles of sovereignty and transparency, ensuring treaty terms comply with Indian law by requiring formal notification."
New Delhi: Gross refining margins (GRM) of public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have fallen by up to 80% in the first half of this financial year, showed data from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC), amid shrinking discounts of Russian oil and declining prices in global markets, experts said.

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, a public sector enterprise under the Union petroleum ministry and a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC), reported the biggest fall in its refining margins, which declined 80.17% to $2.56 per barrel during the April-September period from $12.91 in the same period last fiscal.

Also read | Oil marketing companies eye a strong Q3, but LPG could be a dealbreaker

The GRM of Chennai Petroleum Corp. Ltd, a group company of state-run Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IOCL) fell 71.66% to $2.93 per barrel from $10.34 in the same one-year period, showed the reported titled Monthly Ready Reckoner for November.

Although domestic demand for petroleum products has been robust, the global trend has been subdued due to weak demand by China, the second largest importer of crude oil, leading to a fall in crack spreads globally.

Crack spreads are the price difference between a barrel of crude oil and the petroleum products refined from it.

Also read | ONGC-NTPC combine wins exclusivity to close $800 million Ayana stake sale

Globally, crack spreads have declined due to muted demand amid new refineries coming online and this has also impacted the GRM of Indian refineries. Indian product pricing is based on global prices, which is import parity price (IPP) for products other than petrol and diesel, while for the transportation fuelspetrol and dieseltrade parity price is used, which is a mix of IPP and EPP (export price parity). Although there is some uptick in demand due to seasonal heating requirement globally, lower crack spreads are here to stay going ahead," said Prashant Vasisht, senior vice president and co-group head, corporate ratings, Icra.

He also noted that narrowing of discounts on oil imported from Russia has also resulted in the decline in refining margins. The discounts on oil from Russia have declined to $2.5-4 a barrel. This has also impacted the refining margins over last year," he added.

Discounts have been declining over the past two years and stood at around $6 per barrel last December. The discounts were as high as $30 per barrel in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, and the West restricted its procurement of Russian oil. On the back of the dicounts, Russia has emerged as the top source of oil for India, supplying around 35% of the overall imports.

State-run IOCLs gross refining margin in April-September stood at $4.08 per barrel, compared with $13.12 a barrel during the corresponding period of the last fiscal, registering a decline of 68.90%. The other public sector oil majors Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) reported a GRM of $6.12 and $4.03, lower by 60.31% and 61.58%, respectively.

Also read | NLC India eyes 4,500 crore IPO for green energy arm by June next year

Also, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd, a subsidiary of state-run Oil India Ltd, witnessed a 52.78% decline in its GRM to $14.47 during the April-September period, compared to $30.65 a barrel in the same period of last fiscal (FY24).

Both production and consumption of petroleum products by the state-run OMCs and refiners have increased this fiscal. Production was 184.7 million tonnes as of November, nearly 2% higher than 181.2 million tonnes produced in the year-ago period.

Consumption during April-November 2024, at 157.5 million tonnes, marked a growth of 3.4% compared to the volume of 152.4 million tonnes during the same period of the previous year.

This growth was led by 1.8% growth in HSD (high-speed diesel), 7.7% growth in MS (motor spirit or petrol), 10.0% growth in ATF (aviation turbine fuel), 6.9% growth in LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), 14.7% in lubes,1.2% in naphtha consumption besides growth in FO/LSHS (furnace oil/low-sulphur heavy stock) and LDO (light diesel oil) during the period. The consumption of petroleum products for the month of Nov-2024 recorded a growth of 9.3% with a volume of 20.4 MMT compared to the same period of the previous year," the monthly report said.
Think about it: The number of taxpayers filing returns of over 1 crore has increased fivefold in a decade, from 44,078 in 2012-13 to 230,000 in 2022-23. Also, according to Avendus, company promoters have sold a combined total of nearly 3 trillion since 2019-20. This has created liquiditya lot of liquidity and disposable incomeand this liquidity must be looking for assets to invest in.

This is not the end; this number is expected to grow multifold in the coming decade as India moves towards a $5 trillion economy and beyond. Moreover, investment preferences are also changing. People want to invest in more than traditional assets. They are looking for more diversified investments, including mutual funds, alternative investment funds, direct stocks, hedge funds, etc.

Moreover, managing money today is not as simple as just saving it. With so many investment options and asset classes, it can get complicated. And honestly, you cant handle it all on your own. This is where wealth management comes in, helping people make sense of it all and grow their money wisely.

According to Angel One Wealth, the Indian wealth management industry is growing rapidly, with assets under management (AUM) of ~$1.2 trillion. Its growth is expected to continue as India's gross domestic product (GDP), per capita, and disposable incomes rise.

This mid-cap company is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this boom.

The Indian capital market sector

The easy money-driven boom in the stock market has resulted in rapid financialization of savings as people started investing in the capital markets. They did so by abandoning, though not entirely, traditional asset classes, primarily fixed deposits, resulting in bank credit-deposit ratios reaching record levels.

Take a look at the numbers. According to Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOFSL), in the last five years, between 2019-20 and October 2024, the number of demat accounts has grown 4.4x to 179 million, and the number of National Stock Exchange (NSE) active accounts has grown 4.9x to 49 million.

View Full Image 9x jump in demat accounts, and 10x in NSE active client base. (MOFSL Capital Market Report (2024))

On the other hand, the number of unique mutual fund (MF) investors has grown 2.4x to 50 million, leading to systematic investment plans (SIPs) growing 3.2x to 25,300 crore. Moreover, the Nifty delivered over 100% returns, while Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 yielded ~250% returns in the last five years, driving mutual fund AUM to triple to 6.9 trillion.

View Full Image Number of unique investors and higher SIP inflows driving MF AUM (MOFSL Capital Market Report (2024))

Still, there is a long way to go, as penetration is low compared to developed economies. For instance, Demat account penetration in India is just 12% compared to 62% in the US, while MF AUM-to-GDP is just 17% relative to the global average of 65%.

View Full Image Indias demat account and MF penetration need to grow 5x and ~7x to match the US. (MOFSL Capital Market Report (2024))

Moreover, only 3% of the population invests in mutual funds, while only 12% have a demat account. This figure is relatively low, as 30% are Unified Payments Interface (UPI) users, 52% have Permanent Account Numbers, and 78% have accounts with financial institutions.

View Full Image MF penetration is just 3%, and Demat accounts are 12%, while 52% have PAN. (MOFSL Capital Market Report (2024))

Needless to say, this number is expected to grow even further as India reaps the demographic dividend as more people join the workforce. MOFSL estimates that 100 million people will join the workforce, and 100 million households will enter the middle-income bracket.

Further, improved financial literacy and exposure to capital markets are expected to drive the penetration of demat accounts at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% to 31%, with 483 million demat accounts by 2029-30. This will likely push the total MF AUM 3x to 154 trillion by 2029-30 from 53 trillion in 2023-24.

HNIs and UHNIs to gain from robust capital markets

This is expected to increase household savings, disposable income, and the demand for more personal investments. Strong capital markets have also prompted promoters to redeem part of their holdings, which is expected to boost the wealth management business.

Avendus estimates that this is expected to drive the growth of the high-net-worth individuals (HNI) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNI) segments at a 13-14% CAGR.

Further, MOFSL estimates that more HNIs and UHNIs will help the wealth management sector grow at a CAGR of 13-14% over the next four to five years, from the current $1.2 trillion to $1.8 trillion. This growth is also believed to be due to the increasing preference for professional advice.

View Full Image UHNI and HNI households are expected to grow at a CAGR of 13-14% to reach 300,000 by 2026-27. (Avendus Wealth Management (2024))

Now, lets come to the stock that could potentially be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this boom.

Nuvama Wealth Management

Nuwama operates in three primary business segments: capital markets, wealth management and asset management (AMC).

Capital markets

The capital markets segment has three divisions: investment banking (IB), institutional equity (IE), and custody and clearing businesses (C&C).

It contributes about half of the company's revenue. The rest, 47.2%, comes from wealth management and 2.2% from AMC.

View Full Image Capital markets and wealth management contribute 97.8% to Nuvama's total revenue. (Tijorifinance)

In the IB division, Nuvama has been one of India's most sought-after IB companies.

The C&C division serves as a Sebi-registered securities custodian, a designated depository participant (DDP), and a professional clearing member (PCM) for the derivatives market. As of Q2FY25, its assets were worth 1.25 trillion. Since this is a sticky business, ~90-95% of the revenue generated is recurring, ensuring a steady revenue flow.

View Full Image Nuvama Capital Market's revenue and operating profit are growing at 12% CAGR each.

Financially, the C&C division's client assets have grown at a CAGR of 50% over the last three years until 2023-24.

At the same time, the division's revenue and operating profit before tax (PBT) have grown at a CAGR of 25% and 33%, respectively. On the other hand, the revenue and operating PBT of the IB and IE divisions grew at a CAGR of 12%.

This segment benefits from robust F&O market activity and the growth of the Indian economy. Given its dominant position, robust IPO and QIP activities are expected to drive its IB and IE business.

Wealth management

Under wealth management. It has two business divisions. Nuvama Private and Nuvama Wealth. Nuvama Private provides services to UHNIs, while Nuvama Wealth offers services to HNIs.

Nuvama Private

Nuvama Private has an AUM of 2.05 trillion as of Q2FY25. This division thrives on the expertise and dedication of its relationship managers (RMs), who are pivotal in driving business growth. The IB team strongly supports their efforts.

Given the market momentum, it has aggressively added RMs and aims to double the number from 127 by Q2FY25 in the next five years.

Further, although it has a presence in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, it plans to expand its geographical reach to newer locations. The company believes that these locations will drive business growth going forward.

It is also expanding into Singapore and Dubai to cater to the overseas needs of Indian families, the Indian needs of overseas customers, and the overseas needs of overseas customers.

Financially, the division AUM has grown at a massive 20% CAGR over the last three years until 2023-24. At the same time, its revenue and operating PBT have grown at 35% and 79% CAGR, respectively. This increase in profit was driven by a reduction in the cost-to-income ratio, which fell by 21% during the period.

View Full Image Revenue and operating profit growing at 35% and 79% CAGR. (Nuvama Q2FY25 Investor Presentation)

Nuvama Wealth

Nuvama Wealth has an AUM of 1 trillion (as of Q2FY25).

The division targets the HNI segment, which comprises clients with investable surpluses of 5-25 crore. This segment is one of the fastest-growing within the wealth management industry.

This division has an aggressive expansion plan to grow over the next three years. It plans to expand its RMs at ~25% CAGR and improve their productivity. Moreover, it plans to penetrate more cities with low wealth management penetration.

Financially, the division AUM has grown at a massive 33% CAGR over the last three years until 2023-24.

At the same time, its revenue has grown at a 35% CAGR, and operating PBT has grown at a 106% CAGR. This increase in profit was driven by a reduction in the cost-to-income ratio, which fell by 25% during the period.

View Full Image Revenue and operating profit growing at 35% and 106% CAGR. (Source: Nuvama Q2FY25 Investor Presentation)

Going forward, Nuvama Private and Nuvama Wealth are expected to experience strong AUM growth. This will help them further reduce their cost-to-income ratio and improve their profitability.

This growth is expected to be driven by the growing number of middle-class, HNI and UHNI investors. In addition, expansion in tier-1 and tier-2 cities with RM is expected to drive the business further.

Asset management company (AMC)

The AMC segment, launched in 2021, has an AUM of 10,280 crore. It offers alternative investment funds and portfolio management services, including pre-IPO. In partnership with Cushman, it also recently launched a new real estate strategy.

Nuvama AMC revenue grew 34% over the previous year to 32 crore in H1FY25, driven by a robust 67% growth in AUM.

However, the segment is currently operating at a loss due to the lower income share in the AMC business and a cost-to-income ratio exceeding 109%.

This is normal for a newly established company, but it is expected to become profitable by 2025-26 and break even in 2024-25. Further, the segment will likely snowball due to new product launches and strong capital market activity.

Consolidated financials and valuations

In H1FY25, Nuvama's consolidated revenue grew 55% over the previous year to 1,407 crore, while its profit rose 100% to 479 crore.

This was led by a robust AUM growth of 51.5%, which (as of Q2FY25) reached 4.4 trillion, and a decline in the cost-to-income ratio by 11%.

View Full Image H1FY25 revenue and operating PAT surged 55% and 100%. (Source: Nuvama Q2FY25 Investor Presentation)

What about valuations?

Nuvama trades at a price-to-equity (P/E) ratio of 30, close to its average price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 29x. However, it trades at a discount of 37%, compared to 360 One's PE of 47.3.

Motilal Oswal has two estimates for Nuvama, calling it a preferred pick.

In the bull case, it expects its revenue to grow at a CAGR of 28% over FY24-FY27E, driving PAT at a CAGR of 36% during the period. In this scenario, the price per share is estimated at 11,719 based on a PE ratio of 30, about 67% higher than the current market price (CMP).

In the bear case, revenue and PAT are estimated to grow by 20% and 22%, respectively, during the same period. In this scenario, the price per share is estimated at 5,810 at a PE of 20, ~17% lower than its CMP.

The company is well positioned in this fast-growing industry, expected to be driven by the growing middle class, rising per capita income, demographic dividend, and vibrant capital markets.

However, note that this is a cyclical business. Any slowdown in fundraising deals and capital market activities will also impact its AUM and profitability. There is also the threat of high competition and any regulation changes related to expense ratios.

Now, having said this, theres another company in the wealth management space that deserves your attention. In fact, it is also one of Motilal Oswals preferred picks in this sector.

In an upcoming edition of the Profit Pulse, we will share all about it. So watch this space!

Note: Throughout this article, we have relied on data from www.screener.in and Tijorifinance. Only in cases where the data was not available have we used an alternative but widely used and accepted source of information.

The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points, and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educative purposes only.

Madhvendra has been a passionate follower of the equity market for over seven years. He is a seasoned financial content writer. He loves reading and sharing his honest opinion about publicly listed Indian companies and macroeconomics.

Disclosure: The writer does hold the stocks discussed in this article.
In the past 11 months, weve witnessed the rise of new workplace practices alongside the reinforcement of existing ones. One prominent trend has been the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into daily organisational operations. Many companies are leveraging AI to automate repetitive tasks, significantly enhancing efficiency while enabling employees and leaders to focus on high-value activities. A notable example is TCS Ignio platform, which automates critical back-end IT processes like system monitoring and infrastructure management.

Some organisations have gone a step further and utilised AI to enhance decision making by adopting a more data-centric perspective or to elevate customer experience. By analysing vast amounts of data, AI provides strategic insights for decision-makers and delivers personalised recommendations to customers, boosting engagement and satisfaction. Reliances Jio Brain and Haptiks chatbots are examples of this evolving development.

A key outcome of this shift is the growing emphasis on reskilling and upskilling employees and equipping them with the necessary expertise to address the rapidly evolving needs of todays workplace.

These initiatives align with academic research demonstrating that digital skill training boosts productivity, especially among workers with lower expertise. Combining employees experience with AI tools promotes greater innovation and creative problem-solving.

A third significant trend that has gained momentum since the pandemic is the shift from the traditional 9-to-5 office routine to more flexible work arrangements. Since the pandemic, organisations have transitioned from fully remote set-ups to hybrid models, where employees split their time between working from home and coming to the office.

A 2024 report by the Project Management Institute highlights a 57% increase in hybrid work arrangements from 2020 to 2023, with the trend expected to grow in the coming months.

Several factors, such as lengthy commutes in Tier 1 cities, advancements in technology infrastructure, and employees concern for work-life balance, have been key drivers of the change.

A recent study published in the journal Nature provides strong evidence supporting the benefits of hybrid work models. In a large-scale experiment, the authors randomly assigned half of the employees in a firm to work five days a week from the office while the other half worked three days in the office and two days remotely.

The study found no difference in performance or promotion rates across the two groups. However, employees with hybrid work arrangements reported greater job satisfaction and had reduced turnover than those who came to the office all five days.

These benefits were more pronounced for women and those with long commutes. The experiment also shifted the perceptions of managers, increasing their approval of hybrid arrangements.

Another crucial aspect of work-life balance is employee mental health and well-being, which has gained significant attention post-pandemic.

Several companies have increasingly focused on raising awareness, destigmatising concerns related to mental health, and offering support through employee assistance programmes.

In fact, the emerging Gen Z workforce (those born between 1997-2012) places a strong emphasis on mental health and well-being.

A survey by Handshake showed that nearly 90% of Gen Z prioritised mental health over opportunities for collaboration, training, or mentoring at work. Similarly, LinkedIns 2023 Workforce Report highlighted mental well-being and work-life balance as critical priorities for young Indian professionals.

The younger workforces intolerance to toxic work practices is evident from the criticism Narayana Murthy received for endorsing a 70-hour workweek.

Lastly, Indian companies have intensified their commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. This is partly driven by SEBIs mandate for the top 1000 listed companies to file business responsibility and sustainability reports (BRSR).

Notably, a PwC India report showed that over half of Indias top 100 companies voluntarily disclosed their Scope 3 emissions data relating to their carbon footprint for FY 23, even though it is not mandatory.

Companies like Axis Bank and Infosys have set ambitious goals to reduce their carbon footprint and eventually reach net-zero emissions. It is expected that with greater awareness and further regulations, organisations will have to prioritise ESG practices as a central component of their operations.

A well-aligned workplace drives productivity and reflects the evolving priorities of employees and organisations. As trends like AI integration, upskilling, flexible work models, mental health focus, and ESG adoption reshape the workplace, they signal a fundamental shift towards more inclusive, innovative and sustainable practices.

Organisations that embrace these changes thoughtfully will retain top talent and position themselves as leaders in an ever-changing global landscape. The future of work lies in the balance between technology, human well-being, and purposeful business strategies.

Hemant Kakkar is associate professor, (organisational behaviour), Indian School of Business.

Write to us at lounge@livemint.com
Selecting an insurance plan can be a hassle. You need to choose the insurance company and then the insurance product. Certain ratios play a key role when comparing insurers.

We list the best insurers in terms of different ratios, along with brokers' ratings depicting their experience of working with insurers, based on the Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI) data.

Also Read: Mistakes people make when porting a health insurance policy

All ratios are based on data disclosed for 2022-23 for large private and general insurance companies. Data for 2023-24 is awaited.

1) Solvency ratio

It measures the extent to which an insurance company's assets cover expected future claims. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) requires insurers to maintain a minimum solvency ratio of 1.5 at all times.

2) Claims paid ratio (on amount)

People tend to look at claims settlement ratios, which only tell you about the number of claims settled in a year against the total number of claims available for processing that year. However, it only gives you half the picture. You need to look into the claims paid ratio in terms of claims amount. This is how it has been calculated for all insurers:

Total amount of claims paid for the year ending 31 March 2023/total amount of claims available for processing for the year ending 31 March 2023.

View Full Image Graphic by Paras Jain

3) Claims repudiation ratio

This ratio measures the extent to which an insurance company rejects claims in a year. This is how it has been calculated:

The number of claims that were repudiated/the total number of claims closed by the insurer out of the total number of claims available for processing. The lower the ratio, the better the insurance company is in terms of this metric.

4) Grievance resolution ratio

The ratio tells you how efficient an insurance company is in resolving your complaints or grievances. The higher the grievance resolution ratio, the better the insurance company in terms of the measured ratio. This is how it has been calculated:

The number of grievances that are resolved (fully or partly) against the total number of grievances for processing.

View Full Image Graphic by Paras Jain

Brokers' ratings

The IBAI did a survey of insurance brokers between December 2023 and February 2024, in which 274 brokers participated. For each insurer only those brokers that work with them have been considered as a base. Below are the top five general insurers recommended by them and the best insurers in grievance handling and claims settlement, according to them:
If there is one thing other than personal loyalty common to US President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet choices, it is that they are all anti-establishment.

It is indeed ironic that this wave comes in the year that the Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to a trio of professors whose lifes work has been on the importance of institutions.

The winners of the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel were Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and James A. Robinson of the University of Chicago for studies on how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.

Their research traced economic disparities back to colonialism and demonstrated that societies with strong and inclusive institutions are more prosperous, while countries with exploitative institutions are unable to grow consistently.

While their approach does indeed hold appeal in demonstrating how developing economies can prosper, it appears that in many post-modern economies of the West, such as those of the US and Europe, institutions have degenerated into a complex construct of rules and do not function for the betterment of the greater good.

In a recent article, Daron Acemoglu says that American democracy has long promised four things: shared prosperity, a voice for the citizenry, expertise-driven governance, and effective public services.

But US democracylike democracy in other wealthy (and even middle-income) countrieshas failed to fulfill these aspirations."

Enter, Donald Trump. Sensing a decline in all four pillars and reflecting the political will of those who feel disenfranchised by these failures, Trump has responded not by calling for American institutions to be reformed, but by indicating that he will blow them up instead.

Kash Patel, Trumps pick for the Federal Bureau of Investigations director, has said that a comprehensive house-cleaning of the deep state" is required. Similarly, Trump has picked Robert Kennedy for health and human services, an individual who is a well-known anti-vaxxer and seen as a purveyor of conspiracy theories.

Supporters see an all-star cast of characters who will reverse what they consider an elite capture of institutions.

Todays fight against the capture of institutions in the West has a different texture from struggles in the last century. In the early 20th century, left-wing populists fought to retake institutions from aristocratic capture by robber barons.

This was codified in newly created institutions set up under Franklin Roosevelts New Deal after the Great Depression. In the mid-60s, Americas anti-war and hippie movements posed a sort of cultural challenge to the establishment.

In this century, however, anti-establishment activism has come from right-wing populists who have presented themselves as the voice of those disenfranchised by stagnating real wages and have suffered the impact of major disruptions like the global financial crisis and covid pandemic.

This thread of populism has co-existed with anti-immigrant, anti-woke and pro-majoritarian strands. An additional feature has been the direct communication with people afforded by social media, disintermediating the filters of the traditional press. To this minimum definition of todays populism, Trump has added a libertarian and low-tax strand.

The danger for developing countries, including India, is that these political ideas travel without context and proliferate without any regard for the stage of a countrys development.

Anti-establishment rhetoric has huge implications for countries like Brazil, Argentina, India and Mexico as governments come and go and the long-term directional development of their economies gets fundamentally impacted by dramatic shifts in policies and processes.

Countries progress from low-income to middle-income and upper-income status on the back of stability in the broad political structure, with institutions guiding progress in a directional manner over multiple decades.

The slow, directionally correct compounding of productivity-led growth, aided by gradually improving quality and inclusiveness of institutions, all of it supported by a stacking rather than chopping and changing of institutions, is the most reliable formula for development.

Out of context anti-establishmentarianism can prematurely burden institutions with the risk of degenerating into sycophancy of the party in power.

The tragedy of todays anti-establishmentarianism is that its an anti agenda. It is a disruptive force. Instead of creating positive mechanisms for people to be included in renewed prosperity, it simply divides society into us and them on issues like education, race, immigration and geography.

Setting right the failure of institutions to carry along a large part of a countrys population will require political leadership and action, of course.

But the answers are likely to come from reforms that simplify institutional processes and turns institutions more performance-oriented, rather than simply blowing them up.

Whichever political group seizes upon this truth will likely benefit from the anarchy that will arise from Trumps gang of anti-establishment figures.

P.S: It is the way the state and society interact and control each other that determines the capacity of our state, the policies of our government, and our resilience, prosperity, security, and ultimately, liberty," said Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu.
Today Bangladesh is celebrating the 53rd anniversary of its liberationa day I still remember vividly. I was then a student at the government inter-college, Prayagraj (then Allahabad). That day, just before the morning assembly dispersed, Mr Khanwalkar, the principal, held us back for a special address. Everyone waited with a heightened anticipation.

When he spoke, he was beaming; tears welled up in his eyes and his voice choked with emotion. He said the Indian army had forced close to a lakh of Pakistani soldiers to surrender in Dhaka. We had won the war, and Bangladesh was liberated.

His words electrified the atmosphere. We rushed out of the college despite teachers admonition and kept cheering on the streets for hours on end.

In January 1972, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman arrived in India after his release from a prison in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. On 10 January 1972, he addressed his nation live on All India Radio. I am not sure how many understood his speech in Bengali, but people were riveted by the emotions his voice exuded. People were filled with joy believing that from now on India and Bangladesh would work together.

Also read | Separatist sparks in Punjab must be promptly doused

Today the foundations of that belief stand shaken. Anti-India feelings and atrocities against the minority Hindus are a reality now in Bangladesh.

Such violence isnt new to Bangladesh. Within four years of assuming charge of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu and his entire family, except Sheikh Hasina, were massacred in a military coup. Newspapers then wrote emotional editorials comparing Mujibur Rahmans assassination with that of Mahatma Gandhi. Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad was installed as president of Bangladesh in place of Bangabandhu, and Ziaur Rahman was made the new chief of army staff.

Ziaur quickly learnt the political ropes and within one-and-a-half years became the head of the country in a bloodless coup.

He nurtured visions of an Islamic Bangladesh. Later his wife, Khaleda Zia, kept the vision alive. The situation improved a little when Sheikh Hasina Wajed came to power.

The tumultuous political machinations and the rigmarole of reversals notwithstanding, Bangladesh did script a story of phenomenal economic success in the last decade.

At a time when Pakistan was seeking doles from Arab nations, China, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bangladesh emerged as the ready-made garment hub of the world. According to the World Bank, between 2010 to 2023 Bangladeshs economy grew at an average of 6.4% a year. The number of poor in that country fell from 11.8% to 5%. In per capita GDP terms, it marched ahead of India.

Also read | Rage spills over on roads; reels only fan the fire

Everyone expected the good run to continue. But, Bangladesh seems condemned to suffer from cyclic confusion. Events during the last few months have created doubts about the countrys future. Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus, who had been exiled in London, is now heading the interim government in Bangladesh. However, personal enmity between him and Sheikh Hasina is impacting his nations relations with India. Recently while meeting a delegation of European nations he said the visa centres being run in Delhi and other parts of India would be transferred to Dhaka.

The growing discord between the two nations is the reason that this time the nearly 500 sadhus of Bangladesh Juna Akhada are facing uncertainty over attending the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj slated for early next year.

Meanwhile, Pakistans ISI is vigorously promoting jihadi elements in Bangladesh. Now its up to Bangladesh to decide what future they want. Bangla politicians shouldnt forget that till the 1980s Pakistan was ahead of India in per capita GDP terms. They then promoted Jihadi groups and are now facing its repercussions.

Also read | There is adequate room for all in Indian democracy

India, on the other hand, pursued secularism. New Delhi waged a dogged war against extremism and terrorism while promoting a market economy. The result: We are on our way to being among the top three economies of the world.

How can Bangladesh expect to grow by handing its reins over to fundamentalists? Why are Yunus and his team ignoring this reality? The changing scenario in Bangladesh is a cause for concern in India. Rising religious frenzy on its eastern and western borders doesnt augur well for India.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.
Apple production supports about 900,000 households in India. Most are apple growers in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand with modest incomes.

Recently, several farmers from these regions held a protest against the government, demanding remunerative prices for their produce, much like other farmers protesting on the state borders of New Delhi.

The case of apple farmers is peculiar. Apple yields in India are low and the country lacks on-orchard cold storage facilities. They bear costly inputs, given how expensive fertilizers and pesticides have become, and face the constant threat of volatile prices even as climate change adds to their vulnerability.

Natural calamities such as droughts, floods, hail-storms and rising temperatures in the Himalayas complicate their prospects. Wildlife risks, particularly monkeys destroying crops, abound as well. Meanwhile, corporate presence in the apple market has risen.

Trade policies pose their own challenges. Today, Indian apple producers are caught in a web of geopolitical tensions and inconsistent policies that often prioritize short-term diplomatic objectives over the stability of their livelihoods.

Indias trade skirmishes with the US, in particular, demonstrates how apple growers are made to bear the burden of policy instability.

In March 2018, the US administration under Donald Trump imposed import tariffs on steel (25%) and aluminium (10%) from most countries, including India. In 2019, India retaliated by raising customs duty on apples imported from the US by 20 percentage points, in addition to an existing 50% duty (bound tariff rate that India may impose under World Trade Organization or WTO rules).

Data from 2019 to 2022 reveals increased apple imports, despite the additional duty, attributed mainly to shipments from Turkey and Iran. These countries exploited market gaps left by the diminished US presence. So, in the cat-and-monkey game of US-India trade disputes, Iran and Turkey played the clever monkey, scooping up the spoils in Indias market for this fruit.

Between 2019 and 2023, apple imports from the US crashedfrom over 127.9 million apples in 2019 to under 4.5 million in 2023. In contrast, a rise in imports from Turkey, Iran and the UAE was recorded, with Turkey and Iran outperforming the Emirates.

Irans apple exports to India rose 11-fold from just above 7 million in 2019 to just under 80.4 million in 2023. Turkey saw a sevenfold jump from a little over 16 million apples in 2019 to more than 107.2 million in 2023. Meanwhile, the UAEs exports to India went up from almost 3.8 million apples in 2019 to more than 6.9 million in 2023.

In September 2023, the additional 20% customs duty imposed as part of Indias retaliatory package was reversed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a visit to the US. The decision signalled a strengthening of the bilateral trade relationship.

But, seen from the perspective of our hill-state apple growers, the reversal placed the interests of an estimated 1,400 American apple growers over those of the 900,000-odd Indian households whose livelihoods were exposed to the impact of an abrupt policy change.

Why are we failing to support our farmers?: The prices of vegetables and fruits are not governed by any floor prices like the minimum support prices (MSPs) that foodgrain crops are assured by the government.

As a result, a drop in import duties on these can quickly result in the domestic market being flooded with cheaper substitutes from abroad, crushing what prices local growers can obtain for their output.

Apple farmers in India have been demanding a 100% import tariff and higher budgetary allocation under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to assure them some price stability in the face of extreme competition from Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and of course the US.

India could easily curb apple imports from Iran, a non-WTO member, by using quantitative restrictions, but refrains from doing so to preserve trade ties with Tehran.

China, the worlds largest producer and exporter of apples, was among major exporters to India until 2016, when these imports were barred on sanitary and phytosanitary grounds. News articles suggest that Chinese grown apples are now entering India via the UAE. Measures to prohibit such games of trans-shipment are not in place.

What needs to be done?: India needs to align its policies in favour of domestic apple producers. Some form of minimal protection does exist. India has prohibited the import of apples with a CIF (cost, insurance and freight) price less than or equal to 50 per kg. This, however, is not enough to support domestic farmers.

We also need better on-orchard cold storage facilities and more public investment in the relevant infrastructure. Crucially, though, we need a clear trade policy direction to secure the livelihoods of our farmers. Remember, apple growers cannot shift crops or alter what they produce in response to price signals.

In fiscal year 2023-24, India imported over 20.5 million apples from the US. From April to September, or the first six months of 2024-25, imports have crossed 21.5 million apples, surpassing the previous years total in half the time.

In spite of price competition from apples grown in other countries, New Delhis dropping of its additional duty on apples has enabled the US to rapidly increase its apple exports to India. To the dismay of apple growers, this trend is likely to persist.

The authors are, respectively, assistant professor (international trade) and a student of BA (H) Economics at the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University.
The countrys principal manager of retirement savings for private-sector employees, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), is working on a facility to let subscribers withdraw funds from their corpus through ATM cards, subject to a limit.

While this would be welcome, the EPFO also finds itself being held responsible for a pension crisis that has put about 1.75 million retirees in dire straits, pushing many to despair. It speaks not just of the EPFOs functional inefficiencies, but also its structural flaws.

It also highlights the superiority of an alternative retiral scheme that the government created for its own employees and then threw open to the private sector: the National Pension System (NPS).

The crisis has its roots in an ill-designed pension started by the EPFO in 1995 that was funded with a little over two-thirds of the employers mandatory contribution of 12% of an employees salary to the fund.

The pension payout has no link with the returns generated by investing the corpus. It is one-seventieth the product of ones length of eligible service and the average pensionable salary of ones final 60 months before retirement at age 58.

For a while, employees had the option of contributing a share of their total salary, rather than the capraised in steps from 5,000 a month to 15,000for mandatory PF participation. This would raise their pension. When the option was withdrawn, employees challenged it in court and won.

The EPFO appealed against this at the Supreme Court, which in November 2022 ruled against it and gave serving as well as retired employees a four-month window to exercise the higher-pension option. For that, employees and employers who had made contributions as a proportion only of the pensionable salary cap, not of total salary, had to pay past dues.

Those who had retired, receiving as their PF payout a sum including the employers contribution that they now wanted going into higher pension, had to repay that amount to the EPFO, which was given eight months by the top court to pay pensions.

More than 1.76 million pensioners exercised the option, but the EPFO has only issued pension orders for 16,000 retirees so far. The rest are left hanging, many paying rather than earning interest on money deposited with the entity for their applications to qualify.

It is unfair of the EPFO to subject retirees to such prolonged uncertainty over their financial means. Here is what it could do. Transfer back to higher-pension applicants, along with interest, the amounts they have submittedbut to ABSA accounts of the type used to apply for shares in public offers.

Application Supported by Blocked Amount is a format familiar to banks and individuals. These transfers would let employees get at least some returns on their funds in savings accounts. In addition to its IT upgrade plan billed as EPFO 3.0, the EPFO should outsource the processing of applications to get it done within a months time.

The government could lend it the funds it needs to pay out pensions, borrowing from the EPFO itself if required. In general, while flexible new options for its pension scheme (as reportedly being planned) may find takers, the EPFO should amend its investment norms to generate better returns.

Its corpus is large enough to let a diversified portfolio across assets spanning the entire risk spectrum perform its magic of generating high returns while minimizing risk. If the EPFO is reluctant to do this, the government might as well roll all PF accounts into the NPS.
New Delhi: India and the UK are expected to restart talks on their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between April and June, the first quarter of the UKs fiscal year, two people aware of the matter said.

The talks, which aim to resolve outstanding issues, have been ongoing since January 2022 but stalled in May this year after a high-ranking British delegation canceled its visit to New Delhi ahead of the general election in the UK.

The talks will resume from where they were pausedthe 14th round.

Also read | India, EU aiming for a mutually beneficial FTA: Piyush Goyal

However, with the change in leadership in the UK, it is not yet certain that the 14th round of talks, which began in January, will be the final round of discussions, as was agreed upon during the tenure of former British prime minister Rishi Sunak, the first of the two people mentioned above said.

Both countries are also negotiating a bilateral investment treaty as part of the broader FTA discussions. The agreement is expected to cover 26 chapters, including goods, services, investments and intellectual property rights.

Bilateral trade reached $21.34 billion in 2023-24, up from $20.36 billion in 2022-23. In it, merchandise trade has grown from $11.46 billion in FY23 to $12.98 billion in FY24 while services trade declined slightly from $8.90 billion in FY23 to $8.36 billion in FY24.

Queries emailed on Friday to the commerce ministry remained unanswered till press time.

Also read | India flags concern over trade lines, potential Chinese product dumping in Oman FTA talks

In an email response, a British High Commission spokesperson said, During a meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Brazil on 18 November, both leaders agreed to advance an ambitious UK-India comprehensive strategic partnership, aiming to elevate the relationship to new heights in trade and investment, security and defence, technology, climate, health, and education."

The second person cited above said, After the meeting, it was speculated that the dialogue would begin early next year. However, this does not necessarily mean it will start by the end of January. The talks are expected to be relaunched in the first quarter of the next fiscal year, which means they could begin between April and June."

Earlier, Mint reported that the UK had agreed in principle to allow Indian professionals to live and work in the UK for a fixedas yet undecidedperiod with work visas, with renewal options. Placing this provision under the FTA would protect Indians worker from any changes in the UK's domestic policy.

In return, India may allow the import of a fixed number of premium electric vehicles annually on reduced duties. The number of cars being discussed was in the range of 2,000-2,500, but this cap could be adjusted.

Also read | India and Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union to start FTA talks in coming months

To be sure, immigration remains a sensitive domestic political issue in the UK.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think tank, said India should exercise caution in agreeing to commitments on non-trade issues like sustainability, environment, intellectual property, gender, labour and digital policies, as the regulatory frameworks in these areas differ significantly between the two countries.

Additionally, India must seek clarity on whether the UK will apply its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) tax to Indian exports post-FTA. If CBAM remains, UK goods could enter India tariff-free, while many Indian goods would face additional costs, creating an uneven playing field."

The UKs main demands include substantial tariff reductions on Scotch whisky, which currently faces a steep 150% duty, as well as on electric vehicles and chocolates.

For Scotch whisky, India has proposed a deal similar to its agreement with Australia under the India-Australia FTA, where duties on Australian wines were cut from 150% to as low as 75% over a 10-year period.

Under the proposed terms, tariffs on bottled Scotch whisky could initially be reduced to 100%, with a further reduction to 75% over the next decade.
Drones have revolutionized modern warfare in the sky. Now defense companies and navies are betting they can do the same underwater.

The new underwater drones, with names such as Ghost Shark, Herne and Manta Ray, can typically dive thousands of feet below the surface and operate largely without human interaction for days on end. That ability makes them ideally suited to gather intelligence, protect undersea infrastructure and counter potential threats in the Pacific, advocates say.

This is an opportune moment for these vehicles," said Cynthia Cook, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank. Submarines are fantastic, but they are expensive."

Perfecting the technology isnt an easy swim. Maintaining communications deep underwater is more difficult than in the sky, and conditions below the seas surface can be harsh.

Underwater drones have been used by academics and offshore energy companies for decades. An underwater drone found Titanic in 1985, for example. Navies have also long used smallertypically remote-controlledunderwater vessels for mine clearance and other tasks.

Now, defense companies are developing larger, more autonomous vessels that can travel longer distances and do more.

Boeing is set to deliver five of its Orca extra-large uncrewed undersea vehicles to the U.S. Navy by the end of next year. Up to 85 feet long, the Orca can travel the equivalent of almost 7,500 miles with little human intervention.

Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, has said developing robotic and autonomous systems is one of the U.S. Navys top priorities in preparing for a possible war with China.

Unmanned systems have an enormous potential to multiply our combat power," Franchetti said at a conference earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Australia is working with defense startup Anduril on an underwater drone called Ghost Shark. The project is part of a $4.65 billion investment the country is making in subsea warfare capabilities and new autonomous and uncrewed maritime vehicles.

Other underwater drones include BAE Systems Herne, which is being tested in the U.K., and Northrop Grummans Manta Ray, which has a similar shape to the giant flat fish.

France, South Korea and Germany are also working on new unmanned underwater vessels. Ukraine is testing an underwater attack drone called Marichka.

One factor aiding the development of this new class of underwater drones is improving technology. Batteries can last longer, sensors are more accurate and electronics are smaller. These advancements mean the vessels can be more autonomous, travel for longer and do more.

The improvements come at an opportune time for Western navies. China has built the worlds largest surface naval fleet and its own large autonomous underwater vehicles.

In Europe, cases in which fiber-optic cables were cut have raised concerns that Russia and others could target crucial lines that move energy and data over ocean floors. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization recently conducted a training exercise off Finlands coast in which underwater drones were used to protect undersea infrastructure.

European navies that would counter such threats have shrunk in size, while the U.S. has struggled to build large ships on time. Britains Royal Navy, once the worlds largest, now has fewer than 20 destroyers and frigates, and around 10 submarines.

The British Navy is struggling to do everything they want to do in the manner they want," said Tim ONeill, a business development manager at BAEs maritime services division. This is where autonomy comes in."

BAEs Herne is based on an underwater drone already produced for the energy industry by Cellula Robotics, a Canadian company. BAE added computer systems, cameras and sensors that allow the vessel to operate autonomously as well as gather and analyze intelligence.

Herne, which looks like a mini-submarine, guides itself at sea by using sensors that match its surroundings with preloaded maps. It analyzes vessels it sees by comparing them to a database, allowing it to distinguish between military and civilian craft. Data it collects can be transmitted via a periscope-like mast that rises from its back.

On a recent morning on Britains south coast, a crane lowered the 8-metric-ton, 40-foot vessel into the water before it set off on a preprogrammed training mission. During a test, Herne rose out of the water, correctly identified two Naval vessels and then silently slipped back beneath the waves.

Using a drone to conduct routine surveillance makes it unnecessary to put an expensive submarine and its crew at risk, said ONeill, a former officer in Britains Royal Navy. The drones smaller size also allows it to operate in shallower waters.

BAE has been developing Herne for roughly 11 months and aims to have the vessel battle-ready within the next year and a half.

Hernes battery lasts up to three days. Cellula is experimenting with hydrogen cells that could allow the vessel to operate for 45 days and give it a range of around 3,000 milesroughly the distance between Ireland and New York.

While Herne is primarily designed for reconnaissance, BAE is exploring the addition of torpedoes and mines.

Adding deadly force to autonomous vessels could raise ethical concerns. Western rules of engagement insist on having a human being pull the trigger in the so-called kill chain.

BAEs ONeill said Herne would use lethal force only at the direction of a human.

Communicating with underwater drones is harder than with those in the air because radio waves cant travel through deep water. The vessels can, though, surface to receive instructions.

While cheaper than submarines, which can cost billions of dollars, the new vessels are more expensive and harder to produce than most of the drones used in Ukraine.

The U.S. Navy, for instance, originally agreed to pay around $379 million for five Orcas and a test prototype, though by 2022 the project was years behind schedule and the cost had ballooned to $620 million, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. A GAO report cited challenges with the vessels battery and difficulty securing materials. Boeing said any over-contract costs were borne by the company.

The vessels must withstand huge pressure deep underwater and be reliable out at seaif something goes wrong, there is nobody on board to fix it.

The ocean is a real harsh environment," said Duane Fotheringham, president of uncrewed systems at shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries, which has its own range of underwater drones. Sending something to the deep ocean is like sending something to space."

View Full Image The New Frontier for Drone Warfare Is Deep Underwater
MEP Ciaran Mullooly has strongly condemned the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, calling it a direct attack on Irish and European farmers who are already burdened by strict environmental regulations.



The deal, announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has been negotiated in secrecy and threatens to flood EU markets with agricultural imports produced under far inferior environmental and sustainability standards.



This deal is a betrayal of everything we stand for in Europe, said MEP Mullooly. Irish farmers are being asked to compete on completely uneven ground, while their livelihoods are sacrificed for a trade agreement that prioritises profits over sustainability and fairness.

Also read: Harneys Jewellers, A traditional jewellers serving the people of Longford since 1942



Mullooly is calling on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to convene an emergency meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers to halt any further implementation of this draft agreement. He also demands that a full impact assessment be conducted to evaluate the consequences for the Irish and European agricultural sectors.



Furthermore, MEP Mullooly has urged An Taoiseach Simon Harris to immediately engage with other EU leaders who share Irelands concerns about this deal. We must build a coalition of opposition against this flawed agreement. It is unacceptable that such a significant deal is being pushed through without proper consultation or transparency, he stated.

Also read: Longford woman elected as Vice-President of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland



Mullooly also stated that he is now contacting the Chair of the European Parliaments Agriculture Committee to summon the EU Agriculture Commissioners to explain their position on this agreement.



I will work closely with all farming organisations across Ireland to limit the damaging impact of this deal on rural communities, MEP Mullooly stated. This is not just an economic issue; it is about protecting the future of sustainable farming in Europe. I will not stand by while Irish farmers are left to bear the brunt of this disastrous and secretive trade deal.

Also read: Gardai launch investigation after man (30s) found with serious injuries in Mullingar



Meanwhile, last Monday in Brussels, Michael Fitzmaurice TD and MEP Ciaran Mullooly, representing Independent Ireland, joined Irish farming organisations, including the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) led by Francie Gorman, to protest against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.



The protest, organised in collaboration with European farming groups, underscores widespread outrage over the deals potential to devastate the Irish agricultural sector.



Deputy Fitzmaurice condemned the agreement in the strongest possible terms: This deal sacrifices Irish farmers and rural communities for the benefit of other industries, particularly the German car sector. Our farmers have invested millions in environmental and animal welfare and poultry standards to produce food of the highest quality. Yet this agreement allows substandard imports, of poultry and hormone-treated beef from Mercosur countries, into EU markets. Its a disgrace.

Also read: Missing Leitrim man (23) was last sighted on train that departed Dromod three days ago



MEP Mullooly pledged: We will work closely with all farming organisations across Ireland to limit the devastating impact of this deal. Irish farmers deserve better than being sold out in secretive negotiations that prioritise profits over people.
The graduates, including Kevin O'Neill from Granard, of the Teagasc/UCD level 7 Professional Diploma in dairy farm management course were presented with their diplomas at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Moorepark on Tuesday, December 3.



The awards were presented by Dr Padraig French, Dairy enterprise leader at Teagasc Moorepark and Associate professor in dairy production Professor Karina Pierce from UCD.





Professor Karina Pierce congratulated the 14 participants who graduated at the ceremony, commenting on the knowledge and skills the graduates have developed over the last two years and wished them well in their dairy careers.

Also read: A couple of contests at the Longford GAA Convention



Dr Padraig French congratulated the graduates and their families on the significant achievement.



Padraig acknowledged the significant contribution of Teagasc research, education and advisory staff in delivering the programme as well as the commitment from host farmers who run successful farm businesses, while also providing invaluable mentoring to students and very generously share their time and private farm information with students.

The overall student of the year award from the professional diploma in dairy farm management went to Conor Wynne from County Kildare. Prior to completing the level 7 diploma, Conor completed the level 6 advanced certificate at Kildalton agricultural college.

Also read: Historic Longford Monument now under the control of voluntary group



During his two year placement, Conor worked on Pat Hennesseys farm in County Kildare.



The grassland student of the year award went to Michael Flynn from Waterford. The award was based on a comprehensive grassland assessment that Michael completed in his second year where he worked with William Keane in County Waterford.

Also read: Longford's man in New York: Late Mike Prunty opened his doors to many people

Dr Padraig French, Dairy Enterprise Leader, Teagasc Moorepark, Kevin O'Neill, Granard and Professor Karina Pierce, Associate Professor in Dairy Production, UCD Picture: O'Gorman Photography
An Garda Siochana today, Monday, December 16, hosted a ceremony in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, to unveil a Monument of Remembrance honouring Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly from Ballinamuck, Co Longford, for their ultimate sacrifice in the service of the State in 1983.

Both men were part of a joint Garda/Irish Defence Forces search party searching for kidnapped businessman Don Tidey on December 16, 1983 when they were confronted by a Provisional IRA gang at Drumcornan Wood, Ballinamore, and shot dead.

The remembrance ceremony commenced with a mass at 11.30am at St Patricks Church, followed by a ceremonial parade performed by the Garda Ceremonial Unit and Garda Band to the unveiling of a monument at Ballinamore Garda Station and wreath-laying ceremony.

Also read: Longford Historical Society unveil Garden of Remembrance plaque to fallen soldier unveiled

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was joined at the ceremony by Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr James Browne TD; Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy of the Irish Defence Forces and members of the Sheehan and Kelly families.

Members of the gardai and army gather for the memorial mass for Pte Patrick Kelly and Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan outside St Patrick's Church in Ballinamore. pic.twitter.com/lJGBikkHW1  Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) December 16, 2024

Commissioner Harris said; "Today we unveil a specially designed monument of remembrance to these fallen heroes. Today we honour their service to their country. Today we pay tribute to their bravery and courage. Today their sacrifice is etched in stone, just as their loss is etched in our hearts and minds.

"They paid an eternal price, and so it is right and just that their memories are eternally recognised here in Ballinamore.

"Today is a day filled with complex emotion. The Sheehan and Kelly families have lost a son, brother, father and it does not matter that 41 years have gone by, that loss is felt as deeply now and is it was in 1983.

"In memorialising Gary and Patrick here today, we hope that it provides an opportunity to commemorate their life, mourn their loss, and acknowledge the huge sacrifice they made. A burden that you carry to this day.

"On days like today we are afforded a chance to remember. To fill our hearts and minds with the joy these brave men brought to you and all those who knew them in life. It is therefore wonderful to see so many people gathered here today to honour them.

Also read: Victims group calls for memorial for two men killed in Don Tidey rescue

"Todays memorial portrays both men aptly in the form of two pillars standing tall. It will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice they made for the People of Ireland.

Garda Ceremonial Unit and Garda Band perform a ceremonial march from St Patricks Church to the monument of remembrance in memory of Private Patrick Kelly & Trained Garda Gary Sheehan at Ballinamore Garda Station. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/393VPqoKIj  Shane O Curraighin (@SOCurraighin) December 16, 2024

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr James Browne TD said;

"The loss of a Garda or a member of our Defence Forces is a tragic and lifelong loss for their family, but it is also felt painfully across both organisations and indeed by the community as a whole. While, thankfully, it is a relatively rare occurrence, I know how deeply this tragedy has been felt by all those who served with Gary and Patrick  all down the years  to this very day.

Also read: Longford link to events surrounding the kidnapping of Don Tidey

Today, in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, we honoured the memory of two brave men, Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly, who tragically lost their lives in service to the State 41 years ago.



I had the privilege of unveiling a monument at Ballinamore Garda Station (1/3) pic.twitter.com/nkhBROzu5d  James Browne TD (@JamesBrowneTD) December 16, 2024

Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy said: "The ripples in the stone beside me continue to spread out and are very evocative of what we are here today to remember. The families have demonstrated remarkable resilience since 1983. In the tradition of remembrance, we continue to honour the memories of Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly.
Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD, met with EU Trade Commissioner Sefcovic last Friday to discuss priority trade issues for Ireland.

Farming organisations, particularly in Ireland and France, have voiced major opposition to the deal citing an increased influx of beef from the South American countries at reduced tariffs.

Minister Burke stated that concerns over the new Mercosur trade deal topped the agenda during the meeting.

As Minister for Trade, but also as a public representative from a farming background in a rural constituency, I have expressed my concerns over possible unintended consequences of the Mercosur agreement," he added.

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Minister Burke said it is important there is effective communication.

"While no final decision on adoption is imminent, I believe that all stakeholders, and the farming community in particular, need to be fully informed of all aspects of the proposed future trade arrangements with the Mercosur bloc," he added.

Minister Burke stated throughout the negotiations on this agreement, the Commission has been made aware of Irelands key requirements in relation to the trade and sustainability commitments in the agreement.

"Furthermore, we continue to make the Commission aware of our model of farming here, including the practices that farmers have implemented over the last number of decades and the sustainability measures which are now the bedrock of Irish farming," he added.

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Minister Burke insisted "farmers have invested significant resources" into sustainability.

"And we must expect the same high standards for all products entering the market to ensure a level playing field, which is a concept that is at the very heart of the EU," he added.

Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue said last week that Ireland would be scrutinising the text of the agreement 'very closely'.


In the wake of Bashar al-Assads ouster, footage began circulating that allegedly showed production hubs in Syria for the amphetamine-like drug fenethylline, now commonly known by one of its former brand names, Captagon. Worth some $10 billion, the illicit captagon trade served as a financial lifeline for the Assad regime, which came under intense economic pressure after the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War. On December 14, Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) leader Abu Muhammed al Jolani stated that the Assad regime deserves a global award for manufacturing captagon, and we will put an end to its production in Syria.

Policymakers have long understood that captagon was a regime-led business. Many of Assads relatives and croniesincluding his younger brother and the commander of the former Syrian Arab Armys 4th Division, Maher al Assadwere involved in and profited from the narco-trade. However, new details about narcotrafficking operations and the extent of regime involvement have come to light in the days since the regimes fall.

On December 10, rebels exposed and then set fire to millions of captagon pills inside the former Syrian Air Forces Mezzeh air base. An HTS rebel explained, As we entered the area, we found a huge quantity of captagon. So we destroyed it and burned it, adding that we destroyed and burned it because its harmful to people. It harms nature and people and humans.

On December 11, footage of an industrial captagon factory near the city of Douma circulated on social media. The 9.5-minute video shows jugs of chemical precursors, including chloroform and acetic acid, a pill press, and captagon tablets concealed in fake fruit, furniture, and electrical equipment. A detached packaging label listing the country of origin (Syria), supplier (Walaa Saleh), importer (Ariha Trading Company, Dubai), and type of goods (peaches, 3 kilograms) is also shown.

Reuters reporters who gained access to the facility, which is allegedly linked to Maher al Assad and Syrian businessman Amer Khiti, said they saw thousands of pills packaged and stacked on pallets. One of their escorts explained that these are ready for export. Syrian businessman Fares al Tout told Reutersthat Khiti seized the factory from his family in 2018. They flipped it from the production of food to the production of captagon that killed Syrias children in support of the Fourth Division, he said.

Khiti was a close associate of Maher al Assad and was sanctioned by the United States in 2020 for his close relationship with the Syrian regime.

The footage also shows loads of sodium hydroxide, which is used to produce methamphetamine. The packaging indicates that the sodium hydroxide came from Saudi Arabia. Regional security officials previously noted an uptick in crystal meth trafficking along routes traditionally used to move captagon.

Another video surfaced on December 11 that appears to show sacks of captagon pills, raw materials, and manufacturing equipment in a warehouse at the 4th Division headquarters. Western media outlets could not immediately verify the footage. Multiple clips have also surfaced showing Syrians destroying bags of pills, purportedly captagon.

Rebels also discovered a large captagon factory inside Maher al Assads villa in the Dimas area west of Damascus. The footage released by the Turkish Anadolu Agency showed dozens of barrels in the villas rooms containing raw materials and equipment used in drug production. The Assad regime was known for seizing villas owned by civilians and turning them into drug factories.

The decrease of captagon factories after the fall of the Assad regime should benefit other countries in the region. For example, the illicit trade has severely impacted Jordan, as the shared border between the two countries spans over 375 kilometers, making it difficult to fully control smuggling operations. Official statistics highlight the severity of the issue: in 2021, over 15 million pills were seized on Jordans northern border, with the number rising to 20 million pills in 2022. However, Jordanian officials still fear that the continued high demand for captagon in the Gulf states will complicate efforts to eradicate the drug market.

After entering Damascus on December 8, Jolani said that Syria had become the worlds leading source of captagon and that the country is being purified by the grace of God almighty. Policymakers will likely watch this situation with caution as Western governments scrutinize whether the new government actually removes Syria from the list of the worlds narco-states.

Natalie Ecanow is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on the Middle East and the Gulf. Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant.
Download Image: Web

Lycoming College received a generous contribution of $20,000 from AT&T to support the Lycoming Summer Academy (LSA), a scholarship-earning bridge program dedicated to helping first-year college students achieve success in higher education as they make the transition from high school to Lycoming.

AT&T has made generous contributions to Lycoming College since 2012. This marks the twelfth year of giving to the College, and its fifth in support of LSA, bringing AT&Ts total support to $285,000.

AT&T sees tremendous value in the Lycoming Summer Academy. Not only are we pleased to continue contributing to this program, but I have personally enjoyed having the opportunity to engage with Lycoming students who directly benefit from this successful program, said David Kerr, president of external affairs for AT&T Pennsylvania. On Oct. 29, Kerr joined LSA participants on campus at a dinner where he gave a career presentation to promote student success.

LSA participants enroll in two courses taught by Lycoming faculty, earning two academic credits. These courses help students transition to college-level academics while fostering a sense of belonging within the Lycoming College and greater Williamsport communities. Participants engage in presentations and workshops led by faculty, staff, alumni, current students, and local business leaders.

The LSA program offers students a wonderful opportunity to become part of the Lycoming College and greater Williamsport community before their first semester even begins."

The LSA program offers students a wonderful opportunity to become part of the Lycoming College and greater Williamsport community before their first semester even begins, says Amy Rogers, Ph.D., professor of education and associate provost for assessment and accreditation. In the Why Williamsport? course, students learn about the rich history and culture of Lycoming County, a place that they will call home for the next four years and possibly beyond. It is exciting to see the students connect with our local community in meaningful ways as they participate in many hometown events.

Len Cagle, Ph.D., associate professor of German, adds, The Brothers Grimm, Then and Now is a humanities/fine arts course that provides LSA students with the opportunity to practice skills they will need in virtually all their courses at Lycoming: critical thinking, information literacy, collaborative work, and college-level writing, among others. The course includes often challenging readings and other assignments that encourage students to get comfortable with ambiguity and the open discussion of difficult topics.

Beyond the classroom, students complete a service project, gain valuable insights into residential college life, and participate in enriching off-campus experiences. Activities include hiking in local state parks, attending the "Williamsport Welcomes the World" Little League Parade and a game, and visiting Knoebel's Amusement Resort, where they are greeted by Lycoming alumnus Ronald Buddy Knoebel 65.
You know how it is: youve got all year to do your Christmas shopping, but you always end up leaving it so late that you have to pay for premium delivery. Despite our best intentions to get things done early, we always do them at the last minute. Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

This, I assume, is whats been going on at Apple Park, whose residents seem bizarrely unprepared for the looming EU ban on the use of Lightning ports to charge smartphones. The company officially had two years to get ready for the new regulations, and its been on the cards a lot longer than that; yet Apple still finds itself having to simply halt the sale of three of its handsets in Europe with no obvious replacements.

Obviously Apple has taken steps to get ready for the change, namely launching two generations of flagship iPhones with USB-C ports in the fall of 2023 and 2024. The 15- and 16-series iPhones comply fully with the law and will continue to be sold. But according to the French-language site iGeneration, the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus, and crucially the 3rd-gen iPhone SE violate the regulations and as of January 2025 will no longer be available to buy in EU countries.

This strikes me, frankly, as a sub-optimal response to an extremely predictable situation. Apples strategy is to sell recent iPhones at a premium price but to target budget buyers with older models. With the iPhone 13 only recently dropped from sale and the 14, 14 Plus, and SE soon to follow it, the range will be left with no cheap option; instead of starting at $429, it will start at $699. (Or 17 eggs in our quaint European currency.)

This wont be a problem for long, admittedly. A few months after the ban comes into force Apple will launch the 4th-gen iPhone SE, and by next fall the iPhone 17 will come out, dropping the iPhone 15 into the $599 slot currently occupied by the 14, and well be back to normal. But the iPhone is Apples most lucrative product line in history, and I dread to think how many eggs Apple will be leaving on the table by going nine months without its full range in a major market. Think of how many Europeans will potentially be pushed into the arms of Googles lower-cost Android empire.

Whats extra odd is that Apple could have fixed the situation quite easily. The last iPhone SE launch was way back in spring 2022 and the company could have arranged matters so that the 4th-gen model came out before the ban began. Orand forgive me for being so radical hereit could even have switched from Lightning to USB-C before being forced to when it was a customer-friendly thing to do rather than a legal necessity. If the iPhone 14 was the first post-Lighting iPhone, or if it was retroactively upgraded to support USB-C, things would now be a lot simpler.

But this was always going to be difficult, because it was in Apples interests to fight against the transition for as long as humanly possible. Cupertino left its Christmas shopping to the last minute because it never wanted to buy any presents in the first place and still thinks it shouldnt have to. But the sad fact is that Christmas is coming, whether we like it or not.

Foundry

Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.

Trending: Top stories

These are the Apple stories that were bigger than the iPhone in 2024.

Jason Cross lists six ways Apple Intelligence levels up with iOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2.

The real Apple Intelligence is the AI we met along the way.

The best releases of 2024 all took Apple in a bold new direction.

The Apple Car is dead. Where does that leave Apples auto ambitions?

Here are five exciting Apple products to look forward to this spring.

How Apple Intelligence can turn anyone into a star student (without cheating).

Turn your iPhone into an iPod before Apple wont let you anymore.

Podcast of the week

In the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast, were taking a look at the year in review for Apple. What were the big products, events, and happenings that were landmarks in 2024 for the company?

You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site.

Reviews corner

Wondershare Recoverit review: An excellent Mac data recovery package .

. Baseus Nomos 5-in-1 Charger review: Versatile all-in-one 140W desktop and wireless charger.

The rumor mill

Report: The OLED MacBook Pro will dump the notch for a camera hole.

Leaked iPhone 17 frame shows wide, Pixel-style camera bump.

The MacBook with a modem dream may finally come true.

MacBook Air likely to get an upgraded Center Stage camera in 2025.

Satellite connectivity may be the next Apple Watch Ultra killer feature.

Apple hopes to save Vision Pro with a fresh gaming strategy.

Apple just gave us a few dozen reasons to update our devices right now.

Why iOS 18.2 is a must-have update even if you dont run Apple Intelligence.

Jamf details scary iCloud flaw that was exploitable until this fall.

Hate the new iOS 18 Photos app? Heres how to fix it.

And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.
A lottery player from Massachusetts won $25,000 a year for life during Sunday nights Lucky for Life drawing.

The winning numbers for the Lucky for Life drawing held on Dec. 15 were 9, 12, 22, 36, 45 and Lucky Ball: 3.

The winning ticket sold in Massachusetts that matched the first five numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, to win a $25,000 a year for life prize was sold in Salem at Nicoles Food Store.

Lucky for Life drawings are held in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Drawings are 10:38 p.m. every night, and tickets to play cost $2. Players must choose five numbers between 1-48 and one between 1-18.

Overall, at least 198 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Sunday, including four in Springfield, six in Worcester and six in Boston.

The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600.

So far, the largest lottery prize won in Massachusetts this year was worth $1 million a year for life.

The prize was from the lotterys Lifetime Millions scratch ticket game. The winner claimed their prize through a trust on July 10, and opted to receive a one-time payment of $15.4 million.
A more than century-old newspaper will shut down and pay $1.1 million as part of a settlement of a defamation lawsuit with Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria.

The Everett Leader Herald, a weekly newspaper that has been publishing for 139 years, will shut down within a week as part of the settlement to avoid a trial that was scheduled to start in January, the Boston Globe reported.

DeMaria filed the lawsuit in 2021 after he said the paper knowingly published a series of false articles claiming the mayor had been involved in kickback schemes and extortion, with the goal of removing him from office.

The evidence in this case, which was extraordinary itself, reflected a three-year-long purposeful, intentional campaign to fabricate articles accusing the mayor of crimes that the defendants knew were fabricated, DeMarias attorney, Jeff Robbins, told the Globe.

According to the lawsuit, the Leader Heralds owner, Matthew Philbin, and its publisher and editor, Joshua Resnek, communicated over email about their wishes to discredit the mayor, who Resnek frequently referred to as Kickback Carlo in articles.

The newspapers attorneys argued that DeMaria was not hurt by the stories. The mayors legal team asserted in court documents that he suffered serious damage to his reputation as well as emotional distress that led to medical issues such as chest pains, heart palpitations, depression, and anxiety.

A trial in the case was scheduled to begin on Jan. 21 in Middlesex Superior Court.

DeMaria is scheduled to hold a press conference in Boston on Monday afternoon to discuss the settlement.

Robbins told the Globe that the role of the free press is an important part of democracy, but that in a time of increasing distrust of the media, the Leader Heralds actions were particularly dangerous.

I, like other people, note the lack of trust that Americans have in the media, wrongly or rightly or both, he said. This is the kind of set of facts which really does damage to journalists who work their tails off to do the right thing.
An increased law enforcement presence is active in a tree-lined residential neighborhood in Natick on Monday.

The Natick Police Department informed residents that there was increased police activity on Woodland Street and in the area of Juniper and Clover lanes, according to Natick police in a post on Facebook posted at 2:17 p.m.

At this time, there is no immediate threat to the community, the post read. ...We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this time. Updates will be shared as soon as they become available. Please avoid calling the department for additional information.

Additionally, people wearing FBI jackets were outside a home on Woodland Street, NBC 10 Boston reported. The FBI told the news station that agents were conducting a court-authorized activity and that there was no threat to the public.

The police department added that residents should avoid the area and avoid sharing unverified information on social media.
A man is facing numerous criminal charges after police say he kidnapped his 5-year-old daughter following a domestic dispute.

The man, whose name was not released, is accused of fleeing the scene of a domestic dispute on Summer Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea with his 5-year-old daughter, Police Chief Todd Fitzgerald said in a statement. Police went to a home on Summer Street at around 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

As police searched for the man, they requested help from Massachusetts State Police and the Essex County Sheriffs Office, which provided four K-9 teams to aid the search.

A Massachusetts State Police K-9 found the man in a cemetery near Manchester-Essex Regional High School into a nearby cemetery. He was found behind a tombstone covered in leaves with his daughter, according to the statement.

The man sustained minor injuries while being taken into police custody and was taken to Beverly Hospital to be evaluated. The mans daughter was not injured and was reunited with her mother, Fitzgerald said.

The man is set to be arraigned in Salem District Court Monday on charges of domestic assault and battery, assault and battery of a child under 14, reckless endangerment of a child, carrying a dangerous weapon, parental kidnapping and possession of Class B and Class E drugs.
A 38-year-old man accused of seriously wounding a Vermont police captain in a shooting was arrested after a multi-day manhunt Sunday morning, police said.

Scott Mason, of St. Johnsbury, was found inside a residence at 251 Portlandt St. around 2 a.m. Sunday  next door to the location where police say Mason shot a police captain on Friday afternoon, Vermont State Police said in a statement.

Police converged on the Portlandt Street address around midnight Sunday after obtaining a search warrant.

Mason was taken to the Vermont State Police barracks and will be charged with attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault on a law-enforcement officer resulting in serious bodily injury. He faces unrelated charges of failure to appear on 26 counts of forgery, police said.

The charges against Mason stem from an incident that began around 4:30 p.m. Friday, when police responded to Masons apartment at 261 Portlandt St. for a report of a domestic violence incident. It was during that response, police say, that Mason shot and wounded Capt. Jason Gray.

Gray, who sustained severe injuries, was in stable condition at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center as of Saturday afternoon, police said.

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, the statement reads. We are committed to supporting all efforts to provide them the support they need to recover.

As police searched for Mason, the FBIs Albany office offered a reward of up to $25,000 leading to his arrest and conviction.
A Mattapan man faces a murder charge in connection with the death of a Cambridge woman whose body was left in her basement for two weeks in 1992, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced at a press conference on Monday.

Edward Watson, 65, is expected to be arraigned in Cambridge District Court Monday afternoon, Ryan said. He faces a first-degree murder charge.

He will be charged in connection with the death of Michelle Miller, 29, who was found dead in her basement at 245 Washington St. in July 1992, Ryan told reporters. Miller, a former U.S. Army soldier, was last seen at a Cambridge bar before she was found two weeks later after her neighbor noticed a smell.

Miller was found partially naked, with her face covered in a blanket, Ryans office said in a statement.

Michelle Miller had served her country as a U.S. Army soldier, and she was a mother of two beautiful children, whom she adored, Ryan said in the statement. By 1992 she had fallen on hard times. She was abused by a jealous and violent partner, who had threatened to take away custody of her children. On July 28, 1992, the day after she told her social worker of her intention to obtain a restraining order against that abusive partner, she disappeared. Her body was found two weeks later... in the filthy basement of an abandoned building in the Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge.

Ryans Cold Case Unit found further evidence that suggested Millers husband Daniel Innis hired Watson to kill her in the basement at the behest of her abusive partner,, Ryans office said.

Innis was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in state prison for an unrelated manslaughter charge in 1994, but died in 2012, Ryans office said.

Ryan told reporters on Monday that investigators informed Miller and Innis' grown children about Watsons arrest and that the evidence indicated that that murder took place at the behest of their biological father.
By David Kindy

Harry Miller was jolted to consciousness by the sound of explosions on Dec. 16, 1944. Stationed with the U.S. Armys 760th Tank Battalion in Neufchateau, Belgium, the young American soldier could see flashes of light reflecting off cold, dark clouds near the German border.

We heard all this rumbling in the distance, he said in an interview. We saw the lights of the explosions on the horizon. We didnt know what was happening, but we thought maybe it was an attack.

The Battle of the Bulge had begun with a massive artillery barrage in Belgium and Luxembourg. Hidden in the Ardennes Forest, 40 German divisions knifed through American and British lines in a desperate attempt to turn the tide of World War II in Europe. The Allies eventually stopped the advance, but not before it claimed nearly 200,000 lives.

There was rain and snow, and I was never warm, said Frank Cohn, who was a private with a U.S. Army intelligence unit attached to the 12th Army Group, based at Remouchamps in Belgium.

On the 80th anniversary of the conflict, local veterans Miller and Cohn recalled their experiences during one of worst winters in European history. Miller, 96, of Washington, and Cohn, 99, of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, were teenagers caught up in the nightmarish reality of war. They remember battling intense cold, wearing sodden uniforms and trudging through fog, mud and ice while trying to avoid becoming combat casualties.

A map of the front line of the Battle of the Bulge. (Robb Hill for The Washington Post)Robb Hill for The Washington Post

Miller, also a private, served with the First Army during the Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive. He had no winter clothing, so he wore everything he had in an attempt to stay warm.

It started out rainy and foggy, but it got colder, he said. Then we had snow up to our hips. I had an overcoat that was like a horse blanket. When it got wet, it was heavy and cumbersome. We slept under tanks or on the ground. It was so cold and miserable.

Historian and author Alex Kershaw has interviewed both men about their experiences in World War II, including during two events this year at the National Archives through the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. Kershaws latest book, Pattons Prayer: A True Story of Courage, Faith, and Victory in World War II, focuses on the Battle of the Bulge.

There are so few World War II veterans left. Its super important that we learn their stories before they are all gone, he said.

The path to war was different for the two veterans. Born in Ohio in 1929, Miller was raised by his sister after his parents died. At 15, he lied about his age and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was 16 when the Battle of the Bulge began.

As a kid, I wanted to be a soldier, he said. Thats all I ever wanted.

Miller never told anyone his age for fear of being sent home. He was frightened to be in combat but noticed more mature soldiers were, too.

I saw that the old men were scared, he remembered. They were 28 or 29, so I figured that was normal.

Cohn, born Jewish in Germany, witnessed the horrors of Adolf Hitlers rise to power when his uncle was killed by brown-shirted supporters. He was 13 when his family escaped to the United States.

I didnt speak English, he said. I listened to the radio and went to the movies so I could learn to talk without an accent.

Drafted at 18, Cohn was about to be assigned to a combat regiment when the Army learned of his language skills. He was then sent to a unit interrogating German prisoners of war.

In December 1944, Allied forces were thinly stretched across a long defensive line in Western Europe. Hitlers goal was to split the Allied armies in two. Caught off guard, the Americans and British suffered massive casualties and retreated before the onslaught.

On Dec. 16, Millers unit was ordered to get tanks at a supply depot, where they discovered only broken ones. They pieced together two Sherman tanks and an assault vehicle with a 105-millimeter cannon, then were ordered to engage the feared 1st SS Panzer Division at the Belgian town of Stoumont.

They were called the Hitler Division, Miller said. They had a bad reputation for killing people for no reason at all.

The gunners of the 760th Tank Battalion knocked out three German tanks and stalled the drive.

In our first half-hour of combat, we turned around the 1st SS Panzer Division, which had never been done before, Miller said.

Cohn, meanwhile, was hitchhiking to a town near the border. He wanted to show a friend the home of a German officer he had discovered.

They never made it. Roadblocks with military police turned them away. The next day, members of the 1st SS Panzer Division executed 84 American POWs there in what is remembered as the Malmedy Massacre.

If we hadnt been stopped, who knows what would have happened to us? Cohn said.

After blunting the German attack, Millers battalion was sent to help soldiers trapped in a building guarded by a Nazi tank. The Americans blew it up and were ordered to check for other survivors.

In the basement, we found a Catholic priest with 92 people, mostly old folks and kids, Miller said. If the Germans had discovered them, they would have machine-gunned the whole group.

Cohn was near the front lines with his intelligence squad, which was ordered to intercept German infiltrators disguised as American soldiers.

There was an infantry roadblock that had wiped out four people in a Jeep with a bazooka, he said. We saw the dead bodies and found American dog tags, but there was no question they were Germans. They had explosives and maps with them.

A few days later, when he was taken prisoner by U.S. soldiers, Cohn remembered those dead Germans. His unit had stopped for directions, only to be asked for a password that they didnt know. They were held at gunpoint for seven hours until their identities were confirmed.

The German attack continued for a week, penetrating 50 miles past Allied lines. On Dec. 25, 1944, the weather finally cleared and planes were able to fly again. The U.S. Army Air Forces hammered German positions, stopping the offensive.

The Battle of the Bulge ended a month later.

Throughout the war, Millers mission was to fight fascism and liberate the people of Europe. As fighting drew to a close, he realized how much more was at stake. Miller visited the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, where thousands of Jews and others were exterminated. He was stunned by the sight of dead bodies, skeletal remains, crematoriums, the stench of death and a dark ash covering everything.

I saw piles of that gray stuff everywhere, he recalled. I didnt know what it was at first. I broke down when I realized it was the ashes of the dead. I still wake up in the middle of the night dreaming about that.

Cohn heard about concentration camps but did not visit them. It wasnt until he returned home that he learned the full horror of the Holocaust. Among the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis were some of Cohns own family who stayed behind in Germany after he left in 1938.

If I hadnt escaped Germany, I would have died at age 16 when the people from my hometown were taken into a field and shot, he said.

After Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945, both men returned home to get married and have children. Although combat changed them, neither man said he suffered serious depression.

Miller served in the Korean War. Then he left the Army and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1966 as a senior master sergeant.

Cohn rejoined the Army in 1948 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He served with the military police in Germany and Vietnam. He retired in 1978 as a colonel, then took a job with the University of Maryland.

Miller and Cohn consider themselves blessed. Many of the men they served with didnt come home.

Miller shares his combat experiences at local schools. Students are astonished after he tells them he was their age when he went into battle: They generally have big eyes and say Wow!

Cohn volunteers at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, where he speaks about what he saw growing up in Nazi Germany, and how he fought to liberate Europe.

I owe the United States my life, he said.
If Ilyse Levine-Kanji can get one thing done on Beacon Hill before the Legislature gavels out for the year, its to make sure that all Bay State residents living with autism get the same protections as her son.

This year, Levine-Kanjis son, Sam, whos 26, began participating in a voluntary program run through the Massachusetts State Police thats intended to help de-escalate law enforcement interactions between police officers and drivers on the autism spectrum.

The Blue Envelope program, as its known, offers people on the autism spectrum a specially designed blue envelope to carry their drivers license in case of traffic stops.

They also let officers know about the drivers diagnosis and other essential guidelines to ensure more effective and sensitive communication during the interaction, State Police said in a statement earlier this year.

A bill that would make the program compulsory statewide cleared the state Senate earlier this year.

Its now before the House Ways & Means Committee, and advocates are pushing for final passage before the Legislature wraps up its work for the year on Dec. 31.

A spokesperson for the committee told MassLive late last month that the bill, at that time, was under review. It remained before the committee as of Monday, according to the Legislatures website.

Passing the bill statewide is important because it ensures that the program is recognized by all municipal police departments and isnt enforced piecemeal, Levine-Kanji, of Westborough, told MassLive in an email.

The program loses its efficacy if a driver with a blue envelope crosses town lines into a municipality that hasnt chosen to introduce the program to its officers, she wrote.

The ARC of Massachusetts has urged its supporters to contact their local House lawmakers and urge a vote on the bill, noting that its a simple bill with no stated opposition, that would have an enormous impact on the safety, independence, and understanding of our community."

The bill has the support of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the State Police Association of Massachusetts Troopers, the Massachusetts Police Association and the Municipal Police Training Institute, according to WBUR.

The legislations sponsor in the Senate, Sen. Joanne Comerford, D-Hampshire/Franklin/Worcester, said she introduced the proposal at the behest of a constituent.

In an August newsletter to constituents, Comerford cheered the State Police program, which had resulted in more than 12,000 envelopes being distributed statewide.

The beautiful thing about this bill is that it was called for by people living with autism spectrum disorder and their loved ones, Comerford told MassLive earlier this year What they told us, in no uncertain terms, is that they need this.
The YWCA in Worcester.Google Maps

A community meeting will be held Wednesday night at the YWCA in Worcester regarding the Department of Justices investigation and explosive findings into the Worcester Police Department, according to an email from the U.S. Attorneys office.

The 41-page report, released on Dec. 9, found that WPD officers used excessive force, engaged in discriminatory enforcement practices, and engaged in illegal sex acts with vulnerable women, particularly those working in the sex trade.

The U.S. Attorneys office and the DOJs civil rights division are inviting Worcester stakeholders to attend the meeting, where the findings of the investigation and remedies will be discussed, according to a flier attached to the email.

The report resulted from a two-year civil investigation by the Justice Department.

The Department of Justice also is seeking comments and feedback from the community to determine what reforms should be considered for the Worcester Police Department.

During a 45-minute virtual meeting on the night of the reports release, U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy and members of the Department of Justice told a group of nearly 100 people there are plans to hold in-person meetings with community members to answer questions and to collect comments about reforms regarding police practices and policies.

The problems we found are solvable, Levy said. These recommendations (at the end of the report) are just the beginning. We need to hear from community members what you want your police department to look like.

The Justice Department outlined 19 recommendations for the police department, ranging from making improvements in the use of force and escalation standards to a complete prohibition on engaging in sexual contact for law enforcement purposes.

The meeting at the YWCA Central Mass at 1 Salem Square in Worcester will be held on Dec. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to the flier.

Members of the public may also submit their recommendations by email at community.wpd@usdoj.gov or by phone at 617-275-8756, according to the department.
RWE, a world leader in renewable power generation, has celebrated the first anniversary of the innovative Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) test facility in Bangor Erris.

The company has also announced that it will be continuing its partnership with Kitepower in Bangor Erris into 2025.

With its vast space and excellent wind conditions, the RWE test site in the north Mayo area is perfect for scaling up Kitepowers Falcon system, which can generate up to 100 kilowatts of electricity.

The extension for the site will allow Kitepower to finalise testing of its kite system and advance research on larger-scale airborne wind energy solutions.

Johannes Peschel, CEO of Kitepower said flights flights have increased to five per week on average with flight times increasing to over 35 hours and the longest flight recorded of five and three quarter hours.

The companys Falcon test kite has a capacity of up to 100 kilowatts (kW), up from our smaller Hawk system with a capacity of 30 kW.

Kitepower has established a permanent crew on-site to ensure continuous research and development efforts and plans to further expand its testing team in Ireland.

It has conducted over 90 flights and 100 hours of test time in Bangor-Erris to date.

RWE has renewable energy projects in different stages of development; including two offshore wind farms, ten onshore wind farms and a further battery storage facility. RWEs objective is to be a long-term energy partner for Ireland during the countrys transition to carbon neutrality.
A Westport clergywoman is hanging a dove of peace on her Christmas tree to draw attention to the humanitarian crises caused by conflicts around the world and the efforts of Christian Aid to support those most in need.

Rev Suzanne Cousins, Church of Ireland Rector of Westport, Castlebar, Turlough and Dugort on Achill Island, is hanging the peace symbol on her Christmas tree this year to show her solidarity with all those whose lives have been devastated by war across the world. These include people in Gaza and those who have fled the civil war in Sudan.

Rev Suzanne supports Christian Aid through her ministry by organising fundraising events and encouraging her congregations to donate to the charity.

Christian Aid supports people impacted by conflict in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. The charity also supports refugees from Sudan who have fled to South Sudan to escape a civil war that has created the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.

Christian Aid works through local partners to help some of the most vulnerable at Wedweil refugee camp in South Sudan.

Chief Executive of Christian Aid Ireland, Rosamond Bennett, thanked Rev Suzanne for helping to raise awareness of the devastating impact of war.

Here at home, were looking forward to our Christmas celebrations but for the refugees in South Sudan who have escaped with only the clothes on their backs, theres no room for comfort and joy. Thankfully, aid agencies like Christian Aid and our local partners are helping some of the most vulnerable to survive and thrive, said Ms Bennett.

For more information and to support Christian Aids work this Christmas, please visit caid.ie/Christmas
by Tanya Gazdik , December 15, 2024

It turns out that what goes around comes around applies to restaurants as well as fashion.

Hormel Foods, owner of the Chi-Chi's trademark, recently announced plans to reopen the once-sought-after chain, with more specific details to come soon.

As Michael McDermott, the man tasked with the revival, stated in a press release, [We] believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today's consumeran updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor, according to delish.com. And people across the country are already licking their lips in excitement at the prospect of the return of Chi-Chi's. In fact, a Reddit thread dedicated specifically to the comeback news has many former fans chomping at the bit. Thank you sweet baby Jesus! exclaimed one poster, while another lauded the restaurant's beloved dessert: I want the fried ice cream. NOBODY else does it right.

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McDermott said in a statement on Friday that the new business venture was in the early stages of planning by securing funding but shared that the first two restaurants to open will be in Minnesota, according the The New York Times. He did not clarify where in Minnesota the sites would be or how many restaurants might ultimately be opened under the revival.

So what prompted the downfall of the popular brand, other than the demise of the shopping mall?

Ranked number eight on Mashed.com's list of beloved chain restaurants that completely disappeared (along with HomeTown Buffet and Howard Johnson's), Chi-Chi's was a thriving Tex-Mex establishment that once boasted over 200 locations in the U.S.

The chain faced some major hardships during its run, including a 2003 bankruptcy filing that was immediately followed by the worst outbreak of hepatitis A in the nation's history, notes mashed.com. The outbreak, which was likely caused by raw green onions in the restaurant's free salsa, effectively ended Chi-Chi's, and the chain's remaining locations were purchased by Outback Steakhouse and turned into other restaurant brands owned by the Australian-inspired steakhouse chain.

Chi-Chis branding is still used on packaged food and margaritas that will continue to be sold at stores. Hormel has made chips, salsas and other Chi-Chis products since the late 1980s.

The revival of Chi-Chis comes as other nostalgic chains are facing mixed results. Chilis has repeatedly reported strong earnings this year, while Red Lobster and TGI Fridays both filed for bankruptcy, according to CNN Business. The seafood chain introduced a new happy hour, among other menu changes, to revive the chain under a new CEO; while Fridays has quietly closed another dozen restaurants in the past few weeks.
by Ray Schultz , December 15, 2024

New York Times tech workers have reached an agreement with the Times for a three-year contract.

Workers will vote on ratification of the deal on Thursday, December 19th, according to the Times Tech Guild, a bargaining unit of The NewsGuild of New York.

Were thrilled to reach an agreement that secures just cause protections, sustains workplace flexibility, and guarantees annual raises for our members, says Kathy Zhang, a senior analytics manager at The New York Times and unit chair of the Tech Guild. These first contract wins set a strong foundation for job protections that our colleagues will build upon for generations."

Tech Guild members staged an Unfair Labor Practices strike the day before Election Day, with roughly 400 picketing outside the Times.

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The action ended roughly a week later without a contract being agreed upon.

The tech workers include software developers, project managers and graphic designers.

The agreement, which was reached after two years of negotiations, includes:
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 16, 2024

Eric Schmidt, former Google chairman and chief executive officer, says companies need to take advantage of AI, but must also preserve human dignity and values. He says it has become hugely difficult to maintain that balance, because systems are just moving too quickly.

We will soon have computers running on their own deciding what to do, he said.

Eventually, Schmidt predicts, the industry will advance from AI agents with software that can complete complex tasks autonomously to tell a computer to learn everything. At that point we need to think about unplugging it, he says.

AI has automated many aspects of online media buying, ad optimization and ad serving, and has revolutionized consumer privacy and ad targeting without using browser cookies that track consumer purchases and intent.

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Schmidt pointed to social media as one example during an interview on ABC News. Social media changed the global thinking, Schmidt said, and now imagine a much more intelligent, much stronger way of sending messages, inventing things, the rate of innovation, drug discovery and all of that, plus all sorts of bad things, like weapons and cyberattacks.

The power inherent in this new type of intelligence, he said, will give each person a tool the equivalent of a polymath in their pocket -- which can give advice for everything, including advertisers.

Companies are testing models so they dont encourage people to kill themselves or or to do other harmful, dangerous, and destructive things. The fear is that technology is moving so fast that companies will omit these things and cause people harm.

Schmidt said government oversight is not yet happening in the way that it should. He adds that government is not yet doing what needs to be done to regulate AI as it becomes a form of superintelligence.

The companies are reporting to the government the steps they are taking, which is a good thing, he said.

Schmidt also said its important to consider advancements made by China, and it is becoming more important for the United States to win this race globally.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 16, 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday turned away broadband providers who sought to challenge a New York law requiring them to offer $15 a month service to low-income residents.

The justices didn't give a reason for their refusal to hear the case.

The move leaves in place a decision issued by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the New York Affordable Broadband Act.

The legal dispute dates to May 2021, when a coalition of broadband lobbying groups challenged New York's Affordable Broadband Act, a then-new law that required carriers to charge no more than $15 a month for broadband service to low-income households.

The groups, including CTIA -- The Wireless Association, ACA Connects--America's Communications Association, US Telecom -- The Broadband Association, NTCA -- the Rural Broadband Association, argued that only the federal government can regulate the broadband industry.

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The lobbying groups also contended that New York's law conflicted with the Federal Communications Commission's 2018 repeal of the Obama-era net neutrality rules -- a deregulatory move that largely stripped the FCC of the power to regulate broadband providers. (This year, the FCC passed an order reinstating the Obama-era rules, but the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals prevented that order from taking effect.)

U.S. District Court Judge Denis Hurley in Central Islip, New York -- an appointee of President George H. W. Bush -- agreed with the lobbying groups and blocked New York's law.

In April, the 2nd Circuit reversed Hurley's decision, ruling 2-1 that the FCC's 2018 net neutrality repeal doesn't prevent New York from regulating internet service.

A federal agency cannot exclude states from regulating in an area where the agency itself lacks regulatory authority, Circuit Judge Alison Nathan wrote in an opinion joined by Sarah Merriam.

The broadband groups then asked the Supreme Court to hear an appeal.

Among other arguments, they contended that other states might follow New York's lead, resulting in a state-by-state race to dictate the prices at which broadband service is sold to consumers.

New York Attorney General Letitia James urged the Supreme Court to reject that argument as too speculative.

The ABA was enacted more than three years ago, the attorney general's office wrote, using an abbreviation for the state law. But as far as respondent is aware, no other State has enacted a law that, like the ABA, requires broadband providers to offer low-income individuals an affordable broadband product.
The first season of Paatal Lok made waves upon its release in 2020, highlighting the problems surrounding oppression, casteism, and class division. After four years of anticipation, fans finally received an update on the second season of Paatal Lok after Amazon unveiled the first poster for Season 2 three days ago, sparking excitement among the audience.

 Instagram/Prime Video India After dropping the first poster, Amazon Prime recently dropped a teaser for Paatal Lok season 2. About the teaser The teaser for Paatal Lok Season 2 starts by showcasing a date on Hathi Rams wrist, which gets erased and we then see him struggling against people who appear to be biting him. A text appears on the screen that reads, The Door To Hell Opens Soon. Sharing the teaser on social media platforms, Prime Video wrote, Mausam badalne wala hai. Paatal Lok ahead. Caution advised.

The reactions Fans are excited for the second season of Paatal Lok and are speculating whether Hathi Ram will lock horns with zombies this time. One user commented, We have new paatal lok series before GTA 6. Another user commented, What? The new season has zombies? Another user reacted, Hathiram Chaudhary is back!!

 Instagram/Prime Video India About Paatal Lok Created by Sudip Sharma and produced by Anushka Sharma and her brother Karnesh Sharma's production house, Clean Slate Filmz, Paatal Lok created a lot of controversy upon its release and the makers faced a lot of flak from the Sikh community.
Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala tied the knot earlier this month and new videos and photos from the event keep finding their way to the internet. There has been a lot of controversy around their relationship and wedding with people criticising Naga Chaitanya for moving on so quickly after his divorce from Samantha Ruth Prabhu in 2021. Now, a video of their wedding rituals has gone viral where Sobhita can be seen touching Naga Chaitanyas feet. This seems to have riled many fans who felt that it was an unnecessary thing to do and Chay could have stopped his bride from following the age-old tradition.

 Instagram/Sobhita Dhulipala This video has left the internet divided. Many think this ritual is outdated and the sexist ritual should not have been followed, calling out the groom for not even attempting to stop the bride from touching his feet. However, others felt that there was nothing wrong with following traditional rituals. One comment read, "Fun drama it is. Talks about women, feminism and all, and touches his feet." Another person wrote, "He is not even stopping her, instead he thinks he is some God and acting like giving blessings." But then there were also comments in support of the ritual like, Its part of telugu marriage. Every bride does it. Shobita is not the only one. It just like taking blessings. Groom is usually elder. Watch the full video here:

Heres how fans reacted to it.

 Instagram/Kollywood Cinema News

 Instagram/Kollywood Cinema News

 Instagram/Kollywood Cinema News
The event celebrated the companies and individuals that have made a big contribution to UK logistics

Logistics UK has announced the winners of its eighth annual Logistics Awards at a glittering reception and celebratory gala dinner held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London on 12 December.

Almost 600 people attended the awards sponsored by Unipart  to celebrate the companies and individuals that have made a significant contribution to the logistics and supply industry in the past year.

Shortlisted entrants included representatives of the road, rail, sea and air industries including operators, manufacturers, logistics businesses and supporting sectors, which were recognised for their outstanding commitment, knowledge and expertise.

Award winners included Nestle UK and Ireland, Tesco, the Fleet Management Team at Powys County Council, The Clancy Group, Karcher UK and HSL Chairs.

Benz Sirikorn Mecasuwandamrong, Technology Graduate at Ligentia, was named the Rising Star for 2024 and Matt ODell, Managing Director  England Logistics, DFDS Logistics, was announced the Logistics Leader of the Year.

The evening also saw Tracy Downend, Distribution Manager at Booker announced as the winner of Logistics UKs Transport Manager of the Year competition for 2024, sponsored by BP, with Jemma Deans, Transport Manager at Oilfast Ltd named as runner-up.

David Wells OBE, Chief Executive of Logistics UK, commented: This is the best night of the year, and our Logistics Awards brings the sector together showcasing the skills, expertise and can do spirit of our industry.

"The passion for our profession was tangible in all the submissions and this year we received our highest number of top-quality entries ever - a clear indicator that the sector continues to innovate and achieve great things for businesses right across the economy.

All those shortlisted for an award this evening should be very proud of their achievements."

Entries for next years Logistics Awards open in March, with Awards night taking place in December.

Winners of the Logistics Awards 2024

International Logistics Business of the Year (sponsored by CNS Online) - Aramex UK

Highly commended: DFDS Logistics, Metro and Noatum Logistics

Public Services Operator of the Year - Powys County Council - Fleet Management Team

Highly commended: The Clancy Group

Most Innovative Company of the Year (sponsored by Brigade Electronics) - Karcher UK

Decarbonisation Champion of the Year (sponsored by Allstar) - Nestle UK&I

Highly commended: Greenergy Flexigrid Ltd and Peel Ports Group

Logistics Technology Provider of the Year (sponsored by Unipart)  Samsara

Highly commended: iCustoms and r2c

Van Business of the Year (sponsored by Logistics UK Recovery) - The Clancy Group

Logistics Partner of the Year (sponsored by M6 Toll)  iCustoms

Highly commended: Clipfine

Air Business of the Year - Metro

Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year (sponsored by Port of Dover) - Road to Logistics

Highly commended: CEVA Logistics

Rail Business of the Year - Tesco

People Champion of the Year (sponsored by Howard Tenens) - Reflex Vehicle Hire

Last Mile Delivery Business of the Year - HSL Chairs

Highly commended: Howard Tenens Logistics

Most Innovative Product of the Year - Octopus Electroverse for Business

Highly commended: Brigade Electronics Ltd - Backeye360 AI Intelligent Detection, Deus Robotics and Tesco HGV Routing Platform

Rising Star of the Year - Benz Sirikorn Mecasuwandamrong, Technology Graduate, Ligentia

Highly commended: Jonny Farnhill, Transport Manager, HSL Chairs and Megan Lynch, Transition & Transformation Degree Apprentice UKIN, CEVA Logistics

Logistics Leader of the Year (sponsored by R2C Online) - Matt ODell, Managing Director  England Logistics, DFDS Logistics

Highly commended: Chris Welch, Managing Director, Welch's Transport

Road Transport Operator of the Year (sponsored by Weightmans LLP) - DFDS Logistics

Highly commended: Hovis Logistics
Four 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.

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."

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.

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.

(c) 2024 the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska)

Visit the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska) at www.adn.com

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With Russia's recent use of a hypersonic missile alarming U.S. military planners, Congress is putting more money into submarine power and by extension keeping General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard busy as it faces tight delivery windows for two major sub programs.

The National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives included an expected increase in funding to support construction of a new fleet of ballistic missile submarines, and an unexpected boost for future attack submarine construction. Electric Boat has its main shipyard in Groton, an engineering office in New London, and an auxiliary shipyard in Rhode Island that barges components to Groton for final assembly.

The defense bill also includes a 14.5% increase in pay for junior enlisted members of the military, as service branches amp up recruiting to fill a gap in projected force numbers. About 14,500 active-duty service members were stationed in Connecticut at last report, the large majority in Groton at Naval Submarine Base New London.

U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st, was the lone member of Connecticut's Congressional delegation to vote against the bill in its current form. In response to a CT Insider query, Larson indicated he balked at an element that would ban insurance coverage for gender-affirming care for children in military families. Larson called it "a difficult vote" that ran counter to his support of defense spending bills in prior years.

"The NDAA contained important wins for our service members and Connecticut jobs," Larson stated in an email response forwarded by an office staff member. "It was shameful for Republican leadership to disrupt the bipartisan process of passing a defense authorization bill to insert a provision to ban gender affirming care for service members' children. Health care decisions need to be made by families and medical professionals, not politicians."

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, indicated he will vote in favor of the bill in its current form.

"I regret some of the provisions in the bill -- including limitations on health care for the families of military personnel -- and am talking to my colleagues about opportunities to change them," Blumenthal said in an email forwarded by staff.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, declined comment on the bill in advance of an expected Senate vote sometime next week, according to a spokesperson in Murphy's office.

Columbia Sub a Priority

A CT Insider analysis of line items for major military systems made in Connecticut shows $35.6 billion in total spending, down slightly from $36 billion a year earlier, including for fighter jets that use engines from Pratt & Whitney based in East Hartford. Those figures do not include additional revenue from Connecticut-based companies that provide subsystems for installation in major Pentagon programs, which are not easily identifiable by line item.

At least $19.2 billion will support submarine construction at General Dynamics Electric Boat as well as the Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News shipyard in Virginia, or systems that go into new and existing submarines. That includes procurement of materials and systems for subs that will be assembled later, some supplied by companies based in other states.

While Congress is ordering one fewer Virginia-class sub amid ongoing struggles by Electric Boat and Newport News to obtain parts from suppliers who have experienced labor shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic, that is more than offset by an extra $3.8 billion for the new Columbia class of attack submarines.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd, supported the bill despite Congress eliminating one Virginia-class sub from the program. He serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee.

The program is getting an extra boost of $357 million to support the purchase of systems for future subs, which was not included in the Pentagon's original funding request. Last week, Electric Boat reported the successful completion of sea trials for the USS Iowa, the 24th sub in the Virginia-class fleet stationed currently at Naval Submarine Base New London, which is to be commissioned next spring.

The Navy is putting increased emphasis on submarine power as concerns grow over potential vulnerabilities of surface ships to drone or missile attacks. This fall, Russian forces fired a hypersonic missile at a Ukraine target that traveled more than 10 times the speed of sound, representing a formidable challenge for shipboard defense systems given the velocity and maneuverability of hypersonic missiles.

Missile Development, Fighter Jets

In the defense bill for fiscal 2025, Congress approved $2.1 billion for hypersonic missile development and procurement, with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon among the companies developing missiles.

Under the current version of the bill, Congress would authorize the purchase of 20 fewer F-35 Lighting II fighter jets from Lockheed Martin than the 68 aircraft the Department of Defense had requested.

The F-35 Lighting II uses the F135 jet engine made by Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, with U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro stating the fiscal 2025 bill includes $537 million to support F135 upgrades by Pratt & Whitney.

The lower purchase volume is a setback for Pratt & Whitney and parent Raytheon, however, which have been scrambling since last year to complete a recall of commercial jet engines. The recall has forced airlines to ground planes for more than a year as engines are removed from wings for repair.

Another $2.1 billion is earmarked for 20 new CH-53K King Stallion cargo helicopters built in Stratford for the U.S. Marine Corps by the Sikorsky subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, and $707 million will go for two dozen Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters for the U.S. Army. Overall Black Hawk funding is down for the 2025 fiscal year due to the Army scrapping a program to modernize some of its older helicopters.

The bill cuts by $15 million the allocation for the Sikorsky Jolly Green II rescue helicopter for the U.S. Air Force, for a fiscal 2025 appropriation of just under $148 million.

(c) 2024 The Middletown Press, Conn.

Visit The Middletown Press, Conn. at www.middletownpress.com

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U.S. Louisiana Christmas parade shooting injured woman, child

Xinhua) 11:02, December 16, 2024

HOUSTON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A woman and a child were injured after gunshots rang out during a Christmas parade on Saturday night in downtown Baton Rouge, the capital city of the southern U.S. state of Louisiana.

Hundreds of people were exiting the downtown area after the gunfire took place around 7:15 p.m. Saturday local time (0115 Sunday GMT), according to a report from local media outlet WAFB.

The Baton Rouge Police Department said at least 20 rounds were fired. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an argument involving people hanging out on the levee who were not associated with the parade.

A woman, an innocent bystander, was shot in the back, and a child running for safety was hit by an all-terrain vehicle, police said. Their injuries are reportedly non-life threatening.

No arrests have been made at this time, according to local media.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Tray Poker didn't give much thought to the chance encounter he had Nov. 29 with his former work lunch buddy at the sprawling campus of the VA Loma Linda Health Care System.

Poker was just arriving for work shortly after dawn that day, but his friend -- Paul Alexander Warren, a former inventory management specialist at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital -- was no longer employed there. After exchanging pleasantries, the conversation quickly gravitated to the slaying of Warren's former boss, VA Loma Linda chief supply officer Joshua Watson, four days earlier.

"I asked him if he had heard the rumors," Poker told the Southern California News Group, referring to speculation that a disgruntled co-worker might have killed Watson. "He said not to believe rumors because they were speculation. He then pointed at a warehouse supervisor walking by and said, 'It could be him for all we know.'

"Then he asked for my cellphone number and walked away," said Poker, a finance technician at VA Loma Linda who has known Warren for about two years.

Less than two weeks later, Poker was stunned to learn he had been talking to Watson's suspected killer.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced Dec. 11 that Warren, a 58-year-old Navy veteran who lives in the Mira Loma neighborhood of Jurupa Valley, had been arrested by Philadelphia police for the slaying.

"I was so shocked and couldn't believe he did it," said Poker, who added that he doesn't know why Warren was at VA Loma Linda on the morning of their encounter at the campus parking garage.

Warren was taken into custody Dec. 9 by Philadelphia police on a fugitive warrant after he attempted to update his information to access the Naval Aviation Supply Depot in the city. He is being held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, which houses more than 1,900 inmates, pending extradition from Philadelphia to California.

Watson's family has declined to comment on the slaying, other on a GoFundMe page for his two daughters that says he died from a "senseless act of violence."

Authorities allege Warren used a knife to kill Watson in the work-related attack but haven't released any information about how he was identified as a suspect or provided details of a motive.

However, for at least four months before the slaying, Warren had talked about his employment difficulties at VA Loma Linda during weekly lunches at Shakey's Pizza Parlor in Redlands, complaining to Poker that his bosses wanted to fire him for unauthorized absences due to an arm injury.

Poker asked Warren why he didn't request leave from the VA for the injury. Warren told him he suspected a leave would be denied because he had missed so much work for an unrelated back injury.

VA Loma Linda officials have confirmed Warren no longer works at the facility, but have not said when his employment terminated and whether he was fired or resigned. Poker said he has learned from several employees that Warren may have been let go for unexcused absences.

Although Warren claimed to have hurt his arm, Poker said he had never seen him in a sling prior to their parking garage encounter. He now wonders if Warren may have hurt his arm in an altercation with Watson, a 43-year-old former officer in the Marine Corps who was killed Nov. 25 in his Rancho Cucamonga home.

Poker, who lives in Beaumont, said it's also suspicious that Warren borrowed $400 from a VA Loma Linda Transportation Department employee shortly after the homicide and believes he may have used the money to travel to his hometown of Philadelphia because he has relatives there.

While allegedly on the run, Warren posted several religious memes on the Facebook page of Poker's father on Dec. 2. Warren's own Facebook account contains several religious posts, including one that reads, "Don't worry about anything. Instead pray for everything. Tell God what you need."

Poker said Loma Linda employees remain in shock over Watson's death and several feel terrible for spreading rumors that another worker -- not Warren -- might have killed the respected manager over a dispute.

"Some people feel ashamed for blaming somebody else and others are sad over losing Josh," he said.

A celebration of life for Watson is scheduled for Dec. 21 at Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

(c) 2024 the Redlands Daily Facts (Redlands, Calif.)

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The Navy's continued training in the Pacific proposes more frequent use of nearshore areas such as Kaneohe Bay and Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, along with new activities that include training in ocean mine warfare.

The service has a federal operating permit for what it calls the Hawaii-California Training and Testing Study Area that expires in 2025, and it is required to submit an environmental impact statement, or EIS, as part of the renewal process.

Under the new permit, the Navy is requesting a "special use " airspace in Southern California, expansion of an underwater training range near San Clemente Island, and installation and maintenance of ocean mine warfare training areas off both Hawaii and Southern California.

The four-volume EIS draft released Friday is and notes a Feb. 11 deadline for public comment. The Navy is taking comments online and will hold in both Hawaii and California.

According to a Navy news release, "While the overall boundaries of the Hawaii Study Area have not changed from the 2018 (Hawaii-California Training and Testing EIS and Overseas EIS ), nearshore areas, such as Kaneohe Bay or Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, are proposed to be used more frequently or for new training or testing activities, such as mine warfare training."

The Pentagon considers the Pacific to be its most critical theater of operations amid tension with China, and Oahu serves as a key hub for operations in the region and the headquarters of the vast Pacific Fleet.

The Navy also hosts the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise -- the world's largest naval war game -- in the Hawaiian islands and off San Diego, and has been stepping up training year-round with allied countries in the region.

However, the Navy also is facing increased scrutiny of its environmental record in the Pacific, and especially in Hawaii as it continues cleanup operations at its underground Red Hill facility, a World War II-era fuel farm that sits just 100 feet above a critical aquifer most of Honolulu relies on for drinking water.

In November 2021, a fuel leak entered the Navy's Oahu water system that serves 93,000 people, a number of whom reported health issues they blamed on contaminated tap water.

A recent Navy proposal to increase firing practice on Kaula, a small islet off Kauai that's home to nesting seabirds and endangered Hawaiian monk seals, also has sparked outrage. The state of Hawaii and the Navy have been at odds over who owns the island, with the state declaring it a seabird sanctuary and pushing for the Navy to abandon it as a training ground.

For its part, the Navy says it doesn't expect that increasing training will significantly impact the 18 bird species known to nest there.

The draft EIS includes analysis of how noise -- particularly underwater sonar -- from its various systems could impact the environment. Other concerns raised by environmentalists include Navy vessels hitting and injuring marine animals, especially whales.

The National Marine Fisheries Service authorizes the Navy an "incidental take" -- a calculation of the number of times the government believes Navy operations could result in marine life getting harassed, injured or killed in a certain area, even if sailors are working to mitigate the encounters.

The Navy's current operating permit initially allowed up to three large whales to be killed in ship strikes, or fatal collisions at sea. As of 2024, the Navy had hit that limit.

In 2021, the Navy announced it would review its policies after an Australian navy destroyer participating in a multinational exercise off California unknowingly dragged two dead fin whales under the ship's hull into San Diego, where the animals had to be dislodged from the vessel.

The federal Endangered Species Act requires the government to reevaluate its data if new information or factors it hadn't considered come to light. As a result of the San Diego incident, the Navy last year said it would provide extra training to prevent whale strikes, but also requested that NMFS retroactively amend its operating permit for Hawaii and California to allow for more fatal collisions with large whales, from three to five.

Other concerns have been raised over military sinking exercises the Navy calls SINKEX. The service has conducted the exercises for decades to give sailors the opportunity to use their weapons on real targets -- something the Navy doesn't have the opportunity to do as often as other military branches.

The target vessels have to be defueled and scrubbed of potential toxic chemicals in a series of costly procedures laid out by the Environmental Protection Agency. But critics argue there hasn't been enough study of what happens after the ships sink to the ocean floor.

The Navy imposed a moratorium on SINKEX training in 2010 while conducting a review of the program, weighing its benefits, costs and potential environmental impacts. In 2011, the Sierra Club and other groups filed a lawsuit against the EPA alleging that it failed to prevent the SINKEX program from exposing the ocean to toxic chemicals.

The training resumed in 2012 with three decommissioned vessels sunk off Kauai during that year's RIMPAC, and the plaintiff groups dropped their complaint in 2013 due to lack of funding.

In Hawaii, sinking exercises are required to be conducted at least 50 nautical miles from shore and in waters at a depth of at least 6, 000 feet. Navy officials have argued the sunken ships turn into reefs and habitat for sea life below. But they also admit they haven't actually checked on those shipwrecks because they are at a depth that "precludes them from long-term monitoring."

The U.S. military isn't the only one facing scrutiny in the Pacific. China currently has the world's largest navy by ship count and is trying to build it larger, with hopes of being capable of launching an invasion of Taiwan.

In the South China Sea, a critical waterway that more than a third of all trade moves through, the Chinese military has built bases over disputed reefs and atolls and used "maritime militia" -- ostensibly civilian vessels tasked with staking out disputed territory and harassing ocean workers from other countries.

Scientists have raised concerns that these activities have severe environmental impacts, but Chinese forces have chased off researchers trying to study them.

Last year in a speech in Waikiki, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there is a "direct correlation between the presence of maritime militia vessels and reef damage, " calling the effects on biodiversity and the environment "as possibly already irreversible."

Public meetings on the Navy's draft environmental impact statement for the Hawaii-California Training and Testing Study Area will be held next month on Oahu and Kauai:

Honolulu, Jan. 15, Keehi Lagoon Memorial Weinberg Hall, 2685 N. Nimitz Highway ; open house from 4-7 p.m., presentation and comment session at 5 p.m.

Lihue, Jan. 16, Kauai Veterans Center, 3215 Kauai Veterans Memorial Highway; open house from 4-7 p.m., presentation and comment session at 5 p.m.

Virtual public meeting, Jan. 22, 3-4 p.m., via Zoom or by telephone.

Questions concerning the draft EIS will be accepted in advance through Jan. 15 via the question form on the project website at, which also provides instructions for participating in the virtual public meeting.

(c) 2024 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Widespread attention over alleged drone sightings across the country is largely due to misidentification, and the objects in the sky are often not nefarious, according to Pentagon officials and aviation experts, even as U.S. military bases sound alarms about detecting them in their airspace.

Those experts told Military.com on Monday that many of the alleged drone sightings in New Jersey and other states -- often being shared widely on social media -- are either not unmanned aircraft at all or are simply commercial or hobbyist craft.

The sightings in New Jersey and elsewhere, which so far remained unconfirmed, have triggered widespread concern and demands from lawmakers as well as state and local officials for an explanation. But Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's top spokesman, told reporters Monday that roughly a million drones are registered in the U.S. and some 8,000 fly every day, most of which are not cause for concern.

Read Next: More than Half of Senior Army Officers Are Turning Down Command Consideration

"It's not that unusual to see drones in the sky, nor is it an indication of malicious activity or any public safety threat, and so the same applies to drones flown near U.S. military installations; some fly near or over our bases from time to time," Ryder said. "That in itself is not unusual, and the vast majority pose no physical threat to our forces or impact our operations."

Weeks of the alleged sightings of drones and growing posts on social media have led to public outcry and brought pressure on New Jersey lawmakers and other government officials to respond to the growing chorus of concerns. President-elect Donald Trump claimed to reporters on Monday that the government knows what's happening, and "they know where it came from and where it went, and for some reason they don't want to comment."

Jamey Jacob, the executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education and an Oklahoma State University professor, told Military.com in an interview Monday that, while there are legitimate worries about drones over U.S. bases, many of the reported sightings by the public are misinformed.

"I generally believe, based on what I've seen, that there's a lot of misidentification going on, particularly on the Eastern Seaboard scenarios where people don't have the ability to determine the sense of scale for something in the air, particularly at night, where all you see are the lights," Jacob said. "I think this is kind of the first instance of this really flaring up to such a large degree, and largely driven by social media and the inability to determine what's real and what's not."

But Jacob said there's a difference between the barrage of public drone sightings and the national security concerns raised by U.S. military bases.

Fears about the drones grew after officials at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey confirmed 11 sightings last month. It came around the same time that U.S. bases in the U.K. spotted unmanned aircraft flying in their airspace, Military.com reported.

Also, Military.com reported that, earlier this month, federal officials announced charges against a Chinese citizen who allegedly flew his drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and took pictures. On Friday, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio closed its airspace for several hours due to unidentified drones being detected at and near the installation, Bob Purtiman, a spokesman for the 88th Air Base Wing, told Military.com on Monday.

"I can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of and over Wright-Patterson AFB between 13-14 December," Purtiman said. "To date, installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets."

Ryder told reporters he doesn't see any connection between the situation in New Jersey and the reported drones at Wright-Patterson.

The military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported Monday that drones had also been spotted at Ramstein Air Base in Germany earlier this month.

Jacob told Military.com that seeing a drone in public and military officials raising the alarm over seeing an unknown aircraft at a base are two different concerns -- but neither is uncommon.

"We do have a legitimate concern about drones as a threat, particularly with military installations, and that includes both the threat of attack as well as the threat of just surveillance," Jacob said, adding, "I think most of these instances are careless actors, rather than those trying to pose a legitimate threat, but it also shows what kind of holes we currently have in our security system."

The U.S. government has limited abilities to respond when a drone is seen near a military base, Ryder told reporters, saying, "The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that we can employ outside the homeland aren't capabilities we can necessarily employ inside the homeland."

Some of the sightings remain unexplained and are still concerning to the military. Last year, swarms of drones were spotted near Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

"The concerning drone activity that we've talked about in the past -- like at Langley -- that is much more unusual," Ryder said.

Related: Chinese Citizen Arrested After Allegedly Flying Drone, Taking Photos of Space Force Base
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a $75 million grant initiative split among 177 organizations that provide before-school, after-school and summer programming.

Many of the groups receiving funding for the 2024-25 school year are based in Detroit or West Michigan, with others located in Lansing, Midland and Flint.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A top University of Michigan administrator accused of making antisemitic comments has been fired.

Rachel Dawson, who directed diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as the former director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, denies making the comments and might sue the university, according to her attorney.

Ms. Dawson was fired by the provost because her behavior as a university representative at a conference and during an on-campus protest was inconsistent with her job responsibilities, including leading a multicultural office charged with supporting all students, and represented extremely poor judgment, University of Michigan spokesperson Kay Jarvis said in a statement.

Dawson is accused of making antisemitic comments at the March conference in Philadelphia, sponsored by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. A complaint was filed with the Anti-Defamation League of Michigan after the conference,

Dawson is accused of commenting the university was controlled by wealthy Jews. She is also accused of saying Jewish students are wealthy and privileged and that Jewish people have no genetic DNA that would connect them to the land of Israel.

Mark Bernstein, a university regent linked to pushing for Dawsons firing, said the action was taken by the administration and supported by the Board of Regents.

Dawson unequivocally denies making the comments attributed to her, her attorney Amanda Ghannam said in a statement to MLive/The Ann Arbor News.

She said Dawson was approached at the conference by two women to talk about antisemitism at the University of Michigan.

My client did not start the conversation, she said. And when she disagreed with these two women, they became upset.

The women became visibly angry, and Dawson defended the University of Michigan, Ghannam said, adding that Dawson told them there are many resources available for Jewish students and all students at the university.

Shes a beloved leader and an exemplary employee who has always defended the rights of all students to be included and to feel welcome at the University of Michigan, Ghannam said. These two women disagreed.

Ghannam also called the way the university handled the situation strange.

One, they did not go through their uniform, usual HR processes, she said.

It is unknown when a suit against the university would be filed, Ghannam said, adding Dawsons right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment.

She a public employee, cannot be terminated because of comments that she makes off the clock or speech that she says, Ghannam said. And so, the university has really, again, failed to protect a beloved Black woman leader on its campus, and has abdicated its first amendment obligations.

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MUNDY TWP, MI - Costcos first-ever store in Genesee County now officially has an opening timeline.

The popular wholesale retailer will open its new Mundy Township location in March 2025, according to the companys website.

The store, which will include a gas station, will be located on Hill Road near U.S. 23, bringing a long-awaited shopping option to the area.

Costco representatives have declined to comment on the new store, but excitement is already building among residents eager to take advantage of the retailers wide array of products, bulk shopping deals, and membership perks.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the announcement follows months of speculation and anticipation.

Many residents have been actively asking about the stores opening on social media, adding to the buzz surrounding its arrival.

The 120-acre stretch of land along Hill Road has also recently been occupied by LaFontaine Automotive Group, which has generated a big attraction to the area.

Related: Plans for Costco store, business park in works for Mundy Township

The Costco property is owned by the LaFontaine group.

Approximately 30-35 acres of the space owned by LaFontaine will facilitate the Costco location, with the remainder of what wont be used for new Ford and Lincoln dealerships being available property for additional commercial or industrial developments.

Known for its bulk products, exclusive Kirkland Signature brand, and competitive prices, Costco has a loyal following among bargain hunters.
KENT COUNTY, MI  Keegan Spencers mother and father were brought to tears

His sister still remembers the moment she collapsed onto the floor when she heard the heartbreaking news.

His brother told the driver, 19-year-old Payton Bradley Ferris, who fatally struck Spencer: I hate you every single day from sunup to sundown.

Emotions were high in court Monday, Dec. 16, during Ferris sentence hearing. It was the words delivered by Spencers fiancee that eventually brought Ferris to tears.

RELATED: Man who fatally struck young tow truck driver along M-6 enters plea

Spencer, 25, was towing vehicles Nov. 4, 2023, when he stopped in the median along M-6 in Caledonia Township.

Ferris, then 18, was driving east on M-6, near Kraft Avenue, when the car in front of him slowed. Michigan State Police say he was driving 80 mph, swerved to the left, lost control and drove off the road into the median.

Ferris then struck Spencer, who was out of his tow truck on foot near a crossover, killing him. Ferris pleaded no contest last month to his initial charge of moving violation causing death  a one-year misdemeanor.

Spencer, an experienced tow truck operator, left behind two young children and his fiancee when he was killed more than 400 days ago.

The courtroom was standing room only Monday morning with family, friends and other tow truck drivers who knew Spencer in attendance. Many wore apparel with Spencers face printed on it, donning the words, Slow down. Move over. Its the law.

Payton Bradley Ferris, 19, cries during a victim impact statement in Kent County 63rd District Court on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. Ferris hit and killed Keagan Spencer, a tow truck driver, along M-6 on Nov. 4, 2023. (Bradley Massman | MLive.com)Bradley Massman | MLive.com

Matt Spencer and Miko Garrison, Spencers father and mother, took turns describing the hardships theyve faced after losing their son.

I have lost my little boy who I raised and loved so much, Garrison said as tears flowed down her cheeks.

She pulled out her cellphone and showed Ferris a video of Keagan playing with his children. Garrison described the memories shell never be able to create with her son and all the moments hell miss out on with his children and the woman who was set to soon become his wife.

RELATED: Michigan drivers must slow down for emergency, utility vehicles under new law

I hope that a dark cloud hangs on you because Keagan deserved justice, she said.

Matt Spencer told the judge hes received hundreds of letters from people his son helped in the past.

Keagan will always have a small part in our hearts, he read from one letter.

The father showed his frustrations with the judicial system and vowed to make changes to driving laws in his sons memory. Hes been working with a group called Move Over Michigan.

You took my first born and my only son, Matt Spencer said. Keagan may still be here today if you wouldve just slowed down.

You deserve to spend Christmas behind bars, he added. You served me a life sentence without my son.

Many expressed hatred and anger toward Ferris, including Spencers sister and brother.

I still remember word-for-word what my father said to me when he had to tell me my brothers life was cut short, Maggie Spencer said. I still replay that day over and over and I probably will the rest of my life.

Theres no way you could actually see the depths I hate you, Payton, Jack Rosenberg added.

RELATED: Ignoring new Michigan Move Over law could cost you $400

Nearly every person who spoke in court recalled the moment they received the devastating call about Spencers death. However, the words spoken by Olivia Kain, Spencers fiancee, are what made Ferris break down emotionally.

I got the call nobody in their right mind would want, Kain said. This year has been hell. Raising kids without the person you expected your future with is near impossible.

Ferris burst into tears, putting his hands over his face. When given the chance to speak, he declined.

Judge Kirsten Holz was also brought to tears when fashioning a sentence.

Im so sorry. Im so sorry for all of your loss, Holz said. Keagan sounds like he was a really amazing guy.

Fairness really doesnt have a place in the court system, she added. Fair would be bringing Keagan back.

Ferris was sentenced to a 24-month probation period. If he violated probation, he must serve one year in the Kent County Jail. Ferris must also complete 500 hours of community service, pay a $2,000 fine as well as restitution in an amount to be determined.

The punishment did not sit well with those in attendance, and many expressed their anger aloud.

(Ferris mother) gets to take her kid home and mine goes home in a box, Garrison said.

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PORTAGE, MI  After 41 years of serving Italian food in Portage, Franco and Francesca Impellizzeri are retiring from their family business.

Francos Italian Pizzeria at 8022 S. Westnedge Ave. is now under new ownership.

We have sold our restaurant and passed the pizza paddle on to an experienced and passionate couple who share our values and vision, the Impellizzeris said in a Dec. 2 Facebook post.

They are confident new owners Corey and Jason Milbeck will maintain the same quality and service. The couple has been learning the authentic Francos recipes since August.

Staples at Francos include a wide selection of pizzas, pastas, subs, calzones, salads and more. Desserts include cannoli and a dessert pizza. The restaurant has some seating inside, but is also a popular place for takeout.

A ham and pineapple pizza from Franco's.MLive file photo

As a marketer for Texas Roadhouse, Corey Milbeck had worked with Francos on catering events over the last 15 years, Jason Milbeck said.

When she called to organize an employee pizza party this spring, Franco Impellizzeri learned the couple was looking to buy a business of their own.

He was looking to sell.

We met with Franco and his wife and everything that they were saying, as far as community, family and business, we were seeing eye to eye on, Jason Milbeck said.

As a marketer for a chain, Corey Milbeck strove to support local businesses whenever possible. The Milbecks said theyll carry the same mentality to Francos.

This community is our home and part of our family, the Impellizzeris said. We are proud to have been a part of it, and we thank you for allowing us to grow alongside you.

The new owners added a mural of the couple in honor of the business they started.Provided by Jason Milbeck

The new owners immortalized the Impellizzeris with a mural inside the restaurant, Jason Milbeck said. Theyll also add online ordering and update their computer system to reduce wait times.

Its been a blessing to have Franco and his wife and his whole family on our side, helping us succeed, he said. Hes taken us under his wing and showed us everything from top to bottom.

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MUSKEGON, MI - A local garlic bread empire known for its invention and distribution of frozen garlic bread has been sold to a family-owned Ontario bakery.

Mississauga-based Furlani Foods announced last week the company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Coles Quality Foods, creating production, innovation and supply chain advantages for both brands.

In a Dec. 12 statement, Coles CEO Scott Devon said the acquisition combines two enduring, family-founded companies.

We are aligned on dedication to customer service, quality, innovation, and sustainability, Devon said. This is good news for the future of the company, our customers, and ultimately our consumers.

Founded in 1943 in Muskegon by Caroll L. Cole, Coles introduced frozen garlic bread to the North American market and has continued innovating in the frozen bakery category, operating two production facilities in West Michigan and Iowa.

Furlani is also a leading producer of garlic bread, with its pre-acquisition network including three facilities spanning across North America.

The company believes combining the two brands and the collective production capabilities will drive efficiencies and innovation that benefit consumers, the news release said.

Following the acquisition of Coles, regular operations will remain in Ontario under Furlani Foods with the current CEO, Jonathan Kawaja.

We are proud to bring Coles, its brand, and its long history into the Furlani family, Kawaja said. Combining these companies means we can bring our customers an expanded product line, greater capacity, and improved service. It supports our ability to grow, ensuring a bright future.

The transaction between the two garlic bread brands is expected to close between January and March 2025.

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NORTON SHORES, MI - After 33 years of protecting the community from fires, Norton Shores Fire Chief Robert Gagnon is stepping down and reflecting on all hes done and what hell do next.

After years of hard work, Gagnon rose through the ranks of the department to become fire chief in 2013. With his retirement party planned for Thursday, Dec. 19, he spoke with MLive/Muskegon Chronicle about his efforts to make a difference within the community and the fire department.

In my current position as chief, its being in a position I know I can make a difference and I can be a part of change not only in our community, but to our firefighters themselves, said Gagnon, in his 11th year as chief. Make an environment where theyre happy to be at work, theyre happy they chose this field.

Gagnon enrolled in the Muskegon County Fire Academy in 1991, at age 22, while working full-time as the quality director for Harbor Steel & Supply Corp.

He worked part-time for the Norton Shores station until 2002, when he became full-time. Gagnon said the 9/11 terrorist attack is what helped make that decision.

It made me really think about the current job I had, Gagnon said. I loved that job, but it wasnt fulfilling enough. My heart was to serve and thats what I decided I wanted to focus on.

In two years, Gagnon was promoted to a lieutenant, where he started to do internal training for the department.

Pictured above is firefighter Lt. Bob Gagnon, of Norton Shores, responding in 2010 to a vehicle fire at a parking lot on Henry Street.Dave Carlson

Three years after that, he was promoted to deputy chief, bypassing the ranks of captain and fire marshal. He oversaw the entire departments operations and managed the staff schedule and training.

You realize theres a lot of people depending on you, Gagnon said. You do not want to fail. That made me want to continue to get more and more training in everything I could think of.

When Gagnon first rose to management in the early 2000s, he oversaw around five people per shift. Now he oversees 35 to 40.

When he became chief in 2013, there were 13 full-time firefighters. Now, there are 27.

I was able to double staffing in the time I have been chief, Gagnon said.

Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies and car crashes, but have also rescued ducks from a drain and cleaned up trees and debris after a major storm.

The Norton Shores department also responds to aircraft crashes at the Muskegon County Airport.

Were kind of that catch-all, Gagnon said. Firefighters are not really ones to say no, and we try to find out ways to work through any problem.

Emergency personnel from left, Norton Shores firefighter Bob Gagnon, Norton Shores Fire Chief David Purchase, center, and Bill Yonker, paramedic with Professional Med Team Ambulance, work on removing trapped passengers from rollercoaster ride Chaos, after the ride broke off of its axis in 2001 at Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park.BPN

Beyond the local fire department, Gagnon is the president of the Muskegon Area Fire Chiefs, serves on the Trinity Health EMS Board, is a member of the citys first Honor Guard team and previously served on the Muskegon County Central Dispatch Coordinating Committee.

He is also the primary fire representative in the Muskegon County Emergency Management Office, where he manages calls for area fire departments during a large-scale incident. After a major storm this summer in Muskegon, Gagnon helped coordinate the clean-up response.

He consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership, a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for community involvement in both emergency and non-emergency situations, said Renee Gavin, emergency manager for the county.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gagnon served as the Region 6 officer, representing 13 counties including Muskegon. He helped coordinate different efforts for fire departments like getting personal protective equipment that was needed at the time.

Gagnon has also worked with the U.S. Secret Service for presidential visits, including former presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump.

Being involved in all those things, its kind of humbling because you really realize the experience that you had to offer all of these organizations, Gagnon said. You realize youre much more of an asset than you give yourself credit for.

Gagnon, who turns 55 this month, said hes put in as much time as he can in the fire service.

You see people at their worst every day and it may be OK at the beginning of your career but, as time goes on, it has these cumulative effects, Gagnon said. Many people have struggled with things, me included.

Next, Gagnon hopes to utilize his emergency management skills in a different industry.

I feel good about what Ive done and Im ready for a new chapter, he said.

The Norton Shores Fire Department currently has a committee reviewing applications from around the country for the next fire chief.

The community is invited to Thursdays retirement party for the Chief Gagnon, scheduled for 6 p.m. at 640 Seminole Rd.

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NEW YORK  Beth Booth had long dreamed of a trip to New York City around the holidays, getting a chance to see the snow in Central Park, sightseeing with close friends or family and having the opportunity to see the citys Christmas parade in person.

She said she would look through the JCPenney catalogs or the Sears Wish Book, marveling at magical items and fancy coats and earmuffs.

And, you know, it was a trip to New York (that I wanted), Booth said. Thats what was going to happen someday. And then life happened."

Sometimes you get a wish of a lifetime.

Thats what happened for Booth, 67, of Bangor Township when her granddaughter, Shelbi Douponce, nominated her for Jeremy Blooms Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP that grants life-changing wishes to older adults and inspires people to redefine aging in America.

Booth and her family flew to New York on Dec. 2 and returned Dec. 7.

It was amazing, Booth said. It was everything I had hoped for and then some. We got the whole experience.

Wish of a Lifetime flew Booth, her daughter Angela Stoddard and Stoddards two children, Douponce and Maxwell Booth, to New York on American Airlines.

You know, my mom, I lost her early. I know she was with me, Booth said. I had my daughter there. I had my grandson and my granddaughter, whos responsible for this whole magical thing. So, yeah, Im so blessed. The kids laugh at me when I say that because its like my catchphrase, but Im really blessed.

Getting to experience that with my grandma and my mom and brother was really magical, said Douponce, 26. Weve always talked about going at Christmastime, her and my little brother especially.

Douponce said when she first saw the opportunity to nominate Booth, her grandmother was facing heart surgery.

I feel like she deserves something special afterwards, because we were really scared for a while that she wasnt going to make it, Douponce said. And she made it through, and then everything kind of just fell out from there. We got the plane tickets booked, and shes very deserving of such a memorable trip.

Booth said being in New York City was everything shed hoped it would be. She was able to see the Rockettes rehearse, saw artists and musicians, and was featured on a local news segment in New York.

Now that shes back home, Booth said she looks forward to returning to her giving ways.

She volunteers at middle and high school sporting events and organizes Thanksgiving feasts for the entire school community.

Christmas is her favorite time of year, during which she bakes cookies and treats for families in need and those facing illnesses.

A few years ago, she even adopted a struggling family to ensure they had plenty of presents to open on Christmas morning.

I enjoy seeing the people, the senior citizens that live here in Bangor, she said. Because of miracle doctors that Ive had in the past, Im still blessed to be able to walk around and do these things.

Most people dont want to sit there and do tickets five nights a week. I dont have anything else to do, and I enjoy it.

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Lawmakers are pushing to pass a trio of criminal justice reforms that could aid Michigan prisoners and offenders who are survivors of human trafficking.

One reform would allow prisoners to request a reduced sentence after serving 20 years, and another modifies sentencing for prisoners convicted of murder committed when they were younger than 19 years old.

House bills HB 4556 and HB 4160 moved on to a third reading in the Michigan House of Representatives, Dec. 11, putting them one step closer to a vote. If passed, the bills would be sent to the state Senate for its scrutiny.

Once in the Senates hands, the bills can be passed and sent to the governor to sign, reject or modify and send back to the House for its decision on the changes.

If unaltered, HB 4556 would allow prisoners who have served 20 years to petition the court they were convicted in for a reduction of sentence. This reduction includes the possibility of being granted time served if the ruling judge grants it.

If denied, the prisoner will have to wait five years before petitioning again.

Excluded from the law are those convicted of committing a mass shooting, acts of terrorism, crimes that require registration on sex offender registry or if the offender has two or more prior domestic violence offenses.

HB 4160 changes sentencing for prisoners who were convicted of a murder committed when they were younger than 19 at the time of their crime.

The law would change the mandatory sentence of life without parole to now be eligible for parole after 20 years have been served.

The U.S. Supreme Court previously found mandatory life sentences for those 17 and younger is unconstitutional.

In cases of first-degree murder, a sentence of life without parole is mandatory by law. In 2022, The Michigan Supreme Court made a ruling setting the precedent that defendants ages 18 and younger cannot be automatically sentenced to such a penalty without a court hearing to determine whether a true life sentence is appropriate.

The court ruled that because 18-year-old offenders share neurological characteristics identical to those of juveniles, thus making it cruel and unusual punishment to send them to prison for the rest of their lives.

Related: Should 19- and 20-year-olds be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole?

While these two bill are still awaiting a vote in the House, a pair of bills aimed at aiding victims of human trafficking who have committed crimes or are accused of a crime narrowly passed a vote in the house and have been sent to the senate.

HB 5836 allows any conviction to be set aside if the person committed the offense as a direct result of the person being a victim of a human trafficking violation and HB 5837 allows a claim of being a victim of human trafficking as a defense in court.

Related: Michigan bills aiming to protect human trafficking survivors pass through committee

By definition, human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception with the aim of exploiting them for profit. This includes forced labor, slavery and sexual exploitation.

Human trafficking continues to exploit some of Michigans most vulnerable, subjecting them to unimaginable harm, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said previously about the bills. By encouraging victims to come forward, we can help empower them to break free from the cycle of abuse. This legislative package will strengthen my departments ability to protect survivors, respond to their unique needs, and prosecute those perpetrating these horrific crimes.
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Giant pandas arrive in Australia

Xinhua) 11:13, December 16, 2024

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a plane carrying giant pandas Xingqiu and Yilan landing at Adelaide Airport in Adelaide, Australia, Dec. 15, 2024. Giant pandas Xingqiu and Yilan have arrived in Adelaide, capital of South Australia, early Sunday morning, after flying for around 11 hours across approximately 8,800 km. The two giant pandas departed Southwest China's Sichuan Province for Australia on Saturday afternoon, kicking off a new round of China-Australia collaboration on giant panda conservation and research. (Photo by Lyu Wei/Xinhua)

ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Giant pandas Xingqiu and Yilan have arrived in Adelaide, capital of South Australia, early Sunday morning, after flying for around 11 hours across approximately 8,800 km.

The two giant pandas departed Southwest China's Sichuan Province for Australia on Saturday afternoon, kicking off a new round of China-Australia collaboration on giant panda conservation and research.

Xingqiu, a four-year-old male, and Yilan, a three-year-old female, both from the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, are set to settle at Adelaide Zoo for the next decade.

Li Dong, Chinese consul-general in Adelaide, said in an interview with Xinhua on Saturday that Chinese culture values that "joy alone is not as good as joy among all", and the Chinese people are willing to share their love of giant pandas with the Australian people.

Through the joint implementation of the responsibility to protect giant pandas, the people of China and Australia have become more interconnected, and it can be said that giant pandas have made a unique contribution to the development of the relationship between the two countries, said the Chinese diplomat.

Building on the success of past cooperation, the new partnership will further advance collaboration in areas such as breeding research, disease prevention, public education and cultural exchange. This initiative aims to strengthen research efforts and foster closer people-to-people ties between China and Australia.

Upon arrival at Adelaide Zoo, Xingqiu and Yilan will undergo quarantine. Adelaide Zoo has upgraded its facilities to welcome the new arrivals, ensuring an ample supply of food, and assigning an experienced care and research team to manage the pandas.

In 2009, two pandas, Wangwang and Funi, began their stay at Adelaide Zoo. As the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere, they drew more than 5 million visitors in 15 years until this November when they returned to China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Lambert here: Ah, Accurate information.

By Daron Acemoglu, Institute Professor in the Department of Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cevat Giray Aksoy, Associate Director of Research in the Office of the Chief Economist at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Associate Professor of Economics at Kings College London, Ceren Baysan, Assistant Professor of Economics at University Of Toronto, Carlos Molina, Research Assistant Professor at University Of South Carolina, and Gamze Zeki. Originally published at VoxEU.

Authoritarian regimes often maintain power via cultivating misperceptions about the quality of state institutions and the value of democracy. This leads citizens to underestimate the deterioration of democratic institutions, affecting their voting behaviour. This column presents findings from a study of voters during the May 2023 Turkish presidential elections. Providing accurate information significantly increased support for opposition parties by swaying voters who initially underestimated the deterioration of institutional quality and were leaning towards the incumbent alliance. Addressing misperceptions may lead to greater public demand for democracy, suggesting that accurate information campaigns could help challenge authoritarian narratives.

The Experiments

We use an online experiment and a large-scale field experiment involving 880,000 voters. In both, we provide accurate (research-based) information on the state and implications of democracy and media freedom for mitigating the impact of natural disasters and corruption levels. This information was based on the evolution of Turkish institutions based on V-DEM data and from relevant research on the relationship between democracy and natural disasters (e.g. Besley and Burgess 2002, Cao 2024, Kahn 2005) and media freedom and corruption (e.g. Brunetti and Weder 2003, Ferraz and Finan 2008, Larreguy et al. 2020). These issues were especially salient for Turkish voters following the devastating February 2023 earthquake, which claimed over 50,000 lives and displaced more than a million people. The disaster was worsened by unsafe building practices enabled by local and national corruption (Acemoglu and Tokgoz 2023).

In the field experiment, we implemented two versions of the informational treatment through randomised door-to-door canvassing at the neighbourhood level. This design allowed us to combine the experimental variation with high-quality administrative and electoral data (as in Baysan 2022). The research-based informational treatment presented purely factual information, explaining that declines in media independence increase corruption. The basic informational treatment conveyed information in simpler terms and included more evocative language on democracy, transparency, and corruption.

In the online experiment, we included a placebo treatment, as in Acemoglu et al. (2020), which offered encouragement without delivering any substantive information to control for potential experimenter demand effects. We then examined how the research-based informational treatments on media/corruption and democracy/natural disasters influenced voters beliefs about democracy and voting intentions relative to the respective placebo treatments.

Voters Baseline Views

The survey component in our online experiment allows us to measure the baseline views of supporters from different parties regarding their support for democratic institutions, which helps interpret our experimental results. We summarise these findings by focusing on voters from the three main blocs represented in parliament. The incumbent alliance, called the Peoples Alliance, included two of the main parties, AKP and MHP, and is shown in yellow in Figure 1. The opposition alliance, the Nation Alliance, includes, most importantly, CHP and IYI Party, and is shown in dark blue. The Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) is shown in grey.

Panel A of Figure 1 shows that participants who voted for the governing coalition in 2018 are significantly more likely to report that autocracy is sometimes preferable to democracy than those who supported the other two coalitions or did not vote in 2018. Panel B presents summary statistics on voters perceptions of how media independence has evolved in Turkiye between 2000 and 2022 (the patterns for democracy are similar). According to the V-DEM dataset, the actual change is represented by the dashed line. A clear pattern emerges: supporters of the governing coalition have a much more favourable opinion of how media independence has evolved. While these views may partly reflect partisan bias and motivated reasoning, our online experiment is designed to isolate the role of misperceptions. Panel C suggests why there may be different views about the quality of media independence in Turkiye. Peoples Alliance supporters were, if anything, more pessimistic about institutional quality compared to the opposition in 2000, before Erdogan came to power. As Erdogans early reforms expanded religious rights (as well as minority rights, anti-corruption efforts, and EU membership), this could have disproportionately benefited these supporters and shaped their views on institutional evolution over time, potentially driving both their support and misperceptions.

Figure 1 Baseline institutional views by political affiliation

Note: This figure presents the baseline views of participants in the online experiment based on political affiliation (Peoples Alliance, Nation Alliance, and HDP supporters). Affiliations are based on self-reported votes in the 2018 election. Panels A and B show the extent to which respondents support authoritarian governments and their perceptions about how media evolved between 2000 and 2023, respectively. The dashed line in Panel B indicates the actual change from the V-DEM data set. Panel C displays voters perceptions of democratic institutions in Turkiye in 2000. The bars represent mean scores for each political affiliation. The whiskers show 95 percent confidence intervals.

Main Results from the Online Experiment

We report the experimental estimates of the informational treatments on voter beliefs. The main results are presented in Panel A of Figure 2. The left panel of Panel A is for the valuation of institutions, which measures the extent to which individuals believe that democratic institutions are important for achieving better outcomes, while the right panel is for the state of institutions which measures perceptions of how democratic institutions have evolved between 2000 and 2023 in Turkiye. Both variables are in standard deviation units.

Figure 2 Treatment effects on beliefs and voting outcomes in the online experiment

Note: This figure summarises the main results from the online experiment. It presents estimates of the informational treatments on voter beliefs in Panel A and self-reported voting intentions in Panel B. Valuation of Institutions measures the extent to which individuals believe that democratic institutions are important for achieving better outcomes, and State of Institutions measures perceptions of how democratic institutions have evolved between 2000 and 2023 in Turkiye. Both variables are in standard deviation units. Vote for the Opposition and Turnout are dummy variables for voter intentions. The difference between the heights of the bars for treatment and control groups gives our baseline estimates of the effect of the informational treatments. The whiskers show 95% confidence intervals, while the p-values on top of the bars are for these differences being statistically different from zero. The p-values at the very top are for the informational treatment being statistically different from the placebo.

We see that informational treatments led to a significant change in the respondents beliefs, providing evidence about the importance of misperceptions. Pooling the effect of the democracy and media treatment (the bundled treatment), there is a difference of 6.5% of a standard deviation in the valuation of institutions between the informational treatment and the control groups; this difference is statistically significant at 4%. There is no difference between the control group and the placebo treatment. Moreover, we can comfortably reject that the informational and the placebo treatment effects are equal. When we separate the media and the democracy treatments, the pattern is similar.

The difference between the informational treatment group and the control group regarding institutional valuation is quantitatively sizable, equal to approximately half (58%) of the difference between individuals in our control group who reached tertiary education and those who did not.

On the right, we see a very similar pattern. The informational treatment leads to a decline of 6.8% of one standard deviation in perceived beliefs about how the state of institutions has changed since 2000. The results are also similar when we separate the media and democracy treatments.

Panel B shows the impact of the informational and placebo treatments on the self-reported voting intentions. The bundled treatment increases the probability of voting for the opposition by 3.7 percentage points relative to the control group. The placebo treatment has a minimal and statistically insignificant coefficient, and the gap between the informational and the placebo treatments is substantial, at 3.2 percentage points. The informational treatment effects are statistically significant at less than 1%, and so is the difference between the informational and placebo treatments, as shown in Panel B of Figure 2. We do not find significant effects on self-reported turnout intentions.

Main Results from the Field Experiment

The patterns from our field experiment, shown in Figure 3, are very clear. Analogously with our online experiment results, the informational treatment has a statistically significant and quantitatively substantive effect on opposition vote shares. The bundled treatment increases the oppositions vote share in the first-round presidential election by 2.4 percentage points (equivalent to a 4.4% increase relative to the control mean). The results, both quantitatively and statistically, are very similar in the second-round presidential election and in the parliamentary election. Panel B shows no impact on voter turnout, which is analogous to the results of voting intention in the online experiment. This implies that the vote share results in Panel A are not driven by mobilising the opposition but by changing incumbent supporters minds. Panel C shows a statistically significant positive effect on the oppositions vote share in the 2024 municipal elections, almost a year after our experiment. This raises the possibility that accurate information may have swayed some voters sufficiently to alter their long-term allegiances and voting patterns.

Figure 3 Treatment effects on voting outcomes in the field experiment

Note: This figure summarises the main results from the field experiment. It presents ballot box-level estimates of the treatment effects on the oppositions vote share and turnout in the 2023 first and second round presidential, and parliamentary elections in Panels A and B, and the oppositions vote share in the 2024 municipal election in Panel C. In this figure, we focus on the bundled treatment, a dummy variable for the research-based informational or the basic informational treatment at the neighbourhood level. The difference between the heights of the bars for treatment and control groups gives our baseline estimates of the effect of the informational treatments. We include the number of registered voters at each ballot box in 2023, ballot-box geographic controls (population density, precipitation, temperature, ruggedness, distance to Istanbul, and distance to the coast), neighbourhood-level controls from the 2018 election (oppositions vote share, turnout, and number of registered voters), as well as dummies for different regions and strata fixed effects. The whiskers show 95% confidence intervals, while the p-values on top of the bars are for these differences being statistically different from zero. Standard errors are clustered at the neighbourhood level.

Mechanisms

Our main results appear to be driven by participants and voters who initially underestimated the deterioration of institutional quality and were leaning towards the incumbent alliance. In the online experiment, we find that participants with more misperceived beliefs adjust their perceptions of democratic institutions after receiving accurate information and are more likely to shift their voting intentions toward the opposition. In contrast, the placebo treatment shows no significant effect on these outcomes.

In the field experiment, neighbourhoods with lower opposition vote shares in the 2018 parliamentary election  historically supportive of the governing coalition  show much larger effects from the informational treatment across all three 2023 elections. In contrast, neighbourhoods with higher 2018 opposition vote shares show smaller and statistically insignificant effects.

These results lead to two key points. First, a substantial portion of government supporters view the informational treatments as credible. Second, the treatments have a greater impact on those with more misperceptions about the state of democratic institutions in Turkiye or their effectiveness in delivering desired outcomes.

Conclusion

Authoritarian regimes that remain in power for extended periods can diminish public demand for democracy and media freedom.

Our findings offer a positive interpretation against this concern: at least part of the support for authoritarian regimes is coming from misperceptions about their institutions and policies rather than a lack of actual demand for democracy, and may be more malleable than typically presumed. Unlike in other studies (e.g. Adena et al. 2015, Enikolopov et al. 2023, Peisakhin and Rozenas 2018) where new information about a partys performance can deepen polarisation, including in a similar context as ours (Baysan 2022), we do not observe this effect in either the online or field experiments. The fact that our treatments were based on factual and research-based information designed to correct misperceptions and were, to the extent possible, presented in a nonpartisan manner may have been important in communicating with government supporters and with people with different baseline beliefs. This suggests that such interventions, based on impartial, accurate information, have the potential to break self-fulfilling traps where authoritarian governments convince their voters that democracy is not for them.

References available at the original.
The RAND Corporation, one of the more influential US think tanks that help craft US foreign policy, is out with a new paper arguing that its time the US use a divide and rule strategy with Beijing and Moscow in the Arctic. Years of sanctions, threats, and general belligerence from Washington helped organize the wedding of China and Russias complementary economies, and thats increasingly evident in the Arctic where the two are cooperating on development, trade routes, and oil and gas projects. Heres RAND now sounding the alarm:

What might be done to limit China-Russia cooperation in this geopolitically important region? RAND researchers consider this question in a new paper, concluding that Western policies focusing on the differences between Beijing and Moscow may be effective. To put such a strategy into action, the United States and its northern NATO allies could develop separate approaches for dealing with China and Russia when it comes to Arctic affairs.

The authors (Dr. Abbie Tingstad ,a visiting professor of Arctic research at the Center for Arctic Study and Policy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Stephanie Pezard, an associate research department director, Defense and Political Sciences, and a senior political scientist at RAND; and Yuliya Shokh, a U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst and technical analyst at RAND.) also note the following:

there may be no need to drive a wedge between Russia and China in the region. Thats because one may already exist: The two countries have very different Arctic interests, influence, and posturesnot to mention a difficult history together.

My first thought was that these people are crazy  or are paid to be so. You could maybe convince yourself it would be feasible if the US wasnt doing its best to bring Moscow and Beijing together with all its sanctioning, bombing, and arming as its unlikely that Communist differences from decades ago are going to be a bigger factor than the immediate threat posed by an unhinged and violent US.

Yet in the aftermath of the Syria shock, maybe its not a bad time to doublecheck RANDs details of the Russia-China relationship. Not only is the Moscow-Beijing no limits partnership one of the biggest geopolitical developments of recent years, but it is also one that the US continues to help bring about. And it looks set to continue to do so whether following a path set forth by RAND or one of even more doubling down as laid out in a December special report from the Council on Foreign Relations.

Lets look at what RAND highlights as signs of present and potential friction between Russia and China over the Arctic and Russias Far East.

Is the relationship headed toward benign neglect or even divorce because China increasingly sees Russia as a destabilizing influence that counters its Arctic aspirations? A potential breakdown in Sino-Russian relations has been foretold by the still low or nonexistent numbers of Chinese vessels transiting the [Northern Sea Route], Beijings apparent growing apathy to Russias Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline proposal, and the 2020 arrest of Russian lecturer Valery Mitko on spying charges.

Lets look at each one of these points:

Despite the holdup on Power of Siberia 2, Russian pipeline gas exports to China are at new records. As of December 1, Gazprom increased supplies to the equivalent of 38 billion cubic meters per year. Thats roughly nine percent of Chinas consumption this year.

Mitko, a researcher of the Arctic region and one of Russias leading hydroacoustics experts, was accused of revealing sensitive data during a 2018 academic trip to China. He denied the charges but was under house arrest from 2020 until his death in 2022. The issue never posed any serious threat to expanding ties between the two countries, although its feasible that continued future similar cases could cause headaches.

How about the lack of Chinese vessels on the Northern Sea Route (NSR)?

While the authors are correct that traffic remains low on the shortest route between the western part of Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region, that doesnt mean it will remain that way, and they also omit recent milestones. Heres one from late 2023 courtesy of Maritime Executive:

In another demonstration of the efforts to expand shipping along Russias Northern Sea Route, the Chinese-owned containership Newnew Polar Bear (15,950 dwt) became the first to reach the Russian port in Kaliningrad after a six-week passage. The governor of the Kaliningrad region Anton Alikhanov hailed the achievement on his Telegram account. The vessel was acquired earlier this year by a new Chinese shipping company, Hainan Yangpu Newnew Shipping Co., and ushered in the route sailing from St. Petersburg at the beginning of July. She started the return trip from China in late August, reaching Kaliningrad on Tuesday and spending three days on dock. The ship registered in Hong Kong is 554 feet long with a capacity of 1,600 TEU. She is part of the effort to expand trade between China and Russia and grow traffic along the Northern Sea Route. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the authorities overseeing the route to boost annual shipments to 80 million metric tons in 2024. Transport companies plan to make this logistics product permanent. It turns out cheaper and faster than through the Suez Canal, writes Alikhanov touting the party line on his Telegram account.

Additionally in June Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom signed an agreement with Chinese line Hainan Yangpu New Shipping to potentially operate a year-round route. The deal also involves collaboration in the design and construction of new ice-class container ships. In a historic first, two Chinese container ships crossed paths on the route on September 11. It might not be the last time  although much work remains to be done building up infrastructure along the NSR. Yet the US is providing both Moscow and Beijing with incentives to pursue just that with its isolation efforts. While the NSR might not become a primary route for China, it does provide another option, and it also shortens shipping times with Europe by up to 50 percent compared to the Suez route, and Russia will rake in profits from transit fees.

The RAND authors continue:

Russia has been wary of the presence of non-Arctic countries in this region, especially regarding military activity. Despite the declaration of a limitless friendship with China, Russia has not provided Beijing with opportunities to conduct overt military operations directly in and around the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). Compared with the growing frequency and scale of U.S. cooperation with Norway on Arctic military training and exercises, sailing a few destroyers well below the Arctic Circle pales in comparison.

Im unsure how much a contest over military exercises tells us. Nonetheless, whats indisputable is that Chinas footprint continues to grow even if its not to the level of US training and exercises in Norway.

In October, for example, Chinas Coast Guard entered Arctic Ocean waters for the first time as part of a joint patrol with Russia. Four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard were spotted by the US in the Bering Sea  the northernmost location it said it had ever observed the Chinese ships. And in July US and Canadian forces intercepted Russian and Chinese bombers flying together near Alaska for the first time.

Part of the reason for such moves is to send a message to Washington whose military activities in the South and East China Seas and arming of Taiwan are not well-received in Beijing.

Energy and the Far East

Heres RAND on the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline:

Similarly, China has not written a blank check for Russia to develop its Siberian energy reserves. To the contrary, Moscow has been unable to convince Beijing, as of the time of this publication, to fund the larger capacity Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, despite numerous meetings between these countries leadership. There are several potential reasons for this lack of funding: One is that China is waiting for an even better deal on energy resources; another is that Beijing could be wary of being overly dependent on Russia for energy

Power of Siberia 2 (PS2) is a proposed pipeline that would have the capacity to carry 50 billion cubic meters per year from Russia to China, but the two sides are struggling to come to an agreement on price.

PS2 is often overblown in the Western media. While Russia has both economic and geopolitical reasons for wanting to get a deal done, it doesnt want to give the gas away.

And China currently has other options, including pipeline gas from Central Asia and LNG suppliers such as Qatar. Its demands are currently met by existing contracts and might not need the gas from PS2 prior to the mid-2030s. It could be attractive, however, due to US efforts to control Chinas rise and its energy supply and Beijings reluctance to rely too heavily on LNG from the likes of Australia and the US.

Less mentioned is that Russia also has options. It continues to increase LNG exports  largely to China  and has a goal to triple overall exports by 2030. China would play a huge real in achieving that goal, but that would make PS2 unlikely. Either way the gas is getting to China, and Russia is doing just fine with its energy exports:

The problem for the US is that further tightening sanctions on Russia makes Moscow more dependent on China, which benefits Beijing.

Any attempt to isolate China (say by cutting LNG from Australia and Middle East or pipelines from Central Asia) makes China more dependent on Russia.

Even without PS2 China is already getting 38 bcm through the original Power of Siberia. Starting in 2027, gas will also go to China via the Far Eastern route, which is set to have a capacity of some 10 Bcm/year. Thats 48 bcm per year is already a massive amount. A useful map from S&P Global:

With the heavy focus on PS2, RAND (and others) also miss all the other developments in Russias Far East. Lets take a quick look.

Over the past ten years, Russia has laid more than 2,000 kilometers of railway tracks and renovated more than 5,000 kilometers on the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Baikal-Amur Mainline.

Russias Baikal-Amur Mainline: Great Nothern Railway marks its 50th anniversary Today one of the longest railways in the world  Russias Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM)  is celebrating its half-century anniversary. BAM now largely determines global logistics for the entire 21st pic.twitter.com/E4XkXBSJWc  Sputnik (@SputnikInt) April 23, 2024

By the end of this year, the carrying capacity of these networks is expected to reach 180 million tonnes  an increase of 36 million since 2021. More than 3,100 kilometers of tracks are planned for the next eight years, as well, which will help Moscow meet international demand for resources from its East.

China and Russia are also working together to increase the capacity of resources heading to the former. In 2022, they opened the lone vehicle bridge crossing the Amur River, which forms more than 1,600 of their roughly 4,000 border kilometers. Later that year they opened the Tongjiang Bridge, currently the only railway bridge connecting the two countries. It shortens the journey between Chinas Heilongjiang region and Moscow by more than 800 kilometers over previous routes, saving 10 hours of transit time. This helped rail transport between the two countries jump to 161 million tonnes in 2023, a 36 percent increase from 2022. Over the first five months of this year, it grew another 20 percent.

A second railway bridge over the Amur is coming soon and will provide Russias resource-rich Sakha Republic with direct access to China. The new route will be 2,000 kilometers shorter than the current one which involves the use of sea ports. Beijing is investing in this railway construction in the Sakha Republic as part of a new international corridor in the Russian Far East: the Mohe-Magadan railway line.

RAND wraps up its rundown of China-Russia trouble in paradise with hypotheticals that, while possible, start to sound a little desperate:

The Arctic relationship between Russia and China could be damaged by a hypothetical diplomatic clashfor instance, if China were to precipitate a major safety or environmental incident in the vicinity of the Russian Arctic or somehow publicly embarrass Moscow by undermining the perception that Russia exerts full control over its Arctic region. More broadly, some serious indications that China might represent a direct and immediate military threat to Russia in the Arctic could lead to a backlash from Moscow.

How is the US supposed to exploit these points of contention? RAND argues the following:

Western policies that focus on differences between Russia and China may ultimately be more successful in shaping the Arctics future than those that emphasize their similarities or their relationship itself as the primary driver of regional outcomes. Chinese growing interest in Arctic resources does not necessarily translate to a stronger dependence on Russia aloneChinas relationship with the United States is a big influence on this scenarios probability; six of the seven other Arctic countries (except Russia) are allies, militarily and otherwise, of the United States. This scenario would assume a reversal of these countries existing preference to watch closelyand deny more often than notChinas efforts to invest in such sectors as real estate and critical technologies. This scenario also offers a reminder that although the Sino-Russian relationship is important, the mere existence of their relationship is not the only determinant to how China can potentially extend its influence in the region One key policy decision by the United States and its northern NATO allies could be to develop separate strategies for dealing with Moscow and Beijing when it comes to Arctic affairs.

What does that look like? Conveniently, more of the same, which means the US doesnt have to do much of anything other than stay the course and wait:

The Western Arctic countries yield strong potential to realize their interests and diminish the power of the Sino-Russian relationship by developing policies that (1) recognize Russia as an aggressive, risk-taking, but ultimately legitimate Arctic state and (2) recognize that China has no innate influence in the Arctic and pursues a vested interest in maintaining good economic and scientific relationships with all Arctic nations. There may be no need to drive a wedge between Russia and China in the Arctic because it already exists through their differences as Arctic actors and difficult history together.

RAND, to its credit, does admit is that much of the Russian-Chinese cooperation is mutually beneficial:

the Sino-Russian relationship is driven by Russias need for funding and technology to develop its Arctic region, especially because its pool of investors waned with the invasion of Ukraine and sanctions, and by Chinas desire to gain a foothold in the region and tap into Russias hydrocarbon resources and access to the NSR for Arctic navigation.

Furthermore:

Russia and China have forged a cooperative relationship that has (at least to some measure) helped Russia to further develop its northern economy and afforded China tangible opportunities to establish itself as a recognized stakeholder in the region. The most prominent example is the investment of Chinese companies in two liquid natural gas (LNG) projects in the Yamalo- Nenets Autonomous Okrug in northern Siberia and the Power of Siberia 1 pipeline.27 Overall, China has invested billions of dollars in energy and mining projects in Russias Arctic, although the bulk of its investment in Russia (and across the Arctic writ large) is in Yamal LNG, which is a massive undertaking.28 In addition, the Chinese transportation company COSCO SHIPPING Lines Co., Ltd., has been exploring the use of the NSR running along Russias Arctic coastline as an option for future global logistics.

RAND does not, however, consider one the driving forces behind the increased cooperation: the current policy of the US and its vassals. And when you add that factor to the mix, it shows why a Moscow-Beijing split is unlikely. Even if the US and its Arctic allies try to develop separate policies for Beijing and Moscow, the latter two would still have the incentive to work together. Indeed, what makes the NSR more attractive isnt just how short a route it is between Europe and Asia; its that its 5,600 kilometers are controlled by just one country (Russia), which means it faces less potential chokepoints than others.

A big part of that is because of how the West bailed on Russian Arctic projects.

Much of Russias plans for the extraction and delivery of its Arctic resources previously involved the West, but that, of course, is no longer the case. European shipping companies mostly cut ties with Russian operators in 2022. As part of the economic war against Russia, Western partners abandoned Northern Sea energy projects. At first, traffic fell off a cliff, but it has since rebounded and now looks set to grow exponentially into the future with both Beijing and Moscow being the biggest winners. According to Silk Road Briefing, a central hub for building large-capacity offshore structures to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) on a very large scale is underway based in Murmansk. Russia is active in boosting the production of sea-borne super-cooled gas as its pipeline gas exports to Europe, once a key source of revenue for Moscow, have plummeted amid the Western sanctions imposed over the conflict in Ukraine. Those resources are now being directed East, where consumer demand is far greater.

And yet the RAND authors propose the US keep up the very policies that are driving Moscow and Beijing together in a bid to drive a wedge between them.
Mike Adams: The next pandemic is a FEAR-BASED PSY-OP you shouldnt fall for

The Health Ranger Mike Adams says the next pandemic is a fear-based psy-op designed to manipulate the public into compliance with the globalist agenda, control lives and impose mass extermination under the guise of public health.

Supposed viral pandemics are fabricated crises based on fraudulent virology. He suggests that symptoms will be induced by aerosolized contact poisons to create panic, not actual viral infections.

Prominent vaccine advocate Peter Hotez's timing of claims about releasing multiple "viruses" right after Trump's inauguration is considered suspicious. Adams warns that media propaganda and government authority will manipulate the narrative, convincing even close ones that the crisis is real.

Adams recommends substances like nicotine, ivermectin, and chlorine dioxide as potential lifesavers during the impending crisis. These are said to combat the claimed poisons and provide pathogen eradication.

The Health Ranger emphasizes the importance of reliable, independent information from sources like Brighteon.com and Natural News.

The Health Ranger Mike Adams sounded the alarm about the imminent threat of another falsely claimed pandemic, a psyop or psychological operation designed to manipulate the masses. This next "pandemic" is nothing more than a fear-based operation aimed at locking down America, controlling people's lives and ultimately conducting mass extermination under the guise of public health.

According to Adams, the supposed viral pandemics are nothing but fabricated crises rooted in fraudulent virology and a coordinated effort to push fear, propaganda and profits. (Related: NEXT PANDEMIC PSYOP: Potential spread of bleeding eye virus in Rwanda leads U.S. State Department to issue increased caution travel advisory.)

"I just completed an interview with Dr. Lee Merritt where we talked about the really critical subject that there are no viral pandemics. The entire field of virology is rooted in so much fraud that it's just astonishing," he said during a recent episode of the "Health Ranger Report."

"What the system is going to do to try to scare people with the next so-called pandemic is they will release or aerosolize a contact poison that will cause symptoms. It will make people very ill, it will kill some people. And they will say it's a virus, and they will say it's infectious, even though that doesn't exist from viruses."

Adams referenced statements by pro-vaccine shill Dr. Peter Hotez, who has boldly claimed that multiple "viruses" will be unleashed on Jan. 21, the day after Trump's inauguration. While Hotez's announcement may seem like insider information, the timing of his claims is suspicious, raising questions about his true intentions. The vaccine shill's remarks will be bolstered by media propaganda and government authority, leaving most people in fear and obedience.

Nicotine, ivermectin and chlorine dioxide are potential lifesavers during health crisis

According to Adams, this fear-based psy-op provides an opportunity for those who are informed and prepared.

Among the key elements recommended by the Health Ranger are nicotine, ivermectin and chlorine dioxide. These substances are not just protective, they are potential lifesavers during a health crisis.

Nicotine, according to the research by Dr. Bryan Ardis and others, can counteract the venom peptide poisons likely to be used in this psy-op. Ivermectin has been extensively studied and shown to provide significant benefits in reducing hospitalization rates and severity of symptoms  as demonstrated in a recent Iranian study. Meanwhile, chlorine dioxide is a powerful disinfectant capable of eradicating a wide range of pathogens and even deodorizing environments.

But it's not just about protecting the body. Adams stressed the importance of protecting and fortifying the mind with reliable sources of independent information. Brighteon.com and Natural News offer vital, uncensored content to help people discern truth from deception. In the face of this impending psy-op, disobedience and preparedness are people's best defenses.

People should not consent to the false narrative, line up for the jabs and submit to the control of the medical police state. The next pandemic is a psy-op designed to scare humanity into compliance. But with the right knowledge, the right preparations and the courage to act, people can survive and thrive even in the face of such a dangerous psy-op.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news about the next pandemic.

Listen to the Health Ranger Mike Adams explaining why people shouldn't fall for the next pandemic, a fear-based psy-op in reality.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

COVID inquiry finds Australian government lost public trust by pushing draconian pandemic restrictions.

Doctor says everything about COVID-19 "was a lie from the beginning."

Pandemic 2.0 will see police, NATO forcing the world to get vaccinated.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

X.com

Brieflands.com
THE BIG DRONE LIE: If the huge drones were flying over the White House, you can bet your last falsified ballot the Biden regime would shoot them down

White House criticized for inaction on mysterious drones flying over major east coast cities

Concerns raised about drones potentially carrying chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction

Drones spotted near military installations in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia Beach, including Naval Station Norfolk

Lack of military response to drone threats despite presence near highly sensitive military locations

Unidentified drones at Langley Air Force Base and Nevada raise security concerns and highlight military's inability to defend against such intrusions

American citizens have already heard every lame excuse in the book from the White House of why they havent shot down one of the hundreds of mysterious drones flying over every major east coast city in the USA. Whitehouse spokespeople are lying through their teeth, acting confused, befuddled, and flabbergasted that nobody can seem to figure out who owns these drones, why theyre here, what they are surveying, and why the U.S. government and military has not taken ONE SINGLE ACTION to identify them, destroy them, or simply just at least shoot down one of them and dismantle it to find out everything we need to know.

Mysterious drones could be loaded with chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, ready to release on America

Most likely, these drones are loaded with chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, and they may be getting prepared to unleash the next World War, that would be an inside job and prevent Trump and his new administration from ever taking office, should this bioweapons war start in the next 30 days or so. Get ready for the next plandemic or total annihilation of millions of Americans by germ warfare WMDs dropped from these mysterious drones.

These drones have already been spotted in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia Beach (Norfolk, VA), where major military installations exist, and Norfolk VA has one of the largest Navy shipyards and ports in the world. Is this the Chinese Communist Party working in tandem with the Biden Regime to overthrow America before Trump takes control?

In fact, Naval Station Norfolk is the world's largest naval station, supporting 75 ships and over 130 aircraft, housing the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces. Naval Station Norfolk is where Air Operations conducts an average of 275 flights per day or one every six minutes. You dont think if the government was confused or worried about these drones flying around that base that one of those flights wouldnt shoot them down?

To add to the chaos and distrust the American people have for the Biden Regime, just one year ago, in December of 2023, a fleet of unidentified drones swarmed the Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, a restricted U.S. military airbase where F-22 Raptor stealth fighters are stationed. The Pentagon was unable to stop these drones, which were described as being about 20 feet in length and capable of flying at high speeds and altitudes. The drones flew in a coordinated pattern towards Norfolk, home to the U.S. Navy's SEAL Team Six and Naval Station Norfolk.

These drones were small and operated on a special radio frequency, making them undetectable by the military's radar systems. Local police attempted to intercept the drones but were unsuccessful. The origin and control of these drones remain a mystery, raising concerns about security breaches at sensitive military locations.

The incident raised questions about the military's ability to defend against such drone intrusions, as shooting them down was prohibited unless deemed an immediate threat. Jamming or using directed energy weapons was also considered risky due to potential interference with civilian systems.

Similar drone incidents were reported in Nevada, adding to the complexity and mystery surrounding these unauthorized drone activities. Despite extensive defense spending, the perpetrators behind these incidents remain unidentified, indicating sophisticated coordination beyond typical hobbyist capabilities. The drone visitation at Langley lasted for several days before ending just before Christmas, leaving authorities puzzled and concerned about future security threats.

Tune your apocalypse dial to preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the Democrat-led government aggression, lies, and propaganda that comes at us every day now.

Sources for this article include:

Stripes.com

NaturalNews.com

Brighteon.com
EPA advisor admits the agency is funneling billions to climate groups ahead of Trumps return to White House

EPA special advisor Brent Efron reveals the agency is hurriedly distributing billions in grants to climate-focused nonprofits to secure funding from Biden's climate agenda before a potential Republican takeover.

The motive behind this funding spree appears to be safeguarding climate programs from potential Republican scrutiny rather than genuinely addressing climate change.

Efron admits these grants could provide personal opportunities, such as employment with funded nonprofits, after his tenure.

Some experts suggest that Trump's impact on climate regulations could be limited; states and localities are expected to maintain climate action momentum even in the face of federal inaction.

Despite the changing political climate, proponents believe the transition to clean energy is irreversible, driven by state initiatives and bipartisan support from various stakeholders.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brent Efron, a special advisor implementing Biden's climate agenda, told Project Veritas that the agency is frantically shoveling billions in grants to nonprofits, making sure that outgoing President Joe Biden's administration's climate projects stay afloat  no matter who's in charge.

At a time that President-elect Donald Trump readies to take office, EPA employees are scrambling to distribute funding for their favored climate change initiatives. According to a current staffer, the morale is at an all-time low at EPA. (Related: EPA advisor admits panic-funneling billions to climate organizations ahead of Trump presidency).

In a shocking video released by Project Veritas, Efron appears to confirm what many have long suspected  taxpayer money is being shoveled out the door with reckless abandon, all in the name of climate policy.

This suggests that the real motive is not saving the planet, but safeguarding their funding from potential Republican oversight.

"We're throwing gold bars off the Titanic. We're getting the money out," the EPA employee said, noting that the agency's current spending spree is less about strategic investments and more about ensuring the funds are locked into programs that future administrations can't reverse.

Efron openly admits how the EPA uses nonprofits as a political buffer against Republican administrations and reveals how he could later reap personal rewards with a cushy job at one of the nonprofits he helped fund during his tenure. "Over the last year we've given out $50 billion for climate things  so to go work for one of these places would be really cool," Efron said.

Former EPA administrator: Shift to clean energy is unstoppable

"If Trump does target the climate law, there are provisions that are likely safe. One is a credit for companies in advanced manufacturing because it is perceived as America first and pro-U.S. business," said David Shepheard, partner and energy expert at the global consultant Baringa. Incentives for electric vehicles are likely most at risk, he added.

Scott Segal, head of a communications group at the law firm Bracewell LLP, which represents the energy industry, said the climate law is not likely to be repealed.

Dan Jasper, a senior policy advisor at Project Drawdown, said repealing parts of the climate law could backfire because most of the investments and jobs are in Republican congressional districts.

Stanford University climate scientist Rob Jackson, who chairs the Global Carbon Project, a group of scientists that tracks countries' carbon dioxide emissions, said the United States has been reducing carbon dioxide emissions primarily by replacing coal-fired power plants with clean, renewable power.

"I hope that we don't lose sight of the benefits of clean energy," he said. "It's not just about the climate. It's about our lives and our health."

Critics of climate alarmism have noticed that Trump has softened his rhetoric in recent months after Tesla CEO Elon Musk endorsed him and campaigned heavily for his election.

Trump, who has viewed climate change as a "hoax," has said he will also eliminate regulations by the Biden administration to increase the energy efficiency of lightbulbs, stoves, dishwashers and shower heads.

Dan Jasper, a senior policy advisor at Project Drawdown, said climate action will continue to move forward at the state and local level.

Zara Ahmed, who leads policy analysis and science strategy at Carbon Direct, agreed. While there may be an abdication of leadership at the federal level on climate, she's optimistic that states including California will continue to lead.

"No matter what Trump may say, the shift to clean energy is unstoppable and our country is not turning back," said Gina McCarthy, a former EPA administrator. Advocates for clean energy are bipartisan, well-organized "and fully prepared to deliver climate solutions, boost local economies and drive climate ambition."

Check out EPAWatch.org for more similar stories.

Watch the video below where Project Veritas exposes an EPA Advisor admitting that anti-Trump insurance policy is sending billions to climate organizations.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CLIMATE CHANGE VIRUS has already "INFECTED" millions, now the sheeple wonder will the CLIMATE VACCINE save mankind from certain doom?

EPAs "insurance policy" against Trump is funneling billions to climate organizations: "Were throwing gold bars off the Titanic."

World leaders see pandemic lockdowns as practice for CLIMATE LOCKDOWNS.

With Trump soon to be inaugurated, climate scientists declare SUDDEN END to "climate emergency" narrative.

Climate alarmists are in full panic mode over Trumps victory.

Sources include:

ProjectVeritas.com

WattsUpWithThat.com

Brighteon.com
The grim toll of Ukraine War crosses a million

NATO Chief Mark Rutte declared that the Russia-Ukraine conflict's death toll and injury rate have surpassed one million, with 10,000 people being killed or wounded each week.

The exact number of casualties remains uncertain, with estimations ranging from 43,000 (Ukrainian President Zelensky) to as high as 400,000 (President-elect Trump) for Ukrainian troops, and up to 600,000 for Russian troops.

The war's human cost is staggering, with recent data confirming over 78,329 Russian military deaths since the invasion, averaging about 150 deaths per day in the latter months of 2022.

While both sides have shown openness to dialogue, negotiations remain difficult. Russia demands adherence to the 2022 Istanbul deal, which Ukraine opposes.

Trump and the international community urge for an immediate ceasefire, as the death toll continues to rise and the human cost becomes increasingly unsustainable.

In a stunning revelation that underscores the devastating impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Chief Mark Rutte has declared that the death toll and injury rate have surpassed a staggering one million.

The brutal reality that 10,000 people are being killed or wounded every week serves as a grim reminder that the war continues to tear apart lives and communities without showing any signs of abating.

During a press conference this week in Brussels, Rutte painted a bleak picture of the relentless carnage.

"Every day, this war causes more devastation and death," he said, his words a stark indictment of the senseless bloodshed that has consumed the region for over a year. The exact figure of casualties remains shrouded in uncertainty, as neither Russia nor Ukraine provides official numbers. However, the human cost of this conflict is astronomical.

To put this into perspective, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's reported figure of 43,000 soldiers killed seems woefully inadequate. In contrast, President-elect Donald J. Trump has suggested a much higher toll, estimating that Ukraine may have lost as many as 400,000 troops. Meanwhile, Russian casualties could be as high as 600,000.

The numbers are staggering, and the human toll is unfathomable. According to the Economist magazine, around 100,000 Ukrainians have died in the conflict, while the BBC puts the Russian death toll between 141,000 and 197,000. But behind these grim statistics are real individuals, their lives cut short by the relentless cycle of violence and destruction.

In a fiery statement on Truth Social, Trump made it clear that he sees no justification for this ongoing bloodshed.

"Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed," he declared, urging for an immediate ceasefire. The former leader added that continuing the conflict could potentially escalate into something far worse, a reality that no one can afford to ignore.

While both Ukraine and Russia have expressed openness to dialogue, the prospects for a swift resolution remain slim. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that any negotiations must adhere to the 2022 Istanbul deal, which would not only recognize the southern regions as Russian but also demand that Ukraine become formally neutral and eschew NATO membership. The deal, however, was derailed by subsequent geopolitical events such as the interventions by the United Kingdom and the U.S. under the outgoing Democratic administration.

The world is in desperate search for a turning point

Yet, there is an undercurrent of urgency as the human cost of this war becomes increasingly apparent.

According to a recent compilation of open data by the BBC, Russian news outlet Mediazon and a dedicated team of volunteers, over 78,329 Russian military personnel have been confirmed dead since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The average age of confirmed Russian casualties has risen to 38, a stark contrast to the younger soldiers who perished in the initial months of the conflict. The death toll shows no sign of slowing, with an average of 140 Russian soldiers dying each day in September and 152 in October. (Related: Ukrainian former commander-in-chief warns troops in training to prepare for brutal realities of war, including DYING.)

The international community is watching with bated breath, hoping that cooler heads will prevail. The data compiled by Mediazon reveals the harrowing reality of the conflict, but it also underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire. With casualties mounting and the human toll of the war reaching unimaginable levels, the world must come together to bring an end to this senseless violence.

Trump is unequivocal in his stance: "This war should never have started," he said. "It must stop." The world is waiting, but the question remains: are the belligerents ready to negotiate? As the death toll continues to rise, the time for action is now. The grim reality of a million lives lost must be a wake-up call to all parties involved.

Visit WWIII.news for more similar stories.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump's order on Putin to accept the ceasefire agreement.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mass desertion erodes Ukraine's military strength as thousands of soldiers flee the frontline.

Ukraine has suffered over 30,000 casualties in Kursk incursion, Putin claims.

Highlights from Tucker Carlson's historic interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

TruthSocial.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
IDFs more than 300 airstrikes wipe out 80% of Syrian strategic military assets

Israel conducted 350 airstrikes on Syria, targeting strategic weapons stockpiles and crossing into Syrian territory, including the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon. This extensive operation reflects Israel's broader ambitions in the region.

Israeli officials claim the strikes aim to prevent extremist groups from obtaining weapons, but the scale and reach of the attacks suggest an underlying agenda to reshape the Middle East's power dynamics.

Despite the U.N.'s condemnation, the United States has remained notably silent on the issue. The absence of criticism raises questions about potential tacit support and regional stability trade-offs.

Israel's actions have exacerbated the already fragile situation in Syria, creating a power vacuum and further destabilizing the region. This aggressiveness risks retaliation and complicates potential regional peace efforts.

The U.N. has strongly condemned the actions as violations of international law, warning of the implications for Syria's sovereignty. The global community faces renewed calls for decisive measures to counter such unilateral aggression, given the significant risks to regional and global peace.

Israel unleashed a staggering 350 airstrikes on Syria, decimating the country's strategic weapons stockpile. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed these strikes were aimed at preventing extremist groups from obtaining dangerous arms.

As Syria's government collapsed and President Assad fled to Russia, Israel saw an opportunity to exert its dominance over the region. This wasn't just a defensive move; it was a calculated, aggressive campaign to reshape the Middle East's political landscape. By not only targeting Syria's military assets but also moving into Syrian territory, Israel has crossed a dangerous line.

The justification given by Israeli officials  that they're acting to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons  feels like a pretense for a broader, more ambitious goal. The sheer scale of the attack and its reach beyond the demilitarized zone suggest a power grab, rather than a simple security operation.

The move into Syria's Golan Heights, with troops taking control of Mount Hermon, showcases Israel's ambition. This strategic mountain peak is now under Israeli military control, providing a commanding view over southern Syria. The justification provided  that it offers "strategic control" over the southern Syrian arena  is a thinly veiled claim of dominance. (Related: Middle East tensions flare up as Netanyahu declares Israeli occupation of Golan Heights will be FOREVER.)

This is not the first time Israel has flexed its military muscles in the region. The country has a long history of intervening in Syria, Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries, often under the guise of self-defense.

The situation on the ground in Syria is even more precarious now. With Assad gone, a power vacuum has emerged, potentially destabilizing the entire region. Israel's aggressive intervention risks complicating an already complex situation. Instead of building bridges with regional actors, Israel has chosen the path of militarism and dominance.

Some Israeli military analysts view this as an opportunity, praising the operation as an unprecedented show of force. Yet, the long-term consequences are far from clear. By striking so decisively and moving into Syrian territory, Israel risks provoking retaliatory actions and escalating regional tensions. The line between defense and aggression is often blurry, and Israel's latest move blurs it in stark detail.

What's most alarming is the potential precedent this sets for future conflicts. If a major power like Israel can carry out such a bold, unilateral strike without significant international repercussions, what does this mean for global peace and stability? The reliance on military might over diplomacy sets a dangerous precedent, encouraging other nations to follow suit.

UN condemns Israeli aggression in Syria as Navy bases sustained heavy damage

The United Nations has condemned Israel's recent military operations in Syria, calling them a blatant violation of international law and regional peace agreements. Despite the UN's warnings, Israel has proceeded with a series of airstrikes and ground incursions that have further destabilized an already volatile region.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric minced no words in his address to reporters, declaring, "We're against these types of attacks. I think this is a turning point for Syria. It should not be used by its neighbors to encroach on the territory of Syria."

The violations, while not a first for Israel in the region, are particularly egregious given the fragile status of Syrian sovereignty following the tumultuous years of civil war. As world leaders and human rights organizations have long warned, such incursions only serve to prolong the suffering of civilians and complicate any potential path to lasting peace in Syria.

The U.N.'s characterization of these events as a "turning point" for Syria speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation. With each new incursion, Syria's sovereignty is further eroded, and prospects for a stable, unified Syria seem ever more distant.

The international community, long frustrated with the lack of decisive action against Israeli military interventions, is now facing renewed calls for robust measures to counter such actions. The question remains whether the global response will be swift and decisive enough to prevent the region from spiraling further into instability and conflict.

Head over to IsraelCollapse.com for updates on the multi-front war Israel is waging against Middle Eastern nations.

Watch the video below that talks about the recent Israeli airstrikes that disable Syrian defense.

This video is from the Paul Davis UnCancelled channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Syria's Fall: A Strategic Blow to Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia  Highlights from the Mike Adams Brighteon Broadcast for Dec 9, 2024.

US hypocrisy reaches a new level: Israel's occupation of Syria is 'security,' Russia's moves in Ukraine are 'aggression.'

Israel continues to unleash hell on Earth, with 250 new airstrikes across Syria.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

BBC.com

Newsweek.com

Brighteon.com
Pentagon denies NJ congressmans claims that mystery drones over the state are linked to Iran

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) claimed that mysterious drone sightings over the state might be linked to an Iranian "mothership," raising national security concerns. His assertions were based on confidential sources.

The Department of Defense quickly dismissed Van Drew's claims, categorically denying the presence of an Iranian ship or "mothership" off the U.S. coast. This added to the uncertainty surrounding the drone sightings.

The drones, first reported in mid-November, have been described as large, technologically advanced, and flying in formations with flashing lights. Reports of up to 180 drones in groups over a single night have raised questions about their origin and purpose.

While both state and federal officials, including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and FBI officials, have assured the public of no immediate threat, there has been frustration with the lack of information. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and other officials have called for immediate briefings and more transparency from federal agencies.

The situation has led to a push for stronger federal involvement, with calls for expanded defense resources and the deployment of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's capabilities. As investigations continue, the mystery of the drones remains unresolved, prompting continued public speculation and concern.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) recently sparked controversy and raised national security concerns by claiming that mysterious drones spotted over the state may be linked to an Iranian "mothership."

Van Drew, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, asserted on Fox News that confidential sources had informed him of the potential Iranian connection. The congressman insisted on the reliability of the information without revealing the identity of his sources.

"These drones should be shot down. The military is on full alert with this," he declared, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the military's heightened alert status. (Related: Mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey raise concerns.)

The mystery drones, first reported in mid-November, have continued to perplex officials and residents alike. Described as large and equipped with sophisticated technology, the unidentified flying objects have been seen flying in formation and displaying an array of flashing lights.

Sightings have been reported in groups of up to 180 per night, raising questions about their origins and purpose. While the frequency of the sightings has escalated, with 49 reported in one instance, both state and federal officials have assured the public that there is no immediate threat.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy stated, "There is no known threat to the public at this time," and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials have been investigating the reports while urging the public to provide information about the incidents.

Van Drew's claims of an Iranian connection added a geopolitical dimension to the mystery. Citing his sources' assertion that Iran has made a deal with China to purchase drones and technology, the congressman suggested that the drones could be linked to this arrangement.

Defense Department: There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the U.S.

However, the Department of Defense (DoD) quickly dismissed Van Drew's assertions.

"There is not any truth to that. There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called 'mothership' launching drones toward the United States," said DoD spokeswoman Sabrina Singh. "They were not U.S. military drones. These are not drones or activities from a foreign entity or foreign adversary."

The situation has sparked a call for stronger federal involvement and transparency.

New Jersey state officials, including Murphy and Booker, have expressed frustration with the lack of information and requested immediate briefings from federal agencies, including the FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Homeland Security.

Booker, in a letter to federal officials, emphasized the need for "relevant information about these drone sightings" to be shared with the public, warning that without transparency, rumors and misinformation would continue to spread.

New Jersey Reps. Chris Smith and Josh Gottheimer, among others, have called for expanded defense resources and the deployment of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's capabilities to address the drone activity.

Smith specifically noted that an officer had observed 50 drones coming in off the ocean in Ocean County, while a Coast Guard commander reported seeing between 12 and 30 drones following a motor lifeboat over the weekend.

As federal agencies continue their investigations, the mystery drones have become a focal point for public speculation and concern.

With no clear answers and ongoing sightings, the situation remains unresolved, leaving New Jersey residents and officials alike demanding more information and a coordinated response from federal authorities.

Follow DroneWatchNews.com for more news about mysterious drones.

Watch this clip from TruNews about New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew's claims that the mystery drones spotted in his state are being deployed from an Iranian "mothership" in the Atlantic Ocean.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mysterious drones swarmed a U.S. military airbase for 17 days; officials say they dont know who operated them.

U.S. Pentagon rendered helpless as foreign drones freely conduct surveillance on sensitive military sites.

Lasers could be the militarys most effective weapon against drones.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

FoxNews.com

ZeroHedge.com

ABCNews.go.com
PRE-CRIME PARDONS and PRE-CRIME CONVICTIONS are all legitimate according to dementia-ridden Joe Biden and the DC Communist Democrats

President Joe Biden's decision to grant "pre-crime pardons" for crimes allegedly not committed has sparked outrage and disbelief, raising concerns about abuse of power and justice erosion.

The concept of "pre-pardons" reflects an Orwellian trend where individuals are absolved of crimes before they are proven, legitimizing a disturbing and dystopian narrative.

Drawing parallels to the movie "Minority Report," where individuals are punished for thoughts or intentions, questions arise about civil liberties erosion and justice system manipulation for political motives.

Biden's recent clemency actions, including pardoning his son and high-positioned Congress members, blur the line between justice and manipulation, fueling suspicion and distrust.

The consideration of preemptive pardons shields individuals from accountability, with former President Bill Clinton warning against such actions that mock the legal system and jeopardize justice and accountability.

In a shocking turn of events, President Joe Biden has unleashed a wave of pardons and commutations that have left the nation reeling. The recent announcement of the largest one-day act of clemency in history has ignited a firestorm of criticism and disbelief, raising serious concerns about the abuse of power and the erosion of justice in the highest echelons of government.

The notion of "pre-pardons" has taken center stage, highlighting a disturbing trend where individuals are absolved of crimes that may not have even been committed. This Orwellian concept, reminiscent of a dystopian novel, is being legitimized by a government that seems to operate in a realm of impunity and deceit.

Biden's controversial convictions and clemency acts: Pre-crime pardons and pre-crime convictions dystopia right out of "Minority Report" and George Orwell's "1984"

Big Brother isn't just watching anymore, he's arresting political enemies for no reason while pardoning government goons for their horrific crimes. The parallels are drawn to the movie "Minority Report," where individuals are arrested for crimes they have not yet committed, are chillingly close to reality. The idea that individuals can be punished for mere thoughts or intentions, as seen in the case of the January 6 protesters, raises serious questions about the erosion of civil liberties and the weaponization of the justice system for political gain.

The recent spate of pardons and commutations by President Biden has only added fuel to the fire of controversy. Pardoning individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes is one thing, but when the highest-positioned criminals in Congress are pre-pardoned for crimes that are denied to have been committed, the line between justice and manipulation becomes dangerously blurred.

The decision to pardon his own son, Hunter Biden, who faced serious charges, only adds to the suspicion and distrust surrounding these acts of clemency. The lack of transparency in the process, with officials withholding the names of those granted relief, further fuels speculation and doubt about the motives behind these pardons.

As Biden prepares to leave office, the specter of pre-pardons looms large, with the potential to shield individuals from accountability and justice. The consideration of preemptive pardons for crimes that may not have occurred is a blatant admission of guilt and a mockery of the legal system.

Former President Bill Clinton's plea for Biden to refrain from issuing pre-pardons underscores the gravity of the situation. The idea of pardoning individuals for crimes they are alleged to have not committed is a dangerous precedent that sets a chilling tone for the future of justice and accountability in the country.

In a time when the rule of law is under siege and the boundaries of justice are being stretched to their limits, the need for transparency, accountability, and integrity in the pardon process has never been more critical. The specter of pre-crime convictions and post-crime pardons looms large, casting a dark shadow over the ideals of justice and fairness in a nation built on the promise of liberty and equality.

Whats worse, is that Biden is considering pre-pardoning his cohorts for crimes that his regime says they did not commit, so that makes no sense whatsoever. Its basically admitting that they HAVE committed crimes, and havent been caught or brought to justice, so this is the way to preempt that prosecution should Trump go after them starting on January 20th, which is highly expected. Its post-crime-no-crime-declared pardoning, if you can wrap your head around that absurdity. Talk about dystopian. Here's a look at what's most likely going on in the White House right now, as the Biden Regime plans all their pre-crime-pardons and still issues warrants of arrest for people who just thought about protesting the 2020 fraudulent election.

Tune your apocalypse dial to preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the Democrat-led government aggression, lies, and propaganda that comes at us every day now. #PreCrimePardons

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
The SPOOKY INAUGURATION of Dark Brandon just 4 years ago where only 100 people attended  Could everyone have known what was coming?

Dark Brandon's inauguration four years ago had only 100 attendees, raising doubts about the event's legitimacy and voter support.

Mainstream media's portrayal of the event was deceptive, as the real scene was spooky and dystopian

Allegations of election fraud and a communist takeover under the Biden administration are mentioned, with criticism of the administration's actions.

The article suggests fear and reluctance among the public to attend the inauguration, citing concerns about Covid-19 and potential arrests.

Support for Trump is expressed, with predictions of a significant turnout at his upcoming inauguration and the belief that the Biden administration is on its way out.

At an event that usually pulls close to a million people to the Washington D.C. lawn in front of the Capital, the inauguration of Dark Brandon just 4 years ago was one of the spookiest scenes that most Americans never witnessed, thanks to mainstream medias fake news. Supposedly over 80 million people voted for the child-hair-sniffing pervert the Democrats propped up for the acting job, yet only 100 people came to see him get sworn into the role of the most powerful man on the planet? How could that be?

It was a dystopian scene, with more people from the press on a rooftop at least 1,000 feet away than people on the mall in front of the ceremonial podium. Washington D.C. was an absolute ghost town for creepy Joes inauguration. Take a look at this short video clip from the inauguration of dementia Joe.

This Needs To Be Seen Again 81 million didnt vote for Biden. They stole the election! They are corrupt and traitors and should be dealt with accordingly pic.twitter.com/DUJJnTKY6s  A Man Of Memes (@RickyDoggin) December 12, 2024

The swearing in of the second Communist President of the United States, who cheated his way to the throne, set the tone for the darkest 4 years America has ever seen

Some called it Obamas third term and rightfully so. At the onset of the Covid plandemic, a biological weapon attack on our own country, used for stealing an election away from 74 million voters, set the stage for another communist takeover of the republic, to be led by the head of the Biden Crime Family, the big guy himself.

Nobody dared attend the inauguration. What were they afraid of? Did they fear catching Covid-19, or did they think they might be arrested just for showing up at the place where the Biden Regime had already ARRESTED hundreds of peaceful protestors just two weeks prior, for protesting the obviously fraudulent election? Now we know why President Trumps third win was such a landslide, because the patriots wanted to make sure the election was too big to rig. Period. And it worked.

The fact of the matter is that NOBODY liked Dark Brandon, and nobody liked Kommie Harris, but enough people had Trump Derangement Syndrome by 2020, thanks to fake news media, and the rest of the falsified ballots and machine flipping of votes took care of the rest of the big cheat needed to install Obamas puppets.

True patriots will turn out in droves for Trumps inauguration next month, and you can be sure of that. The Biden Regime is on its way out the door and wont be able to arrest all the God-fearing Americans who turn out to see the swearing in of a man on a mission to save America. There may be in excess of a million people at Trumps second inauguration.

It's a shame that so many American patriots are languishing in the DC gulags for simply contesting the most corrupt election in U.S. history. Hopefully that will never happen again, as peaceful protests are part of the fabric of what makes this country so great.

Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the Democrat-led government aggression, lies, and propaganda that will still come at us every day, even after Trump rebuilds the republic.

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

NaturalNews.com

X.com

TheGatewayPundit.com
California AG defies Trump on immigration, ignoring voter sentiment

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issues directives to state agencies to resist Trumps mass deportation plans.

Bontas actions are based on Californias 2017 California Values Act, limiting local involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Critics, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, argue Bontas policies attract illegal immigration and strain Californias finances.

A CBS News/YouGov poll shows 57% of Americans support mass deportations, contrasting Bontas stance.

The clash between state and federal immigration policies is expected to escalate under Trumps presidency.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is doubling down on his resistance to President-elect Donald Trumps immigration policies, despite the fact that more than half of Americans voted for Trump in the 2024 election and presumably support his stance on illegal immigration. Bontas defiance, outlined in new guidelines issued to state agencies, underscores a growing divide between blue states and the federal government on immigration enforcement.

Bontas defiance a direct challenge to Trumps agenda

Last week, Bonta issued a set of directives to courthouses, healthcare facilities, schools, and other state-run institutions instructing them to adopt policies that resist Trumps proposed mass deportations. The guidelines, described by Bonta as a defense of Californias immigrant communities, prohibit the collection or disclosure of information that could reveal an individuals immigration status. They also mandate that federal immigration officials be directed to a designated state representative when seeking access to these facilities.

Bontas actions are rooted in the state's 2017 California Values Act, which limits state and local law enforcements involvement in federal immigration enforcement. The attorney general has framed his efforts as a safeguard against what he calls Trumps draconian and xenophobic agenda, which he claims would create a culture of fear among immigrants.

However, Bontas stance flies in the face of widespread voter sentiment. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted shortly after the 2024 election found that 57% of Americans supported a mass deportation plan, compared to just 43% who opposed it. Trumps victory, in part, was fueled by concerns over illegal immigration and its associated costs, including crime and fiscal strain.

McCarthy criticizes Bontas political stunt

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been vocal in his criticism of Bontas actions, accusing the attorney general of prioritizing political posturing over the needs of California residents. McCarthy argues that Bontas policies are making California a magnet for illegal immigration, costing taxpayers billions of dollars annually.

Hell give them free healthcare, McCarthy said, noting that Californias generous benefits for undocumented immigrants come at the expense of legal residents. He denies California citizens certain things, but not to those who come illegally. Thats why we attract so many, and its costing a great deal.

Californias fiscal woes are well-documented. The state is projected to face a $68 billion deficit in 2024-25, a figure that McCarthy blames in part on the costs associated with illegal immigration. Despite this, Bonta has dismissed concerns about fiscal responsibility, calling Trumps deportation plan irresponsible while praising immigrants as the backbone of our nation.

McCarthy also accused Bonta of ignoring the will of the people, pointing to the 2024 election results as evidence that immigration was a top concern for voters across party lines.

These attorneys general should take a deep breath, listen to what the American public said, and understand that immigration was one of the major reasons why Donald Trump won, McCarthy said. It wasnt just a Republican issueit was Republican and Democrat too.

Bontas resistance to Trumps immigration policies raises questions about the role of state attorneys general in enforcing federal law. While Bonta frames his actions as a defense of immigrant rights, critics argue that his policies undermine public safety and ignore the economic and social costs of illegal immigration.

McCarthys frustration is shared by many Americans who are tired of the problems associated with illegal immigration, including crime, overcrowded schools, and strained healthcare systems. Trumps election victory was a clear signal that voters want action on these issues, yet Bonta and other Democratic leaders appear determined to resist.

As Trump prepares to take office, the clash between federal and state authorities on immigration enforcement is likely to escalate. Bontas defiance sets the stage for costly legal battles and further division, even as the majority of Americans call for stronger action on illegal immigration.

Sources for this article include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

FoxNews.com

WashingtonExaminer.com
5,000 civilians dead in a month in Israels genocidal war in Gaza

Israeli forces killed at least 5,139 civilians in Gaza in October 2023, including 1,900 children and 1,213 women.

The civilian-to-combatant death ratio was between 85:1 and 160:1, a record high for Airwars.

The Israeli military targeted entire neighborhoods, schools and hospitals, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.

The U.S. continues to fund Israel, enabling its campaign despite evidence of war crimes.

Airwars warns Israels tactics could set a dangerous precedent for future conflicts.

Israeli forces killed at least 5,139 civilians in Gaza during the first 25 days of their bombing campaign in October 2023, according to a recent report by Airwars, a UK-based nonprofit that monitors civilian casualties in conflict zones. This includes a minimum of 1,900 children and 1,213 women, many of whom were killed in their own homes alongside their families. The scale of civilian harm is unprecedented in modern warfare, with Airwars describing it as "the most intense, destructive and fatal conflict for civilians that Airwars has ever documented."

The ratio of civilians to combatants killed in these strikes is appalling. Airwars found that only 32 to 60 militants were killed in the same period, resulting in a civilian-to-combatant ratio of 85:1 to 160:1. This means that for every militant killed, dozens  if not hundreds  of innocent civilians perished. The sheer magnitude of this carnage is unmatched in any conflict Airwars has documented since its inception in 2014.

A war without mercy

What began as a military response to Hamas cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, quickly escalated into a full-scale assault on Gazas civilian population. The Israeli military unleashed a relentless air and ground campaign targeting not just militants but entire neighborhoods, schools, hospitals and infrastructure. The result has been a humanitarian catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

By the end of the first month, the death toll had reached 5,139 civilians, with thousands more injured and countless homes destroyed. This figure is nearly four times higher than the most lethal month Airwars had previously recorded, which was during the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS in Iraqs Mosul in 2017. The situation has only worsened since then. As of November 2024, official Palestinian Ministry of Health statistics indicate that more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed, with no end to the violence in sight.

The deliberate targeting of civilians is evident in the patterns of harm documented by Airwars. Women and children were overwhelmingly killed in residential buildings, with more than 90% of fatalities occurring in homes. In more than 95% of cases where a woman was killed, at least one child was also among the victims. Families were slaughtered together in unprecedented numbers, with some incidents claiming the lives of entire households.

Israels disregard for civilian lives

Despite international outcry and accusations of war crimes, Israel has shown little interest in taking steps to minimize civilian casualties. Reports from 972 Magazine, an Israeli publication, reveal that the Israeli military intentionally bombed civilian targets, labeling them "power targets" to "harm Palestinian civil society" and "create a shock" that would pressure Hamas. This strategy, which involves knowingly accepting high civilian casualties, is a stark departure from the principles of proportionality and distinction enshrined in international law.

The use of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to track and target Hamas militants has only exacerbated the problem. Systems like "Wheres Daddy" have been used to bomb militants in their homes, often resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. In one incident, the Israeli military authorized the killing of approximately 300 civilians to eliminate a single Hamas commander. This blatant disregard for human life is a chilling reminder of the moral bankruptcy of Israels military strategy.

Bidens complicity in genocide

While the world watches in horror, the Biden administration continues to provide unwavering support to Israel. Despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the U.S. has supplied Israel with billions of dollars in weapons and military aid, enabling its genocidal campaign in Gaza. Without this support, Israeli officials have admitted that their military could not sustain operations in Gaza for more than a few months.

This complicity is particularly galling given the Biden administrations rhetoric about human rights and democracy. By funding and enabling Israels brutal assault on the Palestinian people, the U.S. is not only violating its own moral principles but also undermining its credibility on the global stage.

A new normal of civilian harm?

Airwars warns that Israels conduct in Gaza may set a dangerous precedent for future conflicts. The high frequency of strikes, the intensity of damage and the acceptance of massive civilian casualties could become a new norm in modern warfare. This is a disturbing prospect as it suggests that the international community is becoming desensitized to the horrors of war and the sanctity of human life.

The situation in Gaza is a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and justice. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its actions and demand an end to the violence. The Biden administration, in particular, must reconsider its support for Israels genocidal war and take meaningful steps to prevent further atrocities. The lives of countless innocent civilians depend on it.

Sources for this article include:

News.Antiwar.com

Gaza-Patterns-Harm-Airwars.org

Al-Monitor.com
The Great Wall of Europe: EU closes doors to Syrian aliens as jihadists take over Syria

The European Union has decided to suspend visa processing for Syrian refugees and halt new Syrian asylum applications following the collapse of the Assad regime.

Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Austria, and France have implemented or are set to implement measures to restrict Syrian immigration, suspending visa processing and halting asylum applications.

While the new policies will not change existing asylum decisions, over 47,000 pending Syrian asylum applications are expected to be affected.

The EU is implementing stricter border control measures, including fingerprinting and facial recognition for travelers from visa-exempt countries like the United States, starting in 2025.

The decision has sparked criticism from the United Nations Refugee Agency and calls for the deportation of Syrian refugees already in Europe, reflecting Europe's prioritization of national security over humanitarian aid.

The European Union has decided to close its borders to the deluge of Syrian refugees flooding into its territory following the fall of the dictatorial regime of Bashar al-Assad. Multiple nations have already suspended asylum visa processing for Syrians.

Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Austria and most recently France have agreed to halt asylum applications for Syrian citizens, following the collapse of Assad's government in Damascus and his flight to Russia.

This move is not unprecedented. In 2013, similar measures were taken when the last wave of jihadists took over Syria, yet it seems Europe never learned from its mistakes. Germany, in particular, has been lambasted for its open-door policy, which has resulted in over a million Syrians being granted asylum in the past few years.

Over 47,000 pending Syrian asylum applications are expected to be affected by these new policies. And while the decision to halt new applications will have no impact on existing decisions, it's a step in the right direction. The ongoing civil war in Syria has been the justification for countless asylum claims, but now that the regime has fallen, many of those reasons for asylum are no longer valid.

The United Nations Refugee Agency has criticized these measures, claiming that some EU countries are placing barriers to entry or even forcibly returning asylum-seekers. But let's be clear: this is not about human rights or humanitarian aid. It's about protecting our borders and our citizens. The EU has been plagued by terror threats and organized crime, much of which has been linked to these mass migrations. It's about time we took a stand.

Some are even calling for the mass deportation of Syrian refugees already in Europe. Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck emphasized the importance of sending these refugees back to their homeland, either voluntarily or through deportations. "Our safety must be a priority here," he declared. It's a sentiment that many across Europe can get behind.

Meanwhile, American President-elect Donald Trump made it abundantly clear that the situation in Syria is "not our fight." Trump's foreign policy stance appears to be in line with the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing that the United States should stay out of Middle Eastern conflicts. It's a refreshing change from the interventionist approach of past administrations and one that aligns with the sentiments of many European leaders. (Related: U.S. hypocrisy reaches a new level: Israel's occupation of Syria is "security," Russia's moves in Ukraine are "aggression.")

EU to roll out fingerprinting and facial recognition for travelers from visa-exempt countries

But the EU is not just tightening its borders in response to the crises in Syria; they're also implementing stricter measures for travelers from visa-exempt countries like the United States.

Beginning in 2025, all travelers entering the EU will need to undergo fingerprinting and facial recognition imaging under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) Entry/Exit System (EES). This marks the end of the passport stamp era and ushers in a new age of digital border control.

The new system will be a significant shift for travelers. Before this, American visitors could enter EU countries simply with a passport. Now, they'll have to pay a 7 ($7.35) fee for an ETIAS travel authorization, valid for up to three years. The system is expected to affect some 1.4 billion travelers from visa-exempt countries, a move that's bound to ruffle some feathers but is ultimately in the interest of national security.

The EES will replace passport stamps with digital checks, collecting biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images from travelers. Even children under 12 will be subject to fingerprinting, albeit not as comprehensively as adults. This new system, which will be phased in over six months starting in 2025, represents a significant step towards better border control and security.

OpenBorders.news contains stories similar to this.

Watch the video below that talks about Islamic terrorists saying "We love Israel" after taking out Syria's tyrants, the Assads.

This video is from the Paul Davis UnCancelled channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Boatloads of illegal migrants making their way into Europe via Spain.

Syria's Fall: A Strategic Blow to Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia  Highlights from the Mike Adams Brighteon Broadcast for Dec 9, 2024.

Israel continues to unleash hell on Earth, with 250 new airstrikes across Syria.

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.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com 1

X.com

History.com

InfoWars.com 2

Brighteon.com
Medical journal censorship is the proximate cause of the COVID vaccine catastrophe

In this post, I want to further the historical record of massive censoring actions by medical journals on the unprecedented adverse vaccine data of the Covid vaccines. A Midwestern Doctor, my colleague and friend, has done a masterful job of detailing that history in regard to small pox, polio, HPV and many other aspects of childhood vaccines . Never forget the Cutter incident , where officials covered up the fact they were distributing contaminated and deadly polio vaccines:

(Article republished from PierreKoryMedicalMusings.com)

The Cutter incident was one of the worst pharmaceutical disasters in US history, and exposed several thousand children to live polio virus on vaccination.[3] The NIH Laboratory of Biologics Control, which had certified the Cutter polio vaccine, had received advance warnings of problems: in 1954, staff member Bernice Eddy had reported to her superiors that some inoculated monkeys had become paralyzed and provided photographs. William Sebrell, the director of NIH, rejected the report.[4]

The censoring of Eddys report led to:

120,000 doses of polio vaccine that contained live polio virus.

40,000 children recipients developed abortive poliomyelitis

56 developed paralytic poliomyelitisand of these, 5 children died from polio

exposures led to an epidemic of polio in the families and communities of the affected children, resulting in a further 113 people paralyzed and 5 deaths.

Thus, censorship of adverse vaccine data is not new but the deadly impacts of the polio vaccines is nowhere near the scope and scale of the current mRNA vaccine catastrophe.

Of those who, like me, started studying the dangers of Covid gene therapy vaccines, many then moved on to learn about the rest of the childhood vaccine schedule by reading Turtles All The Way Down: Vaccine Science and Myth.

That book exposes decades of censoring of both the acute and chronic illnesses caused by the ever-expanding CDC schedule with its pragmatic but unscientific clumping of numerous vaccine administrations on a single day, an intervention that has never been tested for safety. That book also exposes the biggest myth about vaccines which is that deaths from the illnesses they protect against had been nearly eradicated through improvements in sanitation and hygiene (and antibiotics) before the vaccine for that particular disease was even developed! Note the corresponding decrease in TB and Scarlet fever mortality, two diseases for which there is no vaccine to date:

My first post on this topic of censoring adverse vaccine data began with exposing the media and the result of their censoring - e.g. the story of my meeting with a system pathologist who did not know what the spike protein was (interestingly, that was one of my most popular posts to date).

In this post, I will detail how the toxicity and lethality of the mRNA vaccines has been suppressed through pervasive academic medical journal censorship.

A brilliant Substack post on this same issue was just written by Nicholas Hulscher, MPH on Peter McCulloughs Substack on November 1 (this post has been in draft form for a long time and I was working on it this weekend when I came across his article).

He tells the story of several papers that have been unfairly retracted in violation of retraction guidelines. One paper he highlighted was his own which was titled A Systematic Review of Autopsy Findings in Deaths after COVID-19 Vaccination. It was removed from The Lancets preprint server, probably because of its conclusion: A total of 240 deaths (73.9%) were independently adjudicated as directly due to or significantly contributed to by COVID-19 vaccination.

The case of his retracted paper provides an example of a tactic used by what he calls the Cartel (the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers). He cited this article from September which details a recent lawsuit filed against the Cartel for tremendous damage to science and the public interest.

Since the rollout of the Covid mRNA vaccines" numerous papers have been published showing tight, temporally associated increased rates of diseases and/or deaths associated with it. They have nearly all been retracted. Meanwhile, absurdly flawed or statistically manipulated papers concluding safety and efficacy (even in pregnant women) have been published in high impact journals.

Remember the absurd Lancet mathematical modeling study which claimed the campaign saved 20 million lives? Is that why excess mortality started to worsen across the world in 2021 and persists today? Interestingly, one exception to the censoring of negative vaccine studies is case reports of injuries - those they have let through by the thousands. At last count some months ago, my colleague Ashmedai who writes Resisting the Intellectual Literati had compiled over 3,600 case reports of illness and death caused by the mRNA vaccines. This is, as Paul Marik would say, truly astonishing for any medical product. Unheard of in fact. Almost 4,000 reports of injuries, many of them serious or fatal, and the campaign just rolls on?

In the article The Disinformation Playbook, by the Union of Concerned Scientists they describe 5 tactics used by the pharmaceutical industry to counter science inconvenient to industry interests. The first tactic is called the Fix and is described as below:

Does that aptly describe what I wrote about above? Know that the article was published in 2017, long before Covid. But at the time, they cited 4 case studies where companies from different industries did the above:

In each case, industry actions caused an immense amount of deaths, the most quantifiable being Mercks Vioxx scandal whereby they hid and suppressed evidence of massive amounts of heart attacks and strokes. One shocking detail about the Vioxx case was when one experts testimony in court described the number of deaths from Vioxx as equivalent to 4 jumbo jetliners crashing every week for 5 years. Let that sink in for a second.

Merck also attacked doctors trying to call attention to that fact, another Disinformation tactic called The Blitz).

I am personally familiar with the Blitz via my advocacy (ugh) of ivermectin in Covid leading to endless major media and social media attacks as well as the revocation of my Board certifications and the loss of several jobs.

Merck ended up paying $4.85 billion to settle the criminal and civil claims. However, they had annual sales of $2.5 Billion in the approximately 5 years leading up to that. So, a win for Merck?

Lets start by asking the question, How does Big Pharma control medical journals? Answer: with money! One of the main ways that Pharma money influences the journals is via the purchasing of; 1) advertising and 2) reprints. Big money. But the influence doesnt start or end there. They also pay for:

Funding of clinical trials - journals rely on these trials to publish studies

Ghostwriting -they employ ghostwriters to write up studies so as to hide association

From my Brave Browser AI response to the question How profitable are medical journals?

Ultimately, all that Pharma money undoubtedly leads to Editorial control. One example was published by the former Editor of one of the top journals in the world, the British Medical Journal (BMJ), where he includes this anecdote and cartoon:

First know that these journal censoring actions equally applied to the suppression of efficacy of early treatments. I know this firsthand from my own experience publishing my ivermectin review paper in early 2021 when, after passing through three rounds of rigorous peer review by three high-level government scientists and a clinical expert at Frontiers in Pharmacology, it was retracted with nearly no explanation.

What happened was that after my paper was accepted, weeks and weeks passed without it being published (it was an online journal and I had paid the publishing fee to make it open access.) Meanwhile, during those weeks, I was watching more people die of Covid than at any other time in the pandemic (winter 2021).

When I finally lost it by threatening a journal representative in an email that I would go public with an accusation of scientific misconduct against the journal, the editor of the special issue on Covid (Robert Malone) was quickly informed by the Editor in Chief that the paper was being retracted based on an anonymous 3rd party peer reviewer who recommended retraction because the data did not support the conclusions. We were never given a copy of this review. It was the first paper to be retracted amongst me and my co-authors in a cumulative 120 years of academia and publishing. When they later went further and retracted Robert Malones papers, he and the other editors of the issue resigned as detailed in the below article.

In hindsight, it was a naive idea to put together a special issue on the use of available drugs in Covid given that available, repurposed drugs are the Achilles heel of the entire pharmaceutical industry. Although I republished it some months later, the damage to humanity and to my reputation was already done. Good times.

According to the website Retraction Watch, there are currently 450 papers on Covid-19 that have been retracted. The vast majority of retracted Covid-19 papers after the mRNA campaign roll-out had negative conclusions and some were even retracted off of pre-print servers.

Know that the stories behind each retraction are nearly identical to my own with ivermectin above. Essentially, a paper with data and/or analysis which concludes grave harms from the mRNA jabs gets submitted, passes peer review, and soon after publication, the editorial team concocts some story of concerns with the analysis and retracts it.

As per the Disinformation tactic called the Fix, journals also employ other methods like simply rejecting such papers, or, more devastating is when they hold the paper hostage. What does that mean? Basically, in academia, the scientific publishing Cartel mentioned above has a rule that you cannot submit to more than one journal at a time to avoid duplicate peer review (which is voluntary and would consume excessive time among peer reviewers).

The problem is that peer review takes months, so journals sometimes delay that process maliciously before eventually rejecting the paper. At that point, many months have passed (and even more will be required to submit to another journal and undergo a 2nd peer review). Thus, the delayed findings can no longer impact policy or knowledge during critical periods like a pandemic. Once and if eventually published, oftentimes the policy (i.e. mass mRNA vaccination) has already been implemented and the data does little to reverse it. This practice is actually one of the issues that the lawsuit against the science journal Cartel is about.

This tactic was deployed repeatedly in the case of the most effective drug against Covid, a medicine called proxalutamide. My close friend and colleague from Brazil, Dr. Flavio Cadegiani, had his wickedly positive, large, high-quality, double-blind placebo controlled studies held hostage by three different high impact journals, causing years to go by before publication. I chronicled his story in a Substack series I wrote called The High-Impact Medical Journal Editors Harassment Of The World's Leading Clinical Researcher of Repurposed Drugs in the COVID Pandemic. Here are the links to Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. If you read that series of posts, you will come to the awful realization that, like with the cases of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, millions died around the world as a result of the suppression of the data showing proxalutamides incredible efficacy in Covid.

A more recent example of a paper being held hostage is that of a clinical shedding study where the authors exposed an unknown number of unvaccinated women to women recently mRNA vaccinated to assess whether the exposed women would develop typical vaccine adverse effects. Since I have not been able to read the paper, I dont know how many women were exposed or what the method of exposure was, but I was informed by a colleague that they were told there was a significant number of unvaccinated women who developed typical side effects of the mRNA vaccines after close exposure to women who were recently vaccinated. I learned from one of the authors that the first journal they submitted to held the paper hostage for about a year before rejecting and now it is undergoing a more rapid review and publication with a friendlier (i.e. lower tier) journal. She is optimistic it will be published soon. We will see.

In regard to the vaccines, one of the earliest and most memorable retractions was the VAERS analysis by Jessica Rose and Peter McCullough showing massively increased rates of myocarditis caused by the Covid jabs. You have to go to the Wayback machine to find it here.

In the case of Jessica and Peter, the editor did not even give a reason, they just claimed they had a right to do it so they did. Shocking. The Retraction Watch websites summary of the case is here. Worth a read.

An even more shocking fact about retracted Covid papers is that, like Jessica and Peters paper, in 32% of cases, the journal.. gave no reason for the retraction. What? How is that possible or allowed? Further, not one retraction of the vaccine papers in this post met the COPE guidelines for such an action.

More recently, a comprehensive review of the data from the original trials as well as numerous data sources subsequent to the rollout was published. Take a look at the authors, you might recognize some of their names:

The paper rightly concluded with this sentence:

We urge governments to endorse a global moratorium on the modified mRNA products until all relevant questions pertaining to causality, residual DNA, and aberrant protein production are answered.

What is weird about the subsequent retraction is that soon after it was originally published, one of the journal editors was interviewed about the paper and was asked whether the track record of the authors concerned him. His answer at that time:

The editor even took a shot at other journals:

This editor literally called out other journals for censoring their work solely based on the supposedly negative (anti-vax) reputations of some of the authors (e.g. ad-hominem attacks). However, despite that one editors original supportive answer, the journal quickly backtracked and retracted the paper based on a list of easily disprovable concerns. Retraction Watch also published a review of the case here.

However, what is little known is that co-author Steve Kirsch shared with me privately the (truly shocking) physical evidence he has which proves that the paper was retracted not on its merits (or supposed lack thereof) but rather was driven by an ad-hominem attack on the authors by several of the journals editorial team. The retraction was thus the result of a strong pro-vax personal bias on the editorial team and not the result of scientific flaws.

Another retraction was this paper by Jiang and Mei in Viruses where they found that spike protein (what the mRNA encodes for) impairs DNA damage repair in vitro. The NIH illegally redacted (not retracted) all 490 pages regarding discussions of the paper. It goes deep folks:

Although we are reviewing retractions, we cant forget about rejections. One of the first papers in the world which found a tight association between vaccination rates and excess mortality was this paper by the expert statisticians Pantazatos and Seligmann:

I met Herve Seligmann on a Zoom conference call and he informed me that after 30 different rejections they stopped trying to publish. It still sits on a pre-print server today.

Another doozy of a retraction was the Mead et al paper below:

Peter McCullough, on his Substack wrote:

Mead and co-workers found themselves at the center of a controversy when Springer Nature CUREUS Journal of Biomedical Sciences retracted their paper calling for global market withdrawal of mRNA vaccines. The retraction violated the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics Guidelines) for retraction and became a news story garnering even more attention. Other papers continued to cite Mead creating a stinging reverberation for Springer who was hoping to silence the paper. Now epidemiologist M. Nathaniel Mead and six co-authors have punched back by republishing the manuscript divided into two parts for a greater depth of data and analysis on the safety and theoretical efficacy of modified mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. In Part I, Mead discloses censorship of the first paper by the Bio-Pharmaceutical Complex, a working syndicate that is hell-bent on suppressing any scientific information on COVID-19 side effects.

It is a good time to remind you that it wasnt always this way and other approaches to problematic or controversial papers exist. Traditionally, that is done with critics writing letters to the editor which are published along with the defense of the criticisms from the authors. However, this new normal of censoring, although unethical, sometimes leads to massive publicity and republication with greater amplification of the messageprecisely what the Bio-Pharmaceutical Complex is trying to squelch.

Another memorable retractions was the below paper by Walach et al., The Safety of COVID-19 Vaccinations- We should Rethink the Policy. The main finding of the paper found: For three deaths prevented by vaccination we have to accept two inflicted by vaccination. Following its 24 June 2021 publication in Vaccines, several of the editors of the journal resigned in protest.

Even though this paper was successfully published later, Dr. Walachs University immediately terminated him in a tweet?

Retraction Watch reviewed the case here. Interestingly, the same author had another paper retracted because it reported that childrens masks trap too-high concentrations of carbon dioxide. Apparently the Cartel did not like that one either.

Another memorable retraction was that of Ronald Kostoff whose aptly titled paper Why are we vaccinating children against Covid-19? was retracted by Toxicology Reports after he had the courage to conclude that there are five times the number of deaths attributable to each inoculation vs those attributable to COVID-19 in the most vulnerable 65+ demographic. Even worse, he stated publicly that he fully expected the criticism and that the real-world situation is far worse than our best-case scenario. Whoa.

Another memorable retraction was the Skidmore paper where his analysis of survey data concluded the below:

The study went viral on Twitter after its publication which very quickly led to its retraction. Rebekah Burnett, a journalist, wrote a Substack post about the case which is both incredibly sad and predictable. This section stuck out:

I have to say though that the wall of censorship among journals may be beginning to show some cracks, recently penetrated by my two colleagues Jim Thorp and Peter McCullough with this alarming paper:

Although it is impressive that such a damning paper against the safety of the Covid-19 vaccines was published, two caveats are that; 1) it was literally just published (Nov. 24) so there has been little time to mobilize against it yet and 2) it was published in a journal that I have never heard of before.

Another light at the end of the tunnel is the famous Cleveland Clinic paper which showed that the more Covid vaccines you received, the more often you got Covid. Recall this damning figure:

It was finally published in Open Forum Infectious Disease here.

Know that this post has been in draft form for probably a couple of months. The last draft I had was going to end with the following spark of optimism:

Despite all of the above, I think that the dam of censorship against adverse mRNA vaccine science may be breaking, and potentially breaking rapidly. I say this based on the below paper published last week in the British Medical Journal of Public Health. Note that BMJ is one of the top journals in the world:

I think this paper is historic in that the authors (all from the Netherlands) reported on the correlatyion between vaccination rates and massive excess mortality measured in 47 western countries (N. America, Europe and Australia) during the pandemic. Note this conclusion is almost identical to Pantazatos and Seligmanns paper above which was rejected from 30 different journals.

Their rationale for doing the study:

Insight into the excess death rates in the years following the declaration of the pandemic by WHO is crucial for government leaders and policymakers to evaluate their health crisis policies. This study therefore explores excess mortality in the Western World from 1 January 2020 until 31 December 2022.

Some of the key findings from their study:

Excess all-cause mortality in 47 countries of the Western World from 2020 until 2022 was explored, with a total of 3,098,456 excess deaths recorded. ?

Excess mortality was registered in 87% of countries in 2020, 89% in 2021, and 91% in 2022 (Ed: Why did excess mortality become more prevalent in 2022 when Covid became so much milder and lockdowns had ended?) ?

"For children aged 019 years, the Infection Fatality Rate was set at 0.0003%. ? This implies that children are rarely harmed by the COVID-19 virus."

"During 2021, when not only containment measures but also COVID-19 vaccines were used to tackle virus spread and infection, the highest number of excess deaths was recorded: 1,256,942 excess deaths (P-score 13.8%)." ?

? "Excess mortality has remained high in the Western World for three consecutive years, despite the implementation of COVID-19 containment measures and COVID-19 vaccines. ? This is unprecedented and raises serious concerns." ?

One sentence in the discussion section also caught my eye:

Autopsies to confirm actual death causes are seldom done. You dont say.

Other damning statements appeared that we have been trying to enter into public discussion for years now:

Previous research confirmed profound under-reporting of adverse events, including deaths, after immunisation. Consensus is also lacking in the medical community regarding concerns that mRNA vaccines might cause more harm than initially forecasted. French studies suggest that COVID-1 mRNA vaccines are gene therapy products requiring long-term stringent adverse events monitoring. Although the desired immunisation through vaccination occurs in immune cells, some studies report a broad biodistribution and persistence of mRNA in many organs for weeks. Batch-dependent heterogeneity in the toxicity of mRNA vaccines was found in Denmark. Simultaneous onset of excess mortality and COVID-19 vaccination in Germany provides a safety signal warranting further investigation. Despite these concerns, clinical trial data required to further investigate these associations are not shared with the public.

These are, to me, shockingly honest and powerful concerns raised in one of the top journals in the world.

Now, unsurprisingly and in keeping with the theme of this post, as soon as that paper was published, all hell broke loose, best summarized by the investigative journalist Sonia Elijah on her Substack here.

Briefly, what happened next was that The Telegraph wrote an article with the headline: Covid vaccines may have helped fuel rise in excess deaths. It got serious attention, apparently triggering 68 media outlets to follow suit.

Next, the research center affiliated with 3 of the 4 authors quickly issued a statement trying to distance itself from the publication. This is a copy of the letter form Sonias post (her bolding):

This then caused the BMJ to issue an expression of concern as follows:

The integrity team and editors are investigating issues raised regarding the quality and messaging of this work. The Princess Maxima Centre, which is listed as the affiliation of three of the four authors, is also investigating the scientific quality of this study. The integrity team has contacted the institution regarding their investigation. Readers should also be alerted to misreporting and misunderstanding of the work. It has been claimed that the work implies a direct causal link between COVID-19 vaccination and mortality. This study does not establish any such link. The researchers looked only at trends in excess mortality over time, not its causes. The research does not support the claim that vaccines are a major contributory factor to excess deaths since the start of the pandemic. Vaccines have, in fact, been instrumental in reducing the severe illness and death associated with COVID-19 infection.

So they respond with .. lies. Oh well.

And that folks, is how you get to the terrible state of modern Science as graphically depicted below:

As you can see above, although a red asterisk of data might occasionally appear in the peer-reviewed literature, the vast majority are kept out and that is how you have an entire globe running on a fraudulent and extremely dangerous (lethal in fact) scientific consensus.

I will end here with the last few paragraphs of the BMJ paper. Again, at the risk of repeating myself, after 4 years of immense scientific and media censorship, to read the below in a high-impact medical journal is, to me, promising for the future of Science:

In conclusion, excess mortality has remained high in the Western World for three consecutive years, despite the implementation of COVID-19 containment measures and COVID-19 vaccines. This is unprecedented and raises serious concerns. During the pandemic, it was emphasised by politicians and the media on a daily basis that every COVID-19 death mattered and every life deserved protection through containment measures and COVID-19 vaccines. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the same morale should apply. Every death needs to be acknowledged and accounted for, irrespective of its origin. Transparency towards potential lethal drivers is warranted. Cause-specific mortality data therefore need to be made available to allow more detailed, direct and robust analyses to determine the underlying contributors. Postmortem examinations need to be facilitated to allot the exact reason for death. Government leaders and policymakers need to thoroughly investigate underlying causes of persistent excess mortality and evaluate their health crisis policies.

I am heartened by the fact that the authors conclusion above is nearly identical to the conclusions of me and Mary Beth Pfeiffers multiple Op-Eds on the excess mortality and rising cancer rates associated with the Covid vaccine campaign:

Read more at: PierreKoryMedicalMusings.com
Mysterious drones over the Northeast: Is the government hiding something?

 Former CIA officer Laura Ballman's theory: The former CIA operations officer presented a theory during a Fox News interview, suggesting the mysterious drone sightings in the Northeast are part of a "classified exercise" by the Biden Administration.

 Rampant sightings and public concern: Over 1,000 reports of drones flying in synchronized formations have been filed in New Jersey alone. Residents are deeply disturbed, with sightings frequently occurring near military installations, tourist attractions, and even close to former President Trump's residence.

 Government's response: Federal officials, including the FBI and Department of Defense, have downplayed the situation, attributing the sightings to misidentifications of regular aircraft. However, this response has done little to alleviate public anxiety.

 Call for transparency: Ballman emphasizes the need for greater government transparency, questioning why the situation remains so secretive. She argues that official explanations have been insufficient and possibly deliberately opaque.

 Public urgency for answers: As investigations continue, the public's demand for clear answers grows more urgent. Until the government provides concrete information, trust in official assurances remains fragile, and residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any unusual sightings.

In a development that has caused concern and confusion through the Northeast, a former CIA staffer has come forward with a chilling theory about the extremely unsettling drone sightings that have plagued the region. While federal officials have dismissed the publics panic as an overreaction, former CIA operations officer Laura Ballman is calling for greater transparency from the government.

Ballmans theory, presented during a recent interview with Fox News, suggests that the mysterious drones may be part of a classified exercise organized by the Biden Administration. This revelation comes as the number of drone sightings continues to escalate, with over 1,000 reports in New Jersey alone. The public, left bewildered by the lack of official answers, is increasingly turning to retired intelligence officers like Ballman for insights and reassurance. (Related: Mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey raise concerns).

The reports describe sightings of multiple drones flying in synchronized formations, often at night and in highly-populated areas. These drones have been spotted near military installations, tourist attractions, and even close to the residence of President-elect Donald Trump. The sheer scale and consistency of the sightings have sparked widespread concern among residents.

Federal officials, including the FBI and the Department of Defense, have downplayed the situation, attributing the sightings to misidentifications of regular aircraft like helicopters or small planes. However, these explanations have done little to ease the publics anxiety.

Ballmans theory centers around the idea that these drone sightings may be part of a classified government exercise. She points to recent statements from sources like National Security spokesman John Kirby, who stated that the drones are not operating illegally. Ballman argues that this, combined with op-eds discussing the need for better drone detection systems, suggests a classified government operation.

Residents have been deeply disturbed by the sightings

The former CIA officer raises an important question: why is the government being so tight-lipped about the situation? As a former intelligence officer, Ballman emphasizes the importance of transparency in matters involving public safety. The lack of official information has left many residents feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their security.

Its important to understand the difference between a traditional aircraft like a helicopter or a small plane and a drone. Drones, often referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are remotely controlled aircraft. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, delivery, and, in some cases, even military operations. The ability of drones to fly in synchronized formations, often at low altitudes and at night, has made them a subject of significant interest and concern.

Residents in New Jersey, and other affected states, have been deeply disturbed by the sightings. Some have reported feeling a sense of unease, wondering if they are witnessing some form of surveillance or a military test. Social media has been flooded with videos and photos from concerned citizens, each trying to piece together the puzzle of these mysterious flights.

While the FBI and other federal agencies have investigated the sightings, they have yet to produce concrete answers. The governments response has been criticized by some lawmakers and former officials as insufficient and possibly deliberately opaque.

Until these questions are answered, the publics trust in government assurances will remain fragile. Ballmans call for transparency is a crucial step in addressing the concerns of the public and restoring confidence in the government.

While the official stance is that the drones pose no immediate danger, residents should remain vigilant.

The mysterious drone sightings in the Northeast have created a perfect storm of fear, confusion and secrecy. Ballmans theory adds a layer of complexity to the situation, challenging the government to be more transparent and accountable.

Whether the drones are part of a classified government exercise or not, one thing is clear: the government must prioritize public safety and provide concrete information to calm the nerves of those affected by this extraordinary situation.

Visit Dronewatchnews.com for more.

Watch New Jersey Mayor demands transparency over drone sightings.

This video is from Newsclips on Brighteon.com.

More related:

THE BIG DRONE LIE: If the huge drones were flying over the White House, you can bet your last falsified ballot the Biden regime would shoot them down.

Mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey raise concerns.

Mysterious drones swarmed a U.S. military airbase for 17 days; officials say they dont know who operated them.

U.S. Pentagon rendered helpless as foreign drones freely conduct surveillance on sensitive military sites.

Pentagon denies NJ congressmans claims that mystery drones over the state are linked to Iran.

Sources are:

NYPost.com

MSN.com

Livemint.com

Brighteon.com
Chaldean Patriarchate in Iraq Declares Independence From Council of Christian Sects

On Monday, the Chaldean Patriarchate in Iraq announced its disassociation from the Council of Christian Sects in Iraq, affirming its commitment to independence and spiritual principles.

"Regarding the so-called Council of Christian Sects in Iraq, we know who is behind this council. We, the Chaldeans, who represent 80% of Iraqi Christians, are not part of it and will not engage with it," the Patriarchate's media office stated.

The statement continued, "None of the participants in this council are heads of sects; they are bishops or priests, and their sect leaders reside in other countries, except for the venerable head of the Assyrian Church of the East, whose center is in Erbil."

"We have called for the formation of the Council of Iraqi Churches, which is more acceptable because we are churches, not sects. The term 'sect' or 'millet' was introduced by the Ottoman Empire. This council has not achieved a single thing for Christians and has not taken a clear stance for Iraqis since its establishment."

The statement further highlighted, "To some of them, we say: those who buy you today will sell you tomorrow. Christianity is about nobility, elevation, principles, and ethics. We, the Chaldeans, remain committed to our independence, spiritual principles, and patriotism. We stand by all our fellow citizens and support them in good times and bad."
China's breadbasket province hits record grain output

Xinhua) 11:15, December 16, 2024

Agricultural machines work in rice paddies in Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)

HARBIN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, known as the country's "grain barn," produced about 80 billion kg of grain this year, sustaining its role as China's top grain producer for 15 years in a row, official data showed on Saturday.

According to the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Heilongjiang's grain output exceeded 80 billion kg for the first time, accounting for 11.33 percent of the country's total this year.

This year's harvest was hard won, challenged with the strenuous tasks of boosting soybean production and dealing with extreme weather that caused multiple natural disasters, incurring losses in some grain-producing areas, said Pang Haitao, director of the provincial department of agriculture and rural affairs.

He attributed the harvest to black soil conservation measures, the cultivation of high-quality seeds, and modern agricultural management. The province plans to lift its grain production to 90 billion kg by 2026 to help safeguard the country's food security.

BOOSTING SOYBEAN PRODUCTION

As the country's largest soybean-producing province, Heilongjiang has been a pioneer in boosting the domestic production of soybeans to reduce the country's reliance on imports.

China's soybean planting area remained above 10 million hectares this year, and the output is expected to exceed 20 million tonnes for the third consecutive year.

Wang Xiaohui, chief analyst of the China National Grain and Oils Information Center, said that the price of domestic soybeans with low protein content in Heilongjiang has gone lower than that of imported soybeans. Such soybeans are good for oil-pressing, and their growers have reported better profit from last year.

Liu He, a grain grower in Youyi County, made a bold choice to grow a new variety of soybeans this year after examining the crop growth in an agricultural demonstration field in the county last year.

"I was impressed by the growth of 'Heinong 87' soybean plants in the demonstration base and decided to try it in my field this year. It set a yield of 4,000 kg per hectare for me, much higher than the varieties I planted before," he said.

DEVELOPING MODERN AGRICULTURE

At the beginning of the year, the provincial agricultural department issued a list of 135 recommended high-quality varieties of major crops. There are 16 crop breeding demonstration bases in the province, where farmers can check the crops in the field before selecting the right seeds.

Over the years, Heilongjiang's provincial government has appropriated 300 million yuan (about 41.2 million U.S. dollars) annually to support the development of the seed industry, said Meng Linghui, an official of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Meanwhile, reinforcing disaster-resistance capacity is crucial for ensuring the province's bumper harvest.

During spring sowing, a cold spell and rainy weather hit Hailun City, Heilongjiang, freezing seedlings. The local authority immediately launched emergency disaster relief, helping farmers purchase seeds for replanting. During summer flooding, 89 large and medium-sized reservoirs in the province enlarged water-holding volumes, preventing 2.23 billion cubic meters of water from flooding some 56,900 hectares of farmland.

According to data from the province's agricultural department, Heilongjiang has built over 8 million hectares of high-standard farmlands, which boast sound soil conditions for grain cultivation and are resilient to drought and flooding.

As of the end of July, Heilongjiang had 11.4 million hectares of grain covered by agricultural insurance this year, an increase of 4.27 percent year on year.

Han Zhimin, a corn farmer in Yilan County, was a victim of the summer flood.

"Agricultural insurance paid me more than 6,000 yuan per hectare for severely affected corn plots, which helped dismiss my worries about the planting risks," said Han.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
NYC removes all Illegal immigrants from Orange County Hotels: Its time for them to leave

: New York City has removed the last of its illegal immigrants from Orange County hotels as of December 6, 2023, marking the end of a costly and controversial program initiated in May 2023.

 Exposure of Wasteful Practices: An audit by the city's comptroller's office revealed that the program had cost taxpayers millions of dollars in overpayments to contractors, highlighting the inefficiency and economic burden of housing illegal immigrants.

 Public Support for Change: Mayor Eric Adams and many New Yorkers support scaling back the shelter program, with polls indicating that a majority of voters back efforts to deport illegal immigrants.

 Legal and Moral Obligation: The city's actions aim to uphold the rule of law and enforce immigration laws, addressing activists' objections that illegal immigrants should remain in hotels indefinitely.

 Impact and Future Outlook: The closure of the hotels and other facilities is part of a broader strategy to reduce the strain on resources and redirect focus towards supporting lawful residents and addressing other critical community issues.

In a significant move that marks the end of a controversial and costly program, New York City has finally removed the last of its illegal immigrants from Orange County hotels. According to a court filing dated December 9, the city confirmed that as of December 6, no illegal immigrants reside in any hotels in Orange County. This decision is long overdue and represents a critical step in addressing the strain that illegal immigration has placed on our resources and communities.

The move to house illegal immigrants in hotels across the state, including Orange County, was initiated in May 2023, following an unprecedented influx of over 60,000 illegal immigrants into New York City in a single year. This influx placed an overwhelming burden on our public systems, forcing the city to contract with hotels and upstate facilities to provide temporary shelter. At the time, more than 37,500 illegal immigrants were in the citys care, and the situation only seemed to get worse. (Related: Illegal immigrants self-deporting ahead of Trumps return to the White House).

However, its clear now that this approach was not only costly but also counterproductive. As of May 2023, New York City had already sent 186 illegal immigrants to Orange County hotels, and within days, the county filed a lawsuit seeking to ban the controversial practice. The lawsuit was granted, putting a temporary halt to further placements in Orange County hotels.

The issue is far more complex than simply providing shelter. These individuals entered the United States illegally, bypassing our immigration laws and processes designed to protect our nation's borders and ensure orderly entry. By housing them in taxpayer-funded hotels, the city was essentially rewarding, which has only served to encourage more illegal crossings and put a strain on resources that should be focused on supporting legal residents and addressing other critical issues.

The citys own comptrollers office released a damning audit in August 2024, revealing that the city had overpaid its main contractors and subcontractors by millions of dollars for services related to housing illegal immigrants. This waste of taxpayer money is simply unacceptable and highlights the urgent need for a more rational and law-abiding approach.

Mayor Eric Adams has been at the forefront of efforts to scale back the citys shelter program, stating, "We have been wasting taxpayers money for far too long." His actions are in line with the will of many New Yorkers who see the obvious financial and social toll that illegal immigration has taken on the city and the state.

According to a recent Siena poll, a majority of New York voters support the Trump administrations efforts to deport illegal immigrants in the state. This sentiment is not without merit. The influx of illegal immigrants has placed an enormous burden on public services, not to mention the broader economic and social implications.

Activists and some elected officials have protested the closure of migrant shelters, arguing that migrants should be allowed to remain in their hotels indefinitely. However, this argument is misguided and ignores the fact that these individuals are in the United States unlawfully. New York City and the state have a legal and moral obligation to uphold the rule of law, which includes enforcing immigration laws.

Citizens are tired of city leaders expending resources this way

By removing illegal immigrants from hotels, New York City is taking a long-overdue step toward rectifying the situation. The closure of the Orange County hotels and other facilities is part of a broader plan to reduce the number of illegal immigrants under the citys care, which has been on a steady decline over the past five months.

Its time for illegal immigrants to leave these hotels and for New York City to redirect its resources towards more productive and lawful uses. The city must focus on supporting legal residents and addressing the many pressing issues faced by our communities, rather than propping up an ineffective and costly system designed to house individuals who are in our country illegally.

This is not merely a political issue; its a matter of common sense and adherence to the rule of law. As New York State Assembly member Matt Slater aptly put it, "New Yorkers have had it." Its time for change, and its time for those who are in the United States unlawfully to leave.

The removal of illegal immigrants from Orange County hotels marks a significant step towards restoring order and fiscal responsibility in New York City. As the city continues to scale back its shelter program and work towards a more sustainable immigration policy, its clear that enforcement of our nations immigration laws is long overdue. New York City and the state must continue to prioritize the rights and needs of lawful residents and work towards a more secure and prosperous future for all.

Its time for illegal immigrants to leave the hotels, and its time for our communities to breathe a sigh of relief as we move towards a more responsible and law-abiding approach to immigration.

Visit Migrants.news for more.

Watch as Illegal Immigrants Protest In The Streets Of New York For Being Forced To Move Locations.

This video is from Galactic storm on Brighteon.com.

More related:

San Diego County Sheriff refuses to comply with attempts to turn the county into a sanctuary for illegals.

THANK YOU, TRUMP: Amid U.S. pressure, Mexican officials dissolved 2 migrant caravans headed for the southern border.

Trumps plan to use military for mass deportation of migrants constitutional, claims RealClearWire.

Homan reveals Trump plans for investigating foreign nations, NGOs fueling border crisis.

Yes, the president can deploy troops to enforce immigration law.

Sources are:

TheEpochtimes.com

NYPost.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Pfizer failed to disclose the deaths of two women from their COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials

Pfizer failed to disclose the deaths of two women who participated in the clinical trials for their COVID-19 vaccine.

The deaths occurred before the FDA granted emergency use authorization but were only revealed nearly three years later.

Dr. Jeyanthi Kunadhasan is demanding transparency and an investigation into these deaths.

Pfizer violated the required protocol by delaying the reporting of the autopsy results.

These undisclosed deaths could have altered the FDA's decision to grant EUA for the vaccine.

Experts argue that Pfizer and the FDA acted unethically and that the vaccine may have caused more deaths than it prevented.

Covering up homicide

Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant behind one of the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines, has been caught in a web of lies and deception that threatens to unravel the very fabric of trust between the public and the medical establishment.

Pfizer-BioNTech, under the guise of noble intentions, launched a clinical trial for their mRNA vaccine. But behind closed doors, this trial was marred by deaths that Pfizer chose to suppress. Two women, one from Kansas and another from Georgia, died not long after receiving their second dose. Yet, Pfizer made sure these deaths remained hidden from the public and regulatory bodies, including the FDA.

The magnitude of Pfizer's deceitful actions cannot be overstated. According to Dr. Jeyanthi Kunadhasan, an anesthesiologist and one of the researchers analyzing the Pfizer documents, the company had ample time to disclose these deaths before the FDAs December 2020 meeting but chose to keep this information under wraps. The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine on December 10th, 2020, based on incomplete and misleading data.

Dr. Kunadhasans findings have sparked a firestorm of controversy, with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach even filing a lawsuit against Pfizer for marketing their vaccine as "safe and effective" while concealing critical data on its risks. The omission of these two deaths could have altered the FDAs decision, raising serious questions about the validity of the vaccines safety and efficacy claims.

Pfizer delayed mandatory reporting of the autopsies by 37 days

What makes Pfizers duplicity all the more egregious is the delay in reporting the results of the autopsy. The Kansas womans death was not disclosed to the FDA for an astounding 37 days, a period far longer than the clinical trial protocols 24-hour limit for reporting such events. This brazen violation of medical ethics underscores the lengths to which Pfizer will go to maintain its corporate image and profit margins.

The implications of this scandal cast an even darker shadow over the vaccines safety profile. Both women died of cardiac arrest, a detail that becomes particularly alarming when considering the growing evidence of myocarditis and pericarditis among vaccine recipients, especially among young men. The fact that Pfizer did not report these deaths as part of the clinical trial data is a clear attempt to manipulate public perception and regulatory approval.

Kunadhasans analysis of Pfizers documents also revealed that the lack of disclosure of these deaths would have prevented the FDA from issuing a reduction in overall deaths from the vaccine. In other words, the Pfizer vaccine may have increased the number of deaths rather than preventing them.

FDA conspired to hide the deaths, too

The revelations do not stop there. The FDA, which is supposed to be the guardian of public health, appears complicit in this deception. The agency did not release the pertinent documents until September 2023, nearly three years after the vaccines had been authorized for use. This staggering delay in transparency raises serious questions about the integrity of the FDA.

As the dust settles on this scandal, it becomes clear that the trust between doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and the public has been irreparably damaged. Experts are calling for an immediate investigation into the safety of mRNA vaccines, and a moratorium on their use until the full extent of the damage is understood.

The consequences of Pfizers actions go beyond legal and regulatory implications. They touch on the very heart of medical ethics and public trust. As Dr. Naomi Wolf, CEO of Daily Clout, put it, the hidden deaths are symptoms of a larger disease in the medical-pharmaceutical complex, one that values profit over peoples lives.

The hope now lies in the hands of courageous doctors and researchers who refuse to remain silent. It is time for a full and impartial investigation into Pfizers vaccine trials, and for the full light of truth to shine upon the hidden dangers of these supposedly life-saving drugs.

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

DailyClout.io

PHMPT.org [PDF]
Report: Senate Dems urge Biden to bolster protections for illegals against Trump deportations

: Democrats are urging President Biden to extend deportation protections for illegal immigrants under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), as the incoming Trump administration plans mass deportations.

 Press conference by Senate Democrats: Senators Cortez Masto, Lujan, and Padilla held a press conference to emphasize the urgency of protecting immigrants currently under TPS and DACA, citing the threat of chaotic immigration policies by the new administration.

 Public sentiment and criticism: A majority of Americans support President-elect Trump's deportation plan, highlighting the growing frustration among U.S. citizens over immigration policies. Critics argue that Trump's approach is necessary to enforce the rule of law and protect American jobs.

 Human impact and national interests: While personal stories like those of Grethel Gomez and Jose Cabrera evoke sympathy, the debate also involves the broader implications for U.S. resources, job competition, and economic challenges.

 Balancing immigrant and American needs: The push for extending protections raises complex issues that must be balanced between the needs of vulnerable immigrants and the interests of American citizens, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and compassionate approach to immigration.

Senate Democrats are now exerting massive pressure on President Biden to extend deportation protections for certain illegal immigrants. The incoming Trump White House plans to launch a mass deportation campaign next year, targeting individuals who have entered the country without proper documentation. But as the clock ticks down on Biden's presidency, Democrats are rushing to implement what they perceive as urgently needed protections for immigrants.

Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) held a press conference to urge Biden to take action. They emphasized the plight of immigrants currently under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). TPS provides work permits and protection from deportation to nationals from countries deemed unsafe for return, while DACA shields immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. (Related: Biden administrations final act: A desperate attempt to sabotage Trumps border wall promise).

The Democratic push for extending protections for these immigrants is driven by fear. As Senator Cortez Masto warned, "We know the incoming administration is going to try to implement chaotic immigration policies that tear our families apart. But we have a chance to do something about that right now and give these families as much legal protection and reassurance as possible."

However, this stance raises significant questions about the broader implications of these policies. Biden's proposed extension of TPS for certain countries has been criticized as a backdoor open-border policy, aimed at circumventing legal immigration channels. In contrast, the Trump administration's approach prioritizes the enforcement of existing immigration laws and the protection of American jobs and resources.

The National Pulse has reported that a majority of Americans support President-elect Trump's mass deportation plan. This public sentiment highlights the growing frustration among U.S. citizens who feel their voices are not being heard when it comes to immigration policy.

The Trump administrations approach on illegal immigration is necessary to enforce the rule of law

The Trump administration's plans to end TPS for countries like Haiti and Nicaragua underscore the need for a more balanced approach to immigration. The administration argues that it is necessary to protect U.S. citizens and ensure that our resources are allocated wisely. However, Democrats, including Senators Padilla and Cortez Masto, insist that these measures will only lead to chaos and uncertainty.

Critics argue that the Trump administration's approach is necessary to enforce the rule of law and protect American jobs. As the U.S. economy continues to struggle, some fear that an influx of illegal immigrants could exacerbate the economic challenges faced by the country.

But the human element of the story is undeniable. Grethel Gomez is a 60-year-old Nicaraguan activist. She fled her home country following persecution and now fears deportation under the new administration. Her story is a poignant reminder of the individual struggles at stake.

Yet, it is crucial to weigh the personal stories against the broader national interests. As Jose Cabrera, a TPS holder from El Salvador, explained, "I'm proud to be part of this community. But right now, there's so much fear among immigrants like me, especially with the new administration coming in."

While these statements evoke sympathy, we must also consider the impact on American citizens. The influx of illegal immigrants places a strain on US resources, including healthcare, education, and social services. Furthermore, it can lead to increased competition for jobs, potentially depressing wages for American workers.

The incoming Trump administration's plans for stricter enforcement, while perhaps controversial, reflect a commitment to protecting American interests. By prioritizing the rule of law and safeguarding US borders, the administration aims to ensure that citizens have a legal immigration system that benefits all Americans.

The push for extending deportation protections for illegal immigrants raises complex and emotionally charged issues. The Democrats have argued that these measures are necessary to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold the American spirit of compassion. The incoming Trump administration and its supporters advocate for stricter enforcement to ensure the rule of law and prioritize the needs of American citizens.

Visit OpenBorders.news for more.

watch as reports ask if Biden to issue blanket pardons for 20 million Illegal Aliens?

This video is from Justin Barclay on Brighteon.com.

More related:

Trump sets the stage for immigration crackdown: Meet the new BORDER ENFORCERS.

Trump seeks to end BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP when he returns to the White House next month.

Homan reveals Trump plans for investigating foreign nations, NGOs fueling border crisis.

Violent migrant linked to Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang robs Manhattan prosecutor.

Trump to immediately focus on deporting immigrants and resuming construction of border wall.

Sources are:

ThenationalPulse.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
Russia attacks Ukraines energy infrastructure in major retaliatory strike

Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure in retaliation for Kievs use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.

The attack targeted critical fuel and energy facilities, leaving up to 50% of residential customers without power.

Ukraines energy infrastructure, already severely damaged, faces further collapse as winter approaches.

The Biden administrations decision to greenlight ATACMS use has escalated tensions and provoked Russias harsh response.

The conflict has entered a dangerous new phase, raising concerns about further escalation and the need for diplomacy.

Russias massive drone and missile attack on Ukraines critical infrastructure on Friday marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, one that underscores the dangerous consequences of rising tensions between the two nations. The attack, which targeted Ukraines energy and fuel facilities, was a direct response to Kievs use of U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike a Russian airfield inside Russian territory. This retaliatory move by Moscow raises serious questions about the Biden administrations decision to greenlight the use of American-made missiles within Russias borders, a move that has now triggered a devastating counterattack.

Fridays attack was one of the largest and most coordinated assaults on Ukraines energy sector since the war began nearly three years ago. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia launched 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones, targeting critical fuel and energy infrastructure. While Ukrainian defenses managed to intercept 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles shot down by Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets, the sheer scale of the attack has left significant damage in its wake. Reports indicate that up to 50% of residential customers could be without power, highlighting the fragility of Ukraines already battered infrastructure.

Russias Defense Ministry justified the attack as a response to Ukraines use of ATACMS missiles on a Russian airfield. The ministry claimed that the strike hit all intended targets, specifically targeting facilities that support Ukraines military-industrial complex. This move by Moscow is part of a broader strategy to cripple Ukraines ability to sustain its war effort, as well as to inflict suffering on civilians in an attempt to break their resolve.

Ukraines fragile infrastructure under siege

Ukraines energy infrastructure has been a primary target for Russian attacks since the beginning of the conflict. With around half of the countrys energy infrastructure already destroyed, rolling blackouts and power cuts have become a grim reality for millions of Ukrainians. The latest attack, which damaged thermal power plants and gas infrastructure, threatens to exacerbate an already dire situation. As winter sets in and temperatures drop, the loss of heating and electricity could have catastrophic consequences for civilians.

Russias strategy of targeting energy infrastructure is not new. The Kremlin has repeatedly attempted to undermine Ukraines ability to function as a nation by leaving its people in the dark and disrupting its defense manufacturing capabilities. This latest assault, however, is particularly alarming given the scale and precision of the attack, as well as its direct link to Ukraines use of U.S.-supplied weapons.

The Biden administration deserves some of the blame

The Biden administrations decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles inside Russian territory has proven to be a significant misstep. By greenlighting the use of these long-range weapons, the U.S. has effectively escalated the conflict, crossing what many viewed as a red line. Former President Donald Trump, who will soon return to the White House, has criticized this decision, arguing that it risks drawing the U.S. deeper into the war. Trumps stance aligns with Russias position, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted, emphasizing that both sides recognize the dangers of escalation.

The Biden administrations support for Ukraines use of ATACMS missiles has not only emboldened Kiev but also provoked a harsh response from Moscow. By allowing these strikes, the U.S. has given Russia a pretext to escalate its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, further endangering civilians and prolonging the conflict. This decision underscores the need for a more cautious approach to military aid, one that prioritizes de-escalation over escalation.

A dangerous new phase in the conflict

The recent exchange of attacks between Russia and Ukraine represents a dangerous new phase in the conflict that threatens to spiral out of control. Russias retaliatory strike on Ukraines energy infrastructure is a clear message that any use of long-range weapons against Russian territory will be met with severe consequences. Meanwhile, Ukraines reliance on Western-supplied weapons has only deepened its dependence on external support, raising questions about its ability to negotiate a lasting peace.

As the conflict enters its third year, the Biden administration must reconsider its strategy and prioritize diplomacy over escalation. Allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles inside Russian territory was a risky move that has now backfired, leading to a devastating counterattack and further destabilizing an already fragile region.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

ABCNews.go.com

Reuters.com
Senator Schmitt introduces legislation to take on Government-Corporate-Big Tech censorship machine

 US Senator Schmitt believes the "deep state" may continue to work with Big Tech to censor free speech.

 He introduced new legislation to prevent government-Tech collusion.

 The Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act would mandate Inspector Generals to report all communications with Section 230 companies.

 Previous government pressure on tech companies led to constitutional concerns and investigations.

 Internal documents from Twitter revealed how the government leaned on tech companies to censor truthful content.

Senator Eric Schmitt introduces legislation to take on Big government and Big Tech collusion

In a bold move aimed at curbing government-corporate collusion, Republican Senator Eric Schmitt has introduced the Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act in the US Senate. This legislative effort seeks to prevent future instances of government agencies working with tech companies to suppress free speech, a practice that has garnered significant attention in recent years.

The bill, if passed, would empower Inspectors General (IGs) to provide comprehensive reporting on any communication between government agencies and companies benefiting from Section 230 protections. These IGs would be required to detail the nature of these communications, the circumstances surrounding them, and their impact on content moderation, user content, and algorithmic decisions. By requiring IGs to inform Congress about these interactions, Schmitt aims to bring much-needed transparency to the murky relationship between the government and tech giants.

The amendment requires Inspectors General to report to Congress on government communications, including those on social media. This includes detailed descriptions of communications between government agencies and internet services, content providers, and software providers. These communications can include:

Content moderation policies and practices. User-generated content like posts, photos, and videos. Other communications related to the online service's data inputs, algorithms, modeling processes, analysis tools, and related technologies.

The Biden censorship regime was harmful to democracy and public health

Schmitts concern is not unfounded. During the Biden administration, there were multiple instances where government agencies pressured social media companies to censor content that they deemed harmful or misleading. These actions raised serious questions about the extent of government influence over the free flow of information online. The Missouri v. Biden lawsuit, of which Schmitt was a key figure, shed light on allegations of unconstitutional collusion between the government and tech companies, an issue that eventually caught the attention of the Supreme Court.

The acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk in 2022 and the subsequent release of internal documents further exposed the extent of these interactions. These documents revealed that tech companies were not only being pressured to censor content but were also employing third-party intermediaries to sidestep constitutional prohibitions on censorship. This practice blurred the lines between private companies content moderation policies and government directives, creating a complex web of censorship that undermined the principles of free speech.

Schmitts Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act is designed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. By requiring detailed reporting on all communications related to content moderation, user content, and algorithmic decision-making, the bill aims to ensure that any collusion between government agencies and tech companies is transparent and accountable.

The case of Missouri v. Biden, although ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court, was instrumental in bringing the issue of government-Tech collusion to the forefront. In a Judiciary Committee investigation, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that the government had indeed pressured the tech giant to censor certain content, a revelation that underscored the extent of this practice during the previous administration.

In this context, Schmitts bill represents a crucial step towards addressing the threat to free speech posed by government-corporate collusion.

By implementing robust transparency measures and providing Congress with the information needed to hold these entities accountable, the Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act could pave the way for a more open and transparent online environment.

The fight against censorship is far from over, and the battle for online free speech continues to gain momentum. With increasing calls for transparency and accountability, the future of online freedom may well depend on the success of measures such as Schmitts bill in curbing the "deep states" influence over American voices.

Sources include:

ReclaimtheNet.org

Docs.ReclaimtheNet.org [PDF]

ReclaimtheNet.org
South Korean president banned from leaving country after martial law incident

President Yoon Suk-yeol banned from leaving South Korea after martial law declaration

National Assembly unanimously blocked martial law, forcing Yoon to rescind the order

Criminal investigation launched into Yoon for treason, with police raids on his office

Protests demand Yoons resignation; impeachment efforts face uncertainty

Military leaders say they'll refuse further martial law orders, undermining Yoons authority

South Koreas political turmoil reached new heights this week as President Yoon Suk-yeol was banned from leaving the country following his ill-fated attempt to declare martial law. The decision, which has left the nation reeling, marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing crisis surrounding Yoons presidency.

His declaration of martial law, although short-lived, has ignited widespread anger and unease among South Koreans. In a televised address, Yoon claimed the measure was necessary to combat unscrupulous pro-Pyongyang anti-state forces, blaming opposition lawmakers for obstructing his policy agenda. However, the move was met with immediate backlash, as the National Assembly swiftly convened to vote against the decree.

The scenes that unfolded were chaotic and deeply symbolic. Lawmakers, determined to uphold democracy, scaled walls and confronted heavily armed soldiers to reach the legislative chambers. Despite the deployment of nearly 300 troops outside, the Assembly voted unanimously to block martial law, forcing Yoon to rescind his order just six hours after it was declared.

For many South Koreans, the specter of martial law evokes painful memories of the past. Decades of military dictatorship, punctuated by brutal crackdowns such as the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, have left deep scars on the nations collective psyche. The brief but jarring return of martial law reignited fears and sparked protests demanding Yoons resignation.

Police raids and a travel ban

In the wake of the martial law debacle, South Korean authorities launched a criminal investigation into Yoon on charges of treason. The unprecedented move culminated in a travel ban, preventing the president from leaving the country. While such a measure is highly unusual for a sitting president, officials justified it as a routine precaution for a suspect who is facing serious charges and poses a flight risk.

The fallout extended beyond Yoon himself. Police raids targeted his office, and several key figures in his administration, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, are under investigation. The former defense minister was detained, while other high-ranking officials face scrutiny for their roles in the martial law declaration.

Despite the travel ban, Yoon remains nominally in control of the military, although his authority has been severely undermined. Military leaders have publicly stated they would refuse any further martial law orders, raising questions about the stability of South Koreas political and military leadership.

Protests and political uncertainty

The streets of Seoul have been a battleground of competing voices. Leftist groups have organized near-daily protests calling for Yoons immediate resignation, while conservative factions have rallied in his support. However, the anti-Yoon demonstrations have garnered more attention, both domestically and internationally, reflecting the widespread public disapproval of his actions.

The political landscape remains volatile. While the opposition Democratic Party has pushed for impeachment, Yoons conservative People Power Party (PPP) has blocked efforts to remove him from office. The PPPs internal divisions have further complicated the situation, with some factions calling for Yoon to step down while others defend his presidency.

The next impeachment vote, scheduled for Saturday, will be a critical test of Yoons political survival. However, with the opposition eight seats short of the required majority, the outcome remains uncertain.

The events of the past week have forced South Koreans to confront their history. The trauma of living under martial law and dictatorship remains a raw wound, and Yoons actions have reopened it. His apology, delivered in a brief address, acknowledged the anxiety and discomfort caused by his decision but did little to quell the publics anger.

As the nation grapples with this crisis, one thing is clear: South Koreas democracy is resilient, but its leaders must learn from the past to avoid repeating its darkest chapters  and giving North Korea an opportunity to take advantage of the turmoil.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

CNN.com

NBCNews.com
U.S. experts sound the alarm: Chinas cyber espionage threat grows as Salt Typhoon breaches U.S. telecom giants

The article highlights a severe cyber espionage campaign by China, specifically mentioning Salt Typhoon, a state-sponsored hacking group that has breached the security of eight U.S. telecom companies, putting millions of Americans' sensitive data at risk.

 Metadata compromise: Salt Typhoon has compromised the metadata of over one million people, including potential high-profile government officials and politicians. This metadata provides valuable insights into the social and professional networks of targets, making it a valuable tool for intelligence services.

 Vulnerability and expert opinions: This breach is seen as a significant threat to national security and personal privacy, with experts stating that the U.S. is falling behind in cyber deterrence against China. James Mulvenon, among others, warns of the growing severity of the situation.

 Complexity of cyber espionage: Unlike traditional espionage, cyber espionage exploits digital vulnerabilities to steal information. Salt Typhoon's focus on metadata highlights how seemingly less sensitive data can be more revealing than actual communication content when pieced together.

 Need for robust response: The article underscores the need for a strong U.S. response, emphasizing both defensive measures and punitive actions to deter future Chinese cyber operations. The challenge lies in finding the political will to implement these measures effectively.

Cybersecurity experts are ringing the alarm on Chinas relentless cyber espionage campaign. The latest shockwave came in the form of Salt Typhoon, a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group thats breached the security of at least eight U.S. telecom companies, leaving millions of Americans' sensitive data dangerously exposed.

The severity of this breach cannot be overstated. Salt Typhoon has succeeded in compromising the metadata of over a million people, potentially including sensitive data from high-profile government officials and politicians. This metadata, which includes call and text records, is a goldmine for spies looking to piece together the social and professional networks of their targets. (Related: White House: Hackers linked to China infiltrated 8 telecommunication companies in the U.S.).

James Mulvenon, chief intelligence officer at Pamir Consulting, said during a recent Senate hearings: The United States is in a very deep cyber deterrence hole with China, and its only getting deeper. Mulvenon's warning comes after years of Chinas aggressive cyber operations, which have left the U.S. scrambling to catch up and formulate a robust response.

Salt Typhoon is a state-sponsored hacking group with the backing of Beijing, and its recent exploits have put the U.S. in an increasingly vulnerable position. The hack on U.S. telecom giants like AT&T, CenturyLink, and Verizon is more than a mere breach; its a profound threat to national security and personal privacy.

Cyber espionage is insidious and complex. Unlike traditional espionage, where spies might physically plant bugs or intercept communications, cyber espionage leverages digital vulnerabilities to steal information. In the case of Salt Typhoon, the hackers targeted the metadata of phone calls and texts, which might not seem as sensitive as the actual content of communications. However, metadata can be incredibly revealing. As General Michael Hayden, a former director of the CIA and NSA, once observed, We kill people based on metadata.

Think of metadata as a digital fingerprint. It tells the story of who communicates with whom, when, and where. This kind of information is invaluable for intelligence services, as it can expose networks of influence, identify key players, and map out social and political landscapes.

While White House officials claim to have briefed President Joe Biden on the issue and are committed to enhancing cybersecurity, experts like James Lewis are not satisfied. Lewis, director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized the need for a two-pronged approach: a clear warning to Beijing, followed by decisive action.

Salt Typhoons activities are part of a larger Chinese campaign to exploit global telecommunications networks

The U.S. has the capabilities to respond to these threats, but the will to act is often lacking. Its a political will and National Command Authority decision-making discussion, Mulvenon stated. The U.S. Cyber Command has conducted hunt forward operations to constrain adversary freedom of maneuver, but these efforts must be paired with punitive actions to truly deter China from future cyber operations.

Salt Typhoons activities are not an isolated incident. They are part of a larger Chinese campaign to exploit global telecommunications networks. This includes operations by other state-backed groups like Flax Typhoon, which exploited consumer devices through a botnet.

The question of what constitutes an acceptable response to these cyber intrusions remains a contentious issue. While the U.S. seeks to impose costs on China to alter its calculus of expected value from these attacks, the exact form of these punishments remains unclear. Cyber tools, economic sanctions, or diplomatic pressure  the U.S. has a range of options, but the political resolve to deploy them is the real challenge.

As the decibel levels rise on calls for a stronger U.S. response to Chinas cyber espionage, one thing is clear: the time for action is now. The U.S. must not only invest in defensive measures to patch vulnerabilities but also develop and execute a comprehensive strategy that includes punitive measures to dissuade China from future cyber operations.

The sentiment among tech experts is unambiguous: the U.S. is not winning the ongoing cyber espionage battle, and the services Americans depend on daily are at risk. Its time for the U.S. to close the gap in cyber deterrence and take decisive action against Chinese state-backed cyber threats.

Visit Cyberwar.news for more.

Watch this warning: 'BE AWARE': Expert on China producing crucial national security-related materials

This video is from News Clips on Brighteon.com.

More related:

State Departments GEC closure could be a smokescreen for continued censorship.

Trumps incoming FCC chairman vows to dismantle censorship cartel of Big Tech companies.

Incoming FCC chairman Brendan Carr prepping for battle against censors: Censorship is about stopping ideas.

China launching worlds first AI training hospital.

Controversial clemency: Biden releases Chinese nationals accused of espionage.

Sources are:

TheEpochtimes.com

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
Victory for free speech as State Department shuts down censorship agency

The State Department plans to close the Global Engagement Center (GEC), which has been accused of censoring conservative speech under the guise of combating foreign disinformation.

GEC blurred the line between foreign and domestic policy, targeting conservative media outlets and violating First Amendment rights.

The closure follows investigations and legal challenges exposing GECs misuse of funds and censorship efforts.

This decision reflects a victory for transparency, accountability, and the protection of free speech.

The GECs shutdown is a step toward restoring trust in government.

In a significant win for free speech, the State Department has announced plans to shutter the Global Engagement Center (GEC), an agency long accused of overstepping its mandate to combat foreign disinformation by censoring Americans political speech  and targeting conservative viewpoints in particular. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against government overreach and the suppression of First Amendment rights.

The GEC, launched in 2016, was ostensibly created to combat foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining U.S. interests abroad. However, its operations increasingly blurred the line between foreign and domestic policy, leading to accusations that it had become a tool for censoring political speech in the United States. Despite its stated mission, the GEC was often used to target conservative media outlets and individuals, raising serious concerns about its commitment to free speech.

Through litigation and congressional oversight, the GECs activities were exposed as part of a broader effort to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissenting voices. As part of its efforts, the GEC funded the Global Disinformation Index, a UK-based organization that compiled blacklists of conservative media outlets, effectively stripping them of advertising revenue. This blatant targeting of political opponents was a clear violation of the First Amendment and a stark reminder of the dangers of government-sponsored censorship.

A victory for transparency and accountability

The decision to shutter the GEC is a direct result of sustained efforts by conservative organizations, lawmakers, and journalists who refused to let the agency operate in the shadows. Through investigative reporting and legal challenges, these groups uncovered the GECs misuse of taxpayer dollars and its role in suppressing free speech.

The GECs closure is also a victory for the principles of limited government and individual liberty. By dismantling an agency that had become synonymous with censorship, the State Department has taken a step toward restoring trust in government institutions and affirming the importance of free speech in a democratic society.

A positive step forward for free speech

Although the GECs closure is undoubtedly a positive development, it is important to keep in mind that it is not the only group out there carrying out this type of censorship, and other initiatives may seek to fill the void left by its absence. The fight for free speech is an ongoing one, and conservatives must continue to advocate for policies that protect the First Amendment and prevent the government from infringing on Americans right to express their views. With Trump about to take office, we could see a lot less of this particular type of censorship moving forward.

The State Departments decision to shutter the GEC is a clear signal that the tide is turning against government censorship. It is a reminder that despite the challenges posed by foreign disinformation campaigns, the United States must remain steadfast in its commitment to free speech and open debate.

The closure of the GEC is not just a victory for conservatives; it is a win for all Americans who value free speech and the principles enshrined in the First Amendment.

Sources for this article include:

TheGuardian.com

X.com

WashingtonExaminer.com
South Korean President Yoon IMPEACHED over controversial MARTIAL LAW move

South Korean National Assembly officially impeached President Yoon, with 204 out of 300 lawmakers voting in favor, plunging the country into a constitutional crisis.

Yoon's brief declaration of emergency martial law, followed by accusations of "anti-state activities" against the opposition, sparked widespread outrage and led to impeachment.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is the interim leader, but the final decision rests with the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to rule on the impeachment.

The crisis could reshape South Korea's political landscape, possibly leading to another election, while also creating economic instability and uncertainty.

The impeachment highlights the limits of presidential power and serves as a crucial moment for South Korean democracy, potentially leading to lasting changes in governance and policy.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially impeached by the National Assembly, sending shockwaves through the country and plunging it into a constitutional crisis that experts warn could have long-lasting implications for the nation.

The impeachment vote, which passed with a resounding 204 out of 300 lawmakers in favor, comes just one week after Yoon narrowly survived an earlier impeachment attempt, marking a week of intense political turmoil that has left the nation teetering on the brink.

The catalyst for this political maelstrom was Yoon's declaration of a brief emergency martial law on Dec. 3, which lasted only a few hours but sent the country into a tailspin. In a dramatic address to the nation, Yoon accused the opposition party of engaging in "anti-state activities," a move that was swiftly met with widespread outrage and condemnation. The declaration, which was unprecedented in South Korean history, was immediately reversed, but not before it had caused significant political upheaval. (Related: South Korean president lifts martial law just hours after declaring it.)

What should have been a straightforward power struggle has now morphed into a complex and multifaceted crisis. With Yoon suspended from office, the ball is now in the hands of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has been designated interim leader. However, this is a temporary stopgap at best, as the ultimate decision will be made by the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to rule on the impeachment. If history is any guide, this process could take far less time.

The decision to impeach Yoon is being hailed as a victory for democracy and the South Korean people, with opposition leader Park Chan-dae declaring, "This is a victory for the South Korean people and for democracy." Yet, even as Yoon's supporters dispute the legitimacy of the impeachment, opponents argue that the move was long overdue, given the president's controversial actions and his repeated attempts to bypass constitutional limits on his powers.

Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University, summed it up succinctly: "It is not even the beginning of the end."

With opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in 2022, now favored to win the upcoming election, the political landscape is set for further upheaval. However, Lee himself faces his legal troubles, with a potential conviction on appeal that could disqualify him from office.

No leader is above the law

As the Constitutional Court deliberates, the country faces a period of political gridlock that could have significant economic ramifications.

South Korea's finance minister and central bank governor are scheduled to discuss the potential economic fallout from the ongoing political turmoil. However, the immediate impact on market sentiment is likely to be mixed. While some analysts like Graham Ambrose of Goldman Sachs see buying opportunities in Seoul, others like Eric Easley and the Goldman Sachs analysts themselves warn of risks that are increasingly skewed to the downside.

The irony of the situation is not lost on observers: Yoon, who sought to assert his authority with a heavy-handed approach to governance, has now been stripped of that authority. His statement that "although I am stopping for now, the journey I have walked with the people over the past two and a half years toward the future must never come to a halt" rings hollow in the wake of his impeachment. The question now is whether Yoon's supporters will be able to mount a successful defense in the Constitutional Court, or whether his ouster will be final.

For Han, the task is daunting. As acting president, he must navigate a deeply divided political landscape, address the ongoing economic concerns, and reassure international allies, particularly the United States. In a phone call with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, Han assured the U.S. of South Korea's commitment to regional security and stability, but the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty.

The impeachment of Yoon is not just a victory for his opponents, but a wake-up call for South Korean democracy. It serves as a reminder that no leader, regardless of their position, is above the law.

MartialLaw.news has more similar stories.

Watch the report below on the investigation of the insurrection following Yoon's martial law declaration.

This video is from the TNTVNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

South Korea briefly under martial law after President Yoon banned "all political activities" and placed military in charge.

South Korean opposition party to file second impeachment motion against President Yoon.

Seoul deploys fighter jets as Russian and Chinese warplanes enter Korea Air Defense Identification Zone.

Pentagon: U.S. ready to support South Korea with NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
The US government could designate cloud providers including Google and Microsoft as global gatekeepers for advanced AI chips, a step widely viewed as the latest effort to block Chinas access to this critical technology, according to a Reuters report.

The proposed rules, expected to be announced this month, would require these companies to meet strict conditions, such as reporting key data to the US government and ensuring Chinese entities are barred from accessing the chips.

The framework would allow the companies to offer AI capabilities via cloud services internationally without needing an export license, the report added.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the nation in commemorating Vijay Diwas on Tuesday, paying homage to the martyrs of the 1971 war.

This historic victory not only ensured Indias military triumph over Pakistan but also led to the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

President Murmu, in her post on the social media platform X, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Bravehearts, writing: "On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to our valiant soldiers who displayed indomitable courage during the 1971 war, securing victory for India. A grateful nation remembers the ultimate sacrifice of our bravehearts whose stories inspire every Indian and shall remain a source of national pride."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reflected on the immense courage and dedication of the soldiers who fought in the 1971 war.

In his tribute, he wrote: "Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to Indias historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nations history."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the unyielding spirit of Indias armed forces, stating: "Today, on the special occasion of Vijay Diwas, the nation salutes the bravery and sacrifice of Indias armed forces. Their unwavering courage and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe. India will never forget their sacrifice and service."

Vijay Diwas marks the day when India achieved a decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971, resulting in the liberation of Bangladesh. Indias role included military intervention, training the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters), and direct support that culminated in the surrender of a large number of Pakistani soldiers.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday called on countries in the Southeast Asia Region to build on the momentum created to end tuberculosis (TB).

Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region urged the need to accelerate multi-sectoral efforts to reach every affected and at-risk person. The renewed efforts must also address the socio-economic determinants and impact of the disease.

A primary healthcare-based approach that addresses TB determinants such as undernutrition, embraces new technologies including developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence and has communities and affected populations at the center of all efforts, should be among the key elements of our reinvigorated approach, Wazed said.

According to the recent Global TB Report 2024 by the WHO, more than 50 lakh people developed TB in Southeast Asia -- accounting for 45 per cent of the global TB burden and over half of TB deaths globally in 2023.

However, the estimated number of deaths due to TB declined to 583,000 in 2023, after a peak of 763,000 in 2021. Only 22 per cent of people with TB were missed by the programme in 2023 -- a decline from 44 per cent in 2020.

Further, the report showed that more than 38 lakh people were initiated on TB treatment in the Region in 2023 -- the highest ever.

Yet, the coverage remained low with only 9 per cent of people living with HIV and less than a quarter of household contacts of bacteriologically confirmed TB patients, receiving preventive treatment, the WHO report said, adding a huge gap of nearly Rs 200 crore per year in funds.

While Wazed lauded the efforts being made by countries in the Region against TB, she cited the huge disease burden, its catastrophic socio-economic impact, and severe resource crunch calls for accelerated and urgent actions.

There is a need for multisectoral, multidisciplinary collaboration and coordination to pool resources to end TB, leaving no one behind. Reaching the unreached, specifically those who are vulnerable and marginalised is key to our fight against TB, the Regional Director said.

It is time to push the pedal on the momentum built collectively by the Member countries of the Region in efforts towards ending TB, Wazed added.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Thanking India for its "immense support" during the unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday also assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will not allow the island nation to be used in any way that is detrimental to the interest of India.

"I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support to India," Dissanayake said after holding discussions with PM Modi at New Delhi's Hyderabad House.

Dissanayake, who had arrived in India on Sunday evening on what is his first official foreign visit since assuming office, expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi for support and warm hospitality, emphasising that the ongoing visit has paved the way for further development of cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

"We faced an unprecedented economic crisis two years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process. I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka," said the visiting President.

PM Modi mentioned that he has assured the Lankan President that India will remain a trusted and reliable partner in Sri Lanka's various development efforts.

"We completely agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The people-to-people relations between India and Sri Lanka are linked to our civilisations," stated PM Modi during the joint press conference.

PM Modi said that both sides also had a detailed discussion on the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen.

While Prime Minister Modi suggested moving forward with a "humane approach" in the matter, Dissanayake said that a "durable and sustainable" solution is needed on the issue, that he said has become a "plague" for both the countries.

"There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry," he said.

The Lankan President lauded India's "tremendous success" in digitising the public services and remarked that Sri Lanka is also taking the same path with PM Modi assuring him of support in the endeavour.

Dissanayake is also scheduled to meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and participate in a business forum aimed at strengthening investment and trade ties between the two countries before travelling to Bodh Gaya.

The visiting delegation also includes Vijitha Herath - Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism Minister - and the country's Minister of Labour and Deputy Economic Development Minister Anil Jayanta Fernando.

Soon after his arrival on Sunday, the Lankan President had met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"Extensive discussions were held between President Dissanayake and Minister Sitharaman on enhancing Indo-Sri Lankan economic cooperation and expanding investment opportunities between the two countries. The talks also covered bringing more Indian tourists to Sri Lanka, modernizing Sri Lankas agriculture sector, and developing digital infrastructure," the Lankan President's office said in a statement on Monday.
Agartala/Imphal/Aizawl, Dec 16 : Various northeastern state governments, the Army and other organisations on Monday celebrated the 53rd anniversary of 'Vijay Diwas' with wreath-laying ceremonies and other events organised at the war memorials and other places.

On December 16, 1971, at Ramna Race Course, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka, Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, leading the Allied Forces (comprising Indian troops and Mukti Bahini), accepted the surrender of the Pakistan Forces chief, Lt. Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 Pakistani troops. This decisive victory in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 led to the liberation of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh. To commemorate this historic victory, Vijay Diwas is observed annually on December 16 across India and Bangladesh, honouring the sacrifices and valour of those who fought in the war.

To mark Vijay Diwas, the Army and Assam Rifles have been organising a series of events in Tripura, which played a vital role during the 1971 war from where the Army launched major offensive campaigns and operations during the Liberation War and local population supported the cause.

A series of events were held at the iconic Albert Ekka War Memorial on the outskirts of Agartala with the atmosphere charged with patriotism as the nation paid homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.

The highlight of this solemn occasion was a poignant wreath-laying ceremony led by Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu. Red Shield Division commander and other senior officials from the Army were also present at the ceremony which served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers.

In Mizoram, joining the nationwide observation of Indias victory in the India-Pakistan War of 1971, the state observed the Vijay Diwas at the War Memorial at Treasury Square in Aizawl. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati led the floral tributes to pay homage and respect to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Home Minister K. Sapdanga, Lt. Col. Clement Lalhmingthanga (retd), and many other Army and civil officials followed the Governor in paying tribute to the fallen soldiers by laying wreaths at the memorial.

In Manipur, the main function of the Vijay Diwas was held at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall, Imphal. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Forest Minister Biswajit Singh and officials paid floral tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the 1971 war.

The day was also celebrated in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of northeast India.

Security analyst Manas Paul said: "The 1971 war comprised two major operations --- Operation 'Cactus Lily' and Operation 'Nut Cracker' -- and 57 Mountain Division was actively involved in both operations with firepower support from 57 Mountain Artillery Brigade. Both operations progressed from Agartala westwards towards Dhaka. The war finally culminated on December 16, 1971, with the unconditional surrender of the Pakistani soldiers."
Led by researchers from the University of Oxford's Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and the University of Iceland, the review explores how genetic variations can explain differences in reproductive health and longevity.

The study provides the most comprehensive review of male and female genetic discoveries of reproductive traits to date, and provides new insights into how our DNA affects when we have children, the timing of menopause, and even how that is connected to how long we live.

Genes at the heart of reproduction

Using the GWAS Catalog, an online database of Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), the researchers identified 159 genetic studies and 37 key genes that are linked to reproductive traits such as age at first childbirth, menopause timing, and hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone. These findings suggest that genetic factors play a significant role in broader health outcomes as well as influencing fertility.

One gene in particular, FSHB (follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta), was found to be associated with eleven different reproductive outcomes. This gene helps regulate when menstruation begins and when menopause occurs, highlighting its role in reproductive health and ageing. The review also revealed connections between these reproductive genes and rare genetic disorders, showcasing how DNA impacts both fertility and overall health.

As more people delay parenthood to later ages, it is important to understand the genetic factors underpinning an individual's reproductive health and fertility window. Our study brings together research on the genetics of reproduction to reveal common genes across traits and insights beyond fertility that are inherently linked to health, body mass index (BMI) and obesity, hormone sensitive cancers, and even psychiatric and behavioural traits." Professor Melinda Mills, Senior Lead Author, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Oxford Population Health's Demographic Science Unit

First author Dr. Stefania Benonisdottir, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and University of Iceland, said 'By consolidating this research, we offer a clearer picture of how genetic factors shape reproductive health. This is essential for advancing healthcare, especially when it comes to infertility and reproductive ageing.'

Longevity, cancer, obesity risk and reproductive traits

The review explored the connections between reproductive genes and longevity, finding that genes like ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1) are linked to reproductive traits as well as to cancer risk. For example, starting puberty earlier or experiencing later menopause may increase the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer, but these same traits are associated with a longer lifespan. The FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene  previously found to have strong associations with BMI, obesity risk and type 2 diabetes  was also linked to multiple different reproductive traits. Understanding these genetic links is critical as more people choose to delay having children, making reproductive health and ageing even more intertwined.

Male fertility

While previous research has focused on female reproductive health, the study reviews what is known about the genetics of male fertility. Genes like DNAH2 are shown to play a role in both testosterone levels and sperm function, making it crucial for male reproductive health.

Co-author Vincent Straub, DPhil student at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Oxford Population Health, said 'Male reproductive health is critical to overall fertility but often under-researched. By exploring the genetics of male infertility, we can uncover new insights and potential treatments for those struggling with reproductive challenges.'

Genetics across generations

The review examined how genetic changes affect future generations. As parents age, they accumulate de novo mutations  new, spontaneous genetic changes that can be passed to their children. These mutations can have significant effects on the health and development of offspring, previously discovered by senior co-author Professor Augustine Kong.

This comprehensive review offers crucial insights into how our genes shape reproductive health, fertility, and longevity, providing a foundation for more personalised healthcare approaches that could improve outcomes for individuals and families across generations.
On the occasion of World AIDS Day on 1 December 2024, the International Antiviral (formerly AIDS) Society-USA (IAS-USA) has published new international guidelines for the treatment and prevention of HIV. The updated recommendations were developed by a panel of volunteer medical experts, including Prof Clara Lehmann of the University Hospital Cologne and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). They are based on significant advances in antiretroviral therapies and new prevention strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis. The 2024 guidelines highlight the significant progress made in the fight against HIV while recognizing that there is still much to be done to ensure equitable access to life-saving interventions.

Thanks to effective antiretroviral therapy, many people living with HIV can achieve a normal or near-normal life expectancy. As new data and new antiretroviral drugs and formulations become available, recommendations for HIV treatment, clinical management and prevention need to be regularly updated so that healthcare professionals can provide the best care for their patients.

An international panel of leading experts in HIV research and clinical care identified and reviewed the latest evidence from peer-reviewed literature and conference presentations published between June 2022 and October 2024, as well as data provided by antiretroviral manufacturers. Expert consensus based on the comprehensive review resulted in updated guidelines for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection, associated sexually transmitted infections and the development of cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV. Below is an overview of the recommendations for HIV treatment, prevention and care.

Tailored antiretroviral therapy

The panel recommends that antiretroviral therapy should be tailored to the individual's needs, especially for those who cannot tolerate certain HIV drugs. Long-acting injectable therapies are highlighted as a valuable option to help patients adhere to their treatment plans.

HIV prevention strategies

For people at increased risk of HIV exposure, the guidelines emphasise the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis, available as daily oral medication or long-acting injectable options. In addition, doxycycline is recognised as an effective post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Comprehensive care for people living with HIV

The panel stresses the importance of a holistic approach to HIV care. This includes prevention of cardiovascular disease, management of substance use disorders and monitoring of weight changes that may occur during antiretroviral therapy.

Addressing disparities in access to care

Recognising persistent inequities in access to HIV care and prevention, the guidelines recommend targeted solutions to address gaps in underserved communities. Suggested interventions include: expanding access to video telemedicine and mobile health units; using smartphone reminders for medication or injections; and providing adherence support through traditional methods such as pill boxes and regular check-ins by phone or text.

While remarkable progress has been made in the fight against HIV, much remains to be done to ensure equitable access to life-saving interventions. These updated guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for healthcare professionals around the world to help us deliver better care and move closer to ending the HIV epidemic." Prof. Clara Lehmann, Deputy Coordinator of the DZIF research area "HIV"
A new study reveals that foods marketed with protein claims often mislead consumers, as most are high in sodium, fat, and sweeteners, posing hidden health risks.

Are Foods with Protein Claims Healthy? A Study of the Spanish Market. Image Credit: Erhan Inga / Shutterstock

Scientists at Miguel Hernandez University in Spain have conducted a study to characterize nutrient content and evaluate the healthiness of foods with protein claims.

The study is published in the journal Nutrients.

Background

Protein-fortified foods and protein and amino acid supplements are becoming increasingly popular worldwide as people typically perceive these foods as healthy.

Recent survey findings indicate a 26% compound annual growth rate in the number of newly launched foods and beverages with protein claims in Europe from 2017 to 2022. In Australia, the growth rate is 12%.

A global survey conducted in 2022 reveals that approximately 17% of consumers ask for high-protein foods even though these products are highly priced. Regarding peoples perception, studies indicate that foods with protein claims are generally regarded as foods with high nutritional value that are good for building muscles, staying healthy, and increasing longevity.

However, the study emphasizes that this perception may be misleading. Several scientific reports claim that foods rich in protein can also contain other unhealthy ingredients, such as sugar, salt, and saturated fats, and can have a high-calorie content.

In this study, scientists have determined the prevalence and nutritional quality of foods with protein claims available in the Spanish market by analyzing data from the Spanish Food Database, BADALI.

Important Observations

The study analyzed 4325 processed foods of 12 different types. About 13% of these food items exhibited protein claims.

The prevalence of foods with protein claims varied across different food types. The highest proportion of protein claims was observed among plant-based meat analogs (68.2%), followed by bars (35.3%) and yogurt or dairy dessert substitutes (21.3%). No protein claim was observed in biscuits and fruit drinks.

Approximately 60.4% of the analyzed food items had fortified proteins. The highest rate of protein fortification was observed in bars and plant-based meat analogs, where nearly 90% were fortified. Conversely, milk substitutes and yogurt or dairy dessert substitutes showed the lowest fortification rates (7.9% and 3.3%, respectively).

Plant proteins were more frequently added to fortified items (41.7%) than animal proteins (25.9%). The most commonly added plant protein was gluten, followed by milk and soy proteins.

Protein Content

Foods with protein claims, notably fortified foods, had significantly higher protein content. Protein content in milk substitutes and bars with protein claims was four times higher than that in those without, whereas, in plant-based meat analogs with protein claims, protein content was more than twice as high as those without claims.

Nutrient Composition

In addition to protein content, significant differences in carbohydrates, sugar, and total and saturated fat content were observed between foods with and without protein claims.

Bars with protein claims had lower carbohydrate content and 82% less sugar than those without protein claims but contained 48% more saturated fat. Milk and dairy drinks contained a lower amount of total and saturated fat, and yogurts and fermented milk contained a lower amount of carbohydrates and sugar.

Milk substitutes with protein claims had lower sugar and carbohydrates but contained more total fat compared to those without protein claims.

Plant-based meat analogs with protein claims had lower carbohydrate content than those without.

Nutritional Quality

The study used a nutrient profile model developed by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization to evaluate the nutritional quality of foods with protein claims.

The findings revealed that about 90.8% of foods with protein claims are classified as less healthy, and more than 50% have high fat and sodium content. This is concerning because excessive sodium intake is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

One out of four items had high free sugar and saturated fat content, and one out of five items had sweeteners.

Compared to foods without a protein claim, foods with a protein claim presented 17% more "less healthy" items. The proportions of foods with high amounts of fat, sodium, or sweeteners were also higher among food items with protein claims. However, the proportions of foods with high amounts of free sugar or saturated fat were lower among food items with protein claims.

Study Significance

The study finds that about one in seven foods in the Spanish market carries protein claims, and approximately 60% of these food items have fortified proteins primarily from plant sources.

The nutritional quality of foods with protein claims is significantly worse than those without such claims. This highlights the need for consumers to carefully evaluate the nutrition labels on these foods, particularly as protein claims can create a misleading health halo.

These findings suggest that foods with protein claims perceived as healthier by the general population are often high in critical nutrients such as sodium, fat, and sweeteners, making them less nutritious than foods without protein claims. Regular consumption of such foods can contribute to adverse health outcomes, including obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

The study findings are particularly crucial because consumers are often unaware of the health risks and instead perceive foods with protein claims as healthy. Therefore, the authors advise that the presence of protein claims on packaging should prompt consumers to carefully check the nutrition declaration and ingredient list to make truly healthy choices.
Law enforcement provides critical community services, yet Black autistic youth often face elevated risk of negative outcomes during police interactions. In an effort to learn more about these encounters within the autistic community, researchers at the Center for Autism Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) conducted a study to examine perceptions and concerns of Black caregivers of Black autistic children regarding police interactions. The findings, published online today by the journal Autism, revealed important changes that could be made to improve the quality of interactions between police and Black autistic youth.

Autistic individuals face elevated risk of negative outcomes during interactions with the police, including greater risk of injury and death. Black autistic youth are at even higher risk given increased police contact and documented use of force towards the Black community compared with other racial subgroups. Black parents and caregivers are aware of this risk but are seldom included in research efforts that shape police training as well as interventions designed to improve autistic civilians' police interaction skills.

Prior research has explored perspectives and concerns about policing through the lens of autistic adults and caregivers of autistic children, but no prior published study has exclusively explored Black caregivers' concerns about policing Black autistic children. To better understand specific concerns about policing and opportunities within this community, researchers conducted a qualitative study.

In addition to the historical stigma attached to research participation, Black families don't readily participate in research because their voices and lived experiences are not always heard or prioritized. By making these families the focus of our study, we want them to know that their voices are being heard, and that what they tell us provides important next steps for implementing meaningful change." Ashlee Yates Flanagan, PhD, study's lead author, research psychologist at the Center for Autism Research

In this study, researchers analyzed the perspectives of 43 Black caregivers of Black autistic children regarding police interactions with their autistic children. The study focused on the cultural experience of Blackness in all aspects, from the mindful inclusion of researchers from underrepresented backgrounds  and Black caregivers of Black autistic children as authors  to the documented frequent discourse between the study's authors about race and racism in American policing.

Four themes that emerged during the study were parental concerns regarding the quality of police officers' training, children's normal autistic behaviors being inappropriately policed, the explicit threat of harm and murder, and the hope for more mindful policing. Families in the study worried that police officers might over-react to movements and responses that are typical of autistic youth but might differ from their peers. This includes behaviors such as reduced eye contact, which might be regarded as a sign of guilt in the context of a crime yet could also be average behavior for someone with autism.

Many families expressed hope that targeted training could help police recognize these differences in behavior, and that patience and understanding could improve interactions between police and Black autistic youth.

"It's important for everyone to understand that the parents in this study said they were hopeful, which we interpreted as Black caregivers' faith that interactions between officers and Black autistic youth could be better," Yates Flanagan said. "This demonstrates that there's space for improvement in training, and we can take what we know from this study and explore it further."

This study highlights the importance of including racially and ethnically diverse individuals in research that explores policing and underscores the need for culturally responsive adaptations within police training efforts designed for autistic people. Future police training efforts should carefully integrate Black caregivers' concerns about law enforcement, with the goal of improving outcomes for all parties.

In this study, we captured rich narratives from stakeholders who have not been represented well in prior research, but whose thoughts and perspectives are critical for understanding how to improve outcomes for Black autistic youth and police. Our findings suggest that there is a lot of room for growth in training for police officers, and that Black parents of Black autistic youth carry hope that outcomes can be improved."

Julia Parish-Morris, PhD, senior study author, scientist in the Center for Autism Research and Associate Professor in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

This study was supported by NIH (R42MH115539-S1 and P50HD105354), the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) at CHOP/Penn, and the McMorris Family Foundation.
April Boyd texted her husband before she boarded the helicopter.

"So, I don't want to be dramatic," she wrote on Sept. 27, "but we are gonna fly and rescue patients from the rooftop of Unicoi hospital."

Earlier that day, Hurricane Helene roared into the Southern Appalachian Mountains after moving north through Florida and Georgia. The storm prompted a deadly flash flood that tore through Unicoi County in eastern Tennessee, trapping dozens of people on the rooftop of the county hospital.

The fast-moving floodwaters had made earlier rescue attempts by ambulance and boat impossible. Trees, trailers, buildings, caskets, and cars swept past the hospital in murky, brown rapids that overwhelmed the one-story structure with 12 feet of water on all sides.

No one knew how long the hospital's frame would hold or if the rising water would breach the top of the 20-foot-tall building. Little more than a mile downstream, six people at a plastics plant in Erwin's industrial park died in the flood.

"I do not feel good about this," Boyd, a flight nurse for Ballad Health, texted her husband at 1:41 p.m., just before takeoff.

She wrote that she loved him. "If anything goes wrong," she wanted him to tell her daughters "how much I love them," too.

Her fears were well-founded.

In 2018, Unicoi County Hospital relocated from higher ground in the heart of Erwin to the southern edge of town, between Interstate 26 and the Nolichucky River. The new hospital was built in a known flood plain, but the facility wasn't designed to accommodate helicopter landings on its roof. Boyd and her team weren't sure the roof could bear the weight of their 7,200-pound Eurocopter in good weather, let alone during a flash flood.

"I had a horrible feeling about it," she said.

By many accounts, the evacuation of 70 people, including 11 patients, by helicopter that day was a stunning success. The hospital was destroyed, but no one died. No one was even physically injured by the ordeal.

Yet, earth scientists, emergency management officials, and others who spoke to KFF Health News describe the narrow escape from Unicoi County Hospital as a cautionary tale. As climate change forces health care leaders and public officials to prepare for severe storms in landlocked parts of the country  where residents haven't historically paid much attention to hurricane warnings  they must be strategic about both the infrastructure design and the locations selected for new projects, like hospitals.

The Biden administration finalized a rule this year designed to make the construction of such projects that receive funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency more resilient to flooding. But a review by KFF Health News identified about 20 other Tennessee hospitals already built in, or near, flood plains.

Patrick Sheehan, director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, said past weather patterns can lull people into a false sense of security. But, he added, "past is not always prologue. Were going to experience novel, new ways of having disasters."

Historically, the Southern Appalachian Mountains have been the place "where hurricanes go to die," said Ryan Thigpen, an earth and environmental sciences professor at the University of Kentucky whose research focuses on flooding in the region. But as the Gulf of Mexico becomes warmer and storms, like Helene, that move northward into the mountains carry more moisture, weather events will become more severe.

"Its apocalyptic," said Thigpen, of the damage in Erwin. "The next storm may come before they are finished recovering from this. And that's kind of scary.

Hospitals in flood plains

All week, Michelle Matson had been worried about Unicoi County Hospital in the oncoming storm.

As a district coordinator for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Matson works with local officials to plan for worst-case scenarios.

Leading up to Hurricane Helene, she'd been in regular communication with the county's emergency management director. The hospital's vulnerability next to the river kept coming up.

"That was the only place we were worried about," Matson said.

But concern over the hospital's location wasn't new.

In November 2013, Unicoi County Memorial Hospital, which opened in 1953, was acquired by Mountain States Health Alliance on the condition that Mountain States would construct a hospital in Erwin to replace the old one.

Two years later, Mountain States purchased a 45-acre tract of land next to a bend in the Nolichucky River, just off Interstate 26. A hospital system press release at the time explained that due diligence had been conducted to ensure, among other things, that the hospital building would not be in a flood plain. It also presented the location as desirable because it was near the interstate and the landscape would provide "a healing environment by taking advantage of the natural beauty of Unicoi County, with the river running along the east side of the property."

Dating back decades, though, flood maps published by FEMA put the entire property in a flood plain. The building itself was in a 500-year flood plain (meaning a 0.2% chance of flooding in any given year), while the only road on and off the property was in a 100-year flood plain (meaning a 1% annual risk).

But it wasn't only FEMA maps that forecast this possibility. In 2001, a report published by Unicoi County marked this land as being in a "flood hazard" area. The report warned of "considerable pressure" to develop flood hazard areas across the county "due to population increase and the need for vacant land."

The same report acknowledged a history of destructive flooding in the county and the risks it faced being situated along "three major streams," including the Nolichucky River, which flows northward out of the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina straight through Erwin.

"If you start looking at the river's history, there are a number of these notable flood events, and quite a few in the 20th century. They just did not reach this magnitude," said Philip Prince, a geologist with Appalachian Landslide Consultants. His YouTube videos about mountain flooding during Helene have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. "People should have been expecting more than they did. But again, we have not seen anything like this."

Matthew Rice, a former Unicoi County commissioner, served as chair of the Hospital Visioning Committee for the new hospital in 2015. He said some committee members raised questions during the planning process about the location, but he conceded there weren't many large, flat places to build a hospital in Erwin.

Amid a wave of rural hospital closures across the United States, Erwin residents celebrated when the new hospital opened in 2018. One lawmaker told the Johnson City Press it was "the most modern facility on the planet.

Alan Levine was CEO of Mountain States Health Alliance during that time and later became the head of Ballad Health, when Mountain States merged with a competing hospital system in 2018 to form the largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly in the country.

Levine said Mountain States was aware the property carried flood risk but noted that the hospital system added levees to protect the building from river flooding at the recommendation of outside consultants. One levee already existed along the river's edge. And the hospital itself was deliberately constructed on a high point of the land, at the same elevation as the interstate, Levine said.

"I feel like everything we did when we built it was done the right way," said Levine, a former health care leader in Louisiana and Florida.

Even so, Matson, who lives in Kingsport, about 45 minutes northwest of Erwin, said some residents were quietly critical of the new hospital's location.

"We all thought that it was a stupid idea to build a hospital in a flood plain. It's like, who does that?" Matson said. She said her opinion doesnt represent an official position of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

But Unicoi isn't the only Tennessee hospital built in a flood plain. Eight others across the state were built in moderate- or high-risk flood zones, and a dozen other hospitals are situated just outside them, KFF Health News found.

The hospitals at risk span the length of the state, from Memphis on the western edge to Knoxville in the east, and include big-city general hospitals, smaller rural hospitals, and behavioral health facilities.

Some of the hospitals are decades old. Parkridge East Hospital in Chattanooga, for example, was built in the 1970s inside a high-risk flood zone. Others are more recent  like Creekside Behavioral Health in Kingsport. That building, which opened in 2018, straddles high- and moderate-risk flood zones.

Then there are facilities like Pinewood Springs in Columbia. The 60-bed mental health facility, which opened in 2020, is in a low-risk area, but the main road leading in and out of the hospital lies in a high-risk flood area.

To identify these hospitals, KFF Health News looked for licensed facilities in or near areas that, according to FEMA, have either a high flood risk (with a 1-in-100 chance of flooding in any given year) or moderate risk (a 1-in-500 chance in any given year).

But FEMA's maps likely underestimate the true flood risk, researchers and government watchdogs agree, because they're largely outdated and don't account for current or future conditions, including more frequent and more intense storms and flooding associated with climate change.

Those maps are updated on an ongoing but slow and piecemeal basis. Meanwhile, the federal regulation finalized this year to expand areas considered at risk for current and future flooding also sets more stringent building standards for critical infrastructure projects located in 100-year flood plains and funded by federal taxpayers.

The rule became effective on Sept. 9, less than three weeks before Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southern Appalachians, but it is unclear whether the incoming Trump administration will preserve it.

After he took office in 2017, President Donald Trump revoked federal flood protection standards set up under the Obama administration. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the incoming Trump administration, did not respond to emailed questions for this article.

An 'antiquated and broken' system

On Sept. 24, three days before the hospital evacuation, the National Hurricane Center issued the first of several warnings predicting significant river flooding and landslides in the Southern Appalachians. Two days before the flood in Erwin, a satellite office of the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee, predicted "life-threatening flash flooding" near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line.

The warnings kept coming. The National Weather Service in upstate South Carolina forecast on Sept. 26, a Thursday, that Helene would amount to one of the region's most significant weather events "in the modern era."

I dont think people knew what that meant," said Prince, the geologist. "We just didn't have a precedent."

Ballad Health didnt anticipate that Unicoi would flood during the storm, Levine said, even though a hazard vulnerability assessment conducted annually for the hospital identifies external flooding as the second-highest risk facing Unicoi County Hospital, behind only a civil disturbance. The same 2024 assessment rated the hospital's preparedness for a flood as a "3" or "low," the worst possible score.

But a document outlining the hospital's emergency alert procedures makes no mention of flood risk. If anything, hospital leaders said they were anticipating a surge of patients during Hurricane Helene if Erwin and the surrounding area experienced widespread power outages.

There was no conversation I had with anybody, anywhere about the risk of flooding before Friday morning," Levine said.

The day before, Jennifer Harrah, the hospital's administrator, had called a meeting to discuss the storm. Sean Ochsenbein, an emergency medicine physician and the hospital's chief medical officer, recalled that the group gathered "just to kind of circle the wagons, make sure everybody was on the same page."

Later that day, Harrah spoke to Unicoi County's emergency management director. But "let me be very clear," Ochsenbein said. "Nobody gave us  as Ballad or our hospital  any kind of indication that we would have floodwaters."

And yet little more than 24 hours after their planning meeting, both Harrah and Ochsenbein were stranded on the hospital roof, literally praying to God for their rescue.

"I called my husband, and I called my sons," Harrah said. "I told them that I loved them."

One reason the impact of the storm seemed to catch people off guard was a disconnect between the strong warnings issued by the federal agencies and the low expectations that many people in the region, including Ballad Health leaders, had of the potential flood risk.

It was sunny outside when people were evacuated from the hospital roof, Thigpen pointed out. It had rained about 5 inches in Erwin over several days, but that was nothing compared with places in the North Carolina mountains that received more than 20 inches over the same period. Rainfall at those higher altitudes eventually drained into the rivers and streams that ultimately destroyed places like Erwin.

But residents in Unicoi County had no clue what was coming their way, Thigpen said, because there werent river gauges upstream to sound alarms about dangerous water levels.

"I think that our warning systems are antiquated and broken," he said. "These people in Erwin have seen floods  and a lot of big floods  and its never been anywhere close to this."

Tennessee state climatologist Andrew Joyner is one of several experts now calling for more river gauges to monitor water levels and a network of weather stations in every county designed to collect live precipitation data.

Thirty-eight states already operate similar systems, he said, estimating that setting up and staffing weather stations across Tennessee would cost less than $4 million in the first year.

But the state has failed to act before. Following a catastrophic flood in Waverly, Tennessee, that killed 20 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in 2021, the Tennessee General Assembly denied a $200 million request to relocate 14 public schools across the state that had been deemed vulnerable to future flooding.

'Might not make it back'

On the morning of the flood, Matson had stood with the county's emergency management director behind Unicoi County Hospital and watched the rising river. "We both had this, like, sick feeling in our stomach that said we've got to evacuate," she remembered. "I said to him, worse comes to worst, we evacuate, nothing happens. Just blame it on me."

They made the call to start moving patients out of the hospital just before 9:45 a.m. Less than 30 minutes later, the river had breached its banks, cutting a new channel in front of the hospital and eliminating access to the only road on or off the property.

When an ambulance evacuation became untenable, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency called in swift-water teams, specially designed to rescue people in turbulent waters. But the flash flood had become so violent and the river was so full of debris that the boats couldn't safely carry patients away. Meanwhile, dangerous wind conditions prevented helicopters located to the east or west from immediately flying that morning to rescue everyone by air.

"To be honest, I really thought we may not make it back" from the rescue mission, Boyd, the flight nurse, said.

When the wind started to die down that afternoon, Virginia State Police deployed two helicopters to rescue patients. Eventually, three Black Hawk helicopters from the Tennessee National Guard assisted in the effort. Pilots were required to make multiple round trips between the hospital and the local high school to evacuate four or five people at a time who had been stranded by the flood. Some patients stranded in boats near the hospital were hoisted into helicopters, while those who were stranded on the roof were either carried onto the aircraft or climbed aboard while the helicopters lightly touched down on their skids.

As the afternoon wore on and the evacuation was nearing its completion, pilot Jeff Bush with the Virginia State Police said he learned that the hospital building was weakening. They weren't sure how much longer it would hold.

"It was intense," he said. "The fact that the building is still standing is, I think, kind of amazing."

Ballad Health evacuated two other hospitals and one nursing home by ambulance within 24 hours of the flood in Erwin, but none of those sustained damage. Meanwhile, what's left of Unicoi County Hospital stands next to the Nolichucky in a field of mud and displaced river rocks.

For now, Ballad Health has opened a temporary urgent care center and plans to establish an emergency department at the site of the former Unicoi County Memorial Hospital in downtown Erwin.

Levine said Ballad Health will eventually rebuild a full-service hospital, but he estimated the project would cost $50 million, roughly twice as much as it did in 2018. It remains unclear where it would be built.

Probably not in a flood plain, Levine said. "I would avoid it if I could."
In the past few years, state and local governments across the U.S. have begun spending billions in opioid settlements paid by companies accused of fueling the overdose crisis. But where is that money going, who is getting it, and is it doing any good?

KFF Health News, partnering with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Shatterproof, a national nonprofit focused on addiction, undertook a yearlong investigation to find out.

Dozens of interviews, thousands of pages of documents, an array of public records requests, and outreach to all 50 states resulted in a first-of-its kind database that catalogs more than 7,000 ways opioid settlement cash was used in 2022 and 2023. It's the most comprehensive resource to date tracking some of the largest public health settlements in American history.

Among the findings:

States and localities received more than $6 billion in opioid settlement funds in 2022 and 2023. According to public records, they spent or committed about a third of that amount and set aside about another third for future use. The final third was untrackable, as many jurisdictions did not produce public reports on the funds.

Reports of spending tracked the minuscule to the monumental, from $11.74 to buy postage in Yavapai County, Arizona, to more than $51 million to increase the addiction treatment workforce in California.

States allotted, on average, about 18% of their funds for addiction and mental health treatment; 14% for recovery services such as housing, transportation, and legal aid; 11% for harm reduction efforts such as overdose reversal medications; and 9% for prevention programs that aim to stop people from developing substance use disorders. States committed, on average, about 2% for syringe service programs, through which people can get sterile needles. (A variety of entities received this money, from law enforcement to nonprofit organizations to government agencies.)

Governments reported spending more than $240 million on purposes that did not qualify as opioid remediation. (Most settlements allow states to spend up to 15% of their funds this way.) Most of this tranche went to legal fees, but several jurisdictions funneled money to their general fund. One county even sent funds to its road and bridge department.

Several cities and counties reported expenditures they said addressed the overdose crisis but that would leave an average person scratching their head  such as $33.07 to an anti-abortion pregnancy center in Sandborn, Indiana, and $30,362 to screen first responders for heart disease in Oregon City, Oregon.

"When people know that people aren't watching and there's no accountability, then they can kind of do what they want," said Tonja Myles, a community activist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who is in recovery. "That's why we have to have some kind of database and accountability."

Despite the recent decline in overall overdose deaths in the U.S., more than 90,000 people still died in the 12 months ending July 2024 and rates are rising in many Black and Native American communities.

"We can't mess up or miss this moment," Myles said.

Opioid settlement payouts are expected to total about $50 billion over nearly two decades, paid by more than a dozen companies that made or distributed prescription painkillers, including Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens, and Walmart. Although it's a large sum, it's dwarfed by the size of the crisis, making each dollar that's spent critical.

KFF Health News and its partners reviewed hundreds of settlement spending reports, extracting expenditures line by line, and developed a methodology to sort the expenditures into categories like treatment or prevention. States were given an opportunity to review the data and comment on their spending.

To be sure, the database does not capture the full picture of opioid settlement spending nationwide. Some places do not publish spending reports, while others declined to engage with this project. The data presented here is a snapshot as of the end of 2023 and does not account for further spending in 2024. The differences in how states control, process, and report on the money make apples-to-apples comparisons nearly impossible. Still, the database helps fill a gap left by a lack of national reporting requirements and federal government inaction.

It is "a tool for those who want to objectively measure whether everything that can be done is being done," said Matthew Myers, a former president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which compiles similar annual reports on tobacco settlement money.

Treatment a clear winner

The top priority to emerge from early opioid settlement spending was treatment, with more than $416 million spent or committed to residential rehabs, outpatient counseling, medications for opioid use disorder, and more.

The state of New York  which spent the most on treatment  allocated about $22 million of that for programs that make the gold standard for care as easy as possible for patients: providing same-day prescriptions for buprenorphine, a medication that decreases cravings for opioids.

The result was a program that John Greene said changed his life.

Greene, 57, used to live in the woods down the street from Family & Children's Counseling Services in Cortland, New York. He cycled through jails and hospitals, overdosing half a dozen times and trying rehab just as many.

But now he has four months of recovery under his belt  the longest stint since he started regularly using drugs at 14.)

He said it's because the counseling center's new program  funded by a mix of state and local opioid settlement dollars  has a different approach. Counselors aren't didactic and judgmental. They don't force him to stop smoking marijuana. Several staff members have experienced addiction themselves. They drive Greene, who doesn't have a car, to doctor appointments and the pharmacy for his buprenorphine prescription.

Now Greene lives and works with his brother, looks forward to weekly counseling sessions, and is notching small victories  such as buying his nephew toy cars as a stocking stuffer.

"It made me feel good to do something for somebody and not expect nothing back, Greene said.

Emily Georgia, one of Greene's counselors, said the center has worked with nearly 200 people like him in the past year. Without the settlements, "the program probably wouldn't exist," she said.

Across the country, the money supports other innovative treatment approaches:

$21 million for a new program in Kentucky that diverts people with mental illness or addiction who face low-level charges away from incarceration and into treatment, education, and workforce training

More than $3 million for, in part, three new mobile methadone programs in Massachusetts, to bring the medication to rural and underserved areas

Tens of thousands of dollars each in Iowa and Pennsylvania to cover out-of-pocket treatment costs for people without insurance or those with high deductibles

Philip Rutherford, an expert on substance use disorder at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, said these efforts "are really positive" and many have been "historically difficult or impossible to achieve with federal or state funding."

But some funds are also flowing to treatment approaches that defy best practices, such as denying people medications for opioid use disorder.

Some in the recovery community consider methadone and buprenorphine a crutch. But study after study show that the medications help people stay in treatment and reduce the risk of overdose and death. Research even suggests that treatment without these medications can be more harmful than no treatment at all.

Although not everyone will want medication, settlement funds shouldn't "prop up a system that doesn't allow people to have that choice," said Regina LaBelle, a professor of addiction policy at Georgetown University.

Babies, forgotten victims of the epidemic

While treatment received a windfall in early opioid settlement spending, another aspect of the crisis was neglected: neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition in which babies exposed to drugs in the womb experience withdrawal.

Nationwide, more than 59 newborns a day are diagnosed with it. Yet only about $8.4 million in settlement money was committed to the issue  less than 0.5% of all funds publicly reported as spent or committed in 2022 and 2023.

Experts in public health and addiction, as well as affected families, say it's due to stigma.

"A mom using drugs and being a parent is a very uncomfortable reality to face," said Ashley Grant, a 38-year-old mother of three in Mesa, Arizona. "It's easier to just push it under the rug or let them fall through the cracks, as sad as that is."

It almost happened to her.

Grant learned she was pregnant with her third child last year. At the time, her partner was in jail and she was using drugs after an eight-year period of recovery, was estranged from her family, and didn't know how she'd survive the next nine months.

During a visit to a methadone clinic, she saw a booth about Jacob's Hope, a specialty nursery that cares for substance-exposed newborns and their moms. Nursery staff connected her with a therapist, helped her enroll in parenting classes, and dropped off diapers and a playpen at her home.

After delivering at the hospital, Grant and her baby boy stayed at Jacob's Hope for about a week. Nurses showed her how skin-to-skin contact calmed his withdrawal symptoms and more frequent feedings and burpings decreased gastrointestinal discomfort, which is common among substance-exposed newborns.

Today, Grant has roughly five months of recovery. She got certified as a peer recovery specialist and hopes to join Jacob's Hope one day to help moms like her.

But the nursery's future is uncertain.

After opening in 2019, Jacob's Hope nearly shut down this summer due to low reimbursements and delayed payments from insurers, said Lyndsey Steele, its associate director. Community donations kept the nursery afloat, but "it's still hanging on by a thread," she said.

She's hoping opioid settlement money can help.

In 2022, Jacob's Hope received about $250,000 from Arizonas opioid settlements. But this year, the legislature captured the state's share of remaining funds and, in a controversial move, gave it to the Department of Corrections.

Jacob's Hope has now turned to local governments, which control their own settlement dollars. Its home city of Mesa said a first round of grant applications should open in the spring.

Steele prays it won't be too late for babies in need  the epidemic's "forgotten victims," she called them.

Heart disease screening, robot ambulances, and more

Some opioid settlement expenditures have sparked fierce disagreement. They generally fall into three buckets: money for law enforcement, funding for youth prevention programs, and purchases unrelated to the opioid crisis.

Settlement dollars nationwide have bought body scanners, K-9 units, bulletproof vests, patrol trucks, and laptops and printers for police and sheriffs.

Some spending strayed even further from the spirit of the settlement. In Oregon City, Oregon, more than $30,000 was spent on screening first responders for heart disease. Police Chief Shaun Davis said his staff respond to opioid-related emergencies and experience trauma that increases their risk of heart attack.

But some people question if settlement funds should be footing the bill.

"This looks to me like you're trying to defray other costs" from the police budget, said Stephen Loyd, chair of Tennessee's Opioid Abatement Council. "I don't think that there's any way that this opioid money was earmarked for stuff like that."

A second area of contention is youth prevention.

Although most people agree that stopping children from developing addictions is important, the execution is tricky.

Nearly half a million settlement dollars have gone to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, commonly known as D.A.R.E. Decades of research suggest its original curriculum is ineffective.

Robeson County, North Carolina, spent about $10,000 in settlement money to buy "Andy the Ambulance," a robot ambulance with big eyes and an audio system through which a human operator can discuss the dangers of drugs. EMS Director Patrick Cummings said his team has taken the robot to churches and elementary schools.

We "don't have any studies that show it's working," he said, but educating kids seems like a good investment because "if they never try it, they don't get addicted."

Then there's the chunk of money  up to 15% of each state's funds  that's a free-for-all.

Flint, Michigan, spent nearly $10,000 on a sign for a community service center. The city reported that the expense did not qualify as "opioid remediation." In other words, it's unrelated to addressing the crisis.

But Caitie O'Neill, a city spokesperson, said that "the building sign makes it possible for residents to find" the center, which houses city services, "including Narcan kits, fentanyl testing strips, and substance abuse referrals."

Jurisdictions across 29 states reported non-remediation spending in 2022 and 2023. Most opioid settlements require such reports but operate on an honor system. No one is checking if the other 21 states and Washington, D.C., were truthful.

Jackie Lewis, an Ohio mother whose 34-year-old son, Shaun, died of an overdose in October 2022, finds that hard to stomach.

"This is blood money," she said. Some people have "lost sight of that."

Lewis is raising Shaun's daughter, ensuring the 9-year-old receives counseling at school and can attend the hip-hop music classes she enjoys  all on Lewis' Social Security payments. This year they moved to a smaller town with lower costs.

As settlement funds continue flowing, she wants officials in charge of the money to help families like hers.

"We still exist and we're still struggling," she said.

KFF Health News Henry Larweh and Megan Kalata, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Healths Sara Whaley and Vivian Flanagan, and Shatterproofs Kristen Pendergrass and Sahvanah Prescott contributed to this article.

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has taken a leading role in providing guidance to state and local governments on the use of opioid settlement funds. Faculty from the school collaborated with other experts in the field to create principles for using the money, which have been endorsed by over 60 organizations.

Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that addresses substance use disorder through distinct initiatives, including advocating for state and federal policies, ending addiction stigma, and educating communities about the treatment system.

Shatterproof is partnering with some states on projects funded by opioid settlements. KFF Health News, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Shatterproof team who worked on this report are not involved in those efforts.
insights from industry Andrew Peterson R&D, Laboratory Products Hamilton Company In this interview, NewsMedical spoke with Hamilton Company about its innovative syringe technology, custom syringe solutions for specific customer needs, and syringe accessories for multi-industry use. In this interview, NewsMedical spoke with Hamilton Company aboutsyringe accessories for multi-industry use.

Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your role at Hamilton Company?

My name is Andrew Peterson, and I have been working for the R&D team in laboratory products for the last seven years. My focus has been primarily on syringes during this time. Im very fortunate to be standing on the shoulders of giants here at Hamilton Company.

Over the decades, many engineers have really pushed the envelope on what is possible with precision glass syringes. I have had the privilege of helping deploy the BFP line of syringes, collaborating with innovative customers and a dedicated team of engineers, product managers, and manufacturing professionals. Together, we have supported cutting-edge technology developments and continuously improved our glass syringes.

Image Credit: Hamilton Lab

Hamilton is well-known for its syringescan you give us an overview of what sets them apart? How does syringe tolerance factor into their precision?

Clark Hamilton patented the gastight syringe for laboratory use back in 1960 with a highly accurate scale of 1 %. This specification is something that we have never been willing to compromise on, even as we expanded our syringe offerings to a range from 0.5 L up to 2 L, incorporated new plastics and glass types, and increased life expectancy.

The accuracy of a syringe is dependent on two critical dimensions, the stroke length, and the bore. Industry standards have seemed to settle on two numbers 54.1 mm and 60 mm for full sized syringes and 27.05 mm and 30 mm for the half-height variants. This means that the accuracy of the syringe is directly proportional to how tightly the bore size is held during manufacturing. We make everything here in Reno, Nevada and spend a great deal of time and energy keeping these precision glass bores precise and consistent.

The Gastight Syringe. Image Credit: Hamilton Lab

The concept of dead volume is crucial in your field. Could you explain what it means and why Hamiltons zero dead volume syringes, like the 7000 series and Bubble-Free syringes, are so innovative?

Dead volume is the term we use to describe the portion of fluid that is not able to be dispensed. Typically, this is fluid trapped in the needle or syringe connection geometry. For applications where the same fluid is used repeatedly, this tends not to be an issue once the system is primed and the air is removed. For applications where the fluid is changing, this trapped small pocket of fluid is mixed between syringe loads.

Products like the BFP or Bubble-Free Prime instrument syringes are designed to minimize or in some cases completely eliminate this dead pocket, this makes priming the system easier (where that dead volume pocket is filled with air) and significantly lowers carryover between samples.

The 7000 series of syringes employ the same ideals but at a much lower volume. These are our plunger in needle syringes. By bringing the plunger to the very end of the needle, we get nearly 100 % of the fluid out of the syringe.

With liquid handling instrumentation being such an essential part of many lab setups, are Hamilton syringes designed to be compatible with these systems, including instrument syringes and PSDs?

All of the products that are designed at Hamilton are simply tools for scientists and engineers to move fluid from place to place. The instrument syringes are specifically tailored for the Precision Syringe Drive (PSD), with a focus on secure mounting hardware, accommodating form-factor constraints, and enhancing syringe longevityparticularly important since pumps can operate through numerous cycles without direct operator intervention. The PSD platform is ideal for applications requiring fluid volumes that surpass pipetting tip capacities or involve harsh chemical environments. The potential configurations and combinations of these systems are limited only by creativity.

Additionally, Hamilton offers a comprehensive range of GC and HPLC autosampler syringes, reflecting the company's foundational expertise in this area. With an extensive catalog of syringes for various autosamplers, Hamilton also specializes in designing custom syringes and accessories to meet the unique demands of life sciences and clinical instrumentation.

Hamilton also offers a variety of syringe accessories. Can you tell us more about those and how they enhance the functionality or applications of the syringes, like the PB600 and removable needle compression fittings?

Laboratory science has a long history, and over the years, unique situations have often required custom hardware to address specific challenges. To meet these needs, whether by customer request or where it makes sense, Hamilton has developed a range of accessories, adapters, and fittings. These include syringe-to-pipette tip adapters, glass needle adapters, specialized fluid fittings such as NPT-to-Luer connectors, and innovative tools like the PB600 push-button dispenser, which dispenses precisely 2 % of a syringe's total stroke (50 steps) with each click. Additionally, Chaney adapters are available for achieving repeatable syringe dispenses.

The PB600. Image Credit: Hamilton Lab

Does Hamilton offer custom syringe solutions tailored to specific customer needs?

We do! If you have an idea but are struggling to find an off-the-shelf solutionor if the ones available just do not work quite rightwe are always more then happy to. With years of experience designing syringes and systems, we are able to collaborate and create something that works perfectly for you.

Do you have an application where PTFE is attacked by your chemistry? Do you have a need for our syringe packaging to be cleanroom friendly? Do you need a custom valve? Are you making modifications to our syringes once you receive them? If so, it may make sense for us to help. On our website, especially in the syringe sections, you can find a button that says Talk to an Engineer. That webform (or email) goes straight to me and a few others, so we can connect with you to explore whether a Custom-Built solution is the right fit.

Could you walk us through the process of developing these custom-built solutions?

Once you contact the team, we will get in touch to clarify any technical questions that we have. Once we understand the specifications, we can begin working on a quote to make the prototypes. We will ask questions like how many of these will you need for prototyping as well as how many you will need on an ongoing basis. This helps us understand how we should go about making the components and assemblies regarding CNC programming, manufacturing instructions, tooling, etc.

If the quote works for you, simply place a purchase order, and well get started. Timelines can vary widely depending on the complexity of the project. Simple requests might take just a few days, while more involved projectssuch as designing, assembling, testing, and delivering complete systemscan span several months.

Occasionally, we receive requests that fall outside our core competencies or involve such low quantities that costs become prohibitively high. In these cases, we do our best to provide advice on simplifying the project or aligning it with Hamiltons strengths to help ensure your success.

The Hamilton Syringe Family. Image Credit: Hamilton Lab

Hamilton has a strong reputation for customer service. What are some of the companys standout strengths in this area?

Our engineering team is deeply committed to the products we support and develop. Many of our customers have my direct contact information and know they can reach out to me for assistance with any technical questions or concerns.

We work closely as a teamour engineers specializing in valves, needles, pumps, and other components all sit together, making it easy to collaborate. If a customer issue would benefit from someone else's expertise, we quickly loop them into the conversation.

Our quality team takes every return or complaint seriously. Each case is reviewed by both an R&D engineer and a manufacturing engineer to ensure any defects are understood and addressed promptly. This process helps us provide valuable feedback to customers and ensures our products continually improve.

About Andrew Peterson

This homeschooled Boy Scout was unsure of what career path to pursue when he started college. After exploring welding classes alongside his core curriculum, he discovered his passion for engineering, and his first physics course confirmed that Mechanical Engineering was the perfect fit.

He began his career with an engineering internship that transitioned into a full-time role, followed by a two-year period in Product Management, which further reinforced his love for engineering. Seven years ago, he eagerly joined Hamilton as a Syringe Engineer and has not looked back.

Outside of work, he and his wife homeschool their three Disney-obsessed elementary-aged daughters while managing a household full of animals. The family enjoys staying active with powerlifting, running, biking, and seeking adventure, although they will admit it is about 50/50 with watching TV.

About Hamilton Lab

Hamilton  The measure of excellence

Hamilton Company specializes in the development, manufacturing and customization of precision measurement devices, automated liquid handling workstations, and sample management systems. Hamilton's processes are optimized for quality and flexibility. Whether it's a custom needle with a quick delivery time frame, a special length pH sensor, or a comprehensive solution to fully automate your assay workflow, trust that Hamilton products will always meet your needs.

Hamilton Company has been a leading global manufacturer for more than 70 years, with headquarters in Reno, Nevada; Franklin, Massachusetts; Timisoara, Romania; Bonaduz, Switzerland; and subsidiary offices throughout the world.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children's Hospital and collaborating institutions have gained new insights into the molecular changes leading to Rett syndrome, a severe neurological disorder caused by mutations in the MeCP2 gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). The team reports in the journal Neuron that loss of MeCP2 in adulthood causes immediate progressive dysregulation of hundreds of genes  some are activated while others are suppressed  and these changes occur well before any measurable deficiencies in neurological function.

The MeCP2 protein is most highly expressed in neurons  brain cells where, like an orchestra conductor, MeCP2 directs the expression of hundreds of genes. When mutations produce a nonfunctional MeCP2 protein, the conductor is no longer present to direct the harmonious expression of genes needed for normal brain function. The resulting discord in gene expression leads to Rett syndrome.

"In the current study, our goal was to better understand the molecular changes that occur upon loss of MeCP2 function. Previous research has attempted to do this by studying the condition in animals presenting severe symptoms of the disorder. However, it has been difficult to separate the molecular changes caused by loss of MeCP2 from those occurring during development or secondary to sick neurons," said first author Dr. Sameer S. Bajikar, who was working in the lab of Dr. Huda Zoghbi during most of this project. Bajikar is currently an assistant professor at the University of Virginia.

During the development of an organism, many genes are expressed and repressed  many 'harmonies' are played simultaneously creating a complex composition. It can be challenging to distinguish the harmonies emerging from the lack of MeCP2 from the others.

The researchers looked for a way to simplify the complex harmonies so they would be able to identify those coming from MeCP2 dysregulation. Knowing that MeCP2 function is required throughout life, that the MeCP2 director is active during the entire life of an organism, inspired the researchers to focus on adult life, a time past development, when there are no more developmental compositions playing.

We conditionally deleted Mecp2 in adult mice, which reproduces all the characteristic deficits and premature death observed in male animals in which the Mecp2 is deleted from conception. Then, we systematically assessed gene expression, as well as events involved in gene expression regulation, at multiple times after adult loss of Mecp2. We found that adult deletion of Mecp2 changes the expression of many genes very early after Mecp2 loss, some genes' expression was increased while others reduced. These gene expression changes became more robust over time and mirrored those of the Mecp2 germline knockout mice. These data revealed a molecular cascade that drives disease independent of any developmental contributions  we were able to identify the 'harmonies' coming from MeCP2 dysregulation." Dr. Sameer S. Bajikar, first author

The team also found that both the persistently up- and down-regulated genes were highly tagged with methyl chemical groups. Cytosine methylation within and near genes regulates their expression. Many of the genes dysregulated due to MeCP2 loss are directly related to neuronal function, and some of these genes have been directly shown to modulate MeCP2-driven disease.

A key finding from this study is that neuronal circuit-level deficits occurred after gene expression dysregulation, suggesting Mecp2 deletion leads to bidirectional dysregulation of gene expression first and that in turn contributes to reduced neuronal function.

"Our data also provide a resource to identify genes dysregulated downstream of MeCP2, but upstream of circuit-level deficits and are critical for proper neuronal function. These genes warrant further study," said Zoghbi, Distinguished Service Professor at Baylor, director of the Duncan NRI and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

"Lastly, our data demonstrate that there is a window of time when molecular events downstream of MeCP2 are occurring, but before overt physiological consequences are measurable," Zoghbi said. "Investigating specific changes during this window will be important for fully characterizing the trajectory of molecular events leading to Rett syndrome."

Jian Zhou, Ryan O'Hara, Harini P. Tirumala, Mark A. Durham, Alexander J. Trostle, Michelle Dias, Yingyao Shao, Hu Chen, Wei Wang, Hari K. Yalamanchili, Ying-Wooi Wan, Laura A. Banaszynski and Zhandong Liu also contributed to this work. The authors are affiliated with one of more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

This work was supported by grants from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development (F32HD100048, R01HD109239, U54HD083092), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS057819, K99/R00NS129963), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R35GM124958), The Welch Foundation (I-2025), American Cancer Society (134230-RSG-20-043-01-DMC), Duncan NRI Zoghbi Scholar Award through Texas Children's Hospital, the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (4013) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Narayana Murthy Backs 70-Hour Workweek, Says '800 Million Indians Get Free Ration'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 15:53 IST

'We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free ration. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?' says Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.

Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy calls for Indians to aspire for global excellence. (PTI/ file photo)

Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again advocated for a 70-hour workweek, urging Indias younger generation to adopt hard work for the countrys progress. Speaking during the centenary launch of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, alongside RPSG Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka, Murthy called for Indians to aspire for global excellence.

Reflecting on his vision, Murthy stated, At Infosys, I said we will go to the best and compare ourselves with the best global companies. Once we compare ourselves with the best global companies, I can tell you we Indians have a lot to do. We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free ration. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?"

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From Socialism to Capitalism: A Journey of Realisation

Sharing insights from his early years, Murthy recounted his experiences as a young Leftist during Jawaharlal Nehrus tenure as Prime Minister. He spoke of the optimism surrounding the establishment of Indian Institutes of Technology and his subsequent eye-opening stint in Paris in the early 1970s.

My father used to talk about the extraordinary progress that was happening in the country at the time, and we were all sold on Nehru and socialism. I had the opportunity to work in Paris in the early 70s, and I was confused. The West was talking about how filthy and corrupt India was. In my country, there was poverty and the roads had potholes," he recalled.

Contrasting Indias struggles with the prosperity he witnessed in the West, Murthy added, Everyone there was reasonably prosperous, trains ran on time, and I thought this cant be wrong. I met the leader of the French Communist Party, and he answered all my questions, but not to my satisfaction. I realised the only way a country can fight poverty is by creating jobs that lead to disposable incomes. The government has absolutely no role in entrepreneurship."

Entrepreneurs: The Nation Builders

Murthy emphasised the critical role entrepreneurs play in nation-building through job creation and wealth generation. Entrepreneurs build a nation as they create jobs, they create wealth for their investors, and they pay taxes. Therefore, if a country embraces capitalism, it will create good roads, good trains, and good infrastructure," he said.

Kolkata: A Cultural Beacon

Murthy expressed admiration for Kolkatas rich heritage, describing it as the most cultured place in the entire country." He added, When I think of Kolkata, I think of Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Subhash Chandra Bose, Amartya Sen, and a host of other personalities."

A Call to Action for Indias Youth

Murthy called on young Indians to take greater responsibility for the countrys progress. Human beings can think and express. When God has given us the ability to think, this behoves us to think about people less fortunate than us. It is to make sure that the rest of the world respects India. The rest of the world respects India for its performance. Performance leads to recognition, recognition leads to respect, respect leads to power," he said.

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He concluded by addressing productivity challenges, comparing India with China. A gentleman here told me a Chinese worker is 3.5 times more productive than an Indian. It is very easy for us to write all kinds of nonsense and remain wretched, filthy, and poor and shunned by the world. Therefore, I dont think we should say we are all comfortable and I will not go to the office. My request to all the people assembled here is to dedicate their lives to realising their value."

Murthys stirring remarks serve as a reminder of the hard work and ambition required to drive India towards a prosperous future.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 15:29 IST
Probe Against Amazon, Flipkart: SC Says All Pending Cases Should Go To Karnataka HC

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 17:22 IST

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Manmohan issued a notice on the plea filed by the CCI which sought the transfer of the petitions filed by the e-commerce platforms from the high courts to the top court or the Delhi high court.

CCI ordered the probe against Flipkart and Amazon for alleged malpractices, including deep discounting and tie-ups with preferred sellers on their platforms.

The Supreme Court on Monday said the petitions of e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart challenging an order of the Competition Commission of India ordering a probe against them for alleged malpractices should be transferred to the Karnataka High Court.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Manmohan issued a notice on the plea filed by the CCI which sought the transfer of the petitions filed by the e-commerce platforms from the high courts to the top court or the Delhi high court.

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Issue notice. Prima facie, we are of the view that all cases, which are pending in various High Courts should be transferred to Karnataka High Court for hearing," the bench said and posted the matter on January 6, 2025.

The top court, however, asked the Karnataka High Court not to proceed with the hearing on the petitions filed by e-commerce giants.

During the hearing, attorney general R Venkataramani submitted CCI did not have an objection if the matter was heard by the Karnataka High Court.

In its plea before the top court, the CCI sought directions to transfer the cases pending before the high courts of Allahabad, Madras, Telangana, Punjab & Haryana, Delhi and Karnataka, either to the Supreme Court or the Delhi High Court.

The fair trade regulator CCI ordered the probe against Flipkart and Amazon for alleged malpractices, including deep discounting and tie-ups with preferred sellers on their platforms.

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The CCIs probe order followed a complaint by Delhi Vyapar Mahasang, whose members comprise many traders dealing in smart phones and related accessories.

Following the CCIs order, Amazon and Flipkart filed separate petitions in various high courts, challenging the investigation.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 17:22 IST
New Income Tax Bill Unlikely To Be Introduced In Budget 2025: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 30, 2024, 15:34 IST

Considering that the timeline ends in January, it was expected that the amended Income Tax Bill could be brought in Budget session

Check Latest Income Tax Calendar For January 2025

The Finance Ministry is reportedly unlikely to introduce the new Income-Tax Bill during the Budget 2025 session of Parliament. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a review of the Income-Tax Act during her budget presentation in July 2024.

According to a report by Business Standard, the internal committee led by Chief Income-Tax Commissioner V.K. Gupta, tasked with reviewing the existing Income-Tax Act, is expected to submit its report before the Budget is presented on February 1, 2025.

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The Bill is unlikely to be enacted immediately during the Budget session. Based on the V K Gupta committee report, the legislation will be drafted with the help of the law ministry. After the draft Bill is ready, it will be referred to the Standing Committee on Finance for further scrutiny and feedback, an official told BS.

Considering that the six-month timeline ends in January 2025, it was widely expected that the amended Income Tax Act could be brought in the Budget session of Parliament.

No Changes in Tax Rates

The review committee tasked with examining the Income-Tax Act is not expected to propose changes to tax rates. Instead, its focus remains on simplifying the legislation to make it more concise, user-friendly, and accessible, according to a recent report.

A senior government official stated that the committee aims to complete its review by submitting all 23 reportseach addressing a chapter of the 1961 Income-Tax Actby mid-December.

The committee is reviewing each section of the Act to simplify it, make it concise, and easier for taxpayers to understand. However, no rate changes will be suggested," the official emphasised.

The Income-Tax Act of 1961 has its origins in 1922 and, in its current form, contains 298 sections and 23 chapters, along with various provisions.

So far, the committee has submitted eight reports to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), while sub-committees are working intensively to finalise the remaining drafts. Key areas under review include:

Compliance

Exemptions under Section 10 (e.g., house rent allowance and leave travel allowance)

Income from trusts (Sections 1113)

Penalty provisions

Redundant provisions

TDS/TCS rules

With over 80 officials involved in the process, the committee has also launched an online portal to gather public suggestions. This initiative aims to make the Income Tax Act more comprehensible and accessible for taxpayers.

What is the Income-Tax Act of 1961?

The Income-Tax Act of 1961 is the cornerstone of Indias taxation framework. It outlines the rules, procedures, and regulations for the imposition, collection, and administration of income tax across the country.

The Act covers several key areas, including:

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Charge of Income Tax: Imposes taxes on the total income of individuals, companies, and other entities.

Heads of Income: Classifies income into five categoriessalaries, house property, business or profession, capital gains, and other sources.

Tax Rates: Specifies tax rates based on income levels and taxpayer categories.

Deductions and Exemptions: Provides deductions and exemptions to reduce taxable income.

Assessment and Collection: Details procedures for filing returns, assessment, and tax collection.

Penalties and Interest: Enforces penalties and interest charges for non-compliance.

This comprehensive legislation forms the foundation of Indias income tax system and ensures efficient tax administration.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 14:42 IST
For the Post Graduate Programmes of IIMs, such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme PROVISIONALLY, only if they submit a certificate from the Principal/Registrar of their University/Institution (issued on or before the date as stipulated by the respective IIM) stating that they have completed all the requirements (the results may, however, be awaited) for obtaining the Bachelors degree/equivalent qualification on the date of the issue of the certificate.

Their admission will be confirmed only when they submit the original mark sheet and qualifying degree certificate of having passed the Bachelors degree/equivalent qualification referred to in the certificate issued by the Principal/Registrar of their University/Institution.

They must obtain at least 50% marks or equivalent (45% in the case of candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwD category). They must also submit attested copies of the mark sheets and qualifying degree certificate
NEET PG 2024: Supreme Court To Hear Result Transparency Plea On Jan 7

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Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:27 IST

NEET PG 2024 Supreme Court Hearing: Medical students have voiced frustration over the repeated delays.

The 2013 law broadened and gave legislative support to what are known as the Vishaka Guidelines, which were laid down by the Supreme Court in a judgment passed in 1997. (File Photo)

The Supreme Court will resume hearing the NEET PG 2024 result transparency plea on January 7, 2025. The hearing was earlier scheduled for December 10 but was postponed for the seventh time. Medical students have expressed frustration over the constant postponements.

On September 7, 2024, the controversy surrounding transparency in NEET PG 2024 escalated to the Supreme Court when 19 students filed a petition demanding the release of the answer key, raw marks, and details of the normalisation process used to calculate results.

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Despite repeated requests, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) refused to release the answer key, raw marks, and normalized marks, citing confidentiality as a cornerstone of its admission policy.

During the first hearing, the Supreme Court noted the last-minute change in the exam pattern, distant exam centres, and non-disclosure of exam content, calling the situation unusual." However, due to various reasons, the hearing was postponed multiple times.

Recently, the apex court scheduled the case on December 10, 2024. However, the hearing was postponed again to January 7, 2025.

Meanwhile, many states have resumed NEET PG counselling 2024 where it was previously put on hold due to discrepancies in the state merit list. In total, five court cases were filed in five states across the country regarding these issues.

Notably, the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance TestPostgraduate (NEET PG 2024) was conducted on August 11, 2024, across 416 exam centres nationwide, with a total of 2,28,540 candidates registered.

ALSO READ: UPSC ISS, IES 2024 Final Marks Released At upsc.gov.in, Heres Direct Link

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Instead of taking the exam in a single shift, this year, it was held in two shifts. Shift 1 was from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and Shift 2 was from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

The NBE implemented the normalisation procedure when the new system was introduced. As a result of this normalisation process, many candidates received lower marks than expected, leading to frustration among aspirants and raising questions about the transparency of results.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 14:07 IST
Take Action On 22,298 Unrecognised Schools By March: Education Ministry To States

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Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:28 IST

According to data shared by the secretary, 24 lakh students are enrolled in these unrecognised schools.

Tamil Nadu will continue its no-detention policy for students up to Class 8.(Image: PTI)

The Ministry of Education has urged the states to take action on 22,298 unrecognised schools by March. The Secretary of the Education Ministrys Department of School Education and Literacy, Sanjay Kumar has written a letter to recognise these unrecognised schools or take appropriate measures.

In his letter, Sanjay Kumar highlighted that many unrecognised schools were included in the UDISE list with the condition that they meet the standards mandated by the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, within three years of its implementation in 2010. However, over a decade later, 22,298 schools in the UDISE list remain unrecognised.

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Section 19 of the RTE Act stipulates that those schools established before the commencement of the Act and not fulfilling the norms shall take steps to fulfil the norms within three years from the date of commencement of the Act. The Act also mandates that, if such schools fail to fulfil the norms, the recognition shall be withdrawn and the school shall cease to function. In spite of these provisions, a large number of unrecognised schools are continuing in UDISE+ till date," the secretary wrote in the letter.

Sanjay Kumar has urged states to take action on these unrecognised schools by March 31, 2025.

It is requested that states or union territories need to take further course of action and issue suitable instructions to concerned authorities to recognise these unrecognised schools or take appropriate measures as deemed fit within the definite timeline of March 31, 2025," Kumars letter says.

ALSO READ: Delhi NCR Schools To Go Hybrid For Classes Up To Grade 5 Under GRAP-3

State-Wise Number Of Unrecognised Schools & Students Enrolled

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State/Union Territory Unrecognised Schools Students Enrolled Jharkhand 5,879 8,37,897 Bihar 4,915 7,75,704 Assam 3,630 1,59,714 West Bengal 3,380 2,02,718 Odisha 1,052 91,895 Kerala 808 97,693 Haryana 721 84,276 Meghalaya 502 37,506 Uttar Pradesh 288 22,682 Tamil Nadu 255 28,273 Maharashtra 232 39,819 Andhra Pradesh 140 12,311 Manipur 100 9,873 Telangana 91 3,606 Tripura 68 5,973 Mizoram 60 6,697 Arunachal Pradesh 42 4,185 Rajasthan 29 1,634 Chandigarh 27 7,977 Madhya Pradesh 25 623 Chhattisgarh 20 807 Uttarakhand 16 1,077 Jammu and Kashmir 15 1,160 Karnataka 2 34 Nagaland 1 104 Total 22,298 24,34,238

According to data shared by the secretary, 24 lakh students are enrolled in these schools, which also employ 1.5 lakh teachers.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 18:12 IST
Decoding Americas Role In Syria, How Good Or Bad Is Assad's Fall For The US?

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Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 14:39 IST

Engaging with the post-Assad Syrian regime lies largely with the Donald Trump government. The new US administration is likely to prioritise the withdrawal of the remaining of 900 troops stationed in northeast Syria. It could reconsider designation of HTS as a terrorist organisation

With Donald Trump being pro-Israel, he will likely not have any problem with Israel carrying out strikes in Syria.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden called the collapse of Bashar al-Assad regime a moment of historic opportunity" for the countrys long-suffering people. But he did not say that it could be good news for the US.

Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump attributed Assads defeat to his allies inability to help him any longer. Iran and its proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, chose to launch a multifront war against Israel," Biden said. That was a historic mistake on Irans part".

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Trump posted on Truth Social, Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success." For Russian President Vladimir Putin, already bogged down in his war on Ukraine, Assads fall marked one of the biggest geopolitical setbacks of his quarter-century in power," The New York Times wrote.

Assads fall not only led to the end of a family reign, but also weakened Russia and Irans standing in the Middle East. Biden and his administration have hinted that the US is ready to work with a new government in Syria but insisted that the future of the country will be determined by Syrians.

What Has Been The US Role In Syria?

The American governments role in Syria goes back to the pro-democracy Arab Spring movement in 2011. The protest led to a brutal crackdown by the Assad regime. Some of the protesters then became part of rebel groups in Syria and fought against the Assad government.

In 2013, the US began providing weapons to some of the rebel groups that was 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 decided not to intervene once Assad agreed to destroy Syrias chemical weapons.

In 2014, the Islamic State (IS) took over parts of Syria. The US deployed forces directly to fight IS in 2015. By 2019, the US had severely weakened IS, and the US scaled back its presence. The US never accepted the Assad governments legitimacy, but it did become largely resigned to Assads rule.

How Much Is US Involved In Syria Now?

The US has about 900 troops deployed in some remote parts of Syria to prevent ISIS from regrouping. Second, the US has given more than $1 billion in military aid to more moderate armed groups that resisted control by the Assad government. Among them is the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a military force led by the Kurds of the northeast Syria, which has received much of the financial assistance.

Third, the US has kept heavy financial sanctions in place against the Syrian government dating back to 2011. And fourth, the US has given humanitarian aid for Syrians in the 13-year-old civil war.

Although the US did not play an active role in toppling of the Syrian government. The Syrian rebels, who overthrew the Assad regime, were backed by Turkey, which seeks to weaken the Syrian branch of Kurdish group called the Kurdistan Workers Party. Turkey views this group as a threat to control over its own Kurdish population.

What Does The Fall Of Assad Govt Mean For US?

Engaging with the post-Assad Syrian regime lies largely with the Donald Trump government, which will take over on January 20. The new US administration is likely to prioritise the withdrawal of the remaining of 900 troops, stationed in the northeast region of Syria.

But in addition to the military intervention, the Biden government is helping Syria to find its footing. To achieve this, one step has been the reconsidering the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist outfit. HTS was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2018. The FBI has offered $10 million for information leading to the capture of HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who was once linked to al Qaida but has since sought to distance himself from the militant organisation.

Another could be lifting of economic sanctions to increase the inflows of money that could ease the suffering of Syrians.

The US could also lend its expertise in recovering assets looted by Assad and his friends, estimated to be billions of dollars, according to a report by Brookings India. It could also help Syrians hold those accountable for war crimes. Finally, providing support in development projects, which the US had avoided given Assad governments track record of stealing humanitarian aid.

The fall of Assads government gives the US a new opportunity to learn the fate of Tice, the freelance journalist who disappeared in Syria in August 2012 while reporting on the countrys civil war. Tice, a former US Marine from Houston, has not been seen or heard from since the release of a 43-second video five weeks after his disappearance. In the video, he was blindfolded, surrounded by armed men and being led away by his apparent captors on a rocky hillside, according to the USA Today. Biden had accused Assads regime of detaining Tice, but Syria has denied it.

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Meanwhile, Trump, who will take over as President next month, has often stated that Syria is not Americas problem. During his first term, he wanted to pull out the remaining US troops from Syria, but his advisers told him to keep a small number of troops there.

With Trump being pro-Israel, he will likely not have any problem with Israel carrying out strikes in Syria.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 14:39 IST
Hathras, Pushpa 2 Tragedy In Hyderabad: Why Stampede Has Become A Common Occurrence In India? Explained

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Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 11:28 IST

Police receive several requests for security and crowd control at public events, citing the presence of political figures, celebrities, or religious functions, said the Hyderabad DCP. However, providing arrangement for every event is not always feasible due to limited resources, he added

A woman was killed and her son was critically injured during the screening of 'Pushpa 2' at a theatre in Hyderabad. Actor Allu Arjun was arrested Friday night but released on bail the next morning. (Photo: PTI)

Actor Allu Arjuns arrest over a stampede during the promotion of his film Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad that killed a woman and critically injured her child has put focus on the polices failures in managing the crowd.

After a stampede during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradeshs Hathras killed more than 100, the incident in Hyderabad sends out an emphatic message that foolproof protocols should have been set up for such events, both by the state and the film industry.

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How Did Hyderabad Stampede Occur?

On December 4, a stampede broke out at a theatre in Hyderabad where Pushpa 2 was being screened. The crowd went berserk after Allu Arjun made an unscheduled" visit to the auditorium, the police said.

A 39-year-old woman was killed and her 8-year-son, Sri Tej, was critically injured. According to a private hospital where the boy is undergoing treatment, he is on ventilatory support with minimal requirements in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of KIMS Cuddles Hospital in Hyderabad.

The hospital confirmed that the boy is currently in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and on ventilator support. He is hemodynamically stable and tolerating tube feedings. However, he has intermittent fever, remains in an altered sensorium, and exhibits dystonic movements," the statement read, as mentioned in The Hindu report.

The womans husband filed an FIR, which led to Allu Arjuns arrest on Friday night. However, the actor was released on interim bail the following morning. The deceaseds husband, who initially wanted to pursue a legal case against Allu Arjun, has now stated that he is willing to withdraw the case.

Both Allu Arjun and Pushpa 2 director Sukumar have expressed deep regret over the incident. The actor met with the victims family and extended condolences, and donated Rs 25 lakh to the family.

What Did The Hyderabad Police Say About Security Arrangement?

The police authorities criticised the theatre management for failing to make additional security provisions for the crowd. The theatre management did not make any additional provisions regarding security though the theatre management had information about their arrival," the police stated.

Akshansh Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad Central Zone, had stated the organisers had merely submitted an application without meeting any police officials. He, however, maintained that adequate security measures were in place at the theatre.

He also said the police receive numerous requests for security and crowd control at public events, citing the presence of political figures, celebrities, or religious functions. However, the police clarified that providing arrangement for every event is not always feasible due to limited resources.

In specific cases where a heavy crowd is expected, or some popular personality is visiting, the organiser personally visits the police station / ACP / DCP office and briefs about the program depending upon which we provide the bandobust (security arrangement). In this case the organiser did not meet any officer and simply submitted the letter in the inward section," DCP Yadav said.

He further said Allu Arjun, upon his arrival at the theatre, began waving at the crowd. His private security started pushing people away to make way for his vehicle. The frenzy led to the chaos. The actors team was instructed to take him away from the venue, but they failed to comply.

The DCP also issued a statement denying that the police misbehaved with the actor. 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. 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," Yadav said.

Stampedes In India

Data in Human stampedes during religious festivals: A comparative review of mass gathering emergencies in India, 2013 showed that 79% of stampedes in India occur during religious gatherings and pilgrimages.

The risk of stampedes is heightened by the location of many major temples on hills, riverbanks, or other uneven terrains. Additionally, the tradition of large religious gatherings in rural areas often sees thousands of devotees gathering in cramped spaces, which lack basic facilities such as proper entry and exit points for emergencies.

In July, 116 people died in a Satsang in Hathras. Police authorities say the tragedy occurred due to overcrowding at the religious congregation organised by Godman Bhole Baba in Pulrai village. The victims were crushed to death as they rushed to leave. Video of the aftermath showed the structure appeared to have collapsed, and authorities said heat, overcrowding and suffocation may have been factors.

In 2008, nearly 168 pilgrims were killed and 100 injured during a stampede at Chamunda Mata Temple in Jodhpur on September 30, 2008. Severe overcrowding apparently caused the crush as more than 12,000 people gathered at the temple to celebrate Navratri.

In another stampede at a religious gathering at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh on August 3, 2008, 162 people died. Rumors of a landslide apparently started the panic, according to a senior government official.

In 2005, a stampede at Maharashtras Mandhardevi temple in Wai led to the death of more than 340 devotees.

The most notable stampede in the history of India was in 1954 in Allahabad during the Kumbh Mela festival in which 800 people died. The first post-Independence Kumbh was plagued by a lack of crowd control mechanisms, poor planning, and excessive presence of VIPs. The tragedy occurred after a crowd broke through the barriers, separating them from a procession of sadhus.

How Stampedes Occur And How To Prevent Them?

Stampedes are often triggered or made worse by panic. In a seminal paper, psychologist Alexander Mintz theorised that in panic-producing situations cooperative behavior is needed for success and is rewarding to individuals as long as everybody cooperates. However, once the cooperative pattern of behavior is disturbed, cooperation ceases to be rewarding to the individuals" (Non-adaptive group behavior", 1952).

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According to experts, lack of light, crowd flow not being managed, collapse of barrier, blocked exits and evacuation route, poor design of hardware and fire hazards play a crucial role in deciding how the spaces for mass gatherings should be decided.

To prevent such tragic events from happening, planner must not allow more than a specific number of people to enter a contained space. Researchers also stress on live surveillance of the crowd to ensure that the organisers are can monitor the pressure buildup, increase in crowd density, bottlenecks, and to identify the source of crowd disturbance".

First Published: December 16, 2024, 11:19 IST
Atul Subhash's Wife Nikita Dodged Police By Changing Location Daily | How Was She Caught?

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 15:09 IST

Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Atul's wife Nikita Singhania was arrested and sent to judicial custody on Sunday. The police sources have revealed how she was arrested.

Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash's wife arrested (Photo: Bengaluru Whitefield Police)

Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Atul Subhashs estranged wife Nikita Singhania, who was arrested and sent to judicial custody in the abetment of suicide case, used only WhatsApp calls to dodge the police surveillance radar and also changed her location every day to avoid arrest, police sources said on Monday.

Nikita was arrested by the Bengaluru Police from Haryanas Gurugram. Her mother Nisha and brother Anurag were nabbed from Prayagraj.

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While attempting to evade arrest, Nikita tried to obtain bail in the case of the suicide of her husband who claimed his own life last week at his Bengaluru residence alleging harassment by his wife and her family. He also left behind a 24-page suicide note and an over-an-hour-long video in which he explained every sequence in detail.

How Was Nikita Singhania Caught?

The police sources said that the accused had locked their houses in Uttar Pradeshs Jaunpur after getting the news of the arrival of the Karnataka Police to nab them. The police then pasted notices on the walls of the homes asking them to show up within three days.

The special team prepared a list of all close relatives and friends who were suspected to be in touch with them. A constant surveillance was put on them as the accused only made WhatsApp calls, making it difficult for the police to track them, sources said.

However, Nikita committed one mistake  she made a phone call to one of her close relatives. As soon as the call was made, the police were alerted, and based on the location of the tower, the police rushed to Gurugram. The police discovered that Nikita was hiding in a PG accommodation in the Rail Vihar area. She was immediately detained.

The police interrogated Nikita and made her dial her mother and brother. The police tracked down their location and apprehended them from the Jhunsi town in Uttar Pradesh.

Police Quiz Arrested Accused

The police interrogated them for nine hours during the transit to Bengaluru. The police also ensured that the 2-year-old boy was kept in safe custody of one of her relatives.

Atuls family has demanded the child to be handed over to them. They also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure his safe return to the family.

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The police can seek custody of the accused on a body warrant if an investigation is needed. Nikita and her family are preparing to file a bail plea in the court.

(With IANS inputs)

First Published: December 16, 2024, 15:02 IST
Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Allahabad HC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Nikita's Uncle

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 23:22 IST

Nikita Singhania was arrested from Gurugram, Haryana, while her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were picked up from Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj for abetting Subhashs suicide.

Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash's wife arrested (Photo: Bengaluru Whitefield Police)

The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to Sushil Singhania, uncle of Nikita Singhania, in the suicide case of Artificial Intelligence engineer Atul Subhash.

The order was passed by Justice Ashutosh Srivastava who was hearing an anticipatory bail filed by Atuls wife Nikita Singhania and in-laws.

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Nikita Singhania was arrested from Gurugram, Haryana, while her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were picked up from Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj for abetting Subhashs suicide, a Bengaluru Police official said.

They were arrested on Saturday morning, brought to Bengaluru and sent to 14-days judicial custody after being produced before a local court, he said.

In the Allahabad High Court, senior counsel Manish Tiwary, at the very outset, submitted that the wife, mother-in-law and brother-in-law of the deceased have already been arrested by the Bengaluru City Police and the present anticipatory bail application is being pressed on behalf of the applicant Sushil Singhania alone.

It was argued that the arrests have been made on the basis of alleged suicide note and a video which have gone viral over the internet. Sushil Singhania is facing the media trial of the highest level, it was argued.

It was also submitted that Sushil Singhania is an elderly person of 69 years of age and has a chronic medical condition. He is virtually incapacitated and there is no question of him abetting the suicide, it was further submitted.

It was also argued that there is a distinction between abetment and harassment and if the suicide note is taken on its face value, the allegations levelled at most would be taken to be harassment for implicating the deceased in false cases and extracting huge sums of money.

In any case, the offence suicide under Section 108, 3(5) of the BNS cannot be said to be made out, it was argued.

It has also been argued that the Sushil Singhania be granted protection for reasonable time so that he is in a position to place his version before the court and the authorities concerned and take recourse to remedy available to him under the law before the court in the state of Karnataka from where the FIR emanates.

After hearing the counsels for the parties, the court observed, "Considering the above, the court is of the opinion that applicant Sushil Singhania is entitled to get the privilege of pre-arrest (Transit) Anticipatory." "Accordingly, it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant in connection with the case crime no. 0682 of 2024 under Section 108, 3(5) of the BNS, Police Station Marathahalli, Bangaluru City, he shall be released on anticipatory bail in the aforesaid case till the submission of police report, if any under section 173 (2) CrPC on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Magistrate/Court concerned," the court said.

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The court also imposed some conditions like the applicant shall make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required. He shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police office and he shall not leave India without the previous permission of the court.

If the applicant has a passport, it shall be deposited by him before the SSP or SP concerned, the court said.

Location : Prayagraj, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 23:22 IST
Bees Attack Youth Congress Activists During Protest In Bhubaneswar

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 17:15 IST

After sometime, as the bees went away, the youth Congress activists resumed their protest and engaged in a scuffle with the police when they staged a march towards Sethis home.

Several members of the youth wing of the Congress were seen fleeing in panic to escape an attack by a swarm of bees (Image: X)

Several members of the youth wing of the Congress were seen fleeing in panic to escape an attack by a swarm of bees during a protest here on Monday.

Holding party flags and banners, the youth Congress activists took out a protest march to gherao the residence of senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi here over his alleged involvement in a corruption case, which is under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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Notably, the CBI on December 10 issued a summons to Sethi, the principal secretary of ST&SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department in connection with a Rs 10 lakh bribery case. Sethi also holds the additional charge as principal secretary of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department.

The CBI has arrested three persons including Chanchal Mukherjee, group general manager, Bridge and Roof Construction Company Ltd, Bhubaneswar in this case.

When the youth Congress activists reached near Sethis house, suddenly, a swarm of bees started attacking them. The agitators started running helter-skelter to protect themselves. Some of the protesters were seen covering themselves with the banners they brought for the agitation.

The deployed police personnel and journalists covering the youth Congress protest also faced the bee attack. Many of them laid down on the ground covering their faces to protect themselves from the bees.

After sometime, as the bees went away, the youth Congress activists resumed their protest and engaged in a scuffle with the police when they staged a march towards Sethis home.

When the police prevented them mid-way, the youth Congress members hurled eggs and tomatoes at the house of the IAS officer. The police detained several protesters.

"Sethi has been involved in several corruption practices. We demand his immediate arrest," said Ranjit Patra, state president of the youth Congress.

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Earlier, Congress activists had staged a demonstration before the SC, ST Development Minister Nityananda Gonds residence alleging that a black-listed contractor was engaged by the department.

"Minister Gond should be brought under the purview of the CBI investigation. Otherwise, we will intensify our protest," a Congress leader said.

Location : Bhubaneswar, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 17:15 IST
BRS' Kavitha Vows To Install 'Original' Telangana Thalli Statues Across Villages

Last Updated: December 15, 2024, 23:28 IST

Days after the ruling Congress government inaugurated an official statue of 'Telangana Thalli' (Mother Telangana) here, BRS MLC K Kavitha on Sunday pledged to install "original" Telangana Thalli statues in every village.

Kavitha, daughter of BRS chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao criticised the Congress government (for unveiling a new design of Mother Telangana, different from the one used by their party) (Photo: ANI)

Days after the ruling Congress government inaugurated an official statue of Telangana Thalli (Mother Telangana) here, BRS MLC K Kavitha on Sunday pledged to install "original" Telangana Thalli statues in every village.

Kavitha, daughter of BRS chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao criticised the Congress government (for unveiling a new design of Mother Telangana, different from the one used by their party), accusing it of attacking the identity, culture, and traditions of the state.

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Speaking after laying foundation stone for installing a statue in the "original" design in Jagital town, she vowed to install Telangana Thalli statues of "original" design in every village, a release from BRS said.

On December 9, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated an official statue of Telangana Thalli, an idea that inspired protagonists during the statehood agitation, on the Secretariat premises here.

The government separately issued an order banning misrepresentation or portraying of Telangana Thalli in a different way.

The Government Order (GO) also said insulting, showing disrespect to the image of Mother Telangana in public places, online, social media would be treated as a crime.

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The unveiling of the official statue and its design by the Congress government on December 9, coinciding with the birthday of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, preceded politics over the issue.

The opposition BRS attacked the Congress government for unveiling a new design describing it as "Congress Thalli (mother)." Kavitha further said that no matter how many GOs and gazettes the government issues, they will install the "original" Telangana Thalli statues, the release added.

First Published: December 15, 2024, 23:28 IST
After Jairam's 'Electoral Loss' Admission In Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman Says 'Indira Gandhi Learnt Lesson'

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 13:37 IST

Constitution Debate Rajya Sabha: Nirmala Sitharaman initiated the debate in Rajya Sabha on Monday and slammed Congress over its treatment of the Constitution during its rule.

Rajya Sabha Constitution Debate: Nirmala Sitharaman and Jairam Ramesh (Photo: Sansad TV)

Constitution Debate Rajya Sabha: The Constitution Debate in Rajya Sabha on Monday saw a verbal exchange between Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress MP Jairam Ramesh in Rajya Sabha over the 42nd Amendment by the Indira Gandhi government in 1976 during the Emergency period.

Sitharaman, who began the two-day debate in the Upper House on the completion of 75 years of the Indian Constitution, said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi learned her lesson" after she suffered a massive electoral loss due to the imposition of Emergency in the country in 1975.

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Jairam Ramesh interjected and said that Indira Gandhi herself supported the 44th Amendment in 1978 which sought to repeal parts of the 42nd Amendment, after she realised had resulted in her electoral loss".

Nirmala Sitharaman Vs Jairam Ramesh In Rajya Sabha

The way in which the 42nd Amendment was passed, how Opposition leaders were all in the jail. Not one person opposed in the Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, just 5 of them spoke against it. When Granville Austin said this, Jairam Ramesh did not mind quoting something else from Austin, but ignored this," Sitharaman said during the debate.

Upon mentioning of his name by the Minister, Jairam intervened and said that a 44th Amendment was passed in 1978 when Indira Gandhi had voted in support of the Amendment which sought to overwrite the parts of the 42nd Amendment. The Congress leader said that Indira Gandhi made this move then after realising that the 42nd Amendment had resulted in her electoral loss."

The same Austin writes, The 44th Amendment was passed by LS and RS to overwrite the large parts of the 42th Amendment. And who voted on December 7, 1978, to repeal parts of the 42nd Amendment? It was Indira Gandhi herself. She in 1978 voted to repeal the parts of the 42nd Amendment which she realised had resulted in her electoral loss," Jairam said.

Soon after Jairams interjection, Leader of the House JP Nadda intervened, to which the Congress leader responded.

Sitharaman acknowledged that the points put forth by Jairam and Nadda were right and said that Indira Gandhi supported the 44th Amendment after facing a massive defeat", which taught a lesson" to her.

JP Nadda and Jairam Ramesh are right that when Morarji Desai was the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi had supported the changes to the 42nd Amendment. At least in 1978, after a massive defeat which she later overturned and won the elections and came back. Its an electoral process. The electoral process does teach lessons and Indira Gandhi learnt that lesson," she said.

What Was 42nd Amendment Of Indian Constitution?

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The Indira Gandhi government had enacted the 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution during the Emergency. It is also known as one of the most controversial amendments in the country.

The amendment redefined Indias official designation in the Preamble, changing it from a sovereign democratic republic" to a sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic." The Amendment also added the terms Socialist," Secular," and Integrity" into the Preamble.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 12:25 IST
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: Akshardham To EPE Stretch To Be Ready Before Assembly Polls

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 19:55 IST

At an event last week, union minister Nitin Gadkari said that the two parts of the roads are ready for inauguration

Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari take an aerial survey of the 212 km 6-lane Delhi-Dehradun Greenfield Access Controlled Expressway. (PTI File)

Parts of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway  the road between Akshardham and Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE)  will be ready around New Year, while the complete section will be ready in the next three months.

At an event last week, union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said that the two parts of the roads are ready for inauguration.

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Speaking to News18, a ministry official said that the part  around 32 km section from Akshardham to EPE covering Delhi and Uttar Pradesh  is ready and can be inaugurated anytime now. The road is ready and can be inaugurated in the next few days. The aim is to open the road before the model code of conduct for the Delhi assembly poll kicks in," the official said, requesting anonymity.

This section was initially to be opened by March 2024, but was delayed due to a number of reasons and now it is expected to open around the first week of January.

The stretch was developed in two phases  from Akshardham to Khekra in Baghpat (15 km), and from Khekra to the Mavi Kalan interchange on the EPE, also in Baghpat (16 km). This section costs around Rs 2,500 crore.

Starting from Akshardham, in front of the Akshardham Metro station, the road will pass through Geeta Colony, Shastri Park, and Sonia Vihar. Apart from serving the long-term goal, the road will also ease the journey around east Delhi, which faces heavy traffic congestion.

Apart from Akshardham, the Delhi-Dehradun expressway will have seven entry points for vehicles travelling from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh  at Geeta Colony, Shamshan Ghat in Kailash Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Vijay Vihar, and Mandola. While exits will be available at Khajuri Chowk, Sonia Vihar, Vijay Vihar, and Mandola in Ghaziabad.

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The entire Delhi-Dehradun expressway, which will be close to 240 km, will reduce the travel time between the two cities from five-six hours to just 2-2.5 hours. It will start from Akshardham in East Delhi and pass through Baghpat, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, and Saharanpur.

The expressway is not just expected to bring a transformative shift to the regions connectivity, but also benefit long and short-term commuters and tourists.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 19:49 IST
GRAP-4 Curbs Imposed In Delhi-NCR As Air Quality Drops To Severe Again

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 23:14 IST

According to CAQM, the average air quality index (AQI) of the national capital rose to 399 at 9 pm tonight and breached the 400 mark at 10 pm.

People are asked to leave their homes only if necessary. (Photo Credits: X)

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday imposed restrictive measures under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after the air quality level crossed 400 mark (Severe) again.

Delhis 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 379 (very poor) at 4 pm on Monday, up from 294 in the poor" category on Sunday. However, the it rose to 399 at 9 pm tonight and breached the 400 mark at 10 pm.

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Considering the steep rise in the AQI of Delhi owing to highly unfavourable meteorological conditions and absolute calm wind conditions, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP called for an emergency meeting on Monday.

Delhis average AQI rose to 399 at 9 pm tonight and breached the 400 mark at 10PM. Considering the steep rise in the AQI of Delhi owing to highly unfavourable meteorological conditions and absolute calm wind conditions, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP called for an emergency pic.twitter.com/av95THFtOf ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

In pursuance of the Honble Supreme Courts directives, the CAQM Sub Committee hereby invokes the Stage-IV of the Schedule under the GRAP, as comprehensively revised and issued on 13.12.2024, with immediate effect. The actions under Stage-IV shall be over and above the actions under Stages III, II and I, already in force," CAQM said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in the capital fell to 4.5 degrees Celsius, 4.1 degrees below normal, according to the weather department. This is the fourth time in December when the minimum temperature dropped below 5 degrees Celsius, with cold wave conditions observed in Pusa, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Schools To Run In Hybrid Mode

Under GRAP-IV restrictions, classes for students from 6-9 and 11 in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida would be shifted to hybrid mode. Earlier today, schools in Delhi NCR were told to shift to hybrid mode for classes up to grade 5 after GRAP-III restrictions were imposed. The GRAP-III recommendations were enforced across Delhi and the NCR due to highly unfavourable weather conditions, including calm winds and low mixing height," according to the CAQM.

Restrictions Under Stage-4

Under the fourth stage of the GRAP, there are additional restrictions such as ban on several vehicle categories, 50% work from home and even the possible closure of schools.

The entry of trucks will be banned in Delhi-NCR except for those carrying essential goods. LNG, CNG, electric, BS-VI diesel trucks would be allowed to enter the region.

Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) would be prohibited in the national capital, except for those carrying essential goods or providing essential services. Additionally, LCVs registered outside Delhi, other than EVs / CNG / BS-VI diesel, wont be allowed to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.

There would be a complete ban on construction activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.

The authorities would to decide on switching to online classes for students in classes VI to IX and class XI, and about implementing work-from-home arrangements.

The NCR state governments may consider additional emergency measures like the closure of colleges/ educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, permitting the running of vehicles on an odd-even basis of registration numbers, etc.

Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible.

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GRAP classifies its actions into four stages: Stage I  poor (AQI 201-300); Stage II  very poor (AQI 301-400); Stage III  severe (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV  severe plus (AQI above 450).

First Published: December 16, 2024, 22:48 IST
'Action Can Be Taken': Union Minister On Demand For Gandhis To Return Nehru's Letters

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 19:02 IST

The BJP demanded that Sonia Gandhi should return these correspondences between Nehru and a host of personalities to the PMML, saying they belonged to India and were not anyone's personal property

Rahul Gandhi/Sonia Gandhi (Photo: PTI)

Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday told the Lok Sabha that appropriate action can be taken on the demand that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi should return letters of Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, which she allegedly took in 2008.

The BJP demanded that Sonia Gandhi should return these correspondences between Nehru and a host of personalities to the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML), saying the historical documents belonged to the country and were not anyones personal property.

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The PMML, in a letter to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, has requested the Gandhi family to return the letters, which include those written by Nehru to Edwina Mountbatten, wife of the last British viceroy to India, and leaders Jayaprakash Narayan and Jagjivan Ram among others. The erstwhile Nehru Museum and Library Society returned them to Sonia Gandhi in 2008.

In September, too, a similar letter by the PMML urged her to either return the papers, provide copies, or offer digitised access to them. The letters were written by Rizwan Kadri, a historian and author, and a member of the PMML society.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, he said: On September 9, I wrote to Sonia Gandhi Ji and now again I have written to Rahul Gandhi. In the letter, I have requested Rahul Gandhi and mentioned that whatever collection has been withdrawn in 2008 on the behest of Sonia Gandhi Ji, which has around 51 cartons, should be returned."

Kadri had said 51 boxes, carrying records related to Jawaharlal Nehru, were taken back by Sonia Gandhis office from the PMML, formerly known as Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, or NMML. The collection that was withdrawn included Jayaprakash Narayan, Babu Jagjivan Ram, the Edwina Mountbatten collection and several other collections," he had said, adding that the papers were being demanded back to ensure a comprehensive understanding of Indias history.

BJP REACTS

Meanwhile, in separate X posts, the BJPs national spokesperson Sambit Patra, and the partys IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, asked if the contents of the letter needed censoring".

This is intriguing! From Whats today the Prime Ministers Museum and Library & formerly Nehru Museum and Library, the then UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi took away 51 cartoons of letters written by Nehru to various personalities including EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN"!" (sic), Patra wrote.

In the recently concluded AGM of the PMML one of the members Sh Rizwan Kadri has written to LoP Rahul Gandhi and sought his help in getting back the letters from his mother Sonia Gandhi!"

What intrigues me is what would have Nehru ji written to EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN that needed censoring and will LOP Rahul help getting back the letters between Nehru and Edwina!," (sic), he added.

This is intriguing!From Whats today the Prime Ministers Museum and Library & formerly Nehru Museum and Library, the then UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi took away 51 cartoons of letters written by Nehru to various personalities including EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN"!In the recently pic.twitter.com/2TVwjPUSi3 Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) December 16, 2024

In a similar post, Malviya wrote, This is fascinating! From what is now the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (formerly the Nehru Museum and Library), it is reported that the then UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, allegedly took away 51 cartons of letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru to various personalities, including Edwina Mountbatten."

What I find particularly intriguing is: what might Nehru ji have written to Edwina Mountbatten that warranted such censorship? And will Rahul Gandhi act to recover these letters?" (sic), Amit Malviyas X post read.

This is fascinating!From what is now the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (formerly the Nehru Museum and Library), it is reported that the then UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, allegedly took away 51 cartons of letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru to various personalities, pic.twitter.com/JWCCKeHPkG  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 16, 2024

CONGRESS ALLEGES PM MODI INVOKES NEHRU TO DISTRACT ATTENTION

On December 15, the Congress hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that defamation of Jawaharlal Nehru and minimum democratic governance was his model.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said PM Modi has an obsession" with Nehru as he invokes the countrys first Prime Minister to distract the nations attention from his own failures" and current challenges on which he maintains a complete silence".

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The Congresss attack on the Prime Minister came a day after Modi attacked the party during the debate on the Glorious 75-year journey of Indias Constitution.

On December 14, Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of repeatedly mutilating the Constitution, having tasted blood" in its greed" for power, as he asserted that his governments policies and decisions since 2014 have been aimed at boosting Indias strength and unity in line with the vision of the Constitution.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 11:14 IST
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Ready To Discuss Parbhani Violence, Beed Sarpanch Murder In Assembly

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 13:07 IST

Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis described both the incidents, which occurred after the BJP-led Mahayuti came to power in the state, as serious

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (Photo: Facebook)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said he was ready for a discussion in the state legislative assembly on the recent Parbhani violence and murder of a sarpanch in Beed.

Speaking in the Lower House on the first day of the state legislatures winter session, Fadnavis described both the incidents, which occurred after the BJP-led Mahayuti came to power in the state, as serious.

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The CM he was ready to discuss the issues and spell out steps taken by his government to maintain law and order.

Violence erupted in central Maharashtras Parbhani city after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr B R Ambedkars statue outside the Parbhani railway station was vandalised on the evening of December 10.

More than 50 persons have been arrested and multiple cases registered in connection with the violence.

In Beed, the sarpanch of Massajog village, Santosh Deshmukh, was abducted and murdered on December 9.

On Monday, Congress leader Nana Patole raised in the assembly the issue of violence in Parbhani over vandalising of a replica of the Constitution and the murder of a sarpanch in Beed district last week and demanded the governments response.

CM Fadnavis agreed to discuss the two incidents in the House.

I am sure the opposition will cooperate in suggesting ways to ensure such incidents dont take place again. Our government works by the Constitution and its insult will not be tolerated. A mentally unstable person, who was involved in the desecration (of the Constitution replica) in Parbhani, has been arrested," he said.

Fadnavis also introduced his newly sworn-in ministers on the floor of the House.

A total of 39 legislators from Mahayuti allies (BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP) were sworn in on Sunday in the first cabinet expansion of the Fadnavis-led ministry.

While 33 legislators were sworn in as cabinet ministers, six took oath as ministers of state.

The government on Monday also tabled supplementary demands to the tune of Rs 33,788 crore in the House.

On the first day of the session, the government reintroduced eight bills, including one for an amendment to postpone elections to the posts of president, vice president and chairpersons of certain zilla parishads and deputy chairpersons of some panchayat samitis.

The legislative assembly also paid tributes to former Maharashtra governor SM Krishna, who passed away on December 10.

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Krishna, who had also served as the chief minister of Karnataka and Union minister, was the governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008.

The House also paid tributes to former MLA Dinkarrao Jadhav, who died recently. Jadhav represented the Radhanagari assembly constituency from 1980 to 1988.

Location : Maharashtra, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 13:06 IST
No More Power Subsidy For Himachal Pradesh Grade I, II Officers: CM Sukhu

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 23:38 IST

The state government will provide an additional corpus of Rs 100 crore to HPSEBL from January 1, 2025 to financially strengthen the board

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (PTI File Photo)

Electricity subsidies would no longer be provided to Grade-1 and 2 state government officers and employees, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said while chairing a review meeting of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL) here on Monday.

The state government will provide an additional corpus of Rs 100 crore to HPSEBL from January 1, 2025 to financially strengthen the board, he said during detailed discussions on incorporating modern techniques to improve the functioning of the board, according to a statement issued here.

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The chief minister said the state government was planning to recruit linemen and T-mates to ensure adequate field staff that will aid in providing uninterrupted power supply and quality services to consumers.

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He also directed officers to prepare a rationalisation plan for deployment of staff across the board.

The government has recently revised electricity tariffs for industrial and commercial consumers generating about Rs 500 crore additional revenue annually, the statement added.

Location : Shimla, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 23:38 IST
NSA Ajit Doval To Meet Chinese Officials For Special Representatives Talks On Dec 18

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 21:29 IST

Ajit Doval is likely to visit China soon for Special Representative talks, sources said.

NSA Ajit Doval Likely To Visit China (AP Image)

The Special Representatives of India and China on border issues will meet in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss the restoration of bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement to disengage troops in eastern Ladakh.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval would visit Beijing for the Special Representative talks. According to informed sources, Doval will arrive in China on Tuesday to attend the crucial talks, which were expected to provide a way forward for the two countries to normalise the relations.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday said that Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for the China-India Boundary Question, reported Global Times.

Constituted in 2003 to comprehensively address the vexed dispute of the India-China border spanning to 3488 kms, the SRs mechanism over the years met 22 times.

The SRs meeting would take place after a gap of five years. The last meeting was held in 2019. While success eluded it in resolving the boundary dispute, officials on both sides regard it as a very promising, useful and handy tool in addressing the recurring tensions between the two countries.

This comes days after External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar made a detailed statement on India-China relations in both Houses of the Parliament.

Highlighting the improvement in the ties between the two countries after four years, Jaishankar had told the Lok Sabha on December 3 that full disengagement has been achieved in eastern Ladakh, adding that India-China relations have seen some improvements".

Jaishankar noted that Indias next priority would be to continue de-escalation.

Recent developments that reflect continuous diplomatic engagements have set Indo-China ties in the direction of some improvement. Disengagement has been achieved in full in eastern Ladakh," Jaishankar said.

Recent developments that reflect our continuous diplomatic engagement since then have set our ties in the direction of some improvement. The House is cognizant of the fact that China is an illegal occupation of 38,000 square km of the Indian territory in Aksai Chin as a result of the 1962 conflicts and the events that preceded it," he added.

Last month, Jaishankar and Wang held delegation-level talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

India and China have had a military standoff since May 2020, after both troops came face to face in a violent confrontation in the Galwan Valley.

Indian and Chinese militaries completed the disengagement exercise in Demchok and Depsang in October this year after the two sides reached an agreement following a series of negotiations to resolve the festering border row.

The two sides also resumed patrolling activities in the two areas after a gap of almost four-and-a-half years.

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Two days after the pact was sealed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in the Russian city of Kazan. The two leaders endorsed the agreement on patrolling and disengagement and issued directions to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms, signalling attempts to normalise ties. In the nearly 50-minute meeting held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Modi underscored the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquility in border areas.

(With inputs from agencies)

First Published: December 16, 2024, 11:11 IST
'One Nation, One Election' Bill To Be Introduced In Lok Sabha Today

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Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 09:38 IST

The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill proposes to conduct the Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections simultaneously and was dubbed as a "game changer" by ex-President Ram Nath Kovind.

The 'One Nation, One Election' bill is likely to be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tomorrow. (PTI)

The Centre will introduce the One Nation, One Election/Poll (ONOP) Bill in the Lok Sabha at noon on Tuesday (December 17). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs ahead of the bills introduction.

On Monday, the Centre listed two bills to be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Lower House of the Parliament on Tuesday  the ONOP Bill, also known as The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.

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Following this announcement, BJPs National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also issued a whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha, and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) also asked all MPs to be present in the House.

Last week, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet approved the Constitutional Amendment Bill to roll out the concept of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. This bill will be introduced by Meghwal in the Lower House on Tuesday.

After its introduction, Meghwal is expected to request Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the Bill to a Joint Committee of Parliament for wider consultations. The joint panel will be constituted on a pro-rata basis, based on the strength of MPs of various parties.

ALSO READ: As Govt Moves One Step Closer to One Nation, One Election, What Are The Key Amendments Proposed In Bill?

Top opposition leaders such as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin have opposed the bill, calling it anti-democratic" and an authoritarian move designed to undermine Indias democracy."

The Cabinet has already approved the Ram Nath Kovind Committees report on the proposal, which advocates simultaneous elections across the country. Kovind had said during the consultation process on one nation, one election" that 32 parties supported the idea while 15 did not.

The central government will have to build consensus. This issue is not in the interest of any party but the nation. It (One Nation One Election) will be a game changer  its not my opinion but of the economists that after its implementation, the countrys GDP will rise by 1-1.5%," former President Kovind earlier said.

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The government said ONOP will be implemented in two phases as recommended by the Kovind committee. In the first phase, there are plans to conduct Lok Sabha and assembly polls simultaneously. The second phase will entail local body polls (panchayat and municipalities) within 100 days of general elections. Also, there are plans for a common electoral roll and the formation of an implementation group.

Simultaneous polls were held in the country between 1951 and 1967. The concept of simultaneous elections has been featured in many reports and studies since 1983, essentially implying a return to the previous practice of conducting polls concurrently.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 19:43 IST
Punjab Farmers To Hold Tractor March Today As 'Delhi Kooch' Fails At Shambhu Border

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 08:01 IST

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had claimed that 17 farmers were injured in the use of tear gas and water cannons by the security forces on farmers who were marching towards Delhi.

Farmers protest: Security personnel use tear gas to disperse farmers agitating at Shambhu border (PTI Image)

Farmers will hold a tractor march outside Punjab on Monday, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, adding that a Rail Roko protest in the state will be held on December 18.

Pandher announced the march hours after a Jathha of 101 farmers was withdrawn for the day after it was blocked by the police at the Shambhu border due to security concerns.

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On December 16, a tractor march will be organised outside Punjab, and on December 18, we have called for a Rail Roko in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in large numbers," he said.

The farmers march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border was disrupted as the security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the Jathha of farmers. Pandher claimed that 17 farmers were injured in the incident while also claiming that several farmers were in serious condition.

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The Indian government, the fifth-largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical water was thrown at us using cannons, bombs were hurled, and tear gas shells were fired. Seventeen farmers have been injured, many of whom are in serious condition," Pandher said, while also urging the Punjab government to provide them treatment.

He also lashed out at the Opposition for not raising the farmers woes enough in the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 08:01 IST
Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 21:24 IST

Parliament Winter Session Highlights, Constitution Debate in Rajya Sabha: A two-day special debate to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of Indias Constitution will begin in Rajya Sabha on Monday amid rising tensions over a no-confidence motion brought by opposition parties against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman initiated the debate from the governments end. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate. Prime Minister Narendra Modis reply is expected on Tuesday, the last day of debate in the upper house.

The discussion in the Rajya Sabha comes after two days of intense debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha, which witnessed several speakers from the ruling and opposition sides, taking on each other.

The debate in the lower house concluded with the reply from PM Modi, whose speech majorly revolved around praising the Constitution makers and the NDA governments vision to strengthen it. He also underscored the role of women in the Constituent Assembly.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday issued a three-line whip for all its Rajya Sabha members of Parliament, urging them to be present in the Upper House on December 16 and 17 during the scheduled debate on the Constitution of India.

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SC Calls For Rehabilitation Of Drug-Abused Youth, Says Substance Use Has Become A 'Cool' Trend

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 13:37 IST

The bench noted that drug addiction should not be seen as a taboo subject. Rather, it called for open discussions and awareness to address the issue

Supreme Court of India (Photo: PTI)

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over the growing issue of illicit drug trade and substance abuse in the country, stressing instead of demonising young people affected by drug abuse, there is a need to rehabilitate them.

A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh noted that drug abuse has sadly become a symbol of being cool" among certain groups.

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The bench noted that drug addiction should not be seen as a taboo subject. Rather, it called for open discussions and awareness to effectively address the issue and find long-term solutions.

The top courts remark was made during the hearing of a bail plea filed by an individual accused of being involved in a case where 500 kilogrammes of heroin were allegedly smuggled from Pakistan to India.

Expressing concern over the illicit drug trade in the country, the Supreme Court noted that drug profits are fueling terrorism and contributing to violence.

Academic pressure and family disturbances are also leading to the same, which is leading to long-term social and economic instability. Peer pressure, stress from academics and easy availability of drugs is a trigger and adolescents are also using it as emotional escapism," the court pointed.

The court also stressed that drug abuse affects not only the disadvantaged but people from all economic backgrounds.

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The youth must not follow those who resort to drug abuse and victims of substance abuse are not only limited to the downtrodden but cuts across economic barriers. We need not demonise the ones who have resorted to it but rehabilitate the individuals and make them constructive citizens," it stated.

(With inputs from PTI)

First Published: December 16, 2024, 13:23 IST
Why NSA Ajit Dovals China Visit Is Key: Exclusive On December 18 Talks

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 13:41 IST

NSA Ajit Dovals China Visit: We are hopeful to have meaningful dialogue with China for further engagement and to avoid a Galwan-like incident, said top government sources

The Special Representative (SR) talks are expected to involve multi-layered discussions. (PTI File)

National Security Advisor Ajit Dovals visit to China for Special Representative (SR) talks on December 18, in the backdrop of the LAC disengagement, will be key, said top government sources. The Chinese side will be represented by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

It is on expected linesWe expect things to be on track soon," said sources, adding, We are hopeful to have meaningful dialogue with China for further engagement and to avoid a Galwan-like incident," they said.

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The SR talks are expected to involve multi-layered discussions. They are likely to include defining the Line of Actual Control (LAC) more clearly with the ultimate goal of achieving a lasting resolution.

This meeting will also decide the timeline for the next Corps Commander-level meeting. This commander level talk will focus on operational issues regarding the ongoing patrolling and buffer zones to prevent further confrontations," sources said.

THE LAC STANDOFF & DISENGAGEMENT

The eastern Ladakh military standoff between India and China began in May 2020. The Galwan valley incident in June 2020 marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

There were seven points of conflict on the LAC, five of which had seen disengagement but the troops from both sides remained in an eyeball-to-eyeball conflict in the Depsang Plains and Demchock. The face-off ended following the completion of the disengagement process from two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had on October 21 had said in Delhi that the agreement was finalised following negotiations over the past several weeks and that it would lead to a resolution of the issues that arose in 2020.

Thirty-one rounds of diplomatic meetings and twenty-one rounds of military talks over four years, and two crucial meetings between foreign minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in July paved the way for India and China to achieve an agreement over disengagement at the LAC.

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Highlighting the improvement in the ties between the two countries after four years, external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha on December 3 that full disengagement has been achieved in eastern Ladakh, adding that India-China relations have seen some improvements".

With Agency Inputs

First Published: December 16, 2024, 13:33 IST
Combat Pollution With These Simple Indoor Plants For Clean, Fresh Air

Curated By :

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 20:29 IST

Certain indoor plants have air-purifying properties that help cleanse the air of harmful toxins.

Plants absorb toxins and release fresh oxygen.

In recent years, pollution has become a major concern in cities across the country, with harmful air quality leading to a rise in respiratory diseases and other health issues. Many people turn to expensive air purifiers to improve the air quality in their homes, spending large amounts of money on these devices. However, there is a simpler and more affordable solution  plants.

Certain indoor plants have remarkable air-purifying properties that not only help cleanse the air of harmful toxins but also contribute to a healthier living environment. Two such plants can be easily kept in your bedroom to help combat the pollution inside your home.

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Environmental expert Dr Kaushal Kishore Jaiswal explains that there are two specific plants that can thrive in indoor settings, without requiring much sunlight or fresh air, yet effectively purify the air. These plants absorb toxins and release clean oxygen, creating a fresh atmosphere in your room.

1. Filter Leaf (Singaporean Plant)

Dr Jaiswal recommends the filter leaf plant, also known as the Monstera or Singaporean plant, which is known for its ability to clean the air. It is particularly effective at eliminating indoor pollution and toxins, making it a great addition to your bedroom. The plant works by absorbing harmful substances in the air and releasing purified air, ensuring that you breathe in fresh oxygen all day. This plant not only helps reduce pollution but also adds an aesthetic touch to your room with its lush green foliage.

2. Palm Plant

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Another excellent choice is the palm plant, which thrives in low-light environments and requires minimal care. Unlike many plants, palm plants do not need direct sunlight to grow and can flourish in closed rooms, making them perfect for indoor spaces. The palm plant works as an air purifier by removing harmful pollutants and improving the overall air quality in your home. Its an ideal plant for those who want to create a fresher, healthier atmosphere indoors without the hassle of constant maintenance.

By incorporating these air-purifying plants into your home, you can significantly reduce your exposure to indoor pollution without spending on expensive air purifiers. These plants not only improve air quality but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your living spaces, making your home a cleaner and more pleasant place to live.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 20:29 IST
Kangana Ranaut Shows How To Make An Elegant Statement In A Muted Gold Saree

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 18:11 IST

Kangana Ranaut made an elegant statement in a muted gold saree. She paired the saree with gold jewellery and subtle glam makeup.

The gold saree was made out of mulberry silk, organza, and zari.

Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut is currently busy attending Parliamentary sessions. After stepping into politics, the actor continues to turn heads with her impeccable style when it comes to styling sarees and ethnic wear. Appearing at a recent event, she turned heads in a sheer gold saree which exuded elegance and feminine allure.

For her appearance at an event in Delhi, Kangana Ranaut opted for a muted gold saree. The sheer saree had a plain bodice but it was adorned with floral motifs on the pallu. The monotony of the saree was broken by gold borders on its hems. The actor paired this saree with a matching sleeveless blouse that came with a high U-neckline.

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Take a look at the picture here.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kanganaranaut (@kanganaranautstar)

Kanganas opted for a gold saree by Anavila. The saree was crafted out of mulberry silk, organza, and zari. The pallu featured floral motifs, such as jasmine, which holds high cultural significance in Southern India. The intricate embroidery of the saree elegantly frames the pallu and border, showcasing floral clusters inspired by European designs seen in the palaces of Chettinad. The saree retails for Rs 95,000 on the brands official website.

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For the accessories, the actor went with classic gold jewellery. She opted for gold earrings which had red stones dangling at the base. She went with a choker-style statement neckpiece that was adorned with green and red stones. She finished off her look with a gold bracelet and a bindi. The choker caught the eye as she tied her hair up in an elegant bun.

For the makeup, she went with a subtle glam look. She opted for a matte base and natural brown eyelids. She neatly combed her eyebrows in place and coated her eyelashes with just the right amount of mascara to make her eyes pop. She ditched the contour and went with a blush instead for a natural look. She sealed her look with a coral lipstick that gave her overall look a youthful flair.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 18:11 IST
Why Vijay Diwas Is Celebrated on December 16: History, Significance And Wishes To Share

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 09:17 IST

On December 16, 1971, Pakistani General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the commander of the Pakistani forces, formally surrendered to the combined forces of India and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini.

National War Memorial in New Delhi. (Image: Shutterstock)

Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on December 16 to commemorate Indias victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war which also resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh. The day represents a high point in Indian history. On this day, the country salutes the bravery and sacrifice of the armed forces.

Vijay Diwas History

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The 1971 war between India and Pakistan started on December 3 and lasted 13 days. The reason for the outbreak of this war was the humanitarian crisis in East Pakistan, where the Pakistani army launched a campaign against the civilian population. India intervened to support the people in their struggle for independence.

On December 16, 1971, Pakistani General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the commander of the Pakistani forces, formally surrendered to the combined forces of India and Bangladeshs Mukti Bahini. Approximately 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered, which was the largest military capitulation since World War II.

ALSO READ: Will Bangladeshs Muktijoddhas Attend Vijay Diwas Celebrations This Year? Heres What We Know

The victory gave birth not only to Bangladesh but also established India as a regional power. The casualties included an estimated death of about 3,900 Indian soldiers and hundreds sustained injuries.

Vijay Diwas 2024: Significance

Commemoration of Sacrifice: It is in memory of the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during that war. Freedoms Symbol: The day symbolises freedom from the yoke of oppression in Bangladesh, for justice and human rights to come out victorious. National Pride: The day also creates unity and cultivates a sense of patriotism among citizens, reminding one of the importance of defending freedom and sovereignty.

Wishes and Quotes for Vijay Diwas 2024

Wishing everyone a proud Vijay Diwas! To all these triumphs, may these lessons come as reminders of a great and united nation on the way forward."

Today is the day of Vijay Diwas, a day to remember all those heroes who have sacrificed themselves for the sake of this country."

Happy Vijay Diwas! Today, we salute those heroes who wrote a golden chapter in the annals of our history with their blood and sweat."

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On the day of Vijay Diwas, let us remember and pay respects to the soldiers who fought for the pride of our nation. Their dedication and sacrifice will forever be etched in our hearts."

Remembering the heroes of the 1971 War, who staked everything for a Bangladesh that was yet to be born, their bravery continues to inspire us."

First Published: December 16, 2024, 06:00 IST
Manoj Manchu Accuses Brother Vishnu Of Endangering His Family: 'It Could Have Led To Lives Lost'

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 15:05 IST

The Manchu family feud escalates as Manoj Manchu accuses his brother Vishnu Manchu of 'calculated sabotage.' Manoj alleges that Vishnu and his associates tampered with generators at his home, endangering his family.

Manoj Manchu accuses brother Vishnu Manchu of 'calculated sabotage,' alleging tampering with generators at his home, which endangered his family.

The ongoing feud within the Manchu family has taken another alarming turn as Manoj Manchu accused his elder brother Vishnu Manchu of endangering him and his family. According to The New Indian Express, Manoj made serious allegations in a press statement, claiming that Vishnu and his associates broke into his home on Saturday while he was away for a film shoot.

Manoj alleged that the group gained access to his property under the pretense of delivering a birthday cake for their mother. Once inside, he claims they deliberately sabotaged" the main generators by pouring a mixture of diesel and sugar into them, causing significant damage.

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The actor further detailed the consequences of this act, stating that the tampering led to a severe power failure late at night, resulting in dangerous electrical fluctuations. Manoj said, This put my entire household at risk, including my mother, my nine-month-old daughter, and other relatives who had come from the village."

He also alleged that vehicles were parked near the tampered generators, alongside active gas connections in the house, creating a potential hazard for a massive fire or explosion. It could have triggered a massive fire or explosion," he noted, emphasizing that such a scenario could have led to loss of lives.

Manoj claimed that the situation worsened when Vishnus associates forcibly removed his last loyal staff member from the house, leaving his family feeling vulnerable and helpless."

This incident is not an isolated one but part of a growing pattern of threats and hostility," Manoj said. He added that despite prior warnings from law enforcement, these actions have continued with complete disregard" for the safety of his family.

Urging authorities to take swift action, Manoj called for accountability to prevent further incidents and ensure his familys safety.

For the unversed, the family dispute between veteran actor Mohan Babu and his son, Manchu Manoj, became public after Mohan Babu filed a police complaint on December 9. He claimed that Manoj and his wife had forcibly occupied his Hyderabad home. In response, Manoj filed a counter-complaint, saying that ten unidentified people entered his house and attacked him. The incident is under investigation by the police.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 15:05 IST
When Alla Rakha Whispered Tabla Rhythms Instead Of Traditional Prayers To Zakir Hussain

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 10:17 IST

While others might have chosen traditional prayers, Alla Rakha offered his child the rhythm of tabla, treating it as the ultimate blessing.

The act was a declaration of the way music intertwined with Alla Rakhas spirituality. (Photo Credits: X)

The story of how the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain was introduced to the world is nothing short of fascinating. Its not every day that you hear about a father whispering tabla rhythms into his newborns ears instead of prayers. This unique moment, shared by Zakir Hussain himself, is an example of his father Alla Rakhas devotion to music and the divine connection he saw in his craft. Zakir Hussain, a few years ago, had recalled an intriguing memory involving his father, Alla Rakha.

I was brought home and handed over to my dad in his arms. The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the babys ear, welcoming the baby and saying some good words. So he takes me in his arms, puts his lips to my ear and recites the tabla rhythms into my ears," he told PTI.

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While others might have chosen traditional prayers, he offered his child the rhythm of the tabla, treating it as the ultimate blessing. Of course, such an unconventional gesture didnt sit well with everyone. Zakir narrated how his mother reacted with disapproval. He said, My mother was livid. She said, What are you doing? Youre supposed to say, you know, prayers, not rhythms. And he (Alla Rakha) said, but these are my prayers. This is how I pray."

He explained, I am the worshipper of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh." Alla Rakha believed in honouring the knowledge and artistry that his teachers had passed down to him. His music wasnt just a professionit was his form of devotion. And in that moment, he shared it with his newborn son, setting the foundation for Zakirs journey in music.

Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, would go on to become one of the most celebrated tabla maestros of all time. Recognised globally for his mastery, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

Despite his fame, Zakirs early life was marked by humility and dedication. He studied at St Michaels School in Mahim and later graduated from St Xaviers College in Mumbai. His commitment to music was evident even in his childhood. When travelling by train, Zakir would carefully cradle his tabla to ensure it wasnt touched by others feet, sometimes even using newspapers to make a temporary bed on the floor.

The maestro passed away in San Francisco, US, due to complications from a lung-related issue, namely idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 73. The news of his death was confirmed by his family on Monday.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 10:17 IST
When The Beatles George Harrison Helped Zakir Hussain Choose Tabla Over Rock Drumming: 'Can't Thank Him Enough'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 12:36 IST

Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro, passed away on December 15 at the age of 73 in San Francisco. Known for his unparalleled talent and cross-cultural collaborations, Hussain's career was profoundly shaped by his work with The Beatles George Harrison.

Known for collaborating with The Beatles George Harrison on Living in the Material World, Zakir Hussain's contributions to cross-cultural music have left an indelible mark.

Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, passed away on December 15 at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital, his family confirmed on Monday. Hussain, who had been hospitalized for two weeks, was in the ICU after his condition worsened. He succumbed to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of the iconic tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha.

Hussains career trajectory took a significant turn thanks to George Harrison, lead guitarist of The Beatles. During a tour with sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, Harrison extended an invitation to Hussain to join him at Trident Studios in London to record Living in the Material World, the follow-up to Harrisons acclaimed solo album All Things Must Pass.

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Reflecting on the experience, Hussain shared in an interview with The National: I remember I asked George, Why arent you playing sitar on this album? and I took it a step further and said, Why dont you play the sitar on stage?'" Harrison responded, I dont want to insult my teachers by playing the sitar badly on stage. It is not my instrument, and I havent grown up with it. But I can take that music, and I can transpose it on my guitar, which I have more control over, and offer my reverence and respect to the art form."

At the time, Hussain was considering exploring rock drumming, but Harrisons words had a lasting impact. George looked at me and said, You are here because you have something unique to offer. If you want to play drums, thats fine. But then you will join the 5,000 other drummers who are waiting in line to play with me, and you will have to work your way up to get here."

Recalling that moment, Hussain said, That was the day I dropped the idea of wanting to be a rock drummer and focused on making my instrument speak all the languages of rhythm that exist on this planet. I cant thank George enough for straightening me out."

In the same interview, Hussain remarked on the importance of adaptability in music: When you are on a journey, you dont know whats out there. So, you have to mould yourself to whatever is going on and go with the ebb and flow. When you are relaxed and open up, the music comes out with thoughts of the moment, and you are able to converse and interact with players from all genres."

For those unfamiliar with the history, in 1973, George Harrison released Living in the Material World, an album that reflected his spiritual introspection and innovative musical approach. The title track stood out as a prime example of Harrisons ability to blend Eastern and Western influences, with Zakir Hussains tabla playing adding an authentic and dynamic layer to the composition.

Harrisons longstanding interest in Indian culture and spirituality had been deeply influenced by his association with Ravi Shankar in the mid-1960s. This connection inspired his incorporation of Indian instruments and philosophies into his music. On Living in the Material World, Harrison juxtaposed themes of materiality and spirituality, a concept mirrored in the arrangement of the title track, which alternated between Indian musical elements and Western rock styles.

Hussains contribution to the album was crucial in creating the Indian segments, which provided an authentic resonance that beautifully contrasted the Western influences. His tabla rhythms not only enriched the song but also underscored Harrisons commitment to cross-cultural musical experimentation.

The album was both a commercial and critical triumph, reaching number one on the U.S. charts and number two in the U.K. Critics praised its seamless integration of diverse influences, with the title track being a testament to Harrisons visionary artistry and Hussains unparalleled talent.

Zakir Hussains collaboration with George Harrison on Living in the Material World remains a shining example of cross-cultural musical fusion. It marked a period in music history when global sounds were celebrated and explored, paving the way for future collaborations that transcended cultural boundaries. This iconic partnership between two musical legends continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 12:36 IST
Opinion | Bangladesh Crisis: The Urgent Need for AMU to Check Anti-India, Anti-Hindu Elements

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2024, 13:45 IST

For AMU to harbour students who engage in anti-India, anti-Hindu rhetoric is a betrayal of its own ethos and the taxpayers who fund it

For AMU to harbour students who engage in hateful, anti-India, and anti-Hindu rhetoric is a betrayal of its own ethos and the taxpayers who fund it, writes the author. (PTI File)

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) once again finds itself embroiled in a storm of controversy, this time over abusive and incendiary remarks allegedly made by Bangladeshi students on social media. What began as a few isolated posts has escalated into a full-blown crisis, with students demanding accountability for comments that demeaned Indian women, denigrated ISKCON as a radical Hindutva organisation", and insulted cultural practices in Uttar Pradesh.

These posts are not merely offensivethey cut to the heart of Indias pluralistic identity, challenging the very ethos of respect and harmony that universities are supposed to nurture. The remarks have sparked outrage among Hindu students, who see them as part of a broader pattern of casual anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments, fuelled in part by the silenceor worse, tacit indulgenceof institutional authorities.

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What makes this incident particularly galling is the audacity of the accused students to offer weak justifications, with one claiming that his social media account was hacked months ago. Such explanations do little to address the deep sense of radicalism slowly permeating the walls of the institution. This is not the first time AMU has been the epicentre of controversies steeped in religious and cultural fault lines, but the stakes seem higher now. At a time when communal tensions simmer across the country, the universitys response to this episode will have far-reaching implications. Will it act decisively to restore trust, or will it allow AMUs reputation to be further sullied by inaction and the perception of bias? This is not just about a few postsit is about the soul of a campus that has long walked the tightrope of identity, history, and modernity.

This incident is particularly troubling when viewed against the backdrop of escalating attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and the fragile state of India-Bangladesh relations. Over the past few years, and especially since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has seen a worrying pattern of targeted violence against its Hindu minority, with incidents ranging from the destruction of temples to mob attacks during festivals like Durga Puja. The communal flames across the border not only undermine the safety of a vulnerable community but also ripple into India, straining bilateral ties that have been carefully cultivated in recent years. For Bangladeshi students at AMU to make remarks echoing anti-Hindu sentiments adds salt to these wounds, exacerbating fears of imported bigotry and undermining the spirit of cross-cultural understanding that universities ought to promote.

The AMU administration must recognise the gravity of this situation and act decisively, particularly given the universitys controversial history of harbouring radical elements. The institution has often found itself under scrutiny, with incidents such as AMU students expressing solidarity with Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani after his death in 2016. This perception was further entrenched when Mannan Wani, an AMU PhD scholar, himself joined Hizbul Mujahideen and was later killed in an encounter.

As a student at AMU, I vividly recall being in a panel discussion with Mannan Wani on The Role of Men in Feminism," where he argued that women, due to their physical vulnerability, should limit their movement after 5 PMa stance I strongly opposed by pointing out that by this twisted logic, when the Azaadi militants are aware that they are weaker than the Indian Army, they should spend their time indoors too. The presence of individuals like Sharjeel Usmani, who has been associated with inflammatory activities and expressed solidarity with figures like Afzal Guru, further adds to this perception. Moreover, during the anti-CAA protests, the campus witnessed violent clashes fuelled by misinformation, with students resorting to stone-pelting against security personnel. If the administration fails to respond to these recent incidents with firm action, it risks solidifying its reputation as a breeding ground for extremist ideologies and undermining its role as a centre for higher learning and intellectual progress.

This incident also underscores critical legal and constitutional considerations regarding the conduct of foreign students in India and the consequences of making incendiary remarks against the host country. Foreign nationals studying in India on student visas are bound by Indian law, and any action that threatens public order, communal harmony, or national security can result in severe consequences, including visa cancellation and deportation. The Foreigners Act, 1946 grants the Indian government broad powers to regulate the entry, stay, and deportation of foreigners. Under this act, individuals who violate the terms of their visa or are found engaging in activities detrimental to public order can be expelled from the country. Furthermore, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), particularly Sections 153A and 295A, criminalises acts that promote enmity between groups on the basis of religion or insult religious beliefs, which could apply to offensive remarks made online or offline.

From a constitutional perspective, while Article 19 guarantees freedom of speech to Indian citizens, foreign nationals in India do not enjoy this right to the same extent. Additionally, Article 14, which ensures equality before the law, ensures that any foreign national violating Indian laws is subject to the same legal framework as an Indian citizen. The recent controversies also open the door for the use of provisions under the IT Act, 2000, particularly Section 66A, against offensive or inflammatory content posted online, although its application has been limited by judicial review. Incidents like these highlight the need for strict monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that foreign nationals respect the cultural and legal norms of their host country, and they set a precedent for the Indian government to act firmly in preserving public order and national dignity.

This incident carries grave implications for two crucial reasons. First, these Bangladeshi Muslim students must reflect on the historical reality that their nation owes its independence and freedoms largely to Indias intervention in 1971. When the Pakistani military launched a brutal campaign of genocide in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), marked by mass rapes and killings, it was India that stepped in to protect their population, even at great economic and strategic cost. Indias military intervention, despite global pressure, liberated Bangladesh from Pakistans oppressive regime, enabling the creation of an independent nation. For students from such a background to align themselves with anti-India rhetoric or mirror the language of those who once oppressed their people is not only deeply ironic but also a betrayal of their own history. While they are entitled to their opinions, common decency and gratitude would demand that they refrain from spewing hatred against the very country that played a decisive role in their survival and sovereignty.

Second, this incident should serve as a moment of introspection for AMU as an institution and the Indian Muslim community at large. Post-partition, Indian Muslims have enjoyed unparalleled privileges and acceptance in India, despite the countrys painful division on religious lines. From welfare schemes to educational institutions like AMU retaining their minority character while being funded by Indian taxpayers, the Indian state has consistently extended its support to the community. AMU, in particular, symbolises this generosity, operating as a publicly funded university that has also been granted special status to protect its cultural identity. However, incidents like this jeopardise the trust and goodwill that underpin these privileges.

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For AMU to harbour students who engage in hateful, anti-India, and anti-Hindu rhetoric is a betrayal of its own ethos and the taxpayers who fund it. As an alumnus of the institution, I firmly believe that taking harsh and uncompromising action against such individuals is not just a legal necessity but a moral obligation, to ensure the institution remains a bastion of education and not a breeding ground for divisive ideologies.

The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect news18s views.

First Published: December 15, 2024, 13:45 IST
Opinion | How New Right is New India: Decoding the Current Wave of Nationalism and Civilisational Revival

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2024, 12:44 IST

Today, as we analyse the rise of the Right in India, as Abhijit Majumders book does, one needs to look at the new nationalist, dharmic force as being largely the result of individual endeavours, rather than societal or governmental

Two chapters of the book, Nationalism and Mission Northeast and Bharats Queer and Conservative, have particularly stood out.

The wings, Left and Right, are often problematic, being among the most used, misused and even abused words in the history of humankind. Today, the Left wing is synonymous with liberals, while the Right is used for conservatives. This shows the power of narrative settings that Leftism, which legitimises authoritarianism, enforced uniformity and wanton violence in the name of stateless and classless society, appropriates for itself the liberal space, while its opponents are condemned to be seen as anything but liberal. What further exposes the absurdity of the two terms, especially in the Indian context, is their origins during the French revolution: In the summer of 1789, when members of the French National Assembly met to draft a constitution, those who were not in favour of the royalty seated themselves to the presiding officers left, while those in favour sat to the right.

Abhijit Majumders book, Indias New Right: Powering the Current Wave of Nationalism and Civilisational Revival, further exposes the ludicrousness of the notionsLeft and Right. At the very beginning of the book, he clarifies, The books title is inaccurate, one must admit upfront. Bharat does not have a Right wing in the Western sense. Many nationalists (or Indics or dharmics, as many call themselves) do not endorse a pure laissez-faire economy without any protection for local industry of the poor. They have no problem with alternative sexuality, fluid gender, or abortion in the early stages if it is the mothers choice. They are all anti-Left, but one cannot define such a large and strong movement by what it is not. Many even have a problem with being narrowly defined as nationalists, as Bharats ancient wisdom and traditions transgress the nations boundaries into universalism. The word dharmic is too morally loaded for the comfort of some. Indic may not immediately connect with an international reader. So, we have used Right as a convenient, portable shorthand in Indias New Right, strictly to be understood in Bharats context."

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In the book, Majumder examines every aspect of the resurgent Right by interviewing its prominent actors in fields as diverse as history and economy, media and social media, queer and the conservative, minorities and nationalist voices in them, among others. The larger picture that he paints about the Right is that the new nationalists do not carry an emblem tattooed into their flesh. They are not an elite club or secret society. They are every person, everywherequietly wiping your floor in the morning, poring over a newspaper on the local train, teaching your child, sending forwards in your family WhatsApp group, giving you change back at a toll plaza, driving your cab, talking on TV or YouTube, playing PUBG with friends at a sleepover, ordering whisky sour at the bar, or making love to you. Say something snide about India, and they may snap at you or give you a cold glare".

In a nutshell, new India largely encompasses the new Right, which has been in the line of fire of the minuscule but disproportionately influential Left-liberals. The battle is drawn on the Leftist narrative set by the weaponisation of Nehruvian secularism to create a wedge between those who believe in the idea of civilisational Bharat and those who dont, those who invent and institutionalise minorityhood to not just divide Hindus and Muslims but also between Muslims and the minorities within them who are the new, aspirational class seeking to look at things afresh rather than from narrow communal lines.

The backbone of the book is its interviews, detailed and insightful, with Indias new Right. They just not only give a warm, personalised peep into the lives of these dharmic warriors but also an objective, dispassionate take on some of the major challenges posing the country. So, while we are told how Sanjeev Sanyal, in his younger days, was Kolkatas break-dancing champion" and also had an instructor-grade licence for kayaking and canoeing", the interview makes it abundantly clear that history and economy remain ideological battlegrounds. J Sai Deepak, while talking about his life journey, emphasises, with profound clarity on Indias civilisational place in the world" and that the nation has reached a critical inflection point in history". His one particular area of disappointment, however, is the continued state control of temple funds while minority religious trusts enjoy exemptions". He wonders why the (Indian) State believes that corruption is exclusively Hindu and limited to Hindu institutions".

Similarly, David Frawley makes an interesting comment about Mahatma Gandhi in Indias cultural/civilisational context. He says, I dont want to be critical of Gandhi, but Gandhi is not the best image for a country. Why? One, as a man in a loincloth, he doesnt represent economic development. You should have Goddess Laxmi or Ganesha on your money. And then Gandhi is a secular figure. But no secular figure wears a loincloth. Thats a religious figure. His many good teachings are there, but thats not a model the youth can follow. They are not going to be wearing a loincloth, they are not going to be spinning wheels. I think Aurobindo had a better model. You need a model here that can be spiritual, hip, educated, scientific, and technological, and able to deal with the whole world today." A strong but pertinent point, indeed.

Reading the book on the whole has been a satisfying experience, but two chapters, Nationalism and Mission Northeast and Bharats Queer and Conservative, have particularly stood out. These chapters talk about topics that are little-known in some cases and taboo in others. At the end of it all, one is not just aware of the innate strength and vitality of the Indic civilisation but also its accommodative, progressive outlook.

One interesting aspect of Indias new Right has been its organic growth and evolution in the country. Unlike how the Left piggybacked on Indira Gandhis shoulders to infiltrate the countrys academic world, the new Right isnt the direct byproduct of political patronage, though there is no denying that the political development in the country since 2014 has a spillover effect on the overall intellectual sphere.

The Left could retain its pre-eminence not through intellectual heft (which it often claims) but through political patronage and networking. In the late 1960s and the 70s, when communists infiltrated the countrys academic, intellectual, and cultural institutions and think tanks en masse through political patronage and interference, the offices of PN Haksar and Nurul Hasan, the two Leftist stalwarts who should be credited for this turn of events, would look like the durbars of old except that conversation would be mouthed in Marxist jargon even though it could not hide the grovelling and cringing overtones that clung tenaciously to words and gestures", as Raj Thapar writes in her memoir All These Years.

They retained their monopolistic hold over Indias mindscape not through the supremacy of their ideas but through the sustainability of the political power that chose to patronise them. Since the 1990s, when the Congress, the biggest benefactor of the communist ecosystem, weakened politically, the Lefts hold over Indias mind, quite predictably, suffered a setback, too.

Apart from the lack of political patronage, what has further made history writing a level playing field, especially in the last decade and a half, is the emergence of social media, which has democratised the world of ideas and opinions as never before. The younger nationalist intellectuals and writers, most of whom have considerable social media followings, could easily defy the Left-imposed intellectual curfew. They are not just competing with the Left-liberals, they are also beating them squarely on what was till the other day the exclusive communist turf. They arent camera shy and are equally articulate with a pen. They rule the TV and social media shows and write bestsellers much more consistently than Leftist intellectuals. Also, what separates the new Right from the old is that while the previous generation largely operated within the parameters defined by their intellectual adversaries, the current ones are redefining and rewriting their own path.

Today, as we analyse the rise of the Right in India, as Abhijit Majumders seminal book does, one needs to look at the new nationalist, dharmic force as being largely the result of individual endeavours, rather than societal or governmental. There is no denying the force of the Right is only growing by the day, but it still needs a more concerted, organised response. One may find this individualistic approach from the fact that while an eclectic range of books is coming up from individual efforts challenging the old, statist, Leftist worldview, the same doesnt get reflected spontaneously in the sarkari NCERT books of the day.

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The gravity of the situation demands the Right to get it right institutionally as well. Individual efforts are fine, but the change wont be durable without creating a strong, vibrant academic, intellectual ecosystem. India still has miles to go.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect news18s views.

First Published: December 15, 2024, 12:44 IST
Opinion | Sri Lankas Pivot Away From China Is A Big Win For Indias Foreign Policy

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 12:07 IST

Sri Lanka has realised who its real friend is. However, it has learnt this the hard way

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is in India for his first overseas visit as head of state. (Image: X)

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is in India for his first overseas visit as head of state. At a time when China is competing for influence in not just Sri Lanka, but the larger Indian Ocean Region, President Dissanayakes visit to India assumes great significance. It is a reminder of how India remains central and of topmost priority for Sri Lankan leaders and policymakers, despite growing Chinese influence. After all, at the height of Sri Lankas economic meltdown in 2022, it was India that rushed to its rescue. China, for all practical purposes, was absent from the landscape.

Despite Challenges, India is Batting on the Front Foot in its Neighbourhood

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For far too long, many foreign policy enthusiasts and geopolitical geeks have lamented the fact that China has been making inroads into what was traditionally Indias exclusive spheres of influence  or so we thought. They are not entirely wrong, but to blame India incessantly, without recognising the major wins as and when they come, is not right either. One must recognise the fact that China, much like India, is not just a strong regional power. It is, indeed, a hefty global player too.

So, India is up against a giant. What is commendable though, is that New Delhi is now aggressively pushing back and bravely standing up to China  publicly so.

Sri Lankas Not-So-Subtle Message to China, and Why India Has Reason to Celebrate

Sri Lanka is an interesting country. In an interview earlier this year, former Sri Lankan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya hailed his countrys civilisational link" with India. China was mentioned too, but only as an important trading partner". That gives us a sense of what is brewing in the power corridors of Colombo.

The biggest highlight of Sri Lankas ongoing pivot away from China was its earlier decision to scrap a tender won by a Chinese company to build power generation facilities in the island nation. The story takes a dramatic turn when one realises that not only did Sri Lanka scrap the tender with China, but chose to award the project to India instead. The project involves the construction of three solar and wind hybrid power generation facilities. Initially financed by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan, the project was temporarily shelved two years ago after India raised concerns over Chinas involvement.

Accordingly, renewables firm U-Solar from Bengaluru will build the facilities on islets near the northern city of Jaffna, not far from Indias southern coast. In fact, the proximity of these facilities to Indias southern coast is what had prompted New Delhi to object to Chinas involvement in the project.

The project includes installing transmission infrastructure, distribution networks, setting up 70 charging stations and providing solar panels to villages. Various sustainability features like LED street lighting, smart meters and microgrids with remote monitoring are also incorporated.

The power project aside, India also scored a significant win against China in January when Sri Lanka decided that it will not allow any Chinese research vessel to dock at its ports or operate within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for one year. The direct implication of this decision was that Colombo effectively denied entry to the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3, which was scheduled to conduct deep water exploration" in the south Indian Ocean from January to late May.

Sri Lanka has realised who its real friend is. However, it has learnt this the hard way. At the height of Sri Lankas economic crisis in 2021 and 2022, China pretty much remained absent from action. Beijing offered not more than a few million dollars as immediate aid, and ignored the island nations requests for loan restructuring. By the way, China is Sri Lankas biggest external creditor and Chinese loans are one of the primary reasons why Colombo finds itself in a giant economic mess. This is because Chinas debt-trap policy has matured rather remarkably in Sri Lanka.

While China dragged its feet, India rushed to the crisis-hit island nations rescue. For example, at the height of the financial and economic crisis in Sri Lanka, India swiftly extended a lifeline to the country with assistance of over $4 billion, surpassing even the International Monetary Funds 48-month bailout of about $3 billion. Military-to-military ties between the two sides also witnessed a fillip, as many Indian naval ships, including the INS Batti Malv, INS Nireekshak, and INS Delhi docked at Sri Lankan ports throughout 2023.

Not Just Sri Lanka, India Has Extended a Helping Hand to the Entire Subcontinent

China has been using its money power to win over smaller countries in Indias neighbourhood. This is in line with Beijings broad String of Pearls" strategy to encircle India. As a result, it became necessary for India to step up its own game and start aiding countries in the region more aggressively. As a result, India has so far offered 308 lines of credit (LOC), worth about $32.02 billion, to various partners in Asia and Africa.

These funds have supported more than 600 development projects in sectors such as infrastructure, power, connectivity and health across countries of the Global South. About $17.06 billion has gone to countries in Asia, and the largest concessional credit given by India to a country has been to Bangladesh, worth about $8 billion. India also stood steadfast with Bangladesh in recent months, as the West attempted to weaken Sheikh Hasinas government and remove her from power. India came out in open support of Hasina, and rightfully so.

For India, Islamists getting power in Bangladesh was simply a no-brainer. By supporting Sheikh Hasina, New Delhi successfully sent a message across the region that it stands by Indias friends.

Importantly, between 2014 and 2020, Indias lines of credit to its neighbours increased fourfold, going from $3.27 billion to $14.7 billion. This shows that the Modi government has been taking the initiative to counter China from the word go.

While the victories must be commended, the challenges need to be pointed out too. For India, the biggest concern remains Chinas determined wish to replace it as the sole power centre in Asia. It goes without saying that this Chinese strategy is here to stay. Beijings romance with Pakistan, its constant meddling in Nepal and of course, its growing friendship with the Maldives remain Indias biggest challenges. China is also attempting to wean countries in the Indian Ocean Region away from New Delhi.

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While victory and defeat are both part of this game, India must make sure it wins more battles than it loses. Only that, apart from solid economic growth and strengthening of its domestic military-industrial complex can ensure Indias continuity as the dominant player in South Asia and the wider Indian Ocean Region.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 12:07 IST
Opinion | Vijay Diwas In Shadow Of Radicalism: Reassessing Indias Bangladesh Strategy

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 16:30 IST

Nostalgia for 1971 and the liberation of Bangladesh will not solve the problems of 2024. India needs a strategy that is not based on knee-jerk reactions but is carefully thought out and balanced

Foreign secretary of India Vikram Misri holds talks with Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin | Image/ANI

53 years ago, Dhaka had fallen. East Pakistan was liberated from the clutches of West Pakistan, and the West Pakistani army surrendered in the thousands to their Indian counterparts. The iconic photograph from the Ramna Race Course, capturing Pakistan signing the instrument of surrender, is once again making its victory lap on the internet.

Five decades ago, victory came for the Bangladeshis, but at an immense cost. Their cities lay in ruins, and their farms were stained with blood. Yet, from the ashes, a nation was forged.

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In 2024, Dhaka has fallen once more. This time, there is no instrument of surrender, no liberation for the masses. The democratically elected government has been overthrown, and radicals and Islamists have taken control of what was once a thriving nation. Bangladeshs Mukti Bahini, which fought shoulder to shoulder with the battalions of Indias armed forces for independence, now stands as a distant memory. Meanwhile, videos have surfaced of retired Bangladeshi officers offing threats to capture Kolkata.

We are able to capture Kolkata within 4 days.Retired Bangladesh Army Major.. pic.twitter.com/9YIQ5RYnw2  Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus  (@VHindus71) December 7, 2024

Suffice it to say, relations between the two countries are at an all-time low. Anti-India sentiment is on the rise, as is Islamic fundamentalism and the violence against minorities that once gripped Dhaka in 1969. Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs are being systematically persecuted, beaten, and lynched, as mobs of Muslim men roam the streets of the city, hunting for their next victim. Videos of bloodied and mutilated bodies are circulating widely on the internetbodies of Hindu minorities who, until a few months ago, had been living normal lives. This is not the Bangladesh that India helped bring into existence.

Extremism and Indias Foreign Policy

The resurgence of Islamist extremism in Bangladesh poses a grave threat to regional stability, with potential ramifications extending far beyond its borders. The current interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has displayed a troubling leniency towards radical groups. The ban on Jamaat-e-Islami has been lifted, allowing various extremist elements to resurface and operate with impunity.

This is not mere conjecture; there is concrete evidence to substantiate these claims. Reports indicate a sharp escalation in attacks on Hindu temples and communities, ranging from desecration to targeted violence.

The alarming rise in religious intolerance in Bangladesh not only endangers the safety and security of its citizens but also threatens to destabilise the entire region. The possibility of cross-border spillover effects, including radicalisation and violence, cannot be overlooked.

Reports of terrorist activity along the border are increasing, with groups like Harkat-ul-Jihad and Ansar Bangla Team reportedly preparing for attacks. Some are even planning to establish bases in Kolkata and Assam, creating significant security concerns for several Indian states. This isnt some theoretical threat, its real and present. Its a slap in the face to everything India stands for.

Years of hard work in building economic partnerships and connectivity projects are now on the brink of collapse. These initiatives, which had fostered mutual growth and collaboration, are quickly becoming relics of the past as the new radical government has chosen to cozy up to China, with whom their trade ties are also improving, at the cost of Indias.

Indias Look East" policy is also threatened. Bangladesh is a key transit point for trade and connectivity. A hostile Bangladesh, potentially aligned with China and Pakistan, could disrupt crucial infrastructure projects and hinder Indias access to the Northeast. Bangladesh recently backed out of a deal to provide internet bandwidth to Indias Northeastern states, opting instead to pursue a similar arrangement with China. It clearly illustrates Dhakas shifting priorities. The potential for a third front" against India, with Bangladesh joining the China-Pakistan axis, is becoming a real and worrying possibility.

Indias Dilemma

This isnt just a blip on the radar or a squabble between neighbours. Whats happening in Bangladesh is a full-blown crisis and India needs to wake up. For decades, Indias foreign policy with Bangladesh was relatively straightforward, focused on its ties with the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina. But now that the rug has been pulled out from underneath, New Delhi finds itself caught in a sticky situation.

Hasinas ouster has fundamentally altered the landscape and India is now dealing with a Bangladesh that is not only hostile, but also increasingly flirting with Pakistan and China. All this is happening as anti-India sentiments are skyrocketing, fuelled by both political opportunists and hardcore fundamentalists. The very nation that India helped birth now seems to view it with suspicion, in what is a clear blow to Indias regional aspirations.

In addition, India cannot afford to be seen as interfering in Bangladeshs internal affairs, yet it also cannot stand idly by while a neighbouring country descends into chaos and radicalism. This requires a nuanced and multifaceted strategy that goes beyond simply picking sides.

India faces a tricky dilemma. It has legitimate security concerns, but heavy-handed intervention could backfire, further fuelling anti-India sentiment and pushing Bangladesh closer to China. New Delhi needs to tread carefully, balancing its security interests with its commitment to democratic values and human rights. Condemning the violence against minorities is crucial, but so is respecting Bangladeshs sovereignty.

A New Strategy for Engagement

India needs a bold, new strategy for engaging with Bangladesh. This strategy must be grounded in realism, acknowledging the changed political landscape and the rise of extremism.

First, diplomatic engagement should remain paramount, despite the challenges posed by the current regime. India must maintain an open dialogue with all political groups in Bangladesh, not just those that align with its interests. It is crucial to broaden diplomatic outreach beyond the Awami League, engaging with other political parties, civil society groups, and even the BNP. However, New Delhi must also make it clear that it expects certain standards of human rights, particularly concerning minorities. India should emphasise that it does not take sides politically but only expects the country to remain secular.

This is about protecting shared values, not interfering in domestic affairs. India has to be firm and clear. This also means addressing Bangladeshs concerns, such as the Teesta water-sharing agreement and trade imbalances. Resolving these longstanding issues would go a long way in demonstrating Indias commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership.

Second, economic pressure is another powerful tool, but it must be used wisely. Bangladesh is highly dependent on India for many things; a large proportion of its imports come from India, and Indias economic strength is crucial for its stability and growth. India must make it clear that these economic and trade privileges will be contingent on better behaviour. It is quite baffling that while Bangladesh relies on India for trade, it is simultaneously courting Pakistan and China. This does not make sense. However, the response must be carefully calibrated to ensure it targets the radical government, not the Bangladeshi population. Indias economic might is a bargaining chip, and it must use that leverage to secure the desired outcomes.

Finally, security cooperation is crucial to ensuring that Indias border security is maintained. The rise of terrorist groups along the border must be addressed by increasing intelligence sharing and joint counter-terrorism operations with Bangladesh, assuming the new radical government is willing to cooperate. If they are not, India must be prepared to secure its borders with or without Bangladeshs cooperation. India should also prepare for the possibility that the China-Pakistan axis may use Bangladesh to destabilise the region and bolster security in the Northeast to counter this potential threat.

Indias Role in Regional Leadership

India must also leverage its position as a regional leader to promote a more inclusive and tolerant South Asia. It must work with other regional partners, including Nepal and Bhutan, to address the shared threat of extremism. This requires strengthening security cooperation, sharing intelligence, and coordinating efforts to counter radicalisation and cross-border terrorism.

By taking a leadership role in promoting regional stability and security, India can safeguard its own interests while upholding its values and fostering a more peaceful and prosperous South Asia.

Its time for a reality check. Nostalgia for 1971 and the liberation of Bangladesh will not solve the problems of 2024. India needs a strategy that is not based on knee-jerk reactions but is carefully thought out and balanced. We are not just talking about bilateral relations but the future of stability and security in a region we are a part of. India must act now, and that action must be assertive, balanced, and carefully calibrated. The country has no other option.

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The future of Bangladesh, and indeed the region, hangs in the balance.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 16:30 IST
I Am Upset: No Place In Maharashtra Cabinet, Bhujbal Joins Sulking Athawale, Rana

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 20:14 IST

Maharashtra Cabinet: Chhagan Bhujbals exclusion is being viewed as a missed opportunity for the NCP faction to consolidate its OBC vote base

Chhagan Bhujbal was widely expected to secure a ministerial position. (PTI)

While nine ministers from Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were sworn into the Maharashtra cabinet on Sunday, the exclusion of veteran leader and former minister Chhagan Bhujbal has led to political tension within the faction.

Bhujbal, a prominent OBC face in Maharashtra politics, was widely expected to secure a ministerial position. However, his name was conspicuously missing from the list of new cabinet inductees, leaving him visibly displeased.

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Bhujbal, in a sharp response to his exclusion, told reporters, Yes, I am upset. You should ask those who sidelined me about the reasons."

He then left for Nashik, skipping extended discussions in Mumbai, signalling his discontent with the partys decision-making.

VIDEO | Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) addresses a press conference after 39 Mahayuti leaders were sworn-in as ministers.#MaharashtraCabinetExpansion #Maharashtra(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/lsZfDA5Yzf  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 15, 2024

BHUJBAL SAID NO TO RAJYA SABHA; SKIPPED MEET

Sources within Ajit Pawars NCP faction revealed that the party had considered nominating Bhujbal to the Rajya Sabha as a consolation. Insiders claim that Bhujbal himself had earlier expressed an interest in moving to the Upper House, but the timing of this offer appears to have failed to pacify him. Bhujbals rejection of the proposal has further fuelled speculation about his next political step.

Bhujbals sudden departure for Nashik on the day of the cabinet expansion has added to the uncertainty surrounding his political future. He plans to engage in discussions with members of the Samata Parishad, a socio-political organisation he leads, to deliberate on the course of action. His meetings with his supporters are expected to clarify whether he will continue with Ajit Pawars faction or consider alternative political alignments.

The decision to exclude Bhujbal from the cabinet has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. Several leaders have accused the NCP faction of sidelining Bhujbal because of his OBC identity, a sensitive issue in Maharashtra politics. Bhujbals exclusion is being viewed as a missed opportunity for the NCP faction to consolidate its OBC vote base.

VIDEO | "I held a conversation with Amit Shah ji, but I will meet him again. I am going to Delhi. We thought that our name will be there in this (Maharashtra Cabinet expansion), and Devendra Fadnavis had promised us about it as well. However, it was not implemented. I will try to pic.twitter.com/fI1FpYjCqH Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 15, 2024

RAMDAS ATHAWALE, RAVI RANA TOO UPSET

Bhujbal is not the only one who is upset and sulking. The Bharatiya Janata Party BJP-supported independent MLA Ravi Rana and RPI(A) chief and central minister Ramdas Athawale are also not amused over the first cabinet expansion.

Athawale told reporters in Delhi that his party was promised one cabinet berth by CM Devendra Fadnavis, but he didnt keep the promise. MLA Ravi Rana, who is a close confidant of Fadnavis, left for his hometown, Amravati, as he was not included in the cabinet.

Ranas wife, Navneet Rana, hinted on social media with the help of a video message that Ravi Rana is upset. Interestingly, she did not take anyones name while posting her video message nor blamed anyone. But these events certainly raised questions about the Mahayutis decision-making process.

Critics argue that the BJP and its allies risk alienating key leaders and their voter bases by sidelining them during critical moments.

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The dissatisfaction of these leaders underscores the challenges of balancing competing ambitions within the coalition. For Bhujbal, his next steps remain uncertain as he consults his supporters in Nashik. Similarly, Ranas decision to return to Amravati signals possible resentment, while Athawales discontent could strain the BJPs ties with its Dalit ally.

As Maharashtras political landscape evolves, these developments could significantly impact the Mahayutis unity and electoral prospects. The coming days will determine whether these grievances are resolved or escalate into deeper divisions within the ruling alliance.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 20:00 IST
Karnatakas Yediyurappa Vs Yatnal: How BJP Plans To Iron Out The Differences

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 19:29 IST

It is learnt that the BJP high command has asked both Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and BS Yediyurappa to travel to Delhi for discussions aimed at resolving their differences

BS Yediyurappa (left) and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal . (PTI/X)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Karnataka are deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict between factions of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal.

They believe the rivalry is damaging the partys image, prospects, and, most importantly, the morale of its workers. Leaders feel that only an intervention by the central leadership can resolve the issue.

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The party cadre, who form the heart of any political party, are confused, upset and demoralised as this conflict within the state leadership forces them to take sides between political leaders. There is a need to resolve this issue, and the central leaders must call both parties to the table and ensure a truce soon," said a senior BJP leader with nearly three decades of experience in building the party in Karnataka.

It is learnt that the BJP high command has asked both Yatnal and Yediyurappa to travel to Delhi for discussions aimed at resolving their differences and working together for the partys growth.

Yatnal last week visited Delhi to meet Om Pathak, member secretary of the committee, to apprise the leadership of the issues plaguing the state BJP". He is also said to have made recommendations to correct the course of the Karnataka BJP at this time. These included the need to end dynastic politics in the party and remove corrupt leaders from key posts who were in tacit understanding and indulging in adjustment politics" with the ruling Congress.

According to BJP sources, the leadership has taken up the issue very seriously and wants it resolved before the year-end. Although the exact timing of the meeting is unclear, insiders say the central leadership has also asked Yatnal to refrain from making public statements against Yediyurappa and his son and state BJP president BY Vijayendra. These remarks, they say, have tarnished the partys image and unnecessarily given the Congress ammunition to attack them.

With Zilla Parishad and Panchayat elections approaching in Karnataka, the BJP leadership is eager to ensure internal unity and present a strong front to voters.

YATNALs CONCERNS

Yatnal has vehemently opposed Vijayendras appointment as the state party chief, saying it promotes dynastic politics and that the position was gained through blackmail. In his defence, Yatnal stated that he has not spoken ill of the party or any BJP leader. I have expressed my concern over a family taking control of the party and disregarding party loyalists," said Yatnal, who was recently served two show-cause notices by the BJP central leadership.

The former Union minister also expressed concern over those who were hearing his case and urged the party leadership to send a neutral leader from Delhi to the state to meet the leaders individually and elicit their opinions.

The leader who comes to Karnataka to resolve this issue should be someone who considers the party as their own mother. Most leaders also feel that the party should come out of cooperative (adjustment) politics, remove corrupt leaders, and free itself from the clutches of a single family. We need to strengthen the Hindutva ideology in the party," he said.

THE INFIGHTING

Speaking to News18 on the condition of anonymity, several BJP leaders emphasised the importance of resolving this infighting. They warned that if the Yatnal-Yediyurappa dispute isnt addressed, the party could face another setback, similar to the recent bypolls where the BJP expected to win at least two of the three seats that went to polls. The bypolls were held in Shiggaon, Channapatna, and Sandur. The BJP had hoped to secure Shiggaon, the home constituency of former CM Basavaraj Bommai, where his son Bharat Bommai contested, as well as Channapatna, from where Union minister and NDA ally H.D. Kumaraswamys son, Nikhil, contested.

This needs to be addressed immediately," said a senior BJP leader from the Kalyana Karnataka region. The partys strength lies in leadership, strategy, and communication. However, every time we take a step to strengthen our position as a strong opposition by holding Congress accountable for its misrule, mismanagement, and poor governance, the infighting blunts those efforts," the leader added.

Another leader highlighted that personal egos and public confrontations within the party are counterproductive. A party must function as a unified team under its leadership. Members are free to voice their opinions and debate internally, but it should never be done in a way that harms the partys image or legacy," they said.

THE ROOT CAUSE

Yatnal, a former union minister in the Vajpayee government, has always been a contentious figure. Despite his criticisms of the BJPs state leadership and the Yediyurappa family, he was chosen as one of the partys key campaigners in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. Yatnal has defended his stance, claiming his comments are not anti-party but aimed at addressing issues such as dynastic politics.

The conflict between Yatnal and Yediyurappa intensified after Vijayendras appointment as state BJP president. Yatnal accused Yediyurappa of using undue influence to secure the position for his son. He also alleged that the Yediyurappa familys dominance in the party fosters corruption and tacit understandings with Congress in certain constituencies.

The strained relationship between Yatnal and Yediyurappa dates back to 2019, when Yediyurappa excluded him from his cabinet, a decision later repeated by Basavaraj Bommai. These exclusions have fuelled Yatnals discontent.

Yatnals criticism has found support among other BJP leaders, including Arvind Limbavali, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Pratap Simha, Kumar Bangarappa, G.M. Siddeshwara, Anna Saheb Jolle, and B.P. Harish.

Ramesh Jarkiholi, a congressman who jumped ship to the BJP along with 18 others in 2019, openly criticised Vijayendra, calling him inexperienced and unfit to lead the state BJP.

There is a reason why such rebellion happens," cautioned another senior BJP leader. Those who claim they are loyal to the party have worked against its interests in the past. They now hold positions of power within the BJP and have even worked to ensure the defeat of BJP candidates. Suddenly, they claim they are rebuilding the party. Such double standards are unacceptable," the leader added.

Another leader stated that many senior BJP members felt sidelined after working tirelessly to build the party in Karnataka alongside Yediyurappa. Once the party came to power, these loyal leaders were either ignored or denied tickets. This is a complex issue, but it must be addressed," the leader said.

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The partys poor performance in the recent bypolls has further highlighted the internal discord. Yediyurappa described the losses as a collective setback for the BJP and urged members to work together to address the issues. Despite these challenges, Yediyurappa downplayed the tensions, expressing confidence that discussions with Yatnal could resolve the matter.

Adding to the internal strife, Yatnal has launched a separate campaign on Waqf-related issues, diverging from the partys official stance. This has created confusion among the cadre, though Yatnal claims the leadership appreciates his work on the issue.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 19:28 IST
Yogi Adityanath Alleges Illegal Power Sub-Stations At Sambhal Mosques In UP Assembly

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 20:01 IST

Adityanath said many mosques where, illegal sub-stations were made and connections were distributed for free, were found in Sambhal

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (PTI file photo)

Attacking the opposition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said mini-power stations are being operated from religious places in Sambhal.

Sambhal witnessed violence over survey of a Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid killing four people on November 24. Several persons, includinjg police personnel, were injured in the clashes between the locals and the police.

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Speaking in the UP Assembly after the Question Hour, Adityanath said many mosques where, illegal sub-stations were made and connections were distributed for free, were found in Sambhal. The line loss of the power corporation in the state is less than 30 per cent, but the line loss in Deepasarai and Mirasarai localities of Sambhal is 78 per cent and 82 per cent respectively, he said.

This is a loot of the countrys resources. If the administration is discharging its duty, it will be called a thief and if the administration catches the theft, it will be said that it is an atrocity," Adityanath said.

He said it feels bad when the truth comes out in front of everyone. Those who cannot compete, they speak ill, he added.

You (opposition) are also committing the same evil. Truth and justice are not reflected in your evil," Adityanath said.

He said it is biased and it weakens the system of democracy.

No problem arises during the festivals of any Muslim or other religions. But if anyone creates a problem during a Hindu festival, the government will deal with it strictly," Adityanath said.

The UP chief minister also said there is a dispute between Turks and Pathans in Sambhal.

Shafiqur Rahman Barq (former SP MP) used to call himself not a citizen of India, but a descendant of Babur. You have to decide whether you consider the invaders as your ideal or Ram, Krishna and Buddha.

Only the tradition of Ram, Krishna and Buddha will remain in India. The tradition of Babur and Aurangzeb will not remain (in India)," he added.

Adityanaths statement assumes significance in the light of the fact that it comes barely days after the Sambhal administration reopened a temple locked since 1978 following communal riots in the town.

Officials said the temple, a stones throw from the Shahi Jama Masjid, was opened after authorities stumbled" on it during an anti-encroachment drive.

The Bhasma Shankar temple houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a shivling.

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The temple had remained locked since 1978 after the communal riots that led to the displacement of the local Hindu community, locals claimed.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra, who was leading a campaign against electricity theft in the area, had said, While inspecting the region, we stumbled upon this temple. Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities."

Location : Uttar Pradesh, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 19:53 IST
'Congress Is New Muslim League': BJP Reacts To Priyanka Gandhi's 'Palestine' Bag In Parliament

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 19:55 IST

Taking a swipe at Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said she is a "bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi"

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi on December 16. (Image: PTI)

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadras show of support for war-ravaged Palestine in the form of a bag she carried to Parliament on Monday, has triggered a war of words with the BJP terming it as Muslim appeasement".

Hitting out at Priyanka over the bag issue, the BJP wondered what message she wanted to send across. They said while she was showing solidarity for Palestinians, she had not spoken out against the reported attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

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She, however, reportedly hit back at the criticism calling it typical patriarchy" and said no one will decide what she wears. When asked about the BJPs reaction, she said the saffron party should not dwell on useless things".

Tell them that they should do something about the atrocities that are happening on minorities  Hindus and Christians  in Bangladesh. Talk to the Bangladesh government and stop these atrocities" she told news agency ANI, adding (on Palestine bag issue) that they should not say such useless things."

According to a video posted by Congress national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate, when the Wayanad MP was leaving in a car, she sternly reacted on the backlash over her bag. Ive said many times what my beliefs are regarding this. If you look at my Twitter handle, all my comments are over there. Whos going to decide what clothes I wear now, whos going to decide that? Thats typical patriarchy, that you decide what clothes women wear also. I dont subscribe to that, Ill wear what I want," she told reporters.

Watch the video here:

Very few people in this world are led by the courage of their convictions I am glad @priyankagandhi has stood by her word  that under NO circumstances NOTHING can justify the brutal killing of children in Gaza And yes, no one will decide what she wears! pic.twitter.com/QP6KUqdIEM  Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) December 16, 2024

WANTS TO MAKE FASHION STATEMENT

Slamming Priyanka, Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur said she was only interested in making a fashion statement". She did not speak a word on atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh but wants to make a fashion statement with the Palestine bag," he said.

Calling the Congress the new Muslim League", senior BJP leader Amit Malviya called Priyanka a bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi". Taking a swipe at her, he said a two-minute silence must be observed for the Congress at the end of the winter session.

At the end of this Parliament session, observe a two minute silence for everyone in the Congress, who believed Priyanka Vadra was the long-awaited solution, they should have embraced earlier. She is a bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi, who thinks sporting a bag in support of Palestine in the Parliament, is about fighting patriarchy. That is right. Crass communal virtue signaling to Muslims is now cloaked as stance against patriarchy!" he said in a post on X.

At the end of this Parliament session, observe a two minute silence for everyone in the Congress, who believed Priyanka Vadra was the long-awaited solution, they should have embraced earlier. She is a bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi, who thinks sporting a bag in support of pic.twitter.com/UHofKVKdei Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 16, 2024

He added: Make no mistake, Congress is the New Muslim League."

Another BJP leader, Dr Anirban Ganguly, said Priyanka was neither well-informed, nor is she educated" and absolutely unaware of geopolitical landscape". Echoing Malviya, he called the Congress the new Muslim League" and said the Nehru-Gandhi family had always displayed an anti-Hindu mindset".

Congress is the new Muslim League. Priyanka Gandhi is neither well informed, nor is she educated. She is absolutely unaware of the geopolitcal landscape Right from Pt Nehru to Priyanka Gandhi, they have alwasys shown their anti-Hindu mindset. They never said anything for the persecuted minorities in Bangladesh. Her carrying the Palestine bag to the Parliament is nothing but the Muslim League agenda" he told news agency ANI.

FROM BIGGEST THREAT TO BIGGER DISASTER

Three days ago, however, Malviya had a different take on Priyanka, whose first speech in the Lok Sabha as MP stole the limelight from her brother Rahul Gandhi. He said she could be the biggest threat" to his political career if that speech was any indication.

In her 32-minute speech in Hindi, she was combative yet restrained, never raising her voice as she raised the Oppositions key planks. These included the BJPs alleged attempts to change the Constitution, atrocities on women, violence in Sambhal and Manipur, and the demand for a nationwide caste census.

ALSO READ | Rahuls Recital Vs Priyankas Perfect Pitch: How Congress Scores Gandhis Speeches

In a post on X, he said: If Priyanka Vadras maiden speech is any indication, she poses the biggest threat to Rahul Gandhis political career, not just in terms of heir in waiting, but someone who can outmatch him in raising the levity quotient in public discourse."

If Priyanka Vadras maiden speech is any indication, she poses the biggest threat to Rahul Gandhis political career, not just in terms of heir in waiting, but someone who can outmatch him in raising the levity quotient in public discourse.  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 13, 2024

PRIYANKA MET PALESTINE EMBASSY OFFICIAL LAST WEEK

Priyanka has been raising her voice against Israels actions in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Her bag had Palestine" emblazoned on it along with other Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon  seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

Last week, Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, charge daffaires of the Palestine embassy in New Delhi, had called on the new Congress MP to congratulate her on her recent election victory from Keralas Wayanad.

In June, she had slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what she had said were the his governments genocidal actions" in Gaza, as she accused him and his government of barbarism".

The Congress general secretarys remarks had come after Netanyahu defended Israels ongoing war in Gaza in a speech to the US Congress. She had said it was no longer enough to speak up for the civilians, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, aid workers, journalists, teachers, writers, poets, senior citizens and the thousands of innocent children who were being wiped out day after day by the horrific genocide" taking place in Gaza.

It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli governments genocidal actions and force them to stop," she had said in a post on X.

Priyanka had added that their actions are unacceptable in a world that professes civility and morality.

INDIA SHOULD RAISE ISSUE OF ATROCITIES AGAINST MINORITIES WITH BANGLADESH

In Lok Sabha on Monday, Priyanka also raised the issue of reported atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh on the occasion of Vijay Diwas. She said the central government should raise the issue of atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh with the neighbouring country.

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In her zero hour reference, she sought the Centres support for those in pain because of the attacks. The government should raise the issue of atrocities on minorities, both Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh. Should discuss this with the Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain," she said.

(With PTI inputs)

First Published: December 16, 2024, 16:42 IST
'Show Demo': After Omars Dig At Congress, TMC's Abhishek Banerjee Slams EVM Critics

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 17:52 IST

The Trinamool Congress leader stressed that if the EVM randomisation process is "done properly," then there is no substance to these allegations

TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. (PTI file photo)

TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday slammed those questioning the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), stating that if they have anything, they should show a demo" of their claims to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Abhishek, the MP from West Bengals Diamond Harbour, did not specifically name Congress or its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, in his remarks. He further said that simply making random statements" would not achieve anything.

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Speaking to the media after attending the Winter session of Parliament in New Delhi, the Trinamool Congress leader stressed that if the EVM randomisation process is done properly and the booth staff conduct thorough checks during mock polls and counting, then there is no substance to these allegations.

If still someone feels that EVMs can be hacked, then they should meet the Election Commission and show how EVMs can be hacked," he noted.

#WATCH | Delhi: On J&K CM Omar Abdullahs reported statement on Congresss EVM allegations, TMC MP and party National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, says The people who raise questions on EVM, if they have anything then they should go and show a demo to the Election pic.twitter.com/oXJYr09s0u ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

ALSO READ: When You Get 100 MPs, You Celebrate Omar Abdullah Slams Congress Over EVM Charge

Abhisheks comments came a day after Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah also rejected Congress doubts over the reliability of EVMs.

Abdullah, while speaking to news agency PTI, pointed out the contradiction in Congress stance, stating, When you get a hundred plus members of Parliament using the same EVMs, and you celebrate that as sort of a victory for your party, you cant then a few months later turn around and say we dont like these EVMs."

It is worth noting that both TMC and National Conference are part of the Opposition alliance, INDI bloc, led by Congress.

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Congress has raised concerns over the reliability of EVMs, especially following its defeat in the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls, and has called for a return to paper ballots.

(With inputs from PTI)

First Published: December 16, 2024, 17:39 IST
12 Divorces In 43 Years: Ups And Downs Of This Couple's Long Marriage Will Shock You

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 18:37 IST

The elderly couple, living in Vienna, married each other repeatedly every two to three years, only to divorce shortly after each time.

Vienna couple married and divorced 12 times in 43 years. (Image for representation)

In a story that seems almost unbelievable, an elderly couple in Vienna, Austria, stunned the public after it was revealed that they married and divorced each other 12 times over the past 43 years. What initially seemed like a romantic tale of enduring love turned out to be a case of exploitation of a legal loophole, leaving many shaking their heads.

While divorce and remarriage are not uncommon in todays world, the unusual circumstances surrounding this couples repetitive unions drew widespread attention. The elderly couple, living in Vienna, married each other repeatedly every two to three years, only to divorce shortly after each time.

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At first glance, their relationship appeared ideal  no apparent conflicts or separations, and they had spent more than four decades living together in the same house, to the admiration of neighbours who saw them as an affectionate pair.

So, why did they continue to marry and divorce so frequently? The truth behind this peculiar behaviour is far from a love story. The couple had been exploiting an Austrian government loophole designed to support widows.

According to Austrian law, a widow living alone is eligible for a government allowance of $28,300 (about Rs 24 lakh). The catch is that this allowance is paid out each time a woman legally divorces her spouse, and the couple found a way to repeatedly access these funds by marrying and divorcing each other.

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The situation was uncovered when the woman visited the Pension Insurance Institute after her 12th divorce in May 2022. During an investigation, it was revealed that the divorces were part of a deliberate plan to secure financial benefits. The woman and her husband would marry, then divorce a few years later, allowing her to receive the widows allowance each time.

This revelation led to charges of fraud being filed against the couple. As their 12th divorce is still pending, both individuals are now facing prosecution for their actions. This case raised questions about the ethics of exploiting legal systems meant to provide genuine support to vulnerable individuals, and authorities are taking a closer look at whether other couples have similarly manipulated the system.

Location : Vienna, Austria

First Published: December 16, 2024, 18:37 IST
33-year-old Tries Santa-style Escape From Police, Gets Stuck In Chimney Instead

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 14:50 IST

The video shared by the Fall River Police Department shows the man stuck inside the chimney and getting rescued by the police later.

The suspect pulled off the Santa trick into the chimney. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

It wont be wrong to say that going down chimneys should be best left to the expert after a 33-year-old man went all Santa-style to escape the police, only to get stuck and arrested later. In a hilarious turn of events in Fall River Massachusetts, Robert Langlais, while escaping from the police by hiding in a chimney, ended up getting stuck inside it. The cat-and-mouse chase began when the Fall River Police Department searched a residence over a suspected case of drug possession and sale. Upon their arrival at the house, the occupants started running away to avoid arrest.

As per the police statement, two of the suspects tried to flee from the rooftop. While one of them jumped from the roof onto a parked vehicle, another decided to outsmart the cops and went to hide in the chimney.

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https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=616161230926194

The merry route backfired as Robert found himself stuck inside the chimney and had to call for rescue. Ironically, the police turned up as his rescuers and brought him up, only to put him behind bars. Youre an idiot," one of the officers hilariously tells him in a video that captures the entire search.

After a brief rescue operation, the officers removed the bricks from the chimney and got him out. Due to his Santa-antics, Langlais was transported to a local hospital out of precaution and was medically cleared," the police said as Fox 13 Seattle. Meanwhile, Robert Langlais was also charged with serious charges for possession of class A drugs and a slew of other charges for outstanding warrants. Another arrested was Tanisha Ibay for the charges of possession of class A drugs and class B drugs.

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The video has gone widely viral across social media platforms, leaving users in splits. While some couldnt stop laughing over the suspect testing the Santa theory, others were amused with the polices reaction.

One joked, Santa came a bit early this year, huh," while another added, This story was wicked funny!"

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 14:50 IST
Bill Gates Reveals Crucial Childhood Habit That Shaped His Successful Career

Curated By :

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 15:29 IST

During his time at Microsoft in the 1990s, Gates would take an annual "Think Week," a period of isolation in a cabin on Washingtons Hood Canal.

Gates pondered how today's technology might have affected his ability to develop such a habit. (Photo Credits: X)

Bill Gates has shared a childhood habit that became a crucial part of his success later in life. The Microsoft co-founder revealed that when he felt restless or bored as a child, he would retreat to his room, losing himself in books or ideas for hours at a time. This habit, Gates explained, not only shaped his childhood but also played a major role in his success at Microsoft.

I would disappear into my room and lose myself in books or ideas, often for hours without interruption. This ability to turn idle time into deep thinking and learning became a fundamental part of who I am," Gates wrote in a recent blog post. It was also crucial to my success later on."

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During his time at Microsoft in the 1990s, Gates would take an annual Think Week," a period of isolation in a cabin on Washingtons Hood Canal, where he would read books and technical papers, thinking and writing about the future. He stayed in complete isolation, interacting only with the person who delivered his meals, and would not even check his email during these weeks of uninterrupted focus.

Reflecting on his own childhood, Gates pondered how todays technology might have affected his ability to develop such a habit. Would I have developed this habit if I had grown up with todays technology?" he asked, referring to the distractions of smartphones and social media.

Drawing on his own experiences, Gates talked about the differences between his childhood and the present-day environment. He stressed the importance of a play-based childhood," where kids engaged in unstructured activities, compared to the phone-based childhood" of today. He also reflected on the findings of Jonathan Haidts book The Anxious Generation, which explores how the rise of smartphones and social media has affected the mental health and development of a generation.

Bill Gates also highlighted the alarming gender divide in the impact of excessive screen time, with young women experiencing severe mental health challenges and young men falling behind academically and socially.

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Gates said that addressing these issues will require a coordinated effort from parents, schools, tech companies, and policymakers. He also called for more research into the effects of excessive screen time and the development of strategies to mitigate its negative impacts.

The Anxious Generation" is a must-read for anyone concerned about the well-being of children in the digital age, Gates said.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 15:29 IST
Humpback Whale Breaks Migration Record With 13,000-kilometre Journey Across Oceans

Curated By :

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 11:58 IST

Initially it was sighted in the Pacific Ocean off Colombia in 2017. However, in 2022, the whale made an unexpected appearance near Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, off Africas east coast.

Earlier, a female humpback whale had the longest migration longitudinal record. (Representative Image)

Humpback whales are renowned for their annual migrations towards the poles, where they feast on abundant food during the summer. In a remarkable feat, a male humpback whale has shattered all migration records ever documented. This marine marvel has set a new record by undertaking a staggering 13,000 kilometres (over 8,000 miles) from South America to Africa. With the help of the Happy Whale platform, co-founded by marine biologist Ted Cheeseman, researchers followed the whales progress. Initiallyextraordinary distance marks the first and longest record between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Experts speculate that the whales epic voyage is expected to be due to several climate changes, such as shifts in ocean temperatures or currents. In addition, there are also chances that the whale may be searching for new sources of food or the whales quest to find a mate. While the current location of this marvellous whale is unknown, researchers are continuing to monitor the platform for new sightings.

This extreme distance movement demonstrates behavioural plasticity, which may play an important role in adaptation strategies to global environmental changes and perhaps be an evolved response to various pressures," the authors of Royal Society Open Science wrote.

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Ekaterina Kalashnikova of the Tanzania Cetaceans Program stated the feat was truly impressive and unusual even for this highly migratory species, as quoted by BBC.

It is worth noting that the Happy Whale platform now holds data of approximately 109,000 whales.

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Before this discovery, a female humpback whale had made the longest recorded migration by longitudinal distance. Initially, the whale was spotted at a feeding ground near the Antarctic Peninsula and later, it appeared off Byron Bay in Australias New South Wales in 2022.

This unprecedented migration, meticulously tracked by researchers, has captivated scientists and marine enthusiasts alike. It highlights the migratory habits and incredible adaptability of these magnificent creatures.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 11:58 IST
I Take Drugs Myself: Leaked Zoom Speech Lands Australian CEO In Hot Water

Curated By :

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 10:33 IST

Stephen Carter cautioned his employees that if any of them were found indulging in drugs, they would be terminated.

The CEO also spoke on issues related to infidelity. (Photo Credits: X)

Stephen Carter, the CEO of the Australian recruitment firm Sharp and Carter, faced controversy after giving a speech during a Zoom Christmas party for the employees. The speech was recorded and then leaked. In his speech, where he speaks to almost 203 employees, Carter candidly talks about drug use and infidelity.

He was quoted as saying by news.au.com: I take drugs myself; I just dont do it at work events," emphasising that while personally, he has no problem with people doing recreational drugs, he does not allow such practices during work-related events. Carter cautioned that if any of them were found indulging in drugs, the person would be terminated. He added: If you take drugs at the Christmas party, you will be fired. Its a really strong rule."

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The CEO also spoke on issues to do with infidelity. He advised employees against cheating their partners with someone at the workplace. He remarked, If you want to cheat on your partner, I would recommend 2024 has been a stark reminder it is probably not wise to cheat on your partner with someone at work". He also advised that if the employees are single, then they should start looking for partners at work since many people have met their partners at their jobs.

Carter had reportedly planned to give more of a humorous and sarcastic message to the staff about the dangers of the workplace holiday parties. But he never expected that it would be interpreted literally or known by people outside the company. Speaking with Herald Sun, Carter revealed that he had been delivering the same speech for the last seven years regarding the dangers of workplace affairs and taking alcohol/drugs during the companys holiday events.

He said that had it occurred to him that there could be serious consequences, he would have worded it differently. Making his position clear, Carter went on to inform the news outlet that he has not been accused of acting improperly, caught performing lewd acts or ever found face down in a ditch.

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The intention is to look after and care for my people so they dont do damage to themselves and others," he told the Herald Sun.

During the interview, the CEO observed that since the company has 203 workers, all the job challenges such as drug use and infidelity are prevalent in society. He said he wanted to tackle these issues head-on rather than having to confront the repercussions of inaction at a later date.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 10:33 IST
Jeff Bezos Explains Why He Settled For $80,000 Salary Despite $177 Billion Net Worth

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 16:06 IST

Despite getting a base pay of $80,000, between 2023 and 2024, Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos reportedly made $8 million every hour.

Jeff Bezos is currently worth $223.3 billion. (Photo Credit: YouTube)

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and the third richest person in the world, reportedly earns just over $80,000 (approximately Rs 67 Lakh). Despite low base pay, he earned far more through his stock holdings. Between 2023 and 2024, Bezos reportedly made $8 million every hour. The former CEO explained that as the founder, he felt his 10% ownership was enough and didnt feel he needed a higher salary. According to him, founders are owner-operators," who grow their wealth not by taking more equity but by increasing the value of what they already have. Since stepping down from Amazon, Bezos has occasionally sold some of his stock.

The New York Times host pointed out that, throughout his time at Amazon, Jeff paid himself only around $80,000 (Rs 67 lakh) a year and never took extra ownership of the company. To this, the billionaire replied, My view was, I was a founder, I had already owned a significant amount of the company and I just didnt feel good about taking more. I felt I had plenty of incentive. I owned more than 10 per cent of the company earlier, before it was diluted by various things, more than 20 per cent of the company. It was, I just felt how could I possibly need more incentive."

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Jeff Bezos further explained that Most Founders own big chunks of the company they dont need, theyre more like owner-operators. The way they increase their wealth is not by getting comp, they just want to make the equity they have more valuable. So I never felt icky about it and Im very proud of that decision."

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The Amazon founder further suggested that there should be a list ranking people based on the wealth theyve created for others, rather than just their wealth. He added that Amazons market value is $2.3 trillion (Rs 195 lakh crore). Since he owns around $200 billion (Rs 16 lakh crore), he has helped generate about $2.1 trillion (Rs 179 lakh crore) in wealth for others. He believes this achievement should earn him a high position on such a list.

According to INC reports, Jeff Bezos was worth about $107 billion (Rs 9 lakh crore) in 2023, but the following year, his wealth increased to $177 billion (Rs 15 lakh crore). This $70 billion (Rs 5.9 lakh crore) growth means he earned nearly $8 million (Rs 67 crore) per hour over the past year.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 16:06 IST
KV Sridhar, The Man Behind 'Wah Taj' Ad, Pays Tribute To Zakir Hussain

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 16:10 IST

In his book 30 Second Thrillers, Pops KV Sridhar reflects on the challenge Hindustan Unilever (HUL) Brooke Bond faced in the 1980s: positioning its Taj Mahal Tea as both aspirational and accessible.

Rest in peace, Zakir Hussain.(Photo Credit: X)

We bid farewell to Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, on Monday at the age of 73. His death has left a void in the world of Indian classical music, but for many Indians, their first introduction to his greatness came not through his tabla, but through an iconic TV commercial. Pops KV Sridhar, the man behind the legendary Wah Taj" ad for Tata Tea, wrote in a heartfelt LinkedIn tribute: The man who made me and Chax famous has passed away. We miss him dearly, and so does the whole world." Advertising veteran CS Chakravarty, Chax, as he is affectionately known, was the creative force alongside Pops, the visionary who crafted this timeless campaign.

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In his book 30 Second Thrillers, Pops KV Sridhar reflects on the challenge Hindustan Unilever (HUL) Brooke Bond faced in the 1980s: positioning its Taj Mahal Tea as both aspirational and accessible. At that time, the brand had already been associated with elite figures such as Zeenat Aman and Malavika Tiwari, but Brooke Bond wanted to connect with a wider audience. The task of balancing the brands prestige with mass appeal was handed to HTA (Hindustan Thompson Associates), and thats where the legendary tabla player, Zakir Hussain, was brought in to play a pivotal role.

As Chax recounted earlier to the outlet AFAQS, classical music was often considered an elite pursuit in the absence of the widespread access to art we have today. Back then people in general didnt know how Zakir Hussain looked given his name was celebrated on Radio. This was the 1980s when Televisions were still not popular," he said.

Pops, Chax, and account planner Dhiren Chadda collaborated closely to ensure the ad captured the essence of both the brand and the artist. Hussain, known for his perfectionism, initially resisted playing the rhythm that Chax had envisioned, which ended with Dhm Dhmm" to rhyme with Wah Taj."

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But after a brief moment of hesitation, Hussain composed a rhythm that would become iconic, allowing the ad to blend beautifully with his craft. The commercial was shot against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal, with Hussain performing a tabla riyaz. A voice over praised his skill, saying, Wah ustad, wah!" and Hussains iconic response, Arre Huzoor, Wah Taj boliye!" became etched in viewers minds.

The Wah Taj" campaign went on to become a cultural phenomenon and remains one of the most enduring pieces of advertising in India. HUL later released several adaptations of the ad, featuring artists like Aditya Kalyanpur and Alisha Chinai.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 16:10 IST
Siberian Tigers Reunited After 200-kilometre Journey Through Russian Forest

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 17:01 IST

The journey of Boris back to Svetlaya began nearly three years after their release.

The conservationists had been able to track his movements and admire his resolve. (Photo Credits: X)

A reunification of two rare Siberian tigers, Boris and Svetlaya, took place in the wake of an epic 200-kilometre journey through the Russian wilderness. The two tigers, orphaned as cubs in the Sikhote-Alin mountains back in 2012, had been put into a special conservation program to reduce human contact as much as possible, training them for living in the wild. This program aimed to teach them to live independently. When 18 months old, in 2014, they were released into the Pri-Amur region of critical habitat for Amur tigers, but more than 150 kilometres apart to promote population expansion throughout the tigers historical range.

According to a study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management, the journey of Boris back to Svetlaya began nearly three years after their release. Uncharacteristically, for most tigers, which stick to established territories, Boris showed peculiar behaviour. He set off on a nearly straight-line trek that covered some 200 kilometres.

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The conservationists had been able to track his movements and admire his resolve. Only much later, after many months crossing the brutal terrain of the Russian wilderness, would Boris reach Svetlaya, the moment that would define the course of their lives and their movement in tiger conservation.

The reunion was received with delight by the conservationists who had been following them. In just six months, the couple produced a litter of cubs.

Lead author Dale Miquelle of the WCS, said in a statement, The data demonstrated that orphaned cubs, raised in captivity and released, were just as good as wild tigers at hunting, targeting the same types of wild prey, and very rarely killing livestock."

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The story of Boris and Svetlaya came out of a far bigger programme in which the WCS leads efforts to rehabilitate and return orphaned tigers back into the wild. Six orphaned Amur tigers were tracked through collars, including those worn by Boris and Svetlaya, and so far, it has been evidenced that tigers raised outdoors in semi-captivity can make it into the wild. The study found that these tigers were capable hunters, effectively targeting appropriate prey without resorting to livestock killingsa common problem with human-wildlife conflict.

Despite the success seen with Boris and Svetlaya, the Amur tiger remains classified as endangered simply because of threats such as habitat loss, poaching and human-tiger conflicts. Current estimates put the current number of Amur tigers in Russia at from 485 to 750.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 16:43 IST
This Woman Paid Rs 1.39 Crore To Lovers Wife For Divorce But Now Seeks Refund

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 14:56 IST

The court reasoned that Shi's payment was in violation of societal moral standards and public order since it was paid to destroy an existing lawful marriage.

It all started when Han, who married Yang in 2013 and has two daughters with her, got into a relationship with Shi. (Representative Image)

An unusual court case in China involving a woman, a couple and a divorce compensation is making headlines. A woman, identified as Shi, paid 1.2 million yuan (Rs 1.39 crore) to her lover, Hans, legal wife, Yang, in an attempt to get them divorced. Now, Shi has moved the court, seeking a refund after Yangs refusal to divorce the man.

It all started when Han, who married Yang in 2013 and has two daughters with her, got into a relationship with Shi. Things became serious when they had a son in November 2022. In a bid to try and sort out the situation and replace" Yang, Shi approached her and offered her a deal: she would pay her a total of 2 million yuan if she agreed to divorce Han. Under this Agreement, by the end of 2022, Shi paid the first instalment of 1.2 million yuan to Yang.

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Although the money was exchanged, Yang never divorced her husband. Over a year later, in frustration with Yangs unwillingness to actually divorce him and return the money to Shi, she filed a case for recovery of the payment. She maintained that there was a verbal agreement in which it was understood the payment was to be done only when Yang actually divorced Han.

However, the Shishi Peoples Court denied Shis petition for a refund. The court reasoned that Shis payment was in violation of societal moral standards and public order since it was paid to destroy an existing lawful marriage.

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Furthermore, it was found that Han and Yang were in a cooling-off period" and were already bound by a divorce agreement, meaning the sum paid did not satisfy the requirements for a refund under the law, SCMP reports.

The Chinese government instituted this cooling-off" period in 2021, which mandates that spouses wait 30 days following the filing of an application for divorce before their split becomes official.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 14:56 IST
'Time Doesnt Heal All Wounds': YesMadam CEO On Surviving Armed Robbery In 2013

Curated By :

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Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 14:51 IST

In a post on LinkedIn, Arya described how he broke his leg while attempting to escape during a robbery.

The injury was so serious that doctors predicted it would take two years for a full recovery. (Photo Credits: X)

Mayank Arya, the CEO and founder of YesMadam, has shared an account of surviving an armed robbery in Liberia over a decade ago. In a post on LinkedIn, Arya described how he broke his leg while attempting to escape during the chaotic robbery in December 2013. The injury was so serious that doctors predicted it would take two years for a full recovery.

In his emotional post, Arya reflected on the toll the incident took on him both physically and mentally. Funny how life works  one minute youre doing your job, the next youre lying here wondering if you will ever walk properly again," he shared, revealing the painful nights and overwhelming uncertainty he felt during his recovery.

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Arya said that time alone does not heal wounds; rather, it is how one uses that time that shapes their growth. He said, They say time heals all wounds. But thats a lie. Its what you do with that time that truly builds you up."

Mayank Arya launched YesMadam in 2016, just three years after the robbery.

In a letter to his past self, Arya recounted how, despite the initial despair, his broken leg eventually became a symbol of strength. The leg that felt like the end of the world? It carried us further than you couldve imagined," he wrote. You fought through all the pain, and today you are running your own company. Our company."

Arya reflected on his journey, saying that real courage isnt about never falling, but about refusing to stay fallen. He expressed gratitude for the lessons learned, saying, Thank you for teaching me not to give up. Because now, were running  not just on our feet, but towards a purpose we are proud of." He added with determination, And guess what? We are not stopping here. Period."

The internet quickly reacted to the heartfelt post with many praising the inspiring message.

A user wrote, time didnt just heal; it gave you the space to rebuild stronger. Stories like yours show that growth is painful, but its always worth it."

Another commented, Mayank, your journey is truly inspiring. Its remarkable how adversity can be a catalyst for growth and transformation. Your story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination."

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The strength in your story is beyond inspiring," a comment read.

His post comes on the heels of a recent controversy involving YesMadam, where an internal company email sparked a social media storm. The email, written by the HR head, allegedly threatened to fire stressed employees, but the company later clarified that no one was dismissed, and the email was part of a campaign to raise awareness about workplace stress.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 14:39 IST
Watch: Indian Students' High-Energy Performance On Chuttamalle At Boston College Is 10/10

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 14:52 IST

A group of Indian students from Northeastern University in Boston recently set the stage on fire during a college event.

Chuttamalle was picturised on Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

The popular Telugu track Chuttamalle from Devara Part 1 has the Internet grooving to its tunes. Several fans have recreated the song, while acing its hook step, making the breezy number viral on social media. Joining the bandwagon, a group of Indian students from Northeastern University in Boston recently set the stage ablaze during a college event, performing to the song. Their impressive talent, high energy and enthusiasm during the performance had the audience erupted in cheers.

The performance led by students Charan Pasumarti, Anmol Shetty and their friends showed them flawlessly recreating the steps of the song picturised on Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor. Their vibrant moves and infectious energy turned the event into a memorable celebration and it is definitely worth a watch. The glimpse of their undeniable talent was shared on Instagram by Charan Pasumarti with the caption, Happy Singles Day."

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The now-viral video, since being uploaded, has taken the Internet by storm, garnering comments full of praise and adoration. Showering praises on the talented bunch of boys for their impeccable coordination and skills on stage, a user wrote, This is pure energy! Loved every second of it."

Wow, you all nailed the choreography! So proud of this representation," read another comment from an impressed individual. One of them remarked, The crowds reaction says it allphenomenal performance!" Adding to the praise, a viewer also chimed in, This just brought so much joy. Incredible talent!" One notable comment read, The synchronisation is just next level. Goosebumps!"

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Chuttamalle, the chartbuster song starring Janhvi Kapoor and Jr NTR as they romance each other against a scenic background, emerged as one of the most loved songs of the year, thanks to its infectious beats and stunning choreography.

Earlier, a 3D animated video saw three Marvel superheroes, Spider-Man, Deadpool and the Hulk dancing to the popular Telugu track. The clip, created by Kerala-based computer-generated imagery (CGI) artist, was an imaginative reworking of a dance clip that showcased a group of boys matching the hook step. The idea of these superheroes dancing to the breezy tunes of the song instead of battling evildoers or rescuing the world intrigued Internet users, as evident in the reach of the hilarious clip.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 14:29 IST
Why This 17-Year-Old Indian Student Is 'Grateful' For Stanfords Rejection Letter

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 09:23 IST

Along with the rejection email, Aaryan Singh Kushwah shared 2 photos that highlighted impressive analytics related to his entrepreneurial journey.

Aaryan called it a bittersweet day. (Photo Credits: X)

Many dream of studying at prestigious universities abroad, dedicating endless hours to studying, writing essays and applying. While some live their dream, others face rejection. Recently, a 17-year-old Indian teen shared his bittersweet" experience of being denied admission to Stanford University but finding immense success in his entrepreneurial venture. The teenagers story resonated with social media users, who lauded his achievements and highlighted how failure can often lead to new opportunities.

Aaryan Singh Kushwah, a 17-year-old student shared three pictures on social media, one of the rejection email, and the other two with amazing metrics connected to his entrepreneurial experience. In the post, he expressed, Bittersweet day, rejected from Stanford, hit 220k total users, hit our first 2 million impression day, $10k emergent grant got approved. Tough loss but gotta come back stronger. Grateful I had the opportunity to apply, grateful I felt badly about the loss. All in Gods glory." Despite the rejection, Aaryan Kushwahs statistics revealed outstanding milestones, including 2,20,000 total users and more than two million impressions on his venture in a single day. In addition, he announced approval for a $10,000 grant.

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bittersweet dayrejected from Stanford, hit 220k total users, hit our first 2 million impression day, $10k emergent grant got approved. tough loss but gotta come back stronger. grateful I had the opportunity to apply, grateful I felt badly about the loss. all in God's glory. pic.twitter.com/R5nQfhZipJ  aaryan (@aaryankushwahh) December 14, 2024

The Stanford rejection email conveyed regret for not offering the student admission while recognising the dedication reflected in his application. Signed by Richard H. Shaw, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, the letter acknowledged the applicants efforts and potential, which made the rejection a balanced mix of disappointment and encouragement.

The post has gained traction on social media with many commenters praising Kushwahs tenacity and celebrating his accomplishments despite the setback.

A user stated, Crazy! Gods got a plan for you man. dont lose momentum, keep on going." While another person stated, Best thing that happened to you. Failure teaches you a better lesson than any university good luck!"

crazy! God's got a plan for you man. don't lose momentum, keep on going  James Agib (@agibjames) December 14, 2024

Best thing that happened to you. Failure teaches you a better lesson than any university canGood luck!  fool (@jestfoolish) December 15, 2024

An individual shared their own experience and wrote, I feel you man, went through something similar. its all a blessing in disguise, excited for Gods plan for you." However, another user expressed that if he wants to get into the university, he should try again. The application process is overwhelming and rejections can hit you hard but the process teaches you a lot. Try again next year. I am sure you will make it," mentioned the comment.

i feel you man, went through something similar. it's all a blessing in disguise, excited for God's plan for you  calix (@calixo888) December 14, 2024

Application process is overwhelming and rejections can hit you hard but the process teaches you a lot. Try again next year. I am sure you will make it. Ira Gupta (@ira17gupta) December 15, 2024

You mean you already dropped out of Stanford? Congrats! Looks like it's going well for you already  David  (@ninthdensity) December 14, 2024

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On the other hand, a person joked, You mean you already dropped out of Stanford? Congrats! Looks like its going well for you already."

What are your thoughts?

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 16, 2024, 09:23 IST
Bangladesh General Elections To Be Held In Late 2025 Or Early 2026: Muhammad Yunus

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 10:57 IST

Muhammad Yunus announced on Monday that the general elections in Bangladesh will be held late next year or early in 2026.

Muhammad Yunus (PTI Image)

Bangladeshs interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Monday said that the general elections in the country will be held in late 2025 or early 2026.

Yunus heads, the chief adviser to the caretaker government that was put in place after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power by a violent students protest in August this year.

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Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026," Yunus told the state television.

Yunus is under mounting pressure to set the date for the elections.

Sheikh Hasina, earlier this year, fled to India as thousands of protestors stormed the Prime Ministers Palace in Dhaka in August.

Hasinas government was earlier accused of politicising courts and civil service and also staging lopsided elections. She was also accused of mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents during her 15-year rule in Bangladesh.

Yunus said that he has stressed on the need for reforms before the conduct of the elections. If the political parties agree to hold the election on an earlier date with minimum reforms, such as having a flawless voter list, the election could be held by the end of November," he said.

He added that the inclusion of a full list of electoral reforms would cause a delay in the elections by a few months.

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The last general elections in Bangladesh were held on January 7, 2024, in which Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League secured a fourth consecutive victory.

(With AFP inputs)

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 16, 2024, 10:34 IST
Have 1,000 Complaints Of Attacks On Minorities: Arrested Hindu Monks Lawyer Arrives In India

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 15:11 IST

In India for treatment, Rabindra Ghosh  the lawyer of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Das, the monk arrested in Bangladesh -- said that the situation is "very bad" for minorities under the Yunus-led regime

A protest in Nagpur against the arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. (PTI)

Rabindra Ghosh  the lawyer of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Das, the monk arrested in Bangladesh  arrived in India on Sunday night for medical treatment.

A senior lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, Ghosh is the founder-president of the Bangladesh Minority Watch. He came under attack by a group of lawyers when he was moving an application for an early bail hearing for Das in the Chittagong court.

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The Dhaka resident is staying with his son Rahul, who has been residing in Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal for several years.

In an exclusive interview to News18, Ghosh said that he has more than 1,000 complaints of minorities being attacked in Bangladesh and that he is determined to fight for them.

Edited excerpts:

What led you to come to India?

I come to India regularly. I will stay for one week and then will go back to Bangladesh. I am going to AIIMS Hospital for my health check-up. I had a couple of check-ups and will go back.

How would you define the situation in Bangladesh?

We have been fighting for minorities for long. Our organisation in Bangladesh has been fighting for people who are tortured. We are also working for protection of women, children and other people whose human rights have been violated. Das is a wonderful person and he is working for people. The situation there is bad, very bad.

What happened when you went to represent Das?

I appeared on behalf of Das. It was hard. We went to Chittagong, where a group of lawyers stopped us and misbehaved with me. Within the court premises, they tried to beat me up. Even lawyers are trying to implicate other lawyers. Whats this? They are putting pressure to ensure nobody stands for Das. I have been threatened inside the court. Bangladesh is seeing gang rape, rapes, land grabI have got more than 1,000 complaints.

Did the police administration help you?

After all this, when we approached the police and administration, they did help me. They almost gheraoed me and then saved me.

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Do you think that Bangladesh is dominated by fundamentalists?

It is true now that the country has been taken up by Islamic fundamentalists. We have always fought against this.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 15:02 IST
China's home price decline narrows year on year in November

Xinhua) 13:10, December 16, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The decline in the prices of commercial residential homes in China's 70 large and medium-sized cities narrowed on a year-on-year basis in November, official data showed on Monday.

The 70 cities are categorized into three tiers within the country, and each tier reported a narrowed decline last month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

In the four first-tier cities -- Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen -- new home prices dropped 4.3 percent year on year, a decline narrowing 0.3 percentage points from October.

Notably, Shanghai, China's economic hub, saw a 5 percent increase in new home prices last month, the NBS said.

Second-hand home prices in the first-tier cities went down 8 percent last month, 1.6 percentage points narrower than the decline in October.

For the 31 second-tier and 35 third-tier cities across the country, data also showed narrower drops in both new and second-hand home prices in November, according to the NBS.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Chinese Businessman Linked To Prince Andrew Denies Being Spy

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 23:28 IST

Yang said he had decided to waive his anonymity and was appealing against a decision to revoke his permission to stay in the UK.

Disgraced royal Prince Andrew (AFP)

A Chinese businessman who became a confidant of disgraced royal Prince Andrew on Monday denied allegations that he was a spy.

I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue," Yang Tengbo said in a statement.

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Yang said he had decided to waive his anonymity and was appealing against a decision to revoke his permission to stay in the UK.

Questions were raised in the UK parliament on Monday after revelations that Yang had close links to Prince Andrew, and had even been invited to the royals birthday party.

Judges on Thursday upheld a ban on Yang, who had only been identified as H6, from entering the country, and said the princes troubles had left him vulnerable" to exploitation.

But Yang, who described himself as independent self-made entrepreneur," said in his statement that he had fallen victim" to a changing political climate".

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When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded," he said.

He argued that even the judges in their ruling concluded that there was not an abundance of evidence against me," adding that they had mused there could be an innocent explanation for my activities."

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: December 16, 2024, 23:28 IST
EU Imposes Sanctions On Dozens More Russian Officials, Targets Shadow Oil & Gas Fleet

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 20:02 IST

Russia's vast shadow fleet of ships that Moscow is exploiting to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, was also targeted

FILE - European Union flags wave in the wind as pedestrians walk by EU headquarters in Brussels, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

The European Union on Monday imposed fresh sanctions on dozens of officials linked to Russias war on Ukraine, including two top North Korean defence officials, a military unit blamed for an attack on a Kyiv childrens hospital and the heads of companies in the energy sector.

Russias vast shadow fleet of ships that Moscow is exploiting to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, was also targeted. Fifty-two vessels were added to a growing list of ships banned from European ports and deprived of services.

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This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russias war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military." In all, EU foreign ministers froze the assets of 54 people and 30 entities," which are usually companies, ministries, government agencies or other organisations. Travel bans were also imposed on officials.

The EU has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine in February 2022. More than 2,300 officials and entities have now been impacted.

North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol was targeted for being directly involved in the military cooperation, including sending thousands of troops to Russia. Deputy Chief of the armed forces General Staff, Kim Yong Bok, was also hit for going to Russia to supervise their deployment.

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Several companies were also targeted this time, including Russian defense firms, a chemical plant and a civil Russian airline providing logistical support to the armed forces. Measures were also imposed on Chinese nationals accused of supplying drone parts and electronic equipment.

Interests in China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates accused of helping Russia to circumvent EU sanctions or trade restrictions on the movement of sensitive items that Moscow uses on drones and missiles were also hit.

Location : Brussels, Belgium

First Published: December 16, 2024, 19:58 IST
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Loses Confidence Vote, Triggers Early Elections On February 23

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 21:55 IST

Scholz had called for the confidence vote himself after his three-party coalition government imploded last month, leaving him with a minority government.

Scholz requested the confidence vote, which will pave the way for early elections. (Reuters)

In a significant development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a no-confidence motion on Monday, paving the way for early general elections on February 23, 2025.

Out of the Bundestag deputies, 394 voted against Scholz while only 207 expressed confidence in the chancellor, with 116 abstentions. Scholz had been expected to lose the vote after his three-way coalition fell apart last month.

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Interestingly, Scholz had requested the confidence vote himself as his fractious three-party coalition government collapsed after the Free Democrats (FDP) left Scholzs centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens following disputes over the budget.

As per the norms, Scholz had to ask the president to dissolve the parliament, triggering fresh elections. The German Chancellor had agreed with the opposition to hold the election on February 23.

The confidence vote took place as the post-World War II German Constitution did not allow the Bundestag to dissolve itself. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had the power to decide whether to dissolve parliament and call an election.

This was only the sixth time in its postwar history that a chancellor had called for a confidence vote. The last was in 2005, when then-Chancellor Gerhard Schroder engineered an early election that was narrowly won by centre-right challenger Angela Merkel.

Olaf Scholzs Rising Unpopularity

Scholzs unpopular government imploded when he tried to sack his finance minister in a dispute over how to revitalise Germanys stagnant economy. He currently lags badly behind conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of former Chancellor Angela Merkel in opinion polls.

His leadership has been the subject of harsh criticism, becoming one of the least popular chancellors in decades. Scholz has struggled to revive a struggling economy hammered by high energy prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and tough competition from China.

Polls suggest the opposition conservatives are on track to win the federal election, with a survey on Monday putting them on 31 per cent, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany on 18 per cent, Scholzs SPD on 17 per cent and the Greens on 13 per cent.

Scholz is the face" of a failed government marked by perpetual disputes, according to news magazine Der Spiegel. He is probably the weakest, most unsuitable candidate for the chancellorship that the SPD has ever put forward", it said.

One Of Biggest Post-War Economic Crises In Germany

In the lower house of the parliament, Scholz clashed with opposition leader Merz while outlining his plans for massive spending on security, business and social welfare. Scholz accused the previous CDU governments of leaving the armed forces in a deplorable state".

It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany," Scholz said, warning about Russias war in Ukraine that a highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours flight from here".

Merz shot back by saying that Scholz had left the country in one of the biggest economic crises of the postwar era". Merz, who has been open to sending the long-range missiles, said that we dont need any lectures on war and peace" from Scholzs party.

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Youre standing here and saying, business as usual, lets run up debt at the expense of the younger generation, lets spend money and the word competitiveness of the German economy didnt come up once in the speech you gave today," Merz added.

The troubled political landscape in Germany is also because of the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has seen strong performances in regional elections give it a national boost. Their growing popularity signals a shift in Germanys political dynamics, where far-right parties were considered a taboo due to the dark history of World War II.

Location : Berlin, Germany

First Published: December 16, 2024, 21:15 IST
Teen Gunman Among 5 Found Dead After Shooting At School In US' Wisconsin

Published By :

Reuters

Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 08:17 IST

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told a news conference that at least five people were killed in the incident, including the suspected shooter.

Law enforcement and first responders respond to the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. (Image for representation purpose)

A shooting at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, left five people dead on Monday, including the suspected shooter, a student at the school according to authorities, who said that five people were injured and that children were among the dead.

The shooting took place at Abundant Life Christian School, a private institution that teaches some 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, the Madison Police Department said.

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Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told a news conference that at least five people were killed in the incident, including the suspected shooter, identified as a juvenile who police officers found dead when they arrived at the school. The shooters identity was not yet known.

At least five people were transported from the scene to area hospitals, Barnes said. The police chief said the shooting took place just before 11 a.m. local time.

Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison, but for our entire country, where yet another police chief is doing a press conference to speak about violence in our community," Barnes told reporters.

Barnes added: Every child, every person in that building, is a victim, and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma dont just go away."

Video posted from the scene on social media showed a massive emergency response, including police, ambulance and fire vehicles.

Gun control and school safety have become major political and social issues in the US where the number of school shootings has jumped in recent years.

There have been 322 school shootings this year in the US, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database website. That is the second highest total of any year since 1966, according to that database  topped only by last years total of 349 such shootings.

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The epidemic of shootings has afflicted public and private schools alike in urban, suburban and rural communities.

Some have taken place in Christian schools. In March 2023, a former student at Covenant School, a private academy in Nashville, killed three children and three adults before being shot dead by law enforcement officers. Last year, two students aged 5 and 6 were shot at Feather River Adventist School near Oroville, California, by a gunman who later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 17, 2024, 00:49 IST
Russias Putin Cheers 'Landmark' 2024, Says Troops Have Upper Hand In Ukraine

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 19:04 IST

Addressing top military generals in an end-of-year meeting, the Kremlin leader struck a defiant and optimistic tone, claiming his troops had the upper hand across the entire front line.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hailed his armys accelerating advance in Ukraine and praised 2024 as a landmark" year in the course of Moscows military offensive on its Western-backed neighbour.

Addressing top military generals in an end-of-year meeting, the Kremlin leader struck a defiant and optimistic tone, claiming his troops had the upper hand across the entire front line.

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He also hit out at what he called a Western hybrid war" and its attempts to inflict a strategic defeat" on Moscow.

The comments come with Russias army advancing across eastern Ukraine at their fastest pace since the first weeks of the offensive.

Both Moscow and Kyiv are seeking to improve their position on the battlefield before US President-elect Donald Trump comes to power in January.

The Republican has repeatedly said he could strike a ceasefire in hours, without presenting a plan, and speculation about peace talks is mounting.

Strategic initiative

Russian troops are firmly holding the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact," Putin said in the televised meeting with army bosses and defence ministry officials.

He said Russias army had seized 189 Ukrainian settlements this year and called 2024 a landmark year in the achievement of the goals of the special military operation", using Moscows official language for its campaign.

Speaking after Putin at the same meeting, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said Russias troops had seized a total of almost 4,500 square kilometres (1,737 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in this year and were now gaining around 30 square kilometres a day.

He said Ukraine controlled less than one percent of the eastern Lugansk region, and around 25-30 percent of the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Russia claimed in 2022 to annex all four, despite not having full control over any of them.

Russias army said Monday it had captured another small village in the Donetsk region, as part of its latest advance.

AFP analysis of Institute for the Study of War data found that in November Russian troops advanced at their fastest pace since March 2022  the first full month of the offensive.

Troop flow

Putin also hailed Russias military industry and defence enterprises in providing advanced weapons and equipment to support Moscows army.

He said Russia was working on the mass production of missile systems  including hypersonic ones like the Oreshnik missile he fired on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro last month  and indicated troops were using AI-powered systems.

Amid signs of economic volatility at home, the ex-KGB spy, in power for a quarter of a century, defended Russias vast defence and security spending.

Military spending has surpassed six percent of GDP, while overall defence and security outlays are almost nine percent.

It is not, strangely enough, the biggest expenditure in the world, even among countries that do not have any armed conflict," Putin said.

Nevertheless, it is a lot of money, and here we need to use it very rationally," he added.

Kyiv, by contrast, relies on Western financial and military support to fund and wage its defensive campaign.

There are fears there that Trump could cut US aid, potentially dealing a devastating blow to Ukraines ability to hold off Russias advance.

Ukraine also faces manpower shortages across the frontlines and is being pressured by Washington to consider lowering its draft age from 25 to 18 to recruit more soldiers.

Putin said that Russia  which offers hugh salaries and sign-up bonuses to new soldiers  faced no such problems.

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He said 430,000 people had signed up to fight this year, up from around 300,000 in 2023.

And this flow of volunteers is not stopping," he said.

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: December 16, 2024, 19:04 IST
Semi-Naked Pictures Of Syria's Bashar Al-Assad Go Viral After Rebels Storm His Mansions

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 17:44 IST

Unflattering pictures of Assad recovered from his mansions showed him posing in his underwear, riding a motorcycle in his briefs and wearing a tiny speedo while surrounded by people.

Bashar Al-Assad's personal pictures were uncovered from his mansions raided by rebels. (Photo: X)

Syrian rebels stormed ousted President Bashar Al-Assads abandoned residences and uncovered semi-naked picture pictures of the leader who ruled the country for over two decades. This became a source of mockery and ridicule among those who were persecuted for criticising his oppressive leadership.

Soon after rebels discovered photo albums from Assads mansions in the hills of Damascus and Aleppo, the unflattering pictures of Assad and his father Hafez Assad spread like wildfire on social media, showing the ousted president in his underwear riding a scooter.

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One of the images showed Assad apparently posing in his underwear, a picture he probably would not have wanted the world to see. Another picture showed him picking a girl on his shoulders. Several pictures showed him flexing his biceps underwater, in a wheelchair and on a boat, wearing nothing but his underwear.

Another photo showed him wearing a tiny speedo while sitting with two women, and he was also seen trying to take a mirror selfie with a camera before it became a thing. His father Hafez Assad was also seen in his underwear, striking a bodybuilder-like pose.

Few more Assad pictures so you can have endless nightmares for days to come https://t.co/1v9kim6Sxy pic.twitter.com/wgRuFGnz3C Saad Abedine (@SaadAbedine) December 12, 2024

more new photos of bashar al-assad found in his presidential palace pic.twitter.com/QWCRYQcmPX   (@AnbarBaddie) December 10, 2024

Picture of Assad found in his house in Damascus.Not knowing who he is, youd think its just another shirtless photography hobbyist on Tumblr. But hes in fact one of the most evil humans who have walked the face of earth in human history. A genocidal monster. Crazy. pic.twitter.com/Vioa8yOZuq  Adnan Samman (@AdnanSamman_) December 10, 2024

In one photo, Assad is pictured with a group of people, including his reportedly maternal cousin, Ihab Makhlouf, who is wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with an image of Hitler. One photo hoto showed a young Bashar in a suit and his wife Asmaa in a white dress, reportedly from their engagement ceremony, as he places a ring on her finger.

People Mock Assad After Personal Pics Go Viral

The pictures added a bit of humour in Syrias otherwise dark history, where a civil war by the autocratic leader lasted for 13 years, claimed more than half a million lives and forced millions of Syrians to flee their home. Few more Assad pictures so you can have endless nightmares for days to come," said Al Jazeera journalist Saad Abedine.

What is it with the #Assad family and being photographed in their underwear? Highly interested in knowing the fantasy behind," said Syrian journalist Hussam Hammoud. Someone somewhere thought this picture of Assad in his tighty whities was worth taking, printing, and safekeeping for decades," wrote another individual on X.

What is it with the #Assad family and being photographed in their underwear? Highly interested in knowing the fantasy behind.Two pictures of Hafez and Bashar Assad in their fashionable skivvies were found in the presidential palace. pic.twitter.com/GYxq5AuMZU  Hussam Hammoud |  (@HussamHamoud) December 10, 2024

Someone somewhere thought this picture of Assad in his tighty whities was worth taking, printing, and safekeeping for decades. pic.twitter.com/q2vN3OWdih The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) December 10, 2024

Social media footage showed Syrians touring the Assads opulent estates, revealing extravagant decor, jacuzzis and other lavish possessions out of reach of ordinary people living in death and destitute amid the civil war since 2011. People stripped the mansions of valuables out of vengeance for decades of persecution and exposed Assads private world.

Many Syrians had endured forced imprisonment, displacement and oppression under the Assad dynasty for decades and these photos served as both a spectacle and a moment of catharsis.

Opposition Forces Raid Assads Palace

Last week, Syrian rebel fighters raided Assads presidential palace, with several videos showing people entering the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace and looting valuables, as children ran through the grand rooms and men slid a large trunk across the ornate floor.

Some of the Syrians were seen taking items of furniture or ornaments. Several men also carried smart chairs over their shoulders. In a storeroom, cupboards were ransacked and objects were strewn across the floor.

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The Syrian government collapsed on December 8 as the rebels seized control of the capital Damascus after capturing several other prominent cities and towns. Assad fled the country as rebels gained momentum with the lightning offensive, ending not only his 24-year rule but also leading to the downfall of his clans five-decade reign in the country.

(with inputs from agencies)

Location : Damascus, Syria

First Published: December 16, 2024, 17:44 IST
'Muhammad Yunus A Fascist...': Sheikh Hasina's Fresh Attack On Bangladesh's Interim Leader

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 07:43 IST

Sheikh Hasina has accused Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus of leading an undemocratic, fascist regime that suppresses the spirit of the Liberation War and neglects public welfare.

Sheikh Hasina/Muhammad Yunus (PTI photos)

In a fresh attack on Bangladeshs interim leader Muhammad Yunus, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday alleged he was a fascist." She claimed that the main aim of the dispensation he led was to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces. Hasina also accused Yunus of leading an undemocratic group" that has no responsibility towards the people.

Hasinas remark came on the evening of Bijoy Dibos or Victory Day, which Bangladesh celebrates on December 16.

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In a statement in Bengali, Hasina, who fled to India after resigning as the Prime Minister in August in the face of massive anti-government protests, said that anti-national groups" had unconstitutionally captured power.

This undemocratic group led by the fascist Yunus has no responsibility towards the people," she said.

They are taking power and obstructing all public welfare work," she added.

Hasina slammed the Yunus dispensation and said the people of Bangladesh are burdened by the rise in prices.

As this government is not democratically elected, they have no accountability to the people. Their main aim is to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces and suppress their voice," Hasina said.

On the contrary, they are secretly supporting the anti-Independence radical communal forces. The lack of sensitivity of the leaders of this government, including the fascist Yunus, towards the Liberation War and its history is proven in every step they take," she said.

BANGLADESHs BIJOY DIBOS

On December 16, 1971, then chief of Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini after the 13-day war following which East Pakistan became Bangladesh.

Relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the formation of an interim government which Yunus now heads. The Awami League leader has been staying in India since Hasina left Bangladesh.

There has been a spate of attacks on minorities, including the Hindu community, in Bangladesh in the last few months, on which India has expressed concerns.

Last week, foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka and conveyed to the country Indias concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.

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There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples. And, to that end, therefore, I have underlined today Indias desire to work closely with the Interim government of Bangladesh," Misri had told reporters in Dhaka.

At the same time, we also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities," he said.

First Published: December 16, 2024, 07:43 IST
'Stop Whitewashing Mistakes, Turn The Knife Inward': Xi Jinping's Message To CCP On Corruption

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 23:25 IST

Xi has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, in which over a million party officials, including two defence ministers, were prosecuted.

Chinese President Xis anti-graft campaign in the military has drawn global attention, which his critics say enabled him to consolidate his hold on power. (Reuters)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who continues to crack the corruption whip on the ruling Communist Party and the military officials, asked the cadre to turn the knife inwards, stop whitewashing mistakes and carry out the anti-graft campaign without any mercy.

Since he came to power in 2012, Xi made the anti-corruption campaign the main plank of his governance model.

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Official media accounts say over a million party officials, including two defence ministers and dozens of military officials, were punished and prosecuted in the campaign.

In his speech delivered at the plenary session of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in January this year, contents of which were released for the first time on Sunday by party theoretical magazine Qiushi, 71-year-old Xi has called on cadres to confront corruption head-on so that interest groups cannot prey on" the Party.

Xi said all party members must deeply promote the partys self-revolution"  referring mainly to the fight against corruption.

Significantly, the number of high-ranking officials undergoing punishments for corruption is on the increase despite the relentless campaign.

Last year, the CCDI announced that it had launched investigations into a record number of 45 tigers", or high-ranking cadres, but this year the total has already reached 54, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Monday.

Xis anti-graft campaign in the military has drawn global attention, which his critics say enabled him to consolidate his hold on power.

In November, Miao Hua, the admiral in-charge of the party work in the Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the PLA headed by Xi himself, was suspended from duty and placed under investigation for suspected serious discipline violations"  a euphemism for corruption.

If we dont avoid criticism and dont whitewash mistakes, and if we promptly identify and solve our own problems, we can effectively combat the preying and erosion of all interest groups, powerful groups and privileged classes," Xi said.

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As the situation and tasks change, as the external environment changes and as the party itself changes, it is inevitable that various conflicts and problems will arise within the party," the Post quoted him as saying in his speech at the CCDI.

We must have the courage to turn the knife inwards and promptly eliminate all negative influences to ensure that the party remains full of vitality and vigour." State media has previously reported that Xi told anti-corruption officials at the meeting that Chinas fight against corruption is severe and complex" and that no mercy" should be shown in eradicating the problem.

Location : Beijing, China

First Published: December 16, 2024, 23:23 IST
UK PM Starmer 'Concerned' About China Challenge Amid Spy Row

Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 18:59 IST

Starmer last month became the first UK prime minister since 2018 to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

UK PM Keir Starmer (Image: Reuters/File)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that he was concerned about the challenge that China poses" following revelations that a suspected Chinese spy became a confidant of disgraced royal Prince Andrew.

Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses," Starmer said during a press conference with Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen, but defended his approach of engagement" with Beijing.

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Our approach is one of engagement, of cooperating where we need to cooperate, particularly, for example, on issues like climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should," he added.

Last week, details emerged about Prince Andrews relationship with the businessman and alleged spy, only identified as H6, including the latter being invited to the princes birthday party.

Starmer last month became the first UK prime minister since 2018 to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, one of the UKs most prominent China-sceptic voices, criticised Starmer over the strategy.

Duncan Smith told BBC radio on Monday that the government had shown a massive amount of weakness to China, and theyre way away from where Europe and the United States are."

He highlighted the delay in reviving a foreign influence registration scheme, which had been shelved until next year, and not putting China on the enhanced category for threats.

The former Tory leader denied the governments claims that they inherited an underprepared scheme.

The reality is its an excuse not to upset China," he said.

The MP also said the suspected spy linked to Prince Andrew was only the tip of the iceberg" of Beijings espionage activities in the UK.

Party invite

Judges on Thursday upheld a ban on H6 from entering the country, saying that the government had been entitled to conclude that his exclusion was justified and proportionate".

In the ruling, judges assessed H6 was in a position to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State".

The fact is, there are many more like him in the UK," Duncan Smith told BBC radio.

Duncan Smith is seeking an urgent question in parliament on Monday about the issue, with reports saying that other MPs may name the suspected spy using parliamentary privilege, which allows legal immunity to lawmakers for statements made in the chamber of the House of Commons.

The Sunday Times reported that H6 had also met former Conservative prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.

The tribunal heard that Prince Andrews aide Dominic Hampshire told the suspected spy that he could help in potential dealings with Chinese investors.

Outside of his (Andrews) closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on," Hampshire told H6 in a 2020 letter.

Former interior minister Suella Braverman banned H6 from entering the country in 2023 after her ministry found he had engaged in covert and deceptive activity" on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Prince Andrews reputation was already in tatters over his ties to convicted sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein, which has seen him forced to step back from frontline royal duties and be stripped of his honorary military titles.

A statement from Andrews office last week said that he had followed advice" from the government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised".

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The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed," it added.

UK newspapers reported on Monday that Buckingham Palace had told Andrew to withdraw from public view over Christmas.

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: December 16, 2024, 18:59 IST
President-elect Trump's defamation lawsuit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, which ended in a $15 million settlement , looks like an expanding strategy. Even before it takes office, the Trump administration has issued a series of threats to news outlets that they could be sued over coverage that displeases it. The warnings have been delivered in letters, on the phone, in emails, and over CNN. They seem especially intended to intimidate the news media and others who have criticized Trump or his selections to run the Defense Department and FBI, the New York Times reports.

Lawyers for Trump, Pete Hegseth, his choice for the Pentagon; and Kash Patel, his pick to run the FBI, have warned journalists of possible lawsuits over statements said or written in the past few weeks. Such lawsuits rarely result in a court victory, but they can be filed in hopes of achieving a chilling effect. And ABC News did just agree to pay up and issue a statement of regret for aired statements by Stephanopoulos. There was criticism of the network for settling, per the Daily Beast. "Knee bent. Ring kissed," Democratic lawyer Marc Elias posted on X. "Another legacy news outlet chooses obedience."

Trump and his allies also have floated seeking subpoenas of news organizations, prosecuting journalists and their sources once they're in office, pulling networks' broadcast licenses, and ending federal funding for public radio and television. Just before the election, a Trump lawyer sent the Times a 10-page letter claiming three articles it published were "deceptive, malicious, intentional, defamatory, disparaging, distorted, fabricated, false, and misleading." If the Times doesn't retract and apologize for the articles, Edward Andrew Paltzik wrote, "President Trump will have no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights." The lawyer closed with, "BE GUIDED ACCORDINGLY." (More President-elect Trump stories.)
/

The Assads Are Done. So Where Is the Money?

Wall Street Journal reports on the hunt for billions stashed away by the family dynasty in Syria
At least seven foreigners in Fiji have ended up in the hospital after drinking fruity cocktails at a five-star resort. The BBC reports that five of those who were sickened at the Warwick Fiji along the Coral Coast were tourists, including one American and four Australians. Per local media reports citing the nation's Health Ministry, the two others were non-nationals who live in Fiji. The group reportedly consumed pina coladas at the resort's bar, then exhibited nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms.

"It's your worst nightmare, really," David Sandoe, whose daughter and granddaughter were two of the Aussie victims, tells ABC Australia, via the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's very difficult to take a call at 11 o'clock at night ... and your daughter says that they've been poisoned and are in [the] hospital." Viliame R. Gavoka, Fiji's tourism minister, told local reporters that the pina coladas were prepackaged drinks, and that the bartender who'd served them had been with the resort for 16 years. Gavoka adds that four other bars on the premises that also served pina coladas reported no similar incidents.

"The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests," says Gavoka, per the AP, which adds that the cause of the victims' illness "was not known" and that "officials said it was too soon to know if tainted alcohol was involved." The news agency reports that one victim was discharged over the weekend, while four others went home Monday. Gavoka says the two others remain hospitalized, in stable condition and conscious.

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In a statement to the BBC, the Warwick Fiji cited "suspected alcohol poisoning" and noted it was taking the incident "very seriously." Police have ordered toxicology reports as part of their ongoing investigation and are waiting for the results, which should come in a few days. The incident follows six tourists dying in Laos last month of suspected methanol poisoning. (More Fiji stories.)
A plane flew over MetLife Stadium on Sunday, trailing a banner urging New York Giants co-owner John Mara to take action against the team's ongoing dismal performance. This marked the second consecutive week that fans have employed this tactic, branding a message that stated, "Mr Mara EnoughWe won't stop until you fire everyone" before the Giants' 35-14 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. The franchise has been plagued with a 2-12 record, extending their losing streak to a franchise record-tying nine games and adding to mounting pressure on coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.

Despite the cutthroat messages, Daboll insists on focusing on what the team can control, downplaying the aerial protests by stating he hadn't seen the planes. The sentiment expressed on the banners echoes the broader disenchantment among supporters who have seen the Giants qualify for the playoffs only twice since their 2012 Super Bowl triumph. Players like veteran receiver Darius Slayton maintain a positive outlook, suggesting the roster requires minimal adjustments to regain momentum.

No individual has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the airborne appeals, reminiscent of a similar protest in the late 1970s when Giants fans expressed frustration over subpar performance. The Giants, who were underdogs against the Ravens, were unable to challenge the betting odds, deepening discontent among their fanbase. As the team braces for further matches, John Mara remains conspicuously silent on the public outcry. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
"I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I love." Those were the words of Parastoo Ahmadi, a performer in Iran who posted footage last week of her virtual concert. That nearly 30-minute video, which attracted more than 2 million views, now has the 27-year-old in some hot water. Attorney Milad Panahipour tells the AP that Ahmadi was arrested Saturday in the city of Sari, the capital of the province of Mazandaran, apparently over what she wore, and didn't wear, during her performance. NBC News notes she sang "in a sleeveless dress with her hair down accompanied by four male musicians"in other words, sans hijab, a requirement under Iranian and Islamic law for Iranian women when in the company of men who aren't related to them.

Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, women were also banned from singing solo in front of male audiences. Two musicians in Ahmadi's band were also detained, per Panahipour. "Unfortunately, we do not know the charges against Ms. Ahmadi, who arrested her, or her place of detention, but we will follow up on the matter through legal authorities," he tells the AP. Iran's judiciary has acknowledged Ahmadi's case, but isn't releasing further details. In a statement released via the Mehr News Agency, the judiciary also says that Ahmadi was freed after an interview with authorities.

NBC notes that officials who enforce the nation's so-called modesty lawsaka the "morality police"have backed off somewhat on confronting women over their lack of hijabs since the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian, a self-proclaimed reformist. Still, Iran's Parliament recently voted a strict new law on hijabs into play for a three-year trial period, which extends enforcement into online spaces, per Human Rights Watch. Pezeshkian himself has slammed the legislation. "The hijab law, which I have to implement, is very ambiguous," he posted on social media earlier this month. "We should not do anything to disturb the harmony and empathy of the society. We have to talk and interact about this issue." (More Iran stories.)
First, she was exonerated . Now a jury in Las Vegas has awarded Kirstin Blaise Lobato $34 million after she served 16 years for a murder she didn't commit, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal . In addition to the sum from the city police department, the jury ordered the two detectives on her case to pay $10,000 each after concluding they fabricated evidence. Both men are now retired. "I have no idea what the rest of my life is going to look like," Lobato told reporters. "All I know is what the past has looked like, and it was pretty bad."

Lobato was convicted of murdering 44-year-old Duran Bailey in Las Vegas in 2001, when she was 18, per the Washington Post. Her lawyers say detectives disregarded phone records and witness statements proving she was 170 miles away at the time. What doomed her was that she had told a probation officer she had fended off a would-be rapist in Las Vegas by using a small knife to cut her assailant in the groin, reports the New York Times. The probation officer called the detectives to report the story, because Bailey's penis had been severed.

The detectives immediately drove to interview Lobato at her parents' house in Panaca, Nevada, on the pretext of investigating the attempted rape. In their report of the interview, they wrote that Lobato was describing the murder of Bailey, not the sexual assault. "Detectives not only framed Blaise Lobato for murder, but they actually used the trauma of her earlier, unrelated sexual assault to do it," says attorney Elizabeth Wang. Lobato "was a vulnerable teenager, and the criminal justice system failed her." (More wrongful conviction stories.)
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Bannon: 'Maybe We Do It Again in '28?'

Trump ally floats the idea of a third Trump term, despite the Constitution's limit
He's popped up on "Most Wanted" posters around New Orleans, and locals have been on the lookout for him for months on end. Scrim, the dog that the Washington Post calls the "stray Houdini" and "arguably the Big Easy's most notorious fugitive" has especially frustrated Michelle Cheramie, owner of the Zeus' Rescues nonprofit shelter that's been on the hunt for the approximately 17-pound, 3-year-old Westie.

Backstory: NOLA reports that Scrim first appeared on Louisiana's radar when he showed up as a stray at a Houma trailer park in late October 2023. Cheramie then retrieved Scrim from a local animal shelter and placed him in April with an adoptive familybut within hours, Scrim had escaped. The Post says his name is taken from "the New Orleans grunge rapper who'd penned lyrics about wandering," while the Wall Street Journal reports he was named after "the gauzy fabric sometimes used in Mardi Gras costumes."
"The shockingly dangerous working conditions at Amazon's warehouses revealed in this 160-page report are beyond unacceptable," Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday after the Senate panel he chairs released the results of its investigation of the online retail giant. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and PensionsHELPinvestigation found that Amazon itself had investigated the link between its production quotas and injury rates, but execs rejected recommendations from health and safety personnel, apparently out of concern that relaxing quotas would reduce productivity, the New York Times reports.

"Amazon's executives repeatedly chose to put profits ahead of the health and safety of its workers by ignoring recommendations that would substantially reduce injuries," Sanders said. The panel's investigation, which was launched last year, included interviews with more than 130 current and former Amazon workers.

Project Elderwand . One internal Amazon study was called Project Elderwand. It determined that the "likelihood of back injury increases" with the number of items picked from shelf units and recommended improvements including an expansion of a "microbreaks" program, the AP reports. Amazon told the panel the recommendations were not implemented due to "technical reasons."

. One internal Amazon study was called Project Elderwand. It determined that the "likelihood of back injury increases" with the number of items picked from shelf units and recommended improvements including an expansion of a "microbreaks" program, the AP reports. Amazon told the panel the recommendations were not implemented due to "technical reasons." Project Soteria . In Project Soteria, another internal study Amazon failed to act on, the company found that a faster pace of work led to a higher injury rate, the Times reports. The study recommended giving workers more time off and not disciplining those who failed to meet quotas. Amazon said Sunday that a third investigation found that Project Soteria's work was flawed.

. In Project Soteria, another internal study Amazon failed to act on, the company found that a faster pace of work led to a higher injury rate, the Times reports. The study recommended giving workers more time off and not disciplining those who failed to meet quotas. Amazon said Sunday that a third investigation found that Project Soteria's work was flawed. No "magic" in use. "I don't even use Amazon anymore, I'd rather wait  than have some poor employee in an Amazon warehouse get battered and bruised so I can get my book within six hours," one worker told the committee, per the Washington Post. "People don't see that, they think it just appears by magic. But it doesn't, it appears by blood, sweat, and tears."

The report found that Amazon workers were 30% more likely to be injured than the industry average last year, Axios reports. It also accused the company of manipulating data on worker injuries. In a blog post, Amazon pushed back against the report, saying it features "selective, outdated information that lacks context and isn't grounded in reality." The company called the report "a pre-conceived and one-sided narrative," arguing that it has made, and continues to make, improvements to safety. (More Amazon stories.)
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TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - CIBC announced today it is expanding its longstanding relationship with Toronto Pearson and creating new opportunities to reach and support the almost 50 million travellers who annually journey through Canada's largest airport.

Whether it's people arriving to call Canada home, welcoming family members from abroad, taking off for a business venture, or embarking on the vacation of a lifetime, Toronto Pearson is a hub of ambition and a natural partner for CIBC. Our expanded partnership brings with it:

Ambitions take flight with CIBC through expanded relationship with Toronto Pearson airport (CNW Group/CIBC)

Enhanced Presence : CIBC is installing two new agile banking centres where travellers need them most. Departing passengers at Terminal 1 will now have access to last minute foreign exchange and other banking services at their departure gates in addition to the existing services just past security. Arriving passengers will now be met with an enhanced newcomer welcome service just steps from the international arrival doors. By meeting newcomers at their point of arrival, CIBC is taking banking to individuals and families, helping to ease their transition during what can be an overwhelming time.

: CIBC is installing two new agile banking centres where travellers need them most. Departing passengers at Terminal 1 will now have access to last minute foreign exchange and other banking services at their departure gates in addition to the existing services just past security. Arriving passengers will now be met with an enhanced newcomer welcome service just steps from the international arrival doors. By meeting newcomers at their point of arrival, CIBC is taking banking to individuals and families, helping to ease their transition during what can be an overwhelming time. Valued Services : CIBC will become the brand sponsor of Toronto Pearson's Wi-Fi program, which provides travellers with access to free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, further enhancing their travel experience  from checking in for flights remotely to handling business needs and connecting with friends and family. CIBC will continue to be brand sponsor of the well-loved CIBC baggage cart program, and continue to provide foreign exchange, credit card and digital banking services.

: CIBC will become the brand sponsor of Toronto Pearson's Wi-Fi program, which provides travellers with access to free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, further enhancing their travel experience  from checking in for flights remotely to handling business needs and connecting with friends and family. CIBC will continue to be brand sponsor of the well-loved CIBC baggage cart program, and continue to provide foreign exchange, credit card and digital banking services. Increased Brand Visibility: As the new sponsor of Toronto Pearson's passenger boarding bridges, the bank's logo and "Moments of Ambition" marketing campaign will prominently feature on both the exterior and interior of the bridges.

"CIBC and Toronto Pearson have been helping ambitions take flight for over a decade and this new stage in our relationship brings with it even better experiences and more ways to reach clients and travellers alike," said Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice-President, Purpose, Brand and Corporate Affairs, CIBC. "This partnership reinforces our commitment to customer service while offering valuable access to key clients, business segments, and greater brand visibility."

CIBC and Toronto Pearson will continue to work together to ensure the growing number of travellers can access CIBC services with ease and convenience while on their journey.

"Passengers at Toronto Pearson rely on the fast and convenient amenities we offer at the airport," said Lauren Yaksich, Executive Director, Commercial Development, Toronto Pearson. "From accessible banking options to Wi-Fi, Toronto Pearson is grateful for the longstanding partnership with CIBC and the company's ongoing commitment to our travellers."

After upgrades are complete, passengers will find the following CIBC presence at Toronto Pearson :

Five banking centres

CIBC-branded Wi-Fi

CIBC-branded baggage carts pre-security

CIBC-branded passenger boarding bridges

Over 30 currencies

35 ATMs

Mobile Financial Service Specialists

CIBC remains the exclusive financial partner of the Toronto Pearson. Travellers can visit www.cibc.com/en/pearson-airport.html for more information on CIBC services available at Pearson.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre.

SOURCE CIBC

For further information: Meredith Taylor, [email protected] or 416-813-1740
OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - It is with profound sadness that Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak acknowledges the passing of trailblazing lawyer Jim Aldridge last week. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who held him dear, including the citizens of the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) and the Nisga'a Nation, for whom his legal work will leave a lasting legacy.

A dedicated champion of Indigenous land rights, a staunch defender of Metis self-government, and a profound expert on Canadian treaty history, Aldridge had a distinguished and impactful career advocating for the rights and interests of numerous Indigenous communities. He represented the Nisga'a Nation in treaty negotiations beginning in 1980, serving as lead counsel for much of that time. His leadership in litigation was instrumental in securing a historic modern-day treaty between the Nisga'a Nation and the Canadian federal government.

Aldridge was also a key member of the legal team that represented the MMF in its legal action concerning Metis land rights under the Manitoba Act, playing a pivotal role in supporting negotiations related to those rights, leading the MMF to victory in the landmark MMF v. Canada land claim of 2013 and the eventual signing of the MMF's historic modern-day Treaty with Canada in November 2024.

Aldridge was also instrumental in the passage of Bill S-13, which amended the federal Interpretation Act to include a general non-derogation clause, which "indicates that all federal laws [...] should be interpreted to uphold, and not diminish, the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Metis recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution."

"I was deeply saddened to learn of Jim Aldridge's passing. His pioneering work as a champion of Indigenous land rights has left an enduring legacy in the lives of Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is my sincere hope that his life's work continues to inspire progress and that his legacy is honoured and upheld for generations to come,"  Melanie Omeniho, President, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.

Aldridge's legal expertise made him an invaluable asset not only to the legal community but, more importantly, to Indigenous peoples across Canada. Aldridge's legacy is a powerful testament to his unwavering passion, commitment, and tireless dedication to advancing justice and equity for Indigenous nations throughout his storied career.

About LFMO:

LFMO speaks as the national and international voice for the Women of the Metis Nation across the Metis Motherland, spanning Ontario westward to British Columbia. Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak aims to consult, promote, and represent the personal, spiritual, social, cultural, political, and economic interests and aspirations of women and gender diverse people.

SOURCE Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak

Media Requests: Meara Belanger, Director of Communications, [email protected], (613) 255 0557
The state Juvenile Justice Commission has filed a lawsuit against Atlantic County, saying the county failed to provide a plan for how it will manage overcrowding at its juvenile detention facility.

The suit comes after the county sued the commission over what it deems a juvenile detention capacity crisis that the state is failing to address.

The law says all juveniles held on criminal charges must be housed in a facility specifically for young people and not in a jail or prison with adults.

The Juvenile Justice Commission strives to ensure safe and effective functioning of the youth detention system in New Jersey, an agency spokesperson said in a statement following its legal filing.

This includes setting minimum standards and monitoring for appropriate and safe population levels at county juvenile detention centers, the spokesperson said. When necessary, the JJC is authorized by law to require county-operated detention centers take certain actions to ensure safe and appropriate population levels, as the JJC has done here.

Atlantic County officials did not respond to a request for comment about the commissions lawsuit, but they filed court documents challenging the case.

The commission issued an order last month prohibiting Atlantic County from exceeding the 20-bed capacity limit at its Harborfields youth detention facility in Egg Harbor City. The state ordered the county to provide a plan for managing the issue.

The Nov. 12 order said the facility was regularly over-capacity and required other county youth detention facilities to accept Atlantic County juveniles when its own facility is full.

But, the county has not filed its plan, according to the new lawsuit, filed last week in state Superior Court. The state agency is asking a judge to assist it in getting Atlantic County to comply.

All of this comes after Atlantic County sued the commission in state Superior Court over the issue of whether the county or the commission is responsible for resolving juvenile placement issues.

County officials argue the state commission ignored its responsibility to manage the statewide housing of juveniles charged with crimes and has instead ordered the counties to figure it out.

Atlantic County officials are hoping for a judge to rule it is the Juvenile Justice Commissions responsibility to manage the placement of young people in juvenile facilities.

A decision in that case is expected by Dec. 20.

When a judge orders that a juvenile be detained on criminal charges until their case is resolved, the young person must be housed in a dedicated juvenile detention facility. Statewide, the total maximum capacity for the facilities is 332.

All seven county youth detention facilities in New Jersey  the others are in Bergen, Camden, Essex, Middlesex, Morris and Ocean counties  are owned and operated by the counties where they are located. Counties without facilities contract with those facilities to house their juveniles.

Atlantic County says a recent spike in serious crimes committed by juveniles has driven the overcrowding issue at Harborfields this year and the county has struggled for months to find beds in other facilities around the state.

Harborfields had 24 people in its facility this year, sparking several overcrowding-related problems, according to court documents filed in the countys suit. The problems included a riot at the facility in late August that resulted in injuries to one juvenile and two Juvenile Justice Commission officers.

A second riot occurred days later on Sept. 4, the county said.

The overcrowding situation has resulted in young people chained to benches at police stations for hours as Atlantic County officials try to find appropriate housing, according to the county.

By law, juveniles cannot be held by police for longer than six hours before theyre either released to a parent or placed in a juvenile detention facility. That six-hour timeframe includes the time it takes to transport a youth to a detention facility, which can take hours if theyre housed out of county.

In describing several cases of struggles to find open beds, the county described a September incident in which a youth was taken to a hospital for a second time for suicidal ideation after 19 hours in police custody.

The county argues the situation creates potential civil rights violations and exposes county officials and local police departments to possible litigation.

No town can put any juvenile in a holding cell because theyre made for adults, Atlantic County Assistant County Counsel Arthur J. Murray stated during a November hearing on the countys case. So you have juveniles who are being chained to benches for 6, 8, 10, 12 over 24 hours in this county. That must come to an end, judge.

The Juvenile Justice Commission says its the counties, not the commission, that are responsible for ensuring they have adequate housing plans for detained juveniles.

Whether a county operates a facility or relies on other counties to house their detained youth, it remains the counties responsibility to adequately plan for the detention of their youth, an agency spokesperson said recently.

The state sees a root problem in how long Atlantic County detains juveniles, according to its lawsuit.

As of Nov. 14, Atlantic had the second highest number of youths in detention of all 21 counties in the state, according to the commissions lawsuit. It attributed an increase in its population to a near five-fold increase in the average length of detention for Atlantic County youth between 2020 and 2023.

The average detention was 28 days in 2020 and 133 days in 2023, the commission said, noting that the 2023 figure was 85 days longer than the statewide average.

Thats what led to Harborfields regularly exceeding its maximum capacity, the commission stated. It told Atlantic County to look at ways to cut that detention period by reducing case processing times and ensuring access to detention alternatives.

Its Nov. 12 order required that Atlantic County present a process for placing youths in facilities operated in other counties when it is at capacity and for addressing the issues leading to regular overcrowding. But, the county has provided no plan, the commission stated in its lawsuit.

Atlantic County officials argue in court filings that the states suit is premature because the commission has not given the county a hearing on the Nov. 12 order as required by law, and that the countys 45-day timeframe to appeal the commissions order doesnt lapse until Dec. 27.

The county also says it has 60 days from the date of the commissions November order to address the overcrowding issue.

The county has also requested that the venue for the commissions suit be moved to Atlantic County because the case involves that county. The suit was filed in Mercer County, where the commissions offices are located.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
A former employee of Bergen Veterinary Hospital in Teaneck has filed a lawsuit claiming she was subjected to a hostile work environment and terminated in retaliation for her ADHD diagnosis and need for medical accommodations.

The 44-year-old Lodi woman claims in court filings that the hospital, one of its managers, and a supervising veterinary technician violated her rights under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

The woman claims she faced ongoing harassment, including demeaning comments and actions tied to her ADHD diagnosis, according to the lawsuit, filed Oct. 4, in Superior Court of Bergen County.

Representatives of the veterinary hospital, which is located in the 1100 block of Teaneck Road, did not immediately respond on Monday to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

Jason S. Nunnermacker, a Paramus attorney representing the hospital, said he has no comment as litigation is ongoing.

The suit says the woman disclosed her diagnosis in 2020 after co-workers saw her taking medication.

After that, a supervising veterinary technician repeatedly told the woman to take your meds and stop being annoying, alleges the complaint.

Oh my God, did you take your f------ meds? Because if you didnt, dont talk to me until youve taken them, a business manager often remarked, the lawsuit alleges.

The same manager in August 2021 allegedly told the woman, Go away, you are so annoying. Why are you like this? and Why are you so loud? Go away!

According to the Mayo Clinic, adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder includes a series of persistent mental health issues, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Treatment includes medication and counseling.

The alleged harassment reportedly escalated after the woman returned from emergency heart surgery in March 2023, when she was assigned reduced duties and isolated from coworkers.

To recover from surgery, the woman claims her doctor told her to stop taking her ADHD medication. Who told you you could do that? the business manager angrily snapped in August 2023, alleges the suit.

In September 2023, the woman was suddenly terminated. The manager who fired her allegedly justified the decision by saying she was too much, a comment the woman claims was linked to her ADHD and her requests for accommodations.

The lawsuit states the woman had received absolutely no indication that her work was anything short of excellent. She never received verbal or written warnings, or other negative feedback, the suit claims.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, along with back pay and benefits. The woman is also seeking corrective actions, including anti-discrimination training for staff at the veterinary hospital.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Pilots at one of New Jerseys largest military bases have fielded over a dozen reports in less than a month of lasers interfering with their flights, including one incident that caused an injury, officials said Monday.

Several pilots flying over New Jersey reported their planes were hit by lasers in recent days, leading aviation officials to warn residents about the dangers of pointing lasers at aircraft.

Fifteen aircraft, ranging from planes to helicopters, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst have been struck by lasers from the ground since Dec. 7, said Rochelle Naus, a spokesperson for the facility.

In one incident, a pilot was injured, officials said. The injured pilot was given medical care after landing. Naus didnt elaborate further about the injury but said the pilot was in good condition.

Military officials on Monday encouraged the instances to be reported to federal regulators, warning that pointing lasers at airplanes can be dangerous to pilots navigating critical in-flight procedures.

We want to emphasize that pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and a direct threat to public safety, Naus said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. JB MDL is working closely with local law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other agencies to investigate these incidents.

The laser points come amid an FBI investigation of more than 3,000 reports of alleged unexplained drone sightings. It remains unclear if the lasers and the drone sightings are related.

The FAA received multiple laser reports from pilots in airspace spanning New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, FAA spokeswoman Jillian L. Angeline said Sunday. FAA officials are investigating collaboratively to probe the increase in laser interference.

Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard, Angeline said. It is a felony carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Four men charged with murder in the shooting death of a Cumberland County Prosecutors Office detective will remain in jail while they await trial, a judge ruled Monday.

Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley was killed during an Oct. 15 home invasion at her Bridgeton residence.

Authorities have not confirmed if Mosley knew her attackers or if this was a random crime. A motive for the killing has not been disclosed.

Nyshawn B. Mutcherson, 29, of Vineland, Jarred D. Brown, 31, of Bridgeton, Richard B. Hawkins Willis, 32, of Gloucester City, and Byron L. Thomas, 35, of Paulsboro, are each charged with first-degree counts of murder and murder during the commision of a burglary, second-degree burglary, multiple weapons offenses, hindering and obstruction in connection with Mosleys death.

All four face potential life sentences if convicted.

Cyndia E. Pimentel, 38, of Paulsboro, is accused of helping to cover up evidence of the killing and is charged with third-degree hindering an investigation, and fourth-degree counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence.

The four men appeared Monday for detention hearings following a recent decision to move the case from Cumberland to Atlantic County.

The defense sought the venue change because of potential conflicts of interest, but a defense bid to have the prosecutor on the case replaced because he previously worked in the same office as Mosley was dropped last week following the venue shift.

Authorities allege multiple people forced their way into Mosleys Bridgeton home and shot her, and that Mosley shot Mutcherson in the chest before dying of her injuries.

Cellphone data, automated license plate readers, surveillance videos and witnesses helped piece together what unfolded on the night of the killing and placed the defendants together, Cape May County First Assistant Prosecutor Saverio Carroccia stated.

Byron Thomas sits, awaiting the start of a change of venue hearing at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Bridgeton, NJ on Friday, November 22, 2024. Thomas and four others are charged in connection with the murder of Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

Cape May County Prosecutors Office is handling the case, since the victim was employed by the Cumberland office.

Hawkins Willis, who was dating Pimentel, drove her 2012 Chevy Equinox from her residence in Paulsboro around 7 p.m. on the night of the killing and picked up Thomas, Brown and Mutcherson, the prosecutor said.

At 9:23 p.m., the vehicle was spotted in Bridgeton as it pulled up to a South Avenue residence linked to Brown, according to the prosecution.

From there, the men allegedly traveled to Buckshutem Road, where video surveillance from a trailer park near Mosleys house picked up the Equinox just before 10 p.m., Carroccia said.

Shortly after 10 p.m., Mosley was getting ready for bed when three or four masked men kicked in the front door, the prosecutor stated.

Mosley, 51, was able to fire three shots from her service weapon, striking Mutcherson, according to Carroccia.

She was shot in her right knee, then likely fell to the floor and put up her hand to defend herself from the second shot, which struck her left wrist and traveled through her arm, Carroccia said.

The third shot was fired into the back of her head at a downward trajectory in what Carroccia said Monday appears to be somewhat of an execution-type murder.

The prosecutor didnt identify the shooter, but said previously that the murder weapon has not been recovered.

Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley, with the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, was shot and killed during a home invasion at her residence on Oct. 15.(Padgett Funeral Home)

A bullet that struck Mutcherson was found in the grass at Mosleys home and contained the defendants DNA, the prosecutor said, and Mosleys blood was found on one of Mutchersons sneakers.

A witness reported seeing people fleeing Mosleys home shortly after 10 p.m. and video surveillance from multiple locations shows the SUV leaving the area, stopping at a medical facility in Bridgeton where Mutcherson was dropped off for treatment, and returning to the South Avenue address, Carroccia said.

Authorities were alerted about Mutcherson arriving at the medical facility. He initially told investigators he was shot in Millville, but they determined that was a lie, according to court documents.

The prosecution previously outlined efforts to hide evidence of the killing.

On Oct. 18, Pimentel and Hawkins Willis allegedly drove from Pimentels home to an address associated with Willis in Gloucester City, Carroccia said in November.

A search warrant for the Gloucester City property turned up multiple latex gloves and a size-6 boot with blood on it, and two floor mats, pieces of seatbelt and a car part from Pimentels vehicle were found in a driveway dumpster, according to the prosecutor.

DNA evaluation of that evidence is pending, he said in November.

Later on Oct. 18, Pimentel allegedly drove her SUV to Philadelphia with Hawkins Willis as a passenger and left it in a parking garage.

In arguing against Pimentels pre-trial release in November, Carroccia also described an uncorroborated claim that someone may target those involved in the killing.

Law enforcement has received information from a confidential informant that an individual out of state was contacted to come down and take care of any and all individuals who are involved in connection with this homicide, Carroccia said.

That issue wasnt raised Monday.

Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Levin praised the states case Monday, calling it a methodical, piece-by-piece investigation.

Even at this early stage, it looks like a pretty solid circumstantial case against all four co-defendants, he said in assessing probable cause for the charges.

Thomas attorney, Deputy Public Defender Scott Sherwood, noted that none of the evidence puts a firearm in the hands of Mr. Thomas on the night of the killing and that cellphone data did not place him at the victims home.

The prosecutor explained that Thomas cellphone appeared to be shut off during the time of the home invasion and that the other three mens phones appeared to have been left at the South Avenue address when the SUV was spotted traveling to and from the victims residence.

Nyshawn B. Mutcherson (left), 29, of Vineland, and Jarred D. Brown, 31, of Bridgeton, are charged with murder in the Oct. 15 killing of Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley.(N.J. Courts)

In seeking his clients pre-trial release, Sherwood said he has a job, some college education, cares for his four children and suffers from diabetes-related health issues. He said Thomas would remain in the area and attend all hearings if freed.

Any individual who participates in a violent home invasion while he and/or his co-conspirators are strapped with firearms is a danger to every single person in every community, the prosecutor responded in seeking Thomas detention.

In concluding that Thomas should remain detained, the judge recounted his prior record, which includes convictions for unlawful possession of a handgun, burglary and drug distribution, and noted that hes served three terms behind bars. He was sentenced to five years in state prison in 2022 for drug distribution.

In describing the danger Brown posed if released, the prosecutor characterized the case in stark terms. Its felony murder involving a just brutal, vicious home invasion of a police officer, Carroccia said.

Browns attorney, Jeffrey Hark, objected to what he termed the prosecutors prejudicial remarks about his client.

There are no facts presented in the probable cause statement that would reflect that the victim in this matter was actively engaged in her police duties, let alone  whether this defendant or any of the other co-defendants knew that the alleged victim was a police officer, Hark said.

The judge responded that its typical for prosecutors in detention hearings to describe a victims occupation simply as background and said he didnt believe the prosecution was suggesting Mosley was on duty at the time of the crime.

In arguing for his clients release, Hark stated that Brown voluntarily surrendered to police. He described Brown as a lifelong Cumberland County resident with a child, and said he would not be a flight risk.

Browns criminal background includes convictions for gun possession crimes, endangering the welfare of a child by sexual conduct, endangering the welfare of a child by non-sexual conduct, forgery, hindering apprehension and obstruction, the judge said. Brown was on probation at the time of his arrest in the Mosley case, Levin added.

The attorney for Hawkins Willis didnt challenge the states motion for detention Monday, but reserved the right to file a motion to reopen detention once the defense has received all discovery in the case.

At the time of his arrest, Hawkins Willis had five pending charges in a domestic violence case, for simple assault, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, theft and hindering apprehension, the judge said.

His prior record includes convictions for unlawful possession of a handgun, drug distribution and theft, and hes served two terms behind bars, including a five-year sentence in 2018 for the gun charge. He also has a history of domestic violence and six prior failures to appear in court, Levin noted.

While Brown, Hawkins Willis and Thomas remain in county jails, Mutcherson has been returned to state prison for a parole violation.

He had served time for aggravated assault on a domestic violence victim and obstruction and was released from prison in June with parole supervision, according to court records.

Mutcherson didnt challenge the states motion to detain him in the Mosley case during his appearance on Monday.

His prior record of five indictable convictions and five stints in state prison includes aggravated assault and weapons offenses, the judge noted Monday.

Pimentel was freed from jail to await trial following a detention hearing last month.

She previously worked as a police officer and was employed by the Camden County Police Department from 2013 to 2015, when she resigned.

The four murder defendants are scheduled to return to court on Jan. 27 for pre-indictment hearings.

The crowd applauds the service of Detective Sgt Monica Mosley at Bridgeton High School, in Bridgeton, NJ on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Mosley was killed in a home invasion shooting at her residence on Oct. 15.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

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A Central Jersey lawmaker who represents school districts facing steep cuts in state aid is asking the Department of Education to appoint a fiscal monitor for Newarks mostly state-funded district, following revelations it spent $33,000 in aid on a Staff Fun Day and budgeted over $1 million this year for airfare and hotels at education conferences in Las Vegas and other destinations.

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, R-Monmouth, questioned the spending by New Jerseys largest school district, which relies on the state to pay for 83% of its $1.5 billion budget, even as districts he represents laid off teachers and slashed services due to cuts in their funding.

This frivolous $1 million spending alone could have restored all of the after-school busing lost in ALL school districts in Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Burlington Counties, Sauickie said in a Dec. 1 email to Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer, referring to areas he represents. To the extent you can, it might make sense to assign Newark a state-appointed fiscal monitor.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced the designation of four new communities to the Main Street New Jersey (MSNJ) Program, an initiative aimed at encouraging and supporting the revitalization of downtown business districts throughout the state.

With the designation, downtown districts in Millburn, Plainfield, Princeton and Haddonfield can now receive technical assistance and training in how to strengthen their main streets as centers of community and economic activity.

We are incredibly excited to announce four new MSNJ Districts and look forward to assisting these communities as part of the MSNJ program, said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suarez. The MSNJ designation focuses on developing partnerships between local small business owners, entrepreneurs, and communities to foster public and private reinvestment in their historic New Jersey downtowns.

The MSNJ designation allows communities to receive on- and off-site technical assistance and training in downtown revitalization and management. MSNJ communities can also apply for grant opportunities to assist with physical improvement projects, operational support, and the development and implementation of transformation strategies in their designated districts to the extent funding is available.

The MSNJ program, within DCAs Division of Local Planning Services, assists with the development of preservation-based downtown revitalization initiatives including strengthening the existing tax base, increasing sales, creating a positive community image with attractive and viable downtown buildings, attracting new businesses, creating new jobs, increasing investment in the downtown, and preserving historic architectural resources.

The four newly-designated districts brings the total number of MSNJ districts to 29. Since the programs inception in 1989, there has been more than $1 billion in public-private investment in Main Street designated communities, with a net gain of 1,500 new and expanded businesses and a net increase of 6,680 jobs. Between 1997 and 2022, residents, merchants, and property owners donated nearly $10 million in volunteer wage time to support their local Main Street program.

Local officials and community leaders expressed excitement and gratitude for the MSNJ recognition.

Millburn is thrilled to be in the select few communities that have been admitted to the program and look forward to all of the benefits it brings, said Explore Millburn-Short Hills Chairwoman Jackie Benjamin Lieberberg.

As a 15-year economic and community development professional, I can say this is the most significant achievement of my career, said Explore Millburn-Short Hills Executive Director Steve Grillo. The Special Improvement District was created in 2020 and in just four short years we have been able to assemble a service portfolio in our downtown that has been recognized by such a prestigious program as Main Street New Jersey. There are big things ahead for Millburn!

What a great honor it is to be recognized as a Main Street community, said Princeton Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros. She added, Situated in the heart of Central New Jersey, Princeton is a major draw for visitors to our town from both nearby towns and throughout the world. Experience Princeton is one of the largest special improvement districts in the state covering the entire municipality. This Main Street designation is vital to growth and sustainability of our still young organization.

As the executive director of the Plainfield Special Improvement District, I am thrilled to see Plainfield recognized as one of the 2024 Main Street New Jersey Districts, said Abel Gomez. This acknowledgment reflects the collective efforts of our community, businesses, and leadership in revitalizing and enhancing the heart of Plainfield. We are excited to continue building a vibrant, inclusive downtown that not only preserves our historic character, but also positions Plainfield as a destination for innovation, culture, and economic growth. I look forward to working closely with Main Street New Jersey to further our mission and create lasting opportunities for everyone in our district.

This is a significant milestone in our ongoing effort to revitalize and reinvigorate the heart of Plainfield, added Mario Camino, chair of the Plainfield Special Improvement District. With this new partnership, we will gain access to crucial resources, training, and funding opportunities that will enable us to strengthen our local businesses, beautify our streets, and create a vibrant, inclusive downtown for everyone to enjoy.

This designation is incredibly meaningful for the Borough of Haddonfield, said Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich. It comes after nearly 20 years of growth and evolution - from our early days of competition with local malls and the big box anchored shopping centers to more recent online shopping trends and COVID-19-related challenges - signifying the power of our main streets, while also highlighting the need to be agile and responsive to our small business owners. To that end, I have purposefully engaged with preservation and tourism partners over the last four years to make our downtown more than just a beautiful and inviting destination for shopping and dining local. Weve worked tirelessly to bring residents and visitors together for experiential events that create lasting memories and deepen connections to our borough. The Main Street New Jersey designation is a testament to the volunteers and recent staff additions that have enabled us to keep moving forward and generating economic impact.

Michael Marciante, executive director of the Partnership for Haddonfield, said, Haddonfield has over 200 food, retail, and retail service businesses that make up a dynamic and welcoming downtown. With its historic backdrop, shade tree-lined streets, and walkable sidewalks, Haddonfield is the crown jewel of South Jersey. We are very excited to have our community recognized by Main Street New Jersey and invite everyone from across the state to experience everything Downtown Haddonfield has to offer.

For more information on the Main Street New Jersey Program and its participating communities, go to https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlps/msnj.shtml.

* * *

Submit Essex County community news to essex@njadvancemedia.com.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
One man was wounded in a drive-by shooting in New Brunswick on Saturday night that ended when a vehicle being chased by police crashed and two people were arrested, authorities said.

Police officers on patrol just before 11:40 p.m. saw shots fired from a vehicle traveling on Seaman Street in the area of Drift Street, New Brunswick officials said.

The officers pursued the vehicle when the driver refused to stop, police said. The fleeing car crashed into a utility pole on Louis Street, authorities said.

Bryce Miller, 18, and Tybre Spruill, 19, both of New Brunswick,were arrested on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and weapons offenses. Attorney information wasnt immediately available.

The 19-year-old New Brunswick man shot in the shoulder and abdomen was treated at an area hospital for injuries police said were not considered life-threatening.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
All across New Jersey, thousands of police officers will be working overnight on New Years Eve.

Its Stephanie Samuels hope that some cops and their supporters will be getting a little exercise as well.

Samuels, a Freehold-based psychotherapist who works with New Jersey police officers, is honoring law enforcement with the Midnight 5K Walk/Run. The event is open to the public and kicks off on Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m. on the Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk between Arnold Avenue and Ocean Avenue.

The proceeds will benefit CopLine, a 24-hour service providing active and retired law enforcement officers and their loved ones an outlet in times of distress. The confidential hotline is answered by retired law enforcement officers who volunteer their time to listen and provide assistance to officers and their families who face unique stressors.

Samuels, the founder of the 24-hour service, said CopLine provides the tools necessary to navigate difficult situations in their life. Its mission is to give cops and their families a confidential place to relieve stress that can build up and potentially lead to at-risk behavior, including suicide.

We have chosen New Years Eve to remind us that police officers all over the country are working and not with their families, Samuels said. We honor them and all those that have worn the badge with respect and dignity by starting the New Year healthy, sober and safe.

We remember that no matter how bad things are, there can be a new beginning.

Here are the details and how to sign up:

What: Midnight Run for the Call 2025 5k Run/1 Mile Walk

When: Dec. 31, 11:59 p.m.

Where: Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk (Arnold Avenue and Ocean Avenue) or virtually.

About the race: The registration form can be found here. The fee to participate in the 5K run/walk in Point Pleasant is $55. The cost to participate in the virtual run is $75. All proceeds go to CopLine to fund training for peer listeners and software necessary for the hotline.

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Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com.
The man Joe Biden had chosen for the most powerful judgeship overseeing New Jersey spoke out for the first time today, denouncing the bigoted smear campaign that sank his nomination.

In a letter to the president, Adeel Mangi defended his record and blasted his critics, decrying the Senatorial swamp whose members lack the wisdom to discern the truth, which exposes a catastrophic lack of judgment.

Mangi, the Pakistan-born attorney from Jersey City with a long record of pro-bono work, was subjected to a year of farcical fabrications from dark money groups that alleged he was an antisemitic, anti-cop, terrorist sympathizer.

But despite Mangis support from Jewish groups such as the Anti-Defamation League and law enforcement agencies, three Democrats  Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada  succumbed to attacks that were widely viewed as bad-faith, ideological, and Islamophobic.

Ultimately, their political cowardice prevented Mangi from becoming the first Muslim federal appellate judge: Majority Leader Chuck Schumer torpedoed his nomination for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals as part of a deal to confirm lower-court jurists, and handed the responsibility of filling the seat over to the incoming Trump Administration.

Mangis letter to Biden, in full, is as follows.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

December 16, 2024

Dear President Biden,

I write to thank you for nominating me to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. There is now no pathway to confirmation for any appellate nominees given the deal struck in the Senate to save coveted appellate [seats] for the next administration. But before I go, I have a few things to say. What I set forth here are my individual opinions.

In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican, spoke at the inauguration of a mosque in Washington, D.C. He said: And I should like to assure you, my Islamic friends, that under the American Constitution, under American tradition, and in American hearts, this Center, this place of worship, is just as welcome as could be a similar edifice of any other religion. Indeed, America would fight with her whole strength for your right to have here your own church and worship according to your own conscience. This concept is indeed a part of America, and without that concept we would be something else than what we are.

It was that vision of America that led me, 25 years ago, to make it my home. I saw in America a country where I could succeed based on my professional skill, hard work, and characterregardless of my faith or background. For years, in my work defending the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community, or working with massive inter-faith coalitions on amicus briefs, I celebrated an America where we stand up for each other. And while I was successful in private practice as a commercial trial lawyer, I had no second thoughts when offered an opportunity to serve my adopted country. Nothing could be a greater privilege.

When my nomination then came before the Senate Judiciary Committee, I was prepared to answer any questions about my qualifications, philosophy, or legal issues. I received none. Instead, I was asked questions about Israel, whether I supported Hamas, and whether I celebrated the anniversary of 9-11. Even more revealing, however, was the tone. The underlying premise appeared to be that because I am Muslim, surely I support terrorism and celebrate 9-11. When I made clear that all these claims are falsethat I condemn the Hamas attacks and all forms of terrorism, and indeed that it was my city that was attacked on 9-11the next Republican Senators up just repeated their performative outrage. There were children in the audience. The pretext for these questions was that I had agreed to serve on an outside advisory panel for an academic center that was being established at a preeminent New Jersey Law School to combat bigotry and discrimination, including Islamophobia. I attended four meetings over four years where I focused on areas of academic research that could support civil rights litigation.

Yet Senators sought to attribute to me the views of individuals that I do not know at university speaker events that I never even heard of. Muslims in America recognize well these sort of guilt-by-association attacks. Thereafter, advertisements were run deeming me an antisemite, a radical, and a terrorist sympathizer. Horrifying images were published with the Hamas flag substituted for my eyes or interspersing my face with footage of the twin towers on fire. And all of this, even while major Jewish organizations across the country condemned these attacks, ranging from the National Council of Jewish Women to the Anti-Defamation League, and over a dozen more. One of the largest Jewish groups put it this way: Adeel Mangi, was questioned aggressively on thin pretext about his views on Israel, terrorism, and antisemitism, turning these serious issues into a tool of partisan attack.  American Jewish Committee (AJC) has joined several U.S. Supreme Court briefs led by Mangi and find him to be an able jurist, a person of integrity, champion of pluralism, and adversary of discrimination against any group.

These attacks nonetheless continued endlessly for a simple reason. As Senator Whitehouse revealed on the Senate floor, this was an organized smear campaign fueled by dark money.

But it did not end there. After Jewish groups came to my defense, these same attackers pivoted focus to a new absurdity, claiming that I supported the killing of police officers  silently underpinned, in my view, by the notion that as a Muslim I surely support violence, including against law enforcement. What was the ostensible basis for this ludicrous claim? I successfully litigated a landmark pro bono lawsuit -- the Karl Taylor case  on behalf of the family of a mentally-ill incarcerated Black man who we alleged was choked to death by corrections officers after having been handcuffed. We secured a precedent-setting resolution that compensated the family and ensured cameras and microphones would be installed to make incarcerated persons and officers safer. My colleagues and I then agreed to serve on an advisory panel, which never met or had any responsibilities, for the not-for-profit organization that referred that case to my law firm, to provide legal advice on future similar pro bono cases that might arise involving suspicious deaths in prisons. In the event, we brought no other cases. This pro bono legal service aimed at enforcing the law apparently was enough for attackers to deem me an opponent of law enforcement.

As I detailed in a letter, this twisted attack  again based on outright lies, the actions of a person I never even met, or speaker events that I never heard of  is shocking and false. I am proud to have the support of a dozen police organizations, a group of Attorneys General from around the country, and a bipartisan group of current and former New Jersey Attorneys-General and U.S. Attorneys. Law enforcement groups that spoke to me before taking a position supported me. But others repeated slander without speaking to me. Some of those opposing police groups later did speak to me and then openly recognized that the attacks against me were wrong  and yet were instructed by their leadership not to get involved. Meanwhile, history has recorded who raised a fist of solidarity to the protestors that later attacked law enforcement officers in our nations capital on January 6, 2021. And which lawmakers support them still.

Amidst all of this, countless additional and spurious online assaults were launched on a regular basis from within the extremist ecosystem; the staff of the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee took the extraordinary step of demanding information from my partners and my law firm; volleys were launched against even my private sector clients; and Senators, led by the Minority Leader himself, launched regular attacks on me online and on the Senate floor as an antisemite radical. I was even attacked for board service with the New York Legal Aid Society.

What can explain all of this? One commentator recounted my professional accomplishments and then observed: But he also successfully fought efforts by two New Jersey communities to prevent the construction of mosques. He has served on the board of directors of the Muslim Bar Association and Muslims for Progressive Values. Clearly, hes both an accomplished attorney and a proud representative of his religion. Thats what his Republican critics cant tolerate. They will never accept someone who is so prominently associated with Islam. Meanwhile, here is what it was not about: throughout this entire process, I was never criticized by anyone for a single statement that I ever uttered or a single word that I ever wrote.

I accepted these farcical attacks with the silence demanded of judicial nominees in service of my country. Others were not silent. Senator Booker eviscerated these attacks in an extraordinary and passionate address.

They were condemned by almost 50 pro bono partners and chairs at leading law firms and legal organizations, over 125 civil rights groups, and dozens of bar associations. They were meticulously exposed in many newspapers, including two op-eds in the New York Times (first and second) and in the New Yorker. A historical parallel was drawn in The Atlantic to the attacks on Thurgood Marshall, and the attack campaign was decried in columns by prominent Muslim Americans, e.g., on CNN and MSNBC, and by Jewish Americans.

My home-state newspaper of record in New Jersey, The Star Ledger, wrote five editorials: GOP to NJ judge pick: Muslims need not apply; Ugly lies about antisemitism and terrorism: GOP smears NJ judge pick; Cowering in the face of anti-Muslim bigotry: Shame on Democrats,; First bigotry, now lies: This judge pick deserves better; and A MAGA judge for N.J.? You can thank Democrats.

A highly-respected Republican-appointed former judge of the Third Circuit wrote and spoke out in my support. And these attacks were demolished by John Oliver who concluded: As with the Islamophobic attacks on Mangi, the evidence that he is somehow antipolice are laughably thin. Its yet more six degree of separation nonsense. Yet it was three Democratic Senators who surrendered to this campaign.

Two allied Senators from a state far from the Third Circuit announced their opposition ostensibly based on the attacks claiming I am against law enforcement. I will not assume the worst possible motivation for their embrace of this attack. But to me that leaves two possibilities: that these Senators lack the wisdom to discern the truth, which exposes a catastrophic lack of judgment; or they used my nomination to court conservative voters in an election year, which exposes a catastrophic lack of principle. One reportedly made the decision based on fear of an attack adand apparently not for the first time.

Meanwhile, a third Senator literally handed control of his vote to Republicans. To fetishize bipartisanship amidst an outrageous attack campaign is not a virtue  it is a preening abandonment of morality. But ultimately, none of these Senators had to reach a final decision and vote. Resurgent efforts after the election towards confirmation were derailed by the deal in the Senate that denied all circuit nominees a vote. My family and I were put through this astonishing prolonged process and yet in the end denied even a vote requiring Senators to show who they are. The strength of the Senates collective commitment to principle stands revealed.

Our country faces an incoming tsunami of bigotry, hatred, and discrimination. It targets Muslims, Arabs, Jews, Black people, the LGBTQ+ community, and many others. And it always pretends to be something other than what it is. These forces are fueled not only by their proponents, but equally by the collaboration and silence of the spineless. They can be defeated only by those who lead voters with courage, not those who sacrifice principles for votes. But courage can be found outside of politics. American Muslims are part of this nations fabric and will not cower. This campaign was intended to make it intolerable for Muslims proud of their identity to serve this nation. It will fail. Our Constitution forbids religious tests for any Office of the United States and American Muslims will cherish that fundamental American value, even if others apply it only selectively. And let me be clear: I will always be immensely proud of my faith as well as my pro bono legal work to challenge both denials of freedom of worship and the alleged killing of an incarcerated Black man. I have battled for justice, even if it meant there would be none for me.

This unfortunate fact remains: We have a fundamentally broken process for choosing federal judges. This is no longer a system for evaluating fitness for judicial office. It is now a channel for the raising of money based on performative McCarthyism before video cameras, and for the dissemination of dark-money-funded attacks that especially target minorities. Nominees pay the priceand so too does our nation. Who will give up the rewards of private sector success for public service, if the added price is character assassination and wading though a Senatorial swamp like this one? This process must be reinvented to protect nominees from threats both reputational and physical in an era of Congressional dishonor where disinformation reigns and all decency has been abandoned. I set forth this record of my experience and my opinions so that this playbook will be recognized the next time a Muslim is nominated to a prominent position of service.

Thank you for the principled and steadfast support that the White House nominations team provided to me throughout this process. That team is the embodiment of true and honorable public service. Thank you also for your historic support of exceptional judicial candidates who happen to be from minority communities. I am grateful for the unprecedented coalition of bar associations, lawyers, Attorneys General, unions, mayors, religious groups, civil rights organizations, the City Council of Jersey City, and countless individual citizens, who demanded my confirmation. And I am deeply appreciative of the support I received from minority law enforcement groups around the country, including those in New York and New Jersey, who acted with courage based on facts.

To return to President Eisenhowers words, Americans must now look at the story of this nomination, and ask themselves: is this who we are now? For my children, I hope America one day lives up to President Eisenhowers promise, even if not today. For my part, I entered this nomination process as a proud American and a proud Muslim. I exit it the same way, unbowed.

Respectfully Yours

Adeel A. Mangi

cc: Senator Cory Booker

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator Dick Durbin
Just when everyone thought the New Jersey State Police ran out of ways to humiliate its leadership and disgrace the uniform, we learned that troopers recently decided they cannot do their jobs without upholding a longstanding tradition of abusing minorities.

That is one assessment of the work slowdown detailed with alarming clarity by a New York Times investigation last week, when it found that tickets issued by the NJSP for drunk driving, speeding, and other moving violations plunged 81% after an independent report exposed enormous racial disparities on highway stops -- and that the soft enforcement led to a spike in crashes and road fatalities.

The enforcement lag also came immediately after a memo sent by union leadership warned troopers that every stop and action will be highly scrutinized -- which clearly landed its message, as there was a 60% reduction in traffic enforcement between July 2023 and March 2024.

Attorney General Matt Platkin has launched a criminal investigation, but the real question remains why he and Gov. Murphy continue to tolerate a rogue agency that makes up its own rules, one year after it refused to adopt a pilot program that would have audited motor vehicle stops  and after Superintendent Col. Pat Callahan pledged that the NJSP would readily accept and embrace the scrutiny and oversight that comes with serving our communities.

Spoiler alert: It embraced no such thing, and decided instead that it would stop serving the community for eight months, just the latest example of the debased culture that governs a department that tramples civic norms.

De-policing is no better than defunding. Its the same thing, with the same result: a less safe public, said Micah Rasmussen, director of Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider.

Backing off of the Attorney Generals pilot program was not the right answer -- all that did was send the message that the lawlessness won out. If the organization is ungovernable, then it needs to be changed until it becomes governable. We cant afford to have an organization as important as the New Jersey State Police not doing the job its troopers were sworn to do.

For 8 Months, Traffic Enforcement on New Jerseys Highways Plummeted https://t.co/Ui13yZEGzI



After a report found racial bias in traffic enforcement, state troopers were warned by a union leader that every stop would be scrutinized. They started making fewer.  Sean Graf (@seangraf) December 8, 2024

This disregard for public safety is only the latest sign of institutional blight for the N.J.s largest law enforcement agency, where a legacy of racial profiling had placed it under federal monitoring for a decade.

In July 2023, a report authored by Dr. Matthew Ross of Northeastern studied 6.2 million traffic stops between 2009 and 2021 by NJ troopers and found that they engaged in enforcement practices that result in adverse treatment towards minority motorists  with Black motorists 130% more likely to experience force from troopers than white motorists.

Five months later, Comptroller Kevin Walsh revealed NJSP troopers attended the contemptible Street Cop training seminars, which promoted violent, illegal, and militaristic tactics for traffic stops.

That was followed by another Walsh report in June that proved Callahans crew still ignored racial disparities in traffic stops and was withholding information for annual reviews that are mandated by law.

Then came two devastating reports in September from the OAG itself, one that exposed the NJSPs internal affairs investigations as a sham -- where the process was weaponized against some troopers, as Platkin put it  and another that exposed a deep level of cronyism and discrimination at the NJSP, where less than 6% of its staff is female and veteran Black troopers claim they are routinely passed over for promotions.

N.J. State Polices toxic culture is a failure of leadership (cont.) | Editorial https://t.co/luL2p2ZtUM  The Star-Ledger (@starledger) September 30, 2024

Now comes the Times report.

The police know better than anyone that there is a correlation between enforcement and traffic safety. In September, the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) pointed out that reduced traffic enforcement is directly related to the increase in poor driving behaviors, creating higher risk on New Jersey highways.

In the case of this work slowdown, it led to a 23% spike in state traffic deaths in the first six months of 2024  even as fatalities dropped 3% nationwide. Take a bow, NJSP.

No N.J. lawmaker would discuss the Times story other than Senate minority leader Anthony Bucco (R-Morris), who blamed this behavior on the strained relationship between Platkin and the NJSP  which may have some validity, since the AG clearly has difficulty imparting what constitutes professional behavior.

But let Dr. Rasmussen cut to the chase: If a trooper feels he cannot do the job he is being paid to do while complying with the law and treating every person equally and impartially, then he should resign, he said. Every trooper takes an oath to uphold our laws, and that means enforcing them lawfully.

This should not be so difficult (even) after so many decades of knowing we have a problem and failing to fix it. We all have unconscious biases  thats part of the human condition. What is not acceptable is to give in to them by deciding if you are going to be required to enforce our laws fairly, youre not going to enforce them at all. That is lawless.

And if the AG cannot enforce operational oversight over the NJSP, he and Murphy should find new leadership for the NJSP  one that doesnt disgrace the state every few months and embraces actual reforms. Read the room, gentlemen: The culture is broken. Fix it.

When state troopers in New Jersey stopped writing tickets for drunk, distracted, and dangerous driving, crashes climbed.



Hm traffic enforcement might be.. important for preventing deadly crashes, you say? pic.twitter.com/jawewssdhM  Miriam Pinski (@mirijulip) December 8, 2024

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Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

N.J. State Police flout law, ignore red flags on racial profiling | Editorial https://t.co/AQtPHfiy8y  njdotcom (@njdotcom) June 2, 2024

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Dawn Jackson, serving a 30-year sentence for murdering her stepfather who had sexually abused her for years, will walk out of prison this week a free woman.

The 53-year-old woman has New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphys decision to thank for commuting her sentence, as well as TV personality Kim Kardashian, whom the governor credited with publicizing Jacksons case in a documentary.
An ex-GOP official suggested that President-elect Donald Trumps administration could be running a frat house based on his Cabinet picks.

Geoff Duncan, a Republican and former lieutenant governor of Georgia, told CNNs Kasie Hunt that Trump is building his legacy on a Ponzi scheme, pointing to his controversial slate of nominees for his Cabinet.

Duncan said that he does not have much to look forward to in a Trump administration, adding that the GOP is not the Republican Party I recognize anymore.

[Donald Trumps] legacy is more built on a Ponzi schemea Ponzi scheme of populist ideasand every day its going to get a little bit more edgy and a little bit more daring and bombastic. And I think you have to look no further than these nominees to see it as part of that next step in the Ponzi scheme, Duncan said on Monday.

If you told me that Donald Trump was building an administration to run a frat house, Id believe you, he added.

Not necessarily to tackle the global issues that were facing, the economic challenges that were facing, the intensity of the challenges that this country faces I believe are more serious than Donald Trump is.

.@GeoffDuncanGA: "If you told me that Donald Trump was building an administration to run a frat house, I'd believe ya  not necessarily to tackle the global issues that we're facing..."@kasie pic.twitter.com/5Vq4wcYf4t  CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) December 16, 2024

Hunt then asked Duncan whether character matters in electing a president.

Character matters in everything that we do in this country. How we pick our local leaders. How we pick our business leaders. But unfortunately it doesnt seem to matter as much as to how we pick our presidents, Duncan responded.

Character is something you bring to work with you every single day no matter what the challenge that you face is. And I think thats the dilemma that we face with Donald Trump is that there is no moral compass that points him in the right direction when he wakes up other than whats in the mirror and what helps him, he added.

Duncan served as the lieutenant governor of Georgia from 2019 to 2023. Since leaving office, hes been a frequent critic of Trump and the Republican Party.

Trumps cabinet picks have sparked backlash in recent weeks as some Republican lawmakers are even raising their eyebrows at the choices. Many of his more controversial picks, like former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, have spent hours on Capitol Hill courting votes from hesitant senators.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) was pressed Sunday on whether his vow to cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump is because he wants a pardon in exchange.

Adams, who is up for reelection next year, was accused of abusing his elected position and indicted in September on bribery and campaign finances. Since Trumps election, Adams has appeared to warm to the president-elect and has vowed to cooperate with him on his immigration policies.

MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart asked Adams on The Sunday Show whether he was hoping to be pardoned. He read a quote from New York City Councilman Lincoln Restler, who slammed Adams for being more interested in securing a pardon from the incoming Trump administration than protecting immigrant New Yorkers and upholding our sanctuary city laws.

Thats a very strong allegation against you, Mayor Adams, your reaction to that? And are you seeking a pardon from President elect Trump, or trying to? Capehart asked.

Adams denied the allegations on the show, saying that the councilman is just one of several who attack his administration. He pleaded not guilty to the federal corruption charged in September.

I am not communicating with the President about a pardon. Im communicating with bringing resources to the city and doing what I have done for the last three years, and that is moving this city forward, he said.

So Im dealing with the people of the city, and theres always going to be critics, he added.

During his first press conference since the election on Monday, Trump said he would consider pardoning Adams, who he said was treated pretty unfairly. He suggested that Adams was targeted after sounding the alarm on migrants inundating New York City.

Trump says he will consider pardoning Eric Adams pic.twitter.com/wXtDNugsoT  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 16, 2024

Adams has expressed willingness to work with Trump on immigration policies, including his mass deportation plan. New York City is one of the sanctuary cities that has been inundated with migrants for years. He also met with Trumps incoming border czar, Tom Homan, last week in his latest effort to work with the president-elect.

Adams also repeated his claim on Sunday that the charges brought against should not have been brought.

Listen, I did nothing wrong. I said that over and over again. I should not have been targeted in the first place. Ive repeatedly stated that, and I think that were finding out more and more some of the things that have been happening with DOJ. Like putting parents on FBI watchlists for just standing up for their children, he said.

I want to be clear, I asked the former, the current president, President Biden, to come to New York City to help me in 2022 to deal with gun violence. He arrived in the city, sat down with the police department. I met with his team several times on several initiatives. Thats the same way I feel with the incoming president. I am not going to be warring with this president. Im going to be working with this president, he added.

The shift comes as Adams is trying to fight off an indictment on federal corruption charges while governing the city and gearing up to run for a second term. Adams has pleaded not guilty in his criminal case, in which he has been accused of accepting free or discounted overseas trips and illegal campaign contributions from people looking to gain his influence, including people connected to Turkey or the Turkish government.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Its been six days since the Yankees reportedly signed Max Friend to an eight-year, $218 million contract, and WFAN host Chris McMonigle is starting to worry.

The Yankees announced they had traded left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers for Devin Williams on Friday, the same day of the transaction, why hasnt the Fried deal been made official yet? This has McMonigle feeling concerned.

Heres my question, why havent they announced Max Fried yet, McMonigle asked on Monday morning, via Audacy. I dont want to be an alarmist. I dont want to delve into conspiracy theories, God knows we have enough. But Im starting to get worried that Max Fried hasnt been announced at all. They announced the Devin Williams trade that day.

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

Fried dealt with forearm injuries in both 2023 and 2024. He had Tommy John surgery as a Padres prospect back in 2014. This paired with the fact that the Yankees have not introduced Fried before the public lends some pause.

Delayed announcements do happen, however. The Mets didnt announce the signing of Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract until three days after it was reported on Dec. 8, the eve of the Winter Meetings.

Sticking with the Mets, they officially announced the signing of right-hander Clay Holmes on Monday afternoon, 10 days after reports of his signing a three-year, $38 million contract were reported. Holmes wont be introduced to media members until Tuesday.

The lesson here is to be patient. It is the offseason and players are on vacation during this time. An announcement will eventually come.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Manny Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.
This year the Louisiana state political news started early, and it didn't stop coming, and it didnt stop coming and it didnt stop coming, like one of those horrifying troll edits of Smash Mouths All Star.

State legislators started making laws early in the year and ended late, with new Gov. Jeff Landry calling them to Baton Rouge for a whopping three special sessions.

The first session was because a federal court ordered state lawmakers to redraw the congressional voting districts they drew in 2022. At that time, they swore up and down that the map was legal despite only making one of the six districts majority Black when Black people make up a third of Louisianas population.

The federal district court agreed the math wasnt mathing and ordered lawmakers to draw another majority-Black district. They did, only to have a three-judge panel throw out the new map. The Supreme Court let the state use the new map for the 2024 elections, and Louisiana elected a second Black U.S. representative, Cleo Fields, in November.

But he may not want to get too comfortable. The Supreme Court will have the final say over whether the new district stands when they take up the case next year, with a decision expected by next summer.

Round Two

Then in February, there was a second special session in which Republicans used fear surrounding crime as an opportunity to reverse bipartisan reforms to the criminal legal system. They blamed the reforms for crime rising in Louisiana during the pandemic, even though spikes happened across the country during that time. In fact, by the time the special session started, crime rates were already declining. They easily passed laws to put people behind bars longer and give them fewer second chances for good behavior, which will cost the state more money.

The new laws also require the system to treat all 17-year-olds as adults, even though few are accused of violent crimes. This means longer sentences and all of their arrests being made public, which makes it harder for them to reenter society, as Richard Webster reported in a partnership between Verite News and ProPublica.

Dissatisfied with the paper-bag-over-the-head worthy results for Democrats in the 2023 fall elections, a wave of new and veteran faces alike teamed up to oust controversial party head Katie Bernhardt. Several considered running to replace Bernhardt, but ultimately, in typical dysfunctional fashion, she couldnt even get someone to nominate her to keep the job at the party meeting  resulting in former state legislator Randal Gaines winning by default, as the Louisiana Illuminators Piper Hutchinson reported in April.

Round Three

Meanwhile, state lawmakers gaveled themselves back in session starting in March, this time to take care of their regular business. Though abortion is already banned in Louisiana in almost all cases, they decided they hadnt quite tied a bow on restricting womens health care. So despite public opposition from more than 200 doctors, they passed a law that classifies mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances, making it illegal to possess them without a prescription, unless youre a doctor or a pregnant person intending to use them.

The two drugs are used to cause a medically induced abortion, but theyre also commonly used for a variety of medical purposes including managing miscarriages and stopping bleeding after a birth. Hospitals will now have to store them under lock and key instead of having them readily available at a bedside table in case of emergency. Reproductive rights groups, women and some medical professionals are suing the state over the law.

Speaking of regular business, legislators doubled down on anti-LGBTQ measures that former Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, had vetoed while he was in his office, including a Dont Say Gay bill banning K-12 public school employees and presenters from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity and one making it harder for transgender and non-binary students to go by their chosen names and pronouns at school. They also voted to force trans men and boys to use womens restrooms and trans women and girls to use mens restrooms in schools and other public facilities.

Lawmakers also brought a slew of anti-union proposals, but labor unions defeated many of them. Still, lawmakers ended mandatory lunch breaks for teen workers and cut the states already low unemployment payments. Similarly, they pulled the plug on measures that would have gutted the state public records law but still passed laws weakening it.

After accidentally legalizing THC products like THC seltzers and edibles, state lawmakers still couldnt seem to put that cat back in the bag. Local businesses who sell the products fought against an outright ban, and ultimately, legislators settled on a compromise tightening restrictions on them, including banning gas stations from selling them.

Facing an insurance crisis, legislators also rolled back property insurance protections for homeowners, which Insurance Commissioner (and former insurance company executive) Tim Temple said would make the market more competitive and lower rates. Housing advocates worry the changes could make an already bleak situation worse, as Terry Jones reported for Floodlight.

Round Four

For their grand finale of the year, state legislators met in November in the name of tax reform. Alas, their version of reform meant raising sales taxes in a state that already has the highest sales taxes in the nation when combined with local rates in order to pay for property and income tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. These changes will hit poor people the hardest, but not to fear, the wealthiest 1% of the state will save an average of more than $15,000 in taxes.

Not satisfied with treating 17-year-olds as adults in the legal system, lawmakers are also trying to get permission from voters to expand the list of crimes for which they can give 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds adult sentences. And theres no telling where it will end, with one legislator giving the terrible twos a whole new meaning. Some of these kids are already lost when they're 2 years old, said Rep. Tony Bacala, a Prairieville Republican, in a House committee meeting.

There is a chance for voters to reject that change, along with parts of Landrys tax overhaul, this spring.

Heres to hoping 2025 has fewer than four lawmaking sessions, as a little treat.
A new charity shop has opened in Bideford, taking over the premises previously occupied by the North Devon Animal Ambulance shop.

The venture supports NOWZAD, the charity founded by Pen Farthing, which gained international attention in 2021 for its successful evacuation of animals and staff from Afghanistan during the Taliban's takeover.

The idea for reopening the shop came from the charitys volunteers, who approached Pen with the proposal.

Pen, known for his dedication to animal welfare, agreed to take over the shop, beginning with a six-month trial to see how it works.

He explained: The team asked us, Would you guys consider taking it on as a shop? and it wasnt something wed thought about before. But we looked into it and thought, well, okay, lets give it a go for six months and see how it works. Its fantastic; weve got these amazing volunteers who did most of the work for us. We just had to say yes.

Pen, who moved to Devon and joined the military at 18 as part of the Royal Marines, has always been passionate about animal rescue, particularly in Afghanistan.

He founded NOWZAD in 2007 after witnessing organised dog fighting while deployed. During his time in Afghanistan, he intervened to stop a dog fight and ended up caring for one of the dogs involved.

My connection with animals has always been strong. After that incident, I knew I had to do something to help, Pen said.

One of the most heartwarming stories associated with NOWZAD involves Ewok, a small Pomeranian who now acts as the charitys mascot.

Originally from Russia, Ewok was owned by an Afghan man who, when the Taliban took control, had to make the difficult decision to either leave the dog on the streets of Kabul or place him in the care of NOWZAD.

Unable to see the dog left behind, Pen Farthing ensured that Ewok was safely brought into the charitys care, and he has since become a symbol of the organisations mission.

Pens commitment to animal welfare reached new heights in 2021 when the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

He remained in the country to help organise the evacuation of both animals and the people involved in the charitys operations.

While the evacuation drew significant media attention, Pen faced criticism on social media but remained focused on his mission.

The priority was always getting the people out. The animals were going to be in the cargo hold of the plane; that was the simplicity of the plan, he explained.

The emotional toll of the operation and the media attention led Pen to write Operation Ark, a book in which he shared his experience.

Unable to find a publisher, Pen almost gave up hope of ever publishing his book.

However, the team at Claret Press gave him the opportunity to bring his story to life, which he described as much-needed therapy following the past events he faced.

Writing the book helped me process everything, he said.

NOWZAD continues to support animals in Afghanistan and Ukraine, where the charity has been tackling issues such as rabies vaccination.

This year, the team reached a significant milestone by vaccinating their 2,000th dog in Ukraine, a major achievement in their ongoing efforts to protect animals in conflict zones.

However, the charity is currently facing financial difficulties.

Pen shared that this year has seen a decline in donations, making the opening of the new charity shop particularly important.

He appealed for donations, especially unwanted Christmas gifts, to help support the ongoing work of NOWZAD.

Weve been struggling financially, and any help, no matter how small, would make a huge difference, he said.

In a recent uplifting development, one of the Afghan veterinarians who Pen helped relocate to Devon has recently requalified to practice in the UK.

Pen expressed his pride in seeing the vet integrate into the UK healthcare system.

For now, the focus remains on supporting animals in need and continuing the vital work of NOWZAD both abroad and at home.

Pen remains hopeful that the new charity shop will provide much-needed support during this challenging time.
China-Cambodia cultural show celebrates people-to-people exchange year

Xinhua) 13:23, December 16, 2024

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The "Golden Promise 2024," a China-Cambodia cultural show, was staged here Sunday evening to celebrate the people-to-people exchange year, attracting hundreds of spectators.

Organized at the iconic Chaktomuk Theater, the glittering cultural show was jointly performed by a troupe of Chinese artists from Wuxi City in east China's Jiangsu Province and a team of Cambodian artists from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Cheam Yeap, first vice president of Cambodia's National Assembly, and Ek Sam Ol, president of the Cambodia-China Friendship Association, attended the event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said the event was part of joint activities to mark the China-Cambodia people-to-people exchange year 2024.

"I believe that the audience could be deeply interested in Chinese culture and tradition through this cultural show," he said.

Wang said the event had not only deepened cultural exchanges, but also promoted a traditional friendship between China and Cambodia.

During the two-hour show, the Chinese artists presented traditional songs and dances, while Cambodian artists performed the Royal Ballet, a UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage, and traditional music.

Keo Sreylin, a 25-year-old civil servant at the Ministry of Tourism, said the cultural show was amazing, as all artists were highly professional and talented.

"I like watching Chinese art performances, because I'm keen to know more about China's beautiful culture, tradition and customs," she told Xinhua after the show.

Sokun Povneath, a senior student at the National University of Management, said he liked the show because it was diverse and interesting, and he could learn a lot about differences between Chinese and Cambodian cultures.

"The artists from China performed well, and their gestures were vivid," he told Xinhua.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Dyers Burgers is a popular Memphis eatery that has been frying its meat patties in the same grease for over a century, claiming it is the secret to its delicious-tasting burgers.

Elmer Doc Dyer founded his now-famous burger joint in Memphis in 1912, betting on his secret mix of seasonings to make the patties irresistible. It worked, people loved Dyers burgers, but it wasnt until one fateful night when one of the cooks forgot to change the grease in the pan that they became to-die-for. Kendall Robertson, the current owner of Dyers Burgers, claims that the next day, someone came in, had a burger and said Thats the best burger Ive ever had in my life. That skillet of grease has never been changed since, so all the burgers are still cooked in the original grease that made the restaurant famous more than a century ago.

Photo: Pinterest

Its the same molecules from 1912, its never been changed, Robertson recently told Southern Living Magazine. We strain it through to get any particles out of it and then we season it.

Dyers burgers start out as round balls of meat that are pounded with a wooden mallet before being dropped in large cast-iron skillets filled with the restaurants legendary century grease. The thin patties tend to shrink when fried, so most people usually ask for doubles, sometimes triples, because a single doesnt really fill you up.

Youd think most people would be put off by burgers cooked in century-old grease, but Kendall Robertson says they know about the secret ingredient and are not only fine with it but some actually double-dip. They ask for their entire burger  buns and everything  to be dunked into the flavorful grease before being packaged.



Just in case youre worried about Dyers Burgers running out of its special grease, dont be. The specially seasoned ground beef always creates extra grease when cooked, which means the amount of century grease increases with each new batch of burgers. The place goes through 750 to 1000 pounds of ground beef each week, and Robertson claims he has about 10 buckets of the stuff stored away, in case something happens to the grease in the skillets.

Interestingly, using the same broth or grease for years, even decades is not unheard of. This Thai restaurant has been cooking noodles in the same broth for over 50 years, and Otafuku, one of the oldest noodle restaurants in Japan, has been serving up the same broth since 1945.
Abbey Overland

Abbey Overland, who served as military legislative assistant to Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, has joined Alpine Group as VP.

She worked with Ernst, a member of the Armed Services Committee, on issues related to the National Defense Authorization Act, veterans and foreign affairs.

Overland transitioned from Ernst's office to the Pentagon, where she was Congressional advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. She helped build Congressional support for the creation of the US Space Force.

After exiting the Pentagon, Overland became lobbyist at Palantir Technologies and head of Washington operations for Ursa Major.

Keenan Austin Reed, Alpine CEO, said Overlands deep understanding of defense policy and inter-agency collaboration, coupled with her commitment to bipartisanship, will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate complex challenges and seize opportunities in the defense sector.

Alpine Group is part of Public Policy Holding Company.
RAHAN-born author Mary Minnock launched her second novel at the Midland Books store in Tullamore recently.

Mary self published her first book, Homesick, early this year and was already working on Love Lost, a novel which has is earning positive reviews.

Speaking at the launch, bookstore owner John Ryan praised the writer for her hard work and dedication over the last couple of years.

Publishing one book is an incredible achievement but it's clear now that she's prepared to build on this and the best is yet to come as she perfects her craft, he said.

Homesick was nominated for a CAP (Carousel Aware Prize) award, the leading prize in the Irish self published and independent book sector. The CAP patron is the 2024 Booker Prize Winner, Paul Lynch.

Homesick, which John Ryan said was described as a highly character driven novel, with great emotional depth, was also a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards in the United States.

Love Lost focuses on a family in turmoil and turns on the relationship between a separated couple, Mag and Dennis, who lose their daughter in a car crash.

Though they've barely spoken in 10 years the tragedy forces them to come together and investigate the mysterious circumstances of their daughter's death.

John said: A review describes Love Lost as a beautifully written, heartbreaking story which has us completely engulfed in the characters' emotions from start to finish. It's another very accomplished work for Mary to add to her repertoire.

Addressing those gathered in the book shop for the launch, Mary Minnock (pictured below) said that writing and publishing her books had been a fantastic journey and recalled that she had been knocking on the door of traditional publishing for a long time but had not got anywhere.

So I decided to self publish, and I'm so delighted, she said.

A mother of four girls in her 50s (her oldest daughter Mathilde designed the covers for both books) who now lives in Dublin, she had two key pieces of advice. First, never consider yourself too old to do anything.

Especially in a creative endeavour never say to yourself you're too old, she said. You'll never be as young as you are now so just do it.

Second, she urges everyone to enjoy the positive moments in their lives. Really take pleasure out of every little positive that happens in your life. Just enjoy it, never think, 'Oh, I could have been so much better, I could have had this extra thing', just enjoy the moment.

She said it makes her day when someone writes to her and says they really enjoyed her book and she was thrilled to be shortlisted for the CAP award. I don't think I could have been happier if I was shortlisted for the Booker prize.

In a question and answer session, the writer, who is now working on her third novel, explained that she knows the beginning and end of her stories first and then fills in the middle.

I do know what's going to happen. I'm not sure how it's going to happen, that's what I don't know and I don't plan that so very much.

She stresses that fictional books are exactly that, works of fiction, but says everyone has life experience which they can apply to stories.

We all have things that happen to us and then you use [them], you exaggerate or you twist what happened to you.

She uses real life settings for locations and homes in her books. For example, she uses the home of a friend in Dublin where she lived while in college in Love Lost. It becomes Mag's house.

And Dennis, who is a mechanic, lives in an apartment above his garage which is modelled on where Granny Minnock lived above Tony's pub.

She also said that writing is work and must be treated as such. Eighty per cent of it is keeping your bum on the seat, that is so hard, she said.

I say to myself you cannot leave this seat until you have 500 words. Even if they're rubbish words, you write 500 words. And once I get there I actually am happy to be there and it comes and I keep going.

She cautioned that most writers do not make money, with the average successful author earning only about 10,000.

It's a bit of a shame because you do put your heart and soul into everything and then you realise you're never going to make money on this. You just don't.

That said, she stated that independent authors are paid more per book sale than those whose books are published in the traditional way.

One way a reader can help a self published author is by writing a review online on a website like Amazon or Good Reads. Extra reviews lend credibility to the book and its author.

She revealed that her next book asks the question: To what extent are people prepared to put themselves and their families in danger to do what's right?

In this instance, she is undecided about the ending. I'm hesitating between two endings and I don't know which way I'm going to go. I could be depressing or I could be a little bit optimistic and I don't know which way to go, she said.

And I think depressing is the way it's going to go. It makes more sense in that context. Laughing, she added: Sorry!

Love Lost is available to purchase in Midland Books (14.99) or online.
A hospital doctor who was drunk and seen with a knife in the leisure centre of a Tullamore hotel has paid 1,000 to charity.

Tullamore District Court was told that Jerome White, Edriona House, The Bungalows, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, had made the payment to Brain Tumour Ireland.

White's solicitor Aisling Maloney said the money had been paid but her client was not in court, despite usually attending.

Judge Andrew Cody adjourned finalisation of the matter to December 18 next for the man to be present in court.

A sitting of the court in October had heard that on November 25 last year 37-year-old White had gone to the leisure centre of the Tullamore Court Hotel where he was seen by other users of the facility who became concerned.

Ms Maloney told the court there was no nefarious intent on her client's part and the knife had fallen out of his bag when he was changing.

White pleaded guilty to intoxication in a public place at the Tullamore Court Hotel, O'Moore Street, and a weapons offence of having a knife which had a blade or was sharply pointed.

The court was told that White is a medical doctor with the HSE who worked as a locum doctor in a number of hospitals throughout Ireland, including Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

Ms Maloney handed in a letter from the mental health services outlining her client's mental health difficulties.

White told the court he was not presently working and Sergeant Brendan Kearns said he had no previous convictions and had not come to garda attention since November last year.

Judge Andrew Cody said that if 1,000 was paid to Brain Tumour Ireland he would strike out the case and remanded the accused on continuing bail.
The Taoiseach has defended his partys engagement with Michael Lowry on government formation talks, saying he received a large mandate from the electorate.

Simon Harris said he has a duty to speak to independents and parties who want to form a stable government.

Mr Harris also said he and his partys negotiating team held a very lengthy, constructive engagement with Labour leader Ivana Bacik and her party on Monday.

The meeting focused on areas of policy, including housing, climate, enterprise and health, he said.

The Labour party has its own processes to work through now and we respect that.

Meanwhile, Mr Lowry is the point of contact for the Regional Independent Group, who is viewed as most likely to be the third partner in a coalition with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

In June 2018, Mr Lowry was found guilty of charges of failing to keep proper books of account and delivering an incorrect corporation tax return in relation to his refrigeration company, Garuda.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Mr Lowry was interviewed by gardai from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CSB) who are investigating matters related to the Moriarty Tribunal.

The tribunal was set up in 1997 to examine payments made to former taoiseach Charles Haughey and Mr Lowry.

In the Moriarty Tribune, it criticised Mr Lowrys behaviour at the time, describing it as profoundly corrupt.

Mr Harris was asked about the findings on Monday and why his party is continuing to engage with Mr Lowry.

You have to remember the public voted for Deputy Lowry in very large numbers in Tipperary, Mr Harris said.

When youre elected to Dail Eireann, I suppose you have a duty to try and form a government, and my party is trying to form a government, and were working with Fianna Fail to try and form a stable government.

Were engaged and talk to a number of groups in the Dail.

Theres a lot of people outlining why they dont wish to be in government. I think its important that we concentrate on those that do, because what we do need to do here is deliver a stable government.

Deputy Lowry has supported many governments over many years at this stage. From my point of view, the most important thing is the policy programme that government delivers and my priority now is in getting as much of the Fine Gael manifesto implemented as possible.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said said that Mr Lowry has a very controversial background, and was someone who had very serious findings made against him.

Thats a matter for them to answer, she added.

Am I hugely surprised that they reach for the independents to bolster their efforts and to back them up? Not hugely.

But I dont believe that that is a good outcome for any of us. What we are doing proactively is meeting with others who share our perspective and who know that housing policy needs to change, that we need a whole sea change, change of direction in public policy, so that work for us is ongoing.

Tomorrow, well meet with the Congress of Trade Unions. We meet again with the Social Democrats, we meet with the Labour Party. We have met with others.

Well continue at that piece of work, and really, the questions around Michael Lowry need to be put to Micheal Martin and they need to be put to Simon Harris.

They would be better placed to answer queries, concerns and questions than I.

Government formation talks will continue this week and possibly into early next week before pausing for the Christmas break.

Fianna Fail is set to continue to meet with independents and the Social Democrats this week.

On Wednesday, the 34th Dail will sit for the first time and will vote by secret ballot to elect a new Ceann Comhairle.

While Fianna Fails Sean O Fearghail has held the position the last two terms, he is expected to face a contest with Independent TD Verona Murphy and Sinn Feins Aengus O Snodaigh.

It is understood that Fine Gael is likely to back Ms Murphy for the role.

Mr Harris said that no one will be forced to vote in a particular way.

Deputy Murphy is not a member of the Fine Gael party for very good reason, but Deputy Murphy then went off and got elected to Dail Eireann with the mandate from the people of Wexford and I have to respect that reality as well, Mr Harris said.

Weve made, as I was saying earlier, no decision in relation to the Ceann Comhairle position. I will not be whipping Fine Gael TDs, it is a private ballot.

It is likely  though I dont want to presume my parliamentary partys view  but it is likely, when we meet tomorrow at 5.30pm and we will agree an approach, or what we think is a sensible approach, in terms of that.

He added: I am conscious it is an individual vote that every TD has. So nobody in my party will be whipped in relation to this issue.

But at the same time, I think as a party, were likely to try and take a consensus type approach in terms of how we decide to go about it, but it is a private ballot.

Government formation talks are likely to resume on January 6.
Sri Lankan President Dissanayake accorded state honours in India during official visit

Posted by Editor on December 16, 2024 - 2:19 pm

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently on a three-day official visit to India, was formally welcomed today (December 16) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India.

The ceremonial reception began with President Dissanayake being escorted to Rashtrapati Bhavan by a horseback parade. He was warmly greeted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The event included a 21-gun salute, marking the occasion with full state honours. Following the formalities, President Dissanayake inspected a guard of honour presented by the Indian Armed Forces.

Subsequently, representatives from both nations were introduced to the leaders. The event was attended by numerous state officials and diplomats.

After the reception, President Dissanayake visited the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at Rajghat to pay his respects. To commemorate his first official overseas visit, he planted an Ashoka tree at the Gandhi Darshan premises near Rajghat and signed the guest book.

Later in the day, President Dissanayake is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral discussions. Additionally, he will hold a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu tonight.

The President is also set to meet Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Health Minister J.P. Nadda for further discussions.

Furthermore, discussions with prominent Indian business leaders are planned, focusing on potential investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Presidents statement in New Delhi during state visit to India

Posted by Editor on December 16, 2024 - 10:44 pm

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his first overseas visit since taking office, highlighted the strong ties between Sri Lanka and India.

He shared this message while speaking to the media in New Delhi today (December 16).

He expressed gratitude to Indian leaders for their support, particularly during Sri Lankas 2022 economic crisis and highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations in areas like trade, defence and digitization.

The President also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the commitment to regional security and collaboration.

Here is the full statement by the President:

His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi,

Honourable Ministers,

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends from the media,

Ayubowan, Vanakkam, Namaste, Good Afternoon.

It is indeed a pleasure to be in New Delhi on my first overseas visit after assuming office as the President of Sri Lanka.

I am thankful to Her Excellency President Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu and His Excellency Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the invitation extended to me and the warm welcome and hospitality. The deep-rooted civilizational ties and the strong bilateral cooperation between our two countries have been elevated during this visit.

My visit occurs at an important juncture in the political scenario of both our nations where our peoples have explicitly spoken through the democratically established electoral systems and given us the mandate to steer our countries along the path of sustainable development, social empowerment and prosperity.

The Parliament of Sri Lanka now has the highest number of representatives ever elected under a single mandate. This overwhelming support that the National Peoples Power under my leadership received from the people is a watershed moment in the history of Sri Lanka.

For the first time in Sri Lankas history, the public mandate expressed during the recently concluded Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, has laid the seeds for a political transformation enabling the formation of a new political culture in our country.

People from all the Provinces  North, South, East and Westrepresenting diverse communities and various walks of life contributed to this mandate.

As a leader entrusted with such an important responsibility by my people, I clearly understand that the essence of democracy lies in the coexistence of diverse political views and groups.

India has always been an integral part of the growth and development of Sri Lanka throughout history, from sharing the precepts of the Dhamma to being a partner in our developmental progress.

My visit to India today demonstrates these close and friendly ties that we have been enjoying since time immemorial.

Just a while ago, Prime Minister Modi and I along with our respective delegations concluded our bilateral deliberations. We carried out a comprehensive review of the present status of our relations and exchanged views on the ways and means to further strengthen our cooperation in areas of mutual interest in the future.

I thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India for the unwavering support extended to Sri Lanka, especially during the unprecedented economic crisis the country underwent in 2022 and for strongly supporting Sri Lankas debt restructuring process.

Prime Minister Modi assured Indias full commitment for the sustained economic growth of Sri Lanka in keeping with the special place Sri Lanka occupies in Indias foreign policy framework.

Prime Minister Modi and I acknowledged the importance of intensifying political engagements at various levels, including through cooperation between the parliamentary institutions of the two countries.

We also discussed trade and investment cooperation between the two countries and investments in key sectors.

We also exchanged views on cooperation in the fields of defence and security, power and energy, training and capacity building, education, agriculture and social security.

I acknowledged Indias success in digitization in governance, service delivery and social welfare. Prime Minister Modi assured me of Indias support in establishing similar digital public infrastructure systems in Sri Lanka.

The cultural affinities between our two countries provide a solid foundation for our relationship. With a view to furthering these links for enhanced people to people contacts, our discussions focused on the cooperation in the tourism sector.

In the regional and multilateral domain, I appreciated Indias leading role as a voice in the Global South. Prime Minister Modi conveyed Indias full support to Sri Lankas chairmanship in the IORA. I requested Indias continued support to Sri Lankas interest in becoming a member of the BRICS.

I also requested for Prime Minister Modis intervention in convening early bilateral technical discussions pertaining to Sri Lankas claim to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) for the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond Exclusive Economic Zone.

While welcoming the recent conclusion of the Sixth Joint Working Group on Fisheries, we also discussed the need for a cooperative approach in addressing the fisheries issue for a sustainable solution. Recognizing the irreparable ecological damage caused by bottom trawling which is a banned practice in both countries, I requested that measures be taken to stop this practice and curb IUU fishing.

I am also pleased to have witnessed today the exchange of bilateral instruments concluded during the visit, pertaining to the areas of training and capacity-building and avoidance of double taxation.

I also invited Honourable Prime Minister Modi to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient date.

I assured the Indian leader that Sri Lanka will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability.

I wish to conclude by reiterating that Sri Lanka attaches great importance to the continuous development and deepening of cooperation with India, which I have no doubt would be further consolidated in the years to come.

Thank You.
If you are entering Medicare, beware of fraud by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Their standard operating policies appear to illegally take money, and if caught, they may only give back the money that they have taken from your bank in the past 60 days. In my case, they returned their ill-gotten gains after hours of arguments and months of withheld funds.



Blue Cross and Blue Shield absconds with money from Medicare patients that does not belong to them.

(Image by leishear Engineering, LLC) Details DMCA



As another entrant into the national internet scam of bilking people by double charging and overcharging, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) has taken advantage of this practice to easily take money that does not belong to them. For example, WinZip also has polices that they will double-charge people for the same service, and if they are caught, they will only pay back 60 days of stolen money. BCBS has exercised the same fraudulent policies, where law enforcement agencies refuse to protect us against such unlawful actions ("U.S. Banks and the FBI Harbor Criminal Fraud Enterprises").

I do not know the full scope of this fraud. I can only tell you my experience with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Moreover, false statements from BCBS employees rolled off of their tongues so easily that the policies to illegally steal from this Medicare patient seemed obvious.

My Ongoing Experience with BCBS Fraud

I have been a BCBS client since my teens and now into my seventies. I needed major transplant surgery, and BCBS declined to pay any money at all for that surgery to the hospital recommended by my physician. As a direct result of that decision, I transferred to United Healthcare, and my required monthly payments also decreased by more than $500 per month when we, my wife and I, transferred insurance companies.

Then the fraud began. United informed BCBS that my wife and l changed insurance companies. After a month, BCBS continued to illegally withdraw money from our bank account. My wife called BCBS in October in the first of a series of three conversations that were recorded by BCBS, and they agreed to return the money, which was only $500 so far. At first, BCBS returned our $500, and then they withdrew even more money from our bank as shown on bank records. That is, BCBS illegally kept that money plus two additional payments, totaling more than $1500.

We called again on November 26th. Then, BCBS stated that a phone call from United did not count as a cancellation, where we must tell BCBS directly that we are cancelling, which effectively allows them to keep money that does not belong to them. We pointed out that we did, in fact, call them to cancel in about one month when we learned of the first illegal bank withdrawal, and that we were calling them again to report an ongoing theft from our bank by BCBS. After some discussion, they agreed to pay for two months, and that they would call back about payment for the third month. They did not call back.

We called later on December 2nd, and started all over again as if we had not already called. The employee told us that BCBS was not withdrawing our money at all and seemed to start saying goodbye when she said 'Thank you, but we quickly stated that we had bank statements that proved BCBS was taking our money. We spoke some more, and she seemed to start to hang up again, falsely claiming that my wife and I were cursing. We quickly stated that we may have been loud since our money was being stolen, but we did not speak a single curse word. We were then told that there are two different departments at BCBS, where the BCBS operator had transferred us to the wrong department, we had stated to the operator that we were being defrauded, we were unaware of different departments, and asked her to transfer us to the correct department.

The next employee told us that we are not entitled to get our money back because we told the wrong department that we cancelled. Apparently, BCBS has two departments - each with their own BCBS cards - one for prescriptions and one for medical claims. I pointed out that we use the same card for all claims. Then, they agreed to pay for only two months of stolen money, and that they would call back later about the third month's bank withdrawal. We received no phone call.

However, we were notified by mail today, December 16th, that the funds had been returned to our bank account, and that return was verified to have occurred on December 10th - more than three months after a September 1st cancellation of BCBS Medicare Advantage insurance.

Deny, Delay, Defend, Defraud

Deny, delay, defend is the chant on the internet for unpaid medical insurance claims (aydenydefend.com/), that policy seems clearly evident in this case, and fraud was the end result of these actions. In my experience with BCBS, their denials of wrong-doing and criminal intent were fired at me as fast as I shot them down. One false claim after another was used to deny my claim. When the fraud could no longer be denied, BCBS resorted to delays or non-payments. BCBS even said that we signed a document allowing BCBS to withdraw funds from our bank, and I responded that they were correct, but that I never signed any document to allow them to unlawfully take funds from us for services that were no longer provided. Again, BCBS has not provided promised call-backs but they finally provided our stolen money back to us.

The Point of This Story

My wife carefully reviews our finances every month, and accordingly limited the thefts by BCBS from our bank account, and unpleasant hours of arguments against BCBS fraudulent claims resulted in the return of stolen funds. Ohers who do not closely monitor their bank accounts can be defrauded for long periods of time, and BCBS stated that they only 'refund two months' of stolen money when they are caught.

I ask that BCBS treat clients with honesty.

(Article changed on Dec 16, 2024 at 10:58 PM EST)
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

Syria is known for its ancient mosaics. A multitude of tiny colored ceramic pieces artfully arranged to create a beautiful scene; a piece of priceless art.

The events leading up to the fall of the 24-year dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad involved a multitude of moving pieces that came together finally in the early hours of December 8 when Assad and his family fled in a private plane to Moscow for asylum.

One of the main wheels of the machine that brought Damascus to its knees was Abo Muhammed al-Jolani, the commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Jolani was not alone, as he had formed a coalition of many groups, both larger and smaller than HTS.

Jolani has become the 'face' of the new Syria and wasted no time giving an interview to CNN on December 6. But, that is not his first American interview. In 2021, PBS journalist Martin Smith visited Jolani in Idlib, the agricultural province in northwest Syria, which had been a bastion of armed groups who had surrendered in various deals with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), brokered by Russia. When the SAA took back territory from Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Deraa, and Damascus after 2016, the armed groups were allowed safe passage, with one rifle, on green city buses for a free ride to Idlib.

Jolani and various armed groups lived in Idlib and set up the 'Salvation Government' to administer the province. Some of the groups were Syrian, but also there were the Uyghurs from China, Chechens, Europeans, and one American from New York.

When the Syrian conflict began in 2011, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was created by the Obama administration through a covert CIA program, which was shut down by President Trump in 2017.

The FSA was a Syrian grassroots force, trained and supplied by the US, Turkey, Qatar, and others. However, over time they became extinct once the fierce fighters of Jibhat al-Nusra burst onto the scene.

Jibhat al-Nusra was so successful under the command of Jolani that they threatened to take the Syrian coast in September 2015, and had they done so, the Assad regime would have likely fallen. However, Russia came to the rescue. The Russians set up an air force base near Latakia and began bombing the armed groups, which ended in December 2016 by taking back east Aleppo. The defeated fighters fled to Idlib and Turkey.

Israel and the US wanted militias tied to Iran and Hezbollah removed from Syria. Turkey wanted the US-backed Kurdish militias, SDF and YPG, demilitarized. The Syrian people wanted the dictator Assad removed, and all those various goals came together, like pieces in a mosaic, in a lightning-fast attack beginning on November 27. By the 29th, HTS and its coalition had taken Aleppo. Just six days later on December 5, Homs fell to Jolani's fighters, and the next day the major city of Homs fell. Over-run and demoralized, the SAA folded in Damascus on the 7th, and it was clear the country had collapsed without attacking the Syrian coast.

Sunday, December 8 Assad and their family fled Damascus. It took just eight days to remove the Syrian president, its national army and consolidate HTS, and disburse fighters across the country.

On December 10, the US-backed SDF pulled out of Deir Ez Zor. It remains to be seen when the 900 US Army troops illegally stationed in the east of the country at Al Tanf base will get orders to withdraw, presumably over the border to Iraq.

Talking with people in the streets of Latakia, I heard many wishes and dreams being voiced for the first time publicly, without fear of the deadly Assad secret police.

Abu Hussein asked for more electricity. He was suffering with just 30 minutes of electricity at three daily intervals.

Em Mustapha wanted her sons home from Germany where they had fled by sea in summer 2015.

Nadia Kanaan wished all the thousands of prisoners in Sednaya would be released. Her brother had died there while tortured and starved to death in 2012. Secret parts of the prison were difficult to enter because of electronic codes. As of December 11, teams of rescuers were still working to find access to the three underground floors of the huge prison complex.

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This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

Here we are in December 2024 and there can be little doubt that this year will be the warmest in human history. It also stands a more than reasonable chance of breaching the mark set at the 2015 Paris climate accords of 1.5 degreesC above pre-industrial levels, which wasn't expected to be reached until the end of this century. And in case you think that things aren't going to get worse, as the Guardian recently reported, "A $200bn wave of new [natural] gas projects could lead to a 'climate bomb' equivalent to releasing the annual emissions of all the world's operating coal power plants" produc[ing] an estimated 10 gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, or almost as much as the annual emissions of all the coal plants in operation worldwide."

That is indeed our world right now -- though, given the endlessly headline-grabbing wars we're fighting, also in their own fashion pouring greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, who even really notices these days? And if that weren't bad enough, there's yet another crisis on Planet Earth, the decline and extinction of species (yes, species!) that's now happening at a rate that (yet again!) is both unprecedented in human history and -- sigh -- accelerating. (Half of the world's bird species are typically in decline.)

And as TomDispatch regular Joshua Frank, author of Atomic Days: The Untold Story of the Most Toxic Place in America, reports today, dealing with the two crises humans are causing on Planet Earth -- climate change and the loss of biodiversity -- not only isn't easy, but sometimes, as with a new wind-power project he describes, they come into almost instant conflict with each other. And yet, as he also points out, given the disaster our planet is in danger of becoming, new wind and solar power plants are an absolute necessity. The question is: how to create them with the least loss of life and habitat for other species. Tom

Murdering Eagles to Save the Climate?

The Downside of Wyoming's Wind Energy Boom

By Joshua Frank

Like many roads that cut through Wyoming, the highway into the town of Rawlins is a long, winding one surrounded by rolling hills, barbed wire fences, and cattle ranches. I'd traveled this stretch of Wyoming many times. Once during a dangerous blizzard, another time during a car-rattling thunderstorm, the rain so heavy my windshield wipers couldn't keep pace with the deluge. The weather might be wild and unpredictable in Wyoming's outback, but the people are friendly and welcoming as long as you don't talk politics or mention that you live in a place like California.

One late summer afternoon on a trip at the height of the Covid pandemic, I stopped off in Rawlins for lunch. There wasn't a mask in sight, never mind any attempt at social distancing. Two men sat in a booth right behind me, one in a dark suit and the other in overalls, who struck me as a bit of an odd couple. Across from them were an older gentleman and his wife, clearly Rawlins locals. They wondered what those two were up to.

"Are you guys here to work on that massive wind farm?" asked the husband, who clearly had spent decades in the sun. He directed his question to the clean-cut guy in the suit with a straight mustache. His truck, shiny and spotless, was visible out the window, a hardhat and clipboard sitting on the dashboard.

"Yes, we'll be in and out of town for a few years if things go right. There's a lot of work to be done before it's in working order. We're mapping it all out," the man replied.

"Well, at least we'll have some clean energy around here," the old man said, chuckling. "Finally, putting all of this damned wind to work for once!"

I ate my sandwich silently, already uncomfortable in a restaurant for the first time in months.

"There will sure be a lot of wind energy," the worker in overalls replied. "But none of it's for Wyoming." He added that it would all be directed to California.

"What?!" exclaimed the man as his wife shook her head in frustration. "Commiefornia?! That's nuts!"

Right-wing hyperbole aside, he had a point: it was pretty crazy. Projected to be the largest wind farm in the country, it would indeed make a bundle of electricity, just not for transmission to any homes in Rawlins. The power produced by that future 600-turbine, 3,000 MW Chokecherry and Sierra Madre wind farm, with its $5-billion price tag, won't, in fact, flow anywhere in Colorado, even though it's owned by the Denver-based Anschutz Corporation. Instead, its electricity will travel 1,000 miles southwest to exclusively supply residents in Southern California.

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SAN FRANCISCO  A former OpenAI researcher known for whistleblowing the blockbuster artificial intelligence company facing a swell of lawsuits over its business model has died, authorities confirmed this week.

Suchir Balaji, 26, was found dead inside his Buchanan Street apartment on Nov. 26, San Francisco police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said. Police had been called to the Lower Haight residence at about 1 p.m. that day, after receiving a call asking officers to check on his well-being, a police spokesperson said.

The medical examiners office has not released his cause of death, but police officials this week said there is currently, no evidence of foul play.

Information he held was expected to play a key part in lawsuits against the San Francisco-based company.

Balajis death comes three months after he publicly accused OpenAI of violating U.S. copyright law while developing ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence program that has become a moneymaking sensation used by hundreds of millions of people across the world.

Its public release in late 2022 spurred a torrent of lawsuits against OpenAI from authors, computer programmers and journalists, who say the company illegally stole their copyrighted material to train its program and elevate its value past $150 billion.

The Mercury News and seven sister news outlets are among several newspapers, including the New York Times, to sue OpenAI in the past year.

In an interview with the New York Times published Oct. 23, Balaji argued OpenAI was harming businesses and entrepreneurs whose data were used to train ChatGPT.

If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company, he told the outlet, adding that this is not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole.

Balaji grew up in Cupertino before attending UC Berkeley to study computer science. It was then he became a believer in the potential benefits that artificial intelligence could offer society, including its ability to cure diseases and stop aging, the Times reported. I thought we could invent some kind of scientist that could help solve them, he told the newspaper.

But his outlook began to sour in 2022, two years after joining OpenAI as a researcher. He grew particularly concerned about his assignment of gathering data from the internet for the companys GPT-4 program, which analyzed text from nearly the entire internet to train its artificial intelligence program, the news outlet reported.

The practice, he told the Times, ran afoul of the countrys fair use laws governing how people can use previously published work. In late October, he posted an analysis on his personal website arguing that point.

No known factors seem to weigh in favor of ChatGPT being a fair use of its training data, Balaji wrote. That being said, none of the arguments here are fundamentally specific to ChatGPT either, and similar arguments could be made for many generative AI products in a wide variety of domains.

Reached by this news agency, Balajis mother requested privacy while grieving the death of her son.

In a Nov. 18 letter filed in federal court, attorneys for The New York Times named Balaji as someone who had unique and relevant documents that would support their case against OpenAI. He was among at least 12 people  many of them past or present OpenAI employees  the newspaper had named in court filings as having material helpful to their case, ahead of depositions.

Generative artificial intelligence programs work by analyzing an immense amount of data from the internet and using it to answer prompts submitted by users, or to create text, images or videos.

When OpenAI released its ChatGPT program in late 2022, it turbocharged an industry of companies seeking to write essays, make art and create computer code. Many of the most valuable companies in the world now work in the field of artificial intelligence, or manufacture the computer chips needed to run those programs. OpenAIs own value nearly doubled in the past year.

News outlets have argued that OpenAI and Microsoft  which is in business with OpenAI also has been sued by The Mercury News  have plagiarized and stole its articles, undermining their business models.

Microsoft and OpenAI simply take the work product of reporters, journalists, editorial writers, editors and others who contribute to the work of local newspapers  all without any regard for the efforts, much less the legal rights, of those who create and publish the news on which local communities rely, the newspapers lawsuit said.

OpenAI has staunchly refuted those claims, stressing that all of its work remains legal under fair use laws.

We see immense potential for AI tools like ChatGPT to deepen publishers relationships with readers and enhance the news experience, the company said when the lawsuit was filed.

#YR@ MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In seventh grade social studies, Oregon students typically study everything from forms of governance in early civilizations to the history of political uprisings from ancient Athens to modern-day Haiti.

But in social studies teacher Erik Grants room at Mountain View Middle School on a recent drizzly morning, students were more focused on a simpler topic: learning to identify common prefixes.
Thinking about taking a trip to Mount Rainier National Park this winter? You might want to think twice about it if you are not properly prepared.

The park was ranked the second-deadliest national park to visit during the winter season by personal injury attorneys at John Foy & Associates.

To determine which U.S. national parks were the deadliest, the attorneys analyzed mortality data provided by the U.S. National Park Service. They analyzed deadly incidents that happened between Nov. 1 to Feb 28, or Feb. 29 if it was a leap year, from 2007 to 2023. Average visitation numbers during the period analyzed were also taken into consideration, and the parks were then ranked by the highest numbers of winter deaths per 10 million visitors.

National parks that received fewer than 10 million visitors between 2007 and 2023 were not taken into account for this study.

According to the study, these were the top five deadliest national parks in the U.S.:

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park  12.19 deaths per 10 million visitors Mount Rainier National Park  8.55 deaths per 10 million visitors Lake Mead National Recreation Area  6.23 deaths per 10 million visitors Death Valley National Park  5.87 deaths per 10 million visitors Grand Canyon National Park  5.45 deaths per 10 million visitors

But what makes Mount Rainier National Park the second-deadliest national park in the U.S.?

Mount Rainier National Park, located southeast of Tacoma, is named after and is home to the beloved active stratovolcano Mount Rainier.

On a clear day, its easy to be taken aback by the mountains size and beauty. The top of Mount Rainier, which sits at 14,411 feet of elevation, remains consistently blanketed in white snow regardless of the time of year, but the snow increases during the fall and winter as winter weather sets in.

Theres no denying that Mount Rainiers large stature and diverse landscape make it extremely appealing to visitors and draws in about 1.75 million visitors every year who want to see it up close, according to the Mount Rainier Institute.

While visiting MRNP is a must if you live or visit Washington, doing so during the winter can be dangerous since the park sits at 1,600 feet of elevation at its lowest point and over 14,000 feet of elevation at its highest point.

During the winter season, several park roads close including White River, Sunrise and Route 410/123, according to the NPS. Park roads that remain open during the winter are usually covered in snow or icy so park visitors are required to carry tire chains and are encouraged to check road status before going.

According to the parks website, trails at higher elevations can experience winterlike conditions through June or July.

Still, though, many people decide to make the trek and do the dangerous hike to summit Mount Rainier  even during the winter season.

According to the study, the park sees 8.55 winter deaths per 10 million park visitors, which is 191% higher than the national average. The most common cause of death is falls, attributed to six out of the 19 deaths that happened during the period analyzed.

The challenging climb attracts thousands of mountaineers each year; however, it requires a high level of skill due to the elevation and weather conditions, notes the study.

According to the NPS, park visitors should be aware of the following in terms of safety:

Rapid change in mountain weather can turn into a survival ordeal, and it can be difficult to navigate in harsh winter conditions.

There are shorter days during the winter so do not expect to cover the same amount of distance as you would during the summer.

Make sure you are ready to drive on winter roads and know which roads are open. Many roads close in the winter, close early, or are only open on certain days.

Use traction devices such as shoe chains to avoid slipping or falling when roads, sidewalks and trails are icy.

Avalanches in the park are most common after storm  avoid camping or traveling near an avalanche zone.

Avoid walking near anywhere that you may hear running water as you can fall through thin snow bridges.

Avoid stepping onto ledges of snow that overhang an edge because they could collapse.

Avoid getting too close to trees as you may fall into loose snow which can cause an injury.

Being exposed to cold temperatures may result in hypothermia, so wear appropriate clothing that can help retain body heat and protect against the wind and rain, eat frequently, avoid exhaustion and seek shelter.

Here are winter essentials backcountry skiers, snowshoers, and campers should be equipped to survive nights out, according to the NPS:

A shovel to dig a snow cave; full length insulated sleeping pad; stove and fuel; heat packs; goggles and wool hats; at least three layers of gloves; avalanche transceiver; avalanche probe, which is a metal rod used to locate victims; and map, compass and GPS. Also, visitors must be able to assess mountain weather and avalanche hazards.

___

(c)2024 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)

Visit The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) at www.TheNewsTribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A recent letter to the editor said Portland police should ticket traffic offenders, (Readers respond: Officers should enforce traffic laws, Dec. 9). They should. But how can they? PPB has 287 patrol officers to work three precincts 24/7, according to the citys sworn staffing report from mid-November. Our citys police force is severely understaffed.

Portland has 789 total sworn officers, but 88 are in training, 23 are on leave of service. Since 2020, the Portland Police Bureau lost around 300 officers, although it has hired 200. Based on staffing levels of comparable cities, Police Chief Bob Day says Portland should have at least 1,037 sworn officers.

In my opinion, we are still understaffed, thanks largely to Mayor Ted Wheelers mishandling of the 2020 riots and his grip on the police. Wheeler has headed the Portland Police Bureau since he took office.

In 2020, the police couldnt enforce our laws to a reasonable degree, so many left the force. With fewer police, they simply cant keep up with the level of crime. Driving is more dangerous now. Speeding and running red lights are commonplace today. Ive had drivers honk when I dont run a late yellow or red. Some even go around me. Other family and friends report the same. We can change our driving habits and help make Portland safer on our own.

To new Mayor Keith Wilson, I strongly suggest you make repairing the Portland Police Bureau your highest priority, so the city can enforce its laws and become a safer place to live.

Frank Baccellieri, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
A lawsuit alleges a Corvallis police officer falsely arrested a diabetic teenager on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The suit, filed in Benton County, also alleges police were negligent in not helping as the teen suffered a diabetic emergency during his arrest and while he was held at the Corvallis Police Department.

Seeking a jury trial, Polk County resident Micky Garus filed the $803,300 complaint in May on behalf of his son, Noah Garus, who was pulled over on a February evening after leaving a convenience store parking lot without switching on his headlights.

During the stop, Officer Nathan Diebel conducted a DUII investigation and determined Noah Garus was driving impaired, arresting the 16-year-old and taking him to the police department, where he passed a breath test with a .00% blood alcohol level. He also submitted to a urine test that found no intoxicating substances, the lawsuit alleges.

The filing further alleges that no evidence was found to indicate Noah Garus ingested intoxicants or was impaired. It asserts that Diebel should have recognized the boy was in diabetic distress and called for medical care instead of taking him in.

While in custody, Noah Garus was allegedly not allowed access to his phone to call his parents and tell them what was happening, according to the lawsuit, until he was taken to the Police Department and was able to use a phone there to call his sister.

Once notified that his son had been arrested, Micky Garus drove to Corvallis from Dallas but was not allowed to contact his son for an hour or two, the suit alleges, while Noah Garus blood sugar continued rising to dangerous levels as he was denied the use of his medication.

When Micky Garus was eventually allowed to see his son, he immediately realized Noah Garus was in the throes of a diabetic emergency, the suit alleges, adding that Noah Garus blood sugar testing equipment was not available because police had impounded his car.

Medics were called in and checked Noah Garus blood sugar, finding it to be dangerously high, the suit alleges, but Micky Garus could not immediately administer the necessary medication because his sons needles were thrown in a trash can and had to be retrieved first.

Since this incident, Noah Garus has suffered distress including anxiety when he sees police, generalized anxiety and general emotional distress, the lawsuit states. He has lost faith in the police.

Representatives of the city of Corvallis and the Corvallis Police Department declined to comment on the case.

Attorneys for the city filed a response to the lawsuit broadly denying the claims against the city and Diebel, saying there was probable cause to make the arrest.

They did acknowledge, though, that medics determined Noah Garus was experiencing high blood sugar while he was being held.

A case management hearing was held Dec. 3 at the Benton County Courthouse, and a status check is scheduled for March.

___

(c)2024 Albany Democrat-Herald, Ore.

Visit Albany Democrat-Herald, Ore. at www.democratherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 Copyright 2024 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved


Eugene police are looking for an ER nurse who helped a crash victim a month ago so that she can be recognized for her skill, effort and compassion.

On Nov. 16, Eugene Police Department Deputy Chief Shawn Adams chanced across a head-on crash on Oregon 18 near the Willamina Junction around 11 a.m., and started to give emergency aid to one of the drivers, the police department said in a statement Monday.

A woman named Mikayla, spelling unknown, immediately approached and told Adams she was an emergency room nurse. The woman proceeded to care for the driver while firefighters were cutting into the roof of the car.

I believe she may have saved this drivers life, Adams said in the police departments statement. At a minimum I know her efforts positively impacted this driver.

Mikayla left the scene of the accident before emergency workers could get her full name. Anyone who knows her is asked to email Adams at sadams@eugene-or.gov.

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com
Even among those who love his writing  and I am definitely among them  C. S. Lewis is little known as a poet. Here, though, I share a poem of his (The Turn of the Tide) that was written for Christmas. Its worth a slow and thoughtful reading, I think:

Breathless was the air over Bethlehem; black and bare

The fields; hard as granite were the clods;

Hedges stiff with ice; the sedge, in the vice

Of the ponds, like little iron rods.

The deathly stillness spread from Bethlehem; it was shed

Wider each moment on the land;

Through rampart and wall into camp and into hall

Stole the hush. All tongues were at a stand.

Travellers at their beer in taverns turned to hear

The landlordthat oracle was dumb;

At the Procurators feast a jocular freedman ceased

His story, and gaped; all were glum.

Then the silence flowed forth to the islands and the north

And it smoothed the unquiet river-bars,

And leveled out the waves from their revelling, and paved

The sea with the cold, reflected stars.

Where the Csar sat and signed at ease on Palatine,

Without anger, the signatures of death,

There stole into his room and on his soul a gloom,

Till he paused in his work and held his breath.

Then to Carthage and the Gauls, to Parthia and the Falls

Of Nile, to Mount Amara it crept;

The romp and rage of beasts in swamp and forest ceased,

The jungle grew still as if it slept.

So it ran about the girth of the planet. From the Earth

The signal, the warning, went out,

Away beyond the air; her neighbours were aware

Of change, they were troubled with doubt. Salamanders in the Sun who brandish as they run

Tails like the Americas in size,

Were stunned by it and dazed; wondering, they gazed

Up at Earth, misgiving in their eyes.

In Houses and Signs the Ousiarchs divine

Grew pale and questioned what it meant;

Great Galactic lords stood back to back with swords

Half-drawn, awaiting the event,

And a whisper among them passed, Is this perhaps the last

Of our story and the glories of our crown?

The entropy worked out?the central redoubt

Abandoned?The world-spring running down?

Then they could speak no more. Weakness overbore

Even them; they were as flies in a web,

In lethargy stone-dumb. The death had almost come,

And the tide lay motionless at ebb. Like a stab at that moment over Crab and Bowman,

Over Maiden and Lion, came the shock

Of returning life, the start, and burning pang at heart,

Setting galaxies to tingle and rock.

The Lords dared to breathe, swords went into sheathes

A rustling, a relaxing began;

With rumour and noise of the resuming of joys

Along the nerves of the universe it ran.

Then, pulsing into space with delicate dulcet pace,

Came a music infinitely small,

But clear; and it swelled and drew nearer, till it held

All worlds with the sharpness of its call,

And now divinely deep, ever louder, with a leap

And quiver of inebriating sound,

The vibrant dithyramb shook Libra and the Ram,

The brains of Aquarius spun round

Such a note as neither Throne nor Potentate had known

Since the Word created the abyss.

But this time it was changed in a mystery, estranged,

A paradox, an ambiguous bliss. Heaven danced to it and burned; such answer was returned

To the hush, the Favete, the fear

That Earth had sent out. Revel, mirth and shout

Descended to her, sphere below sphere,

Till Saturn laughed and lost his latter ages frost

And his beard, Niagara-like, unfroze;

The monsters in the Sun rejoiced; the Inconstant One,

The unwedded Moon, forgot her woes;

A shiver of re-birth and deliverance round the Earth

Went gliding; her bonds were released;

Into broken light the breeze once more awoke the seas,

In the forest it wakened every beast;

Capripods fell to dance from Taproban to France,

Leprechauns from Down to Labrador;

In his green Asian dell the Phoenix from his shell

Burst forth and was the Phoenix once more. So Death lay in arrest. But at Bethlehem the blessd

Nothing greater could be heard

Than sighing wind in the thorn, the cry of One new-born,

And cattle in stable as they stirred.

Im very fond of todays Christmas music selection, What Wondrous Love is This? Its a Christian folk hymn from the American South that was first published at Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1811 and that has sometimes been called a white spiritual. Here it is, performed by a Mennonite choir and orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_0AX5Opgs0

1 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss

to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. 2 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,

when I was sinking down, O my soul!

When I was sinking down beneath Gods righteous frown,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul. 3 To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;

to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.

To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,

while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,

while millions join the theme, I will sing.

Have I pointed out yet that every single example of Christmas music that Ive shared here, and every single example of it that I will share here, can be found in the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File? Yup. Its true. Every single one.

For those, however, who desperately crave a holiday season thats untainted by all of the silly, oppressive, and offensive religious nonsense that theists have attempted to impose upon it, heres a poem by the American academic, poet, and translator Joseph S. Salemi that shouldnt offend their tender sensibilities. Its about the lusty commercialism that can easily (and often does) replace religion at the heart of the Winter Solstice holiday, and its entitled The Corporate Christmas Carol:

God rest ye merry businessmen,

Start markups on your trash!

Remember that this holiday

Is when you rake in cash!

It saves you from those creditors

You owe from that last crash . . . Oh, tidings of bottom-lines grown fat, ever so fat!

Oh, tidings of bottom-lines grown fat!

From commerce wonks in Washington

There comes this press release:

Just keep the boobs in spending-mode

So cash flow doesnt cease!

A Christmas without splurging means

That profits wont increase . . . Oh, tidings of credit lines gone wild, ever so wild!

Oh, tidings of credit lines gone wild! The euros going down the tubes;

The E.U. too, en masse

We owe some fifteen trillion bucks

That we dont have, alas!

If China calls our paper debt,

We might as well take gas . . . Oh, tidings of bankruptcy and loss, ever such loss! Oh, tidings of bankruptcy and loss! Thats why we need this frenzied rush

Of buying gone berserk!

At Christmas you must drum into

The head of every jerk

That he should spend and spend and spend

To keep us all in work . . . Oh, tidings of avarice unrestrained, unrestrained!

Oh, tidings of avarice unrestrained!



Posted from Newport Beach, California
Regeneration is Only the Beginning . . .

[all verses RSV]

Transformation / New Life / Newness / Renewal

Luke 5:37-38 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.

[38] But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (cf. Mt 9:17; Mk 2:21-22)

Romans 6:4, 6 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. . . . [6] We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.

Romans 7:6 But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 . . . Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? [7] Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. . . . [8] Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

2 Corinthians 4:16 . . . Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.

Galatians 4:19 My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you! (cf. 4:12)

Galatians 6:15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Ephesians 4:22-24 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, [23] and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Philippians 1:6, 9-11 And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. . . . [9] And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (cf. 2:13 in the final section below)

Colossians 2:11-12 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ;

[12] and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 3:9-10 . . . you have put off the old nature with its practices [10] and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Titus 3:5 he saved us,. . . by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,

Partaking of the Fullness of God / Unity with God / Theosis

John 1:16 And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.

John 17:20-24, 26 I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, [21] that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. [22] The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [23] I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me. [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world. . . . [26] I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 8:17 . . . fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

1 Corinthians 6:17 . . . he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (cf. 10:16; Rom 7:4)

2 Corinthians 1:5 . . . we share abundantly in Christs sufferings . . .

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another

2 Corinthians 4:10-11 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Galatians 2:19-20 For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 6:17 . . . I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:22-23 and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 3:19 . . . to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

Ephesians 4:12-13, 15-16 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; . . . [15] . . . we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

Ephesians 5:23 . . . Christ is the head of the church, his body . . .

Ephesians 5:29-30 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know him . . . and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (cf. 1 Pet 4:13)

Colossians 1:24 . . . in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christs afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Colossians 2:10 . . . you have come to fulness of life in him, . . .

Colossians 2:19 . . . the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

2 Timothy 2:11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;

Hebrews 12:10 . . . he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature.

***

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Filled with / Guided by the Holy Spirit

Matthew 10:19-20 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; [20] for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 1:15 . . . he [John the Baptist] will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mothers womb.

Luke 1:41 . . . Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit

Luke 1:67 . . . Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, . . .

John 14:26 But the Counselor, 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 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . .

Acts 4:8 . . . Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, . . .

Acts 4:31 . . . they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . .

Acts 6:3 . . . men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom . . .

Acts 6:5 . . . Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit . . .

Acts 7:55 . . . he [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, . . .

Acts 9:17 . . . be filled with the Holy Spirit. [St. Paul]

Acts 11:24 . . . he [Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith . . .

Acts 13:9 . . . Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, . . .

Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 . . . be filled with the Spirit, (cf. Phil 1:11; Col 1:9-10)

Power and Strength from God

Luke 9:1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.

Luke 24:49 . . . I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.

John 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, . . .

Acts 6:8 . . . Stephen, full of . . . power, . . .

Romans 8:28-39 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. [31] What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? [33] Who shall bring any charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies; [34] who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ,

Romans 16:25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you . . .

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (cf. 1:24)

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:4 . . . with the power of our Lord Jesus,

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

2 Corinthians 12:9 . . . I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 13:4 . . . For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we shall live with him by the power of God.

Ephesians 1:19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might

Ephesians 3:16-18 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, [17] and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, [21] to him be glory . . .

Ephesians 6:10-16 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; [16] besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, . . .

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

1 Thessalonians 1:5 for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. . . .

2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve and work of faith by his power,

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil.

1 Timothy 1:12 I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service,

2 Timothy 1:7-8 for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. [8] Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God,

2 Timothy 3:5 holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people.

2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lions mouth.

Hebrews 13:6 Hence we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?

James 5:16 . . . The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.

1 Peter 4:11 . . . whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; . . .

1 Peter 5:10 . . . the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.

Grace of God

Acts 4:33 . . . great grace was upon them all.

Acts 6:8 . . . Stephen, full of grace . . .

Romans 12:6 . . . gifts that differ according to the grace given to us . . .

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation . . .

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.

2 Corinthians 1:12 . . . not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 but he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. . . .

Ephesians 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of Gods grace which was given me . . .

Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christs gift.

1 Timothy 1:14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 13:9 . . . it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, . . .

James 4:6 . . . he gives more grace . . .

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of Gods varied grace:

1 Peter 5:5 . . . God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

2 Peter 1:2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . .

Sanctification

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.

Acts 15:9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.

Acts 26:18 . . . those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life.

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus . . .

Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification . . .

1 Thessalonians 5:23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 . . . God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

1 Peter 1:2 . . . sanctified by the Spirit . . .

1 John 1:7, 9 . . . the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Indwelling of God / Being In God

Were described as Gods temple (1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:22). God will live in us (2 Cor 6:16). Hes in us (1 Jn 3:24; 4:4). We abide in God (1 Jn 2:24; 3:6; 4:13, 15-16) and specifically, abide in Jesus (Jn 6:56; 15:4; 1 Jn 2:24), and God abides in us (1 Jn 3:24; 4:12-13, 15-16). Jesus abides in us (Jn 6:56; 15:4), and He is in us (Jn 14:20; 17:23; Rom 8:10; Col 1:27), and we are in Him (Jn 14:20; Phil 4:7). Jesus dwells in our hearts (Eph 3:17). The Holy Spirit is within us (Ezek 37:14). Hes with us (Jn 14:16), dwells in or with us (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Cor 3:16; 2 Tim 1:14), and is in our hearts (2 Cor 1:22; 3:3; Gal 4:6). And were in the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9), and possess the Spirit (1 Cor 2:13). In him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Our life is hid with Christ in God (Col 3:3). God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Phil 2:13). See also John 17:20-26 above.

*

Summary: Collection of NT passages concerning transformation, renewal, union with God (theosis), the Holy Spirit, the power & grace of God, sanctification, the indwelling, & being in God.
The Virgin Mary appeared four times to Saint Juan Diego on December 1531, only ten years after the defeat of the Aztec empire in Mexico by the Spanish. This time period marked the integration of Spanish and native cultures which ultimately gave rise to a unique people and culture which continues to flourish today throughout Latin America.

Marys words to Juan Diego were soon recorded in the work called Nican Mopohua written in Nahuatl, the language of the natives. Her words for this new mestizo society that was forming in Latin America were of maternal care and encouragement. In the first apparition on December 9th she said to Juan Diego, Know and understand well, you the most humble of my sons, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth. I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows.

During the days surrounding the anniversary of the apparitions, an estimated five million pilgrims visit the shrine north of Mexico City, most commonly called La Villa by locals. Adding the fifteen million who visit throughout the year, the shrine is the most visited Catholic site in the world. Our Lady continues to keep her promise making the Tepeyac Hill a place where she gives all her love, compassion, help and protection to the inhabitants of the world.

During the fourth apparition on December 12th Our Lady said to Juan Diego, Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.

The Virgin Marys maternal words to Juan Diego continue to echo in the hearts of all those who love her, especially the twenty million pilgrims who visit her shrine each year. Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe runs deep in the blood of the Mexican faithful and plays an integral role in their identity as Catholics and Mexicans. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a reflection of who they are as a people and has sustained them throughout their turbulent history.

From the day of independence on September 14th, 1810, when the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo proclaimed Mexican independence at his parish proclaiming, long live Our Lady of Guadalupe! Death to bad government! Death to the Gachupines [Spaniards settled in Mexico], the Virgin Mary has played a foundational role in Mexican identity. The independence movement plastered the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on its military banners, leading the new nation to victory against Spain. Many years ago, an elderly parishioner told me with profound conviction, to be Mexican is to be Guadalupano.
Several businesses have announced location closings recently in Pennsylvania, including numerous banks, restaurants and retailers.

The list below includes 27 locations across the Keystone State that have closed or will close soon.

This list is published on PennLive several times a year. PennLives most recent list of business closings was published on Oct. 22.

Adams County

Mt. Joy Township

The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg (Daniel Urie, PennLive)

The Primitive Daughter, Gettysburg

The company said on its Facebook page that it will close its store at the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg in February.

Allegheny County

Pittsburgh

Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank plans to close its branch at 4570 Fifth Ave., according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Beaver County

Economy

Citizens Bank

The branch at 1685 W. State St. will close, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Potter Township

Styropek

The expandable polystyrene manufacturer is closing its facility at 400 Frankfort Road and 140 people will be laid off. The company expects to cease all production at the location in January. The layoffs will take place beginning on Jan 3. Layoffs will continue to take place to complete the activities necessary to permanently idle the facility by early 2026.

Bucks County

Middletown Township

Citizens Bank

The bank plans to close the branch inside Giant at 168 N. Flowers Mill Road, Suite A, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Butler County

Jackson Township

Midwest Transport Inc.

The Illinois-based truckload carrier, one of the largest transportation contractors associated with the United States Postal Service, has closed. The terminal at 2470 Evans City Road closed on Sept. 9.

Chester County

Birmingham Township

Citizens Bank

The bank plans to close the branch at the Giant at 1393 Wilmington Pike, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Cumberland County

Hampden Township

Redd's Smokehouse BBQ at the Hampden Centre on Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township. February 19, 2021. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Redds Smokehouse BBQ

The restaurant at 4890 Carlisle Pike at the Hampden Centre closed on Nov. 3.

Mechanicsburg

Hops & Barleys

The restaurant and pub at 398 N. York St. has closed, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Its been an honor serving the community for the past 5 years. It is with great sadness to announce - Friday, November 8th will be our last day of operation, the restaurant said on its Facebook page.

Dauphin County

Derry Township

Harvest at the Hershey Hotel. September 29, 2023. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Harvest

Harvest at the Hotel Hershey announced that it will close after brunch on Jan. 5 to facilitate a transformation. Harvest will reopen in spring 2025 with a new dining and tavern experience, according to the message on its website. Harvest opened in 2009. The 150-seat restaurant operates in a separate building from the hotel and advertises Genuine American Cuisine.

Lower Paxton Township

Fyre Lounge & Bar operates at the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township.Sue Gleiter

Fyre Lounge & Bar

The restaurant at the Colonial Park Mall closed. The venue opened last fall at the former Buffalo Wild Wings. Its menu fused Nepali, Indian and American flavors.

The Colonial Park Mall on Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township. July 20, 2023. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Mystery Box Depot

The store at the Colonial Park Mall announced on its Facebook page that it expects to close on Dec. 1.

Delaware County

Marple Township

Citizens Bank

The bank plans to close its branch at Giant at 2180 West Chester Pike, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Fayette County

Georges Township

Berkley Medical Resources

The company is closing its non-woven wiper plant at Fayette Business Park, 700 Mountain View Drive. The plant will close by Dec. 31 with manufacturing ending on Nov. 27 and warehousing and distribution closing on Dec. 31.

Lancaster County

Ephrata

Jacobs Music

Piano manufacturer, Steinway & Sons acquired Jacobs Music and is closing the store at 1391 W. Main St.

Montgomery County

Collegeville

FILE - A Wells Fargo sign stands in front of a branch of the bank in Bradenton, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)AP

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo will close the branch at 222 E. Main St., according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Lower Providence Township

Citizens Bank

The bank will close its branch at the Giant at 2668 Egypt Road, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Philadelphia County

Philadelphia

FILE - This Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, file photo shows a Bank of America sign in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)AP

Bank of America

The bank plans to close the branch at 920 South St., according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Citizens Bank

The bank plans to close its branches at 2497 Aramingo Ave., and at the Acme at 2101-41 Cottman Ave., according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Jacobs Music

Piano manufacturer, Steinway & Sons acquired Jacobs Music and is closing the store at 1718 Chestnut St. The location will close for a time, and then reopen at a later date as Steinway & Sons.

PNC Bank

PNC plans to close the branch at 230 S. Broad St., according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Venango County

Franklin

PNC Bank

PNC Bank plans to close its branch at 1165 Liberty St., according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Washington County

Charleroi

Corelle Brands

Glassware and dishware company Corelle Brands, formerly known as Instant Brands, is closing the facility at 100 Eighth St., and 270 people will be laid off. The layoffs will take place between Dec. 9 and Feb. 17.

Westmoreland County

New Kensington

Citizens Bank

The bank plans to close its branch at 200 Tarentum Bridge Road, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

York County

Dillsburg

Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank plans to close its branch at 4 S. Baltimore St., according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys weekly bulletin.

Fairview Township

Johns Diner

The diner closed on Nov. 6 at 146 Sheraton Drive off Interstate 83. The restaurant said on its Facebook page that its lease ends in late December.

After 15 years proudly serving the central Pennsylvania community we will be sadly closing our doors on November 6th, the restaurant said in a message on Facebook. Our family would like to thank everyone for their love and support for helping make our dream a reality these past 15 years. We will miss everyone!
By JoAnne Klimovich Harrop, The Tribune-Review, Greensburg (TNS)

After 23 years, the Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh will close.

The final day for the establishment, which opened June. 24, 2002, in Station Square in Pittsburghs South Side, is Feb. 13.

The closure was confirmed in an emailed statement Friday from Hard Rock International.

Hard Rock has enjoyed serving the Pittsburgh community for nearly 23 years and playing a role in the citys celebrated dining culture, the statement said.  We are so grateful to our incredible team members and fans in the Steel City for their support and memories all this time. 

The Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh was the venue for various musical acts, including Women Who Rock, a female-founded brand dedicated to supporting women in music and raising money for Magee-Womens Research Institute.

The reason for the closure is that the lease expires in February 2025.

Hard Rock International has 314 locations in 74 countries.
Starbucks stores in Pennsylvania and beyond have some big news for part-time employees.

But dont worry, this is good news.

According to a press release sent Monday, the popular coffee chain is expanding parental leave benefits for hourly, part-time workers.

Starting March 2025, we are more than doubling paid parental leave for our U.S. store partners who work an average of 20 hours a week or more, wrote CEO Brian Niccol via the companys website. Birth parents will receive up to 18 weeks of fully paid leave, and non-birth parents will receive up to 12 weeks of leave at full pay.

The release explains how paid leave  whether it be parental, bereavement, caregiving or otherwise  has been reported as a leading benefit that workers care about. Gen Z employees in particular have cited this as their most important benefit overall.

Niccol in his statement noted how No other retailer offers a better parental leave benefit for new parents than Starbucks.

Our benefit was already the best in retail, but after hearing from some partners who shared the leave as new parents wasnt adequate, we reviewed the program and have decided were making a change, he added.

Other benefits Starbucks offers include a program through which employees can get a degree from Arizona State University, as well as ownership in the chains stock through the Bean Stock grant.
Luigi Mangiones mother told the FBI a day before he was arrested that the surveillance photo being circulated could be her son, according to an ABC News report.

Mangione, 26, is the lead suspect in the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. He was arrested on Dec. 9 at an Altoona McDonalds and has been detained in Pennsylvania since his arrest.

Law enforcement said that Mangiones mother filed a missing persons report about her son on Nov. 18, 16 days before Thompson was shot dead along a New York City street.

READ MORE: Is Luigi Mangione giving up his extradition fight? Manhattan DA says he has new info

Mangiones mother also spoke with FBI agents and New York City police officials the day before he was arrested, ABC News said, and told them that the suspect seen in surveillance photos could be her son.

That discussion followed a tip law enforcement had received earlier from San Francisco police, who told officials that the missing person resembled the person seen in the photos.

During a recent court appearance, Mangione told a judge he had been in touch with his family until recently.

Mangiones family released a statement after his arrest saying they were shocked and devastated and offered prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

Mangione is currently in custody at a Pennsylvania state prison. A judge has denied bail.
Voters in the Liberal-held B.C. riding of CloverdaleLangley City go to the polls today to pick a new member of parliament, in another test for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Supporters listen as Trudeau speaks during a Liberal Party fundraising event in Vancouver, on Nov. 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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EPT Prague Hands of the Week: Quads for Grafton, Exposed Hand Chaos & Heart-Breaking Bubble

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

The 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague ran from December 4-15, and PokerNews was there throughout capturing all the action. That included in the 5,300 EPT Main Event, which saw Portugal's Pedro Marquez top a record-breaking field of 1,458 entries to win the tournament for 963,450 after a heads-up deal with Romania's Paul Runcan.

Other side event winners from the series included Paul Tedeschi, Andras Nemeth, and Thomas Santerne, who won an incredible three titles!

Below is a look at five exciting and game-changing hands that the PokerNews Live Reporting Team caught during updates from the 2024 EPT Prague.

Check out our recap of Pedro Marques winning the EPT Prague here!

Quads for Grafton

PokerStars Ambassador Sam Grafton

On Day 1 of the 50,000 EPT Super High Roller, it was Level 8 (2,000/5,000/5,000) when reporter Will Shillibier saw Sam Grafton raise to 10,000 from under the gun and Artsiom Lasouski was the only caller. The pair checked the Q97 flop and the turn was the 8.

Grafton checked and Lasouski bet 15,000. Grafton called and the Q completed the board. Grafton checked and Lasouski bet 30,000.

Grafton used a time bank before check-raising to 142,000, leaving himself crumbs behind. Lasouski called and Grafton tabled QQ for quads. Lasouski showed 77 and the PokerStars Ambassador secured a late boost to his stack.

Quads for Sinclair Dust Drbal

Jack Sinclair

On Day 3 of the 1,100 Eureka Main Event, just 20 players remained in Level 32 (100,000/200,000/200,000) when reporter Richard Hayes watched Vaclav Drbal open to 400,000 under the gun, and was called by Jack Sinclair in the next seat and Tim van Kemenade in the big blind.

On the A88 flop, Drbal continued with a bet of 400,000 and Sinclair called. Van Kemenade then produced a check-raise to 1,400,000, before Drbal three-bet jammed for 5,350,000.

Sinclair took some time to think before getting his stack of around 4,000,000 into the middle, and, unbelievably, Van Kemenade moved his stack forward, creating a three-way all-in.

Vaclav Drbal: AQ

Jack Sinclair: 88

Tim van Kemenade: AK

Sinclair was in dreamland with flopped quads leaving both of his opponents drawing dead. The KQ runout completed the board, sending a small side pot to Van Kemenade, and a massive triple up to Sinclair.

River Chaos as Mitrovic Accidentally Shows His Hand

Paawan Bansal

On Day 1b of the 5,300 Main Event, it was early in Level 2 (100/200/200) when reporter Kai Cocklin captured a highly unusual situation unfold at Table #11 during a hand between Paawan Bansal and Hrvoje Mitrovic.

According to the action recounted to PokerNews, the player on the button opened the betting, Mitrovic called from the small blind, and Bansal three-bet from the big blind. The button folded, and Mitrovic called to see a flop.

The flop came down 2J4, and Mitrovic check-called a continuation bet from Bansal. When the A appeared on the turn, Mitrovic again check-called, this time for 2,700.

The river brought the 10, and Mitrovic immediately moved all-in for roughly 23,000  about twice the size of the pot  igniting drama at the table.

"What are you doing to me here?" Bansal asked. "Will you show if I fold?"

Mitrovic, who had been covering his cards with both hands since shoving, inadvertently revealed his holdings  K8  as he fumbled his cards momentarily. With that information in hand, Bansal declared, "Sorry, I have to call."

"This is sick," remarked Mitrovic as he turned over his cards officially. Bansal revealed 43 for a pair of fours, enough to scoop the pot in this extraordinary hand.

"Sorry man, you either had king-queen or nothing, I wanted to call," Bansal claimed.

Munteanu Bubbles in Heart-Breaking Fashion

Bubble boy Bogdan Munteanu.

On Day 2 in Level 15 (2,000/4,000/4,000), the money bubble was on when reporter Dan O'Hair caught some heartache. It began when Luke Porter opened from under the gun and was three-bet by Bogdan Munteanu in the hijack. Action folded back around to Porter, who four-bet to approximately 70,000. Munteanu responded with a shove for a 331,000 total and Porter called to put Munteanu at risk.

Bogdan Munteanu: KK

Luke Porter: AA

It was a brutal cooler for Munteanu, but the 6K10 flop vaulted him into the lead with a set of kings. However, in a cruel twist of fate, the A was dealt on the turn, which got a collective gasp from onlookers as Porter retook the lead with a set of aces.

The J river sealed Munteanu's fate and he was eliminated on the stone bubble.

Ice-Cold Runcan Pulls Off Insane Bluff on Kapeller

Paul Runcan

On Day 5 of the Main Event, it was Level 30 (60,000/120,000/120,000) when Cocklin caught a sick bluff.

Paul Runcan made it 240,000 from the button and Siegfried Kapeller called out of the big blind with 63.

They saw a flop of 49A where Kapeller check-called a bet of 200,000 from Runcan. On the J turn, again Kapeller checked, and Runcan fired 525,000. Kapeller then put in a raise to 1,400,000, and Runcan called.

When the 4 paired the board on the river, Kapeller burned through three time bank cards before he slid out a bet of 1,700,000. Runcan, immediately moved all in, which put Kapeller to the test for his remaining stack of almost 1,600,000.

After using another time bank, Kapeller elected to fold his flush. Runcan asked Kapeller if he wanted to see his cards, Kapeller agreed, then Runcan showed 32 for a stone-cold bluff, a hand that helped propel him to a runner-up finish.

Siegfried Kapeller

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GEORGETOWN  A spike in DUI arrests and a shortage of prosecutors has led to a new hire in Georgetown County, authorities said.

The 15th Circuit Solicitors Office, which covers Horry and Georgetown counties, received a grant from the S.C. Department of Public Safety to hire a prosecutor who will focus on DUI-related cases.

"The 15th Circuit Solicitors Office is working to reduce the senseless crime and occurrence of impaired driving," Project Director Cathy Floyd said in a news release.

When the grant application was written in March there were 406 pending DUI warrants for the unincorporated areas of Georgetown County, and 113 of them were over a year old, Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said.

The new prosecutor will work to address the backlog of misdemeanor cases. Felony DUIs, cases involving serious injury or death, will be handled by another prosecutor.

Attorney Kelsey Hall has been hired to fill the new position. She previously worked as a clerk in the solicitors office while she was in law school, Richardson said.

Horry County hired a DUI prosecutor through the same grant program three years ago, and that county has received the grant every year since. Last year, the Horry prosecutor tried 20 DUI cases. Richardson said he hopes Hall will start out by trying 10.

"She's going to do a terrific job," he said.

Despite the increase in Georgetown County DUI arrests, Richardson said there are more options to get home safely. He pointed to services like Uber and Lyft.

And it's especially important for people to plan for rides during the holiday season when parties with alcohol abound and the streets are busy, Richardson said.
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One of the trending reports in the Nigerian movie industry at the start of December was the news that Netflix had halted the acquisition of movies and streamlined funding movies in the country effective November 2024, as revealed by Victor Ohai, Directors Guild of Nigeria President, at the Zuma Film Festival in Abuja.

Ever since, stakeholders have waded into the debate, suggesting viable alternatives and their broader implications for the industry.

One prominent discussion was the revelation by ace comedian Bright Basketmouth Okpocha, who sparked controversy by alleging that Nollywood producers mismanaged funds provided by global streaming platforms like Netflix.

But, in an interview with Nollywood on Radio on Sunday, comedian cum filmmaker Ayo Makun, more popularly called AY, clarified that Netflix is not exiting the Nigerian market.

200 million people, 300,000 subscriptions

AY, however, suggested that the discrepancies between Nigerias population and subscription numbers indicate that more Nigerians are accessing Netflix via alternative means, including shared subscriptions.

He said, I had a meeting with Netflix recently, and it was never mentioned that they are opting out of business in this part of the world. At the last meeting, we discussed my next project and how they can be a part of it. I also do not want to believe that they are strongly leaving Nigeria.

There is no way they would leave just because people say it. The truth is if you are doing business in a particular region and you are not making money but spending much more than you are making, you would want to re-strategise. That is what is going on with their system and structure.

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AY also highlighted that some sharp practices by Nigerians contribute to the issue beyond filmmakers playing a role in the development.

Most of these things do not deal with the filmmakers alone; it has to do with us as Nigerians. For example, the subscription basis for Netflix in a country with a population of over 200 million people is just about 300,000, so there is a leakage somewhere that needs to be corrected.

You would see a person with a Netflix subscription sharing with several people, so thats the problem. It is not just about the filmmakers, he said.

AY also spoke about his latest movie, The Waiter, which premiered over the weekend and will be released in cinemas on 20 December in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia.

The Waiter tells the story of a waiter entangled in a hotel invasion, sparking a thrilling and chaotic adventure.

The films star-studded cast includes Shaffy Bello, Regina Daniels, Deyemi Okanlawon, Rahama Sadau, Williams Uchemba, and Toke Makinwa.

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To promote common development with global solidarity

13:44, December 16, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

On Dec. 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a collective meeting in Beijing with heads of major international economic organizations, who were here to attend the "1+10" dialogue. During the meeting, he stressed that it would be impossible to promote global growth without effective and proactive global economic governance.

He said that China is ready to work with the major international economic organizations to practice multilateralism, promote international cooperation, and support the development of Global South countries, so as to advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and build a just world of common development.

The world economy is facing many difficulties and challenges, and unilateralism and protectionism are clearly on the rise. How to bring the world economy onto a path of strong and sustainable growth is a major question for the international community.

In a world of deepening economic globalization, humanity is a community with a shared future where all people rise and fall together. Countries are not riding separately in some 190 small boats, but are rather all in a giant ship on which their shared future hinges. As such, they should see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and treat each other as partners rather than rivals.

Making Global solidarity, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win the defining theme of the times is a shared responsibility of all countries and the only right choice for global economic development.

To bring the world economy onto a path of strong and sustainable growth, it is important to build an open world economy.

The world today is gripped by anemic growth, and each economy faces its own set of challenges. The greater the difficulties and challenges are, the more important it is to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and take responsible actions.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative for all countries in the world to build an open world economy through cooperation, drive development through innovation, seize the important opportunities of the digital economy, artificial intelligence and low-carbon technology, foster new sources of economic growth, and support the cross-border flow of knowledge, technology and talent.

For countries, economic interdependence should be seen as a good thing that enables all to draw on each other's strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results. It should not be taken as a risk.

China has been expanding high-level opening up, joining hands with all countries to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, implementing the Global Development Initiative, and advocating for a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, so as to ensure that more development gains will be shared more fairly by people across the world. It is a doer and go-getter in building an open world economy.

To bring the world economy onto a path of strong and sustainable growth, it is important to make the global economic governance system more just and equitable.

The world today has seen the collective rise of Global South countries, which account for over 40 percent of the world economy.

International economic organizations need to keep abreast with the changing circumstances, and respond to the call of the times and the aspirations of the world's people. They need to actively engage in and push for reforms of the global economic governance system to make it more just and equitable and reflective of the changing world economic landscape, with greater representation and voice of Global South countries.

To advance effective and proactive global economic governance, countries around the world must adhere to the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, uphold true multilateralism, and ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for all countries.

From being the first to explicitly support the African Union's accession to the G20, to striving to bridge the North-South "digital divide" and promoting the reform of the international financial architecture, China has always contributed to improving the global governance system and increasing the representation and voice of the Global South countries.

To bring the world economy onto a path of strong and sustainable growth, major economies should play an active and constructive role.

China and the United States are the world's top two economies. Their common interests are expanding rather than shrinking. The two sides should expand the list of cooperation and make a bigger pie of cooperation to achieve win-win cooperation.

China is ready to engage in dialogue, expand cooperation and manage differences with the U.S. to work for a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. It is hoped that the U.S. will work in the same direction with China, conform to the trend of history, work to meet the expectations of both Chinese and American peoples and the international community, and fulfill their responsibilities in promoting world economic growth and improving people's wellbeing.

Tariff war, trade war and tech war are against the trend of history and laws of economics, and they produce no winners. Building "small yard with high fences," decoupling and disrupting industrial and supply chains bring harm to others without benefiting oneself. China will stay focused on managing its own affairs well, and resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.

World multipolarity represents the general trend of history and a direction of progress, while economic globalization is the unstoppable historical trend that keeps evolving.

Moving forward, all countries in the world should follow the general trend of world multipolarity and economic globalization, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation. They should jointly enhance global economic governance, build an open world economy, and bring the world economy onto a path of strong and sustainable growth, so as to usher in a better future of common development and prosperity.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
European Union foreign ministers plan to meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss recent developments in Syria and Georgia, Ukraine and the Middle East as well as the political situation in Belarus.

Ministers are set to adopt the 15th round of new sanctions on Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, targeting the Kremlins shadow fleet of oil tankers.

Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is expected to join his EU counterparts by videoconference to give an update on the situation on the battlefield, as talks about an EU involvement in a potential peacekeeping mission grow louder.

Possible sanctions on the Georgian government are also on the table after pro-European demonstrations were answered with police violence and mass arrests.

The outcome of the presidential elections will also be discussed.

Potential actions could include imposing EU travel bans on those responsible for the recent events and freezing assets held in the EU.

Similar measures are also due to be imposed on more Belarusian figures or entities ahead of the upcoming elections where President Alexander Lukashenko is set to be re-elected, after a violent mass crackdown on the countrys opposition in 2020.

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The gathering, chaired for the first time by the EUs new top diplomat Kaja Kallas, will also discuss the situation in Syria after a rebel alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a designated terrorist group to which the EU has no official contact, took control of Damascus.

Ministers will also deal with the situation in Syrias neighbouring countries, with Israel and Lebanon observing a fragile ceasefire and Israel continuing its attack on Gaza.

(NAN)

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The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says 19.2 million citizens have enrolled on health insurance schemes surpassing its 2024 target

The Director-General of NHIA, Kelechi Ohiri, disclosed this in Abuja at a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) day commemoration roundtable to reflect on Nigerias UHC quest, identify challenges, and chart a course of action.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable was part of the activities lined up for the commemoration of the 2024 UHC Day.

It was to reflect on Nigerias UHC quest, identify challenges, and chart a course of action.

Mr Ohiri said this feat was a significant milestone in the NHIAs efforts to expand access to healthcare for Nigerians under the health insurance scheme.

According to him, this achievement surpasses the 2024 target and places the nation at 95 per cent of its ambitious 2027 presidential coverage goal.

He attributed the success to strategic policy reforms, effective collaborations with stakeholders, and an unwavering commitment to universal health coverage (UHC)

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We are proud to announce that 19.2 million Nigerians have been covered by health insurance.

This surpasses our 2024 target and places us within striking distance of achieving 95 per cent of the 2027 presidential target, he said.

He said that the NHIA had worked tirelessly to implement innovative strategies.

This includes the expansion of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and partnerships with state health insurance agencies to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable populations, he said.

According to him, the milestone reflects the federal governments commitment to delivering quality healthcare as outlined in the National Health Act.

He urged state governments and private sector stakeholders to intensify efforts to sustain the momentum and bridge the remaining gaps in health insurance coverage.

He said that the achievement came amid ongoing challenges in Nigerias healthcare sector, including funding limitations, infrastructure deficits, and inadequate human resources

However, the NHIA boss expressed optimism, noting that the agencys strategic roadmap for 20252027 includes scaling up digital enrollment processes and integrating informal sector workers into the insurance scheme.

With the theme of this years UHC Day, health should reflect the type of government the country has and must make decisions that represent its aspirations.

We should prioritise Primary Health Care (PHC) as the bedrock of our health system, he said.

The Commissioner for Health in Yobe, Muhammad Lawal, said that UHC was a reality and we must work towards it.

Mr Lawal said that there should be no negotiation for the health of the people, especially the vulnerable segment of the population.

Bolanle Olusola-Faleye of the USAID LHSS Project said that it was a remarkable time to celebrate 2024 UHC Day with the presence of reforms such as the Sector Wide Approach (SWAP).

Mrs Olusola-Faleye said that SWAP had shown evidence of success in the states through the harmonised Annual Operational Plan (AOP), ensuring alignment of priorities.

Public health advocates have lauded the progress, describing it as a significant step toward achieving UHC in Nigeria.

The Co-convener of the UHC2023 Forum, Garfa Alawode, said that it was a commendable accomplishment.

However, Mr Alawode said that more needed to be done to ensure that every Nigerian could access affordable, quality healthcare services.

As Nigeria inches closer to its 2027 health insurance target, Mr Alawode called for sustained political will, increased funding, and effective monitoring.

This is to ensure that the gains are not only maintained but also translated into improved health outcomes for all citizens, he said.

NAN recalls that UHC Day is a global advocacy day to raise awareness about the importance of equitable, affordable, and accessible healthcare for all individuals without financial hardship.

(NAN)

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The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months, from 29 January to 29 July 2025, to reconsider their decision to exit the regional bloc.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, announced the six-month grace period on Sunday in Abuja after the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

The Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.

The Authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29 January 2025.

The Authority decides to set the period from 29 January 2025 to 29 July 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.

In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of the President of Togo and the President of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.

Without prejudice to the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the end of the deadline of 29 January 2025 and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.

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The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session during the 2nd quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Niger, Republic of Mali and Burkina Faso, Mr Touray read from the communique.

ECOWAS leaders commended the exemplary diplomatic engagement of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, and other individual member states toward the three countries.

In his closing remarks, President Tinubu commended the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for spirited discussions throughout the Summit.

He noted that the collective resolve underscored their strength to address the regions pressing challenges.

As we move forward to implement the outcomes of this Summit, let us remain united in our determination and steadfast in our commitment to the principles that bind us together as a Community.

I call on all member states to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the decisions reached here translate into tangible benefits for our citizens, he said.

The Nigerian leader encouraged the leaders to carry forward the optimism and the resolve that guided the deliberations.

Together, let us continue to champion the cause of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, to build ECOWAS as a community of peoples anchored on the ideals of freedom, justice, democracy, and a vision of good governance that addresses the legitimate aspirations of our people, he said.

President Tinubu congratulated the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat, as he attended his valedictory session as AUC Chair.

READ ALSO: Tinubu charges ECOWAS leaders to learn from Ghanas democratic example

He further praised Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom he fondly called Mr. Democrat, and wished him resounding success.

He said ECOWAS will continue to draw from President Akufo-Addos fountain of wisdom.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

December 15, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 suspects including Nigerian, Chinese, Arab and Filipino nationals allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams.

The EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said this during a press briefing on Monday in Lagos.

He said that after months of surveillance, the EFCC operatives arrested the suspects in a surprise operation at their hideout at a seven-storey building known as Bigleaf on 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Sources said EFCC arrested the suspects on 10 December.

Among the foreigners arrested are 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kharzartans, one Pakistani, one Indonesian, Mr Uwuren said.

Investigation established that the foreign nationals use the facility at 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, which could be mistaken for a corporate headquarters of a financial establishment to train their Nigerian accomplices on how to initiate romance and investment scams and also use the identities of Nigerians to perpetrate their criminal activities.

According to the agency, the syndicate runs an independent power supply to carry put its neferious activities.

All the floors are equipped with high-end desktop computers. On the fifth floor alone, investigators recovered 500 SIM cards of local telcos that were bought for criminal purposes.

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Operations

According to the EFCCs acting director in Lagos, Micheal Wetkaz, the Nigerian nationals recruited by the foreign kingpins scout for victims online through phishing, targeting mostly Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and several others from European countries.

They usually arm them with desktop computers and mobile devices and create fake profiles for them, he said.

The Nigerian accomplices are equally provided with logs that allow them access to foreign communication lines and victims, which they chat with on WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram.

They are also assigned WhatsApp accounts linked to foreign telephone numbers, especially from Germany and Italy.

Mr Watkaz told journalists that the employees primary purpose is to engage with victims in romantic conversations and phantom business and investment discussions to trick them to shop on the purported online investment shopping platform.

Those who show interest, activation fees for an account on the platform starts from $35USD, he added.

Recruitment criterion

Speaking further, he said that the requirement to be a part of the company is proficiency in typing before they were taken through a two-week induction on how to impersonate foreign females in romance scam chats and convince victims to invest in their employers Cryptocurrency investment scam.

Once the Nigerians are able to win the confidence of would-be victims, the foreigners would take over the actual task of defrauding the victims and proceed to block their Nigerian accomplices from the network. This would then leave them in the dark about the transaction, he said.

Surprisingly, the Nigerians do not know the owners of the company they work for, as they neither get letters of appointments nor receive payment from a corporate account. Investigation revealed that they are paid either in cash or through an individuals account.

Further investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of the scam and the accomplices, including the likelihood of any collaboration with organized international fraud cells.

Recovered items

The anti-graft agency said they recovered desktop computers, mobile phones, laptop computers, and cars.

Mr Wetkaz said that the suspects are being held with a valid remand warrant and will be arraigned in court soon.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the unprecedented number of detainees from a single operation has overwhelmed the EFCCs Lagos offices, leading to overcrowded cells. Amid the resulting chaos, this newspaper learnt that as on Sunday evening many suspects are being held in office spaces due to inadequate facilities.

Police arrest of 113 foreigners for cybercrime activities in Abuja

The EFCC arrest came on the heels of Novembers arrest of 130 individuals, including foreigners, over their alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities threatening national security.

The 113 foreigners among the suspects (87 males and 26 females) nationals of Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Brazilian, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Thailan origins.

The foreign nationals were arrested along with 17 Nigerian (four males and 13 females).

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of police, the arrests were made in a coordinated operation by the Police Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone 7.

Mr Adejobi said the operation was led by an assistant inspector general of police, Benneth Igweh, and the Commissioner in charge of the National Cybercrimes Centre of the, Ifeanyi Uche, a commissioner of police.

The suspects were arrested on Saturday, 3 November, in a building in the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the alleged criminal activities were reportedly carried out.

The police have arraigned the suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja

The judge, Ekerete Akpan, granted each of them bail in the sum of N200 million with five sureties.

The sureties must be residents of Abuja and must each own landed property worth N200 million.

They were unusual bail conditions that likely factored in the defendants status as foreigners. Generally, courts do not demand more than two bail sureties from defendants.

The defendants were to remain in prison pending when they met their bail conditions.

The judge fixed 27 February 2025 for their trial.

Additional reporting by Abiodun Sanusi

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has resolved to rename the University of Abuja after former military ruler Yakubu Gowon.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Idris said the university will be renamed Yakubu Gowon University to honour the elder statesman.

He, however, clarified that the name change will still need to be approved by the National Assembly.

But FEC has taken that decision to write to the national assembly to change the name of university of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University, in honour of the former head of state and elder statesman, he said.

About UNIABUJA

The University of Abuja was established in 1988 as a dual-mode university with the mandate to run both conventional and distance learning academic programmes.

It was the first university in the country to assume such a dual mandate at inception. The university currently has nine faculties, the College of Health Sciences, a School of Remedial Studies, a Centre for Distance Learning, an Institute of Education, and a School of Postgraduate Studies, according to information posted on its website.

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More from FEC meeting

Mr Idris also announced free train service to all Nigerians from 20 December until 5 January.

This is consistent with the Presidents desire to cushion the (cost) of transportation, (for) the most vulnerable Nigerians, he added.

He added that the FEC will proceed on recess from 18 December to 6 January, 2025.

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The Deputy Chief Whip of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mariam Aladi, has distributed items worth millions of naira to 1,200 constituents to improve their living conditions.

The beneficiaries, including young people, artisans, women, widows, and people with disabilities (PWDs), received cash, foodstuff, sewing machines, hair dryer machines, painting machines, printing machines, tailoring machines, deep freezers, clippers, power generating sets, and a cow, among others.

Speaking at the event, the wife of the state governor, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, praised the lawmaker for helping her constituents and improving the states economy.

She advised the recipients to use the items well and urged other political officeholders in the state to emulate Mrs Aladi.

The lawmaker said she organised the programme to complement Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaqs social protection programmes, which she said were helping the youth, marketers, and the less privileged.

She said her office was paying the school fees of at least 1000 students from the constituency, among other supports for the people.

Mrs Aladi said the beneficiaries were selected from the 11 wards of the Ilorin South Local Government Area.

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Programme aligns with partys ideology  APC Chairman

The state chairman of the APC, Sunday Fagbemi, said Mrs Aladi loves the masses and is committed to the principles of the states ruling party.

On behalf of the Governor, I commend Aladi for this. What you have done is huge. You did this for humanity, but never expect the reward from them but from your God. And I pray that God will reward you accordingly, he said, enjoining the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously.

Dignitaries, including state lawmakers led by the Deputy Speaker, Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, and traditional rulers witnessed the event.

The programmes highlight was the symbolic presentation of gift items to some beneficiaries by Mrs AbdulRazaqs representative and other important dignitaries.

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Ikang Relief Services, a non-profit organisation committed to fighting poverty, has hosted an event to provide the vulnerable with relief materials such as clothes, food, shoes, bags, belts, and mattresses.

The event, held in collaboration with Realms of Grace Gospel Centre, also offered psychosocial support to beneficiaries through counselling, according to a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.

The programme took place recently in Masaka in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Ubon Etukpan, host and general overseer of Realms of Glory, said the organisations aim is to contribute to eradicating poverty among vulnerable Nigerians.

He said the organisation wants to give back to society by supporting vulnerable Nigerians who have no clothes, bags, rappers, shoes and other items.

We want to see a society that is poverty-free, Mr Eukpan said at the launch, adding, Hundreds of residents have benefited from the quarterly programme which the group calls Open Boutique Project.

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As you all know, what we do is to help the less privileged in society, the vulnerable Nigerians. For this quarter we have decided to assist the people with food, clothes, rappers, bags, shoes for men and women, he added.

We aim at reaching out to people who cannot afford these materials because they do not have the resources. We are here to extend these arms to them in Masaka and to help them to cover up their nakedness.

In his remark, Effiong Eno, chairman of the Board of Trustees of IRSN, emphasised the organisations commitment to providing relief services, stating, We have been in relief services for over 30 years, and we intend to continue this work, trusting God to raise the necessary materials for us.

Organisers said the Open Boutique project is part of IRSNs efforts to support the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, and 3. The organisation believes that connecting those in need with providers of relief materials is essential in bringing hope and comfort to vulnerable communities.

Gift Joel, one of the beneficiaries, expressed joy for the gesture, saying, God will bless those who brought these gifts.

We are very happy with what we witnessed today. We have almost all tribes here in Masaka, and all of us have a gift. This is very good, God bless them.

IRSNs next Open Boutique project is scheduled for March 2025, with plans to reach another rural community within the federal capital territory.

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The United Bank for Africa, UBA, has donated N500 million to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, (LSSTF) to improve safety and security in the state.

UBA, in a statement, made this known to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday.

Presenting the cheque to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the State House on Sunday, the UBA Group Chairperson, Tony Elumelu, said the bank is committed to supporting projects that target the security of the environment for individuals and businesses.

At UBA, we understand that security is critical for economic growth and societal well-being. Our donation to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund is a reflection of the banks belief in building safer communities to enhance the quality of life for all, Mr Elumelu said.

We are proud to partner with the Lagos State Government to achieve this shared vision of a secure environment conducive to investment and development.

The fund was donated through the UBA Foundation, the financial institutions Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm.

Mr Elumelu emphasised the banks role as a leader in giving back to society. He stated that UBA supports the states efforts to improve security because it understands that safety is essential for a strong economy.

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Governor speaks

According to the statement, Mr Sanwo-Olu, upon receipt of the cheque, expressed appreciation to the bank and the UBA Foundation for the significant contribution and commended Tony Elumelu for its unwavering commitment to impactful projects, states progress, and well-being.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said: We are grateful to the UBA Group for their significant contribution to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. This donation will strengthen our efforts to enhance security and protect our citizens. Together we are building a safer Lagos for all.

In line with Foundations vision

According to UBA Group, the gesture aligns with its Foundations special project initiatives which focus on addressing pressing societal issues through strategic partnerships and impactful interventions.

Over the years, UBA Foundation has actively contributed to enhancing education, the environment, and economic empowerment and special projects such as these critical donations across Africa. The Foundations commitment to security as a driver of sustainable development is evident in its support for programmes like the LSSTF, the statement said.

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has said the House, under his leadership, passed 89 bills since its inauguration last year.

Mr Tajudeen made this known on Saturday at a training organised for House of Representatives Press Corps members in Kaduna.

The training, organised by the Office of the Speaker and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on the implementation of the eight-point agenda of the 10th House, called the legislative agenda.

Mr Tajudeen, elected on 13 June 2023, stated that most of the bills passed by the House align with its legislative agenda.

The speaker listed the Electric Power Sector Reform (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023; the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2023; the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; as some of the most significant among the 89 bills.

He also listed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and the National Anthem Bill, 2024.

Our one-year performance assessment scorecard reveals remarkable achievements, including passing 89 bills across our priority areas, he said.

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Mr Tajudeen also reiterated the importance of training and capacity development for journalists, describing it as a mutually beneficial investment.

Your work informs and empowers citizens to actively participate in governance and hold leaders accountable. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has consistently highlighted the pivotal role of the media in strengthening parliamentary democracy by promoting transparency and accountability. This underscores the importance of your role as a bridge between the legislature and the public, the speaker said.

Four Institutions for Zaria

Meanwhile, Mr Tajudeen, who represents the Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, has announced the establishment of four federal institutions in his constituency.

According to the Speaker, the constituency will benefit from a Federal College of Education, a College of Health Sciences, a National Open University campus, and a College of Legal Studies.

READ ALSO: Reps ask CBN to clamp down on illegal digital loan platforms

He disclosed this while addressing executive members of the Zaria Educational and Development Association (ZEDA) on Saturday in Zaria.

Mr Tajudeen further highlighted ongoing renovation work in Zarias primary and secondary schools, noting that 116 schools are currently under renovation, with plans for additional upgrades.

Zaria is not known for commerce or industry but for education. This is where we need to focus on strengthening and expanding our educational infrastructure, he stated.

He added: The groundbreaking ceremonies for these institutions will take place tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, and the public is invited to witness this historic event.

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has taken a bold step in the fight against cervical cancer by launching its first colposcopy centre in general hospitals across the territory.

The newly commissioned facility, donated by Nordica Fertility Centre, is expected to enhance early detection and treatment of the disease, which remains a growing health concern among Nigerian women.

In a statement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dolapo Fasawe, described the initiative as a step towards improving womens healthcare in the FCT.

Ms Fasawe said this is the first colposcopy centre in general hospitals across FCT and will serve as a referral centre for all public and private hospitals.

She said the procedure offers an opportunity to see and treat early changes in the cervix, helping to prevent cervical cancer.

She further stressed the urgency of tackling this health challenge, revealing that the disease is the 3rd most common cancer in Nigeria and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44.

She added that in 2020, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths due to cervical cancer.

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A colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows healthcare providers to closely examine the cervix, vagina and vulva using a special instrument called a colposcope.

This procedure is particularly effective for identifying abnormal cells or lesions that could develop into cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria, with thousands of new cases and fatalities recorded each year.

It primarily develops due to persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a preventable and treatable cause if detected early.

Despite advances in medicine, cervical cancer remains a public health issue due to limited awareness, late diagnosis, and inadequate access to screening and treatment services.

In Nigeria, barriers such as poverty and limited healthcare infrastructure increase the challenges of combating this disease.

Many women lack knowledge about the importance of early screening through Pap smears or HPV DNA testing, and vaccination rates against HPV are alarmingly low.

Consequently, the disease progresses to advanced stages, where treatment becomes more complex and costly.

The Nigerian government has made efforts to address the cervical cancer crisis through policy implementation, public health campaigns, and partnerships with global health organisations.

Regular Checkups

Ms Fasawe encouraged women of reproductive age to prioritise regular screenings, such as pap smears and colposcopy, to prevent unnecessary deaths.

She explained that cervical cancer develops over 10 to 15 years in a premalignant phase, offering a crucial window for early detection and treatment.

She said the colposcopy suite enables healthcare providers to detect and treat lesions early, perform biopsies, and offer timely interventions, preventing women from being lost to follow-up.

She also called on other organisations and partners to work with the government to strengthen the healthcare system to ensure broader access to these life-saving services.

She expressed her gratitude to Nordica Fertility Centre for donating the colposcopy machine.

She also commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his commitment to improving healthcare, particularly through initiatives like advocating for HPV vaccination to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and protect womens health.

Free Services and Access to Treatment

The Medical Director of Wuse General Hospital, Oluseyi Ashaolu, said the secretariat has approved free colposcopy services for all female staff of FCT general hospitals until January 2025.

Mr Ashaolu said this is to encourage the use of the newly launched colposcopy facility,

He explained that specialists in gynecologic oncology would conduct the procedure, and patients with abnormal findings would receive appropriate treatments, including thermal ablation, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), or definitive surgeries as necessary.

ALSO READ: Free cervical cancer screenings as Irie Vibes Fest announces festival date

He encouraged women of reproductive age to make use of the facility, stating that colposcopy is a reliable and efficient way to detect abnormal cell growth in the cervix, vagina, and vulva.

He stressed that early screening and treatment are essential for preventing cervical cancer.

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The Supreme Court will hear on Monday an urgent motion seeking the removal of President Bola Tinubu.

The motion was filed on 25 November by Ambrose Owuru, the 2019 presidential candidate of the defunct Hope Democratic Party (HDP) known for unorthodox presidential election litigation.

His substantive case at the Supreme Court is challenging the May 2023 decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissing his case, which he weaved from his grievances against the previous 2019 presidential election.

The Court of Appeals decision delivered on 25 May 2023, four days before Mr Tinubus inauguration, described the case as stange, frivolous and irritating.

While the substantive appeal against the Court of Appeals decision waited its turn to be heard by the Supreme Court, Mr Owuru filed an urgent motion in November this year, seeking the removal of Mr Tinubu from office in light of certain new revelations.

Mr Owuru said Mr Tinubu is not qualified to be Nigerian president over certain revelation that he previously acted as an agent of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

He also urged the court to disqualify President Tinubu on account of forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States of America over his alleged involvement in drug trafficking-related offences.

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Although he was not a presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Owuru urged the court to remove President Tinubu from office and order his immediate inauguration to reclaim his mandate allegedly usurped from him in 2019.

Mr Owuru, a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, maintained that he won the 2019 presidential poll but that his mandate was unlawfully taken by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, his suit challenging the 2019 election result was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to a procedural mix-up, leaving his claims unaddressed.

He urged the court to grant his prayers by invoking section 157 of the Nigerian constitution to oust President Tinubu from office on account of being under the control of foreign authorities.

He stated that granting his application will protect and save Nigeria from looming selloff of the entire countrys wealth and political health in the light of the new revelations of the nature of 4th Respondent (Mr Tinubus) constitutional disqualification to hold office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The defendants in the suit are former President Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Tinubu, sued as 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.

Owurus trajectory of frivolous presidential election litigation

Mr Owuru has customarily instituted presidential litigation to seek longshot prayers since at least after the 2015 presidential election.

In 2017, he filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek an order shortening the four-year tenure of the then President Buhari.

He argued in the suit that during the campaigns for the 2015 presidential election, Mr Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), surpassed the N1 billion campaign expenses limit set by the Electoral Act.

He urged the court to dissolve the Federal Executive Council (FEC) led by Mr Buhari to make way for any early fresh election.

Mr Owuru also urged the court to order the constitution of an all-inclusive government of national unity to be headed by him, being the most progressive, revolutionary and visionary candidate in the 2015 presidential election pending the conduct of another election by INEC.

The suit failed.

Again, after Mr Buhari was declared the winner of the 2019 presidential election, Mr Owuru asked the presidential election petition court to nullify the result and declare him the winner. He based his prayer on the outcome of a certain referendum held on 16 February 2019 from which he claimed to have allegedly emerged as the validly elected Nigerian president with 50 million votes.

He argued in the suit that the rescheduling of the presidential election from 16 February 2019 to 23 February 2019 was done without any recognisable presence or existence and or compliance with prescribed statutory conditions to do so.

According to him, the rescheduling implied that the 2019 presidential election was abandoned, self-sabotaged and relinquished, paving the way for the peoples controlled affirmative referendum election validating him as the elected president. Such a referendum is not known to Nigerian laws and was not known to have been held anywhere.

While the hearing was underway, Mr Owuru applied to the court to stop Mr Buharis inauguration.

The court dismissed the application and eventually the suit itself.

He appealed against the decision at the Supreme Court.

Dismissing the appeal in October 2019, the Supreme Court described it as frivolous and an abuse of court process.

After Mr Tinubu was announced the winner of the 2023 presidential election, Mr Owuru spun another suit out of the facts of his 2019 case.

In the suit, which he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Mr Owuru insisted that he won the 2019 presidential poll but was unjustly deprived of his victory.

He joined then President Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation, INEC and Mr Tinubu, as the respondents.

He lost the case, but defiantly went on appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the case and awarded a heavy cost against him in a unanimous decision delivered on 25 May 2023.

The court said that the appeal was a gross abuse of court process.

It said Mr Owurus complaint against the 2019 presidential election was not only strange but uncalled for, as his grievances had been pursued up to Supreme Court and was dismissed for want of merit.

The court ruled that Mr Owurus attempt to resuscitate his dead case could set the lower court on a collision course against the Supreme Court which had made a final pronouncement on it.

It said it was therefore an irritating suit deliberately packaged to provoke the respondents.

It therefore ordered him to pay a N10 million fine to each of the four respondents  Mr Buhari, the AGF, INEC and Mr Tinubu. The fine totalled N40 million.

It is this decision Mr Owuru is challenging at the Supreme Court.

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Revenue generation, zero budgetary allocation threat

Discussions on the controversial tax reform bills did not take centre stage at the Senate last week as in previous weeks.

The Senate Committee on Finance, initially mandated to undertake further legislative action on the four bills until a committee was constituted to meet with the executive arm, began an investigative hearing on the remittances of revenue-generating agencies.

During the hearing, the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, presented a summary of the federal governments revenue from January to September.

The finance committee chair, Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), warned that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that fail to provide explanations on their spending for the 2024 budget will not be appropriated funds in the 2025 budget.

The senator said his committee will invite the heads of MDAs to present a breakdown of their spending in the 2024 budget.

Tinubus requests for SEDC, NWDC nominees confirmation

During the plenary on Tuesday, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a letter from President Bola Tinubu requesting the confirmation of the chairpersons and other nominees for the South-east Development Commission (SEDC) and North-west Development Commission (NWDC).

The positions nominated include executive directors, managing directors/chief executive officers and members of the boards.

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The Senate President said an ad hoc committee would be constituted to review the presidents request.

Mining university underway

The Senate passed a bill establishing the Federal University of Mining and Geo-Science, Jos, Plateau State.

The upper chamber passed the bill after considering the report of its Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, presented by Muntari Dandutse, its chairman.

The bill repeals the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geo-Science Act, 2018. It was sponsored by the senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Diket Plang.

Senate declares Okpebholos seat vacant, holds valedictory session

On Wednesday, Mr Akpabio declared the Edo Central Senatorial District seat vacant.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately organise a bye-election for the senatorial district.

Monday Okpebholo, elected governor of Edo state in September and sworn into office in December, occupied the seat.

Mr Akpabio announced the vacancy during the plenary after reading a letter from the Minority Leader, Abba Moro, requesting that the seat be declared vacant following the occupants inauguration as a governor.

In the letter to the Senate President, Mr Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial District, asked the Senate to declare the seat vacant in line with Paragraph D of Section 68 of the Nigerian Constitution.

The development coincided with the valedictory session in honour of Mr Okpebholo to mark his exit from the upper chamber.

During the valedictory session, Mr Akpabio mocked the opposition parties on the outcome of the Edo governorship election.

Mr Akpabio said the opposition parties had not accepted that the ruling APC won the election.

FCT senator protests

FCT senator Ireti Kingibe walked out of the Senate chamber on Thursday after she was prevented from presenting a motion to stop the territorys minister, Nyesom Wike, from further demolishing buildings in the FCT.

The Senate subsequently constituted a committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, to investigate the demolitions under the minister who assumed office in August 2023.

Tinubus budget presentation request

Mr Akpabio announced that President Bola Tinubu will present the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

He said the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the House of Representatives chamber.

However, it is uncertain if the January-December budget cycle started by the Muhammadu Buhari administration will be maintained. The lawmakers are expected to commence their Christmas/New Year vacation soon.

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The Lagos State Government has commenced its second round of free weeklong Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition services (MNCAH+N).

The programme, scheduled from 16 to 20 December, aims to provide free healthcare services at designated centres across the state.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, disclosed that over 1,400 service delivery points, including 310 fixed, 376 temporary fixed, and 752 mobile units, have been set up for the exercise.

Mrs Ogunyemi noted that the First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, will flag off the event at the Shomolu Local Government Secretariat, emphasising the governments commitment to fostering holistic family health.

Key services

According to Mrs Ogunyemi, the programme offers essential healthcare services, including vaccinations, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, malnutrition screening, HIV and Tuberculosis testing, and birth registration.

Others are Vitamin A supplementation for children aged six to 59 months, deworming of children aged 12 to 59 months, malnutrition screening, HIV and Tuberculosis testing, and birth registration, she said.

She added that nursing mothers and caregivers would receive counselling on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), food demonstrations, and management of minor illnesses like malaria and malnutrition.

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She noted that family planning services, antenatal care, postnatal care, and demonstrations of hygiene practices such as handwashing are also integrated into the programme.

This initiative consolidates our efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality while improving access to essential healthcare for families across Lagos, Mrs Ogunyemi said.

Partnerships

The Special Adviser stated that the Ministry of Health has partnered with other key ministries, including Womens Affairs, Education, and Agriculture, alongside development partners and community leaders to ensure seamless implementation.

She added that over 4,000 health workers have been trained to deliver the services in line with global best practices.

Mrs Ogunyemi highlighted that the MNCAH+N week, held twice yearly, is a joint initiative with the Federal Ministry of Health to enhance citizens health-seeking behaviours.

She noted that Lagos, as the pioneering state, has consistently recorded improved health indices, particularly for children under five and women.

Adolescents are not left out, as the state has established 13 specialised centres offering reproductive health and psychosocial support. Six of these centres also cater to teenage mothers, ensuring a supportive environment for young people to thrive, she noted.

Mrs Ogunyemi stated that the MNCAH+N Week intervention is also geared towards tackling malnutrition to reduce the stunting rate among under-five children.

She revealed that healthcare providers have been equipped to introduce micronutrient powders and other nutrition-focused interventions at the grassroots level.

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The Zone-2 Police Command in Lagos says it has detained two suspected international fraudsters who allegedly specialised in forging foreign certificates in Lagos and Ghana.

The AIG in charge of the zone, Adegoke Fayaode, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

Mr Fayoade said that the suspects allegedly offered N66 million to the operatives with a view to free them but the offer was turned down.

NAN reports that the same zone operatives rejected a N174 million bribe offered by a suspect in November to set him free.

Mr Fayoade said that the suspects simply identified as Elvis, 23 and Kelly, 24, allegedly specialised in forging certificates of different nations and African Universities and defrauding their unsuspecting victims on the internet.

He said that the suspects have succeeded in acquiring exotic cars and erecting mansions in different parts of the country with the proceeds of their loot.

The AIG pointed out that luck ran out of the suspects after detectives at the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Zone received credible information from Nigerians in diaspora concerning some group of boys that specialised in forging foreign certificates.

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According to him, on getting the information, he detailed the anti-corruption unit to investigate it and arrest the suspects without delay.

Mr Fayoade said that based on his directives, the detectives stormed Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, waiting for the arrival of the suspects, whom they trailed to a five-star hotel at Osapa-London in Lekki Area.

He said that the operatives arrested the suspects at a bus stop while they were about to escape secretly from the hotel, after monitoring their activities.

Searching their luggage, one certificate of Blue Crest College, Ghana, belonging to Elvis and a student identity card of Academic City College belonging to Kelly were recovered.

Further search revealed a transcript of an academic record from Blue Crest University belonging to Elvis.

A letter of English proficiency from the said college and a letter of recommendation from the same Blue Crest College were recovered, he said.

The AIG said that the suspects made useful statements to the police and confessed that they never got any admission into the school, stressing that they only procured the degree certificates through the help of a female Nigerian resident in Ghana.

The suspects further confessed that the major aim of doing that was to enable them to get a Ghana resident permit, which they got.

The resident permit is showing them also as a student of Academic City University and that none of them has ever been admitted to the school.

They claimed they paid a total of 26,000 Ghana Cedis for all the documents procured.

They confessed that they procured all the documents to evade arrest in Ghana since they dont have any means of livelihood.

Whenever police intercepted them, they showed their passports that they were students in Ghana.

Mr Fayoade said that the suspects were also allegedly involved in online romance scams and provision of foreign bank accounts for fraudulent transactions on the internet through what they call  Facebook bombing.

He said the suspects presented themselves as an American soldier by the name of Captain Donald Rowe, serving in Syria, whom they impersonated on Instagram, using his name to defraud innocent persons.

The AIG said that while detectives were making frantic efforts to get more credible information from the suspects, they started negotiating to bribe the operatives for them to be set free.

I directed my men to play along and recover the money as an exhibit. Subsequently, the detectives played along and the suspects paid them a sum of N66 million, which they collected and kept as an exhibit.

The Nigeria police authorities have written to the Ghana embassy to get more information about the result and their suspected partners in Ghana said to be spearheading the fraud.

Mr Fayoade said that they had also spread their dragnets through the International Police, Interpol, to round up their foreign accomplices.

(NAN)

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Gale of defections

Over the past two weeks, defections from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have become daily occurrences. Six members switched to the ruling party during this period, and the exodus shows no signs of abating.

I am trying to see a Labour Party member to second this motion, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen mockingly remarked to the caucus on Thursday.

The crisis at the national level has provided LP members with a pretext to seek greener pastures by moving to other parties without breaching Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution. This provision states that lawmakers who defect from the party that sponsored them must lose their seats unless there is a crisis within their party.

These defections further highlight the growing political divisions within the LP. Peter Obi, the key figure behind the partys recent success, faces uncertainty as the Julius Abure-led faction appears to have won the battle to control its structure.

Beyond the Labour Party, the defections also underscore the resurgence of the APC in Plateau State. Two of last weeks defectors, Dalyop Chollom and Alfred Ajang, are from the state.

Simon Lalong, a senator and former governor of Plateau State, was present in the Green Chamber to welcome Mr Ajang to the APC. These two lawmakers have further strengthened the APCs position in the state.

Meanwhile, the House declared Dennis Idahosas seat, now the deputy governor of Edo State, vacant. Per Section 68 of the Constitution, the House acted following Mr Idahosas election as deputy governor.

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The one chance menace

Two separate motions were discussed in the House regarding the menace of one chance crimes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The one chance scheme involves criminals driving a taxi or bus, often with accomplices pretending to be passengers. They lure unsuspecting victims into their vehicles, typically by offering cheaper fares or claiming to head to a shared destination.

Once inside, the criminals rob victims of valuables such as phones, money, and ATM cards. In some cases, they force victims to withdraw cash.

Last week, the FCT Police Command directed all vehicle owners to remove tinted windows from their cars. However, on Tuesday, the House deliberated on a motion urging the police to suspend the implementation of this directive.

The motion, sponsored by Muktar Shagaya (APC, Kwara), accused the police of using the directive to extort motorists.

On Thursday, the House adopted another motion, moved by Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo), calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to shut down illegal loan platforms used by criminals in one chance operations.

The House also urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security agency heads to enhance surveillance within the FCT.

Taming New COVID-19 variant

On Tuesday, the House called on the federal government to strengthen security surveillance at all international entry points in response to the new COVID-19 XEC variant.

The House further urged the government to provide thermal scanners and infrared thermometers for temperature screening and to deploy personnel for screening and quarantine services for all inbound passengers.

This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Uyime Idem (PDP, Akwa Ibom) during Tuesdays plenary session.

Reps move to probe Customs

On Wednesday, the House resolved to investigate the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over allegations of officers involvement in smuggling activities.

The House directed its Committees on Defence and Customs to conduct the investigation.

This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Sesi Whingan (APC, Lagos) during Wednesdays plenary session.

In his motion, Mr Whingan, representing the Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State, expressed concerns over reports implicating NCS officers in smuggling. He described the allegations, cited in various media reports, as deeply troubling.

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The Supreme Court, on Monday, awarded a N5 million fine against Ambrose Owuru, a former presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, for filing a frivolous and vexatious suit against President Bola Tinubu.

Delivering judgement, a five-member panel of justices also ordered the court registry not to accept any frivolous suit from Mr Owuru, known for strange presidential election litigation henceforth.

Mr Owurus appeal was filed against a May 2023 decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissing his case, which he weaved from his grievances against the previous 2019 presidential election.

The Court of Appeals decision delivered on 25 May 2023, four days before Mr Tinubus inauguration, described the case as strange, frivolous and irritating.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Owuru stood to argue his own case wearing his wig and gown on Monday.

He was, however, ordered out of the Bar and directed to remove his wig and gown before he could be allowed to address the court.

Upon complying with the orders, Mr Owuru was asked why he came before the court again, having had his suits dismissed three times.

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Although he tried unsuccessfully to convince the court to grant him adequate audience, his explanations were rejected as unconvincing.

As he insisted on being heard, the court threatened to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

Ms Aba-Aji, in a ruling, held that Mr Owurus conduct was unbecoming of a lawyer of over 40 years a

The court lambasted him for taking the court for a ride, wasting its precious time with baseless suits and grossly abusing the court processes.

Before the suit was thrown out, Bode Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who appeared for President Tinubu, had drawn the attention of the court to several cases of Mr Owuru that were dismissed on account of frivolity.

The senior lawyer said that the direction of the instant suit could not be understood because of the poor way and manner it was couched by the applicant.

Mr Olanipekun also said that it was difficult for him to apologise to the court on behalf of Mr Owuru because his conduct had become something unbearable in the practice of law profession.

The judge consequently dismissed the suit and awarded N5 million against him and in favour of Mr Tinubu.

In his response, a professor of law, Taiwo Osipitan, a SAN, who was also in court, assured that the conduct of the former presidential candidate would be referred to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Suit

Mr Owuru sought the removal of Mr Tinubu from office in light of certain new revelations.

He said in the suit, which started at the Federal High Court last year, that Mr Tinubu was not qualified to be Nigerian president over certain revelation that he previously acted as an agent of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

He also urged the court to disqualify President Tinubu on account of forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States of America over his alleged involvement in drug trafficking-related offences.

Although he was not a presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Owuru urged the court to remove President Tinubu from office and order his immediate inauguration to reclaim his mandate allegedly usurped from him in 2019.

Mr Owuru, a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, maintained that he won the 2019 presidential poll but that his mandate was unlawfully taken by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, his suit challenging the 2019 election result was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to a procedural mix-up, leaving his claims unaddressed.

He urged the court to grant his prayers by invoking section 157 of the Nigerian constitution to oust President Tinubu from office on account of being under the control of foreign authorities.

He stated that granting his application will protect and save Nigeria from looming selloff of the entire countrys wealth and political health in the light of the new revelations of the nature of 4th Respondent (Mr Tinubus) constitutional disqualification to hold office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The defendants in the suit are former President Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Tinubu, sued as 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.

Owurus trajectory of frivolous presidential election litigation

Mr Owuru has customarily instituted presidential litigation to seek longshot prayers since at least after the 2015 presidential election.

In 2017, he filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek an order shortening the four-year tenure of the then President Buhari.

He argued in the suit that during the campaigns for the 2015 presidential election, Mr Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), surpassed the N1 billion campaign expenses limit set by the Electoral Act.

He urged the court to dissolve the Federal Executive Council (FEC) led by Mr Buhari to make way for any early fresh election.

Mr Owuru also urged the court to order the constitution of an all-inclusive government of national unity to be headed by him, being the most progressive, revolutionary and visionary candidate in the 2015 presidential election pending the conduct of another election by INEC.

The suit failed.

Again, after Mr Buhari was declared the winner of the 2019 presidential election, Mr Owuru asked the presidential election petition court to nullify the result and declare him the winner. He based his prayer on the outcome of a certain referendum held on 16 February 2019 from which he claimed to have allegedly emerged as the validly elected Nigerian president with 50 million votes.

He argued in the suit that the rescheduling of the presidential election from 16 February 2019 to 23 February 2019 was done without any recognisable presence or existence and or compliance with prescribed statutory conditions to do so.

According to him, the rescheduling implied that the 2019 presidential election was abandoned, self-sabotaged and relinquished, paving the way for the peoples controlled affirmative referendum election validating him as the elected president. Such a referendum is not known to Nigerian laws and was not known to have been held anywhere.

While the hearing was underway, Mr Owuru applied to the court to stop Mr Buharis inauguration.

The court dismissed the application and eventually the suit itself.

He appealed against the decision at the Supreme Court.

Dismissing the appeal in October 2019, the Supreme Court described it as frivolous and an abuse of court process.

After Mr Tinubu was announced the winner of the 2023 presidential election, Mr Owuru spun another suit out of the facts of his 2019 case.

In the suit, which he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Mr Owuru insisted that he won the 2019 presidential poll but was unjustly deprived of his victory.

He joined then President Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation, INEC and Mr Tinubu, as the respondents.

He lost the case, but defiantly went on appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the case and awarded a heavy cost against him in a unanimous decision delivered on 25 May 2023.

The court said that the appeal was a gross abuse of the court process.

It said Mr Owurus complaint against the 2019 presidential election was not only strange but uncalled for, as his grievances had been pursued up to Supreme Court and was dismissed for want of merit.

The court ruled that Mr Owurus attempt to resuscitate his dead case could set the lower court on a collision course against the Supreme Court which had made a final pronouncement on it.

It said it was therefore an irritating suit deliberately packaged to provoke the respondents.

It therefore ordered him to pay a N10 million fine to each of the four respondents  Mr Buhari, the AGF, INEC and Mr Tinubu. The fine totalled N40 million.

It was this decision Mr Owuru challenged at the Supreme Court, which dismissed his appeal on Monday.

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The combined efforts of the military, police and other security forces led to the killing of 8,034 terrorists, the arrest of 11,623 suspected terrorists and the rescue of 7,967 kidnap victims in 2024.

Zakari Mijinyawa, director of Legal Service and Coordinator, Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), said this while briefing journalists on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Mijinyawa said the efforts of the security forces also resulted in the recovery of 10,200 weapons and 224,709 ammunition from terrorists and other non-state actors within the year.

He added that 30,313 suspected criminals were apprehended, while 1,438 stolen vehicles were recovered from criminals within the year.

Mr Mijinyawa said that the efforts of the security forces in 2024 prevented oil theft valued at N57 billion and raised crude oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day.

According to him, this aligns with the presidential mandate of eradicating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

He said the feat was made possible through the deployment of advanced naval assets, including personnel, helicopters, and UAVs, conducting surveillance and interdiction across the Niger Delta region.

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Key successes from January to date include the seizure of illegal refinery sites, the recovery of stolen crude oil, and the disruption of oil bunkering activities.

In August, the Nigerian Navy seized nine illegal refinery sites and recovered large quantities of stolen oil.

September saw the arrest of eight suspects and the seizure of 19 illegal refinery sites, while October saw 23 illegal refinery sites dismantled.

Novembers efforts led to the dismantling of 27 refinery sites, the seizure of 75 wooden boats, and the arrest of 17 suspects.

The Navy also rescued eight victims of human trafficking and apprehended eight stowaways.

These actions have contributed to a rise in crude oil production, reaching 1.8 million barrels per day, aligning with the presidents mandate to eradicate crude oil theft, he said.

Mr Mijinyawa said the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) had effectively ensured the safe and humane custody of over 80,000 inmates and supervised 50,000 offenders on non-custodial measures like community service and probation.

He added that the service provided rehabilitation through vocational training for over 30,000 inmates and education for 2,000 WASSCE candidates. He also facilitated the graduation of 1,000 inmates with diploma and degree programmes from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

He added that 2,000 juvenile delinquents were rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, and he ensured timely court appearances for awaiting trial persons.

According to him, some escapees were recaptured with support from security agencies while initiatives like the NCoS Studio and starter packages were launched for ex-offenders.

The director said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) achieved significant progress in the fight against supply and demand of illicit drugs during the review period.

The agency arrested 14,480 individuals, including 15 drug barons, secured 2,867 convictions, and seized 2.37 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs, with cannabis, tramadol, and codeine-based cough syrup being the most trafficked.

A historic 51.90 kilograms of heroin was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, the NDLEA sensitised over 1.3 million people through 3,064 activities and provided counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation for 6,655 individuals, he said.

Mr Mijinyawa said the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) made significant strides in revenue generation, trade facilitation, and enforcement, adding that it exceeded its revenue target, collecting N 5.49 trillion, an 8.1 per cent surplus.

He said the service also recorded a 70.1 per cent increase in monthly revenue and 122.3 per cent growth in the first quarter.

The ONSA director said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) also achieved significant milestones in infrastructure development, policy implementation, and capacity building.

He said the Comptroller General conducted border tours nationwide to assess the newly installed e-border solutions and engage with border communities.

Between January and October, Mr Mijinyawa said the National Park Service had apprehended 621 for various offences, prosecuted 466 individuals, and resolved 61 cases out of court.

According to him, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) distributed 42,000 metric tons of food to vulnerable populations in all 36 states of the federation, including the FCT.

He said the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on its part, implemented a series of special operations aimed at reducing road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities, including targeted patrols against overloading and tanker crashes.

These efforts resulted in the arrest of 538,398 traffic offenders. FRSC also conducted rescue operations for 7,872 crashes, saving 25,127 individuals with injuries and 27,597 without, while 4,378 fatalities were recorded.

The FRSC also recovered 72 stolen vehicles and produced over 740,000 number plates, with a high percentage registered in the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) portal during the period under review.

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) recorded 1,366 incidents from January to September, saving 292 lives and protecting property valued at 1.27 trillion.

Despite a decline in incidents, the FFS remains focused on improving response mechanisms, equipment, and public awareness to further safeguard lives and property nationwide, he said.

Mr Mijinyawa said the achievements were apparent dedication, resilience, and commitment of the security forces and response agencies to safeguard the nation.

He commended the bravery and sacrifices of all personnel who had continued to face evolving challenges with courage and determination.

(NAN)

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The Ondo State Police Command has downplayed the reported attack on a police division in Oka Akoko, in Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state allegedly by a mob of commercial motorcycle operators.

It was recently reported that some riders attacked the police station to demand that a driver who allegedly killed one of them in an accident on 3 December, be released to them.

The mob, numbering about 100, were also said to have attacked officers at the station as many of the personnel took to their heels to avoid being lynched.

The riders accused the police of attempting to shield the alleged killer of their colleague from facing justice.

They said the driver drove recklessly, resulting in the death of the cyclist and the utter damage of his motorbike.

Police react

However, Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said, on Monday, that there was no attack on the police formation in contrast to what was generally reported in the media.

She said the reports were misleading and tended to create unnecessary panic among the public.

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She said: On December 3, 2024, a young man was involved in a fatal motor accident along Epinmi Road and he reported the incident at Oka Police Division.

The accident involved his vehicle and a motorcyclist. Police officers from Oka Division proceeded to the scene of the incident and found the motorcyclist dead and the (ride) pillion injured. The corpse was moved to a morgue in Oka, and the injured person taken to the hospital for medical care.

A group of motorcyclists who witnessed the incident followed the police back to the station, demanding the release of the driver involved in the accident. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) declined their request, explaining the need for due legal process to be followed. After a productive dialogue, the motorcyclists dispersed peacefully.

The police image maker expressed disappointment that reports were made without verifying the facts.

She added: The Ondo State Police Command urges the public to disregard this fake news.

Under the leadership of CP Abayomi Peter Oladipo, the Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in the state.

In the same vein, adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free festive season.

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed eight permanent secretaries in the federal civil service to fill existing and impending vacancies in some states and geopolitical zones.

It was the second set of eight permanent secretaries appointed by the president, following those appointed last June from Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, South-east and South-south.

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation recommended that the new permanent secretaries be appointed after diligent selection.

They are:

1. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu (Abia State)

2. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip (Bayelsa State)

3. Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia (Ebonyi State)

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4. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam (Enugu State)

5. Kalba Danjuma Usman (Gombe State)

6. Usman Salihu Aminu (Kebbi State)

7. Oyekunle Patience Nwakuso (Rivers State)

8. Nadungu Gagare (Kaduna State)

President Tinubu urges the new permanent secretaries to demonstrate greater commitment, diligence, and innovation in serving the nation.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

16 December 2024

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Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, on Monday said the N13 trillion deficit in the N48 trillion 2025 budget would be financed through borrowing.

The minister said this while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The total projected revenue for 2025 stands at N34.8 trillion out of which the expenditure is projected at 47.9 trillion, which is an increase of 36.8 per cent from the 2024 estimate.

The deficit for 2025 is projected at 13.1 trillion, representing 3.89 per cent of GDP.

Mr Edun said the budget was designed within the context of how far and how much progress had been made under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu over the last 18 months.

And even looking at it from an international context, we, like governments around the world, are concerned about how to achieve fiscal sustainability, revenue to expenditure and borrowing that is balanced, to create an environment in which the economy can grow.

Private sector led economies such as ours and others, rely on investors to put down their money in various projects, increase productivity, create jobs, grow the economy and in the case of countries such as ours, bring the people out of poverty, Mr Edun said.

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He explained that the Tinubu administration had put in place policies that ensured market pricing of petroleum products, foreign exchange, and efforts had been made to improve the pricing of electricity.

Mr Edun said, Just recently Shell announced a $5 billion investment, Total announced a multi-billion dollar investment just before that, and there are so many others expressing interest in investing in this country.

So, progress has been made. There is greater fiscal sustainability and as I said, even the European countries are struggling to achieve some of these critical macroeconomic reforms.

This budget is based on government spending in critical areas, but also more importantly, encouraging and making room for private sector investment.

He further stated that the improvements in the economy were encouraging.

For the first time in about 25 years we have domestic refinement of petrol, not just to produce petrol but also raw materials for industries across a whole range, from pharmaceuticals to building products to textiles, the minister said.

(NAN)

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the alleged oppression of Muslim nursing students in Nigerian medical colleges, particularly the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, which it fingered as the worst culprit.

In a statement on Monday, MURICs Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, a professor, stated that Muslim students face discrimination due to their attire and are being forced to sign new school rules disallowing trousers and hijab, contrary to their Islamic rules or dress code.

Mr Akintola emphasised that Islamic rules forbid Muslim females from wearing short skirts or skimpy dresses, and the ideal dress for a Muslim female is a long skirt or a skirt that reaches below the knees together with trousers and hijab.

The complainants narrate how trousers are not allowed for Muslim students who desire to use them, whereas the council governing the nursing profession states in one of its rules that students can use trousers or gowns, he said.

Constitutional violation, intimidation

Mr Akintola further argued that disallowing female Muslim nursing students from dressing according to Islamic rules violates Section 38(i)&(ii) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

MURIC also alleged that female Muslim nursing students are intimidated, forced to attend lectures during Jumuah prayers, and coerced into converting to Christianity. Mr Akintola warned that this treatment has led to conversions and dropouts.

When contacted for more details about erring institutions, the professor said: Our informants dont want their institutions named, as it will point fingers at them as whistleblowers.

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However, UCHs Public Relations Officer, Funmi Adetuyibi, told PREMIUM TIMES that female nursing students use their hijabs, adding that the management will address the allegations.

Our nurses wear their hijab, the small cape. Whatever the management wants to do, I will get back to you, Ms Adetuyibi said.

MURICs demands

MURIC demands immediate intervention from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), as Mr Akintola warned of peaceful nationwide protests and potential legal action, stating: We will no longer keep quiet while nursing school officials act like demigods over our daughters destinies.

Our cause is just, the law is on our side, and Allah is with us, he said.

MURIC vows to protect Muslim students rights, urging authorities to address these grievances to avoid escalation.

READ ALSO: Terrorism allegation against Senator politically motivated MURIC

In 2022, a Supreme Court judgement upheld the constitutionality of hijab use by Muslim students, dismissing the Lagos State Governments appeal and reaffirming the Court of Appeals ruling that banning hijab was discriminatory.

The case began in 2012 when Muslim students were prohibited from wearing hijab in Lagos State schools. Despite the Court of Appeals 2016 ruling favouring hijab use, the Lagos State Government appealed, leading to the Supreme Courts final verdict.

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Remember He did not call us that mustard seed. He did not call us the bird of the air. He did not call us the lily of the valley. He called us the crown of creation. We are more glorious than all other creations. Even the big ones, we surpass them. We are greater than the elephants. We are more magnificent than the birds of the air. We are more significant than the trees of the field. We are more salient than the beautiful flowers of the field. We are supreme to all other creations.

After such a stormy beginning, my friends, let us now move a little from excitement into analytical deliberations. A logical continuation to all I have said above is that you cannot be made to be so wonderful, only to end up being useless or irrelevant. It wont be logical and it wont be fair. Gods challenge with us normally is not the fear that we could get out of hand, but rather with our low self-perceptions. One of Gods biggest challenges with man is to get him to actually understand and see himself as God sees him.

We have a problem in not being able to believe or see ourselves in such a stately and imperial status as God has placed us. Most men, even those with the highest self-esteem, still cant objectively see themselves nearly as glorious as God intends us to be. This is probably the simplest explanation why we cant get ourselves to begin to do all that God expects of us. We find it difficult to actually believe that I can do this or that. We often think that someone else might be able to do what God is trusting for us to do. But when it gets to us, we think we are not good enough.

Come to think of it my friends, how is it that you would not be good enough. That which God created, not good enough? It is not consistent with what he has already done for us. It is not consistent with how he treats even a thing as small as the mustard seed. The most consistent view of ourselves in line with Gods view should be that of honour, respect and glory. We should never have a reason to doubt whatever God asks us to do.

Low self-esteem causes me to believe that I have so little worth that my response does not matter. With repentance, however, I understand that being worth so much to God is why my response is so important. Repentance is remedial work to mend our minds and hearts, which get bent by sin.  John Ortberg Jr.

Remember He did not call us that mustard seed. He did not call us the bird of the air. He did not call us the lily of the valley. He called us the crown of creation. We are more glorious than all other creations. Even the big ones, we surpass them. We are greater than the elephants. We are more magnificent than the birds of the air. We are more significant than the trees of the field. We are more salient than the beautiful flowers of the field. We are supreme to all other creations. When I say we, that is talking about you, my friends. When I say we, that is referring to the least of us. When I say we, that is referring to the weakest and the most helpless in the eyes of men. If that is so, what are we left with? We are left with changing our view about ourselves. We are left with upgrading our mindset. We are left with believing what he says about us. We are left with agreeing with him and his views. In regards to our persons.

What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor.  Ps. 8:4-5

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

Now brothers and sisters, I think it should be clearer to you why God almighty should desire to use you. It should rather be clear now, why he would choose you to be the one to carry out his plans on the earth. This is because he knows his premium on you, he knows his price tag and the value he has placed upon your person. So even if you see yourself as a mustard seed, even then you win! No one has the right to ever doubt the calling of God upon his or her life. No one has the right to ever think he would fail. Otherwise, it wont be just with regard to God. It wont be fair, after all His faith, trust and endowment upon us.

No matter how small you are in your own eyes, you are nevertheless not smaller than the mustard seed. If the mustard seed will have so much honour and dignity, you are even much more. Please begin to see yourself differently. Begin to see yourself in accordance with his thoughts about you.

Going back to the story of the mustard seed, oh what a glorious vision God has for it. Gods vision concerning the mustard seed is that it would not just be fruitful and multiply, Gods plan for this small and insignificant seed is that it would grow to have dominion upon all the earth. Could you try to compare Gods vision for the mustard seed with your vision for your own life? Wont the mustard seed vision be much greater than what you are having for you own life? It should not be so. If Gods plan for a mustard seed is that grand, how much more will his vision for your life be much greater? He definitely wants you to be fruitful. He definitely wants you to multiply and, of course, he definitely desires that you will fill the earth with his glory as the waters cover the sea.

Were always taught that God wants us to always only say I cant do this without You God, Whatever your will is God, thats my will too but God says He is a father, and there is no good father who wants his children to have no will and to think that they cant stand on their own two feet. So maybe what you should be saying is I can do it and I have a strong will, I know what I want. When you think Gods left you and wants you to be sitting like a duck, maybe Hes actually believing in you, teaching you how to fly.  C. JoyBell C.

Sunday Adelaja is a Nigerian born leader, transformation strategist, pastor and innovator. He was based in Ukraine.

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despite having contributed far less carbon emissions than developed countries to the current spate of global warming, Africa and most developed economies are likely to be left worse off by a hotter world. Still, the righteous indignation that this should ordinarily call forth is, however, best served by developing countries seizing the climate change discussions by the scruff of the neck and leading discussions around how best to address this challenge as far as humanitys current resources can take it

Arguably, one of the most important agreements of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), which closed in Baku on 24 November, was the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). Ignoring the fancy new acronym, the almost 200 countries gathered at the summit in the Azerbaijani capital agreed to increase climate financing for developing countries to $300 billion annually (from the earlier target of $100 billion, expiring next year) by 2035. However, successful financing for developing economies needs  to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable development, and for loss and damage from rising global temperatures  makes sense only within the context of thoroughgoing revisions to countries Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

If the new NDCs are to have any meaning, the climate plans presented next year must address all sectors of the economy and all greenhouse gases, if the world is to have any hope of keeping the global temperature below the 1.5C target. Yet, the difficulties encountered in meeting earlier financing targets and the often overambitious climate improvement plans are a cautionary tale. In Africa, as always, the need for caution around the climate conversation goes even deeper. Impoverished, and daily becoming relatively poorer, the continent has contributed far less to the circumstances that are helping bake the planet than any other location on earth.

voices on the continent have questioned the equity of having to pay far more, relatively, to cool the earth than those who set it on fire in the first place. To hell, then, with the global targets for emissions, if all they do is hold down Africas prospects for development?

It has struggled, thus far, to marshal the resources it needs to grow at a pace consistent with the needs of its burgeoning population. Yet, were it somehow to find these means, the rate of growth the continent will aspire to will be cause for great concern. Doubtless, a key worry will be that its consumption of fossil fuels, its use of forest resources, and its production of greenhouse gases, would tilt the global conversation around global warming. There is an outside chance that this transition might rely on greener power than similar transitions elsewhere. But the cost of greening the continents infrastructure, without which it may not grow fast enough, is daunting.

Should the rest of the world, therefore, carve out a sandbox where green concerns would not matter for the continent? A place both safe and conducive to African economies continued rapid growth, while the rest of the world divvies up among itself the cost of the continents widening greenhouse gas footprint. Unlikely. Consequently, voices on the continent have questioned the equity of having to pay far more, relatively, to cool the earth than those who set it on fire in the first place. To hell, then, with the global targets for emissions, if all they do is hold down Africas prospects for development?

Rising sea levels are an existential threat to these places. And while a hotter globe would see much of Russias permafrost and Canadas northern regions  currently inhospitable  increasingly support new agricultural initiatives, Africa is likelier to surrender huge swathes of territory, especially in its northern parts, to the desert. The outlook for food security on the continent, troubled at the best of times, would worsen.

Not quite. A warmer world would hurt the world. It would, however, impact geographies differently. Countries in the Northern Hemisphere would have to contend with older peoples vulnerability to heat stroke. They are rich enough, though, to afford the extra air conditioning that would be needed to address this particular challenge. Venice might see more water than its gondoliers would prefer, as would the Netherlands, whose dikes and sluice gates would probably groan under the heavier burden. But both places already have sophisticated technological solutions for dealing with rising water levels. Not so for small island states or Africas littoral countries. Rising sea levels are an existential threat to these places. And while a hotter globe would see much of Russias permafrost and Canadas northern regions  currently inhospitable  increasingly support new agricultural initiatives, Africa is likelier to surrender huge swathes of territory, especially in its northern parts, to the desert. The outlook for food security on the continent, troubled at the best of times, would worsen.

In other words, despite having contributed far less carbon emissions than developed countries to the current spate of global warming, Africa and most developed economies are likely to be left worse off by a hotter world. Still, the righteous indignation that this should ordinarily call forth is, however, best served by developing countries seizing the climate change discussions by the scruff of the neck and leading discussions around how best to address this challenge as far as humanitys current resources can take it, than by querulously turning up the heat in the oven that our previously green and blue planet is fast becoming.

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

Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.

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For those oblivious of the massive scale of corruption in Nigeria, it appeared in bold canvass in the 753 duplexes and other apartments in an Abuja estate, which a final forfeiture order was given on by the court on 2 December. The recovery is an empirical proof of how far the country has been ruined by greedy and kleptomaniac public office holders in successive administrations.

Similar assets may also be strewn across the landscapes of Lagos and other major cities in the country and abroad. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that unravelled this heist, has not officially disclosed the identity of the culprit. But a statement it issued left a trail for Nigerians to make educated guesses of who the former top brass of the administration that it referenced might be.

The estate measures 150,500 square metres and is situated on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone, Lokogoma District, Abuja. This is the single largest asset recovery by the EFCC, the anti-graft body emphasised. It was made possible by the ruling of Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja. By all accounts, it is a landmark judicial achievement, which should serve as an alarm bell to the behemoth that threatens the country.

More Justices in the mould of Onwuegbuzie are needed as a critical mass on the Bench. Decidedly, the ruling points to judicial activism that is badly needed to deal with graft cases within our system of justice delivery. Without it, the fight will not go far. The court ruling is remarkable as it was preceded by a special appeal by the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to the judiciary for partnership in October, at the 6th EFCC and National Judicial Institute (NIJ) Capacity Building Workshop for Judges and Justices.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, was there. Judges handling corruption cases across the country were admonished to exercise more caution in granting restraining orders. These are weapons in the hands of powerful suspects to stifle, if not permanently kill cases against them, especially through perpetual injunctions. Olukoyede bemoaned that this had barred the agency from moving into 15 states. The coast now appears to be clear!

However, the seeming impropriety of the non-disclosure of the owner of the 753 duplexes bears repeating here. This should not be a recurring decimal in anti-corruption cases. It had happened before in the case of the 301 houses that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered from two civil servants in 2021. One of them owned 241 of the houses, while the other owned the remaining 60. These were directors in the public service, whose monthly salaries were about N256,000 each. Such veiling should be withdrawn as part of the need for naming to shame, which is essential to the fight against corruption.

Having been recovered, how the duplexes will be sold off is going to be the next big concern. Some former EFCC bosses did not live above board in this regard in the past, which cost them their jobs. Therefore, nothing short of transparency and accountability are expected in dealing with this matter at the next stage. Real estate has become a notorious conduit through which illicit funds are laundered here, as exemplified in the hotels, luxury apartment skyscrapers, shopping malls and events centres that are rapidly springing up in all our cities. The EFCC searchlight should be beamed on this sector to scrutinise the increasing investments going on there, while ascertaining the legitimacy of their ownership.

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The Supreme Court judgment that dismissed the vexatious suit of 16 state governors against the legality of the EFCC and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), filed by the Federal Government, is as tectonic in impact as the Onwuegbuzie ruling. PREMIUM TIMES expects, going forward, the commission to exhume and maximally prosecute the corruption cases of some of the ex-governors, dating back to the 2007 cohort.

It is reassuring that the apex court brushed aside the baseless legal argument that only state assemblies had the powers to investigate state treasuries, and not the EFCC. A strong judiciary is the most single important factor in the crusade against corruption. Regrettably, the biggest barrier is the endemic corruption on the Bench. Several National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports confirm this. Judicial officers dont like to hear it when those outside the judicial realm point this out. But when retired justices and senior lawyers do so, they become silent.

Nigerians never knew the billionaire judges that the late Justice Kayode Esho repeatedly spoke about, who always took advantage of Election Petition Tribunal duties to desecrate the temple of justice. A former President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, lost his job for resisting his court being corrupted from the highest judicial echelon. Even as he departed, he kept reiterating that some retired senior judges intimidate and bribe serving justices under the guise of carrying out legal consultancy.

More recently, Justice Muhammad Shuaibu, presiding judge of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, reiterated the fact that: Part of the problem in the fight against graft in the country are judges. This was at the North-Western Attorney-Generals Anti-corruption Forum. But Justice Musa Dattijo, at his Supreme Court valedictory session in 2023, was more direct: It has been in the public space that court officials and judges are easily bribed by litigants to  obtain favourable judgments. For a figure to hold on to, an ICPC report stated that N9.4 billion exchanged hands between judges and lawyers from 1918 to 2020.

But no corrupt judge has been successfully prosecuted or convicted despite copious damning reports of the National Judicial Council (NJC) against judges, to the effect that they either demanded or received bribes, with payments from litigants and lawyers having cases before their courts traced to their bank accounts. Incredibly, such cases are dismissed.

This drives home the observation of Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) that Judges defend the corrupt ones among them just to expel any idea of corruption, which he believes to be the greatest danger to the effort to curb the vice in the judiciary. Sagay was the Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Without corrupt judges and lawyers being jailed, Nigeria will continue to sustain the current one-step-forward and two-steps-backward in its anti-graft campaign. Corruption in a judges seat does not go unpunished, Richard Pilgeri warns.

Therefore, our judicial pendulum must not swing towards legalism, as is often the case, but to justice and equity. Impropriety in the Bench, often massaged by some, with the jaded argument that the judges are product of the society, serves no good purpose. There is no perfect society.

In the United States of America, for instance, judges there too get enmeshed in graft. So do their public officers and, worse still, the corporate world, in billions of dollars cases. A Justice Department tally showed that 19,634 public corruption convictions were secured at states and federal levels in 10 years, in a media report published in 2022.

In the Operation Graylord bribery case, 92 officials, 17 judges, 48 lawyers, among others, were indicted. Bernard Ebbers of Worldcom, the US second biggest telecom at a time, exaggerated the value of his stock at $11 billion, which led to the loss of $100 billion by shareholders in their investments. He received a 25-year jail term for this. And the Libor rate forex exchange rigging of 2015 that roiled JP Morgan, Barclays Bank, Citibank and others, forced US and British regulators to slam about $6 billion fines against them.

So, the US and other Western societies are also ravaged by corruption. But their judiciaries make the difference to underscore the fact that Without a legal system free from impropriety, nothing works.

For Olukoyede of EFCC and his ICPC counterpart, more cracking of these high profile cases are expected henceforth. EFCC should exert its independence by continuing with the cases of former governors in President Bola Tinubus cabinet and in the Senate, whose trials have seemingly been halted. Tinubu offended public sensibilities with those appointments.

That Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared in court last week, over graft charges, is instructive. And so is the storm that Donald Trumps cabinet nominees are going through now. Yet, the difference between these foreign cases and those in Nigeria, are justice systems that have both the will and teeth to enforce their mandates, which is the desired disposition the latter has now hopefully found.

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A recent fact-finding visit by labour leaders has dispelled the uncertainties surrounding the operational status of the newly revived old Port Harcourt Refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day.

The unions have confirmed that the refinery is running efficiently and have called on the Federal Government to ensure the facility remains operational and does not fall into disuse again.

If there was any significant take-away from the facility tour of the Port Harcourt refinery complex by the leadership of the countrys major labour unions, it is the crushing, like a pack of cards, the rumours that the refinery was not operating after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited reopened it.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers had during the week visited the refinery amid the controversy surrounding its full operability.

The Port Harcourt Refinery in Eleme comprises two facilities: the old refinery, with a 60,000-barrel-per-day capacity, and the new refinery, capable of refining 150,000 barrels per day. The old refinery, operational since 1965, is Nigerias first refinery and had remained idle since 1990 when the newer unit became the primary production hub.

The refinery has a unique configuration where one barrel of crude oil yields a maximum of 2324 per cent gasoline.

After over 30 years of dormancy, the old Port Harcourt refinery resumed operations, on Tuesday, 26 November, 2024. This became possible following the Federal Governments approval, in 2021, of $1.5 billion for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the refinery and the sound leadership of the NNPCLs Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari.

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

By December 2023, the NNPC had completed the mechanical phase of the refinerys turnaround maintenance and by November this year, returned it to active operations.

The old refinery currently produces straight-run gasoline (Naphtha) blended into 1.4 million liters of PMS daily; 900,000 liters of kerosene; 1.5 million liters of Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel); 2.1 million liters of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), and additional volumes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas.

NNPC Ltd GCEO, Mr Kyari, described the achievement as monumental and a turning point for Nigerias energy sector.

Despite widespread acclaim, scepticism lingers on social media, with some critics alleging that the refinery operates as a blending facility rather than a crude oil processing plant.

But Mr Kyari, the NNPC boss, countered the naysayers insisting that the refinery is up and running, with loading operations in full swing.

Olufemi Soneye, NNPCLs Chief Corporate Communications Officer, had quoted Mr Kyari as inviting all those in doubt to join the NNPC Ltd. on a tour of the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to verify their status.

He also dismissed the mischievous noise about blending, saying, If you dont blend, you will bring out off-spec products which will destroy your vehicles. Every refinery blends because what is on the specification in the United States of America will be off-spec in Nigeria and elsewhere. Blending is necessary to bring products to the specification of different countries or regions.

Labour leaders under the auspices of the NLC, TUC, PENGASSAN and NUPENG confirmed that the old refinery is operational after a tour of the facility to assess its operations.

President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, said, When there was an increase in the pump price of petroleum products, part of the agreement we had with the Federal Government was that this refinery must work. And now that it is working, it is our duty to come here to confirm that it is working. We also confirm that the new one, which is under rehabilitation, is almost completed. 

In a similar vein, the President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, explained that the labour unions were on a fact-finding mission to ascertain that the refinery was working.

Going through the plants, we were shown the various processing units  burners, heat exchangers, compressors, turbines  and how these units tie into the production of petroleum products. To a very large extent, we are satisfied with what we have seen  the level of work and details that went into the rehabilitation, Mr Osifo, who doubles as the President of PENGASSAN, said.

President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, said, They took us round to reconfirm what we already know as an insider. Before I came here, I knew the refinery was working.

The labour leaders also warned against the privatisation of the refinery, calling for the adoption of the NLNG model whereby the Federal Government and International Oil Companies will jointly manage the facility.

Having gone and seen the massive investment that was made here, I believe that selling this refinery to some individuals will not serve the interest of Nigerians. The NLNG model should be adopted in running this refinery and not on outright sale, Mr Akporeha, the NUPENG president, added.

The labour leaders urged the government to put measures in place for regular turnaround maintenance of the refinery.

President of the Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers, Tony Ogbuigwe, in an interview with Arise TV, had affirmed that the refinery was indeed operational based on intelligence from engineers on site.

Meanwhile, the NNPC Ltd has confirmed that the ongoing repair of the new 150,000-barrel-per-day Port Harcourt Refining Company has reached over 90 per cent completion rate.

NNPC Ltds Group Executive Vice President, Downstream, Isiyaku Abdullahi, while conducting the labour leaders around the facility, said the latest report received from the contractor showed that over 90 per cent of rehabilitation work had been completed.

He said, This asset is under rehabilitation or an upgrade. There is an established process so that when the rehabilitation is completed, it will start running and its a state of art compared to any refinery in the world.

From the contractors view, and from the report they sent to us, the refinery is over 90 per cent completed and will be finished as soon as possible. We are following through and ensuring that we get value for money. And then we can combine 60,000 barrels making it a total of 210,000 barrels. This would support our refining processes and products with the multiple effects that we would get from refining products. And then we can have sufficient products and then export them to other countries.

The refinerys Managing Director, Ibrahim Onoja, said, This is the new Port Harcourt refinery, a 150,000-barrel-per-day plant commissioned in 1989. The rehabilitation work is ongoing in this new Port Harcourt refinery at the same time we were working on the old Port Harcourt refinery. The old one is completed and the plant is running. You can see the new Port Harcourt refinery is at an advanced stage but importantly size matters.

The blending controversy being peddled against the old Port Harcourt refinery had been roundly condemned by experts, who considered the sinister development as an attempt to de-market the refinery and downplay NNPCLs achievement in this regard.

Light Shedrach, an energy analyst in a recent interview with TVC, reasoned that the Port Harcourt refinery demonstrated what was possible when strategic planning met commitment, and clarified that blending is a standard practice globally done to meet product specifications.

Bode Sowomi, a gas consultant and Chairman of the Energy Transition Study Group of the Nigerian Gas Association, during an interview on Channels TV, explained that refining was a delicate process rooted in the principles of fractional distillation.

This is basic chemistry, he said. Crude oil is refined through a series of steps where different components are distilled at varying temperatures, each serving a unique purpose. Diesel, kerosene, and naphtha are among the key products derived through this process, with each component having a distinct boiling point that allows for their separation.

Blending is not a criminal activity but a standard global practice in petroleum refining. It is simply the process of mixing different crude oil components to produce a product that meets specific specifications, he added.

He explained that blending is an essential step to achieving refined products with consistent quality and performance. Blending is not a problem, its a solution, he remarked.

While the controversy surrounding the Port Harcourt is fast fizzling out, the NNPCL appears unperturbed and insists on the resolution to rehabilitate the Warri and Kaduna refineries and bolster the nations energy security while dismantling monopolistic tendencies by some industry operators.

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On 24th November 2024, Dr Adaora Offor, supported by her husband, Sir Emeka Offor, brought hope and renewal to ten widows through the commissioning of the third phase of the Touch-A-Life Housing Initiative in Oraifite, Ekwusigo local government area (LGA), Anambra State.

The ten women, once faced with uncertain futures, now have keys to beautifully constructed and fully furnished two-bedroom houses. Designed with care, the homes feature bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens stocked with essentials to help these women and their families start anew.

The Touch-A-Life Housing Initiative was born out of Dr Adaora Offors understanding of the numerous challenges widows face. She described the initiative as profoundly personal, highlighting its mission to restore the worth and dignity of widows by affirming that they are seen, loved, and valued.

In a powerful call for advocacy, she stated, A woman does not lose her rightful place in society simply because she has lost her husband. Silence allows oppression to thrive, but together, we can create a world where widows are respected and valued.

Dr Adaora Offor also expressed heartfelt gratitude to her husband, Sir Emeka Offor, acknowledging his unwavering support and inspiration as key motivators to her work.

The event also drew praise from the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, who commended Dr Adaora Offors commitment to supporting widows. He called on lawmakers to address cultural practices and laws that harm widows, urging everyone to stand up for fairness and equality.

Demonstrating a renewed commitment to empowering widows with children from low-income communities, Dr Adaora Offor announced plans to pre-qualify ten more widows and commence construction in early 2025, marking the beginning of a new phase of the Touch-A-Life Housing Initiative.

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YouthHubAfrica successfully organised the fourth edition of its flagship DARE (Determine, Aspire, Re-Imagine, Express) conference, themed Youths and the Pact for the Future. The event, held in Abuja, brought together dynamic young individuals from across Nigeria to engage in discussions centred on youth empowerment, sustainable development, and proactive contributions to nation-building.

The conference aimed to inspire and educate participants on career development, personal growth, and their pivotal role in shaping Nigerias future. With distinguished speakers, insightful panel discussions, and interactive sessions, the event empowered attendees with practical knowledge and strategies to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Keynote Highlights

Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, emphasised the value of volunteering and real-world experience. He remarked:

Volunteering will open doors, give you experience, and hone your skills. Your experience is more important in achieving your goals than acquiring certificates.

Education is not overrated; the system needs to incorporate functionality, he added, underscoring the importance of practical education over mere academic achievements.

Mr Usie further stressed that education should lead to value creation rather than merely obtaining certificates.

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Damilola Anwo-Ade, Founder of Virtual Jobs Bootcamps said There are 7 billion dollars in the remote workspace to be made; we must connect to seize this opportunity.

Your profile is your digital real estate, so position yourself for greatness. Understand the digital landscape. With your phone and internet, you have access to endless opportunities.

Speakers at the DARE Conference also highlighted the need for increased youth participation in governance and policy making. Many noted that the limited involvement of young people hinders their ability to catalyze meaningful development within their communities and society at large.

Rotimi Olawale, Executive Director of YouthHubAfrica, articulated this vision:

We want young people to come and discuss how they can contribute to the future. While the government has its role to play, we believe citizens, especially young peoplewho represent the largest segment of Nigerias populationcan achieve a lot if they are inspired, educated, and motivated.

Panel Sessions and Insights

One of the conferences highlights was a panel session titled Youth Power and Policy: Igniting the Interest of Africas Next Generation in Governance.

Dayo Israel, APC National Youth Leader, shared actionable insights on leadership and civic participation:

Everything rises and falls on leadership, but leadership is not everything.

Get involved at the local political level. Silence apathy by becoming part of the system.

Another speaker in the panel session, Chimdi Neliaku, the programmes Director, of the Leadership Advancement Foundation (LEAF) said,

Young people in privileged positions should know that they are a beacon of hope for others and should serve as a springboard for their success.

You cant complain about a system and not be part of it.

Adding to the events vibrancy, Mrs Adebayo Dayo-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat, delivered a powerful address encouraging young people to actively participate in governance and leadership roles. She urged attendees to embrace their potential and make their voices heard, emphasizing that active

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BAYPORT, Minn., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation (Andersen), manufacturer of America's most trusted brand of windows and doors*, proudly announces it will distribute $50.8 million in profit sharing to eligible employees.

In recognition of employee contributions to Andersen's 2024 business performance, the company paid $50.8 million  up to $3,923 per eligible employee  as part of the company's annual profit sharing program.

Through its Dollars for Doers and Group Volunteer Grants volunteer matching grant programs, Andersen provides grants in recognition of employee volunteer time, with employees tracking more than 20,000 hours towards these programs in 2024. Andersen and its corporate foundation continued their longstanding commitment to philanthropy in 2024, donating more than $5.3 million to nonprofits working to improve lives and strengthen communities.

"Amid ongoing challenges in the housing market, Andersen continued to grow in 2024. This accomplishment highlights the unwavering dedication, adaptability and resilience of our employees," said Chris Galvin, president and chief executive officer of Andersen. "We take immense pride in recognizing our employees for embodying our core values and consistently surpassing customer expectations. Our people are the cornerstone of our success, and this profit sharing is a testament to their hard work and unwavering commitment."

Additionally, Andersen and its corporate foundation continued their longstanding commitment to philanthropy in 2024, donating more than $5.3 million to nonprofits working to improve lives and strengthen communities. These contributions directly support organizations focused on housing, trades education, hunger, and critical access health care in the communities where Andersen employees live and work.

As part of this $5.3 million, Andersen proudly participated in the 2024 Habitat for Humanity Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project as a Diamond Sponsor. The Carter Work Project is a significant annual initiative aimed at building and renovating homes for families in need.

Andersen donated $1 million to Habitat for Humanity for the Carter Work Project, through a combination of in-kind window donations, including more than 600 Andersen(R) 100 Series windows, and financial contributions. Additionally, over 150 Andersen employees volunteered their time and skills during the project, with more than 30 team members installing Andersen windows on-site during the final day of the week-long event.

Andersen has prioritized advancing affordable housing for nearly three decades, donating more than $9 million in funding and products to the Habitat network.

"At Andersen, we believe in the power of giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Eliza Chlebeck, vice president of communications and community and vice president of the Andersen Corporate Foundation. "Our donations support a wide range of initiatives, from housing and education to hunger and health care. We are especially proud to support organizations like Habitat for Humanity, contributing to projects like the Carter Work Project, which helps to build brighter futures for families in need. Together, we are fortunate to have the privilege of making a tangible difference in people's lives and strengthening our communities."

Beyond traditional grantmaking, Andersen supports the nonprofits and causes that matter most to its employees with programs that encourage and recognize the sharing of time and talent as another way to give back. Through its "Dollars for Doers" and "Group Volunteer Grants" volunteer matching grant programs, Andersen provides grants in recognition of employee volunteer time, with employees tracking more than 20,000 hours towards these programs in 2024.

Other examples of key local initiatives that demonstrate Andersen's commitment to making a difference include:

Andersen's Garland, Texas facility was presented with the 2024 Partnership Award by the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland for their work in the community to help support affordable housing.

facility was presented with the 2024 Partnership Award by the Habitat for Humanity of for their work in the community to help support affordable housing. In Des Moines, Iowa , employees of Andersen's storm door facility, participated in an eight-home building blitz with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity for which Andersen provided a combination of in-kind donations and discounts for the project.

*2023 Andersen brand survey of U.S. homeowners

About Andersen Corporation

Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Every day, the company's more than 13,000 employees are empowered to imagine what's possible and do what's right. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style.

Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, EMCO and MQ brands. Andersen, a privately held company, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year  Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersenwindows.com.

Follow us on Facebook @AndersenWindows and Instagram @andersen_windows.

SOURCE Andersen Corporation
atNorth has signed an agreement with the Solleftea Municipality with the intention of building a data center with an initial capacity of 200MW.

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth, the leading Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, has announced it has secured land in the Solleftea Municipality, in Hamre Industripark in Langsele, Sweden.

The 30 hectare plot is strategically located for its infrastructure, energy capacity and benefits from Sweden's cool climate, abundance of renewable energy and skilled workforce.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Solleftea Municipality and the Hamre area," said Johan Andersson, Chair of the Municipal Executive Committee. "We are delighted to collaborate with atNorth, a company that leads in data center solutions and sustainable technology. This project can help strengthen our region as a hub for innovative development."

atNorth opened its state of the art SWE01 site in Stockholm in 2022. The secured land in Solleftea Municipality is intended to be the location of atNorth's first mega site in Sweden.

"We are excited to be exploring the possibility of a new mega site in Sweden to complement our existing metro sites," says Eyjolfur Magnus Kristinsson, CEO at atNorth. "As the demand for our sustainable infrastructure continues to increase we are committed to scaling in a responsible way that benefits the Nordic locations we inhabit."

The news follows the recent announcement of the expansion of atNorth's ICE02 and ICE03 data centers in Iceland and the revelation of its newest data center development, DEN02 , located in lgod in Varde, Denmark. The business has 3 other new data center sites in development, two in Finland, FIN02 located in Sinimaentie, Espoo and FIN04 located in Kouvola and an additional site in Denmark, DEN01, located in the Ballerup region of the country.

About atNorth

atNorth is a leading Nordic data center services company that offers sustainable, cost-effective, scalable colocation and high-performance computing services trusted by industry-leading organizations. The business acquired leading High Performance Computing (HPC) provider, Gompute, in 2023 enabling a compelling full stack offering tailored to AI and other critical high performance workloads.

With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. The tailor-made solutions enable businesses to calculate, simulate, train and visualize data workloads in an efficient, cost-optimized way.

atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates seven data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, with additional sites to open in Helsinki, Finland in Q1 2025 and Ballerup, Denmark in Q2 2025, as well as its tenth under construction in Kouvola, Finland and its eleventh site in lgod, Denmark.

For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Press Contact:

Caroline Brunton

Kite Hill PR for atNorth

+44 (0) 7796 274 416

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/atnorth/r/atnorth-secures-land-in-sweden-for-future-mega-site,c4082475

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation today announced the Board of Directors has authorized regular cash dividends on the outstanding shares or depositary shares of the following series of preferred stock:

Series of Preferred Stock Dividend per Share

or Depositary Share1 Record Date Payment Date







7.25% Non-Cumulative Perpetual

Convertible Preferred Stock, Series L

$18.125 January 1 January 30







5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred

Stock, Series HH $0.3671875 January 1 January 24







Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative

Preferred Stock, Series MM $21.50 January 1 January 28









4.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred

Stock, Series NN $0.2734375 January 15 February 3







4.125% Non-Cumulative Preferred

Stock, Series PP $0.2578125 January 15 February 3







4.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative

Preferred Stock, Series RR $10.9375000 January 1 January 27







6.125% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative

Preferred Stock, Series TT $15.3125000 January 1 January 27





1 Each series of preferred stock, other than Series L, is represented by depositary shares. Dividend payments are made on a quarterly basis for each series of preferred stock, other than Series MM, for which dividends are paid on a semi-annual basis.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Jocelyn Seidenfeld, Bank of America

Phone: 1.646.743.3356

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
SILICON SLOPES, Utah, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chargezoom, a leading platform for AI-powered billing and integrated payments, announced today it has raised $11.5 million in Series A funding, led by Salt Lake City's Kickstart Fund.

This funding marks Chargezoom's official arrival on the Utah tech scene, setting the stage for the company to scale rapidly and efficiently with the support of Silicon Slopes' top early-stage venture fund.

"We're thrilled to be building Chargezoom right here in Utah," said Matt Dubois, founder and CEO of Chargezoom. "Not only does this validate our vision and provide critical resources, we're getting an unbeatable strategic partner in Alex Soffe and the team at Kickstart."

This round is another key milestone in Chargezoom's rapid growth. Previously, the company closed a $2 million Seed round in July 2021. This investment helped Chargezoom simplify accounts receivable for businesses that need more efficient, agile financial processes.

"Chargezoom is leveraging AI and machine learning to solve crucial needs in the payment space that we're not seeing anywhere else," said Alex Soffe of Kickstart. "We're excited to support their mission to automate AR for growing businesses."

Since its Seed funding, Chargezoom has grown by 3,972%, driven by its mission to simplify payments and accelerate cash flow for businesses across the U.S. This latest round of funding will fuel Chargezoom's rapid expansion and bring new resources to its platform.

As Chargezoom enters this new phase, they have restructured their investor lineup to best align with their long-term vision and strategy. Accordingly, BIP Ventures has exited their position with Chargezoom.

Chargezoom is proud to welcome new investors Motley Fool Ventures, Early Light Ventures, Frazier VC and Adly alongside continued support from SaaS Venture Capital, Stout Street Capital, and Okapi Venture Capital. These partnerships underscore a continued belief in Chargezoom's mission and its potential to redefine the accounts receivable category.

"We're very excited to move forward with a team of investors that share our values and are fully committed to our mission of being the market leader in AR automation," said Matt Dubois.

About Chargezoom

Chargezoom is transforming the way businesses handle accounts receivables. Powered by an extensive proprietary dataset and using cutting-edge AI and machine learning, Chargezoom makes invoicing, cash flow, and customer payments seamless and autonomous. No manual work. No wasted time. Just smarter, faster AR that drives financial health and frees businesses to focus on growth.

SOURCE Chargezoom
WOONSOCKET, R.I., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health Corporation ("CVS Health" or the "Company,"NYSE: CVS) announced today the applicable Reference Yields and Total Consideration (each as summarized in the tables below) to be paid in connection with the previously announced cash tender offer (the "Maximum Tender Offer" ) for the maximum principal amount of the following series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes (as defined below) for which the aggregate purchase price, not including Accrued Interest (as defined below), payable in respect of such Maximum Tender Offer Notes, does not exceed $1,774,423,242.62 (such maximum purchase price, the "Maximum Tender Offer Amount"): its 2.700% Senior Notes due 2040, the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2047 issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary Aetna Inc. ("Aetna"), its 4.250% Senior Notes due 2050, the 4.125% Senior Notes due 2042 issued by Aetna, its 4.125% Senior Notes due 2040, its 2.125% Senior Notes due 2031, its 1.875% Senior Notes due 2031, its 5.050% Senior Notes due 2048, the 4.500% Senior Notes due 2042 issued by Aetna and its 1.750% Senior Notes due 2030 (together, the "Maximum Tender Offer Notes").

The applicable Reference Yield for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes and the Total Consideration for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes are summarized in the table below:

Maximum Tender Offer Notes:

Title of Notes CUSIP

Number Original

Issuer Principal

Amount

Outstanding Maturity Date Acceptance

Priority

Level(1) UST

Reference

Security Bloomberg

Reference

Page Fixed

Spread

(bps) Early

Tender

Payment(2) Reference

Yield(3) Total

Consideration(2)(3) Approximate Proration

Factor(4) 2.700% Senior

Notes due 2040 126650DP2 CVS Health

Corporation $1,250,000,000 8/21/2040 1 4.625% due

11/15/2044 FIT1 +110 bps $30 4.676 % $685.54 100 % 3.875% Senior

Notes due 2047 00817YAZ1 Aetna Inc. $1,000,000,000 8/15/2047 2 4.625% due

11/15/2044 FIT1 +121 bps $30 4.676 % $750.06 100 % 4.250% Senior

Notes due 2050 126650DL1 CVS Health

Corporation $750,000,000 4/1/2050 3 4.250% due

8/15/2054 FIT1 +136 bps $30 4.611 % $776.80 100 % 4.125% Senior

Notes due 2042 00817YAM0 Aetna Inc. $500,000,000 11/15/2042 4 4.625% due

11/15/2044 FIT1 +122 bps $30 4.676 % $805.69 100 % 4.125% Senior

Notes due 2040 126650DK3 CVS Health

Corporation $1,000,000,000 4/1/2040 5 4.625% due

11/15/2044 FIT1 +119 bps $30 4.676 % $825.77 57.5 % 2.125% Senior

Notes due 2031 126650DR8 CVS Health

Corporation $1,000,000,000 9/15/2031 6 4.250% due

11/15/2034 FIT1 +92 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 1.875% Senior

Notes due 2031 126650DQ0 CVS Health

Corporation $1,250,000,000 2/28/2031 7 4.250% due

11/15/2034 FIT1 +87 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 5.050% Senior

Notes due 2048 126650CZ1 CVS Health

Corporation $8,000,000,000 3/25/2048 8 4.250% due

8/15/2054 FIT1 +156 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 4.500% Senior

Notes due 2042 00817YAJ7 Aetna Inc. $500,000,000 5/15/2042 9 4.625% due

11/15/2044 FIT1 +130 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 1.750% Senior

Notes due 2030 126650DN7 CVS Health

Corporation $1,250,000,000 8/21/2030 10 4.125% due

11/30/2029 FIT1 +106 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 %





(1) Subject to each of the Maximum Tender Offer Amount and proration, the principal amount of each series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes that is purchased in the Maximum Tender Offer will be determined in accordance with the applicable acceptance priority level (in numerical priority order) specified in this column. (2) Per $1,000 principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date (as defined below) and accepted for purchase. (3) Pricing information has only been provided for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes that are expected to be fully or partially accepted for tender. (4) The proration factor has been rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point for presentation purposes.

The Maximum Tender Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated December 2, 2024 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a more detailed description of the Maximum Tender Offer. Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available at www.dfking.com/cvs. The Maximum Tender Offer is open to all registered holders (individually, a "Holder" and collectively, the "Holders") of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes.

The Total Consideration payable by CVS Health for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes is a price per $1,000 principal amount calculated as described in the Offer to Purchase in a manner intended to result in a yield to maturity or first par call date, as the case may be, equal to the sum of the yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury reference security specified in the table above as determined at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on December 16, 2024 and the applicable fixed spread shown in the table above.

Maximum Tender Offer Notes that were tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 13, 2024 (the "Early Tender Date") and that are accepted for purchase will receive the applicable Total Consideration, which includes the Early Tender Payment (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). Maximum Tender Offer Notes that are tendered after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 31, 2024 (the "Maximum Tender Offer Expiration Date") (unless earlier terminated by CVS Health as described in the Offer to Purchase) and that are not validly withdrawn and that are accepted for purchase will receive only the applicable Tender Offer Consideration (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which is the applicable Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Payment.

The Maximum Tender Offer Withdrawal Deadline of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 13, 2024 has passed and, accordingly, Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered in the Maximum Tender Offer may no longer be withdrawn. The settlement date for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase is expected to be December 18, 2024, the third business day after the Early Tender Date (the "Early Settlement Date"). Although the Maximum Tender Offers is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 31, 2024, unless extended or terminated, because the aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Early Tender Date exceeded the Maximum Tender Offer Amount, there is not expected to be a Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and no Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date are expected to be accepted for purchase.

In addition to the Total Consideration for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes, Holders of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes accepted for purchase on the Early Settlement Date will receive accrued and unpaid interest ("Accrued Interest") on those Maximum Tender Offer Notes from the last interest payment date with respect to those Maximum Tender Offer Notes to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date.

CVS Health expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, subject to applicable law, to amend, extend or terminate the Maximum Tender Offer with respect to any or all series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes at any time if any condition to the Maximum Tender Offer is not satisfied. The Maximum Tender Offer is not conditioned on any minimum principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes being tendered but the Maximum Tender Offer is subject to certain other general conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase.

CVS Health has retained Barclays Capital Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC to act as Dealer Managers for the Maximum Tender Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. has been retained to act as the Tender and Information Agent for the Maximum Tender Offer. The Offer to Purchase may be accessed at the following link: http://www.dfking.com/cvs. Requests for assistance relating to the procedures for tendering Maximum Tender Notes may be directed to the Tender and Information Agent either by email at [email protected], or by phone (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers only) or (800) 487-4870 (for all others toll free). Requests for assistance relating to the terms and conditions of the Maximum Tender Offer may be directed to Barclays Capital Inc. at (800) 438-3242 (toll free) or (212) 528-7581 (collect) or Mizuho Securities USA LLC at (866) 271-7403 (toll-free) or (212) 205-7741. Beneficial owners may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders with respect to, any securities, including the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Maximum Tender Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase made available to Holders of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. None of CVS Health, the Dealer Managers, Tender and Information Agent or the trustees with respect to the Maximum Tender Offer Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, is making any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Maximum Tender Offer Notes in response to the Maximum Tender Offer. Holders are urged to evaluate carefully all information in the Offer to Purchase, consult their own investment and tax advisers and make their own decisions whether to tender Maximum Tender Offer Notes in the Maximum Tender Offer, and, if so, the principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes to tender.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer it serves and connecting care so that it works for people wherever they are. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had more than 9,000 retail locations, more than 900 walk-in medical clinics, more than 225 primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 90 million plan members and expanding specialty pharmacy solutions, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than 800,000 patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 36 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including expanding Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company is creating new sources of value through its integrated model allowing it to expand into personalized, technology driven care delivery and health services, increasing access to quality care, delivering better health outcomes and lowering overall health care costs.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of CVS Health. By their nature, all forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and/or quantify. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section and under the heading "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on CVS Health's forward-looking statements. CVS Health's forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. CVS Health does not assume any duty to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, uncertainties or otherwise.

Investor Larry McGrath Media Ethan Slavin Contact: Executive Vice President Contact: 860-273-6095

Chief Strategy Officer &

Chief Strategic Advisor to the CEO [email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Health
NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global drayage services market size is estimated to grow by USD 3.60 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 2.52% during the forecast period. Growing manufacturing industry is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing e-commerce sector. However, shortage of skilled drayage drivers poses a challenge. Key market players include Asiana USA, Boa Logistics LLC, ContainerPort Group Inc., Continental Logistics, Duncan and Son Lines Inc., Evans Delivery Co. Inc., G and D Integrated, Hub Group Inc., IMC Companies LLC, Interlog USA, ITS Con, J B Hunt Transport Services Inc., Knight Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., NFI Industries Inc., PLS Logistics, PORT CITY LOGISTICS, RoadOne IntermodaLogistics Inc., Schneider National Inc., Taylor Distributing Co., and Trinity Logistics Inc..

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Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered End-user (Electronics and electrical, Food and beverage, Consumer goods and retail, and Others), Type (Inter-carrier drayage, Expedited drayage, Intra-carrier drayage, Pier drayage, and Others), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Region Covered APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key companies profiled Asiana USA, Boa Logistics LLC, ContainerPort Group Inc., Continental Logistics, Duncan and Son Lines Inc., Evans Delivery Co. Inc., G and D Integrated, Hub Group Inc., IMC Companies LLC, Interlog USA, ITS ConGlobal, J B Hunt Transport Services Inc., Knight Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., NFI Industries Inc., PLS Logistics, PORT CITY LOGISTICS, RoadOne IntermodaLogistics Inc., Schneider National Inc., Taylor Distributing Co., and Trinity Logistics Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

Drayage services play a crucial role in the logistics industry, facilitating the movement of freight between ports, harbors, warehouses, and intermodal transportation hubs like rail yards. With the boom in e-commerce sales and the need for fast delivery, drayage companies have become essential partners for retailers and manufacturers. Containers, the backbone of intermodal shipping, are moved using trucks, trains, and cargo ships. Drayage services help manage congestion, optimize transportation solutions, and ensure real-time visibility through digital platforms and GPS tracking. Emission standards, congestion management, and infrastructure development are key challenges. The e-commerce industry's growth, urbanization, and infrastructure bottlenecks drive the need for cost-effective transportation and process automation. Regional variations, trade volumes, and port closures necessitate the use of real-time tracking systems, telematics, and optimization algorithms. The future of drayage services lies in digital platforms, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and autonomous vehicles.

The e-commerce market is experiencing significant growth and is transforming retail and distribution channels. Customers prefer online shopping due to its convenience, easy access to alternatives, and home delivery services. The increasing use of the Internet and mobile devices is fueling the expansion of the global e-commerce industry. Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in this market, driven by the rising purchasing power of its middle class population. This trend has led to an increased demand for drayage services to facilitate the transportation of goods from warehouses to distribution centers and ultimately to consumers' doors.

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Market Challenges

The logistics service sector, including freight and shipping industries, faces several challenges in the modern business landscape. With the rise of e-commerce industries and essential goods, there is an increasing demand for fast delivery. Drayage services, which involve the transportation of containers and cargo from ports, harbors, and warehouses to rail yards and distribution centers, play a crucial role in this process. Intermodal shipping using containers and intermodal transportation via trucks, trains, and cargo ships require efficient coordination. Drayage companies face challenges such as infrastructure bottlenecks, congestion, and regional variations in trade volumes. The e-commerce boom and urbanization put pressure on infrastructure development and emission standards. Real-time visibility, data analytics, process automation, and optimization algorithms are essential for cost-effective transportation and efficient cargo handling. Challenges include port closures, containerization, and the need for real-time tracking systems using GPS, telematics, and cloud-based platforms. The integration of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and autonomous vehicles is expected to address some of these challenges. Emission standards, congestion management, and cargo security are also critical concerns.

The drayage services market plays a crucial role in delivering goods to various destinations in a timely manner. A streamlined supply chain is essential to meet customer demands and ensure satisfaction. However, the market faces challenges, including a shortage of skilled drayage drivers. This issue is exacerbated by factors such as low wages, long working hours, and the implementation of electronic logging devices (ELDs). Additionally, traffic congestion around ports and metropolitan areas results in significant time spent waiting for delivery. Addressing these challenges is imperative to mitigate their impact on market growth and maintain an efficient drayage services supply chain.

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Segment Overview

This drayage services market report extensively covers market segmentation by

End-user

1.1 Electronics and electrical

1.2 Food and beverage

1.3 Consumer goods and retail

1.4 Others

Type

2.1 Inter-carrier drayage

2.2 Expedited drayage

2.3 Intra-carrier drayage

2.4 Pier drayage

2.5 Others

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 North America

3.3 Europe

3.4 Middle East and Africa

and 3.5 South America

1.1 Electronics and electrical- The electronics industry experienced a growth spurt in 2023, with expectations of continued significant expansion during the forecast period. Drayage services are essential for the seamless logistics and supply chain operations in the electronics and electrical segment. These services facilitate the transportation of components, parts, and raw materials from ports or manufacturing facilities to assembly plants or warehouses. The industry landscape has evolved over the last decade, with production shifting from high-cost countries to low-cost hubs like China. In 2022, the US, Hong Kong, and China were the top three electronics producers. China has been prioritizing eco-friendly manufacturing practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to increased inter-country trade and the demand for drayage services. The electronics industry's focus on innovation and digitalization is driving the production of high-performance devices and household appliances, further fueling market growth for drayage services.

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Research Analysis

The Drayage Services Market plays a crucial role in the logistics industry, facilitating the movement of freight between ports, harbors, warehouses, and distribution centers. Drayage services involve the transportation of containers and cargo over short distances using trucks, trains, or intermodal transportation. This market is integral to the shipping industry, particularly for intermodal shipping and just-in-time delivery systems. Drayage companies use a variety of equipment, including shipping containers, trailers, and intermodal containers, to transport goods. Rail yards serve as essential hubs for intermodal transportation, allowing for seamless transfer between trucks, trains, and cargo ships. Real-time monitoring and GPS tracking are increasingly important tools for optimizing drayage operations and ensuring efficient, reliable delivery. The market for drayage services is driven by the growth of international trade and the need for timely, cost-effective transportation solutions.

Market Research Overview

The drayage services market encompasses the logistics segment that specializes in the transportation of freight, particularly containers, between ports, harbors, warehouses, and intermodal transportation facilities such as rail yards. This market plays a crucial role in the shipping industry, facilitating the movement of cargoes, including essential goods and those for the e-commerce industries, over short distances using trucks, trains, and cargo ships. With the e-commerce boom and urbanization, there is a growing demand for fast delivery and cost-effective transportation solutions. Drayage companies leverage digital platforms, real-time monitoring, and optimization algorithms to provide real-time visibility, data analytics, and process automation. Emission standards, congestion management, and infrastructure development are key challenges in this market, with regional variations and trade volumes influencing port and intermodal drayage, dedicated drayage for retail, manufacturing, automotive, chemicals, and consumer goods sectors. The integration of technologies like GPS tracking, telematics, cloud-based platforms, mobile applications, optimization algorithms, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and autonomous vehicles is transforming the drayage services landscape.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

End-user

Electronics And Electrical



Food And Beverage



Consumer Goods And Retail



Others

Type

Inter-carrier Drayage



Expedited Drayage



Intra-carrier Drayage



Pier Drayage



Others

Geography

APAC



North America



Europe



Middle East And Africa



South America

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
AMSTERDAM and GREENWICH, Conn., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Enstall, the trusted leader in photovoltaic ("PV") mounting solutions and digital services for the solar sector, today announced that Stijn Vos will transition to Chairman of the Supervisory Board, with Mehran Sedigh appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2025. The current Chairman, Jules Kortenhorst, will stay on as a member of the Supervisory Board. This planned transition aligns with Enstall's strong growth trajectory, highlighted by its recent agreement to acquire Schletter Group.

Mehran Sedigh is the CEO of Enstall, the trusted leader in photovoltaic (PV) mounting solutions and digital services for the solar sector, Stijn Vos is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Enstall, trusted leader in photovoltaic (PV) mounting solutions and digital services for the solar sector.

To support a smooth transition, Vos will continue to serve as CEO until March 2025.

Sedigh joins Enstall from Enphase, where he has served as Senior Vice President of Sales for the Americas and Emerging Markets and, prior to that, as General Manager of the Storage Business Unit since 2018. With over 30 years of experience in technology development, business development, sales and marketing, operation, and manufacturing, Sedigh brings extensive expertise in the solar industry and a deep understanding of product development for solar installers.

"After nearly a decade leading Enstall's transformation into a global leader in solar mounting solutions, I am excited to continue driving our growth strategy as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Mehran's proven track record and industry expertise make him the ideal leader for Enstall's next phase of growth and innovation," said Stijn Vos. "I would also like to thank Jules for his dedication and involvement as Chair for the past two years. Jules is a true pioneer and has been both an inspiration and an important partner in our growth. I look forward to working closely with Mehran, Jules, our shareholders and our leadership team to further accelerate growth and fulfill our mission of bringing solar, sooner."

In his role as Chairman, Vos will remain actively involved in the company's strategic direction, focusing on acquisitions and business development. Under his leadership, Enstall has built a comprehensive portfolio of leading brands in solar hardware and digital tools, including IronRidge, EcoFasten, PanelClaw, Esdec, Blubase, and Sunfer.

"Enstall's commitment to accelerating solar adoption through reliable and efficient mounting solutions has established it as an industry leader," said Mehran Sedigh. "I am honored to join this exceptional team and look forward to building upon the strong foundation Stijn has created. The future of solar is bright and Enstall will continue to be the foundation on which that future is built."

"Under Stijn's tenure, Enstall has been transformed. His vision and passion have set a high standard that will continue to guide the Company for years to come. On behalf of all at Blackstone and Rivean, we thank Stijn for his leadership and continued partnership as Chairman," commented Juergen Pinker, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, and Maurits Boomsma, Senior Partner at Rivean Capital.

"As we look ahead, Mehran is a great appointment to lead Enstall in the next stage of its growth. We look forward to working together as we build on the Company's position as a leader in rooftop solar."

About Enstall

Enstall is a global leader in solar mounting and digital service solutions. The Enstall family of brands, IronRidge, EcoFasten, PanelClaw, Esdec, Blubase, and Sunfer, share our mission to accelerate solar adoption and deliver solar sooner. We develop highly reliable PV mounting solutions and digital capabilities that create less hassle and deliver more value for solar professionals. Founded more than 20 years ago, we're the most trusted partner in the industry with more than 25 Gigawatts of solar utilizing our solutions. Enstall's companies operate in the top solar markets in the U.S. and Europe.

SOURCE Enstall
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PDX Jazz is excited to announce significant additions to the 2025 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival lineup, scheduled from February 20 through March 1, 2025. This year's festival will feature a dynamic array of internationally acclaimed artists and emerging local talent, promising a rich and diverse musical experience.

A landmark event in this year's festival is the performance by Grammy-winning icon Erykah Badu at the Moda Center on February 21, marking the festival's inaugural arena show. Known for her eclectic sound blending jazz, soul, R&B, and hip-hop, Badu's appearance signifies a bold leap forward for PDX Jazz, reflecting the organization's growth and the increasing prominence of jazz in Portland's cultural landscape.

Newly announced ticketed events include performances by the Skerik Quartet, Pahua, Jack Radsliff Organ Quartet feat. Nicole McCabe, and Daniel Villareal. Tickets for these shows are now on sale and can be purchased at pdxjazz.org.

These artists join an already stellar lineup featuring renowned musicians such as Terence Blanchard with The E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet, Christian McBride & Ursa Major, Andrew Cyrille Quartet, and "TRANSLINEAR LIGHT: The Music of Alice Coltrane" featuring Ravi Coltrane with special guest Brandee Younger. Additionally, GRAMMY-Award-winning drummer-producer Terri Lyne Carrington will present her project "We Insist! 2025," a reimagining of Max Roach's "Freedom Now Suite," honoring Roach and Abbey Lincoln's legacy while addressing contemporary social justice themes.

In alignment with our commitment to the local jazz scene, the festival will highlight Portland-based artists as support acts, including Bridging Thoughts with Cory Limuaco + Friends, Machado Mijiga Quartet, Zyanna Trio, Julia Logue, Kennebec, WRK!, Asher Fulero, Lloyd Jones and Alea Loren. These performances underscore the festival's dedication to fostering local talent and integrating them into the broader jazz community.

The festival will also present a series of free community events, featuring local Portland talent across various venues. These events aim to make jazz accessible to all and include performances by artists such as PJCE "Rise in Love", Patrick Carr, Trio Triptych, Arietta Ward Quartet, Olivia Fields Quintet, Hunglish Duo Project, Gilson-Bidondo Duo, Cameron Landers, Adrian Baxter Trio, Brian Myers Trio, Ramsey Embick, Adlai Alexander, Kevin Deitz Trio, Shirley Nanette, Joe Bagg Quartet with Ryan Meagher, Tim Willcox, and Michael Raynor, Haley Horsfall Trio with Mike Horsfall and Bill Athens, Anson Wright Duo with Jasnam Daya Singh, Dan Gildea, Alex Milstead Duo, The Walker Barber Duo, Bang Bang, Cosmic Groove Orchestra, Michelle Alany & New Old Friendz, Son de Cuba, Conversation, Chance Hayden's Desert Room All Stars featuring Shelly Rudolph, Jazz Vespers: Mike Horsfall Trio feat. Dan Balmer w/ Laurent Nickel and Tim Rap, and educational presentations by Ashley Kahn.

These community events are made possible through partnerships with local establishments, including Hotel Vance, The Hoxton, Inn at Northrup Station, The Duniway, The Nines Hotel Portland, The Benson Portland, AC Hotel Portland Downtown, Jupiter NEXT, Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, Atlantis Lounge, Artichoke Music, Burlingame Space, Al's Den, Mt. Hood Community College, University of Portland, St. James Lutheran Church, and Portland State University. Their collaboration ensures that jazz remains an integral and accessible part of Portland's cultural fabric.

Enhancing the festival's educational dimension, Grammy-winning American music historian, author, professor, and producer Ashley Kahn will moderate a series of jazz conversations. Known for his expertise on jazz and its history, Kahn's involvement promises insightful and engaging discussions, adding a unique educational component to the festival.

Chris Doss, PDX Jazz Executive Director, emphasizes the festival's mission: "This year's festival is a true celebration of Portland's vibrant jazz scene, featuring a diverse lineup of artists across a variety of venues, including our inaugural arena show with Erykah Badu. We're proud to showcase both renowned jazz masters and the exciting new voices of Portland's local artists, reflecting the dynamic range of the genre and the cultural richness of our city."

About PDX Jazz: PDX Jazz is a non-profit cultural arts organization dedicated to curating jazz in Portland, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest. Committed to nurturing jazz artists and audiences, PDX Jazz organizes the annual Biamp Portland Jazz Festival, year-round concerts, and numerous educational initiatives to celebrate and promote the art form's evolving legacy.

For further information and tickets, visit pdxjazz.org and follow PDX Jazz on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and YouTube using hashtags #portlandjazzfestival #pdxjazz.

Media Contact: Cassie Courtney, Marketing Manager, [email protected]

SOURCE PDX Jazz
Offer Results in a CAD$0.52 Per Share Distribution or 6.7% Yield (to Frontera's Share Price Prior to the Offer's Announcement) Assuming Full and Pro-Rata Shareholder Participation

Over US$83 Million Returned to Shareholders in 2024, Including Successful Completion of the Offer

Additional Dividends, Share Buybacks, Bond Buybacks or Other Investor Initiatives May Be Considered in the Future

CALGARY, AB, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Frontera Energy Corporation (TSX: FEC) ("Frontera" or the "Company") announces that its board of directors (the "Board") has approved the commencement of a second substantial issuer bid (the "Offer") pursuant to which the Company will offer to purchase from holders ("Shareholders") of common shares of the Company (the "Shares") up to 3,500,000 Shares for cancellation at a purchase price of CAD$12.00 per Share (the "Purchase Price"), for an aggregate purchase price not exceeding CAD$42,000,000 (equivalent to US$30,000,000).

The Offer is expected to commence on December 19, 2024, and remain open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 24, 2025, unless extended, varied or withdrawn by the Company (the "Expiration Date"). Pursuant to the Offer, tendering Shareholders will have the right to elect to tender a specified number of Shares.

The Company plans to fund the Share repurchases through available cash on hand. The Offer is denominated in Canadian dollars, and Shareholders will have the option to elect to receive payment in either Canadian or United States dollars.

Purpose of the Offer

As part of its efforts to maximize value for Shareholders and following the highly participated substantial issuer bid announced in September 2024 and completed in October 2024, the Company has identified this Offer as an attractive and efficient means to return further capital to Shareholders. Upon successful completion of the Offer, the Company will have returned over US$83 million of capital to its shareholders this year, including US$30 million from the October 2024 substantial issuer bid, US$15.2 million in declared dividends and US$7.8 million of share repurchases through the Company's normal course issuer bid program.

On November 5, 2024, the last full trading day prior to the date of announcement of the Company's intention to make the Offer, the closing price of the Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange was CAD$7.71 per Share.

Assuming full and pro-rata shareholder participation, the Offer represents a CAD$0.52 per Share distribution equivalent to a 6.7% yield on the Company's stock price prior to the announcement of the Offer in the Company's third quarter 2024 results. Including all dividends declared this year, the year-to-date distribution total to shareholders would be CAD$1.27 per Share (equivalent to a 16.5% yield).

The Board shall continue to consider future investor initiatives in the remainder of 2024 and beyond, including potential additional dividends, share buybacks, bond buybacks or other initiatives, based on the overall results of the business, oil prices and the Company's strategic goals.

Frontera intends to file with the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") a notice of intention to commence a normal course issuer bid for its Shares subsequent to the completion of the Offer (the "NCIB"). If accepted by the TSX, the Company would be permitted under the NCIB to purchase for cancellation, during a 12-month period, up to that number of Shares equal to the greater of (i) 5% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares and (ii) 10% of the Company's "public float" (as such term is defined in the TSX Company Manual).

Purchase Price

Frontera will pay the Purchase Price of CAD$12.00 per Share for each validly deposited Share taken up by the Company up to a maximum of 3,500,000 Shares, for an aggregate purchase price not exceeding CAD$42,000,000 (equivalent to US$30,000,000).

Each Shareholder who has properly deposited Shares and who has not withdrawn such Shares will receive the Purchase Price, payable in cash (subject to applicable withholding taxes, if any), for all Shares taken up by the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

If more than 3,500,000 Shares are tendered for purchase, the Company will purchase the Shares on a pro rata basis. In that case, Shares that are tendered but not purchased, will be returned to Shareholders.

Manner of Tender

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, Shareholders wishing to tender to the Offer may do so by making an election to tender a specified number of Shares (representing, in the Shareholders' discretion, all or a portion of the Shareholders' Shares) at the Purchase Price.

Additional Information

As of December 11, 2024, the Company had 80,793,387 issued and outstanding Shares. The Offer will be for up to approximately 4.33% of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis.

The Offer is optional for all Shareholders, who are free to choose whether to participate, and if they participate how many Shares to tender. Any Shareholders who do not deposit their Shares (or whose Shares are not purchased under the Offer) will realize a proportionate increase in their equity interest in the Company, to the extent that Shares are purchased under the Offer.

The terms and conditions of the Offer, including instructions for tendering Shares, will be included in the formal offer to purchase and issuer bid circular, letter of transmittal, notice of guaranteed delivery and other related documents (the "Offer Documents"). On or about December 19, 2024, the Offer Documents will be sent to registered Shareholders, filed with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, and made available without charge on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

In light of the Canada Post workers' strike and the resulting disruption of mail services, the Company may be unable to mail the Offer Documents to beneficial (non-registered) holders. However, upon resumption of normal mail service, the Company intends to arrange for the mailing of the Offer Documents to the beneficial holders to be completed.

Beneficial holders can retrieve the Offer Documents on www.sedarplus.ca. Copies of Offer Documents may also be obtained upon written or oral request, without charge, to the Company at the Company's head office at Suite 2000, 222 - 3rd Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 0B4 or by email at [email protected].

The Offer is not conditional upon any minimum number of Shares being tendered. However, the Offer will be subject to other conditions described in the Offer Documents. Frontera reserves the right, subject to applicable laws, to withdraw, extend or amend the Offer, if certain events occur at any time prior to the payment for the tendered Shares.

The Catalyst Capital Group Inc. ("Catalyst") and Gramercy Funds Management LLC ("Gramercy" and, together with Catalyst, the "Principal Shareholders") are the beneficial owners of, or exercise control or direction over, 33,262,348 and 10,808,311 Shares, respectively, which in the aggregate represent approximately 54.55% of all issued and outstanding Shares. Each of Catalyst and Gramercy has advised the Company that their current intention is to deposit Shares pursuant to the Offer, however, their decision to participate in the Offer is subject to market conditions and other factors. Each of Catalyst and Gramercy reserves the right, without notice and for any or no reason, to change its investment decision at any time prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, certain directors and officers of the Company have expressed an intention to tender 244,568 Shares to the Offer.

The Company has engaged Computershare Investor Services Inc. to act as depositary for the Offer and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. to act as financial advisor and dealer manager. Shareholders who have questions regarding the Offer or require any assistance tendering Shares may contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. by telephone at 1-800-564-6253 (North America) or 514-982-7555 (International), or by e-mail at [email protected], or BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. by email at [email protected].

The Offer referred to in this news release has not yet commenced. This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Shares. The solicitation and the offer to buy Shares will only be made pursuant to the Offer Documents to be filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The Offer will not be made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of offers to sell Shares would not be in compliance with the laws of that jurisdiction. None of Frontera, its Board or the depositary makes any recommendation to Shareholders as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering any or all of their Shares pursuant to the Offer. Shareholders are strongly urged to read the Offer Documents carefully and consult with their financial, tax and legal advisors prior to making any decision with respect to the Offer.

About Frontera

Frontera Energy Corporation is a Canadian public company involved in the exploration, development, production, transportation, storage and sale of oil and natural gas in South America, including related investments in both upstream and midstream facilities. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets with interests in 22 exploration and production blocks in Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana, and pipeline and port facilities in Colombia. Frontera is committed to conducting business safely and in a socially, environmentally and ethically responsible manner.

If you would like to receive News Releases via e-mail as soon as they are published, please subscribe here: http://fronteraenergy.mediaroom.com/subscribe.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements as to the Company's current intentions regarding commencement of the Offer, the timing, terms and conditions of the Offer, the participation of the Principal Shareholders and certain directors and officers, the number of Shares to be purchased and the amount of capital returned to Shareholders under the Offer, the consideration of future investor initiatives in 2024 and beyond, the Company's intention to initiate the NCIB subsequent to completion of the Offer and the Company's intention to mail the Offer Documents to beneficial holders upon resumption of normal mail service. Any such forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends and current market and other conditions. Readers should also refer to the risk factors set forth in the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, each dated March 7, 2024, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which forward-looking statements are based will be realized. Actual results may differ, and the difference may be material and adverse to the Company and its Shareholders.

Social Media

Follow Frontera's social media channels at the following links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fronteraenergy?lang=en

Facebook: https://es-la.facebook.com/FronteraEnergy/

LinkedIn: https://co.linkedin.com/company/frontera-energy-corp

SOURCE Frontera Energy Corporation
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GBRS Group , a veteran-owned and operated Tier 1 training company and tactical apparel brand, has donated more than $60,000 in clothing to assist families this winter who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

"In the aftermath of Helene, we wanted to do our part in coming together to help Americans impacted by the tragic circumstances there," said GBRS Group Co-Founder Cole Fackler. "It's a privilege for us to be able to contribute to the North Carolina community and show our support as they rebuild."

Hurricane Helene devastated large swaths of North Carolina in late September, leaving more than 230 people dead and estimates as high as $200 billion in damage across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. This makes it one of the worst storms in U.S. history.

With winter weather approaching, GBRS recognized the acute need for many families to obtain new clothing after having lost so much in the storm. The company provided an extensive shipment of diverse clothing articles for men, women and children which was distributed to families in need on the ground.

About GBRS Group

GBRS Group is a Veteran-Owned, Tier 1 Training and Services organization committed to imparting critical skills and real-world experiences to end-users in military, federal, State and local special operations units. Founded by retired Navy Seals DJ Shipley and Cole Fackler, GBRS Group's founding members are composed exclusively of Special Mission Unit Veterans and our extended instructor network is selected from retired Special Mission Unit Operators from across the service branches. GBRS offers cutting-edge gear born from combat-tested lessons and pioneering advancements. Learn more about GBRS Group at: https://gbrsgroup.com/

SOURCE GBRS Group
NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global gender reassignment surgery market size is estimated to grow by USD 369 million from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 11.92% during the forecast period.

For comprehensive forecast and historic data on regions,market segments, customer landscape, and companies- Click for the snapshot of this report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global gender reassignment surgery market 2024-2028

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2023 Forecast period 2024-2028 Historic Data for 2018 - 2022 Segments Covered Type (Male to female and Female to male), End-user (Hospitals and Clinics), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Key Companies Covered Rumer Cosmetic Surgery, Sava Perovic Foundation Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Plastic Surgery Group of Rochester Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)

Region Outlook

North America Europe Asia Rest of World

1. North America - North America is estimated to contribute 50%. To the growth of the global market. The Gender Reassignment Surgery Market report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels from 2017 to 2027. The geographic landscape of the Gender Reassignment Surgery market is shaped by various factors influencing healthcare access and surgical outcomes. Male to female and Female to male surgeries, including breast surgery and body contouring, are increasingly sought after in specialized clinics, with ambulatory surgical centers offering more affordable options. Physical appearance and cultural norms continue to impact individual preferences, driving medical advancements and reducing societal stigma. Transgender rights and medical interventions, such as hysterectomy and phalloplasty, have become more accepted, with average costs ranging from USD5,000 to USD100,000. Skilled surgical teams and personalized services ensure quality outcomes, while ongoing medical care, insurance coverage, and hospitalization are essential considerations. Wait times, surgical quality, and discrimination remain challenges, with innovative techniques and medical centers addressing these issues. Mental health-related concerns, including anxiety and mental illnesses, are increasingly recognized, emphasizing the importance of specialized medical care and skilled surgeons.

The gender reassignment surgery market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing societal acceptance and legal recognition of transgender individuals. Companies are investing in research and development of advanced surgical techniques and technologies to cater to this population's unique needs. The market is expected to expand at a steady pace, driven by rising demand and improving accessibility to gender affirming procedures. Businesses are also focusing on providing comprehensive care, including pre- and post-operative support, to ensure positive patient outcomes. Overall, the gender reassignment surgery market presents a promising opportunity for growth in the healthcare sector.

For more insights on North America's significant contribution along with the market share of rest of the regions and countries - Download a FREE Sample

Segmentation Overview

Type

1.1 Male to female

1.2 Female to male

End-user

2.1 Hospitals

2.2 Clinics

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 Asia

3.4 Rest of World (ROW)

Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

1.1 Fastest growing segment:

The gender reassignment surgery market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing societal acceptance and legal recognition of transgender individuals. Companies are investing in research and development of advanced surgical techniques and technologies to cater to this population's unique needs. The market is expected to expand at a steady pace, driven by rising demand and improving accessibility to gender affirming procedures. Businesses are also focusing on providing comprehensive care, including pre- and post-operative support, to ensure positive patient outcomes. Overall, the gender reassignment surgery market presents a promising opportunity for growth in the healthcare sector.

Research Analysis

The Gender Reassignment Surgery Market encompasses various healthcare policies and cultural attitudes towards sex change procedures. These procedures include surgical interventions such as genital reconstruction through hysterectomy and phalloplasty, as well as facial surgeries. From a medical perspective, gender reassignment involves hormone therapy and mental health-related considerations. Ethical concerns and affordability are significant factors influencing the comprehensive healthcare approach to gender perspectives. Medical innovations continue to advance, offering new solutions for those seeking sex reassignment surgery. The population requiring these services relies on specialized healthcare centers to provide access to these essential procedures.

Market Overview

The Gender Reassignment Surgery market refers to the industry dedicated to providing surgical solutions for individuals seeking to align their physical identity with their gender identity. This market encompasses a range of procedures, including but not limited to, hormone therapy, gender affirming surgeries such as orchiectomy, mastectomy, and vaginoplasty, and other related treatments. The market caters to the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, providing them with essential medical services to help them live authentically. The demand for gender reassignment surgeries is on the rise due to increasing awareness and acceptance of transgender rights, as well as advancements in medical technology. The market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, offering new opportunities for healthcare professionals and organizations specializing in gender affirming care.

Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Vendor Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
USA News Group News Commentary

Issued on behalf of Usha Resources Ltd.

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- USA News Group  The ongoing boom in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is lifting demand on several commodities, in particular copper. AI's infrastructure needs, especially data centers, are fueling a copper surge, to the benefit of mining companies. According to a "never-wrong" oil hedge fund manager from France, copper could hit $40,000 a tonne over "the next four years or so". With AI-focused tech giants reportedly set to invest over $1 trillion in infrastructure and power grid development, analysts are expecting a significant surge in demand for copper. Swiss bank UBS foresees a copper shortage, with a predicted supply deficit surpassing 200,000 tons by 2025. S&P Global Market states that copper mines are one of the slowest to develop, taking 24.1 years on average, meaning work being done now is becoming increasingly more important for tomorrow. Among the mining-focused companies making recent important progress include Usha Resources Ltd. (TSXV:USHA) (OTC:USHAF), Capstone Copper Corp. (TSX: CS) (OTCPK: CSCCF), Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX: LUN) (OTCPK: LUNMF), Orla Mining Ltd. (TSX: OLA) (NYSE-American: ORLA), and Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX: ASCU) (OTCQX: ASCUF).

The article continued: Earlier this year, the International Energy Forum released a report, warning that 1.1 new mines with an average production of 472,00 MT will need to come online annually through 2050. Last week, copper prices jumped by more than 2% overnight, after China's politburo signalled it is abandoning its "prudent" monetary policy stance, for the first time since 2008.

Usha Resources Announces Receipt of Intervention Permit for Upcoming Drill Program at the Southern Arm Copper-Gold VMS Property

Usha Resources Ltd. (TSXV: USHA) (OTC: USHAF), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, today announced that it has been granted an Intervention Permit for Mining Activities by the Ministere des Resources Naturelles et des Forets (MRNF) at its Southern Arm polymetallic VMS property ("Southern Arm" or the "Property"), in the northwest Abitibi subprovince. This document permits the Company to begin access and drill pad preparations in advance of the company's planned maiden drill program in the winter of 2025. Usha has already entered into an option agreement to earn 100% of Southern Arm over 2 years from Abitibi Metals.

"Receiving this permit is a key milestone as we progress towards our maiden drill program at Southern Arm," said Deepak Varshney, CEO of Usha Resources. "With results of our Phase 1 field program and IP survey anticipated to be received by end of year, Usha will commence a drill program targeting the highest priority zones early in 2025."

The project is located in a region well-known for its rich deposits of precious and base metals. Notable nearby projects include the B26 deposit, just 16 km away, which holds an indicated resource of 11.32 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.23% copper (Cu), 1.27% zinc (Zn), 0.46 g/t gold (Au), and 31.9 g/t silver (Ag). Also nearby is the historic Selbaie mine (15 km away), which produced 53 Mt at 0.96% Cu, 1.9% Zn, 0.58 g/t Au, and 40.7 g/t Ag, and the Fenelon Gold Project (15 km away), hosting an indicated resource of 2.4 million ounces (Moz) of gold and an inferred resource of 1.7 Moz.

"With negotiations for the Jackpot Lake transaction continuing, our focus in the field will remain on Southern Arm," added Varshney. "Additionally, we have been evaluating additional opportunities to acquire copper and/or gold projects to create further shareholder value in a similar fashion. We look forward to providing shareholders updates as our strategy progresses."

The property itself features a 7.3 km conductive trend along the regional Bapst fault, an area linked to zinc, lead, silver, molybdenum, and copper occurrences, with geology and alteration suggesting potential for polymetallic VMS-style mineralization. Drill targets along this trend will be finalized based on results from the black spruce bark sampling program and the ongoing Induced Polarization (IP) survey. Results for both programs are expected by year-end.

Located in the Abitibi greenstone belt, the Southern Arm project features a 7.3-kilometre copper-gold trend along the Bapst fault, an area with proven potential for polymetallic deposits. Nearby successes include the historic Selbaie mine and the B26 deposit. The property's volcanic geology, similar to these major sites, shows signs of copper, zinc, gold, and silver mineralization. Usha Resources is using modern exploration techniques, including induced polarization surveys and black spruce bark sampling, to pinpoint high-priority drill targets for its upcoming 3,000-metre drill program planned for winter 2025.

CONTINUED Read this and more news for Usha Resources Ltd. https://energymetalnews.com/2023/02/28/charging-along-the-highway-towards-domestic-lithium-dominance/

Other recent industry developments and happenings in the market include:

Capstone Copper Corp. (TSX: CS) (OTCPK: CSCCF), an Americas-focused copper mining company, recently published its 2023 Sustainability Report titled "Building Capacity. The Report was prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and in accordance with the SASB Metals and Mining Sustainability Accounting Standard. The Report details Capstone's performance on material sustainability topics across its operations for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2023. In 2023, Capstone strengthened its ability to meet both business and sustainability goals. Key achievements included earning The Copper Mark certification for its Mantos Blancos and Mantoverde operations and advancing its Sustainable Development Strategy with the launch of new cross-site initiatives.

"I am pleased to share our 2023 sustainability report for Capstone Copper," said John MacKenzie, CEO of Capstone. "Bringing together the assets and teams of our two predecessor companies has enabled us to realize opportunities of scale, cross-learning and technical excellence as we endeavour to grow responsibly and create a positive impact in the lives of our people and communities."

Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX: LUN) (OTCPK: LUNMF), a diversified Canadian base metals mining company, recently announced it had signed a definitive agreement to sell its Neves-Corvo operation in Portugal and Zinkgruvan operation in Sweden to Boliden AB for up to US$1.52 billion in total consideration. Lundin Mining will receive $1.37 billion in cash at closing, based on a debt-free enterprise value of $1.3 billion as of August 31, 2024. An additional $150 million may be paid if certain conditions are met. Proceeds will strengthen the company's balance sheet and support growth in the Vicuna District.

"Neves-Corvo and Zinkgruvan have played a significant role in catalyzing the Company to become a multi-asset base metals producer of global scale," said Jack Lundin, President and CEO of Lunding Mining. "We believe these operations will be an excellent strategic fit under Boliden's operatorship, and the employees and local stakeholders will benefit from the new ownership and highly experienced management team. The sale will further strengthen our balance sheet to support the Company's growing portfolio in South America and enable management to concentrate our focus in an area which will provide the greatest long-term value for our shareholders. It is an opportune time to optimize our portfolio through this divestiture as we drive towards becoming a top-tier copper-dominant mining company."

Orla Mining Ltd. (TSX: OLA) (NYSE-American: ORLA), a mining company with multiple assets in North America, recently provided an update on exploration at its Camino Rojo Extension, now referred to as "Zone 22", in Mexico. Recent drilling at Camino Rojo extended mineralization 800 metres beyond the current resource, uncovering high-grade copper-gold-silver zones with copper grades reaching 4.95%. This distinct copper-gold event, associated with deep extensions near a felsic dike, remains open at depth and along strike, with results suggesting the system could lead to even stronger mineralization. An initial underground resource estimate is expected in early 2025.

"The existing mineralization in the upper Caracol-host already set a strong foundation for the initial underground sulphide resource," said Sylvain Guerard, Senior Vice President, Exploration for Orla Mining. "It is now becoming clear that the future project will be enhanced by the Zone 22 Extension, and we continue to be impressed with the drill results: high-grade, polymetallic, and favourable metallurgy. Zone 22 remains wide-spaced drilled and open down-plunge, offering significant potential for further infill and step-out drilling to contribute to both resource growth and upgrades."

Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX: ASCU) (OTCQX: ASCUF), an emerging US-based copper developer, recently announced results from 12 leach columns completed from its column leach metallurgical testing program at the Cactus Project, Arizona. The Parks/Salyer deposit achieved an 87% average soluble copper extraction rate over 180 days of leaching, supporting its heap leach potential as outlined in the 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). Ongoing testing aims to optimize extraction rates, with results indicating the potential for 93.7% recovery over extended leaching periods, further strengthening the deposit's role in future production plans.

"Across the Parks/Salyer, Cactus West and Cactus East deposits, we benefit from similar mineralogies and no deleterious materials as evidenced from four years of metallurgical testing on the three deposits," said Steve Dixon, Chief Metallurgist of ASCU. "Test work using standard best practice conditions is ongoing and will continue until we hand off testing to operations, assuming a positive construction decision post-Definitive Feasibility Study."

Source: https://energymetalnews.com/2023/02/28/charging-along-the-highway-towards-domestic-lithium-dominance/

CONTACT:

USA NEWS GROUP

[email protected]

(604) 265-2873

DISCLAIMER:

Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Usha Resources Ltd. advertising and digital media from the Company directly ("the Company"). There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Usha Resources Ltd., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Usha Resources Ltd. MIQ and reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Usha Resources Ltd. at any time without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the above mentioned company; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements and/or investment vehicles.

While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.

SOURCE USA News Group
BEIJING, Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At an elegantly designed bookstore in Langyuan Vintage recently, a throng of young readers were listening attentively to four women writers talking about their writing experience, followed by questions from the audience. Two of them were noted Malaysian-Chinese writer Li Zishu and Chinese writer Qiao Ye, who had made reciprocal visits for literary exchanges between China and Malaysia in 2024. This was one of the special activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2024.

According to the Beijing Publishing Group (BPG), the mechanism of literary exchange was established between the BPG and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (The Institute of Language and Literature) in May 2023. It was then when the BPG office in Malaysia was inaugurated, as was the office of Han Culture Centre Malaysia in Beijing. In September, the two institutions officially signed the Kuala Lumpur project of the reciprocal visits of writers, marking a milestone between their cooperation. This is an important platform of exchanges between writers of China and Malaysia.

Unexpectedly warm welcome

At the invitation of Beijing October Arts & Literature Publishing House under the BPG, Li Zishu, whose novel Liusudi, or Worldly Land, which won the Huazong Literary Award, the highest literary prize of Malaysian-Chinese literature in Malaysia, had a 52-day tour from October to November in various Chinese cities, including Beijing, Lijiang, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qingdao and Hohhot. During her stay in China, Li promoted her two books and shared her writing experience, which was warmly welcomed by Chinese literary enthusiasts. Many of them came to buy her books to then be signed by the author herself, and shared their thoughts ignited by her books.

"It is beyond my expectation that books by the Malaysian-Chinese, a small group from a small country have been so well received in China," Li said during her interview in Beijing with the Global Times.

"It is because the Chinese community in Malaysia have the same culture and values with the Chinese people that the ordinary readers can enter the worlds of my novels, understand their characters and share their experiences without any obstacles. And this also results from the influence of Confucianism, featuring kindness, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trust," Li noted.

Li first came to China in 2007 and stayed in Beijing for two years. Despite her fluency in Chinese, she still had a "cultural shock" in the beginning. But this inspired her to observe life and write about her experiences in the capital city. Many of them were included into her mini-novel collection tiled Yusheng (meaning the rest of life), which was another book she promoted during this trip. "Without my stay in Beijing, I would never have written these works," she said.

After returning home, Li started to reflect on her own country and culture. "The diversity between China and Malaysia in the way of life, modes of thinking and languages - mixed languages, have made strong impact on my thoughts, which helped nourish and enliven my literary creations," Li told the Global Times.

Furthermore, she expressed great appreciation for China's strong support for the Malaysian-Chinese writers. Having her novels published in the Chinese mainland is "very encouraging for us," she told the Global Times. "It has made it possible for us to move a step forward."

However, Li also stressed that she did not hope this was an activity from just one side. She expected that the Malaysian-Chinese literature could also inspire the literary creation in the Chinese mainland, and gave its writers some new thoughts. "I hope it can play a two-way role so that each side can learn from and inspire each other, which is the most important thing."

Li's novel Worldly Land will be adapted and made into a film. "This adaptation can draw more widespread social attention and help people learn about the changes of the Malaysian-Chinese community, especially several families over the past 50 years," Chen Yucheng, a deputy editor-in-chief of Beijing October Arts & Literature Publishing House and planning editor of Worldly Land, told the Global Times.

'Amiable visit'

Chinese writer Qiao Ye, whose novel Baoshui Village has earned the Mao Dun Literary Prize - the top literary award in Chinese mainland, had a 15-day tour in Malaysia in September 2024. She visited Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh. During her visit, Qiao participated in many literary exchange activities and visited historical sites and Chinese language schools, interacted with local readers, and discussed the creation, translation and publication of literary works with local officials, writers and scholars.

"This was the most in-depth academic exchange abroad with the longest duration for me," Qiao told the Global Times. As there are many Malaysian-Chinese in Malaysia, she felt "very amiable during my visit, so did the locals when they saw me." Touring many ancestral halls and familial temples, Qiao witnessed the complete preservation of the Chinese culture by the local people whose ancestors were mostly from Guangdong and Fujian provinces. "These are all strong traces of Chinese culture. They show we share the same roots," said Qiao.

During her stay in Malaysia, Qiao also met Li. She said in Li's novel Worldly Land, there are traces of Chinese culture everywhere, such as playing Chinese chess, sending red envelopes at the full-month of newborn babies and so on. "These all demonstrate the strong vitality of our Chinese culture."

Of course, it also reveals some differences between the Malaysian-Chinese and the Chinese cultures due to historical reasons and their experience of living overseas, Qiao admitted.

"Although they look different on the surface, they are connected through literature," Qiao said. "But such differences are very charming, and can become a reference for our Chinese culture which is diversified and deep-rooted with luxuriant leaves. It gives us a sense of proximity in the far distance."

"The exchange of visits has set up a literary bridge, which can be extended as long as you like. And Li's novel Worldly Land can serve as such a bridge," Qiao said.

SOURCE Global Times
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a new cake cover to help reduce the spread of germs when blowing out birthday candles," said an inventor, from Victoria, BC, Canada, "so I invented the SAFE COVER. My design could make the celebration safer and more enjoyable."

The patent-pending invention provides an effective way to protect a cake when blowing out candles. In doing so, it protects the cake against germs, spittle, and potential viruses. As a result, it increases safety. It also could help keep the stored cake fresh for a longer period of time. The invention features a simple design that is easy to use so it is ideal for the general population. Additionally, a prototype model and technical are drawings are available upon request.

The original design was submitted to the Toronto sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 23-TRO-1240, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp
- Building a cutting-edge hybrid production facility on 200,000 in Almaty

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KT&G (KRX:033780) is building a new factory in Kazakhstan to meet global demand for its overseas business.

In October 2023, KT&G held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new plant in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and began building a "hybrid production base" for overseas sales on a site of about 200,000 square meters. When the plant is completed in 2025, Kazakhstan will become a production hub for supplying products to Europe, the CIS, and the rest of Eurasia.

Earlier, in early 2023, KT&G established a sales and manufacturing subsidiary in Kazakhstan to grow its business in Eurasia and has been focusing on establishing a local business foundation. Currently, the company employs more than 150 locally recruited employees, and the completion of the plant is expected to create additional local employment as it establishes a complete local value chain from production to marketing and sales.

The establishment of KT&G's new factory in Kazakhstan is part of a growth investment aimed at achieving the company's vision of becoming a 'Global Top-tier' player. KT&G has announced its goal to increase the proportion of sales from overseas business to more than 50% of its total revenue by 2027 through future growth investments, and to become a global top tier company by strengthening its intrinsic competitiveness centered on overseas business.

KT&G's efforts to expand its global business are already visible. As of the third quarter, KT&G's overseas cigarette sales amounted to 163.2 million pieces, the largest sales volume of the company for the second consecutive quarter. KT&G's representative product is the Superslim brand ESSE.

KT&G is the No. 1 e-cigarette, Next Generation Products(NGP), health functional foods, and Combustible Cigarettes business in South Korea, and is also a global company with 5,184 employees and 717 brands in 143 countries around the world, including Kazakhstan, as of the end of 2023. The company is focusing on achieving its core KPI of "50% of sales from overseas business" by 2027, and Kazakhstan, its Eurasian production base, is expected to be a cornerstone in achieving this goal.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2316472/KT_G_Logo.jpg
After overwhelming criticism from the public and private sector over their poor handling of COP29, Azeri officials escalate claims portraying Ruben Vardanyan as a leading opponent of the Aliyev regime

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented escalation of its ongoing crackdown on dissent, Azerbaijan prosecutors have unveiled a new and enormous array of some 45 potential charges against Armenian humanitarian and political prisoner Ruben Vardanyan, according to his legal team. If convicted, Vardanyan faces the grim prospect of life imprisonment. The development comes just one month after the country controversially hosted the COP29 climate summit, where its abysmal human rights record drew sharp international criticism.

The new charges presented against Ruben Vardanyan fall under 20 different articles of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code. Illustrating the extent to which the regime is desperate to justify its ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh and illegal imprisonment of its former leaders, the fabricated evidence is presented in more than 25,000 pages across 100 volumes, all written in Azeri.

"These charges represent a flagrant violation of Azerbaijan's obligations under international law" said Jared Genser. Post this

The alleged evidence is conveniently hidden both from Ruben and public view based on claims the charges relate to the "national security of Azerbaijan." The regime has, at the same time, refused to provide copies of the alleged evidence to Vardanyan and counsel, who are currently only allowed to review these materials without a proper translation and at limited times. Their ability to take notes is also restricted due to "national security," further constraining Ruben and his counsel's extremely limited ability to prepare the defense for the trial.

"These charges represent a flagrant violation of Azerbaijan's obligations under international law," said Vardanyan's legal counsel, Jared Genser. "The laundry list of chargesa transparently brazen attempt to blame everything that the Azeri regime did in Nagorno-Karabakh on Rubenin addition to Azerbaijan's refusal to provide and make public all of the charges and so-called evidence against Ruben for review, reaffirms that the charges are politically motivated and that the regime knows no objective observer would conclude there is any credible evidence to support its allegations. This approach is clearly designed for Aliyev to justify holding a secret trial before a tribunal that will be neither independent nor impartial."

Warning that the new charges signal an intensifying campaign by Aliyev to silence dissenting voices, the family of Ruben Vardanyan are calling on the democratic world to show that such flagrant violations cannot be tolerated anymore and to ensure international organizations and media are present during the trial.

"The most recent charges against my father, are a travesty of justice and retribution for the failures of COP29 upon an innocent scapegoat," said David Vardanyan, son of Ruben Vardanyan. "Ruben Vardanyan was the State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh for three months, where he sought to improve the livelihoods of its citizens through meaningful social programs. Sadly, he was rewarded with the threat of life imprisonment by one of the most corrupt regimes on earth. His arrest and these new fallacious charges are a symbol to all Armenians around the world that no one is safe. It has been over two years since our family has been able to see Ruben. We are afraid that we might not be able to see him again if the democratic world does not act to put an end to this non-sense."

While Vardanyan has already spent more than a year in illegal detention under Azerbaijan's regime, this latest escalation marks a troubling new low in President Ilham Aliyev's authoritarian rule. Freedom House currently gives Azerbaijan a "global freedom score" of seven out of one hundred, placing it behind countries such as Somalia, Myanmar, and Venezuela in measures of political and civil liberties. These latest developments underscore the systemic erosion of fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan and highlight the regime's ongoing efforts to silence dissent and consolidate power.

Last September, armed forces of the Government of Azerbaijan invaded the Armenian autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, driving out the 120,000 Armenian Christians of the region. During the flight of the refugees, Vardanyan and seven other former officials were arrested and face spurious and politically motivated charges.

A former State Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from November 2022 to February 2023, Vardanyan has been imprisoned in Baku in conditions violating international law. His political show trialwhich has already been delayed on several occasionsis expected to fall far short of many international standards.

For further information, please contact:

[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Free Armenian Prisoners
After overwhelming criticism from the public and private sector over their poor handling of COP29, Azeri officials escalate claims portraying Ruben Vardanyan as a leading opponent of the Aliyev regime

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented escalation of its ongoing crackdown on dissent, Azerbaijan prosecutors have unveiled a new and enormous array of some 45 potential charges against Armenian humanitarian and political prisoner Ruben Vardanyan, according to his legal team. If convicted, Vardanyan faces the grim prospect of life imprisonment. The development comes just one month after the country controversially hosted the COP29 climate summit, where its abysmal human rights record drew sharp international criticism.

The new charges presented against Ruben Vardanyan fall under 20 different articles of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code. Illustrating the extent to which the regime is desperate to justify its ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh and illegal imprisonment of its former leaders, the fabricated evidence is presented in more than 25,000 pages across 100 volumes, all written in Azeri.

The alleged evidence is conveniently hidden both from Ruben and public view based on claims the charges relate to the "national security of Azerbaijan." The regime has, at the same time, refused to provide copies of the alleged evidence to Vardanyan and counsel, who are currently only allowed to review these materials without a proper translation and at limited times. Their ability to take notes is also restricted due to "national security," further constraining Ruben and his counsel's extremely limited ability to prepare the defense for the trial.

"These charges represent a flagrant violation of Azerbaijan's obligations under international law," said Vardanyan's legal counsel, Jared Genser. "The laundry list of chargesa transparently brazen attempt to blame everything that the Azeri regime did in Nagorno-Karabakh on Rubenin addition to Azerbaijan's refusal to provide and make public all of the charges and so-called evidence against Ruben for review, reaffirms that the charges are politically motivated and that the regime knows no objective observer would conclude there is any credible evidence to support its allegations. This approach is clearly designed for Aliyev to justify holding a secret trial before a tribunal that will be neither independent nor impartial."

Warning that the new charges signal an intensifying campaign by Aliyev to silence dissenting voices, the family of Ruben Vardanyan are calling on the democratic world to show that such flagrant violations cannot be tolerated anymore and to ensure international organizations and media are present during the trial.

"The most recent charges against my father, are a travesty of justice and retribution for the failures of COP29 upon an innocent scapegoat," said David Vardanyan, son of Ruben Vardanyan. "Ruben Vardanyan was the State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh for three months, where he sought to improve the livelihoods of its citizens through meaningful social programs. Sadly, he was rewarded with the threat of life imprisonment by one of the most corrupt regimes on earth. His arrest and these new fallacious charges are a symbol to all Armenians around the world that no one is safe. It has been over two years since our family has been able to see Ruben. We are afraid that we might not be able to see him again if the democratic world does not act to put an end to this non-sense."

While Vardanyan has already spent more than a year in illegal detention under Azerbaijan's regime, this latest escalation marks a troubling new low in President Ilham Aliyev's authoritarian rule. Freedom House currently gives Azerbaijan a "global freedom score" of seven out of one hundred, placing it behind countries such as Somalia, Myanmar, and Venezuela in measures of political and civil liberties. These latest developments underscore the systemic erosion of fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan and highlight the regime's ongoing efforts to silence dissent and consolidate power.

Last September, armed forces of the Government of Azerbaijan invaded the Armenian autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, driving out the 120,000 Armenian Christians of the region. During the flight of the refugees, Vardanyan and seven other former officials were arrested and face spurious and politically motivated charges.

A former State Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from November 2022 to February 2023, Vardanyan has been imprisoned in Baku in conditions violating international law. His political show trialwhich has already been delayed on several occasionsis expected to fall far short of many international standards.

For further information, please contact:

[email protected] or [email protected]
HONG KONG, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 Academy of International Business (AIB) Asia Pacific Regional Conference was held from 4 to 6 December in Guangzhou. This year's conference, "Reimagine International Business: Accelerate Growth through Collaboration and Digital Transformation", attracted nearly 200 experts and scholars from around the world to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the field of international business. Prof Bradley R. Barnes, President of the AIB Asia Pacific Chapter, and Interim Associate Vice-President (Global Affairs) cum Director of Global Education at Lingnan University, chaired the conference, and Prof Cui Geng, Executive Director of AIB Asia Pacific Chapter, Professor of the Department of Marketing and International Business of Lingnan University, hosted the event at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), where he is currently on a two year sabbatical.

Lingnan University leading the 2024 Academy of International Business Asia Pacific Regional Conference. (First row, from left: Prof Bradley R. Barnes; Prof Cui Geng; Prof Sebastian Chung Yu-ho. Second row, from left: Prof Xu Lihe, Professor and Associate Dean, Institute of Studies for the Greater Bay Area, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China; Prof Lui Tai-lok, Professor of The Education University of Hong Kong, Mr Lie Xiaoming, CEO of Zowoyoo)

Prof Sebastian Chung Yu-ho, Assistant Professor of the Department of Marketing and International Business at Lingnan University spoke in a special plenary session relating to Hong Kong-Mainland Economic Integration. Panellists were from the Education University of Hong Kong, the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and the Zowoyoo Group, and they shared perspectives on the significance and progress of the integration of Hong Kong and the Mainland over the past few years, particularly since the announcement of the Greater Bay Area strategic initiative and following the pandemic. The panellists noted that while COVID-19 disrupted supply chains and economic activities, it also accelerated digital transformation, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation. The GBA initiative presents a unique opportunity to enhance Hong Kong's role as a gateway to Mainland China, they agreed, but it necessitates careful management to maintain its distinctive advantages.

Professors from Lingnan University presented their work on a Hong Kong-Mainland Economic Integration Index, and shared insights and perspectives in Q&A discussions. Booklets detailing the economic index were distributed to all attendees, who included industry professionals and academics, highlighting the pivotal developments in economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland over the past four decades.

The conference was an excellent opportunity for Lingnan to engage with leading experts and contribute to meaningful discussions on the future of international business.

SOURCE Lingnan University
Nirav Patel will join Mastech Digital on January 6, 2025. Vivek Gupta to Step Down as President and CEO and Director of the Board After 9 Years of Leadership.

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mastech Digital, Inc. (NYSE-American: MHH), a leading provider of Digital Transformation Services, today announced that Nirav Patel has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the company's Board of Directors, effective January 6, 2025. Patel succeeds Vivek Gupta, who is stepping down after leading the company since 2016.

Nirav Patel's Appointment as President and CEO

Nirav Patel brings over 20 years of experience as a seasoned technology executive with a proven track record of scaling multibillion-dollar businesses. Most recently, Patel served as President and CEO of Bristlecone, a Mahindra Group company specializing in digital supply chain transformation. During his tenure, Patel transformed Bristlecone into the industry's largest pure-play supply chain services provider, driving significant growth, expanding its global workforce to over 3,000 associates, and leveraging data and AI to deliver innovative solutions.

Patel has held several prominent leadership roles throughout his career. Before serving as President and CEO of Bristlecone, Patel was Senior Vice President and Global Markets Leader at Cognizant, where he scaled the Communications, Media, and Technology business to over $2 billion in annual revenue. Patel holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from BIST, Madras University, and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.

The Board of Directors expressed its enthusiasm about Patel's appointment.

"We are thrilled to welcome Nirav to Mastech Digital," said Sunil Wadhwani and Ashok Trivedi, Co-Chairmen of Mastech Digital's Board of Directors. "Nirav is a highly accomplished leader with extensive experience in technology services and a strong track record of driving growth and innovation. His expertise in data and AI-driven transformation aligns perfectly with our strategic priorities. We are confident that Nirav will help Mastech Digital attain a leadership position in the growing AI, data and digital engineering segments of the technology market and enhance shareholder value."

Patel expressed his excitement to join Mastech Digital, stating:

"I am deeply honored to join Mastech Digital as its President and Chief Executive Officer and Board Member. The company has built a strong foundation with its talented employees, loyal customers, and trusted partners. With the global demand for technology talent and digital transformation services accelerating rapidly, Mastech Digital is uniquely positioned to lead in this evolving market. I look forward to collaborating with the team to transform the company into a full-scale, Data and AI-led technology services leader, creating exceptional value for our clients, partners, and shareholders."

Vivek Gupta steps down after 9 years of leadership

Vivek Gupta has been instrumental in leading Mastech Digital's transformation from a pure-play IT staffing company to a robust technology-focused solutions organization. Under Gupta's leadership, the company expanded into the digital transformation space with the acquisition of InfoTrellis, Inc.'s services business, enhanced the quality of revenues and significantly improved the Company's gross margin profile. Gupta leaves behind a strong foundation with an accelerating growth trajectory for the company's next chapter of shareholder value creation.

"On behalf of the Board and the entire Mastech Digital team, we want to thank Vivek for his leadership and the immense value of all the contributions he has brought during his long tenure with the company," said Sunil Wadhwani and Ashok Trivedi, Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors. "We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

"It has been a fun ride at Mastech Digital wherein I have enjoyed every minute of my nine years at the helm. The company has delivered excellent results in the last many quarters, and I am confident that the positive momentum will continue for the foreseeable future," said Vivek Gupta.

Vivek's last day with Mastech Digital will be February 28, 2025, which coincidentally is his 9th work anniversary with the Company.

About Mastech Digital

Mastech Digital, Inc. (NYSE-American: MHH) is a leading provider of Digital Transformation Services. The company specializes in delivering high-quality technology talent and innovative solutions that help businesses drive digital transformation and harness the power of data and analytics. Mastech Digital operates globally, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, and delivery centers in North America and India.

For more information, visit www.mastechdigital.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements based on management's expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "scheduled," "estimates" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which include but are not limited to projections of and statements regarding the Company's ability to generate revenues, earnings, and cash flow. These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and it assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements as circumstances change. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the level of market demand for the Company's services, the highly competitive market for the types of services offered by the Company, the impact of competitive factors on profit margins, market and general economic conditions that could cause the Company's customers to reduce their spending for its services, the Company's ability to create, acquire and build new lines of business, to attract and retain qualified personnel, reduce costs and conserve cash, the extent to which the Company's business is adversely affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic or any other pandemics or outbreaks disrupting day-to-day activities and other risks that are described in more detail in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1039524/2514173/Mastech_Digital_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Mastech Digital, Inc.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Midwest Institutional Trust Company announced the promotion of Ryan Grall to National Director Relationship Development for Midwest Institutional Trust Services responsible for maintaining, expanding, and establishing client relationships for the line of business.

Ryan Grall

Mr. Grall has more than 18 years in the industry and 16 years of experience with serving institutional trust clients with the team. Ryan has an extensive background in creating service models, operating practices, compliance and audit standards as well as customizing solutions for complex clients. Ryan's primary focus will be to serve and broaden the MITC client base nationally.

Kristy Perez, Executive Vice President and Managing Director at Midwest Institutional Trust Services and Midwest Taft-Hartley Services said, "We look forward to Ryan's leadership in this new business development role. His experience as a client service and relationship management leader supports our consultative approach to relationship development. We continue to be committed to promoting from within our long term team, supporting the continued growth of our team members."

About Ryan Grall

Previously, Mr. Grall was a Relationship Manager for 12 years with Midwest Institutional Trust Services having joined the organization as an administrator for relationships in the Not-for-Profit Services Group. Prior to that, he was a trust operations specialist with a national financial institution.

About Midwest Institutional Trust Company

Midwest Institutional Trust Company, established in 2023 through an initiative that acquired the line of business from BMO Harris Bank, is comprised of Midwest Institutional Trust Services and Midwest Taft-Hartley Services and was created to provide an expansive line-up of solutions to Taft-Hartley and Trust and Custody clients. Through its legacy organizations, Midwest Institutional Trust Company has provided trust and custody services since 1924. Primary offices are located in Overland Park, Kansas and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Clients are located throughout the United States.

Midwest Institutional Trust Company is part of the Midwest Family of Companies comprised of privately held, independent trust, investment management and services companies founded in 1993.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Midwest Institutional Trust Company
COBB COUNTY, Ga., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Morrison & Hughes Law, a leading personal injury law firm serving the greater Atlanta area, proudly announces a landmark $20 million judgment secured on behalf of a client seriously injured in a catastrophic trucking collision. This record-breaking award underscores the firm's unwavering commitment to fighting for justice and maximum compensation for its clients.

Morrison & Hughes Logo

The case involved a devastating rear-end collision caused by a commercial truck driver's negligence. The impact of the crash resulted in life-altering injuries to the client, who required extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. The legal team at Morrison & Hughes Law worked tirelessly to build a comprehensive case, presenting compelling evidence and expert testimony that demonstrated the trucking company's failure to uphold safety standards and the profound consequences of the crash on the client's quality of life.

"This judgment is not just a win for our client but a statement that justice prevails when accountability is upheld," said Hil Hughes, a founding partner of Morrison & Hughes Law. "Our goal has always been to ensure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve to rebuild their lives after devastating injuries. This verdict demonstrates the importance of holding parties responsible for negligence."

The $20 million award will cover medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing care, providing the client with the resources necessary to secure long-term care and financial stability.

Morrison & Hughes Law is well known for its track record in securing significant settlements and judgments in personal injury and workers' compensation cases. The firm's dedication to personalized client service and aggressive litigation strategies has earned it a reputation as one of Georgia's top personal injury law firms.

"This victory reinforces our belief in fighting for the underdog," added Tristan Morrison, co-founder of Morrison & Hughes Law. "No one should face the aftermath of a catastrophic injury alone. Our firm is here to stand beside every client, every step of the way."

The team at Morrison & Hughes Law remains committed to serving clients throughout Georgia in personal injury, workers' compensation, and wrongful death cases. This $20 million judgment is a testament to their expertise, dedication, and success in helping clients secure justice.

About Morrison & Hughes Law

Morrison & Hughes Law specializes in personal injury and workers' compensation cases, representing clients with integrity and determination. With several offices across the Metro Atlanta area, Morrison and Hughes provides legal support to individuals who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of others. For more information, visit www.morrisonhugheslaw.com

or call 404-529-8326.

Media Contact

Morrison & Hughes Law

404-529-8326

[email protected]

www.morrisonhugheslaw.com

SOURCE Morrison & Hughes
MIAMI, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- How can we express care through food? Is there a recipe for that? This thought might linger in our minds as Christmas supper steadily approaches. It's certainly the question on the staff's minds at "Osteria da Fortunata."

Nonna Iris, the heart and soul of Osteria da Fortunata, handcrafting fresh pasta with love  a tradition passed down through generations, now bringing a taste of Rome to Miami Beach. (PRNewsfoto/Osteria da Fortunata)

The name of this venue says it all. "Osteria" is what restaurants with a traditional menu and friendly manners are called in Italy, the legacy of a past that preceded mass tourism to the boot-shaped peninsula. "Fortunata" used to be a girl's name in Italy that meant "fortunate." Those words sum up the spirit of a place still run by the same family that started it in Rome a century ago.

For the last hundred years, they've been welcoming visitors to the Eternal City and preserving their recipes generation after generation. Nowadays, the business is owned by 93-year-old "Nonna Iris" and her extended family of 40. Over the years, her love and dedication to tradition have outgrown those of her predecessors to the point that, more than a year ago, she made the decision to go across the Atlantic Ocean. There, she opened a business in Miami Beach modeled after the ones she and her family currently run in Italy.

The move was certainly a challenge, but energetic Nonna Iris has never shied away from one. At 13, she was already helping her mother and grandmother in their family business, learning the trade of pasta-making that later made her a familiar name in Rome. Four decades later, she is still in charge of five restaurants in Rome, plus one in Bologna and another three in Milan.

Within this "realm" of hers, a strict code is enforced: fettuccine, tagliolini, gnocchi and ravioli are all made from scratch. As cooks work to expertly craft them, these pastas take shape in front of clients' eyes on a counter that runs across the room. Premade products are banished from the "kingdom!"

This experience is rewarding since none of the five senses are neglected  the sight of egg pasta's deep yellow color, the sound of rolling pins constantly at work, the homey aroma of yeast, the touch of fresh bread, which is never missing at an Italian table, and, finally, the taste of an amatriciana or a carbonara, two of the most renown among Roman pasta recipes.

Rejoicing is the spirit of any Christmas holiday; showing and receiving care are at the heart of it. Celebrating both feelings while sitting and chatting together in a homey atmosphere, savoring that care-turned-food, may be the nicest Christmas present of all.

Osteria da Fortunata

607 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach 33139 Florida

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2581945/Osteria_da_Fortunata.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2457002/5079658/Osteria_da_Fortunata_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Osteria da Fortunata
The transaction enables Phoenix to expand its P&C operations while maintaining financial robustness

The transaction builds on international rating, market leadership, and financial strength to develop new business

By transferring 75% of Ayalon Insurance's outstanding claim portfolio, the company achieves growth without impacting solvency or requiring additional capital

TEL-AVIV, Israel, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Financial Ltd., a leading Israel-based financial, insurance, and investment group (TLV:PHOE) ("Phoenix," the "Group," or the "Company"), today announced a key Loss Portfolio Transfer (LPT) reinsurance agreement with Ayalon Insurance Company Ltd., advancing its strategy to expand its Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance operations.

The agreement covers 75% of outstanding claims in an employer's and third-party liability portfolio valued at approximately NIS 930 million from underwriting years 2010 to 2022.

The transaction allows Phoenix to grow its P&C operations without affecting solvency or requiring additional capital, building on its strong financial position while increasing exposure to the P&C sector. The agreement is facilitated by Phoenix Insurance's international rating, which allows Phoenix to provide reinsurance in the Israeli market.

Growing P&C activities through reinsurance is aligned with Phoenix's long-term strategy of enhancing its presence in P&C while ensuring sustainable and profitable growth.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval by the Commissioner of the Capital Market, Insurance, and Savings Authority.

Eyal Ben Simon, CEO of Phoenix Financial:

"The LPT agreement with Ayalon is a milestone in the Israeli market, allowing us to grow strategic P&C activities based on our strong market position and Solvency, without requiring additional capital. As an innovative reinsurance structure between two Israeli insurance companies, this transaction demonstrates our ability to achieve wholesale operational growth in P&C with attractive economics while maintaining financial stability."

About Phoenix Financial

Phoenix Financial Ltd. is a leading Israel-based financial, insurance, and investment group traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: PHOE). Group activities include multi-line insurance, asset management, credit, and financial product distribution, and have demonstrated strong growth and performance across the cycle. Phoenix serves a significant portion of Israeli households with a broad set of activities and solutions across businesses and client segments. Managing $130 billion in assets, Phoenix accesses Israel's vibrant and innovative economic activity through a robust investment portfolio, creating value for both clients and shareholders.

SOURCE Phoenix Financial Ltd.
NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of Western Asset Management Company mutual fund investors resulting from allegations that Western Asset may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Western Asset mutual funds you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On November 25, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a press release entitled "SEC Charges Ken Leech, Former Co-Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset Management Co., with Fraud." This press release stated that Leech had been charged with fraud "for engaging in a multi-year scheme to allocate favorable trades to certain portfolios, while allocating unfavorable trades to other portfolios, a practice known as cherry-picking."

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California criminal defense law firm Appelbaum Law announced today that Founding Attorney Sharon Appelbaum has been featured in the Los Angeles Times' 2024 Inspirational Women Magazine, published today. This recognition celebrates women who exemplify leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their industries.

"I'm truly grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to do the work I'm passionate abouthelping clients navigate some of the most challenging times in their lives," said Appelbaum. "At Appelbaum Law, we're committed to providing thoughtful, strategic defense and advocacy for every client we serve."

A nationally recognized trial attorney, Appelbaum has built a distinguished career representing clients in high-stakes criminal defense and white-collar cases. With over a decade leading her firm and extensive experience as a former prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Appelbaum has a reputation for securing significant victories in complex federal and state cases.

Her dedication to justice, coupled with her strategic and innovative approach, has earned her accolades, including being named a 2024 Businesswoman of the Year finalist by the San Diego Business Journal, a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a Top 100 Lawyer by National Trial Lawyers.

The Inspirational Women Magazine celebrates individuals who drive progress in their professions and communities, offering insight into the breadth of women's achievements and leadership across industries.

About Appelbaum Law

At Appelbaum Law, we provide comprehensive criminal defense and white-collar representation tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Our team brings unparalleled expertise to cases involving financial fraud, regulatory investigations, and serious criminal allegations, delivering strategic and results-driven advocacy. With offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, we are committed to protecting the rights, reputations, and futures of our clients. For more information, please visit AppelbaumLaw.com.

SOURCE Appelbaum Law
Latest acquisition increases Starlight's UK portfolio to over 3,600 rental suites

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Starlight Investments ("Starlight"), a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm, has announced the further expansion of its UK portfolio through the acquisition of a 300-suite build-to-rent ("BTR") community under development in Leeds.

The property, purchased from Leeds-based developer, Torsion Group, is in a prime location on the eastern edge of the city centre within walking distance of popular areas including Kirkgate and other primary leisure offerings and is conveniently located close to public transit.

Starlight Investments has announced the further expansion of its UK portfolio through the acquisition of a 300-suite build-to-rent community under development in Leeds. Starlight Investments logo

Currently under construction, the two-tower BTR development will feature 10- and 17-storey residences with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and 63 underground parking spaces. Upon completion, the highly amenitized community will include a state-of-the-art gym, a cinema and two rooftop terraces. The property's design also incorporates numerous sustainability elements.

Leeds is the third largest city in the UK and is recognized as a key financial centre and major employment hub. With a diverse mix of modern and historic architecture, a vibrant arts scene and strong business and education sectors, the city is home to a large population of professionals and students.

This property represents Starlight's second acquisition in Leeds this year, thus marking another strategic milestone in the company's European residential asset management platform. With this acquisition, Starlight UK now has over 3,600 suites under management.

"We are pleased to further strengthen Starlight's presence in Leeds, one of the UK's fastest-growing cities," said Jonnie Milich, Head of UK Residential, Starlight Investments. "The acquisition of this exceptional build-to-rent community underscores our commitment to investing in the creation of high-quality rental housing in the UK. In 2024 we added over 2,400 suites to our UK portfolio, and we look forward to furthering our expansion in the coming year."

About Starlight Investments

Starlight Investments is a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A privately held owner, developer and asset manager of over 71,000 multi-residential suites and over 7 million square feet of commercial property space with CAD $30B AUM, we offer a range of investment vehicles across various real estate strategies. Starlight's guiding mission is to balance our tenure with visionary curiosity to create positive impact for investors and communities alike. At Starlight, we invest with impact.

Learn more at www.starlightinvest.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Contacts: Jonnie Milich Head, UK Residential, +44 -7930-373-945, [email protected]; Raj Mehta, President, Global Markets, +1-647-725-0498, [email protected]; Gwen McGuire, Director, Communications, +1-416-234-8444, [email protected]

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SAN DIEGO, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sycuan Casino Resort spread the holiday joy on Thursday, December 5, by donating a total of $190,000 to 27 different charities during its 18th Holiday Gift Giving Ceremony, setting a new funding record in supporting nonprofits that improve the San Diego community.

Courtesy of Sycuan Casino Resort

"We always look forward to this time of year because it brings an added opportunity to share support from Sycuan with the real difference makers in our region," said Cody Martinez, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. "We are very proud to celebrate together this morning and honor each of you with this holiday gift."

The 2024 Holiday Gift Giving Ceremony was held at Sycuan Casino Resort. On behalf of Sycuan, members of the Sycuan Tribal Council and leadership team individually select a charity to support their mission, ranging from social and health services to the arts and the environment. Over the years, the event has supported hundreds of diverse nonprofit organizations that uplift the lives of individuals.

The charities that were involved this December are: Alzheimer's Association of San Diego, Alzheimer's San Diego, American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), Ash Tree Ranch, Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego County, Breakthrough T1D, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Concordia Church and School, ElderHelp of San Diego, Frosted Faces Foundation, Headbang for Science, MESA Foundation, Monarch School, Mount Soledad National Veteran's Memorial, NAMI San Diego, Parkinson's Association of San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital - Cancer Center, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Shelter to Soldier, Skinny Gene Project, Society of Young Inklings, St. Augustine Music Program, The Animal Pad, Urban Street Angels, War Party Ranch, WILDCOAST, and Wings of America.

For pictures of the event, please click here. Courtesy of Sycuan Casino Resort.

For more information about Sycuan Casino Resort, please visit www.sycuan.com.

About Sycuan Casino Resort

Sycuan Casino Resort began as a humble Bingo Palace in 1983. Now more than 41 years later, it has become a community landmark and one of San Diego's premier casino and resort destinations. Sycuan includes a 12-story luxury hotel tower with over 300 guest rooms and 57 suites. Guests can enjoy a wide range of onsite amenities including a variety of new restaurants from fast-casual to fine dining, meeting and event space, a full-service spa, fitness center and a state-of-the-art pool and gardens area with a lazy river and swim-up bar. Sycuan also boasts an expanded casino floor for a total of 2,800 slot machines and 54 table games in a variety of gaming options. Sycuan is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information visit www.sycuan.com or call 619.445.6002.

SOURCE Sycuan Casino Resort
NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WHP Global, the parent company of Toys"R"Us today announced a partnership with Cotton Candy International to bring the Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us brands to Latin-America and the Caribbean for the first time. Under the agreement, Cotton Candy International will open the first Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us flagship stores in Panama in 2025, with plans for additional standalone Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores to follow across the region.

Toys"R"Us store rendering WHP Global

The expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean marks a significant milestone in the Toys"R"Us global growth strategy, following recent successful launches in key international markets, including Mexico.

"Toys"R"Us continues to captivate consumers around the world, and we are thrilled to partner with a strong wholesale and retail operator like Cotton Candy International to introduce this beloved brand to families in Latin America for the very first time," said Stanley Silverstein, Chief Commercial Officer at WHP Global. "This expansion underscores our commitment to delivering the joy of Toys"R"Us to new markets and families everywhere."

Cotton Candy International, a leading distributor and retailer for Latin America the Caribbean markets with deep expertise in family and baby products, is uniquely positioned to successfully launch and grow the Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us brands in the region. The Latin-American market is one of the fastest-growing for families, with an increasing demand for high-quality toys and family-friendly retail experiences.

"We are honored to partner with WHP Global to bring Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us to Latin America," said Moises Cohen, CEO of Cotton Candy International. "This is an incredible opportunity to introduce these iconic brands to new markets. We look forward to creating a unique and engaging shopping experience with the opening of our flagship store in Panama, as well as expanding the footprint with standalone stores across the region."

The flagship Toys"R"Us store in Panama is set to open in 2025 and will feature an extensive assortment of toys, games, and interactive experiences, delivering the magic that has made Toys"R"Us a beloved brand for generations of families worldwide.

Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us currently have a presence in over 32 countries and continue to expand globally through both physical retail stores and digital platforms.

Further details on the store rollout for Latin America and the Caribbean will be announced in 2025.

About Cotton Candy International

Cotton Candy International (CCI) is a leading distributor for babies and children's clothing, footwear, toys, and other accessories for Latin America and the Caribbean. With headquarters based in Panama, local operations in Mexico, CCI carries its inventory in their bonded warehouse of the Colon Free Zone. They have exclusive distribution and licensing agreements for apparel, footwear and accessories under iconic brands like Fisher Price, Aeropostale Kids, X-Box, Graco, Jeep, Motorola Nursery and many more.

About WHP Global

WHP Global is a leading New York-based firm that acquires global consumer brands and invests in high-growth distribution channels including digital commerce platforms and global expansion. WHP Global owns a portfolio of consumer brands that collectively generate over $7 Billion in global retail sales. The company also owns WHP+, a turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform, and WHP SOLUTIONS, a sourcing agency based in Asia. For more information, please visit whp-global.com or follow @whp_global on social.

Media Contacts :

WHP Global / Toys"R"Us

Jaime Cassavechia

EJ Media Group

[email protected]

+1 646.701.7041

Cotton Candy International

Maria Fernanda Vargas

[email protected]

+507 6786-2176

SOURCE Toys"R"Us
VIVOTEK's AI Security Solutions Developed in Taiwan, Marketed Globally, Driving Sustainable Innovation for the Future

TAIPEI, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VIVOTEK (3454-TW), the global leading security solution provider, has been selected as one of the "Best Taiwan Global Brands" for 2024 by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan for five consecutive years, recognizing the continuous innovation of its AI products and solutions. With a sharp market insight and an innovation-driven approach, VIVOTEK delivers comprehensive AI solutions, integrating AI cameras, video management software and cloud security services to support vertical industries such as smart transportation, manufacturing, and building automation. These AI solutions enhance security while promoting sustainable operations, positioning VIVOTEK as a pioneer in the security industry.

VIVOTEK has been selected one of the Best Taiwan Global Brands for five consecutive years, recognizing the innovation of its AI products and solutions.

The "Best Taiwan Global Brands" is organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Industrial Development Bureau and evaluated by the global consultancy Interbrand, recognizes companies based on brand strength, role of brand and financial performance. VIVOTEK excelled in all three categories, reporting NT$9.16 billion in consolidated revenue in 2023. The company also invests heavily in innovation, with R&D expenses exceeding 10% of revenue.

Notable advancements include Edge-Computing cameras, AI-powered security systems, and other advanced technologies shaping the future of security. VIVOTEK strengthens its market position with industry-leading 5-year product warranties, earning customer trust, and expanding its AI-powered cloud surveillance platform VORTEX in regions like the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand, reducing costs and improving management efficiency.

"VIVOTEK is proud to be named one of the " Best Taiwan Global Brands ". This honor underscores the company's growing influence in the global security sector." said Allen Hsieh, VIVOTEK's Director of the Global Marketing Division and Spokesperson. "As the Taiwanese government highlights the security industry as one of the key trust industries, VIVOTEK continues to strengthen its operational capabilities while showcasing the innovation and creativity. Through the annual 'Safety Map' initiative, VIVOTEK combines its expertise with a commitment to sustainability, giving back to society and driving meaningful change."

As a leader in sustainable security, VIVOTEK continues to demonstrate excellent corporate governance, and the brand has received widespread market recognition for exceptional value. In terms of environmental impact, VIVOTEK aligns with the parent company Delta Group's goal of achieving RE100 by 2030. VIVOTEK has initiated the Scope 3 carbon reduction project to tackle carbon emissions. The company also plans to conduct carbon audits for its overseas subsidiaries and offices, further accelerating its journey towards net-zero emissions.

On the social front, VIVOTEK's sustainability journey begins with its brand catalyst, Concern for Others' Cares. The company has expanded the security solutions to social corners, launching the industry's first 'Safety Map' for sustainable activities. The initiative invites employees to form security teams, visiting local neighborhoods, Taoyuan City Happy Home Mental Retardation Training Services Institution, and Taipei Shuangxi Elementary School to conduct on-the-ground investigations of safety hazards. VIVOTEK provided concrete safety improvement suggestions, creating safer environment, and expanding social impact, contributing to sustainable development.

SOURCE VIVOTEK Inc.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : President Droupadi Murmu attended the 'At-Home' reception at the Army House in the national capital on the eve of Vijay Diwas, commemorating India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

"President Droupadi Murmu attended 'At Home' reception at Army House on the eve of 'Vijay Diwas'," said a post on Sunday on the President's official Twitter account.

Vijay Diwas for the 1971 Liberation War is celebrated nationwide on December 16, to commemorate India's victory against Pakistan in the 13-day war, which ended with Pakistan signing the instrument of surrender in Dhaka and the subsequent liberation of Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan).

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also graced the event, hosted by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday.

The President also interacted with various guests at the event.

The Indian Army also highlighted the V-P Dhankhar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacting with various veterans, diplomatic fraternity, sportspersons, and many others.

"The reception provided an opportunity to the President, Vice-President, and Raksha Mantri to interact with #Veterans, #Veernaris, Diplomatic fraternity, Sportspersons, eminent personalities, Asha School Children and achievers from different walks of life," the X post said.

The event also gave an opportunity to the tribal community to showcase their talent.

The dignitaries carried out heartfelt interactions with the VeerNaris saluting their sacrifice for the nation, the post added.

Earlier on Friday, President Murmu paid tribute to the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives in the Parliament attack in 2001 and said that the nation stands united against the forces of terror.

"I pay my humble tribute to the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives defending our Parliament on this day in 2001. Their courage and selfless service continue to inspire us. The nation remains deeply grateful to them and their families. On this day, I reiterate India's unwavering resolve to combat terrorism. Our nation stands united against the forces of terror," the President posted on X.

Fifty years ago, the largest military surrender after the Second World War happened when 93,000 soldiers from the Pakistan Army laid down their arms before the Indian forces -- resulting in the liberation of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan. The day is marked every year as 'Vijay Diwas'.
Mumbai, Dec 16 : Reports of the demise of legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, initially confirmed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and various sources, now appear to be false and inaccurate.

As the news spread rapidly, an X user claiming to be Ustad Zakir Hussain's nephew posted: "I am Zakir Hussain's nephew and he has not passed away. We ask for prayers for my Uncle's health. Can you please remove this misinformation? He is in a serious condition and we ask for all his fans around the world to pray for his health."

Another publication quoted his sister, Khurshid Aalia, who said that Zakir Hussain is alive but in a very critical condition.

Earlier reports claimed that Zakir Hussain passed away at a San Francisco hospital due to heart ailments.

Zakir Hussain's death news was shared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well. Many leaders, including Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi, posted condolence messages for him.

Earlier, it was learned through Hussain's manager Nirmala Bachani that Zakir Hussain had been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco after experiencing heart-related problems.

Ustad Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla player, was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

As the eldest son of the illustrious tabla player Allah Rakha, he was naturally inclined towards music from a very young age. He completed his initial education from St. Michael's High School in Mahim, Mumbai. Later, he graduated from St. Xavier's College.

Hussain married Antonia Minnecola, a Kathak dancer and teacher. They have two daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.

Zakir Hussain also acted in a few movies including 'Saaz', 'Heat and Dust'. His most recent film 'Monkey Man' released in 2024.

According to a few reports he was offered to play Salim's role in 'Mughal-E-Azam' which later went to Dilip Kumar.
Tel Aviv, Dec 16 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he discussed with US President-elect Donald Trump ongoing efforts to bring back the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, as Israeli officials indicated that a deal could be reached in less than two weeks despite sticking points in negotiations.

The Prime Minister said he and Trump spoke "at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages," but declined to go into specifics, The Times of Israel reported.

"We are working all the time, without rest, to bring our hostages home, the living and the fallen together," he said, but added, "the less we talk about it, the better -- that way, with God's help, we will succeed."

An unnamed Israeli official told the Israel Hayom daily on Sunday that a ceasefire-hostage deal will likely be completed by Hanukkah, which begins this year on the evening of December 25.

For now, however, talks are hung up over the number of hostages to be released in a partial deal, according to Channel 13.

Hamas insists on releasing far fewer than Israel demands, and Israel is not willing to budge, the report said.

Channel 12 news reported Sunday evening that during the Netanyahu-Trump conversation, the Prime Minister told the President-elect that the US must pressure negotiators to agree to a much higher number of hostages being released and that Hamas is currently offering "an unacceptable number" to be freed within the "humanitarian" category.

On Sunday night, Netanyahu convened the national security cabinet in the IDF Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem, The Times of Israel reported.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara joined the meeting as well.

There, the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet security services told ministers that there is a new willingness among Hamas to reach a deal, according to Ynet, which cited a senior Israeli official.

"The estimation is that we will be able to reach an agreement within weeks," the official said.

Ministers also discussed the security situation in the West Bank, the site also reported, where recent clashes between Palestinian Authority security forces and local terror groups have added to already soaring violence, which Israeli officials are concerned could spill over into Israel proper.

Meanwhile, Trump's pick for US special envoy on hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, will quietly visit Israel this week, according to a Ynet report. Though he is coming as a private citizen, he is expected to meet with Israeli officials about the Gaza hostages, the news site said.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Hamas had given in to an Israeli demand that the IDF remain in Gaza temporarily under a potential ceasefire-hostage deal after having previously refused to release any more hostages unless Israel agrees to a full withdrawal from the enclave and an end to the war, which the government has refused.

Israel believes that 96 of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7 remain in the Strip, a figure which includes the bodies of at least 34 captives confirmed dead by the IDF.

In a video message released Sunday, Netanyahu said that his conversation with Trump was "very friendly, very warm and very important," and centered on the need to "complete Israel's victory" -- a week after the sudden fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and several weeks into a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.

Netanyahu also said Israel is "changing the Middle East," saying he vowed a year ago that the country would do so in its military campaign, and it has.

"Syria is not the same Syria, Lebanon is not the same Lebanon, Gaza is not the same Gaza, and the leader of the axis -- Iran -- is not the same Iran," the premier said.

"We are committed to preventing Hezbollah from rearming," Netanyahu said.

"This is an ongoing test for Israel, we must meet it -- and we will meet it. I say to Hezbollah and Iran in no uncertain terms -- to prevent you from harming us, we will continue to act against you as much as necessary, in every arena and at all times."

Israel and Hezbollah entered a shaky ceasefire last month that has broadly held, following more than a year of daily rocket and drone attacks against Israel by the Iranian-backed, Lebanese terror group. Israel has struck several Hezbollah operatives and sites, however, in response to alleged violations of the ceasefire, according to which Hezbollah will not operate in southern Lebanon at all.

Waves of Israeli airstrikes this week also destroyed an estimated 80 per cent of the fallen Assad regime's military assets in Syria, amid concern that the dictator's weapons could fall into hostile hands amid the country's chaotic takeover by jihadist-led rebel forces.

In his video, Netanyahu reiterated that the strikes in Syria were carried out to ensure that the weapons would not be used against Israel in the future. Israel also hit arms supply routes to Hezbollah, he said, and cited a statement by the terror group's chief, Naim Qassem, that "Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage".

"We have no interest in a conflict with Syria," Netanyahu underscored.

"We will determine Israel's policy toward Syria according to the emerging reality on the ground," he said, noting that the regional reality right now is "dynamic -- it changes quickly".
Tel Aviv, Dec 16 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump about Israel's determination to continue acting against Iran and its armed proxies whenever they try to harm the Jewish state, the premier said in a video statement.

Netanyahu said on Sunday evening that it was a "very friendly, very warm, and very important conversation" about the need for Israel to "complete its victory".

"We are committed to preventing Hezbollah from rearming," he said.

"This is an ongoing test for Israel, we must meet it -- and we will meet it. I say to Hezbollah and Iran in no uncertain terms -- to prevent you from harming us, we will continue to act against you as much as necessary, in every arena and at all times."

Netanyahu reiterated that recent airstrikes against Syrian military sites were carried out to ensure that the weapons would not be used against Israel in the future. Israel also hit arms supply routes to Hezbollah, he said.

"We have no interest in a conflict with Syria," Netanyahu said firmly.

"We will determine Israel's policy toward Syria according to the emerging reality on the ground."

"Syria is not the same Syria," he said, arguing that Israel is changing the Middle East.

"Lebanon is not the same Lebanon, Gaza is not the same Gaza, and the leader of the axis -- Iran -- is not the same Iran."

During the conversation with Trump, Netanyahu pointed to shifts in the Middle East, claiming that Israeli operations in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, and Syria have diminished Iran's influence over the past year.

"Within a few days, we destroyed capabilities that the Assad regime had built over decades," Netanyahu noted, referring to a series of intense Israeli airstrikes during the past few days following the collapse of the Assad government in Syria on December 8.

He added that the strikes aimed to prevent weapons from being used against Israel or transferred from Syria to Hezbollah.

Netanyahu also said his conversation with Trump included efforts to secure the release of around 100 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli state broadcaster Kan TV reported progress in negotiations but noted that no breakthrough had been reached as of Sunday.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Lucknow, Dec 16 : With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly's Winter session scheduled to be held on Monday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mata Prasad Pandey has said that the Samajwadi Party (SP) would raise concerns over rising communal tensions in the state, particularly the situation in Sambhal.

LoP Pandey added that the party would hold the government accountable for attempts to disturb communal harmony and anticipated significant uproar in the session.

While addressing the media, Pandey said, "Tomorrow (December 16), we will give notice to the government regarding the communal incidents taking place and the efforts being made to disrupt harmony through riots. We will hold the government accountable for these incidents. Tomorrow, we are expected to witness significant uproar in the session."

Pandey also responded to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's remarks on the discovery of a temple in Sambhal.

"The Chief Minister spoke, and he has the right to do so. But why has the temple only been found now? Was it excavated, or was it already there and only recently recognised?" he questioned.

The Leader of the Opposition affirmed that the Samajwadi Party would continue its fight against all forms of injustice.

"The Samajwadi Party will fight against all forms of injustice, across all communities, and will raise issues concerning the public, such as unemployment, farmers' grievances, or any other injustices," he said.

Pandey criticised the government for deflecting from key issues and diverting attention from real problems.

"The biggest issue in the country today is unemployment. Farmers are facing numerous challenges, and to divert attention from these, the government is engaging in distractions. Why is the government afraid to answer the concerns of a state with 25 crore people?" he said.

Pandey also reiterated the Samajwadi Party's opposition to the idea of early elections, in contrast to Mayawati's support for the proposal.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday questioned the 46-year closure of a historic temple in Sambhal and the lack of justice for victims of alleged violence during that period, accusing previous governments of neglecting faith and heritage.

Referring to Sambhal, he asked, "Did the administration suddenly build such an ancient temple overnight? Did Lord Hanuman's centuries-old idol appear overnight? Did the ancient jyotirlinga just emerge out of nowhere? Was this not a matter of faith? Why have the culprits responsible for the massacre in Sambhal 46 years ago not been punished? Why is there no discussion about the innocent lives lost back then? What was the fault of those who were brutally killed in Sambhal 46 years ago?".

CM Yogi Adityanath further raised hypothetical questions about the developments in Ayodhya, saying, "What if the Ayodhya verdict on the Ram temple had not been delivered? What if the Ram temple had not been built? Would there have been an international airport in Ayodhya? Would Ayodhya's streets have been developed into four-lane roads? Would Ayodhya have achieved such excellent connectivity?".

He said that Ayodhya's residents and visiting devotees are now happy with the transformation while accusing certain groups of opposing these changes. According to CM Yogi Adityanath, such groups had inserted the word secular into the Constitution, undermining its essence.

"They are troubled by the transformation of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the construction of the Ram temple, and the divine grandeur of Ayodhya. Their grievance is that, despite ruling for decades, they achieved nothing. Instead of introspecting, they blame our success for their own failures," he said.

The Chief Minister's comments came in the wake of the rediscovery and reopening of a 400-year-old Lord Shiva and Hanuman temple in Sambhal, which had been closed since 1978. The temple was uncovered during an inspection related to encroachment and electricity theft. Officials have announced plans to restore the temple to its original structure.
Moscow, Dec 16 : Russia has evacuated some of its diplomats out of the Syrian capital Damascus while its embassy continues to function, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The diplomats were transported by a Russian Aerospace Forces flight from the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria to Moscow, the Ministry said on Sunday in a statement.

The flight also carried diplomats from Belarus and North Korea, it added as reported by Xinhua news agency.

"On December 15, the withdrawal of part of the personnel of the Russian (diplomatic) representation in Damascus was carried out by a special flight of the Russian Air Force from the Hmeimim air base" in Syria, the Ministry's crisis situations department said on Telegram.

The Ministry said the flight arrived at an airport near Moscow, without specifying how many people were aboard.

"The Russian embassy in Damascus continues to function," said the press statement published on Telegram.

Following an 11-day offensive, a rebel coalition dominated by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad, who fled to Russia along with his family.

His fall from power was a serious setback for Moscow, which was along with Iran, the main ally of the former Syrian President, and which had intervened militarily in Syria since 2015.

The fate of Russia's two military bases in Syria -- the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim military airfield -- is now uncertain.

The sites are key to Russia maintaining its influence in the Middle East, in the Mediterranean basin, and as far as Africa.

On Wednesday, a Kremlin spokesperson said Moscow was in contact with the new authorities in Syria regarding the bases' future.

The British government has had "diplomatic contact" with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who are now in control of the country after resting power from the ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

The UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed the development and said that HTS remains a banned terrorist outfit but the UK "can have diplomatic contact and so we do have diplomatic contact, as you would expect".

The US on Saturday also confirmed that it had made "direct contact" with the HTS rebel group which has led the rebels' uprising and is now in control of Damascus and most of Syria. Lammy's counterpart in the US, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed it.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Damascus, Dec 16 : Israeli warplanes launched multiple airstrikes, targeting former military arsenals across Syria, according to a war monitor.

The latest raids hit missile bases in Battalion 107 near Zama and weapons warehouses in rural Tartus, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday evening, an Israeli jet reportedly struck radar installations at the Deir Al-Zour Military Airport in eastern Syria.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli aircraft targeted former munitions depots dug into mountains in Rural Damascus, causing a series of powerful explosions.

There were no reports of casualties.

These attacks are part of an ongoing military campaign by Israel that began on December 8, targeting any remaining military capabilities linked to Syria's former leadership, as the country's new authorities are working to stabilise the country's security situation.

Israeli troops entered the United Nations-patrolled buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights last weekend in a move the UN said violated the 1974 armistice agreement.

The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Israel launched 61 missiles at Syrian military sites in less than five hours overnight, striking military warehouses in Homs, Deraa, Suwayda, and the Qalamoun mountains near Damascus, as well as air defences at the Hama airport.

The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and de-facto head of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, said Israelis can no longer justify their recent actions in Syria, but added that his country was not in a position to be drawn into a new conflict.

"The Israelis have clearly crossed the disengagement line in Syria, which threatens a new unjustified escalation in the region," al-Sharaa said, adding that despite the violation, "the general exhaustion in Syria after years of war and conflict does not allow us to enter new conflicts."

"The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability," he added.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country had "no interest in a conflict with Syria", adding that Israeli actions in the country were intended to "thwart the potential threats from Syria and to prevent the takeover of terrorist elements near our border".

Meanwhile, the US said on Saturday that it had made contact with HTS, despite the US having designated the group as "terrorist" in 2018.

"We've been in contact with HTS and with other parties," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters, without specifying how the contact took place.

Blinken and other diplomats from the Arab states and Turkey held talks on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan, on Saturday.
Dhaka, Dec 16 : Eight Indian military veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War reached Dhaka while eight officers of Bangladesh Army arrived in Kolkata to join the Vijay Diwas celebrations in the two countries, officials said.

Bangladesh officials and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said two serving officers from both sides comprised the delegations that will attend the celebrations in Dhaka and Kolkata. They reached their destination cities on Sunday.

The Bangladesh delegation comprised Mukti Jodhas, who were part of the guerrilla resistance force in East Pakistan opposing the Pakistan rule there.

The Vijay Diwas celebration and the visit of the two countries' delegations come amid strains over the alleged violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh since the ouster of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime in a student-led uprising on August 5. Hasina fled the country and has since taken refuge in India.

The interim government of Muhammad Yunus has firmly rejected any major communal violence. Hindus constitute around eight per cent of Bangladesh's population.

aThe exchange of veterans' visits is a reminder of friendship forged in 1971," a political analyst in Dhaka said.

He said Indian External Affairs Secretary Vikram Misri's one-day Dhaka visit on December 9 for foreign office consultations with his counterpart Jashim Uddin partly eased the tensions in bilateral ties as he also met Yunus and his de-facto Foreign Minister Touhid Hossain.

"Now the exchange of the veterans' visits is expected to manifest the goodwill of both the countries for each other," the analyst said.

Both India and Bangladesh celebrate the victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, and every year invite each other's war veterans and serving officers to participate in the celebrations in the two countries.

Bangladesh celebrates its Independence Day on March 26 but Dhaka emerged as the free capital of a free country on December 16 after nine months of Liberation War with crucial Indian assistance.

"These annual bilateral visits provide a platform for Mukti Jodhas and Liberation War veterans to celebrate the unique friendship of the two countries," the Indian High Commission said in a statement.

It added that the occasion renews memories of the Liberation War "which epitomises the shared sacrifices of the armed forces of India and Bangladesh for the cause of Bangladesh's freedom from occupation, oppression, and mass atrocities".

Vijay Diwas is not just a celebration of military success but also a reminder of India's commitment to justice and humanitarian values. The war showcased India's capability to respond decisively to aggression while standing up for oppressed populations. It also strengthened India's position as a regional power and highlighted the importance of military preparedness and strategic diplomacy.

In Bangladesh, the day is observed as Victory Day, a national holiday commemorating their liberation. The shared history of December 16 emphasises the enduring bond between India and Bangladesh.
Jerusalem, Dec 16 : The Israeli government has approved a plan to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel, according to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The $10.81-million plan, unanimously approved by the Cabinet, is being advanced "in light of the war and the new front with Syria," the statement said on Sunday.

According to the statement, the plan aims to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights. It includes establishing a student village, a development program to integrate new residents, and initiatives to strengthen the education system and renewable energy infrastructure, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time," Netanyahu said on Sunday at the start of the Cabinet meeting on the plan.

"We will continue to hold on to it (Golan Heights), make it flourish, and settle in it."

Israel captured part of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war and annexed it, despite international condemnation. Following the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government on December 8, Israel seized the UN-monitored buffer zone, a demilitarised area established in 1974 under a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

Israeli forces also took control of a Syrian army outpost and stationed troops on the summit of Mount Hermon on Golan.

Meanwhile, Israel increasingly launched airstrikes on Syrian army assets across the country, claiming to prevent the weapons "from falling into the hands of terrorist elements".

Israel's military actions have sparked condemnation from regional countries and prompted calls from the international community for respect for Syria's sovereignty.

Since the rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew the over two-decadeslong Bashar al-Assad regime on December 8, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes across Syria and carried out a land incursion that stretches past the occupied Golan Heights into a previously demilitarised buffer zone, as reported by The Washington Post.

The Israeli army swiftly took control of the abandoned army positions, and air attacks have decimated most of Syria's military capabilities.

Syria's de-facto new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, denounced what he described as Israel's "uncalculated military adventures" on Saturday while emphasising he was more interested in state-building than opening another conflict.

"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," The Washington Post quoted him as saying in an interview on Syria TV.

Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu, in a post asserted that Israel "would change" the Middle East.

"I said we would change the Middle East and this is what is happening. Syria is not the same Syria. Lebanon is not the same Lebanon. Gaza is not the same Gaza. Iran is not the same Iran," Netanyahu said in a post on X.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on a three-day state visit to New Delhi, and highlighted the "island nation's prominent role in India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook".

He further affirmed confidence that President Dissanayake's talks with Prime Minister Modi on Monday will lead to greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo.

This marks President Dissanayake's first official visit to India since taking office in September.

"Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation," the EAM said in a post on X.

Earlier, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake said he held "fruitful discussions on the matters of mutual interest" during his meetings with EAM Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"Arrived in New Delhi today (December 15) at approximately 5:30 p.m., warmly welcomed by L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and other distinguished officials. Held fruitful discussions tonight with S. Jaishankar and Ajit Doval on matters of mutual interest," Dissanayake wrote on X.

President Dissanayake arrived in India on a state visit on Sunday.

He was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan. During his visit from December 15 to 17, Dissanayake will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.

"Sri Lanka is India's closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a central place in the Prime Minister's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Speaking about the significance of the visit, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised the shared vision of collaboration between the two nations.

He described the visit as an opportunity to "deepen ties and add momentum to the people-centric partnership" that defines India-Sri Lanka relations.

Apart from political engagements, the Sri Lankan President will also attend business events in the national capital, signalling a focus on strengthening economic ties and exploring new trade partnerships.

Earlier in October, EAM Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo. The two leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties to benefit the people of India and Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake's visit is expected to address key areas of mutual interest, including maritime security, trade, and regional stability. With both nations facing common challenges and opportunities in the region, the visit is poised to strengthen their long-standing partnership and pave the way for greater collaboration in the future.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Seoul/New Delhi, Dec 16 : Hyundai AutoEver, the information technology affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, said on Monday it has established a joint venture in Indonesia to develop navigation maps for the Southeast Asian country and many others in the region.

The new firm, named Terra Link Technologies, has been jointly established with India's MapmyIndia, according to the South Korean company.

The joint venture will focus on developing high-quality automotive navigation maps for Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, reports Yonhap news agency.

Hyundai AutoEver said Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid economic growth accompanied by a sharp rise in vehicle demand, which is driving increased demand for in-vehicle navigation systems.

The company highlighted that road environments in Southeast Asia vary significantly by country, with differences in driving directions and road markings.

"We aim to build high-quality automotive maps to deliver a differentiated experience to consumers and support global automakers in enhancing their competitiveness in the field of navigation," Seo Dong-kwon, head of the navigation business division at Hyundai AutoEver, said.

MapmyIndia is India's leading deep-tech digital map data, geospatial software and location-based IoT products, platforms, solutions and APIs company, offering proprietary digital maps as a service, software as a service and platform as a service.

Last month, MapMyIndia announced that its CEO and whole-time director, Rohan Verma, will step down to launch his own consumer business.

"To fulfil his long cherished desire to build a consumer business Rohan Verma, CEO and Executive Director of Mapmyindia proposed to the board to fund a new venture outside the company," Rakesh Verma, Co-founder and CMD, MapmyIndia, had said in a statement.

MapmyIndia reported a 13.82 per cent year-on-year jump in revenue from operations to Rs 103.67 crore in Q2 FY25. However, the company also registered an 8.2 per cent drop in consolidated net profit to 30.33 crore in Q2 FY25, compared to Rs. 33.04 crore in Q2 FY24.

IANS

na/
New Delhi, Dec 16 : President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the nation in commemorating Vijay Diwas on Tuesday, paying homage to the martyrs of the 1971 war.

This historic victory not only ensured Indiaas military triumph over Pakistan but also led to the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

President Murmu, in her post on the social media platform X, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Bravehearts, writing: "On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to our valiant soldiers who displayed indomitable courage during the 1971 war, securing victory for India. A grateful nation remembers the ultimate sacrifice of our bravehearts whose stories inspire every Indian and shall remain a source of national pride."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reflected on the immense courage and dedication of the soldiers who fought in the 1971 war.

In his tribute, he wrote: "Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to Indiaas historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nationas history."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the unyielding spirit of Indiaas armed forces, stating: "Today, on the special occasion of Vijay Diwas, the nation salutes the bravery and sacrifice of Indiaas armed forces. Their unwavering courage and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe. India will never forget their sacrifice and service."

Vijay Diwas marks the day when India achieved a decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971, resulting in the liberation of Bangladesh. Indiaas role included military intervention, training the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters), and direct support that culminated in the surrender of a large number of Pakistani soldiers.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : After a fiery debate over the Constitution in the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is set to discuss the topic on Monday and Tuesday.

As per the list of business of the Upper House, there will be a "discussion on the glorious journey of the 75 years of the Constitution of India".

Before the discussion begins, an obituary reference will be made on the passing away of ex-Member Shreegopal Vyas, papers will be laid on the table by eight ministers, and various Standing Committees will also submit their reports.

The debate in the Rajya Sabha comes amid escalating tensions over a no-confidence motion filed by the Congress-led opposition against Vice President and House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Last week, the Upper House saw uproar and adjournments over the no-trust motion against Dhankhar. The opposition's motion accuses him of biased conduct.

The Rajya Sabha debate on the Constitution comes after a two-day discussion in the Lok Sabha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiated the two-day debate with a focus on its historical significance and role in shaping the nation's governance and global standing.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in her maiden speech in Parliament, said the BJP would have changed the Constitution had it not been for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi made references to Veer Savarkar which were objected to by the BJP members.

The highlight of the two-day discussion in the Lower House was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech. He said the Constitutional amendments brought by his government weren't done to tighten grip on power, in contrast with the Congress. He said the Nehru-Gandhi family had made a habit of amending the Constitution as it suited their interests, starting with the country's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru.

PM Modi also outlined 11 resolutions for the country's future. He said, "After being inspired by the inherent spirit of the Constitution, I want to present 11 resolutions in front of the Parliament for the future of the country."
Doha, Dec 16 : A Qatari diplomatic delegation has arrived in Damascus, the capital of Syria, to complete the procedures for reopening Qatar's embassy in Syria, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said.

The delegation met with representatives of "Syria's transitional government" and reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to supporting the Syrian people in their pursuit of security, peace, development, and prosperity, according to Al Ansari, Xinhua news agency reported.

Al Ansari also noted that participants of the meeting also discussed ways to enhance the flow of Qatari humanitarian aid and assessed the urgent needs of the Syrian population during this critical phase.

Qatar announced on Wednesday to reopen its embassy in Damascus, days after a militant coalition, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8. Qatar closed its embassy in Damascus in 2011, following the outbreak of anti-government protests in Syria.

Meanwhile, Russia has evacuated some of its diplomats out of the Syrian capital Damascus while its embassy continues to function, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The diplomats were transported by a Russian Aerospace Forces flight from the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria to Moscow, the Ministry said on Sunday in a statement.

"The Russian embassy in Damascus continues to function," said the press statement published on Telegram.

Following an 11-day offensive, a rebel coalition dominated by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad, who fled to Russia along with his family.
Riyadh, Dec 16 : Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar condemned the Israeli government's approval of a plan to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the decision is a continuation of efforts to sabotage Syria's chances of restoring its security and stability, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ministry stressed the need to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The UAE warned in a statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Israeli actions could exacerbate tensions in the region.

"The UAE categorically rejects all measures and practices aimed at altering the legal status of the occupied Golan Heights," the statement said, stressing that expanding Israeli settlements in Golan Heights poses a direct threat to the security, stability, and sovereignty of Syria.

In a statement, Qatar's Foreign Ministry called the decision "a new episode in a series of Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories and a blatant violation of international law."

It called on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities by compelling Israel to halt its aggressions on Syrian territories and adhere to international legitimacy.

The statement reiterated Qatar's unwavering support for Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The Israeli government approved a plan on Sunday to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel, according to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

According to the statement, the plan aims to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights. It includes establishing a student village, a development program to integrate new residents, and initiatives to strengthen the education system and renewable energy infrastructure.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 16 : A Commando attached to the Special Operation Group of the Kerala Police committed suicide by shooting himself to death, said officials here on Monday.

Vineeth, 35, unable to take work pressure after he was not given leave to be beside his pregnant wife, shot himself using his service rifle, on Sunday night at the police camp in Areecode in Malappuram district.

His death adds to the growing list of Kerala Police personnel who have committed suicide due to extreme work pressure. According to an unofficial estimate, around 90 policemen have died by suicide.

Vineeth was a Commando attached to the Special Operation Group dealing with operations to go after Maoists.

Hailing from Wayanad, he had been working non-stop for the past 45 days and despite his request for leave, the higher officials denied it.

According to those in the know of things, Vineeth was unable to bear this and took the extreme step of pulling the trigger on his body.

Soon after the incident, he was rushed to a nearby hospital but his life could not be saved.

Over the years the biggest problem facing the Kerala Police Force, regarded as one of the best in the country, is the shortage of policemen resulting in an increased workload on the existing members.

In the past five years, there have been several cases of policemen not being able to bear the work-related tension and committing suicide.

The higher-ups in the Kerala Police and the Home Department have now started counselling sessions for the policemen and by now 6,000 have been counselled.

Incidentally, unlike other jobs, the eight-hour duty structure for all in the police force has not been introduced for various reasons. Even Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, also the Home Minister admitted in the Kerala Legislative Assembly that they have been able to introduce the eight-hour duty roster only in 52 police stations.

At present there is a shortage of around 14,000 police. Many of them have to stay back for late hours as the presence of women police officials is a requirement when there is a case involving a female.

The authorities are also under duress as additional funds are required and for a while now the state has been under a deep financial crunch, even when the policing needs in the modern age have gone up dramatically.
Fairy's Day celebrated in Xizang

Ecns.cn) 13:45, December 16, 2024

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group celebrate the Fairy's Day celebration in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

The Fairy's Day, known as the "Women's Festival" in modern Xizang, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 10th month in the Tibetan calendar. The festival is to commemorate Buddha Aleanterre Brahm. During the Fairy's Day celebration, women are dressed in their most beautiful clothes and go to temples to present the traditional ceremonial scarf "Hada" to their honorable goddess and make wishes.

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group dance to celebrate the Fairy's Day celebration in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group drink highland barley wine to celebrate the Fairy's Day at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group celebrate the Fairy's Day celebration in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group celebrate the Fairy's Day celebration in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group drink highland barley wine to celebrate the Fairy's Day at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group dance to celebrate the Fairy's Day celebration in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group celebrate the Fairy's Day celebration in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

Women of the Tibetan ethnic group celebrate the Fairy's Day celebration in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has reiterated the call to work 70-hour a week, urging young people in India to work hard for the country's growth.

Murthy first suggested the idea of a 70-hour work week in 2023 to boost the country's growth. While he invited widespread criticism from people and doctors, the concept was hailed by many including Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal.

Murthy, during his recent visit to Kolkata, said that the younger generation needs to realise that they have to "work hard and work towards making India number one." He emphasised the need for Indians to strive for excellence.

"At Infosys, I said we will go to the best and compare ourselves with the best global companies. Once we compare ourselves with the best global companies, I can tell you we Indians have a lot to do" Murthy said, speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce's centenary launch alongside RPSG Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka.

"We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free ration. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?" he added.

Murthy said that he "realised the only way a country can fight poverty is by creating jobs that lead to disposable incomes. The government has absolutely no role in entrepreneurship".

He stressed that entrepreneurs play a crucial role in building nations by creating wealth and generating employment.

"Entrepreneurs build a nation as they create jobs, they create wealth for their investors and they pay taxes. Therefore, if a country embraces capitalism, it will create good roads, good trains, and good infrastructure," he said.

His comments come amid concerns of workplace stress faced by young Indians, resulting in the loss of lives of many. Health experts have also warned of severe consequences of working long hours that may not only be detrimental to the physical and mental health of the employees but may also have serious effects on their personal and social relationships.
Los Angeles, Dec 16 : Hollywood star Jamie Foxx, who is known for 'Django Unchained', has said he is "too blessed to be stressed" after he was involved in an altercation at his birthday dinner recently.

A spokesperson for the 57-year-old actor and comedian said someone from another table at a restaurant in Beverly Hills threw a glass that hit him in the mouth, reports 'Mirror.co.uk'.

After being hit, the actor had to get stitches and is now recovering. Police were called to the scene, with the spokesperson saying " the matter is now in law enforcement's hands".

Speaking out for the first time since reports of the altercation emerged, Jamie wrote on Instagram, "The devil is busy... but I'm too blessed to be stressed".

As per 'Mirror.co.uk', he also thanked his fans for watching his Netflix show, as he added in the caption, "The devil is a lie. Can't win here thank you to everybody that pray and check on me, when your light is shining bright, they try to bring you darkness but they don't know that you're built for it, the lights have been shining bright, and huge thank yous to everyone that have watched and been inspired by 'What Had Happened Was' number 1 on @netflix if you haven't checked it out please go check it out it's from my heart and my soul".

It comes days after the actor revealed for the first time exactly what happened during his terrifying health crisis last year.

Jamie broke down in tears as said he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain, meaning he "saw a tunnel" and believed he was dying after "losing 20 days".

The 'Django Unchained' actor was hospitalised in April last year after suffering a mystery "medical complication" which his family decided to keep private.

The comedian has now opened up about his experience for the first time. Speaking in his new Netflix special 'Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was....', he said, "On April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for Aspirin. I realised quickly that when you're in a medical emergency, your boys don't know what the f*** to do".

He went on, "I don't remember 20 days". At one point the teary-eyed star admitted to his live audience after declaring he was "back", "You don't know how good this feels".
Parbhani : , Dec 16 (IANS) Many areas of Parbhani town and district observed a peaceful shutdown (bandh) on Monday after the alleged accused in last week's violence -- after a statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar was desecrated -- died under mysterious circumstances in judicial custody (JC) on Sunday, December 15.

The state-level bandh call was given by Republican Sena President Anandraj Y. Ambedkar, while his elder brother and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Y. Ambedkar and other Dalit parties/groups including Republican Party of India (A) President and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Republican Party of India (K), supporting. Communist Party of India (M) leaders Ashok Dhawale and Uday Narkar have also extended support to the bandh call.

Rattled by last night's development -- on the eve of the Maharashtra Legislature Session starting in Nagpur on Monday -- the Parbhani police said that accused-arrested Somnath Vyankat Suryavanshi, was admitted to a hospital following chest pains. However, the deceased man's supporters and Dalit parties have pointed accusing fingers at the law enforcers claiming he succumbed to severe thrashing by the police after his arrest on December 11.

As soon as news of the death of labourer-cum-law student Suryavanshi, 35, spread, the police deployed tight security at various sensitive locations, even as the Republican Sena late on Sunday announced a peaceful sit-in protest outside Parbhani Collectorate plus a bandh on Monday.

Late last night, Prakash Y. Ambedkar demanded a proper post-mortem of the deceased in a government hospital with fully equipped departments like forensics, CT-MRI scans, pathology, etc., and the entire exercise should be video-graphed. The VBA chief on Monday said that the demand has been accepted and the autopsy report is likely to be available, and he reached Parbhani, to assess the situation, with a motto of 'we will fight for justice'.

"The custodial death of Somnath Suryavanshi -- a Bhim Sainik belonging to the Wadar community -- in Parbhani is gut-wrenching, sickening and intolerable to say the least. What is more deplorable is that his death happened in JC despite his bail application being approved," said a grim Prakash Ambedkar.

On December 10, an unidentified person vandalized a copy of the Constitution in the hands of Dr Ambedkar's statue outside Parbhani Railway Station, sparking tensions that degenerated into massive violence for the next couple of days. Subsequently, the perpetrator of the act was identified as one 'disturbed' person named Sopan Pawar.

Later, the Parbhani Police swooped down and booked or arrested around 300 locals, mostly Dalits including Suryavanshi, who was nabbed on December 12 and died in JC barely in 72 hours.

Taking umbrage at the incident, Union Minister Athawale urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order a thorough probe into the custodial death, dismissal of the concerned police officials, a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for Suryavanshi's family, and withdrawal of police cases filed against all the accused in last week's violence, and sparing those people who were not involved in the mayhem.

RPI(K) President Sachin Kharat urged the masses in Parbhani to observe a peaceful shutdown, where the situation is being personally monitored by ICP (Nanded Range) Shahaji Umap and other top police officials.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who initiated the debate on the Constitution in Rajya Sabha on Monday, launched a sharp attack on Congress, accusing the party of amending the Constitution repeatedly to restrict civil liberties and for their gains.

"In the last seven decades, this living document, our Constitution, has seen many amendments," she said, alleging that the first amendment under Nehru's interim government "curbed the freedom of speech".

Giving details about the First Amendment, Sitharaman said, "...The Supreme Court in 1950 had ruled in favour of the Communist magazine "Cross Roads" and the RSS organisational magazine "Organizer". But in response, the (then) interim government thought that there was a need for a first Constitutional amendment and that was brought in by the Indian National Congress (INC) and it was essentially to curb the freedom. So India, a democratic country which prides itself even today on freedom of expression saw the first interim government coming up with a Constitutional amendment which was to curb the freedom of speech of Indians and that within one year of adoption of the Constitution..."

"This First Amendment was done to harm the press and it is still affecting the freedom of media. This amendment was done by PM Nehru despite MPs being against it," she said.

She said a critical evaluation of amendments based on four criteria: whether they were genuine, their outcomes for the people, the processes adopted, and adherence to the Constitution's spirit, was required.

"The first Prime Minister of this country scrutinized the amending bill himself before its approval in Parliament. However, the debate in Parliament was far from smooth. Shri Syama Prasad Mukherjee remarked: 'You can pass a law and claim to frame and form the Constitution, but now you are treating this Constitution as mere paper. You trusted the people of this country to write it, and now you come forward and stab them in the back.' Kameshwar Singh, a member of the Constituent Assembly, also expressed disagreement, stating: 'It is highly improper to make such changes to the Constitution.' These actions showed an utter disregard for the Constitution, bypassing the judiciary," she said.

"Those who are working on amending the Constitution, if they are good people outcome will be good, if they are bad people outcome will be bad," said the Union Minister.

"Today, we hear comments from the Congress party on the judicial system, but they themselves went to great lengths in the past to undermine it. For instance, to nullify judgments, they introduced amendments. In the case of Indira Gandhi vs. Raj Narain, during the Emergency in 1975, a biography of Nehru was banned, and the film 'Kissa Kursi Ka' was also banned just because it questioned Indira Gandhi and raised critical issues...That's the extent they went to bypass judicial scrutiny. Congress speaks about protecting rights and also the judicial system...how?"

The Finance Minister while lauding the Consitution and the people of India said, " As we mark 75 years of the Constitution, it is time, I think, to reaffirm our commitment to building India, that is Bharat, which upholds the spirit and shines through this sacred document."

"...Post Second World War, over 50 countries had become independent and had their Constitution written. But many have changed their Constitutions, not just amended them but literally changed the entire feature of their Constitution. But our Constitution has stood the test of time, of course, yielded itself to very many amendments..."
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday called on countries in the Southeast Asia Region to build on the momentum created to end tuberculosis (TB).

Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region urged the need to accelerate multi-sectoral efforts to reach every affected and at-risk person. The renewed efforts must also address the socio-economic determinants and impact of the disease.

"A primary healthcare-based approach that addresses TB determinants such as undernutrition, embraces new technologies including developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence and has communities and affected populations at the center of all efforts, should be among the key elements of our reinvigorated approach," Wazed said.

According to the recent Global TB Report 2024 by the WHO, more than 50 lakh people developed TB in Southeast Asia -- accounting for 45 per cent of the global TB burden and over half of TB deaths globally in 2023.

However, the estimated number of deaths due to TB declined to 583,000 in 2023, after a peak of 763,000 in 2021. Only 22 per cent of people with TB were missed by the programme in 2023 -- a decline from 44 per cent in 2020.

Further, the report showed that more than 38 lakh people were initiated on TB treatment in the Region in 2023 -- the highest ever.

Yet, the coverage remained low with only 9 per cent of people living with HIV and less than a quarter of household contacts of bacteriologically confirmed TB patients, receiving preventive treatment, the WHO report said, adding a huge gap of nearly Rs 200 crore per year in funds.

While Wazed lauded the efforts being made by countries in the Region against TB, she cited the huge disease burden, its catastrophic socio-economic impact, and severe resource crunch calls for accelerated and urgent actions.

"There is a need for multisectoral, multidisciplinary collaboration and coordination to pool resources to end TB, leaving no one behind. Reaching the unreached, specifically those who are vulnerable and marginalised is key to our fight against TB," the Regional Director said.

"It is time to push the pedal on the momentum built collectively by the Member countries of the Region in efforts towards ending TB," Wazed added.
Nagpur, Dec 16 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Monday, said the insult to the Constitution will not be tolerated and appealed to the opposition not to do politics over the desecration of the Constitution in Parbhani.

He told the Assembly on the first day of a week-long winter session that the desecration was done by a mentally ill person and the administration has already taken action against him.

"The insult to the Constitution will not be tolerated. The person who insulted the Constitution was mentally ill. I appeal to the opposition to come up with good suggestions so that such incidents do not happen without doing politics," said CM Fadnavis.

The Chief Minister was responding to the issue raised by Congress legislator Nana Patole in the state Assembly after he introduced the newly inducted ministers in the cabinet.

The opposition also raised the killing of a Sarpanch in Beed district demanding stern action against those involved in it. The opposition claimed that the Parbhani and Beed incidents were quite serious and the government should deal firmly with those involved.

"The incidents in Beed and Parbhani are very serious. The government has taken the murder of a young sarpanch in Beed seriously. The police inspector has been sent on compulsory leave and the in-charge PSI has been suspended. Three people have been arrested in Beed. Even if some of the accused are absconding, they will definitely be found and arrested, said CM Fadnavis in his response.

Earlier, Patole demanded a detailed discussion on the Parbhani and Beed incidents. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said the discussion will take place at an appropriate time but not today as the condolence resolution will be taken up in the House.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve also raised this issue in the Upper House.

He demanded that the three absconding accused in the Beed sarpanch murder case be arrested at the earliest. He also demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and stern action.

Meanwhile, the opposition on the first day of a week-long winter session staged a protest against the use of EVMs in the elections and raised slogans against it. The protest was led by the leader of opposition in the state council Ambadas Danve who was accompanied by former leader of opposition in the state Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar and other legislators from Shiv Sena(UBT), Congress and NCP(SP).

They raised slogans like "EVM Sarkar Hi Hi" and "EVM Hatao Lokshahi Bachao". Danve also criticised the administration for not allowing the villagers from Markadwadi to conduct mock polling to protest alleged EVM tampering and its misuse during the Assembly election. Wadettiwar said the government will have to shift to ballot polls from EVMs.
Islamabad, Dec 16 : The morning of December 16, 2014, is etched in Pakistan's history as one of the goriest and gloomiest. A terrorist attack on Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar butchered about 150 students and teachers. While the incident became a breaking point for Pakistan, families of students and teachers, and people at large still ask questions to the leaders of the time. But justice has been elusive.

December 16, 2024, marks a decade after the traumatising and shocking memories of the APS attack. The incident not only shook the whole of Pakistan but also left everyone in the world shell-shocked. Unfortunately, even today, the questions and demands for justice outnumber actions taken to put an end to the menace of terrorism from the country.

After the APS attack, Pakistan decided to end the segregation of good and bad Taliban and announced a clear all-out policy to crush terrorist groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)  the militant group that claimed responsibility of the attack  and other groups through a National Action Plan (NAP). But, ten years after the incident and the introduction of NAP, a pertinent question remains  where do we stand?

Pakistan, today, is mourning in remembrance of the victims of the APS attack. All educational institutions nationwide have been closed while rallies and special prayers are to be held to observe the occasion. But the primary question continues to haunt the country as even after a decade, Pakistan is still struggling to root out terror from its soil as attacks continue to claim lives in the country every day.

"These terrorist groups enjoyed a renewed boost since 2021, when Afghan Taliban took over neighbouring Afghanistan. Since then, TTP and its affiliate groups have enjoyed extended support in every possible way to carry out their attacks in Pakistan," said strategic analyst Kamran Yousaf.

"Even though civilian casualties and attacks have come down, TTP and other of its affiliates have certainly been able to penetrate into Pakistan and have carried out multiple attacks on police and security forces. TTP poses a direct threat to Pakistan's security as it tries to become the arm of Al-Qaeda in the region," Kamran Yousaf added.

While Pakistan government claims that the Afghan Taliban are arming, facilitating, harbouring and supporting TTP and its ongoing terrorist attacks, it is also a fact that the country has fallen short and has failed to root out TTP footprints from its territory. The fact also remains that other extremist groups which operate under the umbrella of sectarianism and target other sects with violence, also continue to function openly.

"Terrorism should not have a selective identification. Be it the TTP, Al-Qaeda, ISKP or other groups spreading sectarian violence, arming sectarian groups to kill others, or using the excuse of blasphemy to extend their anti-state agendas  unless all of these groups are neutralised, the battle will be impossible to win," said Azaz Syed, senior analyst.

Today, as the country remembers the massacre in APS in 2014; family members of the departed children and teachers are still carrying demands and questions to the state, calling for the implementation of NAP without delay and providing justice to the families of those who fell victim to the brutality.

"The state must fully commit itself to end the menace of terrorism. Sadly, the state seems more focused on indulging itself in politics, manoeuvring and dictating the political parties and their opposition, leaving counterterrorism far down in the list of priorities," said senior political analyst Javed Siddique.

"If we do not want to see repeats of the tragic APS attack in the present and the future; the attitude of the state will have to change," he concluded.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has rounded off 2024 with the successful completion of the strategic disinvestment of Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd (FSNL) and the GIC Re Offer for Sale, DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Monday.

"Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) successfully completed the strategic disinvestment of Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd (FSNL) at Rs 320 crore, transferring 100 per cent equity and management control," the Secretary wrote on X.

DIPAM successfully concluded the GIC Re Offer for Sale #OFS, raising Rs 2,345.55 crore by divesting 3.39 per cent of the governmentas stake, he further stated.

aDIPAM continues to generate value for investors through the Offer for Sale and listing route for CPSEs. By ensuring holistic value creation in Central Public Sector Enterprises DIPAM ensures performance enhancement, CAPEX growth, and trust-based asset creation for investors," Pandey added.

The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) had approved the sale of 100 per cent equity shareholding of MSTC Ltd in Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd (FSNL) to Konoike Transport Co Ltd of Japan for Rs 320 crore.

FSNL, a wholly owned subsidiary of MSTC Ltd under the Ministry of Steel, was incorporated in 1979 to provide steel mill services, specialising in the recovery and processing of scrap generated during iron and steel production across various steel plants.

The completion of the sale, in September this year, marks the culmination of a strategic disinvestment process initiated in October 2016 when the CCEA granted ain-principlea approval for the sale of MSTCas equity stake in FSNL to a strategic buyer.

The disinvestment was executed through a two-stage auction process, overseen by a multi-layered decision-making mechanism that involved an Inter-Ministerial Group and a Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment.

The two-day offer for sale (OFS) of GIC Re was fully subscribed on the final day of the issue. The Centre, which held 85.78 per cent of the reinsurance company as of June 30, offered to sell up to 5.95 crore shares, representing 3.39 per cent of the total equity capital.

Shares of GIC Re, the countryas largest reinsurance company, had rallied over 75 per cent in the year ahead of the offer for sale with the company being valued at Rs 69,825 crore.
Kolkata, Dec 16 : As India and Bangladesh are marking the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas, a day that commemorates the historic victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, battle veterans and serving officers from both nations gather to reflect on the shared past, they speak with hope about the future, envisioning a stronger bond between their countries.

Talking to IANS, Wing Commander (Retired), D.J. Kler, reflected on the memories of the war: "Though 53 years have passed, but the memories are still fresh. We lost so many brave souls, and I lost many friends. Together, we helped create Bangladesh, liberated its people, and freed their women from terrible atrocities.

"Sadly, the situation there is dire today. Law and order are in shambles, and minorities, especially Hindus, are suffering. What crime have they committed? They are peaceful people, not terrorists, just ordinary citizens."

He continued with words of respect for the visiting Bangladeshi delegation. "As per our tradition, guests are treated like gods. We will honour and protect them during their visit," he said.

Major Rathindra Kumar Bhattacharya, a retired Indian officer, shared his feelings about the significance of this annual reunion.

"Every year, I return here. It feels like a homecoming, a chance to reconnect with friends and fellow veterans," he said.

On the situation in Bangladesh, he remained optimistic: "This is a temporary phase. Give it six months, and things will improve. India will never engage in actions that would attract international pressure."

From the Bangladeshi side, Major General Asim expressed his sentiments about the shared history.

"Our purpose is to celebrate the victory day for both our nations. It marks our liberation from Pakistanas occupation force, with immense support from the Indian Army. We are commemorating this day together, which is a symbol of our enduring friendship. It is an occasion we must continue to build upon for a lasting relationship," he said.

Major General Abdul Salam Chaudhuri (retired in 2009) from Bangladesh offered his perspective on the situation in his country, particularly regarding the treatment of minorities.

"There are vested interest groups who create false narratives for their own gain," he remarked.

"The true story is far different, in my belief. The relationship between India and Bangladesh is strong and will last forever. If anyone doubts that, just look at how we are here together today," he said.

Vijay Diwas, celebrated on December 16, honours Indiaas victory in the 13-day war of 1971, culminating in Pakistanas surrender in Dhaka and the birth of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan).

This day, marked by reflection and remembrance, also serves as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and Bangladesh.

This year, in a joint spirit of celebration, eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers have travelled to Dhaka for Bangladeshas Victory Day events.

In return, eight distinguished 'Mukti joddhas (freedom fighters)' and two serving officers from the Bangladesh Armed Forces have arrived in Kolkata to participate in the Vijay Diwas commemorations.

The mutual respect and camaraderie between these veterans are a hopeful sign of a bright future ahead for both nations.
Hyderabad, Dec 16 : Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) staged a protest at the Telangana Assembly complex over the alleged ill-treatment of farmers arrested in connection with the Lagacherla incident. The BRS legislators reached the Assembly building holding placards and raising slogans over the handcuffing of one of the arrested farmers.

They were stopped by the police and Assembly security personnel, saying there was no permission to enter the premises with placards.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao and senior leader T. Harish Rao were among the MLAs who participated in the protest. They demanded the immediate release of all farmers.

A farmer lodged in Sangareddy Jail was handcuffed when he was taken to a hospital after he complained of chest pain on December 12. The tribal farmer Hirya Naik was arrested in connection with the attack on officials during a public hearing on land acquisition for a pharma cluster in Lagacherla village of Vikarabad district.

Taking serious note of the incident, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had ordered a probe. The same day Sangareddy Central Prison Superintendent Santosh Roy and Jailer P. Sanjeeva Reddy were suspended.

Meanwhile, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao took potshots at the Congress government over the arrests of farmers and the recent arrest of actor Allu Arjun. He also criticised the Chief Minister over his frequent visits to the national capital.

"As the Telangana Assembly proposes to discuss 'Tourism policy', the two specific areas where Congress Govt has achieved remarkable progress in this sector are 1) Delhi Tourism - More than 100 trips of CM and all Ministers combined! 2) Jail Tourism -- 40 Kodangal farmers in Jail -- Actors in Jail even after Bail -- Social Media warriors being jailed -- LnT CFO being threatened to be jailed," Rama Rao posted on 'X'.

Meanwhile, the BRS staged a walk-out from the Assembly over the issue of non-payment of long-pending bills of former sarpanches. The former sarpanches and other public representatives have been demanding the government to pay the bills to the tune of Rs.1,300 crore.

They say that they had borrowed money to take up various development works in their villages. Both the ruling Congress and opposition BRS blamed each other for pending bills.

Minister for Panchayat Raj Seethakka said that the Congress government inherited the arrears from the previous government. She said that if the then Finance Minister Harish Rao had signed a file, all the pending bills would have been cleared.

Responding to this, Harish Rao claimed that the BRS government was releasing Rs 275 core every month to gram panchayats under Palle Pragathi programme. He said the previous government said Rs 3,300 crore were released to gram panchayats since the launch of the scheme for the development of villages.

The BRS leader slammed the Congress government for not clearing the bills of poor sarpanches, MPTCs, ZPTCs and small contractors for the last year. Terming the government's reply to the important question raised by them as 'irresponsible' the BRS staged a walk-out.
Jagdalpur, Dec 16 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday commended the Chhattisgarh government for its determined efforts in combating Maoism in the state.

Addressing a gathering in Jagdalpur, Shah praised the collaborative approach adopted by the state government and central agencies to tackle the issue effectively.

During his visit, the Home Minister interacted with surrendered Maoists and their families, offering them reassurance and support. He emphasised the government's commitment to rehabilitating those affected by the violence and urged collective efforts to uproot Maoism from the region.

"The Central government, in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh government, will ensure comprehensive support to the families impacted by Maoism. I appeal to everyone to join hands with the ongoing campaigns by both governments to eradicate this menace," he said

Highlighting the progress made in the past year, Shah noted the decline in Maoist activities, including the neutralisation of several of its top cadres. "Commendable action has been taken under the leadership of the Chhattisgarh government, utilising a well-devised strategy. I am confident that we will achieve complete elimination of Maoism from the country by March 31, 2026," he asserted.

Shah specifically praised the leadership of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, along with the tireless efforts of the state police and other security forces. "The combined efforts of the Chhattisgarh government, police, and security agencies have laid a strong foundation for this campaign. I assure you all that the goal of a Maoism-free state will be realised within the set timeline," he reiterated.

HM Shah said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave him the responsibility of the Home Ministry in 2019, he thought that those who were involved in armed movements should be given a chance to lay down their arms, surrender and live a peaceful life. "Following our initiatives, 20 peace accords were signed in the northeast and 9,000 militants surrendered," he said.

He further said that PM Modi approved 15,000 homes for surrendered Maoists under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana while the National Dairy Development Board would provide at least one cow or buffalo to such families so that they could earn Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per month.

"Today in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, I met Maoist-affected people and those who surrendered their weapons and joined the mainstream. Maoism not only deprived the country's large population of their fundamental rights for decades but also crossed all limits of inhumanity and adversely affected their lives. Maoists, who sow seeds of fear and greed in the minds of youth and lead them on the path of violence, are the biggest enemies of the society. Our government under the leadership of Modiji is committed to the empowerment and all-round development of Maoist-affected people and the youth who have given up violence and joined the mainstream," HM Shah wrote on his X handle.
Sao Paulo, Dec 16 : Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has vowed to "severely punish" those involved in the 2022 coup attempt.

"I believe that General Braga has every right to the presumption of innocence," Lula said during a press conference, referring to the detained retired general Walter Braga Netto, who served as minister of defence under former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The event, held at Sirio Libanes Hospital shortly after Lula's discharge, marked his first public appearance since undergoing emergency skull surgery last week. His medical team and first lady, Rosangela da Silva, were present by his side.

Braga Netto, accused of attempting to interfere in investigations, was arrested on Saturday following an order from the Supreme Federal Court. According to the Federal Police, Bolsonaro was allegedly planning a coup in 2022 to prevent Lula from assuming the presidency.

Lula said it is unacceptable to have high-ranking military officials in the plot to assassinate the president, Xinhua news agency reported.

Following his discharge, Lula will work at his residence in Sao Paulo until Thursday when he is due for a CAT scan to get a permit for travel to Brasilia to resume his work at the Planalto Palace.

The 79-year-old had complained of a severe headache and was admitted for emergency surgery when a hematoma was found between his brain and meningeal membrane.

Doctors confirmed that there were no injuries or other consequences from the hematoma.

The issue was linked to Lula's fall at the presidential residence, the Palacio da Alvorada, in late October when he hurt the back of his head and received five stitches, forcing him to cancel several commitments, including his trip to the BRICS summit in Russia.

The Brazillian President will seek reelection in 2026, the presidency's Secretary of Social Communication Paulo Pimenta has confirmed.

In an interview with CNN Brasil, Pimenta assured that the president was in good health following medical interventions to treat a brain bleed, adding he was "the most qualified and prepared person" to continue leading the country.

"I have no doubt that President Lula is the most qualified and capable person. And he will certainly be our candidate in 2026 to be able to maintain our project," Pimenta was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency.
Jaipur, Dec 16 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, on Monday, emphasised the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and engaging in regular exercise.

He said this during his morning walk at Central Park in Jaipur where he interacted with locals, urging them to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines, irrespective of their profession. "Stay healthy, stay happy," he told people who were present there.

The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to review the park's facilities, noting areas for improvement in the outer circle, while acknowledging the enhancements already made in the inner circle. He assured the public that the observed shortcomings would be addressed promptly. His presence at the park created a sense of enthusiasm among the crowd as he discussed topics related to health and state development. Stressing the connection between fitness and productivity, CM Sharma remarked, "A healthy body and mind are essential for better performance in any work."

It is not the first time that CM Sharma has reached out to the public during his morning walks. He has previously interacted with locals at City Park and Jawahar Circle Park in Mansarovar. On a prior visit to Central Park, he also visited the temple within the park and addressed public grievances.

On Sunday, CM Sharma celebrated his 58th birthday, which coincided with the completion of his first year in office. Several leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, extended their greetings.

Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi praised CM Sharma, saying, "Many congratulations to the hardworking leader of BJP and popular Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma on his birthday. His long experience of working at the grassroots level is proving very useful in the all-round development of the state. I pray to God for his healthy and long life."

In response, CM Sharma expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, stating, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm and affectionate wishes, respected Prime Minister! It is the result of your visionary leadership and efficient guidance that a 'New Rajasthan' has become a leading model of service, security, good governance, and overall development in the country today."

CM Sharma further added, "Under your active leadership, our government is working with full dedication and determination to realise the resolution of 'Rising Rajasthan, Developed Rajasthan." Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were among others who extended their wishes to CM Sharma on his birthday.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 16 : Days after the alleged leak of question papers for the second-term Christmas examinations in Kerala's state-run schools, the government on Monday announced a Crime Branch probe into the matter.

The controversy erupted after question papers of the Class 11 mathematics and Class 10 English examinations appeared on a YouTube channel, and got huge traction. State Education Minister V.Sivankutty had then announced that he took the incident very seriously and the General Education department would do what was necessary. Subsequently, the General Education Department lodged a police complaint on this matter.

Sivankutty, when he came to know of this, said no one will be spared and the wrongdoers will be taken to task as this is seen as a blot on the otherwise foolproof examination system, fine-tuned over several decades.

The Cyber Wing of the Kerala Police has already started a preliminary probe as it involves the alleged role played by a few private tuition centres, not to mention teachers attached to the state government schools.

The task of preparing the question papers takes place at a workshop conducted by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). The general norm regards the preparation of question papers for every subject is that two sets of question papers are made for each subject, out of which one is selected and printed at a press outside the state.

Later, it is handed over to the respective district centres from where the school Principals collect them.

With the advent of technology, the days when there was a huge competition among private centres which offered tuition and special classes for Class 10 students are gone and online tuition centres have taken over. The present alleged leakage of question papers is believed to be on account of the war between various online tuition centres.
Ranchi, Dec 16 : Tensions flared up in Ranchi as students protesting against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination were dispersed by police near the JSSC office. The demonstration, organised by student groups including the Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha (JLKM), wanted to gherao the JSSC office over claims of rigging in the CGL exam.

In anticipation of the protests, the state police had put in place tight security measures at key locations, including Raj Bhavan, the Chief Ministeras Residence, and the Secretariat.

Several barricades were set up in the area and a large number of police personnel were deployed around the JSSC premises as well, effectively turning it into a high-security zone.

Around 1.30 P.M. on Monday, a group of students assembled at Namkum Sadabahar Chowk in Ranchi and attempted to march toward the JSSC's office. However, they were stopped by police, who resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato and one associate were detained during the police action.

Despite the ongoing protests, the JSSC has gone ahead with the document verification process for candidates shortlisted in the CGL exam results. Starting Monday, the verification of certificates for 2,145 successful candidates is expected to conclude by December 20, after which the final list of selected candidates for various government positions will be released.

The CGL examination, held on September 21-22 across 823 centres in Jharkhand, was conducted to fill approximately 2,000 vacancies in state government departments.

Over 3.04 lakh candidates appeared for the test. However, allegations of paper leaks and the inclusion of repeated questions from previously cancelled exams sparked widespread outrage. Students have staged protests in multiple cities, including Ranchi and Hazaribagh, to demand justice.

On December 10, students in Hazaribagh blocked the highway for nearly four hours, prompting a police lathi-charge to clear the demonstration. The JSSC had earlier formed a committee to investigate the allegations, which later dismissed claims of irregularities.

Despite this, Chief Minister Hemant Soren recently announced that the allegations would now be probed by the CID.
Hyderabad, Dec 16 : Actor-politician Vijayashanthi on Monday said that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has no right to fight over the change in the design of the 'Telangana Talli' (Mother Telangana) statue.

Vijayashanthi recalled that in 2007, the first Telangana Talli statue was unveiled by the Talli Telangana Party, floated by her.

In a post on aXa, she said that BS Ramulu had designed Telangana Talli as the mother of the poor, weak, and marginalised communities.

Vijayashanthi, who is now with the Congress, stated the then TRS, which is now the BRS, did not design Telangana Talli.

"Subsequently, the TRS (BRS) unveiled a statue of Telangana Talli at their TRS office. However, for 10 years when they were in power, they never provided official status and respect to Telangana Talli," she wrote.

The veteran actor-turned-politician mentioned that the present Congress government under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy gave official status, and respect and also laid down government policy for Telangana Talli.

"How does a political party like BRS have a right to fight over the change in the design of Telangana Talli," she asked.

The former MP said that Telangana activists could also have fought when the BRS changed the design of Telangana Talli.

"Our Bonalu and Bathukamma culture has been and will continue for generations. There is no need for the involvement of political parties for their own interests," she added.

Vijayashanthias comments came amid a protest by the BRS over the modified Telangana Talli statue, unveiled at the state Secretariat on December 9.

While the Congress claims that it reflects the true culture and traditions of Telangana, the BRS has accused it of insulting Telanganaas heritage.

BRS leaders have called the modified statue aCongress Tallia as it displays the partyas poll symbol - the ahanda.

The omission of Bathukamma in the modified design has angered the BRS. In the earlier design, the mother was shown carrying Bathukamma (specially arranged flowers) in her left hand and plants in her right hand but in the modified version, the mother is seen carrying plants in her left hand and showing aAbhaya Mudraa with her right hand.

BRS MLC K. Kavitha has launched a protest against the Congress governmentas action. She is leading protest programmes by playing aBathukammaa with other women leaders and workers of the party.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi reached Parliament on Monday with a 'Palestine' tag on her handbag, drawing the attention of fellow Parliamentarians and television cameras alike.

It is seen as a move by the Congress MP to express solidarity with Palestinians amidst the months-long military face-off with Israel.

Priyanka has been vociferous about the Israel-Gaza fight in the recent past and termed Israeli actions in Gaza as "barbaric and inhuman."

As the photo of Priyanka Gandhi smiling and flaunting a bag that reads "Palestine" landed on social media, it ignited a storm of reactions from netizens with many expressing shock and surprise while others raised eyebrows over her espousal of the cause of Palestinians.

Priyanka's symbolic support for Palestine comes a day after her meeting with Palestine embassy charge d'affaires Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer. The Palestinian diplomat met Priyanka at her residence days ago, to congratulate her on Lok Sabha victory from Wayanad and also suggested a leadership role for India in reaching a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.

Notably, the Congress General Secretary has been vocal in condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and called its military offensive a violation of international law.

"It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli government's genocidal actions and force them to stop," Gandhi had expressed on X in July.

In October last year, the Gaza-based Hamas operatives launched a major terror strike in Israeli territory, killing more than one thousand Israelis and taking away many more as captives. It was after this terror attack that Israeli forces launched a large-scale military operation and hit Hamas hard inside Palestine.

India had strongly condemned the October 7, 2023 terror attack in Israel and also demanded the immediate release of Israeli civilians from Hamas' captivity.
Moscow, Dec 16 : Young children and professionals from 65 countries, including India, have taken part in AIChallenge, an international AI competition for children organised by Sberbank and AI Alliance Russia.

India became second in the number of registered participants at the AI Challenge. Participants from other BRICS countries include Ethiopia, Egypt, and South Africa.

The children worked on technological business cases in 16 areas, spanning metallurgy, agriculture, investment, creative industries, and many more.

The participants competed in three categories of varying complexity. Everyone, regardless of their level of knowledge and skill in the field, was able to prove themselves by working on business challenges using AI solutions.

The AI Challenge winners were from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Canada. The youngest AI Challenge winner, Oleg Zamkov from Moscow, is 10 years old.

"The AI Challenge contest is designed to help kids improve their AI skills and make their first contribution to the development of technology for the benefit of humanity. In partnership with AI Alliance Russia and leading Russian universities, we are creating new opportunities to train world-class, talented young professionals in Russia," AlexanderVedyakhin, first deputy chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank:

The winners of the Al Challenge noted that it was fun and challenging to work on technological business cases. With AI Challenge, boys and girls have become more confident in their abilities, fostered their AI and teamwork skills, and are now ready for even more challenging competitions.

"I am a technology enthusiast, and I was fascinated by the contest's themes. I enjoyed competing with other kids. I learned how AI works, and I was able to put that knowledge into practice while doing the contest tasks," said Oleg Zamkov, a contestant who came second in the Beginners track.

"It was challenging but fun. The competition helped me improve my skills in at-work interactions and team organisation along with AI and programming skills. I think that, in the future, AI will become a very useful tool in all areas of our lives. AI is already being implemented in many processes around the world, and it is important to understand how and what exactly is happening," added another contestant IvanFenster, Team 42, Researchers track.

About 18 teams from the Researchers track and 26 participants from the Beginners and Creators individual tracks were judged as the best and shared the 17 mn roubles as prize money.

The winners of the Researchers track, in addition to the cash prize, will have the opportunity to undergo a unique educational programme by AI Alliance Russia and Central University.

AI Challenge winners will also receive several benefits, including scholarships from leading Russian universities that are academic partners of the competition: Innopolis University, Central University, and ITMO University.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, meet at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, December 16, 2024.. Image Source: IANS/Qamar Sibtain

New Delhi, Dec 16 : Thanking India for its "immense support" during the unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday also assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will not allow the island nation to be used in any way that is detrimental to the interest of India.

"I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support to India," Dissanayake said after holding discussions with PM Modi at New Delhi's Hyderabad House.

Dissanayake, who had arrived in India on Sunday evening on what is his first official foreign visit since assuming office, expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi for support and warm hospitality, emphasising that the ongoing visit has paved the way for further development of cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

"We faced an unprecedented economic crisis two years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process. I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka," said the visiting President.

PM Modi mentioned that he has assured the Lankan President that India will remain a trusted and reliable partner in Sri Lanka's various development efforts.

"We completely agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The people-to-people relations between India and Sri Lanka are linked to our civilisations," stated PM Modi during the joint press conference.

PM Modi said that both sides also had a detailed discussion on the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen.

While Prime Minister Modi suggested moving forward with a "humane approach" in the matter, Dissanayake said that a "durable and sustainable" solution is needed on the issue, that he said has become a "plague" for both the countries.

"There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry," he said.

The Lankan President lauded India's "tremendous success" in digitising the public services and remarked that Sri Lanka is also taking the same path with PM Modi assuring him of support in the endeavour.

Dissanayake is also scheduled to meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and participate in a business forum aimed at strengthening investment and trade ties between the two countries before travelling to Bodh Gaya.

The visiting delegation also includes Vijitha Herath - Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism Minister - and the country's Minister of Labour and Deputy Economic Development Minister Anil Jayanta Fernando.

Soon after his arrival on Sunday, the Lankan President had met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"Extensive discussions were held between President Dissanayake and Minister Sitharaman on enhancing Indo-Sri Lankan economic cooperation and expanding investment opportunities between the two countries. The talks also covered bringing more Indian tourists to Sri Lanka, modernizing Sri Lankaas agriculture sector, and developing digital infrastructure," the Lankan President's office said in a statement on Monday.
Belagavi : , Dec 16 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, on Monday said that the former Chairman of the State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippady, was doing a U-turn due to political pressure.

Speaking to reporters at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, he said, "I watched Anwar Manippady's statements on social media. He had said that he had written to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The Chief Minister has also quoted his statements in a post on X. The records won't go anywhere, let him release the documents before we do."

He was replying to queries on Anwar Manippady retracting his statement.

Asked about the CM's statement that the investigation must be handed over to the CBI, he said, "All facts are before us. Let the CBI write to the state government seeking permission to investigate, we will think about it then. We will not hand this over to the CBI. The BJP knows this and hence are seeking a CBI enquiry."

Asked why so much confusion was being created about this issue, he said the media was the one doing it.

"You are the one who is creating the confusion. You have reported what Anwar said and the CM has also quoted his statement in a post. Anwar has been made to issue a new statement to cover it up. The media should investigate it," he said.

Asked about Anwar's statement that Congress leaders had made an offer to him, he said, "He should have said this earlier itself. What is the use of saying it now? What one says in power is more important."

On Sunday, Anwar Manipaddy refuted the bribery charge made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah against BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra stating that Congress leaders had offered him bribes to suppress the Waqf encroachment report.

Anwar Manipaddy further said that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had genuine concern for Muslims, he should hand over his report on Waqf encroachments to the CBI.

On Saturday, CM Siddaramaiah alleged that B.Y. Vijayendra had "tried to bribe" the former Minority Commission Chairman with Rs 150 crore during the previous government to suppress a probe into Waqf property encroachments.

Vijayendra challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday on the floor of the House to hand over the Waqf probe to the CBI.

"Including the allegation against me of offering Rs 150 crore to the former Minority Commission Chairman to hush up the issue, the encroachments of Waqf properties by Congress leaders should be handed over to the CBI," he demanded.
Islamabad, Dec 16 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken serious note of the boat capsize incident in southern Crete Island of Greece, which was carrying dozens of Pakistanis trying to enter Europe illegally. He directed the country's interior ministry to identify and nab the mafia of human traffickers operating in the country.

So far, at least one Pakistani is confirmed dead while at least 47 others have been rescued following incidents of capsized boats in the south of Crete Island of Greece on Sunday. Pakistan foreign office stated that they cannot confirm the number of deceased or missing Pakistani nationals for now.

"According to initial reports, 47 Pakistanis are among those rescued following yesterday's incidents of capsized boats in Crete Island of Greece. One Pakistani is confirmed to be among the dead. At this stage, we are unable to confirm the number of deceased or missing Pakistani nationals," read a statement issued by Pakistan's foreign office.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, "Human trafficking is a tragic crime that claims many lives and causes numerous families to suffer every year."

"Human traffickers are a cruel mafia who exploit the poor by deceiving them with false and ambitious dreams," he added.

The boats were carrying cargo vessels, carrying illegal migrants, who were trying to enter Europe illegally. The incident has opened up focus on the presence of networks of human traffickers operating in different parts of Pakistan, who target the poor and struggling people to manipulate them into using illegal means to get out of the country.

"Human Trafficking is a heinous practice that causes immeasurable pain and suffering," said the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari.

The boat capsize incident has also prompted the Pakistan government to activate its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to provide assistance in the identification of Pakistani nationals and other activities related to their required help.

"The embassy has also activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to support Pakistanis in Greece", maintained the Pakistan foreign office.

Moreover, Pakistan's interior ministry has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to initiate immediate action against the human trafficking mafia along with smuggling networks in the country.

"In response to the tragedy, the interior minister has constituted an inquiry committee tasked with investigating the incident which is expected to submit its findings within five days", maintained Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Belagavi : , Dec 16 (IANS) Anguished over the Siddaramaiah government's refusal to allow the Panchamasali Lingayat community to stage a protest over reservation quota in Belagavi, BJP MLA and senior leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Monday said the current dispensation has turned out to be "complete pro-Muslim".

Speaking to reporters here on the Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan's categorical no to the protest, Yatnal stated, "We will ask the Deputy Commissioner for his opinion on not permitting the Panchamasali protest. We will ask whether there is democracy in Belagavi or whether the Deputy Commissioner wants to carry out Hitler's rule. The Congress government has an allergy towards agitations by the Hindus."

He further charged, "The government thinks of those Muslims as innocents who do arson and set fire to things. The party adores them. Our Home Minister G. Parameshwara questions the protest by farmers who feed him, but he loves Muslim law-breakers. They are withdrawing all cases related to K.G. Halli and D.J. Halli, Hubballi riot and violence incidents."

"The Home Minister also stated that all cases against Muslims and the Popular Front of India (PFI) would be taken back. Today, the Adijambava community pressing for internal reservations is also troubled. They have not been given permission to protest," Yatnal stated.

"The Dalits and backwards are also not allowed to protest. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's love for Muslims is evident at the outset. He orders lathi-charges on other communities... The conspiracy by CM Siddaramaiah won't be successful in the long run...CM Siddaramaiah will realize in the next elections how his attitude of appeasing Muslims will backfire. The people will teach him a befitting lesson. This has become a complete Muslim government. The Congress government is enacting a drama and blackmailing. The Congress leaders are involved in an FIR against protesters in connection with the Panchamasali Lingayat reservation agitation. The FIR is vague and they have not mentioned names. It won't stand in the court and when the BJP comes to power, the FIR would be withdrawn," he declared.

The Panchamasali Lingayat community had organized a protest near the office of the Deputy Commissioner on Monday condemning the lathi charge on protesters near the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha last Tuesday. Kudalasangama Panchamasali peeth seer Basava Jayamrutynjaya Swami had given a call for the protest.

Reacting over the denial of permission, the seer stated that it is the habit of the government to prevent the protests and it is his duty to stage a protest. "The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should apologize and police officers who carried out the lathi charge should be suspended," the seer demanded.

Meanwhile, the BJP members in the Legislative Council came to the well of the House and staged a protest condemning the lathi charge on Panchamasali Lingayats. They demanded an apology from the government.

The BJP members took back the protest after the floor leader, Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology N. Boseraju assured that Home Minister G. Parameshwara would reply on the issue.

Panchamasali Lingayats are demanding reservation under the 2A Category under which 15 per cent of reservation is given for various backward communities. Presently, they are accommodated in the 3B Category where low-income families can avail the reservation along with all sects of Lingayats and other communities including Christians.
Kolkata, Dec 16 : West Bengal Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Minister and the Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has started facing criticism from his own party leaders, including Muslims also, for his recent comments predicting that the current "religious minorities" will soon become "majorities" in the state as well as the country.

Kolkata, Dec 16 (IANS) West Bengal Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Minister and the Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has started facing criticism from his own party leaders, including Muslims also, for his recent comments predicting that the current "religious minorities" will soon become "majorities" in the state as well as the country.

The two Trinamool Congress MLAs who criticized Hakim have the same name -- Humayun Kabir. Soon after Hakim's comments made during a public programme went viral on social media on Saturday evening, the party legislator from Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad district Humayun Kabir advised the minister to be more careful about what he was saying at a public forum.

His namesake and the party legislator from Debra constituency in West Midnapore district, who happens to be a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, made a more scathing attack through his social media post.

He started his post on his social media wall by referring to a line by iconic Indian actor Late Rajesh Khanna in the legendary movie 'Anand' -- 'Jindagi lambi nahi bari honi chahiye Hujur Hakimji (Life should not be long but big, Mr Hakaimji)'.

"We want quality not quantity. It is better to have just two kids who will either become teachers or doctors or even cops like me, rather than having five kids who will become hawkers or migrant labourers or rickshaw pullers or vegetable vendors," read his post.

Soon after Hakim's comments surfaced, the BJP leaders launched scathing attacks against him.

BJP Information Technology cell chief and the party central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya made a statement claiming that after revealing his true intentions by describing non-Muslims as "unfortunate" and endorsing Dawat-e-Islam's efforts to convert Hindus to Islam, Hakim has now claimed that West Bengal and the rest of India will soon have a Muslim majority.

West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar also questioned why the other constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc were silent and refraining from condemning such a statement by Firhad Hakim.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Thanking India for its "immense support" during the unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday also assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will not allow the island nation to be used in any way that is detrimental to the interest of India.

"I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support to India," Dissanayake said after holding discussions with PM Modi at New Delhi's Hyderabad House.

Dissanayake, who had arrived in India on Sunday evening on what is his first official foreign visit since assuming office, expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi for support and warm hospitality, emphasising that the ongoing visit has paved the way for further development of cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

"We faced an unprecedented economic crisis two years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process. I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka," said the visiting President.

PM Modi mentioned that he has assured the Lankan President that India will remain a trusted and reliable partner in Sri Lanka's various development efforts.

"We completely agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The people-to-people relations between India and Sri Lanka are linked to our civilisations," stated PM Modi during the joint press conference.

PM Modi said that both sides also had a detailed discussion on the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen.

While Prime Minister Modi suggested moving forward with a "humane approach" in the matter, Dissanayake said that a "durable and sustainable" solution is needed on the issue, that he said has become a "plague" for both the countries.

"There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry," he said.

The Lankan President lauded India's "tremendous success" in digitising the public services and remarked that Sri Lanka is also taking the same path with PM Modi assuring him of support in the endeavour.

Dissanayake is also scheduled to meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and participate in a business forum aimed at strengthening investment and trade ties between the two countries before travelling to Bodh Gaya.

The visiting delegation also includes Vijitha Herath - Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism Minister - and the country's Minister of Labour and Deputy Economic Development Minister Anil Jayanta Fernando.

Soon after his arrival on Sunday, the Lankan President had met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"Extensive discussions were held between President Dissanayake and Minister Sitharaman on enhancing Indo-Sri Lankan economic cooperation and expanding investment opportunities between the two countries. The talks also covered bringing more Indian tourists to Sri Lanka, modernizing Sri Lankaas agriculture sector, and developing digital infrastructure," the Lankan President's office said in a statement on Monday.
Agartala/Imphal/Aizawl, Dec 16 : Various northeastern state governments, the Army and other organisations on Monday celebrated the 53rd anniversary of 'Vijay Diwas' with wreath-laying ceremonies and other events organised at the war memorials and other places.

On December 16, 1971, at Ramna Race Course, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka, Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, leading the Allied Forces (comprising Indian troops and Mukti Bahini), accepted the surrender of the Pakistan Forces chief, Lt. Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 Pakistani troops. This decisive victory in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 led to the liberation of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh. To commemorate this historic victory, Vijay Diwas is observed annually on December 16 across India and Bangladesh, honouring the sacrifices and valour of those who fought in the war.

To mark Vijay Diwas, the Army and Assam Rifles have been organising a series of events in Tripura, which played a vital role during the 1971 war from where the Army launched major offensive campaigns and operations during the Liberation War and local population supported the cause.

A series of events were held at the iconic Albert Ekka War Memorial on the outskirts of Agartala with the atmosphere charged with patriotism as the nation paid homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.

The highlight of this solemn occasion was a poignant wreath-laying ceremony led by Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu. Red Shield Division commander and other senior officials from the Army were also present at the ceremony which served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers.

In Mizoram, joining the nationwide observation of Indiaas victory in the India-Pakistan War of 1971, the state observed the Vijay Diwas at the War Memorial at Treasury Square in Aizawl. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati led the floral tributes to pay homage and respect to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Home Minister K. Sapdanga, Lt. Col. Clement Lalhmingthanga (retd), and many other Army and civil officials followed the Governor in paying tribute to the fallen soldiers by laying wreaths at the memorial.

In Manipur, the main function of the Vijay Diwas was held at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall, Imphal. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Forest Minister Biswajit Singh and officials paid floral tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the 1971 war.

The day was also celebrated in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of northeast India.

Security analyst Manas Paul said: "The 1971 war comprised two major operations --- Operation 'Cactus Lily' and Operation 'Nut Cracker' -- and 57 Mountain Division was actively involved in both operations with firepower support from 57 Mountain Artillery Brigade. Both operations progressed from Agartala westwards towards Dhaka. The war finally culminated on December 16, 1971, with the unconditional surrender of the Pakistani soldiers."
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Online skills and learning platform upGrad has recorded a loss of Rs 560 crore in FY24, a decrease from a Rs 1,142 crore loss in FY23.

In the last fiscal, the companyas EBITDA (including one-time cost) loss stood at Rs 285 crore against Rs 558 crore in FY23.

The total income of the higher education and upskilling company grew 30 per cent year-on-year (YoY) basis to Rs 1,547 crore in FY24. It was Rs 1,194 crore in FY23.

upGrad spent Rs 340 crore on marketing and advertising in FY24 as against Rs 387 crore in FY23.

Further, the company's spend on content delivery has come down from Rs 240 crore in FY23 to Rs 226 crore in FY24. The edtech company spent Rs 77 crore on product and technology in FY24, against Rs 40 crore in FY23.

In FY24, the company's enterprise business grew by nearly 50 per cent compared to FY23, with key partners across industries including GCC, automobile, ITES, BFSI, manufacturing and services.

Last month, Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek invested an additional $60 million in Upgrad at a valuation of $2.25 billion. Temasek holds about a 20.5 per cent stake in the company. The company has raised $320 million in funding since inception.

The company was founded in 2015 and offers online and hybrid skill, certification and boot camp programmes. Upgradas Co-founder and Chairperson, Ronnie Screwvala and his family hold a 45 per cent shareholding in the company.

upGrad recently announced that it created 55,000 jobs in FY24. Hiring was majorly seen in marketing, data, and tech domains and about 50 per cent were placed in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. In FY24, upGrad's Enterprise arm also upskilled and trained nearly 600,000 corporate professionals.
Hyderabad, Dec 16 : Rachakonda Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu on Monday denied that there was any delay in taking action against veteran actor Mohan Babu in the cases registered against him.

The Commissioner told media persons that the police would obey the orders of the High Court, which has given Mohan Babu tile till December 24 to appear before the police.

Sudheer Babu said if there was no response from Mohan Babu after December 24, they would serve a fresh notice.

Mohan Babu was admitted to a hospital on the night of December 10 with complaints of high blood pressure and anxiety following a clash at his house in Jalpally when his actor son Manchu Manoj broke the gate after he was stopped by the bouncers deployed there.

Rachakonda Commissioner, who is also the Additional District Collector, had summoned Mohan Babu and his sons Manchu Vishnu and Manchu Manoj on December 11 for a hearing with regard to the cases booked against them.

Mohan Babu and his sons were booked under BNS sections 329 (4) (criminal trespass and house trespass) and 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) r/w 3 (5).

Mohan Babu had approached the High Court seeking exemption from appearing before the Police Commissioner. His two sons separately appeared before the Commissioner, who took an undertaking from them that they would do nothing which precipitated the matter further.

The Commissioner said a total of three cases have been registered with regard to the dispute in the family of Mohan Babu. He revealed that the investigations were on all three cases.

He clarified that the senior veteran actor does not have any gun license under the jurisdiction of the Rachakonda Commissionerate. "We have received information that Mohan Babu has two guns with him. In the notices served to the actor, we have asked Mohan Babu to deposit his two guns with him anywhere," he said.

The veteran actor, who is also a former Member of Parliament, was booked for an attempt to murder when he grabbed the mike of a TV reporter and attacked him during the ruckus at his house on December 10.

Mohan Babu last week approached Telangana High Court for anticipatory bail in an attempt to murder case. The High Court adjourned to December 19 the hearing on anticipatory bail petition.

The FIR was registered on a complaint by M. Satyanarayana, a reporter for Telangana news channel TV9.

Mohan Babu attacked the TV reporter when the latter had gone to his residence in Jalpally to cover the ongoing dispute between the veteran actor and his actor son Manchu Manoj.

The veteran actor, who apologised to the injured journalist and the TV channel, visited the hospital on Sunday and called on the journalist. He once again apologised to the reporter and his family members.
Dubai, Dec 16 : Zimbabwean players have been fined 10 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate in the third T20I against Afghanistan in Harare on Saturday.

"Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Zimbabwe were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration," ICC said in a release.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Iknow Chabi and Forster Mutizwa, third umpire Percival Sizara and fourth umpire Langton Rusere laid the charge.

Zimbabwe are currently hosting Afghanistan for an all-format tour, which started with a three-match T20I series between the two sides.

After losing the first T20I by four wickets, Afghanistan bounced back strong and registered victories by 50 runs and three wickets, respectively, to seal the series 2-1.

The two teams will now contest in three ODIs that will be followed by two Test matches. The first ODI will be played in Harare on Tuesday.
Lucknow, Dec 16 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the Winter Session of the Assembly on Monday, accused the Opposition of turning a blind eye to violence against Hindus in Sambhal in the state. Yogi Adityanath stated that 209 Hindus have been killed in communal incidents in Sambhal since 1947.

Yogi Adityanath elaborated on the history of violence in the region, saying, "Riots started in Sambhal from 1947 itself. One person was killed in 1947, six more in 1948. Between 1958 and 1962, several riots took place, and five people were killed in 1976. In 1978, 184 Hindus were burnt alive in mass violence, leading to curfews lasting several months. Riots continued into the 1980s, which claimed more lives -- one in 1980, one in 1982, and four in 1986. Violence persisted in 1990-1992, with five deaths, and in 1996, with two more deaths."

He accused the Opposition of remaining silent during these incidents.

"Since 1947, 209 Hindus have been killed in Sambhal, but not a single word was spoken for the innocent victims. Those shedding crocodile tears today never stood for justice back then," he said.

Yogi Adityanath also recounted the horrors of the 1978 riots, alleging that a Hindu moneylender who had provided loans to locals was targeted, along with others who had sought refuge in his home.

"They were surrounded, brutally attacked and murdered in the most inhuman ways. Yet, Opposition leaders dare to talk about harmony today," he said.

Yogi Adityanath also pointed to Uttar Pradesh's improved law and order situation under his government. Citing NCRB data, Yogi Adityanath said, "From 2017 onwards, there has been a 9799 per cent reduction in communal riots in Uttar Pradesh. There have been no major riots in the state since 2017, unlike during the Samajwadi Party's tenure from 2012 to 2017, when 815 communal riots occurred, leading to 192 deaths. Between 2007 and 2011, under the BSP's rule, there were 616 communal incidents with 121 deaths."

He also criticised Opposition parties for attempting to create tension over religious matters, particularly in Sambhal.

Referring to recent developments, he said, "On the court's instructions, a survey was conducted peacefully in Sambhal on November 19, 21, and 24. However, tensions escalated on November 23, following provocative speeches delivered during Friday prayers. The atmosphere deteriorated after that."

Responding to Leader of the Opposition, Yogi Adityanath said, "Even historical records like the Baburnama mention the destruction of a Harihar temple to build a structure. The Puranas also state that Sambhal will be the site of the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The survey, being conducted under the court's direction, will reveal the truth."

He also talked about the historical and cultural connections of the region, asserting, "Even today, many in Sambhal, including Pathans and Sheikhs, acknowledge that their ancestors were Hindus. This ongoing conflict is between Indian and foreign Muslims, this is a struggle for supremacy, not faith."

CM Yogi accused the Opposition of trying to mislead the public. "The truth cannot be hidden forever. We have said that a judicial enquiry will be conducted and eventually the truth will come out," he said.
Chennai, Dec 16 : The Madras High Court has strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu government for its slow action in addressing corruption charges and misappropriation cases involving state government employees.

A division bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and M. Jothiraman remarked on Monday that despite numerous complaints, even basic services were not being provided to the public without the involvement of corruption.

The court highlighted widespread complaints of corruption across state government departments, including uniformed services.

The bench directed the Tamil Nadu Home Secretary to respond by January 6, 2025, detailing the government's stance and actions against these allegations.

Justice Subramaniam observed: "It is painful to note that poor people have to shell out thousands of rupees as bribe money just to obtain nativity certificates, patta, and other essential documents. When government employees receive their salaries and allowances on time, why should the poor suffer?"

The court further questioned whether the state government was effectively monitoring and controlling the actions of uniformed personnel. It sought clarity on whether appropriate action was being taken against police and prison department officials for lapses, dereliction of duty, and abuse of power.

These observations were made during the hearing of a writ petition that alleged prisoners had not been paid wages for several months.

The petitioner's counsel, M. Radhakrishnan and P. Pugalenthi brought to the court's attention multiple corrupt practices allegedly occurring in the prison department.

Responding to the court's queries, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) R. Muniyapparaj informed that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had registered a First Information Report (FIR) on December 12, 2024, regarding the misappropriation of Rs. 1.63 crore by officials at Madurai Central Prison between 2019 and 2021.

The APP stated that the FIR named former Superintendent of Prison M. Urmila (currently serving in Cuddalore), jailor S. Vasanthakannan (now Additional Superintendent in Palayamkottai), Administrative Officer M. Thiyagarajan (currently in Vellore), and eight others.

The APP explained that the delay in registering the FIR was due to difficulties in obtaining necessary information from various government departments.

This response was prompted by the court's dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay in filing the FIR.

Expressing displeasure over the slow progress of investigations into cases involving the misappropriation of public funds by government servants, the court directed the Home Secretary to address the issue and provide a comprehensive response by January 6, 2025.
Seoul, Dec 16 : The Ukrainian military has released photos and footage of what appear to be dozens of North Korean soldiers killed along with Russian troops in Russia's western Kursk border region, a Ukrainian media outlet has said.

Ukrainska Pravda reported Sunday, citing information from a drone unit, that the soldiers whose bodies were shown covered in snow were killed during assaults in the Russian region bordering Ukraine on Saturday, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The Madiar channel emphasised that this is a collaborative effort of FPV (first person view)-drone pilots of the 414th Unmanned Strike Aviation Systems Regiment, the Mahura Brigade, the 95th Air Assault Brigade, the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, the 1st Tank Brigade and the 17th Tank Brigade," the outlet said.

The details of the post shared on the drone unit's Telegram channel could not be verified immediately.

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia could extend its deployment of North Koreans to other parts of the front line.

"We already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them," Zelenskyy said in an address.

"The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region. So far, only there. But we have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the front line," he said.

South Korea and the US have accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers to Russia, with some of them engaging in combat in the western Kursk border region.

Last month, it was reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a meeting with Russia's visiting Defence Minister and expressed his support for Russia's war efforts against Ukraine.

According to the Pyongyang's state media Kim had a "friendly and trustworthy" meeting with Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov on November 29 amid reports of North Korea sending thousands of its troops to Russia in support of Moscow's war against Ukraine.

In the meeting, Kim Jong-un condemned the US and the West for permitting Ukraine to use supplied long-range missiles for strikes against Russia, calling the move a "direct" military intervention, Yonhap reported.

Kim affirmed that "the DPRK government, army and people will invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the imperialists' moves for hegemony," using the acronym of North Korea's official name.

North Korea and Russia have been bolstering military cooperation under a major Defence treaty signed in June that calls for providing military assistance "without delay" if either side comes under attack.
Hyderabad, Dec 16 : The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Legislative Party has sought permission of Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad to approve a privilege motion against Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka for presenting misleading data on Telangana's debt.

The BRS leaders accused the government of inflating debt figures to Rs 7 lakh crore, contrary to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) report citing the debt as 3.89 lakh crore.

"The Finance Minister's statements misled the Assembly and people of Telangana," BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao said, citing the RBI Handbook of Statistics on Indian States.

The BRS demanded that the government present accurate debt figures in the Assembly or allow the Privilege Motion for debate. KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, highlighted past precedence when a similar motion was permitted under Speaker Manohar against then Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, emphasising the need to uphold legislative traditions.

The BRS also strongly criticized the government for prioritising tourism discussions in the Assembly while ignoring pressing issues like the Lagacherla farmers' imprisonment. KTR called for an immediate debate on the incident, stressing its significance, especially as it occurred in the Speaker's home district, Vikarabad.

KTR took a sarcastic dig at the government, coining the terms "Delhi Tourism" and "Jail Tourism". He accused the administration of prioritising frequent trips to Delhi and unjustly jailing dissenters, including Lagacherla farmers, social media activists, and opposition leaders.

Raising concerns over unpaid dues to sarpanches, the BRS pointed out the government's selective fund allocation favouring large contractors. KTR urged the Speaker to intervene and address these financial hardships faced by local representatives.

The BRS leader expressed outrage over new restrictions preventing former MLAs from entering the Assembly premises. He contrasted this with the openness during the BRS regime, where ex-legislators had free access to Ministers and the Chief Minister.

"Symbols of protest like nooses, dried crops, and lanterns were once permitted in the Assembly. Now, even placards are being restricted," KTR remarked, accusing the government of silencing opposition voices.

KTR criticised Vikramarka for announcing financial aid for tenant farmers outside the Assembly, bypassing legislative norms. "Such announcements should be made within the Assembly, where questions can be raised," he said.

Bhatti's announcement that Rs 12,000 financial assistance would be provided to agricultural labourers was termed as a violation of Assembly procedures. It was pointed out that policy decisions should be announced only in the Assembly when it is in session, and Vikramarka seemed to have forgotten this principle. It was also informed that this matter was brought to the attention of the Speaker.

Questioning the credibility of the government's welfare promises, KTR stated: "The public no longer trusts Sankranti schemes or votes in the name of deities. The government has failed to deliver on its commitments."
New Delhi, Dec 16 : There are 21 "fake universities" operating in the country and the respective state governments are taking action against them, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) There are 21 "fake universities" operating in the country and the respective state governments are taking action against them, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in a reply in Lok Sabha that the list of fake universities is available on the website of the University Grants Commission (UGC) at https://www.ugc.gov.in/universitydetails/Fakeuniversity.

Out of these 21 "fake universities", a maximum of eight are functioning in Delhi, according to the website.

The Minister said that to prevent these institutions from defrauding and cheating students by misrepresenting themselves as "Universities," the Central government has requested Chief Secretaries of all the states and Union Territories to take legal action for the closure of these institutions.

In a reply to questions from Sudheer Gupta and Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, the Minister said that apart from issuing public notices for general awareness through social media and UGC website for cautioning the general public, students, parents and other stakeholders, other steps have also been taken by the UGC/government against such "fake Universities."

He said that FIRs have been lodged against several self-styled institutions/universities and show cause notices/warning notices have also been issued to the unauthorised institutes awarding invalid degrees.

In response to another question, Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar told the Lok Sabha that there has been an overall increase of Rs 2875.29 crore in the budget allocation to the Department of Higher Education in 2024-25 as compared to 2023-24.

The Department's total budget in 2024-25 was Rs 47,619.77 crore as compared to Rs 44,744.48 crore in 2023-24, MoS Majumdar said in reply to a question from Dushyant Singh.

In response to a question on public expenditure on institutions of higher education in Rajasthan, the MoS said that a total of Rs 556.86 crore has been released in FY 2024-25 till November 30, 2024, to three Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions in Rajasthan, namely IIT Jodhpur, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur and Central University of Rajasthan.

Further, Rs 535.99 crore was provided for setting up IIM Udaipur and IIIT Kota in Rajasthan, the MoS said.
Belagavi : , Dec 16 (IANS) Karnataka BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest condemning the series of maternal deaths across the state near the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on Monday.

BJP state Mahila President, K. Manjula, while addressing the gathering stated that the party's workers were staging the protest to question the government on the series of post-delivery deaths.

"The maternal deaths in Ballari are Congress government sponsored deaths," K. Manjula alleged.

"The 2,200 Primary Health Centres (PHC) in the state have failed to ensure treatment to pregnant women and in this background, they are getting admitted to the district hospitals and dying. This is the reason behind the maternal deaths in the state," Manjula claimed.

"There are a total of 2,200 PHCs in the state. The Women and Child Welfare Ministry and the Health and Family Welfare Departments get funds from the state and the Centre.

"Through the Anganwadi and Asha workers, it is ensured that every pregnant woman in the lower strata of society is safe," she said.

Manjula further stated, to ensure that no pregnant woman dies due to deficiency of iron and calcium, the Janani Suraksha Scheme has been implemented and ambulances arranged to take pregnant women from their homes to the hospitals.

"To ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women for nine months, the Matru Vandana scheme is implemented by the Centre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come up with a big scheme to ensure that pregnant women do not suffer from anemia. Special care is taken to ensure iron and calcium tablets are provided to pregnant women through Family and Child Welfare Departments," she stated.

"Not only maternal deaths, hundreds of newborn babies have died in Yadgir, Belagavi and other districts. The Congress government will be cursed by those babies and their families," Manjula slammed.

"Pregnant women are not getting iron and calcium tablets. There is corruption and it has to be probed. The government is totally failing in ensuring the well-being of new mothers and administration of IV fluids is also the reason for the maternal deaths," Manjula stated.

State BJP President, B.Y. Vijayendra, while addressing the protestors stated that the series of maternal deaths are due to the negligence of the state government.

Vijayendra said that the Ballari District In-Charge Minister, Health Minister and Medical Education Minister and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not care to visit the hospitals initially following the maternal deaths.

"This temerity is shown by the useless government due to arrogance of being in power. There is a need to raise a voice for the new mothers hailing from poor families and we need to warn Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who is showing serious irresponsibility," he appealed.
Bhopal, Dec 16 : Senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Bhupendra Singh cornered his government over the rising crimes against female students in the state and asked the government to address the issue on priority during the Assembly winter session which began on Monday.

During the aQuestion Hoursa session, Bhupendra Singh raised questions about the sexual exploitation of minor female students in schools and demanded an answer from the Education Department.

Singh, who is the BJP MLA from the Khurai Assembly seat of Sagar district, pointed out that the rising crimes against female students at school premises need to be addressed on priority.

He also expressed his disappointment over the inadequate response from the Education Ministry, alleging that the ministry has failed to provide a reply regarding measures taken for the safety of minor school girls.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Raghogarh Jaivardhan Singh also alleged that the school education department has provided wrong information regarding the action taken against schools where female students were sexually exploited in the past one year.

Jaivardhan Singh, who is the son of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, demanded an answer from School Education Minister Uday Pradesh Singh for providing wrong information about the department.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, however, defended the School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh, claiming that the department has provided answers on the basis of questions which were brought before them.

"Saying that wrong information has been provided will be wrong because the Education Department has provided answers on the basis of questions brought before it. If there is anything missing in the departmentas response, it can provide further answers the next day," Shukla added.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the issuance of pan-India safety guidelines, reforms, and measures for the protection of women.

A bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant and compromising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, issued notice and sought the response of the Union government in the matter.

"We will have to examine where we are lacking to achieve the goal of punitive and penal law. There is not something wrong with the quantity of punishment, but something else," the bench remarked.

The plea will be heard next in January 2025.

Senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, appearing for the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association, said that the Parliament has enacted stringent laws but due to "unwillingness, corruption, and laxity in the police and administrative stakeholders", the timely and effective implementation of these laws doesn't take place and hence, there is no fear among the criminals.

The PIL urged the apex court to take judicial notice and frame strict guidelines with a sharper focus on its time-bound implementation to prevent incidents of sexual violence against women.

Further, it beseeched the court to invoke the doctrine of aparens patriaea to safeguard the fundamental rights of women, children, and the third gender in the country, including their right to safety, a secure workplace, adequate sanitation, personal dignity, bodily integrity, and a safe environment.

The plea highlighted the macabre surge of crimes against women, girls and infants, reported across the country specifically in Kolkata, Delhi, Bihar, Karnataka, Assam, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and other parts, at the hands of carnal delinquents, paedophiles, sex maniacs, and sexual offenders.

It referred to the heart-wrenching incident of gangrape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the early hours of August 9, which has shaken the collective conscience of the country to the core and is a ghastly reminder to show that nothing has improved since 2012.

"The recent Kolkata gangrape of young lady trainee doctor is only one amongst the many which has highlighted the deep-rooted ineptness, red-tapism, bureaucratic cowardice by the law enforcement agencies, political hooliganism, and the brutal, nefarious and grisly state of affairs concerning the safety of women in India. From Nirbhaya Rape Case to Abhaya, the brutality has only manifested into an animalistic expression against women," the petition said.

It added that instead of politicising sensitive issues, the government must pay more attention to the safety of vulnerable citizens and should increase the funds allocated for the security of women, children, and third gender.

"The harsh reality is that India awakes when there is a media trial which happens only in a few horrifying rape cases which jolt and traumatise the public," the petition said.

The PIL sought directions to schools to have gender sensitivity classes along with sex education and regular workshops by qualified child psychologists and counsellors where boys and girls are taught about biological changes in the body during their teenage years and how to handle these in a healthy manner.

It said that in view of the alarming rise in adolescent-related issues relating to lack of correct knowledge about gender equity, life skills, sexual harassment and abuse, legal ages for marriage, juvenile delinquency, etc., the governments should be directed to take efforts for the development and implementation of nationwide adolescent programmes.
Nagpur, Dec 16 : Veteran Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who is sulking over party chief Ajit Pawar's decision to deny him a ministerial berth in the newly formed Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra Cabinet, on Monday rejected the party's offer to go to Rajya Sabha, saying his decision to go to the Upper House of the Parliament will be a betrayal with the voters of the Yevala constituency.

A visibly upset Bhujbal, who is the founder of Samata Parishad working for the development of OBCs, said: "The party leadership, about seven to eight days ago, asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. I wanted to go to the Rajya Sabha earlier, but they didn't give me a chance. They told me that you should contest the Assembly election. They also told me that 'the party will not win Yevala without you'. I fought and got elected with a good number of votes.

"But now, I can't go immediately... it would be a betrayal to the voters of my constituency. Going to the Rajya Sabha means I will have to resign from the Legislative Assembly. This is sad for me. I definitely can't betray the voters. I will not leave those who loved me by overwhelmingly voting for me. Let's see after a year or two whether to go to Rajya Sabha"

Bhujbal also hinted that he may not attend the Winter Session but leave for Mumbai, citing "a lot of work".

"Even when members from both sides were attacking me in the assembly, I stood up for the OBCs. I fought the fight for the OBCs. The MahaYuti alliance reported a landslide victory because of Ladki Bahin Yojana and also after the OBC factor worked in its favour," said Bhujbal.

Bhujbal said he would continue to fight for the OBC cause.

"I am a fighter and will fight to safeguard the interest of the OBCs and for their development," he declared.

The NCP veteran could not hide his displeasure over the move to deny him a ministerial berth in the Devendra Fadnavis-led council of ministers.

He was a minister in the previous Eknath Shinde-led Cabinet.

Bhujbal, under the leadership of Ajit Pawar, deserted Sharad Pawar and joined MahaYuti in July 2023.

Despite being isolated in the NCP and in the MahaYuti, Bhujbal took head-on pro-Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil opposing reservation to the Maratha community from the OBC quota.

Political analysts believe that Bhujbal was a natural claimant for the ministerial berth in the new MahaYuti government, expecting a reward for his fight over the OBC reservation issue.

His pro-OBC stand coincided with the BJP's pitch to mobilise OBCs in the run-up to the assembly election.

Sources said that Bhujbal is pained as his efforts to take up the OBC cause did not get due recognition in the party.
Jaipur, Dec 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan on December 17 and inaugurate projects worth Rs 46, 300 crore in Jaipur.

PM Modi will participate in aEk Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsha (completion of one year of Rajasthan government programme during which he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for 24 projects related to energy, road, railways and water worth over Rs 46,300 crores.

He will also inaugurate nine projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore which include seven Central government projects and two state government projects and will lay the foundation stone for 15 projects worth over Rs 35,300 crore which include nine Central government projects and six state government projects.

The projects being inaugurated during the event include Navnera Barrage, Smart Electricity Transmission Network and Asset Management System projects, Railway electrification of Bhildi- Samdari-Luni- Jodhpur-Merta Road-Degana - Ratangarh section and Package 12 of Delhi-Vadodara Green Field Alignment (NH-148N) (Major bridge over Mej River upto junction with SH-37A) project among other projects.

These projects will help to provide an easy commute to people and fulfil the energy needs of the state in line with the PM's vision of green energy.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for construction work of Ramgarh Barrage & Mahalpur Barrage and system for transfer of water from Navnera Barrage to Bisalpur Dam and Isarda Dam through aqueduct on Chambal River at a cost of over Rs 9,400 crore.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for installation of rooftop solar plants on government office buildings, development of one 2000 MW solar park and two phases of 1000 MW solar parks in Poogal (Bikaner) and drinking water transmission line from Saipau (Dholpur) to Bharatpur-Deeg-Kumher-Nagar-Kaman & Pahari and Chambal-Dholpur-Bharatpur retrofitting work.

The foundation stone will be laid for works related to the Luni-Samdari-Bhildi Double Line, Ajmer-Chanderiya Double Line and Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur Double Line railway project as well as other energy transmission related projects.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Lung cancer, long known to affect smokers, is seeing a significant rise in people who do not smoke, said doctors on Monday, raising concern over the shift.

According to health experts, increased exposure to air pollution as the major reason.

A recent research, published in the Lancet's eClinical Medicine Journal showed that a majority of lung cancer patients in India are non-smokers. The study noted that lung cancer cases are also manifesting in India about 10 years earlier as compared to Western countries.

"India's lung cancer demographic presents a unique and concerning picture, with a rising incidence among younger individuals and an increasing number of cases occurring in non-smokers. Traditionally, lung cancer has been strongly associated with smoking, but we are witnessing a shift, especially in urban populations," Dr. Prasad Adusumilli, Thoracic Surgeon and Cellular Therapist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), US, told IANS.

Adusumilli added that non-smokers, particularly women, are increasingly diagnosed with lung cancer around 10 years earlier than their Western counterparts, often with no history of smoking.

"This may be linked to various risk factors, including exposure to environmental pollutants, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors," he explained.

Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with increasing cases among non-smokers, especially women and Asian populations.

India reports about 75,000 new cases every year. Worryingly, a considerable number of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages in the country.

"Non-smoker lung cancer (LCINS) mainly presents as adenocarcinoma, affecting peripheral lung tissues. Key risk factors include air pollution, radon exposure, indoor cooking fumes, and second-hand smoke," Dr. Jagadishwar Goud Gajagowni, an oncologist at a Hyderabad-based hospital.

"Environmental pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban areas and radon in homes significantly contribute to risk. Poor indoor air quality from cooking with solid fuels in poorly ventilated spaces also poses a danger, especially in developing regions. Passive smoking further elevates risks, particularly in areas with high smoking rates among men, the doctor noted.

In terms of treatment, there have been significant advancements in lung cancer therapies. Minimally invasive surgical approaches and radiation therapies are offering patients a less invasive, more targeted approach, resulting in reduced recovery times and fewer side effects.

Further, "the development of targeted therapies has revolutionised the treatment landscape, offering more personalised and effective options for patients based on the molecular profile of their tumours," Adusumilli said.
Kochi, Dec 16 : The Kerala High Court on Monday spoke tough as it heard a petition against CPI-M state Secretary M.V. Govindan for leading the party area conference on the main road in the state capital city and is mulling if suo moto contempt proceedings should be initiated against party leaders for this blatant violation of laws.

On December 5, hours before the meeting began in the evening, one side of the road was blocked leading to massive traffic snarls as it happened at a time when the schools had wound up for the day and the offices were closing.

What has irked the high court is this meeting venue was just opposite the Thiruvananthapuram district court and also the Vanchiyoor police station.

One reason why the court took a strong position is they noted that 40,821 road accidents occurred in the state this year up till October, in which 3,168 persons died and 45,657 persons sustained injuries.

"As per the statistics provided on the official website of Kerala Police, the number of road accidents in Kerala in the year 2024 up to October is 40,821 in which 3,168 persons died and 45, 657 persons sustained injuries. The rash and negligent driving in the state has gone to the extent of causing accidents in which even pedestrians walking through the footpaths or waiting in the pedestrian facilities of public roads sustain fatal injuries. In such circumstances the question as to whether a suo moto proceedings of contempt, under Article 215 of the Constitution of India, for openly flouting the directions contained in the order and judgment of this Court in WPC No.11886 of 2021 requires consideration," the bench said.

The state police chief on Monday submitted his report after the Court had asked for the list of people who were on the stage and who all had attended the meeting.

The court further pointed out that accidents are on the increase in the state and the construction of unauthorised structures on roads would only lead to more risks for pedestrians. It orally stated: "Person who is attending a public meeting on a stage put up on a public road has to face the consequence, or organisers and persons who attended it must face the consequencesa.They should face the consequences, we will see how to handle these types of issues," the court said, and posted the next hearing on Wednesday.

The tough position being taken by the court on this issue has sent shockwaves to the ruling CPI-M as this case surfaced when their party meetings have entered their last lap with 13 more district meetings, ahead of the state party conference to be held in March this year. For the CPI-M, the roads are the favourite place to show their organisational strength.
Chandigarh, Dec 16 : Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in a joint operation with Mohali Police, arrested four operatives of Canada-based terrorist Arsh Dalla and another foreign based-handler and recovered three .32 calibre pistols along with 16 cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, here on Monday.

Chandigarh, Dec 16 (IANS) Punjab Policeas Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in a joint operation with Mohali Police, arrested four operatives of Canada-based terrorist Arsh Dalla and another foreign based-handler and recovered three .32 calibre pistols along with 16 cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, here on Monday.

Those arrested have been identified as Gagandeep Singh and Navjot Singh, both residents of Amloh in Fatehgarh Sahib, Lakhwinder Singh, a resident of Bhadson in Patiala and Vipanpreet Singh, a resident of Faridkot.

Besides recovering arms and ammunition from them, the police have also impounded their white Swift car, in which they were travelling.

DGP Yadav said the accused confessed to have fired at a car accessories showroom in Phase 11, Mohali on the intervening night of December 1 and 2 with an intention to intimidate the shop owner and extort money from him as directed by their foreign-based handler, Daljit Singh, alias Ninda.

He is a history-sheeter and fled to the US on a passport with fake particulars and is associated with a radicalised US-based gangster.

The DGP said the module was linked to radical Arsh Dalla and was planning to execute more crimes in Punjab at his behest.

All the arrested accused have an extensive criminal history with a number of cases registered against them, the DGP said, adding further investigations are ongoing to identify more people involved in this module.

Additional Director General of Police, (AGTF), Promod Ban said following the firing incident at a car accessories showroom, special teams of the AGTF under the supervision of AIG Gurmeet Chauhan and AIG Sandeep Goel in coordination with Senior Superintendent of Police (Mohali), Deepak Pareek, were formed to crack the case.

The teams gathered CCTV footages, technical inputs and evidence from the crime spot which led to identification of the accused, including the two shooters involved in the crime, he said.

Acting swiftly, the teams traced them while they were travelling in their car and arrested them from Mohali after recovering weapons used in the crime, he said.
Canberra, Dec 16 : The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Fiji after several tourists were hospitalized with suspected alcohol poisoning.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has advised travellers to Fiji to be wary of potential methanol poisoning through alcohol.

It comes after seven tourists, including four Australians, were hospitalized after consuming alcohol at a resort bar in Fiji on Saturday night local time.

DFAT's warning, issued through its Smartraveller service, advised Australians to "be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks."

It urged anyone who suspects drink spiking to seek urgent medical help.

Jason Clare, Australia's education minister, on Monday described the incident in Fiji as horrific.

"I guess my message for Australians travelling overseas is just be really, really careful with whatever you consume," he told ABC television.

Incidents in Fiji came after six tourists, including two Australian teenagers, died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos in November.

The guests at the Warwick Resort on Fiji's Coral Coast became sick after consuming a spiked cocktail at the resort's bar on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

They were taken to the nearby Sigatoka Hospital with "nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms," reported Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news website on Sunday.

Fiji's Ministry of Health said in a statement that the affected patients' ages range from 18 to 56 years, including four Australians, one American, and two foreigners residing locally.

All patients have been transferred to Lautoka Hospital due to the severity of their condition.

The ministry will identify other guests who may have been affected by similar symptoms from consuming the same drink at the resort.

An investigation into the incident is underway.

Fiji's health ministry did not specify the cause of the illness but warned people to ensure drinks and food consumed during the holiday period were safe.
Agartala, Dec 16 : The Indian Army personnel on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of 'Vijay Diwas' exchanged sweets with Bangladesh forces at Agartala-Akhaura Integrated Check Post (ICP) here.

A senior official said that the exchange of sweets was done symbolising unity and goodwill between the two forces and two nations.

Senior Army officers of India and Bangladesh were present at the Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) check post during the exchange of sweets between the two armed forces.

"This tradition shall be a hallmark in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations," the official said.

On the occasion, the Army and various other organisations on Monday organised a series of events in Tripura, from where the Indian Army had launched major offensive campaigns and operations during the 1971 war and the local population supported the cause.

Earlier on Monday, Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, Red Shield Division commander and other senior officials from the Army paid their rich and heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers at the iconic Albert Ekka War Memorial on the outskirts of Agartala.

In the evening, a cultural programme was held at the Albert Ekka War Memorial where Tourism and Transport Minister Shushanta Chowdhury was present on behalf of the Tripura government.

Senior government and Indian Army officials were also present at the event.

A defence spokesman said that the event showcased the indomitable spirit and eternal sacrifice of the soldiers, igniting fervour of patriotism amongst the attendees.

The minister honoured veterans from Tripura who had participated in the 1971 operations and distributed prizes to children who excelled in various competitions held as part of the Vijay Diwas celebrations.

The minister highlighted the pivotal role played by the Indian Army in 1971.

The event culminated with a Barakhana with Ex-servicemen (ESMs) and troops from Agartala, reinforcing community bonds and appreciation.

"This celebration not only honoured our heroes but also instilled a renewed sense of pride and commitment to uphold their legacy among all present," the spokesman said.
Belagavi : , Dec 16 (IANS) The BJP's Karnataka Mahila Morcha President, K. Manjula, stated on Monday that the women in the state, especially in the north region were not feeling safe under the present government.

She made the statement while taking part in the protest in Belagavi condemning the series of maternal deaths in the state.

"Neha Hiremath was killed in Hubballi on a college campus over a love affair. My party workers during my tour in north Karnataka conveyed to me that after the defeat of the BJP in the north region the menace of anti-social elements and bullying has increased," Manjula stated.

"In the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast, one of the women who went for lunch had lost her eyes. Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar tried to manage the issue by stating immediately that the blast had taken place in the backdrop of a business rivalry.

"The investigation report later revealed that the accused who carried out the blast have links with Pakistan. They had planned to explode the state BJP office. The Congress had attempted to defend every case," Manjula claimed.

"The Siddaramaiah government had withdrawn all the cases against rioters in the Hubballi violence case. Likewise, 175 murder accused and 1,500 accused in various cases were let free by this government. By doing this, the state government mortgaged the safety and security of the state's women and surrendered before the anti-social elements," Manjula alleged.

"We should strongly condemn this government. Let Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remember one thing, that in Lok Sabha elections they could only win nine seats and they should not be carried away by the victory in three Assembly constituencies in the bypolls," she underlined.

"The people of the state and country are with the meritorious struggle of the BJP. You might have 139 MLAs now but it won't be possible for you to win even 36 seats in the upcoming election," Manjula stated.

State President B.Y. Vijayendra claimed that the government has organised picnics in the name of the Winter Session of the Assembly.

"Last year, before the commencement of the Winter Session, a woman belonging to the Scheduled Tribe was stripped and assaulted after being tied to a pole. The Ministers and Chief Minister didn't even bother to visit her. I had paid a visit to her in the hospital," B.Y. Vijayendra stated.

"The Neha Hiremath murder case in Hubballi has proved that there is no protection for women and mothers in the state. It is unfortunate that the mothers have got a Chief Minister like Siddaramaiah," Vijayendra attacked.

"Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa, considering the issue of female feticide in the state, brought the Bhagya Laxmi scheme and saved thousands of lives. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stopped the scheme. Mothers are insulted under the present dispensation in the state," Vijayendra underlined.
Kolkata, Dec 16 : The Calcutta High Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail plea by West Bengal's multi-crore cash for school job case prime accused Sujay Krishna Bhadra in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the matter.

Recently, a single-judge bench of the high court had granted conditional bail to Bhadra in the case registered against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel probe in the school job case.

However, of late, the CBI has also initiated the process of taking Bhadra, who is currently under treatment at the hospital of Presidency Central Correctional Home in south Kolkata, into its custody in the case it has registered.

Apprehending arrest by the CBI, Bhadraas counsel moved the high court with the anticipatory bail plea.

However, on Monday, the division bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth rejected it.

CBI counsel Dhiraj Trivedi informed the bench that a production warrant has already been issued against Bhadra in the matter and the agencyas officials might take him into custody at any time. When it questioned why the agency is yet to take Bhadra in custody, Trivedi said that the correctional home authorities had intimated to the CBI officials that the current medical conditions of Bhadra are not suitable for being taken into custody.

"But since the production warrant has already been issued and taking Bhadra into custody is a matter of time, the plea for anticipatory bail should not be accepted," he argued.

However, Bhadraas counsel, in his counter-argument, claimed that since the production warrant is yet to be effected, there is no legal hurdle in making the anticipatory bail plea. The division bench finally accepted the CBI's argument and rejected the anticipatory bail plea.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's symbolic support for Palestine, while attending the Parliamentary proceedings on Monday, elicited multiple reactions from across the political spectrum, the BJP in particular.

A couple of BJP leaders took objection to Priyanka's messaging on Palestine, describing it as 'communal posturing' and minority 'appeasement stunt'.

As Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi reached the Parliament complex on Monday, she carried a handbag inscribed with Palestine tag and also emblazoned with some Palestinian emblems.

Though it was a move by Priyanka to express solidarity with the people of Palestine, many lawmakers, particularly those from BJP raised eyebrows over it and questioned when the Congress will start flaunting 'Indianness' rather than displaying love for Palestine.

Those from the Opposition ranks, however, didn't find anything objectionable in it and said it should set a precedent for others to come out in support of the war-torn country.

Manoj Tiwari, speaking to IANS said that the Congress stands up for Palestine but when we will get to see them shedding their inhibitions in flaunting their 'Bharatiyata'.

"They will stand up for everything except for Bharat," the BJP MP said, taking a jibe at Priyanka's display of Palestinian tag.

BJP MP and party spokesperson Sambit Patra, took strong exception to her symbolism and called it a 'bag of appeasement'.

"For the Gandhi family, appeasement is nothing new. From Nehru to Priyanka Vadra, they have always carried the bag of appeasement, never the bag of patriotism. This baggage is the reason behind their defeats," Sambit Patra said.

Anish Gawande, the National spokesperson of NCP-SP told IANS that there was nothing wrong with Priyanka showing support for Palestinians as they have been witnessing fierce onslaught from Israeli forces.

"Priyanka Gandhi is one of the few leaders in the country who have spoken for Palestine," he said.

Notably, the Congress General Secretary has been vocal about the rights of Palestinians and often dubbed Israel's military actions as 'barbaric and inhuman.'
Kolkata, Dec 16 : Relations between India and Bangladesh are everlasting and a few minor incidents will have no impact, Mukti Joddhas (freedom fighters) from the neighbouring country said during the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata on Monday.

"Those who are fomenting trouble in Bangladesh now have no knowledge of history. They do not know what we went through during the Liberation War or the support that we received from India and her armed forces. They do not know what kind of torture the people of Bangladesh went through. Some people, with little knowledge, are speaking about attacking India. Do they even realise India's military might? Hopefully, this is a passing phase and things will get back to normal soon," one of the Mukti Joddhas said.

Another one joked that one may even change his spouse, but nobody turns his face away from a friendly and helpful neighbour.

Brigadier General Md Aminur Rahman (retd), head of the delegation of Mukti Joddhas present at the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters in Fort William, Kolkata, said that relations between the two nations are too strongly entrenched to be disturbed.

Others said that things may not be as bad in Bangladesh as is being portrayed by those with vested interests on either side of the border. Some incidents may be taking place in certain pockets, but those would not affect the relations between the two nations that run deep.

"Much of what is being said about the situation in Bangladesh is hearsay. There are groups with vested interests on both sides. The truth is different. The relationship between our two countries and the people is not that fragile to be broken due to some isolated incidents. If relations had broken down, how are we visiting India? How is an Indian Army delegation visiting Bangladesh," said Maj Gen Abdus Salam Chaudhary (retd).

Wreaths were laid at Vijay Smarak in Fort William during the day by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, Lt Gen R C Tiwari, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, several serving and retired military officers and Mukti Joddhas.

A military tatoo has been organised in the evening that is expected to be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Vijay Diwas is celebrated on December 16 every year by the Indian Armed Forces to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War which led to the Liberation of Bangladesh.

During the War, Indian troops (then called the Mitra Bahini) and Mukti Joddhas fought shoulder to shoulder to crush the highly oppressive Pakistan Army that went on a spree of murder and rape against the Bengali-speaking population of what was then East Pakistan.

The War ended on December 16 with the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani troops and their collaborators.
Dhaka, Dec 16 : Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus Monday said it may be possible to hold the next national elections at the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.

"The election can be scheduled between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," he said in a televised speech to the nation at 10 am local time on Monday marking the country's Victory Day.

Yunus said he repeatedly appealed to all to arrange the elections after completing all the necessary major reforms.

But, due to political consensus, it may be possible to hold the elections by the end of 2025 after completing minor reforms based on the preparation of an accurate voter list, he said.

Yunus urged the Election Commission and all social institutions and political parties to take various creative programmes to achieve this goal.

He suggested creating such a tradition that first-time voters in all elections, including local government polls, will ensure about 100 per cent voting in all centers.

"If we can ensure this, no government in the future will dare to snatch the people's voting rights," the Bangladesh Chief Advisor added.

Bangladeshi economist Yunus took oath as the head of the country's interim government on August 8.

The decision to appoint Yunus was taken by Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, chiefs of the three services and the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Shahabuddin had administered the oath to Yunus and other members of the interim government at the presidential palace in the capital Dhaka, following the fall of the government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina, 76, had taken office for her fourth straight five-year term as the country's Prime Minister in January this year after her ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections.
Patna, Dec 16 : Bihar Police ADGP Kundan Krishnan said on Monday that the Economic Offence Unit (EOU) of the state police will recommend property attachments of the accused involved in the paper leak.

"Since 2012, the EOU has taken significant action, having cracked 10 cases, arrested 545 individuals, and filed charge sheets against 249 accused. A model act has been implemented in the state, imposing stringent penalties on offenders. This has been applied, for instance, in the CHO (Community Health Officer) examination rigging case, where computer servers of examination centres and service providers were compromised," the ADGP said.

He added that the EOU will now provide consultancy services to departments conducting competitive examinations, ensuring the integrity of computer-based testing.

"The EOU is building a data bank of organised gangs operating in Bihar and neighbouring states over the past 12 years. The idea is to identify key operatives involved in examination fraud. Following that, the EOU, with support from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), intends to attach assets of those accused, gained through fraudulent activities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)," he said.

He also appealed to the citizens to report paper leaks or other offences through designated phone and WhatsApp numbers managed by the EOU.

"A special cell, led by an SP-rank officer, is dedicated to addressing complaints, including tackling rumour-mongering and investigating fake news," he said.

Addressing concerns regarding the 70th Preliminary Test (PT) examination of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), the ADGP clarified that no evidence has been found so far to establish that the examination paper was leaked.

"The incident causing a disturbance was isolated to one centre only and the district police along with the civil administration are competent to handle the situation," he said.

He also reassured candidates of the government's vigilance against examination malpractice.

"I want to assure candidates that incidents of paper leaks in the past have been taken seriously, and the Bihar Police and EOU are alert to prevent such occurrences in the future," he said.
Kinshasa, Dec 15 : A peace summit scheduled for Sunday to address conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was called off at the last minute due to a tough negotiation standoff, it was revealed on Monday.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco was set to host DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in a bid to ease tensions gripping the eastern DRC by securing an agreement supposed to be signed by the three heads of state.

The summit was planned as part of the "Luanda Process," a peace initiative launched in 2022 and endorsed by the African Union, to accelerate regional stabilization.

Tshisekedi arrived in the Angolan capital of Luanda early Sunday for the summit and met with Lourenco and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, broker of the "Nairobi Process," a parallel peace mechanism led by the East African Community (EAC).

However, Kagame did not board a flight to Luanda and walked away from the summit, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The agreement has been 99 per cent negotiated," Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio told the press after the tripartite summit was called off.

"One of the parties requested the postponement of the summit until there is a common language," said Antonio.

The peace agreement was aborted due to a tough negotiation standoff.

Meanwhile, tensions have been on the rise on the ground with ongoing clashes between government military and rebels.

According to Rwanda's Foreign Ministry, the ministerial meeting in Luanda on Saturday failed to reach a consensus between Rwanda and the DRC regarding a commitment to direct talks with the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group.

"The DRC had accepted the principle of a dialogue with the M23, before surprising us with a refusal on the eve of the summit," said Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.

The eastern DRC continues to face instability due to the M23 rebel group, which has been advancing and seizing large areas of territory. The DRC government accuses neighboring Rwanda of providing military support to the M23, an allegation Kigali denies.

While denying ties to the M23, Rwanda has accused the DRC military of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a Rwandan rebel group whose members are blamed for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

"The ministers negotiated late into yesterday, but they could not reach an agreement on all points," said Antonio, adding that Sunday's summit "would therefore not have resulted in an agreement."

However, according to Kinshasa, the ministerial meeting on Saturday ended in a "deadlock" after Rwanda ambushed with a last-minute condition, which demanded that direct dialogue with the M23 precede the signing of any agreement.

"We are not going to talk directly with a terrorist group," DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner told a press briefing late Sunday in Kinshasa. "If the M23 group wants to have any hope of being able to express its grievances and concerns, it will only be within the framework of the Nairobi Process."

Also on Sunday, the M23 rebels reportedly took control of the town of Matembe in the eastern North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities.

The locality is considered strategic for the DRC military to stop the advancement of the rebellion towards the northern part of North Kivu and potentially the neighboring Ituri and Tshopo provinces.

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. 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.

The M23 is a group of former rebels of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) and got its name from the March 23, 2009 agreement signed between the CNDP and the DRC government.

In November 2012, the M23 occupied Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, for 10 days.

After being 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. According to the United Nations, nearly 6.4 million people have been displaced in the DRC due to armed conflicts and natural disasters.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Rajasthan government after taking suo motu cognisance of a media report about the death of a five-year-old boy on December 11 after being trapped in a 150-feet-deep bore-well for nearly 56 hours in Dausa district.

The boy allegedly fell in the bore-well while playing in a field, the Commission said while seeking details of the action taken against the lax public authorities.

The Commission observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights.

"It seems that the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the Centre are not being followed by the authorities to prevent such unfortunate incidents/fatal accidents of small children falling into open/abandoned bore-wells and tube-wells. This apparent negligence not only amounts to dereliction of duty on their part but also tantamount to violation of the people's right to life," said the NHRC.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Rajasthan, calling for a detailed report in the matter within two weeks.

The NHRC said the report from the Chief Secretary and the police chief should include the status of the FIR registered in the matter, action taken against the responsible public authorities and compensation, if any, provided to the next of kin of the deceased.

According to the media report, carried on December 12, the minor was pulled out of the borewell with a rope in an unconscious state. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

In another case, the Commission took suo motu cognisance of a media report that a 10-year-old child was transfused with the wrong blood type while undergoing treatment at the JK Lone Hospital of the Sawai Man Singh Medical College (SMS), Jaipur.

The Commission has sought a report from the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Rajasthan, within two weeks. "It is expected to include the status of health of the victim child, FIR, action taken against the responsible persons and compensation, if any, provided to the aggrieved by the authorities," the notice said.

The child is reported to be in a critical condition with ventilator support. Allegedly, the boy was transfused with two different blood types on December 5, 2024 and December 7, 2024.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the boy.

Reportedly, a 23-year-old patient lost his life at the SMS hospital, Jaipur only a few months back. Two reported cases of negligence in blood transfusion at the same government-run medical facilities are indeed shocking and are a matter of concern for the Commission, said the notice.
Kabul, Dec 16 : A vehicle carrying a family fell into a ravine in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, claiming the lives of six, the Xinhua news agency reported citing information received by the provincial department of information and culture.

The accident took place in the province's Babaji district after the vehicle lost control and fell into a steep and deep ravine, killing six people, including women and children, on the spot, said the source.

Six commuters lost their lives and four others sustained injuries as a jeep plunged into a river in northern Badakhshan province last week.

Poor conditions on roads, reckless driving and lack of security measures are among causes of deadly road accidents in the war-ravaged country.

Earlier this month, in an accident that took place in northern Jawzjan province on a highway linking the province with neighbouring Sari Pul province, one person was killed on the spot and 10 others were injured.

In another accident, a car veered off the road and overturned in Shahr-e-Safa district of southern Zabul province along a highway linking Kandahar with the national capital Kabul, killing two and injuring two others.

The officials had blamed reckless driving for the mishaps, asserting that drivers' carelessness on congested roads often claimed commuters' lives.

On November 25, at least six people were killed after a passenger vehicle fell into the Kokcha River in the Badakhshan province.

The mishap took place when the vehicle was heading toward Faizabad city, the capital of the province.

On November 23, five commuters had lost their lives and nine others sustained injuries in two separate traffic accidents in north Afghanistan's Faryab province.

The first accident took place on a highway linking Jawzjan with neighbouring Faryab province as a car veered off the road, leaving three dead on the spot, and seven injured. Minutes later, a vehicle overturned due to reckless driving in Pashtun Kot district of the province, killing two people, including a woman and a child, and injuring two others.

A week before that, eight commuters, including women and children, lost their lives when their vehicle plunged into the same river in the same vicinity.
Kolkata, Dec 16 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's presence and her address at the military tattoo organised by the Army on the occasion of 53rd Vijay Diwas in Kolkata on Monday, sent out a strong message regarding the country's unified stand against any effort to undermine India's armed forces.

In a moving address, Mamata refused to delve into the goings-on in Bangladesh but paid glowing tributes to Indian soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation.

Military officials in Kolkata noted that this is the first time, in at least two decades, that a chief minister of the state has graced any event organised on Vijay Diwas.

The state government also observed Vijay Diwas at Veer Bhumi Krishnaganj, in the district of Nadia, to honour the sacrifices made by the 1971 War heroes during the day.

The event was attended by Ujjwal Biswas, minister in charge of the Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology, government of West Bengal.

Senior officers from the Army's Eastern Command and veterans were also present. A joint wreath-laying parade was organised by the Army and West Bengal Police.

The Krishnaganj War Memorial, constructed by the 5 GUARDS regiment of the Indian Army on the banks of the Mathabhanga River during the 1971 war, remained unnoticed until 2023.

It was discovered and cleaned by the Ex-Servicemen Association of Krishnaganj, who reported it to the Rajya Sainik Board (RSB).

This prompted Col Partha Pratim Barik, secretary, RSB, West Bengal, to approach the 5 GUARDS regiment and obtain details of the Battle from their war diary.

"On November 26, 1971, 5 GUARDS launched a mission of unmatched bravery. Under heavy fire from Pakistani forces across the River Icchamati, the soldiers fought with unwavering courage. Lance Naik Murti Singh, leading the commando platoonas assault, was the first to fall, followed by four others in a fierce exchange. Sub Balwant Singh, gravely injured, later succumbed to his injuries, embodying the spirit of sacrifice," Col Barik said.

"On December 7, 1971, Naik Mohan Singh's heroic actions at Uttar Narayanpur destroyed four enemy trucks, dealing a major blow to the enemy before he was struck by fire, earning a posthumous Sena Medal. These soldiers -- Sub Balwant Singh, Lance Naik Murti Singh, Naik Mohan Singh, and four others -- offered the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives to safeguard the nation and halt the enemy's advance into Nadia district. Their valour and sacrifice are honored by a memorial on the Mathabhanga River, a lasting tribute to their selfless dedication to the country," he added.

Among those honoured on Monday was Maili Chhetri, widow of Sepoy Tek Bahadur Chhetri, who fell to enemy bullets in Krishnapur in Bangladesh on November 27, 1971, and was cremated on the banks of the Mathabhanga River.

One of the structures at the War Memorial at Krishnaganj bears the name of this braveheart. Maili came to know of his sacrifice through a telegram that reached her at home at the Dalmor Tea Estate in Alipurduar in December 1971.

"She is now 74 years old. It took 53 years before she could visit her husband's memorial that lay under a bush for so many years before being discovered. Sepoy Chhetri was also heading a commando platoon that came under heavy fire from the enemy.

He displayed exceptional bravery before laying down his life. Maili was weeping as she placed flowers on the memorial.

"I never realised that I would be able to see my husband again," she said. She thanked the ex-servicemen and the Government of West Bengal for giving her the opportunity," Col Barik said.

He expressed his gratitude to the chief minister of West Bengal, Eastern Army commander, the Nadia district administration, the police, BSF, NCC, Ex-Servicemen's Association, and over 300 attendees from Krishnaganj and Majhdia for their support and participation.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Public sector oil major Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has signed an agreement with NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd (NLDS) to integrate its APIs with Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), the Commerce and Industry Ministry announced on Monday.

The HPCL API of ULIP provides Fuel Station & Pricing Visibility, which offers real-time visibility into the location and pricing of HPCL fuel stations across India. This API is expected to address critical logistics challenges, such as lack of clarity on refuelling options and fluctuating fuel costs along various routes. By utilising this data, logistics service providers, traders and transporters can optimise their planning and operations, ultimately reducing costs and inefficiencies, the ministry said in a statement.

Further, the visibility into fuel station locations helps logistics operators avoid unplanned stops and ensure smoother, more efficient operations. Fleet operators can also plan long-haul trips more effectively by identifying fuel stations along key routes, minimising downtime and ensuring timely deliveries.

ULIP is a digital gateway that allows industry players to access logistics-related datasets from various Government systems through API-based integration.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rajat Kumar Saini, Chairman, NLDS, stated, "The integration of HPCL's APIs into ULIP will provide logistics operators with the tools needed to make data-driven decisions that directly impact their bottom line. By enabling route-specific fuel cost analysis and visibility into fuel station locations, we are addressing key pain points in the logistics sector. This is a critical step in ULIP's mission to unify and digitise India's supply chain ecosystem."

Avinash Jain of HPCL emphasised that this integration reinforces HPCL's commitment to leveraging technology to provide innovative solutions for the logistics industry.

The integration's impact is already visible, as over 10 participants in the ongoing ULIP Hackathon 2.0 have opted for HPCL's API to develop innovative solutions. These include tools such as dynamic route optimisation platforms, fuel cost calculators, and heat maps for fuel station density along key routes. Such solutions showcase the potential of HPCL's API to drive operational improvements and foster innovation within the logistics sector.

This collaboration between HPCL and ULIP underscores a shared vision of creating a smarter, more efficient logistics ecosystem. By providing real-time data and enabling seamless access to critical resources, this integration will empower stakeholders, drive innovation, and significantly improve the operational efficiency of India's logistics and supply chain industry, the statement added.
Mumbai, Dec 16 : All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan hit out at the MahaYuti alliance in Maharashtra, highlighting an alleged internal rift over the ministerial tenure policy.

Talking to IANS, Pathan referred to the arrangement of granting ministerial positions for two-and-a-half-year terms in Maharashtra as evidence of discord within the ruling coalition.

"There is a clear rift in the MahaYuti. BJP's cabinet minister Ashish Shelar has openly criticised Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. As the saying goes, 'It's dirty, but it's business.' If ministers are to serve for two and a half years, why not just rotate them every six months? Even BJP's nine-time MLA is without a ministerial post. Chhagan Bhujbal is unhappy, and Eknath Shinde is also reportedly disgruntled. Let's see what unfolds next," Pathan told IANS.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had earlier stated that ministers would be assessed midway through their terms. Those who were not included in the recent cabinet expansion might be considered for induction after two-and-a-half years, he added.

In the cabinet expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis government at Nagpur on Sunday, 39 ministers were sworn in, increasing the total to 42. Of these, the BJP secured 19 positions, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena got 11, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) got nine.

Responding to questions about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi carrying a bag inscribed with "Palestine," Pathan said: "I am not a Congress spokesperson, but I will address the question. From Mahatma Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indian leaders have historically supported the Palestinian cause. The atrocities in Palestine, especially the killing of women and children during Israeli attacks, are inhumane. Our faith is deeply connected to Palestine through the Al Aqsa Mosque. We have always advocated for justice for Palestine."

Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi arrived in Parliament on Monday with a 'Palestine' tag on her handbag, drawing the attention of fellow Parliamentarians and television cameras alike. It is seen as a move by the Congress MP to express solidarity with Palestinians amidst the months-long military face-off with Israel.

On the controversy surrounding Sambhal, Pathan accused the BJP and the RSS of spreading false narratives. "For years, propaganda has been circulated about Sambhal. The Rastogi family, who were caretakers, have said there was a temple there till 2006. Why spread lies? Such rhetoric fuels hatred. The Supreme Court has ruled against any further survey of religious sites under the Places of Worship Act, yet BJP leaders talk about carbon dating and excavations. Will you excavate all 1,400 mosques alleged to be built over temples? This is just a distraction from real issues," Pathan told IANS.

He further ridiculed the logic behind such actions, adding: "If I dream about something buried under Parliament, will you order an excavation there too?"

Reacting to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's claim that 209 Hindus have been killed in Sambhal since 1947, Pathan retorted: "Yogi Adityanath has completely failed as a Chief Minister. His statements reflect his inability to govern effectively."

CM Adityanath, addressing the Winter Session of the Assembly on Monday, accused the Opposition of turning a blind eye to violence against Hindus in Sambhal.
Kabul, Dec 16 : A total of 137 people lost their lives and more than 330 others sustained injuries following the blasts of unexploded ordnances, remnants of past wars, across Afghanistan since the beginning of 2024, local media reported.

"As of the start of 2024, approximately 240 separate incidents have taken place in Afghanistan, resulting in a total of 470 fatalities, including 386 children who have been either martyred or injured," TOLOnews quoted Nooruddin Rustamkhil, head of the Directorate of Mine Action Coordination, as saying.

According to Rustamkhil, among the deceased, 125 children, 10 men, and two women were accounted for, while the injured comprised 264 children, 53 men, and 16 women.

During the same period, 150 square kilometers of land across the country have been cleared of unexploded mines, he added.

War-ravaged Afghanistan is reportedly one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world, with dozens of people, mostly children, being killed and maimed every month, Xinhua news agency reported.

In October, three children were killed and two others injured as an unexploded device went off in north Afghanistan's Sari Pul province.

The incident had taken place in the province's Sayad district when the children found a device which had been left over from past wars and played with it. The device exploded, killing the three kids on the spot and injuring two others.

In July, one child was killed four others injured in an explosion of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from past wars in south Afghanistan's Kandahar province.

The mishap took place in the province's Dand district.

Similarly in May, two children died and another injured after an unexploded device went off in north Afghanistan's Balkh province.

In April, nine children lost their lives after an unexploded ordnance left over from past wars went off in east Afghanistan's Ghazni province.

Similarly, following the blast of an unexploded device, three children were killed and two others sustained injuries in the southern Helmand province on March 22.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday appealed to the Union government to accept demands of farmers, including making minimum support price (MSP) a legal guarantee, to save the life of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast unto death has entered the 21st day.

While raising the issue of Dallewal's health in the Lok Sabha, Harsimrat Badal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to accept all the demands of the farmers while repealing the three agriculture laws four years back.

"A promise was made to constitute a committee which would consider all the demands of the farmers but despite the martyrdom of 700 farmers during the Kisan Andolan, these demands have still not been accepted."

Harsimrat Badal said it was unfortunate that despite directions by the Supreme Court to both the state and the Centre to persuade Dallewal to end his fast, the Centre had deputed a low-level official who had nothing to offer and simply asserted he had come to hear the views of the farmers.

She said urgent action was needed to save Dallewalas life and to do so the Centre should accept his demands, including those on the MSP, debt waiver and pension for farmers and agricultural workers, an assurance that electricity tariff for the farm sector would not be increased, withdrawal of police cases and justice for those affected by the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

She also slammed Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for failing to impress the sensitivity of the issue to the Union government with the farmer leaderas fast unto death entering the 21st day. "The AAP government has completely failed to present the enormity of the situation to the Union government," she added.
Patna, Dec 16 : The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has announced the cancellation of the examination held at the Bapu Examination Centre following the investigation report submitted by the Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh on Monday.

Patna, Dec 16 (IANS) The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has announced the cancellation of the examination held at the Bapu Examination Centre following the investigation report submitted by the Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh on Monday.

BPSC Chairman Ravi Manu Bhai Parmar confirmed that a new exam date for the affected centre will be announced soon.

"The cancellation only affects the Bapu Examination Centre located in Patna. However, the overall result of the examination will be declared simultaneously for all candidates. Students are advised not to panic, as updates on the new date will be provided on the commission's official website," Parmar said.

The cancellation decision came swiftly after a meeting led by Chairman Parmar at the BPSC office in Patna. The meeting followed the submission of the DM's investigation report.

The technical teams of BPSC and district administration have identified individuals responsible for causing disturbances, spreading rumours, and vandalising exam materials, including booklets and attendance sheets. Strict action will be taken against those involved," Parmar said.

Before the cancellation decision for the Bapu Examination Centre was announced, BPSC Chairman Ravi Manu Bhai Parmar stated that the 70th Preliminary Test (PT) was conducted peacefully across 911 centres, for the exam.

Addressing rumours of a paper leak, Parmar categorically dismissed such claims, assuring that there was no evidence of any leak during the examination.

"The allegations of a paper leak were baseless. The integrity of the examination was maintained across all centres," he said.

The 70th combined entrance examination was held on December 13 and a large number of candidates created a ruckus in and outside the examination centre.

Parmar said that the students are advised to follow the official website for updates on the rescheduled exam for the Bapu centre.
Chandigarh, Dec 16 : Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Monday said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should follow his Haryana counterpart and promptly resolve the issues of protesting farmers.

"Since the Haryana Chief Minister is providing minimum support price (MSP) on all crops, the Punjab government should also follow the Haryana government's policy in the interest of Punjab's farmers," the Agriculture Minister said in a statement.

The minister also expressed concerns over the deteriorating health of agitating farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. He said the Punjab government should take care of Dallewal's health and efforts should be made so that he could end his hunger strike.

On the farmers' call to resume the Delhi march on December 18, the minister said Punjab and Haryana are the biggest producers of foodgrains for the central pool and farmers of both states were getting the benefit of MSP.

He said the Punjab government should also ensure that all farmers of Punjab could sell their produce on MSP like they do in Haryana.

The Punjab Chief Minister should play his role and come forward to talk to the farmers so that they can return to their homes. The minister said the Supreme Court had already formed a committee of experts to resolve this issue but the farmer leaders did not attend the meeting with the committee appointed on this matter.

A day earlier, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav along with the director of Union Ministry of Home Affairs Mayank Mishra met farmer leader Dallewal, who is on fast unto death to press the Centre in support of their demands, enquired about his health and requested him to end his 20-day-long fast.

This has been the first meeting between the Union government and a farm leader since talks with farmers remained inconclusive in February.

The 70-year-old cancer patient Dallewal has been fasting at Khanauri, the border point between Punjab and Haryana, since November 26 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.

After meeting the farmer leader, Yadav told the media, "We came to enquire about the health of Dallewal."

Without mincing words, he said, "We have heard whatever his (Dallewal) demands are. There was no proposal of any kind (over the demands). I came here to hear him and also for implementation of the Supreme Court order."

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has announced to halt trains in Punjab on December 18 to lodge their protest.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Supreme Court on Monday remarked that it is not powerless to annul proceedings pending before Karnataka Lokayukta against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that it was not bound to accept the fait accompli after BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnalas counsel contended that the Lokayukta will likely file a closure report favouring Shivakumar.

The Justice Kant-led Bench also declined to pass any interim order staying the ongoing proceedings before the Lokayukta and posted the matter for further hearing in January next year.

In the meantime, it asked the Karnataka government to respond to the Special Leave Petitions filed by BJP MLA Yatnal as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioning the Congress government's decision to withdraw consent for a CBI probe.

In November last year, the state Cabinet took a decision to withdraw consent for the CBI probe accorded by the previous BJP government.

Earlier, Yatnal moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the state government's decision to withdraw consent for the CBI probe.

In his petition, Yatnal claimed that the government's move was aimed at scuttling the CBI probe, and an attempt was being made to interfere with the judiciary.

However, the Karnataka High Court, in its decision delivered on August 29, said that the CBI can move the Supreme Court, which should decide the matter between the state government and the CBI.

"It would be more appropriate if the Supreme Court examines the matter, as the High Court's decision in this connection might be inappropriate," said a Bench of Justices K. Somashekar and Umesh M Adiga.

The CBI had also questioned the Congress government's decision to withdraw the consent given to the CBI to investigate the DA case against Shivakumar by the Yediyurappa-headed BJP government on September 25, 2019.

It was alleged that Shivakumar amassed properties worth Rs 74 crore between 2013 and 2018, which were deemed disproportionate against his known sources of income.

In November last year, the Karnataka HC had allowed Shivakumar to withdraw his petition challenging the CBI investigation against him in the DA case following the state government's move to withdraw consent for the probe by the CBI.

The incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government handed it over to the Lokayukta for investigation following the withdrawal of the consent to the CBI.
Seoul, Dec 16 : The leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) of South Korea said Monday on that he is stepping down amid growing internal strife following the National Assembly's vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon made the announcement during a press conference after an impeachment motion against Yoon was passed 204-85 on Saturday over his botched imposition of martial law on December 3.

The results showed 12 PPP lawmakers likely broke from their party line to vote in favour of impeachment. Han expressed support for Yoon's impeachment on Thursday despite his earlier calls for the president's 'orderly' exit.

"I am stepping down as the leader of the People Power Party," Han said.

"It has become impossible to carry out my duties as party chief due to the collapse of the party's Supreme Council."

Han had initially vowed to continue his duties but appears to have shifted his stance amid mounting pressure to step down after all five elected members of the PPP's Supreme Council, considered to be closely aligned with Han, expressed their intent to resign, Yonhap news agency reported.

Newly elected floor leader Kweon Seong-dong will become the acting head of the conservative party. Kwon has the authority to appoint the head of an emergency leadership committee of the party.

Earlier on Sunday, the leader of South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) cancelled a press conference.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon abruptly cancelled the press conference that had been expected to announce his resignation.

Han had earlier vowed to continue his duties in response to calls for his resignation after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon on Saturday. He has since faced growing pressure to step down after all five elected members of the PPP's Supreme Council expressed their intent to resign. Han expressed support for Yoon's impeachment on Thursday despite his earlier calls for Yoon's 'orderly' resignation.

On Saturday, the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law, suspending him from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office, with citizens cheering over his impeachment.

The impeachment motion against Yoon passed 204-85, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, after all 300 members of the Assembly cast their votes.

The martial law order, which was lifted within six hours after the Assembly voted it down, has prompted investigations by the police, the prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials into whether Yoon staged an insurrection. He is currently banned from leaving the country.

Yoon was suspended from his duties at 7:24 p.m., the moment the impeachment resolution was delivered to his office and about 2 and a half hours after the impeachment motion passed.
Patna, Dec 16 : A public awareness programme was organised in Bihar's Motihari district about the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and its implications for the common man.

The event, organised under the Solar Energy Scheme saw participation of a large number of people.

During the day-long event, many officials associated with solar systems gave information about the Central government scheme and appealed to the people to take advantage of it.

Officials associated with various firms as well as domain experts elaborated on the benefits of solar energy and also sought to give a brief overview on how the system of migration from non-renewable energy to solar energy was simple and affordable.

They also shared arithmetic on how solar power will curtail the electricity expenses of households.

"People will be able to save on their electricity bill as well as sell the surplus electricity. For installation, they will get a subsidy of Rs 78,000," they informed.

Solar energy expert Abhishek Lohia told newsmen that the government intends to take the scheme to every part of the country.

"A maximum subsidy of Rs 78,000 will be available on three kilo watts. If you install a three-kilo watt solar roof top, you will get a subsidy of Rs 78,000. This will come directly into your bank account. You will have to pay the balance amount. Your electricity bill will be reduced by 80 to 90 per cent," he said.

He further said that the government is looking to cover over 1 crore households under the scheme, in the first phase.

"This will not only reduce their electricity bills but will also enable them to earn income by selling surplus electricity," he said.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a landmark initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024.

It aims to transform India's energy landscape by providing free electricity to households.

The scheme is set to reshape the country's energy landscape by empowering millions of households with solar power. The government has set a target of reaching 10 lakh households by March 2025 and increasing its ambit to one crore by March 2027.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Delhi High Court on Monday disposed of a plea filed by BJP legislators seeking direction to the Delhi government to forward Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the Lt Governor (L-G).

A bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula took note of the submission that the L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the 14 CAG reports forwarded by Chief Minister Atishi.

As per the Delhi HC order, CM Atishi, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, will forward within 2-3 days these approved reports to the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, who in turn, will promptly take a call on holding a special session for laying down the CAG reports.

In an earlier hearing held last week, the Delhi government told Justice Narula-led Bench that CM Atishi had forwarded CAG reports to the office of L-G.

After the counsel appearing for L-G admitted that Raj Bhavan had received some of the reports late on Wednesday, the Delhi HC decided to post the matter for further hearing on December 16.

In its affidavit, the Finance Department said that the reports under reference were not pending before it but were with the office of Chief Minister Atishi, who also looks after the Finance Ministry.

Earlier on October 29, the Delhi High Court agreed to examine the matter and issued notice to the Delhi government, the office of the Legislative Assembly Speaker, the L-G, CAG, and the Accountant General (Audit), Delhi.

The petition claimed that CAG reports relating to pollution and rules and regulations related to alcohol were not placed before the L-G by the Finance Ministry and remain pending with CM Atishi, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister.

"Despite the Lt. Governor's repeated requests and constitutional obligation, these reports were not sent to the Lt. Governor and consequently, could not be tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly," said the plea filed by BJP MLAs Vijender Gupta, Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Bajpai and Jitender Mahajan.

It added that the Opposition leaders tried their best to table the CAG reports when the Vidhan Sabha session was held on September 26-27 after a long gap, but 'no action was taken for such tabling of the reports'.

The petition said that this deliberate suppression of vital information not only violates democratic principles but also prevents proper scrutiny of government action and expenditures, raising serious questions about the government's financial propriety, transparency and accountability.

It further said that the delay was not merely a procedural oversight but a serious violation of constitutional obligations when the CAG had been forwarding the audit reports for laying before the Delhi Assembly.

It said that the CAG is a "constitutional watchdog" created with the objective of providing independent and credible assurance to the public, the legislature and the executive that the public funds are being collected and used effectively and efficiently.
Imphal, Dec 16 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday said that seven cadres of a militant outfit have been detained in connection with Saturday's killing of two migrant workers from Bihar and are now being interrogated.

Armed assailants shot dead the two migrant workers near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road in Kakching district when the victims, along with a few others, were going on their bicycles. The victims were identified as Sunalal Kumar, 18, and Dasharat Kumar, 17.

Interacting with the media after attending the Vijay Diwas celebrations here, the Chief Minister said that the killing of two migrant workers might be with a "political motivation".

"Seven cadres of a militant outfit have been picked up and the senior police officials are now interrogating them to ascertain whether they were involved in the killing or not. Police are active in finding out the perpetrators of the killing. Searches by different security forces are going on to nab the actual killers," he said.

A police official said that the seven detainees belong to the proscribed underground outfit, Kangleipak Communist Party (Peopleas War Group) (KCP-PWG).

Biren Singh on Sunday night strongly condemned the killing of two migrant workers from Bihar and announced Rs 10 lakh as an ex-gratia for the kin of each victim.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, said in a post on X: "I strongly condemn the brutal killing of young brothers, Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17), from Bihar in Kakching district, Manipur. This act of terrorism is a direct assault on our values, and my deepest condolences go out to their grieving families."

At this crucial juncture, "we cannot ignore the possibility that this horrific crime is part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise our state and push it further towards chaos. We must stand together against these destructive forces and ensure that they do not succeed in creating fear and insecurity", he said.

An ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to each bereaved family, and every possible effort is underway to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible, the Chief Minister said.

"If required, the case will be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure a fair and thorough inquiry."

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.

Earlier on many occasions, migrant workers, especially from Bihar, have been attacked in Manipur.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also expressed grief over the killings and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for family members of the deceased.
Beijing, Dec 16 : A public prosecution has been initiated against Su Zengtian, formerly a Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial People's Congress, on suspicion of bribery and abuse of power.

Following the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP)'s designation, the Ningbo Municipal People's Procuratorate in east China's Zhejiang Province recently filed a lawsuit against Su with the Intermediate People's Court of Ningbo, according to an SPP statement released Monday.

The lawsuit comes following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision into Su's alleged misconduct, Xinhua news agency reported.

Su is accused of abusing his official positions in Fujian to secure benefits for others and illegally accepting substantial bribes in the form of money and valuables.

Even after leaving public office, he allegedly leveraged his former positions to secure improper benefits for others through government staff, while continuing to receive substantial sums of money and valuables.

The indictment further alleges that Su abused his power as a functionary of state organs, resulting in significant losses to public property.

Meanwhile, Wu Cunrong, Chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is also under investigation for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and the law, an official statement said Monday.

The investigation is being conducted by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, according to the statement.

In October, Peng Guofu, a former senior legislator in central China's Hunan Province, was indicted for suspected bribe-taking.

Prosecutors accused Peng, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People's Congress, of having taken advantage of his positions to benefit others while accepting huge amounts of money and property in return.

Following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision and designated by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), a procuratorate in Hainan Province had filed a lawsuit against Peng with the intermediate people's court.
Belagavi : , Dec 16 (IANS) The Karnataka government stated on Monday that the number of cesarean deliveries was rising in the state and announced that a new programme would be launched by next month to control this.

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao made the announcement in the Legislative Council in Belagavi on Monday.

Health Minister Rao made this statement in response to a question by the Congress Legislative Council member Jagadev Guttedar during the session held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.

Health Minister Rao declared, "A new programme aimed at controlling cesarean deliveries will be implemented next month in Karnataka."

The rate of cesarean deliveries in the state is increasing every year from 35 per cent in 2021-2022 to 38 per cent in 2022-2023. Currently, the cesarean delivery rate stands at 46 per cent in the state.

"In private hospitals, cesarean deliveries account for 61 per cent," Minister Rao noted.

"Private hospitals prefer cesareans as they are more profitable and easier to perform. It is essential to curb this trend for the health of mothers and babies. Therefore, efforts will be made to mentally prepare women for normal deliveries, and a new programme will be launched in this regard," Rao stated.

Health Minister Rao also informed the council that since 2023-24, eight cases related to female feticide have been registered in the state, resulting in the arrest of 46 individuals.

Increased inspections of scanning centres and hospitals have led to the detection of more female feticide cases.

Successful decoy operations have been conducted to take action against those involved in female feticide.

To prevent female feticide, the government has established all statutory committees under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act at the state and district levels.

Since 2018, the 'Baalika' online software system has been used for the mandatory registration and renewal of all scanning centres, Minister Rao stated.

The registration process for 100 per cent of pregnant women is ongoing at the state level, and technology is being used to monitor birth-gender ratio data at the village level, Rao said.

So far, 136 cases have been filed in court against scanning centres, owners, and doctors for violating the PC & PNDT Act. Of these, 74 cases have resulted in fines, while 65 cases are at various stages in the courts, Rao maintained.

"The Karnataka government has increased the reward for informants who provide inputs on scanning centres, hospitals, doctors, agents, or relatives involved in female feticide. The reward has been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh," Minister Rao underlined.

"To ensure effective implementation of the PC and PNDT Act, a state task force led by the Commissioner has been formed. Secret operations have been conducted in districts like Bengaluru Rural, Belagavi, Mandya, and Kolar," Minister Rao stated.

"Public awareness programmes are being conducted across the state to prevent female feticide and raise awareness among the population," Minister Rao stated.
Belagavi, Dec 16 : Karnataka Minister for RDPR, IT and BT Priyank Kharge said on Monday that the BJP is BJP misleading people with baseless allegations on the issue of Waqf in the state.

"The BJP has been discussing the Waqf issue for the past week. However, they are speaking without any evidence, documentation, or proof. Their only intention is to mislead people. Vijayendra is responsible for offering Rs 150 crore to suppress the report on the Waqf scam case and owes an explanation," the minister said while addressing a press conference in Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.

He said that Leader of the Opposition, C.T. Ravi, and several other leaders, including the state BJP President are spreading false information about the Waqf.

"Even regarding the Haveri farmer suicides, BJP leaders, including the MP from Bengaluru, gave incorrect information, later deleted it, and are now justifying their actions. Their intention is to exploit this for political gain. The BJP's double standards are evident. Regarding the Waqf issue, their manifesto stated that they would conduct GISS mapping and protect these properties," he said.

He further stated in response to a question from Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, the central government had stated that Rs 335 crore would be spent to distribute Rs 12 crore to each state to conduct GISS mapping and digitise assets, thereby improving the community's economy.

"In this context, I had made the statement that during and after the elections, the state BJP President Vijayendra offered a bribe of crores of rupees to the then Minority Commission Chairman," Kharge claimed.

He said that in the Assembly, Vijayendra claimed that the government was engaging in a hit-and-run and that ministers were making baseless accusations against him.

"Neither the Congress party nor I made these allegations. The allegations were made by your party's spokesperson and appointee, Anwar Manipaddy. Is Anwar Manipaddy a member of the Congress? I have only cited allegations that appeared in newspapers, which the BJP seems to have forgotten. The video clips related to this are available for all to see. These videos have been broadcast on reputable news channels. In the video, it is clearly stated that this is a Rs 2.5 lakh crore scam, and it is mentioned that even their own party members are not supporting them," he said.

He added that Anwar Manipaddy has said that he uncovered this case after discussions with leaders and that there seems to be an influential cover-up.

"Anwar Manipaddy also said he has the support of the Sangh and that this issue should be taken to its logical conclusion. He mentioned that Vijayendra approached him for a settlement and offered a specific amount. These answers can be found within the BJP office itself; there's no need to come to us. Anwar Manipaddy also claimed that former CM B.S. Yediyurappa's son, Vijayendra, personally made an offer involving a large sum of money," Kharge alleged.

He added that Anwar Manipaddy very clearly mentions that when confronted, they fled with their "gunman".

"Anwar Manipaddy has repeatedly made these accusations. Despite this, the BJP accuses the Congress government of a hit-and-run approach. Anwar Manipaddy wrote a letter to Yediyurappa, accusing him of corruption involving Rs 4.5 lakh crore in Waqf properties, with evidence. He has also written letters to the Prime Minister and others, stating that Vijayendra and some BJP leaders are attempting to suppress this case. These allegations have been widely reported in newspapers," Kharge claimed.

He said that the BJP, which is now demanding a CBI investigation, should explain why they did not order a CBI probe even after the report reached the Prime Minister.

"Anwar Manipaddy had stated that he reported this issue to three Chief Ministers, but no action was taken. On Sunday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi remarked that the scam could be Rs 1,500 crore instead of Rs 150 crore, because as BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal mentioned, Vijayendra has amassed thousands of crores. Joshi should ask his own leaders about these bribes," Kharge said.

Earlier, Vijayendra challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday to hand over the Waqf scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Siddaramaiah and Minister Priyank Kharge had alleged that BJP State President Vijayendra had "tried to bribe" the former Minority Commission Chairman with Rs 150 crore during the previous government to suppress a probe into Waqf property encroachments.

However, former Minority Commission Chairman Anwar Manipaddy refuted the bribery charge made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stating that Congress leaders had offered him bribes to suppress the Waqf encroachment report.

Anwar Manipaddy further said that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had a genuine concern for Muslims, he should hand over his report on Waqf encroachments to the CBI.
Shimla, Dec 16 : Aryan (name changed) was handed over to his adoptive mother on Monday by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu under the 'Children of the State' scheme at a function in Shishu Grih at Tutikandi here.

Shimla, Dec 16 (IANS) Aryan (name changed) was handed over to his adoptive mother on Monday by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu under the aChildren of the Statea scheme at a function in Shishu Grih at Tutikandi here.

He congratulated Aryanas new mother and extended best wishes for a bright and prosperous future for the child.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister made an earnest appeal to the affluent members of society to come forward and adopt children growing up in Shishu Grih and orphanages. He said that the state government was making all possible efforts for the welfare of underprivileged sections of society and formulating schemes in this direction.

He said that the government was now the "mother and father" to 4,000 helpless children and these children have been officially adopted as 'Children of the State.'

The government has been bearing the education and other expenses of these children, and preparing them to deal with future challenges, an official statement quoting the Chief Minister said.

He said the government has launched the aMukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojanaa to support the welfare of vulnerable children.

Under this scheme, 49 Bal-Balika Ashrams are currently being supported across Himachal Pradesh. He highlighted that Himachal Pradesh was the first state in India to enact a law dedicated to the welfare of such children.

He also mentioned the establishment of the Sukh-Aashray Kosh which was playing a pivotal role in providing essential support for the education and future of such children.

He said that the government has also launched the aIndira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojanaa to ensure the overall development and well-being of all the children in the state. This scheme aims to improve the education, health, and nutrition of children aged 0-27 years from families of widows, abandoned, divorced, or disabled parents.
Hyderabad, Dec 16 : President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Hyderabad on Tuesday for a five-day southern sojourn.

Officials said she would reach Air Force Station Hakimpet at 4.30 p.m., where Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials will receive her.

She will reach the Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum in Secunderabad by road, and will stay there till December 21.

Cyberabad Police said traffic congestion is between 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday on the route coming to Hakimpet from Outer Ring Road exit number 7 via BITS Junction, Thumkunta village and Hakimpet. Hyderabad police have also announced traffic restrictions between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The traffic will either be stopped for a while or diverted at Hakimpet Air Force Station Y Junction, Bolarum Check Post, Navy House Junction, and Yapral Road.

The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the Presidentas visit and stay.

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari last week held a meeting with senior officials to review the arrangements. She directed officials to work in close coordination and make elaborate arrangements in a befitting manner.

The Forest Department officials deputed snake catchers and completed the task of snake catching well in advance. The Chief Secretary directed that a snake-catching team should be stationed around the clock in the Rashtrapati Nilayam. Similarly, special teams should be deputed to deal with the monkey menace in and around the Rashtrapati Nilayam in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The GHMC was also directed to ensure bee-hive removal well in advance.

During the stay in the city, the President will take part in some programmes. This is President Murmuas third visit to Hyderabad for a southern sojourn since she was elected to the highest office in July last year.

The President stays at least once a year in Rashtrapati Nilayam and conducts official business from here. The building was constructed in 1860 as the country house of the British Resident at Secunderabad. After Hyderabad State's accession to India in 1948, it became the President's retreat. First President Babu Rajendra Prasad had stayed here in 1955 and since then every President visited Hyderabad for southern sojourn at least one week every year.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : Stepping up action in Assam ponzi scam cases, the CBI has filed five more charge sheets in five separate cases against 18 accused, including two companies, an official said on Monday.

Apart from the 16 people, two organisations -- Upepithets Holdings Pvt. Ltd (UHPL) and Brahmaputra Sanchay & Biniyog Cooperative Society Ltd (BSBCSL) -- were also named in the charge sheets filed in Special CBI Court, Guwahati.

These five charge sheets filed by CBI Guwahati are apart from four chargesheets filed by CBI Delhi which too is investigating the Assam Ponzi Investment Scam cases.

In one of the chargesheets, the federal agency named three accused including two private persons and a private company.

This is one of the Assam investment scam cases which are being investigated by CBI on the request of the government of Assam.

Before the CBI re-registered the case, it was registered by Police Station Tezpur, Assam, on September 4 against one of the accused Hemen Rava on allegations that the accused engaged in a financial scam in contravention of RBI/SEBI guidelines.

It was alleged that he induced the general public to enter notarised loan agreements with promises of high returns on investments. He allegedly misappropriated the funds for his personal gains, thereby defrauding his clients, the CBI alleged.

The investigation by the CBI has established that the accused were involved in orchestrating an illegal deposit scheme that solicited funds from investors under false pretence.

They used deceptive means, including notarised stamp papers, to lure investors with the promise of guaranteed monthly returns of 6 per cent and above.

Another charge sheet was filed against five accused, including four private persons and Brahmaputra Sanchay & Biniyog Cooperative Society Ltd.

Other accused are -- Jiten Deka, the then Chairman, Indrani Das, Branch Manager, Azara Branch, Sanjib Deka, Secretary, Himangshu Talukdar, Chairman, of the Society.

The case pertains to deposits collected by the cooperative society under the scheme named "Grihalakshmi".

The investors were allegedly lured with promises of substantial returns such as bonus/interest.

Subsequently, the deposits were allegedly misappropriated by the accused.

It was revealed during investigation that accused Jiten Deka and other accused promoted an unregulated deposit scheme and made false promises of high return up to 15 per cent annually.

Jiten Deka and others solicited agents/investors to the scheme (unregulated deposit scheme) where agents were offered commission ranging from 4 per cent to 7 per cent on the deposited amounts.

In a separate case, the CBI filed a charge sheet against four private persons namely Mainao Brahma, Dipankar Bhatta, Jyotisman Sarma and Sumit Barman before the Special CBI Court.

The accused had allegedly entered a conspiracy to run an unregulated deposit scheme with the intention to defraud the general public and then divert/misappropriate the money.

All the accused are in judicial custody.

The CBI also filed a charge sheet against two persons - Rishiraj Gogoi and Joy Modak - before the Special CBI Court in Guwahati. The accused are in judicial custody.

The charge sheet said the accused were involved in running a stock trading business in the guise of their Company "Go Millions LLP" formed for selling various cosmetics and other products.

They induced the general public to invest money by promising them high returns by violating the guidelines of the SEBI/RBI and thus cheated the public by misappropriating money.

Investigation established that Gogoi and Modak entered a conspiracy, made an arrangement to collect deposits from the general public by way of business through UPI/Bank Account but did not deposit the amount in any Regulated Deposit Scheme. All the accused are in Judicial Custody.

Further, the CBI filed charges against four persons - Sankar Kumar Biswas, Rofiqul Islam, Dinesh Ch. Ray and Niranjan Kumar Malakar - before the Special CBI Court, Guwahati.

This case was re-registered by the CBI after taking over the investigation of Police Station, Dhubri.

The investigation established that the accused collected investment in the name of Titan Capital Market and did not deposit/invest/trade the amount received from the different depositors with any Regulated Deposit Scheme.

They cheated the depositors by collecting money from them for investments and did not return the said amount to them, the CBI said.

During the investigation, the CBI successfully traced databases containing details of depositors who were deceived into investing in these unregulated deposit schemes.
Phnom Penh, Dec 16 : The Cambodian government officially launched a digital platform for the informal economy on Monday.

Speaking at the launch event in Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Hun Manet said the portal marked an important milestone in implementing the National Strategy for Informal Economy Development 2023-2028.

He emphasised the platform's significance in providing recognition and support for the informal economy.

The move demonstrated the government's commitment to supporting the informal economy, aiming to create opportunities and enhance living standards and overall well-being, Manet said, Xinhua news agency reported.

The platform will also facilitate the government's targeted interventions, especially during crisis, and open doors for informal economy actors to access benefits such as skills development, social protection and formal financial services, he added.

Hem Vanndy, the industry minister, said the platform will provide a solution to the longstanding issue of lack of data about the informal economy.

The platform offered a range of options that are free of charge and entirely voluntary, primarily for micro-enterprises, employees of micro-enterprises, seasonal workers, and self-employed individuals working in the informal economy, he added.

According to a survey, Cambodia has about 7.9 million people in the labour force, with 1.7 million employed in the formal sector and a staggering 6.2 million individuals in the informal sector who often lack access to essential services, leaving them vulnerable to shocks.

Last week, a Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC)'s report stated that the country has approved 389 fixed-asset investment projects worth 6.44 billion US dollars during the first 11 months of 2024, creating about 305,000 jobs.

The new projects were mainly focused on garment, travel goods, and footwear sectors, hotel development, hydroelectric power stations, freshwater port, solar power plants, agriculture, amusement park, car tyre plants, special economic zones, infrastructure, and telecommunication, among others, Xinhua reported.

In November alone, the kingdom recorded a total of 43 investment projects worth some 940 million dollars, which was estimated to generate approximately 39,000 jobs, the CDC said.

Hun Manet said that the kingdom's peace and stability, its strategic location within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and its business-friendly policies had offered a perfect place for investments.

"Our network of trade agreements provides large market access," he said at an economic and technology summit in Phnom Penh on November 26.

He said through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Cambodia offered investors entry to a market of 2.3 billion people.

"Our bilateral free trade agreements with China and South Korea coupled with our latest Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates open doors to some of the world's most vibrant economies," he said.

"We are not just offering investors a place for investment. We are offering them a ticket to this region's future," he added.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 16 : The workers of Odisha Chhatra Congress and Yuva Congress were attacked by a swarm of bees during their protest near the residence of senior IAS officer and principal secretary in the SC/ST welfare and Odisha language department, Bishnupada Sethi here on Monday.

The Congress workers were demanding the arrest of the senior bureaucrat over his alleged involvement in the Rs 10 lakh bribery case.

As per reports, the winged insects attacked the workers as someone disturbed a beehive on a tree near Sethi's residence in the city.

The sudden attack of bees forced the protesters to run away from the place. The police personnel deployed at the spot and journalists reporting the protest were also forced to duck on the ground to save themselves from the attack.

However, the protestors again returned to the spot when the bees calmed down after a few minutes to continue their protest.

Meanwhile, Congress Leader Yasir Nawaz alleged that Bishnupada Sethi has been involved in corrupt practices in every department he worked in since the rule of the previous BJD-led government.

Nawaz alleged that many blacklisted firms have been granted tenders by the corrupt officers.

He urged the BJP government to immediately arrest the senior IAS officer Sethi for his alleged involvement in the Rs 10 lakh bribery case. The Congress leader also questioned as to why Sethi is not appearing before CBI despite the summons.

"Corruption in Odisha can't be checked unless officers like Sethi are arrested. I request Chief Minister Mohan Majhi-led BJP government to put such corrupt officers behind the bars to make Odisha Corruption-free," added Nawaz.

It is pertinent here to mention politics in the heated up in state following the issuance of summons to the senior IAS officer and his drivers in connection with the high profile bribery case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on December 7 caught the Group General Manager (GGM) of Bridge and Roof Co. (India) Limited, a Central Government PSU under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Chanchal Mukherjee red-handed while receiving Rs 10 lakh bribe from the director of a city-based private company, Santosh Moharana. The middleman Debadutta Mohapatra has also been apprehended in the case.
Kolkata, Dec 16 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) has received specific hints from a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata that the trial process in the ED-registered case in the alleged multi-crore cash-for-school-job scam in West Bengal might be conducted on a daily basis, sources aware of the development said on Monday.

ED has already started the necessary paperwork with the special court for the process of framing of charge in the case, following which the trial process in the matter will start.

On Monday, while directing the Central agency to prepare a list of witnesses in the case by Wednesday and submit the same to the court, the judge gave a verbal indication that if necessary, the trial process in the matter might be conducted on a fast-track and on a daily basis.

To recall, the trial process in the ghastly rape and murder of a lady junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata in August is currently at another special court in Kolkata and this is also happening on a fast track and daily.

On Monday, the special court of PMLA also directed ED officials to immediately issue notices to those whose names have been listed as accused or witnesses in the last and fifth supplementary chargesheet filed by the Central agency at the court recently.

Last Friday, a division bench of the Supreme Court of India, while granting bail to the former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee by February 1, also directed ED to complete the process of framing of charge in the case within that period.

The apex court also observed that if the process of framing of charge in the matter is completed before February 1, then Chatterjee might be released on bail on that day only. Following the apex court directive, ED, from Monday, started the preparatory process for the framing of charge in the matter.
Kolkata, Dec 16 : In the face of large-scale criticisms both from inside and outside, Trinamool Congress on Monday finally officially censured West Bengal Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim over his recent public comments on "minority" and "majority".

In a statement issued here, the Trinamool said that the party completely dissociates from the comments made by the minister that soon people from the "minority" community will become the "majority" in the state as well as within the country and also has hinted about some internal disciplinary actions against him in the matter.

"The All India Trinamool Congress firmly disassociates itself from and strongly condemns the statement made by Shri Firhad Hakim, MIC GoWB, at an event the day before yesterday. These comments do not reflect the partyas position or ideology. Our commitment to peace, unity, and communal harmony remains unwavering. Any remarks that threaten the social fabric of West Bengal will be met with strict measures," the statement read.

Meanwhile, Trinamool insiders said that the party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is herself quite displeased over the comments of Hakim which had attracted scathing criticisms from different sections.

Political observers feel that the displeasure of the Chief Minister about Hakimas comments, otherwise an extremely close confidant of hers, is evident from the official statement issued by the party which has been also posted on the partyas official X handle.

"Hakim himself is a member of the party disciplinary committee. In such a situation, such public comments from him are not at all expected and the Chief Minister naturally is unhappy over that," said a member of the West Bengal cabinet who refused to be named.

Earlier also, Hakim was in the midst of controversy as he said that people not born of a particular community are "unfortunate".
New Delhi, Dec 16 : On the 12th anniversary of the brutal Nirbhaya gangrape, the ruling AAP on Monday launched a campaign called 'Mahila Adalat' to highlight crimes against women in Delhi. The move invited stinging criticism from the Opposition BJP and the Congress which called it a political gimmick.

The AAP 'Mahila Adalat' was organised at Thyagraj Stadium where the ruling party's former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal initiated a dialogue on women's security and used the platform to highlight the allegedly poor law and order in Delhi.

Apart from AAP leaders, the event was attended by Samajwadi Party President and Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav.

Chief Minister Atishi said in a post on X, "For how long will the daughters and women of Delhi live in the shadow of fear? Even today, women in the capital do not feel safe to leave their homes. Three-four rapes every day, more than 11 kidnappings, 14,000+ crimes against women in a year."

"These are not just statistics, these are the reality of the BJP-ruled Central government which has failed to maintain law and order in Delhi! The only job of the BJP-ruled Central government is to provide security to the people of Delhi and women, but it has completely failed in this too," she wrote.

"Now, through the Mahila Court, women themselves will raise their voices for their safety, respect and rights. Now the women of Delhi will not sit silent," wrote CM Atishi.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Devender Yadav said that it was ironic that Kejriwal, who came to power capitalising on the Nirbhaya incident, was forced to hold a "Mahila Adalat" on women's security 11 years after he formed his first government.

"It is a clear confession that he had failed to protect women, and he was passing the buck for his failures to others," said Yadav.

He said that women's safety and security had been compromised in Delhi a long time ago and Kejriwal should have taken up this matter with the Union Home Minister much earlier, instead of waiting for the Assembly elections to come to make political capital out of it.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticised the AAP, stating that the platform used today to make grand claims about women's respect is tainted by allegations against the attendees and their families, whether it be Arvind Kejriwal or Akhilesh Yadav.

The Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha office-bearers even held a protest near Kejriwal's residence to protest against the presence of Akhilesh Yadav at the Nirbhaya Memory Day Programme.

Sachdeva said Kejriwal, the brain behind organising Mahila Adalat, could have demonstrated his commitment to justice by taking action against his colleague Bibhav Kumar and giving justice to Swati Maliwal who was beaten by the former at CM's residence.

However, Kejriwal continues to maintain silence on the matter, said the Delhi BJP chief.

He added that by inviting Akhilesh Yadav to the Nirbhaya Day programme, Kejriwal had disrespected the memory of Nirbhaya.

The Delhi BJP President questioned how Kejriwal could hold a Mahila Adalat programme alongside Akhilesh Yadav, given that his father, Late Mulayam Singh Yadav, infamously defended individuals accused of crimes against women, dismissing their actions by saying, "Boys make mistakes."

"If Kejriwal had any moral integrity, he would have used the Mahila Adalat platform today to demand an apology from Akhilesh Yadav on behalf of his father's statements," Sachdeva remarked.

He criticised Kejriwal for diverting attention from Delhi's real issues and said that despite such attempts, the public, particularly women, would not be distracted.

Sachdeva said, "Kejriwal should realise that this election in Delhi is decisive, and this time, women have resolved to vote for the BJP."
Islamabad, Dec 16 : A policeman was killed in firing by unknown gunmen in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police officers said on Monday.

A polio worker was also critically injured when some unknown armed persons attacked a polio vaccination team in Shakarkhel area of Karak district of the province.

The attackers fled the scene after carrying out the attack, and a search operation was underway to arrest the culprits, police said.

Following the incident, a heavy contingent of police reached the area. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, the Pakistani government launched a fresh nationwide anti-polio campaign after cases rose to 63 so far in 2024.

As IANS reported at the start of this month, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) verified the detection of the Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) in three children in different areas of the country.

Cases were reported from Dera Ismail Khan, Karachi and southern district of Kashmore, respectively.

The NIH has urged masses to ensure the oral polio vaccine for their children under the age of five during every anti-polio campaign.

The latest mid-December vaccination drive was targetting to reach more than 44 million children.

Pakistan is facing an intense resurgence of WPV1, especially in the restive Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The two troubled regions have seen rejection of polio vaccination campaigns and even casualties for health workers in the past.

With no end in sign to targeted attacks, it has become almost impossible for polio vaccination campaigns to run smoothly, thus increasing chances of children getting infected.

Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan remain the only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic.

In the past, Pakistan has administered over 300 million doses of the oral vaccine annually. But the disease continues to stay rife in the country.

Many analysts have questioned Pakistan government's continued failure to handle the spread of polio virus.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the city government's Fire Department and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to examine the feasibility of implementing a basic level of safety for the residents of slums and JJ clusters.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting the tragic incident in the slums of Neb Sarai, where a fire claimed the lives of a 12-year-old girl and a woman.

"This preventable disaster occurred because emergency services, including fire brigades, could not access the area due to narrow and congested lanes," said the petition filed by Alliance For Peopleas Rights, a network of NGOs.

This heartbreaking event has brought into sharp focus the administrative apathy that has not only violated the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India but also caused immense hardship to the community, it added.

The petition said that the fire caused immense hardship to approximately 100 individuals, most of whom belonged to economically vulnerable groups, and these families lost not only their makeshift homes but also their meagre possessions, plunging them further into despair.

"This incident underscores the dire consequences of administrative apathy and highlights the urgent need for infrastructural development and disaster preparedness in Neb Sarai to prevent such tragedies in the future," it further stated.

The PIL, filed through advocate Pankaj Sinha, sought directions for formulation and implementation of comprehensive guidelines addressing the challenges faced by slums across various parts of Delhi, particularly those with narrow passages that hinder access to essential public services and facilities, to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future.

It also demanded that authorities should be ordered to pay exemplary and adequate compensation to all the victims who have lost their lives or who have sustained fatal injuries on account of their fault. Further, it sought directions to ensure basic amenities in the localities so as to ensure the right to live with dignity to the residents of the community.

Stressing the requirement for proper construction guidelines in the national capital, the Delhi High Court disposed of the petition.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Dec 16 : Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday slammed the ruling AAP for its failure to address issues concerning the ongoing municipal council elections.

Beginning his day at the Khanauri border, the Ludhiana MP met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on his 21st day of a hunger strike till death. Warring described his fight as one for all Punjabis and a testament to the relentless spirit of farmers who are the backbone of the nation.

Warring lashed out at the Central government for its indifferent attitude toward farmers' demands, stating, "The treatment of our farmers by the Central government is condemnable. I appeal to all Punjabis to unite and support Dallewal-ji in this struggle for our rights. The Congress has always stood with the farmers and will continue to do so."

He emphasised how the issue has been consistently raised in the Parliament and added Rahul Gandhi has and will continue to amplify the farmers' voice on national platforms.

After Khanauri, Warring visited Samana, where he met with local leadership and addressed the atrocities committed by the state government during the recent municipal council election nominations. "The AAP government has stooped to new lows, tearing nomination papers, using the administration to suppress opposition candidates, and physically manhandling women candidates," he said.

He condemned these acts as an attack on democracy and vowed to take the matter to the Election Commission, the High Court, and the Supreme Court to ensure justice. "We will not let democracy be destroyed by the AAP's misuse of power. The people of Punjab will not forget such atrocities and will show the AAP government the door," he added.

Interacting with the media in Patiala, Warring criticised the deteriorating governance under the AAP. "The Aam Aadmi Party has already ruined Punjab's law and order, healthcare, and education sectors, and now they are destroying democracy itself. We demand that the municipal elections be restarted in a fair and transparent manner, free from the shadow of AAP's high-handedness. FIRs must be filed against those who attacked and humiliated our women candidates."

Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi and other Congress leaders joined Warring in condemning the AAP's tactics, calling them a blatant assault on constitutional values.
Jakarta, Dec 16 : Indonesian police and soldiers will jointly deploy 141,443 personnel to secure Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations nationwide, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said on Monday.

The general noted that the personnel would be stationed at 61,452 locations across the country. "The locations to be secured include churches, shopping malls, airports, bus terminals, train stations, and venues hosting New Year's Eve celebrations," he said.

To support the mission, 2,794 security posts will be established, he added.

"With this deployment, we hope the Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations will run smoothly," he said, Xinhua news agency reported.

In addition to securing key locations, the operation will focus on the journeys of travelers before and after the celebrations. According to the Transportation Ministry, 110.67 million people are expected to travel during this period.

As many as 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians, were killed in the 2002 Bali bombings with over 200 injured.

Bali is one of the resort islands in the Southeast Asian country that welcomes the most foreign tourists every year. The island is famous for its beaches and sea scenery.

Two bombs were detonated in the popular tourist centre of Kuta Beach at approximately 11 pm local time on October 12, 2002, with a third detonated near the US consulate in Denpasar.

It remains the single largest loss of Australian life in a terror attack and the largest loss of Australian life since World War II.

Several victims of the bombings were flown to the Australian cities of Perth and Darwin for treatment, and in 2003 almost 200 Australians received special honours for their actions following the attack.

In June, the authorities in Bali had increased its monitoring of foreign tourists following several criminal incidents that have disrupted local communities.

The country's Directorate General of Immigration, in collaboration with local police authorities, has stepped up surveillance of foreign nationals, including enforcing traffic regulations.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : In fresh trouble for beleaguered low-cost airline SpiceJet, the Delhi High Court has directed the chief operating officer (COO) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the carrier to appear before it, in a plea seeking compliance of over $6 million in payment to the aircraft engines lessors.

The bench "specifically denied" the request of the counsel for judgment debtor, SpiceJet, for the appearance of the two senior officers before the court through video conferencing.

"The chief operating officer (COO) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the judgement debtor are directed to remain present in court on the next date of hearing, that is, January 16, 2025," the court said in its order on December 10.

Engine lessors, Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS had initiated legal action against SpiceJet demanding the return of aircraft engines due to non-payment of contractual obligations following the termination of their agreements.

As per reports, Team France is claiming a total of $24.7 million in unpaid dues on account of three engines that were leased to the airline. As per the HC orders, the three engines have been released by the airline and returned to the lessor. Team France is now seeking recovery of unpaid dues.

"It is made clear that the request of the counsel for judgement debtor (SpiceJet) for the appearance of the aforesaid officers through video conferencing has been specifically denied," the court's order said.

Ajay Singh, SpiceJet's Chairman and Managing Director, was earlier summoned by the Delhi High Court last year over non-payment of dues by SpiceJet to Kalanithi Maran, stating that SpiceJet owes him Rs 440 crore.

In January this year, a Court order compelled SpiceJet to pay an immediate $4 million to avoid the engines from being grounded.
Damascus, Dec 16 : Israeli warplanes carried out a series of heavy airstrikes in the northwestern Syrian province of Tartus late Sunday and early Monday, hitting at least 18 military targets, a war monitor reported on Monday.

According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and eyewitness accounts, the Israeli strikes were so intense that earthquake detection apps recorded a magnitude 3 earthquake in Tartus. Online videos showed massive fires and explosions.

The observatory said these raids bring the total number of Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military sites to 473 since the Bashar al-Assad government collapsed on December 8.

The Israeli strikes have focused on destroying remnants of military infrastructure linked to the former Syrian leadership, including airports, radar installations, air defenses, and a wide array of weapons and missile depots, said the report.

Among the targets hit were the 23rd Air Defense Brigade near the village of Huraysun in the coastal region and facilities in Isqabla, Dahar al-Baloutiyah, al-Kharab, and Marsahin, Xinhua news agency reported.

Two additional sites near Drekish and several missile and air defense depots near the village of Malakah were also struck, along with bases north of Akkar Plain inside Syrian territory. Missile platforms in Battalion 107 in the Zama area of Rural Tartus were also targeted.

Explosions reverberated through Tartus as missiles within the warehouses detonated. The strikes caused extensive material damage, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, the observatory said.

In a separate incident, an explosion rocked the only bridge over the Euphrates River connecting Deir al-Zour city to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces-held village of Hatlah, though it remained unclear whether the incident was related to Israel.
Damascus, Dec 16 : Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad released on Monday his first public statement since leaving Damascus on December 8, detailing the chaotic moments leading up to his departure for Russia.

The statement, released via the Syrian Presidency's Telegram account, addressed rumors surrounding al-Assad's departure and the collapse of his government after more than 13 years of civil conflict.

Al-Assad insisted that he did not plan the departure and remained in the capital city until the early morning hours of December 8, attending to his responsibilities. When militant groups entered Damascus, he coordinated with "Russian friends" to relocate to the coastal province of Latakia, aiming to continue directing military operations from there, he added.

However, upon his arrival at Russia's Hmeimim Air Base, al-Assad realized that all remaining Syrian army positions had collapsed, and that ground forces had withdrawn from the front lines, said the statement.

With the situation deteriorating and the Russian base itself encountering drone attacks, al-Assad said Moscow arranged an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of December 8.

Al-Assad claimed that the idea of seeking asylum or relinquishing his post never arose before, saying his sole option had been to continue fighting, Xinhua news agency reported.

He dismissed any notion that he would abandon the people of Syria, stressing he had refused "deals and temptations" throughout the war. Al-Assad noted that he remained in Damascus with his family during even the worst years of conflict, facing repeated threats of militant advances for more than 13 years.

The ousted president described himself as a leader who never aspired to personal power, viewing his role as part of a national project supported by the Syrian people.

With the state falling to what he termed "terrorists" and no capacity left to serve the public, he said the position of president became "meaningless."

Still, al-Assad insisted that his national identity and allegiance to Syria remain firm, expressing hope that the country will one day regain freedom and independence.

A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major offensive from northern Syria on Nov. 27 and had since swept southwards through areas held by al-Assad's government. Following territorial gains, including the capture of the capital Damascus, the alliance declared the end of al-Assad's rule on Dec. 8.
Moscow, Dec 16 : Russia is still in talks with the Syrian side on the status of Russia's military bases in the country, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

The spokesman said that no final decisions have been made on the issue so far.

"We are in contact with the representatives of the forces that are in control of the situation in the country. Everything will be determined through dialogue," he said at a briefing when commenting on the future of Russia's bases in Syria.

Russia currently operates two military bases in Syria: a naval base in the port city of Tartus and an air base near Jableh.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Moscow has evacuated some of its diplomats out of the Syrian capital Damascus while its embassy continues to function.

The diplomats were transported by a Russian Aerospace Forces flight from the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria to Moscow, the ministry said in a statement.

The flight also carried diplomats from Belarus and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, it added.

Last week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had said that Moscow hopes to keep its military bases in Syria as they are important in the fight against terrorism.

"I think there is general agreement that the fight against terrorism and the Islamic State is not over, it requires collective efforts. In this regard, our presence played an important role in the fight against international terrorism," state-run RIA news agency reported on Thursday, citing Bogdanov.

The Russian diplomat added that Moscow has established contacts with the political committee of Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and discussed issues of ensuring the security of the Russian diplomatic mission and citizens in the country.
Amaravati, Dec 16 : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday reportedly to finalise his brother K. Nagababu's induction in the state Cabinet.

Amaravati, Dec 16 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday reportedly to finalise his brother K. Nagababuas induction in the state Cabinet.

The two are understood to have discussed the portfolio to be given to Nagababu.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena chiefs are also believed to have decided the date for Nagababuas swearing-in

They also discussed the latest political situation, the final list to fill nominated posts, and other issues.

Naidu and Pawan Kalyan are also believed to have decided that they should coordinate for the victory in elections to cooperative bodies to repeat their performance in the recent elections to water usersa associations.

The Chief Minister had last week announced that Nagababu would be inducted into the Cabinet. Since he is not a member of the Assembly, he and Pawan Kalyan also discussed the plans to nominate him to the Legislative Council.

Nagababu, the elder brother of Pawan Kalyan and younger brother of megastar Chiranjeevi, is also an actor and film producer. As the General Secretary of Jana Sena, he had actively campaigned for the party in the recent elections.

As the TDP named two candidates for bye-elections to Rajya Sabha and left one seat for its alliance partner BJP, it decided to accommodate another partner Jana Sena in the Cabinet.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) headed by TDP has 164 MLAs in the 175-member Assembly. The TDP has 135 members while Jana Sena and BJP have 21 and eight seats, respectively.

Nagababu, also known as Nagendra Babu, will be the fourth minister from the Jana Sena. Since Naga Babu is not a member of the Assembly, the coalition is likely to nominate him to the Legislative Council to pave for his induction into the Cabinet.

Currently, Jana Sena President Pawan Kalyan, Nadendla Manohar, and Kandula Durgesh are the ministers from Jana Sena in the Naidu-led Cabinet.

The state Cabinet can have a maximum of 25 members. Naidu and 23 ministers had taken oath on June 12. The TDP had inducted three ministers from the Jana Sena and one from the BJP. One vacancy was left for the Jana Sena.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the Congress for questioning EVMs after every electoral loss, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, too, trashed the idea of EVM manipulation on Monday.

Reacting to statements by these leaders, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said: "These people are important allies of the INDIA bloc, and they have exposed Congress."

Jagdambika Pal said: "Congress leaders blame EVMs out of frustration and confusion. When they win in Telangana or Karnataka, they don't question the EVMs. But today, when their allies are saying this, it shows how they misled the people of the country, and now their deception has become clear."

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Maske stated: "Opposition members are also saying that when they succeeded in the Lok Sabha, they did not blame the EVMs. But when they lost the assembly elections, they blamed the EVMs. Congress has a dual strategy. I want to say that Congress should resign from all the Lok Sabha seats they won. When Priyanka Gandhi became an MP from Wayanad, was the EVM fine there?"

In response to a question about the Nehru Memorial, he said: "If Sonia Gandhi took the paper, she should return it. What is Sonia Gandhi trying to hide? If she doesn't return the paper, it will be clear that Nehru was opposed to Ambedkar and against ST-SC reservation."

Regarding the formula of "two and a half years" in Maharashtra, he said: "There are 288 legislators in Maharashtra. Our party has 60 legislators. Every legislator is qualified for a ministerial position. Many of them have been elected for the third or fourth time. They feel that by becoming ministers, they can serve Maharashtra. Those who have been made ministers have been given two and a half years to show their performance."

He also stated that a decision would soon be made regarding Ramdas Athawale's cadre.

RLD MP Rajkumar Sangwan commented on 'One Nation-One Election', saying: "This is in the interest of the country. Holding elections in multiple states wastes time. All the energy is wasted in the elections. This bill will benefit the country, and whenever it is introduced, we will support it."

On Omar Abdullah's statement about EVMs, he said: "These are all frustrated people. When they lose elections, they make EVMs an issue. When they win elections, EVMs are fine. Only those who have been rejected by the people are raising questions about EVMs. The people are not ready to accept them. They are losing because they are not getting votes and then blaming the EVMs."

BJP MP Ravi Kishan commented on Omar Abdullahas statement about EVMs, saying: "Look, the truth is coming out. Even their allies in the opposition are revealing everything. When they win elections, they are happy, but as soon as they lose, they start blaming EVMs."

Regarding Mani Shankar Aiyar's statement, Ravi Kishan said: "I saw that he said Congress didn't allow him to meet with high command. I want to say that the entire country has become BJP-dominated. Today, the entire opposition wants to join the BJP. But where will we keep them? There aren't enough seats."

On the Nehru Memorial issue, Ravi Kishan said, "The letter that was requested should be returned."
Patna, Dec 16 : Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying that he lacks vision for the development of the state.

Yadav accused Nitish Kumar of lacking vision, innovation, and a concrete roadmap for the state's development. He also criticised the Chief Minister for relying on "retired officers" and outdated ideas, asserting that Bihar now requires "a new vision" to progress.

Tejashwi took to the social media platform X, alleging that Nitish Kumar routinely mocks opposition proposals only to adopt them later.

"First Nitish Kumar makes fun of our announcements and criticises us, calls them impossible, and finally shamelessly copies our schemes," Yadav wrote.

Highlighting his role as an opposition leader, he added, "We are able to teach them so much by being in the opposition."

He hinted at his party's potential plans for Bihar's future, mentioning that they are currently exploring initiatives such as scholarships for students and unemployment allowances for youth.

"The development of Bihar requires leadership with energy and foresight, rather than tired Chief Ministers and retired officers," he said.

He also emphasised his commitment to the welfare of women, the elderly, the disabled, and other marginalised groups.

Speaking about the cornerstone of his future governance plans, he asserted that Bihar's progress is incomplete without empowering women.

"When our government is formed, mothers and sisters will be given 2500 per month under the 'Mai Behin Maan Yojana'," Yadav announced.

The scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to women, recognizing their role in the state's development and ensuring their economic empowerment.
Chandigarh, Dec 16 : The Punjab's BJP Mahila Morcha President Jai Inder Kaur on Monday condemned the atrocities committed against women candidates during the filing of nomination papers for the Municipal Corporation elections.

She has demanded the National Commission for Women (NCW) to immediately intervene and take action against these appalling incidents.

In a letter written to the NCW Chairperson, Jai Inder Kaur said: "The recent incidents of violence and harassment against women candidates in Punjab are deeply disturbing and unacceptable. It's shocking to see how women were being targeted and intimidated, simply for exercising their right to participate in the democratic process."

She further wrote: "As the President of BJP Mahila Morcha, Punjab, I strongly condemn these atrocities and demand immediate action from the National Commission for Women. It's imperative that the NCW takes concrete steps to ensure women's safety and dignity during elections."

Jai Inder Kaur further highlighted: "The incidents in Patiala, where nomination papers of BJP women candidates were torn and women physically assaulted outside the Deputy Commissioner's office, are particularly alarming. Visual evidence clearly implicates senior AAP leaders, MLA Chetan Singh Jouramajra and MLA Ajit Pal Kohli."

She further requested: "I urge the NCW to constitute a fact-finding team to investigate these incidents, recommend legal action against perpetrators, and direct the Punjab Women Commission to fulfil its statutory duties. Women's safety and empowerment are non-negotiable. We will continue to fight for justice and accountability."

The elections to five Municipal Corporations and 41 Municipal Councils, besides Nagar Panchayats, will be held on December 21. The counting of votes will take place on the same day.

Out of the 37,32,636 registered voters, 19,55,888 are men, 17,76,544 are women and 204 others. The polling would be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the use of EVMs. The polled votes will be counted at the polling station itself.
Jaipur, Dec 16 : Rajasthan's Chittorgarh MP C.P. Joshi on Monday inquired in Lok Sabha during the question hour session about the construction of a memorial dedicated to Bhakt Shiromani Meerabai inside Chittorgarh Fort while saying that the fort holds a unique identity globally.

Highlighting the historical significance of the fort, MP Joshi stated: "Chittorgarh Fort holds a unique identity globally. As the largest fort in Asia, Chittorgarh boasts a rich and glorious history associated with figures like Meera, Panna, Padmini, and Maharana Pratap."

MP Joshi further asked the Union Minister whether the government plans to establish a memorial for Meerabai in Chittorgarh, especially as part of the 525th birth anniversary celebrations of Bhakt Shiromani Meerabai.

He also emphasised the long-pending demand to open the eastern entrance gate of the Chittorgarh Fort and sought clarity on whether the government is considering this proposal.

"The Hon'ble Prime Minister has decided to organise various programs related to Meerabai at various places of historical importance in the country on the 525th birth anniversary of Meerabai, out of which will any memorial be built in the name of Meerabai in Chittorgarh too? Also, there is a long-standing demand for opening the gate on the eastern side of Chittorgarh too, so is the government considering it," he asked.

In response, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the House that the Prime Minister has initiated significant programmes at four historically important locations related to Meerabai's life: her birthplace (Merta), her marriage site (Chittorgarh), her devotion site (Vrindavan), and her nirvana site (Dwarka).

"A special event is scheduled to take place in Chittorgarh from 21st to 23rd December," the minister said.

Regarding the eastern gate of Chittorgarh Fort, the Union Minister stated that the MP and the District Collector had written to the Ministry requesting an alternative route.

"The Ministry has asked the state government to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) based on the proposal. The Archaeological Survey of India will evaluate the matter and make a decision in accordance with its guidelines," the minsiter said.
Karwar : , Dec 16 (IANS) Padma Shri awardee, Tulsi Gowda, known as the 'Vruksha Maate' (Mother of Trees), died on Monday at her residence in Karnataka's Honnalli village in Karwar district. She was 86.

Tulsi Gowda had been suffering from age-related ailments. Hailing from the Halakki tribal community, she was renowned for planting and nurturing lakhs of trees in her vicinity, effectively creating her own forest.

She dedicated her life to the environment and spent over 60 years raising awareness about environmental conservation.

In recognition of her contributions, Dharwad Agricultural University honoured her with a doctorate. She is survived by her two children and four grandchildren.

Acknowledging her life-long dedication, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri award in 2021.

Tulsi Gowda was born in 1944 in Honnalli village to Narayana and Neeli. She was named after the sacred plant, Tulsi.

Growing up in the forest, she developed a deep love and bond with nature, especially with plants and trees, by the age of 12.

Local environmentalists referred to her as an 'encyclopedia of forests'.

Tulsi Gowda possessed extensive knowledge of a vast range of plants, trees, and creepers that thrive in forests.

She also knew how to cultivate a forest on plain land.

She was considered an authority on more than 300 varieties of indigenous plants and trees.

Tulsi Gowda used to plant and nurture more than 30,000 saplings each year.

She holds the distinction of having planted and cared for hundreds of thousands of trees so far.

After losing her husband at a young age, she joined the Forest Department as a daily wage-worker to support her two children.

While working there, she continued to nurture and care for the plants, and without being instructed or expecting a salary from the department, she dedicated herself to the cause of afforestation as a service.

In addition, she collected seeds of various wild plants found along the forest fringes, grew saplings, and silently led a green revolution by planting them in the forests.
Jaipur, Dec 16 : Lokesh Sharma, the former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to ex-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, turned approver in the phone tapping case on Monday.

Talking to IANS, Sharma confirmed that the Patiala House Court had approved his application earlier in the day. He hinted that the development could have far-reaching implications for Rajasthanas bureaucracy and political landscape.

Sharma was arrested by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police on November 25 at Prashant Vihar police station in Delhi. However, he secured anticipatory bail immediately after his arrest. Speculation had been rife since then that he might turn approver in the high-profile case.

The phone tapping controversy erupted in Rajasthan during the political crisis of 2020 when a faction led by Sachin Pilot went to Manesar as part of political camping.

The case gained traction after Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat filed an FIR with the Delhi Crime Branch, naming Lokesh Sharma. Following this, Sharma had moved Delhi High Court seeking protection from arrest but later withdrew his petition.

The controversy stemmed from leaked audio recordings that went viral during the political turmoil. These recordings allegedly revealed attempts of horsetrading.

Lokesh Sharma, then serving as Ashok Gehlotas OSD, released the audio clips, accusing Shekhawat of being involved in the alleged horse-trading of legislators.

Shekhawat, in turn, filed a complaint alleging illegal phone tapping, naming Sharma in the case.

An official said that the courtas decision to grant Sharmaas application to turn approver is expected to bring new details to light.
Jaipur, Dec 16 : A clash erupted on Monday during the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) meeting in Jaipur over the absence of Congress National General Secretary and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot's photo from the meeting banners.

Sources said that the issue arose when some Congress members expressed displeasure about the missing picture of Pilot which led to a heated exchange.

State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra defended the decision, citing protocol as the reason behind the banner design. The matter was first raised by State Secretary Narpat Meghwal, followed by Vibha Mathur, who questioned the implications of omitting Pilot's image.

"How can we talk about strengthening the party when a prominent leader's photo is missing?" they argued.

The duo questioned why the banner featured former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's picture and not of Sachin Pilot's. In response, Dotasra reiterated that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) protocol governs such decisions in PCC meetings. Vibha Mathur, granddaughter of former Chief Minister Shiv Charan Mathur and a known Pilot supporter, joined the debate, expressing strong objections.

Dotasra dismissed the criticism, asserting that the photos on posters adhered to Congress guidelines and urged members to focus on party unity. "If anyone wants to feature leaders' photos, they can do so in their own programmes," he stated.

The controversy stemmed from a banner prominently displaying images of senior Congress leaders from the central and state levels but excluding Sachin Pilot. Addressing the issue, Dotasra downplayed the incident, calling it an internal matter. "They expressed their concerns, and we acknowledged them," he remarked.

Vibha Mathur, currently a PCC Secretary and considered a staunch Sachin Pilot supporter, has held various positions in the Congress, including spokesperson for the IT Cell.

During the meeting, Dotasra announced a review of officials' performance within the organisation. Noting the absence of 23 officials from the meeting, he warned of consequences for inactivity. "Only those who fulfil their responsibilities will remain in the organisation," he emphasised, adding that block-and division-level executives would soon be formed.

The incident meanwhile underscored persistent tensions within the Rajasthan Congress, reflecting ongoing power struggles.
New Delhi, Dec 16 : President Droupadi Murmu on Monday met her visiting Sri Lankan counterpart Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, an official said.

According to an official statement, President Murmu also hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting Sri Lankan dignitary.

The President's Secretariat in a release said: "Welcoming President Disanayaka and his delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President congratulated him for his victory in the recent Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka."

President Murmu said that Sri Lanka is an important part of India's aNeighbourhood Firsta policy and SAGAR Vision.

The President added that as a close and trusted partner, India would continue to support the Sri Lankan government's efforts for the sustainable economic development of the neighbouring island nation.

President Murmu was happy to note that the Joint Statement adopted today reflects the commitment of both countries to advance the multifaceted bilateral relationship, the statement noted.

The President said that India's comprehensive development assistance partnership with Sri Lanka is based on the neighbouring country's priorities and needs.

President Murmu also expressed confidence that India's investment-led will help in economic recovery and stability.

The President also recalled that historical ties between our peoples are a fundamental and cherished element of our bilateral cooperation.

Both leaders expressed confidence that this visit will provide momentum for taking the bilateral ties forward, for the peace and prosperity of the people of both countries.

Earlier, recognising shared security interests and challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India and Sri Lanka on Monday agreed to advance defence collaboration with New Delhi reiterating its continued commitment to working closely with Colombo in advancing the island nation's maritime security needs.

During his bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House here on Monday, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake thanked India for its support through the provision of a Dornier aircraft for maritime surveillance; and establishment of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka amongst other assistance vital for Sri Lanka to enhance its maritime domain awareness.

"He further appreciated India's role as a 'first responder' for Sri Lanka in the field of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. Importantly, the recent success in collaboration efforts of Indian and Sri Lanka Navies in the seizing of vessels trafficking a large quantity of narcotics with suspects was mentioned and President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy," mentions the India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement 'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future' that was released after the meeting between the two leaders.

The two sides also decided to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation.

With India being Sri Lanka's closest maritime neighbour, Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka's stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability.

"I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support to India," the visiting Lankan President stated during the joint press conference.

The Joint Statement detailed that both leaders acknowledged the importance of regular dialogue based on mutual trust and transparency and giving primacy to each other's security concerns.

"As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region," it mentioned.

It was thus decided to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation; foster cooperation in hydrography; provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lankaas defence capabilities; intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges; extend assistance to strengthen capabilities of Sri Lanka on disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation, including through training, joint exercises and sharing of best practices; and, enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailormade training programmes, wherever required.
Jammu, Dec 16 : A teenager from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was repatriated after six days on Monday after he inadvertently crossed the line of control (LoC) in J&K's Poonch district.

Officials said that a teenager identified as Saliq Hussain son of Khalid Hussain of Bandi Abasspur had crossed the LoC on December 11 and was immediately taken into custody by the army.

"On questioning of the teenager, it was revealed that he had lost his way and crossed the LoC. Soon the Indian Army established contact with their Pakistani counterparts and Saliq was handed over to them at Chakan Da Bagh crossing in Poonch district this evening after completion of all formalities," officials said.

The gate at Chakan Da Bagh LoC crossing was opened at 5 pm today for 25 minutes to enable the teenager's repatriation, an official added.

The army has heightened vigil on the LoC after intelligence agencies said that terrorists are waiting at the launching pads across the LoC to sneak into the Indian side before the mountain passes are closed by this season's snowfall.

Security forces and police are acting in complete synergy with each other to ensure that the terrorists are eliminated before they create any major security-related problems.

After the peaceful people participative Lok Sabha and legislative assembly elections in J&K, intelligence agencies believe that the handlers of terror from across the border have become impatient and they have directed the terrorists to give the dying terrorism in J&K the last push.

Terrorists have carried out some dastardly attacks on civilians, police, security forces and the army after the peaceful conduct of elections in J&K.

The L-G also chaired a top-level security review meeting in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in J&K. He gave orders to the security forces to target terrorists, their over-ground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers to dismantle the ecosystem of terror in J&K.
Beijing, Dec 16 : National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will meet and hold discussions with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on December 18 in Beijing for the 23rd Special Representatives meeting.

"As agreed by China and India, China's Special Representative on the China-India boundary question, 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 Wang Yi and India's Special Representative and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for China-India Boundary Question in Beijing on December 18," Chineses Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Monday.

Earlier, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi had decided during their meeting to revive several mechanisms, including meetings of the Special Representatives, to address the border issue and normalise bilateral relations.

Since then, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs met in New Delhi on December 5 and agreed on maintaining peace and tranquillity on the disputed frontier in line with bilateral agreements and protocols.

The Special Representatives mechanism was created in 2003 to explore the "framework of a boundary settlement".

Since then, 22 formal rounds of talks have been held under the mechanism, the last being in 2019.

During the military standoff on the LAC that began in April-May 2020, the Special Representatives held talks several times to find ways to end the face-off.

The standoff, and a brutal clash at Galwan Valley in June the same year that killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, had taken bilateral ties to their lowest point since the 1962 border war.
Mumbai, Dec 16 : Nana Patekar, known for his candid revelations, has recently shared why he had no interest in watching the movie 'Animal'.

In a recent conversation with Anil Kapoor for his upcoming movie 'Vanvaas', Nana shared his views on the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer.

The actor revealed that after watching the film, he called Anil and jokingly told him, "Teri film Anil-mal dekhi."

While initially reluctant to watch the movie, Nana admitted that once he did, he felt Kapoor's performance stood out as the most restrained in the action-packed drama. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, 'Animal' starred Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri.

The film centers on Ranvijay (Ranbir), the ruthless son of a powerful industrialist (Anil Kapoor), whose strained relationship with his father spirals further into chaos after an assassination attempt on his father sets him on a path of vengeance and destruction.

'Animal' is one of the longest Indian films ever made in Bollywood, and it did extremely well commercially, both domestically and internationally.

In the same interview, Nana also recalled when Kapoor had him replaced by Jackie Shroff in the film 'Parinda'. Nana revealed that he was originally cast to play Anil Kapoor's character's brother in the film, but the role eventually went to Jackie Shroff. The 'Welcome' actor confessed that he felt some resentment towards Anil, believing he had encouraged the change.

However, Anil defended himself, explaining that the final decision rested with the director.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Nana will next be seen in the upcoming film 'Vanvaas', which also stars Utkarsh Sharma. The family drama, which explores the bond between a father and son, is directed and produced by 'Gadar' fame Anil Sharma.

The actor shared the poster of the film on his X account and captioned, "#Vanvaas ki puri journey mere liye bahot hi yaadgaar rahi. Yeh aaj tak ki meri best filmon mein se ek hai."

In the poster, the veteran actor is depicted sitting in a suit on a ghat.

'Vanvaas' will be released in theatres on December 20.
Bengaluru, Dec 16 : The Allahabad High Court has granted transit anticipatory bail to the fourth accused - Sushil Singhania, the uncle of the first accused Nikita Singhania - in connection with the sensational Atul Subhash suicide case.

Transit anticipatory bail provides protection to an accused from arrest until he or she can reach a court with jurisdiction in connection with the alleged offence. The measure is temporary in nature and is different from that of the ordinary bail that is granted after an arrest.

The bench headed by Justice Ashutosh Srivatsava passed the order and remarked that the bail pleas of Atul's wife Nikita Singhania, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania and brother-in-law Anurag Singhania had become infructuous since they were arrested by the Karnataka Police.

The bench observed, that the allegations for instigating suicide have been raised primarily against the Family Court's Principal Judge, mother-in-law and wife of the deceased. The charges against the fourth accused are limited to issuing threats to the deceased and his parents over the phone and in person.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru police on Monday stated that the two-year-old son of Atul Subhash is safe with one of the relatives and more information can't be divulged in this regard as the matter is sensitive.

Speaking to media in Bengaluru DCP (Whitefield) Shivakumar Gunare stated, "What we can divulge is the child is with one of the relatives. Since the matter is sensitive, more information in this regard can't be given. We will provide more information regarding the child in the coming days."

He said that the court has ordered judicial custody of all accused, Atul's wife Nikita Singhaniya, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania and brother-in-law Anurag Singhania. The case is being investigated without any bias.

Atul's father Pavan Kumar Modi had expressed his fears over Atul's son. He had stated that he didn't know whether his grandson was alive or not. He further expressed his desire to be with his grandson.

"I used to talk to my grandson over the video call. Nikita's family had lodged a complaint against us regarding the matter of my grandson," he claimed.

Three accused in Atul Subhash's suicide case -- his wife, her mother and brother -- who were arrested by Bengaluru Police, were sent to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday.

Atul Subhash's wife Nikita Singhania was arrested from Haryana's Gurugram and her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were nabbed in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Prime accused in the sensational Atul Subhash suicide case Nikita Singhania changed her location every day to avoid arrest and tried to obtain bail in the case, said police sources on Monday.

Sources said that the special teams which went to Uttar Pradesh had found that the accused had locked their houses and left after getting the news of the arrival of Karnataka Police teams. The police pasted a notice on the walls of their residences asking them to appear before the police within three days.

The special team gathered information about the accused and listed out the close relatives and friends suspected to be in touch with them. They were also monitored. As the accused made calls only on WhatsApp, it was difficult to track them.

However, Nikita Singhania, made one phone call mistakenly to one of her close relatives. Based on the tower location the police went to Gurugram in Haryana and found that she was hiding in a PG accommodation in the Rail Vihar area. She was detained by the police in the city.

The police grilled Nitika and got her to make a phone call to her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania. After tracking their location, the police picked them up from Jhunsi town in Uttar Pradesh.

The accused were questioned later for nine hours during the transit time to Bengaluru and ensured that the two-year-old baby boy was in the safe custody of one of her relatives. The police recorded the statements of the accused persons before presenting them to the judge.

The police can take custody of the accused persons on a body warrant if their investigation is required. On the other hand, the family of Nikita is preparing to file a bail plea in the court.

Nikita Singhania has claimed that she never harassed Atul Subhash and she was living away from him for three years. Meanwhile, the family of Atul Subhash is claiming custody of Atul and Nikita's two-year-old male baby. Bikas Kumar, brother of deceased Subhash has claimed that the family wanted to see the baby.

The accused persons were produced before the court and were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. After nabbing the accused persons, the Karnataka Police brought them to Bengaluru on Saturday late at night.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that Atul Subhash had planned to commit suicide 15 days before taking the extreme step. He had written the death note three days ago and searched legal matters on Google.

The police registered an FIR against the accused persons under Sections 108, 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) on December 9. Bikas Kumar had lodged a police complaint alleging abetment to suicide with the Marathahalli police in Bengaluru.

The FIR was lodged against Subhash's wife Nikita Singhania, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania, brother-in-law Anurag Singhania and relative Sushil Singhania. The police are yet to arrest the fourth accused, Sushil, in the case.

Bikas Kumar alleged in the complaint that false cases were lodged against his brother by the accused who had demanded Rs 3 crore to settle the case. He had also alleged that his brother was taunted in the court during the proceedings that he had to either give Rs 3 crore or commit suicide.

Nikita's family had alleged that the deceased Subhash demanded a hefty dowry from her family which resulted in the death of her father.

Subhash, who was working with an automobile company in Bengaluru, allegedly committed suicide as a demand of Rs 3 crore was made for a divorce settlement.

He ended his life at his apartment in the early hours of December 9, leaving behind a 90-minute video and a 40-page death note, explaining how harassment by his wife Nikita Singhania and her family compelled him to take the extreme step.
Aizawl, Dec 16 : In a significant step towards transforming Mizoram's agricultural landscape, Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday launched the "Chief Minister's Rubber Mission" benefiting 1,000 farmers each year.

A senior official said that the "Chief Minister's Rubber Mission", set to commence in the 2025-26 financial year, aims to cultivate 1,000 hectares annually, benefiting 1,000 farmers each year.

The mission's first phase, spanning four years, targets the development of 4,000 hectares of land, he said.

Addressing the function at the Dawrpui Multipurpose Hall, Aizawl, the Chief Minister highlighted the potential of rubber as a globally high-demand crop that offers sustainable income opportunities while contributing to environmental conservation.

Lalduhoma acknowledged the past struggles faced by Mizoram's farmers with various crops and plantation initiatives, which often led to disappointment and eroded trust in government programs.

He assured the public of the mission's well-planned design and its potential to utilise Mizoram's arable land effectively, transforming the state into a rubber production hub.

Before launching the mission, officials of the state conducted an in-depth study by visiting Tripura, Kerala, and the Rubber Board of India, gaining valuable insights and expertise to ensure the program's successful implementation.

Minister for Land Resources Lalthansanga commended the Chief Ministeras vision and revealed that the initiative was conceptualised after extensive consultations with Rubber Board of India Chairman, Sawar Dhanania.

He emphasised that the nodal department is fully prepared to execute the mission efficiently and deliver tangible benefits to farmers.

In a significant moment during the event, NABARD's General Manager Pankaja Borah handed over a sanction letter of Rs 27.98 crore for the initial phase of the mission, which will cover seven of the 11 districts in the state.

The Mizoram Chief Ministeras Rubber Mission exemplifies the state government's dedication to economic empowerment and environmental sustainability for farmers, marking a new chapter in Mizoram's agricultural progress, officials pointed out.

Minister for Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation Lalthansanga also attended the function.
Jammu, Dec 16 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting on J&K on December 19 and some important orders regarding the UT are expected to be issued.

Officials said that Amit Shah will chair the meeting which will be attended by top brass of the Central and J&K intelligence officers. Top officers of administration, police, CAPFs and others connected with the security grid are attending the meeting.

Official sources indicate that some important orders are expected to be issued around the scheduled date of the meeting.

There are speculations that the rules of business detailing the division of powers between the L-G and the Chief Minister are in the final stage of completion at the MHA and there is a possibility that these could be announced around the Union Home Minister's review meeting.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already made the division of powers between the L-G and the elected government a major issue.

In a recent interview, Omar Abdullah said that the dual power centre in J&K is a recipe for disaster. It is to address the growing confusion between the Raj Bhavan and the Council of Ministers regarding the issuance of the rules of business.

Sources in the MHA have told IANS that as long as J&K is a union territory, there is no scope for confusion with regard to the duties and powers assigned to the L-G and the Chief Minister.

They said that police, IAS/IPS officers, law & order, anti-corruption bureau, prisons and prosecution are under the L-G directly and there should be no misgiving about this.

"So far as development, tourism, employment, education, agriculture, horticulture. healthcare, environment and forests, social welfare, power development department, Jal Shakti department, irrigation & flood control, PDS and several other departments are concerned, these come under the Council of Ministers that have complete control over these vital departments," they said.

In addition to addressing the ground situation and taking details about the successes and shortcomings of the anti-terror grid in J&K, the Home Minister could ensure that the misgivings about dual power centres in J&K are finally put to rest.

About the grant of statehood, the Union Minister again made it clear two days back that J&K would get its full statement at the right time when everything connected with the grant of statehood and its ramifications on the ground situation is fully discussed and decided.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 16 : BJP leaders attacked Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who carried a handbag displaying a bold 'Palestine' tag in Parliament on Monday, even as Congress has defended her action.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma said, "The mentality of all three members of the Gandhi family reflects foreign thinking, a foreign facade."

Union Minister of State Banwari Lal Verma stated, "Priyanka Gandhi brought a Palestine bag, but she should have brought India's bag instead. By bringing in unrelated issues, she is just indulging in drama."

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said, "I believe that the credit for appeasing the minority should not go to anyone, as injustice is being done. Priyanka Gandhi is saying that every citizen, every leader, and every worker in India is speaking up about the injustice happening to our Hindu people in Bangladesh. They should be protected, and no injustice should be done to them."

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari stated, "Priyanka Gandhi's bag has 'Palestine' written on it, you can understand that she has no connection with India. Just a few days ago, it had 'Italy' written on it, and now it has 'Palestine'. Who knows when 'India' will be written on it.."

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said, "The words 'democracy' and 'system' do not even exist in the dictionary of the Congress party and its leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Our country is known for its vastness and the history of its democracy. Their mindset raises serious questions."

Reacting to the development, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana said, "People do such things for news. When they have been rejected by the people, they resort to such actions."

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, "She wants to prove that Congress does politics of appeasement. They do not see the suffering of the victims in Bangladesh, they only see Palestine. She tweets about Gaza more than 20 times but does not talk about Bangladeshi Hindus. Congress party is a party of Muslim appeasement."

Meanwhile, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla defended Priyanka's action, saying, "Children are being killed in Palestine, hospitals are being bombed, and she is protesting all of this on the grounds of humanity."

AIMIM Spokesperson Waris Pathan also reacted to Priyanka Gandhi's 'Palestine' Bag. He said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Mahatma Gandhi, they all supported Palestine. We have always supported Palestine."
Hyderabad, Dec 16 : With Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma giving his nod, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is set to initiate action against Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former minister K. T. Rama Rao in Formula E race case.

The matter was discussed during the State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday.

Minister for Information and Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy revealed that the Governor has given permission to try KTR in the case will be taken by the ACB in accordance with the law.

The Chief Secretary will forward the file signed by the Governor to the ACB tonight or on Tuesday for further action, the minister said.

Srinivas Reddy told media persons that he would not say anything about KTRas arrest. He remarked that law will take its own course.

Last month, the Congress government had requested the Governor to grant permission to the ACB to register a case against KTR for alleged misuse of power and diversion of funds for conducting the Formula-E race.

There are allegations that as then minister for industry KTR sanctioned funds for the race bypassing established procedures.

With the Governor giving his nod under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the ACB is likely to register a case against KTR, issuing him notices and conducting raids on certain individuals and officials connected to the alleged scam.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka had said in January that the Formula E race was conducted last year by the previous government to benefit a company and Hyderabad and Telangana were in no way benefited from it.

The then government had agreed to pay Rs. 110 crores to the company and out of this Rs.55 crores were paid. The remaining amount was to be paid in two instalments.

Formula E cancelled the second Formula E race (Season 10) scheduled in Hyderabad on February 10, 2024.

The announcement was made after a decision by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (MAUD) of the Telangana government not to fulfil the Host City Agreement signed on October 30, 2023.

Formula E Operations (FEO) said it was left with no choice other than to formally give notice to MAUD for breach of contract.

The Congress government issued notice to senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar for aserious violationsa with regard to the agreement.

The official was asked to explain why the huge financial expenditure of Rs.46 crores plus the tax amount of Rs.9 crores was paid from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) resources even before the agreement was signed.

KTR last month defended the previous government's decision to bring the Formula E race to Hyderabad and declared that he is ready to go to jail.

Denying the allegations of corruption, KTR said he tried to elevate Hyderabadas global image, especially through the Formula E race.
S. Korean prosecutors summon President Yoon for questioning for 2nd time

Xinhua) 14:41, December 16, 2024

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korean prosecutors summoned President Yoon Suk-yeol for questioning for the second time on Monday after their botched attempt to subpoena the impeached president last week, according to multiple media outlets.

The prosecution's special investigation headquarters delivered their second summons to the president's side, asking Yoon to appear at the prosecutors' office in Seoul for questioning over insurrection and other charges.

The prosecution sent an official letter last week to the presidential side, asking Yoon to appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 10:00 a.m. local time Sunday (0100 GMT).

Yoon defied the subpoena last week, reportedly saying that his defense counsel had yet to be formed.

If Yoon agrees to the questioning, he will become the country's first sitting president to appear at the prosecutors' office as a criminal suspect.

Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on a rebellion charge following his martial law imposition on the night of Dec. 3 that was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.

The second motion to impeach Yoon was passed through the National Assembly on Saturday and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power will be suspended.

If Yoon continues to reject the summons for no justifiable reason, the prosecution could try and obtain an arrest warrant against Yoon and detain the president by force.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Mumbai/Agartala, Dec 16 : DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday said that there is a huge market for the northeastern states in Southeast Asian countries and the region has huge untapped resources.

Addressing the Northeast Trade and Investment Roadshow in Mumbai, Scindia said that northeastern states have the potential to generate 56,000 MW of hydropower and the region is ready for investment in diverse sectors.

The DoNER Minister said that during the past ten years, the number of airports increased from nine to seventeen while Rs 90,000 crore was invested in the railway sectors.

Adding that there are 5500 km of National highways, the Minister said that the region has been encircled by China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal making the region have huge scopes of trade and business.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the development of the northeast. After becoming Prime Minister Modi has given top priority for the development of the region.

Huge human resources have been developed in the region and such human resources are not available in the entire world," Scindia told the gathering.

He said that each NE state has their own area of competence and each of the eight states has abandoned resources in varied sectors and this is the time for investment and to utilise the untapped resources.

The DoNER minister said that 35 local products of various northeastern states have got the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) registration, commonly known as the GI tag.

The Northeast Trade and Investment Roadshow was organised at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Colaba in Mumbai.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma in their speeches highlighted the potentiality of their states and said there are huge scopes of investments in these states.

Tripura Chief Minister informed that the state's estimated per capita income in 2024 is at an all-time high of Rs 1.77 lakh, compared to Rs 1.57 lakh in 2023.

"Tripura's GSDP has grown at 8.9 per cent, making it the state with the second-highest GSDP growth rate in the northeast region.

We are making every effort to create an investor-friendly climate to utilise the state's capacities and resources. The state government is adding new dimensions to industrial and basic infrastructure improvement across the state," Saha said.

He said PM Modi's HIRA model, focusing on Highways, the Internet, Railways, and Airways, has transformed connectivity.

Tripura Chief Minister further mentioned that the state government has established a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sabroom in South Tripura District, which has already attracted significant interest from investors.

"There is enormous scope for industries utilizing indigenous resources such as rubber, bamboo, natural gas, agro-products, agar, food processing, tea, handicrafts, and tourism.

We have over 5 million agar trees spread across 2,000 hectares in the North District. We have also established a Rubber Park in Bodhjungnagar, with another one planned in the South District. Tripura boasts 21 species of bamboo and has launched a comprehensive bamboo policy," Saha said.

The Northeast Trade and Investment Roadshow was organised by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER).

Monday's Mumbai Roadshow marks the sixth event in the ongoing series, showcasing presentations from the eight northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
Patna, Dec 16 : The Patna Police have apprehended two individuals involved in a unique modus operandi for committing robberies in households.

The accused, who worked as masons and labourers, used their access to homes as an opportunity to recce potential targets before carrying out thefts.

The breakthrough occurred when the two suspects Gaurav Kumar and Suman Kumar were intercepted by the police while fleeing on a motorcycle after snatching a woman's gold chain on Monday. During the chase, the police apprehended them and recovered the stolen chain, a mobile phone, and the motorcycle used in the crime.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that they were part of an eight-member gang. They pose as masons and labourers to gain employment in houses. While working, they meticulously plan their robbery.

Their crimes are not limited to households; they also carry out street robberies whenever an opportunity arises.

"The arrested individuals have a history of criminal activities and are linked to multiple robberies, chain and mobile snatching cases across various parts of Patna. Their method of blending into households as labourers made them difficult to detect until now," said Sashi Kumar Rana, SHO of Chowk police station Patna.

The police are conducting raids to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.

In another significant crackdown, a joint team of Bihar Police and the Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two notorious criminals in separate operations.

Bihar STF and Jehanabad police arrested Sudama Yadav, a wanted criminal from the district. He was among the district's top ten most-wanted criminals. He carried a bounty of 50,000 on his head.

Yadav has multiple cases of murder, loot, rape and extortion registered against him across various police stations in Jehanabad. He and his associates were involved in the murder of Jagdev Prasad, a resident of Mishra Bigha in Jehanabad in 2022.

In another joint operation, STF and Gaya Police arrested Dilip Kumar, an interstate arms smuggler, during a raid in Gaya's Chandauti police station area. The joint team has seized 130 live cartridges from his possession.
Guwahati, Dec 16 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering on Monday attended a meeting in Thimphu on the upcoming investor summit 'Advantage Assam'.

In his keynote address, Sarma shared how Assam is transforming its infrastructure and generating new opportunities for trade and investment partnerships. The summit will showcase how Assam is engineering its growth in different sectors to become a driver of the success of the Act East Policy.

Referring to the 117th National Day of Bhutan on 17th December, the Chief Minister said that he felt privileged to have been invited to the occasion.

He said that Assam and Bhutan share an enduring bond, a relationship nurtured over centuries through cultural, historical and economic exchanges. The ancient trade routes connecting the two geographical territories were not merely conduits for goods like tea, silk and other commodities but were lifelines of mutual understanding and interdependence.

"The visit of His Majesty to Assam in November last year further strengthened this bond, inspiring both Assam and Bhutan to explore new ideas and initiatives to enhance cooperation in several key areas for mutual growth and prosperity," Sarma stated adding that he is delighted to announce that Assam is hosting an Investment and Infrastructure Summit 25th and 26th of February in Guwahati.

The CM said: "Assam is grateful to Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay for his gracious presence at the last edition of Advantage Assam. I extend my humble request and heartfelt invitation to the Prime Minister Bhutan, to grace this Summit and the Mega Cultural Event with his esteemed presence, which would further strengthen the shared vision for regional prosperity."

Underscoring the areas where Assam and Bhutan can collaborate, the Chief Minister said that energy cooperation considering Bhutan's exemplary hydropower partnership with IndiaAssam has an opportunity to be a significant beneficiary of this initiative, contributing to the shared goal of promoting renewable energy and economic growth.

He also said that in Tourism and Cultural Exchange Assam and Bhutan together form a tapestry of natural and cultural wonders. Collaborative tourism circuits linking Bhutan's pristine landscapes with Assam's iconic sites such as Kaziranga and Manas National Park as well as Majuli will enhance eco-tourism and promote conservation. Joint efforts in wildlife tourism and preservation in border areas will further enrich this partnership.

The Chief Minister said that in Education and Skill Development Assam's educational institutions welcome Bhutanese students, offering reservation of 5 seats in government medical colleges. Assam also offers specialised programs for Bhutanese students in Auxiliary Nursing training. These opportunities will empower Bhutanese youth with world-class skills and knowledge.

Sarma also said that the burgeoning ethanol and agro-industrial sectors in Assam present opportunities for Bhutan's agricultural products, including maize and bamboo.
Bhopal, Dec 16 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Monday that the dream of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for linking rivers under the tripartite contract for the ambitious Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project will become reality soon.

This contract will be signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jaipur on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister said the much-awaited development, which has been pending for the last more than 20 years due to various reasons, will take concrete shape.

"The consensus on this project could not be made mainly because both states were ruled by different parties. Multiple meetings were held between the officials from both states (Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan).

Under the instructions from PM Modi all issues have been resolved now," CM Yadav added.

He also said that the project will benefit 3,217 villages of Guna, Morena, Shivpuri, Bhind, Sheopur, Ujjain, Sehore, Mandsaur, Indore, Dhar, Agar Malwa, Shajapur and Rajgarh districts of the state.

"Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project will prove to be a boon for the farmers and citizens of both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This will provide abundant water for irrigation to farmers and new doors of development will open," he added.

The Chief Minister asserted that the project will bring prosperity to both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Farmers will be able to double their yield with the water obtained from the project, which will make the state prosperous along with their families, CM Yadav said.

He added that the project will cost around Rs 72,000, of which, Madhya Pradesh will spend Rs 35,000 crore, while Rajasthan will spend Rs 37,000 crore and the rest of the amount will be allocated by the Centre.

The total water-filling capacity of the project will be 1908.83 cubic metres.

As much as 172 million cubic metres of water will be reserved for drinking and industries.

As many as 21 dams will be constructed under the project.

After Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal, PM Modi is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone of another river interlining project (Ken-Betwa) between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh during his visit to Sagar on December 25.

The project will provide water for irrigation for more than 8.1 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region and another 2.5 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh.

The Chief Minister last week said that after these two projects started, several big rivers within the state will also be interconnected.

He said that PM Modi had instructed him to prepare a plan for this purpose.
New York, Dec 17 : A teacher and a teenage student were killed and six students were injured in a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, said the police who previously reported a higher death toll but later revised the information.

The suspect, a teenage student at the school, is also dead, police said. The suspect used a handgun, Xinhua news agency reported.

A motive is not clear, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a news conference, adding that of the six injured students, two are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, and the other four suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials are working to reunite students with their parents. About 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade attend the school, according to ABC News.

Jill Underly, Wisconsin's superintendent of public instruction, stressed the need for change, saying in a statement,"This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to protect our children and our educators to ensure that such horrors never happen again. We will not rest until we find solutions that make our schools safe."

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers wrote, "I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond."

The Madison Police Department declined to provide details about the two people killed during a shooting at a Christian school Monday morning, citing the need to contact the victims' families before releasing details.

Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have responded.

Senator Ron Johnson wrote on social media that "my sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. I will continue to closely monitor the situation".

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers wrote: "I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond."

US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the Madison school shooting.

"The President has been briefed on the school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Madison to provide support as needed," Senior deputy press secretary Emilie Simons said.

There have been 322 school shootings this year in the US, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, the second highest total of any year since 1966 -- topped only by last year's total of 349 shootings.

Polling in the US has consistently found that the American public wants stricter laws on firearms, but politicians have found it difficult to push through legislation in the face of a strong pro-gun lobby.
Waterfalls are one of the most soothing yet exhilarating and beautiful creations in the world. From thunderous torrents plunging into deep gorges to delicate cascades that shimmer like liquid silver, these natural wonders continue to mesmerize the eyes and offer a glimpse into nature's boundless spirit. And while these wonders exist all over the world, from the lush hills of Hawaii to the rugged coast of Iceland, there's no denying that some falls are more spectacular than the rest. Here are some of the most beautiful waterfalls around the world, each a unique masterpiece that showcases the stunning diversity of our planet's natural landscapes.

1. Mae Ya Waterfall - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Image Source: Envato.com Mae Ya Waterfall - Chiang Mai, Thailand

The magnificent Mae Ya waterfalls are something you don't want to miss if you're about to visit Doi Inthanon. This cascading 30-storied fall is known as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand. The best time to visit the falls is from October to March when the water flow is at its peak, and the surrounding landscape bursts into vibrant greenery. The closest major airport is Chiang Mai International Airport, providing easy access to this stunning natural wonder.

2. Multnomah Falls - Oregon

Image Source: Envato.com Multnomah Falls - Oregon

The 611-foot-tall cascade of icy water plunges down in a series of dramatic tiers as the iconic Benson Bridge stands prominently in the foreground. The falls are set in the Columbia River Gorge between Portland and Hood River in Oregon. This spring-fed waterfall is framed by volcanic landscapes and offers a stunning spectacle as the waters crash into the canyon below.

3. Plitvice Falls - Croatia

Image Source: Envato.com Plitvice Falls - Croatia

The 16 cascading lakes that make up the Plitvice Falls in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia make for a visually stunning tableau. What makes these waterfalls even more beautiful are the hues of emerald and turquoise that can be seen amidst the falls as they flow over limestone rocks. The best time to visit Plitvice is from June to September. Zadar Aiport, located close by, provides easy access to this stunning natural wonder. .

4. Kuang Si Falls - Laos

Image Source: Envato.com Kuang Si Falls - Laos

The stunning Kuang Si falls and its emerald turquoise water pools offer a mesmerizing spectacle in Laos. This three-tiered waterfalls beckons swimmers, and photographers who flock around to witness this natural wonder. Kuang Si is about an hour's drive from the city of Luang Prabang.

5. Ban Gioc Waterfalls - China and Vietnam

Image Source: Envato.com Ban Gioc Waterfalls - China and Vietnam

Known as Asia's largest waterfall, Ban Gioc waterfall sits right on the China-Vietnam border, cascading down three tiers of turquoise waters of the Quay Son River. The falls are backed by a lush green landscape and fairy-tale-like pointy mountains. The water flows endlessly through pools, and tiers, over cliffs in a unique horseshoe shape.

6. Gullfoss (Golden Falls) - Iceland

Image Source: Envato.com Gullfoss (Golden Falls) - Iceland

The jewel of Iceland's Golden Circle is a breathtaking waterfall known for its ethereal beauty. Surrounded by stark, volcanic landscapes, Gullfoss' golden-hued waters reflect the sun, giving it a mystical glow. The 105-foot-tall waterfall crashes down on the Hvita River, setting a magical sight against Iceland's lush, green landscapes.

7. Yosemite Falls - California, US

Image Source: Envato.com Yosemite Falls - California, US

The Yosemite National Park houses the fifth-highest waterfall in the world and the tallest in North America. The two-tiered Yosemite Falls draws numerous visitors, especially during spring when the water flow is strongest, and you can hear it thunder from across the Yosemite valley. Fresno Yosemite International Airport, located about 65 miles from the park, making it a convenient entry point for visitors.

8. Kawasan Falls - Cebu, Philippines

Image Source: Envato.com Kawasan Falls - Cebu, Philippines

Kawasan Falls in Cebu, Philippines, is nestled in the mountains of Barangay Matutinao, Badian. Its beautiful turquoise waters plunge 40 meters into a serene pool, surrounded by lush, verdant greenery. The tranquil ambiance and easy accessibility make it a favorite destination for nature lovers and back-packers alike.

Each waterfall, with its unique charm and grandeur, offers not just a visual spectacle but also a profound connection to the natural world. Whether tucked away in remote jungles or majestically dominating a landscape, these waterfalls invite us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the awe-inspiring forces that shape our planet. Let them inspire your next adventure into the wild.
Considering the fact that Ingram is a family business, it is no surprise John Ingram began his business education as a teenager packing books at a company warehouse. After graduating from Vanderbilt Business School, he oversaw the companys Tennessee Book Co. subsidiary and worked at Ingram Micro before joining the Ingram Book Co. for good in 1995the same year as the launch of a company that would play a significant role in Ingrams evolution: Amazon.

It was an interesting time, John says, recalling how independent bookstores had long been the core of Ingrams wholesale business. But the prospect that Amazon and Barnes & Noble would one day rule the bookselling world was not a good one for a middleman.

That threat led John to accept an offer from B&N to acquire the Ingram Book Co. in 1998. But the acquisition was blocked by the government the following year. The collapse of the deal, Keel Hunt wrote in his book, The Family Business: How Ingram Transformed the World of Books, was a heavy blow to John. However, the setback made him more determined to reinvent the company.

John explains that when he thinks about the future, he spends time in what he calls an empathetically strategic state of mind: I want to get into the heads of publishers to find services that make sense to them. That drive to find ways to help customers has become well-known to Ingram associates, and a hallmark of Ingrams business.

John has a long-term view of the company and publishing in general, says Shawn Morin, CEO and president of Ingram Content Group. He is always thinking about what new services we should be working to create that can help our partners be successful.

One of Johns first major initiatives was the creation of the print-on-demand platform that became Lightning Source. POD has since become one of Ingrams core businesses, but it was not an overnight success. It took seven years for it to become profitable.

There were a couple of lonely years, John says with a grin. I wasnt very popular with some members of the family.

The challenges in establishing Lightning Source reinforced Johns decision that to encourage innovation he would own all the failures while spreading around the credit for ideas that turned into successes. That operating philosophy, employees say, filters throughout the Ingram organization.

John taught me to embrace change and innovation, says Kelly Gallagher, VP, content acquisition for Ingram. Without the values hes instilled in the culture of Ingram, we would never have found the success weve enjoyed over these many years.

Along with Lightning Source, Ingram has also added distribution and self-publishing services to its portfolio. Today, Ingram Publisher Services is the largest distributor of independent publishers outside of the distribution divisions of the largest publishers. And once again, the creation of a new business took courage. Publisher Resources Inc., the companys first foray into distribution, was a painful failure, John says.

But the lessons learned from PRI helped Ingrams chief content officer Phil Ollila create IPS. And the importance of distribution to Ingram was cemented in 2016 when the company bought Perseuss distribution business.

The Perseus acquisition tilted our center of gravity away from wholesaling to providing services to publishers, John says. If we had remained a typical wholesaler, selling a typical print book, I am not sure we would be having this conversation.

 The better our customers do, the better we do. Our incentives are aligned with our customers. 

While Ingrams business focus has changed, the company is still a middleman. As such, it remains deeply invested in the health of the entire industry. It is important to us to help companies do better, John says. The better our customers do, the better we do. Our incentives are aligned with our customers.

He adds that its wonderful to see independent bookstores bounce back, noting Ingram remains committed to helping traditional and nontraditional bookstores grow. And he believes Ingram is also positioned to help small presses succeed by taking on back-office functions that can drain away capital. We offer services that free up time and money that can be spent on the creative side of the business, John says.

For all the changes book publishing has gone through, and in anticipation of the challenges that still lie ahead, John remains optimistic about the future of publishing and Ingrams place in it. I am proud of the Ingram company and my Ingram colleagues, John says. I think Ingram is more vibrant, relevant, and important to publishing than it has ever been.
This year, Christine Ball finally took a bow on the juggling act she had kept up since 2017, when she was named the publisher of three storied Penguin Publishing Group imprints: Putnam, Dutton, and Berkley. With John Parsley tapped as Dutton publisher in May and the leadership of Putnam out of her hands since 2020, Ball, now EVP and publisher of Berkley Books, has her eyes turned exclusively toward that imprint, where she and her team are growing their footprint in categories that may surprise some readers.

Most people know us for our romance authors, where we have a deep bench of authorsEmily Henry, Carly Fortune, Jasmine Guilloryand that program is booming, Ball said. But the imprint, long a commercial powerhouse, is firmly entrenched in a number of categories, including historical fiction, where Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray, and Dolen Perkins-Valdez are among its top authors. Both Christopher Murray and Perkins-Valdez have books forthcoming from Berkley in 2025: Harlem Rhapsody (Feb.) and Happy Land (Apr.), respectively.

It also includes speculative fiction. Berkley is growing the list at the venerable Ace Books imprint beyond its impressive backlist, which boasts such authors as William Gibson and Frank Herbert. One big fantasy title on the horizon, Ball said, is The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar, the author best known for the bestselling 1998 YA novel Holes. Due out next August, Berkley bills the title as a modern fantasy classic of forbidden love, a crumbling kingdom, and the unexpected magic all around us.

Ball also pointed to the success of Matt Dinnimans Dungeon Crawler Carl titles. The litRPG series was originally self-published, but Ace picked up print rights to the first six books in the series, and the four that have published since August have sold nearly 55,000 combined copies to date at outlets that report to Circana BookScan.

Horror, mystery, and suspense are also growing categories at Berkley, where the editors are actively looking for more horror to add to its listwhich includes bestselling author Grady Hendrix, whose Witchcraft for Wayward Girls will be released next monthas well as more upmarket psychological thrillers, Ball said. One title in the latter category that has Ball particularly excited is The Night Hunter, acquired late last month. The thriller, by a debut author with an as-yet-unchosen pen name, follows two sisters from South Africa who return home to bury some family secrets after the death of their mother, and find themselves in mysterious and dangerous circumstances while out on a safari.

Beyond the genre space, Berkley is looking to expand into more upmarket and book club fiction, Ball said. Amanda Bergeron, VP and editorial director, is leading a number of editors in acquiring novels for Berkleys hardcover list that Ball says are conversation-starting, thought provoking, and emotional but with big hooks that borrow from the genres that Berkeley is so well known for.

A representative recent acquisition is The Tango Dancers Guide to Stopping Time by Jaclyn Moriarty, the younger sister of Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty. It has big themes like parenting and memory and sisterhood and grief that its tackling, but it does it through a speculative twist, of a time travel agency that may or may not be real, Ball said. So it feels very Berkley, but deals with bigger issues than some of our genre stuff has before.

Berkley currently has about 60 staffers, with 30 in editorial and 14 each in the marketing and publicity departments, and publishes approximately 300 titles per year. Ball is quick to point to others when celebrating her imprints successes, noting SVP and editor-in-chief Claire Zion and Bergeron as pivotal figures in shaping the list on the editorial side and VP and deputy publisher Jeanne-Marie Hudson and VP and associate publisher Craig Burke as holding down the business side.

Zion, who is clearly a driving force behind Berkleys continued success and expanded vision, also credits her team. We built a very big and profitable list that Im proud of, and the secret to doing it was that I didnt personally love all the books, she said. I got rid of the hierarchical structure I had grown up withwhere an editor couldnt buy a book unless the editor-in-chief and publisher liked it. I thought our list should encompass a variety of tastes and points-of-view, and that means all the editors, including the junior ones, can buy books.

Zion added: I didnt personally have to like all of themif an editor could show me that they knew what the market was, they knew who the reader was, they knew what the comp titles were, they knew how to package it to reach that market, they knew how to talk to reviewers about it, then I would do the book. And thats what my team did: they went out and bought books that they loved, and it turns out readers liked a lot of them too.
Mack has announced a new imprint, Important Flowers, run by filmmaker Sofia Coppola. The imprint comes after Coppola's work with Mack on her monograph Archive. Mack is based in London and known for publishing art and filmrelated titles, including a series of screenplays based on movies from studio A24.

"Our first collaboration with Sofia on her book Archive was a wonderful experience, and we are all thrilled by its global success. We're delighted that Sofia is entrusting us with Important Flowers," Michael Mack said in a statement.

The imprint's first title, The Virgin Suicides, will be released in April 2025 to mark the film's 25th anniversary. The book contains photographs by British fashion photographer Corinne Day from the film's set. "I'm such a massive fan, so I was happy I got to meet her and be friends with her," Coppola told Vogue. "This book is really a tribute to her and a chance to share all these wonderful photos with people who might not be familiar with her work."

Next September, Important Flowers will publish Chanel Haute Couture, a 450-page visual history of the fashion house's designs. The book includes Polaroids, runway shots, and images taken by Coppola, who worked as an intern at Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld.

Coppola told Vogue she plans to expand Important Flowers to include works by new photographers and republish out-of-print books. "I wanna focus on making books with emerging photographers that I like and wanna support. And maybe even reprint some old books I love that are out of print now," she said.
The bold plan for cats has been written into law interstate, so could it be rolled out elsewhere?

It's legal to let your pet cats roam across NSW, including Bondi (left). But in some Victorian communities, like Bass Coast (right), laws enforce a 24-hour containment. Source: Michael Dahlstrom

A cultural shift is needed across one Aussie state to help overcome a destructive myth thats leading to the deaths of millions of birds, lizards and mammals, a leading policy advocate has told a parliamentary committee. Allowed to wander during the day or night, 80 per cent of pet cats will attack wildlife and the nation's best minds are meeting to offer solutions.

Because most cats dont routinely bring their kills home or have a big appetite, many pet owners falsely believe their purring ball of fluff doesnt have a secret life where its maiming and killing wildlife. But statistics estimate the average pet cat kills 110 native animals each year, roughly 320 million across Australia, and that doesnt even include frogs or insects. So most agree education is needed.

After fronting the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the management of cat populations on Monday, the Invasive Species Councils Jack Gough said the state should look to neighbouring Victoria where a bold solution appears to be helping to fix the problem. Laws there have enabled regional governments like Bass Coast Council to legislate 24-hour cat containment to "protect the regions significant native wildlife from death and disease".

Theres really effective legislation thats empowering local government to take action on the issue of roaming pet cats. We dont need state-wide legislation, we want rules that can be owned and implemented by local communities he told Yahoo News.

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Gough argued enforceable rules are needed to tackle what he described as one of the biggest threats to wildlife. The species is directly responsible for the third highest number of extinctions in Australia, after humans and chytrid fungus.

Critics argue containment laws impact people who live in apartments, who dont have space to let their cats exercise. Source: Michael Dahlstrom

We need a cultural shift on the issue, there is no silver bullet that changes the entrenched belief of a whole heap of people that it's okay to let their cats roam, hunt, kill, and harass our wildlife. Just as with roaming dogs in Australia 50 years ago, there needs to be the same cultural shift with cats he said.

And that needs to start with clear rules about keeping your cat contained and being a responsible pet owner, but it also involves education, enforcement, and working with communities so they understand the impact roaming pet cats have.

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Debate rages over cat containment plans

Committee chair Emma Hurst and the Animal Justice Party which she represents in parliament, have traditionally advocated against complete cat containment, which the Invasive Species Council sees as an ultimate solution to cats killing wildlife.

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My position, and obviously the position of the party, is that we need to look at both the welfare of cats and the welfare of wildlife equally, she told Yahoo during an interview on Monday.

So we need to work out whats going to be the most humane path forward for all of them, and what methods are going to be effective.

Hurst noted that most submissions agree that towns are over capacity with homeless cats, and that massive desexing programs need to be implemented across the state. If we run big desexing programs thats going to make the most significant change, and really protect wildlife, she said.

Concern roaming pet cats exposed to disease

Dr Sarah Legge is an expert on the impact of cats on wildlife, and she sat through Mondays hearings as a representative of the Biodiversity Council of Australia.

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In her submission, she advocated for a goal of cat containment, because its better for wildlife. But also for cats, because cats kept indoors are unlikely to get killed by cars and dogs, or exposed to diseases. She doesnt see any point in cat curfews because they only shift what animals cats have access to. If they're out at night they get access to mammals. If they're out in the day, they get access to birds and reptiles, she told Yahoo.

This plover chick (left) was orphaned after its mother was killed (right) by a pet cat and then rescued by the author. Source: Michael Dahlstrom

Bigger issue than cats killing native wildlife

Dr Colin Salter from WIRES also gave evidence at the inquiry on Monday, agreeing that cats are a problem for wildlife, but they only make up around three per cent of its call outs.

He argues that habitat destruction and fragmentation are much greater problems. Sometimes cats are used as a distraction from that, he later told Yahoo.

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In its submission, the native animal rescue group, warned the status quo is not working and advocated for legislative changes to empower local governments to run more effective programs.

Salter agrees that cat containment would help wildlife, but it would need to be adopted as part of a suite of measures, including education. He believes its important that changes do not disproportionately affect people in apartments who dont have space for their pets to exercise, or renters who dont have permission from their landlords to keep them inside.

I think almost everyone believes it is a good idea. But we need to work out how we get there, that's not punitive and doesn't disproportionately impact different sections of the community, he said.

The author, Michael Dahlstrom, was a native bird rescuer for seven years. During this time he cared for dozens of native birds that had been killed and maimed by pet cats.

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In the weeks since President-elect Donald Trumps historic victory, Ive walked the streets of Miami, talking to the people who shape our future, about the future. I listened to a young couple who had just opened a small cafeits tables filled with neighbors eager to support their new venture. I spoke with a college student juggling classes and working at a tech start-up after midnight, determined to help shape Americas future through hard work and innovation. I heard from families wholike minehad fled dysfunctional, socialist regimes abroad. Their stories, different though they may be, shared the same sentiment: America is ready for a new chapter, one defined by unity and the restoration of the American Dream.

But this unity isnt just heard on the streets; its reflected in the data. A new CNN poll released just this week found that a majority of Americans approve of how President-elect Trump is handling his transition and of the team he is assembling. By approving of his early steps and policy direction, the country is againas it did in Novembermaking clear its desire for a government focused on actionable results, creating jobs, championing enterprise, and reaffirming the ideals that have long guided the American experiment.

This welcoming attitude spans across communities and demographics. While the survey doesnt single out Hispanic voters, we know that in places like Miamihome to vibrant Cuban-American, Venezuelan-American, and Nicaraguan-American communitiesfamilies who have firsthand experience with oppressive regimes appreciate the value of strong, freedom-focused policies. Its why Miami-Dade County flipped for a Republican presidential candidate for the first time since 1988. These Americans know firsthand that when government respects private enterprise, protects individual rights, and stands firmly against the failed models they fled, true prosperity can take root. They arent just warming to Trump because of a speech or a slogan; they know that his agenda of cutting regulatory red tape, ensuring our borders are secure, and incentivizing small business expansion will deliver tangible, life-changing results.

Younger Americans, too, are looking anew at this incoming administration. After years of stagnation and anxiety, many under 45 are excited to see a leader back start-ups, embrace cutting-edge technology, and invest in workforce development. In Miami, where a tech start-up can grow next door to a decades-old bodega, that means more than an uptick in the stock marketit means opportunities for the next generation to launch careers, build families, and turn their creativity into something real. President-elect Trump, by assembling a capable team with private sector savvyHoward Lutnick, Scott Bessent and David Sacks just to name a fewis demonstrating a commitment to unleashing this potential rather than bogging it down in bureaucratic inertia.

The most encouraging part? This approval and optimism stretch well beyond our citys skyline. Americans across the heartland and along both coasts are paying close attention and finding reasons to trust what they see. They recognize that President-elect Trumps victory wasnt just a political upsetits an invitation to finally move beyond the old gridlock and excuses. His approach promises to be unapologetically pragmatic: if a policy revitalizes a struggling factory town, great; if it helps an emerging tech hub flourish, even better. He isnt offering half measures. Hes setting the table for a new era, one where Washington works with citizens, not against them, and where rules are crafted to spur growth, not stifle it.

In Miami, we know that when government steps back from micromanagement and focuses on basicspublic safety, fair regulations, fostering entrepreneurshipcommunities flourish. Weve seen that a confident, future-focused agenda yields real dividends, from revitalized business districts to safer streets. Now, national polling is showing that Americans are ready to see these principles applied at scale and President-elect Trump is preparing to deliver.

We stand at the threshold of a moment that can redefine our future. The voices Ive heard in Miami, the data weve seen, and the fresh confidence in President-elect Trumps vision all tell the same story: Americans are rallying around a leader who believes in their capacity to achieve great things. They see in him a defender of enterprise, an advocate for strong communities, and a champion of the American Dream itself.

For generations, people have come to this country believing that if you respect the law, work hard, and pursue your dreams, you can succeed. That promise drew my family here and countless others to Miami and beyond. Today, with a new administration that commands popular approval, we have every reason to believe we can fulfill that promise once again. Lets seize this opportunityunited under President-elect Trumps leadershipso that every American can share in the blessings of a truly reawakened American Dream.

Francis Suarez is the 43rd and current mayor of Miami, Florida.
DON'T CALL IT A 2011

Whether you want to call them double-stack 1911s or 2011s, guns like these used to live solely in the domain of gamers, paraprofessional tinkerers, and shadetree smiths. They started gaining popularity in recent years because of the combination of reduced cost, increased reliability, and consumer boredom with plastic pistols.

There are online arguments about what exactly is and is not a 2011, but most of them are merely pedantic quibbling about the Champagne region of France. But lets cover all the well ackchyually of it.

Despite the name, the origins of the OG 1911 lay in the late 19th century. The most celebrated American firearms inventor, John Moses Browning, first put pen to parchment for this pistol in the 1890s. It was officially adopted as the mass-issue American military pistol on March 29, 1911  hence the designation. Many variations would be produced for combat use until 1985, when it was usurped by the Beretta M9; some specific spinoffs were still used by select special units through the GWOT era.

While lovers of the 1911 will declare it to be the most respected pistol on the planet, the reality has more to do with proliferation than preference. America pumped out nearly 2 million of them during World War II, and even the Nazis made some in Norway at the same time. After the war, not only did many nations make their own authorized and unauthorized copies and clones, America supplied her allies with surplus and also sold them to the public by the pound. Needless to say, they were cheap and plentiful; the 1911 fit into every gap and crack it could, especially with pistol competitions.

Over the centennial of the 1911 there were a great many variations, but for our purposes discussing the 2011 there are three features to detail:

THREE THINGS YOU NEED FOR A 2011

Doublestack Mags

Every gun with an automatic action relies on a functional magazine to run. The original 1911, shooting the stubby-and-straight .45ACP, has a single-stack, relatively upright magazine. Para Ordnance, a Canadian company founded in the mid 1980s, set out to increase capacity. This northern neighbor produced the first functional double-stack magazines and frames in 1989. These widebodies were fat and heavy, but worked relatively well compared to others, at least in .45ACP and .40S&W.

Beyond the double-stack magazine itself, some stipulate that 2011 magazines must sit upright like the originals. This is said to be to more easily allow the steep 1911 grip angle, but it just as easily serves as an anti-9mm measure, as the caliber doesnt work well that way.

Today, more as a testament to obdurance than engineering, we have high-capacity, 1911-like magazines in 9mm that actually run.

Modular, Two-Piece Frame

Sandy Strayer and Virgil Tripp, respective founders of Infinity Firearms and Staccato, shared the patent for a two-piece frame and handgrip assembly. This design allowed a pistol to feed from new double-stack mags, but with a more-slim grip. Initially applied for in 1992, the patent was granted on March 15, 1994  a scratch over six months before the Clinton Crime Bill was signed into law, which restricted the manufacture of magazines over ten rounds.

Reportedly it was Virgil Tripp who first coined the term 2011 (pronounced twenty-eleven) back in September 1993. Exactly like how the 1911 is really a 19th century pistol, the 2011 is planted firmly in the 20th  the name sounded very futuristic in a world where Sears catalogs still circulated.

The utility patent for the two-piece frame expired a year after the namesake in 2012, but it would be some years before economies of scale, manufacturing capabilities, and reliability would increase enough for the general public to really take notice.

Made by Staccato

Though the patent for the frame features is now long expired, the trademark is not. A few months before their utility patent was set to expire in July 2012, Staccato successfully trademarked 2011 in regard to firearms.

This is why there are plenty of guns that people and publications will call a 2011, but the manufacturers themselves usually will not. Which brings us to the featured pistol of this piece, Springfield Armorys 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS.

PRODIGY COMP AOS

Springfield Armory released their first Prodigy back in 2022, and we reviewed it in RECOIL Issue 63. While its not going to be to everyones taste, it brings a bevy of boss features out of the box at a price unheard of for something American-made. (While Springfield imports and rebrands an awful lot of guns, the Prodigy aint one of them).

Brownells $1,415 Palmetto State Armory $1,350 Sportsman's Warehouse $1,500

Available in 4.25-inch (shown) and 5-inch models, its ambidextrous, optic-ready with the Agency Optic System, has a great trigger, and is incredibly accurate. The Prodigy shares a grip texture with the Hellcat, something which Springfield Armory dubs Adaptive Grip Texture. And of course, this one is comped.

COMPENSATING

Despite their seemingly interchangeable use in common parlance, ports, brakes, and compensators arent the same thing. While they all aim to change the feel of a gun while it runs, the way they go about it are decidedly different.

A muzzle brake is designed to reduce felt recoil, a compensator is for reducing muzzle climb, and both are typically separate devices attached to the end of a barrel. Ports are generally intended to reduce rise but are windows drilled directly into the barrel itself. All of them use ammunition exhaust for operation.

Brakes and comps require gas expansion chambers to be the most effective, pushing gas onto a flat surface before it flows from the device. Its not the same for ports, though those reduce muzzle velocity and can shave off small pieces of projectile during operation.

So, if ports are cut into barrels, and the Springfield Armory Prodigy Comp has that hole cut into it, isnt it really a port? Yes. No. Maybe a bit of both.

Though theres a large hole cut directly into the barrel, the Prodigy Comp has whats essentially an integral compensator rather than a traditional ported setup. The heavy match-grade bull barrel allowed Springfield to machine an expansion chamber into the end of the barrel itself rather than attaching it after.

Does it work? Absolutely. There have been a number of aesthetic brakes and other devices out there, many of which require the use of hot ammunition to actually do anything, but this gun runs flat as hell with everything. Though it should be stated that a steel pistol that weighs a hair over 3 pounds with an optic and fully fueled doesnt exactly bounce around under recoil. Ripping through mags on the range is a helluva good time here.

Weve yet to encounter any real issues, but when were talking 9mm 2011s it just means we havent put enough rounds through it. These guns are a little more complex, which means they take a little more time, care, and consideration.

LOOSE ROUNDS

Any handgun with a 1911 action that feeds from a double-stack mag, especially if its chambered in 9mm, at minimum it can be casually called a 2011 for shorthand. And if it has a two-piece frame on top of that, it can definitely be called 2011. Like Q-Tips, Kleenex, Vaseline, and Velcro, 2011 is a trademark thats become part of common language.

The original 1911 was designed in a time when machine labor was very expensive and man labor was cheap. While we live in an opposite time, where hand fitting always comes with a premium, we finally have the machines, designs, and knowhow to really push the envelope of whats possible without having to shell out for a custom smith.

Brownells $1,415 Palmetto State Armory $1,350 Sportsman's Warehouse $1,500

No 2011 is a beginner blaster, including this one. But its also no longer solely relegated to the realm of nerds and wizards who want to swap springs and triggers and otherwise spend their free time tuning. In part this is because of the price, but the larger part is what youre getting for the price you pay. It wasnt terribly long ago that this pistol with this level of customization would have cost the same as a decent used car, but no longer.

The 2011 in general and the Prodigy in particular represents the forward, leading edge of our current collective construction capability. The high water mark of mass manufacturing. We have an endless supply of striker-fired plastic 9mm pistols. Theyre plentiful, reliable, soulless, and far, far less fun than this one. Give this one a try.
Amid the political blame game over Bengal's potato ban, which led to shortages in Jharkhand and Odisha, Uttar Pradesh farmers are the unlikely winners.

IMAGE: Farmers harvest potatoes in the field. Photograph: ANI Photo

As West Bengal imposed restrictions on interstate potato supplies to manage stock levels, triggering price surges and a political war of words in neighbouring states, farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the country's top potato producer, are seeing a silver lining.

After a long time, potato prices in Uttar Pradesh are inching up due to increased demand from states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Assam, which rely primarily on West Bengal for their supplies.

With the harvesting of new crops delayed by 10-20 days because of late sowing, extended rain, and challenges in procuring fertilisers like di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), the hardening of rates in Uttar Pradesh could not have come at a better time.

"Prices of old potato crops, which until a few days ago were quoted at Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg, are now selling for Rs 28 to Rs 30 per kg. Prices of new crops have risen from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 40 per kg," said Pradeep Sharma, a potato farmer in Agra.

According to the data from agmarknet.gov.in, wholesale prices of the deshi variety in Agra markets have risen around 10.5 per cent to Rs 2,100 per quintal on December 7 from Rs 1,900 per quintal in less than a month.

West Bengal announced the ban on the night of November 27 following a spike of Rs 10 per kg in potato prices in the state.

The decision left hundreds of trucks stranded at state borders, resulting in shortages in neighbouring Odisha, where prices almost doubled to Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg, and Jharkhand, which saw the cost going up around Rs 10 a kg.

This comes at a time when the prices of other vegetables are soaring.

According to CRISIL, the cost of a home-cooked vegetarian meal climbed 7 per cent year-on-year in November, driven largely because of the rising prices of potatoes and tomatoes, which account for 26 per cent of a thali's cost.

In the West Bengal assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee defended the decision and said potato exports would resume only after the arrival of new crops.

In late October, Cyclone Dana had impacted the sowing season for potatoes, which typically spans mid-September to November, and delayed harvesting by two weeks.

West Bengal is the largest potato producer in India after Uttar Pradesh.

However, production in the state fell by around 1 million tonne Y-o-Y in the 2023-2024 crop year, according to the Union ministry of agriculture's first Advance Estimates.

Bengal Agricultural Marketing Minister Becharam Manna conducted surprise inspections at border areas and alleged that businessmen, backed by the central government, exported potatoes to Bangladesh in November despite restrictions.

Though West Bengal has imposed similar bans on interstate potato supplies in previous years, the issue has taken a political twist this time.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in the Opposition in Jharkhand, has accused the Trinamool Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha of conspiring to benefit each other with the decision, citing the presence of Banerjee at Chief Minister Hemant Soren's swearing-in ceremony the day after the ban was announced.

Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, called the move 'undemocratic' and attributed the price rise to black marketing.

Agricultural economist Kalyan Kanti Das of North Bengal Agriculture University echoed these concerns.

"The government doesn't have control over the market. Hoarders are managing the potato economy."

Progressive Potato Traders' Association Secretary Lalu Mukherjee denied allegations of hoarding and said the state had enough stocks to meet local demand and supply neighbouring states.

In Jharkhand, local potato production lasts only a few months, and the state depends on 600 to 700 tonnes of potatoes daily from West Bengal.

Abhishek Anand, secretary to the Jamshedpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee, said higher prices were because of a supply-demand gap.

The state has opened help centres offering potatoes at wholesale rates, he said.

BJP MP Manish Jaiswal from Jharkhand's Hazaribagh in the Lok Sabha sought the Centre's intervention, saying the potato was a free trade item and states could not block its movement.

"Both the governments in West Bengal and Jharkhand are anti-BJP. Jharkhand lacks the political will to secure its rightful demand," he said.

Amid criticism, Soren said the chief secretary was in touch with the West Bengal government and he would interfere if needed.

Talking to media in Odisha, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra accused West Bengal of creating an artificial scarcity to tarnish the BJP-led state government's image.

Patra said the state was prepared to increase sourcing potatoes from Uttar Pradesh if West Bengal halted supply again.

In August, when the state grappled with a similar situation, the newly elected government had announced plans to reduce its reliance on West Bengal by opting to import potatoes from Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP runs the government, as an alternative source.

Debendra Sahoo, secretary, Cuttack Chhatra Bazaar, the biggest wholesale market in the state, says longer transportation time from Uttar Pradesh reduces the tuber's shelf life, and the supply of old stocks due to delays in harvesting makes it worse..

Odisha Trader Association President Sudhakar Panda said potatoes were selling for Rs 2,800 to 3,200 per quintal..

"Since 80 per cent of our potatoes come from West Bengal, normalcy in rates depends on easing the restrictions," he said.

The BJP has targeted the Biju Janata Dal, which was in power for 25 years until this year, for not creating enough cold storages and failing to implement the Potato Mission aimed at boosting production.

BJD MLA and former agriculture minister Arun Sahoo said there had been a marginal increase in potato production, accusing the BJP of dodging accountability and urging it to address the issue of poor-quality seeds and low support prices for potato farmers..

Meanwhile, a farmer in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, said the prices would further increase if the potato crisis in eastern India persisted.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'It has also outlived its initial purpose of reducing physical gold imports.'

Photograph: Kind courtesy Hamiltonleen/Pixabay

With an increased emphasis on reducing government debt, the finance ministry is considering discontinuing the issuance of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) from the next financial year (2025-2026).

"The government is obligated to repay SGB investors the gold-equivalent value at maturity, which increases the government's liability. The regular payment of interest also adds to the government's fiscal burden. Now that the government has decided to sustainably bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio from FY27, there is no reason why such a scheme should be continued. It has also outlived its initial purpose of reducing physical gold imports," a senior government official said, requesting anonymity.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to announce details regarding debt reduction in the FY26 Budget. The Centre expects the debt-to-GDP ratio to come down to 56.8 per cent in FY25 from 58.2 per cent in FY24.

'The fiscal consolidation path announced in 2021 has served our economy well, and we aim to reach a deficit below 4.5 per cent next year (2025-2026). The government is committed to staying the course. From 2026-2-27 onwards, our endeavour will be to keep the fiscal deficit each year such that the central government debt will be on a declining path as a percentage of the GDP,' Sitharaman said in her Budget speech in July this year.

The government has not issued SGBs in FY25, though it has budgeted for Rs 18,500 crore (Rs 185 billion_ in the FY25 Budget, down from Rs 26,852 crore (Rs 268.52 billion) pencilled in the interim Budget of FY25.

The Reserve Bank of India last issued SGBs on February 21 worth Rs 8,008 crore (Rs 80.08 billion).

D K Srivastava, chief policy adviser at EY India, said the government need not get involved in a scheme like SGB.

"The price of gold in the international market is rising and may continue to rise. The overall idea that it need not be done in a way that adds to the government's debt is quite welcome," he added.

SGBs were launched in November 2015 to encourage retail investors to migrate from physical gold to paper gold.

SGBs have a maturity period of eight years at the then prevailing gold rate, which can be redeemed after the fifth year.

The investment limit was enhanced to 4 kg per financial year for individuals and Hindu Undivided Family, and 20 kg per financial year for Trusts and similar entities during 2017-18.

The interest is payable on the face value of the bonds at 2.75 per cent on SGBs issued in 2015-2016 and at 2.5 per cent on the SGBs issued in the subsequent years.

According to the latest data, the total issuance under the SGB scheme amounted to Rs 45,243 crore (Rs 452.43 billion) till FY23, with the outstanding amount increasing to Rs 4.5 trillion by the end of March 2023.

RBI announced an early redemption for SGBs issued between May 2017 and March 2020 in August this year to reduce the government's financial burden.

The FY25 Budget also reduced the import duty on gold from 15 per cent to 6 per cent, to check smuggling of the yellow metal.

Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist, India Ratings & Research, said the scheme was introduced at a time when India's current account was not in good shape.

"The commodity, which was impacting the current account was gold," explained Pant. "Since the current account and fisc are in a relatively better situation now, if more physical gold is imported, they will be able to withstand it."

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The BJP may be in the Opposition in many states, but nowhere is it as divided as it is in Karnataka, points out Aditi Phadnis.

IMAGE: Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party President B Y Vijayendra with Bharatiya Kisan Morcha members protest in Bengaluru, November 26, 2024, against the alleged acquisition of farmlands by the Waqf Board. Photograph: ANI Photo

In more than half a dozen states, the Bharatiya Janata Party is in the Opposition.

In Jharkhand it has been out of power for five years, but it robustly criticises the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the ruling party, regularly, focusing on deficiencies in governance and delivery.

In West Bengal, despite periodic internal differences among leaders on how the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government should be targeted, the Opposition is fierce.

In Punjab, it is yet to emerge as a significant Opposition voice. It tries in Delhi.

But wherever it is in the Opposition, nowhere is the party as much at odds with itself as it is in Karnataka.

Internal squabbling spilled out into the open after the results of the by-elections last month, all of which the BJP lost.

Three assembly seats -- Shiggaon, Sandur, and Channapatna -- fell vacant after their representatives resigned on being elected to the Lok Sabha.

The Shiggaon seat was held by BJP leader and former chief minister Basavaraj S Bommai, who was elected to the Haveri Lok Sabha seat.

Channapatna was earlier represented by H D Kumaraswamy, who had defeated the BJP in the previous election when his party, the Janata Dal-Secular, was in alliance with the Congress.

Now he is a Union minister and a BJP ally.

The Congress retained the Sandur constituency, where E Tukaram had won in the previous election, defeating the BJP.

Although in regionally disparate areas, the losses had one thing in common. A section of the BJP blamed it all on the state party president, B Y Vijayendra, whose father, B S Yediyurappa, is among the Karnataka BJP's towering leaders.

This is not the first internal spat the party has faced in the state. The current tussle is between Mr Vijayendra and the team headed by former Union minister and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal.

Mr Yatnal and his team say the president's performance is suboptimal.

They argue that Mr Vijayendra's only credentials are that he is his father's son.

This is not quite true: His contribution in growing the BJP in areas where it never had a presence, like South Karnataka, has been impressive.

His appointment, seven months after the BJP's disastrous performance in the assembly elections, suggested the party's central leadership had thought long and hard before giving him the job: A leader was needed who was acceptable all over the state.

The Lok Sabha election results showed it was the right decision: The BJP's national numbers came down in the Lok Sabha polls but in Karnataka of the 28 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP won 19.

But Mr Yatnal and co feels Mr Vijayendra should be sent home.

So much so that on the Waqf land-encroachment issue, Mr Yatnal ignored the state party's campaign, launching his own padayatra from Bidar with banners that featured images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but none of Mr Vijayendra.

The BJP's Bidar unit filed police reports against Mr Yatnal.

The group got implicit backing from the B L Santhosh faction as C T Ravi, member of the legislative council and considered a Santhosh acolyte, joined the padayatra.

Assembly elections in Karnataka are due in May 2028. But Mr Yatnal's ambitions are undisguised.

'I am not a selfless politician or a saint. I will become Karnataka's no 1 politician in the coming days. The media will come to me after I become chief minister,' he told local media in Belagavi last week.

Karnataka is one of the states that triggered Hindu mobilisation in 1992 following the Idgah Maidan controversy in Hubbali and contributed the largest complement of activists during the Ram Mandir rath yatra.

It is not known for indiscipline. And so the ordinary BJP worker is confused.

He would like to see action against dissidence, while acknowledging that the issues raised by Mr Yatnal are ideologically powerful.

Mr Vijayendra and his supporters have said they would be happy to talk to Mr Yatnal.

They also feel this kind of activity derails the BJP's primary duty as Opposition.

But there are wheels within wheels. In the past, Siddaramaiah, chief minister and Congress leader, has had cordial relations with Mr Yediyurappa.

At his birthday celebrations four years ago, when Mr Yediyurappa was chief minister, Mr Siddaramaiah not only attended the function but complimented him on his commitment and sincerity.

Many in the Yatnal group see a conspiracy between the Siddaramaiah-led Congress group struggling to stave off covert attacks from within, and the Vijayendra-led BJP.

This is only a suspicion: There is no factual basis for it.

Mr Vijayendra is conscious that he has to show his mettle and re-establish the BJP's primacy in Karnataka.

But his supporters say he cannot do so with one hand tied behind his back.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Almost five years later, the three services have still not fully understood that joint/theatre commands are not a discussion point; they are the prime minister's diktat on a military reform measure that is in line with what armed forces around the world have implemented, points out Ajai Shukla.

IMAGE: The Indian Army conducts training to validate operational concepts in the deserts of Rajasthan, November 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

India has one of the world's largest militaries, numbering about 1.4 million soldiers, sailors and airmen. It is among the most disciplined armed forces and has won accolades and acclaim across the globe for its bravery and tactical acumen.

For almost two centuries, British imperial power across Asia was backstopped by the British Indian Army.

In some of the most stirring moments in the history of war, such as the Battle of Ypres in World War I and the Burma Campaign in World War II, Indian troops snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Yet, to this day, India does not have a well-considered, apex-level, management structure that synergises the military's combat power during war and nurtures civil-military relations during peacetime.

Instead, relations between the generals, admirals and air marshals are rivalrous and competitive, while hostility and suspicion mark relations between the military and its civilian masters.

While this was acceptable, even convenient, during the British colonial divide-and-rule era, independent India's interests demanded more assertive management structures.

These began emerging during the country's first major security challenge: The Pakistan-backed tribal invasion of Kashmir in 1947.

With Srinagar about to fall, the Cabinet decided boldly to commandeer all of India's civilian aircraft to fly troops into Kashmir.

The very next day, close to 100 Dakota aircraft landed troops in Srinagar, pushing back the tribal raiders.

India's fledgling government proved capable of snapping out of its pre-Independence, pacifist mindset and sanctioning the use of the military in a war-like situation.

India's higher defence structures were similarly tested in 1962. While records remain classified, two former defence secretaries recount that minutes of the meetings held at that time explicitly gave the army chief full authority to take whatever action he deemed fit.

At no stage was the army told what it must do.

The alleged letter from the then joint secretary, H C Sarin, which purportedly directed the army to 'throw out the Chinese', actually said they should be made to vacate our territory 'at a time and place of your choosing.'

IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, right, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, chief of naval staff, second from left, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, chief of air staff, at the launch of the indigenisation plan at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, October 29, 2024. Photograph: Ritik Jain/ANI Photo

Senior bureaucrats say that, in a crisis today, military advice would most likely be taken over civilian advice, if it were put across clearly.

After the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008, had the armed forces collectively recommended concerted action against Pakistan, whether it was a hit across the border or blockading Karachi, the bureaucrats say it would have been accepted.

But when the prime ,inister specifically asked these questions, two or three days after the 26/11 strikes, the answer from the chiefs was a 'deathly silence'.

This contrasts with the received wisdom, mainly from retired senior military officers, that all power lies with the political-bureaucratic lobby.

In fact, divergent lessons emerge from a study of incidents in which senior military officers confronted and defied civil authority.

On one hand, there is the example of then defence minister George Fernandes' decisive sacking of Indian Navy Chief Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat in 1998 for defying orders from the civil government.

On the other hand, there was then defence minister A K Antony's passive acceptance in 2012, when the serving Indian Army Chief, General V K Singh, dragged the government to court for refusing to extend his service period by revising his date of birth.

The course chosen by the government -- decisive action against Bhagwat and weak-kneed acceptance of V K Singh's defiance -- eventually stemmed from the leadership rather than from the rules.

For the half-century after Independence, civil-military relations were the subject of a desultory debate, but it never picked up momentum, partly because the army was so much larger and more influential than the navy and the air force.

Starting from the Kargil conflict in 1999, a number of expert committees, including the Kargil Review Committee in 1999, the Group of Ministers Report of 2001, the Task Force on National Security in 2012 (also known as the Naresh Chandra Committee) and the Shekatkar Committee in 2016 examined and made recommendations on the inter-se advantages of creating the post of a tri-service commander -- whether a five-star 'chief of defence staff' (CDS) or a four-star 'permanent chairman chiefs of staff committee' (PC-COSC).

The Naresh Chandra Committee recommended the latter; a decision which would keep the civilian (read bureaucratic) control in place.

However, it was only in 2019, after the National Democratic Alliance was re-elected to power, that Prime Minister Narendra D Modi announced his decision to appoint a CDS.

In his Independence Day speech, he said: 'India should not have a fragmented approach. Our entire military power will have to work in unison and move forward. All the three (services) should move simultaneously at the same pace... After formation of this post (CDS), all the three forces will get effective leadership at the top level.'

IMAGE: The Indian Air Force Sarang helicopter display team performs as part of the IAF's 92nd anniversary celebrations in Kanpur. Photograph: ANI Photo

Four months later, the Union Cabinet formally approved the creation of a CDS -- a four-star general who would be the equivalent in rank, salary and perquisites to the three service chiefs.

The appointment of CDS came with two major changes. First, the CDS would head a new organisation called the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), which would function within the ministry of defence (MoD) and deal with significant matters relating to the army, navy and air force.

This would serve to address a longstanding grouse of the three services, which was that the military had no status within the government.

All issues relating to the military were dealt with by the MoD. Now the DMA, headed by the secretary-ranked CDS, would provide a voice to the services.

(In one stroke, the armed forces got formal authority as part of the government.)

The second major change that is to be brought in by the DMA is the replacement of the present 17 single-service commands with a smaller number of joint/theatre commands.

This would bring to bear the synergised efforts of all three services to achieve battlefield objectives.

Towards this, the DMA's stated mandate includes: 'Facilitation of restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/theatre commands.'

A key element of operationalising joint/theatre commands is the reporting chain -- the crucial question of who will report to whom.

Will the theatre commanders report to the service chiefs, or to the CDS, or to the defence minister? Axiomatically, will the CDS have operation control of the theatres or not? If yes, will a separate secretary DMA be appointed? These questions must be addressed on priority.

Longstanding prejudices and biases cloud these issues. There are fears that if the theatre commanders report to the CDS, the latter might emerge as an overly empowered military commander who could be a threat to democracy.

Then, there are the 'small service fears' of the navy and air force, who fear being marginalised by the comparatively large army.

Almost five years later, the three services have still not fully understood that joint/theatre commands are not a discussion point; they are the prime minister's diktat on a military reform measure that is in line with what armed forces around the world have implemented.

The CDS must forward his proposals, as mandated, to the government at the soonest, including the all-important recommendations on higher defence management.

IMAGE: Indian Navy personnel during the Navy Day celebrations at Puri beach, December 4, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The outlines of the new structures are already visible: A 'Northern Theatre Command', headed by an army general to handle the China threat; a 'Western Theatre Command' headed by an air marshal to handle the Pakistan threat; a 'Maritime Theatre Command' headed by an admiral to defend peninsular India; and a 'Strategic Forces Command' to handle India's nuclear deterrent.

These serve to assuage most fears: The army's size would be significantly reduced by giving the navy control of the peninsula.

The air force would remain a coherent whole. And the army, still the biggest force, would continue to oversee the India-China border.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
One man was left less than impressed after discovering the cost to access the popular South Australian beaches has gone up.

As temperatures soar across the country, Aussies are heading to our nation's coastlines in droves to cool off. But a debate erupted when one Aussie turned up to a popular 4WD spot to discover their local council had increased the fee to access the beach.

Have a look at this guys," the beachgoer said in a video posted online, panning his camera to a sign stating it's $12 to purchase a "day permit" to access Aldinga Beach in South Australia.

"These guys have jacked it up," he said, pointing to a group of volunteers collecting funds from drivers, adding that the cost of living is taking away the right to "come down and enjoy" the beach.

City of Onkaparinga council confirmed to Yahoo News Australia earlier this year the fee rose from $8 and it projects $375,000 will be collected over the upcoming summer from Aldinga, Moana, Sellicks and Silver Sands beaches.

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The fee will be collected by a not-for-profit volunteer group who will receive a third of the total amount, and the rest will go towards maintaining the environment and keeping the area safe. Last summer the volunteer group claimed 50 per cent of the amount collected, the Advertiser reported.

Residents have erupted over a fee to access popular Aussie 4WD beaches in South Australia including Sellicks Beach. Source: Facebook/The Advertiser

While residents who live in the local area are exempt from paying the fee, many argue that "no one owns" beaches, and they should be free to access.

"No one should pay," one Aussie said in response to the man's video shared online while others questioned why anyone would want to take their car onto the beach anyway.

Others pointed out that the fee pays to "clean and maintain the beach and ramp and carpark"

Council uses fee to 'maintain foreshore'

Despite the backlash to the fee increase, which was last raised in 2019, council has defended itsright to take a fee from beachgoers.

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The current fee reflects increasing costs to maintain our foreshore environment and manage safe use where vehicles are permitted, City of Onkaparinga Council previously told Yahoo News.

Council said vehicle access has been regulated on parts of its foreshore since 1975, including imposing conditions such as setting vehicle speed limits on entrance ramps and on the foreshore. It also regulates access hours and exclusion areas over or along any sand dunes.

Drivers with a current Onkaparinga council vehicle beach access permit are exempt from paying the fee but those who travel on the beach without a pass will cop a $187 penalty.

Volunteer groups will collect the $12 fee from motorists hoping to access the beach. Source: Facebook

Bad behaviour on 4WD beaches costs environment

The fee rise comes as drivers travelling along Aussie coastlines in 4WDs are being called out for the "tremendous damage" their reckless behaviour is inflicting on wildlife.

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4WDs travelling along the Cooloola Coast in Queensland  a 100km stretch of sand that's home to a number of popular camping grounds  are putting endangered species of turtles at risk after driving over dunes used for nesting.

"It happens every night," Jan Waters from Cooloola Coast Turtle Care recently told Yahoo News. "It's generally young, inexperienced drivers who don't stick to low-tide driving, so they retreat up in the dunes to drive home but they don't realise the damage they're doing.

Drivers along South Australia's beaches have caused "years" worth of damage by driving along dunes.

"We witnessed a number of 4WDs reversing up to the water's edge and then charging at the sand dunes trying to get up on top of the dunes," Mr Parkes told Yahoo in 2022. "It's shocking. The damage they've done is absolutely amazing."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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'Israel would make Iran and its proxies pay. They, along with Qatar, fund terror all over the world.'

IMAGE: Israeli soldiers during the Israel defense forces' ground operation in the Gaza Strip, September 13, 2024. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters

Nir Barkat, Israel's minister of economy, was in India this month to promote bilateral trade.

Barkat, a former paratrooper in the Israel defense forces, met ministers, chief executives and representatives of industry associations to explore how the two countries' companies could collaborate.

Barkat, in an interview with Shivani Shinde and Dev Chatterjee/Business Standard in Mumbai, spoke about how Israel promotes business and its target of $1 trillion exports in the next two decades.

What steps is Israel taking to make its 10,000 startups successful?

The mentality or DNA of an Israeli is to never lose and that is the DNA of our startups too.

When we come up with a new idea, we have to be successful. We will make sure of opening every door to make it happen.

And when doors are closed, we will enter via windows or tunnels but we have no other option but to be successful.

What's your plan to increase trade between India and Israel?

We export goods worth $160 billion each year, while India exports approximately $800 billion or so. But we are 150 times smaller than India.

My goal is to take that $160 billion to $1 trillion worth of exports within the next 15 to 20 years.

The way to do that is to have more collaboration around the world.

We want to open up Israeli entrepreneurs to expand their access and develop new business models, and we want to understand from them and the global businesses what Israel should do more.

IMAGE: Israel Minister of Economy and Industry M K Nir Barkat, addresses the Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit 2024 in New Delhi, December 2, 2024. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

What are the main takeaways from your visit to India?

Many businesses in India have very good relations with Israel. One of the companies we met was 63 Moons which is into cybersecurity, and they are collaborating with Israel companies.

We have 860 companies in the space of defence and cybersecurity. Israel is well known for cybersecurity innovation and we are looking for collaborations in this field.

How do you plan to do that?

We have been working with Professor Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School and they have mapped out competitive clusters in Israel.

This is not just about companies, but connection and access to research, academic tie-ups and infrastructure.

We are accelerating the strength of these clusters to make it work easier for global collaboration.

For instance, the agro technology cluster has three segments: Agrotech that focuses on increasing yield for farming; foodtech is about food, and aquaculture is about creating opportunities for fisheries.

This is one area where even India is interested. One of the academic institutes of Israel has created a protocol for increasing the production of sea bass (a fish).

They have been able to increase the survival rate of the eggs by 30 per cent and this protocol is being used in several countries.

Now, they are creating a protocol to domesticate bluefin and yellowfin tuna. We would need partners to scale this.

I am amazed at the scope and scale of the growth of India, and the strength of Indian technology developing.

As Israel and India have good relationships and trust, we have big opportunities.

We also welcome Indian labour to Israel. At present we have 12,000 Indians working in Israel.

We had around 120,000 Palestinians working for us so far. After the October 7 attack, we want to replace Palestine labour with labour from friendly countries.

The average salary in Israel is $54,000 compared to $2,000 in India.

We are looking to hire around 200,000 people in Israel and we would welcome both skilled and unskilled labour from India to work in Israel.

Artificial intelligence is the world's new buzz word. How are you planning to build on Israel's capabilities in the IT sector?

We have learned from the cluster approach that we need to create an AI cluster. Israel has 10,000 startups.

In the digital world, we are ready to open up our digital records for research and development.

Soon after the Adani Group acquired Haifa Port, war broke out between Israel and Hamas. How do you plan to protect Indian investments in Israel?

There is no difference between an Israeli business and a foreign business in Israel. We have the same level of security for all.

In the last quarter, we saw 3.8 per cent growth in trade despite security challenges. Israel is very resilient.

Unfortunately we were caught by surprise when Hamas attacked on October 7 last year, but we have regrouped and fought back.

Israel would make Iran and its proxies pay. They, along with Qatar, fund terror all over the world.

IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then defence minister Yoav Gallant attend a ceremony for military combat officers at an army base near Mitzpe Ramon, Israel, October 31, 2024. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters

How do you look at US President-elect Donald Trump's statement asking Hamas to release all Israeli hostages?

The very clear message sent by President-elect Trump is that we will be bad with the bad guys and good with the good guys.

This is the new world order, which is a good thing. We have seen how different countries have aligned to the new order.

There is a clear division between countries who support terror and others who are democratic States, and those who want to destabilise countries, and those who support peace and stability.

This is a great opportunity for India and Israel as we are on the right side of the equation of the Americans.

Unfortunately, our neighbours are very hostile. Jihadists led by Iran and Qatar are a major threat to Israel. We have to outsmart everyone.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'Whenever the hike in voting percentage is more, the NDA gains more, and when the hike is negligible, the NDA falls.'

'I have established this in UP, Haryana and Jharkhand.'

IMAGE: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu addresses a press conference on the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, in New Delhi, October 15, 2024. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

One of the most surprising election results of 2024 came from Maharashtra.

Nobody expected the ruling Mahayuti party to sweep the elections.

Not just the Opposition parties, many political commentators also have several unanswered questions regarding the way the election was conducted.

"The entire process tells me the Election Commission has proved to be partial. During the Lok Sabha polling also, there were huge discrepancies. Even today, the second phase of polling data (of the Lok Sabha election) is not fully in the public domain. The final figures of the first phase were released after 15 days, and 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th after 4 days, 5 days, 4 days, 5 days by the Election Commission. In almost 79 Lok Sabha seats, you could see that this played a mischief," well-known political economist and commentator Parakala Prabhakar tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier in the first of a two-part interview.

You wrote about the glaring difference in the voting percentage put out by the Election Commission around 6 pm and later at night.

What made you suspicious about the voting percentage?

Reason number one: The reports from the ground were clearly against the incumbent government.

So, the result was a surprise to me. To many other people too. It is not a question of being happy or unhappy, or being in agreement or disagreement with the result.

The question is about the integrity of the process. If it is a right process, you don't disagree with it.

Here is a case where the popular feeling in most of the cases is against the incumbent government, and the popular opposition to it was also very palpable.

This is what P C Chacko told me when I interviewed him after the election results.

Yes, it was quite evident from the gatherings of the respective blocks and the respective rallies of the leaders.

Reason two. Even during the Lok Sabha elections also, I was tracking the conduct of the Election Commission.

The manner in which the present Election Commission is structured and the appointments to the commission were made caused suspicion about the integrity of the commission.

If you recall, an incumbent election commissioner suddenly resigned for unexplained reasons. Then, in a hurry, the rules governing the appointment of the election commissioners were amended thereby the role of the Supreme Court Chief Justice was eliminated.

In effect, the appointment became like the appointment of any other government secretary. That was because there was no impartial member in the committee.

Now, you have the prime minister, a minister of his choice and the leader of the Opposition. So, even if the leader of the Opposition deferred, the majority is with the government.

What happened in the process was when the committee that was skewed in favour of the government met, the then leader of the Opposition (Adhir Ranjan Choudhary) said that he was given a huge list of names just before the committee met, and that it was just impossible for him to vet all the names. He walked out of the meeting.

So, the appointments were made by the government like you make the appointment of a scretary.

Let us give the benefit of doubt to these people. Even if they were appointed by the government, after assuming the office, they could still live up to the mandate of conducting a free and fair election. It is possible.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan with state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar at the swearing in ceremonyin Mumbai, December 5, 2024. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

Did you get the feeling that they were not able to conduct a free and fair election, and that they were not impartial?

Yes. In the sense that the implementation of the model code of conduct was very one sided. They did not take any action against the ruling party, especially the prime minister.

On the other hand, the largest Opposition party's bank accounts were frozen handicapping the main Opposition.

That was during the Lok Sabha elections...

Yes, I am talking about the Lok Sabha election. I want to start from the beginning.

You asked me why I suspect the numbers. The reason is, the entire process tells me the Election Commission has proved to be partial.

During the Lok Sabha polling also, there were huge discrepancies. Even today, the second phase of polling data (of the Lok Sabha election) is not fully in the public domain.

The final figures of the first phase were released after 15 days, and 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th after 4 days, 5 days, 4 days, 5 days by the Election Commission.

In almost 79 Lok Sabha seats, you could see that this played a mischief.

After the Lok Sabha elections, the conduct of the assembly elections also became suspicious.

If you look at Haryana, the first assembly election after the Lok Sabha election, you will see a very similar pattern.

You will see about 6% to 7% difference between the first figure and the revised final figure.

In Haryana, the ground reality was very, very, anti-incumbent government.

IMAGE: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini speaks to the media about the Haryana assembly election result. Photograph: ANI Photo

Did the Haryana results come as a shock to you?

Yes. That's the reason I, along with some of my colleagues, went into the numbers. We found that in 10 districts in Haryana, the discrepancy between the primary figure and the final figure was almost about 10% to 12%.

When there is more 10% or more than 10% in 10 districts, out of the 44 seats in those 10 districts, the BJP-NDA won 37.

In the rest of the 12 districts, where the discrepancy was low, the BJP-NDA won only 11 seats out of 46.

You will see that there is a huge amount of gain for the BJP-NDA when the discrepancy is larger.

And the BJP did not do well at all when the discrepancy was marginal.

Now, let's go back to the Lok Sabha elections in UP.

UP went to polls in 5 phases. In the 3rd phase, the discrepancy between the primary figure and the final figure was 0.2%. In the 4th phase, the discrepancy was 0.34%. In the 5th, it was 0.23% and in the 6th, it was 0.01%. In the 7th, it was 0.25%. The discrepancy, as you see was negligible.

The result showed the NDA dwindling from 62 seats (in 2019) to 36!

Now, we go to Jharkhand which went to polls in 2 phases. The discrepancy in the 1st phase was 1.62% and NDA wins 17 out of 43. In the 2nd phase, the discrepancy was 0.86% and the NDA got only 7 out of 38.

You can see the co-relation. Whenever the hike is more, the NDA gains more, and when the hike is negligible, the NDA falls.

I have established this in UP, Haryana and Jharkhand.

Now, we come to Maharashtra.

Kindly note the image has been posted only for representationak purposes. IMAGE: Priests in Mumbai, November 20, 2024, show their marked fingers after casting votes in the Maharashtra assembly election. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

You saw the same pattern in Maharashtra too?

Maharashtra went to polls in one phase on the 20th.

At 5 pm, the Election Commission's announcement says the polling percentage was 58.22%. Then there was a second announcement at 11:30 in the night. It said 65.02%.

If you convert the percentage to gross number of votes, it works out to be 65,97,708 votes. A hike of 6.80%.

It doesn't stop there.

The counting was on the 23rd morning. But there was a third announcement on the 22nd afternoon, just a few hours before the counting! Then the Election Commission announces another figure which was 1.03% more than the 2nd figure of 65.02%.

How much does this translate to gross votes? 999,359 votes.

Now, let's add all the three hikes together, which is a figure of 75,97,067 votes (65,97,708 +9,99359). Roughly 76 lakh votes!

The election commissioner later said that 76 lakh votes meant just 76 votes per booth.

Yes, people can come at the last minute and cast their votes.

But there are strict guidelines in the election manual. One is, when the official time of poll closes, whoever is within the premises of the booth can exercise their franchise however long it takes. But the gate will have to closed so that nobody enters the premises after the stipulated time.

Two, either a police official or a polling official should be posted there to see that no new person comes in.

The third condition is, all the people who are in the queue to be given paper slips; the one bearing number 1 to the last person near the gate and the last number to the first person in the queue.

Then, you will know how many people have entered and in which booth.

One more thing. Those who are waiting in the queue and given paper slips have to be videographed.

This is the rule book.

When I asked a former chief election commissioner about the discrepancy in the first figure and the final figure, he said till late at night, they would be getting the numbers from various booths, and that was why the number at 7 pm would be different from the number at 11 pm.

If that is the case, the Election Commission is bound to tell us which were the booths where people waited and also show us the video.

Next. Even when we had paper ballots with very rudimentary kind of communication structure, the updating of the final figure did not take this long.

Today, when you have the EVMs, you just press the button, and you get the figure. And the polling officer had to just upload the number on the app.

Moreover, they are all well-connected.

So, the time gap cannot be justified.

For argument's sake, when you say there were people waiting to vote, I am asking which were the booths they waited? They should have the videos also.

Are they saying in all the 1 lakh booths, people were waiting uniformly?

But the answers were not coming from the Election Commission.

Part 2 of the Interview: 'All Is Not Well With Election Commission'

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is likely to travel to Beijing within the next few weeks to lead the Indian delegation at a new edition of the Special Representatives dialogue on the larger boundary question that will be held after a gap of nearly five years, authoritative sources said.

IMAGE: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh in conversation during the Exchange of Agreements and Press Statement, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on October 25, 2024. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

The last round of Special Representatives (SR) dialogue took place in New Delhi in December 2019.

The decision to revive the dialogue mechanism was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23.

NSA Doval is travelling to China soon to attend the 23 round of SR talks, the sources said.

The SR dialogue may take place later this month or early January, said one of the sources.

There was no official word yet on the venue for the SR dialogue.

In their diplomatic talks on December 5, India and China prepared for the upcoming SR dialogue.

While India's Special Representative for the dialogue is NSA Doval, the Chinese side is headed at the talks by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

There was no SR dialogue in the last five years in view of the eastern Ladakh border row.

The military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 and a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe strain in ties between the two neighbours.

The face-off effectively ended following completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21.

Two days after the pact was firmed up, Modi and Xi held talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan.

In the meeting, the two sides agreed to revive several dialogue mechanisms, including the Special Representatives dialogue on boundary question.
Rabindra Ghosh, a prominent Bangladeshi lawyer, on Monday claimed that he has been receiving death threats since he has decided to represent jailed Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das but vowed that he would continue his fight for justice and minority rights.

IMAGE: People stage a protest against the arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and on the issue of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh, in Kolkata, December 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

He alleged that the interim government in Bangladesh was targeting Das as he had been vocal against atrocities on Hindus and was uniting the persecuted minority community.

"I am aware that false cases could be filed against me, but that will not stop me. All my life, I have fought against injustice. I have also fought cases for Muslims and helped them get justice. Death will come one day, but I will continue the fight," the 74-year-old lawyer of Bangladesh Supreme Court told PTI in a telephonic interview.

Ghosh, while highlighting the role played by the Hindu minority in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, lamented that the ongoing atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh defeat the "very principles" of the war, which was fought to end the unequal treatment of subjects of West Pakistan and East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

Speaking from Barrackpore, near Kolkata, where he has come for medical treatment, Ghosh said, "Since the day I declared that I will be fighting for Chinmoy Krishna Das, I have been receiving life threats. I get regular threat calls and messages, but that will not deter me from performing my duty. I will continue to fight against the injustice meted out to Das and other Hindus."

Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested earlier this month from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while en route to Chattogram for a rally.

Denied bail, Das has been sent to jail until January 2 by a Bangladeshi court.

Ghosh believes the monk has been framed on false charges because of his efforts to unite the Hindu community.

"The monk's large public gatherings unnerved the administration. That is why fundamentalists and the interim government targeted him. Death will come one day, but I will continue the fight," Ghosh said.

Ghosh arrived in Barrackpore on Sunday evening, accompanied by his wife, for medical treatment and is staying with his son Rahul Ghosh, who has lived in the area for several years.

Ghosh, who is also the president of Bangladesh Minority Watch, an NGO advocating for minority rights, described a chaotic incident in the Chittagong court where around 40 lawyers created unrest and attempted to assault him physically.

"How can you frame all the Hindu lawyers who tried to represent Das with false cases? Is this not a travesty of justice? Fundamentalists are beating up lawyers, and the administration is silent. There is no guarantee that I won't be killed in the future for defending Das," he said.

Highlighting the plight of minorities in Bangladesh, Ghosh said the condition of the Hindu community has worsened since the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, took charge.

"Under the previous regime, minorities faced attacks but the situation has now crossed all limits," he said.

On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, which marks the victory of Indian armed forces against Pakistan in the 1971 war and the formation of Bangladesh, Ghosh expressed deep disappointment with the current state of his country.

"I fought for the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, and I want to uphold those values. I am a muktijoddha, and it is really painful to see the present condition of my country. The interim government in Bangladesh has failed the minorities," he said.

Reflecting on the principles of the Liberation War, Ghosh said the ongoing atrocities against minorities go against the very ideals the war was fought for.

"The Liberation War was fought to establish equality and end the unequal treatment of East Pakistanis by West Pakistan. By denying minorities their rights and not allowing proper judicial assistance to Das, it seems the very purpose of establishing equality in Bangladesh stands defeated," he said.

Ghosh also underscored the role played by the Hindu minority in the Liberation War.

"Hindus made significant sacrifices during the Liberation War. They fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Muslims for an independent Bangladesh. Today, their contributions are forgotten, and they are treated as second-class citizens," he lamented.
A 55-year-old man, who was among the several persons injured in the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus accident in Kurla area of Mumbai, died on Monday morning, taking the death toll to eight, a civic official said.

IMAGE: The BEST bus that collided with several vehicles on a road at Kurla, north east Mumbai, on December 9, 2024. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

The electric bus, hired by the civic-run BEST undertaking on wet-lease basis, ploughed into a crowd and fatally knocked down seven persons and injured 42 others on a crowded road in Kurla area on December 9.

Several vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

One of the injured persons, identified as Fazlu Rehman, died during treatment at the Sion Hospital on Monday morning, the official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

BEST has set up a five-member committee to investigate the Kurla accident.

Driver Sanjay More (54) is in police custody for alleged reckless driving.

In a statement issued last week, BEST said a committee, headed by Chief Manager (Transport) Ramesh Madavi, will investigate the accident.

It also said that BEST would provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives and bear treatment expenses of the injured.

BEST administration has claimed that More received three days' training before he was allowed to drive the electric bus.

RTO officials suspect human error and lack of proper training for driving automatic transmission buses could be the reason behind the accident, among the most horrific involving BEST buses in recent history.
The special representatives of India and China on border issues will meet in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss the restoration of bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement to disengage troops in eastern Ladakh.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, in Kazan, October 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

As agreed, director of the office of the central commission for foreign affairs Wang Yi and India's national security adviser Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd meeting of special representatives for the China-India Boundary Question in Beijing on December 18, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced in Beijing on Monday.

According to informed sources, Doval will arrive in Beijing on Tuesday to attend the crucial talks, which were expected to provide a way forward for the two countries to normalise the relations.

Constituted in 2003 to comprehensively address the vexed dispute of the India-China border spanning to 3488 kms, the SRs mechanism over the years met 22 times.

The SRs meeting would take place after a gap of five years. The last meeting was held in 2019.

While success eluded it in resolving the boundary dispute, officials on both sides regard it as a very promising, useful and handy tool in addressing the recurring tensions between the two countries.

Except for trade, relations between the two countries were frozen since April 2020 when the Chinese moved large numbers of troops towards the Line of Actual Control, sparking one of the longest military standoffs between the two countries.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri on October 21 said in Delhi that the agreement was finalised following negotiations over the past several weeks and that it would lead to a resolution of the issues that arose in 2020.

Subsequently, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the agreement on October 22, saying the two sides have reached resolutions on relevant matters, which China speaks highly of. Going forward, China will work with India to implement these resolutions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan on October 24 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit during which they endorsed the agreement on patrolling and disengagement along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

They instructed the special representatives for the boundary mechanism to meet to discuss further steps.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil followed by the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the Mahayuti allies have agreed to conduct a 'performance audit' of ministers during their tenure.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a conversation with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde during the swearing-in ceremony of the ministers of the Mahayuti alliance government, at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

While Fadnavis has not mentioned any timeline, Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said the ministers of his party will get two-and-a-half years and those who perform will progress.

Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said 'non-performers' can be replaced in two-and-a-half-months also.

Fadnavis along with his deputies addressed a press conference on Sunday in Nagpur where 39 legislators of Mahayuti took oath as ministers as part of the cabinet expansion, ahead of the winter session of the state legislature set to begin on Monday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party secured 19 ministerial berths by virtue of being the largest party among allies.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP were allotted 11 and 9 berths, respectively.

While 33 legislators were sworn in as cabinet ministers, six took oath as ministers of state.

Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government will focus on the development of Maharashtra.

"We have decided on the portfolio allocation and it will be announced in two to three days. Our administration will focus on swift development," he said.

Fadnavis said he and his deputies have told new ministers that they would be subjected to a performance audit.

"Performance audit of ministers will be done and all three of us have agreed to this," he said.

The CM said the BJP leaders who couldn't find a place in the cabinet may be assigned an organisational role.

Shinde said he had decided at the Shiv Sena party level to give two-and-a-half years to new ministers.

"Those who work good will progress," he added.

Fadnavis slammed the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for terming the ruling Mahayuti as a 'government of EVM'.

"Our government came to power because every vote has gone for Maharashtra. My government works by the Constitution and respecting the dignity of the Constitution is our priority," the chief minister said.

Fadnavis announced a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district last week.

"The case has been given to the CID and a special SIT will be set up to investigate it. Culprits will be punished," the CM said.

He also said the recent violence in Parbhani was orchestrated and pointed out that the stone replica of the Constitution was desecrated by a mentally unstable person who has been arrested.

"I have directed the police to take action against those protesters involved in stone pelting in Parbhani," he added.

Earlier on Sunday, the MVA targeted the Maharashtra government over farmers' plight, price rise, jobs and the sarpanch's murder.

Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve claimed the government was doing a drama by keeping the session only for six days.

Earlier, the Nagpur session used to be held for anywhere between three weeks and one month, the Shiv Sena-UBT leader said.

Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government was ready to respond to all issues raised by the opposition provided they do so on the floor of the legislature instead of speaking to media.
A United States-based interfaith couple of Indian origin was forced to cancel their wedding reception in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh following 'threats of protests' by rightwing organisations, officials said on Monday.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

The couple was married in March and registered it under the Special Marriage Act at an Indian consulate in the US.

They had planned to host a reception for family members and friends at a hotel in Aligarh on Saturday, their relatives said.

However, after the invitation card of the reception became circulated on social media, they faced stiff opposition from the Bajrang Bal, a Bajrang Dal splinter group, the All India Karni Sena, and some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders.

On December 12, the groups announced that they would hold protests against the event and also allegedly pressured the hotel management to cancel the booking.

The groups also approached Additional District Magistrate (City) Amit Kumar, expressing strong opposition to the event.

They submitted a joint memorandum, signed by former Aligarh mayor Shakuntala Bharti and All India Karni Sena president Thakur Gyanendra Singh Chauhan, warning that it could lead to unrest.

Citing the alleged mistreatment of Hindus in Bangladesh and recent violence in Sambhal and Bharaich, the memorandum said the event could potentially breach peace in the city.

Chauhan said the marriage was a 'clear case of love jihad' and his organisation would firmly oppose the celebration.

The hotel management said it would comply with the district authorities' directives in the matter.

Meanwhile, top district officials held discussions on December 13 but both families had decided to call off the function by the afternoon, citing 'unforseen circumstances'.

The couple is highly educated and skilled professionals from well-known families. After initial resistance, both the families agreed to the marriage, family sources said.

The families requested to remain anonymous due to privacy concerns and declined to comment to PTI.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday accused "some agencies with vested interests" of "briefing the Centre wrongly" about the ongoing crisis and said it was an attempt to destabilise the state.

IMAGE: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh pays floral tributes to the departed women freedom fighters who participated in Nupi Lal' (women's war) against British actions in 1904 and 1939, at the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex, in Imphal, December 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Emphasising the need for unity among Manipuris, the CM, who was at an event here on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, which marks the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army in 1971, also said that "we need to have a concrete and firm stand and work with vision and conviction."

The CM asserted, "We need to have a concrete and firm stand and work with vision and conviction. We have been facing unrest for the last 19 months. We are at a standstill where we cannot touch anything. People are asking where the government has gone, and they are right in asking that. However, we have a clear-cut mindset. Many agencies are briefing the Centre wrongly, and most central leaders don't know where the conflict actually comes from." Singh, however, did not elaborate and specify the agencies.

"Some agencies are disseminating misinformation to the central government about the ongoing crisis in the state. These politically motivated and biased information have created confusion among central leaders, resulting in delays in taking the necessary actions to resolve the issue," Singh said.

He stressed the importance of evolving mindsets among politicians and policymakers to prevent future problems.

"We need to change our mindset from time to time. One mistake can lead to future problems," Singh said, addressing the divisions within the state and gaps between state and central forces.

Singh criticised the suspension of operations agreement signed in 2005 with an organisation that had just 14 to 20 members back then, blaming it for the current unrest in the state.

Singh condemned the recent killing of two non-Manipuris, calling it a politically motivated move to create an unsafe atmosphere for non-Manipuris in the state.

"Some people are trying to create an atmosphere that non-Manipuris are not safe in the state. This is seemingly a politically motivated move," he said.

Emphasising the need for unity and vigilance, Singh warned against multiple attacks aimed at destabilising Manipur.

"We need unity, sincerity, and commitment for the state and not for political seats and personal interests," he said.

Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah for maintaining order in the state, praising Shah's grassroots knowledge and efforts for the state's welfare.

Forest minister Thongam Biswajit Singh also spoke at the event, honouring the historic significance of Vijay Diwas and the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers.
Amid criticism over a controversial remark of senior Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim on the Muslim percentage in the population, the ruling party in the state on Monday distanced itself from his statements and condemned them.

IMAGE: Bengal minister Firhad Hakim during an event at Alipore Museum in Kolkata, October 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

A controversy erupted after a purported video surfaced on Saturday of Hakim, the Mayor of Kolkata and the state's Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister, addressing a gathering of minority students.

In the speech, Hakim reportedly said, "In West Bengal, we (Muslims) are 33 percent and nationwide, we are 17 percent."

Advocating that minorities should strive to reach a position where they can assert themselves more forcefully and their call for justice is acknowledged, Hakim had said, "We may be minorities numerically, but by Allah's grace, we can become so powerful that we will not need to hold candlelight rallies for justice. We will be in a position where we will become the majority in the true sense of empowerment."

A video of Hakim's speech went viral, but its authenticity could not be independently verified by PTI.

Reacting sharply, the Trinamool Congress issued a statement on X on Monday distancing itself from Hakim's remarks.

"The All India Trinamool Congress firmly disassociates itself from and strongly condemns the statement made by Shri Firhad Hakim, MIC GoWB, at an event day before yesterday. These comments do not reflect the party's position or ideology. Our commitment to peace, unity, and communal harmony remains unwavering. Any remarks that threaten the social fabric of West Bengal will be met with strict measures," the party said in a post.

The remarks triggered a political storm, with opposition parties, particularly the BJP, accusing Hakim of attempting to stir communal sentiments.

Bharatiya Janata Party's West Bengal president and Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, said, "This statement is not only divisive but also points towards creating a situation similar to Bangladesh. It is an open call to communal hatred."

Sources within the TMC said that the party's top brass expressed displeasure with Hakim's remarks, which came at a time when the party has been trying to counter the BJP's Hindutva politics.

Speaking informally to party colleagues, Hakim reportedly said his remarks were misinterpreted.

Hakim reportedly told party leaders that he was not speaking about a numerical majority.

He was addressing the socio-economic backwardness of minorities and urging them to focus on education and skill development to become more empowered.

He said he only meant that if minorities work hard and receive Allah's blessings, they can progress and gain respect in society, sources said.

Despite Hakim's clarification, the controversy has caused ripples within the TMC.

Political observers believe that the remarks have added to the challenges faced by the party, especially at a time when West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has been projecting herself as a leader of inclusive governance by engaging with all communities.

Political analysts noted that Banerjee's recent efforts, such as overseeing the construction of a Jagannath temple in Digha, were aimed at countering the BJP's Hindutva narrative.

"Hakim's comments have complicated the party's messaging," a party functionary admitted on condition of anonymity.

On the sidelines of a programme on Sunday, Hakim had said, "I am a diehard secular and patriotic Indian. No one can question my secular values and love for my country. Period."

However, when approached by journalists on Monday, he refused to comment, saying, "I have nothing to say on this matter."

The BJP, on the other hand, has seized the opportunity to target the TMC.

Majumdar said, "Hakim's statement is an indication of implementing Sharia law in India. Such communal rhetoric is unacceptable and dangerous."

On Saturday, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh had 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 had 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.
A garbage collector has highlighted the frustration of a simple suburban act when it comes to bin collection day. Source: TikTok

Garbage collectors are sometimes hailed as the unsung heroes of 'throw away' society due to the fact their work is essential to public health, the environment and the smooth functioning of communities. But sometimes we accidentally make their job harder than it needs to be.

Such was the case in Brisbane this week, where a Queensland man snapped footage of a bin collector having to leave his truck to personally move and empty a red-lidded bin, which was obstructed by a parked motorcycle. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia on the condition of anonymity, an east coast garbo warned the scenario is all too common, saying it is both "annoying" and frequent.

'Annoying' trend on streets criticised by Aussie garbage collector

In the vision, a man films from his balcony while watching a garbage collector jump out of the vehicle and physically attach the bin to the truck's latch to be emptied.

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Online, people were quick to call out what they described as inconsiderate behaviour on the motorcyclist's behalf. Though, not all saw it that way.

"What wanker left their bike there?" one person asked. "I have neighbours that do this, pull up and block the bins, and just walk inside," said another.

"Its not the driver's responsibility to get out of the truck  I would have driven off," argued a third.

"Thats a very considerate bin man. In WA, if a vehicle parks in front of your bins they skip emptying it," one person commented while another claimed "theres no way" their "bin man would go to that much effort" .

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Speaking to Yahoo, the east coast garbage collector said while frustrating, it's a difficult situation to police. "It's annoying but it can't really be stopped," he said, adding that the issue is distinctly prevalent in the suburbs.

He said particularly during the festive period when garbage collectors are "so busy", it's "annoying" when "collecting from such small streets".

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
'If you are going to make undeserving MLAs ministers, then why should sincere and hard-working people like us continue?'

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Mahayuti MLAs attend the special session of the Maharashtra assembly in Mumbai, December 7, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The government formation in Maharashtra seems to have brought to fore the first signs of rebellion within Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.

Narendra Bhojraj Bhondekar, the Shiv Sena MLA from Bhandara, has resigned as deputy leader and coordinator of eastern Vidarbha districts, blaming Eknath Shinde for reneging on his promise of giving him a ministrerial berth.

"If you don't have any value for your workers' and office bearers' hard work, then what is the point of these positions? I entered the Shiv Sena only after Shinde saheb promised me a ministerial berth. When I first joined him (at Guwahati after the June 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray's Maha Vikas Aghadi government) he had assured me of a cabinet berth but after the formation of the new government (in 2024) now I was promised a ministry. But I was shocked that my name was not there (among the names of MLAs who took oath as ministers)," says Bhondekar, who had won from Bhandara as an Independent in 2019 and on a Shiv Sena ticket in 2024.

"When I joined him at Guwahati I was given an assurance by Shinde saheb (that I would get a cabinet berth). I have been given repeated assurances but nothing has worked out for me. Now many excuses are being given (for Shinde's inability to accommodate me in the new government)," says Bhondekar.

The BJP won 132 seats, the Shiv Sena 57 and the Nationalist Congress Party won 41 seats in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections. Their share in the ministry stand at 19 for the BJP, 11 for the Shiv Sena and 9 berths for the NCP.

"I can understand that the numbers are such that the BJP would get the largest number of ministries and there would definitely be some difficulty in accommodating everybody's aspirations and demands," Bhondekar said expressing his displeasure at being sidelined.

Bhondekar's grievance seems more directed towards the 11 ministers who took oath recently even as he made no bones to hide what Shinde had promised him on several occasions.

"If you are going to make undeserving MLAs ministers, those who have made no contributions to the party's growth and welfare, then why should sincere and hard-working people like us continue in these positions and face opposition from our own constituents and supporters?" asks Bhondekar over the phone from Bhandara.

"I am still hopeful that something can be worked out even now; I am likely to meet him (Shinde) this evening. Something good may come out by the end of the day. He said it would be a cabinet berth but later promised to give me a MoS (minister of state).

"I will get a clear answer about under what circumstances was I ignored; what are the reasons for undeserving people getting cabinet berths and ministries."
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka on Monday categorically conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the island nation will not allow its territory to be used against India's security interests, an assurance that came amid concerns in New Delhi over China's attempts to increase its military influence over Colombo.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka in New Delhi, December 16, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Narendra Modi on X

Disanayaka, on a three-day visit to India, held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Modi that saw both sides deciding to soon conclude a defence cooperation agreement and ramp up energy ties by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines.

In his media statement, Prime Minister Modi said he and the Sri Lankan president were in "full agreement" that the security interests of both countries are interconnected and it was decided to quickly finalise the security cooperation agreement.

The docking of Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang' at Hambantota port in August 2022 had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka. Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port in August last year.

In the meeting, Modi conveyed to Disanayaka India's consistent support to the island nation in its quest for economic recovery and stability. Sri Lanka was reeling under a massive economic crisis two years back and India extended financial assistance worth $4 billion to the country.

The two leaders instructed officials to finalise discussions on the bilateral MoU on debt restructuring.

"We have adopted a futuristic vision for our partnership. We have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity in our economic partnership," Modi said.

"We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity shall be the key pillars of our partnership. We shall work towards establishing electricity-grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines between both the nations," he added.

In his remarks, the Sri Lankan leader said the Indian prime minister has given an assurance to always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.

"I have also given an assurance to the prime minister that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interests of India," he said.

"The cooperation with India will certainly flourish. And I want to reassure our continued support for India," he added.

Modi and Disanayaka underscored the common challenges faced by the two nations in the Indian Ocean and vowed to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure region.

As a trusted and reliable partner, India conveyed its continued commitment to working closely with Sri Lanka in advancing its defence and maritime security needs and extending necessary assistance towards augmenting its capabilities to address its maritime challenges, according to a joint statement.

Asked at a media briefing whether the Adani Group's involvement in the Colombo port project figured in the talks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said there was no such reference to it from either side.

Underlining the importance of connectivity, Modi said a decision was taken to initiate a ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar.

"We have jointly decided that, post the successful launch of the Nagapattinam - Kankesanthurai ferry service, we will also initiate a ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar," he said.

The prime minister said he and the Sri Lankan leader also deliberated on the fishermen issue and agreed that a "humanitarian approach" should be adopted on it.

Modi hoped that the Sri Lankan government shall fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people in the island nation.

"We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Disanayaka apprised me of his inclusive perspective. We hope that the Sri Lankan government shall fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people," Modi said.

"And that they shall fulfil their commitment towards fully implementing the constitution of Sri Lanka and conducting the provincial council elections," he said.

The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to it.

The 13th Amendment was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987.

Foreign Secretary Misri said PM Modi urged Disanayaka for "full and effective" implementation of the Sri Lankan Constitution for meaningful devolution of power.

The foreign secretary said Modi reaffirmed India's continued commitment to support Sri Lanka in its economic stabilisation efforts.

"He further assured President Disanayaka that India's approach would be investment-based and grant-oriented to reduce the debt burden on Sri Lanka and to assist them in generating economic opportunities that are long-term and sustainable," he said.

On the fishermen issue, Misri said it was agreed that the use of force must be avoided in all circumstances.

There have been instances of Sri Lankan naval forces firing at Indian fishermen in recent months.

Asked about Chinese military research vessels visiting Sri Lanka, Misri indicated that India took up the issue and that Colombo was looking into it. "We pointed to the importance and the sensitivity of our security interests and President Disanayaka was very upfront in saying that he would ensure that nothing was done by using Sri Lankan territory that might impact India's security," Misri said.

"We will continue to engage with the government of Sri Lanka on all these issues and we are confident that issues of importance such as these will continue to be given due care by the government of Sri Lanka," he said.

In the talks, Disanayaka thanked Modi for India's support in stabilising the Sri Lankan economy through "unparalleled and multi-pronged" assistance including emergency financing and forex support worth USD 4 billion.

The Sri Lankan president also acknowledged India's crucial assistance in his country's debt restructuring process.

"We faced an unprecedented economic crisis some two years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It (India) has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt restructuring process," he said.

He further thanked India for extending financial assistance of USD 20.66 mn to settle payments due from Sri Lanka for projects completed under existing Lines of Credit.

On energy cooperation, the foreign secretary said there was deliberation on a possible trilateral cooperation among India and Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on a petroleum pipeline project.

The two sides also inked a protocol amending an agreement between the two countries for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.

An MoU was inked for training and capacity building programmes for civil servants of Sri Lanka.
Now, its been 15 years. Most of the girls that are coming in here today dont know anything about Jessica, said Debbie Bolognani. But, she
Lissa Weinmann is a board member of Windham World Affairs Council. She helped found and direct Americans for Humanitarian Trade with Cuba, a coalition that helped ease the embargo's restrictions on food sales to Cuba, and directed the National Summit on Cuba. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
A man whose daughter and granddaughter were hospitalised while staying at a luxury Fiji resort says the pair were drinking pina coladas by the pool before they fell ill.

The two women were among seven guests at the Warwick Fiji to be hospitalised in what is a suspected case of alcohol poisoning and comes a month after the Laos methanol poisoning tragedy where two Australian women died.

On Monday David Sandoe provided an update about his daughter and 19-year-old granddaughter's health, saying they had improved and were now allowed to fly.

When you receive a phone call at, well it was 11 oclock the other night, and your daughter says her daughter and herself have been poisoned and they were in hospital, its quite something else, he told Sky News.

Immediately thinking of the two Melbourne women to die in Thai hospitals last month, he said there were shivers down his spine. He said his daughter had a seizure after drinking a pina colada and was left feeling "very uncomfortable".

"It is is a horrific experience... it was very much a big worry for us."
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.
An ancient event that caused a desert to expand could help our understanding of future climactic changes, new research shows.

The creation of a mountain range on the eastern and southeastern coast of China dramatically changed weather conditions on its far side. Source: Peter Cawood

A sudden underground event has been linked to the expansion of an ancient desert across modern China. While the changes occurred 120 million years ago, researchers believe understanding the event is a key step in forecasting and preparing for unimaginable weather events that humankind has yet to face.

Monash University geologist Dr Peter Cawood collaborated with an international team on the study, that examined how the thickening of the Earths crust sparked the rapid formation of peaks that soared to 2,500 metres above sea level. This new mountain range likely created a 15 per cent increase in aridity and the expansion of the desert eastwards  both of which likely changed the evolutionary path of plants and animals.

The development of the mountain range had a major impact on the climate  we can see that from our modelling and in the rocks themselves. That must have driven major changes, he told Yahoo News.

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Before the mountain range was created, warm ocean air would wet the surrounding landscape. Source: Peter Cawood

What was the weather like before the mountains formed?

Its believed the landscape along Chinas east coast was lush and fertile. The environment was nurtured by moist, warm ocean air that uniformly spread rain across the plains.

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But after the mountain range formed, the warm air was driven upwards by its peaks, causing it to cool and dump rain along the coast, leaving the interior dry and arid.

A limited example of that is the Great Dividing Range in Australia. Its peaks are pretty low, but we know that close to the East Coast, we often get high rainfall in places like Dorrigo and Coffs Harbour, but once you move inland and you cross the divide, then it becomes much dryer, Cawood explained.

During the Millennium drought, land on the western side of the Great Dividing Range dried out more than on the coastal side. Source: Michael Dahlstrom

How will the world change in future?

The Monash University research, published in the journal Science Advances overnight, used newly developed modelling tools to focus on a moment in time, as geologists build a wider understanding of climactic changes on Earth over billions of years  what's referred to as deep time.

We can see all these diverse environments on Earth today. And what we're increasingly trying to do is understand them in deep time and understand what the drivers are, Cawood said.

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Human societies lack the lived experience to comprehend the dramatic upheaval our weather systems are currently undergoing due to man-made climate change. But understanding the types of environments that existed in the past and how they have evolved, will help us to imagine how dramatically the relatively stable world we live in today could alter over time. And this knowledge will allow us to plan our cities, roads and agriculture for dramatically different weather systems.

"We're trying to understand the kinds of environments that existed in the past and how they have changed  how things like distributions of continents affect ocean circulation, affect erosion, affect atmospheric compositions. We're looking at the past, and it allows us to understand the future," Cawood said.

Changes to the surface of our planet will likely alter weather systems in our own lifetimes. For instance, coral reefs form a barrier between extreme weather events like cyclones and waves associated with king tides. But as ocean temperatures continue to warm, and reefs die off, the layer of protection they provide between water and land will be lost, and coastal communities will experience harsher storms.

Cawood describes the Earth as a magnificent, complex, beautiful place and this period of stability as a flash in the pan moment.

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We are living in this almost Goldilocks time in terms of human occupation, and its ability to inhabit large segments of the Earth, he said.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- In Russian versions of the Harry Potter books, the main hero is rendered somewhat awkwardly as "Garry Potter," in line with standard English to Russian transliteration.

In the official Kazakh translation of the series, the bespectacled young wizard created by J.K. Rowling has his "H" back, and the books have been a staple in local bookstores for nearly five years.

But despite that success and the Kazakh-language book market growing every year, local publishers trying to break new ground or rediscover a forgotten literary heritage still face a tough market.

Some of those challenges are rooted in decades of limited access and infrastructure for Kazakh-language literature owing to the Soviet and colonial-era dominance of Russian.

But publishers also say the government could be doing more to support businesses moving beyond the well-trodden territory of national classics and textbooks -- the categories most likely to receive government subsidies.

"Every year, a group of elders sit down and split up the funds allocated for book printing, and then reissue old books," complained Shyngys Mukan, a former government official, who founded the independent Mazmundama publishing house in 2018.

Mukan argues some of that money could be better invested in making internationally popular titles available in Kazakh.

"A language's richness depends not just on vocabulary, but on the breadth of available information," Mukan told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service. "To grow, we need to translate human knowledge -- just as we use iPhones and Samsungs, we must make humanity's intellectual achievements available in our language."

Risks And Rewards

Mukan is part of a new generation of Kazakh-language publishers balancing the necessity of profit with an ideological commitment to expanding the diversity of literature available in the country's state language.

Not every risk pays off.

But the last few years have seen strong growth in the Kazakh-language book market.

According to the country's National Library, more than 12,761 Kazakh-language books have been registered in the past five years, while in the last year alone 4,012 books were published with over 4.2 million copies in total circulation.

If at the turn of the millennium Kazakh-language titles would be a rare find at a chain bookstore in the largest city, Almaty, publishers now estimate they make up at least 10 percent of books on the shelves, with Russian-language titles continuing to dominate.

Authorities cite 80 percent of the national population of 20 million as Kazakh speakers.

But the proportion of the population that is fully literate in the language is likely be somewhat lower, including in larger cities, where books are easiest to find.

Raisa Qadyr, head of Steppe & World Publishing, founded her company due to what she saw as a paucity of children's literature in the state language.

"Although we get some government support, it often fluctuates depending on leadership changes," Qadyr said. "We wish support for this sector was more stable."

It is Steppe & World Publishing that is behind the Kazakh translations of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, and -- more famously -- the Harry Potter series.

In the case of the best-selling book series in the world, the demand is clear, and speaks to a "desire to keep up with the world" that can be found in any society, she explained.

But acquiring the rights to translate the series was not easy.

And if in Soviet times English-language literature was typically translated into Kazakh via Russian, Qadyr's team of three translators and one editor worked directly from the original.

Their feat showed that "Kazakh isn't limited to local stories -- it can bring the magic of international classics into our language and culture," she said in an interview with RFE/RL's Kazakh Service.

Rediscovering The Forgotten

Mukan's Mazmundama publishing house has had some success publishing Kazakh-language translations of self-help books, with Dale Carnegie's 1936 classic How To Win Friends And Influence People among the titles it has published.

But the businessman freely admits that sales for traditional Kazakh poetry and prose are sometimes stronger, helping his company to finance new translations of foreign works.

There is perhaps an irony to this.

As of last year, the top-selling Kazakh-language title sold by the private bookstore chain Meloman was a compendium of the works of Abay Qunanbaiuly, Kazakhstan's most famous and beloved philosopher, poet, and composer.

Abay's Path, a novel about the life and era of Abay penned by Soviet-era writer Mukhtar Auezov, is another book that can be reprinted endlessly without fear of not selling.

But while prolific in his own writings, Abay was also a relentless translator of authors that he viewed as essential reading for Kazakhs, with works by Goethe, Pushkin, and Byron among them.

Abay's genius -- cemented by Auezov's massively popular novel -- allowed him to bridge the years from late 19th-century Russian imperial rule in Kazakhstan through more than three decades of independence.

Other Kazakh authors have been less fortunate.

Arman Almenbet of the Muqaba publishing house says that even recognized modern authors have become "lost," especially those writing in Kazakh closer to the fall of the Soviet Union.

"In the late 1980s, each [Kazakh] writer would have at least one book published and read widely, but then they were forgotten," Almenbet said, citing two authors from the period that Muqaba has republished in recent years.

This explains why many Kazakh publishers see the mission of rediscovering neglected literary heritage as being of equal if not greater importance than expanding the Kazakh language's coverage of international fiction and nonfiction.

Another notable retrieval project in this regard is the effort of Alqa Publishing to print Manifesto for Kazakh Women, a collection of works by Nazipa Quljanova.

An early 20th-century journalist and advocate of women's education, the effort to gather Quljanova's works has been a long but rewarding journey, said Bayan Khasanova, lead editor at Alqa Publishing, which specializes in books aimed at women.

At the same time, Alqa Publishing is committed to publishing books by contemporary women authors who are experts in their fields.

In some ways, publishing was late to respond to demand for stronger Kazakh-language content, with local television, advertisers, and even theaters getting the memo years ago, Almenbet argues.

"In the publishing sector, we are now transitioning from quantity to quality, as books are becoming better curated in response to past criticism. This makes me happy," he said.
A New Zealand woman says she was shocked to learn the possible risks of jumping into Sydney Harbour after taking the plunge during a work party.

New Zealand woman Gabbriella had no idea Sydney Harbour was known bull shark territory. Source: TikTok/gabbysnell

A viral Sydney Harbour stunt is being held up as what not to do at end-of-year Christmas parties now the silly season is well and truly upon us.

New Zealand woman Gabbriella was enjoying her work Christmas party on a boat last week when she decided to slide down into the water fully clothed as her amused colleagues watched on in delight. The 24-year-old was met with cheers as she plunged into the water and resurfaced quickly after with a smile, clearly enjoying herself.

However it wasn't until after the boat party that she realised just how much potential danger she put herself in, with a wave of Aussies urging her to stay clear of the Harbour water unless she wanted to tempt fate with a bull shark.

"Why am I only finding out now that the Sydney Harbour is absolutely swarmed with bull sharks?" she said online.

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"And also that they're aggressive... Why wasn't I aware of that!?"

Sydney Harbour is notorious for bull sharks as its not unusual for them to venture down from northern regions during the summer months when the weather heats up.

Swimmers can face $1,100 fine for Sydney Harbour dip

It's not the first time adventurous partygoers have jumped into Sydney Harbour during end of year celebrations. Other than the netted Marrinawi Cove at Barangaroo and a few spots where boats are permitted to dock and swimming can occur, large areas of the harbour are 'no swimming zones' due to heavy marine traffic, the threat of bull sharks and contaminants such as waste and debris.

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Last year, authorities issued a warning that jumping into the water of Sydney Harbour can come with a $1,100 fine after three women plunged into the water at Cockle Bay.

"Swimming is not permitted at Darling Harbour or Cockle Bay as there is a large amount of boat traffic. There are also no distinct swimming areas with shark nets," a NSW government spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia previously.

Swimmers at Sydney Harbour run the risk of being fined $1,100. Source: TikTok

A man also faced police last year after he jumped into the harbour from Sydney Opera House bar in only his undies, later claiming he was fined for the act.

A 29-year-old woman was attacked by a shark at a private wharf in Sydney Harbour in January this year. Aussies have long known the danger after an experienced navy clearance driver lost both his arm and leg in 2009 when a bull shark attacked him in Sydney Harbour in a tragedy that made global headlines at the time.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Legendary Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73

Hussain had been undergoing treatment in a San Francisco hospital, where he was initially admitted two weeks ago.

Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Death News: Renowned tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has passed away at the age of 73 following a prolonged battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His family confirmed the news on Monday, marking the end of an illustrious career that left an indelible mark on the world of music.

Hussain had been undergoing treatment in a San Francisco hospital, where he was initially admitted two weeks ago. His condition deteriorated, leading to complications related to his heart. Despite being moved to the ICU, his health worsened, and he passed away early Monday morning.

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Reports of Hussains death had surfaced earlier, but his family had dismissed them at the time, stating that while his condition was critical, he was still fighting. However, they officially announced his demise on Monday.

In a heartfelt statement, his family said, The legendary tabla maestro leaves behind a legacy that is cherished and respected by countless music lovers across the world. His influence will resonate with generations to come.

The family also acknowledged his contributions as a teacher, mentor, and cultural ambassador. "He dedicated his life to inspiring the next generation of musicians and left an unparalleled legacy as one of the greatest artists of all time," the statement added.

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Hussains work as a tabla maestro earned him international acclaim, making him a pioneer in promoting Indian classical music across the globe. His legacy continues to inspire countless artists and music enthusiasts worldwide.
Karmi Aapo Apni Postponed in India Due to Unforeseen Censor Delays

"Karmi Aapo Apni" Released in the US and UK.

Karmi Aapo Apni Movie Release Date in India: The makers of the highly anticipated Punjabi film Karmi Aapo Apni have announced a change in the films release schedule for India. Initially set for a December launch, the films release in India has been postponed to mid-January 2025 due to unforeseen circumstances. The decision aims to ensure an optimal viewing experience for audiences and proper coordination with promotional activities.

Meanwhile, Karmi Aapo Apni successfully premiered in the United States and the United Kingdom, receiving an overwhelming response from international audiences. During the press conference, the films director, producers, and lead cast members expressed their gratitude to the international audience for their love and support. They also addressed the decision to reschedule the Indian release, citing the importance of aligning the films launch with the right market conditions to ensure it reaches a wider audience.

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Following its successful premieres in the U.S. and U.K., the filmmakers will announce the release in Canada, Australia, Europe, Dubai, and New Zealand soon.

Speaking on the occasion, Gurjinderjit Singh Sahota, the visionary behind Karmi Aapo Apni, said, We are thrilled with the reception our film has received in the US and UK. However, we want to give our Indian fans the best experience, and hence, weve decided to reschedule the release. The wait will be worth it.

The films producers added, Karmi Aapo Apni is not just a film but a celebration of Punjabi culture and values. With the new release date, we plan to amplify the reach and impact of the film, giving it the grandeur it truly deserves.
Ambani and Adani Out of Bloombergs $100 Billion Club Amid Financial Challenges

Adani remains optimistic, stating that challenges only strengthen the group.

Mumbai: Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, and Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, two of Indias wealthiest business magnates, have dropped out of Bloombergs $100 billion club this year due to setbacks affecting their respective business empires.

According to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, India's 20 wealthiest individuals collectively added $67.3 billion to their fortunes in 2024, with technology tycoon Shiv Nadar seeing the largest increase at $10.8 billion, followed closely by Savitri Jindal, whose family owns the Jindal Group, with a gain of $10.1 billion. However, Ambani and Adani, once stalwarts of the centibillionaire club, faced significant headwinds that impacted their net worth.

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Ambanis Decline Linked to Energy and Retail Challenges

Mukesh Ambani, Asia's richest man, saw his wealth peak at $120.8 billion in July, coinciding with a high-profile family wedding. However, weaker performance in Reliance Industries' energy sector and sluggish consumer demand in its retail business contributed to a decline. Rising debt levels have also raised concerns among investors. As of December 13, Ambanis fortune stood at $96.7 billion, knocking him out of the centibillionaire club.

Adani Hit by Probes and Stock Market Woes

Gautam Adani, whose business empire has faced scrutiny on multiple fronts, saw his net worth drop from a peak of $122.3 billion in June to $82.1 billion as of December. A US Department of Justice investigation into alleged bribery within the Adani Group, following the fallout from last years Hindenburg Research report, has affected the group's ability to secure funding and new contracts. Despite denying all allegations, Adani has been forced to address regulatory challenges that have hurt stock prices and investor confidence.

Adani remains optimistic, stating that challenges only strengthen the group. However, the ongoing scrutiny has undoubtedly added pressure to his business operations, impacting his standing in the global billionaire rankings.

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Shifting Dynamics Among Indias Wealthiest

While Ambani and Adani grapple with financial challenges, other Indian billionaires have flourished. Shiv Nadar and Savitri Jindal have made significant gains, showcasing resilience in sectors such as technology and industrial manufacturing. The contrasting fortunes highlight the shifting dynamics among India's elite as they navigate global economic uncertainties and domestic business challenges.

As Ambani and Adani work to stabilize their empires, their exit from the $100 billion club underscores the volatility of even the largest fortunes in an ever-evolving global economic landscape.
Farmers Announce Tractor March to Shambhu Border Amid Growing Tensions

Pandher condemned the actions of the police, accusing them of using excessive force against peaceful protesters.

Farmers Tractor March at Shambhu Border Latest News Today: The ongoing farmers' protest escalated as thousands of tractors made their way toward the Shambhu border, located between Punjab and Haryana. The farmers, who are continuing their agitation over various demands, are determined to press their cause despite facing increasing opposition from the authorities.

The intensity of the protest has surged following violent clashes between farmers and police forces, which left 17 farmers injured. These incidents have only strengthened the resolve of the protesters, with a tractor march scheduled for December 16 and a 'Rail Roko' (train blockade) planned for December 18.

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Haryana's Health Minister Anil Vij has appealed to the farmers to reconsider their tactics, particularly their plan to block trains. In a public statement, Vij emphasized that protests should be conducted in a manner that doesn't disrupt public life. "Every organization can hold a protest with proper permission from the Administration," Vij said. "However, blocking trains will cause inconvenience to many people. Farmers should find alternative methods to express their grievances."

The announcement of the tractor march was made by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, who confirmed that the march will take place outside Punjab on December 16. Following that, a large-scale rail blockade is planned in Punjab on December 18. Pandher's statement came after a group of 101 farmers was blocked by the police while attempting to march toward the Shambhu border.

Pandher condemned the actions of the police, accusing them of using excessive force against peaceful protesters. "The Indian government, the fifth-largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical water was fired from cannons, bombs were hurled, and tear gas shells were launched. Seventeen farmers were injured, and many are in serious condition, yet they are not being provided proper medical treatment. We urge the Punjab government to ensure adequate medical care for the injured," he said.

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Pandher also reiterated the farmers' commitment to continue their protests, with the rail blockade scheduled for December 18 from 12 to 3 pm. He called on the people of Punjab, especially those living near railway tracks, to participate in the blockade.

On the political front, Pandher criticized the opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of failing to adequately represent the concerns of farmers in Parliament. He urged all Punjabis to support the protests in large numbers, highlighting the importance of the upcoming actions.

Despite the challenges posed by authorities, the farmers remain steadfast in their demands, which include securing Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees and opposing the corporate takeover of agricultural markets. The protests show no signs of abating as farmers continue to fight for their rights.
Haryana Police Prohibits Mobile Phone Use for Constables on Duty

Haryana Police aims to strengthen its public image and set a higher standard of professionalism within its ranks.

Haryana Latest News: In a significant move to enhance discipline and public safety, Haryana Police has imposed a ban on constables' use of mobile phones and electronic devices while on duty.

The directive, issued by Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur, outlines concerns over the use of mobile phones, citing their potential to distract personnel, compromise public safety, and tarnish the professional image of the police force.

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The letter emphasizes that constables are to refrain from personal calls or activities involving electronic devices during their duty hours. However, an exception has been made for personal communication, allowing constables to make calls to their families using the phones of their respective in-charges.

Improving Efficiency and Public Trust

The decision underscores Haryana Polices commitment to ensuring that officers remain vigilant and focused while on duty, particularly during situations where public safety is paramount.

The DGPs directive is expected to curb distractions caused by personal phone usage and reinforce the integrity and efficiency of the police force.

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By addressing these operational challenges, the Haryana Police aims to strengthen its public image and set a higher standard of professionalism within its ranks.
NIA Raids in Punjab and Haryana Linked to Khalistan Terrorist Force, Terror Alert Issued

The raids follow intelligence inputs suggesting a heightened threat of terror attacks in Punjab and neighboring states.

NIA Raids in Punjab and Haryana Latest News: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive raids across multiple districts in Punjab and Haryana on December 11, uncovering alarming connections to the proscribed Khalistan Terrorist Force (KTF) and its Canada-based operative, Arsh Dala. The raids, part of an ongoing investigation into a gangster-terror nexus, have heightened concerns about potential terrorist activities in the region.

The coordinated searches were carried out in Punjab districts including Bathinda, Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Ferozepur, Sangrur, and Mansa, as well as in Sirsa, Haryana. These operations targeted individuals linked to arrested accused Baljeet Maur and associates of KTF operatives.

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Incriminating Evidence Seized

NIA teams seized a cache of digital devices, mobile phones, and documents believed to contain crucial evidence. Investigators are analyzing the materials as they delve deeper into the networks operations. Officials revealed that the case, registered earlier this year, aims to dismantle terror outfits attempting to recruit India-based operatives to execute attacks, raise funds through extortion, and smuggle arms into the country.

Terror Threat and Recruitment Networks

According to sources, foreign-based handlers of the KTF, including Arsh Dala, are actively recruiting cadres within India to carry out terror strikes. Investigators uncovered plans to move illegal arms and ammunition into India using covert methods, such as the dead-drop model, where weapons are concealed at secret locations for operatives to retrieve.

The raids follow intelligence inputs suggesting a heightened threat of terror attacks in Punjab and neighboring states. Security agencies are on high alert to prevent any such attempts.

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Heightened Security Measures

A senior official stated, These raids are part of our efforts to dismantle the nexus between criminal gangs and terrorist outfits. The evidence seized points to a sophisticated network operating with foreign support to destabilize the region. We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure public safety.

The NIAs operations underscore the growing concern over foreign-based Khalistani elements leveraging local networks to foment unrest. As the investigation progresses, authorities remain focused on neutralizing potential threats and ensuring regional stability.
Ludhiana Amaira Death News: School Bus Crushes Second-Grader to Death

The deceased, identified as Amaira, was the daughter of a principal at R&D School on Bhamia Road.

Amaira Death News, Ludhiana School Bus Accident Latest News Today: Tragedy struck at BCM School in Sector-32, Ludhiana, on Monday morning when a second-grade student was fatally run over by a school bus on campus. The incident left the community in shock and sparked outrage among the victim's family and local residents.

The deceased, identified as Amaira, was the daughter of a principal at R&D School on Bhamia Road. Witnesses reported that the girl came under the bus's rear tyre, resulting in severe head injuries, with her face crushed and eyes dislodged. She was rushed to Fortis Hospital by the school staff, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.

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(Amaira)

Family Alleges Negligence, Accuses School of Mishandling

Upon hearing the news, Amaira's grieving family rushed to the school and accused the institution of negligence. The situation escalated when the family alleged that the school staff closed the gates upon their arrival, refusing to let them in. Only after they protested were they allowed entry.

This is gross negligence by the school authorities. How can a child be left in such a vulnerable position? Their attempt to shut the gates and block us from entering is unacceptable, a family member said.

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Police Step In to Manage Chaos

The incident drew a crowd of angry residents, demanding accountability from the school. SHO Bhupinder Singh of Division Number 7 police station arrived at the scene to control the situation and engage in discussions with the aggrieved family.

We are investigating the matter. The allegations of negligence by the school staff are being thoroughly examined, said SHO Bhupinder Singh.

Community Demands Action

The tragedy has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols in schools, particularly regarding the operation of school buses. Residents have called for stricter guidelines and accountability from school management to ensure the safety of children.

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(For more news apart from Amaira Death News, Ludhiana School Bus Accident Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Meet Hayer raises farmers' issues in Parliament, urged Centre to understand gravity of matter

What happened to Prime Minister Modi's promise of doubling farmers' income by 2022? asks Meet Hayer

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, raised the farmers' issue in Parliament on Monday and questioned the Central Government about the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to double farmers' income by 2022. He said the BJP government owes an explanation to the country on this matter.

Meet Hayer pointed out that since the BJP came to power in 2014, 11 budgets have been presented, yet none have mentioned increasing farmers' income. He further said that while repealing the farm laws, Prime Minister Modi promised farmers an MSP guarantee, but that promise has also not been fulfilled to date. During the farmers' movement, over 750 farmers were martyred, yet justice has not been delivered to them.

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Punjabs farmers have been sitting at the Haryana border for nearly a year, demanding the implementation of MSP, but they are not being allowed to reach Delhi. The Haryana-Punjab border has been turned into something akin to the Pakistan border. He said that over the past ten years, more than a10 lakh crore in loans of industrialists have been waived, but not a penny of farmers' loans.

He added that Punjab's farmers have depleted their land and water resources to fill the nations granaries, but today they are being barred from voicing their concerns in the national capital, Delhi. He called on the Central Government to stop oppressing farmers and accept their demands by enacting the MSP Guarantee Law.

Meet Hayer also mentioned Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at the Punjab-Haryana border. He said Dallewal is not fighting for personal gain but for the welfare of the farmers across the nation and has been on hunger strike for 21 days. "We are concerned about his health, and the Central Government should also take this matter seriously," he said.

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Hayer pointed out that the Central Government has told farmers they cannot bring tractors and trolleys, and they complied. The government said they cannot come in large numbers, so they planned for only 100 farmers to go to Delhi, yet the government still refuses to let them through. "When the farmers are willing to adhere to all government conditions, the government should also respect their demands," he said.

In his speech, Meet Hayer also highlighted the dire economic condition of the country's citizens, referencing published data. He said India ranks 141st globally in per capita income. Out of a population of 1.4 billion, only 10% earn more than a25,000 per month. Connecting this data to farmers, he said that the remaining 90% of people earning less than a25,000 per month mostly comprise farmers and laborers.

Hayer reminded Parliament of Punjab's sacrifices for India's independence, saying the state has contributed the most. Today, almost every village in Punjab has statues of martyred soldiers. After independence, Punjab's farmers made the country self-reliant in grain production. He recalled how, during earlier years, citizens were asked to fast one day a week so the nation would not have to depend on other countries for food. Punjab's farmers sacrificed everything to solve this problem. Therefore, before mistreating farmers, the Central Government must revisit history.
December 16, 2024

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Daniel Bilt, 16.12.2024, 13:55

EVENTS The city of Timisoara, in western Romania, is today marking 35 years since the beginning of the uprising, which led to the fall of communism. 35 years ago on December 16, believers gathered in front of the local reformed church in support of Pastor Laszlo Tokes, who was to be evicted by the former political police, the Securitate. Their protest quickly developed into a real uprising, which triggered reprisals from the authorities who killed 100 people and wounded several hundreds. On December 20, Timisoara became the first city free of communism in Romania and the flame of revolution engulfed the entire country. Under the motto, 35 years of freedom this week will be seeing a series of commemorative events devoted to the martyr heroes, like conferences, exhibitions, shows, concerts and film screenings. The Freedom Portal, a sound and light installation, which reproduces the sounds recorded during the revolution, will be inaugurated today. The inauguration will be followed by the traditional march, Heroes Never Die. The city will observe a day of mourning tomorrow and the series of events is to end on December 20 with a concert entitled Rock for the Revolution.

TALKS Leaders of the four pro-European parties  PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR  which will forge the future Parliament majority in Bucharest are meeting today again for talks over the ministries they are to rule in the following period. PSD will have seven ministries, PNL four, USR three and UDMR two ministries. The designated Prime Minister could also be announced today. Sundays talks focused on the party that would head the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies, as well as the specialized committees and those headed by the other political groups that had made it to Parliament, such as the sovereignists AUR, SOS Romania and POT. Another point in the discussions, which hasnt yet been agreed upon by the pro-European parties, is that of the unique candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Talks are still going on over the ruling programme and budget planning, and are expected to be attended by the incumbent Finance Minister Marcel Bolos.

FAC Romanias Foreign Minister, Luminita Odobescu, is in Brussels today attending the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) proceedings. This has been the first meeting since Kaja Kallas, took over the position of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice-president of the European Commission. The talks agenda includes the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the latest developments in Georgia, the situation in the Middle East, Syria and Belarus. Russias aggression against Ukraine will be tackled prom the viewpoint of the latest developments and measures taken such as the consolidated EU pressure on Russia, including through the adoption of the 15th restrictive measures package as well as the continuation of the EU multi-dimensional support for Ukraine.

PARLIAMENT The present Legislature has kicked off its last week of activity. Four years have passed and many projects and legislative initiatives that have remained unfinished will be taken over by the new Parliament summoned on Friday for its first sitting. Among the issues pending there is also the new forestry code, which is a landmark in the National Plan of Recovery and Resilience and a government top priority, which says the document must be adopted by the end of the year. MPs have so far agreed upon a series of measures such as those enabling the authorities to seize the vehicles carrying wood stolen from forests, the implementation of the green areas around the cities, and a series of facilities for local furniture producers.

(bill)
December 16, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 16.12.2024, 20:00

SANCTIONS  EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on Monday greenlit the 15th package of sanctions against Russia since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The new economic measures are designed to combat Russias efforts to bypass existing sanctions and to weaken its army and defense sector. Another 52 ships believed to be part of Putins so-called shadow tanker fleet were blacklisted. 32 companies were added to the list of export restrictions for contributing to the technological enhancement of Russias defense and security sector, the EU Council announced. Some of these entities are located in China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates. 84 individuals and entities will be subject to fully-fledged sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, prohibition to make economic resources available) for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. At the same time, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, has denied information according to which the EU was planning to deploy a peace-keeping corps to Ukraine. Representing Romania at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting was Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu.

CANDIDACY  Bucharest Mayor General, Nicusor Dan, has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2025 presidential election. At present, Romania is facing the most difficult period in its history after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, Nicusor Dan said, arguing in favor of a fundamental change in the way the authorities meet citizens expectations. The candidacy was not negotiated with pro-European parties in the new Parliament, the Bucharest official told journalists. Nicusor Dan needs to gather 200 thousand signatures to be able to run for the presidential office. We recall that last week the Constitutional Court of Romania annuled the second round of the presidential election slated for December 8 after allegations of Russian interference with the election process.

NEGOTIATIONS  Leaders of pro-European parties (PSD, PNL, USR and UDMR) met on Monday for a new round of talks regarding the structure of the new government. The governing program and budget estimates have generated tensions. Finance Minister Marcel Bolos told leaders that the budget deficit will exceed 8% this year, and that the only way to boost budget revenues is to increase taxes and cut public spending. USR representatives criticized the Minister and argued against any tax increases, calling instead for slashing public spending and the disclosure of public data linked to the budget execution for November before deciding on the 2025 budget. A new meeting is expected to take place to decide on the final list of ministries that each party will control.

TIMISOARA  The city of Timisoara (west) on Monday marks 35 years since the start of the anti-communist revolution of 1989. 35 years ago on December 16, parishioners of the local reformed church gather to voice support of Pastor Laszlo Tokes, who was to be evicted by the former political police, the Securitate. Their protest quickly escalated into a genuine uprising, which triggered reprisals from the authorities. 100 people were killed and several hundreds were wounded. On December 20, Timisoara became the first city free of communism in Romania and the flame of revolution engulfed the entire country. Under the motto, 35 years of freedom, the city this week is hosting a series of commemorative events devoted to the martyrs of the 1989 events, such as conferences, exhibitions, shows, concerts and film screenings. The Freedom Portal, an audio-visual installation, which reproduces the sounds recorded during the revolution, was inaugurated on Monday. Later in the evening the traditional march, Heroes Never Die took place. The city will observe a day of mourning on Tuesday, while the series of events will end on December 20 with a concert entitled Rock for Revolution. (VP)
Structural and cohesion funds for Romania

Romania is in line with the EU absorption average in terms of the absorption of structural funds.

Photo: pixabay.com

Stefan Stoica, 16.12.2024, 13:50

Romania has collected 1.9 billion Euros from the structural and cohesion funds financed in the financial year 2021-2027, the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Adrian Caciu, announced at the end of last week in a Facebook post. According to him, the general absorption rate, of 6.11%, places Romania in line with the European Union average, which is 6.19%. Things are even better for the programs managed centrally by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects and the Ministry of Transport, where the absorption rate of structural and cohesion funds stands at 7.3%.

In the last few days alone, more than 650 million Euros have been collected from the structural and cohesion funds related to the 2021-2027 financial year, and reimbursements from the European Commission continue at the pace we predicted, considering that Romania has signed contracts worth over 31 billion Euros, Adrian Caciu wrote. However, he pointed out that Romania still has to catch up on the Regional Programs, where the absorption rate is only 3.2%. Adrian Caciu said he was convinced that the model that the current coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) has set in terms of managing and implementing European funds, including their decentralization, will be continued by the future governing coalition, and the rate of absorption of European funds will be sustained so as to repeat the success of European money absorption from the 2014-2020 financial year.

On the other hand, the former European Commissioner Corina Cretu claims that there is no locality in Romania that has not benefited from European funds, a fact that is due to Romanias EU membership. The statement comes as if to give a reply to the tireless detractors of the European Union, including those in the new Parliament, who, under the name of sovereigntists, hardly hide their anti-Western sentiment. In 2023, Romania was on first place in terms of funds received, related to the population, Corina Cretu stated, citing a Euronews analysis. The former Commissioner for Regional Policy recalls that, since joining the European Union in 2007, Romania has received over 95 billion Euros worth of non-reimbursable funds, for a contribution of less than 30 billion Euros. Among the major projects that have benefited from European funds are several large regional hospitals, the Transport Master Plan, highway sectors, railway rehabilitation, the metro line that will connect Otopeni, the largest airport in the country, to the North Railway Station and, last but not least, the suspension bridge over the Danube from Braila, the third largest in Europe and one of the most important infrastructure projects in Romania, in the last 30 years. (LS)
Timisoara, 35 years ago

Its been 35 years since the start of the Romanian anti-communist Revolution.

Timisoara, 35 years ago (Photo: Costantin Duma)

Bogdan Matei, 16.12.2024, 14:00

Its been 35 years since the start of the Romanian anti-communist Revolution.

Installed at the end of WW2 by the Soviet occupation troops, the communist dictatorship in Bucharest seemed unshakable. In November 1989, the congress of the single ruling party unanimously re-elected Nicolae Ceausescu as secretary general, a position he had held for almost a quarter of a century. The fact that he was already in his seventies did not prevent him from making plans for the so-called socialist development of Romania by the year 2000. His ambition to pay off, ahead of schedule, the foreign debts that he had contracted, was only a burden for ordinary Romanians, not for their leaders. Almost everything that was being produced locally, was exported. In the country, food was rationed, apartment blocks were unheated and electricity was cut off unexpectedly, for hours. In addition to hunger and cold, fear also reigned.

The regimes political police, the Securitate, had created the myth of knowing everything about everybody, so people were afraid to protest. In an absurd game, the regimes propaganda system  that included, the public Tv and radio stations and and the newspapers  were painting a parallel reality in which Ceausescu was a genius, his wife, Elena (a functional illiterate), was a world-famous scientist and a loving mother to the entire people and the Romanians lived in the best of all worlds.

In Romanias neighboring countries, encouraged by the policies of the last Soviet leader, the reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, huge street protests had overthrown communist dictatorships. Warsaw, Prague, East Berlin, Budapest, Sofia were already experiencing freedom after almost half a century of tyranny. Historians say that it was no coincidence that the spark of the Romanian Revolution occurred in Timisoara, the largest city in the west of the country, a cosmopolitan and multiethnic city, where TV signal from Hungary and the former Yugoslavia were easily received.

On December 16, 1989, the solidarity of several parish members with the Protestant, ethnic Hungarian pastor, Laszlo Tokes, whom the Securitate wanted to deport from Timisoara, was the snowball that turned into an avalanche. More and more people gathered around the parish house, who ended up openly protesting on the streets of the city. The repression system reacted immediately and opened fire. Unarmed people were killed until December 20, when the army fraternized with the protestors and returned to the barracks. On that day, Timisoara became the first city in Romania free from communism. The revolution spread rapidly throughout the country and culminated, in Bucharest, on December 22, with Ceausescus escape in a helicopter from the headquarters of the communist partys central committee, besieged by hundreds of thousands of demonstrators. Captured and hastily tried by an improvised court, the Ceausescus were executed on December 25th. Over a thousand people died during the 1989 Revolution. Romania was the only country behind the former Iron Curtain where liberation from communism occurred with bloodshed.
Ricardo plc (RCDO.L), a strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, Monday announced that its Australian unit has signed an agreement to acquire 85 percent of E3 Advisory for approximately A$101.4 million or 51.0 million pounds.

Separately, the company announced that it conditionally agreed to sell its stake in US-based Ricardo Defense Business to Proteus Enterprises LLC and Gladstone Investment Corp., through GPD Acquisition Inc., for $85 million or 67.5 million pounds.

Completion of the disposal is expected to take place in December 2024.

The completion of the acquisition depends on the sale of Ricardo Defense.

The company added that the sale of Ricardo Defense will cover the cost of buying the initial 85% stake and related acquisition expenses.

Regarding the acquisition, Ricardo noted that the initial payment will be made in three installments, starting in January 2025, with the following payments due on the first and second anniversaries of the deal's completion.

Key personnel of E3 Advisory will retain a 15% stake, with the option to sell it to Ricardo Australia after three years.

The acquisition aligns with Ricardo's focus on environmental and energy transition consulting. It will help Ricardo strengthen its position in the Australian market, particularly in transport, energy, water, mining, and .

Further, Ricardo said the sale is expected to lower the company's earnings per share in the short term due to the strong financial performance of Ricardo Defense.

This will be partly offset by earnings contribution from E3 Advisory.

RCDO.L is trading 2.08 pence or 0.52% higher at 404.08 pence on the London Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Biotechnology company PepGen Inc. (PEPG) announced Monday that the Company received a clinical hold notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate the CONNECT2-EDO51 clinical trial in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

The FDA indicated they will provide an official clinical hold letter to the Company within 30 days.

CONNECT2 is PepGen's Phase 2 multinational, double-blind placebo-controlled, multiple ascending dose, 25-week clinical trial of PGN-EDO51 in patients with DMD. The study is open in the United Kingdom.

PepGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the next-generation of oligonucleotide therapies with the goal of transforming the treatment of severe neuromuscular and neurological diseases.

PGN-EDO51, PepGen's clinical candidate for the treatment of DMD, utilizes the Company's proprietary Enhanced Delivery Oligonucleotide (EDO) to deliver a therapeutic phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) that is designed to target the root cause of this devastating disease.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Sales data for Nov 2024 shows a decline in commercial vehicle (CV) demand, experienced by most OEMs and also across all segments

Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has shared retail sales data for Nov 2024. 2W sales saw a 15.8% YoY growth while 3W and Tractor sales were up 4.23% and 29.88% respectively. Passenger vehicles experienced a 13.72% YoY decline while commercial vehicle sales dipped by 6.80%. Here as we assess commercial vehicle (CV) sales, dealerships face lower demand on account of various factors.

CV Sales Nov 2024  Tata at No. 1 Spot

Total commercial vehicle sales in Nov 2024 stood at 81,867 units. This was a YoY decline of 6.08% from 87,272 units sold in Nov 2023. MoM sales also suffered a 15.85% de-growth from 97,411 unit sales of Oct 2024. A breakup across the CV segment shows that sales were subdued on an overall basis. LCV sales declined by 4.46% YoY and 15.15% MoM to 47,530 units. MCV sales dropped by 0.05% YoY and 16.33% MoM to 5,473 units while HCV sales saw double-digit decline of 11.56% YoY and 17.22% MoM to 24,441 units.

Tata Motors continued to rule this segment in Nov 2024. There was a YoY decline in sales with 27,671 unit sales in the past month. This was over 30,382 unit sales of Nov 2023 taking down market share to 33.76% from 34.81% on a YoY basis. At No. 2 was Mahindra with 23,046 unit sales in the last month. This was a marginal decline from 23,536 units sold in Nov 2023. Market share however, improved to 28.12% from 26.97%.

Ashok Leyland too suffered a YoY decline in retail CV sales to 12,824 units to command a 15.65% market share. There had been 13,721 units sold in Nov 2023 relating to a volume decline of 897 units. It was followed by VE Commercial Vehicles, a joint venture between Volvo and Eicher Motors, with 5,517 units sold in Nov 2024, down from 5,773 units sold in the same month of last year.

Maruti Suzuki CV Retail Sales Nov 2024

Even as the light commercial vehicle Super Carry has been well received, Maruti recorded lower YoY sales in Nov 2024. Maruti Suzuki sold 3,696 units in the past month. This was a YoY decline from 3,765 units sold in Nov 2023. Daimler also saw its sales dip to 1,573 units last month from 1,837 units sold in the same month of 2023.

Force Motors on the other hand was the only commercial vehicle OEM along with SML Isuzu to record a YoY growth in CV retail sales. Force Motor sales stood at 1,297 units, up from 1,214 units sold in Nov 2023 while SML Isuzu saw significantly higher sales at 730 units in Nov 2024 from 571 units sold in the same month last year. Other OEMs contributed 5,613 units to total sales last month, down from 6,473 units sold in Nov 2023.
Maruti Baleno took the No. 1 spot both as Indias best-selling car and also the best-selling hatchback in Nov 2024 with 16,293 unit sales

Hatchbacks in India continued to play a major role across the automotive segment with sales of 81,551 units in Nov 2024. It reigned over sedan of which a total of 24,757 units were sold last month, even as both segments have suffered a YoY and MoM decline in demand. Demand is on the rise for SUVs across both compact and sub-4 meter spectrums turning buyers attention away for smaller models.

Hatchback Sales Nov 2024

Hatchback sales in Nov 2024 stood at 81,551 units. This was a YoY decline of 4.18% from 85,112 units sold in Nov 2023. MoM sales also declined by 8.75% from 89,369 units sold in Oct 2024, a month which saw festivities and extensive discounts and benefits offered by several automakers in India. Maruti Suzuki continued in its lead position in the hatchback segment. The company had 4 of its models in the top 4 positions and 6 hatchbacks in the top 10.

Maruti Baleno topped the charts with 16,293 unit sales in Nov 2024. It was the best-selling hatchback and also the best-selling car in the past month. This was a 25.71% YoY growth from 12,961 units sold in Nov 2023 relating to a 3,332 unit volume increase. Baleno currently commands a 19.98% market share and achieved a 1.3% MoM growth from 16,082 units sold in Oct 2024.

Also from the Maruti stables was Swift which has suffered a 3.75% YoY and 15.98% MoM decline in sales to 14,737 units. There had been 15,311 units and 17,539 units sold in Nov 2023 and Oct 2024 respectively. Swift holds an 18.07% market share. The third model on this best-selling hatchback list was WagonR with 13,982 unit sales, a 15.60% YoY decline from 16,567 units sold in Nov 2023. WagonR has long been regaled for its versatility catering to the demands of budget conscious buyers in the country thanks to its excellent fuel efficiency. Its sales on a MoM basis improved marginally by 0.43% to currently command a 17.15% market share. Maruti Alto suffered a 7.54% YoY and 12.65% MoM decline. Its sales dipped to 7,467 units in the past month.

Hyundai i10 NIOS saw increased demand last month with sales increasing by 20.37% YoY to 5,667 units, up from 4,708 units sold in Nov 2023. Its MoM sales however, declined by 9.11% over 6,235 units sold in Oct 2024. It was followed by Tata Tiago/EV with 5,319 unit sales last month relating to a 3.43% YoY decline but a 13.61% MoM growth. Tiago along with Tigor are also set to receive a facelift later this year.

The sales list of best-selling hatchbacks in Nov 2024 also included Hyundai i20 (3,925 units), Toyota Glanza (3,806 units) and Maruti Celerio (2,379 units). While i20 and Glanza suffered YoY and MoM decline in sales, Celerio received added attention with a 7.40% improvement from 2,215 units sold in Nov 2023. Maruti S-Presso too was in high demand with 2,283 unit sales in the past month. It was the only model apart from Baleno to witness YoY and MoM growth.

Ignis, Altroz, Comet, Kwid  Sales Nov 2024

Lower down the list of best-selling hatchbacks in Nov 2024 was Maruti Ignis, sales of which grew by 32.71% YoY to 2,203 units. There had been 1,660 units sold in Nov 2023 while in Oct 2024 sales had been significantly higher at 2,663 units. Tata Altroz was an underperformer in the hatchback segment with 2,083 unit sales last month, a 57.96% YoY and 21.16% MoM decline. MG Comet EV (600 units), Renault Kwid (546 units) and Citroen C3 (200 units) also suffered severe decline in demand while demand for Citroen eC3 EV saw a triple digit growth by 238.89% YoY to 61 units in Nov 2024 from just 18 units sold in the same month last year. It however, fell by 31.46% on a MoM basis from 89 unit sales of Oct 2024.
After driving the New Honda Amaze, we felt that the 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine with 89 bhp and 110 Nm is one its biggest strengths

Even though Indian automotive industry is moving towards high-riding vehicles marketed as SUVs, carmakers see great potential in sub 4m sedan segment. The race to ace this segment is between segment leader Maruti Suzuki Dzire and other stalwarts like Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor and Honda Amaze. At the fag end of 2024, Honda launched 3rd Gen Amaze at a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh (Ex-sh). After driving it around picturesque Goa, heres our review of the new Amaze.

New Honda Amaze First Drive Review

Compared to old Amaze, new 3rd Gen model is significantly improved. Driving the new Amaze, we can see massive improvements in desirability factor, aesthetics, interior quality, features, technology, space, comfort and most importantly, safety. The art of packaging a vehicle is ticking all the right boxes. Something which Honda Amaze now does, more than ever.

Exterior Design

Starting with design, Accords design language on 3rd Gen Dzire works wonders for this segment. Amaze now radiates a strong personality with a much-improved road presence. The combination of this design in Radiant Red Metallic shade attracted a lot of eyeballs around Goa. Other colours on offer are Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteoriod Grey Metallic, Golden Brown Metallic, Platinum White Pearl and new Obsidian Blue Metallic.

While overall silhouette of Amaze stays true to its predecessor, Honda has completely transformed the looks at the front and rear. From the front, Amaze gets a larger grill for a sporty feel along with new bumpers with interesting design elements around LED projector fog lights. Chrome slats are now sleeker. Also sleeker are the new bi-LED projector headlights. Amazes vastly de-chromed fascia with a sporty edge works in its favour.

At the sides, we now get new alloy wheels which are 15-inchers in size and are wrapped by fatter 185-section tyres, this time around. Strong shoulder line runs across the cars length, giving it a sophisticated elegance. At the rear, Amaze now gets new LED tail lights that look a lot like Citys. According to Honda, almost all sheet metal on this vehicle is new and hence it qualifies as a New Gen product, rather than being called a facelift.

Improved Interiors

On the inside, Honda has given new Amaze a lot more features than before. At the same time, there is an effort to improve overall perceived quality, for a more premium appeal. For starters, theres a flat dashboard that lends excellent visibility. Visibility is so good, I could see the edges of the bonnet even at the lowest seat height. For reference, I am a 182 cm tall individual.

This steering wheel is new for Amaze and it is the same one seen in more premium vehicles like City and Elevate. It is not leather-wrapped, though. Dashboard has interesting patterns on it and is all hard plastic. Theres a new climate control panel and centre console still doesnt get an armrest. Dual-tone effect on dashboard is carried over to the door pads too.

Speaking of door pads, Honda has added new padded elements covered by fabric with stitching. This elevates the cabins premium quotient but is only available at front doors. Also increasing premium quotient are the large vanity mirrors on sun shades. There are no vanity lights and all interior lighting were halogens.

Front seats are spacious with driver seat offering height adjustment. Driver seat can be fairly low, offering a sporty feel. Only the front seats get adjustable headrests. Seat upholstery is fabric, but Honda is offering seat covers accessories that are compatible with side airbags too. Rear seat occupants get decent leg room and foot room, but head room can get a little tight when taller passengers try to sit up straight.

Rear passengers get rear AC vents for the first time and a folding centre armrest. Centre armrest still gets no support of its own and falls down on the seat offering a slight lean in the armrest angle. What could be a deal breaker for second-row passengers is the missing adjustable headrests. Boot space is 416L, which is best-in-segment and offers a fairly wide aperture to load and unload as well.

Infotainment & Technology

With the new Amaze, Honda is offering a new free-standing 8-inch HD infotainment screen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly. This system is mated to 6 speakers and audio quality was par for this segment. Theres a new 7-inch MID in the semi-digital instrument cluster with adjustable brightness as well. Wireless charging pad is new with Amaze and there are a couple of Type-A ports and a 12V socket. ORVMs are large, offering a good view of the rear, while IRVM is manually dimmable.

6 airbags are now standard along with 3-point seatbelts and seatbelt reminders. Steering wheel gets audio, Bluetooth and telephony controls on the left including voice commands. On the right, we find switches for cruise control and ADAS-related functions. Yes, Honda Amaze offers Honda Sensing safety net and becomes the first vehicle in sub 4m sedan segment to get ADAS and the second vehicle in sub 4m segment to get Level-2 ADAS after Mahindra XUV3XO.

The most notable Level-2 ADAS features offered by Honda Sensing on Amaze include ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), CMBS (Collision Mitigating Braking System), LKAS (Lane Keep Assist System), Road Departure Mitigation System, Auto High Beam and Lead Car Departure Notification System. Honda Sensing is a camera-based system that uses a wide-angle high-performance camera for visual input.

In our testing, ADAS systems worked fairly well with lane-keeping systems kicking in at speeds above 70 km/h. However, this system did misinterpret well-marked roads on multiple occasions and automatically braked even though the pedestrian was well beyond harms distance. With time, Honda might be able to perfect the Sensing system with software updates featuring much more robust algorithms.

There are connected tech features too and Honda is even offering remote start function with the new Amaze. Other notable features include Lane Keep Camera for the first time on Amaze that relays camera feed from cars left side onto the infotainment screen. There are request sensors on both front doors and even more impressive is the proximity-based lock and unlock feature enabled by the key fob.

Engine and Transmission

While the segment leader, Dzire, shifted to a 3-cylinder engine, Honda retains Amazes 1.2L 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine that is capable of outputting 89 hp of peak power and 110 Nm of peak torque. Gearbox options include the same 5-speed manual and CVT automatic. After driving both gearbox options, Manual is the easy recommendation for purists and offers incredible driving pleasure in this segment.

Like other CVT gearboxes, Hondas unit is prone to rubberband effect and feels very sluggish and dull to throttle inputs. Conversely speaking, all of Amazes rivals offer an AMT option with a jerky character. Also, AMTs are more of a workaround to achieve automatic transmission, while Hondas CVT is a real automatic gearbox and is by far the smoothest in this segment. There are paddle-shifters to go through the steps in this CVT, if you want to hustle it.

That said, hustling this CVT through the traffic or performing an overtake on the highway needs thorough planning. But if your drive is mostly in city and you dont need all that performance, Amaze CVT offers best-in-segment drive experience. Honda promises 18.65 km/l mileage (Fuel Efficiency) with manual and 19.46 km/l with CVT. Engine is slightly audible in the cabin, but is vibe-free. Overall NVH levels have been improved when compared to its predecessor.

Ride and Handling

All-new Amaze drives like a Honda should, agile and quite precise with a lot of peppy personality. Driving dynamics has always been Hondas forte and it is no different in Amaze. A great drive was a part of the preceding model too and the same has been carried over with 3rd Gen Amaze.

Suspension setup is well-judged and makes light work of Indian roads. At low speeds, bump absorption is good. But theres a slight tendency of thudding, especially at the rear. As the speed builds up, theres some floatiness as well. These minor inconveniences can be easily fixed if someone is sitting at the rear. Amazes drive becomes significantly better when driving a full house with around 4 adults in the cabin.

Ground clearance has been increased from 170 mm to 172 mm and we didnt scrape the underbody once even in some of Goas bad patches and the never-ending road construction work. Attacking corners is one of Amazes strengths (in this segment) and gives a lot of confidence to carry higher speeds in the turns. Fatter 185-section tyres definitely help here, offering more traction.

One thing we noticed with new Amaze is that the steering now self-centres. Steering is a tad heavy, which might bother in the city, but is very loveable on highways as it gives more feel and feedback. Brakes are par for the segment and offer decent bite and progression. But this is an area which could have been improved. Overall, Honda Amaze offer best-in-segment performance and driving thrill, while being vibe-free, fairly fuel efficient and offering a real automatic gearbox option.

Some Reservations

Even though Honda Amaze has been significantly improved over its predecessor, there are a few attributes that could have made the Amaze even more appealing than what it already is.

1. Amaze still misses out on adjustable headrests at the rear even though the company has added rear AC vents.

2. Speaking of rear AC vents, we felt that they intrude into the rear passenger leg space.

3. Only the left rear occupant gets a seat pocket.

4. Rear reading lamps are in the middle of the cabin, instead of being at the rear.

5. Infotainment screen can only be connected when the car is stationary and handbrake is on, which is a good thing. But there should be instructions on the screen in menu systems to suggest users engage handbrake to establish a connection.

6. Honda could have implemented a more versatile 360-degree camera than Lane Watch.

7. Speaking of Lane Watch, feed is projected on infotainment screen rather than instrument screen. We missed a couple of turns in Goa because Lane Watch feed takes over the navigation display when left indicator is turned on.

8. At least one of the USB charging ports in Amaze could have been more modern Type-C.

9. Considering that rival sub 4m sedan has been offering auto-dimming IRVM for over a decade, Honda should have considered giving one in Amaze.

Conclusion

Honda Amaze sub 4m sedan has always been an underrated one in its segment. With the 3rd Gen Amaze, Honda seems to have been taking notes of what customers asked for and what media feedback revolved around. Working on those shortcomings was enough to make Amaze a significantly better product than it was. However, Honda has done so much more and it gave Amaze a panache and flair that we think makes the new Gen model the most rounded-off product in its segment.

As a vehicle, we think Amaze is among the most improved ones in 2024. Overall package is now much more sorted than before. While other OEMs are chasing sunroofs in this price bracket, Honda has done the sensible thing by offering Level-2 ADAS suite, making Amaze the most affordable ADAS-equipped car in India. Offering ADAS safety net to the masses gets more commendation in our books, at least.

Concluding 3rd Gen Amaze is pretty simple. It is the only good-looking sub 4m sedan in India with a smooth 4-cylinder engine. Also, it is the most affordable car in India with ADAS. Hondas packaging checks all the right boxes. If youre buying a sub 4m sedan, we highly recommend test-driving a Honda Amaze and experiencing it first-hand.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

GAC Group to launch flying car brand & model on Dec. 18

GAC Group today announced it will unveil a new flying car brand and a tiltrotor flying car model on December 18, marking a significant step into the aviation industry.

GOVE flying car; photo credit: GAC Group

BAIC BluePark secures 2-billion-yuan capital increase from BAIC Motor

On December 16, BAIC BluePark announced that its subsidiary, BAIC BJEV, signed a 2-billion-yuan capital increase agreement with BAIC Motor at 2.3815 yuan per share. The funds will be used to repay bank loans and cover operational and investment expenses. BAIC BluePark remains the controlling shareholder, retaining decision-making authority.

Chery Fulwin to put A8L C-DM model onto market on Dec. 17

Chery Auto's new energy vehicle range Fulwin announced that its A8L C-DM compact sedan will officially go on sale on December 17. The new model features a combined range of over 2,000 km.

EXEED STERRA E08's winter test vehicle rolls off line

On December 13, Huang Zhaogen, head of EXEED's marketing division, announced via his Weibo account that the first winter test vehicle for the brand's flagship luxury MPV, the STERRA E08, has officially rolled off the production line.

CalmCar partners with Jiangsu Xuantong for smart unmanned logistics innovations

Intelligent driving tech company CalmCar announced it recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with supply chain service provider Jiangsu Xuantong Supply Chain Co., Ltd. ("Xuantong") to advance the applications of smart inspection systems, automated commercial vehicle technologies, unmanned driving solutions for closed environments, and C-V2X system in industrial parks.

BYD launches recruitment drive for embodied intelligence research

BYD recently announced a new recruitment initiative, drawing widespread attention to its focus on the burgeoning field of embodied intelligence.

EVE Energy celebrates equipment arrival at Malaysia factory

Chinese lithium battery supplier EVE Energy recently held a ceremony to mark the entry of equipment at its Malaysia factory, the company announced on December 14 via its WeChat account.

Senior Auto receives 200-million-yuan credit line from Hengfeng Bank's Ningbo Branch

On December 15, autonomous trucking solution developer Senior Auto inked a strategic cooperation agreement with Hengfeng Bank Ningbo Branch. The bank committed 200 million yuan in credit to support the company's autonomous driving technology R&D and unmanned truck fleet operations.

FAW Hongqi, CATL form cooperation in battery swapping field

FAW Hongqi Automobile Sales Co., Ltd. ("FAW Hongqi"), Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. ("CATL"), and Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd. ("CAES"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CATL, recently signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to conduct an in-depth collaboration in the battery swapping sector, according to a press release FAW Hongqi released on December 14.

All-new STERRA ET Extended-Range 4WD SUV hits market, starting at 239,800 yuan

On December 15, EXEED, the premium passenger vehicle brand under Chery Holding, officially put the all-new STERRA ET's Extended-Range Four-Wheel-Drive (REEV 4WD) SUV edition onto the market. The intelligent SUV is available in three trim levels, including the Max, Ultra, and Premium, with prices ranging from 239,800 yuan to 289,800 yuan.
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured a striking new photo of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 2566.

NGC 2566 is located approximately 76 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Puppis.

This galaxy was discovered on March 6, 1785 by the German-British astronomer William Herschel.

Otherwise known as ESO 495-3, LEDA 23303 or UGCA 138, it is a member of the PGC 80593 group, a gathering of at least 16 large galaxies.

Because NGC 2566 appears tilted from our perspective, its disk takes on an almond shape, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic eye, Hubble astronomers said in a statement.

As NGC 2566 gazes at us, we gaze right back, using Hubble to survey the galaxys star clusters and star-forming regions.

The Hubble data are especially valuable for studying stars that are just a few million years old.

These stars are bright at the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths to which Hubble is sensitive.

Using these data, the astronomers will measure the ages of NGC 2566s stars, helping to piece together the timeline of the galaxys star formation and the exchange of gas between star-forming clouds and stars themselves.

Several other astronomical observatories have examined NGC 2566, including the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, the researchers said.

The Webb data complement this Hubble image, adding a view of NGC 2566s warm, glowing dust to Hubbles stellar portrait.

At the long-wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum, NGC 2566 has also been observed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

ALMA is a network of 66 radio telescopes that work together as one to capture detailed images of the clouds of gas in which stars form.
Where does the "ice" for Harbin Ice and Snow World come from?

People's Daily Online) 14:42, December 16, 2024

Recently, as the 5th Harbin Ice Harvest Festival kicked off on the north bank of the Songhua River in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, ice harvesting for the 26th Harbin Ice and Snow World is now in full swing. High-quality ice blocks sourced from the Songhua River are being transported to the Ice and Snow World theme park to build stunning ice landscapes.

Harbin Ice and Snow World has stringent requirements for ice used in its constructions. The ice is sourced from the clearest and slowest-flowing sections of the Songhua River, where the ice layers exhibit the highest transparency. The Harbin section of the Songhua River, with its stable water flow and winter temperatures, produces dense and crack-free iceperfect for constructing grand and exquisite ice sculptures.

At the harvesting site, workers brave the severe cold to cut and transport the ice, aided by forklifts and trucks working in seamless coordination. The sounds of workers' chants and the hum of machinery blend into a symphony of productivity.

To ensure a sufficient supply of high-quality ice, hundreds of ice harvesters and over 100 ice transport vehicles participate in the ice harvesting operations every day.

Despite December temperatures plunging below -20 degrees Celsius, the workers' enthusiasm remains undeterred.

"We began ice harvesting in early December. This year, the demand for ice is much higher than previous years, so we're working around the clock. As ice harvesters, we hope more visitors can experience the unique charm of ice sculpture art at the Ice and Snow World," said Liu Zhiwen, an ice harvester.

With the harvesting now fully underway, construction at the 26th Harbin Ice and Snow World is in "accelerated mode." Over 10,000 workers and nearly 1,000 machines are working tirelessly on the 1-million-square-meter park, preparing to welcome visitors to a highly anticipated "ice and snow rendezvous."

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

This photo shows how ice is harvested for Harbin Ice and Snow World. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Zhexin, Xu Chenglong)

Intern Han Yifan contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese lithium battery supplier EVE Energy recently held a ceremony to mark the entry of equipment at its Malaysia factory, the company announced on December 14 via its WeChat account.

The Malaysia factory, also designated as EVE Energy's 53rd plant, focuses on producing cylindrical batteries for power tools and electric two-wheelers. The facility represents a critical step in EVE Energy's "global manufacturing, global cooperation, and global service" strategy.

Photo credit: EVE Energy

Construction of the factory began in August 2023 and was completed in just 16 months. It is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of next year. Once operational, the facility will be EVE Energy's first overseas factory to achieve mass production and delivery, serving markets across Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.

With over 20 years of experience in cylindrical battery R&D and manufacturing, EVE Energy has supplied more than 3 billion units of cylindrical batteries worldwide. The company offers comprehensive cylindrical battery solutions across various applications, scenarios, and sizes.

In addition to the Malaysia plant, EVE Energy is expanding its global footprint with plans to establish battery factories in Hungary and the UK.

Earlier this year, in July, EVE Energy announced it had held the groundbreaking ceremony for its joint venture in the United States, AMPLIFY CELL TECHNOLOGIES LLC (ACT), in Mississippi. ACT, co-founded by EVE Energys U.S. subsidiary alongside Cummins, Daimler Truck, and PACCAR, would produce prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries primarily for North American commercial vehicles. The project, with an annual production capacity of 21 GWh, is expected to begin deliveries in 2026.

To further strengthen its global strategy, EVE Energy has introduced the "CLS Global Partnership Model," which emphasizes Co-development, License, and Service to support global collaboration. This asset-light operational model complements its existing battery business and has been integrated into the company's five strategic business segments.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BYD recently announced a new recruitment initiative, drawing widespread attention to its focus on the burgeoning field of embodied intelligence.

According to a post on the WeChat account "BYD Recruitment", the company is seeking master's and doctoral graduates from universities worldwide to join its Embodied Intelligence Research Team. Eligible candidates include domestic graduates completing studies between September 2024 and August 2025 and overseas graduates finishing between July 2024 and December 2025.

Photo credit: BYD Recruitment

The recruitment spans disciplines such as mechanical engineering, automation, mechanics, computer science, mathematics, electronics, and electrical engineering. Positions available include Senior Algorithm Engineers and Senior Structural Engineers, with research areas covering deep learning, perception systems, humanoid robots, and quadruped robotic dogs.

Photo credit: BYD

BYD established its Embodied Intelligence Research Team in 2022 to leverage its extensive application scenarios for custom robot and system development. The team focuses on enhancing robots' perception and decision-making capabilities to drive industrial applications. Current achievements include developing process robots, intelligent collaborative robots, smart mobile robots, and humanoid robots.

The concept of embodied intelligence, which involves equipping AI with physical entities such as robots or automated devices to interact with the real world, has emerged as a pivotal pathway for AI to bridge the digital and physical realms. Leading Chinese technology companies, including Huawei and Xiaomi, are actively entering this space.

Recently, Xiaomi-backed large-model robotics company Xiaoyu Bot completed a new financing round led by Beijing Information Industry Development Investment Fund. The proceeds will be used for stepping up R&D, product innovation, and enhancing market competitiveness. This follows earlier angel investments from Xiaomi Group, Zhongguancun Zhiyou Scientist Fund, and Being Academy of Artificial Intelligence.

Earlier, Huawei's Global Embodied Intelligence Industry Innovation Center in Shenzhen commenced operations, signing memorandums of understanding with 16 related companies. The center's initial plans involve integrating Huawei's capabilities in embodied intelligence to develop key technologies such as intelligent brains, sub-brains, and toolchains.




High-rises dominate the skyline on both sides of the Huangpu River in Shanghai. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Global Times-The US is reportedly contemplating broadening its chip export restrictions beyond China to encompass additional nations. According to sources familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Friday that the US is preparing new rules aimed at restricting the sale of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips in certain parts of the world, with the goal of limiting China's ability to access them. If these measures are implemented, they are expected to further disrupt global chip manufacturers and supply chains, underscoring the increasingly erratic and unsustainable nature of Washington's export control policies.

In the WSJ article, it is reported that "Washington plans rules limiting semiconductor shipments to some countries accused of supplying Beijing." However, as both a major producer and consumer in the global semiconductor supply chain, China engages in normal, mutually beneficial trade with other nations, reflecting the interconnected and interdependent nature of the global supply chain.

The framing of some countries as a "backdoor" for China's access to advanced chips - especially in the absence of concrete evidence - is not only misleading, but also unjust. Such narratives oversimplify the complex dynamics of global semiconductor trade cooperation and risk undermining the deeper realities of international cooperation and mutual dependence within the global semiconductor industry. Discussions on this issue should move beyond geopolitical rhetoric and recognize the intricate, collaborative nature of the global technology ecosystem.

The global AI chip market is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge. According to Gartner's forecast, revenues from AI semiconductors worldwide are expected to reach $71 billion in 2024, marking an impressive 33 percent increase over 2023. This rapid growth has naturally drawn the attention of numerous tech giants, all eager to claim their share of the lucrative opportunities driven by AI's exponential expansion.

While Nvidia continues to dominate the AI chip landscape, competition is swiftly intensifying. A recent report by the New York Times focuses on the rise of companies such as Amazon, Advanced Micro Devices, and several startups, which have begun to "offer credible alternatives to Nvidia's chips, especially for a phase of AI development known as inferencing."

No chip manufacturer would willingly accept restrictions that prevent their products from being sold in key markets. As Washington moves to limit China's access to advanced AI chips, it risks undermining the financial interests of American companies, many of which rely on global markets, including China, to fuel their growth. In the high-stakes world of international competition, voluntarily sacrificing profit opportunities is a perilous move, one that could erode a company's competitive advantage. If the US tightens its chip restrictions further - and expand them to include more countries beyond China - the economic ramifications for chip manufacturers, particularly American companies bound by Washington's policies, will be significant. The stricter the restrictions imposed by Washington, the greater the potential losses for the US chip industry.

Despite media reports suggesting that the US may be considering expanding its AI chip restrictions beyond China in order to prevent it from importing advanced chips from third countries, such measures won't suffocate the development of China's AI and semiconductor industries. On the contrary, such actions are more likely to accelerate China's drive for self-reliance and technological innovation. Far from stifling progress, these restrictions could fuel greater efforts within China to develop indigenous technologies.

The WSJ's report on the potential expansion of US restrictions only underscores the counterproductive effects of previous measures imposed by Washington. Rather than stalling the growth of China's AI and semiconductor industries, these restrictions appear to have unintentionally accelerated their development. The more the US tightens its grip, the more China intensifies its efforts to reduce dependency on foreign technologies. If Washington persists along this counter-productive path, extending its restrictions to more regions beyond China, it will only expose a deeper strategic impasse. Such actions would suggest that Washington has exhausted its ability to come up with more effective solutions and is resorting to more desperate, even hysterical, measures to continue its failed policies. This approach risks undermining the economic interests of American businesses and entire industries, as more and more companies are forced to pay the price for policies that have proven ineffective.
Infection prevention product manufacturer Tristel said in an update on Monday that, after achieving a record first half, it was on track to meet or exceed its three-year revenue growth target of 10% to 15% by June next year.

The AIM-traded firm, which was holding its annual general meeting, noted continued overall growth and trading in line with expectations, as it addressed developments in key markets.

Chief executive officer Matt Sassone said that in the United States, the company had been onboarding new healthcare accounts, although sales of its ULT product were lagging behind expectations due to stringent purchasing processes and sales rep training challenges with its partner Parker Laboratories.

Despite the hurdles, customer feedback had been positive, and the sales pipeline was still strong, he said.

A significant milestone was reached with Tristel ULTs inclusion in the revised American National Standard guidelines for high-level disinfection (HLD), formally recognising chlorine dioxide foam as an approved HLD method.

Additionally, Tristel said it had filed a 501(k) premarket notification with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Tristel OPH, its disinfectant foam for ophthalmic devices.

While clearance had been delayed due to a request for additional information, the company said it expected to respond within the FDAs 180-day window, and remained optimistic about the products US market potential.

In Europe, Tristel said its long-established German market had exceeded expectations, driven by updated KRINKO guidelines that strongly endorsed wiping as a method for HLD.

The board said that regulatory validation had bolstered adoption of Tristels technology in the region.

Tristel said it would provide further updates when it announces its interim results on 24 February.

At 1139 GMT, shares in Tristel were down 3.59% at 376p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Saga said on Monday that it has entered into an agreement with Ageas to establish a 20-year partnership for motor and home insurance which includes the acquisition of its underwriting business.

As part of the Affinity Partnership, Ageas will take on price-comparison website distribution, pricing and underwriting, claims and customer servicing activities, with Saga retaining responsibility for brand and direct marketing.

Saga will receive an upfront payment of 80m and contingent considerations of up to 30m in 2026, and the same again in 2032, subject to certain policy volume and profitability targets being met and the satisfaction of certain conditions.

Ageas will pay 67.5m for Sagas underwriting business, Acromas Insurance Company Limited (AICL).

Saga chief executive Mike Hazell said: "Today's announcement represents an exciting next step for Saga Insurance. This is a complementary partnership which leverages the strength of the Saga brand and customer base, along with Ageas's extensive and growing UK insurance expertise.

"Together, we represent a winning combination. Our joint scale and unrivalled knowledge of the over 50s insurance market represents a strong platform from which we can serve even more customers with relevant, innovative and intuitive products.

"For Saga more broadly, this agreement is in-line with our stated partnership strategy. It demonstrates clear progress as we move to pay down debt and target long-term sustainable growth - for the benefit of all our stakeholders."

Saga and Ageas announced in October that they were in exclusive talks about setting up a 20-year motor and home insurance broking partnership.

At 1100 GMT, the shares were up 9% at 134.78p.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Shareholders will hope Sagas insurance partnership with Belgian institution Ageas will remove an anchor on its share price and free it up to take sail as a successful travel and finance brand.

"Sagas business model involves selling tailored services to a growing over-50s demographic. However, it has endured a litany of issues since its IPO more than a decade ago.

"While its travel and cruises divisions were the problem during the pandemic, more recently it is the insurance business which has struggled. In that context, putting it in the hands of an experienced operator, as well as receiving a useful injection of cash, has been well-received by the market.

"Saga wants to use partnerships to exploit the value of its brand but without having to employ so much capital. In theory, this could increase the scope for growth and should also help trim a hefty debt pile.

"This seems a sensible approach and the Ageas deal is an important step forward. However, the business has a long way to go to fix its balance sheet and repair its credibility with the market, with the post-IPO highs for the share price a distant fleck on the horizon."
Computacenter announced on Monday that Christian Jehle has stepped down as group chief financial officer and as an executive director of the board with immediate effect.

The FTSE 250 company said the decision was made by mutual agreement between Jehle and the company.

It said Jehle would remain with Computacenter as an employee until 31 December, to support a smooth transition of his responsibilities.

In the interim, his duties would be managed by the broader finance team alongside the existing executive management team.

The firm said its nomination committee had initiated the search for a successor, with further updates to follow.

Under the terms of his departure, Jehle would continue to receive his base salary, pension, and benefits until the end of his employment.

He would also be paid in lieu of notice for the balance of his 12-month notice period.

Additionally, he remained eligible for a 2024 annual bonus, subject to performance targets, to be assessed by the remuneration committee.

Jehle would retain outstanding deferred bonus and buy-out awards, though his 2023 and 2024 performance share plan awards would lapse on 31 December.

The UK stock market only has a small selection of mid or large-cap tech-related stocks and these names are constantly under the microscope, noted AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

Computacenter fell more than 6% after a mysterious announcement that its chief financial officer had left immediately by mutual agreement.

The fact he is still eligible to receive a bonus for the year implies he is not categorised by HR as a bad leaver, yet the sudden departure creates a lot of uncertainty.

Mould noted that there was no explanation as to why he was leaving, which had troubled markets.

There is now a guessing game as to whether Computacenter has found something lurking in the closet or theres another reason why the CFO has gone.

At 0856 GMT, shares in Computacenter were down 6.48% at 2,093p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Australia's financial crime regulator has started civil penalty proceedings against Entain Group related to alleged contraventions of an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing act.

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) said on Monday that it found "systemic failures" in the company's approach to its AML/CTF obligations, such as not having adequate controls to confirm customers' identities and not conducting appropriate checks on higher-risk customers.

This is the first time AUSTRAC has brought civil penalty proceedings against a business operating in the online betting sector.

AUSTRACs proceedings allege that Entain did not develop and maintain a compliant anti-money laundering program and failed to identify and assess the risks it faced. We are alleging this left the company at serious risk of criminal exploitation," said AUSTRAC chief executive Brendan Thomas.

Entain, which operates out of Australia and New Zealand through the Ladbrokes, Neds, Entain Venues, TAB and Trackside brands, said it takes the allegations "extremely seriously", and has co-operated fully with AUSTRAC throughout its investigation, which started in September 2022.

However, the company said that, judging by the fines handed out for similar cases in the past, the investigation "may result in a penalty being levied which could be potentially material". Proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia may take some time, it said.

Back in 2023, a $450m fine was handed out to casino operator Crown for breaches of AML/CTF laws, which had to be paid out over a two-year period, while SkyCity Adelaide was ordered to pay a $63m penalty in June.

In December 2022, Entain started a programme to improve anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems and processes at its Australian subsidiary, which is expected to complete in June 2025.

"Whilst we still have some further improvements to make, we expect these to be implemented in line with the plan we communicated to AUSTRAC in 2023," said Entain's chief executive Gavin Isaacs.

"We are committed to keeping financial crime out of gambling and continue to play our part in supporting a well-regulated and compliant sector for our customers, stakeholders and the wider community."
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's 3.6bn takeover of Royal Mail has reportedly been approved by the government.

Following meetings with the Communication Workers Union in recent weeks, a deal is expected to be announced on Monday morning, the BBC said.

The deal had been under scrutiny under the National Security and Investment Act as Royal Mail's operations are considered vital national infrastructure.

Kretinsky has already offered several guarantees in a bid to secure the deal, including promises to maintain the "one price goes anywhere" universal service and not to raid the pension surplus.

He has also said he will keep the brand name and Royal Mail's headquarters and tax residency in the UK for the next five years and respect union demands for no compulsory redundancies to take place until 2025.

The government will retain the right to approve any major changes to Royal Mail's ownership, HQ location and tax residency in the future.
Water companies should spend more on helping vulnerable customers, according to consumer groups, as households in England and Wales brace for steep bill increases to be announced this week. The water regulator, Ofwat, is due to reveal on Thursday how much water bills will rise over the five years from next April.  Guardian

Voters have broadly accepted that the 40bn in tax rises in Rachel Reevess first budget are necessary to improve public services, despite the majority expecting to be worse off as a result, according to research. The chancellor announced in October a package of tax increases in order to fund investment in public services, particularly the NHS and schools  with the largest revenue-raiser a 25bn increase in employer national insurance contributions (NICs).  Guardian

Standing charges on business electricity bills have risen sixfold since 2018 and are set to climb further in the next five years, analysts have said. The charges have increased from 31 per day  or 3.2pc of total energy bills  to 190 per day or 12.8pc, according to the consultancy Cornwall Insight. It means businesses already hit by National Insurance and minimum wage increases face an additional squeeze from what many see as a stealth charge.  Telegraph

TalkTalk is to cut hundreds of jobs as the debt-laden broadband business scrambles to strip out 120m in costs. In an update to investors last week, TalkTalk outlined plans for a radical restructuring that is expected to lead to hundreds of job losses. The company has already begun a redundancy consultation as it prepares to scrap around 130 jobs at its Salford-based consumer division. It is understood that further cuts will follow at a wholesale business, dubbed Platform X, taking total losses into the hundreds.  Telegraph

Budget tax rises and a new cladding levy will cost Persimmon Homes up to 40 million a year and add billions of expenses across the industry, the boss of one of Britains biggest housebuilders has warned. Dean Finch said there was a disconnect between the government imposing ever-increasing costs on the sector and its calls for developers to build 300,000 new homes a year.  The Times
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, with the aim of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. In the talks, the leaders discussed the scope of economic cooperation, improving investment opportunities, and regional security.

In a post on social media platform, Dissanayake said, "During my official visit to India, I had the privilege of engaging in productive discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Our conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities, fostering regional security, and advancing key sectors such as tourism and energy. These engagements reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations".

Earlier on Sunday, Dissanayake also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Jaishankar, during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday, highlighted the island nation's prominent role in India's Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook.

He further affirmed confidence that President Dissanayake's talks with Prime Minister Modi today will lead to greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo.

"Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India's Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation", the EAM stated in a post on social media platform.

Dissanayake said he held "fruitful discussions on the matters of mutual interest" during his meetings with EAM Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Earlier in the day, the Sri Lankan President was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan in Delhi.

This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September.

The Sri Lankan President is on a day State visit to India from December 15 to December 17. Dissanayake will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.
Dixon Technologies and Vivo India have announced a joint venture to manufacture smartphones, a move aimed at strengthening local production capabilities. Under the agreement, Dixon will hold a majority 51% stake, while Vivo India will own 49%, as revealed in a regulatory filing on Sunday. Both companies clarified that neither would hold stakes in the others operations, maintaining independence outside the partnership. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The joint venture agreement, described as a binding term sheet, is subject to regulatory approvals and the establishment of definitive terms. This development aligns with the Indian governments efforts to encourage collaborations between Indian and Chinese firms to bolster local manufacturing. The government has been advocating for Chinese smartphone brands to partner with Indian entities, induct Indian equity stakeholders, and appoint Indian executives in key roles to address regulatory concerns and strengthen compliance with Indian laws.

We believe that this association will bolster our manufacturing excellence and superior execution abilities, along with Vivos leadership in the Indian business ecosystem. Together, we aim to create a stronger, more diversified, and future-proof organization, said Atul B. Lall, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dixon.

Dixon, a leading electronics manufacturer in India, already produces smartphones for major global brands, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola, and Google. With this new partnership, Dixon will also take on the production of Vivo smartphones, alongside its existing portfolio. Additionally, the joint venture will allow the company to manufacture for other brands, further expanding its footprint in the Android ecosystem.

Jerome Chen, CEO of Vivo India, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, The proposed joint venture will take on part of Vivos OEM smartphone orders in India and can also engage in manufacturing various electronic products for other brands. This partnership will complement Vivo Indias existing manufacturing operations effectively.

Vivo recently celebrated a decade of operations in India and inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Greater Noida. The 170-acre facility, built with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore, has an annual production capacity of 120 million smartphones. This new plant replaced Vivos earlier manufacturing unit, which had a capacity of 40 million units and has since been taken over by Bhagwati Products (Micromax).

The collaboration highlights the governments Make in India initiative, which aims to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. By leveraging the policy, Vivo aims to make its Indian operations more competitive. However, it remains unclear if the joint venture will also include the export of smartphones.

This is Dixons second partnership with a Chinese brand this year. Earlier, it acquired a 50.1% stake in Ismartu India, the manufacturing unit of Transsion Holdings, for Rs 238.36 crore. The Vivo partnership further cements Dixons position as a dominant player in Indias smartphone manufacturing sector.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Those looking to buy a home in New York City better brace themselves to spend big bucks, with houses throughout the five boroughs costing more per square foot than in any other city in the country.

A report published by American Home Shield analyzed over a half million Zillow listings from across the country to determine which cities and states have the most expensive homes per square foot, allowing prospective homebuyers to figure out where they can get the most bang for their buck.

In New York City, the median home price per square foot is $1,519.47, nearly $400 more than the next closest city Boston, which had a median price per square foot of $1,159.51.

Rounding out the top-five most expensive cities were San Francisco ($1,074.34), Honolulu ($863.07) and San Jose ($860.50).

On the other end of the spectrum, Cleveland had the least expensive median home price per square foot at $66.86, followed by Detroit ($68.66), Indianapolis ($140.45), Tulsa ($145.83) and El Paso ($151.72).

Dense, coastal cities with limited, older housing stock have the most expensive homes. In New York City, there are 28,182 people per square mile  by far the densest major city in the United States. The average home in New York City costs $1,519.57 per square foot, more than 20 times the cost of housing in Cleveland or Detroit and the most of any city, according to the report.

At the state level, Hawaii had, by far, the most expensive price per square foot at $743.86, roughly 68% higher than the next closest state.

California ranked second at $442.70, followed by New York ($421.49), Massachusetts ($398.77) and Washington ($335.73).

The least expensive states were West Virginia ($119.56), Mississippi ($130.46), Arkansas ($134.74), Kansas ($135.92) and North Dakota ($139.12).

New Yorks ranking as one of the most expensive states per square foot can be attributed, in part, to the state having the second-smallest homes on average.

The average New York home was just 1,490 square feet, with only Hawaii homes, which averaged 1,164 square feet, being smaller.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A couple Canadians have long claimed to host the first ugly Christmas sweater party in 2002 in Vancouver.

The claim, by Chris Boyd and Jordan Birch, has been referenced in recent years on CNN, the Washington Post, at uglychristmassweater.com and in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide to Getting Your Ugly On.

Not so fast, says a group of Western Michigan University alumni.

They claim they began hosting such parties in Kalamazoo in 2000.

And they have receipts.

The Kalamazoo Gazette even previously reported on the history of ugly sweater parties in 2004, giving the trendsetters their own weekender cover story. Two of the extravaganza founders, Michael St. Aubin and Jason Weeby, were interviewed for the story before the fifth annual gala.

A Kalamazoo Gazette article from 2004 details the Turtleneck and Sweater Holiday Extravaganza Holiday party tradition in Kalamazoo.Kalamazoo Gazette

The two, along with fellow party founder Bob Wedge, spoke with MLive from their homes in California and Northern Michigan about their role in shaping the holiday tradition.

Its hard to admit that you started a fashion fad, but I can tell you we were doing it and I never heard of anyone doing it before then, Wedge said.

True origins

The first party was nothing more than a small holiday gathering at a student rental house on Kalamazoos Cedar Street in 2000.

Only a handful of the roughly 80 partygoers dressed the part, Weeby said.

It was a typical turn-of-the century college party with people carting in 18-packs of Icehouse beer, he said.

Off in a corner, however, Weeby, St. Aubin and a few friends were sporting mustaches, sweaters and turtlenecks, drinking eggnog and playing vinyl Christmas records.

From left, Cort Maclean, Bob Wedge, Andrew Phillips, Matt Eldon and Tim Williams pose for a photo at the 3rd Annual Turtleneck and Sweater Extravaganza in December 2002. The party took place at a rental home on Lafayette Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, known affectionately as The Big Chill by those who lived there.Provided by Bob Wedge

It was like a party within a party, Weeby said. But we had so much fun, other people I think thought it was a fun idea, too.

The next year, the party moved to another home in Kalamazoo. The roughly 30 attendees all dressed the part.

Everyone loves the retro, Wedge said. Back when we were little kids, youd flip through the photo album and youd see dad on the barbecue with these short shorts grilling burgers.

And then youd see these Christmas parties. And everything was amazing. Theres just this this sense of warmth and home with all that. And when we were in our early 20s, it was like, Man, we want to do it, too.

Wedge dug through closets and drawers to find the perfect sweater for the extravaganzas.

One of the original vests I wore was my grandmas, he said.

He wore it for years, in part, because it was homemade.

Bob Wedge, Jason Weeby and Andrew Phillips pose for a photo at one of the early turtleneck and sweater extravaganzas at the since-closed Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The brewery was the site of the fourth, fifth and sixth annual extravaganzas, held between the years of 2003 and 2005.Provided by Bob Wedge

Those sweaters were like beautiful pieces of handmade artwork, like Santa Claus with an American flag on a sled, Wedge said. It was just so cool to see the craftsmanship of all these sweaters and you know these were all made in the 70s and 80s because no one would throw them away because you only wore them once a year for a Christmas party.

We just tried to bring that back to life.

Controversy addressed

By Year 3, formal invitations were going out across Kalamazoo cordially inviting people to the annual Turtleneck and Sweater Holiday Extravaganza.

The invitation was highlighted by a Sears Portrait Studio photo of Weeby and St. Aubin taken in 2000 in their Christmas sweaters. It promised crackling fireside chats, Mel Tormes velvet holiday voice and magical mustachioed moments.

This was 2002, the year the Canadian guys said they invented it, St. Aubin said.

But you can see from the actual program that we made, it was our third annual, he said. By that third party, there were also people we knew who had started hearing about this. We were seeing photos of them doing it in California and doing it in Chicago.

So, this claim has long been a bit of a thorn in our side.

Jason Weeby, seated, and Michael St. Aubin, standing, pose for a Christmas photo at the Sears in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2000. The photo was used for the flyer for the 3rd Annual Turtleneck and Sweater Extravaganza in December 2002.Provided by Bob Wedge

While they want to set the record straight, one point the Canucks could seize on is, the former Broncos did not refer to their Kalamazoo events as ugly Christmas sweater parties.

Instead, they were turtleneck and sweater holiday extravaganzas.

We didnt think they were ugly, Weeby said. To us, they represented a sense of nostalgia. This was not just people showing up at a bar or a house. We had real traditions that we carried on.

The parties included an annual holiday fashion show, the crowning of the prince and princess of Christmas, the singing of the 12 Days of Christmas to close each party and the ceremonial pouring of the eggnog  which sometimes wound up on the head of a reveler.

Jason Weeby, standing on the table in a Santa Bear hat, pours eggnog on Nick Kupps Klimaski at one of the early turtleneck and sweater extravaganzas at the since-closed Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The brewery was the site of the fourth, fifth and sixth annual extravaganzas, held between the years of 2003 and 2005.Provided by Bob Wedge

Bands like Chicagos Baby Teeth and Wedges Griffin Shepherds would also perform. And there was a philanthropic component each year, with money going to area charities.

As all the friends graduated from WMU in 2002 or 2003 and moved away, the extravaganza moved for a few years to the since-closed Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo. The brewery even made a Mustache Ale special for the 2003 party, its first year hosting the event.

The party would eventually make its way to the Detroit area in 2006, spending one year at an American Legion Post in Berkley before moving to Ferndales Magic Bag from 2007 through 2012.

Relinquishing control

The friends, who retired the party after 2012, said they may resurrect it in 2025. The hope is to bring it back to Kalamazoo to honor the 25th anniversary.

I was curious if the ugly sweater thing would run its course, but these parties still pop up every year, Weeby said. Originally, what made it great was this odd pairing of nostalgia and novelty.

Jason Weeby brushes his mustache before the 3rd Annual Turtleneck and Sweater Extravaganza in December 2002. The party took place at a rental home on Lafayette Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, known affectionately as The Big Chill by those who lived there.Provided by Bob Wedge

They were looking back to what their parents did in the 70s and 80s. But it was new for them, he said.

Eventually, that novelty and nostalgia gave way to commercialization. Such sweaters can now be purchased online or at Walmart and Meijer, which has taken away from the magic, the friends agreed.

Yet, they still feel good seeing others embrace the tradition.

I hope that they have a fraction of the feeling of the friendship and joy that we had when we were doing our parties, Weeby said. Those were some of the best nights of my life.

We were surrounded by friends and there was just a level of absurdity of fun and joy and camaraderie that you just dont get anywhere else.

Partygoers come together for a group photo at the 2nd Annual Turtleneck and Sweater Extravaganza on Dec. 8, 2001, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.Provided by Bob Wedge

While the allure of rifling through an older relatives closet to find the ideal sweater may be gone, none of the friends blame people for trying to make a dollar off the trend.

Once something becomes popular, Weeby said, you have to relinquish control.

I think it belongs to everybody now, he said. And they can take it whichever direction they want.

Wedge, while not the host, still participates in a sweater-themed party annually with work friends in Northern Michigan.

This thing totally grew its own wings, it flew and it evolved, he said. The ugly thing was just a natural thing that happened ... because when you look at them, theyre gaudy.

Wedge said its another thing Kalamazoo can be proud of.

From being the birthplace of Gibson and Heritage Guitars, the Kalamazoo Promise and Bells Beer, this adds to the list of things that got their start in Kalamazoo.

We didnt commercialize it, but we culturized it, St. Aubin said. We created a culture of wearing this stuff about and celebrating Christmas in this nostalgic and kitschy way.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  As reports of drones sighting in the skies over the Island and in neighboring New Jersey are flying in fast and furious across social media, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that the residents are in fact witnessing drones, according to a report published on Advance sister-site NJ.com.

Theres no question that people are seeing drones, Mayorkas said during a television interview on ABCs This Week Sunday morning.

Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones. But theres no question that drones are being sighted. I want to assure the American public that we are on it, he said, before calling on Congress to expand local and state authority to help address the issues, the report said.

Its critical, as we all have said for a number of years, that we need from Congress additional authorities to address the drone situation. Our authorities currently are limited, and they are set to expire. We need them extended and expanded, Mayorcas added.

The drones began to appear in New Jersey skies in the middle of November and have rapidly expanded their flight path to include Staten Island, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn and Queens.

The mysterious drones have been spotted numerous times over the last week and a half by borough residents. And Staten Islanders initial curiosity has now turned toward concern, and in some cases, fear, as lawmakers attempts to get answers have yet to be successful.

A group of Staten Island elected officials, including Borough President Vito Fossella gathered at Fort Wadsworth Friday to call for answers and an NYPD investigation on drone sightings over the Island.

Step up to the plate and be honest and truthful with the American people, the people of Staten Island, and solve this problem once and for all, Fossella said.

Earlier in the week Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R  Staten Island/South Brooklyn) said members of Congress received a briefing in which federal officials said many of the reported drone sitings matched identified flight paths for manned aircraft, but Malliotakis remained unsatisfied.

In addition, New York and New Jersey senators penned a letter this week to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), urging them to hold a drone activity briefing.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has said officials have no reason to believe residents are in danger because of the drones, but he has said it is frustrating to have no answers, the report said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The highest-ranking aide, and longtime confidant, for Mayor Eric Adams has announced a sudden resignation, according to a new report from Politico.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who had been with the Mayor since early on in his political career, abruptly resigned on Sunday, effective immediately, according to Politico.

While her resignation is sudden, the departure isnt entirely unexpected. Earlier this year, before Adams was indicted on a litany of federal charges, Lewis-Martin had talked about wanting to retire after the new year, according to Politico.

As of now, she is not expected to be a part of Adams reelection campaign, the outlet reports.

Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted adviser, but also a sister, Adams told Politico in a statement. Weve always talked about when this day would come, and while weve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wont be right next door every day.

In October, Lewis-Martin had her home raided by the Manhattan District Attorneys office in connection with the mayors investigation, NY1 reports.

Lewis-Martin is now one of several allies of Mayor Adams who resigned from the beleaguered administration.

In October, deputy mayor for public safety Philip Banks resigned not long after his brother and NYC Schools Chancellor, David Banks, stepped down earlier than previously planned.

After that, David Banks' wife and First Deputy Mayor, Sheena Wright, also resigned in the wake of a series of FBI raids and phones seizures as part of the federal corruption investigation into Adams.
A top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams abruptly resigned less than three months after investigators from the Manhattan district attorneys office took her phones and searched her house as part of one of several probes that have enveloped City Hall.

Ingrid Lewis-Martins resignation Sunday was a planned retirement, Adams office said in a statement. Her attorney, Arthur Aidala, is scheduled to hold a news conference Monday.

Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor, but also a sister, Adams said. Weve always talked about when this day would come, and while weve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wont be right next door every day.

Lewis-Martins decision to step down comes as Adams faces federal corruption charges and several members of his administration have come under investigation.

Adams himself has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty.

Lewis-Martins phones were seized and her home was searched in late September by prosecutors in Manhattan, who, along with federal prosecutors, met her at an airport in New York as she was getting off a flight from Japan.

Hours after the search, Lewis-Martin took the extraordinary step of appearing on Aidalas radio show to discuss the investigation, telling her attorney, I do believe that in the end that the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DAs office to investigate us.

Lewis-Martin has been one of the mayors most trusted and longest-serving aides, working under Adams in prominent positions throughout his political career  when he was a state senator, Brooklyn borough president and mayor. She has said she first met Adams about four decades ago, when Adams and her husband, Glenn Martin, were in the New York City police academy.

Lewis-Martin, in the statement from City Hall, said that her time alongside Adams has been an amazing ride but that now, today, the time has come for me to focus on my wonderful family and myself and retire.

To my city: I started as a community activist and worked on many campaigns, ultimately landing at City Hall. I am a native New Yorker, and I love my city. Know that I will continue to do everything in my power to fight for this great city every day as a private citizen, she said.
If you see something, say something.

With the increasing reports of mysterious drones appearing in the skies over New York and New Jersey, including on Staten Island, residents are wondering who to call if they see unpermitted or reckless drone usage.

The answer is simple: call 911.

The operation of unmanned aircraft, including drones, within New York City requires an Unmanned Aircraft Permit. The permit is issued by the NYPD, in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOT), according to this New York City 311 web portal.

All unmanned aircraft must also be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration and be FAA-compliant, the city website says.

Operators using drones recklessly or without prior authorization are subject to civil and/or criminal penalties, the website says.

The FAA also advises those who witness what appears to be dangerous drone operation or drones being used in the commission of a crime to call their local law enforcement.

The FBI is also investigating the mystery drones that have been seen over Staten Island.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.

Mysterious drones first began appearing over New Jersey on Nov. 19.

Reports of the unidentified objects have increased in the weeks since, with numerous sightings over New York and Staten Island.

The White House and other federal agencies have said that legally flying aircraft are likely being mistaken for drones.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the feds would deploy an anti-drone detection system in New York.

The news came after runways at Stewart International Airport in Orange County were closed for an hour on Friday because of unidentified aircraft.

The airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio was also closed for almost four hours due to drone activity.

The Air Force confirmed that drones were spotted over Ramstein Air Base in Germany earlier this month.
New ABC boss Hugh Marks says he didnt know anything about the workplace issues at Nine Entertainment during his tenure as chief executive and is shocked by the alleged behaviour of some staff members who went unpunished under his nose.

Marks, who was announced as ABCs managing director on Tuesday, ran ASX-listed Nine, the owner of this masthead, between 2015 and 2021. He notably steered the company through the largest media merger of the past decade, bringing together Fairfax and Nine in a $4 billion deal.

Former Nine chief executive Hugh Marks will run the ABC. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Marks announced his departure from Nine on the same day a column in The Sydney Morning Herald revealed he was in a relationship with Alexi Baker, the companys former commercial boss.

Nines recent culture review, prompted by allegations made against former Nine News chief Darren Wick, covers a five-year period that includes some of Marks tenure as chief executive at the company.
Being a radio technician and able to increase the strength and coverage of Radio 4AYs signal with its tall tower power, Johs personal management skills added to the success of the station. His abilities didnt go unnoticed by what was then the AWA radio network  he would later manage AWAs 4TO and sister station 4CA.

So began an association of employment for Joh in the commercial radio industry that was to last many years. First with Townsville radio stations 4AY and 4TO, Cairns station 4CA, and later in senior management positions in Sydney.

Joh replied that he hoped to get a job; that hed been in radio and would look for something in the industry. My sons in radio, said the voice from the wall.

An official voice from the harbour wall yelled directions to where the boat should tie up. Later came a conversation with the voice from the harbour wall, which asked, What are you going to do?

He met his first wife, Valerie Tweed, at a ball in Townsville and was employed in the commercial broadcasting industry. They lived on the boat in Townsville harbour until a deal was done whereby two Swedish adventurers swapped their Dodge Ute for the boat, and for Joh and Valerie domestic bliss took the form of a house ashore.

Joh became an integral part of AWA, further developing the network and 2CH in Sydney. He became the industry voice in Canberra on the National Disasters Committee and a member of the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters (FARB) council for 10 years. He was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame in 2002.

The citation for the award stated: Johannes Oost began his radio career in Holland and commenced in Australian radio as a technician for both 4AY and 4TO. He was also assistant manager at 4TO in 1969, and was promoted to manager in 1971. In 1974, Johannes became regional manager North QLD for both 4CA and 4TO. In 1982 he became operations manager of AWA Broadcasting Division, and from 1988 to 94 Johannes was assistant manager at 2CH. He is an active member of the Historical Radio Society and was also the industry voice in Canberra on the National Disasters Committee, and a member of the FARB council for 10 years. (Source: Australian Commercial Radio Awards.)

Experience in national disasters was something Joh certainly had as Cyclone Althea hit Townsville in late December 1971. Through Herculean efforts he was able to ensure 4TO was kept on air providing emergency information, while at the same time knowing his own family were being subject to fear and devastating damage to their home due to 200kmh winds and rain.

After the divorce, Joh met his second wife, Annette, a secretary at 2CH in Sydney. For many years until age took its toll, Joh was an active member of the Historical Radio Society. He was an avid collector of prized wireless transmitters and receivers, and a provider to all those similarly inclined who needed a new valve or part. His Sydney home was not spared any space that could accommodate new valves to replace old ones.
About 35 per cent of power bills from companies like AGL are pure profit. Credit: Will Willitts Lessons from Bali Once they have recovered, Bali Five have a service to provide (Bali Five fly home after 19 years jail, December 16). They must visit as many schools as possible to share the confronting details of their experience. Surely there cannot be any better, more direct warning to those who might still be tempted to traffic drugs. They can also remind their audiences that two of their number will never come back. Jennifer Bacia, Newstead (Qld) My darling brother, Robert Bridge, died from heroin in 1975 and my family was destroyed by it. I rejoice that the Bali Five are back in their own country and I sincerely wish and hope that they and their families will somehow be reunited as they all deserve a smidgen of happiness out of this whole sad and sorry saga. Wendy Kelly, Sanctuary Point The release of the Bali Five could have been jeopardised by Michaelia Cash who was questioning the government and demanded answers. Should the Coalition win government at the next general election, they could learn the art of diplomacy from Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong, especially in our relations with China. Peng Ee, Castle Cove

Martin Stephens (left), Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen look on as Australia and Indonesia sign an agreement for their return home. Most agreeable What an inspiring woman! Louise Adler deserves great praise for her attempt to improve the state of declining public discourse (Writers week to plumb depths of hot topics, December 16). Her desire to confront difficult and complex issues in the interests of better public knowledge and understanding by reasoned debate is a refreshing departure from those who think these issues can be resolved by waving placards and disrupting normal community activities. Her attitude is a mature, adult endeavour to organise disagreement and debate on a sensible basis, with an effort to ensure that it is informed and respectful in nature. We need more of this type of discussion in the Australian community, rather than giving way to destructive abuse and accusations based on emotion and ignorance. Remember, one can disagree without being disagreeable! Derrick Mason, Boorowa Choice of entree I would not have been able to enjoy the food at Comedor had I known that the dignity of its employees was being violated to such a shocking degree (Drunkenness, abuse and death threats: Inside the downfall of Comedor restaurant, December 16). It is important to send this message to hospitality staff: Be not afraid to speak up. We, the customers, are with you in wanting reforms in your industry. We will vote with our wallets and, if properly informed, will bring our custom only to establishments that value their workers.

Cristina Corleto, Stanmore

In happier days - snapper crudo with salted green apple, grapes and furikake at Comedor. Credit: Jennifer Soo College not broken so dont fix Why would the NSW government even consider changing the very successful Northern Beaches Secondary College structure (Students vow to fight school shift, December 16)? There is already a co-ed high school, a single-sex boys and a single-sex girls school, a co-ed senior school and a co-ed selective school in the college. All these schools are at full capacity and are achieving great HSC results with (non-selective) Balgowlah Boys High being one of the best performing schools in the state. If more of our politicians had their children at public schools then perhaps the NSW government would look at this college and try to implement some of its successful strategies at other schools, rather than dismantling this fabulous example of public education. Helen Simpson, Curl Curl I read with dismay that the education department wants to change Freshwater Senior Campus. Go and fix the schools that need help. If it aint broke, dont fix it! Margaret Shipton, Balgowlah Heights

Principle at hand Mike Kellys opinion piece on the war in Gaza and the Labor governments response to it is the best article I have read for some time (Australia damning Israel for fighting to survive is poisonous, December 16). A former Labor minister with extensive military experience and historical knowledge, he effectively destroys any defence the government has made for its position, except that of political expediency. Where are people of both principle and expertise like Mike Kelly in the Labor Party today? I despair of the partys future. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh Mike Kelly and Penny Wong. Credit: SMH Thank you for publishing Mike Kellys article. Many are of the belief that Ms Wong has indeed caused much of the explosion of antisemitism here. Her decisions do not sit well with the average Aussie. Israel is a tiny democracy surrounded by enemies that are proxies of Iran. Many of us disagree with each stance that Ms Wong has taken and this will definitely be influencing my vote at the next election. Pamela Shepherd, Balgowlah Mike Kellys article ignores the history of occupation of Palestine by Israel since 1948 and the increasing oppression of the Palestinian people, which led to the creation of Hamas. The world turned a blind eye to the murder of Jews in the Holocaust. It is now turning a blind eye to the genocide of the Palestinian people. Thanks to Penny Wong for acknowledging the horror of the devastation caused by Israel. We can no longer turn a blind eye. Anne Shay, Ballina

Mike Kelly does a very good job at skewing reality. He has created a one-sided sympathy for Israel by ignoring key contextual issues that would better enable a reader to understand the ongoing conflict. Kelly highlighted the rockets that have been fired out of Gaza without mentioning the catalyst for them. Israel has blockaded and laid siege to Gaza since 2007, this has restricted the movement and freedom of the Palestinian people living there and isolated them from the rest of the world. He has described Israels actions as principled self-defence. The siege of Gaza cannot be described as self-defence if you have condemned an entire population to an open-air prison. If Israels current actions were so principled their leaders would not have arrest warrants out for them and South Africa would not have taken them to the International Court of Justice to answer questions on actions in Gaza. Saba Mustafa, Punchbowl Reaction time The Australian parliaments teal independents are right to oppose the oppositions plan for seven nuclear power plants around Australia (Teals unconvinced by Duttons nuclear plan as Chalmers cites $4 trillion loss to economy, December 16). The Smart Energy Council estimates that the proposed nuclear reactors would provide only 3.7 per cent of Australias electricity demand by 2050. According to the CSIRO, electricity from nuclear energy would be at least 50 per cent more expensive than solar and wind. The Coalition claims that the first reactors could be operating by the mid-2030s. However, expert analysis indicates that the first reactors could not be built until the 2040s. There is currently a ban on nuclear power in Australia. Premier David Crisafulli has said the ban will not be lifted in Queensland, where the Tarong and Callide power plants are proposed. Mr Dutton has a lot of work ahead to realise his nuclear dream. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin (ACT) The case for nuclear power is presented as an economic advantage by the Coalition, which claims it knows more about sound economic management than almost everybody else. These are the parties that led us into the AUKUS agreement and robo-debt, two poorly thought-out schemes. One has given the country a massive debt for the future and the other punished the poor for being poor. These parties have less training or experience in nuclear power generation than they have in economics and the skill in the latter is not evident. So why believe them? Australians will make their mind up when they stop laughing.

Adrian Tabor, Point Lonsdale (Vic) National security remains a major blind spot for the Coalition. On their last watch, we had the Darwin port leased to the Chinese, a Chinese naval base almost developed in the Solomon Islands and our strategic oil supplies located in the US. Nuclear power stations and waste dumps in Australia would be high-priority targets for any future domestic terrorists or overseas belligerents. No longer would a nuclear missile be needed to effect atomic devastation in our country.

Perhaps this consideration is a key reason Singapore has no nuclear stations despite their superficial attraction. Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach

It has become apparent over many past projects undertaken by governments that the initial proposed cost of any project should be doubled, multiplied by 10 and a billion or ten added just in case things turn pear-shaped. It is no wonder voters dont believe the costings of the Coalitions fission fantasy policy. Then theres the cost of maintenance or mothballing or rejigging the size of the reactors if they are built overseas and not fit for purpose, just like the train carriages, tracks and ferries. Merilyn McClung, Forestville So would you rather die slowly or quickly? Credit: Cathy Wilcox The then-Coalition government announced the Snowy Hydro 2.0 in 2019. It was originally going to cost $2 billion, but it has since blown out to $12 billion, a figure that is still going north. This is the time of year when a lot in the community suspend rational belief and embrace various improbable beliefs; it was an auspicious time for Peter Dutton to release his costings for the nuclear solution to fix our energy woes. Joe Weller, Mittagong One pro-nuclear correspondent suggests that Australia could earn lots of money by hosting the nuclear waste from other countries. What a ludicrous euphemism for letting other nations dump their nuclear pollutants in this country. Even Peter Dutton is not crazy enough to include this madness in his fantasy nuclear plan. Rob Phillips, North Epping How does Dutton intend to inhibit the take-up of EVs and rooftop solar? Does he intend to take a leaf out of the Trump playbook and introduce tariffs? Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria
Labor councillors have criticised Brisbane City Councils decision to drop one of two remaining green bridge projects following the opening of the Kangaroo Point Bridge yesterday.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner revealed yesterday that the council had abandoned its St Lucia to West End green bridge, but would continue with a bridge to connect Toowong and West End, amid budget constraints.

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Council opposition leader Jared Cassidy said the LNP-led council had the wrong priorities, criticising its spending on lavish parties  a reference to an event for the trial of the Brisbane Metro bus service in October.

Yet again, this LNP council is trying to use expensive opening parties and media ops as a distraction from whats really going on under the surface, he said of yesterdays bridge opening.

I hope the napkin the green bridge policy was scribbled on has been kept for posterity.

It can be wheeled out as a reminder of the complete failure of this lord mayor and the rest of his regime to actually do anything they commit to, let alone on time, or on budget.

Schrinner said the decision to axe the St Lucia to West End crossing was in line with the councils promise to keep costs down.

By not building this bridge, we can invest more in critical projects in the future, Schrinner said.
A mother and daughter are returning home to Sydney after an ideal break turned into a worst nightmare when they were hospitalised after a suspected alcohol poisoning at a holiday resort in Fiji.

David Sandoe told the ABC his daughter, Tanya, and granddaughter, Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, were very well considering what theyd been through during their one-week holiday.

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson (centre) is flying back to Australia with her mother, Tanya, after her suspected alcohol poisoning in Fiji. Credit: Facebook

The pair was expected to fly back to Australia on Monday after being discharged from hospital.

The countrys tourism minister told local media pina colada cocktails would be sent for testing in Australia after seven tourists fell ill at the islands Warwick resort.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto will have to front the Liberal party room on Friday after five MPs signed a motion calling for a meeting to return exiled MP Moira Deeming.

The move is a major test of Pesuttos leadership after Liberal MP Sam Groth, floated as a potential challenger for the Victorian Liberal leadership, resigned from the opposition frontbench on Friday.

John Pesutto faces a major test of his leadership. Credit: Eddie Jim

Under their own rules, the Victorian Liberal party room must hold a special meeting if a petition of MPs has gained five signatures. On Monday night, opposition MPs Richard Riordan, Bill Tilley, Renee Heath, Chris Crewther and Joe McCracken all revealed they had signed one of these petitions with the purpose of reinstating Deeming to the party room.

In a statement, the five said they had called for a vote that would give the parliamentary Liberal party the chance to do the right thing, and put behind us any injustices that have occurred since March 2023.
The extent of a 16-year-old boys drug enterprise operated from his parents Dalkeith mansion has been revealed in court as the teenager was sentenced for selling his schoolmates gummy bears laced with cannabis.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in August after school teachers searched his bag and found the drugs which had led to the hospitalisation of another 16-year-old boy and his girlfriend.

The 17-year-old appeared in Perth Childrens Court on Friday. Credit: Lauren Pilat

The teenager denied he had sold the drugs, but later confessed after police searched his home and found items in his bedroom revealing a significant drug operation.

The blue gummy bears were sold for $35 and the teenagers bedroom contained eight jars of cannabis, resin, smoking implements, digital scales, a grinder, silicon moulds, supplements and liquids, as well as a pot and stove.
Had they committed their crime in Australia, the so-called Bali Nine would have been out of jail years ago, but the diplomatic deal with the Indonesian government that has secured their release remains unclear, with little indication what both nations promised in return.

Australian and Indonesian officials at the airport before the remaining Bali Nine members were flown home.

Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Si Yi Chen had been serving life sentences in prisons on Bali and Java after being arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle heroin from Indonesia to Australia. They were among the group of Australians convicted for attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin, valued at $4 million. The ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed on April 29, 2015. Another member, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died from cancer in June 2018. Renae Lawrence was released in November 2018 after having her sentence commuted.

Their arrests, just three years after the Bali bombing, became an international political issue, while the mix of politics, drugs, terrorism and capital punishment polarised domestic discourse. When the pair were executed, then prime minister Tony Abbott withdrew Australias ambassador to Indonesia, and in more recent years there had been sustained government representations, culminating in Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses approach to the new Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, during the APEC summit in Peru last month.

Indonesias hard line against drug traffickers appears to have softened. When word got out that the Australians may be on their way home, it was revealed that Indonesia signed an agreement with the Philippines this month for the repatriation of a mother of two, Mary Jane Veloso, arrested in 2010 after the suitcase she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6kg of heroin. The week before Albanese lobbied Subianto in South America, the French embassy in Jakarta sent a letter requesting the return of one of its citizens, Serge Atslaoui, a welder arrested in 2005 in a drug factory outside Jakarta. He is expected to be released by the months end.
Whoever is named treasurer will face the difficult job of balancing the states budget as Victoria tries to return to its first operating surplus since before the pandemic. The most recent budget update forecast Victorias net debt would hit $155.2 billion this financial year and $187.3 billion by June 2028. Meanwhile, the premier is deliberating over how to manage the unavoidable reshuffle. She was still considering whether to minimise cabinet changes this week by simply patching up the holes from Pallas departure and postponing a broader overhaul, the sources said.

The Labor sources said at least three candidates from the partys Left faction  Nick Staikos, Gary Maas and Paul Edbrooke  could put their hands up for the empty cabinet seat. They forecast a tight contest. It is not yet known if the Right faction will put forward an alternative. In 2022, Pallas and a group of MPs who were part of the former National Union of Workers moved from Labors Right to the Left, years after their union had merged into the larger United Workers Union. As part of that arrangement, NUW MPs believed they would be able to replace their allies in senior positions as they retired. Maas and Staikos both hail from this group.

Pallas retirement also means there will be a byelection in the seat of Werribee in Melbournes west. Allan has justified not running a candidate in the coming Prahran byelection  triggered last month by the resignation of Greens MP Sam Hibbins  because the party did not already hold the seat. But Werribee is a heartland Victorian Labor seat and wrangling over preselecting a candidate is expected to begin soon. Redbridge pollster and former Labor strategist Kos Samaras said the opposition had already targeted the seat. He said there was a chance Labor could lose  though it would require a hefty 10 per cent swing on a two-party preferred basis.

It is one of these sites you can describe as the epicentre of the cost-of-living crisis. The grievance there is significant, he said. [The Victorian Liberals] have to start winning seats like that because the demographics of inner-eastern Melbourne is rapidly changing, and they need to find new homes. A new political party, the West Party, has vowed to take on Labor in the region and is considering its options about running. Speaking on Monday, Pallas thanked his son, Jack, daughter Grace and wife Karen, who he said was a strong supporter of his decision when they spoke about it last week. The treasurer also thanked Allan for being open to his departure, acknowledging it was never easy for governments when MPs left midterm.

[It has been] a 25-year friendship with the current premier, who I could say, without trepidation, I am absolutely thrilled and proud of the opportunity to serve in an incredible government that she leads, he said. Loading Although Pallas and Allan spoke highly of each other on Monday, Labour sources say the relationship between the offices of the premier and the treasurer had been strained recently as they negotiated the budget process and last weeks economic growth statement. They pointed to an idea floated internally by Pallas to introduce a charge on working with children checks  which never progressed  as an example of a proposal that had caused contention. One source said Pallas had initially sought to be moved to a different portfolio, avoiding the need for a byelection, before eventually deciding to quit politics.

On Monday, Pallas acknowledged these strains but chalked them up to both politicians doing their jobs and deferred to what he called Allans better political judgment. Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding Some of you may have noticed that there is a bit of tension between the premier and myself as we were landing these things, he said. Thats what a good treasurer does. Youve got to have creative tension, or you dont create anything. Allan said on Monday that the three most difficult jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic had been premier, health minister and treasurer. She also singled out the fact mRNA vaccine leaders Moderna and BioNTech had set up manufacturing and research facilities in Melbourne as one of Pallas achievements. Pallas is Victorias longest-serving standalone treasurer. Henry Bolte managed the states finances for longer, but performed the role alongside his duties as premier.

Before entering parliament, Pallas was chief of staff to then-premier Steve Bracks. On Monday, Bracks said Pallas could retire from politics watching as key projects from his time as treasurer opened to the public, including the Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel and the new Footscray Hospital. That is the biggest, longest-lasting legacy that he will leave the state. It will be better off, better connected and much more liveable. That is a pretty good legacy to leave, Bracks said. In a probe of the states reports for the past financial year, the Victorian Auditor-Generals Office said there was no clear plan for long-term fiscal management as government departments and agencies incurred another operating loss. Pallas defended Labors economic record and said the states economy had doubled over 14 years, showing Victoria had enormous capacity to grow its way out of its large debt profile while avoiding austerity.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto said Pallas legacy would be one of enormous debt of which Victorians would be paying the price for decades to come. Loading He said the byelection would be a tough contest, but hoped it would be a referendum on the Allan governments neglect. Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said Pallas had been a key partner in encouraging economic growth. His open-door relationship with the Victorian chamber has allowed for honest and constructive conversations aimed at achieving the best outcomes for our state, he said.
The Britannic Explorer will offer four- and five-day itineraries covering beautiful stretches in Cornwall, Snowdonia and the Lake District. Stepping onto one of our trains is like stepping onto a movie set, says Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains and Cruises at Belmond. Its a very special environment; passengers can make of it what they want. Best of British So what can the lover of luxury train travel look forward to in the months ahead? Belmond itself, the company that with its launch in 1982 of the lovingly-resorted Venice Simplon-Orient-Express pioneered the revival of luxury train travel, recently unveiled its own contribution to the new age in the form of the Britannic Explorer.

The Britannic Explorer has a bar car playing on the timeless charm of Victorian apothecaries. This new train, scheduled to commence services next July, incorporates a brighter take on the genre with lighter shades of oak, a bar car playing on the timeless charm of Victorian apothecaries and fine-dining experiences crafted by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan. With four- and five-day itineraries covering scenic stretches in Cornwall, Snowdonia and the Lake District (including the glorious Settle-Carlisle run), the Britannic Explorer will break new ground for luxury sleeper train travel in England and Wales and is likely to be a worthy companion for Belmonds hugely popular Royal Scotsman offering north of the border. Bella Italia La Dolce Vita Orient Express has a contemporary interior design inspired by Italy in the 1960s.

In April next year comes La Dolce Vita Orient Express, a radical departure from the vintage 1920s model. Here, the aesthetic will have a much more contemporary feel based on the style and exuberance of Italy in the 1960s. Design components will incorporate wood-beamed ceilings, vibrant hues of orange, terracotta and purple and smoked mirrors. The initial launch will feature two trains  from a projected total of six over the next three years  offering a number of itineraries exclusively within Italy. These will venture to some of the countrys most sensual and sensational locations, including Rome, Venice, Portofino, Tuscany and Palermo. Think longer trips with time to explore, truffles and late-night storytelling, menus artfully curated by Heinz Beck (also of Michelin pedigree). Forget Hercule Poirot, the spirits you are more likely to encounter on this train are those of Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. A Roman Holiday meets La Dolce Vita. Eastern promise The boom in luxury train travels highlights the growing demand for travelling more mindfully and sustainably. Another new train, another motif. The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, slated to launch next September, will see a significant expansion of the routes currently being operated by the groups flagship train, the Golden Eagle, through the territories that were formerly key staging posts on the ancient Silk Road trading route linking East and West. Welcome to Tashkent and Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara and much more beyond, all the way into China opening up the cultural riches of Beijing and Xian and, in one departure, the treasures of Tibet.

Reflecting the exotic nature of these generally much longer journeys the new train will have an opulent feel with a pale blue, crimson and gold exterior, interiors adorned with Eastern art pieces and larger suites fitted with bathtubs. The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express: opulence at every corner. What we provide is luxury adventure travel, says the companys founder Tim Littler. People are looking for special once-in-a-lifetime experiences and to visit in comfort countries they probably wouldnt get to on their own. From the interiors to the food, every aspect of the the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express is luxurious. Littler has his sights set on further dramatic new departures and tantalisingly floats the idea of a future train journey from Shanghai to Saigon.

A Nordic adventure One new departure scheduled for 2026 is the Norient Express, a Norwegian venture that as ever plays on the Orient Express theme (the clue is in the name), but which will be a very different offering. Interiors on this train (or rather two trains) will feature plush furnishings fashioned and crafted out Norwegian materials and there will be gym and observation car; you may even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights as the train winds its way south from Bergen to Oslo before turning and heading north to Trondheim. Another USP here is the fact that the trains will be electrically-powered. Of course. All very Scandi. These developments dont come out of nowhere. The growth of the luxury train market has been developing apace over the past two decades with Belmond launching the Andean Explorer in Peru and refining its Eastern & Oriental Express offering in Malaysia. The Danube Express  now owned by Golden Eagle  has been another addition to the mix. Japans Seven Stars Kyushu launched in 2013. Further afield, the Seven Stars Kyushu  the first luxury sleeper train in Japan  has been almost completely sold out since its launch in 2013 while the Maharajas Express and Deccan Odyssey luxury trains in India have turned more than a few turbans.

But is there room for so many new players in this very top-end niche of the market? Simon Pielow, co-founder of the Luxury Train Club, believes so: In the past luxury train travel was seen as the preserve of an older demographic, but the market is opening up to a younger set, people who perhaps werent aware that this kind of travel was possible and the train operators are now clearly targeting this group. Loading In addition to the new trains themselves, Pielow points to the constantly-improving standard of accommodation on board  the trend being for all en-suite, larger cabins and ever-grander suites and the consistent refinements in the culinary offerings. Off-train excursions are also being adapted to give passengers more choice and for those that want it, the chance to engage very actively with their surroundings. That could involve taking part in bread-making rituals in Kyrgyzstan, delving into the ancient rainforest of Taman Negara, or even, in the case of one Royal Scotsman excursion, a spot of commando-style training in the Scottish Highlands.
Bali: A key member of Indonesias parliamentary justice committee has strongly criticised the decision to allow the remaining members of the Bali Nine to return to Australia, saying the deal goes against his own nations laws.

Andreas Hugo Pareira, the deputy head of the committee, said the deals struck with Australia and the Philippines to allow prisoners to return has set bad precedents and could be used in the future on the whim of whoever happened to be in power.

The five men were whisked from Bali to Darwin on Sunday in an operation so top secret that even Michael Czugaj and Martin Stephens, who were being held in Java, initially thought they were only being transferred to another prison, according to Indonesian government spokesman Ahmad Usmarwi Kaffah.

Martin Stephens, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen look on as Australia and Indonesia sign an agreement for their return home. Credit:

While the deal had been brewing for weeks, the speed at which it finally happened caught many in both countries by surprise.
THE HAGUE:--- On December 6, 2024, a delegation led by Harlec Doran, Chairman of the Social Economic Council (SER) of Sint Maarten, made an introductory visit to the SER in The Hague. The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Kim Putters, Chairman of the SER of the Netherlands. This meeting marked another significant step toward reestablishing the close collaboration between the two advisory bodies, originally initiated in 2012 by Rene A. Richardson, the first Chairman of SER Sint Maarten, and Alexander Rinnooy Kan, then Chairman of SER Netherlands.

The visit followed a 16-month period of inactivity for the SER Sint Maarten, stemming from delays with the appointments of the members due to a prolonged dispute with an employer organization and consultations with the government and the International Labor Organization (ILO). During his presentation in The Hague, Mr. Doran provided a transparent account of the challenges facing SER Sint Maarten. Chairman Putters reiterated his commitment to supporting SER Sint Maarten, emphasizing the importance of solution-oriented dialogue and the strengthening of SER legislation to ensure the Boards continued ability to fulfill its legislative mandate to the country and the people of Sint Maarten.

The Chairman was accompanied by Acting Secretary-General/Senior Policy Advisor,

drs. Sharon Arnell who also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the secretariats. "The working relationship is vital for SER Sint Maarten, said Arnell. With decades of experience, the SER model of the Netherlands brings a wealth of knowledge and best practices that can strengthen SER Sint Maartens advisory role and its task to the government and Parliament of the country. "The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation and maintaining dialogue on key issues, including employer representation on the Board of SER Sint Maarten. The delegation of SER Sint Maarten consisted of Chairman Harlec Doran, Vice Chairman Judensy Coffie, independent expert Leonie Bryson, and Acting Secretary-General/Senior Policy Advisor Dr. Sharon Arnell. The SER, a cornerstone in Sint Maartens legislative process, resumed its activities a few months back in August of this year. The SER finds it important to provide an account of the status of the requested advice received last year. The advisory body is currently working on and has finalized several important legislative topics:

Public Transportation and Bus Tariffs: Finalized advice on amendments to the draft national decree from the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication. Awaiting submission to the government.

Amendment of the Civil Code Book 7, Title 10, addressing temporary employment contracts and employment status. Finalized advice. The Board has set deliberations for the first quarter of 2025.

Introductory of Visitors Tax on Sint Maarten: Finalized advice on the introduction of a visitors tax. The Board has set deliberations for the first quarter of 2025.

Early Childhood Development Funding: Currently in deliberations by the Board, the advice was requested by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport.

Sustainable Affordable Access to Health Care Act (SAAHA): draft advice currently gathering updated data.

Despite significant progress in recent months, the SER has encountered challenges due to the absence of a national decree for its chairman. This decree, mandated under Article 21, Paragraph 1, of the National Ordinance Social Economic Council (AB 2023 no. 38), is a prerequisite for the chairman to formally sign off on advisory reports. The SER eagerly anticipates the issuance of the national decree for Chairman Doran, a step that will streamline the advisory process and enable timely delivery of recommendations to the government and Parliament of Sint Maarten.

Pictured from left to right: Judensy Coffie, vice chairman SER Sint Maarten, Prof. Dr. Kim Putters, chairman SER Netherlands, Harlec Doran, chairman SER Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In a riveting speech at the InterExpo in The Hague on Dec. 12th, the president of the Sint Maarten Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot reminded her audience why 70 years later in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the contentious issue of the very real democratic deficit continues to cloud the relationship in the constellation of the 4 Dutch countries.

From the very beginning, this document while heralding a new relationship for the then partners (Netherlands, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles) was lopsided, the MP opined.

For St. Maarten, since becoming a self-governing state in the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, it is firstly up to us and then in partnership with the others to demand our rightful position in this constellation, based on the base document that keeps this relationship together, namely the 1954 Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the MP continued. Not only in words, but also in deeds.

We are a developing state and a very small one at that.

If one had to put the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in todays context, it would ideally be full internal self-government in a sovereign (voluntary) association, MP Wescot further alluded.

While it is important to reflect on the historical developments that led to the Charter, the overarching question is whether it serves us, the participants of today, and -for the duration of that relationship- whether it benefits the people whom we serve.

Where that is not the case, are we willing to make the necessary changes, whether by changes to the Charter, undoing it of the old dogmas, or new agreements on the basis of the Charter, the President of Parliament asked her audience? At the conference in The Hague?

The MPs speech centered around three main issues: The democratic deficit in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the notion that there are four equal partners in the Kingdom; some of the proposed solutions, the dispute regulation, and

thirdly, the right to development, as per the United Nations, is an inalienable right of all people, based on their level of development.

The previous Rutte IV cabinet of the Netherlands explicitly acknowledged this democratic deficit in their coalition agreement, committing to work towards enhancing the Caribbean nations' proportional involvement in decision-making processes related to Kingdom legislation.

Furthermore, during the recent IPKO meetings in June, leaders from the Kingdom's four parliaments reaffirmed their commitment to tackle the democratic deficit by acknowledging that there exists a democratic deficit within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

And that the possibilities for democratic decision-making outlined in the Statute have yet to be fully utilized.

The four parliaments also admitted that on the government level, there has been little progress with the democratic deficit and the long overdue Kingdom conference.

The June IPKO called for urgent progress in reducing the democratic deficit.

In this light, I view some of the actions by the Dutch/Kingdom government as counterproductive. While I observe these actions towards all the Dutch Caribbean states, I highlighted, for example, the recent statement by the Dutch State Secretary regarding Transparency International as counterproductive in my speech.

The MP also expressed her displeasure that there is still no dispute regulation that, according to the Charter, should be in place. Thats imperative. But I have hope that the latest draft will make it through the process.

The Democratic Party will continue to champion a decision regarding the Democratic Deficit to create a more level playing field, a Kingdom conference where parties will have to express their position on remaining as a constellation of 4 nations, with respect for each other and for the partnership.

Finally, there are dispute regulations for disputes between the Kingdom and the countries (constituent parts).

Moving forward, it is imperative that we work collaboratively to shrink the democratic deficit and establish a more representative system for all parts of the Kingdom. The need for effective representation and democracy is vital for the prosperity of our nations and the well-being of our citizens, MP.

Wescot concluded.

For further information or the MPs full speech, please get in touch with MP Sarah A. Wescot-Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via phone/WhatsApp at +1721-528-6001 or Claudine Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To schedule an interview, please get in touch with Claudine Williams.
French Quarter:--- The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the free, holiday-themed launch for 1, 2, 3 St. Martin! The new coloring book stars local wildlife and the numbers 1, 2, and 3. The festive launch event will be held this Saturday, December 21, from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis. Kids and adults will enjoy free holiday crafts, including decorating cookies and wood ornaments in the shapes of our island wildlife. Free copies of the new book will be given away at the event, and light refreshments will be served.

1, 2, 3 St. Martin! features easy-to-color art of the numbers 1, 2, and 3, paired with one, two or three St. Martin animals. The association created the new book in response to the requests of early education teachers for a St. Martin coloring book with simple illustrations for the very young.

1, 2, 3 St. Martin! is our first Color, Learn & Count book! said author Jenn Yerkes. It helps little ones learn the numbers 1, 2, and 3, while they have fun counting local land and sea animals.

Its a great way for little kids to begin connecting with the natural heritage of their island, said Mark Yokoyama, co-founder of Les Fruits de Mer. Plus it makes a fun holiday gift, added Yerkes. So pass by and get a free copy at the Amuseum this Saturday morning!

Free copies of 1, 2, and 3 St. Martin! will be given away at the launch, thanks to Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin. Festive art activities, cookie decorating, and refreshments will be offered thanks to event sponsor Delta Petroleum. The free event will be held on Saturday, December 21st, at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in the French Quarter from 9 am to noon.

The new book is also available for free download from http://lesfruitsdemer.com and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of 1, 2, 3 St. Martin! will also be given to local schools as part of Les Fruits de Mers book program. This project is supported by Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivite de Saint-Martin, and by Fondation Air France. 1, 2, 3 St. Martin! was produced with support from Vie Associative, the Collectivite de Saint-Martin, and the Agence nationale de la cohesion des territoires, and from Fondation Air France.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:--- The One St. Martin Association (One SXM) participated in the consultation of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent (PFPAD) on December 12, said Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, president of One SXM.

The meeting in Barbados focused on the draft declaration on the human rights of people of African descent. It was a packed and impactful day of discussions, said Arrindell.

According to June Soomer, Chair of the Permanent Forum, the meeting marked the first public consultation on the draft declaration.

In her opening address, Soomer acknowledged attendees who had been laying the groundwork for decades. These included Barbados Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong; Epsy Campbell, former Vice President of Costa Rica; Pastor Murillo Martinez, lawyer, Minister Plenipotentiary and Itinerant Ambassador of the Peoples; and other PFPAD board members.

Hillary Brown, Program Manager for the Caribbean Reparations Commission, was credited for ensuring that the CARICOM heads of Government are kept abreast of the developments within the forum.

Campbell, the PFPAD chair during its 2022-2024 term, urged participants to consider land rights and all the issues of reparations in their deliberations.

Murillo Martinez said that the declaration would be the first universal instrument to consolidate the individual and collective human rights of people of African descent.

The issues the delegates worked on were grouped under four themes: 1  Recognizing and addressing systemic and structural racism; 2  Reparatory justice for histories and legacies of colonialism, enslavement, apartheid, and genocide; 3  Collective rights for people of African descent (as distinct peoples with their own cultural, historical, and social identities); 4  Sustainable development and increasing equality within and among countries.

Arrindell reminded delegates to consider the human rights violations of still colonized peoples in the Caribbean. What also stood out for me was the emphasis on declaring that we are  a people, and the insistence on the respect, protection, and full rights of people of African descent worldwide, said Arrindell.

The PFPAD invitation extended to the One St. Martin Association allows a St. Martin voice to participate in this important global conversation and enables St. Martin people and organizations to be part of ongoing actions and the related evolving changes that will occur over time, said Dr. Arrindell.
PHILIPSBURG:--- An estimated 66,000 endangered smuggled eels worth over USD 30,000 were seized from a vessel in Philipsburg by the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, and Customs early this month. Officials from both Sint Maarten and the Dominican Republic, where the vessel departed, have begun working in close cooperation to identify, intercept, and return the smuggled eels to their place of origin.

On December 5, the Coast Guard carried out controls on a transporter vessel from the Dominican Republic and alerted the Nature Foundation to the presence of over 25 boxes of live eels on board, which were not identified by species and did not have an import permit. As the authority for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Sint Maarten, the Nature Foundation quickly communicated with the CITES authority of the Dominican Republic, who connected them with CODOPESCA, the countrys national fishery authority. CODOPESCA identified the species as the endangered American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and confirmed that the Dominican-issued documents presented by the crew were fraudulent and incorrect, constituting an illegal operation.

Two representatives from CODOPESCA flew in from the Dominican Republic to assist with a full seizure on December 6. During the confiscation, thousands of live eels, an oxygen tank, and related equipment were confiscated and released into the Nature Foundations care. The eels, totaling 9.48 kilograms (20.7 pounds), were kept alive through the weekend by CODOPESCAs aquatic specialist and a rotating team of Nature Foundation staff, until they were shipped back to the Dominican Republic via air cargo on December 9. They will be carefully monitored before being released into the countrys freshwater and estuarine ecosystems.

While the crew of eight was permitted to leave the island without additional prosecution, the CODOPESCA authorities warned local officials that Sint Maarten is a likely hotspot for trafficking due to its minimal entry and exit regulations for wildlife and animal products. The poaching, smuggling, and sale of Anguilla rostrata is widespread across the Caribbean. Generally, the eels are caught illegally in their native range of Hispaniolan rivers, from which they are then smuggled to East Asian aquiculture operations through various airports and harbors, such as those on Sint Maarten, to be grown until they can be harvested.

While we are very proud of this joint accomplishment and the level of coordination displayed by all parties, this situation highlights a serious issue that has gone under the radar here, stated the Nature Foundation. Based on past and ongoing conversations with international authorities, we believe that illegal wildlife trafficking  not just for eels but other species as well - is severely underreported in Sint Maarten. The need for more stringent trading regulations and intensive agent training has been made very clear by this incident.

The international capture of Anguilla rostrata has soared in recent years and resulted in the species overexploitation and subsequent IUCN Red List Endangered status, driven by high demand in the food market in various East Asian countries. International prohibitions and depleted fish stocks involving the European and Japanese eel species have resulted in importers turning to the lesser-protected American eel, creating an illicit market in the Caribbean. Valued between USD 3,250 and USD 3,950 per kilogram, the shipment was likely upwards of USD 37,000 during the holiday season, according to the CODOPESCA authorities.

While Sint Maarten officials and CODOPESCA will begin working in closer cooperation to intercept and reduce eel trafficking activities, community support is critical. Observers of any suspicious activity around marinas, warehouses, or cargo areas are encouraged to report potential wildlife trafficking activity immediately. Call the Coast Guard at 913 or send them a WhatsApp at +5999 5100913, and let the Nature Foundation know as well via WhatsApp at (+1) 721-581-6365.
Growing up in India, Jasbir Singh had read about Christmas festivities but had never seen the holiday being practiced. On December 25th in his village, life continued as if it was just another day.

From his school readings, he knew of the gift exchanges  these reminded him of Diwali  as well as the practice of chopping down and decorating Christmas trees. Much to his fascination, he discovered the fabled lore of Santa Claus, a jolly and very generous man who despite his stature, apparently slid down all the chimneys of the world in order to gift all the (good) children of the world with annual rewards. And, he did it all while riding a magic flying sleigh.

Back in India, Christmas was an exotic and remote celebration for Jasbir, but now that he is living in Canada along with his young family, he has, like most newcomers, adapted and embraced Christmas as a family celebration.

Each year Jasbir and his family set-up and decorate their Christmas tree that occupies a coveted corner in his living room. On the mantle, his wife hangs stockings one for each family member, including his parents who also live in the multi-generational home. And of course, the Singh family wraps and exchanges presents, each tucked away beneath the tree until Christmas morning when the kids rouse everyone for the much-anticipated day.

Real Canadian Superstore has been a favourite holiday shopping destination for Jasbir. Given the vast selection of merchandise appealing to all Canadians - Real Canadian Superstore is an easy one-stop choice for gift purchases, decor, food and more! Like other parents of younger kids, Jasbir and his wife know their kids would love to receive Lego sets like the LEGO Speed Champions Audi S1 or the LEGO Flowers Cherry Blossoms. Jasbirs daughter, who collects Barbies, has already hinted to her father that she would like Santa to add to her collection with items like the Holiday Barbie Doll.

For his wife and mother, both of whom are foodies at heart, Jasbir knows they appreciate packaged foods that can be shared across the household, such as fine PC  French Roast coffees, Indian-inspired snacks like PC  Mini Poppadoms, treats like cocoa dusted PC Cocoa Dusted Truffles or PC  Chocholate Sea Shell Hazelnut Pralines, or even the exotic flavours of other cultures around the world PC  Chicken Kao Soi. Above all, Jasbir knows the flavours and tastes he grew up with are readily available in-store at Real Canadian Superstore, making the festivities memorable for the whole family.

And for his parents, Jasbir knows what they will want: warm apparel options that help them keep snug through the frigid and snowy Canadian winters that they are still slowly becoming accustomed to. Real Canadian Superstore is the perfect place to find these items, in a one-stop-shop.

And of course, while holiday gift shopping, the Singh family is also able to complete their weekly grocery shop while simultaneously browsing for new Christmas decorative ideas and displays that promise to further add to the holiday spirit in their household.

With more ways to save than any other major grocer such as collecting PC Optimum points to save towards future purchases, or even buying Club Sized items, Jasbir doesnt have to break the bank to create a festive celebration the whole family will love.Christmas is a Canadian celebration that we have grown to love, said Jasbir. My children love putting up the tree, drinking hot cocoa, and of course receiving presents. My parents are enjoying the holiday season too, especially how everything slows down and the family comes together.

Spending less time shopping around multiple stores, and more time enjoying unique family traditions is what makes this holiday season extra special - no matter how it's celebrated! Whether its Diwali, or any of the various cultural traditions with deep meaning and history celebrated around the world, Real Canadian Superstore has food items and more at legendary value for legendary celebrations!

For more information on all the holiday offerings available at Real Atlantic Superstore for this Christmas season please go to atlanticsuperstore.ca.
Taiwan receives first batch of US-made Abrams tanks



Taipei, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Taiwan has received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States, the defence ministry said Monday, as the island boosts its military capabilities against a potential Chinese attack.

Washington has long been Taipei's most important ally and biggest arms supplier -- angering Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.

The M1A2 tanks -- the first batch of 108 ordered in 2019 -- arrived in Taiwan late Sunday and were transferred to an army training base in Hsinchu, south of the capital Taipei, the defence ministry said.

Abrams tanks, which are among the heaviest in the world, are a mainstay of the US military.

The M1A2s are the first new tanks to be delivered to Taiwan in 30 years, the semi-official Central News Agency said.

Taiwan's current tank force consists of around 1,000 Taiwan-made CM 11 Brave Tiger and US-made M60A3 tanks, technology that is increasingly obsolete.

The government previously allocated the equivalent of more than $1.2 billion for the 108 Abrams.

Taiwan faces the constant threat of an invasion by China, which has refused to rule out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

While it has a home-grown defence industry and has been upgrading its equipment, Taiwan relies heavily on US arms sales to bolster its security capabilities.

Taiwan requested the state-of-the-art M1A2 tanks in 2019. The rest of the order is expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026, an army official told AFP.

While US arms supplies to Taiwan are enshrined into law, a massive backlog caused by Covid-19 supply chain disruptions and US weapons shipments to Ukraine and Israel have slowed deliveries to Taiwan.

The backlog now exceeds $21 billion, according to Washington think tank Cato Institute.

Taiwan would be massively outgunned in terms of troop numbers and firepower in any war with China and in recent years has increased spending on its military.

Taipei allocated a record $19 billion for 2024 and next year's budget is set to hit a new high, as it seeks to bolster a more agile defence approach.

China has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, regularly deploying fighter jets and warships around the island.

Taiwanese authorities said last week that China had held its biggest maritime drills in years, with around 90 ships deployed from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea.

The vessels simulated attacks on foreign ships and practised blockading sea routes, a Taiwan security official said previously.
US warship docks in Cambodia amid China naval base concerns



Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



A US warship docked in Cambodia on Monday, just kilometres away from a Chinese-renovated naval base, in the first American military port call to one of Beijing's closest regional allies in eight years.

Washington's relationship with Phnom Penh has been deteriorating for years, with China pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure investment under Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen.

AFP reporters saw Cambodian navy personnel welcoming the USS Savannah's arrival to the southern port city of Sihanoukville on Monday.

The US ship's commanding officer Daniel A. Sledz said "it is great to be back, returning US presence here after eight years", adding that his crew were "very pleased" to be hosted by Cambodia.

Cambodia's defence ministry said on Friday that the five-day visit aims to "strengthen and expand friendship" and "promote bilateral cooperation".

Since 2022, China has been funding the renovation of the Ream naval base, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Sihanoukville, which was originally built partly using US funds.

Washington has said the Ream base could give Beijing a key strategic position in the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.

Cambodian leaders have repeatedly denied that the base is for use by any foreign power.

Chinese warships first docked at the 363-metre (1,190-foot) pier in December last year. Two berthed at Sihanoukville port in May as part of Beijing's biggest joint military drills with Cambodia.

The Chinese military unveiled machine gun-equipped "robodogs" this year at the annual joint exercises, known as the "Golden Dragon" drills.

In early 2017, Cambodia scrapped similar joint exercises with US forces that had been held for the previous seven years.

Cambodia's defence ministry said 27 US navy vessels have visited the nation since 2007, although the USS Savannah's visit with 103 crew members was the first docking in eight years.

The ship's senior officers will meet with the Ream base's commander.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia in June to reset ties with the staunch China ally.

Cambodia's foreign minister Prak Sokhonn and the US embassy's Bridgette Walker last week hailed the "reinvigoration" of military ties between the two countries.
Norway donates $240 mn to Ukraine's navy



Oslo, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Norway will provide 2.7 billion kroner ($240 million) to strengthen the Ukrainian navy to help it deter Russian forces in the Black Sea, the Norwegian government said Monday.

"Ukraine needs more support to deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea in the time ahead. It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russia's Black Sea Fleet," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.

"It is also important to protect exports by sea of grain and other products, which generate crucial revenues for Ukraine," Store added.

According to the government, 100 million kroner had previously been earmarked for maritime training and other measures in 2025 and it had now approved a new package worth 2.6 billion kroner.

The support will include donations from the Norwegian Armed Forces as well as military equipment procured from the industry for donation, according to the government.

"Mines pose a significant threat to maritime security and safe passage in the Black Sea, and mine clearance operations are very difficult," Minister of Defence Bjorn Arild Gram, said.

"The systems we are providing will enhance the ability of Ukrainian forces to detect and defuse mines along their coastline," Gram added.

Norway and the UK are leading the Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine -- launched in December 2023 -- and the new support package was announced as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Norway on Monday.
NATO chief to hold Ukraine talks with Zelensky, European leaders



Brussels, Belgium, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



NATO chief Mark Rutte will hold talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders Wednesday, the alliance said, as Kyiv's backers seek to strengthen its hand before Donald Trump takes power in the United States.

"The Secretary General will meet with President Zelensky on Wednesday. A number of European leaders are in Brussels for the European Council meeting and some of them may join to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine, in particular air defence," a NATO official said Monday.

European officials said that leaders expected to attend included French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish leader Donald Tusk and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The meeting comes as Ukraine's European allies have begun discussing the possibility of stationing foreign troops in Ukraine in case of a ceasefire with Russia.

US President-elect Trump has vowed to push for a quick deal to halt the fighting when he assumes office in January.

That has sparked fears in Kyiv and Europe that Ukraine could be pushed to make big concessions to Moscow after nearly three years of battling the Kremlin's invasion.

For now, officials insist that discussions on any settlement remain premature -- and Rutte has urged them not to debate possible peace conditions in public as it risks playing into Russia's hands.

Moscow insists it is sticking to its goals in Ukraine and is currently making advances on the front line against Ukraine's fatigued forces.

"There has to be peace in order to send peacekeepers, and Russia does not want peace," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday in Brussels.

"That is very clear."

Zelensky on Thursday is then set to attend a summit with the EU's 27 leaders.
Philippines ratifies key defence pact with Japan



Manila, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



The Philippines ratified on Monday a key defence pact with Japan, which allows them to deploy troops on each other's soil as they boost ties to bolster against China's growing pressure.

Both countries are longtime allies of the United States, which has been strengthening an arc of alliances to deter China's disputed territorial claims in the Pacific.

The pact -- which also allows for increased joint combat drills -- was ratified by the Philippine senate with no negative votes or abstentions, Senate President Francis Escudero said.

Lawmakers in Tokyo will also need to vote through the treaty before it takes effect, Japan's embassy said.

"Ratifying the Agreement further affirms the strategic partnership between the two countries and their mutual goal to enhance contribution to regional and international peace, security and stability," the senate said in a statement.

"The Agreement will expand the defense cooperation of the Philippines and Japan in the maritime domain amid shared security challenges."

Negotiators from both countries finished brokering the pact in July, after seven months of talks.

Whilst Japan invaded the Philippines during World War II, nowadays they have common military ties to the United States and are increasingly at loggerheads with China.

Japan hosts around 54,000 American troops but clashes with China over the ownership of islands, controlled by Tokyo, in the East China Sea.

Filipino and Chinese vessels regularly clash around a disputed shoal Beijing seized from Manila in 2012.

Between Japan and the Philippines, Taiwan has increasingly become a flashpoint. Beijing claims the self-ruled island in full and has not ruled out using force to back its rhetoric.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in trade passes annually, and has brushed off an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
Scholz says Germany needs 'massive' investment, especially in defence



Berlin, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday said Germany needs "massive" investment, especially in defence, as he prepared for a confidence vote expected to pave the way to snap elections.

"It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany," Scholz said in a speech to parliament ahead of the vote, which he has called after the collapse of his coalition last month.

"Today a highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours' flight from here," he said in reference to Russia's war in Ukraine. "We must invest massively in our security and defence."

The German armed forces had been "in a deplorable state" until his announcement of a special 100-billion-euro ($105 billion) defence fund after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he added.

Scholz's government, a three-way coalition between his Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the pro-business FDP, had been plagued by deep discord on spending in Europe's largest economy.

Scholz ended the stalemate in November by sacking finance minister Christian Lindner, from the FDP, leading to the collapse of the coalition.

Scholz on Monday called for a reform of Germany's so-called debt brake, which limits state borrowing to 0.35 percent of GDP -- a constitutional rule that had been fiercely defended by Lindner.

Scholz said that reforming the debt brake would decide "the question of whether and how our country will invest: powerfully and decisively or in a fussy and despondent manner".

"Everything else depends on this question: our security, our future prosperity, the competitiveness of our economy, good work and education, and, last but not least, social cohesion in the country," he said.
Israeli army says sirens sound after missile launch from Yemen



Tel Aviv, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



The Israeli military said sirens sounded across central Israel on Monday as it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

"One missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the military said in a statement.

An AFP journalist reported that sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, the main commercial hub.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said it had not received any calls about any casualties from the missile interception.

Earlier on Monday, an Israeli navy missile boat intercepted a drone in the Mediterranean after it was launched from Yemen, the military said.

The Iran-backed Huthis have launched several attacks against Israel from Yemen since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago.

The Huthi rebels say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

On December 9, a drone claimed by Huthis exploded on the top floor of a residential building in the central Israel city of Yavne, causing no casualties.

In July, a Huthi drone attack in Tel Aviv killed an Israeli civilian, prompting retaliatory strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The Huthis, who control most of Yemen's population centres, have also frequently targeted ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
N. Korea involvement in Ukraine a 'dangerous expansion' of conflict: US, allies



Washington, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Ten countries and the European Union called North Korea's growing involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine a "dangerous expansion" on Monday, in a joint statement released by the United States.

Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to reinforce Russia's war effort, including to the Kursk border region, where both Ukraine and the United States say North Korean forces have suffered casualties.

"Direct DPRK support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security," the statement said, referring to North Korea by an abbreviation for its official name.

The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and the high representative of the European Union signed the release.

They also said that they were "deeply concerned about any political, military, or economic support that Russia may be providing to the DPRK's illegal weapons programs, including weapons of mass destruction."

On Monday, the US Treasury Department unveiled sanctions on nine people and seven entities over their provision of financial and military support to North Korea, including the Golden Triangle Bank and Korea Mandal Credit Bank.

Among those targeted for providing military support was Ri Chang Ho, a general said to be accompanying North Korean troops deployed to Russia.

The US State Department also imposed sanctions on three parties with ties to North Korea's ballistic missile program.

"These actions reflect the DPRK's escalating provocation and hostile military posturing that exacerbate global tensions and destabilize regional peace and security," said the US Treasury Department.



- Casualties in Kursk -



North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defense pact between Pyongyang and Moscow signed in June came into force earlier this month.

Experts say the nuclear-armed North's leader, Kim Jong Un, is keen to acquire advanced technology from Russia and battle experience for his troops.

Signatories of Monday's joint statement said they "condemn in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation," including the "deployment of DPRK troops to Russia for use on the battlefield against Ukraine."

They added that the export of ballistic missiles, artillery shells and other military materiel by Pyongyang to Russia as well as Moscow's training of North Korean soldiers involving arms "represent flagrant violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions."

"We urge the DPRK to cease immediately all assistance for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops," the statement said.

The United States and South Korea have accused the North of sending more than 10,000 soldiers, and the Pentagon said Monday that Pyongyang's forces have entered combat in Kursk alongside Russian forces, suffering casualties.

"We do have indications that they have suffered casualties... both killed and wounded," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists.

Ukraine meanwhile said Monday that its troops killed or wounded at least 30 North Korean soldiers in Kursk over the weekend.
U.S. boy arrested for killing 4 family members

Xinhua) 14:55, December 16, 2024

HOUSTON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A teen boy killing four family members was arrested and charged with murder in the U.S. state of New Mexico, authorities said on Sunday.

Diego Leyva, 16, was detained after he called 911 on Saturday morning and told the police that he had killed his family at their residence in Belen, New Mexico, according to the Valencia County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the quadruple homicide of his family, said the police.

When police officers arrived, Leyva walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated, local media reported.

Police then entered the residence and found four victims who appeared to have been shot dead.

It was later identified that the victims, aged from 14 to 42, were all family members of the teen suspect.

An investigation is underway.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Yemen's Huthi rebels fire missile toward Israel



Tel Aviv, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



The Israeli military said sirens sounded across central Israel on Monday as it intercepted a missile in an attack later claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels.

It was the last of several attacks launched by the Iran-backed Huthis against Israel from Yemen since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago.

"One missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the military said in a statement.

An AFP journalist reported that sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, the main commercial hub.

The Huthis later said they had "carried out a military operation targeting a military target of the Israeli enemy in the occupied area of Yaffa", a reference to the Tel Aviv area.

The group, which controls most of Yemen's population centres including its capital Sanaa, added the "operation had successfully achieved its objectives".

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said it had not received any calls about any casualties from the missile interception.

Earlier on Monday in a separate incident, an Israeli navy missile boat intercepted a drone in the Mediterranean after it was launched from Yemen, the military said.

The Huthi rebels say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

In their Monday statement, the Yemeni rebels said their "operations will not stop until the aggression on Gaza stops and the seige is lifted".

On December 9, a drone claimed by Huthis exploded on the top floor of a residential building in the central Israel city of Yavne, causing no casualties.

In July, a Huthi drone attack in Tel Aviv killed an Israeli civilian, prompting retaliatory strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The Huthis have also regularly targeted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, leading to retaliatory strikes on Huthi targets by United States and sometimes British forces.
Mali army says captured Islamic State group figure



Dakar, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Mali's army on Monday claimed it had captured a "top leader" in the Sahel branch of the Islamic State group and killed several fighters in an operation a day earlier in the east of the country.

The West African state is embroiled in a political, security and economic crisis, and has since 2012 been ravaged by different groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

In a statement, the Malian army said that units in Tagadeyate in the eastern Menaka region had on Sunday "captured Ahmad Ag Ditta, a top leader of the EIGS", referring to the French acronym of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.

It claimed Ditta was "responsible for a large number of violations and abuses of all kinds against innocent civilians, and the sponsor of attacks against the Malian armed forces".

The army said Sunday's operation "also led to the neutralisation of several EIGS fighters and the recovery of various military equipment, including numerous improvised explosive devices (IEDs)."

Since seizing power in back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the military has broken off its anti-jihadist alliance with France and European partners, while turning politically and militarily towards Russia.

Mali's junta pushed the UN stabilisation mission, MINUSMA, to leave the country last December amid deteriorating relations.

Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch condemned "atrocities" committed against civilians by Mali's army, the Russian mercenary group Wagner, and Islamist armed groups since the peacekeepers' withdrawal.
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
For all of those reasons, using all the channels that we have available, and those are diplomatic and of course intelligence-led channels, we seek to deal with HTS where we have to.
The letter also said: 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.
By the end of September 2024, there had been 10,138 same-sex marriages in Scotland  with Registrar General Alison Byrne, also the chief executive of National Records of Scotland, sending her congratulations to all the couples who are shortly to celebrate their 10th anniversaries having been among the first to marry under the new law.
His lawyers also argued that there was evidence that it was difficult for a Chinese national involved in business to avoid any contact with the CCP and that material related to his relationship with Andrew had to be read in the context of an advisor writing to someone who had been loyal to the Duke in difficult times.
All of that work is still to be done. What we are marking today through the work of our own commission is the considerable work that has been done so far. But thats not, by no means, the totality, much less the end of the story. And thats where the role of the Irish government in particular is really, really important. We believe it to be a reasonable and responsible position that the Dublin government now needs to lead by example.
There are no alternative bids on the table and this is proving to be one of the most complicated takeovers in years, which suggests shareholders might be ready to take the money and move on

Russ Mould, AJ Bell
Google employs more than 29,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 56 offices across 35 countries in those regions working on many of the firms largest products, including its search engine, the Android mobile operating system and its Chrome web browser.
Responding, a spokesperson for Irish premier Simon Harris said: The Taoiseach will not be responding to personalised and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives.
But the big one is his association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein was charged with sex trafficking of minors but controversially committed suicide in prison before being convicted. Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking young girls. Shortly after Epstein died in prison in 2019, Andrew (who had known the pair since the 1990s) was implicated in an illegal alleged relationship with the then-underage Virginia Giuffre.
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Romania imports about 80% of its pork, being at the mercy of the big players on the European pork market, while the authorities do not offer any support to encourage Romanian pig farmers, Feliciu Paraschiv, vice-president of the National Association of Small and Medium-Sized Traders in Romania (ANCMMR), said on Monday at a specialized event, informs Agerpres.

"A few years ago we produced 50% of the meat we consumed. Now we only produce 20%. About 80% of pork is imported. So we are somehow at the mercy of the big players in the European pork market and we are surprised that, look, pork has become more expensive! Pork price has gone up! But we do nothing, we don't support producers in any way to start raising pigs again," mentioned Feliciu Paraschiv, at the debate "Back to the economy. How entrepreneurs see the year 2025", organized by CLCC Freedom of Trading and Communication Coalition

At the same time, he emphasized that in recent days, he has noticed that the price of specialties that Romanians traditionally eat on holidays have increased.

"I have noticed some price increases in the last few days in the specialties that Romanians traditionally eat on holidays, such as lebar (pork pate), sorici (pork rinds), toba (mix of pork jelly and aspic and various types of pork meat), pork head, but not only necessarily meat. We don't know what will happen. It's possible that in the last week before Christmas, the big players will raise prices. I know we're big consumers of pork and they may raise the price, somewhat artificially, in the last week or so, something that we'll see in citruses, too. We've noticed over the last 10 years that in the last week or in the last 10 days of the year, citruses, bananas, exotic imported fruits get more expensive. And here I think there is a phenomenon of "greedflation", so to speak, of greed, because importers know very well that Romanians, around the holidays, no longer have that stop button and they reach into their pockets and spend," added the vice-president of ANCMMR.
The General Mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, announced his intention to run for the presidential elections in 2025, informs Agerpres.

"We are at a turning point, the most difficult moment that Romania has had after the Revolution. The Romanians conveyed in the elections that we just had that there had been too much lying, that the politicians are pretending to solve their problems. There is a need for a fundamental change in the way the state responds to the citizens' expectations. (...) I announce that I intend to run for the presidential elections in 2025", said the general mayor of Bucharest on Monday in a press conference.
As of Friday, December 12, 2024, the Romanian Government is acting in blatant defiance of the Constitution. The first government meeting took place after the Constitutional Court's decision to annul the elections. The Government should have adopted the decision setting the timetable for the presidential elections or, at the very least, should have presented objective reasons why it cannot do so today and a deadline for fulfilling this obligation.

On December 6, immediately after the presidential elections were canceled, President Klaus Iohannis declared: "The new Romanian Government will set new dates on which the two rounds of the presidential election will be held. So, once again, the new Parliament is convened, the new government is elected, and the new Government sets when the presidential elections will be held in the new version."

That same evening, the Official Gazette published the reasoning of the CCR decision to annul the elections, a document which also contains the following paragraph: "The electoral process for the election of the President of Romania will be resumed in its entirety, the Government will set a new date for the election of the President of Romania, as well as a new timetable for the necessary actions. All these aspects include the setting up of new electoral offices, the re-submission of candidacies to be evaluated by the new Central Electoral Bureau and the conduct of a new fair and transparent electoral campaign, in accordance with constitutional principles and values."

The CCR judgment does not set a deadline for the procedure to be carried out by the Government, but this deadline is specified in Art. 147 para. (4) of the Constitution: "The decisions of the Constitutional Court shall be published in the Official Gazette of Romania. From the date of publication, the decisions shall be generally binding and shall have force only for the future". In other words, the obligation to adopt the Government Decision on the establishment of the presidential election timetable operates immediately, and there is no legal argument for leaving this operation to the future government.

Organizing elections on time and correctly is the essence of democracy. In the same way as respect for the rule of law, with its principle of loyalty in relations between the institutions, i.e. between elected representatives and voters, is also essential to democracy, including by respecting the erga omnes nature of the Constitutional Court's decisions.

The jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court has enshrined the importance of the general constitutional principle of loyal conduct, a principle deriving from the provisions of Art. 1 para. (4) of the Constitution and is guaranteed by para. (5) of the same constitutional article. The public authorities are primarily responsible for acting in accordance with the principle of loyalty, in relation to the values and principles of the Constitution, including the principle enshrined in Art. 147 para. (4) of the Constitution regarding the generally binding nature of the decisions of the Constitutional Court (Decision 924/2012).

Do the parties in the future government have time to negotiate positions but fail to agree on the election date? Hard to believe. Perhaps someone imagines that the solution to defuse the tension in society is to postpone the elections sine die, thus saving democracy by unconstitutionally suspending a democratic right. That person is dead wrong and risks convincing even more neutral voters that there are worse scenarios than electing a bizarre president.
The MVM Group, the second largest company in Hungary, signed an agreement on Monday to acquire the household and customer solutions division of E.ON in Romania, informs Agerpres.

According to the agreement, MVM will acquire a 68% stake in E.ON Energie Romania and a 98% stake in E.ON Asist Complet, a press release of the Hungarian group informs.

The transaction is expected to be finalized in 2025, after all the necessary approvals had been obtained from the competent authorities. The two companies have decided not to disclose the value of the transaction.

"Today [Monday, editor's note]'s step is an important stage for the regional expansion of the MVM Group. By acquiring a majority stake in E.ON Energie Romania, we are strengthening our position in Central and Eastern Europe, ensuring a solid base and continuity for our customers in Romania, who will continue to benefit from the highest quality services. Together with the management team of our future member companies, we aim to identify and capitalize on new synergies that will support the development of the Romanian market and strengthen the role of the MVM Group in the region. I am enthusiastic to work with our colleagues in Romania and I am confident that together we will build a successful future," Karoly Matrai, CEO of MVM Group, was quoted as saying in the press release.

The operational activities of E.ON Energie Romania and E.ON Asist Complet will continue to run as normal. The MVM Group aims to maintain the stability of the operations taken over and to contribute to their long-term development, the press release states.

"E.ON is constantly reviewing its portfolio to support its strategy focused on sustainability, digitalization and growth. The decision announced today is the result of a detailed analysis, which took into account the impact and dynamics of the changes in the energy sector on the E.ON Group's extended operations. This transaction will allow the company to focus on priority areas aligned with its objective to become a catalyst for the energy transition in Europe," said Marc Spieker, Chief Operating Officer - Commercial of E.ON SE.

This transaction is in line with the regional expansion strategy of the MVM Group, which is constantly pursuing business opportunities in Central and Eastern European markets. Through this regional expansion, the MVM Group intends to further strengthen the security of energy supply in the region.
Independent candidate Calin Georgescu on Monday challenged with the High Court of Cassation and Justice the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) to resume the presidential election, after the Constitutional Court of Romania annulled the results of the first round.

This is a trial in which Calin Georgescu and the Coalition for the Defence of the Rule of Law sued the BEC and several other institutions: the Ministry of Defence, the Defence General Staff, the Government, the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the Constitutional Court, the Romanian Intelligence Service, and also president Klaus Iohannis and the other presidential candidate who passed the first round of election, Elena Lasconi.

The main object of the file refers to the annulment of the decision of the Electoral Bureau, namely the BEC decisions no. 230D/2024, no. 231D/2024 and no. 232D/2024, which refer to the annulment of the entire electoral process and the resumption of the presidential election from scratch, based on the decision of the Constitutional Court.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, reiterated, on Monday, at the meeting of heads of diplomacy from EU member states, the importance of continuing multidimensional support for Ukraine, and welcomed the adoption of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, informs Agerpres.

According to the Foreign Ministry (MAE), the agenda of the meeting included the following topics: Russia's aggression against Ukraine, developments in Georgia, the situation in the Middle East and Syria, as well as the situation in Belarus. Also, during an informal breakfast, the Romanian minister participated in a discussion about ways to make the EU's foreign policy more efficient in the context of Kaja Kallas taking over, on December 1, the position of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Policy of Security and vice-president of the European Commission.

"The discussion on Russia's aggression against Ukraine emphasized the reiteration of the EU's firm message of support for Ukraine, at all levels, under the mandate of the new European Commission. Minister Luminita Odobescu reiterated the importance of continuing multidimensional support for Ukraine'', according to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to AGERPRES.

She welcomed the adoption of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, as well as a first set of listings within the sanctions regime regarding Russia's hybrid actions.

She emphasized that these listings represent a firm response of the EU to Russia's involvement in destabilizing neighboring partners and EU member states. She pointed out the importance of the EU using all available tools to counter the effects of disinformation and the hybrid campaign to strengthen the resilience of European democracies. She also supported the fastest possible unlocking of the European Peace Instrument/EPF, as well as the strengthening of the mandate of the EU Military Assistance Mission/EUMAM in order to better respond to the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces on the ground'', the MAE informs.

Regarding the situation in Georgia, the head of Romanian diplomacy expressed her disappointment at the interruption by the Georgian Government of the dialogue for EU accession. The Romanian minister expressed concern about the violent repression of the protests by the authorities and supported the adoption of a gradual approach in the EU's response to the developments in Tbilisi. She underscored the need for EU measures to be gradual, well-targeted and reversible in order not to affect the European aspirations of Georgians.

The discussions on the developments in the Middle East focused on the developments in Syria following the fall of the Assad dictatorial regime.

Minister Luminita Odobescu expressed her support for a free and prosperous future of Syria. She highlighted the need for a peaceful transfer of power, ensuring fundamental rights for all Syrians, including minorities. She pleaded for coordination with international (U.S., UK and UN) and regional partners regarding the future of Syria (Turkey and the Arab countries).

As to Lebanon, she expressed support for EU measures to facilitate the implementation of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, as well as Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council.

The Romanian foreign minister supported the resumption of the organization of the EU-Israel Association Council as quickly as possible.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, she reiterated her support for obtaining a new ceasefire agreement and the importance of implementing the two-state solution and strengthening the Palestinian Authority. Odobescu mentioned the most recent efforts of Romania in the humanitarian field, both in Gaza and in Lebanon.

During the discussions on Belarus, she welcomed the adoption of a new package of restrictive measures against this country and reaffirmed his support for the democratic opposition and human rights activists.
The police carried out, on Monday, 69 home searches in a case regarding the establishment of an organized criminal ring and migrant smuggling, and also as many summonses for questioning at the headquarters of DIICOT (Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism) - Timisoara Territorial Service.

The searches are taking place in the counties of Timis, Mehedinti, Dolj, Caras-Severin, Arges, Ilfov, Teleorman, Arad, Dambovita, Sibiu, Constanta, Ialomita and Bucharest, according to a press release of the Timis Police.

The investigation showed that during 2023, several individuals (foreign citizens) allegedly formed a group specialized in migrant trafficking, which was joined by several Romanian citizens, with their main purpose to fraudulently introduce groups of migrants into the country, by illegally crossing them the Danube River and, then, removing them from the country, also illegally, through the Western border.

The police say that the organized criminal group acted on several levels, by recruiting groups of migrants on the territory of Turkey and preparing them for the purpose of boarding the means of transport for their fraudulent introduction into Bulgaria, then into Romania.

Subsequently, the migrants were transported to shelter locations in the municipality of Timisoara, where they stayed until opportunities were identified for their boarding on road vehicles, with the purpose of their illegal removal from the country.

According to the same source, between June and December 2024, 136 such transport means were detected and stopped, totaling approximately 1,000 foreign citizens of Afro-Asian origin.

The action is carried out by the Police of the Timisoara Organized Crime Combating Brigade - Human Trafficking Combating Service with the support of the organized crime combatting brigades of Craiova, Pitesti, Constanta, Oradea, Alba, Bucharest and the organized crime combatting services of Mehedinti, Caras-Severin, Arad, Ilfov, Teleorman, Dambovita, Sibiu and Ialomita, the General Inspectorate of the Border Police, the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Gendarmerie, the "Glad Voievod" Mobile Gendarmerie Group in Timisoara, the criminologists of the Timis County Police Inspectorate, as well as the fighters from the Timis Special Actions Service.
Romania's full accession to the Schengen area from January 1, 2025 opens new horizons for Romanian tourism and facilitates both the citizens' trips and the development of the tourism sector by attracting more foreign tourists, according to representatives of the National Association of. Travel Agencies in Romania (ANAT).

"Joining the Schengen Area is very important for Romanians, from a tourist point of view. We all remember the queues of dozens of hours during the pandemic, when entering Greece. They have remained in the collective mind. Now we can enter Bulgaria and Greece without waiting times and the traffic to these destinations will certainly increase. Tourist traffic to the West will also increase, so for us, for Romanians, this is an extraordinary thing," said Alin Burcea, president of ANAT.

In his turn, Adrian Voican, vice-president of the Association and chairman of the Incoming committee, said that Romania is going in the right direction in terms of tourism and transport infrastructure development, and that in the last 20 years it has progressed "step by step". "However, we still have a long way to go before reaching the potential of attracting foreign tourists to Romania. We need a serious multi-year tourism promotion budget, a minimum of 30 million euros for each of the next 10 years, which could bring, over time, billions of euros more to the country's budget. Such an opportunity for Romanian tourism in particular and for Romania's economy in general is not to be missed," Voican added.

Recent statistics show that around 1.2 million Romanian tourists go to Greece and almost one million to Bulgaria every year.

According to ANAT, the removal of borders could stimulate a significant increase in these figures, and according to tour operators' estimates, Romanian tourist traffic could increase by at least 15% in 2025, due to free access and streamlined road transport.

"Eliminating land border controls will make travel faster and cheaper for Romanian tourists who prefer to travel by car, bus or train. This may increase interest in spontaneous vacations in Europe. Many Romanian tourists might choose city breaks in cities such as Vienna, Budapest, Paris, Barcelona, Barcelona, Rome or Bratislava, due to ease of traveling. Eliminating control formalities also means shorter travel times and savings on logistical costs, which can lead to more advantageous tourist packages for Romanians. A concrete example is the Easter and summer vacation period, when kilometer-long queues at the Kulata - Promachonas customs are a common occurrence. Without controls, lost time will be reduced and the tourist experience will be more pleasant. Full Schengen membership will not only boost outbound tourism, but also incoming tourism," says ANAT.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) show that the number of foreign tourists who arrived in Romania in 2023 stood at about 2.1 million, and 1.83 million in the first nine months of 2024.
CLAYTON  A St. Louis County contractor is suing businessman David Hoffmann after he allegedly failed to pay for more than $130,000 worth of work at a Clayton office building.

Creve Coeur-based Color Art Construction says in a lawsuit filed Monday that Hoffmann personally guaranteed he would make four payments totaling $131,458 for work at Hoffmann Commercial Real Estates building on Maryland Avenue in Clayton.

But after repeated attempts to get those payments, neither Hoffmann nor the real estate company responded to Color Art, according to the lawsuit.

Sign up for the Brick City newsletter Steph Kukuljan and other business reporters bring you insights into St. Louis-area real estate and development.

Its not clear what work Color Art performed for Hoffmann. The company focuses on construction, remodeling and technology services.

Hoffmann did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Hoffmann Family of Cos. has faced several lawsuits this year over various projects in the St. Louis area, including its effort to turn Augusta into a national winery destination.

This isnt the first problem at the Maryland Avenue building, where the lender is seeking to foreclose on the property.

Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate also faces a $329,448 lien from C&R Mechanical for unpaid work at the property.

Still, the Hoffmanns have made several big deals this past year, including buying Oberweis Dairy out of bankruptcy and acquiring the Pierre Laclede Buildings in Clayton.

The Hoffmanns also have bought shares in Iowa-based Lee Enterprises Inc., the parent company of the Post-Dispatch and other newspapers.

The company now owns 9.78% of Lee, according to a filing Monday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Hoffmanns also own shares in DallasNews Corp., which owns the Dallas Morning News in Texas.

Updated Tuesday with a link to the latest SEC filing.
Aviano Middle High School seventh grader William Wolfe, left, interviews Rocco Brunetti of Scuola Media Italo Svevo on Dec. 13, 2024, during a cultural exchange at the school on Aviano Air Base in Italy. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy  Students at a school on this U.S. base in northeastern Italy are once again making friends among their Italian peers through a nearly 50-year-old exchange program that has been revived following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gemellaggi program, whose Italian name translates to twinnings in English, brought more than 20 youngsters from Scuola Media Italo Svevo in Fontanafredda to Aviano Middle High School on Friday.

After the roughly 15-minute trip, the Italian seventh and eighth graders spent just over four hours with American counterparts who are learning their host countrys language.

The intent of the program is to bring the two cultures together for a shared experience, said Kristin Fisher, who teaches Italian at the Department of Defense Education Activity school.

The partnerships are part of a continued collaboration to strengthen relationships between our school and the local Italian community, Fisher said.

Arianna Rapoza, right, a seventh grader at Aviano Middle High School on Aviano Air Base in Italy, gives Italian student Martina De Nardi a tour of the school during a cultural exchange Dec. 13, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

Aviano Middle High School has students in grades six through 12, and Italian classes are offered from seventh grade on up. The Gemellaggi program is open to any pupil learning Italian.

On Friday, the Aviano students started out by meeting their Italian peers, with whom they had been communicating since the beginning of the school year via letters, e-mail, social media and video conferences.

The Italian students then proceeded to follow the Americans around, witnessing a typical school day for the children of U.S. personnel in Aviano.

Seventh grader Arianna Rapoza said she had learned from her program partner that teachers in the Italian school change classrooms and the students stay put, whereas its the opposite for the Americans.

I want to show them how our school works, how we switch classes, like we move, not the teachers, Rapoza said.

Later, the students in both groups ate lunch together before the Italians headed back to their school.

Seventh grader William Wolfe said he had never even thought about making Italian friends while in Aviano, but hes been doing just that thanks to his participation in Fishers class and the Gemellaggi program.

Im an extremely social person, so this is my type of thing, Wolfe said.

Students from the Defense Department's Aviano Middle High School and Italy's Scuola Media Italo Svevo pose for a group photo Dec. 13, 2024, in front of the Aviano Air Base school. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

The Americans reciprocal visit to the Italian school is planned to happen at some point in the spring.

Besides providing an opportunity to strengthen relationships, the program also gives both sides an opportunity to practice communicating in a foreign language, said Elena Zardini, the English teacher for Scuola Media Italo Svevo.

Fisher took over as the Italian teacher in 2006 and has been working with Zardini for at least a decade.

Over the past half-century or so, the Aviano Middle High School Italian program has conducted exchanges with over 30 schools from more than 10 cities, Fisher said.

She is hoping to eventually get the opportunity to coordinate joint trips to a common location like a nearby town, beach, farm, amusement park or some other fun destination so the two groups can share time outside of school.
A drone hovers above the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, in March 2024. In early December, unauthorized drones were spotted over Ramstein Air Base near Kaiserslautern, Germany, the 86th Airlift Wing said Monday. (Ayden Norcross/U.S. Army National Guard)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  Ramstein Air Base and German police officials confirmed Monday that unauthorized drones have flown over the sprawling Air Force installation in recent days, though details about the unmanned aircraft remain scarce.

The number of systems has fluctuated, and they have ranged in sizes and configurations, the 86th Airlift Wing said in a statement Monday, adding that there were no impacts to base residents, facilities or assets.

Wing officials said the small drones were spotted in early December. They declined to say how many appeared, and whether they know where the aircraft came from or who was operating them.

German news outlet Der Spiegel reported last week that the drones were seen over Ramstein in the evening hours of Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. The story cited a confidential report by German security authorities.

The drones flying over the base werent the usual commercial hobby aircraft, Rheinland-Pfalz state police said in a statement following a Stars and Stripes query Monday.

The aircraft were first spotted flying over the site of chemical giant BASF in Ludwigshafen in late November, said state police spokesman Bastian Kipping. They were also seen flying over facilities belonging to the arms company Rheinmetall, according to the Der Spiegel report.

Drone flights were detected in the dark and around dusk, according to the Rheinland-Pfalz police, who were unable to provide the number of drone flights due to varying reports.

The Rheinland-Pfalz office of criminal investigation has taken over the probe into the flights in coordination with federal authorities, Kipping said Monday.

The flights follow reports of drone sightings around U.S. military installations in the United Kingdom last month, as well as dozens of similar incidents over parts of New Jersey and the East Coast in recent weeks.

In England, drones were repeatedly spotted in the vicinity of RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Fairford and RAF Feltwell starting around Nov. 20, U.S. Air Forces in Europe  Air Forces Africa said in a statement last month.

The unmanned aerial vehicles seen at those bases were different sizes and configurations, and none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities or assets, the command said in a statement Nov. 26.

USAFE-AFAFRICA and the 86th Airlift Wing said they wouldnt disclose actions taken in response to the drone activity. Most military commands rarely discuss measures involving force protection publicly.

The stateside drone sightings along the East Coast dont appear to be a threat to public safety, The Associated Press reported over the weekend, citing New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials.

State and municipal lawmakers, however, are calling for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft, according to the AP.

Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.
A National Guard soldier was charged Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in the shooting death of an Army Reserve soldier at Fort Eisenhower, Ga., Army and Justice Department officials said. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes)

ATLANTA  A National Guard soldier was charged Monday in the shooting death of an Army Reserve soldier over the weekend at a womans on-post residence at Fort Eisenhower, Army and Justice Department officials said.

Natravien Landry, a Guard soldier assigned to the Georgia posts 1148th Transportation Company, was charged with one count of murder in the killing of Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr., said Jill Steinberg, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Landry, 25, of Abbeville, La., made his initial court appearance Monday and was expected to face a detention hearing Wednesday, according to the Justice Department.

Stewart of Clarksville, Tenn., enlisted in the Army in 2019 and initially served on active duty as a human resources specialist before transitioning into the Reserve as a military police officer in 2023, according to Fort Eisenhower. Stewart was assigned to the 400th Military Police Brigade at Fort Meade, Md., according to the service.

Army officials on Monday did not immediately provide further details about either soldiers service.

The shooting Saturday forced the Army post just outside of Augusta, Ga., to lock down briefly. Fort Eisenhower is home to the Armys Cyber Center of Excellence, which trains cyber, signal and electronic warfare soldiers.

Landry is accused of having assaulted and shot Stewart early Saturday morning after showing up at the on-post housing of a woman with whom Landry shares a child, according to the Justice Department.

Landry fled the scene by car. He was captured by Meriwether County sheriffs deputies about three hours later on Interstate 85, approximately 55 miles south of Atlanta, federal officials said.

Deputies arrested Landry while conducting a traffic stop after noticing the vehicle matched a description of a car linked to the Fort Eisenhower shooting, according to the sheriffs department. The deputies observed Landry throw a 9mm handgun out of the vehicles passenger side window during the traffic stop.

Landry was transferred to U.S. Marshals Service custody after his apprehension, federal officials said. He was booked into the Lincoln County jail, just north of Augusta, where he was expected to remain until the Wednesday hearing.

Justice Department officials said an Army Criminal Investigation Division-led probe of the fatal shooting was ongoing Monday.
The commander of Naval Base Guam, Capt. John Fry, left, and other officials tour a new annex for William C. McCool Elementary Middle School, Dec. 12, 2024. (U.S. Navy)

Department of Defense Education Activity has opened an annex to its middle school at Naval Base Guam to accommodate the growing student population.

The annex at William C. McCool Elementary Middle School debuted Thursday with a formal ceremony, according to a Facebook post by the base that day.

Seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms will move to the annex during the summer break in time for the 2025-26 school year, the post said.

We are thrilled to open this space for our upper middle school students at McCool, Lois Rapp, DODEA Pacific director for student excellence, said in a DODEA news release Dec. 3.

The annex was previously a dental facility. With the renovations it has additional classrooms, a science lab area and flexible learning spaces, according to the release.

Neither the Navys post nor DODEAs release listed a cost for the renovation.

A contact for the Navy-funded project was awarded in July 2022, and the work was completed in October, Department of Defense Education Activity-Pacific spokeswoman Miranda Ferguson said by email Wednesday. The annex was designed to support an additional 120 students.

Enrollment at McCool Elementary Middle School has remained relatively steady for the past five years; however, the student population is projected to increase, she wrote.

On Aug. 29, 2003, the school was renamed for Navy Cmdr. William Cameron Willie McCool, a NASA astronaut and pilot aboard the space shuttle Columbia whose crew was killed when it disintegrated during re-entry into the Earths atmosphere.

The school has more than 800 students ranging from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade.

This project has been a true partnership, with full support from military leaders, Rapp said in the release.
South Koreas acting president, Han Duck-soo, speaks to President Joe Biden by phone from his office in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 15, 2024. (South Korean Office of Government Policy)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  South Koreas acting president made an introductory phone call to the commander of U.S. and U.N. forces on the peninsula to reaffirm the countries military alliance and express concern for potential moves by North Korea.

Han Duck-soo, the countrys prime minister, assumed the presidential office Saturday following Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment by the National Assembly.

Speaking by phone Sunday to U.S. Forces Korea commander Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, Han voiced concern that Pyongyang may capitalize on the Souths political turmoil to conduct ballistic missile launches and cyber-attacks, according to a news release from the Office of Government Policy.

Han shared his concerns of potential military provocations by North Korea given the current emergency situation surrounding Seoul, the release states.

He also conveyed to LaCamera that the two nations should strengthen their joint military capabilities and that their alliance was more important than ever, according to the release.

LaCamera commands roughly 28,500 American troops in South Korea, most of them stationed at Camp Humphreys, about 40 miles south of Seoul. He is also the head of the U.N. Command and the Combined Forces Command.

LaCamera told Han he will work to mitigate any risks to planned combined training activities, operations, and investments, while reaffirming the ironclad commitment to the combined defense, USFK said in a separate statement Sunday.

So far this year, North Korea has fired more than 45 ballistic missiles in 12 separate days of testing. The communist regimes last launch consisted of seven ballistic missiles fired on Nov. 5.

Throughout the year, Pyongyang has also jammed GPS signals around the border separating the two countries, according to the Souths military.

Park Jae Jeok, an associate professor at the Yonsei University, Seoul, said he does not believe South Korea and the United States will dramatically escalate tensions if the North fires another ballistic missile.

I think if North Korea engages in provocations, South Korea and the United States are going to respond to it as usual, Park said by phone Friday. I dont think we can escalate tensions by responding very actively.

Washington and Seoul have responded to the Norths missile launches with statements of condemnation and military drills.

The day after Pyongyang test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Oct. 31, fighter jets from the U.S., South Korea and Japan escorted an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber on a show of force between Japan and South Korea.

Park said he believes North Korea is unlikely to engage in provocations against the South in the near term because it only helps the ruling party by fueling animosity toward the regime.

Yoons ruling People Power Party advocates hawkish policies against Pyongyang. In June, party lawmakers approved of the militarys resumption of anti-communist loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at the northern side of the border in retaliation for the North floating thousands of balloons carrying trash to the South.

The party has been in turmoil since Yoons abrupt martial law declaration Dec. 3, including several high-profile defections, among them party leader Han Dong-hoon, who resigned Monday.

I think North Korea would like to see the opposition party control South Korea and win the election, Park said, referring to the liberal Democratic Party. I dont think North Korea will have an interest in engaging in military provocations for a while.
A recruiting station in Moscow. Russias army recruited more than 430,000 new troops this year amid its war in Ukraine. (Natalia Kolesnikova, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Russias army recruited more than 430,000 new troops this year amid its war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said.

This stream of volunteers doesnt stop, Putin told a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow on Monday. A turning point on the front lines has been reached, and we have completely taken the strategic initiative, he said, an apparent reference to recent costly battlefield advances.

Putin said the numbers signing contracts to join the army had increased from 300,000 in 2023. It wasnt possible to independently verify the figures.

Neither Putin nor Defense Minister Andrey Belousov mentioned Russian casualties at the meeting. The U.S. and and its NATO allies say at least 700,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the February 2022 invasion began, roughly equal to Putins recruitment figures for the past two years. Russia doesnt publish its casualty numbers.

Russian officials have responded to mounting troop losses by sharply increasing recruitment bonuses to persuade volunteers to join the war in Ukraine. Thats as the Kremlin has been eager to avoid a repeat of the unpopular September 2022 mobilization of 300,000 reservists.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that 43,000 of its troops have been killed since the start of the war and 370,000 have been wounded.

Russian forces have been advancing along the front line in eastern Ukraine in recent months, though Kyivs Western allies say this is coming at a cost to Moscow of record average daily casualties.

Belousov said Russian troops have captured about 4,500 square kilometers (1,737 square miles) of Ukrainian territory this year.

Thats much more than shown in Bloomberg Economics calculations based on changes in territorial control recorded by the DeepState mapping service thats maintained in cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. These indicate that Russia gained nearly 3,100 square kilometers of territory since the start of 2024.

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A new report issued by the U.S. Helsinki Commission found about 150 instances of sabotage and other hybrid actions believed to have been carried out by Russia on NATO territory since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. (Helsinki Commission)

STUTTGART, Germany  Russia is stepping up a clandestine campaign of sabotage and hybrid attacks against the United States and its allies in Europe, as the Kremlin seeks widespread subversion of NATO assistance to Ukraine, according to a new report.

About 150 cases of Kremlin-backed hybrid operations on NATO territory have occurred since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Helsinki Commission, an independent U.S. government agency, said in a report issued Friday.

The pace has accelerated over the past two years and the Russian efforts go beyond mere capers of destabilization, the report said.

Russia is simultaneously executing a shadow war on NATO to destabilize, distress, and deter the transatlantic alliance from its staunch support of Ukrainian sovereignty, the report said.

The Helsinki Commissions chairman, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), and co-chairman Rep. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), are selected by the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives. They rotate their positions with each new Congress.

The Russian attacks involved four methods: election and information operations, attacks on critical infrastructure, violence campaigns and weaponized migration.

The hybrid campaign has ranged from cyberattacks on train stations that cause scheduling delays to attempted assassinations and terrorism plots, the commission said.

U.S. and allied military bases have been among the targets, according to the report, which noted that in April, German authorities arrested two men who are accused of surveilling the U.S. Armys base in Grafenwoehr, Germany, as a potential bomb plot target.

The Army base has served as a hub for U.S. efforts to train Ukrainian troops. U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart also has been a target for espionage by operatives suspected of links to Russia, British prosecutors said recently.

In November, U.S. authorities said American defense industrial sites in Europe should step up their security over concerns that Russian saboteurs could target them.

Russias hybrid strategy relies on plausible deniability and leverages decentralized tactics that outsource operations to low-level cybercriminals and operatives, the report said.

Notable cases include Polands arrest in early 2024 of a man who authorities say was recruited by either Russia or its ally Belarus to bomb a paint factory in southwestern Poland.

And in June, the arrest of a man near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on suspicion of making bombs disrupted a Russian-orchestrated sabotage plot, the report said.

Meanwhile, mass bomb threats traced to Russian servers are routinely made across the NATO alliance, stretching from the United States to the Baltic states and countries in southern Europe, the report said.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday in a speech in Brussels that allies need to get in a wartime mindset, ramping up military investments to counter Russias aggressive moves.

Hostile actions against allied countries are real and accelerating, Rutte said. These attacks are not just isolated incidents. They are the result of a coordinated campaign to destabilize our societies and discourage us from supporting Ukraine.

The Helsinki Commission said Russias hybrid campaign and war in Ukraine are intertwined and must be dealt with simultaneously.

Only by confronting Russias hybrid warfare head-on and ensuring Ukraines victory can NATO effectively deter further Russian provocations, the commission said.

The report stopped short of detailing what specific countermeasures should be taken against Russia for its hybrid attacks, saying instead that allies should press ahead with efforts to arm Ukraine.

Restricting aid or failing to meet the urgency of Ukraines needs only signals weakness and invites further Russian escalation, both in Ukraine and within NATOs borders, the report said.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shake hands prior to a meeting at the Muqata, the presidential compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Nov. 30, 2023. (Saul Loeb, Pool, AFP, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The Palestinian government has been carrying out a rare and lethal sweep against militants in a flashpoint West Bank city, saying it was needed to foil an imminent car-bombing and other attacks.

The operation by the Palestinian Authority, targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in the city of Jenin, was launched on Dec. 5 but only announced this weekend as clashes escalated. Three Palestinians  at least two of them gunmen  have been killed and several PA security men wounded.

The security forces managed to prevent potential disasters for our people, the P.A. military spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Anwar Rajab, said, accusing local gunmen of ISIS-like practices and behavior.

The operation comes as the P.A. is seeking to bolster its credibility as an organization capable of strong governance, amid ongoing Israeli raids there and Donald Trumps return to the White House. The P.A. and some outside nations say it should be a body to govern a post-war Gaza, a possibility Israel rejects.

Israel is separately beefing up West Bank troop deployments, especially around Jewish settlements. Its defense minister, Israel Katz, on Thursday predicted possible attacks by radical Islamist terrorists who have been inspired by the rebel assault in Syria.

Axios reported on Sunday that the Biden administration has asked Israel to approve military assistance to the PA for the West Bank operation. The report quoted unnamed U.S., Palestinian and Israeli officials.

The P.A. had a rocky relationship with Trump during his first term. Though Trump strongly supports Israel, he has also spoken out against the length of the Gaza war and pledged in a Time magazine interview to see the Israeli-Palestinian conflict get solved.

Founded after interim peace accords with Israel three decades ago, the P.A. wields limited self-governance in the West Bank after it was ousted from the Gaza Strip by Islamist Hamas in 2007. Though P.A. and Israeli security forces sometimes cooperate, their officials trade blame about a West Bank drift into violence and lawlessness that has been exacerbated by Israels clampdown on work permits during the Gaza war.

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(Tribune News Service)  A Kentucky veteran accused of lying about his inability to work in order to get more than $125,000 in disability payments has been sentenced to six months in prison.

Jeremy Wayne Harrell, 43, also will be on home detention for six months, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

A jury convicted Harrell, of Shelbyville, on a charge of theft of government benefits.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notified Harrell it intends to reduce payments to him to recoup a total of $130,777 he was accused of wrongly receiving, according to the court record.

Harrell founded Veterans Club Inc., a nonprofit that helps veterans deal with such problems as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse and homelessness, according to its website.

The site says Harrell was in the U.S. Army for nine years, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and studied business management after leaving the military.

Federal authorities said that Harrell claimed he was withdrawn, rarely left the house and wasnt able to work, when in reality he worked 40 to 60 hours a week for Veterans Club.

The work included running the nonprofit, organizing events, managing thousands of volunteers, speaking at community events and meeting with business and political leaders, federal authorities alleged.

Those activities showed Harrell could in fact maintain employment, meaning he was ineligible for Individual unemployability benefits he received from 2019 to 2023, the government charged.

Harrells attorneys, Nicholas Mudd and John C. McCall, urged U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove to place Harrell on probation, pointing to his military service and work for veterans.

The Veterans Club board would have paid Harrell a salary of at least $100,000 a year, but he didnt take pay because he wanted all the organizations money to go toward helping veterans, his attorneys said.

More than 30 supporters sent letters to the court lauding Harrells character and his work to help others.

Jeremy is a man of faith, compassion, love, integrity and has such a genuine passion for veterans and first responders, Melissa Smith, who operates a counseling service, said in a letter.

However, the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Chapman, said Harrell engaged in numerous falsehoods that showed he intended to defraud the Veterans Administration, and took money intended to benefit veterans who really couldnt hold down a job.

That element of Harrells character is one of the most aggravating parts of this case: Harrell put himself out in the world as a champion of veterans, yet, in reality, he was deceiving the VA and stealing from his fellow veterans, Chapman wrote.

Van Tatenhove sentenced Harrell on Dec. 9.

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Ex-Kinahan gang member-turned influencer walks free after being found guilty of assault

Jamie has moved away from past as a criminal

A former Kinahan Cartel footsoldier turned influencer has revealed he was surprised after walking free from court following his conviction for a violent assault.

Jamie Griffin was once regarded as one of the most erratic and dangerous young criminals allied with the Kinahan faction.

He was a suspect in a violent jailhouse attack where a notorious Hutch gang member suffered knife wounds in 2015.

Griffin was part of a group of young men who were mentored into criminality by senior figures in the Byrne wing of the Kinahan Cartel, such as Graham The Wig Whelan.

But despite his criminal past, Griffin has recently been using TikTok to describe how and why he has turned around his life.

Jamie shows off his impressive physique

Unlike some other ex-criminals on social media, Griffin is both honest and regretful about his past actions. He has spoken of how he changed his life after hitting rock bottom due to mental health and drug issues.

The 29-year-old has now quit drugs and become a personal trainer, working in the south inner-city.

Griffin has also won thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram speaking about how he turned his life around

Speaking after this weeks court case, Griffin told his social media followers:

I got the result I wanted, its not the result I thought I was going to get  I thought I was going to get about four or five years.

He added: I just want to tell people, this goes to show. I was a fella who came from a bad area, a bad background done some bad sh*t.

And I thought that was my life, I thought there was no other life for meIm living proof right now, if you work hard, if you want better for you and your family  you can do it.

I should be getting a five-year sentence, Im able to go home with my family, Im able to spend Christmas with my family because I put work into myself, I put structure into my life.

I deserve a better life, everyone deserves a better life  just because you done bad, it doesnt mean you dont deserve good in the future. We pay for our mistakes.

Im nothing special, anyone can do it.

Jamie Griffin in prison

Gardai believe Griffin  who has more than 30 previous convictions for offences including assault, affray, violent disorder  was heavily involved when the Hutch/Kinahan feud first kicked-off in 2015.

Griffin was disciplined in prison after he was suspected of a feud-related jail knife attack on a Hutch gang member in Mountjoy Prison, in 2015.

The attack occurred just months after Gary Hutch was shot dead by the Kinahan Cartel in Spain.

It is was reported that Griffin and a close associate were offered a 10,000 bounty by the Kinahan cartel to carry out the vicious attack on the convicted armed robber.

However, the Hutch gangster only suffered defensive slash wounds in the attack after three prison officers intervened and managed to restrain the Griffin brothers.

Jamie Griffin will spend Christmas with his wife and children

Griffin and his associate were also allegedly involved in a savage assault on high-profile criminal Wayne Bradley, in Mountjoy Prison, in December 2014, which resulted in Bradley needing three weeks of hospital treatment.

At the time Jamie Griffin, of Iveagh Trust Building, Dublin 8, was serving a jail sentence for an attack at a Dublin bookmakers.

Dublin Circuit Court heard he was part of a three-man gang who stabbed a customer and assaulted another man there.

Wayne Bradley

On his social media accounts, Griffin has spoken about how his life of crime took a huge toll on his mental health and led to him deciding to make a change to his life.

This week, a judge gave Griffin and another man suspended sentences after they plead guilty to two counts of assault causing harm at Bow Lane Bar, Aungier Street on October 13, 2019.

They were before Judge Pauline Codd, of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, on Monday for sentencing.

Judge Codd noted that the incident had arisen out of someone bumping off another person in the pub, and that it was an unidentified person who had initiated the attack on the three men. Thomas Doran joined in with insulting gestures, which escalated to violence.

She said that Doran punched one of his victims in the head from behind. He also kicked this man on the ground, something she said was a significant aggravating factor.

The most significant aggravating factor in Dorans assault on the other man was that he had hit him with a chair. This man sustained a fractured nose.

Jamie Griffin in prison

The judge noted Griffin, who was on bail at the time, had also not initiated this violence.

However, he quickly became involved and inflicted violence on two men, one of whom had also been hit by Doran.

She said that the entire incident had lasted just a minute but pointed out that much damage can be done in the course of a minute during a fight. Each defendant had brought 4,000 to court in compensation for the victims.
Yan Yan Fan, whose collection of designer goods and cash were declared the proceeds of crime earlier this year, has lodged papers in the High Court

A woman who complained a Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) case made her more famous than Gerry The Monk Hutch is now suing the Bureau and an auctioneering firm.

Yan Yan Fan, whose collection of designer goods and cash were declared the proceeds of crime earlier this year, has lodged papers in the High Court.

CAB and the Chief State Solicitor and Wilson Auctioneers have been named as defendants, according to details filed online.

The auctioneering firm recently held the second annual sale of luxury goods seized by CAB, which included dozens of designer goods items.

Ms Fan had 96 items seized from her apartment by CAB after a raid in 2021 during an investigation into a cannabis grow-house operation.

While 19 of those items were returned to her along with 89,000 frozen in a bank account, she has appealed the finding against her.

Earlier this year, Judge Alex Owens accepted Yan Yan Fan and a co-respondent, Guang Ying Wang (49), were working with a grow-house operation. Wang did not contest the case in which CAB sought to have luxury goods, along with 229,000, declared the proceeds of crime.

At a High Court hearing last October, it was heard that CAB is appealing the part of the ruling in which the judge directed cash be returned to Ms Fans parents in China.

She maintained she was a lover of fashion and denied her treasured possessions were purchased with criminal cash. But Judge Owens found that most of the designer items seized during CAB raids were bought with the proceeds of crime.

The judge also ordered that 89,000 in a frozen account be returned to her parents, who Ms Fan said had helped her to buy an apartment.

At a hearing last June she complained to the High Court that she has been made famous even more than Gerry Hutch because of the coverage surrounding her case.

The CAB investigation started in 2021, when Wang was arrested on March 19 and questioned about his suspected involvement in a grow-house in Phibblestown, Co Dublin, in which cannabis worth 400,000 had been discovered.

Gardai then searched Ms Fans apartment at Cedarhurst Road, Ashtown, Dublin, where Wang was also living at the time, and an apartment she leased in Dublin city centre.
He is set to be returned to Portlaoise prison

Peadar Keating was sentenced to four years and eight months at the Old Bailey court yesterday for his role in a gun plot cooked up by his one-time boss Thomas Bomber Kavanagh  but the Dubliner will be headed back to Portlaoise jail after his brief stint in the UK following his extradition from Ireland. Kavanaghs son, Jack, has also been sentenced after the court heard he had been drawn into his fathers criminal organisation as he tried to get a reduced sentence for drug crime.
Sean Breen pleaded guilty to assault causing harm during the assault

A man who stepped outside a Co Donegal bar with another man to settle their differences left his victim with a serious head injury following a one-punch attack.

Sean Breen appeared before Donegal Circuit Court after the brutal assault on Damian McFadden outside the Atlantic Bar in Buncrana.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to assault causing harm during the assault on August 9th, 2019.

Garda Michael Rafferty outlined the details of the case.

Shocking CCTV footage of the incident was played in court which showed the full extent of the incident.

The accused and another man are seen entering the bar on the town's Main Street and Breen begins to have words with Mr McFadden.

The three men go outside and words are exchanged between the accused and the victim before Breen delivers a punch with his left hand to the face of Mr McFadden.

The victim is seen falling back and banging his head before going unconscious.

Garda Rafferty said that Gardai arrived on the scene and found ambulance personnel at the scene who were very eager to get Mr McFadden to hospital following the assault.

He told of one eye witness who said that Mr McFadden was "out for the count with blood coming out of his mouth."

Mr McFadden began to come around and was rushed to hospital but could not remember the incident saying he could not understand why Gardai wanted details from him.

Mr McFadden discharged himself from hospital at 1.20am on August 10th.

However, the court was told that the following day he was not feeling well and had pains in his head and was being sick.

He was rushed back to Letterkenny University Hospital but was sent to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital where he spent almost two weeks getting treatment for a serious head injury before being released on August 22nd.

CCTV of the incident had been downloaded and local Detective Garda Jason Conroy made a positive identification of Sean Breen at the scene.

Breen, of Marianus Park, Hazel Bank in Derry, was arrested and interviewed and admitted assaulting Mr McFadden following a disagreement over a person they both knew.

The court was also told that Mr McFadden had passed away on January 17th, 2022, but that this was not connected in any way to the incident before the court.

Garda Rafferty said that Breen had a number of previous convictions in Northern Ireland for common assault, dangerous driving, not having insurance, taking a car without consent and failing to stop for police but had no convictions in this jurisdiction.

Barrister for the accused Mr Shane Costelloe, SC, said the evidence suggested that the brain injury was not as a result of the punch but as a result of the fall from which Mr McFadden had banged his head.

Mr Costelloe said that his client had said during interview that he had consumed a lot of alcohol and that he felt threatened during the encounter.

Mr Costelloe quoted his client saying "I felt threatened and I was just defending myself."

He added that this incident happened when he was a younger man and that he has not come before any court since 2014.

He said that on the night in question, his client was 24 year olds, was drunk and had just broken up with his then girlfriend.

Because of this he had gone from someone who rarely drank to someone who "went off the rails," said Mr Costelloe and on the night he had got it into his head that there was bad blood between a mutual friend and Mr McFadden.

He added that Breen is very ashamed of what he did and that the weight of his actions weigh very heavily on him to the extent that he attends for mental health treatment in Northern Ireland.

He added that while it was no excuse, he wanted to point out that this was very much a one punch attack and it was not followed up by any "savagery" such as kicks to the head.

The accused works full-time as a landscaper and has three children.

Mr Costelloe pleaded with Judge Aylmer to consider a sentence that would allow him to be put on a path that would allow him to continue to be a father and a member of society and to be able to make recompense for what he has done saying his client can remain to be law abiding.

Judge Aylmer said he will consider the matter and will deliver his sentence next week.
Violent criminal arrested on suspicion of attacking two off-duty gardai in Dublin city centre previously jailed for a similar serious attack in the same area

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to the assault.

A second man has been arrested in connection with an attack on two off-duty gardai in Dublin city centre this weekend.

It follows the arrest of a violent criminal who has previously been jailed for a similar serious attack in the Temple Bar area.

One garda remains in a critical condition in hospital after he and his colleague were set upon in an unprovoked attack in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The assault happened on the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street in the Temple Bar area at around 1.30am.

An incident room has been established at Pearse Street garda station and on Saturday evening detectives arrested a man aged in his mid-30s on suspicion of assault.

The Sunday World has learned that the suspect is considered a violent criminal who is originally from north Dublin and has previous convictions for drug offences and assault.

He was also previously prosecuted over a violent attack in 2020 during which a man was targeted in a robbery and savagely beaten. That incident happened close to Saturday mornings incident in the Temple Bar area.

The criminal was jailed over that attack and is understood to have been released from prison in the past year after completing his sentence.

A second man in his 30s has since been arrested in Dublin, where he is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Both remain in custody at this time, a garda spokesperson confirmed.

Investigations are ongoing and gardai are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the weekends assault to come forward.

At this stage investigators believe the two off-duty members were set upon in an unprovoked attack and are probing if robbery was the motive for the incident.

One of the gardai, aged in his 40s, suffered serious head injuries as a result of a single-punch assault. He was transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

His colleague, aged in his 30s, was also injured and transported to St James Hospital but was discharged.

Both injured gardai are attached to the Armed Support Unit (ASU) in Dublin and are understood to have been on a Christmas social night out prior to the attack.

GRA president Mark OMeara told the Sunday World: Our thoughts and prayers are with our injured colleagues and their loved ones at this difficult time.

Senior Government ministers including the Taoiseach and Justice Minister have also condemned the violent attack.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: My thoughts are with the off-duty Gardai who were victims of an alarming and egregious attack in Temple Bar last night, one of who remains in hospital.

"The perpetrators of this attack will face the full rigours of the law. Anyone with information, please contact An Garda Siochana."

Writing on X, his Fine Gael colleague, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, said: The attack on off duty members of An Garda Siochana in Temple Bar last night was appalling. My thoughts are with the Garda who remains in hospital and I wish him a speedy recovery. I urge anyone with information to contact Gardai. Those responsible must face justice.

The Tanaiste Micheal Martin also appealed for anyone with information to come forward and said he was "appalled by the unprovoked and brutal attack", adding that his thoughts were with both gardai and their families.

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.

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.
The Latvian State Police and the Latvian State Border Guard worked together to dismantle a criminal network involved in illegal tobacco production.

Latvian police arrested 32 people last week after discovering an illegal tobacco factory and seizing cigarettes worth 75 million.

The Latvian State Police (Valsts policija) and the Latvian State Border Guard (Valsts robezsardze) worked together to dismantle a criminal network involved in illegal tobacco production.

During the operation, officers discovered a massive illegal cigarette manufacturing site in Ludza, which was fully equipped with production machinery and raw materials.

It was being used to manufacture counterfeit cigarettes under well-known brand names.

The discovery led to 32 people being arrested, including 25 Ukrainian nationals, six Latvians and one Russian national.

Additionally, almost 300 million cigarettes and approximately 47 tonnes of shredded tobacco leaves were seized.

According to Europol, had these cigarettes entered the Latvian market, the state would have lost more than 75 million.

Searches were conducted simultaneously at multiple locations, with state police carrying out 26 searches in Riga.

These searches resulted in the discovery of warehouses containing cigarettes and the detention of seven individuals.

Meanwhile, the State Border Guard carried out eight searches in Ludza, Rezekne and Daugavpils, detaining the 25 Ukrainians at the Ludza factory.

Officers also seized seven cargo trucks, trailers, a cargo van, three passenger cars, an unregistered firearm and ammunition, 55,000 in cash, counterfeit excise stamps, and various technical equipment, including GPS signal jammers and detectors.

The investigation was supported by Europol, which provided analytical support to the authorities involved and also organised operational meetings and provided remote support during the searches.

The Lithuanian Customs Criminal Service (Muitines kriminaline tarnyba) also supported this investigation and initiated several follow-up criminal cases related to illegal tobacco production and money laundering.

Several people who had been linked to the network's criminal activities and involved in laundering illicit funds in Latvia were detained prior to the operation.
Pitt Park residents say cocaine baron Rainey only cares about one kind of white Christmas

This is the UVF drug lord just released from his second stint in jail for dealing cocaine who now wants to play Santa Claus to OAPs!

Mark Rainey, who along with his killer brother Glenn flooded east Belfast with lethal drugs while making profits for the UVF, says he wants to help deliver Christmas hampers to needy pensioners.

But local residents in the Pitt Park area of east Belfast say Rainey  described by a judge as being a senior player in the supply of class A drugs  only knows one kind of White Christmas and thats when its snowing cocaine.

While facing his various drug trials it was reported that East Belfast UVF were no longer protecting him and that Rainey was no longer welcome in the area.

But here he is just weeks after getting out of Maghaberry Prison filled with Christmas cheer and ready to play Santa.

So high up the UVF drug-dealing chain was Rainey, the PSNI had a rare Serious Crime Prevention Order slapped on him as part of his sentence  which means they have powers to keep track of his every move for the next five years.

Rainey  known as Ulsters dumbest criminal in jail after a phone he was using to deal drugs led to the convictions of his 13 pals  also once publicly threatened to rip the ears off a relative of murdered loyalist Ian Ogle.

The 45-year-old cocaine baron is in good company as hes offered his Santa services to a community group run by fellow convicted coke dealer and MLA hopeful Maggie Hutton.

Two months ago we revealed how 51-year-old Hutton was front and centre of a community mobile hub promising a safe space for kids.

Hutton was pictured carrying out renovations to a new mobile home which appeared in the Lower Newtownards Road area of Pitt Park.

The Pitt Park mobile community hub;

Called the Pitt Stop Caravan Community Hub, it has been placed in a car park in Fraser Pass right beside the Ballymac Friendship Centre, which has been providing youth clubs, homework clubs and other services for adults for years.

But in a statement to us through loyalist Jamie Bryson, who has publicly supported the hub, the group says the Pit Stop Caravan is necessary because some residents have found themselves excluded from the Ballymac Centre and they cited numerous issues within that group.

They also said Hutton could use her experience as a drug dealer to point kids away from making the same mistakes she did.

On Tuesday the Pitt Park Residents Association, who run the mobile, announced they were ready to deliver hampers to families in the community.

Pictures of Tesco shopping bags laden with Christmas goodies sitting inside the mobile home were also posted on their Facebook page.

They posted: Big thank you to those in Aspire. Tonight we are able to provide hampers to families in the local community. More hampers are being made available to the group soon.

And the group is also posting out Christmas vouchers and support with paying gas and electric bills. That work has, of course, been welcomed within the community.

The Pitt Park hampers

But some have warned against letting a twice-convicted drug dealer anywhere near those families after he offered his support.

He posted on their page: Any hampers need delivered to pensioners or anything, give me a shout.

The offer was given a thumbs-up by someone involved in the running of Pitt Park residents group.

In February Rainey was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court to two years and nine months in prison  with half to be served in jail and the other half on licence.

That sentence came after he, along with his brother Glenn, was jailed for four years in September 2022 after they admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis over a number of months in 2020. At the time, the PSNI said the sentences followed a Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) investigation into suspected drugs criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF.

Commenting that each of the three was a leading player in the supply of class A drugs, the judge issued a warning to others that those who willingly deal in this illicit trade must expect severe sentences.

Raineys message offering to deliver hampers to pensioners

Mark Rainey offering to volunteer and deliver Christmas hampers to local families in need is some turn-up after him and his gang flooded the same community with drugs like cocaine, said one angry resident.

Him and his brother were dealing drugs on an industrial scale, making thousands of pounds every week from spreading misery in the community.

There are families in this area who lost loved ones because they became hooked on the drugs Mark Rainey and the UVF were selling and there are so many young men who ended up in debt to the UVF drug gangs and ended up with serious mental health problems as a result.

Now he wants to play Santa? Everyone is saying the same thing  Mark Rainey only has one White Christmas in mind and its to get it snowing cocaine.

Another told this paper: Can you imagine your granny opening the door to someone like Mark Rainey? Its terrifying. Hes a scumbag.

A senior cop, speaking after the sentencing of Rainey and the rest of the gang in February, said: These people use a regime of fear and violence to exercise their control over the most vulnerable members of our communities. Through criminal activities such as drug dealing, they have one aim only  and thats to line their own pockets. They dont care about the resultant devastation and those lives ruined, even lost, along the way.

Rainey also commented on a previous post concerning the new community hub when he posted: If only there was a community centre for the kids.

One local resident who read that told the Sunday World: I bet Rainey would love there to be a community centre for the kids  then he could have all his potential customers in one spot!

Its understood Mark Rainey sourced his cocaine from southern suppliers connected to the Kinahan crime cartel in Dublin.

But he kept detailed records of all his drug deals on his mobile  so when cops seized his device, he and the rest of his gang were caught bang to rights, including Maggie Hutton.

Hutton was sentenced to 15 months in prison in January after she admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine over a six-month period, though the judge at Belfast Crown Court suspended the term for three years.

Shes a former employee of the UUP and worked for a number of political representatives before quitting and running against the party in the 2016 Assembly elections, claiming it no longer represented the interests of working-class communities.

She was endorsed by top loyalist Stephen Matthews, who denies being the leader of the East Belfast UVF or being involved in criminality, and she was also endorsed by former UVF boss and convicted drug dealer David Dee McConnell.

Maggie Hutton poses with a gun in a picture posted on her Facebook page

Mark Rainey had a further charge of intentionally encouraging or assisting another to commit misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

That referred to the 14th person to be convicted as part of the investigation  former civil servant Samuel Taylor.

The 40-year-old was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for three years after he pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.

Taylor accessed the database of the Legal Services Agency, where he worked, to provide Mark Rainey with the criminal record of another drug dealer in return for his own cocaine debt being cleared.

Through Jamie Bryson, the residents group said they believed Maggie Hutton could be a positive influence on young people in the area.

They said: Indeed, it is precisely because of this acknowledgment of wrongdoing and rehabilitation that Ms Hutton is an important voice in the community to encourage all, particularly young people, to avoid similar mistakes and to refrain from any engagement in the nefarious drugs trade which has no place in any community.
Over 11.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes, with three million leaving for neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and Chad

A distribution of hygiene kits at Banjdeed, West Darfur, Sudan, targeting vulnerable households in 10 surrounding villages. Photo: Kieran McConville/Concern Worldwide

Mona Salh with her son, Faiza Abdullah (3) at Um Shalaya health centre in Central Darfur, Sudan. Photo: Kieran McConville/Concern Worldwide

Mohamad Jumaia eating therapeutic food for malnourished children, at a nutrition clinic in Ardamata, supported by Concern Worldwide. Photo: Kieran McConville/Concern Worldwide.

The deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan and neighbouring countries is dire and has left humanitarian organisations like Concern Worldwide struggling to cope.

The Sudanese people feeling forgotten, according to aid worker Reka Sztopa who has just returned from the region.

After 21 months of conflict, Sudan is currently facing the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.

Over 11.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes, with three million leaving for neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and Chad.

The levels of food insecurity, malnutrition and disease are soaring.

Currently almost 26 million people are experiencing acute hunger, with 755,000 facing famine-like conditions.

Famine was confirmed in a large displacement camp in North Darfur earlier this year.

Last month the Famine Early Warning Systems Network warned it was alarmed that similar extreme acute food insecurity outcomes are occurring among displaced communities in South Kordofan.

While the humanitarian community, and Concern, are doing what we can, there is too little funding and too few resources to meet the unprecedented needs, said Reka Sztopa, Concerns Regional Director who has just returned from the Sudan/Chad border.

Its no wonder that people I talked with there feel they have been forgotten  it is inhuman to think that people can survive, let alone thrive, with such little support.

We all need to do more to ensure that the basic elements of life -- food, water, shelter, health care and protection -- are made available to everyone who has been displaced due to this conflict.

Mona Salh with her son, Faiza Abdullah (3) at Um Shalaya health centre in Central Darfur, Sudan. Photo: Kieran McConville/Concern Worldwide

The above-average rainfall and historic flooding during this years rainy season have destroyed crops and contaminated water sources.

Cases of cholera and dengue fever are rising across the country where more than 70pc of Sudans health clinics are not functioning.

Concern has worked in Sudan since 1986 and is responding on the ground, as well as working to support people who have crossed into neighbouring Chad and South Sudan.

Within Sudan, Concern is supporting and supplying health and nutrition services in clinics across the country and has reached 93 facilities since the start of the conflict.

The clinics are treating acutely malnourished children, pregnant women and new mothers.

They are also providing wider health services and have reached over 234,000 people with health and nutrition support so far.

A distribution of hygiene kits at Banjdeed, West Darfur, Sudan, targeting vulnerable households in 10 surrounding villages. Photo: Kieran McConville/Concern Worldwide

In total, Concern has reached more than 350,000 people across all areas of operation since April 2023.

In addition to health and nutrition support, Concern is delivering cash assistance, food aid, and essential emergency items, including pots, pans, blankets, tarpaulin, soap, and menstrual pads, to displaced families.

In eastern Chad, over 1.1 million refugees and returnees have crossed the border since the conflict began, 85pc of these are women and children.

People are fleeing unprecedented levels of physical and sexual violence, often arriving traumatised, with only the clothes on their back.

In Chad, Concern is supporting primary health and nutrition services to displaced people and host communities.

This includes operating a health post in the refugee camp of Zabout, where more than 55,000 refugees have been relocated, including 10,000 children under the age of five.

To donate to Concerns Sudan appeal visit www.concern.net/donate/sudan-crisis-appeal or call 0818 410 510.
The 2024 ASH Year 10 Survey of young peoples smoking and vaping behaviour and attitudes has shown that regular vaping rates have continued to fall for the third year in a row.

The survey of more than 30,000 students found that 14.1 per cent of 14-15 year olds reported vaping at least once a month compared to a peak of 20.2 per cent in 2021, daily vaping also fell to 8.7 per cent after being at 10 per cent since 2021.

We are pleased to see a third consecutive year of decline in regular vaping by year 10 students," ASH Director Ben Youdan said.

"This year-on-year decline follows a period between 2015 and 2020 when there was a rapid increase in youth vaping. During this time there were no laws regulating vapes. However, this trend appears to be reversing since new laws were put into place.

Meanwhile daily smoking remains at only 1.2% of students this year. This result coincides with the recent NZ Health Survey which showed smoking rates at 3% for 15-24-year-olds, suggesting that low rates are being sustained into young adulthood.

Youth smoking has almost been eliminated in the last decade. In effect, we have a smokefree generation, which is a cause for celebration, Youdan said.

Regular (at least monthly) and daily vaping have declined for all ethnic groups, although inequalities remain. Regular vaping for Pakeha students fell one-third from 18.2% in 2021 to 11.2% in 2024. Regular vaping peaked among Maori students at 35.6% in 2021 and is now around 29.4%.

It remains a concern that young Maori are almost three times as likely to vape than Pakeha students. Over the next few months, we hope to release more insights into youth vaping that can help better understand students' experiences and inform a more focused approach based on evidence.

The ASH Year 10 Survey is the biggest and most representative of young peoples smoking and vaping behaviour in New Zealand.

The results come as the coalition government has a Bill before Parliament to ban disposable vapes, reduce the visibility of vapes, and increase fines for selling to minors.

ASH supports these measures to reduce further the appeal of vaping to young people and penalise unscrupulous sellers," Youdan said.

"However, we are still missing evidence-based programmes that give young people the skills to navigate a world where vaping exists. This is even more important when we see the huge role vaping has played in getting tens of thousands of adults off cigarettes and reducing the horrendous toll of smoked tobacco.

Youdan said vaping is "absolutely not for young people or never smokers, and is certainly not risk free".

"The good news is that youth vaping appears to be declining, but we still need to put much more into prevention, and supporting young vapers to quit if we want to undo the rapid rise that happened in the absence of any meaningful regulation prior to 2021.

Results for student smoking and vaping can be found on the ASH website.

About the Survey

The Year 10 survey was founded by ASH in 1992, and became an annual survey from 1999. Since then, over 720,000 students have participated.

The survey has asked about vaping since 2014. More than 270,000 students have answered questions on vaping behaviours since 2014.

The survey uses validated questions on vaping and smoking with oversight from an expert advisory group.

In 2024, the survey was available in English and Te Reo Maori.

The survey methodology can be found here.

The survey is funded by a grant from Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand. ASH has been fully funded for the survey since 2021. Prior to this it was co-funded with the Health Promotion Agency, and the former Health Sponsorship Council beginning in1999.

ASH, an independent NGO, does not receive any funding from the tobacco industry or its affiliates, the vape industry, or pharmaceutical companies. We do not accept or receive funds from alcohol or gaming trusts.

Vaping facts

Vaping uses an electronic device that can deliver nicotine by heating a liquid and turning it into an inhaled aerosol (vapour) made of propylene glycol vapour, glycerin, and flavourings.

Smoking involves inhaling smoke from burning tobacco products to access nicotine; it is the thousands of chemicals, including many carcinogens, in the inhaled toxic smoke that cause harm, not the nicotine, which is a relatively harmless product although it can cause dependence.

Resources

Smoking: If you are concerned about smoking rates at your school, The Smokefree schools website has tools and resources for education settings. https://www.smokefree.org.nz/smokefree-environments/smokefree-at-school

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand has resources on vaping and young people designed by rangatahi and their whanau. www.protectyourbreath.co.nz/

www.vapingfacts.health.nz Ministry of Health website has information about vaping and smoking in New Zealand for people looking to quit smoking and people who support them.
Davies, who severely beat two women, strangling one of them twice to the point she blacked out, and then tried to threaten them into staying silent, has now been imprisoned.

Joshua Davies went on to tell the woman he was threatening to have a wonderful day before later warning she had no clue of the damage he was capable of inflicting, and that he would remove body parts.

Youll end up in the boot of my f***en car ... End up on the front page of the Bay of Plenty Times .

Warning: This story deals with descriptions of family violence and may be distressing.

His spate of violence towards the women, with whom hed been in relationships at different times, started at the beginning of 2023.

He punched and kicked them, causing bruising. The second woman was burnt with a pipe and hed threatened to chop off her fingers.

Both had been struck around the head and face and the first woman got a split lip after he hit her with knuckle-dusters.

The most serious incidents happened during about four days when both women were staying at the same house, and at least one felt too afraid to leave.

Eventually, the two women planned her escape, and she ended up in hospital later that day.

But, even while he was in custody, violent threats continued, with more than 60 threatening phone calls intercepted by Corrections between January and May 2024.

Davies was sentenced last week in the Tauranga District Court. One of his victims sat in the back of the court as he appeared on an audio-visual link from prison, her hands clasping that of a supporter.

The other victim wasnt there, but her parents were.

A series of horrific injuries

Her mother read a victim impact statement about the toll Davies' violence had taken on her, as the womans mother, and on the womans children.

I picked [my daughter] up after the assault and I observed her injuries ... She had her beaten-in head, stomped sternum, stomach and arms, burn holes in her legs, she said.

The injuries were horrific.

Her daughter was scared Davies would find her at the hospital, or her parents' house.

The long-term effects have resulted in prolonged drug use and distancing from all her family and friends, for fear of reprisal from Josh, her mother said.

She has changed from a good mother and wife to a totally different person ... [Josh] instilled a huge amount of fear into [her].

Her daughters methamphetamine use had spiralled, and she sought company from other bad influences for security against the constant threats from Davies.

Ill knock your teeth out'

At the start of 2023, Davies had been in a relationship with the first of the women for about a month when things became violent.

He held her in a headlock for 20-30 seconds, so she was unable to breathe. Another time he beat her with a power cord  folding it in half and hitting her over the shoulder blades and back.

He faced a representative charge for assaults that began in January, where he would sometimes assault her multiple times a day, often by punches to her head.

A court summary of facts said the violence started with a text: if your [sic] making me wait for yes or no answers Ill knock your teeth out.

A week later, the woman had a friend over, and she went to move her friends car so Davies could leave. When she came back in, he accused her of smoking methamphetamine.

He punched her in the mouth, and she fell to the bed.

She stood up and asked why hed punched her  then another blow, which knocked her to the ground.

Joshua Davies (not picture) was charged with repeat attacks on his ex-partners, including blows and kicks to their heads.

He told her she had not learned her lesson, and pulled out knuckle-dusters, punching her twice more, splitting her lip.

Then he grabbed a shotgun, held the end of the barrel to the middle of her forehead, and said maybe I should do the world a favour.

She replied, Do it then before he pulled the gun away and left.

Over the following weeks, his violence continued. More kicks that came out of the blue, including to her head. A punch to her kidney.

On one occasion he attacked after she took too long going to various supermarkets to find a specific block of chocolate he wanted.

Burns, punches and strangulation

In February 2023, Davies was arrested on a charge of possession of an offensive weapon found in his car  knuckle-dusters. He was bailed to the womans house.

Davies instructed the woman to bring his ex-partner, whom hed seen at court, to her house.

He then began to threaten both women, and he interrogated the second woman, accusing her of giving information to gang members.

He told her Youre free to go whenever you want, but the summary of facts said she felt she couldnt leave, and she remained at the house for about four days.

The first woman returned home from work one day to see the second woman had a large gash on her forehead.

Davies strangled the second woman twice by putting his hands around her neck and causing her to lose consciousness, while the first woman looked on.

He burnt the second womans leg with a pipe, and came back with a meat cleaver from the kitchen, threatening to chop off her fingers.

He punched and kicked her, including her face, head, ribs, and legs, stomped on her chest when she was down on the ground, and spear-tackled her.

After three days of violence, the two women planned the second womans escape. She called a friend she trusted and sent them to another location. When they messaged they were there, she packed her stuff and ran.

Later that day she went to Tauranga Hospital. She had injuries to her eyes, extensive bruising, an open wound on her forehead, and two 3cm burn marks on her lower leg.

Threats continue from prison

Even when Davies was in custody a year later, his threats of violence continued.

He called the first woman and asked her to tell the second woman she shouldnt give evidence  this would stop him from hunt[ing] her down and hurting her.

He also told the first woman she should be glad he was in custody.

Davies made threatening phone calls to his victims while in custody, which Judge Bidois said were attempts to stop them from coming to court.

Be grateful Im here, f***en hell Ill f***en shoot you c**t', he said.

Im glad Im in prison, I would have given you the best hiding of your life.

An hour later, a further phone call laden with threats.

Im grateful Im in jail c**t, I will bury a knife in your guts  Celebrate your death."

Followed by: You think I dont know where you live. F**k Ill send someone over there today you dumb s**t.

Over the next five months, the threatening phone calls continued.

He called the first woman a c*** repeatedly, threatened to cut out her tongue, gouge out her eyes, punch her in the head, and stab her with a knife.

He told her, Youll end up in the boot of my f***en car ... End up on the front page of the Bay of Plenty Times. But I hope you have a wonderful day.

He told her she had no f***in clue what damage Im capable of inflicting, and then told her he would remove body parts.

Some of the threats were extended to family members and friends of both of the women and he threatened to pay others to inflict violence on the women.

He made more than 60 threatening phone calls while in custody.

Vindicated the victims, says Judge

Davies entered guilty pleas to the 19 charges, which covered various forms of serious domestic violence and threats of violence.

He was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Davies entered guilty pleas after a judge decided the Crown could include propensity evidence outlining his 18 previous family violence convictions if the matter went to trial.

Judge Louis Bidois said at sentencing that the 35-year-old had been subjected to various forms of abuse in his childhood.

Judge Louis Bidois sentenced Joshua Davies to eight years' imprisonment for violent attacks on ex-partners.

He would have regard to Davies' circumstances, while also acknowledging the need for denunciation and deterrence.

Crown prosecutor Hannah Speight sought a starting point in the vicinity of 13 years, and a minimum period of imprisonment of 50%.

Davies' lawyer Michael Douglas said a starting point of around 10 years' imprisonment was appropriate.

Judge Bidois noted the effect on the victims  both the physical and emotional impact.

The aggravating factors included blows to the head, use of weapons, and breach of trust.

The mitigating factors were Davies had pleaded guilty, saving the victims the trauma of going to trial.

By pleading guilty, its vindicated the victims, they know you were the offender and not them, Judge Bidois said.

Its difficult to know what was going on in your head at the time you were inflicting pain ...

The judge set starting points for the offending against each victim  seven years for one victim, and six years for the other, which then included an uplift for his attempts to pervert the course of justice.

There was a further uplift of three months for threats made against other people, while he was in custody.

Judge Bidois reached an overall starting point of 13 years and three months of imprisonment but adjusted it for totality to 11 years, six months.

He gave a 20% discount for his guilty plea and 15% for his background.

Davies received an end sentence of eight years' imprisonment, which included an uplift for offending while on bail and previous violence convictions.

Judge Bidois did not impose a minimum period of imprisonment, deciding instead that was best left to the Parole Board.

FAMILY VIOLENCE
A mother and daughter duo are walking the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa Trail to reconnect after years of living overseas.

The pair lived in Mount Maunganui for many years before mum Hannah Dickie decided to move overseas to teach at international schools in China and Thailand for 10 years and daughter Ivy Wallis moved to London where she works as a chef on super yachts.

Dickie left her job and Wallis took six months off to complete the trail.

On October 29, they began their 3000km journey from Cape Reinga Lighthouse.

On day one, they walked along the beach, up sand dunes, over streams and through bush while battling winds, only to arrive at their camp site at Twilight Camp to be greeted by pouring rain and thunderstorms during the night, they said.

Luckily the tents werent damaged, said Dickie.



Mother Hannah Dickie and daughter Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied

On the first night at Twilight Campsite we meet our trail family which are fellow hikers you see each night at the campsites along Ninety Mile Beach, she said.

We formed a special bond with ours, started a WhatsApp group and keep in contact, every now and then we meet up which is awesome.

On day two, Wallis nearly lost Dickie as she had taken the wrong turn at a junction and turned up an hour and a half later.

As they made their journey down the North Island, they came across many other hikers from around the world.

Every day they walk for five to 12 hours  depending on the terrain  and during that time they listen to music, audio books and podcasts or just enjoy the peace.



Hannah Dickie hitchhikes to Kerikeri. Photo / Supplied

Wallis said walking for that long often leaves them getting a bit sick of each other.

Im a human snail, said Dickie. She said Wallis is often looking around to see if she is still coming.

After long days of walking in mixed terrain and weather, theyre exhausted by the time they get to hit the hay.

With all the practice theyve become quick at putting up their tents and their blow-up mattresses.



Hannah Dickie taking a break from walking through Waitangi Forest. Photo / Supplied

On day 30 of their journey, Dickie reactivated an old Achilles injury after slipping down a muddy bank.

They decided to take a five-day break visiting friends in Mount Maunganui to allow Dickie to get physio and let her Achilles heal so they could continue their journey.

Starting at the northern cape of Te Rerenga Wairua, to the southern bluff of Motupohue, more than 2000 people will be walking the length of Aotearoa New Zealand on the Te Araroa Charitable Trust Trail.

The journey that can take up to five months to complete is one of the worlds most diverse long-distance walking trails, according to Te Araroa.



Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied

The trip will find the participants in high mountain passes, over volcanoes, across sweeping plains, alongside meandering rivers, and through bustling cities and rural towns.

The trail claims to unveil the unique beauty of New Zealands landscapes and communities.

Dickie and Wallis said they hope to have the trip done by April, however, they said Dickies injury may end up holding them back.



Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied

They said they had both been thinking about taking the trip for a while and when Dickie took the year off from working, Wallis thought it would be a good idea to tag along and do the trip together.

Along their way so far, they have learnt a lot, how to pack light, how to turn a gas cooker on, what to do and what not to do, and theyve met some great people along the way.

Their favourite part of their trip has been meeting people along the way.

Weve heard a lot of stories from people, said Wallis.

Weve met a lot of people and learned some really great tips.

When asked whether they would recommend this experience to others, the pair said Yes, definitely.

Dickie said they have both been blown away with the support of friends and the kindness of kiwis.

To keep up to date with their journey follow the duo on Instagram @freshairfritters.
A Waikato beekeeper has come full circle in what has becoming an increasingly unpredictable business.

Matt Crawford says limited returns for honey means the bulk of his income is being generated once again from pollination.

Based at Okauia, near Matamata, Matt and his wife Maxine run Golden Flow Apiaries which has about 1600 hives now chiefly pollinating kiwifruit orchards in the Western Bay of Plenty rather than producing honey in the Waikato.

He has been involved in the bee business for 17 years, starting out working for Golden Flows original owner Bryce Hooton.

Matt progressively bought a greater shareholding in the Okauia operation and took over full ownership seven years ago.

He said beekeeping was booming at that time, with Golden Flow Apiaries growing from 1400 to 2500 hives at its peak.

Pollination was a major part of the business originally, but Matt says this took a toll on the hives and a move was made to producing manuka honey.

But, with returns falling amidst an ongoing honey glut across the country, he has gone back to pollination which now makes up more than 70 per cent of the companys income.

Five years ago, we were a hundred per cent honey."

He said it's simply a question of cashflow.

Happy Balance

We had to find a happy balance, or we wouldve been out of business two years ago.

Like many of his fellow beekeepers around the country, Matt has just been selling surplus honey sitting in the shed for the last 3-4 years.

He said there has been a national over-supply, particularly of manuka honey, which has exceeded market demand over the past five years.

A 300kg drum of manuka honey which once fetched $120 would now return just $20 if youre lucky.

Crawford said demand has increased for table honey, which fetches $7/kg compared to $3/kg three years ago.

However, he said most beekeepers in the honey trade were seeing their costs rise while their incomes have gone backwards.

Crawford knows of several who have simply shut up shop altogether.

The hobbyists are gone. The whole industry has changed. You have to adapt to survive.

Crawford believed though that the honey trade is on the up and getting back to similar levels to when he first started.

We are just making a living, he sayid Its more a lifestyle.

Golden Flow Apiaries has three fulltime employees, plus Crafords wife Maxine and his father Maurice on a part-time basis.

The operation, on .5ha at Okauia, has an extracting plant to help with honey harvesting.

Full frames are collected from hives and 24 at a time are put through a spinner which separates honey from beeswax.

The honey is then filtered and put into vats, prior to going into sealed drums ready for trucking to Hamilton-based Honey New Zealand.

Safe Storage

Crawford said honey for the table is best stored in a cool, dark cupboard or pantry.

Beeswax can be used to make products including candles and lip balm.

Registered hive numbers in New Zealand have reportedly fallen from a high of 918,000 in 2019 to 601,000 at last report. North Island numbers have gone from 694,000 to 418,000 in that time.

Matt sids the existing stockpile of honey, coupled with increased competition in global markets, has however, continued to create challenges for processing companies.

Te Puke-based Comvita recently reported a full year loss of $77.4 million, citing a downturn in sales to China and North America.

Kiwifruit orchards

On the other side of the equation, Crawford said kiwifruit orchards are on the increase and with their reliance on bees to produce a crop, Bay of Plenty growers are having to go further and further afield to find hives.

He knew of some beekeepers even making the trip down from Northland to the Bay of Plenty last season to help meet demand.

Kiwifruit orchards have reportedly increased 12.5 per cent from 12,905 producing hectares in 2019/20 to 14,512ha in 2022/23.

Crawford said this means 1607ha of new orchards that require beehives, at an average of 10-12 hives per ha. Bay of Plenty is home to by far the largest area of kiwifruit orchards, with 11,429ha.

The pollination schedule sees Crawford drop off hives at orchards in late October.

There are 8-10 hives per canopy hectare, with his bees serving both the Gold and Green varieties of kiwifruit.

Crawford said hives, which return between $190 and $250 each, are usually left at the orchards for a couple of weeks before collection.

Kiwifruit is particularly reliant on insect pollinators as its male and female flowers are located on separate plants, he said.

During spring, when the flowers begin to open, Crawford said the bees and orchard managers were working hard to ensure a successful pollination in the orchards.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Scores of passengers were harassed at the Roadport bus terminus in Harare on Saturday in an incident that has drawn widespread condemnation. Several passengers, who had boarded a bus heading to Mutare on a new route, were forcibly removed from the vehicle by rogue touts, causing chaos at the terminal.The incident, described as a "day of shame" by witnesses, saw the touts intimidating passengers and even a bus driver, despite the driver having the necessary route permit. The bus was diverted away from its intended route, with passengers being told to board a different bus heading to Shamva, as the touts acted as if they controlled bus movements at the terminus.A bus driver who witnessed the disturbing scenes expressed frustration over the situation. "What we have witnessed today is very bad, and we call for the perpetrators to be brought to book. They humiliated travellers and the bus driver as if they were the law themselves. The bus driver had the proper route permit, yet they forced him to divert and take passengers to Shamva, as though they control bus operations," said the driver.H-Metro visited Roadport to find several passengers being harassed, their luggage being taken away, and them being pushed onto other buses against their will. The chaos was compounded by the disruptive actions of the touts, who seemed to operate without fear of retribution.Tafadzwa Simbarasi, a spokesperson for the courts, responded to the incident, emphasizing that authorities were investigating the matter. "We are looking into what transpired with a view to taking action against such touts. We encourage order at the ranks, as well as ensuring the safety of travelers," Simbarasi said.This latest harassment follows a nationwide crackdown on touts, which began in June under the "No To Touts" operation. The initiative, launched by the police, saw numerous touts arrested, but incidents like the one at Roadport suggest that the problem persists in certain areas. Authorities have pledged to continue their efforts to ensure order at bus ranks and protect passengers from such harassment.
Alekk M. Saanders Nerja Monday, 16 December 2024, 17:35 | Updated 20:19h. Compartir

The tradition dates back to the original story of Lucia, who delivered food to persecuted Christians hiding in Roman catacombs under the city and by lighting her way with candles. Her day is most widely celebrated in Scandinavia, also in Lucias home country, Italy, and, unsurprisingly, on the island of St Lucia which named after Saint Lucy. However, each nation emphasises a different aspect of her story. The Swedish story refers to the arrival of Christianity in Sweden. Also, according to folklore, the long night from 13 to 14 December was considered dangerous and needed lighting.

The Nordic choir created in Nerja incorporated Christmas songs in Swedish and English into the Luciadagen celebration

Additionally, in Sweden, Lucia is included with Advent and is a time of preparation for Christmas. That's why the Nordic choir created in Nerja incorporated Christmas songs in Swedish and English into the Luciadagen celebration, which took place at Los Huertos del Sevillano in Nerja.

Bjoerg portraying Lucia. AMS

In Scandinavia, where Lucy is called Santa/Sancta Lucia, she is represented as a woman in a white dress symbolising a baptismal robe, with a red sash symbolising the blood of her martyrdom, and with a crown or wreath of candles on her head. Bjoerg Jahren Andersson, a local enthusiast from Norway, portrayed Lucia and was followed by choir members in a traditional Lucia procession (Luciatag) to the restaurant stage.

"It's not the first time I've been Lucia, but it was a long time ago.... And I'm glad to do it again. I love Luciadagen! Events like this bring people together in a special magical atmosphere that makes everything so much more enjoyable. And this year we found ourselves in such a spectacular environment that the organisators created. So I am one hundred per cent satisfied, not only with my role as Lucia, and with the singing, but also with meeting good old acquaintances and chatting with them... I hope we can make Luciadagen with our choir a tradition at Los Huertos," Bjoerg told SUR in English.

"Our Nordiska koren (choir) consists of people from Sweden, Norway and Finland. We perform often, but this performance was special because of the special scenography and so many people who wanted to celebrate Lucia Day in company and with lots of candles. More than 120 people came to listen to traditional Neapolitan Santa Lucia song, which we have learned especially for the event and Christmas carols and singalong. This was our initial idea and that's why we prepared a booklet with the lyrics of the song. I am happy that we managed to get all the guests to sing along with us. I have to say that we are very happy to have been invited to this event," choir director Anna Nejdling Ekman told SUR in English.

In addition to Swedes, the audience included people from other Scandinavian countries, as well as from the UK, France and Germany. Local Spaniards also came to join in the impressive candlelight tradition.

"Events like this help us to feel extra at home here in Nerja. You know that many people prefer to celebrate such holidays in familiar surroundings. We used to do this in Sweden but this time we decided to stay in Nerja longer and sincerely were a little preoccupied not to celebrate Luciadagen in a proper way. So we were happy to learn that this year Luciadagen is celebrated in Nerja. By the way, the Arctic cyclone added to the Scandinavian atmosphere, making the weather in Nerja cool and rather grey and gloomy, but.... inside the restaurant it was warm in every sense of the word," said one of the guests, Olaf, who spends winters in Nerja.

Although the food was Andalusian (albeit with Scandinavians' favourite pickled fish), the event ended with traditional glogg (mulled wine) and biscuits flavoured with ginger (pepparkakor) presented by local Swedish shop Hemlangtan.

"I was truly mesmerised by this Lucia celebration, held with such enthusiasm and genuine joy. It was the first time I had attended such an event as well as it was the first time I tasted hot wine flavoured with cinnamon and almonds and raisins. I liked it, even though I used to think such a wine cocktail was disgusting, like many Spaniards," commented one of the guests, Pepe Garcia.

The Lucia celebration ended with the choir's final song, Silent Night, which was sung in three languages - Swedish, English and Spanish. It was able to unite in one voice all those for whom this melody is very familiar, albeit with different lyrics. However, the meaning was the same - to appreciate tranquility, to find harmony with oneself, and to try to live in peace on earth.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A performing arts show coming to Syracuse in March has a history of questionable labor practices and is currently the subject of an inquiry by the state Labor Department.

The show, known as Shen Yun, has performances scheduled in Syracuse in March at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater. The group has been advertising heavily in Central New York in advance of the shows including online and on billboards near major highways in the area.

Shen Yun features classical Chinese dance and music that it says celebrate Chinas cultural heritage.

The troupe is run by Falun Gong, a religious movement that is persecuted in China. The group operates from a campus in Orange County, about two hours north of New York City.

The show includes some content intended to spread Falun Gongs ideals and oppose communism in China.

Shen Yun, founded in 2006, earn tens of millions of dollars per season, but offers little or no pay to its performers, according to The New York Times. The group relies on children and teenagers to stage its shows, said the Times, which published an investigation into the group in August.

Shen Yun requires its performers to keep grueling tour schedules and train under abusive conditions, former performers have said, according to the Times.

Both former performers and legal experts have described the groups labor practices as questionable.

The state Labor Department launched an inquiry into Shen Yun in recent months, but has declined to specify what it is examining, the Times said. The department enforces laws in areas including child labor, overtime and minimum wage.

While many performers told the Times that Shen Yun gave them the opportunity to travel, improve their Chinese language skills and instilled a strong worth ethic, most also said it exposed them to unyielding indoctrination.

A statement from representatives of Shen Yun and Falun Gong said the performers who spoke to The Times were distorting reality in bizarre ways, according to the Times. The statement also said the Times was playing into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party and committing a bigoted attack.

Falun Gong has also posted a response to the Times' ongoing stories on Shen Yun and Falun Gong online.

A former dancer with the company sued the organization in November, arguing the group has subjected some of its child performers to harsh conditions, according to The Associated Press.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.

The suit said the group has adopted some of the most abusive practices of the Chinese Communist Party, including using public humiliation as discipline for children and scaring them into thinking they would be harmed of they quit, AP said.
By Kelsey Brown | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  Cannabis processors and cultivators are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill that would restructure their tax filings to be on an annual basis.

Their industry is currently required to pay a 9% quarterly cannabis excise tax based on wholesale prices. The legislation is a very simple adjustment to the language in the law, according to Nick Guarino, CEO and co-founder of Jaunty, a cannabis company.

It doesnt have a fiscal impact, Guarino said. Its just a small technical change that would have a super positive effect. Its hard to imagine resistance to it.

Cannabis companies Ayrloom and Jaunty, alongside the Empire Cannabis Manufacturers Alliance, worked with Park Strategies to draft the bill thats received support from state Sen. Jeremy Cooney and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. The bill received swift approval in the Legislature.

Mack Hueber, the CFO of Beak and Skiff, a commercial orchard that sells alcoholic drinks, and president of its hemp and cannabis brand Ayrloom, explained that the annual tax structure is modeled after the craft alcohol business.

It already worked in the craft alcohol space, Hueber said. Why not bring that same thought process and proven model to cannabis?

Hueber said the issue is relatively simple. The payments are now due 20 days after each quarter ends, while retailers have 30 days to pay an invoice. The timing often leaves wholesalers, processors and cultivators fronting the money to the state before being paid themselves and at risk of accumulating late fees.

For stakeholders in an industry that is unstable, the change could be monumental to keeping businesses afloat.

Everyones struggling, Hueber said. Paying someone before you actually receive the payment from a retailer is just causing excess burden that could be fixed with just changing the timing of payments.

Guarino said the proposed annual tax structure would allow businesses to accumulate their owed funds and pay their state taxes without a struggle. Cannabis tax reform has been discussed for more than a year. In June, the state shifted to a flat 9% tax from its previous potency tax  which Hueber called an administrative nightmare to calculate  with individuals taxed based on the milligrams of THC in each product. Hueber said that was a step in the right direction.

Guarino is still feeling the impacts of the previous tax structure. Jaunty is on a payment plan with the state paying $65,000 a month based on the previous tax structure. Combined with taxes from current sales, later this month theyll owe around $400,000 in taxes. He mentioned that with personal taxes, the Internal Revenue Service offers 60-month terms for repayment. But Guarino said the excise tax is less lenient, with a six-month term. He said the state does not play around with their taxes.

Guarino said Jaunty, the Rensselaer County company thats worked in cannabis extraction since 2017, is one of the top brands in the state for oil-based products, with a higher volume of sales. Still, the tax structure is limiting their ability to do business.

Im struggling a lot with it, Guarino said. Its super challenging. Were going to get to the other side, I hope. But I cant imagine what a smaller operator is feeling.

Guarino also noted the cannabis industry is facing federal regulations requiring them to pay taxes on gross income rather than paying an adjusted figure as non-cannabis businesses do. Cannabis businesses are prohibited from deducting business expenses from their total income due to the Controlled Substances Act. Retailers pay a 13% tax.

The measure is one of three cannabis-related bill that are awaiting action; the others include a proposal to have cannabis defined as an agricultural crop and another that would allow farmers to conduct market-style events to boost sales.

The agricultural crop bill and the tax reform bill were called up by the governors office last week. Guarino, who said that this bill would allow us to survive, is hoping that the tax legislation will be signed in the next week.

We just want to make sure this market keeps going and we support our supply chain, Hueber said. This just seems like a simple, obvious fix.

___

(c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Marcy, N.Y.  Officials on Monday identified the inmate who died last week after the use of force by staff members in a Utica-area state prison.

The inmate is Robert L. Brooks, 43, according to Thomas Mailey, a spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Brooks, originally of Greece in Monroe County, was sentenced in 2017 to 12 years in prison on a first-degree assault charge. He was arrested after stabbing his girlfriend multiple times, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Staff members used force on Brooks last Monday at the Marcy Correctional Facility, according to a Sunday evening news release from Daniel Martuscello III, the DOCCS commissioner.

Brooks was later taken to Wynn Hospital in Utica, Mailey said. He died there at 3:50 a.m. last Tuesday.

The incident is under investigation by the departments Office of Special Investigations, Martuscello said. The State Police and the state Attorney Generals Office have also been notified.

The AGs office began a preliminary assessment Monday into the death, a spokesperson said. The office is required by state law to investigate any deaths that result from an action, or inaction, by police officers or peace officers, including corrections officers.

The staff members involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the internal investigation, Martuscello said.

DOCCS records show Brooks was housed at Mohawk Correctional Facility, about 12 miles west of Marcy Correctional Facility, where staff used force on him.

A DOCCS spokesperson declined to answer further questions about the incident.

Marcy Correctional Facility is a medium-security state prison located in Oneida County, about seven miles west of Utica. It had 846 inmates as of Dec. 1, records show.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
Matthew Stevens, of Central Square, is a second-year student of political science at Le Moyne College and a member of the Central Square Planning Board. He is an advocate with Design It For Us, a youth-led organization advocating for safer social media and online platforms for kids, teens and young adults.

Meta, the parent company of social media giant Instagram, recently announced a $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana. Amid ongoing year-end legislative deliberations, the timing of this decision has raised a few eyebrows. As Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stood alongside Meta executives last week to celebrate the data center, the U.S. House of Representatives continues deliberations over landmark kids online safety legislation  most notably, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The bipartisan measure sailed through the Senate on a 91-3 vote earlier this summer but is stalled in the House awaiting a vote.

As a young person who cares deeply about the online safety of my peers, I am hoping that our congressional leaders will step up before the end of the year to protect my generation online. And I am enthused by the support from Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), among others, calling on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) to vote on the Senate measure.

This legislation will empower young people and parents with the tools necessary to combat the risks posed by online platforms. It will ensure a safer environment for children online, by mandating the most protective settings are toggled by default. Over 25 years have passed since the last significant childrens online safety legislation became law. KOSA is the best opportunity to address the risky environments posed by these online platforms and bring protective measures to the modern age, ensuring a safer space for our nations youth.

Big Techs pressure on Johnson has ramped up, especially considering Metas lobbying reports revealing the company has been making investments to prevent the advancement of KOSA and has targeted key House leaders. An Issue One report shows Meta has spent $18.9 million on lobbying during the first nine months of 2024. In other words, this has given Meta the ability to have one lobbyist for every eight members of Congress.

Metas new Louisiana data center is the latest development in Metas fight to block regulation and is well-timed with KOSAs position in Congress. But Johnson wields the power to rise to the occasion. With significant bipartisan support for the advancement of this legislation rising, Johnson maintains a unique opportunity to quash Metas apparent Louisiana lobbying effort and to champion efforts to address the harms facing kids in the digital age. He can work with lawmakers to get KOSA passed and secure himself a position as a leader who prioritizes kids safety over corporate interests.

I am proud that our New York congressional delegation, namely Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) have rejected Big Techs influences and are working to ensure this bill becomes law. Just this fall, I attended a press event with Schumer urging the House to advance KOSA, where we heard testimony from parents, educators and health professionals. Schumer passionately called on our elected representatives to come together and protect kids online. Now, he must maintain the bipartisan support that he secured in the Senate by encouraging his colleagues to highlight the bipartisan spirit of the issue  protecting my generation online should not be a partisan cause. And Jeffries must work to prioritize kids online safety in the final stretch of the year.

Not only has KOSA been uniquely bipartisan, including gaining the support of a bipartisan coalition of 38 state attorneys general, but it has notably had the support of key Republican leaders Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance and Senate Majority Leader-Elect John Thune (R-South Dakota).

KOSA will put in place safeguards targeting the intentional decisions of Big Tech companies that exploit kids vulnerabilities, and their data, for profit. It will ensure that young people are protected online from predatory behavior by these companies and provide a safer online space for our nations youth.

I call on Syracuses own Rep. Brandon Williams (R-Sennett), who is a co-sponsor of this bill, to urge his colleagues in the House leadership to bring KOSA to a vote.

All eyes will be on Louisianas congressional leadership to determine whether they have succumbed to the lobbying powerhouse of Big Tech or will rise to answer the bipartisan call from my fellow youth advocates to protect kids online by sending this bill to the Presidents desk before the end of the year.
Pitts Davis has the right to recuse herself

To the Editor:

Syracuse Judge Felicia Pitts Davis has the right to recuse herself from a case when there is a plausible or perceived conflict of interest. The problem is this discretion isnt allowed for the lesser duty of civil marriage ceremonies. Her decision to not conduct this particular civil ceremony is being amplified into challenging her judicial impartiality. Selecting to individually decline initiating a civil union is not the same as adjudicating a due process legal case.

I might criticize and decline contributing to an organization with objectives I have disdain for, but would fully support prosecution of vandalism or theft against that entity. Does anyone believe a judge doesnt have to frequently compartmentalize such aspects and occasionally request or be requested to recuse?

The problem to address in New York state is the rigidity of this rule while considering the availability of a judge or a postponement without advance notice, impositions that did not happen here.

Edward Stronski

Liverpool

Couple got married. Whats the issue?

To the Editor:

This media brouhaha about Judge Felicia Pitts Davis is much ado about nothing. Davis simply asked one of her colleagues to perform this service, which she did without delay. No muss, no fuss! No reason to resign; no reason for District Attorney William Fitzpatrick to be involved.

Had her actions caused harm to the participants it would be a different story and some retribution might be warranted, but as it stands, let life go on! She exercised discretion and saw that the participants received the service that was expected with no compromise of her official duties. Can a judge recuse him or herself from a death penalty case if he or she is against the death penalty?

Dr. David Seeley

Manlius

Kudos to the judge for upholding her faith

To the Editor:

Id like to respond to the newspaper articles that the Post-Standard has been publishing lately in regard to the Syracuse City Court judge who declined to officiate the marriage of a same-sex couple.

As a professing Christian myself. Id like to offer my extreme opposition and displeasure that has been lodged against one of the city court judges for her refusal to marry a same-sex couple, which is in direct violation of her Christian faith. Kudos to Judge Felicia Pitts Davis for not performing a union of marriage that is directly in violation of what the Bible and her faith says about same-sex marriage.

Furthermore, Im displeased with District attorney William Fitzpatrick, Gov. Kathy Hockul and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh for criticizing the judge. If anyone should resign, it should be these three people for infringing on Daviss First Amendment rights. Just because the judge is an officer of the court does not and should not impede on her right as an American citizen or a devout Christian. To go against her religious freedom and conscience to perform an act that is in clear violation of her/those beliefs she should be applauded, not be criticized.

Maybe the DA, the governor, the mayor and others in this community should take some lessons from her, especially if they claim to be Christians.

Joe Traver

Syracuse
Anglers can be a superstitious bunch. Maybe because catching fish often has more to do with luck than anything else.

Ed Hatten Jr., of Hastings, is a superstitious angler. Lucky, too.

On Nov. 24, Hatten and his long-time friend and fishing partner, Len Heffron, of Clay, were trolling for Lake Erie walleye about 40 miles west of Cleveland.

Theyd been planning this trip since July and had just two days to get their names on the leaderboards of the annual Fall Brawl and Walleye Slam, two Ohio-based fishing derbies that together drew about 20,000 entrants in 2024.

They were cruising along in the vicinity of Vermilion, marking fish, when one of their planer boards fell back. Hatten set the hook.

Right away he knew it was a good fishgood enough to break the taboo he and Heffron had against announcing a good fish before it was in the boat.

Lenny and I have a thing that we dont say, This is a good fish, Hatten explained. But I told him, I said, Dude, this is a good fish.

Heffron grabbed the net and warned Hatten to shut up lest he jinx them.

After a 15-minute battle, Hatten reeled the fish close to the boat. It shook its head and dove back down, peeling off line. Again, Hatten tempted fate.

Dude, he said excitedly, this is a good fish!

And again, Heffron instructed his friend to shut up, this time throwing in a swear word or two for emphasis.

Minutes later Heffron netted Hattens walleye and the hook on the gold and polka-dot Bandit lure just fell out of its jaw. Hows that for luck?

They laid the fish on the floor of the boat and stared in awe at its immense girth. It measured 31.25 inches and weighed a whopping 12.3 pounds. The men high-fived and hugged each other.

The whale of a walleye rocketed Hatten and Heffron to the top of the tournament leaderboards.

And last week it became officialthe anglers took home the top prize in each derby: two brand new fishing boats worth more than $300,000.

Good fish, indeed!

When Ed Hatten Jr. landed the 12.3-pound Lake Erie walleye after a 15-minute battle, the hook fell out of it jaw. The fish went on to take the top prize in the Fall Brawl and Walleye Slam.Ed Hatten Jr.

Hatten caught the fishing bug as a boy spending long summer days fishing at his grandparents camp on Cross Lake. Sometimes his grandfather would tow their boat to fish Oneida Lake.

My grandmother was the old German lady who would help you catch the fish, she would clean the fish, and she would cook the fish, Hatten said. That really set the stage.

When hes not working as a manager for Reworld Waste, Hatten fishes for walleye on Lake Erie in the fall, and Lake Ontario for brown trout in spring. But his home water, Oneida Lake, is just ten minutes from his house.

Hatten believes in giving back to the sport he loves. In his spare time, he volunteers for the Shane Pinard Future Fishermens Foundation, which teaches kids and young adults how to fish in lakes and streams around CNY.

The fishing community as a whole, especially in Central New York, has been nothing but a group of friends, Hatten said. Our community, my group of friends, my small circleI couldnt ask for a better group of guys to travel with.

Hattens gracious attitude might just be the secret ingredient in his recent success. Anybody can get lucky, but Hattens good fortune transcends mere luck. The way everything lined up that dayhow else can he explain it?

Theres luck involved, Hatten said. You got to be over the right fish at the right time with the right bait, doing the right thing. But I say its karma. Sometimes karma has a way of finding you.

Hatten caught his prize-winning walleye using this Bandit lure custom painted by Mike Chaffin at Erie Outfitters.Ed Hatten Jr.

Minutes before he hooked the prize-winning walleye, Hatten messaged his wife that the fishing wasnt great. But so what, he added. Here he was in the middle of November, bobbing on Lake Erie with his good buddy. Now thats lucky.

You know, spending time with friends is what its about, Hatten said. The fact that we caught a good fish is just icing on the cake.

Hatten said he bought his first big water boat only three years ago. Thanks to one big walleye, now hes got two more boats: a Warrior V238 valued at $174, 694, and a Ranger Boats 622 FS Pro that carries a $140,000 price tag.

I gotta make a decision, Hatten joked. And Im definitely going to upgrade in the length of the boat.



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Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors.
By H. Rose Schneider | Times Union, Albany

A state Supreme Court judge blocked a lawsuit seeking to stop a state law that would ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores.

The law, which supporters say is meant to stop mistreatment of animals at breeding operations known as puppy mills, was set to take effect Sunday. The previous Monday, an organization representing retailers and dog breeders called the Pet Advocacy Network sued to overturn it, and asked for a temporary injunction.

In a decision filed Friday evening in Suffolk County Court, acting Supreme Court Justice Frank A. Tinari denied the lawsuit, noting only one plaintiff, a Long Island pet shop owner, filed an affirmation that he would lose revenue and be forced to fire employees, which was not enough to prove irreparable harm. Six New York businesses joined PAN in the suit as plaintiffs. Tinari also noted the lawsuit was filed only 10 days before the law is set to take effect.

We are frustrated and disappointed that Judge Tinari ignored the widely available evidence that pet sale bans dont work, PAN president and CEO Mike Bober said. 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.

PAN has claimed the law will make it harder for New Yorkers to get a puppy from a good breeder and put local pet stores out of business, instead benefiting unlicensed breeders and online scammers. In Guilderland, Pet Zone at Crossgates Mall will close, leaving its workers unemployed. But advocates for the law say responsible breeders wouldnt sell to pet stores because they wouldnt sell their animals at a price that allows pet stores to make a profit, noting reputable breeders sell puppies directly to the public for $1,500 to $2,000.

Puppies and kittens are the last bastions of nonpartisanship, Libby Post, executive director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation, previously told the Times Union. Its not a Republican issue. Its not a Democratic issue. Democrats and Republicans both love animals. We have incredible support for this across the aisle.

___

(c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
This property on US Route 11 in LaFayette was recently purchased for $180,000. County property records list it as a bar. It appears to have been vacant in Aug. 2023 when this image was captured by Google.Google Maps
China makes remarkable progress in desertification control and UNCCD fulfillment

15:33, December 16, 2024 By Dong Siyu ( People's Daily

Photo shows desert paddy fields developed by a local agricultural corporation in Alaer, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (People's Daily Online/Wang Zhiqing)

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) kicked off in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 2 and closed on Dec. 13.

It marked the first time that China showcased its achievements in desertification control, particularly through the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), a major Chinese national initiative aimed at reversing land desertification.

So far, China has effectively rehabilitated 53 percent of its treatable desertified land, with the area of desertified land decreasing by 65 million mu (about 4.3 million hectares). It is the first country in the world to achieve zero growth in land degradation, and the first to reduce the area of desertified and sandy lands.

China is one of the countries most affected by desertification. It has long made the prevention of desert encroachment and sand control major tasks in its battle against desertification, said Huang Caiyi, head of the desertification control department of China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

After over 40 years of unremitting efforts, China has made remarkable achievements in the battle against desertification, blazing a special path of desertification prevention and control with Chinese characteristics. Environmental conservation and improving people's well-being have entered a virtuous cycle, and economic and social development as well as the ecological environment of the regions with desertification have seen tremendous changes. The country has become the largest contributor to global greening and a global model for desertification control.

The implementation of key projects has significantly improved the ecological conditions in desertified areas. "This year, the Chinese central government invested 32 billion yuan ($4.4 billion) and launched 287 major projects, focusing on the ecological restoration of 109 million mu (7.27 million hectares) of desertified and sandy land," said Liu Bing, an official with China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

For instance, China has carried out major projects such as the TSFP, the Beijing-Tianjin sandstorm source control project, and the project to enclose, protect and restore desertified lands, noted Huang. Thanks to these science-based measures, 538 million mu of desertified land have been sealed off for protection and 118 million mu have been successfully restored, Huang added.

Workers make grass grids in the Tengger Desert in Zhongwei, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, May 9, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Yuan Hongyan)

According to Huang, the forest coverage rate of the TSFP-covering areas has increased from 12.41 percent to 13.84 percent, and soil erosion has been effectively controlled on 61 percent of the affected land in China.

In the Yellow River Basin, the demarcation that distinguishes areas with vegetation from those devoid of it has moved about 300 kilometers westward. Over the past decade, the annual number of dusty and sandstorm-impacted spring days in north China has also dropped significantly.

By combining desert control with economic development, Chinese desert areas have made new progress in economic and social development.

"In China, local governments have adopted a coordinated approach to ecological protection and industrial development. They have leveraged the unique resources of desert areas to moderately develop industries such as medicinal herbs, high-quality forage, commercial forests and fruits, and desert tourism," said Huang.

Production bases for forestry products, fruits, and woody oil crops have been established in regions like the Loess Plateau, Yanshan Mountains, and oases across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, with an annual output of dried and fresh fruits amounting to 48 million tons, Huang added.

Technological innovation has also provided robust support for China's desertification control endeavors, especially for the development of the TSFP.

For instance, China has taken water resources into consideration for green development and selected tree and grass species that are resistant to drought, poor soil, and wind for vegetation planting. It has established 26 desert ecosystem observation stations and 13 ground-based sandstorm monitoring stations to conduct investigations and surveillance of forest, grassland, and wetland ecosystems.

Tourists visit the Yinkentala Desert scenic spot in Kubuqi Desert, Erdos, north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, May 31, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Chai Junwei)

Besides, China has been rapidly developing mechanized and intelligent technologies for sand prevention and control, and widely applying such equipment and technologies as sand compaction machinery, shrub pruning machines, and drone-based aerial seeding.

Desertification is a common challenge faced by all humanity, and tackling desertification is a long-term and arduous task. This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's adoption of the UNCCD.

"China has been diligently fulfilling its responsibilities and obligations under the UNCCD. It has established an office for UNCCD implementation, formulated a national action plan, and has been actively involved in global desertification control," said Huang.

"The TSFP has been recognized in the Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UNCCD Secretariat has also twice honored China for its 'outstanding contribution to combating desertification,' praising its significant contributions to global desertification control," Huang noted.

Huang explained that since adopting the UNCCD, China has set up regional mechanisms to facilitate its implementation. Many significant events have been hosted, such as the Asian ministerial conference on desertification and the Asia-Africa desertification control meeting, to promote regional cooperation on desertification prevention and control.

China has also launched campaigns to raise public awareness of combating desertification worldwide, proposed and facilitated the adoption of resolutions at the Conference of the Parties, designated annual global themes for desertification and drought, and organized commemorative activities. China also hosted the COP 13 to the UNCCD and achieved fruitful outcomes.

"Moving forward, China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration will continue strengthening prevention and control of desertification and promoting the construction of key ecological projects, including the TSFP. It will also continue to diligently fulfill the obligations under the UNCCD, contributing China's strength to global desertification control," said Huang.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A local church leader, Bishop Jimmy Chateerera, 45, of Zvidozvavashe Apostolic Unity Church in Waterfalls, has been arrested following allegations of rape and sexual abuse. The incident, which occurred in August, has shocked the community, as it is reported to have taken place in the presence of the bishop's wife, who allegedly watched the sexual assault.According to the victim, Bishop Chateerera invited her to his house under the pretext of offering spiritual healing for stomach pains. The bishop, claiming to be possessed by a spirit, spoke in different voices and convinced the victim that engaging in sexual intercourse would heal her. The woman was invited to the bishop's home by his wife, and during the alleged attack, she was sexually assaulted while the wife reportedly remained silent.After the assault, Bishop Chateerera is said to have threatened the victim, warning her that if she told anyone about the attack, she would face infertility or suffer from cancer. The victim, fearing for her future, kept the incident a secret and later married another man.However, after becoming pregnant and experiencing severe stomach pains, the victim returned to Bishop Chateerera for help. He reportedly gave her a drink containing unknown substances, which resulted in a miscarriage. This incident prompted the victim to suspect that the bishop may have been responsible for her loss and led her to confide in her husband about the earlier rape. She subsequently filed a police report, and Bishop Chateerera was arrested.Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case, stating that Bishop Chateerera had already been in police custody for another charge of indecent assault. He was subsequently charged with rape in connection with the alleged assault."The accused person, who is already in police custody for another case of indecent assault, was further charged for rape," said Insp Chakanza. "He raped the complainant once with protection. All this happened in the presence of the accused person's wife, who remained quiet. After the abuse, the accused threatened the complainant not to tell anyone or else she would become barren and suffer from a cancerous disease."The case has raised concerns about the abuse of power within religious institutions, particularly involving vulnerable congregants, and is currently under investigation by the police.
10 Things to Know About Conservation

Join us for the 10th series of 10 Things to Know About on RTE One in December 2024! On tonights episode (Monday, 16th December) of the television series 10 Things to Know About Teagasc scientist, Dr. Saorla Kavanagh features in an episode on Conservation.

Dr. Saorla Kavanagh, Teagasc, talks about her work with mining bees in tonights episode.

This episode journeys into the heart of Ireland's conservation efforts as we explore the frontline fight to protect some of the country's most endangered species. From the dwindling population of the Great Yellow Bumblebee in the remote north west to the wildflower habitats that surround our cities, this episode discovers how local communities, farmers and scientists are working together to monitor and preserve Ireland's rich biodiversity. Featuring cutting edge environmental DNA testing and research on bee nesting habits, this episode offers a captivating look at the challenges and breakthroughs in wildlife conservation.

Dr. Saorla Kavanagh, a Teagasc Research Officer in Farmland Biodiversity, talks about her work with mining bees in tonights episode: Some farmers are unaware of how easy it is to help biodiversity. Farmers, and their livestock, are already helping biodiversity without even realising it. The creation of solitary bee nests is a great example of where farmers can instantly see the results of their labour, if you build it they will come.

Creating bare soil areas for mining bees is an easy action that can be taken to help pollinators on the farm. One-third of our bee species are threatened with extinction and the majority of Irelands bees nest underground. Teagasc Walsh Scholar, Colm OLeary is investigating the nesting ecology of mining bees on Irish farms.

And in the Curious Chronicles segment of this episode, presenter Fergus McAuliffe connects the legacy of invading foreign armies to habitat loss, and considers how our ancient and complex relationship with wolves may return in the future.

Tune into Mondays episode of 10 Things to Know About Conservation (Monday, December 16th 2024 at 8.30pm on RTE One).

For more information on tonights episode, watch the promo video below
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

Why it matters: For Chromebook users who find their laptop slowing down or misbehaving, Google just rolled out a handy new feature with the ChromeOS M131 update that lets you hit the reset button without going nuclear. It's called "Safety reset," and it serves as a happy medium between erasing everything with a full factory reset and just deleting cookies.

The new Safety reset option is designed to get your Chromebook back into tip-top shape if you're seeing virus-like behavior such as endless pop-ups.

ChromeOS isn't particularly susceptible to viruses thanks to the operating system's built-in security features. However, you can still be hit with malware if you install malicious apps or extensions or engage in unsafe online habits.

When your Chromebook does start malfunctioning, the usual option is clearing cookies  but that doesn't always work. So now, Google has provided a new option that preserves your data while clearing out potential culprits.

As for specifics, Google's support document details it all. Essentially, the feature resets all Chrome settings and shortcuts back to defaults, disables any extensions you had installed, and deletes cookies and other temporary site data. But it leaves your bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and locally installed apps/data alone.

Google also says you can trigger the Safety reset in a few different ways, including:

Press CTRL + Shift + Search + R keyboard shortcut

Search for keywords like "pop-up", "spam", or "virus" in Settings

Find it under the Settings > Safety and privacy menu

In addition to the Safety reset, the M131 update adds a new accessibility feature  Flash notifications. This gives those who are hard of hearing or use screen magnification a helpful visual cue any time they might miss an audio notification.

You'll find the Flash notifications setting under Settings > Accessibility > Audio & captions. It lets you pick from different colors for the notification flash and even preview what it looks like before enabling it.

Overall, the M131 update isn't an earth-shattering release, but it continues Google's efforts to refine the ChromeOS experience with handy quality-of-life improvements.
Editor's take: A complex legal and ethical battle is unfolding over whether OpenAI can switch to for-profit status. The result could have significant implications for AI development as well as the delicate balance between nonprofit missions and for-profit ambitions in the tech industry.

Meta Platforms has entered the fray in the ongoing dispute between OpenAI and Elon Musk, urging California's Attorney General Rob Bonta to block OpenAI's planned transition to a for-profit company. This move aligns Meta with Musk in a battle that pits some of Silicon Valley's most influential AI players against each other.

Meta wrote to Attorney General Bonta last week, arguing that allowing OpenAI to become a for-profit entity would set a dangerous precedent. The social media giant contends that such a move would enable startups to exploit the benefits of nonprofit status until they are on the brink of profitability.

"OpenAI's conduct could have seismic implications for Silicon Valley," Meta stated in the letter. The company further elaborated on the potential consequences, suggesting that if OpenAI's new business model is deemed valid, it could lead to a situation where "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."

In response to these concerns, OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor has assured that the company will maintain a nonprofit arm following any potential restructuring. This nonprofit entity would retain full value in its ownership stake of the for-profit division and have "an enhanced ability to pursue its mission" of ensuring AI benefits humanity.

The dispute between OpenAI and Elon Musk has been ongoing, with Musk filing a series of legal complaints against the AI company. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left in 2018 amid a power struggle, has accused the company of betraying its original nonprofit mission and colluding with Microsoft, its largest investor, to dominate AI development.

Meta's involvement in this conflict is hardly surprising, given its position as one of OpenAI's biggest competitors. The company has invested billions in developing its own AI technology to rival ChatGPT. Also, OpenAI has close alliances with Microsoft and Apple, both major competitors of Meta.

In its letter, Meta expressed support for Musk and Shivon Zilis, a business and personal associate, in their efforts to represent public interests regarding OpenAI's potential transition to for-profit status. "Although we ask your office to take direct action, we believe that Mr. Musk and Ms. Zilis are qualified and well-positioned to represent the interests of Californians in this matter," Meta wrote.

The conflict has intensified recently, with OpenAI publishing internal documents to counter Musk's request for a preliminary injunction to block its transition to a for-profit company. These documents  as well as a post by OpenAI  state that Musk had previously supported the idea of a for-profit structure for OpenAI.

"When he didn't get majority equity and full control, he walked away and told us we would fail," OpenAI wrote.
Forward-looking: It's becoming increasingly difficult to convince people to buy the latest smartphones when their next-generation upgrades are barely noticeable. This is especially true when it comes to iPhones. Starting next year, however, Apple will reportedly begin releasing thinner and foldable devices, including a foldable iPad the size of two tablets, which it hopes will help revive a stagnant market.

Citing people familiar with the plans, The Wall Street Journal writes that Apple is set to release an iPhone next year that will be thinner than all the current models.

Apple intends for the super-thin iPhone to cost less than the iPhone Pro handsets. This will be achieved by using a simpler camera system and dropping some of the more advanced features found in the Pros.

It's presumed that this handheld is the previously rumored iPhone Air 17. Bloomberg's Apple sage Mark Gurman wrote that the iPhone Air will be around 6 mm thick. That's more than 2mm thinner than the super slim iPhone 16 Pro (8.3mm), and even more streamlined than Apple's thinnest-ever phone, the 6.9mm iPhone 6 from 2014.

The WSJ also reports that Apple is continuing its preparations to enter the foldables market, long after Samsung found success with its Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series.

There have long been rumors that Apple is developing what could be called the iFold, a foldable iPhone. The latest report claims that Apple is also working on a massive foldable iPad  something else we've heard before.

Courtesy of iOS Beta News

The foldable iPad sounds especially interesting. It's said to be the size of two regular iPad Pros side-by-side when unfolded, so the device could be akin to a portable monitor.

Apple has apparently been experiencing some problems with its foldable devices, especially the hinge and flexible cover. Samsung's first Galaxy Fold had its launch delayed by months as the screens were breaking due to debris making its way underneath the display via the center crease. And hinge issues can affect even modern foldables, as this writer discovered with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 (below).

Apple is also reportedly working to ensure the foldables don't have a noticeable screen crease, something that still puts off potential foldable buyers.

We had heard that Apple planned to release the foldable iPad first, followed by the folding iPhone. But it now appears that the folding handset will debut first, possibly in 2026.

Not too surprisingly, the promise of Apple Intelligence hasn't caused a lot of people to rush out and buy the latest devices. With less than 1% projected revenue growth for iPhones in fiscal 2024, Apple hopes going foldable and thinner (and cheaper) will help turn things around.

Image: Ran Avni/Behance
What just happened? Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old researcher who spent four years at OpenAI, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment last month. In an interview with The New York Times in October, Balaji expressed his concerns about how OpenAI allegedly used copyrighted data to train its AI models.

Balaji told the NYT that he quit OpenAI after four years at the company as he had realized generative AI would cause more harm than good. His biggest worry was the way OpenAI allegedly used copyrighted data for LLM training  something virtually every other AI startup has been accused of. He also believed its practices were damaging to the internet.

Balaji said he was skeptical that the "fair use" argument makes for a plausible defense for a lot of generative AI products.

"If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company," he told the publication.

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

Most AI firms point to the "fair use" argument when accused of copyright theft, be it in court or otherwise. Balaji also published a lengthy article on this topic on his personal blog in October. His conclusion was that he didn't believe ChatGPT's training data usage qualified as fair use, noting that similar arguments were not specific to ChatGPT and could be made for many generative AI products.

Balaji told the NYT that generative AI tools would make it impossible for organizations to stay commercially viable if their content was being used to train the systems.

Balaji's post also highlights the damage generative AI can have on online knowledge communities, pointing to the 12% decline in traffic to Stack Overflow after the release of ChatGPT.

The San Francisco Police Department told TechCrunch that Balaji was found dead in his apartment on November 26. Officers and medics had been called to his residence in the city's Lower Haight district to perform a wellness check. No evidence of foul play was discovered during the initial investigation.

"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.

"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," said an OpenAI spokesperson.

OpenAI is involved in several copyright lawsuits right now, the highest-profile being against The New York Times, which alleges the company and Microsoft, OpenAI's biggest investor, used its articles to train AI models such as ChatGPT without permission.
Something to look forward to: CES is just a few weeks away, and it turns out that one of the many new tech products on show will be the new HDMI 2.2 standard. The next version of HDMI will offer increased bandwidth, supporting a wide range of higher resolutions and refresh rates, though you might need a new cable. The new standard could also be supported in the next generation of graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD.

It's been seven years since the HDMI Forum announced HDMI 2.1. On January 6, 2025, one day before CES officially starts in Las Vegas, the organization will announce a new standard.

There's no mention of the term HDMI 2.2 in the Forum's press release, suggesting it could be another revision of HDMI 2.1. However, the email notes that the HDMI Licensing Administrator, which two of the planned speakers at the event represent, is appointed to license Version 2.2 of the HDMI specification.

HDMI 2.1 supports bandwidth up to 48 Gbps and resolutions up to 10,240 x 4,320 at 120Hz with Display Stream Compression (DSC). Increasing the bandwidth in the next standard should allow for even higher resolutions and refresh rates without the need for DSC.

While a new cable is mentioned in the release, it's very unlikely that the port itself will change, and older cables will probably still work with the next spec. Being able to get the most from HDMI 2.2 might require one of the new cables, though.

The fact that the announcement takes place just before CES might mean that the new HDMI standard will be supported by Nvidia's RTX 5000 series and AMD's RX 8000 series desktop graphics cards, both of which are being revealed at the show.

Like AMD's RX 7000 series and the Radeon PRO W7000 Series, Nvidia's RTX 5000 cards are expected to support DisplayPort 2.1 There are only a handful of monitors that support DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 right now, so it will be a while before we start seeing HDMI 2.2 support in monitors and consumer televisions.

Masthead: Patrick Campanale | H/T: VideoCardz
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A senior overseer of the ZAOGA FIF church, Joel Chinhema, has been dismissed from his post in Bindura following serious allegations of adultery, embezzlement of church funds, and sexual misconduct. Chinhema, who held a leadership role within the church, was relieved of his duties last week by the church's board of bishops, which acts as a disciplinary committee.The 10-member board, made up of senior bishops, is responsible for overseeing matters of discipline within the church, headquartered in Waterfalls, Harare. The decision to dismiss Chinhema followed his admission to having engaged in extramarital affairs with two female congregants, which led to the birth of two children.Sources within the church revealed that Chinhema confessed to the illicit relationships and was subsequently asked to step down from his position. "It's disheartening that a man who many looked up to as a father figure failed to lead an exemplary life," one source said. "Baba Chinhema has been dismissed after admitting to impregnating two women from the church."In addition to the charges of adultery, Chinhema is facing accusations of embezzling church funds. He is also alleged to have neglected his children and preyed on vulnerable women, including widows and young girls who sought his counsel. Church officials have reported that a woman came forward, claiming Chinhema had sexually harassed her by sending nude photos in an attempt to entice her into a sexual relationship.Chinhema has also been accused of exploiting his position to manipulate divorced women and those in need of spiritual guidance, using his authority to coerce them into inappropriate situations."The church also received complaints about his treatment of women, including one report from a single lady who claimed she was being sexually harassed," the source added.As part of the dismissal, Chinhema has been ordered to vacate church property in Bindura and relinquish the vehicle he was using, a GD6. He is also facing scrutiny for allegedly receiving protection from certain church leaders, who are believed to have covered up his actions from the time he was a junior pastor until his promotion to overseer.Efforts to reach the church's leadership for comment were unsuccessful. Church secretary-general Apostle Mishael Nyambo referred inquiries to his deputy, Apostle Steve Simukai, whose phone went unanswered. Chinhema also declined to comment on the matter.The ZAOGA FIF church, which has expanded to over 160 nations, has faced a significant scandal with this incident, raising questions about the conduct and accountability of its leaders.
The big picture: Chinese cybercrime syndicate Salt Typhoon hacked into the networks of multiple US carriers and network service providers, leading to a major data breach affecting millions of people. A report now claims that the affected companies failed to notify their customers about the hack and don't intend to do so in the future.

According to NBC News, AT&T and Verizon, the two companies most affected by the data breach, have not only failed to disclose information about the hack to their customers, but there's "no indication" that they have any plans to notify them in the future. Following the publication of the report, both carriers are facing backlash from privacy groups for failing to inform customers about the incident and advising them about risk mitigation.

It is worth noting here that both carriers, along with the FBI, informed select users that their connections may have been intercepted by state-sponsored hackers. Some of those notified by the authorities include the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and the office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

However, the notifications were reportedly limited to those who were directly targeted by the hackers and not other victims who were also affected. Many customers and privacy groups are venting their frustrations at the two carriers for only informing so-called "high-value" customers about the breach while leaving out millions of regular citizens.

Alan Butler, the executive director and president of the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, told NBC that the carriers' "deficient practices" resulted in the hack, and that the companies ought to be notifying all customers about the breach, irrespective of whether only their metadata was accessed by the hackers or the actual content of their calls were also disclosed.

AT&T and Verizon both denied allegations of negligence. In a statement to NBC, an AT&T spokesperson said that the company will "continue to comply with our obligations to notify affected parties," although an unnamed source quoted by the outlet claimed that "only a very small number" of victims have actually been notified. Another source told NBC that Verizon also only reached out to "a small number" of affected customers.

According to US officials, Chinese state-sponsored hackers Salt Typhoon accessed sensitive information of more than a million people, mostly in the Washington, D.C., area. This includes metadata about phone calls and texts: who the victims spoke to, when those calls happened, and even their location.
Facepalm: Not for the first time, we've seen another example of why letting generative AI take over every aspect of our lives would be a mistake. On this occasion, Apple Intelligence, which has a history of making significant errors, created a false headline. It claimed Luigi Mangione, the man arrested over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself. The error led to the BBC contacting Apple, requesting that the issue be corrected.

One of the features of Apple Intelligence is its ability to summarize notifications, which was first introduced in iOS 18.1. Cupertino says the summaries allow users to scan long or stacked notifications with key details right on the Lock Screen, such as when a group chat is particularly active. News headlines also appear in these condensed notifications. Unfortunately for users, they don't always show up correctly.

The summary notification in question, published by BBC News, shows three headlines. The ones about the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and an update on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are accurate. The part about Mangione shooting himself is not  he remains in police custody.

The BBC complained to Apple about the factually incorrect headline, requesting that the company fix it. "BBC News is the most trusted news media in the world," a BBC spokesperson said. "It is essential to us that our audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications."

This is far from the first time that Apple's notifications have gotton it wrong. In June, it summarized a report about the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the headline "Netanyahu arrested," which he wasn't.

Former Twitter platform X has been awash with stories of Apple Intelligence getting it wrong recently. From the AI summarizing a hike "that nearly killed me" as an "attempted suicide," to the Sun expected to strike Earth later in the week (causing delays to Amtrak customers south of Baltimore), generative AI technologies still requires human oversight in many instances.

Loving Apple Intelligence notification summaries pic.twitter.com/7IUsq0GPMy  Neil Kimmett (@neilkimmett) October 16, 2024

In addition to getting these sorts of things completely wrong, generative AI also has little appreciation for context. In October, a New York-based developer received a summary notification from his partner (on his birthday) that read: "No longer in a relationship; wants belongings from the apartment."
Why it matters: After two years of negotiations with the private sector, the European Union has signed a deal to develop and operate a homegrown alternative to satellite Internet connectivity solutions like Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper. While smaller in scale, the IRIS constellation is expected to spark a competitive web of suppliers for space technologies in Europe.

The European Union has announced it is moving forward with an ambitious space program designed to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink initiative in providing high-speed Internet connectivity to citizens, governments, and businesses in Europe.

Dubbed IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), the project is an important component of the EU's space program alongside projects like Copernicus and Galileo that cover Earth observation and navigation systems.

IRIS was first revealed in 2022 as a public-private partnership to build a homegrown encrypted communications network, free of influence from external actors like China or Elon Musk. To that end, the bloc plans to launch nearly 300 satellites into low- and medium-Earth orbits by 2030 in a deal worth 10.6 billion (~ $11.1 billion).

Initially, the project had an estimated cost of 6 billion (~ $6.3 billion), a number that has only crept up during negotiations with the SpaceRISE consortium. Among those entrusted with the implementation of IRIS are leading satellite operators SES, Hispasat, and Eutelsat, as well as telecom and aerospace companies like Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, and OHB.

As a result of the recent agreement, SpaceRISE has been given a 12-year concession contract to develop, deploy, and operate the IRIS satellites. The EU along with the European Space Agency will cover approximately 62 percent of the total cost, with the remainder to be paid for through private investments.

The largest private contributor is French satellite operator Eutelsat, pledging no less than 2 billion (~ $2.1 billion) towards Europe's space-based network. The company hopes the IRIS project will help fund the development of its next-generation OneWeb satellites amid ongoing financial struggles in the face of fierce competition from Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper.

"This cutting-edge constellation will protect our critical infrastructures, connect our most remote areas and increase Europe's strategic autonomy. By partnering with the SpaceRISE consortium, we are demonstrating the power of public-private collaboration to drive innovation and deliver tangible benefits to all Europeans," said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

With China looking to launch a megaconstellation of 13,000 satellites, experts see efforts like IRIS as an increasingly important tool against the growing influence of censorship regimes in developing countries. Some argue that building more space-based connectivity could prove useful in scenarios where ground Internet infrastructure is damaged during war.

Meanwhile, critics of the project believe it is little more than a subsidy program in disguise. After all, it's no secret that companies like Luxembourg-based SES, Spain's Hispasat, and France's Eutelsat are interested in using IRIS as a vehicle for building their own private constellations and securing additional space contracts.

The same could be said of Thales and Airbus, both of which have had to downsize their space divisions. The two companies are even exploring a joint venture to compete with Starlink's relatively cheap low-Earth orbit satellites which have completely changed the market landscape in recent years to the detriment of traditional satellite makers.

The same could be said of Thales and Airbus, both of which have had to downsize their space divisions. The two companies are even exploring a joint venture to compete with Starlink's relatively cheap low-Earth orbit satellites, which have completely changed the market landscape in recent years to the detriment of traditional satellite makers.

Launching the IRIS satellites is set to begin in 2029 and will require 13 missions that will use Europe's Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket. Barring any delays, the service will be fully operational by the end of 2030.
In context: Arm canceled Qualcomm's license in October after years of intellectual property clashes. The company announced that, following a 60-day notice period, Qualcomm would no longer be allowed to produce its own chips based on Arm's technology. The decision was a shocking escalation that heightened tensions between the two companies. However, both sides mysteriously went silent afterward  until now. As the deadline approaches, there are finally new developments.

The legal showdown between chip giants Qualcomm and Arm is unfolding this week in a Delaware courtroom. The jury trial began Monday with opening arguments, and each side is allocated approximately 11 hours to present their case by Friday.

Key witnesses expected to testify include Arm CEO Rene Haas, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, and Qualcomm Vice President Gerard Williams  founder of Nuvia, the AI chip startup Qualcomm acquired in 2021 for $1.4 billion.

Also see: Arm vs Qualcomm: mutually assured destruction

At the heart of the dispute is whether Qualcomm's existing agreements with Arm extend to Nuvia's chip designs post-acquisition. These designs serve as the foundation for Qualcomm's new AI processors for PCs, unveiled earlier this year. Microsoft and PC manufacturers are betting that these energy-efficient chips will enable Windows devices to compete more effectively against Apple's M-series processors, potentially reclaiming market share in the laptop space.

Arm claims that Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia brought with it licensing terms distinct from Qualcomm's existing agreements, requiring renegotiation to use Nuvia's chip designs. Qualcomm, however, contends that the technology behind its custom AI chips falls under its current licensing rights from Arm, negating the need for a new deal.

Rather than monetary damages, Arm is pursuing a far more drastic measure  it wants Qualcomm to destroy the Nuvia-based chip designs entirely.

Although the licensing fees Qualcomm pays to Arm are relatively small for a $176 billion company, the trial's outcome could have profound implications.

A victory for Arm could not only jeopardize Qualcomm's ambitions in the PC market but also disrupt its smartphone processor business. That's because the disputed Nuvia technology forms the foundation of Qualcomm's Oryon CPU cores, which power the company's latest Snapdragon processors for laptops, smartphones, and even automotive applications.

Analysts suggest that the license cancellation may be a strategic move by Arm to pressure Qualcomm into resolving the dispute through negotiation rather than litigation. However, if Arm proceeds with the cancellation  a scenario considered unlikely  it could trigger significant consequences for both companies due to their deeply intertwined business relationship.
According to the latest survey, AI does matter to iPhone buyers, but at present, the Apple Intelligence features are not impressive for the majority. This dissatisfaction is an expression of a larger skepticism from smartphone users, as most believe that these AI tools do not add any real value.

Samsung fares even worse in this regard, with an even higher percentage of its users dismissing the usefulness of AI functionalities.

iPhone Users Value AI More Than Samsung Owners

A SellCell survey indicates that 47.6% of iPhone users believe AI features are "very" or "somewhat" important when purchasing a new smartphone. Only 23.7% of Samsung users view AI as a significant deciding factor. This means that Apple's user base is more interested in AI-driven innovations than its rival brand.

AI Features Not Working Well

Although that has been the interest, Apple Intelligence features have not quite managed to connect with their users. A surprising 73% of Apple's users feel these AI features are "not very valuable" or "add little to no value."

Dissatisfaction is even higher on the side of Samsung users as 87% felt likewise for Galaxy AI features. In addition, it rated the most popular Apple Intelligence features available before iOS 18.2:

Writing Tools (72%)

Notification Summaries (54%)

Priority Messages (44.5%)

Clean Up in Photos (29.1%).

Smart Reply in Mail and Messages (20.9%).

Can Genmoji and ChatGPT Integration Turn Things Around?

The survey predates the release of iOS 18.2, which adds two significant AI improvements: Genmoji and integration with ChatGPT. According to 9to5Mac, Genmoji uses AI to create custom emojis, based on user descriptions.

When a new glowing smile icon is tapped on the emoji keyboard, users can say what emoji they want and Genmoji will instantaneously create it.

On the other hand, Apple has embedded ChatGPT on Siri. Users can begin a Siri request with the phrase "Ask ChatGPT," and it easily redirects the question to the chatbot. This now makes Siri a hybrid assistant, with the old Siri and an expansive knowledge base from ChatGPT.

Apple Intelligence is Years Behind

Earlier in November, an analyst said that Apple Intelligence is "at least two years behind" in development.

While these new features might enhance user perceptions, the task for Apple remains to show how AI can meaningfully enhance the day-to-day smartphone experience.

With the competition from Samsung and other brands, it is yet to be seen whether the integration of Genmoji and ChatGPT will make Apple a leader in mobile AI innovation.

The coming months will determine whether Apple's new AI advances can change the minds of users and make its AI tools a necessity for buying smartphones.

For those wondering what iPhone models are supported by AI features, these are the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen), iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 15 series, and the latest iPhone 16 models.

Apple should listen to what the survey says. For a company with millions of resources, it's a letdown, especially for iPhone fans. They need to improve AI if they want to compete with top-tier AI service providers in the tech scene.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Mnangagwa will today officiate at the 154th recruit correctional officers' pass-out parade at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Training School in Ntabazinduna. This event will mark the graduation of 1,600 officers who have successfully completed an intensive six-month training program.Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs. Vimbai Nyemba, confirmed that the President will be the guest of honor at the ceremony. She highlighted the significance of the occasion, noting that the graduating group includes members of the San community from Tsholotsho, an underrepresented group whose integration into national security services is a testament to the Government's inclusivity agenda."Tomorrow (today), we are having our pass-out parade at the Ntabazinduna Prison Training School where we will have over 1,600 officers graduating after completing the course. The period was six months, and two groups are graduating at the same time, with President Mnangagwa presiding over the ceremony as the guest of honor," Mrs. Nyemba said.The San community's increasing representation in national security services reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring that no one and no place is left behind in national development. This initiative is part of the Second Republic's broader philosophy under President Mnangagwa's administration.The San community's integration began with a Cabinet resolution in 2021 to establish a quota system for their recruitment into Zimbabwe's security services. This move sought to address historical marginalization and promote inclusivity. The first group of 20 San recruits graduated in June 2022, marking a significant milestone in efforts to bring the community into the mainstream of Zimbabwean society.Mrs. Nyemba expressed satisfaction with the progress made, stating, "The San community has gradually increased in terms of recruits over the years, after the first graduation. We are pleased to note that they have responded positively and will be part of the 1,600 graduating at Ntabazinduna."Historically, the San community faced numerous challenges, including a lack of access to basic services due to the absence of identity documents like birth certificates. This exclusion limited their access to education, healthcare, and formal employment opportunities.In 2021, President Mnangagwa spearheaded efforts to address these challenges by dispatching a team of ministers to meet with the San people in Tsholotsho and listen to their concerns. Following this engagement, government officials were deployed to issue over 5,000 birth certificates and identity documents, enabling the community to access essential services and participate in national programs.Beyond documentation, the Government is working to improve access to education for the San people. Plans are underway to fund the construction of a primary and secondary school within the Tsholotsho District to provide children from the community with better educational opportunities.The pass-out parade at Ntabazinduna not only celebrates the achievements of the graduating officers but also symbolizes the strides being made toward building an inclusive and equitable society under President Mnangagwa's leadership.
Race against time for Mayotte rescuers after cyclone



Saint-Denis de la Reunion, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Rescuers raced against time Monday to reach survivors after a powerful cyclone hit the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, laying to waste the territory's many shantytowns, with hundreds feared dead.

Cyclone Chido caused major damage to Mayotte's airport and cut off electricity, water and communication links when it barrelled down on France's poorest territory on Saturday.

Asked about the eventual death toll, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere "I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand".

The mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, told AFP the storm "spared nothing".

"The hospital is hit, the schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron will host a crisis meeting on the disaster in Paris at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT), the presidency said.

France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau will travel to Mayotte on Monday, his office said, with 160 soldiers and firefighters to reinforce the 110 already deployed.

Chido was packing winds of at least 226 kilometres (140 miles) per hour when it slammed into Mayotte, which lies to the east of Mozambique.

At least a third of the territory's 320,000 residents live in shantytowns, where homes with sheet-metal roofs were flattened by the storm.

One resident, Ibrahim, told AFP of "apocalyptic scenes" as he made his way through the main island, having to clear blocked roads himself.

As authorities assessed the scale of the disaster, a first aid plane reached Mayotte on Sunday.

It carried three tonnes of medical supplies, blood for transfusions and 17 medical staff, according to authorities in La Reunion.

Another French Indian Ocean territory, about 1,400 kilometres away, La Reunion, is serving as a logistics base for the rescue operation.

Patrice Latron, prefect of Reunion, said residents of Mayotte were facing "an extremely chaotic situation, immense destruction".

Two military aircraft are expected to follow the initial aid flight, while a navy patrol ship was also due to depart La Reunion.



- International pledges of support -



There have been international pledges to help Mayotte, including from the regional Red Cross organisation PIROI.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is "ready to provide support in the days to come".

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the WHO "stands ready to support communities in need of essential health care".

With around 100,000 people estimated to live clandestinely on Mayotte, according to France's interior ministry, establishing how many people have been affected by the cyclone is proving difficult.

Ousseni Balahachi, a former nurse, said some people did not dare venture out to seek assistance, "fearing it would be a trap" designed to remove them from Mayotte.

Many had stayed put "until the last minute" when it proved too late to escape the cyclone, she added.

Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide fuelled by climate change, according to experts.

The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of the Meteo France weather service told AFP.

Chido blasted across the Indian Ocean and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, where officials said the death toll stood at three.

The UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, warned 1.7 million people were in danger and the remnants of the cyclone could also dump "significant rainfall" on Malawi through Monday.

Zimbabwe and Zambia could also expect heavy rains, it added.

burs/rsc/lb-yad/lth
Race against time for rescuers as hundreds feared dead in Mayotte



Saint-Denis de la Reunion, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Rescuers raced against time Monday to reach survivors after a devastating cyclone ripped through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, destroying homes across the islands, with hundreds feared dead.

Images from Mayotte, which like other French overseas territories is an integral part of France and ruled from Paris, showed scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to piles of rubble.

The crisis, which erupted at the weekend the day after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Francois Bayrou as the sixth prime minister of his mandate, poses a major challenge for a government still only operating in a caretaker capacity.

The cyclone has left health services in tatters, with the hospital extremely damaged and health centres knocked out of operation, Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq told France 2.

"The hospital has suffered major water damage and destruction, notably in the surgical, intensive care, maternity and emergency units," she said, adding that "medical centres were also non-operational".

Macron was due to chair a crisis meeting in Paris at 1700 GMT, the Elysee said.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, whose super ministry is responsible for Mayotte, arrived on the island.



- 'Spared nothing' -



Cyclone Chido caused major damage to Mayotte's airport and cut off electricity, water and communication links when it barrelled down on France's poorest territory on Saturday.

Asked about the eventual death toll, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the top Paris-appointed official on the territory, told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere "I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand".

With roads closed, officials fear that many could still be trapped under rubble in the inaccessible areas.

The mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, told AFP the storm "spared nothing".

"The hospital is hit, the schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated," he said.

Some 160 additional soldiers and firefighters to reinforce the 110 already deployed.

The nearby French island of La Reunion was serving as a hub for the rescue operations.



- 'Apocalyptic scenes' -



Chido was packing winds of at least 226 kilometres (140 miles) per hour when it slammed into Mayotte, which lies to the east of Mozambique.

At least a third of the territory's 320,000 residents live in shantytowns, where homes with sheet-metal roofs were flattened by the storm.

One resident, Ibrahim, told AFP of "apocalyptic scenes" as he made his way through the main island, having to clear blocked roads himself.

As authorities assessed the scale of the disaster, a first aid plane reached Mayotte on Sunday.

It carried three tonnes of medical supplies, blood for transfusions and 17 medical staff, according to authorities in La Reunion.

Patrice Latron, prefect of Reunion, said residents of Mayotte were facing "an extremely chaotic situation, immense destruction".

Two military aircraft are expected to follow the initial aid flight, while a navy patrol ship was also due to depart La Reunion.



- 'Until last minute' -



There have been international pledges to help Mayotte, including from the regional Red Cross organisation PIROI.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is "ready to provide support in the days to come".

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the WHO "stands ready to support communities in need of essential health care".

With around 100,000 people estimated to live clandestinely on Mayotte, according to France's interior ministry, establishing how many people have been affected by the cyclone is proving difficult.

Ousseni Balahachi, a former nurse, said some people did not dare venture out to seek assistance, "fearing it would be a trap" designed to remove them from Mayotte.

Many had stayed put "until the last minute" when it proved too late to escape the cyclone, she added.

Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide fuelled by climate change, according to experts.

The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of the Meteo France weather service told AFP.

Chido blasted across the Indian Ocean and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, where officials said the death toll stood at three.

The UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, warned 1.7 million people were in danger and the remnants of the cyclone could also dump "significant rainfall" on Malawi through Monday.
Iran extends school closures in Tehran amid fuel shortages



Tehran, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Schools and public buildings in the Iranian capital will remain closed for a third day on Tuesday, state television reported, as several power plants were shut down amid fuel shortages.

Iran is an energy giant and holds one of the world's largest reserves of natural gas, but it has been forced to ration electricity in recent weeks and close schools and government buildings.

Sub-zero temperatures continue to be recorded all over the country.

President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has been advocating for reduced fuel consumption, apologised to the nation on Monday for the shortages and promised they would be resolved by next year.

State television said, citing a government statement, that "due to persistent cold weather, schools, universities and government offices in Tehran and its surroundings will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday)".

A gas-powered plant in western Lorestan province was partially closed on Monday because of "increased consumption of gas among household consumers", according to IRNA state news agency.

It followed a move on Sunday by the northern province of Golestan to close plants and ration electricity, according to local media.

People have also been hit with power cuts across the country, including in Tehran.

IRNA said on Monday that restrictive measures had saved two million cubic metres of gas and 100 megawatts of electricity in the 24 hours.
Rescuers race to France's Mayotte as hundreds feared dead in cyclone



Saint-Denis de la Reunion, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



Rescuers raced Monday to reach survivors and supply urgent aid after a devastating cyclone ripped through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, destroying homes and leaving hundreds feared dead.

Images from Mayotte, which like other French overseas territories is an integral part of France, showed scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to piles of rubble.

The crisis poses a major challenge for a French government still only operating in a caretaker capacity.

It erupted at the weekend the day after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Francois Bayrou as the sixth prime minister of his mandate.

The cyclone left health services in tatters, with the main hospital extremely damaged and health centres knocked out of operation, Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq told broadcaster France 2.

"The hospital has suffered major water damage and destruction, notably in the surgical, intensive care, maternity and emergency units," she said, adding that "medical centres were also non-operational."

There was also widespread damage to telecommunications, with mobile phone networks, internet access and fixed-line services almost entirely knocked out, telecom providers in Mayotte reported.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau travelled to Mayotte, telling officials on arrival: "For the toll we are going to need days."

Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide fuelled by climate change, according to experts.

The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of the Meteo France weather service told AFP.

Cyclone Chido caused major damage to Mayotte's airport and cut off electricity, water and communication links when it barrelled down on Saturday.

Trees were uprooted and power lines knocked down.

Supplying fresh drinking water, a problem on Mayotte even in normal times, is now a major priority.



- 'Shanty towns flattened' -



Asked about the eventual death toll, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the top Paris-appointed official on the territory, told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere: "I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand."

With roads closed, officials fear that many could still be trapped under rubble in inaccessible areas.

The overwhelming majority of Mayotte's population is Muslim and religious tradition dictates bodies must be buried rapidly, meaning some may never be counted.

Mayotte is France's poorest region with an estimated third of the population living in shanty towns whose flimsy sheet metal-roofed homes offered scant protection against the storm.

"All the shanty towns are flattened, which suggests a considerable number of victims," a source close to the authorities told AFP, asking not to be named.

And assessing the toll is further complicated by the illegal immigration to Mayotte especially from the Comoros islands to the north.

Mayotte officially has 320,000 inhabitants, "but it is estimated that there are 100,000 to 200,000 more people, taking into account illegal immigration," added the source.

The source said few unregistered residents would have gone to the accommodation centres before the cyclone, "probably for fear of being checked".



- 'Apocalyptic scenes' -



Chido was packing winds of at least 226 kilometres (140 miles) per hour when it slammed into Mayotte, which lies to the east of Mozambique.

The mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, told AFP the storm "spared nothing".

One resident, Ibrahim, told AFP of "apocalyptic scenes" as he made his way through the main island, having to clear blocked roads himself.

The nearby French island of La Reunion was serving as a hub for the rescue operations. Hundreds of French security personnel are being deployed to take part in the effort.

As authorities assessed the scale of the disaster, a first aid plane reached Mayotte on Sunday.

It carried three tonnes of medical supplies, blood for transfusions and 17 medical staff, according to authorities in La Reunion.

Ousseni Balahachi, a former nurse, said some people did not dare venture out to seek assistance, "fearing it would be a trap" designed to remove them from Mayotte.

Many had stayed put "until the last minute" when it proved too late to escape the cyclone, she added.
Mayotte disaster underlines need to 'adapt' to climate change: Brazil



Brasilia, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



The devastating cyclone in France's Indian Ocean archipelago Mayotte highlights the need for increased global efforts at adapting to the consequences of climate change, Brazil said Monday, offering its condolences to storm victims.

Brazil, which held the G20 rotating presidency this year, is set to host the next UN climate change conference, the COP30, in the Amazonian city of Belem in November 2025.

"In this time of sadness, Brazil calls on partner nations to redouble their efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change, in response to the multiplication of extreme natural events," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It expressed condolences to those affected by Cyclone Chido which churned across Mayotte on Saturday. Authorities fear several hundred were killed by the cyclone -- the worst to hit Mayotte in 90 years.

France is struggling to mount assessment and rescue operations in the archipelago, which is home to at least 320,000 inhabitants, an estimated third of whom live in flimsy shantytowns.

"The Brazilian government has learned with regret of the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido," the foreign ministry statement said.

"In expressing condolences to the families of the victims, Brazil expresses its solidarity with the people of Mayotte and the government of France."

Brazil is at the forefront of countries demanding more be done internationally to meet ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gases.

The government has made strides since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva returned to power last year to curb deforestation of the vast Amazon, often called "the lungs of the planet" for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide.

In November, Brazil announced plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions more than originally projected, and is pressing for stronger international moves to phase out fossil fuels.

At the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, it was among a group pushing for wealthier countries to dig deeper on funding to help developing nations to cope with climate change.

bur/rmb/des
France in crisis mode as rescuers rush cyclone aid to Mayotte



Saint-Denis de la Reunion, Dec 16 (AFP) Dec 16, 2024



France's government went into crisis mode Monday as rescuers raced to reach survivors of a cyclone that left hundreds feared dead after ripping through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte.

Images from Mayotte showed scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to piles of rubble.

President Emmanuel Macron summoned key government officials for a crisis meeting that started at 1700 GMT, his office said.

The most destructive cyclone to hit Mayotte in 90 years, Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide fuelled by climate change, according to experts.

The disaster poses a major challenge for a government still only operating in a caretaker capacity, days after Macron appointed the sixth prime minister of his mandate.

It left health services in tatters, with the main hospital extremely damaged and health centres knocked out of operation, Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq told broadcaster France 2.

"The hospital has suffered major water damage and destruction, notably in the surgical, intensive care, maternity and emergency units," she said, adding that "medical centres were also non-operational".



- Climate change super-charge -



Cyclone Chido caused major damage to Mayotte's airport and cut off electricity, water and communication links when it barrelled down on Saturday.

Trees were uprooted and power lines knocked down.

Supplying fresh drinking water, a problem on Mayotte even in normal times, is now a major priority.

There was also widespread damage to telecommunications, with mobile phone networks, internet access and fixed-line services almost entirely knocked out, telecom providers in Mayotte reported.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau travelled to Mayotte, telling officials on arrival: "For the toll we are going to need days."

The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of the Meteo France weather service told AFP.

In Brazil, host of the next UN climate change conference, the foreign ministry said Monday that the cyclone highlighted the need for increased global efforts at adapting to the consequences of climate change.



- 'Shanty towns flattened' -



Asked about the eventual death toll, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the top Paris-appointed official on the territory, told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere: "I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand."

With roads closed, officials fear that many could still be trapped under rubble in inaccessible areas.

Most of Mayotte's population is Muslim and religious tradition dictates bodies must be buried rapidly, meaning some may never be counted.

Mayotte is France's poorest region with an estimated third of the population living in shantytowns whose flimsy sheet metal-roofed homes offered scant protection against the storm.

"All the shantytowns are flattened, which suggests a considerable number of victims," a source close to the authorities told AFP, asking not to be named.

And assessing the toll is further complicated by irregular immigration to Mayotte, especially from the Comoros islands to the north.

Mayotte officially has 320,000 inhabitants, "but it is estimated that there are 100,000 to 200,000 more people, taking into account illegal immigration," added the source.

The source said few unregistered residents would have gone to the accommodation centres before the cyclone, "probably for fear of being checked".



- 'Apocalyptic scenes' -



Chido was packing winds of at least 226 kilometres (140 miles) per hour when it slammed into Mayotte, which lies to the east of Mozambique.

The mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, told AFP the storm "spared nothing".

One resident, Ibrahim, told AFP of "apocalyptic scenes" as he made his way through the main island, having to clear blocked roads himself.

The nearby French island of La Reunion was serving as a hub for the rescue operations. Hundreds of French security personnel are being deployed to take part in the effort.

As authorities assessed the scale of the disaster, a first aid plane reached Mayotte on Sunday.

It carried three tonnes of medical supplies, blood for transfusions and 17 medical staff, according to authorities in La Reunion.

Ousseni Balahachi, a former nurse, said some people did not dare venture out to seek assistance, "fearing it would be a trap" designed to remove them from Mayotte.

Many had stayed put "until the last minute" when it proved too late to escape the cyclone, she added.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Tropical Cyclone Chido is expected to make landfall in Zimbabwe today, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has announced. While the cyclone has weakened after moving west-southwestward over land, it is expected to bring widespread thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, compounded by moisture from the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone.James Ngoma, the MSD's head of forecast, explained that Cyclone Chido's remnants will have a significant impact across the country from today through December 22. He noted that the cyclone's influence, combined with a cloud band from the west, will lead to violent storms, particularly in provinces such as Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, and southern parts of Midlands."Despite the anticipation of heavy rainfall exceeding 50mm in some provinces, the risk of flooding remains low due to the recent dry spell," said Ngoma. "However, the heat experienced last week across Zimbabwe could intensify these storms, bringing risks of lightning, strong winds, and hailstorms in certain areas."Authorities and disaster management agencies are urging communities to prepare for adverse weather conditions by stocking essential supplies and closely following official updates.The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has been placed on high alert in response to the approaching cyclone. Nathan Nkomo, the CPU's director, assured the public that the department is fully prepared to handle any emergencies that may arise."We are monitoring the situation continuously through updates from the MSD and the climate service center," Nkomo stated. "We've allocated an initial budget of US$1.6 million for response efforts, focusing on coordination, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) issues, and supporting vulnerable communities to ensure that every life is saved."Cyclone Chido has already caused significant damage in Mozambique, where it made landfall early yesterday near the northern city of Pemba. With winds exceeding 200 km/h and rainfall rates of up to 30mm per hour, the cyclone triggered flash flooding in coastal areas. Many homes, schools, and health facilities were partially or completely destroyed, according to UNICEF Mozambique, which has deployed teams to assist affected families.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that approximately 2.7 million people across six Southern African countries will be impacted by the cyclone.Weather experts have compared Cyclone Chido to Cyclones Gombe and Freddy, which caused widespread destruction in the region in 2022 and 2023. Although Zimbabwe is expected to face less severe effects than Mozambique, the cyclone's gusts could still damage infrastructure and uproot trees in affected areas.Residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to safety precautions as Zimbabwe braces for the week of storms and heavy rainfall.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Marula Mining PLC, an investment and development company focused on African mining opportunities, has officially announced that it will cease exploration and project acquisition activities in Zimbabwe. This decision follows an extensive evaluation of potential lithium and copper mining prospects in the country through its 80% owned subsidiary, Muchai Mining (Pvt) Limited.In late 2023, Marula Mining initiated a strategic program aimed at identifying high-potential mining projects in Zimbabwe. Despite the availability of advanced opportunities in the country's mining sector, the company concluded that none of the projects met its stringent internal benchmarks, particularly in terms of grade, cost efficiency, and development timelines. As a result, Marula Mining has opted to redirect its resources toward other promising ventures across the African continent.Marula Mining's focus is now shifting to high-grade mining projects in Tanzania and South Africa. The Kinusi Copper Mine in Tanzania, which has become a flagship operation for the company, is set to begin copper sales by December 31, 2024. An independent assessment of the mine suggests the presence of a 10-15 million tonne deposit rich in copper, gold, and other base metals. Development at the site is progressing steadily, with the site expected to play a pivotal role in Marula's future growth.In addition to the Tanzanian operation, Marula is also exploring copper mining and processing opportunities in Kenya. Technical due diligence is currently underway to assess the long-term viability of these projects, with a focus on securing further growth in the copper sector.In South Africa, Marula Mining's Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine is poised to become the company's principal hub for lithium mining and processing. The company is in advanced talks to form a joint venture focused on commissioning a lithium acid leaching plant at the site. This facility is expected to enhance the mine's output and cater to the growing global demand for battery metals. Furthermore, Marula is conducting technical reviews of two additional lithium brine projects in South Africa and Botswana, with the aim of expanding its footprint in the fast-growing lithium market.Marula Mining's portfolio spans South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, with a clear emphasis on battery metals such as lithium, copper, and tantalum. The company's strategy is aligned with the global transition toward renewable energy and electric vehicle technologies, positioning it well within the booming sector for essential minerals.Marula Mining's shares are actively traded on the Aquis Stock Exchange in London and the A2X Markets in South Africa. The company has plans to expand its trading activities to additional exchanges in Kenya and South Africa, reinforcing its commitment to growing its market presence across the African continent.
Javelin Minerals has completed phase one of a maiden drilling program for 2921m at its Coogee copper-gold project near Kambalda in Western Australia, discovering key gold indicators along a 950m-long strike trend.

The 18-hole reverse circulation (RC) program recovered 1698 samples sent for assay and identified a copper-gold mineralised trend extending from about 270m south of the southern open pit rim to about 450m north of the northern rim of the pit.

Javelin Minerals reverse circulation drill rig on the western side of the Coogee open-pit wall

The program was designed to identify possible extensions to mineralisation below the current open pit floor about 70m depth  at the partly flooded Coogee open pit.

Additionally, the program sought to explore the possibility of mineralisation extending south of the original Coogee resource, last mined by Ramelius Resources in 2013, which pulled out a reported 147,000 tonnes of ore for 20,400 ounces of gold.
The federal government has handed the ABC an early Christmas present, giving it an additional $83 million over two years from July 2026, as it continues its push to legislate a longer funding term for the public broadcaster.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said on Monday that the government will deliver the additional funding to the ABC over two years from 2026-27, with ongoing funding of $43 million extra thereafter. There was no additional funding allocated to SBS.

The decision to pump more into the public broadcaster comes after its chair, Kim Williams, launched a concerted campaign for increased funding. Williams, who replaced Ita Buttrose in March, has used a series of speeches since his appointment to extol the importance of the ABC in the local media landscape and why it needs to be better funded.

His latest call for increased funding came in November during a National Press Club event, where he argued that the ABCs operating funding terms had fallen by $150 million a year over the past decade.
Infini Resources has received a green light from Newfoundlands Mines Department to proceed with its proposed maiden diamond drilling program, designed to follow up sensational soil sample responses at its Portland Creek uranium project in Canada.

Due to lack of road access, it plans to mobilise the drill rig to site by helicopter in late January and has slated an around-the-clock program to complete 23 core holes over six to eight weeks.

Infini Resources drone operator flying geophysical magnetic survey lines toward the massive scarp that forms the eastern margin to the Talus uranium mineralisation.

The program aims to probe the significance of highly anomalous uranium soil sample responses from the companys key Talus prospect at Portland Creek that include uranium oxide results up to 7.5 per cent in 17 resample results which average better than 29,317 parts per million (ppm) - or 2.9 per cent uranium oxide.

Other important geochemical contexts and associations to be investigated include high uranium pathfinder elements, thorium values above 65ppm, anomalous lead isotope (Pb206: Pb204) ratios to a peak value of 46.54, and a continuous 1.25km-long envelope of radiometric signatures exceeding 28ppm of elemental uranium.
Proteomics International has topped up its coffers with a $2.16 million cash boost from Australias research and development (R&D) tax incentive program that will help the company kick-off the commercial launch of its simple, innovative, precision diagnostic blood tests for diabetic kidney disease, endometriosis and oesophageal cancer.

The rebate, for the 2023-2024 financial year, has come as a direct result of the companys $4.95m investment spend in R&D for its Promarker technology platform.

Perth-based Proteomics International has received a $2.16m R&D for costs incurred in the previous financial year on the research of proteins as a marker for diagnostic tests.

The Federal R&D tax incentive provides a 43.5 per cent cash rebate for qualifying research activities and is aimed at encouraging Australian companies to innovate locally through high-value research.

The R&D work is based on the emerging field of proteomics  which studies the structure, function and interactions of proteins in cells and tissues to understand how they work and to identify new therapeutic targets to treat diseases such as cancer.
The Agency 

Paramount+

In this quietly gripping espionage thriller, Michael Fassbender plays a CIA agent code named Martian. Its a fitting handle: after six years undercover in Ethiopia the spy is like an alien. Martian searches his work-provided London apartment for bugs  he finds three  and navigates office chit-chat with locked-down wariness. He doesnt want anyone to know who he really is, and as the season takes shapes its suggested thats because Martian himself doesnt actually know who he is.

India Fowler and Michael Fassbender in The Agency. Credit: Paramount+

With his chiselled facial features and mournful eyes, Martian is the perfect role for Fassbender, a movie star who excels at uneasy minimalism and icy retorts. Even as he works on a crisis in Belarus, where a CIA agent has gone missing, Martian lies to his superior, Henry Ogletree (Jeffrey Wright), about his connection to Samia Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), the Sudanese academic he was in love with. When she turns up in London, Martian is both excited and suspicious.

Already renewed for a second season, The Agency is adapted from the masterful French series The Bureau (Paramount+ has all five seasons). The shows creators, playwrights and screenwriters Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari), have hewed closely not just to that shows plot, with Martian also training Daniela (Saura Lightfoot-Leon), a young agent taking the first steps towards an undercover assignment in Iran, but also its air of permanent tension and split-second calculations.
In the states far west, the temperature was oppressive on Monday, reaching well into the 40s as residents braced for the prospect of Australian heat records being shattered, and waited for a cool change that was promised to blow in from South Australia sometime after dark.

In Sydney, temperatures were far more moderate, but even without the blast of the inland heat or the thick humidity that closed in on the citys eastern suburbs, scientists found surface temperatures at the play area at Doyle Ground in Parramatta were hot enough to cause a young child serious injury.

A thermal camera image of Professor Sebastian Pfautsch among play equipment at Doyle Ground in North Parramatta. Credit: James Brickwood

Sometime after lunch, Professor Sebastian Pfautsch, an expert in urban planning at the University of Western Sydney who has been gathering data on the growing dangers of heat in our sprawling city, took a reading off the surface of a piece of gym equipment. It was 98 degrees  easily enough to burn a childs hand.

Pfautsch is collaborating with colleagues from UNSW on a study called Too Hot To Play, trying to find out at which temperatures Sydneys parks empty as children and carers are driven indoors. So far, the data is grim.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwean government has shut down a liquor outlet owned by Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi, in Bulawayo as part of a nationwide operation targeting smuggled goods. The closure, which occurred on Saturday evening, was reportedly carried out by an interministerial task force that includes security agencies and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that officials arrived while customers were shopping and requested documentation for the goods in the store, which was not immediately available. "We were in the shop around 6 pm when officials arrived. They asked for paperwork, but it was unavailable, so they ordered the shop to close," said one source.The liquor hub, located along Fife Street between 4th and 5th Avenues, remained closed as of Monday morning. Modi confirmed the closure, describing it as part of routine verification procedures. "Yes, it's true. There is nothing wrong with it. They said they want to check and verify everything, and that was the whole point," he told reporters.The closure aligns with a broader government initiative to combat smuggling, which officials say is undermining the formal economy. Speaking during a post-budget breakfast meeting in Bulawayo on Monday, Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube highlighted the detrimental effects of smuggled goods on local industries."Smuggled goods are harming the formal sector, squeezing markets for retailers and manufacturers. This is a real problem, and that's why we are taking aggressive measures to address it," Ncube said. He emphasized the governments commitment to protecting local manufacturers and formal businesses, listing goods such as beverages, cement, clothing, dairy products, and motor parts as items frequently smuggled into the country.The government has intensified enforcement efforts in recent years, including implementing post-clearance audits and introducing surveillance technologies like drones at key border points, including Beitbridge. Ncube noted that the crackdown would continue through the festive season, with no leniency expected for traders engaged in smuggling."Our teams are out there, and we've instructed them to be aggressive to protect formal businesses. Smuggling is killing jobs and the formal economy," Ncube said. He warned traders against viewing smuggling as a legitimate business practice, calling for adherence to the law.The crackdown reflects the governments broader effort to curb illicit trade, ensure economic resilience, and foster the growth of local businesses.
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Eating outComing soon Star chef Tom Sarafian to open his first restaurant on a happening northside street The chef intended to open his dream restaurant in the heart of the city with a well-known restaurant group. Now, he has announced a new plan  and it involves the northside. Emma Breheny December 16, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This was the year that Hummus Prince Tom Sarafians first restaurant was supposed to open in the city, but the universe had other plans. Instead, the former Bar Saracen chefs debut venue, Zareh, will open on Smith Street, Collingwood, in late March or early April next year. Tom Sarafians debut restaurant Zareh will open on Smith Street, Collingwood, next year. Kristoffer Paulsen Named after his grandfather, the restaurant underpinned by Armenian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European cuisines was originally a joint venture between Sarafian and The Mulberry Group, which owns venues including Hazel and Lilac Wine. There was also a deli planned, selling imported Lebanese condiments and spices, as well as breakfast and lunch. But Sarafian announced on Monday that he would go it alone. He and the Mulberry Group considered at least five sites for the project, but none was suitable. It just didnt feel right, says Sarafian.

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The Smith Street site hes taken on is a ground-floor heritage space beneath luxury apartments. It was originally slated to become Indian fine-diner Aanya. Designer Min Tseng (Toddy Shop, Kolkata Cricket Club) will use timber and pastel tones to create the welcoming setting Sarafian seeks for the 40-seater. Ive always dreamed of creating a place that feels like home, and shares the generous and rich hospitality of the Middle East for everyone who walks through the door, he said in a statement. The chefs original plan for a contemporary restaurant complemented by an all-day deli (named Sarafian) has been scaled down. Zareh will now span restaurant and retail, with the deli plans shelved. It will open initially as a breakfast and lunch venue, with dinners added later. Copper trim will frame large windows that catch afternoon light. A top-tier sound system and record player will have pride of place, along with the charcoal grill. Fridges will display house-cured bastourma, freshly made yoghurt, olives, and more for sale. The menu will include signature dishes that the chef showcased while at Bar Saracen (part-owned by Rumis Joseph Abboud), such as hummus topped with prawn and spanner crab, and trout fatteh. New dishes will be heavily influenced by Sarafians Armenian and Egyptian heritage, as well as the cooking of North Africa, Lebanon, Egypt and beyond, with most things cooked over a large charcoal barbecue and wood oven.

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Expect Egyptian-style falafel made with fava beans, eggs cooked in the Lebanese claypots fakhar, and generous spreads of meze and salads at lunch. This will be Sarafians first permanent chef gig since Bar Saracen closed in 2021. Since then, hes launched an eponymous retail line that includes handmade hummus, as well as running frequent events and pop-ups. 368 Smith Street, Collingwood, instagram.com/zareh.melbourne

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An angry magistrate has refused to release a Coles worker who allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl on an escalator of Bondi Westfield in full view of CCTV, saying women should be able to feel safe in the citys shopping centres.

Md Mohammed Abdul Shadak Papon was on Monday marched into Waverley Local Court by court sheriffs and placed in the dock.

Md Papon allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl in Bondi Junction Westfield while in his Coles uniform, in full view of CCTV. Credit: Oscar Colman

The Bangladeshi national on a student visa was still wearing the Coles polo shirt he was arrested in.

Papon, 27, allegedly approached the girl and put his hands down her pants as she stood on an escalator at Westfield on Friday evening. He was arrested at Bondi Junction station on Sunday afternoon.
The recipient of two Michelin keys, Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel on 1.25 hectares bordering Cococino National Forest, is designed to immerse guests in the red-rock country of northern Arizona. Step through colossal wooden doors into the vast, earth-hued lobby, where all eyes are on the dramatic spires of the Brins Mesa range.

The look

Each of the hotels 40 atriums are angled to make the most of the incredible vistas, with black matte metal and tinted glass reflecting the surrounding landscape. The cubes seemingly float on steel pillars, while the preservation of an ancient waterway is key to the resorts soundscape. Atriums furthest from the highway (Landscape Atriums) are clear winners, with uninterrupted views; ones at the back suffer from highway noise, despite best efforts to mask with soundproofing and water features.

An atrium with spiral stairs to the rooftop.

The room

Ive been upgraded to a Landscape Atrium, and the view through the 180-degree picture windows is breathtaking. To lie in the cloudlike king-sized bed and watch the changing hues of the distant mesas is mesmerising; while blackout curtains that open at the touch of a button reveal an intimate morning view of the forest and its critters. A muted colour scheme ensures the eye is drawn to this living canvas; while styling triumphs include hand-painted wallpapers evoking delicate details of nature. The real magic occurs on the atrium rooftop, accessed via a spiral staircase, where a double daybed warmed by a fire pit is the perfect perch for watching the sunset or stargazing in this designated Dark Sky community.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has issued a scathing denunciation of South Africa's Day of Reconciliation, describing it as a deceptive attempt by the ruling elite to obscure the historical and ongoing suffering of the black majority. In a statement, the MK Party labeled the day as a symbol of unprovoked violence by colonial settlers and a grim reminder of the systemic theft of land, the massacre of innocent Africans, and the institutionalization of white supremacy.According to the MK Party, the concept of reconciliation remains hollow in the face of entrenched inequalities. The party argues that South Africa's socio-economic landscape starkly reflects the enduring legacy of colonialism, with the black majority continuing to bear the brunt of poverty, unemployment, and systemic marginalization. Despite being framed as a day of unity, the MK Party asserts that reconciliation is impossible without addressing the glaring disparities in land ownership, wealth distribution, and access to basic resources.The party points to statistics that highlight the persistence of racial inequality: only 4% of the land has been returned to black South Africans, while 80% remains under the control of the colonial elite. Wealth remains concentrated, with 90% held by the white minority, leaving the black majority to scramble for the remaining 10%. Unemployment disproportionately affects black South Africans, who make up 99% of those unemployed, while white South Africans experience near-full employment. The stark divide extends to food security, with 99% of the 25 million South Africans facing hunger being black.The MK Party also criticized the enduring racial disparities in education and healthcare, stating that black South Africans remain trapped in underfunded and dysfunctional institutions while whites continue to benefit from a system built on apartheid-era privileges. The party expressed outrage at the conditions in which many black children live, highlighting preventable deaths from consuming expired or harmful food and a government they accuse of prioritizing self-serving deals over the welfare of its citizens.Tracing the origins of the Day of Reconciliation to colonial triumphalism and the establishment of uMkhonto weSizwe in 1961, the MK Party described the day as a stark reminder of the colonial agenda to suppress black emancipation. "It remains a day of terror and massacre," the party declared, "symbolizing the violence inflicted on a peaceful people who welcomed settlers to these shores with humanity."The MK Party urged South Africans to reject the celebrations associated with the day, calling instead for it to serve as a rallying point for radical change. The party reaffirmed its commitment to land expropriation without compensation, the rewriting of history to restore African values and identities, and the dismantling of entrenched white supremacy."There can be no true reconciliation without economic justice, land restoration, and the complete liberation of the black majority," the statement concluded. The MK Party vowed to continue its fight for radical transformation, emphasizing that justice and equity are prerequisites for any meaningful unity in South Africa.
Growing up in India, Jasbir Singh had read about Christmas festivities but had never seen the holiday being practiced. On December 25th in his village, life continued as if it was just another day.

From his school readings, he knew of the gift exchanges  these reminded him of Diwali  as well as the practice of chopping down and decorating Christmas trees. Much to his fascination, he discovered the fabled lore of Santa Claus, a jolly and very generous man who despite his stature, apparently slid down all the chimneys of the world in order to gift all the (good) children of the world with annual rewards. And, he did it all while riding a magic flying sleigh.

Back in India, Christmas was an exotic and remote celebration for Jasbir, but now that he is living in Canada along with his young family, he has, like most newcomers, adapted and embraced Christmas as a family celebration.

Each year Jasbir and his family set-up and decorate their Christmas tree that occupies a coveted corner in his living room. On the mantle, his wife hangs stockings one for each family member, including his parents who also live in the multi-generational home. And of course, the Singh family wraps and exchanges presents, each tucked away beneath the tree until Christmas morning when the kids rouse everyone for the much-anticipated day.

Real Canadian Superstore has been a favourite holiday shopping destination for Jasbir. Given the vast selection of merchandise appealing to all Canadians - Real Canadian Superstore is an easy one-stop choice for gift purchases, decor, food and more! Like other parents of younger kids, Jasbir and his wife know their kids would love to receive Lego sets like the LEGO Speed Champions Audi S1 or the LEGO Flowers Cherry Blossoms. Jasbirs daughter, who collects Barbies, has already hinted to her father that she would like Santa to add to her collection with items like the Holiday Barbie Doll.

For his wife and mother, both of whom are foodies at heart, Jasbir knows they appreciate packaged foods that can be shared across the household, such as fine PC  French Roast coffees, Indian-inspired snacks like PC  Mini Poppadoms, treats like cocoa dusted PC Cocoa Dusted Truffles or PC  Chocholate Sea Shell Hazelnut Pralines, or even the exotic flavours of other cultures around the world PC  Chicken Kao Soi. Above all, Jasbir knows the flavours and tastes he grew up with are readily available in-store at Real Canadian Superstore, making the festivities memorable for the whole family.

And for his parents, Jasbir knows what they will want: warm apparel options that help them keep snug through the frigid and snowy Canadian winters that they are still slowly becoming accustomed to. Real Canadian Superstore is the perfect place to find these items, in a one-stop-shop.

And of course, while holiday gift shopping, the Singh family is also able to complete their weekly grocery shop while simultaneously browsing for new Christmas decorative ideas and displays that promise to further add to the holiday spirit in their household.

With more ways to save than any other major grocer such as collecting PC Optimum points to save towards future purchases, or even buying Club Sized items, Jasbir doesnt have to break the bank to create a festive celebration the whole family will love.Christmas is a Canadian celebration that we have grown to love, said Jasbir. My children love putting up the tree, drinking hot cocoa, and of course receiving presents. My parents are enjoying the holiday season too, especially how everything slows down and the family comes together.

Spending less time shopping around multiple stores, and more time enjoying unique family traditions is what makes this holiday season extra special - no matter how it's celebrated! Whether its Diwali, or any of the various cultural traditions with deep meaning and history celebrated around the world, Real Canadian Superstore has food items and more at legendary value for legendary celebrations!

For more information on all the holiday offerings available at Real Canadian Superstore for this Christmas season please go to www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca.
Over 45 crore people likely to visit Prayagraj Mahakumbh





Cabinet Minister of Jal Shakti and Flood Control Swatantra Dev Singh along with Minister of State for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade and Agricultural Exports, Dinesh Pratap Singh addressing the media on Sunday.

By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla :

upcoming Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025, slated next month in Uttar Pradesh, is expected to witness an unprecedented surge in the number of devotees. This event promises to surpass previous editions in both grandeur and divine essence. The Uttar Pradesh Government has made meticulous and timely arrangements, as stated by Cabinet Minister of Jal Shakti and Flood Control, Swatantra Dev Singh, during a roadshow held in Bhopal on Sunday. Speaking to the media, Minister Singh said that approximately 45 crore devotees, saints, ascetics and tourists are expected to visit Prayagraj for this grand event.

He was accompanied by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade, and Agricultural Exports, Dinesh Pratap Singh, who led the grand roadshow. Minister of State for Transport (Independent Charge), Dayashankar Singh, mentioned that Quick Response Teams have been deployed on the seven roads leading to Prayagraj to handle any emergency situations. This religious congregation will focus on health and cleanliness, with a strict ban on single-use plastics. Environment-friendly alternatives such as dona (leaf bowls), pattal (leaf plates), kulhars (clay cups), and jute and cloth bags will be promoted to ensure a sustainable celebration. Under Swachh Mahakumbh initiative, the State Government has directed polythene wholesalers to stop supplying plastic bags in the city and a public awareness campaign is underway to reinforce this message, the Minister said. The UP Government is taking significant steps to ensure the ceremony is historic, featuring international participation and state-of-the-art facilities, he added.

The Indian Railways is planning to run 900 special trains to Prayagraj for upcoming Kumbh Mela, scheduled to be held from January 13 to February 26, 2025. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has arranged 400 shuttle buses to facilitate travel for devotees during the event.

To keep track of visitors, footfall counting based on attribute-based search, RFID wristbands and mobile app tracking will be implemented. Minister Singh emphasised that this religious congregation will reflect unity within Indias diversity and extended an invitation to the people of Madhya Pradesh to participate in the event. During his address to the press, Minister Singh said, Under the inspiration and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mahakumbh will take place in Prayagraj on sacred banks of the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Mahakumbh will once again be held on the holy land of Prayagraj after a gap of 12 years. The ministers extended an invitation to the Governor of Madhya Pradesh Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav to participate in Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025. Minister Singh stated that the Mahakumbh embodies the spirit of Indias cultural and spiritual consciousness and is a divine and vibrant representation of Ek Bharat- Shreshth Bharat-Samaveshi Bharat.
307 absconding criminal, warrantees nabbed Night Combing Operation





Staff Reporter :

Continuing a rigorous campaign Night Combing Operation against absconding criminals and warrantees, police have nabbed total 307 absconding warrantees in the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. It may be noted that under the direction of Superintendent of Police, Sampat Upadhyay (IPS) police are conducting a special night combing campaign under the supervision of Additional SP (City), Anand Kaladgi (IPS), Additional SP (Crime), Samar Verma, Additional SP (Traffic), Pradeep Kumar Shende, Additional SP (Rural), Suryakant Sharma, Additional SP (Rural), Sonali Dubey, CSPs, DSPs and SDOPs to apprehend the absconding warrantees and taking preventive action against listed criminals. During the night combing, 2 to 3 teams from every police station led by SHOs and Sub Inspectors conducted a rigorous search for warrantees and absconding criminals from 12 midnight to 2:30 am on Sunday. Police have apprehended 153 non-bailable, 154 bailable warrantees and 66 arrest warrantees who were absconding since a long time.

Besides this, two miscreants were apprehended in Gorakhpur and Panagar areas while possessing sharp edged weapons and total five accused absconding in different cases were apprehended in the campaign. Tilwara police arrested a drug peddler identified as Vijay Dangi (32), resident of Vidisha district and seized 23.40-kg Ganja amounting to Rs 4.75 lakh from him. The special campaign will be continued in coming days for implementing preventive policing in the district and maintaining law and order arrangements in the district.
Amit Shah meets surrendered Naxals





Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with surrendered Naxalites at Jagdalpur in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, BJP State Kiran Singh Deo and others are also seen.

Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Under the leadership of PM Modi, Bastar is the first priority of all the welfare schemes of the Central Government: Shah The Chhattisgarh Govt has made the best surrender policy and by replicating it in the entire country, the youth who give up arms will be rehabilitated in the society Union Home Minister appeals to the youth involved in violence to give up arms and join the mainstream of the society

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today met with individuals from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Assam at Jagdalpur in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, who have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society. In his address following the meeting, Amit Shah highlighted that in 2019, youth in Kashmir, the Northeast, and Naxalism-affected areas were ruining their lives by taking up arms, engaging in violence, and keeping their regions deprived of development. He explained that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a decision was made to provide an opportunity for those willing to lay down their arms and reintegrate them into society. Shah shared that from 2019 to 2024, over 9,000 individuals in the Northeast alone have surrendered their weapons.

He also mentioned that many youths in Naxalism-affected areas have similarly joined the mainstream, and now the Government of India is formulating a comprehensive plan for the welfare of these individuals and those suffering from the impact of Naxalism. The Home Minister further revealed that Prime Minister Modi has approved the construction of 15,000 houses in Naxal-affected regions. Additionally, the government is launching a program to establish dairy cooperatives by providing one cow or buffalo to every family in these areas. The Union Home Minister said that after the formation of the government in Chhattisgarh last year, a commitment was made to make the state free from Naxalism. He emphasized that violence is not the solution, and those who have taken up arms must be reintegrated into society.

He praised the Chhattisgarh governments surrender policy as one of the best, and expressed the intention to replicate this model nationwide, aiming to rehabilitate the youth who have laid down their arms and help them re-join the mainstream of society. Amit Shah urged the youth involved in violence to lay down their arms and embrace the mainstream of society. Speaking about the Bastar Olympics, he highlighted that the talented youth of Bastar represent the future of India. He emphasised that a process should be started to make the children of Bastar capable of winning medals from 2025 onwards till 2036 Olympics. Shah expressed that when a girl from Bastar wins a medal in the 2036 Olympics, it will serve as a powerful response to Naxalism and send a global message that development, not violence, is the path to success.

The Union Home Minister said that only a few areas remain affected by Naxalism. He emphasized that those involved in violence are also our own people. He highlighted that the citizens of the state require essential services like schools, dispensaries, hospitals, free food grains, electricity, toilets, and clean water, and it is the responsibility of the Chhattisgarh government to provide these facilities to every village. Shri Shah further mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Bastar is the top priority for all welfare schemes of the Central Government. He assured that those who have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society have placed their trust in Prime Minister Modi, and that trust will not be broken. He also expressed confidence that seeing these individuals, many more youths will give up arms and choose the path of peace and development. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department Manoj Pingua and other officials were also present.
ASTC holds felicitatation of participants; provides certificates under PMKVY





Rajlaxmi Shekhawat, Zonal President, AWWA, seen with the trainees, during certificate felicitation ceremony at ASTC.

Staff Reporter :

Under the aegis of Headquarters Madhya Bharat Area, the Army Skill Training Centre (ASTC) in Jabalpur hosted a certificate felicitation ceremony to honour participants who completed courses under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). The event was graced by Rajlaxmi Shekhawat, Zonal President, Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Madhya Bharat Area. Certificates were awarded to 51 women who successfully completed the Assistant Beauty Therapist (ABT), Self-Employed Tailoring (SET), and Nursery Teacher Training (NTT) courses. These courses are part of efforts to empower women through skill development and support regional economic growth.

In her address, Rajlaxmi Shekhawat emphasized the importance of skill training for womens empowerment and self-reliance. She highlighted that such programs provide women with opportunities to build new careers and contribute to society. Further, regional coordinator of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) informed about the job opportunities and schemes for women empowerment.
Congress to gherao Assembly today





By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla :

The State Congress unit is leaving no stone unturned to make its show of strenght a successful one. Top leaders have asked the office-bearers and workers to come with their supporters in large numbers to the State. A foot march will be organised to gherao the Assembly from Jawahar Chowk Bhopal in the Bhopal on Monday at 12 noon under the leadership of senior leaders of All India Congress Committee, State Congress President Jeetu Patwari and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Umang Singhar, regarding Bharatiya Janata Partys breach of promise, increasing corruption, atrocities against SC, ST, minorities, women, problems of farmers, rampant unemployment and other burning issues prevailing in the State.

State Congress President Jitu Patwari has appealed to All India Congress Committee, all senior leaders of the State Congress Committee and lakhs of Congressmen of the State that the state-wide Vidhan Sabha siege has been organised by the Congress to protest against the corruption, fear, terror, problems of farmers, dark future of youth, incidents of exploitation and rape of women and girls prevalent in anti-people BJP Government of the State and various breaches of promises made by the BJP Government to all sections of the State, including giving Rs 3000 to Ladli Bahnas, LPG cylinder for Rs 450, support price of paddy for Rs 3100 and wheat for Rs 2700 and soybean for Rs 6000. State Congress Vice President Organisation In-charge Rajiv Singh said that thousands of Congressmen from all districts of the State are reaching Bhopal voluntarily to be a part of the gherao.

Full preparations have been made. Thousands of Congressmen including presidents of the organisational District and City Congress Committees of all districts, district in-charges, co-in-charges, State Congress officials, MLAs, former MLAs, former MPs, State Congress representatives, State presidents of front organisations, departments, cells, elected representatives of local institutions of the Congress party will participate in the programme.
Digital upskilling of ASHAs vital for transforming rural healthcare: Expert





NEW DELHI :

THE digital empowerment and upskilling of ASHAs, who are Indias frontline health workers, can be pivotal in transforming the countrys rural healthcare, according to an expert. Recruited under the National Health Mission launched in 2013, the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) create awareness in the community by educating and promoting healthy practices, and helping people access services. Elsevier, a Dutch publisher and disseminator of scientific, technical and medical information, including over 2,900 journals such as The Lancet, collaborated with the Union Government in 2022 on a digital health pilot project titled Digital Innovations & Interventions for Sustainable HealthTech Action, or DIISHA. Speaking to PTI, Shanker Kaul, Managing Director, Health Solutions-India, Elsevier, said, If we are able to digitally empower ASHA workers, upskill, recognise and reward them, then a large part of task-shifting can happen where ultimately, that primary-level screening does not have to be a burden on the medical officers. This could help transform rural health in India.

DIISHA is aimed at employing artificial intelligence-based tools, developed by Elsevier, for empowering ASHAs. One such tool is the ClinicalPath Primary Care India, a support tool for clinical decision-making, which aims to bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide and bring expert-level screening and assessment capabilities to the most remote corners of the country. A feasibility study, sponsored by the NITI Aayog, evaluated the tools usefulness, usability and adherence to standard treatment guidelines in the Bahraich district. The AI-based support acted as a fantastic job aide. by demonstrating the ability to convert local guidelines with complete fidelity, the 2021 report found. The tool could also generate high-quality clinical data sets over time, which could help improve district-level data on care delivery, referrals and outcomes, it said.

A pilot of that complexity, which straddles human, plant and animal health, is needed to test the capacity and the preparedness of the State agencies on the ground. I think the design of DIISHA, which is only in the area of human health, allows just that, Kaul said, adding that the design is currently being reviewed by the National One Health Mission. Launched in July 2024 under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, the mission deals with pandemic preparedness. Eventually, ClinicalPath Primary Care India provides a means to democratise healthcare, Kaul, who has consistently led innovations-driven healthcare businesses, said. The pilot, which demonstrated results in one district of one State, would now need to be scaled up, expanded within and across states so that the Government will be able to see the effectiveness of digital tools as a way to democratise healthcare, the managing director said. Elsevier is also one of the organisations that has signed up to the Governments One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme set to be effective January 1, 2025. In the first phase, over 6,300 higher education and research institutes will be provided access to more than 13,400 international journals covering the sciences, management and humanities, among others.

I would describe the scheme as opportunity, opportunity and opportunity, because it helps democratise research, Kaul said, adding it would help scale up high-quality research. There is a lot of research happening in the country, but now its a question of whether that quantity of research can also be elevated to high-impact research. I think in that aspect, this is a huge step forward, Kaul said. However, he added that the ONOS scheme is an enabler in providing information to the researchers and that a continued investment in the R&D sector would help to sustain support of this nature. The whole research ecosystem, requires significant investments in developing that cadre of pool of researchers, providing them with the resources and opportunities to conduct a particular research. So, the scheme is one of the pillars in a multifaceted research ecosystem that the Government is building, Kaul said. Another clinical decision support tool developed by Elsevier is ClinicalKey AI, a search tool that can be interacted with in a conversational manner.

It was initially released in November 2023. Hema Jagota, Country Director, Clinical Solutions-Elsevier, told PTI, ClinicalKey AI is basically a conversational, evidence-based search interface that enables the clinician to retrieve the latest information based on the query that they have entered. The technological solution also imbibes responsible AI principles, including being developed on trusted, peer-reviewed, published, citeable content, Jagota said, explaining how the tool is not a chatbot. While a universal Responsible AI definition does not currently exist, the concept revolves around the ethical use of an AI system, including ensuring transparency and accountability in its results. A response provided by ClinicalKey AI is accompanied by links to references. Clinicians can click on these links to see the actual article or publication from where the response was generated. Therefore, content produced by the tool can be traced back to a peer-reviewed, published content source, Jagota said. Further, Indian clinicians are being roped in to develop clinical overviews to address, Kaul said, when asked about a potential Western bias that could influence the AI tools results, given that it has been trained and developed on scientific studies from around the world. Thats the whole point of the effort and investment that we have been making the last three to four years of getting more than 3,000 Indian clinician authors basically prepare clinical overviews, on topics such as hypertension, using credible content available to them, Kaul said. We have built 1,500 overviews which can answer about 6,000 clinical questions, and are continuing to improve and increase the repository, he said, adding that the overviews too undergo a stringent editorial review process.
FEAT: Gwaliors Tansen Sangeet Samaroh in Guinness World Record





PROUD MOMENT: Officials presenting world record certificate created at Tansen music festival to Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav after the remarkable and historic achievement in Gwalior.

Staff Reporter :

Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, a medium to revive heritage of Indian music: CM

The 2024 edition of Tansen Sangeet Samaroh in Gwalior marked a historic occasion with achievement of a Guinness World Record for largest ensemble performance of Hindustani classical music. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav inaugurated the festival and congratulated the Hindustani Classical Band artists for their remarkable achievement. The event featured 546 artists performing on eight classical instruments violin, harmonium, sarangi, flute, sarod, santoor, shehnai, and tabla, creating an awe-inspiring performance that was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. In his address, Dr Yadav emphasised cultural significance of Tansen Sangeet Samaroh as a medium to revive ancient and rich musical heritage of India. He highlighted the important role played by legendary figures like Sangeet Samrat Tansen, Maharani Lakshmi Bai, Mahadji Scindia, Late Rajmata Scindia, and Jain Tirthankaras in preserving the musical traditions of the country.

The Chief Minister remarked that the world record achieved at this event was a tribute to these stalwarts of Indian music, and it also showcased Indias strong musical roots to the world. Dr Yadav noted that Gwalior, the city that hosted the event, is historically significant as the Sadhana Sthal of Tansen, the revered maestro of Indian classical music. Gwalior is also considered the birthplace of Khayal singing. He praised the efforts of the rulers, from Raja Mansingh Tomar to the Scindia dynasty, for their contributions to preserving and nurturing the music legacy of the region. The Chief Minister also spoke about the universal nature of Indian classical music, explaining that no musical instrument, no matter where it comes from, is excluded from classical compositions. He referenced the teachings of Maharishi Patanjali, who spoke about the deep connection between music and life. Dr Yadav added that music has a universal presence in the world, and the practice of Indian classical music connects individuals with the divine and with nature. In a tribute to Tansen, the world record performance featured 536 artists from across India and Madhya Pradesh, who performed together for 9 minutes.

The performance included pieces in three ragas  Malhar, Miyan ki Todi, and Darbari Kanhra  and was coordinated by the renowned flautist Pandit Ronu Majumdar. The event was a testament to the enduring influence of Tansens legacy in shaping the evolution of Indian classical music. The inauguration was attended by several prominent leaders, including Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, and Gwalior in-charge Minister Tulsiram Silawat. Other key officials, music lovers, and dignitaries also participated in the event. Tansen Sangeet Samaroha 2024 built on the success of last years Taal Darbar performance, which set another Guinness World Record by featuring over 1500 musicians performing Vande Mataram in Gwalior, further solidifying Madhya Pradeshs place on the global cultural map.
Health services disrupted as Mitanin workers go on indefinite strike





Our Correspondent

BALOD

HEALTH services across the district and other parts in Chhattisgarh are reported to have severely disrupted as Mitanin workers, including grassroots health workers, trainers, block coordinators, health panchayat coordinators and help desk facilitators, have gone on an indefinite strike since December 13. If sources are to be believed, the ongoing strike has led to a halt in crucial healthcare activities such as immunisation, institutional deliveries, tuberculosis and leprosy treatment, and maternal and newborn care.

The strike has affected services in Balod and across the state, with over 75,000 Mitanin workers including 2473 from Balod involved in the programme. The protest is reported to be an outcome of the longstanding grievances over the management and functioning of the Mitanin programme, which is currently administered by the State Health Resource Centre, an NGO. Mitanin workers allege that the NGO has subjected them to mental, physical, and financial harassment while also engaging in financial irregularities. The Chhattisgarh State Health Mitanin Association is demanding the transfer of the programme from the NGO to the National Health Mission (NHM), a move they believe will better address these issues. In addition to the management changes, the workers are demanding that their incentive amounts and the compensation for other workers be doubled. The association has expressed frustration over the state governments alleged inaction on these issues, despite promises made in the 2023 election manifesto.

Chandraprabha Sudhakar, the Balod District President of the Chhattisgarh State Health Mitanin Association, criticised the government for not fulfilling its commitments. While the government is busy celebrating its achievements over the past year, it has failed to act on the promises made for Mitanins in the election manifesto. Our demands have been ignored, and that is why we are forced to go on an indefinite strike, she said. Sudhakar warned that if their demands are not met, the association will escalate the protest into a more aggressive movement. The association has also outlined a detailed schedule for district-level protests, which will begin on December 16 in Balod and Gunderdehi blocks. The protests will continue in a phased manner across the district.

The protests will be staged in Balod and Gunderdehi blocks on December 16, Dondi and Dondilohara blocks on December 17, Gurur and Balod blocks on December 18, Dondilohara and Gunderdehi blocks on December 19 besides Dondi and Gurur blocks on December 20. Senior association leaders, including Meena Dongre and Sarika Mehar, will also attend the protests. The Association claims that its Work Boycott movement has been overwhelmingly successful, with 95% of workers participating in the strike. The district medical officers, Chief Medical and Health Officer, and the District Collector have been informed of the protest schedule.
India excels in mental math skills, secures maximum awards at UCMAS





NEW DELHI :

INDIA has emerged as the top performer at the Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS) International Competition 2024, securing the highest number of awards in both individual and team categories across various age groups of 6-13 years. According to a statement issued by UCMAS India, the two-day event organised by it concluded in Delhi on Sunday in which 6,000 students from 30 countries took part with Indian participants winning over 1,250 trophies in recognition of their exceptional skills.

The event witnessed over 15,000 visitors, including parents and supporters from across India and abroad, the statement said. Speaking at the event, Alexan Wong, CEO of UC International Corporation, said, The UCMAS competition has grown to be the largest and most impactful of its kind. It is inspiring to see students from around the world showcasing their creativity, visual memory, and focus -- skills that are critical for their future success. Stating that UCMAS combines the traditional abacus with modern teaching methodologies to create an innovative educational experience, Wong said, More than three million children worldwide have benefited from the UCMAS curriculum, which emphasises creativity, visualisation and focus while developing strong arithmetic abilities. The competition format required students to solve 200 arithmetic problems in just eight minutes, a process designed by UCMAS to test not only mathematical skills, but also visual memory, concentration, and overall academic performance, the statement said. Snehal Karia, CEO and President of UCMAS India, expressed pride in hosting the event in Delhi, marking 25 years of UCMAS operations in India.

This platform highlights the extraordinary talent of our students and inspires the next generation of leaders equipped with essential skills for the future, Karia said. She added that the organisation is committed to build a strong foundation in mathematics for young learners, preparing them for a competitive global environment. Former Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi attended the awards ceremony and commended the efforts of the young participants, the statement said. Emphasising the importance of such initiatives, Lekhi said, UCMAS is enhancing cognitive skills and academic excellence. Incepted in the country in 1999, UCMAS India is a global leader in Abacus-based mental math education.
Kidnappers of actor Mushtaq Khan also planned to abduct Shakti Kapoor, say UP cops





BIJNOR/MEERUT (UP) :

FOUR members of a gang have been arrested for kidnapping actor Mushtaq Mohammad Khan from the Delhi airport, holding him hostage in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh and demanding ransom, officials said. According to police, the miscreants were also plotting to abduct veteran actor Shakti Kapoor on the pretext of inviting him to an event. According to the complaint, Lavi alias Rahul Saini had on October 15 sent an advance payment of Rs 25,000 and an air ticket to invite Khan to an event in Meerut. Upon arriving at the Delhi airport on November 20, Mushtaq was received by a cab driver who took him to a famous shikanji shop between Meerut and Delhi. There, Khan was forced into another vehicle, where more individuals joined him.

The actor was then threatened and informed that he had been kidnapped and was being held captive at the home of Lavi, a criminal involved in the case, police said. During his captivity, the kidnappers took Mushtaq Khans bank account details and password. On the night of November 20, the accused consumed alcohol and slept. The following morning, Mushtaq Khan managed to escape and reached a mosque in Mohalla Chahshiri, where locals contacted his family and helped him return home. On November 21, the kidnappers withdrew Rs 2.2 lakh from Mushtaq Khans bank account while shopping in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, the officer said. The arrested gang members have been identified as Sarthak Chaudhary, Sabiuddin, Azim, and Shashank. Police have also recovered Rs 1.04 lakh from their possession. Police revealed that the gang was involved in abducting film stars by sending advance payments and air tickets under the guise of event invitations.

The investigation has also revealed that actor Shakti Kapoor was offered Rs 5 lakh to attend a similar event, but the deal fell through due to a high advance request. Police are now investigating whether the gang was involved in the kidnapping of other film stars. Efforts are on to track down the remaining members of the gang, including Lavi. Meanwhile, in a related development, Arjun, one of the kidnappers involved in comedian Sunil Pals abduction, was shot and injured during an encounter with police in Meerut on Sunday. Arjun, who was arrested on Saturday, attempted to escape while being escorted for a medical checkup at Lalkurti police station by snatching the pistol of a sub-inspector, the Meerut police said. Arjun, while trying to flee, opened fire indiscriminately at the police team. The police team retaliated, and Arjun was shot and injured in the exchange of fire. Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada said that police had recovered from Arjun an SUV, a Scorpio, used in Sunil Pals kidnapping last month, along with Rs 2.25 lakh cash and a mobile phone used in the crime.

Arjun was immediately taken to the hospital in an injured condition. Police are now searching for his associates, as they believe the gang involved in the kidnapping is based in Bijnor. Authorities have also contacted the victim for further statements and are continuing their investigation into the case, the SSP said. Bijnor Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha shared the details on Saturday, saying that Mushtaq Khans event manager, Shivam Yadav, had filed a complaint on December 9.
Not reached any conclusion yet: J&K Health Minister on mysterious deaths in Rajouri





JAMMU :

JAMMU and Kashmir Health Minister Sakeena Masood on Sunday said a probe into the recent mysterious deaths of seven persons at a remote village in Rajouri district is yet to reach any conclusion.Masood, accompanied by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana, senior Government officials and local MLA Javed Ahmad Choudhary, visited the affected village under Kotranka Tehsil to review the situation on Sunday.Seven persons -- a man and his four children, and two siblings of another couple -- died at Badhaal village in two separate incidents on December 8 and 12, with officials initially suspecting food poisoning as the cause of their mysterious deaths.Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Masood said 28 villagers got affected but all of them, including those undergoing treatment at hospitals Jammu and Rajouri, were stable.Principal of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, Ashutosh Gupta, on Saturday said preliminary investigations pointed towards a viral infection, but more work needs to be done to reach any conclusion.Masood said the health department has mobilised and rushed various teams to the village to investigate the deaths.

The Deputy Commissioner is coordinating with the teams on the ground, and so far the situation is under control, she said, adding, We cannot bring back those who breathed their last but our effort is to ensure that no other precious life is lost.We have not reached any conclusion so far, as the majority of the (laboratory) reports are still pending. Forensic report takes more than 48 hours, while there are some reports, as the PGI Chandigarh team said, which will take 20 days, the Minister said. However, she said the tests conducted on water in the village have returned negative, while reports of some food samples are pending. Gupta said a team of experts from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, PGI Chandigarh, and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, have arrived here to assist in the investigation.

A team of experts from AIIMS Delhi is also joining the probe, Masood said, as she lauded the role of the health department for conducting medical check-ups in every household in the village. The health department has stocked adequate medicines and also made available an ambulance in the village so that people do not face any problem, she said, assuring people that the Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stands with them. She also directed the procurement of an MRI facility for the health centre in the village and assured people to look into its upgradation from a community health centre to a public health centre. On shortage of doctors, the Minister said it is an issue concerning the whole Jammu and Kashmir. There are lots of vacancies of doctors and paramedics and the Government is taking steps to fill up these vacancies to provide relief to people, she said. More time is required to finalise whether the deaths were caused by a virus outbreak or some toxins, he said.
Surrendered Naxals reveal futility of violent movement





By Achinta Boraha

JAGDALPUR,

THE lives of Joymati Vanjan and Shankar Markade have followed a similar pattern -- tribals belonging to poor families in Chhattisgarhs remote areas, giving up studies after Class 8 and becoming dreaded Naxals carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each. A former cadre of the CPI (Maoist), Vanjan was allegedly involved in several offensives against security forces. Markade, too, was involved in many such attacks and was allegedly part of the group that destroyed a plant of a leading corporate group in Chhattisgarh a few years ago. Both have since given up violence, surrendered before the authorities, joined the mainstream and are now leading a normal life. I was involved in several attacks on security forces.

I did not like it but I was forced into it. Otherwise, I would have become a victim of Naxal brutality myself, Vanjan told PTI at an event where Union Home Minister Amit Shah interacted with them. She said she realised the futility of armed struggle and decided to lay down her arms. Following her surrender, Vanjan -- who hails from the Bijapur district -- was recruited in the Chhattisgarh Police as a constable. I am leading a normal life but I cannot go back to my village as there is every possibility that I may be targeted by my former colleagues, she said. Markade said life as a Naxal cadre was tough. When he joined the CPI (Maoist) as a teenager in the early 2000s, his entire village was overrun by the proscribed outfit. I was fed up with the bloodshed and senseless killings by the Naxals. I wanted to live a normal life and, hence, decided to surrender, he said.

States affected by Leftwing Extremism have rehabilitation schemes for surrendered Maoists. Sukanti Mari from Malkangiri in neighbouring Odisha joined the Maoists in 2003 before laying down her arms in 2016. I was trained to handle various kinds of weapons, including Insas and SLR rifles. I was the bodyguard of the wife of top Naxal leader Bhaskar, she said. Mari said she gave up arms and surrendered after her husband, who was also a Naxal cadre, was killed in a police encounter. Sushila, another surrendered Maoist, said her family was warned by the extremists of serious consequences if at least one member did not join them. I had no option. But when I got the chance to surrender, I left them and came back to live a peaceful life, she said. Bima Sodi, also from Malkangiri, is now a home guard in Odisha with a monthly salary of Rs 18,000.
Techie suicide Wife, her family arrested





BENGALURU/LUCKNOW :

THE Bengaluru Police have arrested three people, including the estranged wife of tech executive Atul Subhash, who died by suicide recently, an official said on Sunday. Nikita Singhania was arrested from Gurugram, Haryana, while her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were picked up from Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj for abetting Subhashs suicide, the Bengaluru Police official said. They were arrested on Saturday morning, brought to Bengaluru and sent to 14-days judicial custody after being produced before a local court, he said. A senior official from Prayagraj police on Sunday claimed that the Bengaluru Police did not inform them about the arrest of Nisha Singhania and Anuragh Singhania. Subhash, 34, was found hanging from his house in Munnekolalu in southeast Bengaluru on December 9. He left behind lengthy videos and notes, blaming his wife and in-laws for driving him to commit suicide through false cases and persistent torture.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said Subhashs wife, mother-in-law and brother-in-law have been apprehended and are in judicial custody. The investigation will follow. Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said, He (Subhash) had left about a 40-page death note and he has raised several issues, most importantly about the misuse of provisions in the law that were meant for protection of women. He has said that he was pressured for Rs 3 crore and other things including cases booked against him Noting that Subhash has raised questions about the rights of men, the minister said this has become a topic of discussion across the country, whether the law should be amended, citing womens rights are being misused.

Questions are being raised, discussions are happening in the country. Probably discussions will have to happen in the days ahead about bringing changes in the laws at both State and the Centre, he added. Earlier, Nikita Singhania, her mother, brother and uncle Sushil Singhania had filed anticipatory bail pleas in the Allahabad High Court. The pleas came after the Bengaluru Police on Friday issued a summons to Nikita Singhania and asked her to appear before it within three days. On Sunday, the residences of Nikita Singhania and Sushil Singhania in Uttar Pradeshs Jaunpur appeared desolate with their main gates locked, balcony doors shut and the curtains on all windows drawn. Several notices by the Bengaluru Police adorned the boundary walls of Nikita Singhanias house while a polythene bag with marigold flowers, commonly used in puja ceremonies, hung on a grab handle of the main gate. According to some local residents, the house has been empty ever since the trio went absconding. Meanwhile, a handful of media personnel could be seen shooting videos and taking photos of Sushil Singhanias house Geeta Bhawan on a narrow street that wore a deserted look.

Will not immerse ashes of my son till we get justice: Father of Bengaluru techie who died by suicide

SAMASTIPUR (Bihar),

Dec 15 (PTI)

THE father of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, who died by suicide recently, on Sunday called for strict punishment for those who harassed his son, asserting that his ashes will not be immersed till justice is served. I thank the Karnataka Police for arresting them (Subhashs estranged wife and in-laws). All those who harassed my son should be punished so that he gets justice, and his soul rests in peace. I will not immerse the ashes of my son till we get justice, Pawan Kumar told reporters here. My son was being harassed and tortured for money, and humiliated by his wife... I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all concerned please give us justice, he said. Kumar also sought the custody of his four-year-old grandson.

My son was broken from inside... Even after torture by his wife and in-laws, he didnt tell anyone about it. His suicide note also mentioned that his parents be given custody of his child, Kumar said. He said Subhash had also received a maintenance order for his son, amounting to Rs 40,000 per month. She (Subhashs estranged wife) filed several false cases against us and my son. Strict action must be taken against all those who mentally tortured my son, Kumar said.
Chinese artisan preserves ancient straw dragon craft, creates 28-meter masterpiece

People's Daily Online) 10:56, December 16, 2024

Yu Fangze, an inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage craft of weaving straw dragons, and her daughter weave a dragon in Hukou county, east China's Jiangxi Province. (People's Daily Online/Kong Wenjin)

Yu Fangze, an inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage of weaving straw dragons, is preserving the ancient tradition in Hukou county, Jiujiang city, east China's Jiangxi Province.

His latest creation measures 27.8 meters long and required over 90,000 pieces of straw.

The craft dates back to the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907). Traditionally, local farmers made straw dragons to celebrate harvests and pray for good weather.

Yu has been weaving straw dragons for 72 years. His passion began in childhood when he learned techniques from skilled craftsmen, eventually becoming a renowned artisan himself.

Creating a perfectly crafted straw dragon involves at least 12 intricate steps, including carefully selecting glutinous rice straw, bamboo and wood, Yu said.

The most challenging part is making the dragon's skeleton, which has strict angle and size requirements.

Yu has improved the dragon scale-making process by using wheat stalks instead of rice straw for a shinier appearance. A single 28-meter straw dragon requires 1,400 scales, each meticulously crafted from nine uniform wheat stalks.

Yu's straw dragons have been displayed in local museums and featured in major celebrations in Jiangxi Province. His daughter and granddaughter are now recognized as inheritors of the craft, and more than 30 of his apprentices have mastered basic skills for weaving straw dragons.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
On Sept. 11, 2001, the United States was the target of the deadliest terror attack in human history. Airplanes were hijacked by Islamist terrorists and flown into the World Trade Center buildings in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington, killing nearly 3,000, injuring thousands more and prompting a decadeslong war on terror.

On Dec. 5 of this year, Greene County authorities issued an emergency declaration after unpermitted excavation near the dam at Greene Mountain Lake risked the structures failure. There have been no deaths, no injuries and no evacuations. Indeed, there are no residential neighborhoods within the lakes floodplain.

Nevertheless, Greene County Supervisor Francis McGuigan couldnt help but see the similarities between the two.

For those who dont know Greene Mountain Lakes dam is at risk of imminent failure, McGuigan posted on a Facebook a page he operates under the name Greene Sentinel on Dec. 6. The tragedy of 911 was not that the towers crumbled, but that 2,500 people perished. Bureaucracy silenced and obstructed the few who predicted a mass attack.

The post included a photo from the destruction at ground zero in New York City in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

McGuigan didnt stop there. He insisted that the county was not doing enough to keep residents living near the lake safe and said he had contacted the county sheriffs office personally to request that deputies go door to door to warn them of the imminent failure.

Far from helping matters, Greene County officials say McGuigan was needlessly interfering in emergency services, diverting resources away from the dam and sowing distrust among the members of the public who look to county officialdom to keep them safe.

There was no imminent danger to residents, according to the official emergency declaration. And residents near the lake were being kept informed about the evolving situation via reverse 911 calls and alerts from Greene County Emergency Services. There was, and is, very little the county can do regarding the structural integrity of the dam, which is privately owned by one Larry Lamb and is overseen by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Please stop calling the Sheriffs office or anyone about the potential water problem, Greene County Chairwoman Marie Durrer wrote to McGuigan in an email he shared on the Greene Sentinel page. All parties involved have been notified and standing ready for whatever is required. Unnecessary phone calls tie up lines that may be needed.

McGuigan defended his actions to Durrer.

In a copy of his email correspondence posted to Facebook, McGuigan says he only made one three-minute call to Sheriff Steve Smith less than two hours after the county issued its emergency declaration at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5. In that call, he said, he recommended the sheriffs office go door to door warning residents that the dam was at risk of failure. I asked the Sheriff how affected residents were being notified of the emergency. He stated a reverse 911 call was made, McGuigan says in his email. A reverse 911 call is insufficient to guarantee affected residents are aware of the emergency.

He also said that he had not used any emergency phone lines to make his call.

I did not tie up any official lines or 911, he wrote. I never claimed to speak for the county or emergency services.

But Durrer was not the only county official McGuigan rubbed the wrong way.

According to additional correspondence McGuigan posted to his Facebook page, Greene County Emergency Services Director Melissa Meador, whom McGuigan routinely referred to as Meander, says the supervisor was distracting officials, insulting the competency of her office and stoking panic in the midst of an emergency.

Meador says in her email that she was pulled away from providing an update to county officials in order to respond to McGuigan directly.

Respectfully, she wrote McGuigan, my attention has been diverted again from this incident as I write another email. You seem to be insinuating that our actions are not in the best interest of the community. I take offense to this and so does my staff.

Meador said that her office was following all of the correct protocol and McGuigans demand, specifically that sheriffs deputies go door to door to alert residents, had no merit.

Emergency situations evolve  continuously, she wrote. This incident did not warrant panic. In fact, in this situation, the best response is not to go door to door. We will utilize the appropriate level of response as we deem appropriate. During events such as these, we are in constant contact with local, state, and federal agencies as applicable. We are determined to serve this community in the most professional, efficient, and operationally sound manner. We care about this entire community and we will always have their best interest at heart when making decisions.

Meador told McGuigan that if he had questions about emergency services, they should be directed to the Office of Emergency Services and not the sheriff.

The Sheriff does not activate our emergency notification system, she wrote.

Days later, McGuigan told The Daily Progress he has no regrets.

On the evening of the emergency I was not trying to be a source of information to the public, he said via email. In the early evening of the emergency, I was contacted by concerned residents. I acted to ensure that residents at risk were directly contacted about the potential failure of the dam and were aware of the EMS message.

He said he still believes county residents should have been alerted of the emergency in person. At the time the first alert went out, it wasnt entirely clear if nearby residential neighborhoods were in the floodplain, and even if the floodplain is largely agricultural, those landowners should have been contacted personally.

Going door-to-door to notify residents in the inundation zone was an obvious and essential measure that wasnt taken, McGuigan said.

He also stands by his remarks regarding 9/11, a tragedy he said affected him on a personal level.

On 9/11, I was at Bethesda Naval Hospital taking care of military personnel injured at the Pentagon, McGuigan said. As a doctor I saw first-hand the consequences of inaction. If you see something, say something, better yet do something. The point was to call attention to the bureaucracies shutting down people putting forth appropriate and informed warnings about public safety.

The dam at Greene Mountain Lake remains at risk of failure, though there is no immediate threat to the surrounding area and the state and the dams owner are working on ensuring the dams structural integrity.

Greene County residents are urged to register for the Civic Plus, a community notification system that contacts residents in the event of an emergency, Meador told The Daily Progress.

Residents can sign up for those notifications at greenecountyva.gov/343/Alerts-Notifications.
The Nikhil Bharat Bangali Samanway Samiti (NBBSS), an organization representing 4-5 crore refugees across 18 Indian states, has launched a nationwide movement demanding intervention from the Prime Minister and the United Nations to ensure the safety of minority women and girls in Bangladesh. The NBBSS alleges that fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh have been abducting housewives, school and college girls, and even children from minority communities.

The victims are subjected to brutal torture and often remain missing. Despite these grave concerns, the Bangladeshi authorities have failed to take any action, the organisation alleges. Dr. Subodh Biswas, the organisations all-India president, has called for justice for each incident. He emphasised the urgent need for the Indian government and the United Nations to intervene, as the situation for minorities in Bangladesh is deteriorating rapidly.

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Bibhas Chandra Adhikari, the national president of the All India Arya Mahasabha (AIAM), has proposed establishing a helpline or email address for victims families to file complaints. He blamed the interim caretaker governments chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, for supporting the fundamentalist groups and their heinous acts. The NBBSS plans to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to present their demands. They aim to raise global awareness of the plight of minority women and girls in Bangladesh and urge the international community to take immediate action

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West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors, an umbrella association of senior doctors in the state, is planning a 10-day protest from Tuesday to condemn the default bail granted last week by a special court in Kolkata to the two accused in the RG Kar rape and murder case.

The two  Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal  have been accused of tampering with evidence in the ghastly rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. They got bail as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to file a charge sheet against them within 90 days from the day of their arrests.

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The said protest demonstration at Doreena Crossing in central Kolkata is slated to start on Tuesday and continue till December 26.

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The doctors body has already sought the permission of the Kolkata Police to construct the dais for the protest demonstration in central Kolkata. An association office-bearer said that in case of denial of police permission, the forum will be approaching the Calcutta High Court for the same.

Last Friday, the special court in Kolkata granted default bail to the former and controversial principal of R.G. Kar Sandip Ghosh and the former SHO of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal, following CBIs failure to file a charge sheet against them within the 90 days of their arrests.

Both Ghosh and Mondal were accused of misleading the investigation and tampering with evidence while the initial investigation was being carried out by the Kolkata Police.

CBI so far has filed only one charge sheet in the matter where civic volunteer Sanjay Roy has been identified as the sole prime accused in the crime of rape and murder.

Already, the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front, an umbrella body of junior doctors in the state, has outlined its next line of agitation in the matter involving the common people. They had already organised a protest rally last Saturday at the office of CBIs special crime unit at Salt Lake on the northern outskirts of Kolkata.

The Front has also threatened to resume the ceasework protests which they withdrew earlier keeping in mind the larger public interest. The parents of the victim doctor too have claimed that protesting on the streets involving common people is the only way out now.
The US accounted for 18 per cent of Indias total exports in the financial year (FY) 24, as the countrys exports to the worlds largest economy continuously increased, a report said.

Bank of Barodas report said that Indias exports to the US are growing steadily. Its value was $77.5 billion in FY24. Indias exports to the US have been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3 per cent over the last 30 years.

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According to the report, the growth rate of exports to the US was higher than the growth rate of total exports till FY2000, but after the financial crisis of 2008, it slowed down till FY10. Since then, the growth rate of exports to the US has been higher than the growth rate of total exports, showing that the US is an important market for India.

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According to the report, the US share in Indias total exports was 18 per cent in FY24 and 16.4 per cent in FY92. However, it is still below the highest level of 22.8 per cent in FY00.

The report also advised that India should reduce over-dependence on one country for exports and focus on diversification of exports.

The US remains an important market for many key Indian industries. The top five items exported to the US in FY24 were drugs and pharmaceuticals, pearls and precious stones, petrochemical products, telecom equipment and readymade garments, which accounted for 40 per cent of the countrys total exports.

Other major exports include yarn, marine products and electronic goods, with electronic goods exports facing competition from other Asian countries.

From 2000 to 2022, Indias goods export increased from $48.5 billion to $467.5 billion while industrial exports grew from $39.6 billion to $317.4 billion. The government aims to reach $2 trillion in exports of goods and services by 2030.
A leader is one who doesnt think of the moment, he thinks of the future, said Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday, urging corporates to invest in education.

Speaking at the Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Dhankhar hailed Maharaja Shrimant Jiwajirao Scindias vision for education and said, The Late Maharaja, with extraordinary energy and unwavering commitment, embodied the spirit of service and nation-building. He lost no time in nurturing nationalism and allowing it to blossom.

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His rule was defined by foresight, courage, and a focus on education, ensuring public welfare and progress, said Dhankhar in a video uploaded on his social media handle X.

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Describing investment in education as an investment for today and for the future, he said this will ensure that our growth shifts from incremental to vertical.

We must also ensure there is no commercialisation of education  education is service and should be treated as such, he said.

I urge that Maharaja Shrimant Jiwajirao Scindias vision for education be continued. Industry, trade, business, and corporates must invest in education and pool CSR funds to nurture institutions, he said.

The VP said he would always remember the historic moment of unveiling the statue of a great man who was among the first to integrate with Bharat soon after independence to honour the nationalism call given by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Dhankhar said the need of the hour is quality education for all. And this is happening fast in the country, he said.

Boys and girls, we are living in times of hope and possibility. Today, you can fully realise your potential and dreams, thanks to a system free from corruption and favouritism, he said.

Complementing the government for digital public infrastructure and infusion of technology, Dhankhar said: In the past, opportunities like jobs, contracts, and even basic services required extra-legal means. Today, thanks to technology, these mega transformative changes are a reality.

Those who considered themselves above the law have been reminded about equality before the law, he said.
The BJP Mahila Morcha, led by MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Bansuri Swaraj, staged a protest on Monday near AAP chief Arvind Kejriwals residence at Firozshah Road.

The protest opposed the inclusion of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar at the AAPs Mahila Adalat.

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The protesters demanded that Kejriwal remove individuals with alleged anti-women mindsets from his party if he genuinely seeks to respect women in Delhi.

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Sehrawat criticized Kejriwal for including Bibhav Kumar in his party and demanded his immediate expulsion.

She also called for an apology from Akhilesh Yadav to the women of the country for controversial remarks made in the past by his late father, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Accusing the Delhi Chief Minister of promoting alcohol consumption in the city, Sehrawat said this policy had disrupted family harmony and questioned Kejriwals moral authority to speak on womens dignity.

When a household sees the husband and son returning home intoxicated, one can only imagine the environment there. Kejriwal created this situation in Delhi, yet he now speaks of womens honor, Sehrawat stated.

She further questioned the vacant position of chairperson for the Delhi Commission for Women, asking on what moral grounds Kejriwal was addressing womens issues.

Bansuri Swaraj echoed similar sentiments, accusing Kejriwal of harboring a misogynistic associate and questioning his credibility in addressing womens dignity. She also claimed that crimes against women had increased under AAPs governance in Punjab.
Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Mahajan, on Monday set 31January as deadline for the mandatory installation of CCTVs in school buses so that every activity of the driver and assisting staff while driving is monitored.He held a meeting with representatives of schools regarding the safety audit of vehicles ferrying students. The aim of the move was to seek active participation and cooperation from the school authorities to ensure that vehicles used for ferrying students are fit and safe for transportation.

Referring to the Supreme Courts directions for school buses, the Transport Commissioner set 31 January as the deadline for the mandatory installation of CCTV in school buses. This will ensure the safety of students round the clock.

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The school authorities were directed to ensure that all vehicles are fitted with functional speed governors, with the speed fixed at 40 km/h as per guidelines issued from time to time. They were also informed that the vehicles will be seized on the spot if any school bus will be found violating safety norms while plying on roads, especially with regard to overloading and over speeding.

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The authorities assured that all safety measures outlined in the Supreme Court guidelines are being followed to ensure the safety of children.They were further asked to restrict underage students from driving two-wheelers and four-wheelers in and around school premises. Additionally, they were directed to hold counseling sessions with the parents to warn about the consequences if their wards are not prohibited from underage driving.

Schools authorities informed the commissioner that most schools have their own fleet of vehicles, but some private vehicles are also engaged by parents. Therefore, it is the duty of school authorities to ensure that these vehicles also comply with the mandatory guidelines, such as emergency exit doors, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, GPS trackers, CCTV cameras, the use of seat belts, fire detection alarm system etc.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Joint Transport Commissioner Vinay Samotra, Assistant Transport Commissioner, ARTO (HQ) Jammu, and school authorities.
Paris Hilton is embracing motherhood with full joy, sharing a heartwarming moment with her two young children, Phoenix and London, on Instagram.

The socialite posted a sweet video where she is kneeling next to her kids, holding a toy microphone as they sing together. In the clip, Hilton and Phoenix joyfully belt out sanasa, a playful catchphrase from Hiltons iconic reality show The Simple Life, which she used to sing with her best friend Nicole Richie.

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Phoenix and London join in, banging on a tiny bongo drum while Hilton laughs in the background. Baby Ps new favorite song! #Sanasa, she captioned the post, capturing the familys playful bond.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paris Hilton (@parishilton)

Paris Hilton and her husband, Carter Reum, welcomed their twins via surrogate in 2023. The couple has kept their growing family close to their hearts, with Hilton frequently sharing her deep love for her children. In a candid interview last year, she opened up about the overwhelming emotions of motherhood, admitting that the love she feels for her children is unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

I thought I knew what love was with my husband. But as soon as I met my baby, its just this love on another level, Hilton said. He has just changed my life in every way. I just feel like the luckiest girl in the world every single day for this beautiful family that I have.

Hiltons gratitude for her family was also evident in a recent Thanksgiving post. She expressed her thanks for the endless love, happiness, and laughter that Phoenix and London bring into her life.

Heres to celebrating love, togetherness, and all the things were grateful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours, she wrote, sharing a glimpse of her joyful family moments with her followers.
Kapil Sharma has often drawn the ire of netizens for his comments on looks and appearances. Recently, the team of the upcoming mass-actioner Baby John appeared on The Great Indian Kapil Show. The guests included Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Atlee. During the episode, Kapil made a distasteful comment about Atlee and Archana Puran Singhs looks. The comments didnt sit well with the Jawan maker who gave it back to the host. Moreover, netizens have taken over social media to slam Kapils remarks.

During the episode, Kapil jokingly asked Atlee a question about his looks. You are such a renowned name in the industry, but has anyone ever refused to believe that you are the popular producer and director Atlee?

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Atlee, who got Kapils subtle question, gave the perfect reply. He replied, Sir, in a way I understood your question. I am actually very thankful to AR Murugadoss because he produced my first film. He asked for the script but he didnt see how I was looking. Whether I am capable of a hit or not But he loved my narration. I think people should see that. By appearance, they should not judge. By heart, youve to judge.

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Kapil Sharma subtly insults Atlees looks? Atlee responds like a boss: Dont judge by appearance, judge by the heart.#Atlee #KapilSharma pic.twitter.com/oSzU0pRDS4  Surajit (@surajit_ghosh2) December 15, 2024



In addition, as usual, Kapil Sharma also took a dig at Archana Puran Singh. Kapil introduced the director to her and said, Her name is Archana Puran Singh because she is a great admirer of Daku Mohan Singh. There was a man in his gang inspired by which her name was kept. Following this, the audience burst into laughter. However, Atlee schooled Kapil and didnt shy from coming to Archanas aid. He called her the shows saviour for him. Atlee said, Dont pull her leg, she is the only saviour of the show for me. Whenever she laughs, I am going to laugh, because I know nothing, I am waiting for her cue. Archana instantly responded, Well said Atlee, you and I are a team now.

Kapil Sharmas question didnt sit well with several viewers who called out the host on social media. One user wrote, Kapil Sharmas main sense of humor is body shaming. No one seems to object to it and he keeps earning money. Another penned, I watched this episode this afternoon. I was thinking the same. Maybe his intention was not that but then he should have framed the question in much much better way. But all in all, he is a champion of body shaming so not surprising at all.

Also Read: Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah reunite to celebrate Shyam Benegals 90th birthday

Echoing similar sentiments, one wrote, Kapil Sharma may be a nice person otherwise, but he makes racist/sexist/body shaming/homophobic jokes all the time on his show. His silly question to Atlee reflects the fair skin colour obsession of North Indians. Unfortunately, the bar has been set very low in India in terms of these so- called comedy shows for the whole family. However, a section of users also came to the comedians aid iterating that he didnt mean the comment in bad faith.
Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain met his demise on December 15 at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital. Hussain, who was in the hospital for two weeks, was in the ICU after his condition worsened. He passed away due the complications that arose from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition.

Today, it is impossible to think of the maestro with any other instrument than the tabla. The percussion instrument has become synonymous with the legend and is seen as his extension. However, there were times when Zakir Hussain dreamt differently for himself. Enamoured with rock and roll, Hussain wanted to play the drums. The artist had a change of heart after he had a conversation with The Beatles lead guitarist, George Harrison. During a tour with sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, Harrison invited Hussain to join him at Trident Studios in London. The invitation was extended to record Living in the Material World. It was the follow-up to Harrisons celebrated solo album All Things Must Pass.

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During his interview with The National, Hussain credited Harrison for his career as a percussionist. Recounting, he said, I remember I asked George, Why arent you playing the sitar on this album? I took it a step further and said, Why dont you play the sitar on stage?' Harrison responded, I dont want to insult my teachers by playing the sitar badly on stage. It is not my instrument, and I havent grown up with it. But I can take that music, and I can transpose it on my guitar, which I have more control over, and offer my reverence and respect to the art form.

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According to reports, Tabla maestro #ZakirHussain passed away at the age of 73 in the US on Sunday, December 15. The musician was hospitalised in the US due to serious health concerns, with an update shared on social media.#RIP #LatestNews #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/rHnSFWqTC1  The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) December 15, 2024



When Hussain revealed his interest in rock drumming to Harrison, The Beatles stars words showed him the mirror. George looked at me and said, You are here because you have something unique to offer. If you want to play drums, thats fine. But then you will join the 5,000 other drummers who are waiting in line to play with me, and you will have to work your way up to get here. Looking at it in retrospect, Hussain said, That was the day I dropped the idea of wanting to be a rock drummer and focused on making my instrument speak all the languages of rhythm that exist on this planet. I cant thank George enough for straightening me out.

As the conversation progressed, Hussain iterated on the dynamism of music and the importance of adaptability. When you are on a journey, you dont know whats out there. So, you have to mould yourself to whatever is going on and go with the ebb and flow. When you are relaxed and open up, the music comes out with thoughts of the moment, and you are able to converse and interact with players from all genres.

For context, in 1973, George Harrison released Living in the Material World, a musical rendition of the artists interaction with spiritual introspection. The album fused the power of music and blended the East and the West, creating a celebration of music. Hussains tabla added a layer of depth and dynamism to Harrisons rock style.

Moreover, in another interview with Simi Garewal, Zakir Hussain revealed his former interest in rocking jeans and taking the rock and roll music scene. While he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ustad Alla Rakha, the growing influence of Western music grew on him. I wanted to wear jeans, I wanted to be a rock and roll star. I wanted to make a million dollars.

Also Read: Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla maestro, passes away at 73

He added, I walked around the streets of Bombay with a boombox on my shoulder, listening to Doors and Beatles and what not. I thought that was the way to go, make a lot of money and be famous very quickly. However, things werent as glossy. But when I got there, there was a whole different world altogether. I was living on 25 dollars a week, making one vegetable curry pot, heating it up every day and eating it with bread. Very tough times.

Looking at the times, Hussain revealed how traditional music was as a second to modernised Western music. However, as fate played out, he went on to play to his strengths and emerge as the legendary musical maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain.
With panchayat elections in Assam approaching fast, political parties are ramping up their preparations, spurred by the recent publication of draft electoral rolls.

These elections hold significant political weight, as they serve as a barometer of grassroots support for various parties and their policies.

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The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) is making concerted efforts to revitalise its grassroots presence. In preparation for the elections, the party has initiated reforms such as formation of district-level Political Affairs Committees to monitor and strengthen local party activities. Appointing younger leaders under 50 years as block presidents for new constituencies formed post-delimitation, signaling a generational shift in leadership. Organising alliances with anti-BJP parties under the umbrella of the INDIA bloc. District Congress committees have been granted autonomy to forge these alliances, tailoring them to local political dynamics.

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A dedicated election committee comprising senior leaders has been established to oversee campaign preparations, emphasising robust candidate selection processes and representation from diverse socio-cultural groups like tea tribes and indigenous communities

The ruling BJP, buoyed by its extensive rural network and welfare schemes, is leveraging its organisational strength. Its focus remains on consolidating support in Assams villages, a key demographic in these elections. The BJP has already undertaken voter outreach programmes to cement its dominance

Regional players, such as the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), are also strategising to retain their influence in specific constituencies.

Both parties are likely to focus on hyper-local issues, emphasising their commitment to the needs of their respective voter bases.

These elections are expected to be fiercely contested, as they will set the stage for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

After the release of electoral rolls, the dates for the panchayat elections are likely to be announced soon.

The panchayat not only highlights the battle for rural Assam but also underlines the importance of coalition politics, grassroots mobilisation, and socio-cultural representation.
Prime accused in the sensational Atul Subhash suicide case Nikita Singhania changed her location every day to avoid arrest and tried to obtain bail in the case, said police sources on Monday.

Three accused in Atul Subhashs suicide case  his wife, her mother and brother  who were arrested by Bengaluru Police, were sent to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday.

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Atul Subhashs wife Nikita Singhania was arrested from Haryanas Gurugram and her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were nabbed in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

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Police sources, while giving details about the arrest of the accused, stated that the special teams which went to Uttar Pradesh had found that the accused had locked their houses and left after getting the news of the arrival of Karnataka Police teams. The police had pasted notices on the walls of their residences asking them to appear before the police within three days.

The special team gathered information about the accused and listed out the close relatives and friends suspected to be in touch with them. They were also monitored. As the accused made calls only on WhatsApp, it was difficult to track them.

However, Nikita Singhania, made one phone call mistakenly to one of her close relatives. Based on the tower location the police went to Gurugram in Haryana and found that she was hiding in a PG accommodation in the Rail Vihar area. She was detained by the police in the city.

The police grilled Nitika and got her to make a phone call to her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania. After tracking their location, the police picked them up from Jhunsi town in Uttar Pradesh.

The accused were questioned later for nine hours during the transit time to Bengaluru and ensured that the 2-year-old baby boy was in the safe custody of one of her relatives. The police recorded the statements of the accused persons before presenting them to the judge.

The police can take custody of the accused persons on a body warrant if their investigation is required. On the other hand, the family of Nikita is preparing to file a bail plea in the court.

Nikita Singhania has claimed that she never harassed Atul Subhash and she was living away from him for three years. Meanwhile, the family of Atul Subhash is claiming custody of Atul and Nikitas 2-year-old male baby. Bikas Kumar, brother of deceased Subhash has claimed that the family wanted to see the baby.

The accused persons were produced before the court and were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. After nabbing the accused persons, the Karnataka Police brought them to Bengaluru on Saturday late at night.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that Atul Subhash had planned to commit suicide 15 days before taking the extreme step. He had written the death note three days ago and searched legal matters on Google.

The police registered an FIR against the accused persons under Sections 108, 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) on December 9. Bikas Kumar had lodged a police complaint alleging abetment to suicide with the Marathahalli police in Bengaluru.

The FIR was lodged against Subhashs wife Nikita Singhania, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania, brother-in-law Anurag Singhania and relative Sushil Singhania. The police are yet to arrest the fourth accused, Sushil, in the case.

Bikas Kumar alleged in the complaint that false cases were lodged against his brother by the accused and had demanded Rs 3 crore to settle the case. He had also alleged that his brother was taunted in the court during the proceedings that he had to either give Rs 3 crore or commit suicide.

Nikitas family had alleged that the deceased Subhash demanded a hefty dowry from her family which resulted in the death of her father.

Subhash, who was working with an automobile company in Bengaluru, allegedly committed suicide as a demand of Rs 3 crore was made for a divorce settlement. He ended his life at his apartment in the early hours of December 9, leaving behind a 90-minute video and a 40-page death note, explaining how harassment by his wife Nikita Singhania and her family compelled him to take the extreme step.

The note left by him read: 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. However, the family collected the asthis from the Bengaluru crematorium where Subhashs final rites were conducted. The family stated that the ashes would be taken to Patna, from where the family originally hails from and it will be immersed into the river as per the traditions.

The suicide note, under the headline Justice is Due, addressed to his 2-year-old child, read: Now with me gone, there will not be any money to loot and I hope that they might start to look at the facts of the cases. Someday, you shall know the real face of your mother and her greedy family.

I pray that they dont devour you and your soul. I often laugh when I remember that I started saving money for a car when you go to college. Silly me. Remember this always that you dont owe anything to anyone. Dont trust the system. Subhash further listed out his last wishes in the note. All my case hearings should happen live and people of this country should know about my case and learn the terrible state of the legal system and misuse of law these women are doing.

He also requested to allow the suicide note and videos as his statement and evidence.

I fear that the judge might tamper with the documents, put pressure on witnesses and can adversely affect other cases. Based on my experience, the Bengaluru courts are relatively more law-abiding than Uttar Pradesh courts. I request to run the cases in Karnataka in the interest of justice and keep her in the judicial and police custody in Bengaluru till the trial goes on, the note read.

He further wrote: Give the custody of my child to my parents who can raise him with better values. Dont let my wife or her family come near my dead body. Give maximum punishment to my harassers though I dont trust our legal system too much. If people like my wife are not put behind jail, they would be more emboldened and will put more false cases on other sons of society in the future.

To wake up the judiciary and urge them to stop harassment of my parents and my brother in false cases. There shall be no negotiations, settlements and mediation with these evil people and the culprits must be punished, the letter read.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday alleged the BJP-led Union government despite lacking a majority to pass the One Nation One Poll legislation, is making a brazen attempt to push the same with an ulterior motive of conducting a presidential form of government.

#INDIA will resist the anti-federal & impractical One nation one lection as it will push the country into the perils of unitary form of governance, killing its diversity and democracy in the process, he wrote on his X handle, slamming the Narendra Modi government.

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Stalin, also president of the ruling DMK which has state autonomy as one of its core principles, has been consistent in his opposition to the ONOP ever since the panel headed by former President Ram Nath Govind was constituted to study the issue. The party had passed several resolutions opposing this and many a time he had highlighted the dangers inherent in ONOP.

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The Union BJP government seeks to push it with an ulterior motive of conducting a presidential form of election, which is against the spirit of our Constitution. The proposed bill, if passed and implemented, will remove the legal checks and balances put in place in the form of periodic elections by the framers of our great Constitution to prevent the country from slipping into anarchy and totalitarianism. Also state elections would lose their significance and regional sentiments and diversity would be destroyed, he said.

The BJP lacks a majority to pass the critical legislation that threatens to alter Indias polity forever. Yet, a brazen attempt is being made to settle scores and deflect attention from the BJPs failures to address core issues affecting the countrys progress, Stalin further said, adding All the democratic forces must unite & fight tooth and nail against this abomination imposed in the garb of electoral reform, to save India, its diversity and the Constitution.

The allies of the DMK, the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigl Katchi (VCK) of Thol Thirumavalavan, the MDMK of Vaiko and the Left Parties are on the same page with the Dravidian major in their opposition to the ONOP.
U.S., China should seize opportunities for dialogue, cooperation amid tensions, experts say

08:00, December 16, 2024 By Yang Shilong ( Xinhua

This photo taken on May 22, 2024 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Putting tariffs on China will not create many if any U.S. jobs, and could well result in net job losses in the United States through a loss of competitiveness, said Sachs. The better way to help the lagging U.S. Midwest is through regional development policies in the United States and other social outlays, such as job retraining.

NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- In interviews with Xinhua after Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2024 gala dinner of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), experts said the United States and China should seize opportunities to have dialogue and cooperation amid ongoing tensions.

In the congratulatory letter sent on Wednesday, Xi said China and the United States should choose dialogue over confrontation, and win-win cooperation over zero-sum games.

Noting that the China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important relationships in the world, Xi said it concerns not only the immediate interests of the Chinese and American peoples, but also the future of and destiny of the entire humanity.

The success of one side should be an opportunity rather than a challenge for the other, and one's achievement should help rather than hinder the development of the other, he added.

ARGUMENTS FOR U.S. PROTECTIONISM "DEEPLY MISPLACED"

Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned U.S. economist and professor at Columbia University, described Xi's remarks as "very wise" and hoped that Washington would heed them.

"President Xi's words are very wise, and I hope they are not in vain," said Sachs, criticizing the United States for adopting protectionist policies.

According to Sachs, the United States has become protectionist for three reasons: First, it has worked politically to blame job loss in manufacturing in the U.S. Midwest on China. The U.S. Midwest states have been the "swing states" in presidential elections, so both parties have turned protectionist.

Second, the United States aims to use protectionism as an industrial policy to create U.S.-based industries in green and digital technologies that lag behind China's.

Third, the United States aims to use protectionism to hinder China's rise in a zero-sum strategy to bolster U.S. hegemony.

All three arguments for U.S. protectionism are "deeply misplaced," said Sachs.

"The United States has benefited enormously from trade with China. To create an artificial tariff wall against trade with China will be a losing proposition," he said. "The main source of job decline is technology, not trade."

Putting tariffs on China will not create many if any U.S. jobs, and could well result in net job losses in the United States through a loss of competitiveness, said Sachs. The better way to help the lagging U.S. Midwest is through regional development policies in the United States and other social outlays, such as job retraining.

"The U.S. industrial policy for green and digital technologies should not aim against China. Indeed, Chinese companies can and should be part of successful U.S.-based industries," he added.

"The U.S. idea of hindering China's economic rise is profoundly misguided and dangerous, introducing a mistaken zero-sum mentality into a positive-sum relationship," said Sachs.

Customers select goods at a supermarket in Foster City, California, the United States, May 15, 2024. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

SEEK A WAY FORWARD

Despite ongoing challenges, U.S.-China relations remain the most critical bilateral relationship in the world, said Mitchell Presnick, a visiting fellow of practice at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University and founder of Super 8 Hotels China. He emphasized that both nations recognize pragmatic reasons to keep avenues for cooperation open.

"We've seen President Xi make significant efforts over the past year to engage the American business community," Presnick noted, citing key events such as the APEC Summit in San Francisco in November 2023 and the China Development Forum in Beijing in March 2024.

Beneath the rhetoric of conflict and competition, "both sides are searching for a way forward that better serves each country's interests," said Presnick.

"There are plenty of ways in which the United States and China could, if they choose to, improve their commercial relationship, and by so doing, improve U.S.-China relations," said Robert Kapp, former president of the USCBC.

Greg Cusack, a former Iowa state legislator, echoed the sentiments, calling for immediate steps to de-escalate tensions.

"How I wish we would try to seize upon such words and seek to interpret them as positively as possible to initiate that dialogue without which anything else will be difficult," said Cusack, referring to the messages delivered by Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden to the USCBC event.

"RADICAL DECOUPLING" UNREALISTIC, DAMAGING

Michael Swaine, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, dismissed the idea of "radical decoupling" as unrealistic and damaging.

"It's obvious to most people who look at this problem clearly and seriously, that you cannot cut ties economically between the United States and China without harming both countries severely," said Swaine.

"So this whole notion of decoupling, radical decoupling, I think, is kind of a red herring. I don't think it's likely to happen. There'll be huge amounts of resistance in the business community and even among some politicians."

Swaine called for increased communication to prevent crises from escalating into conflicts, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding and trust.

"We want to have more communication," he said.

(Xinhua correspondents Liu Yanan in New York, Xiong Maoling and Deng Xianlai in Washington D.C. contributed to the story)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
British vlogger becomes cultural 'ambassador' for Liuzhou, S China's Guangxi

People's Daily Online) 15:17, December 16, 2024

Sophie Chen, a 35-year-old British vlogger who has called China home for 12 years, has emerged as a cultural "ambassador" promoting Liuzhou in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region through social media.

The former McDonald's manager from Chester, England, left her position in 2012, drawn by the growing interest in Mandarin Chinese across the United Kingdom, particularly in cities like Manchester. She saw this as an opportunity to explore China while learning the language.

Sophie Chen, third from left, prepares ciba, a traditional sticky rice dish, during a community event in Luorong town, Yufeng district, Liuzhou city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (File photo)

Her journey in China began in a rural village where locals welcomed her warmly. Later that year, she settled in Liuzhou, finding similarities between her new home and Chester  both featuring pristine rivers, cultural heritage and industrial bases.

Chen has documented her life in Liuzhou through short videos, capturing both her personal growth and the city's development. For instance, in one video featuring the Liujiang River, she highlighted the city's nationally recognized water quality, which has ranked first in China for surface water quality since 2020.

She credits luosifen, the city's famous river snail rice noodles, as a key factor in her attachment to Liuzhou. Having immersed herself in local cuisine, she describes the city as a culinary haven. She has adopted local customs, from using chopsticks to shopping for Chinese New Year goods and trying traditional practices like guasha, a therapeutic scraping technique.

Sophie Chen enjoys luosifen, a local specialty of river snail rice noodles, in Liuzhou city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/Hao Xiaofeng)

"Liuzhou is my second home," Chen said.

Chen has channeled her affection for China and Liuzhou into efforts to share Chinese culture globally. She currently teaches at Liuzhou Institute of Technology and shared her experiences at the International Dialogue on Stories of Global Development, hosted by China International Communications Group.

Sophie Chen speaks at the International Dialogue on Stories of Global Development, organized by China International Communications Group. (Photo courtesy of China International Communications Group)

The Guangxi region launched its "Guangxi storytellers" initiative in 2022, appointing Chen to the initiative late last year. In September, she accepted a position as a Guangxi Communication Officer for Promoting Chinese Culture, a program jointly established by Guangxi Daily and Guangxi Radio and Television.

Chen noted that many people worldwide are curious about China and have warm feelings toward the country. She uses her social media presence to share what she sees in Liuzhou, helping more people understand the beauty of Liuzhou and Guangxi, as well as the charm of China.

Sophie Chen, second from right, participates in an event at Liuzhou Institute of Technology in Liuzhou city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/Wei Jing)

Having witnessed Liuzhou's development over 12 years, Chen expressed her commitment to continue documenting the city's evolution and sharing authentic stories about China through her video content.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the state has witnessed a remarkable decline of 97 to 99 per cent in communal riots since 2017.

He was speaking while addressing the Winter session of the assembly.

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Challenging the opposition with NCRB data, he said, Since 2017, there have been no riots in Uttar Pradesh. In contrast, during the Samajwadi Partys tenure from 2012 to 2017, the state saw 815 communal riots, resulting in 192 deaths. Between 2007 and 2011, there were 616 communal incidents, claiming 121 lives.

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Further criticizing the opposition, CM Yogi said, How long will you mislead the public by concealing facts? A survey was being conducted in Sambhal as per the orders of the Honorable Court. Saying Jai Shri Ram is not a communal act. Ram is present in everything we do. If chanting Jai Shri Ram offends anyone, it is their intent that should be questioned.

Referring to the Kundarki by-election, Yogi added, Calling the victory in Kundarki a loot of votes is an insult to the elected member. The SP candidate even lost his deposit there. Today is the era of digital media. The Pathan and Sheikh communities in the area acknowledge that their ancestors were Hindus. Your ancestors were Hindus too. What we are witnessing is a clash between local and foreign Muslims over the fight for supremacy.

Continuing his attack on the Samajwadi Party, the Chief Minister asserted that their attempts to conceal the truth will fail. No one can hide the sun, the moon, or the truth for long. The truth will eventually come out, he declared.

Responding to the statement of the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Minister said, Babarnama itself mentions that the structure was built by demolishing Harihar temple. The Puranas also state that the tenth incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu will take place in Sambhal.

He further noted that the district administration, under court instructions, conducted the survey in Sambhal peacefully, led by the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.

The survey was conducted on November 19, 21, and 24 without any disruption during the first two days. However, the atmosphere deteriorated after inflammatory speeches delivered before and during Friday prayers on November 23. The situation that unfolded thereafter is known to everyone, the Chief Minister remarked.

He assured the House, Our government has already announced that we will pass an act to ensure action within the framework of the law. Once the report is presented in the House, the truth will come to light.

Highlighting the history of unrest in Sambhal, the Chief Minister stated that communal disturbances have plagued the region since 1947. In 1947, one person lost their life, and six died in 1948. Riots occurred in 1958 and 1962, with five fatalities reported in 1976. In 1978, 184 Hindus were burned alive, leading to curfews that lasted for several months.

Further riots took place in 1980-1982, resulting in one death, four deaths in 1986, five in 1990-1992, and two in 1996. This pattern of unrest has continued unabated, he stated, emphasizing the persistent issues in the region.

The Chief Minister stated that since 1947, 209 Hindus have been killed in Sambhal, yet not a single word has been spoken in support of the innocent victims. Those shedding crocodile tears have kept mum over the innocent Hindus who lost their lives, he remarked.

Referring to the riots of 1978, he highlighted the brutal hacking to death of a businessman who had lent money to people. During the riots, Hindus sought refuge in his house, but it was surrounded. He was told, You will ask for money with these hands, before his hands were severed, followed by his legs and throat. And yet, these individuals have the temerity to speak of harmony.

The Chief Minister further added that the Bajrang Bali temple, which is now being constructed, had been kept closed since 1978 due to the opposition of these very people. Who closed 22 wells? Who created a tense atmosphere in Sambhal? These same people. They must have pelted stones, disturbed the peace, and spoiled the atmosphere. Not even one of them will be spared, he asserted firmly.

He emphasized that the successes in Kundarki, Katehari, Khair, Majhwa, Ghaziabad, Meerapur, and Phulpur assembly bypolls represent victories for the Indian Constitution, as they have upheld accountability for all.

Continuing his attack on the opposition, CM Yogi pointed out that a no-confidence motion was moved also against the Vice President of India, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, merely because he urged parties to cooperate for the smooth functioning of the House. Such actions expose a deep-rooted resentment towards the rise of a farmers son to such a prominent position, he stated.

He added: During the elections, the Election Commission was also discredited. The opposition attempts to intimidate constitutional institutions into accepting their views. This approach is detrimental to the health of our democracy. It is imperative to uphold respect for constitutional institutions and focus on strengthening them.

The Chief Minister emphasized that government and administrative actions should always be supported in the interest of justice, society, national security, and the future.

About the incidents in Bahraich and Sambhal, he assured that the administration is taking fair and just actions. He said, A judicial commission has been set up to investigate the Sambhal incident, with members continuously visiting the area, collecting statements, and working to uncover the truth.

However, he warned that unlawful actions, such as stone-throwing and illegal use of firearms, will not bring peace to the region.
The opposition Congress in Rajasthan on Monday announced a month-long campaign starting Wednesday to protest against the NDA-led Central Government and the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government in the state.

The Congress finalised its plan of action during a meeting of senior leaders at the PCC headquarters earlier today, state president Govind Singh Dotasara stated in a press release.

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Dotasara remarked: The NDA Government at the Centre has refused to address the oppositions demand to discuss issues related to the proceedings in a US court involving Gautam Adani.

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As a mark of protest against the governments stance, the state Congress unit will organize a march from the Shaheed Memorial to the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday, he said.

From Thursday onward, the partys office bearers will launch a mass-contact initiative and mobilize public opinion against the Bhajan Lal governments failure to fulfill promises made in the party manifesto and its lack of action on welfare and developmental commitments.

As part of the campaign, senior party leaders will hold press conferences at divisional headquarters on December 20 and 21, at district levels on December 22 and 23, and in all blocks on December 24 and 25.

On the eve of the partys foundation day on December 27, all district units will organize functions to commemorate the occasion. The following day, the Congress will hold a grand celebration at the PCC headquarters.

Continuing with the campaign, state president Dotasara and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Tikaram Julie will tour the state from December 30. They will address district-level gatherings to highlight the failures of the BJP government.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Dotasara will chair a meeting of the state office bearers at the PCC headquarters to assign responsibilities for spearheading the campaign in various districts.
The Opposition Congress on Monday walked out from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on the first day of the winter session in protest against non-availability of fertilizers to farmers of the state, hampering their sowing of crops.

Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar accused the state government of a fertilizer crisis across the state. He alleged that farmers were not receiving fertilizer and that was leading to delays in sowing, which would eventually create a worrisome situation for the farmers.

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Assembly speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said that the issue was already listed for discussions later.

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Nonetheless, the opposition continued with its allegations and raised slogans against the state government. The Congress, subsequently, walked out of the house.

After the Oppositions walkout over the fertilizer crisis, Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar continued with the listed agenda for the day and adjourned the Assembly until Tuesday.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in an official response to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs letter, announced that the Kerala government has identified two locations in Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad, to develop sustainable and disaster-resilient townships for families affected by the recent landslides.

In his letter, Chief Minister Vijayan stated that the township plans for the rehabilitation of Wayanads disaster victims would soon be finalized. He assured that once the plan is complete, Karnataka would be informed.

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Highlighting Keralas efforts, Vijayan shared that the state is working on a comprehensive and transparent sponsorship framework to coordinate the numerous aid offers received for disaster rehabilitation.

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The plan will integrate all generous contributions, including the Karnataka governments offer. Progress on the plan will be designed to ensure real-time tracking, he said.

He further emphasized that the government is prioritizing the rehabilitation of affected families in safe locations, free from risks such as landslides or other natural disasters.

Additionally, efforts are being made to keep the rehabilitation centers as close as possible to the families original residences to maintain emotional ties.

The environmentally friendly and disaster-resilient townships will be established in two identified locations in Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad, Vijayan reiterated in his letter.

Expressing gratitude, CM Vijayan acknowledged Karnatakas offer to sponsor 100 houses for Wayanads landslide victims.

We deeply appreciate the support extended by the Karnataka government and their sponsorship of 100 houses for the affected families, he said.

Earlier, on 9 December, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had expressed concern over the lack of communication from Kerala regarding his governments offer.

During my visit to Wayanad after the unfortunate landslide, I announced Karnatakas commitment to build 100 houses for the affected families to provide them with a stable environment. However, we have not received any communication from the Kerala government regarding the necessary guidelines to implement the project, Siddaramaiah wrote in his letter.

The exchange underscores the collaborative efforts and mutual support between the two states in addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters and ensuring timely rehabilitation for affected families.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Navy here on Monday with an aim to enhance logistics-related education, research, and training for the Indian Navy.

The MoU, signed by Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor (Controller of Logistics, Indian Navy) and Prof Manoj Choudhary (Vice-Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya), sets a major milestone in bolstering India Navys logistics capabilities and operational efficiency.

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The collaboration is set to strengthen the Indian Navys logistical framework by focusing on supply chain management, multimodal transportation, and sustainability in logistics. It also aligns with national development initiatives such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022.

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The MoU facilitates the exchange of expertise and case studies in areas such as AI applications, predictive analytics, and blockchain technology to elevate logistics practices. A specified number of Indian Navy officers will also have the opportunity to pursue academic degrees at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), alongside management development programmes designed exclusively for them.

Building on its existing partnerships with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya now caters to the education and research needs of all three defence services. The universitys central focus on transportation and logistics places it at the forefront of skill development and innovation in this critical sector.

Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor emphasised that this collaboration would empower the Navy with advanced logistics capabilities and practical insights, while Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya benefits from the Navys operational expertise. Prof. Manoj Choudhary highlighted the role of efficient logistics in mobilising forces quickly and underscored the universitys commitment to fulfilling its national mandate through innovation and collaboration.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, established in 2022 as a Central university under the Ministry of Railways, is dedicated to creating world-class talent in the logistics and transportation sectors.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, as its first Chancellor, the institution continues to lead the way in addressing Indias logistics challenges.

Rear Admiral Rajat Kapoor and senior officials from the Ministry of Railways, Indian Navy, and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya were present at the signing ceremony, marking a significant step forward in advancing Indias defence and logistics capabilities.
Leader of Oppostion and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while slamming the Guest Teacher Policy, on Monday said that the state government cannot be allowed to act arbitarily.

In a statement issued on Monday, he said that the state government should withdraw the decision to introduce Guest Teacher Policy of employing teacher on hourly basis as it not only betrayed the youth of the state but is also a threat to education system and will also affect the students.

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He said that the state government should fulfill its promise to provide permanant job to the youth.

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Thakur said that though the Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu may praise this policy, however this policy is the biggest anti-people step taken by his government till date.

It will ruin the present of the youth, as well as the future of the students. If this policy was so effective and in the public interest, then the people of the state would not have been on the streets in protest against this policy.

The youth and the parents of the students would not have been on the streets in protest against this policy, he claimed, adding that the policy is not acceptable at all under any circumstances.

The leader of the opposition said that Sukhu government should stop misleading the people of the state and start working in public interest.

Reminding Chief Minister of the promise made to the people of the state to provide one lakh jobs annually and total five lakh jobs in five years, he said that if Congress party came to power by promising jobs it should fulfill it instead of lying.

The Leader of Opposition further said, Neither the government nor the people of the state will benefit by the lies.

The Chief Minister should also not forget that the people of the state know the difference between government and private jobs, temporary and permanent jobs, jobs till the age of 58 years and 1 hour job., he said, adding that therefore, he (Sukhu) is requested to also take care of the dignity of the post of Chief Minister and avoid lying.

Our party opposes the Guest Teacher Policy of teaching in schools on hourly basis. The state government and the leaders of the Congress Party should remember the assurance given to the youth and the opposition regarding the Guest Teacher Policy on 20 January 2024 and withdraw such anti-people decisions as soon as possible, said Thakur.
Two youths from Bihar, who were working as migrant workers in Manipur were shot dead in the states Kakching district on Sunday.

The deceased  Dasharat Kumar (17) and Sunalal Kumar (18) were residents of Rajwahi village of Bihars Gopalganj district.

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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the act of terrorism and expressed condolences to the grieving family. He also announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the families of the deceased.

I strongly condemn the brutal killing of young brothers, Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17), from Bihar in Kakching district, Manipur. This act of terrorism is a direct assault on our values, and my deepest condolences go out to their grieving families, said the CM in a post on X.

He further mentioned the possibility of the act being a larger conspiracy to destabilise the state.

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In this crucial juncture, we cannot ignore the possibility that this horrific crime is part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize our state and push it further towards chaos. We must stand together against these destructive forces and ensure that they do not succeed in creating fear and insecurity, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the case could be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) if needed.

An ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to each bereaved family, and every possible effort is underway to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible. If required, the case will be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure a fair and thorough inquiry, CM Biren Singh further stated.

Meanwhile, CM Nitish Kumar directed officials to provide benefits as per rules to the family of the deceased and also to make necessary arrangements to have the two people transported to their native village.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also condemned the killing of the people on Sunday, and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the families.

I am deeply saddened by the killing of Laxman Kumar Ji and Dashrath Kumar Ji, residents of Gopalganj district of Bihar, in the riotous violence in Manipur. This incident is very sad. Deep condolences to the families of the deceased, he said in a post.

I have directed to give Rs. 2 lakh each from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund to the families of the deceased late Laxman Kumar Ji and late Dashrath Kumar Ji. Along with this, I have directed to provide other benefits as per rules from the schemes run by the Labor Resources Department and Social Welfare Department. I have directed the Resident Commissioner of Bihar in Delhi to take information about the situation and provide all possible assistance and also make necessary arrangements to send the bodies of the deceased to their native village, he further stated.

Earlier, the Gopalganj district office had informed that the post-mortem of the two deceased was done in a hospital in Imphal, and their families were also contacted immediately.

The district administration is in constant touch with the concerned officials of Manipur to bring the bodies of the deceased and provide other assistance, the statement read.

The district administration is providing all possible assistance to the family members of the deceased as per the provisions, it added.
Highlighting that Indias Constitution has stood the test of time, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday slammed the Congress for brazenly amending the Constitution from time to time to help the family and dynasty.

Opening the discussion on the glorious journey of 75 years of the Constitution of India in the Rajya Sabha, she said, ..The Congress party brazenly kept amending the Constitution to help the family and dynasty These amendments were not to strengthen democracy but to protect those in power, the process was used to strengthen the family. The Finance Minister said Congress record in curtailing freedom of speech was unmatched.

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Referring to the arrests of poet and lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni to slam former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over freedom of speech, she said, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Balraj Sahni were both jailed in 1949. During one of the meetings organised for the mill workers in 1949, Majrooh Sultanpuri recited a poem that was written against Jawaharlal Nehru and therefore he had to go to jail. He refused to tender an apology for the same and was jailedCongresss record of curtailing freedom of speech didnt confine it to these two people.

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The minister went on to say, Nehru, a political biography which was written by Michael Edwards in 1975, was banned. They also banned a film called Kissa Kursi Ka just because it questioned Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son

There was ruckus in the Rajya Sabha when the minister challenged-The 39th Amendment 1975-which was added during Indira Gandhis regime. She pointed out the Constitutional amendments were brought in to nullify a judgement that arose between Indira Gandhi vs Raj Narain wherein the order of the Allahabad High Court setting aside the election of Indira Gandhi was challenged. To save her Kursi Indira Gandhi brought the 39th Amendment 1975 bill, she said.

During the pendency of this case in the Supreme Court, the Congress enacted the 39th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1975 which added Article 392 (A) to the Constitution which says that elections to the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker cannot be challenged in any court in the country and it can be done only before a parliamentary committee. Imagine that for a person to save her chair, an amendment was made even before the court judgement, she thundered.

Sitharaman also said she will have to demand a return apology from Congress member Jairam Ramesh for accusing her of lying, which she never does. But accusing me of lying is now clearly in the blood of the Congress, she pointed out, adding that When I was the Defence Minister, not only did they call Prime Minister Modi a thief, they also kept on accusing me of lying. Now I will have no objection if another member goes to court and apologises. 

The minister said all the members present in the House, including Congress, voted for the GST Constitution Amendment, which was brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  Jairam Ramesh wanted to move some amendments but Dr Manmohan Singh (former PM) personally asked him not to do so because of the fine consensus that has been arrived in the GST CouncilDespite the support given by the Congress in passing the GST Constitution Amendment, you have a Congress leader who calls GST the Gabbar Singh Tax, she said in an apparent shot at Congress leader in the Lower House.

The minister said the Mandal commission was created to give reservation for backward classes but Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi also opposed giving 27 per cent reservation to the OBC.

She highlighted that the law passed by the BJP first was reservation for women, adding that Congress denied Muslim women their rights. Citing the Shah Bano case, the Union Finance Minister said the Congress Party passed the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce Act 1986 which denied Muslim women their right to alimony.

Sitharaman went on to allege that the Congress is anti-women as they did not pass women reservation bill to save its then government. Rajiv Gandhi had more than 400 Lok Sabha members and also a majority in RS from 1984-89 but did not pass the Women Reservation Bill, she stressed.

The senior BJP member also slammed Congress allies including RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Taking a veiled jibe at former Bihar Chief Minister, Sitharaman said, I know of political leaders who have chosen to have the children named after MISA to remember those black days and now they wouldnt even mind having an alliance with them The Finance Minister was hinting at Misa Bharti, Lalu Prasads daughter. Lalu had named his daughter after the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), a law used during the Emergency period to detain political dissenters.

She said the countrys Constitution has stood the test of time. Post Second World War, over 50 countries had become independent and had their Constitution written. But many have changed their Constitutions, not just amended them but literally changed the entire feature of their Constitution. But our Constitution has stood the test of time, of course, yielded itself to very many amendments.., she pointed out.

She read out a few names including prominent figures like Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit who contributed to the Constitution making.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said not a single drop of blood will be shed in the name of Naxalism on the sacred land of Maa Danteshwari by March 31, 2026.

Paying homage to martyrs at the Shaheed Smarak in Jagdalpur, he honored their supreme sacrifice in the fight against Naxalism. Shah also met the families of martyred soldiers and victims of Naxal violence, pledging the Modi governments unwavering commitment to eradicating the insurgency.

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Shah delivered a clear message to Naxal cadres, urging them to surrender and reintegrate into society. He warned, Those who surrender will be welcomed, but those who persist in violence will face the full might of our security forces. The event saw the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, and other dignitaries.

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Amit Shah lauded the Chhattisgarh government for constructing the Amar Shaheed Smarak, a memorial dedicated to the 1,399 martyrs who laid down their lives fighting Naxalism. He expressed hope that the memorial would not only honor the courage and sacrifices of these heroes but also inspire future generations to dedicate themselves to the welfare of society.

Reiterating the governments firm resolve, Shah stated, The Chhattisgarh government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working decisively to ensure that no family in the state loses their loved ones to Naxal violence again.

Highlighting the strides made in combating Naxalism, Shah outlined the governments three-pronged strategy:- 1. Welcoming surrenders  Individuals willing to abandon violence and rejoin society are being embraced. 2. Apprehending offenders  Operations have been intensified to capture those persisting in violent activities. 3. Punishing perpetrators  Naxalites determined to harm innocent lives are being dealt with strictly, ensuring justice.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on the second day of his Chhattisgarh visit, reached Gundam village in south Bastar, an area notorious for being the stronghold of Maoist leader Hidma. Shah spent over half an hour interacting with the villagers, promoting development, and encouraging them to abandon the path of violence for a brighter future.

Shah emphasized the importance of leaving behind the shadow of Maoism, stating, Naxalism will not pave the way for a better future for your children. Join the mainstream, distance yourself from this ideology, and contribute to a progressive India. He assured the villagers that the government is determined to provide basic amenities and development opportunities, including access to education, healthcare, and employment. Shah also inspected the implementation of welfare schemes such as the Mahtari Vandan Yojana and reviewed the villagers access to bank accounts and Aadhaar cards.

In a symbolic gesture, villagers gifted Shah a basket filled with kochai-kanda, a local produce, highlighting their hope for a prosperous and peaceful future. Addressing the needs of the community, Shah pledged to accelerate infrastructure projects and development in the area.

Shah announced significant progress in the fight against Naxalism in the past year. 287 Naxalites have been neutralized, around 1,000 have been arrested, and 837 have surrendered in Chhattisgarh alone. He called this an unprecedented achievement, noting that the state has witnessed the largest-ever reduction in Naxal-affected areas within a single year.

Shah emphasized the critical role of development in eliminating Naxalism and outlined a phased plan to accelerate progress in previously affected regions. Under this initiative, 15,000 houses have been approved for construction in Naxal-affected areas, and efforts are underway to achieve 100% saturation of government welfare schemes in every village.

He stressed that these initiatives are being implemented with the full cooperation of the central and state governments. We are committed to the welfare of villages and communities affected by Naxal violence. Our aim is to ensure that no one is left behind, Shah remarked.

Shah stated that the campaign for a Naxal-free India, spearheaded by Prime Minister Modi, is gaining overwhelming support from affected families. He assured that the Union Ministries of Home, Tribal Affairs, and Rural Development are working in close coordination to rehabilitate families impacted by Naxal violence, reaffirming the governments commitment to their progress and security.

He praised the Chhattisgarh Police forces for their robust and focused operations. The commendable teamwork and dedication of the states security forces have been instrumental in these achievements, he stated.

The Union Home Minister expressed confidence in the states bright future, reiterating that March 31, 2026, would mark the end of bloodshed in the name of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh. With our strategy, teamwork, and development initiatives, we will usher in an era of lasting peace, security, and prosperity for the people of Chhattisgarh, he said.
Emphasising that all must adhere to the Constitution and its Preamble, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, Monday said merely pointing fingers at each other wont help. He slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modis remarks on the Constitution (in the Lok Sabha), and allegd that those who havent fought for the country cant grasp its significance.

Speaking during the discussion on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India in the House of Elders, Kharge said, Merely pointing fingers at each other wont help. The Jan Sangh had once aimed to structure the Constitution based on the laws of Manusmriti. This was the intent of the RSS. Those who despise the tricolour, the Ashoka Chakra, and the Constitution are now lecturing us. On the day the Constitution was implemented, these people burned effigies of Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru at Ramlila Maidan. They insult the Nehru-Gandhi family without shame, he said.

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He said in 1949, RSS leaders opposed the Constitution of India because it was not based on Manusmriti.  Neither did they accept the Constitution nor the tricolour. On 26 January 2002, for the first time, the tricolour was hoisted at the RSS headquarters under compulsion. Because there was a court order, he pointed out.

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During his a little more-than-an-hour speech, the Congress leader said, Those who did not fight for the country, how will they know the importance of freedom and the Constitution? He alleged PM Modi was the top liar as he failed to deliver on promises and misled India for the past 11 years.

 The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) was teaching us and said that we lie but the number one liar is the Prime Minister. It was said that Rs15 lakh will be given but nothing camethese people are misleading the country and deceiving the people by lyingThe Prime Minister should have told what he has done in the last 11 years to strengthen the Constitution, he said.

Taking a jibe at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who opened the two-day debate in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge said, She has studied in Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), I dont know what she studied there but JNU students are very progressive. ..And, here shes supporting those who question socialism and all..How can someone change their ideology?

Highlighting her educational background at (JNU), Kharge noted that students from varsity have been integral to the nations development, particularly in fields like Economics and Political Science but here the talk is about eliminating the democratic things.

BJP has been giving jumlas to befool people of the country and blaming the Congress instead, Kharge alleged. Further, he said the Prime Minister either lives in the past or in the world of imagination, adding that it seems that the present is not in his dictionary.

He alleged that those who crushed the poor economically are also teaching us lessons on economic strength. If works like land reform, nationalisation of banks, MNREGA, Food Security Act and Right to Education had not been done in the country, the condition of the poor would have been very bad, he stressed.

Kharge also alleged that the Indian Constitution was in danger today. He also said the BJP was against reservation, that is why it was against caste census.

Rajya Sabha LoP Kharge said,You are insulting everyone in the name of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Sardar Patel was also with him, Ambedkar was also with him Nehru ji had written a letter to the Chief Ministers, which Modi ji mentioned in his speech to defame Nehru ji by distorting the facts, for which he should apologise to the country. This is my demand

Further, he said when many powerful countries did not have universal adult franchise, women did not have the right to vote, at that time India gave universal adult franchise, voting rights to women were given. It was given by the Congress, the ConstitutionRSS, Jansangh has opposed it, he pointed out.

Our brave leader Indira Gandhi divided Pakistan into two parts and liberated Bangladesh The pride of this country spread across the world. The chaos that is going on there (in Bangladesh), at least these (BJP) people should open their eyes and try to save the minorities there.
To commemorate Vijay Diwas, a wreath laying ceremony was organised at Veer Smriti in Chandimandir to pay homage to all the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation during 1971 war.

According to an official statement, serving officers, veterans including previous Army Commanders and gallantry award winners paid tributes to their fallen comrades. The silence observed by all ranks present echoed skywards to the martyrs of this great nation, as an appropriate tribute to their steely resolve.

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During this war the Indian Army demonstrated its selflessness and willingness to fight for the worthy cause of liberating a vast section of humanity against oppression and persecution.

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On 3 December 1971, Pakistan launched air strikes on Indian airfields in North-Western India under the code name operation Chengiz Khan, marking the start of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. India ordered immediate mobilization of troops and launched a full scale offensive in both East and West Pakistan.

The 13-day war ended with the birth of Bangladesh and a surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistan Army personnel. It is one of the most swift and bravely fought military campaigns with India emerging decisively victorious. While the Eastern Army ensured an abject surrender, the same was hastened and made possible by severe battles on the Western Front fought by the Western Command troops.

As Guardians of the West, the troops ensured that the adversary suffered heavily on the Western Front too. Some of the fiercest battles were fought at Longewala, Basantar, Burj, Fatehpur and Sehjra, to name just a few.

In this war, the Western Command troops were awarded two Param Vir Chakras and 46 Maha Vir Chakras, in addition to several other gallantry awards including one Theatre Honour and 11 Battle Honours.

Vijay Diwas epitomises the bravery of Indian troops, their exemplary combat skills and determination against all odds. In remembering those who gave their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, the braves of today pledge to uphold those very traits in the years ahead.
The Bhopal gas tragedy is no doubt the biggest industrial catastrophe of the 20th century. It happened due to the highest level of callousness and irresponsibility shown by a multinational, Union Carbide Corporation (UCC). Tales of this tragic incident which happened around midnight on 2 December 1984 and its after effects are not unknown to us.

Thanks to the medias regular reporting on the misery of victims, denial of justice to them, long lasting effects of the poisonous methyl iso-cyanate (MIC) gas, mishandling of the case by both the Central and State governments and controversial verdicts by the judiciary, besides seminal research works on the issue, we are aware of the intricacy and complicity of the disaster.

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But then, why have we selected this topic now? The answer is simple. It is the outcry of thousands of Bhopal people for justice; it is the picture of those crippled, deformed and ailing children who have come to this world without any fault of theirs. It is the motivation one spontaneously gets from the pale faces and helpless looks of the kids born as the next generation of the Bhopal victims.

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It is our conscience that makes us rise against the wrongs committed by others. In this article, we will not repeat what had happened in the past, but focus on some hard facts that may have been forgotten by people with the passage of time. The objective is to help readers recapture how the worlds worst industrial disaster was dealt with by our elected representatives. Until 1979, Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), used to import MIC from the USA. In 1979, the federal government of the USA banned production of MIC in the country. What then could have been the alternatives for UCC?

Either to produce Carbaryl based pesticides (sold under the brand name SEVIN) by using MIC as an intermediate or through MIC-free routes as was being done by Bayer. Cost of manufacture is much less in the MIC route compared to the MICfree route. UCC chose to start producing MIC in UCILs factory in Bhopal. UCC took a cue from the co  mment once made for developing co  untries by Lawrence Summer, ex chief economist of World Bank Let them eat pollution. UCC knew how to make Indians eat MIC.

But then, how could they make it happen? The tragic incidents would not have occurred had UCIL followed several warnings given in advance by its employees, engineers and technicians that MICrelated accidents might occur in the factory any time for violating the norms of process parameters. In fact, due to declining demand of carbaryl-based pesticides the world over, the turnover of UCIL started declining, resulting in a fall in profit margins.

UCIL started implementing various self-devised cost cutting measures, namely, downsizing supervisory staff and skilled workers, reducing cost on regular repairs and maintenance, diluting quality control measures and loosening safety measures. The result was deviation from proper safety regulations, deterioration in the quality of valves and pipe lines, malfunctioning of safety systems, corrosion in the non-stainless steel pipelines and above all, loss of morale of employees. Despite lack in demand, the management continued with the production of MIC causing a piling up of stock.

UCIL stored the large volume of MIC in the existing storage tanks diluting safety norms of storing MIC. Normally, MIC should be stored in small steel drums. UCIL stored MIC in a large tank whose alarm system was not being checked daily. UCIL kept one manual backup system instead of the four-stage system which was essential; the flare tower and the vent gas scrubber installed for tracing escaping gas was out of service for more than four months; the refrigeration system designed to inhibit volatilization of MIC was kept idle. Besides, MIC was stored at room temperature instead of 4.50C as prescribed in the manual. These technical flaws were encouraged by the management of UCIL compromising safety measures and introducing un  proven and unsafe processes.

These flaws were management made because the management of UCIL did not give any weightage to many prior accidents which signaled the approaching fatal disaster. A few of them are: In 1976, the two trade unions protested about the increasing level of pollution within the plant; in 1981, a worker was splashed with phosgene gas causing his death 72 hours later; in January 1982, there was a phosgene leak, which affected 24 workers who were admitted to hospital; wearing protective masks was not made compulsory; in February 1982, an MIC leak affected 18 workers; in August 1982, a chemical engineer came in contact with liquid MIC resulting in burns over 30 per cent of his body; in September 1982, Raj kumar Keswani, a Bhopal journalist wrote prophetic warnings of a disaster in the local weekly Rajpat but he was not paid any heed; in October 1982, there was a leak of MIC, methyl carbaryl chloride, chloroform and hydrochloric acid.

In an attempt to stop the leakage, a MIC supervisor suffered intensive chemical burns and two other workers were severely exposed to the gases; during 1983 and 1984 there was regular leakage of MIC, chlorine, monomethylamine, phosgene and carbon tetrachloride. Reports issued a few months before the incident by scientists within UCIL warned of the possibility of a serious accident but it was ignored. American experts who visited the plant during 1981 warned UCC of the possibility of a runaway reaction; local Indian authorities warned the company of problems from 1979 onwards but UCC did not care. UCC admitted in their own investigation report that most of the safety systems were not functioning at the time the accident occurred in the midnight of 2 December 1984.

The king cannot do any wrong. So, how could UCC do any wrong!! Did our Central and M.P. state government play their due role? Did they discharge their responsibilities as expected of elected governments? Did they handle such a grave situation with a human face or did they perform their duties in a perfunctory manner? To get the proper answer, one needs to revisit key landmark events before and after that fateful night of 2 December.

(The writer is Director & CEO, Sayantan Consultants Private Limited)
The year 2024 is on track to be the warmest on record. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the past ten years have been the warmest decade on record and global warming is quickly increasing climate extremes, impacts and risks. The resulting climate catastrophe is threatening human health, safety and livelihoods, and is widening pre-existing inequalities especially related to gender. Climate change is putting the health and livelihoods of women at risk while adding to the systemic inequalities faced by them.

According to the Global Gender Gap 2024 report of the World Economic Forum, climate crisis is impacting womens reproductive health outcomes and pushing millions of women and girls into abject poverty. According to one UN estimate, women and children are 14 times more likely to be fatally impacted during extreme weather events. This is attributed to women and children having limited access to information, mobility, decision-making and resources. A 2022 UNICEF report titled Bring in the Girls informs that four out of five people displaced by climate change are girls and women.

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Despite these startling figures, there is little effort to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women. Women form part of the invisible work force, are expected to provide unpaid care responsibilities and have reduced access to education which are some of the factors preventing recognition of gendered vulnerabilities to climate change. Moreover, womens participation in decisionmaking and climate leadership is wanting. Women are de facto providers and procurers of water, food and fuel wood in many regions of the world  scarcity of these resources due to climate change significantly increases their daily workload. The rising impacts of climate change are exacerbating the gender gap, making it more visible than before.

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According to the ASEAN Gender Outlook 2024 report, increased droughts, unpredictable rains and rising temperatures correlate with higher rates of child marriage. These factors also become accessibility barriers to clean water and cooking fuels affecting womens unpaid work. Climate-driven disasters are displacing more and more women and girls from their homes. This is disrupting womens conventional support systems and putting family planning clinics, maternal healthcare and safe spaces out of their reach. The need for closing the gender gap due to increasing impacts of climate change has never been felt more. This requires innovative approaches backed by political will because past efforts in this direction have been inadequate, to say the least.

The more recent UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have also recognized this need; gender equality is fifth among the 17 UN SDGs that need to be met by 2030. However, a recent progress report on the SDGs has informed that the world is off track to achieve SDG 5 by 2030. As a result, climate change may push 158 million women and girls (16 million more than men and boys) into extreme poverty by 2050. At the current progress rate of the SDGs, it will take 137 additional years to end extreme poverty among women. There are currently 47.8 million more food-insecure women than men and the time spent by women and girls in collecting water is three times that spent by men and boys. The gender gap is far from closed.

The Unjust Climate 2024 report of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns that femaleheaded households experience 8 per cent income losses due to heat stress and 3 per cent due to floods, relative to male-headed households. Far from being addressed, the pre-existing gender gap is widening due to climate change. Climate action plans and policy makers must take note of this and be gender-sensitive in their approach and implementation. Empowering women must be at the heart of climate action due to the increased vulnerabilities faced by them. Women often have unique knowledge of natural resources and resilience which makes them natural climate leaders who can drive sustainable solutions. Women and girls are not only experiencing greater hardships but are also responding to it with leadership despite societal limitations.

A 2024 report by FAO on Women-led Solutions for Drought Resilience highlights 35 global practices driven by women for mitigating drought and conserving water. Empowering women is not just about climate equity, it is a climate solution in itself. There is increasing reference to gender in the voluntary climate action submissions made by nations to the UN. What is needed along with this is an increase in women leadership at all levels of climate action and decision-making.

According to UN Women, about 35 per cent delegates at the recently concluded COP29 in Baku were women, a marginal increase of 1 percentage point from COP28. Almost 50 per cent of the worlds population is female and a similar representation in global climate negotiations must be ensured. This will create more inclusive climate strategies and will pave the way for long-term environmental resilience. (The writers are, respectively, associate professor at Jindal School of Environment & Sustainability, and a research assistant at Center for United Nations, O.P. Jindal Global University, Haryana.)
S. Koreas joint investigation team will summon the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.

The team was scheduled to deliver a summons to the presidential office, asking Yoon to appear for questioning on December 18 as part of its probe into Yoons martial law imposition, Xinhua news agency reported.

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The team is composed of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), the National Office of Investigation (NOI) and the Defence Ministrys investigation headquarters.

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The second motion to impeach Yoon was passed through the National Assembly on Saturday and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoons presidential power is suspended.

Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of December 3, but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.

Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on an insurrection charge and became the first sitting president to be banned from leaving the country.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, has reportedly failed to obey a summons from prosecutors investigating him on charges including insurrection as he faces impeachment after declaring martial law.

Yoon, who was sent a summons on Wednesday requesting him to appear for questioning at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday, did not show up, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Yoon and other senior officials are being investigated on possible charges of insurrection, abuse of authority and obstructing people from exercising their rights.

Yonhap news agency said prosecutors  who are also seeking arrest warrants for senior military officials, including the head of the army special warfare command and the chief of the capital defence command  plan to issue another summons for the President.

The Presidents reported failure to appear came a day after South Korean MPs voted to impeach him over the unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law almost two weeks ago that plunged the country into some of its worst political turmoil in decades.

In a late-night emergency television address to the nation on December 3, Yoon announced he was imposing martial law, accusing the opposition of paralysing the government with anti-state activities.

The imposition of martial law  the first of its kind in more than four decades  lasted only six hours, and hundreds of troops and police officers sent by Yoon to the National Assembly withdrew after the Presidents decree was overturned. No major violence occurred.

Yoons powers have been suspended until the constitutional court decides whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

The court will meet to begin considering the case on Monday and has up to 180 days to issue a ruling. But observers say a ruling could come faster. In the case of parliamentary impeachments of past presidents, Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2016, the court spent 63 days and 91 days respectively before determining to reinstate Roh and dismiss Park.

South Koreas main opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, has offered to work with the government to ease the political tumult as officials seek to reassure allies and markets after the impeachment vote.

Lee, who leads the Democratic Party and who has led the political offensive against Yoons embattled government, is seen as the frontrunner to replace him. Lee has urged the constitutional court to rule swiftly on Yoons impeachment and proposed a special council for cooperation between the government and Parliament.

The Opposition leader told a televised news conference that a rapid ruling was the only way to minimise national confusion and the suffering of people.

Lee also proposed a national council where the government and the National Assembly would work together to stabilise state affairs and said his party would not seek to impeach the Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, a Yoon appointee who is serving as Acting President.

The Democratic Party will actively cooperate with all parties to stabilise state affairs and restore international trust, Lee said.

The National Assembly and government will work together to quickly resolve the crisis that has swept across South Korea.

On assuming his role as acting leader, Han ordered the military to bolster its security posture against North Korea. He asked the Foreign Minister to inform other countries that South Koreas main external policies would remain unchanged, and the Finance Minister to work to minimise potential negative impacts on the economy from the political turmoil.

On Sunday, Han had a phone call with the US President, Joe Biden, in which they discussed the political situation in South Korea and regional security challenges including North Koreas nuclear programme. Biden expressed his appreciation for the resiliency of democracy in South Korea and reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the US, according to both governments.

Opposition parties have accused Yoon of rebellion, saying a President in South Korea is allowed to declare martial law only during wartime or similar emergencies and would have no right to suspend Parliaments operations even in those cases.

Yoon has rejected the charges and vowed to fight to the end. He said the deployment of troops to the National Assembly was aimed at issuing a warning to the Democratic Party, which he called an anti-state force that abused its control of Parliament by holding up the governments budget bill for next year and repeatedly pushing to impeach top officials.

Law enforcement institutions are investigating possible rebellion and other allegations. They have arrested Yoons Defence Minister and police chief and two other high-level figures.

Yoon has immunity from most criminal prosecution as President, but that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. He has been banned from leaving South Korea, but observers doubt that authorities will detain him because of the potential for clashes with his presidential security service.
The ongoing religious persecution of Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh, coupled with their attempts to find refuge in Indias northeastern states like Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya, has sparked an intense debate over the countrys refugee policies.

A section of Indian policymakers advocates for offering asylum to persecuted Hindus, viewing it as Indias moral obligation. However, this stance raises alarms in the northeastern states, where concerns about demographic changes loom large.

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Tripura, for instance, transitioned from a tribal-majority state to one dominated by Bengali migrants following historical influxes from Bangladesh.

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Amidst this complex backdrop, the plight of a family of ten from Dhanpur Union Parishad in Bangladeshs Kishoreganj district illustrates the growing crisis.

Arrested last week after crossing Tripuras porous international border, the family, comprising three men, two women, two teenagers and three minors, was fleeing communal violence. They had hoped to settle in Silchar, Assam, but were detained near Ambassa railway station in Dhalai district. The family was produced in a local court, where the adults were sent to judicial custody, and the minors placed in a juvenile home.

A desperate flight for survival

Seventy-year-old Sudhir Sarkar narrated their ordeal to local reporters, describing escalating violence against Hindus since the fall of Sheikh Hasinas government in Bangladesh.

We faced threats, accusations of being Indian agents and witnessed horrifying incidents of abductions. It became impossible for us to stay; if we go back, we will be killed; it is better to die here, Sarkar said. The family sold their belongings to finance their escape, leaving behind ancestral lands and assets. Sarkar expressed fears of deportation, stating, If we are sent back, we will lose everything.

Historical roots of persecution

The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh traces back to Partition when Sylhet and other districts, once a Hindu-majority region, became part of East Pakistan, leaving its Hindu population vulnerable to displacement, marginalisation and violence.

Generations later, this legacy persists, compounded by the political upheaval following Sheikh Hasinas ousting and Mohammad Yunus rise to power. Reports of land seizures, abductions and hate speech have intensified fears among Hindus, forcing many to flee. The NDA government at the Centre finds itself on a sticky wicket on the issue of Hindu Bangladeshis infiltrating to India.

Give me the numbershow many Hindus have entered India in the last few months compared to the lakhs of Muslims who have entered the region and taken away resources, jobs, lands? No one raised any voice. As for the Mizoram government welcoming refugees from Myanmar, I am not aware of this subject, said Sunil Deodhar, national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who has worked extensively in the northeast as an RSS activist, told The Statesman.

Contrasting responses to refugees

The rejection of Bangladeshi Hindus in India starkly contrasts with the reception of Kuki-Chin refugees from Myanmar in Mizoram.

Since 2021, over 31,000 Kuki-Chin Christians have found refuge in Mizoram, escaping military assaults in Myanmar. The Mizoram government, supported by local NGOs like the Young Mizo Association (YMA), has provided these refugees with food, healthcare and education. The Union Government has assured Mizoram that the refugees will not face deportation until conditions improve in Myanmar.

Notably, over 3.5 lakh Chakmas, who follow Buddhism, migrated primarily to the northeastern states due to religious persecution in what was then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the period of 1961-1962.

The Chakma population has since settled in various parts of northeast India.

Raising our voice against atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh does not mean that we are welcoming them. But I want to ask the Indian government: How come the Mizoram government is openly welcoming the persecuted population from Myanmar? Why are they not being termed as illegal migrants? There cannot be two different standards for refugee policy, Drishyamuni Chakma, president of the All Chakma Students Union, told The Statesman.

In contrast, Bangladeshi Hindus face arrests, imprisonment and uncertain futures. Critics argue this disparity exposes inconsistencies in Indias refugee policies and biases in addressing humanitarian crises.

Regional tensions and demographic concerns

The influx of Bangladeshi Hindus has heightened demographic fears in the northeast. Organisations like the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the North East Students Organization (NESO) have raised concerns about unchecked immigrations impact on local demographics and resources. Tripura is particularly sensitive to these issues. Once a tribal-majority state, Bengali migration during Partition and the Bangladesh Liberation War dramatically altered its demographics, fueling ethnic tensions and demands for preserving indigenous rights.

The disparity in treatment between Kuki-Chin refugees and Bangladeshi Hindus raises a pertinent question about the refugee policy of the country.

The NDA government at the center has to walk the tightrope between respecting regional sentiments and its commitment to protecting persecuted Hindu minorities anywhere in the world. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), designed to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries, offers a potential solution to this problem. However, its uneven implementationespecially in the northeast, where fears of demographic shifts persisthas left doors open for interpretation.
Mount Semeru, located in Indonesias East Java province, erupted on Sunday, prompting the countrys Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to issue an aviation warning.

A thick column of white-to-grey ash rose up to 1,000 meters into the sky, drifting northeast from the crater, according to the centers report.

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Authorities issued the second-highest aviation warning, designating an orange Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation, restricting flights within 5 kilometres of the volcano, Xinhua news agency reported.

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A 3-km danger zone has been declared, while the southeastern area of the volcano has a designated danger radius extending up to 8 km from the crater.

Beyond these areas, authorities have prohibited residents from engaging in any activities within 500 meters of rivers originating from the volcanos slopes due to potential lava flows and hot clouds possibly extending up to 13 km.

Mount Semeru, standing 3,676 meters high, is one of Indonesias 127 active volcanoes

On November 3, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano in Indonesia erupted killing nine people and forcing thousands of locals to evacuate.

The volcanic eruption resulted in the cancellation of more than 160 flights to and from Bali.

To facilitate emergency relief efforts, the local government declared an emergency status from November 4 until December 31.

In May, the Ibu volcano on Halmahera Island in the eastern Indonesian province of North Maluku erupted.

The Ibu volcano has erupted more than 80 times since the beginning of this year.

In April, Mount Ruang volcano erupted. The 725-metre-high volcano is one of Indonesias most active.

Mount Ruang last erupted in 2002, spewing out pyroclastic flows that damaged the land and local settlements.

There are roughly 500 mountains that dot the Indonesian archipelago, of which 127 are active volcanoes and dozens of them have been showing signs of increased activity.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire  an area abundant in volcanoes and seismic activity because it is directly above several tectonic plates. There are nearly 130 active volcanoes in the Southeast Asian country.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said Sunday that the UN is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in the country and is looking forward to the next steps toward a political transition following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8.

Speaking to reporters in Damascus, Pedersen emphasized the importance of Syrian state institutions fully resuming their functions under secure conditions, Xinhua news agency reported.

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We are working with all segments of the Syrian people  and we want to see no acts of revenge. Instead, we must ensure that institutions return to work, backed by the necessary security measures, he said.

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The UN envoy expressed hope that the removal of sanctions on Syria would be expedited, paving the way for a swift start to the nations economic recovery.

We hope to see a quick end to sanctions so that the recovery process can begin soon, Pedersen added.

While acknowledging the complexity of the political landscape, Pedersen urged all parties to maintain calm, focus on rehabilitation, and prioritise the welfare of ordinary Syrians. He affirmed the UNs commitment to supporting a stable and inclusive transition that avoids further violence and ensures a better future for the country.

On Sunday, some students started to return to classrooms in the Syrian capital for the first time since Dec. 8. Universities also reopened their doors, with some administrative staff and professors returning to their offices.

The resumption of classes and academic work, albeit limited, marks a gradual resumption of daily life after a period of upheaval.
Just when all the buzz was about the Air India vs Indigo fight for Indias booming civil aviation, AirAsia has made it clear that it is throwing its hat into the ring. Its aim? Take a big bite out of the booming outbound airline market from India.

On Monday afternoon, Thai AirAsia X, the long-haul wing of this poster boy of low-cost airline success, announced the launch of its flight from Indias busiest airport, Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport to Bangkok in Thailand. However, a new flight launch is just the tip of AirAsias ambition, and strategy for India.

Going by the number of flights, AirAsia claims it is already the biggest international airliner in India (excluding domestic operators). Regarding the number of seats and profitability, longtime leader Emirates may still be on top, but not for too long if AirAsia has its way.

The secret sauce in AirAsias armour is three  one, its effective low-cost model, operating to smaller airports (it flies to Don Mueang in Bangkok, not the bigger Suvarnabhumi Airport where all other airlines from India fly to) saving on airport rental. It also offers down-to-earth fares, based on the smart marketing ploy of if you dont use it, dont pay for it, which sounds a lot better than saying pay for everything from baggage to seat selection to food and drinks.

Second, is the India-ASEAN free trade agreement from the 2010s which allows Thai airlines to fly to secondary airports in India without any need for bilateral agreements. While metro airports can be operated only based on bilaterals (a sort of quid pro quo decision between two countries while allowing flights between them), most others are free for the taking, something AirAsia has capitalised on beautifully, operating multiple flights to places like Bengaluru, Kochi etc. For example, in both these cities, more than one AirAsia subsidiary operates, thus giving more choices to passengers.

And third, is the plethora of onward connections it offers Indian travellers through Bangkoks Don Mueang (or other hubs in its larger umbrella network) to the rest of South East Asia and all the way up to China, Japan and Australia.

Airline officials say as much as around 20% of travellers on any international flights are transit passengers headed to further destinations, a lucrative proposition for AirAsia, considering the cost consciousness of Indian travellers and how the airline is well placed to capitalise on it.

Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X said, (AirAsia) continue to strengthen our presence whilst improving affordable connectivity across the region. We are seeing rising demand in the international sector, supported by measures like visa-free entry, which have made travel more accessible and cost-effective.

It is actually the complex ownership and subsidiary formulation of parent company Malaysias AirAsia, founded by Indian-origin Tony Fernandes, that makes it extra effective. Just like AirAsia India was a joint venture in India with Tata Group (recently subsumed into Air India Express), AirAsia Berhad, the parent company in Malaysia, has several other subsidiaries  like PT AirAsia Indonesia, Philippines AirAsia, Thai AirAsia etc etc., the last one a joint venture with Thailands flagship carrier Thai Airways.

The group also operates longer-distance flights (what it classifies as any flight longer than four-and-a-half hours) under another subsidiary called AirAsia X. All this means the company can offer multiple options and seamless flight operations from many Indian cities to various international destinations in Southeast Asia wherever it has subsidiaries, unlike other international airlines like Emirates who can only fly to Dubai from Indian cities as per norms.
On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, which marks the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army in 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh, the iconic 1971 surrender painting, which depicts the ceremonial surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army on December 16, 1971, was installed at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.

#VijayDiwas#



On the occasion of #VijayDiwas, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS, along with the President #AWWA, Mrs Sunita Dwivedi, installed the iconic 1971 surrender painting to its most befitting place, The Manekshaw Centre, named after the Architect and the Hero of 1971 pic.twitter.com/t9MfGXzwmH  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 16, 2024

The painting was installed at the centre, named after the architect and the hero of 1971 War, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, by the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with Sunita Dwivedi, his spouse and president of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA).

The painting was previously housed at the Army Chief's lounge.

ALSO READ: On Vijay Diwas, PM Modi, President Murmu lead the nation in paying homage to soldiers of 1971 war against Pakistan

"Its placement at the #ManekshawCentre #NewDelhi will benefit a large audience due to substantial footfall of diverse audience & dignitaries from #India and abroad at this venue," the Indian Army said in a tweet.

Controversy surrounding the surrender painting

The painting, which had been part of the Army chief's office for decades, had ran into a controversy recently after it was noticed that an artwork titled Karam Kshetrapurportedly inspired by the Mahabharatareplaced it at its place in the office. The new painting showed tanks and helicopters on the banks of what appears to be Pangong Lake in Ladakh.

The replacement and removal came to light after a photo of General Upendra Dwivedi greeting Chief of the Army Staff of the Nepali Army General Ashok Raj Sigdel was released.

The removal of the painting had attracted much criticism, with some claiming that the move was politically motivated.

According to Telegraph, a former brigadier claimed that the government was claiming to erase the memory of 1971 victory against Pakistan because it Its shocking that the military brass did not object to removing the picture and, instead, pandered to political whims, the former brigadier was quoted as saying.

"This is the most iconic symbol of Indias greatest Military victory, legacy and pride ! And just like that its gone?!Replaced by some amateurish mishmash of lord only knows what the hell. How could we accept the erasure of our Military history?," wrote a user on X.

That 1971 Pakistan surrender photograph is literally our Flag of our fathers moment. Our Fathers and Grandfathers!! This is the most iconic symbol of Indias greatest Military victory, legacy and pride ! And just like that its gone?! Replaced by some amateurish mishmash of pic.twitter.com/2v5KHaSsko  Nidhie Sharma (@IamNidhieSharma) December 14, 2024

"Mythology appropriating real pride and achievement. Horror has only just begun," wrote another.

Just came to know from some military handles that the govt. has removed the glorious image on left, and replaced it with the one on right.



Mythology appropriating real pride and achievement. Horror has only just begun. pic.twitter.com/cXqSU7wzLX  Sandeep Manudhane (@sandeep_PT) December 13, 2024

According to Telegraph, a senior defence ministry official defended the move saying the "painting represents the Indian Armys timeless commitment to righteousness, as drawn from the teachings of the Mahabharata." It also "reflects how the modern Indian Army is equipped with cutting-edge systems, seamless coordination across land, air, and sea., the official added.
The 53rd Vijay Diwas, marking the victory in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, is being observed in Kolkata on Monday. A Bangladeshi delegation comprising Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and both former and serving army personnel arrived to participate in the event organised by the Indian Armys Eastern Command at its headquarters in Fort William.

ALSO READ | On Vijay Diwas, PM Modi, President Murmu lead the nation in paying homage to soldiers of 1971 war against Pakistan

The day serves as a powerful reminder of the historic struggle of the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini, a Bangladeshi guerrilla resistance group, against Pakistans atrocities during the 1971 Liberation War. Their joint efforts led to the Pakistan Army's surrender, leading to Bangladeshs independence.

Despite recent tensions between India and Bangladesh following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, there were concerns that this years Vijay Diwas in Kolkata might lack a Bangladeshi delegation. However, the delegation from the neighbouring country arrived in the city on Sunday. They attended the event at Fort William to pay tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 war.

A Mukti Joddha family at Fort William | Salil Bera

The day started with Indian Army bands performing patriotic songs, followed by a helicopter showering flowers over the Vijay Smarak at Fort William. Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command, and other military officials paid homage. West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, the chief guest, and former Chief of the Air Staff Arup Raha were also present at the commemoration. The event concluded with a group photo next to the Vijay Smarak.

Today is a red-letter day in the annals of the brave hearts of the Indian armed forces, not just for India but for the entire democratic world. This day marks the liberation of people from oppression, said Governor Bose. The Indian armed forces played stellar role in the 1971 victory. We are all encouraged by the brave hearts. India knows how to come together, keep together and work together.

Army Officers from India and Bangladesh at Vijay Diwas programme | Salil Bera

Officials from both nations emphasised the importance of fostering peace and goodwill between India and Bangladesh. When questioned about recent anti-India remarks made by a former Bangladeshi Army official, a member of the Bangladeshi delegation dismissed them as baseless, affirming that such statements would not damage the enduring bonds of brotherhood between the two countries.
The electronic warfare unit of China's Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has come out with a list of targets for a possible coordinated attack on the US aircraft carrier strike groups, in the event of a conflict. The US military radars, sensors, and communication systems may come under fire from the electronic warfare weapons of China.

According to media reports, this was revealed in the latest issue of the magazine Defence Industry Conversion in China, supervised by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.

This information can provide references for the development of electronic countermeasures technology and related equipment in Chinas future naval battlefields, an electronic countermeasures expert with the PLA wrote in the report, according to South China Morning Post.

ALSO READ: Why Chinese military experts are not impressed with Guam ballistic missile intercept test by the US

The report looked into the US Navys Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system. According to the US Navy, the CEC is a real-time sensor netting system that enables high-quality situational awareness and integrated fire control capability. It is designed to enhance the anti-air warfare capability of US Navy ships, US Navy aircraft, and US Marine Corps Composite Tracking Network units by the netting of geographically dispersed sensors to provide a single integrated air picture.

It is formed through the networking of phased array radars, which relies on wireless communication links. When the opposing force employs electronic interference, the wireless links are prone to disconnection or disruption, the report in the magazine read.

Platforms such as drones can move near the radar and create a sense of false targets, majorly reducing the detection accuracy and effectiveness of the CEC system.

READ MORE: China eyes high-quality growth in border areas. Is this a subtle message to India?

The other targets identified by the PLA include E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft and US military signal transponders which could be exploited to gain access to the military network of the US.

The CEC networks could be manipulated by mimicking a friendly response with the correct signaling method. Besides, continuous access requests can be made to overwhelm one of the CEC nodes with identification tasks, disrupting its operation, the report noted.
After paying tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation on the morning of the 53rd Vijay Diwas, the Indian Armys Eastern Command organised the traditional military tattoo for the general public at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) ground on Monday evening.



Vijay Diwas commemorates the historic surrender of the Pakistan Army to the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, the Bangladeshi guerrilla resistance group leading to Bangladeshs independence.



A huge crowd gathered at the RCTC ground to have a glimpse of the Indian Armys operational capabilities and weaponry, including modern drones and robotic systems. The annual military tattoo event, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the chief guest, on Vijay Diwas highlights the strong bond between the Eastern Command and the public.



Eastern Command receives all kinds of support from the Government of West Bengal and especially from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself. This is an excellent example of cooperation between the state government and the armed forces, says Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command.

ALSO READ: Amid controversy, iconic 1971 surrender painting finds a new home

We pay our homage to our Indian Army soldiers on behalf of West Bengal and all states, said CM Banerjee as she expressed her gratitude to Lieutenant General Tiwari and the Indian Army for inviting her to be the chief guest.



After greeting the crowd at the RCTC ground, the CM addressed the audience, which included a delegation of Bangladeshi Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters). In her speech, she emphasised West Bengals and the Indian Armys vital roles in Bangladeshs liberation.



Today we are celebrating Vijay Diwas and some people who participated in the Muktijuddho are also present. I can never forget the role of West Bengal and India and the people who sacrificed their lives in the Bangladesh freedom movement.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, led the nation in paying tribute to the soldiers of the 1971 war on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.

Vijay Diwas is celebrated on December 16 every year to commemorate Indias historic victory over Pakistan. The day marks the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. The stupendous victory in the war following the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers on December 16, 1971 ended horrific violence unleashed by the Pakistani army on millions of Bangladeshis.

ALSO READ: Taking on China's frontier challenge: India's 25-tonne light tank fires with consistent accuracy at 4,200 metres height

On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to our valiant soldiers who displayed indomitable courage during the 1971 war, securing victory for India. A grateful nation remembers the ultimate sacrifice of our bravehearts whose stories inspire every Indian and shall remain a source of national  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 16, 2024

Taking to X, President Murmu said a grateful India "remembers the ultimate sacrifice of our bravehearts whose stories inspire every Indian and shall remain a source of national pride."

Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to Indias historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2024

Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us, wrote PM Modi in a social media post. The PM termed the day a tribute to their extraordinary valour and unshakable spirit.

On Vijay Diwas, we pay homage to the martyrs of the 1971 war and honour the unmatched gallantry of our armed forces.



Their heroic valour and selfless sacrifices, which led to a historic triumph, continue to inspire every Indian. We remain forever indebted to their service to  Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) December 16, 2024

Paying tribute to the soldiers, Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar noted that the nation remains forever indebted to the service of these to the country.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi and paid homage to the bravehearts.

Today, on the special occasion of Vijay Diwas, the nation salutes the bravery and sacrifice of Indias armed forces. Their unwavering courage and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe. India will never forget their sacrifice and service.  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 16, 2024

In a social media post, the defence minister said the unwavering courage and patriotism of the soldiers ensured that our country remained safe.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan too paid rich tributes to the fallen heroes of the war. Gen Chauhan conveyed his compliments to all serving personnel, veterans and 'Veer Naris' for their dedication, resolve and "enduring commitment" towards the nation.
India and Sri Lanka reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats and ensuring a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region (IOR), underscoring the common challenges faced by the two countries in IOR.

During his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, who is on a visit to India, reiterated that Sri Lanka would not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India and regional stability.

India has been expanding its overall defence and strategic ties with Sri Lanka amid concerns over China's attempts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean. It is to be noted that the docking of the Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang' at Hambantota port in August 2022 had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka. Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port in August last year.

ALSO READ: Indian submarine INS Shalki visits Sri Lanka



Both leaders acknowledged the importance of regular dialogue based on mutual trust and transparency and giving primacy to each others security concerns.

Modi and Disanayaka agreed to advance maritime and security collaboration in training, exchange programs, ship visits, bilateral exercises and assistance to augment defence capabilities.

President Disanayaka thanked India for its support through the provision of a Dornier Aircraft for maritime surveillance; and establishment of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka, a statement from the PMO read.

India said it will continue its commitment to working closely with Sri Lanka in advancing its defence and maritime security needs and extending necessary assistance towards augmenting its capabilities to address its maritime challenges.

Taking cognizance of various security threats such as terrorism, narcotics smuggling, and money laundering, both countries agreed to further strengthen the ongoing efforts in training, capacity building, and intelligence and information sharing.
Krishand has established himself as one of Malayalam cinema's most inventive voices, and Sungsuvinte Sangarsha Ghadana (The Art of Warfare) is the current pinnacle of his filmography. Although his previous films and series sensitively addressed a range of social topics, this one goes one step further by fusing genre norms with a deep philosophical investigation.

Although calling the movie a criminal thriller might seem suitable at first, such a phrase hardly sums it up. Rather, it is a sophisticated reflection on morality, human struggle, and the interdependence of all emotions, all depicted with the striking brushstrokes of violence.

Setting the Tone: Violence as Art

Krishand establishes the mood of the movie right away with the first annihilation scene, giving viewers a vivid idea of the subjects that will be explored. In addition to shocking, the scene acts as an artistic precursor, implying that violence is cyclical and has been a motivating factor throughout human history. The protagonist and antagonist are portrayed as two sides of the same coinYin and Yangas the story shifts between the past and the present. Viewers alternatively identify with and question both characters as a result of the skillful interweaving of this contradiction.

Another level of complexity is added by Krishand's usage of Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' as a conceptual foundation. The story incorporates lessons from the ancient/modern masterpiece on tactics, which act as both a cause and an explanation for the events that are taking place. These philosophical asides challenge viewers to consider the possibility that what they take for granted may be a facade. By experimenting with this ambiguity, Krishand challenges viewers to consider their presumptions and face the disconcerting truth that comprehension is frequently a delusion.

The Art of Deception: A Globalized Perspective

Sungsuvinte Sangarsha Ghadana is unique because of its universal appeal. The director makes connections between historical horrors, such as Napoleon's wars and the bombings in Palestine, and the characters struggles. These allusions highlight a somber reality: globalisation entangles human misery, emotions, and conflicts in addition to economics and technology. This theme is skillfully incorporated into the script, transforming the movie from a local tale into a global meditation on humanity's never-ending state of conflict. The visual and tonal style of the movie reflects this global viewpoint. In order to convey the desolation of war, Krishand uses a painterly style in his cinematography, utilizing subdued hues and sharp contrasts. Each scene's emotional impact is increased by the immersive environment created by the use of lighting, shadow, and color grading. The visuals also act as a homage to Hong Kong cinema.

Music as Narrative: A Sonic Masterpiece

One of the films standout elements is its music. Carefully composed, the background music enhances the story and produces a powerful visual experience. The score's careful and intentional placement heightens the suspense at pivotal sections and relieves it during slower ones. The use of contrasting lyrics in two pivotal songs is particularly noteworthy. The duality of the main conflict in the movie is reflected in these songs, which are opposites of one another. This interplay of music and narrative demonstrates a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in contemporary Malayalam cinema. The music department doesnt simply complement the visuals; it becomes a character in its own right, guiding the audience through the films labyrinthine moral and philosophical landscape. The end effect is an artistically sound big-screen experience that appeals to a wide audience.

Breaking Stereotypes: Women in Malayalam Cinema

Krishands approach to character development is another aspect that deserves praise. The role of a female police officer in Malayalam films is frequently reduced to a stereotypical one, either excessively aggressive or too ornamental to be significant. Krishand breaks this stereotype in Sungsuvinte Sangarsha Ghadana by portraying a complex female police officer who is not just intelligent and resourceful but also approachable and grounded. This figure is a natural embodiment of strength and leadership, not just a token feminist statement. Her role as a leader within the narrative feels natural, avoiding the pitfalls of heavy-handed messaging. Krishand's capacity to question social norms without using overt didacticism is demonstrated by this nuanced approach to feminism.

A Shoutout to Manoj Kana

National Award-winning director Manoj Kanas performance as a hardened, no-nonsense cop is another highlight of the film. Kana, who is well-known for his masterful directing, is just as skilled in front of the camera, giving a rough yet captivating performance. His performance adds levels of humor and interest to the movie's law enforcement plotline. The cast's combined efforts, as well as Kana's performance, highlight how collaborative Krishand's filmmaking is. Regardless of the amount of screen time, each performer contributes to the overall coherence of the movie by fitting in perfectly with the plot.

Kodamazha Suni and Gang vs. The Newbies

At its core, the film pits the old guard, represented by Kodamazha Suni and his gang, against a new generation of characters. This struggle explores issues of tradition vs. modernity, loyalty versus betrayal, and individual ambition versus group responsibility, acting as a microcosm for broader societal tensions. Through this generational conflict, Krishand delves further into issues of heritage and identity. Can we choose a fresh course for the future, or are we destined to make the same mistakes we have in the past? The movie challenges viewers to face these issues head-on rather than providing simple solutions.

A New Horizon for Malayalam Cinema

Sungsuvinte Sangarsha Ghadana is a statement rather than merely a movie. By fusing genre norms with philosophical nuance and technical mastery, Krishand challenges the limits of what Malayalam film is capable of. The picture exhibits a maturity that is uncommon in popular cinema by rejecting the dichotomies of good against evil, hero vs. villain, or right vs. wrong. This is not to imply that the movie is flawless. Viewers who like simple storylines may find its ambition overwhelming, and the complex layering of concepts may seem dense at first. But for those who are prepared to confront its complexity, these seeming drawbacks are also what makes the movie a satisfying viewing experience.

Conclusion: A Cinematic Triumph

Krishands Sungsuvinte Sangarsha Ghadana (The Art of Warfare) is a bold, thought-provoking exploration of human conflict and morality. By drawing from Sun Tzus teachings, global historical events, and deeply personal character arcs, the film transcends the revenge crime thriller genre to become a profound cultural artifact. With its meticulous craftsmanship, from music to cinematography, and its nuanced approach to storytelling, the film sets a new standard for Malayalam cinema. Krishands vision, coupled with standout performances from the cast, ensures that this film will be remembered as a turning point in Indian cinemas evolution. In Sungsuvinte Sangarsha Ghadana, Krishand doesnt just tell a storyhe holds up a mirror to the world, reflecting its beauty, brutality, and boundless complexity.

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lashed out at the opposition and the Congress during the discussion to commemorate 75 years of the Indian Constitution in Rajya Sabha. The Union minister charged the Congress party amended the Constitution to help dynasts and to protect those in power.



#WATCH | Constitution Debate | In Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "...I will have to demand a return apology from Jairam Ramesh for accusing me of lying, which I never do. But accusing me of lying is now clearly in the blood of the Congress. When I pic.twitter.com/BA2adO2wNX  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

Initiating the debate on the Constitution in Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said, The Congress party brazenly kept amending the Constitution to help the family and dynasty. These amendments were not to strengthen democracy, but to protect those in power, the process was used to strengthen the family."

Taking a dig at the INDIA bloc, Sitharaman said there are leaders who named their children Misa to protest against the emergency. However, those parties do not have issues now in forming an alliance with Congress, Sitharaman said. The finance minister was apparently referring to Lalu Prasad Yadav, who named his daughter Misa, and is in alliance with the Congress.

#WATCH | Constitution Debate | In Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "...I know of political leaders who have chosen to have the children named after MISA to remember those black days and now they wouldn't even mind having an alliance with them..." pic.twitter.com/daNDLXr4Jv  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

Sitharaman sought a written apology from Congress MP Jairam Ramesh for accusing her of lying. Sitharaman said, I never lie. Accusing others of lying seems ingrained in the Congress DNA.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader said the Indian Constitution has stood the test of time in the last 75 years of its existence, even as most of the 50 countries that framed their constitution around the same time have rewritten or changed features of their constitutions.

Many have changed their constitutions, not just amended them, but literally changed the entire feature of their constitution. But our Constitution has stood the test of time, of course, it yielded itself to very many amendments," she said.

The Union minister also paid homage to the 389 members of the Constituent Assembly, including 15 women, who took up the challenge and prepared the Constitution for India in a very challenging environment.
Ericsson Vice President Todd Ashton (pictured) believes the spread of 4G across Africa will help create unicorn companies, drawing parallels with Asia, where countries like Indonesia developed such firms through increased connectivity.

In an interview with Developing Telecoms, Ashton, Head of Customer Unit South and East Africa at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, noted that 4G coverage in Africa currently stands at 30%, up from 10% in 2020. However, he stressed the need for further expansion to make Africa a more economically competitive continent.

Ashton, who previously served as Managing Director of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh for over seven years, pointed to Asias 4G-driven success. In Indonesia alone, the rise of connectivity enabled the emergence of five unicorn companies, including the ride-hailing service Gojek.

We have an opportunity to do something similar [in Africa], said Ashton. However, he noted that Africa differs from Asia and requires specific operational conditions to enable connectivity growth. A key challenge, Ashton explained, is the rising cost of energy. To address this, Ericsson has invested in R&D to halve the energy consumption of its radios and reduce their weight, creating space for 5G equipment.

While 4G adoption in Africa is still in its early stages, widespread deployment of 5G is yet to take off. Ashton sees 5G as a last-mile technology to deliver home broadband, helping connect underserved areas with challenging terrain.

Another significant challenge is the high cost of smartphones, which remains a financial barrier preventing many Africans from participating in the digital economy.

Ashton acknowledged that competition is fiercer for Ericsson in Africa today compared to its early dominance when it held over 70% market share after building 2G networks in the early 2000s.

Despite this, Ashton sees opportunities for growth, particularly in connecting the unconnected and addressing the financial exclusion of the unbanked population. However, he emphasised the need for regulatory reform to make connectivity more affordable.

Were also working on innovating with radios to enhance connectivity. At the same time, its crucial to collaborate with mobile operators, regulators, and governments to recognise that connectivity is a basic human right, drives GDP growth, and promotes financial inclusion, especially for women through mobile money. We also need to address policy issues, such as reducing duties on phones to lower costs and making spectrum more affordable with longer terms. This ensures resources are directed towards building networks and making services more accessible, Ashton explained.
Even as the Congress party has been raising the issue of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) after its drubbing in the Haryana and Maharashtra assembly elections, its ally, the Trinamool Congress, doesnt seem to be on board.

On Monday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee dismissed the allegations of EVM hacking as just random statements and urged those who are making such allegations to demonstrate how the voting machines could be hacked.

If work is done properly at the time of EVM randomisation and the people who work on the booth check during mock polls and counting, then I don't think there is any substance in this allegation," Banerjee, an MP from Diamond Harbour, was quoted as saying by ANI.

#WATCH | Delhi: On J&K CM Omar Abdullah's reported statement on Congress's EVM allegations, TMC MP and party National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, says "The people who raise questions on EVM, if they have anything then they should go and show a demo to the Election pic.twitter.com/oXJYr09s0u  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

"If still someone feels that EVMs can be hacked, then they should meet the Election Commission and show how EVMs can be hacked...Nothing can be done by just making random statements, he further said.

The Trinamool Congress leaders remarks came amid reports of widening fissures in the INDIA bloc with some of the allies demanding a change in leadership. Several parties have thrown their weight behind TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee who had earlier this month expressed her willingness to lead the alliance.

The differences in the opposition bloc over the EVM issues are likely to give ammunition to the BJP which has been maintaining that the machines are foolproof.

Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had raised doubts about the EVM functioning and demanded a return to the ballot paper in elections. He also called for a concerted campaign on the scale of Bharat Jodo Yatra to create awareness about it.

"Let them keep EVMs with them. We don't want EVMs, we want voting on the ballot paper. Then they will know what their position is and where they stand, the Congress president had said.

The BJP took a sarcastic jibe at the opposition party, asking Kharge to consider "replacing" Rahul Gandhi instead of the voting machines.

The problem is not in the machine (EVM). The problem is with the (Congress) leadership. The EVM is fine, Rahul is faulty. Replace Rahul, not EVM, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
The discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution mirrored the themes of the earlier debate in the Lok Sabha. Both the treasury and opposition benches accused each other of undermining the Constitution while praising their respective partys commitment to upholding it.

The two-day discussion in the upper house began with a speech by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. She asserted that the Indian Constitution has stood the test of time, unlike those of many countries that gained independence post-World War II and subsequently overhauled their constitutions. "Today, we are extremely proud of the way India's democracy is growing," she said.

The discussion on Constitution has its roots in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls as the opposition had claimed that the Modi government would change it if voted to power with massive majority. The BJP suffered due to the Oppositions campaign. Thus the reflection of that campaign can be seen inside the parliament as parties list each others not so good record.

Sitharaman criticised the Congress party, accusing it of using constitutional amendments to serve the interests of one family. She cited instances of Congress governments curbing freedom of speech by jailing artists and banning books and films. She noted, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Balraj Sahni were jailed in 1949 for speaking against Nehru. The book Nehru: A Political Biography by Michael Edwards was banned in 1975, as was the film Kissa Kursi Ka for questioning Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi. Other banned works included John Dalvis Himalayan Blunder and Salman Rushdies Satanic Verses in 1988.

Sitharaman also labelled the Congress as "anti-women" for failing to pass the womens reservation bill, a move later accomplished by the Modi government in 2023.

Criticising the Congresss economic policies, Sitharaman argued that the socialist model adopted by its prime ministers failed to uplift the economy. She remarked on the inefficacy of bank nationalisation in 1969, spearheaded by Indira Gandhi, pointing out that by 2011, fewer than 60% of Indian households had access to banking services. She contrasted this with the Modi governments Jan Dhan Yojana, under which over 54 crore bank accounts were opened since 2014, with 56% belonging to women.

When it was the turn of Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, he accused the government and the prime minister of misleading the nation about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus actions regarding reservations. Kharge demanded an apology from the prime minister for allegedly twisting historical facts during his Lok Sabha speech, where Modi accused Nehru of amending the Constitution via ordinance during an unelected provisional government.

Kharge clarified that the first amendment to the Constitution was enacted by the provisional Parliament, which included members of the Constituent Assembly, such as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He stated that the amendment aimed to provide reservations to backward castes and abolish the zamindari system; enable reservations in education and employment for SC, ST, and OBC communities and counter communal propaganda.

Kharge added, "Nehru wrote to chief ministers about this, and his words have been misrepresented. The prime minister should apologise for defaming him."

He also accused the BJPs ideological parent, the RSS, of initially opposing the Constitution for not being based on Manusmriti. Furthermore, Kharge criticised the governments silence on the ongoing violence in Manipur, demanding accountability.
Farmers in Punjab took out a tractor rally to the Shambhu border point on Monday urging the Centre to fulfil their demands. The rally was conducted after Haryana police foiled farmers attempts to march towards the national capital thrice.



In continuation of their protests seeking a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price for crops and various other demands, farmers took out a tractors rally to Shambhu on the Punjab-Haryana border on Monday. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Shambhu border since February over various demands as Haryana police have stopped them from proceeding with their march to Delhi.

#WATCH | Ambala, Haryana: Farmers march to Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border on tractors, where protesting farmers continue to remain over their various demands. pic.twitter.com/ofLOqcL1id  ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

Framers took out the rally following a call given by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher condemning alleged attacks on farmers during their march. Pandher had said over 15 farmers suffered injuries in police action against their march on December 14. The farmers have also announced a rail roko on December 18. Pandher said, I want to appeal to the people of Punjab to participate in the Rail roko agitating on December 18. We request all the people of all the 13,000 villages in Punjab who live near railway tracks to block their nearest railway crossings and railway stations from 12 to 3 pm, ANI reported.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is conducting an indefinite fast pressing farmer demands said the Supreme Court should pressure the Centre to fulfil farmers demands. The Punjab police chief and a director from the Union health ministry met Dallewal on Sunday as per the Supreme Courts directions. The apex court had directed authorities to ensure Dallewal received medical aid and should not be forced to break his fast.

Addressing farmers Dallewal had said it is more important to save all those farmers who are dying by suicide in the country. Till now over seven lakh farmers have died by suicide. It is a request to the Supreme Court to put pressure on the Union government to take steps so that suicides can stop in the country, he had said.

Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said, We held several talks with the farmers. If they put forward their demands peacefully, then talks will be held with them and a solution will be agreed upon.
The ruling Congress and the BJP were once again locked in a blame game over the Anwar Manippady report on Waqf lands encroachment and misuse by politicians, in the ongoing Assembly session in Belagavi on Monday.

RDPR minister Priyank Kharge had set off a political storm last week by alleging that the state BJP president and Shikaripura MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, had made an offer of Rs 150 crore to the then Karnataka State Minorities Commission chairman Manippady to "bury" the report that indicted several Congress leaders.

Vijayendra, while defending himself dared the Congress government to refer not just the alleged bribe offer case to the CBI, but also the Manippady report, the Upa Lokayukta report and the MUDA scam involving the chief minister.

"This is a case of hit and run by the Congress leaders. Why would I try to bribe Manippady to buy his silence when the Yediyurappa government had constituted the Manippady committee to survey the Waqf properties, said Vijayendra.

Also, why would I try to save the Congress leaders as the report had stated that 27,000 acres had been misused and the scam involving Congress leaders ran into crores of money, he added.

Again, the Upa Lokayukta had also submitted a report on misuse of Waqf lands in March 2016, when the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah was in power. But the Siddaramaiah's cabinet had rejected the report," said Vijayendra who dared the CM to refer all the Waqf issues.

"I am happy to see Siddaramaiah who was apprehensive over the CBI, is today talking of ordering a CBI inquiry into allegations against me," mocked Vijayendra.

Soon after Vijayendra's statement in the House, Kharge held a press meet and released a few old video clippings of Manippady's interviews given to a few TV channels where he is heard saying Vijayendra had come to his office and told him that he had done excellent work (report) but he had to remain mum as he was not even able to meet his expenses (treatment cost). Manippady had claimed that Vijayendra had asked him to quote any amount (as bribe) to stop pursuing the case.

Interestingly, Manippady has refuted Kharge's claim and said, it was not Vijayendra who had made an offer but some Congress leaders who had tried to bribe him big money.

"I was angry that the BJP government had not acted on my report. Out of anger, I might have spoken against my party leaders. But I don't remember Vijayendra making any offers to me. In fact, some Congress leaders had made an offer. But I went ahead and the case is before the High Court now as a lot of Waqf land has been misused by Congress party leaders," Manippady had clarified after Kharge's remarks in the House.

Kharge has released videos where Manippady has clearly mentioned Vijayendra's name and also narrated how Vijayendra had fled from his office after Manippady had lost his cool on hearing Vijayendra's alleged offer.

Kharge, who demanded to know how much money Manippady had been offered to backtrack on his previous statements to the media.

The BJP has accused the ruling Congress of "minority appeasement" after the Waqf Board started issuing notices to farmers, schools, government properties and temple management at the behest of Waqf minister Zameer Ahmed Khan.

In turn, the Congress accused the BJP of "double standards" stating Waqf notices were issued even by the previous BJP government, which had promised to reclaim encroached Waqf properties in its poll manifesto.

Amid the political slugfest, the Manippady report(2012) that estimated misappropriation (and illegal allocation) of more than 27,000 acres of Waqf land in Karnataka, mostly by veteran Congress leaders, has been given a quiet burial.
India and Sri Lanka on Monday held bilateral discussions to expand their partnerships to conclude a defence cooperation pact and strengthen ties in the energy sector by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines. The two governments agreed to take a humanitarian and livelihood-based approach to solve the fishermen's dispute arising out of competition for marine resources.

Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake is on a three-day visit to India. Dissayanake, along with his team of ministers, landed in Delhi on December 15 on his first foreign trip after taking charge as the President.

Anura discussed with Prime Minister Modi a wide range of issues to expand the partnership between the two countries for a shared future. During the discussions, it was reaffirmed that the India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership will be underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilisational ties, geographical proximity and people-to-people relations. During the discussions, it was decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity would be the key pillar of cooperation between the two countries apart from economic partnership.

On the energy front, it was decided that India, Sri Lanka and the UAE would cooperate to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for the supply of affordable and reliable energy. It was also decided to take steps towards the implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and augment its capacity as per the requirements of Sri Lanka. It was also decided to supply LNG from India to Sri Lanka, establish high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka, develop Trincomalee as a regional energy and industrial hub based on the ongoing cooperation between the two countries, and to develop the Trincomalee Tank Farms.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the two sides decided to emphasise investment-led growth and connectivity for India-Sri Lanka economic partnership. Acknowledging the increased political interactions in the last decade and their contribution towards deepening the bilateral ties, both leaders agreed to further intensify political engagements at leadership and ministerial levels. The two leaders also underscored the importance of regular parliamentary level exchanges to promote democratic values and share expertise on their institutional best practices, said a joint statement titled Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future issued after the meeting between the two leaders.

It was also discussed to expand the partnership between the two countries to soon conclude a defence cooperation pact. Explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation; foster cooperation in hydrography; provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lankas defence capabilities; intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges; extend assistance to strengthen capabilities of Sri Lanka on disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation, including through training, joint exercises and sharing of best practices; and enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailor-made training programmes, wherever required, the joint statement said.

On the Tamil question, Modi expressed India's hopes that the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of the community. While Dissanayake thanked Modi and India for the debt restructuring support and extending credit lines, the prime minister said that India has so far given 5 billion USD worth of credit lines and grants.

Dissanayake and his team are expected to visit Bodh Gaya on Tuesday, before returning to Colombo.
Jammu and Kashmir's Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Mahajan, has set a deadline of January 31 for all school buses to install CCTV cameras and GPS devices to enhance the safety of school children.

This decision was announced during a meeting with school representatives on Monday and is part of a safety audit aimed at improving student transportation.

The installation of GPS trackers in buses is considered a crucial step for monitoring routes and increasing accountability.

The Commissioner stressed that the safety of children is a top priority and referenced the Supreme Court's guidelines on school bus safety.

CCTV cameras will help us monitor the activities of drivers and support staff, ensuring the safety of students at all times, he said.

He directed schools to equip their buses with functional speed governors to limit speeds to 40 km per hour, according to existing regulations.

He warned that strict action would be taken against violators, stating that buses found to be overloaded or exceeding speed limits would be seized immediately.

School representatives assured compliance with the Supreme Courts safety requirements, which include fitting buses with emergency exit doors, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, seat belts and fire detection alarms.

Mahajan expressed concerns regarding underage driving and instructed schools to prevent students from driving two-wheelers or four-wheelers near school premises.

He urged schools to organise counselling sessions for parents to raise awareness about the consequences of allowing their children to engage in underage driving.

The meeting also addressed concerns related to private vehicles hired by parents to transport students.

Non-compliance with safety guidelines will not be tolerated. Schools and parents must work together to prioritise the safety of children, Mahajan said.

This initiative demonstrates the administration's strong commitment to student safety by enforcing clear rules and holding all stakeholders accountable.
A Kerala police commando was found dead at his camp office in Malappuram on Sunday night. According to reports, the officer killed self due to work stress.



The deceased police officer was identified as Vineeth (36), a commando with the Special Operation Group of the Kerala police. Vineeth is part of the Thunderbolt force engaged in anti-naxal operations.

According to police, Vineeth was found dead in the bathroom of his quarters at the Areekode camp office in Malappuram. Police personnel rushed to the bathroom and Vineeth was found lying dead there with bullet injuries, police said. "He was found dead, shooting at himself. The reason for the extreme step is yet to be ascertained," a police officer said.

Police personnel took Vineeth to a private hospital nearby where doctors pronounced him dead. His body was shifted to a government hospital for autopsy.

According to reports, Vineeth, a native of Wayanad district was upset about not getting leave despite repeated requests. The officer had reportedly sought leave to take care of his pregnant wife.

The Kerala government, in October, announced it would study work stress faced by police personnel in the state. The move came after close to 90 police personnel killed themselves in five years. The study would reportedly look into various aspects including stress factors affecting police officers, circumstances leading to stress and how it impacts their daily lives.
The much-awaited Mahayuti cabinet expansion has sparked discontent among BJP and Shiv Sena party workers after the leadership chose to ignore several senior leaders. The BJP has 17 cabinet ministers and three ministers of state in the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet. The Shiv Sena has 10 cabinets and two ministers of state while the NCP has eight cabinets and one minister of state.

While Devendra Fadnavis struck a balance with different castes, including Maratha, OBC, tribal, Dhangar, Scheduled Castes, minorities and non-Marathi, the expansion came as a shock to many senior leaders of all three parties. While 20 new faces were inducted into the new Cabinet with a total of 40 ministerial berths, senior leaders Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil and Sudhir Mungantiwar were ignored.

One post was kept vacant and rumours are floating around as to who this post was kept vacant for.

#WATCH | Shiv Sena leader Gulabrao Patil takes oath as Cabinet Minister in the state government, at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur. #Maharashtra | pic.twitter.com/n5LdObUZ4M  All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 15, 2024

Fadnavis also struck a regional balance with his new Cabinet. Vidarbha, West Maharashtra, Konkan and North Maharashtra got their due. But, what sparked discontent is that as many as 14 districts had no representation, while Satara alone got four Cabinet ministers - Shambhuraj Desai (Patan), Shivendraraje Bhosale (Satara), Jayakumar Gore (Man) and Makarand Patil (Wai).

Pune has three cabinet posts and one minister of state post. Nashik and Jalgaon districts also have three cabinet ministers. While ministers Dada Bhuse, Manikrao Kokate and Narhari Jirwal come from Nashik, Gulabrao Patil, Girish Mahajan and Sanjay Savkare are from Jalgaon.

Ratnagiri district has two cabinet ministers and one minister of state. Uday Samant and Nitesh Rane got cabinet minister posts while Yogesh Kadam is a minister of state.

Raigad district has two cabinet ministers - Aditi Tatkare and Bharat Gogavale. Kolhapur has Hasan Mushrif and Prakash Abitkar representing it.

Thane district has two ministers as Pratap Saranak was sworn in after Eknath Shinde. Mumbai got two cabinet ministers after Mangalprabhat Lodha and Ashish Shelar.

While 19 districts in the state have at least one minister, 14 districts do not have a single minister.

Unhappy leaders and angry supporters

Many BJP MLAs did not hide their displeasure after being excluded from the list. Senior leader and Former Minister Tanaji Sawant did not visit the Raj Bhavan so did MLA Ravi Rana, who represents the Badnera segment in Amaravati. Though the district has five BJP MLAs, it does not have even a single ministerial post.

The leadership's decision to overlook MLA Krishna Khopde from East Nagpur irked his supporters, who gathered near Khopde's house after the oath-taking ceremony. They have decided to resign from their organisational posts in the BJP, local media reports said.

Rana's supporters too are putting up posts on social media expressing their ire.

BJP workers in Jalgaon's Jamod constituency are also upset that BJP MLA Sanjay Kute had no place in the cabinet. BJP workers and office bearers have started protesting against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on social media. Thousands of workers in hundreds of vehicles will march towards Nagpur to demand answers from Devendra Fadnavis, the reports added.

Other facts

There are a total of four women ministers in the new cabinet. These include Pankaja Munde, Madhuri Misal, Aditi Tatkare, Meghna Bordikar.

The BJP has given a chance to nine new faces in the cabinet, while Shiv Sena has six new entrants. The NCP has given a chance to five new faces.
With several leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance expressing discontent over not being given a berth in the newly formed Maharashtra government, leaders are likely to consider reshuffling the cabinet after half term.



Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have said the performance of ministers will be assessed and non-performers will be sacked from the cabinet. Shinde had said ministers from Shiv Sena will be given two-and-a-half years and only those who perform will progress. "Performance audit of ministers will be done and all three of us have agreed to this," CM Fadnavis said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Shinde has sought affidavits from his partys ministers that they will quit after half term. As many as 11 members from the Shinde faction took oath as ministers during the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. Shiv Sena Minister Shamburaj Desai said the affidavits were being taken so that Deputy CM could drop them officially if he wanted to, Hindustan Times reported. The Shiv Sena MLAs have neither ideology nor loyalty to Eknath Shindeall they want is power. We have to distribute the power equitably, a close aide of Shinde told the publication.

Narendra Bhondekar, a newly elected Sena legislator has quit from party post miffed over being denied a cabinet berth. Bhondekar won from Bhandara-Pavani Assembly seat and he was the Shinde factions coordinator for Vidarbha. Reportedly, several other Shinde Sena leaders are also discontent about being denied cabinet berths.

The BJP secured 19 ministerial berths by virtue of being the largest party among allies. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party were allotted 11 and 9 berths, respectively. Fadnavis has said discontent leaders in the BJP would be considered for party posts.
Hindus in Kolkata took to the streets to protest the atrocities against religious minorities in Bangladesh and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari on Monday. The protests took place on the occasion of the 53rd Vijay Diwas which commemorates the surrender of the Pakistan Army in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

ALSO READ | Bangladesh Liberation: 53rd Vijay Diwas celebrated in Kolkata in presence of Dhaka delegation

Hundreds of protesters marched from Sealdah to Rani Rashmoni Road at Esplanade where a rally was held which was also attended by several Hindu monks and senior West Bengal BJP leaders, including former party president Dilip Ghosh and MPs Jyotirmay Singh Mahato and Abhijit Gangopadhyay amongst others.

Protesters from neighbouring districts, organised under the banner of Bangladesh Hindu Suraksha Samiti, emphasized the Indian Army's role in Bangladeshs liberation. They strongly denounced anti-India statements made by former Bangladesh Army officials and political leaders, declaring today as Condemnation Day.

Why are Hindus getting attacked? Why are they targeting our temples? Bangladesh was not anarchic like this. They are claiming that they would occupy Kolkata in four days, a protester said during the march. Another added, They can only make big claims. Let them try to attack us and then we will show them what is what.

The protest march and rally mirrored similar events frequently organised by saffron groups with BJP support following Chinmoy Krishna Das's arrest. Participants also made provocative and unfounded demands.

Kartik Maharaj, who heads Bharat Sevashram Sanghas Beldanga branch, was among the speakers at the rally. In his usual aggressive demeanour, he urged Hindus to be united for the protection of their counterparts in Bangladesh. He also took a dig West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim over his recent remarks about Muslims becoming majority in India.
Telekom Malaysia (TM) announced on Friday it has launched what it says is the countrys first sovereign GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), which it also says will boost Malaysia's AI infrastructure.

The GPUaaS offering leverages GPUs from Nvidia, which are hosted in TMs Tier-III certified data centres, to provide low-latency, real-time, high-performance AI computing capabilities.

TM said the offering integrates its GPU resources with high-speed connectivity backed by its nationwide fibre optic network and edge computing facilities to support AI-driven applications such as healthcare diagnostics, autonomous vehicles, AR/VR content and AI avatars for public services.

TM group CEO Amar Huzaimi Md Deris said the GPUaaS offering is modular and scalable to customer needs, and provides companies with scalable and on-demand access to GPU resources without having to invest a lot of capex in their own hardware.

By offering cost-efficient access to high-performance computing for AI model training and inferencing, we enable businesses and the government sector to adopt AI-driven solutions with greater ease, ensuring both operational efficiency and scalability, he said in a statement.

Amar also said TM has already secured its first international customer for the GPUaaS service, although he provided no further details.

TM added that its data centres are available to host other GPU provider services apart from its own.

Technically, TM isnt the first telco to offer GPUaaS services in Malaysia. Rival telco Maxis launched a GPUaaS offering in August in partnership with Singtel. That partnership is part of a broader move by Singtel and Bridge Alliance to extend SingTels GPUaaS offerings to enterprises across Southeast Asia via alliance member operators, with Maxis being among the first onboard, along with Thailands AIS and Indonesias Telkomsel.

However, Maxis GPUaaS offering essentially resells Nvidia GPU capacity in Singtels data centres. TM says its offering is the first in Malaysia to be hosted entirely within the country, which it says ensures data sovereignty and security.

TMs GPUaaS service was revealed during last weeks launch of the Malaysian governments National AI Office (NAIO), which will operate under the Digital Ministry as a centralised agency for AI planning, R&D and regulatory oversight to drive Malaysias transformation into a regional AI development powerhouse, according to its official website.
Ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, in his first statement, said that Syria is now in the hands of terrorists. He also added that he had no plans to leave the country after the rebels captured Damascus.

After toppling the Assad regime in Syria, the leader of the rebel group, Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said that the group is determined to continue the path they started during the Arab Spring.

However, Assad described his evacuation from Syria as a necessary measure. He said he left the country on December 8 as rebel forces advanced into the capital. Though he wanted to stay, Russia evacuated him. His evacuation to Russia followed drone attacks on the Russian-controlled Khmeimim airbase in Latakia.

Assad said he oversaw the combat operations from Latakia after fleeing Damascus but acknowledged that all military positions had collapsed.

"As terrorism spread across Syria and ultimately reached Damascus on the evening of Saturday 7 December 2024, questions arose about the president's fate and whereabouts. This occurred amidst a flood of misinformation and narratives far removed from the truth, aimed at recasting international terrorism as a liberation revolution for Syria," the statement reads.

With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8 December, said Assad.

This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions, he added.

"At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught," he said.

Assad also added that his "profound sense of belonging to Syria" remains unshaken.
Israel and Hamas are closer than ever to a hostage deal, Jewish media said quoting a pro-Hezbollah report. According to mediators engaging the two warring sides, "unprecedented levels of readiness" have been displayed by Hamas as well as the Benjamin Netanyahu government.

ALSO READ | Oct 7 attacks: Who were Salah Dahman and Fahmi Salami, Hamas commanders behind Paga-Be'eri paraglider massacres, eliminated by IDF in Gaza?

On Christmas day, a crucial breakthrough is expected in the talks to bring home the Israeli nationals taken hostage during the October 7 attacks by infiltrators from Gaza. Hamas is pitching for an extended ceasefire in the territory, while Israel's priority is the release of as many hostages as possible, the Times Of Israel (TOI) said in a report.

It was Egyptian security sources and mediators who reportedly revealed the crucial details to pro-Hamas Lebanese media outlet al-Akhbar. Talks between the two camps in recent times were ending inconclusive as they couldn't find a common ground when it came to the number of hostages being released as a part of the deal, the Times Of Israel said in a report. However, sources in Tel Aviv reportedly confirmed that the government is likely to sign a deal by December 25.

Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity

A bid by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to reach a truce, which would also include a hostage deal, has gained momentum in recent weeks, yet there has been no news of a breakthrough. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with US President-elect Trump, who returns to the White House on Jan. 20, about efforts to secure a hostage release. "We discussed the need to complete Israel's victory and we spoke at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages," Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday.

ALSO READ | Israel strikes Syrian missile bunkers, IDF to stay in Golan Heights during winter

According to Israel, 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken to Gaza by Hamas fighters on 7 October 2023. Among them, 96 remain unaccounted for as of December 4, 2024. Tel Aviv claims 101 people are still in Hamas captivity in Gaza, including four people taken hostage in 2014 and 2015.

War in Gaza

The war in Gaza began when the Palestinian militant group stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking many others hostages back to Gaza. Israel then launched an air and land offensive that has killed almost 45,000 people, mostly civilians, according to authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The campaign has displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the enclave in ruins.
The 'H6' Chinese spy row in the United Kingdom has brought back the focus to Chinese overseas espionage missions. Many British MPs believe that the 50-year-old Chinse businessman, whose identity remains protected, is said to be associated with the communist regime in Beijing's "United Front Work Department", a wing reportedly tasked with establishing ties with influential people across the globe to safeguard and promote Chinese interests.

FULL REPORT | Chinese Spy H6's name to be disclosed in House of Commons?

It is said that Beijing's United Front Work Department (UFWD) is at least 40,000 strong, and H6 was asked to establish relationships with important people in the UK so that his contacts can be used as leverage "for political interference purposes".

But how did China's United Front Work Department grow so big? To whom do the agents of the UFWD report to? Here is what you need to know about the organisation that operates in broad daylight, yet remains in the shadows.

What is United Front Work Department?

The UFWD, according to reports, is a high-level Party body that reports directly to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee. Originally Soviet, the United Front work is inspired by the Leninist theory of uniting with lesser enemies to defeat greater ones. The first incarnation of United Front work was an attempt to join and subvert the then-ruling Nationalist government, the Kuomintang, in the early 1920s. Through co-opting or subverting potential opponents, the CCP has proven highly successful in neutralizing large-scale or open political opposition.

According to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), UFWD is asked to carry out influence activities locally and abroad. While UFWD domestically looks to eliminate sources of potential opposition to the policies and interests of the ruling CCP, its overseas operations look to clear the path for the successful push of the Chinese agenda and interests in the global arena.

OPINION | China and West Asia: A story of growing regional influence

The UFWD comprises four subordinate offices and nine specialized bureaus, each dealing with a particular targeted group such as Chinas eight officially-approved non-communist political parties, ethnic minorities, and Chinese communities overseas. However, Xi has also tasked them with cultivating the loyalty of the Uyghur Muslims and keeping a check on the Chinese middle class -- reportedly a new challenge for the communists.

"Today, United Front-related organizations are playing an increasingly important role in Chinas broader foreign policy under Chinese President and General Secretary of the CCP Xi Jinping," the USCC report said.

How UFWD operates?

Ethnic Chinese individuals and communities living outside China are roped in for doing its dirty jobs across countries along with the support of "key affiliated organizations guided by Chinas broader United Front strategy," the report said about UWFD's foreign missions.

The UFWD teaching manual directs operatives to win overseas Chinese over to the CCPs side by convincing them that the unity of Chinese at home requires the unity of the sons and daughters of Chinese abroad.

The common method adopted by UFWD officials to achieve this is meeting with local chapters of Hometown Associations (groups that connect Chinese emigrants from the same locale), in the company of senior staff from Chinese consulates. The targets often receive financial assistance from China, further strengthening their faith in Beijing.

The modus operandi of the UFWD is to establish connections that are difficult to publically by the targeted nation's security agencies, media or judiciary. The cunning agents make their moves in the shade of sensitive issues so that pursuers and whistleblowers back off in the fear of backlash. It is not easy being accused of racism or xenophobia in modern societies and UFWD use these ethnic and political factors to their advantage, USCC points out.

READ THE FULL REVIEW REPORT HERE

UFWD allies and support groups

The China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification (CPPRC), a prominent organization promoting Chinas unification with Taiwan, is directly subordinate to the UFWD and has at least 200 chapters in 90 countries, the United States have found out. The Liaison Department of the former Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) General

Political Department (GPD), the e China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC), a front organization for the former General Political Department are some other groups identified to have been tasked with assisting the UFWD in foreign countries.

How the United Front Work Department recruits resources?

Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSAAs) are used by the CCP to identify people who can contribute to the UFWD. These groups get in touch with students of Chinese origin by helping them to find part-time jobs, residence, roommates and the like. In the pretext of helping Chinese youngsters adjust to life in a foreign country, they recruit agents for UFWD activities from across Western universities. Once found, CCP and Chinese consulates in the respective country start using them for espionage or intelligence gathering.

ALSO READ | Why Chinese military experts are not impressed with Guam ballistic missile intercept test by the US

In a known case of high-level espionage using students, CSAA was found to be directly involved in a case of economic espionage in Belgium's Leuven, where a network of "hundreds of Chinese spies" was busted. The FBI believes that Chinese intelligence officers posted in diplomatic facilities keep in touch with the CSSA members, leaking information and taking new orders, the US has alleged.

Countries like Australia and New Zealand have received donations and media investment from United Front affiliates since the mid-2000s. In these countries, some newspapers receive funds from Beijing so that no negative news about the CCP gets ever published. Meanwhile, Canadian intelligence agencies have claimed that they have reasons to believe that the UFWD is tasked with creating general unrest, confusions and riots in Taiwan so that the PLA gets an excuse to invade the country and complete "unification."
In the United Kingdom, a Chinese businessman beleived to be a close confidant of the Duke of York Prince Andrew has lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the country on national security grounds. It is said that the Chinese national, who is being called "H6" by British espinage and media circles, was working for Beijings "United Front Work Department", a wing reportedly tasked with establishing ties with influential people across the globe. H6 is believed to be one of the 40,000+ United Front Work Department operatives working across the world.

READ HERE | What is Beijing's United Front Work Department explained; Xi's UFWD masterplan and abroad communist fundings

According to media reports, British security agencies found out that H6 had been in a position to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials. He intended to exploit his contacts as leverage "for political interference purposes". Last week, the businessman lost his appeal against the ban on his entry to the UK. The judges observed that he was "not candid" about his links to the Chinese Communist party, The Guardian said in a report.

Who is 'Chinese spy' H6?

H6, a middle-aged Chinese gentleman, reportedly had photographs of his meetings with David Cameron and Theresa May on his desk. This was not a seen lightly by the the British officials as it was not just Prince Andrew with whom H6 was close. In 2021, H6 was stopped at the UK border by a police team who confiscated his mobile phone and other gadgets. He was invited to Andrew's birthday party in 2020, officials found out. In fact, the duo were so close that H6 was told by an adviser to Prince Andrew that he could act on the Dukes behalf when dealing with potential investors in China, The Guardian said in a report.

H6 is now the subject of an interim anonymity order, an order which may be lifted soon. Meanwhile, some British MPs want the Chinese national to be named in the House of Commons under parliamentary privilege as it is a matter of national interest.

What is Prince Andrew's position?

However, the Duke of York maintains that he ceased all contact with the businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after receiving advice from the government. The Duke of York followed advice from His Majestys government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. 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, his statement read on Friday.
As Monsey Scoop reported, New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congressman Mike Lawler. During their meeting, Mayor Spitzer extended a personal invitation to Speaker Johnson on behalf of the Skvere Rebbe to attend the wedding of the Rebbes grandchildren. Although Speaker Johnson could not attend the wedding due to Congress being in session, he expressed his warm regards through a heartfelt letter. The letter was delivered to the Rebbe during the wedding by Rafi Silberberg, Congressman Mike Lawlers district director.

In his message, Speaker Johnson conveyed his congratulations and admiration for the Skverer Rebbes leadership. He wrote, Mazal Tov on the joyous occasion of your grandchildrens wedding! I trust your steadfast leadership and sage counsel have shaped their paths and guided them to this significant milestone. He also thanked the Rebbe for his hospitality during past visits to New Square and expressed eagerness to see the communitys magnificent synagogue once completed.

The Skvere Rebbe warmly received the letter, which highlighted Speaker Johnsons appreciation for the Rebbes role in leading the community and fostering strong relationships.
Prosecutors in Texas announced Friday that they will seek the death penalty against two Venezuelan men who are accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl after they had entered the U.S. illegally.

The death of Jocelyn Nungaray was among several cases this year that became flashpoints in the debate over the nations immigration policies. Nungarays mother campaigned for President-elect Donald Trump, calling for better control of the border in the wake of her daughters death.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said her office would file an official court notice later Friday that prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26. Each man has been charged with capital murder for Nungarays June 16 death. Martinez-Rangel and Pena each remained jailed on $10 million bonds.

Jocelyns murder was as vile, brutal and senseless as any case in my tenure as district attorney, Ogg said in a statement. And it was made worse by knowing that these two men were here illegally and, had they been held after being captured at the border, they would never have had the opportunity to murder Jocelyn and destroy her familys future.

The Associated Press sent emails Friday seeking comment from attorneys for both men.

Prosecutors allege the two men kidnapped, assaulted and strangled the girl before leaving her body in shallow water below a bridge. Her body was found in a creek on June 17. A medical examiner concluded she had been strangled.

Martinez-Rangel and Pena had been arrested earlier in the year near El Paso by the U.S. Border Patrol after entering the country without documentation. Both were released and given notices to appear in court at a later date.

Republicans used Nungarays death and other cases in which immigrants who entered the country illegally were accused of committing violent crimes to criticize how President Joe Biden managed the U.S.-Mexico border during his administration. In another case, Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan man, was sentenced to life in prison last month for the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

Trump has alleged that migrants have caused skyrocketing crime rate. Multiple studies show immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.

(AP)
Some banks and banking trade groups are suing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over a finalized rule that limits overdraft fees banks can charge.

The rule is part of President Joe Biden administrations campaign to reduce junk fees that hit consumers on everyday purchases, including banking services.

But banks argue that without overdraft protection, desperate consumers will instead lean on worse, unregulated services to ease their crunch.

Under the finalized rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that was announced on Thursday, banks will be able to choose from three options: they may charge a flat overdraft fee of $5, they may charge a fee that covers their costs and losses, or they may charge any fee so long as they disclose the terms of the overdraft loan the way they would for any other loan, typically expressed as an annual percentage rate, or APR.

While banks have cut back on overdraft fees in the past decade, the nations biggest banks still take in roughly $8 billion in the charges every year, according to data from the CFPB and bank public records. Currently, there is no cap on the overdraft fees that banks can legally charge.

The finalized rule is set to take effect in October 2025, but the incoming Trump administration has yet to tap anyone to lead the CFPB, and has mentioned the idea of eliminating the agency.

The finalized rule applies to banks and credit unions that have more than $10 billion in assets, which includes the nations largest banks. Banks have previously sued the CFPB over these rules and caps on credit card late fees. Congress also has the ability to challenge or overturn the rule.

The Consumer Bankers Association filed the lawsuit along with the American Bankers Association, Americas Credit Unions and Mississippi Bankers Association and other banks. The group claims that the CFPB is exceeding its regulatory authority with the new rule.

Research shows that overdraft services provide much-needed liquidity during a short-term budget shortfall so consumers can put food on the table, keep the lights on, and make other important payments on time, CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson said in a statement. Without overdraft services, consumers on the margins are more likely to turn toward worse, less-regulated non-banking services to fill the gap.

The complaint was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Northern Division. CBA and its co-plaintiffs are also seeking a preliminary injunction barring the CFPB from implementing the new rule until the court makes a final decision on the merits of the case.

(AP)
After insurgents toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad this month, many senior officials and members of his dreaded intelligence and security services appear to have melted away. Activists say some of them have managed to flee the country while others went to hide in their hometowns.

For more than five decades, the Assad family has ruled Syria with an iron grip, locking up those who dared question their power in the countrys notorious prisons, where rights groups say inmates were regularly tortured or killed.

The leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham insurgent group  which led anti-government fighters who forced Assad from power  has vowed to bring those who carried out such abuses to justice.

We will go after them in our country, said HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani. He added that the group will also ask foreign countries to hand over any suspects.

But finding those responsible for abuses could prove difficult.

Some 8,000 Syrian citizens have entered Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing in recent days, according to two Lebanese security officials and a judicial official, and about 5,000 have left the neighboring country through Beiruts international airport. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Most of those are presumed to be regular people, and Lebanons Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said earlier this week that no Syrian official entered Lebanon through a legal border crossing.

In an apparent effort to prevent members of Assads government from escaping, the security officials said a Lebanese officer who was in charge of Masnaa was ordered to go on vacation because of his links to Assads brother.

But Rami Abdurrhaman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says several senior officers have nonetheless made it to neighboring Lebanon using travel documents with fake names.

Heres a look at Assad and some of the officials in his inner circle.

Bashar Assad

The Western-educated ophthalmologist initially raised hopes that he would be unlike his strongman father, Hafez, when he took power in 2000, including freeing political prisoners and allowing for a more open discourse.

But when protests of his rule erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to brutal tactics to crush dissent. As the uprising became an outright civil war, he unleashed his military to blast opposition-held cities, with support from allies Iran and Russia.

He has fled to Moscow, according to Russian state media.

Maher Assad

The younger brother of the ousted president was the commander of the 4th Armored Division, which Syrian opposition activists have accused of killings, torture, extortion and drug trafficking, in addition to running its own detention centers. He is under U.S. and European sanctions. He disappeared over the weekend, and Abdurrhaman said he made it to Russia.

Last year, French authorities issued an international arrest warrant for Maher Assad, along with his brother and two army generals, for alleged complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity, including in a 2013 chemical attack on rebel-held Damascus suburbs.

Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk

Mamlouk was a security adviser to Assad and former head of the intelligence services. He is wanted in Lebanon for two explosions in the northern city of Tripoli in 2012 that killed and wounded dozens.

Mamlouk is also wanted in France after a court convicted him and others in absentia of complicity in war crimes and sentenced them to life in prison. The trial focused on the officials role in the 2013 arrest in Damascus of a Franco-Syrian man and his son and their subsequent torture and killing.

Abdurrahman said Mamlouk fled to Lebanon, and it is not clear if he is still in the country under the protection of Hezbollah.

Brig. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan

Al-Hassan was the commander of the 25th Special Missions Forces Division and later became the head of the Syrian Special Forces, which were key to many of the governments battlefield victories in the long-running civil war, including in Aleppo and the eastern suburbs of Damascus that long held off Assads troops.

Al-Hassan is known to have close ties to Russia and was praised by Russian President Vladimir Putin during one of his visits to Syria. Al-Hassans whereabouts are not known.

Maj. Gen. Hussam Luka

Luka, head of the General Security Directorate intelligence service, is not well known among the wider public but has played a major role in the crackdown against the opposition, mainly in the central city of Homs that was dubbed the capital of the Syrian revolt.

Luka has been sanctioned by the U.S. and Britain for his role in the crackdown. Its not clear where he is.

Maj. Gen. Qahtan Khalil

Khalil, whose whereabouts are also unknown, was head of the Air Force Intelligence service and is widely known as the Butcher of Daraya for allegedly leading a 2012 attack on a Damascus suburb of the same name that killed hundreds of people.

Other officials

 Retired Maj. Gen. Jamil Hassan, former head of the Air Force Intelligence service, is also suspected of bearing responsibility for the attack in Daraya. Hassan was among those convicted in France this year along with Mamlouk.

 Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ali Abbas and Maj. Gen. Bassam Merhej al-Hassan, head of Bashar Assads office and the man in charge of his security, are accused of human rights violations.

(AP)
SpaceX is launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city.

Billionaire Elon Musk s company on Thursday sent a letter to local officials requesting an election to turn what it calls Starbase  the South Texas site where SpaceX builds and launches its massive Starship rockets  into an incorporated city. Residents of the area known as Starbase submitted the petition, according to the company.

The area is on the southern tip of Texas at Boca Chica Beach, near the Mexican border. Earlier this year, Musk announced he was moving the headquarters of SpaceX and his social media company X from California to Texas.

To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community. That is why we are requesting that Cameron County call an election to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley, Kathryn Lueders, the general manager of Starbase, wrote in a letter to the county.

Its not the first time turning Starbase into its own city has been floated. Musk proposed the idea in 2021 when he wrote a social media post that simply said, Creating the city of Starbase, Texas.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., the countys top elected official, said despite the talks of incorporation in 2021, this was the first time a petition was officially filed.

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 on Thursday.

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.

SpaceXs rapid expansion in the region has drawn pushback from some locals. Earlier this year, a group called Save RGV sued the company in July over allegations of environmental violations and dumping polluted water into the nearby bay. SpaceX said in response that a state review found no environmental risks and called the lawsuit frivolous.

(AP)
A former FBI informant accused of falsely claiming that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter accepted bribes has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges, according to court papers filed Thursday.

As part of the plea deal with Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, Alexander Smirnov will admit he fabricated that the story that became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.

The plea agreement comes just weeks after prosecutors filed new tax evasion charges against Smirnov. The two sides will recommend a sentence of at least two years behind bars and no more than six years, according to the agreement.

David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, attorneys for Smirnov, said they will make their case for a fair sentence in court and declined to comment further.

Smirnov was arrested in February on allegations that he falsely reported to the FBI in June 2020 that executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter Biden and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016. Smirnov told his handler that an executive claimed to have hired Hunter Biden to protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Smirnov had contact with Burisma executives, but it was routine and actually took place in 2017, after President Barack Obama and Biden, his vice president, had left officewhen Biden would have had no ability to influence U.S. policy. Prosecutors said he made the bribery allegations after he expressed bias against Biden while he was a presidential candidate.

He repeated some of the false claims when he was interviewed by FBI agents in September 2023 and changed his story about others and promoted a new false narrative after he said he met with Russian officials, prosecutors said.

Smirnov has agreed to plead guilty to charges of tax evasion and causing a false FBI record, according to court papers.

Smirnov is being prosecuted by the same special counsel who brought federal gun and tax charges against Hunter Biden. Hunter was supposed to be sentenced this month on his convictions in those cases until he was pardoned by his father.

(AP)
West African internet service provider Tizeti has launched its FreeFiber broadband service in Nigeria and Ghana, setting what it calls a new benchmark for internet speed and accessibility in the region.

The service, available in Lagos and Port Harcourt in Nigeria and Accra in Ghana, with plans to scale to multiple cities within the next 12 months, delivers speeds of over 1Gbps, significantly outpacing the regional average of 28Mbps.

For online gaming enthusiasts, Tizeti has added a dedicated fibre port to deliver ultra-low latency, high bandwidth and unlimited speed, minimising lag and ping, and ensuring smooth gaming  even with multiple devices using the network.

New users will enjoy free installation and a complimentary first-month subscription.

Building on over a decade of delivering solar-powered, unlimited internet services across West Africa, Tizeti says its new offering aligns with its mission to bridge Africas digital gap with affordable and reliable internet to millions of Africans.

The FreeFiber broadband service includes additional benefits, such as VoIP, phone numbers and free calls to multiple countries with African populations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal.

The launch also includes a unique referral programme, where customers can enjoy free setup and subscription for the first five months by referring new users.

In addition to its fibre rollout, Tizeti USA is relaunching its Teleport Services, which provide users with access to US IP addresses, and wallets.

Tizeti serves over four million subscribers in West Africa (residential facilities, businesses and hotspot users), via its wide network of hundreds of solar-powered base stations.

The company says it has evolved from a startup to a billion-naira company, partnering with global giants like Microsoft, Meta, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
An 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea off Italys southernmost island of Lampedusa, believed to be the only survivor of a shipwrecked migrant boat that had departed from the port of Sfax in Tunisia, a humanitarian group said Thursday.

The girl was saved by a German-flagged sailboat named Trotamar III, which brought her to Lampedusa on Wednesday morning, according to the German charity Compass Collective that has been operating in the Mediterranean Sea since August 2023.

She had neither food nor water with her, and was suffering from hypothermia.

It was an incredible coincidence that we heard the voice of a girl even though the motors were running, the sailboats captain, Matthias Weidenluebbert, said in a press statement.

The crew immediately cut the engines and searched for the source of the voice, Compass Collectives 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, Tempel said of the child.

According to the girls account, she had floated in the sea for three days using innertubes inflated with air and a lifejacket. She told rescuers that she had set out in a metal boat with about 45 others, and that she had been in contact with two other people until two days before the rescue, when the contact was broken.

We dont know what happened to the people, Tempel said. We assume that they all drowned, but we dont know what.

The girl was found following a storm that had lasted for days, with winds reaching more than 23 knots and waves above 2.5 meters (8 feet.)

The Totamar III, a 13-meter vessel with a rotating crew of six, has rescued more than 230 people since jouning humanitarian rescue efforts 16 months ago. After picking up the girl, the boat distributed life jackets to 53 people aboard a wooden boat without a motor, and reported their location to Italian authorities.

In all, the Totamar III crew has assisted 1,700 people, handing out life jackets, alerting authorities and staying with them until rescue arrives. In cases when the situation worsens, the stranded people are transferred on board the sailing ship, Tempel said.

According to U.N. statistics, which are based largely on survivor accounts, 1,536 people have died or gone missing and are presumed dead in the central Mediterranean so far this year. A total of 64,234 have reached Italy through Thursday, according to the Italian Interior Ministry. Thats down by 58% from last year, when 153,211 had arrived in the period.

I want to emphasize, this girl is just a sign for the (deaths) in the Mediterranean, Tempel said. Shes one person, and its very sad that she probably lost her relatives. But it is just a symbol for the tragedy that is happening.

(AP)
For years, Donald Trump has railed against the Fake News Media, rallying millions of loyal supporters  myself included  to his side with promises to expose their corruption and lies. The battle against media dishonesty became a cornerstone of his brand, a cause that many Americans rallied behind as they poured their trustand millions of dollarsinto his legal defense funds. Yet, in a stunning move that reeks of betrayal, Trump has chosen to settle a lawsuit with ABC News over their outright lies about him for a paltry $15 million donation to his future presidential library.

This wasnt just any lawsuit. Trump had the rare opportunity to depose ABCs top figures, including George Stephanopoulos, and gain access to their internal communications through discovery. For once, he had the tools to pull back the curtain on how the mainstream media manufactures narratives and undermines public trust. But instead of fighting to the end, he settled, handing ABC News a victory and squandering what could have been a landmark case in the fight against media defamation.

What makes this worse is the sheer triviality of the settlement amounta fraction of Trumps net worth and not even a blip on the radar of his supporters who have donated their hard-earned money to his legal battles. A $15 million contribution to a future nonprofit library? Its a joke, and not even a funny one. Trumps base didnt support him to see him enrich his own vanity projects. We backed him to fight back against a system that is rigged against ordinary Americans.

Instead of taking this case to the Supreme Court and fighting to reform defamation laws, Trump sold out. Instead of standing firm and exposing the inner workings of the media elite, he chose an easy payout that barely amounts to a slap on the wrist for ABC. And now, in the ultimate irony, the man who decried fake news has gifted the media a way to claim vindication, while his loyal supporters are left stunned and disappointed.

For years, Trump demanded unwavering loyalty from his supporters. Now, with this settlement, hes shown just how little he values ours. The people who stuck with him through thick and thin deserved better. They deserved a leader willing to see the fight through to the endnot one who cashes out at the first opportunity. This isnt the Trump we believed in. This is a betrayal, plain and simple.

Signed,

Boruch R.

The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering her next steps in politics after her 2024 election loss to Donald Trump, with close advisers debating whether she should pursue another presidential bid or run for governor of California.

According to CNN, Harris has signaled to supporters and donors that her political career is far from over, telling them, You havent seen the last of me.

Advisers are divided on what her next move should be, with some pushing for a gubernatorial campaign in 2026, which they view as a strong opportunity. It seems like a layup, one adviser said, adding that Harris could likely clear the Democratic primary field in California.

However, running for governor could complicate a potential 2028 presidential campaign, as it would require her to focus on California instead of launching a national bid.

Others close to Harris argue she deserves another shot at the presidency, believing she didnt receive a fair chance in 2024. Still, they acknowledge the challenges she would face, including a potentially crowded Democratic primary field in 2028.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Bashar al-Assad has broken his silence and claims Vladimir Putin forced his cowardly escape from Syria on him.

The ousted leader said from Moscow he had no intention of fleeing the Syria but had to after the Russian base he was staying in was being bombed.

The statement was published on the Syrian presidencys Telegram channel and dated December 16 and was Assads first in public since he was toppled more than a week ago by a rebel offensive.

Assad said he stayed in Damascus until the early hours of Sunday December 8 until terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus.

He then claims he moved to the Russian air base in Lattakia, named Kheimim, to oversee the fighting of the rebels.

But just house later the base itself came under drone strikes.

Assad said: Upon arrival at the Kheimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen.

Assad then claims that as those inside could not safely leave the base and remain in Syria, they had to evacuate it to Russia.

He said: At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by an individual party.

The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.

He goes on to say that he refused to negotiate on the war to keep himself in power.

In a bizarre section of the statement, Assad begins to speak about himself in the second person as he boasts his loyalty.

He is the same person who, during the darkest years of the war, did not leave but remained with his family alongside his people, confronting terrorism under bombardment and the recurring threats of of terrorist incursions into the capital over 14 years of war.

The person who has never abandoned the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, nor betrayed his allies who stood by him, cannot possibly be the same person who would forsake his own people or betray the army and nation to which he belongs.

Assad said, despite being in Moscow, that he had not lost or diminished his sense of belonging to Syria.

Incredibly, the ousted dictator left the door open for a return saying he hoped Syria would be once again free and independent.
A lawyer for convicted British killer nurse Lucy Letby said Monday that he plans to ask an appeals court to re-examine her convictions after the prosecutions leading expert changed his opinion on how three babies died.

Attorney Mark McDonald said Dr. Dewi Evans could no longer be believed after reversing his opinion that Letby had injected air down a nasal gastric tube that killed three infants.

I have fresh evidence that casts doubt on the conviction, McDonald said. The defense will argue that Dr. Evans is not a reliable expert, and given that he was the lead expert for the prosecution, we say that all the convictions are not safe.

Letby, 34, is serving multiple life sentences with no chance of release after being convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to murder seven others while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwestern England between June 2015 and June 2016.

McDonald said he will file a request this week asking the Court of Appeal to review her appeal bid. The court has twice rejected Letbys application for appeal.

Letby, who testified at two trials that she never harmed a child, has always proclaimed her innocence.

An inquiry is currently underway to examine failures by the hospital to recognize why babies were dying in the neonatal unit and why they took so long to stop Letby.

The Crown Prosecution Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment about McDonalds claims.

(AP)
Ukraines military intelligence agency claimed Monday that around 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded in fighting against the Ukrainian army at the weekend in Russias Kursk border region.

This is the first reported casualties since the Pentagon and Ukraine announced North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war.

The casualties occurred around three villages in Kursk, where Russia has for four months been trying to quash a Ukrainian incursion, the agency, known by its acronym GUR, said in a public post on the Telegram messaging app.

At least three North Korean servicemen went missing around another Kursk village, GUR said.

It was not possible to independently verify the Ukrainian claims. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred related questions to the Russian Defense Ministry, which didnt immediately comment.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged unwavering support for Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbor under a mutual defense pact.

The alliance gave a jolt to international relations, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that the planned deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles to Europe and Asia has brought new threats.

In view of rising geopolitical tensions, we must take additional measures to ensure the security of Russia and our allies, Putin told a meeting with top military brass. We are doing it accurately and in a balanced way to avoid being drawn into a full-scale arms race.

However, military analysts say the language barrier has bedeviled combat coordination between Russian and North Korean troops.

The poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean forces will likely continue to cause friction in Russian military operations in Kursk  in the near term, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said late Sunday.

On Nov. 5, Ukrainian officials said that their forces had for the first time engaged with North Korean units that had been recently deployed to help Russia.

Ukraine seized land in Russias Kursk border region last August in what was the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II. The operation embarrassed the Kremlin and aimed to counter unceasingly glum news from the front line.

The incursion hasnt significantly changed the wars dynamics. Over the past year, Russia has been on the front foot, with the exception of Kursk, and has been grinding deeper into eastern Ukraines Donetsk region despite heavy losses.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said Monday the military has been making steady gains in Ukraine, claiming that they have accelerated recently, with Russian forces capturing about 30 square kilometers (11.5 square miles) of territory a day.

(AP)
A student opened fire at a private Christian school Monday morning in Wisconsin, killing two people in the final week before the holiday break. The shooter also died, police said.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes offered no details about the victims but said other people were wounded at Abundant Life Christian School, a K-12 school with about 390 students. Police previously said a total of five people had died but corrected the statement.

Barnes said the suspected shooter was a student who likely died by suicide.

They found the person responsible who was down, deceased, the chief said.

The wounded had injuries ranging broadly from minor to life-threatening, Barnes said.

Barnes said police were alerted shortly before 11 a.m. and did not fire their weapons when they rushed into the building.

Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Im not aware that the school had metal detectors nor should schools have metal detectors. Its a safe space, Barnes said.

Police blocked off roads around the school. Federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement.

We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement.

In a statement, the White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and officials were in touch with local authorities to provide support.

Abundant Life Christian School, which is nondenominational, asked for prayers in a brief Facebook post.

John Diaz De Leon, who lives nearby and attends the adjacent City Church, told WMTV-TV he heard an intense blare of sirens as police responded.

I didnt know there were that many squad cars in Madison. We saw a few guys with long guns. They went into the school with a dog, De Leon said of police. Later on I saw groups of kids coming out of the school into the church sanctuary.

It was the the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas.

The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws.

Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues.

(AP)
An investigative report by Channel 12s Uvda program has unveiled dramatic new details surrounding the lead-up to the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza and regional unrest. Among the revelations: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by Israels top security officials of heightened vulnerability to attack while recovering in the hospital in July 2023 after receiving a pacemaker.

According to the report, the heads of the Shin Bet and the IDF contacted Netanyahu on July 23, 2023, while he was at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan following a potentially life-threatening cardiac event. Shin Bet head Ronen Bar reportedly conveyed a strategic warning of war, cautioning that Israels adversaries perceived internal divisions over the governments judicial overhaul as a sign of weakness. Bar urged Netanyahu to halt the legislation, which had provoked widespread protests and unrest, including among IDF reservists. Similarly, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi reportedly warned that the militarys readiness was deteriorating and adversaries might exploit the situation.

Netanyahus office has denied the claims, asserting that the prime minister did not receive any warnings prior to the October 7 massacre and that, had he been informed, the outcome would have been markedly different.

The Uvda program also disclosed allegations of transcript tampering involving Netanyahus chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman. According to testimony from Maj. Gen. Avi Gil, Netanyahus former military secretary, Braverman allegedly pressured a stenographer to alter the timestamp of Netanyahus first call with military officials on October 7, shifting it from 6:29 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. The stenographer refused, prompting Gil to report the incident to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. This is forgery for all intents and purposes. Its criminal, Gil reportedly wrote in his letter.

Netanyahus office has denied the allegations, stating that the matter will be clarified during the ongoing investigation.

Uvda aired transcripts of Netanyahus early conversations with Gil on the morning of October 7 as Hamas launched its surprise attack. During their first call, Gil informed Netanyahu of rocket fire from Gaza but noted that details were still emerging. By their second conversation at 6:40 a.m., Gil had declared, Were at war, as elite IDF units mobilized to the Gaza border.

Netanyahu reportedly expressed frustration, claiming he had not been forewarned about the possibility of such an attack. We had no indications. I dont see anything in the intelligence, he was quoted as saying. Both he and Gil acknowledged the need to investigate the intelligence failure.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly told fellow ministers during a meeting on October 7 that public outcry over the attacks would likely demand government resignations. We have a few days of legitimacy until the magnitude [of the devastation] becomes clear, he was quoted as saying, adding, Theyre right.

Smotrichs office later distanced him from the remarks, asserting that security officials, not the government, bore responsibility for the October 7 failures. Separately, Smotrich admitted he was unaware of the elite Hamas Nukhba unit, which spearheaded the attacks, claiming significant information gaps between military and political leadership.

Netanyahus office condemned the Uvda report as slander and lies intended to undermine the government, saying that the prime minister remains focused on achieving a historic victory for Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The sudden release of Mofid Abdel Kader Mashaal, the brother of former Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal, from a U.S. prison has raised hopes that it could signal progress toward a potential hostage deal.

Mashaal, who was serving a 20-year sentence for financing Hamas through the Holy Land Foundation, was reportedly released after serving 16 years. According to Israeli media, he will spend the next year in a rehabilitation facility. The U.S. has not confirmed his release, but the news has been widely reported in Arab media.

The release comes amid ongoing talks surrounding a possible hostage agreement, fueling speculation that the two developments could be connected. Arab media also reported the sentences of four other American-Palestinians associated with the Holy Land Foundation have been significantly shortened.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced a historic clemency act, commuting sentences for 1,500 people and pardoning 39. It is unclear whether Mashaals release is related.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz held a meeting on Sunday with the members of the Nagel Commission, which was established by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in August 2024 to establish recommendations for Israels military force needs and its security budget for the next decade.

During the meeting, Katz outlined the three central principles of Israels security policy: 1) to act against any existential threat to the State of Israel; 2) Israel will not ask anyone to fight in its place; and 3) Israel must be able to defend itself on its own against any threat, with the backing and support of the US.

Israel must be able to defend itself, on its own, against any threat, Katz emphasized. The immediate risks to the State have not disappeared, and recent developments in Syria are increasing the severity of the threat  despite the moderate appearance that the leaders of the rebels are attempting to present.

Katz added: Israel is in the midst of a historic campaign for its security and the future of the region, and is facing diverse threats across all fronts: the north, south, and east. The defense budget must be increased to maintain our military superiority. We will act so that the IDF and the security system have all the necessary resources to deal with the many challenges, strengthen our power, and establish Israels status as a regional power.

The security of the State of Israel will remain at the top of the list of our national priorities and we will do whatever is necessary to ensure our future.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Cuba will lose almost half of its population before the end of the century, according to a study The prognosis could be even worse, if we take into account the emigration of almost 700,000 people to the US between 2021 and 2024.

Cuba will lose almost half of its population before the end of the century, according to the report "Ibero-America: from Major Population Growth to a Demographic Winter," ("Iberoamerica: de grandes crecimientos poblacionales al invierno demografico") presented Thursday by the Universidad CEU San Pablo in Madrid.

"Puerto Rico (-69%) and Cuba (-49%) could see dramatic reductions" in population by 2050, two countries where "emigration has contributed significantly to aging," warns the study, which uses UN data.

This means that it may not take into account the nearly 700,000 entries of Cubans into the U.S. between October 2021 and September 2024, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Authority, nor recent data on Cuban emigration to Spain, Mexico and other countries.



Havana only recognizes, in 2023, a 10.1% decrease in "population with effective residence in Cuba" compared to 2020.



Alejandro Macarron, head of Studies and Social Analysis at CEU San Pablo, told DIARIO DE CUBA that the island's population is "very aged due to the drop in the birthrate and its loss of young people."

"Those who have left, logically, are mostly young people, which leaves an older population. Cuba has had more deaths than births for years now. It takes approximately 2.1 children per woman to produce what we call population replacement or generational replacement, and Cuba is well below the threshold," the expert explained.

In fact, according to Macarron, in the U.S. "Cuban-Americans have a fertility rate well below that of other Hispanic communities." La Universidad CEU San Pablo report notes the "declining fertility rate" in Ibero-American countries, "already insufficient for population replacement in many countries of the region."

"If the number of births and fertility continue to fall at the rate projected by the UN, as of the middle of the current century Ibero-America will have a severe aging problem, like the one that is already sapping Spain and Europe. This problem will reach Puerto Rico, Cuba, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Costa Rica first, and in some cases it already has," the document adds.

The study analyzes the situation of Venezuela, "a singular and dramatic case in the demography of Ibero-America in the last 20 years", with a negative migratory balance of 5.04 million people, according to UN data.

"In addition, life expectancy in Venezuela has shown a negative trend in recent years, a unique case in the region and extremely rare in the world. Along the same line, infant mortality has increased," it indicates.


Former Chief Rabbi of Israel and member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, spoke out again on Sunday against Chareidim serving in the IDF.

During a sichah to yeshivah bochurim, HaRav Yosef said: Even a batlan (someone who wastes time) is forbidden to serve in the army. Do you hear me? Absorb this message. My uncles, the brothers of Maran [HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef, ztl] learned in Yeshivat Porat Yosef and were talmidei yeshivos. They went to the army and were corrupted, they all became secular. Later, they did teshuvah.

HaRav Yosefs words caused an immediate media storm in Israel. The Shas party spokesperson tried to downplay the uproar by stating: HaRav Yosefs words were directed at the essential need to ensure appropriate frameworks for Chareidi youth who wish to enlist. There is no call for refusal in his words, chalilah.

The Prime Ministers Office issued a statement saying: The remarks of former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef are unacceptable and worthy of condemnation. We will not accept any manifestations of refusal from any side.

However, HaRav Yosefs statements received support from an unexpected source. The Wives of the Soldiers for the Kedushas HaMachaneh movement responded to the uproar by corroborating HaRav Yosefs concerns. Efrat Lupo, the founder of the movement, stated: HaRav Yitzchak Yosefs words express a genuine and significant concern and pain for Chareidi young men who chose to enlist in the IDF and lost their faith due to the lack of a framework suitable for their way of life. If a Chareidi young man loses his faith in the IDF  why would Chareidim want to enlist? The IDF must promote suitable frameworks to uphold a Torah lifestyle and thus open the ranks to thousands of Charedim wishing to enlist.

Lupo added: As wives of soldiers who have served in reserves for hundreds of days since the beginning of the war, while we have to sustain our homes practically and spiritually, we call on anyone who can contribute their part in the IDF to do so. However, we also often encounter cases where senior IDF officers choose to promote agendas and values that harm the spirit of the IDF and its kedushah as the army of the Jewish people. This is not why we sent our heroic husbands to face the cruel enemy for hundreds of days.

We call on senior IDF officers to cease promoting foreign agendas, to adhere to the values of Judaism, and to focus entirely on achieving absolute victory and destroying the enemy.

About a month ago, Lupo revealed in a meeting of the Knessets Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women, that her husband, who serves in the Paratrooper reserves, was forced to sleep alongside female soldiers during a a battalion exercise in Lebanon.

Lupo recounted during the discussion that she had received numerous inquiries from the wives of soldiers about similar incidents in various combat zones.

The Gender Affairs Advisor (GENAD) to the IDF Chief of Staff, Ella Shado-Shechtman, who participated in the discussion, ignored Lupos testimony.

After the discussion, Lupo approached Shado-Shectman and requested to meet in order to address the situation and prevent cases of violation of orders related to this issue. Shado-Shectman referred Lupo to her secretary, but so far, Lupo has not received a response regarding scheduling a meeting.

Lupo told Chareidim10: Shado-Shectman boasts about the increase in the number of female combat soldiers, but when asked to discuss the implications for the motivation of religious combat soldiers and their wives, she remains silent.

We asked her what is being done to preserve the spiritual world of the combat soldiers, including our husbands, and we are waiting for an answer. Shado Shectmans choice to avoid a meeting with us about stopping this phenomenon and assisting the IDF in achieving victory, is a disrespect to the soldiers and us as the wives of the soldiers who support the home front for the sake of victory in war.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
In recent days, IDF officers held their first meetings with leaders of Syrian villages in the area captured by the IDF in Ramat HaGolan following the fall of the Assad regime, Ynet reported.

The officers met with the village elders in their homes and reassured them that IDF forces would not harm the villagers and their daily lives will not be disturbed.

Capt. Omer, a company commander from the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade, met with the elder of the village of Umm Batnah, the deepest area the IDF has advanced in Syria, 12 kilometers (8 miles) from the border.

I asked the village elder to collect weapons from residents after they had taken rifles from abandoned Syrian military outposts, the officer said. The residents complied with the order and turned in the weapons.

The IDF is currently operating in seven villages in the Syrian Golan and will remain in the area until the area can be transferred to an established and defined state entity to prevent terrorist groups from seizing control.

A video that circulated online on Israeli social media over the weekend shows Druze residents in the village of Hader, near the Israeli border in southern Syria, calling on Israel to annex them.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu revealed on Sunday that he held an extensive conversation with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The discussion comes as Israeli officials signal that a potential ceasefire-hostage agreement could be finalized by Chanukah, though key issues remain unresolved.

Netanyahu, speaking in a video message, described the conversation with Trump as very friendly, very warm, and very important. While refraining from sharing specifics, the prime minister reiterated Israels commitment to bringing the hostages home. We are working tirelessly, without rest, to bring our hostages home, the living and the fallen together, Netanyahu said. He added, The less we talk about it, the better. That way, with G-ds help, we will succeed.

Israeli officials said the ceasefire-hostage deal may be finalized in the coming weeks, with an unnamed senior official estimating completion by December 25; Chanukah begins that evening. However, current negotiations remain stalled over the number of hostages to be released. Hamas is reportedly offering far fewer hostages than Israel demands, and Netanyahu has pressed for U.S. intervention to push Hamas negotiators toward agreeing to a more acceptable number.

During a national security cabinet meeting Sunday night, attended by top Israeli military and intelligence officials, updates on the negotiations suggested Hamas is showing increased flexibility. The heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet reportedly told ministers that Hamas is now more willing to reach an agreement than in earlier stages of the conflict.

Despite these advances, challenges persist. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Hamas had reluctantly agreed to an Israeli condition allowing the IDF to remain in Gaza temporarily during a ceasefire, after initially refusing to release hostages unless Israel fully withdrew and ended its military campaign.

Meanwhile, Trumps nominee for U.S. special envoy on hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, is expected to visit Israel this week in a private capacity to consult with Israeli officials.

Beyond the hostage crisis, Netanyahu addressed broader security issues, highlighting Israeli airstrikes in Syria this past week that reportedly destroyed 80% of the Assad regimes remaining military assets. The strikes aimed to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of hostile groups amid Syrias chaos following Bashar al-Assads ouster.

Netanyahu also referenced Israels efforts to neutralize Hezbollahs military capabilities under a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. We are committed to preventing Hezbollah from rearming, Netanyahu said. We will act against them as much as necessary, in every arena and at all times.

Netanyahu concluded by noting the rapidly changing dynamics in the Middle East, saying, Syria is not the same Syria, Lebanon is not the same Lebanon, and Gaza is not the same Gaza. We are determined to ensure that Israels security remains intact.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iraqi sources told the UK-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news outlet over the weekend that Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani received a cold shoulder from Iraqi militias on his visit to Baghdad last week to discuss the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria.

Qaani met with several leaders of armed groups to discuss developments regarding the new situation in Syria and the determination of the Israeli entity to attack sites and occupy parts of Syria, the source said.

Some of the faction leaders informed Qaani of their commitment to Iraqs neutral position in the current crisis, saying that dont want to become involved in opening new fronts and are waiting to see how things will unfold.

This development is a significant setback for Irans Revolutionary Guards. The fall of the Assad regime led the Iranian-backed Iraqi militias to abruptly cut off support and military assistance to the Islamic Republic. All the Iraqi militias hastily left Syria and returned to Iraq for the first time since they joined the regime against the Syrian opposition in 2011. Additionally, Iran lost its arms shipping route via Iraq to Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Most commentators in the Arab world on Iraqi and regional political issues emphasize that Iran has lost an important front of its Axis of Resistance, shortly after Hezbollah in Lebanon, its most powerful and significant front, has been significantly weakened.

Tehran was seeking to prevent further losses and was hoping to maintain a strong connection with Baghdad, especially since it has become the only line of defense between Iran and the Israeli occupation.

A political analyst quoted by the report said: Irans concern about what has happened is legitimate as it has lost one of the most important pillars of its Axis of Resistance and therefore it wants to understand the future situation, especially since the axis is facing clear obstacles.

What is important for Iraq is securing its borders, which are already secured, with a solid security wall and sufficient capabilities for monitoring and espionage. The role of the Iraqi factions in Syria has ended, and they no longer have any influence or aspirations for Syrian territory in the future.

Al Arabiya reported that before the fall of the Assad regime, hundreds of Syrian soldiers fled towards the Iraqi border, abandoning their posts. Iraqi authorities set up tents for them in the town of Ar-Rutbah in western Iraq.

A senior Iraqi security source confirmed to the channel that over a 1,000 Syrian soldiers had arrived in Iraq. He said that the Syrian soldiers requested entry into Iraqi territory through the land crossing. He also noted that the soldiers were welcomed, given the necessary assistance, and their needs were met.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Sirens blared in dozens of cities and towns in the Tel Aviv area, the Sharon and the Shomron on Monday afternoon, the first time in weeks that sirens were heard in central Israel.

Shortly later, the IDF spokesperson said that the sirens sounded due to the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen. The missile was intercepted before it crossed into Israel.

Earlier on Monday, a drone fired by the Houthis in Yemen was intercepted over the Mediterranean Sea.

There has been an increase in Houthi attacks since the ceasefire with Lebanon began.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Israels security system and the IDF are preparing to carry out a significant attack in Yemen, Kan News reported on Monday.

Senior security officials assess that following the ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the subsequent fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the Houthis are trying to take the lead in their role in Irans Axis Of Resistance. Houthi attacks on Israel have been steadily increasing. Since the beginning of November, the Houthis have fired six ballistic missiles and five drones at Israel.

Under the behest of Iran, the Houthis are attempting to strike strategic sites in Israel, including the ports of Ashdod and Haifa, power stations, and off-shore gas rigs.

Israel has not attacked Yemen for about three months, since the end of September.

Houthi leader Nasr al-Din Amer tweeted after the missile launch from Yemen today: Traffic at Ben Gurion International Airport has been halted, and it will continue as long as the Zionists persist in their aggression in Gaza and also in Syria.

We are doing everything in our power and making every effort to deter the Zionist aggression against Gaza and Syria and to achieve peace for our nation, relying on G-d and with complete confidence in the promised victory.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Royal Mail is set to be taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky - leaving households wondering what the deal means for them.

Royal Mail is currently owned by International Distribution Services (IDS), and last night Labour ministers signed off a 3.6billion takeover deal by Kretinsky.

The deal has been on the table since April to allow Kretinsky's EP Group to expand his 28 per cent stake in IDS.

The takeover would see Royal Mail have its first non-British owner since it was first founded in the 1500s.

Here is everything you need to know about how the Royal Mail takeover will affect its customers.

Fit for a King?: The venerable postal institution has been dogged by performance issues

Will the Royal Mail brand change?

No. An express part of the deal is that the brand of the Royal Mail does not change, at least for the next five years.

What could happen to stamp prices?

The price of stamps is not regulated by the deal, and is a decision for the Royal Mail owners to take.

Currently, a first class stamp costs currently 1.65 and a second class one 85p. In 2013, a first class stamp cost 60p and a second class stamp 50p.

Will Royal Mail service levels change?

The most famous Royal Mail promise - that it will charge one price to send anything anywhere in the country - is being kept.

This is known as the 'one-price-goes-anywhere', which also sees first class letters delivered six days a week.

In theory, the overall service provided by the Royal Mail has to stay the same or improve under the deal, or the new owners will not make any money.

The deal states that 'value is not extracted' unless Royal Mail has either maintained unless RMG has maintained or improved its performance as against its 2023-24 performance.

Last week Royal Mail was slapped with a 10.5million fine by communications regulator Ofcom for failing to meet its delivery targets for both first and second class post.

The postal service legally must deliver 93 per cent of first-class mail within one working day of collection and 98.5 per cent of second-class mail within three working days of collection.

But Ofcom fined Royal Mail after it only delivered 74.7 per cent of first-class mail and 92.7 per cent of second-class post on time between April 2023 and March 2024.

When will the takeover happen?

The deal is still not completely final, as it still needs to be approved by shareholders and unions, and the Competition and Markets Authority may also look into it.

Current shareholders of IDS need to decide if they want to sell their shares or not.

EP Group needs to get 75 per cent of IDS to complete the deal.

But the Government has said it has no objection to the deal, which could complete as early as the first quarter of 2025.

What will happen to Royal Mail staff?

Royal Mail will carry on being based in Britain, ensuring jobs are secure, and tax will be paid in the UK.

EG Group has said any agreements made with postal unions will be honoured, and will not take any surplus cash out of the Royal Mail Pension Plan.
When is a Budget not a Budget? If this (highly unlikely) were a Christmas cracker teaser then the answer would presumably be: When you call it something else.

Rachel Reeves says she will not hold a tax raising Budget in the spring but instead issue a statement to MPs alongside new fiscal forecasts.

But the Chancellor already has developed a reputation for dancing on pinheads, which doesnt offer very much confidence.

When Reeves delivered her fixing the foundations statement on July 30 this year, with its amazing discovery of a 22billion black hole, she didnt hesitate from slipping out savings amounting to 5.5billion in the current fiscal year and 8.2billion in 2025-26.

This included axing the winter fuel allowance for pensioners, cancelling plans for social care and axing up to 800million for AI research at the University of Edinburgh.

What the Chancellor has not ruled out in the spring is a further squeeze on public spending should the Office for Budget Responsibility find her off course to hit fiscal targets.

Kicking the can: Rachel Reeves says she will not hold a tax raising Budget in the spring but instead issue a statement to MPs alongside new fiscal forecasts

That looks likely given data showing the economy stalling rather than expanding.

Stumbling output means lower tax income, rising welfare bills and more borrowing. The March 26 statement to MPs may yet pre-empt a further public spending review promised for July.

Confused? Most people will be. The nation may only be treated to one official Budget a year, but there will no shortage of financial statements and mid-course corrections. Labour words must be watched.

No National Insurance increases were reinterpreted as no employment tax on working people. Imposing a National Insurance charge of 25billion on employers was fine.

A consequence of hitting employers so hard is that the Chancellor is now rethinking the second stage of the pensions review.

The first part was all about amalgamating funds and unleashing them to invest in the UK.

The second stage was to focus on whether automatic enrolment into defined contribution plans is good enough to generate a comfortable retirement.

At present, 8 per cent of income is mandated into such funds with a minimum 3 per cent coming from the employer.

But having ladled National Insurance on to employers, Reeves now thinks that imposing more pain on businesses may not be wise.

This looks to be another case of postponing difficult decisions, which eventually could add to burdens on the Exchequer.

The worry about all of this is unpreparedness for the unexpected. The financial crisis, pandemics and Ukraine war all showed how events can overwhelm best policy intentions.

A nation paying its highest peacetime taxes wont want to see the Chancellor reaching deeper into the pockets of citizens and firms. But closing the door is nonsensical.

Creative tension

The arrival of Paddington Bear film maker Canal+ turned out to be a damp squib rather than a fillip for the London market.

There may be technical reasons for the share price tumbling  French tracker funds sold their holdings  but it has not been the vote of confidence anticipated.

Support for creative industries in Britain  which at a stretch claim up to 10 per cent of national income  is critical. UK creative groups, including publishers and authors, see a big threat to the exclusivity of their output on the horizon.

The use of AI to replicate patterns of words, bars of music, film clips and the like, breaching copyright, is a huge threat.

Much the same problem was highlighted when Google, in its early days, purloined chunks of published works and when pirates attacked songbooks.

The Government is promising a consultation. Knowing the speed at which such reviews are conducted, there is danger that by the time Whitehall gets to grip with a complex legal and creative issue the bird will have flown.

There must also be concern that with Labour embracing big tech, as incoming UK investors, they will treat Silicon Valley with kid clothes at the expense of artistry and originality.

That should never happen.

Lost bags

Here is a bit of technology to cheer. British Airways is to install Apple AirTags into its luggage handling systems with the aim of speeding up the process of locating and delivering wayward cases.

That could reduce cost for the carrier and ease anxieties for travellers. It shouldnt be an excuse for lowering performance standards.
More than 160,000 family businesses and farms have called on the Chancellor to rethink planned changes to inheritance tax, saying it risked 'job losses right across the country'.

Rachel Reeves announced in October that from April 2026, inherited business properties worth over 1m will be taxed at 20 per cent having previously been exempt from the duty. This will also apply to agricultural land.

But in an open letter signed by 32 trade associations claiming to represent more than 160,000 family-owned businesses and farms, they warned that the changes would 'starve' the economy.

Economic modelling commissioned by lobbying group Family Business UK showed that rather than raising money for the Treasury, the planned tax changes to business property relief could result in a net loss of 1.25billion for the Exchequer while also causing 125,000 job losses.

Anger: An open letter claiming to represent more than 160,000 family-owned businesses and farms warned that the changes would 'starve' the economy

'The changes to inheritance tax are a hammer blow. In many cases, those inheriting the business will have no alternative but to sell up when the owner dies,' said Family Business UK head Neil Davy.
The criminalisation of wage theft from January 2025 will be a wake-up call for all Australian businesses. While deliberate underpayment has rightly drawn scrutiny, our research reveals that accidental payroll errors are alarmingly common, affecting nearly 60% of companies in the past two years. Matt Loop, VP and Head of Asia at Rippling

Starting January 1, 2025, Australias workplace compliance landscape will change dramatically. Employers who deliberately underpay employees could face fines as high as AU$8.25 million or up to 10 years in prison under new amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) introduced by the Closing Loopholes Act 2023.

This landmark shift aligns wage theft penalties with other serious criminal offenses, ushering in unprecedented consequences for corporate executives and business owners who fail to comply.

Whos affected?

The new rules target employers who intentionally underpay employees under modern awards or enterprise agreements, including entitlements like superannuation. Those responsible, from CEOs to payroll managers, could face criminal prosecution if found guilty of knowingly causing or allowing underpayments.

Key Penalties at a Glance:

Imprisonment : Up to 10 years for intentional wage theft.

: Up to 10 years for intentional wage theft. Fines : Up to AU$7.8 million for companies and AU$1.65 million for individuals.

: Up to AU$7.8 million for companies and AU$1.65 million for individuals. Repeat Offenders Beware: Courts can impose fines of three times the underpayment amount, making non-compliance financially crippling.

Safe Harbors for Compliance

To ease the transition for employers, particularly small businesses, the law introduces safe harbor protections:

Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code : A defense mechanism for small employers who comply with specific standards.

: A defense mechanism for small employers who comply with specific standards. Cooperation Agreements: Larger businesses can avoid criminal prosecution by self-reporting wage discrepancies to the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and committing to compliance.

Whats driving this reform?

These laws come after years of high-profile wage theft scandals and litigation, with AU$21 million in penalties issued in 2023-24 alone. Cases like Sushi Bay (AU$15.3 million in fines) and Foot & Thai Massage (AU$966,890 in penalties) illustrate the judiciarys increasing willingness to impose severe consequences for exploitation of vulnerable workers, especially migrants and young employees.

Steps Employers Must Take Now:

Audit Pay Practices: Ensure employee classifications, payroll systems, and entitlements align with legal standards. Rectify Anomalies: Address any underpayments immediately to avoid criminal liability. Prepare for Penalty Rates: With the holiday season ahead, ensure correct payment of penalty and overtime rates. Update Training: Educate decision-makers and managers about the new laws and their responsibilities. Stay Informed: Monitor developments in the Small Business Code and seek legal advice as needed.

Whats next?

As enforcement begins, the Fair Work Ombudsman is expected to prioritize vulnerable worker protection, with criminal referrals to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) likely. Employers must act decisively to ensure compliance, as ignorance or unintentional errors wont shield them from civil or criminal consequences.

Matt Loop, VP and Head of Asia at Rippling, says: The criminalisation of wage theft from January 2025 will be a wake-up call for all Australian businesses. While deliberate underpayment has rightly drawn scrutiny, our research reveals that accidental payroll errors are alarmingly common, affecting nearly 60% of companies in the past two years.

Adding to the challenge, many SMEs still rely on fragmented, siloed systems to manage payroll. This not only complicates operations but significantly increases the risk of errors heightening the potential for non-compliance under the new laws.

The urgency for businesses to modernise their approach cannot be overstated. Technology offers a practical solution, helping to streamline and automate processes, reduce human error, and ensure compliance. But this is about more than just avoiding penalties. Accurate and timely pay builds trust with employees, strengthens workplace morale, and fosters accountability.

The message is clear: wage theft isnt just a financial risk anymoreits a criminal offense. Now is the time to ensure your business complies with Australias new workplace laws.

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Shares in chemicals group Johnson Matthey rallied after its largest investor branded bosses complacent and incapable and called for a shake-up.

Standard Investments, which owns 11 per cent of the FTSE 250 firm, urged the board to launch a strategic review to look at a sale of part or all of the company.

In an open letter, the New York-based investor also called for the appointment of non-executive directors to the board.

Over the past two years, we have directly engaged with the board and management regarding the many challenges facing the company, said a spokesman for Standard Investments.

Despite our patient and constructive approach, the board and management remain complacent and incapable of correcting a misguided strategy that has delivered sustained underperformance. This has created a massive credibility gap with investors and the broader market.

Shares in the maker of catalytic converters for cars rose 3.3 per cent, or 45p, to 1397p. But they are still down 16 per cent this year and more than 60 per cent since their peak in 2018.

Shake-up: Johnson Matthey's largest investor has urged the board to launch a strategic review to look at 'a sale of part or all of the company'

Immediate action must be taken to prevent further value degradation for shareholders, the Standard Investments spokesman said.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: The market seems to welcome Standard Investments intervention and that may hint at the potential for success in its efforts to secure new voices on the board and radically shake-up the business.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.46 per cent, or 38.28 points, to 8262.05 and the FTSE 250 lost 0.36 per cent, or 76.12 points, to 20,813.03.

Shares in British Airways owner IAG continued to gain altitude with the stock up another 1.1 per cent, or 3.2p, to 296.4p.

That took gains so far this year to 91pc and left the shares at the highest level since Covid-19 ground planes worldwide in March 2020.

NatWest also continued its impressive run, rising 0.2 per cent, or 0.7p, to 406.2p.

Bunzl, which supplies everyday products such as loo roll, disposable cups and hard hats, gained 1.1 per cent, or 38p, to 3558p after RBC upgraded the stock.

Drug maker GSK received a boost as its Jemperli drug for the treatment of rectal cancer reached a regulatory milestone in the US. Share slid 0.8 per cent, or 10p, to 1319.5p.

Fellow FTSE 100 pharma giant AstraZeneca added 0.5 per cent, or 56p, to 10524p after it appointed Rene Haas, the chief executive of chipmaker Arm, to its board as a non-executive director.

Back in the second tier, biotechnology company Puretech Health jumped 4.4 per cent, or 7.2p, to 170p after successful trials of its lung disease drug.

But Computacenter tumbled 3.1 per cent, or 70p, to 2168p after it announced that chief financial officer Christian Jehle was stepping down with immediate effect.

Camera and film firm Videndum slumped 19.9 per cent, or 51p, to 205p after it warned the recovery in our markets continues to be slower than expected. Last years Hollywood strikes hit the firm.
A 4billion Greek industrial conglomerate has confirmed plans to seek a primary listing in London in a fresh boost for the City.

Metlen Energy & Metals, which is listed in Athens, said yesterday that it has filed paperwork with the watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

It is the first step in a regulatory process that would see the company list in London in 2025, the company said.

The announcement comes after Metlen said earlier this year that it was considering a listing on an international exchange including London.

London calling: Metlen Energy & Metals, which is listed in Athens, said yesterday that it has filed paperwork with the watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority

It said the move  which will see it retain a secondary listing in Athens  reflected Metlens increasingly diversified geographical presence.

The company, previously known as Mytilineos, operates in more than 30 countries and employs more than 5,000 people. Its businesses include energy plants and aluminium mining in Greece.

In the UK, it is part of a joint venture working on the Eastern Green Link subsea cable off the east coast.
Singapore, Vietnam firms in talks for new undersea cables, sources say

A Keppel signage is pictured in their office in Singapore July 6, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Singaporean asset manager Keppel and a Vietnamese conglomerate are discussing plans for new undersea fiber-optic cables that would boost the region's data centre industry, people familiar with the discussions said.

Southeast Asian countries, a major junction for cables connecting Asia to Europe, are seeking to expand their networks to meet booming demand for AI services and data centres. Vietnam alone plans to have 10 new submarine cables by 2030.

Under one plan under discussion, a cable would be laid to link Vietnam directly with Singapore, five people directly involved or briefed on the matter said.

It would cost $150 million, according to one source with direct knowledge of the talks.

Vietnam, with a population of nearly 100 million, is a large market for online platforms, but is currently connected to the global internet infrastructure through only five undersea branches to international cables.

Its plans to triple the number of its cables are seen by industry experts as a possible boost to its chances of becoming an alternative regional data centre hub, despite power supply issues and strict data regulations.
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has said that her leadership of the party is more important than ever.

Ms McDonald has faced some criticism after her party was unable to prevent political heavyweights Fianna Fail and Fine Gael from pursuing another coalition government following the recent Irish general election.

Fianna Fail won 48 seats in the Dail, while Sinn Fein won 39 ahead of Fine Gael which won 38 seats.

However, with 88 seats needed for a majority, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are expected to reach an agreement with others to form the next government.

Ms McDonald told media in Belfast on Monday that no-one is more disappointed than her but said she is determined to lead a knuckling down.

She also emphasised that Sinn Fein emerged with more seats, and said that confirms a fundamental transformation of southern politics.

Our objective, however, had been to get into government, and we fell short of that on this occasion and as the leader of Sinn Fein, there is nobody more disappointed by that than me, she said.

I have been out and about since the election, and Ive been talking to lots and lots of people who still are counting on Sinn Fein to represent them, and counting on it to get into government, to really bring about the kind of change that they wish to see, and they are disappointed.

My leadership, for me now, is more important than ever in terms of knuckling down and getting the job done.

We have made great progress. We have we have not reached our destination yet, but we will.

I think we had a very successful campaign  in some ways we may have won the campaign, but we didnt win the election.

Next time round, we need to be stronger, we need to be better and, frankly, we need to convince more people than on the last occasion.
The United States has called on the Government of Azerbaijan to free numerous dissidents, rights activists, and journalists who have been arrested for their advocacy of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In a recent statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Azerbaijan to immediately release Rufat Safarov, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Azer Gasimli, Farid Mehralizada, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, and Gubad Ibadoghlu, along with recently detained associates of independent outlet Meydan TV, and many others arrested for their work on human rights. The United States, Secretary Blinken said, is deeply concerned not only by these detentions, but by the increasing crackdown on civil society and media in Azerbaijan.

The fact that Azerbaijans crackdown is expanding is chilling. The State Departments most recent human rights report on Azerbaijan, which covered human rights conditions in 2023, noted that [a]n NGO coalition estimated there were approximately 254 political prisoners and detainees as of December 1 [2023]. Political prisoners and detainees included an academic and anti-corruption advocate, democracy and human rights activists, journalists and bloggers, opposition political figures, [and] religious believers and activists.

Two of the detainees named by Secretary Blinken had been selected to receive rewards by the U.S. State Department this month for promoting human rights and fighting corruption. Rufat Safarov is co-founder of Defense Line, an organization that documents politically motivated arrests, prosecutions and government corruption. Just days before he was to come to the United States to receive the Secretary of States Human Rights Defender Award, Rufat Safarov was arrested and put in pre-trial detention.

Sevinj Vagifgizi is editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, an independent anti-corruption media outlet, which has reported on cases involving government officials. Her work, as Secretary Blinken noted, has drawn the ire of authorities. Ms. Vagifgizi has been in pre-trial detention since November 2023. On December 9, she received the Secretary of States 2024 Anti-Corruption Champions Award in absentia.

We urge the Government of Azerbaijan, Secretary Blinken said, to release those unjustly detained for their advocacy on behalf of human rights, cease its crackdown on civil society, respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, and fulfill the commitments it made when it joined the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The second of the United Nations seventeen Sustainable Development Goals is creating a world free of hunger by 2030. Reaching this goal is not only necessary, but also achievable, according to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Nonetheless, the path to zero hunger is uncertain and narrow.

Despite years of gradual improvement, the hunger crisis has been escalating since 2015. By 2023, some 733 million people were experiencing chronic hunger, according to the U.N.

In her role as U.S. Representative to the U.N., Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has made galvanizing global action to combat food insecurity one of her key priorities.

Every human being, everywhere, has the right to food. This is reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic and Social and Cultural Rights.

Stating that for the United States, eliminating hunger is a moral issue as well an issue of economic and national security, she noted that from day one, the Biden-Harris administration was determined to make a difference.

Over the past four years, we have invested more than $20 billion dollars to fight hunger all across the world. And this month, while in Angola, President Biden announced the United States is providing more than $1 billion dollars in additional humanitarian assistance to address food insecurity and other urgent needs of refugees in 31 African countries.

At the same time, the United States made food insecurity a focus of all four of its Security Council presidencies, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

We rallied a coalition of nearly 100 countries to condemn the use of food as a weapon of war. We helped generate new commitments from over 100 countries to expand agricultural capacity and respond to famine crises through a Roadmap for Global Food Security Call to Action.

And we spearheaded efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, mobilizing more than $150 billion dollars in U.S. funding to tackle poverty, hunger, and disease worldwide.

That said, Clearly, we have not yet put an end to the violence of hunger, and the hunger caused by violence, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

I remain hopeful because a new generation of leaders will come after me  a generation that has the determination, the tools  old and new  to end hunger and to end conflict.

I have no doubt they will continue to push this critical work forward, as we move heaven and earth to achieve zero hunger.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Jordan and Turkey recently to help coordinate efforts across the region to support the Syrian people as they transition away from Assad, as he told reporters at a press briefing in Jordan:

And what were focused on is not choosing a path for Syria but making sure the Syrian people have the opportunity to choose their path forward.

Secretary Blinken said that to succeed, any transitional government must adhere to certain basic principles.

Its got to uphold and protect the rights of all Syrians, including minorities, including women. It has to make sure that its preserving institutions of the state, delivering services. We have to make sure that any interim government also makes sure that Syria is not used as a base for terrorism, extremism, and pose a threat to its neighbors or ally with groups like ISIS. It needs to also ensure that any chemical weapons are secured and destroyed.

Secretary Blinken said that in his conversation with allies in the region, everyones agreed to have a unified approach to advance many of our shared interests.

Were also going to be very focused on preventing any actor inside or outside the country from putting their narrow self-interests ahead of the interests of the Syrian people, especially in this delicate moment. And that includes, of course, ISIS, which no doubt will seek to regroup. And I think its been demonstrated the United States is determined to prevent that from happening.

The principles he described, said Secretary Blinken, are designed to reflect the needs, the aspirations, the will of the Syrian people; not to dictate what they should do, but to make sure that they have the opportunity to follow their own path.

[F]or the first time in decades Syria has an opportunity to have a government that is not dominated by a dictator like Assad ... thats not dominated by an outside power, thats not dominated by Isis, but that in fact is run by and answers to the Syrian people, he said.

And, declared Secretary Blinken, were determined to do everything we can, working in close coordination with partners, to help the Syrian people realize that aspiration.
We notice this year that NOBODY IS CLAIMING PROGRESS IN SLIGHTLY LOWER KCMO HOMICIDE NUMBERS . . .

Everyone seems to know that the uptick in killing remains constant since 2020 and taking credit for statistical dips probably discounts so much human misery on local streets.

Accordingly . . .

We share the latest report of a young life ended abruptly amid this ongoing crime wave . . .



Homicide 3300 blk of Bales



This evening just after 5:15 PM patrol officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of Bales on a reported shooting.



As they arrived, officers were directed to a residence on the block. Inside they located a juvenile male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital where he died of his injuries.



Preliminary investigation revealed there was an argument that led to shots being fired and the victim ultimately being struck. Detectives are canvassing the area for potential witnesses and crime scene investigators are gathering any available physical evidence.



If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

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Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCPD investigating homicide in 3300 block of Bales The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 3300 block of Bales.

Investigation opened into fatal shooting near Kansas City high school Police have started to investigate a deadly shooting reported over the weekend near a Kansas City high school.

Developing . . .
A low-key local activist & progressive talking point deserves to be addressed as we conclude another exceptionally violent year in Kansas City history.

The situation . . .

A slew of local activists MISTAKENLY argue that a teen was unjustly persecuted because he evaded charges as an accomplice in the tragic shooting death of beloved local Irish chef Shaun Brady.

In fact . . .

Insiders understand that a slew of behind the scenes "advocacy" and politicking was at play in this case and that MIGHT have had some influence on the decision to drop the charges.

Right now speculation remains rampant and we don't want to deny the presumption of innocence HOWEVER it's also fair to be skeptical about allegations that the youngster was somehow "disenfranchised" because of his role as a suspect in one of the most gruesome murders of the year.

More importantly . . .

OUTCRY AGAINST INCARCERATION OF A SUSPECT IN SHAUN BRADY'S MURDER REVEALS KANSAS CITY ISN'T SERIOUS ABOUT CONFRONTING WORSENING YOUTH CRIME!!!

The youngster was neither exonerated nor proven innocent . . . A youth justice official simply declined to press charges. The feigned outrage in the aftermath of that decision shows all of Kansas City that progressive political advocacy still undermines desperately needed enforcement and prosecution of suspects under 18-years-old.

Nevertheless, because we're confident in our opinion . . . We'll share a perspective of a local scribe who we respect and his worthwhile column that garnered an interview with the former youngster suspect:



Although the teen was charged with second-degree murder, attempted theft of a motor vehicle and armed criminal action in connection with the fatal shooting of restaurateur Shaun Brady, the Jackson County Juvenile Court recently dismissed all charges without public notice, according to Matthew Merryman, the teens attorney . . .



A young man hung out to dry and being charged with a crime his mother and attorney claims he did not commit. [He] almost got railroaded by the system but by the grace of God  he is now free, although he and his family have been left to sort through their own tragedy brought on by these accusations, Merryman said.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Toriano Porter: Shouldnt a teen released for a crime he didnt do get attention from city officials?

Developing . . .
A Sherpa man weighs fritillaria at his store in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. Zhentang is a remote township bordering Nepal in Dinggye County in the city of Xigaze. Besieged by forests at the foot of Qomolangma deep in the Himalayas, the township has an average altitude of over 2,000 meters and is home to more than 2,600 Sherpa people.

Zhentang, meaning "path for transportation," earned its name when Sherpa people would carry large amounts of daily necessities across the steep terrain long ago.

Thanks to improved transportation and telecommunication facilities, the Sherpa people in the once-isolated township at the China-Nepal border are now connected with the outside world and embracing modern life.

In recent years, Zhentang has focused on developing cross-border trade, aquaculture, tourism and other industries. The per capita disposable income of rural residents in the township is expected to reach 16,578.5 yuan (about 2,278.4 U.S. dollars) this year, up 19 percent year-on-year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

This combo photo shows Sherpa student Wangmo reading a textbook at a classroom, Nov. 24, 2021 (above, photo by Xinhua photographer Purbu Zhaxi) , and Wangmo having a math lesson during her sixth grade at a classroom on Dec. 13, 2024 (photo by Xinhua photographer Tenzin Nyida), in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 13, 2024 shows a view of Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Sherpa kids head for the classroom of a kindergarten in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Namkha, an inheritor of the Zhentang Sherpa dance, a national level intangible cultural heritage, poses for a group photo with Sherpa women in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Sherpa people are pictured in front of a store in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A Sherpa woman waters plants at her homestay in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A Sherpa woman talks with a guest at her home in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

An elder Sherpa prays at the balcony at home in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Sherpa women talk with each other while drinking milk tea in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A Sherpa woman prepares local wine for guests in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 13, 2024 shows a view of Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Namkha, an inheritor of the Zhentang Sherpa dance, a national level intangible cultural heritage, cuts potatoes in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

This combo photo shows Namkha, an inheritor of the Zhentang Sherpa dance, a national level intangible cultural heritage, adjusting her head-wear while performing on Nov. 27, 2021 (above, photo by Xinhua photographer Sun Ruibo), and two Sherpa women helping Namkha put on traditional costumes on Dec. 13, 2024 (photo by Xinhua photographer Tenzin Nyida) in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua)

A Sherpa man makes bamboo baskets on the roof in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Sherpa people have breakfast in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A Sherpa blogger records a video to promote local products in Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 13, 2024 shows a view of Zhentang Township, Dinggye County of Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Editor: GSY
By Alex Greenwood, December 16, 2024

The University of Central Missouri has received a long-term rating of A+ by Standard & Poors (S&P) Global Ratings for the seventh consecutive year regarding its Missouri Health & Educational facilities Authoritys series 2018A, 2018B and 2023 educational facilities revenue bonds. In addition, as a result of UCMs dedication to sound financial operations, the rating continues to include a stable outlook.

In its rating action, S&P Global noted, The stable outlook reflects our favorable view of the universitys continued operating success, which is fueled by growth in net tuition revenue and management's conservative approach to financial management. Furthermore, the outlook reflects the university's healthy financial resources, which continue to provide ample support to the university. Finally, the outlook reflects UCMs manageable debt burden, which, absent any additional debt, will materially decline over the next few years and the university continues to amortize debt.

S&P Global Ratings provide a forward-looking opinion about a borrowers credit worthiness and ability to repay debt using a letter-grade system. AAA is the very best rating that can be given for a borrowers ability to replay long-term bonds. A long-term credit issue rating of A means that the organization being rated is more susceptible to adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories, but the borrowers ability to meet its financial commitments is still strong.

At the end of Fiscal Year 2024, UCMs total debt outstanding equaled approximately $67.2 million, including $39.9 million in fixed-rate, long-term debt between the series 2018A, 2018B and 2023 bonds. Total debt also includes $22.3 million in leases, $3.7 million in SBITA and $1.3 million in various notes.

"To maintain an A+ rating for a seventh consecutive year, with a stable outlook, says a great deal about the campus-wide commitment towards good stewardship of our financial resources, said Bill Hawley, vice president for finance and operations at UCM.

Rex Vanatta, controller, added, To focus on student success and academic excellence, it is vital that the institution remains financially sustainable. This rating reflects this sustainability as well as our ability to secure financing for potential future projects that will benefit our students.
Assad Downfall Alters Old Regional Alliances

The striking developments in Syria over the past 13 days leading to the rapid fall of the Assad regime have transfixed the world

Monday December 16, 2024 11:08 AM , Asad Mirza

The fall of Assad-regime has given birth to antagonisms amongst its earlier allies like Iran, Turkey, and Russia. On the other hand, the leverage gained by Israel, ostensibly on American support, does not augur well for the region.

The striking developments in Syria over the past 13 days leading to the rapid fall of the Assad regime have transfixed the world. Thousands are already trying to make their way back to Syria after years in exile. It turns out the answer to the refugee crisis that sent millions of Syrians into neighbouring countries and Europe may simply be the removal of a murderous dictator. Though in reality during recent months, more countries were trying to normalise ties with Assad. Italy even sent an ambassador back to Damascus.

However, the Syrian situation and a decrease oi Irans influence in Syria may have profound implications for the middle easts geopolitical landscape, power dynamics, and strategic alignments.

Regional actors including Iran, Turkey, and the Persian Gulf states may compete to find a toehold during the transitional period in Syria to realign their efforts to safeguard their regional interests. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, may through calculated engagement with the diverse Syrian political factions and reconstruction efforts may attempt to gain leverage by trying to counter Turkish and Iranian aspirations.

Moreover, the turmoil in Syria could also exacerbate sectarian tensions as Sunni Arab states may seek to prevent Iran from regaining influence, while various militant groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) could try to rebuild their operational presence in the region.

The Syrian conflict is now proving to be the Achilles heel of the Iranian axis. An ally of the Islamic Republic since its founding in 1979, the Assad regime called on Tehran to help quash the uprising. Hezbollah deployed thousands of men in Syria, transforming from a Lebanese political party and militant group into an Iranian expeditionary force. But Hezbollahs fighting in the open in Syria for a decade exposed it to Israeli surveillance.

This helped Israels recent military campaign, which decimated the groups leadership and destroyed much of its capabilities. Irans hubris grew as it added another Arab capital under its control. But helping Damascus also stretched Tehrans capabilities, siphoned off resources and exposed its vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, Israel may take more assertive positions against Iran-affiliated organisations in the region, including Lebanese resistance groups active in Syria, with the aim to prevent Tehran from reconstituting its sphere of influence in Israels north.

The list of challenges for Syria is long, including deep apprehensions about rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS) vision for the future, the possibility of violent retributions after five decades of oppression and the danger of a resurgence of Isis. Syrians do not need to be reminded of this, instead an end to foreign meddling in the country is the need of the hour, but no regional player is going to exercised constraint.

The sudden collapse of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria changed the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East overnight. Iran and Turkey, who for years maintained a delicate geopolitical balance, are now faced with competing interests in a post-Assad Syria.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has accused the United States, Israel, and Turkey of trying to overthrow the Assad's government in Syria. He claims this is part of a joint American-Zionist plan, with Turkey also involved. These developments also highlight the complex geopolitical situation of the region.

He further stressed the importance of helping Syria in this challenging time. The situation remains tense as these accusations unfold. Despite years of collaboration - particularly on Turkey's economic support to circumvent international sanctions on Iran - relations between Iran and Turkey appear to be tattering.

Turkey has long provided support for anti-Assad rebel groups, including the HTS which led the march to Damascus. However, Turkey's primary interest in Syria has been to create a buffer zone and a bridgehead to fight Kurdish groups in northern Syria.

In post-Assad Syria, Turkey ultimately wants to prevent Kurdish interests from taking root in a new Syrian government.

Henri J Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the US Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a recent article that the "single most crucial aim" for Turkey in Syria remains the eradication of the Syrian Kurdish group, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Barkey said Turkey fears that "Syrian Kurds would cut a deal with any central government in Damascus to achieve an autonomous status just like Iraqi Kurds did following the Iraq war."

For Iran, the Assad regime was a critical strategic ally in the Middle East, and as Turkey is poised to gain influence, Iran's ability to project power in the region has been steadily diminishing.

Ahmad Vakhshiteh, a senior lecturer at RUDN University in Moscow, told Deutsch Welle he believes that recent developments in Syria have shifted the balance of power in Turkey's favour. Vakhshiteh told DW that Ankara could capitalise on Tehran's current vulnerabilities to advance its wider and complex geopolitical aims.

This includes support for a land corridor connecting the land-locked Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan. Nakhchivan borders both Turkey and Iran. Turkey is in favour of the land corridor that would connect it with Turkic regions. Iran has raised concerns that Azerbaijan could use it to block Iran's access to Armenia.

For years, Turkey has been a critical partner in helping Iran circumvent international sanctions over Tehran's nuclear programme. Along with the UAE, Turkey has facilitated trade and provided essential goods to Iran.

Official data from Iran's customs authority revealed that trade volume between the two countries reached approximately $10 billion in the first ten months of this year, with ambitions to triple this figure within five years. However, escalating tensions could threaten this economic lifeline.

In this background, the Western alliance, led by the US and European nations, may intensify their strategic involvement, at a later stage, if not imminently, through coordinated diplomatic channels and measured interventions.

Such engagement will serve the Wests dual objectives of preventing the reemergence of non-state militant organisations, while limiting Russian and Iranian strategic expansion in the Mediterranean region.

Overall, the emerging situation in Syria is not going to straightforward. Assad was able to secure both Turkish and Iranian and some Arab states due to his ability to stop the Israeli troops from advancing into the buffer zone. But with that aim now achieved, Israel may push further to gain control of other crucial areas and may reveal its ultimate plan for the region in the coming days.

(The writer, Asad Mirza, is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national, international, defence and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant.)

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BPSC Prelims 2024 held at Patna Centre cancelled



The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has cancelled the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 Prelims held at Patnas Bapu Pariksha Bhavan

Monday December 16, 2024 8:00 PM , ummid.com News Network

Patna: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has cancelled the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 Prelims held at Patnas Bapu Pariksha Bhavan.

The BPSC cancelled the CCE 2024 Prelims held at Patna exam centre where an official on duty had died due to heart attack following ruckus created by some unruly candidates.

The BPSC 2024 Prelims was held at 945 centres across Bihar on December 13, 2024. Nearly 5 lakh candidates had appeared in the exam, including 6,500 who wrote the exam at Bapu Pariksha Bhavan exam centrein Patna.

"The BPSC has decided to cancel its preliminary examination held at Bapu Pariksha Parisar examination centre due to disruption created by a group of unruly aspirants as part of a conspiracy to disrupt the exam," BPSC Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai told reporters.

Manbhai said the new exam date will be announced soon.

The candidates had created ruckus at the exam centre and tried to forcefully cancel the exam after the reports of paper leak .

The BPSC had refuted the reports of the paper leak on the same day.

Meanwhile, CCTV footage of the ruckus created at the BAPU Pariksha Bhavan exam centre has also surfaced.

#WATCH | A group of miscreants storm Bapu Pariksha Parisar in Patna on December 13 and attempt to get the BPSC exam cancelled#BPSC #bpsc70th #Patna #Bihar pic.twitter.com/S0t3MueUsG  News9 (@News9Tweets) December 16, 2024

The CCTV video shows a group of miscreants storming BAPU Pariksha Parisar in Patna on December 13 and attempting to force the BPSC exam cancelled.

Following the ruckus, an additional examination superintendent, Ram Iqbal Singh, died of cardiac arrest and a woman candidate fell unconscious.



BPSC Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai while addressing the press today said those involved in the vandalism will be debarred from the exam.

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Watch: Priyanka Gandhi responds to objections on Free Palestine bag in Parliament

Wayanad MP and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Monday December 16, 2024 entered the Indian Parliament with Free Palestine Bag hanging around her shoulder, sparking a fresh debate in India about the Gaza Genocide

Monday December 16, 2024 6:35 PM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: Wayanad MP and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Monday December 16, 2024 entered the Indian Parliament with Free Palestine Bag hanging around her shoulder, sparking a fresh debate in India about the Gaza Genocide.

The image of Priyanka Gandhi carrying with Free Palestine Bag was first shared on social media platform X by Congress Spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed.

"Priyanka Gandhi Ji shows her solidarity with Palestine by carrying a special bag symbolizing her support.

"A gesture of compassion, commitment to justice and humanity! She is clear that nobody can violate the Geneva Convention", she captioned the image.

Priyanka Gandhis gesture however sparked a debate with some objecting her to sporting Free Palestine Bag whereas some others appreciated the Wayanad MPs courageous act.

Replying to the question why she carried the Free Palestine Bag to the Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi while talking to reporters outside the Parliament said she only expressed her stand regarding Palestine which is already in the public domain.

I have said many times what my beliefs are regarding this (Palestine). If you look at my Twitter handle all my comments are over there, she said.

Watch Video

Slamming those who are making objections slammed them saying no one can decide what clothes she should wear.

Thats typical patriarchy that you decide what clothes women should wear. I dont subscribe to that. I will wear what I want, she said.

Priyanka Gandhi has always been very vocal about the Israeli genocide in Gaza. In fact, she is among the first to question the Israeli military offensive against the Palestinians that started on October 07, 2023.

In a statement released on X, Priyanka Gandhi has also criticised Modi government for abstaining from voting on the UN resolution calling for humanitarian truce in Gaza Strip.

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Saudi announces Hajj Conference in January 2025

Saudi Arabia has announced to hold Hajj Conference to discuss ways to improve Hajj related services in the month of January 2025

Monday December 16, 2024 4:42 PM , ummid.com News Network

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has announced to hold Hajj Conference to discuss ways to improve Hajj related services in the month of January 2025.

The 4-day conference organised ahead of Hajj 2025 and to be held in Jeddah from January 13-16 will be accompanied by Hajj Exhibition.

The conference - organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in coordination with the Pilgrim Experience Program, will host ministers, ambassadors, academics, experts, diplomats, and representatives from private and public institutions across 87 countries.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is hosting the conference since 2021 and the 2025 Hajj Conference will be the 4th such event.

The conference aims to enhance the quality of services provided to Muslim pilgrims, foster an exchange of experiences, and promote competitiveness and transparency among companies involved in Hajj affairs in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Hajj Exhibition

The conference will feature over 100 speakers, 47 panel discussions, and 50 workshops to address the challenges of enhancing Hajj services and explore ways to support innovative projects in the pilgrimage sector, SPA added.

Alongside the conference, a special exhibition spanning an area of 50,000 square meters in Jeddah will feature 280 exhibitors from various sectors to showcase the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to enhance Hajj.

The latest conference edition resulted in the signing of 202 cooperation agreements to improve Hajj services and attracted over 100,000 visitors from 87 countries.

Masjid Nabawi, Madinah University Collaboration

In a related development, the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Prophets Mosque has announced collaboration with the Islamic University in Medina, popularly known as Madinah University, to advance technological innovation and enhance visitor services, fostering partnerships in line with Vision 2030.

The initiative, closely monitored by Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Ahmed Al-Khudairi, Undersecretary of Religious Affairs at the Prophets Mosque, and led by Engineer Anwar Al-Hassan, Advisor to the Agency of the Prophets Mosque, marks a significant step in leveraging academic expertise to enrich the services provided to pilgrims and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.

The likely date of Hajj 2025  the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, is from June 04 to 09, 2025. The final date of Haj 2025, however, will be decided based on Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH moon sighting.

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UN envoy meets HTS Cheif Abu Muhammad al-Golani in Damascus

In an important move towards international recognition of the new government in Syria after the fall of 54-year old brutal regime of al Assad, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen met Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Commander-in-Chief Sunday December 15, 2024 in Damascus

Monday December 16, 2024 2:23 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

Damascus: In an important move towards international recognition of the new government in Syria after the fall of 54-year old brutal regime of al Assad, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen met Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Commander-in-Chief Sunday December 15, 2024 in Damascus.

Pedrson discussed with the HTS Chief Abu Muhammad al-Julani, born Ahmad al-Shara , about a smooth political transition in the country and return of refugees.

More than 6 million Syrians are living in different parts of the world as Refugees. HTS Chief al Shaara has appealed all Syrians to return to their home country. The Syrians too are enthusiastic about their return.

Government Transition

During his meeting with the UN Special Envoy to Syria, al-Sharaa underlined the importance of swift and effective cooperation to address Syrian citizens needs, restore the countrys territorial unity, and pave the way for reconstruction and economic development.

According to a statement released by local al-Watan Online news outlet, during his meeting with the UN Special Envoy, al-Sharaa stressed upon the importance of swift and effective cooperation to address Syrian citizens needs, restore the countrys territorial unity, and pave the way for reconstruction and economic development.

During the meeting, Al-Sharaa also said that UN Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015 concerning Syrias political transition, now requires an update to reflect the current realities in the country, urging a fresh approach that aligns with Syrias new leadership and evolving circumstances, Xinhua news agency reported.

He also stressed the need for careful, deliberate steps in rehabilitating state institutions to ensure the forming of a strong and efficient governance system.

Safe environment for refugees' return

Pledging to create a safe environment for the return of refugees, the HTS leader said that the measures are being implemented with great caution and supervised by specialised teams so as to ensure optimal outcomes for the nations future.

After the meeting, Pedersen said that the UN is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in the country and is looking forward to the next steps toward a political transition following the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad .

Speaking to reporters in Damascus earlier in the day, Pedersen emphasised the importance of Syrian state institutions fully resuming their functions under secure conditions.

We are working with all segments of the Syrian peopleand we want to see no acts of revenge. Instead, we must ensure that institutions return to work, backed by the necessary security measures, he said.

Global reachout

The opposition groups in Syria on Monday December 09, 2024 announced the formation of an Interim Government led by abu-Muhammad al Bashir . The formation of the interim government in Syria was announce after al-Sharaa met the outgoing Prime Minister al-Jalali.

Meanwhile, a number of countries including France, Britain, Bahrain, and European Union are reaching out to the new government in Syria.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas Monday said she had instructed the blocs top diplomat for Syria to go to Damascus and make contact with the countrys new government, according to Reuters.

France has already announced to send a team of diplomats to Syria on Tuesday December 17, 2024.

Earlier, Bahrain's ruler too had earlier expressed readiness to cooperate with Syria's new government.

In a related development, the Arab Contact group on Syria met with Ministers and Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, United States of America, the European Union and the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Saturday to discuss recent developments in Syria.

The participants Affirmed the full support to the Syrian people at this critical point in their history to build a more hopeful, secure and peaceful future.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

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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)

Editor: GSY
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)

Editor: JYZ
Tourists visit the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Senado Square in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Guia Fortress in south China's Macao, Dec. 13, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Lilau Square in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo shows the St. Lawrence's Church in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo shows the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the historic center of Macao in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the A-Ma Temple in south China's Macao, Dec. 13, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo shows the Ruins of St. Paul's and its surrounding areas in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Mandarin's House in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists sit on the steps of Dom Pedro V Theatre in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the Monte Fort in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists take selfies at the Monte Fort in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the historic center of Macao in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Tourists visit the historic center of Macao in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024.

The historic center of Macao, a UNESCO world heritage site, bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West.

The narrow and elongated area is dotted with historic buildings, from the A-Ma Temple dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazu, to the Mandarin's House -- the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, and the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Editor: JYZ
The murder trial for Sheldon Herrington Jr., also known as "Timothy" was declared a mistrial. The defendant was accused of killing Jimmy Lee, or people known as "Jay," a University of Mississippi student and LGBTQ+ advocate.

A mistrial means the jury failed to reach a verdict after more than nine hours of deliberation, which means they have no option but to stop the proceedings without a verdict. However, this does not mean Herrington is free, instead, he will be facing a new trial in the future not yet finalized at this moment.

LGBTQ+ Student's Murder Case Ends in Mistrial

CBS News reported that Jay, 20 year-old gay student, was reported missing in July 2022. More than a passionate advocate for his community, Jay is known as a creative and fashion-conscious peer, leading many to feel concerned about his whereabouts. However, several weeks have passed and his body has not yet been recovered.

Prosecutors claimed that Herrington lured Lee back to his apartment under false pretenses after a failed sexual encounter. They had evidence of explicit messages exchanged between the two and an online search conducted by Herrington asking, "How long does it take to strangle someone?" Lee's last known location was traced to Herrington's apartment, and security footage showed Herrington near Lee's abandoned car shortly after.

Herrington, arrested two weeks following Lee's disappearance, stands accused of capital murder: a conviction that carries life imprisonment.

Why The Jury Was Undecided

Because no body has been found, Herrington's defense team argues that the evidence gathered does not prove Lee was dead or that he himself was involved.

The defense countered that there was no direct evidence linking Herrington to Lee's death, pointing out the fact that Lee's body had not been found, per Yahoo News. Herrington's attorney further pointed out that Lee initiated the final interaction and that the prosecution's timeline did not have definitive proof.

The two families appeared before him in the courtroom, but each left separately after hearing that there was a mistrial. When jurors are unable to agree upon the verdict, the judge will schedule a new trial.
The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) observed the World Arabic Language Day on Monday at it's Faisal Masjid campus, focusing on the importance of Arabic and its role in promoting Islamic teachings and strengthening Muslim unity

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) observed the World Arabic Language Day on Monday at it's Faisal Masjid campus, focusing on the importance of Arabic and its role in promoting Islamic teachings and strengthening Muslim unity.

Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Acting Rector of IIUI, addressed the gathering and spoke about the significance of Islam and its contributions to humanity.

He acknowledged the support of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait in the progress of IIUI and its role as a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Islamic Universities League.

Dr Mukhtar emphasized the priority of Arabic as the official medium of the university and its importance as a source of guidance to Islam.

He stressed the need for a strategy to teach Arabic to non-native speakers and underlined the role of the language in fostering unity among Muslim.

The event was attended by H.

E. Mr Mohammed Motahar Alashabi, Ambassador of Yemen to Pakistan; Nasir Alotaibi, Head of Saudi Schools in Islamabad; scholars of Arabic, faculty members, and students.

Dr Fazal Ullah, Dean of the Faculty of Arabic, described Arabic as the language of the Holy Quran and Sunnah and its role in connecting Muslims to their legacy.

He urged Muslim societies to develop strategies for the promotion of Arabic to enhance understanding of Islamic values. He outlined the goals of the Faculty of Arabic and its efforts in promoting the language.

Sahibzada Qamar ul Haq spoke about his institutes collaboration with IIUI on the occasion of Arabic Day.

Scholars and academics, including Dr Habib Ur Rehman Asim and Dr Riffat Al Syed, discussed various aspects of Arabic and its importance in relation to the World Arabic Day.

Students presented tableaus, skits, and Arabic Nasheeds. A calligraphy exhibition was also held where students displayed their work, receiving recognition from attendees.
(@FahadShabbir)

Six cochlear implant surgeries successfully conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) with the support of UK-based charity organization

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) Six cochlear implant surgeries successfully conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) with the support of UK-based charity organization.

In a major step toward improving healthcare access for hearing-impaired children, six deserving candidates received free cochlear implants at the Childrens Hospital, PIMS.

This initiative was carried out by the UK-based charity organization International Medical Relief Agency (IMRA) in collaboration with Islamabad Courses of ENT (ICE).

The surgeries were performed by Dr. Noweed Ahmed, a UK-based specialist from James Cook University Hospital, as part of an ongoing program.

This effort follows similar projects in October 2022 and December 2023, where six children received implants each year.

Executive Director of PIMS, Prof. Dr. Imran Sikandar, expressed his gratitude and highlighted the significance of the initiative.

We are proud that PIMS is becoming a hub for cochlear implants. After reviewing over two dozen cases, six deserving children were selected for these life-changing procedures."

He said, "While we aim to institutionalize this service, we are facing severe funding challenges. We plan to seek government support to ensure this facility becomes widely available to the most deserving children.

Dr. Sikandar also cited data from the World Health Organization (WHO), noting that as of October 2018, 10 million Pakistanis were living with some form of hearing impairment.

He emphasized that early intervention is essential for children born deaf or those who lose hearing before developing speech, as untreated hearing loss can result in lifelong disabilities.

Prof. Dr. Altaf Hussain, Head of the ENT Department at PIMS, described the importance of cochlear implants and acknowledged the role of IMRA in making the surgeries possible.

He said, "Blindness separates us from things, but deafness separates us from people."

He said that a cochlear implant is a sophisticated electronic device that stimulates the cochlear nerve to restore hearing.

He said thar public-sector hospitals in Pakistan lack the resources to offer such procedures, leaving families at the mercy of private providers who charge over Rs 03 million per surgery.

He elaborated on IMRAs contribution, crediting its founder, Dr. Haroon Khan, for his continued support.

IMRA has been instrumental in providing free surgeries for deserving children, with Dr. Haroon Khan assuring us of biannual visits for similar programs."

He said this initiative not only brings relief to families but also helps PIMS build capacity to offer these procedures independently in the future."

The cost of cochlear implant surgeries, estimated at Rs. 3.5 million in the private sector, remains a significant barrier for most families in Pakistan.

With IMRAs support, PIMS aims to make this life-changing technology accessible to the underprivileged, laying the foundation for a sustainable program to address hearing impairments across the country.
RAS AL KHAIMAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 17th Dec, 2024) H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah today attended a performance by the China National Symphony Orchestra in Ras Al Khaimah.

H.H.

Sheikh Saud praised the strengthening strategic partnership with China, citing it as a model for successful cooperation promoting prosperity.

He highlighted the role of classical music in fostering cultural exchange and understanding between nations, emphasising that this concert symbolises the fruitful cultural ties between the UAE and China.

Zhang Yiming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the UAE, along with a number of officials also attended the performance.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

SUKKUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) With a single week left in Christmas- the most important festival of the Christian community, the colourful preparations have gained momentum as people seem busy in buying stuff related to their festivity in the Sukkur.

Besides, Christian community, the traditions, symbols and props of Christmas are considered as eye catching attraction for people belonging to any faith especially youngsters.

The members of the Christian community remain busy till the eve of Christmas in shopping and decorating the Christmas tree at their homes and churches.

Colourful bells, artificial trees, Santa Claus costumes and other attractions bring people to shops mainly in areas that have residence of the Christian community.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Monday chaired the meeting of the Steering Committee on Solarization of Tubewells in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Monday chaired the meeting of the Steering Committee on Solarization of Tubewells in Balochistan.

Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti, and senior government officials attended the meeting.

The committee reviewed the solarization process and discussed third-party verification to ensure transparency and preventing reinstallation of terminated connections.

Chief Minister Balochistan appreciated the solarization project as one of the largest development projects in the provinces recent history.

The Deputy Prime Minister underlined the efficacy of the project stating that it would reduce line losses, curb electricity theft, improve energy efficiency, and boost agriculture in Balochistan.
SARGODHA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) Provincial Minister and PML-N Sargodha division general secretary Rana Munawer Ghous Khan on Monday reiterated the nations unwavering resolve to combat terrorism on the 10th anniversary of the Army Public school (APS) tragedy on Monday.

He told APP that December 16, 2014, was a day of unimaginable sorrow when cowardly terrorists attacked APS Peshawar, martyring 144 innocent individuals, the majority of whom were young children. "The ruthless, inhumane terrorists wreaked devastation and tore apart dreams, futures, and hopes. A decade has passed, but the pain of losing those innocent lives remains fresh," he said.

Rana Munawer emphasized that the sacrifices of the children and teachers who lost their lives in this brutal attack would never be forgotten. He paid tribute to their bravery, saluted their families for their resilience, and honored the efforts of Pakistans security forces in standing firm against the enemies of the nation. He said, "The entire nation stands united like a solid wall against cowardly terrorists and, Insha'Allah, will continue to do so. These miscreants, acting at the behest of foreign enemies, have no connection to religion or societal values and target innocent Pakistanis for their nefarious agendas."
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to promoting regional marine cooperation and ensuring peace, progress and sustainability in the Indian Ocean region.

Addressing the 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Cooperation held in Kunming, China, via a video message, the President stressed the need for collective action to harness the ocean's potential while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, pollution and ecosystem degradation.

Pakistan stands ready to partner with all stakeholders to promote marine cooperation and ensure that our region remains a bastion of peace, progress, and sustainability, the president said.

The forum, held from December 14 to 16 in Kunming, China, is organised by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and focuses on promoting collaboration among countries in the maritime sector.

The president said that the future world economic growth was going to be driven by the East due to its large population resources.

Highlighting the importance of the ocean as a shared lifeline and a source of immense economic opportunities, President Asif Ali Zardari pointed out Pakistans efforts to enhance its blue economy. He said that these include the formulation of the National Maritime Policy, initiatives focusing on sustainable fisheries and marine conservation and the Living Indus Project, which aims to protect ecosystems and combat pollution.

He underscored the development of Gwadar Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is being transformed into a regional connectivity hub to drive trade and maritime economic growth.

The president praised Pakistans partnership with China, under the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing its role in knowledge exchange, technological advancement, and marine conservation.

The president commended Chinas Global Development Initiative and CIDCAs efforts to embed sustainability in the Forums goals. He expressed appreciation for the inclusion of capacity building and island nations in the Forums agenda, saying that it aligned with Pakistans vision of transnational collaboration and environmental stewardship.

Expressing optimism about the Forums outcomes, the President said, I am sure that this Forum will pave the way for greater economic cooperation among member countries. He also called for collective efforts to protect marine resources and promote the blue economy for the benefit of future generations.

The 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum aims to bring together leaders, policymakers, and experts from across the region to explore opportunities for maritime collaboration and sustainable development.
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the shop of Jinqi toy company in Yiwu City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Lyu Xulian/Xinhua)

HANGZHOU, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Crack open a palm-sized "dinosaur egg" with its scales reflecting a colorful sheen from every angle, and you'll find a tiny, adorable dinosaur nestled inside.

This "dinosaur egg," one of the most iconic 3D-printed toys, has quickly become a market sensation in the United States and Europe. Its creator is a newly established company from Yiwu, the eastern Chinese city famed as the "world's supermarket."

Stepping into the shop of Jinqi toy company at the Yiwu International Trade Market, visitors are greeted by shelves overflowing with thousands of 3D-printed toys.

The products are mainly sold to European and American countries, and "dinosaur egg" is the most popular one, said Zeng Hao with Jinqi. The daily production of "dinosaur eggs" is about 30,000 sets, of which 70 percent are sold to European and American markets.

The product has already been in short supply due to "Black Friday" and the year-end shopping season for Christmas and New Year. "Some customers went straight to the factory and packed the products directly off the production line," Zeng said.

Beyond the creative design and exquisite colors and details, the high level of "playability" is a key factor in its popularity, said Zeng, adding that the design resonates with European and American consumers who enjoy assembling and disassembling toys for a hands-on experience.

Compared with traditional toys, 3D-printed ones feature brighter colors, finer textures, more realistic appearances and greater joint flexibility.

Founded in the second half of 2023, Jinqi has quickly become a leading production base for 3D-printed toys.

"The number of 3D printers in the factory has rapidly increased from 500 at the beginning of the year to more than 3,500 at present, and the number of exported products has surpassed 20 million since the start of 2024," Zeng said, noting that orders are scheduled through mid-2025 and the company plans to expand its fleet of 3D printers to 10,000.

The rise of 3D-printed toys reflects the technological innovation behind "made in Yiwu." By incorporating 3D printing technology, toy manufacturers in the city are able to produce higher-value toys, thereby boosting their competitiveness in the global market.

With 3D design software, toy designers can efficiently create a variety of fancy and complex toys and turn designs into real objects with the help of 3D printers.

This intelligent manufacturing method not only shortens the product development cycle but also enhances production efficiency and quality. It also highlights the shift of small commodities toward intelligent manufacturing, according to industry experts.

In the first 10 months of the year, the city's import and export volume surged 18.3 percent year on year, reaching 560.16 billion yuan (about 78 billion U.S. dollars), according to customs data. The export value was 494.46 billion yuan during the period, up 18.1 percent.

Earlier this week, the State Council approved an overall plan for deepening comprehensive international trade reforms in Yiwu, which outlines a vision to promote reforms through further opening up, along with initiatives such as innovating market procurement trade mechanisms, promoting import trade development, enhancing the functionality of comprehensive bonded zones and strengthening cross-border e-commerce regulations.

Zeng said the company is actively developing new materials to overcome the brittle and fragile characteristics of the current materials to improve the durability of their 3D-printed toys. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows 3D-printed toys displayed at the shop of Jinqi toy company in Yiwu City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Lyu Xulian/Xinhua)

Editor: JYZ
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta, President Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) on Monday has called for political reconciliation and said that we can reap the fruit of economic stability through sowing the seed political unity.

In a written statement issued in connection with tragedies of December 16 in Pakistan's national history, the President SCBAP said "today marks the anniversary of two agonizing and heart-wrenching tragedies in our nation's history. On this day in 1971, we suffered the wound of East Pakistan (Fall of Dhaka), and yet again on this very date in 2014, we endured the trauma of the APS massacre, where hundreds of our innocent children and staff members of Army Public school were martyred by terrorists in Peshawar".

He said on behalf of the entire legal fraternity and the 27th Cabinet of SCBAP, I would like to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of 1971 for their valor and bravery, and to the innocent martyrs of 2014 for their resilience and priceless sacrifice against the menace of terrorism.

Both 1971 and 2014 remain painful events in our national tale. The former reminds us of the need for political introspection, and the latter reminds us of the extreme sacrifices we made in the war against terrorism.

Albeit we, as a nation, take pride in overcoming the ordeals of 1971 and 2014, it goes without saying that the price we paid on both occasions was hefty and irrecoverable.

If we wish to contemplate, both of the aforesaid tragedies teach us the same lesson: A house divided against itself cannot stand. We need to foresee that our enemies want us to be politically, socially, and economically unstable and polarized. They do not want us to prosper, progress, or live in peace and harmony. We must not give them such an opportunity by creating political havoc, as is happening nowadays.

In this regard, we want to assert that had the findings of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report been implemented in true spirit, we as a nation would have been in an even better position today. However, it is never too late, and we reiterate the need to implement the recommendations of the said report.

The SCBAP asserts that the need of the hour demands a National Political Reconciliation Plan as much as it demands the implementation of the National Action Plan in its true letter and spirit. We are of the view that by sowing the seeds of political unity, we shall reap the fruits of economic stability and security.

Let no one be mistaken: those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The forum of the SCBAP is open for all stakeholders so as to move towards much needed national political consensus.
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Engr. Lt Gen (Retd.) Sajjad Ghani reviewed construction activities being carried out on project sites of Diamer-Basha Dam during his day-long visit

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Engr. Lt Gen (Retd.) Sajjad Ghani reviewed construction activities being carried out on project sites of Diamer-Basha Dam during his day-long visit.

The Chairman WAPDA urged upon the project team to gear up the on-going construction activities in accordance with time scheduled for completion of the project. He was accompanied by the Advisor Projects, GM/PD Diamer Basha Dam project, Consultants Group and representatives of the Contractors i.e Power China and FWO, according to WAPDA spokesman here Monday.

The Chairman WAPDA inspected the progress on construction activities at different sites of the project in details that include Crushing Plant, Upstream and Downstream Cofferdam, Diversion Canal, Dam Pit, Guide Wall and Left Abutment.

In a progress review meeting, GM/PD Diamer Basha Dam Project and the Project Managers of the Consultants and Contractors briefed the Chairman about the development made on each site.

He was briefed that the construction activities on the project are moving ahead with a good pace and at present, construction work is simultaneously in progress on 14 key sites. The project is scheduled for completion in 2028.

During his visit to Diamer Basha, the Chairman also attended a JIRGA with civil administration, notables of district Diamer and Upper Kohistan and the matters related to land acquisition, resettlement and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) were brought under discussion.

The Diamer Basha Dam is the highest roller-compacted-concrete (RCC) dam in the world with 272-meter height. The dam has a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF to irrigate 1.23 million acres of land. With an installed power generation capacity of 4500 MW, the project will provide 18 billion units green, clean and the most affordable electricity to the national grid every year.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera condemned the Sunday killing of one of its journalists in an Israeli strike on Gaza, calling the death a "targeted killing" in a statement

Doha, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) Qatar-based Al Jazeera condemned the Sunday killing of one of its journalists in an Israeli strike on Gaza, calling the death a "targeted killing" in a statement.

He is the fifth Al Jazeera journalist to be killed since the war in Gaza began more than 14 months ago.

"Al Jazeera Media Network condemns in the strongest terms the killing of its cameraman, Ahmad Baker Al-Louh, 39, by the Israeli occupation forces," the channel said.

"He was brutally killed in an air strike that targeted a Civil Defence post in the market area of Al-Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza Strip," it added.

The Israeli military confirmed in a statement it had killed Louh, saying he was a member of Islamic Jihad and "previously served as a platoon commander" for the militant group.

Israel's military has repeatedly accused journalists from the Al Jazeera of links to Hamas or its ally Islamic Jihad. Al Jazeera has fiercely denied these accusations and said Israel systematically targets its employees in the Gaza Strip.

The military said it struck a "command and control centre embedded in the offices of the civil defence organisation in Nuseirat", targeting "Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists". It said the centre was used to target Israeli troops.

Gaza's civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal confirmed Louh had been killed in the strike on the Nuseirat camp that also claimed the lives of three members of Bassal's rescue agency.

Bassal told AFP a warplane had "targeted the Civil Defence site in Nuseirat camp".

In a statement, the Palestinian militant group Hamas called Louh's killing an "assassination" and a "war crime", describing it as "part of a systematic targeting of journalists in Gaza, aimed at intimidating them and deterring them".

- Journalist's home 'destroyed' -

Al Jazeera said Louh's killing came "just days after the targeting of his house" by Israeli forces who "utterly destroyed" it.

"Al Jazeera unequivocally condemns the ongoing crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces against journalists and media professionals in Gaza," the channel said.

The network added it would "pursue all legal measures to prosecute the perpetrators" of these crimes.

Since the start of the war in the Palestinian territory on October 7 last year, Al Jazeera has aired continuous on-the-ground reporting on the effects of Israel's campaign.

The global channel, since before the war, has been the focus of long-running feud with the Israeli government which has repeatedly accused journalists from Al Jazeera of links to Hamas or its ally Islamic Jihad.

In September, Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera's office in the West Bank, with Israel's military saying the Ramallah bureau had been "used to incite terror" and "support terrorist activities".

Al Jazeera called the Israeli raid "a criminal act" and an attack on press freedom.

In April, the Israeli parliament passed a law allowing the banning of foreign media broadcasts deemed harmful to state security.

Based on this law, Israel's government on May 5 approved the decision to ban Al Jazeera from broadcasting from Israel and close its offices.

In September, armed and masked Israeli forced raided Al Jazeera's West bank office and issued an initial closure order.

Israel's military said the Ramallah office was "used to incite terror" and "support terrorist activities", and Al Jazeera's broadcasts endangered Israel's security.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists earlier on Sunday said the Israel-Hamas war "has taken an unprecedented toll on Gazan journalists".

The watchdog said CPJ's preliminary investigations showed at least 137 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon since October 7, 2023.

csp/it
(@FahadShabbir)

More than 45,000 people have been killed in the besieged Gaza in the last 14 months, as humanitarians officials condemned Israel's new deadly airstrikes across the besieged enclave, including on a UN school-turned-shelter, the UN reported Monday, quoting local authorities

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2024) More than 45,000 people have been killed in the besieged Gaza in the last 14 months, as humanitarians officials condemned Israel's new deadly airstrikes across the besieged enclave, including on a UN school-turned-shelter, the UN reported Monday, quoting local authorities.

Images taken at the school in Khan Younis showed the impact point of one shell in a concrete upper floor where people had been living at the time of the attack late Sunday night.

According to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, 13 people died and 48 were injured during the strike. There was no warning, said the victims.

It's been another very deadly night here in the Gaza Strip, we are waking up every single day to a new horror, UNRWA Senior Emergency Officer, Louise Wateridge, told UN News, a media website.

I have been to Nasser Hospital this morning. One of the children I spoke to her name was Mona, 17 years old; she has very severe injuries to her leg - she had very severe shrapnel wounds - and she was in the hospital with her sistertheir mother was crushed to death under the rubble.

Another victim, two-year old Julia, suffered severe head trauma and lost her sight in one eye; her five-year-old brother also had a serious head injury.

Originally from Gaza City, the youngsters and their family have been forcibly displaced seven or eight times, Ms. Wateridge said. They ended up in the [UNRWA] school, and they've been there for the last seven months, and now this  it just feels very hopeless.



The development followed an update from the head of the UN Childrens Fund, UNICEF, that more than 14,500 youngsters have been reportedly killed in Gaza. Many thousands more are believed buried under the rubble.

Meanwhile, famine continues to loom in the north and humanitarian access remains severely restricted, said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, in a post on social media.

Virtually all 1.1 million children in Gaza are in urgent need of protection and mental health support, she added, amid media reports that Israeli military activity in the last 24 hours has left at least 69 Palestinians dead, from Beit Lahia in the north to Rafah in the south.

Echoing those concerns, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that Gazans were now desperately worried about not getting enough to eat. In the absence of a ceasefire, we need to find a way of getting all the food that we have outside Gaza in, said WFP's Head of Emergency Communications, Jonathan Dumont.

The devastation is absolutely staggering, he continued, in an online message from Gaza.

Theres no electricity or running water or sewage (treatment). Almost everyone has lost their home. A lot of people are living in tents. We have hot meals, distributionsPeople come and they get really desperate. You can see it in their faces and you can see it in their eyes. To prevent famine we need to find a way to get a consistent flow of food in.
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Ukraine does not pose a threat, we provide an opportunity to supply products that will strengthen the agricultural sector of Europe after Ukraine's accession to the European Union, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval said in a column on euractiv.com.

"The aid provided to Ukraine by its European partners is hard to overestimate. The autonomous trade preferences launched in 2022, as well as the European alternative export routes (i.e., the Solidarity Lanes for Ukrainian products), helped Ukraine's agri sector and economy survive in times of unprecedented threat," he said.

The minister said in the Ukrainian agricultural sector, labor productivity due to technology is 2.8 times higher than in the EU, where there are 53 full-time employees per 1,000 hectares, while in Ukraine there are 19 people.

In addition, the Ukrainian agricultural sector benefits from historical economies of scale, given the size of Ukraine's territory. According to FAOStat, in 2021, there were 2.65 hectares of arable land per person in Ukrainian rural areas, which is three times more than in the EU (0.83 hectares).

He expressed confidence that the European market will only benefit from cooperation with Ukrainian farmers. As arguments, the minister cited statistics according to which Polish agricultural exports in 2022 grew by more than 25% to a record EUR 47.5 billion, and poultry production increased by 7.5% thanks to Ukrainian grain. Hungary's agricultural exports increased by 23% to EUR 13.3 billion, Romania's by 25% to EUR 12 billion, and Bulgaria's by 37% to EUR 8.3 billion, mainly due to imports of Ukrainian oilseeds, including sunflower seeds.

In general, the five countries that initiated unilateral trade restrictions on the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products to their markets, the minister recalled, imported agricultural products from Ukraine worth EUR 7 billion in 2022, and their exports of agricultural products increased by EUR 18 billion.

"And when these countries claim that Ukrainian grain or other Ukrainian agri-food products adversely affect their markets, something does not match at all," the minister said.

In 2022, some EUR 857 million was spent on logistics for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products, while grain export costs rose to EUR 67 per tonne, which benefited EU logistics companies and contributed to an increase in tax revenues in the EU.

Koval drew attention to the fact that Ukraine is a major market for European goods. Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has imported production resources (or material and technical resources) for the agricultural sector in the amount of EUR 10 billion.

"The positive effects of agricultural cooperation will only increase as Ukraine integrates into the EU, strengthening food security, diversifying supply markets, and safeguarding against global risks like climate change," the Minister of Agrarian Policy said and expressed confidence that bread should become a weapon of peace, not war.
Outside al-Mujtahid Hospital in Damascus, families study gruesome printouts taped to the walls.

The pictures are of the bodies of prison victims, mangled from years of torture. Everyone in the crowd is searching for someone. Most leave without answers.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal People examine photos as they search for missing or deceased people on the wall outside the morgue of Al-Mojtahed Hospital in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 11, 2024.

A young woman in a black ponytail walks away from the wall, shrieking.

You knew about this. You always knew, she yells. You didnt do anything about it.

The crowd is silent. Then one man says, God will have his justice after death.

What God? she answers, storming away. I dont believe in God.

Roughly 100,000 people are missing from Syrias now defunct prison system, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, but locals believe that number is underestimated. We are told the most common cause of arrest under the fallen government of Bashar al-Assad was a real or perceived criticism of the regime.

On the streets of Damascus, every single person we meet is missing someone. And as more mass graves are discovered, hope is fading that more victims will be found alive.

At a crowded bakery, where families queue for about an hour for bread, outside a mosque where young people celebrate their new-found freedom, and on the streets near the hospital, where men and women weep openly, we ask the same question, loudly: Does anyone here NOT know someone who has disappeared?

Every family in Damascus is missing someone, says a man outside the bakery. At the mosque, one woman, Hiba al-Sadfy, says she is one of the lucky few who hasnt lost anyone. But her husband was in jail for three years, and her nephew is still missing.

I was sending food and medicine to Ghouta, says her husband, Anas al-Nesmeh, 45, in the courtyard of the iconic Umayyad Mosque. Ghouta is a suburb of Damascus that supported the uprising against the Syrian government from its beginning in 2011. It was made famous in 2013 when the regime dropped chemical weapons on neighborhoods there, killing more than 1,400 people.

They arrested the driver, and he told them I was sending it, Nesmeh explains.

He then spent three years in a prison where inmates died from lack of food and medicine and torture was a regular part of life. Sadfy, his wife, points out marks still prominent on his wrists, where officers stubbed out their cigarettes.

He still has lines on his back from whipping, she adds.

Funeral

Around the corner from the hospital, there is a funeral for Mazen al-Hamada, a young man who died in prison after years of torture. Originally, Hamada was reportedly arrested for smuggling baby food into rebel areas. After his release, he moved to Europe where he became an international advocate for Syrian torture victims.

The human brain cant imagine it, he says in a film widely circulated online where he describes gruesome beatings and sexual assaults. Many people died under torture.

A week ago, Hamadas body was found in the hospital among other victims of the notorious Sednaya Prison.

Outside the funeral, one young man hugs his friend as he cries. He tells us he didnt know Hamada, but his heart is too broken to say more. I cant stand this pain anymore, he says. Im so sorry but I cant talk.

We follow the funeral procession as a growing crowd carries the coffin through the streets, draped in what was, less than two weeks ago, a rebel flag. Now it is the flag of Syria.

Soon it is as much a protest as a procession and the crowd chants familiar slogans like The people of Syria are one! and less common ones, like, The people demand the execution of Bashar!

Pictures of Assad, the former president who fled Syria as rebels swept through the country, have been torn off buildings or scratched out. A rubbed-out poster of Assads face is placed on the ground at the entrance of Damascus ancient market, so shoppers can stamp on it, or walk over it like it was nothing.

Another torn-up poster of Assads face hangs on the Ministry of Justice, now manned by a single bearded soldier, wearing a blue windbreaker under his camouflage jacket.

I ask him if he thinks the people who are demanding justice will get it.

Sheik Abu Mohammed will provide justice, God willing, he says, referring to Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is now called by his given name, Ahmed al-Sharaa. He is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that led the militias as they took over Syria.

In less than two weeks, the rebels conquered lands held by the Assad-family dictators for half a century. We read in the news that HTS was blessed with a just cause and excellent timing. Russia and Iran were embroiled in other wars as Syrian rebels swept through the country. Nobody I know believes that this is the full story.

We leave the ministry guard and find the rowdy funeral/protest has moved on. A shopkeeper tells us he didnt see where they went. We got a taxi to the cemetery where some locals say the burial was quick, and the people left.

We asked the driver to take us back to the hospital. As we pass through the next square, he tells us there is a prison under the road.

How do you know? I ask.

I was taken there when I was nine years old, he says. At the time, one of his friends stole something, but his memory is fuzzy, he adds. The prison was crowded, and he was beaten with a cable before his mother bailed him out.

They butcher women and children, he says. Even if you mention Bashars name unintentionally, you may be arrested.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal People look at bodies, believed to be of prisoners from Sednaya prison, according to forensic official Zaher al-Taqesh, at the Al Mojtahed hospital, after rebels seized the capital and ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 10, 2024.

Celebration

On the way back to our hotel, Umayyad Square is packed with revelers. Young men hang out of cars, waving Syrias new flag and honk their horns. Children pose on a tank or with AK-47s for pictures. Sellars prepare banners and fireworks for the nights festivities.

We find the remnants of a similar party in the main square in Aleppo the next day, but the crowds have dissipated. Many businesses have reopened but the currency is fluctuating so fast in Aleppo, shop owners say they dont know how much to charge.

At the market outside the Aleppo Citadel, a thousands-of-years-old castle, young men sell cigarettes and coffee, while camel owners encourage people to purchase short rides. Dont be afraid of the camel! one man calls as he leads his camel by a rope through the crowds.

We meet Imad al-Sawa, 20, who returned from Iraq only last week, selling coffee and cigarettes near the citadel. After three years abroad as a refugee, he came home the day after the rebels took Aleppo.

Sawa fled Syria at 17 years old, like so many other teenage boys, to avoid being forced to either join the military or go to jail. In Iraq he found hard work, deep poverty and no possibility for a better future.

It was like I had no soul, he says. And now it is back.
More than 60,000 residents of northern Israel were evacuated 14 months ago when Hezbollah began bombing the area in support of Hamas and its war against Israel. Now, as a tenuous ceasefire with Hezbollah takes hold, some Israeli residents are returning, although many say they are choosing to wait and see what happens. Linda Gradstein reports from the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, near the border with Lebanon. Camera: Ricki Rosen
The EU on Monday for the first time imposed fully fledged sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on Chinese firms for supplying Russia's military for the war on Ukraine.

It has also added North Korea's defense minister to its sanctions blacklist after the secretive state sent troops to Russia to reinforce its military.

The move  part of the EU's 15th round of sanctions over the conflict  represented a heightened effort to tackle the crucial role allegedly being played by China in keeping Russia's war machine going.

The EU said it was blacklisting four Chinese companies for "supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic components" to the Russian military.

Two other firms and one Chinese businesswoman were hit for circumventing EU sanctions aimed at stopping equipment flowing to Moscow.

Among the companies was Xiamen Limbach, alleged to have supplied engines for long-range attack drones used by Russia against Ukraine.

The EU has targeted Chinese firms before for supporting Russia's military.

But until now the bloc has imposed bans on European firms doing business with the Chinese companies  rather than the tougher sanctions now being applied.

The EU also took aim at North Korea in the latest package, after Pyongyang dispatched troops to Russia to fight Ukraine.

The 27-nation bloc added defense minister No Kwang Chol and deputy chief of the general staff Kim Yong Bok to a number of North Korean officials already blacklisted.

Ukraine said Monday that its troops killed or wounded at least 30 North Korean soldiers who had been deployed in Russia's western Kursk region, where Ukraine has seized territory.

In a bid to limit Russian revenues, the EU included around 50 oil tankers from Moscow's "shadow fleet" used to help the Kremlin get around Western oil sanctions.
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On the U.S. West Coast, conservationists for the world's largest dam-removal project are both celebrating initial successes and encountering short-term obstacles. VOA's Matt Dibble has our story from the Klamath River on the border between California and Oregon.
Frances latest prime minister, Francois Bayrou, gets to work this week to form a new cabinet, push a stopgap budget bill and  more precariously  scout for support for longer-term budget legislation to tackle the countrys fiscal woes  a move that led to his predecessors downfall.

The task and stakes are enormous for the 73-year-old centrist, a veteran politician and longtime mayor of the southwestern town of Pau. Picked by French President Emmanuel Macron Friday, Bayrou is the countrys fourth prime minister this year  and he faces a squabbling, deeply divided lower house anchored by powerful leftist and far right blocks.

Farmers, teachers, hospital staff and rail workers count among thousands who have taken to the streets in recent months over agricultural imports, labor issues, and other grievances.

Frances disarray is also a worry for the European Union, facing Russian gains in Ukraine, and the risk of a more fractious transatlantic relationship with the incoming Trump administration.

Nothing suggests hell last longer or fare better than the others, Frances leading Le Monde newspaper said in editorial of Bayrou.

The most immediate emergency lies in Frances Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, where Cyclone Chido has wreaked widespread devastation, causing hundreds and possibly thousands of deaths, French authorities say. The acting interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, was heading to Mayotte on Monday.

Head of the small MoDem or Democratic Freedom party that is part of Macrons centrist alliance, Bayrou acknowledges he faces a Himalaya of difficulties ahead. Frances budget deficit is estimated at more than six percent of its GDP  double the EU limit  and the country shoulders a sizable debt. Hours after Bayrous nomination, Moodys rating agency downgraded Frances credit rating to Aa3, citing political fragmentation as a reason.

My first mission is to be a builder or, failing that, a repairer, Bayrou told La Tribune Dimanche weekly, in an interview published Sunday.

The stakes are also high for Macron, who emerges severely weakened after a catastrophic political year. The French president gambled on snap legislative elections earlier this year, after the far-right National Rally party topped a June European Parliament vote. He saw his centrist coalition emerging as the weakest bloc in Frances National Assembly, behind a leftist alliance and the National Rally.

Risk for Europe

So far, Macron has resisted calls to step down, insisting he will serve out his term that ends in 2027. But analysts suggest he could become a lame-duck president  leading the EUs second-biggest power, at a difficult time for the bloc. A strong champion of Ukraine, Macron has also long pushed the bloc to beef up its defense in what he calls strategic autonomy.

Fellow EU heavyweight Germany is also dealing with political uncertainty, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz facing a no-confidence vote in parliament Monday and the possibility of early elections in February.

Prolonged turmoil in France could affect the EUs capacity to demonstrate unity and leadership, wrote analysts Camille Grand, Camille Lons and Pawel Zerka of the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank. Especially, they added, in the face of heightened threats to EU security policy posed by Russian president Vladimir Putin and Americas president-elect, Donald Trump.

With France mired in domestic issues, the analysts added, other European countries will need to show political creativity and readiness to take ambitious action, including developing a plan to support Ukraine in the weeks remaining before Trump takes office.

A three-time presidential candidate, who served as education minister in the 1990s, Bayrou succeeds conservative Michel Barnier. Barnier was ousted earlier this month in a no-confidence motion in Frances lower house, after ramming through a budget bill without a vote. The move  by an unlikely front of leftist and far right lawmakers  made Barnier the countrys shortest-serving prime minister in modern history, lasting only three months.

Bayrou begins meeting Monday with political parties, starting with the powerful far right National Rally, which has the most seats in parliament. So far, the Rally counts among several key parties taking a wait-and-see approach, albeit setting out red lines that will make it difficult for Bayrou to find compromise.

New polls found most French are underwhelmed by the latest political transition. More than two-thirds said they lack confidence in Bayrous ability to bring stability to the country, according to an Elabe survey. A separate IFOP poll found just one-fifth support Macron  the presidents lowest popularity rating to date.

Frances far left is among the most critical of Bayrou. France Unbowed party lawmaker, Eric Coquerel, said he expected nothing from the new prime minister. The party threatens another no-confidence motion, but so far lacks the votes to topple Bayrou.

Its up to him to prove this mission impossible is custom made for him, La Tribune Dimanche wrote in an editorial of Bayrou.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris of antisemitism Monday because of his criticism of the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza.

Saar said in a statement, "There is a difference between criticism and antisemitism based on the delegitimization and dehumanization of Israel and double standards towards Israel."

A spokesperson for Harris said the taoiseach would "not be responding to personalized and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives."

On Sunday, Israel announced it was closing its embassy in Ireland, a move that Saar said was prompted by Ireland's decision to support a petition at The Hague's International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin defended his country's support of the petition, saying, "Any action that the Irish government has taken in respect to the Middle Eastern issues, and particularly in terms of the war in Gaza, has not been motivated than anything other than respect for international humanitarian law, respect for human rights."

Meanwhile, Gazas health ministry said Monday that Israels offensive against Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave had killed more than 45,000 people.

The conflict has also wounded nearly 107,000 people, the ministry said. It does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its count, but has previously said more than half of those killed have been women and children.

The health ministry said in its daily update that 52 people had been killed during the past day.

Civil defense and hospital officials said deadly Israeli strikes Sunday included attacks on Gaza City in the north, Khan Younis in southern Gaza and the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Israel's military said its operations Sunday included striking a Hamas command and control complex in Nuseirat.

Israel has repeatedly blamed Hamas militants for operating within areas occupied by Palestinian civilians, while Palestinians and rights groups say the Israeli military is not doing enough to prevent civilian deaths.

The war was triggered by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, during which the militants killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. About 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with at least one-third believed to be dead.

Hamas has been designated as a terror group by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others.
Human Rights Watch has accused Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias of rape and other acts of sexual violence against women and girls in South Kordofan state. The rights group says the sexual violence constitutes war crimes, and that it underscores the urgent need for international action to protect Sudanese civilians and deliver justice to the victims.

Human Rights Watch says representatives met with raped or sexually abused women in Sudans South Kordofan state during their visit this past October.

The women, from the Nuba minority ethnic group, said they were violated and exploited by members of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias.

The RSF was not available to respond to the allegations against its fighters.

Belkis Wille is an associate director in the Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division at Human Rights Watch.

"In this new report of Human Rights Watch, we have included details that we gathered into the cases of 79 women and girls who were raped by the RSF, including girls as young as seven years old. And indeed we also documented the case of a group of 51 women and girls who were taken by the RSF and held on a military base and used as sex slaves for months," she said.

The survivors and witnesses told investigators that they had been gang-raped since December 2023, and some of the victims were still missing.

Local and international rights groups have documented many alleged human rights violations by both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces since the sides went to war in April 2023, battling for power and control of the country.

Hala al-Karib is the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa. She said RSF is known to use sexual violence against communities to drive them out of their homes.

"Most of the communities and families who are forced to leave their homes in Sudan, in Khartoum, in Al Gezira and other territories under the control of the RSF. People left because of sexual violence, so its used as a land grabbing tool, its used to break communities capacity to resist and its used also to control communities and to spread fear," she said.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant in 2009 against former President Omar al-Bashir and some commanders of militia groups on allegations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region.

Experts say the failure to hand over Bashir, who was ousted in 2019 and is now being held at a military hospital on the outskirts of Khartoum, is one factor that is fueling the conflict in Sudan.

Al-Karib said despite victims of past abuses not receiving justice, people will refuse to accept any solution that does not address the abuse and violations against them.

"Demands for justice should never be silenced. This time, it should be an integral part of any political process because the grievances and the pain communities are having is way too much, and I don't think they are going to accept a political process that will conclude without justice arrangements," she said.

Wille of HRW said survivors and victims of sexual violence need justice and protection.

"It's really important, first and foremost, for the RSF to take action against these abuses. That means investigating their own forces for carrying out incidents of rape. It means immediately releasing any women and girls who are still being held and ensuring that this kind of act doesn't continue. But we do need to see leadership from other actors as well. The U.N. Security Council and the African Union could do far more, for example, creating this mission with a mandate to protect civilians that could be sent into Sudan," she said.

As the violence and suffering of Sudanese civilians continued, in September, Sudan's military-led government rejected a U.N. plan to deploy a mission to protect civilians.
In the large courtyard of the Faculty of Letters at Damascus University, hundreds of jubilant students trampled on Sunday a statue, symbol of the former power, a week after the fall of the capital.

The atmosphere is extraordinary, everyone is happy, look at the joy of the people, exclaims Rinad Abdallah, an 18-year-old medical student.

In front of her, the several-meter-high statue of Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria unchallenged from 1971 to 2000 before his son succeeded him, was thrown to the ground.

"I have an old photo where I'm posing in front of the statue, now I'm going to pose in the same place, without the statue!" the young woman says, laughing.

The faculty's dean, Dr. Ali Allaham, told AFP that classes resumed on Sunday with around 80% of staff and a "large number" of students present.

In the courtyard, hundreds of students are cheering, chanting revolutionary slogans and waving the three-star flag, a symbol of the 2011 pro-democracy uprising.

"This is a moment we have been waiting for for so long. And then, there is no longer this statue that oppressed us with its presence," says Yasmine Chehab, a 29-year-old English literature student.



"We finally feel free! We can finally say what we think without fear," continues the student, who says she is confident in the future of Syria.

"There will be a place for all communities, who will move forward hand in hand," she adds.

Thousands of students marched in a spontaneous demonstration towards the central Umayyad Square, where Syrians have been celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad for a week.

Prime Minister Mohammad al-Bashir, in charge of the transition in Syria, assured on Wednesday that the coalition led by the Islamists of Hayaat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) would guarantee the rights of all, in a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional country.

Flags everywhere

Schoolchildren, some in uniform, also returned to class in Damascus on Sunday for the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, according to AFP journalists.

On their way to school, girls make the victory sign. One of them has drawn the three-star flag on her cheek. Others proudly wave flags that flutter in the wind.

"The school has asked us (...) to send middle and high school students to class. The youngest will return in two days," Raghida Ghosn, 56, a mother of three, told AFP.

Inside a classroom, little has changed, or almost nothing. A large flag, symbol of the revolution, has been hung on the wall.

According to a public school employee, attendance on Sunday "does not exceed 30%," but "the numbers should gradually increase."

A Sunday Mass was also celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dormition in Damascus.

Life has also resumed in shops and businesses and residents have been going to their offices since the early hours of the day.

In front of a bakery in the residential and popular district of Rokn-Eddine, around 10 people were queuing, in peace, noted an AFP journalist.

On the sidewalks, street vendors offer cans of gasoline to residents, who are suffering from the fuel shortage.

In Damascus, as everywhere in Syria, repeated power cuts are frequent. They deprive residents of long hours of electricity, sometimes up to 20 hours a day in some neighborhoods.




Israel said Sunday it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorated over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials said new Israeli airstrikes killed over 30 people including several children.

The decision to close the embassy came in response to what Israel's foreign minister has described as Ireland's "extreme anti-Israel policies." In May, Israel recalled its ambassador to Dublin after Ireland announced, along with Norway, Spain and Slovenia, it would recognize a Palestinian state.

The Irish Cabinet last week decided to formally intervene in South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel denies it.

"We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimized," Ireland's deputy premier and foreign affairs minister, Micheal Martin, said in a statement.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's statement on the embassy closure said that "Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel."

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the decision to close the embassy "deeply regrettable." He added on X: "I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law."

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill a journalist and children

Israeli forces continued Sunday to pound largely isolated northern Gaza, as the Palestinian death toll in the war approached 45,000.

One airstrike hit the Khalil Aweida school in the town of Beit Hanoun and killed at least 15 people, according to nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital where casualties were taken. The dead included two parents and their daughter and a father and his son, the hospital said.

In Gaza City, at least 17 people including six women and five children were killed in three airstrikes that hit houses sheltering displaced people, according to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.

"We woke up to the strike. I woke up with the rubble on top of me," said a bandaged Yahia al-Yazji, who grieved for his wife and daughter. "I found my wife with her head and skull visible, and my daughter's intestines were gone. My wife was three months pregnant." His hand rested on a body wrapped in a blanket on the floor.

Israel's military in a statement said it struck a "terrorist cell" in Gaza City and a "terrorist meeting point" in the Beit Hanoun area.

Another Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian journalist working for Al Jazeera, Ahmed al-Lawh, in central Gaza, a hospital and the Qatari-based TV station said.

The strike hit a point for Gaza's civil defense agency in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, Al-Awda Hospital said. Also killed were three civil defense workers including the head of the agency in Nuseirat, according to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital. The civil defense is Gaza's main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas and other militants from Gaza stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking well over 200 hostage.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed almost 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry's count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but it says over half of the dead have been women and children.

Also Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about developments in Syria and a recent push to secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu said he spoke with Trump on Saturday night about the issue.

Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, warned last week during a visit to the region that it would "not be a pretty day" if the hostages held in Gaza were not released before Trump's inauguration on January 20.

A Trump spokesperson on Sunday declined to give further details about the call.
Israel strikes military targets inside Syria and occupies a demilitarized border area, claiming threats to its security following the fall of the Assad regime. The president of South Korea is impeached and more than a dozen African countries elected new leaders this year. Right-wing ideologies are resurgent in Europe. President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission has taken aim at big tech and Chinas influence on U.S. communications. Plus, the unique role of social media in discussing the news.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, reported on the situation at the front, in particular, on the difficult situation in Pokrovsk direction, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Today, Commander-in-Chief Syrsky delivered a report on the situation at the front and in the areas of the Kursk operation. The situation remains difficult in Pokrovsk direction, in Kurakhove, Zelenskyy said in his video address Sunday evening.
2024 saw a major re-ordering of the balance of power in the Middle East. Lebanon yet again was at the center of this upheaval as Israel launched raids and heavy airstrikes in response to attacks from Hezbollah, destroying swathes of the country in the process. A fragile ceasefire in November silenced the bombing at least temporarily but the regime change in Syria threatens more instability in 2025. Jacob Russell reports from Beirut.
Ten countries and the EU called North Korea's growing involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine a "dangerous expansion" on Monday, in a joint statement released by the United States.

Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to reinforce Russia's war effort, including to the Kursk border region where Ukraine reported Monday that its fighters had killed or wounded at least 30 North Korean soldiers.

"Direct DPRK support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security," the statement said, referring to North Korea by its official acronym.

The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and the high representative of the European Union signed the release.

They also said that they were "deeply concerned about any political, military, or economic support that Russia may be providing to the DPRK's illegal weapons programs, including weapons of mass destruction."

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Experts say the nuclear-armed North's leader, Kim Jong Un, is keen to acquire advanced technology from Moscow and battle experience for his troops.

The statement signatories said they "condemn in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation" including the "deployment of DPRK troops to Russia for use on the battlefield against Ukraine."

They added that the export of ballistic missiles, artillery shells and other military materiel by Pyongyang to Russia as well as Moscow's training of North Korean soldiers involving arms "represent flagrant violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions."

"We urge the DPRK to cease immediately all assistance for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops," the statement said.

The United States and South Korea have accused the North of sending more than 10,000 soldiers.
North Korean state media KCNA on Monday reported on the South Korean parliament passing President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment vote Saturday.

Yoon was impeached in a second vote by South Korea's opposition-led parliament over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, which shocked the nation.

KCNA had reported for the first time on Dec. 11 South Korea's martial law crisis which was sparked on Dec. 3.

On Monday, KCNA did not offer much commentary, but called Yoon's defiant televised remarks on Dec. 12 "a press statement spliced with lies and obstinacy" and noted the rally in front of South Korean parliament that called for Yoon's impeachment.

It also noted media reports on various South Korean military and police officials' suspension from duties and ongoing investigation into Yoon.

After the impeachment vote passed Saturday, South Korea's acting defense minister, Kim Seon-ho, called on the military to maintain preparedness and ordered commanding officers to work promptly to stabilize their troop commands.

On Saturday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia has begun using North Korean troops in significant numbers for the first time to conduct assaults on Ukrainian forces battling to hold an enclave in Russia's Kursk region.
Dozens of kids cheered on a festively decked-out plane in Denver on Saturday when the pilot announced their destination for the day: the North Pole.

More than 100 children, some of whom have serious health issues, were then taken on a roughly 45-minute flight near the city before landing back at Denver International Airport and being towed to a hangar transformed by United Airlines employees and volunteers into the North Pole.

Streamers, paper snowflakes and tufts of cotton resembling feathery snow dotted the plane and seats. Flight personnel paraded a bubble machine up and down the aisle to shouts of "bubbles, bubbles, bubbles" from the excited children. Holiday songs played in the background and there were apple snacks and juice for all.

Before landing, the children were asked to close their window shades. When they opened, the kids were met by the sight of a waiting Santa and Mrs. Claus and a host of elves. An ice cream truck was on hand and the children received gifts.

Bryce Bosley, 6, was tickled to see Santa and all the North Pole had to offer.

"The North Pole is fun because there's games, food, and all the activities are really fun," he said.

United Capt. Bob Zimmermann, the holiday flight's pilot, was struck by the joy and wonder of the youngsters.

"Throughout the year I'll think of the fantasy flight," he said. "When life seems to get tough or I want to complain about something, I remember these kids and the joy and the love and what this feels like, and it just keeps my life in perspective."

United partnered with Make-A-Wish Colorado, Girls Inc., Children's Hospital Colorado and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association to invite Denver-area kids ages 3 to 10 years on the flight.

For more than 30 years, United has staged its annual "fantasy flights" to fictional North Poles at airports around the world to bring holiday cheer to children and their families.

This year they took place in 13 cities, starting Dec. 5 in Honolulu and then in Washington, Houston, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, San Francisco, Tokyo, Cleveland and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and on the island of Guam. Newark, New Jersey, also had a flight Saturday.

Jonna McGrath, United's vice president for operations at its Denver hub, has participated in 29 flights and said it is one of her favorite days of the year.

"It gives them a day where they are away from some of the challenges they face in their day-to-day life," said McGrath, who was dressed as an elf. "Bringing a little magic and some gifts to their holiday season is something they'll never forget."
North Korean troops are fighting and dying alongside Russian forces as part of Moscows war against Ukraine, according to the latest assessment from the Pentagon.

North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat in Kursk with Russians, alongside Russian forces, Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder told reporters Monday.

"We do have indications that they have suffered casualties, both killed and wounded, Ryder said, adding that participation by North Korean troops in the war is for now limited to Kursk," a region in Russia.

The Pentagon did not share details on the extent of North Korean casualties.

VOA has reached out to the Russian Embassy in Washington, which has yet to respond to a request for comment.

A Kremlin spokesman referred questions about the U.S. assessment to the Russian Ministry of Defense, which also has yet to comment.

U.S. military and intelligence officials have previously said that Pyongyang has sent about 12,000 soldiers to Russia to train with Russian forces in anticipation that they would join Moscows war against Ukraine.

But the United States said North Korean forces joined Russian combat operations only in the past week.

U.S. confirmation of North Korean troops fighting in Russias war against Ukraine came hours after Ukraines spy agency said at least 30 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in fighting in several villages across the Kursk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday accused Russia of using a significant number of North Korean soldiers in its assaults, describing the North Korean losses as noticeable.

On Monday, he alleged that Moscow has been trying to cover up the casualties inflicted on the North Korean troops.

Preliminary data suggests that the Russians are trying to conceal the losses of the North Koreans, Zelenskyy said, adding, There is not a single reason for North Koreans to die in this war."

The Pentagon on Monday said Ukraine has its full support in targeting the North Korean troops.

"As we've said all along, those [North Korean] forces are legitimate military targets for the Ukrainians, given that they are engaged in active combat ops," Ryder said.

Earlier Monday, the U.S. and key allies issued a statement decrying Pyongyangs growing involvement in the war as a dangerous expansion of the conflict.

U.S. State Department officials, likewise, warned Moscow and Pyongyang of sending North Korean troops into Ukraine.

If they were to cross the border into Ukraine, that would be yet another escalation, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in response to a question from VOA.

More aid for Ukraine

Norway announced $242 million in new military aid for Ukraine on Monday, including help securing access to the countrys vital Black Sea ports.

It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russias Black Sea Fleet, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said in a statement. It is also important to protect exports by sea of grain and other products, which generate crucial revenues for Ukraine.

The aid includes funding for training Ukrainian soldiers as well as mine clearance operations.

Norways Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram said mines are a significant threat in the Black Sea and that the aid will help Ukrainian forces detect and defuse mines near the coast.

Ukraines military said Monday it shot down 27 of the 49 drones that Russian forces deployed in overnight attacks.

The intercepts took place over the Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi and Sumy regions, the Ukrainian air force said.

Cherkasy Governor Ihor Taburets said debris from a destroyed drone damaged power lines, but caused no casualties.

Russias Defense Ministry said Monday its forces destroyed three Ukrainian aerial drones over the Kursk region.

Some information for this story was provided by Reuters.
Qatar's embassy to Syria is to resume operations Tuesday, the Gulf emirate announced Sunday as its diplomats visited the country and met with its transitional government following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.

Qatar announces the resumption of the work of its embassy in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic starting the day after tomorrow, Tuesday, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It also named a new head of mission to Syria, Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al-Sharif.

Doha closed its embassy in Damascus and recalled its ambassador in July 2011, early in the uprising against the Assad government that turned into a civil war.

Unlike other Arab countries, Qatar never restored diplomatic ties with Syria under Assad, who was topped by the 11-day rebel advance that swept through major cities and then the capital Damascus.

Doha said the return after the 13-year hiatus was "an expression of the State of Qatar's principled stand with the Syrian people's revolution" as well as a "categorical rejection of all the repressive policies of the regime" of Assad.

Earlier, foreign minister spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told the official Qatar News Agency that a Qatari delegation was in Syria and had met with officials in the transitional government.

The delegation "arrived in Damascus to complete the necessary procedures for the opening of the State of Qatar's embassy," Ansari said.

In its meetings, "the delegation reaffirmed the State of Qatar's full commitment to supporting the Syrian people... following the success of their revolution," the spokesperson added.

Ansari said the Qatari delegation had also "discussed with the Syrian side, ways to facilitate the flow of Qatari humanitarian aid and assessed the needs of the Syrian brothers during this important phase."

This week, an official briefed on developments said Qatar had "established the first channel of communication" with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the ouster of the former government.

The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions, added the "focus of the communication with HTS and others is on the need... to maintain calm and preserve Syria's public institutions during the transition period."

Other governments that opposed Assad's rule, including Turkey and the United States, have said they too had established contacts with HTS.
Families are returning to Aleppo, Syrias second largest city, leaving behind tents in the countryside and life abroad as refugees. But some people say they are not yet able to enjoy what they hope will be the end of Syrias 13-year civil war. VOAs Heather Murdock reports from Aleppo. Camera: Yan Boechat.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump contended Monday that the country's military "for some reason" was keeping details secret about unexplained drones flying across the nighttime skies above the eastern United States, but the White House later minimized the drone sightings.

"Our military knows  something strange is going on," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in his first wide-ranging news conference since his election to a new four-year term in the White House starting next month.

For weeks now, residents in the state of New Jersey, which borders New York City, and other states to the north and south along the Atlantic Ocean coastline have reported seeing more than 5,000 supposed drones, a figure U.S. officials have concluded is wildly inflated.

They say that most of the alleged unmanned drones are manned aircraft, and that fewer than 100 of the sightings need to be investigated further.

All manner of conspiracy theories has been offered for the unexplained sightings, including the dispatching of drones by foreign countries and the deployment of Iran-launched drones from a mothership positioned off U.S. eastern coastal waters.

At the White House, National Security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, Our assessment at this stage is that the activity represents commercial, hobbyist, law enforcement drones, all operating legally and lawfully, and/or civilian aviation aircraft.

At a Pentagon briefing before Trump's news conference began, Air Force Major General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, told reporters there was "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus."

Ryder added, "We are sensitive to the fact that there are public concerns and many questions. ... We are also committed to providing as much information as possible as quickly as possible on this."

The military has a rationale for not shooting them down, Ryder said, offering a "loose analogy" to unexplained cars traveling near military bases.

"On any given day, an unauthorized car or truck may approach one of the base gates, usually on accident," Ryder said, and "99% of the time those cars are turned away without incident."

"The point being is that flying drones is not illegal," Ryder said. "There are thousands of drones flown around the U.S. on a daily basis. It's not that unusual to see drones in the sky, nor is it an indication of malicious activity or any public safety threat."

In recent days, Republican and Democratic officials alike have called on officials in the administration of President Joe Biden to be more forthcoming in saying what they know about the drones.

Republican Representative Michael Waltz of Florida, who is set to become Trump's national security adviser when he takes office January 20, told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, "We need to get to the bottom of it."

In his hourlong news conference, Trump touched on a wide range of topics five weeks before assuming power again and becoming the second president after Grover Cleveland in the 1890s to take over the White House for a second nonconsecutive term.

He said his reception from world leaders this time is sharply more favorable than it was in 2017 after his first presidential victory.

"It's really the opposite of hostile. They're calling me," he said. "I've spoken to over 100 countries."

Trump said he would not end the use of the long-accepted polio vaccine in the U.S. but questioned the mandates in many U.S. states for a range of childhood vaccines.

"I'm not really a big mandate guy," he said, and asked rhetorically, "Why is the autism rate so high" in the United States, although any link between autism and vaccines has long been scientifically debunked.

He also questioned why Americans "are paying so much more than people in other countries" for medicines.

Trump said that he was doing his best to stop Russia's nearly three-year war on Ukraine, and that he would have ongoing conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about a halt to the fighting.

He called much of Ukraine "a demolition site" because of Russian attacks. "People can't go back there."

Trump called the U.S. media "very corrupt" after winning a $15 million defamation settlement against ABC News over the weekend. He said he is planning lawsuits against other news outlets and individual journalists for what he considers to be false reporting, even as he lost other media-related suits.

The president-elect reiterated his plan to impose tariffs against imports from some of the U.S.' biggest trading partners.

"Tariffs will make our country rich," he contended, although individual importers pay the fees and often pass on their costs to customers buying the goods.
Ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad said Monday that he wanted to stay in the country after rebels captured the capital, but the Russian military evacuated him from their base in western Syria after it came under attack.

The comments were Assad's first since he was overthrown by insurgent groups just over a week ago following a swift offensive that shook up the country's alliances and led to celebrations in a nation long stifled by civil war.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the new transitional government told The Associated Press that the new Syria would be inclusive and open to the world.

Assad said on Facebook that he left Damascus on the morning of December 8, hours after insurgents stormed the capital. He said he left in coordination with Russian allies to their Hmeimim air base in the coastal province of Latakia, where he had planned to keep fighting.

But after the Russian base came under attack by drones, he said, the Russians decided to move him that night to Russia.

At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such proposal made by any individual or party, Assad said in the English text of his statement. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.

Assad can't 'run away from God'

In Damascus, residents dismissed Assad's comments and some said he had abandoned Syria's people long ago.

Is he going to run away from us? He still wont be able to run away from God, said one resident, Moataz al-Ahmed, as children stepped on a fallen statue of Assad's father, Hafez, who had begun the family's half-century rule.

The spokesman for the transitional government's political department said in an interview Monday that the Assad regime is finished with no return" and Russia should reconsider its presence on Syrian territory as well as its interests.

The spokesman, Obeida Arnaout, told the AP that Syria has entered a new phase that will be open to the world, and the new government is looking to build good relations with its neighbors and beyond.

He also called on the U.S. and other countries to reconsider the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham  the main rebel group and a former al-Qaida affiliate  as a terrorist organization, calling it a not right and not accurate designation.

Already, the U.S. has said its officials have been in direct contact with the group.

Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assads state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility that Sunni Islamist extremists will take over.

The new leadership also has been in contact with the U.S. to return American citizen Travis Timmerman, who was among the prisoners released from government detention centers when Assad fell, Arnaout said.

There are political contacts at the highest levels in a way that benefits the Syrian people and that strengthen the current administration, he said.

Asked whether the new government's security forces would cooperate with the U.S. to combat remaining militants with the Islamic State group, Arnaout said Syrian factions have ousted and rejected IS and the group no longer has a significant presence in the country.

Kurds' future

U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria have been the main U.S. ally in fighting IS and oversee detention centers housing IS militants. However, the future of the Kurds and the semiautonomous region they control is unclear in the country's new post-Assad order. Clashes over territory have taken place in some areas between Kurdish forces and the armed groups that overthrew Assad.

Arnaout said the Kurds are part of the Syrian people and their rights will be protected. However, he said the new government would not accept that any part of Syria be outside Damascus' control.

Kurds are one of the components of the Syrian people and we are very keen that this group has its rights protected, he said. The social fabric in Syria is a source of strength and not weakness. But we affirm that we dont any part of Syria to be separated.

The U.N. envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said Monday that he met with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and was briefed on the challenges and priorities of the Syrian people going forward. Pedersen has called for the lifting of international sanctions on Syria to allow for faster rebuilding.

Meanwhile, a U.K.-based war monitor said Israeli airstrikes early Monday hit missile warehouses on the Syrian coast and called it the most violent strikes in that part of Syria since 2012.

Israel has been pounding with hundreds of airstrikes what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of Assads rule, wiping out air defenses and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army.

Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.
The United States is moving to fill the power vacuum in central Syria, worried the Islamic State terror group is looking to exploit the victory of Syrian rebels over forces loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad.

U.S. warplanes Monday targeted IS camps and operatives in central Syria, marking at least the second time the U.S. has hit the terror group in areas formerly patrolled by Assads forces that had backing from Russian troops and airpower.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, said the latest round of airstrikes targeted leaders, operatives and camps in former regime and Russian-controlled areas.

The goal, CENTCOM said, is to ensure pressure is maintained against IS.

CENTCOM and Pentagon officials said Monday initial assessments indicated the strikes killed12 IS members and that no civilians were killed or wounded.

Neither CENTCOM nor the Pentagon offered additional details about the targets of Mondays airstrikes or their operational value.

The new strikes come just over a week after CENTCOM launched more than a dozen strikes against 75 IS targets in five locations across central Syria.

Officials at the time said the targets included a significant gathering of ISIS fighters and leaders.

Pentagon officials on Monday said the U.S. would carry out additional strikes as needed.

In as much as CENTCOM sees a potential threat posed by ISIS, and to mitigate their ability to be able to resurge, you're going to see these strikes, said Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder, using another acronym for the terror group.

Until the collapse of the Assad regime, however, much of central Syria was a no-go zone for U.S. forces and their Syrian allies.

"One of the big factors that has changed in Syria is the airspace, Ryder told reporters Monday. It previously had Syrian regime and Russian air defenses, which would preclude in many cases our ability to or desirability to go into those areas."

U.S. officials and independent analysts have long warned of a growing IS threat in areas of Syria under Assads control.

A United Nations report issued earlier this year, based on intelligence from member states, warned the central Syria desert had become "a logistics and operations hub with 500 to 600 fighters."

More recently, U.S. officials warned that IS had been exploiting the lack of pressure from Syrian and Russian forces to plan attacks across the West.

IS has "used a base of operations in central Syria to drive external plotting, turning this desert location into the current locus of plotting against the West, including the United States, Brett Holmgren, acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said last month.
Ukraine should include all resources to work with new U.S. Republican administration  Poroshenko

MP of Ukraine, leader of the party European Solidarity Petro Poroshenko in an interview on the TV channel Espreso said that by January 20 of next year Ukraine should include all resources to work with the new Republican administration of the United States. In his opinion, elected President Trump has not yet formed his final plan of action on Ukraine, and this provides an opportunity to advance our interests.

Poroshenko believes that the new Republican administration in the USA has come up with some ideas, which were developed by different members of the team (General Kellogg and several congressmen), but Trump hasn't officially approved this plan yet.

"Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Trump heard me then," Poroshenko said.

He added that about 100 congressmen are firmly in the pro-Ukrainian position, but 90 members of Congress do not support Ukraine, and 30-40 congressmen are hesitant.

"We cannot ignore parliamentary diplomacy. And we must work... We must now pay attention to these 40 members. If the Foreign Ministry, or the President's Office, or the government need the names of these members, I will gladly share them with them," said the leader of European Solidarity.

"And if we have a majority of Republicans, not just Democrats who will support Ukraine, we have a huge chance that Ukraine's position will pass. If not, pro-Ukrainian bills will meet the fate of Biden's 24 billion proposal," the MP warned.

He also noted that Donald Trump's style is characterized by rapid decision-making with an eye on their effectiveness.

He recalled that it was under Trump that Ukraine received its first lethal weapons, electronic warfare technologies, and sanctions were first applied against companies that were building Nord Stream 2 without the approval and coordination of the EU.

Poroshenko recalled the appointment of Kurt Volker as Trump's special commissioner for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, and the instruction to Mike Pompeo to sign the Crimea Declaration, which officially recorded the U.S. position on the occupied territories.

"And we coordinated so that American diplomacy would ensure that Ukraine would not be hindered in creating a sovereign autocephalous independent church. This is all Trump," Poroshenko said.

Poroshenko believes that Trump's actions can be effective, but he needs to be convinced to do so.
During Syrias brutal 13-year civil war, the country was divided up in a multi-sided conflict between several armed factions whose ideologies, composition, and alliances were constantly shifting. Now, the rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government has left both Syrians and foreign observers wondering who will fill the vacuum and what comes next.

The key players who will likely determine Syrias future:

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)

The most powerful faction, which now controls most of western Syria, is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who used the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the group has its origins in the al-Nusra Front, initially aligned with terrorist groups al-Qaida and the Islamic State.

Sharaas focus on local Syrian governance over global jihad led him to split from both groups by 2017 and merge with several other Islamist factions to form HTS.

The group has since rebranded as a more moderate and pragmatic organization that does not enforce strict sharia law and has promised to protect minority rights.

However, it is still designated as a terrorist group by multiple countries, including Turkey and the United States, and remains accused of ongoing human rights violations. HTS supported the Idlib-based Syrian Salvation Government led by Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, which has now become the countrys de facto transitional government.

Southern Operations Room

To the south is a diverse coalition calling itself the Southern Operations Room, which includes both secular and Islamist factions as well as Druze militias. Some of these had previously fought against extremist rebel groups such as al-Nusra, and in 2018 many reconciled with the Syrian government, with some even integrating into the Syrian armed forces.

But as the recent HTS offensive in the north gained momentum, the southern rebels rejoined the fight against Assad and were the first to enter Damascus.

Syrian National Army

Still holding territory in the northwest is the Syrian National Army, or SNA. Having grown out of the loose coalition of rebel groups known as the Free Syrian Army early in the civil war, the SNA represents both Islamic and secular factions that are directly backed by Turkey and support the so-called Syrian Interim Government based in the town of Azaz.

While they have at times been both an ally and a rival to HTS, the SNA has consistently fought against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Syrian Democratic Forces

The SDF is the military force of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which controls the region east of the Euphrates River. Led by the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), it also includes Arab militias as well as minorities such as Assyrians and Armenians.

While the groups secular democratic ideology and equal treatment of women has garnered international support, they have been accused by other rebel groups of collaborating with the Assad regime and are considered by Turkey to be a branch of the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who are designated as a terrorist group by multiple governments. The United States, however, directly supports the SDF as a key ally in the fight against Islamic State.

IS remnants and foreign forces

The Islamic State itself has been reduced to a fraction of its former power, holding only small pockets of territory in the southern desert. However, they continue to launch terrorist attacks throughout the country, with over 150 occurring in the first half of 2024.

In addition, foreign forces have also occupied parts of Syria. Turkey has deployed its own military alongside the SNA near its border, claiming the territory as a safe zone while using it to launch attacks against the SDF. The United States maintains a military base and a surrounding deconfliction zone at Al-Tanf near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders with Syria. Russia has so far retained control of its naval port at Tartus and air base near Latakia, though their future may be in question. Satellite images Friday appeared to show Russian forces packing up and dismantling military equipment at key bases, suggesting that it may be preparing for a withdrawal.

And following the fall of Assad, Israel took control of a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria near the Golan Heights, which it already occupied, citing the need for increased security along the border until a deal with the new government can be reached.

With so many factors in play, Syrias future is far from certain. The countrys people are hoping that agreements between the major factions will ensure a smooth transition and bring an end to the chaos.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that he would provide Syria with grain and other agricultural products on a humanitarian basis, a week after the fall of Moscow's ally, President Bashar al-Assad.

"Now we can help the Syrians with our wheat, flour and oil: our products that are used globally to ensure food security," he said in his daily address.

"We are coordinating with our partners and the Syrian side to resolve logistical issues. We will support this region so that stability there becomes a foundation for our movement towards real peace," Zelenskyy added.

According to him, these possible deliveries will be part of the "Grain of Ukraine" program, launched in 2022 to provide food aid to the poorest countries.

Even at war, Ukraine, one of the world's largest producers of grain, retains immense production capacities.

And despite Moscow's threats to shoot ships sailing in the Black Sea, Kyiv has set up a corridor there to export its agricultural products from the summer of 2023.

After an 11-day offensive, the rebel coalition dominated by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on Dec. 8 overthrew Assad, who took refuge in Russia.

The fall was a serious setback for Moscow, which, along with Iran, was the former Syrian president's main ally and had been intervening militarily in Syria since 2015.
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Israel launched dozens more airstrikes into neighboring Syria over the weekend, claiming ongoing threats to its security. Syrias new leadership calls those threats a false pretext, adding it has no desire for a new conflict. VOAs Arash Arabasadi has more.
KAMPALA, UGANDA (AP)  The day Shalom Mirembe was sent home from school last month over unpaid tuition, her father lay dying in a hospital. Even as her mother sat by his bedside, school officials were calling and demanding payment.

For Mirembe's mother, a shoe vendor who looks after four children, it was a heartbreaking moment in the daily struggle to pay often unpredictable and unregulated school fees. Constant threats demanding payment can leave her feeling helpless. Some officials are more tolerant, but eventually they all grow tired of her pleas.

"You have to care for this one, you have to care for the other one," Justine Nangero said, describing a delicate balancing act to keep Mirembe and the others enrolled. "I try to fight to see that I pay to all these schools."

It is a crushing issue for many across sub-Saharan Africa, where the lack of a few hundred dollars can determine a child's future. The region has long had the world's highest dropout rates. Reasons vary, but financial pain is the biggest.

Last year, the World Bank said 54% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa rank the issue of paying school fees higher than medical bills and other expenses.

It said school fees were the biggest source of financial worry for 40% of people in Uganda, where top government-funded schools now charge nearly $700 in tuition per three-month term. That's a significant amount in this East African country where annual GDP per capita was $864 in 2023.

More than anything, it's the unpredictable tuition hikes  for sometimes questionable reasons  that haunt parents across the country of more than 45 million people. Some critics, including Uganda's parliament speaker, have called for regulation to protect parents from exploitation.

The Equal Opportunities Commission, a government agency that tracks inequality and discrimination, released a report in September calling for punitive measures against government-supported schools that appear to set excessive fees. It warned that arbitrarily raising fees can force children to drop out.

Attendance falls from 68% in grade school to 22% in secondary school, with financial difficulty the main reason for failure to continue studies, according to new figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

Uganda does have a program for universal secondary education, introduced in 2007 and similar to one for primary education, but such schools are often rundown and undesirable for many families. They are generally tuition-free, but parents must pay sometimes burdensome fees for uniforms, textbooks and other items.

When it comes to more popular, and more expensive, private schools, the government is not interested in price intervention, said Dennis Mugimba, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education.

Setting fees for private schools is "purely administrative and it is adjusted according to the business environment," he said. But certain charges such as those including "capital development" should not be the responsibility of parents, he said.

Such private schools have mushroomed across Uganda and now make up the majority of the country's schools, addressing growing demand but also emphasizing the profitability of education as a business. That worries some experts.

"We can't let education be treated like a market stall," said Fagil Mandy, a former inspector of schools. Education authorities should standardize regulations to make school fees universally predictable, he said.

Routine school expenses, for both private and some top government-funded schools, can include everything from a contribution towards the purchase of a bus to the procurement of laboratory equipment.

But when the list of fees includes a ream of photocopying paper or a bag of cement from each student, questions emerge about where they end up.

The school that Mirembe attends outside the capital, Kampala, charges the equivalent of $300 per term. Its officials expect 70% of fees to be paid at the beginning of a term, but many parents fail to meet that threshold.

Some, like Nangero, send their children to school having paid nothing, counting on the mercy of officials.

But measures to track payments include gate passes that show how much is owed and when, and a student may be denied entry, said Joanita Seguya, a deputy head teacher at the school, Wampewo Ntakke Secondary.

In the school of more than 2,100 students, roughly 400 are from working-class families that routinely struggle to pay fees, according to Seguya, who said the system can seem harsh.

To accommodate some parents, the school accepts in-kind payments such as vegetables and fruit, she said.

But Nangero, whose family shares a single room, has nothing of the sort to offer. Her shoe business, long drained of cash by school fees, has collapsed. The death of her husband, whose carpentry once supplemented the family income, has increased the pain.

She said anxiety over school fees is more damaging for her children, who spend days at home whenever school officials lose patience. She's grateful that two of her sons in secondary school are now supported by an evangelical cleric  rare support made possible via contact through their religious fellowship.

The 20-year-old Mirembe, who is taking her final exams this year, was able to start the school term in September because of a bursar's sympathy, she said, but other officials were not so lenient weeks later as her father was near death.

"At least maybe I will come and pay something tomorrow," her mother recalled pleading with one official. "And she told me, 'No, we are not going to allow your daughter to be here.'"

Mirembe arrived home hours before her father died.

Vincent Odoi, a teacher at her school, recalled the incident as unfortunate, saying administrators didn't know of the family's challenges. Mirembe was allowed to return days after her father's burial, which some of her teachers attended.

Other families are not so fortunate.

One is a nearby family of seven children who dropped out of school in recent years for lack of tuition. Their jobless father, Moses Serikomawa, described the scramble in vain for school fees as "like a cancer. It cannot be treated."

Raising a total of over $200 in school fees each term is too much trouble when the family sometimes lacks food, he said.

His oldest child, who would be in high school now, dropped out after completing secondary school last year. Now the boy is idle.

"The children still want to go back to school," Serikomawa said. "When I look at my children, there is no joy, no joy at all."
By Columbus Mavhunga

HARARE, ZIMBABWE  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.
By Mqondisi Dube

Gaborone, Botswana 

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.
Photo: Apple TV+

Lady Gaga has a Christmas gift for you  and its delicious. The pop star sang her fan-favorite holiday song Christmas Tree for the first time in 16 years, giving us a dirty little dose of Christmas spirit. Now, it was just for Carpool Karaoke, but well take what we can get! Gaga popped into the SUV for the surprise A Carpool Karaoke Christmas special (on Apple TV), joining guest driver Zane Lowe, filling in for the usual James Corden. Lowe feigned surprise and horror at the raunchy Christmas songs lyrics, before he ended up taking Space Cowboys verse. Like any reputable pop fan wouldnt know this song.

gaga singing christmas tree after 16 years pic.twitter.com/bj1dhPlGyI  lady gaga supreme (@HausOfBitchs) December 16, 2024

Gaga was one of three guests on the special, along with Chappell Roan and Dua Lipa. Lowe picked up Roan in Missouri, where he met her parents  and a chicken named Lady Gaga  at their farm. In a sweet moment, Roans parents got emotional talking about how proud they are of her while singing along to Pink Pony Club. Lipa, of course, was off in Tokyo, where she went Christmas shopping with Lowe and sang I Wanna Dance With Somebody, which is not a Christmas song but does have spirit. Lipa did also sing Sleigh Ride, while Roan belted along to Last Christmas. But really, it was Gaga who carried the Christmas spirit of the special, also dropping a rock cover of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town that she debuted onscreen. Christmas just came early for the Little Monsters.
Some 1,070 invaders, 148 units of their equipment eliminated in past day

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua

The combat losses of the Russian occupiers over the past day amount to 1,070 soldiers, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Monday morning.

The occupiers also lost 148 pieces of equipment during the day: 12 tanks, 29 armored combat vehicles, 23 artillery systems, 148 vehicles and tanks with fuel and lubricants and two units of special equipment.

In addition, 16 operational-tactical unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down.

In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, approximately 763,510 invaders, 9,553 enemy tanks, 19,736 armored fighting vehicles, 21,151 artillery systems, 31,480 cars and tankers have been eliminated, 20,372 drones have been shot down.
Every year, a Christmas tree adorned with bows goes up in the middle of Portlaw.

This is no ordinary tree but rather a memorial to all the people who cannot spend Christmas with their families.

The team putting up the tree.

The Forget Me Knot tree is a tradition in Portlaw going back around 17 years.

The tree was originally designed by a local youth club to remember their friends who had passed away.

Now, those youngsters have grown up and, with families of their own, moved away and on with their lives.

But the tree is still erected every year by a small group of dedicated locals who hope to keep the trees message going.

Ronnie Moore, who was a leader in the club that came up with the idea, spoke to the Waterford News and Star this week and told us what the tree represents.

FORGET ME KNOT

Ronnie told us that the tree started out as a way for young people in the area to honour and visit the memories of their friends who had passed away.

In its first year, the club sold the bows to raise money for the club, but after a couple of years, the tree became sponsored.

Feana and Ronnie.

So its a nice way to remember people who have passed on. That is why it is called Forget Me Knot because they are knots on the tree, the bows are knots and it's forget me knot, which is the phrase for the tree, said Ronnie.

As people moved on, Ronnie, her sister Feana Walshe and Tony McGrath continued to put the tree up.

Every year, they make the bows and people from Portlaw and as far away as Australia contact the team to add a bow.

The Forget Me Knot Tree has developed from a memorial tree into a symbol for all of those who cannot be with their families at Christmas.

That might be because they are in hospital or moved away or for those with Alzheimers whose minds are elsewhere.

That is what its about. Its not about who put it up or who put bows on it. Its about where the tree came from and what it represents, and that is the most important part of the Forget Me Knot tree, said Ronnie.

A SPECIAL BOW

This years tree is a special one for Ronnie because she is battling cancer.

I didnt even think I would put a bow on it this year, I thought a bow would be gone on for me, said Ronnie.

The team hope that new people will come forward to help keep the tree going and that publicity might promote the idea for its original purpose.

There are a lot of stranger people in the village who dont know what that tree is. They think its just a Christmas tree that went up. So it would be nice if people got what the tree is about, where it came from, and what exactly it represents."

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Ronnie would like to thank all those who have contributed to making the tree happen every year.

She said that Tony McGrath is the man with the van who ropes in people to help.

She also paid tribute to Feana, Noel Molloy and Fig Power.

Ronnie would also have this message for readers.

Have a nice Christmas, and life is short. When you get a lightbulb moment in your own life, you realise how short life is, so enjoy it. Dont panic about things or get stressed out, said Ronnie.
Waterford TD David Cullinane has called on the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to publish the report of the review of adult specialist cardiac services.

"It is imperative that it is published before the next Government is in place, and that a clear timeframe for delivery of 24/7 PPCI in UHW is included," the Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson said.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is in the hands of the Minister of Health, who admitted that he could publish the document.

The next Programme for Government should include explicit commitments on cardiovascular health, including 24/7 emergency cardiac care in the South East, as well as a national strategy to improve prevention, screening, and primary care services, as well as acute and emergency care.

"He had sought to secure funding for the report before publishing it. The Government did not consider or fund the report. This was a cynical exercise to avoid scrutiny and debate on the issue in advance of the election.

"This is a very serious matter and lives are at risk because of the lack of services in the South East."

The Waterford TD said that "there is a responsibility on the Minister to now publish the report so that it can inform Government talks and the programme for the next Government".

"It is essential that the next Government implements a comprehensive strategy for improving heart health, emergency care, prevention, and local primary care. This cannot be developed if the report is kept under wraps. This delay is holding back much-needed change."

Deputy Cullinane argued that Minister Donnelly "should put transparency first" and publish the report before the end of the current government and to put in place a "clear timeframe for delivery" of 24-hour cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services will recommend a focus on four principal cardiology centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway, supported by a network of satellite hospitals, The Irish Times reported in June. Crucially for the Deise, the report recommends that cardiac services should be strengthened at five other "satellite" hospitals, including UHW.
Over 10,000 has to date been crowdfunded in support of the woman behind what Clonmel District Court judge Brian OShea described as a House of Horrors.

Ms Pat Edwards of Deise Animal Sanctuary made national news headlines last week, following her guilty plea and eight-month prison sentence for multiple animal abuses, which took place at the local sanctuary.

Neither Pat Edwards or Pauline Doyle were able to identify the dog in this picture and struggled to identity the cage itself and its location within the sanctuary. Pauline said: "I dont remember that pen." Photo: ISPCA

The Waterford News & Star has spoken with various parties involved in the case, including Ms Edwards, Senior ISPCA Inspector Alice Lacey, and Pauline Doyle, the new temporary manager of the sanctuary.

The alleged mistreatment of animals, the length of sentence and the GoFundMe page were discussed.

Inspections

ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey outlined to us the multiple inspections which she carried out on the sanctuary in 2023 alongside inspectors from the Department of Agriculture.

The first inspection was conducted on February 23, 2023, where a large amount of welfare concerns were observed with loads of different species of animals. Department of Agriculture inspectors returned the following day (February 24) to serve Ms Edwards an Animal Health and Welfare notice.

One of the foxes that was at the sanctuary. Photo: ISPCA

Returning on February 28, the ISPCA removed 32 animals from the sanctuary and took them into their own care.

A number of these animals were euthanized following veterinary advice, including buzzards and a pigeon, which had longstanding injuries, broken and fractured wings that had never been vet treated.

On this date dogs, cats, a rabbit and a chinchilla were also removed.

Further inspections were carried out in March, April, May and June. An additional 17 animals were removed during the May inspection, following the obtainment of a search warrant from Clonmel District Court. These included two fox cubs, a number of pigs with chronic skin conditions and a number of dogs.

One of the cats recovered. Photo: ISPCA

On June 30, a tame adult fox, well-known by locals as Shadow was removed from the sanctuary.

Ms Lacey was asked by the Waterford News & Star if the scale of neglect witnessed at the sanctuary would be placed within the upper tier of what she has witnessed in her career, to which she replied: Yes, it would be I was completely shocked.

The meaning of a sanctuary is a safe haven, in this case for animals to keep them safe, to provide for their needs. Thats what you would expect from an animal sanctuary and no less. To find animals in a state of distress, injured, living in substandard conditions was awful. As regards to severity, it was right up there at the top.

She added that some animals at the sanctuary were never going to be able to perform their normal capabilities again as wild animals and they were never going to be able to be rehabilitated and released. Yet, we found them there, essentially just existing, and that was hard for me to see as a welfare inspector.

Regarding the fate of the animals that were seized, Ms. Lacey said any of the dogs and other animals that came into the care of the ISPCA were subsequently rehomed.

Following a guilty plea, two prison sentences of four months to run consecutively were imposed on Ms. Edwards, as was a 20-year ban from owning all animals and a fine of 1,500.

I think this sets a precedent, Ms. Lacey said.

An appeal against the severity of the sentence was lodged after the hearing.

10,000 in donations

The same day Ms Edwards received her sentence, a GoFundMe page was created, which at time of publication has raised over 10,920.

The page has set itself a goal of reaching 20,000.

An injured bird's leg. Photo: ISPCA

To date, the page has received a total of 302 donations. One anonymous donator has contributed 500 to the page. Another individual donated 220, whilst numerous others donated 200 each.

The pages description outlines that monies raised will be for Pat Edwards from Deise Animal Sanctuary because today she received an eight month custodial sentence.

Aside from this vague reference that funds raised will be for Ms Edwards, donors to the fundraiser were not informed where specifically the large sum of funds accrued would be spent.

The Waterford News & Star met last week with the creator of the GoFundMe page and new manager of Deise Animal Sanctuary, Pauline Doyle.

Ms. Doyle was asked to clarify what the money will be used for, to which she explained: Maybe I didnt actually say it was for a barrister. For transparency, it has to be the solicitors account the money goes into. Not our account, not the charity account. The money is raised for that, and as far as Im concerned thats what it goes for.

The page additionally fails to mention the large amount of animals, which were seized, only making reference to dogs, birds and a fox. In an Update comment, which was added to the page on December 5, Ms Doyle said that the courts incorrectly said there were 30 feral cats found at the sanctuary. This update also lists the animals that were still in situ at the sanctuary on that date.

One of the pens at the sanctuary. Photo: ISPCA

Pat Edwards herself also did not accurately specify to followers of the sanctuary the number of animals the ISPCA, the Department of Agriculture and the courts had raised concerns over. She said in a social media post-dated November 26: The reason I got the ban was over birds and the state of the place due to life and lack of staff.

For the purpose of properly informing the large number of donors and supporters of the sanctuary, Ms Doyle and Ms Edwards were asked why they did not mention that a total of 32 animals were seized in February 2023 and a further 17 in May 2023, and that further species that concerns were raised over which were not mentioned on the GoFundMe page, included pigs, a chinchilla, multiple fox cubs and rabbits.

Ms Doyle said that only dogs and birds were mentioned because these were the main things.

When asked about the GoFundMe page, Ms Lacey said: I want to make note of the fact that the case has been heard and in a court of law a sentence and a conviction has been handed down.

Pat Edwards has received a conviction of animal cruelty and we will be going back for an appeal and regiving all of that evidence.

Photo: ISPCA

Fundraiser

Three days after Ms Edwards pleaded guilty to causing suffering to or endangering the health and welfare of a variety of animals at Deise Animal Sanctuary, the sanctuary held a fundraiser in Waterford city centre.

The fundraiser was advertised as follows: The sanctuary works tirelessly to care for animals in need, and every donation helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for these furry friends. If you're in a position to help, it would be greatly appreciated.

An admittance of failures

Both Pat Edwards and new manager of the sanctuary, Pauline Doyle, have accepted that certain standards were not being upheld, saying that the sanctuary was overwhelmed.

Ms Edwards said she does not regret taking animals into the sanctuary despite creating overcrowded conditions.

An interior image from the sanctuary. Photo: ISPCA

Ive done it and thats it. If I was such a bad person people wouldnt donate. Im not going to make out Im perfect because Im not, Im far from it. Ive done things wrong. Everybody has done things wrong. But never have I intentionally hurt anything.

Ms. Edwards also said that during her running of the sanctuary, she was too soft.

A photo sent to the Waterford News & Star by current manager Pauline, shows the sanctuary interior now.

Pauline said: I do understand where the Department and the ISPCA were coming from each time they visited, Pat was still over her numbers. They tried to tell Pat to reduce the numbers, which was easier said than done, when every morning you would wake up to more and more dogs. She had to put up with that on her own.

Under the new management of Pauline however, the sanctuary has been able to successfully maintain manageable numbers, and is currently keeping under 20 dogs. Pauline said she picks and chooses what animals will be admitted to safeguard other animals at the sanctuary.

Ms. Edwards also admitted that the reason she could not present documentation for animals was because physical paperwork was damaged when the caravan they were contained within blew away in a storm.

Both Ms Edwards and Ms Doyle disagree that any animal cruelty or neglect was present at the sanctuary.

Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Alice Lacey commented last week that neglect was prevalent and that in deciding to accept a large amount of animals, Ms. Edwards consequently failed to alleviate their suffering:

Yes there were a lot of animals there, there were many animals there of varying species, but for example some of the physical injuries of those animals were so obvious to anybody to the naked eye and so obvious to the person who should have been tending to those animals and providing for them.

If you see an animal is injured and youre operating as a sanctuary, the first thing you would do is get that animal help.

My own opinion is I know there were a lot of animals there, but there was neglect in regards to those animals and in particular the ones that we removed.

She added, You dont want to turn an animal away, but if youre at capacity sometimes what happens is the more animals you have in your care, the welfare standard will go down.

If theres animals like the ones we removed who were injured and suffering, there is no excuse to turning a blind eye to that. Whatever about the number of animals, there were ones there staring you straight in the face that were seriously injured and there was nothing done to alleviate that suffering.

Discrimination

In the past number of weeks, the Deise Animal Sanctuary Facebook page has criticized the ISPCA, The Department of Agriculture and the courts for their decision to sentence Ms. Edwards to eight months.

Various posts state that lies have been told by the department and the ISPCA in court and that Pat has been bullied and harassed over the last year and a half.

Pauline said to the Waterford News & Star: Society is at fault, Pat is not at fault. She did the right thing, she did everything right. Unfortunately society is to blame.

Pauline additionally said that the ISPCA and the Department want her (Pat) gone. When we asked why this was, she said: I dont know.

Ms. Edwards said the reason she took a guilty plea was because she was advised to do so by a solicitor.

I wasnt happy about it, Pauline said, I wanted it to go to full trial. Yes, Pat was overwhelmed, but there was never any danger to any animal.

Pauline issued an apology to Judge Brian OShea for what she described as an outburst she had during the trial.

Shadow the Fox

A well know animal at the sanctuary was Shadow the fox.

During an inspection, the ISPCA seized the animal. Ms. Lacey said that the fox was living in a dog pen with very little enrichment or any kind of stimulation. Over the course of those inspections we could see that his health and welfare was deteriorating.

Ms Edwards and Ms Doyle disagreed with this assessment, saying that the fox was healthy. Ms Edwards also said that the foxs pen had a dirt floor, and hence the animal could have dug out under the cage if it ever wanted to leave.

Pauline added: He could have dug out of it anytime he wanted to go, and he never did.

The Waterford News & Star has learned that since being removed from Deise Animal Sanctuary, Shadow the fox is thriving and has been placed into a specialist wildlife facility, the location of which cannot be revealed.

The future of the sanctuary

As part of her sentence, Ms Edwards has been disqualified from owning all animals for 20 years.

As a result, Pauline has taken over the running of the sanctuary as temporary manager.

She says: The plan is to make sure the governance is up to scratch. Paperwork has to be PDF file and there will be no more dogs on the premises, we dont need to do that.

Im trying to bring it up to scratch, Im trying to tidy the place up.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

An unidentified British Army soldier was responsible more likely than not for the fatal shooting of a schoolboy in the grounds of a Belfast hospital almost 50 years ago, a coroner has found.

Patrick Crawford, 15, was shot dead while walking through the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital at around 9.40pm on August 10 1975.

In 2015, Northern Irelands former attorney general John Larkin granted a fresh inquest into Patricks death after representations from his family over the Troubles killing.

Delivering his findings at Belfasts Laganside Courthouse on Monday, Judge Philip Gilpin said the teenager died of a single gunshot wound to the chest.

He told the court: The cumulative effect of the facts as found by me, and the various strands of evidence when brought together, satisfy me on the balance of probabilities, to a sufficient degree of cogency, that it is more likely than not that Patrick was shot by an unidentified British Army soldier in circumstances where they could not have had a reasonable belief of a threat of force.

He rejected theories the teenager had been killed as part of an IRA feud, stating he was an innocent 15-year-old boy not involved in any suspect activity at the time he was shot.

The coroner also said he would take written submissions on whether he should remove anonymity orders on two deceased soldiers which were granted during the inquest proceedings.

The court was told that on the day Patrick was shot there had been considerable civil disturbance in west Belfast and that a rally had taken place to mark the fourth anniversary of the introduction of internment in Northern Ireland.

Mr Gilpin said there had been outbreaks of sporadic violence including gunfire towards members of the Army, particularly in and around the area of the RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital).

Patrick, who was walking home, had encountered two women, Annie Miskimmin and Catherine Faloon, and asked them to walk with him through the hospital grounds as he was nervous of the army in the RVH.

The coroner said he had concluded there were two possible locations where the shot that killed Patrick had been discharged, the Gynae building and Quinn House.

He found that the bullet which killed the teenager was more likely than not to have been a high velocity one.

Mr Gilpin said there had been a significant and persistent military presence in the RVH.

He added: I consider that to all intents and purposes the military were in control of this area, in significant numbers, were armed, and recorded as being actively looking for a gunman, at least in the time prior to Patricks arrival in that area.

The inquest findings were delivered at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

The coroner said it had not proven possible to identify the person who shot Patrick but that there were two possibilities  a soldier or a member of a paramilitary organisation.

He said: I consider that the reality was that only military personnel could have had sufficient freedom to access the roof of either the one and a half storey Gynae building or Quinn House.

The coroner rejected rumours that Patrick had been involved with the Official IRA or had been shot as part of an IRA feud.

He said: I was satisfied at the conclusion of all the evidence that this view remained unchanged and unchallenged, namely that Patrick was an innocent 15-year-old boy not involved in any suspect activity at the time he was shot.

He also said there was no evidence of there being a paramilitary gunman within the grounds of the RVH at the time Patrick was shot.

He described the RUC investigation into the death in 1975 as perfunctory.

The coroner said: There was no scene search as such, no attempt to retain clothing for analysis, no proper attempt to look for the bullet that killed Patrick and no proper engagement with witnesses.

The absence of investigation only lends itself, in my view, to support a narrative that what happened to Patrick was known at the time and so there was no appetite to explore those events given the involvement of the Army.

Mr Gilpin said, given his findings, he would take submissions on whether anonymity orders on two dead soldiers given the ciphers PC02 and PC03 would be removed.

He said he would rule on that in the new year before closing the legacy inquest.
Waterford's own Lumina, are proud to present their first Christmas concert, which will be taking place at the special Franciscan Friary at Lady Lane, Waterford

The programme will include a variety of well-known Christmas carols and songs, in addition to some Renaissance Christmas music, with proceeds of the concert going to support the Franciscan Friary in Waterford.

Lumina is made up of alumni from the SETU Choral Programme.

Within five months of re-establishing, the group was chosen from nearly 60 choirs to become Choir of the Festival at the AIMS Choral Festival, which took place in New Ross in May of this year.

The accomplished choir is conducted by Niall Crowley and accompanied by Sinead Crowley.

The concert will also feature award-winning mezzo soprano, Emma Power. A proud alumni of the Choral Programme, Emma recently completed the Masters of Music Performance Program at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, studying with Dr Imelda Drumm and Dr Dearbhla Collins.

They are recipients of the Mezzo Solo cup, The Margaret Burke-Sheridan cup, the Mrs P.J Geoghegan Memorial Cup, The Lieder Prize and the Mahler Prize at the Feis Ceoil.

Emma also featured at the Irish Salon Opera recital, the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and in the National Concert Hall with the NSO.

In addition to Lumina, there will also be a performance by the SETU Choral Programme Alumni. Although many of these are no longer living in Waterford, they are singing in some of the finest choirs in Ireland and abroad and they cherish the opportunity to sing together again at the reunion on December 23, every year.

Tickets available at eventbrite.ie
Photo: MFA of Ukraine

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha urged partners to take the next step  to move from freezing to confiscating Russian assets and to direct funds to the defense and restoration of Ukraine.

"When it comes to immobilized Russian assets, it is time to move from freezing to seizing - use not only profits, but also assets themselves, to support Ukraine's defense, resilience, and recovery," he wrote on the X social network.

"It is fair and legitimate to make the aggressor compensate for the damages and harm," Sybiha said.
Sonya McLean

A woman who was sexually assaulted as a teenage babysitter has spoken out following the sentencing of the man who sexually assaulted her.

Martin OBrien (54) of Gurrane, Belclare, Tuam, Co Galway pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault on dates between June 1st, 2012 and February 2014.

He has a previous conviction for multiple sexual assault offences against a 10-year-old child when he was between 13 and 14 years old.

Carl Hanahoe SC, prosecuting, told the court that the victim in this case, Aine McHugh, who was aged between 16 and 17 years old at the time, wishes to waive her anonymity.

I am Aine McHugh and I have waived my right to anonymity because I no longer carry feelings of guilt or shame.

Ms McHugh read her victim impact statement at a previous hearing in July, during which she described OBrien as sub-human, a monster and master manipulator who violated her in every way possible while she cared for his children.

Justice Kerida Naidoo said that Ms McHugh was a gifted and enthusiastic traditional musician whom OBrien recruited to babysit his children.He noted from her victim impact statement that the assaults greatly affected her and that she had described it as progressively killing me from the inside out

She described the man as sub-human, a monster, and a sexual predator with animalistic behaviour.

Ms McHugh said OBrien groomed her and did everything he could to break her down piece by piece.

He has destroyed the life I hoped for, she said.

She said he repeatedly sexually assaulted her while she cared for his children and tried to protect them. He is a master manipulator, a bully  he violated me in every sense of the world.

Following the sentencing, Ms McHugh spoke outside the court: "I am Aine McHugh and I have waived my right to anonymity because I no longer carry feelings of guilt or shame. Today, I return all guilt and shame back to where it belongs, to Martin OBrien, who forced this suffering on me and later my parents and family.

"Sexual abuse manifests and festers in silence, I know because I suffered in silence. Secrets and silence enable the perpetrators. To the adults who stay silent and decide to ignore or look the other way: that guilt and shame also belongs to you.

"I want to speak to every child or teenager who has suffered or is suffering sexual abuse, if you can hear me, please know that you have done nothing wrong.

"There is nothing wrong with you. Please tell an adult you trust. To the adults who may receive their disclosure: please listen, help them and do the right thing.

"I never thought that I would be free of this, but I have survived, and I feel free today. He no longer controls my life.

"I will be forever grateful to those who sought justice before me. Their bravery and the courage of their convictions gave me hope in my darkest days. I would also like to thank the detectives and gardai in the Galway Divisional Protective Services Unit, as well as the Galway and Dublin Rape Crisis Centres for their dedication, professionalism, and support."

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.
We need to talk about the problems of race, identity and racism and stop being afraid to have complex, nuanced conversations, says Louise Adler, head of Adelaide Writers Week.

Louise Adler. Credit: Eddie Jim

In her third event, to be held in March, Adler addresses these issues head-on, enlisting TV host and journalist Waleed Aly and academic Susan Carland, his wife, to talk about Islamophobia, as well as professor of history at Columbia Simon Schama on antisemitism. Also on the bill is African-American writer Wesley Lowery on racism in America, Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen on Russia, Trump and Gaza, and Indian essayist Pankaj Mishra, who has written about the legacy of the Holocaust.

Writers Week is bound to be controversial. Adler says she has brought together writers who have thought more deeply than most of us can in our ordinary lives about issues, be they personal or public and she hopes the audience goes away inspired.

I would hope that as citizens of Australia and of the world we would care deeply about the horrors we are witnessing internationally, that our collective and individual voices would in fact would be loud and clear in defence of humanity, Adler says.
For 30 years, I kept a secret: a teacher at my primary school saved my life.

These days, as a doctor, my workdays are long and the homework afterwards even longer. Sometimes, after my children have gone to bed, memories of my own childhood return, many as vivid as yesterday. In the evening of my memory, my thoughts often go to two teachers from my primary school: one whose classes gave me a start in life, the other who made sure I didnt lose it.

The survivor: Louis Wang as an 11-year-old student at Woollahra Public School.

I attended Woollahra Public School in Sydneys eastern suburbs in the 1990s when, by some fluke of the cosmos, I gained admission to its opportunity-class program. There were 60 students, divided into two classes. I adored the teacher who took me for the two years, but I didnt get to know the teacher of the other class very well. During those two years, I often hid from her in the playground because I thought she was strict. Now I wish I hadnt.

In term 4 of 1994, we had year 6 camp on the Grose River in the Hawkesbury Valley. Our classes, while staying at Camp Yarramundi, went on a bushwalk. Naturally, and despite our teachers best efforts, we got lost. To get back to the cabins, our group ended up taking a detour. The path we chose hugged a deep ravine. Along the way, we had to climb a hill about three metres high, but certainly manageable for 12-year-old legs. My own teacher went up first to show the way.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the December 15 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories . After leaving her marriage in 2002, author Elizabeth Gilbert took a sabbatical in India, Italy and Indonesia in which she rediscovered love, then wrote about her experiences in a memoir. Published in 2006, Eat, Pray, Love has sold more than 12 million copies and made her a household name. Since then, Gilbert has published six more books and continues to travel the world, sharing insights from her journey of self-discovery. Now 55, she embraces the future with confidence and on her own terms, even shaving her head to challenge conventional beauty standards. Its been nearly 20 years since Eat, Pray, Love was published. How do you feel knowing the title is now used as a phrase to describe spiritual and personal awakening?

One thing I am so proud of in my life is that Eat, Pray, Love is now a term. Its not that people didnt do it  people have travelled alone for a multitude of reasons and for the longest time  but we didnt have a catchy and universally understood term that meant, I need to get away, I need to do this by myself, and I need to do this for deeply personal reasons. Whether thats to do with a break-up or a huge change of life, its about saying, I am coming back as a very different person than when I left  if I come back at all! I think its cool that we now have an expression that is a shorthand for all of that, and its one Im happy to be associated with. Did your Eat, Pray, Love journey happen time and again or could it only ever happen once?

I dont think it can happen again for me, nor do I think it needs to. If a trip like that is successful, something in you changes and you can never go back. There was an innocence in that journey as well as an earnestness from where that journey began  it was a place of confusion and I didnt know if it was going to work. I always call a human life Earth school, and as long as youre here and Earth school is in session, there are epiphanies and awakenings on the menu all the time. You spent your early career writing for mens magazines such as GQ and Esquire. When did you start to feel the desire to write about yourself rather than mens topics?

Those were the days when magazines paid really well. When I was a young woman, I remember this sense that men had all the cooler stuff, and I wanted to be in that world. I dont think I was necessarily wrong to observe that. Men did have much more freedom, they had more privileges, whereas the women I saw growing up were tired and angry. They had reason to be that way, but it didnt make me want to chase their lives. Then I became a tired and angry woman myself. I got married, and suddenly I was putting a meal in front of a guy every night. I was like, wait a minute, I used to be an interesting person. I used to work on a ranch in Wyoming. I used to travel the world. Ive been in Mexico for the eclipse. I had a nervous breakdown, and an internal journey had to happen, and thats the book. Its still funny to me that Eat, Pray, Love is like the uber chick-lit book. I was like, wow, I never thought I would be that person. But I am so proud to be that person. Its been a long time since I even thought about men, and they used to be the centre of my world.

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Who do you turn to in tough emotional times?

It takes a village to keep me propped up! When my mind comes after me with a knife, I turn to friends I have known for 30 years. They are my history and know me. But I am also an addict in recovery [from sex and love addiction]. I go to 12-step meetings every day, and I am around people who understand what its like to have a mind thats like a dangerous neighbourhood. I have a sponsor and fellowship and thats my community  the core of my life. Loading I also have [American author] Glennon Doyle on speed dial. We call each other all the time. I heard a woman say recently, everything I used to think I had to find in one man, I understand now I can only get from a community of women. A full community of women keep me alive and I love it. What do your fans want from you these days?

They want permission. I am happy to self-identify as a walking permission slip. That could be permission for them to get a divorce, even if their husbands arent beating them. Its acknowledging that the man you chose to marry might not be the worst and is fundamentally a good person, but you want to die every single day and will die if you stay in this marriage. These people want permission to not have children in a world that tells them they wont be fulfilled until they do. They want permission to write books, to make art, to travel alone. They are looking for permission, and if I can give it, I will. What gets better with age?

Everything. There is so much that culture teaches women that is not only misleading but absolute Freaky Friday nonsense. One of these things is the terror of ageing and the messaging about how our worth slowly devalues as we get older and lose what we hideously refer to as our looks. This is inconsistent with what studies show  that women get happier as we get older. We know that because how many 50-year-olds would replace themselves with their 20-year-old self? I wouldnt even trade myself now with my 40-year-old self. Its so anchoring to get older. Unless youre really not paying attention, youre picking up wisdom and perspective, youre getting better at setting boundaries and knowing who you are and who you arent. Not everybody gets to be in their 50s; its a lucky thing. I dont know what the future holds but its very difficult for me to imagine what it would be like to have hair again. Credit: Deborah Lopez

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Why did you cut your hair off?

I didnt just cut it off, I shaved it off. I got clippers and took it all off. I do it once a week. I dont know what the future holds, but its very difficult for me to imagine what it would be like to have hair again. I remember being at an event in New York and being around a bunch of people in their 50s. Every man had his hair buzzed, and it looked so good  these silver foxes with lines in their faces. All the women had some version of long, complicated-looking hair and all were blonde. I was looking around, wondering why were still doing this. The only reason I can imagine is that you want your hair to be attractive and seductive, but thats not a good enough reason. I was like, I can sit here and complain about the beauty standards for men and women or just go home and buzz my head. And I did, and I claimed the privilege that men have. What if I could jump in an ocean and come out and my hair is perfect? What if I could get out of bed and my hair is perfect? Get off a 13-hour flight, hair is perfect! I didnt wait for the culture to change, I went and did it anyway. What pressures did you put on yourself when you were younger?

I wanted to be pretty. I was not a tomboy or a butch girl. I was a very romantic girl and I wanted men to look at me with rapture and desire and I did all I could for that. I look at [my younger self] now with a great deal of compassion. She was lovelorn and love hungry, very insecure and needed more assurance than the world could provide. I did everything I could to get it  God bless her. You were in a relationship with Rayya Elias from 2016 until she died from pancreatic cancer in 2018. Tell us about that.

Its not so much about being with a woman or a man for me. Being with Rayya wasnt a big deal, but it is what people want to know about. I loved her so much. It was her honesty I was drawn to. The greatest thing about Rayya was that you always knew where you stood. The directness, the willingness to sail the ship into the gale. She used to say lets lay it all on the table. It was fearless. She was my role model. Did you experience deep grief after Rayyas death, or lose motivation?

Motivation hasnt been an issue for me. I didnt lose the will to live when Rayya died. I wrote a poem for her which said Its not that I wanted to die when you died, I just wanted to be where you were. I missed her and wanted to find a way to connect. Loading

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Broncos star Ezra Mam has apologised and promised to become a better person after pleading guilty to drug driving and driving without a licence.

The 21-year-old was fined $850 and had his licence suspended for at least six months at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

Broncos star Ezra Mam arrives at Brisbane Magistrates Court. Credit: William Davis

At so many levels youre fortunate to be able to stand where you are today given you were involved in a two vehicle accident, the sentencing magistrate  who appeared not to know who Mam was, asking how his name was spelled  said.

You could have been injured or killed or the other [people] could have been injured or killed.
Australians doubt Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses world-leading plan to ban children from social media will work, and fewer than half would be willing to hand over their ID to tech companies if required under the new laws.

While findings from the latest Resolve Political Monitor show most Australians support the idea of banning social media for people under 16 years of age  which became a major plank of Albaneses policy agenda in the second half of this year  they lack faith the government can execute it.

Resolve suggests most Australians back a social media block on teenagers  but are not sure if it will work. Credit: iStock, Nathan Perri

The findings highlight a risk for Labor and scepticism among voters as Albanese heads to the next election pursuing a broader tech crackdown, including a fresh proposal last week to force social media companies to pay for journalism through a new bargaining incentive.

The government has pitched itself as acting on reports of bullying, aggression, sexualisation and other challenges faced by young people on social media, as well as declining mental health. Parents are worried sick about this, Albanese said earlier this year. The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount.
On Friday, the head of the Productivity Commission, Danielle Wood, published an opinion piece in The Australian. Wood was appointed by the government, but anyone doubting her independence was chastened early in her term, when she criticised one of Labors darlings, Future Made in Australia.

In the column, Wood strongly commended Labors childcare policies. Specifically, she and her colleague Martin Stokie praised higher wages for childcare workers as the fundamental first step in a series of necessary reforms. Last weeks announcement of $1 billion for more childcare centres in places where there arent enough was, they wrote, a welcome next response.

Credit: Artwork: Joe Benke

As for the governments most significant announcement so far, taking large steps towards removing the activity test (which means more disadvantaged kids with unemployed parents will be able to get the benefits other children already get from childcare); this would help centre the child as part of future childcare policies, and should be taken further.

As you can tell from their comments, Wood and Stokie were not only pointing to the worth of the policies. Crucially, they were praising the manner of delivery. They were encouraged that the government is going about its reforms in a systematic and considered way. The order of steps taken was as important as the steps themselves.
The quick answer is that Chinese phones are as safe as any other Android phone if you use them carefully, but there are particular risks. There has been evidence to show that built-in apps on some of these phones have been used to collect data on Chinese citizens, or that software pre-installed on the phones has been used to censor topics the Chinese government has mandated. ZTE are among the Chinese brands of phones now available in Australia. Credit: AP But then many of the brands sold here do comply with Europes pro-privacy General Data Protection Regulation laws, and run different software to those sold in China. Many phones these days come pre-installed with dodgy software that links out to gambling services or data-poaching games and apps, and your best bet is to remove or disable these and make sure only apps you trust have access to your information. Chinese phones are often filled with pre-installed apps from Chinese companies. Android in general is relatively strong privacy-wise in terms of your ability to deny apps access to your information. In Australia, most people have no need to use app stores other than Google Play.

On Huawei phones, access to Google services may be difficult, but theyre pre-installed on most others. If youre a politician or prominent business person, there have been enough security concerns thrown around that you may want to stick with Apple, but there is no hard evidence of Chinese phone brands misusing users data in the West. Three of the latest Loading Oppo Find X8 Pro To start with one of the most expensive options, and one of the most familiar if youre coming from an American or South Korean phone, the $1800 Find X8 Pro is an absolute powerhouse. From its powerful MediaTek chip to its four 50MP cameras from Swedish firm Hasselblad with two periscope zoom lenses (one at x3, one at x6), and from an impressive IP69 water protection to a big 120Hz display, this phone is essentially competing with next years offerings from the big brands and leaves most 2024 phones in the dust.

Hardware-wise, its tough to find a fault, and the cameras perform amazingly well in most light, provided youre not trying to zoom in the dark. That zoom, by the way, is quite incredible and can provide some viewable AI-assisted x60 results, while a macro lens works well and low-light video is impressive. The 80W charger makes for very fast top-ups. With software, you get Oppos take on the same text summary and image-generation AI the other brands are pushing, which seems to work as well and is easy to ignore if youre not into it. Im not a fan of ColorOS, the bright and bubbly iOS-like take on Android that Oppo uses, but the phone comes with a guaranteed five years of updates, which is not bad. Nubia RedMagic 10 Pro For a game-forward phone, this one has a very sleek look. The least expensive model (around $1000) has a geometric pattern on the rear glass, while the others have a transparent panel that exposes some screws and a suggestion of the metal frame and cooling structure beneath. The only difference between the models is the amount of RAM (starting at 12GB). The RedMagic 10 Pro is a gamer phone with serious power. Just dont let it near water.

Inside is the phenomenally powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and this is one of the least expensive devices youll find right now to house one. Nubia has included a cutting edge silicon-carbon battery with a huge 7050 mAh capacity, with an 80W charger in the box. Since its designed for gaming, you can also shut the battery off and power direct from USB-C to reduce heat. Speaking of which, theres also a built-in cooling fan with open vents that probably makes this one of the least waterproof phones you can get. Other gaming-centric touches range from the useful (touch-sensitive index finger triggers) to the bizarre (a cartoon AI girlfriend / assistant who addresses you in heavily accented English as captain), and the 144Hz OLED with under display selfie camera makes for a clean looking device. AI smarts come via Google, but as usual with gaming phones, youre getting the best performance possible at the expense of the cameras, which are ordinary. Xiaomi 14T Pro For a slightly less expensive option, this one can be found under $800 but compares very well to the likes of the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S24, which cost more. It has a bigger and sharper screen with a higher refresh rate, a higher capacity battery with a ridiculous 120W charge  that theoretically will get you from flat to 100 per cent in 20 minutes  and a trio of rear cameras from Leica. The Xiaomi 14T Pro stacks up to its almost-flagship rivals but comes in at a lower price.
Kallas: there has to be peace in order to send peacekeepers to Ukraine

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/kallaskaja/

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, says that in order to discuss the initiative to send a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, there must be peace first.

First, there has to be peace in order to send peacekeepers. And Russia doesnt want peace. That is very clear. If you look at Lavrovs [Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov] interview for Tucker Carlson , they havent stepped away from their goals. So, we cant discuss that, she said on Monday in Brussels before the start of the meeting of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs, answering a question from journalists.

As you know, French President Emmanuel Macron took the initiative to discuss sending a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine. He has already discussed this issue with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, but has not found support.
The settlement followed months of attacks by Trump and his allies on ABC News, with the president-elect going so far as to say that the network should lose its federal broadcast licence. The deal set off criticism of ABC News by those who perceived the network as needlessly bowing down to Trump. And it led some legal and media experts to wonder whether the outcome would embolden Trump and others to intensify their assault on the media when many news organisations are struggling with declining public trust and deteriorating finances. Donald Trump takes part in an ABC presidential debate in September. Credit: Bloomberg Even before the settlement was reached, prominent media lawyer Elizabeth McNamara said she expected the trend is only going to increase given the political environment. Theres been a pattern and practice for the past couple of years of using defamation litigation as a tactic to harass or test the boundary of case law, said McNamara, who represented ABC News and Stephanopoulos but was speaking in general. (Her law firm, Davis Wright Tremaine, has also represented The New York Times.)

Over the past several weeks, lawyers for Trump and two of his most high-profile nominees  Pete Hegseth, the potential defence secretary, and Kash Patel, whom Trump has picked to run the FBI  warned journalists and others of defamation lawsuits for what they had said or written. Loading Hegseth, until recently a Fox News host, was accused of sexual assault in 2017. While he denies the allegation, he struck a confidential settlement with his accuser. In an interview on CNN this month, Hegseths lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, said the woman was free to speak publicly. But, he warned, if she repeats these false statements, then she will be subject to a defamation lawsuit. Parlatore, who previously represented Trump, said in an interview that he had delivered a similar warning directly to the accusers lawyer. I suspect that shes not going to come forward at all, Parlatore said. Theres no benefit. Its all downside.

Parlatore has also recently warned news outlets, including Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, that their planned articles about Hegseths past, including drinking and marital problems, could be defamatory, potentially exposing them to litigation, according to four people at the magazines and an email reviewed by the Times. Despite the warnings, both outlets published the articles. (Hegseth has denied having a drinking problem.) Parlatore said he was not trying to squelch negative coverage by issuing baseless threats. Instead, he said, he was seeking to prevent the spread of false information about his client. I dont threaten things that I dont intend to do, he said. (Parlatore previously sued a Times reporter for defamation on behalf of a former Navy SEAL, Edward Gallagher, who later dropped the suit.) Kash Patel, president-elect Donald Trumps nominee to lead the FBI, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. Credit: Kenny Holston/The New York Times Other lawyers representing prominent conservatives portrayed the growing popularity of libel litigation as a bipartisan trend, pointing to successful lawsuits against Fox News, Alex Jones and Rudy Giuliani. But those cases were brought by private companies and individuals, not those seeking or holding public office. Patel, who held senior positions in the first Trump administration, said before the election that he would use a job in the next administration to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.

Patels most recent threat was aimed not at a journalist but at Olivia Troye, who was a senior aide to former vice president Mike Pence. In a recent MSNBC appearance, Troye denounced Patel as a delusional liar. Patels lawyer, Jesse Binnall, fired off a letter demanding that she publicly retract her remarks. Absent a retraction, he wrote, Mr Patel will take swift legal action to uphold his rights and reputation. Loading In response, Troyes lawyer, Mark Zaid, sent Binnall an image of a Monty Python character sticking out his tongue in a taunt. Patel and Binnall have routinely threatened or filed libel lawsuits. In 2021, Patel created the Kash Patel Legal Offense Trust, in part to finance such suits. The trust helped bankroll a defamation suit that Richard Grenell, a senior official in the first Trump administration, brought against Troye in 2022, according to a court filing in the case. Troye has sought to have the lawsuit dismissed. Binnall is also Grenells lawyer. His other clients in defamation cases have included Trumps former national security adviser Michael T Flynn, former Republican representative Devin Nunes and Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson of North Carolina, who recently sued CNN for linking him to lewd comments on pornography websites. (Robinson denied posting the comments. CNN is seeking to have the suit dismissed.) Binnall also has a suit pending against the Times on behalf of right-wing group 1st Amendment Praetorian.

Lawyers such as Binnall have been using lawfare against perceived and actual enemies for years, Zaid, the lawyer for Troye, said in an interview, describing the tactics as an attempt at intimidation. Over the decades, Trump himself has filed repeated lawsuits against media companies and others for what he considered unfair or unfavorable coverage. Aside from his settlement with ABC News, Trump has hardly ever prevailed. He has a pending libel suit against the board that hands out Pulitzer Prizes. In October, he sued CBS News, contending that it engaged in deceptive trade practices in a 60 Minutes interview of Vice President Kamala Harris. In a 10-page letter sent days before the November election, a lawyer for Trump, Edward Andrew Paltzik, accused the Times of publishing three articles that were deceptive, malicious, intentional, defamatory, disparaging, distorted, fabricated, false, and misleading. The letter demanded that the Times retract and apologise for the pieces. Otherwise, Paltzik wrote, President Trump will have no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights. He concluded: BE GUIDED ACCORDINGLY. David McCraw, a lawyer for the Times, responded two days later. He defended the articles accuracy. And he described Paltziks letter as premised on the deeply troubling notion that anyone who dares to report unfavorable facts about a presidential candidate is engaged in sabotage (as opposed to, say, contributing to the free exchange of information and ideas that makes our democracy possible).
The World Customs Organization (WCO), under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme funded by the European Union, and in partnership with the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) held regional consultations for UMA and its members. The consultations were held in Marrakech, Morocco, on 2 December 2024 and were followed by an intermediate-advanced training workshop on rules of origin (RoO) for North Africa and other Arabic speaking African countries on 3-6 December.

The UMA Secretary General, Mr Tarak Ben Salem, in his opening remarks, stressed the importance of regional integration through training and awareness raising for all stakeholders. He also mentioned the need to assist members in the negotiation of legal instruments and to develop a Maghreb strategy for the operationalisation of the AfCFTA, including an analysis of the state of play of the integration and of the opportunities for key sectors in the region, and reiterated the importance of building the capacities of the private sector, including both SMEs and women and youth.

Mr Lhassane Hallou, Director of Facilitation and IT in Morocco Customs, added that the objective of the AfCFTA is to increase intra-African trade as well as trade with the rest of the world. The Agreement is a vector for development and is based on a collective determination to build a better future for the African continent.

The objective of the consultations was to discuss the state of play for the implementation of applicable preferential RoO and trade agreements in the region, and address challenges in the implementation of RoO in the region. The consultations were an opportunity to take stock of capacity building and technical assistance needs, and consider best avenues for regional and national initiatives focusing on RoO.

The outcomes of this consultation will feed into the work plan of the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme and steer the partnership and support for UMA and its members with the aim to provide meaningful and targeted capacity building and technical assistance in the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, EPAs, and other FTAs as well as exploring other opportunities for streamlining processes in Africa.

During the technical workshop, participants worked on key concepts for proper origin determination, related operational and procedural issues, including origin certification and origin irregularities, as well as the establishment of efficient origin management. In addition, participants discussed specific areas of concern, including the low level of knowledge and use of the FTAs and challenges linked to verification of origin including trough administrative cooperation. They also discussed recommendations for better management and implementation of RoO on a national and regional level.

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with UMA and North African WCO Members to equip Customs officials with extended knowledge for efficient implementation and application of RoO. As a next step, the Programme will conduct a training of trainers which will pave the way for Customs to further disseminate their knowledge to colleagues as well as to other relevant stakeholders.

For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org
Twenty-seven out of 49 enemy drones shot down in sky over Ukraine at night, thee more in the air

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

The Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with 49 shock unmanned aerial vehicles of the Shahed type and other types on the night of Monday, starting at 01:00, according to the Telegram channel of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"No hits were recorded, no information about damage or casualties was received," the report says.

As of 08:30, 27 attack drones were shot down in the sky over Chernihiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Khmelnytsky, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Due to the active opposition of the defense forces, 19 enemy drones did not achieve their goals: they were locationally lost.

Three UAVs remain in the air.

"The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine," the Air Force said.
Norway said on Monday it would provide NOK 2.7 billion ($242 million) to strengthen the Ukrainian navy and help it deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said, Reuters has reported.

It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russias Black Sea Fleet, Reuters quoted Norways Prime Minister on Monday.

It is also important to protect exports by sea of grain and other products, which generate crucial revenues for Ukraine, he added.
A new book highlights the fact that Eamon de Valeras first close friend outside Co Limerick was Frank Hughes of Kiltimagh. Both boys were enrolled at Blackrock College, and Ryan invited Dev to Co Mayo to spend Christmas 1899 with his family. Dev fondly recalled their walks and evenings at the fireside in Mayo. He was later Devs best man, as Dev was his too.

As author Colum Kenny explains in Dangerous Ambition: The Making of Eamon de Valera (Eastwood Books, 20), Hughes also offered de Valeras family hospitality when he was interned in 1916. Sinead de Valera told Hughes: You have no idea what my life is like."

Dev once gave Hughes some advice that was revealing of his own way of thinking. During 1915, he wrote to Hughes, stating: You seem to be too sensitive about the opinion of the world... Let what the world and your neighbour think go be damned. Did you ever see the man who tried his best to be popular ever succeed except in a paltry measure?

de Valera became godfather of the Mayomans daughter Cora, who was later a supporter of the Republican cause in Spain and an active socialist in Dublin.

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.

In 1926, de Valera founded Fianna Fail. But what had got him there? His was a story of stark rearing and thwarted ambitions. Born in Manhattan in 1882, and christened Edward, he was brought up in a labourers cottage near Bruree. He never knew his father. Two women, his absent mother Kate and his wife Sinead defined his life.

Eddie worked hard to get an education, winning a scholarship that got him into the prestigious Blackrock College in Dublin and graduating from the Royal University of Ireland  rare achievements for a boy of his social class.

As seen in Dangerous Ambition, reading, rugby, hunting, and prayer were Devs youthful pastimes. But in his thirties, he left a good job in education to gamble his wife and children on the outcome of bloody rebellion and civil war. He survived both. Destiny found him a place in history. This book explores the childhood, character and early life of Eamon de Valera before he founded Fianna Fail in 1926.

Kenny, a professor emeritus of Dublin City University and senior journalist, recently gave an address in Toledo, Spain, about de Valeras use of at least three Irish ambassadors in Madrid in his futile search for roots in Spain. Kenny was speaking at the annual conference of the International Commission for the History of Representative and Parliamentary Institutions.

Published by Eastwood Books, Kennys study is aimed at both general and academic readers.
With Christmas right around the corner, there is no shortage of events around Mayo.

Whether you are looking to embrace the Yuletide spirit or shop for some last-minute Christmas gifts, check out this list of festive events around the county:

On November 16, Westport Estate transformed into a Winter Wonderland with a giant Christmas tree, the Wonderland Express and jolly old Santa Claus himself. Winter Wonderland at Westport Estate is operational until December 23. Dont miss your chance to enjoy the magical atmosphere of Tinsel Town!

Aras Inis Gluaire is delighted to welcome Sensory Santa to Belmullet on Saturday (December 21). Sensory Santa offers people with autism and sensory disorders an opportunity to meet the big man in a peaceful environment. From 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sensory Santa will chat with families until his return to the North Pole.

A screening of a classic Christmas movie, Elf starring Will Ferrell, will take place on December 21 at 3:00 p.m. in the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar. For only 7, join Buddy as he explores New York City and reconnects with his father.

Carols by Candlelight will take place on Sunday (December 22) at 8:00 p.m. at Knock Shrine. Featuring Schola Cantorum Basilicae and Knock Youth Choir with musical accompaniment by the Con Tempo string quartet and pianist Mark Keane, the joyous evening will be free of charge.

On Sunday (December 22) at 8:00 p.m., the Chapel Street Gospel Choir presents a Special Christmas Performance. On this evening, the Christ Church in Castlebar will be vibrant with soulful melodies from beloved holiday classics and gospel favourites. Tickets can be purchased online for 20.

The Westport Town Hall Theatre will celebrate its seventh annual pantomime with a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, however, has a big twist. With various performances between December 30 and January 4, there are many opportunities to see this unique rendition of the classic fairytale.

For more details, visit the Mayo County Council website: https://www.mayo.ie/christmas-in-mayo/events
Ukraine is working to receive the entire "body" of immobilized Russian assets, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, who is also the Minister of Justice of Ukraine, has said.

"This is one of the policies which the Justice Ministry under my leadership moved forward after we finalized the formation of arrangements to mobilize EUR 50 billion in interest from frozen assets. Just last week, working in Brussels, I discussed the use of the very 'body' of the assets. We are talking, in our opinion, not only about freezing the assets of the Russian Central Bank, it can be the entire 'body' of frozen assets in the conditions of sanctions policy," she said during the forum "Law and justice: Strengthening cooperation in war" on Monday.

Stefanishyna noted that a clear legal position on this issue has already been formed. The Ministry of Justice also considers successful the experience of recovery of sanctioned assets in Ukraine to the income of the Ukrainian state.

"There is such a legal format is in Estonia. There is such a legal format in Canada, in Latvia, and we are working with these countries," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

She also recalled the recent U.S. decision on the recovery of Russian assets and expressed hope that U.S. President Joseph Biden, even before the end of his term, will make the first step to implement this initiative.

"The Justice Ministry will consistently promote the legal position on the use of Russian assets until this is implemented. Our position is clear, and it has been supported in political circles in Brussels," Stefanishyna said.

Earlier, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the decision to allocate $20 billion to Ukraine as part of the G7 initiative to allocate $50 billion to the country from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.
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.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on Wednesday.

A NATO representative told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday in Brussels. He also did not rule out that other leaders of the EU member states could join this meeting, since the following day, Thursday, December 19, a meeting of the European Council will be held, to which Zelenskyy has also been invited.

The NATO representative said the Secretary General will meet with President Zelenskyy on Wednesday, adding that several European leaders are in Brussels for a meeting of the European Council, and some of them may join to discuss further support for Ukraine, particularly air defense.
About 80 Chinese language teachers from both Tanzania and China on Saturday began attending a two-day workshop at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with the aim of improving their teaching skills and knowledge. DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- About 80 Chinese language teachers from both Tanzania and China on Saturday began attending a two-day workshop at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with the aim of improving their teaching skills and knowledge. The workshop attracted teachers from China, the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, the Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma, the Confucius Classroom at the State University of Zanzibar, the Tanzania Institute of Education, the SAY Foundation in Zanzibar, and primary and secondary schools across the East African country. Aldin Mutembei, the Tanzanian director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the workshop provides a unique opportunity to enhance professional knowledge and skills that enrich the students' learning experience. Mutembei said teaching the Chinese language in Tanzania and across Africa has gained increasing importance due to the deepening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between China and the African continent, adding that understanding the Chinese language can lead to stronger people-to-people ties, allowing Tanzanians to communicate and cooperate more effectively with Chinese people. Qu Songming, deputy director of the Exchange Division at the Chinese Center for Language Education and Cooperation, said the language is a tool for human communication of ideas, a carrier for inheriting civilization, and a bridge for enhancing understanding. He noted that to date, more than 190 countries around the world have carried out Chinese language teaching projects, 85 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems, more than 80,000 schools and training institutions have opened Chinese language courses, and the number of overseas Chinese language learners has exceeded 30 million. Neema Mwampashi, a Tanzanian teacher teaching the Chinese language at the state-owned Arusha Secondary School in the Arusha region, said the workshop will improve her teaching skills and knowledge.
EU sanctions 26 individuals, 2 legal entities from Belarus - Journal of the EU

The European Union on Monday added 26 Belarusian citizens and two Belarusian companies to its sanctions list for human rights abuses and "benefiting" from cooperation with Belarusian authorities, the Official Journal of the EU said.

The newly sanctioned individuals are mainly judges and prison bosses accused by the EU of violating human rights.

The list also mentions businessmen, including Andrei Rybakov, the general director of JSC Belaruskali, and several co-owners of Vlate Logistik LLC.

The new sanctions also target Vlate Logistik and Ruzekspeditsiya LLC.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/kallaskaja/

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks of the need to increase support for Ukraine so that it can win the war that Russia is waging against the country.

She said this in Brussels on Monday at a press conference following the meeting of the EU Council at the level of foreign ministers of the EU member states. This was the first meeting chaired by Kallas since taking office.

According to the High Representative, the issue of military support for Ukraine was discussed during the meeting. "Ukraine needs our support in the battlefield. The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are also behind the negotiation table. Not just to hold on, but to tilt the balance to their favour We must support Ukraine militarily," Kallas said. She confirmed that the EU will train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of winter.

The High Representative also recalled that the EU has provided Ukraine with EUR 4.2 billion in financial support this month, and will provide EUR 1.5 billion per month from January. "But more support is needed. As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha told us when he joined us by video, it's a very difficult situation for Ukraine on the battlefield. We all heard him loud and clear. Ukraine needs more ammunition, stronger air defences, and more support for its own defence industry as well. And we must give Ukraine what it needs to win this war," Kallas said.

She also expressed confidence that "Putin will not stop unless he's stopped." "And I think what the fall of Assad's regime also showed is that Russia is weakened, and you cannot put your bets on Putin. He does not support you when you need him," the High Representative outlined the situation.

Kallas also confirmed that the EU continued its efforts to limit Russia's ability to wage war. "First, we adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia. This round targets the Shadow Fleet, North Korean officials, and for the first time also Chinese firms making drones for Moscow. Our message is very clear. You cannot fuel a war in Europe and get away with it," she said.
The Italian government on Monday approved the 10th military aid package for Ukraine, the ANSA news agency said.

Referring to sources, the agency said that on Wednesday, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto will present details of the new military aid package to Ukraine at the parliamentary supervisory body over Italian intelligence (Comitato Parlamentare per la Sicurezza della Repubblica, COPASIR). The list of materials that will be sent to Kyiv is confidential, as was the case with previous packages.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Monday told a conference of ambassadors that "Italy is beside Kyiv in an all-round commitment for a fair peace, which can't be Ukraine's surrender." He stressed that work is ongoing for "a second peace conference with the participation of Russia as well, with partners like China, India and Brazil."

The minister recalled that, during the meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers in Fiuggi, "we reiterated the centrality of support for Ukraine's energy security and its reconstruction." Tajani went on to note such commitment "sees us on the front line, ahead of the Conference on Reconstruction which we will host in Rome in July."
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...
Su Baijing, wife of Wong Chi Choi, a young man from Macao, walks in the Hengqin Campus of the University of Macao, in Hengqin of Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 11, 2024. At 8 o'clock every morning in the weekday, Wong drives his wife to the Hengqin Campus of the University of Macao from Fai Chi Kei of Macao, and then either goes to work in his company located at the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, or dives back to his office in Macao. After finishing work in the evening, he will pick up his wife and return to his home in Macao. "When I first came to Hengqin in 2016, the commuting time between Macao and Hengqin was nearly two hours. Thanks to the measures to simplify the procedures for Macao-registered vehicles to enter Hengqin under certain conditions, the commuting time has been shortened to less than one hour, which greatly enhances my sense of happiness." Wong said. As one of the first batch of twin city life explorers, Wong has another identity as the Hengqin and Macao's exchange messenger. On last Wednesday, Wong welcomed a group of students from Lou Hau High School of Macao and invited them to visit the automated and intelligent production line of traditional Chinese medicines of the company he works in. Wong told the students that the cooperation model of "Macao registration plus Hengqin production" not only expands new channels for the development of traditional Chinese medicine in Macao, but also promotes the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to having a bigger stage for career, Wong also desires to live a more comfortable life in Hengqin. He has bought a property in Hengqin's Macao New Neighborhood. "My baby was born this year, and the whole family is embracing a new life in our new home in Hengqin. Hengqin is a thriving and vibrant place." Wong said. [Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka]
Trump does not invite Zelenskyy to his inauguration, but ready to receive him there

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said that he did not invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his inauguration on January 20.

At a press conference on Monday in Mar-a-Lago (Florida), answering the question whether Zelenskyy was invited to the inauguration, Trump said that no, but if Zelenskyy wants to come, he will gladly receive him.
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. &&
Opposition to the Justin Trudeau-led Liberal governments imminent criminalization of the more than four week-long strike at Canada Post is strong among rank-and-file postal workers across the country.

With the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) expected to place its rubber stamp, Monday or Tuesday, on the governments de facto order that the 55,000 postal workers be forced back-to-work, calls are growing for a mass mobilization of the working class to defend postal workers and the right to strike.

Striking postal workers man their picket line at the Leo-Blanchette sorting plant, the largest in Montreal area

Last Friday, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced that he was ordering the CIRB to force striking postal workers back on the job under long expired collective agreements, if it determines negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are at an impassea foregone conclusion.

This marks the third time in four months that the trade union-backed Liberal government has relied on the unelected CIRB and a phony reinterpretation of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to end a strike by fiat, without any reference to parliament.

Per MacKinnons order, if the CIRB determines an impasse, it must order the postal workers back on the job and strip them of the legal right to strike until mid-May. On Friday, MacKinnon also ordered the creation of an Industrial Inquiries Commission and tasked it with reviewing all of Canada Posts operations. This is a transparent ploy to bolster Canada Posts hand, by providing neutral, third-party support for the Crown corporations plans to massively restructure the postal service at the expense of postal workers, including by slashing thousands of permanent full-time jobs.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has not lifted a finger to mobilize opposition to the looming criminalization of the strike or even called mass membership meetings so workers can discuss next steps and formulate a strategy to defy and defeat the government strike ban.

Instead, it has issued pro forma statements denouncing the attack on workers right-to-strike and ordered the strikers to stand by for further instructions.

This is in keeping with the CUPW bureaucracys sabotage of the strike from its outset. Throughout the now more than four-week battle, it has done everything it can to isolate the postal workers, and though it has been evident from the outset that Canada Post was relying on government intervention to break the strike, it has failed to advance any strategy to counter such a state attack. Clearly, as it has done numerous times in the past, CUPW is preparing to bow to the government strikebreaking and announce once the CIRB issues its order that workers have no choice but to return to work.

As for the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), even though the defence of the right to strike is of critical importance to all workers, it has not so much as issued a press release, let alone proposed any concrete action, to oppose the Liberal governments strikebreaking.

The union bureaucracies refusal to sanction any action that would bring postal workers and broader sections of the working class into direct confrontation with the Liberal government comes as no surprise. The union bureaucracy and the union-sponsored New Democratic Party (NDP) have been key main pillars of support for the Trudeau government over the past nine years, as it has taken the axe to public spending and repeatedly criminalized strikes. The imposition of austerity and resort to ever more draconian forms of rule have gone hand in hand with the governments pursuit of military rearmament and aggressive imperialist wars around the world. At the unions urging, the NDP has propped up Trudeaus minority government in parliament since 2019 and continues to do so to this day.

A striking postal worker from Ontario, who is also a leading member of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC), wrote to the World Socialist Web Site:

Rank-and-file postal workers, not the corrupt union officialdom, should decide if Labour Minister Steven MacKinnons antidemocratic back-to-work order will be respected or defied. The CUPW may attempt to deceive us with hopeless appeals to the rigged collective bargaining framework or other parts of the capitalist establishment, like the courts. Even when strikebreaking laws are found to be unconstitutional, as with those that were used to criminalize our rotating walkouts in 2011 and 2018, concessions-filled contracts remain in place, and no remedies are offered to workers whose wages and working conditions were negatively impacted. The power of postal workers is not limited to politely asking for a better contract. No. Fundamentally, our potential political power stems from our relationship to the productive forces of society, and together with other sections of workers, we are an unstoppable force, able to countermand the Labour Ministers orders.

Another worker wrote to the PWRFC to express her support for a revolutionary socialist strategy to combat the capitalist state and its mowing down of workers most basic right to strike. She also appealed for a broad fight linking up their struggle with the assault on the working class across the country and internationally. Referring to the PWRFCs call for workers to demand that CUPW call shop floor meetings in every local and at every facility within 36 hours to discuss how to defy a strike ban, she demanded to know why the Committee was placing demands on the union bureaucracy, which has a long record of selling out the workers.

A representative of the PWRFC responded in an email,

First, the intent is NOT to foster illusions in the postal workers about CUPW. The demand was raised based on an objective appraisal of the balance of forces between our committee and the bureaucracy. Workers face an immediate crisis in the next 36 hourswe will be legislated back to work. Our committee is small, and we have no independent organizational mechanism of our own to advance these demands. We dont have a network of shop floor committees across the country, yet. Further, were not calling for individual workers, or isolated small groups of the most militant workers to defy the back to work order on their own. That would only expose them, doing CUPW and the Corporation a big favour. Such workers could be identified, isolated, administratively punished, and driven out. The order can ONLY be defied collectively, by the vast majority of postal workers. That is where the power of our class residesin collective action as a class, located at the point of production. The only possible means to discuss that option realistically, over the next 36 hours, would be shop floor meetings, which are currently controlled by the bureaucracy. Our demand takes that reality into account. We dont expect that CUPW will hold such meetings. But having made the demand, the workers can then quite rightly ask CUPW why they refuse to hold such meetings. Why are they not permitting these decisions to be taken democratically? Why do the workers have no say in their deliberations? Working through these questions is part of the process of raising the class consciousness of other workers who havent perhaps quite caught up to you or to the members of our committee, which we would ask you to join. This struggle is not over just because the government and the CUPW bureaucracy are working together to send us back to work. The struggle must continue, and we must continue to build rank-and-file organizations, independent of the CUPW bureaucracy.

The attack on the right of Canada Post workers to strike has international significance. It is part of a turn by the ruling elites in every major country to authoritarian forms of rule as they seek to suppress social opposition to their class war agenda of austerity for workers at home and imperialist war abroad. At the PWRFCs recent public meeting on December 8, postal workers from the United States and Britain spoke in support of the strike, stressing the commonality of the fights they are engaged in for job security and to oppose the privatization of public services.

The striking postal worker from Ontario commented,

Postal workers across Canada have been on strike for one month, because our jobs and working conditions are under attack. Dynamic routing restructures make use of automation and artificial intelligence technologies to adjust routes on a day-to-day basis, effectively eliminating the concept of route ownership. Fewer and more overworked employees will be expected to complete more work for less pay. Once this technology is proven effective anywhere in the world, it will rapidly spread across borders, enriching a tiny layer of parasitic capitalists at the expense of the working class. For our strike to be successful at taking control of these technologies for the benefit of workers, it must recognize the international nature of these technologies, and our struggle must be expanded to unite all workers at logistics companies across Canada and beyond. The union leadership does not believe in the revolutionary strength of an independently mobilized working class. The CUPW believes in the complete subordination of workers to the profit motive, and would therefore never call for a general political strike. In contrast, the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee analyzed the ongoing strike in a statement issued on Friday in response to MacKinnons announcement, concluding that the 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. We understand that mobilizing broad sections of workers in struggle is the only way to defend our basic democratic rights, including the right to strike. The introduction of automation and artificial intelligence will benefit workers only if these technological breakthroughs are expropriated from the billionaire class and brought under the control of workers themselves.

A Socialist Equality Party statement on the postal workers strike, issued December 5, laid out the central political issues facing postal workers if they are to develop their struggle as part of an international industrial and political mobilization of workers throughout the logistics and other sectors:

To break out of the stranglehold of the trade union/New Democratic Party/Liberal alliancethe prerequisite for mobilizing the industrial and political power of the working classworkers must take the struggle into their own hands by building rank-and-file committees. Successful defiance of an impending intervention by the government to break the postal workers strike and impose Canada Posts demands will only be possible if broader sections of workers are mobilized in an industrial and political movement to bring down the Trudeau government and fight for the transfer of political power to the working class.
Secondary sanctions are having a very strong impact on reducing the supply of Western components to Russia, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Major General Vadym Skibitsky said.

"The first step that needs to be taken is to strengthen international sanctions. And we see how the flow of relevant components to Russia is decreasing. So-called secondary sanctions are also having a very strong impact on Russia. These are not direct supplies, but supplies through third countries, through third companies, and so on," he said at the conference "European Defense Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry" organized by the We Build Ukraine analytical center.

The agency said that many countries, including China, are afraid of secondary sanctions. Skibitsky named "kinetic and non-kinetic influence" as the second direction of the fight against supply chains in Russia. According to him, since 2022, Ukrainian military intelligence has completely switched to NATO standards in this regard, so it works with partners "in the same language."

Skibitsky said that quite a lot of enemy enterprises that are key in the production of weapons were subjected to "both kinetic and non-kinetic influence."

"This is the cyber sphere, this is the information area, other issues. Because without influence, it is impossible to stop production," he said.

Speaking about the results of such influence, the agency said that they are different: there are cases when enterprises stop, and sometimes Russia manages to resume production in two or three months, so it is necessary to "exert influence again."

Skibitsky named the third important point in the issue of stopping supplies as warning and preventing weapons and ammunition from reaching the troops directly, so strikes are carried out on arsenals and storage warehouses. "And here is one of the problems, and we constantly raise it. If we are talking about, for example, ammunition depots located near airfields, this is the need for even more powerful weapons that allow us to destroy everything at once," he said.

As an example, the major general cited a situation when an attack was carried out on one of the enemy's arsenals, half of which was destroyed, and the other half was moved by the enemy to other warehouses and arsenals on Russian territory. And since the territory of Russia is large, it is difficult to hit all these objects now and this requires time and appropriate weapons.

The agency's deputy head called on partners to cooperate, pointing out that Ukrainian intelligence is open and ready for cooperation. "We are ready to exchange all the information that is necessary in order to more powerfully strengthen our influence on the defense-industrial complex of Russia," Skibitsky said.
We are publishing the speech delivered by SEP Assistant National Secretary Thomas Scripps introducing the resolution Free Bogdan Syrotiuk! passed unanimously at the Seventh Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (UK).

It has now been more than half a year, seven months, since the Zelensky regime imprisoned our comrade, Bogdan Syrotiuk.

Bogdan was arrested on charges of high treason under martial law, which carries a sentence of at least 15 years to life in prison.

Bogdan Syrotiuk in mid-April 2024.

We have explained that the charges are spurious, and that what Bogdan really stands accused of is arguing for a socialist opposition to the war that has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of his fellow Ukrainians, and likely over 100,000 of his class brothers in Russia.

In fact, this has been very clearly spelled out by his persecutors, who state as justification for seizing him that Bogdan was engaged in the preparation of publications commissioned by representatives of a Russian propaganda and information agency, the World Socialist Web Site.

What do they mean by Russian propaganda and information? They explain that the WSWS covers the main socio-political problems around the world from the position of revolutionary opposition to the capitalist market system, with the aim of establishing world socialism through socialist revolution.

And shortly after arresting comrade Bogdan, the Zelensky regime banned the World Socialist Web Site: the second string to what was a planned combined strike against the ICFIs presence and influence among the Ukrainian working class.

Bogdans petition for release from his pretrial detention in a maximum security prison has been denied and he remains uninformed of a date for a court hearing, or even an initial indictment.

The Ukrainian ruling class is acting out of immense fear of the social opposition that exists in a population that has now suffered more than two-and-a-half years of war, which it is dangerous to express openly but nonetheless finds reflection in reports of the rising number of desertions from the front lines, and the army recruitment crisis.

A month ago, Foreign Policy published the article Conscription Is Breaking Ukraine: Ukraine is desperate for men on the frontbut Ukrainians are increasingly desperate for a break, which admitted: After nearly three years of relentless assault, Ukrainians have grown weary of the daily deprivations and larger tragedy of a war they reckoned would end sooner, and yet has no end in sight. Many are unhappy about the call-upand its intrusive methodsa consternation compounded by a recent tax change that docks incomes with a 5 percent military levy, up from 1.5 percent, for the provision of the armed forces.

This has doubtless been aggravated by each new escalation of the war, each step closer to Armageddon and away from peace, and by the ever more unguarded discussion of the exchange of Ukrainian lives for the countrys mineral wealth. The latest news of course is that the United States is pushing for Ukraines 18-year-olds to be added to the pile, through the lowering of the age of conscription.

Bogdan is a target of the far-right dictatorship that daily descends to new levels of authoritarianism and cruelty in order 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.

In her extensive, excellent, report on this subject to the US SEP Congress, comrade Clara Weiss spells out the intense programme of political activity engaged in by Bogdan in the time leading up to his arrest and prompting it.

The Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists (YGBL) spoke at the IYSSE global webinar against the NATO-Russia war in Ukraine in December 2022. In January 2023, the World Socialist Web Site launched its Ukrainian edition. In March, the IYSSE began its international meeting series, The war in Ukraine and how to stop it, during which efforts were made to ban and disrupt our events. The YGBL issued powerful statements denouncing that censorship, in the name of the Russian and Ukrainian working class.

At our 2023 May Day rally, focussed on outlining an anti-war strategy for the working class and especially the Russian and Ukrainian working class, re-animating their shared revolutionary history, both comrades Andrei Ritsky (from Russia) and comrade Bogdan spoke, with Bogdan beginning his remarks:

The claim that all Ukrainians support this war is a brazen lie. The main prop for this war is not the proletariat and the Ukrainian population, whose situation is appalling. The main props for this war are the Ukrainian bourgeois nationalists and those they serve. We, the orthodox Trotskyists of the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists, do not support this war, either in Ukraine or in Russia.

It was just three weeks later that the Ukrainian security services began their criminal proceedings against him and closely monitoring his activities. In the year between this and his eventual arrest, Bogdan and the YGBL helped to organise meetings of the centenary of the Left Opposition and the death of Lenin. They issued incisive statements on the character of the Putin regime. Three days before his arrest, Bogdan completed his planned remarks to the May Day 2024 rally, which concluded:

We members of the Ukrainian branch of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists and the entire YGBL call for the unification of the Ukrainian and Russian proletariat with the proletariat in the imperialist countries to end this war! We call for the construction of sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International in all former Soviet republics! And we call on the proletariat of the whole world to unite under the banner of its leaderthe International Committee of the Fourth International. Let the words of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels sound louder and stronger: Proletarians of all countries, unite!

As this record underscores, comrade Bogdanand all of his comrades in the YGBLhave a particular significance even beyond that of socialist opponents of imperialist war. They represent the revival (among a group of quite astonishingly young, and astonishing, people) of the genuine traditions of international Marxism, the traditions of Trotskyism, within the former republics of the Soviet Union.

A victory wrenched, through persistent and principled struggle, from the disaster into which the Stalinist bureaucracy and its dissolution of the Soviet Union have plunged the working class of that region. Ill leave it to the words of Bogdan and his comrades, in the final statement in which he had a hand in drafting, to describe that situation. They wrote:

The working class of the former Soviet Union confronts an existential threat. If the situation is left in the hands of the ruling oligarchy, the alternatives posed are between a direct conflict with NATO, which threatens the use of nuclear weapons, and a carve-up of the entire region through a series of civil wars and regime-change operations. Workers and youth across the former Soviet Union can only fight against the existential threat posed by the imperialist onslaught by returning to the path of 1917, i.e., the path of class struggle and socialist revolution.

To have young workers and students speaking this language in the former Soviet Union, working with the Trotskyist movement, is a huge stride for the international working class. And one which will lengthen.

Comrade Bogdan discovered and took his decision to contact the ICFI after happening across scans he found online of the Bulletin of the Fourth International, the journal that the ICFI published in Russian from 1989 to 1993. Today, through the WSWS and its broader influence, our potential reach is far wider.

Government intimidation and censorship is not something we take lightly. But we are not awed or demoralised; we wage a consistent fight against it in the confidence that our message will get through. And that we will defend our comrades who are victimised for that work.

Claras report notes that our defence campaign has received endorsements from artists like Roger Waters and Ai Wei Wei; historians including Mario Kessler and Christian Gerlach; and several left tendencies in Russia, Latin America and Europethough with many glaring, indefensible absences among those who are beneath contempt.

Since that report was delivered the party has also extracted a comment from US Green Party leader Jill Stein: which was more of a testament to the partys determination than anything on Steins part but did raise the profile of Bogdans case.

As Clara says, the campaign has no doubt received the strongest response in the working class, including in India, where Maruti Suzuki workers have given powerful interviews on Bogdans case. Rank-and-file committees in Australia, Sri Lanka, Germany, the UK and the US have released statements in support of Bogdan. We have also found an important response to the campaign among refugees from Ukraine and immigrant workers from Eastern Europe in Germany.

Going forward from this Congress we will redouble our efforts to build on this foundation and build a mass campaign for Bogdans release. We will win the argument in the working class that Bogdans fate is tied up with the fate of their own democratic rights and their own lives: the fight against the new imperialist redivision of the world, in which workers are so many pieces on the chessboard to be traded and discarded.

The Ukrainian regime has imprisoned Bogdan, acting on the say so of its imperialist masters, to strike a blow against the ICFI. Because it wants to strike a blow against the revolutionary potential of the working class to bring down the warmongers, the oligarchs and the fascists.

Given that objective, theyve picked the right tendency to go after. But precisely because of that: theyve picked the wrong tendency to go after. The Trotskyist movement defends its historyand weve given an example of the energy with which we do so over the months since [Professor Aidan] Beattys hatchet joband the Trotskyist movement defends it cadre with no less determination and persistence.

This resolution commits us to that effort, and I recommend it to Congress.
On December 5, the University of Michigan (UM) announced that its Board of Regents would no longer require diversity statementspersonal narratives explaining how candidates will contribute to the universitys Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programsfor hiring and promotion purposes. The diversity statements have been a major component of the DEI policy.

University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan [Photo by University of Michigan / CC BY 4.0

Shortly after the announcement, UM summarily fired Rachel Dawson, a DEI administrator, after the Anti-Defamation League filed a complaint charging her with antisemitism based on a private, unrecorded conversation. Dawson has denied the charges and is planning to take legal action against the university.

With the abandonment of diversity statements and Dawsons firing, the Democratic Party-controlled Board of Regents is seeking to accommodate UM to the incoming fascistic Trump administration.

Trump and the Republican Party are spearheading a right-wing America First ideological offensive that falsely links identity politics and programs such as DEI, long the stock in trade of the Democratic Party, with Marxism. This, in turn, is bound up with a massive escalation of attacks on democratic rights and basic social programs, from public education to healthcare.

Trump has declared that his administration will clean up universities taken over by Marxist maniacs, calling for the purging of DEI offices staffed with Marxist bureaucrats.

Last April, in keeping with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Stop Woke Law, the University of Florida (UF) defunded its entire DEI program. Texas state universities have likewise shut down their DEI offices. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard began rolling back DEI programs last spring.

The moves by UM to roll back DEI have sent shock waves across the country and around the world, due to the prominence of UM historically as a center for the promotion of politics and programs based on the elevation of race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation above social class. The British Telegraph newspaper posted as the lead article on its website an article headlined, Americas wokest university ditches diversity hiring rules.

In the 1960s, UM became the first major university in the US to establish a Black Studies Program, headed by Harold Cruse, the author of the 1967 book The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual.

This was a response by sections of the ruling class, largely associated with the Democratic Party, to the explosive intensification of the crisis of American capitalism under the administration of Lyndon Johnson. It occurred in the midst of the Vietnam War and a mass anti-war protest movement, a rising tide of militant labor struggles, and uprisings in the countrys urban ghettos against poverty, racism and police repressionincluding the 1967 Detroit riot.

Under these conditions, the ruling class defined the social crisis as one of race rather than class. This was done to divert popular opposition away from a struggle against the capitalist system itself, the real source of inequality and oppression, and elevate a thin layer of blacks and other minorities into the establishment, while sowing divisions in the working class. This was promoted by anti-Marxist pseudo-left organizations and academics.

Richard Nixon, who succeeded Johnson in the White House, was more blunt in pushing a racialist agenda, calling for Black capitalism. The political establishment provided substantial funding for race-based programs and initiatives to cultivate an upper-middle class and bourgeois buffer between the ruling class and the masses of oppressed workers.

Racialist constructs such as Critical Race Theory and White Fragility proliferated in academic and media circles. DEI is a product of this process. It ballooned into a multi-billion-dollar industry spanning academia, the military-intelligence apparatus, the trade union bureaucracy, electoral politics and government office, and the corporate world.

Chris Kolb, UMs vice president for government relations, revealed the calculations involved in UMs rollback of DEI. Speaking before the Board of Regents on December 5, Kolb stated:

Ive been told pretty bluntly that Congress and this [Trump] administration will use whatever tools they can to have us yield to what they want us to doand DEI is one of those things they think needs to be eliminated from higher ed.

UM is a major recipient of federal research grants, particularly from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense, which are primary sources for scientific research. Funding also comes from Title IV, which includes student financial aid programs. Total UM federal funding could exceed $2 billion annually.

Hailing from top corporate positions, the Regents and UMs multi-millionaire President Santa Ono embody the financialization of higher education under capitalism. UM, a public university, has an $18 billion endowment.

What is the balance sheet of identity-based programs from the 1960s to the present? Social inequality has metastasized to record levels. Economic polarization within the African American population has grown to even greater levels than in the population as a whole.

The ranks of Americas billionaires grew to 800 under Biden and their collective wealth increased by 62 percent to more than $6.2 trillion. Meanwhile, the number of homeless people in the United States rose to record levels. Poverty is increasing and life expectancy is declining.

The conditions of the broad mass of workersof all races and ethnicitieshave drastically declined, while Trump buddy Elon Musks wealth, at more than $440 billion, increases by millions every day.

Workers and youth cannot achieve equality within the framework of capitalism and the domination of society by a parasitic oligarchy. Capitalism offers only war, dictatorship and ever increasing exploitation. There is, however, a social force that can end inequality and poverty by putting an end to capitalism and establishing socialism, based on social rather than private ownership of the means of production and production for social need, not private profit. That force is the working class, united across all national, racial, ethnic, gender and other identities.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and its youth section, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), oppose DEI and identity politics from this socialist perspective.

To oppose both the Republican fascist right and the Democratic Party purveyors of war and genocide, youth and students must turn to the working class and fight for a socialist and revolutionary strategy and leadership.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached on Saturday for declaring martial law on the evening of December 3-4. Yoons powers have been suspended and his case will now go to the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to decide whether or not he will be removed from office.

Rally calling on the Constitutional Court to dismiss President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul, December 15, 2024. The signs read Immediately arrest. [AP Photo/Lee Jin-man]

The impeachment motion passed the 300-seat National Assembly with 204 lawmakers voting in favour, 85 in opposition, three abstentions, and eight invalid votes. The motion required a two-thirds majority to pass. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, appointed by Yoon, has taken over as acting president.

Yoon has already been booked as a criminal suspect on charges including insurrection, failed to appear in court, reportedly failed to appear as summoned on Sunday and faces the possibility of arrest. If he is removed from power, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.

The opposition bloc, led by the Democratic Party (DP), submitted the motion to impeach Yoon last Thursday. It was the second such motion after the first failed on December 7 when the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote and prevented a quorum from being reached.

The opposition bloc is comprised of the DP, which controls 170 seats, five minor parties, and two nominal independents. The ruling PPP holds 108 seats, meaning 12 PPP members crossed party lines to vote for impeachment. As Yoon is from the PPP, the party is granted ruling party status despite being a parliamentary minority.

That the PPP allowed the vote to proceed indicates there are concerns within the party that keeping Yoon in office would lead to the growth of protests and strikes and destabilise bourgeois rule. A Gallup Korea poll last week showed 75 percent of the public supports Yoons impeachment, a statistic mirrored in numerous other surveys.

Both the right-wing PPP and so-called progressive DP want to shut down protests as quickly as possible to prevent workers and youth from drawing the connections between Yoons authoritarianism, deteriorating living conditions and the underlying crisis of capitalism.

Despite the Democrats posturing, when in power the party has been just as ruthless as the conservatives in imposing the demands of the big business. Hostility to the Democrats paved the way for Yoon to come to office in 2022 after five years of Democrat president Moon Jae-in.

The PPP had pushed for Yoons orderly resignation, which he flatly rejected in a belligerent speech Thursday. Yoon denounced parliament, saying, The National Assembly, dominated by the large opposition party, has become a monster that destroys the Constitutional order of liberal democracy.

He also declared that martial law falls within the realm of executive authority, which is not subject to judicial review and claimed that the dispatching of troops to the National Assembly on December 3 was meant to maintain order.

In reality, the military and police were dispatched to arrest lawmakers and prevent the vote on lifting martial law, which took place early December 4. Constitutionally, parliament can require the president to lift martial law with a simple majority. All 190 lawmakers present at time unanimously voted to do so.

National Police Agency chief Jo Ji-ho, who was detained last Wednesday, told investigators that he had received orders to block entry to parliament for all but the military as well as to track the locations of at least 15 of Yoons political opponents for arrest.

In separate testimony last week, Lieutenant General Gwak Jong-geun, the head of the Army Special Warfare Command [now relieved of duties], stated that Yoon ordered him to send troops to break down the doors [at the National Assembly], and go in and drag out the people inside. Rather than Yoons coup being doomed from the start, had the military been quicker, South Korea would now likely be under martial law.

Like last week, a massive protest also took place Saturday outside the National Assembly in Seoul, demanding Yoons removal from office. Approximately two million people from around the country demonstrated, double the number last week, according to organizers. Police placed total attendance at 208,000. Protesters also gathered in other cities, including an estimated 30,000 in Daegu and 10,000 in Jeonju.

Demonstrations have also been held around South Korea on a daily basis. They have also taken place abroad in the United States, Germany, Australia, Japan, and other countries.

In Seoul on Saturday, Kim, a 37-year-old office worker, told JoongAng Ilbo before the impeachment motion passed, Democracy is dead. How can they not impeach Yoon even after soldiers pointed guns at civilians? ... It seems that Yoon doesnt care about the people of our nation at all.

Many expressed a sense of relief after the news of Yoons impeachment was announced. Lee, a 75-year-old protester, told the Korea Times, I have been so scared this week, thinking were going back to the 1980s when martial law broke out. From todays result, I know that we have earned a true democracy indeed.

However, Yoons impeachment does not mean the threat to democratic rights is over. This attack did not begin with Yoon or emerge as a result of his personal predilection for authoritarianism. It is, above all, part of international processes. In country after country, the ruling classes are turning to fascist and authoritarian forms of rule amid a deepening social and economic crisis that is fuelling the class struggle. In the US, the fascist Trump is about to assume the presidency, while far right and fascist parties are in government or assuming prominence in much of Europe and elsewhere.

In South Korea, workers and youth face falling real wages and growing social inequality, making Yoon deeply unpopular. According to the International Labour Organization, real wages in South Korea dropped by 0.2 percent in 2022, 1.3 percent in 2023, and are expected to fall a further 0.5 percent this year. The number of strikes has also grown the past year, with auto parts and railway workers walking off the job in recent weeks. Significantly, workers at Samsung Electronics struck for the first time in the companys history in July.

Seoul has also been a strong supporter of US imperialism, including backing the US/NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and Israels genocide of the Palestinians, causing devastation throughout the Middle East. Escalating South Koreas involvement in these conflicts and US-led preparations for war against China was no doubt also a factor in Yoons imposition of martial law, given widespread popular anti-war sentiment.

There is no guarantee that the Constitutional Court will remove Yoon from office. The court is not a neutral arbiter but part of the capitalist state, concerned above all with the preservation of bourgeois rule. Typically comprised of nine judges, there are three empty seats on the court. Legally, seven justices must hear the case, though this requirement was suspended in October in relation to a separate case. Six of nine justices must vote to remove a president from office.

Confirmation hearings for the three vacancies are now slated for Wednesday. Judges are appointed by the president, the Supreme Court, and the National Assembly, with each allowed three selections. Two of the justices were appointed by the previous president, Moon. Another was selected by Yoon. The remaining three were recommended by the Supreme Court, which Yoon approved. The National Assembly will put forward two justices selected by the DP and a third chosen by the PPP.

In the aftermath of Saturdays impeachment vote, Yoon flatly declared that he would never give up and described his impeachment as a temporary pause of his presidency. One factor in the Constitutional Courts deliberations and those in ruling circles will be the extent to which the popular outrage and anger at Yoons attempt to wind the clock back decades to the brutal US-backed military dictatorships of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s dissipates.

In this, the determination of the opposition Democrats and its trade unions allies in confining protests and strikes within the framework of the parliament and the courts will only encourage attempts to keep Yoon in office.

Democrat leader Lee Jae-myung has offered to work with the government to keep a lid on popular protests. In a televised news conference, he called for a rapid court ruling in order to minimise national confusion and the suffering of people, adding, The Democratic party will actively cooperate with all parties to stabilise state affairs and restore international trust.

Whether or not Yoon is finally removed from office, the underlying economic and social crisis will continue to fuel political instability and the resort by the ruling class to anti-democratic methods to impose new burdens on working class.
A film by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon, on PBS

Leonardo da Vinci, a two-part, four-hour documentary by veteran filmmaker Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon, was broadcast on PBS in November. It is now available for streaming.

The film, deserving of a wide audience, is the first Burns production focused on a topic or person not American. In an interview, Burns noted that the similarities between Leonardo and Ben Franklin, a subject of one of his more recent productions, led him to consider examining the Italian Renaissance luminary.

The life story of Leonardo (14521519), one of historys most extraordinary intellects and artistic geniuses, always stirs the imagination.

His name evokes achievements that number among the pinnacles of human endeavor, and the boundless potential of human consciousness and activity. The terms genius and polymath so often used to describe his unquenchable intellect are certainly apt. But it is also the case that his emergence as the preeminent artistic and scientific thinker of the late 15th and early 16th centuries was no accident. Every historical period, from the most progressive to the most retrograde, thrusts up individuals who embody the essence of the epoch.

The Vitruvian Man, Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardos reputation rose as Europe and the Old World were recovering from one of the greatest catastrophes in human history, the horrific Black Death, the bubonic and pneumonic plague pandemics of the mid-14th century that wiped out a third of the populations of Europe, Central Asia, the Near East and North Africa. It should be noted that the year of Leonardos birth was also the year in which Johannes Guttenberg invented the printing press.

The epoch of the Middle Ages was coming to an end, and with it came the first serious stirrings of a truly humanistic and secular society. The Renaissance that emerged in the flourishing and competitive Italian city-states, centers for banking and commerce, had their counterparts in the Flemish- and Dutch-speaking regions of Europe, and together they produced remarkable individuals whose artistic, scientific and literary accomplishments hold an honored place to this day.

Leonardos contemporaries in Florence included artists such as Sandro Botticelli and Fra Filippo Lippi. By the time Leonardo was in his 40s, Michelangelo had sculpted his Pieta, and shortly later a young Raphael was gaining widespread admiration for his art. Meanwhile, Machiavelli was developing some of the first political theories of bourgeois statecraft that would constitute his celebrated work, The Prince.

Leonardo was given the name of his birth village, Vinci, a short distance from burgeoning Florence. As the two-part documentary points out, his birth out of wedlock automatically restricted the possibility of his receiving a formal education. Nevertheless, the contradictory character of the emerging epoch, the social orders liberating qualities coinciding with the rule of oligarchical families like the Medici in Florence, despite the continuing dominance of the Catholic Church, opened up opportunities for the brilliantly talented Leonardo. He became the apprentice of one of the most well-known artists of the period, Andrea del Verrocchio. In a short time, however, the student would surpass the teacher.

Ginevra de Benci, Leonardo da Vinci

The Burns-McMahon effort includes narration in addition to insightful commentary from several of Leonardos biographers, including Walter Isaacson, as well as Mexican filmmaker and Oscar recipient Guillermo del Toro. Their contributions add to our understanding of Leonardo as the representative of something new.

Leonardo is described by commentators as an extremely rational man who saw in all phenomena, including human existence, an underlying symmetry. His copious notes, often written backwards as mirror images, and exquisite illustrations, remarkable in their detail, reveal that for him nothing in the world was simply given. Everything had to be examined, probed and dissected in order to be fully understood. The documentary highlights Leonardos obsession with squaring the circle. He sought to reveal the deep connections between man and nature, and its illusive symmetry, immortalized in his famous drawing The Vitruvian Man, in honor of the Roman architect, Vitruvius.

Leonardo referred to himself as a disciple of experience, a not accidental phrase. He recognized that real insight could only be found by understanding the natural world, a profound conception that not only informed his artistic and scientific investigations, but more importantly established, at least in his own mind, their underlying unity. As one art historian has written, As an artist and scientist, Leonardo came to his revolutionary belief in empirical observation as the foundation of all knowledge. (Leonardo da Vinci, Master Draftsman)

He is described by one contributor to the Burns series as not being particularly religious. In one extraordinary, albeit brief, segment in the PBS presentation, Leonardos interest in philosophy leads him to a critique of Platos approach of proceeding from the ideal to the world of real objects. Instead, in a remarkably materialistic interpretation of the path of cognition, Leonardo insists that it is through the study of the natural world that ideas are generated.

Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo is certainly most associated in popular consciousness with his artistic works. In drawing upon the developments in artistic perspective pioneered in some of the works of the Flemish masters, Leonardo experimented with three-dimensionality in his paintings. He examined the effects of light and shade, using a technique that was to become known as chiaroscuro. He layered gauze-like colors, especially when painting the human skin, so that the individual depicted on wood or canvass was both distinct and part of the overall landscape. In this method, called sfumato (smokiness) there were no sharp edges making the transition between light and shadow in his paintings extraordinarily natural and vivid.

Leonardo was the first artist to draw or paint landscapes, that is, to create works where the principal focus was on the natural world. His first such work was a detailed sketch of a section of the Arno river (which flows through Florence). In his paintings, the subjects in the foreground are invariably part of a greater whole. Leonardos interest in mathematics allowed him to apply geometry to the creation of perspective, the single point linear perspective, from which the idea of the vanishing point in painting originates.

Leonardo sought to depict movement in everything he painted. His notebooks are packed with drawings of flying machines, of machines in general, that reveal a knowledge of physics. In fact, his study of falling objects anticipated the work of both Galileo and Newton. He was, as well, an expert in illustrating animal locomotion, particularly involving horses.

His drawings examining the human form and anatomy are unsurpassed, and his interest in human physiology would lead him to two important discoveries regarding the heart. When he was allowed to perform an autopsy on a man who lived to be 100, he discovered that in the interior of the mans arteries leading to the heart was a substance that he described as resembling a lemon clogging the openings. He concluded that this obstruction, a condition we now call atherosclerosis, was the cause of the mans death. His dissection of the corpse also revealed that the human heart had four chambers.

Another aspect of Leonardos innovativeness in his paintings involved his portrayal of women. Leonardo broke with the practice of painting womens faces as profiles; inscrutable and unquestioning. Now they faced their viewer, as in the immortal painting Ginevra de Benci. Later, his famed Mona Lisa would be the consummation of this attitude for all time.

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist, Leonardo da Vinci

The Burns-McMahon film deals succinctly with the artists homosexuality, prompting the Los Angeles Times to disapprove: The doc acknowledges its subjects homosexuality but doesnt fully explore the implications for an artist living in a repressive milieu. Actually, Burns does explore the implications of homosexuality in late 15th-century Italy without overstating its significance.

According to the Burns mini-series, several young people were charged under the sodomy laws imposed by the Catholic Church, with Leonardos name included. However, one of the youths involved was the son of a prominent Florentine family, and when the latter intervened, the charges were quickly dropped. Homosexual relations were widely tolerated during the early Renaissance, depending on the social circumstances, and a young boy given to Leonardo to be his trainee and assistant, Gian Giacomo Caprotti, nicknamed Salai (little devil) because of his meddlesomeness, became his life-long companion. His somewhat gender-ambiguous face appears in a number of Leonardos paintings.

The Renaissance purported to be a return to the classical period of Greco-Roman culture, and a negation of the backwardness associated with the Middle Ages, especially in the centuries that followed the fall of the Roman Empire, the period known as the Dark Ages. However, the Catholic Church dominated official ideology. Artistic works, if not representations of the gods and goddesses of Greco-Roman mythology, treated religious themes, the most popular of these being depictions of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, the Madonna and Child theme.

As Leonardo was increasingly recognized for his artistic brilliance, he was given commissions to produce works of art by various religious institutions. He had developed a reputation, however, as a perfectionist who would see mistakes in his work that his patrons would either discount or be oblivious to. Thus, he would abandon many projects uncompleted. One such painting, undertaken somewhat later in life and commissioned by the King of France, was Leonardos The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist.

Adoration of the Magi, Leonardo da Vinci

However, the most famous of these unfinished works was his painting of the Adoration of the Magi commissioned for a church in Scopeto, outside Florences walls. The painting is spectacular and complex. While the theme is supposedly centered on the visit by the Magi (three wise men or kings) to the baby Jesus and Mary, there is much going on. Everywhere there is movement. In the background, there is a battle occurring, and surrounding the Madonna and child are numerous people talking to each other, some seemingly paying no attention. Even the Magi express a range of emotion from adoration to skepticism, and on the right, there is one visage turned awaypresumably, according to the Burns-McMahon series, a portrait of the artist himself.

Leonardo subsequently left Florence for Milan, and worked under the patronage of Ludovico Sforza, il Moro [the Moor]. One of his first works in Milan was a painting of the Dukes 16-year old daughter, Lady with an Ermine. But it was his mural The Last Supper that would be his crowning work in that city.

With The Last Supper, Leonardos genius is on full display. In preparation for the work, Leonardo purchased a Bible translated into Italian so he could get a better understanding of the Apostles. His knowledge of geometry allowed hm to brilliantly frame the entire mural, placing Jesus at the center. But this was not some wooden depiction of the event but revealed instead the turmoil of Jesus alleged last days, or as described by the narrator in the Burns presentation, the work created harmony out of chaos. One sees in Leonardos work the whole spectrum of human emotion; agitation and even fear, as Jesus is asking who will betray me? Judas, the actual traitor, is watchful rather than alarmed. Then theres the woman (Mary Magdalene?) to Jesuss right apparently flirting with an Apostle.

Lady with an Ermine, Leonardo da Vinci

The Russian Marxist Georgi Plekhanov argued that the murals subject

is that highly dramatic moment in the relationship of Jesus to his disciples when he says: One of you shall betray me. Leonardo da Vincis task was to portray the state of mind of Jesus himself, who was deeply grieved by his dreadful discovery, and of his disciples, who could not believe there could be a traitor in their small company.

Leonardo is reputed to have commented on completing The Last Supper, Tell me  if anything is ever done. For Leonardo, everything was movement and change, and no work was truly finished. His final work, the iconic Mona Lisa was completed after returning to Florence in 1503. The city was recovering from the effects of the Catholic reformer Girolamo Savonarola, who replaced the Medici until his execution in 1498.

Of the Mona Lisa, Burns says the following:

The Mona Lisa is more than a portraitits the culmination of a life spent exploring the fusion of art, science and the natural world, in which Leonardo captures the mysteries of the mind and the human experience.

Leonardo died in 1519, just as the European political and cultural landscape was changing. The Protestant Reformation was in its early stages, with Marin Luther having posted his 95 grievances against the Catholic Church two years earlier. In England, Henry the VIII would force a break with the Vatican in the 1530s, and the writings of Shakespeare would later transform the English language and world literature.

The scientific revolution would begin with Copernicus and Galileo challenging and overthrowing the dogma of the Earth-centered universe. These profound changes would provoke a reaction by the Catholic Church with the Inquisition and later, the Counterreformation. Meanwhile, the Age of Exploration and the expansion of the European powers globally was underway.

The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci

The decision of Burns and his collaborators to produce Leonardo da Vinci has borne fruitful results. Leonardos life strongly tells us that the arrow of human progress still points up, and that all the problems facing mankind caused by a moribund capitalist system can be resolved.

Leon Trotsky was optimistic about humanitys fate. He concluded Literature and Revolution (1924) with this remarkable passage:

It is difficult to predict the extent of self-government which the man of the future may reach or the heights to which he may carry his technique. Social construction and psychophysical self-education will become two aspects of one and the same process. All the artsliterature, drama, painting, music, and architecture will lend this process beautiful form. More correctly, the shell in which the cultural construction and self-education of Communist man will be enclosed, will develop all the vital elements of contemporary art to the highest point. Man will become immeasurably stronger, wiser, and subtler; his body will become more harmonized, his movements more rhythmic, his voice more musical. The forms of life will become dynamically dramatic. The average human type will rise to the heights of an Aristotle, a Goethe, or a Marx. And above this ridge new peaks will rise.

I would add Leonardos name to those heights to which humans under socialism will rise and surpass.
This emergency resolution was passed unanimously by the Seventh National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (UK), held November 29-December 2, 2024

1. The Socialist Equality Party (UK) condemns the arrest and detention of Bogdan Syrotiuk, a 25-year-old socialist opponent of the fascistic Zelensky regime and the NATO-instigated Ukraine-Russia war, by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and calls for his immediate release. Bogdan is the founder and leader of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), a Trotskyist youth organisation, which has declared its political solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).

2. The persecution of Bogdan is based on fraudulent charges of high treason under martial law. He is accused of undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine and serving the interests of the Russian state. The charges carry a prison sentence of 15 years to life. Bogdans life is in danger. Arrested on April 25, Bogdan, who is in poor health, has been held under atrocious conditions in a prison in Nikolaev. Even the US State Departments Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor has documented severe human rights violations by the Ukrainian regime, including torture, arbitrary arrests, and harsh and life-threatening prison conditions.

3. The main evidence cited by the prosecution against Bogdan are articles and statements that appeared on the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), which is slandered as a Russian propaganda and information agency. But these same articles demonstrate that Bogdan and the WSWS have consistently opposed the oligarchic capitalist governments of both Ukraine and Russia that emerged out of the restoration of capitalism in the USSR. The Trotskyist movements opposition to the war in Ukraine has been based on the fight to unify Ukrainian and Russian workers with their class brothers and sisters in the imperialist countries in a joint struggle against war and capitalism.

4. Bogdan was arrested because of these socialist views and principles. Faced with growing popular opposition to the warwith polls showing that 9 in 10 people in North America and Western Europe oppose military escalation against Russia, and desertions all along the Ukrainian frontthe Zelensky regime and its NATO backers fear that these political principles are finding a broad hearing among workers and youth in Ukraine and internationally.

5. Bogdans persecution is a violation of the most basic democratic and human rights. It exposes the fraud of NATOs war propaganda, according to which the war against Russia is a war waged in defence of democracy. Ukraine is not a democracy, but a dictatorship, run by criminal oligarchs and fascists. To safeguard their own reactionary interests, they have placed the countrys working class and resources at the disposal of imperialism. There can be little doubt that Bogdans arrest was discussed and decided not only by the regime in Kiev, but also its imperialist backers.

6. The British government bears political responsibility for Bogdans arrest, maintaining close ties to the SBU. Firstly under Conservative prime ministers and now Labours Sir Keir Starmer, the UK has provided billions of pounds in military assistance to Zelenskys dictatorship, and boasts of training 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Now London has authorised Ukraine to launch UK-made long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles at targets within Russia, fuelling Zelenskys war machine and escalating war with one of the worlds major nuclear-armed powers.

7. The persecution of Bogdan Syrotiuk demonstrates that the defence of democratic rights is inseparable from the mobilisation of the working class against imperialist war and the capitalist system. The international working class and youth must recognize this connection and the relationship between the genocide in Gaza and the US-NATO war against Russia. Both are interrelated battlefields in an emerging imperialist redivision of the world. The fight for Bogdans freedom is an essential component of the fight to build a global socialist movement by the working class and youth against this developing world war and its root cause, capitalism.

8. This is why the ICFI, on April 30, days after Bogdans arrest, initiated a global campaign in his defence. It launched a petition that has already been signed by thousands of people, published an open letter to the Ukrainian government, and held rallies at Ukrainian embassies, including its embassy in London which refused to even receive the letter. Workers, youth and artists throughout the world have declared their support for the release of Bogdan.

9. The Socialist Equality Party in the UK:

 Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Bogdan Syrotiuk from imprisonment by the Zelensky regime.

 Condemns the fraudulent charges by the SBU to justify Bogdans arrest, as well as the brutal conditions of his detention.

 Calls upon the international working class, youth, students and all supporters of democratic rights to mobilise in defence of Bogdan, spreading awareness of his plight and demanding his freedom.

 Supports and encourages the widest circulation of this resolution on social media and other platforms, urging individuals and organisations to sign the petition calling for Bogdans release and to involve their communities in this critical campaign.

 Reaffirms its solidarity with the ICFI, the YGBL and the WSWS in their efforts to end the war in Ukraine and unify the international working class in the fight against imperialism, fascism and capitalism.
25 years ago: Portugal returns Macau to China

On December 20, 1999, the territory of Macau, located in southeastern China on the western edge of the Pearl River delta, was officially incorporated into the Peoples Republic of China. The transfer ended 442 years of Portuguese colonial rule.

The 16-minute official ceremony was attended by the president and prime minister of Portugal and high ranking Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members and dignitaries, including President Jiang Zemin and the widow of Deng Xiaoping. The CCP proclaimed a public holiday while the Chinese media inundated the population with non-stop news coverage. The Chinese military also quickly established a military outpost.

Compared to Hong Konganother territory controlled by a colonial and imperialist power, the United Kingdom, until 1998Macau did not have great strategic and economic importance. Macaus GDP was one-twentieth of Hong Kongs, totaling $7.8 billion. Rather than industry and trade as the major source of economic growth, Macau was known for its gambling industry, gangs, and as a vacation spot for the ultra-wealthy. Known as the Las Vegas of the East, the territory housed the only legal casinos on the South China Sea. Gambling accounted for one-third of Macaus GDP and 60 to 70 percent of all government tax revenue.

Stanley Ho, Macau gambling tycoon [Photo by  / CC BY 2.0

Following the CCPs one country, two system arrangement, the 430,000 citizens of Macau elected a local authority to govern the territory for 50 years until its complete transfer to Beijing. Macau gambling kingpin Stanley Ho expressed confidence that the reunification with China placed no limitation on the amount of money making for the local elite, saying, The incoming Macau government will say Stanley Ho, please carry on and I will.

With Macau and Hong Kong now handed back over to China, the Stalinists in the CCP continued their nationalist agitation and patriotic exhortations to divert attention from the growing social inequality and economic uncertainties in China.

During the ceremony, Zemin laid out the future plans of the CCP. He declared:

The Chinese government has, in accordance with the great concept of one country, two systems initiated by Deng Xiaoping, successfully resolved the questions of Hong Kong and Macau. The implementation of the concept of one country, two systems in Hong Kong and Macau has played and will continue to play an important exemplary role for our eventual settlement of the Taiwan question. The Chinese government and people are confident and capable of an early settlement of the Taiwan question and the complete national reunification.

50 years ago: Seymour Hersh expose of CIA spying against American citizens

On December 22, 1974, journalist Seymour Hersh wrote an expose in the New York Times of an illegal Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) spying operation against American citizens, which is illegal under the terms of the 1947 National Security Act.

Hersh revealed that the CIA had conducted spying operations on over 10,000 American citizens who were participants in anti-war, civil rights, and left-wing political organizations. The CIA authorized agents to follow and photograph participants in antiwar and other demonstrations. It further set up a network of informants who were ordered to penetrate antiwar groups. In addition to antiwar and left-wing groups, the spying also targeted political opponents of Nixon including several anti-war congressmen. Hersh found evidence that CIA spying on Americans stretched as far back as the 1950s, and had long included breakins, wiretapping and the surreptitious inspection of mail.

CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, aerial photograph

The recently retired and current heads of the CIA refused to comment on Hershs report: Richard Helms who was the director of the CIA from 1966 until 1973 during the bulk of the illegal spying operations; and William Colby, CIA director in 1974. But sources within the CIA did speak with Hersh on condition of anonymity and reported that in the aftermath of Watergate the agency attempted to cover up and destroy evidence of its illegal activities including widespread paper shredding.

The collecting information and surveillance of American citizens is a duty reserved for the FBI.

Hersh had first become well known as a journalist in 1969 for exposing the My Lai massacre of hundreds of civilians committed by American forces in Vietnam, and the massacres cover up.

75 years ago: Stalin and Mao meet to discuss Soviet-China relations

On December 16, 1949, Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin met in Moscow for the first time to hold a discussion on the relations between the USSR and the newly formed Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The meeting came two months after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seized power, through its defeat of the Kuomintang (KMT), a reactionary party of the bourgeoisie and the feudal elite, after a years-long civil war.

The primary purpose of the meeting, held in the Kremlin, was to reassess the 1945 Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, which Stalin had signed with Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the KMT.

Mao and Stalin in 1949

Mao was pushing for a new treaty which superseded the one signed with the KMT. Stalin on the other hand initially suggested that the 1945 treaty remain in place, since it was ratified with the agreement of the major imperialist powers. Any changes, he stated, could provide leverage to the United States to challenge Soviet territorial gains as a result of World War II, such as the Kurile Islands northeast of Japan. Stalin proposed formally retaining the existing treaty with the KMT in writing, while altering it in practice.

In a telegram sent on December 18 to Liu Shaoqi, one of the vice chairmen of the Central Peoples Government, Mao described Stalin as having a sincere attitude. On the disagreements regarding the treaty, Mao wrote that public opinion in China believes that since the old treaty was signed by the [KMT], it has lost its ground with the [KMTs] downfall. [Stalin] replied that the old treaty needs to be revised and that the revision is necessarily substantial, but it will not come until two years from now.

Stalins hesitancy to end the formal alliance followed decades after his ordering the CCP to subordinate itself to Chiang Kai-shek and the nationalist KMT. This collaboration had disastrous consequences, particularly throughout the revolutionary upheaval in China from 1925-1927, in which the KMT murdered thousands of Chinese workers and communists. Despite this betrayal, Mao continued to follow the Stalinist nationalist policy and sought repeatedly to form a coalition government with Chiang Kai-shek. Only as a result of the KMTs refusal to enter into serious negotiations for a coalition government did the CCP turn to a fight for power, harnessing a mass movement of millions of peasants.

Despite Stalins reservations and continued refusals of a number of other requests from Mao, the end of his two-month stay in Moscow produced a new Sino-Soviet treaty between the USSR and the PRC, eventually signed on February 14, 1950. While that agreement solidified ties between the two states, the jockeying underscored the unprincipled and nationalist politics of both Stalin and Mao. These also confirmed warnings, made over a decade earlier by Trotsky, of the prospect of clashes between bureaucratic regimes, each claiming to represent socialism in one country, in opposition to the internationalism that is a central tenet of genuine Marxism.

100 years ago: Hitler released from prison in Bavaria

On December 20, 1924, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was released from Landsberg Prison by order of the Bavarian Supreme Court. He had served 13 months of a five-year sentence for his attempted putsch in Munich in November 1923.

The putsch, which had mobilized hundreds of Nazis, had been conducted with support from elements of the right-wing Bavarian state, under conditions where a revolutionary storm had been brewing in Germany. Hitler and his co-conspirators, including the former chief of staff of the German army, Erich von Ludendorff, seized a beer hall and detained several politicians. Sixteen Nazis and four policemen were killed. Hitler was convicted of treason during his trial.

From left, Adolf Hitler, Emil Maurice, Hermann Kriebel, Rudolf Hess, Friedrich Weber

His stay in prison was comfortable. According to one historian: Hitler enjoyed a wide variety of privileges. His cell was a large, airy, comfortably furnished room with an expansive view. In addition to the hearty food cooked by the prison kitchen, Hitler constantly received care packages; his quarters reminded some visitors of a delicatessen.

While there, Hitler received visits from political co-thinkers and earned the praise of the prisons warden in a report. He was surrounded by some of his closest supporters, who had also been sentenced for their roles in the putsch, including Rudolf Hess.

Most significantly, his stay in Landsberg allowed him the leisure to write his political diatribe, Mein Kampf, which provided the ideological justification for the war of extermination against the Soviet Union and the Holocaust of six million Jews.

On his release, Hitler began to rebuild the Nazi party and sought to emphasize an electoral strategy backed by militarized gangs.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) spent last week smoothing the path for the UK Labour governments approving the 3.5 billion takeover of Royal Mail by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and his private equity firm EP Group.

The union bureaucracy blazed the trail for this by colluding in dismantling the mail service under the guise of Universal Service Obligation (USO) reform.

Daniel Kretinsky, Dave Ward, Royal Mail [Photo: Top left: EP Holding / Bottom left: WSWS / Right: CC BY 2.0]

Under their engagement policy with the takeover dating back to June, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward and Deputy General Secretary Postal Martin Walsh held private talks with EP Group and the Sir Keir Starmers government. Last Wednesday, a National Briefing was organised by the CWU Postal Executive on the takeover and USOwith attendance restricted to senior (union) representativesat the Trades Union Congress headquarters, who also met the following day about restructuring the CWU.

The CWU produced a video broadcast Friday evening, with just one hours notice to members provided on the union Facebook page. The CWU Live event was a pre-packaged half-hour recording, with CWU officials assembled at Congress House. Its aim was to endorse the takeover, while issuing empty pledges about protecting the workforce to browbeat opposition among postal workers.

The tone was set by Ward, who spoke of constructive talks with EP Group and asserted that the takeover would be a fresh start, a reset on employee industrial relations and lead to a new model of governance providing workers with a serious stake in the business.

The same pro-business jargon was employed in the service of the sellout deal co-authored by the CWU postal executive with Royal Mail to break the resistance of postal workers after 18 days of strike action and end their year-long national dispute last July. The corporatist Business Recovery, Transformation & Growth agreement has resulted in the biggest attack on postal workers in their history with a bonfire of terms and conditions, the destruction of thousands of jobs and imposition of a two-tier workforce with new entrants on inferior pay and terms.

The bid documents produced by Kretinsky cites the benefits to investors of reduced labour costs and increased flexibility delivered by the union.

Ward told CWU members We cannot be one of those organisations with some romantic notions of how it used to be, as he demanded Royal Mail grow its revenues by offering products and services customers wantinsisting this meant parcel deliveries on weekends and also afternoons and evenings for frontline delivery staff. This message could have been delivered by chief executive of Royal Mail-IDS Martin Seidenberg or representatives of EP Group.

Ward then de facto endorsed ditching the USO by citing figures that it only accounted for 14 percent of the mail service, echoing the pro-business line that it is a drain on profits. This is the scandal for Wardnot Royal Mail once again being found this week to have breached legal targets to deliver a six-day letter service to 32 million addresses across the UK, receiving a 10.5 million slap wrist fine by regulator Ofcom.

Ward continued to foreground company talking points that Royal Mails conversion into a parcel carrier along the lines of Amazon was the inevitable outcome of the decline in letters in a digital age. He never addressed how Royal Mail last met its combined targets for First- and Second-class delivery seven years ago, despite the decline in mail volume.

Ward speaks on behalf of the right-wing, pro-business Labour government and its partners in the trade union bureaucracy. He admitted the Labour government was likely to agree the Kretinsky takeover, entirely in keeping with Starmers pledge to tear up regulations and oversee shock and awe on behalf super-rich investors.

The CWU leader insisted on the need to collaborate with Royal Mail against its rivals in the parcel courier sector: Their model of employment, as our members know, is predominantly self-employed and bogus self-employed. You dont have any of the add ons like pensions, holiday pay, any sick payall of that stuff. And that model undercuts Royal Mail and as much as we dont like what Royal Mail do, if we do not have that context in mind then were being irresponsible.

The add ons and all of that stuff are the rights won by previous generations of workers in struggle, which Ward intends to sacrifice on the altar of corporate profit. Such a corporatist and nationalist agenda is directed against the class unity of Royal Mail workers with their fellow workers at Amazon, Evri and DPD. In opposition to this divide-and-rule offensive, workers must wage a collective struggle against the entire global corporate elite.

CWU officials have worked to dismantle the USO in preparation for the Kretinsky takeover. Martin Walsh claimed the union was proceeding with caution over proposals announced in April by Royal Mail to slash letter delivery to alternate weekdays for all mail other than First Class. But the CWU agreed to pilot the Optimised Delivery Model, now agreed for 37 delivery offices across the country, prior to formal approval by the regulator next summer. The cost-cutting proposals will generate 300 million a year, which will now be diverted into private equity profit.

Walsh stated that the union was trying to leverage the USO to get the right deal with Kretinsky, claiming that gutting the mail service could facilitate an increase in Saturdays off for delivery workers, part-time workers becoming full-time and an improvement in the terms and pay of new entrants the CWU agreed to as part of its rotten deal with Royal Mail.

The reality of the downsizing operation is forecasted job losses of 7,000, as Walsh confirmed at an earlier CWU Live online meeting in response to questions from postal workers.

Ward and Walsh forfeited any right to speak for postal workers with their miserable betrayal last July and their implementation of a record number of revisions as part of a cost-cutting exercise to remove duties and increase workloads.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC) calls for the fight against the CWU leadership to be escalated in response to their collusion with the EP Group takeover. It takes place under conditions in which postal workers internationally are being driven into struggle against similar attacks, including postal services being primed for privatisation in Canada, the US and Australia. Labour-saving automation and AI technology which could be used to rationally plan and make work easier, and provide secure well-paid jobs, have been weaponised to slash thousands of jobs, reduce labour costs and expand gig economy working practices.

Through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, the PWRFC and its international counterparts are seeking to unify these struggles and break the stranglehold of union bureaucracies who function as an arm of management, the corporations and governments.

The more than a month long strike by 55,000 Canada Post workers over a new collective bargaining agreement has become a major confrontation with the Crown Corporation and its restructuring agenda. The Trudeau Liberal government has taken steps to illegalise the strike and enforce a return-to-work, as it did recently against rail and dock workers. In opposition to this, the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee at Canada Post has advanced a strategy for postal workers to take control of their fight out of the hands of the bureaucracy and spearhead a working-class counteroffensive against the dictatorial methods of rule used to enforce austerity and war.

We encourage Royal Mail workers to make common cause with Canada Post workers as they face the same fight here in the UK against Kretinsky and his allies in the CWU and the Labour government. Royal Mail workers looking to conduct such a struggle should contact the PWRFC and participate in drawing up a strategy for a counteroffensive.

Register here to attend the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committees next online meeting on Sunday, January 5 at 7 p.m.
Last week, nearly four years after hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of Joe Bidens election victory, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released an 88-page report focused on the the Federal Bureau of Investigations direction and handling of its confidential human sources in the lead-up to and on January 6.

Proud Boys and other fascists march towards the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. [AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster]

The protracted delay in the release of the report speaks to the ongoing coverup by both big business parties of the complicity by sections of the military and intelligence establishment in the failed coup. There is nothing in the report that could not have been made public in the months following the attack.

Despite the delay, the report confirms, in direct contradiction to previous congressional testimony by FBI Director Christopher Wray and other FBI employees, that the federal domestic police intelligence agency had over two dozen informants in Washington D.C. during the attack on Congress. The informants provided detailed information about the coming attack that was either ignored or buried within the agency.

While the OIGs report found no evidence... showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6, it did find that at least three confidential human sources (CHSs) had been tasked by the FBI field offices... to travel to D.C. for the events of January 6 to report on domestic terrorism subjects who were possibly attending the event.



In addition to the three informants specifically tasked by the agency to attend the January 6 protest, the inspector generals report found that 23 other FBI CHSs were in D.C. on January 6 in connection with events planned for January 6. The inspector general claims that none of the 26 informants were directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6.

The report found that at least four informants entered the Capitol during the riot; an additional 13 entered the restricted area around the Capitol... and 9 neither entered a restricted area nor entered the Capitol or otherwise engaged in illegal activity. None of the 17 informants who entered the Capitol groundsin violation of federal lawhave been prosecuted.

Despite having over two dozen informants, the OIG claims the FBIs Washington field office (WFO) was aware of only five of them, because only 4 field offices had informed the WFO or FBI Headquarters that CHSs under the relevant filed offices jurisdiction5 CHSs in total would be traveling to D.C. on January 6.

Exploding the false claims by the House January 6 Select Committee and the FBI itself, in the days and months after the attack, that a lack of intelligence or failure to connect the dots was the reason the attack was allowed to happen, informants provided the agency all the information it needed to thwart the assault on the Capitol.

The OIG report stated that multiple CHSs were in contact with the leadership of the Oath Keepers, including Elmer Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right militia group. Rhodes and four other membersRoberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, and Edward Vallejohave been convicted of seditious conspiracy for their actions in furtherance of Trumps coup.



The OIG report states that the FBI had CHSs in more than one field office who had provided reporting on Rhodes, including one special agent who reported having a CHS located very close to the Oath Keepers and had very good access. The informant reporting to the agency was described as providing highly sensitive and singular intelligence.

On December 11, 2020, nearly a month before the coup, the high-level Oath Keeper informant reported to his handler that Rhodes would be flying to D.C. with an individual who would be attending a White House engagement that night, and Rhodes wanted the individual to pass information to President Trump. This information included that Trump should invoke the Insurrection Act, declare Martial Law, and use the military to investigate or arrest perceived enemies who tainted the election.

The informant said that Rhodes intended to offer President Trump the support of Oath Keepers and other militia related groups to protect President Trump and/or engage in offensive operations and support President Trump should he refuse to leave the White House. The informant said that Rhodes was convinced a civil war, meaning an armed physical violent struggle, is coming.

Composite image of Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes and Donald Trump at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference. [Photo: Collin County Texas, CPAC 2022, Hermann Tertsch and Victor Gonzalez, WSWS.org)]

This information was shared with the US Secret Service. The agency confirmed that the individual with Rhodes did attend a White House event with Trump, but the individual did not, apparently, pass on Rhodes request to Trump. Four days later, on December 15, the same informant told his handler that Rhodes intended to travel to D.C. on January 6 and that he had been Trying to attract Oath Keepers who are current law enforcement members to travel for events on that day so they can carry concealed firearms legally.

This information was apparently not shared with the wider FBI Washington field office until after the coup.

In addition to the Oath Keepers, the OIG report found that the FBI had several CHSs who reported on various chapters or members of the Proud Boys in the lead-up to the January 6th Electoral Certification, one of whom was in contact with [Henry Enrique] Tarrio in D.C. on the evening of January 6 and one of whom reported on another senior Proud Boys leader in advance of January 6.

The report delved into only four of these informants, including an active member of the Proud Boys who had traveled throughout the United States to take part in various Proud Boys related rallies.

This informant told his handler on December 29, 2020 that he would be going to D.C. on January 6 with approximately 100 Proud Boys members, including Tarrio and Tiny, a well known Proud Boys member and a target of ANTIFA. In addition, the CHS reported that the Proud Boys will not be flying colors or wearing black and yellow clothing, and were planning on going to the Capitol, although exactly where had not yet been determined.



Another well placed informant deep in the Racially/Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremist movement told his handlers on December 21 that a bunch of Trump supporters are bringing guns to D.C. on the 6th. The OIG noted that this source had been providing the FBI with information for over 10 years that had been corroborated.

In multiple reports and statements to Congress, FBI employees claimed that they had canvassed field offices for intelligence reports from informants prior to January 6. In a joint session of the House and Senate on March 2, 2021, Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar noted to Wray that at the time at least 20 members of the Proud Boys had been arrested for participating in the attack.



Providing cover for the FBI, Klobuchar asked Wray if there were moments where you think, If we would have known, if we could have infiltrated this group and found out what they were doing. Do you have those moments?

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. [AP Photo/Graeme Jennings]

Wray replied, Absolutely, I will tell you senator, and this is something I feel passionately about, any time there is an attack, our standard at the FBI is we aim to bat 1,000... You can be darn tootin that we are focused very, very hard on how we can get better sources, better information, better analysis so that we can make sure that something that happened on January 6th never happens again.

Far from batting 1,000, the OIG found that prior to January 6 the FBI instead turned a blind eye and did not clearly direct field offices to canvass CHSs for information about the potential for violence on January 6.


To read part two, click here.

On December 5, 2024, at the final meeting of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, Republican and Democratic members voted unanimously to pass the final draft of the 557-page COVID-19 report, After Action Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward, supposedly investigating the public health response to the pandemic.

Despite Republican Chair Brad Wenstrups characterization of report as the single most thorough review of the pandemic conducted to date, it is heavy on conspiracy theories and goes out of its way to misrepresent and dismiss the massive accumulated evidence that COVID-19 had a natural origin, first crossing over from animals to humans at the Huanan market in Wuhan, China.

Instead, the report posits that the pandemic was a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), despite not one shred of evidence to support that conclusion. After two years in which the show-trial proceedings were orchestrated to put the lab-leak scenario on an equal footing with the natural spillover explanation supported by most scientists, the report now declares that the lab leak is the most likely.

A document that purports to be guided by science completely dismisses the mountain of evidence that has been amassed over the last five years identifying the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market as the origin of the pandemic. The market is one of many in China where an an active wild-animal trade was taking place.

The committee chair, Republican Representative Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, a medical doctor who will retire in January, has sought from the beginning to legitimize and sanction the fringe conspiracy theory that first emerged in disinformation channels soon after the outbreak in Wuhan was confirmed in the early weeks of January 2020.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, holds up a photo as she condemns Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during his testimony before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 3, 2024. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

The committees Democratic vice-chair, Representative Raul Ruiz of California, and the other Democratic members joined with Wenstrup and other committee Republicans, including fascist Marjorie Taylor Greene, in the unanimous vote endorsing the report. Ruiz and another committee Democrat, Ami Bera of California, are both medical doctors, making their collaboration with this anti-science, anti-China provocation particularly disgraceful.

Wenstrup gave a preview of the report when he participated in a July 8, 2024, Heritage Foundation conference on China and the COVID-19 pandemic. The far-right think tank, which initiated and co-wrote the infamous Project 2025 blueprint for the incoming Trump administration, has been openly hostile to the EcoHealth Alliance (EHA), the US-based public health organization which conducted joint research on coronaviruses with the acclaimed Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

EcoHealth Alliance and its director, Dr. Peter Daszak, have been collaborating for years with Chinese scientists at the WIV, located in Wuhan, a city of 13.7 million people in central China. They have sought to address the threat posed by pandemic pathogens and bat coronaviruses, and therefore became a central focus of the right-wing conspiracy theories, first circulated by anti-communist Chinese exiles and one of Trumps foremost fascist advisers, Stephen Bannon.

The attack on science in general, and the work conducted over several years by EHA, the National Institute of Health, and WIV, specifically, became the primary focus of the House Select Subcommittee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (SSCP), with Dr. Daszak hauled before a hearing and subjected to bullying and witch-hunting.

Refuting the lies of the SSCP report is not difficult from a scientific standpoint, although politically the report has been given credibility by the sheer volume of its falsifications, the embrace of the lies by the Democrats, and the complicity of the corporate media.

The allegations being purported have followed these basic lines: (1) The virus has unusual biological characteristics not found in nature (untrue). (2) Data shows that COVID cases stem from a single introduction into humans (untrue, there were at least two). (3) WIV is located in Wuhan (true but irrelevant) and has a history of conducting gain-of-function research at inadequate biosafety levels (untrue). (4) Several researchers at WIV fell ill with flu-like illness in the fall of 2019, months before COVID was discovered at the Wet Market (untrue and misleading). And (5) The specific natural origin, i.e., what kind of animal last hosted the virus before it crossed over to humans, hasnt surfaced yet (inconsequential to the natural origin hypothesis and not uncommon with such diseases).

Peter Daszak and Shi Zhengli [Photo by EcoHealth Alliance]

It bears reviewing the evidence of the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that have been published. This is certainly not an exhaustive evaluation but lends understanding to the massive body of work that exists that continues to be overlooked by these hearings.

As noted in (1), the SSCP report claims that the virus possesses biological characteristics not found in nature, which has repeatedly been proven false. There have been many examples of bat coronaviruses circulating that can infect human ACE2 receptors directly, and these have been proven by serological studies. These were the fundamental reasons why Daszak worked with Dr. Shi Zhengli at WIV to address what was then recognized as an existential threat to human populations.

In a 2018 study by Dr. Shi and colleagues, they wrote, Our study provides the first serological evidence of likely human infection by bat SARS-CoVs or, potentially, related viruses. The lack of prior exposure to SARS patients by the people surveyed, their lack of prior travel to areas heavily affected by SARS during the outbreak, and the rapid decline of detectable antibodies to SARS-CoV in recovered patients within 23 years after infection strongly suggests that positive serology obtained in this study is not due to prior infection with SARS-CoV.

And still another study from 2023, found that between 2017 and 2020, 12 percent of 693 people screened for SARS-related viruses (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2) were seropositive to these viruses. In particular, work in the extractive industries (logging, hunting, or harvesting of forest products) increased the chances of these exposures.

A lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology [AP Photo/Chinatopix via AP]

They then proceed to denounce the Proximal Origins of SARS-CoV-2 study, the first accurate analysis of the new pandemic, not by discrediting it scientifically, but merely by linking it, however, distantly, to former official Anthony Fauci, as though that alone was enough to condemn it. It is worth noting that the findings of the report continue to stand the test of time and political scrutiny. During the Heritage Foundation hearing on COVID-19, Dr. Robert Redfield, Trumps former CDC chief, asserted that the paper ought to be retracted, which underscores to what lengths this cabal of right-wing reactionaries will go to falsify history and politicize the peer review processes for scientific investigations.

But the heart of their conspiracy is to malign the EcoHealth Alliance and Dr. Peter Daszak for supposedly conducting dangerous gain-of-function research and violating their NIH grants. Irrespective of the thorough investigation conducted by the National Academy of Medicine and the Office of Inspector General into EHAs conduct, which exonerated them of any wrongdoing or malicious intent, the SSCP, exerting pressure on NIH and HHS, is calling for the debarment of EHA from receiving any federal grant, essentially destroying the groups ability to conduct research.

At a May 1, 2024 hearing, Daszak was grilled by the SSCP and courageously stood his ground, maintaining a dignified presence and speaking not only in the name of science, but to the interests of all humanity. Neither his SSCP inquisitors nor the mainstream media have responded to the substantive September 24, 2024 rebuttal by EHA of the fascistic hysteria directed against it. The detailed report numbers 146 pages, with more than 110 appendices. It provides a unique perspective on the sometimes mundane and very tedious work that such activity requires. It also is a weighty defense of science and counters all the fallacious statements made by the SSCPs final report.

What emerges from a careful review of the document is a clear discussion on the numerous attempts made by EHA to submit their year five report to the NIH through its arcane database. The reader can review the dozens of emails that went back and forth between NIH staffers and EHA employees, including those from Daszak. The attempt by the SSCP to malign EHA and characterize it as irresponsible is completely unjustified.

More so, the report goes into detail explaining the federally regulated definitions of gain-of-function research, and how they were to be applied to their investigations. An in-depth analysis of biosafety rules demonstrated that WIV was operating under regulations that were borrowed from their US counterparts. The purpose of having these regulations is that it allows the scope of the work to be defined to minimize lab errors and provide swift corrective actions if they do.

The report also goes into exhaustive detail on the work conducted between EHA, the lab of Dr. Ralph Baric at the University of North Carolina, and WIV, underscoring that none of the viruses used were pandemic potential pathogens, nor did the results of their investigation merit the term gain-of-function. Ignoring all this critical evidentiary material demonstrates the concocted character of the whole SSCP report.

As EHA noted in their defense:

For over two decades, EcoHealth Alliance (EHA) has pioneered groundbreaking discoveries in disease ecologydiscovering natural animal reservoirs for viruses, repeatedly sounding the alarm since 2004 about the likely emergence of a highly contagious bat-origin coronavirus from China or Southeast Asia and publishing a hotspot map of emerging diseases that governments and non-governmental organizations across the world have used to establish pandemic prevention plans. More recently, EHAs work aided in the development and testing of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. EHA has been a responsible steward of federal funds for over 25 years and received competitive grant awards from a variety of federal agencies, including USAID, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Despite these accomplishments, EHA has become one of several scapegoats for the COVID-19 pandemic. This spring, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic (SSCP) homed in on EHA, calling for a public hearing on May 1, 2024. The SSCP was ostensibly established with the goal of uncovering the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was clearly political in practice. In fact, even before the hearing even began, the SSCP released a report calling on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately commence suspension and debarment proceedings against both EcoHealth and Dr. Daszakin other words, permanently cut them off from federal fundingan action typically reserved for criminal activities related to grants.

To read part two, click here.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on Hungary to stop making false statements about its ability to stop the war and to refrain from unilateral contacts with Russia.

"We call on the Hungarian side to stop immoral manipulations on the topic of peace and Christmas, to refrain from unilateral contacts with the aggressor state, which undermines joint efforts to restore a just peace. The only obstacle to peace is Russia and its war-obsessed dictator. Ukraine strives for peace on its soil like no one else in the world," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary published on Monday.

The Foreign Ministry said the actions of the Hungarian side are even further removed from peacekeeping than its statements. Thus, Hungary consistently calls for leaving Ukraine, which is being protected from Russian genocidal aggression, without weapons for self-defense, and prevents funding for strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, increasing sanctions pressure against the aggressor, and other critically important decisions.

"The joint efforts of our state and its partners are aimed at achieving a just and sustainable peace. Ukraine always adheres to the principles of honest dialogue and mutual respect. We will continue constructive contacts with our partners who sincerely seek to end the war, and not to defeat Ukraine," the MFA said in the commentary.
The agreement between Ukraine and Russia on gas transit expires on January 1, 2025 and will not be extended, but in the event of an appeal by the European Commission, Ukraine is ready to implement the transit of any gas except Russian, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in a conversation with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico.

"Ukraine is ready to fulfill the obligations that we assumed under the Association Agreement with the EU. Therefore, if the European Commission officially asks Ukraine to transit any gas except Russian, we will, of course, discuss this and are ready to implement the relevant agreements based on the principles of energy security, both for the entire EU and for each European nation," Shmyhal said in Telegram following the conversation.

He said Ukraine's priority is guaranteed energy security for the whole of Europe and, in particular, uninterrupted supplies of natural gas in the winter.

According to Shmyhal, Ukraine is grateful to all partners in Europe for understanding that Russia is using its energy exports to finance a criminal and unprovoked war and to continue its destabilizing activities against other European countries and the EU as a whole.

"It is important that the adopted 15th package of sanctions of the European Union tightens sanctions, in particular, against the shadow tanker fleet, which brings Russia significant funds to continue the war. Sanction pressure against the Russian energy sector should be continued, this is one of the key elements of forcing Russia to real peace," the Ukrainian Prime Minister said.

According to him, he also discussed with Fico increasing cooperation between the two countries in the electric power industry. "Over the past week, 30% of electricity imports came from Slovakia. We are grateful for this support and are ready to expand these opportunities, as this strengthens both our nations  the resilience of Ukraine and the economy of Slovakia," Shmyhal said.

According to him, there is also an ambitious agenda for cooperation in logistics and transportation, in particular, Kyiv-Bratislava train began running on December 15.

Fico recently announced that Slovakia will hold a series of extremely intensive negotiations at different levels and in different countries starting this week to ensure gas supplies from Russia after its current transit contract, in which Ukraine is a participant, expires at the end of this year. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Slovakia Denisa Sakova, the negotiations will take place with the participation of the European Commission, Ukraine and EU member states.

According to Fico, Slovakia would like to continue cheaper supplies from the east.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was surprised by the statement of an official of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry that the Republic of Belarus allegedly claims a "seat at the table of peace negotiations" where it seeks to receive some "security guarantees."

"The Belarusian regime, contrary to Part 2 of Article 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, which emphasizes that 'the Republic of Belarus excludes military aggression from its territory against other states,' in February 2022 became an accomplice to the full-scale armed invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Heorhiy Tykhy said in the commentary.

The commentary notes that Russia, which used the territory of its ally for armed aggression against Ukraine, is today the only source of real security threats to Belarus.

"All that Belarusian officials have the right to claim is a fair hearing within the framework of the process of bringing the aggressor and his accomplices to international legal responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
There are plenty of questions one might have while watching Maria, director Pablo Larrains new Maria Callas biopic streaming now on NetflixIs that really Angelina Jolie singing? Did Callas actually meet with JFK?but one of the most pressing for T&C was how can we find out more about that apartment?

The film follows the last days of Callass life, and while much of it is fictionalizedsimilar to Larrains work in previous films like Jackie and Spencerwhen it comes to the flat at 36 Avenue Georges Mendel, where La Divina did spend her final days, theres more than a little truth being told.

There was a lot of research, says Guy Hendrix Dyas, the films production designer. Pablos style has evolved into this very interesting storytelling technique: he will quite happily dance between fantasy and reality, so for me it was a dream because I got both sides of the coin.

Courtesy Netflix

That mean diving into books and magazines that had features Callasshe and her homes, Hendrix Dyas says, made regular appearances in Paris Matchas well as getting to know more about who she was and how she lived. We went to the Maria Callus Foundation in Paris and sifted through her personal letters and her artifacts, he says. It was amazing to hold letters that she had written to Aristotle Onassis in my hand.

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The production designer and director also made sure to acquaint themselves with Callass Paris outside of her home. Its a bit of a habit now for Pablo and me, he says. We walked the course of Paris, we went to all the restaurants Maria would have frequented, the coffee shops and cafes, and we did visit her apartment. I wasnt allowed to take photographs, but I sketched the layout and later used that to build the set in the way that I did. Those sketches would also be used to recreate the art on Callass walls, her vanity, and even her bed.

And then, of course, there was the fantasy. Steven Knight's script was extraordinary, absolutely brilliant, and I think Pablo started by following it quite religiously, Hendrix Dyas says. And then as he starts living with everything, it begins to evolve and new ideas start to come about. I pitched him the idea of all these busts and statues being in the apartment, which was complete fantasy. She didnt have those, but we put them there because it was a visual way of expressing the pain and brokenness that Maria his behind her facade of beauty and perfection. To me, it was a lovely and respectful way of hinting to the audience about the person we were dealing with. Also, they were positioned carefully so when she was looking at her reflection in the mirror, you could see then statues behind her staring back.

Courtesy Netflix

Another location for the film didnt require any fantasy. The production was set up in Budapest, but we shot around town as though it was Paris, Hendrix Dyas says. We went to Paris for four or five days, as you saw in the film, but it was extremely limited. We also went to Greece, where we shot on the Onassis yacht, the Christina O.

In the film, there are flashbacks to the beginning of Callass romance with Onassis which play out on his legendary boat. And while initially there was talk about building a replica, it suddenly struck me, Hendrix Dyas says, that the boat was probably still out there.

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Indeed it was, so the production designer and director went to meet its current ownerswho, as it happens, are huge Maria Callas fans, he saysand found a way to film on board. We talked them into a three-week conversion from it being a modernized yacht to its original 1956 livery, Hendrix Dyas says. It was one of those instances when Pablo and I would look at each other and say, We are really doing this: We're shooting 35-millimeter film, we've got Angelina Jolie in her best performance ever, and were on this boat. It really was a remarkable experience.

Not only did the production refurbish the boat, but when it set sail, it followed the same route that Callas and Onassis took on an early trip. We did one of their routes around the islands of Greece, Hendrix Dyas says. Its a crime that this isnt a three-hour film so we could show more of what we shot; we even had a lookalike for Winston Churchill, who was a guest on a voyage.

It's an impressive amount of work, but for Hendrix Dyas, it was necessary in order to properly tell Callass story. Angie was described to me by Pablo as our very precious jewel, he says, and it was my job to create the jewelry box that surrounded her.

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This review contains spoilers

The blockbusting success of Taylor Sheridans Yellowstone (Paramount+) has been the cause of much confusion, surprise, and occasional horror among the US intelligentsia. Could this tale of Montana rednecks doing redneck things be more popular than Succession, The Bear and Only Murders in the Building combined?

Yellowstone has become a phenomenon by appealing to an overlooked audience of everyday Americans. It has also restored a Hollywood halo to its star, Kevin Costner, and launched an entire Sheridan-verse of spin-offs, including the 19th-century prequel, 1883.

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Alas, the wheels came off when Sheridan and Costner seemingly had a falling out. The upshot was Costners cattle ranch patriarch, John Dutton, dying off-screen several months ago. Yet despite his absence from the back-half of what is widely understood to be Yellowstones last season (it has yet to be officially cancelled), Costner cast a shadow over the final episode. Much of its feature-length run time was devoted to assorted members of the Dutton dynasty weeping over his coffin. Then, his daughter Beth (a searing Kelly Reilly is the best reason for tuning in) embarked on a gory mission of revenge against his killers.

All sorts of theories have been floated about Yellowstones stellar ratings. But the simple truth is that its a lusty, larger-than-life soap opera that harks back to the big-haired prime of Dallas and Dynasty, with a hint of Cormac McCarthys cowboy stoicism. In making the American soap great again, it has appealed to a demographic that had tapped out on pretentious prestige television. They were more interested in seeing Kevin Costner on the back of a horse than in fancy-pants New Yorkers waxing ironic, and Yellowstone was the series theyd been waiting for.

A ludicrous, drawn-out and occasionally gripping finale held true to the shows core values of bigger always being better. One loose end tied up early on was the fate of the vast Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Johns son Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) sold it off to the local Native American reservation led by Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham). The asking price was the same amount that the Duttons originally paid in the 19th century. The only condition was that the territory remained unspoiled.

Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas Rainwater - Paramount

Back at the ranch, John Duttons coffin lay in state as Beth vowed revenge. She knew hitmen had killed her dad on the say-so of Johns black-sheep adopted son, Jamie (Wes Bentley). He was a politician on the rise, prepared to do whatever it took to step outside his fathers shadow  including giving his evil lawyer girlfriend, Sarah, permission to hire an assassin.

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John was barely in the ground before Kelly was speeding to Jamies. A brutal struggle culminated with Beth plunging a knife through her siblings chest before her husband Rip (Cole Hauser) disposed of the body in the The Train Station  the gorge in Wyoming into which the Duttons have been chucking their enemies for decades.

The consensus among viewers is that Yellowstone is hugely diminished by the absence of the charismatically grouchy Costner though not all the cast necessarily agree. Luke Grimes seemed to take a swipe at his on-screen dad when saying tension between Sheridan and Costner was [not] super fun to be around and that the last, Costner-free run was the easiest season weve filmed.

Yellowstone concluded with Rip and Beth heading into the sunset to start a new life on a remote farm outside the city of Dillon, Montana (there are rumours of a spin-off series). As they took their leave, the episode brought down the shutters with a voiceover about the untameable majesty of the American wilderness by Isabel May  who played Johns ancestor Elsa Dutton in 1883. It was an on-brand reminder that, while Yellowstone may have come to a brutal end, the Sheridan-verse  with or without Kevin Costner  is a long way from finished.

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If you're interested in connecting with your roots and getting an authentic travel experience, a heritage trip might be for you. SolStock via Getty Images

These days, it seems like more people are traveling than ever. So it makes sense that many travelers are seeking unique experiences that dont feel like the same standard vacation everyone else is taking (and posting about on social media).

Fortunately, there are plenty of fresh and fulfilling types of trips you can take  from destination dupes to mystery travel. But a particularly meaningful option is heritage travel.

Below, travel experts break down this approach to travel and what you should know before you plan a heritage trip.

What is heritage travel?

Heritage travel is when you explore destinations tied to your ancestry or cultural roots, said Gabby Beckford, founder of the travel site Packs Light. Its about discovering more about yourself, your family stories, and your overall identity by traveling to places where you are, in some part, from.

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People interested in heritage travel  which is also known as genealogy tourism, ancestral travel, roots tourism and DNA tourism  can plan vacations around their family lineage and walk the path of their ancestors. This is all much easier to do in the age of services like 23andMe, AncestryDNA and MyHeritage.

Its been popular for years already, but I think its really grown since the advent of at-home DNA testing products, said Laura Motta, the senior director of content at Lonely Planet. They can give people a ton of insight into where their families are from.

For many, these home kits have awakened a desire to connect with their history and experience aspects of their ancestors culture firsthand. Now, companies like Ancestry are offering special guided heritage travel opportunities to customers who want to gain a greater understanding of their familys past. Options include ancestral home visits, genealogy cruises and personal guided tours.

Heritage travel is increasingly common in places that experienced mass emigration or forced removal at some point and therefore have a large diaspora community in other parts of the world. Examples include Ireland, Ghana and Italy (as seen in Season 2 of HBOs The White Lotus, which featured a three-generation Sicilian American family returning to their ancestral roots in Testa dellAcqua).

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Lots of countries and communities are working to enable and encourage heritage tourism, which makes complete sense. Its big business, Motta said. Tour operators and tourism boards often have information to help you get started.

Heritage travel can also refer more broadly to any type of tourism that involves visiting historic and cultural sites and immersing yourself in the destinations past and present way of life. And this certainly applies to ancestry-focused tourism.

Reconnection to the past is at the central core of heritage travel, said Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokesperson for the Going travel app. A type of travel designed to better engage a traveler with the cultural heritage of a place, heritage travel is more about understanding a destination through genuine traditions and experiences rooted in history.

What are the benefits of heritage travel?

There are many reasons why heritage travel might appeal to tourists.

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It can be really fascinating and can help connect people to their ethnic and cultural roots, Motta said. Of course, heritage tourism can mean very different things to different people. You might be chasing a complicated paper trail of baptism certificates and immigration records in Ireland, or finding your familys former home in California, or learning about rituals that your ancestors performed in Ghana.

Beckford said she personally finds the heritage travel trend to be very exciting.

As someone who is multiracial, I understand that in a world that likes to put people into neat categories, not fitting perfectly into one can feel alienating, she noted. I believe knowledge is power, and traveling back to where your ancestors came from to understand how you became the person you are today can be not only fascinating but healing for many people like me.

Heritage travel can take many forms and include a wide range of experiences. People may have different goals and approaches to their ancestral journeys.

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I see many families, particularly second and third generations, taking heritage trips to reconnect with rituals, traditions, religions, holidays, or even to honor specific family members who have passed, Beckford said.

By taking a heritage-focused trip, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the local culture and history as well.

Travelers more and more are seeking an authentic travel experience, away from uber-popular tourist traps, traveling more purposefully, Nastro said. There is no better way to understand your current surroundings than by walking through its past.

She added that you dont necessarily need to design an entire vacation around heritage travel, but can instead incorporate it through specific activities or experiences in your trip.

Travel experts believe the rise of DNA testing services has led to increased interest in heritage trips. Gerhard Pettersson / 500px via Getty Images

Heres what else you should know before trying this trip.

Although there are many benefits to these kinds of trips, heritage travel is not an inherently positive experience. History is messy. Families are complicated, Motta said. There are plenty of reasons why people become estranged from their families and heritage. Chasing your personal history can lead to discoveries that are uncomfortable, unpleasant and even contradictory. For most, the upsides far outweigh this, but its something to consider.Another downside is the potential for mismanaged expectations.Visiting your ancestral lands may or may not provide the healing someone might be seeking, Beckford said. These places and their people naturally change and evolve with time, and some travelers might put too much pressure on a destination to be what they need it to be, rather than accepting it for what it is.

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If the idea of packing your bags and moving to a new country seems like a dream come true, then you're in luck.

Moving abroad can be a lofty, often expensive process, but many places offer enticing programs that offer money to foreigners to move there. In recent years, programs such as grants to settle in Tuscan villages and Mediterranean islands selling homes for less than the price of a cup of coffee have presented tempting opportunities for aspiring expats. For many vacation-deprived Americans, they sound like the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the U.S.

It's worth noting that chosen applicants for these programs aren't exactly getting paid to live there but rather are given money as part of their condition to relocate. "Programs offering financial incentives to move abroad, like rural Italian villages paying people to restore old homes or regions in Spain offering grants, are fantastic in concept," said Michelle Garabito, an expat and founder of the relocating community The Lux Nomads. "Theyre great marketing tools designed to draw attention and revitalize areas that may be underpopulated or economically struggling."

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As tempting as these offerings may seem, Garabito warns people to have "realistic expectations" and consider whether their lifestyle aligns with the program's goals, which are usually aimed at reinvigorating rural, remote areas with working professionals. "While charming and picturesque, they may lack the conveniences and infrastructure that some expats are accustomed to," she said. Looking into a digital nomad visa might be a more sensible approach.

Many programs are also highly selective and have rigid requirements, so only a few may be eligible. You also might still need to get the appropriate residency or visa to even live there.

"That said, if someone is already interested in moving abroad, programs like these can be an excellent starting point," she said. "They provide an opportunity to experience a new culture while potentially saving money or contributing to a meaningful cause."

Should I get a second passport? It can be 'a rigorous task,' but it offers something visas can't

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Here are some of the countries that will pay you to move there.

Spain

Views of Malpartida de Caceres, on 27 October, 2023 in Caceres, Extremadura, Spain.

For wine and history lovers, the remote Spanish region Extremadura launched a program in late August for 200 eligible digital nomads who work in tech to receive up to 15,000 (about $15,750) if they move to one of its rural villages for at least two years. The grants were aimed at helping expats "speed up" their relocation, such as by acquiring accommodations.

Chile

Vineyard In A Wine Region; Casablanca, Valparaiso, Chile.

Outdoor enthusiasts who have an entrepreneurial spirit can apply for Start-Up Chile, an accelerator program that offers grants from 15 million Chilean pesos (about $15,150) to 75 million Chilean pesos (about $75,750) for those who want to bring their startup business to the South American country.

Ireland

View of the coastline in the vicinity of Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland.

In 2023, Ireland launched an initiative called "Our Living Islands," meant to revitalize and preserve the communities of 30 rural islands off its western coast. Eligible candidates can receive up to 84,000 (about $88,180) to renovate "derelict properties," although to live in the peaceful villages, they still need to follow established immigration policies.

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"As a result of delivering this policy, we will see more people living on the islands and more people working on our islands, with good career prospects, regardless of where their employer is headquartered, Heather Humphreys, minister for rural and community development, said in a statement.

Japan

Panoramic view of tea plantations, Kyushu region, Yame, Japan on August 21, 2023 in Yame, Japan.

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Japan's Regional Revitalization Corps is a program that has been working since 2008 to address rural depopulation by recruiting expats to move to small towns and revitalize its declining populations. Those Japanese citizens of foreign descent are "hired" to move to the countryside for a salary of about 3 million yen ($19,514) to resettle in a rural town and start a business, like opening a cafe. The program is highly selective, requiring fluency in Japanese and assimilation into the culture.

Italy

View of the Barbagia di Seulo, Ussassai in the background, Sardinia, Italy.

After the U.S. presidential election, the ancient town of Ollolai on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia recently announced a program called Live in Ollolai for Americans who want to leave the country. The town is surrounded by peaceful forests, so you won't be by the famous beaches Sardinia is known for. Though these potential expats aren't really given money to relocate, the program offers homes for as little as 1 (about $1.05) with assistance for navigating the moving process.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 countries that will 'pay' you to move abroad
Royal Caribbean is taking the concept of paradise to the next level with its newly announced Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, set to open in December 2025. As the first in the companys Royal Beach Club Collection, this 17-acre retreat promises an all-inclusive experience that blends the beauty of Paradise Island with the cruise lines signature flair.

Guests can look forward to two stunning beaches, three pools, the worlds largest swim-up bar, and an array of dining and drinking options. For those seeking an elevated experience, the beach club will offer over 40 cabanas, including the luxurious Ultimate Family Cabana, complete with personal attendant service.

Developed in collaboration with the Bahamian government, the Royal Beach Club aims to celebrate local culture with Bahamian-inspired architecture, live music, artisan shops, and island cuisine.

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The Royal Beach Club Collection is designed for every type of family and vacationer to get everything they want out of their ideal beach day  no matter the vibe theyre looking for, said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Enjoy an all-inclusive beach day

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will cater to every kind of beachgoer with three distinct zones.

Family Beach: Tailored for those with little ones, Family Beach offers a zero-entry pool, beach games, and the Ultimate Family Cabana, a two-story haven packed with amenities like a slide, a private whirlpool, and even a frozen drink machine.

Chill Beach: For those seeking pure relaxation, Chill Beach lives up to its name. Bask in the sun at The Deep End, stroll along white sandy shores, and explore local artisan huts and restaurants.

Party Cove: If youre ready to turn up the energy, Party Cove is the place to be. With a live DJ setting the tone, the worlds largest swim-up bar, and an exclusive Party Cove VIP area offering personal poolside service, the party never stops.

This tropical escape will be available to vacationers departing from six major cities, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral (Orlando) in Florida; Cape Liberty (New York), New Jersey; Galveston, Texas; and Baltimore.

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Royal Caribbeans announcement of the Bahamas beach club follows the reveal of other highly anticipated destinations like Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026 and Perfect Day Mexico in 2027.

All-inclusive day passes and cabanas for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be available for purchase starting in spring 2025.

The post Royal Caribbean reveals plans for all-inclusive beach club in the Bahamas appeared first on The Manual.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Police Department said one person was arrested in connection to a shooting downtown that sent one person to the hospital early Sunday morning.

The shooting happened in the area of the 1600 block of Champa Street.

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One victim was located and taken to the hospital.

Later, police said a suspect was arrested for the shooting. The agency identified the suspect as Nick Martinez, 39, and said he is facing a charge of felony menacing in connection to the shooting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Photo: Getty Images

Washington has information that North Korean soldiers were killed and wounded while fighting against Ukrainian forces, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said.

"We do assess that North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat in Kursk... we do have indications that they have suffered casualties, both killed and wounded," he told reporters on Monday, according to Reuters.

Ryder said he did not have details on the number of North Korean casualties, but added that North Korean troops entered the battle last week.

Earlier, the press service of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated that units of the DPRK army lost at least 30 soldiers killed and wounded in the assaults in Kursk region of Russia on December 14 and 15. It is also reported that at least three North Korean servicemen went missing in the area of the village of Kurilovka.
MULLINS, S.C. (WBTW)  One person was killed Sunday night and two others critically hurt after a shooting in Mullins that led to state authorities being called in, police said.

Officers were sent to the 100 block of East Dogwood Avenue at about 6:45 p.m., police said in a Facebook post. One person was pronounced dead at the scene.

News13 photo: Curtis Graham News13 photo: Curtis Graham News13 photo: Curtis Graham

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was called and is assisting. No additional information was immediately provided.

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News13 reached out to Mullins Police Chief Phil Mostowski for more information. Count on News13 for updates on-air and online.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A group of 12 Nordic-Baltic Eight Plus (NB8+) member states has decided to increase surveillance of ships that may be part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet.

Source: joint statement of NB8+, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The NB8+ states located near the Baltic and North Seas will now require proof of insurance for suspicious vessels passing through the English Channel, Danish straits, strait between Denmark and Sweden, and the Gulf of Finland.

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Quote: "Information collected by the state parties, in particular with respect to those vessels that have chosen not to respond to requests, will be assessed and analysed jointly with our international partners," the statement said.

The states emphasised their determination to hold the shadow fleet accountable, including through sanctions, for its support of Russia's conflict against Ukraine.

The NB8+ format includes the Baltic States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Poland, Finland, and Sweden.

Russia has assembled a "shadow fleet" of over 600 tankers, the owners of which are frequently masked behind shell firms, and utilised it to circumvent the G7 price ceiling of US$60 per barrel. Iran and Venezuela also employ this strategy for similar reasons.

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These vessels are not only noisy and mostly unregulated, but they are frequently uninsured. In the case of a leak or a larger catastrophe, governments will find it difficult to hold these vessels accountable.

Background:

On 16 December, the Council of the European Union adopted the 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures, which included North Korean officials and Chinese suppliers of drone kits.

The sanctions package includes 54 individuals and 30 organisations. The EU said that these measures are designed to counteract the circumvention of EU sanctions by targeting Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's shadow fleet and to weaken the Russian defence industrial base.

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Twelve people have been found dead of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at Gudauri, a Georgian ski resort in the Caucasus Mountains.



Eleven of the deceased are Indian. One was Georgian. They were found in a sleeping area housed on the second floor of an Indian restaurant where they all worked. The BBC and CNN report that an oil-powered generator was turned on and placed near the bedrooms indoors after a power outage.



No signs of injury or violence were found on the bodies of the deceased, according to a statement from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Local law enforcement is investigating the incident as a case of negligent manslaughter under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.



"Investigative actions are actively being carried out, forensiccriminalistics are working on the spot, interviews of persons related to the case are being conducted. Appropriate examinations are appointed. A forensic medical examination has also been appointed to determine the exact cause of death," the Ministry of Internal Affairs statement reads.

Gudauri Ski Resort, Georgia. Photo: MaximFesenko/Getty Images

The Indian Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, is working to repatriate the remains of the Indian nationals, according to a statement from the Embassy. "We are also in contact with bereaved families and are committed to providing all possible support," it reads.



Power generators, while useful during electricity outages, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if used indoors. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 80 people each year are killed in the U.S. by carbon monoxide poisoning from power generators. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas.



Gudauri is Georgia's largest and highest ski resort. CNN reports that the country has drawn an increasing number of tourists and offers a less expensive vacation option than the Alps. The small nationwhich borders the Black Seaalso hosted a Freeride World Tour (FWT) event in 2024, the Georgia Pro, at Tetnuldi Ski Resort. It was Georgia's first-ever FWT event.



In 2018, Gudauri made headlines when one of the resort's chairlifts began running in reverse. As the chairlifts came to a stop at the lower terminal, they collided with each other and threw people through the air. At least ten people were injured.

Related: Why Colorado Ski Patrollers Walk Over Early-Season Powder

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  No one was hurt after shots from two different weapons were fired just after 1 p.m. Monday in Youngstown.

Read next: 26 casings recovered in shooting near Austintown bar

Police collected 12 shell casings on Erie Street on the south side, where someone fired several shots at a home in the 100 block of E. Florida Ave.

Officers collected casings from a rifle and a handgun.

It is unclear if the persons who fired the shots were on foot or in a car.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Pierce County Council member Dave Morells days of fielding phone calls from residents upset that there is only one way in and out of Tehaleh are coming to an end.

He and others celebrated the opening of a road Friday thats part of a $150 million project that the Pierce County Council approved in 2008 to provide another outlet for the 11,000 residents of the planned community in the fastest growing region of Pierce County.

Morell told those gathered that the project to connect the community on the Bonney Lake plateau to the Orting Valley has been in the works for 25 years, and hes proud of the employment opportunities that the development brings to the region.

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And, he joked: I dont have to field any more calls: Why would you build a community with one way in and one way out?

Its just the first phase of the work that is finished: A 1.25-mile extension that connects Falling Water Boulevard and Tehaleh Boulevard. Next, the developer will work on New Rhodes Lake Road East, to create three lanes going up the hill and two lanes going down it. Then workers will widen 128th Street and put a new bridge across the Puyallup River. They expect all the phases to be finished come 2027.

The $150 million project is funded by the developer as part of its agreement with the county.

A new project now connects Falling Waters Boulevard to Tehaleh Boulevard.

This road improves access and safety for residents living nearby today, Morell said in a news release Friday, sent by Pierce County and by Brookfield Properties, which manages Tehaleh. Soon, it will provide a new link from the Plateau to nearby urban centers, bringing more business and jobs to the area.

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He said the project is important when it comes to the ability of emergency vehicles to access the community, as well as commuters.

Once complete, the new road corridor will connect Orting, Puyallup and Sumner to Bonney Lake and Buckley from highway 162 at 128th Street East in McMillin to highway 410 via Falling Water Boulevard, Tehaleh Boulevard and 198th Avenue East, the news release said. Tehaleh is also committed to traffic improvements on SR 162.

Officials celebrated the opening of a road Dec. 13, 2024 thats part of a $150 million project to provide another outlet for the 11,000 residents of Tehaleh, the planned community in the fastest growing region of Pierce County.

Residents in the Orting Valley have expressed concern about the traffic situation on state Route 162, which already poses a headache for Orting-area commuters. Traffic is also a concern for Orting-area residents should Mount Rainier explode. Theyre in the lahar zone. One member of the SR 162 Community Group, which has been advocating for solutions since 2018, quipped last year in a meeting with The News Tribune that his evacuation plan is a case of wine that hell to take to his roof.

Asked about the impact the new road will have on the valley, and about next steps to address congestion on SR 162, Morell told The News Tribune on Friday that a study about adding a third lane to the highway is in the works. Its the Washington State Department of Transportation thats in charge of the road.

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Hopefully that will get some funding, once we get the study done, he said.

Maxine Herbert-Hill with the SR 162 Community Group said in a phone call with The News Tribune that, best-case scenario, she thinks a center turn lane could open in 2028 or 2029. Asked what things will look like for the years after the new road down the hill is finished and before the third lane on SR 162 is built, she said simply: Bad.

One traffic consultant estimated it could take an hour to travel the 8 miles from state Route 410 to Orting during the evening commute, Herbert-Hill said, which takes about 30 minutes now.

Its going to be a tough, tough go until we get these improvements done, she said. Theres not a road in East Pierce County that doesnt have a problem. Its tough and its obviously going to get tougher as they continue to develop out there.

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She thinks its great that crews opened the new Falling Water connection, she said. Its something those who live there need badly and eagerly anticipated, she said.

Pierce County Council member Paul Herrera, who was also at the celebration, told The News Tribune that there are plenty of examples of lackluster development. In contrast, he said, Tehaleh, with its sidewalks, roads and other infrastructure that has grown with the community, is something to be proud of.

Now, he said, its time for the state to catch up at the bottom of the hill.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A Dayton teen is dead after suffering a gunshot wound Sunday night.

According to Maj. Brian Johns of the Dayton Police Department, the shooting occurred after 10 p.m. in the 700 block of Burwood Avenue.

Police on scene found a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest. The male was taken to the hospital where he died from the injury.

The Montgomery County Coroners Office has identified the teen as Tyron Smith.

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Drone sighting shuts down WPAFB for hours Friday

At the time of the shooting, there were reportedly four juveniles inside the home with a firearm. A fifth individual was reported to be upstairs at the time of the incident.

The four were passing the gun around for videos on social media when the 16-year-old accidentally discharged the firearm, inflicting the wound upon himself. It is reported that he brought the semi-automatic handgun with him while visiting the home.

Johns said that the issue happens far too often.

Its an issue we continue to have as far as youth having firearms, with no adults around, Johns said in a release from the department.

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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: Jaci Rae Coyne. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Jaci Rae Coyne, 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.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Yankton man  charged with 2nd degree murder  made his first court appearance Monday morning.

29-year-old woman dies after falling from train in downtown Sioux Falls

According to court documents, 19-year-old Theodore Kranig Jr. is accused of stabbing a man and slitting his throat.

Police say Kranig was drinking at the mans apartment on Friday night. On Saturday, Yankton police said they were investigating a suspicious death.

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The affidavit says Kranig told police the man assaulted him first, so he grabbed a knife and hurt him.

Court documents do not reveal the victims age, or his relationship with Kranig.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Kennesaw State University announced it would be launching a new business graduate program in the fall, and not only is it new to the university, its the first of its kind in the United States.

KSU will offer a Rural Management concentration for its evening Master of Business Administration program, the first in the U.S., and aimed at empowering rural communities to create economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for their residents.

The University System of Georgia approved two concentrations for the program, Rural Management and Business Intelligence, which KSU said will both allow the program to expand its reach and relevance.

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Rural counties are experiencing incredible growth right now, Renee Bourbeau, executive director of MBA programs for Kennesaw States Michael Coles College of Business, said in a statement. These communities have a need for qualified professionals to fill leadership positions in business and government. Kennesaw State is proud to be the first university in the country to offer an MBA program specifically tailored to their unique economic position.

The university said the time is right for a program focused on rural counties as they see population growth across the board. In Georgia, KSU said Jackson and Dawson counties were among the fastest growing in the U.S., based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Weve seen what can happen in rural communities when there is a leadership vacuum, Bourbeau said. When Talking Rock, Ga. lost its mayor in 2021, it led to the city losing its fire station and eventually its fire designation, leading to increased insurance rates for its residents. A program like ours will prepare cities and counties for leadership crises like this.

Students in the Rural Management program, in addition to the usual core MBA classes, will also study topics like economic development in rural America and agribusiness strategy.

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MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN)  Motorists in Mt. Juliet ran into some delays Sunday afternoon while crews cleared the scene of a wreck that left two people injured.

The rollover crash was reported in the 200 block of North Mt. Juliet Road on Sunday, Dec. 15.

2 killed in single-vehicle crash along I-24 in Clarksville

The Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) announced on social media platform X shortly before 3:45 p.m. the collision was blocking the northbound lanes of the road, so officers alternated northbound and southbound traffic. Just before 4:30 p.m., law enforcement confirmed all lanes were back open and nobody was seriously injured.

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Authorities said a vehicle had tried to cross through a break in stopped traffic after being waved through by another driver, but it was hit by a vehicle traveling in an open lane.

(Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Fire Department) (Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Fire Department) (Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Fire Department) (Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Police Department) (Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Police Department) (Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Police Department)

According to officials, two people were safely removed from the overturned vehicle following the wreck. By 3:49 p.m., the Mt. Juliet Fire Department said those two individuals were on the way to a local hospital, but there is no word on their current condition.

2 critically injured after shooting at Murfreesboro hotel

Thank you to our officers for their quick response and efforts to manage traffic while three lanes of Mt. Juliet Rd were temporarily blocked, MJPD posted at 4:32 p.m. Let this serve as a reminder to always proceed cautiously and ensure all lanes are clear before crossing. Stay safe out there!

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No additional details have been released about Sunday afternoons crash.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) Director of External Relations, Beka Jakeli who oversees policy and relations with the Organizations 160 Member States speaks about the challenges facing the industry and the assistance of international organizations in the constant and stable growth of tourism in Ukraine and its effective positioning on the world tourism map in the post-war period.

Tourism is a tool of peace. But it is usually used in post-war reconstruction. What does world experience say about the development of destinations during military operations?

It is obvious that during wartime, inbound and domestic tourism cannot function as it would under normal circumstances. However, there are two schools of thought regarding the role of tourism under such circumstances. The first perspective, held by some experts and industry professionals, dismisses any focus on the tourism sector during the war, viewing it as irrelevant to immediate needs and post-war recovery planning. I believe this approach is short-sighted. The second perspective, which I strongly align with, emphasizes the importance of proactively envisioning the long-term future of the tourism sector. Wartime planning and strategic thinking are essential for positioning tourism as a key driver of economic recovery and development once peace is restored.

I am a firm advocate of establishing a robust coordination mechanism during the war, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders directly or indirectly connected to tourism. This mechanism would enable the formulation of a common and consolidated strategy. Ensuring engagement from national and international actors - such as government bodies, regional administrations, Destination Management Organizations, the private sector, international organizations, donor institutions and other key stakeholders - is crucial in achieving this goal.

As far as I remember, you have practical experience in the post-war transformation of the tourism industry in Georgia?

I have been with the World Tourism Organization since 2012. Prior to this, I served as Deputy Chairman of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, where I was responsible for destination development, market research, international affairs and fundraising. I had the privilege of contributing to various incentive frameworks and schemes that supported the tourism industry within the context of Georgias successful economic reforms initiated 15-20 years ago.

My practical experience also includes crisis management. During the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, as Chairman ad interim of the National Tourism Administration, I led government efforts to ensure the resilience of the tourism sector in the aftermath of the 2008 conflict. The primary focus was on repositioning Georgia globally as a safe travel destination and stimulating inbound tourist flows, a task the government successfully accomplished within a remarkably short timeframe.

So, what can and should be done now for the tourism industry of Ukraine?

The primary focus of an effective coordination mechanism, involving national and international stakeholders, including industry representatives, should be to regularly monitor the situation in each region, assess recovery needs, and develop relevant strategies and plans. This includes formulating crisis management and communication plans, enhancing global outreach, and addressing other critical aspects of sector resilience and recovery.

What kind of assistance can the international community provide at this stage?

As an active participant in the coordination mechanism initiated and managed by the government, specifically the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine, UN Tourism stands ready to respond to concrete requests and needs by providing expertise through tailored recommendations. Additionally, it will continue to facilitate collaboration and interaction between Ukraine and its extensive membership of 160 countries, support global outreach efforts, and mobilize donor institutions to aid in the recovery of Ukraines tourism sector.

What sectors may be of interest to donors?

Main focus should be on supporting infrastructural projects in regions and rural areas, implementing capacity-building programs and training, and advancing other key initiatives. Post-war efforts must prioritize the most severely affected territories in Eastern Ukraine. Providing targeted support and substantial incentives to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be crucial, as they will play a central role in driving Ukraine's long-term economic recovery and growth.

The Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, proposed creating a working group to support tourism in the economy of Ukraine. What is the status of this initiative?

In response to Russia's military aggression and violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Secretary-General Pololikashvili called on all Member States of the Organization to consider suspending the Russian Federation's membership, citing that Russia's actions contradicted the fundamental aims of UN Tourism. As a result, the General Assembly, during its first extraordinary session held in Madrid on 27 April 2022, decided to suspend the Russian Federations membership in accordance with Article 34 of the Statutes, thereby revoking its rights and privileges as a member.

The Organization continues to collaborate closely with Ukraine, actively supporting its participation in various platforms and initiatives. I would like to commend the leadership of Mariana Oleskiv, Chairperson of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine. From the outset, she has been instrumental in ensuring Ukraine's global outreach, mobilizing international attention, and securing support from the global tourism community. Ms. Oleskiv also serves as Chair of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Europe, further highlighting her pivotal role in representing Ukraine on the international stage.

This is not your first visit to Ukraine. You visited both Lviv and Kharkiv in 2018 and 2019. What recommendations did you give before, are being implemented, what do you recommend now?

The ongoing war in Ukraine, changing consumer behaviour, the shift in travel demand post-pandemic and the growing focus on climate issues all necessitate new approaches for Ukraine, both during and after the war. In my presentation titled From Sustainability to Global Recognition  Tourism as a Strategic Key to the Future of Ukraine, delivered at the Third National Tourism Summit in Lviv on November 28 this year, I shared some key considerations regarding Ukraines wartime and post-war context.

The wartime period requires a strong coordination mechanism involving both national and international stakeholders. I have previously spoken at length on this subject.

The pressing question now is what actions will need to be taken after the war. What steps should be prioritized? It is essential to recognize that the ways businesses used to attract visitors before the pandemic will no longer be effective. A different approach is required. We are witnessing the emergence of new business models and a significant shift in consumer behaviour worldwide. As a result, companies must adapt their operations as well as tailor and diversify their offerings.

There are both positive aspects and challenges in this situation. On the positive side, Ukraine has gained exceptionally high global awareness. When any country seeks to attract international visitors and position itself as an attractive inbound destination, the first step is to raise awareness. People must know about the country itself. Today, Ukraine has heightened global awareness and the civilized world stands in solidarity with the country. Many people now want to visit and explore Ukraine, its rich cultural and natural heritage, and, most importantly, its people.

When discussing travel and tourism, which will be one of the key sectors driving Ukraine's recovery and long-term economic growth, the fundamental issue is attracting investment and launching proactive international investment campaigns. I strongly believe that attracting international venture capital for Ukraines tourism sector is critical for the countrys overall recovery and economic growth. Why is this so important? By developing supportive policies and offering incentives, such as tax credits or exemptions for venture capital firms, simplifying regulations to ease domestic and foreign investor participation, launching accelerator programs, and establishing seed funding initiatives, Ukraine has a tremendous opportunity to diversify and enhance its tourism ecosystem by supporting startups. Such policies would not only foster the rapid development of new tourism and hospitality businesses in the country, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, but would also ensure steady industry growth amidst the high competition in the global market. As I mentioned, the priority should be placed on regional and rural development, which can significantly contribute to Ukraines sustainable economic future.

Among your recommendations, significant attention is paid to the development of human capital to create jobs and ensure quality.

The global tourism market has never been as competitive and unpredictable as it is today. As such, synergy between employers and educational institutions is critical. However, there often exists a significant gap between what employers need and what educational institutions are able to provide, creating substantial challenges. With the emergence of new business models anticipated in the coming years, the demand for new skills in the industry will evolve rapidly. To address this, the first foundational step is to conduct regular surveys to assess labour market needs at both national and regional levels. Additionally, developing short-term training and capacity-building programs for the industry and local communities will be essential. Attracting leading international hospitality and tourism schools to enter the Ukrainian market should also be a priority. Furthermore, developing tailored educational programs and internationalizing curricula will be vital for modernization of the vocational and higher education system. Fostering strong Public-Private and Academia Partnerships (PPAP) will also play a crucial role in ensuring resilient and sustainable tourism sector in Ukraine.

You highlight the significant change in consumer behavior after Covid.

New digital and sustainable solutions for diversifying visitor experiences are among the core recommendations for Ukraine after the war. According to the latest survey conducted by the UN Tourism among its 160 Member States in 2023, the majority of countries view sustainability and the shift in consumer demand as long-term trends that destinations should capitalize on. Additionally, many countries identify growing demand for specific destinations and products as a key tool to unlock further economic opportunities.

Considering these trends and the long-term outlook, three key recommendations are given to Ukraine:

Leverage Ukraines rich cultural and natural heritage to create immersive visitor experiences. This includes promoting rural areas, community-based and eco-tourism products, health and wellness tourism, cultural tourism and gastronomy. Foster responsible and climate-friendly travel through collaborative efforts between the public sector and industry stakeholders. Develop an effective data intelligence system to better understand rapidly changing consumer behaviour and address the diversified needs of customers.

If asked how I envision the future of Ukrainian tourism, I would say that the key lies in authenticity, combined with unique visitor experiences, emotions and innovative solutions, meaning enhanced digital services. A key opportunity for attracting new visitors after the war will be targeting holidaymakers, while repeat visitors may primarily engage in business and professional travel, as well as visiting friends and relatives.

Overall, the critical factors for boosting both inbound and domestic tourism in Ukraine after the war should be based on the country's successful economic reforms, supportive policies and incentives. Addressing price-sensitivity, particularly in transportation, accommodation and other services, is essential to remain competitive globally. Finally, developing niche markets and specialized products should be a priority.

This is the most difficult segment for Ukraine - to attract tourists from India, China and Japan.

The following 13 outbound markets are recommended for Ukraine to target with active marketing campaigns after the war: The United States and Canada from the Americas; China, Japan, India and the Republic of Korea from Asia and the Pacific; Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy from Europe; and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from the Middle East.

What is the rationale for focusing on these particular long-haul and high-yield markets? There are five reasons. First, the majority of these countries are developed economies. Second, they have a strong and growing middle class. Third, there is a rising demand for outbound travel following the pandemic. For instance, the travel expenditure of Germans and Americans abroad in the first quarter of 2024 surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 37% and 33%, respectively, while Italians spent 29% more and French travellers also showed similar increase in expenditure on outbound travel. Fourth, the average spending of nationals and residents of these countries significantly exceeds the travel expenditure of Ukraine's neighbouring countries and other nearby markets. The difference could even be two to three times greater. Fifth, nationals and residents of these 13 countries are keen to explore new tourism destinations in the coming years, and Ukraine presents a great opportunity to attract new visitors, given its global awareness and solidarity.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said two people from California are facing 50 felony charges for allegedly altering over $2,000 in gift cards.

Police said that on Dec. 11, around 5:21 p.m., officers were in the 12100 block of Sunset Hill Road, in Reston, as part of the Christmas Anti-Theft Team. Thats when a loss prevention officer noticed a person who had allegedly committed fraud the day before at a different location.

According to the FCPD, more officers responded and observed Haijun Qin, 36, of California, place numerous altered Visa gift cards on sale racks in the store before trying to leave.

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Police said when Qin was taken into custody they found more than 22 Visa gift cards on him.

As the investigation developed, detectives learned that Qin was working with an accomplice, Haoran Yue, 35, of California.

Fairfax County officers later found Yue in a vehicle near the store.

Qin was charged with 22 counts of Possession of a Credit Card Forgery Device, 22 counts of Credit Card Forgery and Burglarious Tools.

Police said Yue was charged with three counts of Credit Card Forgery, Possession of a Credit Card Forgery Device and Burglarious Tools.

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Family of 5-year-old boy struck, killed by van while walking to school in Riverdale files lawsuit against county, driver

Police said the gift cards were altered in a way that once they were purchased and funds were added, the money would automatically go to the suspects bank account.

Qin and Yue are being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.

With Christmas around the corner, the FCPD said some ways to avoid gift card schemes are:

Inspecting the Package Carefully : Look for signs of tampering, such as mismatched seals, uneven edges or any stickers or labels that seem out of place.

Checking Gift Card Balances Quickly : After purchasing, check the balance on the gift card to ensure the funds were loaded correctly. Many retailers offer online balance-checking tools.

Monitoring the Activation Process: When purchasing a gift card, check that the barcode being scanned matches the card youre buying.

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Fairfax County detectives encourage anyone with information about this case to call Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477 or enter a tip online.

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BOSTON (WPRI)  Two men are expected to face a judge on Monday after allegedly flying a drone too close to Boston Logan International Airport over the weekend.

Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater and Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown are facing charges of trespassing, with additional fines or charges potentially coming, police added.

Around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, an officer reported seeing a drone operating dangerously close to the airport.

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Police were able to track the three suspects using the drones location, altitude and flight history.

ALSO READ: Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings

Folcik and Duffy were arrested on one of the Boston Harbor Islands, but police say they believe the third suspect got away on a small boat.

Airplane pilots say many people dont realize the threat these drones pose to planes taking off and landing. Even the smallest drone can cause catastrophic damage, they added.

These arrests come after weeks of drone sighting in New Jersey sparking concerns over who sent them and why. Federal agents say the sightings dont appear to be a threat to public safety.

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HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Two people were taken to the hospital Monday morning after a vehicle crashed into a gas station building in Horry County, authorities said.

The crash, which happened shortly before 7 a.m., blocked traffic in the area of Burcale Road and Claypond Road, according to Horry County Fire Rescue. The Coastal Petro building sustained significant damage.

News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi

Authorities asked people to avoid the area to avoid delays and for the safety of those working at the scene.

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No additional information was immediately available. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating.

* * *

Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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Two people were injured, three were arrested and one suspect is unidentified following two related shootings early Sunday in Arlington, police said.

Officers responded to the first shooting at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Deer Creek Drive at around 1:35 a.m., according to a police statement.

When officers arrived on scene, they located a 32-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the arm, police said. She was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

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The womans boyfriend told police that a group of men knocked on their door looking for someone who did not live at the residence, according to the statement.

The victims boyfriend and the suspects began arguing, and at one point the boyfriend retrieved a bat and told the suspects to leave, police said.

At least one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and began shooting in the direction of the apartment before fleeing the scene in a Honda Civic, police said.

The woman was struck, the boyfriend was not injured, and the couples dog was grazed by a bullet but is expected to recover, according to the statement.

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Officers responded to the second incident in a parking lot in the 4900 block of Little Road at around 3 a.m., according to the statement.

Upon arrival, officers located a 34-year-old man with a gunshot wound inside a parked vehicle, police said.

The man was transported to a local hospital and is listed in critical condition.

A woman who was with the injured man told police that as they were getting into their vehicle, a car believed to be the same vehicle from the Deer Creek Drive incident, blocked them in, police said.

Four suspects exited that vehicle and approached the couple, with one suspect pointing a gun at the couple and telling them to get out of the vehicle, police said.

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The suspects then fired into the vehicle, striking the man, according to the statement. The woman was not injured.

Using surveillance footage, officers identified the Honda Civic and learned that it had been stolen out of Dallas, police said.

At around 5 a.m. Sunday, officers located the Honda being followed by a second vehicle, a Lincoln Town Car, along Parkway Lane, just north of E. Pioneer Parkway. Officers attempted to stop the Honda, but the driver sped off, police said.

The driver of the Lincoln stopped, and officers determined that the individuals inside were affiliated with the suspects in the Honda, according to the statement.

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The two occupants of the Lincoln, a teenage male and 20-year-old Humberto Barajas, were arrested.

Barajas was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated robbery, police said.

The teenager, who police did not identify because he is a juvenile, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated robbery. He will be transported to the Tarrant County Juvenile Justice Center.

Officers later located the Honda Civic crashed in the 2100 block of Browning Drive and arrested the individual believed to have been inside, 17-year-old Angel Barajas.

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Barajas was booked into the Arlington City Jail on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated robbery, and one count of evading, according to police.

A fourth suspect remains at-large and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
BRIGHTON, Ala. (WIAT)  Two men killed in a shooting outside the Brighton Community Center last week were identified Monday morning.

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38-year-old Roderick Hall, of Midfield, and 27-year-old DAngelo LaMarcus Samuel, of Birmingham, were both shot around 2:18 p.m. on December 13 outside the community center on 7th Avenue. The Jefferson County Coroners Office said both men were pronounced dead at 2:33 p.m.

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No suspects are in custody at this time. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office continues to investigate at this time.

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Several people have been injured and hospitalized after a tornado touched down in coastal Santa Cruz County in northern California.

A rare tornado touched down in the small town of Scotts Valley  located about 70 miles away from San Francisco  around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, according to reports from local Monterey outlet KION-TV, the Associated Press and CBS Bay Area.

The National Weather Service (NWS) classified the tornado as EF1, a weaker form of tornado, according to KION-TV. Scotts Valley police wrote in a Facebook post that power lines were pushed down and cars were overturned when the tornado touched down outside of a Target.

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A NWS preliminary damage survey report posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday showed the tornado lasted about five minutes, traveling southeast for about a quarter mile. It was about 30 yards wide, and winds were estimated to have peaked at about 90 miles per hour, the agency said.

Photos shared by the Scotts Valley Police Department showed at least three vehicles on their hood or side with broken windshields as tree branches and power lines littered the ground.



Related: Wedding Party and Family Reunion Come Together to Give Couple 'Magical' First Dance in Basement During Tornado (Exclusive)

"A wide range of damage was observed, including downed trees, power poles and trees stripped of branches," the NWS said.

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Police also shared that the town's electric provider PG&E worked to restore power overnight, and previously closed streets have since reopened.

The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District told CBS News that between four and five people were injured in the tornado, with all of them sustaining either minor or moderate injuries. Two of those people were hospitalized, the fire district added.

One person who was injured was a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection battalion chief on duty, according to the AP. Cal Fire told CBS that his vehicle was flipped over, and he is expected to recover.

AP Photo/Noah Berger High tides and rough waves spill into San Francisco on Dec. 14, 2024 High tides and rough waves spill into San Francisco on Dec. 14, 2024

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Northern California has experienced a number of severe weather events over the weekend linked to the powerful storm that passed through the region on Friday night.

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The NWS issued its first-ever tornado warning in San Francisco on Saturday morning before 6 a.m., according to CBS, although a tornado there never materialized.

Several smaller cities in the area also experienced power outages, including the city of Novato, and I-580 closed near San Joaquin and Alameda counties after a big rig truck crashed into several other vehicles, CBS reported.

The NWS reported that San Francisco has not seen a tornado since 2005, per AP.

This was the first-ever warning for a possible tornado in San Francisco. I would guess there wasnt a clear signature on radar for a warning in 2005, Roger Gass, a meteorologist in the Weather Service based out of Monterey, told the AP.

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Meteorologist Dalton Behringer also recommended that San Francisco and Bay Area residents take as much cover as possible in the event of a tornado, although many homes in the area typically do not have basements.

The biggest thing that we tell people in the city is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, Behringer told the AP.



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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG)  More support is coming to victims of domestic violence along the Gulf Coast through Alabamas Domestic Violence Trust Fund.

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According to a news release from Gov. Kay Iveys Office, Penelope House and the Baldwin Family Violence Shelter were among 14 domestic violence shelters in Alabama to receive support.

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Penelope House supports victims in Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile, and Washington counties.

The Penelope Houses website said, Penelope House helps victims of intimate partner violence to gain social and economic independence through shelter, counseling, advocacy, and referral to community resources and agencies in Mobile, Washington, Choctaw, and Clarke Counties in Alabama. The shelter can provide refuge for victims and their children when their lives are in imminent danger. Temporary shelter allows escape from a violent situation. The prevention of domestic violence through education and public awareness is the goal of Penelope House.

For help getting out of a domestic violence situation, contact the Penelope Houses 24-hour crisis hotline at 251-342-8994.

The Baldwin Family Violence Shelter helps domestic violence victims in Baldwin, Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe counties.

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The nonprofit, also known as the Lighthouse, explained how they help victims on their website:

The Lighthouse is a non-profit agency that serves victims of domestic violence, their children, and adult victims of sexual violence in Baldwin and surrounding counties. The agency was founded in 1994 by a small group of Baldwin County citizens. The Lighthouse offers a full range of services, including a 24-hour crisis line, individual and group counseling, case management, court advocacy services, transitional housing, advocacy for children, prevention education and community awareness, and safe and secure shelter for those in danger and with nowhere else to go.

Anyone who needs support for domestic violence can contact 251-947-6008 and anyone who needs support and services for sexual assault can contact 251-947-4393.

Gov. Kay Ivey said that helping organizations like the ones above that support domestic violence victims is important.

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These funds are key to helping provide safe havens for domestic violence victims and innocent family members who must escape abusive situations, Gov. Ivey said in the news release. I commend those agencies and their staff members who are committed to helping people escape volatile situations and rebuild their lives.

Mysterious lights and drones spotted over Lincoln, Alabama

So far in 2024, a total of $1.1 million was distributed to assist domestic violence victims, officials said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Two teenagers in New Orleans, La., have died in a car crash after colliding with several people accused of shoplifting in another car, the New Orleans Police Department confirms to PEOPLE.

According to the police report obtained by PEOPLE, suspect Joneaka Smooth was driving the 2013 Mercedes GLK that collided with the victims' 2022 Toyota Camry on Wednesday, Dec. 11. One 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims were transported to a local hospital where another 17-year-old died on Dec. 12 and a third teenage girl remains in stable condition.

According to WAFB9, the Orleans Parish Coroner told the outlet that 17-year-olds Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris were the victims of the crash. The outlet also shared that Smiths sister Paris Kiper, 21, was the third passenger in the car. Per Fox 8, Kiper was due to celebrate her birthday the day after the crash. Smith's family also told WAFB9 that they were mourning the death of Smith's mother to colon cancer earlier this year.

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According to WAFB9, the Orleans Parish Coroner told the outlet that 17-year-olds Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris were the victims of the crash. The outlet also shared that Smiths sister Paris Kiper, 21, was the third passenger in the car. Per Fox 8, Kiper was due to celebrate her birthday the day after the crash. Smith's family also told WAFB9 that they were mourning the death of Smith's mother to colon cancer earlier this year.



The NOPD responded to the Jefferson Parish office and is handling the traffic crash incident only.

PEOPLE has contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for comment.

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New Orleans Police Department Joneaka Smooth's mugshot Joneaka Smooth's mugshot

Related: 16-Year-Old Boy Becomes 5th Student from Georgia High School to Die in Crash This School Year

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Jefferson County police had been reporting to a shoplifting call, which involved Smooth, 30, and two accomplices. The three then fled authorities with Smooth reportedly driving erratically by crossing multiple lanes and jumping the median.

While the suspect fled the scene, the NOPD tells PEOPLE that Smooth later surrendered to authorities and is facing charges of fleeing police, hit and run, as well as manslaughter.

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A 37-year-old woman, who has been named as a potential accomplice, was detained by Jefferson Parish police and has been booked on a shoplifting warrant, per the NOPD. The other woman in the vehicle remains at large.

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Smooth has a criminal record dating back to 2017, according to Jefferson Parish court records obtained by WAFB9.

Related: Innocent Driver Killed, 3 Others Injured in Crash amid Police Chase in California

In a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by WDSU reporter Shay OConnor, a vigil was held for Smith and Morris, who were both students at West Jefferson High School.

Gathering near the crash site, many people held up pink and blue balloons as they expressed their condolences.

A huge vigil just took place near the crash site where HS seniors Semaj Morris and Giselle Smith lost their lives last Wednesday at 610 and St. Bernard, the caption read. After suspected shoplifters were chased by JPSO deputies.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Two teenagers were arrested on Sunday, Dec. 15, after they allegedly threatened a man with a gun  and police said the incident may be related to social media.

Sladen Beutler-Jones, 18, and an unidentified teenager, 17, are accused of confronting a man at a Salt Lake City grocery store, threatening him, and flashing a gun. The Salt Lake City Police Department was informed about the incident just before 4 a.m. by the victim.

Man arrested for early-morning armed robbery after entering RV with rifle

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After getting descriptions of the suspects, police officers began searching for the teenagers and later found them near Fairmount Park. SLCPD found a gun hidden near that location as well.

Officers are investigating whether the gun-related assault may have been motivated, or performed, for social media, SLCPD said in a press release.

In recent weeks, SLCPD has noted an uptick in thefts or attempted thefts of Kias and Hyundais in Salt Lake that may be linked to social media as well.

We are on social media ourselves  we start to see things that could impact our community  whether its a criminal activity, or maybe its a trend that we see on social media that could potentially pose a hazard to our community members because people are trying to replicate what they see on social media, SLCPD spokesperson Brent Weisberg previously told ABC4.com.

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The 18-year-old was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of unlawful use or possession of drug paraphernalia and assault.

The 17-year-old was booked into the Salt Lake County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges: Aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, brandishing a firearm during an altercation, and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor.

Detectives will be conducting a follow-up investigation, according to police. SLCPD said that the information provided on Sunday was based on a preliminary review, and that information may change as the investigation continues.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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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.
Impact of disinformation and PSYOP on Ukrainian community resilience, refugees, mobilization

On Wednesday, December 18, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference on the subject: "Impact of disinformation and PSYOP on Ukrainian community resilience, refugees, mobilization."

The results of the first wave of research entitled "Impact of disinformation and psychological operations on Ukrainian male refugees," conducted by the InfoLight.UA Research and Analytical Group.

Participants include InfoLight.UA Head Yuriy Honcharenko; political expert Volodymyr Soniuk; political scientist and Director of the Dialogue Institute of Social and Political Designs Andriy Myseliuk; Chairman of NGO Defense Veterans Oleksiy Ivashyn (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards.
A sign in support of Donald Trump in front of an Ohio junkyard on Sept. 23, 2024. Credit - Dominic GwinnMiddle East Images/AFP via Getty

Donald Trumps sweep of the swing states and popular vote victory have left Democrats wondering why economic pessimism drove voters away from Kamala Harris, despite a strong economy. Theyre also desperately trying to figure out how Trump managed to make inroads into Black and Hispanic working-class communities.

Answering these questions is critical for the party to bounce back in 2026 and 2028. But they also miss the broader picture.

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The 2024 election represented the consolidation of a slow transformation in American party politics. In the mid-20th century, Democratic and Republican support was rooted in a particular combination of class politics and political geography, with Democrats emerging strength centered in blue-collar areas, especially in small cities and factory towns across the urban industrial North, and Republicans enjoying far greater success in middle-class suburbs. Over the ensuing 75 years, however, that electoral map has slowly, but inexorably, inverted, thanks to changes in the U.S. economy that have opened the door for cultural politics to drive Americans partisanship.

During the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Democrats slowly became the party of the (largely white) working classes, who were the intended beneficiaries of his plethora of New Deal programs. This relationship was cemented by an economy rooted in the industrial production of goods in cities, as well as the passage of the Wagner Act in 1935  which gave industrial workers the right to organize. This combination meant that American workers became part of an organized, politically coherent working class majority. It also meant that the Democrats new voters were geographically concentrated in northern, industrialized cities and towns.

The Democrats remained the dominant party in the U.S. until the 1950s. After the Federal-Aid Highway Act passed in 1956  which made it possible to commute into the city for work  many middle-class, often ideologically conservative white people abandoned attempts to defend city neighborhoods and schools from the Black population, and instead moved to suburbs. This turned the suburbs into Republican strongholds, as issues like busing, school prayer, and sex education mobilized parents into the GOP.

Read More: History Reveals How Donald Trump Captured the Industrial HeartlandAnd a Path Forward for Democrats

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The result was a class-based politics in the U.S.  perhaps for the first time. But from its inception, the relationship between class, geography, and party politics rested on two shaky foundations. First, the disenfranchisement of Black voters in the South before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 suppressed racial politics. Second, cultural issues like abortion had not yet become partisan and many weren't even political. Instead, they remained scarcely discussed private matters. But as liberal social movements emerged and mobilized in the 1960s and 1970s, and conservatives organized their own counter-movement to oppose measures such as the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, legalized abortion, and more, these two preconditions broke down.

Then, in the 1970s and 1980s, the economic and organizational foundation of Americas class-based politics started to erode. Domestic manufacturing jobs began disappearing as companies increasingly relied on automation or moved production to countries where labor was cheaper. Unions came under sustained attacks from Republicans, as well as employers. The result was that many American workers, particularly those without a college degree, faced a decline in the quality of work available to them: the share of workers receiving decent wages (two-thirds of the mean wage for American workers) fell from 61.5% to 55% between 1979 and 2017.

But even as the country shed manufacturing work, the economy witnessed extraordinary growth in professional and technological jobs as part of the new knowledge economy. These gains and losses, however, were not distributed evenly across space. While large cities benefited most from new knowledge economy jobs, the small towns dotted across the industrial Heartland  the former backbone of the Democrats coalition  suffered.

In 2019, I visited three of these places: postindustrial cities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana, which had all been part of the white, working-class, New Deal coalition. Like so many others places that were once integral to the Democratic coalition, two of these cities are now firmly Republican.

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In Minnesota, the town I visited was still grappling with scars from economic decline. The communitys largest employer, which had been a union shop since its workers won a contentious labor battle in the late 1930s, went through multiple bankruptcies and layoffs in the 1980s and 1990s. Ultimately, in the late 1990s, it shuttered. When the good union jobs left, young people followed. The result is that the county has lost 20% of its population since 1980 and has aged at a much faster rate than the country as a whole.

The loss of the plant meant more than just economic decline for the town. It also changed the fabric of the communitys civil society. Although the union that had represented the workers at the defunct company still exists, it is no longer the political organization that it was during its earliest days, when it fought employers for workplace protections alongside engaging in activism and politicking to further protect the working class.

The result is that, much like in other similar places throughout the country, unionization no longer equates to working-class political socialization that helps bind workers to the Democratic Party. Instead, as one interviewee from Indiana explained, unions have become more of an insurance policy, in case something goes wrong on the job.

These changes have clear implications for contemporary politics. When I was Democrat, the Democrat Party was for the workers, explained a man Ill call Keith, a retired, white union worker living in the small Minnesota town. Theyre not anymore, you know, thats gone.

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Keith was one of many people who helped turn his community to the right in 2016, and helped keep it there since. After watching the economic and civic foundations of their community crumble, Keith and many others began to worry that their town was dying  and that no one was doing anything to help them.

By 2016, the GOP had capitalized on this sentiment, offering residents like Keith something to blame for the plight of their town: immigration and Democrats pushing socialism. This ultimately drew many residents of this Minnesota town to the Republican side.

Read More: How Trump Weaponized White Rural Americas Shame

These postindustrial cities and towns explain why former swing states like Ohio are now solidly red, while former Democratic strongholds like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania have become the ultimate swing states.

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If the turn to the Right across the American heartland had been the only change during this period, it might've spelled doom for the Democrats. Instead, though, a countervailing force has been developing over the last 30 years. Just as economic decline and cultural politics were driving industrial towns rightward, the burgeoning knowledge economy and cultural politics were driving suburbs leftward. The process began in some of the largest metro areas, places like Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago. More recently, distaste over Donald Trump's politics have prompted Southern suburbs to begin to migrate toward Democrats.

Today, the number of knowledge economy workers  people who are more likely to embrace the Democratic Partys socially liberal agenda  in the countrys largest cities and their surrounding suburbs continues to grow. As one interviewee from Belmont, Calif., a Bay Area suburb, told me in 2022, he thinks of the classic Bay area liberal as someone who is pro-choice but could be more fiscally conservative.

Taken together, the transformations in postindustrial communities like Keiths and in affluent suburbs like Belmont mark a near-complete inversion of the political geography and class politics that dominated American politics in the mid-20th century. Many of the same working-class towns and cities that once propelled the Democrats coalition are now overwhelmingly right-leaning.

The opposite is true of many of the suburbs that were once Republican strongholds: they're now the sites of greatest growth for the Democratic Party. Growing suburban liberalism has put Georgia, Arizona, and even North Carolina on the map for Democrats. Just a few cycles ago, Democrats didnt even run in Georgia; and yet in 2024, the Atlanta suburbs were one of the few places where Democrats made gains.

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This basic political geography means that Democrats might need to ask themselves a broader question as they look to rebound. Instead of asking, what might they do differently to recapture the working class votes necessary to win Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and therefore the Electoral College, the question may be more, what kind of economy and civil society do they need to build to change and expand the political map?

Stephanie Ternullo is assistant professor of government at Harvard University. She is the author of How the Heartland Went Red: Why Local Forces Matter in an Age of Nationalized Politics.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
A 22-year-old from Georgia died during a duck hunting trip after he drowned in a lake on the Georgia-Alabama state line.

The drowning happened early Sunday morning on Lake Eufaula, according to the Henry County Alabama Sheriffs Office.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources identified the victim as Jon Kaleb Nation, 22, of Griffin.

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Deputies say a group of duck hunters became distressed when their boat drifted away from an island near Thomas Mill Creek on the lake. One of the hunters, identified as Nation, tried to swim out to get the boat, but disappeared.

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The sheriffs office marine unit arrived and started to search the area. Sonar equipment located Nation in 20 feet of water nearly 100 yards from the island where the group was.

The unit pulled his body from the lake around 9:59 a.m.

This is a very tragic incident, I would like to express my thanks to the timely response by so many agencies to help us this morning. However, this isnt the outcome we were hoping for. Please keep this family and his friends in your thoughts and prayers as they cope with this difficult situation, Sheriff Eric Blankenship said in a statement.

Blankenship said the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will take over the investigation.

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BUCKS COUNTY, PA  Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) on Dec. 13 celebrated the achievements of three young community leaders who exemplify exceptional leadership, character, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to service during Pennsylvania's First District 2024 Congressional Award Ceremony.

Established by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress upon youth and serves as a testament to the dedication, resilience, and leadership of the next generation.

This years honorees  Ryan Kraychik, Sarah Liu, and Claire Titus  stand out for their remarkable dedication to volunteerism, personal growth, and community service. Their efforts showcase the power of young individuals to create meaningful change and inspire a brighter future for all, said the Congressman.

From left: Ryan Kraychik, Sarah Liu, U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Claire Titus.



Ryan Kraychik, Gold Award

A graduate of Council Rock South and a freshman at Elizabethtown College (Class of 2027), Ryan Kraychik earned the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal through over 400 hours of extraordinary volunteer service. Motivated to help children affected by the war in Ukraine, Ryan founded a virtual tutoring program to provide academic stability to displaced school-age children, offering them hope during an uncertain time.

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Ryan volunteered at a hospital where he provided translation services to patients and spearheaded the creation of the Future Healthcare Professionals Club at Council Rock South. Under his leadership, the club grew to over 100 members, cultivating a passion for medicine and service among his peers.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick with gold medal recipient Ryan Kraychik, a graduate of Council Rock High School South.



Sarah Liu, Silver Award

Sarah, a senior at Germantown Friends School, earned the Congressional Silver Medal for dedicating over 200 hours to volunteer service, showcasing her passion for healthcare and education. The Chalfont resident volunteered at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, assisting in various departments, including pre-admissions, admissions, and the operating room. Her responsibilities ranged from organizing patient charts and setting up beds to cleaning after surgeries and taking patient vitals.

At Jefferson Hospital, Sarah focused on supporting the oral and maxillofacial surgery department, where she assisted during procedures, cleaned rooms, removed IVs, and entered patient vitals into the computer system. Beyond her hospital work, Sarah demonstrated a commitment to education by hosting SAT math boot camps, where she helped groups of students build confidence and improve their scores, making the test less daunting.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick with Silver Award recipient Sarah Liu of Chalfont.



Claire Titus, Bronze Award

Claire, a sophomore at Central Bucks West, earned the Congressional Bronze Medal for dedicating over 100 hours to community service, driven by her passion for helping others. Recognizing the challenges children faced transitioning back to an in-person world after the Covid-19 lockdowns, Claire developed a two-hour curriculum for children ages 9 to 12. Her classes focused on everyday manners, including greetings, dining etiquette, and social courtesies. After earning her Girl Scout Silver Award, Claire expanded her program across multiple Pennsylvania counties, teaching over 120 children and equipping them with essential life skills.

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Claire has also been a dedicated volunteer at the Doylestown Library since the age of 12, accumulating hundreds of hours of service and earning her multiple Presidents Volunteer Service recognition.

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Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick with bronze award winner Claire Titus, a student at Central Bucks West High School.



Remarking on what receiving the Congressional Award meant to her, Liu said, Receiving this recognition from Congressman Fitzpatrick means a lot to me. It feels great to know that my efforts are appreciated, and this encourages me to continue making a positive impact in my community.

Titus added, Having the opportunity to meet with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick was a memory I will keep with me. The recognition I received from him incentivizes me to continue my efforts and continue to achieve new and higher goals.

In honoring Ryan, Sarah, and Claire, we celebrate not only their incredible achievements but their promise as future leaders. These remarkable young individuals remind us that greatness is born of dedication, resilience, and a willingness to lead by example, said Congressman Fitzpatrick (PA-1). Their service and impact on our community are extraordinary, and I know this is just the beginning of their successes. I look forward to seeing the continued outstanding contributions they will make in the years to come.

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The Congressional Award was established by Congress to recognize initiative, achievement, and service in Americas youth. Open to all regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status, the program fosters leadership and personal growth while encouraging participants to take an active role in their communities.

The program is a non-partisan, non-competitive initiative that encourages young people aged 14 to 24 to strive for excellence. Participants set challenging personal goals in four program areas: volunteerism, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. Depending on the time and effort they dedicate, participants earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals  each a testament to their perseverance and dedication.

3 Bucks County Young Adults Awarded Congressional Honors originally appeared on the Doylestown Patch
Three people are facing criminal charges after several Massachusetts police officers were assaulted while they tried to break up a large brawl that broke out at a toddlers birthday party in late November, authorities announced Sunday.

Officers responding to a report of a large fight in the street at 23 Everett Avenue in Webster just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, quelled the disturbance and those involved agreed to go inside, according to the Webster Police Department.

Just minutes later, six officers who were called back to the same address for a report of another disturbance observed evidence of another fight among partygoers attending a 2-year-old childs party, police said.

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While officers investigated, 27-year-old Worcester native Jordan Campos allegedly entered the apartment and tried to fight another man. Police said he struck an officer, prompting the deployment of a stun gun to subdue him.

Police said two additional officers were then assaulted when other people entered the apartment and allegedly interfered with the arrest of Campos.

Campos is also accused of kicking an officer and spitting on another after he was arrested.

Departments from Douglas, Auburn, Oxford, Dudley, Southbridge, Sutton, Leicester, and Worcester, sent officers to the scene to assist Webster police. Massachusetts State Police also dispatched troopers.

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During this fight, several attempts were made to get updates from the officers on the scene, the department said in a statement. No response was given over the radio, at which point dispatchers put an emergency request out over a Regional Radio Channel that broadcasts to numerous area departments.

Campos is charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, resisting arrest, three counts of assault and battery on a police officer, and assault and battery attempting to disarm a police officer.

Marylin Lopez, 27, of Webster, and 28-year-old Franklin Baez, of Worcester, were also arrested on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct.

An investigation is ongoing.

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MINNEAPOLIS  Three Minnesota women are among the 39 people President Biden pardoned Thursday morning.

Many of the pardons are for long-ago, non-violent drug offenses. Biden also commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thursday marked the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

Kelsie Lynn Becklin, a 38-year-old woman from Falcon Heights, had pleaded guilty to a non-violent offense when she was 21.

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"I started pacing and kind of crying, going in and out of tears," said Becklin.

She had no idea it would take as long as it did to get the call from Washington.

"I pretty much heard nothing, so that was in 2017. And I've just been waiting to get a yes or no since then," she said.

Becklin was incarcerated four months, followed by three years of probation. She says the birth of her now 14-year-old son Dominic was the turning point for getting her life together.

"I just started taking classes and kind of seeing what doors opened for me," she said. "And I just fell into science and research."

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Two years ago, she graduated with her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences. She now works in the research lab at the University of Minnesota, studying how genetic modifications can help people heal. She also mentors previously incarcerated people through the nonprofit Prisons to Professionals program.

Becklin says her success is thanks to supportive friends and family, and those who gave her a chance.

"You can influence someone's life. You can help them like overcome some of these things by giving them that chance, and giving them that space and opportunity to grow and become someone new," she said.

Biden also pardoned Lashawn Marrvinia Walker from Minneapolis. The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to non-violent drug offenses when she was in her 20s. She received early termination of her probationary sentence because she had an excellent probation record, the White House said.

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"Since then, Ms. Walker has worked in the healthcare field, is an engaged parent, and regularly assists others in her community, including during the holidays when she helps serve dinner at a retirement home," the White House said in a statement.

The final Minnesota woman  49-year-old Sarah Jean Carlson  pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. Carlson, who is originally from Coon Rapids, committed to her education, and worked in addiction counseling at a faith-based rehabilitation center. She also volunteers in her community and at her church, according to the White House.

Biden added that he would be taking more steps in the coming weeks to review clemency petitions. In addition to the three Minnesotans, Biden also pardoned two people from Wisconsin.

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At least two people were killed and six others injured in a shooting at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, police said.

The shooter, a 15-year-old female student, died on the way to a hospital of what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said during a news conference on Monday night. Police identified the shooter as Natalie Rupnow, who police say went by the name Samantha.

The shooter opened fire in an Abundant Life Christian School classroom during a study hall on Monday morning, killing a teenage student and a teacher, police said. Six others were injured and transported to area hospitals: two students in critical condition and two students and a teacher with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Earlier Monday, police erroneously reported five people had died in the shooting.

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Police corrected another misstatement on Tuesday, stating during a press briefing that a second-grade teacher made the first 911 call  not a second-grader, as police initially said.

Abundant Life Christian School is a private K-12 school located about five miles east of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Police have asked people to avoid the area. There are no threats to the community or other area schools at this time, Barnes said.

Barnes on Tuesday declined to confirm a motive but said it appeared to be a combination of factors. He said police are investigating the shooters online activity and encouraged anyone who knew what she was feeling or going through to contact law enforcement. Her family is cooperating with investigators, he said.

Barnes said police are aware of "a document" being circulated online but are unable to verify its authenticity at this time, appearing to refer to writings allegedly shared by the shooter.

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A handgun was recovered at the scene, officials said. Police did not fire their weapons when responding to the shooting, Barnes said.

To be honest, Im feeling a little dismayed, the police chief told reporters on Monday when asked how hes feeling. So close to Christmas. Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma dont just go away. ... My heart is heavy for my community. My heart is heavy for Madison.

Barnes said he is not aware of any metal detectors at the school. He noted that because the school is private, it does not fall under the authority of the Madison Metropolitan School District.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said, There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today after the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning.

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As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home, he said. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.

There have been 323 school shootings in 2024, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, which defines a school shooting as any time a gun is fired, brandished (pointed at a person with intent), or bullet hits school property, regardless of the number of victims, time, day, or reason. Girls are much less likely to be suspects. As The New York Times reported, citing this years data from the same database, nine shooting suspects were female compared to 249 who were male when gender was identified.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Three people pleaded guilty Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for their roles in a 2023 shooting in Campbell during a family dispute.

Alexander Camacho Mercado, 21, pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing justice, a third-degree felony, before Judge Anthony DApolito. He was sentenced to three years probation. He had served 118 days in the county jail before posting bond.

His father, Alexander Mercado Camacho, 38, and Christian Reyes Moliere, 20, both entered guilty pleas to charges of felonious assault, a second-degree felony; and incite to violence, a third-degree felony.

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They were both sentenced to three to four years in prison on those charges.

Cases are still pending against two other defendants.

The charges stem from a Dec. 29, 2023, fight outside a Jean Street apartment in Campbell where a man was shot and a woman was beaten.

Prosecutors said the shooting was part of a family argument.

The incite to violence charges were filed because all the defendants were present at the shooting with guns brandished and they were urging the people who did the actual shooting to pull the trigger.

Mercado Camacho and Reyes Moliere also had an additional nine months tacked on to their sentences after they pleaded guilty to unrelated charges. Both of those charges came from crimes that were committed while they were on bail for the shooting case.

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Mercado Camacho pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony charge of child endangering after he was arrested in August by Campbell police. That arrest followed an investigation that began in April after his three-month-old child was taken to a hospital for respiratory distress and it was discovered the child had several broken bones.

The mother of the child was also charged. Her case is still pending.

Reyes Moliere pleaded guilty to third-degree felony counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer after a chase earlier this by Youngstown police. Reports said Reyes Moliere threw a gun out of a car he was driving as it was being chased by police.

As part of his plea agreement, the gun is being forfeited to the Youngstown Police Department.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
At least thirty North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded during assault operations in Russias Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) claimed on Dec. 16.

Following the attacks that took place on Dec. 14-15 near the villages of Pliekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka, North Korean losses have to be replenished by fresh soldiers from North Korea's 94th Separate Brigade, HUR claimed. Three soldiers also reportedly went missing.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify HURs claims.

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Ukrainian and Western officials warned in the fall 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.

The first limited clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November, with North Korean soldiers recently joining ground assault operations.

North Korean troops also allegedly opened fire and killed eight Russian soldiers on Dec. 14 in a "friendly-fire" incident.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: North Korean troops joining Russian assaults in Kursk, Zelensky says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A 65-year-old Massachusetts man was ordered held without bail after his arrest on Monday for the murder of 29-year-old Michelle Miller, a U.S. Army veteran whose body was found in a Cambridge basement in 1992.

Edward J. Watson was arrested Monday morning in Mattapan and charged with murder in connection with Millers death, District Attorney Marian Ryan told reporters during a press conference shortly after noon on Monday. Appearing frail, Watson used a cane to shuffle into Cambridge District Court for his arraignment on Monday afternoon.

Miller, a mother of two young children, was the victim of a murder-for-hire plot, and Watson is alleged to have killer her in a Cambridge basement at the request of her then-partner, Daniel J. Innis, also the father of her two children, Ryan said.

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Innis died in 2012, after being sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison in 1994 on an unrelated manslaughter charge, Ryan said.

Miller was last seen alive at a restaurant bar in Central Square in Cambridge on July 28, 1992, one day after she told a social worker that she was seeking a restraining order against Innis, Ryan said.

She was being abused by Mr. Innis, who was jealous and violent and he was threatening to take the children away from her, Ryan said.

About two weeks later, her body was found partially nude in a truly filthy basement of a building at 245 Washington St. in Cambridge, after a neighbor had complained about an odor emanating from the basement, Ryan said.

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Her face had been covered by a blanket, Ryan said. Watson is alleged to have killed her in the basement at request of her abusive partner, Innis.

For more than 30 years, the case went unsolved.

Investigators combed through records from the Department of Social Services, which unearthed details about the abuse Miller had suffered at the hands of Innis and how she tried to protect herself, Ryan said.

Ryan said cold case investigators identified Watson as an associate of Innis, which later led to his arrest on Monday.

We do not forget what happens to people when they lose their life in Middlesex County, and that we will take every possible step to hold (people) accountable, Ryan said.

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According to investigators, Watson made incriminating statements to police.

In a third interview, (Watson) admitted for the first time that he had been in the abandoned apartment at the time of her death, prosecutor David Solet told the court on Monday.

And, in fact, that he had struck her first explaining that he did it with his fists and then saying he did it with a stick or a board. And that while there were other men in the apartment, prior to her death, that he was alone with her at the time that he struck those blows and that those blows killed her, Solet said.

Ryan said she spoke earlier Monday with Millers two children, who are now adults, and informed them of Watsons arrest, and that the evidence indicated that their mothers murder took place at the behest of their biological father.

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Its really a reminder, particularly at this time of year, of the long-term impact of these kind of crimes and how they tear a family apart and the hole that they leave in those families, Ryan said.

Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow also spoke with Ryan about Watsons arrest.

This arrest was the result of teamwork and diligence and we really hope that this arrest brings some closure to the family, Elow said.

Watson is due back in court on Feb. 11.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Various programs, legislative initiatives, and administrative mechanisms are being implemented in Azerbaijan aimed at simplifying and facilitating entrepreneurs access to business, the country's Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Sahil Babayev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during the "Dayaq" award ceremony for a number of business representatives today.

"The development of any country goes through the development of entrepreneurship. Today, we are implementing various programs, legislative initiatives, and administrative mechanisms aimed at simplifying and facilitating entrepreneurs' access to business. This has allowed us to form a strong foundation for a new and large-scale entrepreneurial class in Azerbaijan.

I'm confident that our joint work in the future will contribute to the further implementation of various projects and support for entrepreneurship in various sectors, which will make a significant contribution to the development of the country," he mentioned.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
CONCORD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Monday sadly marks the four-year anniversary of fallen Concord Police Officer Jason Shuping, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to an armed carjacking in December 2020.

The city of Concord and Concord Police Department paid homage to Shuping on Monday:

He was not only a dedicated officer, but also a son, husband, and beloved friend to many. His absence leaves a lasting mark on our department and his bravery will never be forgotten.

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Officer Shuping was ambushed, shot and killed by a suspect, between Concord Mills and the Charlotte Motor Speedway in a Sonic restaurant parking lot.

Last month, the inaugural Officer Jason Shuping Memorial 5K was held to honor Shuping on what would have been his 29th birthday weekend. Hosted by the Concord Police Foundation, the event featured more than 300 participants, including community members and first responders, who traveled from across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and California to show their support. Shupings widow Haylee said the event raised more than $5,000 to benefit the Concord Police Foundation, which provides officer assistance, equipment, and training beyond city budgets.

In addition to the 5K, the Officer Jason Shuping Memorial Public Safety Scholarship supports students in the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. Four recipients have been awarded financial assistance.

Through the 5K, the scholarship, and ongoing recognition of his life, Jasons legacy of service and courage remains an enduring source of inspiration, Haylee Shuping said.

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He wanted to be a helper, his father Dane told Queen City News back in 2022 when a Concord bridge over I-85 was dedicated in his honor. The first thing is serve, then protect, Dane said, whose other son and two grandsons are also law enforcement officers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Police blocked off an eastbound exit ramp on Interstate 40 in North Nashville for several hours after a body was reportedly discovered there Sunday evening.

Metro Nashville dispatch said a call came in just after 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 about a person face down at the I-40 East exit ramp by Jefferson Street.

Police share video of high-speed crash through Lebanon Square

Dispatch confirmed to News 2 the individual was deceased, so the Metro Nashville Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding this persons death.

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Shortly after 7:30 p.m., the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced Exit 207 on I-40 East, the Jefferson Street off-ramp, was closed due to police activity, adding that the scene should be cleared around 11 p.m.

2 killed in single-vehicle crash along I-24 in Clarksville

By 10:30 p.m., TDOTs online traffic map showed the scene had been cleared, allowing the eastbound exit ramp and the right shoulder to reopen.

No additional details have been released about this incident.

 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.
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  A teenage student opened fire with a handgun Monday at a Christian school in Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another teenager during the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said.

The shooting occurred in a study hall and was reported to police by a second grader, police said at a Monday night press conference. Wisconsin police identified the shooter as a 15-year-old female student.

Six others were injured and are being treated at the hospital, including two students who were in critical, life-threatening condition.

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But these are just the physical injuries we know about, said Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes. There will be other injuries that we have to face for a very, very long time.

During an earlier press conference, police initially said five people had been killed. However, they later clarified that was a mistake.

Police received a call reporting an active shooter just before 11 a.m. on Monday. When officers arrived, they found multiple gunshot wound victims.

Police said the shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, was dead by apparent suicide when officers arrived. Barnes declined to give details about the shooter, partly out of respect for the family.

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He also warned people against sharing unconfirmed reports on social media about the shooters identity.

What that does is it helps erode the trust in this process, he said.

Authorities said the investigation is active and ongoing.

Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)

Investigators did not immediately know a motive for the shooting, Barnes said.

I dont know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening, he said.

Barnes said detectives were, working hard to find as many answers as we can.

School shootings by teenage females have been extremely rare in U.S. history, with males in their teens and 20s carrying out the vast majority most of them, according to David Riedman, founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database.

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In a blog post last year, he pointed to a handful of school shootings that involved perpetrators who identified as female, including a 16-year-old girl who shot and killed two and injured several others at San Diego elementary school in 1979.

Madisons police chief ended the agencys third press conference of the day by asking people to focus their attention on the Abundant Life Christian School community.

These children are now the latest group of survivors of a school shooting, Barnes said. This time, unfortunately, in Madison, Wisconsin.

School officials have not yet decided if classes will start up again this week. Barbara Wiers, director of elementary and school relations for Abundant Life Christian School, said Monday began the last week of school prior to winter break.

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She said their goal is to get the schools staff together early in the week and then try to have some community opportunities for the students to reconnect.

Abundant Life Christian School has 420 students from kindergarten to 12th grade, according to school administrators. This was the last week of school scheduled for the year ahead of the Christmas vacation.

In a statement, President Joe Biden cited the tragedy in calling on Congress to pass universal background checks, a national red flag law and certain gun restrictions.

We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart, Biden said.

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said its unthinkable that a child or teacher would go to school and never return home.

Targeted violence is preventable  when somebody conducts a school shooting they dont simply snap, they dont just decide one day to engage in this egregious behavior, instead, they make a decision and start research and planning towards an act of violence, said Trish Kilpin, Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) executive director. So encourage all in the community  students, parents alike  to report, to speak up.

It was the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas.

The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws.

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Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
(NewsNation)  The mystery over drone sightings reported in New Jersey and New York continues to grow as the number of sightings reported in the northeastern United States is adding up, including at military bases and airports.

As pressure grows on federal agencies like the FBI to provide answers, drone sightings have caused airspace closures. Places like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and Stewart International Airport in New York closed its runway for an hour due to drone activity.

The Department of Defense has confirmed sightings at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, but officials also say they have no evidence the drones are being used maliciously or are being operated by foreign governments. The lack of answers from federal officials has prompted some local law enforcement agencies to take action.

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Michael Mastronardy, the sheriff in Ocean County, New Jersey, told NewsNation that one of his deputies called 911 after spotting 50 drones over the ocean, which forced the U.S. Coast Guard to take action.

Mastronardy said the department contacted New Jersey state police, FBI and Coast Guard.

NewsNation has spoken with various drone and aviation experts, who maintain that the objects being seen in New Jersey are airplanes. However, a veteran commercial and military pilot told NewsNation that he believes the objects are in fact drones.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces Police Department will graduate six cadets from its 54th academy this Friday, Dec. 20.

The graduation ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 in the Council Chambers at Las Cruces City Hall, located on 700 N. Main St.

Five of the graduating cadets will become officer-trainees with the Las Cruces Police Department, and one will begin his career with the New Mexico State University Police Department, according to the Police Department.



The graduating class includes Vincent Montoya who will work with the NMSU Police Department, Veridiana Porras, Juan Prieto, Alan Ramirez, Eric Reynolds, and Jannette Soto.



The Police Department says all six graduates will have completed a 24-week state-certified academy and passed comprehensive exams that make them eligible for their New Mexico peace officer certification.

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Upon completion of the academy, LCPD graduates will be assigned to experienced field training officers who guide them for an additional 14 weeks of instruction on all three patrol shifts, Las Cruces Police said.

The Police Department says it anticipates starting its 55th academy in the spring of 2025. Anyone interested in learning more about the academy click here: CLCPD.com.

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6 tourists were hospitalized after drinking pina coladas at a resort in Fiji.

The patients were four Australians, an American, and two others, per Fiji's health ministry.

Officials said the Fiji case was isolated, though it resembles a recent spate of tourist deaths in Laos.

A group of tourists was taken to the hospital after drinking cocktails at a five-star resort in Fiji.

Fiji's health ministry said there were seven tourists aged 18 to 56: four Australians, one American, and two of unspecified nationality.

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They were taken to Sigatoka Hospital after suffering nausea, vomiting, and "neurological symptoms" after drinking pina coladas at the Warwick Fiji Hotel, per The Fiji Times.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Fiji officials said the patients were transferred to Lautoka Hospital for additional medical attention.

Six were admitted for treatment there, an official said. It was unclear what happened to the seventh.

Viliame Gavoka, Fiji's deputy prime minister, said that as of Monday evening, four had been discharged, while two were in stable condition in the ICU.

The incident comes after six tourists died in Laos in a similar case. Media reports said Laotian authorities suspect they drank bootleg liquor that contained methanol.

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Brent Hill, CEO of Fiji's national tourist office, told Radio New Zealand on Monday that the country's authorities took the case "very seriously" but that what happened was "a long way" from the Laos case.

He said they did not suspect anything "malicious", and were awaiting toxicology results.

Asked whether methanol was to blame, Jemesa Tudravu, permanent secretary for Fiji's health ministry, said authorities don't yet know, per local media.

David Sandoe, an Australian whose daughter and granddaughter were among those treated, told Australia's ABC on Monday his relatives were discharged from the hospital and were scheduled to fly home Monday night.

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He said they are doing "very well considering what they've been through."

Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, described the case as a "very isolated" incident with no parallel he could recall.

The Warwick Fiji Hotel told the BBC it was "conducting a thorough investigation" to "gather all necessary information" while waiting for test results.

Methanol, a flavorless, colorless alcohol common in cleaning products, adhesives, and paints, can cause drowsiness, a reduced level of consciousness, confusion, headache, dizziness, and the inability to coordinate muscle movement.

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It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and heart and respiratory failure, which usually appear after 1 to 72 hours, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to Medecins Sans Frontieres , Asia has the highest incidence of methanol poisoning in the world, with Indonesia topping the list.

Fiji's authorities and the Warwick Fiji Hotel didn't immediately respond to requests for comments made outside working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
HONOLULU (KHON2)  To be in Kuliouou during December is to know tradition, whether youre part of the ohana that has been there for more than a century or not.

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Dating back to 1961, the Kuliouou Christmas Parade not only preserves the cultural and familial ties of those in the valley but also brings the community together as keiki marvel at Santa on horseback, riding into the valley.

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Santa is assisted by ukulele players and bringers of joy as they toss candy to the keiki waiting on the side of the road to catch a glimpse of the man in red.

The tradition started when Aunty Sister, also known as Tutu, rallied Santa and his helpers to share the joy of Christmas with those in Kuliouou.

The ukulele players of the Kuliouou Christmas Parade. The newest generation assisting Santa as he rides through Kuliouou on horseback. The community gathers to welcome Santa on horseback in Kuliouous 60+ year tradition of the Christmas parade. Santa on horseback, and his helpers, as they make their way through Kuliouou on Dec. 15, 2024. Keiki picking up candy after Santa rode into Kuliouou valley. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole) Watching Santa on his horse at the Kuliouou Christmas Party. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole) Keiki picking up candy after Santa rode into Kuliouou valley. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole) Keiki picking up candy after Santa rode into Kuliouou valley. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole) Santa arrives at the Kuliouou Christmas Party. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole) Santa arrives on horseback at the Kuliouou Christmas Party. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole) Ukulele players sing as Santa arrives in Kuliouou valley. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole) Kaliko Pei spreading cheer at the Kuliouou Christmas Party. (Courtesy Tepoe Haole)

The paniolo Christmas, and Santa on horseback, was a tradition from the familys ties to Waimea and when the Costa Dairies once called the valley home, all the children rode horses, and animals were part of daily life in Kuliouou.

To Aunty Sister, it was imperative to bring together her kids, nieces and nephews to instill the value and importance of family, according to Keolani Noa, Aunty Sisters daughter.

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The lesson stuck because more than 60 years on, not only are her descendants continuing the tradition but they include the community, from Elelupe to Kuliouou Road.

For those in the family, large gatherings are as much a part of life as bringing in those who are part of the periphery, a legacy that Aunty Sister started 60 years ago.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Seven tourists were hospitalized after drinking pina coladas at a five-star resorts bar in Fiji, a spokesperson at the resort confirmed Monday to HuffPost.

Five people have since been discharged, and two remain hospitalized in stable condition, according to The Associated Press. Four of the seven are Australian, one is American and two are of unknown nationalities.

Fijis Ministry of Health and Medical Services said each of the guests  who are between the ages of 18 and 56  experienced nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms after drinking the cocktails at the Warwick Fiji resort, according to The FijiTimes.

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In a similar incident last month, six tourists died in Laos after consuming drinks that contained methanol.

According to CNN, Fijis health ministry is unsure how or if the drinks were spiked as they wait on the investigation.

A Warwick resort spokesperson also told HuffPost that the incident is being investigated and that the hotel is waiting for more information.

We are also awaiting the health authorities test result report to gather all necessary information, a Warwick spokesperson told HuffPost in a statement. At this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

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In a statement, the Fiji government, which did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment, aimed to assure the public that the incident was isolated.

Thousands of tourists are currently visiting Fiji, and close to a million tourists visit annually, and safely, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka said. This is the only reported case of its kind that weve experienced in recent memory, and certainly nothing like this has been experienced this year.

HuffPost reached out to Fijis police department but did not immediately hear back.

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Seven foreign tourists, including an American, were hospitalized in Fiji after drinking cocktails at a resort bar, Fijian authorities said on Monday, just weeks after six tourists died of suspected alcohol poisoning in a separate incident in Laos.

All seven were taken to hospital on Saturday night suffering from "nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms," according to Fiji's health ministry.

They fell ill after drinking pina colada cocktails prepared at a bar in the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast, about 45 miles west of the capital Suva, officials said.

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A health ministry spokesperson said the seven guests, aged from 18 to 56, included four Australians, one American and two others whose nationalities were not given.

One of the patients had been discharged Sunday from the Sigatoka Hospital near the hotel, said the tourism minister, Viliame Gavoka.

The other six were transferred to the larger Lautoka Hospital on the island's west coast, he said, with two of them released earlier Monday and another two set to leave later in the day.

This photo shows an aerial view of the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast, about 70 kilometers west of capital city Suva, on December 16, 2024. / Credit: LEON LORDLEON LORD/AFP via Getty Images

The two patients remaining in Lautoka Hospital were in a "stable condition" in intensive care, he told a news conference.

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David Sandoe, an Australian man who said his daughter and granddaughter were hospitalized, told Sky News Australia that his relatives had been released from the hospital and were due to fly home on Monday night.

Fiji's health ministry and police force were investigating the cause, Gavoka said, adding that results from "critical" toxicology tests normally take three or four days.

"Everyone is in a state of disbelief that this has happened," he said.

Asked whether the illness might be related to methanol poisoning, Gavoka said that was "something that we don't believe is possible in Fiji."

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While declining to speculate about the cause, he said it was a "very isolated incident."

Fijian tourism, which attracts close to a million people each year, was "typically very safe," he said.

The minister said he did not believe it was the result of any deliberate action.

The hotel bar involved was "very busy" on the evening, he added, but only seven people were sickened by the pina coladas, which were normally "pretty harmless."

A spokesperson for the Warwick Fiji hotel said it was conducting an investigation and waiting for test results from the health authorities.

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"At this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests," the spokesperson said.

Australia's foreign ministry said it was providing consular assistance to two families but declined further comment citing "privacy obligations."

In a separate incident in Laos last month, two Danish citizens, an American, a Briton and two Australians died of suspected methanol poisoning following what local media said was a night out in the town of Vang Vieng. The victims include Briton Simone White, 28, two young Australians, Holly Bowles and her best friend Bianca Jones, and two young Danish women, Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, the BBC reported. Only one of the victims, 57-year-old U.S. citizen James Louis Hutson, was male.

Police detained the 34-year-old manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel and seven other employees for interrogation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Seven people were reportedly hospitalized over the weekend after drinking cocktails at a five-star Fiji resort.

The tourists were guests at the Warwick Fiji resort on Coral Coast near the town of Sigatoka. They fell ill after drinking alcoholic drinks at the location on Saturday, Dec. 14, per the Associated Press.

An American was among the people affected, as well as four Australians and two foreigners living in Fiji, according to the BBC.

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Officials have said it's "too soon to know if tainted alcohol was involved," per the AP.

LEON LORD/AFP via Getty The Warwick Fiji resort The Warwick Fiji resort

On Sunday, Dec. 15., the Fiji Times reported that the Ministry of Health & Medical Services and Fiji Police Force were investigating after people were taken to the Sigatoka Hospital with nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms. They were citing a Ministry of Health statement.

The affected patients age ranges from 18 to 56 years, the Ministry added, per the outlet.



Viliame "Bill" Gavoka  the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji and Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation  shared an update regarding the "serious health incident" on Facebook on Monday, Dec. 16. He confirmed that two High Dependency Unit (HDU) patients had now been discharged while another two of the people affected remained in Lautoka Hospital "in stable conditions."

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The Warwick Resort told PEOPLE in a written statement on Monday, Dec. 16., "We are aware of the recent news regarding suspected alcohol poisoning. Please rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and are currently conducting a thorough investigation. We are also awaiting the health authorities test result report to gather all necessary information."

"At this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available," they added.

LEON LORD/AFP via Getty The Warwick Fiji resort The Warwick Fiji resort

Gavoka's Facebook update also said, "Our thoughts are with the affected guests and their families during this time, and we are ensuring that they receive the best medical care possible. We are reassured that their condition this morning was stable, and we do hope their condition continues to improve." He confirmed that the incident happened at "only one bar."

"This is an extremely isolated incident, affecting only these seven guests at a specific bar within the Resort. No other incidents have been reported either at the resort, or across Fiji. The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years and holds a strong reputation," the statement continued.

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David Sandoe  whose daughter and granddaughter were among those who fell ill  told Sky News Australia on Monday, Dec. 16., "When you receive a phone call at 11 o'clock the other night and your daughter says that her daughter and herself have been poisoned and they were in hospital it's quite something."

Sandoe told the outlet that they were expecting their family back in Sydney later today, Monday, Dec. 16.

Fiji's Ministry of Health and the Fiji Police Force didn't immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for an update. PEOPLE also reached out to a State Department spokesperson for an update on the American reportedly affected, but didn't immediately receive a response.

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The incident follows six tourists  including an American man  dying in Laos last month after drinking alcohol that authorities suspected was tainted with methanol.



Read the original article on People
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. During the consideration of Armenia's periodic report at the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, it was commendable that UN experts addressed issues related to the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the destruction of cultural heritage belonging to the Azerbaijani people within Armenia, the Western Azerbaijan Community said in a statement, Trend reports.

The statement emphasized that the Armenian delegation's intolerant attitude towards these matters, as well as their continued denial of the Azerbaijani heritage of the Blue Mosque, serves as a clear example of Azerbaijani-phobiaa manifestation of the so-called "ethnic exclusivity" deeply rooted in Armenian society. Furthermore, this stance contradicts Armenia's supposedly positive rhetoric regarding the normalization of relations between the two countries.

"Just as the policy of denying the Azerbaijani peoples right to the Yukhari Govkhar Agha Mosque during the Armenian occupation was a complete failure, there is no future in denying the origin of the Blue Mosque. Neither the hysterical reactions of Armenian officials from the UN podium nor the absurd tweets and remarks by the racist ambassador of France in Armenia can erase the ancient history, rich cultural heritage, and traces of the Azerbaijani people.

We regard the Armenian Committee's recommendation regarding concerns about hate speech by officials and politicians in the media and on the internet in the context of Azerbaijan and Armenia as a recognition by the UN of Armenias racist policies towards Azerbaijanis.

In this regard, they urged UN experts to keep the issue of Azerbaijani-phobia in Armenia in focus and to continuously monitor the media and internet space in the country.

We also call on other relevant UN bodies to address the violated rights of Western Azerbaijanis during discussions on Armenia and to issue recommendations to the country aimed at addressing these injustices, the communitys statement said.
ABC News will pay $15 million in charitable contributions to Donald Trump's presidential library after the news outlet and anchor George Stephanopoulos settled a libel lawsuit brought by the president-elect.

Trump, 78, originally filed the lawsuit in March, against Stephanopoulos, 63, and ABC News, accusing them of defaming him when Stephanopoulos incorrectly stated that Trump was found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll during a March 2024 interview with South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace. Trump was actually found liable for sexual abuse, a different offense.

The Associated Press reported on Saturday, Dec. 14, that the suit was settled on Friday and that the settlement agreement states that ABC's presidential library payment will be used for a nonprofit organization that will be established alongside the not-yet-built library.

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As a part of the settlement, ABC News also posted an editor's note on the same page as Stephanopoulos' interview with Mace, expressing regret over the anchor's statements. The AP reports that ABC also agreed to pay $1 million in legal fees to Trump's attorney Alejandro Brito.

"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 told PEOPLE.

Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.



The suit centered on Stephanopoulos' interview with Mace, a Republican who has publicly spoken about being raped at the age of 16.

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Related: Donald Trump Sues George Stephanopoulos for Defamation Following Viral ABC News Interview

Peter Kramer/NBC Donald Trump appears on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' Donald Trump appears on NBC's 'Meet the Press.'

In the interview, Stephanopoulos questioned Mace's decision to endorse Trump, reminding her that Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming former Elle advice columnist Carroll in a civil trial in 2023.

You endorsed Donald Trump for president," Stephanopoulos told Mace in the March 10 interview. "Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony that we just saw?

Mace then accused Stephanopoulos of trying to "shame" her, and added, [Trump] defended himself over that and denies that it ever happened, but he was not found guilty in a criminal court of law.



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Stephanopoulos repeated that Trump had been found "liable for rape."

Carroll initially sought to hold Trump accountable for rape with her lawsuit, but a jury settled on sexual abuse, a lesser offense in New York, where the lawsuit was filed. Judge Lewis Kaplan, who oversaw the case, wrote in a later court filing that the jury hadn't ruled out rape, but said that Carroll had not officially proven her case.



Related: E. Jean Carroll Says Shell Do a Lot of Good with Trumps $83 Million: Women Won This One

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ABC News has 10 days to deposit the $15 million into an escrow account being managed by Trump's attorneys and to pay the legal fees.



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If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



Read the original article on People
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Many volunteers gathered at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony, which honors the heroes who have served to protect our nation. The event started with a missing man formation flyover. Volunteers then placed 3,100 wreaths generously donated by various community members.

Wreaths delivered to the Texas State Veteran Cemetery at Abilene

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17-year-old Eagle Scout Noah Smith, a member of Troop 206, volunteered to help because his family has strong military ties. He has been attending wreath ceremonies since he was a child and encourages other young people across the Big Country to volunteer next year.

I would always encourage everyone to come to this. It always is a pleasure to help serve the community. It really gives you a sense of patriotism to help serve those who have served us through the military, to help keep our freedom and help make our nation safe, Smith shared.

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Veterans Voices: The stories of our Big Country Veterans

Organizers shared that the first wreath ceremony in Abilene took place in 2010, with less than 20 attendees. They are pleased to see how much it has grown over the years; all made possible through the support of donors and volunteers.

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KENTUCKY (FOX 56)  A Bullitt County Sheriffs Office Facebook post is going viral for a cryptic top comment.

In Bullitt County, the sheriffs office is still searching for Jacob Miles, who has been accused of drug trafficking.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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On Dec. 2, BCSO advised the public to be on the lookout for Miles, who they said has two outstanding warrants from Meade and Bullitt Counties.

In a comment under the post on Facebook, an account under the name Jake Miles has brought a lot of attention to the search for Miles.

Jacob Miles wanted poster (Bullitt County Sheriffs Office)

Im pretty sure I just saw him at the gas station. He kept glancing up at me while I was washing my hands. Very bizarre, the account linked to Jake Miles wrote.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Arrest records show Miles has not been arrested yet.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Bullitt County Sheriffs Office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
An accused car thief was found bleeding and knocking on a residents door after deputies say he was shot by the vehicles owner in Washington.

Authorities got a call from a Jeep owner about a theft at about 8:40 p.m. Dec. 13, the Spokane County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post.

The owner got into another vehicle, followed his stolen Jeep and shot at the driver, deputies said.

The man stopped driving and left the Jeep in a ditch near Landt Farms Lane, which is near Nine Mile Falls, deputies said.

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He was bleeding when he went to a residents home and pounded on their door for help, deputies said.

Deputies said the resident contacted authorities about the man, and deputies then gave him medical attention and arrested him.

He was taken to a hospital with possible life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was in serious but stable condition, deputies said.

Authorities said he has not been charged yet, so they have not released his name.

The Jeep owner was initially detained but was then released after he spoke with authorities, the sheriffs office said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Nine Mile Falls is about a 10-mile drive northwest from Spokane.

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Woman too busy to return one-day SUV rental from Texas keeps it for weeks, WA cops say

Army veteran found fatally shot near her car, PA cops say. Arrest comes 6 months later

Grandma joins her daughter and grandchild for holiday shoplifting, Florida cops say
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a formidable former City Hall official and top consigliere of Mayor Eric Adams, is expected to be indicted in Manhattan as soon as Monday, The Post has learned.

Multiple sources close to Lewis-Martin said Sunday that she and her legal team were bracing for the criminal charges to emerge this week from the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, leading to her sudden departure from the administration over the weekend.

It was unclear what specific charge or charges the grand jury were expected to hand up, however, the Manhattan prosecutors and city investigators have been probing the top aides alleged role in leasing commercial properties to her close friends.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin is one of Eric Adams longest advisers. Paul Martinka

The Manhattan District Attorneys Office and Department of Investigation declined to comment. Lewis-Martin and her attorney Arthur Aidala could not be immediately reached Sunday afternoon.

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The expected charges add to Adams legal problems as multiple criminal investigations hem in his inner circle as he faces unprecedented federal bribery and corruption charges.

For years, Lewis-Martin has served as Adams closest ally and  as she once told the New York Times  the mayors sister ordained by God.

Multiple sources close to Lewis-Martin said Sunday that she and her legal team were bracing for the criminal charges to emerge this week from the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, leading to her sudden departure from the administration over the weekend. Paul Martinka

The mayor and his top adviser have been on the outs for months now, with sources telling The Post the two have barely spoken. Sources pinned their fallout on the termination of controversial top advisers who were close allies of Lewis-Martin and the subject of federal raids.

Lewis-Martin had brought on those two aides, Timothy Pearson and Winnie Greco, two longtime friends of hers who wouldnt have typically made it through the vetting process to get into city government, sources said.

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She then repeatedly went to the mat to protect the embattled aides despite mounting pressure from inside City Hall and those in the governors office who were pushing for the mayor to clean house, according to sources.

For years, Lewis-Martin has served as Adams closest ally and  as she once told the New York Times  the mayors sister ordained by God. Paul Martinka

As the Adams top adviser in City Hall, Lewis-Martin more than earned a reputation as a fierce and contentious advocate for the mayor  and she wasnt shy about getting dirty.

Im not Michelle Obama, she told City & State. When they go low? We drill for oil. Ill meet you down in the subbasement.

But Lewis-Martin had remained publicly unscathed by federal raids that ensnared many of her City Hall colleagues for much of September  at least until she returned from a vacation in Japan.

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Officials with the Manhattan District Attorneys Office and federal prosecutors were waiting Sept. 27 for Lewis-Martin when her plane landed at JFK Airport.

But Lewis-Martin had remained publicly unscathed by federal raids that ensnared many of her City Hall colleagues for much of September  at least until she returned from a vacation in Japan. Paul Martinka

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DA investigators took Lewis-Martins phone, while the feds slapped her with a subpoena seeking her testimony as a witness in the corruption case against Adams, sources had said.

The phone seizures purpose remained unclear until the New York Times reported that Manhattan prosecutors had opened a probe in Citys Halls leasing of commercial properties.

Manhattan DA investigators also seized the phones of four others, including top city real estate official Jesse Hamilton and Diana Boutross, a private broker involved in city leases, The Post confirmed.

The group are all close friends and political allies who had traveled to Japan together.

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Mere hours after the airport, Lewis-Martin made the stunning step of appearing on her lawyer Arthur Aidalas radio show.

We are imperfect, but were not thieves, and I do believe that in the end, that the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DA office to investigate us, she said.

Adams, when pressed on Lewis-Martins travel to Japan and phone seizure this week, repeatedly contended he didnt keep track of his top officials vacation plans.

I didnt know where Ingrid was going, he said. She doesnt tell me when shes taking a vacation and where shes going.

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She abruptly resigned from City Hall Sunday  about a month before she was scheduled to quit  telling The Post she was retiring.

Additional reporting by Kyle Schnitzer, Alex Oliveira and Matt Troutman
WASHINGTON PARISH, La. (WGNO)  Three people are dead and three others were hospitalized following a crash in Washington Parish.

Around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, Louisiana State Police Troopers were called to the scene of a crash on Louisiana Highway 25 near Stafford Road.

Quadruple shooting in Milneburg neighborhood left two dead, two wounded

The investigation revealed that 42-year-old Tequilla Santee was headed south on the highway in a Chevy Tahoe just as 18-year-old Logan Schmalz in Chevy Silverado was headed north.

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Troopers said for unknown reasons, Schmalz crossed the center lane, striking the Tahoe head-on.

Santee was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, 11-year-old Daniya Carter and 3-year-old Dylan Wilson reportedly were not.

All three were pronounced dead on the scene. Two other passengers of the Tahoe were also critically injured along with Schmalz who was not wearing a seatbelt.

They were taken to a hospital for treatment but an update on their condition was not given.

The crash remains under investigation as toxicology results are pending.

Two arrested in Tangipahoa Parish accused of internet solicitation of minors

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Properly wearing a seat belt dramatically reduces the risk of injury or death in a crash. Louisiana law requires everyone in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to be buckled up at all times. Seat belts save lives, and taking this simple step can make the difference between life and death, said LSP Troop L.

The investigation findings will be forwarded to the 22nd Judicial District Court Attorneys Office for consultation of criminal and/or traffic violations pending its completion.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers speaks during a news conference in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Editors note: This article has been updated to include response from UnitedHealth Group and the Nebraska Hospital Association.

LINCOLN  Nebraska on Monday became the first state to sue Tennessee-based Change Healthcare over the companys massive data breach that cost at least 575,000 Nebraskans their personal information and medical records.

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Nationally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimated that 100 million people, nearly a third of the U.S. population, had data stolen by hackers in that February breach of the medical payments company. The breach was blamed on a low-level employee who had his or her login credentials hacked.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said he is suing because of the companys carelessness in handling data and in how slowly it has notified people affected. He called the hack one of the one of the largest data breaches in modern history.

Data breach affected at least 575,000 Nebraskans medical records. (Getty Images)

The company, he said, was wrong to allow a low-level employee access to a full data set. No company, he said, should store such sensitive information on outdated technology that does not require two-factor authentication to access.

Hilgers said the companys management runs afoul of legal responsibilities for protecting data.

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The BlackCat ransomware group, known for targeting large companies with hacking for bitcoin or other payments, has claimed credit for the hack.

The BlackCat group had nine days  of unfettered access into their system and pulled down all sorts of data about Nebraskans, about Americans, Hilgers said Monday. Once that information is on the dark web, which it is, you cant put it back in.

His office sued Change Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group and Optum for allegedly violating the states financial data protection and consumer protection statutes.

It also alleged violations of deceptive trade practices law and potential violations of federal health privacy law and health information technology protection standards.

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Each violation of the consumer protection law could cost the company up to $2,000. Fines are possible for data protection failures. Hilgers said the state would seek restitutions to make Nebraskans whole for their losses.

We think that this lawsuit sends a clear message to other companies: If one of the biggest companies in the world doesnt have multi-factor authentication or basic security in place, every other company handling customer data should be double-checking, triple-checking, quadruple-checking their systems, Hilgers said.

Companies have no immediate response

Tyler Mason, a spokesman for UnitedHealth Group, said Change Healthcare is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other regulators about its notification process.

We continue to notify potentially impacted individuals as quickly as possible, on a rolling basis, given the volume and complexity of the data involved and the investigation is still in its final stages, he said in a statement. We are committed to notifying potentially impacted individuals.

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The company suggested anyone who might have been affected to check out the companys website for the hack at changecybersupport.com. It suggested those notified should enroll in credit monitoring using the link on the website or call 888-846-4705. People who need telephone help from the company can call 866-262-5342 .

Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth, told the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee in May that the company paid hackers a $22 million ransom. He said Change Healthcare, which his group had acquired, was using older tech that was in the process of being upgraded.

UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on May 1, 2024, about a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a subsidiary. (Screenshot from committee webcast)

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said at the hearing that the companies actions would likely be a case study in crisis mismanagement for decades to come.

Many companies limit which employees have access to what data. Two-factor authentication is a second notice to registered users trying to log in to verify that they are the ones accessing the data.

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Change Healthcare is a payment processing company that ensures medical providers get paid after insurance companies determine whether to cover a medical procedure and what portion to fund.

Hilgers used the example of Bryan Health in Lincoln as a provider that has been impacted by the breach. He said Bryan Health notified its customers of the potential breach last spring.

Rural, critical access hospitals lost money because of the breach, he said, putting some in a cash-flow crunch.

Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, applauded Hilgers for holding these companies accountable to their legal obligation to keep health information private.

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Cyber security is critical for health care, and the recklessness shown by Change Healthcare  must be addressed.

Hilgers said the Nashville-based company dragged its feet on legally required notification of Nebraska clients from February until the Attorney Generals Office got more aggressively involved in May, He said notifications shouldnt have required those steps.

Nine months later, people are starting to get notices  but they do not equip and arm Nebraskans with the ability to actually fight back or try to be prepared, Hilgers said.

How to find help

Already, he said, the consumer protection side of his office has been getting calls from people questioning whether calls they have received seeking payment for medical procedures they think theyve already paid for might be scams related to the hack.

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He had no hard numbers on the number of people being scammed but said medical information is deeply personal and can be used to embarrass, manipulate and harm people.

The stolen data included medical records, telephone numbers, addresses, doctors, diagnoses, medicines, test results, images and care and treatment histories, according to the lawsuit, which the state filed in Lancaster County District Court.

This could be used to harass, blackmail or extort money out of people, Hilgers said.

Hilgers advised any Nebraskans who get a call seeking immediate payment for a medical procedure to take down their information and look up the real number for the company involved and check with them to see if they might be calling.

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He urged people worried about a possible scam to call the Attorney Generals consumer protection hotline at 402-471-2682 or toll-free at 800-727-6432.

Court Filing-2

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Dec. 16A little over a decade after the Air Force spent some $1.2 million to renovate a former officer's home on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the home was demolished last month, according to information obtained by the Dayton Daily News.

The Air Force spent $1.24 million, plus $77,000 in furnishings, to renovate the Charles Taylor House, a 3,500-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom Tudor-style brick home, this newspaper reported in 2012.

The final expenditure was about $400,000 more than the project's initial estimated cost.

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Base officials say the house was demolished this year after being designated "excess infrastructure."

Charles Edward Taylor built the engine that made the historic flight of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk possible, according to historians. He has been recognized as a pioneer of aviation mechanics. The namesake house was found on the base's Area A.

The historic building was vacant before the renovation, essentially serving as a hotel for what the Air Force considered "distinguished visitors" or "VIPs"  officers ranking at colonel or above  and civilian executives.

Last month, the home was demolished, according to photos obtained by the Dayton Daily News and interviews with base officials.

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A reader reached out to the Dayton Daily News about the demolition, saying it felt like a "tragedy."

Brick houses built on Wright-Patterson in the mid-1930s "show craftsmanship specific to an era of history," this reader wrote. "Personally, it would be lovely to see the existing homes restored/renovated and maintained with habitation."

The house was last renovated for $1.24 million in 2011, a spokeswoman for the 88th Air Base Wing said in response to questions from the Dayton Daily News.

The home was was converted from family housing to a distinguished visitor's quarters on the base, used by the 88th Force Support Squadron.

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The 88th Air Base Wing is responsible for security, infrastructure and an array of support services to operate the large Air Force base.

In 2021, the building was returned to the 88th Civil Engineer Group for management, this news outlet was told.

After a review by the group, "it was determined the cost to convert it back to a family housing unit, as well as making additional code and compliance updates, was not financially tenable," said a base spokeswoman, Lisa Riley.

"As excess infrastructure, the decision was made to divest through demolition, in accordance with Air Force goals," she said.

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The building was demolished last month.

'A five-star experience'

The building won an interior design award in 2010 from Air Force Materiel Command and featured a professional-grade kitchen. Guest feedback over the years had been positive, said a base spokesman in 2012, John Klemack.

"It's a five-star experience," Klemack told this newspaper more than a decade ago.

The house was located about a mile from the privately run Hope Hotel, next to busy base gate 12A. A decade or so ago, Air Force policy stipulated that VIPs could stay at that hotel only if no on-base facilities were available, a base spokesman told this newspaper in 2012.

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Remodeling and maintaining these vintage homes was never inexpensive.

Historic residential housing of the kind found at Wright-Patterson is rare in the Air Force, Brig. Gen. Mark Slominski, mobilization assistant to the commander of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), told this newspaper last year.

"They are high. They are higher than what you would expect to spend in a recap (remodeling) of a home off the installation," Slominski said then.

A Wright-Patterson home renovation project turned heads after a routine U.S. Army Corps of Engineer contract award in December 2022. The corps awarded a contract to Messer Construction for the renovation of 29 homes on Wright-Patterson  at a cost of about $2.4 million per home.

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Given the historic nature of the homes, tiles, windows, brick exteriors and metals roof materials need to be chosen carefully.

"It's a pretty substantial investment in materials that are very specialized," Slominski told this newspaper.
Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad said, in a statement attributed to him on Monday, that he did not plan to leave the country amid rebel advances towards Damascus but that Russia had evacuated him.

"At no point during these events, did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party," said al-Assad, in an unverified statement posted on the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel.

"My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles as some have claimed," added al-Assad, who took power in Syria in 2000 following his father's death.

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He stayed in Damascus until the early hours of December 8 before moving to a Russian base in the coastal city of Latakia "to oversee combat operations."

Afterwards, the Hmeimim base came under intensified attack by drone strikes, prompting Moscow to arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of December 8.

Syrian rebels took control of Damscus last week, after they made major territorial gains against al-Assad's forces in a lightning offensive in the war-torn country.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Comprehensive operational and investigative measures conducted by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan (SSS) have established that citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Shakhmurov Fakhraddin (born in 1984), Muradov Jalal (born in 1960), Babayev Kamran (born in 1998) and others, in order to commit grave and especially grave criminal acts against the foundations of the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, created a criminal community, organized secret meetings and various closed groups on the territory of the Republic and they used social networks and were preparing to commit subversive actions against state institutions, Trend reports via State Security Service.

"It was established that at a secret meeting organized with the participation of a foreign citizen, it was announced that the flag of the criminal community was being prepared, which was presented to Fakhraddin Shakhmurov to guide the development of plans and conditions for crimes committed in the interests of the criminal community.

Fakhraddin Shakhmurov, together with other members of the criminal group, devised a plan to sabotage the country's defense capability and economic security by seizing a customs post located on the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan and taking hostages of employees and other persons serving at the post to make demands to the criminal organization. However, the measures taken prevented the organized group's illegal actions.

He was brought to criminal liability under articles 28.282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (preparation of sabotage by an organized group), 28.215.3 (preparation of taking people hostage), 218.1 (establishment of a criminal community (organization)), and 281.2 (distribution of materials containing anti-state calls), and Jalal Muradov and Kamran Babayevunder article 281.2 and others. The detainees were placed under restraint in the form of arrest.

Other individuals were also involved in the investigation.

At present, complex investigations are continuing in the criminal case.
The Qatari-based Al Jazeera television news channel said on Sunday evening that a cameraman working for it and five employees of the Palestinian civil defence force were killed in an Israeli air raid in the central section of the Gaza Strip.

The channel cited rescue workers and local journalists. The Israeli military, however, spoke of the killing of a "terrorist." Neither side's information could be independently verified.

The cameraman, Ahmed al-Louh, was killed on Sunday while working in the refugee quarter of Nuseirat, according to the Al-Jazeera report. He was wearing his press armoured vest and a helmet.

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For its part, the Israeli military announced on Sunday evening that its air force had carried out "a precise strike on Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists," who had been operating out of a command and control centre located in the civil defence offices in Nuseirat. The command centre was used by the terrorists to plan an attack on Israeli troops, the military said.

Among those killed was "Islamic Jihad terrorist Ahmed Bakr al-Lawh," the Israeli military said. In the run-up to the attack, numerous measures were taken to reduce the risk to civilians, the military announced on its Telegram channel.

The Al Jazeera media network called on human rights and media organizations to "condemn the Israeli Occupations systematic killing of journalists in cold blood." Those responsible must be held to account, it said. The broadcaster has already lost several employees in attacks during the Gaza war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Al Jazeera of being a "Hamas mouthpiece." His government closed the broadcaster's office in Israel in May. Al Jazeera, which is based in the Gulf emirate of Qatar, rejects the accusation of bias.
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP)  A teacher has been charged after an alleged assault at a Piedmont Triad middle school.

According to the Burlington Police Department, on Dec. 12 they received a report that Derek Tang, 50, a teacher at Turrentine Middle School, had physically assaulted a student on school property.

Warrants allege that Tang grabbed a student and shoved them through a doorway into the hall of the school.

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Victim dies from stabbing on Grove Street, Greensboro police say

Police investigated the incident and charged Tang with one count of simple assault. They believe this was an isolated incident with no other students involved.

As soon as this information was reported to Alamance-Burlington School staff, it was immediately reported to the Burlington Police Department, the police said, adding that the school district was cooperating with the police.

Tang was arrested Monday and given a $1,500 secured bond.

The school district says that Tang has been working for the district since 2014 when hed been hired as a substitute. He has been working as a teacher at Turrentine Middle School since 2019 and is currently suspended.

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The district has been cooperating with the Burlington Police Departments investigation. Mr. Tang, a Social Studies teacher at Turrentine Middle School, is suspended with pay, the school district said in a comment.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
ALBANY  Albany Technical College has announced the names of students and educators representing our college at upcoming state-level competitions in 2025.

After a rigorous campuswide selection process, ATC has identified the winners for the prestigious Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (G.O.A.L.) student of the year, the Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year, the Adult Education Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) student of the year, the AE Teacher of the year, and an additional accolade unique to ATC: the Staff Employee of the Year.

The students and staff selected for these prestigious awards include:

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 ATC G.O.A.L. Winner: Khalilah Lindsay, Early Childhood Care and Education major: known for her academic rigor and leadership qualities;

 ATC Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year: Mark Benton, a welding and joining technology instructor: recognized for his innovative teaching methods and dedication to technical education excellence.

 ATC E.A.G.L.E. Winner: Jessica Castellano, an adult education student: has demonstrated exceptional perseverance and academic achievement.

 ATC Adult Education Teacher of the Year: Wesley Williams, an Adult Education instructor: honored for outstanding commitment to enhancing adult literacy and professional development.

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 ATC Staff Employee of the Year: Lisa Lofton, Marketing Specialist: celebrated for her remarkable contributions to service excellence and innovation at Albany Tech.

These awards embody the values of technical education at ATC. The G.O.A.L. program identifies students who have not only achieved academic success but have also exemplified leadership. The Rick Perkins Award celebrates instructional excellence among the educators within the Technical College System of Georgia, and the EAGLE Award and the AE Teacher of the Year highlight the transformative impact of adult education and literacy.

College President Emmett Griswold and the ATC community congratulate these individuals for their achievements. Their dedication to their fields has made a significant impact on the college and serves as an inspiration to us all, ATC officials said, adding that the students and staff members honored exemplify the spirit of excellence and commitment to higher learning that Albany Technical College stands for.
LONDON (AP)  An alleged Chinese spy who cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew said Monday he has done nothing wrong or unlawful as Britain's government faced questions about what it is doing to thwart security threats from China.

British authorities allege businessman Yang Tengbo  known only as H6 until a High Court judge lifted an anonymity order Monday  was working on behalf of the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party that is used to influence foreign entities.

It's the most high-profile case in a series of espionage scandals in recent years that involved suspected or confirmed Chinese intelligence-gathering in Britain's establishment, including in Parliament.

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Here's a look at Yang's case:

Who is Yang Tengbo?

Yang, 50, also known as Chris Yang, is listed as a director of Hampton Group International, a business consultancy advising U.K.-based companies on their operations in China. He has been photographed with senior U.K. politicians, including former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, at events.

Yang is reportedly a key member of Pitch@Palace China, an initiative by Prince Andrew to support entrepreneurs.

Yang worked as a junior civil servant in China before arriving in the U.K. in 2002 to study. He earned a masters degree in public administration and public policy at the University of York before starting his business.

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He was granted the right to live and work in the U.K. for an indefinite period in 2013. Yang told authorities he has spent regular time in Britain and considered it his second home.

What happened with Prince Andrew?

Details about Yang's case emerged last week at a special immigration tribunal, which upheld a decision by British authorities to ban Yang from entering the U.K. in 2023. The Home Office said he was believed to have carried out covert and deceptive activity for the Chinese Communist Party.

Judges agreed with MI5, Britain's domestic intelligence, that Yang represented a risk to the national security and dismissed his appeal.

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The tribunal heard that in 2021, authorities found documents that showed how close Yang was to Prince Andrew, King Charles III's younger brother.

One letter from a senior adviser to Andrew told Yang he should never underestimate the strength" of his relationship with the royal. 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 adviser wrote.

The tribunal said that when Yang was interviewed by immigration authorities he failed to give a full account of his relationship with the prince, which it said had a covert and clandestine element.

Authorities have not made public what information Yang allegedly obtained or was seeking to obtain. But the tribunal cited a 2022 statement by the MI5 director that described the United Front Work Department's aims as buying and exerting influence, amplifying pro-China voices and silencing those critical of the Chinese government's authority.

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Andrew has been repeatedly criticized for his links to wealthy foreigners and prompted critics to suggest that those individuals were trying to buy access to the royal family.

What has been said about the allegations?

Yang strongly denied the espionage claims and said he was a victim of a changing political climate that had seen a rise in tensions between Britain and China.

I have done nothing wrong or unlawful," he said in a statement. "The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

Andrew's office said the royal met Yang through official channels and nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed.

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What is the U.K.'s relationship with China?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he is concerned about the challenge posed by China, but stood by his government's strategy of engagement and cooperation with Beijing.

Starmer, who took office this summer, has sought to repair frayed ties and in November became the first British leader to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping since 2018.

Opposition lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith, a leading critic of Beijing, said that glosses over the clear threat China poses. Yang was already a known member of China's United Front Work Department, he told Parliament, and should not have been able to gain access to the royal family without scrutiny.

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The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage thats taking place, he said.

In 2022 British intelligence officials warned politicians that Christine Lee, a British-Chinese lawyer, had been seeking to improperly influence members of Parliament for years. A parliamentary researcher was arrested in 2023 on suspicion of providing sensitive information to China.

___

Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report.
Dec. 15COLUMBUS  Discussions are underway in Columbus that could lead to the creation of regional public defenders offices throughout Ohio.

One such proposed office would combine legal representation for indigent defendants in Allen, Hardin and Putnam counties under one roof, according to people familiar with the matter.

A decision on that pilot project and similar proposals, however, remains several months down the road. State Public Defender Elizabeth Miller said earlier this week a pair of task forces  one created by the Ohio Bar Association and another with its roots in the Ohio legislature  have discussed various aspects of indigent defense over the past two years and have suggested some changes.

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Allen County has had its own public defenders office since 2020, while Putnam and Hardin are among a group of approximately three dozen counties in Ohio that rely on private practice defense attorneys to handle felony cases involving indigent defendants. Lawyers are appointed by common pleas court judges in their respective counties.

A report authored as part of Ohio House Bill 150, released earlier this year, included a recommendation for the creation of a pilot program that would establish multi-county public defenders offices.

"It's really early (in the process), but we're in the beginning stages of a proposal for the creation of a Northwest Ohio regional hub," she said.

Miller said her office's biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, submitted in September, included a new line item and a request for $3.35 million to fund the Northwest Ohio Regional Public Defenders office. She said Gov. Mike DeWine has a Feb. 3 deadline to submit his own executive biennial budget. If funds for the multi-county public defenders office are included in the governor's proposal, the General Assembly would still need to endorse the pilot project.

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"I think we will know something by July when the state budget is complete. My caution right now is that it's still so early," Miller said. "But I am 100% supportive of the concept of a regional public defenders office to serve Allen, Putnam and Hardin counties. If we can create greater efficiency for those three counties, that's something I could support. And if that office is created and is successful, I hope to establish more regional offices in other parts of the state."

Six Ohio counties have public defenders offices that are contracted with state, and a handful of counties have existing contracts with non-profit corporations. Auglaize, Van Wert and Mercer counties recently created their own offices to serve indigent defendants.

Kenneth Sturgill was appointed in December 2020 to head up Allen County's first public defenders office. Earlier that year, the Allen County commissioners estimated the costs to set up the full-time office would range between $970,000 and $1.2 million. County taxpayers would be responsible for at least 30% of the total cost, with the state to reimburse the remaining 70% of the costs associated with the office, county officials said at the time.

Sturgill said recently he is "very excited" about the idea of creating a regional office.

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Putnam County Common Pleas Court Judge Keith Schierloh selects attorneys to represent indigent defendants on an appointment basis. He said the concept of a regional office "has the potential to be a very good thing."

Schierloh said he now has a "very limited" pool of approximately five attorneys, including two from Toledo, from which to choose for public defender services.

"Assuming the financing can be worked out, this may be a fortunate thing for everyone concerned," Schierloh said. "We want everyone who comes into our court to have the same opportunities, and this could be a win-win-win for a lot of different groups."

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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with approximately 55,000 new cases reported and around 12,000 deaths every year. Yet still there exists no mainstream national screening programme in the UK to address this. And with inaccurate at-home self-testing kits becoming increasingly popular, there has never been more need for a more joined-up approach to testing from early on.

The new prostate-specific antigen (PSA) self-tests, which are becoming more common, include equipment for you to collect a small sample of your own blood from your finger. They work in a similar way to the lateral flow Covid-19 test. Yet Prostate Cancer UK has said it had significant concerns about the sale of the tests given their questionable accuracy and the absence of a doctor to properly analyse and interpret the results.

What is the current position on testing and why is there a delay on a national screening programme?

At the moment anyone over 50 can ask for a PSA blood test. The NHS website says: PSA tests are not routinely used to screen for prostate cancer, as results can be unreliable. But that position is being reconsidered. Alongside evidence presented by Prostate Cancer Research, Sir Chris Hoy, 48, revealed that he was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer last year. His case exposed the possible consequences of discovering the disease too late.

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A report from Prostate Cancer Research argues that screening technology is becoming cheaper and more effective while late-stage cancer treatments are becoming more costly. A five-year screening programme for high-risk groups 45-69 could result in a positive impact of 54 million, it says. The report points out that a 55-year-old man diagnosed at Stage 1 will cost society 0.9 million over a lifetime whereas the same man diagnosed at Stage 4 will cost closer to 2 million.

Oliver Kemp, the chief executive at Prostate Cancer Research, says: The evidence is already there. With the tools we already have, screening would save a lot of lives. If you focus on really specific groups it saves you the 120,000 per person for late-stage treatment costs. Were allowing people to die and its costing us money.

The charity is asking for a screening programme for high-risk groups aged 45-69 (black men and men with a family history of the disease) using currently available technology. They also want trials of new and already promising tests that can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and for that to lead to screening of the wider general population 50-69. These tests are currently both expensive and in need of large-scale data but could hugely impact the accuracy of screening if they were ramped up.

Even without more advanced tests, the arguments against prostate screening with current approaches and many of the fears about testing, are out of date, according to experts in the field.

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Pressure has been building on health service decision-makers to take action on prostate cancer screening for some time. Nick Jones, Soho House founder, is a trustee of the charity Prostate Cancer Research, which last year launched a landmark report making a strong economic case for wide-scale testing.

Why we havent had a national prostate screening programme to date?

If a man were to ask for a prostate cancer test the standard first blood test would be to check for levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in the blood. For men aged 40-50, a test result over 2.5 nanograms of PSA per millilitre of blood requires further investigation. But the test is imperfect. And the at-home self-test kits appear to be even more so.

Prostate Cancer UK say: A PSA blood test cannot rule out or diagnose prostate cancer alone. Your GP will usually look at your PSA blood test results alongside other information (such as your age, risk factors for prostate cancer, and general health) to support their decision making.

Nick James is a professor of prostate and bladder cancer research at the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He explains: Men without prostate cancer could have a raised PSA and some men with really nasty cancer wont have a raised PSA at all. PSA is a protein produced by prostate tissue and its normal function is to help liquefy semen. Its meant to be there.

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Cancer cells cause PSA to rise. If you have a cancer in your prostate the blood supplies grow haphazardly and they leak, so more PSA leaks into the blood supply.

However, small early cancers do not produce very much PSA and other factors such as ageing can raise PSA without indicating cancer at all.

In the past, a raised PSA would be followed up by an ultrasound which, Prof James says, is a poor way to locate the cancer within the prostate. These would then be followed up by a biopsy because so little information could be gleaned from the scan. Biopsies involve hollow needles being inserted into the gland. In the past you had a transrectal biopsy, entering through the rectum, and that meant a risk of introducing faecal bugs into the prostate. There was a significant infection rate from that and a not insignificant death rate from sepsis.

Given the ambiguity of the result and the risks of follow-up testing, the decision not to offer screening was the correct one, Prof James says. However, the picture is very different now.

The MRI game-changer

The transformative innovation was the switch from ultrasound to MRI scans in conjunction with the initial PSA blood test. The MRI scan is non-invasive and has a high degree of accuracy. MRI goes a long way to compensate for the vagaries of the PSA.

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Prof James also points out that even in isolation the PSA is no more or less imperfect than other comparable screening technologies. Generally speaking, you have to screen about 300 men to stop one man dying from prostate cancer. Thats about the same as mammography to stop one woman dying of breast cancer. Its rather less than bowel cancer screening. As a screening test it performs as well as breast cancer and better than bowel cancer.

MRI scans mean a big reduction in the number of needless treatments, Once you put MRI in the mix you can identify with a high degree of probability areas in the prostate likely to contain the cancer and also whether its a clinically significant cancer that you want to treat. If you look at the people in our clinic now with a high PSA, for half of them theres such a low risk of having anything that matters, were not even going to biopsy them at all, says Prof James.

The much-feared biopsies are now safer. The vast majority are no longer undertaken via the rectum. The standard approach is now to go in via the perineum. Prof James says: By doing biopsy through the perineum the risk of sepsis is massively reduced. Its about as painful as having a filling. People come in, have the biopsies and go home, its usually a day procedure.

Kemp would like a new generation of blood and saliva tests developed to the point where they can be introduced between PSA and MRI. We are asking the Government to roll out reflex tests (follow-up tests which use the biomarkers of cancer) and build up the evidence base. These tests have close to 90 per cent sensitivity. If you add in another filter you reduce over-treatment and over-diagnosis. We met one tester last week who has a product that is 99 per cent accurate.

Men are reluctant to request a PSA test but will go if invited

He also says moving from offering tests to inviting men for tests will transform awareness and the numbers reached by the health system. The number of black men (a high-risk group) who are aware they are more vulnerable to the disease has only risen from 24 per cent to 31 per cent over the last 10 years. We are not doing well at awareness.

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Men can be reluctant to ask for a medical test but are very willing to answer an official invitation. My grandfather never went to the doctor in 60 years but would have done so if hed been told to. In our research, 80 per cent of black men told us theyd be willing to go for a test if invited. Eventually, however, Kemp would like to see all men over 50 invited for screening, once the new biomarker tests are in place.

The Government is listening. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson says: Prostate cancer patients are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment, and we are determined to change that. The UK National Screening Committee is actively looking at all the evidence for prostate cancer screening programmes including targeted approaches for those at higher risk such as people with a family history.

The UK National Screening Committee examines all screening opportunities and makes recommendations to the Government. It is made up of experts and is currently chaired by Sir Mike Richards, a professor and practising physician for over 20 years, prior to taking up roles in industry bodies including serving as the Chief Inspector of Hospitals.

A body of evidence is mounting and those in charge of policy are being asked to make prostate cancer screening as much a part of life for men as breast cancer screening is for women. The Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer published earlier this year predicted rising case numbers around the world. The clock is ticking on this crucial area of health policy.

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This article was first published in February 2025 and has been updated.

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Amazons using technology to fight against bad actors before its customers fall victim to Scamazon-style fraud and impersonation attempts.

As the holidays approach and last-minute shopping abounds, scammers prey on those trying to get in the spirit. Over the past several years, Amazon has amped up its game to prevent its customers from falling victim to those scams. And while the companys efforts help consumers have a merrier holiday season, its fight against scams isnt isolated to that time frame.

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According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), impersonation scams were the most widely reported type of scam impacting U.S. consumers. Last year alone, consumers reported 330,000 instances of business impersonation scams and 160,000 instances of government impersonation scams. That figure doesnt necessarily account for scams reported directly to an e-commerce company like Amazon or a third-party logistics provider like FedEx.

Scott Knapp, vice president of worldwide buyer risk prevention at Amazon, said though the companys methods for putting the kibosh on reported scams have improved over time, the issue only continues.

We know bad actors are getting better and better at mimicking anything that we can put out, in terms of warnings or authenticity, Knapp told Sourcing Journal.

The company has begun to advise consumers to go directly to its app or site for any questions, concerns or issues with an order. Taking that step can help consumers identify when or if they have been scammed or spoofed.

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The FTC noted in a blog post earlier this year that between 2020 and 2023, it saw a sharp decline in the number of phone calls perpetuating impersonation scams. Instead, consumers began reporting text message scams at much higher rates than before.

The agency also reported that multi-organization scamsthat is to say, for instance, scammers pretending to be Amazon, then transferring victims to fake banks or fake government agencies for further investigationhas been on the rise.

Knapp said the ways scammers proliferate will only continue to change as artificial intelligence systems become more powerful and as the technology becomes more widely used. As AI grows, the company plans to use it to its advantage.

Gone are the days of being able to have your suspicions raised just because the grammar is awful, he said. [This is] a result of bad actors having better and better tools to be able to imitate us or others. But on the other side of the equation, for all the AI they have, weve got it as well, and are using it on our side to detectthese things so we can warn customers about it.

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As part of the advanced AI and machine learning (ML) models Amazon employs, it has the capability to spot trends or detect emerging patterns in bad actors activity, which also gives the e-commerce and technology company a chance to alert its customers early on.

Amazon uses AI and ML to find commonalities among all of the impersonation scam reports submitted by customers. From there, we can identify where to take actionand send [it] to law enforcement. AI effectively helps hold bad actors accountable at a greater speed, Knapp explained.

The AI Amazon uses in its fights against scams and fraud doesnt only extend to impersonation scams; it also helps the company uncover counterfeits and fake goods, widespread fraudulent reviews and sellers making consistent or material changes to existing goods on Amazon.

Knapp said tracking scam impersonation scam attempts can prove difficult because, unlike scams and fraud occurring on Amazons own platform, unless customers report them, Amazon has no record of impersonation scams happening.

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But once the company can identify bad actors trying to harm its customers, action is near immediate. Amazon has the capability to remove scam phone numbers within the same business day and can see to the removal of phishing websites within hours, Knapp noted. In 2023, the companys efforts resulted in about 40,000 phishing sites and 10,000 phone numbers being taken down because of impersonation scam reports it received and investigated.

But working in real time against scammers isnt a task Amazon is interested in doing without support from other industry players.

Even at our size, we dont have the whole picture. So [by] working in consortiums and partnering with others, we can provide part of the data that then results in hundreds of call centers being taken down, but that probably wouldnt happen if we were going it alone, Knapp said. Thats my big plea is, dont be afraid to joinAny time we can stop fraud, we all get better; [theres] no competitive advantage to going it alone against fraud.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met today with the Holy See's Secretary of State for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, within the framework of his visit to the country, Trend reports.

According to information, the one-on-one meeting between the two sides was continued in an extended meeting with the delegations.

During the enlarged meeting, the prospects of development of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, as well as regional and international security issues, were discussed.

Moreover, it was noted that the observed increase in the dynamics of mutual visits and contacts between the two countries is a source of satisfaction, making a serious contribution to the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See in the political, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. The importance of the beginning of the activity of Azerbaijan's embassy in the Vatican for bilateral relations was noted with satisfaction. The visits of Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 were noted, and confidence was expressed that the mutual visits will continue.

Meanwhile, active participation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation acting under the leadership of First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva in the restoration of cultural monuments of international importance located in many regions of the world, including the Holy See, was praised.

The measures taken are continuation of the existing experience and activity of Azerbaijan in the field of promotion of multiculturalism; interest in the development of cooperation in this direction, as well as with the Holy See, was noted.

Jeyhun Bayramov also informed the other side in detail about the results of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Azerbaijan this year, stressing that within the framework of COP29 successfully held under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan, in addition to a number of important events and initiatives, the Global Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders was organized.

Also, the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, as well as the current state of the normalization of relations and peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the work carried out by the delimitation commissions, were described in detail. While important progress has been made in advancing the peace agenda initiated by Azerbaijan, it was noted that the ongoing territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the Armenian Constitution and other legislation, as well as the rapid arming of Armenia, pose a threat to the peace and security of the region.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher expressed gratitude for the conditions created during the construction of the church, noting that he feels great satisfaction with the consecration of the Catholic Church, which will be built in honor of John Paul II.

In the course of the meeting there was also an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest, the information notes.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
(Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. leaders rejected internal recommendations that the company relax warehouse worker productivity rates to curb injuries, according to a report from a congressional committee.

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Released Monday by the majority staff for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the report makes the case that the e-commerce giant instead accepted injuries to its workers as the cost of doing business.

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Amazon has long been a target of workers rights advocates and labor unions, who say the company pushes its employees too hard in the name of getting packages to customers quickly. The company, the second largest private US employer behind Walmart Inc., contends that it has made worker safety a priority. A company blog post published early Monday rejects the reports contentions and accuses the committees chair, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, of misleading the American public.

The 159-page Senate report says Amazons policies, including productivity targets, risk worker injury owing to exhaustion and repetitive stress. It highlights a pair of internal studies Amazon undertook to examine the causes of warehouse injuries after they surged in 2019.

The first, Project Soteria, began in 2020 and was described by its facilitators as the first time Amazon had conducted a comprehensive analysis of the causes of injuries in its warehouses. The study found a connection between worker speed and injuries, echoing a similar finding made by Washington state workplace regulators, and recommended pausing speed-related discipline and adding more downtime to workers schedules.

Two years into the companys investigation, Amazons senior safety executive asked another team to review the Soteria teams work. The probe took issue with Soterias methodology and recommended increasing the frequency of safety meetings.

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There is a clear through line in the evidence: Even when Amazon was presented with an analysis generated by its own internal teams concluding that higher speed can increase the risk of injuries, it chose to ignore that analysis and instead to search for alternative explanations that were more convenient and that favored the companys bottom line, the report said.

Amazon says Soterias analysis was preliminary, outdated and inaccurate. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the companys expectations for staff are safe and reasonable and pointed to recent declines in the companys injury rates.

Sen. Sanders report is wrong on the facts and weaves together out-of-date documents and unverifiable anecdotes to create a pre-conceived narrative that he and his allies have been pushing for the past 18 months, she said in an emailed statement.

Nantel also highlighted a Washington state Bureau of Industrial Appeals judges dismissal earlier this year of high-profile workplace safety citations against the company. The state labor regulator is appealing that decision.

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During the Senate committee investigation, staffers interviewed 135 workers and reviewed 1,400 documents provided by workers. The company contributed 285 documents, according to the report, which accuses Amazon of only limited cooperation. (Amazons Nantel said the company voluntarily cooperated in good faith.)

The report arrives about a month before Sanders will cede his committee chair as Republicans take control of the chamber. Sanders has long been a critic of working conditions at Amazons facilities and has occasionally sparred with company executives.

The report describes a second initiative, called Project Elderwand, which began around 2021 and sought to understand how workers repeated movements over 10- or 12-hour shifts might effect their risk of developing soft-tissue musculoskeletal disorders. It found that for the workers who grab items from Amazons robotic storage units, the likelihood of back injuries increased alongside the number of items picked during a shift.

The Elderwand team proposed enforcing more work breaks, an initiative that was tested in a small pilot program to avoid disruptions to Amazons productivity, the report said. The company also rejected the findings, the report said. Amazons Nantel called the programs proposed solutions ineffective and said the company had pursued other ergonomic improvements.

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Committee staff recommended passing a slate of bills that would compel Amazon to disclose workplace productivity quotas and beef up Occupational Safety and Health Administration penalties and enforcement powers, among other measures.

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A Haitian mother holds her baby inside a tent in the large migrant camp near an international bridge at the U.S.-Mexico border on September 21, 2021 in Del Rio, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images)

In a cabin in the Kaw Valley, a few miles northwest of what is now Lawrence, the first baby boy of white parents was born in Kansas. His name was Napoleon Boone (yes, of the famous Boone family and yes, named after that Napoleon) and he arrived Friday, Aug. 22, 1828.

Napoleons entry into the world is notable mostly because, well, it was noted. Its one of the first recorded births to white parents in the confines of the present state that historians can date. We know because it was written down, that he was the 12th child of Daniel M. and Sarah Boone, was a grandson of the Daniel Boone. One of Napoleons brothers remembered in a letter decades later that the cabin was on the north bank of the Kansas River, where the government had by treaty directed their father to instruct members of the Kaw nation in the art and science of agriculture.

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At the time of Napoleons birth, 197 years ago, Kansas wasnt yet a state or even a territory, but part of the vast swath of land from the Mississippi River to the Rockies acquired through the Louisiana Purchase. This land, purchased from France in 1803, about doubled the size of the United States.

Through no effort of his own, Napoleon was born an American.

Other white children were in the same happy lot.

There was Susan Dillon, born in 1830 at the Shawnee Indian Mission in present-day Fairway, and Maria Meeker, born in 1834 to Baptist missionaries in Johnson County. Like Napoleon, they were among the first seven or so white children born in Kansas.

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Its a difficult number to pin down, retired historian John Mark Lambertson told me. Although widely reputed to be the first white child born in Kansas, Napoleon Boone may actually have been the second. The first, Lambertson said, was likely Lucia Francis Pixley, born in 1826 or 1827 to Christian missionaries in what is now Neosho County in southeast Kansas.

But any way you count it, these children were all Americans.

Yet they were aliens in a land that had not yet opened to Anglo settlement. Lambertson, who served 19 years as the director of the National Frontier Trails Museum at Independence, Mo., said all these first white children were born to fathers who were connected to an Indian agency, a religious mission, or perhaps the army at Fort Leavenworth. White settlement would not officially open until 1854, when Kansas became a territory.

Lucia and Napoleon and the other children and their families lived in areas populated mostly by indigenous people who were barred by the Constitution from being citizens of the United States. Citizenship for Native Americans would not come until 1924, with the Snyder Act. Voting rights would come even later, granted with glacial advance on a state-by-state basis.

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Ive been thinking about Napoleon and the other first white children of Kansas because President-elect Donald Windrip Trump promised in an interview last weekend to end birthright citizenship for newborns as part of his mass deportation plan for immigrants.

Trump said he would seek to repeal birthright citizenship by executive order. He is also considering removing immediate family members of the deported, even though some may be U.S. citizens, to keep families together.

Believe him, because hes packing his administration with the Macgoblins lined up to do it. Hes announced Stephen Miller  you remember, hes the guy who looks like hes sweating to beat Indiana Jones to the Ark of the Covenant  as chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. Miller said a few days ago mass deportations would be the top priority from the first day of Trumps new administration.

While legal scholars doubt Trump can actually end birthright citizenship because of the pesky 14thAmendment to the Constitution, Im not so sure. Trumps loyalists seem to care little for the rule of law, and some of those loyalists are on the Supreme Court.

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Bias, if not outright racism, has always played a part in our national memory. We know about Napoleon Boone and the others because a century and more ago, predominately white historical societies and the readers of white-owned newspapers were obsessed with these sorts of firsts.

The Kansas first white children are regional versions of the American fascination with Virginia Dare, born in 1587 at the lost colony of Roanoke, the first child of English parents in the New World. The village of a hundred or so colonists on the Outer Banks of North Carolina disappeared by 1590, leaving little trace except for the enigmatic word Croatoan carved on a tree.

The Virginia Dare mystery has become part of American myth and folklore, inspiring novels and plays and sadly white nationalists, including the anti-immigrant VDARE Foundation. If youre interested in the real history behind the Roanoke colony, dont let racists with fringe theories dissuade you from studying up on it. If youre intrigued by the story of Napoleon Boone or Maria Meeker, by all means pursue your interests.

The story of Jotham Meeker, the father of Maria, is particularly interesting.

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He likely brought the first printing press to Kansas, and at the Shawnee Baptist Mission produced a 24-page primer in the Delaware language. He would go on to print newspapers in 10 different Native American tongues, using a phonetic system. In 1837, he would found his own mission among the Ottawas in present-day Franklin County, Kansas. He died there in 1855.

Maria Meeker died in Nebraska, aged 87.

Susan Dillon died in Kansas City, aged 83.

Napoleon Boone went to California, where he died in 1850. He was 21.

We dont easily know the fates of the many hundreds of Native American and Black children who were contemporaries of Maria and Susan and Napoleon, but we do know they were born without citizenship. Some were also born into chattel slavery, and the records we have of them have come down to us because they were recorded as property in census records and probate cases.

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The president-elects desire to end birthright citizenship is just the latest in a long tradition of wicked plots to demonize, disenfranchise and own other human beings. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, granted formerly enslaved people the constitutional rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, including birthright citizenship. But in the regressive backlash to Reconstruction, there was a catch.

For many years, the Supreme Court ruled that the amendment did not extend the Bill of Rights to the states, notes the National Archives. A legacy of Reconstruction was the determined struggle of Black and White citizens to make the promise of the 14th Amendment a reality.  While these citizens did not succeed in empowering the 14th Amendment during Reconstruction, they effectively articulated arguments and offered dissenting opinions that would be the basis for change in the 20th Century.

But the citizenship that most of us have taken for granted since our births no matter what our color  is now in jeopardy.

Lets assume, for a moment, that Windrip invokes the Insurrection Act, mobilizes the U.S. military, and succeeds in bullying or conning his way into revoking birthright citizenship. Imagine the scenes that would play out across the country, in which armed troops conduct raids and set up checkpoints in which they ask for documentation to prove youre a citizen.

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In other words, theyd be asking for your papers.

Will a drivers license suffice? Well no, because you dont have to be a U.S. citizen in most states to get a drivers license. What about a Social Security card? Mine says its not to be used for identification purposes. Then I guess that leaves a birth certificate issued before Jan. 20, 2025, a green card, a valid U.S. passport, or some other kind of special documentation yet to be devised.

I doubt that Ill be asked to show any papers, because Im a white guy of a certain age. But the question for me  as it should be for you  is what happens when were at a checkpoint and see an entire family dragged out of their vehicles and put on the side of the road, hands behind their heads awaiting the deportation bus? What if some of those family members are clutching citizenship papers? How about when the neighbors next door with the newborn are rousted in the middle of the night? What do we do when a young mother is in her nightclothes, shivering with cold and fight?

What then?

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The choice will be simply to watch and do nothing  or put ourselves bodily between the authorities and the oppressed and go to jail ourselves. This is just a thought exercise now, but one that could become real soon enough.

Never mind all the talk about the murderers and the drug dealers being deported. Undocumented immigrants have a much lower rate of committing violent crimes or dealing drugs than U.S.-born citizens. They are also hard-working and do the kinds of jobs, such as meat packing and housekeeping, that many Americans refuse.

Care about children?

Deportation of a family member can have serious mental and physical effects on children. Imagine the upheaval of deporting newborns and their parents. Many undocumented families from Central and South America endure dangerous jungle passages teaming with violent criminals to reach a chance at a better life. From the beginning, the greatness of America has been woven from the human threads that came from elsewhere. The tired and poor and huddled masses should not be sorted by color.

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Right now, an expectant mother who is an undocumented citizen is waiting somewhere in the United States and watching the plan for mass deportation unfold. She may have been here for years, or she could have been recently arrived from Venezuela or Guatemala, having risked her life to swim across the Rio Grande.

She could be worried that she might not have the child by the January inauguration. If she delivers after that date, her child might not be granted birthright citizenship. That child could become human contraband, subject to the whims of immigration quislings and federal troops.

A child does not choose the circumstances of their birth. A newborn is perhaps the only completely innocent human being, thrust into the current of human events, full of promise but also uniquely vulnerable.

What kind of society sees a newborn as a threat?

Not the American society we know.

A hundred years from now, it is my fervent hope that some Kansas historians will be studying documents from our time  the birth certificates, letters, and family photos  and noting the Marias and Soledads and Nestors who were born to undocumented mothers Jan. 20, 2025. And I hope all of them became citizens by birth despite the sickness now dominating American politics.

Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.

This column was originally published in Kansas Reflector.
HEUVELTON, N.Y. (WWTI)  The American Red Cross is helping three people after a Sunday morning fire in St. Lawrence County.

Volunteers from the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to three people after a fire early Sunday morning on County Route 10 in Heuvelton.

Holiday shopping scams to avoid this winter

The Red Cross provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to three adults. Volunteers also offered emotional support, comfort kits containing personal care items, and health services.

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One resident is eligible for Veterans services. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
Cellebrite DI has come under pressure after an allegation that its tech was used for unethical practices in Serbia. The companys phone unlocking technology was used to install home-grown spyware on the mobile devices of journalists and activists. The allegations come from Amnesty International, which has based this news on the feedback received from Serbian activists.

Cellebrite DI is a leading provider of digital intelligence solutions in data extraction and mobile forensics. Law enforcement agencies typically use its technologies to extract data from mobile devices. It allows them to carry out investigations smoothly with quick access to data stored on mobile phones that are part of an investigation.

The company makes money from providing consulting and training services to organizations that use its technology for their investigative needs. It also develops custom solutions for such organizations. A large part of its revenue comes from a subscription to its software services.

watching, spying

According to Amnesty International, Cellebrites software was used to unlock phones and install spyware dubbed NoviSpy on multiple mobile phones. In some cases, journalists reported suspicious activities on their devices right after meeting government officials. One activist reported that his whole contacts list was immediately exported right after a meeting with officials of the BIA, the Serbian Intelligence Agency.

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As Serbias use of Cellebrites tech comes under fire, it must be mentioned that this isnt exactly the purpose of the companys technology. While it's true that law enforcement uses it to unlock phones, the purpose of that is to aid in investigations, not in spying on journalists and activists. Serbia got access to this software as part of a package funded by the Norwegian government through the United Nations to allow the country to fight organized crime. The use by government agencies has therefore come under fire and Norway isnt happy either. The countrys deputy foreign minister, Maria Varteressian plans to take up the matter with the UN and Serbian authorities.

Cellebrite stock is up 140% in a year and has been on an uptrend since the Israel-Palestine conflict started in October last year. The companys financial prospects are unlikely to be majorly impacted by this development as it isnt directly responsible for the misuse of the product, nor did it directly supply it to the Serbian authorities. However, in the wake of Israels phone-exploding attack on Lebanons Hezbollah, spying software is being talked about more than before. This exposes the industry to stricter regulation, though we believe that is unlikely to cause much trouble as the company already has good relationships with governments due to the nature of its business.

Cellebrite DI doesn't rank on our latest list of the 31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 30 hedge fund portfolios held CLBT at the end of the third quarter which was 32 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of CLBT as a leading investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as CLBT but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland.

Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.
Serbia's security services are monitoring the mobile phones of journalists and activists critical of the government using illegally installed spyware, Amnesty International claimed on Monday.

Experts from the human rights group were able to detect data-transmitting software on the devices of 13 activists and journalists, Amnesty's report said.

The surveillance was carried out by the police and the Serbian domestic secret service BIA. The report reconstructs the surveillance based on interviews with the people concerned.

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The activists and journalists were summoned by the authorities for so-called "informative talks," a practice from communist times when the secret services interrogated members of the opposition without clear cause.

The individuals concerned were asked to hand in their mobile phones at the entrance. During the conversation software was installed that made it accessible, and the authorities then installed spyware such as the controversial Israeli product Pegasus, or a self-developed program called NoviSpy online.

Amnesty says a journalist from the southern city of Danilovgrad was among those affected, as were activists opposing the planned mining of lithium in a nature reserve.

"Digital surveillance in Serbia is taking place amid rising state repression and a deteriorating climate for free expression," Amnesty wrote in the report.

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Participants in peaceful protests are being arrested without reason and detained without charge, and government-controlled media defames activists as "traitors," the group claimed. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic is said to be personally involved in these defamation campaigns.

The people cited in the report who were under surveillance said they felt violated, vulnerable and alone. Some said they began to doubt the point of their actions.

The Serbian Ministry of the Interior and the BIA rejected the accusations as "nonsense" and "false," the state broadcaster RTS reported on its website.
By Manuela Andreoni

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The arrest of a four-star general in Brazil over the weekend shows courts are ready to play hardball with those accused of plotting to violently overturn election results, breaking with the impunity that shadowed nearly a century of military coups.

Former Brazilian Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto was arrested on Saturday for allegedly meddling in the investigation of a coup plot organized with former President Jair Bolsonaro, his running mate in the 2022 election.

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Last month, federal police accused them and over two dozen active and retired military officers of taking part in the plot, including a scheme to kill President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva before he could take office.

Lawyers for Bolsonaro and Braga Netto deny they took part in the alleged conspiracy or would have benefited from one.

The preventive arrest and police report targeting military brass suggest they may not enjoy the traditional amnesty for members of Brazil's armed forces who punctuated the 20th century with their political interventions.

It may also provide a test for Lula's fraught relationship with the Brazilian military.

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Before Braga Netto, military historians cite just two such high-ranking generals arrested for meddling with presidential succession in the 1920s and the 1960s.

Unlike Argentina and Chile, where armed forces also brought down elected governments to install bloody dictatorships during the Cold War, Brazil never punished the leaders of its military regime from 1964 to 1985.

Due to a 1979 law pardoning the crimes of the military government, Brazilian courts have all but ignored public evidence that the dictatorship tortured thousands of people and killed hundreds, according to a 2014 government report.

"Because there was no punishment, because that history wasn't told, it's alive  like a serpent's egg," said Eliana Pintor, 62, one of hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in the Sao Paulo rain on Tuesday to demand Bolsonaro and his alleged co-conspirators be brought to trial.

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Brazil's prosecutor general is expected to decide next year whether to bring charges against Bolsonaro and his associates, who deny any wrongdoing and call the investigation legally suspect and politically motivated.

Bolsonaro's allies in Congress are pushing a bill granting amnesty to the former president and his supporters facing legal jeopardy for vandalizing government buildings in Brasilia in January 2023 during a protest calling for the military to overturn election results.

Although that bill currently faces political and legal hurdles, Brazil's often slow-moving justice system could take years to try to eventually punish Bolsonaro and other targets of the federal police investigation concluded last month.

A survey released on Friday showed 51% of Brazilians believe Bolsonaro and military officers attempted a coup to block Lula's presidency. But the Genial/Quaest poll found 38% disagreed  underscoring the deep political divisions that could eventually derail prosecution.

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Still, even the prospect of alleged coup-plotting generals on trial would break with precedent in Brazil.

"It's a great novelty and a great challenge to Brazil's justice system," said Paulo Abrao, the executive director of the Washington Brazil Office, a progressive think tank that has worked on accountability for crimes during the dictatorship.

Abrao said that efforts to prosecute senior military officers in Brazil have long faced resistance from those fearing that such a move would "destabilize democracy."

TESTING RELATIONS

For Lula, who entered politics as a union leader organizing strikes against the military government in the 1970s and whose allies include former members of the armed resistance to that regime, a trial could test his delicate relationship with the military.

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Defense Minister Jose Mucio stressed in a statement to Reuters that the evidence presented by the federal police points to acts by individuals, not the institution of the armed forces.

That view is widely shared in the military, according to three senior officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Still, setting aside ideology, material interests have weighed on relations between the military and Lula's government.

In Bolsonaro's government, military officers held positions of power unlike anything seen since the end of the dictatorship. Thousands took well-paid jobs in the federal government and several served as ministers in Bolsonaro's cabinet.

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Carlos Fico, a military historian at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, said that the alleged coup attempt may have been "less motivated by ideology and doctrine than a desire to maintain a series of benefits, such as government jobs and the special retirement conditions the military has in Brazil."

Bolsonaro himself burst onto the public scene in the late 1980s, soon after the end of Brazil's military government, as an army captain demanding higher wages for soldiers and built his power advocating for the interests of military rank and file.

Those benefits are now under pressure as Lula's government has looked for ways to trim the public payroll and pensions, including a proposal to raise the minimum retirement age for military officers to 55.

Two people involved in the discussions said the resistance from the armed forces has carried more weight than in other parts of the federal government facing proposed cuts.

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However, political ramifications are secondary for the many Brazilians who have been waiting most of their lives to see soldiers held responsible for their crimes.

Victoria Grabois, an 81-year-old human rights activist, lost her husband, father and brother in 1973 due to their opposition to the dictatorship. Her efforts to bring their killers to justice have been fruitless.

"No one ever sat for trial," she said.

Although the officers accused last month of plotting to overturn the 2022 election had nothing to do with the crimes against her family, Grabois said she is heartened by the prospect of accountability.

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"Maybe this will put a stop to the coup-mongering desire in the military," she said.

(Reporting by Manuela Andreoni; Additional reporting by Marcela Ayres and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia, and Eduardo Simoes in Sao Paulo; Editing by Brad Haynes and Alistair Bell)
WASHINGTON  Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) thinks public alarm over drones in the night sky has been fueled by lack of information from the federal government.

Federal officials have insisted theres no cause for panic and most of the drone sightings are actually just normal planes.

To see for himself, on Thursday evening Kim accompanied local police in northern New Jersey, where he shot video of what officers said were suspicious flying objects. The next day, however, Kim consulted civilian aviators and other experts and reckoned most of the drones hed seen were actually regular manned aircraft.

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The local police were telling me, like, those are drones, Kim told HuffPost on Monday. If local police are potentially misidentifying things because its just not their area of expertise, then lets put information out there for them.

Drone sightings in New Jersey and other East Coast states have been freaking people out since November, with one Republican lawmaker dubiously claiming the drones came from an Iranian mothership, others calling for new legislation to curb private drone activity and a military base in Ohio briefly restricting its air space over the weekend.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said in a joint statement last week that there was no evidence that the reported drone sightings were some sort of threat, or even evidence of unusual drone activity.

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, the FBI and DHS said. 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.

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On Saturday, administration officials detailed their investigative work in a background call with reporters, saying theyd set up a tip line, consulted with local police and checked airport traffic patterns to verify that most of the supposed drones were, in fact, planes going to and from airports. There were drones out there, they said, but none that were believed to be suspicious or involved in nefarious activity. They noted its legal to fly a drone so long as it stays within 400 feet of the ground. An FBI official said they thought there had been a slight overreaction by the public.

The official statements did seemingly little to calm the apparent public concern over the drones. President-elect Donald Trump, who said Friday the government should either explain whats going on or go ahead and shoot the flying objects down, suggested Monday the government is hiding something.

The government knows what is happening. Look, our military knows where they took off from. If its a garage, they can go right into that garage. They know where it came from and where it went. For some reason they dont want to comment, Trump said in Florida.

Our military knows and our president knows and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense, Trump said, adding that something strange is going on.

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On Saturday, when he acknowledged most of the flying objects hed seen were planes, Kim explained why he thought the governments statements were not calming people down.

Press releases from federal agencies that dont share analysis of evidence and instead just reiterate statements arent helpful in this moment. We have a lot of distrust in politics/government right now, and we need federal gov to respect the right for the public to be informed, Kim said on social media.

Kim told HuffPost Trumps statement sounds much more like its accusing of intentionally withholding information and misinforming purposefully. I have not seen anything of that nature. I dont know where hes coming from in terms of that information.
Dec. 16An annual military spending bill that New Mexico's federal laboratories and military installations rely on is expected to be taken up by the U.S. Senate this week.

The $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act would provide $2.2 billion in defense spending to New Mexico. It passed the House of Representatives by 281-140 on Wednesday. Some of New Mexico's congressional representatives voted against the bill because of an amendment related to restricting coverage of gender-affirming care in certain instances, but the state's senators will likely vote for it.

"The NDAA is by its very nature a compromise," said Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. "I am always reticent to vote against the NDAA. It's an incredibly important piece of legislation, and as long as there aren't truly poison pills in it, I try to be as supportive of our military and our active duty members as I possibly can be."

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Heinrich also wants to maintain the inertia of passing a defense authorization bill every single year. In recent years, the federal budget process has included short-term continuing resolutions instead of one federal budget.

"Continuing resolutions are really destructive to the military in particular," Heinrich said.

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., said he also will likely support the military spending bill, which has passed for decades with bipartisan support.

"What I see here is that Republicans in the House were just trying to play games and gimmicks by adding language that they knew there would be opposition from other colleagues in the chamber," Lujan said, referring to the gender-affirming care amendment. "I don't know if it was to try to take it down or to try to make a political point, but the national security of the American people is too important for people to be playing games like this."

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In the House, Democratic Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Melanie Stansbury voted against the NDAA.

Ahead of last week's vote, Stansbury said the bill had funding vital to New Mexico and that the military pay raises included in this year's NDAA were good governance, but she was concerned about culture war riders being added to the bill.

Leger Fernandez said in a statement after the vote that her "no" was because of a last-minute provision that prevents parents with TRICARE, the health insurance for military service members, from using it to provide gender-affirming care for children under 18. Gender-affirming care can include a range of medical treatments for people with gender dysphoria.

"Much of this year's NDAA is rooted in improving the quality of life for our service members and their families," Leger Fernandez said in a statement. "These measures, like the 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and 4.5% pay raise for all other service members, provide our military personnel with the resources they deserve.

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"That's why it's appalling that the Republican majority decided to use the historically bipartisan bill to attack military families with the inclusion of a provision which would deny parents the ability to provide health care for their transgender children."

Fellow New Mexico Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted yes.

"The provisions I secured will directly benefit New Mexico and our service members, including a historic pay raise, job protections for our rural service members and expanded access to reproductive care," Vasquez said in a statement.

Vasquez's Rural Installation Job Protection Act, which requires the Defense Department to notify Congress before canceling contracts that impact 50 or more jobs at rural military installations, was included in the final House bill. Republican-led provisions to restrict access to gender-affirming care for service members were also stripped from the final bill, Vasquez said.

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"While we have secured wins for New Mexico, there's more work to be done; Congress must also ensure their dependents have access to affordable, quality health care," Vasquez said in a statement.

The NDAA would provide $1.5 billion to Los Alamos National Laboratory for plutonium modernization, which includes $48.5 million for a plutonium mission safety and quality building; $275 million for defense environmental cleanup at Los Alamos; $425.4 million for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad; and $1.8 million for Sandia National Laboratories. The bill would also fund a $29 million missile assembly support building on White Sands Missile Range and a $15.5 million combat rescue helicopter simulator for Kirtland Air Force Base.

"Whenever I'm working on these bills, I often remember my dad, who was an iron worker," Lujan said. "My dad was a welder. He found a way to raise a family by helping to build and work at the national labs. How many families do we have across New Mexico where that job opportunity is providing more opportunities for them as well?"
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met today with the Holy See's Secretary of State for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, within the framework of his visit to the country, Trend reports.

According to information, the one-on-one meeting between the two sides was continued in an extended meeting with the delegations.

During the enlarged meeting, the prospects of development of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, as well as regional and international security issues were discussed.

Moreover, it was noted that the observed increase in the dynamics of mutual visits and contacts between the two countries is a source of satisfaction, making a serious contribution to the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See in the political, cultural, humanitarian spheres. The importance of the beginning of the activity of Azerbaijan's embassy in Vatican for bilateral relations was noted with satisfaction. The visits of Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 were noted, and confidence was expressed that the mutual visits will continue.

Meanwhile, active participation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation acting under the leadership of First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva in restoration of cultural monuments of international importance located in many regions of the world, including the Holy See, was praised.

The measures taken are continuation of the existing experience and activity of Azerbaijan in the field of promotion of multiculturalism, interest in development of cooperation in this direction, as well as with the Holy See was noted.

Jeyhun Bayramov also informed the other side in detail about the results of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Azerbaijan this year, stressing that within the framework of COP29 successfully held under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan, in addition to a number of important events and initiatives, the Global Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders was organized.

Also, the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, as well as the current state of the normalization of relations and peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the work carried out by the delimitation commissions were described in detail. While important progress has been made in advancing the peace agenda initiated by Azerbaijan, it was noted that the ongoing territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the Armenian Constitution and other legislation, as well as the rapid arming of Armenia, pose a threat to the peace and security of the region.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher expressed gratitude for the conditions created during the construction of the church, noting that he feels great satisfaction with the consecration of the Catholic Church, which will be built in honor of John Paul II.

In the course of the meeting there was also an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest, the information notes.
Anonymous Content and Alex Gibneys Jigsaw Productions are teaming up to develop and produce a documentary project about the December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

From the crimes seemingly meticulous execution to the alleged killers manifesto and his Ivy League background to the publics unapologetic apathy towards the victim, the investigative deep dive will ask how killers are created, what this killing says about our society and the values we place on who lives and who dies.

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Thompson, who became UnitedHealthcares CEO in April 2021 after more than 20 years at the company, was shot and killed on the morning of December 4th in midtown Manhattan. The shooting has sparked a national conversation around Americans frustration with the healthcare industry and health insurance companies denial of claims and care, as well as rising costs. According to multiple news sources, UnitedHealthcare has the highest claim denial rate among American insurance companies, rejecting 32% of claims compared to the industry average of 16%.

On Monday, December 9th, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania and charged with murder in connection with the shooting following a five-day manhunt. He was found with a ghost gun that authorities said was similar to the one used by the killer, as well as a handwritten manifesto about the healthcare industry. Mangione, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020, reportedly suffered from back pain and underwent surgery to treat it in recent years.

Gibneys work has been the recipient of an Academy Award, multiple Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, several Peabody Awards, DuPont-Columbia Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, Writers Guild Awards, and more. His films include Taxi to the Dark Side (2008 Oscar); Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (Oscar-nominated 2006); triple Emmy award, Peabody award, WGA screenplay award, and Dupont Columbia award winning Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (HBO), among many others. Gibneys most recent work includes the music documentary, In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and is now available on MGM+. Wise Guys: David Chase & The Sopranos, Gibneys two-part series on the iconic show, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2024, now available on HBO Max.

The feature documentary, The Bibi Files, an inside look into the corruption charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which premiered at DOCNYC and is available exclusively on Jolt. Gibney is currently in production on the documentary Musk about the tech giant Elon Musk and Knife a tentatively titled documentary inspired by Salman Rushdies memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, published in April. Gibney is the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the News & Documentary Emmys.

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For months, customers at the Forest Glen Annex commissary in Silver Spring, Maryland, have asked: When will our commissary reopen?

As of now, the answer remains unclear.

Months after this commissary closed, customers still seek answers

The garrison commander closed the store in the Washington suburbs in May because of visible cracks observed in the walls and floor, said Supunnee Ulibarri, spokeswoman for the Defense Commissary Agencys Central/Eastern United States and Europe regions.

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Right now, we cannot address reopening until we complete the assessments of the Forest Glen commissary for safety, Ulibarri said.

Nobody knows whats going on and nobody will return emails or voice messages [to the commissary agency], a retired Army officer who shops at the Forest Glen Annex commissary told Military Times. The only information that I was able to ascertain was that the building had floor structural damage and that it would be closed until further notice.  Im not sure if this is a trend with several commissaries.

The Forest Glen Annex commissary is among at least two commissaries this year to have been shut down for months due to structural issues. Military Times recently reported on the closure of the commissary at Mitchel Field, New York, where customers are also having trouble getting answers about the timeline for reopening their store, which closed in early July.

Commissaries are designed to offer discounted groceries as a benefit for eligible service members, veterans and their families.

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There are 28,316 eligible commissary shopper households within 20 miles of the Forest Glen commissary, according to Ulibarri. Of these, 5,852 are active duty.

The Mitchel Field and Forest Glen commissaries are the only commissaries currently shut down because of facility infrastructure problems, Ulibarri said.

There is no issue with funding to make the repairs in either case, she said. The funding for construction, repairs and renovation of commissary buildings comes from the 5% surcharge customers pay at checkout.

Months after this commissary closed, customer still seek answers

As with the Mitchel Field commissary, officials are still assessing the structural damage of the Forest Glen store, an aging facility built in 1971.

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In late June, structural and geotechnical assessments were completed and recommendations were made to keep the commissary closed until an additional geotechnical investigation could be conducted, Ulibarri said. A contract for that assessment was awarded in September; the site investigations continue, with a report due in early 2025.

These assessments, followed by plans for repair, are necessary to ensure a safe, healthy shopping and working environment for customers and employees, Ulibarri said.

Meanwhile, like the Mitchel Field commissary, officials have set up weekly drop-off deliveries for Forest Glen customers through the commissary agencys Click2Go system. Customers must place their orders at least 48 hours before the Thursday drop-off. Orders are filled from the Fort Myer, Virginia, commissary nearly 15 miles away and delivered to the Forest Glen stores parking lot, where customers can pick up their orders from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays.

Forest Glen customers should go to the Click2Go program by logging into their shop.commissaries.com account and choosing the Fort Myer Commissary location. After choosing the products, when checking out, customers must select switch to drop-off and select Forest Glen as their drop-off location. Customers must also pay online, as the pay in store option remains unavailable due to the temporary closure.
WASHINGTON  For the third time since Donald Trump won the presidential election last month, a federal judge is canceling plans for retirement, effectively denying Trump the ability to fill that court seat with someone younger and more ideologically conservative.

I write to advise that, after careful consideration, I have decided to continue in regular active service as a United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, U.S. appeals court judge James Wynn wrote to President Joe Biden on Friday.

As a result of that decision, I respectfully withdraw my letter to you of January 5, 2024, said Wynn. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.

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The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Wynn is the first U.S. appeals court judge to rescind his resignation since Trump won, but the third federal judge to do so. The other two are North Carolina District Judge Max Cogburn, who is 73, and Ohio District Judge Algenon Marbley, who is 70. All are Democratic appointees, and all hold lifetime appointments.

Wynn, 70, had told the White House in January that he planned to retire as soon as his successor was confirmed. In July, Biden nominated Ryan Park, who is currently the solicitor general of North Carolina, to replace him.

Park made it all the way through the Senate nomination process and was waiting for a final confirmation vote  until Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) cut a deal with Republicans last month to confirm nine of Bidens district court nominees in exchange for not holding votes on any of Bidens four remaining appeals court nominees.

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The deal essentially killed Parks nomination. He withdrew his nomination on Thursday  and the next day, Wynn informed Biden that he had changed his mind about retiring.

Heres a copy of his letter:

The theme emerging from these judges canceling their retirements is that theyd rather stick it out for another four years on the federal bench and hope to be replaced by a potential Democratic president in 2028 instead of letting Trump replace them with younger, far-right conservatives.

Trump confirmed 234 lifetime federal judges in his first term, a huge number that was thanks largely to then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) taking an aggressive stance on confirming judges. They specifically prioritized confirming appeals court judges, who hold more powerful seats than district court judges. By the end of Trumps term, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. appeals court judges was a Trump pick, and the majority were white, male, right-wing ideologues.

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Senate Republicans are eager to get back to filling more federal court seats under Trump after four years of Biden, who is on track to surpass Trumps number of confirmed judges. Some are furious to see sitting judges changing their minds about retirement.

Judge Wynns brazenly partisan decision to rescind his retirement is an unprecedented move that demonstrates some judges are nothing more than politicians in robes, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) fumed in a Saturday statement.

The North Carolina Republican had previously opposed Parks nomination to Wynns seat, and then when Park withdrew from consideration, Tillis warned Wynn not to change his mind about retiring because now Trump should get to replace him. Welp.

Judge Wynn clearly takes issue with the fact that Donald Trump was just elected President, and this decision is a slap in the face to the U.S. Senate, which came to a bipartisan agreement to hold off on confirming his replacement until the next Congress is sworn-in in January, said Tillis. The Senate Judiciary Committee should hold a hearing on his blatant attempt to turn the judicial retirement system into a partisan game, and he deserves the ethics complaints and recusal demands from the Department of Justice heading his way.

When Donald Trump takes office in January, he'll get at least three fewer judicial vacancies to fill due to sitting judges changing their minds about retiring after he won the presidency in November. via Associated Press

McConnell has complained about the two district judges canceling their retirements.

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Looking to history, only two judges have ever un-retired after a presidential election  one Democrat in 2004, and one Republican in 2009, McConnell said on the Senate floor in early December.

But now, in just a matter of weeks, Democrats have already met that all-time record, he said. Its hard to conclude that this is anything other than open partisanship.

Its not clear if a judges decision to cancel retirement plans violates any ethics rules.

Senate Republicans complaints of partisanship in the judicial nomination process gloss over how brazenly partisan they were when it came to pushing through Trumps court picks. In addition to changing Senate rules to make it easier to confirm more of his judicial nominees, McConnell led the GOP in an unprecedented decision to deny a Supreme Court seat to Obamas pickin 2016, and then deny Biden the chance to fill another Supreme Courtin late 2020.

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You cant win em all, McConnell said as the Senate confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020. Elections have consequences.

As of Monday, Biden has confirmed 233 lifetime federal judges. Democrats still control the Senate and are expected to use the final weeks of the year to confirm as many of his six remaining district court nominees as they can. If they confirm all six, Biden will leave office with a total of 239 lifetime federal judges  five more than Trump got in his first term.
Matthew J. Perry Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Columbia. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  The states prison system does not have to allow interviews with inmates, a federal appeals court decided, echoing a decision from a lower court.

Three federal judges dismissed a lawsuit by the states American Civil Liberties Union, upholding a Department of Corrections policy prohibiting in-person and phone interviews with inmates.

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The ACLU wants to publish interviews with two prisoners: Death row inmate Marion Bowman, whose execution warrant is expected in January, and Sofia Cano, a transgender woman who the ACLU represents in a separate lawsuit claiming the corrections department illegally declined to give her hormone treatments.

The ACLU can speak to the inmates through its legal team, but the organization wanted an employee who is not an attorney to conduct the interviews and publish them on the groups blog, an attorney for the group argued last month. Attorneys, law enforcement and investigators are allowed to interview inmates.

Not allowing that violates the groups First Amendment right to free speech, the ACLU argued.

In their decision, the three appeals judges pointed to past court cases saying reporters, or anyone else conducting interviews, do not have the right to more access or information than the general public. Because members of the public cant walk into a prison and talk to inmates, neither can anyone looking to interview inmates for publication, the order reads.

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Whether an interview is to be conducted in person or over the phone, SCDCs policy applies equally to the media and the general public, the appeals judges wrote.

Inmates can write letters to anyone theyd like, including reporters, giving them an acceptable alternative to phone calls and in-person visits, the judges wrote.

Corrections staff also give reporters tours of the states 21 prisons, and reporters can sometimes interview inmates, though the topics are limited to the reason for the tour, such as the inmates participation in a certain program.

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The department has said its policy is in place for safety reasons. Inmates could divulge information that creates a security risk, get famous from an interview or use code words to get a message to someone outside, attorneys told the court last month and have written in legal filings.

Prisoners who violate the policy can lose certain privileges.

That was the case for Alex Murdaugh, who a jury convicted last year of killing his wife and son, and Susan Smith, who was convicted of killing her two young sons in 1994. Both lost phone and computer access after giving out information for documentaries, Smith to a filmmaker and Murdaugh to his attorney, who was recording the call.

Sofia Canos case

Canos case arguing the state should provide her hormones as a method of gender transition is ongoing. The ACLU asked a judge in October to make a decision without going to trial in an effort to speed along a decision.

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Attorneys for the corrections department argued against that request, saying the judge did not have the facts required for a judgment.

The federal lawsuit, which the ACLU filed in 2022, argues the corrections department is illegally denying to provide for Canos hormone therapy.

Transgender inmates can access hormones if they pay for the treatment, as well as the hourly rates of the officers transporting them to a medical facility, out of their own pocket, the ACLU said in legal filings.

The human rights group also wants the court to guarantee that Cano has access to makeup, nail polish and razors to shave her face; that staff will use Canos preferred pronouns and legal name; and that she will be able to choose her roommates or have a room to herself, according to legal filings.

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Cano currently has razors to shave her face, and she is in a room with another transgender inmate, who she has said she feels safe around, the corrections department said in response.

Cano had access to nail polish and makeup until recently, when the warden of the prison where she is housed decided the products were creating a security risk because inmates could use the makeup to cover bruises and cuts in order to hide fights from officers, or to dress up pillows like people in escape attempts, the departments filing continued.

Cano, who is 22, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter in 2019 for fatally stabbing her mother 28 times four years earlier, when she was 13 years old. She was diagnosed with autism during evaluations while awaiting trial, which her attorneys said made her unable to process her emotions, the Greenville News reported in 2019.

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She was 17 when she was sentenced and sent to Kirkland Correctional in Columbia as Miguel Cano.

While in prison, Cano began to experience gender dysphoria, an extreme form of distress that happens when a persons outward gender presentation differs from how they see themselves. She legally changed her name to Sofia, but her prison record still uses her name at sentencing.

And department staff declined to give her hormone therapy, which causes a person to appear more like the gender with which they identify, the lawsuit claims. Department policy is to give a person gender-transition hormones only if they started treatment before entering the prison, the ACLU said in legal filings.

The departments policy came from a directive first included in the 2014 fiscal year budget and adopted every year after. The budget clause prohibits the department from using state taxpayer dollars to pay for sexual reassignment surgery and directs the department to continue providing hormones to inmates who were using them before their arrest.

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But the budget clause does not address whether the public should pay for hormonal treatments for inmates diagnosed after theyre imprisoned, a judge pointed out in an order directing the corrections department to evaluate Cano for gender dysphoria.

After hiring a doctor to evaluate Cano, the corrections department is arguing that she does not have gender dysphoria or need hormone treatments, and that Cano should first undergo intensive therapy about her crime, which she has resisted in the past, according to legal filings.

Earlier this year, legislators passed a ban on state tax dollars going toward any gender transition procedures, including hormones. But that state law wont have any bearing on the case, which argues a ban would violate the U.S. Constitution, an attorney for the ACLU said, adding that if a federal judge agreed, that would supersede any state law.

The ACLU wants to interview Cano to give the public a firsthand account of what its like to struggle with gender dysphoria behind prison walls, the organization said in its First Amendment lawsuit.

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To make an informed decision about the propriety of transgender healthcare bans, the public has a right to hear about the devastating physical and emotional costs of denying medical care to individuals with gender dysphoria, the lawsuit reads.

Marion Bowman

The ACLUs case gained speed after executions resumed in September, giving the group a deadline to interview Bowman before he faces the states death chamber.

Bowman, 44, was convicted of shooting a 21-year-old Orangeburg mother to death in 2001. Claiming the woman, Kandee Martin, owed him money, Bowman got in her car and instructed her to drive to a rural part of Dorchester County, where he shot her repeatedly, according to court testimony.

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After unsuccessfully trying to sell Martins car, Bowman returned to the scene of the killing, put her body in the trunk, and set the car on fire, court documents read. He was convicted in 2002 of arson and murder.

Based on a schedule the state Supreme Court released in August, Bowman will be the next inmate up for execution. The earliest he could receive a death warrant would be Jan. 3 after judges on the states high court agreed to pause executions until after the winter holidays.

As Bowman applies for clemency, the ACLU wants to publish him telling his story in his own words, according to court filings.
NEW PARIS, Ohio (WDTN)  National Trail Schools is giving flowers to a longtime principal upon his retirement.

According to our partners at the Register Herald, Ed Eales attended his final school board meeting after 25 years at the district.

Ed Eales receives certificate of service from National Trail Schools/ Photo provided by Marilyn McConahay of the Register Herald.

Eales was a teacher for 7 years and an administrator for 18.

National Trail Schools Superintendent Jen Couch expressed gratitude for Eales on behalf of the district.

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As your administrative team, we appreciate your support, your attitude, your sense of humor and your friendship, Couch said amongst a standing ovation for Eales.

At the board meeting, Eales gave a report of the districts activities in the month of November. Notable items included third graders fall reading scores, donuts with grownups, a bowling event and more.

Read more at the Register Heralds 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 WDTN.com.
The News

Argentine President Javier Milei will attend US President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, Mileis office confirmed with local media Sunday.

Mileis attendance is a break with tradition, as world leaders typically skip US presidential inaugurations with foreign diplomats attending in their stead.

According to Argentine newspaper La Nacion, Milei  a staunch Trump supporter who attended the president-elects Mar-A-Lago victory party after the November election  was initially hesitant, but decided to accept after Trump personally called him.

CNN reported that Trump has also invited Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele, although it is unclear whether they will attend.
During her two years in office, Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed more than 200 bills, shattering the record for such things, alienating the Republican-controlled Legislature, putting herself at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome and making one terrible mistake.

During the last legislative session, Hobbs vetoed House Bill 2793, which would have prohibited the use of cellphones during the school day.

She said at the time that the legislation wasnt needed, as schools in the state already were addressing the issue.

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No.

Not good enough.

Horne is right to call cellphone use an 'addiction'

I understand where Hobbs is coming from. The bill was heavily promoted by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, whose list of bad ideas far outnumber Hobbs vetoes.

But he got this right.

Horne spoke at the time about how teachers already have heavy burdens, but it makes it that much more difficult to be constantly nagging on kids to put their cellphones away.

He added, At this point, the addiction has gotten so great that they dont do it.

Calling it an addiction is the right word. We know this because that same addiction is just as great for the students parents. And for everyone else.

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Given the frenetic advances in artificial intelligence, we have a limited time to teach our young people how to think for themselves before AI does all the thinking for them.

California and Florida have banned school use

Two states at opposite ends of the country and on opposite ends of just about everything else, Florida and California, share a steadfast belief about one thing: Students shouldnt have cellphones in school.

They are part of the rising number of states instituting such policies.

The Pew Research Center said in a report that 72% of high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in their classrooms.

Opinion: Phones in schools make me fear for our youth

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom said of the problem, We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues  but we have the power to intervene. This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world in front of them, not their screens, when theyre in school.

Every adult understands this problem because just about every adult has this problem.

Treat phones like other things that endanger kids

How often have you seen a family at a restaurant sitting in a table or booth, not looking at one another, parents and youngsters all scrolling on their cellphones?

Horne says hell be promoting another cellphone ban for schools this legislative session.

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He said of Hobbs veto, Leaving this to districts means some teachers will still have to teach to classes of students scrolling on cellphones, which no teacher should be required to do.

What the rest of us should be required to do is protect school kids from what harms them, the way we do all we can in schools to shield them from weapons or drugs or gangs.

If you dont believe cellphones pose a danger to students, you havent been paying attention.

Probably because youve been scrolling.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

For more opinions content, please subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phones in schools are dangerous. Arizona must ban them | Opinion
Chris Racey, speaks during a Arkansas Game and Fish Commission meeting at Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro. (Courtesy of AGFC)

Members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on Monday appointed their chief of staff to be the agencys interim director, effective Jan. 4.

Mondays special-called meeting was primarily held in a private executive session, and members approved Chris Raceys appointment with no public discussion.

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They also voted to send a formal request to state human resources and fiscal officials to obtain information from three search firms to help identify the next AGFC director. Chairman J.D. Neeley estimated the price to be below a $75,000 procurement threshold for a request for proposal (RFP).

Racey, 49, did not address the commission during Mondays meeting, but he told the Advocate afterward that he was really grateful for the commissioners confidence in me to serve as the interim director in a few weeks.

Racey has worked with the agency since 2005, starting as a fish biologist and working his way up to the directors office. He said hes nearly hit every rung on the ladder.

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Director Austin Booth announced his resignation, which is effective Jan. 4, at the conclusion of the agencys regular November meeting. Though Booth didnt announce his next professional endeavor at the meeting, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette later reported that Booth will become the CEO of Banded Holdings, a parent company to several brands in the waterfowl hunting industry.

Booth became the agencys director in June 2021. He previously served as a captain in the United States Marine Corps. Before becoming AGFCs director, he worked as the chief of staff and chief financial officer at the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, according to AGFC.

Racey said he was thankful for Booths three and a half years of leadership at the AGFC and he is looking forward to working with Booth over the next few weeks until he leaves office.

Though theres no way to know how long the search for a permanent director will last, Racey said hes prepared to stay as long as the commission and state need him.

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[AGFC] is a phenomenal place to work, and were so blessed to work in a state that loves the outdoors, Racey said. They love conservation, hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and its an honor to be able to work with the staff here at the agency that love those things too.

Racey lives in Maumelle.

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A man died Saturday night in Bay St. Louis after he showed up armed at an ex-girlfriends home and was shot by a family member, police said.

Police were called at 9:30 p.m. to the 900 block of Bookter Street and found the man with a gunshot wound, Interim Chief Alvin Kingston said.

The man arrived at the home, where the woman lived, in violation of a domestic violence protection order, police said. The man became aggressive and held a gun in a threatening manner, Kingston said.

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Kingston said an armed family member at the scene shot the man in fear for their life and others. No one else was injured.

Police made no arrests by Sunday.

All parties involved in this shooting incident knew each other and are accounted for, Kingston said. We are not searching for any suspects.

Kingston said Sunday afternoon police would not publicly identify the man who died until authorities notify his family. Police also will not release the name of the family member they say shot the man because of an ongoing investigation, Kingston said.

The Bay St. Louis Police Department is asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (228) 467-9222 or the Hancock County Dispatch Center at (228) 255-9191. Police said anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers at www.mscoastcrimestoppers.com, by telephone at 1-877-787-5898 or by using the Crimestoppers P3 TIPS app on a mobile device.
CHICAGO  An arson investigation is underway after burglars set fire to a building on the citys South Side.

It happened around 11:50 p.m. Sunday at a commercial business on the 5800 block of South Ashland Avenue in the Englewood neighborhood.

Police said two men used bolt cutters to enter the commercial business, then attempted to break into a safe but were unsuccessful.

According to police, the offenders then used an accelerant to set ablaze the building.

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Pedestrian struck and killed by Metra train in Oak Park

No injuries were reported and there is no one in custody. The arson unit is investigating.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a law on amendments to the law On encumbrance of movable property, Trend reports.

According to the document, the scope of the law is expanded to include serial number of movable property, i.e. identification number consisting of letter, digit or their combination, set on the property by the manufacturer.

President Ilham Aliyev also signed a decree on the application of the law.
ISTANBUL, TurkeySitting inside a coffee shop in Istanbul, Turkey, on a rainy morning in December, Hiba Brais remembers the day in May 2011 that her father was arrested. She was alone at home with her mother in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, when she heard knocks on the door. Hiba went to open it thinking it was one of the neighbors. Instead, she found herself facing several security officers, who pushed her aside and swiftly entered the house demanding where her father was.

Hibas father, who prefers not to be named for this article, had a successful business selling air conditioning equipment, often traveling to Jordan, Qatar, Iran, Lebanon, Cyprus and Greece for his work. She asked the men what they wanted with him. Shut up, she recalled them replying. It is none of your business. Shortly after they left, they caught up with her father, then 47 years old, at his nearby office. They took him, two of his cars and whatever money and gold they found in the office safe.

At the time, Syria was undergoing massive political upheaval. With authoritarian rulers having already fallen in Tunisia and Egypt, and anti-regime protests exploding across the region, Syrians all over the country had taken to the streets in March 2011 to protest against then-President Bashar al-Assads authoritarian rule.

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The regimes response was a ruthless crackdown that eventually turned the peaceful protests into a revolution that spawned a 13-year civil war. In that time, thousands of Syrians were arrested, tortured and killed across the country.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

For Hiba, who was 22 and studying applied chemistry at university at the time, her fathers arrest was the beginning of a long battle through the maze-like prison network that sustained Assads dictatorship. The ordeal took a financial toll on the family, which over the following years was forced to pay thousands of dollars in money and gifts to different officials in the Syrian regime, all in an attempt to find out about her fathers whereabouts.

The Assad regimes brutal prison system and the torture and extrajudicial killings practiced in it are no secret. But since a lighting offensive by rebel groups toppled the regime and forced Assad to flee to Moscow last week, the true scale and magnitude of the dictatorships crimes are coming to light.

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The images of freed captives streaming toward the welcoming arms of family members as government jails across the country were liberated in recent weeks highlighted the historic moment Syria is traversing. But they stand in horrible contrast to the scenes of prisoners so battered by years of torture that they cant even remember their own names.

Information about what detainees have gone through is trickling out. It will take years for the country to have a full picture of the size, workings and wanton brutality of Assads industrial-scale detention, torture and killing of Syrians.

But the extortion of prisoners families by state officials and the military was well-known among those affected by it over the past 13 years. Many families kept quiet about the practice, fearing that talking about it would either attract retribution from security agencies or worsen the detention conditions for their loved ones. The reality is that for years, Assads regime and members of its security apparatus have impoverished thousands of Syrian families by holding their loved ones as hostages.

The governments extortion of detainees families did not start with Assad. Under Bashars father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled until his death in 2000, families of Syrian detainees would often have to pay judges, lawyers or intelligence officers large sums of money just to get information about their loved ones or even visit them in prison.

The reality is that for years, Assads regime and members of its security apparatus have impoverished thousands of Syrian families by holding their loved ones as hostages.

An unknown number of political detainees had already been imprisoned by the regime by the time the 2011 uprising began. But as the younger Assad fought to stay in power over the past 13 yearsaided by Hezbollah fighters and Russian air powerdetentions and forced disappearances expanded and accelerated as Syria descended into chaos.

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At least 128,000 people are estimated to have been forcibly disappeared by the regime since the start of the Syrian revolution in 2011. The actual number is likely higher. Some were killed and buried in mass graves. Others were left to languish in the countrys vast network of jails and detention centers.

And while arbitrary imprisonment had long been accompanied by the cruel exploitation of prisoners families by regime officials, the scale of the practice expanded during Syrias recent conflict.

The demand for information from families became much higher, because the number of people detained arbitrarily went through the roof, Karam Shaar, a Syrian political economist, told WPR. And the need for such extortion from officials became much higher, too.

Thats because as the conflict dragged on, the regimes financial situation worsened. And with the collapse of the Syrian pound, the real value of salaries for state employees such as military officers and judges fell significantly, going from $200 for some to around $20 between 2011 and 2024.

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To retain some of their security staff under dwindling wages, the regime allowed them to expand their extortion, Shaar told WPR. This is what it meant to work for security in the Syrian state. This is how these people made a living.

For families, detention of a loved one by state officials was just the start of a long process that came with huge expenses and no guarantees. Immediately after her fathers arrest, Hiba Brais and her family began searching for information. They knew that her father had been taken by the Air Force Intelligence Directorate, one of the countrys powerful security agencies.

We went to the local branch, and they denied they had him, Hiba Brais remembers. Three days later they told us he had been moved to Damascus.

Procuring information depended on paying cash, often in U.S. dollars, to government workers and military personnel. Hiba and her family would often forward the payments through intermediaries without any certainty that the people getting the money would actually be able or willing to help them. Sometimes, she says, I would go in to speak to someone in power just to have an answer to a simple question: Is my father alive?

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In some cases, they brought gifts, like the large LCD television screen they offered a high-ranking military official in Damascus in 2012. On another occasion, Hiba recalls, her family offered new mobile phones to a different officer and his wife. The trick was always to ask the office assistant of that particular person what gift his boss would like, she told WPR.

These visits would rarely lead to conclusive information. Sometimes the officers would promise they would get back to them in a few days. Other times they would recommend that Hiba not inquire after her fathers whereabouts again. I dont know how much money we spent over the years, Hiba says, but it was tens and tens of thousands of dollars.

People search through documents for a trace of their loved ones in the Sednaya military prison just north of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 12, 2024 (Sipa photo by Ugur Yildirim via AP Images).

It is difficult to know exactly how many prisoners families were extorted or how much money made its way through the hands of Syrias dictatorial regime and its supporters in this way. However, an investigation published in April 2021 by SyriaUntold, an independent nonprofit news and research platform, gives some clues about the scale of the informal extortion system run by state and military officials.

The investigation looked into the arrests of 100 detainees since 2011. In 85 of these cases, the families of the prisoners were asked to pay money by regime officials or their representatives. Of these, 75 families agreed to make payments that added up to a combined value of $800,000 over the years. On average, each of these families spent $10,500 per prisoner or disappeared person. The investigation concluded that extortion of prisoner families probably netted regime officials and intermediaries between $1 billion and $2 billion yearly.

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The Syria Untold investigation was based on extrapolation of figures that, for the moment, are impossible to verify. For instance, the exact number of people disappeared by the regime is still unknown.

However, the report is a key window into the security sectors extortion practices. For instance, the investigation found that as much as 42 percent of families that paid extortion money to the regime did so to find out the location of a disappeared family member, while 24 percent paid to secure a loved ones release. In other cases, families paid to change the outcome of a court case, to have their family member moved from a criminal to a civil prison, or to simply be allowed to visit them.

Given the industrial scale with which Syrias dictatorship had been detaining its citizens since the start of the 2011 revolution, the estimate by Syria Untold of the total amount of money collected by security officials, government bodies, judges and prison guards over the years is plausible. The majority of these arrests and disappearances were likely orchestrated by Syrias military intelligence and air force intelligence. Members of these security services were likely also the main beneficiaries of extortion funds.

The existence of multiple security agencies, and a vast number of military and civilian prisons and detention centers, allowed regime personnel to extort some families for years, says Haid Haid, a senior consulting research fellow at Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa Program. And because they could arbitrarily arrest anyone they wanted, the prisoners have been an important source of cash for them.

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It wasnt until 2013 that Hiba and her family discovered that her father was still alive. A former detainee from Al Khatib prison, a notorious torture and detention center in Damascus, confirmed he had crossed paths with him there. Hiba and her family then paid a military official $20,000 and found out that her father had been taken to the Damascus branch of the General Intelligence Directorate.

By that point, Hiba, the eldest of five siblings, had finished university and was doing laboratory work at a hospital in Aleppo to help her family. We struggled a lot financially, she says. They had taken all of my dads assets, and we were paying all this money.

Syria is waking up from the nightmare of the Assad era and slowly discovering the depths of its gratuitous brutality. For those still looking for their loved ones, joyor even closureremains elusive.

That same year, Hiba was finally able to talk to her father on the phone for the first time since he had been arrested. He explained to her that the official accusation against him was that he had spied for Qatar. Family members were later allowed to witness the trial. My uncles told me my dad looked to be in bad shape when they saw him in court, Hiba says. His fingernails had been pulled out. His face was swollen as if he had been recently beaten.

Hibas father was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2014. From the start of his trial and right up to sentencing, the family looked for someone they could pay to get him out of jail, but with no success.

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Besides the assets seized from her father, Hibas mother was also forced to sell some of her possessions to pay for the costs of the extorsion. After years of watching the effect of the dictatorships brutality on her family, Hiba was herself targeted by security officers: In 2015, she was arrested at a checkpoint near her home in Aleppo.

Fearing the worst, her uncles quickly intervened, paying a military officer $8,000 to allow her to escape. Three days after that close call, Hiba Brais left for Turkey.

By escaping, Hiba Brais likely avoided the fate of her father, who she describes as having done a 13-year tour of the prison system in Syria, alternating between military and civilian jails, while suffering the regimes cruelty across facilities in Aleppo, Homs, Hama and Damascus.

His story is similar to that of thousands of prisoners of the Assad dictatorship who were detained, forced under torture to confess to crimes they had not committed, stripped of their economic assets by regime officers, and brutalized and starved for years on end in government jails and torture centers.

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In Turkey, Hiba became involved with Families for Freedom, one of several associations fighting for the rights of Syrian prisoners and those forcibly disappeared.

Growing up in Syria, you didnt believe you had a place in your country, says Hiba. If you wanted dignity, you had to go look for it elsewhere.

That, she hopes, is about to change. In late November 2024, watching the news from Istanbul as rebels began their advance on Aleppo, Hiba began to feel anxious about the consequences of more fighting. Having lived through multiple cycles of hope and despair for over a decade, she thought that any gains they made would be easily reversed and that Assads forces would eventually punish the citizens of Aleppo after regaining control of the city.

Yet, after one day of fighting, the Syrian army withdrew from Aleppo and never came back. Laying on the bed of his cell at Aleppos central prison on the evening of Nov. 29, Hiba Brais father woke up to the metal doors of the jail being opened and several of the prisoners leaving. First, he thought the prisoners would be shot at by regime forces outside and be forced to return, Hiba recounts. He waited 15 minutes until he thought it was safe.

The prison had been liberated by fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTSthe group that led the offensiveafter they conquered Aleppo. Outside, Hibas father, now 60, walked around in disbelief. He did not recognize this part of his city. A group of fighters gave him a ride to downtown Aleppo and a mobile phone to call his son to come pick him up. After spending the past 13 years in Assads prisons, he was finally free.

Over the following days, HTS and other rebel groups would make their way through Hama, Homs and Damascus, triggering the fall of Assads dictatorship.

In the aftermath of the recent events, Hiba is planning to return to Aleppo in December to see her father and the rest of her family. She understands that not all families will be as lucky as hers has been.

In fact, of the 300 Syrian detainees Families of Freedom represents, only two had been located as of mid-December. As more jails across the country were liberated after the fall of the Assad regime, thousands of families in Syria and across the world were desperately searching for any news about the fate of their loved ones. Rushing to jails and hospital morgues in recent weeks, many families are finding only bodies, many of them tortured beyond recognition.

Syria is waking up from the nightmare of the Assad era and slowly discovering the depths of its gratuitous brutality. For those still looking for their loved ones, joyor even closureremains elusive. Im very happy that my father survived and is out of jail, says Hiba. But there are so many thousands that are still missing.

For Hiba and her family, and for many others who find themselves in the same circumstances, the years of extortion are now over. But for innumerable families across Syria, the years of grief and mourning have only just begun.

Francisco Serrano is a journalist, writer and analyst. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, Al-Monitor, Weapons of Reason, The Outpost, Foreign Affairs and other outlets. His latest book, As Ruinas da Decada, about the Middle East in the decade after the 2011 popular revolts, was published in 2022.

More Syria Coverage:

The enormous challenges facing Syrias transitional government.

Why European policymakers needs to reexamine their assumptions about Syrian society in the post-Assad era.

What the fall of the Assad regime means for the external actors in the country.

How the rebel offensive that ousted Assad has global connections.

Why the HTS-led offensive was hiding in plain sight.

Read all of our Syria coverage here.

The post Assads Brutal Prison System Was Also a Mass Extortion Racket appeared first on World Politics Review.
After more than two decades in power and countless lives lost, Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow with his family. But when regimes collapse and bloodthirsty dictators end up abroad, what happens next? Just as tyrants themselves differ, so does their time in exile.

The former Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle was shot to death shortly after fleeing, while Juan Peron managed to retake power in Argentina after spending 18 years in exile. Most rulers end up in-between, living a life of comparative safety and relative irrelevance.

When Ugandan dictator Idi Amin first arrived in Saudi Arabia, he still had hopes of staging a comeback. But when his attempt to do so failed, he lost more than just hope. Amin, who liked to refer to himself as the Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas became, in a sense, ordinary. Eager to be a decent host, the Saudi government made sure that he would have a nice home, cars, maids and even cooks. In exchange, the Lord of All the Beasts had to keep quiet to avoid embarrassing Riyadh. Amin was definitely comfortable, but also irrelevant; and psychologically, the impact of that is not to be underestimated.

In exile, Idi Amin lived comfortably but became irrelevant - Getty

As a dictator, you practically become the centre of the universe. Since they promote people according to loyalty and not competence, everyone around them begins to tell them what they want to hear. If somebody doesnt, an unpleasant truth can be rewarded with demotion, prison or death. Having experienced such power, having been someone who matters, its incredibly difficult for these characters to go back to being a nobody at the total mercy of someone else.

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During the Cold War, even vile tyrants could hope to retire in prosperous and safe democracies if they were on the right side. In 1986, the American government had a decision to make: Would they extend a Golden Parachute to Ferdinand Marcos, the Philippine dictator? Marcos was tired, scared and out of good options. But if the Americans could get the ageing dictator out of Manila, further bloodshed might be avoided.

That said, the cost would be steep, as Americans would inevitably help him steal yet more from his country. And steal he did. When Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos landed in Hawaii, they brought with them, amongst other things, two-dozen gold bricks, an ivory Jesus with a necklace made of diamonds and 140 jewel-studded cufflinks. Also, millions in cash. For a man who officially earned $13,500 a year, it wasnt the worst start to his new life in Honolulu.

To live as the Marcos family subsequently did, tyrants need to steal a lot of money, and they need to find a way to keep it. When Jean-Claude Baby Doc Duvalier first arrived in France after being toppled in a coup, he reportedly had plenty and he acted as such. He enjoyed speedboats, expensive cars and a villa on the Cote dAzur. If the reporting is to be believed, his wife once spent 42,000 on a clock.

Jean-Claude Duvalier began a lavish lifestyle in exile, but eventually found himself struggling to pay rent - Getty

But one of the problems of exile, as Baby Doc would soon find out, is that you can no longer steal from your people. When dictators are in power, they have almost endless opportunities for thievery. Perhaps some of the money destined for the state budget ends up in a foreign bank account instead. Or it could be that an investor makes his problems with the tax authorities go away after paying a fee. Maybe, just maybe, a government-owned company gets privatised and sold to an ally of the dictator at a fraction of the real price, incentivising said ally to show his gratitude to the ruler that made it happen.

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Now in France, Duvalier couldnt do any of it. Whatever he had stolen had to last, and it didnt. As the bills kept coming and he underwent an incredibly expensive divorce, Baby Doc could no longer even afford a two-bedroom apartment. Though his rent was now just a few hundred euros a month, he simply couldnt pay it. If it hadnt been for some supporters picking up the tab, the man accused of stealing hundreds of millions could have become homeless thousands of kilometres from home.

And of course, all these former rulers must consider the possibility that they might one day be forced to leave. Because just as former rulers tend to loathe the idea of exile, so do many of their hosts. When Idi Amin left Saudi Arabia temporarily in 1989, Riyadh initially refused to take him back because it made them look bad. His nagging desire to recapture power in Kampala has embarrassed his Saudi hosts and put his African sympathisers on the spot, an observer said at the time.

Even though president Ronald Reagan rescued Ferdinand Marcos from Manila, he distanced himself from him after he arrived in the United States.

Ferdinand Marcos and his wife set up residence in Hawaii - Sipa/Shutterstock

And Jean-Claude Duvalier? He only ended up staying in France because the US, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco and Gabon refused to take him in. Dissatisfied with his presence, Paris could have kicked him out at any moment, which means he never experienced real safety again.

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But if neither deposed leaders nor hosts are keen on exile, why does it happen anyway? For tyrants, the answer is straightforward: When political scientists looked at dictators that decided to flee, they found that the vast majority of them go abroad during a coup, revolt or civil war. They go into exile not because its a good option, but because its more attractive than imprisonment or imminent death.

For the host, the reasons tend to be more varied. It can be about avoiding bloodshed, sowing chaos or giving a friendly leader space to plan his return to the presidential palace. Most importantly, it sends a signal to other sympathetic leaders that they, too, will be taken care of when the going gets tough.

After the fall of his regime, Bashar al-Assads best-case scenario is now a life of irrelevance in a Moscow suburb - Getty

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Only time will tell what life will be like for Assad and his family in Russia, where they will join Viktor Yanukovych and Askar Akayev, the former Kyrgyz president ousted in the 2005 Tulip Revolution.

A return to power looks highly unlikely, so his best-case scenario is now irrelevance in a Moscow suburb.

Whether that will materialise will depend in huge part on Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has just suffered a major embarrassment since he was unable to protect Bashar al-Assad in Damascus despite investing blood and treasure for years. If Assad is lucky, Putin will calculate that he cannot afford his death  for now.

Marcel Dirsus is a political scientist and the author of How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive, published by John Murray.

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Overthrown Syrian leader Bashar Assad said Monday in his first public comments since fleeing to Moscow that he wanted to keep fighting in Syria.

In a statement posted to an official Telegram channel, Assad said Russia requested he leave Syria. He described his flight from Damascus as rebel forces closed in on the capital city, taking power with little resistance from Assads forces, due largely to Russia and Iran being unable or unwilling to offer significant military support.

I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday 8th December 2024. As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Lattakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations, Assads statement said.

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Assad said the Russian military base he was at was attacked by drone strikes, so Russian officers requested those sheltering to evacuate.

At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party, Assad said. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.

Assad reportedly arrived in Russia seeking asylum later Dec. 8, the day after rebels entered Damascus. Several initial reports indicated he fled the capital before opposition fighters entered.

The stunning military victory came a decade after Assad faced global outrage for using chemical weapons to suppress a civil war, and his fall from power has put a spotlight on mass imprisonment and execution of perceived threats and enemies in the country.

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While Assads fall has been celebrated in Syria and across the democratic world, the uprising has raised new questions about instability in the region and what lies ahead for the country.

President Biden said Assads fall was a fundamental act of justice but also said there was much risk and uncertainty.

In his statement, Assad said he is still someone who never abandoned the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon or betrayed the allies that stood with him.

When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless, Assad said. This does not, in any way, diminish my profound sense of belonging to Syria and her people  a bond that remains unshaken by any position or circumstance.

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The News

For years, Gulf countries battled the spread of captagon, a banned amphetamine popular in the region.

Industrial-scale factories near Damascus, uncovered after the regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown, confirmed what analysts long suspected: Syria was the primary manufacturer and profiteer of the illicit trade. Production of captagon  costing just cents per pill to manufacture, but selling for up to $20 each  has collapsed, though experts warn it could shift to Iraq, Lebanon, or Turkey. Gulf nations are balancing punitive measures with treatment to reduce both supply and demand of drugs in the region.

Separately, Gulf and Arab countries are aligning efforts to support Syrias victorious rebels in rebuilding the war-torn nation. Regional foreign ministers met in Jordan over the weekend to discuss reconstruction and Syrias transition.
Toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has released his first public statement since fleeing Syria, claiming he never considered "stepping down or seeking refuge" despite leaving the country for Russia.

In a post on the official Facebook page of the Syrian presidency dated Dec. 16, Assad said he was releasing the statement to address "misinformation and narratives far removed from the truth" in the wake of his overthrow.

Syrian rebels announced on Dec. 8 that they successfully ousted Assad from power following a lightning offensive across the country, which culminated with the capture of the capital city of Damascus.

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Moscow persuaded Assad to flee to Russia with his family after realizing his regime was bound to lose to the opposition's rapid advance, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 11, citing its sources.

In the statement, Assad attempts to dispute this version of events.

"First, my departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed," he said.

"On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday 8th December 2024."

Assad claims that after rebel forces closed in on Damascus, he moved to Latakia "in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations" at a military base.

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When the base itself came under drone attack, Assad claims Moscow requested "an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8th December."

"This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions," he added.

Despite detailing Moscow's request to evacuate him, Assad then goes on to claim that at "no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party."

"The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught."

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Assad does not explain how he continued "fighting against the terrorist onslaught" once he fled Syria, but goes on to try and paint himself in a positive light as someone who couldn't "forsake his own people or betray the army and nation to which he belongs."

"I have never sought positions for personal gain but have always considered myself as a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people, who believed in its vision," he said.

On Dec. 15, the Financial Times (FT) reported that Assad airlifted $250 million in cash to Moscow between 2018-19.

Quoting financial records seen by the newspaper, the FT said Syria's central bank flew nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and 500 euro notes into the country, which were then deposited in sanctioned Russian banks.

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The outlet said the transfers occurred at a time when Syria was heavily indebted to Russia for its military support, and while Assad's relatives were buying up assets in Russia including luxury apartments.

Assad also claims to have only ever acted as a defender of the Syrian people.

"I have carried an unwavering conviction in their will and ability to protect the state, defend its institutions, and uphold their choices to the very last moment," he said.

"When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless. This does not, in any way, diminish my profound sense of belonging to Syria and her people  a bond that remains unshaken by any position or circumstance."

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After a popular uprising in 2011, Assad imprisoned, tortured, and disappeared tens of thousands of Syrians.

His armed forces indiscriminately destroyed entire cities, and repeatedly used chemical weapons against Syrian civilians.

Read also: The collapse of Assads regime shows the limits of Russian airpower

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Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assads departure from the country was unplanned, according to a statement posted Monday on the Syrian Presidency Telegram account, purporting to be from Assad.

The statement claims Assad moved to Russias airbase in Syrias Hmeimim on the morning of Sunday, December 8, and Russia asked him to evacuate when the base came under attack.

Its unclear if Assad still controls the Telegram account. If the statement is authentic, it would mark the first time he has publicly commented on events since his regime fell this month.

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My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday 8th December 2024, the statement from the Syrian Presidency account on Telegram said.

The statement also claims Assad learned after he arrived at Hmeimim airbase that the last army positions had fallen.

With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the bases command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8th December. This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions, the statement said.

At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught, the statement added.

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Assad suggested that his position as president became void of purpose after the country was taken over by terrorists.

When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless.

On the morning of December 8, Syrian rebels declared the capital of Damascus liberated after entering the city with very little resistance from regime forces.

Assad and his family arrived in Moscow after being granted asylum in Russia for what state media explained as humanitarian reasons, an official source in Russia told CNN on the night of December 8.

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The Kremlin said last Wednesday that ensuring the security of Russias military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria was of paramount importance, noting that Moscow had maintained contact with the new leadership in Damascus.

We must maintain contact with those who are controlling the situation on the ground because, as I mentioned, we have facilities and personnel there, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a regular press briefing.

Peskov declined to provide details on how many Russian troops are in Syria or the status of potential evacuations.

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Bashar al-Assad has said Russia forced him to flee Syria and that he wanted to continue fighting the terrorist onslaught.

In his first statement since the fall of Damascus, the former president said that he went to the Russian air base in Latakia on Dec 8 to oversee combat operations as the capital was taken by the rebels.

After the base came under drone fire, Moscow ordered an immediate evacuation to Russia, Assad said.

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At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party, he said.

Assad then went on to claim that he had never betrayed his country for personal gain and had throughout the war stood alongside officers and soldiers of the army on the front lines, just metres from the terrorists.

This does not, in any way, diminish my profound sense of belonging to Syria and her people, he added.

Assad, who Russia says is now living in asylum in Moscow with his family, released the statement on Monday via the Syrian presidencys Telegram channel.

Russia says Assad is now living in Moscow with his family - Valeriy Sharifulin/Reuters

Last week, Russia began evacuating personnel and equipment from Syria, but said it was in discussions with the ruling Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) rebels about securing the future of its naval port at Tartus and its Hmeimim air base in Latakia.

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On Monday, it admitted that the fate of the two bases had not yet been decided.

There are no final decisions on this, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins press secretary, said. We are in contact with representatives of the forces that now control the situation in the country.

Russia has been rapidly withdrawing from the Manbij and Kobani areas of northern Syria because HTS and Turkish-backed rebel groups will not let them stay there, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

It was also revealed on Monday that Assad sent about 200 million in cash to Russia between 2018 and 2019, a period when Syria became dependent on Moscows military support.

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Nearly two tons of banknotes in $100 and 500 bills were flown from Syria into Moscows Vnukovo airport to be deposited at sanctioned Russian banks, according to records seen by the Financial Times.

On Monday, EU leaders suggested that Russia must be thrown out of Syria before the bloc will support the new rebel government, as a tug of war emerges between the West and Moscow for influence over Damascus.

Caspar Veldkamp, the Dutch foreign minister, said that regarding the Russian military bases in Syria, we want the Russians out.

He added that lifting sanctions on HTS should be on the condition of an inclusive political transition.

A very clear message

Mr Veldkamps comments were echoed by Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign policy chief, who warned Syrias new rulers that Russia and Iran are not your friends, are not helping you if you are in trouble.

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She added: They left Assads regime, and that is a very clear message showing that their hands are full elsewhere and they are weakened.

Jose Manuel Albares, Spains foreign minister, said the new administration in Damascus must respect the EUs red lines before it gets the blocs support. He said one of these was that there must be no foreign interference in the country.

The UK and the US confirmed at the weekend that they had made diplomatic contact with HTS, without elaborating on details of the talks.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said on Monday: I can confirm today that we have sent a delegation of Syria UK officials to Damascus this week for meetings with the new interim Syrian authorities. He noted that the move underlies our commitment to Syria.

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He added: Yesterday I announced a 50 million package of humanitarian aid, also further money to help secure chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria.

We confirmed our support for the principals that have been set out at an inclusive transitional political process that is Syria led and Syria owned.

Talks between the Kremlin and its former enemies who now control Syria are understood to be tense, but the country is reliant on Russia as its major wheat supplier.

Two Russian ships carrying wheat to Syria failed to reach the country on Friday because of payment delays and uncertainty over the new government, Russian and Syrian sources said.

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On Saturday, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, stepped in, saying he had instructed officials to set up grain shipments to Syria.

On Sunday, Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnyas leader and an ally of Putin, vowed to ensure that wheat would be delivered to Syria, without specifying how or from where the wheat would come.

I, as the head of the Chechen Republic, am ready to take responsibility and ensure the necessary amount of wheat for Syria, he wrote on Telegram.

Unfriendly takeover

Donald Trump, US president-elect, also weighed in on Assads ouster on Monday.

He characterised the rebel overthrow of Assad as an unfriendly takeover by US ally Turkey as he addressed the conflict at a news conference at his residence in Florida on Monday.

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Mr Trump said: I think Turkey is very smart... Turkey did an unfriendly takeover, without a lot of lives being lost.

He added: I can say that Assad was a butcher, what he did to children.

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The Central Bank of Syria secretly transferred US$250 million in cash to Moscow by plane in 2018-2019.

Source: Financial Times

Details: The Russian customs aggregator Import Genius has disclosed information about these transfers, which occurred at a time when Syria was heavily dependent on Russian military support and Bashar al-Assads regime was suffering from Western sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Assad family was buying luxury properties in Moscow through schemes using a network of shell companies and loan agreements.

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Money was transferred from Syria to Russian banks that later came under US sanctions, such as RFC Bank and TSMR Bank.

The experts interviewed, including David Schenker, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs from 2019 to 2021, suggested that these transfers were a way to transfer looted money out of the country, provide a luxurious life for the regime and its entourage and evade Western sanctions.

At the same time, another source familiar with the Syrian central bank's data provided an alternative explanation: the bank had to make cash payments due to sanctions, to purchase wheat from Russia and pay for money printing services and "defence" expenses.

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A Salem County ballot from 2020 that does not use the controversial county-line design, which has been deemed likely unconstitutional by federal judges.

A special Assembly committee in a unanimous vote Monday approved a controversial overhaul of New Jersey ballots that will write the county line out of state law.

The bill, which follows a federal court decision that found New Jerseys county-line system  a ballot design that groups candidates for different offices by party endorsement  is likely unconstitutional. If approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor, the bill could reshape primaries in a state where machine politics are dominant.

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Were sure there are other things people think need to be considered on this issue. However, I am proud of our measured approach in addressing something that needed to be solved quickly, said Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Passaic), the panels Democratic co-chair.

The legislation would require New Jerseys county clerks to design office-block ballots that group candidates by the office they are seeking and bar bracketing between candidates seeking different offices. Lawmakers eliminated a controversial provision of the bill that would have, sponsors said inadvertently, barred office seekers without official party backing from stating their party affiliation in their ballot slogans.

The bill would also ban incongruous separations between candidates seeking the same office, ending a practice colloquially known as ballot Siberia.

But it would allow candidates to run bracketed on a slate for a single office and have their names drawn as a group rather than individually, which some critics said could still allow party organizations to put their thumbs on the scale. The bill would not require clerks to rotate candidates on the ballot depending on voting district, something some witnesses who have testified in prior hearings of the committee said would have allowed every candidate to have a chance at top billing.

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Voters in this state have said very clearly in the testimonies in the previous hearings that they want a fair ballot, and that is a very simple ballot with no bracketing, no slogans, and a rotating order. These are the three aspects that are still missing from this bill, said Yael Niv, president of the Good Government Coalition of New Jersey.

Assemblyman Mike Inganamort holds up a sample ballot during a legislative hearing on a ballot design bill on Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo courtesy of New Jersey Assembly GOP)

New Jerseys county-line system was at the center of a closely watched lawsuit earlier this year filed by now-Sen. Andy Kim (D), who along with two others alleged the system unconstitutionally infringes on rights to free association. U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi ruled Kim would likely succeed at trial and barred the county line from ballots in this years Democratic primaries.

Its not clear whether all the bills provisions would survive judicial scrutiny. Quraishis order barred clerks from conducting ballot draws where each candidates name was not drawn individually for each office.

Amendments approved at Mondays hearing removed language that would have prohibited candidates from naming their political party in ballot slogans without the consent of their county political party. Critics of that provision noted that provision would keep some candidates from using the names of established groups  like South Jersey Progressive Democrats  in their ballot slogans.

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That language was replaced with other provisions that would allow the secretary of state, municipal clerk, or county clerk  depending on the office sought  to reject slogans they find to be too similar to ones used by other candidates. Lawmakers said this was a bid to keep deception off the ballot.

New Jerseys system of six-word ballot slogans would persist under the bill, allowing party endorsements to continue appearing on primary ballots. Advocates had pushed for the end of slogans, arguing they do little to educate voters on candidates and would maintain parties outsized role in determining primary results.

My concern would be not that they would be misleading by saying theyre endorsed and theyre not. My concerns there would be that it overtly puts the endorsement on the ballot, and the ballot should not be a way of communicating the endorsement, said Julia Sass Rubin, a Rutgers professor who has studied the lines impact on election results.

Candidates whose slogans are waylaid by such a decision could appeal to the state Superior Court on an expedited basis, though the bill does not lay out a process for election officials to determine which slogan needs to be changed when two are too similar.

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Language in the bill would explicitly allow candidates to list their party affiliation in their slogans.

The bill would bar candidates from using the names of candidates for other offices in their ballot slogans, a measure some viewed as targeted at Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democrat who is recruiting legislative candidates as running mates as he mounts a bid for the states governorship in 2025.

Other changes sought by advocates, including candidate statements that could more fully explain their platforms, were not included in the bill.

Six words are not an informed electorate. What we need is a booklet with information about each candidate and or a website where information can be found, Niv said, adding, As you said, we dont allow electioneering and we dont need electioneering information on the ballot.

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Lawmakers said procurement rules surrounding voting equipment left too little time to enact rotating electronic ballot draws in time for 2025s primaries but left the door open to such changes in the future.

The bill would require state election workers to submit a report to lawmakers and the governor laying out possible improvements to New Jerseys balloting within 180 days after the second primary election following its enactment.

If there is a problem, we will have a report with empirical evidence to make the necessary changes, said Assemblyman Al Barlas (R-Essex), the committees Republican co-chair.

Though the full Assembly is due to vote on the bill at its Thursday session, the legislations path through the Senate is less clear. No companion had been introduced in that chamber by the time of the Assembly committees vote, and Senate lawmakers have sought not to recreate their Assembly counterparts hearing process.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. ADA University is increasing its array of disciplines by introducing a master's program in law, Trend reports.

An occasion to present this initiative, which will significantly impact the advancement of legal education in Azerbaijan, was held on December 16.

During the unveiling of the new program, which will occupy a significant position in ADA University's academic portfolio and adhere to international legal education standards, Dean of the Law Faculty Rashad Ibadov greeted the attendees and discussed the program's innovative and contemporary approach, as well as its potential contribution to the advancement of the national legal system.

Another speaker, Vice-Rector, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Gunay Ziyadova, discussed in her remarks the program's link to the ADA's mission of excellence in the fields of education, the form of preparing students to enter the local and international job markets via the academic curriculum, and the admission and selection criteria.

The curriculum, methodology, and structure of the new program, as well as theoretical and practical approaches to training lawyers to address contemporary challenges, were discussed by Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, Javid Gadirov.

Elkin Nurmammadov, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, discussed the program's potential to address critical requirements, including the promotion of legal reforms and the encouragement of career development.

Farid Ahmadov, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan and lecturer at the Faculty of Law of ADA University, emphasized the positive impact of the modern legal system reforms on the education system during his speech at the opening ceremony. He described the new master's program as a strategic step in the context of providing legal education in the country in accordance with international standards.

In conclusion, Rector Hafiz Pashayev considered in his speech at the event that ADA University the new program not only as an academic success but also as a scientific investment in the future of the legal system of Azerbaijan and the region as a whole, considering the need for professional lawyers and supporting initiatives to fill the gaps in the relevant field.

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Thousands are feared dead after a devastating 100-year cyclone ripped across the French archipelago of Mayotte on Saturday, inflicting destruction that one resident likened to an atomic bomb.

The situation is catastrophic, apocalyptic, Bruno Garcia, owner of Hotel Caribou in Mamoudzou, Mayottes capital, told CNN-affiliate BFMTV.

We lost everything. The entire hotel is completely destroyed, Garcia said. There is nothing left. Its as if an atomic bomb fell on Mayotte.

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Mayotte lies in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, just west of Madagascar. Made up of two main islands, its land area is about twice the size of Washington DC.

Cyclone Chido, a category 4 storm, tore through the southwestern Indian Ocean over the weekend, impacting northern Madagascar before rapidly intensifying and slamming Mayotte with winds above 220 kilometers per hour (136 miles per hour), according to Frances weather service. It was the strongest storm to hit the islands in more than 90 years, Meteo-France said.

Chido then continued into northern Mozambique where it continued to cause damage, though the storm has now weakened.

The cyclone  the worst to hit the territory of just over 300,000 in at least 90 years  flattened neighborhoods, knocked out electrical grids, crushed hospitals and schools and damaged the airports control tower.

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Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy, you feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war I saw an entire neighborhood disappear, Mohamed Ishmael, a Mamoudzou resident, told Reuters.

At least 14 people have been confirmed dead by the French health minister, but the true death toll is expected to be much higher, with local officials predicting the number of victims could be in the hundreds or even thousands, the Associated Press reported.

I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe well get close to a thousand. Even thousands  given the violence of this event, Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told TV station Mayotte la 1ere.

French President Emmanuel Macron said late Monday on X that he planned to travel to Mayotte in the coming days to support our fellow citizens, civil servants and the emergency services that have been mobilized. He added that he would declare a national mourning period.

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Earlier Monday evening, acting interior minister Bruno Retailleau said that it was impossible to assess the death toll, saying that it was clear that the island is totally devastated.

The worst damage was to the informal settlements and shacks that are found across Mayotte, both Bieuville and Retailleau said. There is nothing left, Retailleau said.

Of the official death toll, Bieuville said: This figure is not plausible when you see the images of the slums. Aerial footage from Frances military showed villages reduced to rubble.

These neighborhoods are home to many of the roughly 100,000 undocumented migrants who live in Mayotte, according to Frances interior ministry.

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Located about 5,000 miles from Paris, Mayotte is the poorest place in the European Union and has struggled with unemployment, violence and a deepening migration crisis.

In recent decades, tens of thousands of people from neighboring Comoros and Madagascar have come to Mayotte seeking better economic conditions and access to the French welfare system.

Everything has been razed

The extent of the damage from the storm, which wrecked roads and communications networks, and the prevalence of undocumented migrants living in informal dwellings have hindered search and rescue efforts and made it difficult to ascertain the true death toll.

About two thirds of the island is currently unreachable, Estelle Youssouffa, member of parliament for the first constituency of Mayotte told BMFTV.

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We must not confuse the villages that are cut off from communication () and the shanty towns, where there is very little chance of there being survivors. Everything has been razed, Yousouffa said.

Antoine Piacenza, who works in a middle school in Mamoudzou, told BFMTV that many of his students, who are undocumented, chose not to evacuate ahead of the storm out of fear of being caught by the police.

In recent years, France has flooded the island with thousands of police, tasked with deporting undocumented migrants and dismantling their settlements.

Desperate family members took to social media to search for news of their loved ones after the storm.

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As of Monday morning, Mayotte had been almost entirely offline for over 36 hours, according to the website NetBlocks.

We have no electricity, no water, weve been in the dark for three days. Its been three days and we havent seen any rescuers, Fahar, a Mamoudzou resident, told BFMTV.

Frances minister for everyday security, Nicolas Daragon, said on social media late Sunday the first military planes providing emergency aid to the cyclone-battered island had landed.

Retailleau said that France had mobilized two naval ships and that they were hopeful that more flights would be able to enter the territory soon, noting that flights cannot land at night yet given how badly the airport was affected by the cyclone.

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France is standing by their side with a helping hand, Retailleau said of the Mayotte people.

Meanwhile, hundreds of rescuers, firefighters and police have been sent to the territory from France and Reunion, the Associated Press reported.

Cyclones, also known as typhoons and called hurricanes in North America, are enormous heat engines of wind and rain that feed on warm ocean water and moist air. Cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean typically runs from mid-November to the end of April, according to Frances weather agency.

Scientists say climate change, driven by humans burning fossil fuels, is making tropical cyclones more destructive as hotter oceans fuel them with more energy and warmer air can hold more moisture, which is wrung out in the form of torrential rain.

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In 2019, two powerful cyclones, Idai and Kenneth, pummeled Mozambique over a period of two months, killing hundreds and leaving millions in need of humanitarian assistance.

Chad Youyou, a resident in Hamjago in the north of Mayotte, posted videos to Facebook showing flattened trees and extensive damage to his village, the Associated Press reported.

Mayotte is destroyed  we are destroyed, he said.

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A rendering of Corby and Benson houses at 58th and Corby Streets in the Benson area of Omaha. The infill housing and small accessory dwelling concept, which was designed and led by Nebraska graduate-level students, addresses the growing need for workforce and aging-ready housing. (Courtesy of UNL Fabrication And Construction Team, FACT)

OMAHA  An eclectic area of Omaha is soon to meet new neighbors, Corby and Benson.

Rendering of Corby house, designed by architecture students to be 774 square feet. (Courtesy of UNL Fabrication And Construction Team)

Corby and Benson are names of two atypical housing prototypes  smaller than average and likely to require shedding some belongings. But theyre easier on the pocketbook than a median priced newly constructed house and can fit on odd-sized, unconventional and infill lots.

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Their creators  graduate-level architecture students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and nonprofit Partners for Livable Omaha  are hoping theyll inspire a trend that helps ease the states housing affordability crisis as well as the needs of a growing elderly population.

We really think of this as part of a set of solutions for the housing crisis, said Jeffrey Day, UNL professor and founder of Actual Architecture Co. Its not THE solution, but its one that can contribute to the really extreme demand in small towns and all over. Its a way of thinking about housing in a different way.

Tackling housing woes

The Corby and Benson designs are the result of brainstorming by the UNL Fabrication And Construction Team (FACT), which is teaming with the Livable Omaha professionals to bring the models to life on the corner of 58th and Corby Streets in the Benson area. They call the project, OurStory.

Students mentored by Day were tasked with addressing challenges facing Omaha, the state and the nation, including a shrinking amount of developable land in such places as Omaha.

Exhibit opens today

The UNL College of Architectures FACT studio has chronicled the project it said takes aim at the housing crisis and silver tsunami.

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OurStory: Creating Aging-Ready Housing will be on display Dec. 16-Jan. 10 at Dundee Banks Benson branch, 6073 Maple St., in Omaha.

A reception at the bank begins at 4:30 p.m. Monday, with a program at 5 p.m.

The public s invited to provide feedback on the concepts at https://www.factlab.org/project/ourstory.

Among the groups considerations:

According to Omahas Housing Affordability Action Plan, the city will need 30,000 new housing units by 2030, and 60% of that demand is for affordable dwellings.

Statewide, a study led by the Nebraska Finance Investment Authority set a goal to produce at least 35,000 affordable housing units by 2028. The report said the states economic future hinges on solving its housing crisis, and called for cutting the share of low- to- moderate-income households paying more than 30% of their earnings for rent from about 44% to 33%.

Overall, a tight supply of existing housing has exacerbated challenges for the growing number of baby boomers and seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, who want to downsize yet stay in familiar neighborhoods. Livable Omaha says people 65 and older make up 12% of the Omaha metro area and by 2050 will constitute nearly 16%.

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The best of the student ideas were combined to create the prototype designs, which focus on affordability, efficiency and flexibility and allow homes to be built quickly and be easily adapted to the occupants needs.

To speed up construction capability and lower labor costs, the students  who are to be involved in all phases  recommended using pre-made components such as factory wall panels that can be assembled on site.

Hurdles to clear

Hurdles yet to be cleared include raising additional funding and securing city approvals. If all goes as planned, the for-sale Corby and Benson houses are to rise side-by-side on a divided lot next May.

Interior rendering of Benson house, an efficiency dwelling with about 618 square feet. (Courtesy of UNL Fabrication And Construction Team)

Not including lot cost, the price of the one-bedroom Benson, which spans 618 square feet, is estimated at $150,000 to $165,000. The Corby, a bit larger with two bedrooms and 774 square feet, has an estimated cost of $190,000 to $200,000.

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Jessica Scheuerman, founder and executive director of Partners for Livable Omaha, said the hope is to sell the first homes and produce more, perhaps with variations that suit the location and buyer.

UNL FACT studio students Malik Darwish (left) and Michael Rieder work on a full-scale building mockup for the OurStory exhibit. (Courtesy of FACT)

There has never been a better time to explore these concepts, especially with Omahas new ordinances making it easier to build ADUs, Scheuerman said.

Accessory dwelling units  also known as granny flats, in-law units, carriage or back houses  are second, smaller homes on the same lot as a primary house. They can stand alone or be attached to the larger house. Omahas City Council earlier this year passed an ordinance allowing ADUs citywide, though building them in lower-density neighborhoods requires a more extensive approval process.

Everyone wins

While a key target population for the UNL student design project was senior citizens, Scheuerman and Day envision the small houses as a way communities also could beef up needed housing for working families. They also could attract middle-income renters seeking to transition into homeownership and build equity.

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Everyone wins if we have more options for aging-ready ADUs and infill housing, Scheuerman said.

Also gaining in real-world experience are the architecture students, some of whom have never bought their own refrigerator, Day said. Theyre learning to balance creative vision with practical constraints, he said, and will stick with the project through financing and construction.

UNL College of Architecture student Machelle Cooper works on the Corby house model. (Courtesy of FACT)

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Housing development is a new area for the Livable Omaha nonprofit, Scheuerman said, and the organization has guidance from experts. Holy Name Housing, for instance, will serve as general contractor on the first two dwellings to be built.

Scheuerman said she is eager to meet the buyers, whether they are a 23-year-old first-time homebuyer or a 72-year-old moving into their rest-of-life home. They will be her neighbors, as Scheuerman lives just about a half-block away.

She said the Benson area was selected as the kickoff spot in part because the two dwellings would fit into the diverse area. Also nearby are a vibrant commercial district and community center.

The project partners will evaluate the pilot to determine how to continue, Scheuerman said.

Im hopeful this is the beginning and not a one-off project, she said. I want to see us building more.

Members of Fabrication And Construction Team (FACT) at UNL College of Architecture. Bottom row (left to right) Carl Williams, Nico Forte, Sreemedha Chintamadaka, Machelle Cooper, Paulina Garcia, Luke Heidenreich. Top row (left to right) Riley Jarosz, Michael Rieder, Oz Eckhorn, Malik Darwish, Alex Martino, Trent Weatherwax, Gavin Stelling. (Courtesy of FACT)

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Dec. 16A 25-year-old Austin man has been charged with a pair of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges after a tip came to the Austin Police Department having been filtered down from a social media site.

Jared Michael Bednar was arrested on Dec. 11 during the execution of a search warrant at his residence. He made a first appearance in Mower County District Court on Friday.

Bednar has been charged with dissemination of pornographic work involving a child under the age of 14 and possession pornographic work involving a child under the age of 14. Both are felonies

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He has an initial appearance scheduled for 10 a.m. on Dec. 26.

According to court documents, the initial tip came from the social media platform Kik, which had reported that one of its users had uploaded over 100 files of suspected CSAM.

An APD detective noted that each cybertip had the same IP addresses and similar email addresses and that through subpoenas to Microsoft, Charter and Metronet an associated email belonged to the username of "Jared Bednar."

The information provided by the company also revealed that two businesses were associated with uploads, but that they were utilized by the same clearing service Bednar was employed with.

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Neither business has been implicated.

Of the files reviewed from Kik, at least one of the files was confirmed to include CSAM, a video that was sent from the suspect user to another through private messages.

Court files reflect the detective obtained a search warrant for the Kik account associated with the uploads and on Nov. 20 discovered numerous files of CSAM and noted that that IP address associated with the account was the same provided by the cybertips.

When questioned by the detective during the Dec. 11th search warrant execution, Bednar denied using the associated email address and acknowledged that he worked for the cleaning company in question.

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He also allegedly admitted to cleaning the two businesses.

Despite claiming initially that he hadn't used Kik for quite some time, Bednar allegedly then admitted that he had used the site recently to look up adult pornography and had never actively looked for CSAM.

However, according to court documents he did allegedly admit to seeing some CSAM. When questioned further, Bednar told the detective he had CSAM and would then send CSAM to other users.

At the same time, Bednar claimed that he was receiving the files from others and that he was trying to get evidence to later report them. A claim he reiterated on Dec. 12 in a recorded call from the jail where he further claimed he was saving the files for evidence.

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Court documents state that at no point has the detective seen evidence that Bednar had attempted to report the CSAM, but did observe alleged chat messages from him asking for CSAM and disseminating CSAM to other users.

During the search warrant, two iPhones, an HP laptop, HP desktop tower and Xbox external hard drive were recovered and were going to be sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for forensic examination.
STORY: ::Canberra, Australia

::December 16, 2024

::Australia warns travelers of alcohol poisoning

after seven tourists hospitalized in Fiji

::Jim Chalmers/Australia Treasurer

"This is very concerning news out of Fiji with four Australians hospitalised over the weekend. We are thinking of the friends and family of the people who are affected. This is no doubt a very distressing time for them. DFAT (The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) officials are in contact with those affected Australians and they are providing consular assistance. I wanted to thank and acknowledge the very fine people of DFAT for the effort that goes in, in situations like this."

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"Obviously if Australians are travelling, be very alert to the potential risks in this case around drink spiking and alcohol poisoning. Don't leave your drinks unattended, pay attention when your drinks are being mixed and get urgent medical help if you suspect that something is wrong."

The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Fiji to flag dangers of drink spiking, and warned Australians more generally about the risk of alcohol poisoning when travelling.

"If Australians are travelling, be very alert to the potential risks in this case around drink spiking and alcohol poisoning," Chalmers said.
HSBC's Australian unit is being sued by the country's securities watchdog agency for failing to protect local customers from scams, resulting in A$23 million (US$14.65 million) of losses.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) lodged a claim against HSBC Bank Australia in the Australian federal court on Monday in relation to 950 reports totalling A$23 million over a five-year period from January 2020 to August 2024.

Scams have picked up in recent years, as nearly 70 per cent of the claims, totalling A$16 million, occurred in the six months from October 2023 to March 2024.

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

ASIC is among the global regulators that are grappling with ways to stamp out online scams, hoaxes and cybercrime. Australian banks have the legal obligation to protect the personal information of their customers, even though there is no law that mandates how banks should act in relation to fraud.

The signage of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on May 31, 2024. Photo: Shutterstock alt=The signage of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on May 31, 2024. Photo: Shutterstock>

HSBC Australia failed to have adequate controls in place to prevent and detect unauthorised payments and failed to comply with its obligations to investigate customer reports of unauthorised transactions and to promptly reinstate customers banking services in a timely manner, according to ASIC.

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The bank took 145 days to investigate some of the reports and 95 days to unlock some accounts, with one customer waiting 542 days to regain access to an account, ASIC said. Local codes of conduct require HSBC to complete an investigation into a report of an unauthorised transaction within 21 days, and within 45 days in exceptional circumstances.

"All banks need to pull their weight in the fight against scams," ASIC's deputy chair Sarah Court said in a statement, adding that the bank's failings were "widespread and systematic" in the industry.

"We will not hesitate to take court action where we consider banks failing to comply with their obligations to protect their customers," said Court.

It is the first time the watchdog has held a financial institution accountable for the widespread complaints.

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ASIC is seeking "significant penalties", Court added, and hopes the case will send a message to HSBC and to the broader banking sector to "take these obligations very seriously."

HSBC acknowledges the claim made by ASIC and said it would be "considering the matters raised and will continue to cooperate and work constructively" with the watchdog.

"Protecting our customers from scammers remains our top priority," an HSBC spokesperson said on Monday. "We continue to make significant investments in our fraud and scam prevention, detection, and response."

Fraudsters tricked customers by using software to send out text messages to customers that appeared to be from HSBC. The 'spoofing' scam also used calls that appeared to be from the bank.

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Such scams resulted in Australian customers losing some A$2.74 billion in 2023 alone, according to local government data. Scam and fraud cases have similarly surged in Hong Kong.

Complaints related to Authorised Push Payment fraud jumped 16 per cent in the first six months of the year, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, while financial losses from cybercrime cases rose 31 per cent to HK$2.66 billion (US$342 million), according to police data.

The figures have prompted the city's authorities to launch an industry consultation on scams, paving the way for commercial banks to share losses with customers affected by such transactions.

In Singapore the government has also been prompted to take steps to protect individuals from scams. Its government proposed a law in November that would empower police officers to freeze the bank accounts of individuals believed to have fallen victim to scams.

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This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Police officials are investigating a weekend shooting in Bricktown that left two people hurt.

According to authorities, the incident occurred on Saturday around 2:00 a.m. near Reno and Lincoln Boulevard with two people showing up at a local hospital with gunshot wounds. Both victims are injuries are reported non-life threatening.

Police investigate two people shot in Bricktown

No word on what led up to the gunfire.

One dead after being struck by train in Edmond

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The investigation is still 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Authorities successfully battled challenging conditions to rescue the driver of a Jeep whose vehicle was submerged in the water on a California beach over the weekend.

Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) and Fire Department crews responded to a call for a vehicle in the water at Corona del Mar Main Beach at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 14, the agency said in a statement.

Authorities arrived and rescued the driver from the water despite waves rolling the vehicle in the surf.

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Related: 7 Tourists, Including 1 American, Hospitalized After Drinking Cocktails at Fijian Resort: Reports

Multiple units provided medical care on the scene before the individual was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment, Newport Beach police said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According to photographs from the scene, the black Jeep Wrangler was fully submerged before heavy equipment was able to pull the vehicle from the water.

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Public Works personnel then towed away the Jeep, authorities said.

The teamwork and determination of all responders were critical in overcoming the hazards posed by the early morning surf, Newport Beach police officials said.

Related: Calif. Couple Fatally Shot While Vacationing in Mexico, Leaving Behind 3 Children

NBPD is investigating why the vehicle ended up in the ocean.

The popular Orange County beach is a favorite for divers and surfers, according to California State Parks. Driving is not allowed on the beach.



Read the original article on People
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (WATE)  A woman with a medical condition who was at the center of a search effort has been found safe, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said in an update Monday afternoon.

Previously, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said Monday morning that they were searching for a Jefferson City woman last seen on Sunday walking toward her mailbox.

The woman, identified as Amber Nancy Cox, 36, was seen near her residence on Murph Road at around 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. She has a medical condition that causes seizures and did not have her medication with her, according to a Missing Person flyer shared by JCSO.

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JCSO deputies were dispatched to the area regarding a missing person report.

Bear rescue: 13 cubs euthanized by TWRA after illness found

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated.

Authorities say nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year. Thats five people for every 100,000. Check this list of people missing from East Tennessee to see if you can help locate someone.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN)  Auto thefts in San Marcos continue to climb, according to data obtained by KXAN.

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 3, 2024, there were 233 vehicles stolen within San Marcos. In 2022, there were 222 auto thefts, and 225 in 2023, according to the San Marcos Police Department.

DATA: Auto theft happens across Austin  about 8% of cases ended in arrest in 2023

Of the 233 vehicles stolen through December of this year, SMPD told KXAN that 145, or 62%, of them were recovered.

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Region-wide, everyones getting hit with auto thefts up and down [Interstate] 35, Brandon Winkenwerder, SMPD assistant chief over police operations, told KXAN in August. San Antonio Police released that they had 19,000 stolen in a one-year period from May [2023] to May [2024].

In order to attempt to curb vehicle thefts in the city, the police department received grant funding to establish an auto crimes unit within SMPD. The grant funds one full-time sworn officer to focus on investigating these crimes and ten license plate readers, according to city backup.

The grant awards the department $177,401. To establish the unit, the city was also required to pay just over $35,000.

San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge said in the Dec. 3 city council meeting he thought eventually the new unit might have two to three investigators focusing specifically on auto crimes.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
DENVER (KDVR)  Thousands are crowding the downtown area to do their holiday shopping and enjoy the citys light displays.

Many will use parking meters and lots that use QR codes that offer added convenience.

Before, you needed to use change, said one driver.

The Federal Trade Commission warns that anyone using a QR code should examine it closely to ensure it is legitimate.

Airbnb cracking down on unauthorized, disruptive parties

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Scammers can use QR code stickers that link users to a spoofed site that looks real but is a spoof. If you log in, the scammers could steal any information you enter or the code could install malware that steals your personal information before you realize it.

They are selling your information, using it to steal identities scamming the people you love and you know, said Brian Cather of CP Cyber.

Those using Denver parking meters should only use the authorized PayByPhone QR Code which initiates the downloaded app in order to begin the drivers parking session. If you dont have the app installed, the code takes you to the App Store where it can be downloaded.



The city of Denver told the Problem Solvers that the PayByPhone branded QR Code does not direct them to a website, either our own, or a third-party website.

Users may see ads on the app. A spokesperson told FOX31 the city has partnered with a company called ROKT that provides users with discount offers after the parking transaction is completed. Users can opt to turn off the offers if desired.



The city told the Problem Solvers a special blog has been created to educate residents about ways to protect against QR code fraud, which can be accessed here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. The U.S. Embassy in Baku did not answer the question of the Azerbaijani media about possible steps by Washington to protect the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people in Armenia, and was satisfied with a reminder that this country offers some projects in our territories liberated from occupation, the Western Azerbaijan Community said in a statement, Trend reports.

"We believe that the Embassy, with its tone of response, including the assessment of the media subjects' question as "false", demonstrated how it actually "respects" the principles of "freedom of speech" and "freedom of opinion", which the United States constantly points to.

As the Western Azerbaijan Community, we note with regret that the United States ignores the issue of Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia, including the destruction of their cultural heritage by Armenia. The letter we sent to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last April asking for support for our right to return has not yet been responded to. However, over the past period, the U.S. government has repeatedly put a number of fictitious issues called "human rights" on the agenda. Everyone knows that the current U.S. administration recalls the topics of "human rights" and "cultural heritage" only when it is necessary to make false accusations against Azerbaijan.

We strongly condemn the racial discrimination shown by the current the U.S. administration towards Azerbaijanis, and we call on them to stop their biased policies at least until the end of their term, including responding to the letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition, we hope to ensure the participation of the Western Azerbaijan Community in the next hearings of such institutions as the U.S. Senate, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the Congress, the Commission on Religious Freedom, which organize various one-sided hearings on regional issues, the communitys statement said.
Donald Trumps second administration could be more aggressive in going after journalists for using unnamed sources, according to an internal memo from Axios that was obtained by Semafor on Monday.

The memo, from Axios senior counsel, warned staffers that Trump will target news outlets with defamation lawsuits and could even look to charge journalists for crimes using the Espionage Act, a 1917 law that curtailed speech that was critical of the governments handling of World War I.

We anticipate more aggressive government efforts to investigate leaks  which could include a wave of subpoenas seeking journalists phone records, documents, and testimony, Brian Westley, Axios senior newsroom counsel said in the memo. Of particular concern: [Stories] involving unnamed sources that disclose government information without authorization  including sensitive conversations including the president or other top officials.

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Westley continued: This stuff is NO JOKE. The framework of legal protections for journalists we live under is relatively recent and under real threat. One bad court case could have a big impact, so its important for everybody to be careful and aware of the risks.

The Espionage Act, it is worth pointing out, has been leveraged by previous presidents to go after journalists.

President Barack Obamas administration, a 2018 fact check from the Associated Press found, used the 1917 Espionage Act with unprecedented vigor, prosecuting more people under that law for leaking sensitive information to the public than all previous administrations combined.

Axios warning also comes after ABC News and George Stephanopoulos agreed to pay Trump $15 million on Saturday to settle a defamation lawsuit. Trump, of course, has had a contentious relationship with the mainstream press  which he often blasts as fake news  for years now.

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Some industry veterans, like ex-Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron, have said they are worried Trump will seek retribution against reporters, while others are taking more of a wait-and-see approach to his next administration; ProPublica editor-in-chief Stephen Engelberg, for example, said this weekend the media hasnt reached a point where it needs to cry wolf over Trump just yet.





The post Axios Warns Aggressive Trump Administration Could Target Journalists, Force Reveal of Anonymous Sources appeared first on TheWrap.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Dec. 15 episode of "Ayman."

More than a week after Syrian rebels toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad, U.S. officials are praising the Syrian people and talking about what the new regime could look like. But theres also another layer to how they reacted to the news.

The upshot for all this is, for the first time ever, neither Russia nor Iran nor Hezbollah could defend this abhorrent regime in Syria, President Joe Biden said from the White House.

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And this is a direct result of the blows that Ukraine [and] Israel have delivered upon their own self-defense with unflagging support of the United States. And over the past four years, my administration pursued a clear, principled policy towards Syria.State Department spokesman Matt Miller also addressed the situation in Syria, telling reporters, The Syria policy that was developed during the latter stages of the Obama administration  that has largely carried through to this day ultimately, I would say, has led to the situation were in today.

By highlighting their approach to Syria and praising the actions of the Obama administration, its clear U.S. officials are trying to take some credit here. But they should think twice before celebrating their own policies  especially when you look at the United States role in Syria not only during the last few years, but also the last few decades.

Lets start in 1949 when the U.S. allegedly backed a coup in Syria. That move eventually paved the way for Hafez al-Assad, Bashars father, to take power in 1971. Fast forward to George W. Bushs presidency. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Assad and kept relations tense, but also worked with him after 9/11. The Bush administration sent terrorism suspects to Assads prisons, the same brutal facilities weve been seeing all over the news.

Then came Barack Obama; while his administration talked tough on Assad and imposed sanctions, it often stopped short of action. Obama famously set a red line, promising to intervene if Assad used chemical weapons on his own people. But Assad crossed that line, and nothing happened.

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The U.S. did fund some rebel groups but the effort barely made a dent. Obama eventually intervened in Syria, but not because of Assads chemical weapons. Instead, he launched strikes against ISIS, which killed many civilians in the process. Toward the end of Donald Trumps presidency, he made a move that still affects Syria at this very moment. In 2019, Trump recognized Israels control of the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory Israel has illegally occupied and annexed for decades, in violation of the United Nations Charter and international law. The U.S. is the only country that recognizes it as part of Israel, other than Israel itself.

The international community widely slammed this policy change but Democrats have not forcefully pushed back on it. When Biden took office, his administration mostly ignored Syria. They also never reversed Trumps policy. In fact, in 2021, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, Leaving aside the legalities of that question, as a practical matter, the Golan [Heights] is very important to Israels security.

As long as Assad is in power in Syria, as long as Iran is present in Syria, militia groups backed by Iran, the Assad regime itself  all of these pose a significant security threat to Israel, and as a practical matter, the control of the Golan in that situation, I think, remains of real importance to Israels security, Blinken told CNN.

Legal questions are something else. And over time, if the situation were to change in Syria, thats something wed look at. But we are nowhere near that," he added.

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Well, the Assad regime is gone. Iran and Hezbollahs presence is weakened. So what has Israel exactly been doing? It has been pushing deeper into Syria, carrying out airstrikes and ignoring the Syrian de facto leaders recent pledge they would not engage in conflict with Israel.

The Israeli government has been scrambling to justify these actions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the militarys position inside the buffer zone was a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found. Israel's representative also wrote a letter to the United Nations again defending its actions, calling them limited and temporary. On Sunday, Netanyahu doubled down on the plan to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights. Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it, Netanyahu said in a statement.

To fulfill this goal, the Israeli government approved an $11 million plan to encourage more of these settlements, which are widely viewed as illegal, in the Golan Heights. All of that is very, very far from limited and temporary measures.

Biden has claimed his support of Israel helped bring down Assad, but the billions in weapons he gave Netanyahu may just fuel even more international law-breaking. By standing by, the U.S. is now complicit in Israel taking more land in Syria, bombing towns, expanding settlements and potentially displacing thousands.

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U.S. politicians are claiming to want peace for Syrians but, in reality, theyre only making things worse by letting Netanyahu act with impunity once again.

Allison Detzel contributed.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Update: The charge of first-degree kidnapping of a minor against Jones has been dropped.

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A babysitter abandoned a 9-year-old child outside a gas station in freezing 36 degree weather in the Las Vegas valley, according to police.

Around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer responded to reports of a barefoot child crying at a gas station near Rancho Drive and Bonanza Road.

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A 9-year-old child said she had been asleep at home when a woman carried her out of bed, brought her to the gas station, and left her near the car wash. The child told police the woman reportedly told her to go to sleep before leaving, according to the arrest report.

About 30 minutes later, at 2:30 a.m., the childs mother contacted police to report her daughter missing. She explained she had left her three children in the care of Nichole Jones, a friend of her sister. The mother stated she had known Jones for about a year and had never had any issues when entrusting her children to her care, the report said.

At around 3 a.m., Jones contacted police requesting medical assistance. She was located at the gas station. Jones told officers she believed the child was dead and, after trying to wake her up, decided to leave the child at the station, saying, If youd seen her eyes, you would know, according to documents.

Jones was taken to a nearby hospital before being arrested. She is now facing charges of first-degree kidnapping of a minor and child abuse, neglect, or endangerment, according to authorities.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The CEO of the company whose backpack was spotted on the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare boss shooting has said he and his employees have been targeted with vile abuse since he tipped police off.

Peter Dering, the founder and CEO of Peak Design, was quoted in a Dec. 5 New York Times article, saying that he contacted police immediately after he saw his product in CCTV images of the alleged shooters movements around New York City in the wake of the public slaying of Brian Thompson. The high-end bag was later found in Central Park stuffed with Monopoly money.

After Dering told The Times he contacted a police tip off line about his concerns, he and his employees were targeted by supporters of the alleged gunman, Luigi Mangione. Peter Dering a Snitch, one X user said, while another appeared to call for his death.

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Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design and the person who really called in the tip to arrest Luigi.

All CEOs are the same and deserve the same fate as Brian Thompson, they said.

Another macabre joke said of his company: Closing sale event coming soon. The companys Instagram page was also flooded with disparaging comments.

Yall effed with the wrong people. Enjoy what is left of your company, one said.

This is Peter Dering, CEO of Snitch Design sorry I mean (Peak Design). pic.twitter.com/9er1qTQv0x  Senator Palpatine (Adept)#5561 (@GuardianSheev) December 13, 2024

Dering told the Times that if police were to ask for help he would check with his general counsel about what information he could release without violating the companys privacy guidelines.

But he and his colleagues reportedly suffered a blowback online anyway, prompting him to release an updated statement Friday. We take our customer privacy seriously. There is misinformation being shared on social media that has triggered many serious threats for the safety of not only me, but our employees as well, Dering said.

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I ask that you please consider the facts we are providing here and continue to instil trust in the Peak.

Following up on Instagram, Dering added that customer information would only be provided under subpoena.

One TikTok user suggested Peak Design bag owners remove the serial tags on their bags. Police sometimes track serial numbers of items to lead them to the person who purchased it.

But concerns were raised over this method, leading to further ire being directed towards Dering. What if somebody gave this to me as a gift and now Im going to jail because they committed a crime, because you wanted to tell somebody that was my backpack? That is very scary, one TikTok user posted.

Just a reminder that these snitches used the serial number on Luigis bag when he dropped off that bag of Monopoly money, called up the cops and gave them the information. Also, the CEO of Peak Design that ratted out Luigi is Peter Dering. pic.twitter.com/Gtco1e8toU  Mexican Atheist  (@AceCobra1056539) December 14, 2024

Greg Ewing, a data privacy attorney in Washington, DC., told CNN this is actually possible and is quite similar to the way law enforcement trace vehicles.

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Its a similar idea, Ewing said. In our economy, our world, certain things are required to be registered. There are certain things that are optionally registeredconsumer products, like this, are one of those.

Dering said in his Instagram post on the company page that a serial number cant be linked to a customer unless that customer has voluntarily registered the product on our site.

Peak Design has been contacted for comment.
Mayor Brandon Scott said Monday he will appoint a federal transportation official to head up the citys Department of Transportation beginning in the new year.

Veronica P. McBeth, who currently serves as the U.S. Department of Transportations deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy, will become the city departments director on Jan. 13, according to a news release from the city. Interim director Veobia Akilo will step down that day.

McBeth has experience at the federal, state and city levels, as well as in the private sector. She earned an advanced degree in environmental law from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, according to the release. She also once served as the Transit Bureau Chief in the citys transportation department, it says.

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At this moment in our citys history we need a transportation leader that will transform the operations of the department, bring new, inventive ideas that will modernize our transportation infrastructure and strengthen the delivery of the departments core services  Veronica P. McBeth is that leader, said Mayor Scott in the release.

The departments former director Corren Johnson stepped down effective immediately last Thursday. The city did not give a reason for Johnsons sudden departure last week.

McBeth said in the release, I am excited about this opportunity to come home and take all the best practices from around the country and make safe and impactful changes that my fellow Baltimoreans can see and experience daily. I want all residents to have a safe and reliable experience using our citys transportation system where they live, work, worship, and play.

McBeth turned her focus to Baltimores potential in her statement, saying, Baltimore is a top tier city that needs to show the capabilities of our transportation resources by proper planning, investment, funding, and execution. The infusion of money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was monumental and its my charge as Director to ensure that we have infrastructure investments that serve generations to come. I welcome this challenge and it is good to be home.

Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks.
DHAKA (Reuters) - Elections in Bangladesh could be held by the end of 2025, the head of the country's interim government said on Monday, provided that electoral reforms are carried out first.

Bangladesh has been ruled by an interim government led by its only Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August, when then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India amid mass protests.

"If there is political consensus and the voter list is prepared accurately with only minor reforms, it may be possible to hold elections by the end of 2025," Yunus said in a televised speech.

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Bangladeshs army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, whose refusal to support Hasina during the deadly student protests led to her departure, told Reuters in September that democracy should be restored within 12 to 18 months.

In his address, delivered on the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh winning independence from Pakistan following a nine-month war, Yunus said elections would only be possible after electoral reforms.

"If additional reforms are needed, and taking into account national consensus, it may take at least another six months," the 84-year-old added.

Opposition parties including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, one of two dominant parties in the country alongside the Awami League, have called for elections to be held as soon as possible.

(Reporting by Dhaka Bureau; Editing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Nicholas Yong)
Bashar al-Assads regime collapsed faster than anyone had predicted. The sudden nature of its downfall left many scrambling for answers, and it seems no one was more unprepared than Assad himself.

In a statement released on Telegram today purportedly from the former Syrian president, he admits that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions while he sought refuge at a Russian base in Latakia. His description of being besieged at Hmeimim airbase, which faced intensified attack by drone strikes, highlights the disarray of his forces and the desperate circumstances that forced Russia to arrange his immediate evacuation. Despite his insistence that at no point  did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, Assads inability to maintain contact with even his prime minister during Damascus fall underscores his complete loss of control and leadership.

When it became clear that his regime was finished, he fled Syria apparently without warning even his closest relatives. His first destination of choice likely would have been Dubai, where some of his relatives already live in exile. But as a key Western ally, the UAE would have been under immense pressure to deny Assad safe haven or, worse, to hand him over for war crimes trials in the future.

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With Dubai off the table, Assads options quickly shrank to one: Russia. For years, Moscow was Assads most reliable patron, propping up his regime through relentless military and diplomatic support.

But even in Russia, Assads future is far from assured. While he may currently reside in a secluded dacha, shielded from the chaos he left behind, his long-term safety is tied to the fortunes of Vladimir Putin. And Putins own position has become increasingly precarious.

The Kremlins decision to back Assad in Syrias civil war was always more about Russias strategic interests than any personal affinity for the dictator. Assad served as a convenient proxy through which Moscow could reassert its influence in the Middle East.

But times have changed. Putins ill-fated invasion of Ukraine has plunged Russia into economic and political uncertainty. Western sanctions have taken a toll, and the wars outcome remains uncertain. If Putin falls, a new leader in Moscow may decide that Assad  a washed-up dictator with little geopolitical value  is expendable.

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History provides a clear precedent for this. After the fall of Slobodan Milosevics regime in Serbia, a new government eager to repair ties with the European Union agreed to extradite him to The Hague. The EU made cooperation with the court in The Hague a precondition for Serbias path to EU membership, and all of a sudden, previously missing war criminals were found and handed over.

Assad could face a similar fate. A new Russian leadership might look to reset relations with the West as a way to secure sanctions relief and economic recovery. Handing over Assad could be an attractive goodwill gesture to demonstrate a shift in priorities.

For Assad, the implications are clear: Russias protection is conditional and fragile. He may have smuggled billions of dollars out of Syria  enough to sustain a life of great comfort  but money alone cannot guarantee his safety.

Another plausible scenario is that a post-Assad Syrian government plays its hand carefully. Whoever emerges to lead a new Syria will face immense challenges, from rebuilding its shattered infrastructure to fostering reconciliation among deeply divided communities. But pragmatism could prevail. A new government in Damascus might decide to repair relations with Russia in exchange for concessions  and one of those concessions could be Assad himself.

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Russias military presence in Syria is a cornerstone of its global power projection. The Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval base are vital assets that Moscow will be reluctant to abandon. Hmeimim, which Russia leased for 49 years in 2017, allows it to project power across the Middle East and North Africa. Tartus, built during the Soviet era, supports naval operations in the eastern Mediterranean and solidifies Russias claim as a global power. These bases matter far more to Moscow than sheltering an isolated and powerless former ally.

If a new Syrian government were to guarantee continued access by Russia to these bases, Moscow might see little reason to continue protecting Assad. In fact, handing him over to face trial  once stability has returned  could be a practical move to solidify relations with a new leadership in Damascus while maintaining Russias influence in the region.

Of course, any deal involving Russia would be deeply controversial among Syrians. Moscows role in the Syrian civil war was defined by indiscriminate bombardment of civilian areas, targeting hospitals, schools, and markets. Thousands of innocent lives were lost as Russia provided the Assad regime with overwhelming firepower and political cover. For many Syrians, the idea of Russia striking a deal to maintain its foothold in their country would be difficult to swallow.

But the prospect of bringing Assad to justice would be a powerful incentive. For a country that has suffered under the Assad familys brutal rule for half a century, seeing Bashar al-Assad stand trial could offer a measure of closure. It would be a symbolic and tangible step toward accountability, healing, and rebuilding.

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Dr Azeem Ibrahim OBE is the senior director of special initiatives at the New Lines Institute

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Armenia needs to revise its constitution to show respect for Azerbaijans national sovereignty, Trend reports via an article by famous Israeli scholar of Arab culture, a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University Mordechai Kedar in The Jerusalem Post.

The newspaper's as a non-alternative option, considered the creation of normal good neighborly relations by Armenia, deprived of Russian support, with Azerbaijan and Turkiye, abandoning the support of Tehran with the prospect of a peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

According to the article, the development of events in this direction will significantly weaken the religious radicalism encouraged by Tehran in the region.

The publication noted that Azerbaijan, ensuring secular rule of law in every territory under its control, has so far made an important contribution to establishing an atmosphere of secular statehood in the region, successfully preventing the spread of religious radicalism.

The author pointed out that the victory of Azerbaijan as a strategic ally of Turkiye in the Second Karabakh War led to the weakening of forces that kept the region in tension and, in exchange, to the enhanced influence of the Turkic alliance.

The article also pointed out that about a million Azerbaijanis became internally displaced persons as a result of aggression by Armenia, which, ignoring four UN Security Council resolutions, illegally occupied Karabakh and seven districts of Azerbaijan for 30 years.

Against this backdrop, the author emphasized the need for Armenia to revise its constitution to respect Azerbaijan's national sovereignty.

The full text of the article can be found by linking to https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-832715

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A Bastrop man accused of continuous sexual abuse of a child has been extradited from Panama, officials said. Henry Torres, 60, was booked into the Travis County Jail on Wednesday, according to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service.

More: Signs of possible sexual assault in children

A magistrate judge in Travis County issued an arrest warrant for Torres on May 23, 2023, the release said. A Travis County grand jury indicted Torres on Oct. 31, 2023, on 11 counts, including continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact, the release said. It said he also was indicted on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

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'Powerful and impactful:' City apologizes to survivors in sexual assault cases

Henry Torres, 60, of Bastrop, was extradited from Panama after being indicted in Travis County on 11 counts related to sexual assault of a child, officials said.

The Travis County sheriff's office asked for help in June from the Austin Division of the U.S. Marshals' Lone Star Fugitive Task Force to find Torres, the release said.

Panama officials notified the U.S. Marshals Service on Nov. 12 that they had detained Torres, according to the release. The Travis County district attorneys office then filed and obtained a provisional arrest warrant for Torres on Nov. 13 with the Department of Justice.

Panamanian officials released Torres to the U.S. Marshals Service for extradition Tuesday, the release said. His bail has been set at $100,000.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bastrop man accused of child sexual assault extradited from Panama
Brig. Gen. Bruce C. Clarke should have been on leave in Paris, enjoying a well-earned break from the nearly constant combat hed been in since the D-Day breakout in late July launched the Allied sweep across France led by the tank unit he then commanded  Combat Command A (CCA), 4th Armored Division. When that Allied Blitzkrieg in Reverse brought the European wars front line to Germanys doorstep that autumn, however, Clarke had been promoted to Brig. Gen. and given command of CCB, 7th Armored Divisiona troubled outfit Clarke had quickly whipped into shape.

But, instead of relaxing in Paris, at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 17, 1944, Clarke was on the top floor room of a school in St. Vith, Belgium, a town controlling a vitally important crossroads in the northern sector of the Ardennes Forest region of France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Standing alongside Maj. Gen. Alan W. Jones, the beleaguered and overwhelmed commander of U.S. 106th Infantry Division defending this sector of the Allied front line, the men used binoculars to observe swarms of German infantrymen backed by panzers approaching the towns eastern outskirts.

A dire situation

Jones dire assessment of losing his division was unfortunately on target. When the German offensive began at 5:30 a.m., Dec. 16, 1944, the 16,000 infantrymen of his untested 106th Division had held their assigned 22-mile-wide front-line sector  including the Schnee Eifel high ground east of St. Vith which included part of the German Siegfried Line (West Wall) defenses  for only four days.

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D-Day anniversary marked by dwindling number of veterans

Soon, two of Jones three infantry regiments (422nd and 423rd) were surrounded and cut off by the rapidly advancing Germans. The cut-off regiments surrendered Dec. 19 in the largest surrender of American troops in the European Theater. Clarkes situation when he took command of St. Viths defense looked equally dire. Ordered to the Ardennes early that morning, Clarkes CCB had traveled 80 miles south over frozen roads, the last few miles pushing their way east through roads clogged with U.S. units fleeing west.

Only a portion of Clarkes tankers and armored infantrymen had reached St. Vith by late afternoon Dec. 17. If you were Bruce C. Clarke facing that desperate situation, what would you do? Here are your most likely courses of action:

1. Fortress St. Vith

With overwhelming German numbers of troops and tanks pouring off of the Schnee Eifel and threatening to engulf St. Vith as your unit barely trickles into the town, establishing a fortified perimeter which can be strengthened by more of your units as they slowly arrive could turn the town into an island of resistance, thereby blocking the Germans from capturing the crossroads. However, this would mean that your defenders would inevitably be surrounded and cut-off. Unbeknownst to you at the time, this is the exactly the defense the 101st Airborne would adopt at Bastogne, further south.

2. Mobile defense

Divide the entire area around St. Vith into defensive zones/sectors, within which you would create teams of tanks-infantry to carry out an active mobile defense, trading space for time, when necessary, but if necessary, giving up terrain and fixed defensive positions in order to prolong your defense of the St. Vith overall area as long as possible.

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By controlling the overall area, you would deny the Germans free, unfettered use of the vital crossroads, thereby delaying the enemy offensives main attack as long as possible.This is the tactic you successfully used in winning the September 1944 Battle of Arracourt, France, the largest American tank battle of the war prior to the Battle of the Bulge.

3. Withdraw west

With the inevitably impending surrender of the 106ths two full infantry regiments on the Schnee Eifel, there seems no reasonable chance your much smaller combat command (brigade equivalent) can possibly stop the German main attack and deny them full use of the St. Vith road network.

Moreover, you know that the remainder of 7th Armored Division (CCA and CC Reserve) under your division commander, Brig. Gen. Robert Hasbrouck, is forming on the west bank of the Salm River obstacle. Therefore, the tactically prudent decision is for you to withdraw your CCB west behind the Salm River while you still can, adding your combat commands strength to Brig. Gen. Hasbroucks gathering force for the presumed planned Allied counterattack.

The 7th Armored Division prepare to move up after having given artillery support to the infantry in their battle for high ground near St. Vith. (U.S. Army/National Archives)

What is your decision, General Clarke?

Even before Allied intelligence soon confirmed it, Clarkes combat experience convinced him this thrust toward St. Vith was the German main attack  it overlapped and paralleled the Ardennes classic invasion route, the Losheim Gap. Since the impenetrability of the rugged Ardennes region was primarily due to its primitive road network, whoever controlled the roads and crossroads controlled the Ardennes. Therefore, holding  or, more importantly, controlling the area surrounding  the few but vital road networks would delay, likely fatally, any rapid German advance through the Ardennes.

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Moreover, Clarkes stunning September 1944 victory at Arracourt in which his brilliant mobile defense of that area by his outnumbered combat command defeated two panzer brigades and major elements of two panzer divisions (Clarke lost 55 tanks/tank destroyers; Germans lost over 200 panzers/assault guns) gave him a virtual blueprint for victory at this similar combat scenario at St. Vith. Clarke wisely chose Option 2, Mobile Defense.

Outcome

From Dec. 17 through Dec. 23, Clarkes CCB, 7th Armored Division conducted a brilliant mobile defense of St. Vith and the surrounding area, delaying Gen. Hasso von Manteuffels Fifth Panzer Army for a critical week during the Battle of the Bulge. Although Clarke relinquished the town of St. Vith on Dec. 21, his unit controlled the overall area until Dec. 23 when it was ordered to withdraw behind the Salm River. Historian Russell Weigley judged that more than any other of the many defensive stands in the Ardennes  it was the battle of St. Vith that bought the time required by Allied generalship to recapture control of the [Bulge] battle.

Although the heroic Siege of Bastogne (Dec. 20-26, 1944) is the most remembered of the Battle of the Bulge engagements, the 101st paratroopers successfully defended the besieged town against the Germans supporting attack; Clarkes defense of St. Vith blunted and fatally delayed the enemy main attack. Later, Clarke summed up what it took to persevere and win at St. Vith: The job of a commander in a battle when attacked by an overwhelming force is to prevent the confusion from becoming disorganized, and to eliminate command and staff inertia so that the reaction to crises can be swift and effective.

This story originally appeared on HistoryNet.com.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  As the sun rises and the morning rush begins, a local meteorologist is already deep in preparation for the day ahead.

To look at what goes into the forecast on and off screen, including the challenges and the personal passion of FOX21 Storm Team Meteorologist Ryan Matoush, Photojournalist Christopher Hernandez went beyond the maps and radar to uncover what it takes to keep the community informed, rain or shine.

Day in the life: Ryan Matoush

I got into meteorology because I love the weather, Ryan said. Ive been fascinated with severe weather for as long as I can remember, specifically tornadoes, hail, lightningeverything that everybody else hates, Ive just always wanted to learn more.

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Upon graduation though, Ryan wasnt quite sure what was next.

Once I got the degree, I left school and I said, Okay, now what? I had no plan, and eventually, I decided, Lets try TV! I dont know if Im going to be any good at it, Ive never practiced it, but Im going to try it,' Ryan recalled.

Day in the life: Ryan Matoush

Ryan explained that while news was ultimately the path he chose, it sometimes comes with a tough schedule.

The first thing I tell people about my career is, the hours are rough, he said. We are on the news when you are at home, and that ultimately means, we dont get to see our family as much, and we dont get to see our friends as much.

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With that though, Ryan said his career so far, has been an adventure.

Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush

This industry has taken me to three different states so far, Ryan said. I started in Wyoming, went to Kansas, and now Im back in Colorado.

Ryan also gave a special shout-out to his family for their support. I just want to say thank you to my mom and dad, especially, for not only financially supporting me but also mentally supporting me because man, it gets lonely out there, Ryan said. Thanks for answering my calls, mom and dad.

Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush Day in the life: Ryan Matoush

As for advice hed give to his past self, heres what Ryan had to say: I would tell him, to enjoy the ride, even though there are ups and downs, you really want to try and focus on those ups, because thats what makes this industry worth it.

Day in the life: Ryan Matoush

Ryan recalled his passion for news and the many places it has taken him throughout the years including many community events.

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You get to be a part of so many peoples lives and its just a very unique job, he said.

Day in the life: Ryan Matoush

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
WASHINGTON D.C. (KNWA/KFTA)  A Bentonville man was sentenced on Monday for his involvement in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents.

Nathan Earl Hughes, 34 (Courtesy of Washington County)

Nathan Hughes, 34, received a 25-month sentence in federal prison with three years of supervised release for civil disorder, assault on a federal law enforcement officer, and impeding passage through the Capitol related to his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. He pleaded guilty to those charges in August.

Court documents say that video footage obtained by law enforcement shows Hughes in the vicinity of the Lower West Terrace tunnel for at least an hour.

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Hughes pushed against the police line in the tunnel and helped other rioters physically fight police in an attempt to breach the line and enter the U.S. Capitol building, a release from the Department of Justice said. At approximately 3:15 p.m., Hughes was at the mouth of the tunnel and signaled the crowd of rioters, Cmon! Cmon! while waving his hand in the direction of the tunnel. After signaling to the crowd, Hughes entered the tunnel and charged toward the police line.

Citing Trump win, Arkansas Jan. 6 rioter wants sentencing delay

Hughes was reportedly observed using his elbow to strike in the direction of police.

In March, Hughes lawyer said in a motion that he was a freelance independent journalist with a history of reporting on political rallies, demonstrations and protests going back to 2017.

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Citing President-elect Donald Trumps win, Hughes asked in November for his case to be continued to Feb. 2, 2025, hoping for a pardon.

In addition to his sentence, Hughes was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday his country would likely play a role in securing a future ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine but that it was far too early to tell what a peacekeeping force might look like.

Speculation that Europe could put boots on the ground in Ukraine should a ceasefire be reached with Russia has risen as countries are awaiting U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House in January.

Trump has made clear he will push for an immediate ceasefire to end the conflict and that he sees Europeans in charge of taking first responsibility for the security on their continent.

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Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Pistorius echoed other European politicians by saying it was too early for decisions on any troop presence in Ukraine as there were neither negotiations nor a ceasefire in sight.

"If there is a ceasefire, then of course the Western community, NATO partners, potentially the United Nations and the European Union will have to discuss how such a peace, such a ceasefire can be secured," he said. "And it is obvious that Germany as Europe's biggest economy would play a role there."

Pistorius added that he could not say yet what such a role might entail as this depended on the modalities and conditions of a ceasefire and a potential mandate for a peacekeeping force.

He underlined it also needed to be clear that both Ukraine and Russia accepted such a mandate.

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"From my response you can tell that there are far more questions than answers right now. And that's why I cannot give you a conclusive answer," he said.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) believes President Joe Biden should very seriously consider preemptively pardoning the Jan. 6 committee members ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps second administration.

Trump has shown interest in going after the bipartisan House select committee members who investigated the 2021 Capitol insurrection. The coup attempt was a failed effort to overturn Trumps definitive loss in the 2020 election.

On NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday, moderator Kristen Welker asked Sanders for his thoughts on the possibility of Biden preemptively pardoning the committee members ahead of Trumps upcoming presidency.

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Sanders replied, Well, I think he might want to consider that very seriously.

This is what authoritarianism is all about. Its what dictatorship is all about, Sanders, who may not be seeking another term in the Senate, said. You do not arrest elected officials who disagree with you, who undertake an investigation.

Sanders take comes after multiple media outlets reported earlier this month that the White House was considering giving pardons to Trumps potential targets. Some Democrats told HuffPost at the time that they were not so keen on the idea.

Trump has indicated on numerous occasions that his second term will be  at least in part  dedicated to revenge against his political opponents. As such, he previously told Welker that he believed the Jan. 6 select committee members, including chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and vice chairwoman former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), should be imprisoned.

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Cheney did something thats inexcusable, along with [Chairman Bennie] Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps. ... Honestly, they should go to jail, Trump said.

Cheney responded shortly thereafter in a statement saying his threat to imprison the committee members reflects the same disregard he had for the law during his coup attempt.

Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power, Cheney said. He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building and halted the official counting of electoral votes. Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave.

Donald Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic, she added.

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Aside from Cheney and Thompson, the committee also included Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.); Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.); and former Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Elaine Luria (D-Va.).

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said that President Joe Biden should seriously consider preemptive pardons for members of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, warning that President-elect Donald Trumps recent remarks were making him sound like a tinpot dictator.

In an interview with Meet the Press , Sanders said he was nervous about the impending resignation of FBI Director Christopher Wray, who announced he planned to step down before the end of his 10-year term.

You know, when Trump talks about sending to jail people who were on that Jan. 6 Committee, that sounds like being a tinpot dictator, Sanders told host Kristin Welker. So I would hope that we have an FBI and a Justice Department that protects the civil liberties of the American people and does its best to protect American democracy.

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The week prior, Welker sat down with the president-elect, where he stated that members of the Jan. 6 committee should go to jail. Trump quickly added that he would not direct his attorney general or FBI director to investigate committee members.

Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump has also repeatedly promised to pardon Capitol rioters as one of his first moves in office. In an interview with Time magazine published last week, Trump said he would start reviewing their individual sentences in the first hour that I get into office, later amending that to maybe the first nine minutes.

When asked whether Biden should consider preemptive pardons for members of the Jan 6. Committee, Sanders said I think he might want to consider that very seriously.

But the Vermont independent also dismissed Trumps call to jail the committee members, calling his remarks outrageous. Sanders said he believed a lot of Republicans would line up against the proposed prosecutions, citing Welkers interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) just moments before. When asked if he thinks the members of the Jan. 6 committee should be jailed, Graham gave a firm no response.

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Sanders, one of the most progressive senators in office, has seemingly softened his tone towards the incoming administration in recent dayseven offering rare praise for Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the two billionaires charged by Trump with leading a Department of Government Efficiency, for promising to make defense spending more efficient.

On Sunday, Sanders also said he was open to working with the president-elect to raise the federal minimum wage. Trump previously said he would consider raising the $7.25 minimum, which has not seen an increase since 2009.

I tried, I think, two years ago, to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. We got zero. Not one Republican supported it, Sanders said.
by Xinhua writer Yang Shilong NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- In interviews with Xinhua after Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2024 gala dinner of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), experts said the United States and China should seize opportunities to have dialogue and cooperation amid ongoing tensions. In the congratulatory letter sent on Wednesday, Xi said China and the United States should choose dialogue over confrontation, and win-win cooperation over zero-sum games. Noting that the China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important relationships in the world, Xi said it concerns not only the immediate interests of the Chinese and American peoples, but also the future of and destiny of the entire humanity. The success of one side should be an opportunity rather than a challenge for the other, and one's achievement should help rather than hinder the development of the other, he added. ARGUMENTS FOR U.S. PROTECTIONISM "DEEPLY MISPLACED" Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned U.S. economist and professor at Columbia University, described Xi's remarks as "very wise" and hoped that Washington would heed them. "President Xi's words are very wise, and I hope they are not in vain," said Sachs, criticizing the United States for adopting protectionist policies. According to Sachs, the United States has become protectionist for three reasons: First, it has worked politically to blame job loss in manufacturing in the U.S. Midwest on China. The U.S. Midwest states have been the "swing states" in presidential elections, so both parties have turned protectionist. Second, the United States aims to use protectionism as an industrial policy to create U.S.-based industries in green and digital technologies that lag behind China's. Third, the United States aims to use protectionism to hinder China's rise in a zero-sum strategy to bolster U.S. hegemony. All three arguments for U.S. protectionism are "deeply misplaced," said Sachs. "The United States has benefited enormously from trade with China. To create an artificial tariff wall against trade with China will be a losing proposition," he said. "The main source of job decline is technology, not trade." Putting tariffs on China will not create many if any U.S. jobs, and could well result in net job losses in the United States through a loss of competitiveness, said Sachs. The better way to help the lagging U.S. Midwest is through regional development policies in the United States and other social outlays, such as job retraining. "The U.S. industrial policy for green and digital technologies should not aim against China. Indeed, Chinese companies can and should be part of successful U.S.-based industries," he added. "The U.S. idea of hindering China's economic rise is profoundly misguided and dangerous, introducing a mistaken zero-sum mentality into a positive-sum relationship," said Sachs. SEEK A WAY FORWARD Despite ongoing challenges, U.S.-China relations remain the most critical bilateral relationship in the world, said Mitchell Presnick, a visiting fellow of practice at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University and founder of Super 8 Hotels China. He emphasized that both nations recognize pragmatic reasons to keep avenues for cooperation open. "We've seen President Xi make significant efforts over the past year to engage the American business community," Presnick noted, citing key events such as the APEC Summit in San Francisco in November 2023 and the China Development Forum in Beijing in March 2024. Beneath the rhetoric of conflict and competition, "both sides are searching for a way forward that better serves each country's interests," said Presnick. "There are plenty of ways in which the United States and China could, if they choose to, improve their commercial relationship, and by so doing, improve U.S.-China relations," said Robert Kapp, former president of the USCBC. Greg Cusack, a former Iowa state legislator, echoed the sentiments, calling for immediate steps to de-escalate tensions. "How I wish we would try to seize upon such words and seek to interpret them as positively as possible to initiate that dialogue without which anything else will be difficult," said Cusack, referring to the messages delivered by Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden to the USCBC event. "RADICAL DECOUPLING" UNREALISTIC, DAMAGING Michael Swaine, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, dismissed the idea of "radical decoupling" as unrealistic and damaging. "It's obvious to most people who look at this problem clearly and seriously, that you cannot cut ties economically between the United States and China without harming both countries severely," said Swaine. "So this whole notion of decoupling, radical decoupling, I think, is kind of a red herring. I don't think it's likely to happen. There'll be huge amounts of resistance in the business community and even among some politicians." Swaine called for increased communication to prevent crises from escalating into conflicts, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding and trust. "We want to have more communication," he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Azerbaijan will exempt 75 percent of journalists' income from income tax without any conditions, Trend reports.

The proposal was reflected in an amendment to the Tax Code of Azerbaijan, which was discussed during today's session of the Parliament.

Under the proposed changes, 75 percent of income earned by individuals engaged in journalistic activities, with an annual income (excluding expenses) up to 45,000 manat ($26,470), will be exempt from income tax.

Starting from January 1, 2024, according to the current version of Article 102.1.30 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 75 percent of income from entrepreneurial activities of micro-enterprise owners with no less than three employees and who do not have arrears in mandatory state social insurance contributions are also exempt from income tax.

Additionally, a group of individuals engaged in independent professional activities cannot be subject to simplified tax regimes (STR), as they provide services not to the general public but to other taxpayers. Since these individuals operate independently, they are also unable to benefit from the exemptions provided under Article 102.1.30 of the Tax Code.

Therefore, to ensure fair taxation for micro-entrepreneursindividuals with an annual turnover of up to 45,000 manat ($26,470) in specific service sectorsthe amendment proposes changes to the Tax Code, allowing for a 75 percent tax exemption on their income, without the requirement for having three employees or clearing any social insurance arrears.

After discussions, the issue was put to a vote and passed in the third reading.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A Bettendorf man who was arrested in September and accused of using his disabled siblings credit card to pay for online gambling has entered a plea in the case.

Nicholas Conklin (Scott County Jail)

According to Scott County court records, Nicholas Conklin, 44, pleaded guilty on Friday, December 13 to a count of second degree theft. A charge of financial exploitation of an older individual was dropped. He was sentenced to a term of not more than five years in the Iowa Department of Corrections, with credit for time served before sentencing.

Conklin was fined $1,025 and must pay pecuniary damages of $4,729.51 to the person who currently has power of attorney over the sibling.

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BOCA RATON  A New Jersey man said he had "no idea" he was involved a crash that killed a bicyclist Sunday morning near Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, police said in arresting him.

Officers took Thomas Vayianos, 35, into custody on a charge of DUI causing death after they found Felipe Soares de Moraes face down along the 14000 block of North Ocean Boulevard and his bicycle embedded in the front bumper of Vayianos' Chevy SUV.

Vayianos' arrest report indicated he was driving under the influence when the crash happened shortly after 7:30 a.m. but did not disclose the results of a blood-alcohol analysis.

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From the courts: Attorney who rear-ended Boca Raton motorcyclist with his Tesla pleads guilty for her death

Officers said he told them he had taken a mix of the stimulants Adderall and Vyvance and the pain medication Gabapentin the night before. When asked why he was taking the substances, Vayianos said it was because he is in rehab, the arrest report said.

During a court hearing Monday at the Palm Beach County Jail, county Judge Ted Booras assigned Vayianos a public defender and set his bail at $150,000. The judge also ordered that he be placed on in-house arrest upon his release.

As a policy, the county Public Defender's Office does not comment on open cases.

Driver failed field sobriety tests, struggled during questioning, Boca Raton police said

According to Vayianos' arrest report, a witness told investigators he was riding in a marked bicycle lane when a gray SUV passed him so closely that he could touch it.

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The witness described seeing the SUV swerve and enter the bicycle lane multiple times before crashing into Soares de Moraes. Police described him as being in his 40s, but did not list a date of birth or a place of residence for him.

Officers responding to a 911 call found Soares de Moraes dead at the scene and Vayianos seated at the rear of the SUV.

An officer noted that Vayianos had "pinpoint pupils." Investigators said that when they asked him questions about the crash, he either did not answer or began speaking about seemingly unrelated matters.

Vayianos appeared to be under the impression that it was later in the morning than 7 a.m., and that he was communicating with hotel staff regarding a checkout time.

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Lake Worth Beach shooting: Here's what happened at The Rock Irish Pub, how suspects were caught

He appeared to be unsteady on his feet as an officer attempted to walk him away from the vehicle, the report said.

When asked if remembered the crash, Vayianos began discussing an incident in Vermont where he "tapped someone," investigators reported.

An officer requested that Vayianos do field sobriety exercises. He complied but failed to complete them, and investigators found him too impaired to operate a vehicle safely, the report said.

A Boca Raton Fire Rescue medic conducted a blood draw, and Vayianos was taken to Boca Raton Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

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Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Crash in Boca Raton kills bicyclist, leads to SUV driver's DUI arrest
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  President Joe Biden has commuted the 9-year federal prison sentence of a former Deep East Texas Council of Governments executive director after he was found guilty of wire fraud back in 2017.

Biden issues largest single day act of clemency ever

Walter Diggles. Photo courtesy of the Texas Gulf Coast Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.



According to a statement the White House released on Thursday, Walter Diggles, 72 of Jasper, was one of nearly 1500 people who were put on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those 1499 people are already back home with their families but the Biden administration has decided to commute their sentences meaning theyll officially be out of custody much sooner.

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Diggles was convicted of 11 counts of wire fraud, three counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and three counts of money laundering on Aug. 3 of 2017, according to a 2018 press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Texas.

Information presented in court reportedly showed that Diggles, along with his wife and daughter, conspired to personally use money from federal block grants that Congress appropriated to help Texas recover from Hurricanes Rita, Katrina, Ike and Dolly, the press release said.

The US Attorneys Office described that Diggles, as Executive Director of DETCOG, approved inflated billing rates and reimbursement requests from those block grants before using those excess funds on personal expenses. KETK reported on Diggles when he retired after he was first charged back in 2016.

The defendants stole from the taxpayers, and these kinds of frauds take money away from real people  disaster victims, said Joseph Brown, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas in 2018. This was an appropriate sentence, and hopefully it will help deter some of this type of behavior the next time.

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Kids for Cash victim reacts after Biden commutes sentence for Pennsylvania judge

According to the US Attorneys Office, Diggles was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison on May 22, 2018. He was also ordered to pay $1,326,049.91 in restitution to the government.

Offenders who abuse the public trust inherently are more culpable. The defendants made a conscious decision to deceive and benefit personally at the expense of the citizens of the State of Texas, said Tamera Cantu, IRS special agent in charge of the Dallas Field Office in 2018. Todays sentences underscore our commitment to work in a collaborative effort to promote honest and ethical government at all levels and to prosecute those who violate the publics trust.

Diggles wife and daughter were sentenced to 4.5 years in federal prison and were released on Jan. 18, 2022. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists that Walter Diggles will be officially released on April, 12 of 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Dec. 16The Newcastle home of labor secretary Frances Perkins  the central architect behind the New Deal  will become Maine's second national monument after a declaration by President Biden on Monday.

Perkins was the first woman to serve in a U.S. president's cabinet, as secretary of labor under Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1945. The longest-serving person in that post, she spearheaded New Deal reforms like Social Security, the 40-hour work week, child labor laws and the minimum wage.

The Frances Perkins National Monument will be run by the National Park Service, in collaboration with the nonprofit Frances Perkins Center. It is the second site in Maine to earn such a designation, along with Katahdin Woods and Waters, which was named a national monument in 2016.

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Perkins, who grew up mostly in Massachusetts, spent childhood summers at the property and returned throughout her life. The 57-acre homestead and farm was passed down through the Perkins family for more than 270 years. Frances Perkins owned the house from 1927 until her death in 1965.

Biden, along with Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and other cabinet members, planned to attend the proclamation signing at the Frances Perkins Building in Washington D.C. on Monday.

"Honoring Frances Perkins with a national monument does more than acknowledge her work to establish Social Security, unemployment insurance, minimum wage and overtime pay, it is a challenge for us," Su said. "We must all remember that the gains we enjoy today were not gifts, they were hard-fought victories because Frances Perkins dared to believe that workers should thrive and not just survive."

The Frances Perkins Center and several Maine lawmakers officially asked Biden to designate Perkins' family home as a national monument in August. The Newcastle homestead has been run by the Frances Perkins Center since 2020, when the organization purchased the property from the Perkins family. It was declared a national historic landmark in 2014.

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The designation aligns with the mission of a March executive order directing the Department of the Interior to identify potential National Park Service sites that would honor women.

"Frances Perkins was an incredible trailblazer. I am grateful to President Biden for taking this step to ensure that current and future generations will learn about her body of work," Haaland said in a release.

"Frances Perkins accepted the position as the first female Cabinet member only after President Franklin D. Roosevelt agreed to support her goals to improve working conditions for all people. She worked tirelessly to see them to fruition, and she set a standard of excellence that is a beacon for all of us who serve. Today, we're taking a step to ensure that children growing up across America know the name Frances Perkins and understand the impact she has had on our country."

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President Biden is set to designate a national monument in Maine commemorating pioneering former Labor Secretary Frances Perkins, who served as the nations first woman Cabinet secretary under former President Franklin Roosevelt, the White House said Monday.

Perkins, appointed by Roosevelt in 1933, served 12 years in the role, making her the longest-serving official in his Cabinet and the Labor secretary with the longest tenure. The eponym of the Labor Departments headquarters, she played a pivotal role in developing and implementing Roosevelts sweeping New Deal programs, most notable Social Security.

During Perkinss tenure, the Labor Department oversaw Immigration and Naturalization Services, a role she used to aggressively lobby to admit larger numbers of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe.

Frances Perkins, U.S. Secretary of Labor, is shown before the Senate Labor Committee lending her support to the Wagner Bill, which would create a permanent labor board, in Washington, D.C., March 15, 1934. (AP Photo)

Perkins was considered a stalwart ally of labor unions during her tenure, which included her counseling Roosevelt against breaking a 1934 waterfront strike that shut down much of the West Coast. She also refused to deport Australian-born longshoremens union head Harry Bridges for his membership in the Communist Party, which led the House Un-American Activities Committee to introduce an unsuccessful impeachment resolution against her.

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She claimed to have been radicalized after she witnessed the notorious Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York in 1911, in which 146 garment workers were burned or leaped to their deaths after they were locked inside for the workday.

The national monument will comprise the nearly 60 acres that were once Perkinss familys homestead in Newcastle, which her family has owned for nearly three centuries.

The designation comes after Biden earlier in March signed an executive order calling on the Interior Department to identify sites with significance in womens history in America.

Frances Perkins values have shaped the American workplace. From the 40-hour work week to the minimum wage, to workplace safety and fire prevention, to the abolition of child labor, to the creation of Social Security, Perkins remains one of the most influential women in US history, Keith Mestrich, chair of the board for the Frances Perkins Center, said in a statement.

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President Joe Biden has commuted the sentence of a former Indianapolis pastor who was sentenced to 11 1/2 years in prison for running a multimillion-dollar spice ring.

Robert Jaynes Jr. is one of nearly 1,500 people whose sentences were commuted last week as part of what the White House has described as the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. Biden also commuted the sentence of a former Indiana health care executive who led a $19.4 million nursing home fraud scheme.

Jaynes, a former pastor at the fundamentalist Irvington Bible Baptist Church, was charged for manufacturing more than 10 tons of synthetic marijuana, also known as "spice" or "K2." Jaynes, who pleaded guilty in 2016, had lured several members of his church into the scheme to manufacture drugs at a volume that a federal judge called "staggering."

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IndyStar investigation: Indy's spice road

From April 2011 to October 2013, Jaynes sold more than 500,000 packages of spice, prosecutors said. He grossed $2.6 million in sales over a period of nine months in 2013.

The case was the subject of a 2015 IndyStar investigation into a spice ring that involved Jaynes, a husband and wife who were both former Hendricks County sheriff's deputies, an Indianapolis Public Schools teacher and two business owners. While living seemingly normal public lives, they became players in a real-life Indiana version of "Breaking Bad" involving the manufacture of millions of dollars' worth of illegal drugs.

Court documents say those lives entangled them in an international criminal venture that made, packaged and sold spice.

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The local spice operation, according to court documents, was part of an international conspiracy stretching from the United States to China and back again to a farm near New Palestine and two warehouses along Brookville Road on the southeast side of Indianapolis.

CEO receives clemency: Biden grants clemency to Indiana nursing home CEO who led $19 million fraud scheme

Jaynes, who founded the Irvington Bible Baptist Church in 1998, remains in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons as of Monday. A spokesman said Jaynes was transferred on May 4, 2022, to community confinement overseen by the Detroit Residential Reentry Management office. This means Jaynes is either in a residential reentry center or in home confinement.

Former IndyStar reporter Mark Alesia contributed to this story. Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Biden clemency frees Robert Jaynes, Indy 'Breaking Bad' kingpin
If you read between the lines, the federal government thinks theres a good possibility that irresponsible drone pilots are out there looking for a viral TikTok moment.

Over the weekend, the White House held a hastily scheduled Zoom conference between reporters and FBI, DHS and FAA officials who gave a background briefing on the spate of drone sightings that have dominated the news for nearly a month. On Friday, Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called on the federal government to take action and shared a video of what appeared to be dozens of drones outside of his home.

The White House didnt say the Zoom meeting with reporters was a result of the Hogan inquiry, and I wont speculate. Correlation is not necessarily causation, but we all have our suspicions. After the White House and its representatives briefed reporters Saturday, it was apparent the federal government believes that most sightings are of manned aircraft in normal air traffic patterns for nearby airports and that the confirmed drone sightings do not constitute a national security threat. But, they also admit they have no idea whos piloting the drones seen along the eastern seaboard.

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

National Security spokesperson John Kirby said as much in the White House Brady briefing room Thursday. The analysis thus far, in an investigation that is ongoing, has not revealed any national security or malicious intent or criminal activity, he explained.

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How can the government be so sure the drone pilots arent engaged in criminal activity, have malicious intent, or arent a security threat if they dont know whos flying the drones? Well, according to DOD, DHS, FBI, and FAA officials on the weekend call, the information gathered thus far confirms the drones arent being launched from foreign powers from a secret Iranian mothership at sea  nor from a secret airbase at the North Pole set to find out whos naughty or nice. Apologies to Red One.

Instead, the DOD officials claim it was irresponsible of the drone pilots and that they were very frustrated with the flights, making it sound like a bunch of stoned or drunk teenagers are having fun at everyone elses expense. So, maybe it is someone doing the naughty or nice list thing.

Obviously the administration wants to take it seriously since even government officials have seen the drones. And, the alphabet agencies, as the DOD official stressed, want to make sure that people do not panic. That was actually one of the first questions asked of officials in the very short weekend briefing (only three reporters got to ask questions). The first reporter sounded as panicked as possible and the government officials sounded like school teachers trying to calm down a kindergartner after theyve soiled themselves in class.

The second reporter who asked a question got in the only decent one: Can the government confirm that there have been sightings over U.S. military bases? The DOD official speaking on background confirmed that Picatinny Arsenal, the army facility in Morris County, NJ had recorded sightings, as had Naval Weapons Station Earle.

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The FBI official briefing reporters confirmed more than 5,000 reports had been filed since the first sighting on November 18, and said that those sightings had generated fewer than 100 leads. Most of those were on the ground and very few from pilots, in the air, reporters were told.

How few? No one asked. What were the nature of those reports from pilots? No one asked. Were these professional or private pilots? No one asked.

Those are key questions as corporate and airline pilots as well as private pilots are trained aerial observers and their reports are important as the government tracks down the causes of and solutions to the ongoing mystery.

Government officials, being government officials, of course, expressed concern (on background, as all of the briefing was) about having enough legislative authority to go after whoever is piloting the drones for whatever reason. The DOD official complained about not having the ability to coordinate with civilian authorities. The FAA official reminded everyone that most anyone can fly a drone up to 400 ft AGL (above ground level) in daylight or at night without restrictions  as long as the drone is kept within eyesight and avoids manned aircraft.

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So far they (the drone pilots) havent done anything illegal, reporters were told.

Panic, of course, is part of the lexicon in every news story these days, and Kirby had to deal with a bunch of it in the briefing room Thursday as reporters asked about military installations NORTHCOM reaction, national security threats and basically sounded like squealing pigs who had their short hairs tugged out with rusty pliers.

We understand that people are concerned . . .what I can tell you as we sit here today . . . is we havent seen any indication thus far that theres a public safety risk, Kirby said.

Then he kind of stepped in it when he stated there has been no evidence of any of this activity in or near restricted airspaces, when, as the DOD confirmed Saturday there indeed had been.

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Giving him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he was misinformed when he stepped into the briefing room and spoke with reporters on Thursday. Or, perhaps the government had not yet confirmed what everyone else suspected to be true.

But the bottom line is that the public, already wary of anything said by anyone in the government, is adversely affected by the spouting of misinformation. The administration didnt help itself with the Zoom briefing on Saturday either. None of the people speaking for the government would go on the record. Everyone spoke from the shadows of for background only with all comments attributable to FBI official or etc. The briefing began with a two-minute explanation on this shadowy condition of speaking to an issue that concerns millions of curious Americans.

Sure, you can downplay it, laugh at it and evade it. But thats how conspiracies are born and for those who still dont get it, on a broader scope, this is why millions of voters do not trust our government and vote for shady con artists who take advantage of the misinformation and lack of transparency.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Adam Kinzinger, speaking on Bluesky social media Saturday put it this way; Why is it that when you disprove the conspiracies about the drones with the fact that its not aliens or Iran, the MAGAS get angry at you? Shouldnt you be happy they arent Iranian or alien? Do they really just wish chaos and destruction on us all? If so, what is so broken in the? Why so angry?

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What Kinzinger doesnt get, and what many refuse to understand is that the cult is going to cult no matter what. And the cult simply doesnt believe you  for a variety of reasons including the fact that our government has a long history, through many administrations, of not being transparent.

Is there a serious problem with drones in New Jersey? Let me break down what I know covering the military and the federal government for 40 years, and as a private pilot and an amateur pilot of radio-controlled aircraft like small drones; Probably not.

There is no indication, so far, anywhere that these are aliens, foreign actors from secret offshore bases or Santa Claus checking out landing patterns for Christmas Eve. Of course, that could all change with any solid evidence.

I want to know what the pilot witnesses told investigators. These are trained observers and their statements are among the most valuable we could hear. Meanwhile, the government has ample ability and opportunity to counter drones. If there were a serious problem with national security, then the story would probably be about someone on our military bases shooting down the drones  not that the drones were playing hide and seek.

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We have not been told if these drones had payloads, cameras or anything else onboard. Maybe it is just a bunch of recalcitrant teenagers. I was one once. I could see that. Or it could be someone trying to photograph highways, homes and military bases. There are plenty of examples of that for innocent and nefarious reasons.

Im fairly certain it isnt Santa Claus, but who knows? The government is so shadowy in its explanation of this mystery  I could almost see a spokesman saying, Be serious. Santa Claus? We can neither confirm or deny that. We are dedicating the appropriate resources to finding out what is behind this mystery that we take very seriously. The funny thing is, theyd probably never realize how whatever they say in the shadows translates to those who are already looking for a conspiracy in which to believe.

So, you may conclude it is best to continue the practice of shadow communication since people are going to believe what they want anyway.

But, I prefer speaking plainly. I only wish our government did as well. I am pretty sure thats why some of them are on the naughty list.
Bill Clinton couldnt sleep for two years after his wife Hillary lost to Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

But the former president had a bizarre coping mechanism  he tried to imagine he was a giant inflatable toy of cartoon figures like Baby Huey and Casper the Friendly Ghost.

The unusual confession came in Clintons new book, Citizen: My Life After the White House, in which he admits to outbursts of rage when things went wrong.

My new memoir CITIZEN is officially out! Theres nothing like seeing a book youve been working on for years finally get into peoples hands. Pick up your copy today: https://t.co/krkQUQaIbP pic.twitter.com/1Q7xy4i68n  Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) November 19, 2024

But he wrote that he tried to remain resilient. When the going got rough, I tried to imagine that I was one of those big inflatable toys of the cartoon figures Baby Huey or Casper the Friendly Ghost.

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You could knock them down and they always bounced right back up.

In the memoir, he apologized to people in the firing line when he was angry.

I couldnt sleep for two years after the (2016) election. I was so angry, I wasnt fit to be around, he wrote. I apologize to all those who endured my outbursts of rage which lasted for years and bothered or bored people who thought it pointless to rehash things that couldnt be changed.

The 78-year-old 42nd president said he is still angry over the way Hillary was victimized during the election campaign and complained that he was pressed on NBC News to apologize personally to Monica Lewinsky rather than generally.

His greatest achievement since leaving the White House is said to be his successful campaign to cut the cost of AIDS medicine which transformed the way the disease was treated.
Azercell-initiated Hotline supports women and girls in challenging life circumstances

The "Women Helpline Service" has reported 586 calls during the six-month period from June to November 2024. The service, designed to support women and girls facing difficult life situations, addressed a diverse range of issues. Specifically, 256 calls sought legal assistance, 191 were related to divorce, 59 involved domestic violence, 46 addressed social welfare concerns, 21 focused on asylum-related matters, and 13 were inquiries about healthcare rights.

Each appeal is carefully reviewed and directed to the appropriate authorities based on its nature. The helpline offers legal advice and initial psychological support, ensuring comprehensive assistance. The service facilitates meetings with applicants and provides access to shelters, protection orders when required. The confidentiality of all applicants is strictly maintained and their personal data shared with relevant institutions only with the consent of the individuals concerned.

Initiated and supported by Azercell, the Women Helpline project operates under the management of the Public Association of Social Initiatives Umidli Glck (Reliable Future). The initiative is committed to empowering women and girls in challenging life circumstances.

To enhance accessibility, the helpline operates 24/7, providing professional support through the short number 116111 as well as via social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
The entrance to Salt Fork State Park, April 5, 2024, Jefferson Township in Guernsey County, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.)

A bill that would expand fracking leases in state public lands, parks, and wildlife areas from three years to five is going to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines desk for his signature.

Once he receives the bill, DeWine will have 10 days to sign the bill into law or veto it.

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State Reps. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, and Patrick Brennan, D-Parma, introduced House Bill 308 last year and it originally defines nuclear energy as green energy in Ohio.

Ohio has two nuclear reactors  DavisBesse Nuclear Power Station in Northwest Ohio and the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Northeast Ohio.

The bill passed the Ohio House this summer, with ten Democrats voting against it.

The Ohio Senate added a few amendments to the bill  including one that increases a standard lease for fracking under state parks to five years. The current law is three years.

We need to continue to frack, and allowing the extension of that is also important, Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, said during last weeks Senate session.

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State Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, had many issues with the bill.

This is perhaps the least popular thing that we will do in the entire General Assembly, Smith said. Why are we extending the lease in this amendment again without public consideration?

The U.S. Department of Energy defines renewable energy as coming from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind.

This bill would designate nuclear energy as green energy, which is kind of mystifying to me, because its clearly not, Smith said. It has so much radioactive waste, its clearly not clean. Its certainly not renewable.

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H.B. 308 passed last week in the Ohio Senate with a 24-6 vote. Sen. Catherine Ingram was the only Democrat to vote for the bill.

House concurrence

The Ohio House voted 65-26 to concur with the changes made to the bill later that same day. Brennan voted against concurrence on his own bill, saying he hoped it would play out in conference committee.

I remain steadfast in favor of nuclear expansion in the state of Ohio, he said.  I am not anti-fracking, but I believe our state parks are sacrosanct, he said. I think when we created our state parks, we created a contract with the people that we would leave our state parks alone. Im just a purist when it comes to our state parks.

Only three Democrats voted for concurrence  state Reps. Richard DellAquila, Joe Miller, and Elgin Rogers, Jr.

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State Rep. Don Jones, R-Freeport, lives where fracking takes place in eastern Ohio and said the fracking process has been refined over the years.

You will never know where fracking has occurred, he said. Were not going to damage our state parks. Were not going to hurt our state parks.

The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission has selected various bidders to frack Salt Fork State Park, Valley Run Wildlife Area and Zepernick Wildlife Area. The vote on this bill comes days after OGLMC selected an Oklahoma-based company to lease about 30 acres of land in Egypt Valley in Belmont County for fracking.

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This expansion of fracking is going to industrialize our beautiful parks and transform them into places people avoid, not enjoy, Cathy Cowan Becker, steering committee member of Save Ohio Parks, said about H.B. 308.

Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a law allowing drilling companies to frack in state parks in 2011. Potential drillers need to get permission from the Oil and Gas Commission, but Kasich never appointed anyone to the committee.

A fracking amendment was added to a bill during the last lame duck two years that passed and Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law in January 2023. The law requires the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to allow fracking for natural gas in Ohios public land and state parks.

Ohio legislators have once again sold out our state parks and public lands to the oil and gas industry through an amendment to an unrelated bill during the lame duck session, with no notice or chance for public testimony, Becker said.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, said Sunday the organization could use $17 billion right now to feed desperately hungry people.

Speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," McCain said that crises around the globe, many of them in war zones, have depleted the coffers of her organization at a time of rampant malnutrition and starvation. She specified war-torn Syria first and foremost as a crisis spot.

"I'm asking on your show, worldwide, to please consider, once again, giving to Syria," she told host Margaret Brennan, "because people in Syria will starve to death without it, and we've seen the evidence of great hunger there."

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Earlier this month, Syria's longtime dictator Bashar Assad was forced to flee, but the Middle Eastern nation is neither unified nor stable at this point. She urged Syria's neighbors to open up safe supply lines so food can be brought in.

"We have been able to get 70,000 people fed this month so far, but we need more," she said, adding: "More importantly, we need the funds to do it."

McCain cited other places where people are desperate for food now amid political instability that both occurs because of the hunger and contributes to it. "The world is on fire right now," she said.

One such country is Sudan. "People are starving to death," she said, adding: "I sound like a broken record, but we need to be able to get in in a safe and unfettered manner, so that we can get the job done. Again, food security is national security."

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McCain and Brennan also discussed the situation in Gaza, where fighting continues in the Israel-Hamas war, making it difficult to bring food in and creating hazardous situations for anyone trying to do so.

"We can no longer sit by and just allow these people to starve to death," McCain said. "We need help, and we need to make sure that we put political pressure on those that need to have political pressure put on them."


Demolition has already begun on the old Prince George's Hospital Center, which was replaced in 2021 by the new University of Maryland Capital Regional Medical Center in downtown Largo. Photo by Steve Crane.

Call it the second Battle of Bladensburg.

Two centuries after the Maryland town was the site of a skirmish in the War of 1812, a fight is brewing over the Town of Bladensburgs desire to annex valuable land owned by the Prince Georges County government that the nearby Town of Cheverly was already planning to annex.

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The first Battle of Bladensburg was fought with cannons and muskets. The latest will be fought with development agreements and lawyers.

The object of Bladensburgs desire is a 113-acre parcel of land adjacent to Cheverly where Prince Georges County Hospital was located until 2021.

On Thursday evening, the Bladensburg town council will hold a public hearing for residents to weigh in on the annexation plans. It begins at 5:30 p.m. at Bladensburg Town Hall  just a few blocks from the site along the Anacostia River where the original battle was fought 210 years ago.

Mayor Takisha James said representatives from the county government and Cheverly have been invited to testify, as a courtesy, but that town officials mostly want to hear from their own constituents. Its very likely, she said, that the council will vote on the proposal that night.

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To James, the annexation is a no-brainer, and should be a linchpin for the towns ambitions for further economic growth, expanding its housing stock, and better transportation infrastructure.

The town of Bladensburg has always been interested in embracing our economic opportunities through the years, she said.

But county officials, Cheverly leaders and the entities that the county has hired to develop part of the property, now known as Hospital Hill, describe Bladensburgs potential move as a naked land grab  and have suggested that legal action is inevitable if town officials go through with their plans.

Its baffling, said Prince Georges County Council President Jolene Ivey (D), who lives in Cheverly but has represented both towns during her political career.

A very preliminary site plan for the possible redevelopment of the old Prince Georges Hospital Center site in Cheverly. The Baltimore-Washington Parkway is to the left and Cheverly is to the right. Image courtesy HomeTeam 5.

Cheverly and Bladensburg are part of a clutch of five municipalities in the immediate area that traditionally work together, Ivey said.

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Theres usually lots of cooperation and lots of goodwill, she said.

The Prince Georges County government, which owns the land, has contracted with two entities  a large-scale development firm based in Bethesda, Urban Atlantic, and a group of politically experienced Prince Georges investors known as Hometeam 5  to clean up and build out 44 acres of the property, which sits on a hill overlooking the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

The plan calls for more than 1,300 residential units, including townhouses, apartments and accommodations for active senior citizens. It also calls for construction of a 70-room hotel, 40,000 square feet of retail development, and 70,000 square feet of office and medical space.

Just as significant, the plan would extend several roads within the Cheverly town limits to the old hospital property. Cheverly officials also envision designing a new town center on the property once they annex the land from the county.

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This project is vital to Cheverlys economic development and future growth, the town says on a page of its website dedicated to the hospital redevelopment.

Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh did not respond to a request for comment left through the towns email system last week. But last week she told WTOP, a Maryland Matters news partner, that Cheverly always planned to annex the land, but was advised to put off doing so by county officials, to expedite the development process.

It was always understood it was going to be part of Cheverly, Munyeneh said.

The mayor added that because town residents were the most heavily impacted by the medical centers presence over the decades it was next to Cheverly  the hospital moved to considerably larger digs in Largo three years ago  it makes sense for the town to benefit from the new development.

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Cheverly has also been the community that has suffered the most from the hospital traffic, from the escapees from the hospital, from the helicopter pad, and all the noise and the damages done to our homes, she said. It was always sort of understood, we did the suffering when it was the hospital, we will enjoy the benefit when it is a new development.

But James said that Bladensburg is equally committed to the plan as envisioned by Prince Georges officials and the development team, and that by annexing the property, we would be at the table for how we can enhance the project.

An artists rendering of the possible redevelopment of the old Prince Georges Hospital Center site in Cheverly. Image courtesy HomeTeam 5.

We see this as a mutually beneficial opportunity, she said. We believe the Town of Bladensburg is equipped to provide the necessary support and resources to bring this project to fruition.

But at this point, Bladensburg appears to be on one side of the debate  literally and figuratively  arrayed against the county, Cheverly and the developers.

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In a letter to James last week, leaders of the development team said they had very significant concerns about Bladensburgs desire to annex the land, including the fact that they were never consulted about the idea.

The annexation of a large proposed development project without any initial discussions is highly unusual, the developers wrote. They added that its been widely known that the county government and the development team have been working closely with Cheverly officials, with the understanding that Cheverly would eventually take over the property.

Our plan reflects the desires of an overwhelming majority of the residents in the Town of Cheverly, the letter said. It was signed by Vicki Davis, managing partner at Urban Atlantic, and John D. Porcari, representing HomeTeam 5.

Porcari, a Cheverly resident, is a former Maryland Transportation secretary and was deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation during the Obama administration. His partners in HomeTeam 5 are his brother, Chuck Porcari, who worked for state government in the Glendening administration and has since worked for national unions and serves on the board of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters; Justin Ross, a former state lawmaker from Prince Georges County; Brad Frome, a onetime top aide to Prince Georges County Executives Rushern Baker (D) and Angela Alsobrooks (D); and G.S. Proctor Jr., a prominent lobbyist in Annapolis and Prince Georges County. Ross and Frome run a development consulting business and have worked at the same lobbying firm, where Ross was once a partner.

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Earlier this month, Rhonda L. Weaver, the Prince Georges County attorney, wrote to James, outlining the countys objections to Bladensburgs maneuvers. She asserted that the hospital site is not contiguous to the Bladensburgs boundaries but is at least half a mile away, arguing there is no justifiable purpose for capturing this site.

She also described clumsy attempts by Bladensburg to connect the town to the hospital site by arbitrarily using strips of land alongside highways and rights-of-way. Such moves, she suggested, could violate state law.

County and Cheverly officials have dangled the possibility of suing Bladensburg if officials there move ahead with their annexation plans.

But James said her town is within its rights under state law to annex the property and that theres nothing in writing compelling the county to yield the land to Cheverly. She compared Cheverlys complaint that it was planning to annex the property all along to buying the blinds when you havent closed on the house yet.
HONOLULU, Hawaii (KHON2)  Extra large surf is heading towards north-facing shores next week and is expected to stick around for several days.

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Its already been a tough year for beachfront homeowners, especially on Oahus North Shore where two homes were demolished after nearly falling into the ocean a few months ago.

On Friday, the Board of Land and Natural Resources stood by a decision not to allow private landowners to harden public beaches for their own personal gain.

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Many West Maui beaches have been facing severe erosion for over a decade.

Back in 2007, the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands issued the Hololani in Kahana an emergency permit for sandbags to protect their building from erosion.

Glitter: Make your holiday foods, drinks POP!

In 2018, the BLNR required the building to come up with a long-term solution and that solution involved a 400-foot steel sheet pile wall and rock revetment.

North Shore sand erosion history and whats next

The project was approved by BLNR in 2018, before Act 16 was passed in 2020 which prohibits shoreline hardening on sandy beaches.

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Those decisions have been made and this is, now are we going to let them to use state land? Or give them use of state land to do all the things theyve already gotten approvals for? BLNR Chair Dawn Chang said to the board members who seemed torn on the decision.

Im also concerned of the optics of this because we fined owners a considerable amount of money for hardening their properties, explained BLNR member Kaiwi Yoon. So, I think this sends an unclear message, and its messy all the way around to me.

Top 10 holiday horror flicks for your gory celebrations: Honolulu Horror Nights.

Hololanis emergency permit from OCCL is set to expire in 2025.

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I hear the concern about the board sending a double message, explained OCCL Administrator Michael Cain. But sometimes we do have to act on permits that we wouldnt have recommended today.

10 homes have collapsed into the Carolina surf. Their destruction was decades in the making

A board member asked him why the state no longer supports armoring the shoreline.

Weve known for over 100 years that shoreline armoring can negatively impact beach properties, explained Cain.

Hololani tenants told the board they only wanted to replace the existing structure with a safer one.

Were not asking for something new, said Hololani resident Spencer Schermling. Were just replacing something thats already there and making it better and it will make it easier for people to get to ocean.

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Chairwoman Chang said private landowners keep asking the BLNR to build on state public land.

I think the problem is many land owners knew more than 20 years ago this was inevitably going to happen, she said. So you wait until a crisis, and yes you have very few options, and now we see whats happening Kaanapali, in Kahana and statewide, so this, as a general matter, we would ask all landowners to begin to start looking in a more proactive way instead of waiting for a crisis to occur.

Chang noted the difficult decision for the board to make and members went into executive session.

Kahala property erosion effectively cutting Hunakai Beach in 2

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I see this as part of a much larger picture but I need to see greater commitment from private landowners along Kaanapali that youre working towards a long-term solution and I havent seen enough of that other than were going to protect our own property, Chang added.

She said the BLNRs mission is to preserve and protect natural resources and public access. Im always struggling with how do we find that balance, especially with shoreline issues, private landowners want to protect private property, but it is in situations like this where it comes at a cost to the public because these structures are prohibiting safe public access, she added.

The attorney for Hololani argued there was no one size fits all solution for all the erosion statewide.

In the end, the board voted four to three, denying Hololanis right of entry and construction request.

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I think the message that BLNR sent was that it is not the states legal obligation to protect these property owners who are really just investors, and off-island speculators, said West Maui community activist Kai Nishiki. Its not the states obligation to protect coastal properties, its the state obligation to protect our public trust resources.

I think it sends a strong message to all of those those who own coastal properties that we really need to be getting together with the agencies and with the communities that are doing business in, and we need to come up with adaptation pathways, pathways where we are supporting the landward migration of our beaches, Nishiki 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 KHON2.
Authorities asked motorists to avoid a West Boise intersection after a pedestrian was hit Sunday morning.

A vehicle driving north on South Five Mile Road struck a man in the roadway at about 7:10 a.m. near the West Bridgetower Drive intersection, the Boise Police Department said in a social media post.

The pedestrian was hospitalized with serious injuries, police said.

Police closed a short stretch of Five Mile between Estate Drive and West Saranac Drive and asked drivers to stay away from the area.

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Police spokesperson Haley Williams told the Idaho Statesman that officers were still processing the scene as of noon.

The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police investigation, Williams said. The department asked anyone who witnessed the accident to call 208-377-6790.
Heres some advice you dont need to pay an overpriced management consultant for. If youre a boss who wants people to quit, just tell them that the era of home working is over. Hey presto, everyones livid. The most furious will start rage-applying for new jobs straight away.

Thats obviously a dud tactic for the companies that dont want to see their staff walk, but I suspect rising pressures for companies to slim down will coincide with a rush of in-office mandates.

More than half of British businesses expect to cut jobs in order to cope with the costs of the Budget, according to a Bank of England survey of thousands of bosses. No chief executive will admit it, but they all know that enforcing a full-time office return will lead to resignations  and those who quit might just include their most unproductive staff.

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As one tech employee wrote earlier this year on Blind, an app where staff can anonymously gossip about work, they have confirmation from upper management that an unspoken reason for our latest full RTO [return-to-office] policy is a desire for attrition. Your boss is secretly delighted if you quit over their office-return rule.

Suspicions among staff are rising as the five-day office orders roll in, seemingly out of nowhere. Christmas parties this year will be full of colleagues discussing conspiracy theories about their employers, furious that after relocating because they thought they could work from home permanently post-Covid theyve now been told that 2025 will be like 2019.

But some businesses have none the less found a solution after years of frustration with home workers.

Consultants will warn them that theyre taking a risk, but in their mind this is no risk at all. A quarter of senior executives and a fifth of HR professionals surveyed by the US software company BambooHR earlier this year admitted to hoping that a return-to-office rule would make some staff quit.

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Countless polls which have been conducted since the pandemic have confirmed that home workers have every intention of heading for the door if they were suddenly asked to commute full-time. Bosses marching workers back to their desks and then feigning shock when staff leave are either very good at acting or very naive.

Nobody would dare admit that the office is being used as a tool to squeeze staff out. Amazons chief executive Andy Jassy insisted last month that the tech giants call for staff to go back to their desks is not part of a backdoor layoff plan from management.

That might be true, but its unlikely executives will be devastated if those who have complained that their humanity is being dismissed by being told to go back to the office are the ones who end up quitting.

A senior executive earlier this year told workers that if they do not like the new rule there are other companies around. Amazon is not the only one to make that point. From next month, Starbucks office workers have been told they could lose their jobs if they dont go in.

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There are clearly many benefits to getting staff back into the office which have nothing to do with wanting staff to leave, including boosting productivity and increasing employee engagement.

But often, a company will announce layoffs and a back-to-office mandate in suspiciously quick succession. Sources say that Conde Nast, the magazine publisher, has just angered staff by telling them that they have to be in the office four-days a week from next March. It has also just pressed ahead with a round of senior layoffs.

A Conde Nast spokesman says there is zero correlation between the two. But the media brand is not the only place where a back-to-office announcement seems to coincide with a job cull.

Bank of America sent letters of education to its home-working staff threatening them with disciplinary action earlier this year, the same week that staff in its investment bank faced a round of job cuts. Asda last month ordered staff back to the office at least three days a week while also cutting 475 head office jobs. The Washington Post has told staff they have to be back in the office full-time from next summer, just over a month after slashing jobs in its tech arm.

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Boeing announced plans to axe a tenth of its workforce in October last year, just as managers were instructed to get all office staff back in full time. For many companies, this will be the final warning to staff resisting orders.

A return-to-office rant on Reddit from a Boeing employee a few days ago led one person to respond bluntly: RTO is a way to fire people without paying a severance. Always has been.

This will be one of the big themes of 2025 as big players face pressure to keep employee costs down and increase productivity.

There has been a stand-off over working from home since Covid, and bosses are annoyed that some people working flexibly have found endless excuses for not coming in on the days they agreed to. Having grown increasingly frustrated and bored with this debate, theyre ready to have the final word.

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That doesnt mean that executives eager to expand headcount should ditch flexibility  half of graduates would not consider applying for a job that requires them to be in an office full-time, according to IWG. But businesses under pressure to cut jobs know resignations will be a consequence.

Any company suddenly imposing a full-time return to the office knows all too well that it will anger workers, and then lose many of them. Bosses are going in with their eyes wide open.

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The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum will offer free tours to mark the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

251 years ago, on December 161773, the Sons of Liberty dressed as indigenous people, and boarded three ships from the British East India Company.

In three hours, they smashed 342 chests of tea dumping over 92-thousand pounds into Boston Harbor to protest what they perceived were unfair taxes.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. and Abigails Tea Room and Museum Gift Shop are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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For more information, visit the link here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan, December 16. The World Bank has expressed its willingness to support projects aimed at exporting green energy from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan to the European Union, provided these initiatives demonstrate economic feasibility, said Dmitry Petrin, Regional Project Coordinator at the World Banks Central Asia office, shared this insight with Trend during the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) session in Almaty.

"The World Bank is fully committed to supporting green energy and energy trade initiatives. We are actively engaged in projects across Central Asia, including efforts to create a regional energy trade market," Petrin stated.

However, he emphasized the importance of thorough economic evaluations. "We are ready to conduct these assessments if formal requests come from the countries interested in these projects," he noted.

Petrin also highlighted that the World Bank prioritizes projects driven by client countries' needs. "Our clients interests are paramount as long as they align with the Banks objectives. Green energy development is a crucial focus for Central Asia," he added.

Notably, during COP29, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a high-level intergovernmental agreement to establish a strategic partnership for the development and transmission of green energy, marking a significant step forward in regional collaboration on sustainable energy initiatives.
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A student and a teacher are dead, and several others were injured, after a 15-year-old opened fire at a small private Christian school in southeast Wisconsin on Monday morning.

Police identified the suspected shooter Monday night as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, a student at the Abundant Life Christian School, where she went by the name Samantha.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told reporters in a press conference that Rupnow died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound after opening fire Monday morning inside a study hall classroom containing students from multiple grades at Abundant Life.

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Along with the two deaths, five students and a teacher were injured.

Two of the injured students remained in critical condition Monday night, according to Barnes. Of the four others treated for non-life-threatening injuries, two have been released while two remain hospitalized in stable condition.

"Thoughts and prayers without action means more school shootings, more dead kids," Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., (pictured in August 2022) who sits on the House Appropriations Committee and Labor Caucus co-chair, posted to social media before 3 p.m. local time. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

A motive for the shooting remains unknown, Barnes said.

He said the shooting was reported to police by a second-grade student at 10:57 a.m. CST, with officers arriving at the scene minutes later to find multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds.

Gov. Tony Evers (pictured in October), himself a former teacher and school administrator, posted Monday on Bluesky saying his office was "closely monitoring the incident" at Abundant Life. Evers ordered all flags be lowered to half-staff until Sunday. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Rupnow was pronounced dead during transport to a local hospital, while the unidentified slain teacher and student were pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

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A firearm has been recovered, according to authorities.

"I don't know how we can minimize what has happened today, but we're going to do the best we can to provide services for all these children and staff -- we cannot forget the staff who bravely took care of their students during this harrowing time," he said.

Abundant Life Christian School said Monday it does not have a resource officer or metal detectors but does have cameras in hallways that are monitored through the main office.

"We also have other safety measures throughout the building. But as to a metal detector, no, we do not have," Barbara Wiers, the director of elementary and school relations at the K-12 school, said during an earlier press conference.

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"We do abide by the policy of visual scans every morning as students come into the building, so every student is visually scanned before they go up to their locker spaces or into their classrooms," Wiers added. The school had trained with the Madison Police Department earlier this year on how to respond to an active shooter situation.

President Joe Biden issued a statement Monday afternoon, saying, "We need Congress to act. Now," and called the shooting "shocking and unconscionable."

"Jill and I are praying for all the victims today, including the teacher and teenage student who were killed and those who sustained injuries," Biden said. "We can never accept the senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families and tears entire communities apart."

Biden also called on Congress to pass commonsense gun safety laws.

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"Universal background checks. A national red flag law. A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines," the president said, adding that his team had reached out to local officials in Wisconsin to "offer further support as needed."

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff through Sunday, adding in a statement that "there are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak."

The FBI was on the scene to aid in the investigation.

The school of some 420 students confirmed in a statement Monday evening that all pupils had been united with their parents. A reunification center had been established near the school in the east end of Madison.

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"I can tell you that it's not over. I can tell you that our officers and our detectives and our investigators will have to be told to go home," Barnes said Monday night. "No one is thinking of going home right now. They're going to still work as long as they can to find as much information as the can."

Asked how Rupnow go her hands on the weapon, Barnes replied: "That's a good question. How does any 15-year-old get a hold of a gun -- or anyone for that matter?"

Rupnow's family is cooperating with the investigation, he said, adding that her father was speaking with officers Monday night at a police facility "to determine what he may knew or may not have known about what happened today."

"He lost someone as well," Barnes said, "so we're not going to rush the information. We'll take our time and make sure that we do our due diligence in doing that."

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Wisconsin congressman Rep. Mark Pocan said this is "uniquely a United States problem that doesn't have to happen" and called for "more action" and "backbone" by elected officials to "stand up to gun manufacturers."

"Thoughts and prayers without action means more school shootings, more dead kids," Pocan, D-Wis., who sits on the House Appropriations Committee and is Labor Caucus co-chair, posted on social media before 3 p.m. local time.

Training on responding to shootings was ongoing the same day at a training center three miles away, Barnes said earlier in the day. But the local police department did not fire their weapons, he said.

Barnes earlier Monday said he would not give further information on the victims until families had been alerted.
Leigha Lemoine has sued South Carolina's Horry-Georgetown Technical College, claiming it violated her First Amendment rights. The college suspended Lemoine from its cosmetology program for one year and issued her a no-trespass notice, saying she violated student code by "engaging in any activity that disrupts the educational process of the college." Lemoine posted in a Snapchat group chat that a person who disrespected her should "get blasted." The person she was referring to was not associated with the college, but others in the chat were, and at least one reported the comment to administrators. At first, the school ruled the comment was acceptable, but it later suspended her after finding an unrelated Instagram post from before she was enrolled that showed her firing a handgun. Nicole Hyman, a school spokeswoman, said in a statement, "While the College respects all individuals' rights, including their rights to freedom of expression, the College's priority is to ensure the well-being and security of the entire campus community."

The post Brickbat: Blast Off in the Comments appeared first on Reason.com.
Why is it that in Britain politicians have a blind spot when it comes to China? Contrast the way we think about Vladimir Putins dictatorship and the way we think about Beijing, despite the fact they are peas in the same pod, with Beijing far more dangerous long-term.

Join the dots of recent years alone: despite David Cameron trying to create stronger ties in the so-called golden era of Sino-British relations, Beijings aggression has only intensified. China has infiltrated our universities, compromising academic freedom, and its tentacles are embedded in the City of London. It has sanctioned seven parliamentarians, and stands accused of infiltrating Parliament with spies. It has launched cyber-attacks against the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Defence, and stolen our intellectual property, particularly in the tech sector.

On top of that, let us not forget that China triggered a global pandemic, which killed millions, destroyed livelihoods and blighted our childrens futures. Its failure to warn us of the emergence of Covid in a timely way, its refusal to stop international flights before it was too late, and its rejection of calls for an independent inquiry into the causes of the pandemic indicate that Xi Jinpings regime is not a responsible actor. Beijings attempts to cover-up the truth and silence whistleblowers was nothing short of criminal.

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The way the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) treats its own people is an indicator of its character. It is now credibly accused of perpetrating a genocide against the Uyghurs, continued atrocities in Tibet, intensifying persecution of religious believers, forced organ harvesting, and repression of lawyers, bloggers, journalists and human rights defenders. Its increasing threats towards Taiwan pose grave danger to the entire world.

And as we mark the 40th anniversary this week of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a treaty signed by Margaret Thatcher and then Chinese premier Zhao Ziyang to pave the way for Hong Kongs handover, we can see that Beijing cannot be trusted to keep its word. The crackdown in Hong Kong over the past five years, resulting in the dismantling of all basic freedoms and the imprisonment of pro-democracy legislators and activists, is a total betrayal of treaty promises made.

That crackdown has not been confined to Hong Kongs streets, but has spread to ours. Two years ago, Chinese diplomats  including the Consul-General himself  beat up peaceful Hong Kong protesters at the Chinese consulate in Manchester  and, outrageously, got away with it. Hong Kong activists who have gone into exile here have been threatened, including six who have received arrest warrants and bounties from the Hong Kong authorities. I myself have received threatening letters at my home address, and the threat of a prison sentence from the Hong Kong police.

Meanwhile, Beijing builds nukes and supports our enemies, like those in the Kremlin. Only this week Xi hosted Russias former president Dmitry Medvedev in Beijing. Medvedev has called for Britain to be nuked and has frequently posted genocidal threats against the Ukrainians.

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Our intelligence chiefs have been warning of the dangers for several years. The head of MI5 has spoken of the epic scale of CCP espionage. Parliaments Joint Intelligence Committee published a detailed report last year that said that China had penetrated every sector of the UK economy in a whole of state assault to which the governments response has been completely inadequate. Without swift, decisive action, we face a nightmare scenario where China could pose an existential threat to liberal democracy, it concluded. And even Rishi Sunak, who started his time in office keen to prioritise the economic relationship with China, warned towards the end of his premiership that China poses the greatest state-based threat to the UKs economic security.

So the latest allegation, that a senior Chinese spy infiltrated Prince Andrews business circle, gained access to Buckingham Palace, and met two former PMs should not surprise us. Nor should the news that a Foreign Office interpreter, Chen Shirong, ran a CCP propaganda website. They should, instead, be a long overdue wake-up call.

All of this makes Sir Keir Starmers desire for a positive reset of our relationship with China look staggeringly naive. The only reset that makes sense is one that is more robust in defending our security, reducing our dependency and standing up for our values against the tyrants in Beijing. Anything less is simply dangerous and speaks to a wilful blindness which flies in the face of reality.

Given the direction of China policy in Washington, we are in danger of being out of step. Trumps nomination of China hawks such as Marco Rubio as secretary of state, Michael Waltz as national security adviser and David Perdue as ambassador to Beijing gives an indication of his approach. This is no time for Britain to be the weak link.

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The head of Germanys intelligence agency said two years ago, When I speak with foreign partners about China, they always say: Russia is the storm, China is climate change. That is absolutely correct. Let us hope that the revelations around the Duke of York finally cause our politicians to wake up  and to act decisively to stop Beijings campaign of influence, infiltration and intimidation before it is too late.

Benedict Rogers is a co-founder and trustee of Hong Kong Watch

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An alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew has been identified by a British court, the latest twist in a case that has shone a light on Beijings influence inside Britains institutions.

The man, Yang Tengbo, was identified after a judge ruled his anonymity should be removed, PA Media reported on Monday.

Yang, who also went by the name Chris Yang, was described in a separate court hearing last week as developing an unusual degree of trust with the younger brother of King Charles.

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He was the co-founder of Pitch@Palace China, which expanded into China an initiative for entrepreneurs that was set up by Andrew in 2014.

In a tribunal hearing on Thursday that upheld an earlier decision to bar Yang from the UK, it was revealed that he was authorized to act on Andrews behalf during business meetings with potential Chinese investors in the UK, and that he was invited to Andrews 60th birthday party in 2020.

Yang has appeared in pictures and videos with Andrew during Pitch@Palace events.

Yang said in a statement he had done nothing wrong or unlawful, and that the widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue, PA Media said.

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Andrews office said last week that the prince ceased his relationship with Yang after receiving government advice. The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed, his office said. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.

Andrew's office said he ceased contact with Yang on government advice. - Steve Parsons/Getty Images

The case has once again led to questions about the judgement and associations of Andrew, whose role in the royal family has diminished since his friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein came to light five years ago.

But concern over Chinas influence in Britains politics and institutions has been steadily mounting in Westminster in recent years, and the case is just the latest example of an alleged infiltration by Beijing.

Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee released a report in 2023 outlining its view that China was seeking to target and influence people in the UKs political system.

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Yang is alleged to have worked for Chinas United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the ruling Communist Party tasked with gaining influence both at home and overseas. The report described the UFWD  as working to ensure that politicians and high-profile figures in foreign states are supportive of the CCP, or at the very least do not criticise China or counter its narrative.

A statement published online by a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy said that the situation underscored anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs who had done nothing but fully revealed their twisted mentality towards China.

What they are really up to is to smear China, target against the Chinese community in the UK and undermine normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK. We strongly condemn this, the statement said.

Tip of the iceberg

Yang joins a growing number of people who have been accused of spying on behalf of China from inside the heart of Britains institutions.

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Two men, one of them a parliamentary researcher, are awaiting trial after being charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act on behalf of China, which they deny.

And in 2022 the MI5 spy agency warned lawmakers that Christine Lee, a woman connected to the Chinese Communist Party, had been working to interfere in the UK political process.

Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who raised the incident in an urgent question in the House of Commons on Monday, told the BBC the case was the tip of the iceberg.

The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage thats taking place, he said.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Monday: Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.

But the Yang case led to renewed scrutiny on Monday over his stance on Beijing. Starmer in November became the first prime minister to meet with Chinas President Xi Jinping for six years, and reiterated Monday: Our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate, particularly on issues like climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights and to compete when it comes to trade.

During the Monday parliamentary debate, the government was also accused of being slow to implement a new foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS) scheme, first planned by the previous Conservative government, which is aimed at increasing transparency and reducing the risk of overseas interference in Britain. It was initially set to be implemented this year, but has been delayed until the middle of 2025.

A Labour MP, who is part of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China that Duncan Smith set up, told CNN the response within Parliament to the Yang case was shock, but not surprise.

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You cant fudge the geopolitics of China, and all the implications for trade and industrial strategy and defense for very long, the MP added, in a nod to criticism over Starmers approach. I dont think its possible to have your cake and eat it in this world.

Shawn Deng contributed reporting.

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British troops will be outmanned in any future war and enemy forces will also have better technology, the former head of the Army has said.

General Sir Patrick Sanders said modernisation would take time that was in short supply as the Army seeks to become more lethal.

He also said British troops had found themselves in a similar position in previous conflicts and declared: We have always fought with our backs to the wall. This is who we are.

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He made the comments, which were first reported by The Times, to officer cadets at Sandhurst Military Academy on Friday.

The general has repeatedly warned of the dangers of an expansionist Russia.

Earlier this year he said Britain needed to train and equip a citizen army and boost troop numbers in comments which prompted Rishi Sunak, the then-prime minister, to rule out the return of conscription.

He told the officer cadets: When I took over as CGS [chief of the general staff] I raised my head above the parapet, describing a 1937 moment, calling for mobilisation. What was controversial then is now no longer in dispute.

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Confronted by an implacably hostile and expansionist Russia, which is aligned with and supported by an axis of nuclear-armed autocracies, all actuated by might is right, you join the profession of arms at a watershed moment and an army that is more relevant than at any time in my career.

So if you fight, and my experience has been that you will, sooner or later, it will likely be as the British Army always has: isolated, over-matched in numbers, equipment and technology, with tenuous supply lines and before the country has mobilised.

Sir Patrick Sanders made the comments to officer cadets at Sandhurst Military Academy - Sgt Jimmy Wise

He went on to say the British army had a gilded reputation for military prowess based on an extraordinary record of success despite these conditions.

He added: Our country is proud of us and our adversaries and allies respect us, he said, adding this was because of the armys adaptability, fighting spirit and leadership.

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He also branded claims new recruits were part of a woke generation are nonsense.

Sanders was succeeded by General Sir Roly Walker, who went on to warn in July that Britain must be ready to fight a war in three years.

In October John Healey, the defence secretary, said Britain was not ready to fight a war while earlier this month Alistair Carns, the veterans minister, said the whole British Army would be wiped out within six months to a year of a war with Russia.

Ministers have announced a strategic defence review but it is unclear whether troop numbers will be boosted.

A government spokeswoman told the Times: This government will always do what it takes to defend this country with threats increasing, the world becoming more volatile and technology changing the nature of warfare.

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A study of early Bronze Age bones in Britain has revealed a shockingly violent and barbaric end for dozens of unfortunate individuals.

The remains, excavated from the Charterhouse Warren site in southwest England, show evidence of close quarters blunt force trauma, dismemberment, and cannibalism, all of which took place before the bodies were thrown down a 15-meter (49-foot) shaft.

It's evidence of "a level and scale of violence that is unprecedented in British prehistory," according to the international team of researchers behind the study  and raises plenty of questions about what actually went on here.

Some of the cranial trauma observed by the researchers. (Schulting et al., Antiquity, 2024)

"We actually find more evidence for injuries to skeletons dating to the Neolithic period in Britain than the Early Bronze Age, so Charterhouse Warren stands out as something very unusual," says archaeologist Rick Schulting, from the University of Oxford in the UK.

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"It paints a considerably darker picture of the period than many would have expected."

The team studied more than 3,000 bone fragments in total, making up the skeletons of at least 37 individuals. It's thought the bones are all from one single violent event, dated somewhere between 2210 and 2010 BCE.

Some of the cut marks observed on the bone fragments. (Schulting et al., Antiquity, 2024)

Together with skulls showing cracks and holes, the researchers also found signs of cuts and breaks made at the time of death  with those cuts in particular suggesting that some body parts made have been eaten by the killers.

These are not bodies that were treated with respect and carefully laid out in graves. Chemical analysis suggests these were all local people rather than outsiders, while there's little evidence that these people were involved in a fight  pointing to them being caught by surprise in some kind of horrible massacre.

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Plenty of cattle bones can be found at the same site, which suggests these victims weren't executed out of a desperate need for food. The researchers think eating the flesh of the dead may have been a way to 'other' them  to dehumanize and treat them like animals.

"The factors contributing to such violence remain unclear but the event may have been part of a spiralling cycle of revenge arising from social and political pressures within or between early Bronze Age communities, and hence may have had both antecedents and consequences," writes the team in their published paper.

There's some evidence of a plague in Britain at this time as well, which may have heightened social tensions and conflict between different parts of this community  though of course it's hard to assess intention after so many years.

"We're still unsure whether, and if so how, this is related to the violence at the site," Schulting explains.

Bones showing damage attributed to possible human chewing  from left to right: metatarsal 1, metatarsal, clavicle, metatarsal. (Schulting et al., Antiquity, December 2024)

As grim as these findings are, they have a lot to teach us about the society of the time.

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"Charterhouse Warren is one of those rare archaeological sites that challenges the way we think about the past," says Schulting.

"It is a stark reminder that people in prehistory could match more recent atrocities and shines a light on a dark side of human behavior. That it is unlikely to have been a one-off event makes it even more important that its story is told."

The research has been published in Antiquity.

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Days after police made several arrests in the execution-style killing of a Woodland Hills doctor, his grieving brother is speaking out, sharing the familys heartbreak and calling for justice.

It looked like a Mafia assassination, its strange, said the victims brother, Dr. Alireza Mirshojae, in an exclusive interview with KTLAs Carlos Saucedo. Someone really wanted him dead  dead, not wounded. He didnt even see it coming.

Alirezas late brother, Hamid Mirshojae, 61, was walking to his car in the parking lot outside of his clinic on Aug. 23 when he was shot and killed in an ambush-style attack, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

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Its a huge hurt, its indescribable, said Alireza. Its a great loss for me and its a great loss for his children.

Amidst the devastation of losing his brother, Alireza said his entire family is still in shock, especially now that the primary suspect has been revealed.

Authorities allege Hamids ex-wife, Ahang Mirshojae  also known as Ahang Zarrin Kelk  was involved in the fatal shooting. She is one of five people arrested last week in connection with the August slaying.

The suspected gunman, Evan Hardman, was arrested in Texas, while Ashley Sweeting was taken into custody as an alleged accessory. Police say the murder may have been financially motivated, though a clear motive has not been disclosed.

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However  legal, bitter divorce battles between Hamid and his ex-wife had been going on for years. The doctor had recently remarried and welcomed a child.

We were planning our retirement plans and we were talking about what we were gonna be doing and how were gonna spend it, Alireza said, reflecting on the life his brother had hoped to build. It never materialized.

Hamid Mirshojae, 61, is seen with his wife and their 6-month-old baby in a personal photo. Ahang Mirshojae, 53, is seen in a personal Facebook photo. Ashley Sweeting, 40, of Reseda and Evan Hardman, 41, of Tomball, Texas. (LAPD) A 61-year-old doctor was shot and killed outside of an urgent care clinic in Woodland Hills on August 23, 2024. (TNLA) A 61-year-old doctor was shot and killed outside of an urgent care clinic in Woodland Hills on August 23, 2024. (TNLA) A growing memorial seen outside a Woodland Hills clinic honoring Hamid Mirshojae on August 24, 2024. (KTLA) A 61-year-old doctor was shot and killed outside of an urgent care clinic in Woodland Hills on August 23, 2024. (TNLA) A 61-year-old doctor was shot and killed outside of an urgent care clinic in Woodland Hills on August 23, 2024. (TNLA) Loved ones gathered near a growing memorial outside a Woodland Hills clinic honoring Hamid Mirshojae on August 24, 2024. (KTLA) Law enforcement officials searched a Calabasas home on Dec. 12, 2024. (KTLA) Law enforcement officials searched a Calabasas home on Dec. 12, 2024. (KTLA) Hamid Mirshojae, 61, is seen with his wife and their baby in a personal photo. Hamid Mirshojae, 61, is seen undated personal photo. A 61-year-old doctor was shot and killed outside of an urgent care clinic in Woodland Hills on August 23, 2024. (KTLA) A picture of Dr. Hamid Mirshojae placed at a memorial outside his Woodland Hills clinic where he was shot to death. (KTLA) Hamid Mirshojae, 61, is seen undated personal photo.

The loss comes during an already challenging year for the family, as their father battles pancreatic cancer. Alireza said the family remains focused on seeking justice for Hamid.

My wish is for the killers to get punished to the maximum extent of the law, he said. A lifetime sentence is not enough for them, but thats what we have.

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The investigation remains ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Broward County Democrats reelected Rick Hoye as party chair, hoping his plans to invigorate the county partys infrastructure improve its performance in the 2026 gubernatorial and 2028 presidential elections.

Hoye won a second, four-year term with 59% of the 275 votes cast.

Your trust and dedication mean the world to me. Congratulations to all those who were elected  this is a victory for our shared values and commitment to progress, Hoye wrote afterward in a Facebook post. I recognize that there is still much work to be done, and I hear the concerns raised. I will be working closely with my team to address the areas where we can improve.

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Two other leaders  the lead state committeewoman, Grace Carrington, and the recording secretary, Aude M.L. Sicard, were reelected, along with five new officers. Most were elected with sizeable margins. All but one was allied with Hoye.

As often happens with internal leadership contests in both political parties, it wasnt harmonious before, during or after the Dec. 7 elections.

Voting stretched on for hours in what some said was a space that was too crowded. There were disputes over who was eligible to vote and how proxies for people who werent present were handled. And some want the state Democratic Party to order a do-over.

There were some things during the day that were a little irregular, said Alfredo Olvera, who unsuccessfully challenged Hoye.

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Hoye said in an interview the countys Democrats would come together. We have a job to do. We understand that we have to be united against Republicans and their efforts to water down our influence and well come together the way we have in the past. Well be fine.

Todd Delmay, a Hollywood Democrat who supported Olvera, said he thinks party members should focus on winning public support and future elections, and not necessarily on relitigating the internal contest for county party officers.

We need to come together, work together  avoid the infighting and just work together, Delmay said. How do we move on now to make sure that we are doing the work of registering more voters?

He said, for example, it would be productive for the county party to work to raise money so its executive is a full-time staffer rather than working part-time.

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Broward Democrats

Democrats are still dominant in Broward County, and hold all the congressional districts, all countywide elected offices, all County Commission seats, and all but one state legislative district.

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But many Democrats won with smaller margins in 2022 and 2024 than they had in previous elections. Political handicappers in both parties see signs that Republicans could score some picks in coming years if Democrats dont change the current trajectory.

Republicans have made gains in the last two or three decades, really, because of their commitment to long-term investment in the things that they want to change, Hoye said. Look at the way they communicate with Hispanic voters. Look at what happened in Miami, and that didnt happen overnight. So we not only have to protect Broward, but we have to expand Browards blue strength so we can overperform for other parts of the state (and) so that we can keep them out of our backyard.

Hoye, 45, of Sunrise, is an African American eighth-grade U.S. history teacher with strong ties to organized labor. He is the first non-white chair elected to lead the Broward Democratic Party. (A Black interim chairwoman served briefly decades ago.)

Newly elected officers are First Vice Chair Cheryl Levin, Second Vice Chair Kimberly Burke Mohorne, Corresponding Secretary Kim Schnitzius, Treasurer David Kent, and Lead State Committeeman Percy Johnson.

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Hoye said hes in a good position to lead efforts to reach out to Democratic voters and potential Democratic voters.

Im a working-class citizen. Im a teacher. Im a unionist. I understand their issues because their issues are mine. And they want to know that the Democratic Party understands their issues, he said.

I know that the demographics are changing, but we have to do our due diligence in making sure that were adjusting to the changing times, without losing a focus on our core mission as Democrats, Hoye said.

Olvera said Hoye has lots of work ahead to register voters, court Hispanic voters and have accountability and transparency within the party. I wish him and the team the best of luck.

Voting eligibility

Party officers are elected by committeemen and committeewomen from precincts across the county.

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Committeemen and committeewomen are elected in the August primary if there are too many candidates for the available spots in a precinct.

If there isnt competition, candidates are elected in their precincts without facing the voters, the same system thats used for any public office in Florida when there isnt a contest.

This year there were no contests for Democratic committeeman or committeewoman in any of Browards precincts.

Olvera and his supporters are questioning how and why committeemen and committeewoman contests were avoided and why some people are listed in precincts where they dont live. Olvera said a total of 38 names are in question. About one-third listed the incorrect precinct on their qualifying paperwork, he said, and about two-thirds were reassigned by the Broward Democratic Party to a different precinct.

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The Supervisor of Elections Office website shows 372 committeemen and committeewomen.

Florida law is clear: Each county committeeman or committeewoman shall be a resident of the precinct from which he or she is elected.

Residency also is spelled out by state Democratic Party rules. A Nov. 26 letter from state Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried to Hoye, a copy of which was provided by an Olvera supporter, cited a party bylaw specifying that committeemen and committeewomen are registered Democrats, and who reside in, are registered to vote in, and are elected from the precinct they are to represent.

Delmay said he doesnt know his status.

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Voter registration records show Delmay lives in Precinct V003 in Hollywood. The roster of precinct committee members on the Supervisor of Elections website shows him representing Precinct V002.

After the August primary, Delmay said he received a certificate showing he was elected in Precinct V002. I knew it was the wrong number immediately, so I reached the supervisor of elections (office) and they told me that the original list, the spreadsheet sent to them had been updated to put him in Precinct V002.

Voter registration records also show that Mohorne, who was elected as the partys second vice chair, is registered to vote in Precinct G008 in Margate. The roster on the Supervisor of Elections Office website lists her as a Precinct G007 committeewoman.

Reached by phone on Friday, Mohorne referred an inquiry to her attorney, Sandra Cherefre, who said Mohorne completed her paperwork with the correct precinct. She referred questions to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

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Cherefre termed it inaccurate to say Mohorne doesnt live in the precinct she represents. She provided her address on the documentation. If something happened with the supervisor of elections, then have that conversion with him.

Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott said earlier in the week that his office treated candidates for the precinct jobs the way it handles candidates for municipal elections that the office administers for a local government.

If the organization such as a city  or in this case, the Democratic Party  said the candidates should go in a certain slot, thats where they were placed.

The Democratic Party has their own procedures. And we just respect their procedures of what they would like to do. We just basically went off of that, Scott said. We received a letter from the party basically explaining how they wanted things to be set up.  These organizations have their own bylaws and their own procedures and its not really up to my office to try to interpret their rules or bylaws.

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Hoye said he doesnt see an issue. I believe everyones in their proper place, he said. We worked with the supervisor based on what they told us was proper.  We sent a list back according to what they told us were the proper modifications.

Olvera said the state Democratic Party needs to intervene and needs to redo this election and needs to do better credentialing.

He said he didnt know if hed run for county chair if the state party ordered a new election. Olvera continues as president of the Dolphin Democrats LGBTQ+ political club, and as a precinct committeeman.

Representatives for the Florida Democratic Party didnt respond to requests for comment on Thursday or Friday.

Hoye said the questions stem from people who are just not happy with the outcome. But we play by the book.

Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.
Brussels is taking the UK to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for breaking the terms of its Brexit deal.

The move will put pressure on Sir Keir Starmers hopes for a reset of relations and closer ties with the bloc.

It comes after Downing Street refused to rule out a role for the ECJ in Britain as part of the reset.

The Government has set up a special unit with 100 staff to renegotiate relations with the EU. However, Brussels is expected to demand free movement for young people, access to British fishing waters and closer alignment with EU rules in return for closer trade ties, according to leaked negotiating papers revealed by The Telegraph.

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The European Commission said on Monday that it was referring the UK to the ECJ for failing to protect the rights of EU citizens living in Britain after it formally left the bloc at the end of 2020.

It happened during the transition period, when the UK was effectively a member state but without EU voting rights while a free trade deal was negotiated.

Several shortcomings

Brussels said there were several shortcomings in the UKs implementation of European law that continued to affect EU nationals in the UK who have protected rights under the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

The treaty granted residency rights to roughly 3.5 million EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the bloc.

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However, the commission said London had failed to comply with EU law on the free movement of European citizens.

It also accused the UK of failing to terminate bilateral investment treaties with six of the blocs member states that were seen to overlap and conflict with EU law.

There have been reports of EU citizens being stopped at the UK border since Brexit and even being subject to deportation orders after returning home from holidays or visiting family abroad.

Although the UK is no longer bound by EU law, certain parts of its withdrawal agreement with Brussels remain subject to the jurisdiction of European judges.

Case a warning to PM

The EU has sued the UK in the ECJ over other issues since Brexit, including its incomplete implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is now called the Windsor Framework.

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Referring the UK to the ECJ, which can levy huge fines, is the next step after the commission asked the UK to provide more information in May 2020.

A commission spokesman said: After carefully assessing the replies of the United Kingdom, the commission maintains that several elements of the grievances remain unaddressed, including on the rights of workers and the rights of extended family members.

A Government spokesman said: These cases relate to issues from when the UK was an EU member state and during the transition period. We are not going to comment further on legal proceedings.

One of Brusselss key demands in post-Brexit negotiations with the UK is a youth mobility deal, while Sir Keir hopes to improve the Brexit trade deal.

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Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary whose party negotiated the Withdrawal Agreement and trade deal, said: The EUs enthusiasm to continue to take proceedings against us in the ECJ should be a warning to Keir Starmer as he tries to edge us back under its jurisdiction in more areas and extend mobility rights for EU citizens.

I hope the government will strongly defend this claim.

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz failed a confidence vote in the Bundestag on Dec. 16, paving the way for early parliamentary elections scheduled for Feb. 23.

Out of 717 lawmakers who participated in the vote, only 207 supported Scholzs government, matching the size of his Social Democratic Party (SPD) faction. A total of 394 MPs expressed no confidence, while 116 abstained.

The SPD faces criticism for its defense policies, including its refusal to deliver Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine.

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According to a leaked draft of the party's election platform, the SPD remains opposed to the missiles, citing that providing them could escalate Germanys involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. Scholz has maintained this stance despite calls from Kyiv and other Western allies.

Read also: With Scholzs government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy

Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has voiced support for supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Merz, whose CDU/CSU alliance is leading in the polls ahead of the February election, visited Kyiv and pledged a more assertive approach to arming Ukraine.

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"We want your army to be capable of hitting military bases in Russia. Not civilians, not infrastructure, but military targets from which your country is being attacked," Merz said during his visit, although he cautioned that the missiles would not be a miraculous solution to the conflict.

The CDUs election platform reportedly commits to comprehensive support for Ukraine, including diplomatic, financial, humanitarian, and military aid.

Merz has also argued that Germany could lift restrictions on the Taurus missiles without becoming a direct participant in the war, following precedents set by the U.K. and U.S.

As the elections approach, defense and foreign policy are likely to remain central issues, with the CDU positioning itself as a stronger ally to Ukraine compared to Scholzs SPD.

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Read also: Taurus missiles: Why Ukraine wants them  and Germany hesitates

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. QatarEnergy has entered into an agreement with Harmattan Energy Limited (HEL), a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, to acquire a 27.5% interest in the Petroleum Exploration License and Petroleum Agreement for Block 2813B (PEL0090), located offshore Namibia, Trend reports.

Under the terms of the agreement, HEL, which will continue as the operator, retains a 52.5% stake, while other partners Trago Energy Limited and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) each hold 10%.

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, expressed the companys commitment to expanding its presence in Namibia. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to continue expanding our upstream footprint in Namibia, and the strengthening of our partnership with our valued partner Chevron, he said.

Minister Al-Kaabi further highlighted the company's upcoming exploration activities, noting that, following successful drilling in other parts of Namibia, QatarEnergy looks forward to drilling the first exploration well on Block 2813B. He also extended his thanks to Namibian authorities and partners for their ongoing support.

Located approximately 200 kilometers offshore Namibia and about 70 kilometers north of QatarEnergys Venus discovery, Block 2813B covers an area of 5,433 km, with water depths ranging from 2,400 to 3,300 meters.
DENVER (KDVR)  Theres a new way to get to and from the Denver International Airport without dealing with the parking lot.

Usually, people traveling in and out of DIA either park at the airport or use public buses, trains or ride shares  but now, people heading to and from northeast Colorado have a new option.

91-year-old brings sword concealed in cane through DIA security

The Colorado Department of Transportation said the Bustang Outrider Sterling route added a stop at DIA, which started on Friday. CDOT said the stop filled a transportation gap for more than 400,000 residents in rural communities.

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The buses, which run Monday through Friday, arrive at the airport at 9:35 a.m. and leave for Sterling at 3:07 p.m., come with USB ports, power outlets, Wi-Fi, bike racks and wheelchair lifts.

Using the new Bustang route to and from DIA

People can purchase tickets through the Bustang Outrider mobile app or pay in cash when boarding the bus. Passengers can also buy tickets on all buses from each Bustang Outrider Park-n-Ride.

The bus stops in the following places:

Logan County Courthouse (Sterling)

East Morgan County Library (Brush)

Morgan Community College (Fort Morgan)

Northeast Colorado Health Department (Fort Morgan)

Interstate 76 Wiggins Rest Area (route splits at Wiggins-alternates between Greeley and Denver)

Keenesburg Town Hall

Denver International Airport

Denver Union Station

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Denver International Airport holiday travel rush begins this week

One-way trip prices along the route include:

Logan County Courthouse to DIA: $20

East Morgan County Library to DIA: $14

Morgan Community College to DIA: $12

Northeast Colorado Health Department to DIA: $12

CDOT Rest Area (Wiggins) to DIA: $10

Keenesburg Town Hall to DIA: $5

DIA to Denver Union Station: $2

Seniors, children 2 to 11 and people with disabilities can ride the bus for half price. Children younger than 2 years old and caretakers for individuals with disabilities ride for free.

More information on Bustang Outrider routes, maps, schedules, ticket purchasing and more can be found on RideOutrider.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
WEBB CITY, Mo.  The next generation is learning the value of freedom this holiday season by remembering the men and women who have served our country.

A chance to honor the veterans, said Maj. Henry Cole, Group V, Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol Public Affairs Officer.

On this bright, sunny Sunday morning, several Joplin Civil Air Patrol cadets and other local JROTC members are working hard.

We want them to learn where we came from, what our history is, said Maj. Cole.

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Roughly 1,200 wreaths now adorn veteran graves in Webb Citys Mount Hope Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America annual event.

The cadets will place a wreath, salute, say the veterans name, and honor them that way. After a moment of silence, said Maj. Cole.

A weather delay caused a slightly late shipment of wreaths, but, if you ask them, its simply never too late to honor those who served our country or gave their lives for our country.

They basically write a blank check to the United States of America for anything up to and including your life, said Maj. Cole.

I have a lot of respect for veterans, and this just kind of taught me how to have a little bit more respect for them, said A1C Cooper Bollman, Civil Air Patrol.

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Its Airman Bollmans first time participating, and while things can be a little shaky at first

Yeah. When they started doing it this morning, they were very uneasy, said Maj. Cole.

 It teaches a life lesson the cadets will never forget.

By the last one they did that I saw them do, theyre pros, said Maj. Cole.

The main part of it is having respect for the veterans who served and gave their lives for us, for our freedoms and all the things that we appreciate today, said Bollman.

And, for a third year, Mount Hope Cemeterys veterans have wreaths on their graves, honoring their service this holiday season.

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Really proud to. Ive been a member civilian for 25 years. Im really proud to work with these. Good that site enjoy working with cadets and theyre just you wont find a better group of young people, said Maj. Cole.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  If youre seeing smoke today in San Diegos northeastern backcountry, do not worry: Cal Fire is conducting a prescribed burn.

The agency is alerting residents of the burn, which is set to begin at 9 a.m. Monday in the community of Witch Creek and last for several hours.

According to Cal Fire officials, the burn will be concentrated in the area of Highway 78 and Westside Road, but may be visible in from other parts of the county.

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Two firefighters hurt while battling fire near U.S.-Mexico border

Controlled fires are used by Cal Fire and other agencies that deal with forest management to reduce fuels, such as decaying trees and vegetation, in a specific area where there otherwise would be a high fire risk due to overgrowth.

Cal Fires prescribed burn Monday will be focusing on an area near the point of origin in the deadly 2007 Witch Creek Fire, one of the largest wildfires in San Diego history.

As explained by the U.S. Forest Service, this process typically begins with a pre-treatment called thinning, or the removal of flammable vegetation and other organic species under tree canopy. This could be things like pine needles, downed logs and low level branches.

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Once the area has been cleaned up, crews will begin the prescribed burn. Per the Forest Service, this is often done using a drip torch in tandem with techniques adapted to the terrain to keep the flames in control.

What is a Red Flag Warning and why is it important?

The federal agency notes these fires often look different than wildfires: When done right, they stay relatively close to the ground and emanate a smoke that is a lighter, white color.

In the days and weeks after the prescribed burn, the area will look blackened, as it does with other fires. Although, the U.S. Forest Service says the scale in the areas disturbance is much different than the level seen in those where a high-severity wildfire has ripped through.

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Most mature, big trees and the forest canopy survive a prescribed burn, the agency explained. Burn scars also do not last long with these controlled fires, unlike wildfires, with the forest returning to its normal appearance in the span of several months.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
(KTXL)  A couple from California were shot and killed by gunmen on Wednesday night in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, according to officials.

The attack happened in the city of Angamacutiro, about 230 miles west of Mexico City, according to officials in the Michoacan state attorney generals office, The New York Times reports.

City officials identified the couple as Rafael Cardona Aguilera and Gloria Ambriz, residents of Northern California who were on vacation, according to state officials. The formers sister is the wife of Angamacutiros current mayor, Hermes Pacheco, the Times reported, citing the town council.

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3 dead, including suspect, in Wisconsin school shooting

Mexican authorities told the Times that officers found the couple inside a bullet-ridden vehicle on a street in Angamacutiro, although it was still unclear if they were targeted as of Monday.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Michoacan to Nexstars KTXL, adding that it is closely monitoring local authorities investigation into the reported killings.

Local officials did not immediately return KTXLs requests for comment.

The state of Michoacan is one of several in Mexico that have seen widespread violent crime in the last two decades after a federal government crackdown began against organized crime groups in 2006.

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Michoacan is one of six Mexican states that U.S. officials advise citizens not to travel to due to crime. The other five states are Colima, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
(NEXSTAR)  Heads up, drivers. A handful of new laws take effect in California on Jan. 1, 2025, that impact the rules of the road.

From insurance claims to car break-ins to parking tickets, heres whats changing for California drivers in the new year.

You cant park there

Assembly Bill 413, more commonly known as a Daylighting Law, takes effect across California in 2025. It bans drivers from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk to make intersections safer for pedestrians.

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The law applies whether the crosswalk is marked or unmarked and regardless of if the curb is painted red. California cities have been working to put up signage and paint curbs to make it easier for drivers to navigate the new normal, but they acknowledge not all curbs will be painted red in time.

If youre parking facing a crosswalk, look for the red curb first. If its there, respect that distance. If theres no red paint, leave a space of 20 feet (or a bit longer than a large SUV) between your parked car and the intersection.

How to dodge a parking ticket when new California daylighting law takes effect

Locked door loophole

Senate Bill 905 eliminates a loophole in California criminal code, which defined burglary to include entering a vehicle when the doors are locked with the intent to commit grand or petit larceny or a felony.

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The mere fact that a window was broken into is insufficient. Prosecutors must prove that the door was locked, which requires that victims must physically come out to court to testify as such, said Sen. Scott Wiener, who authored the bill.

Now, car owners and prosecutors wont have to prove a car was locked, just that forcible entry occurred.

No license required

Job postings cant require that applicants have a valid drivers license anymore, unless the employer believes youll actually need to drive as part of the job. The employer would also need to reasonably believe that you couldnt execute the job duties using an alternate form of transportation.

Requiring a drivers license for jobs that dont involve driving is a form of employment discrimination, proponents said.

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New laws going into effect in California in 2025

Better insurance coverage in an accident

Senate Bill 1107 increases minimum insurance liability limits for when someone is hurt or killed in a crash, or if they suffer property damage.

What does this mean? Lets say you got into a car accident and you were not at fault, explains Omega Law Group. If the person who hit you carries with them an insurance package with the minimum policy limit, the maximum compensation youll be able to receive for your injury will only be $15,000 regardless of how high your medical bills ended up being.

Starting in January 2025, the amount youd be entitled to receive doubles.

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Before Jan. 1, 2025, the payout limits were:

$15,000 per person for bodily injury or death

$30,000 per accident for bodily injury or death

$5,000 for property damage

Starting in 2025, the limits will be:

$30,000 per person for bodily injury or death

$60,000 per accident for bodily injury or death

$15,000 for property damage

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
It's only mid-December, yet dramatic swings in weather already appear to be marking California's transition toward winter  and the volatility probably is far from over.

Just this past week, a major wildfire raced into Malibu, fueled by dangerous Santa Ana winds, and a powerful storm dumped feet of snow in the mountains, caused flooding in the Bay Area and formed a tornado in Santa Cruz County.

And now, forecasters warn that similar conditions are likely to return this week, with high winds in Southern California prompting further fire concerns and a series of atmospheric rivers bound for Northern California that could bring more flooding and headaches for travelers.

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These diverging weather patterns are providing the latest reminder about how much California can differ climatologically, especially when it comes to early-winter precipitation.

"It's fairly common to have other parts of the West get targeted and we kind of get left out," Robbie Munroe, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard, said of Southern California's dryness relative to up north. He said the sharp contrast often eases by January or February, when the jet stream  which tends to direct moisture-laden storms  shifts farther south.

Read more: With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year

So even as Northern California this weekend dealt with significant rainfall and high winds  closing roads in Sonoma County, downing trees along the North Bay Coast, cutting off power to thousands  firefighters in Southern California continued to work on the bone-dry landscape around the Franklin fire in Malibu, which was just over 50% contained early Monday.

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The Southland remains in high fire season, which could last into the new year without a wetting rainfall, and forecasters say more Santa Ana winds are on the way.

Beginning Tuesday afternoon, much of Ventura County and western Los Angeles County will be under a red flag warning, with northeast winds reaching up to 40 mph and some isolated gusts hitting 60 mph, especially in the San Gabriel, Santa Susana and Santa Monica mountains.

Munroe said the winds are not expected to be as strong or dry as the winds that helped fan the Franklin fire last week, but conditions are still dicey with low humidity and dry brush. This "traditional Santa Ana corridor," which includes the region that saw the Mountain fire explode in November, will again have the potential to see extreme behavior if a fire sparks, Munroe said.

"There is still plenty of shared concern by meteorologists and fire personnel across the area due to the receptive fuels that we have seen recently," the fire weather warning said early Monday, which was later updated to a red flag warning.

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There was some early hope that Southern California could get significant rain by the end of the week, when a string of wet storms are expected to make their way south from the Gulf of Alaska, but those have mostly evaporated.

The greatest amount of rain impacts will stay to our north, more than likely," Munroe said.

This next period of wet weather is forecast to kick off in Northern California on Friday, bringing more rain, snow and potential flooding to the region as a "series of atmospheric rivers push inland," according to the weather service's Weather Prediction Center.

Were anticipating a wet week next week," said Crystal Oudit, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Monterey. We might stay in a wet pattern for ... Christmas week."

Workers remove a large tree that fell into a mobile home in Seaside, Calif. on Saturday. (Nic Coury / Associated Press)

That precipitation will come days after much of Northern California was soaked this past weekend and into Monday. The most significant storm brought drenching rains and high winds Saturday, prompting the first-ever tornado warning in San Francisco, where wind gusts up to 80 mph caused widespread damage.

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While a twister didn't end up touching down in San Francisco, one did just south in Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County.

The tornado recorded wind speeds up to 90 mph as it tore a path almost 30 yards wide for nearly a third of a mile, according to the National Weather Service. At least three people were injured as the tornado downed trees and power poles, ripped off branches, overturned vehicles and damaged street signs, the weather service reported. It was classified as a weak E-F1, which the National Weather Service considers a moderate tornado on its scale from EF-0 to EF-5.

Water from the San Francisco Bay spills onto the Embarcadero as a result of high tides and storm-driven waves on Saturday. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)

While tornadoes aren't regular occurrences in the Bay Area, there have been several recorded in the area, including seven others in Santa Cruz County, the National Weather Service reported.

The storm over the weekend also dumped significant snow across the northern Sierra Nevada, including more than 2 feet of fresh powder in Lake Tahoe. Quick bouts of rain temporarily flooded some roadways and underpasses in the Bay Area, submerging cars in one low-lying street in Livermore.

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It doesn't appear the next round of storms beginning Friday have any notable winds associated with them, Oudit said, but she noted that some forecasts are still too far out to know for sure.

Times staff writers Andrea Chang and Ben Poston contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma announced theyd be closing their doors after 95 years of serving Oklahomans and their families.

News 4 spoke with Emma Hoisington, a former camper for 17 years and a staff member shortly after that. She said when she heard the news of the closure, she was in shock.

Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma courtesy KFOR

Its really disappointing. I knew that there was some struggle going on behind the scenes, but I really never in my mind imagined that it wouldnt be there anymore, said Hoisington.

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The camp sent an email to parents and supporters. Part of the letter said, We have not been able to restore funding or programming to the levels required to continue operations.

Former Mustang Public Schools employee pleads guilty to defrauding district

It also mentions the COVID-19 pandemic being a hurdle they just couldnt get over.

The camp went virtual during the Summer of 2020, but Hoisington said not many kids attended online.

I reached out to Camp Fire Oklahoma, they sent a statement to News 4 about the closure after almost 100 years:

Obviously this was not an easy decision. We are really sad for the community but grateful for the legacy of the camp and the memories we brought to everyone. We are hopeful to announce some positive and exciting news in the near future about the next steps for the camp grounds and plan to ensure it remains available for public use. Camp Fire Oklahoma, Board of Directors

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That one [Cam Fire HOK] was really unique and its really sad that its not an option for parents anymore, said Hoisington.

Hoisington has since started another job, but says Camp DaKaNi made a lasting impact in her life.

Hoisington said, I started that with one of our programs at Camp, and it really entirely shaped me into the person that I am today. I think I learned that my passion on life is working with kids now.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
(NewsNation)  As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a ban on two chemicals linked with cancer, critics say more can be done.

Retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger said Sunday on NewsNation Prime how the EPA must be helped to rid America of forever chemicals.

Ensmingers daughter died from leukemia at 9 years old due to contaminated drinking water at North Carolina Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, which affected countless Army personnel and their families.

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There exists a long history of political interference supported by industry of blocking the EPAs ability to protect the environment and public health, Ensminger said.

The future of our children and the health of our country vastly outweighs the needs of the almighty dollar.

Forever chemicals tainting food supply, destroying American farmers

Scott Faber, senior vice president at Environmental Working Group, told NewsNation Prime that the EPA is not taking sufficient action against the release of PFAs into the environment.

Unfortunately, the EPA is not turning off the tap of these chemicals from the polluters, the polluters who knew they were poisoning their workers in the 60s and their neighbors in the 70s, and ultimately, all of us, and theyre continuing to allow these polluters to send their PFAs waste, Faber said.

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Not only into our rivers but to our wastewater treatment plants, where they are then sold to farmers who unknowingly contaminate their fields.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Canadian authorities admitted that migrants can simply hop over the U.S.-Canadian border after Donald Trump threatened hefty tariffs on the country unless it secures its boundary.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago after he threatened both Canada and Mexico with 25 percent tariffs on all imported goods unless they curb the amount of drugs and migrants from entering the U.S.

Now, members of the Canadian governments police agency have conceded that while concrete blocks that dot some rural parts of the border prevent vehicles from crossing, its easy for migrants traveling by foot to step into the U.S.

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People can still hop over them, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sergeant Daniel Dubois told Reuters.

Canadian police told the outlet that they have been installing cameras and sensors over vulnerable parts of the border.

President-elect Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talk prior to a NATO round table meeting at The Grove hotel and resort in England in 2019. Canada has admitted that migrants can easily hop over the Canadian border to the U.S. after Trump threatened to impose large tariffs (AP)

Reducing crossings along the worlds largest border is a huge undertaking. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol have nearly 200,000 encounters with migrants at the northern border this fiscal year, data shows. August was the busiest month, when Border Patrol reported almost 19,000 migrant encounters.

Even if we were everywhere, we couldnt stop it, Charles Poirier, an RCMP spokesperson in Quebec, told Reuters.

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Heres the thing: they havent committed an offense until theyve crossed into the United States. So our focus for the past few months, actually the past year and a half, has been on arresting and prosecuting the smugglers, he added.

U.S. Border Patrol reported 7,000 drug seizures in the past fiscal year at the northern border  but only 82 of them involved fentanyl  data shows. Thats compared to 8,800 drug seizures from the southern border in the same period; nearly one-tenth of those seizures involved fentanyl.

A view of the Canada-U.S. border barrier during a patrol with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Saint-Georges-de-Clarenceville, Quebec, Canada December 5, 2024. (REUTERS/Carlos Osorio)

In late November, Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on the U.S.s neighbors on his first day in office, unless the countries tighten the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States. His particular focus is fentanyl.

On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders, Trump wrote on Truth Social. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! The 78-year-old Republican has also threatened mass deportations in his second term.

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Following Trudeaus initial meeting with Trump early this month, his government is allegedly contemplating spending hundreds of millions on securing its border with the U.S., the Canadian Broadcasting Corpporation reported earlier this month.

More concrete blocks lining the U.S.-Canada border in Alburgh, Vermont, U.S. December 6, 2024. (REUTERS/Carlos Osorio)

During that meeting, sources say the president-elect mocked that Canada can circumvent the looming tariffs if it becomes Americas 51st state. Days later, Trump made a similar remark in a Truth Social post, calling the Canadian prime minister Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.

After the meeting, Trudeau warned that the tariffs would not only be devastating for the Canadian economy, but also for Americans.

Trump got elected on a commitment to make life better and more affordable for Americans, and I think people south of the border are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive, the prime minister said in a speech last week. Canada is the largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S.
Justin Trudeaus deputy prime minister has resigned and accused him of political gimmicks, in a major blow for the embattled Canadian leader.

Chrystia Freeland said she had major concerns about Mr Trudeaus plan to confront Donald Trumps economic nationalism, and suggested he had mismanaged the public finances with policies the country could ill afford.

In a resignation statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, she revealed that Mr Trudeau had asked her to leave her post as Finance Minister on Friday, and offered her another role in the Cabinet.

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But she said the only honest and viable path would be for her to resign and return to the back benches, revealing that the pair had found ourselves at odds over the best path forward for Canada.

Ms Freelands departure is the latest controversy to rock Mr Trudeaus Liberal administration, which is facing wipeout in next years federal elections.

If an election was to be held today, the opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, would win a substantial majority.

Canadian media reports suggest Ms Freeland, a former journalist for the Financial Times and Reuters, had clashed with Mr Trudeau over his proposal for temporary tax breaks and other spending measures, announced by the minority government to bolster its ailing popularity.

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They include a two-month tax cut on coffee, restaurants and takeaways, and some alcoholic drinks, which began on Saturday.

Budget statement

Ms Freelands resignation came ahead of a major budget statement, where she was expected to report the government had run up a much larger budget deficit than predicted in the last financial year.

Her resignation statement warned that Mr Trumps incoming administration is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs.

We need to take that threat extremely seriously, she wrote.

That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford.

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Mr Trump threatened the tariffs on both Canada and Mexico on Nov 26, three weeks after his historic second presidential win.

Mr Trudeau flew to Florida to meet Mr Trump at Mar-a-Lago later that week, where he said the pair had an excellent conversation.

Justin Trudeau and meets with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November

But the president-elect joked on social media that Canada could become the 51st state if Mr Trudeau was not willing to accept significant tariffs, describing him as a governor.

Mr Trump has said he will impose tariffs if Canada does not secure its border with the US against illegal migrants and the flow of fentanyl. He has also called on Ottawa to increase its defence budget to at least the Nato target of two per cent of GDP.

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The rising political turmoil at the top of Canadian politics comes after Mr Trudeaus de facto coalition partners, the New Democratic Party, pulled out of a confidence-and-supply deal in September and left him running a minority government.

The situation has prompted speculation that a federal election will be called before the planned date of October 2025, which will mark a decade in office for Mr Trudeau.

Jagmeet Singh, the NDP opposition leader, called for him to stand down, arguing that the governing Liberal Party were fighting themselves instead of fighting for Canadians.

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(Bloomberg) -- Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet because of differences over how to prepare for the Trump administration, a political earthquake that shakes Canadas government to its core.

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Freeland has been the most powerful person serving under Trudeau for years and also held the title of deputy prime minister. After Donald Trump won the US presidential election, the prime minister appointed her to lead a cabinet group developing a strategy on how to respond to US policies.

She announced her exit in a social media post on Monday morning, saying in a letter to the prime minister that the two are at odds about the best path forward for Canada. She released it just hours before she was due to deliver a fiscal and economic update in parliament.

Trudeau has yet to name a replacement, but the Finance Department announced on Monday afternoon that the fiscal update would proceed. It was expected to be unveiled at approximately 4 p.m. Ottawa time, though it was not immediately clear who would introduce it in the House of Commons.

The Canadian dollar fell as low as C$1.4271 per US dollar, while bond yields jumped, taking the benchmark two-year note to 3.05% as of 11:58 a.m. Ottawa time. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for an election.

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This is a serious moment. Its time for the governments mandate to come to an end. This cannot go on, Poilievre said.

The sudden departure of one of Trudeaus most loyal ministers  someone who has held senior cabinet posts during the entire nine years of this government  is a staggering blow for a prime minister who has lost a number of senior officials in recent months. His Liberal Party is trailing the Conservative Party by about 20 points in recent public opinion polls, with an election due next year.

Freelands resignation letter talked about Trumps aggressive economic nationalism, including his threat to impose 25% tariffs against goods from Canada and Mexico  a move that would be extremely harmful to Canadas economy.

Our country today faces a grave challenge, Freeland wrote. We need to take that threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.

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The phrase political gimmicks is likely a reference to the governments announcement last month that it plans to implement a two-month sales-tax holiday on certain items, such as toys and Christmas trees, and send C$250 checks to millions of Canadians. The tax holiday came into force on Dec. 14 but so far the government doesnt appear to have the votes necessary to pass the rebate checks. The total cost of that package was estimated at more than C$6 billion ($4.2 billion).

The comment about keeping fiscal powder dry is the most damning bit, said Rishi Mishra, an analyst at Futures First Canada Inc. Whenever the finance minister of a country says that they dont have fiscal room, it leads to a selloff in bonds.

Freeland all but admitted last week that the government is likely to break an earlier pledge to keep budget deficits around C$40 billion.

Her letter said Trudeau told her on Friday that he wanted her to serve in a different portfolio, but she felt the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet. Trudeau offered her a position managing the Canada-US relationship that would not have included a ministerial portfolio, according to a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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Her resignation comes as Trudeau redoubles efforts to recruit Brookfield Asset Management Chair Mark Carney into the government, though it remains unclear where those conversations will lead, an official recently told Bloomberg News. The person spoke on condition they not be identified.

Trudeau told reporters in July that he had been trying to persuade Carney for years to join politics. More recently, Carney agreed to become an economic adviser to the Liberal Party. The former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor also serves in a number of philanthropic and business roles, including as chair of Bloomberg Inc.

Trudeau has now seen the departure of two finance ministers in a little more than four years. Freeland  the first woman to hold the post in Canada  was given the job in 2020 after the prime minister had a falling out with then-Finance Minister Bill Morneau over issues such as spending on Covid-related support programs.

Freeland said in her letter that still plans to run for reelection in her Toronto district.

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It certainly adds another layer of uncertainty as we likely enter a period of volatility with the upcoming US administration, Dominique Lapointe of Manulife Investment Management said by email.

Housing Minister Sean Fraser also resigned from cabinet, news that came out on Sunday evening.

--With assistance from Erik Hertzberg, Laura Dhillon Kane and Randy Thanthong-Knight.

(Adds in paragraph four that the fiscal update will proceed. Also updates attribution regarding Trudeaus offer to Freeland in paragraph 14.)

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TORONTO (AP)  Canada Post said operations will resume at the national postal service on Tuesday after the nearly monthlong work stoppage.

Workers went on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with the primary postal operator in Canada over key issues, including wages, job security, and how to staff a proposed expansion into weekend delivery.

The federal government moved Friday to end the stoppage after Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon announced referring the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, an independent administrative tribunal that focuses on resolving workplace disputes.

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However, the board determined late Sunday that negotiations are at an impasse after two days of hearings and ordered the nearly 55,000 workers to return to work. This will also extend the current collective agreement until May 22, 2025.

Canada Post said it has agreed with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to implement a 5% wage increase retroactive to the day after the collective agreement expired.

The labor minister had previously rebuffed calls for Ottawa to intervene, saying its up to the two sides to work out a deal. But he said Canadians  especially small businesses, people in remote communities and Indigenous people  have suffered greatly as a result of the strike.

MacKinnon noted Canada Post is built to deliver letters but their volume has dropped dramatically and there is a highly competitive parcel delivery market.
Canadas 55,000 postal workers will end a month-long strike Tuesday, four days after the federal government asked the countrys labor relations board to issue a back-to-work order.

After two days of hearings over the weekend, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to return to work in a determination that the union and the Canada Post were unlikely to reach a new contract by the end of the 2024.

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Operations remain closed Monday.

The decision gets the postal service back up and running just a week before Christmas Eve, with the movement of parcels and packages having been halted for a full month throughout the country.

The backlog of deliveries got so overwhelming that third-party delivery firms like Canada Post-owned Purolator and UPS both had to temporarily suspend shipments from other courier companies.

Given the timing and duration of the strike, when our operations resume we will need to begin processing the mail and parcels trapped in our network, Canada Post said in a Monday morning statement. It will take time to clear our network, so customers should expect delays in processing and delivery.

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According to the nationwide courier, some limitations will apply for the first 48 hours after operations resume, both for pickups and drop-offs.

Because of this, Canada Post will not receive or pick up new product until Thursday, Dec. 19, just five days before Christmas Eve.

Canadians are rightfully fed up, Canadian Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said at a Friday news conference. Canadians from coast to coast, small businesses, as well as those living in remote regions and in Indigenous communities, have suffered greatly.

Unfortunately, the numbers provided by a major trade association in Canada appear to suggest that. As of Friday, the strike has cost small businesses $1.6 billion Canadian dollars ($1.1 billion), the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said in a news release.

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This will be too late to salvage any of the Christmas holiday season for small businesses. With a massive backlog, it will be nearly impossible for any new shipments to make it to Canadians before Christmas through Canada Post, said Dan Kelly, president of the CFIB, in a statement.

Its not all bad, according to Kelly, who said the temporary order will help businesses that are desperately waiting for check-based payments from other business customers. Millions of dollars have been frozen in the mail making it difficult for small firms to pay their bills.

As part of the back-to-work order, the terms of the existing collective agreements between Canada Post and CUPW will be extended until May 22, 2025. The previous contracts expired on Dec. 31, 2023 for the unions rural and suburban mail carriers unit and on Jan. 31, 2024 for the urban unit.

Canada Post said the CUPW has already agreed to a wage increase of 5 percent for employees retroactive to the day after each collective agreement expired.

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The increase will remain in effect going forward, and the retroactive portion will be paid out to current employees in two portions.

An upfront payment before Christmas of $1,000 Canadian dollars ($703) for all full- and part-time regular union employees and $500 Canadian dollars ($351.50) for temporary employees based on a minimum number of hours.

The wage increase and retroactive payment will be made no later than Jan. 31, 2025, Canada post says.

The union sought a first-year wage increase of 9 percent, and sought hikes in three following years of 4 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent.

The breakup of the strike marks the third time that the Canadian government has asked the CIRB intervene in a labor dispute since August. That month, the board issued back-to-work orders at both of the countrys Class I railroads after a day-long lockout. Three months later in November, twin labor lockouts at ports in British Columbia and Quebec were squashed by the board.

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Both of those labor disputes were sent to arbitration, but neither have settled on new contract terms.

According to MacKinnon, an industrial inquiry commission will be established to examine the issues that plagued the negotiations. On May 15, the commission will issue a report to MacKinnon designed to deliver recommendations on how the parties can better come to a resolution.

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, the Labour Minister said.

Canada Post could experience some long-term struggles in the wake of the labor dispute, with the company incurring $748 million Canadian dollars ($525 million) in losses already in 2023. Like its American counterpart, the United States Postal Service (USPS), Canada Post has had structural challenges as its share of the parcel market dwindles compared to competitors like Amazon, UPS and FedEx.
TORONTO (AP)  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced the biggest test of his political career after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, long one of his most powerful and loyal ministers, resigned from the Cabinet on Monday.

The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years  whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration  can stay on as his administration scrambles to deal with incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau," Trump posted on Truth Social. Her behavior was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!

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Trump previously trolled Trudeau by calling Canada a state. And during his first term in his office  when he renegotiated the free trade deal with Canada and Mexico  Trump said Freeland wasn't liked.

Trudeau swiftly named longtime ally and close friend Dominic LeBlanc, the public safety minister who recently joined him at dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, to replace Freeland. Freeland did not make that trip.

After being sworn in, LeBlanc told reporters he and Trudeau are focused on the cost of living facing Canadians and on finding common ground with Trump on border security and economic issues.

"It's not been an easy day," Trudeau later told a room of party supporters. He called it one of his party's toughest days" but he did not say what he planned to do.

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Trudeau faces calls to resign

Jagmeet Singh, leader of the opposition New Democratic Party which Trudeaus ruling Liberals have relied upon to stay in power, called for him to resign earlier Monday.

He has to go, NDP leader Singh said.

The main opposition Conservatives have not called for Trudeaus resignation but demand an election.

But a no confidence vote in the government is not imminent with Parliament about to break for the holidays .

Freeland, who was also deputy prime minister, said Trudeau had told her on Friday he no longer wanted her to serve as finance minister and offered her another role in the Cabinet. But she said in her resignation letter that the only honest and viable path was to leave the Cabinet.

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For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada, Freeland said.

Freeland warns against costly political gimmicks

Freeland and Trudeau disagreed about a two-month sales tax holiday and 250 Canadian dollar ($175) checks to Canadians that were recently announced. Freeland said Canada is dealing with Trump's threat to impose sweeping 25% tariffs and should eschew costly political gimmicks" it can ill afford.

Our country is facing a grave challenge, Freeland said in her letter. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war.

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A Liberal party official said Freeland was offered a position as minister in charge of Canada-U.S. relations without portfolio and without a department. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of not being authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said the position would have been in name only and wouldn't have come with any of the tools Freeland previously had when she negotiated the trade with the United States.

Freeland, who chaired a Cabinet committee on U.S. relations, had been set to deliver the fall economic statement and likely announce border security measures designed to help Canada avoid Trump's tariffs. Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless the neighbors stem the numbers of migrants and drugs.

The statement shows a much larger deficit than expected for the fiscal year and more than a billion for border security.

Can Trudeau survive?

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Trudeau has said he plans on leading the Liberal Party into the next election, but many party members have said they don't want him to run for a fourth term, and Freeland's departure was a huge blow.

Trudeau met with his lawmakers on Monday evening. Later, most of them brushed past reporters, declining to say what was said in the meeting.

Liberal lawmaker Chad Collins said they were not united."

"Theres still a number of our members that want a change in leadership. Im one of them, he said. I think the only path forward for us is to choose a new leader.

No Canadian prime minister in more than a century has won four straight terms.

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The federal election has to be held before October. The Liberals must rely on the support of at least one other major party in Parliament, because they dont hold an outright majority themselves. If NDP pulls support, an election can be held at any time.

Singh said all options are on the table.

Trudeau channeled his father's popularity

Trudeau channeled the star power of his father, late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, in 2015, when he reasserted the countrys liberal identity after almost a decade of Conservative Party rule.

But Canadians are now frustrated by the rising cost of living and other issues, including immigration increases following the countrys emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Justin Trudeaus legacy includes opening the doors wide to immigration. He also legalized cannabis and brought in a carbon tax intended to fight climate change.

Freeland also said in her letter that Canadians know when we are working for them, and they equally know when we are focused on ourselves. Inevitably, our time in government will come to an end."

Trudeau tries to bring in another Cabinet member

Separately, Trudeau has been trying to recruit Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada, to join his government. Carney has long been interested in entering politics and becoming the leader of the Liberal Party. LeBlanc's appointment to finance suggests that won't happen.

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Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, called Freeland's resignation a political earthquake.

This is clearly a minority government on life support but, until now, the (opposition) NDP has rejected calls to pull the plug on it," Beland said. "Its hard to know whether this resignation will force the NDP to rethink its strategy.
By David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, dealing an unexpected blow to an already unpopular government.

Freeland said she was quitting in the wake of a meeting last Friday with Trudeau, who asked her to take on a lesser post after the two had been arguing for weeks over spending.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc - a member of Trudeau's inner circle - was quickly named finance minister of the minority Liberal government.

The resignation of Freeland, 56, who also served as deputy prime minister, is one of the biggest crises Trudeau has faced since taking power in November 2015. It also leaves him without a key ally when he is on track to lose the next election to the official opposition Conservatives.

A Liberal source said Trudeau wanted Freeland to serve as minister without portfolio dealing with Canada-U.S. relations in name only - in effect a major demotion.

Trudeau met the national Liberal caucus later on Monday - including Freeland - but legislators declined to say afterwards what had happened.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said there had been a good and frank conversation but gave no details.

Trudeau later told a Liberal Party fundraiser in Ottawa that being prime minister was the privilege of his life.

"It's obviously been an eventful day. It has not been an easy day," he said.

The potential threat to his future was underlined when a top member of the opposition New Democrats, who have been helping keep the Liberals in power, said the party would vote to bring down Trudeau next year unless he quit.

"If we're coming up to a straight up non-confidence motion at the end of February, early March, that's one of the tools that we have," House of Commons leader for the NDP Peter Julian told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

"We simply cannot continue like this," he said, adding he expected Trudeau to have resigned by then.

Party leader Jagmeet Singh had earlier been less equivocal when asked about bringing down Trudeau, whom he insisted should resign.

Freeland quit just hours before she was due to present a fall economic update to parliament. The document showed the minority Liberal government had run up a 2023/24 budget deficit of C$61.9 billion, much higher than predicted.

Trudeau can be toppled if the opposition parties unite against him on a vote of no confidence, though that cannot happen until next year.
Chrystia Freeland, Canada's finance minister and one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's closest allies, has resigned.

She cited differences of opinion with him as the reason for her decision.

"For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada," Freeland, who was also the deputy prime minister, said in her resignation letter on Monday.

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"On Friday, you told me that you no longer wanted me as finance minister and offered me another position in the cabinet," she wrote. "Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me is to resign from the cabinet."

Canadian media reported that Freeland and Trudeau had clashed over the country's budgetary policy.

She had spoken out against the tax cuts promised by Trudeau, emphasizing that a more frugal approach was needed in order to respond to the tariffs on Canadian goods announced by US President-elect Donald Trump.

That meant, she wrote, "eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognise the gravity of the moment."

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She announced her withdrawal just hours before a press conference on the country's budget was due to take place.

Freeland has long been considered a possible successor to Trudeau, who has been prime minister for nine years.

A new parliament is due to be elected in Canada in October 2025, but Trudeau and his Liberals are currently extremely unpopular in the polls. The centre-left party is facing the threat of major losses.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. The ballpark figure for the Azerbaijani parliament's budget for the upcoming year has been given the green light, Trend reports.

In the draft resolution discussed today in the parliament regarding this issue, the cost estimate for the parliament and its administration will amount to 52.85 million manat ($31.1 million).

The amount includes 29.5 million manat ($17.3 million) to be allocated for salaries, 2.25 million manat ($1.3 million) for other wage-related payments, and 40,000 manat ($23,500) for international calls, 135,362 manat ($79,600) for internet services, 121,040 manat ($71,200) for domestic business trips, 2.3 million manat ($1.4 million) for business trips abroad, and 26,400 manat ($15,500) for rent and other expenses.

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36,706 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  CANDLES and the United Hebrew Congregation of Terre Haute thought that Sunday was a great time to do something to remind people of the significance of Hanukkah traditions.

United Hebrew Congregation President Scott Skillman said along with the Hanukkah celebrations they are celebrating 175 years of being in Terre Haute.

We have been involved at all levels in the Terre Haute community, and we are happy to be here and do that, said Skillman. We are also happy to have the community come back and spend this time with us during this celebration.

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ISU holds its undergraduate winter commencement ceremony

Skillman said that no matter what you believe in, it is important to be happy and spread joy during this time of the year.

Although, today we were focused on the Hanukkah tradition, our Rabbi that spoke today talked about how it is important for others to recognize that it is a holiday season, said Skillman. Its Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah all rolled into one. No expression is better than the other and it is all about sharing the joy of the holidays with our community.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  When the Arkansas General Assembly begins in early January, Democratic leaders will be proposing a large package of legislation.

Capitol View host Roby Brock talked to State Representative Andrew Collins to learn more about their plans.

Roby also ran down various political stories from the week around the Natural State.

Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

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In this aerial view, the Mammoth carbon removal plant, considered the largest direct-air capture plant in the world is seen on May 24, 2024 in Reykjavik, Iceland. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Colorado has emerged as a climate leader with ambitious goals to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The state has more than tripled the amount of electricity derived from renewable energy, modernized its infrastructure, and made smart climate tech investments. And now, theres a new industry that Colorado is beginning to invest in: carbon removal.

Carbon removal pathways take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it permanently. Scientists have figured out how to accelerate many of Earths natural processes to store carbon in plants, soils, rocks and deep underground. Theres direct air capture (giant fans that suck carbon out of the air), enhanced weathering (carbon-rich rock dust spread on fields), bio-oil sequestration (a dense substance including carbon that can be stored in abandoned oil wells), and more.

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These approaches come with other benefits, too: helping to plug decommissioned oil wells to stop methane leaks, getting rid of brush and debris that fuel wildfires, improving soil conditions and crop yields for our states farmers, and bringing new jobs.

In Colorado specifically, carbon removal could make a big difference. State leaders  and leading national economists, innovators and educators  expect carbon removal to be a trillion-dollar industry. If Colorado continues to invest today, carbon removal could bring new jobs to our rural and urban communities while providing opportunities for upskilling and retraining our existing workforce.

A recent study by the Rhodium Group said direct air capture could contribute to around 85,000 annual jobs in Colorado alone by 2050: Thats nearly the same amount of workers currently supported by Colorados energy and natural resources industry. In particular, communities hit by the states shifting energy infrastructure stand to benefit.

Ultimately, the carbon removal industry should establish more homegrown job opportunities for Coloradan talent across technology, engineering, on-site operations, marketing and other spaces, while keeping important regional expertise and buying power in the state for the long term. For example, one carbon removal startup with operations in Fort Lupton could generate over $583 million in state tax revenue. Colorado State University has launched carbon management training and education programs, giving our students and workers the skills they need to thrive in the field.

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To make good on this momentum, the Colorado Energy Office will publish an updated Carbon Management Roadmap to help shape the industry at the state level. Local leaders in Boulder County are pushing through carbon removal deployments to bring jobs to the community, reduce the risk of wildfires, and continue building up the green construction, manufacturing, and materials industries. Coloradans have also formed coalitions with Wyoming to help bring more (and bigger) carbon removal projects to the Rocky Mountain Region.

Back in Washington, D.C., Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado partnered with Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to introduce the Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act to right-size the current tax code to support American companies removing carbon. In the meantime, ensuring we have the renewable energy  infrastructure and supply  to support Colorados newest climate industry must continue to be a priority.

Expect to see more carbon removal projects coming to your county and carbon removal-related jobs for you, your family, and your neighbors continue cropping up. These projects will ultimately help revitalize communities, farming land, industries like construction and agriculture, and the air we all breathe.

Carbon removal is poised to usher in a new industry  one built by Colorado for Colorado.

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(NewsNation)  Mexican drug cartels are driving an opioid epidemic, flooding the United States with increasingly potent synthetic drugs that are claiming thousands of lives annually, according to federal authorities and recent investigations.

The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have transformed the illicit drug trade, focusing on synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its even deadlier cousin, carfentanil. These drugs are cheaper to produce and far more profitable than traditional heroin.

In 2022, synthetic opioids were responsible for nearly 70% of overdose deaths in the United States, claiming over 74,000 lives.

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20 Pennsylvania residents charged for multi-million dollar Medicaid fraud

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that cartels have developed a sophisticated production network, leveraging chemical supplies from China to manufacture these drugs in clandestine laboratories hidden in Mexicos mountainous regions.

These cartels have expanded their operations to 47 countries, using advanced methods including social media platforms for sales and distribution, according to the DEA.

One trend is the recruitment of chemistry students to refine drug production. The New York Times revealed that cartels are luring students with high salaries or using threats to improve their drug manufacturing capabilities.

Carfentanil: CDC warns of new drug more deadly than fentanyl

A new and more dangerous threat has emerged in the form of carfentanil, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Originally developed as a large animal tranquilizer, just a few grains can be fatal to humans.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an increase in carfentanil-related deaths. The drug went from causing 29 deaths in early 2023 to 238 deaths by mid-2024 and has now been detected in 37 states.

Street dealers are increasingly mixing carfentanil into counterfeit pills, often marketing them under deceptive names like Super Mario to unsuspecting users.

Just 2 milligrams are needed to tranquilize an elephant; that same amount is powerful enough to kill 50 people, according to a Department of Veteran Affairs report.

Ivey: Trump is moving FBI in very political direction

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Drug overdose deaths overall have been declining since 2023, according to the CDC. But they remain high in the United States, and the majority are connected to illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs).

Carfentanil-related deaths continued to rise this year, with a total of 238 people dying from the drug by June  a roughly 720 percent increase from the first half of 2023 to the first half of 2024.

Cartels exploiting border states

Cartels have sophisticated distribution networks, exploiting border states like Texas, Arizona and California. They use various smuggling routes, including air and sea cargo, border tunnels and extensive stash house networks.

Law enforcement faces significant challenges. Encrypted communication platforms and complex international money laundering schemes make tracking and stopping these operations increasingly difficult.

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What is live social shopping and how does it work?

Health experts warn that the rapid spread of these synthetic opioids could overwhelm public health systems. First responders are struggling to combat the crisis, with naloxone becoming a critical tool in reversing overdoses.

New York City health officials caution that while naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, multiple doses may be required, and individuals should exercise extreme caution with any unregulated substances.

India is emerging as a source for finished fentanyl powder and fentanyl precursor chemicals, the DEA said.

NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  CBS 42 wants to help you and your family stay healthy. Each week, our resident Dr. Celeste Reese-Willis joins us to talk about a timely health issue.

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CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA)  A Charlotte County deputy was fatally shot by a suspect during a traffic stop on Sunday.

Deputy Cpl. Elio Diaz pulled over a pickup truck at a Chevron gas station on Tamiami Trail at around 3 p.m.

Gulfport woman stole Christmas decorations, mail from abandoned, storm-damaged homes: PCSO

According to Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, the suspect, identified as Andrew Mostyn Jr., 24, pulled out a rifle and shot the deputy. Diaz was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

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We spoke with an employee at the gas station where the shooting happened who jumped in to try and help after the shots rang out.

The 911 dispatcher, she was talking me through how to do the CPR, said Michelle Pardo.

Pardo was overcome with emotion recounting what happened. She said she wants Diazs family to know she did everything she could to help and hopes others in the future would do the same.

I need them to know that I did try, I really did, said Pardo. If you ever see something, try and help. I mean, if you can help, just help, she continued.

Deputy Cpl. Elio Diaz (Charlotte County Sheriffs Office)

Elio was a friend, Prummell said during a Sunday news conference. A good family man. He loved his children. And he was a really great cop. Hes going to be missed.

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A manhunt ensued for Mostyn, whose truck was later spotted at a Popeyes restaurant on Kings Highway. Prummell said Mostyn reached for a rifle as deputies approached the vehicle, prompting them to shoot him.

Mostyn died from his injuries at the hospital.

Mostyn does not appear to have a criminal history in Charlotte County. However, earlier this year, he was the subject of a missing persons case out of Maryland.

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A cheating fathers secret love children have been awarded part of the 461,000 family inheritance.

Michael Gymer fathered two children with a girlfriend whose existence was unknown to his wife Julie and their three children, a court heard.

Shelley, Gregory and Lee were shocked to discover their father had led a double life for decades after both their parents died in their 80s within six months of each other in 2020.

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As neither Michael nor Julie had made a will, the 461,000 estate was set to be split equally among his heirs under the laws of intestacy  leaving all five, including half-siblings Joseph Gymer, 29, and Charlotte Gymer, 32, with an equal 92,000 share.

Shelley, 62, Gregory, 64, and Lee, 54, argued it was unfair because Michael had inherited Julies share when she died  meaning her money was effectively being shared out among the love children.

After suing, Gregory and Lee managed to salvage about 170,000 from the estate  but the half-siblings have also won a share.

Recorder Jonathan Cohen KC, the Central London County Court judge, said that Michaels affair was conducted secretly over decades from at least 1992.

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He said: They are all perfectly innocent of their fathers deceptive conduct, which has created the unfortunate mess which is now before us and the court is trying to resolve.

Charlotte and Josephs mother, Beverley, claimed his wife Julie had known about the affair since 1998 - Champion News

The judge awarded Gregory and Lee about 85,000 of Julies share of the couples joint wealth.

However, he ruled that their sister Shelleys financial needs were not so acute  meaning that she and the love children would be awarded about 58,000 each.

The court heard that Michael and Julie owned a mortgage-free 450,000 family house in Home Close, Carshalton.

From the witness box, Joseph told the judge that the first time he and his sister met Shelley and her siblings was at Michaels funeral, when Shelley came beetling over and started complaining about how betrayed she felt.

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But Charlotte and Josephs mother, Beverley, claimed that from about 1998, Julie had known of her husbands long-term affair, and her children argued that if Julie had wanted to disinherit them she could have chosen to do so by making a will.

In the witness box, Joseph backed up his mothers account, claiming that Julie would not have minded the children of her husbands long-running affair inheriting part of her estate

The three siblings barrister, Rory Brown, put to him: Are you seriously suggesting that Julie wasnt bothered about whether her children took all her estate, or whether the children of this adulterous relationship also took something from it?

But he replied: I dont know what Julie would have wanted, but she didnt make a will so I think thats what she wanted. I dont think she would have been bothered.

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Mr Brown, however, rejected suggestions that Julie knew of or tolerated her husbands other woman and her children.

He also told the court the three siblings helped care for their parents in their declining years and claimed the five-way division of spoils failed to make reasonable provision for them in line with their rights under the 1975 Inheritance Act.

After a three-day trial, Recorder Cohen KC said brothers Gregory and Lee should get a third each of Julies share of the couples wealth, with the final third being divided equally between all five children. All five will continue to share their fathers portion of the family wealth.

I find that I have not been satisfied by the evidence that Julie actually knew of the relationship with Beverley or of the existence of Charlotte and Joseph, said the judge.

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An order setting out the terms of the judgment and the precise amount each of the five will get will be finalised at a later date.

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Dec. 15No matter how he placed in the Lawrence County Spelling Bee, it was evident early on that Jospeh Keffer was passionate about the event.

He was more animated than your typical speller, excited dashing to the microphone each time it was his turn.

Keffer successfully made his way through several rounds of increasingly difficult words (at one point he was visually taken aback by the length of "technicalities" when given the task of spelling it), until only he and last year's champion, Meredith Dunlap, were left of the 18 participants this year.

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And he was visually excited when Gretta Taylor, student services coordinator for the Lawrence County ESC, who hosts the bee, asked the audience for a round of applause for the two finalists for making it to that point.

The two went against each other for a few rounds, until Dunlap misspelled "emptiness."

Following that, Keffer correctly spelled "allowance," then had to get one more word correct in order to win the event.

And he did so easily, celebrating onstage with a jump after spelling "skulking."

"It feels awesome," he said, when asked about his win afterward. "I studied a lot."

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Keffer, 10, said this is his first time taking part at the county level, though he has participated in school bees before.

The son of Laura and Andrew Keffer, he is a fifth grader at his school and in his second year of eligibility for the bees, which are open to fourth through eighth grades.

Participants of the county bee were winners in their individual school events. Those who took part in the county event can now take an online test to qualify for the district bee for southeast Ohio, held in the spring.

"I am planning to be there," Keffer said of the event, add that he told teacher earlier than Chesapeake would have someone there.

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The winner of the district bee can then go on to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, held in Washington, D.C. in May.

Lawrence County has had two spellers take part at the national level this century  Felicity Jenkins, of Symmes Valley, competed in 2010, while the most recent was Dunlap, who made the trip last year.

The daughter of Maryanne and Brian Dunlap, she is an eighth grader at Fairland Middle School. Her second place showing at Tuesday's county bee was preceded by two years in first place.

Third place in the county bee went to Austin Campbell, of Sugar Creek Christian Academy. Landon Dehart, of South Point, came in fourth place, while Caydynce Delawder, of Rock Hill was fifth.

Other who took part were Myleigh Bryant, of Rock Hill; Brock Cumpton and Troy Erlenwein, of St. Joseph; Leandro Ferreira, of Symmes Valley; Parker Fuller, of Fairland; Rylee Igo, of Ironton; Elaina Kitchen, of Sugar Creek; Mason Kitts, of South Point; Mila Lucas, of South Point; Lucian Moore, of Dawson-Bryant; Anna Silk, of Chesapeake; and Colton Webb, of Symmes Valley.
Photo: Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Azerbaijan plans to create a state program aimed at the socio-economic development of the country's regions for the next five years, the countrys Prime Minister Ali Asadov said during todays session of the Parliament, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijani government is also planning to develop a state program for the socio-economic development of the regions for the coming five years, Asadov said.

The Prime Minister noted that the program will include measures to support entrepreneurship, improve infrastructure, boost employment in rural areas, and unlock the tourism potential of the regions.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
CHICAGO (WGN)  Eleven-year-old Adin Hickey already beat the health odds to get a life-saving heart transplant. Now, Chicagoans have helped him beat the financial odds to get him home for Christmas.

When we first met Adin last weekend, he and his mom, Melissa Hickey, were still stationed at Lurie Childrens Hospital as Adin recovered from his heart transplant surgery.

Melissa Hickey reached out to WGN News with Adins wish  to be home in time for Christmas.

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Last Week  Adins Christmas wish: A wheelchair van to help get him home for the holidays

Adin, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and has been wheelchair-bound since he was nine, defied the odds to get the transplant because his condition usually means that muscle tissue around his heart degenerates over time. But that wasnt the case with Adin.

With that hurdle overcome, the next step to get him home for the holidays was both a logistical and a financial one. Adin needed a reliable wheelchair van for transportation.

His aunt, Amanda Miller, organized a GoFundMe to raise money to get Adin and his mom the van. After his story aired on WGN News, local Chicagoans opened their hearts and wallets to the tune of over $30,000 to help pay for a wheelchair van, maintenance and care.

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Bettenhausen Automotive even stepped in to help make sure Adin got his sweet new ride.

It means the world to us. Were beyond excited, Melissa Hickey said. Its going to help us so much to get to doctors appointments. Adin already has four appointments this week and the following week and the following week after that.

For now, Adin and Melissa are in step-down care at the Ronald McDonald House. Its close to where they live on Chicagos South Side and helps keep the goal to be home for Christmas in sight.

It means the world. I cant wait to get home and spend Christmas in our house, have a tree, Melissa Hickey said.

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Its a move toward getting that wish and getting used to his new heart in the comforts of home, with hundreds of new friends cheering Adin on.

I get to go home, Adin Hickey said. Thank you so much  I love you all.

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In its second safety advisory in 10 days, the Chinese embassy in the Philippines urged citizens to remain vigilant amid a surge in armed robberies, drug-facilitated thefts, currency exchange scams and other crimes.

The embassy's "solemn" reminder on Sunday followed an advisory on December 5 warning Chinese nationals about "prominent" public security risks in the Southeast Asian country involving robbery and personal injury.

"Recently, the public security situation in some parts of the Philippines has been unstable, and many cases of armed robbery, [drug-facilitated] robbery, currency exchange fraud and theft involving Chinese citizens have occurred, causing serious damage to the personal and property safety of the parties involved," the Sunday statement said.

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"In view of this, the [embassy] once again solemnly reminds Chinese citizens in the Philippines to raise their awareness of self-preservation."

It advised Chinese nationals to avoid high-risk areas, travel in groups, and minimise nighttime outings. It warned against accepting drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers and urged vigilance in crowded areas.

Tourists were also advised to safeguard travel documents such as passports. If they lose their documents, they should be wary of calls from unknown people claiming to have found their passport and demanding a fee for its return.

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The embassy also advised avoiding displays of wealth - especially cash, watches and jewellery - and urged citizens to use legitimate currency exchange channels.

"If you need to exchange currency, please go through formal and legal channels such as banks," it stated.

"Do not rely on luck or choose the easy way, otherwise you will not only be easily deceived, but may also be suspected of participating in criminal activities such as money laundering, illegal foreign exchange trading, and so on."

Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed in several incidents in the South China Sea in the past year. Photo: Reuters alt=Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed in several incidents in the South China Sea in the past year. Photo: Reuters>

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There have been growing concerns about the safety of Chinese citizens in the Philippines in recent years.

In late June, two Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines for business were kidnapped and killed, prompting a diplomatic intervention by Beijing to urge Manila to find and severely punish the killer.

Last year, six Chinese nationals were kidnapped from their home in Manila and four were killed, according to Philippine police.

The notice also included a list of phone numbers, including those of the Chinese embassy, the consulates in Cebu, Laoag, Davao and the foreign ministry's emergency hotline.

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Tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated in recent months over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed in a growing number of incidents in the strategically important waterway, with the two sides blaming each other for collisions involving their ships. The Philippines has accused China of aggressive actions, including using water cannons, while China has accused the Philippines of provoking tensions.

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.
By Kevin Yao, Joe Cash and Ethan Wang

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's industrial output growth quickened slightly in November, while retail sales disappointed, keeping alive calls for Beijing to ramp up consumer-focused stimulus as policymakers brace for more U.S. trade tariffs under a second Trump administration.

The mixed data underline how challenging it will be for China's leaders to mount a durable economic recovery heading into 2025, when trade relations with China's biggest export market could worsen while domestic consumption also stays weak.

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's vow to impose tariffs exceeding 60% on Chinese goods could push Beijing to accelerate plans to rebalance its $19 trillion economy, analysts said. This comes after over two decades of deliberation on transitioning from the current growth model focused on fixed-asset investment and exports to a consumption-driven one.

China's industrial output in November grew 5.4% from a year earlier, faster than the 5.3% pace seen in October, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Monday, beating expectations for a 5.3% increase in a Reuters poll.

However, retail sales, a gauge of consumption, grew at its weakest pace in three months at 3.0% last month, much slower than a 4.8% rise seen in October. Analysts had predicted a 4.6% expansion.

"China's economic policies have been amazingly consistent in promoting manufacturers over consumers despite clear signs of lasting weakness," said Dan Wang, a Shanghai-based independent economist.

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"So, one can expect production capacity to strengthen, potentially agitating the overcapacity issue and motivating Chinese companies to seek overseas markets."

Fixed asset investment also increased at a slower 3.3% pace in January-November from the same period a year earlier, compared with an expected 3.4% rise. It grew 3.4% in the January to October period.

"Worries about the poor retail sales may be overdone, as it results from an early start of the 'Double 11' shopping festival which frontloaded sales to October," said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

"If we smooth the October-November data, then growth should average around 3.9%, which is higher than the previous months," he added. "But consumer demand is not strong in itself, it is still very reliant on government subsidies, which contributed about 1.5-2 percentage points to monthly retail sales."

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China's blue chip index dropped 0.37% in early afternoon and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.57%.

POLICY SUPPORT PLEDGES

Policymakers have begun voicing their plans for 2025 in recent weeks, well aware of the fact that Trump's return to the White House will place considerable strain on an already ailing economy.

Over the weekend, an official at China's central bank said it had room to further cut the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves, but credit numbers out last week showed past easing had done little to boost borrowing.

That is partly because policymakers have yet to find a fix to a years-long property crisis that is dragging on consumer confidence, with some 70% of household savings parked in real estate.

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And while there was some encouraging signs in China's new home prices, which fell at the slowest pace in 17 months in November, it remains too early to call a recovery, analysts say.

Stabilising the property sector, which at its peak constituted 25% of the economy, will be key if Beijing is to maintain a growth target of around 5% for next year, which Reuters has reported that policy advisers have recommended.

A recent Reuters poll predicted China will grow 4.5% next year, with new U.S. tariffs potentially shaving up to 1 parentage point off growth.

On Monday, Moody's Ratings raised China's GDP growth forecast to 4.2% from 4% for 2025.

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At last week's Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC), a closely-watched agenda-setting meeting, China's top leaders pledged to raise the budget deficit, issue more debt, and make boosting consumption a top priority.

The remarks echoed commitments made by a meeting of top Communist Party officials, the Politburo, earlier this month, which endorsed an "appropriately loose" monetary policy in the first easing of its stance in 14 years.

"We think the deleration in November will probably prove temporary, with growth likely to pick up again over the coming months as policy support continues to be stepped up," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics.

"But we doubt that stimulus can deliver anything more than a short-lived improvement, not least because the current strength of export demand is unlikely to last once President Trump starts to put some of his tariff threats into action."

(Reporting by Kevin Yao, Joe Cash and Ethan Wang; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Jacqueline Wong)
CHICAGO (WGN)  A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a Chinese national to a decade in prison after he was found guilty of laundering tens of millions of dollars in illegal drug proceedings for Mexican drug cartels.

According to a press release from the US Department of Justice, Haiping Pan schemed with others to launder up to $3 million per month in drug proceeds from 2016-18 using secretive money pickups in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other cities around the United States, followed by currency swaps between the United States and China, and then China and Mexico.

Federal authorities said Pan played a significant role in the money laundering process where he used his international financial expertise and relationships with Mexican drug cartels to facilitate a stealthy flow of drug money through businesses and banks around the world, with the proceeds ultimately ending up in the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico.

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During the conspiracy, Pan and his co-conspirators completed an average of one to two pickups per week, ranging from $150,000 to $1 million per pickup. In total, Pan knowingly participated in the laundering and attempted laundering of approximately $62 million in drug proceeds.

Pan is a 44-year-old Chinese national who facilitated the money transfers while living in Guadalajara, Mexico. He was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the U.S. in 2022. Pan was sentenced to ten years in prison last Thursday, Dec. 12.

The defendant was a significant part of a recent phenomenon in which a relatively small network of Chinese money brokers based in Mexico have come to dominate international money laundering markets, the government argued in its sentencing memorandum. [The] Defendants crimes allowed his drug trafficking clients to secure the fruits of their pernicious trade faster, cheaper, and more securely than ever before.

Federal authorities said numerous other money launderers were convicted as part of the federal investigation. These included Pans co-conspirators Xianbing Gan, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, and Huanxin Long, who was sentenced to five and a half years.

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TAIPEI (Reuters) - A delegation of Chinese officials led by a deputy Shanghai mayor arrived in Taipei on Monday for an annual city-to-city forum, a rare visit happening at a time of heightened Taiwan-China military and political tension.

China, which claims the democratically governed island as its territory, last week carried out large-scale military activities near Taiwan, and regularly sends fighter jets and warships into the skies and waters around the island.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan arrived at Taipei's downtown Songshan airport to attend Tuesday's Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, which was first held in 2010, and did not answer questions shouted at him by reporters.

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A small group from the pro-independence Taiwan Republic Office shouted "Taiwan and China, separate countries" as he left the airport.

"There is no goodwill. The communist bandits continue to hold military drills," Chilly Chen, head of the group, told Reuters.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, from the main opposition Kuomintang party that traditionally favours close ties across the strait although it denies being pro-Beijing, has said visits like this are needed more than ever at times of tension.

Chiang, who visited Shanghai last year for the same city forum, will host Hua at a banquet in the evening.

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Taiwan's government last week blocked some members of the Shanghai delegation from attending, saying given China's stepped up military threats it had to take into account "the overall situation" when granting permission for the visit.

Adding to the drama, Taiwan's government on Friday demanded China release three members of a Taiwanese religious group arrested while in the country. China says they are suspected of organising an underground cult.

Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said on Monday the government was showing goodwill by allowing the forum to take place even in the face of the "still serious situation across the Taiwan Strait".

Taiwan's government has called for new talks with China but Beijing refuses to engage with President Lai Ching-te, calling him a "separatist".

Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf, Sir Iain Duncan Smith has said.

The former Tory leader made the remarks after the High Court this afternoon lifted an order granting Mr Yang anonymity amid mounting pressure from MPs.

Sir Iain told the Commons: Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf. He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions.

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The former Tory leader continued: Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs)? And will they do it now, no more delay, there is no need for delay... China is our most prominent security threat and all action must take priority.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, declined to commit to declaring China a threat as part of the Firs programme, something Chris Philp, the Tory shadow home secretary, called for in his own remarks.

Mr Yang has said he is the victim of the political climate

Mr Yang said in a statement that he was the victim of the political climate and it was entirely untrue to claim he was involved in espionage.

Mr Yang became a close confidant of the Duke of York and he has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.

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He last week lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds. He was known in the legal case only as H6 until the anonymity order was lifted.

Mr Yang initially appealed against the lifting of the order and was granted interim relief, but on Monday Guy Vassalt-Adams, his barrister, said his client wished to set aside the order of anonymity and the High Court ruled that he could be named.

The 50-year-old  who was banned from entering Britain on national security grounds  can now be revealed to be behind Hampton Group International, a lobbying firm that has extensive links to China.

The Labour Government was also urged to rethink its recent overtures to China, including Sir Keir Starmers recent bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping and hopes of a full state visit.

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Given what weve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise, Mr Philp said.

The rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

05:00 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage as Yang Tengbo was named as the alleged Chinese spy.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who has been sanctioned by China, said Tengbo was not a lone wolf after a High Court this afternoon lifted an order that granted Mr Yang.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, welcomed the decision to lift the order but declined to say whether the Labour Government will designate China as a threat.

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Mr Yang said in a statement that he was the victim of the political climate and it was entirely untrue to claim he was involved in espionage.

04:53 PM GMT

Chinese spy helped broker Gordonstouns expansion in China

Gordonstoun is the top British boarding school that signed a deal with an alleged Chinese spys firm to open campuses in China, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Kings alma mater entered a partnership with the Hampton Group International, a consultancy firm run by Yang Tengbo, to open up to five schools in China and Hong Kong.

An anonymity order placed on Mr Yang was lifted on Monday, revealing him to be the suspected agent embroiled in a spy scandal engulfing the British establishment.

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It means details about Gordonstouns partnership with Mr Yangs firm can now be reported.

The Telegraph can reveal that The Duke of York was involved in brokering the deal between Gordonstoun and the spy-linked company. Since The Telegraph published the allegations, Gordonstoun announced it had terminated its partnership with the Hampton Group.

Poppy Wood, our Education Editor, has the story

04:33 PM GMT

No 10: Starmer has full confidence in the courts

Number 10 has signalled that Sir Keir Starmer has full confidence in the British courts, writes Natasha Leake.

Asked whether the Prime Minister believed the High Court had been influenced by political tensions when it lifted the anonymity order for Yang Tengbo, his official spokesman said: No, we respect the independence of our courts, and as I say, the first duty of every government is national security, and we welcome the courts decision to uphold the Home Offices position in relation to the exclusion of this individual.

Sir Keir Starmer

Asked whether the prime minister has confidence in the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), the spokesman said: Of course, and we obviously welcome the courts decision to uphold the Home Offices position in relation to the exclusion of this individual, as the Minister has just said in the House.

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More broadly, wherever there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security, we will use the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

04:31 PM GMT

Analysis: Tory splits on China come to an end

There was no clarity from Dan Jarvis, the security minister, on whether China will be in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) when it launches next year.

This would have the effect of designating China as a threat, and the fact that demands to do so came from the shadow home secretary suggests Tory splits over China are at an end.

In punchy form at the Despatch Box, Chris Philp added: Given what weve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise and the rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

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Mr Jarvis referred to Lord Cameron taking Xi Jinping to a pub for a pint during his premiership, and it was fair for him to point out years of Conservative inertia on the issue.

But while the Tories may have dithered over China in government, they seem to have become more clear-eyed in opposition - and the pressure is on Labour to act where previous administrations of all stripes have failed.

04:14 PM GMT

Government did not make anonymity decision, says security minister

Lee Anderson, the Reform MP for Ashfield, said: Yang Tengbo is the alleged Chinese spy who has been stalking the corridors of power in our country and rubbing shoulders with royalty, prime ministers and business leaders. Yet his name has been withheld from the Great British public.

Does the minister agree with me that it was only withheld to avoid embarrassment for previous Prime Ministers and business leaders and was not in the best interests of the British public?

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Dan Jarvis, the security minister, responded: Well, Im sure the honourable member will acknowledge that I named H6, the individual, that his reason for his original anonymity was as a result of a court order, and was not a decision by the UK Government.

04:08 PM GMT

Tugendhat: MI5 said China must be declared as a threat

Tom Tugendhat, a Tory MP and former security minister, said better late than never about the foreign influence registration scheme.

He continued: The real question of course is whether it will be worth having, and the advice from MI5 was very, very clear. If China isnt in the enhanced tier, it wont be worth having. Will China be in that tier?

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said: We are working at pace, Ive given a time frame for the House today and Ive also said we are looking very carefully, very closely, working with colleagues across Government to look at how we can best structure the scheme. And we will make the announcements in the normal way in due course.

04:06 PM GMT

Suella Braverman clashes with Dan Jarvis

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, said she made the decision to exclude Yang Tengbo while in post last year.

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Mrs Braverman said: Isnt it regrettable that its taken a high-profile case, public outcry and opposition MPs dragging the minister to the chamber to finally get the Government to commit to implementing the foreign influence registration scheme?

Given the unprecedented threat posed by China, malicious cyber-attacks, transnational repression, Confuscius Institutes, Chinese police stations and of course the human rights abuses of the Uyghur Muslims, if the Governments really serious about tackling the Chinese threat, when will it list China on the enhanced tier?

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, responded: I wasnt going to make this point but given that the Rt Hon lady has made her point in the way that she has, I will just gently point out that the previous government had a significant amount of time, many months from the passing of the National Security Act, where they could have chosen to implement the first scheme.

They didnt implement the first scheme, it now falls for this Government to do so and that is precisely what we will do.

03:58 PM GMT

Tories urge Starmer to rethink sycophantic approach to China

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern but its not just public organisations such as government. Its also businesses and universities that are being systemically infiltrated and often intellectual property theft is at the heart of what the Chinese Government is trying to achieve.

He added: The opposition will fully support the Government in working to secure our nations safety but in that spirit I would just ask one or two questions.

Firstly, would he consider expediting the implementation of the foreign influence registration scheme that he referred to, and can I echo my Rt Hon friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Greens suggestion that China is placed in the enhanced deal of that?

Secondly, will the security minister review the wisdom of the Governments approach to China? Given what weve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise and the rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, responded: He asked me again about Firs. I hope Ive been able to provide some reassurance in terms of the Governments intention to lay the regulations as soon as practically possible in the new year with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.

In terms of the approach to China, I dont agree with his characterisation of the Prime Ministers recent meeting and I will just say very gently to him, at least he didnt take him to the pub for a pint.

03:52 PM GMT

Iain Duncan Smith: Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf

Sir Iain Duncan Smith said Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf.

He told the Commons: He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions.

The former Tory leader continued: Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs)? And will they do it now, no more delay, there is no need for delay... China is our most prominent security threat and all action must take priority.

He concluded: Far from challenging China on human rights, it appears we are turning a blind eye to them. Why is that?

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said: Upon our arrival in Government, we found that Firs was not ready to be implemented as has been claimed, and since coming into office we have ensured there are now more people than ever working on Firs implementation.

03:46 PM GMT

UK will have consistent and strategic approach to China, says Jarvis

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, insisted the UKs approach to China will be consistent and strategic.

We will challenge where we must in order to keep our country safe, compete where we need to and cooperate where we can, for example on matters like climate change, he said.

That is acting in the national interest and the Prime Minister reiterated this earlier today.

However, the breadth of the threats we face from foreign states are pernicious and complex and the work of our intelligence agencies is unrivalled in mitigating them and I want to take this opportunity today in paying tribute to them and the work they do in keeping our country safe.

He added: When the UKs national security is at risk, we will not hesitate to use every tool at our disposal to keep our country safe.

03:44 PM GMT

Security minister: This case does not exist in a vacuum

Dan Jarvis told the Commons: It is important to recognise that this case does not exist in a vacuum.

As the director general of MI5 made clear in October we are in the most complex threat environment he has ever seen. As well as the threat from terrorism we face efforts from a number of states including China, Russia and Iran to harm the UKs security.

Our response is amongst the most robust and sophisticated anywhere in the world.

Mr Jarvis said the National Security Act would be essential in protecting against hostile states intent on harming the UK.

On the foreign influence scheme, he added: We will say more about this soon but we intend to lay regulations in the new year to commence the scheme in the summer.

03:41 PM GMT

Dan Jarvis welcomes decision to name Yang Tengbo

Dan Jarvis, the security minister, has welcomed the court decision to name alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.

The first duty of any government is national security, so we welcome the courts decision to uphold the Home Offices position with regard to the exclusion of H6, who can now be named as Yang Tengbo, Mr Javis said.

The special immigration appeals commission concluded that there was a basis for the conclusion that H6 had been in a position to generate relationships with prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese Communist Party, including the United Front Work Department and the Chinese state.

He added: Where there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security, we are absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

Where we encounter foreign interference or espionage, whether this stems from the United Front Work Department or any other state-linked actor, we will be swift in using all available tools including prosecutions, exclusions, sanctions and diplomacy in order to keep our country safe.

03:36 PM GMT

Work and pensions questions winding up

Work and pensions questions in the Commons are now winding up.

We should have the urgent question on the Chinese spy allegations very soon.

03:09 PM GMT

Coming up: MPs to grill minister over Chinese spy allegations

The urgent question in the House of Commons on the Chinese spy allegations will get underway just after 3.30pm.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former leader of the Conservative Party, has directed his question at the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

But it is not yet clear who will be responding for the Government. It could be a more junior Home Office minister.

We dont have long to wait to find out.

02:47 PM GMT

IDS issues warning to Labour after Chinese spy named

Sir Iain Duncan Smith said Yang Tengbo should have been named much earlier as he issued a warning about the Governments approach to dealing with China.

The former leader of the Conservative Party told The Telegraph: This is beginning to shed light on the decision the Government has taken which appears to now be the pursuit of ties and links with China no matter the internal security cost from a country which is clearly now a threat to us and our values.

Sir Iain said Labour was making a massive mistake by seeking closer ties with China.

Yang Tengbo is pictured alongside Baroness Theresa May and her husband Philip May

02:44 PM GMT

Yang Tengbo: I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK

Yang Tengbo said he was the victim of a changed political climate in the UK.

He said in a statement issued on his behalf: The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this. When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.

Yang Tengbo is pictured alongside Samantha Cameron and Lord David Cameron

I am an independent self-made entrepreneur and I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses. My activities have played a part in bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the UK.

I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.

Prince Andrew pointing towards Yang Tengbo as he talks to Chinas then ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, on 12 December 2018 at St Jamess Palace in London

02:39 PM GMT

Farage: Pressure from Reform UK prompted Yang Tengbo to be named

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, claimed victory after the alleged Chinese spy was named.

He tweeted: I am pleased that pressure by Reform over the last 48 hours has now led to this man being named. The public deserve to know.

02:38 PM GMT

Yang Tengbo: I have done nothing wrong

Yang Tengbo, the alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York, said he has done nothing wrong or unlawful.

He said in a statement: I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue.

This is why I applied for a review of the Home Office decision in the first place, and why I am seeking permission to appeal the SIAC decision. It is also why an order extending my anonymity up to the point of determination of the appeal process was granted.

Yang Tenbo, circled, attends a Pitch At Palace business event at St Jamess Palace

02:14 PM GMT

Alleged Chinese spy named

The alleged Chinese spy who had a close business relationship with the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo.

The businessman had been the subject of a court anonymity order and was referred to only as H6, but he was unmasked after the High Court rejected his attempt to keep his identity a secret.

Yang, 50  who was banned from entering Britain on national security grounds  can now be revealed to be behind Hampton Group International, a lobbying firm that has extensive links to China.

You can read the full story here.

02:08 PM GMT

Sir Keir Starmer defends friendliness with China amid alleged spy scandal

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his decision to seek closer relations with China amid a row over an alleged Beijing spy with links to the highest levels of British public life.

The Prime Minister said he believed it was important to engage with China and he was very pleased with the progress that had been made in the thawing of relations.

Speaking in Bergen, Norway, on Monday morning as he signed a new energy deal, Sir Keir argued it was better to engage to challenge than to stay aside.

Sir Keir was asked if it was wise to seek closer ties to China given the espionage concerns.

He said: It is important to engage. Of course we have to challenge where we must but it is better to engage to challenge than to stay aside, as it were, important to cooperate where we can on issues like climate change which need that cooperation.

So I am very pleased with the engagement and the progress that we have made.

01:30 PM GMT

Duke of York seen in public for first time since spy scandal erupted

The Duke of York has been seen in public for the first time since he became embroiled in a Chinese spy scandal, writes Victoria Ward.

Prince Andrew, 64, was photographed leaving Royal Lodge, his Windsor home, with a member of his protection team on Monday morning.

It is thought he was going horse riding.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is pictured in his car at Royal Lodge, Windsor - Jim Bennett for The Telegraph

The Duke issued a statement on Friday insisting that he ceased all contact with the alleged spy after concerns were raised, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.

However, he has been urged by palace insiders to keep a low profile in the wake of the furore.

The Dukes relationship with the alleged Chinese spy, identified only as H6, has plunged Buckingham Palace into a PR crisis amid allegations that he was targeted and courted over a number of years.

A security review is underway after the alleged agent was invited to Buckingham Palace twice and to Windsor Castle and St Jamess Palace.

01:28 PM GMT

Downing Street: Be careful not to undermine alleged Chinese spy case

Downing Street urged MPs to be careful not to prejudice the legal case involving the alleged Chinese spy.

Reform UK has suggested it is ready to reveal the identity of the alleged spy using parliamentary privilege, while top Tories have called for the anonymity order to be lifted.

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer would support any MP who chose to name the man, his official spokesman said: Obviously I cant comment on intelligence matters or security cases, particularly where theres a live legal case. More broadly national security and public safety is the first duty of government and we have robust measures to protect the UK against state threats.

This case is a live legal case, its first of all a matter for the courts and clearly as a result everyone should be careful and do nothing which could undermine the case in question.

01:27 PM GMT

No 10 refuses to say whether Starmer met spy

Downing Street declined to confirm whether Sir Keir Starmer or any of his Cabinet have met the alleged Chinese spy, writes Dominic Penna.

Asked whether the Prime Minister or any of his top team had met the man known only as H6, Sir Keirs spokesman said: I cant comment on individual cases. Theres a live legal case.

When pressed, the spokesman added: Im not going to comment on a live legal case or an individual case that relates to intelligence or security cases.

More broadly, the Government will always take action to uphold national security and public safety as the first duty of government.

12:56 PM GMT

Chinese spy allegations are tip of iceberg, warn senior MPs

Senior MPs have warned that revelations about an alleged Chinese spy with links to the highest levels of British public life, including the Duke of York, are the tip of the iceberg of Beijings meddling.

Tom Tugendhat, a former Tory security minister, said the Chinese Communist Party was seeking to exert influence in the UK and urged the Government to introduce a register of hostile state agents.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader who has been sanctioned by Beijing, said China represented a very clear threat.

You can read the full story here.

12:49 PM GMT

IDS granted urgent question in Commons on spy allegations

Sir Iain Duncan Smith has been granted an urgent question in the House of Commons on the Chinese spy allegations.

The former leader of the Conservative Party, who has been sanctioned by Beijing, has been granted permission by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, to ask the following:

To ask the Home Secretary if she will make a statement on the extent of United Front Work Department operations within the UK.

The urgent question should get underway just after 3.30pm.

12:45 PM GMT

Court to decide on naming Chinese spy

Welcome to this breaking news live blog:

A hearing over the anonymity of an alleged Chinese spy linked to the Duke of York will take place at the Royal Courts of Justice at 2pm on Monday afternoon, according to court listings.

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.
Madison police announced Monday that three people were dead at a Christian school in the area after a shooter opened fire in a classroom around 11 a.m. local time.

The police department initially set the death toll at five during a press briefing, but then corrected that announcement in a Facebook post.

Multiple others from the Abundant Life Christian School community are injured, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, who met with reporters about an hour after law enforcement was called to the scene.

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Officers found multiple gunshot wound victims after responding to an active shooter call at the school at 10:57 a.m., including an unidentified juvenile who Barnes said could be the shooter, NBC News reported.

President Joe Biden described the shooting as shocking and unconscionable and called for Congress to take action on gun violence in a statement.

Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom. Students across our country should be learning how to read and write  not having to learn how to duck and cover, Biden said. We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart.

The suspected shooter was a 15-year-old student at the school. The suspect died on the way to the hospital after emergency personnel arrived on campus of whats believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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At a second press briefing Monday afternoon, the Madison Police Department announced that a teacher and teenaged student died in the Wisconsin school shooting.

At least two other students are in critical condition and four others are recovering from injuries that are not life threatening, NBC News reported.

Barnes said Monday evening that police have searched the alleged shooters house and spoken with family members. They have not yet determined the motive.

He also said during the evening briefing that a second grader at Abundant Life Christian School called 911 to ask for help Monday morning.

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Let that soak in for a minute, Barnes said. A second-grade student called 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report a shooting at school.

School shooting in Wisconsin

Abundant Life Christian School is located on the west side of Madison.

It serves around 330 students, who come from about 200 families representing more than 50 local congregations, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Barnes and other Wisconsin leaders have called for Americans to keep members of the school community in their prayers.

Today is a sad, sad, day, Barnes said. Not just for Madison, but for our entire country.

Shooting at Feather River School

The small, Christian school in Wisconsin is the latest in a string of faith-based schools to become the site of a mass shooting.

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Earlier this month, a small Seventh-Day Adventist school in northern California was targeted by a shooter. The gunman died at the scene after critically injuring two kindergarten students, according to The Associated Press.

A second AP article reported that the shooter may have zeroed in on Feather River School because of its religious affiliation. He was believed to have been motivated by anger over ongoing violence in the Middle East.

How it was that he conflated whats going on in Palestine and Yemen with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, I cant speculate. Im not sure that well ever know that, Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said after the Dec. 4 shooting, per the AP.

The Feather River shooting followed a major March 2023 shooting at a Christian school serving around 200 students in the Nashville area. Three students  all age 9  and three adults died in the school shooting at the Covenant School, as the Deseret News reported at the time.
IOWA PARK (KFDX/KJTL)  Charles Horton is an Iowa Park resident who knows a thing or two about keeping cool and is also known for being very humble.

Family friend Tessy Cole says Horton is very selfless.

I got him a birthday present last year, and I was so proud of it, just a little present, Cole said. And within two days, he had called me, Im sorry, mama. I had to give it away. Somebody else needed it.'

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Christmas Came Early for family battling mothers cancer diagnosis

A few years ago, Horton went through a hard divorce and lost nearly everything.

Lifes been a little different, a little difficult. The last couple of years, financially, has been a burden, you know, a struggle. I just mentally wasnt in a good place, Horton said. I didnt know how to cope with the feelings of the loss of the good times. And I got to a pretty dark place. You know, my brother Chris Dumas kind of lifted me up and said, You know, we need to try this ice bath thing. And, low and behold, like, you get in that ice bath, youre not concerned of bills, struggles, woes, troubles and the longevity of it lasted.

Through the struggles, he became a mental health advocate for his community.

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So mental strength is something that we all need help with, Horton said. And mental health awareness is something that I will advocate, I want to be a part of, and I would like to be known for mental health awareness.

And with that, Horton created the Ice Baths Boys as a tool for mental health awareness because he says it is so important for his everyday life.

Through all of this, my kids have seen me pretty upset, you know, theyve seen me pretty emotional, but theyve also seen utilize this tool to help manage my mental state because if mentally I cant manage myself, I cant manage a family, Horton said. This has helped me show my boys and other people that there is always an option; theres always a way.

Cole said she is proud of Horton for not only making it through, but bringing others through as well.

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Im so proud to see it because he struggled for a while, Cole said. Things were hard for him, and Ive seen him come up to the other side. And so Im just so proud of him. And not only did he get better, then hes helped so many people.

For Horton, his advocacy is so much more than financial gain.

Doing the mental health awareness and making giving back a part of my life has so many more benefits other than financial, you know? he said.

And thats why we decided to surprise the Horton family as our next Christmas Came Early recipients.

Horton was at a loss for words.

I dont even know what to say about this gift. Absolutely a blessing. [It] could not have come at a better time, Horton said. Best Christmas gift that I can imagine.

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During the holiday season, the usually low-volume Pacific Northwest changes from one of the easiest regions to source truckload capacity to one of the most difficult.

From late November to around Christmas Eve, thousands of loads of Christmas trees from Oregon and Washington put a strain on the nations shipping capacity.

Spot rates for loads moving from Portland, Oregon, to Chicago reached as high $6,667 in early December, according to SONAR TRAC. Most Christmas tree loads are handled on short-term rate agreements due to their extremely seasonal nature.

SONAR: The SONAR TRAC rate from Portland to Chicago shows reefer spot rates increased to as much as $6,667 in early December. To learn more about SONAR, click here

As of Monday, spot rates for the Portland-to-Chicago lane was around $5,334.94.

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Fresh-cut Christmas trees require special special shipping conditions, which can make transportation more complicated. They are mostly moved in dry vans sometimes packed with ice or in reefer trucks with temperature control.

Christmas trees are grown commercially on about 16,000 farms across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Popular types of trees include fir, pine and spruce.

Oregon, North Carolina and Michigan produce the majority of fresh-cut Christmas trees shipped across the country. Other states producing Christmas trees include Washington, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Texas.

The National Christmas Tree Association said about 22 million real Christmas trees were sold in 2023. The median price for a tree last year was $75.

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About $553 million worth of domestic trees were harvested and sold nationwide in 2022, according to the most recent USDA data.

Mexico is the top international destination for Christmas trees from the U.S. According to the countrys Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, up to 2 million Christmas trees are purchased annually in Mexico, with imports from the U.S. and Canada accounting for 60% of purchases annually.

Mexican authorities reported they have inspected more than half a million imported Christmas trees from the U.S. so far this holiday season at border crossings in Arizona, California and Texas.

Mexico is the top international destination for Christmas trees from the U.S., accounting for up to 2 million exports annually. Pictured are Mexican agricultural inspectors checking imported Christmas trees from the U.S. (Photo: Courtesy)

The post Christmas tree shipping season in full swing across the country appeared first on FreightWaves.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a 243 million euro financing deal with ERG Group, a leading clean wind and solar energy operator, Trend reports.

The funds will support renewable energy projects in Italy, France, and Germany, contributing to the EUs renewable energy targets and helping the countries meet their energy and climate commitments.

The loan will finance investments outlined in ERGs 2024-2026 Business Plan, including the development of three new wind farms in France, the repowering of two wind farms in Italy and one in Germany, and the upgrade of seven solar power plants in Italy. These projects will have a total capacity of around 270 MW, enough to power over 200,000 homes. A significant portion (97%) of the projects will be located in EU cohesion regions, fostering local economic benefits.

The EIB loan exceeds 50% of the total project cost, aligning with the REPowerEU goals. This is part of the Banks commitment to providing 45 billion euros in additional financing by 2027. The financing package includes more favorable terms, such as higher disbursements and longer repayment periods.

ERG, which transitioned from oil to focus entirely on renewable energy, aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. The companys electricity generation now comes 100% from renewable sources after its exit from the thermoelectric sector in 2023.

EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti emphasized the Banks role in supporting sustainable energy projects, while ERG CEO Paolo Merli highlighted the loans importance for the companys growth and financial flexibility.
OTTAWA  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lost his top minister.

Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and finance minister, resigned hours before she was due to deliver a major speech about the country's finances  and to share the Liberal government's fiscal plan heading into a high-stakes election year.

Freeland dropped the bombshell news in a letter to Trudeau in which she revealed apparent discord with the prime minister stretching back through the fall.

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"For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada," Freeland wrote to Trudeau.

Nobody else in Trudeau's Cabinet matched the international profile of Freeland, who cultivated a global rolodex of business and political leaders over 30 years in journalism.

Trudeau recruited Freeland in 2013. She eventually served as international trade minister and foreign minister before taking on the finance role in 2020. She was a major player in Canada's renegotiation of NAFTA during the first Trump administration.

More recently, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Freeland  who has Ukrainian-Canadian heritage  became a leading global advocate for Kyiv.

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According to Freeland's letter, Trudeau intended to shuffle her into a different portfolio. She interpreted that offer as a loss of confidence.

"Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet," she wrote.

The stunning development on Parliament Hill only makes Trudeau's hold on power more untenable. His housing minister, Sean Fraser, announced Monday he wouldn't seek another term  a loss of a top communicator on the PM's front bench.

Freeland, once seen as Trudeau's heir apparent, made clear that she is not resigning her seat in Parliament  and she intends to seek another term.

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In her letter, Freeland argued stridently for fiscal discipline in the face of President-elect Donald Trump's threat of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports.

"We need to take the threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war."

Freeland then took a shot at the government's temporary scrapping of the federal sales tax on groceries, toys, diapers and some alcohol until February  a "holiday" meant to alleviate the cost of living. The Parliamentary Budget Officer pegged the cost of the measure at a minimum of C$1.5 billion.

Fiscal discipline "means eschewing costly political gimmicks," she wrote, "which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment."

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Later, Freeland also called on Ottawa to work "in good faith and humility" with Canada's premiers on a "true Team Canada response" to Trump's threats

Trudeau's party has trailed rival Conservatives by double digits in polls, and he is personally deeply unpopular with voters. The progressive New Democratic Party abandoned a governing deal in September, leaving the Liberals with no reliable allies in Parliament.

Trudeau has long insisted he'll stay on to fight the next election, but Freeland's resignation will only add fuel to speculation that the prime minister's time is up.

Canadians, Freeland wrote, see right through infighting: "They know when we are working for them, and they equally know when we are focused on ourselves."
TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on Monday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked her to take a lesser cabinet position, bringing more uncertainty to an already unpopular government.

Freeland said she and Trudeau had clashed on issues including spending and how to handle possible U.S. tariffs. She posted a stinging letter on X saying Trudeau told her on Friday he no longer wanted her to be finance minister.

Freeland, 56, has been a prominent figure in Trudeau's Liberal government since he took office in 2015, and led the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement during the Donald Trump's first presidency. Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian exports in his second term, which starts next month.

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Freeland was Canada's first female finance minister and had once been seen as a likely successor to lead the Liberal party. Canada must hold an election before late October, and polls show the Liberals are likely to lose to the opposition Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre.

Before entering politics in 2013, Freeland worked as a journalist including at Reuters News from 2010 to 2013.

Below are the various roles Freeland held in Trudeau's government.

2015 - 2017: Freeland served as Canada's minister of international trade in Trudeau's first cabinet, negotiating a trade agreement with the European Union.

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2017 - 2019: Freeland served as Canada's minister of foreign affairs. She renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

2019: Trudeau appointed Freeland deputy prime minister. She led Canada's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020-December 2024: Freeland took on the role of finance minister after the abrupt resignation of her predecessor.

Freeland proposed new fiscal goals in November last year after economists criticized her for faltering on the fiscal guardrail of maintaining a declining debt-to-GDP ratio twice. She had been due to present a fiscal update to Parliament on Monday that was expected to show the government had missed its deficit target for last year.

(Reporting by Caroline Stauffer and Ismail Shakil, editing by Deepa Babington)
This article was originally published in South Dakota Searchligh.

Students attending South Dakota public universities may soon face a civics proficiency requirement to graduate.

Students will take three credits worth of civics education  either new classes created to meet the requirement or a general education class already in place that meets the standard. Students will not have to take more credits to graduate, said Shuree Mortenson, spokeswoman for the system.

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The student will be able to select from a list of courses that have been deemed as fulfilling that civics proficiency, Mortenson said.

Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74

The South Dakota Board of Regents held its first reading of the general education policy change during its Thursday meeting at Black Hills State University in Spearfish. The policy will have its second reading in April and could become effective for new and transfer students in fall 2025, if approved.

This requirement reflects our commitment to fostering informed and responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of todays society, Executive Director Nathan Lukkes said in a news release.

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The change comes amid a renewed focus on civics education in the state. The South Dakota Department of Education will implement controversial new social studies standards in 2025. The Legislature approved nearly $1 million this year to create a center for civic engagement at Black Hills State to help prepare civics programming and curriculum statewide.

House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, an advocate for more civics education, said hes hopeful and enthusiastic about the regents change.

The next generation in our universities will be leading our country one day, he said. Whatever major they have, they need to be able to take the reins of government.

Civics proficiency will be defined as a students understanding of civic knowledge, values and skills, enabling them to actively participate in civic life as informed and responsible citizens.

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The Board of Regents said key learning outcomes for the new requirement include:

Civic knowledge: understanding the American political system, including foundational concepts such as the Constitutional framework, participatory democracy and the evolution of institutions.

Civic values: articulating core principles of democracy, justice and equality, and applying them to modern and historic situations.

Civic skills: communicating viewpoints on political issues, engaging in civil discourse and analyzing the impact of participation on democratic processes.

The pendulum is moving in the right direction, Odenbach said. Well keep an eye on it. Well see if its enough.

South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com.
An Athens man will spend the next 30 years in prison after being found guilty for the sexual exploitation of a 7-year-old child resulting from a Project Safe Childhood investigation.

Chris Adam Valentine, 37, when he is released from prison will face lifetime supervised supervised release and $90,000 restitution. Valentine must also register as a sex offender.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Our office is determined to identify and remove child predators from our communities and hold them fully accountable for their heinous crimes, said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. Protecting the most vulnerable citizens from harm is a priority for law enforcement at every level.

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In a signed plea agreement, Valentine admitted that between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022, he used his phone to film a 7-year-old child engage in sexual conduct with an adult male, officials said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Cases like these exemplify the value of partnerships between local, state and federal agencies, said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters. These heinous crimes will not be tolerated in our community. We will continue to work with our partners to protect the children of this community and will pursue those who prey on them.

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The News

Some journalists recently defected from X, whose owner is openly hostile to the profession, to Threads, which is more passively hostile. Many, including Jesse Singal, then moved over to Bluesky, which promptly entered a debate over whether to ban him. Singal has spent years in heated arguments over trans kids, and his views, agree or disagree, are well within the mainstream of US and UK politics. (A Politico writer was also briefly banned after taking a wave of criticism for saying, Leaving X because you dont like Elon is the kind of purity politics that landed Democrats in this mess to begin with.)

Most of the calls for a ban seem to come from non-journalists on the platform, though the tone is captured in a bizarre time capsule of a TechCrunch piece, which ignores both the details of the Singal story and the possibility of disagreement. Sample: People are demanding that Bluesky take a stand: Its either a place that promises it wont host bad actors, or its a place that promises not to inflate the reach of bad actors thanks to its various moderation tools. It cannot be both.

Bens view

Journalism is a naturally unlikable profession, at its best telling people things they dont want to hear and exposing them to other peoples points of view. So it seems appropriate, and maybe even for the best, that at least some of us will be unwelcome on basically any social platform.
CNN announced Sunday that it has begun investigating the identity of a man who the network had claimed in a recent report was a prisoner of the ousted Syrian government, according to The Wrap.

In a story published last week, chief CNN international correspondent Clarissa Ward and her crew, escorted by Syrian rebels, discovered a man hiding under a blanket in what was the only locked cell in a secret prison at a Syrian air force intelligence base in Damascus.

The man identified himself as a civilian named Adel Gharbal from Homs, and claimed that he had been in solitary confinement for three months. He appeared surprised to learn that Bashar Al Assads regime had fallen.

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In nearly twenty years as a journalist, this was one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed, Ward wrote in a post on X.

When asked by CNNs Anderson Cooper what is known about this man and how he ended up in the prison, Ward admitted that we dont know that much because you can see from the report, Anderson, that hes in a deep state of shock.

However, some concerns have surfaced about the veracity of the report.

A website called Verify-Sy, which states that it fact-checks stories about Syria, said that residents of a neighborhood called Al Bayyada had identified the man as Salama Mohammad Salama, or Abu Hamza, a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence.

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Verify-Sy also pointed out that the mans behavior did not seem to match his reported conditions of confinement and torture, as he did not flinch when exposed to light and appeared well groomed and physically unharmed.

Now CNN is looking into the possibility that the man wasnt a prisoner at all.

We reported the scene as it unfolded, including what the prisoner told us, with clear attribution. We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story, CNN said in a statement to The Wrap.

No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day. The events transpired as they appear in our film, CNN said in the statement. The decision to release the prisoner featured in our report was taken by the guarda Syrian rebel.
CNN responded Sunday to reports the network and chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward may have been duped by a so-called Syrian prisoner  a man who could actually be a first lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence  and acknowledged they are investigating the mans identity. We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity, a CNN spokesperson told TheWrap.

No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day. The events transpired as they appear in our film, CNN said in a statement. The decision to release the prisoner featured in our report was taken by the guard  a Syrian rebel.

We reported the scene as it unfolded, including what the prisoner told us, with clear attribution. We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story, the statement concluded.

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During a segment that aired Wednesday, Ward and a rebel fighter found a prisoner who seemed to be unaware of the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. In nearly twenty years as a journalist, this was one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed, Ward wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

On Sunday, Verify-Sy, a website that describes itself as an independent and unbiased platform specialized in fact-checking in Syria, cast doubt on the mans claim. The websites writer, Abdul-Salam Al-Hamwi, wrote that the man, who identified himself as Adel Gharbal from Homs, claimed he had been imprisoned for three months.

The man, hidden under a blanket despite the gunshots used to break his cell lock, claimed he had not seen sunlight for three months. However, his reaction to the light did not match such a claimhe did not flinch or blink even when gazing up at the sky, seemingly overjoyed at his newfound freedom,' Al-Hamwi wrote.

Despite the purported harsh treatment of detainees in secret prisons, Gharbal appeared clean, well-groomed, and physically healthy, with no visible injuries or signs of torturean incongruous portrayal of someone allegedly held in solitary confinement in the dark for 90 days.

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The Verify-Sy team searched for records for a man named Adel Gharbal and could not find any. Instead, they claim he is actually a man named Salama Mohammad Salama, who is also known as Abu Hamza, a first lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence who was well-known for his behavior in Homs.

Residents of the Al-Bayyada neighborhood identified him as frequently stationed at a checkpoint in the areas western entrance, infamous for its abuses, Al-Hamwi added. Salamas possible offenses include that he reportedly managed several security checkpoints in Homs and was involved in theft, extortion, and coercing residents into becoming informants.

CNN and Ward visited the prison in question while searching for American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012. Upon entering, they saw that one cell was locked from the outside and asked the accompanying guard to open it. A man was found inside hidden under a blanket. He asked for water and identified himself as Gharbal. He later departed with the Red Crescent.

The post CNN Investigating Identity of Prisoner Freed in Clarissa Ward Video: He May Have Given a False Identity appeared first on TheWrap.
CNN says it is investigating the identity of a Syrian man who may have given the network a false identity during a segment depicting his apparent release from a secret Damascus prison, after a Syrian fact-checking organization alleged he participated in the torture and killing of civilians.

The harrowing report was fronted by the networks chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, who, along with a crew, visited the prison on Dec. 11 in the wake of the collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

During the segment, broadcast a day later, Ward says they were there looking for the missing American journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped while reporting in Syria in 2012.

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The CNN crew entered the facility followed by an armed guarda CNN source told the Daily Beast the guard was a Syrian rebel.

In nearly twenty years as a journalist, this was one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed. https://t.co/rG3WmhKh7X  Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) December 11, 2024

Once inside, they noticed a locked cell with a blanket possibly covering something on the floor. The guard agreed to shoot the lock open, but asked that the CNN crew to turn its cameras off.

With the door opened and the cameras turned back on, the crew discovered a man in the cell underneath the blanket. He identified himself as Adel Gharbal from Homs and said he had been kept in the cell for three months.

Youre OK, youre OK, Ward told the man, who appeared unaware that Assads dictatorship had been overthrown.

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On Sunday, however, a Syrian fact-checking group claimed his story doesnt quite hold up to scrutiny.

Verify-Sy, which is part of Poynters International Fact-Checking Network, reported that it identified the man as a first lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, an intelligence agency that served the Assad regime.

After a search of public records that it said could not confirm his professed identity, along with interviews with locals in Homs, Verify-Sy alleged his name is Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as Abu Hamza.

The outlet accused Salama of involvement in theft, extortion, and coercing residents into becoming informants.

"Syria is free."



Extraordinary moment as @clarissaward and her team witness a Syrian prisoner freed from a secret prison in Damascus.



Left alone for days without food, water or light, the man was unaware Bashar al-Assad's regime had fallen. pic.twitter.com/ZAnGiBlLON  CNN International PR (@cnnipr) December 11, 2024

In a statement, CNN said the segment accurately depicted the events that played out when its crew visited the prison.

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No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day, a CNN spokesperson told the Daily Beast. The events transpired as they appear in our film. The decision to release the prisoner featured in our report was taken by the guarda Syrian rebel. We reported the scene as it unfolded, including what the prisoner told us, with clear attribution."

The spokesperson then acknowledged that the man may have given them a false identity: We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.

Citing accounts from locals, Verify-Sy said Salama was thrown in the Damascus prison less than a month ago because of a dispute with a higher-ranking officer over money they allegedly extorted.

The outlet also alleged Salama participated in the killing and torture of civilians in 2014.

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The Daily Beast has not independently verified the allegations.

Verify-Sy also questioned whether the segment had been staged, noting the mans seemingly good condition and trimmed beard.

Others had raised similar concerns about aspects of the report when it first broadcast: Mediaite reporter Charlie Nash called the segment bizarre, noting a huge number of questions it raises including about the remarkably good condition of the man in the cell who supposedly had gone without food or water for four days.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The U.S. Coast Guard rescued several people who were stuck on a small boat on Lake Michigan over the weekend.

Coast Guard rescues several people stuck on boat on Lake Michigan (US Coast Guard)

Coast Guard rescues several people stuck on boat on Lake Michigan (US Coast Guard)

Coast Guard rescues several people stuck on boat on Lake Michigan (US Coast Guard)

Coast Guard rescues several people stuck on boat on Lake Michigan (US Coast Guard)

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Coast Guard rescues several people stuck on boat on Lake Michigan (US Coast Guard)

The Guards said helicopter crew members assigned to Air Station Traverse City responded to a report of three people aboard a 25-foot vessel experiencing a loss of steering, 2 nautical miles north of Manistee Harbor, Michigan December 14, 2024.

In a video released by the Coast Guard, you can see the boat and people on board being rescued and pulled to safety.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. During today's session of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Finance Minister Samir Sharifov emphasized the necessity of amending the proposed draft budget to accommodate increased expenditures in certain essential areas, including the suggestions made by deputies during the discussions, Trend reports.

Thus, these are the following changes:

- Increasing revenues from paid services of budgetary organizations and, accordingly, extra-budgetary expenditures to the amount of 40 million manat ($23.5 million);

- by mobilizing the potential of additional revenues, a number of legal entities of public law were recommended to ensure their expenditures not at the expense of the state budget but more at the expense of their own revenues. As a consequence, about 159 million manat ($93.5 million) of the freed-up funds were directed to additional financial provision of measures on further strengthening of defense and national security of the country. Thus, the total amount of expenditures on defense and national security in the state budget is brought to 8.5 billion manat ($5 billion) ;

- through optimization of expenses for the purchase of goods and services in budgetary organizations to additionally free up 36 million manat ($21.1 million) and increase expenditures in the following directions:

- to increase financial provision of Azerbaijani Parliament by additional 815,000 manat ($479,413);

- in accordance with the instruction of the Head of State to increase the initial projected funds for allocation of financial aid to political parties by 1 million manat, or 20 percent;

- increase expenditures on international activities in the state budget by 24 million manat ($14.1 million), including expenditures for the country's participation in the Expo-2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, in 2025;

- allocate 10 million manat to finance expenditures related to the promotion of the country's export and investment potential.

It became imperative to incorporate in the 2025 state budget the modifications pertaining to the delegation of authority from the State Energy and Water Resources Agencies of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to the joint stock companies Azerenergy, Azerishig, and the State Water Resources Agency, in accordance with the pertinent presidential decree of the Republic of Azerbaijan, along with associated expenditures. The subsidies designated for the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from the centralized state budget are decreased by 34.8 million manat ($20.4 million), with an equivalent amount redirected to the financial assistance of the State Water Resources Agency.

Should the aforementioned proposed changes be adopted, the revenues and expenditures of the state and consolidated budgets for 2025 will rise by 40 million manat. Specifically, the state budget revenues will total 38.3 billion manat ($22.5 billion), expenditures will reach 41.4 billion manat ($24.3 billion), while the consolidated budget revenues will amount to 43.9 billion manat ($25.8 billion) and expenditures will be 47.6 billion manat ($28 billion).

The Minister emphasized that the state and consolidated budgets will maintain their current trajectory, with no alterations to the deficit as outlined in the original draft budget presentation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
It has been dubbed by historians as the greatest single victory in U.S. history.

But for veterans Harry Miller and Frank Cohn, it wasnt the 200,000 Germans, 1,000 tanks and assault weapons, the 1,900 artillery pieces or even the 2,000 German supporting aircraft that they remember.

It was the cold.

Colder than hell. I cant describe it, Miller recalled during a Nov. 13, 2024, conversation with historian and author Alex Kershaw.

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To this day whenever I take a bath after the Bulge I was finally able to go shower for 20 minutes, he continued. Everybody yelled get out of there, but I wouldnt go. Today whenever I have a shower or bath, I always remember the Battle of the Bulge.

On Dec. 16, 1944, Hitler launched his last gasp effort to drive the Allies back to the sea and reverse Germanys failing fortunes. Against his mighty assault stood approximately 80,000 U.S. infantrymen, supported by only 240 tanks and about 400 artillery guns, defending an impossibly wide front line that was over 80 miles long. By the battles end, the Bulge would become the largest land engagement in the Western Theater of World War II.

Among those 80,000 Allied personnel, namely Americans, there was a mixture of brand-new units and depleted divisions that had been badly chewed up in November during fighting in the Hurtgen Forest, according to Jerry D. Morelock. The Ardennes, meanwhile, was described by historian Charles B. MacDonald as the nursery and the old folks home of the American command.

At the mere age of 16, Miller, a member of the 740th Tank Battalion, was among those green recruits, having been on the job for all of one month. He entered the battle in what amounted to a Frankensteins monster-esque tank after he and his crew pieced together three M4 Sherman tanks and an M-36 Tank Destroyer from a supply depot in Sprigmont, Belgium, before heading into battle.

Battle of the Bulge veterans Harry Miller and Frank Cohn. (Claire Barrett)

Everyone was scared, Miller remembered. Their eyes were bugged out.

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And it was just so cold, wet, damp and foggy. It was so hard to see because the fog was one thing that was really bad. You couldnt see very few feet in front, but you had to keep your eyes open, because if you didnt, it meant you were going to get hit by an anti-tank gun.

Adding to the cold, Millers unit eschewed going into combat with their hatches down.

We found out that the best thing to do is go into combat with the hatches open, number one, so you can get out faster, he said. But number two, we taught everybody in our organization to always have your eyes looking up, down, left and right continually  four eyes looking out of the tank, looking up and down, left and right, up and down.

In the blistering cold and dreary fog, the teenaged Miller was to witness the greatest barrage launched by the Germans on Allied lines in Western Europe.

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The German surprise attack struck at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 16, 1944, initially overrunning the outnumbered American defenders and creating the westward bulge  a name Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower purportedly despised  in the front line, giving the battle its famous moniker.

The first night was the scariest night of my life, Cohn recalled in a conversation with the Friends of the National WWII Memorial. Not because we were bombarded or anything. Or shot at. It was all the rumors that were coming in.

Born in Breslau, Germany (present day Wrocaw, Poland), Cohn, who is Jewish, and his family found refuge in the United States in 1938, with Cohn being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, just one month after his 18th birthday.

Sworn in as an American citizen during basic training, Cohn was originally assigned to the 87th Infantry Division before being he received orders as an infantry replacement and was sent to England, France and then Belgium, all the way to the front line.

An infantryman from the 82nd Airborne Division goes out on a one-man sortie while covered by a comrade in the background, near Bra, Belgium, on Dec. 24, 1944. (AP)

While in Belgium, despite trying to distance himself from his native tongue, Army officials learned German was Cohns first language. He was subsequently plucked from the infantry ranks and sent to Le Vesinet near Paris. Unlike the Ritchie Boys  U.S. Army recruits who possessed German, Italian and Japanese language skills and immigrants who had fled Europe and Asia for the U.S.  who received a minimum of eight weeks of training, Cohn was slated for a two-week course which was then cut down even further.

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I had one week of training, and I became a full-fledged intelligence agent, well-trained, quipped Cohn.

Speaking to the audience in November, Cohn recalled, I was given a rifle and a flashlight and told to go to a small dirt access road and make sure to not let any Germans come in. So, I get in the middle of road, and I stand there and a vehicle comes and I halt, and the driver asks, What the heck you doing there? I say, Im making sure youre not a German. He said, if I was a German, youd be dead.

I thought that was a good point. I go into a ditch in the road. The next vehicle comes. They dont hear me. They go right by. Im not doing my job. Now, what am I supposed to do? Im up. Im down. I dont know what to do. Thank goodness around midnight they called me back in.

The German assault had exposed widespread intelligence failures, but a shaken Eisenhower, who later confessed that he didnt get frightened until three weeks after it had begun, when I began to read the American papers and found  how near we were to being whipped, set in to action to slow, then stop and ultimately turn back the German advance, according to Morelock.

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Eventually, more than 600,000 U.S. troops, backed up by 55,000 British personnel, took part in defeating Hitlers Ardennes Offensive.

But for Miller and Cohn, the Bulge would hardly be their last time in combat.

Both men went on to fight through wars end, with Miller going on to serve with distinction in Korea and Vietnam before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. Post-war, Cohn joined the Army Reserve and commissioned as a second lieutenant, deploying to Korea and Vietnam before retiring as a colonel in 1978.

Eighty years later, the two veterans  among the last surviving members of the deadliest battle of World War II  affirmed their belief in being part of what Eisenhower called a great crusade, but also of wars ultimate cost.

I sometimes think of the people who were there, Miller told the audience. I think of them as GIs. Dirty GIs. Unshaven. Dirty as the devil. Cold. Miserable thats the kind of people I see there. Instead of crosses I see that.
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. (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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Rebeca Damico, a PR specialist at Kronus Communications, poses for a photo at Kiln, a coworking space her company uses, in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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

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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

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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.

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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.

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.
COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Authorities in Colleton County executed a search warrant on a home early Monday morning.

The Colleton County Sheriffs Office said residents along Cleveland Street and Smith Street could expect a heavy law enforcement presence around 7 a.m. while they assisted the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Colleton County Animal Control with a warrant.

Details were not provided; however, the sheriffs office said there was no threat to the public or nearby Black Street Elementary.

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Law enforcement has since cleared the area.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An oil pump jack is pictured in Weld County on June 24, 2020. (Andy Bosselman for Newsline)

Colorado regulators on Friday released more information about the alleged falsification of contamination data for hundreds of oil and gas sites by a pair of consulting firms, including a map of the locations in question.

Staff from the Energy and Carbon Management Commission disclosed last month that employees of two firms, Eagle Environmental Consulting and Tasman Geosciences, had manipulated laboratory data relating to soil and groundwater contamination at 344 locations in Weld County. The falsified reports were submitted to the ECMC as part of spill cleanup and site remediation procedures between 2021 and summer 2024, the agency said.

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ECMC director Julie Murphy updated the agencys five-member board of commissioners on its investigation in a Friday hearing, reiterating that the alleged data falsification  which the agency first became aware of in July  does not pose new risks to public health.

The investigation is important, and the act of submitting falsified data is abhorrent. The actual environmental impact is not an emergency, in our estimation, Murphy told commissioners.

Eagle Environmental and Tasman Geosciences were contracted by Chevron and Occidental Petroleum, respectively, to perform sampling and analysis work at the sites in question, pursuant to ECMC rules regarding the cleanup of decommissioned oil and gas sites. Agency officials say the alleged fraud could result in regulatory enforcement action and fines, and has also been referred to law enforcement for a criminal investigation.

The ECMC, formerly known as the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, regulates all oil and gas operations within the state. Its health, safety and environmental rules have undergone a comprehensive update in the wake of a 2019 reform law passed by Colorado lawmakers.

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Murphy said Friday that the agencys ongoing investigation is complex, and the data manipulation appears right now to be erratic and somewhat patternless to us.

About half of the 344 locations are active remediation sites where cleanup operations are ongoing, while the rest are considered closed by the agency after such work was deemed completed.

ECMC has prioritized investigating the degree to which the falsified data impacted decisions to determine that no further investigation or remediation action was necessary for these projects, the ECMC said in a press release Friday. Based on the findings of the investigation, ECMC may determine that the remediation projects need to be reopened for additional remediation.

According to data released by the ECMC on Friday, the vast majority of the affected sites are located in unincorporated Weld County, in the heart of northeastern Colorados oil-rich Denver-Julesburg Basin. Forty-eight of the locations are within the boundaries of municipalities, including eight in Greeley, three in Windsor, three in Firestone and two in Erie.

A map from the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission showing the 344 locations where falsified contamination data was submitted by contractors. (ECMC)

Officials in Weld County were critical of the agencys handling of the alleged falsification following the issues disclosure just before the Thanksgiving holiday. The ECMC has said that its awareness of the scale of the issue grew over time, and officials determined that urgent notification was not warranted.

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In a Dec. 2 letter to the ECMC, Weld County commissioners expressed their severe disappointment in the withholding of information regarding falsified data relating to oil and gas well remediation.

Jeff Robbins, the ECMCs board chair, asked Murphy to address those concerns during Fridays hearing.

Frankly, I was a little disappointed with (Weld County oil and gas director) Jason Maxey and Weld County, and some of the things that were in the paper about not being told, and the ramifications of that, Robbins said.

It was very abrupt, Murphy said of the ECMCs notification process. We were moving quickly to get this information to the public, and that crunched our time to have some earlier conversations.

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In addition to assessing conditions at the affected remediation sites, Murphy said the agency is concurrently investigating the broader implications and scope of the falsified data, an effort led by a new quality assurance team. The next update on the investigation will come no later than March 2025, she said.

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A Midlands woman was killed early Sunday morning in a crash that left another person hospitalized, according to South Carolina officials.

Monica Wright, a 48-year-old Columbia resident, died in what Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker called an accident.

The multi-vehicle collision happened at about 2 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 378/Broad Street and S.C. 261/South Kings Highway, Baker said in a news release. Thats near Shaw Air Force Base.

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Wright was driving a 2015 Dodge pickup truck east on Broad Street and it collided with a 2001 Ford sedan that was heading in the same direction on the road, according to Cpl. Nick Pye of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Wright died at the scene from the injuries she suffered in the crash, Baker said.

The Ford driver was hurt and taken to an area hospital, according to Pye. Further information on that drivers condition was not available.

No other injuries were reported.

There was no word if either of the drivers were wearing a seat belt.

Information about what caused the vehicles to collide was not available, but the wreck is being investigated by the Highway Patrol as well as the coroners office.

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An autopsy will be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, Baker said.

Through Dec. 8, at least 905 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least 20 people have died in Sumter County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 30 deaths in the county in 2023, DPS reported.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Columbus Police Department is asking for the publics help with finding a missing teenager.

Police say Landon Goines, 16, was last seen on Nov. 29 at about 9:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of Melrose Drive. He was reported missing that same day.

Goines was wearing a black hoodie with tribal-style print and black pants. He stands at 5-foot-6 and weighs 157lbs.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911, the CPD Special Victims Unit at 706-225-3449, or lead investigator Cpl. Luis Bencosme-Gonzalez at 706-225-4367.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee as the next director of the FBI, has big plans.

He has called for the prosecution of a long list of people he accuses of conspiring to undermine Trump, including President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and outgoing FBI Director Christopher A. Wray.

These people need to go to prison, Patel said last year. If he delivers on that threat, he would turn the once-independent FBI into the Federal Bureau of Retribution.

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Patel has vowed to purge the federal law enforcement agency of anyone who doesnt fully support Trump, and says he will transfer all 7,000 employees in the bureaus Washington headquarters to other cities  apparently including agents who now focus on international terrorism and foreign espionage.

Go chase down murderers and rapists, Patel said. Youre cops. Go be cops.

On both counts, he is echoing Trumps long-expressed desire to prosecute his political opponents and bring the FBI to heel.

The president-elect has called on prosecutors to investigate the Biden family, Harris, Clinton, former President Obama, the members of the congressional committee that investigated his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, even the police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol against rioters on Jan. 6, 2021  The cops should be charged and the protesters should be freed"  among many others.

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Read more: Trump says he'll jail his opponents. Members of the House Jan. 6 committee are preparing

And he has long harbored a special animus toward the FBI, which he blames for investigating allegations that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia and for the 2022 search of his home and social club in Florida that turned up more than 100 classified documents he claimed not to have.

Since his election last month, Trump has said  not entirely reassuringly  that he does not intend to order up investigations from the Oval Office.

Read more: Column: Trump hoped his Cabinet picks could escape serious vetting. He was so wrong

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Thats going to be [attorney general nominee] Pam Bondis decision, and to a different extent, Kash Patel, he said last week.

But he added: If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it.

Patel may not find that a difficult call. He has already published an enemies list of 60 people he considers corrupt actors of the highest order.

The record from Trumps first term suggests that these threats should be taken seriously.

During his four years in the White House, Trump frequently demanded that the FBI and the Justice Department investigate his adversaries. His aides often pushed back, but eventually bowed to his pressure and opened investigations of Clinton, former Secretary of State John F. Kerry, former national security advisor John Bolton, former FBI Director James B. Comey and other former FBI officials. None was charged with a crime.

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Those episodes reflect a sobering fact: Its easier for the FBI to open an investigation than you may think.

Theres basically no limit, at least when it comes to opening a preliminary investigation, said Paul Rosenzweig, a former federal prosecutor.

For a full-scale investigation, which could include search warrants and electronic surveillance (if a judge approves), the standards are tougher.

Read more: Column: Trump's worst Cabinet picks aren't just unqualified, they're part of a bigger power grab

They have to have an articulable factual basis to believe a federal crime has been committed, said Michael R. Bromwich, a former Justice Department inspector general. Theres a lot that can fit within that, but its not limitless.

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If Patel goes to his deputies and says, 'Lets open an investigation into Liz Cheney,' theyre going to ask: 'Whats the factual predicate?' he said, referring to the Republican former congresswoman from Wyoming, a vigorous Trump critic. There will be resistance in the FBI  unless he finds compliant officers who are willing to make something up.

Prosecution is harder. A criminal indictment requires clear evidence that the person under investigation committed a specific federal crime.

But merely being investigated can have devastating consequences.

Theres a lot of damage that can be done by an investigation even if theres no indictment, Bromwich said. Investigations are very expensive; a target needs to hire a lawyer. They affect a targets ability to gain a livelihood. And they are extremely stressful.

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Lives get ruined, said Faiza Patel of the Brennan Center for Justice (who is not related to Kash Patel). "People get fired from their jobs."

An investigation also opens a targets private life to scrutiny, potentially putting embarrassing information in the hands of the FBI director.

Under J. Edgar Hoover, who ran the FBI for almost half a century until 1972, the bureau assiduously collected private information about politicians and other prominent figures.

The most infamous example was the FBIs attempt to blackmail civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. by threatening to expose his extramarital affairs.

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So if a president wants retribution, opening investigations is a good way to start.

The irony, of course, is that Trump and other Republicans have spent years condemning what they claim has been a weaponization of the Justice Department and FBI under Democratic presidents.

Now that theyre about to regain the White House, they appear to have decided that weaponization is now their friend.

But senators in both parties should resist that dangerous trend.

Read more: Column: Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence czar? The Trump Cabinet pick most likely to fail

They should look carefully at Patel's skimpy qualifications beyond his loyalty to Trump. In 2020, when Trump proposed giving Patel the No. 2 job in the bureau, his attorney general, William Barr, threatened to quit. "The very idea of moving Patel into a role like this showed a shocking detachment from reality," Barr wrote later.

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They should ask Patel if he realizes that transferring all the FBI's staff out of Washington would disrupt the bureau's efforts to stop espionage by Russia and China.

And they should ask whether he really intends to turn the bureau into a weapon of partisan retribution against every target of Trumps boundless ire.

GOP senators might want to ask why so many of the names on Patel's enemies list are Republicans who disagreed with him during Trumps first term, including Barr, Bolton and former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

Then they should think twice about giving Patel power to investigate anyone he chooses. One day they may find themselves in his sights as well.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of International Bank of Azerbaijan was held in absentia on December 13, 2024, Trend reports.

At the meeting, it was laid on the table that the International Bank would be boosting its authorized capital to a whopping 1.2 billion manat ($705 million) by cashing in on funds gathered through a mass issue of shares. The Bank's Charter got a fresh coat of paint and was given the green light in a new edition. Furthermore, a green light was given for the establishment of a cutting-edge subsidiary company.

To note, the meeting on December 13, 2024, marked the first general gathering of International Bank's shareholders following the big splash of the bank's share issuance. At present, following the share issue, International Bank has cast its net wide, reeling in over 35,000 shareholders.

For the first time in our neck of the woods, shareholders of the International Bank had the chance to cast their votes on agenda items in an electronic format. This approach simplifies remote meetings, ensures prompt informing of shareholders, and minimizes the use of paper carriers. Information about modern, useful, universal products and services of International Bank can be obtained in the branches and outlets of the bank, on the official website https://abb-bank.az/, by calling the information center by short number 937, as well as on the official Facebook page of the bank.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A proposal to add more money to build a new high school in Frayser will go into a vote during the Shelby County Commission meeting on Monday.

During a Shelby County Commissioners meeting last week, County Mayor Lee Harris called for an additional $34 million to bring the countys total investment to $112 million.

Multiple students and the principal from Trezevant High School made their case for the big investment as pictures of cramped classrooms and leaking roofs of Fraysers current high school were shown.

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Frayser high school funds get favorable recommendation

The group told commissioners the new school building will represent hope and opportunity. There was also support from a small business in Frayser saying they along with other businesses are investing a lot of money into the community.

I do want Frayser to get a new school but weve gotta look at the numbers and Ive gotta look at all this again, said Commissioner Amber Mills.

Some commissioners say this latest investment will help other schools as well.

This story will be 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 WREG.com.
Virginia's state flag flies in Richmond. (Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury)

Oh, East is East, and West is West and neer the twain shall meet,

Till Earth and sky stand presently at Gods great Judgment Seat.

Rudyard Kipling, The Ballad of East and West

When this century began a generation ago, did you imagine that youd see a time when one political party would refer to its opposition party as the enemies of the people?

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Did you think youd see someone accused of gunning down an executive on a Manhattan sidewalk by shooting him in the back celebrated as a hero on social media?

Well, here we are.

Virginia is an interesting microcosm of a nation fast cleaving itself into hostile tribes, ideologically, culturally and  perhaps most troubling  geographically. Its playing out before us in our politics, our policy and how we relate to one another. Or, better yet, dont relate.

Neither side in our widening cultural schism is willing to consider the others point of view. We are hardened by the echo chamber of social media and ideologically driven cable channels and podcasts to the point that losers resort to violence to keep or gain power. Those trend lines, taken to their conclusion, threaten to derail the governing structure of a freely elected republic now almost 250 years old.

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Free, democratic societies are not immune from political disagreement. Rather, they feed on it. Unlike autocracies, we quarrel openly and enact policy through debate and compromise.

Nor are democracies static. Things change; sometimes, as is the case in Virginia, at a glacial pace.

Sixty years ago, rural Virginia  in a time when farming, factories and coal mines still dominated the states economy  ruled politics. Governors and House speakers were routinely from places like the Southwest, Southside or the Valley. The state as a whole was still loyal to a Democratic Party that had championed racially segregated schools under its legally and morally bankrupt Massive Resistance doctrine. But Democratic control was slipping as the party morphed into todays socially liberal party.

Then came the upheavals of 1968 and Richard Nixons Southern Strategy which cynically leveraged white restiveness in the former Confederate states against rights Black Americans gained with the dismantling of Jim Crow, flipping the South irretrievably from Democratic to Republican in one four-year cycle. Virginia Republicans the next year broke the stranglehold Democrats had on state government since Reconstruction by electing Linwood Holton governor. Since then, both parties have intermittently swapped power.

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Virginia would vote Republican in presidential elections for 40 years until Barack Obama won the states 13 electoral votes in 2008. It has remained solidly Democratic in every presidential election since, including the one a few weeks ago.

Along the way, we lost something. A lot, actually. And were poorer for it.

News media are diminished to the point where professional, vetted reporting is no longer how most voters get their information. Its a complicated dynamic in which the financial and concomitant editorial atrophy of legacy print and broadcast journalism gets swamped by the unchecked proliferation of social media platforms, podcasts and cable stations where lies commonly go unrebutted even as verifiable fact struggles to be heard.

Not that major newspapers and the once-unchallenged networks were sacrosanct. Far from it; they were quite human. We made mistakes. (I certainly did.) We got things wrong, but the process was sufficiently transparent that errors were promptly and publicly corrected and the reporters and editors responsible were held accountable for it.

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Now, conspiracy fabulists run wild, misinforming and disinforming with impunity. They blast a firehose of disinformation that would rightly be dismissed as really bad science fiction in a more rational past, yet it finds an audience among the willfully gullible. For instance, enough people believe there are machines that control the weather that legislation is pending in Florida to ban such a device.

The past half century has seen the rise of political professionals who have made campaigns into data-driven science, turned groups of Americans against one another for political gain, knocked down legislative walls intended to keep plutocrats from stealthily buying public offices and now rake in rock-star fees for practicing their dark arts.

There is no ethical bottom to todays victory uber alles electioneering and the just-finished election makes plain. But it delivers results, so dont expect it to go away or even lighten up.

Politics as it is now done fails us by exploiting and exacerbating cultural differences that a big country or commonwealth such as ours should not just tolerate but celebrate. And its practitioners are content to keep us suspicious and grudgeful of one another  the better to manipulate us every November.

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Were losing  if we havent already lost  the ability to reason among ourselves because we cant agree on established facts where such a dialogue would begin. Much of society seems untethered to standards of decency and human empathy that once made ours a civil society. Threats have been made against those involved in apprehending the alleged assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at an Altoona, Pennsylvania, McDonalds  that shows how low weve sunk.

In Virginia, the geography of the schism is easy to follow. It shows up in crimson and blue maps after every election.

A crescent of suburban wealth  that loops loosely from Loudoun County and the Washington, D.C., bedroom communities south along Interstate 95 through commuter country to the affluent clusters around Richmond and then southeast down the Peninsula to Hampton Roads  is largely center-left and leans toward Democrats. Theyre largely college-educated, two-income households whose kids attend well-funded schools and tend to be more socially liberal.

West and south of there are vast, often sparse populations in rural areas whose fortunes took a beating since the 1990s. Global trade agreements moved furniture and textile jobs offshore. Litigation against cigarette makers crippled tobacco farming and processing. Clean-air mandates, driven by climate science, undermined the coal industry that once brought decent wages to the corner of Virginia the farthest from the suburban crescent.

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When people with their conservative beliefs feel  and not without justification  that their communities and values are being ridiculed by comfortable elites in cozy subdivisions  well, you can see how it wouldnt take much for those hard feelings to grow and ossify.

These are differences that the long passage of time may or may not assuage. But the lack of communication we have here is untenable. It will eventually corrode our very ability to govern ourselves.

Forget about agreeing on everything. The first step is realizing that nobody has his or her way all the time, no matter how convinced you might be that yours is the only way. We must at least hear one another again, understand what the other guys are saying and even acknowledge from time to time that they may have a point. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Kiplings paradigm about a perpetually separate east and west is not an option, certainly not in Virginia.

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MAUI Long-term volunteers and AmeriCorps members provide vital manpower to support Habitat for Humanity Mauis rebuilding efforts for island families.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MAUI Long-term volunteers and AmeriCorps members provide vital manpower to support Habitat for Humanity Mauis rebuilding efforts for island families.

As the holiday season unfolds, nonprofits and local organizations across Hawaii are ramping up efforts to support those most in need. From rebuilding homes destroyed in the devastating Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires to providing critical health care services for children, these initiatives reflect the communitys response during this time of need.

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Habitat for Humanity Maui has been helping survivors of the Maui wildfires, which destroyed more than 2, 200 homes in Lahaina and Kula, killed over 100 people and displaced 12, 000 residents.

Habitat Maui is now in the midst of its rebuilding efforts, helping families restore their homes and rebuild their lives. The nonprofit has teamed up with local agencies to provide resources for the recovery process, including constructing a bunk house  to house volunteers, relaunching its Hawaii Village Build program and introducing a new disaster recovery initiative aimed at providing long-term support.

For over 26 years, Habitat for Humanity Maui has been committed to creating affordable housing solutions for families in need,  the executive director of Habitat for Humanity Maui, Matt Bachman, said. As we help Maui recover, every act of support will make a difference for families working to rebuild their lives.

The organization offers programs designed to address the unique needs of each family affected by the wildfires, including home repairs and smoke remediation for those whose homes were not entirely destroyed, gap funding assistance for families who need financial support to cover rebuilding costs, and a full-scale reconstruction program for those starting from scratch.

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Habitat Maui urged community members, businesses and organi zations to contribute, whether through monetary donations, material donations or volunteer work.

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In addition to Habitat Mauis ongoing efforts, the community has offered support this holiday season by assisting children, families and those caring for sick loved ones.

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Maui United Way is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive to benefit over 2, 000 children receiving services from its partner agencies and the Friends of the Childrens Justice Center. The children are affected by domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, low income and /or special needs.

Gifts are still needed for children ages 8-12, and gift cardsmaximum $25are requested for teens.

Additionally, Maui United Way is collaborating with Kako o Maui and disaster case managers to address unmet needs, such as providing kitchen kits for families moving into new homes during the holidays. These kits, which include countertop appliances like microwaves and small appliances, are not covered by FEMA. Maui United Way is providing $250 worth of supplies to families, but there is still a need for 20 more kits. The organization hopes to raise funds to meet this need.

On Giving TuesdayDec. 3Hawaiis iHeartRadio stations and local organizations raised $658, 651 for the Kapi olani Childrens Miracle Network to support vital services at Kapi olani Medical Center for Women & Children, including cancer treatments and support programs for some of the sickest children across the state.

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Kapi olani Medical Center highlighted a memorable moment from the Giving Tuesday event when the Tamayose family donated in memory of their daughter Ally, who battled osteosarcomaa rare form of bone cancerfor five years before dying in 2023.

Throughout her treatment, Ally Tamayose became a symbol of resilience and courage, inspiring the hashtags #AllyTamaStrong and #LiveLikeAlly on social media.

On Giving Tuesday her family presented a donation of over $30, 000 to support the future Martha B. Smith Cancer & Infusion Center at Kapi olani, a facility that will provide advanced cancer care for women and children across Hawaii and the Pacific region, treating approximately 1, 000 women and children with cancer each year.

Allys story is amazing and people still talk about it today,  Allys mother, Dayle Tamayose, said in a statement.

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Allys father, Tory Tamayose, added, Her ability to make a difference even though shes not hereits her legacy.

The Tamayose familys donation was further matched by the family behind C.S. Wo & Sons, who contributed $10, 000 to the cause, keeping Allys memory and impact alive.

Another major supporter on Giving Tuesday was D. Suehiro Electric Inc., which helped launch the days campaign by triple-matching all gifts made between 7 and 9 a.m. that day. The company ended up contributing $30, 000 to Kapi olani.

Later in the day, the Hono lulu Hyundai Dealers, in partnership with Hyundai Hope on Wheels, which has long been committed to ending childhood cancer, presented a $25, 000 donation to the cause.

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The success of the 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign, according to Kapi olani Medical Center, was driven by over 30 community sponsors and supporters who matched all donations made by the public that day, ensuring every dollar raised directly benefited Kapi olanis vital cancer care and pediatric services.

Were very proud of KSSKs commitment to Childrens Miracle Network,  said Michael Perry, host of Perry & the Posse  on KSSK radio. We love getting behind the kids that need special care. Kapi olani Medical Center for Women & Children is the only place of its kind within 2, 600 miles, and it deserves to have the support of the community.

All of the donations raised during Giving Tuesday will stay within the state, benefiting not only cancer services, but also several other critical programs, including Animal-Assisted Therapy, Child Life and Keiki Injury Prevention. The funds will help ensure that Kapi olani can continue to provide world-class care to the islands children and families.

Habitat for Humanity Maui continues to accept monetary donations, as well as donations of new or gently used home items, and offers opportunities for corporate engagement at habitat-maui.org. Kapi o lani Medical Center encourages ongoing support through donations at.
Police place bullet casing markers outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot before 7 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City. Thompson had been on his way to set up for the company's annual investors' meeting. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The assassination of a health insurance executive steps outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel before sunrise on Dec. 4 has exposed long simmering public rage.

Not at our gun culture. Not over our dangerous streets. The rage was directed at amoral actions by the health insurance industry, a major factor in the dysfunction of our health care system.

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In an age when we are often at the mercy of corporate greed  being fleeced at the supermarket, spied on and manipulated by tech companies, deprived of choice by megamergers  nothing can compare to the outrage of watching loved ones suffer needlessly because of someone elses profits.

Right now, few Americans can feel completely comfortable in their ability to receive basic health care. Because it does not take a lot to become health care insecure pretty much overnight.

Your health insurance plan could be canceled, and the new one is twice as expensive, or more so, with less coverage, as mine recently was.

Your Medicare Advantage program could suddenly no longer be accepted by the only hospital system in your state.

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Your health insurer, whom you pay regularly, can mysteriously deny the medicine, device or procedure that your doctor ordered, and the review process is obscure and fraught, especially when time is short.

These now common events  all triggered not by bad doctoring, but rather by an insurance industry whose driving force is profit  can result in both terror and rage. I know this personally, and so does almost everyone I know.

Here in Rhode Island, we consistently cite issues around access to health care as main political concerns. The Rhode Island Foundations recently released new five-year plan repeatedly references health, as did the plan before it, and probably the one before that.

But somehow we just cannot seem to make it better; we actually seem on track to make it worse. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided affordable access, and assurances, to many Americans, the incoming administration seems hostile to any government involvement in health care, including the ACA but also Medicaid and Medicare. Insurers are now feeling emboldened to deny even more services including, incredibly, limiting the time a patient can be under anesthesia during surgery (a plan that was recently rolled back only after extreme reactions by the public and elected officials).

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There is no real mystery as to why it is difficult to make a change. It has to do with Americas persistent and irrational commitment to allowing market forces to control aspects of our lives that should not be subject to them. We want to believe that our economic system rewards the worthy. But perhaps now, when market forces are depriving so many of us of our health and even our lives, it can change the way we think about our systems.

Right now, few Americans can feel completely comfortable in their ability to receive basic health care. Because it does not take a lot to become health care insecure pretty much overnight.

United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson probably thought he was just being a good corporate leader, maximizing profits for his shareholders and himself. I feel for his family as they bear witness to the many expressions lacking sympathy for his death.

But we make a mistake if we ignore the fact that this lack of compassion is a symptom of a real problem, and I do not mean the cruelty of social media. I mean the cruelty of our system, and this is not new. Corporate leaders often crow about the new Gilded Age, but in their ahistorical blindness, they are ignoring the fact that the rise of unfettered capitalism in the 19th century, which allowed children to die and be maimed in factories, for example, prompted violence then, too. Even the series, The Gilded Age, does not skip this part. Strikes, riots and violence against employers helped usher in an era of social change that included protections for human life and happiness that were deemed more important than anyones right to make money.

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We still believe that there should be ethical limits to what can be subject to market forces. We cannot buy and sell other people. We cannot sell our biological organs. We cannot actively prevent people from having access to breathable air, or usable water. We cannot even sell cigarettes to children. Laws are passed to prevent and protect us from those who seek to profit by killing or harming others.

But for some insane reason, we have allowed health insurance companies to do exactly these things. And now, it seems clear, Americans want to see a change. Again.

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A social media feud turned deadly in suburban Northern Kentucky when Amanda Turner brought her children there for a fight, including her teenage son who was carrying a gun.

Turner, 40, was sentenced in Kenton County Circuit Court on Monday to 12 years in prison for her role in the August 2023 fatal shooting of 23-year-old Seth Burns.

The sentence handed down by Judge Kathy Lape matches a recommendation from prosecutors negotiated as part of Turners plea agreement. She pleaded guilty in September to criminal facilitation of murder, rioting, unlawful transaction with a minor and illegally permitting a minor to possess a handgun.

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Its less than half the prison term imposed on her younger son, 18-year-old Jackie Turner, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder and admitting to firing the round that killed Burns.

Amanda Turner, 40, was sentenced on Monday to more than a decade in prison for her role in Seth Burns' shooting death in August 2023.

After an online dispute partly between the girlfriend of Turners older son, Xxavion Turner, and a woman hed previously been in a relationship with, the family went to Archer Court in Independence on Aug. 25, 2023, for a planned fight, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say Amanda Turner was involved in text messages instigating the fight and doorbell camera video showed her leading her children down the street while screaming.

Turner admitted in court that she drove her younger son to and from the fight. She also told detectives she knew both of her sons routinely carry guns.

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The feud stemmed from social media posts related to insults about children and parenting skills, or lack thereof, according to Kenton County Commonwealths Attorney Rob Sanders.

After a brief exchange of words before the fight could begin, then-17-year-old Jackie Turner fired once into the air and then once at Burns, striking him in the torso, and the Turner family fled, prosecutors said.

Burns didnt know the Turners but went to the Archer Court home with his girlfriend, who was part of the feud.

I feel like you and your family acted with complete disregard and malice for any human life, Burns mom, Barbara, said in court.

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Burns' family said they don't believe the Turners have shown remorse. But Daniel Schubert, Amanda Turner's attorney, said the opposite is true.

"She does wish it didn't happen, for what it's worth," Schubert said.

Son sentenced alongside mother

Xxavion Turner, now 22, was also sentenced on Monday to three years in prison. During a four-day trial in November, prosecutors painted Turner as the central figure known by everyone in the dispute.

A jury ultimately found him guilty of tampering with evidence but not guilty of murder, unlawful transaction with a minor and rioting.

Xxavion Turner, 22, was also sentenced on Monday after being found guilty at trial of tampering with evidence. Prosecutors say he concealed the gun his younger brother used to shooting 23-year-old Seth Burns and directed his sister to delete text messages.

Prosecutors said Turner lied to police about taking his younger brothers gun after the shooting and told his sister to delete her text message history. Investigators later found the murder weapon in Turner's possession.

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His attorney, Joseph Holbrook, declined to comment on the sentence.

Throughout his trial, Turner's lawyers argued that he wasn't complicit in Burns' death because he didnt communicate or spend time with Jackie Turner that day, at least not until they met for the planned girl fight.

Xxavion Turners sister, Lakera Hughes and Keavier Turner, and his then-girlfriend, Emma Ryan, were each charged with rioting and unlawful transaction with a minor but have since pleaded guilty as charged.

'It makes no sense to me'

Even with six criminal cases related to the shooting all ending in convictions, Barbara and Greg Burns said theres been little justice delivered for the death of their son, who wasn't involved in the feud but paid the price anyway.

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They said Jakie Turners was the only just sentence and that his mom and older brother shouldve received similarly harsh punishments.

Shes the one that instigated all of this and being their mother she just acted with complete disregard for anyone and anything, Barbara Burns said of Amanda Turner. I dont know what kind of mother takes their kids to go shoot someone elses child. It makes no sense to me.

I think they all deserved at least 30 years for what they did, she said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Northern Kentucky mom, son sentenced in shooting following online feud
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A homicide investigation is underway after three women were found dead on Saturday at a home in Columbus, Ohio.

Authorities were alerted to the deaths after a friend of the victims called Columbus Police just before 4 p.m. to report a medical event at a home on the citys South Side. Police said the woman had gone to the home to check on her friends when she found them.

All three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Nightmare: Ohio man allegedly assaulted over McDonalds sandwich

Its unfortunate when someone loses their life, but particularly this time of year, during the holidays, its going to be very difficult for all of these victims families to come to grips with that unfortunately, said Sgt. James Fuqua of the Columbus Police. These family members will no longer be in their lives.

An active search was carried out Saturday, but police did not indicate any arrests in the case.

You see the amount of detectives we have back here thats going to work tirelessly to determine who did this heinous crime and bring justice to the family of these victims, Fuqua told reporters Saturday.

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The incident was originally reported as a shooting and police confirmed Sunday afternoon all three victims were pronounced dead at 4 p.m. and all suffered from gunshot wounds.

Police vehicles are seen amid an investigation into the deaths of three women at a Columbus home. (Cole Kovalchik/WCMH)

Some members of the community, like Jeff Frentz, said they had never seen something like this.

Other than car accidents, a couple of those out here, but nothing this traumatic. So, yeah, thats kind of a shocker, Frentz said. Its unfortunate whoever got hurt or got killed, they got families, they got mothers and fathers.

Fuqua was not immediately available to provide an update on Monday morning. But he said Saturday that investigators were working to crack the complicated case.

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Theres so many moving parts because investigators obviously arent sure exactly of everything, Fuqua said. So they want to make sure they have a full picture in their head of what actually happened to piece these things together. So thats what makes it so particularly complicated.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A homicide investigation is underway after three women were found dead on Saturday at a home in Columbus, Ohio.

Authorities were alerted to the deaths after a friend of the victims called Columbus Police just before 4 p.m. to report a medical event at a home on the citys South Side. Police said the woman had gone to the home to check on her friends when she found them

All three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Nightmare: Ohio man allegedly assaulted over McDonalds sandwich

Its unfortunate when someone loses their life, but particularly this time of year, during the holidays, its going to be very difficult for all of these victims families to come to grips with that unfortunately, said Sgt. James Fuqua of the Columbus Police. These family members will no longer be in their lives.

An active search was carried out Saturday, but police did not indicate any arrests in the case.

You see the amount of detectives we have back here thats going to work tirelessly to determine who did this heinous crime and bring justice to the family of these victims. Fuqua told reporters Saturday.

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The incident was originally reported as a shooting and police confirmed Sunday afternoon all three victims were pronounced dead at 4 p.m. and all suffered from gunshot wounds.

Police vehicles are seen amid an investigation into the deaths of three women at a Columbus home. (Cole Kovalchik/WCMH)

Some members of the community, like Jeff Frentz, said they had never seen something like this.

Other than car accidents, a couple of those out here, but nothing this traumatic. So, yeah, thats kind of a shocker, Frentz said. Its unfortunate whoever got hurt or got killed, they got families, they got mothers and fathers.

Fuqua was not immediately available to provide an update on Monday morning. But he said Saturday that investigators were working to crack the complicated case.

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Theres so many moving parts because investigators obviously arent sure exactly of everything, Fuqua said. So they want to make sure they have a full picture in their head of what actually happened to piece these things together. So thats what makes it so particularly complicated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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After a weeklong investigation, Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond accused Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean of breaking Floridas financial laws in four different ways, including writing more in checks than his office had its accounts.

Diamonds investigation came as a result of the controversy surrounding Gilzeans spending, which included millions of dollars spent on grants and scholarships without commissioners approval.

The report, which is scheduled to be presented to commissioners Tuesday night, laid out the four main abnormalities auditors found.

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The first, according to the auditors, was that Gilzeans team spent more than 1/12th of their budget in October, November and December. The limit is in place because Gilzean is an outgoing supervisor, and the law prohibits defeated elected officials from draining the accounts of their replacements.

Read: Controversy continue over Glen Gilzeans $5M Spending: Valencia College offers to return scholarship

Gilzeans monthly spending limit was $1,595,698 per month. The report said he overspent that amount by $5,068,616 since October 1.

In an interview, Diamond said Gilzean could have avoided this limit and issued payments for his November election invoices by simply asking commissioners permission.

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The law tells you exactly how you do it, he said. He could have avoided a lot of this drama and a lot of these issues, if he had just simply been transparent and candid with the county commission.

Read: Elections staff terminated in wake of spending scandal

The second violation Diamonds report named was spending $1.1 million on voter outreach grants for various nonprofits without permission  an issue WFTV has covered extensively.

Since the controversy began, Gilzean has maintained he was within his right to spend his offices money as he saw fit, including boosting voter turnout by partnering with groups that work in areas of the county where turnout is lower.

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However, Diamonds report accused Gilzean of playing with fire by writing $587,173.13 more in checks thank his office had in the bank, which could result in an overdraft if all the checks are cashed.

Read: Orange County elections supervisor Gilzean responds to $5M spending controversy

Whether you run a business or whether youre just talking about your household. I think everybody knows you shouldnt be writing checks or making payments that you cant back up with money in your account, Diamond said.

Finally, Diamonds report said Gilzeans office did not appropriately account for all its expenses during the fiscal year that ended in September. They estimated Gilzean had $600,000 more in expenses than his end-of-year reports reflected.

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That effectively meant Gilzean shifted some of the financial burden from the past fiscal year into the current one, straining his finances and leading Diamond to accuse Gilzean of misleading the public.

Read: Gilzean sues Orange County after vote to withhold funds

Gilzeans office did not provide a comment to any of the four specific accusations included in Diamonds report. Instead, Gilzean pointed to the ongoing court case, and a judges recent order that the county explain why Gilzean isnt entitled to the $950,000 commissioners are withholding from him.

The investigation into allegations of improper spending and accounting practices is irrelevant. Comptroller Diamonds opinion of this offices finances isnt worth the paper its written on, Gilzean said.

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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings issued a statement of his own after Diamonds report was released.

Read: Controversy continue over Glen Gilzeans $5M Spending: Valencia College offers to return scholarship

Comptroller Diamonds investigation makes it clear that Mr. Gilzean did not follow the law, nor did he follow the best practices. As a result, he has put the Board of County Commissioners in a difficult position, which will require us to take additional action. We will discuss tomorrow what those actions should be and determine the next steps, he said, calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to remove Gilzean from office.

Demings then said any organizations which had inappropriately been given money by Gilzean should return it.

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My goal in sounding the alarm about the spending by the Supervisor of Elections was to hold him accountable to the taxpayers and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for spending the peoples money. Ultimately, our citizens deserve more transparency and assurance that the SOE follows the law. This is not about partisan politics but about right versus wrong and lawful versus unlawful. With the Comptrollers report, my concerns have been confirmed. Things were happening in the Supervisor of Elections office that are inappropriate. Comptroller Diamonds investigation makes it clear that Mr. Gilzean did not follow the law, nor did he follow the best practices. As a result, he has put the Board of County Commissioners in a difficult position, which will require us to take additional action. We will discuss tomorrow what those actions should be and determine the next steps. Perhaps the Governor should consider removing Mr. Gilzean from office now and appointing the incoming elected Supervisor of Elections, Karen Castor Dentel. As for the organizations that received funds from the Supervisor of Elections due to inappropriate spending, I believe that money should be returned to Orange County. -Mayor Jerry L. Demings





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TALLAHASSEE  Republican firebrand Randy Fine has filed a bill in the Florida Senate to ban local governments, public schools and state universities from displaying flags promoting a fictional Palestine, pro-violence Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ rights and other woke topics.

Fine, who lives in Melbourne Beach, has resigned from the Florida Legislature effective March 31 to run for Congress, so he will be in office only for half of the 2025 session. He is running for the District 6 seat to replace U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-St. Augustine, who has accepted the post of national security advisor with the incoming Trump administration.

Supporters of Muslim terror, child mutilators, and groomers have no right to taxpayer sponsorship of their repugnant messages, Fine said in a news release Monday. As I prepare to leave the Senate, I look forward to ensuring the only official place in a government building that you will find their flags is in a garbage can.

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Fines bill would prohibit any government entity  including cities, counties, schools, colleges, universities and agencies  from displaying any flag of a political nature, including flags about race, gender and sexual orientation, political parties, candidates, and political ideologies. The bill also says the U.S. flag must be displayed more prominently than any other flag.

Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and other cities have displayed rainbow flags during Pride month and other celebrations supporting the LGBTQ community.

Fines office did not respond to a question about whether the ban would include flags promoting Back the Blue, a pro-law enforcement movement, or the state of Israel.

Its one of three controversial bills hes filed for the upcoming 2025 session. One would eliminate in-state tuition for undocumented students who attended a Florida high school for three years, and the other would lower the purchasing age for rifles from 21 to 18.

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Addressing a question during a podcast with Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida about the tuition waiver bill, Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said she didnt see how hes going to get a bill through both the House and Senate before he steps down.

Fine introduced a similar flag bill in 2024 when he was still a member of the House, but it died in committee.

I am exhausted having to respond to these ridiculous bills people like Randy Fine keep filing instead of solving the real problems Floridians are facing, said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, who became the first openly gay Latin person in the Legislature when he was first elected in 2016. He is one of two openly gay males in the Senate.

Instead, Smith said, lawmakers should be focusing on lowering costs, trying to tackle the property insurance problem and the condominium crisis, the teacher shortage, public transit and environmental issues.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. U.S. companies are committed to helping Azerbaijan implement its next-generation energy and climate goals, said the U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan Mark Libby, Trend reports.

Welcoming guests at The American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan Black & White Ball, he recalled that in 2024, Azerbaijan succeeded in hosting and chairing COP29.

Throughout the year-long preparation for COP, the U.S. delegation worked closely with the Azerbaijani Presidency, culminating in agreement on initiatives such as non-CO2 greenhouse gases and space-based climate action. In the final hours of the conference, U.S. negotiators and the Azerbaijani presidency worked together to achieve agreement on new international finance goals to address the urgent challenge of climate change.

It was inspiring, and personally reassuring, for me to see so many AmCham and U.S. companies represented at COP29, showcasing how American know-how and innovation are driving the clean energy revolution. U.S. companies are committed to helping Azerbaijan implement its next-generation energy and climate goals, he said.

The ambassador said he sees tremendous potential for further cooperation. Azerbaijan is well-positioned to become an indispensable regional hub for transportation and logistics.

We plan to bring more trade missions, particularly in these sectors, to support the development of Azerbaijans next phase of prosperity, said Libby.

The ambassador said he is optimistic about the future of U.S.-Azerbaijan economic cooperation.

The U.S. Embassy is ready to continue working with the business community to realize this potential, he added.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
The video above is from a News 8 newscast in May 2024.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Ringing in a new year means new laws will go into effect in Connecticut.

Heres what you should know about some of the new laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

Expanded paid sick leave

One of the biggest items passed in this years legislative session was an expansion of the states paid sick days requirements. Currently, the state requires certain employers with more than 50 employees to guarantee 40 hours of paid sick leave.

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Connecticut lawmakers debate expanding paid sick days

Starting on Jan. 1, nearly all private sector employers with at least 25 employees will also be required to guarantee 40 hours of sick leave. That expansion is the first part in a three-step process that will eventually see virtually all private employees covered by the states sick day requirements. The threshold for the requirement will be lower to include employers with 11 employees in 2025 and one employee in 2027.

Most seasonal employees will be exempt from the new requirements, as they are under the current law. Employers who already provide 40 hours of paid time of any kindincluding sick days, vacation, and personal dayswill also be exempt from the new requirements.

The legislature approved the expansion of paid sick days largely on partisan lines, with nine moderate Democrats joining every Republican in the state House of Representatives in opposing the bill.

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The expansion of paid sick days to more workers makes sense, both from an economic and a societal standpoint, State Sen. Martin Looney, the Democratic president of the State Senate, said when the expansion was passed. For low and moderate-income people, the loss of even a couple of days pay is a real hardship; it could mean the difference between having the rent that month or not.

Capitol Report: Debate over expanding paid sick leave in Connecticut

In the State Senate, the bill was approved along party lines with every Republican uniformly opposed. Republicans in both chambers of the legislature cited the costs that the new mandates would place on small business owners, especially those with only a handful of employees.

It will make businesses reticent to choose Connecticut as a place to operate, State Sen. Steve Harding, the top Republican in the State Senate, said at the time. It will raise costs for consumers. It also reveals how out of touch majority Democrats are. Big government telling mom-and-pop shops what they must do and forcing them to comply is their priority.

Hemp THC Regulations

The 2024 legislative session saw the passage of a sweeping bill intended to clarify some of the states cannabis and hemp regulations. Starting in the new year, only licensed cannabis dispensaries will be able to sell hemp-based products that have between one-half milligrams and five milligrams of THC. That change will effectively set an age limit on the sale of hemp-based THC products where none had previously existed.

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Connecticut hemp industry faces uncertainty with new THC and CBD regulation bill

The hemp and cannabis reforms came in response to rapidly shifting legal, regulatory, and market dynamics. The proliferation of THC-infused products spurred lawmakers to act in a largely bipartisan manner to crack down on unregulated sales.

It is important that we keep high-potency drugs out of the reach of minors and ensure that they are only sold in licensed regulated facilities, State Rep. David Rutigliano, a Republican from Trumbull, said. Rutigliano is the top-ranking House Republican on the committee primarily responsible for the regulation of cannabis and related products.

Protections for home health workers

The high-profile 2023 death of a Connecticut nurse sparked legislative action to provide better protections for home healthcare workers.

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Joyce Grayson, a 63-year-old nurse, was found dead in a Willimantic halfway house where she had a scheduled appointment. Michael Reese, a convicted rapist, was charged with murder.

Portions of the bill going into effect on Jan.1 will require the state to establish a grant program to incentivize home health agencies to provide security escorts for home health care and to report incidents of threats and abuse to the state health department annually.

Absentee ballot fraud measures

New measures intended to curb abuse of absentee ballots are also slated to go into effect in January. Its been over a year since the ballot stuffing scandal in Bridgeport rocked the states most populous city and sparked an unprecedented set of court-ordered do over elections.

At the heart of the scandal were widespread allegations of rampant absentee ballot fraud in the citys Democratic mayoral primary. Leaked city surveillance footage appeared to show individuals, later identified by a judge as supporters of incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim, placing multiple envelopes each into absentee ballot drop boxes.

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Earlier this year, a number of prominent Bridgeport Democrats, including a former city employee and a sitting member of the city council, were charged with multiple crimes related to alleged absentee ballot abuse in the 2019 mayoral election.

The Bridgeport ballot stuffing scandal prompted action from state lawmakers who worked to pass a ballot security bill earlier this year. Starting in January, additional measures will be taken to curb potential abuses in the process of applying for absentee ballots.

The ballot security bill passed with strong bipartisan support, though many Republicans had pushed for more aggressive action, including imposing mandatory prison time for those found guilty of ballot crimes.

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Lawmakers from Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc will unanimously vote against Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Monday's vote of confidence brought by him following the collapse of his centre-left coalition, a senior lawmaker has said.

Thorsten Frei, parliamentary managing director of the opposition CDU/CSU faction in the lower house, said ahead of the vote: "Of course, I can only guarantee this for the 196 members of the CDU/CSU faction. We will express our lack of trust in him 196 times."

Scholz tabled the motion for a confidence vote to pave the way for early elections on February 23, after the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) left his three-party coalition government in early November following months of bitter dispute about economic policy and the 2025 budget.

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The chancellor is all but certain to see support for his government withdrawn as it no longer holds a majority in parliament.

Frei, whose conservative bloc is currently leading in the polls, said he did not expect any surprises from Monday's vote.

While Scholz's SPD has said its lawmakers will unanimously back the chancellor, the Greens, his only remaining coalition partner, have recommended their lawmakers abstain, to avoid the unlikely scenario that Scholz's minority government is forced to continue.
ROCKVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) A 26-year-old convicted child molester was arrested Friday on charges of Child pornography.

According to court documents, at around 5:38 a parole officer with the Indiana Department of Corrections contacted the Rockville Police Department to let them know that theyd taken Montgomery III into custody on a parole warrant. Due to this, they were allowed to check his cell phone where they found evidence that violated parole.

The Probable Cause Affidavit said that they discovered Montgomery III had Google searches for suggestive images of 12-year-old girls and had a text conversation with a 17-year-old individual at a fast-food restaurant where they both worked and the two had exchanged nude photos. According to court documents, after speaking with the minor, the victim stated that she did know Mongomery IIIs age and paroled charges and admitted to sending the photos.

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According to a Facebook Post by the Rockville Police Department, John A. Montgomery III was taken into custody on December 13 thanks to an investigation by the Indiana Department of Corrections Division of Parole Services. He is currently being held at the Parke County Jail on a parole hold and two charges of child Pornography.

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BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP)  A man convicted of a 2018 murder is now a wanted fugitive in Alamance County.

According to court documents, Litego Dariyonta Marshall, 47, who was out on bond and not in custody, failed to return from a lunch break during his ongoing trial. A new order for his arrest was issued on Friday.

He was found guilty of first-degree murder and robbery on Monday, in the 2018 robbery and killing of Leonidas Brown, then 32.

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Burlington Police Department describes Marshall as around 510. He has multiple identifying tattoos on his arms and chest, including TEGO on his chest. He was last seen in a silver Mercedes Benz C350 near Graham, North Carolina.

Marshall is known to frequent Burlington and Greensboro, according to police.

Police say that if anyone sees Marshall, call 911 and a location, clothing description and tell the operator his name.

The Burlington Police Department is seeking anyone with additional information about this investigation, the police press release said.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Joshua McCoy, the 5-year-old boy with autism who was found dead less than two miles from his home about three days after he disappeared, died from hypothermia, the Coos County Sheriffs Office said.

Hypothermia is the lowering of the body temperature when exposed to the outside elements, the sheriffs office said in a release. Elements of the autopsy are still being analyzed, and a final report has not been issued.

His mother reported Joshua missing on the evening of November 9. She said she and Joshua took a nap at their home on Stage Road in Hauser around 1 p.m. and when she woke up at 5:30 p.m. he was missing.

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How many people born in Oregon still live in Oregon?

The first call to authorities was at 6:27 p.m. and the first searchers arrived around 6:45 p.m. Investigators learned Joshua had a cellphone, but a phone ping did not provide any fruitful information.

The investigation continued after Joshuas body was found. Authorities said Joshuas phone provided digital evidence which led investigators to reasonably believe that Joshua had walked away from the home while (his mother) Ms. German was sleeping. Although there are still laboratory results which have not been received, the evidence is now pointing to these articulable facts.

The Coos County Sheriffs Office said they mourn Joshua and that the investigation continues. It is as important for investigators to prove innocence of involved parties as it is to prove guilt, they said.

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KOIN 6 News will follow this story for any updates and more information.

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With the presidential election in the rearview mirror, candidates are already gearing up to launch bids in the 2026 race for Tennessee governor.

The 2026 race will be the first open contest since 2018, when a heated Republican primary become the most expensive in state history.

With Gov. Bill Lee term-limited, the GOP primary is likely to be crowded and cutthroat. Candidates could start announcing bids as early as this spring. Some are already making moves that indicate intentions to run.

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Heres a look at who may be considering a bid:

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville

U.S. Rep. John Rose is acknowledged during the visit by Vice President Mike Pence to speak on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement at Tyson Foods Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 in Goodlettsville, Tenn.

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, is considering a run for governor. Rose travelled to dozens of Tennessee counties alongside Lee, state House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Tennessee Republican Party Chair Scott Golden during a get-out-the-vote tour ahead of Election Day.

Its something that Im taking a very hard look at, Rose recently told The Tennessean. Experiences Ive had as a member of Congress, and more importantly the experiences I had as a private business person and famer have given me the background that would help me offer the kind of leadership that Tennessee needs.

Before being elected to Congress, Rose was Tennessees Commissioner of Agriculture. He was recently reelected for a fourth term in Congress. Rose said that strong conservative leadership has created a favorable business climate, and made Tennessee a destination for visitors and new residents.

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Clearly, people are voting with their feet by coming to Tennessee. We have low taxes and low debt, and low regulations, and we enjoy great freedoms, Rose said. Our Christian heritage causes us to be hospitable people, and people like that environment. Weve just got to do everything we can to safeguard that for the future.

Rose's congressional campaign has also worked with Baker Group Strategies, the Nashville firm run by top Republican strategist Ward Baker, who steered the campaigns of U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty to victory.

Knox County Mayor Glen Jacobs

Knox County Mayor Glen Jacobs speaks to media after a meeting of the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which included another vote on Advance Knox, in Farragut, Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, also known by his ring name "Kane," is already setting the stage for a gubernatorial bid, unveiling a new Jacobs for Tennessee logo on social media and on his website, and launching a political action committee that could support his campaign. The WWE hall of famer also appeared alongside U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn this year at several fundraising events and campaign stops as she successfully sought reelection to the U.S. Senate.

Jacobs established Big Red PAC to support like-minded candidates across the state and pay staff members. Fundraising for the PAC is led by Knoxville attorney Jeff Hagood, according to Knox News. It has raised more than $42,000 according to an October filing.

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Jacob's mayoral campaign has also hired Baker Group Strategies for his Knox County elections.

Hes earned support of former U.S. Rep. John Duncan, who in March said he hopes to see Jacobs as governor. And theres a good chance he could score significant high-profile support. Jacobs is an ally of President-elect Donald Trump, and stumped for Trump in Iowa, where the former president called him a friend.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton

House Speaker Cameron Sexton speaks at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, April 6, 2023. GOP representatives are expected to vote on expelling Democratic representatives Justin Pearson of Memphis, Gloria Johnson of Knoxville and Justin Jones of Nashville.

Wielding arguably the most political power in state government, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, is said to be weighing a gubernatorial bid, but remains undecided.

Laying down the House gavel to take a gamble in a crowded primary could be risky. And other opportunities could come up. If a gubernatorial bid by Rose creates a vacancy in Tennessees 4th Congressional District, Sexton would be a strong option for an appointment to Congress.

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Sexton has significantly raised his profile as House speaker. He has regularly crisscrossed the state, and taken on high-profile issues in places such as Memphis.

Damon Hininger, CEO of CoreCivic

Damon Hininger is CEO of CoreCivic, one of Americas largest for-profit prison operators, which runs four state prisons in Tennessee, including one under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Hininger told The Tennessee Lookout in June that its no secret that he is considering how he to best serve Tennessee.

Damon Hininger, dinner chairman, speaks during the Tennessee Republican Partys Statesmens Dinner at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 15, 2024.

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Hininger has not run for political office before, but as a longtime Republican he has made strides in the GOP fundraising world this year. He chaired the Tennessee Republican Partys annual Statesmens Dinner fundraiser, personally gifting each attendee with whiskey glasses engraved with the state partys logo as keepsakes of the event. Hininger also co-hosted a Nashville fundraiser for vice president-elect JD Vance in August.

Hininger has the personal wealth to fund a campaign, with a net worth estimated around $19 million. He could also score financial support from the company: CoreCivic is one of the top 25 political spenders in Tennessee, shelling out more than $3.6 million on lobbying and donations to Tennessee lawmakers since 2009. Lees campaign received at least $85,300 directly from CoreCivic Inc. and its partner PAC during his two gubernatorial campaigns.

Joe Baker, CEO of Ole Smoky Moonshine and Yee-Haw beer

Ole Smoky Distillery founder Joe Baker, left, hugs Pam Sutton, widow of legendary moonshiner Popcorn Sutton, during an event celebrating the launch of Popcorn Sutton's "likker" and master blend bourbon at Ole Smoky Distillery's "The Holler" in downtown Gatlinburg on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. The two liquors were created in partnership with Ole Smoky Distillery.

Joe Baker, co-founder of Ole Smoky Moonshine and Yee-Haw Brewing Co., is also reportedly considering a bid for governor. Baker chaired the Tennessee Republican Partys annual Statesmens Dinner in 2023, and hosted an after-party for the 2024 fundraiser.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Sen. Marsha Blackburn speaks to her supporters during her watch party at the Hilton Hotel in Cool Springs, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, 72, has repeatedly proved an overwhelmingly successful fundraiser and candidate for statewide office, trouncing challenger Gloria Johnson in her recent reelection bid by 30 points in November. She has said she is not interested in an appointment in the new Trump administration, but has not publicly ruled out a potential 2026 gubernatorial bid.

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If successful, Blackburn would become Tennessees first female governor  having already trailblazed as the first woman elected to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., greets guests during the Marshall County GOP annual dinner at the Lewisburg Recreation Center in Lewisburg, Tenn., Thursday, July 11, 2024.

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett has said that folks have talked about him running for governor, but he is not actively seeking it nor ruling it out, Axios reported.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles addresses his supporters after winning the Republican nomination for a second term at an election night returns party at Ludlow & Prime in Franklin, Tenn., Thursday night, Aug. 1, 2024.

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Tennessees embattled new Congressman U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles is reportedly being encouraged to run for governor, according to Axios, but has not publicly indicated interest in a bid. Since his election to Congress in 2022, Ogles has faced scrutiny and complaints over his federal campaign finance disclosures, resulting in an ethics complaint, FEC fines, and an FBI probe. He admitted this year that a self-loan of $320,000 that he had reported as cash to the FEC for two years was in fact a pledge for funding for which the need never arose.

After failed bids for Congress and state Senate, Ogles briefly considered a gubernatorial run in 2018, but instead was elected mayor of Maury County that year. As mayor, Ogles was a vocal critic of Lee during the COVID-19 pandemic, attacking the governor for not barring local school boards from implementing mask mandates.

ECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter

Stuart McWhorter speaks during a watch party for Gov. Bill Lee at Cool Springs Hilton in Franklin , Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

One person who wont be running is Stuart McWhorter, currently the states commissioner of Economic and Community Development. McWhorter was finance chair of Lees 2018 campaign, and served as commissioner of Finance and Administration during Lees first term. He briefly left state government, but returned as ECD commissioner. McWhorter has decided not to run in 2026, the Tennessee Journal reported.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee governor's race 2026: The early Republican possibilities
Dec. 15Although all eight received awards and recognition the week previous, Johnson County Judge Chris Boedeker made a point of publicly honoring the recipients during Monday's meeting of the Johnson County Commissioners Court.

"While I have the mic I want to publicly acknowledge for the official record our eight county employees who received the Star Employees Award during our county Christmas party last week," Boedeker said. "They represent employees who went above and beyond the call of duty and made positive impacts to the workplace and the county."

Elected officials and/or department heads nominate candidates for the award, Boedeker explained. From that list of submitted nominees a committee consisting of various county workers chooses the award recipients.

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"This is your chance, as an elected official or department head, to recognize the best and brightest in your office," the Star Employee nomination form reads.

Nomination categories include the public safety sector and the non-public safety employee sector.

Johnson County Sheriff's Office Lt. Kevin George and Cpl. Kyle Graham received the public safety category award having been nominated by JCSO Chief Deputy James Saulter and JCSO Sgt. Matthew Cook respectively.

Saulter spoke of George's dedication to working patrol and willingness to step in when the office is shorthanded.

"Lt. George is the first to volunteer to take on additional responsibilities, even when his plate is already full," Saulter said.

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Saulter went on to call George an asset to the county and praise his "unwavering commitment to serving our community."

In characterizing Graham as a valuable member of JCSO and asset to county residents, Cook cited Graham's actions on Oct. 28.

During a traffic stop near Grandview that day, a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper came into contact with a powdery substance of unknown make.

"This caused the trooper to fall to the ground on the side of the road," Cook said. "The trooper called out for assistance on the radio and was having trouble breathing and remaining responsive."

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Graham, who was nearby, responded to the scene where he found the trooper face down in a ditch and in and out of responsiveness. Graham administered Narcan, which helped, but the trooper still needed medical attention. Graham remained on scene detaining the suspects while continuing to monitor the trooper until EMS workers arrived. Rescue workers transported the trooper to the hospital where he fully recovered.

"I believe the actions of Cpl. Graham prevented further deterioration of [the trooper's] condition, which could have led to being fatal," Cook said.

Non-public safety winners

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Court Clerk Margarita DeLeon was among the recipients.

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Wait times and lines stretched long during early voting, Nikki Ashley of the same office said. Throughout that time DeLeon regularly walked the line to ensure the safety of elderly and disabled residents waiting to vote.

"Her smile and caring heart to help the constituents of Johnson County ensured ease in being able to early vote when our location was extremely busy," Ashley said.

Purchasing Agent Lance Anderson nominated custodian Sammy Ramos of the Facilities Management Department.

"Sammy does an excellent job of keeping the building squeaky clean," Anderson said. "She performs her work efficiently and quietly, always ensuring that her cleaning does not interrupt any ongoing meetings or work of others.

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"She pleasantly greets everyone in the building and is a calm and pleasant presence that is very much appreciated. We are so lucky to have her."

Commissioner Larry Woolley nominated Sandra Long, office manager in Precinct 4.

Long began her current assignment in Precinct 4 in 2015 but also worked eight years previously in the county auditor's office. Woolley called her the epitome of customer service.

"I frequently get calls just to tell me how helpful and friendly Sandra was to the with specific needs," Woolley said. "Sandra goes the extra mile on a daily basis to meet the needs of our customers and the taxpayers."

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Woolley cited Long's multiple duties and noted that Long's nomination resulted not just from him but by consensus of the full Precinct 4 staff.

"She is definitely the glue that holds this operation together," Woolley said.

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Judge Robert Shaw nominated Kathy Osier, the chief administrative court clerk of his office.

Osier has served under three JP judges during her 22 years with Pct. 4. Shaw praised her expertise in case review, file preparation, document review as well as her coordination between the office and law enforcement officers and mental health providers.

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Johnson County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Steve McClure nominated Court Reporter Karen Jones.

McClure spoke of Jones' positive energy and efficient organization in all aspects of her job adding that Jones is the court reporter in the history of Court No. 2.

"She has participated in and shaped the processes and procedures over the years for managing the court," McClure said. "Her knowledge and experience helps to bring fairness and consistency to our court processes.

"She was a great help to me when I started my first term. I was able to start running rather than scrambling to orient myself. I count on her daily. I have never doubted that she has an understanding of the big picture for Court 2."

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Nominated also by Anderson was Alissa Krokum, senior buyer of the purchasing department.

Improvements to the county's bids and proposals requirements made by Krokum have resulted in increased effectiveness and efficiency, Anderson said.

"She also handled travel for the entire county for the past couple of years and has taken great ownership of getting county employees where they need to go and getting their reimbursements done for them in an efficient manner," Anderson said. "She solves problems professionally, resolves issues effectively and ensures that all internal customer needs are met on a daily basis. We are so very thankful that Alissa is part of purchasing."
Dec. 16The fate of a proposed $1.9 million fueling station at the Boone County Justice Center could be decided Monday after some elected officials had asked for the project to be delayed until then.

Boone County Commissioners don't need the Boone County Council's permission to build the fueling station on the site of the justice center project. The council already put the project under commissioners' control when they approved the $59.1 million justice center in 2022.

But commissioners have twice tabled a decision on whether to build it after Council President Ken Hedge asked them to last month.

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The council, Hedge said, wanted time to study the proposal. Commissioner Tim Beyer also asked for more time to gather and study projected savings.

The station's tanks would be large enough to accept a tanker load of fuel at a time and save on transportation prices from a middle man. The savings would come in being able to take bulk delivery, which would mean fuel companies wouldn't have to make several deliveries to get the same amount of fuel to the county.

The station would offer gasoline and two types of diesel fuel for county-owned vehicles, such as sheriff's cruisers and county highway department trucks and heavy equipment.

The county's current fuel provider estimated a $.50 savings per gallon, which could pay for the station in as few as 11 years, Robert Clutter, attorney for the commissioners, said Friday.

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Commissioners President Don Lawson gave a more conservative estimate of up to 14 years but said the county would save an estimated $120,000 per year by buying fuel in bulk. The county's current fuel provider projected savings based on last year's actual fuel use, which was about 220,000 gallons.

Commissioners had for years wanted to build the county's own fueling station to save money. They included the station in the justice center plans in 2021, in case they could find money for it.

"We didn't know at the time if there would be money left over from the bond to pursue it," Clutter said.

The station would be built without further debt. The county sold bonds to fund the justice center project. And the bonds earned a premium of nearly $3 million. Also, agents for the county invested the bond proceeds and earned about $2 million in interest, Clutter said.

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Commissioners tabled the decision for a second time on Dec. 2 to give them time to meet with concerned council members, who were said to include Hedges and Aaron Williams, neither of whom could be reached for comment on Friday.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the proposal during their regular meeting at 9 a.m. Monday in the Boone County Courthouse Annex Building, 116 W. Washington St., Lebanon.

The station would be built at the south end of the justice center site, just north of the Boone County Highway Department and Fairgrounds.

Boone County Sheriff Tony Harris said Friday that the council has agreed to add nearly 20 correction officers to his budget for 2025. "The council has been great to us," he said.

The new staff will be needed to operate the expanded jail and for anticipated population growth of the county. The old Boone County Jail at the corner of Meridian and Washington streets in Lebanon housed 40 inmates. The current jail at 1905 Indianapolis Avenue in Lebanon houses 183, and the expanded jail will house 246, Harris said. He expects the project to be complete by the end of 2025.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 16. The Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Japarov, has resigned, Trend reports, referring to the press service of the Kyrgyz President.

The resignation was formalized through a decree signed by President Sadyr Zhaparov.

Notably, Akylbek Japarov has held the position of Prime Minister for three years, since October 13, 2021.

The official announcement regarding the appointment of a new Prime Minister to replace Japarov has not yet been made.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Firefighters have been dispatched to a reported fire in Daytons Historic Inner East neighborhood.

According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, first responders were called at 3:49 p.m. to respond to the 1500 block of McLain Street for a reported fire.

This story is breaking.

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Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Supporters of the suspect who allegedly gunned down the UnitedHealthcare CEO have raised more than $115,000 for his legal fees as of Sunday.

The account on the crowdfunding site GiveSendGo for Luigi Mangione, 26, accused of killing UHC CEO Brian Thompson, 50, is just one of a handful of spontaneous legal defense fund sites for Mangione that have popped up, As of Sunday evening, people had donated more than $115,000.

"We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation," the GiveSendGo Mangione legal defense fund site says.

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The defense fund for the Mangione was established by an anonymous group calling itself "The December 4th Legal Committee," apparently in reference to the day of Thompson's shooting.

Several anonymous donors on the site left messages of support for the alleged killer.

Crowdfunding sites have raised more than $115,000 in an impromptu, online legal defense fund for Luigi Mangione, 26, the accused killer of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare December 4th outside a New York City Hilton. Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections/UPI

One person who called themselves "A frustrated citizen" and thanked Mangione for "sparking the awareness and thought across this sleeping nation."

"I hope the little I can give will make a difference for you. I believe your sacrifice has worked and the people are opening their eyes."

"Denying healthcare coverage to people is murder, but no one gets charged with that crime. 'bout time we point out this hypocrisy," wrote another person in part of a letter that the legal committee says it wrote and sent to Mangione in jail.

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Thompson was shot multiple times from behind by a man in a baggy, gray jacket whose identity was obscured in surveillance video by a large hood. The CEO was shot just before dawn while walking to a meeting at his company's shareholders conference at the New York Hilton hotel on Dec. 4.

While donations continue to pour in, emblematic not only of peoples' support of Mangione, but also representative of anger they feel toward health care corporations and insurance companies, police worry Mangione will gain martyr status while prosecutors work to bring murder charges against Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate and former fitness influencer who had been vocal on social media about his disdain for corporate America generally and for health insurance companies in particular.

Police found spent shell casings at the scene of the shooting that were inscribed with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" in apparent reference to insurance company tactics often thought to be employed to avoid paying subscriber claims, and a possible nod to the 2010 book "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It."

Officials are also worried about copycat attacks as both public outrage over the insurance companies and support for Mangione build.

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Florida resident Briana Boston, 42, has been charged with threatening a health insurance company by saying the words "delay," "deny, depose. You people are next" while on a recorded phone call with a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative about a denied insurance claim.

Police arrested Boston in her Lakeland, Fla. home the day after the phone call.

She has been charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, a second degree felony. She faces up to 15-years in prison if convicted. A judge set her bond at $100,000.

Boston told police "healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil." She told police she chose to use the words "delay," "deny, depose," "because it's what is in the news right now."

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Officials said Boston was trying to leverage the UHC CEO's killing to her advantage and to threaten Blue Cross Blue Shield with her words.

"She's been in this world long enough that she certainly should know better... You can't make threats like that in the current environment that we live in and think that we're not going to follow up and put you in jail," Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said, according to local media.

Other crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe have taken down campaigns in support of Mangione.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) responded to a structure fire in Stratmoor that left one seriously injured, and another with smoke inhalation.

According to CSFD, fire crews were on scene of an extinguished structure fire in the block of 3700 Strawberry Fields Grove on Sunday night at around 8:33 p.m.

The Colorado Springs Police Department also responded to the fire. Officers were already in the area for an unrelated call for service when they heard an explosion and then screaming at around 7:49 p.m. According to CSPD, officers requested fire and medical resources after they found two victims injured.

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One victim sustained serious burns and a minor suffered from smoke inhalation, they were both taken to the hospital. An officer was also treated at a medical facility and released.

The fire was limited to only one structure. CSFD and CSPD are investigating the cause of the explosion.

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The new Los Angeles County District Attorney is speaking out about the Menendez brothers and the notion that the siblings, who claimed they endured years of sex abuse, didn't get a fair trial.

Its a bit simplistic to say that society back in the 90s, didnt recognize sexual abuse of young boys or men, newly-elected district attorney Nathan Hochman told Deadline. I think it did. I think theres plenty of cases that this office and offices across the state were bringing to the courts."

According to Hochman, Mark Geragos, the post-conviction attorney for the brothers, "has been very happy to repeat that mantra, and the media has repeated Mr. Geragos mantra. What Im saying is that whether or not the mantra is actually true, is that no ones actually looked, that Im aware, to see what types of cases, in the volume of cases that were brought where the victims were young boys or young men.

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"They make it seem like it never happened. I know for a fact it did.

The first Menendez brothers trial for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents Jose and Kitty resulted in a hung jury. In 1996, after a second trial, Lyle and Erik, who do not dispute that they shot their parents, but instead claimed that the killings were self-defense after years of abuse by Jose, were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

California Dept. of Corrections via AP Erik and Lyle Menendez Erik and Lyle Menendez

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Hochman said there is an assumption that during the second trial that the sexual abuse allegations were not raised. But he said that Erik testified for seven days about the alleged abuse.

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Probably, if I had to guess, close to 40 hours of testimony where he went into great detail, as he did in the first trial, Hochman said. Incident by incident by incident, between the ages, I think of about 6 to 18 of what his father had done to him... So, the notion, again, the mantra, that sexual abuse wasnt explored in the second trial that the judge kept out all the evidence actually isnt true.

VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Erik and Lyle Menendez at trial Erik and Lyle Menendez at trial

Related: D.A. 'Keeping an Open Mind' About Menendez Brothers' Push for Release

Ive been doing this for 34 years, Ive seen it," he said. "The media is in search of simple narratives, conflicting narratives, and so it adopted the Geragos narrative, he said. Which was very smart, very creative. Its basically that the trial was all about sexual abuse, that their response was because of sexual abuse. Its that a conviction was only attained because the evidence of sexual abuse didnt occur in the second trial, but occurred in the first trial, and therefore that the underlying conviction is wrong and should be fixed.

Knowing the Geragos narrative is absolutely wrong, the issues that well be looking at for the trial will be whether or not these two young men faced an immediate threat to their life? Why they got to that point? How they got to the point is irrelevant for the trial. For the convictions, maybe not irrelevant," he added.

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Hochman said he now has access to the confidential files as well as the court transcripts. Were looking through the testimony, as opposed to the highlights of testimony that people have been happy to share.

In May 2023, attorneys for the brothers filed a petition with Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing new evidence in the case.

Related: Los Angeles County District Attorney Recommends Resentencing for Menendez Brothers. Will They Go Free?

In the Habeas Corpus petition, attorneys pointed to sexual abuse allegations by Roy Rossello, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo against Jose, who he claimed raped him in the 1980s.

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The attorneys also cite a newly discovered letter Erik wrote to his cousin Andy Cano describing his fathers alleged sexual abuse months before the murders.

In October, former district attorney George Gascon recommended resentencing for the brothers, citing their years of good work while in prison.

Referencing his review of the case, Hochman said, Were going to go through all that evidence and weigh all the factors and ultimately come to the judge and say, to the judge, heres all the records. Here are your options. And make sure that whatever decision is ultimately made is the best-informed decision possible."

A hearing for potential resentencing is scheduled for Jan. 30.



Read the original article on People
David Hogg, gun control activist, March for our Lives co-founder and Parkland school shooting survivor, is running for vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, ABC News has learned.

"I think this role is a great way of, for one, bringing newer voices into the Democratic Party," Hogg told ABC News. "I just want to be one of several of those voices to help represent young people and also, more than anything, make sure that we're standing up to the consulting class that increasingly the Democratic Party is representing instead of the working class."

The DNC offers four opportunities to serve in a vice chair capacity -- three general vice chairperson roles and one vice chairperson for civic engagement and voter participation.At 24, Hogg is considerably younger than the declared candidates for DNC chair, notable after Vice President Kamala Harris' pitched herself as a "new generation of leadership" during her presidential bid.

PHOTO: David Hogg speaks during March for Our Lives 2022 on June 11, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Leigh Vogel/Getty Images, FILE)

In the days leading up to the initial March for Our Lives, the student-run nonprofit March for Our Lives was formed to combat gun violence.

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During his gap year before attending Harvard University, Hogg campaigned for many Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections, and last year launched the progressive PAC Leaders We Deserve to elect younger lawmakers. Hogg was also a vocal supporter of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's vice presidential bid.

Hogg believes that Democrats did a poor job of communicating their message in the last election in a way that truly resonated with voters, among several other missteps. He also wants to see the party take more direct accountability -- and says he finds the shrugged-off complacency from others in his party that they "did their best" is "unacceptable."

"We need to realize that we are increasingly the party of sycophants," he said. "We are just surrounding ourselves with people who tell us what we want to hear instead of what we need to hear, we're increasingly surrounding ourselves with paid political consultants that are letting what donors say to them guide their talking points."

PHOTO: David Hogg speaks onstage during the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024 at BMCC Tribeca PAC on Sept. 17, 2024 in New York City. (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images, FILE)

Hogg suggested that an outside group briefs the committee on the pitfalls of their election strategy. But he also wants to be solution-oriented, and part of his pitch is his ability to uniquely communicate in spaces where Democrats have struggled to transform momentum into actual votes: online.

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More than half of young men under 30 voted for President-elect Donald Trump in November, a major increase from 2020. Hogg, himself a member of Gen Z, wants to meet these men where they are and cites Harris not doing Joe Rogan's podcast prior to the election as a major missed opportunity.

While these young men shifted away from Harris in unanticipated margins, Hogg says Democrats' losses this election are bigger than just one voting bloc -- and hopes that extreme candor and commitments to those groups will not only rebuild but expand the party.

"What really bothers me is, we say to people all the time, 'Who's to blame for this election?' It's young people, it's X minority group but really, who's to blame for this? It's us. It's us. Ultimately, we failed to communicate, and we failed to have a broader strategy within the party to make sure that we were telling the president what he needed to hear, rather than what he wanted to hear, which was that he needed to drop out."

David Hogg is running for DNC vice chair: First on ABC originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President-elect Donald Trumps allies have re-ignited a long debate that transcends partisanship in America: What to do about the much-hated, twice-a-year ritual of changing the clock between standard and daylight saving times.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tapped by Trump to run the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, have floated the idea of ending the time shifts that happen in the spring and fall.

Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes! Musk wrote on X, linking to an informal poll by another user that found more than 80% of respondents want to get rid of daylight saving time, which shifts the clock one hour forward in March.

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If America reconsiders the clock changes that are linked to an increased risk of adverse health impacts  and make people drowsy and cranky for days  which way should we go?

Florida has already picked a direction.

A 2018 law declares that the Sunshine State will only observe daylight saving time, also known as spring forward. Other states, such as Colorado, have passed similar legislation.

However, that change can only happen with authorization from Congress. A bipartisan bill co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida to create permanent daylight saving time cleared the U.S. Senate but was never brought up for a vote in the House.

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The practice of changing our clocks has outlived its purpose. Yet, we continue to fall back and spring forward... It is time to Lock the Clock, Rubio wrote in a 2023 news release.

It may seem like a no-brainer that Florida  the Sunshine State  should always be in daylight saving time when sunsets happen later. Supporters say people feel more motivated to be outside, exercise, go shopping and support local businesses. The longer afternoons are good for public safety and would prevent a drop in economic activity from clock changes.

We love our long summer afternoons as much as any Floridian, but the switch to permanent daylight saving time has drawbacks. In fact, the U.S. tried that experiment in the 1970s in an attempt to save energy but walked it back.

Congress in 1974 rescinded year-round daylight saving time after just 10 months following public frustration, reports of children being hit and killed by cars during predawn walks to school, and grumpy morning commuters. A headline in the Washington Post declared at the time: Daylight time is like darkness time.

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Because if sunsets happen later, so do sunrises.

A Washington Post analysis found that, if Florida switched to permanent daylight saving time, the latest sunrise in Miami-Dade would be 8:10 a.m. instead of 7:37 a.m. under the current system and 7:10 a.m. under permanent standard time. Sunrise in Floridas Panhandle would happen as late as 8:37 a.m. Thats way past the opening of several businesses, school bus pick-up hours, and early morning commuting.

If the entire nation observed daylight saving time year-round, parts of North Dakota would have winter sunrises as late as 9:47 a.m.

Of course, the trade-off would be hours of sunlight later in the day. In Miami-Dade, sunset would happen no earlier than 6:31 p.m., the Post found.

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However, theres growing evidence evidence that longer afternoons are detrimental to human health. More evening sunlight can affect the bodys circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep, by delaying the surge of hormones that tell us its time to go to bed.

Some health organizations among them the American Academy of Sleep Medicine  agree the U.S. should stop changing the clock but, instead, it should remain in standard time permanently (meaning, we never spring forward). Most of Arizona, U.S. territories and Hawaii have already done that.

Current evidence best supports the adoption of year-round standard time, which aligns best with human circadian biology and provides distinct benefits for public health and safety, the Academy of Sleep Medicine wrote in a 2020 position statement.

If Musk and Ramaswamy use their political clout to end our time-changing system, year-round daylight saving time would, no doubt, be a popular idea in Florida. But Floridians should also consider the consequences.

Click here to send the letter.
EDITORS NOTE: The story has been updated to accurately reflect the councils decision.

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  After a unanimous vote, the District Council is moving forward with the recommendation to expel Councilmember Trayon White from office.

On Monday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Trayon White met to discuss and accept a report investigating whether White broke the council code.

The investigation, conducted by the law firm Latham and Watkins, was released last week and found substantial evidence that White broke several council codes.

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Independent investigation finds Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White violated some DC Council rules

White is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for his influence on district contracts. He was arrested in August and pled not guilty in September.

Trayon White is accused of taking bribes. The prosecutors have established probable cause. Our investigation found substantial evidence of taking bribes, said Chairman Phil Mendelson.

Mendelson made the motion recommending the council expel White. He requested a hearing date be set for January 28.

This is quintessential corruption. There is only one way to remove the corruption from our body. This incident has damaged the public trust necessary for government to function well, said Mendelson. Anything else than expulsion will not rectify the situation.

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All 11 voting councilmembers voted in favor of moving forward with the expulsion process.

Trayon White could not vote and Vincent Gray is no longer voting on council matters due to health issues.

The evidence is clear that Councilmember Trayon White was offered money to influence public safety contracts and he accepted the money, said at-Large Councilmember Robert White.

DC Council to consider next steps regarding Trayon White

Robert White noted that Trayon White voted for and supported the expulsion of Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans in 2019, when Evans was accused of breaking council conduct.

He also pointed out Evans resigned before the expulsion hearing. Hes urging White to do the same.

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It is my hope Councilmember Trayon White will not see this process to the end but will resign and seek whatever help because the work is hard and the work is heavy and all of us make mistakes, said Robert White. Sometimes those mistakes impact others despite whether or not we intended. And when we do that, we have to get the help we need and come back stronger and better.

Supporters of Trayon White expressed outrage and anger after the vote.

They continue to talk about trust, public trust. We went out to the polls to vote for Trayon White even after we understood what the charges were and everything, said Nate Ward, a White supporter and Ward 8 constituent. We also believe in due process involved and all that stuff. He has not been given his due process in the law. They have rushed in judgment. They are trying to steal his seat.

Regina Pixley, a long-time Ward 8 resident, also expressed disdain.

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None of them are going to do the work. And these at large people, were going to repay them in a big way, she said. How many of them come to Ward 8 and assist the residents in everyday matters?

White did not speak to media after the meeting, but he did give a brief statement prior to it starting.

He criticized that taxpayer dollars were spent on the investigation and maintained his innocence.

Nobody in all of these interviews is saying I tried to bribe them. Im confident in that, said White. I know the council has to make a decision but I do also want to say that this last month over 20,000 people in Ward 8 decided that they wanted me to be their council member, so Im sticking to that.

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D.C.s shadow representative Adeoye Oye Owolewa wrote about the vote and its impact on the Ward 8 community stating in part that it directly impacts those who live East of the River.

Violence Interruptors, who mostly serve Southeast DC neighborhoods and employ members of our community, have since come under intense scrutiny. This legal matter potentially impacts our safety and the livelihoods of the most vulnerable. In addition, people who are already skeptical about our government are further dissuaded from civic engagement. Lastly, following a possible expulsion, roughly 90,000 ward 8 residents will be without a vote on legislation concerning our public safety, education and economy. Rep. Oye Owolewa, House of Representatives, Shadow Delegation

White won reelection in November, despite fighting a federal bribery charge.

Council is expected to meet for the expulsion hearing on Jan. 28, however, no action will be taken at that hearing. The next legislative meeting is Feb. 4, where a vote to expel White could potentially occur.

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Ten out of the 11 voting council members must vote in favor to expel White.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The burn scar of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire pictured Thursday, June 9, 2022. This Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, is the deadline to file a notice of loss. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source New Mexico)

How to submit a notice of loss:

Download a copy here.

Visit this website

Send it to this email address

Or mail it to this physical address:

P.O. Box 1329

Santa Fe, NM 87504

Or drop it off at any of these locations:

216 Mills Avenue

Las Vegas, NM 87701

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1 Courthouse Drive

Mora, NM 87732

1711 Llano Street

Suite E

Santa Fe, NM 87505

The deadline is this Friday, Dec. 20, to file an initial claim for damages from the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire.

Nearly $4 billion has been earmarked to compensate people for losses they suffered in the states largest-ever wildfire two and a half years ago.

The federal claims office is accepting initial claims, known as notices of loss, on its website and in-person at three public offices. Its the first step for compensation, and additional details about losses can be submitted later, officials have stressed.

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Congress in late 2022 approved $3.95 billion, with promises to fully compensate victims of the wildfire that began as two escaped prescribed burns ignited by the U.S. Forest Service. The two blazes later merged and went on to burn through a 534-square-mile area in northern New Mexico, destroying several hundred homes and upending life in small communities in and around Mora, Taos and Las Vegas, N.M.

The application period wil close Friday, Dec. 20, after being open more than two years.

It is also possible that Congress could extend it again, but members of the states congressional delegation have urged New Mexicans to apply by Dec. 20 in case that doesnt happen.

As of Dec. 6, the office had paid out $1.63 billion, or about 41% of the total awarded, in more than 12,200 claims. That includes $1.2 billion to individuals and households, $248 million in business claims, and $103 million to local governments.

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The deadline arrives as Congress is considering a request for $1.5 billion in additional funding for the claims office, which is overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That would bring the total compensation awarded to $5.45 billion and is part of a nearly $100 billion request by President Joe Biden to fund nationwide disaster response amid ongoing expensive and destructive natural disasters across the country.

State and federal officials, along with members of Congress, have been reminding the public about the important deadline for months. Ali Rye, deputy director of the states emergency management department, urged those affected by the fire to file a claim and get what theyre owed.

I cannot stress this enough, she wrote in a recent letter published in the Las Vegas Optic. Do. Not. Miss. This. Deadline.
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)  The Decatur Police Department and Macon County Crime Stoppers are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to a wanted mans arrest.

Police officials said 41-year-old Ricardo Blue has multiple arrest warrants for armed violence, escape and driving while with a revoked license. The department and Crime Stoppers are asking the public for help in finding him.

Serial Decatur robber sentenced after own mistakes lead to arrest

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If you have information about Blues location or any other relevant information, Decatur Police asked that you call Crime Stoppers at 217-423-8477. All tips submitted through Crime Stoppers are 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 WCIA.com.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  It was a familiar scene to anyone who ran in the Santa Run 5K in 2023cold and rainy, but filled with around 300 runners who decided to tackle the weather head-on to benefit the Rosenbaum Family House in Morgantown.

Despite the weather, the event raised more than $20K. Thad Welch, the Associate Director of Development at the Rosenbaum Family House, said that money will go toward the continued support of the families staying there.

Santa Run 5k in Morgantown, WV, Dec. 15, 2024 (WBOY image)

You know, it takes a lot to run this place and, we really appreciate any and all help that can be generated, Welch said. The race is just a small part of the need that we have here to care for the families and the patients that are staying with us.

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The Rosenbaum Family House is located directly next to the Ruby Memorial Hospital and offers patients and family members temporary living while family members recover from their illness or treatment.

Green Bank sets new record after Fast Radio Burst observation

The Rosenbaum House is named after Morgantown businesswoman Hilda Rosenbaum, who lost her six-year-old daughter to cystic fibrosis. According to the Rosenbaum Family House website, Rosenbaum and her husband spent many nights on cots or chairs as they traveled the country looking for treatment options for their daughter.

After losing her son to the same disease, Rosenbaum donated $500,000 to make sure families going through similar situations wouldnt have to go through the same thing.

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If youd like to donate to the house, you can visit its official 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.
Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance was among a chorus of legal experts and other critics who denounced ABC News decision to settle a defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump for $15 million.

As part of the settlement made public on Saturday, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to Trumps presidential library and $1 million toward Trumps legal fees. It also issued an editors note expressing regret about anchor George Stephanopoulos comments during a March 10 interview on This Week.

Stephanopoulos had asserted during that interview, with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), that Trump was found liable for rape. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing, but not raping, writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s. Trump sued for defamation over Stephanopoulos use of the term rape.

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This is so far from normal that it is difficult to process, Vance wrote in her Civil Discourse newsletter.

Many people, myself included, viewed the lawsuit as questionable when it was filed and a settlement, especially one this early in the proceedings and of this magnitude, unlikely, she continued.

Trumps case was based around a distinction in legal language. New York state law defines rape as nonconsensual vaginal penetration by a penis. Trump was found to have assaulted Carroll with his fingers in a department store dressing room. He is appealing the verdict and denies all wrongdoing.

Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower for Manhattan federal court for E. Jean Carroll's second defamation trial against him in January 2024. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU via Getty Images

The judge who oversaw the case, Lewis A. Kaplan, said in a filing last year that the definition of rape is narrow in New York, but the jurys finding implicitly determined that [Trump] forcibly penetrated [Carroll] digitally.

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In other words, [Trump] in fact did rape Ms. Carroll as that term commonly is used and understood in contexts outside of the New York Penal Law, Kaplan wrote.

In order for Trump to have won his defamation case against ABC News, Vance argued, the president-elect would have had to establish at trial both that the statement was false and that it was made with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity, the actual malice standard for defamation cases.

So why settle the case? she asked. And why settle now, before the depositions of both Trump and Stephanopoulos, scheduled for next week, took place?

She questioned the timing of the settlement, which she said occurred before the evidence is even on the table.

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That suggests something else is going on here, and its deeply concerning if that something is that ABC, a major news organization, has decided to curry favor with the incoming president instead of sticking to its guns, she wrote.

Vance was not alone in her criticism.

Democratic attorney Marc E. Elias accused ABC News of acquiescing to Kiss the ring. Bend the knee. Obey in advance.

Human rights attorney Qasim Rashid called it an act of cowardice.

Attorney and SiriusXM host Dean Obeidallah argued that ABC News would have won the case, but they capitulated and settled out of fear.

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ABC News and Trumps transition team did not immediately return HuffPosts requests for comment.

Related...
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A man arrested for illegally shooting and taking possession of a single white-tailed deer was given a prison sentence and issued the largest fine in such a case in Ohios history.

According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 28-year-old Christopher Alexander was sentenced last week in Clinton County Common Pleas Court for unlawfully shooting an 18-point, trophy white-tailed buck in November 2023.

Alexander, of Wilmington, was ordered to pay the maximum restitution fine of $35,071.73, the largest restitution value for a single white-tailed deer in Ohios history. Alexanders fine was then increased by an additional $4,625 for unlawfully taking a second buck.

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Ohio ruling stands that boneless chicken wings can have bones

The total sum of fines and restitution value was 43,696.73, including $2,000 to media outlets and court costs and $1,000 each to the Turn In a Poacher program and additional fines.

The ODNR also said Alexander was sentenced to serve six months in prison at the STAR Community Justice Center minimum security facility in Scioto County, complete five years of community control and received a 10-year hunting license revocation.

Alexander also was to forfeit all property seized as evidence, including the trophy deers antlers.

Deer antlers collected as evidence against Christopher Alexander, who was sentenced for illegally poaching a trophy buck, Nov. 9, 2023. (Courtesy/Ohio Division of Wildlife)

The Division of Wildlife began its investigation on Nov. 9, 2023, after receiving information alleging the deer was taken unlawfully. In addition to taking a second antlered deer during the hunting season, Alexander pleaded guilty to the following 14 counts:

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Illegally taking possession of deer (two counts)

Hunting without permission (four counts)

Hunting without a license

Hunting without a deer permit

Selling illegally taken or possessed deer antlers

Tampering with evidence

Spotlighting

Theft

Misdemeanor theft

Falsification

Three accomplices were also charged.

Corey Haunert, 29, of Hillsboro, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 200 hours of community service, three years of community control and $1,000 in fines for tampering with evidence, aiding a wildlife offender, hunting without permission and falsification. His hunting license was also revoked for three years, and he forfeited his tree stand and crossbow.

Police remain focused on east Columbus birthday party, turned homicide

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Kristina Alexander, 37, of Blanchester, was sentenced to 60 days in jail (suspended), one year of monitored time supervision, and fined $1,000 for obstructing official business and aiding a wildlife offender.

Zachary Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, was sentenced to 60 days in jail (suspended), complete one year of monitored time supervision and pay $250 in fines for aiding a wildlife offender.

The Nov. 9 incident occurred outside of the 2023 seasonal regulations for deer hunting season with a 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Islanders have filed federal class action lawsuits over the RIBridges cyberattack, less than 72 hours after officials disclosed the large-scale hack of many state health and benefits programs.

Civil complaints were filed against Deloitte, the contractor that runs the RIBridges system for the state, in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island as well as in New York, where the company is headquartered.

The complaint alleges that Deloitte failed to adequately protect individuals sensitive personally identifiable information maintained in RIBridges, the system used to manage social services such as SNAP and Medicaid benefits, as well as health insurance through HealthSourceRI.

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The online portal used for the programs, HealthyRhode, was taken offline on Friday due to the hack.

Former state Rep. Peter Wasylyk is the attorney representing the plaintiffs in the new lawsuit. He said Deloitte has left Rhode Islanders receiving state benefits extremely vulnerable.

Data breaches take an enormous emotional and financial toll on affected individuals, disrupting their lives, causing them stress, and putting them at risk of identity theft, fraud, and other forms of misuse of their personally identifiable information, Wasylyk said in a statement. This incident is just another example of the critical need for entities to take strong measures to safeguard such sensitive personal information.

McKee urges RI residents to act immediately after major cyberattack on state system

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Wasylyk said the plaintiffs are committed to holding Deloitte accountable and ensuring that those affected are properly compensated for the harm caused by this data breach.

Deloitte is being accused of negligence, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

Wasylyk said anyone looking to learn more information or join the lawsuit can contact him by email at pnwlaw@aol.com or call 401-831-7730.

In a statement on Friday night, Deloitte spokesperson Karen Walsh said the company is working to deal with the situation.

Upon learning that a state system supported by Deloitte had been attacked by an international cybercriminal group, we launched an investigation in collaboration with our client and law enforcement officials, she said.

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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, she continued. We will continue to work around the clock to resolve this matter.

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 said they became more alarmed when 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 like 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.

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.

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Individuals who are directly affected will be getting a letter in the mail from the state notifying them.

Since Sunday, a toll-free hotline has been accepting calls to give people general information about the breach and advising them on steps they can take to protect their data.

Heres how to contact the new RI cyberattack call center

McKees office said Monday that Deloitte is still in the process of identifying impacted customers, and that representatives at the call center will not yet be able to identify whether particular individuals data has been impacted.

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.

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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.

Ted Nesi contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
WASHINGTON  Lawmakers urged President Joe Biden in a letter Monday to commute the sentences of people who are affected by disparities in sentences for offenses involving crack and powder cocaine.

"I believe that this president has definitely shown himself to be someone that is willing to listen and willing to learn and decide that he would do something within his power," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who led the effort.

Twenty Democratic lawmakers signed the letter, which was shared first with NBC News. They included Sen. Cory Booker, of New Jersey, and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington, and Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee, of California. Washington, D.C.'s delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, also signed it.

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People convicted of possessing crack cocaine have historically been sentenced far more severely than if they had had the same amount of the drug in a powder form.

The sentencing disparity "caused disproportionate harm to communities of color," the letter said.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission estimated that more than 3,000 people would be eligible for immediate release if crack cocaine was sentenced the same as powder cocaine," according to the letter. More than 5,000 more people would be eligible for reduced sentences, the letter said the commission estimated.

The White House and the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, on Jan. 4.

In 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued guidance that federal prosecutors should advocate for sentences consistent with powder cocaine guidelines, not those for crack cocaine. The move effectively closed the disparity in federal sentencing between the two forms of the drug.

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Lawmakers, though, are urging Biden to use clemency powers to commute sentences of people affected by the sentencing disparity before Garlands guidance.

I am hoping that we can go retro and recalculate and get those sentences and help out those people that were not the beneficiaries of getting, say, caught up a little later and getting caught up during this particular administration, Crockett said in an interview.

Crockett, who is leading the letters efforts, explained why she wanted to organize the letter for Bidens last few weeks in office, during the lame duck period.

Knowing that the transition had been made to Vice President Harris as the nominee, I thought this isnt something that I necessarily want to try to get her to do coming in, but this is a great kind of out-the-door type of thing, Crockett said. She said that she met with Garland to discuss her goals and that he signaled support.

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The sentencing disparity stems from a 1986 law, which led to people who were convicted of possessing crack cocaine being sentenced the same as people who possessed 100 times the same amount of powder cocaine. The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 lowered the ratio from 100-to-1 to 18-to-1, which the U.S. Sentencing Commission argued "reduced the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences, reduced the federal prison population, and appears to have resulted in fewer federal prosecutions for crack cocaine."

Eight years later, Congress passed a law allowing the 2010 ratio to be implemented retroactively for people who were sentenced before it went into effect. The 2018 law, signed by then-President Donald Trump, allowed thousands of nonviolent offenders to end their sentences earlier than they anticipated.

Lawmakers have sought to codify eliminating sentencing disparities with the introduction in 2021 of the EQUAL Act, which the Biden administration has expressed support for. The bill, which was re-introduced last year after the 2021 legislation stalled in the Senate, would end the cocaine disparity.

The 2021 version of the EQUAL Act passed the House with broad bipartisan support: 26 of the 56 co-sponsors were Republicans, including Reps. Nancy Mace, of South Carolina, Dan Crenshaw, of Texas, and Maria Elvira Salazar, of Florida.

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However, the 2023 bill has not yet passed the House.

The letter to Biden argued that as Congress continues working to pass the EQUAL Act, "we recognize the unique power vested to you that can right the wrongs of our criminal justice system and build on your legacy of ensuring equitable and restorative justice."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippians in need of dental treatment can apply for free services available during Dental Mission Week at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Dentistry.

The schools ninth annual Dental Mission Week, set for February 4-6, seeks to raise awareness of issues related to access to dental care and to provide free dental care for vulnerable populations that include medically underserved or uninsured minor children and adults, including military veterans.

Obesity rate among US adults fell in 2023 for first time in over a decade: Study

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Free services provided are cleanings, extractions, fillings, root canals for front teeth only, oral cancer screening and oral hygiene education. Those selected for treatment will be contacted by the School of Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

The deadline to apply is December 30, 2024. Visit umc.edu/DMW to download an application. Applications are also available at the School of Dentistry or from a local Veterans Affairs facility liaison.

Applications must be mailed to UMMC School of Dentistry, 2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39215 including a working phone number and signatures where indicated. The School of Dentistry will not accept applications that are emailed or faxed.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A Denver man says he has a new lease on life, thanks to receiving a presidential pardon this week from President Joe Biden.

For years, Johnnie Williams lived with a nonviolent felony charge hanging over his head. A mistake made when he was young has been wiped from his slate, giving him a chance to make a difference in his community in a brand new way.

Man attempting summit of Mount Bierstadt rescued after shoes froze during hike

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Williams moved to Denver from Chicago when he was a teenager.

At a young age I saw a lot of death and mayhem as I was growing up, said Williams.

Mayhem he wanted to change as he grew older, joining Denvers Gang Rescue and Support Project in 2008 to help at-risk kids.

Life is about choices and making sure they understand that some of those choices are life choices, said Williams.

Since then, Williams has been proud to watch the kids hes mentored go on to do things like join the military or start their businesses, many crediting his guidance for their success.

It may take years for them to get it, but they get it, he said. So planting those seeds is super important.

Despite changing his life, the felony weighed on him

But all the while, Williams still felt the weight of his past: A felony tax charge he couldnt put behind him.

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Didnt think it was ever going to happen, he said.

He applied for a pardon ten years ago but never heard anything back until last week when he got a call from the White House.

Im like are you playing with me? Are you serious? Because this has been a long time coming, said Williams.

Biden pardons Denver man during act of clemency

Having received one of 39 pardons given out by President Biden in one day, Williams finally felt that weight off his shoulders.

Its rejuvenating, he said.

And like he teaches kids through GRASP how to plant seeds of success, Williams is thankful that his own finally took root.

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The seed that I planted ten years ago has grown and now I have a wonderful tree that I can bear fruit from, he said.

Williams said that hes excited for this upcoming year at GRASP, which will add a brand new post-discharge wound clinic to help victims of gang violence recover after leaving the hospital.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
DENVER (KDVR)  Sunday night will be mainly clear and breezy before more mild conditions move into Denvers weather forecast for the workweek.

Weather tonight: Breezy, mainly clear

Sunday night will be mainly clear and breezy.

FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar

A high wind warning remains in effect for the foothills until 2 a.m. Monday. During this time, wind speeds will pick up to 30-45 mph with wind gusts up to 75 mph.

Temperatures will be cool, but still about 5 degrees above normal for this time of year, and fall to the mid-20s.

Weather tomorrow: Sunny, mild

Monday will be sunny and mild. Wind speeds will relax as temperatures climb to the lower 50s.

Looking ahead: sunny, mild week

Another weak system moves in on Tuesday. This will bring the chance for a few mountain snow showers. The Denver area will stay dry, but see a few more clouds and wind gusts picking up to around 20 mph.

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Temperatures will see little impact, and climb to the mid-50s, which is about 10 degrees above normal for this time of year.

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Wednesday will look similar, with a mainly sunny sky and high in the mid-50s.

Even warmer weather moves in on Thursday and Friday, with a high near 60 degrees. Sunshine and above normal temperatures will stick around into next weekend as well.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
After a UnitedHealthcare executive was gunned down on a New York City sidewalk, an eruption of bitter online commentary celebrated the killers presumed motive: avenging the denial and delay of health insurance coverage.

Many spoke from personal experience. Every year, health insurance companies deny tens of millions of patient claims for medical expense reimbursements, and the tide of those denials has been rising, according to surveys of doctors and other health-care providers. Insurers also have been increasingly demanding that doctors obtain approval before providing treatment, similar surveys show, causing delays in patient care that the American Medical Association says are devastating.

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While several states have passed legislation trying to restrict such practices amid growing public anger, insurers defend the coverage denials and pre-authorization requirements. They say that those measures are meant to contain rising costs and that their methods comply with federal and state regulations. According to information the insurers report to regulators, there have been only small increases nationally in the frequency of denials in recent years.

Most frustrating, according to patient advocates, is that insurance companies often act without explanation, sending denial letters that offer only sparse justifications. The patient gets a cryptic message saying its not medically necessary, but without any other explanation, said Elisabeth Benjamin, a vice president at the Community Service Society in New York, which runs a program that helps consumers appeal denials.

People are mad because its all a big secret, Benjamin said. Its unfair for us as a society, on something thats so visceral, to trust giant corporations that make money when they deny care. This is why people are so, so very angry.

Exactly why and how often claims are being denied or medical procedures are getting early scrutiny is difficult to know. Statistics regarding denials and pre-authorizations are scant, at best, and most of what is available reflects only one state or one type of insurance. Nationally over the last five years, the rates of denial have been between 14 percent and 16 percent of claims, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

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At least some state data, however, shows big increases. In Maryland, for example, regulators report that the number of claims denied by the insurers they regulate has risen nearly 40 percent since 2019.

Pointing in the same direction are large majorities of doctors and other health-care providers who report that insurers are denying more claims and imposing more pre-authorization requirements. For example, a 2024 survey conducted by Experian Health indicated that 73 percent of health-care providers said that claim denials are increasing. An American Medical Association survey similarly found that almost three-quarters of physicians said that denials of pre-authorization requests for treatment have increased over the past five years.

The most common feelings I see are frustration and a sense of powerlessness, said William Bennett, an associate professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine who studies patient experiences and treats children with chronic illnesses. Patients have a relationship with their doctor. Their doctors know them, their doctors are experts in their disease, and then, for some reason that is never explained, the recommended care is denied.

Insurance industry representatives blame doctors for many of the denials, saying they botch the required paperwork by submitting inaccurate, incomplete or ineligible claims information. In a statement last week, UnitedHealth said the companys insurance division pays about 90 percent of medical claims when theyre submitted. Of the remainder that undergo additional review, only 0.5 percent are due to medical or clinical reasons, UnitedHealth said.

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AHIP, a national association of health insurers, also issued a statement regarding denials, saying that health plans are working to protect patients from the full impact of rising costs while connecting them to care that is safe, evidence-based and coordinated.

Health-care providers have decried the requirements for prior authorization, which oblige doctors to request the insurers approval before providing patients with certain medical procedures and drugs. According to an AMA survey, nearly a quarter of physicians reported that these requirements led to an adverse event for a patient, and more than 9 in 10 physicians said the practice causes treatment delays. More than a quarter said their prior-authorization requests were often or always denied.

In response to such concerns, state legislatures have passed a raft of legislation. In 2024 alone, 10 states have passed bills aiming to cut what the AMA says is the growing volume of such requirements, to shorten the delays they cause, or to increase public reporting of data and procedures.

Only a small minority of patients appeal health coverage decisions, according to state and federal statistics. Many are daunted by the complexity of the medical terminology and the insurance bureaucracy.

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Its hard to fight a big insurance company, said Larry Levitt, executive vice president of KFF, a nonprofit health policy research and polling organization. To even begin, you need to understand the gobbledygook in the paperwork. Its hard to make heads or tails of it.

In the Affordable Care Act, Congress authorized the establishment of Consumer Assistance Programs in the states to help people appeal denials of insurance coverage, but it has provided no funding for them in recent years. Even so, many states have set up offices to help.

Recent cases tackled by the Maryland attorney general testify to the range of arguments patients can have with their insurers. One patient experienced 30 percent visual impairment from eyelid inflammation and loose skin, but the insurer deemed the recommended surgery cosmetic and refused to pay. A 12-year-old received daily injections for a growth hormone deficiency for three years, but in the fourth year, the insurer deemed the shots not medically necessary and refused to pay. A patient having surgery to repair a broken clavicle unexpectedly needed work to repair a torn vein, but the insurer refused to pay for the extra procedure.

These denials would have forced each of those patients to pay thousands of dollars more than expected for needed care. After Maryland officials intervened, each of those consumers prevailed.

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Last year, consumers in Maryland filed 11,466 challenges to denials. When a denial is challenged, consumers prevail about half the time, according to statistics from the states attorney generals office.

But in Maryland, as in other states with programs to aid patients, officials say few consumers know that they can appeal a coverage denial, let alone that there is a program that can help them do so.

We would love for more people to take advantage of this program, said Marie Grant, Marylands acting insurance commissioner. Insurance is inherently complicated, and I deeply understand the frustration here. But people dont have to be alone in this journey.

Related Content

Deny and delay: The practices fueling anger at U.S. health insurers
ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY)  A man is dead in Accomack County after he was found with bullet wounds on Sunday, Dec. 15, deputies said.

That morning, around 7:15 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriffs Office initially responded to a vehicle fire on Green Hill Road, New Church. The fire had reportedly spread to a nearby brush. However, when they got to the scene, they found a body in a wooded area  with gunshot wounds.

30-year-old Warren Thomas Fosque III was pronounced dead at the scene. He was transported to the Norfolk Medical Examiners Office to determine the cause of death.

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The Accomack County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Virginia State Police, New Church Volunteer Fire Department, Oak Hall Rescue Inc., Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Accomack County Department of Public Safety.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 16. Adylbek Kasymaliev has been appointed the Acting Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz president.

The decree was signed by President Sadyr Zhaparov.

Kasymaliev's candidacy will now be submitted to the Kyrgyz Parliament for approval ahead of his official appointment to the position.

Earlier today, President Zhaparov issued a decree relieving Akylbek Japarov of his duties as Prime Minister due to his transition to another position. Akylbek Japarov had been serving as the head of the Cabinet of Ministers since 2021.
A deputy a part of the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office has died in the line of duty.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

According to a tweet from Congressman Greg Steube, multiple officer-involved shootings were reported Sunday night, including the officer-involved shooting that occurred at the Sunseeker Resort.

My office is closely monitoring the reports of multiple shootings, including a potential officer-involved shooting in Charlotte County near the Sunseeker this evening.



Please avoid the area to allow Charlotte County Sheriffs Office and Punta Gorda Police investigate.



My  Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) December 16, 2024

Senator Rick Scott weighed in as well with the following tweet.

Devastated to hear of the passing of a Charlotte County deputy tonight.



I spoke with @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell to let him know Ann and I are praying for his team and the deputys family tonight. Please keep them in your prayers.  Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 16, 2024

Charlotte County Sheriffs Office is actively investigating, more details to come.

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Dec. 15While some politicians, business groups and their supporters accuse the city of Spokane and the Spokane Police Department of not enforcing laws on the homeless, one patrol officer is spending his time in the area around Second Avenue and Division Street sometimes 10 times a day.

Spokane police Officer Jackson Henry is one of many on a list of Spokane law enforcement who are on a first-name basis with the people living on the street.

"We address it every day," Henry said. "We want to help ... We aren't here to ruin people's day. We're here to respond to people's needs."

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Statistics back up claims that police have significantly boosted enforcement in downtown Spokane this year. Officers issued 194 citations for unlawful camping from August through November  more than six times the number issued in the same period in 2023. More than 800 citations have been issued this year for pedestrian interference, well over twice as many as were issued last year.

Henry said he prefers to be proactive, even between taking emergency calls for service because "being a presence helps deter crime" and is valuable for businesses dealing with damaged property or theft. If he can, he will attempt to give someone resources for rehabilitation or a shelter and talk through their problems with them to determine the best route forward. Sometimes that ends in a warning, he said, and sometimes it could end in a ticket. Sometimes it could start instead with the confiscation of drug paraphernalia or an arrest, he said.

And every time there's a new law or ordinance about crime or homelessness  like a law approved by voters in 2023 and prevents people from camping near schools, parks and day care centers  "We talk about what we see," Henry said.

"We meet with the sergeant, talk to businesses, to community members and individuals," he said. "We try to see what we can do or can't do and what would work better."

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While officers like Henry are interacting with the homeless population every single day, others are critical of the department not doing enough. Just last week, local business leader Sheldon Jackson wrote in an email chain to other local leaders that "we now have zero checks and balances" and "A Mayor and Police Chief that won't arrest criminals that are destroying our city."

But unlawful camping citations have been up nearly every month this year since spring, with a large spike after a voter-approved city-spanning homeless camping law began to be enforced in August. The proposition passed with about 75% of the vote last November, but given how many of these facilities exist in the city, it effectively bans the homeless from sleeping in much of the city, with notable exceptions on the outskirts.

Though overwhelmingly popular with voters, the law was ensnared in legal challenges and sparked a bitter political debate over the city's management of homelessness. Police didn't begin citing or arresting people violating the law until this summer after the legal issues were largely settled by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that clarified that such a law was constitutional.

While a review of the rights of homeless people wound its way through the courts, Spokane police were still regularly issuing tickets, though less so for camping and more for "pedestrian interference" or the blocking of sidewalks.

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The increase in arrests has not been enough to dramatically change conditions in the city or people's perceptions of downtown in particular, however, acknowledged Spokane police Chief Kevin Hall  and he doubts they ever could, without other interventions.

"I think the vast majority of people out there understand that just arresting people is not going to fix this complex problem  it's going to take the same complexity in resolution to achieve visible progress," Hall said in an interview. "The police department in and of itself is not going to fix this, it's an all government, all community issue."

Henry said people can perceive homelessness however they want, but police and crisis intervention teams are left to deal with the "reality" that he says face Spokane streets, which is that they aren't the end-all-be-all to the homelessness problem because police are bound by the law and not public opinion.

"I've asked people before, in a perfect world, what would you want? People say they just want them gone," Henry said. " ... These are people's kids. Or people's parents. I'm not here to kidnap them."

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The data

There have been 801 citations this year for pedestrian interference, up from 321 last year. Though the law against blocking sidewalks can apply to anyone, it is primarily the homeless who received those tickets. The bulk of these citations, 502, were handed out between May and August, corresponding with a surge of police activity downtown during Expo '74 anniversary celebrations but continuing after those events concluded on the Fourth of July.

Enforcement of sit-and-lie, which essentially prohibits sitting or lying down in downtown Spokane on anything but a bench, did fall during the same time period. Citations dropped about 85% from 141 in 2023 to 24 this year. It has been more than replaced, however, by citations for pedestrian interference, functionally a much broader version of sit-and-lie, as sit-and-lie can only be enforced in a portion of downtown and only if homeless shelters are full.

Arrests of all kinds are also up this year, with 8,792 by the end of November compared to 7,255 in the same time period in 2023 and 5,919 in 2022, according to data Hall presented to the City Council on Dec. 2.

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Unlawful camping citations also increased with the launch of the city's Crisis Outreach, Response and Engagement initiative, or CORE, in October. Originally a 30-day pilot that deployed police, behavioral health units and service providers downtown to engage with people who are homeless and tackle public drug use, that initiative has since been extended.

Early data from the recent CORE program indicates that homeless people living on Spokane's streets have starkly unequal criminal records. Police made contact with 143 individuals over four weeks who collectively had 2,192 prior local arrests  but half of that arrest record belonged to just 22 "frequent flyers," as Hall described them. The roughly 71 people with the highest arrest records accounted for 2,033 of those arrests, or 93%.

It's not immediately clear from this data, however, how many of these arrests were for crimes intrinsically tied to a person's homelessness, such as for unlawful camping, and how many were for crimes against other people such as burglary or assault, or so-called "crimes against society" such as public drug use.

Hall said that detectives and police analysts are using data from the pilot program to identify and investigate people in the area with a specific focus on those who may be trafficking fentanyl into the city, as opposed to street level dealers.

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Data presented to the City Council also shows that, of the 143 people contacted, there were only 13 successful referrals to longer-term services, whether for their mental health or for substance abuse disorders.

While Hall said this was fewer than had been hoped for, he also expressed that successful referrals take time.

"The officers are very well aware that folks suffering from behavioral health issues or substance use issues, there's always going to be a window of opportunity that's generally going to be very narrow and it's catching them at the right time at the right place where they will hopefully accept services," Hall said.

'A fundamental misunderstanding'

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Hall noted research he had seen from Arizona  he previously served as assistant chief of the Tuscon Police Department  that showed it often took about 60 contacts before someone was willing to enter treatment. Councilman Jonathan Bingle, however, argued waiting for that moment wasn't a good solution.

"My obvious response to that is that there are impacts to the rest of the community while we're waiting for someone to engage in services," Bingle said.

In an interview, Hall noted that most of the crimes associated with the homeless are misdemeanor offenses.

"I think there's a fundamental misunderstanding of what enforcement looks like for these low level crimes," Hall said. "It's a citation, and even if we wanted to take them to jail, the jail will not accept them, or it's a book and release."

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Henry said other officers have spent up to six hours waiting in line to take someone to jail because of staffing or capacity issues. He's had to wait about 30 minutes, he said.

"There's a preference people want the street clean and the business to shine, which I get. But the reality is, I will take them to jail, wait in line, they'll be booked and released and then they turn around and go back the way they came," he said.

The CORE initiative tracked crime reports block-by-block in the downtown area, showing that increased police presence had led people to simply migrate a few blocks away from the troubled intersection of Second Avenue and Division Street to the Ridpath Hotel.

"We're just pushing these people around," Hall told the City Council.

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Henry, who said he's seen fewer people in the area of State and Pacific avenues, acknowledged like the chief that people are migrating elsewhere. He added, however, that if someone isn't committing a crime there are no arrests to be made. If a business owner is frustrated with a homeless person outside their space, Henry said other resources are better prepared to respond, such as code enforcement or the Homeless Outreach Team that consists of two officers and a clinician that will provide information about a shelter or drug treatment.

But even if police were to send people to jail anyway, Hall said, they won't stay there, and he doesn't think it's "the right approach."

"Some of these folks, yes, there's criminal behavioral, and jail might behoove them," he added, "but the vast majority, they just need somewhere to go."

Deputy City Administrator Maggie Yates articulated some of these gaps in the broader system in a Thursday presentation to the City Council, with top priorities including more housing, expanded access to mental health crisis stabilization centers, medically-assisted treatment for addiction and sobering beds. She also noted a need for better systems to stabilize someone once they were in jail and to lower their risk of recidivism as they're getting out.

Another "critical gap" identified was a behavioral health or psychiatric specialized emergency room.

"There's no place for us to take these folks, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for that missing piece of crisis or substance use detox," Hall said.

"We can't force somebody into treatment, that's called kidnapping. We have to have a reason to transport somebody, generally because they're under arrest," he added. "At that point, as a stopgap measure, the officers take them to the ERs, but the ERs are ill-equipped to handle these folks and they want them out as fast as possible, and often they're back out on the same street corner two hours later."

Bingle and Councilman Michael Cathcart have continued to argue that increasing the capacity at the county jail should be prioritized.

"Particularly so we can more effectively utilize the diversionary courts and alternatives, which really I don't think can be as effective when there's no risk of jail," Cathcart said.

Like others, Henry believes the homelessness problem is larger than just arrests.

"What's the plan now? Well, that's the issue. There is not a permanent solution," he said. "The problem is, where do they go? I don't have an answer for that."

Editor's note  This article has been changed to correct the spelling of Sheldon Jackson's name.
While the lions share of Balinese surfing focuses on the Bukit Peninsula  with its storied, considerably crowded, and lengthy lefthand pointbreaks like Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and others  theres a regularfooters paradise tucked away on the islands east coast: Keramas.

From World Surf League events of the past, to a steady stream of surf edits coming from the wave, Keramas is home to some of Balis most high-performance surfing. Its a heaving righthand reefbreak, with a substantial tube section when the swell size warrants it, followed by a sturdy lip for hacks, airs, and the like. When surfing in Bali is discussed, Keramas demands attention.

But this beloved surf spot is now under threat from a new proposal.

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The plan is to develop a marina, and a floating restaurant, which undoubtedly would put the wave in jeopardy. And directly following the proposal, there was mounting dissent for concern of the wave.

Related: Watch: Jack Robinson, Ethan Ewing Score 10 out of 10 Keramas

Particularly, from the folks at Komune Resort, which hosts the annual influx of surfers and revelers to Keramas, they wrote in a statement (per The Bali Sun):

Keramas is known as one of the best surfing locations in the world and has hosted three World Surf League events. This marina will permanently destroy the surf break, resulting in the loss of thousands of tourists each year and a devastating impact on the surfing industry in Bali.

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Details surrounding this proposal are still scarce. However, as countless surf spots have seen in the past, coastal development projects, like marinas, have spelled disaster for the waves. As for a floating restaurant? That ones somewhat unprecedented. Perhaps step-offs from the bar into the wave?

TBD.

Related: The ChachFiles: Why Bali is Still the Best Surf Escape
Sean Diddy Combs was dealt yet another legal setback as he prepares for his upcoming federal trial, this time as Judge Arun Subramanian denied the music moguls latest motion for additional discovery and an evidentiary hearing.

According to Mondays opinion and order, Combs team failed to prove that the American government has been leaking sensitive materials to the press, such as giving the 2016 hotel video tape with ex-girlfriend Cassie to CNN or alerting the media to the April raids on his homes in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

The rapper previously alleged that the government, primarily through [the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)], has engaged in a seven-month campaign against him. However, according to the filing obtained by TheWrap, Combs has not carried his burden to show that the government leaked it to CNN. Combs argues that the most likely source of the leak is the government, but he doesnt point to any sound basis for this conclusion.

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Additionally, Subramanian noted that Combs doubted Cassie herself was the leak as she had no motive due to their settlement and that a third party would have sold the tape instead of simply giving it to the press. Combs suggests that the timing of the leak points to a government source because federal agents would have known that May 17 was  a perfect time due to the break in the Trump trial for Barron Trumps high school graduation, he wrote.

The feds deny any involvement.

With that said, Judge Subramanian also pointed out that the court reminds the public that whether the government can prove Combs guilt in this case will turn on the evidence presented at trial, not in a trial by newspapers.'

Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. His multiple attempts to be released on bail have been rejected and his federal trial is set for May 5, 2025.

The post Diddy Denied Evidentiary Hearing as He Fails to Prove Feds Leaked Cassie Hotel Tape appeared first on TheWrap.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Confederate Col. John Singleton Mosbys name will not be restored to the National Ranger Memorial and Ranger Hall of Fame following a federal court ruling Monday.

A lawsuit filed by the National Ranger Memorial Foundation (NRMF) against the U.S. Department of Defense and others was dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land. In a strongly-worded 24-page order, Land said the National Ranger Memorial Foundation had no legal basis for the lawsuit.

Lands order stated in part: Mosbys ranger tactics and methods may be worthy of admiration and respect in some quarters. But other Americans may genuinely conclude that the development and deployment of them as an officer of the Confederate States of America in an open rebellion against the United States adds a treasonous taint.

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In court last week, Land heard arguments from the NRMF and representatives from the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The NRMF motioned for Mosbys name to be replaced on a Ranger Walk paver leading up to the Ranger Memorial and on a panel at the Ranger Hall of Fame.

Mosbys name was removed from both locations in June 2023, following a memorandum which ordered the Department of Defense (DOD) to remove names associated with the Confederacy from military assets.

NRMF members argued Mosbys name should be replaced due to his contributions to Ranger tactics and post-Civil War actions. Mosby was a campaign manager for Ulysses S. Grant, U.S. consul to Hong Kong and assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice.

The foundation also said there were inconsistencies in lists of names to be removed from military assets, creating ambiguity as to whether Mosbys name was meant to be expunged.

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According to court documents, the court found the NRMF has no property interest in the Ranger Memorial and no conditions of the gift of the memorial to the U.S. Army were violated by removing Mosbys name.

It is beyond reasonable dispute that the United States Congress, consisting of the duly elected representatives of the American people, has the authority to decide whether Mosby should be memorialized and honored on a United States military installation, Land wrote. Congress has determined that he should not be, and the Court finds that its determination was properly implemented by the Secretary of Defense.

Members of the NRMF have been reached out to for comment.

PAST COVERAGE:

Federal lawsuit could restore name of Confederate soldier to Ranger Memorial

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Disneyland has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit for $233 million. The suit alleged that park employees, known as cast members, didnt benefit from an Anaheim minimum wage law.

As first reported by the L.A. Times, Walt Disney Co. approved the preliminary settlement Friday. The settlement covers over 50,000 current and former Disney employees and accounts for back pay with interest.

Orange County Superior Court Judge William Claster is set to review the settlement on Jan. 17. Once approved, a notice will be sent to workers outlining how much money they will receive.

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For Michi Cordell, a Fairy Godmothers Apprentice at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disneyland, the money is life-changing.

This money is life-changing for a lot of Disney cast members and will make a tremendous difference for me and my family, Cordell said in a statement. I have two small children, and getting potentially thousands of dollars in back wages Im rightfully owed gives me peace of mind that I have money in case of an emergency or savings for their future. Weve shown throughout these five years, and especially this last year in contract negotiations, that when we stand up for what we deserve, together, we can accomplish anything.

Disneylands legal fight against Anaheim wage law nears conclusion

In 2018, Anaheim voters passed a law requiring a $15 minimum wage for companies in Anaheims resort area who enjoyed tax rebate agreements with the city. The measure, known as Measure L, was placed on a ballot thanks to a petition led by a coalition of Disney unions.

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Ahead of the election, Disney asked the city to dissolve a 45-year gate tax shield and a $267-million bed-tax break for a luxury hotel project that never came to fruition, the Times reported.

Anaheims city attorney initially said the law wouldnt apply to Disney since the agreements were canceled.

However, a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of cast members in 2019 begged to differ. The lawsuit claimed the company violated the law by failing to pay its workers a living wage.

What we believe is the largest wage and hour class settlement in California history will change lives for Disney families and their communities, Randy Renick, an attorney representing the workers in the class-action suit, told the Times.

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We are pleased that this matter is nearing resolution. Currently, all cast members make at least the Measure L requirement of $19.90 per hour, and, in fact, 95% of them make more, Suzi Brown, a Disneyland spokesperson, said in a statement to KTLA 5.

Last summer, Disneyland reached an agreement with four unions representing 14,000 workers, raising base pay to $24 an hour.

Measure L is set to increase minimum wage pay to $20.42 on Jan 1, 2025 in Anaheim.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
SMITHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The DeKalb County Grand Jury returned a sealed indictment Monday against District Attorney General Christopher Stanford, stemming from a November incident where he allegedly discharged his weapon during a police chase in Smithville.

According to DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray, an investigation into Stanford was conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) at the request of District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway.

PREVIOUS | TBI investigating shooting involving District Attorney General

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Christopher Stanford, 43, turned himself in to authorities on Monday, Dec. 16, and has since posted a $10,000 bond.

District Attorney General Christopher Stanford (Courtesy: DeKalb County Sheriffs Office)

The shots fired incident took place on Nov. 21 as law enforcement were attempting to place 28-year-old Caleb Brookins and Jessica Root into custody. According to officials, the duo were wanted for their connection to a triple murder that occurred in Warren County.

News 2 previously reported that authorities received information that Brookins was a passenger in a vehicle, which was headed to the Bell Street Apartments area in Smithville. As deputies set up a perimeter, the driver identified as 21-year-old Hannah Rose of Antioch  reportedly rammed into a truck that was operated by the sheriffs office.

Smithville mayor, residents concerned following recent crime in the area

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The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office (DCSO) said two DCSO employees inside the truck did not sustain any injuries, but Rose hit a Homeland Security officer and injured his leg.

According to the DCSO, Stanford fired shots toward Roses vehicle. However, neither the vehicle, Rose or Brookins were hit by the gunfire, officials said.

The indictment said the bullet fired by Stanford passed through a patio chair on the front porch of a home in the 100 block of Bell Street and came to a rest in the living room wall. At the time, a mother and her three children were inside the home, which placed them in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

A grand jury found Stanford intentionally and recklessly discharged a handgun while standing on Bell Street, adding that there was no immediate threat to Stanford or others.

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The 43-year-old is expected to make an appearance in DeKalb General Sessions Court on Jan. 7.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Department of Energy will no longer pursue the Midwest-Plains and Plains-Southwest National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor through Kansas.

Earlier this year, Kansas residents met to discuss the proposed corridor, expressing concern that their land would be taken under eminent domain to build it. The corridor would have connected with the already approved Grain Belt Express, linking Kansas to a power transmission line stretching east through Missouri and Illinois to western Indiana.

Path of the Grain Belt Express, KSN Graphic

The DOE announced Monday that it had dropped that plan but is going ahead with the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor, the Southwest Grid Connector Corridor involving Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor in the Dakotas and Nebraska.

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The Department of Energy said the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors intent is to address the harm created by the lack of energy transmission infrastructure, including higher energy costs, frequent and prolonged power outages, and delayed access to energy due to high demand caused by weather extremes.

Kansas lawmakers say they welcomed the announcement from the Department of Energy.

Kansans made it clear from the very beginning that we were not interested in the federal government seizing our private land, Rep. Tracey Mann said in a news release. I heard countless concerns from Kansans who were displeased with the Department of Energys overly vague proposal and the lack of engagement with landowners. I worked to force the Department of Energy to provide clarity and introduced legislation to prevent the federal government from using taxpayer dollars to seize any private property for the corridor. I also made it clear that the federal government should not override decisions made by Kansas state regulators who are more directly impacted by the proposal. Todays announcement is a huge win for Kansans, and Im glad our voices were heard in stopping this federal overreach.

Kansans have made their voices heard  the Department of Energy has withdrawn its proposal and there will no longer be a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor across Kansas, said Sen. Jerry Moran. This is great news for the impacted landowners and farmers and ranchers. I am grateful to the Kansans who partnered with me to send a clear message to the federal government that it cannot take action to overrule state regulators. These are the decisions that should be left up to Kansans, not Washington.

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Flint Hills restaurant at historic ranch to shut down

Kansans living in the path of this proposed transmission line corridor spoke loud and clear: they do not want the federal government dictating what happens in their backyard, Sen. Roger Marshall said. Kansans should always determine what is built in Kansas, not federal bureaucrats. This proposal represented a dangerous overreach of federal authority, turning our backyards into pathways for delivering energy to the coastal elites. We immediately went to the DOE and fought back as soon as we heard of this project. We are glad to see Kansans voices were heard at the highest levels. 

I am pleased to see the U.S. Department of Energy has announced it will not designate any portion of Kansas as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC), said Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland. For nearly two years, Kansas Farm Bureau has fought the NIETC rules and then both of the proposed NIETC designations in Kanas because it would override the authority of state regulators and give developers an unfair edge in negotiations with landowners. I am grateful for the leadership of Rep. Tracey Mann and Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall to help keep NIETC designations out of Kansas. I am also thankful for our members and others who provided valuable feedback throughout the process and secured a huge victory for landowners across the state.

In September, all three lawmakers introduced legislation to block the department from using tax dollars to purchase land along the proposed corridor. In addition, Mann sent a letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, urging her to address Kansas residents concerns about the corridor.

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One of the counties which would have been impacted by the proposed corridor is Pawnee County. Its County Attorney telling KSN that he credits public input for shutting down the proposal.

From our end, locally, we just want to thank all of our local citizens and we want to thank our elected officials, said Douglas McNett, Pawnee County Attorney.

He also said that the big concern was if the corridor would mean landowners would lose their property due to federal eminent domain.

Federal judges arent going to understand the true value of some of this property. And so that that was the biggest hammer, said McNett.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question youd like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

How is the International Space Station able to orbit without burning up?  Mateo, age 8, New York, New York

Flying through Earths orbit are thousands of satellites and two operational space stations, including the International Space Station, which weighs as much as 77 elephants. The International Space Station, or ISS, hosts scientists and researchers from around the world as they contribute to discoveries in medicine, microbiology, Earth and space science, and more.

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One of my first jobs in aerospace engineering was working on the ISS, and the ISS remains one of my favorite aerospace systems. I now work at Georgia Tech, where I teach aerospace engineering.

The ISS travels very quickly around the Earth at 5 miles per second (8 kilometers per second), which means it could fly from Atlanta to London in 14 minutes. But at the same time, small chunks of rock called meteoroids shoot through space and burn up when they hit Earths atmosphere. How is it that some objects  such as the International Space Station  orbit the Earth unscathed, while others, such as asteroids, burn up?

To answer why the ISS can stay in orbit for decades unscathed, you first need to understand why some things, such as meteoroids, do burn up when they enter our planets atmosphere.

Why do meteoroids burn up in the atmosphere?

Meteoroids are small chunks of rock and metal that orbit the Sun. These space rocks can travel between 7 and 25 miles per second (12 to 40 km per second). Thats fast enough to cross the entire United States in about 5 minutes.

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Sometimes, the orbit of a meteoroid overlaps with Earth, and the meteoroid enters Earths atmosphere  where it burns up and disintegrates.

Even though you cant see them, the atmosphere is full of a combination of particles, primarily nitrogen and oxygen, which make up the air you breathe. The farther you are from the surface of the Earth, the lower the density of particles in the atmosphere.

The atmosphere has several layers. When something from space enters the Earths atmosphere, it must pass through each of these layers before it reaches the ground.

Meteoroids burn up in a part of Earths atmosphere called the mesosphere, which is 30 to 50 miles (48 to 80 kilometers) above the ground. Even though the air is thin up there, meteoroids still bump into air particles as they fly through.

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When meteoroids zoom through the atmosphere at these very high speeds, they are destroyed by a process that causes them to heat up and break apart. The meteoroid pushes the air particles together, kind of like how a bulldozer pushes dirt. This process creates a lot of pressure and heat. The air particles hit the meteoroid at hypersonic speeds  much faster than the speed of sound  causing atoms to break away and form cracks in the meteroid.

The high pressure and hot air get into the cracks, making the meteoroid break apart and burn up as it falls through the sky. This process is called meteoroid ablation and is what you are actually seeing when you witness a shooting star.

CC BY-ND The ISS orbits in the thermosphere, about 200 miles (322 km) from Earth. NOAA

Why doesnt the ISS burn up?

So why doesnt this happen to the International Space Station?

The ISS does not fly in the mesosphere. Instead, the ISS flies in a higher and much less dense layer of the atmosphere called the thermosphere, which extends from 50 miles (80 km) to 440 miles (708 km) above Earth.

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The Karman line, which is considered the boundary of space, is in the thermosphere, 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the surface of the Earth. The space station flies even higher, at about 250 miles (402 km) above the surface.

The thermosphere has too few particles to transmit heat. At the height of the space station, the atmosphere is so thin that to collect enough particles to equal the mass of just one apple, you would need a box the size of Lake Superior!

As a result, the ISS doesnt experience the same kind of interactions with atmospheric particles, nor the high pressure and heat that meteoroids traveling closer to Earth do, so it doesnt burn up.

A high-flying research hub

Although the ISS doesnt burn up, it does experience large temperature swings. As it orbits Earth, it is alternately exposed to direct sunlight and darkness. Temperatures can reach 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius) when its exposed to the Sun, and then they can drop to as low as -250 degrees F (-156 degrees Celsius) when its in the dark  a swing of 500 degrees F (277 degrees C) as it moves through orbit.

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The engineers who designed the station carefully selected materials that can handle these temperature swings. The inside of the space station is kept at comfortable temperatures for the astronauts, the same way people on Earth heat and cool our homes to stay comfortable indoors.

Research on the ISS has led to advancements such as improved water filtration technologies, a better understanding of Earths water and energy cycles, techniques to grow food in space, insights into black holes, a better understanding of how the human body changes during long-duration space travel, and new studies on a variety of diseases and treatments.

NASA plans to keep the ISS active until 2030, when all of the astronauts will return to Earth and the ISS will be deorbited, or brought down from orbit by a specially designed spacecraft.

As it comes down through Earths atmosphere in the deorbiting process, it will enter the mesosphere, where many parts of it will heat up and disintegrate.

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Some spacecraft, such as the crew capsules that bring astronauts to and from the ISS, can survive reentry into the atmosphere using their heat shield. Thats a special layer made up of materials that are able to withstand very high temperatures. The ISS wasnt designed for that, so it doesnt have a heat shield.

If youd like to see the space station as it passes over your area, you can check out NASAs website to find out when it might be visible near you.

Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question youd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

And since curiosity has no age limit  adults, let us know what youre wondering, too. We wont be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

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This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kelly Griendling, Georgia Institute of Technology

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Kelly Griendling does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a House Republican Conference meeting at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images)

Supporters of Donald Trump have been calling on Ron DeSantis to appoint Lara Trump, the president-elects daughter-in-law, to succeed Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate. But at a press conference on Monday, Donald Trump said he didnt think DeSantis would do so.

No, I dont, Trump said at Mar-a-Lago. I probably dont, but I dont know. Rons doing a good job and thats his choice. Nothing to do with me.

Lara Trump (from Lara Trumps Facebook page)

Gov. Ron DeSantis during a press conference on Aug. 22, 2024, in Titusville. (Screenshot from Florida Channel)

Trump announced last month that he was nominating Rubio to serve as secretary of state in his administration, giving DeSantis the opportunity to select a successor before a special election is held for the seat in November 2026. The seat then comes up for a vote again in November 2028.

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Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, and James Uthmeier, DeSantis chief of staff, have been among the names posted in media reports as potential appointees for the seat.

Lara Trump served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee with Michael Whatley from March of this year to last week, when she announced that was stepping down. She told the Associated Press in an interview that she was open to filling the seat if DeSantis were to appoint her.

It is something I would seriously consider, she told the AP. If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

Hype

Lara Trumps candidacy has been hyped and promoted for weeks by some of Donald Trumps biggest supporters in and outside of government, such as Sen. Rick Scott, Pinellas U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and Elon Musk.

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She has served as a television producer and was involved in Donald Trumps previous presidential runs in 2016 and 2020. In 2021, she briefly considered running for an open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina before deciding otherwise.

People talk about nepotism, Donald Trump said on Monday about Lara. She could have run for the Senate in North Carolina. Tedd Budd [who did run and win the seat in 2022] would be the first one to say and he wouldnt have run. Nobody would have run, and she just said, No, I want to really focus on my children.

Trump moved on to discussing Rubio, perhaps his most conventional Cabinet nomination, which has received relatively positive media coverage.

Now, Ron is going to have to make his [selection], because Marco has been really a star. Already. And we havent started. But we see signs already from some people very early, we see signs of stardom, and Marco has done incredibly. Hes sort of born for it. It was such an easy decision. The Marco decision was such an easy  but he leaves a vacancy in Florida and Ron is going to have to make that decision. And hell make the right decision.

Push for Hegseth

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump was considering replacing Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News anchor and his choice for defense secretary, with DeSantis. But that was when Hegseths nomination appeared to be in so much trouble that he might have to withdraw amid damaging news reports about alleged excessive drinking and sexual assault surfaced.

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Since then, however, Trump and his closest supporters have come out strongly in backing Hegseth to get before the Senate for a confirmation hearing sometime in January or early February.

In an interview with CNN last week, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said one reason that Trump had doubled down in terms of his support for Hegseth was that there was little support for him to nominate DeSantis.

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, Haberman said.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 16. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved $250 million in financing to accelerate Uzbekistans climate transition towards a green, inclusive, and resilient economy, the bank told Trend.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable economic growth, in line with its New Uzbekistan 2030 development strategy and updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The updated NDC commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35 percent below 2010 levels by 2030.

The program will focus on three interconnected pillars aimed at fostering sustainable development. First, it will strengthen climate-related governance frameworks to integrate climate considerations into national decision-making processes, thereby enhancing institutional capacity and governance. Second, it will focus on improving water and land resource management, mitigating climate risks while fostering economic sustainability, and safeguarding vital resources. Lastly, the program will drive the transition to low-carbon solutions in key sectors such as energy, transport, and e-mobility, with an emphasis on improving energy efficiency and adopting sustainable practices.

Additionally, the program will promote the adoption of sustainability and climate risk disclosure practices for state-owned enterprises and expand renewable energy initiatives, with particular benefits for women and vulnerable communities.

This partnership between AIIB, ADB, and Uzbekistan underscores our collective commitment to sustainable development in Central Asia. By integrating climate priorities into economic planning, enhancing adaptation measures, and driving decarbonization in critical sectors like energy and transport, this program plays a key role in supporting Uzbekistans efforts to implement its 2030 national strategy and fulfill its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, AIIB Vice President for Investment Clients Region 2 and Project and Corporate Finance Konstantin Limitovskiy said.

The ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan, Kanokpan Lao-Araya, noted that climate change poses long-term, multidimensional challenges to Uzbekistan's economic sustainability. ADB collaborates closely with AIIB to support an integrated approach toward resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon economic growth in Uzbekistan. The program also contributes to creating the institutional framework necessary for climate action, strengthening adaptation priorities, and accelerating mitigation efforts.

The program will be implemented under the leadership of Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance, with support from key government agencies. AIIB and ADB will oversee the program's implementation to ensure effective execution and alignment with broader development goals.
UPDATED, with Des Moines Register comment: Donald Trump vowed to file additional lawsuits against media outlets and media figures, just days after he settled his lawsuit against ABC in which the network agreed to contribute $15 million to his presidential foundation and library.

We have to straighten out our press. Our press is very corrupt, almost as corrupt as our elections, Trump told reporters today in a press conference.

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Trump suggested that he would file a lawsuit against Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register, which published her poll, just days before the election, that showed Kamala Harris with a three-percentage point lead in the state. As it turned out, Trump won the state by more than 13 percentage points.

Trump claimed that the poll was fraud and election interference. Well probably be filing a major lawsuit against them today or tomorrow, he said.

Selzer, in an interview with a local PBS station last week, said that she is mystified about the motivation that anybody thinks I had and would act on in such a public poll. I dont understand it. And the allegations I take very seriously. They are saying that this is election interference, which is a crime. So the idea that I intentionally set up to deliver this response, when Ive never done that. I Have had plenty of opportunities to do it, its not my ethic. But to suggest without a single shred of evidence that I was in cahoots with somebody, that I was being paidits hard to pay too much attention to it accept that they are accusing me of a crime.

Lark-Marie Anton, spokesperson for the Register, said that they have acknowledged that the poll did not reflect the ultimate margin of President Trumps Election Day victory in Iowa by releasing the polls full demographics, crosstabs, weighted and unweighted data, as well as a technical explanation from pollster Ann Selzer. We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe a lawsuit would be without merit.

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Trump filed suit against ABC in March, claiming he was defamed by This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos. In an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Stephanopoulos said that a jury had found Trump liable for rape. In fact, in a civil case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, Trump was found liable for sexual assault.

A judge in June refused to dismiss the case, handing a victory to Trump. But he still faced the challenge to trying to prove that ABC acted with malice or a reckless disregard for the truth, a high bar for proving defamation claims. Nevertheless, ABC settled the suit in an agreement signed on Friday and made public on Saturday.

Critics of the settlement predicted that it would embolden Trump to file more lawsuits against media outlets. As he pointed out at the press conference, he already has lawsuits pending against CBS, journalist Bob Woodward and the Pulitzers. And while many of his past defamation and other claims have been tossed out before they get very far  including litigation against CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post  the fear is that the threat of dragging media outlets to court will chill critical coverage of him.

David Axelrod, the CNN political commentator and former adviser to Barack Obama, wrote on X, Now Trump says hes suing the Des Moines Register because their poll understated his support; 60 Minutes because of their editing of Kamala Harris interview; the Pulitzer committee for honoring New York Times coverage of Russian election interference. Welcome to Hungary, folks! That was a reference to Viktor Orban, Hungarys authoritarian leader.

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Trump also said that we will take a look at TikTok, which faces being banned from U.S. app stores next month unless it is divested from its Chinese parent company. Trump tried to restrict the app in his first term, and a law to force a divestiture passed Congress overwhelmingly last year. But Trump has changed his tune on the app, saying he has a warm spot in my heart for TikTok. He credited it with helping him win the youth vote, albeit exit polls showed a majority of 18-29 voters still favored Harris, just in much smaller margins than Democrats won in previous cycles.

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said he would consider pardoning Mayor Eric Adams after his historic indictment on federal charges.

I think that he was treated pretty unfairly, Trump said at a press conference in Florida. I would certainly look at it.

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Trump said he would have to see the details of the case before making a decision.

Id have to see it because I dont know the facts, Trump said.

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Trump insinuated Adams criticism of the federal government over the citys migrant crisis could have influenced his indictment.

When he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in and he made some pretty strong statements I said, You know what, hell be indicted soon,' Trump said.

Its an argument Adams previously made about the federal investigation.

The day news of his indictment on corruption charges broke, Adams defiantly suggested, without providing evidence, that U.S. prosecutors had gone after him because he had criticized President Joe Bidens immigration policies.

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Despite our pleas, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief, I put the people of New York before party and politics, he said at the time. I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target  and a target I became.

This story comprises reporting from the Associated Press.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter 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.
Donald Trump has stated he would take a look into pardoning New York Mayor Eric Adams. The president-elects Monday morning (Dec. 16) news conference offered insight into the politicians future plans as leader of the free world. One plan in particular found Trump commenting on Mayor Adams being unfairly indicted for campaign corruption. Donald Trump insisted that Adams is only being punished for speaking out against the influx of migrants into NYC.

I think that he was treated pretty unfairly, Trump said. Its very interesting when he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in. And, you know, he made some pretty strong statements like This is not sustainable. I said, You know what? Hell be indicted soon. And I said it. That is a prediction, a little bit lightheartedly, but I said it. I said, Hes going to be indicted. And a few months later he got indicted. So I would certainly look at [pardoning him].

Eric Adams recently expressed his desire to work with Trump and his administration in the coming months. After Donald Trump was elected president, Adams held a press conference where he revealed that they plan to work together on infrastructure, public safety, and more issues in New York City.

When asked whether he felt Trumps presidency would impact his case, Politico reports that Adams side-stepped the question, asserting that his job is to fight on behalf of New Yorkers and defend this city.

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I communicated with the president yesterday to state that there are many issues here in the city that we want to work together with the administration to address, Adams told reporters. The city must move forward and that is what our call is to do.

All of us want to be safe and that is something that we push for, he said, adding his slogan about New York City being the safest big city in America.

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A looming tariff battle between the United States and Canada could be a factor in a long-rumoured early Ontario election, some political experts say, suggesting the fight may give Premier Doug Ford a reason to call a snap vote.

Speculation has been swirling at Queen's Park for months that the Progressive Conservative government is preparing for an election a year ahead of the next fixed vote date in June 2026.

And that talk has only ramped up in recent weeks, as the legislature adjourns for the winter break and economic storm clouds gather on the horizon.

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Earlier this week, a solemn Ford stood at a podium outside of his office at Queen's Park, issuing a dire warning about U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threats to apply a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican goods.

"We need to be ready," Ford said. "We need to be ready to fight. This fight is coming 100 per cent on January the 20th or January 21st."

Ford has been a vocal critic of Trump's plan and in recent days has advocated for an aggressive push back against the incoming president, including retaliatory tariffs and cutting off electricity exports to some states.

The brewing trade battle might just give Ford and his Tories the reason they're looking for to spark an early election, positioning the premier as the right leader to fight Trump, said Shakir Chambers, a conservative strategist and vice president with the Oyster Group.

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"I think if the premier was looking for a rationale for an election, the Trump tariff threat gives him a rationale," he said.

"You need a fresh mandate with tariffs staring down the province."

WATCH | Ford's response to tariff threats:

Trump's proposed tariffs will have devastating effects on the province's economy, which could also be a motivating factor, said Charles Bird, principal at Earnscliffe Strategies.

"Ford has come out swinging  and this is likely going to play well with voters in the short term," said Bird, who is a Liberal strategist.

"If anything, the possible imposition of tariffs will increase the likelihood of the premier calling an early election," he said.

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"As much as possible, Ford and the Conservatives will want to get out ahead of the potential economic fallout."

Focus on Trump helps Ford shift spotlight: Wright

A focus on Trump and the trade battle also shifts the spotlight away from problems at home that Ford would rather not talk about, said Kim Wright, principal at Wright Strategies.

The premier has a six-year record in office to defend, including his handling of hallway health care, the growing homelessness problem across Ontario and the affordability crisis, she said.

"Those are the problems that the premier is going to have to face, and he's going to want to talk about everything but those," said Wright, who is an NDP strategist.

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Election rumours have been swirling since last spring, when Ford refused to rule out going to the polls ahead of June 2026. Since then, all of the major parties in Ontario's legislature have been nominating candidates and fundraising for a potential vote.

Ford has not given any recent indication of calling a snap election, but there are a number of factors outside of the tariff fight that could make going to the polls now more favourable than waiting a year, Chambers said.

At the top of that list is when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government face voters in a election. The federal Liberals are running a distant second to the federal Conservative Party and absorbing public anger over affordability issues and the carbon tax. Trudeau's low personal approvals are also hurting the Ontario Liberal Party, Chambers said.

"I think more so than tariffs, it's about, when does Trudeau go to an election? You want to beat them to the ballot box," he said. "Because you can still benefit from the (federal) Liberal brand depressing (Ontario Liberal Leader) Bonnie Crombie's numbers."

Greenbelt investigation looms for Ford government

The spectre of the RCMP criminal investigation into the Ford government's plan to open up the Greenbelt for development also looms large, Chambers said. It's not clear when the results of that probe could be made public, but he said they could be politically damaging.

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"I'm not sure how much that's going to have an impact, but it does fit into a narrative that Ford doesn't want to have that stain around him," Chambers said.

Wright said broader concerns about Ontario's economy including rising unemployment and housing affordability could emerge as driving issues in any potential provincial election. And as the incumbent, Ford will bear some of the blame. For that reason, calling an early vote could be a gamble, she said.

"There's a difference between political swagger and political hubris," she said. "When there are trying times voters have said, 'No, we're not for the hubris. We want people who are leading in times that are difficult for us and our families.'"

WATCH | Experts weigh in on possible early election call:

Ford's team is full of experienced political strategists who are trying to weigh all of these factors, Bird said. And while he thinks they will call an early election, he acknowledges that they may yet decide that it's not worth the risk.

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Anything can happen during an election and campaigns matter, Bird said.

"They will go into this eyes wide open and they will recognize that there are inherent risks and dangers to going at any time, let alone more than a year before a scheduled vote," he said.

"It'll be interesting to see if the opposition parties are able to make hay with that and whether they are effective in labelling the premier and his team as being opportunistic."
Dec. 15ANDERSON  Martha Green's family has a long history of military service, which is a key reason she attended the 12th annual Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday at Loose Funeral Homes and Crematory.

The military heritage in Green's family began with her great-great-grandfather, who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

"He fought at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, a lot of major battles," she said.

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That legacy continued with her grandfather, father and brother.

Green said she was proud to celebrate her family members and other veterans on Saturday by singing "The Star Spangled Banner," "God Bless America," and "Amazing Grace."

During the ceremony, members of each military branch laid wreaths in the funeral home's outdoor memorial space with the help of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members from Anderson Preparatory Academy.

Wreaths are associated with remembering the fallen, but their symbolism goes further, according to the event's keynote speaker, Obadiah Smith, a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force.

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"The circular shape of the Christmas wreath symbolizes God's everlasting presence and the continuous cycle of life," Smith said. "The evergreen foliage represents healing and the promise of eternal life. The colors of the wreath  green and red  symbolize growth and the blood that was shed."

Wreaths Across America is a national initiative to remember the fallen, honor those who have served and teach future generations about the sacrifices of those who have gone before.

Those ideals are something J.R. Rosencrans, a retired member of the U.S. Marine Corps, carries into his daily life, including his service as a firefighter.

"You've got an example to set (as a Marine), because you've got every Marine that was ever in (the service), they are looking at you to say, 'Do the right thing, don't bring dishonor,'" he said.

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Rosencrans shares similar sentiments during school assemblies. He encourages young people to make the best of their lives.

"Don't waste your chance because of what the veterans have done for all of us," he said in summarizing his message. "You've got a chance in America because the veterans throughout our history have guaranteed that."

That guarantee is continuously fought for, according to Rob Loose, owner of Loose Funeral Homes and & Crematory, requiring more young people to step up and serve in the military.

"We have to have our freedom, and that's the only way we can have it," he said.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at caleb.amick@heraldbulletin.com or 765-648-4254.
WARREN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  Dorian Lanier Duck Culp, 58, passed away unexpectedly in Wichita, Kansas Saturday, December 7, 2024.

He was born August 26, 1966, in Warren, Ohio, the son of Lillian Pinky Culp and Octrous Cookie Culp. Duck was a native of Warren, where his heart always resided with his family and childhood friends.

Find obituaries from your high school

He attended Warren Western Reserve High School.

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He was a former volunteer firefighter for Warren Township for many years.

Dorian moved to Bremerton, Washington in 2006, where he worked for the Navy and Ferry Shipyards. He received high praise and accolades from bosses and coworkers for his outstanding job performance and work ethics. He earned highly ranked certificates due to his knowledge and skill sets of the job. He moved to Wichita, Kansas in 2023, where he worked as a Completions Painter at Textron Aviation.

Duck enjoyed life, laughing, dancing, working, going to the casino, fishing, bowling, his friends, adventures and was loved by many and met no strangers. He would give you the shirt of his back and his last dollar.

He leaves to mourn two brothers, Arlo Culp of Warren, Ohio and Eric Culp of Bremerton, Washington; favorite and only sister, Mrs. Roshell (David) Ellis of Warren, Ohio; many nieces and nephews; a special friend, Ms. Deborah Debe Cates of Bremerton, Washington and a host of extended family who loved him.

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He was preceded in death by his parents and ex-wife, Carol Ann Lachowski.

Condolences for the family can be sent to 1106 Dover Street SW, Warren, OH 44485.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., with calling hours from 12:00  1:00 p.m., at the Sterling-McCullough Williams Funeral Home.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Dorian Lanier Duck Culp, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

A television tribute will air Tuesday, December 17 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
SUGARLOAF, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  PennDOT has announced Route 93 from the intersection of Pecora Road to the intersection of Rock Glen Road will be closed due to a down utility pole.

PennDOT says the projected time of reopening the road is at noon.

There are also some speed restrictions on certain roads due to the weather.

To get the latest on speed limit restrictions, road conditions, and closures on 511PA.com.

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You can also stay up to date on the latest weather alerts, use the Eyewitness Interactive Radar.

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Daniela Garcia made sure her sister got an appointment, but it wasnt easy.

When Id go online, there were none available here, Garcia told me Thursday morning outside the Texas Department of Public Safetys drivers license office in South Austin. Driving to Pflugerville or New Braunfels, which had ID appointments available, wasnt an option.

I had to check the website every day, she said. Finally, in July, Garcia snagged this Dec. 12 appointment so her sister, Maria, who turned 18 over the summer, could get a state ID card. The sisters only had to wait five months.

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Definitely, Garcia told me wearily, they need more staff.

Ive been writing for a couple of years about these frustratingly long waits for drivers licenses and state IDs, but now some hope is on the horizon. The DPS has asked lawmakers for a $207.8 million infusion in the next two-year budget cycle to hire hundreds of additional staffers to provide drivers license services.

The funding is badly needed to ensure Texans can promptly get the state ID needed to drive, vote, get a job, open a bank account or sign a lease. As it is now, people face monthslong delays or a road trip to a less busy locale. Or worse.

A lot of people drive without licenses because theres no appointments available, Garcia said.

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Under the funding request that DPS submitted for the next budget cycle, the agency wants to:

Boost the number of staffers handling drivers license appointments by 385 people in 2026.

Hire an additional 448 drivers license staffers in 2027.

Bring 390 new employees into the drivers license customer service call center, which is so understaffed that callers currently have only a 1 in 10 chance of actually reaching a human being.

All of this would be a significant improvement over the last legislative session, when the agency got funding for only 55 additional drivers license office staff members.

Whats driving the long waits for ID appointments?

The demand for services has strained DPS for several years. When the agency shut down in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than a million Texans fell behind on renewing their licenses, and countless others needed first-time services. Since then, DPS has struggled  as many employers have  to keep positions filled.

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In the current job climate, we face challenges finding qualified applicants to fill open positions at (drivers license) offices around the state, DPS press secretary Sheridan Nolen told me in August. Staffing is greatly reducing the number of appointments offices can offer.

And it doesnt help that roughly a quarter of people who schedule an ID appointment end up being no-shows  squandering time slots that others could have used.

After I wrote in August about people struggling to get a state ID so they could vote in the presidential election, DPS announced Saturday hours at certain locations, during September and October only, to help more people get IDs. About 13,000 people across Texas were served with those extra time slots.

Lawmakers should approve much-needed investment

If approved by lawmakers, the additional funding would mean more staffers, making more drivers license appointments available.

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Adding 390 staffers to the call center could also make a big difference. Staffers could help some callers avoid an in-person appointment, for instance, by telling them if they qualify for online renewal of their license or ID. Or they could reduce the need for people to make a second appointment by ensuring they have the right documentation the first time they show up.

With the staffing shortage now, though, only 11% of the calls to the center were answered in 2023. Worse, since 2020, the call center helped on only 2.5 million of the nearly 47.6 million calls that came in.

And since the same overwhelmed staffers are also responsible for responding to customer emails, the call center continues to receive millions of customer contacts that cannot be handled due to lack of resources, the DPS budget request said.

Even if DPS gets the funding to hire more workers, the agency will have to beef up efforts to recruit and retain these employees.

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But the investment is long overdue. Tina Hirsch was at the South Austin DPS office before dawn Thursday morning, hoping to grab a time slot for her 16-year-old son, Ryder, to get his learners license. Shed gone through the same process in November 2022 with another son.

This person (in line) from New York said, The way you do it in Texas is so backwards, Hirsch told me, shaking her head.

I cant argue with that. But at least lawmakers this session can change it.

Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com, or via X or Bluesky at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Staffing boost needed to cut Texas driver's license backlog | Opinion
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was injured in a crash this weekend in Hudspeth County, DPS said.

The crash happened at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 along Interstate 10 near Mile Marker 95. Thats near Sierra Blanca.

A semitruck towing a low-bed trailer attempted a U-turn in the center cross-over area when the trailer became stranded in the roadway, blocking both westbound lanes, DPS said.

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The trooper was traveling westbound on I-10 and struck the trailer. The trooper was taken to a hospital in El Paso and is in stable condition, DPS said.

The incident remains under investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
A male driver crashed his SUV deep into a building early Friday near downtown Centralia, police say.

About 2:20 a.m., an officer saw the driver heading south on North Pearl Street and suspected he was driving under the influence.

However, when the officer turned on his emergency lights to pull the driver over, police say the driver drove away at a high speed.

Police pursued the driver until he drove the wrong way on North Tower Street.

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Later, the driver attempted to turn east onto Center Street, lost control, hit a parked car and then crashed into a building completely embedding itself inside, police said in a news release.

The man was later seen running east on Center Street. A police dog track was unsuccessful.

Anyone with information about the driver is asked to call the Centralia Police Department at 360-330-7680.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 16. Uztemiryulkargo (Uzbekistan's national railway freight and logistics operator) opened its first representative office in China, Uzbekistan Railways told Trend.

The news follows a meeting between the First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Railways, Khikmatulla Rakhmetov, with the head of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group, Guo Jian, and the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Lianyungang Port Group Co., Ltd., Wang Guochao.

The parties discussed prospects for collaboration, the organization of multimodal transport, increasing freight turnover between Uzbekistan and China, and the development of container block train operations.

Both sides noted the issues related to delays and idle times of wagons and containers at Chinese border checkpoints. They agreed to hold regular discussions to streamline and promote the movement of container trains and wagons across their territories.

At the end of the meetings, agreements were reached to strengthen cooperation with China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group and Lianyungang Port Group Co., Ltd. on increasing cargo flow.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover with China totaled $10.2 billion from January through October of this year. This is 3.5 percent less compared to the same period last year ($10.8 billion from January through October 2023).
Two people in their 40s were taken to an area hospital on Sunday after their vehicle crashed into a tree, Lacey police and fire officials said.

About 11:55 a.m., Lacey Fire District 3 crews and police were dispatched to Willamette Drive Northeast and Orion Drive to find the two people and a damaged four-door Cadillac.

One of the occupants was pinned as a result of the wreck, Lacey fire officials said via social media. Both the driver and passenger were injured and taken to an area hospital, said Sgt. Jeremy Knight on Sunday.

It wasnt immediately clear what caused the crash, he said. The driver was not impaired, Knight said.
(NewsNation)  Help is on the way in the search for a greater understanding of drones spotted flying across the Northeast.

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed in a social platform X post on Sunday morning that federal assistance was en route.

In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are sending a drone detection system to New York, Hochul said.

Drones over New Jersey: Crisis in our skies

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But, the governor did state that action alone would be insufficient, and called on Congress to empower the state.

I am grateful for the support, but we need more, she added. Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones.

On Saturday, Hochul joined several administrators in urging the Biden administration and lawmakers to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people.

In recent days and weeks, New Jersey has also been home to drones, some of which have been spotted near military facilities.

The FBI has concluded the drones do not belong to the U.S. military and that foreign governments are not behind the objects.

Schumer calls for special drone-detection tech

On Sunday afternoon, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to deploy special drone-detection technology in New York and New Jersey.

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Im pushing for answers amid these drone sightings, Schumer posted on X. Im calling for @SecMayorkas to deploy special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ.

The Hill contributed to this report

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ST. LOUIS  The entire nation has seen a surge in drone usage this year, and the St. Louis region is no exception. From recreational flying to business and public safety, drones have become a common sight in the skies. However, the increasing presence of unidentified drones has sparked growing concerns among residents about safety, privacy, and ownership.

Missouri and Illinois residents have reported more frequent drone activity, particularly in South St. Louis County and parts of Western Illinois. While many drones serve practical purposes, some sightings have raised alarm due to their size and questionable presence.

These were a little bit larger, some claiming larger than an SUV, and I thought, Wow, thats a big-sized drone, Rob Haller, a partner at St. Louis Drones, said.

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Some residents feel the unexplained drone activity is unsettling, particularly near highly sensitive areas such as airports and military bases.

Is it legal to shoot down a drone in Missouri or Illinois?

Its pretty scary. Theres no sense in them flying around an Air Force base or an airport for any reason; no reason at all, one Illinois resident said.

The FAA regulates drone use, requiring operators to follow strict guidelines. Violating these rules, such as flying near restricted areas or above certain altitudes, can result in hefty fines. In Missouri, drone regulations align with federal standards, emphasizing the importance of safe and authorized usage.

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The growing accessibility of drones has also reignited debates over laws governing their operation. While some frustrated residents have suggested drastic measures like shooting drones out of the sky, experts warn that doing so is both unsafe and illegal.

People have said that we should shoot them down, but its actually illegal, Haller said. Its considered an airplane by the FAA, so people dont want to do that. Its totally illegal. Even if its over your own property.

As concerns rise, local authorities are working to address the issue. FOX 2 reached out to the Clinton County Sheriffs Office in Illinois to determine who owns the drones or what their purpose might be but has not received a response as of Sunday night.

Residents are urged to report suspicious drone activity to local law enforcement or the FAA.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Video: Initial coverage.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  An unexpected security concern over the weekend shut down Wright Patterson Air Force Base for hours over the weekend.

A spokesperson for the 88th Air Base Wing confirmed that drones were spotted flying over and near the campus on Friday, shutting the base down for four hours. The shutdown ended early Saturday morning.

We are taking all appropriate measures to safeguard Wright-Patterson and the residents, said Robert Purtiman with the 88th Wing. You know, our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of, again, our base personnel facilities and assets.

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The drones spotted were small, unmanned and did not disrupt operations on the base according to reports. Their presence has raised security concerns, though it is not clear if these sightings are connected to the potential car-sized flying drones reported on the east coast.

The topic of drones and concerns over their use is one being discussed across the country.

As of Oct. 2024, there are nearly 800,000 drones registered nationwide.

We need to know whos behind it, said Florida State Representative Mike Waltz.

The administration has repeatedly assured people that they are safe, said Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar. However, one, we need a briefing for the members of the Senate to figure out whats going on here. Two, we need more transparency.

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The Federal Aviation Administration is of the belief that these incidents are becoming so frequent that more strict rules on drone usage are necessary. The FAA is also advocating for tougher penalties for those who break usage laws.

In a statement obtained by 2 NEWS, Congressman Mike Turner said the following:

I have been personally briefed by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base leadership.

Video: Continued coverage of the initial story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Mysterious drones have been hovering in the skies above New Jersey and other states in the Northeast for weeks, alarming residents and prompting lawmakers to demand answers.

Since mid-November, the drones have been lighting up night skies with no real explanation of who is operating them or why. While plenty of questions surrounding the unidentified flying objects remain, here is what we do know.

When did the drone sightings start?

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 whether they are present every single night.

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A senior official briefed on the New Jersey drone sightings told NBC News that 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.

An apparent drone flies over Randolph, N.J., on Dec. 4.

Where have the drones been spotted?

The drones were first spotted in North Jersey, but they now appear to be popping up throughout the state. NBC News has also tracked possible drone sightings in New York, Maryland and Florida.

The FBI office on Baltimore said in a statement that it was aware of sightings of possible drones in Maryland and Delaware.

Where are they from and who is operating them?

These remain the biggest unknowns, with officials unable to publicly pinpoint where the mysterious objects originated or explain exactly what they are doing.

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In a joint statement last week about the New Jersey reports, the FBI and the 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 federal partners to investigate.

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. 

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The Defense Department has said that they are not owned by the military and that they are not coming from an Iranian mothership off the East Coast, as Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., suggested.

In a statement to NBC News, the Secret Service confirmed it does not currently have any unmanned aerial systems operating in or around New Jersey or New York.

Officials have said that the drones appear to be commercial-grade, not recreational, and that they could be up to 6 feet in diameter.

How many drones have been spotted?

Mayors who were at a briefing last week 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.

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One reported knowing of at least 400 sightings, and another said there could be thousands.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said on WBGO radio of Newark last week that there could be overreporting of sightings, with many residents potentially seeing the same devices or mistaking other flying objects for drones.

A senior official briefed on the drone sightings in New Jersey said there were 79 reports of sightings in the state overnight Thursday.

Several New Jersey officials have said the sightings occur up to 180 times per night.

Points of light in the evening sky near Lebanon Township, N.J., on Dec. 5.

What have officials and lawmakers said?

Numerous federal officials, including the FBI  the lead agency investigating the matter  have said the drones do not appear to pose a threat, but they have not provided much more information.

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The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a 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 Thursday.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday on X that he witnessed what appeared to be dozens of large drones above his home in the state Thursday night.

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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, he said.

Murphy, the New Jersey governor, wrote letters to President Joe Biden; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., 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.

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Biden was briefed last week.

What should you do if you see a drone?

Drones have to be operated by pilot so they are not threats to people or their property, according to the FAAs website dedicated to drones, which suggests contacting local law enforcement officials if you think someone is unsafely flying a drone.

But you definitely should not try to shoot them down, experts told NBC News, even though some lawmakers suggest you should.

Experts said 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 they are flying over private property.

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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.

It could also start fires, according to Pramod Abichandani, an associate professor at the School of Applied Engineering and Technology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the director of the schools 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
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has again pushed back its schedule for publishing revised mandatory guidelines for drug testing hair under testing programs used at federal agencies, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The revised guidelines, originally scheduled to be published in June 2023, have been delayed until May 2025, according to the Office of Management and Budgets fall regulatory agenda. The guidelines were pushed back twice previously, to November 2023 and again to October 2024.

FMCSA has emphasized in the past that dates in OMBs regulatory agenda, which is published in the fall and spring, are estimates, not definite dates for regulatory and deregulatory actions, according to the agency.

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There are a number of reasons why the timeline for a particular regulatory or deregulatory action may shift. Some reasons may include additional time for research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement or a number of other factors.

Allowing FMCSA to include hair testing would be a major step toward aligning with large trucking companies preferred method of random-testing current drivers for drugs and drug-screening new drivers looking to enter the industry.

Once finalized, the proposed guidelines would revise an initial proposal issued in September 2020 that was opposed by almost all sectors of the trucking industry.

Large carriers argued that requiring an alternative urine or saliva sample as backup to any positive hair tests, as was stipulated in the 2020 guidelines, rendered the guidelines ineffective, particularly for preemployment screening. The detection window for drugs in urine and saliva tends to be much shorter than for hair samples, they contend, which could lead to both positive and negative test samples from the same donor.

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Small-business truckers opposed the 2020 guidelines as both intrusive and discriminatory.

Mandating hair testing policies for professional truckers would only expand the opportunities for employment discrimination for drivers that refuse to submit hair samples, whether it be for faith-based or other medical reasons, commented the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

Earlier this year, the House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill that included a committee report directing HHS to publish the revised guidelines, which were required to be issued as part of the FAST Act that was passed in 2015.

Since the FAST Act was signed into law, our nation has experienced a crippling substance use epidemic  particularly from opioids and synthetic opioids  and Federal inaction to recognize hair testing as a viable alternative to urinalysis has denied Americans a legitimate tool to stem the crisis, the report states.

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This is a glaring reminder that drug-impaired driving remains a serious issue and poses a tremendous risk to the safety of the motoring public.

Also being delayed, according to OMBs fall regulatory agenda, is a notice of proposed rulemaking at FMCSA to revamp its drug and alcohol testing rules by increasing the availability of driver violation information in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to keep unsafe drivers off the road, the rulemakings abstract states.

FMCSA also proposes changes to improve the efficiency of certain Clearinghouse processes to provide increased flexibility for drivers and employers, and further align Clearinghouse rules with underlying drug and alcohol use and testing regulations to improve compliance with, and enforcement of, these requirements.

Originally to be published in 2022, the rulemaking has been pushed back to March 2025.

Related articles:

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.

The post New drug hair testing guidelines delayed until May 2025 appeared first on FreightWaves.
BOSTON (WPRI)  Jasdrual Josh Perez, the nephew of Providences police chief, has been sentenced to 22  years in federal prison for running one of the largest fentanyl drug rings in the region.

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin handed down the sentence Monday in Boston federal court, saying hed never seen a case involving the sale of so many drugs over his three decades in the criminal justice system.

Josh Perez, 36, pleaded guilty in July to running the large-scale fentanyl operation, which included using the illicit drug to make pills that he then sold across multiple states.

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You put many peoples lives in danger and the scale and scope of the number of pills you distributed is staggering, Sorokin told Perez. This is a different category than most drug cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kunal Pasricha estimated Josh Perez sold millions of pills of fentanyl disguised as Oxycontin, which he manufactured at his clandestine drug lab on Imera Street in Providence. Those drugs, Paricha said, helped fuel the regions ongoing overdose epidemic that he said is ruining families and killing people at a higher rate than gun violence.

We could be here for the next month and we could not come up with the actual harm done by this defendant, Pasricha said in court. Hes one of the most dangerous and culpable defendants you have ever sentenced.

In court documents, prosecutors called Josh Perez a drug kingpin who unleased untold amounts of destruction and likely death in the community.

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Josh Perez, who entered court in handcuffs and wearing a beige jumpsuit, is the nephew of Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez and Sgt. Andres Perez. More than a dozen people showed up to the sentencing hearing to show support for Josh Perez. Neither uncle was in the courtroom.

Josh Perez addressed the court before being sentenced, saying he was deeply ashamed of his actions. He apologized, saying he would work to become a better person and looked forward to getting out of prison so he could spend time with his family, including his two daughters.

I apologize for all the ways I have disrespected and harmed people, Perez said. I went against my morals and values.

Jack Cicilline, a well-known Providence attorney whos representing Josh Perez, said he was disappointed in Sorokins decision after having recommended Josh Perez serve six years in prison.

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He provided a long list of reasons why Sorokin should show leniency in his sentencing, pointing to Josh Perezs good behavior at the Wyatt Detention Facility where hed taken several courses in drug rehabilitation, recidivism prevention and restorative justice.

Cicilline said Josh Perez also helped repaint the prison and joined a religious studies program where hed received praise from the prison pastor.

Its the first time hes thinking about other people, the damage hes done to his mother, his uncles and the people he sold pills to, Cicilline said.

Outside the courthouse after the sentencing, Cicilline said he plans to appeal the decision.

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Despite Oscar and Andres Perezs high-ranking positions inside the department, Providence police never targeted Josh Perez or charged him with any crimes. He was arrested in 2022 after a Massachusetts-based federal task force investigated him and his operation for more than a year.

As Target 12 first reported in 2023, the FBI launched an investigation into the Providence Police Department and Josh Perezs uncles after his arrest. Federal prosecutors first acknowledged the existence of the probe last week, and said Josh Perez and his operation likely benefited from the knowing or unwitting participation of Andres Perez. Oscar Perez was not implicated.

DEA agents in 2022 recorded a phone call between Josh Perez and Andres Perez talking about police surveillance of another drug dealer, who was a rival of Josh Perez at the time. Josh Perez called his uncle using WhatsApp, an encrypted talk and messaging app.

Despite highlighting Andres Perezs involvement, prosecutors decided against filing criminal charges against the uncle, and Cicilline said the uncles reputations were besmirched.

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He blamed federal prosecutors for leaving the impression publicly that the uncles engaged in corruption, and he called on Sorokin to punish the government for their actions by giving Josh Perez a lesser sentence.

There was no evidence to cause the stir they caused, Cicilline said, adding later that he thought the prosecutors decision to include the details about the uncles was disgusting.

Cicilline argued the recorded conversation didnt hurt Andres Perezs character, and his failure to say any more than he did shows beyond question his commitment to the job he holds and supports his good character.

READ: Providence sergeant implicated in nephews fentanyl drug operation, prosecutors say

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Sorokin said he wouldnt take the issue with the uncles under consideration, saying it was irrelevant to his sentencing decision for Josh Perez, who faced a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Life imprisonment is too long here, Sorokin said. But Congress created long prison sentences for drug cases like this.

Josh Perez will be on probation for five years when he gets out of prison, and Sorokin ordered him to pay a $1 million fine.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has stood by the Perez brothers, saying through a spokesperson last week no discipline was warranted within the department.

Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

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DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH)  Dublin City Schools has completed the redrawn neighborhood boundaries for its elementary and middle schools as the district readies to expand an existing high school and open a new elementary school.

The districts new maps unveiled on Dec. 9 mark a collaboration with Cropper GIS, a central Ohio-based consultant specializing in school planning who aided in outlining each elementary and middle schools boundary. John Marschhausen, superintendent of Dublin schools, said the new zones take into account the hundreds of comments that were submitted during the public engagement process.

These key Ohio education bills are still fighting for approval

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We want our families to know that every comment was read, every comment was considered and, in a time when there are competing interests, we know not everyone is gonna be satisfied, said Marschhausen during the Dec. 9 board of education meeting. Our goal was a process that will allow us to have consistent boundaries for as long as possible.

Dublin City Schools 2025-26 elementary school boundaries. (Courtesy Photo/Dublin City Schools) Dublin City Schools 2025-26 middle school boundaries. (Courtesy Photo/Dublin City Schools)

Dublin residents can enter their street address into an interactive map here to view their elementary and middle school assignment for the 2025-2026 school year. Before the new boundaries were finalized, the district had anticipated the following eight schools to be impacted:

Abraham Depp Elementary

Deer Run Elementary

Eversole Run Middle School

Glacier Ridge Elementary

Pinney Elementary

Grizzell Middle School

Karrer Middle School

Sells Middle School

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Elementary and middle school students, including rising fifth graders, will not be permitted to remain at their current school if they have been impacted by the new boundaries. The districts website reiterates that all students and their siblings will attend school in the area outlined in the redistricting plan. Affected families will be receiving postcards about the changes over winter break, Marschhausen said.

Retail center with Macys, Best Buy near Tuttle Crossing mall sold for $21 million

The superintendent has long said redistricting was needed given Dublin is one of the fastest growing districts and the upcoming Bishop Elementary will be overcapacity when the building opens next fall. He said during the Dec. 9 meeting that the board is mindful, that in the next three to five years, the district will likely have to draw new maps again, especially when it comes to elementary schools.

When we look at where the growth is in our community and we look at where our school seats are, growing districts have to continually work to achieve that required balance so that every student has a seat and the classes are balanced in those different elementary schools, said Marschhausen.

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Dublin City Schools will also be redrawing the boundaries for the districts high schools next year, with the expectation the boundaries will take effect at the start of the 2026-2027 year. That process will be the first redistricting of Dublins high schools in about two decades and comes as the district is pursuing a 60,000-square-foot addition to Dublin Scioto High School.

Condo, office buildings planned for 5-acre Bridge Park expansion

When at capacity, Scioto currently is home to about 1,400 students, while Dublin Coffman serves 2,000 and Dublin Jerome has 2,400. Dublin schools aims to break ground on the Scioto addition during the summer of next year, with a targeted opening for August 2026.

The Scioto expansion announcement came in August after the district said it was pausing a nonbinding agreement with Cardinal Health the buy the 250,000-square-foot west campus headquarters at 7200 Cardinal Place for $37 million.

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Marschhausen paused the Cardinal agreement after the citys planning commission signaled they were unsupportive of the zoning changes needed to repurpose the building. Dublin schools had entered into the purchase agreement earlier this year, which allowed the district more than a year to determine if the building can be effectively configured to serve as a school.

Dublin finalizes COhatch plan to renovate historic homes for mixed-use village

At the Dec. 9 meeting, the superintendent said conversations are ongoing with Cardinal Health on how to utilize the west campus headquarters.

Most recently, we had a meeting with city officials and Cardinal Health officials where we continued to look at potential partnerships for the west campus building, said Marschhausen. Weve made a commitment that thats not our short-term solution, our short-term solution is the addition to Scioto High School, but we are still very interested in a potential long-term solution there.

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EUFAULA, Ala (WDHN)  A duck hunter who was found dead on Lake Eufaula in an apparent drowning has been identified.

Clay County, Georgia, Coroner Raymon Crozier identified the hunter as 22-year-old John Caleb Nation of Griffin, Georgia.

Nations body was found early Sunday morning near an island off of Thomas Mill Creek in Abbeville on Lake Eufaula. The incident occurred on the Georgia side of the Alabama-Georgia line on Lake Eufaula.

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The Henry County Sheriffs Office says the search began that morning after deputies received a call from a group of duck hunters saying their boat had drifted from the island they were hunting on. One of the hunters, Nation, attempted to swim to get the boat, and the callers told deputies they believed he had made it to the boat but was unresponsive.

A rescue boat arrived and found the boat, but crews say Nation was not in it. The boat was returned to the stranded hunters on the island, and a search began.

Sheriff Eric Blankenship says the body was discovered in nearly 20 feet of water approximately 100 yards from the bank of the island. A dive unit was called in, and they recovered the body.

This is a very tragic incident, I would like to express my thanks to the timely response by so many agencies to help us this morning, Sheriff Blankenship said in a statement.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTVO)  Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) have introduced a constitutional amendment that would abolish the Electoral College system of voting.

The Electoral College was established in the U.S. Constitution by the countrys Founding Fathers as a compromise between the election of a President by a vote in Congress and the election of a President by a popular vote.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, representing all 50 states. A majority of 270 votes is required to elect the President. Each state has one elector for each member of its Congressional delegation, one for each Member of the House of Representatives, and two for each Senator.

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When votes are cast in the General Election, a vote goes to a statewide tally. The winner gets all the electoral votes for that state, at least in 48 states. Maine and Nebraska assign their electors using a proportional system.

While the Constitution does not require electors to vote for the candidate chosen by their states popular vote, some states do. The rare elector who votes for someone else may be fined, disqualified, and replaced by a substitute elector.

In 2000, before the general election, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Constitution and abolish the Electoral College. I still believe today that it is time to retire this 18th-century invention that disenfranchises millions of Americans, said Durbin. The American people deserve to choose all their leaders, and I am proud to support this effort with Senators Schatz and Welch to empower voters.

In the 235 years since the Constitution was written, only five times have the popular vote winners lost the Electoral College vote, in 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016.

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According to a press release, seventeen states and the District of Columbia have joined a national plan to bypass the Electoral College by agreeing to allocate its electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the nationwide popular vote.

Electors are set to meet on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 to declare Donald Trump the 47th President of the United States.

Illinois 19 Electoral College votes will go to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Five years ago, Rep. Dustin Burrows reputation sustained a major blow among his House colleagues.

The Lubbock Republican resigned as chair of the House GOP Caucus after it was revealed that he and then-Speaker Dennis Bonnen tried to collude with a right-wing activist by providing a list of 10 GOP members they believed should be targeted by the activists political organization in the upcoming primary. The actions amounted to a shocking betrayal from House leaders who had previously threatened consequences for any incumbents who campaigned against fellow members in future elections. One of the would-be targets, Rep. Drew Darby of San Angelo, said it was time for the House to begin to heal and rebuild trust  something that could only happen if Burrows was no longer in leadership.

Bonnen retired. Burrows retreated from the spotlight, but steadily worked behind the scenes regaining his standing in the chamber.

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[Dustin Burrows on bipartisanship, school vouchers and why he still thinks hell be Texas House speaker]

Five years later, Burrows finds himself at the center of another Republican House leadership skirmish. Yet again, he got there because of his proximity to a sitting House speaker  this time Dade Phelan  who lost favor with a majority of GOP members. And once again he is at odds with many of the same political powers that contributed to his original demise.

Now, Burrows is seeking the gavel for himself, emerging as the chosen pick of establishment and moderate GOP lawmakers  including one-time critic Darby  after Phelan exited the race earlier this month.

His eleventh-hour speakership bid attracted immediate ire from the Houses rightmost faction and their allies outside the chamber. That contingent has vowed to censure and wage aggressive primary challenges against any House Republicans who do not vote for their preferred candidate, Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield. Cook became the House GOP Caucus speaker nominee after some of Burrows supporters walked out of the caucus meeting last weekend.

State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, holds a press conference after the House Republican Caucus  minus several members, who walked out of the meeting  chose him for House speaker in the upcoming legislative session. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

In a declaration of political war, Burrows disregarded Cooks endorsement and quickly announced that he had enough supporters to win the speakership in January when the full chamber votes. He released a list of 76 supporters, just enough to win, made up equally of Republicans and Democrats. Immediately, a few Republicans named on Burrows initial list of supporters asked for their names to be removed.

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To date, Burrows no longer has enough public supporters to win. But publicly he is projecting confidence that he will. His path to victory appears to be relying on a coalition made up of more Democrats than Republicans, leading to a situation where his critics on the right are characterizing him as too liberal, while Democrats opposing him complain hes too conservative. In a blow to Burrows, Gov. Greg Abbott last week urged members to back the candidate chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules, though he did not mention Cook by name.

Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, said Burrows elevation is partly a matter of fortuitous timing, as Phelans right-hand man at the time of his withdrawal from the speakers race.

It's sort of an issue of being in the right place at the right time, and being audacious enough to put yourself out there, Jones said. One risk he takes is, if he crashes and burns, he's going to be the guy who defected on the Republican Caucus and tried to conduct a coup with the support of Democrats.

In an interview, Burrows said the members backing him for speaker are fighting to make sure we still have a deliberative body, the people's House, where all members are going to have their voice heard [and] be able to represent their districts.

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It's bigger than one person, Burrows said. I just happen to be the figurehead of it.

Risking a full loss of power

Among the loudest voices against Burrows is Michael Quinn Sullivan, the activist whose 2019 meeting with Bonnen and Burrows led to the downfall of both. Sullivan was the leader of the now defunct far-right political organization called Empower Texans, that was funded by Tim Dunn, the Midland oilman who has led a years-long campaign to scrub alleged moderates from the party. Many of the members opposing Burrows won their seats with the backing of a political network financed by Dunn.

Those efforts contributed to the ouster in this years primaries of 15 House GOP incumbents, many of them Phelan supporters who were supplanted by challengers running on pledges to not only depose the speaker and move the House further right, but also strip power from Burrows and the rest of Phelans inner circle.

Burrows, center, at the podium while House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks with other representatives during a special legislative session on school vouchers at the state capitol in Austin on Nov. 17, 2023. Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune

Many of Burrows supporters, meanwhile, are members who have survived such primary challenges and faced years of verbal and political attacks from the rightmost wing of the party.

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More than two dozen of those Republican members appear to be dug in against Cook, motivated to deny control of the House to his supporters and their far-right political allies even if it means defying GOP caucus rules that require all Republicans to support the groups chosen candidate. Several of Burrows supporters took to social media last week to underscore their support and make the case for his conservative bona fides, including his record of supporting GOP border security measures and private school vouchers.

Burrows found a soft landing five years ago, after Sullivan released a recording of the meeting in which Burrows could be heard listing off the 10 primary targets in exchange for giving Sullivans group media access to the House floor. The scandal was damaging enough to end Bonnens speakership and spur Burrows resignation as House GOP majority leader, but Burrows quickly landed on his feet, landing Abbotts endorsement  a key stamp of approval in a period of turmoil  and winning a key post when Phelan ascended to the gavel: chair of the powerful Calendars Committee, which controls which bills reach the floor for a vote and which remain bottled up.

Burrows speaks on the House floor while then-House Speaker Dennis Bonnen presides on May 25, 2019. Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

Burrows argued that members are looking for a known quantity in Phelans successor, alluding to the five terms he has served in the House compared to Cooks two. He also noted that some of his support is coming from members who were very oppositional to him around the time of the Bonnen scandal.

I have gone from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in that chamber, Burrows said. I very much respect [the House], and I know the members know I care very deeply about it. And because I've had all those different experiences  some fantastic, some bad  they know the type of person and leader that I will be.

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This time, however, Burrows bid for speaker carries the risk of a full loss of power, with the possibility of being relegated to the background under a Cook-led House. No matter how the speaker race plays out, Burrows could draw a serious primary challenge in 2026 backed by the financial might of Dunn and others who have spent millions targeting Phelan and his allies.

Burrows has never faced a competitive primary challenge in the decade he has represented House District 83, which includes about one-third of Lubbock and extends into several nearby counties.

He flew largely under the radar in his first two terms under Bonnens predecessor, former Speaker Joe Straus, before ascending to control of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee in Bonnens lone term leading the House. He also was tapped to chair a House panel that investigated the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde  a high-profile assignment during which he established a rapport with some of the Democrats whose support he is now pursuing.

Burrows, chairman of the Investigative Committee on the Robb Elementary Shooting, listens to questions as former state Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman looks on during a press conference in the Civic Center in Uvalde on July 17, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

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Through his time in the House, Burrows has generally been seen as a mainstream Republican who falls between the most conservative and moderate ends of the spectrum. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, a group once linked with Sullivans now-defunct Empower Texans group, put Burrows near the middle of all House Republicans in its most recent fiscal responsibility index, which scores lawmakers based on their votes related to "size and role of government.

Cooks supporters have cast Burrows as a RINO  Republican in name only  who would be beholden to his Democratic supporters if elected speaker. One Cook-supporting Republican, Rep.-elect Mitch Little of Lewisville, accused Burrows of orchestrating a brazen attempt to circumvent the will of the voters by going around the House GOP Caucus.

Jones found in his own ideological ranking that Burrows was among the most moderate GOP members of the House last year, with a voting record farther to the left than all but 11 out of 84 total Republicans.

If we think about the Texas House as having sort of three main factions  Democrats, center to center-right Republicans, and the most conservative Republicans  it clearly places Burrows in that middle camp, Jones said of his ideological rankings, which analyzed more than 1,500 contested votes taken by House members across several legislative sessions last year.

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In the same analysis, Cook was closer to the ideological middle of House Republicans, suggesting he is far more moderate than the most conservative members who are backing him, yet still farther to the right than Burrows.

In any case, some of Burrows supporters outside the chamber have claimed he has a more established history than Cook of delivering conservative wins  and, they claim, the speaker battle is more about political control than where either candidate stands on the ideological spectrum.

This isnt about policy; its about principle at this point. Its about the fact that weve had more conservative victories than ever before, delivered at a very high frequency per session, yet the goalposts keep getting moved, Zach Maxwell, a former GOP legislative staffer who has spoken out against the far-right efforts to purify the party, said on social media. Why? Solely because the self proclaimed watchdogs of the grassroots dont have a buddy as the top guy who will bend the knee and make them feel good.

A balancing act

As Phelans proxy, Burrows is viewed by most Democrats as the more palatable option between the two Republican speaker candidates  as evidenced by the 38 members of the minority party on Burrows initial list of supporters. One of those members, state Rep. Josey Garcia of San Antonio, later said she was not supporting anyone for speaker yet. (No Democrats have publicly supported Cook.)

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Burrows backing among Democrats is far from universal. A group of more than 20 Democratic House members have withheld their support, with some citing his authorship of a sweeping new law, dubbed by opponents as the Death Star bill, aimed at sapping the power of local governments, particularly in Texas bluer urban areas.

All this has left Burrows to perform a delicate balancing act where his efforts to woo Democrats over to his side could lead to more Republican defections, and vice versa.

Cook, for his part, has vowed to end the practice of appointing Democrats to chair any House committees  a longstanding tradition continued by Phelan and previous GOP speakers, who have all granted Democrats a limited number of chairmanships. Cook has also pledged to ensure that GOP priority bills reach the floor before any Democratic measures.

Burrows said he has not made any concessions to Democrats. On the issue of appointing Democratic committee chairs, he said he would leave it to the members to work that out amongst themselves when they approve the House rules next session.

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Rather than making specific promises, Burrows said he is courting Democrats by leveraging relationships he has developed working on bipartisan issues, and by signaling support for House rules that allow the majority to rule but the minority to have their voice heard and respected.

And it doesn't hurt that the other side has wanted significant rule changes to shut them out of the process completely, Burrows said of his efforts to court Democrats.

In an uphill bid to appeal to Democratic members last week, Cooks allies have circulated a document that calls up comments from Bonnen and Burrows during the 2019 meeting with Sullivan, in which the two Republican lawmakers were caught disparaging local leaders.

During the meeting, Bonnen said his goal was for this to be the worst session in the history of the Legislature for cities and counties, something he said he told any mayor or county judge that was dumb ass enough to come meet with me. Burrows chimed in that he hoped the next session is even worse.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Gov. Greg Abbott; then-House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Burrows at a press conference addressing property tax reform on Jan. 31, 2019. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

Notably, Burrows bill reining in the power of cities and counties was enthusiastically supported by Abbott, who has warned that Texas is being California-ized by overregulation of local government. Abbott and Burrows have also been ideologically aligned for years on property tax relief, with the governor citing Burrows help shepherding his priority tax reform bill through the House when he endorsed Burrows in 2019; the two also lined up on the same side of a heavyweight clash last year over how lawmakers should provide billions in property tax relief.

Abbott also recently praised Burrows for penning an op-ed in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in which he alleged that school boards around Texas were raising the prospect of closing schools to stoke outrage near the election. In the op-ed, Burrows touted his full-throated support for Abbotts priority of enacting a voucher-like education savings account program that would allow parents to use public money to help cover their childrens private school tuition.

And yet, Abbott appeared to curtail Burrows path to the gavel last week when he broke his silence on the speakers race, voicing support on social media for a candidate chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules. Shortly after Abbott gave his tacit sign of support for Cook, one of the GOP lawmakers who was listed on both candidates list of supporters, state Rep. Charles Cunningham of Humble, confirmed to The Texas Tribune via a spokesperson that he was supporting Cook.

Cooks supporters swiftly framed Abbotts comment as a back-breaking development for Burrows; Cook consultant Elliott Griffin, for one, called Abbotts statement tectonic. Abbotts word is now thought to carry more heft than ever after the governor flexed his political muscle in this years primaries, spending millions to oust Republicans who defied him by opposing his voucher plan.

Others who have made clear they are not backing Burrows despite appearing on his initial list of supporters include Rep. Sam Harless of Spring and Rep.-elects Don McLaughlin of Uvalde and Paul Dyson of Bryan. With Garcia, the Democratic lawmaker, also asking off Burrows list, the Lubbock Republicans public support appears to be at 71 members, down from the 76 he claimed on Saturday.

Renzo Downey contributed to this report.

Disclosure: Rice University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has said that it was too early to speculate on a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

Source: Veldkamp before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The minister was asked about a possible European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

"It is too early to speculate about that," Veldkamp said.

Nevertheless, he noted that Ukraine's readiness for a diplomatic settlement with Russia is important.

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Quote: "Well, President Zelenskyy has spoken about a diplomatic solution in 2025. I think its very important that between now and the moment that he believes negotiations could start  we dont know about Putin, but  that Ukraine is fully supported, and that means military support, that means support in the field of energy, energy infrastructure, and it also means financial support."

Background:

Commenting on a possible peacekeeping mission, European chief diplomat Kaja Kallas said that peace must be achieved before sending peacekeepers, and Russia is not currently showing the will to do so.

Earlier, the media reported that possible formats for ending the war and the potential creation of a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine will be the topics of discussion at a meeting of Western leaders in Brussels.

Radio Liberty has learned from sources that French President Emmanuel Macron is likely to 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.

Nevertheless, the sources noted that the topic of peacekeepers is very new and remains at the level of an idea.

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East Coast drone sightings reach San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Thousands of drone sightings across the East Coast have been causing a panic in Washington, and now, the mysterious sightings have made their way to San Diego.

The drones have arrived in north county San Diego is what a video, taken around 6 p.m. in Escondido on Dec. 11, says, and its is gaining attention on social media, with over 100,000 views on TikTok.

What we know about drones over New Jersey, other parts of the US

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The man who took the video said he saw three of the drones in the sky at one point.

East Coast drone sightings reach San Diego (Photo: Jonathan Espino)

A woman in Aliso Viejo, in southern Orange County, also got a clear view of the unidentified objects last Monday late at night.

Mystery drones: Where they have been spotted?

Theres also been reported sightings elsewhere in Southern California, in Redondo Beach and the San Fernando Valley.

At a hearing this week, the U.S. Military said it has no idea what they are, and on Sunday, lawmakers provided an update to this rapidly growing problem.

In a statement Monday morning, a spokesperson for Camp Pendleton echoed these previous comments by military personnel, saying the base was aware of reported drone sightings in the area but the activity was not related to their operations.

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US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says

The mysterious drones were first spotted in northern New Jersey in mid-November. Now, theyve been seen all over the country, from New York and Maryland to Minnesota and California, and even internationally.

If you have related footage, share your photos and videos with FOX 5 & KUSI online here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Law enforcement agencies, police departments, and government officials offered condolences after Officer Rick Finley was killed in McNairy County.

On Saturday, the Selmer Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious person. They encountered Daniel Jeremiah Holmes, 39 who allegedly attacked Finley.

Appalachian Mountain Bike Club donates $59,812 to Helene relief efforts

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Holmes then reportedly fired several shots at Finely, fatally wounding him. Another officer allegedly returned fire, striking Holmes who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Here is a sample of some of the East Tennessee organizations and individuals expressed their condolences:

Sheriff Tom Spangler, Chief Deputy Bernie Lyon and the Knox County Sheriffs Office blue family would like to offer our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters in the McNairy County Sheriffs Office and the Selmer Police Department after Deputy/Officer Rick Finley was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, December 14th. Please join us in praying for Officer Finleys family, friends, and all who loved him during this difficult time. Knox County Sheriffs Office



Please join us in extending our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Officer Rick Finley and the Selmer Police Department. Officer Finley made the ultimate sacrifice yesterday after being attacked while protecting the citizens of Selmer. Loudon Police Department



Chief Landon Tucker and the Corinth Police Department would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Sgt. Rick Finley who selflessly gave his life in the line of duty in Selmer, TN on Dec. 14th, 2024. And to our brothers and sisters at the McNairy County Sheriffs Office and Selmer Police Dept. , you have our heart felt prayers and support. Rest easy Sgt. Finley. Corinth Police Department



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Man charged with arson after Sweetwater Dollar General fire

Chief Tony J. Crisp and all the members of the Maryville Police Department wish to offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Selmer Police Department Officer Rick Finley. Officer Finley worked part-time for the Selmer Police Department and was a full-time deputy with the McNairy County Sheriffs Office. Our heart breaks for the members of the Selmer Police Department, McNairy County Sherrifs Office and the community to which Officer Finley had dedicated himself to serve. To Ricks friends and loved ones, we grieve with you and pray for comfort during this difficult time. Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 Maryville Police Department



Please remember the family of Sgt. Rick Finley with the McNairy County Sheriffs Office. Sgt. Finley who died in the line of duty yesterday working an off duty job with the Selmer Police Department. Jefferson County Sheriffs Office



My prayers are with the family and loved ones of the officer with the Selmer Police Department whose life was tragically taken in the line of duty this weekend. Sen. Marsha Blackburn



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Dec. 16The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees will have a busy agenda when they meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 in the first floor board room of the administration building.

There will be a public hearing on first amended and restated agreement for limitation on appraised value between the District and 1PointFive Stratos, LLC and 1PointFive Stratos II, LLC under Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code.

The applicant is requesting that the agreement be changed to reflect assignment to the new owner, 1PointFive Stratos, LLC and 1PointFive Stratos II, LLC, and to delay the start of the limitation period by a year.

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Another public hearing will be held on a mineral lease of land.

The board will consider a request for approval to award the mineral lease to David H. Arrington Oil Company, LLC.

Trustees will also be announcing seven teachers who just earned their National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.

This is the gold standard for teacher professional development.

In an update on the 2023 bond, a committee to select the colors for the new west side middle school will meet at the administration building Jan. 9.

The committee includes district leadership, faculty from surrounding elementary and middle schools and parents from potential feeder schools.

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PBK Architects will be on hand and provide examples of colors.

In November 2023, voters approved one of three bond propositions which was for $424,263,000. The total of the three propositions was 436,109,000.

The board will also discuss and consider adoption of an order directing the defeasance and redemption of a portion of the district's outstanding unlimited tax refunding bonds, in the aggregate principal amount of $7,000,000; and enacting other provisions relating to the subject.

Defeasance is a provision in a contract that voids a bond or loan on a balance sheet, according to Investopedia.
A sign protesting Enbridge Line 5 in Michigan. (Laina G. Stebbins | Michigan Advance)

The land does not belong to us, it is borrowed by us from our childrens children said Robert Blanchard, chairman of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. We harvest our wild rice from the waters, we hunt from the land, fish from the lake, streams, and rivers to feed our families and gather the medicines to heal our relatives.

The Bad River Band cites this relationship with the land in its fight against the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline, which has operated in trespass on the Bad River Bands reservation for years. Now, the Band and its allies are challenging the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) decision to grant permits that the Canadian oil company Enbridge will need to construct a re-route of the pipeline. The new route no longer trespasses on the reservation, it will still run through the Bad River watershed. The tribe and a coalition of state environmental groups say a spill in that area could be devastating.

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Last Thursday, Midwest Environmental Advocates, 350 Wisconsin, the Sierra Club of Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin filed a petition for a contested case hearing with the DNR, challenging DNR permitting for Line 5. Shortly after filing the challenge, Midwest Environmental Advocates received a report of a 69,000-gallon oil spill in Jefferson County.

According to an accident report shared with Wisconsin Examiner, the spill originated from Enbridges Line 6 pipeline. Some 1,650 barrels of crude oil are estimated to have leaked from the pipeline, with 42 gallons to a barrel. When plugged into Google Maps, GPS data in the accident report point to a roadway running through a grassy, wooded area. The map shows that the spill occurred near a waterway that flows into Lake Ripley, not far from a group of nature preserves and campgrounds. Although the pipeline segment had a leak detection system, the accident report states that this didnt alert anyone to the leak, which was first noticed on Nov. 11 by an Enbridge technician.

Line 6 is one of four pipeliness that run from Superior, Wisconsin, to Illinois. It carries crude oil from Superior to Lockport, Illinois.

Anti-Line 5 graffiti at Enbridges pumping station in Mackinaw City, Mich., May 12, 2021. (Laina G. Stebbins | Michigan Advance)

Tony Wilkin Gibart, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates, said in a statement that the Line 6 spill highlights the dangers of Line 5. 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, said Gibart. DNRs reasoning for approving Line 5 defies common sense.

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In November, the DNR decided to issue wetland and waterway permits to Enbridge as a step towards moving the pipeline off the Bad River reservation. The DNR highlighted that the wetland permits would include over 200 conditions which Enbridge would need to honor, and which would keep the company in compliance with Wisconsins wetland and waterway standards. Both the DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would need to approve the permits before construction of the reroute could begin.

Many of our people will feel the effects if we lose these resources, said Blanchard. In my view, the DNR failed our children when it gave Enbridge the permits to build this reroute. They failed to consider the companys multiple disasters in Minnesota and in Michigan, which are still being cleaned up. They failed to consider our tribe, our water quality, and the natural resources of the entire Bad River watershed. As a tribal chairman and an elder, its my responsibility to protect the generations still to come. Thats why we are fighting this reroute in court.

The Band is represented by EarthJustice in a lawsuit filed against the DNR which, like the petition filed last week by the environmental groups, accuses the state agency of producing an inadequate final Environmental Impact Statement on the reroute which violates the Wisconsin Environmental Protection Act.

Blanchard highlighted his tribes reliance on wild rice fields growing along the Bad River and Lake Superior, as well as natural medicines, wild game, and the land itself which are crucial to the Bad River Bands cultural practices and way of life. Every year the tribe holds an annual wild rice harvest, and Bad River Band members hunt and gather from the land all year.

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If something was to happen during that time, or when that pipeline is in place, you know, its really going to affect a lot of things that we do here, and the way that we do things here on the reservation as far as our way of life, Blanchard warned.

Currently the Line 5 pipeline crosses the Bad River inside the boundaries of the reservation. If the reroute goes through, Enbridge would construct 41 miles of new pipeline to cross the river outside of reservation land. The reroute would still place the natural resources the tribe relies on in danger if an oil spill or leak were to occur.

Enbridge, Sti. Ignace | Susan J. Demas

Stefanie Tsosie, senior staff attorney at Earthjustice, also warned that constructing new pipeline damages natural formations and resources which are often irreplaceable. Once construction starts they cant undo the damage, Tsosie said in a statement. Enbridge has a terrible track record for pipeline construction and operation. And this place  this watershed and this territory  is not another place they can just plow through.

Opponents to the pipeline point to a history of ecological disasters due to spillage from Enbridge pipelines. In 2010, millions of gallons of crude oil contaminated the Kalamazoo River, creating a crisis which took years to address. Over the past 50 years, Enbridges Line 5 pipeline has spilled over 1 million gallons in dozens of different incidents.

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Today, an area known as the meander is also creating concern for the Bad River Band. The river is changing course, and it does that throughout the way it runs, said Blanchard. At the meander where the pipeline crosses, he added, If we have high water events, flooding, harsh winter with a lot of ice build up, and all that breaks loose in the spring, then we get this high water that very well could take that pipeline out, and cause a spill.

A billboard promoting Enbridge Inc. (Susan Demas | Michigan Advance)

The tribe is monitoring the situation regularly, but this does little to ease their anxieties. The meander is quite difficult to get to, said Blanchard, and its also just one area of concern along the pipelines route. A few years back, we had an exposed pipeline coming down one of the sidehills up there, said Blanchard. There was quite a ways where the pipeline was exposed and just kind of hanging in mid-air, which could have been disastrous if it wasnt found and something done about it.

If Line 5 were rerouted, it would still go through other wetlands and habitats outside the reservation. These are some of the most treasured areas in Wisconsin, said Brett Korte, an attorney with Clean Wisconsin. When we think of the beauty of our state, our precious freshwater resources, the places we must protect, these areas are at the top of the list.

In a statement, Korte added, This push from Canadian oil giant Enbridge is getting national attention because what its proposing to do here in Wisconsin is dangerous.

This report was updated with additional information about Line 6.

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Kaream Akton Moore probably knew that the plastic bag that a stranger paid him $30 to deliver, one August day in 2023, contained drugs. He probably didnt care. Moore, 42, had been caught in the cruel grip of addiction for nearly three decades at that point; he was homeless and destitute, living behind a Merritt Island apartment complex and getting by on the odd jobs hed pick up.

A few data points suggest how Moores priorities were dictated by the demons of drug addiction.. At the time of his arrest, he weighed 123 pounds. He is nearly 6 feet tall. The only non-drug-related conviction in his long criminal record is a shoplifting charge involving the theft of potato chips.

Kaream Moore is no hero. But hes nowhere near the kind of monster who conspires to feed the torrent of illegal drugs flooding into Central Florida, spreading misery, breeding other crimes and even taking lives. It might make some people angry to think of him this way, but Moore is more justly counted as a victim of the addiction crisis than a malefactor.

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Throughout the vast network of state and federal prisons, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, more like him. And many who have devoted their lives to the justice system have come to see the cruel short-sightedness of laws that ruthlessly assign long sentences to people who are already suffering.

Before he leaves office, President Joe Biden could do something about this savage blindness  as could President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office in late January. We hope they do.

Barely a speed bump

The circumstances of Moores case illustrate the case against current sentencing laws so clearly that they attracted one of the areas leading criminal-defense attorneys to defend him for free, and prompted a scathing, highly unusual cry of anguish from the federal judge who was forced to sentence Moore to five years in federal prison. In a written opinion, U.S. District Judge Roy Skip Dalton blasted laws that set harsh minimum sentences tied to the quantity of drugs defendants have in their possession, and the mandates that make such sentences unavoidable unless prosecutors agree to waive them.

Mr. Moore needs substance abuse treatment, not a long and destructive prison sentence, Dalton wrote, a few months after he found Moore guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance  even though he noted that Moore played no role in deciding what was in the package, who would receive it or what it would be used for. But Mr. Moore is invisible in our society and our criminal justice system. Hes homeless and wont be missed. Barely a speed bump on the highway of judicial efficiency. But which pillar of sentencing will be advanced by dispatching Mr. Moore to federal prison for five years at great expense to the taxpayers? Retribution? For a $30 bike ride  hardly. Rehabilitation? Mr. Moore is a longtime drug addict that a stint in prison likely wont cure. Deterrence? Will another drug addict turn down the certain fix that a $30 delivery will buy because of Mr. Moores draconian sentence? Color me skeptical. Incapacitation? Mr. Moore will be off the streets, thats for sure. But absent intensive substance abuse treatment, that may not be the best of bargains for $30,000 a year of the taxpayers money  or the collective conscience.

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In that one paragraph, Dalton effectively exploded the most persuasive arguments used to support minimum-mandatory sentences for low-level offenders, including the reality that behind bars, substance abuse treatment is rare and often low-quality. Its true that some incarcerated people manage to get sober  and stay that way after their release. But a growing body of research demonstrates that even the most effective prison-based programs carry a high failure rate after a participant is released. Thats no knock on the well-intentioned people who run those programs but it does reflect reality. A highly constrained prison environment is no match for the daily lives of those who leave prison and return to the communities where drugs are easy to get and stability is hard to find. Many slide hopelessly back into lives as nearly invisible wraiths, measured in the intervals between fixes  and arrests.

Lawmakers and other high-ranking officials dont really seem to care.

The numbers game

So why are minimum mandatory sentences so popular? Because people like Moore dont seem to matter that much to politicians who want to look tough on crime. In a memorandum to the court prior to Moores sentencing, Moores attorney Fritz Scheller spelled out many of the ways that legislators have shifted too much control to one side of what is supposed to be an adversial system. Prosecutors can effectively determine an offenders fate with the charges they file, he wrote.

By adopting inflexible numeric cutoffs  such as the quantity of drugs defendants are caught with, or their prior arrest records  these laws make it easy for politicians to parade their tough-on-crime credentials without having to account for the myriad shades of gray in each case. For example, federal and state laws automatically assume that possession of a specified quantity of drugs establishes an intention to sell them. But those trafficking quantities are so low that they can trigger marijuana-trafficking charges for the possession of a single plant.

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In the case of the synthetic opioid most commonly known as fentanyl, that weight can include other substances mixed with the actual drug. And the quantity cutoff is incredibly low; with fentanyl, its set at 40 grams, about the weight of eight nickels or two AA batteries. While fentanyl can be deadly in very low quantities, the concentration of the drug also makes a big difference.

Unfortunately for Moore, whatever was in the bag he delivered tested positive for fentanyl. Fortunately for society, there was no chance this particular substance would ever threaten the lives of an unwitting drug user  the person Moore delivered it to was a confidential informant working with law enforcement.

In and of itself, that should outrage the conscience: As Scheller points out, this operation wasnt masterminded by drug kingpins at all. Instead, it was overseen by local law enforcement, and then snapped up by federal prosecutors who knew the case around Moore was airtight, even as they must have realizded he was no conspirator. He was just a tool  first as a means to move the drugs from Point A to Point B, and then as a tally mark on someones win-loss record.

The Government now seeks a penalty of imprisonment that was designed for a kingpin, against an impoverished homeless drug addict. No matter how the Government may dress it up (e.g. a vast conspiracy), the result does not achieve justice, Scheller wrote.

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In this case, however, there are a few rays of hope.

A trend, and a single case

The first could already be breaking. Statistics compiled by the Justice Department show that the rate of minimum mandatory sentences is starting to drop. In 2016, nearly 22% of all federal drug cases involved minimum mandatory sentences. But by the timethose cases reached the sentencing phase, less than 14% of them still included miniumum mandatories. And enthusiasm for minimum mandatory sentences has continued to drop: In 2022, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland instructed U.S. district attorneys to avoid minimum sentences in cases where they werent merited by other evidence. Pam Bondi, Trumps pick for Garlands job, knows the structure of the fentanyl trade better than most attorneys  even prosecutors  in the nation. She should also work to inject more justice and humanity into sentencing.

But theres a quicker and more compelling way for President Biden to act. He can research the number of federal prison inmates who are serving minimum mandatory sentences that exceed the federal sentencing guidelines, and order those sentences to be commuted. THeres no doubt this issue is on the presidents mind: This week, he issued more than 1,500 pardons of people with low-level drug convictions who had been released from prison during COVID, and his press secretary says more are coming.

For Moore, theres more reason for hope. Scheller has been talking to the office of U.S. District Attorney Roger Handberg, and says hes optimistic that a more equitable sentence can be negotiated. That should include a shift in charges that removes the dreaded felony tag from Moores name.

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When and if he returns to this community, we hope that Moore takes strength from the realization that his story has made a difference. We hope he finds inspiration from ex-felon role models such as voting-rights activist Desmond Meade and Ruben Saldana, head of the Credible Messenger program that offers youth alternatives to lives filled with drug abuse and violence  youth who are around the age Moore was when he first started using drugs.

Because hope and humanity are his birthright. Kaream Moore, and others like him, do matter. They have potential  as workers, builders, volunteers, faith leaders. As sons and daughters, as parents, as friends. Its a crime, and a heartbreaking injustice, when they are reduced to numbers to prop up an illusion that society can incarcerate its way out of the drug crisis. In the end, nobody wins. And, as Scheller sums up in his sentencing memo, that aint right.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com
As President Joe Biden heads to the end of his time in the Oval Office, he is leaving with an act of compassion for those serving unnecessarily long federal prison sentences and who have perhaps been targeted by punitive laws that no longer fit in with our contemporary understandings of fairness and proportionality.

These grants of clemency were done the right way, through the Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney under regular procedures, unlike how he broke his word and conferred on his legitimately convicted (but not sentenced) son Hunter  a full and unconditional pardon.

Last week, the president commuted the sentences of almost 1,500 nonviolent offenders who have already been serving sentences at home under the CARES Act. In addition, 39 people were pardoned, allowing them to continue their lives outside the shadow of a federal criminal conviction. This comes after Biden has already used these powers for justice, issuing blanket pardons for people convicted of minor marijuana offenses and for service members convicted for their sexual orientations.

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As the White House notes, many of the sentences commuted would have been initially lower if they had been handed down today. Plus, a chunk of these pardons have been for crimes that no longer exist in their current form, or that we dont consider very serious.

In some important ways, the commutations are a recognition that some laws and sentencing guidelines were disproportionate and contrary to what should be the ultimate goal of criminal lockup: to issue some punishment, yes, but also to be dissuasive and to at least allow for the prospect of people returning to their lives with the ability and resolve to live better lives. Decades-long sentences for relatively minor and nonviolent offenses does not fulfill this goal, and does not ultimately keep anyone safer.

Except for the nonviolent aspect, the Hunter pardon does not fit the standard of last week's acts of executive clemency. It was issued prematurely before Hunter had been sentenced and had a chance to appeal his conviction and punishment through the court system. It also was a direct contravention of the presidents promise to respect the ruling of the jury. It seems a family Thanksgiving on Nantucket mattered more than all that high-minded stuff.

As it stood, the Hunter pardon hurt Bidens legacy by being so self-interested and personal and it fed conspiracy theories of partisan federal prosecutions, which undermines the idea of equal justice under law.

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One additional thing that the president might consider in his waning weeks at the helm is the commutation of some death row sentences to life imprisonment. At the end of his tenure, Donald Trump oversaw 13 executions, the only type of punishment that cannot be in any way reversed or patched up if laws change or mistakes are discovered during the criminal justice process. There have been situations where we have felt that capital punishment is warranted, but not every case is as cut and dried.

Trump, meanwhile, is already planning on using his pardon power on day one to pardon the Jan. 6 rioters, who attempted to overthrow democracy. With his act of mercy, Biden sets a better parting example.

___
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Iran's non-oil exports to Kazakhstan increased by 41.4 percent in value and 9.6 percent in weight during eight months of the current Iranian year (from March 20 through November 2024) compared to the same period of last year (March 21 through November 21, 2023).

The data obtained by Trend from the country's Customs Administration shows that Iran exported about 334,000 tons of non-oil products worth $175 million to Kazakhstan during the eight months.

The statistics note that during the same period last year, Iran's exports of non-oil products to Kazakhstan amounted to about 305,000 tons, worth about $124 million.

Information indicates that Iran exported to Kazakhstan mainly agricultural and food products, tobacco products, petrochemical products, and others.

Moreover, the statistics added that Iran's trade turnover with Kazakhstan amounted to 417,000 tons worth $211 million during eight months.

During the eight months of the current Iranian year, from March 20 to November 20, 2024, Iran exported approximately 104 million tons of non-oil products, valued at approximately $38.2 billion. Iran's exports of non-oil products increased by 18 percent in value and 14.6 percent in weight compared to the same period of last year (from March 21 through November 21, 2023).
Greater Cincinnati is growing, and so is the region's major airport.

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, locally known as CVG, will be undergoing a terminal modernization program, dubbed as Elevate CVG. The program is a series of renovation projects and is in the works to "meet growing passenger demand" and bolster the overall efficiency of operations, according to a news release.

The airport announced in the release last month that it has finalized the teams that will lead the program: AECOM Hunt  Skanska to handle design and building and STV Construction to handle the program management and construction.

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The modernization of CVG will be a game-changer, and AECOM Hunt  Skanska is proud to collaborate with CVG to reimagine and redefine the airport experience, Jerry Sheets, senior vice president of AECOM Hunt, said in the release.

The two teams will also be joined by Germany-based Beumer Group, which will oversee the baggage handling system replacement, and O'Rourke Wrecking Company, which will take care of the demolition.

The total program budget is estimated at $575 million, primarily funded by general airport revenue bonds, as well as federal and state grants.

It is time to modernize our facilities for our travelers and employees, and we are taking an intentional approach to boost efficiency and elevate the passenger experience, CVG CEO Candace McGraw said in the release. We are thrilled to have a qualified, collaborative team on board to assist with program/construction management and design and build aspects of this complex, multi-year modernization program.

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More: CVG hires aviation veteran from Washington state as new CEO

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will be undergoing Elevate CVG, a multi-year terminal modernization program.

Which facilities will be modernized at CVG?

CVG spokesperson Mindy Kershner said that every passenger facility and aspect will be "renovated or upgraded in some capacity" through Elevate CVG. This includes all fixtures and finishes throughout the main terminal, baggage claim area, transportation tunnel, concourses and restrooms, which will also be getting their pipes replaced.

"We have really good bones and a really good foundation of our facilities, so the plan was to renovate and modernize rather than to build new," Kershner said.

The ticket lobby on the second level of the main terminal will receive a remodel and expansion.

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Additional counters will be constructed in the customer service building on the east side of the main terminal, the backwall will be moved to increase queue space at existing ticket counters and ticket offices will be moved to the mezzanine level.

The reconfiguration of ticket offices and concession areas will give way to more queue space for the security screening checkpoint, more commonly known as TSA. The queue space will increase from 9,900 square feet to 11,500, according to the proposed plans.

Along with just overall renovation, the elevators and escalators in Concourses A and B will be getting revamps, Kershner said. She added that they potentially could build additional elevators and escalators to promote "vertical circulation."

The baggage handling system will undergo a complete overhaul, with Beumer Group tasked to implement an independent carrier system, Kershner said.

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Under CVG's current system, Kershner said checked bags are required to be sent to Concourse B where they're put through a security screening. If a traveler is flying out of Concourse A, their checked bag will then have to travel back from Concourse B after undergoing that screening.

The new system will move the security screening process for checked bags closer to the main terminal, reducing the travel time for baggage and boosting efficiency.

How long will the program take and when will it start?

The program has an anticipated completion in 2029, but the projects will be executed in phases.

Kershner said that they've already started conducting "behind-the-scenes" demolition on portions of the baggage system, which is planned to continue until mid-2025. However, travelers won't notice visible construction at the airport until the first quarter of 2026, she added.

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Currently, the program is still in its planning stages and a final design won't be reached until sometime next year, Kershner said.

The airport has released a preliminary schedule for the program, indicating when each phase will occur between now and 2029. However, those times are subject to change. The full schedule can be seen in the graphic below.

The preliminary schedule for each phase of the Elevate CVG modernization program. Times are subject to change.

Related: Frontier Airlines to offer nonstop flights from CVG to this southern city

How will ongoing construction impact travelers?

Elevate CVG's program schedule includes a phased approach to minimize the impact on travelers, according to the release.

Kershner said that at this point, it's still too early to tell how much the construction will affect airport operations and travelers' experiences.

Escape Lounge getting an upgrade

In a completely separate project from Elevate CVG, the Escape Lounge is slated to move to a new, larger spot in the airport next year as part of a $7.4 million lounge revamp.

What to know about CVG

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport opened in 1947 in Boone County, Kentucky, and has only grown since then.

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The airport reported in a May presentation that it saw 8.7 million passengers in 2023, employs over 16,000 workers at its campus and contributed a $9.3 billion economic impact  a $6 billion increase in the last 10 years. Additionally, it's the 12th largest cargo airport in the world.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elevate CVG: Cincinnati airport to undergo major multi-year renovation
A Charlotte County deputy was killed on Sunday afternoon, according to Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel.

Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was conducting the traffic stop of a 24-year-old man when the driver pulled out a rifle and opened fire on Diaz.

Diaz's murder sent shockwaves throughout the state, with tributes and condolences pouring in from Diaz's CCSO colleagues, community, and Florida officials. CCSO recently shared Diaz was posthumously promoted to Sgt. by Sheriff Prummell.

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"He was a genuine and kind person who truly loved what he did. He loved Shop With A Cop and signed up to participate every year. His passion for his career was outweighed only by his love of his family," Charlotte County Public Information Officer Chris Hall wrote in a press release about Diaz.

Where is Charlotte County, Florida?

Charlotte County is located on Southwest Florida's coast, sitting between Lee County's Fort Myers and Sarasota County's North Port.

Charlotte County deputy Elio Diaz killed during traffic stop. What happened?

About 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, Diaz was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop Sunday afternoon at a Chevron gas station in Charlotte County, Prummell said during a news conference Sunday night.

During the stop, the suspect pulled out a rifle and opened fire on Diaz, according to Prummell. Diaz was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.

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Prummell said the suspect fled the scene after shooting Diaz and a manhunt ensued. He was later found "not far away" at a Popeyes restaurant in Punta Gorda. When deputies approached him, Prummell said the suspect "immediately grabbed for a rifle," at which time a deputy shot him in the head.

The suspect died after being flown to a hospital and was later identified as Andrew Mostyn Jr., 24, Prummell said.

Who was Elio Diaz? When did he join CCSO?

Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was named the Law Enforcement Member of the 1st Quarter in November 2023.

Diaz began with the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office on Sept. 13, 2013. CCSO shared that he served on Road Patrol, Investigations, and STAR (Strategic Target Area Response) throughout his career. He was also a member of the Crisis Negotiations Team.

He was promoted to the rank of corporal in January of 2020.

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Diaz also earned Law Enforcement Member of the Quarter honors in 2023, once in the first quarter and then again in the third quarter.

CCSO shares details about Elio Diaz, described as 'kind,' 'loved to make others laugh'

Beyond his role as a CCSO corporal, the sheriff's office said he was a father of four and a husband who had a "personality that was bigger than any situation." They added that Diaz loved to laugh and make others laugh.

They also shared an anecdote about Diaz, saying he was famous around the agency for his homemade Cuban coffee and collegues would line up to get a cup when he brought it into the station.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office previously posted a photo of Diaz from this year's Shop With A Cop program, "an event for which he eagerly signed up each year. His love for his career, the people he served, and the people he served beside was unparallelled."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Elio Diaz: What to know about Florida deputy killed in shooting
Not even Elon Musk knows exactly what is on the U.S. spy satellite rockets his company blasts into space.

SpaceX executives decided their founder and chief executive shouldnt apply for the highest-level security clearance after lawyers warned his alleged drug use and regular contact with foreign governments could create problems for the companys defense contracts, The Wall Street Journal reported.

But even without the security clearance, Musks new friend Donald Trump could give him unfettered access to the nations secrets once the president-elect takes office in January.

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Like government employees, defense contractors generally hold confidential, secret, or top-secret security clearance giving them access to certain classified information. Musk barely obtained top-secret level clearance in 2022.

But SpaceXs Starshield program, which provides spy satellite hardware and services to intelligence agencies, generally requires even higher clearance. SpaceX has $5.32 billion in contracts with the Department of Defense, including a 2023 contract with the Pentagon worth $70 million.

The work is discussed and carried out in special classified facilities, which require even higher clearances for sensitive compartmentalized informationa reference to intelligence sources and techniquesand for special access programs.

Musk doesnt hold either clearance. That means he cant enter the classified Starshield facilities and cant access certain information about SpaceXs spy satellite program, including details about the spy cargo his rockets are carrying, according to The Wall Street Journal. His representatives didnt respond to the papers request for comment.

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Sources told the paper that SpaceXs lawyers and executives debated last year whether to apply for a higher security clearance for Musk, but they were worried his application would be derailed by his contact with foreign leadersand by alleged drug use.

Musk has used LSD, cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms, the Journal reported. His lawyer told the paper its reporting contained false facts, though he didnt specify which part was wrong. Musk himself seemed to confirm hes used ketamine, writing on his social media platform X that ketamine was better than SSRIs for treating depression.

I have a prescription for when my brain chemistry sometimes goes super negative, he wrote.

In October, reports also emerged that Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2022.

I have serious concerns about SSRIs, as they tend to zombify people.



Occasional use of Ketamine is a much better option, in my opinion. I have a prescription for when my brain chemistry sometimes goes super negative.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2023

All of this would have made it difficult to upgrade Musks security clearance; a request could have even led to his access being downgraded, SpaceXs lawyers reportedly warned. A top managers failed security application could have then forced the company to create extra layers of security and seek special government waivers.

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But now, SpaceX has been scouting locations for a secure facility where Musk can review highly classified information, the Journal reported.

After donating more than $250 million to get Trump re-elected, the incoming president named Musk an outside government efficiency adviser. Presidents have the power to waive security requirements and give individuals access to national security secrets.

So Musk could very well end up parsing classified information as he decides which programs to recommend for the chopping block.

The Daily Beast has reached out for comment from Musk and SpaceX.
SpaceXs 200-ton booster barrelled back down to Earth. At what seemed like the last moment, its 33 raptor engines ignited, sending out a jet of flames beneath the tumbling, 233ft monolith. In a landing that captivated audiences around the world, Elon Musks rocket came to rest suspended above ground, caught by two chopsticks protruding from its launch tower.

The remarkable rocket mission out of SpaceXs sprawling Starbase at Boca Chica, Texas, in October couldnt be further removed from the efforts of Scotlands scrappy space start-ups, which are struggling to make the UK a sovereign space power.

SpaceX

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In the far north, Scotlands space minnows have been laying the groundwork for what it is hoped will be the first successful orbital rocket missions from UK soil after Virgin Orbits Spaceport Cornwall launch in 2023 ended in failure.

While SpaceX last week achieved a $350bn (277bn) valuation, Scotlands space companies have been forced to make do with bootstrapping their ventures, fundraising from a few deep-pocketed benefactors, or grants from the Scottish Government and UK Space Agency.

Understandably, things in Scotland are on a much smaller scale. The country could host sub-orbital and low-orbit rocket missions, carrying small satellites from its thriving small-satellite manufacturing industry. The Scottish Government has targeted 4bn of revenues by 2030.

There were high hopes for Scotlands space industry in 2024. SaxaVord, a rocket base in the Shetland Islands, had planned to host its first orbital missions.

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Construction of a rival project, Spaceport Sutherland, on the rugged AMhoine peninsula, was also well under way. UK rocket business Orbex had aimed to host its first missions from the northerly base by 2025. However, earlier this month Orbex announced that work there had been paused. It will now aim to launch from one-time rival SaxaVord.

The initial construction has left a road to nowhere, stretching across the peat bog to where a launchpad would have been.

Questions are now being asked about millions of pounds of taxpayer funding that was handed out in grants to develop Sutherland.

The spaceport plans were backed by 14.6m of public money, including from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the UK Space Agency.

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An HIE spokesman said: We want to send a clear message to local people in north Sutherland that we are deeply disappointed at this turn of events.

An Orbex spokesman said it received only 2.3m in relation to the spaceport after taking control of the site in 2022.

The spokesman said: We will keep Sutherland Spaceports development under constant review.

John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister, told Holyrood last week he planned to investigate what steps can be taken to address what I recognise to be a legitimate issue over how the funding was used. Craig Hoy, a Scottish Conservative MSP, said: This sort of wastage is all too common on the SNPs watch.

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Orbex expects to launch its first small vehicle, the 60ft tall Orbex Prime, from SaxaVord as soon as 2025. It will also begin development of a heavier, medium-lift vehicle, called Proxima. However, a spokesman said given its size, this could ultimately launch from closer to the Equator than Scotland.

Frank Strang, the chief executive of SaxaVord, said: It makes sense for Orbex to start operations from SaxaVord Spaceport, which is already licensed and in a position to support their upcoming launches.

There are also growing doubts about the prospects of other proposed Scottish launch sites. Prestwick Airport, near Glasgow, has been handed millions of pounds by local authorities to build a facility allowing aircraft to launch using its runway and fire rockets into space.

In September, however, Ayrshire Council confirmed it had cut 17m of planned funding for the project.

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Meanwhile, in April, satellite business Mangata Networks axed plans for an 84m investment in the region that would have created 600 jobs.

The Scottish Government, which owns Prestwick, is also considering selling the airport and it is unclear whether a private buyer would continue development of a space hub.

Two other proposed spaceports in the Inner and Outer Hebrides have made only limited progress. SaxaVord has suffered its own share of setbacks  although it is at least a fully licenced spaceport. Over the summer, a rocket developed by German start-up Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) exploded on the launchpad during an engine test, ending hopes of a first orbital mission from Shetland this year.

ABL Space Systems, a US start-up that had been planning to use SaxaVord as its rocket base, also suffered a testing mishap. It then announced mass layoffs and in November said it was abandoning the launch business to focus on defence technology.

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SaxaVord still has RFA, which is backed by 30m (25m) from investment company KKR, Orbex, German start-up Hyimpulse and Edinburghs Skyrora as potential clients. It is hoping for multiple orbital and suborbital missions to take place in 2025 and hopes to host up to 30 missions a year.

While Scotland has harboured ambitions to become a European space hub, industry executives have raised doubts over the UKs wider launch strategy. In January, Scott Hammond, Saxavords deputy chief executive, told MPs: Do we need two vertical launch spaceports? No, we dont ... We can account for the demand.

Kevin Seymour, of space start-up Astraius, said: The natural thing is that consolidation takes place and we end up with a situation in Scotland where four or five launch sites get consolidated down.

Phillip Chambers, the chief executive of Orbex, in July suggested that the Government had spread its funding to the sector too thinly, questioning why British agencies had handed millions of pounds in grants to foreign companies.

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He told the Financial Times: They should put one big slug into a national project where the UK can take leadership.

In private, others in the industry are still less optimistic about Britains launch prospects. One space industry source said Scotlands hopes of reaching orbit were based on fantasy.

The source added: The UK will have wasted millions because politicians prefer a good headline than technical reality. The north of Scotland is the last place to launch a spacecraft from.

Infrastructure barriers and unpredictable weather make launching from Scotland uninviting for many satellite businesses, the source said. Musks relentless dominance has also piled pressure on these tiny upstarts.

Elon Musks SpaceX has become the dominant force in private space exploration and rocket launches - Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The failure of Virgin Orbits first UK mission in January 2023 has done little to boost confidence. One space executive said in the wake of the failure that the UKs regime was toxic.

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While the UKs progress has been slow, SpaceX has launched its Falcon 9 rocket  its reusable workhorse  more than 420 times. At the same time, new competitors, such as New Zealand-based Rocket Lab, have emerged as potent players for launching smaller payloads into space. Rocket Lab has more than 50 successful missions under its belt since 2017.

Still, other leaders in Scotlands space industry believe its bases, such as SaxaVord, can fill a niche that SpaceX, which is focused on medium and heavy lift vehicles, does not. Having a UK spaceport also provides a sovereign capability in an increasingly hostile world.

A UK Space Agency spokesman said: There is a clear appetite for UK launch  and Scotlands growing space sector is playing a vital role in developing this new capability.

Craig Clark, former chairman of Space Scotland, says: Having a UK launch site is definitely a good thing. It means we do not rely on anyone to put vehicles into space.

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SpaceXs vehicles have got bigger and bigger, but there is still a demand for small launches that can be responsive.

Musks SpaceX endured plenty of failures before getting its Falcon programme off the ground. Scotlands space industry will be hoping for a similar relaunch.

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Elon Musk is the founder and CEO of the rocket company SpaceX.

Musk obtained top-secret clearance in 2022.

But Musk isn't privy to all of SpaceX's classified work with the US government, per the WSJ.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's security clearance doesn't grant him complete access to the company's classified work with the US government.

Musk isn't allowed to enter SpaceX facilities where classified information is being deliberated upon, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

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The billionaire also isn't privy to the classified cargo SpaceX launches into space as part of the company's contracts with US national security agencies, per the outlet.

"Consistent with the Privacy Act of 1974, we do not comment on the status of an individual's security clearance," Pentagon spokesperson Sue Gough told Business Insider when asked about the Journal's story.

In October, Musk said at a campaign event for Donald Trump in Pennsylvania that he has "top-secret clearance" for his work at SpaceX.

Musk obtained his top-secret clearance in 2022, following a review process that took years, the Journal reported. SpaceX's lawyers had advised the company not to seek a higher security clearance for Musk because he would have to disclose details about his drug use and interactions with foreign nationals.

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In 2018, Musk appeared to smoke a joint during an interview with Joe Rogan. Musk later said in an interview with "60 Minutes" that he had "no idea how to smoke pot."

When the Journal reported on Musk's drug use in January, he said that "not even trace quantities were found of any drugs or alcohol" in his system when NASA requested that he undergo three years of random drug testing.

After that one puff with Rogan, I agreed, at NASAs request, to do 3 years of random drug testing.



Not even trace quantities were found of any drugs or alcohol. @WSJ is not fit to line a parrot cage for bird   Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2024

As part of his business dealings, Musk has met with various foreign leaders over the years.

In April, Musk visited China, where he met with Premier Li Qiang, the country's second-highest-ranking politician. The two discussed the rollout of Tesla's self-driving technology in China.

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In October, the Journal reported that Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. In a statement, SpaceX said the Journal's story was "incredibly misleading" and based on "completely unsubstantiated claims."

Musk and Trump's relationship grows closer

Musk's clearance status might no longer be a problem for him given his close relationship with President-elect Trump.

Musk endorsed Trump and spent at least $270 million to help him get elected. In the past weeks, he has reportedly joined Trump on calls with world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In November, Trump announced that Musk would co-lead an advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, alongside Vivek Ramaswamy.

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Musk and Ramaswamy have talked about significantly reducing the size of the federal workforce and shutting down entire government agencies like the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Delete CFPB. There are too many duplicative regulatory agencies.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024

Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, and it was valued at about $350 billion during the latest round of staff share purchases. Musk is worth an estimated $455 billion, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making him the richest person in the world by a roughly $200 billion margin.

Representatives for Musk at SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Correction: December 16, 2024  An earlier version of this story misstated the amount of money Elon Musk spent on Donald Trump's campaign. He spent at least $270 million, not $119 billion.

December 16, 9:55 p.m.  This story has been updated with a statement from a Pentagon spokesperson.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) took to X on Monday to falsely state that vaccines caused autismbut not without backlash.

The controversial congresswoman has been known to spread conspiracy theories, like the U.S. government controlling the weather and wildfires being caused by space lasers, among other things.

This time, she declared unequivocally that vaccines cause autisma claim that has been studied extensively, with no evidence to suggest that the two are connected.

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I fully believe vaccines cause Autism, she wrote. Its another example of crimes against humanity. And innocent babies, children, and their families are the victims."

The comment was in response to a post claiming that vaccines could cause autism, with X users writing an extensive community note to prove the congresswoman wrong.

Vaccines do not cause autism, read the note, which is crowdsourced by users of the Elon Musk-owned social media platform. The scientific literature on this is so extensive, that claiming otherwise can only be explained through sheer ignorance, or some sort of nefarious political purpose.

The note included at least 19 links to outside resources that shot down claims of the connection between autism and vaccines.

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Some people have had concerns that [Autism Spectrum Disorder] might be linked to the vaccines children receive, but studies have shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing ASD, read one of the links from the CDC. Once vaccines are licensed or authorized for emergency use in the United States, CDC and FDA continuously monitor them through several safety systems.

Another link directed to an NPR story with the headline, A Large Study Provides More Evidence That MMR Vaccines Dont Cause Autism.

A large study released Monday finds no evidence that the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella increases the risk of autism, read the article. The study of children born in Denmark is one of the largest ever of the MMR vaccine.

Users even took to the comments to write their grievances with the claim.

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The scientific process is indifferent about what you personally believe, thankfully, wrote one user.

This has been researched extensively and no link has been found between vaccines and autism, wrote another.
In a sign that the times surely are changing, pop music icon Elton John came out against marijuana in a Time magazine interview. Once known as much for his excesses as for his music, the long-rehabbed star regrets not only his own overindulgence, but also legalization efforts that free users from the threat of arrest and imprisonment. While we can appreciate the difficulties of the performer's own journey, he makes two basic mistakes: he ignores the damage done by prohibition, and he overlooks our right to do what we please without state interference so long as we harm nobody else. Both are serious oversights.

You Make Terrible Decisions on Drugs

"I maintain that it's addictive. It leads to other drugs," 77-year-old Elton John commented about marijuana to Time's Belinda Luscombe during an interview naming him icon of the year. "And when you're stonedand I've been stonedyou don't think normally. Legalizing marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time."

John suffered through severe drug dependency, which he kicked in rehab, so his personal regrets are understandable. He says that after he started heavily using cocaine and other intoxicants, he belatedly discovered that "you make terrible decisions on drugs." Worse for the performer: Luscombe notes that "as John became increasingly dependent on drugs, the music got worse."

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Those were excellent reasons for John to go into rehab and kick his dependencies, which he did decades ago. He's helped other performers, with various degrees of success, battle their own problems with intoxicants. But it's a leap from his personal problems to attacking reforms that reduce or eliminate legal threats against those who produce, buy, sell, and use marijuana. Whatever harms marijuana use may cause some peopleand harm can to be found in excess consumption of anythingpale in comparison to the damage done by efforts to enforce prohibition against a resistant population.

War on Drugs Has Subjected Millions to Criminalization

"Since the declaration of the U.S. drug war, billions of dollars each year have been spent on drug enforcement and punishment because it was made a local, state, and federal priority," wrote Aliza Cohen, Sheila P. Vakharia, Julie Netherland, and Kassandra Frederique of the Drug Policy Alliance in a 2022 paper published in the Annals of Medicine. "For the past half century, the war on drugs has subjected millions to criminalisation, incarceration, and lifelong criminal records, disrupting or altogether eliminating access to adequate resources and supports to live healthy lives."

The authors note that "drug offences remain the leading cause of arrest in the nation; over 1.1 million drug-related arrests were made in 2020, and the majority were for personal possession alone." They add that "roughly 20% of people who are incarcerated are there for a drug charge." Racial disparities can be found in both arrests and incarceration, though nobody should be facing such perils.

Prohibition, they add, means drugs come in uncertain purity from unreliable suppliers because of the illegal nature of the business. "The most recent 'fourth wave' of the overdose crisis can be attributed to a fentanyl-contaminated drug supply caused by drug prohibition," as illegality drives buyers to black market sources.

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Some of the victims of the war on drugs had problems comparable to those of Elton John in terms of dependency and impaired decision-making. It's difficult to believe that pursuits by police, arrest, and imprisonment improved their lot. Others were casual users who were certainly harmed by the intrusion of the criminal justice system into their lives. All suffer from the lingering effects of criminal records that make it difficult to find jobs, gain occupational licenses in our overregulated society, and even get access to housing when subjected to background checks.

Prohibition Breeds Corruption and Violence

In 2017, the Cato Institute's Christopher J. Coyne and Abigail R. Hall reached similar conclusions. They concluded that "the domestic War on Drugs has contributed to an increase in drug overdoses and fostered and sustained the creation of powerful drug cartels" that profit from the illegal trade and inflict corruption and violence on the societies around them. "Internationally, we find that prohibition not only fails in its own right, but also actively undermines the goals of the Global War on Terror."

They added that "prohibition may increase the benefits of using violence. By gaining a reputation for using violence, those involved in the drug trade may exert more effective control over the market." Also, their participation in the illegal drug trade enriches both criminal cartels and terrorist organizations. In Afghanistan, for instance, "the Talibandeveloped a cartel over the country's opium production."

All of this indicates that use of drugs overall might harm some people who overindulge, but prohibition damages whole societies. And both the Annals of Medicine and Cato papers addressed the problem inherent in prohibiting any drugs. Elton John voiced regret over the legalization of marijuana, generally acknowledged to be the most benign of those drugs that have historically been banned.

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Just as important as these practical issues, though, are the moral ones. For libertarians, the principle of personal freedom is a clear and obvious one. We have the right to create, buy, sell, and use whatever we please, and to engage in consensual dealing with other adults, even if the outcomes might hurt us.

Power Can Be Rightfully Exercised Only To Prevent Harm to Others

"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others," John Stuart Mill wrote in On Liberty. "His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right." Referring to efforts to, among other things, ban the import of opium into China, he wrote, "these interferences are objectionable, not as infringements on the liberty of the producer or seller, but on that of the buyer."

In truth, they sound like infringements on the liberty of the seller and producer, too, in their efforts to seek consensual dealings with buyers.

Prohibitionists argue that drug users harm society through lowered productivity, poor decision-making, and dependency. But that implies that we have an obligation to society to always be at our high-functioning best. It also ignores the "harm" done by a host of other things, including being unmotivated.

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Then there's the damage done by prohibition itself: violence, corruption, and ruined lives. Even those who reject our right to live free must address the dangers inherent in prohibition.

Elton John is a remarkable performer who has defeated some personal demons and helped others do the same. He certainly has advice to offer when it comes to drug use and the damage it can do. But he needs to give more thought to the lives ruined and societies wrecked by trying to make people give up marijuana and other drugs by force.

The post Elton John Condemns Marijuana Legalization, but Doesn't Mention Prohibition's Harms appeared first on Reason.com.
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL)  Emory & Henry University, Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) and two local school districts have partnered to help create a pathway for students to get their teacher certification in Southwest Virginia.

On Monday, the institutions announced they had signed a memorandum of understanding with Bristol Virginia Public Schools (BVPS) and Washington County Public Schools (WCPS).

Youngkin proposes exempting tips from Virginia income tax

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A joint news release states that the partnership will address the regions critical need for qualified educators by giving students a faster road to becoming licensed teachers.

The pathway Teachers for Tomorrow program will take high school students through a bachelors degree and teacher licensure process in an expedient manner. The program begins in the 10th grade when students will be informed of the pathway.

Participating BVPS and WCPS juniors and seniors will be able to gain classroom experience and will have opportunities to earn up to a year of college credit through dual enrollment studies.

VHCC will offer the dual enrollment courses, which will allow high school students to complete the Uniform Certificate of General Studies. The community college will also provide education-specific courses as part of the program so students can obtain their Associate of Science degree in education.

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The final step of the program takes place at Emory & Henry, where Teachers for Tomorrow students will complete their last two years and obtain their teacher licensure.

Teachers for Tomorrow students will be offered a discounted tuition rate at Emory & Henry of $7,500 per year. While participating students are at VHCC, they may visit Emory & Henry to get accustomed to the campus life that awaits them.

The goal of this collaborative effort is to create a sustainable, well-supported pipeline that allows students from the region to enter the teaching profession more quickly, effectively, and with the skills needed to succeed in todays classrooms, the release states.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Then-President Trump speaks during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in 2020. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

After four years under Joe Biden, who enthusiastically called himself "the most pro-union president in American history, employers and labor groups alike are heading into President-elect Donald Trump's second term unsure of what lies ahead.

Although his nominee for Labor secretary has won bipartisan praise and has a pro-labor track record, Trump's threats to deport millions, impose tariffs and weaken worker protections have left many in the labor movement wary of what his time in office will bring.

Here's what a second Trump administration could mean for labor.

What is the National Labor Relations Board and what could happen to it under Trump?

The National Labor Relations Board is the federal agency tasked with safeguarding the right of private employees to unionize or organize in other ways to improve their working conditions. Under Jennifer Abruzzo, whom Biden appointed to run the NLRB as its general counsel, the board took a fairly innovative and aggressive approach to enforcing protections, said labor attorney Benjamin Dictor, who represents several unions, including United Auto Workers and a Teamsters local.

Abruzzo took an expansive approach to labor law that favored workers. For example, she pushed through a ban on noncompete agreements, which restrict a person's ability to get a new job after leaving a post. She also drove regional offices to pursue more broad remedies for harmed workers and successfully sought a ban on captive audience meetings, in which employers require staff to listen to anti-union arguments.

Dictor and others anticipate the Trump administration will swiftly replace Abruzzo with a more employer-friendly general counsel. This type of ping-ponging of priorities from administration to administration is typical, but the change is expected to be even more pronounced, given Abruzzos novel approach.

Trump also has a clear path toward securing a Republican majority on the five-member board itself, which will allow his administration to reverse gains that unions made under Biden. The labor board probably will seek to reverse decisions that expedited the union election process, put pressure on employers to voluntarily recognize and negotiate with unions, prohibited confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions and banned captive audience meetings, among other actions, said Adam Primm, an attorney who represents employers.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) led a last-ditch attempt last week to lock in Democratic control of the board for the next two years, but the effort collapsed when the Senate failed to approve a second term for one of Biden's nominees.

Trump has promised to deport millions of people. What would that mean for the economy?

A major deportation effort could have a significant effect on industries that rely heavily on immigrant workers including agriculture, construction and hospitality.

The Center for Migration Studies of New York estimates that as many as 8.3 million immigrants working in the U.S. are here illegally and they represent more than 5% of the workforce.

Among employers there is rising concern that under Trump there will be a significant increase in workplace raids, audits of employment eligibility documents and other immigration enforcement actions against companies, said George Howard, an attorney with Quarles & Brady.

Labor advocates, meanwhile, worry about the opposite happening: Enforcement against unscrupulous employers will fall by the wayside.

For example, immigrant labor advocates expect Trump will do away with a Biden program that awards job permits to undocumented workers at companies under investigation for workplace violations  an effort intended to encourage cooperation with investigations of safety, wage and other labor violations.

Attorney Yvonne Medrano of Los Angeles-based Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a nonprofit legal advocacy group, said there is concern that employers of undocumented immigrants may feel emboldened to exploit workers if the government eases up on efforts to root out wage theft, child labor and other violations.

Trump has said he will impose sweeping tariffs. How could they affect American workers?

Trump has said he will impose sweeping tariffs on key trading partners including Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he takes office. The effects of those tariffs could hit American workers in several ways.

Prices would rise on certain goods in industries affected by tariffs, broadly increasing the cost of living and eroding workers purchasing power unless wages rise commensurately, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics.

Higher prices would have an outsize effect on lower-income workers because a larger proportion of their budget is spent on food and clothing, Zandi said.

And its likely that countries facing tariffs from the U.S. would retaliate with their own tariffs, as China did during Trumps first term. The trade war Trump led in his first term delivered higher costs to consumers and uncertainty to the U.S. auto, agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

Companies that rely on imported goods, such as machine parts and industrial supplies, will be forced to pay more for those goods, ballooning their costs and potentially forcing them to make job cuts, Zandi said.

Trump has picked Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a pro-union Republican, to lead the Labor Department. What does that mean for workers?

The union-friendly track record of Trumps Labor secretary choice has fueled anxiety among the GOP, with several Republican senators expressing concern. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is known for being one of only three GOP lawmakers who co-sponsored legislation, known as the PRO Act, that would have significantly expanded labor rights, including measures that increased penalties for employer labor law violations and expanded union eligibility.

Trade groups have also emphasized concern with the choice.

IFA looks forward to ensuring the job-killing PRO Act and Biden-era joint employer standard have no place in the incoming administration, Matt Haller, chief executive of the International Franchise Assn., said in a recent statement. He was referring to an attempt by Biden to broaden rules for when two or more companies should be considered employers of a group of workers.

Although a pro-worker appointee has sparked concerns, attorney Patrick Muldowney, who represents employers on labor issues, said the appointment does not mark a tangible threat to employers.

I dont see that as moving the needle very far, Muldowney said.

The Department of Labor administers federal laws governing minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, as well as protection against employment discrimination, workplace safety rules and unemployment insurance. Its reach is less visible in states like California that have implemented stronger protections than those offered at the federal level.

Labor advocates still expect the Trump administration to pursue anti-worker changes under Chavez-DeRemer.

Judy Conti, government affairs director of the National Employment Law Project, said she anticipates the Trump administration will ease up on enforcing safety rules, narrow eligibility for overtime pay and make it harder for gig-economy workers to gain status as employees.

Chavez-DeRemers record suggests she understands the value of policies that strengthen workers rights and economic security, said Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of NELP, in a news release last month. But the Trump administrations agenda is fundamentally at odds with these principles.

Her true commitment to workers will be tested, Dixon said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CHICAGO  An Englewood organization is raising funds to gift toys and other essential items to over 600 children in need this Christmas.

I want the families to know were here with them, we see them, were in this fight with them, CEO of Servants for Hope Deonte Tanner said.

Deonte lives by a motto: Be the change you want to see.

Obviously living in this community for so long, just seeing this daily inspired me to do something. Be the change you want to see, he said.

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Christmas magic at McCormick Place, as toys from annual WGN Morning News Drive-Thru Toy Drive get handed out

For the ninth straight year, Deonte and Servants for Hope are raising funds to provide toys and other essentials to more than 600 kids by Christmas. The number of families registered for this years toy drive is much bigger than years past.

To Deonte, its a sign of how the economy is impacting families this holiday season.

Its bittersweet knowing we are serving more people and we are expanding our outreach, but on the other side, are we going in the wrong direction as a society? Deonte said.

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Nevertheless, he and his team are fundraising to meet this years demand, working to meet a goal of $15,000.

Within the last two days, with the help of Block Club Chicago, weve been able to raise $10,000 in two days, Deonte said.

Rush University Medical Center receives gifts for children with rare diseases

Once the organization meets their goal, they head out to stores and fill up shopping cars to the very top with gifts that will be distributed to registered families on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Englewood STEM High School.

Their first toy drives were organized at Deontes mothers house.

Very proud of my son, Deontes mother Francis Tanner said. Filled the whole house up with toys, clothes, shoes, everything. Essentials for families.

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Francis hopes families being helped this year walk away with encouragement.

For the families, continue to come out strive, keep going, strive to do better and everything will work out, she said.

Santa Claus visits Loretto Hospital to hand out Christmas gifts to children

Deonte said hes determined to uplift those around him.

When we talk about making a difference in the world and being a difference, it starts with us. Change that we want to see starts with us, he said.

There is still time if you would like to donate. Anyone looking to do so 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 WGN-TV.
On Dec 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an $8.4 million grant to the Washington Department of Ecology, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Woodland Public Schools to help fund the purchase of 28 zero-emission vehicles.

The funds were made possible through the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant Program.

Replacing heavy duty diesel vehicles like school buses, garbage trucks, and more with green alternatives is a simple, smart way we can improve air quality for our kids and communities, while bringing down long term costs, said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Im pleased to see these funds I fought for making their way back to Washington state, where they will support new jobs, help reduce emissions, and make sure our communities have top-notch vehicles doing important public work. As a leader on the Appropriations Committee, I am going to keep working to build on these crucial investments.

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Here is how it breaks down:

The Washington Department of Ecology will get 3,887,706 to help buy electric buses to replace 13 diesel school buses.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation will get $260,000 to replace a diesel garbage truck with an electric one.

Woodland Public Schools will get $4,249,000 to replace 14 diesel buses.

An electric school bus in use with Walla Walla Public Schools.

The EPA said that the money can also be used for building things that help zero-emission vehicles, training workers, and covering the costs of carrying out these projects.

Thanks to President Biden, we are accelerating American leadership in developing clean technologies that address the impacts of climate change, said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. Together, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant projects announced today will slash air pollution and enhance the countrys infrastructure for cleaner transportation solutions, creating good-paying jobs along the way.
The Environmental Protection Agency has recently announced a landmark decision after outlawing two carcinogenic chemicals frequently found in everyday products.

According to The New York Times, the EPA is banning all forms of trichloroethylene  which is used in cleaners, spot removers, lubricants, and glue  and commercial applications of perchloroethylene in dry-cleaning and automotive-care products. However, the ruling still allows industries like aviation and defense to utilize the latter so long as tighter regulations are implemented to protect employees.

TCE can contaminate drinking water and has been linked to liver and kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and complications with the nervous and immune systems.

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Meanwhile, Perc is often inhaled and reportedly can cause liver, kidney, brain, and testicular cancer and otherwise harm the kidneys, the liver, and the immune system.

"It's simply unacceptable to continue to allow cancer-causing chemicals to be used for things like glue, dry cleaning or stain removers when safer alternatives exist," said Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator of the department's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

"There's simply no reason to continue to use this stuff.  The risk is just too great," she added.

Though there are concerns that the incoming Senate could reverse the restrictions under the Congressional Review Act, the Times noted that President-elect Donald Trump stated that he wants "the cleanest air and the cleanest water" and is committed to "getting dangerous chemicals out of our environment" during his campaign, meaning he may have political pressure to make good on those claims.

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Wendy Wagner, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, expressed trepidation to the Times, as Trump's first stint as president "saw some of the most notorious and flagrant interventions into the scientific record." As a previous Times report covered, the prior Trump administration rolled back more than 100 environmental rules and regulations, many of which were focused on clean air and water, in favor of business interests.

Separately, companies and organizations impacted by the new ban lambasted the decision. The American Chemistry Council stated that "the rule as proposed would present multiple challenges that could have far-reaching impacts on various industries and the national economy."

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The Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute and the National Cleaners felt that reducing or phasing out Perc would "put an oppressive burden on thousands of cleaners."

Nonetheless, the ban was a victory for environmental advocates who have long voiced the health risks associated with TCE and Perc  including Linda Robles, who believes that the former was the reason behind the rare form of kidney cancer that killed her daughter.

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"They've been telling me for decades that they're going to ban TCE, so it's such a big deal it's finally happening," she said.

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One of New York City Mayor Eric Adams top lieutenants abruptly resigned from office over the weekend.

Ingrid Martin-Lewis confirmed the resignation Sunday, telling The Post she was retiring.

Her resignation  which was first reported by Politico  is effective immediately, and comes a month earlier than she was expected to leave office.

One of New York City Mayor Eric Adams top lieutenants abruptly resigned from office over the weekend. Paul Martinka

Martin-Lewis is one of several of Adams aides who were raided by the Manhattan District Attorneys office this year, with her cellphone being seized by investigators in September as part of a federal subpoena to testify as a witness in a corruption case against Adams.

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Despite being a longtime and fiery ally of Adams, the two have reportedly been on the outs for several months, according to sources.

Another source said Martin-Lewis was in real trouble as the Manhattan District Attorneys Office is looking into her role in city contracts, suggesting an indictment could be on the horizon.

After the first raids and investigations into Adams staffers  including Winnie Greco, Tim Pearson, and former police commissioner Eddie Caban  the mayor hoped to allow them to resign rather than fire them. But the process took months in some cases and the administration was forced to sack them.

Martin-Lewis fought to keep them onboard, even as people like her close pal Greco  whose dealings with foreign entities are the focus of the investigation  had been advised multiple times not to mix personal and professional, another source close to the matter said.

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The top advisor was the one responsible for bringing Greco, Pearson and Caban on board  slipping them through the usual vetting process  and only allowed them to be fired when she was left with no choice, according to the sources.

Ingrid Martin-Lewis confirmed the resignation Sunday, telling The Post she was retiring. Paul Martinka

She protected them to the end, the source said.

Since Adams himself was indicted on charges that he accepted illegal donations and freebies from wealthy foreigners  including Turkish officials  Martin-Lewis has reportedly been on a list of staffers New York Gov. Kathy Hochul demanded he remove from his administration.

Martin-Lewis and Adams have been close allies and friends for years.

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After her resignation over the weekend, the mayor voiced support for Martin-Lewis, calling her a friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor, but also a sister.

Weve always talked about when this day would come, and while weve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wont be right next door every day, Hizzoner said in a statement.

I, and every New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her decades of service to our city. While she gets to spend a lot more time with her granddaughter, I know Ingrid will still stay involved in moving our city forward from the sidelines as she continues to root for our administration and our city.

Lewis-Martin thanked Adams for their 20 years working together, and thanked God for her 35-year career with the city.

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While I previously announced my retirement, this is still a bittersweet moment for me as government has been my lifes work, she said in a statement.

Now, today, the time has come for me to focus on my wonderful family and myself and retire.
Estonia plans to propose that members of the U.K.-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a coalition of northern European NATO countries, commit at least 2.5% of GDP to defense spending in response to the ongoing threat from Russia, Prime Minister Kristen Michal said on Dec. 16.

Currently, only 23 of NATO's 32 members are on track to meet the alliance's target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense.

"Everybody in NATO and in the EU right now has the feeling in their backbone that you should increase defense expenditure because of what is happening all over the world and with Russia," Michal told Reuters, emphasizing that "Europe as the wealthiest region of the world has to spend more on defense, security, and security."

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Michal will host the Joint Expeditionary Force leaders in Tallinn this week, with discussions set to focus on Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers. He called the fleet "an environmental disaster waiting to happen."

Estonia has significantly increased its defense budget, allocating 3.2% of GDP to defense in 2024, more than double its spending since the all-out war in Ukraine began nearly three years ago.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to raise the U.K.s defense spending to 2.5% of GDP, but only after a defense strategy review and when financially feasible. Meanwhile, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to end the war in Ukraine quickly, though he has not provided details on his plans.

Michal emphasized the importance of securing lasting peace and suggested seizing 200 to 300 billion euros of Russias frozen assets to help rebuild Ukraine. He also proposed additional taxes on Russian goods, aiming to raise another 300 billion euros. "That would bring lasting peace," Michal said, explaining that such measures would cripple Russias ability to continue hostilities, including hybrid attacks, while strengthening Ukraines military resources.

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"Ukraine is part of Europe; it should be a member of NATO," Michal added.

Read also: Deputy defense minister outlines military, financial plans for 2025 with Baltic, Nordic Allies

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The Council of the EU adopted on Dec. 16 its 15th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the Russian shadow fleet of tankers and the military-industrial complex.

The new listings include 54 persons and 30 entities "responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the statement read.

As of Dec. 16, the EU has imposed 15 packages of sanctions targeting the Russian state and economy in response to Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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"This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russias war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies," said Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat.

"It shows the unity of EU member states in our continued support to Ukraine. Our immediate priority is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position."

The new package of sanctions targets shipping companies helping Russia to sell its crude oil, filling Moscow's coffers amid the full-scale war. The EU also banned 52 vessels transporting Russian oil above the $60-per-barrel price cap from accessing EU ports and services.

Russia has largely avoided the price cap by using a fleet of older, uninsured tankers, forcing the Western countries to tighten and refine the existing sanctions.

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The latest package further targets a chemical plant, a Russian airline company providing support to the military, and several defense companies. For the first time, the EU imposed full-scale sanctions  including a travel ban and asset freeze  "on various Chinese actors supplying drone components and microelectronic components" to Russia.

Individual listings include the Russian military unit responsible for a deadly strike against the Ohkmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv in July, top managers of energy companies, individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children, dissemination of propaganda, and sanctions circumvention, and two senior North Korean officials.

The EU sanctioned North Korean officials after Pyongyang dispatched over 10,000 troops to aid Russia's war. North Korean soldiers recently saw combat with Ukraine during ground assaults in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

The bloc further added 32 entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia's military-industrial complex, including companies based in China, India, Iran, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates.

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Read also: UKs Starmer urges G7 to intensify pressure on Putin with sanctions

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By Julia Payne

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union has adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including tougher measures against Chinese entities and more vessels from Moscow's so-called shadow fleet, the EU Commission said in a statement on Monday.

The new package adds 52 vessels from the shadow fleet that try to circumvent Western restrictions to move oil, arms and grains, bringing the total listed to 79.

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The EU began adding ships this year in response to an increase in the number of vessels transporting cargoes that are not regulated or insured by conventional Western providers. The listing included vessels that delivered North Korean ammunition to Russia.

Of the 52 vessels sanctioned, 33 were included for transporting crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from Russia, taking the total number of vessels sanctioned for transporting oil to 43.

The new restrictions add 84 new individuals and entities, including seven Chinese persons and entities.

"Namely one individual and two entities facilitating the circumvention of EU sanctions, and four entities supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic components to the Russian military," the statement said, referring to the Chinese listings.

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The Chinese additions will be the first fully-fledged sanctions on the country which include a travel ban and asset freeze.

"The step to fully-fledged sanctions sends an important signal to the Chinese. We take this very seriously," an EU diplomat said.

EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan and Ukrainian officials have pointed to China as the main route for sales of foreign technology to Russia.

CHINESE LISTINGS

Diplomats said the previous Chinese listings in Russian sanctions packages only involved export controls, rather than an overarching sanction.

In addition, the list includes senior managers in Russia's energy sector, two senior North Korean officials as well as 20 Russian companies and entities in India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.

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Also added to the list was EU citizen Niels Troost, the businessperson who it said controls energy trading firm Paramount Energy and Commodities DMCC.

Paramount DMCC, the EU alleges, "repeatedly traded Russian crude oil above the oil price cap after its introduction." Troost was also included for his alleged links to Livna Shipping Ltd, which the EU said had traded crude oil above the price cap since its introduction.

A spokesperson for Troost said he will challenge the designation.

"This decision has no basis in law or fact. Neither Mr Troost nor his companies have ever breached any laws or regulations, and he has had no corporate affiliation to Livna Shipping since he sold shares in the company in 2018," the spokesperson said.

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Livna Shipping owner Michael Chang said; "Livna Shipping Ltd does not have any ongoing affiliation with Mr Troost, who has had no interest in the management or ownership of the company since he sold his shares in it on 1 October 2018. Livna Shipping Ltd charters vessels for its clients, and the company does not undertake and has never undertaken any trading activities itself."

Paramount DMCC was sanctioned by Britain in November last year.

EU countries added financial measures to ease the burden on EU central securities depositories, such as Belgium's Euroclear, when they handle Russia's immobilised central bank assets.

The Group of Seven (G7) nations agreed this year to use the over $300 billion in frozen funds to back a $50 billion loan for Ukraine to help it fight Russian forces.

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The Commission is preparing a 16th package of sanctions for January, which may include wider measures such as on Russian liquefied natural gas and export limits on EU companies' subsidiaries in third countries, sources told Reuters.

(Reporting by Julia Payne in Brussels, Robert Harvey and Enes Tunagur in London, Editing by Ros Russell and Ed Osmond)
The Council of the European Union adopted the 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures on Monday, 16 December, which included North Korean officials and Chinese suppliers of drone kits.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the document

Details: The EU said that these measures are designed to counteract the circumvention of EU sanctions by targeting Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's shadow fleet and to weaken the Russian military-industrial complex.

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The sanctions package includes 54 individuals and 30 organisations.

The EU imposed sanctions against the Russian military unit responsible for the attack on the Okhmatdyt National Specialised Children's Hospital in Kyiv on 8 July, top managers of leading energy companies, individuals responsible for child abduction, propaganda and workarounds, and two DPRK officials.

For the first time, various Chinese entities that supply drone components and microelectronic components to support Russia's aggression against Ukraine are subject to "full" EU sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, ban on providing economic resources).

The list of sanctioned organisations also includes:

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a chemical plant;

Russian defence and shipping companies responsible for transporting crude oil and oil products by sea;

a Russian civilian airline, which is an important supplier of logistical support to the Russian military.

In particular, the new vessels were added to the list of those subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of services related to maritime transport.

It is noted that this measure is aimed at tankers from non-EU countries that are part of Putin's shadow fleet, circumventing the oil price cap mechanism or supporting Russia's energy sector, or vessels responsible for transporting military equipment for Russia or involved in the transportation of stolen Ukrainian grain.

As a result, 52 vessels originating from third countries were sanctioned on 16 December on these grounds. This brings the total number of vessels under sanctions to 79.

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The EU Council also added 32 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia's military-industrial complex.

Some of these organisations are located in third countries  China, India, Iran, Serbia and the UAE  and have been involved in circumventing sanctions or purchasing drones and missiles for Russia.

Background:

It is worth noting that the European Union has previously discussed imposing sanctions on Chinese companies, but has so far refrained from doing so. Instead, in October, the United States announced sanctions against China for the first time over its military support for Russia.

The new Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, called for tougher sanctions against Russia and Russian liquefied natural gas.

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Kaja Kallas, the European Unions High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has stated that peace must first be achieved before talking about sending peacekeepers to Ukraine, emphasising that Russia is not ready for such a development.

Source: Kallas after arriving at her first meeting of EU foreign ministers in her new position, as reported by European Pravda

Details: "First, there has to be peace in order to send peacekeepers. And Russia does not want peace. That is very clear," Kallas said.

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She referred to an interview between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Tucker Carlson, political commentator and former Fox News anchor, as evidence that Russia has not abandoned its goals.

"We can't discuss that," Kallas said.

Background:

Earlier media reports suggested that Western leaders are set to discuss possible formats for ending the war and the potential establishment of a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine during a meeting in Brussels next week.

Radio Liberty has learned from sources that at the EU leaders' summit on 18-19 December, French President Emmanuel Macron is likely to 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 same time, the sources noted that the topic of peacekeepers is very "raw" and remains at the level of an idea.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. The die has been cast to kick off the development of three significant oil fields in Iran, namely Azar, Azadegan, and Masjed-Soleyman, according to a meeting held today by the Iranian government's Economic Council, Trend reports citing the Iranian VPs official information portal.

Today, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, along with ministers and other officials, attended the 9th meeting of the Iranian government's Economic Council.

The decision allocates approximately $12 billion for the development of these oil fields. Under long-term contracts, the Iranian government expects to generate around $140 billion in revenue from these fields. Local companies and startups are expected to be involved in the execution of the development projects.

As part of the development plan for the Azadegan oil field, which Iran shares with Iraq (known as Majnun in Iraq), a production increase project will aim to produce over 1.7 billion barrels of crude oil in the next three years.

Iran will invest around $1 billion in the development of the Azar oil field, another joint venture with Iraq (known as Badra in Iraq), with the aim of increasing its crude oil production capacity by 177 million barrels over a 20-year period.

The development of the northern section of the Masjed-Soleyman oil field is planned with an investment of $257 million, which will contribute an additional 21 million barrels to the country's crude oil production over two decades.

Furthermore, current technology and equipment can extract approximately 340 billion barrels from Iran's estimated 1.2 trillion barrels of total hydrocarbon reserves. However, the country is only utilizing about 30 percent of these reserves, leaving 70 percent untapped underground.
On Dec. 16, the Council of the EU adopted restrictive measures against 26 individuals and two companies linked to the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

The sanctions target judges who sentenced opposition figures, law enforcement officials involved in persecuting dissidents, and heads of penitentiaries where political prisoners are held.

Additionally, the measures apply to individuals and companies benefiting from privileges under Lukashenkos regime and involved in circumventing existing European sanctions.

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Among the sanctioned entities are Belarusian companies Vlate Logistik and Ruzekspeditsiya, along with their owners and co-owners.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, is widely regarded as a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

His leadership has been surrounded by accusations of rigged elections, including the 2020 presidential election, during which opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gained widespread public support. Despite claims that Tsikhanouskaya won the election, Lukashenko declared victory, sparking mass protests.

The demonstrations in Minsk and across Belarus were violently suppressed with Russias backing.

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According to the Belarusian human rights group Viasna, more than 50,000 citizens have been detained for political reasons since 2020.

The EU continues to apply pressure on Lukashenkos regime as part of broader measures targeting human rights abuses and support for Russias war in Ukraine.

Read also: EU adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia

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On 16 December, the Council of the European Union introduced restrictive measures against 16 individuals and three entities responsible for Russia's destabilising activities abroad.

Source: a statement by the Council of the EU, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The sanctions are the EUs response to "Russia's malicious actions and its disregard for the rules-based international order and international law".

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The sanctions list includes Unit 29155 of the Russian General Staff's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU), which has been involved in assassinations and destabilising operations such as explosions and cyberattacks across Europe.

The EU has sanctioned the Pan-African Group for Trade and Investment, a disinformation network conducting pro-Russian covert influence operations in Africa, and its founder, Harouna Douamba.

Sanctions have also been imposed on African Initiative, a news agency which spreads Russian propaganda and disinformation in Africa, its editor-in-chief Artem Kureyev (an employee of Russia's Federal Security Service), and a senior GRU official who assumed control of Wagner Group operations in Africa after Yevgeny Prigozhin's death.

Additionally, as part of its fight against Russia's Doppelganger disinformation campaign, the EU has sanctioned Sofia Zakharova, an official in the Russian presidential administration, and Nikolai Tupikin, head and founder of the state corporation Struktura.

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The sanctions also targeted Vladimir Sergiyenko, a former aide to Eugen Schmidt, a Member of the Bundestag for Alternative for Germany (AfD), who actively cooperated with Russian intelligence agents, as well as Russian businessman Viza Mizaev and his business partner and wife, who were implicated in a Russian intelligence operation targeting Germany's Federal Intelligence Service.

Finally, the EU has included Russian official Alesya Miloradovich and Moldovan businessman Anatolii Prizenka, who facilitated the dispatch of several Moldovan citizens to France in October 2023.

The sanctioned individuals will be subject to asset freezes, and EU citizens and companies will be prohibited from making funds available to them. They will also be banned from entering the EU.

Background:

The new EU sanctions regime for hybrid actions against the EU was approved at the level of member states permanent representatives in early October 2024.

At the time, the EU reiterated that Russias destabilising actions would not affect its determination to support Ukraine.

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Ten European Union countries have suggested more sanctions against Russia, focussing on the sale of Russian commodities such as aluminium, in order to limit Moscow's earnings even further.

Source: Reuters with reference to the letter signed by 10 EU member states, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to Reuters, Poland, which will take over the EU Council's six-month presidency from Hungary in January 2025, has called for more sanctions targeting Russian metals.

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Other signatories to the letter include the Baltic countries, Denmark, Ireland, Romania, Sweden, Czechia, and Finland, according to the journal.

Quote: "As metals make up the most important source of revenue for Russia besides fossil fuels, we must also impose additional import bans on metals," the letter said.

In contrast to the United States and the United Kingdom, the EU has not yet implemented sanctions on Russian metal companies such as Rusal or restricted imports of Russian-made metals.

Background:

So far, the EU has prohibited just Russian aluminium products, specifically wires, pipes, and foil, which account for less than 15% of total European aluminium imports.

Although most EU metal customers have discovered alternate sources of supply from other countries, such as copper from Peru and Serbia, the EU continues to import considerable volumes of Russian-made aluminium.

On 16 December, the Council of the European Union adopted the 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures, which included North Korean officials and Chinese suppliers of drone kits.

The sanctions package includes 54 individuals and 30 organisations. The EU said that these measures are designed to counteract the circumvention of EU sanctions by targeting Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's shadow fleet and to weaken the Russian defence industrial base.

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The European Union and Mercosurthe Common Market of the South that includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguayhave finally come to an agreement on the free trade deal they have been negotiating for the past 25 years. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen flew to the Mercosur leaders summit in Uruguay in early December to announce the finalization of the text.

The deal had already been finalized by both sides in 2019, only to be held up during the EU ratification process due to concerns over the threat it posed to Europeanmainly Frenchagriculture. The two regions were nevertheless on the verge of agreeing to an updated finalized text at last years Mercosur summit, until France added last-minute demands over environmental protections for the Amazon rainforest that Brazil found objectionable due to sovereignty concerns. Meanwhile, Latin Americas side of the negotiations were shaken up by the Argentine presidential election the preceding month, namely President Javier Mileis hostility to Mercosurat one point he threatened to pull Argentina out of the organization completelyand his natural suspicion and opposition to Brazilian President Lula da Silva, a long-time champion of the grouping.

Over the course of 2024, both sides showed some urgency in once again getting the deal finalized due to geopolitical concerns elsewhere. South America can help provide the EU with critical minerals it needs for the green energy transition, which will further reduce Europes dependence on Russia as an energy supplier over the long term. The agreement also means European companies can better compete in South America, where Chinas trade and influence is growing. For Latin America, expanded trade with the EU provides an alternative to China, meaning not just a greater variety of products but also more leverage for the region to negotiate more effectively with Beijing.

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But what really pushed this agreement over the line was the imminent return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to the White House next month. Trump has promised across-the-board tariffs of 10 percent and even 25 percent on goods coming in from around the world, which would disrupt trade with the U.S. market for both Latin America and Europe. While its unclear if Trump will follow through, both regions remember how steel tariffs imposed by the U.S. during his first term affected their economies, and neither has the legal guarantees of a free trade deal with the U.S. that would give them options to push back via conflict-resolution mechanisms. Both the EU and Mercosur recognized that getting a free trade agreement in place with each other would be an excellent way to blunt the impact of a U.S.-led trade war that would target exports from both regions.

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However, while the text of the agreement is now finalized, the process is not yet complete. Issues of government instability and ideological tensions among the countries involved stand in the way of ratification of the new free trade agreement. But in a twist for someone who regularly writes about Latin Americas challenges, in this case the risk analysis has more to do with Europe.

In a twist for someone who regularly writes about Latin Americas challenges, in this case the risk analysis for the EU-Mercosur trade deal has more to do with Europe.

As in 2019, Frances farmers strongly oppose the deal and have protested to prevent its passage. They worry that cheap beef, soy, chicken and other products from South Americaand in particular Brazilwill be far cheaper than those grown in Europe. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is facing political paralysis due to the loss of his parliamentary majority, giving him no political space to try to change voters minds on the deal. And Macrons previous critiques of Brazils pro-deforestation policies under former President Jair Bolsonaro are no longer valid given the big environmental push Bolsonaros successor, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has made since taking office in January 2023. That leaves France defending an anti-free trade position with no environmental fig leaf to cover up its protectionism.

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For France to block the deal, however, it needs additional partners in the EU to join it. Italy and Poland appear to oppose the agreement but have not firmly committed to either side. That could lead France to try to form a coalition with a few other protectionist European governments from the right and left to counter Germany, Belgium and Denmark, which are lobbying hard in support of the agreement. However, the collapse of Germanys governing coalition has left Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the head of a minority government ahead of new elections likely to be held in February, throwing yet another wrench into the ratification process. The opposition from France and the weak government in Germany mean that EU ratification of the deal would be many months off in the best-case scenarioand swiftly blocked in the worst-case scenario.

Its a rare moment when Latin America looks organized and united in comparison to Europe, and the dynamics of how that regional cooperation took shape are truly impressive. Lula, a leftist who has traditionally been quite protectionist, leads a domestic political coalition that is eager for new trade deals to boost Brazils economy. He not only became a champion of the EU-Mercosur agreement but has made sure Mercosur is united in supporting it. Meanwhile, Milei brushed off early concerns about working with Lula, and his hostility to the Mercosur alliance has given way to viewing the group as a potential arm of his free market ideology. In a demonstration of its unity across the political spectrum in terms of supporting new trade agreementsand its typically consensual politicsUruguays outgoing center-right government invited the countrys center-left president-elect to the Mercosur meeting. Montevideo had previously threatened to negotiate outside the Mercosur bloc if new trade deals were blocked by its partners. Even Bolivia, whose left-wing government has opposed previous deals and faces internal opposition at the moment, has signed on and is ready to move forward.

In early 2024, I wrote about Lula and Mileis broken relationship being problematic for South America. The fact that Brazil and Argentina are now working together on a trade deal, while France and Germany are divided about how to approach it, demonstrates a far more pragmatic approach to diplomacy in Latin America than was seen on most issues this past year. Its a rare positive sign as 2024 comes to an end, and one that hopefully leads to greater cooperation on trade and other issues in the coming year.

James Bosworth is the founder of Hxagon, a firm that does political risk analysis and bespoke research in emerging and frontier markets, as well as a global fellow at the Wilson Centers Latin America Program. He has two decades of experience analyzing politics, economics and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The post The EU-Mercosur Trade Deal Isnt Out of the Woods Yet appeared first on World Politics Review.
European Union foreign ministers on Monday signed off on the bloc's 15th round of sanctions since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The new economic measures aim to curb the circumvention of already existing EU sanctions and to weaken the Russia military and defence industry.

"With each new round of sanctions, we improve effectiveness and close gaps, and we will continue to do so, as part of our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine and its people," said EU Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque.

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The formal adoption by foreign ministers gathered in Brussels follows an agreement by EU ambassadors reached last week.

Fifty-two vessels were added to the list of ships that are suspected of being part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and subject to bans of a broad range of services and access to ports.

"These ships have been found to be engaged in high-risk shipping practices when transporting Russian oil or petroleum products, in arms deliveries, grain theft, or supporting the Russian energy sector," a press release said.

Additionally, another 32 companies are targeted with export restrictions for "contributing to the technological enhancement of Russias defence and security sector," the EU said.

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Next to 20 Russian firms, the targeted businesses are based in China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.

A further 84 individuals and entities have been slapped with asset freezes in the EU and travel bans "for actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed the importance of the new sanctions package.

Addressing his EU counterparts by video link, Sybiha "urged continued pressure on Moscow, raising the cost of war for the aggressor, and strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities," he wrote on the social media platform X.

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Sybiha was also due to give an update on the situation on the battlefield, as talks about EU involvement in a potential peacekeeping mission grow louder.

EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas however dismissed any precise plans as she arrived at the meeting.

"First there has to be peace in order to send peacekeepers. And Russia does not want peace," said said.

A view of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Sierakowski Frederic/European Council/dpa
By Lili Bayer

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday that the bloc should suspend visa-free travel for Georgian officials holding diplomatic passports following a crackdown in Georgia on pro-EU protests.

"The situation is not going to a positive direction for the Georgian people," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters following a meeting of the ministers on Monday.

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"Today we agreed the need to halt the visa-free regime for diplomatic passport holders," she added.

The ministers asked the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, to make a proposal on the issue. Diplomats said they expected that proposal would then be adopted by EU governments in a majority vote.

One diplomat said the measure was intended to affect leading Georgian politicians without imposing a punishment on ordinary citizens.

Kallas said ministers also discussed sanctioning "Georgian officials who are behind the violence against peaceful protesters" but did not come to a consensus. Such a move would require unanimity among the EU's 27 members.

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"There was very intense discussion and there was also a lot of will to do more," Kallas said, adding that the visa move was a symbolic first step.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said his country, together with Slovakia, had vetoed sanctions against some Georgian police officials.

Hungary is often at odds with the majority view on EU foreign policy matters.

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory in an election in October that the opposition says was tainted by fraud. A government announcement in November that it was suspending EU accession talks until 2028 sparked protests and a crackdown rights groups say is without recent precedent in Georgia.

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Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister chairing her first ministers' session since taking over as EU foreign policy chief, said "it's my first Hungarian veto, but I can guarantee it's not the last". But she said she would keep working with Hungary.

The EU ministers supported the visas move in a "qualified majority" vote, which requires at least 15 member states making up at least 65% of the EU population to vote in favour.

(Reporting by Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray; Editing by Alex Richardson and Hugh Lawson)
On Tuesday, 17 December, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) plans to consider a draft bill on the construction of additional power units for the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), funded by Western donors. The parliament developed the bill without consultation with the EU, as Ukrainian authorities have the sovereign right to implement the project.

Source: Katarina Mathernova, EU Ambassador to Ukraine, in a comment to European Pravda

Details: The bill in question is No. 11146, On the placement, design and construction of power units Nos. 3 and 4 for the Khmelnytskyi NPP, which was registered in April 2024.

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The project has sparked much debate among the public and parliamentarians, but according to MPs, it will be top of the agenda at the Verkhovna Rada session on 17 December.

Speaking to European Pravda on Monday, Mathernova stressed that EU entities have had no involvement in the drafting of this legislation.

Quote: "We were not involved in the preparation of this bill. However, whether or not Ukraine builds a nuclear power plant is totally up to the Ukrainian authorities," she stated.

Notably, the government plans to use donor funding to build the additional units at the nuclear power facility. Mathernova emphasised that the EU will not take part in this. "The European Union does not finance the development of nuclear power plants, including due to different opinions on nuclear power among Member States of the EU" she said.

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At the same time, the ambassador stated that the EU has different expectations from Ukrainian authorities in terms of Energoatom's actions. [Energoatom is the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear power company which owns the Khmelnytskyi NPP  ed.] She highlighted the fact that Ukraine has voluntarily agreed to bring Energoatoms supervisory board into compliance with OECD guidelines, which require the company to have an independent supervisory board.

"I want to emphasize that we are very interested in the formation of the supervisory board of Energoatom. As G7 we sent a letter to the Prime Minister about it last week." Mathernova added.

"The Board was selected in June, and now is time to complete the process, sign contracts and launch the supervisory board. Its view will be an important factor in the decisions on the financing of certain projects," she noted.

Background:

The bill on the construction of power units Nos. 3 and 4 for the Khmelnytskyi NPP has been put to a vote several times, but was subsequently taken off the agenda.

In July, the Verkhovna Radas anti-corruption department identified corruption risks in the bill.

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EU energy ministers will meet on 16 December to discuss the future of the energy sector, focusing on concerns over energy prices and the expiration of the transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia, which has been key to Russian gas supplies to Europe.

Source: Bloomberg

During the meeting, the European Commission plans to update member states on preparations for the winter and alternative energy supply sources.

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The meeting will mark the first for the new EU Energy Commissioner, Danish politician Dan Jrgensen. Ministers are expected to discuss options for reducing energy prices, strengthening industrial competitiveness, and continuing the green transition.

"Energy affordability remains a pressing concern, with volatile prices driven by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and reliance on fossil fuel imports," states a document prepared by Hungary, which currently holds the EU Council presidency.

The European Commission said that the end of the agreement between Kyiv and Moscow has already been factored into European gas markets, and the region is expected to find alternative supply sources. Meanwhile, gas buyers in Slovakia and Hungary are negotiating to maintain supplies through exchange mechanisms between Azerbaijan and Russia.

Gas prices in Europe have significantly decreased compared to the peak levels of 2022, largely due to an increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. However, prices remain high, and many households and businesses continue to face financial strain from expensive energy resources.

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In January, the European Commission plans to introduce a new initiative called Competitiveness Compass, aimed at strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. In February, a Clean Industrial Deal strategy will be proposed, which will include a detailed plan for ensuring affordable energy and supporting industry.

The EU will also prepare a roadmap for the complete phase-out of Russian energy supplies, which still account for about 15% of the bloc's imports.

Background:

Russia's gas monopoly, Gazprom, has included in its internal plans for 2025 the assumption that gas transit to Europe through Ukraine will cease after 31 December 2024.

Slovakia will hold a series of negotiations to ensure the continued supply of Russian gas after the expiration of the current transit contract through Ukraine.

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The European Union will make contacts with the new Syrian leadership, the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Monday.

Until recently, Brussels claimed to have no contact with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is largely responsible for Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.

Kallas has tasked a senior EU diplomat with going "to Damascus to make the contacts with the new government and people there," she said, arriving at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

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Ministers however still have to discuss how they "engage with the new leadership of Syria and on what level," she added.

HTS is on the United Nations terror list and subject to EU sanctions. Kallas said time will tell whether this should be changed.

"Syria faces an optimistic, positive, but rather uncertain future."

"I think the coming weeks and months will show whether it goes in the right direction, and I think then we are also open to discuss [the] next steps."
The European Union will send an envoy to make contact with the new Syrian leadership, the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Monday.

Until recently, Brussels claimed to have no contact with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was the main group behind the offensive that led to former president Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.

Kallas has tasked a senior EU diplomat with going "to Damascus to make the contacts with the new government and people there," she said, arriving at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

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Ministers however still have to discuss how they "engage with the new leadership of Syria and on what level," she added.

HTS is on the United Nations terror list and subject to EU sanctions. Kallas said time will tell whether this should be changed.

"Syria faces an optimistic, positive, but rather uncertain future."

"I think the coming weeks and months will show whether it goes in the right direction, and I think then we are also open to discuss [the] next steps."

Ministers in Brussels faced a full agenda with recent developments in Syria and Georgia added to the agenda, next to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as the political situation in Belarus.

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Ministers adopted the 15th round of new sanctions on Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, targeting the Kremlin's shadow fleet of oil tankers.

Possible sanctions on the Georgian government were also on the table, after pro-European demonstrations were answered with police violence and mass arrests.

Potential actions could include visa restrictions as well as imposing EU travel bans on those responsible for the recent events and freezing assets held in the EU.

Similar measures were also imposed on more Belarusian figures or entities ahead of the upcoming elections where President Alexander Lukashenko is set to be re-elected, after a violent mass crackdown on the countrys opposition in 2020.

Ministers also dealt with the situation in Syrias neighbouring countries, with Israel and Lebanon observing a fragile ceasefire and Israel continuing to attack on Gaza.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Georgia wants to become a member of the European Union, but at the same time the country has its own national interests, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili said on a local TV channel, Trend reports.

Commenting on the recent protests in Tbilisi and other cities, caused by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's statement that Georgia will not raise the issue of starting EU accession talks until 2028, Kavelashvili addressed those citizens who are sincerely participating in the protests. He stressed that the Georgian authorities are not abandoning the idea of integration with the EU, but on the contrary, are actively working in this direction, but progress requires a change in sentiment among European politicians.

According to him, Georgias course towards joining the European Union is based on a clear and long-term plan.
The European Union on Monday imposed for the first time sanctions on individuals and organizations thought to be responsible for Russia's attempts to interfere in political processes abroad.

"These measures are in response to Russias malicious actions and its lack of respect for a rules-based international order and international law," an EU press release said.

Those slapped with sanctions "undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organizations and third [non-EU] countries through hybrid activities of various kinds."

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The targets include a unit of the Russian military intelligence agency "known for its involvement in foreign assassinations and destabilization activities such as bombings and cyberattacks across Europe."

The new measures target several individuals "who played a key role in a Russian intelligence operation against the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) in which highly classified information was passed to the FSB," the statement said.

Russia's meddling in Africa is also pursued by the new sanctions as they add two disinformation networks active in different African regions and target Artem Kureev, the successor of late Yevgeny Prigozhin as head of the Wagner mercenary group in Africa.

15th round of sanctions

Also on Monday, EU foreign ministers signed off on the bloc's 15th round of sanctions since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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The new economic measures aim to curb the circumvention of already existing EU sanctions and to weaken the Russia military and defence industry.

"With each new round of sanctions, we improve effectiveness and close gaps, and we will continue to do so, as part of our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine and its people," said EU Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque.

The formal adoption by foreign ministers gathered in Brussels follows an agreement by EU ambassadors reached last week.

Fifty-two vessels were added to the list of ships that are suspected of being part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and subject to bans of a broad range of services and access to ports.

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"These ships have been found to be engaged in high-risk shipping practices when transporting Russian oil or petroleum products, in arms deliveries, grain theft, or supporting the Russian energy sector," a press release said.

Additionally, another 32 companies are targeted with export restrictions for "contributing to the technological enhancement of Russias defence and security sector," the EU said.

Next to 20 Russian firms, the targeted businesses are based in China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.

A further 84 individuals and entities have been slapped with asset freezes in the EU and travel bans "for actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine."

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed the importance of the new sanctions package.

Addressing his EU counterparts by video link, Sybiha "urged continued pressure on Moscow, raising the cost of war for the aggressor, and strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities," he wrote on the social media platform X.

EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas rings the bell to open her first European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Sierakowski Frederic/European Council/dpa
The European Union will train 75,000 Ukrainian military personnel as part of its EUMAM training mission by February 2025, EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas announced at a press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council on Dec. 16.

The EU must continue supporting Ukraine militarily. By the end of winter, the EU will have trained 75,000 Ukrainian service members, Kallas said.

Kallas also highlighted that the EU has provided Ukraine with 4.2 billion euros in budget support this month and will begin allocating 1.5 billion euros monthly starting January 2025.

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Kallas emphasized the importance of further aid, echoing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's call during the ministerial meeting for increased ammunition supplies, stronger air defenses, and expanded support for Ukraine's defense industry.

We must give Ukraine what it needs to win the war, Kallas stressed.

Launched in October 2022, the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) has already trained approximately 60,000 Ukrainian troops as of August 2024, primarily in Germany and Poland.

The mission focuses on improving the operational capabilities of Ukrainian forces to bolster their resistance against Russias aggression.

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The EU's previous top diplomat, Josep Borrell, hailed EUMAM as the "most successful training mission the EU has ever launched."

With this expanded commitment, the EU continues to strengthen its military support for Ukraine as the war enters its third winter.

Read also: Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A local nonprofit is spreading Christmas joy to the community, bringing the North Pole to one of their locations Sunday.

The Erie United Methodist Alliance (EUMA) hosted a Christmas party this afternoon to bring holiday cheer to local families facing homelessness.

UPS Store gearing up for busy holiday stretch after snow delays

The Refuge Emergency Shelter on East 26th is a place for the homeless to seek warmth and comfort, but on Sunday that shelter became a winter wonderland.

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While many families face homelessness during the holiday season, the Erie United Methodist Alliance hosted a Christmas party to spread holiday cheer during a challenging time.

The goal of todays event is to make the holidays feel a bit more normal for people who are in a time of crisis. A lot of our clients have actually shared that Christmastime at the shelter feels better because we make it a big thing, said Erika DePalma, EUMAs director of development and marketing.

And Christmas is indeed a big thing for the 36 people at the refuge house, with Christmas cookies, arts & crafts, visits from Santa, and Christmas caroling taking over the shelter.

Port Farms ready for Christmas tree needs ahead of the big day

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And for the children at the shelter who are facing difficult times this holiday season, theres nothing like getting in the holiday spirit.

Its awesome, especially with kids that are here that dont have family or You know, its Christmas time, so its awesome for the kids. Im glad to see all the kids happy, said Danielle Gross, a Refuge Shelter resident.

And even with all the activities going on inside, the main attraction could be found outside in the shelters parking lot.

Inside they had arts and crafts, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and everything, but outside there was Yukon here, coming all the way from the North Pole.

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Card collectors of all kinds add to their collections at Zem Zem Shrine Club

Yukon is 10 years old. He is about 350 pounds, can pull four times his body weight, so a substantial amount of gifts he can pull for Santa. Were trying to share Christmas like we always do with the reindeer, wherever we go, said Scott Apthorp of Apthorp Farms.

This year, Apthorp Farms brought Yukon to the shelter free of charge to spread some Christmas joy. And just a few days from now, Yukon will be flying over the shelter on Christmas night.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Following a settlement for a defamation lawsuit, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria has been awarded $1.1 million against the Everett Leader Herald, its owner, publisher and editor.

The settlement comes after the Everett Leader Herald was accused of publishing falsified stories that were aimed to tarnish the Mayors reputation.

With the terms of the settlement, the 139-year-old newspaper company is being forced to shut down and its owner, publisher and editor will be ordered to pay the $1.1 million all within seven days.

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In return for the payment and agreement to shut down the newspaper, Mayor DeMaria will forgo with the trial of defamation, which wouldve taken place on January 21.

Mayor DeMaria and his attorneys will be holding a news conference tomorrow, December 16, to discuss the settlement.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Shortly after the 2016 election, the tech worlds biggest names largely didnt care for Donald Trump. This time around, they cant get enough of him.

In the first term, everybody was fighting me. In this term, everybody wants to be my friend, the president-elect said Monday after announcing that Japanese investment firm Softbank plans to invest $100 billion in the U.S.

In what has been characterized as paying fealty to Trump, tech companies have rushed to donate $1 million to his inauguration committee and wine and dine with the president-elect.

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Mark Zuckerbergs Meta (META) was the first to give $1 million to Trumps inaugural committee, followed by Amazon (AMZN), which also plans to make a $1 million in-kind donation by streaming the Jan. 20, 2025, event on Amazon Video. Meta had declined to donate in 2017, while Amazon gave just $58,000 at the time. (President Joe Bidens administration declined to accept tech donations for the 2021 inauguration, according to the Wall Street Journal.)

OpenAIs Sam Altman followed suit, donating $1 million to the fund as he tries to curry favor with the next administration.

Although Altman has said he isnt worried about rival Elon Musks tight-knit relationship with Trump, hes worked behind the scenes with Trump associates including Jared and Josh Kushner to meet with the incoming administration, according to the Journal. That includes a meeting with Commerce Secretary nominee and Trump transition co-leader Howard Lutnick, where Altman touted OpenAIs investment plans.

President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead, Altman said in a statement.

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In recent weeks, a number of CEOs have made the trip to Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, which was called his Winter White House during his first administration.

Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook joined him for dinner on Friday, in his first meeting with Trump since the election. That came just a day after Google (GOOGL) CEO Sundar Pichai and Google founder Sergey Brin made their own visits. Pichai told Semafor ahead of the trip that he was excited to work on a Manhattan Project for artificial intelligence with Trump. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is set to meet with Trump later this week.

The most prominent of Trumps tech supporters is Musk, who has become an almost constant presence in Trumps orbit since the election and has been handed his own task force. Several of his allies, including Jared Isaacman, David Sacks, and the next head of the Federal Communications Commission have been selected for roles in the new Trump administration.

Marc Andreessen of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, who endorsed Trump, told the Free Press last week that he has spent half my time at Mar-a-Lago since the election and will join Musks Department of Government Efficiency in an unpaid position.

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Its morning in America, so Im very happy, he said, adding that people are finally poking their heads out of the frozen tundra of the culture and realizing that its actually okay to build things, hire on merit, celebrate success, and fundamentally be proud of the country and be patriotic.

 Britney Nguyen contributed to this article.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
On Dec. 12, 2024, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for the second time received the honor of Time magazine naming him as its person of the year. Shortly thereafter, he rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. While speaking on Wall Street, Trump remarked on how some Americans struggled to afford groceries. He then retold a story he had repeated numerous times during his 2024 presidential campaign about an old woman shopping at a grocery store, saying the store's employees stocked their apples in a refrigerator.

The Los Angeles Times, MarthaStewart.com, Southern Living and other publications recommend consumers store apples in their refrigerators to help ensure the fruit stays fresh longer. However, Trump's story specifically assumed a grocery store displayed its apples in a refrigerator. Though apples are typically packed and stored under refrigeration to keep them fresh longer, U.S. grocery stores traditionally display apples out in the open and at room temperature.

Trump told the story at the NYSE as follows:

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I tell the story about a woman who, an old woman, old woman, no money, went to a grocery store, had three apples. She put 'em down on the counter and she looked and she saw the price, and she said, "Would you excuse me?" And she walked one of the apples back to the refrigerator and came back to pay for the two apples. And she left with two apples. And the woman at the counter said, "That was so sad." And when I heard about the story I said that should never happen in America and it's not going to happen in America.

One X user posted (archived) of Trump's comments, "Grocery stores don't keep apples in refrigerators. Trump clearly doesn't know anything about apples or grocery stores."

Another person shared (archived), "How many times are we going to hear this fake story from Trump? Apples are not kept in the refrigerator in any market and apples are sold by the pound like all produce. Also no checker would be waiting for someone to return an item. This never happened."

How many times are we going to hear this fake story from Trump? Apples are not kept in the refrigerator in any market and apples are sold by the pound like all produce. Also no checker would be waiting for someone to return an item. This never happened. https://t.co/h45ZjUSsqC  Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) December 12, 2024

We contacted the Trump-Vance transition team by email Dec. 12 to ask for more information, including where and when the purported story of the woman shopping for apples took place. As of Dec. 16, we had not received a response.

The Origins of Trump's Apples Story

According to transcripts documented on RollCall.com's Factbase website, Trump first told the apples story on Sept. 12, 2024, during a campaign event in Tucson, Arizona. However, that version did not include any mention of a woman or refrigerators. He said only, "It's so sad when you see people being interviewed, and they buy three apples, and they walk away from the cashier, and they bring an apple back because they can't afford it. And it happens all the time."

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The next day, Trump's story evolved. While speaking at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, he told the tale again. However, that time, he said he watched the story "the other night on television," without naming a TV network or show. He also mentioned a woman as the shopper, as opposed to not identifying the person the previous day. He did not say she was old, nor did he talk about refrigerators. He said only that "she took one of the apples back." A Google search found no record of any such stories broadcast on TV and then shared online by any local or national news networks.

It wasn't until a Sept. 21 campaign rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, that Trump retold the story with all the details later repeated on Wall Street in December, including describing the woman as "elderly" and saying she returned one apple "back into the refrigeration." He remarked to the crowd, "I told this story the other day. A woman, sort of elderly woman, it was sad, goes up to the counter, register, puts three apples on and then realizes she can't afford it. And she took one apple, brought it back into the refrigeration, came back, and she took two apples."

Trump again repeated the story several times just before Election Day in early November, saying the woman returned an apple to the "refrigerator," "refrigeration," "refrigeration area" or "refrigeration section."

Sources:

"Donald J. Trump Transcript Search." Roll Call Factbase, https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/search/.

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Hare, Holly Van. "Apples Should Always Be Kept in the Fridge: Here's Why." Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2017, https://www.latimes.com/food/sns-dailymeal-1859817-healthy-eating-apples-storage-fridge-120117-20171201-story.html.

Lev-Tov, Devorah. "Should You Refrigerate Apples to Keep Them Fresh? Here's What the Experts Say." Martha Stewart, 28 July 2022, https://www.marthastewart.com/8293101/how-to-store-apples.

Liles, Jordan. "Trump Has Been Named Time Magazine's Person of the Year." Snopes, 12 Dec. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-time-person-of-the-year/.

Price, Michelle L. "Trump Is Named Time's Person of the Year and Rings the New York Stock Exchange's Opening Bell." The Associated Press, 12 Dec. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-stock-exchange-time-nyse-bell-ringing-91a59ff0f4ce77c0c6f87e55a38c6c75.

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"Watch Live: President-Elect Donald Trump Rings Opening Bell at NYSE." YouTube, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiNdPVh4vuA.

Wicks, Lauren. "Here's How To Store Apples So They Stay Crisp." Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2022, https://www.southernliving.com/food/fruits/apple/how-to-store-apples.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former FBI informant accused of lying about U.S. President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Bidens interactions with a Ukrainian energy company pleaded guilty on Monday to causing the creation of a false record.

Alexander Smirnov entered the plea in federal court in Los Angeles, according to a spokesperson for Special Counsel David Weiss, the prosecutor who brought the case.

He also admitted to tax evasion, court documents showed.

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Smirnov, who was due to face trial next month, reached an agreement with prosecutors last week that calls for a sentence of between four and six years in prison.

Smirnov admitted in court documents to fabricating a claim that Biden and his son were each paid $5 million in bribes from executives at Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian energy company that hired Hunter to serve on its board.

Weiss also investigated Hunter Bidens business dealings and convicted the presidents son on gun and tax charges. Joe Biden pardoned his son last month.

Smirnovs claim was documented by the FBI in its investigation into Hunter Biden, leading to the false record charge against Smirnov. It also became a focus of the since-abandoned effort by Republicans in the House of Representatives to impeach Joe Biden over his sons business activities.

A lawyer for Smirnov did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Smirnov is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Mark Porter)
Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R) delivered a damning prediction of Donald Trumps legacy  and slammed who the president-elect has picked for roles in his second term  during an interview with CNNs Kasie Hunt on Monday morning.

Duncan, a longtime critic of Trump who drew the returning POTUS ire for refusing to help overturn his 2020 election loss, argued that Trumps legacy is more built on a Ponzi scheme of populist ideas in that every day its got to get a little more edgy and a little bit more daring and bombastic.

And you have to look no further than these nominees to see part of that next step in the Ponzi scheme, Duncan continued during a discussion that was ostensibly centered on outgoing Sen. Mitt Romneys (R-Utah) recent assessment that MAGA is the Republican Party and criticism of Trumps political movement.

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If you told me that Donald Trump was building an administration to run a frat house, Id believe you, Duncan told Hunt in a withering metaphor. Not necessarily to tackle the global issues that were facing, the economic challenges were facing. The intensity of the challenges that this country faces, I believe are more serious than Donald Trump is.

Trump has garnered widespread controversy over a slew of his Cabinet picks.

His first choice for attorney general, for example  the now-former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz  withdrew his own nomination amid further scrutiny of sexual misconduct claims against him, which he denied.

Watch the interview here:

.@GeoffDuncanGA: "If you told me that Donald Trump was building an administration to run a frat house, I'd believe ya  not necessarily to tackle the global issues that we're facing..."@kasiepic.twitter.com/5Vq4wcYf4t  CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) December 16, 2024

Related...
Prince William is planning a romantic vacation for his wife Kate Middleton in the southwest of England after a difficult year for the family. As you know, in 2024, the Princess of Wales underwent a preventive course of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer, and King Charles III of Great Britain was treated for the same disease.

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The vacation, which is traditional for monarchs, will make Christmas especially meaningful as the royal couple values time spent with loved ones. According to The Mirror, William "wants to create memories with Kate, so he is planning a romantic trip to the Isles of Scilly, one of their favorite places to escape to for some privacy and time together."

Throughout the year, William has been deeply immersed in his charitable work, taking care of Kate and his father, and meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. Insiders have revealed more details about his plans for his wife over the Christmas holidays.

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"Kate's family will also be a big part of the festivities," a close source said, "William is coordinating with them to make sure Kate is with the whole family for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The romantic vacation spot chosen by Prince William is an archipelago located in the Celtic Sea with only 2200 inhabitants. This number grows slightly when the Prince and Princess arrive in Seelie, visiting their vacation residence owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

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The four-bedroom house, known as Tamarisk House, is located on the largest of the Channel Islands, Sainte-Marie, and is even available for public rent. The Isles of Scilly tourism website describes Sainte-Marie as "a safe haven with hidden treasures."

The coast has large stretches of uncrowded white sandy beaches, rocky coves, stunning seascapes, amazing archaeological sites, beautiful walking routes and scenery along kilometers of coastal and country roads, as well as nature trails.

Apart from visiting the islands of Scotland, William is engaged in various activities and travels. He was recently spotted talking to Trump after the reopening of Notre Dame.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about how Meghan Markle surprised everyone with her hidden talent, which no one had guessed about until recently.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the former chief adviser to Mayor Eric Adams who suddenly resigned over the weekend amid rumors of looming criminal charges, denied she had broken the law Monday.

I am here falsely accused of something; I dont know exactly what it is, but I know that I was told that its something thats illegal, and I have never done anything illegal in my capacity in government. Ive worked in government for over 35 years, in all three branches, federal, state and city, Lewis-Martin told reporters at a press conference at her lawyer Arthur Aidalas Midtown law firm.

During my tenure, I have never taken any gifts, money  anything.

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The Manhattan district attorneys office is presenting evidence about Lewis-Martin to a grand jury and is expected to be nearing asking the panel to vote on whether to hand up an indictment.

Aidala, who said he was proactively addressing the media to get some of this out of the way, said he believed the charges were imminent, would relate to improper gifts, and that others would be indicted, too. He said Lewis-Martin declined to provide testimony to grand jurors last week  prosecutors typically extend such an invitation during the final stages of a grand jury probe.

It is a tremendous risk, and she didnt feel she would get a fair shake, Aidala said, adding that the DAs office declined a request to speak with Lewis-Martin outside the panels presence.

Aidala said he thought Lewis-Martin was being targeted to secure her cooperation against the mayor.

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There is no doubt in my mind that Ingrid Lewis-Martin is only in the crosshairs because of her official capacity, he said.

The DAs office has declined to comment on or confirm details of the grand jury investigation. Asked for a reaction to Aidalas comments on Monday, a spokesperson said, Because this office acts with the utmost integrity, it would be inappropriate for us to respond.

The New York Times reported Sunday that prosecutors are also looking into Lewis-Martins son, Glenn Martin II, who has DJd at Gracie Mansion; Mayank Dwivedi, a hotelier who operates multiple properties in the city and the Hamptons; as well as an associate of Dwivedi.

News of potential charges broke hours after Lewis-Martin, 63, announced her immediate resignation early Sunday.

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The development that she was being scrutinized by law enforcement emerged in late September when state and federal investigators stopped her at Kennedy Airport as she returned from a trip to Japan.

Manhattan DA investigators seized her cell phone at the airport and informed her they were searching her Brooklyn home. Aidala claimed on Monday that the charges he believed were pending were based on what was seized being taken out context.

Federal prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office simultaneously subpoenaed Lewis-Martin to testify at the airport, a demand that came a day after they unsealed a five-count indictment against the mayor alleging he sold his political influence to wealthy Turkish officials. Aidala said Monday that Lewis-Martin was a witness in a federal probe but not a target. Adams has pleaded not guilty in the case.

The News previously reported that DA investigators also seized devices from Lewis-Martins travelmates to Japan  Jesse Hamilton, a former state senator who now manages the citys vast real estate portfolio, and Diana Boutross, a top broker at the Cushman & Wakefield real estate firm. Aidala previously said the Japan trip was a vacation getaway among friends.

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Boutross firm is one of two real estate companies that serve as the Department of Citywide Administrative Services licensed brokers in dealings with private property owners. Neither she nor Hamilton has been accused of criminal wrongdoing, and it was unclear whether they would feature in the pending indictment expected against Lewis-Martin.

Lewis-Martin is the highest-ranking member of Adams inner circle to come under legal scrutiny. Her abrupt departure followed a string of high-level City Hall resignations amid investigations on the state and federal levels examining several of his deputies.

Since September, Adams former first deputy mayor Sheena Wright; schools chancellor David Banks; ex-NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban; and deputy mayor for public safety Phil Banks have resigned.

Sources on Sunday told the Daily News a split began to emerge between Lewis-Martin and the mayor after she went on Aidalas radio show, The Arthur Aidala Power Hour, after her run-in with law enforcement at the airport. One said they hadnt spoken for weeks before her resignation.

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During the radio interview, Lewis-Martin said she believed the public would see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DAs office to investigate us. Sources said the comment angered Adams for suggesting criminal activity had occurred.

She was, with all humility, saying, Look, Im not perfect, but I could tell you for a fact, I never did anything that rose through the criminal level, Aidala said Monday.

Several hours later, the mayor briefly mentioned his longtime confidant at a separate press conference and shut down further questions.

Adams said he had lifted Lewis-Martin up in prayer and asked God to give her strength in the days to come.

She not only has constantly been by my side, shes not only a friend, but shes my sister, and I love her so much, the mayor said.

_____

(With Chris Sommerfeldt.)

_____
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A former National Trail school resource officer has been sentenced to prison.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost confirmed Monday that 26-year-old Mason Williams of Eaton received a sentence of 18 months in prison.

Williams prison sentence comes after being convicted of two counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence in November.

You cant do your job of keeping kids safe at school when you lack the judgment to know that students are off-limits for sexual relationships, Yost said. Hes an embarrassment to the badge, and he has rightfully earned the label of sex offender.

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Once released, Williams is ordered to register as a sexual offender for the rest of his life.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 former school resource officer now knows how long hell be in prison after being convicted of having a sexual relationship with a student.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Mason Williams, 26, was sentenced on Monday to 18 months in prison. He was also designated a Tier III sex offender and will have to register as such for the rest of his life.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Williams was found guilty of two counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence in November.

As News Center 7 previously reported, Williams had been accused of being in a consensual relationship with an 18-year-old student at National Trail High School outside of the school setting earlier this year.

Williams had been the student resource officer at the National Trail School District for roughly two years.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Williams had deleted electronic correspondence with the victim, which led to the tampering with evidence charge.

You cant do your job of keeping kids safe at school when you lack the judgment to know that students are off-limits for sexual relationships, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a release. Hes an embarrassment to the badge, and he has rightfully earned the label of sex offender.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




CHIPPEWA FALLS  The exact location of the new Aspirus Health Hospital has been revealed, as the healthcare organization is planning to construct on a 22.1-acre parcel along Chippewa Crossing Boulevard, east of the citys fire station.

The Chippewa Falls Plan Commission approved the hospitals certified survey map last week. The Chippewa Falls City Council will review the measure at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 30 W. Central Street. A copy of the certified survey map, with the legal description of the property, is included in the Councils agenda packet.

Barbara Burnette of Aspirus and surveyor Tom Radenz of REI Civil & Environmental Engineering & Surveying met with the Plan Commission. Radenz said they were initially looking at a 30-acre parcel but settled on the 22.1-acre property. Burnett met with the residential developer on Dec. 6 about coordination and the site layout; city officials were not participants in that meeting.

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The parcel size is almost identical to the 20-acre lot that the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative is purchasing for their own hospital that will be built west of U.S. 53, near the Melby exit, in the village of Lake Hallie.

Aspirus Health, based in Wausau, still has not revealed the cost or exact size of the hospital, or how many beds will be included. The hospital will feature emergency services, medical beds, lab and imaging diagnostic services, and a primary care clinic.

Burnette told the Plan Commission they have hired HGA architects.

Building layout will allow room for growth and good visibility from the highway, the Plan Commission minutes state.

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The certified survey map includes a buffer for patient views and reserves area for stormwater ponds, the minutes read.

Radenz said a traffic impact analysis has been completed. The county surveyor also has reviewed the map.

According to a website Aspirus published, the construction period could take 18 months.

Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman previously said that Aspirus has indicated they want to break ground in the spring.

With a team of 14,000 employees, Aspirus operates 18 hospitals and more than 130 outpatient locations across northern and central Wisconsin, as well as northeastern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a press release states.

Communities throughout our region have made clear just how much they value local access to emergency and hospital care, said Jim Matheson, Aspirus Health Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Yet environmental and industry challenges make it very difficult for a hospital to succeed in an area like Chippewa Falls. Fortunately, Aspirus has a proven track record of success and we are confident in our strategy to sustain and grow services here.
By Andrew MacAskill and Elizabeth Piper

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Labour government has pared back an audit of relations with China, four sources with knowledge of the matter said, preparing the way for a less critical report that could help Prime Minister Keir Starmer focus on improving economic ties.

The Labour Party said before taking power the audit would be Britain's first in-depth, potentially year-long appraisal of relations and supply chains with a country considered by the security services as the nation's biggest long-term threat.

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The government is now opting for a quicker and less in-depth approach, which will most probably end up being less critical of China, the sources said. Two of the sources pointed to Starmer's growth agenda and plan to improve relations with an important trading partner for the decision.

Asked about Reuters findings, a British government spokesperson said "the audit process is ongoing".

"We are carrying out a full and comprehensive audit on the breadth of the UK's relationship with China which will bring a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China," the spokesperson said.

The Chinese embassy in London declined to comment.

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Ministers want to ensure that the audit, which began in October, will be finished before the inauguration of the U.S. President next month, but the timeframe might slip, three of the sources said.

Donald Trump's return to the White House could put Britain under pressure to take a tougher approach to China. Trump's nomination of Marco Rubio for Secretary of State has signalled his approach towards Beijing could go beyond tariffs and trade to a more hawkish stance on China as the United States' main strategic rival.

'THREE Cs' STRATEGY

Labour had originally planned for the audit to create a clear, consistent position for government, businesses and universities on how they should deal with the security challenges posed by China, the sources said.

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The review was the only mention of relations with Beijing in Labour's manifesto before the election that brought the party to power in July.

But unlike a British government strategic defence review being carried out by a host of experts and led by former NATO Secretary General George Robertson, the launch of the China audit, which began in October, was never formally announced.

Labour officials had said in opposition they wanted the audit to help limit goods entering Britain's supply chain from China's far western Xinjiang region, where human rights groups have documented alleged abuses against the Uyghur population. China denies the accusation.

But Labour has since backed away from its position in opposition to push for international recognition of China's treatment of the Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority, as genocide, the sources said.

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Labour had also intended to model the audit on a German review last year, which took a year-and-a-half to complete and involved government officials, members of parliament, businesses, academics and non-government organisations.

Instead, the British audit will now mainly rely on the expertise of government officials, two of the sources said. It is being carried out by the Foreign Office, and some of the main findings will be published.

Reuters was not able to establish who had ordered the government to adopt the scaled back approach.

The published review was likely to largely repeat the government's "three Cs" strategy towards China: challenge, compete and cooperate, the sources said.

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The sources asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the review.

LIMITED FINDINGS

Labour wants to improve ties with China after the previous Conservative government restricted Chinese investment and expressed concern at Beijing's increasing assertiveness.

Several Conservative lawmakers have warned about the security threat posed by China, an issue that was underscored when a Chinese businessman was banned from Britain on national security grounds because he was suspected of being a spy. The businessman was a close associate of Prince Andrew, King Charles' younger brother.

Starmer is hoping an improvement in relations could yield economic benefits and drive the growth he has staked his tenure on.

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Last month, Starmer became the first British leader to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping since 2018, when they held talks at the G20 summit in Brazil. A day later, Starmer declined to publicly condemn the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong to prison, when asked at a press conference.

Britain's finance ministry is also working on reviving high-level meetings with China that last took place in 2019, with finance minister Rachel Reeves considering travelling to Beijing next year, Reuters previously reported.

Britain's intelligence agencies have also struck noticeably more conciliatory tones. "The UK-China economic relationship supports UK growth, which underpins our security," Ken McCallum, the head of domestic spy service MI5, said in October.

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Elizabeth Piper; Additional reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By Pratima Desai and Julia Payne

London/Brussels - Ten European Union (EU) countries have proposed further sanctions on Russian trade, including its output of metals such as aluminium, to further cut the country's revenues and funding for its war in Ukraine, a letter seen by Reuters showed.

There are more than 2,000 individuals and entities on the EU's sanctions list, but not Russian metal producers such as Rusal or primary metal produced in Russia.

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Signatories to the letter sent two weeks ago proposing bans on Russian-origin metal include Poland, taking over presidency of the EU in January from Hungary which has been hostile to the idea, one source familiar with the matter said.

"As metals make up the most important source of revenue for Russia besides fossil fuels, we must also impose additional import bans on metals," said the letter also backed by Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Sweden, Finland and Romania also back the proposal.

The EU Commission will propose the new package in the second half of January with the aim of passing it in February to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Most EU metal consumers have found alternative supplies from other countries such as copper from Peru and Serbia, but the EU still imports large amounts of Russian-origin primary aluminium.

The United States and Britain this year banned the import of metals produced in Russia, but the EU declined to follow due to resistance from members including France, which two sources familiar with the matter said no longer opposes the idea.

"We do not have any position on this issue but we'll study all proposals on the table," said a spokesperson for France's representation to the EU.

The EU has so far only banned aluminium products including wire, tubes and foil, which amount to less than 15% of EU imports of the metal used in the transport, packaging and construction industries.

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"All decisions on sanctions are taken unanimously by the Member States in the Council," an EU spokesperson said.

"We do not comment on discussions in the Council and do not speculate on possible future developments."

A third source familiar with the matter said the EU could impose punitive tariffs on Russian metal, which do not require unanimity and could be an alternative to sanctions.

Sanctions or tariffs may now be more acceptable as EU imports of primary aluminium from Russia have dropped.

Between January and September, the EU imported nearly 118,000 metric tons of primary aluminium from Russia or around 6% of the total at more than two million tons, according to information provider Trade Data Monitor (TDM).

That compares with 11% and 20% in the same period last year and in 2022 respectively.

(Reporting by Pratima Desai and Julia Payne; Editing by Veronica Brown and Ed Osmond)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has signaled support for Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies, including modifying his city's sanctuary law. In an exclusive interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart, Adams responds to allegations that he's cozying up to Trump for clemency from federal corruption charges.
Dec. 15An experienced ice climber was rescued after a 60-foot fall on a steep section of Shoestring Gully on Saturday night in Harts Location, authorities said.

Slavek Zaglewski, 55, of Oakland, New Jersey, suffered arm and head injuries during the incident, which occurred shortly before 7:30 p.m. Zaglewski was climbing with his friend Mariusz Markewicz when he fell near the top of the climb, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Markewicz immediately secured Zaglewski and provided warm clothing. Due to lack of cellphone service, he climbed to a ridge to call 911, they said.

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A total of 28 volunteers from the Mountain Rescue Service, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, and Bartlett/Jackson Ambulance Service responded, along with New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers.

A small Mountain Rescue Service team ascended the gully to reach Zaglewski, while other rescuers hiked the ridge with specialized equipment. Rescuers then stabilized his injuries, treated him for hypothermia, and transported him in a litter, said Fish and Game.

The complex rescue involved raising Zaglewski nearly 400 feet to level ground and carrying him down nearly 2 miles of steep terrain. Some trail sections required rescuers to use roped belays to move the litter safely, they said.

Zaglewski reached the trailhead shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday and was transported to Maine Health Memorial Hospital in North Conway for treatment. An update on his condition was not available Sunday afternoon.

Rescue organizations reminded outdoor enthusiasts to be prepared and support search and rescue efforts through donations and safety preparedness.
The Council of the European Union has imposed restrictions on 16 individuals and three legal entities responsible for Russia's destabilizing actions abroad. The measures, which are a response to Russia's malicious actions and disrespect for the rules of international order and law, have affected, among others, such Z-propagandists as Tina Kandelaki and Larysa Dolina, who spent her childhood in Odesa.

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Those on the list will be subject to asset freezes, and citizens and European companies will be prohibited from providing them with funds. In addition, individuals will also be subject to a travel ban, which will prevent them from entering or transiting the EU.

Tina Kandelaki

Kandelaki is a Russian journalist working for the state-owned "Gazprom Media," as well as a public figure who uses her popularity and influence in the public sphere to voice Russian propaganda and justify the war. She was among those who performed during the concert in Luzhniki on March 18, 2022, which was dedicated to the 8th anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea and served as a symbol of support for the full-scale invasion.

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After 2014, she fully supported the occupation of the Crimean peninsula. In addition, she is the Deputy Director General of "Gazprom Media Holding," which unites several media outlets that spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justify Russian aggression. Several TV channels owned and operated by "Gazprom Media Holding" have replaced Ukrainian TV channels on local TV frequencies previously seized by the Russians after the Russian invasion of Crimea.

Larysa Dolina

Since the beginning of Russia's aggression, Dolina has often supported Russia's actions that threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. To this end, the singer, who has long lived in Odesa, has cooperated with the Russian Ministry of Defense and conducted entertainment campaigns on behalf of the Russian government to reward the invaders for their participation in the war. She also gave concerts in the occupied territories.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
As they attempt to draw lessons from a devastating presidential defeat, Democratic strategists must grapple with a question that could shape their approach to education policy over the next four years: How can the party of educators win back the support of parents?

According to a detailed voter analysis conducted for Fox News by the research group NORC, caregivers of children under the age of 18 favored Joe Biden over Donald Trump by a margin of three percentage points in 2020. By comparison, Trump won the same group by four points over Kamala Harris  a seven-point swing in four years time. The electorate overall only moved six points rightward in the same period, meaning that parents have become warmer toward the former president than the rest of the country. (Data from exit polls was even more stark, indicating a nine-point Trump gain among mothers and a 20-point bounce among fathers.)

Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74

In a country where more than one-quarter of all voters are parents of school-aged kids, a shift of that scale moves millions of votes. And unlike some polling surprises over the last decade, its one that political observers have long seen coming.

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Rash of New Polls Raises Red Flags for Democrats on Education

Throughout the Biden administration, statistical evidence on the publics attitudes toward K12 schools have carried ominous news for Democrats, who traditionally enjoyed a significant advantage over Republicans on the issue of education. A 2022 survey conducted by Impact Research, a respected Democratic polling firm, was one of the first to find that parents in closely fought congressional districts trusted Republicans more when it came to running schools.

Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact, said that the results were particularly striking given how well the Democratic brand has held up in other historic areas of strength.

Democrats still have significant advantages on health care and abortion and have largely maintained those advantages, Hogan said. Whereas education is fairly unique in being an issue that Democrats traditionally won on, but have lost a good deal of ground recently.

Supporters at the end of an end of an election watch party for Vice President Kamala Harris (Getty Images)

Those developments will leave Democratic leaders wondering not only what hurt their credibility with parents, but also whether the damage can be reversed anytime soon.

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Many among the partys noisy coalition of professional operatives, interest groups, and activists acknowledge that the legacy of COVID-related school closures left some families furious with local Democratic officials, who tended to be more cautious about reopening during the pandemic. But for those memories to fade, they argued, they must be replaced with a more defined agenda for K12 policy, which has been largely impressionistic since the end of the Obama administration.

As a party, we've lost the language, the ideas, the policy, and the vision on education, and it needs to be entirely rebuilt. Jorge Elorza, Democrats for Education Reform

Jorge Elorza is the CEO of the advocacy group Democrats for Education Reform, which commissioned Impacts survey work. In an interview, he said that while the GOP had responded to the publics pandemic-era dissatisfaction with public education by launching a forceful drive for school choice, Democrats havent offered anything to strike a meaningful contrast.

As a party, weve lost the language, the ideas, the policy, and the vision on education, and it needs to be entirely rebuilt, said Elorza, the former mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. Most Democrats would be very hard-pressed to answer the simple question of what is our partys vision on education.

The legacy of lockdowns

Sarah Sachen, a Chicago mother of four, said shed been a lifelong Democrat before this November. But after the difficulties she faced putting her kids through school during the pandemic, she cast her first ballot for Donald Trump.

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Sachen said the seeds of her decision were laid during the 202122 school year. Having already struggled with the transition to online learning  her homes electricity was spotty throughout parts of 2020, making it difficult for her children to use the Chromebooks provided to them by the school district  she was livid when the Chicago Teachers Union staged a walkout over safety protocols. Two of her children have Individualized Education Programs, making it nearly impossible for her to consider switching them to a private school, she said.

It wasnt fair to me that the Catholic school down my block was allowing kids to come and get their education while my kids, who have to be serviced by the system because they have special needs, were punished, remembered Sachen, whose involvement with Chicago Public Schools includes service on her local school council.

COVID-era lockdowns presented a special challenge to the Democratic mayors who run most major American cities. Black and Hispanic families, much more so than their white and Asian counterparts, were hesitant to return to in-person schooling during 2020 and 2021; yet the educational and social-emotional disruptions posed by months spent in Zoom classrooms were disproportionately felt by students who were already struggling in school, further widening inequities in educational achievement.

Related

Competing K12 Visions Collide in Chicago Mayors Race

Sachen was already outraged with the length of the closures, excoriating the union in local media for their resistance to reopening campuses. But she grew more animated last year, when the progressive Democrat and former CTU organizer Brandon Johnson won election as the citys mayor. By this November, she said, she felt perfectly comfortable voting for Trump, whom she said she hated during his previous campaigns in 2016 and 2020.

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Not even Trumps attacks on Democrats over their support for transgender healthcare access could sway Sachen, who has a transgender son.

I wasnt scared to vote for him this time, Sachen said. I think itll be better for education and better all-around. Many of her friends in the neighborhood of Garfield Ridge reached a similar calculation, and Trump lost consistently Democratic Illinois by a smaller margin than any Republican nominee since the 1980s.

As Chicago schools returned to in-person learning in 2022, teachers staged a walkout over safety conditions. (Getty Images)

Michael Mikus, a Democratic political consultant based in western Pennsylvania, agreed that the challenge of educational leadership during a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis had harmed his partys brand. Swing voters in his home state, perennially one of Americas most decisive battlegrounds, too often thought of Democrats as being led by people who want to control your life.

Democrats were often portrayed as not caring about what parents think, Mikus said, recalling the 2021 Virginia governors race, in which Republican Glenn Youngkin adopted parental rights as a closing argument en route to an upset victory. Rightly or wrongly, there was a segment of the electorate that may have considered voting for Democrats, but that sense just left a bad taste in their mouths.

Returning to basic skills

Yet it remains unclear how the party might reclaim the initiative  or, indeed, how deep the reputational damage goes.

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Katie Paris is the founder of Red Wine & Blue, a progressive advocacy group that specifically targets suburban women. Herself the mother of school-aged children, Paris said that while Trumps election was a major disappointment, she was heartened by the failure of Republican-led ballot initiatives to establish school voucher-like programs across multiple states. The victory of Mo Green, the Democratic candidate for state superintendent in North Carolina, offered more cause for optimism.

Greens Republican opponent in the pivotal swing state, a longtime homeschool teacher who had referred to public schools as indoctrination centers, is now seeking a position in the Trump administration, though her future in state-level politics is murky.

Related

Ballot Propositions: Voters in 2 States Reject Private School Choice Measures

Going forward, Paris argued, Democrats should speak directly to parents concerns about the academic and psychological deficits absorbed by students during the pandemic. Previous polling has revealed that most Americans say K12 schools are on the wrong track, and a plurality believe that reading instruction has deteriorated in recent decades.

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I would like for the focus in public education to be on helping our kids recover from learning loss since COVID, which were still not talking about, Paris said, adding that Republicans would prefer to keep the spotlight on hot-button issues like the rights of LGBTQ students. Unfortunately, the only people we heard talking about [schools] were those who wanted to tear them down and blame the trans community for their downfall.

Related

Former Superintendent Defeats MAGA Homeschooler for North Carolina Schools Chief

Impacts Hogan agreed that the huge task of academic recovery was under-emphasized in Democrats campaign messaging. In focus groups, he said, parents still rated the party highly when it came to providing resources for schools, including free lunch and after-school programs. But on the question of lifting achievement and bolstering student skills, a large number of respondents said that neither party had their support.

About a fifth of voters overall dont trust either party to ensure school quality, and both parties are tied on that issue, he said. So for me, thats a huge opportunity for Democrats to make gains.

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Since the end of the Obama administration, amid enervating fights over the Common Core academic standards and the rewriting of the No Child Left Behind Act, the party has mostly avoided staking out ambitious positions on K12 policy. In the absence of a set federal program, Democrats have gone their own ways, embracing the science of reading in some blue states while eliminating graduation requirements in others.

Related

McMahons Metamorphosis: Ed Nominees Journey Mirrors the GOPs Turn to Trump

Whatever direction they take, Mikus said, Democrats should take care to position themselves as the champions of families interests.

What we have to say is that the Democratic Party is on the side of parents and children. You cant eliminate parents and parenting from the equation.
Claim:

ABC will pay $15 million to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to settle a defamation lawsuit involving "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos.

Rating:

Rating: True

On Dec. 14, 2024, posts circulated on X saying that ABC would pay $15 million to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as part of a settlement in a defamation lawsuit involving "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos.

One such post (archived) read: "BREAKING: George Stephanopoulos and ABC apologize to Trump and agree to pay $15 million to settle defamation lawsuit."

(X user @bennyjohnson)

The claim centers on a case filed in March 2024, Trump v. American Broadcasting Companies Inc.

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A document for this case showed that ABC settled for $15 million in payments to Trump's "Presidential foundation and museum," $1 million in fees to Trump's legal team and the addition of a statement to the news channel's original report. Therefore, we have rated this claim as true.

The lawsuit was filed at a district court in the Southern District of Florida on March 18, 2024, with the complaint reading:

More specifically, and as set forth in greater detail below, on Sunday, March 10, 2024, Defendant George Stephanopoulos, during the airing of his weekly television show, This Week With George Stephanopoulos, falsely stated on several occasions that Plaintiff had been found liable by multiple juries for the rape of Ms. E. Jean Carroll.

The final detail in the above passage refers to a jury in New York, on May 9, 2023, finding Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996. However, in the process, the jury rejected Carroll's claim that she was raped.

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The settlement between ABC and Trump was entered on Dec. 13, 2024. It bore the signatures of Trump, ABC representatives and the letters "GRS" in the space for Stephanopoulos' signature.

The settlement consisted of three main elements. The first was a $15 million "contribution" by ABC "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 established in the past "

ABC also agreed to include the following statement in its March 10 article, which had been added at the time of this writing:

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.

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Finally, ABC also agreed to pay $1 million in fees to Trump's counsel, Brito PLLC.

A widely reported statement from ABC commenting on the settlement read: "We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing."

Sources:

Axelrod, Tal. "Nancy Mace Defends Her Support for Trump after He Was Found Liable for Sexual Assault." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/nancy-mace-defends-support-trump-after-found-liable/story?id=107964612. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Gabriel Hays, Brooke Singman. "George Stephanopoulos and ABC Apologize to Trump, Are Forced to Pay $15 Million to Settle Defamation Suit." Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/media/george-stephanopoulos-abc-apologize-trump-forced-pay-15-million-settle-defamation-suit.

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Johnson, Benny. "BREAKING: George Stephanopoulos and ABC Apologize to Trump and Agree to Pay $15 Million to Settle Defamation Lawsuit." X, 14 Dec. 2024, https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/1868033678812787167.

Neumeister, Larry, et al. "Jury Finds Trump Liable for Sexual Abuse, Awards Accuser $5M." AP News, 10 May 2023, https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db.

R. Sisak, Michael. "ABC Agrees to Give $15 Million to Donald Trump's Presidential Library to Settle Defamation Lawsuit." AP News, 14 Dec. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68.

"Trump v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., 1:24-Cv-21050 - CourtListener.Com." CourtListener, https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68351681/trump-v-american-broadcasting-companies-inc/. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.


Claim:

The women of the Dani tribe of Papua, Indonesia, practice the tradition of ritually amputating parts of their fingers when a loved one dies.

Rating:

Rating: True

In late-October 2024, a post on Facebook highlighted an indigenous tribe on the island of New Guinea, in which the tribespeople apparently practice the custom of cutting off a portion of their fingers. According to the post:

The tribe who cut off their fingers for mourning... The Dani tribe.... The Dani tribe in Indonesia, who live completely dependent on their own traditions, are considered the most primitive tribe of our time. The most interesting feature of the Dani tribe is that when members attend a funeral, they cut off the upper half of one of their fingers, rub ashes and clay on their faces. The Dani tribe lives in a town called Wamen, where transportation is provided only by plane and it is very difficult. The tribe, which continues to exist in a remote location in the province of Papua, was first discovered by American missionary Richard Archbold in 1938.The Dani, an ancient cannibal tribe of Indonesia, chop off a finger to mourn when their loved ones, such as their wife and child, die.

Gianluca Chiodini, a 41-year-old photographer, captured images of this tribe on the spot and found out how they do it. Before cutting, they tie a tight rope around the upper half of the finger for 30 minutes. People who cut off their finger are usually someone from a close family member. The open wound is cauterized in order to prevent bleeding and create a new fingertip. It is said that finger cutting is a symbol of suffering after losing a loved one. However, the practice of finger cutting was considered increasingly outdated and was officially banned a few years ago. For this reason, it is usually found only in elderly people with such fingers.

(Ay Haan/Facebook)

This claim of traditional finger-cutting within this ethnic group is true and has circulated widely on social media, with posts and videos appearing on Facebook, Instagram and X in 2024. However, there are several details about the Dani tribe's unique cultural of self-maiming, referred to as "iki palek," that are often misrepresented when discussed online.

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The Dani tribe is an indigenous community residing in the Baliem Valley of Papua, Indonesia, on the large island of New Guinea. But they are not from Papua New Guinea, which is the country that takes up the other half of the island and is not part of Indonesia. The New Guinea island is located directly north of Australia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

The Dani people have a rich cultural heritage, including unique practices of mummification, stone-burning ceremonies, and the symbolic "iki palek" finger-cutting tradition.

(Getty Images)

According to multiple reputable sources, including educational facilities and the Temple Anthropology Laboratory and Museum, the finger-cutting is performed as an expression of grief following the death of a close family member, like a parent or sibling. This ritual, primarily involving the older women of the family, and occasionally men, symbolizes the pain of loss and serves as a way to honor the deceased while protecting their spirit.

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The practice involves amputating the top of the finger using traditional cutting tools, like axes and knives, or sometimes even biting at the knuckle, then tying the damaged digit with rope to ensure circulation is cut off and the nerves die for easy removal of that part of the finger. The ritual also serves as a prayer seeking protection for surviving family members and hoping to prevent future tragedies.

Men in the Dani tribe are less likely to cut their fingers, often opting to cut their ear as an alternate expression of sorrow.

According to news reports, fingers symbolize family unity and strength for the Dani, with each segment representing a bond with loved ones. Cutting a finger signifies a permanent change, akin to the void left by the deceased.

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Wamena, Papua Province, 2016: Dani tribe women participate in the Baliem Valley Festival in Walesi district. (Getty Images)

Today, many Dani have shifted to less extreme mourning rituals, such as wearing ceremonial adornments or participating in dances. Yet, the tradition remains a key part of the tribe's historical identity.

In short, the practice of finger-cutting among the Dani tribe of Indonesia is indeed real, albeit increasingly rare. It serves as a cultural expression of grief, and while modernity has influenced its decline, the tradition demonstrated the Dani tribe's cultural distinctiveness.

Snopes has previously reported on happenings in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, including fact-checking a video that authentically showed a weather cloud "falling from the sky," and another video that purportedly showed a woman taking a selfie as a tsunami approached.

Sources:

- YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEW8-fUoE1k. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

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---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnfQtosewyI. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

6.1K Views  144 Reactions | Did You Know A Tribe That Cuts Off Fingers? The Dani Tribe, Also Known as the Ndani, from the Baliem Valley in the Central Highlands of Papua,... | By Punch Newspapers | Facebook. www.facebook.com, https://www.facebook.com/punchnewspaper/videos/did-you-know-a-tribe-that-cuts-off-fingersthe-dani-tribe-also-known-as-the-ndani/411920571861466/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Ay Haan. "Archeology & Civilizations." Facebook, 26 Oct. 2024, https://www.facebook.com/groups/archeologyandcivilizations/posts/8635743869852394/.

Baliem Valley Festival: Ancient Tribes' Mock War Experience - Indonesia Travel. https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/maluku-papua/baliem-valley/baliem-valley-festival.html. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

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Becky. "Finger Cutting of The Dani Tribe: Pain, Grief, and Heritage!" Indonesia Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024, https://indonesiasentinel.com/finger-cutting-of-the-dani-tribe-pain-grief-and-heritage/.

"Dani Tribe, Indonesia." Dani Tribe, Indonesia, https://www.atlasofhumanity.org/dani. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

"Danis Dealing With Death." TUAnthropologyMuseum, https://www.tuanthmuseum.com/danis-dealing-with-death. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Husain, Alinurdin. "Finger Cutting Tradition in Indonesia." inTheAsia, 12 June 2024, https://intheasia.com/finger-cutting-tradition-in-indonesia-a-deep-dive-into-cultural-expressions-of-grief/.

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Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/couplestherapies/reel/C5itWDIt0Gr/?hl=en. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Natasha Wynarczyk. "Inside the Secretive Tribe Where Women Have Their Fingers Amputated When Their Loved Ones Die." News.Com.Au, 27 Feb. 2019, https://www.news.com.au/travel/destinations/asia/inside-the-secretive-tribe-where-women-have-their-fingers-amputated-when-their-loved-ones-die/news-story/a25dc2605de1a87d28d8e4533d74247e.

Nigeria, Guardian. "The Dani Woman and the Old Practice of Finger Amputation." The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 3 July 2022, https://guardian.ng/life/the-dani-woman-and-the-old-practice-of-finger-amputation/.

Ok-Bird4219. "TIL That in the Dani Tribe of Papua, Indonesia, There's a Unique Tradition Involving Women. When a Family Member Passes Away, the Women May Cut off a Segment of One of Their Fingers to Express Their Grief and Symbolize the Pain of Their Loss. This Ritual Is Intended to Appease the Spirits." Reddit, June 2024, https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1dj90o8/til_that_in_the_dani_tribe_of_papua_indonesia/.

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Post, The Jakarta. "'Ikipalin' the Finger-Cutting Tradition - Fri, September 21, 2012." The Jakarta Post, https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/09/15/ikipalin-finger-cutting-tradition.html. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Raidi. "The Finger Cutting Tradition of the Dani Tribe: A Unique Cultural Practice in Papua, Indonesia." Indonesia Sentinel, 28 Sept. 2024, https://indonesiasentinel.com/the-finger-cutting-tradition-of-the-dani-tribe-a-unique-cultural-practice-in-papua-indonesia/.

Senaman. "Iki Palek and Nasu Palek Traditions of Dani Tribe, Papua." West Papua Voice, 28 May 2024, https://westpapuavoice.ac/social-culture/iki-palek-and-nasu-palek-traditions-of-dani-tribe-papua/.

@talk2veee. "Dani Tribe in Papua Guinea ." X, 5 June 2024, https://x.com/talk2veee/status/1798331696749641822.

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"The Baliem Valley - Home of the Dani Tribe." Papua Explorer, https://www.papua-explorer.com/the-papua-blog/the-baliem-valley/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

The Struggles of the Dani Muslim Community in Baliem Valley by Ade Yamin  Doktor Politik Islam. https://s3pi.umy.ac.id/the-struggles-of-the-dani-muslim-community-in-baliem-valley-by-ade-yamin/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

The Unique Tradition of Iki Palek in Papua - papuaaround.com. 27 Feb. 2023, https://papuaaround.com/the-unique-tradition-of-iki-palek-in-papua/.

The Women of This Tribe Cut off Their Fingers When a Loved One Dies | Pulse Nigeria. https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/the-women-of-this-tribe-cut-off-their-fingers-when-a-loved-one-dies/bkrev40. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
Claim:

A photograph authentically shows UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione, wearing a costume from the Japanese "Sailor Moon" manga series.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In December 2024, a photograph circulated widely purportedly showing UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione, dressed in a costume. The image appeared to show Mangione in an older photograph wearing what looked like the outfit of a character from the Japanese manga series, "Sailor Moon." Printed over the image were the words "Fighting Evil by Moonlight," a reference to the "Sailor Moon" theme song in English.

(X user @TennesseeTwunk)

But the above photograph is fake. A real picture of Mangione was edited to add the costume onto his body.

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A reverse-image search found no authentic sources for the above image. Were such an image real, it would have been more widely shared. In fact, most posts that shared it acknowledged it as a joke and questioned whether it was real.

The actual photo of Mangione's face was taken from Instagram and shows him wearing a suit and tie while standing in front of a sign that appears to read "Philadelphia Museum." We took a screenshot of the photograph from a story in Los Angeles Magazine.

(Los Angeles Magazine)

It is also clear from the X post that the bottom right of the image had been heavily edited, given the visible fading around Mangione's "hands."

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Mangione reportedly loved Japanese culture and visited Japan, though he later began to criticize aspects of the culture, according to X posts attributed to him by news organizations. Many have also poked fun at the shooting suspect's name, Luigi, which he shares with the popular video game character from Nintendo's Mario franchise. The Super Moon image edit is likely a nod to his connection with Japan and video game fandoms.

Mangione was arrested in December 2024 days after the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and detained in Pennsylvania, where he was denied bail and was fighting extradition to New York, as of this writing.

Sources:

"CEO Shooting Suspect 'loved Japanese Culture' but Critiqued Its Society." NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ceo-shooting-suspect-mangione-japan-poker-player-rcna183719." target="blank">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ceo-shooting-suspect-mangione-japan-poker-player-rcna183719.">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ceo-shooting-suspect-mangione-japan-poker-player-rcna183719. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

"Controversial Billboard in Colton Expresses Support for Suspect in Slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO." ABC7 Los Angeles, 13 Dec. 2024, https://abc7.com/post/luigi-mangione-continues-fighting-extradition-controversy-rises-online-funding-support-new-billboard-inland-empire/15648923/." target="blank">https://abc7.com/post/luigi-mangione-continues-fighting-extradition-controversy-rises-online-funding-support-new-billboard-inland-empire/15648923/.">https://abc7.com/post/luigi-mangione-continues-fighting-extradition-controversy-rises-online-funding-support-new-billboard-inland-empire/15648923/. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

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McPhee, Michele. "Prep School Valedictorian ID'd as Possible Smiling Assassin in CEO's Slaying." LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles, 9 Dec. 2024, https://lamag.com/news/prep-school-valedictorian-ided-as-possible-smiling-assassin-in-ceos-slaying." target="blank">https://lamag.com/news/prep-school-valedictorian-ided-as-possible-smiling-assassin-in-ceos-slaying.">https://lamag.com/news/prep-school-valedictorian-ided-as-possible-smiling-assassin-in-ceos-slaying. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Scannell, Kara and Ashley R. Williams, Gloria Pazmino, Kaitlan Collins, Rebekah Riess, Chris Boyette, Dalia Faheid. "What's next for the Suspect in the Killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO." CNN, 16 Dec. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/16/us/luigi-mangione-unitedhealthcare-ceo/index.html." target="blank">https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/16/us/luigi-mangione-unitedhealthcare-ceo/index.html.">https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/16/us/luigi-mangione-unitedhealthcare-ceo/index.html. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.


Dec. 16ANDERSON  Through the efforts of government entities and individuals, several tenants have been moved out of the beleaguered Bingham Square apartments.

Greg Graham, chairman of the Anderson Homeless Task Force, said Friday that four families have been moved into new housing.

"I met with the residents of Bingham Square," he said. "We put together a list and went to work on the problem."

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Graham said the Anderson Housing Authority helped relocate the four families.

"There were unbelievable conditions," he said of the apartments. "There was roach infestation and black mold. They were heating with propane heaters."

Graham said a family with three young children was moved into a three-bedroom apartment and received donated furniture and food.

"The city paid for people to stay at a local hotel" as they waited for new living quarters, Graham said.

He added there are squatters living at Bingham Square, in the 2700 block of West 16th St.

Kim Townsend, executive director of the housing authority, said it's important to recognize the steps taken by the administration of Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr.

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She said the city paid for the families' first month of rent, as well as security and utility deposits.

"This is the fourth mass movement of people," Townsend said. "Everyone did what they could."

The owners of the Bingham Square apartments face pending lawsuits filed by the Indiana Attorney General's office and the Anderson Redevelopment Commission.

Townsend said the city needs to put together an emergency response plan to help people who need assistance in finding a place to live.

Homeless Task Force members discussed development of a reactive plan that would provide people with a resource guide to shelter, food and medical care.

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OTHER BUSINESS

Task Force members were told that Anderson is in need of overnight warming stations during cold weather. Available shelters generally close at night.

Currently, an overnight warming station is available at Mercy St. Vincent Hospital and Harmony House for men in Elwood.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
More than a week after Bashar al-Assad fled Syria and his regime collapsed, hundreds of thousands of Syrians still have no answer to two questions that have haunted them for years, even decades.

What happened to family members and friends after they vanished or were detained by Assads secret police? And how do we bring their torturers and killers to justice?

Some 150,000 people in Syria are unaccounted for, most of whom were kidnapped or detained by the Assad regime or its affiliates, according to the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). CNN cannot independently verify this number.

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With every passing day, Syrians slim hopes finding a loved one still alive are fading. But they want some form of closure; they scour prison and hospital walls where lists of names and images of bodies are posted. They cling to a sliver of hope, yearn for a miracle.

But they also want retribution.

One of those waiting for news was Hazem Dakel from Idlib, who is now in Sweden. His uncle Najeeb was arrested in 2012 and was later confirmed by the family as having been killed. His brother Amer was detained the following year. Former detainees at the horrific Saydnaya prison near Damascus said Amer had disappeared in mid-April 2015 after being tortured there. But the regime never acknowledged his death.

Amer Haj Hashem. - Courtesy Hazem Dakel

Najeeb Dakel. - Courtesy Hazem Dakel

Now that people are able to talk, they are naming people, and I got details of exactly what happened in prison, and the torture, who tortured him, who interrogated him, Dakel told CNN of his brother,

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I want this (new Syrian) country to stand on its feet so we can hold them accountable through the law and courts.

Amid the celebrations in Idlib after the fall of Assad, he said, there was also mourning. They are mourning their children. Yes, the regime fell after resistance and struggle, but there was sorrowlike, where are our children?

Justice is coming, and our right will not be erased no matter how long it takes, Dakel posted on Facebook. The family is now certain Amer died under torture in Saydnaya, he said.

An aerial photo shows people gathering at the Saydnaya prison in Damascus on December 9. - Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images

Human rights groups have begun visiting the many prisons and detention centers across Syria where those perceived as regime critics were confined. An Amnesty International team scoured security branches of the former regime around Damascus this week.

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Mazjoub also posted photographs on X of instruments of torture left behind.

Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw, said one of the team, Aya Mazjoub. In a series of posts on X she described underground labyrinths (that) are literally hell on earth. They were overcrowded, crawling with cockroaches and other insects, lacked ventilation. They still smell of blood and death.

This is bisat ar-reeh, a notorious torture device where detainees would be strapped to a wooden slab that would be folded until their back cracked, she wrote.

This is the doulab. Detainees would be stuffed into the tyre and beaten, usually on the soles of their feet.

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Identifying the bodies that are found will require a legion of forensic pathologists. Many are beyond recognition, mutilated by years of torture and starvation, said Mazjoub.

Desperate relatives have taken to social media with details of sons, brothers, fathers and sisters who disappeared.

In a video posted on X, Lama Saud said her brother Abdullah was detained in 2012. Regime records had registered his death in 2014, but she said she still had hope he might be alive. There are many detainees whose families were told they were dead but were later found to be alive, she said.

Mahmoud Al Shahabi, a Syrian living in exile, told CNN he had been waiting for news of his brothers Hikmat and Amir for 12 years.

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We hope to find them, my situation is like hundreds of thousands of Syrian families who are waiting for news about their loved ones, and we will not give up hope until now.

So far, he has found no trace.

Amir Al Shahabi. - Courtesy Mahmoud Alshehabi

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Hikmat Al Shahabi. - Courtesy Mahmoud Alshehabi

Al Shahabi also asked on Facebook where the recordings of surveillance cameras at regime security branches had gone, why some documents had been destroyed and why human rights groups had not done more to protect records.

Preserving whatever evidence is left in prisons and around possible burial sites is critical to documenting what happened and tracking down the perpetrators.

But following that trail of evidence is also a race against time. Several human rights groups issued a joint appeal last week, saying: The real toll will only be known after mass graves and documents from the detention centers are examined and authenticated by trained experts. This documentation must be preserved from destruction.

Based on the accounts of former prisoners, doctors and regime personnel, it said that an olive-green Honda with a closed shed that could accommodate around 50 bodies was used to take the bodies to a site in Najha near Damascus  which has been called cemetery no.1 (the term used by regime forces is cemetery of the bastards).

A man walks along a wet corridor past cells at the security detention center called Palestine Branch in Damascus on December 13. - Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images

Bodies at the military hospital stayed for two or three days until there were enough to transport to Najha graveyard, and sometimes to Al Qutayfah graveyard, and other sites, according to the report.

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The Association of Detainees and the Missing at Saydnaya prison, which describes itself as a coalition of prison survivors, victims, and their families, has meticulously documented what has happened there in recent years, based on witness accounts and other evidence, such as satellite imagery. It reported last year how bodies were taken from the prison and a military hospital to a mass burial site.

In 2020, a man known as the Gravedigger told a German court he was recruited by the Assad regime to bury hundreds of bodies in mass graves, including Najha, according to the International Commission on Missing Persons.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said burial sites or mass graves must be protected and preserved to allow organized exhumation as soon as possible. This is also crucial to identify and ascertain the fate of those missing and provide the much-awaited answers to their families.

After its investigators found documents strewn all over Saydnaya prison, the ICRC appealed for all records to be safeguarded at hospitals and in security centers run by the ousted regime.

A woman reacts as people searching for missing family members gather outside at Al Mujtahid Hospital in Damascus on December 11 to identify bodies who were tortured to death by the Assad regime. - Emin Sansar/Anadolu/Getty Images

The ICRC has also asked relatives of the missing  abroad and in Syria  to register with it, as the mammoth task of identifying the dead begins.

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The conflict had killed more than 350,000 since 2011  an under-count of the actual number of killings, a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in 2021  and sent nearly six million refugees out of the country. Other groups put the estimated number of dead higher. An Amnesty International investigation published in 2017 said that as many as 13,000 people, most of them civilians believed to be opposed to the government, were hanged in secret at Saydnaya between 2011 and 2015 alone. With reports of civilians killed under torture in the detention centers and prisons for decades, the numbers of those who have lost their lives are still being counted.

In all likelihood, the vast majority of the missing are indeed dead.

In a tearful statement on Syrian television last week, the head of The Syrian Network for Human Rights, Fadel Abulghany, said: I apologize for the tenth and thousandth time, before this announcementMost of the forcibly disappeared in Syria are dead - and I am sorry.

Now the almost overwhelming mission is to find those who died, and to identify them and their killers.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The family of an American woman killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank said they left a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken frustrated and with little hope anyone would be held accountable for her death.

Nothing left us optimistic about justice for my sister moving forward, Ozden Bennett, the sister of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, said after the meeting at the US State Department Monday.

Eygi was shot and killed in early September while participating in a weekly protest against an Israeli settlement near the Palestinian village of Beita. The 26-year-old, who was born in Turkey and is a Turkish American dual national, was a recent graduate of the University of Washington. She had been volunteering with the same pro-Palestinian activist group as Rachel Corrie, a US citizen killed in 2003 while attempting to stop an Israeli bulldozer from demolishing Palestinian homes in Gaza.

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in the days following Eygis killing that it was highly likely that she was hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire. Blinken at the time said Eygis killing was unprovoked and unjustified and demanded changes to the rules of engagement of Israel forces operating in the West Bank.

Hamid Ali, Eygis husband, said the family wanted to sit down face-to-face with Blinken to be able to share what our experience has been, what our grief has been, and what our frustrations have been and what our expectations are.

Blinken was attentive in listening to us, but unfortunately repeated a lot of the same things that weve been hearing for the past 20 years, particularly since Rachel Corries killing, he said.

Blinken told them the US would be in touch with the Israeli military and officials about changes in conduct, which we know from Rachel Corries case, Shireen Abu Aklehs case has not led to anything substantial or any kind of positive changes to prevent incidents like my sisters killing from occurring again, her sister said.

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The family has demanded the US government to launch an independent investigation and repeated that in their meeting with Blinken, but they said the top US diplomat reiterated that the US would wait for the Israeli government to wrap up its own investigation. The family also called for Blinken to publicly pressure Israel to finish that probe before the Biden administration leaves office.

Blinken was very deferential to the Israelis in this in this case, Ali said. The best that I heard him promise was to speak to them again, publicly maybe or privately, just to ask them to get on with your investigation or expedite it before he leaves office.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken offered, once again, his deepest condolences to the family.

He told them that Israel has told us in recent days that they are finalizing their investigation into the matter, and he committed to them that as soon as we learn anything about the results of that investigation, we will report it to them, Miller said Monday.

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Miller also said that it is the Department of Justice, not the State Department, that would need to launch an investigation into Eygis death.

I cant speak on behalf of an independent law enforcement agency as to what they may be doing or what they might do or might not do, he said at a press briefing.

Eygis husband said that change to the Trump administration should not matter to efforts to seek accountability for her killing.

For us, this isnt a partisan issue. An American was killed abroad, and we hope any American government, any administration, would take that seriously and pursue justice, Ali said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR)  Family, friends, and colleagues gathered Saturday to remember the life of Nikki Giovanni with a public viewing in Blacksburg.

It was an opportunity for her family to come together and remember the woman they loved.

Nikki was funny, said Lauren Wilkerson, a second cousin of Giovanni. Nikki was always there for all the big events. She always showed up. And Nikki knew how to make at least me feel special.

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The celebrated poet, author, and activist passed away Monday, December 9 after her third battle with cancer.

For all of her published works and decades of service to Virginia Tech, it is more than just family that mourns her passing.

Poet and literary celebrity Nikki Giovanni dies at 81

Wherever she went I felt like she was spreading joy, said Virginia Tech English professor Matthew Vollmer. She was a joyful person, and you couldnt be in her presence for more than 30 seconds without laughing.

Family traveled from as far as California and Hawaii to Blacksburg this week.

For many, it was the first time they had gotten a chance to see the place where Giovanni was idolized.

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Its special to be here in a place that was so important to her and where she was so important to other people, said Wilkerson. It feels becoming to say goodbye to her here.

She loved being a Hokie, said Vollmer. She loved lifting up Hokies. She loved cheering Hokies. And thats the thing that I like to take away is just how much she loved Virginia Tech and how she was committed to it.

Giovanni retired from Virginia Tech in 2022 after more than three decades as a professor.

Throughout her time on campus, she balanced a larger-than-life stature with a personality anyone could relate to.

I think that she commanded respect wherever she went, said Vollmer. But at the same time, it was always just, Oh, thats Nikki.'

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Navigating that balance is why so many people join together in remembering her legacy.

Its not just us saying goodbye to her, said Wilkerson. Its everyone whos ever read anything shes written. Its everyone thats ever been touched or impacted or learned something from her. And it has a different kind of weight to it.

Virginia Tech plans to hold a memorial service for Giovanni in February 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 WFXRtv.
The cult British post-apocalyptic franchise 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, which was first released in 2002, has been extended. The network showed a trailer for the sequel, which director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland called 28 Years Later.

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Fans of the first part noticed an interesting detail in the trailer. One of the scenes shows the world after the zombie apocalypse, in which actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson walks through the green fields of England, armed with a bow and arrow.

Almost two decades after 28 Days Later, Jim, the protagonist of the first film, played by Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy, appears in the footage. However, there is one caveat: the star appears as a zombie, so it is likely that the character was infected with the "rage virus."

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According to Deadline, the name of the golden statuette winner does not appear on the advertising posters, which means that Murphy is unlikely to play the main role in the sequel, although he became the executive producer of the film. Earlier, the return of the Irish actor was announced by the head of Sony Motion Pictures Group Tom Rothman. "Yes (Murphy will return. - Ed.)," Rothman confirmed the fans' guesses before adding mysteriously, "but in a strange way.

Fans of the franchise couldn't contain their emotions at what they saw in the trailer. "The zombie rising up in the field looks like Cillian Murphy," wrote one commenter, while another added: "Cillian Murphy, is that you?!?"

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28 Days Later was a breakthrough low-budget hit in 2002. Shot in a "run and gun" style on a cheap digital video camera, it popularized the "fast zombie" trend of the 2000s - although the film refers to the mindless horde of the dead as "infected" rather than zombies or the undead.

In this original movie, Cillian Murphy stars as Jim, a bike courier who wakes up in the hospital to find out that the UK is overrun by a zombie epidemic and he must team up with Naomie Harris (Selena) and Brendan Gleeson (Frank) to survive.

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"It's been nearly three decades since the rage virus broke out of a biological weapons lab, and now, still under a ruthless quarantine, some have found a way to exist among the infected. One of these groups of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, well-protected causeway. When one of them leaves the island on a mission to the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers the secrets, wonders and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but also other survivors," the synopsis reads. The film was shot with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and will be released on June 20, 2025.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
UPDATE: Investigators say the fire began due to an electrical short in the attic, and the two pets that were unaccounted for did not escape.

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  This morning a family is left to find another place to live after their home erupted in flames in Panama City.

It happened around 8:45 Monday morning on James Avenue in Millville. When Panama City firefighters arrived, flames and smoke were billowing out of the home.

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Mysterious drone sighting over Panama City

According to officials, everyone made it out safely but two pets are still unaccounted for. There were several animals inside the home, including a litter of kittens. Firefighters gave them oxygen to help them breathe.

Division Chief Howard Demro says the home is a total loss. The Red Cross is ready to assist.

Multiple investigators were on the scene to try to determine exactly what happened. However, a family member there said it most likely started due to a space heater.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Family and friends honored Ashley Dominguezs life at a candlelight vigil Sunday, two weeks after the 18-year-old was fatally shot while riding in the backseat of a car in South Nashville.

Justice needs to be served for my sister, Dominguezs oldest sister, Maira Fargoso, told reporters at the vigil on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Dominguez died following a shooting at an after-hours club in the 900 block of Murfreesboro Pike on Dec. 1, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said. Witnesses told law enforcement there was a heated argument before shots were fired at a vehicle with five people inside.

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ORIGINAL STORY: 1 dead, 2 injured after shooting on Murfreesboro Pike, police say

The driver reportedly pulled into an office building parking lot in the 1300 block of Murfreesboro Pike after realizing Dominguez and two 19-year-olds had been injured. The three young women were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where Dominguez died, according to authorities.

We went from doing college arrangements with her and then funeral arrangements in a heartbeat, Fargoso said.

Fargoso remembers her sister as outgoing and kind.

RELATED: South Nashville residents share concerns after shooting outside club leaves 1 teen dead, 2 others injured

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She was funny. She was a peacemaker. She would walk into a room, literally the life of the party. If it was quiet, you knew she was there because she was just loud and she loved to talk to people, Fargoso explained.

The Dominguez family and the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network planted 728 white roses outside the Historic Metro Courthouse to call attention to violent crime in Nashville.

Each rose represents a life lost to gun violence in our city in the last 10 years, said Melissa Alvarez Zabriskie, a spokesperson from the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network. Its an overwhelming number, so when you come in and you see so many roses, the expectation is that you feel an overwhelming feeling that this is bad, this is a problem that we need to address.

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The Dominguez family also said they want to call attention to the impact gun violence can have on families and communities.

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Sunday, it was my sister. Tomorrow, it could be somebody else, somebody elses sibling, somebody elses loved one. It just needs to stop, said Fargoso. She was a kid, she had a life ahead of herself, and something so small became big and my sisters life got taken for it, and I dont want that for anybody else.

Homicide detectives have interviewed multiple people in this investigation, but police have not announced any arrests as of this writing. If you know anything about this case, youre asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Britain is a land of projectile-based politics. From Agincourt, to Bomber Command, to gunboat diplomacy, we have always prided ourselves on our ability to create change via range.

The latest protagonist in this happy tradition is Victoria Thomas Bowen, a 25-year-old OnlyFans model from Clacton-on-Sea. In early June of this year, Thomas Bowen decided to stand outside a local Wetherspoons where Nigel Farage, no stranger to lobbing the odd verbal projectile himself, was soon to be on the receiving end of a frothy surprise.

Thomas Bowens milkshaking of the Reform leader may have brought some more of, if not all, the boys to her yard, but she didnt claim to be doing it to self promote. Her reasoning for throwing a beverage over Farage, the 25-year-old told the police, was that she did not agree with his political views and when she saw him leaving the pub, decided to act because she had the opportunity.

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It was a scene that wouldnt look out of place in a slapstick comedy, if it werent also a sobering reminder of the precarious line between political discourse and outright assault.

Jail time? Not a day. Thomas Bowen was given a suspended sentence for her assault on the now MP for Clacton. Compare this to the 28-day prison sentence handed down in 2019 to a man who lobbed an egg at then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. A precedent set, but as ever, not upheld. Another lout let off.

The justice system seems to be operating on a sliding scale of penal consequences based more on vibes than precedent. This year especially, weve seen the state come down like a ton of bricks on individuals for much less. Threatening posts? Expect a knock on the door and time in the clink.

The UK boasts an increasingly draconian stance on online speech, yet milkshakes hurled in real life appear to earn you little more than community service  depending on who theyre hurled at. You could get a sterner punishment for inciting assault than actual assault.

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For years, after the murders of two MPs, we were warned that the safety of our elected officials was paramount. What changed with Farage? What sort of country are we becoming when some politicians are fair game provided the weapon of choice can be purchased at McDonalds?

Political figures are supposed to endure criticism; thats the nature of democracy. But theres a chasm between heckling from the sidelines and physically attacking someone. Farages politics may divide opinion, but the principle is what matters: allowing violence, even of the lactose variety, to go unpunished sends a troubling message.

Britains justice inconsistency isnt just unjust  its dangerous. If the milkshake escapades of recent years have taught us anything, its that political violence often starts small. A custard pie here, an egg there, and suddenly its normalised, and can be brushed off. When one attack is excused as just a milkshake, the next person is emboldened to escalate  say, to throwing masonry, which Farage also suffered.

At what point do we stop laughing at dairy-based projectiles as being some sort of legitimate protest, and start worrying about a society where politicians must fear physical harm as part of the job?

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Regardless of your personal grievances towards our MPs, their safety should be nonnegotiable.

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A Texas dad is accused by police of setting fire to his own house while his three children were still inside.

Pedro Luis Parra Pulgar, 46, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and arson in connection with the Nov. 6 fire at his home in the Polo Ranch community in Fulshear, about 35 miles west of downtown Houston.

In a Dec. 12 statement posted on Facebook, Fulshear police accuse Parra Pulgar of "intentionally setting the blaze" at his house while his three children were still inside.

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Two of the children, both aged 15 according to court records, managed to escape the inferno with minor injuries, but his youngest child, a 3-year-old toddler, remained trapped inside.

Police entered the home through the bedroom window and retrieved the child, who was suffering from "severe smoke inhalation."

The child was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment, and has since been released, per Fulshear police.

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Parra Pulgar also sustained injuries during the blaze, including severe burns that remain visible in his mugshot. He stayed in the hospital until his Dec. 12 release, at which time he was booked into the Fort Bend County Jail, per police.

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He's charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson, per county arrest records. His bail is set at $2.3 million.

Per court records, Parra Pulgar, a Venezuelan national, is also being held on a detainer filed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Parra Pulgar's case has been referred to the Fort Bend County Public Defender's office, which declined to comment when reached by PEOPLE. His next court date is Jan. 13, 2025.

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A wrongful-death lawsuit against King County brought by the father of a man who was murdered in a robbery at a Tacoma cannabis dispensary was dismissed Friday after a judge sided with the county.

Jordan Brown, 29, was a budtender at the World of Weed in Eastside Tacoma on March 19, 2022 when two teenagers, Montrell Hatfield and Marshon Jones, robbed the store at gunpoint. Hatfield, 16 fought with Brown behind a cash register before Jones, 15, fatally shot the employee in the neck.

That deadly robbery was the last in a string of armed stick-ups Hatfield and Jones carried out in the Puget Sound area after the two escaped from house arrest March 14 by disabling their ankle monitors. The two had been placed on electronic home monitoring by a judge after they were arrested and charged with the armed robbery of a Federal Way pawn shop.

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In Pierce County Superior Court, Derek Moore, an attorney for Browns estate and the mans father, Dennis, argued that a jury could find that King Countys negligence caused Browns death.

Law enforcement was not notified of the teens escape by their juvenile probation officer after Hatfields mother told the officer her son was on the run, according to court filings in the case, apparently due to an informal policy probation officers had to not call the police when a juvenile escaped from home monitoring.

Two days after the escape, bench warrants were issued for the teenagers arrests, but their whereabouts were unknown, and they were not apprehended until after Brown was killed.

They had a take-charge duty under the court orders and under the law and under the facts, and the question is, well, was it reasonable for them to give the escapees a two-day head start before even trying to look for them? Moore said in court.

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After Hatfield escaped, they did nothing to try to locate him, to try to bring him back into custody, which they had every right to do, Moore added.

Hatfield also allegedly helped Jones escape by providing him with a pair of scissors to cut off his monitor. The attorney said if law enforcement had been sent to Jones residence and Hatfield had shown up, Hatfield either would have been apprehended or wouldnt have been able to help Jones break out.

In either case, the jury could find that Dennis Browns son, Jordan Brown, would still be alive today, Moore said. So again these are fact questions for the jury.

A memorial for Jordan Brown sits outside of Wolrd of Weed on the 3200 block of East Portland Avenue in Tacoma, Wash. on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Brown was shot and killed in an armed robbery while working at the shop on March 19, 2022.

Ultimately, Judge Grant Blinn agreed with an attorney for King County, Richard Anderson, who filed a motion for summary judgment Nov. 15 to have the case dismissed. The attorney cited a 1992 civil case that went before the Washington State Supreme Court, Taggart v. State, which he said dealt with a claim described by the court as a negligent supervision claim that involves the take-charge obligation.

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Anderson said it was the high courts opinion that there is no common law obligation to protect individuals against the criminal conduct of third parties. For the take-charge duty to hold up, according to the attorney, there has to be a showing of a definite, established, and continuing relationship between the defendant and the third party.

Even if I give you established and definite, in the context of [electronic home monitoring] and pre-trial detention, as soon as those two young men cut their bracelets and left, that relationship is over, Anderson said.

Moore later took issue with that argument, calling it an incorrect statement of the law, citing another case, Binchus v. State, and telling Blinn that it found that a jails responsibility to control a violent inmate ended after they are lawfully released, but that didnt happen in this case.

Although Hatfield and Jones were out of secure detention on home monitoring, Moore argued that they were still in King Countys custody.

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If somebody were to escape from a secure detention facility, the legal principle that the county would want to say is, So, since they left the premises, we cant touch them without getting a warrant, theyre no longer in our control, Moore said. Because theyve escaped theres no continuing duty, thats what the county is arguing.

Dennis Brown, father of victim Jordan Brown, gives an emotional statement during the sentencing of Marshon Jones and Montrell Hatfield at the Pierce County Superior Court, on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. Jones and Hatfield received 25 years for the murder and robbery charges.

In a rebuttal, Anderson said he wasnt suggesting that the county didnt have a legal right to arrest the teens for their escape had they encountered them without a warrant. He said the point is that there is no obligation to do so.

He also said it was ludicrous that the county gave Hatfield and Jones a two-day head start. The attorney said a warrant was promptly obtained and that a corrections-placement specialist acted to expedite a warrant hearing.

Blinn later agreed that there was no evidence of an unreasonable delay in obtaining the warrants. He also said a jury could be quite disturbed to hear about the deposition of a juvenile-probation officer with the Juvenile Division of the King County Superior Court who said it wasnt their policy to call the police when a juvenile escapes from home monitoring, even if theyre being monitored for an armed robbery. But the judge said that wasnt a dispositive issue.

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After Blinn made his ruling, Dennis Brown told The News Tribune he was heartbroken by the outcome. Moore said he believed the case was decided wrongly, and it should have gone to a jury.

Brown formerly lived in the Gig Harbor area, but hes since moved to Moscow, Idaho. He said he wanted the civil case to go to a jury so that King County might have to change its policies to protect others like his son.

The way they deal with things are inadequate, Brown said. And the only way its going to get better if you bring it to light. The only way you bring it to light, if you sue someone the people can see that they need to change a lot of their policies that they have in place to ensure that the community is safe in the future.
State and federal authorities revealed Monday that two men, including one living in Natick, are facing serious charges for allegedly supplying Iran with supplies used in a deadly drone strike that killed three US soldiers, the Justice Department said Monday.

The FBI said the two suspects supplied materials to Iran connected to a drone strike on Tower 22, a base in Jordan that killed three United service members and injured over 40 others in January.

Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi was arrested at his home in Natick in an operation that caused a large police presence on Monday. While Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Milan, Italy.

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The FBI is seeking to extradite Abedini to the US to face justice, U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said.

Both men were arrested on charges of violating U.S. export laws designed to protect sensitive technologies. Abedini will also face conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death charges.

Levy said the pair were arrested after FBI specialists who analyzed the drone traced the navigation system to an Iranian company operated by Abedini who relied on technology funneled from the U.S. by his alleged co-conspirator, officials said.

We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands, said U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating.

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In a statement, a spokesperson for Analog Devices Inc., Sadeghis employer, said:

ADI takes its compliance obligations and role in national security very seriously. We have cooperated fully with federal law enforcement and will continue to do so throughout the proceedings. ADI is committed to preventing unauthorized access to and misuse of our products and technology.

U.S. officials blamed the January attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias that includes Kataib Hezbollah.

Three Georgia soldiers  Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Sgt. Breonna Moffett of Savannah and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross  were killed in the Jan. 28 drone attack on a U.S. outpost in northeastern Jordan called Tower 22.

FILE - This combination of photos provided by Shawn Sanders, left, and the U.S. Army, center and right, show from left to right, Sgt. Kennedy Sanders, Staff Sgt. William Jerome Rivers and Sgt. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett. The three U.S. Army Reserve soldiers from Georgia, all of whom received posthumous promotions in rank, were killed by a drone strike on Jan. 28, 2024, on their base in Jordan near the Syrian border. The first funeral service was scheduled Tuesday morning, Feb. 13, for Rivers at a Baptist church in Carrollton, west of Atlanta. (Shawn Sanders and U.S. Army via AP, File)

In the attack, the one-way attack drone may have been mistaken for a U.S. drone that was expected to return back to the logistics base about the same time and was not shot down.

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Instead, it crashed into living quarters, killing the three soldiers and injuring more than 40.

Tower 22 held about 350 U.S. military personnel at the time. It is strategically located between Jordan and Syria, only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Iraqi border, and in the months just after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and Israels blistering response in Gaza, Iranian-backed militias intensified their attacks on U.S. military locations in the region.

Following the attack, the U.S. launched a huge counterstrike against 85 sites in Iraq and Syria used by Irans Revolutionary Guard and Iranian-backed militia and bolstered Tower 22s defenses.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  The FBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting at the Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse on N. 6th Street in Harrisburg on Monday morning.

The U.S. Marshals Service says around 8:30 a.m. Court Security Officers shot a man multiple times after he entered the courthouse, brandished a knife, and attempted to attack an officer.

The Marshals Services says the man is in stable condition and no law enforcement personnel or bystanders were injured. The identity of the suspect was not released.

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Dozens of evidence markers could be seen inside the building and at least one pane of glass was damaged.

The FBI is being assisted at the scene by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse officially opened in April 2023 with eight courtrooms and offices for the United States Court of Appeals Third Court, the United States Marshal Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and more. Plans to name the courthouse after Rambo, the first female judge in Cumberland County, were announced in 2022

The courthouse is named after longtime judge Sylvia Rambo, a senior judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Judge Rambo retired in August 2024 after serving the Middle District of Pennsylvania since 1979 after being appointed by President Jimmy Carter.

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This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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Dec. 15New Hampshire, along with 46 other states, has secured tighter rules from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to combat illegal robocalls and nuisance telemarking, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.

Last week, the FCC took action to strengthen its Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) and impose more rigorous requirements on voice service providers to protect consumers from unsolicited phone calls that are disruptive and often fraudulent.

"Illegal robocalls are a growing threat to New Hampshire families and businesses. By working with the FCC and colleagues nationwide, we are taking strong bipartisan action to protect consumers and hold those responsible accountable," Attorney General John M. Formella said Friday in a news release. "These steps are a major move towards stopping fraud and harassment."

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In response to letters from the state attorneys general, the FCC Enforcement Bureau has taken action against 2,411 voice service providers nationwide that failed to comply with the RMD. Those that do not appear in the RMD will have their traffic blocked by other providers, which will prevent illegal robocalls from reaching consumers, according to Formella's office.

The FCC has proposed fines for non-compliance, including $10,000 for submitting false information and $1,000 for not maintaining current data.

The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force announced resolutions of several investigations into voice service providers transmitting illegal robocalls, according to the release.
The Arctic experienced its second hottest year on record. The biggest concern for scientists is that the region has turned from a carbon sink to a source of emissions as permafrost melts, releasing carbon dioxide and methane.

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This is an irreversible process. After all, melting ice increases the amount of heat-trapping gases that enter the atmosphere, paving the way for further warming, NBCNews writes.

The findings of scientists, published in the Arctic report of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, show how climate change is destroying ecosystems and changing the shape of the landscape in the part of the planet where global warming is most intense.

According to the researchers, the Arctic is warming two to four times faster than places at lower altitudes. Over the past nine years, it has experienced the highest average temperatures recorded since 1900.

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This dynamic is the result of a phenomenon called Arctic amplification, experts say. As the Arctic loses snow cover and sea ice, more and more dark ocean water and rocks are appearing. These dark surfaces reflect less radiation back into space, absorbing heat instead.

Worryingly, these circulation patterns in the oceans and atmosphere are increasingly transferring heat to the Earth's poles, scientists say.

Twyla Moon, lead editor of the new NOAA report and a scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, said the Arctic is fundamentally different from what it was 10 years ago.

The Arctic is becoming a greener landscape with more extreme precipitation and less snow and ice, the report says. According to the scientists, the effects of this transformation are becoming increasingly apparent closer to people's homes as fires in the Arctic send smoke into populated areas and melting ice raises sea levels.

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"These problems don't just stay in the Arctic, they affect us all. The permafrost region contains twice as much carbon as is currently in the atmosphere, and about three times as much as the above-ground biomass of all the world's forests," said Brendan Rogers, a researcher at the Woodwell Center for Climate Research.

He added that permafrost regions "have been carbon sinks on average for thousands of years, largely because of the low temperatures and frozen ground." However, the Arctic has now become a source of greenhouse gas emissions as it melts and releases carbon and methane into the atmosphere.

According to scientists, forest fires also contribute to emissions in the Arctic. Last year, they burned more than twice as much land in the region as in any previous year, exceeding emissions from Canadian economic activity.

Frighteningly, this year's sea ice level was the sixth lowest in 45 years, with an area that has shrunk by about 50% since the 1980s. And the Arctic tundra has become the second greenest since records began in 2000.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Federal Communication Commission should not become a tool for President-elect Donald Trump to lash out at news broadcasters, tech companies and others he sees as adversaries, the agencys outgoing chair, Jessica Rosenworcel, said in an interview.

We make decisions about communications based on the record, based on the facts, and based on the law. And not based on the whims coming out of the White House or the grievances of the president, Rosenworcel said on todays POLITICO Tech podcast.

The FCC is an independent agency overseeing U.S. communications networks, though its chair and commissioners are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. Trump has designated Brendan Carr, the commissions senior Republican, to serve as the next chair. In a recent CNBC interview, Carr said he is working with the Trump transition team to understand 100 percent what their agenda is.

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Trump has threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of news networks he deems too critical and Carr echoed those sentiments during the last election cycle. Carr took shots at CBS and NBC over what he considered favorable treatment of Vice President Kamala Harris, and he has said in recent days that broadcast licenses are not sacred cows.

Carr has also vowed to use his perch atop the FCC to target tech companies like Apple, Meta, Google and Microsoft  which he has dubbed the censorship cartel  over concerns from Trump and Republican lawmakers that they suppress conservative voices.

The FCC has no business threatening to take away broadcast licenses because the president does not like the content or coverage on a network, Rosenworcel said. And that same First Amendment duty applies to what is out there online.

POLITICO Tech host Steven Overly spoke with Rosenworcel about her tenure atop the FCC, from Chinese hackers and AI deepfakes, as well as the agencys future under the incoming Trump administration. Listen to the full interview.

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Federal officials sought to ease tensions but had no concrete answers for reporters about mysterious sightings of drone aircraft in New Jersey which have led to alleged sightings across the eastern seaboard.

Officials with several agencies explained that reviews of thousands of reports to tip lines, 911 centers and other sources revealed the vast majority of sightings in New Jersey and elsewhere to be cases of persons mistaking low-flying commercial aircraft conducting holding patterns around regional airports.

But they did acknowledge, however, that a handful of reports appeared to substantiate rumors of drone aircraft flying across the night sky in New Jersey. For those sightings, officials had no answers  beyond assurances that there was no evidence to support claims of foreign involvement.

A persons photo of what they believe to be a drone hovering after dark in Lebanon Township, New Jersey (AP)

To date, we have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent, a Department of Defense official said Saturday.

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But I just got to simply tell you, we don't know.

An official with the Federal Aviation Administration noted that private drone flights are legal (within certain parameters) in the United States.

A senior official with President Joe Bidens administration added that agencies had no indication that the sightings in New Jersey involved criminal acts.

At this point, we have not identified any basis for believing that, the Biden official said. There's any criminal activity involved, that there's any national security threat, that there's any particular public safety threat, or that there's a malicious foreign actor involved in these drones.

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One FBI official didnt rule out Americans response may be a slight overreaction to what is actually happening in the skies.

An image taken from video appears to show drones flying over Randolph, New Jersey, on December 4 (AP)

Lawmakers in Congress are likely to have some answers for the public later this week after the House Intelligence Committee receives a classified briefing on the matter.

To date, federal agencies have repeatedly issued assurances that the drone sightings, alleged or otherwise, are not the result of foreign activity but have not explained what they actually are.

And as some of those same officials have correctly pointed out, the void of silence from federal authorities regarding the true explanation for the phenomenon has opened a vacuum for disinformation and conspiracy theories.

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Far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed, without any evidence, that the drones were actually federally operated.

She gave no reason for why that would be or their supposed purpose, only giving her social media followers a vague sense of unease with the declaration: It really is that bad.

The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on.



It really is that bad.  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) December 15, 2024

Democratic congressman Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee, fired back that Greenes assertion was incorrect.

This is absolutely not true. And really irresponsible to say, he wrote in response.

Himes told Fox News Sundaythat theres a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now, and the answer we dont know is not a good enough answer.

WATCH: Rep Jim Himes @jahimes on growing bipartisan frustration over the federal governments response to drone sightings. pic.twitter.com/7UR9DLPUzP  Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) December 15, 2024

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Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also sought to address the growing panic with his Sunday morning appearance on ABCs This Week. But the secretary, like other oficials, had little to offer beyond promises to act and complaints of his own limited authority to investigate unidientified unmanned aircraft.

Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones, Mayorkas said. But theres no question that drones are being sighted.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said last Thursday that federal authorities had no evidence of a foreign nexus for the drones allegedly spotted by residents of New Jersey.

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, the agencies said in a statement.

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To be clear, they have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage, they added. While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities.

Jim Himes, top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, is expected to receive a briefing from federal agencies on reports of drones across the East Coast (AP)

But the criticism leveled at the agencies, including by Democrats, is of a failure to provide clear answers to the American public to mitigate a burgeoning panic.

Numerous state and local leaders have now written the Biden administration asking officials to take on a greater sense of urgency in the investigation into the drones, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be deployed across New York and New Jersey that could help determine whether the objects are drones or birds, and then follow the objects back to where they came from.

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Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal even suggested support for the government to try to take them out if it cant explain where theyre coming from.

We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if theyre flying over airports or military bases, he said this week.
A convicted felon granted compassionate release in 2022 after serving 26 years for armored car robberies has been found guilty of committing the same crime last year.

Markham David Bond, 61, of Inglewood, robbed a Brinks courier at gunpoint on Aug. 18, 2023, in a Chase Bank parking lot near LAX.

Bond used a handgun to steal $145,000 in cash, ordering the courier to the ground and threatening to kill him before fleeing with the cash-filled duffle bag.

Security footage shows the suspect in an armored vehicle robbery on Aug. 18 2023 in Westchester. (United States Department of Justice)

Investigators located the getaway vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe with distinctive damage, abandoned just blocks from Bonds home. Inside, police recovered the empty Brinks bag and a hat matching surveillance footage that was later positively matched to Bond through DNA.

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A search of Bonds home led to the discovery of a loaded .40-caliber pistol, clothing worn during the robbery and $9,000 in crumpled cash hidden in a refrigerator.

Bond, whose convictions span decades, was previously sentenced to nearly 47 years in prison for similar robberies and firearms violations, including a 1995 conviction for robbing an armored car courier.

A blue Brinks duffel bag and a black Raiders hat were among the items recovered from a Chevrolet Tahoe related to an armored vehicle robbery on Aug. 18 2023. (United States Department of Justice) A pistol, a long-sleeve shirt and several piles of cash were recovered at the Inglewood home of Markham Bond on Nov. 22, 2023. (United States Department of Justice)

Despite objections from federal prosecutors, Bond was released in 2022 under federal guidelines for elderly or seriously ill inmates because he was deemed to be in fragile health and no longer a threat to the community.

Now facing a return to federal prison, Bond was convicted of interference with commerce by robbery, using a firearm in a violent crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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Bond is scheduled to be sentenced next July. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

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Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies are raping women and girls as young as seven and holding them in sexual slavery during the country's civil war, a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday.

The findings, which are based on extensive interviews in the state of South Kordofan, come 20 months after a brutal conflict broke out in Africas third largest country. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, and millions of others have been displaced.

HRW's report said that the RSF  the paramilitary force that is fighting the Sudanese army  is committing widespread sexual atrocities.

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This echoes the conclusions drawn in October by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, which accused the RSF of perpetrating large-scale sexual violence.

The RSF's leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo known as Hemedti, could not be reached for comment. The RSF has previously said it would investigate such allegations and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Hemedtis rival Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have also carried out rape and gang rape in the capital Khartoum and surrounding cities, according to the UN research and previous HRW reports.

However, organisations such as HRW say that the majority of sexual crimes in Sudan have been committed by RSF troops and militias allied to them.

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As part of HRWs recent investigation in South Kordofan, researchers spoke to a 35-year-old Nuba woman who said she was targeted because of her ethnicity.

"My husband and my son tried to defend me, so one of the RSF fighters shot and killed them. Then they kept raping me, all six of them," she said.

HRW spoke to seven rape survivors as well as a dozen witnesses. In total, the NGO received information about 79 girls and women aged between the ages of seven and 50 who are thought to have been raped.

Most of the incidents occurred this year near the town of Habila in South Kordofan.

"Survivors described being gang raped, in front of their families or over prolonged periods of time, including while being held as sex slaves by RSF fighters," said Belkis Wille, HRWs associate crisis and conflict director.

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This research highlights what we have been hearing for some time now about the magnitude of sexual violence in Sudan, with the RSF coming into homes and raping women and girls time and again," Wille added.

"Yet so far, Sudanese victims have barely had access to services, let alone redress or meaningful efforts to stop these horrific crimes."

Wille called on the UN and the African Union to offer assistance to these girls and women, and to help bring their attackers to justice.

One of the victims highlighted in the report is Hania, 18, who was three months pregnant when RSF fighters took her from her home in Fayu, a town near Habila.

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Hania, whose name was changed to protect her identity, said she was held as a sex slave along with dozens of girls and women at a large RSF military base in Dibeibat, 85 kilometres north of Fayu.

Soldiers came in the morning and in the evening to pick out girls to rape, Hania said. After a failed escape attempt, the captives, who were given only a mix of sorghum flour and water to eat, were chained together in kneeling positions, she told HRW.

"They made a pen-like setup with wires and tree branches, like the one they keep animals in. We were tied up with chains, 10 girls on one chain. If we needed to go to the toilet, they set us free for only one minute," she told HRW in its report.

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Hania told HRW that one of the fighters beat her with a metal-tipped whip when she tried to stop him from raping her. She ended up being hospitalised for nearly three weeks.

The 18-year-old and a friend of the same age, who fell pregnant during their captivity, were freed after three months by a soldier who took pity on them.

None of the women HRW interviewed thought their attackers could be brought to justice. "There is nothing anyone can do for justice. I just have to report to God," one told HRW.

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As well as the violence that has been unleashed, the conflict in Sudan has left the country on the brink of famine, with more than half of the countrys population facing acute hunger, according to the UN World Food Programme.

International efforts to bring about peace have yet to result in any sustained dialogue between the RSF and the SAF.
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  A Filipina who was on death row in Indonesia and was nearly executed by firing squad in 2015 will return home this week under an arrangement between the countries, officials said Monday.

Mary Jane Veloso, who spent almost 15 years in an Indonesian prison for drug trafficking, won a last-minute reprieve that led to her testimony exposing how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice and drug courier.

Veloso was moved late Sunday to a a female prison in Indonesias capital, from where she will be flown back to the Philippines early Wednesday, I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, an official at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, told a news conference.

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Her repatriation was made possible by a practical arrangement signed between the two countries on Dec. 6, after a decade of pleading from Manila.

In a tearful interview with The Associated Press last week, Veloso described her return home 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. I wish to be given an opportunity to take care of my children and to be close to my parents."

Veloso, who will turn 40 next month, was arrested in 2010 at an airport in the Indonesian 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.

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Her case caused a public outcry in the Philippines. She traveled to Indonesia in 2010, where her recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, reportedly told her a job as a domestic worker awaited her. Sergio also allegedly provided the suitcase where the drugs were found.

In 2015, Indonesia moved Veloso to an island prison where she and eight other drug convicts were scheduled to be executed by firing squad despite objections from their home countries Australia, Brazil, France, Ghana and Nigeria.

Indonesia executed the eight but Veloso was granted a stay of execution because Sergio was arrested in the Philippines just two days before.

In the Philippines, Veloso's two sons told GMA News network they're are excited to be reunited with their mother after the long wait. They were 1 and 6 years old when she was arrested in 2010.

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I will hug her tight. I really missed my Mama, said Mark Darren Candelaria, Velosos youngest son, told GMA News network. Hopefully before Christmas my Mama can be freed and she can go home so our Christmas and New Year will be happy.

The family is appealing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant Veloso executive clemency.

Indonesias last executions of an Indonesia and three foreigners were carried out in July 2016.

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.

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About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data showed last month.

Five Australians who spent almost 20 years in Indonesian prisons for heroin trafficking returned to Australia on Sunday under a deal struck between the Indonesian and Australian governments.

Indonesia recently agreed in principle to return a French man and a British woman, both on death row, to their home countries.

___

Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press journalist Dita Alangkara contributed to this report.
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips delivered his a final speech on the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday, wrapping up a career that spanned his election to the U.S. House in 2018 and his challenge to President Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination earlier this year.

Phillips, a Democrat from Plymouth, announced his run against Biden in Concord, N.H., in October of 2023 after other higher profile Democrats declined to enter the primary.

It is time for the torch to be passed to a new generation of American leaders, Phillips said at the time. His bid was considered a long-shot and he ultimately dropped out after Super Tuesday, endorsing Biden.

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He made an issue of Bidens age in his campaign. The issue became more pronounced after Bidens debate in June with former President Donald Trump. Vice President Kamela Harris ended up running after Biden dropped out of the race in July. Harris, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running matte, lost the election to Trump in November.

Also in November, Democrat Kelly Morrison, a state senator, won the seat Phillips is vacating.

Phillips birth father Artie Pfefer died while serving in the Vietnam War. Last year Phillips took a trip to Vietnam to visit the area where a helicopter crash that took his fathers life.

Here are his last remarks to Congress as prepared:

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Today I bid farewell to my amazing staff and colleagues and constituents on both sides of the aisle, and the myriad of unsung heroes to whom our entire nation owes a debt of gratitude. I thank you from the TOP of my heart.

And to my amazing family that has stood by me in times of both great joy and pain. My amazing mother, DeeDee, my late father, Eddie, my brothers Tyler, Jay, and Bobby, and my sisters Hutton and Lily. And to my treasured daughters, Daniela and Pia, who compelled me to run for Congress back in 2018  I love you with all my heart.

I depart this august institution with a combination of deep gratitude  a little bit of attitude  and a healthy dose of optimism! And to those who are pleased to see this affable but outspoken gadfly ride off into the sunset, Im sorry to say that my mission to restore common sense and a home for the exhausted majority of center right & center left Americans  is JUST beginning.

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It is a mission whose roots werent planted here in Washington, or back home in Minnesota, rather 8,000 miles away on Dragon Mountain in Pleiku, Vietnam, where my father, Capt. Artie Pfefer, was killed fighting a war in which he did not believe, but for a COUNTRY in which he believed very deeply.

Last year, I traveled to the very ground on which he took his last breath, and it changed me forever. He died just four days after the Apollo 11 moon landing, and Ive often pictured him and a half a million other young soldiers looking up in awe that morning  many probably in tears  as two fellow Americans achieved the unthinkable.

They got a glimpse of America at her very best up there  while we were at our very worst down here. And I picture our predecessors in this very room voting to fund both that giant leap for mankind AND that giant tragedy for mankind  all in the same year.

On my flight home from Vietnam  I reflected on my dad and the ONE MILLION other Americans (one million!) whove been killed in service to our country since 1776. And I thought They did not sacrifice their lives for members of Congress to act like kindergartners.

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They didnt sacrifice their lives for members of Congress to spend 10,000 hours a week begging for campaign dollars used to eviscerate fellow Americans running for office. They didnt sacrifice their lives for Congress to do nothing as 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.

They didnt sacrifice their lives for Congress to do nothing as 500,000 Americans go bankrupt from MEDICAL DEBT each year  and twenty-SIX million go without any health coverage at all. They didnt sacrifice their lives for Congress to do nothing as 50,000 Americans die from gun violence and another 100,000 from overdoses EVERY SINGLE YEAR. They didnt sacrifice their lives for Congress to do nothing as wealthy industries shower millions of campaign dollars on the very committee members who set the rules for their industriesand then allow each party to collect dues from those committee members to fund campaigns.

Its legalized corruption! And its unacceptable. My father and one million other Americans didnt sacrifice their lives for Congress to enable two private corporations, the two major parties, to maintain a virtual monopoly on our democracy. And having paid the ultimate price themselves, they SURELY didnt sacrifice their lives for members of Congress to prioritize their own self-protection over their principles. However, they DID sacrifice their lives because of decisions made in this very room by people JUST like us. So as I bid farewell, I humbly ask all members of the next Congress to call on your better angels and act with COURAGE  not cowardice.

The courage to compete with our IDEAS rather than defeat one another with our IDEOLOGIES. The courage to fix OUR PROBLEMS rather than fixATE on our politics. The courage to replace condemnation with INVITATION, and the courage to replace confrontation with common sense. In closing, I believe we all have a choice to make. Will we be a nation that metaphorically goes to the moon TOGETHER, or one that goes to war against one another? As a free people, that choice remains ours  ALL of ours.

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As Albert Einstein, a notable immigrant to America, famously said: The world is a dangerous place  NOT because of those who do evil  but because of those who look on and do NOTHING. I believe in us. I love you all. And Ill see you down the road. Godspeed.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is now in his final weeks as the top Republican in the Senate. And hes spending those weeks sending hints about his dissatisfaction at the direction of President-elect Donald Trumps potential administration.

McConnells influence has severely diminished in recent years. His attempt to strike a compromise bill that would swap border security for aid to Ukraine failed. The newer, more Trump-aligned Republicans in Congress openly criticize him. And last week, he suffered another fall during Republicans weekly lunch. He returned looking decidedly frail.

At the same time, McConnell is making his presence known. He poured in millions of dollars this election cycle to give Trump and Republicans a majority in the Senate. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, McConnells deputy, also beat out the MAGA-aligned Rick Scott to become majority leader after McConnell retires. And while McConnell himself will not lead Republicans anymore, he will be chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and the chairman of the subcommittee on defense, which is an ideal job for a foreign policy hawk like him.

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Much like Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker who occupied a similar spot in the House Democratic caucus, McConnell has been using the clout that he has built throughout his long tenure. On Monday, he published an essay in Foreign Affairs warning of the dangers of isolationism.

To pretend that the United States can focus on just one threat at a time, that its credibility is divisible, or that it can afford to shrug off faraway chaos as irrelevant is to ignore its global interests and its adversaries global designs. America will not be made great again by those who simply want to manage its decline, he wrote, extremely pointedly.

Seeing McConnell trying to pressure Trump might surprise some. After all, McConnell holding up a Supreme Court seat in 2016 contributed to Trump winning the presidency the first time. And his decision to acquit Trump in 2021 after the January 6 riot did the same. McConnell also ushered through Trumps major legacy item: an army of conservative jurists throughout the federal bench and the US Supreme Court.

But he has long seen support for Ukraine as his legacy item. Last week, he delivered an address at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, where he  once again  warned about the dangers of isolationism.

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But McConnells criticisms of Trumps approach are not reserved for foreign policy. Hes also come out in defense of vaccines, even as Trump has nominated increasingly anti-vaccine officials to work in his administration. After The New York Times reported that Robert F Kennedy Jrs attorney Aaron Siri once sought to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine, McConnell, a polio survivor, defended vaccinations.

The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease, he said. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed  theyre dangerous.

But McConnell faces numerous headwinds even as he takes a stand. Conservatives have never fully trusted him, with many accusing him of being a RINO (Republican in name only) because of his willingness to work with Joe Biden and other Democrats. Unlike Pelosi, he is not a beloved figure among the base of his party. And his word does not carry as much weight with Republican voters or polticians the way Pelosis did when she pushed have Biden step aside earlier this year.

At the same time, given his advanced age and the fact he is unlikely to run for Senate again, he can try to use what influence he has left and his authority within the Senate Republican conference to pull the GOP back from its worst impulses. Whether Republicans will listen is another question altogether.
In Greece, archaeologists have found the only lifetime image of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Paleologos. The portrait of the ruler was found on the second layer of a fresco created in the middle of the fifteenth century.

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The valuable discovery was made in the Catholic Church of the old Taxiarchon Egialia Monastery. Two layers of frescoes of high artistic quality of the late Byzantine period have been preserved, reflecting the aesthetic trends of Constantinople, the website of the Ministry of Culture of Greece says.

During the restoration work, Anastasia Kumusi, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, an archaeologist, identified a unique portrait of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI Paleologus in the second layer of the wall painting.

"The work carried out by the Ministry of Culture's Ephorate of Antiquities is extremely important, as it reveals unique archaeological sites and evidence related to historical figures. In this case, the image is related to the last emperor of Byzantium and is his only lifetime portrait," said Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture of Greece.

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The official noted that the portrait features of the last emperor of Byzantium XI, Constantine Paleologus, were apparently conveyed by the artist from his own perception, that is, "his model was not an official imperial portrait, as was customary, but the emperor himself."

According to scientists, the fresco depicts the figure of a mature man with imperial attributes, in particular, holding a cross-shaped scepter. The gold-embroidered purple of the mantle is decorated with medallions on which are engraved two-headed eagles with a crown between their heads  the signs of the Paleologists' family.

The researchers emphasize that the presence of the two-headed eagles on the figure's clothing, combined with the rest of the symbols, constituted an illustrated message that allowed the viewer to unmistakably identify the emperor.

Scholars note that as a portrait, it is not idealistic or formulaic; it is an authentic portrait that accurately reproduces the physiognomic features of the last Byzantine emperor. This is an earthly figure, a mature man, with a thin face and individual features that radiate calmness and gentleness, experts say.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
SIMSBURY, CT. (WWLP)  A massive fire in Simsbury, Connecticut destroyed a dozen businesses on Saturday.

Longmeadow home destroyed in third-alarm house fire

Fire officials in Simsbury say they got a call about a fire on Hopmeadow Street around 9:30 p.m. and fought the fire for over 12 hours, according to NBC Connecticut.

Chief Todd Myers said one firefighter was injured but is expected to be okay.

The building was home to different businesses such as a hair salon, yoga studio, nail salon, Allstate, tutoring center, lacrosse shop, and more. They were all destroyed.

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Firefighters are still looking into what caused this fire.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Macys Herald Squares new format for Christmas shopping  a holiday market in partnership with Urbanspace  caught fire at around 4 a.m. Monday damaging several of the booths set up just outside the store.

The fire was contained within an hour, but one fireman was injured and taken to the hospital.

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Dozens of vendors with stalls, operated by Urbanspace, opened for business outside the Macys flagship on Dec. 6.

A Macys spokeswoman said the flagship itself was not impacted by the fire and that the store opened for business as usual on Monday at 9 a.m. Outside, some of the vendor booths were damaged, but most were not and those will be open for business on Tuesday. The market was scheduled to run through Jan. 3.

Urbanspace is the creator of the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park Winter Village, Union Square Holiday Market and Columbus Circle Holiday Market. These markets typically feature gourmet foods, unique and handcrafted items, lots of jewelry, cold-weather accessories, toys, games, candles, candy, ornaments and a few bargains.

Macys also has a holiday market by Urbanspace inside its flagship, across the mezzanine, by the elevator portals, and on the ninth floor. More than 30 businesses there set up stalls selling gifts, food and beverages including stroopwafels from Amsterdam, and handcrafted chocolates from Italy, among other holiday-oriented products. Macys leases the space to the vendors.

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Macys also has a shop at The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park in one of the glass booths on Sixth Avenue. The Macys shop will be open through Jan. 5 and is housed in a 10-foot by 20-foot booth.

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Dec. 15GOSHEN  A toilet paper dispenser caught fire in the men's room of Walmart, 2304 Lincolnway East, on Saturday causing the evacuation of the entire store.

Goshen Fire Department responded to the small fire at Walmart that was reported by an employee at 3:36 p.m.

Smoke could be seen coming from the restroom as shoppers parked their carts and headed outside along with store employees. Emergency personnel found that a toilet paper dispenser in the men's restroom at the front of the store had caught fire.

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The fire was contained to the front bathroom area and was extinguished quickly, with customers and staff returning to the store within 45 minutes of the outbreak.

Firefighters said there was damage to the stall dividers and smoke damage.

No injuries were sustained. An investigation is ongoing.
The first express train on a new service connecting Berlin and Paris departed from the German capital on Monday.

The train, which set off from Berlin's main station shortly after noon (1100 GMT), is expected to arrive in the French capital some eight hours later at 7:55 pm following stops in Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and Strasbourg.

The head of Germany's national railway operator Deutsche Bahn, Richard Lutz, Transport Minister Volker Wissing and the French ambassador in Germany, Francois Delattre, were all in attendance to witness the historic departure.

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"Good Franco-German cooperation is the backbone of a united Europe. The new direct [Intercity-Express] connection between Berlin and Paris is a symbol of this," Deutsche Bahn chief executive Lutz was quoted as saying in a statement.

Ambassador Delattre said the new service underlines the strong ties between France and Germany and brings the populations closer together.

Transport Minister Wissing said: "It's about encounters, exchange, growing together and mutual understanding. It's about friendship in action."

The new line is operated in cooperation by Deutsche Bahn and France's SNCF Voyageurs, a subsidiary of national railway company SNCF.

Tickets are available from 59.99 ($63) and have been selling fast, according to Deutsche Bahn.

Previously, Berlin and Paris were only directly connected via night train, which takes about 14 hours.
President-elect Donald Trump was upbeat at his first postelection news conference Monday, saying there was a big difference from when he took office in 2016: Some of his former adversaries are now being nice to him.

Everybody wants to be my friend, he said about how hes being treated by CEOs of major technology companies, whom he has portrayed as adversaries in the past. I dont know, in personality changed or something.

Trump said During the wide-ranging news conference at his Mar-a-Lago property that one of the biggest differences over the last four years is that "everybody was fighting me."

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"The biggest difference is that people want to get along with me this time," he said.

It was Trump's first news conference since he won the election and the first event he has hosted himself since November.

Trump referred to recent meetings with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai and former Alphabet President Sergey Brin. He also said he plans to meet with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos this week.

"Tim Cook was here. I think hes done an incredible job at Apple. He talked about the future of Apple. Its going to be a bright future. But we have many others also, and not in that business," he said. "We have a lot of great executives coming in, the top executives, the top bankers, they were calling."

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Several major tech companies, including Amazon, Meta and OpenAI, have already donated $1 million each to Trumps inaugural fund.

Trump has had a complicated history with many of Big Tech's CEOs as a number of them criticized policies enacted when he was last president  and banned him from social media platforms after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

In 2020, for example, executives lambasted Trump over his executive order to freeze new visas for foreign workers, arguing that immigrants have helped strengthen the U.S. economy and, specifically, technology companies.

In the wake of Jan. 6, Trump was barred from using his Twitter and Facebook accounts. He sued Facebook, Twitter and Google over some of the bans.

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Trump had also feuded with Bezos over his ownership of The Washington Post, Amazon's decision not to do business with the far-right social media app Parler in 2021 and a bid Amazon made on a $10 billion Defense Department contract.

The thawing of relations is emblematic of a broader rightward turn in the tech sphere, with some of its other leading figures now taking official and unofficial roles in Trump's second administration. Most prominent is Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest person, whom Trump has named to lead a Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, a former biotech executive. Trump has also named venture capitalist David Sacks and technologist Jacob Helberg to business advisory roles.

Trump also signaled Monday that he would be willing to pardon New York Mayor Eric Adams, who was charged in September with bribery and wire fraud as part of a scheme that spanned nearly 10 years.

"Yeah, I would, I think that he was treated pretty unfairly," Trump said, adding that he doesn't know the "gravity" of the case but that the allegations don't seem fair. "I mean, I'd have to see it, because I don't know the facts."

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Of the reported sightings of drones over New Jersey and New York, Trump said, "The government knows what is happening." He declined to say whether he had received an intelligence briefing about it.

"For some reason, they don't want to comment, and I think they'd be better off saying what it is our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense."

Trump commented on the suspected shooter in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Luigi Mangione, and the people who have praised him for committing the crime.

"It's really terrible that some people seem to admire him, like him," Trump said. "It was cold-blooded, just a cold-blooded, horrible killing."

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Asked whether plans to stop a ban on TikTok next month, Trump said, "We'll take a look at TikTok."

"You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok," he said, adding that he thought his electoral performance with young voters was in part due to his use of TikTok. "I won youth by 34 points. And there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that. Trump lost the majority of voters under 44, according to national exit polls.

Trump also said he plans to sue The Des Moines Register over the newspaper's final poll of the election cycle reporting that Vice President Kamala Harris led by 3 percentage points. Trump wound up winning the traditionally red state by more than 13 percentage points.

While the news conference was Trumps first since he won the election, he has attended other organizations events, including a SpaceX test launch, and gone to numerous sporting events. During the same period in 2016, Trump had already held eight victory rallies around the country and gaggled with media in the lobby of Trump Tower numerous times. And Joe Biden in 2020 had held 15 events organized by his incoming administration.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The five remaining members of the so-called Bali Nine drug-smuggling ring have returned to Australia after serving nearly two decades in Indonesian prisons.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia confirmed the return of Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj on Sunday.

In a statement, Albanese said an unspecified agreement made with Indonesia facilitated the men's return.

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"These Australians served more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home," he said, while acknowledging that the men had "committed serious offenses."

"Australia shares Indonesia's concern about the serious problem illicit drugs represents. The Government will continue to cooperate with Indonesia to counter narcotics trafficking and transnational crime."

I am pleased to confirm that Australian citizens, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens have returned to Australia this afternoon.

I thank President Prabowo Subianto for his compassion. Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 15, 2024

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Albanese told reporters on Monday that the release of the five men "was an act of compassion" by President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia.

The prime minister added that he had spoken with some of the parents of the Australian men on Sunday night.

"They are grateful that their sons have been able to return home. They did a serious crime and they have rightly paid a serious price for it. But it was time for them to come home," he said.

Julian McMahon, the lawyer for the men and their family, told UPI in an emailed statement that they are "immensely grateful" to Prabowo and the Indonesia government for allowing them to return to Australia.

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"The five men are relieved and happy to be back in Australia. They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society," McMahon said.

The men were among the nine Australians who were arrested in April of 2005 for attempting to smuggle more than 17 pounds of heroin out of Indonesia, a country with strict drug laws.

Of the eight men and one woman, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran -- the leaders of the smuggling ring -- were sentenced to death in 2006 and executed by firing squad in 2015.

Of the seven other Australians, Renae Lawrence was the only woman in the group and the only one not to be sentenced to life in prison, receiving a 20-year sentence instead. She was released in 2018 for good behavior.

That same year, Bali Nine member Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died of stomach cancer.
When I woke up on Sunday December 8, I felt like I was in a dream. Just as I had lost all hope of ever seeing my family and friends in Syria again, the news came that Assads brutal regime had finally fallen.

I had given up on ever returning to my home country. I would cry when I thought about walking the streets of Damascus, my beloved city, and I thought constantly of the people I had left behind. We used to walk for hours on the quiet streets, eating ice cream. My family lives in the northern city of Manbij, near Aleppo, and I havent seen them for 11 years, since I fled persecution from Assads regime and Isis.

In December 2010, I started mandatory military service. As I have a degree, I was only conscripted for one year, but in 2011, the Syrian uprising began and my time in the army was extended. I defected from the military as I refused to kill. From then, I was a wanted man.

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I fled back to the north of Syria, then hid for a month until Assads forces left the area.

In 2014, my brother was murdered by Isis after they took over the north of the country. Despite Isis brutality, it was Assads regime that posed the biggest threat to ordinary Syrians. It is impossible to describe the fear we lived with. We werent living under the rule of a human; we were living under a monster.

My cousins were arrested just because they knew me. I will never forget the barrel bombs raining from the sky. I would rather have killed myself than have gone to prison, where people were subject to torture too horrific to describe here. I used to say to British friends that it would be better to be killed by a soldier or a weapon, as that is pain that only lasts a few moments. If you were tortured in Assads prisons, it would be like the pain of dying over and over again. People who went through that lost their minds. There are still tens of thousands of prisoners unaccounted for. I had no choice but to escape.

Al Jassems hopes of returning to Syria have been diminished following Israeli airstrikes on his home country - Paul Cooper

I had tried to cross the Turkish border myself, but failed. I paid a smuggler 5,200 (4,300) for passage to the UK. It was a treacherous 37 day journey. I sailed to Greece on an inflatable dinghy with around 40 other people; I was terrified as I cannot swim. We walked to Macedonia. From there, I am not even sure which countries we passed through, as the smugglers just took me from place to place. Eventually we reached Calais. From there, I spent 18 hours in the back of a lorry hiding in between boxes. I was so disorientated that I didnt even realise we had reached England until I saw that cars were driving on the left. From there, I was picked up by the police and claimed asylum.

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North Manchester has become my home. It was hard at first; I made the journey alone until my wife and baby daughter could join me, and I was living off a 5 daily allowance from Serco, the company contracted by the Home Office to process asylum claims. I believe that is now 7, but its no life as you are not allowed to take on paid work. I was living in a shared house with other asylum seekers off the curry mile in Manchester. Thankfully, a lot of people offered me help with learning English. Some even offered me money, but I refused. Then a woman named Helen offered me her spare room.

After 11 months, I was able to apply for my wife and eldest daughter, who was born in Syria, to join me on a family reunion visa. They had a similarly treacherous journey, walking for nine hours over the Syrian border into Turkey. We have had two more children here in the UK: Maria, who is now seven years old, and Nusaibah, who is three.

At home, I trained as an Arabic language teacher, but here, I lack the qualifications to work in a school. This made finding a job a challenge. Now, I work full-time as a private tutor teaching Arabic and maths while I prepare to do a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). I have tried to repay our community in Greater Manchester. When floods hit Rochdale the year I arrived, gathered some Syrian friends  other refugees  and shovelled sand into sandbags.

Most people have been brilliant. But there are negative comments, especially now. A minority of people go out of their way to make it clear we are not welcome. People saw us celebrating in St Peters Square in Manchester on Sunday, and they put it on Facebook, saying send them back [to Syria]. It was flooded with negative comments. Luckily I have friends, and even the parents of my students, who say: Dont listen to them, you are still welcome here.

It is impossible to describe the fear we lived with, says Yasser Al Jassem of living under Bashar al-Assads rule - Paul Cooper

I now have hope that I will be reunited with my family and my home country at last. When we heard the news, I turned to my wife and said that we must go back. She agreed, but it is not that simple. Most houses in Syria are destroyed. Schools and hospitals have been flattened by bombing. Israeli forces have launched an assault on Syria; there have been more than 480 air and naval strikes on Syrian targets since news broke that Assad had fled. I think that has made many Syrians think twice about returning.

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Even if it were possible to simply book a flight to Damascus, how could I take my children out of school in England, knowing there is nothing for them in Syria? One of my daughters is disabled and is in a specialist school here; no such thing exists at home. The country has been reduced to rubble.

That doesnt stop me longing for it. I miss everything about Syria, and since Sunday, have not stopped thinking about the country that has my heart. My friends are now scattered in Malaysia, Sweden, Germany and Austria. As Syrians, we will never forget what happened under Assad. But it is time to rebuild. As soon as I am able, I will return; simply because I love my country, and want to see it thrive in peace, justice and freedom.

As told to Abigail Buchanan

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A man fleeing from law enforcement who slammed into another vehicle in Maplewood, killing the driver, later told an investigator it was his instinct to take off from police and the dumbest thing to do, according to charges filed Monday.

The Ramsey County Attorneys Office charged Nicholas John Price, 37, of Roseville, with criminal vehicular homicide and other offenses. The man who died was 61.

Roseville police were trying to arrest Price after his ex-girlfriend reported he assaulted her and threatened to set her on fire.

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The crash was the second similar fatal incident in a week in Ramsey County. The collisions happened about a mile apart.

In both instances, Ramsey County sheriffs deputies had been pursuing the drivers who allegedly caused the crashes, though they said in the first case theyd discontinued the pursuit about half-mile before the collision in a St. Paul church parking lot. In Fridays case, the criminal complaint said a deputy was about half-mile behind and came upon debris from the crash 8 seconds after it happened.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said Monday that they ask for assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter to track suspects from the air when possible, and they try to avoid daytime pursuits in areas with a lot of traffic or pedestrians.

We terminate a majority of our pursuits, but there are always going to be instances like this, where the recklessness of the criminal is going to cause a tragedy, Fletcher said.  In order to decrease crime, sometimes you need to pursue and apprehend felons.

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In a statement posted to social media Monday, the sheriffs office extended their condolences to the family and friends of the 61-year-old man who died after Price drove recklessly into his car.

 Hopefully, if he is found guilty of his latest crimes, the judge will deliver a sentence that sends a strong message to him and others like him who continually commit crime after crime after crime: Enough, the statement continued. Its time to change or go to prison. Price has been arrested or charged more than three dozen times. He refused to change.

Crash into cemetery fence

About 7:30 p.m. Friday, Prices ex-girlfriend called 911 and reported that Price threatened to set her on fire, grabbed her by the face and shoved her against a wall and injured her hand, the complaint said. The 29-year-old said it happened in Roseville and shed left that location.

Roseville officers saw Prices Chevrolet Tahoe around 10:23 p.m. on Ramsey County Road B West near Dale Street, and tried to stop it. Price kept driving. Roseville officers attempted a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver to get the vehicle to stop, but it didnt work.

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Ramsey County sheriffs deputies joined in the pursuit near Ramsey County Road C and Rice Street. Law enforcement lost sight of the Tahoe and saw it again at Edgerton Street and Little Canada Road in Little Canada.

Roseville officers left the pursuit along Little Canada Road near Interstate 35E, according to Roseville Deputy Police Chief Joe Adams.

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Video showed the Tahoe was speeding south on Edgerton Street when it crashed into a Toyota Corolla near Roselawn Avenue, the complaint said.

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The Corolla was heading north on Edgerton Street and the driver was going to take a left on Bellwood Avenue when Price slammed into the car, which pushed it across the road and into the fence of Forest Lawn Memorial Park cemetery, according to the sheriffs office.

The deputy came upon debris in the road when he crested the hill near Roselawn Avenue, the complaint said.

The 61-year-old Corollas driver, who was alone in the car, was trapped, told deputies he couldnt breathe and asked what happened. He stopped communicating with first responders when they tried to extract him from his car.

Medics took the man to the hospital, where he died. The sheriffs office said hed gone into cardiac arrest. Officials hadnt released his name as of Monday afternoon, pending notification of his family.

Suspect: It was fight or flight

A sheriffs investigator went to speak with Price and he told her: I shouldnt have ran or anything, but thats what I do  fight or flight and asked if the other driver was OK, according to the complaint.

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Price told the investigator that his girlfriend moved out of his residence after they broke up the day before. She returned to talk on Friday and accused him of cheating. Price decided to leave and his ex-girlfriend was in his way, so he moved her using an open hand, the complaint said of what Price reported.

He didnt want his ex to be alone in his residence, so he grabbed the car seat holding her 3-month-old baby to try to make her leave, then set it down, he said. He said he hadnt choked or assaulted his ex, as hes accused of, and said she lied about it.

Price said he went to a bar in Little Canada because he was stressed out, but said he didnt drink anything. He said he was driving when he saw around five squads behind him, they activated their emergency lights and rammed his vehicle, the complaint said of his account.

I wish I never did, the complaint quoted Price as saying about fleeing from police.  I hope to God the people I hit are OK or not dead. I feel horrible about that.

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He said all he remembered was trying to get away, and that he planned on getting out of the Tahoe and running because he didnt want to be driving at that speed. He said he turned his highlights off to evade law enforcement, that he thought he was going 80-90 mph on Edgerton, and he didnt think law enforcement was following him when he crashed. He said he didnt recall seeing the other vehicle.

When Price was informed the other driver died, he became emotional, the complaint said. He asked if hed be released within 48 hours to spend Christmas with his children.

A blood sample was taken from Price and will be submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing. He told law enforcement that hed taken an oxycontin prescribed to his ex-girlfriend for neck pain and he smoked marijuana earlier in the day before the crash.

Pending trial in 3 other cases

The county attorneys office charged Price with criminal vehicular homicide and fleeing a peace officer. He is also charged with threats of violence and domestic assault by strangulation in the Friday case with his former girlfriend.

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Prices drivers license has been revoked since December 2015, according to a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services spokesperson.

At the time of Fridays incident, Price was pending trial in three separate felony cases in Ramsey County. Hes charged with theft, stalking and third-degree assault in another case, and three counts of motor vehicle theft in a third case.

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Price has failed to appear and repeatedly violated the terms of his conditional release on those files, Mondays complaint said. Price keeps getting released due to his claims that he is participating in treatment.

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He has three previous felony convictions.

Price made his first court appearance in the new cases via Zoom from the hospital Monday. He had a suspected broken leg from the crash, according to the complaint.

Price was granted a public defender; it wasnt known Monday which attorney would be representing him.
Stinking pigs in the cargo hold forced a passenger flight from Amsterdam to Mexico to make an unscheduled stopover in Bermuda.

Halfway through the flight last Friday, a strong smell spread through the cockpit of flight KL685, coming from pigs in the cargo hold, said a spokesperson for the Dutch airline KLM on Monday.

As a precaution, the captain made a stopover in Bermuda, a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic. The passengers and crew were accommodated in nearby hotels and flown to Mexico City the next day.

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After being examined by a veterinarian, the pigs were brought to Mexico safely on another flight a day later.

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, which cited the Bermuda aviation authorities, reported that 100 pigs and 259 passengers were travelling on the flight.

While the passengers were accommodated in hotels, the pigs were taken to a suitable location on the island. "We take care of all passengers, whether they are on two or four legs," the newspaper quoted a Bermuda government official as saying.
Ukrainian housewives have long known that a heavy but reliable down blanket called a perina, will keep them warm in winter. In recent years, the boom in heavy blankets has been noticeable around the world.

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According to scientists, a heavy blanket helps fight insomnia. And some experts say that such blankets can even dispel anxiety, AP writes.

What is a heavy blanket and what is its effect

These are blankets that have extra weight in the form of glass beads, pellets, cotton, or other filler. Scientists have studied several positive signs of such bedding attributes.

"The tight touch of a heavy blanket can calm the brain's 'subconscious fight or flight' response. Evenly distributed weight tells your body that "you're in a calm environment," said Dr. Neil Walia, a sleep medicine expert at UCLA Health.

The extra pressure can also signal the brain to release the so-called love hormone, also known as oxytocin. It is produced during bonding and cuddling, and can also reduce anxiety, Walia added.

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And Swedish scientists have found that heavy blankets help fight insomnia. People who sleep under a 6-8 kg blanket have better sleep quality and feel less sleepy during the day, according to a study at JCSM.

During the experiment, researchers from Sweden found that 92% of people who slept under heavy blankets for 12 months showed improved sleep. In addition to insomnia, the symptoms of mental disorders decreased. 63% of the respondents reported that they felt a decrease in anxiety while using heavy blankets, and 78% said that such a blanket acts as a sedative.

How to use a heavy blanket

Experts say that most healthy adults should choose a blanket that is about 10% of their body weight. For example, a person who weighs 60 kilograms can choose a blanket weighing 6 kilograms.

Experts emphasize that heavy blankets are not recommended for infants or toddlers, as they can interfere with their movements and breathing.

Also, people with sleep apnea, sleep disorders, or respiratory problems should consult a doctor before using a weighted blanket, experts say.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
ELMDALE (KSNT)  A restaurant located in the Flint Hills at a historic ranch announced it is shutting down before the end of the year.

The Cliff, located in Elmdale, posted to social media on Friday, Dec. 13 that it will be closing after Dec. 21, 2024. People who wish to enjoy the restaurant one last time or use their gift cards before it shuts down are encouraged to visit The Cliff prior to its final day of operation.

The restaurant has been a fun ride, and we have been blessed & overwhelmed by everyones support & encouragement this past year. We have learned a lot & it has been a joy to serve all of you. We had planned & hoped to add another dimension to our existing business  The Clover Cliff Bed & Breakfast. However, it has become apparent that with all that goes on with the BnB, weddings & events, we cannot add another business to that mix. The Cliff social media statement excerpt

(Photo Courtesy/Nick Abt) (Photo Courtesy/Nick Abt) (Photo Courtesy/Nick Abt)

The Cliff was known for having specialized dishes that included bison meat put together by Chef Jacob Holmes. The restaurant was attached to the historic Clover Cliff Ranch, established in the late 1800s, which is due to be featured in an upcoming movie on the Flint Hills of Kansas.

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What were the biggest mass layoffs in Kansas of 2024?

People visiting the ranch can still expect to find the bed and breakfast operating as usual. You can learn more about The Cliff by clicking here.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Update: At 9:14 a.m., the Tavares Police Department sent a news release saying that Jace and his grandmother are at the Lady Lake Police Department. The grandmother, Kelly Dasilva, is in custody and will be transported to the Tavares Police Department for questioning. Jace, 5, is safe and will be turned over to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

An Amber Alert was issued in Lake County, Florida on Monday morning for a missing 5-year-old boy believed to have been taken unlawfully by a family member during a DCF investigation.

An Amber Alert, or a child abduction emergency alert, is a message distributed by a child abduction alert system to ask the public for help in finding abducted children. AMBER is a backronym for "America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response."

Why did I get an Amber alert on my phone?

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A Florida AMBER Alert has been issued for 5-year-old Jace Saunders. The child may be in the company of Kelly Day-Dasilva

If located, DO NOT APPROACH. If you have any information, contact the Tavares Police Department at 352-343-2101 or 911. #FLAMBER. pic.twitter.com/rg8T3p3O2a  FDLE (@fdlepio) December 16, 2024

Jace Saunders went missing in Tavares and may be in the company of his 50-year-old grandma Kelly Day-Dasilva, Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials said. Police have obtained a warrant charging Day-Dasilva with kidnapping and interference of child custody.

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Authorities said the boy was last seen at 1:19 p.m. Sunday wearing a black graphic T-shirt and dark-colored pajamas in the 1000th block of Wells Avenue in Tavares. They may be traveling in a black Honda Accord.

What to know about Jace Saunders

Jace is approximately 3-feet tall and 55 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has autism and is semi-verbal.

According to the Tavares Police Department, his parents  Taylor Judy and Brandon Saunders  were arrested on Sunday for interference with child custody related to an ongoing Florida Department of Children and Families investigation.

Where is Tavares, Florida?

Tavares is the county seat of Central Florida's Lake County, between the Villages and Orlando.

What should I do if I spot a missing child from an alert?

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 911 or Tavares police at (352) 343-2101, option 4.

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"If located, do not approach," FDLE says. "Contact law enforcement immediately."

FDLE says if anyone sees the child, abductor and/or vehicle in question, they should contact their local law enforcement agency or 911 with the information including:

location

street address or highway

clothing description

physical characteristics

any observable behaviors on the part of the abductor or child

The time caller witnessed the sighting

Why is it called an Amber Alert?

That effort came in response to the case of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who had been abducted and killed in Arlington, Texas in 1996.

The first Amber Alert program following her murder, with Dallas-Ft. Worth radio and television stations banding together to use the federal Emergency Alert System to quickly broadcast news of child abductions, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

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Soon after, AMBER, for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, became part of federal and state laws.

What is the Florida AMBER Plan?

According to the state's website, the Florida Amber Plan is an Alert that is "issued through radio, television, highway Dynamic Message Signs, lottery machines, missingchildrenalert.com, and other resources that have been made available when a child abduction occurs."

The plan is meant to alert the public in a much broader scope than just the immediate area of the abduction.

How is an Amber Alert activated in Florida?

Five criteria have to be met before an Amber alert can be issued in Florida:

The child is under the age of 18

Law enforcement has a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that a kidnapping has occurred

Law enforcement has a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that the child is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury

There is a detailed description of the child and or the abductor/vehicle to broadcast to the public

The law enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommends the activation

How do I sign up for Amber Alerts?

If an alert is active in your area, it should automatically appear on your phone. You can also sign up for social media accounts that will notify you when an Amber Alert is issued:

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On Facebook : Visit www.facebook.com/AMBERAlert and Like the page to receive Amber Alerts in your newsfeed. Facebook also automatically notifies users near the location of an Amber Alert.

On Instagram : If an Amber Alert is activated by law enforcement and you are in the designated search area, the alert will appear in your Instagram feed.

On Twitter: Follow @AMBERAlert to receive rapid Amber Alert notifications on your Twitter feed and share the alert with your followers

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida AMBER Alert: 5-year-old boy abducted from Lake County
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Republican firebrand Randy Fine has filed a bill in the Florida Senate to ban local governments, public schools and state universities from displaying flags promoting a fictional Palestine, pro-violence Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ rights and other woke topics.

Fine, who lives in Melbourne Beach, has resigned from the Florida Legislature effective March 31 to run for Congress, so he will be in office only for half of the 2025 session. He is running for the District 6 seat to replace U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-St. Augustine, who has accepted the post of national security advisor with the incoming Trump administration.

A key state senator said Fine is unlikely to get the bill, and other controversial measures hes proposed in recent weeks, through the Legislature before he steps down, suggesting the proposal may be more about campaign talking points than realistic lawmaking.

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Supporters of Muslim terror, child mutilators, and groomers have no right to taxpayer sponsorship of their repugnant messages, Fine said in a news release Monday. As I prepare to leave the Senate, I look forward to ensuring the only official place in a government building that you will find their flags is in a garbage can.

Fines bill would prohibit any government entity  including cities, counties, schools, colleges, universities and agencies  from displaying any flag of a political nature, including flags about race, gender and sexual orientation, political parties, candidates, and political ideologies. The bill also says the U.S. flag must be displayed more prominently than any other flag.

Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and other cities have displayed rainbow flags during Pride month and other celebrations supporting the LGBTQ community.

Fines office did not respond to a question about whether the ban would include flags promoting Back the Blue, a pro-law enforcement movement, or the state of Israel.

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Its one of three controversial bills hes filed for the upcoming 2025 session. One would eliminate in-state tuition for undocumented students who attended a Florida high school for three years, and the other would lower the purchasing age for rifles from 21 to 18.

I dont see how hes going to get a bill through both the House and Senate before he steps down, Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, the outgoing Senate President who will chair the powerful rules committee in the upcoming session, said during a podcast with Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida.

Fine introduced a similar flag bill in 2024 when he was still a member of the House, but it died in committee.

I am exhausted having to respond to these ridiculous bills people like Randy Fine keep filing instead of solving the real problems Floridians are facing, said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, who became the first openly gay Latin person in the Legislature when he was first elected in 2016. He is one of two openly gay males in the Senate.

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Instead, Smith said, lawmakers should be focusing on lowering costs, trying to tackle the property insurance problem and the condominium crisis, the teacher shortage, public transit and environmental issues.

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CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA)  There was a large law enforcement presence in Charlotte County Sunday as multiple reports from state leaders indicated that a deputy had been killed.

In a post on X, Sen. Rick Scott wrote that he had spoken with Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, and said he was devastated to hear of a deputys passing.

Briana Boston case: How would attorneys defend against threat accusation?

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Ann and I are praying for his team and the deputys family tonight, Scott said. Please keep them in your prayers.

As of Sunday night, the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office had not put out any further information on the incident besides stating in a Facebook post around 8 p.m. that deputies were working two active scenes.

(Credit: WBBH)

One of those scenes was across from Sunseeker Resort, near a Chevron gas station in Charlotte Harbor. Earlier in the evening, the nearby US-41 bridge was closed for hours, according to NBC affiliate WBBH.

The other scene was at Popeyes restaurant on Kings Highway near I-75. It remained unclear how the scenes were connected.

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While the sheriffs office did not provide any additional details on the incident, several other state leaders weighed in on social media.

Attorney General Ashley Moody called the news heartbreaking, asking the public to keep Sheriff Prummell and this heros family in their prayers.

Its going to be a very difficult holiday season for so many mourning this tragic loss, she wrote in a post on X.

State CFO Jimmy Petronis said in a post on X, Tragic reports out of Charlotte County tonight of an officer involved shooting. As details unfold, please keep all of our first responders in your prayers. May God Bless these heroes.

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In addition, Congressman Greg Stube, who represents the district, indicated that his office was monitoring multiple shootings Sunday night, including a potential officer-involved shooting near the Sunseeker.

My prayers are with all of those involved in responding. God bless our law enforcement officers, Stube wrote in a post on X.

Sheriff Prummell also posted a photo of a badge with a black band over it on Facebook Sunday evening with no additional context. A black band typically represents mourning and respect for a fallen comrade.

The sheriff was expected to address the public Sunday night.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A Charlotte County deputy was killed Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop, according to Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell.

A massive manhunt followed the shooting.

The suspect was later found at a Punta Gorda restaurant. Prummell said the 24-year-old man tried to grab a rifle before a deputy shot and killed him.

Here's what we know as details are released.

Charlotte County deputy Elio Diaz killed during traffic stop

Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was named the Law Enforcement Member of the 1st Quarter in November 2023.

About 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop Sunday afternoon at a Chevron gas station in Charlotte County, Prummell said during a news conference Sunday night.

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During the stop, a 24-year-old man pulled out a rifle and opened fire on Diaz, according to Prummell. Diaz was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Suspect found after manhunt, killed in Punta Gorda, Florida

Prummell said the suspect fled the scene after shooting Diaz and a manhunt ensued. He was later found "not far away" at a Popeyes restaurant in Punta Gorda.

When deputies approached him, Prummell said the suspect "immediately grabbed for a rifle," at which time a deputy shot him in the head. The suspect died after being flown to a hospital.

Suspect identified as 24-year-old Andrew Mostyn Jr.

The suspect was later identified as Andrew Mostyn Jr., 24, Prummell said.

Who was Cpl. Elio Diaz?

Cpl. Elio Diaz with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office was killed during a traffic stop Dec. 15, 2024. Photo was taken during this year's Shop With A Cop.

"[He] was a friend. A good family man. He loved his children and he was a really great cop. He's going to be missed," Prummell said as he battled emotions Sunday night. "Keep Elio and his family in your thoughts and prayers, especially during this time of year."

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The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office shared a photo of Diaz from this year's Shop With A Cop program, "an event for which he eagerly signed up each year. His love for his career, the people he served, and the people he served beside was unparallelled."

"Devastated to hear of the passing of a Charlotte County deputy tonight," Sen. Rick Scott posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"I spoke with @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell to let him know Ann and I are praying for his team and the deputys family tonight. Please keep them in your prayers."

"Heartbreaking news tonight. A Charlotte County Sheriffs Deputy lost his life," Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wrote on X. "Please keep the CCSO, @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell and this heros family in your prayers. Its going to be a very difficult holiday season for so many mourning this tragic loss."

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Diaz had served with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office since 2013, according to local outlet FOX 4 Now. He was chosen as the department's law enforcement member of the first quarter in November 2023.

Reaction to deputy's death on Facebook

Here are some of the reactions to the death of Diaz posted on the Charlotte County Sheriff Office's Facebook page:

"Sincere sympathy to the family of Corporal Diaz who valiantly gave his life in the performance of duties! May God comfort his loving family & help them through this very trying time. Also, his multitude of friends & co-workers as he will be sorely missed."

"As a family member of a FL LEO, we are devastated and are mourning with you. This officer is a HERO. God bless this officer and their family, especially with the holidays just days away."

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"I'm so sorry CCSO Cpl Diaz was an amazing human being. I know he was a great friend to everyone. I'm so sorry for your loss. Please all be careful. we need you. Sending love."

"Sending prayers to the officer, family, all deputies involved, friends of the officer and to our entire community. Something like this hits us all and we stand with you all."

"Please know that your messages, comments, and prayers are heard and appreciated by our members all throughout the agency," the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office posted on its Facebook page.

Where is Charlotte County, Florida?

Charlotte County is located north of Fort Myers on Florida's southwest coast.

This story was updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida Deputy Corporal Elio Diaz killed traffic stop Charlotte County
CHICAGO  The former head of the Drug Enforcement Administrations Chicago field office, who retired in 2017 as the agencys second in command, says he wants to get back in the fight. Jack Riley is hoping to get the attention of the incoming Trump administration which stumbled in its first effort to fill the DEAs top job.

I want back in the fight, Riley responded to WGN Investigates via text message. Ive been encouraged by so many current and former agents and cops to throw my name in the ring There is so much more DEA could be doing to stop the flow of fentanyl and other drugs as well as illegal aliens who really threaten our national security and act as proxies for Mexican cartels.

Previous Story: One on one with the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency

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Riley is a graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School and rose through the ranks of the DEA by taking on drug cartels. Riley was so effective he said he once had a bounty on his head placed there by drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

It was on Rileys watch that federal agents arrested and flipped twin brothers from Chicagos Little Village neighborhood who were instrumental in El Chapos prosecution and conviction.

Previous coverage: How 2 brothers from Chicago helped convict drug lord El Chapo

With the exception of Osama bin Laden, I think Chapo Guzman is the No. 1 bad guy of our generation, Riley told WGN Investigates in 2019.

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Rileys interest in coming out of retirement to lead the DEA was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Spain is one of the key tourist destinations in Europe, where hundreds of thousands of vacationers come every year. However, most often they choose Barcelona, Costa Brava, or Mallorca, which influences the price increase in these regions.

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At the same time, there is a region in this country that is somewhat less popular. According to Express, it is Galicia, located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.

It was included in the list of inexpensive vacation destinations for 2025, especially for those who are "young and penniless." Since there are significantly fewer tourists here, the prices are correspondingly more affordable.

At the same time, Galicia boasts a picturesque rocky coastline that even reminds some people of the Norwegian fjords. It also has great weather and prices close to those of the 1990s.

What else is this Spanish region famous for? Of course, it is famous for its excellent fresh seafood, which is delivered to shops and restaurants directly from the sea. The port area is also extremely rich in cafes and bars, so there will be plenty of places to spend time here.

The best time to visit Galicia, according to experienced tourists, is from April to October. Then there are clear and sunny days as if specially created for walking and relaxing.

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A former FBI informant whose claims were cited by Republicans in their effort to impeach Joe Biden pleaded guilty Monday to fabricating allegations of corruption involving the president and his family, the Associated Press reported.

Alexander Smirnov was indicted in February for peddling false claims about Biden and his son, Hunter, supposedly receiving millions of dollars in bribes from a Ukrainian energy company, Burisma. The indictment was brought by special counsel David Weiss, a Trump-appointed prosecutor who led the investigation into Hunter Biden, who was himself charged with failing to report taxes and lying about his drug addiction while obtaining a firearm.

It was first reported last week that Smirnov had agreed to enter a guilty plea as part of an arrangement with prosecutors.

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Smirnov's unverified and now-debunked claims were frequently cited by congressional Republicans, who accused the FBI of covering up allegations of wrongdoing level against the Bidens.

Following his arrest earlier this year, Smirnov told investigators that his assertions about the Bidens had come from "officials associated with Russian intelligence," including a claim that Hunter Biden had been secretly recorded while staying in a Ukrainian hotel; as the AP notes, the president's son has never visited the country.

Prosecutors are asking that Smirnov be imprisoned for up to six years for lying to investigators and evading taxes. He will be sentenced next month.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A former FBI informant pleaded guilty on Monday to lying about a phony bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter that became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.

Alexander Smirnov entered his plea to a felony charge in connection with the bogus story, along with a tax evasion charge stemming from a separate indictment accusing him of concealing millions of dollars of income.

An attorney for Smirnov, 44, declined to comment after the hearing in Los Angeles federal court.

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Prosecutors and the defense have agreed to recommend a sentence of between four and six years in prison when he's sentenced next month.

Smirnov will get credit for the time he has served since his February arrest on charges that he told his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015.

Smirnov had been an informant for more than a decade when he made the explosive allegations about the Bidens in June 2020, after expressing bias about Joe Biden as a presidential candidate, prosecutors said.

But Smirnov had only routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017, according to court documents. An FBI field office investigated the allegations and recommended the case be closed in August 2020, according to charging documents.

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No evidence has emerged that Joe Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes as president or in his previous office as vice president.

While Smirnovs identity wasnt publicly known before the indictment, his claims played a major part in the Republican effort in Congress to investigate the president and his family, and helped spark a House impeachment inquiry into Biden. Before Smirnov's arrest, Republicans had demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the unverified allegations, though they acknowledged they couldnt confirm if they were true.

During a September 2023 conversation with investigators, Smirnov also claimed the Russians probably had recordings of Hunter Biden because a hotel in Ukraines capital where he had stayed was wired and under their control  information he said was passed along to him by four high-level Russian officials.

But Hunter Biden had never traveled to Ukraine, according to Smirnov's indictment.

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Smirnov claimed to have contacts with Russian intelligence-affiliated officials, and told authorities after his arrest this year that officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story about Hunter Biden.

The case against Smirnov was brought by special counsel David Weiss, who also prosecuted Hunter Biden on gun and tax charges. Hunter Biden was supposed to be sentenced this month after being convicted at a trial in the gun case and pleading guilty to federal charges in the tax case. But he was pardoned this month by his father, who said he believed raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.
A former FBI informant on Monday entered a guilty plea on four federal charges related to falsifying statements that in part spurred a GOP congressional investigation into the Biden family.

Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty on those charges and unrelated tax evasion charges after concealing millions in income.

Smirnov had relayed to the FBI that the head of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma told him he had paid both President Biden and his son Hunter Biden $5 million. The claims were false but became central to a House GOP probe of the Bidens.

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In court documents, Smirnov admitted to providing false derogatory information about the president and his son.

Prosecutors and Smirnov agreed to a sentence of between 48 and 72 months in prison when he is sentenced next month.

Smirnov will get credit for the time he has served since his February arrest.

The original indictment against Smirnov accused him of having transformed his routine and unextraordinary business contacts with Burisma in 2017 to form the basis of the bribery allegations.

The case against Smirnov was brought by special counsel David Weiss, who also prosecuted Hunter Biden on gun and tax charges.

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Hunter Biden was supposed to be sentenced this month after being convicted at a trial in the gun case and pleading guilty to federal charges in the tax case. But he was pardoned this month by his father, who said he believed raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.

The Associated Press contributed.

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Former governor of Maryland Larry Hogan shared a video on Friday, claiming to have "personally witnessed (and videoed) what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence in Davidsonville, Maryland."

Claims of unidentified objects  some of which appear to be the size of cars  flying over much of the East Coast in recent weeks has had the media in an iron grip.

Yet plenty of questions remain. While we know that the FBI is investigating the sightings, we still have no idea what they are, where they came from, or whether observers are confusing them with more mundane objects.

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At least as far as Hogan's video "evidence" is concerned, the X-formerly-Twitter community had a simple explanation.

While we have yet to see any independent analysis of Hogan's shaky, 92-second video, there's a good chance the former governor was simply seeing the ordinary night sky. A community note appended to Hogan's original tweet notes that the "stars at the 39-second mark are recognizably the constellation Orion."

"From this, you can determine that the bright lights behind the trees are the stars Sirius and Procyon," the note reads. "No anomalous objects are apparent in this video."

https://twitter.com/govlarryhogan/status/1867608947525386534

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Social media, naturally, had a field day.

"Congratulations Governor, you have 'discovered' Betelgeuse and Bellatrix," one user replied, along with a video superimposing Hogan's "drones" on a map of the night sky, showing that they seem to align perfectly with known stars. "These are two of the brightest stars in the constellation of Orion."

The topic of mysterious drones has hit a fever pitch  and even president-elect Donald Trump doesn't appear to be clued into what's going on.

"Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country," he wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday. "Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge. I dont think so!"

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"Let the public know, and now," he thundered. "Otherwise, shoot them down!!!"

Over the weekend, officials in New York jumped into action.

"In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are sending a drone detection system to New York," New York governor Kathy Hochul tweeted on Sunday.

Hochul also called for Congress to address the situation.

"I am grateful for the support, but we need more," she wrote. "Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones."

Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Schumer said that he hoped to pass a bill to give local enforcement "more tools for drone detection."

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But experts are still divided on whether these "drones" actually pose a threat. Could it all be mass hysteria? Are people just spotting manned aircraft in the night sky?

"There is nothing conclusive about these alleged drone sightings," physical security researcher Deviant Ollam told Wired. "Its a famous and popular pastime of Americans to panic and make political hay out of things they dont understand, and therefore, decide to fear."

"Each of these 'drones' have a green light on the right, a red light on the left, and a strobe light, which is required by the [Federal Aviation Administration] at night," former representative and Air National Guard member Adam Kinzinger said in a video posted to Bluesky last week. "So either the aliens and Iranians are complying with FAA law or it's something else."

More on the drones: Mystery "Car-Sized" Drones Reach the Skies of New York
Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, died by suicide late last month.

After he left the company, Balaji raised questions about OpenAI possibly violating copyright law.

His name appears in a New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI that could have far-reaching implications.

Eight days before the former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji was found dead in a San Francisco apartment, the 26-year-old's name appeared in a lawsuit against his former employer that could have significant implications for the future of AI and the internet.

The lawsuit  filed by The New York Times last December  accused OpenAI and Microsoft of using "millions" of articles published by the newspaper without permission to train the AI startup's popular ChatGPT model. The companies have denied that they violated copyright law.

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On November 18, the Times' attorneys asked a judge to add Balaji as a "custodian" in the lawsuit, according to court documents viewed by Business Insider. The attorneys' letter described Balaji as someone with "unique and relevant documents" that could support their copyright infringement case against OpenAI and Microsoft.

Other custodians proposed by the Times include former OpenAI employees such as cofounder Ilya Sutskever. Sutskever's potential contribution to the lawsuit is redacted in the court documents.

The Times' legal case is one of several copyright lawsuits filed against the AI startup after ChatGPT was released in 2022.

If the courts were to side with the Times or other news outlets and authors who have filed a lawsuit, the result could be costly for AI companies and limit the already finite data used to train models.

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The Times' lawsuit doesn't demand an exact monetary figure but says OpenAI and Microsoft are responsible for "billions of dollars" in damages.

Spokespeople for OpenAI, Microsoft, and The New York Times did not respond to requests for comment.

Balaji raised concerns over OpenAI's use of copyrighted data

Balaji joined OpenAI in 2020 and worked on training the ChatGPT and GPT-4 models, court documents and reporting from The New York Times show. The researcher, who said OpenAI's work violated copyright law, left the company in August "because he no longer wanted to contribute to technologies that he believed would bring society more harm than benefit," the Times reported.

On October 23, he published an essay on his personal website raising questions about whether OpenAI's use of copyrighted data could be considered fair use.

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"While generative models rarely produce outputs that are substantially similar to any of their training inputs, the process of training a generative model involves making copies of copyrighted data," Balaji wrote. "If these copies are unauthorized, this could potentially be considered copyright infringement, depending on whether or not the specific use of the model qualifies as 'fair use.' Because fair use is determined on a case-by-case basis, no broad statement can be made about when generative AI qualifies for fair use."

That same day, the Times published a profile of the former OpenAI researcher.

"If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company," he told the Times.

On November 26, eight days after Balaji's name appeared in the Times' attorney's letter, officers from the San Francisco Police Department responded to a welfare check at a Lower Haight-area apartment around 1:15 p.m.

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"Officers and medics arrived on scene and located a deceased adult male from what appeared to be a suicide," an SFPD spokesperson told BI. "No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation."

The office of the city's chief medical examiner later identified the deceased male as Balaji.

"The manner of death has been determined to be suicide," David Serrano Sewell, executive director of the city's office of the chief medical examiner, told BI. He did not provide further comment.

"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," an OpenAI spokesperson told BI when reached for comment on Friday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dmytro Kuleba, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister, has said that UK Prime Minister Starmer has reduced the UK's support for Ukraine.

Source: The Times, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kuleba, who stepped down in September, said that Labour was "following" the US rather than being bold in its support for Kyiv.

"The Conservatives were coordinating with the Americans but they did not restrict themselves to just following the Americans," he said.

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"This is the change that came with Labour. They took a position [that] they would follow the Americans," Kuleba said.

He further noted that former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had "set the threshold high" regarding support.

"Rishi Sunak had no other choice but to meet the threshold and push it further. When the Labour government came into office, we received rock-solid assurances things would continue as they were," Kuleba stressed.

"To a large extent that was the case  except the story with the Storm Shadows," he explained, adding that London had long refused to authorise Ukraine to use UK-supplied missiles to strike targets inside Russian territory.

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Starmer allowed Ukraine to use UK-supplied missiles deep within Russian territory only after Joe Biden approved the use of American-supplied missiles.

"The only unpleasant conversation I had with British officials a couple of weeks before my resignation... was about the delivery of Storm Shadows and permissions to use them against certain targets," Kuleba said.

"Maybe the reason was the new government was cautious and they didn't want to rush with decisions," he added.

Background:

Earlier, the Guardian reported that Kyiv believes that relations with London have deteriorated after the Labour government led by Keir Starmer came to power in July 2024.

On 21 November, Andrei Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, accused London of "directly participating" in Russia's war against Ukraine on Kyiv's side but failed to provide any evidence.

Kelin's claims came in the wake of reports that Ukraine had used UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike Russian territory.

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WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Reaction continues to be heard regarding the Presidential commutation of notorious Kids for Cash Judge Michael Conahan.

President Biden granted clemency to Conahan who pleaded guilty for his role in accepting millions of dollars in kickbacks in exchange for sending juveniles to two private detention centers. Juveniles who were wrongly imprisoned for minor crimes.

The former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and current Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino says hes downright angry and calls the commutation an injustice to the victims.

Kids for Cash victim reacts after Biden commutes sentence for Luzerne County judge

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Marino, a former federal prosecutor who helped guide the early days of the investigation into the now infamous Kids for Cash scheme in Luzerne County reacted to the news with 28/22 News Andy Mehalshick Monday.

Marino, like many people, are downright angry about the clemency acton for Conahan. He says that action itself.. is a crime.



This is offensive. This is beyond ridiculous, Marino said.

Marino, who is now the district attorney for Lycoming County, said he could not believe it when he heard about President Biden commuting the sentence for Conahan.



Its an insult to the criminal justice system number one, its more than an insult to the parents who had kids subjected to that. Its even more of a travesty that these kids had to go through that, Marino explained.

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Conahan and former Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella were sent to prison for accepting millions of dollars in kickbacks for sending thousands of juveniles to two private detention centers in which they had a business interest. The juveniles were wrongly imprisoned for minor crimes, if any crime at all. We spoke to one of the victims last week.



Theres never going to be any justice for us, Andy, said Amanda Lorah, who was sent to a detention center during the ordeal.

Ciaveralla is serving 28 years in prison. Conahan was sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in prison. He was released in 2020 to home confinement because of Covid-19 health concerns. The Biden clemency action will clear out the remaining two years or so of his sentence. For Marino, it was tough to talk about.



The other thing I can say give me a moment that Im so sorry from the bottom of my heart that this is talking place and took place. Ive explained to some people theres actually nothing we can do about it, Marino concluded.

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Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, during a speech at the board of the Russian Defense Ministry, said that the West is allegedly "pushing Russia to the brink." He also emphasized that Moscow could not leave such actions unanswered.

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His words were reported by Russian propaganda media. Putin also boasted about the successes of the "Special Military Operation" in 2024.

"In 2024, Russia liberated 189 settlements as part of a special operation," the dictator said.

He also discussed the tasks of strengthening the defense capabilities and development of the Russian Armed Forces. In particular, he emphasized the need to increase the production of drones.

According to him, at the beginning of the "special operation," there were difficulties with this type of weapon, but now thousands of drones are being delivered to the army every day. However, the dictator added that more and better UAVs are needed.

In addition, Putin said that Russia would allegedly begin mass production of new "Oreshnik" missiles soon.

Earlier, in an interview with OBOZ.UA, Israeli military observer David Sharpe expressed his opinion on how US President-elect Donald Trump can force Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to peace. According to him, Trump can use the "carrot and stick" method, creating a "lousy" alternative for Russia to end the war against Ukraine.

As a reminder, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev threatened that the Russian Federation would seize more territories. According to him, the aggressor state may get "new regions."

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
FORT EISENHOWER, Ga. (WJBF)  Fort Eisenhower released the identity of the victim in a shooting that occurred Dec. 14, as the U.S. Department of Justice announced new details regarding a soldier charged with murder.

According to officials, the victim of Saturdays incident was identified as U.S. Army Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr. of Clarksville, Tenn.

Stewart joined the Army in 2019 and served on active duty as a Human Resource Specialist, a press release from Fort Eisenhower read Monday, Dec. 16. He later transitioned to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2023 and was a member of the 400th Military Police Brigade, Fort Meade, Md.

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Natravien Landry, 25, of Abbeville, Louisiana, is charged with one count of murder, according to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. He is an Army National Guard soldier assigned to the 1148th Transportation Company at Fort Eisenhower. Landry appeared in court on Monday for an initial appearance hearing.

According to court documents, Landry allegedly visited a residence in post housing at Fort Eisenhower early Saturday morning, Dec. 14 of a woman with whom Landry shares a child. Landry is accused of assaulting and shooting a man who was with the woman in her residence before leaving.

Landry was arrested south of Atlanta on I-85 during a traffic stop by the Meriwether County, Ga. Sheriffs Office three hours later. Deputies reportedly recovered a 9 mm pistol during the stop. He was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, where he awaits further court proceedings.

Our Fort Eisenhower team suffered a tragedy this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with a grieving family. I remain focused on supporting anybody impacted  directly or indirectly  by this incident, said Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic, Commanding General Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Eisenhower. I commend the swift action of our entire team and our community partners, who together are committed to safety, security, and care for those in pain.

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This case is being investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Fort Eisenhower does not plan to release any further information following the active investigation.

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The Lewis F. Powell Jr. federal courthouse in Richmond is home to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. (Photo: Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury)

In March, about 100 gathered in Judge James Wynn Jr.s hometown of Robersonville to throw him a surprise retirement party.

Judge James Wynn (File photo)

Nine months later, Wynn revealed his own surprise: hes not giving up his seat on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals after all.

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In a letter Wynn, 70, wrote to President Joe Biden Friday that was released the following afternoon by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)  who rebuked the judges decision  he rescinded his January announcement that he would assume senior status, a form of semi-retirement where federal judges hear a reduced caseload and vacate their permanent seat on the court.

I write to advise that, after careful consideration, I have decided to continue in regular active service as a United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, Wynn wrote. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) rebuked Wynns decision, calling it brazenly partisan. (Photo: Senate.gov video stream)

Wynns decision to remain in active service is the culmination of a monthslong drama over his seat on the bench. Biden named North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Park as his choice to succeed Wynn, an Obama appointee, in July  and was immediately met with strident opposition from North Carolina Senators Tillis and Ted Budd.

This nomination is a non-starter and the White House has already been informed they do not have the votes for confirmation, the senators wrote in a joint statement at the time. We still hope to work together to find a consensus nominee who can earn bipartisan support and be confirmed.

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The results in the Senate backed up that threat. In a deal to advance a slate of district court nominees, the Biden administration raised the white flag on his four remaining circuit court nominees, all of whom were said to lack the votes for confirmation. Park formally withdrew himself from consideration Thursday, and the following day, Wynn announced his reversal.

Tillis called Wynns decision brazenly partisan and a slap in the face to the U.S. Senate after the deal to hold the seat for Trump to fill. He urged the Senate Judiciary Committee  set to be controlled by Republicans beginning in January  to hold a hearing on the matter.

North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Park was named by Biden to succeed Wynn, but his nomination was sunk by strident opposition from the states two Republican senators. (Photo: NC Department of Justice)

Carl Tobias, an expert on the federal judiciary who teaches at the University of Richmond, said he was not surprised by Wynns decision given the politicized process that prevented Parks confirmation  Tobias had called Park an extraordinary nominee and a consummate lawyer.

Judge Wynn certainly can retract his decision, and hes done that, and I think partly due to what happened during the confirmation process for his successor, Tobias said. Article III judges are independent and they do whatever they need to do.

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The reversal denies Trump the opportunity to name what would have been his fourth appointee to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in a second term where he looks set to reshape the federal courts that cover North Carolina. The court has a roster of 15 active status judges, plus three who are on senior status. Wynn is the second federal judge from the state to unretire in the wake of the 2024 election, after Judge Max Cogburn Jr. for the Western District of North Carolina did the same in November.

Since that decision, Cogburn has been the subject of ethics complaints calling into question his integrity and impartiality. The conservative Article III Project submitted a letter to the Fourth Circuit alleging that Cogburns decision violated Canons 2 and 5 of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges  which require upholding impartiality and avoiding political activity, respectively.

Such complaints are certain to follow for Wynn from judicial activists on the right. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said prior to his announcement that should any circuit judge go back on their decision to take senior status, that would warrant significant ethics complaints.

Never before has a circuit judge unretired after a presidential election. Its literally unprecedented, McConnell said on the Senate floor. As I have repeatedly warned the judiciary in other matters, if you play political games, expect political prizes.

After setting a record for judicial appointments in his first term, President-elect Trump will again seek to fill as many vacancies as possible in his second. (Photo by Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images)

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Xiao Wang, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law who has studied retirements in the federal judiciary, said the precedent Wynn has set could pose challenges to future deals like the one to advance several Biden district court nominees. He said it may also encourage conservative judges to take senior status decisions that appear political, particularly as Trump takes office and seeks to fill as many vacancies as possible.

Wynn is not the first circuit judge to go back on a planned retirement. Judge Robert King, a Clinton appointee who serves with Wynn on the Fourth Circuit, also rescinded his plans to take senior status after Biden opted not to name his preferred successor. Judge Michael Kanne, a Reagan appointee who served on the Seventh Circuit, did the same for similar reasons.

With Wynn choosing to remain on the bench, judicial observers are turning their attention to Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, 71, who serves on the Sixth Circuit and like Wynn, announced plans to take senior status only to see her planned successor, a former clerk of hers, fail to get a vote in the Senate.

Wang said the backlash to Wynns decision, including the ethics complaints he is expected to receive, could serve as a deterrent to other judges considering the same.

The first one certainly makes it possible that there could be a second one, Wang said. Just depending on what the reaction is and if there are any consequences for this.
By Dominique Vidalon and Abdou Moustoifa

PARIS/MORONI (Reuters) -Emergency workers searched for survivors on Monday and battled to restore services in Mayotte, France's poorest overseas territory, where hundreds, or even thousands, are feared dead from the worst cyclone to hit the Indian Ocean islands in nearly a century.

Cyclone Chido devastated large parts of the archipelago off east Africa over the weekend with winds of more than 200 kph (124 mph), strewing homes over hillsides, and cutting off phones, power and drinking water.

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With areas still inaccessible, France's acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said it would take days to ascertain the full extent of damage and deaths, stressing he feared the toll would be "heavy, too heavy".

"I wouldn't be able... to give you any figures, not for the moment anyway. It's clear that the island is totally devastated," Retailleau said during a press conference.

After holding an emergency meeting about Mayotte with his cabinet, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would visit the archipelago in the "coming days", adding that he would declare a day of national mourning.

"At the meeting of the crisis unit, I ensured that all emergency measures to help the people of Mayotte were taken and that the continuity of the state be guaranteed," Macron said in a post on X.

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Residents queued outside grocery stores in search of water and other basics.

"It really is a war landscape. I don't recognise anything any more. There's not even a tree left, the hills, there's not a blade of grass, it's extraordinary," Mayotte resident Camille Cozon Abdourazak told Reuters by video call after her power was restored.

"I found a shop open that had water. There were still a few tins of milk left, so I was able to buy a tin of milk for my baby and one for my friend's baby next door," she added.

Teacher Hamada Ali described streets that were covered in mud and trees. People were sheltering in schools and bottled water was being used for cooking, he said.

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"Houses with sheet metal roofs were swept away by the cyclone," he added.

Communications were down in large parts of the territory, leaving relatives outside desperately enquiring on social media. "I need an update from Chiconi please, my brother, my sister-in-law and my niece are there and I'm without any news since Saturday," said one.

Acting health minister Genevieve Darrieussecq said the main hospital in the capital Mamoudzou was maintaining operations after floodwaters damaged surgical and intensive care units and a field clinic would be set up and 100 additional medics deployed.

More than three-quarters of Mayotte's 321,000 people live in relative poverty. According to 2021 figures from statistics agency INSEE, Mayotte has an annual median disposable income of just over 3,000 euros ($3,150) per inhabitant, roughly eight times less than the Ile-de-France region around Paris.

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BIGGEST STORM IN 90 YEARS

The islands, close to the Comoros archipelago, first came under France's control in 1841. Mayotte is made up of two main islands over an area about twice the size of Washington, DC.

It has been grappling with unrest in recent years, with many residents angry at undocumented immigration and inflation.

The territory has become a stronghold for the far-right National Rally with 60% voting for Marine Le Pen in the 2022 presidential election runoff.

Chido was the strongest storm to strike Mayotte in more than 90 years, French weather service Meteo France said.

Extreme weather events have become more common around the globe, in keeping with climate change. Poorer nations often say they are bearing the brunt of the environmental crisis despite historically emitting far less CO2 than richer countries.

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"It was evident that ... when a cyclone hit ... we would find ourselves in a situation," left-wing lawmaker Eric Coquerel told French broadcaster LCI, saying the destruction in Mayotte laid bare a failure to prepare for the impact of climate change.

Around the territory, hundreds of makeshift houses were smashed and scattered, images from local media and the French gendarmerie showed. Coconut trees crashed through building roofs, boats were upended, rubble covered cars and people cowered under tables when the cyclone hit.

"I was screaming because I could see the end coming for me," John Balloz, who lives in Mamoudzou, told Reuters.

After hitting Mayotte, Chido made landfall in north Mozambique, where it quickly weakened and was reclassified as a tropical storm on Sunday but still destroyed several houses, authorities said.

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The prefect of Mayotte, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, said at the weekend that deaths would definitely be in the hundreds and possibly several thousand.

Maritime and aerial operations were underway to transport relief supplies and equipment, including from Reunion Island, another French overseas territory, French authorities said.

Mayotte's main airport, however, remained closed to civilian flights on Monday morning, said Jean-Paul Bosland, the president of France's national firefighters' federation.

($1 = 0.9525 euros)

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon and Bertrand Boucy in Paris, Abdou Moustoifa in Moroni, Diana Mandia in Gdansk, Aaron Ross and Ammu Kannampilly in Nairobi; writing by Tassilo Hummel and Aaron Ross; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Bill Berkrot)
(Bloomberg) -- Private-sector business activity in France shrank for a fourth month as the fall of the government over a budget dispute sapped confidence.

Most Read from Bloomberg

S&P Globals Composite Purchasing Managers Index came in at 46.7 in December, staying below the 50 threshold separating expansion from contraction. Still, its an improvement from last month and also a bit better than the median estimate among analysts in a Bloomberg survey.

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Manufacturing and services also stayed in contractionary territory, though the latter exceeded expectations.

Frances crisis shows no signs of abating, said Tariq Kamal Chaudhry, an economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank who sees no hope for recovery. The industrial sector remains the Achilles heel of the French economy, and even the relatively better-performing services sector fails to provide any growth impetus.

French politics have been rocky since early June, when President Emmanuel Macron called snap parliamentary elections. The vote resulted in a deadlock that left new Prime Minister Michel Barnier, appointed in September, lacking a majority. He was toppled this month.

France also saw its credit rating downgraded by Moodys Ratings over the weekend, which cited a very low probability that the new government will sustainably reduce the size of fiscal deficits beyond next year.

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Its unclear how Barniers successor, Francois Bayrou  named Friday  can improve matters.

Bayrou lacks support from both the left and the right, suggesting he may face the same fate as Barnier, Chaudhry said. Instability appears to be here to stay.

Frances economy will probably grow by 1.1% this year, helped by the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, according to the European Commission. With that input missing in 2025, expansion of just 0.8% is predicted.

PMIs are closely watched by markets as they arrive early in the month and are good at revealing trends and turning points in an economy. A measure of breadth of changes in output rather than depth, business surveys can sometimes be difficult to map directly to quarterly GDP.

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The French data come ahead of German and euro-zone number later on Monday that both are expected to show readings below 50.

--With assistance from Joel Rinneby, Mark Evans, Mark Schroers and Alexander Weber.

(Updates with credit downgrade in sixth paragraph.)

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Dec. 16Oklahoma Republican state officials have been outspoken in their support for President-Elect Donald Trump's plan to address illegal immigration, including mass deportations.

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday released a joint statement with 25 other Republican governors announcing support for using state law enforcement and the National Guard to help carry out Trump's immigration agenda.

We used public records, information provided by state officials and other sources to fact-check recent claims about illegal immigration in Oklahoma.

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Claim: The legalization of medical marijuana is a driver of illegal immigration to the state.

Source: Tim Tipton, Oklahoma Commissioner of Public Safety, cited "proximity to the southern border, a robust interstate system, and the legalization of medical marijuana as factors contributing to increased illegal immigration," according to a News9 story published Nov. 20.

Fact check: True but misleading

Thousands of workers without legal immigration status have taken jobs on marijuana farms in Oklahoma since the state legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Many of them face abuse and are trafficked for their labor, The Frontier and ProPublica found in a joint investigation. These workers often meet a minimal threshold to obtain T visas, which grant victims of human trafficking legal status in the United States, said Mark Woodward, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Many workers who lack legal status have also applied for political asylum and their cases would need to be adjudicated before they are deported under current law. The Frontier and ProPublica found many immigrants who have found jobs on marijuana farms in Oklahoma are from China and have fled religious or political persecution from its authoritarian government.

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Claim: The state has paid $474.9 million to educate the children of undocumented immigrants.

Source: State Superintendent Ryan Walters sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris in October demanding the federal government reimburse Oklahoma $474.9 million for what he claimed the state has spent to educate the children of undocumented immigrants.

Fact check: Mixed

Walters announced in July that he would work with local schools to track the cost of educating the children of undocumented immigrants. But multiple schools said they would not ask families about immigration status, NBC News reported. It's unconstitutional for states to deny children access to free public education based on immigration status, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1982.

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Dan Isett, a spokesperson for Walters, did not answer specific questions about how the State Department of Education came up with their figure, but pointed back to the letter sent to the federal government. The letter cites the $474 million as a figure from the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, a Washington D.C.-based think-tank that promotes reducing immigration.

FAIR said the figure is based off of a population study the organization did in 2021, which used census data and other information to determine that there were nearly 42,000 school-aged children in Oklahoma who don't have citizenship or whose parents don't have citizenship. Oklahoma spent about $11,371 per student that year, said FAIR's media director, which would be roughly $474 million.

But estimating the number of youth that fit into this category is difficult. The think-tank Migration Policy Institute published estimates saying only 6,000 youth under age 16 are undocumented in Oklahoma. The U.S. Department of Education does not collect data on the immigration status of students or their families. But the agency does collect data on students who meet the definition of immigrant youth  aged 3 through 21, were not born in any state and have not attended a school in any state for more than three full academic years  and participate in immigrant education programs. The number of English learning students in Oklahoma has steadily risen since the 2017-2018 school year.

Claim: it costs Oklahoma taxpayers about $36,000 a day to house 526 illegal immigrants in Oklahoma jails.

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Source: Stitt made this claim in a press release announcing plans to deport undocumented immigrants being held in Oklahoma jails and prisons.

Fact check: True

It costs the state nearly $1.5 million a day to house all of the 22,000 prisoners in state custody, according to an Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesperson. The agency confirmed that it houses 526 immigrants who are in the country illegally, costing the state about $36,000 a day. Immigrants lacking permanent legal status make up about 2% of the Department of Correction's inmate population.

Claim: Chinese gangs involved in the marijuana industry in Oklahoma are "entering America illegally."

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Source: The Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, made this claim in an article published in the fall 2024 issue of City Journal magazine.

Fact check: Mostly false

Most Chinese nationals in Oklahoma who have been prosecuted in connection to illegal marijuana farms have legal immigration status, according to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and dozens of criminal case files The Frontier has reviewed for other stories. Moreover, many farm owners have also been in the United States for an extended period of time: Some owned restaurants and other legitimate businesses, others ran marijuana farms in other states like California, Colorado, and New Mexico, and others have been involved with networks involved in other kinds of crime including money laundering and human smuggling.

Claim: Undocumented immigrants contributed $227 million to Oklahoma tax revenues in 2022

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Source: The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy published a study earlier this year that found undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma paid $227.5 million in state and local taxes in 2022.

Fact check: True

The left-leaning think tank also estimated that undocumented immigrants in the state would have contributed $273.1 million that year if they were granted work authorization.

According to the analysis, undocumented immigrants pay most of the same taxes that people in the U.S. legally do, but can't access many of the services they support and are ineligible for some tax credits.

The group's estimate is similar to one made by the American Immigration Council, a pro-immigration organization, which found that undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma contributed $230.8 million in state and local taxes in 2022.

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The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy analyzed Census data to identify potential undocumented immigrants, a spokesperson for the organization said in an email. They considered reported citizenship statuses, country of birth and date of entry into the U.S, while adjusting for undercounting.

The organization then calculated undocumented immigrants' estimated tax contributions.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The McNairy County Sheriffs Office has announced the funeral arrangements for Rick Finley, a sergeant who was shot and killed in the line of duty over the weekend.

A memorial service for Sgt. Finley will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Lakeview Church located at 877 West Cherry Avenue in Selmer, Tennessee. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A heart of gold: Community honors slain Selmer police officer

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Funeral services for Sgt. Finley will begin at 4 p.m., after visitation. The sheriffs office says there will not be a graveside ceremony.

Officer Rick Finley (McNairy County Sheriffs Office)

His dedication and commitment to our community will never be forgotten, the McNairy County Sheriffs Office said.

On Wednesday, the day before his service, the McNairy County Sheriffs Office will hold a Sea of Blue in honor of Sgt. Finley as a symbol of respect and gratitude for his dedicated service and sacrifice.

The Sea of Blue will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and will be held at the Robert K. Lee Justice Complex located at 300 Industrial Park Drive in Selmer, Tenn.

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The sheriffs office says any and all law enforcement and first responder personnel are invited to attend.

For more information regarding the Sea of Blue route, click here.

Officer, suspect identified in fatal officer-involved shooting

Sgt. Rick Finley, who was serving as a police officer with the Selmer Police Department, was responding to a suspicious person call when he was shot to death by a suspect on Saturday, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Daniel Holmes, was then shot and killed by a second responding officer.

Sgt. Finley worked part-time for the Selmer Police Department and full-time for the McNairy County Sheriffs Office.

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Then-House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC) holds a copy of U.S. President George W. Bush's 2008 budget after receiving it from the Government Printing Office, on Capitol Hill, February 4, 2008 in Washington, D.C. (File/Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The funeral for former U.S. Rep. John Spratt, who represented South Carolinas 5th District for nearly 30 years, is Wednesday in his hometown of York.

The Democrat who fought for balanced federal budgets died over the weekend due to complications from Parkinsons disease, according to his family. He was 82.

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Spratt, first elected to the U.S. House in 1982, managed to hold on to his seat as the 5th District leaned increasingly Republican  beating several GOP challengers  until 2010. His loss to Republican Mick Mulvaney gave the GOP control over a seat they hadnt held in more than a century and left South Carolina with a single Democrat in its congressional delegation.

Over his political career, Spratt rose to chairman of the House Budget Committee.

One of his proudest accomplishments, his daughter Catherine Spratt wrote, was the Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997, which created a federal surplus for the first time in 30 years and kept federal spending aligned with revenue collections until 2002.

The budget hasnt been balanced since.

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He also became the second-highest-ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. As head of the committees panel on nuclear weapons production, Spratt led the first foreign delegation to tour a then-Soviet Union nuclear weapons plant near the end of the Cold War.

Catawba Nation

Spratt, a descendant of Thomas Kanawha Spratt  one of the first Europeans to settle among the Catawba in the mid-1700s  also helped broker a 1993 settlement between the Catawba Indian Nation and York County landowners that secured long-sought federal recognition and provided $50 million. The Catawba Nation remains South Carolinas only federally recognized tribe.

The agreement involved some 43,000 York County landowners and 144,000 acres of land that the tribe said was taken illegally by the state following an 1840 treaty. Without the agreement, many of the new neighborhoods and development seen in the Charlotte suburbs of Rock Hill and Tega Cay today would have been delayed for years or not happened at all.

If it hadnt been for John Spratt, we would have never gotten the case settled, said Jay Bender, who was an attorney for the tribe.

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Bender said both Spratt and former Catawba Chief Gilbert Blue were calming forces in the negotiating process. Spratt first secured a special extension for the tribe to file land claims to give the state and tribal members more time to work out a deal. Without that extension, Bender said, the tribe would have had to rush to file its claims, creating ill will rather than hashing out the details around the negotiating table.

The final deal was closed in an all-day meeting held at the old federal courthouse in downtown Rock Hill, where Spratt kept a congressional home office when he wasnt in Washington, D.C. Seated at folding tables, the army of lawyers and tribal representatives worked until nearly midnight to come to an agreement that satisfied everyone. Spratt, an early adopter of technology, would go to his upstairs office and type out each iteration on an old IBM mag card machine, Bender said.

Public service

South Carolinas only congressional Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn, who recently won his 17th term representing the states 6th District, shared his condolences on social media.

Serving in Congress with John Spratt was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, Clyburn wrote in a post on X. He was a friend and confidant, a colleague and counselor, and a mentor and partner. His love of country and respect for humanity were always on display. He was an inconspicuous genius and the most ordinary, extraordinary person I have ever known.

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The family also shared snippets of letters from President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton.

Guided by his wit, wisdom, decency, and grace, John deeply understood the promise of America, and he fought tirelessly to bring people together to help us live up to that promise, Biden wrote.

Clinton called Spratt masterful in his knowledge of policy and willing to work with anyone to pass legislation that would make a difference in peoples lives.

He had a unique ability of knowing when to hold the line and when to compromise, and it earned him the respect of all in Washington, Clinton continued.

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Republican U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, who has held Spratts former seat since 2017, said Spratt set the gold standard for service to his congressional district.

Norman, who unsuccessfully challenged Spratt in 2006, won a special election after Mulvaney left Congress to work in President Donald Trumps first administration.

South Carolinas U.S. Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham, both Republicans, also paid tribute to Spratt on social media.

While we were on opposite sides of the aisle, I appreciated how John was always trying to find common ground for the greater good, Graham wrote. In my view, his disposition and approach to the job represented the best of public service.

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Gov. Henry McMaster ordered flags across the state be lowered to half-staff Wednesday for Spratts funeral.

The service will begin at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in York, followed by burial at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Visitation is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the church.

Spratt is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane Stacy Spratt, three daughters, and several grandchildren.

Before entering politics, Spratt practiced law alongside his father, ran a farm and small insurance agency, and was president of the Bank of Fort Mill, according to his family.

He also was the brother-in-law of Hugh McColl, the CEO of NationsBank who oversaw its merger with the Bank of America to create the second largest bank in the United States and make Charlotte the banking capital of the South.

As a father and grandfather, Spratt is remembered for his imaginative bedtime stories and cooking delicious seafood after vacation days spent riding the ocean waves of his beloved South Carolina coast.
The pro-Russian politician Yurii Boiko, who recently spouted nonsense about the alleged "rampage of radicals in Ukraine" and the "oppression" of the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church, has provoked a great deal of outcry among Ukrainians. The public is outraged that Boiko is still at large, despite being an MP and a Hero of Ukraine, and the military is threatening to leave the service if the state does not deal with such figures.

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In particular, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, reminded Boiko who is responsible for the violence in Ukraine and the destruction of churches by the Russian occupiers. According to Stefanchuk, it is the aggressor country of Russia that is guilty of crimes against Ukrainians.

"We cannot talk about the ban on going to church without mentioning the destruction of more than 500 churches of various denominations by the Russians. We cannot talk about the desecration of monuments without mentioning the head of the Shevchenko monument in Borodianka, which was shot by Russian looters. And in general, one cannot talk about any violence against people without mentioning Putin, who is the only one to blame for all this," Stefanchuk wrote on Facebook.

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On December 16, Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk said that the Rada might consider the pro-Russian narratives voiced by Boiko at a conciliation board. She linked them to the upcoming elections.

"The issue of unity is the key to Ukraine's future. Therefore, of course, when we see such expressive statements, it is only evidence that some political forces have smelled the elections. And this, in my opinion, is very shameful..." Kondratiuk told reporters.

According to her, Boiko's actions "require a politically adequate response" and, "of course, each of us as a citizen" will assess them.

The military also responded to the former Party of Regions member's scandalous statements. Junior sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksii Tsymbaliuk promised to stop serving if the Security Service of Ukraine does not deal with Boiko's pro-Russian activities.

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"I am not a public figure, not an opinion leader, not a guy who holds a section of the front. I am just an ordinary junior sergeant whose presence or absence at the front will not change anything. But if the SSU doesn't pack up Boiko in the next few days, I'm going home. Not to the Unauthorized Abandonment of a Military Unit, but I will become a deserter... It's just that if the state doesn't want to defend itself, then I don't give a f*ck about defending it," the military said.

Ukrainian blogger Vadym Labas pointed out that the root of the problem is not Boiko, but the audience for which his narratives are designed. After all, it can lead pro-Russian forces to the next parliament:

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"The problem is not Boiko. With a high degree of probability, after the next presidential election, he will either run away or go to jail. But the real problem is those 'citizens' who will vote for him. You don't think that all those supporters of the Muscovite Patriarchate and separatists with a dream of living in the USSR have disappeared. They are all there, they will all go to vote. And, unfortunately, they are more than 5%, which will bring pro-Russian forces to the next Rada."

The country will not be able to solve the problem with these citizens because they are "protected by the Constitution," the blogger writes.

"The only possible struggle is to reduce the percentage of 'citizens' who want to vote for such boycotts. And Boiko, no matter how wicked he is, is living out his last days in Ukrainian politics. Because the "radicals" he is so afraid of are coming. And no one will bargain with him after the next election," Vadym Labas believes.

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Vitalii Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, accused law enforcement officials of allowing Boiko to spread Russian propaganda with impunity and recalled the scandal over the purchase of gas drilling platforms off the coast of Crimea, known as "Boiko towers."

"Boiko is only free because eight post-Maidan prosecutors general failed to imprison him for the "Boiko towers." Eight prosecutors general  from two presidents  in ten years  failed to put the devil, whose corruption was described in detail in "Dzerkalo Tyzhnia" by Yurii Nikolov and Oleksa Shalaiskyi back in 2011, to jail!"

According to Shabunin, the Russian intelligence service "has always used incompetent and greedy 'law enforcement officers'" and top corrupt officials, "like incompetent security officials," are no less dangerous an enemy than Russia and always its "reliable ally."

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"Thanks to the SSU, Yurii Boiko is already in jail, and then he will be in prison. Oh, wait, he's still an MP, a hero of Ukraine, and he's recording videos against Ukraine again while sitting in Kyiv," blogger Ihor Lachenkov responded.

Boiko's statements contain pro-Russian rhetoric, noted Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Zolkin.

"However, nowhere is it spelled out that such rhetoric can be imprisoned. If the law on denial of Russian aggression had been adopted in 2014, Boiko would already be in jail," he said on his YouTube channel.

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He also called Boiko's statements "manipulatively presented information that fuels panic in society."

In the same broadcast, journalist Vadym Severyn recalled Boiko's appearances on Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov and the former Party of Regions member's words that he could not call dictator Vladimir Putin a murderer, said at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

As OBOZ.UA wrote, on December 15, Anatolii Shtefan, an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, drew attention to Boiko's scandalous attack. In his video message, the ex-associate of Viktor Yanukovych said that "radicals" in Ukraine allegedly "mock people." The "violence" allegedly consists of the demolition of Soviet monuments and the decommunization of street and settlement names.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Further cases of the new variant of the mpox virus have been detected in Germany, including in two children.

Initially, a single infection with the clade 1b variant was confirmed. The virus was then also detected in three other family members, including two school-age children, the authorities in the western German community of Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne announced on Monday.

It is thought the infection originated from a family member's trip to Africa. The family is in quarantine, and so far the disease has been mild.

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The health department has identified and informed contact individuals from the school and professional environment about possible symptoms and protective measures. No further infections have been detected so far, a spokeswoman said.

Symptoms of mpox include a topical skin rash and often also general symptoms of illness such as fever, headaches and muscle aches. Fatalities are rare.

The virus  formerly known as monkeypox  is not very contagious. "Close physical contact is required for transmission of mpox," according to Germany's disease control body, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The virus is mainly transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact, such as during sex or close hugging, massaging and kissing.

In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a "public health emergency of international concern" due to the new virus variant and the increasing spread of mpox in Africa.

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The natural hosts of the mpox virus are rodents native to West and Central Africa. The pathogens are less well adapted to monkeys and humans.

Since summer 2023, case numbers have been reported continuously at a low level  in the single to low double digits per month. The RKI says no deaths have yet been registered in Germany.
Shoppers have been stopped from buying Christmas puddings in Waitrose in Scotland before 10am because of the countrys alcohol restrictions.

Under restrictive rules in Scotland, which also includes minimum pricing, stores face limits on when they can sell alcohol, with drink aisles in supermarkets often cordoned off outside of state-approved licensing hours.

But the restrictions have recently wrongly extended to festive treats.

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One Waitrose shopper said the self-checkout tills had prevented his wife from purchasing a tiramisu early in the morning, and said he witnessed another shopper being refused when trying to buy a Christmas cake.

Waitrose has several products in its Christmas bakery range that include spirits on their ingredient lists, including a luxury 15 Cointreau and Cranberry Christmas pudding and a 19 fruit cake laced with a generous splash of fresh brandy.

The retailer has apologised to irate customers for the temporary error after workers claimed it was unlawful to sell them food that included alcohol in the ingredients under the licensing laws which outlaw off sales between the hours of 10pm and 10am.

Waitrose said the issue which saw customers wrongly refused items would be fixed very soon.

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Stewart Meldrum, from Newton Mearns in Renfrewshire, said he had been left furious after his wife Carol was told by a supermarket assistant that buying a tiramisu before 10am was unlawful north of the border.

Ludicrous micro-governance

At the self-service checkout she was notified assistance required, he told the Scottish Daily Mail. Baffled as to why, the assistant told her that the product she was trying to scan through contained alcohol and as it was before 10am the purchase was unlawful.

A fellow shopper next to her was having the same issue with a Christmas cake. The assistant was full of apologies but my wife left without her tiramisu.

The 75-year-old added: What next? Will they cordon off the tiramisu at night? Why do we in Scotland tolerate such ludicrous micro-governance? Im seething.

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The regulations restricting off sales in Scotland between the hours of 10pm and 10am were passed at Holyrood almost two decades ago.

In England, shops can sell alcohol 24 hours a day if they have been granted a licence to do so.

Annie Wells, alcohol spokesman for the Scottish Tories, accused Waitrose of infantilising adults and being Scrooge-ish.

She added: Common sense should prevail to ensure that these restrictions are kept within the spirit of the law instead of depriving grown adults from purchasing quintessential Christmas delicacies.

Other legislation that only applies in Scotland bans multibuy offers for alcohol while the minimum price per unit was recently hiked to 65p, meaning a bottle of wine costs at least 6.34 and a bottle of whisky cannot be sold for less than 18.20.

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The situation has led to warnings that Scots are increasingly going on booze cruises to northern England, harming the countrys retailers.

At the weekend, Hassan Lal, district president of the Federation of Independent Retailers, said small Scottish shops were losing out to English supermarkets and online retailers who charge English prices despite delivering to Scotland.

Weve been left with a very unlevel playing field, he said. People are still drinking the same but they are finding alternative ways of buying it.

It is the small independent Scottish retailers who are being hit and the English supermarkets are making the money.

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A Waitrose spokesman said: Were very sorry for the inconvenience Mr and Mrs Meldrum experienced  this was a temporary error with our system and will be resolved very soon.

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Mobile, Ala. (WKRG)  As one of the top tourist destinations in the state, Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is one of Alabamas greatest assets  and for almost 10 years, the ship and park have been under the day-to-day direction of retired Army Reserve Major General Janet Cobb.

I started Dec. 14, 2015  so later this week will be my ninth anniversary, Cobb said. I told the commission when they hired me Id like to work 10 years  but you know when its time.

Letters from WWII offer answers for a Mobile family

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Cobb oversaw one of the biggest improvements to the park completed earlier this year  the replacement of the 80-year-old teak decking of the USS Alabama Battleship.

Its all about preservation and maintenance, she said. These vessels have survived a long time, but they wont be here forever, so we are charged with keeping them here and keeping history alive.

Cobbs military background made her the perfect choice for executive director of the park. She rose to the rank of Major General in the Army Reserve  but you might ask, If she was in the Army, what does she know about ships? Well

Actually, I was a ship loader in the Army for a long, long time  loading and unloading ships after post-combat operations in Desert Storm at two ports in Saudi Arabia  and when these wars started, I commanded the battalion here that went and opened the port at Ash Shuaybah, Cobb said.

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Vets Recover organization offers a lifeline to addicted veterans

Cobb joined the Army Reserve after graduating from Foley High School in 1974. She retired from the military in 2021. Before Cobb was hired as executive director of the park, she had been appointed a Battleship Commissioner.

I never wanted to go in the military full time, she said. My dad had been a WWII sailor and a 20-year Coast Guard petty officer. I had lived that life, but I wanted to go to college, wanted to work, but I wanted to serve my country, which is what the reserve components of all the branches allow you to do. So I served in the enlisted ranks for two and a half years, went to Alabama, got my commission  and was on duty and served long enough that I eventually became a general officer.

As for whats next  Cobb said she plans to read, take it easy and visit with friends and family  time earned and deserved. Were proud to shine a brief spotlight on General Janet Cobb and her service for Serving Those Who Serve.

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MERIWETHER COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)  A murder suspect was taken into custody in Meriwether County on Saturday, according to the Meriwether County Sheriffs Office.

The unnamed suspect was wanted in connection to a deadly shooting at Fort Eisenhower Army Base in Augusta.

Patrol units with Meriwether County received word of the suspect traveling through the area at about 10:45 a.m.

The suspects vehicle was intercepted while traveling southbound on Interstate 85. A traffic stop was made near the 29-mile marker.

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According to the sheriffs office, deputies saw the suspect throw a handgun out of the passenger window.

The suspect was arrested. Evidence was collected and taken to Meriwether County Sheriffs Office.

The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division is leading this investigation.

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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, then Georgia's secretary of state, holds a gun as he talks to a young man in one of his ads for his campaign for governor. (Screenshot)

After the Apalachee High School massacre in Winder, Gov. Brian Kemp posted on social media that he was praying for the safety of those in our classrooms.

He has expressed similar thoughts about prayer being the solution to gun violence in the past. But his prayers obviously are not working, a fact he continually chooses to ignore. In fact, he has chosen to make our already inadequate state gun laws even weaker.

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In April 2022, Kemp signed Senate Bill 319 into law, which permitted anyone with a gun license to carry concealed weapons, saying it  makes sure that law-abiding Georgianscan protect themselves without having to have permission from your state government. Thus, it also gives free rein to OK Corral style shoot-outs since all the drunks in the local bar can have weapons.

And that is not just my opinion; it is a fact. A 2017 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found regarding the open carry laws that  such laws are associated with 13-15 percent higher aggregate violent crime rates ten years after adoption.

The Winder mass murder of children by a young person with a gun is absolutely horrible but not unique. The Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, with 26 fatalities including 20 first grade kids, occurred 14 years ago. The Virginia Tech shootings took place in 2007  32 people were murdered. Mass school murders are now a fact of life in America. But do they have to be?

The National Rifle Association says: Banning guns from law-abiding Americans based on the criminal act of a madman will do nothing to prevent future attacks.

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But that is untrue. The more guns equal less violence philosophy preached by Kemp and other NRA influenced politicians has been repeatedly proven to be a total fallacy.

Lets compare the United States to other democracies with tougher gun laws.

The homicide by firearm rate is 4.52 per 100,000 population for the U.S. When we look at other democracies with stronger gun control, we see much lower rates. For example- England at 0.01, Australia at 0.14, and France at 0.24 per 100,000.

Of the 50 states, Georgia has the tenth most homicides per capita by firearms. Currently, 39 states also have stronger gun control laws than Georgia. That is why our shooting deaths per capita far exceeds the national average.

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If we look at the five states with the toughest gun laws (California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York), all have firearm death rates lower than the US average. However, if we examine the five states with the highest gun murders per capita, four of them (Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan and Mississippi), all have looser gun laws than most other states. The lone exception is Maryland. Logically, more firearm deaths are directly related to having more guns.

The Giffords Law Center gave Georgia a failing grade for gun control. Kemps response was, Ill wear this F as a badge of honor. In fact, when given the opportunity to have real reform and lower gun deaths in Georgia, he has gone the opposite direction.

We are stuck with Brian Kemp for the short term until 2026. Hopefully, then we can get a governor who is more caring and will push reasonable gun control measures through the General Assembly. But when Kemp runs for Senator, as he assuredly will, please remember his blatant refusal to protect our children and the price they paid.

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Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Authorities in Georgia have launched an investigation into the deaths of a 12 people from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a ski resort.

The Eastern European country's Interior Minister said in a statement on Saturday that the bodies of 11 foreigners and one Georgian national were discovered in a sleeping area above an Indian restaurant in the Gudauri ski resort, located in northern Georgia near its border with Russia.

The victims were employees of the same establishment within the ski resort.

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A preliminary investigation found no signs of violence, but a generator had been placed in the middle of the room.

According to the ministry, the facility where the victims were staying had experienced a power outage and the generator had been used in the enclosed space, suggesting that carbon monoxide may be to blame for their deaths.

Local police have launched an investigation under Article 116 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to accidental deaths.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reiterated that as long as he is in charge of the government, Berlin will not supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles and will not allow German soldiers to participate in the war.

Source: Scholz said this in a speech in the Bundestag before a vote of no confidence in his government, as reported by European Pravda, citing Spiegel

Details: The Chancellor stated that Germany's support for Ukraine is unwavering. He said that Germany is the largest donor of aid to Ukraine in Europe.

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Quote: "I want it to remain this way," Scholz said.

At the same time, Scholz said he was against the supply of German cruise missiles to Ukraine and did not want German soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

"Not with me as federal chancellor," Scholz said.

Background:

On Monday, the Bundestag is voting on a no-confidence motion against Scholz's government, which should pave the way for early elections scheduled for 23 February.

As reported, Current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) may include a refusal to provide Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles in its manifesto.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the German opposition bloc CDU/CSU and a candidate for chancellor, said he would only provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles after consulting the United States.

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Dec. 16 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote Monday, setting the stage for parliamentary elections next year.

A majority of Germany's 733 lawmakers said they no longer have confidence in the center-left chancellor's leadership.

" In such an election, the citizens can then determine the political course of our country," Scholz said during a debate before voting in the Bundestag.

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Scholz called the vote Monday and was expected to lose it hoping the triggering of early elections on Feb. 23 will be the best way to reverse the political fortunes of his Social Democratic Party.

It arrived nearly two months after the collapse of the three-party governing coalition Scholz had assembled over differences in financial policy.

Scholz on Monday addressed the Bundestag. Photo Courtesy of the Federal Chancellor of Germany/UPI

He said Monday ahead of the vote that it will be up to the German people to "determine the political course of our country," which reports argue will involve a fiercely competitive election and a new era of fractured coalition building to form a new government.

The SDP confirmed its confidence in Scholz while the Greens, who were part of the minority government, abstained so the far-right Alternative for Germany party would be unable to strike a last-minute surprise to try to help save Scholz.

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Roughly 76 AfD lawmakers signaled they would vote for Scholz over fears that Friedrich Merz -- a possible successor in the center-right Christian Democratic Union party -- may toss Germany to war over his stronger position on support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The last German chancellor to lose a vote of confidence was in 2005 under then-SPD Chancellor Gerhard Schroder which led to 16 years of CDU leadership under Angela Merkel.

On Monday, the chancellor is expected to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the afternoon. Scholz, it's expected, will propose the dissolution of parliament. The German president can do so within 21 days, and an election would then follow within 60 days.

However, Steinmeir will decide when the election will be held, and he's widely expected to do so, according to the BBC.
Ukraine has a laser weapon called "Tryzub," which is capable of shooting down enemy air targets, including aircraft. In addition, the use of a "uterus" drone is being tested  it can carry two lightweight FPV drones.

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This was stated by the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Vadym Sukharevskyi. On December 16, he spoke at the conference "European Defense Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry" (organized by the We Build Ukraine think tank).

"We can state that today Ukraine is, if I'm not mistaken, the fifth country that can say it has a laser. Today, we can shoot down airplanes at an altitude of over 2 kilometers with this laser," said the colonel.

The project will be scaled up and strengthened. Sukharevskyi emphasized: "It really works, it really exists."

In addition, the so-called queen drones, FPV carriers, have been developed and are already in use. They can fly at a distance of over 70 kilometers.

"They carry two FPVs underneath them and actually act as a repeater and hit deep enemy targets. In my opinion, this is a real breakthrough," said the commander of Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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He called this development one of the most promising. In general, according to Sukharevsky, the USF is "less than six months old," and at this stage, there are already combat and scientific units that "cover the air, land, and water components." Combat units are operating along the entire front line.

To recap:

 In April 2022, Israel became the first country in the world to successfully test a laser anti-missile weapon. The system was named "Light Shield."

 In the spring of the same year, Russia claimed that it was using laser weapons against Ukraine, the "Zadyra" complex, which can hit a target at a distance of up to 5 kilometers.

 In early 2024, Britain announced a successful test of the DragonFire laser air defense weapon. It can hit targets at the speed of light and is extremely accurate.

 A few months later, the British army conducted the first test of laser weapons against Raytheon drones.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukraine continues to increase the production of its own weapons. This year, more than 2.5 million mortar rounds and artillery shells of various calibers have already been fired. The production of Ukrainian UAVs, including long-range ones, is also developing rapidly: at least 30,000 of them will be produced in 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
(Bloomberg) -- Germanys conservatives are ready to abolish a contentious levy charged on natural gas supplies in storage, breaking a weeks-long political standstill over the fee that had raised alarm among European neighbors.

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This is a law that we can support, said Friedrich Merz, the chairman of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance in Berlin, speaking after the nations parliament had cleared the way for new elections. The fee, which the government introduced at the peak of Europes energy crisis in 2022 to help fill domestic gas storage facilities, had also been levied at border-crossing points and was sharply criticized by central European countries as it made it more expensive for them to obtain the fuel.

The draft plan from the economy ministry to abolish the levy had been in limbo for weeks after Chancellor Olaf Scholz three-party coalition collapsed. Last month, natural-gas market manager Trading Hub Europe announced it would have to increase the fee next year if the law wasnt passed.

The levy, paid to THE, is used to cover the costs of refilling storage sites. Its paid by traders or utilities for deliveries through Germany, and has been heavily criticized as it raises the cost of obtaining liquefied natural gas for countries such as Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Prior to Mondays meeting of the European Union energy council, the delegations of the three countries had again appealed to Germany to quickly abolish the levy.

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The conservative two-party group had blocked any cooperation with the remainder of the government, but changed their position after the parliament paved the way for the nations snap elections on Feb. 23. Earlier in the day, Scholz had lost a confidence vote, clearing the path for a dissolution of the Bundestag.

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Senior German diplomat Michael Ohnmacht has held initial talks with representatives of the new rulers in Syria on behalf of the European Union.

"I announced earlier today that our top diplomat would go to Damascus, and he has been there now," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed in a Brussels press conference.

Kallas, the former Estonian prime minister, chaired her first meeting of EU foreign policy ministers on Monday.

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EU foreign ministers discussed how they should engage with the new Syrian leadership during the transition of power after the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"Extremism, Russia and Iran also should not have a place in Syria's future," Kallas said, adding that the process must be Syrian-led and reflect the country's diverse people, especially minorities.

The leading force in the new Syrian government, Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is subject to EU sanctions as a designated terrorist group.

Kallas said time will tell whether this should be changed and that Syria faces a "hopeful but uncertain future." The EU wants to avoid a power vacuum that would lead to more violence, she stressed.

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She said EU foreign ministers agreed that engagement should remain at the lower level of officials "in order to see whether it goes to the right direction" before higher level meetings could take place.

Ohnmacht has been head of the EU's Syria delegation since September. He has however been operating out of Beirut, Amman and Brussels, rather than the Syrian capital Damascus.

He started his career at the German Foreign Office in 1988, and previously served as ambassador to Libya, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, among other posts.

Meanwhile, Hungary and Slovakia vetoed sanctions on Georgian government officials after pro-European demonstrations were answered with police violence and mass arrests.

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Kallas said that she was not deterred and would continue to work with Budapest. "It's my first Hungarian veto, but I can guarantee it's not the last," she said.

Potential actions could include visa restrictions as well as imposing EU travel bans on those responsible for the recent events and freezing assets held in the EU.

EU member states agreed however to restrict the visa-free scheme for Georgian diplomatic passport holders as this did not require unanimity to pass.
Top German diplomat Michael Ohnmacht has been tasked with establishing channels of communication between the European Union and the new rulers in Syria, according to dpa sources in Brussels.

Ohnmacht is apparently the senior European diplomat to whom EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was referring earlier on Monday when she spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of European foreign ministers. She did not mention any names at the time.

Ohnmacht has been head of the EU Syria delegation since September. He has however been operating out of Beirut, Amman and Brussels, rather than the Syrian capital Damascus.

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He started his career at the German Foreign Office in 1988, and previously served as ambassador to Libya, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, among other posts.

Ohnmacht says that he speaks Arabic and some Turkish, in addition to French and English.

The leading force in the new Syrian government, Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is subject to EU sanctions as a designated terrorist group.
Top German diplomat Michael Ohnmacht has been tasked with establishing channels of communication between the European Union and the new rulers in Syria, according to dpa sources in Brussels.

Ohnmacht is apparently the senior European diplomat to whom EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was referring earlier on Monday when she spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of European foreign ministers. She did not mention any names at the time.

Ohnmacht has been head of the EU's Syria delegation since September. He has however been operating out of Beirut, Amman and Brussels, rather than the Syrian capital Damascus.

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He started his career at the German Foreign Office in 1988, and previously served as ambassador to Libya, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, among other posts.

Ohnmacht says that he speaks Arabic and some Turkish, in addition to French and English.

Ministers in Brussels however still had to discuss how they "engage with the new leadership of Syria and on what level," she added.

The leading force in the new Syrian government, Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is subject to EU sanctions as a designated terrorist group.

Kallas said time will tell whether this should be changed.

"Syria faces an optimistic, positive, but rather uncertain future."

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"I think the coming weeks and months will show whether it goes in the right direction, and I think then we are also open to discuss [the] next steps."

Ministers in Brussels faced a full agenda with recent developments in Syria and Georgia added to the agenda, next to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as the political situation in Belarus.

Ministers adopted the 15th round of new sanctions on Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, targeting the Kremlin's shadow fleet of oil tankers.

Possible sanctions on the Georgian government were also on the table, after pro-European demonstrations were answered with police violence and mass arrests.

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Potential actions could include visa restrictions as well as imposing EU travel bans on those responsible for the recent events and freezing assets held in the EU.

Similar measures were also imposed on more Belarusian figures or entities ahead of the upcoming elections where President Alexander Lukashenko is set to be re-elected, after a violent mass crackdown on the countrys opposition in 2020.

Ministers also dealt with the situation in Syrias neighbouring countries, with Israel and Lebanon observing a fragile ceasefire and Israel continuing to attack the Gaza Strip.
Germany's Finance Ministry does not expect the 2025 budget to be passed before July next year, following the collapse of the country's centre-left coalition, according to a circular sent to the highest authorities and seen by dpa.

Until a budget is agreed, strict rules will apply to expenditure, it said.

While unemployment benefits, pensions, child benefit and funding from existing programmes will continue to be paid, it will be more difficult to initiate new projects.

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The 2025 budget was among the main points of contention for the centre-left government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which collapsed in early November after Scholz fired then-finance minister Christian Lindner from the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP).

The FDP then exited the coalition, leaving Scholz in a minority government with the Greens.

German lawmakers are set to vote in a confidence vote on Monday afternoon, brought forward by Scholz to trigger early elections on February 23.

The draft budget for 2025 will have to be discussed again by the new government and parliament following the elections.

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If coalition negotiations proceed quickly, it could be adopted in the upper house of parliament on July 11, in the last session before summer recess, according to the ministry.

To prevent the ministries from overspending until then, they will initially only be allowed to use 45% of the budget that Scholz's coalition government had earmarked for 2025.

This calculation is based on the government draft adopted by the Cabinet, including some adjustments made by the parliamentary budget committee.

Scholz's government had planned to spend almost 490 billion ($514.2 billion), more than a 10th of it on loans.
COLOGNE, Germany  The Germany Navy has tested the BlueWhale underwater drone as a candidate platform for what the sea service envisions as a future fleet of unmanned vessels for combating enemy submarines.

Officials staged the two-week experiment last month in the Baltic Sea, which has become something of a microscope of global tensions. NATO, Russian and Chinese vessels routinely criss-cross the shallow body of water, as vital communications cables and energy pipelines lie on the seabed.

The German sea service explicitly envisions an anti-submarine warfare role for the BlueWhale vehicle, made by Israel Aerospace Industries. Equipped with various cameras as well as active and passive sensors, the drone can spot submarines, surface vessels and sea mines  notably, without emitting signals of its own that would alert targets that they are being tracked, according to the Germany Navy.

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NATO draws up plans for its own fleet of naval surveillance drones

This a capability currently only available via manned submarines, which makes it significant for maritime surveillance, officials wrote in a statement posted on the Navys website.

The BlueWhale drones fall into the category of large unmanned underwater vehicles, weighing in at 5.5 tons, with a length of almost 11 meters and a diameter of over 1 meter.

German naval-systems specialist Atlas Elektronik participated in the recent test, which service leaders consider a stepping stone towards their Marine 2035+ strategy. The plan envisions accelerating the development of unmanned technology and quickly integrating new drones into the sea services command-and-control schemes.

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Asked about the approach to integrating a non-NATO system into German and alliance naval operations networks, Dror Bar, vice president of IAI and CEO of subsidiary ELTA Systems, told Defense News there were existing interfaces to fall back on during the drill.

Those were developed in cooperation with Atlas last year for two NATO exercises hosted by Portugal, the Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) and the Dynamic Messenger events, Bar said.

Interest by NATO nations in underwater and surface drones as complements to manned naval warfare has increased significantly in recent years. Officials envision them as unattended sensors for repelling enemy warships or monitoring the health of critical infrastructure on the sea floor.
(Bloomberg) -- German lawmakers passed a measure that will pave the way for a national election in two months, backing Chancellor Olaf Scholzs plan to end his embattled administration early.

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The Social Democrat called the confidence vote after he fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner, head of the Free Democrats, which meant he lost his majority in the lower house of parliament. The maneuver sets the stage for an election on Feb. 23, seven months earlier than scheduled.

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The three-way ruling alliance  which also includes the Greens  collapsed in early November after months of infighting. Lindner and the FDP were reluctant to allow more borrowing to support Ukraine and bolster Germanys sputtering economy, with both sides accusing the other of a breach of trust.

The political uncertainty comes at a delicate time for Europes largest economy, which has stagnated for years. In addition to long-festering competitive issues, Donald Trumps return to the White House threatens to intensify pressure on Germany by raising questions over US support for Ukraine and imposing new tariffs that could hit the countrys exporters.

The next chancellor will also need to secure funds and public support for massive investments needed to upgrade crumbling infrastructure, shore up defense capabilities and shift to a more technologically advanced and climate-friendly economy. Alongside reviving growth, government borrowing as well as irregular migration will be key election topics.

In the Bundestag, a majority of 394 lawmakers backed a no-confidence measure. Scholz can now ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the parliament and formally set the election date. The fellow Social Democrat has indicated that hell go along with Scholzs timetable.

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In his push for re-election, Scholz called for massive new spending on infrastructure and defense. Its high time to invest forcefully into our country, he told lawmakers ahead of the vote. We must turn the switch and this means now.

So far there have only been two cases in which German chancellors have used this parliamentary instrument with the aim of losing a confidence vote in order to bring about new elections: Former CDU Chancellor Helmut Kohl did it in 1982 and his SPD successor Gerhard Schroeder in 2005. Kohl won, while Schroeder lost.

With campaigning just getting underway, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance under Friedrich Merz leads with support at around 31%, the far-right Alternative for Germany  or AfD  is second with 19.8% and the SPD third at 17%, according to the latest Bloomberg polling average.

In the parliamentary debate, Merz lashed out at Scholz, saying you are leaving the country in one of the biggest economic crises of the post-war period.

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The Greens are fourth with 11.2% and the BSW  a new far-left party founded in January  fifth at 7.5%. Lindners FDP remains in danger of missing the 5% threshold for getting into parliament with 4.9%.

The conservatives have ruled out cooperating with the AfD, meaning their only path to a Bundestag majority will likely be to team up with either the SPD or the Greens, or both.

The Greens have named Robert Habeck, the current economy minister and vice chancellor, as their lead candidate for the election, while the AfD picked co-leader Alice Weidel.

While we in Central Europe are largely preoccupied with ourselves, the world is not standing still, Habeck said. It is not a good state of affairs.

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--With assistance from Arne Delfs and Kamil Kowalcze.

(Corrects parliament presidents name in caption of video in story originally published Dec. 16.)

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A school near Cologne in western Germany is being closed as a precaution after the new variant of the mpox virus was found in two school children.

The students at the school for children with special needs in Rosrath will receive distance learning up to and including Friday, the Rheinisch-Bergische district announced.

Four members of a family living in the district, including two schoolchildren, had been found to be infected with the so-called clade 1b variant of the virus. According to the district, the family is in quarantine. So far, the symptoms have been mild.

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The health department and the school administration decided on the preventive measure after intensive discussions with Germany's disease control body, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), and other specialist institutions concerning schoolchildren who require special protection.

The school premises will remain closed to prevent close contact between pupils and thus further possible spread of mpox. Friday is the last day of school before the Christmas holidays.

It is thought the infection originated from a family member's trip to Africa.

No further infections have been detected so far, a spokeswoman said.

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Symptoms of mpox include a topical skin rash and often also general symptoms of illness such as fever, headaches and muscle aches. Fatalities are rare.

The virus  formerly known as monkeypox  is not very contagious. "Close physical contact is required for transmission of mpox," according to the RKI. The virus is mainly transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact, such as during sex or close hugging, massaging and kissing.

In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a "public health emergency of international concern" due to the new virus variant and the increasing spread of mpox in Africa.

The natural hosts of the mpox virus are rodents native to West and Central Africa. The pathogens are less well adapted to monkeys and humans.

Since summer 2023, case numbers have been reported continuously at a low level  in the single to low double digits per month. The RKI says no deaths have yet been registered in Germany.
BERLIN (AP)  Germany and France on Monday launched a direct high-speed train between Berlin and Paris, a connection hailed as a symbol of a close friendship between the two countries and a sign of Europe's potential to attract more travelers to the rails.

The bullet train, however, is unlikely to be a game-changer. At about eight hours, the once-a-day service with German operator Deutsche Bahn's ICE trains offers an increase in convenience rather than any major time saving compared with other, indirect connections.

Here's a look at the new offering:

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Making Germanys railway more punctual

The launch comes as Deutsche Bahn works to shed its reputation for the unreliability it has built up over recent years. Last month, only 60% of its long-distance trains arrived at their destination punctually  defined as under six minutes late.

The state-owned operator has embarked on a drive to improve the situation by 2027 and is aiming for punctuality of more than 75%.

A key part of that is a campaign to modernize dozens of stretches of railway. The first part of that program was completed when one of the countrys busiest routes, a 70-kilometer (45-mile) stretch between Frankfurt and Mannheim, reopened Sunday  on time  after five months of closure for an overhaul of tracks, stations and other infrastructure.

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The government blames long-term underinvestment by its predecessors for problems with the railway.

By day or by night?

The new train stops en route in Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and the French city of Strasbourg, one of the European Parliament's homes. The westbound train is scheduled to arrive in Paris just before 8 p.m., while the eastbound one arrives in Berlin just after 6 p.m.

There is also a slower direct overnight train between the two capitals, three times a week. That connection was launched last year by Austrian operator OBB, which has spearheaded something of a revival of night trains in Europe after some railways cut them back or abandoned them entirely. Deutsche Bahn ended its sleeper service on the route 10 years ago.

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The new Berlin-Paris ICE is part of the annual mid-December shakeup of European train timetables. Among other things this time around, there's also a new direct high-speed train connection between Munich and Amsterdam, a seven-hour journey.

Europe's power couple

Germany and France are the European Union's two most populous countries and its biggest economies. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said the new railway connection, operated in collaboration with France's SNCF, is also a good symbol of the German-French friendship.

German Transport Minister Volker Wissing also said it is more than just a new, additional offer. He said, we still have a lot of potential to get as many people as possible onto the rails inside Europe with attractive offers, including for longer journeys and live out this friendship.
Germany, Europes largest economy and normally a pillar of stability, is facing snap elections next year after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence.

His government collapsed in November in a budget dispute but his coalition had been unsteady for months.

Scholz lost the vote, which he called himself as a step toward securing an early national election, with 394 ballots against him, 207 in his favor and 116 abstentions.

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With the election date set for February 23 next year, heres whats at stake.

Whos running?

There will be seven major parties for which Germans will vote. Four of the seven have made official announcements about their Kanzlerkandidaten  candidates for chancellor.

The ever-present two dominant parties of German politics, the Christian Democrats (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), unofficially known as the Union, make up one grouping. The Social Democrats, or SPD, form another.

Given the German system of proportional representation, the government tends to be formed in a coalition, usually headed by the CDU/CSU or the SPD.

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The winner looks for a partner to form a majority. Since 2021, Scholzs SPD had governed in an uneasy coalition with the liberal Free Democrats Party (FDP) and the Green Party. In the 16 years before Scholzs three-party coalition, the CDU, under Angela Merkel, had relied on both the SPD and the FDP as partners in different governments.

The CDU/CSU this time around will be led by Friedrich Merz, and the SPD by the incumbent but deeply unpopular chancellor, Scholz.

The far-right Alternative for Deutschland party (AfD) has seen strong performances in regional elections give it a national boost. The partys co-leader, Alice Weidel, is its Kanzlerkandidat. She is known for slick talking and populist policies, particularly on migration. Shes an ardent supporter of upholding traditional German values, famously saying no one touch my schnitzel!  a reference to the popular dish.

The Green Party should also be considered one to watch. It is unlikely to gather enough votes to be the biggest party, but nonetheless could play an important role in the formation of the next government. The Greens will be led by Robert Habeck, currently the nations Economics Minister.

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The three other major parties will be the Free Democrats; the BSW, a left-wing socialist group named after its leader, Sahra Wagenknecht; and lastly Die Linke, a left-wing political party. All three have yet to officially announce their candidates.

Barring a major and unexpected reversal in the polls, Merz of the CDU/CSU is highly likely to be Germanys new chancellor.

National opinion polls currently have the CDU/CSU way out ahead of the others, with 32% of support from those surveyed. The AfD are currently polling in second place with 18%, the SPD in third with 16%, and the Greens with 14%.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the German Christian Democrats (CDU), is seen in his electoral district during an event in which they confirmed him as their party's candidate for chancellor on November 30. - Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

Who is Friedrich Merz?

Merz is not a newcomer to German politics, but this is his second iteration as a politician.

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Between 1989 and 1994, Merz was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Germany. He subsequently became a member of the Bundestag, or German parliament, representing the CDU there until 2009. He then left politics to work as a corporate lawyer, where he sat on many supervisory boards, including at investment giant BlackRock.

Merz represents the constituency of Hochsauerlandkreis in the Bundestag, the region in which he was born, and currently lives in his hometown of Brilon. He is also widely reputed to be a millionaire and has a private pilots license.

Merz made two failed attempts to become CDU head in 2018 and 2020. In 2021 he returned as a member of the Bundestag, for the first time in 12 years, and subsequently went on to secure the nomination as head of the CDU, officially taking over in September 2022.

He is known for having shifted the CDU to the right, with a tougher stance on migration, and a strong economic mind. During his bid to become party leader, he campaigned on not being a Merkel-style heir, unlike his challengers, thus marking the end of the centrist policies of the CDU during her era as chancellor.

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Leonie von Randow, a political reporter at German broadcaster WELT TV who will be covering the election campaign, told CNN that Merz knows a thing or two about the economy, and that is obviously something that many people care about. Many people hope (he) can move things forward.

Merz is a very strong proponent of backing Ukraine as it fights Russias full-scale invasion. He has been a vocal supporter of giving Ukraine German-made Taurus missiles, weapons that could be used to attack Russian targets far beyond Ukraines front lines. Scholz, by contrast, has consistently refused to supply them to Kyiv.

Merz made a surprise trip to the Ukrainian capital earlier this month, where he urged European nations to form a common vision for peace in Ukraine, especially given the impending arrival of US President-elect Donald Trump in the White House.

What are the main issues?

The economy is going to play a central role in the election, particularly given its sluggish performance under Scholz.

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In recent days the German Central Bank has revised down predicted growth forecasts by 0.2%, stating that the German economy is set to stagnate in the winter half-year 2024-25 and only begins to make a slow recovery over the course of 2025.

Connected to the debate on the economy will be a focus on reviving the countrys important automotive industry. The Central Bank has said that problems within the industry are structural, and are thus exacerbating the drag on the economy.

Major companies including Volkswagen, one of worlds largest car manufacturers, are facing major layoffs and plant closures.

Employees attend a metalworkers' union rally in front of automaker Volkswagen's headquarters during a warning strike at its main factory in Wolfsburg, northern Germany, on December 9. - Martin Meissner/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Arguments over immigration will also be critical in this election, particularly as parties look to lure votes away from a surging AfD, which has made it a core issue.

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The election is probably coming at a very good time for the AfD this is a moment when many people are generally very unhappy with the government, so they kind of want to make a point and vote for an extreme party to show how unhappy they are, von Randow told CNN.

Scholz reintroduced checks on borders with neighboring European nations in recent months, a move many saw as him trying to curry favor with voters who may be turning towards the populist AfD.

The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria will also play into the national debate. Germany took in more Syrian migrants than any other European nation during its civil war. Campaigning around how each party would handle immigrants has already started.

What happens post-election?

It is very hard to see an outcome where the CDU/CSU and Friedrich Merz do not emerge victorious.

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Their lead appears cemented and unassailable, but the major question surrounds the formation of a stable government. The CDU/CSU are unlikely to win an outright majority of the 630 seats up for grabs. That means they will have to form a coalition with one (or more) of the other parties. The question is who?

Should the AfD perform as the opinion polls suggest, it would mark a major sea change in German politics. Since its formation in 2013, the party has never gained more than 94 seats. It finished as the fifth biggest party in 2021 and third largest in 2017.

While the AfD will see themselves as potential kingmakers, the CDU/CSU may be unwilling to give them such a prominent voice in running the country.

That leaves the SPD, with whom they have worked previously, particularly in the Merkel era. Or, they could look further left towards the Greens, but that also may come with a clash of principles and policies, given their more left-leaning nature.

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Either way, the federal election looks likely to leave the SPD and Scholz deeply humbled, and entering into a period of self-reflection. It is probably the end of his political career, von Randow told CNN.

CNNs Benjamin Brown contributed to this report.

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Russian propagandists once again tried to make wishful thinking by claiming that Russian troops had "broken through" the border in the Sumy region and allegedly seized the village. It was an attempt by a hostile subversive group that was successfully stopped by Ukrainian special forces.

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The events unfolded on the border on December 10. This was reported by the press service of the Special Operations Forces, showing a video of how the Kremlin's mouthpieces lied about it and how it actually ended.

For example, Russian propagandists claimed that "Russian troops broke through to the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" on the border of the Sumy region from the village of Plekhovo, Kursk region of the Russian Federation.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces emphasized that thanks to the coordinated work of the defenders, a sabotage and reconnaissance group of Russians near the border with the Sumy region was quickly detected and tracked the route of each enemy.

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Subsequently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces operators eliminated some of the enemy saboteurs with accurate drone strikes and ambushed them.

The surviving soldiers of the Russian army were forced to flee to the Russian side of the border. However, even there, the SOF operators caught up with the enemies: they killed several of them in an ambush and neutralized the last two with small arms.

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"All the work can be seen in our video. We are working to continue to bring death to the enemies and smash their fakes," the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine added.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major Dmytro Lykhovii, said on December 10 that the information about the "breakthrough" of the state border by Russian troops in Sumy region was not true. The State Border Guard Service and the Sumy Regional Military Administration have also officially denied the allegations.

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BERLIN (AP)  Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the German parliament on Monday, putting the European Unions most populous member and biggest economy on course to hold an early election in February.

Scholz won the support of 207 lawmakers in the 733-seat lower house, or Bundestag, while 394 voted against him and 116 abstained. That left him far short of the majority of 367 needed to win.

Scholz leads a minority government after his unpopular and notoriously rancorous three-party coalition collapsed on Nov. 6 when he fired his finance minister in a dispute over how to revitalize Germanys stagnant economy. Leaders of several major parties then agreed that a parliamentary election should be held on Feb. 23, seven months earlier than originally planned.

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The confidence vote was needed because post-World War II Germanys constitution doesnt allow the Bundestag to dissolve itself. Now President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has to decide whether to dissolve parliament and call an election.

Steinmeier has 21 days to make that decision  and, because of the planned timing of the election, is expected to do so after Christmas. Once parliament is dissolved, the election must be held within 60 days.

In practice, the campaign is already well underway, and Mondays three-hour debate reflected that.

What did the contenders say?

Scholz, a center-left Social Democrat, told lawmakers that the election will determine whether we, as a strong country, dare to invest strongly in our future; do we have confidence in ourselves and our country, or do we put our future on the line? Do we risk our cohesion and our prosperity by delaying long-overdue investments?

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Scholzs pitch to voters includes pledges to modernize Germanys strict self-imposed rules on running up debt, to increase the national minimum wage and to reduce value-added tax on food.

Center-right challenger Friedrich Merz responded that youre leaving the country in one of its biggest economic crises in postwar history.

Youre standing here and saying, business as usual, lets run up debt at the expense of the younger generation, lets spend money and ... the word competitiveness of the German economy didnt come up once in the speech you gave today, Merz said.

The chancellor said Germany is Ukraines biggest military supplier in Europe and he wants to keep that up, but underlined his insistence that he wont supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles, over concerns of escalating the war with Russia, or send German troops into the conflict. We will do nothing that jeopardizes our own security, he said.

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Merz, who has been open to sending the long-range missiles, said that we dont need any lectures on war and peace from Scholzs party. He said, however, that the political rivals in Berlin are united in an absolute will to do everything so that this war in Ukraine ends as quickly as possible.

What are their chances?

Polls show Scholzs party trailing well behind Merzs main opposition Union bloc, which is in the lead. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, the remaining partner in Scholzs government, is also bidding for the top job  though his party is further back.

The far-right Alternative for Germany, which is polling strongly, has nominated Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor but has no chance of taking the job because other parties refuse to work with it.

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Germanys electoral system traditionally produces coalitions, and polls show no party anywhere near an absolute majority on its own. The election is expected to be followed by weeks of negotiations to form a new government.

Confidence votes are rare in Germany, a country of 83 million people that prizes stability. This was only the sixth time in its postwar history that a chancellor had called one.

The last was in 2005, when then-Chancellor Gerhard Schroder engineered an early election that was narrowly won by center-right challenger Angela Merkel.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The City of Topeka is addressing the concerns of numerous people this week of overflowing dumpsters in the area.

City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett announced in a press release that city officials are taking action after reports of dumpsters overflowing with trash were made at multiple properties owned by the same landlord. The situation has raised concerns among local residents regarding public health in the city.

Garrett said Topekas Property Maintenance Unit has been in contact with the landlord and has issued citations in accordance with the citys ordinances. The landlord has taken steps to resolve this issue with new dumpsters expected to be delivered to the impacted areas later in the week.

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Its very emotional: Shawnee County neighbors confront local leaders over plan to build new duplexes

The City of Topeka recognizes that some tenants may hesitate to report property maintenance issues, such as overflowing dumpsters or unsafe living conditions, due to fear of retaliation or eviction by their landlord. In May 2024, the Topeka City Council strengthened its retaliatory eviction ordinance, ensuring residents can assert their right to a clean, safe, and sanitary home without fear of retaliation. City of Topeka press release excerpt

(Photo By/Gabriel Johnson) (Photo By/Gabriel Johnson) (Photo By/Gabriel Johnson)

People in Topeka can find more details about city resources regarding their rights and possible retaliatory actions by clicking here. Tenants and other members of the community are encouraged to report property maintenance worries by calling the citys Property Maintenance Division at 785-368-3161, send an email to propertymaintenance@topeka.org or use the SeeClickFix app.

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Flint Hills restaurant at historic ranch to shut down

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.
Dec. 16For many residents in Gilbert's College Park Country Estates community, the trees around their homes are a part of the neighborhood's identity.

It was for the same reason that a number of neighbors banded together at a council meeting earlier this month to protest the town's plan to cut them down.

According to Brendyn Wood, a life-long resident of the neighborhood, Gilbert's Streets Department informed only five of the 55 College Park homeowners about removing nine eucalyptus trees along Riata Street and Country Plaza.

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The neighbors were informed a month ago that the cutting would begin Dec. 17.

"College Park Country Estates is one of approximately 23 pre-1985 developments in Gilbert, without a homeowners association or PKID (Parks Improvement District process) to maintain the rights of way," Wood said at the Dec. 3 council meeting.

"Our neighborhood was established before these development standards were adopted, granting us vested rights."

Brendyn's mother, Rae Ann Wood, who moved with her family to the neighborhood 30 years ago, explained that College Park is one of the few places in Gilbert with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

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"It's an amazing neighborhood  there's not a lot like them in Gilbert," she said. "We have horses, chickens, ducks, goats, turtles, you name it. We also have trees  we have a lot of trees in the neighborhood."

As per Rae Ann, the surrounding trees are home for a group of Harris's Hawks as well.

The trees also provide immense shade and cooler temperatures in the summer and have contributed to the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood, she said.

Neighbors also spoke last week with the Gilbert Sun News about the town's plan.

Bruce Walker, who has lived in College Park for 32 years, said that he maintains the over-100-foot-high eucalyptus tree in his front yard.

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While at times, strong winds have caused some branches to fall, Walker said that cutting down the trees would not be in the best interest of the neighborhood.

Nancy Jenkins, one of the first homeowners to move into the neighborhood in 1972, said the trees were planted by the developer in 1973, making them over 50 years old today.

But that has not stopped the town from attempting to remove the trees in the past, Brendyn stated.

"In 1996 the town came in, they started cutting down trees without any notification. The neighbors, from my understanding, came out here and stopped them from doing that," he said.

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Two years later, the Town Council approved a motion to replace the removed trees and approved provisions for bi-annual deep root feeding, the addition of irrigation to ensure proper water delivery and pruning every two years.

Brendyn said the deep root feeding and irrigation has still not been implemented by the town.

The issue of cutting down the trees came up again in a College Park Landscape Maintenance Neighborhood meeting in February this year, with Gilbert Streets Department claiming that "the trees posed a hazard to public safety."

This prompted the neighbors to request the town to provide an arborist's report on the trees.

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The report was not provided until he filed a public records request for it, Brendyn said.

"The arborist's actual report concluded that the trees were low-risk and in fair to good health," he said.

In addition to the arborist's report, Gilbert's General Plan also encourages the preservation of older neighborhoods, Brendyn noted.

"Policy 17 in the plan supports maintaining urban tree canopies, Policy 16 emphasizes protecting neighborhood quality and character and Policy 11 promotes mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect by using trees to reduce heat and improve air quality," he said.

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"Removing these trees directly undermines all these policies."

Ironically, some Valley cities  notably Mesa and Phoenix  are now spending millions of dollars to grow trees as part of a that-mitigation strategy that even supports concede won't be felt any time soon because trees take time to grow.

Brendyn said the Gilbert Streets Department is attempting to enforce the town's Land Development Code, which was adopted in 1982, even though their homes are in a subdivision built and approved by the town nearly 10 years earlier.

Because the development did not fall under under the town's LDC then, the neighborhood already lacks a sewer system, sidewalks, storm drains, curbs or entryway signage, Brendyn noted.

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"The maintenance costs to the town, again, are roughly around $4,000 just to trim the trees in the whole neighborhood, not just these remaining ones, all the trees in interior to the neighborhood every two years," he said.

Rob Bachuber, who moved into the neighborhood in 2001, said the trees and shade coverage were among the main reasons he decided to move to College Park Country Estates.

The trees on Riata Street are also popular with non-residents, who flock there to capture them in backgrounds of photo shoots, he said.

"Gilbert has been a USA-certified Tree City for over 12 years," Rae Ann said.

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"Again, they want to cut trees down, yet they also want to be known for having a lot of trees. It's just so contradicting."

After the group voiced their concerns at the Dec 3 meeting, the council last week informed the residents that the tree cutting has been halted.

"After hearing from the College Park Country Estates community members at the Dec. 3 council meeting, the removal of the trees has been paused until this matter can be discussed at next week's council meeting, scheduled for Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.," Jennifer Harrison, the town's spokeswoman, told GSN.

"The decision to delay the tree removal reflects our commitment to ensuring that all relevant considerations are taken into account," she said. "We encourage residents to attend this meeting to voice their thoughts and concerns on this item."
Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is making an all-out push in the waning days of the Biden administration that she believes could bolster reproductive rights, calling on the president to certify the Equal Rights Amendment and enshrine its protections into the Constitution.

The move, the New York Democrat wrote in a memo to interested parties, gives Joe Biden a way to codify womens freedom and equality without needing anything from a bitterly divided and broken Congress in the aftermath of the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Biden has taken some executive actions to protect abortion rights following the decision, but the White House has essentially exhausted its options short of Congress codifying Roes protections, which remains unlikely.

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Gillibrand contends Biden could simply direct the archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen Shogan, to certify and publish the ERA, a bill approved by Congress in 1972 that enshrines equal rights for women. An amendment to the Constitution requires three-quarters of states, or 38, to ratify it. Virginia in 2020 became the 38th state to ratify the bill after it sat stagnant for decades.

But legal experts contend it isnt that simple: Ratification deadlines lapsed and five states have rescinded their approval, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Universitys law school, prompting questions about the presidents authority with the measure more than 50 years after it first passed. Should Biden make the call, experts predict it would face significant legal challenges.

Undeterred, Gillibrand has pressed her case to the presidents top aides and outside allies, including a recent appeal to Biden and the first lady during a holiday party photo line, according to a source familiar with the interaction. She has been in contact with the White House counsels office, the Gender Policy Council and other officials involved in the matter.

Its Ill get back to you; Ill get back to you. Everyone always says, We love your arguments. I never know what the but is, she told The New York Times, which extensively reported on her efforts.

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She said the amendment would establish the premise that sex-based distinctions in access to reproductive care would be unconstitutional.

And the White House is suggesting the move remains on the table.

President Biden has been clear that he wants to see the Equal Rights Amendment definitively enshrined in the Constitution, White House spokesperson Kelly Scully said in a statement shared with CNN.

Scully continued, Senior Administration officials have and will continue to engage with key Congressional leaders and other stakeholders on this issue in the weeks ahead. It is long past time that we recognize the clear will of the American people.

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In 2020, the Trump administrations Justice Department determined in an Office of Legal Counsel opinion that the deadline had passed and the amendment could not be ratified. But the National Archives issued a statement in 2022 saying that opinion is not an obstacle either to Congresss ability to act with respect to ratification of the ERA or to judicial consideration of the pertinent questions.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Girard third grader living with epilepsy had the chance to deliver cheer to kids in the hospital on Monday.

Parker Ramsey, 9, dropped off toys and copies of the book The Abilities in Me: Epilepsy to the Boardman campus of Akron Childrens Hospital.

Ramsey raised $2,700 to buy the items by selling dog tags and key chains with purple ribbons as part of Parkers Purple Promise.

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Its only the second year for the fundraiser, which has raised a total of $4,000 since its inception.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
When she taught third grade in Houston, Summer Robinson invited a friend, a female mechanical engineer at Chevron, to visit her class. She wanted to introduce students, especially girls, to a STEM practitioner who didnt conform to the socially awkward stereotype in popular culture.

She communicates really well, and the kids just loved it so much, Robinson said. I dont think they totally knew what an engineer was, but they understood that they help build things.

Such exposure can help schools overcome gender stereotypes that form not long after children start school, according to a new international study from the American Institutes for Research.

Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74

Based on a review of nearly 100 studies from 33 countries, the analysis shows that by age 6, kids already perceive boys to be better than girls at computer science and engineering. Among girls, such beliefs only grow more entrenched over time.

Gender stereotypes regarding computing and engineering form as early as age 6. But kids think both girls and boys can be good at math. (American Institutes for Research)

Without efforts to address those perceptions, girls might turn away from fast-growing tech fields like artificial intelligence, said David Miller, lead author and a senior researcher who started the project five years ago.

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Released Monday, the findings, he added, have downstream implications for thinking about what high school course electives girls might decide to choose, what majors they might go into and then later, the workforce.

Recent data from Code.org, a nonprofit that advocates for computer science in K-12, shows that girls participation in computer science drops off as they get older. In the elementary grades, girls comprise about half of those enrolled in a foundational computer science course. But participation falls to 44% in middle school and 33% in high school. Experts see promising increases in women pursuing STEM fields, but Miller recommended even greater efforts to expose young girls to opportunities in computer science and clear up misconceptions.

Related

Q&A: Teacher of the Year on STEM Success in South Central LA Despite Odds

One study cited in the paper found that roughly three-fourths of young children think that engineers work on engines and repair cars. Only a third said that engineers design things.

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Just as kids show an early bias toward boys in specific STEM fields, they also develop stereotypes that favor girls in reading and writing. By age 8, students think girls are more verbally gifted, the study found.

Julie Flapan, who directs the Computer Science Equity Project at the University of California Los Angeles, sees opportunities to encourage boys literacy development through their passion for gaming.

With technology, theres so much storytelling that goes on in creating video games. Its not just passively sitting behind a screen, but actually has a lot of creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, she said. When we focus on those elements of computing, it is really engaging for a lot of kids.

For years, the project has offered training workshops for teachers, and over time, participation among K-5 teachers has increased. About 45% of the teachers who attended workshops last year were elementary teachers.

Almost half of the teachers who attended workshops last year, led by the Computer Science Equity Project at the University of California Los Angeles, were elementary school teachers. (Computer Science Equity Project)

Teachers play a huge role. School counselors also play a very big role as gatekeepers for who gets put into a computer science class, Flapan said. Parents often enroll their sons in coding camps or encourage them to join robotics clubs, giving them a leg up over their female peers. Teachers will see that these boys are really excelling in computer science and say, See, theyre just born to do it. Then a girl walks in and thinks Well, that doesnt look like a space for me. 

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Efforts to increase computer science and engineering opportunities for girls at the elementary level, however, often depend on educators who have extra time and interest in the topic, said Robinson, now a doctoral student at the University of Houston who focuses on gender disparities in computer science. At Sanchez Elementary, the high-poverty school where she taught previously, several girls attended an afterschool robotics program organized by a social worker. But it didnt last long.

Its really hard to implement that stuff at the elementary level without a class because so much pressure is pulling you in different directions, Robinson said.

Summer Robinson, a former elementary teacher at a Title I school in Houston, looked for ways to expose her students to STEM careers. (Courtesy of Summer Robinson)

Some previous studies suggested that in early childhood and the elementary grades, children viewed boys as more math inclined than girls, but Millers study showed that children think boys and girls are equally capable of mastering the subject.

The analysis found differences in how children perceive specific science fields. Students thought boys would do better in physics, while females would be stronger in biology. Thats why Miller thinks researchers should focus on the STEM fields where stereotypes are the strongest, rather than looking broadly at kids attitudes toward math and science.

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Computer science, engineering and physics  should instead take center stage in future research on childrens gender stereotypes about STEM abilities, he wrote.

Related

Four Insights into U.S. Students Drop in Math & Science on International Test

Its also important to recognize progress, said Talia Milgrom-Elcott, founder of Beyond 100K, a national network focused on building the STEM educator workforce.

In 2019-2021, for example, girls made up at least half of the enrollment in Advanced Placement computer science courses at over 1,100 schools nationwide  up from 818 schools the previous year. The Code.org report also shows that when girls take the AP computer science exam, they earn a score of 3 or higher at rates similar to boys, 61% to 65% respectively.

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And over the past decade, women entering STEM fields grew by 31%, compared to 15% for men, according to the National Science Foundation.

I want to know that all the deliberate efforts were making are adding up, she said.
The News

The global artificial intelligence rivalry centers around the US and China, but middle powers are reshaping the geopolitics of AI, Boston Consulting Group argued.

The European Union, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE all have their own distinct strengths, analysts wrote in a recently published analysis: The EU has talent and a startup ecosystem, the Asian nations are crucial for hardware and have concentrated tech ecosystems, and the Gulf powers benefit from huge pools of capital and cheap energy.

Relying solely on... companies in the US or China could pose serious challenges A more multipolar supply of GenAI increases complexity, [but] it would also create critical optionality.

SIGNALS

The gap between the US and the rest remains huge

Sources: Tortoise Media, EQT

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The US continues to top Tortoise Medias Global AI Index, with China trailing in second place by some distance, but the next eight highest scoring nations, including Singapore, the UK, and France, arent far behind Beijing on AI capacity. Still, the gulf between the US and Europe remains massive, with the combined market capitalization of Europes seven largest tech firms 20 times lower than that of the US so-called Magnificent Seven: American companies ability to innovate, scale, and capture global markets sets them apart, EQT noted. By ramping up investment in R&D and adopting a more innovative and risk-taking mindset, Europe can ensure it has a seat at the table and is ready to play, it wrote.

Gulf countries are finding it hard to attract tech talent

Sources: Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, Arab News

Gulf states are using their vast sovereign wealth funds to fuel technological acceleration, though its unclear whether countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE can grow their talent pools enough to foster a self-sustaining model-development ecosystem, Boston Consulting Group wrote. A recent study by McKinsey & Company found that senior executives and board directors said it was difficult for Gulf Cooperation Council companies to fill roles and attract new talent, citing the regions relative lack of AI maturity. Theres intense interest in AI, but often insufficient training for workers on how to use such tools safely, which also creates risks of data loss and misinformation, a global management consultancy CEO argued in Arab News.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  Pulliam was safely located at 12:10 a.m. on Monday, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department

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The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) issued a Golden Alert on Sunday for a man who officers say was possibly last seen on Taylor Boulevard.

Georgetown police continue search for missing woman, 21, with $5k reward offered

The LPD Missing Persons Unit issued a Golden Alert for Melvin Pulliam around 8 p.m. on Sunday, the department wrote on Facebook.

A Golden Alert was issued on Sunday for Melvin Pulliam. (Louisville Metro Police Department)

Pulliam was reportedly last seen at his home around 3 p.m. on Sunday but may have been spotted around 5:30 p.m. near the 3000 block of Taylor Blvd walking with a cane heading south, according to the LMPD.

Louisville law enforcement wrote that Pulliam suffers from Alzheimers and can be aggressive.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Pulliam was described by Louisville police as thin, wearing an orange bomber jacket, grey sweatpants, a blue winter cap, and brown boots. He reportedly walks with a very recognizable bend in the back, according to officers.

Anyone with information that could help find Pulliam is asked to call the police department at (502) 574-5673.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On December 16, the Bundestag voted a vote of no confidence in the German government headed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which was a necessary step towards early elections. The dissolution of the current government was supported by 394 MPs.

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Another 207 supported the chancellor in a roll call vote, while 116 abstained, German media reported. Scholz personally raised this issue before the parliament after his three-party coalition collapsed.

This happened on November 6, when the chancellor fired the finance minister over a discussion on how to revive Germany's stagnant economy.

Now, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier must decide whether to dissolve the parliament and call elections.

He has 21 days to make this decision. Earlier, he said that Germany "needs a stable majority and a government that can act," so most likely the president will dissolve the Bundestag.

The current government will continue its work until the early parliamentary elections, which are expected to take place on February 23, 2025.

The vote of no confidence in Scholz was also supported by representatives of the largest opposition coalition, the CDU/CSU, as well as the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which left Scholz's coalition.

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Representatives of the Left Party, the populist Sarah Wagenknecht Union (FDP), and Alternative for Germany also expressed their distrust of Scholz.

Scholz had to lose the Bundestag's vote of confidence so that early parliamentary elections could be held in the country.

As you know, the German Constitution after World War II does not allow the Bundestag to dissolve itself.

The vote of confidence would be valid if at least 367 MPs supported it.

According to polls, the CDU/CSU, headed by Friedrich Merz, has the most support in the early elections. It is supported by more than 30% of voters.

It is second to the far-right Alternative for Germany with about 20% support.

The Social Democrats, represented by Scholz, have about 17% of the vote, according to opinion polls.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, CDU/CSU leader Friedrich Merz expressed his readiness to transfer long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. However, first, he said, a warning should be issued to Moscow demanding that it stop striking civilian targets.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Governor Josh Greens biennium budget is headed to the legislature and will be presented Monday with an emphasis on the cost of living for Hawaii residents.

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Our emphasis is delivering for our people, which is, weve already set into motion the tax breaks so that people who are living paycheck to paycheck get a lot of tax relief. We go from the 2nd highest to the 4th lowest tax state over the course of these 6 years. So thats key, Governor Green said.

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The state recently released its quality of life dashboard which found that while over 80% of respondents polled were happy with their lives, Hawaii residents are most stressed about the economy, money, and housing costs.

Gov. Green on Trump win: Were gonna be fine

Affordability, housing, Governor Green said. We have to build a lot of housing over the course of these many years that Im given the opportunity to serve because thats the biggest driver for affordability. So youve seen us launch housing projects in Kapolei. You saw a DHHL project launched, 2 or 3 days ago. Were doing all those projects so that we can turn the corner for our people.

He also wants to create innovative projects like housing for teachers. The budget will have to manage the payout of funds in the Lahaina wildfire settlement.

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We are meeting our budget requirements, which means giving a balanced budget, and were also paying our commitments, which is the recovery of Maui and all of these housing needs. So those are the priorities. There also has to be some extra resources for fire protection.

Part of Governor Greens agenda has been adding Kauhale residences for homeless communities to provide housing security.

Were at 16 full villages launched. Were gonna move to 20, in the new year and then 30 by the end of this 4-year term with us. Well be able to get housing. That will be over 1,800 units or opportunities for people who have struggled. So youve got that category of individuals struggling so they can get housing, just have a roof over their head, decreases their suffering and their cost, and then that large middle, which is the working class, which needs actual traditional housing. So thats why were building condos and some single-family houses. It cant happen fast enough, which is why weve stayed under the emergency rules, and theyre working because they cut a lot of the red tape while protecting the environment. Thats our approach.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Gov. Perry is wrong about environmental facts

Re: Dec. 9 op-ed, Perry: We need an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, not just renewables | Opinion

Gov. Rick Perrys opinion piece promoted false scare tactics against renewables. Perry noted that whale deaths along the Atlantic coast have increased and linked these deaths to wind farm construction with no proof whatsoever. In fact, the biggest cause of whale deaths now is ship strikes as more and more ships plow the seas. Perry also says that renewables are vulnerable during storms, as though other energy is not. It should be noted that during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, Texas lost critical energy production from all forms of producers, including nuclear, coal, solar, wind and gas. However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said that Texas overreliance on gas was the main cause of the severe blackouts that caused so many deaths. Renewable energy is cheaper, cleaner and faster to deploy than coal, gas or nuclear. Combined with batteries, its also dispatchable. Texas leads the nation in renewables because its smart.

Beki Halpin, Pflugerville

Why do our leaders keep denying climate change?

Re: Dec. 8 article, Trump may cancel USPS electric fleet contracts

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It is of course no shock that Trump intends to eliminate plans for electrifying USPS trucks. Higher fuel-efficiency standards and rebates for purchasing electric vehicles  changes that he claims are, as per your article, unnecessary and potentially damaging to the economy. One could hardly expect otherwise from a climate change denier who is ignorant of facts and easily swayed by rumors, conspiracy theories and the huge corporate interests that support him. The fact is, global warming is already damaging to the economy," not just potentially so, and the damage is going to escalate significantly in coming decades.

We urgently need to be reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We can do so in ways that will improve our economy (and our health), not hinder it. Yet our new government-to-be steers us in the opposite direction. It is baffling why we keep shooting ourselves in the foot on climate issues.

Mark Warren, Austin

Patrick, Paxton need to stay out of local government

Re: Dec. 6 article, Proposed Texas bill would ban sale of all THC products, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says

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Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton clearly havent read the memo: the war on drugs has failed. Even Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller can see that. But as a former prosecutor, I am appalled at Paxtons false statement regarding the overwhelming vote in Dallas for the police to shift their focus from small marijuana arrests to more significant crime. He said that Cities cannot pick and choose which state laws they follow. Thats bunk. Every minute of every day officers in Texas use their discretion on how to handle possible violations of state law. Think speeding 2 mph over the limit. Local governments guide those efforts by responding to the will of their residents as to where resources should be allocated. It seems Paxton and Patrick no longer believe in local control and just want Austin to be in charge of everything.

Shannon M. Fitzpatrick, San Marcos

Can we now invest money from "Operation Lone Star" into our local schools?

According to Gov. Abbott, President-elect Donald Trumps assurance that the federal government will secure the border can reduce his $2.9 billion request of the next legislative session for border expenditures. If invested in our public schools, this money could provide lower local property taxes, well-paid teachers, universal preschool to get children off to a good start, small class sizes with reduced behavior problems and ultimately well-educated citizens.

Parents need not be paid to take their children out of public schools, searching for seemingly attractive private schools. The state would be spared the expense of creating a parallel bureaucracy to monitor private school compliance which a voucher program would require.

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Texas is a big state with big needs. The $11 billion spent on border security since the launch of Operation Lone Star in 2021 could now go to educating our children, a benefit to everyone.

Betsy Singleton, San Marcos

Trump's nominees will all be approved. The Republican Party cannot stand up to him.

For those who argue that some of Trumps nominees will not be approved by the Senate, you may not be paying attention to the news in the last 48 hours. Sadly, in my opinion, they all will  yes all  be approved. Its time to accept the fact that the Republican Party is owned lock stock and barrel by President-elect Donald Trump. Republican senators fear Trumps usual rhetorical gambit: threatening possible detractors that they will be primaried by someone who pledges total fealty to Trump. What makes this especially worrisome is that all three branches of government seem solidly in Trump's corner. Therefore, it is hard to imagine where resistance will occur. As a scholar of communication, I must ask: What new problems with the nominees that havent already been revealed could persuade Republicans suddenly to break ranks? There doesn't seem to be what Aristotle called the available means of persuasion.

Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D, Camas, WA

How to submit a letter to the editor

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The drone sightings over New Jersey have prompted a litany of conspiracy theories to fly across the internet - including a government psychological operation to aliens to a foreign military threat.

Right-wing commentators are spreading the theories as sightings continue to be reported across the East Coast. The Federal Aviation Administration has said that the first sighting took place on November 18 close to Morris County, New Jersey, with sightings subsequently being reported in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said in a joint statement Thursday that theres no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.

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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC News Sunday, Theres no question that people are seeing drones.

I want to assure the American public that we in the federal government have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing the drone sightings, he added.

Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones, Mayorkas said. But theres no question that drones are being sighted.

We deploy personnel, technology, and, if there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly, the secretary noted. Right now, we are not aware of any. If we become aware of any, we will communicate accordingly and take appropriate action.

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But that hasnt stopped the sharing of increasingly bizarre conspiracy theories.

In this image taken from video, what appears to be drones flying over Randolph, New Jersey. Increasingly bizarre conspiracy theories are being shared online about the drones (AP)

Project Blue Beam

Comedian Roseanne Barr helped push the conspiracy theory advocated for by Infowars Alex Jones. The theory has been around for decades and posits that the government will enact a fake alien invasion to induce societal panic to put in place authoritarian measures.

Jones claims that the project will start with holograms, while Barr appears to think that drone sightings are the beginning of this plan.

Now you see why I mention Project Blue Beam every week on my podcast.. Barr wrote on X Saturday.

Ufologist and retired physician Dr. Steven Greer appeared on Joness show last week claiming that They all have this agenda to want to control the world through one calamity after the other, and the big one theyve been planning is the hoax of an alien threat from outer space.

Aliens

Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh suggested that the drones are extraterrestrial.

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Anyone who thinks the drones over Jersey are extraterrestrial is extra stupid, Jeremy Boreing wrote on X.

I agree. Anyone who merely thinks theyre aliens is stupid. I know theyre aliens. Theres literally no other plausible explanation, Walsh responded.

A number of videos generated by artificial intelligence have been shared on YouTube to suggest that an alien invasion is underway.

Drone warfare training

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X on December 12, Its a slap in the face that the Pentagon continues to tell the American people they dont know who is flying the drones over New Jersey.

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I think the Pentagon absolutely knows, but theyre full of crap. And if they actually dont know, these officials should resign in disgrace. Luckily, in just a few more weeks, we will have people in charge who can tell us what this is, she added.

The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad, she added Sunday.

She also suggested that the drones are part of the U.S. military and that they were training for drone warfare.

The government needs to come clean and tell the American people what is going on. Thats the most infuriating part to me. The government lies and hides everything while the people have to pay for it all, she wrote on X.

Multiple drones are seen over Bernardsville, New Jersey. Some people think it is a government operation behind the sightings and others believe it is aliens (AP)

A foreign threat

New Jersey Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew suggested on Fox News last week that the drones are coming from an Iranian mothership. The former Democrat also argued that the Pentagon is hiding whats really going on.

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We arent being told the truth, Van Drew said. They are dealing with the American public like were stupid.

The Pentagon rejected that claim.

There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and theres no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States, spokesperson Sabrina Singh said, according to The Daily Beast.

Stopping Trump from getting into office

A post on X by user Peggy Dodson included a video of air traffic at an airport, which she said was evidence that the drones are something the Biden administration is using along with the dark exos to create something that will stop Trump getting into office.

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The post has been viewed millions of times, according to X.

Detecting radiation

Others are suggesting that the government is using drones to detect radiation as they expect an explosion of a dirty bomb.

Biblically accurate angels

One YouTube user shared a video with the title Biblically Accurate Angels Are Haunting New Jersey and X user @beckibella wrote that these are not #drones they are #Orbs either represent highly advanced terrestrial technologies, either military or private sector, using mechanisms beyond publicly known capabilities. Or they are Interdimensional or Spiritual Entities or a combination of both.
Prior to Sundays Steelers game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro made an appearance at the tailgate scene.

The governor arrived to the C-6 lot about two hours prior to kickoff to mingle with fans of both the Eagles and the black and gold.

While both teams are having successful seasons this fall, as we inch closer to the playoffs, the governor does have a rooting interest in the matchup, but he insists its great to have the battle of the keystone state going on today at Lincoln Financial Field.

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Gov. Phil Murphy fielded questions about drones from the press Monday at the Statehouse in Trenton. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Federal authorities arrived in New Jersey Friday to investigate if the nighttime lights reported across the state since mid-November are drones on mysterious, malevolent missions or just aircraft mistaken by a panicked public as drones, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.

The governor, talking to reporters at the Statehouse in Trenton, said he pressed the Biden administration to send drone experts to investigate  and so far, they have found nothing alarming. Authorities do not believe public safety is at risk, he added.

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First of all, Id say, calm down. Theres no evidence of anything nefarious here, he said.

He added: We never say never, but  take a breath.

Murphy declined to detail exactly what the feds were doing to investigate, saying only there now are three very sophisticated systems that come with really sophisticated individuals scrutinizing the skies to determine whats happening.

The systems have a range of up to 15 miles and will hopscotch around the state until investigators have answers. Sunday night, they set up in two locations  at the state police headquarters in West Trenton and at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck  and the governor and several FBI investigators joined them to observe, Murphy said.

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While countless citizens have reported drone sightings, federal investigators are not seeing much, if any, of that right now, he said.

He acknowledged the uncertainty is unnerving. But he also took aim at elected officials who he said should be calming influences instead of fueling fears with speculation and conspiracy theories.

There is zero evidence, with all due respect, that somebodys hiding the pea here, that the federal government or our military or somebody knows whats going on here, and theyre not admitting to it. I see zero evidence of that, he said. Theres a lot of conspiracy theories out there right now. Lets put that one with the Iranians off to the side.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-02) last week blamed drone sightings on an Iranian mothership off the coast before walking that claim back on Friday (the Defense Department denied his allegation).

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Murphy attributed some reports of drones to harmless hobbyists, noting that drones are affordable, legal, and permitted to fly at night, while others are people misidentifying airplanes, helicopters, and other manned aircraft as drones.

There also are more eyes on the sky, which likely has inflated drone reports, he added.

You also have the phenomenon of  18 to 19 million eyeballs looking up at the sky every night, Murphy said. So theres a volume question, in terms of just pure observations. Im doing it myself. We take the dog out. The other night, Im looking up, and Im trying to figure out, is it a star? Is it an aircraft? What is that? So I get it.

He resisted labeling the publics drone concerns as mass hysteria, saying: It implies that people are completely hearing footsteps and theres nothing there. But I do think there is a huge mismatch right now between the noise and the reality.

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Still, residents in other states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, have increasingly been reporting drone activity, too, he noted. Drone activity also has been documented near airports and military sites, critical infrastructure, and President-elect Donald Trumps home in Somerset County.

So the drone mania is a wake-up call signaling the need for federal and state policymakers to tighten oversight over drones, he said. He called on federal authorities to pass legislation now before Congress that would give the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice more authority over drones.

We need a better act as it relates to drones and drone incursions as a country, Murphy said. It is extraordinary to me that a nation as great as ours and as powerful as ours has the deficiencies that we have now seen, in living color, as it relates to drone incursions.

Several state and federal lawmakers have criticized authorities response to the drone drama, saying the thousands of people who reported drones cant all be wrong.

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Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Morris) said focusing on passing legislation is the exact wrong answer, he added.

We need to figure out where these things are coming from right now. Like all of the governors resources, all of his manpower, everything should be dedicated to figure out why are they there, and whats going on right now. If you rush to policy, youre going to come up with policy that is rushed, he said.

Bergen was an Apache helicopter pilot in the military who served a year in Iraq. Investigating the source of the drones should not be a huge challenge, he added.

All you got to do is follow one  one!  back to wherever the hell its going and figure out whats going on, he said.

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Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-Bergen) echoed calls for a federal probe, saying the feds have authority over New Jerseys airspace and the drones could pose a national security threat. He introduced a resolution Monday urging such action.

The federal government must take decisive action and communicate their findings quickly and clearly to prevent those with nefarious motives from causing harm and copycat hobbyists from adding to the chaos in our skies, DePhillips said.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A progress report delivered to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday is slated to save the state $300 million over the next six years.

The Arkansas Forward report is from a Sanders-mandated initiative to save money and improve services for state residents. Sanders said many initiatives in the Monday report are already underway.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivers budget presentation to lawmakers

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The plan focuses on five areas for improvement: Information technology, state purchases, state vehicles, state employees and state government buildings.

Information technology improvements will center on integrating IT systems across the state. The report estimates changes in this realm will result in $130 million in annual cost savings.

The Arkansas purchasing system will be overhauled to center on the priorities of getting what the report labeled the right stuff at the right price through the right process. Savings by this overhaul and standardization are expected to be between $140 million to $230 million

Efficiency in state vehicles will be improved by centralizing and selling off older and under-used vehicles, the report stated. Savings here are expected to be in the $3 million to $5 million range, with one-time revenue for $1 million to $1.5 million.

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Governor: Most Arkansas state employees see a pay increase with new pay plan announced Tuesday

Real estate improvements will come from selling off some property holdings and creating a database of existing real estate to identify areas for cost savings. The report anticipates savings of $15 million to $25 million through consolidation and selling off under-used property.

The report said a renewed play plan would be implemented for state employees, alongside a change from tenure-based pay to performance and skill-development-based pay.

Our team took a sweeping, comprehensive look at government efficiency in Arkansas and I am excited by the report I received on that work today, Sanders said.Across all state agencies, this team discovered potential ways to save taxpayer money and improve services.

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Arkansas bill proposed to provide coverage for state employees, teachers to receive new Alzheimers treatments

Sanders delivered the 956-page report to the legislature on Monday. The full report is available for review online.

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Twenty-six Republican governors have signed a letter pledging to use every tool to aid President-elect Donald Trump with his mass deportation plans.

That includes the possible use of state law enforcement and National Guards. The federal government doesnt have the resources required to carry out Trumps plans of deporting 11 million undocumented people and will need the assistance of state and local authorities.

Some of the states run by the 26 governors include areas with some of the largest numbers of undocumented people, Axios noted.

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The attempt to deport millions of people is likely to face procedural barriers and the cost is estimated to be between $150 billion to $350 billion.

Republican governors remain fully committed to supporting the Trump Administrations efforts to deport dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists who are in this country illegally, the governors said in their letter. We understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose to public safety and our national security, and we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities.

Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee didnt commit to using the National Guard, the Tennessean reported last week.

He noted that Trump hasnt requested anything yet.

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I agree that he should, because hes been elected, follow through with what he promised he would do for the American people, Lee added. To the degree that Tennessee participates in that, I look forward to seeing what his plans are going to be. We will be supportive of the strategies of the president.

President-elect Donald Trump arrives to give remarks alongside SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort. Twenty-six Republican governors have signed a letter pledging to use every tool to aid his mass deportation plans (Getty Images)

Immigration advocates and progressive leaders in Nashville are concerned ahead of Trumps inauguration.

Metro Council members in the city voted down a proposal to allow police to have fast access to private security camera footage, pointing to worries that the program could be used for immigration enforcement, according to Axios.

In the letter, the 26 governors said, We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposalwhether through state law enforcement or the National Guardto support President Trump in this vital mission.

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Trumps incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has said in interviews with conservative media outlets that the administration will prioritize undocumented people who pose a threat to national or public security.

President Trump has made it clear we will prioritize public safety threats and national security threats first and thats what the focus would be, he told Fox News on November 11. Theres thousands of gang members, illegal alien gang members were going to be looking for. Now, Im going to say if youre in the country illegally, you shouldnt feel comfortable, absolutely not.
A grandmother of seven has died in a Washington state house fire the week before the holidays.

Firefighters responded to the fatal blaze in Lynnwood just after noon on Sunday, Dec. 16, according to a news release from South County Fire.

The two-story home, located in the Alderidge community, was nearly engulfed in flames when crews arrived at the scene, the fire department said. It took approximately 20 minutes for firefighters to put out the flames.



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Related: New Homeowners Watch Their House Burn Down Less Than 24 Hours After Move-In: 'Our Whole Life'

After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters found a woman in her 80s who had died.

The victim was an 81-year-old grandmother of seven, according to CBS affiliate KIRO-TV. Her name has not been released to the public.

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A man in his 90s was assessed at the scene of the fire for possible smoke inhalation, according to South County Fire. One volunteer was also evaluated for a possible medical issue.

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Crews initially struggled to enter the home after several portions of the first floor had collapsed, with other areas in danger of collapse.

As many as six people lived in the home that went up in flames, according to ABC affiliate KOMO-TV. The home was reportedly "destroyed" and "total monetary damages" are being calculated.



The Snohomish County Fire Marshals Office is investigating what caused the blaze. Firefighters did not hear a smoke detector when they were at the site of the fire, South County Fire Communications Director Christie Veley told KIRO-TV.

Related: High School Baseball Captain, 18, Chose to Fight Wildfires and Died Trying to Protect Others, Family Says

In the meantime, South County Fire is encouraging the public to check your homes smoke alarms to avoid a similar tragedy.

The fire department recommends changing replaceable batteries in smoke alarms once each year and replace all smoke alarms after 10 years.



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EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.  A federal jury convicted a Granite City, Illinois, woman last week in an arson-for-hire scheme to collect insurance payouts.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Illinois said Evette B. Osuegbu, 62, conspired with Rufis A. Jefferson, a relative, to burn properties in East St. Louis, as well as Florissant and St. Louis, Missouri.

The pair are guilty of conspiring together to commit arson to collect fraudulent insurance benefits, and they put unsuspecting neighbors in danger for their own callous greed, U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe said.

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According to court documents, both Osuegbu and Jefferson admitted to conspiring to set Osuegbus St. Louis apartment on fire on Dec. 31, 2022. Osuegbu filed and received an insurance claim worth $30,000.

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Jefferson also conspired with Osuegbu to torch two additional buildings in Granite City and Venice. However, an ATF confidential informant recorded many of the planning conversations, and those buildings were not burned.

Osuegbu was convicted Dec. 16 of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit arson, and one count of use of fire to commit a federal felony. Shell be sentenced on April 23, 2025.

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Jefferson pleaded guilty in January to 10 counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit arson and one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Hell be sentenced on Feb. 6, 2025.

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The Syrian authorities sent planes to Russia with millions of dollars and euros in cash when dictator Bashar al-Assad was still in power. At that time, the country was experiencing an acute shortage of foreign currency, with reserves being "almost zero."

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The Financial Times reports this with reference to confidential documents. According to the publication, the money was transferred in 2018-2019, and the funds themselves belonged to the Central Bank of Syria.

"We have found records showing that the Assad regime, desperate for foreign currency, smuggled nearly two tons of $100 and 500 notes to Moscow's Vnukovo airport between 2018 and 2019 for deposit in authorized Russian banks," the publication says.

A total of 21 flights carrying currency were made between March 2018 and September 2019. All the funds imported to Russia were subsequently deposited in Russian banks, and Assad's family secretly bought assets from them.

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Opposition figures and Western governments have accused the Assad regime of looting Syria's wealth and turning to criminal activity to finance the war and enrich itself. The supply of cash to Russia coincided with Syria's dependence on the Kremlin's military support, in particular from mercenaries of the "Wagner" PMC, and Assad's extended family began buying up luxury real estate in Moscow. In particular, it bought about 19 luxury apartments in the Moscow City area worth at least $40 million.

"The unusual transfers from Damascus emphasize that Russia, as an important ally of the Syrian leader, has become one of the most important destinations for Syrian cash as Western sanctions have forced the country out of the financial system," the publication writes.

At the end of November 2024, the Syrian opposition, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, launched an offensive from Idlib province, first on Syria's second-largest city, Aleppo, and then on the capital, Damascus. Already on December 8, the rebels announced the overthrow of the 25-4-year-old regime of Bashar al-Assad. He and his family hastily fled to Russia. Russia itself is now trying to maintain its military bases in Syria.

"The regime should have moved its money abroad to a safe haven to be able to use it to provide a wonderful life... for the regime and its inner circle. Assad's flight to Moscow has even angered some of his former supporters, who see it as proof of Assad's paramount personal interest," the FT added.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Greece significantly increased the amount it spends on defence as part of a budget passed by parliament on Sunday.

It provides for spending of 6.1 billion ($6.4 billion) next year - almost twice as much as in 2019 (3.5 billion). In addition to investments in fighter jets, frigates, submarines and intelligent weapons, a protective air-defence shield, or "Iron Dome" is also to be built to ward off drones and missiles.

In his speech during the budget debate, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that there would have to be a "radical restructuring" of the armed forces to make them more efficient.

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Defence Minister Nikos Dendias promised that the military would enter a new era with "intelligent weapon systems and an anti-drone dome."

Athens has been calling for a common European air defence system against enemy aircraft, missiles and drones since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

Greece is one of 21 countries participating in the European air defence system European Sky Shield, which was initiated by Germany, but the government in Athens thinks progress is too slow.

The Greek "Iron Dome" would differ from the Israeli mobile missile defence system because the threat is different, Dendias explained in a recent interview with the newspaper To Vima.

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While Israel has to defend itself mainly against rockets, the Greek dome would protect against drone attacks. Drones are much smaller and harder to detect than missiles.

In the background is the fact that Turkey - which has frequent disputes with its neighbour - has become a leading manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Turkey's defence budget is many times higher than Greece's. Both countries are members of the NATO alliance.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Police, along with school administration, say they are investigating a threat of potential shootings at both East and West high schools.

According to a release from the Green Bay Area School District, district administration was made aware of the threats and is actively investigating the leads that they have at this time.

House damaged, no one hurt following garbage can fire in Fond du Lac

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As a precautionary measure, the Green Bay Police Department is working closely with GBAPS on the threats and will have additional police presence at both schools.

Anyone with information about the threat is asked to contact Speak Up/Speak Out at 1-800-697-8761 or Crime Stoppers at 920-432-STOP (7867).

Updated details about this story can be found here.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  A person has died after an overnight stabbing, according to the Greensboro Police Department.

At around 1:19 a.m. on Monday, officers came to Grove Street after getting a report of a stabbing.

Man shot, killed on Indiana Avenue, Winston-Salem police say

Police arrived at the scene and found James Bradford, 33, on the floor of a home with injuries consistent with stabbing. Bradford died from his injuries.

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All parties have been identified and the investigation is ongoing, the police department said in their release.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000. Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are completely anonymous.

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA)  A Greenville man was arrested on Sunday after police said he attacked a woman in her apartment in Spartanburg.

According to police reports, officers were called Sunday evening to an apartment on Dr O.C. Kirkland Terrace in Spartanburg in reference to a domestic disturbance.

On the scene, officers said they met Quorius Nicholson, 36, who approached them with his hands in the air and covered in what appeared to be blood.

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According to Spartanburg Police, earlier in the evening Nicholson called to confront a woman hed been in a relationship with after a coworker told him he knew Nicholsons girlfriend from Snapchat. The woman reportedly said she wanted to end the relationship with Nicholson, and told him to come to her home to get his clothes and dog.

When he arrived, police said Nicholson broke into her apartment via the back door and slammed her onto a couch, glass table and the floor before threatening to kill her.

When the woman called 911, Nicholson took the phone and claimed to dispatchers she had attacked him then threw the phone in the sink, according to a police report. He allegedly then went outside to tear down a security camera, which officers found in the grass behind the apartment.

The woman and one of her children reportedly escaped the apartment and ran to a neighbors house to call 911, but Nicholson refused to allow another child to leave until shortly before police arrived.

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According to reports, when police asked Nicholson for his version of events, he said he left work, went home and got into an argument with the woman which later turned physical and resulted in him falling through a glass table.

Nicholson told police he lived in the apartment but had self-evicted and gone to live in Greenville. Police reports said officers found no items or any other indications Nicholson had lived in the apartment.

Nicholson was arrested on charges of injury to property, burglary, kidnapping and domestic violence. He is currently being held in the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

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A Griffith woman faces charges that she threatened Lake County Judge Julie Cantrell in a voicemail left for a Griffith Police social worker.

Julie Lamprecht, 55, was charged Friday with two counts of intimidation.

She is in custody. Her bail was set to $50,000, or $5,000 cash surety Monday.

Her next court date is Jan. 9 before Judge Salvador Vasquez.

Court records show the social worker told cops Lamprecht left her a voicemail at 3:07 a.m. Dec. 9. After the woman checked her work voicemail Dec. 13 and reported it, Lamprecht was charged the same day.

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Cantrell is overseeing another intimidation case filed in September 2023 where Lamprecht allegedly threatened Griffith Police Chief Gregory Mance. A change of plea hearing is scheduled Jan. 14.

Im gonna shoot thebrains out of hergive me a felony, Lamprecht said, of Cantrell, in part of the message, according to court records.

Cantrell told cops she wanted to press charges.

The social worker told cops Lamprecht regularly left voicemails at the police department with random topics, mostly harmless messages about celebrities, politicians, or organizations.

Phone logs showed Lamprecht called 170 times in a 41-day period.

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ARLINGTON  From the street theyre easy to miss. But in the self-proclaimed American Dream City  famous for its roller coasters and sport stadiums  residents know where to spot them. Oil and gas wells and compressor stations are tucked in between houses, schools, businesses and strip malls, woven into daily life.

And at times, methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere, escapes from the equipment. Often, the methane comes out with other chemicals, including volatile organic compounds that contribute to smog formation, creating a cocktail of chemicals that are harmful to human health.

Earlier this year, a long-anticipated federal climate rule was finalized requiring oil and gas operators to dramatically reduce how much methane is released in many oil fields, including those in Texas.

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The rule, written with input from industry, calls for operators to identify and fix equipment leaking methane and curb the practice of flaring  or burning off excess natural gas. Under the rule, operators will have to monitor emissions, wasteful flaring and leaks from most existing and new well sites.

States are now on a timeline to submit plans to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency detailing how they will implement the rule. Texas regulators are taking input from the public on the state plan until Dec. 31.

Some residents in Arlington, home to about 400 gas wells and 50 drilling sites, want the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to do more than the bare minimum outlined in the EPAs guidelines and submit a plan before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.

Trump reversed a methane reduction rule during his first term. Experts say rolling back the current rule would take years, and support from industry for the rule might help keep it in place.

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At a public meeting last month in Arlington, Texas environmental regulators heard from more than a dozen residents about the proposed rule. One woman with severe asthma said air quality is a life or death issue, and asked state regulators to prioritize the health of citizens over economic interests. One man pointed out that oil and gas equipment sits close to schools and day care centers and called on regulators for speedy implementation of the rule to protect people from the health risks of urban fracking.

"The flares are not fun, smelling the rotten eggs is not fun, Rogelio Meixueiro, who lives in Arlington and is a member of the nonprofit organization Sunrise Tarrant, told TCEQ regulators. I can only trust that you're going to do your job. I can only trust that you're going to do everything possible to reduce methane emissions."

Fracking in Arlington can be traced back two decades, when drillers discovered they could use horizontal drilling to access natural gas in the Barnett Shale formation underneath the city. Today in Tarrant County, which includes Arlington, more than 1 million people live within one half mile of a gas well, according to data from the local environmental group Liveable Arlington. The groups organizers say that oil and gas air pollution disproportionately impacts many low-income communities of color.

Nearby cities have tried and failed to ban fracking. Roughly a decade ago, Denton, located about 45 miles north of Arlington, voted to prohibit fracking within city limits. The local ordinance was swiftly overturned by the state Legislature, which passed a law barring cities and towns across Texas from imposing such bans.

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According to several studies, living near oil and gas wells is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, impaired lung function, anxiety, depression, preterm birth and impaired fetal growth, primarily due to air pollution from the wells.

[For years] we've been getting complaints from neighborhoods about smells, odors, headaches, sickness and what to do about it, said Ranjana Bhandari, founder and executive director of Liveable Arlington. Often we don't have a remedy.

What does the rule do?

The Bruder drill site, owned by TotalEnergies, in Arlington on Nov. 20, 2024. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune

Methane, a primary component of natural gas, accounts for about 16% of global emissions. Because methane lasts in the atmosphere for a few decades rather than a few centuries, reducing emissions would help moderate global temperatures more quickly.

Most of the methane emissions in the U.S. come from the energy sector  especially those in Texas, the nations largest oil and gas producing state.

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Last year, Texas broke a record by producing 42% of the nations oil. Most of the states oil comes from the Permian Basin, a 75,000-square-mile region that stretches from eastern New Mexico and covers most of West Texas. The Permian Basin generates 1.4 million metric tons of methane each year  enough gas to meet the annual gas needs of nearly 2 million homes, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.

Currently, Texas doesn't have a rule to capture escaping methane emissions from energy infrastructure. The states implementation of the EPA rule could change that.

The regulations are broken in two parts: one for new equipment constructed or modified after December 2022, and another for existing equipment. Most of Texas oil and gas equipment are existing methane sources.

A major component of the proposed state rule is tackling leaks from equipment failures, which are the largest source of methane pollution from oil and gas operations.

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Operators will be tasked with inspecting their sites for leaks using handheld gas-imaging cameras or other technologies, which need to be approved by the EPA, to identify what equipment needs to be repaired or replaced. Gas wells will also need to be monitored for leaks until they are closed and plugged.

Oil and gas companies will be required to phase out routine flaring, a relatively common practice where excess natural gas produced during oil extraction is burned off at the wellhead. This is often done to dispose of gas that companies find uneconomical to capture or transport, or sometimes as a safety measure to relieve well pressure.

Well heads at the Bruder drill site on Nov. 20, 2024. The city of Arlington approved TotalEnergies application to drill and frack 11 gas wells at this site, which sits over 300 feet away from residential homes. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune

Flares can fail to burn off all the methane or can be unexpectedly extinguished, releasing raw methane into the atmosphere.

In Texas, state law says companies aren't supposed to flare or vent gas without special permission from the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry. In 2022, the agency approved about 3,660 venting and flaring requests from oil and gas operators, according to agency data. Last year's numbers are not available on the agency's website.

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Newly-constructed oil wells will be required to stop routine flaring altogether under the EPA rule. Existing sites can only flare if operators prove they cannot capture the gas for sale, reinjection or reuse.

According to a spokesperson at the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. oil and gas industry is already doing its part to reduce emissions by improving its production processes, which the organization said resulted in methane emissions falling 37% between 2015 and 2022.

The EPA estimates implementation of the rule would eliminate 58 million tons of methane emissions nationally by 2038, as well as 16 million tons of smog-forming volatile organic compounds and nearly 590,000 tons of toxins like cancer-causing benzene.

Over that time, the standards will yield net health benefits worth up to $98 billion, after accounting for industrys compliance costs, according to the EPA.

What will a new Trump administration mean?

Texas has already received $134 million from the federal government to permanently plug low-producing wells to help reduce methane emissions.

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And while the EPAs methane rule has been a cornerstone of President Joe Bidens climate strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Trump has said he will roll back federal regulations targeting climate change. Climate advocates were quick to warn that this could lead to the weakening or elimination of federal safeguards designed to limit harmful air pollution and greenhouse gases.

However, some experts believe Trump may face new pressures if he attempts to reverse the methane rule.

The DWG Compressor Station owned by DFW Midstream located behind businesses in Arlington on Nov. 20, 2024. Compressor stations maintain the flow and pressure of natural gas. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune

Arvind Ravikumar, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin who co-leads the Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab, said industry support for emissions reduction has grown since Trumps last administration.

Technologies have come a very long way. There's a whole ecosystem of industry catering to addressing methane emissions, and the technologies from 2016 have significantly improved and are now being routinely deployed across the country by many oil and gas operators, both big and small, he said.

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Ravikumar added that international buyers are increasingly demanding cleaner, climate-friendly oil and gas production. The European Union approved a standard earlier this year that places limits on how much methane can be emitted in imported gas. Ravikumar said this would require all suppliers to the European Union, including the U.S., to comply with their new limits.

So U.S. exporters are under pressure to make sure that their supplies are clean and have lower methane emissions, he said.

Without the EPAs standards, Ravikumar said, U.S. producers could struggle to compete in global markets.

Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, said state operators have focused for years on reducing emissions and have made considerable progress.

A wall containing the Bruder drill site in Arlington. Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune

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We are hopeful President Trump and his administration will seek stakeholder input so that any policies implemented facilitate this progress and can survive political changes. In the meantime, a TXOGA workgroup has been actively involved in state implementation of the Biden administrations methane rule to ensure common-sense, science-based outcomes for all operators, he said.

Reversing the new methane rule could take years, as the process involves navigating regulatory hurdles and public review.

Others are concerned that Texas could adopt the new rule but fail to enforce it.

Strong rules are great, but they need to be properly and adequately enforced to deliver their promises, said Elizabeth Lieberknecht, a regulatory and legislative manager at the Environmental Defense Fund.

The TCEQ has said that the agency is experiencing staffing shortages due in part to salaries that arent high enough to attract and retain workers. At a September legislative meeting, an agency representative said the agency had nearly 400 vacant positions.

David Lyon, a senior research environmental scientist at UT-Austin, said its likely that states would opt not to enforce the rule without strong federal oversight to compel compliance.

I could see states like Texas essentially not doing any enforcement, Lyon said. In an ideal world EPA would get Texas in trouble, but I think with Trump they might not do anything and allow Texas to not enforce.

Disclosure: Environmental Defense Fund, Texas Oil & Gas Association and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters 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.
(Alan Schein Photograph via Getty Images)

Its confusing, its convoluted, and its your taxpayer dollars. Its budget season in Olympia.

Over the next few months, legislators will go over the states finances. Theyll see how much money they expect to come in and how much they can plan to spend through June 30, 2027. Its an every-other-year process that occurs during a 105-day legislative session.

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The process kicks off this week with Gov. Jay Inslee rolling out his budget proposal, which lawmakers will use to start their conversations over state spending.

Ever wondered how the process unfolds from there? Or whats in the budget? The Standards broken it down for you.

What is the budget?

Well, its actually three. Every two years, legislators must write an operating, a transportation and a capital budget to fund government operations and authorize state agencies spending.





The operating budget is the big one. It pays for schools, human services, government operations and anything else lawmakers decide needs money over the next two years. The current two-year budget includes $69.8 billion of spending.

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The transportation budget is where money for roads, bridges, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes and public transportation goes. The current transportation budget is about $14.6 billion.

The capital budget is the smallest but perhaps the most important to local communities, funding construction of public buildings, parks, housing and other infrastructure. It now checks in at around $10 billion.

When are state budgets written?

Work on the three budgets starts long before lawmakers give them final approval, which usually happens in April but can drag into May or June if theres a special session.

Every fall, state agencies submit requests to the Office of Financial Management, the governors budgeting team. Their requests include funding for things theyre legally obligated to pay for in the next two years and some new ideas.

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The governor takes those requests and writes a budget proposal that he presents to the Legislature in December. His budget is based on revenue forecasts that state economic leaders present to lawmakers every quarter. Those forecasts attempt to predict how much money the state will have to work with.

After the session kicks off in January, lawmakers have hearings on the governors proposals before beginning to write their own. Their budget writers dont start finalizing their spending plans until March when the state Revenue Forecast Council gives them their final outlook  or how much theyll actually be able to spend.

Shortly after the forecast, each chamber releases a budget proposal with their priorities. Lawmakers then have about a month to work out differences and come up with a final compromise, which has to be approved by both chambers and the governor.

The following year, lawmakers convene for a short, 60-day session where they can amend their spending plans in whats called a supplemental budget. That budget makes corrections to the original two-year plan to account for things like school enrollment changes, rising or falling public assistance caseloads and updates in expected revenue.

Where does the money come from?

The short answer: you, the taxpayer. The long answer: a bunch of different places. In the operating budget, most money comes from revenue the state gets through taxes on sales, property, or businesses. Those funds make up whats called the General Fund, over which lawmakers have the most discretion.

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On top of that, the state gets funding from the federal government and other private sources that must be dedicated to specific uses. Those funds made up another $64.1 billion in this two-year cycle. This funding often doesnt get as much attention from lawmakers during the budget process because they have little say in where it goes.

In the capital budget, most of the funding comes from state bonds  borrowed money that the state uses to pay for bigger projects. Think of them like a mortgage or loan. Other sources of funding in this budget include revenues generated from the states trust lands, public works loans, and higher education accounts. There is also some federal funding.

The transportation budget is similar in how it uses bonds to pay for projects, but much of its funding comes from the state gas tax or the air pollution allowance auctions that take place under the Climate Commitment Act. Funding from the climate law is also dispersed throughout the other two budgets.

Where does the money go?

Thats the fun part!

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For any discretionary spending, lawmakers get to decide where to put it, and theyll likely spend the next few months fighting over where they think it should go.





In the operating budget, the majority of money goes toward K-12 schools. The second highest share is for human services  things like child care subsidies, long-term care providers, food assistance, mental health support and services for those with developmental disabilities. The next big bucket is for Washingtons four-year colleges and universities and two-year community and technical colleges. Then, theres the general government category, which includes funding for emergency management, tax collection, and housing and economic development programs.

The rest is split amongst a host of agencies and pays for everything else, like law enforcement officers, firefighters, legislative operations, other elected officials offices, administering unemployment insurance, and arts and historical preservation.

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In the capital budget, most funding is passed out through grants to local governments or organizations for their construction projects. Theres also funding for preservation of existing state and higher education buildings and dollars for new state-owned facilities.

The majority of the transportation budget goes to the Department of Transportation, which administers new projects on state highways, fixes roads and bridges, and runs the ferry system. That budget also includes money for the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Licensing.

What about balancing accounts and savings?

The state does have a savings account, known as reserves. After all is said and done, lawmakers try to keep some money in this account just in case. It comes in handy if the state doesnt end up collecting as much money as it originally planned or if theres an unpredictable event like a recession or a pandemic.

By law, the states budget must be balanced over the next four years. That means, lawmakers cant plan to spend more than what theyre expecting to get. The idea is to force lawmakers to look ahead and ensure that they wont come back in two years and face a giant budget hole

but didnt I hear there was a giant hole in the budget?

Yes, you did.

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Lawmakers revenue predictions versus the amount they are promising to spend under current law arent lining up. This has resulted in a gap of around $10 billion to $12 billion for the operating budget over the next four years. The transportation budget is also facing a shortfall.

You can read more about that problem here.
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  A weekend police pursuit ended in a Tennessee man being shot in the hand, according to the Gulf Shores Police Department.

Mobile police arrest 25 people on drug charges during Operation Cleaning up the Campgrounds

The GSPD told News 5 that Buddy Snell, 39, of Tennessee, is in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand following an incident that happened on Sunday, Dec. 15 when officers made contact with a man sleeping in his car at Cobb Theatres at Pelican Place Shopping Center.

INCIDENT LOCATION:

According to officials, police advised the man, identified as Snell, that he could not sleep in his vehicle before noticing he had a gun and ordering him out of the car. Snell allegedly did not obey officers and drove off.

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Police followed in a not-high-speed pursuit until Foley put out spike strips, causing him to stop on Highway 59. After stopping, officials said Snell took off running into a field and fired shots at police. Police said Snell then tripped and shot himself in the hand.

Mysterious lights and drones spotted over Lincoln, Alabama

GSPD officials said that Snell will be arrested for obstruction of justice, eluding, and possession of a controlled substance once he is released from the hospital. Additional charges are pending.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
A jury found a DeKalb County man guilty of following and killing a Gwinnett County father in a road rage shooting.

Don Wardlaw, 46, was shot and killed on Jan. 27, 2022 on his way to work. Police later arrested and charged Michael Charles Jackson, 61.

This month, Jackson chose to represent himself at his trial, where a jury found him guilty on multiple charges, including malice murder. A judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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It is unfortunate that the mere act of driving could lead to this murder, Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. We hope that Mr. Wardlaws family will begin to heal from this tragedy.

At the trial, detectives testified that Wardlaw was being tailed by Jacksons pickup truck on Rockbridge Road and at some point, he made a U-turn to try and escape from Jackson.

Police said that is when Jackson shot Wardlaw, who then crashed his car into a homes yard. Investigators determined that he died from the shooting, not the crash.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Wardlaw left behind two children who looked to him as a hero, according to his family.

Bryce wont have that ever again, and Sierra was her daddys girl, his sister-in-law Danielle McKinley told Channel 2 Action News in 2022.

This is not the first murder conviction for Jackson.

Channel 2 Action News previously reported that Jackson was convicted of second-degree murder in 1989 in North Carolina, which sources say was also related to road rage.

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LITCHFIELD, Conn. (WTNH)  Eithan Haley came to Litchfield Sunday morning to share how he escaped Hamas attack on an open-air festival in Israel on October 7th, 2023.

Haley, an Israel native, told his story to a crowd of people at the Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut.

Haley and his friends were at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an outdoor music festival in Israel, when they heard rockets exploding over their heads. They made it to a shelter that Haley says was targeted with grenades by Hamas.

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Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000

I turn around and hear grenade, grenade, grenade! Boom! Haley told the audience in Litchfield. I feel a powerful force lift me off my feet and throw me against the wall. I bashed my head on the concrete wall again. I passed out. I was out for three minutes.

Haley says he and his friends were eventually found and brought to a city hospital in Beer Sheva.

Of the 3,000 people who attended the festival, more than 300 people were killed and 40 were taken hostage.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Congressman Michael Waltz, whom future US President Donald Trump plans to appoint as his National Security Advisor, believes that providing multibillion-dollar military aid to Ukraine is a "bad strategy" to end the war. At the same time, he noted that Trump's team will strive to ensure that the war ends forever, not just suspended.

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In an interview with CBS News, the official noted that a "blank check" cannot be a strategy, but rather leads to an endless war. By "blank check" Americans usually mean unlimited funding.

"President Trump just said in his interview with Time magazine that a blank check is not a strategy. It's a kind of perpetual war that we seem to be getting into," he said.

Waltz noted that the team Trump is assembling is planning to focus not only on the format of a lasting peace but also on making sure that it corresponds to the interests of the United States.

"What does success look like that is in our interest? How do we end the war? Who is at the negotiating table? How do we get all the parties to the table, and what is the framework for an agreement? These are the things that we are thinking about with the fantastic team that he (Trump  Ed.) is assembling," the congressman said.

At the same time, Waltz expressed hope that they would be able to "restore stability" and end the war forever, "not just suspend it."

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A New Hampshire woman was arrested after a weekend pursuit that led to a 20-minute standoff with police on Interstate 89 in Concord, state police said Monday.

Desiree Charter, 38, of Nashua, was charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, driving after being deemed a habitual offender, possession of a controlled drug - subsequent, aggravated DUI, driving under the influence and disobeying an officer, state police said.

At 10:22 p.m. Sunday, troopers tried to stop the driver of a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, later identified as Charter, for lane control violations on Clinton Street in Concord.

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The troopers used emergency lights and sirens, but Charter increased speed and continued swerving in lanes while driving Concord and Hopkinton, state police said.

During the pursuit, Charter nearly hit another vehicle on I-89 northbound in Concord. State police said troopers were later able to successfully deflate the SUVs tires using a tire deflation device near Exit 4.

But Charter continued northbound on I-89 for about a mile before crashing into the right guardrail. She then refused commands from troopers, prompting a 20-minute standoff, state police said.

During the standoff, I-89 was closed in the area of mile marker 7.

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Eventually, Charter got out of the SUV and was taken into custody. She was taken by ambulance to Concord Hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries, state police said.

Troopers later learned that Concord Police had also tried to stop the same vehicle earlier in the evening, but Charter failed to stop for officers, who chose to end their pursuit.

Charter is scheduled to appear in Concord District Court on Jan. 10.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Hannah Kobayashi, who was "found safe" about a month after she walked into Mexico and vanished, crossed back into the United States over the weekend, PEOPLE can confirm.

Lt. Doug Oldfield, with the L.A. police's missing persons unit, tells PEOPLE on Monday, Dec. 16 that police "received notification that Hannah Kobayashi crossed yesterday  12/15/2024."

Oldfield said she spoke with Customs and Border Protection and "presented herself for entry into the U.S.," adding that she "appeared to be in good health" and "did not appear to be under any distress."

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"We are listing her as found," he adds. "Our case is closed."

Kobayashi's family also confirmed her return to the United States to ABC News. TMZ was first to report the news.



PEOPLE has reached out to Sara Azari, an attorney representing Kobayashi's sister and mother, for additional comment.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Kobayashi's family announced that she had been found.

"We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," her sister and mother, Sydni Kobayashi and Brandi Yee, said in a statement to PEOPLE through their attorney, Sara Azari. "This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through."

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"We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us," added Hannah's sister and mother.

At the time, Oldfield told PEOPLE that authorities were separately notified by Azari that Kobayashi had been found, but had no other information to share about the specifics about when, where or how she made contact with her family.



Related: Man Who Spent Hours with Hannah Kobayashi Before Her Disappearance Reveals What They Discussed: Police (Exclusive)

L.A. police previously told PEOPLE they spent weeks untangling Kobayashi's movements around the city between Nov. 8, when she arrived from Maui in Hawaii, and Nov. 11, when contact was lost.

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But on Monday, Dec. 2, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McConnell said that video footage from U.S. Customs and Border Protection clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico.

For unknown reasons, she decided not to board her pre scheduled flight to New York, the LAPD said in a statement. While she did check her bag through to New York, she requested her bag be sent back to her at LAX where we have surveillance footage of her retrieving it from the baggage carousel on November 11th.

She was alone, with her luggage and appeared unharmed, McDonnell added.

Based on their investigation, authorities said they believed Kobayashi knowingly departed LAX and went to Union Station. At the transit hub, she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket for a destination in the vicinity of the Mexican border.

Courtesy of Larie Pidgeon Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi

During the press conference, LAPD Lt. Douglas Oldfield added that authorities believed that Kobayashi wished to disconnect from the world was based examining the missing woman's previous social media posts.

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We then saw indications that there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would have the desire to disconnect from their phone, Oldfield said. We just know that she did not have her phone after she left LAX.

Courtesy of Larie Pidgeon A missing poster about Hannah Kobayashi A missing poster about Hannah Kobayashi

According to members of the LAPD's missing persons unit, who spoke at length with PEOPLE in the wake of the re-classification of Kobayashi's case, said a key discovery was learning the truth about reports that Kobayashi she was seen with an unknown person in Los Angeles.

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According to police, the two formed a quick bond after their paths crossed around 9 p.m. local time on Nov. 11 as she was leaving the airport  and they spent about nine hours together, walking L.A. and eventually ending up at Union Station, where they fell asleep.

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"We haven't spoken to her, but from what we gather is that she was looking to understand how to get to Union Station and that he was going to assisting getting her there," Detective Omar Franco, who heads the missing persons unit, told PEOPLE.



Related: A Timeline of Hannah Kobayashi's Disappearance in L.A. and Her Family's Continued Search in Mexico: Updates

For the amount of time they spent together, he pretty much was an ear to listen, Franco added. She just spoke and talked about her life in Maui, her personal life, her love life and so forth. And he just listened to her.

When the man, whom police are not identifying, woke up the next morning, Kobayashi was gone  and police say they've been "able to corroborate" that she gathered her luggage and "walk[ed] off on her own" before buying a bus ticket to the U.S.-Mexico border at 6:10 a.m. local time.



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Related: What Happened to Hannah Kobayashi? What We Know About the Hawaii Woman Declared a 'Voluntary Missing Person' After Crossing Mexico Border

Before announcing that Hannah had been found, her family members  who had been vocal in raising awareness about her case, and sharing their concerns about whether she was victimized in some way  said that they remained committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely."



Read the original article on People
PENNSYLVANIA (WHTM)  Earlier today, abc27 news confirmed that a one of two Hard Rock Cafe locations in Pennsylvania will be closing its doors early next year.

Hard Rock International just shared they will soon be permanently closing their Pittsburgh location at 230 West Station Square on February 13, 2025. The company says the closure will follow the expiration of its current lease in the Steel City.

According to a recently filed WARN Notice with the Department of Labor & Industry, 55 jobs will be affected by the upcoming closure.

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Hard Rock Internationals full statement reads:

Hard Rock has enjoyed serving the Pittsburgh community for nearly 23 years and playing a role in the citys celebrated dining culture. We are so grateful to our incredible team members and fans in the Steel City for their support and memories all this time. In February 2025, the lease for Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh, located on 230 W. Station Square will expire. The location will permanently close on February 13th as a result. We look forward to welcoming guests at any of our other 314 locations in 74 countries, including 5 new Hard Rock Cafe locations opening this month.

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According to Hard Rock Cafes website, their Pittsburgh restaurant first debuted back on June 24, 2002.

Their one-story building, which is situated right between the Grand Concourse Restaurant and the Sheraton Station Square Hotel, boasts indoor seating for 200 guests and an additional 70 seats on the outdoor patio.

Although their Pittsburgh location is closing for good, Hard Rock Cafe also has a restaurant location in the City of Brotherly Love on 1113 Market Street.

Prior to closing its doors, the hours of operation at Pittsburghs Hard Rock Cafe are:

Sundays  Thursdays // 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Fridays  Saturdays // 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.

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abc27 news will keep you updated 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 ABC27.
(WHTM)  The Harrisburg School District is looking for volunteers to serve on its School Police Advisory Committee.

While the district continues to discuss bringing a police force to its schools, they need the communitys help. Five to seven volunteers in the community would serve as advisors to help design the districts safety plan and develop a comprehensive strategy to keep students safe.

If you are interested, the school has released a questionnaire.

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Volunteers will need to participate in four to six meetings over the next few months.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  The New Haven Fire Department joined with the Marine Corps, VFW and American Medical Response to host a toy drive Saturday afternoon in New Haven.

The toy drive was located at the Dixwell Station on Goffe Street and it was a part of an annual effort to give back to the New Haven community.

Simsbury commercial building catches fire

We started with an idea  wed reach out to people in need in the city that may not get the same Christmas experience, so as first responders  you know, were always there when people call 911, and we wanted to create an event where they dont have to call 911 to hang out with firefighters and get a good Christmastime, said Lt. Daniel Del Prete of the NHFD.

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Santa Claus also made an appearance at Saturdays event, giving children the chance to chat with him before Christmas 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 WTNH.com.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Food insecurity is a growing issue in Hawaii, and the impact of rising food costs, natural disasters and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are deepening this crisis.

As Brandi Saragossa, the Operations Director for Maui Food Bank, explained, the need for food assistance on Maui and neighbor islands has increased dramatically over the last several years.

What was once a relatively stable number of people seeking help has now ballooned and has created a challenge for local organizations working to ensure food security for the most vulnerable.

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Yeah, the need has definitely grown not just since the fires, but also with the cost of living, Saragossa said. Agencies are telling us their numbers have doubled, which makes a lot of sense because prior to the fires we would do 250,000 pounds of food a month distributed. Now were closer to 800,000.

The increase in demand for food assistance has prompted Maui Food Bank, in particular, to ramp up its operations significantly.

Last fiscal year, we distributed 9.3 million pounds of food, up from 3 million the year before. Its gone through the roof, she said.

The struggle for food access is deeply intertwined with the high cost of living in Hawaii. The states food insecurity rate has been rising steadily with food insecurity in Hawaii climbing from 11.2% in 2018 to 16.8% by 2020. That is according to a study by the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaii.

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With a projected increase in the cost of living, many Hawaii residents are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic staples which is leading to a surge in demand for food banks.

The impact of food insecurity is felt most acutely by the islands families, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet despite having two working parents.

Were seeing families  full households, working-class families where mom and dad are both working, sometimes two jobs each  but theyre struggling, especially with the transition people moving from their transitional housing into housing, Saragossa said. Weve also seen people need things like household items, cleaning supplies, dish soap, laundry soapand weve been helping them through that as well because of the fire.

As Hawaiis food banks work to meet these rising needs, the scope of the problem has widened. Its no longer just about providing food for families; the need for household items and essentials has also grown.

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The need is still there, even now, after the fires, Saragossa added. It was a reported 60% growth in the needing of our services.

The shift toward greater food insecurity in Hawaii is part of a broader trend that has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While Hawaii has had relatively low infection rates compared to the mainland U.S., food insecurity has still increased significantly.

Between 2018 and 2020, food insecurity in Hawaii rose by 5.6%, with child food insecurity being particularly concerning. Hawaii ranked 6th in the U.S. for the highest projected rates of child food insecurity in 2020, said Saragossa. One in three children was estimated to live in a food-insecure household, just shy of 90,000 children.

While this trend is nationwide, the challenges are even more pronounced in Hawaii, where the cost of living is among the highest in the country and wages often dont keep pace with the rising expenses of daily life.

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According to USDA reports, Hawaii has one of the highest rates of poverty in the U.S.; and its a significant predictor of food insecurity. Saragossa echoes this sentiment as she noted that food banks in Hawaii are seeing an increase in people who are not only struggling with food but also with other basic necessities.

Its not just food anymore, she said. People are needing help with things like toiletries, cleaning supplies. These are the things that really add up for families who are already struggling.

The effects of the wildfires on Maui have only amplified the issue.

The fires definitely had a significant impact, especially last fiscal year, Saragossa said. We had to double up our staffing just to meet that need.

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As families rebuild their homes and lives, the demand for food assistance has surged.

The need is still double what it was before the fires, and thats where we are for the holiday season, she added. Its still not going down. Its continuing to go up.

While the demand is high, Hawaiis foodbanks are doing everything it can to keep up. Theyve expanded their services to reach underserved communities, including starting two mobile distributions to assist kupuna, (elderly residents) who cannot leave their homes to get food.

Our kupuna program has grown in the last 14 months, Saragossa explained. Weve decided to start mobile distributions to reach underserved communities where kupuna or even other families cant leave their homes to get food.

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The issue of food insecurity in Hawaii is not just a matter of lacking food. Its about addressing the systemic factors that contribute to hunger, such as high living costs, a lack of affordable housing and insufficient wages.

The alignment between organizations like the Maui Food Bank and the community is what makes a difference, Saragossa said. When youre connected with an organization that has a mission, it becomes more than just a job. Its about a purpose, an assignment for your life.

As Hawaiis food insecurity crisis deepens, local organizations like Maui Food Bank are at the forefront of providing essential services to those in need. But the road ahead will require more than just food; it will require systemic change to address the root causes of hunger and poverty in the state.

As the holidays approach, the need for food assistance remains critical.

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Were seeing a lot of people coming in who are struggling to make it through the holidays, Saragossa said. The need is there, and its not going away anytime soon.

She encourages anyone who can, to get involved, whether through donating or volunteering. So, this holiday season, consider giving your time to help those in need.

You can click here to learn more about the Maui Food Bank, including Lanai and Molokai.

You can click here to learn more about the Oahu Food Bank.

You can click here to learn more about the Kauai Food Bank.

You can click here to learn more about the Hawaii Island Food Bank.

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Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

It all starts with trying new things, Saragossa said. Thats why there are volunteer opportunities to make a difference in your 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 KHON2.
By Michael Erman and Julie Steenhuysen

(Reuters) - An expanding coalition of health and consumer advocates is campaigning against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to the top U.S. health job over concerns about his activism against vaccines and other health issues, according to the groups' representatives.

Obamacare advocate Protect Our Care, influential consumer group Public Citizen and Community Catalyst, which fights for equality in healthcare, are part of a coalition of at least 40 organizations targeting a group of Republican U.S. senators to help block Kennedy's confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

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The Committee to Protect Health Care, a grassroots physician organization, has also amassed nearly 16,000 signatures from physicians who oppose Kennedy's nomination.

The efforts come as Kennedy heads to Capitol Hill to win support following his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump including by meeting with incoming Senate health committee chairman Republican Bill Cassidy, a Cassidy staff member confirmed.

"Were going to work to block his nomination. And I think we will succeed," said Peter Maybarduk, access to medicines director of Public Citizen, a consumer group founded by Ralph Nader in 1971, which has worked for causes including drug safety and airbags in cars. "Even if RFK Jr. can't amass the power to take down vaccine funding, elevating his falsehoods to some kind of officialdom is a danger all its own."

Kennedy has long sown doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines that have helped curb disease and prevent deaths for decades. He disputes the anti-vaccine label and has said he would not prevent Americans from getting inoculations, but is a founder of the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense and in a 2023 interview with Lex Fridman said no vaccines are safe and effective.

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Kennedy has said he wants to work to end chronic disease, break any ties between employees at the U.S. drugs regulator and industry, and advise U.S. water systems to remove fluoride. Trump has said he will discuss the U.S. childhood vaccination program with Kennedy, and on Monday said all vaccines should be looked at.

Kennedy's spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. His advocates have said opposition to his nomination stems from corporate interests.

Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse said the group has hired lobbying and advocacy teams in more than six states to try to win over the Republican senators seen as possible "no" votes given their track records on health issues or because they are likely to face strong 2026 reelection challenges.

The groups are also raising money to buy ads and conduct polling on health issues, they said.

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Protect Our Care, which works to defend the Affordable Care Act, said it will likely hold media briefings with public health experts and politicians to call attention to Kennedy's policies as he meets with senators.

Others have opposed the nomination as well. Pfizer board member Scott Gottlieb, a former FDA commissioner under Trump, told CNBC last month Kennedy's agenda "will cost lives in this country." The Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board in a Dec. 4 column wrote that Kennedy could "disrupt access to life-saving medicines and the innovation ecosystem that creates them."

HHS has oversight for the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.

TARGETING SENATORS

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Confirmation of Kennedy and other cabinet nominees requires a majority vote in the Senate. Kennedy needs the backing of 50 out of the 53 Republican senators if all 47 Democrats vote against him. The advocates are targeting senators in states including Alaska, Idaho, North Carolina, Iowa, West Virginia and Maine.

American Values 2024, a Super PAC that supports Kennedy, has initiated a video campaign defending the nominee.

In a video it posted on social media platform X, Jay Carson, who used to work for President Bill Clinton and other Democrats but now supports Kennedy, argues that opposition to Kennedy stems from a smear campaign by pharmaceutical companies.

"They're determined to keep him out of Washington, D.C.," the Super PAC said on X.

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The top lobby group for drugmakers, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, declined to comment. In a Nov. 14 statement, the industry said it wants to work with the Trump administration.

Community Catalyst, which has raised millions since 1998 to support equal access to healthcare, said Kennedy's anti-vaccine rhetoric and position against fluoridated water pushed it to act.

Mona Shah, Community Catalyst's senior director of policy and strategy, said the group has worked for decades to improve dental care access in hard-to-reach communities that face racial discrimination where removing fluoride from drinking water could do the greatest harm.

"We really feel that some of these policies would hurt communities, really endanger children and families and truly make us sicker as a nation," Shah said.

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The Committee to Protect Health Care's petition describes Kennedy's appointment as a threat to patient safety and "an affront" to public health. The group accepts no pharmaceutical industry funding.

Dr. Rob Davidson, the group's executive director and an emergency room physician in Michigan, said Americans need to be aware of Kennedy's "very dangerous" positions on topics like vaccines, and COVID-19 being engineered to target certain racial populations.

"We want to make sure people understand he's not just a kooky guy who says weird things," Davidson said.

(Reporting by Michael Erman in New Jersey and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; Additional reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York and Ahmed Aboulenein in Washington; Editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot)
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The fallout around the Shelby County Jail continues as the company that provides medical care for the inmates announced they filed for bankruptcy in another state.

It is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding prison healthcare company Wellpath, on the heels of more deaths at 201 Poplar and complaints about inmate care. Some people are wondering if its another sign the Shelby County government needs to sever its ties with Wellpath.

Shelby County inmate found dead in jail: TBI

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A court filing shows that the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas last month. As part of the filing, alerts were sent to parties who have legal disputes with Wellpath.

Memphis attorney Duncan Ragsdale got one of the alerts because he filed a lawsuit regarding the medical care at the jail.

I received a notice [that] Wellpath filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and there was a stay of our proceedings, said Ragsdale.

Ragsdale represents the family of Christopher Allen Petties, who died in February 2023 after being booked into the Shelby County Jail. Petties had heart surgery and was having blood pressure problems before getting to jail.

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Mr. Petties didnt have to die, said Ragsdale. They booked him into the jail the next day. They took his blood pressure and it was extremely high. He was having a hypertensive crisis. They ignored it for several days.



Ragsdale says the doctor in charge noted Petties should have had blood pressure checks, which he claims never happened.

Reports detail whats been happening inside 201 Poplar

Ragsdale asserts in a lawsuit that He died of a cerebral bleed as a result of the hypertensive crisis that they didnt treat at the jail.

The patient clearly was in a hypertensive crisis. They didnt react to the hypertensive crisis, he said.



Ragsdale filed the suit against Shelby County, Wellpath, and the doctor in charge of his care  a suit that was underway until the notice stating that Wellpath filed bankruptcy.

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Theres an injunction by the bankruptcy court that prevents me from going forward with the case, said Ragsdale.



The news comes as Wellpath has been under fire after a number of deaths at the Shelby County Jail.

Nationally, Wellpaths own founder and former CEO pleaded guilty to federal charges involving paying bribes for a jail contract in Norfolk, Virginia. Yet Shelby County continued to award Wellpath contracts for the last 17 years, despite other companies making bids.

WREG investigators highlighted one such company, Mediko, last fall.

Healthcare provider raises concerns about mental health services in jail

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A selection committee chose it as the winning bid when the request for proposals went out. But the county nixed that choice and went back to Wellpath.

I was shocked. Why would the county not respect their own selection committee decision? said Dr. Kaveh Ofogh, owner of Mediko.

All these reports about the deficiencies of Wellpath and then companies applied to take their place and the county just ignores these reports. They ignore the negligence, Ragsdale said.



Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris office recommended the continuation of Wellpaths contract.

He says Wellpath is one of the largest companies providing inmate medical care in the country and works with large organizations. That makes them stand out.

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Jail repair cost reaches $15.5M; sheriffs office says no way to save crumbling building

Most often theyre the lowest, or among the lowest bidders who are able to actually do the inmate medical care, so I am not going to say we are not necessarily looking to change right now, but we will investigate the bankruptcy situation, and see if thats going to have an effect their ability to deliver the service, said Mayor Harris.

WREG reached out to Wellpath and again got no response to our request for an interview.

The Shelby County Commission gives final approval on the jail medical contract. We asked several commissioners for their thoughts on this latest bankruptcy. They said they wanted to get more information.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Loved ones are coming together to pay their respects to a member of law enforcement who was killed in the line of duty.

Sunday night, the community remembered Sgt. Rick Finley after he was killed in McNairy County this weekend.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said that while Finley was serving as a police officer with the Selmer Police Department, he responded to a suspicious person call when he was shot and killed by a suspect.

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A second responding officer then shot and killed the suspect.

Officer Rick Finley. (McNairy County Sheriffs Office)

In honor of Finley, a law enforcement motorcade escorted Finleys remains from Memphis to a funeral home in Selmer, Tennessee.

The somber scene comes after the TBI said that on Saturday afternoon, Finley was attacked and fatally shot by 39-year-old Daniel Holmes.

The Selmer Police Department said Finley was working part-time with their department and full-time with the McNairy County Sheriffs Office.

TBI: Selmer police officer, another person fatally shot in McNairy County

As the community mourns the loss, many remember him as a veteran, a husband, a father, and a friend.

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He is a super good kid, Craig Hamm said. He has a heart of gold.

Hamm, a senior self-defense trainer told WREG that hed known Finley since he was a teenager.

Hes been like a son to me since Ive met him, Hamm said. He and his best friend knocked on my door when he was 16 years old. He wanted me to give him martial arts classes. Hes been my student  matter of fact, hes my highest-ranked student as of today.

Hamm said what hell miss most about Finley is how close they became over the years.

Officer, suspect identified in fatal officer-involved shooting

I watched him grow up, Hamm said. We have always had a good relationship. We talked about everything. Hes family.

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In a statement regarding Finleys passing, SCSO Chief Deputy Anthony Bonner said the following:

On behalf of all the men and women of the Shelby County Sheriffs Office, I offer my prayers and deepest condolences to family and friends of Officer Rick Finley of the Selmer Police Department and the McNairy County Sheriffs Office.

TBI agents are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
In line with the preaching of the global far right, the government of Javier Milei is moving forward with the deregulation of access to firearms in Argentina. Last Monday, the president decreed a reduction in the minimum age for being a user: without any debate or the participation of Congress, Milei decided to lower the requirement from 21 to 18 years of age. At a time when high-ranking officials are seen on social media doing shooting practice or photographed with pistols and rifles, the executive is also promoting a law to promote and facilitate gun possession, among other measures that relax current controls. The Argentine Network for Disarmament has warned that the governments rhetoric and decisions propose violence as a solution to conflicts and generate greater risks for people.

In Argentina, with a population of 46 million, there are just over a million registered gun users with 1.7 million authorized weapons. Security experts estimate, however, that there could be twice as many unregistered weapons.

The governments main argument for lowering the minimum age for access to firearms is that, since 2009, the age of majority in Argentina is 18 and no longer 21. From now on, those over 18 can be legitimate users of weapons, said Mileis Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, upon learning of the presidential decree. At 16 years old, they have the right to vote. At 18, they can go to war, form a family or be members of a security force. And, although it may seem incredible, at any age they can choose a sex change that will mark them for life. So, why shouldnt 18-year-olds be legitimate users or bearers of a weapon? said Bullrich, who, on the other hand, is pushing to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 13 years old.

Security forces use rubber bullets against demonstrators during a protest against Milei in June. picture alliance (dpa/picture alliance via Getty I)

Although the measure is in line with the change in the age of majority, it is also a very dangerous symbolic message, says Maria Pia Devoto, coordinator of the Human Security Network in Latin America and the Caribbean and director of the Association for Public Policy Analysis. At a time when public discourse on social media and in the media is tense, dominated by aggression and disdain for those who think differently, this measure may give many people the power to exercise violence, she adds. On the other hand, it is a decision that contradicts statistics, which show that the people who die the most from firearms are very young men.

Julian Alfie, a member of the Argentine Network for Disarmament, points out that age restrictions for using weapons should not be linked to whether or not one is of legal age, but to risk prevention. It is no coincidence that in countries like Brazil, the minimum age to access a firearm is 25 years old. Or that in some states in the United States it has been raised to 21 years old, he explains. The decision to extend access to young people aged 18, 19 and 20 does not take into account specific issues of this age group, such as the greater risk of suicide and accidents or impulsive decision-making. Devoto agrees: At 18, young people are still teenagers and have a very high degree of vulnerability.

Towards deregulation of the legal market

Mileis decree was not an isolated measure. When he was still a national lawmaker, he himself made explicit his position in favor of the free bearing of weapons. Although during last years election campaign he tried to conceal it, the platform of La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances), his party, proposed the deregulation of the legal market of firearms, in the same path taken by other far right politicians, such as Donald Trump in the United States or Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil. His vice president, Victoria Villarruel, has publicized that she is a legitimate user of weapons and has demanded the right of good citizens to defend themselves against crimes. Last month, Villarruel visited the main private arms factory in Argentina, Bersa, and was photographed holding a rifle. Before their falling out, Milei and Villarruel appeared together aboard a war tank during a military parade.

Victoria Villaruel at the Bersa small arms factory on November 9. @VickyVillarruel

The display of firearms is common among members of the government, lawmakers and activists. Mileis main advisor, Santiago Caputo, was seen on social media taking shooting classes. The fondness for weapons of the Secretary of Religion, Nahuel Sotelo, is also public, as is, among others, the libertarian leader Daniel Parisini, who a few weeks ago launched the group Las Fuerzas del Cielo (The Forces of the Sky) and defined it as the praetorian guard of President Javier Milei.

Along with the removal of some controls on applications for new gun licenses and renewals, the governments main initiative in this area has so far been a bill to promote and facilitate legal and legitimate access to firearms ownership, the Ministry of Security said.

The proposal, which has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is awaiting consideration by the Senate, includes two objectives. On the one hand, it extends a plan for the voluntary surrender of weapons for destruction, in force in the country since 2007 and suspended since last December. On the other hand, it seeks to indiscriminately regularize weapons for civilian use that were not registered or whose registration has expired. Prosecutor Gabriel Gonzalez Da Silva, in charge of the Specialized Unit for the Investigation of Illicit Crimes Related to Firearms, warned that the project implied a kind of money laundering and technically a criminal amnesty for any person who tries to launder firearms in Argentina.

The governments decisions are worrying because they are made in a context of flexible access to firearms, concludes Alfie, director of the Institute of Comparative Studies in Criminal and Social Sciences. Argentina has had a restrictive policy on access to weapons; our society has always understood that the greater circulation of weapons increases the levels of violence and the risk that any conflict will end in death or serious injury. Today we see a government that promotes access to weapons, when the role of the state should be to communicate and raise awareness about its risks. What they are promoting is a more violent society.

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A group of hikers who fell down an icy mountain slope in Nevada have been rescued, authorities said.

The group was "coming down the trail when one slipped in the extremely icy conditions," Friends of Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue shared in a post on Facebook on Thursday, Dec. 13.

"The first victim slid into the second, causing both to slide down the steep...side of the mountain," they added.

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According to the organization, the first victim fell about 100 feet before colliding with a tree, which caused "severe leg injuries."

Meanwhile, the second victim slid another 100 feet or so before coming to rest on a ledge. That individual did not suffer any injuries, they added, going on to note that the third hiker in the group was the one to call 911.



Friends of Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue/Facebook Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue team on the Dec. 12 recovery mission Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue team on the Dec. 12 recovery mission

Related: Barking Dog Leads Rescuers to Hiker Stranded 170 Feet Below Remote Trail in Hawaii

Although a search and rescue team was able to get one officer to the first victim, "extremely gusty" conditions foiled attempts to bring additional officers to the area by the same method. Fortunately a group was able to hike to the scene, where they planned to rescue the second hiker via "a rope rescue and carry out," the group said.

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But as the hiking team got to the scene of the accident, weather conditions improved and the helicopter was able to return, according to authorities. The second injured hiker was then hoisted from the area.

The hiking SAR team and third hiker, who was unhurt, all returned down the mountain without incident.

Related: Hiker, 74, Rescued by Coast Guard Helicopter After Falling from Oregon Bridge: Video

Just three days later, the Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue team conducted a similar rescue operation on the South Loop trail, in which a hiker slipped and injured their lower leg, the department wrote in an Instagram post.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Sunday, Dec. 15 rescue was the fourth such operation in recent weeks, according to police. Almost all of those accidents involved improper or lack of equipment for the wintery weather conditions.

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The SAR team is working with the U.S. Forest Service to make sure that necessary signs are posted to warn hikers of the conditions, authorities said.

Police added, "Please plan for these conditions if you are going to recreate in the area it is not safe to hike without crampons or micro spikes on these [icy] trails."



Read the original article on People
A 29-year-old Canadian national was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 10.2kg of methamphetamine into New Zealand.

The illegal substance was wrapped in red, festive-themed paper and disguised as Christmas gifts inside the womans carry-on duffle bag, New Zealand Customs Services alleged in a press release.

Ho ho NO, the service wrote on social media about the alleged bust.

The woman reportedly arrived at Auckland International Airport from Vancouver last week. Nonstop flights between the cities take around 14 hours.

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Paul Williams, the airports customs manager, described it as a classic attempt by transnational organised criminal groups of trying to exploit the busy travel season.

Williams added, But a busy airport does not mean Customs is not focussed on or paying attention to anyone who may pose a drug risk.

The womans identity has not been released. She was charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.

Ho ho NO. A Canadian national is facing drug charges after Customs officers at Auckland Airport discovered approximately 10.2 kilograms of methamphetamine in her carry-on luggage, disguised as Christmas gifts.



Read more: https://t.co/Qk0Y7Z12P5pic.twitter.com/agabaiLOyg  New Zealand Customs Service (@NZ_Customs) December 10, 2024

On Monday, meanwhile, New Zealand Customs Service said it had seized 28.5kg of the same drug at the same airport in two abandoned duffle bags near the baggage carousels.

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The meth had been wrapped in four layers of black film, clear plastic wrapping, tea bag branded packaging, and clear plastic wrapping, per a statement. Investigations are ongoing, so we are not ruling out any arrests.

Last year, authorities in Canada, Australia and New Zealand busted a drug syndicate that tried to smuggle tons of meth under the cover of maple syrup and canola oil shipments.

The use of meth and cocaine has recently skyrocketed in New Zealand, the New Zealand Herald newspaper recently reported.

Customs has seized an estimated 28.5 kgs methamphetamine after it was found in two abandoned bags at Auckland International Airport over the weekend. Despite the large volume of travellers, our teams are always on high alert for suspicious behaviour  https://t.co/m8dkfaxFoppic.twitter.com/PHO1tlCHxo  New Zealand Customs Service (@NZ_Customs) December 16, 2024

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HILL COUNTY / LAREDO, Texas (FOX 44)  A theft of over 34,000 avocados has been prevented in Hill County.

The Hill County Sheriffs Office says deputies were made aware of a cargo theft reported to the Laredo Police Department on Thursday. Information indicated the 18-wheeler might be northbound on Interstate 35. A description and license plate was made known to Hill County deputies.

One deputy found the vehicle on northbound I-35 and initiated a traffic stop. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper also assisted in backing up the deputy. The stolen cargo turned out to be over 34,000 avocados.

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The Sheriffs Office contacted Laredo PD and briefed them on the situation. Laredo Police requested to release the driver, but to seize the stolen goods. The refrigerated trailer was towed to a secure location. The avocados were transferred into a refrigerated trailer owned by the victim company.

The Hill County Sheriffs Office went on to say:

Holy Guacamole! That was some good police work by Deputy Hardy! Hill County Sheriffs 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 KWKT - FOX 44.
HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM)  The Horseheads Police Department is warning residents about a new phone scam that is circulating in the area.

Authorities say the new scam involves a caller posing as a representative of a government agency to request money for assistance in investigating illegally opened bank accounts throughout the country for money laundering and child pornography.

How to apply for HEAP

During the call, police say that the caller claims that their agency will set up an escrow account to track the donations of the victim. If the victim states that they suspect the call is a scam, the caller states that a local law enforcement agency will call them back to verify the call and then hangs up.

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Following the initial call, the victim will then receive a call using a fake phone number that shows up as the Horseheads Police Department. The scam caller then identifies themselves as one of the police departments sergeants and verifies the previous call requesting money.

Public hearing for new law aimed at closing unlicensed cannabis shops in Elmira

Residents should be aware that these calls are a scam and that the Horseheads Police Department does not make calls verifying another callers identity or requesting residents to withdraw money for a government agency.

Anyone who receives these calls is encouraged to end the call immediately and contact 911 to report the incident.

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States receiving federal funding for foster care and adoption assistance programs would be required to prohibit certain surgeries for foster children born with intersex traits under legislation introduced Monday by Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas).

Garcias Protect Intersex Children Act would bar physicians from performing genital surgeries on a foster child younger than 6 years old born with intersex traits, or natural variations in sex characteristics that differ from what is typically considered male or female. The bill carves out an exception for procedures that address an immediate risk to life.

In a statement, Garcia called the measure a crucial first step toward empowering intersex children and supporting an often-overlooked community.

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Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, loved, and valued for who they arenot subjected to unnecessary medical procedures that take away their autonomy and identity, she said. This is about protecting children from harm and ensuring they have the chance to make decisions about their own bodies when theyre ready.

Most advocacy groups estimate that up to 1.7 percent of people are born intersex, although the actual number is difficult to pin down. Hospitals arent required to track how many infants are born with intersex characteristics, and there has never been a nationwide survey on intersex people done by the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Institutes of Health or another government agency that collects demographic information, The Associated Press reported last year.

Roughly 1 in 2,000 infants born with intersex traits demonstrate enough physical difference for doctors to recommend surgery, according to Human Rights Watch, an international research and advocacy group.

Gender normalizing surgery, often recommended to make the body appear more in line with social expectations rather than because such intervention is medically necessary, can have lifelong consequences, including gender dysphoria, chronic pain, sexual dysfunction and infertility.

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No federal law regulates genital surgeries for intersex youth, and state-led efforts to ban them have been largely unsuccessful. Medical associations and advocacy groups are increasingly asking policymakers to ban such procedures on intersex infants until they can provide informed consent.

Three former U.S. Surgeon Generals who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations called for a moratorium on genital surgery for intersex youth, barring a medical necessity, in 2017. In 2020, Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago apologized for performing cosmetic surgeries on intersex infants. The following year, New York City Health & Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the United States, said it would delay medically unnecessary surgery on intersex children until they are of an age to assent/consent.

In April, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a first-of-its-kind resolution supporting the rights of intersex people, including an expression of grave concern over interventions performed without full, free and informed consent.

Children with intersex variations have never had sufficient legal protection against violations of bodily autonomy, said Sylvan Fraser Anthony, legal and policy director at interACT, an organization that advocates for children born with intersex traits.

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Intersex youth are arguably at greater risk than ever, they said, because state laws that ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors encourage unnecessary and harmful surgeries on intersex infants and young children through the same legislative instruments.

Federal action is needed to preserve bodily self-determination against these deplorable abuses of state power, Anthony said.

Garcias bill is endorsed by the Congressional Equality Caucus, Advocates for Trans Equality, the Houston Intersex Society and the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. There are 21 Democratic co-sponsors.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Rep. Cecil Brockman (Photo: ncleg.net)

A North Carolina lawmaker issued a sharp rebuke to his own party leadership Monday, accusing Democrats of attacking him after being absent from a vote last week.

Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford) was an excused absence during a vote on Senate Bill 382  a wide-ranging bill shifting executive power within state government, which Republicans successfully made law with a veto override.

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In a statement, Brockman accused party leadership of sending angry mobs after him, attacking him and spreading lies within my community.

I genuinely question the strategy of the Democratic establishment who prefer to scapegoat a member of their own party to shift the heat off themselves for an outcome they failed to change, Brockman said.

He and Rep. Joe John (D-Wake) were excused absences from the override vote  which ended up being moot, after GOP leaders flipped three Republicans who had previously voted against the bill. All present Democrats voted against the override.

Brockman issued a stark warning to the party ahead of next years legislative session, in which Democrats are projected to have a precarious one-seat margin against Republican veto overrides.

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For those in our party who desire to keep my name in their mouths, let me make it plain and clear for you: Over these next two years, you need me, Brockman said. I do not need you.

It is not easy to forgive or forget the vile, disgusting lies you all have peddled, he continued. Watch your mouth when talking about me, and remember your neighbors are watching and listening, especially those in the African-American community.

Rep. Brockmans statement on last weeks veto override: pic.twitter.com/EJUB6ZCTC1  Cecil Brockman (@CecilBrockman) December 16, 2024

The five-term lawmaker has drawn criticism from Democrats before for being absent on key override votes. Similar pushback was cited by Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg) before she left the party for the GOP in 2023, cementing a veto-proof Republican supermajority.

Brockman faced a primary challenger in James Adams earlier this year, narrowly winning by 85 votes before earning more than 60% of the vote in the general election.

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Brockman did not say in his Monday statement whether he was considering leaving the party. The solid-blue makeup of his district  as well as no redistricting on the horizon  would likely make a party switch more politically risky.

In 2023, shortly after Cotham left the party, Brockman said he was a lifelong Democrat, and I want to see Democrats win.

The office of Democratic Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham) declined to comment. A spokesperson for the North Carolina Democratic Party did not respond to a request for comment.

Regardless of party affiliation, Brockman will be a key vote in the coming session  with another Democratic governor entering office and Republicans maintaining control of both chambers in the General Assembly.
Damascus  A CBS News team drove through a Syrian military airbase on the outskirts of capital city Damascus Monday, and the devastation caused by Israeli air strikes was abundantly clear. Israel has said it's determined to destroy weapons and other military hardware that ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad and his father spent half of a century accumulating, before it can fall into the hands of extremists.

The Israeli military has pounded Syrian military infrastructure relentlessly since Assad fled to Russia earlier this month  forced out by a shock rebel offensive after a decade of civil war that had, until about two weeks ago, largely ground to an apparent stalemate.

Syrians search for loved ones who vanished under Assad regime

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The damage inflicted on Assad's old war machine has been staggering. One strike overnight in the coastal city of Tartus, for instance, was so massive that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group quoted a scientist in Turkey as saying it had registered on the Richter scale as the equivalent of a category-3 earthquake.

Until Moscow's ally Assad fled from Syria, Russia maintained its only major naval base outside of Russian territory in Tartus. Satellite imagery (below) showed most of the Russian ships disappearing from the Tartus port quickly after Assad fell, but the Russian Ministry of Defense said Monday that it was still figuring out what to do about its military hardware and personnel in the country, in talks with the country's new de-facto rebel rulers.

photo-slider visualization

Israel's military, meanwhile, says it has laid waste to most of Assad's heavy weapons and air defenses. In a statement on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said that in recent days its fighter jets had "inflicted severe damage on Syria's most strategic weapons: fighter jets and helicopters, Scud missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, surface-to-sea precision-guided missiles, surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, radars, rockets, and more."

The IDF said its strikes had destroyed "over 90% of the identified strategic surface-to-air missiles" of the ousted regime.

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The lightning takeover of Syria one week ago by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham, or HTS, has also seen Israeli forces carry out a land incursion that stretches past the occupied Golan Heights region into a previously demilitarized buffer zone inside Syria.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of HTS and Syria's new de-facto leader, has criticized what he described as Israel's "uncalculated military adventures," and said he and his group  which, before publicly distancing itself from extremist ideology was an al-Qaeda affiliate  was more interested in state-building than opening another conflict with Israel.

Syrian Air Force helicopters at the Mezzeh Military Airport near the capital are left destroyed by some of the more than 500 Israeli strikes against military targets across Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, Dec. 15, 2024 north of Damascus, Syria. / Credit: Scott Peterson/Getty

The targeting of Syria's military sites has also revealed deep neglect by Assad. Years of corruption and a decade of civil war had hollowed out the nation's armed forces, contributing to his regime's collapse. Much of the hardware left behind by his forces when they surrendered to the rebels or simply shed their uniforms and ran away is old and clearly lacking maintenance.

Assad's office issued the first statement attributed to the deposed leader since he was forced to flee from his country, meanwhile. In it, he claims he never considered resigning nor fleeing, but that he took shelter in the Russian-run air base at Hmeimim as the rebels closed in, and when that facility came under a sustained drone attack, he says an evacuation was ordered on Dec. 8, the day after the HTS rebels took the capital Damascus.

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He said he eventually left for Russia as there was nothing else he could do in Syria, lamenting the country's fall "into the hands of terrorism."

The statement was posted to the Syrian Presidency's official channel on the Telegram messaging app, with a note saying it had been posted after several unsuccessful attempts to release it through Arabic and international media outlets. The statement was deleted relatively quickly from the Telegram channel, however, without any explanation, before reappearing there and on the presidency's Facebook page.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, is welcomed by supporters before addressing a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque, Dec. 8, 2024. Sharaa was previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. / Credit: ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP/Getty

While the wider international community is still trying to figure out how to deal with HTS, which has said it will respect Syrians all of religions and appears determined to be viewed as a secular interim administration  though it has not said what will come next for the country after a three-month transitional period  Israel and the U.S. have remained focused largely on securing Assad's stockpiled weapons.

For Israel, that has meant the most ferocious airstrikes carried out in Syria in years, and they continued on Monday, just over a week after Assad's sudden departure.

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Whoever does end up in control of Syria will inherit a military infrastructure largely in tatters. Judging by the IDF's statement on Monday, claiming its strikes amounted to "a significant achievement for the Israeli Air Force's superiority in the region," that could be exactly as intended.

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The official death toll from Cyclone Chido stood at 22 on Tuesday in the French territory of Mayotte, but authorities fear hundreds, even thousands of people have died.

More than 1,400 people have been left injured in the wake of the devastating storm, the most intense to hit the archipelago in nearly a century.

An overnight curfew is starting on Tuesday night, requiring people to stay in their homes between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Authorities say its to ensure safety and prevent looting of damaged buildings.

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Entire neighborhoods were leveled by the storm and on Monday survivors were in a state of shock as they started to survey the destruction. Chido hit the densely populated archipelago of around 300,000 people on Saturday.

The French military said it is sending four to five planes a day with up to 50 tons of assistance, including food, water and medicine. Hundreds of military personnel have arrived in Mayotte since the weekend.

(MORE: South Pacific Chaos After Massive, Deadly Earthquake)

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Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, the mayor of the capital, Mamoudzou told RFI radio, The priority today is water and food, adding that "there are people who have unfortunately died where the bodies are starting to decompose that can create a sanitary problem.

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Speaking on France Inter radio Tuesday morning, Mayotte lawmaker Estelle Youssouffa described the challenges in accounting for victims, especially among undocumented migrants.

The real toll of those swept away by the mud, winds and tin from shanty towns will never be known, Youssouffa said. This population, by definition undocumented migrants, are the main victims of this tragedy because they feared going to shelters.

Youssouffa shared a harrowing account from an imam she spoke to on Monday, who reported burying more than 30 people in a single day in La Vigie, a makeshift settlement.

I dont even know if these figures are included in the official count, Youssouffa said.

Soumaila, Mamoudzous mayor, said he planned to visit areas hit hardest by the cyclone on Tuesday, where survivors are still reeling from the destruction. Nearly 70% of Mayottes population has been gravely affected, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.

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Aid efforts continue, with French military aircraft delivering water and food daily. However, power outages and communication disruptions persist, leaving many without basic necessities. The islands main hospital remains severely damaged, and a field hospital is expected to arrive Thursday.

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to visit Mayotte soon and to declare a national mourning period. Meanwhile, an initial $687,000 was released by a government decree to finance urgent needs on the island.

(MORE: Thailand Temple Collapses After Days Of Heavy Rain)

Chaos is how resident Fahar Abdoulhamidi described the aftermath. The French Red Cross described the devastation as unimaginable .

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Many people ignored the warnings issued 12 to 24 hours before the storm hit, underestimating its power.

Nobody believed it would be that big, Abdoulhamidi, 46, told The Associated Press by phone. Those who live in bangas stayed in despite the cyclone, fearing their homes would be looted, he said, referring to the islands precarious informal settlements.

Teams used military-style vehicles to clear trees from roads so rescuers and supplies could reach those in need. The damage has left some areas inaccessible, hampering authorities ability to assess the damage and get basic necessities to survivors.

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Mayotte is Frances poorest department and is regarded as the poorest territory in the European Union, but it is a target for economic migration from even poorer countries like nearby Comoros and even Somalia because of a better standard of living and the French welfare system.

Chido ripped through the southwestern Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday, also affecting the nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar. Mayotte was directly in the cyclones path, though, and took the brunt. Chido brought winds in excess of 136 mph, according to the French weather service, making it a category 4 cyclone, the second strongest on the scale.

Having pummeled Mayotte, the cyclone continued west and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday. Local media in Mozambique reported that three people died in the countrys north, but that was also a very early count. Aid agencies have warned that more than 2 million people could be affected in the country.

December through to March is cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean and southern Africa has been pummeled by a series of strong ones in recent years. Cyclone Idai in 2019 killed more than 1,300 people, mostly in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Cyclone Freddy left more than 1,000 dead across several countries in the Indian Ocean and southern Africa last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The central street of Bosra, a desolate cemetery of concrete skeletons, separates the eastern districts of Daraa, a stronghold of the Syrian opposition, from the commercial and administrative centre controlled by regime forces until a week ago. Close to the Jordanian border, the capital of southern Syria and birthplace of the revolution against Bashar al-Assad in 2011 remained in the hands of insurgent militias for seven years, and even briefly took up arms in 2021. Destruction, abandonment, and misery are the price it has paid for its rebellion.

We have to make the new Syria work, otherwise no one will believe in it, says Ahmed Muammir, a 56-year-old municipal engineer, walking briskly through the ruined landscape of Bosra (the name of the street and the neighborhood) on his way to work early last Thursday. Like millions of Syrians, he does not own a car or cannot afford gasoline (at around $2.60 per liter) on a meager monthly salary of a few dozen dollars. Water still comes out of the tap, but electricity is only on for one hour in every six, he laments. He has rebuilt his house in the eastern part of Daraa, where about half of the citys 100,000 inhabitants lived before the civil war. Eighty per cent of the residents of the rebel-held neighborhoods are still refugees in northern Jordan or Turkey at the end of a conflict that has displaced half of Syrias 22 million people from their homes.

Not far from the ghost town of Bosra, the Southern Operations Command, created on December 6 to unite all opposition forces for the first time, acts from Daraa as the de facto interim government in the southern part of the country, in coordination with the new provisional authorities in Damascus. At the head of this united management of the various opposition groups are army officers who deserted the regime and went over to the Free Syrian Army (FSA), such as Colonel Abu Montner al-Dohri. We are firmly committed to holding the first free municipal elections in March of next year, and to continuing with the legislative and presidential elections, says this 62-year-old military officer and opposition leader, who participated in the failed negotiations in 2017 with the Assad government, sponsored by the UN in Geneva, in search of a political solution to the conflict.

The Southern Operations Command is not going to carry out a purge of officers and senior officials, like the one that took place in Iraq in 2003 after the fall of Saddam Hussein. We are not going to make the same mistake. Only 162 generals and regime officials accused of war crimes will have to answer to justice, he warns. At this moment, our main task is to guarantee public security and public services, he explains in his residence in Daraa, escorted by some of the FSA militiamen with whom he triumphantly entered Damascus last weekend in a pincer movement with the forces of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which were advancing from the north.

Colonel Abu Montner al-Dohri of the Free Syrian Army, a senior official of the provisional government of southern Syria, at his residence in Daraa last Thursday. Alvaro Garcia

Colonel Al-Dhori is a member of the so-called Centrality Committee, which brings together the majority of the pro-democracy opposition and also coordinates armed groups as diverse as the Druze battalions (a religious minority in the Middle East) of Suwaida, or the Islamist Eighth Division of Quneitra, operating on the southeastern border with the Syrian Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967. Under his command, the factions of the new Syria remain cohesive in the south, even though some of their members maintain ties with countries that have been at odds with each other during the Syrian conflict. Unity seems to prevail in Daraa, for now.

Beyond the imaginary border of Bosra Street, the Al Balad district remains the founding epicenter of the Syrian Arab Spring. The arrest and brutal torture of a group of teenagers, whose fingernails were torn off by the mukhabarat political police for having painted anti-Assad slogans on a wall, was the trigger for massive protests unleashed from the historic Omari mosque. Dressed in his best traditional tunic, 66-year-old merchant Mahmud Almarsi has just returned for the first time from Irbid, in northern Jordan, after five years of exile. We dont know when we will be able to return to Daraa, our house is in ruins, he mutters before midday prayers in the 12th-century Islamic temple, crowned by an original roofed minaret.

The end of the prayer service at the Omari mosque coincides with the end of the school day. Boys and girls in the third grade of elementary school have painted their faces with the green, white, and black flag with three stars, raised by the opposition to the Assad regime. Between shouts and smiles, they gather around the EL PAIS photographer, like protagonists of the new Syria, which they embody better than anyone else. They all rush towards the camera lens in jubilation. Except for one, who distances himself from his classmates. Mohamed Ammet is eight years old, like almost all of them, but last year he lost a hand and suffered facial injuries when a mine planted by the regular army in Al Balad exploded while he was playing.

Eight-year-old Mohamed Ammet, who lost a hand and suffered facial injuries when a mine exploded in Daraa, pictured last Thursday. Alvaro Garcia

The children of Yalal Ayden, a 50-year-old gas fitter, no longer play in the street: they herd their fathers goats in the ditches of Al Balad. Ayden has to feed the 12 children he has had with his two wives, the youngest of whom is just two years old. Milk and cheese are good for a large family, and I also sell some animals for meat, he says. We will get through this. In the new Syria we need peace and security, but also democracy and honesty in the economy, he adds, listing wishes shared by many of his compatriots. Above all, we do not need more hatred, more division, he concludes, surrounded by his youngest children and part of his flock. We are afraid that our hopes will be dashed.

The razed houses, the machine-gunned facades, the public buildings riddled by artillery that line Bosra Street and the Al Balad district form a mausoleum of horror of nearly 14 years of war. The conflict has claimed half a million lives and uprooted more than half of the Syrian population (a quarter of whom are in the diaspora abroad).

When Colonel Al-Dohri, head of the Southern Operations Command, is asked how Syrians are going to rebuild a country in ruins, his answer is blunt: Without massive international aid, we will never be able to.

With the rigor of a Greek pope, the 53-year-old Orthodox priest Georges Tesjosh speaks in a gentle manner in the Church of the Annunciation in Daraa. I dont keep the door locked, the Muslims have never violated this sacred place, says the priest of the Antiochian rite, educated at the seminary in Damascus and originally from Daraa. No one here distinguishes his neighbor based on religion; we Christians arrived in Syria long before the Muslims and we will never leave. We are respected because we are part of this country, he says with conviction, before acknowledging that the jihadist threat has taken its toll on his religious community, which has seen its population drop from 10% before the conflict to less than half of that now: There are about 240 Christians left in Daraa, including Orthodox, Catholics, and Anglicans.

The temple is empty during the working day, but in the tailoring workshop opposite the atrium, customers are queuing up. I need 100 new flags for my shop in the center, says one of them, who purchases them for 200,000 Syrian pounds ($1.60) apiece. I barely earned enough to live on as a local tailor, but I havent stopped working for a week, says an exhausted 26-year-old Nayib Bashir, while his customers watch in amazement as he fits the pieces of the flag of the new Syria and the freshly sewn deliveries together on the sewing machine.

A gasoline stand in Daraa. Alvaro Garcia

A giant flag, like the ones Bashir makes, hangs across the facade of the provincial government headquarters. It is guarded by groups of young men dressed in sportswear and casual clothes. They would look like doormen at a nightclub if it werent for their belts full of magazines and the short-butted Kalashnikovs slung across their chests.

Im 30 years old, tired, and I have two children, and I want to put down my rifle and go back to university, muses one of the young men guarding the provincial government, wearing the beret of the FSA militia. Suleiman Estrejan had to abandon his sociology studies more than a decade ago because of the war. The conflict is coming to an end; it is up to each of us to build the new Syria, he sums up, before sharing the deep desire that has accompanied him through years of fighting: There would be nothing better for me than to return to the classroom and say goodbye to weapons.

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In an interview with CBS News on Dec. 15, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova said that "hundreds" of North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian troops in Kursk Oblast.

"We have seen hundreds of (North Korean soliders) on the battlefield already, and (Ukraine is) successfully fighting them as we are fighting with the Russians," Markarova told CBS News. "We see them now in Kursk Oblast only, and our brave defenders were not only able to kill a lot of them, but also keep the positions."

Markarova's statement come immediately after comments made by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 14 that a "significant number" of North Korean soldiers have begun fighting alongside Russian forces in assault operations in Kursk Oblast.

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"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.

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.

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.

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.

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During her interview with CBS News, Markarova called on more military aid as Pyongyang's and Moscow's relationship continues to strengthen. Moscow has continued to train thousands of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield with modern weaponry and equipment, while providing live combat experience.

"Ukrainians are still capable of defending our own country. We're asking for the military support," Markarova said. "It's still a question of artillery and weapons and air defense, most importantly, and the more we can have, the more efficiently we can defend."

When asked whether the idea of a Christmas truce on the battlefield was possible, Markarova responded that "if Russia wants to seriously stop (the war), they can stop it anytime."

Moscow's losses on the battlefield continue to mount, with reported daily losses of well over a thousand troops in recent months.

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Read also: Ukraine war latest: North Korean troops joining Russian assaults in Kursk, Zelensky says





















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Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has criticised his EU counterparts for their lack of support for Viktor Orban's Christmas truce proposal at a foreign ministers' meeting on 16 December.

Source: European Pravda, citing Telex, a Hungarian news portal

Details: Szijjarto argued that the EU is ignoring the situation on the battlefield, where Russian forces have accelerated their offensive, because it is continuing to back its "current strategy" (though he did not specify which strategy he meant).

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"They dont even care that Christmas is approaching," the Hungarian minister added, noting that no one at the meeting, including Ukraine's foreign minister, supported the idea of a Christmas truce.

According to Szijjarto, some ministers backed the idea of a ceasefire in general, but others "explicitly opposed it". Only Slovakias foreign minister supported a diplomatic resolution to the war, Szijjarto claimed.

He explained the logic behind the proposed ceasefire like this: "If there are no combat operations, then there is no Russian offensive."

Background:

On 11 December, Viktor Orban claimed that he had suggested a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, but that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had rejected the proposal.

Later, Peter Szijjarto effectively confirmed that this was false, as Orban had not spoken with Zelenskyy and could not have known his response to Hungary's suggestion.

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he rooftop of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, where dozens of patients, staffers, and first responders were rescued by helicopter after floodwaters from the nearby Nolichucky River overwhelmed the building during Hurricane Helene. (Maddy Alewine for KFF Health News)

Erwin, Tennessee  April Boyd texted her husband before she boarded the helicopter.

So, I dont want to be dramatic, she wrote on Sept. 27, but we are gonna fly and rescue patients from the rooftop of Unicoi hospital.

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Earlier that day, Hurricane Helene roared into the Southern Appalachian Mountains after moving north through Florida and Georgia. The storm prompted a deadly flash flood that tore through Unicoi County in eastern Tennessee, trapping dozens of people on the rooftop of the county hospital.

The fast-moving floodwaters had made earlier rescue attempts by ambulance and boat impossible. Trees, trailers, buildings, caskets, and cars swept past the hospital in murky, brown rapids that overwhelmed the one-story structure with 12 feet of water on all sides.

No one knew how long the hospitals frame would hold or if the rising water would breach the top of the 20-foot-tall building. Little more than a mile downstream, six people at a plastics plant in Erwins industrial park died in the flood.

I do not feel good about this, Boyd, a flight nurse for Ballad Health, texted her husband at 1:41 p.m., just before takeoff.

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She wrote that she loved him. If anything goes wrong, she wanted him to tell her daughters how much I love them, too.

Her fears were well-founded.

In 2018, Unicoi County Hospital relocated from higher ground in the heart of Erwin to the southern edge of town, between Interstate 26 and the Nolichucky River. The new hospital was built in a known flood plain, but the facility wasnt designed to accommodate helicopter landings on its roof. Boyd and her team werent sure the roof could bear the weight of their 7,200-pound Eurocopter in good weather, let alone during a flash flood.

I had a horrible feeling about it, she said.

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By many accounts, the evacuation of 70 people, including 11 patients, by helicopter that day was a stunning success. The hospital was destroyed, but no one died. No one was even physically injured by the ordeal.

Yet, earth scientists, emergency management officials, and others who spoke to KFF Health News describe the narrow escape from Unicoi County Hospital as a cautionary tale. As climate change forces health care leaders and public officials to prepare for severe storms in landlocked parts of the country  where residents havent historically paid much attention to hurricane warnings  they must be strategic about both the infrastructure design and the locations selected for new projects, like hospitals.

The Biden administration finalized a rule this year designed to make the construction of such projects that receive funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency more resilient to flooding. But a review by KFF Health News identified about 20 other Tennessee hospitals already built in, or near, flood plains.

Patrick Sheehan, director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, said past weather patterns can lull people into a false sense of security. But, he added, past is not always prologue. Were going to experience novel, new ways of having disasters.

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Historically, the Southern Appalachian Mountains have been the place where hurricanes go to die, said Ryan Thigpen, an earth and environmental sciences professor at the University of Kentucky whose research focuses on flooding in the region. But as the Gulf of Mexico becomes warmer and storms, like Helene, that move northward into the mountains carry more moisture, weather events will become more severe.

Its apocalyptic, said Thigpen, of the damage in Erwin. The next storm may come before they are finished recovering from this. And thats kind of scary.

Hospitals in flood plains

All week, Michelle Matson had been worried about Unicoi County Hospital in the oncoming storm.

As a district coordinator for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Matson works with local officials to plan for worst-case scenarios.

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Leading up to Hurricane Helene, shed been in regular communication with the countys emergency management director. The hospitals vulnerability next to the river kept coming up.

That was the only place we were worried about, Matson said.

But concern over the hospitals location wasnt new.

In November 2013, Unicoi County Memorial Hospital, which opened in 1953, was acquired by Mountain States Health Alliance on the condition that Mountain States would construct a hospital in Erwin to replace the old one.

Two years later, Mountain States purchased a 45-acre tract of land next to a bend in the Nolichucky River, just off Interstate 26. A hospital system news release at the time explained that due diligence had been conducted to ensure, among other things, that the hospital building would not be in a flood plain. It also presented the location as desirable because it was near the interstate and the landscape would provide "a healing environment by taking advantage of the natural beauty of Unicoi County, with the river running along the east side of the property."

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Dating back decades, though, flood maps published by FEMA put the entire property in a flood plain. The building itself was in a 500-year flood plain (meaning a 0.2% chance of flooding in any given year), while the only road on and off the property was in a 100-year flood plain (meaning a 1% annual risk).

But it wasn't only FEMA maps that forecast this possibility. In 2001, a report published by Unicoi County marked this land as being in a "flood hazard" area. The report warned of "considerable pressure" to develop flood hazard areas across the county "due to population increase and the need for vacant land."

The same report acknowledged a history of destructive flooding in the county and the risks it faced being situated along "three major streams," including the Nolichucky River, which flows northward out of the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina straight through Erwin.

"If you start looking at the river's history, there are a number of these notable flood events, and quite a few in the 20th century. They just did not reach this magnitude," said Philip Prince, a geologist with Appalachian Landslide Consultants. His YouTube videos about mountain flooding during Helene have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. "People should have been expecting more than they did. But again, we have not seen anything like this."

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Matthew Rice, a former Unicoi County commissioner, served as chair of the Hospital Visioning Committee for the new hospital in 2015. He said some committee members raised questions during the planning process about the location, but he conceded there weren't many large, flat places to build a hospital in Erwin.

Amid a wave of rural hospital closures across the United States, Erwin residents celebrated when the new hospital opened in 2018. One lawmaker told the Johnson City Press it was "the most modern facility on the planet."

Alan Levine was CEO of Mountain States Health Alliance during that time and later became the head of Ballad Health, when Mountain States merged with a competing hospital system in 2018 to form the largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly in the country.

If you start looking at the (Nolichucky) river's history, there are a number of these notable flood events, and quite a few in the 20th century.

 Philip Prince, Appalachian Landslide Consultants

Levine said Mountain States was aware the property carried flood risk but noted that the hospital system added levees to protect the building from river flooding at the recommendation of outside consultants. One levee already existed along the river's edge. And the hospital itself was deliberately constructed on a high point of the land, at the same elevation as the interstate, Levine said.

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"I feel like everything we did when we built it was done the right way," said Levine, a former health care leader in Louisiana and Florida.

Even so, Matson, who lives in Kingsport, about 45 minutes northwest of Erwin, said some residents were quietly critical of the new hospital's location.

"We all thought that it was a stupid idea to build a hospital in a flood plain. It's like, who does that?" Matson said. She said her opinion doesn't represent an official position of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

But Unicoi isn't the only Tennessee hospital built in a flood plain. Eight others across the state were built in moderate- or high-risk flood zones, and a dozen other hospitals are situated just outside them, KFF Health News found.

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The hospitals at risk span the length of the state, from Memphis on the western edge to Knoxville in the east, and include big-city general hospitals, smaller rural hospitals, and behavioral health facilities.

Some of the hospitals are decades old. Parkridge East Hospital in Chattanooga, for example, was built in the 1970s inside a high-risk flood zone. Others are more recent  like Creekside Behavioral Health in Kingsport. That building, which opened in 2018, straddles high- and moderate-risk flood zones.

Then there are facilities like Pinewood Springs in Columbia. The 60-bed mental health facility, which opened in 2020, is in a low-risk area, but the main road leading in and out of the hospital lies in a high-risk flood area.

To identify these hospitals, KFF Health News looked for licensed facilities in or near areas that, according to FEMA, have either a high flood risk (with a 1-in-100 chance of flooding in any given year) or moderate risk (a 1-in-500 chance in any given year).

But FEMA's maps likely underestimate the true flood risk, researchers and government watchdogs agree, because they're largely outdated and don't account for current or future conditions, including more frequent and more intense storms and flooding associated with climate change.

Those maps are updated on an ongoing but slow and piecemeal basis. Meanwhile, the federal regulation finalized this year to expand areas considered at risk for current and future flooding also sets more stringent building standards for critical infrastructure projects located in 100-year flood plains and funded by federal taxpayers.

The rule became effective on Sept. 9, less than three weeks before Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southern Appalachians, but it is unclear whether the incoming Trump administration will preserve it.

After he took office in 2017, President Donald Trump revoked federal flood protection standards set up under the Obama administration. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the incoming Trump administration, did not respond to emailed questions for this article.

An "antiquated and broken" system

On Sept. 24, three days before the hospital evacuation, the National Hurricane Center issued the first of several warnings predicting significant river flooding and landslides in the Southern Appalachians. Two days before the flood in Erwin, a satellite office of the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee, predicted "life-threatening flash flooding" near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line.

The warnings kept coming. The National Weather Service in upstate South Carolina forecast on Sept. 26, a Thursday, that Helene would amount to one of the region's most significant weather events "in the modern era."

"I don't think people knew what that meant," said Prince, the geologist. "We just didn't have a precedent."

Ballad Health didn't anticipate that Unicoi would flood during the storm, Levine said, even though a hazard vulnerability assessment conducted annually for the hospital identifies external flooding as the second-highest risk facing Unicoi County Hospital, behind only a civil disturbance. The same 2024 assessment rated the hospital's preparedness for a flood as a "3" or "low," the worst possible score.

Floodwaters from the Nolichucky River surrounding Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, during Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27, 2024. Ive never seen anything like this, said Alan Levine, CEO of Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, in a text message to the director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. (Ballad Health)

Hospital staffers and emergency responders tried to evacuate patients first by ambulance and then by boat when the Nolichucky River in Erwin, Tennessee, overwhelmed Unicoi County Hospital during Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27, 2024. Eventually, everyone was evacuated by helicopter. (Ballad Health)

"I'm not sure anyone can prepare for flash flooding," said Ballad spokesperson Molly Luton.

A document outlining the hospital's emergency alert procedures makes no mention of flood risk. If anything, hospital leaders said they were anticipating a surge of patients during Hurricane Helene if Erwin and the surrounding area experienced widespread power outages.

"There was no conversation I had with anybody, anywhere about the risk of flooding before Friday morning," Levine said.

The day before, Jennifer Harrah, the hospital's administrator, had called a meeting to discuss the storm. Sean Ochsenbein, an emergency medicine physician and the hospital's chief medical officer, recalled that the group gathered "just to kind of circle the wagons, make sure everybody was on the same page."

Later that day, Harrah spoke to Unicoi County's emergency management director. But "let me be very clear," Ochsenbein said. "Nobody gave us  as Ballad or our hospital  any kind of indication that we would have floodwaters."

And yet little more than 24 hours after their planning meeting, both Harrah and Ochsenbein were stranded on the hospital roof, literally praying to God for their rescue.

"I called my husband, and I called my sons," Harrah said. "I told them that I loved them."

One reason the impact of the storm seemed to catch people off guard was a disconnect between the strong warnings issued by the federal agencies and the low expectations that many people in the region, including Ballad Health leaders, had of the potential flood risk.

It was sunny outside when people were evacuated from the hospital roof, Thigpen pointed out. It had rained about 5 inches in Erwin over several days, but that was nothing compared with places in the North Carolina mountains that received more than 20 inches over the same period. Rainfall at those higher altitudes eventually drained into the rivers and streams that ultimately destroyed places like Erwin.

Let me be very clear: Nobody gave us  as Ballad or our hospital  any kind of indication that we would have floodwaters.

 Sean Ochsenbein, Unicoi County Hospital chief medical officer

But residents in Unicoi County had no clue what was coming their way, Thigpen said, because there weren't river gauges upstream to sound alarms about dangerous water levels.

"I think that our warning systems are antiquated and broken," he said. "These people in Erwin have seen floods  and a lot of big floods  and it's never been anywhere close to this."

Tennessee state climatologist Andrew Joyner is one of several experts now calling for more river gauges to monitor water levels and a network of weather stations in every county designed to collect live precipitation data.

Thirty-eight states already operate similar systems, he said, estimating that setting up and staffing weather stations across Tennessee would cost less than $4 million in the first year.

But the state has failed to act before. Following a catastrophic flood in Waverly, Tennessee, that killed 20 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in 2021, the Tennessee General Assembly denied a $200 million request to relocate 14 public schools across the state that had been deemed vulnerable to future flooding.

"Might not make it back"

On the morning of the flood, Matson had stood with the county's emergency management director behind Unicoi County Hospital and watched the rising river. "We both had this, like, sick feeling in our stomach that said we've got to evacuate," she remembered. "I said to him, worse comes to worst, we evacuate, nothing happens. Just blame it on me."

They made the call to start moving patients out of the hospital just before 9:45 a.m. Less than 30 minutes later, the river had breached its banks, cutting a new channel in front of the hospital and eliminating access to the only road on or off the property.

When an ambulance evacuation became untenable, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency called in swift-water teams, specially designed to rescue people in turbulent waters. But the flash flood had become so violent and the river was so full of debris that the boats couldn't safely carry patients away. Meanwhile, dangerous wind conditions prevented helicopters located to the east or west from immediately flying that morning to rescue everyone by air.

"To be honest, I really thought we may not make it back" from the rescue mission, Boyd, the flight nurse, said.

The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, is covered in debris, mud, and mold after a flash flood during Hurricane Helene destroyed the building, which opened in 2018. (Maddy Alewine for KFF Health News)

Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, was destroyed by a flash flood during Hurricane Helene in late September. During the worst of the flooding, murky, brown rapids surrounded the hospital building, with 12 feet of water on all sides. Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine estimated it will cost $50 million to replace the hospital. (Lauren Sausser/KFF Health News)

The chapel at Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, after floodwaters from Hurricane Helene swept through the building. (Lauren Sausser/KFF Health News)

The interior of Unicoi County Hospital, which was destroyed by a flood during Hurricane Helene, opened in 2018 on a piece of property in a known flood plain between the Nolichucky River and Interstate 26 in Erwin, Tennessee. Previously, the hospital was located in downtown Erwin. It is unclear when or where a new hospital will be built, but the CEO of Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, said he would avoid building it in a flood plain. (Maddy Alewine for KFF Health News)

An interior photo of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, which was destroyed by a flash flood during Hurricane Helene in late September. (Lauren Sausser/KFF Health News)

When the wind started to die down that afternoon, Virginia State Police deployed two helicopters to rescue patients. Eventually, three Black Hawk helicopters from the Tennessee National Guard assisted in the effort. Pilots were required to make multiple round trips between the hospital and the local high school to evacuate four or five people at a time who had been stranded by the flood. Some patients stranded in boats near the hospital were hoisted into helicopters, while those who were stranded on the roof were either carried onto the aircraft or climbed aboard while the helicopters lightly touched down on their skids.

As the afternoon wore on and the evacuation was nearing its completion, pilot Jeff Bush with the Virginia State Police said he learned that the hospital building was weakening. They weren't sure how much longer it would hold.

"It was intense," he said. "The fact that the building is still standing is, I think, kind of amazing."

Ballad Health evacuated two other hospitals and one nursing home by ambulance within 24 hours of the flood in Erwin, but none of those sustained damage. Meanwhile, what's left of Unicoi County Hospital stands next to the Nolichucky in a field of mud and displaced river rocks.

For now, Ballad Health has opened a temporary urgent care center and plans to establish an emergency department at the site of the former Unicoi County Memorial Hospital in downtown Erwin.

Levine said Ballad Health will eventually rebuild a full-service hospital, but he estimated the project would cost $50 million, roughly twice as much as it did in 2018. It remains unclear where it would be built.

Probably not in a flood plain, Levine said. "I would avoid it if I could."

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.
CHETEK, Wis. (WFRV)  Two people are dead following a brutal stabbing on Sunday at a residence in northwestern Wisconsin.

According to the Barron County Sheriffs Office, deputies received a report of a woman lying outside in a pool of blood at a home just north of Chetek. Responding authorities used the Barron County Bearcat, an armored personnel carrier, to safely approach the scene.

Wisconsin man leads police on 9-mile pursuit in a stolen vehicle, arrested for 4th OWI

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Deputies found the woman, identified as 51-year-old Michelle Turnipseed, deceased outside the residence. Inside the home, they discovered the body of 53-year-old Michael Turnipseed, with a knife located nearby.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the two were separated and involved in an active case in the Wisconsin Circuit Court system, which included a no-contact order. Michael reportedly arrived at the residence around noon, and Michelle initially agreed to his presence. Authorities believe an altercation occurred shortly thereafter, resulting in both individuals suffering fatal stab wounds.

ATM thefts reported in Luxemburg, Kewaunee County deputies investigating

The family has been notified, and the Barron County Sheriffs Office expressed its condolences, stating, Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Deputies also urged the public to contact law enforcement if someone is experiencing abuse.

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No further details have been released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Bannock County Board of Commissioners meet for a business meeting on Dec. 10, 2024. (Screenshot of Bannock County Board of Commissioners meeting)

An Idaho senator is alleging that Idaho State University misused funds intended for a forensic pathology center in eastern Idaho.

On Nov. 26, state Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, sent out a press release alleging the university misappropriated $853,700 in state funds intended for the now-defunct East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center project.

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The East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center was a proposed project to be built on the Idaho State University campus and operated by Bannock County. The Idaho Legislature in 2022, through House Bill 776, appropriated $900,000 to the university for initial operating costs. The university said establishing the center was a step in addressing a critical regional need and offering educational opportunities for university students.

To move the project forward, the university entered into an agreement with Bannock County to transfer the funds to the county for operating costs.

Both ISU and Bannock County worked in good faith, and $46,300 of the original appropriation was expended on design consultation and cost estimates, Emily Frandsen, ISU spokesperson, told the Idaho Capital Sun. Unfortunately, Bannock County did not move forward with building a facility, and the project ultimately was not completed on ISUs campus. 

The county currently sends autopsies to a lab in Ada County, East Idaho News reported, and a pathology center would have alleviated that need. However, in October, the commissioners voted to end the countys involvement with the construction of the pathology center, primarily citing concerns about construction costs and costs to run autopsies.

ISU says it takes responsibility, Bannock County says money was spent on expenses related to project

On Oct. 29, Bannock County Commissioner John Crowder brought to the attention of the board of commissioners the language in the bill, which states, Legislative appropriations shall not be transferred from one fund to another fund unless expressly approved by the Legislature.

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In April 2023, ISU did transfer $853,700 to Bannock County, which were the remaining funds after consultation costs. The funds were placed in an account specific to expenses related to setting up the forensic center, according to Bannock County spokesperson Emma Iannacone.

Since that transfer, the county has used $168,882, toward autopsy-related tests, equipment, recruitment efforts and consulting fees, leaving $684,817 in the fund, Iannacone said.

Frandsen said the university takes responsibility for not maintaining stricter oversight and accountability regarding the legislative appropriation, and it is taking steps to address the situation.

Idaho State University has submitted a mutual termination agreement of the MOU to Bannock County, asking for the return of the funds, Fradsen said. The University plans to then return the funds to the state, per the guidelines for the appropriation.

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ISU President Robert Wagner said the university respects and deeply appreciates the trust placed on it to steward public funds responsibility.

Moving forward, we are committed to strengthening our processes and maintaining the highest levels of accountability and transparency to meet legislative intent and serve the public good, Wagner told the Sun in an email.

In a business meeting Tuesday, the Bannock County Commissioners approved a motion to move forward with ISUs agreement and identify who the funds are to be remitted to.

Glenneda Zuiderveld represents Idahos Legislative District 24 in the state Senate. (Courtesy of the Idaho Legislature)

Senator calls for investigation, legislative audit

Zuiderveld in her press release said she demands accountability from the entities, an investigation from the Idaho Attorney Generals Office, the immediate return of the funds to the states general fund, and a legislative audit of one-time appropriations.

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Zuiderveld told the Idaho Capital Sun in an email that her role is not just to legislate but also to uncover and address any corruption or misappropriations. She said a group of concerned residents from Pocatello told her about this issue.

I am deeply concerned about government actions and spending, she said. We cannot provide meaningful financial relief to Idaho taxpayers without first identifying and correcting government inefficiencies and mismanagement. My priority is always the well-being of our citizens.

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a Turning Point Action campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Georgia. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson had the perfect reaction when he was told that the embattled Florida congressman, Matt Gaetz, had been picked as the nominee for U.S. attorney general.

Are you s***tin me?

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Simpsons loose comment was an instant classic for sure, but he was not the only one expressing concern over President-elect Donald Trumps selection. Gaetz ended up withdrawing his name after it became apparent that U.S. Senate confirmation wasnt going to happen.

While Simpsons comment was aimed at Gaetz, the same reaction could have been given for other nominations that were somewhere between laughable and totally bonkers  Kash Patel (FBI), Pete Hegseth (defense), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (health and human services), Linda McMahon (education) and Tulse Gabbard (national intelligence). And this is just a short list of his controversial picks.

But dont look for more instant classics from Idahos senior House member. Trump has been known to keep track of these things and doesnt hesitate to retaliate. Simpson has spent almost a decade backing away from his 2016 comment about Trump being unfit for the presidency.

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There may be at least a few creative ways that a president can get back at a sitting member of Congress. The immediate weapon is that mega-billionaire Elon Musk will invest part of his fortune for getting wayward Republicans defeated in a primary.

Fortunately for Simpson, his political career is safe regardless of what Trump thinks or how much money any rich guy wants to spend. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Simpson has managed to cover about every square inch of the 2nd District with federal money  making him practically unbeatable in any election.

Simpson is the one member of Idahos congressional delegation who could afford to speak up if, or when, Trump goes off the rails in his second term. But Simpson hasnt gotten to his lofty position by being a loose cannon. Hes always been a team player for the House Republican leadership, and right now the team is all for Donald Trump. And with Trump carrying Idaho by staggering numbers, theres no way that Simpson will go against his constituents.

On the Senate side, theres no danger of Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both R-Idaho, bucking the party line  and for good reason. Much of Trumps economic agenda will be going through the Senate Finance Committee (chaired by Crapo) and sensitive foreign policy issues will be debated in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (chaired by Risch).

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So, the two Idaho senators have no interest in grandstanding over Trumps cabinet nominations or scoring cheap political victories in the early stages of the presidents second term. Risch, especially, has Trumps ear on foreign policy, and Crapo could become a key figure for the new administration on tax and economic policies. The senators would vote for Trumps selections if they included Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

When Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20, he will have a firm grip (if not total control) over all three branches of government  executive, legislative and judicial. Hell have his loyalists on the executive end, the Republican Congress in his pocket and a judicial system that will abide by his every wish. It will be as close to a dictatorship as anything Ive seen since the Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society years  which in 1965 was a dictatorship in the making, but collapsed in the end because of the Vietnam War.

Time will tell where Trumps power carries him, or what he thinks his election mandate means. His early nominations suggest that hes out for revenge against those who oppose him  which serves notice to Democrats who impeached him, disobedient Republicans and even the media. During the next four years, I imagine that Trumps world will portray Jan. 6 as a moment of patriotic honor, instead of the ugly historical scar that it was.

But our congressional delegation says everything will be fine. The borders will be under control, the nations economy will be booming, the United States will have respect globally and America will be great again  just as Trump has promised.

I sure hope our congressional representatives are correct. God help us if theyre not.

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State Sen. John Arch of La Vista, speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, speaks at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

KEARNEY, Neb.  Legislative leaders are embracing potential changes to state law meant to reinforce their oversight role after Nebraskas top prosecutor last year questioned the constitutional scope of two legislatively empowered investigators.

The in-progress proposal, sitting at about 126 pages, would create a formal legislative division of oversight over the states other branches of government. It would cement the Legislatures watchdogs for child welfare and corrections, the inspectors general of the two areas, underneath sections of law governing general legislative authority. The changes were outlined Friday at a retreat for the full Legislature in Kearney before lawmakers reconvene Jan. 8 for a 90-day session.

State legislative Inspectors General Doug Koebernick (for corrections) and Jennifer Carter (for child welfare), along with State Ombudsman Julie Rogers and moderator AJamal Byndon, from left. Sept. 27, 2023. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

The watchdogs investigate incidents or complaints about cases largely handled by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, such as allegations of child sexual abuse or deaths of inmates in state care.

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This is like the beginning, State Sen. John Arch of La Vista, speaker of the Legislature, said Friday. Were trying to lay out some foundational blocks and reorganize for the future.

The new division would work under a new Legislative Oversight Committee, which would replace a different committee and appoint a division director.

The committees nine members would be:

The speaker of the Legislature.

Chair of the Executive Board (the number-two member of the Legislature).

Chairs of the Appropriations, Health and Human Services and Judiciary Committees.

Four at-large state senators.

The Nebraska Legislatures oversight role

Before August 2023

The Nebraska Legislature has long handled public complaints about state agencies and investigated incidents, including those involving child welfare or corrections. The oversight includes inspectors general created in the 2010s to investigate incidents via interviews with state employees or by accessing records and documents. They often make recommendations that inform future legislation or policy changes.

Questions raised in 2023

Attorney General Mike Hilgers in August 2023 opined that the powers granted to inspectors general could violate the separation of powers between the states three branches of government. Formal AG opinions carry less weight than judicial decrees or legislation, but the watchdogs lost access to state health and corrections facilities and certain records.

Temporarily restored

Legislative leaders restored access through a memorandum of understanding with the executive branch and have undertaken a nearly year-long review for permanent changes to state law to button up their oversight authority. If not extended, the temporary agreement will end by mid-June. A more permanent legislative solution is set to be considered in early 2025.

Separation of powers

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers in an August 2023 attorney generals opinion questioned the constitutionality and power of the watchdogs employed by the legislative branch, where Hilgers most recently between 2017 and 2022, less than a year before releasing his opinion.

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Hilgers, who was speaker of the Legislature in his final two years as a lawmaker and had previously chaired the Executive Board for two years, argued that investigators violated separation of powers and gave legislative officers virtually untrammeled power to impede, control and access the information of both of its co-equal branches of government.

The Inspectors General have breath-taking power, Hilgers wrote to the leaders of Health and Human Services and Correctional Services who requested the opinion. Hilgers said investigators had:

On-demand access to computer systems.

Access to information without subpoenas.

The power to impede law enforcement investigations and conscript their resources or information.

The ability to obtain unfettered physical access to the facilities of other branches.

Far from creating the conditions for dynamic compromise, the tools within the Acts are designed to set a Legislature on a collision course with a co-equal branch without its express consent or approval, Hilgers wrote. We conclude that the path of the Acts is not a constitutional one and that the tools and reporting requirements contained therein are unconstitutional.

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Attorney generals opinions are advisory and dont carry the same weight as judicial decrees or legislation.

But using the opinion, the executive branch agencies shut off access to the Office of Public Counsel, which is also known as the Ombudsmans Office. This included the states ombudsman who oversees the inspectors general and wasnt cited in the AG Offices opinion.

Independent oversight is very important, and it is good news that the Legislature will continue with its important role, Public Counsel Julie Rogers, the states first inspector general for child welfare, said Friday.

History of the Office of Public Counsel

The Ombudsmans Office was created in 1969 to receive complaints from the public about state agencies, excluding the courts, Legislature, Governors Office and local political subdivisions.

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Over time, the offices authority has been legislatively expanded after key incidents:

In 1976, created a new deputy public counsel for corrections after the 1971 prison riots in Attica, New York.

In 1993, designated to receive and respond to complaints from state employees about gross inefficiency and misconduct under new whistleblower laws.

In 1994, added a new deputy public counsel for welfare services in response to restructuring of the delivery of state welfare services.

In 2008, expanded oversight jurisdiction into county and city jails, as well as a new deputy public counsel for institutions amid concerns over state-run facilities beyond the states prison system (youth regional treatment centers, Beatrice State Developmental Center, regional centers and veterans homes).

The inspectors general positions were created in the 2010s after legislative investigations as well.

The inspector general for child welfare was created in 2012. It passed 49-0 after reviewing state attempts to privatize child welfare. The corrections position came in 2015. It passed 47-0 after the 2013 murders in Omaha by former state inmate Nikko Jenkins.

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The Nebraska Supreme Court has interpreted state laws to prohibit Nebraska families from suing the state or local political subdivision and alleging negligence when a loved one is harmed or killed in the care of state or local officials. This has included double-bunking state prisoners who have been killed in state corrections as well as siblings who alleged a pattern of abuse in foster care.

Marshall Lux, Nebraskas ombudsman for 38 years before his retirement in 2018, last year defended the office as helping plead for fairness and equity for Nebraskans in an otherwise cold and indifferent state bureaucracy.

Carrying out this mission often involves quick reactions, creative problem solving and a sensitivity to the feelings of the common citizen lost and helpless in a bureaucratic maze, Lux wrote in an Oct. 3, 2023, column for the Nebraska Examiner.

Improving effectiveness and efficiency

State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering described the cases that the inspectors general investigate as flash points.

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He said lawmakers want to properly, tenderly, holistically go into those situations and, at the end of the day, we want it [government services] to be healthier.

State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Hardin, one of two announced candidates competing for chair of the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee, said he agreed with Hilgers on separation of powers concerns, as well as with Arch that the Legislature needed to more broadly think through its oversight power.

Its always been there, and its an absolutely necessary and unfortunate part of society, Hardin said.

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, the current HHS Committee chair, and only announced candidate for Executive Board chair in 2025, said he didnt initially think changes were needed.

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But after working closely with Arch, he says the changes will help with effectiveness and efficiency. He hopes oversight is never needed, coming after something has gone wrong.

It seems like a lot of the changes arent changing the direction of the initial intent of the oversight, Hansen said. Were just now, I think, streamlining it and making it a little bit easier for us as a Legislature to act.

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, left, leans in to listen to State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

The proposal would remove mandatory access to computers, providing that information would still be shared in the most efficient and timely manner and that is the least burdensome while maintaining confidentiality.

The executive or judicial branches would be able to object to requests for the production or disclosure of legally privileged information, which isnt defined in the proposal.

A very fragmented system

After Hilgers opinion, the Office of Public Counsel, including the inspectors general, lost access to state facilities for about six months. Inspector General for Child Welfare Jennifer Carter said in February that her office wasnt notified when a child was seriously injured or died in state care, even as her office is required to investigate how those cases were handled.

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Arch and State Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, the 2024 Executive Board chair, signed a memorandum of understanding that largely restored access for the inspectors general to levels before the 2023 opinion. It was the first time the watchdogs lost access.

The agreement ends at the end of the upcoming legislative session, scheduled for mid-June.

Inspector General for Child Welfare Jennifer Carter, far right, speaks during a panel discussion on the powers of the inspectors general offices. Other panelists, from left, were Anthony Schutz of the University of Nebraska College of Law, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln. Nov. 20, 2023. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

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Arch, the only announced candidate for speaker in 2025, said the Legislature has two main duties: to legislate and appropriate. Those require information, which the watchdogs help with.

Were looking at systems. Were looking at processes, Arch said. Were looking at should we legislate.

The speaker described current oversight as a very fragmented system in part because the power has been expanded after specific incidents.

Arch was one of four lawmakers to offer legislative fixes to Hilgers opinion this spring. Instead, Arch led his colleagues in taking a step back and creating a special committee to look at the Legislatures oversight function holistically. That committee included about a dozen lawmakers.

One swing at the plate

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, the second announced 2025 candidate for HHS Committee chair, and a previous HHS chair in 2017 and 2018, was part of that group as a member of the Executive Board. He said oversight is about being informed.

Riepe said he agrees in creating clear lines of delineation between the states three branches of government and planning ahead instead of waiting for the next big crisis.

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, left, talks with State Sen.-elect Jared Storm of David City at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

He pointed to foster care and the states failed contract with Saint Francis Ministries of Kansas, which underbid its lone competitor in 2019 to handle child welfare services in eastern Nebraska. The contract bid for Saint Francis was a fraction of its competitor but ended up costing millions more for financial mismanagement and under-performance. The five-year contract was terminated early.

Lawmakers, led by Arch, changed the states contract procurement process this spring as a result. He helped investigate the contractors problems as a former HHS Committee chair.

You need to get this right the first time, Riepe said of foster care. They got that one real, real wrong.

Hardin agreed: You might only get one swing at the plate.

The taxpayers eyes and ears

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who has been highly critical of Hilgers since his opinion on the inspectors general, said oversight legislation will be a hallmark issue in 2025. She viewed the opinion as a symptom of recent actions by the executive branch she disagreed with, which addressed voting rights and the publics right to petition the government.

Legislative oversight isnt really about legislative power for its own purposes, Conrad said. Its about ensuring the peoples branch are ensuring a good value for the taxpayers and have eyes and ears on troubled areas of state government so that we can make sure that vulnerable populations are not being harmed.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, center, talks with State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, left, and State Sen.-elect Tanya Storer of Whitman at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Conrad said Hilgers threw a wrench in the process but offered just an opinion. She said leaders can recognize that each branch of government has an important role and that checks and balances are needed.

Still, lawmakers are moving in the right direction, Conrad said. She said the Legislature will not concede any constitutional oversight authority, no matter what the attorney general says in his opinion.

Never before in state history have we seen an executive branch this brazen with executive overreach and defiance of the will of the people and interference with individual liberty, Conrad said. Its critically important  that the Legislature steps forward to ensure not only a separation of powers, but a strong check and balance on that executive overreach, which is dangerous to individual liberty.

Sunlight is always better

Arch said the final proposal likely wont include all needed fixes, some of which might be added through amendments. He noted future oversight could include the state rules and regulations process or into state contracts or other spending decisions.

Riepe and Conrad are looking into the rules and regulations process, which Riepe said is meant to put many rules or regulations on trial and see which make sense.

State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln. July 22, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, the only announced 2025 candidate for Judiciary Committee chair, said the Legislature has to be able to trust the inspectors general and understand what limitations future legislation might have on access to or accuracy of information.

We have to be humble enough to say, We tried this and it didnt work, and somebodys coming in to review with a completely third perspective, saying, This could use some cleanup, said Bosn, a former prosecutor.

I think its an opportunity for transparency and sunlight, Bosn continued. Sunlight is always better.

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The Blueprint for Maryland's Future is a "remarkably bold" education reform plan, but it is in danger of falling short of it ambitious and laudable goals, Kalman Hettleman writes. File photo by Danielle E. Gaines.

To put it bluntly, its now or never for the governor and General Assembly to save the Blueprint for Marylands Future. Otherwise, the Blueprint is doomed and so are future generations of our schoolchildren.

If I sound alarmist, I mean to. Still, this is extremely painful to write. The Blueprint is remarkably bold. Hard-working educators across the state have put their hearts and souls into its implementation. Those who crafted the Blueprint  among them the Kirwan Commission and General Assembly  deserve great credit. And some progress in some areas has happened.

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Still, the unvarnished truth must be told: The Blueprint, as things now stand, will not come close to achieving its lofty ambitions.

The evidence is irrefutable. Cracks are showing in each Blueprint pillar as a result of unrealistic goals, insufficient management capacity and inadequate funding.

For example: In their 2024 implementation plans, local school systems generally view the Blueprint as unrealistic and unfunded. The Maryland Association of Counties pleads for the Blueprint to be aligned with current implementation realities. The Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (a prominent voice for local school districts) has detailed many serious challenges.

Problem areas keep emerging, including prekindergarten expansion, career and technology education, and, most important, funding to carry out the states high-visibility literacy plan.

Your opinion matters

Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@marylandmatters.org.

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We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates.

Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines.

Views of writers are their own.

Money woes get the most attention, as Gov. Wes Moore (D) and legislators, in the face of the states projected fiscal shortfalls, threaten funding cuts. Moore has already proposed delaying the Blueprint initiative that provides teachers with more time for planning and tutoring.

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But equally problematic is the management overload on state and local educators. The scope of the Blueprint is probably more sprawling and complex than any state school reform plan in our nations history. Too many tasks to be done, too quickly  far beyond the capacity of even energized bureaucracies.

In the process, numerous progress milestones are being moved back. Especially revealing is the bill passed in the last General Assembly session to delay independent evaluation of Blueprint progress from Oct. 1, 2024 to Jan. 15, 2027.

I foresaw this crisis in a 2020 paper, The Ideal and the Real: How the Blueprint for Maryland Fails to Provide Adequate and Equitable Funding for Poor, Black and Brown Children, detailing management and funding concerns that have come to pass.

Now, a chorus of similar criticism is heard from educators and advocates across the state. As one educator told me, the Blueprint founders seemed out of touch with the everyday work of teaching, especially core instruction in reading and math.

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The mantra of the Blueprints defenders is Give it more time. But, believe it or it not, the Blueprint has been around for about five years, including the Kirwan Commission and the first legislation in 2019. There has been plenty of time for implementation to be much farther along than it is. And the more the delay, the more danger of turnover in education leadership and shifting political winds in Annapolis that could do even more damage to the Blueprint as a whole.

In the meantime, the governor and General Assembly have done very little to confront the challenges. While proclaiming steadfast loyalty to the Blueprint, they have shown no stomach for the difficult task of reviewing the big picture and considering revisions.

I am mindful of the formidable budget problems ahead. Nonetheless, leaders in Annapolis have so far not considered revenues, with the exception of the commendable House support last session for additional revenue.

Where do we go from here? As earlier noted, some headway is in process, including teacher salaries, expansion of prekindergarten, college and career readiness standards, literacy plans and community schools. Still, overall implementation so far reveals that the Blueprint will not come close to living up to its original promise to enable all schoolchildren to meet high academic standards.

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What leadership will it take to recognize and repair the Blueprints fraying pillars?

Leadership must come first and foremost from the governor and legislative leaders. They must acknowledge the truth and mount the bully pulpit to gather public support for the tough political decisions ahead. They must ensure adequate funding; insist on an immediate hard-nosed evaluation of progress and lack of progress; strengthen the Maryland State Department of Educations authority; and, most of all, fill in the big holes in the Blueprint, most particularly to focus attention on classroom instruction.

Second is the role of the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board. Its statutorily mandated to annually recommend legislative changes, including changes to ensure that the implementations have adequate resources. For all its accomplishments, it has fallen down on this responsibility. The AIB must pull back from its overload of operational tasks and make evaluation the center of its duties.

Last but not least, state and local educators must build trust and assure Annapolis and the general public that they are making the best of difficult circumstances  working tirelessly (as they are) and efficiently.

Theres little in this column that I havent written before, more or less. But as the years have gone by, the evidence of grave danger to the Blueprint has accumulated. Time is running out. Alarms must be sounded, and the inconvenient truth about the dangers must be told. The future of the Blueprint, and with it the fate of our schoolchildren, urgently cries out for review and revision.
Claudia Macero (l), Pedro Uchurrurtu (c) and Magalli Meda, who have sought refuge in the residence of the Argentine ambassador, in August 2024.

Nearly nine months after taking refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas, members of the Venezuelan opposition campaign led by Maria Corina Machado spoke to the press for the first time on Saturday. They did so via video conference, as Venezuelan police kept watch on the building. In the call, the opposition members reiterated their urgent need for safe-conduct passes to leave Venezuela, where they are facing political persecution.

The Venezuelan government has escalated its pressure on the diplomatic compound where Magalli Meda, Pedro Urruchurtu, Omar Gonzalez, Humberto Villalobos, Claudia Macero, and politician Fernando Martinez Mottola sought asylum on March 20, after arrest warrants were issued against them. Maduros government accuses the group of involvement in conspiracy plots. From their refuge, they coordinated an unprecedented electoral campaign that saw Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia challenge Maduro at the July 28 presidential election.

We are under permanent siege, monitored by drones that have entered Argentine territory, surrounded by hooded men with assault rifles, said Gonzalez.

We are experiencing an unprecedented siege, and this requires urgent action, in coordination with other regional actors, added Urruchurtu.

The urgency has grown as the Chavista intelligence services have increased their siege of the Argentine embassy, and the group believes they are now at risk. For this reason, they are calling for coordinated protection from both Argentina and Brazil, the latter having taken on the responsibility of guarding the embassy after diplomatic relations between Caracas and Buenos Aires broke down.

For the past 20 days, the group has been without electricity and has been forced to rely on a generator for essential tasks. They have also faced restrictions on drinking water, which is scarce in Caracas. Police presence is constant, but since Wednesday, Meda said, they have been completely isolated within the building. Local staff who helped manage food deliveries and other logistical support were sent home for security reasons. One of the embassys drivers was kidnapped on Thursday by hooded men outside his home, and it is not known whether he was arrested.

We cant even go out for water or medicine. Its been extremely exhausting, especially when they decide to show up armed and hooded, making noise as if theyre about to enter. This is psychological harassment, Meda said. The regime has decided to use this embassy as a tool of coercion and pressure against anyone they perceive as a threat to their grip on power.

The embassy has been under Brazils protection since July 29, after the diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Argentina broke down over the latters rejection of the election results  which Nicolas Maduro reportedly won, despite voter tallies indicating otherwise. However, diplomatic channels have become increasingly strained. In September, Venezuela revoked Brazils authorization to represent Argentinas interests. While awaiting a third country to take on this responsibility, the Brazilian flag continues to fly over the building, which is located next to the Russian and North Korean embassies, as well as other residential properties that have been seized by the police to intensify surveillance of the opposition.

Deaths in prison

In addition to the tense situation at the Argentine embassy, the government has cracked down on protesters, with more than 2,000 people imprisoned in just a few days after the election results were announced. On Friday night, Jesus Rafael Alvarez died from lack of medical attention in the Tocuyito prison, one of the facilities set up by the Chavistas to imprison protesters. He is the second person arrested in the post-electoral repression to die in state custody, following the death of Jesus Manuel Martinez in a prison in eastern Venezuela a month ago.

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Indias move to strengthen its energy ties with Russia underscored New Delhis balancing act between trading with Moscow and maintaining friendly relations with Washington.

A major Indian refiner last week signed what Reuters described as the biggest-ever energy deal between the two countries, while The Indian Express noted a new maritime route opened this year was helping bolster bilateral trade. India has also awarded a contract to a St. Petersburg firm to build new long-distance passenger train carriages.

Western officials have voiced frustration toward New Delhis dealings with Moscow despite opprobrium over Russias invasion of Ukraine. India counters that it enforces international sanctions but remains reliant on Russia for military goods, and that such trade also puts a check on Beijings influence.

SIGNALS

Energy deals spotlight Modis showmanship economics

Sources: The New York Times, The Wire India

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The economic sentiment in India is perhaps the most upbeat anywhere, The New York Times wrote. The nations economy has doubled in size since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power, even as its growth rate has barely changed. The prime minister has crafted an exceptionally positive national narrative, the outlet wrote, but that could soon change: US President-elect Donald Trumps second term will likely depreciate emerging market currencies and hurt investment, Indian outlet The Wire wrote: If Modi doesnt react to protect the economy, it will be difficult to maintain self-serving narratives for long.

India keen to maintain an independent foreign policy

Sources: The Diplomat, Semafor, TRT World, NDTV

The US must accept Indias growing relationship with Russia, The Diplomat argued, or risk provoking its longtime ally at a time it needs New Delhi as a bulwark against Beijing. Though India values its alignment with Washington  New Delhi is increasingly sourcing arms from the US over Russia  India has indicated frustration at Western pressure to divest entirely from Moscow. The US previously warned India of consequences over Russian energy imports and while these have not materialized, any attempts to constrain Indias foreign policy may be seen as disregard for its sovereignty and provoke ire, the outlet argued. A closer Russia-India tie could have other benefits: New Delhi has expressed openness to mediating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Indiana officials are preparing to execute the states first death row inmate in 15 years.

Joseph Corkoran was convicted in 1999 in the deadly shootings of his brother and three other men.

If Corcoran is put to death as scheduled Wednesday it will be the states first execution since 2009.

Corcorans attorneys have asked a federal court to stay his execution arguing it would be unconstitutional because he has a serious mental illness.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Indiana lawmakers will consider key tax reform options in the 2025 legislative session. (Getty Images)

Indiana is a national leader in tax competitiveness, consistently ranking among the top states in the Tax Foundations State Business Tax Climate Index and earning praise from the Council on State Taxation for its tax administration. These accolades reflect decades of incremental improvements that have attracted billions in capital investment.

In 2025, incoming Gov.-elect Mike Brauns administration and Republican leadership in both the House and Senate have signaled that property tax reform will be a top priority. Republicans will also hold slim majorities in Congress alongside a Trump White House, creating a rare moment of unified government. This convergence offers a significant opportunity to refine Indianas property tax system and strengthen its competitive advantage. With tax reform emerging as a key focus in Washingtonparticularly around expired or expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)  this is the perfect moment for Indiana to align its policies.

Balancing Local Needs and Business Growth

While the states tax climate is already strong, adjusting how local governments are funded and how businesses and residents share costs requires careful consideration. Property tax reform will test lawmakers ability to balance competing demands. Residential taxpayerswho drive demand for local government services and vote in electionswant relief, while key industries to the states economy need a stable, growth-oriented tax environment. Policymakers must navigate these tensions, crafting equitable policies that preserve local funding while ensuring Indiana remains a magnet for investment.

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One powerful lever for encouraging growth is lowering the burden of business personal property taxes. Steps like eliminating depreciation floors, exempting new investments, or increasing the de minimis exemption would lower the cost of capital and encourage the growth of capital-intensive industries like advanced manufacturing and life sciences. Although many of these types of capital investments are already incentivized by local governments, reforming the system would benefit all businesses, not just those making major capital commitments. According to a recent study released by the Indiana Chamber Foundation, these reforms could increase economic output and job creation.

Leveraging Federal Reforms to Boost State Success

Indianas opportunity does not stop at the state line. Key federal tax provisions from the TCJAsome of which have already expiredare set to be revisited by Congress. Decisions on research and development expenses, bonus depreciation, and the state and local tax deduction cap will shape the broader economic landscape. Aligning state tax changes with these national priorities could amplify the impact of Indianas reforms. For example, extending or enhancing bonus depreciation at the federal level would enhance state efforts to reduce effective tax rates on capital investments, further encouraging economic growth and innovation.

The current state tax environment supports a wide range of industries, yet manufacturing and life sciences are crucial to its long-term prosperity. Together, they produce a significant share of the states economic output and jobs, but they often shoulder disproportionately high effective tax rates. The first phase of the Indiana Chamber Foundation tax study highlighted the need to ease these burdens to remain competitive with other states. By refining policies to better support capital-intensive sectors, Indiana can attract new investments, retain existing businesses, and secure its standing as a Midwestern economic powerhouse.

Navigating Trade-Offs and Ensuring Stability

Reforming business personal property taxes presents trade-offs. Lowering tax burdens on capital-intensive industries could reduce local government revenues, which rely heavily on property taxes to fund services. Policymakers will need to explore alternative funding mechanisms, phased-in approaches, or revenue diversification strategies to ensure local governments can maintain service levels without losing the benefits of reform. Alternatively, local officials must explore the potential of existing opportunities enacted by the Legislature such as local income tax, which has nearly $5 billion in unused capacity across the state. However, the long-term gains of a more vibrant economy must not come at the expense of local financial stability.

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As the legislative session begins in 2025, Indiana stands at a threshold. The pursuit of smart property tax reform, coordinated with federal policy shifts, can deepen the states legacy of tax competitiveness. Policymakers now have the tools to secure Indianas role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and life sciences, protecting its existing economic base and welcoming new waves of capital. By acting decisively and strategically, Indiana can once again demonstrate why it is a national leader in fostering growth, innovation, and opportunity.

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INDIANAPOLIS  President-elect Donald Trump has promised to pardon rioters accused in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol on his first day in office.

If he follows through, the move will affect at least 28 Hoosiers.

Thats how many Indiana residents have been charged in the massive investigation into the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests nationwide. Among the Indiana arrestees, 21 have been sentenced. Trumps promise has already resonated with at least one of them, a Bloomington man whos publicly voiced that hes banking on Trump pardoning him for his crimes and didn't show up to serve his time.

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Im going to look at everything. Were going to look at individual cases, Trump pledged in his Meet the Press interview.

It remains unclear who Trump may pardon, such as whether potential pardons will be awarded to those charged with violent crimes.

Which Jan. 6 defendants from Indiana could be pardoned?

Nancy Barron

From: Patriot

In May 2024, a federal judge sentenced Barron to three years on probation after a jury found her guilty of her charges in the Jan. 6 attack.

Investigators said Barron turned herself in after telling police she had entered the Capitol that day. She was then handed her numerous nonviolent charges, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

James Link Behymer

From: Hope

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In October 2024, Behymer and his alleged accomplice, Donald Moss, pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers during the Capitol breach.

According to an arrest complaint, the pair are accused of physically confronting police officers on the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol building as law enforcement ordered the mob to move back.

Behymer is seen on body camera footage grabbing an officers baton and pushing other law enforcement officials hands away.

Behymer and Moss each pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer.

They are scheduled to be sentenced in February 2025.

Dona Sue Bissey

From: Bloomfield

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Bissey was sentenced October 2021 to two weeks of incarceration, 60 hours of community service and a $500 fine after pleading guilty to one of her charges of entering the Capitol during the attack.

Bissey was at the Capitol that day with her friend and fellow Hoosier, Anna Morgan-Lloyd  who became the first Jan. 6 defendant to be sentenced in the country.

Eric Cantrell, Jared Cantrell, Quentin Cantrell

From: Greenwood and Indianapolis

Jared Cantrell and his two cousins are accused of illegally entering the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, after surveillance footage and social media posts showed the men taking selfies in the Rotunda and climbing over the West Terrace.

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Through plea deals or jury trials, each has been convicted for entering the building.

On March 27, 2023, Eric Cantrell was sentenced to three months of probation, 40 hours of community service and $1,510 in fines and restitution. A month later, Jared Cantrell was found guilty of his charges and sentenced to six months of incarceration followed by a year on supervised release, 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay $500 in restitution and another $8,060 in fines.

Quentin Cantrell was sentenced to six days of incarceration, a year on probation, $500 in restitution and $6,035 in fines the same month.

Michael Greene

From: Indianapolis

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Greene, accused of being an operations leader hired by the far-right Oath Keepers group, was ordered to two years' probation July 2023 after being found guilty of entering a restricted building. He was acquitted of his more serious alleged offenses in what the Associated Press described as a rare setback for prosecutors.

Prosecutors accused Greene of conspiring with the Oath Keepers in breaching the U.S. Capitol, a claim Greene denied during his trial. The federal judge overseeing the case went against the recommended one year behind bars, arguing Greene did not enter the Capitol building, nor did he have a major presence in the groups chats, the report states.

Ian Horvath

From: Plymouth

In May 2023, Horvath was ordered to serve three years of probation after pleading guilty to entering the Capitol during the breach, telling investigators he livestreamed the event.

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Still surveillance footage photos show Horvath inside the Capitol for 30 minutes wearing a furry hat with a raccoon tail. He was then seen exiting the building and telling other rioters, Come on in, all are welcome.

Horvath entered a plea of guilty to a charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Dale Huttle

From: Crown Point

Dale Huttle and his nephew, Matthew Huttle, were each sentenced to prison for their involvement during the breach, which included the elder Huttle striking police officers.

Court documents state he was captured on surveillance footage among a crowd on the Lower West Terrace trying to push a bike rack placed by officers as a barrier. He is then seen holding an American flagpole and striking two officers on the steps.

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In June 2024, Dale Huttle was ordered to two and a half years behind bars, followed by two years on supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting or impeding officers.

Matthew Huttle

From: Hebron

Matthew Huttle was arrested after investigators say he was seen on video inside the Capitol building going into multiple offices, the Crypt area and hallways.

He was sentenced November 2023 to six months in prison and a year on supervised release after pleading guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building, a lower charge than issued to his uncle, Dale Huttle  who he traveled with that day.

Kash Lee Kelly

From: Hammond

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Court records state Kelly posted photos of himself on social media climbing a wall at the U.S. Capitol, in one caption stating the day we let the Traitors who constantly push the divide in OUR country know that we are done playing their games."

He was sentenced November 2022 to 60 days in prison after entering a plea to one count of violent and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Troy Koen

From: Brownsburg

Koen pleaded guilty in November 2024 to assaulting law enforcement officers after investigators say he was seen yanking away a barricade and using a flagpole to jab toward police during the Capitol breach.

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A criminal complaint states surveillance footage shows Koen using the pole donned with Trump 2020 and Confederate flags to jab double doors in the Lower West Terrace tunnel and help break the glass. As rioters pushed into the crowd, Koen continued to jab at the officer line.

Hes scheduled to be sentenced February 2025.

David Scott Kuntz

From: Elizabeth

Kuntz was taken into custody after being identified in video footage in a restricted area of the U.S. Capitol wearing a black tactical vest, according to a criminal complaint.

According to the FBI, Kuntz was seen watching rioters breach the grounds outside an entry on the Upper West Terrace and calling out (explicit) the police. He is associated with the Three Percenters, an extremist ideology falling within the larger antigovernment militia movement, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Investigators said that in the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, Kuntz on social media mentioned going to Washington D.C. fully armed and making a stand.

He pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2024 to one count of conspiracy to impede or injure an officer. His sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2025.

Mark Mazza

From: Shelbyville

Mazza was arrested after police say they retrieved his gun on the Capitols grounds following the riot and traced the weapon to him. Investigators say they further found him among the crowd on Jan. 6, 2021, trying to break into the West Front Terrace.

In October 2022, Mazza was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting and impeding officers with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license.

Mazza reported the gun stolen to Shelbyville police two days after the Capitol breach, claiming it was taken from his car at a Hard Rock casino in Ohio.

Gregory Mijares

From: Crown Point

Capitol surveillance footage showed Mijares was among the first rioters to pursue police in the Lower West Terrace, according to a criminal complaint.

Investigators in the report said Mijares is seen wearing a gas mask and pursuing officers, then pulling open a broken glass door and ushering other rioters in.

He faces a felony civil disorder charge and two misdemeanor counts of entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct in a restricted building in the riot.

Anna Morgan-Lloyd

From: Bloomfield

Morgan-Lloyd made history as the first person to be sentenced in the Jan. 6 attacks.

In June 2021, she was sentenced to three years of probation after entering a plea in which she penned a note to the judge about her remorse for how the day turned violent. Morgan-Lloyd traveled to Washington D.C. to attend Donald Trumps rally that day with her friend, Dona Sue Bissey.

One day after her apology in court, Morgan-Lloyd appeared on Fox News and downplayed the breach.

Where I was at, we see nobody damage anything. People were actually very polite, she said.

Donald Lee Moss

From: Elizabethtown

Moss pleaded guilty to assaulting officers after conceding to investigators that he struck and pushed law enforcement while outside the Capitol, including using a chair to block them from closing a door to the U.S. Senate wing.

He and his alleged accomplice, Beyhmer, are scheduled to be sentenced in February for assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer.

Jeffrey Munger

From: Goshen

Munger, according to a criminal complaint, told investigators he climbed through a broken window to enter the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot.

He told police the crowd behind him was pushing him into a corner and the only way to leave was through the building. Surveillance footage showed him leaving 14 minutes later.

Munger was sentenced to 30 months of probation in October 2022 after pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Arthur Reyher and Jessica Reyher

From: Brownsburg

The Indiana couple were among the first rioters to enter the tunnel on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and push against a wall of police officers.

On Nov. 6, 2023, the Reyhers pleaded guilty to a felony offense of civil disorder.

Arthur Reyher was sentenced to eight months in prison. Jessica Reyher was sentenced to 90 days in prison in February 2024. The Reyhers were also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to each pay $2,000 in restitution.

Jonathan Ace Sanders Sr.

From: Vincennes

Sanders was arrested after the FBI received a tip that he bragged during his shift at a bakery about being just 70 feet away where Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot by Capitol police during the attack.

Investigators following up on the lead said Sanders told them he traveled to Washington D.C. that day and entered the Capitol building.

He pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and was sentenced to three years of probation in November 2021.

Jon Ryan Schaffer

From: Columbus

The heavy metal guitarist was charged after being photographed arguing with police and unleashing a can of bear spray in the building.

Schaffer, a former member of the band Iced Earth, turned himself into the FBI 10 days after the riot. He pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congress certification of the U.S. presidential election results in 2021, marking the first Jan. 6 defendant to enter an agreement.

In his plea, Schaffer admitted to being one of the founders of the Oath Keepers, a right-wing militia group that describes itself as a non-partisan association of current and formerly serving military, police and first responders. Schaffer is not charged in the Justice Departments conspiracy case against the organization.

Schaffer was sentenced to three years of probation on Oct. 25, 2024, more than three years after his guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay $1,200 in fines and restitution.

Curtis Logan Tate

From: Jeffersonville

According to police, Tate was seen striking a police officer and charging more law enforcement officials near the U.S. Capitol.

Body camera footage and surveillance videos showed him entering the Lower West Terrace tunnel and using a metal baton to strike an officer. He is then seen waving the baton, destroying property and throwing items at police, according to his criminal complaint.

Tate was sentenced July 2024 to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting law enforcement.

Israel Tutrow

From: Greenfield

The Greenfield man was arrested after being seen moving in and out of the U.S. Capitol wearing a distinct black beanie with TRUMP lettering during the attack, according to court documents.

Tutrow entered a plea to and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

He was sentenced in December 2021 to three years of probation.

Annie Vo

From: Fishers

The Fishers mom and her son were charged in the Jan. 6 riot after police said the pair were seen entering the building the day of the attack.

Annie Vo was arrested March 7, 2024, on four counts pertaining to the riot, including entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Her son, Antony Vo, was sentenced to prison for his participation in the attack and remains a federal fugitive.

Antony Vo

From: Bloomington

The former Indiana University student was found guilty of entering the U.S. Capitol and disorderly conduct in the Jan. 6 attack, having been seen in photographs posing with his mother inside the building.

A jury found him guilty in September 2023 on his charges of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; violent entry or disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Vo was sentenced in April 2024 to nine months in prison followed by a year of supervised release, but did not report to the correctional facility and remains a federal fugitive.

On Nov. 20, 2024, Vo told a reporter with WISH that he expects to be pardoned by Trump.

Joshua Wagner

From: Indianapolis

Wagner was charged in the Jan. 6 attack after law enforcement released a photo of him on a wanted poster. He would become the second Hoosier taken into custody for storming the U.S. Capitol.

Police said Wagner and his friend and another defendant, Israel Tutrow, were seen inside the Capitol building that day.

Wagner was sentenced to 30 days incarceration in February 2022 for a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol Building.

William Lance Wilkerson

From: Bedford

Charging documents show Wilkersons Facebook comments, security camera images from the Capitol and cellphone records led to his arrest in the Jan. 6 riot.

Closed-circuit television footage captured six photographs of him inside the building wearing an olive-green jacket.

He was sentenced in November 2023 to two years probation after pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Contact IndyStar at sarah.nelson@indystar.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hoosiers charged in Jan. 6 attack who could be pardoned by Trump
There was once a time when millions of wild bison roamed the prairie lands of North America. Today, their population has dwindled to around 15,000.

Indigenous communities, for whom bison have great traditional and spiritual value, are working to restore and conserve the species' population in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.

As part of the ongoing InterTribal Buffalo Council, involving The Nature Conservancy, Tanka Fund, and Indigenous communities, select bison (sometimes called buffalo) travel to other herds across networks of preserves to Indigenous land, which are their ancestral grazing lands, The Nature Conservancy reported. This work to transfer bison back to native lands helps restore overall bison populations.

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Bison are keystone species for the grasslands. "Their presence is integral to thousands of natural relationships. Their grazing behavior and the effects they have on the prairie naturally promotes biodiversity and helps a wide range of wildflowers, plants, insects, and amphibians flourish," The Nature Conservancy reported.

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For Indigenous communities, restoring bison populations is important not just ecologically but also spiritually. This connection is illustrated in a story about bison restoration from The Narwhal.

For many Indigenous nations in the plains, bison are considered relatives, having faced the same violence and displacement as Indigenous people. "There is a deep interconnectedness that sometimes we need to be reminded of, revitalize and honor.  And not just as related humans, but with everything Mother Earth provides," Montana First Nation member Kyra Northwest stated.

Restoring bison populations in North America is a great example of the human- and nature-related benefits of conservation efforts. By conserving native flora and fauna, ecosystems stay strong, which ensures that our air, water, and land are healthy.

Another example of a successful conservation effort is in the Amazon, where the Waimiri-Atroari Indigenous people are building bridges to help native animals cross busy roads safely.

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"Tribes and Native communities create the infrastructure needed to restore buffalo geographically across the country, preserving unique genetics and thousands of years of knowledge about maintaining the relationship between buffalo and their Native relatives," The Nature Conservancy wrote.

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.
Marion County hospitals this week will start restricting visitors in an attempt to protect vulnerable patients from flu, RSV and other respiratory viruses, the Marion County Health Department announced late last week.

Under the restrictions, no visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed. Visitors who have symptoms of illness, such as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and runny nose also are not allowed.

All visitors are encouraged to wears masks to prevent disease spread.

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Flu activity is currently moderate, according to the most recent weekly flu update from the Indiana Department of Health. There have been five flu deaths thus far this season in the state.

The visitor restrictions have become an annual sign that flu and other respiratory diseases are on the rise.

Marion County health officials urge those who are eligible to be vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19 and RSV.

Starting Monday, IU Health put visitor restrictions in place at six of its central Indiana hospitals. This includes the three downtown hospitals  IUH Methodist, IUH University and Riley Hospital for Children  along with IUH West, North and Saxony hospitals. Riley Hospital will only allow parents or legal guardians plus four additional designated adults to visit with six designated adults allowed to visit maternity patients. Only two visitors at a time will be allowed in a patient room.

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At Eskenazi Hospital, only four designated healthy adults, plus the parents, can visit newborns in the NICU. Community Health Network is allowing only two visitors at the bedside in the NICU.

Check with other individual hospitals to see what other restrictions they have put in place.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Visitor restrictions at Indy hospitals to prevent spread of flu and RSV
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB)  Some parishioners of the Infant of Prague Parish in Cheektowaga are hoping they can prevent their church from closing as a decree from the bishop is expected any day now stating when the merger will take place.

Theres an effort to keep the parish from merging with Saints Peter and Paul Church in Williamsville after the Buffalo Diocese rolled out its recommendations over the summer for local parishes to merge or close.

Michael Getz, an Infant of Prague parishioner of 15 years, questioned if the effort will change the Buffalo Dioceses mind.

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Personally, I think its a waste of time cause we all know when someones mind is made up, thats it, thats what theyre going to do, Getz said. You could have all the petitions you want, I mean I hope Im wrong, but I dont think so.

The changes are part of the dioceses road to renewal effort to rightsize and reshape itself amid a series of challenges, including fewer priests and parishioners compounded by settling nearly 900 claims of childhood sexual abuse that will cost the diocese at least $100 million.

All this merging and the church closing are because the church, for such a long time, swept everything under the carpet and were paying for the churchs sins, Getz said.

Obviously like a lot of people, Im not happy with this at all. Its a shame that were closing all these churches, said Pam Monaghan, an Infant of Prague parishioner of 40 years. Theres a lot of mixed feelings on the reasons why and stuff.

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Complete list of Catholic churches Buffalo Diocese plans to close or merge

This weekend, a group of parishioners with Friends of the Infant of Prague Parish passed out flyers to remind churchgoers that they plan to appeal the decision under canon law, which is the legal system of the Catholic Church.

Infant is a wonderful, wonderful parish and the people are very supportive, Monaghan said. Theres still a lot of hope in what were doing. Theres people still fighting to keep the church open and its up to God what will be.

While we respect the stated intent of the Friends of Infant of Prague Parish to pursue recourse

to the upcoming decree regarding the parish, Bishop Michael Fisher has complete confidence in

the collaborative and consultative process developed to identify the parishes and worship sites

included in the final recommendations of parish mergers and closures including Infant of

Prague, Buffalo Diocese spokesperson Joe Martone said in a statement.

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Monaghan has mixed feelings about the effort.

In some respects, youre for it and you want that, and then in other respects theres a feeling of maybe its a waste of time, Monaghan said. I just keep hopeful because, of course, this is where I want to be.

The church will soon receive a decree from Diocese of Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher stating why the diocese wants the church to merge and when it will happen. The parish will then have 10 days to appeal.

Its difficult to think that now you have to move on and go to another church and try to start things over, Monaghan said. People will and thats just fine and dandy, but its just that it breaks up so much and its so heartbreaking.

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When they close churches like this, you have your seniors, theyre used to going to these churches, they dont want to travel to other churches, Getz said. My thoughts, I think theyre going to lose a lot more people.

Click here to read more of WIVB News 4s coverage on the Buffalo Diocese restructuring.

Latest Local News

Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  An inmate attempted to assault an officer at the Limestone Correctional Facility Saturday, according to authorities.

On Saturday, the Alabama Department of Corrections told News 19 that an inmate-on-staff assault was reported at the Limestone Correctional Facility.

Man arrested by Athens police for 1997 Christmas murder

ADOC said during a controlled inmate movement, 23-year-old inmate Yqwain Malik Hawkins refused to comply.

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The department said Hawkins was ordered to submit to a search, during which he turned towards the officer. The officer then administered a chemical spray and attempted to take him to the ground.

The officer was struck in the upper arm with an inmate-made knife.

Once Hawkins was contained and the weapon was secured, the officer was taken to the Health Care Unit. Hawkins was decontaminated and assessed with no injuries.

Scottsboro man charged with rape, sodomy among other sexual abuse charges

The officer was taken to an area hospital and was treated for minor injuries.

According to ADOC, Hawkins is serving a life sentence for murder out of Tuscaloosa County.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
By Ju-min Park and Tom Bateman

SEOUL (Reuters) - When South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol cited claims of election hacking and "anti-state" pro-North Korean sympathisers as justification for imposing a short-lived martial law, right-wing YouTuber Ko Sung-kook had heard it before.

In fact, Ko had made the same claims himself many times to the 1.1 million subscribers of his Kosungkook TV channel on YouTube.

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"If President Yoon Suk Yeol listens to the voices of YouTubers attentively, he may understand what the people really think, what the public sentiment of the president's supporters are, that's what I'm expecting," Ko told Reuters.

Yoon was impeached and removed from duties on Saturday in a contentious parliamentary vote over his Dec. 3 martial law decree, sparking a constitutional crisis and splitting Yoon's own conservative People Power Party (PPP).

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, a former confidant of Yoon who went on to advocate for the president's impeachment, announced his resignation on Monday and blamed South Korea's right-wing media for creating divisions among conservatives.

"If we sympathise with extremists like the conspiracy theorists and extreme YouTubers, or if we are consumed by their commercially produced fears, there is no future for conservatism," said Han, who was a common target of Ko's criticism.

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A columnist for the conservative-leaning JoongAng Ilbo newspaper on Friday said Yoon's "YouTube addiction" had ruined his regime.

"If you are addicted to YouTube, you fall into a world of delusion dominated by conspiracy theories... President Yoon watched too much YouTube," the column said.

Yoon's office did not respond to Reuters' questions about his viewing habits or the sources for his claims used to justify imposing martial law.

FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS

Speaking in his modest office that doubles as a studio, Ko said he does not know if Yoon watches his show but is glad YouTubers provide an alternative platform which seemed to reflect the president's thinking.

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Elected president in 2022 in the narrowest election in South Korean history, Yoon invited right-wing YouTube activists and commentators to his inauguration, and hired a YouTuber who pushed claims about Chinese Communist infiltration of domestic politics to head the public servant training agency.

In a defiant speech on Thursday that hit many of the favoured talking points of right-wing commentators, Yoon condemned his political opponents as obstructionist "anti-state forces" that side with enemies in North Korea, said Pyongyang may have hacked the South's elections and defended his martial law order as a legal move to protect democracy.

In South Korea, the label being pro-North Korea can carry high stakes with the ongoing threat from ostensibly communist North Korea and Cold War-era laws that effectively ban activities deemed related to communism or supporting Pyongyang.

In November, a former official with South Korea's biggest umbrella union, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), was sentenced to 15 years in prison for receiving orders from North Korea to incite protests.

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Another theme, particularly since the PPP faced a drubbing in April's parliamentary election, has been questions over the security of the National Election Commission (NEC), one of the locations where Yoon deployed troops.

The NEC said it had consulted the spy agency last year to address "security vulnerabilities" but there were no signs the election system had been compromised.

Shin Jin-wook, a sociology professor at Chung Ang University, drew parallels between Yoon and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

"When traditional newspapers and television networks took a critical stance on President Trump, Trump blamed them as fake news or garbage. Trump pointed to social media like YouTube as the right ones instead," Shin said.

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'FAKE NEWS'

About 53% of South Koreans say they get news on YouTube, higher than an average of 30% in other countries, according to a 2023 report by Korea Press Foundation. That was up from 24% in 2016.

A 2018 survey by Chosun Ilbo newspaper showed 70% of right-wing rally participants said YouTube is their primary news source.

Kim Sang-wook, a PPP lawmaker who backed impeachment, said right-wing YouTubers had turned into Yoon's PR machine.

Ko rejected claims that Yoon and the conservative YouTubers had a particularly symbiotic relationship, saying similar dynamics play out on the liberal side of the political spectrum as well.

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The military's martial law decree called for media to be controlled, and troops were sent to the offices of a prominent left-wing YouTube media personality who is critical of Yoon and told Reuters he went into hiding.

As Yoon faced impeachment last week Ko said Yoon's martial law order was the last resort to govern the country and urged "patriot right-wing fighters" to come out onto the streets in support.

"An all-out war has begun between the pro-North Korea faction that wants to impeach President Yoon... and our right-wing people," Ko said.

On Saturday, Ko attended a rally in Seoul with tens of thousands of Yoon supporters waving South Korean and U.S. flags, greeting fans who wanted to shake hands and take pictures together.

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"Dr. Ko is a great political commentator who awakens conservative citizens and guides them in the right direction," said Lee Kwang-hyun, 71, a fan at the rally who decried "fake news".

Yoon is fighting against election fraud just like Trump, Lee said, adding he opposed impeachment in part because it would prevent Yoon from attending Trump's inauguration in January.

"I believe Yoon's ideology and spirit has completely turned toward saving our country," he said.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Josh Smith and Michael Perry)
Three men broke into J. F.s home on December 6 around 10 p.m. They stabbed my father and then burned his body in front of me, he says, his voice breaking. The victim, 76 years old and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, had gone to bed early in observance of the Sabbath, the day of rest in his faith. His son attempted to intervene. They beat me and forced me to watch, he recalls, his hands trembling.

This marked the beginning of three days of violence in the Wharf Jeremie neighborhood in Cite Soleil, a densely populated and impoverished commune in Port-au-Prince, Haitis capital. A series of home invasions followed by a manhunt claimed the lives of more than 180 people. All were accused by a gang leader of practicing voodoo rituals that he believed had harmed his son.

Some of the victims were local shopkeepers. People like Jean-Robert, known as Supporte, who ran a grocery store, and an elderly woman named Marie Denise, who sold sweets, were also brutally murdered. The mutilated and burned bodies left a path of devastation through the neighborhood. The flames consumed not only homes, but also the remaining hopes of those who survived.

Supporte always helped the community; he didnt deserve this, laments his neighbor, L. J.

All names in this report are initials only for security reasons.

A woman runs for cover from gunfire during clashes between police and gangs in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Dec. Odelyn Joseph (AP)

The following day, the violence escalated. Men affiliated with Monel Felix, the leader of one of the gangs terrorizing the capital, continued their attacks, this time wielding knives. The streets, stained with blood and scattered with lifeless bodies, echoed with screams of horror. Pierre Esperance, director of the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH), reported that at least 50 people died that day, based on the testimonies he gathered. Among the victims were young people who attempted to rescue relatives and friends trapped in the chaos.

I saw my cousin being stabbed and then set on fire. I couldnt do anything, recalled C. E., a witness still grappling with the trauma of the event.

The gang not only murdered but also restricted the movement of residents, laying siege to Wharf Jeremie. No one could enter or leave without facing consequences.

We were trapped, listening to screams and seeing smoke rising from burning houses, says R. B., another resident. Even people who live outside the neighborhood are under threat, adds A. M., a shopkeeper who lost his brother during the attacks.

Witchcraft accusations served as the pretext for the killings. Some homes were searched for evidence of voodoo rituals. Monel Felix  also known as Wa Mikano or Micanor Altes  accused the victims of casting a spell on his son, who had fallen ill and died, according to Fritznel Pierre of the human rights organization Konbit pour la Paix.

An armored tank in the Poste Marchand area, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on December 10, 2024. Anadolu (Anadolu via Getty Images)

On Sunday, December 8, the scene at Wharf Jeremie was bleak. The remains of victims still smoldered in some streets. A pungent smell of burning flesh filled the air, recalls S. L., who survived by hiding in a sewer. Stray dogs prowled around the abandoned bodies, and the few people who dared to leave their homes kept their eyes fixed on the ground, trying to avoid the most disturbing scenes. There were bodies piled up near the entrance to the neighborhood, as if they were garbage, says the 18-year-old.

Reports indicate that more than 100 people were killed  184, according to the United Nations. Most of the victims were elderly. Community testimonies suggest the real death toll is much higher. Pierre Esperance, director of RNDDH, explains that it is difficult to know the exact number, as many bodies were mutilated and burned in the streets. Several young people, including motorcycle taxi drivers, were also killed while trying to save residents, he adds. And the sea is very close, where bodies can easily disappear.

Reports also indicate that Micanor Altes continues to massacre civilians, according to Esaie Bauchard, former mayor of the Cite Soleil commune, who spoke to EL PAIS. The former mayor estimates that the death toll from the massacre has reached 300, as around 50 more people were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday, accused by the gang leader of leaking information about the massacre to the press.

According to Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the killings pushed the number of violent deaths in Haiti in 2024 to 5,000. Speaking at a press conference, Turk described the incident as an act of violence orchestrated by a powerful gang that controls much of Cite Soleil. It is a tragedy that reflects the total state absence in these areas, he said.

Its like weve been wiped off the map

The victims stories reveal the scale of the horror endured. Marcel Cange, a man known in the neighborhood for his work as a carpenter, lost his life along with his wife and two young children. They were a hardworking and honest family, says his neighbor, P. S. Ti Kepi. Another neighbor was executed along with other family members as they tried to flee toward the main road. Madame Colonel, an elderly woman who had lived at Wharf Jeremie for more than 50 years, was also killed. She used to look after my children when I was working, recalls E. D., a single mother who now fears for her safety.

I know at least 30 people who died during those three days, says J. N., a survivor. The names of the victims have become a stark reminder of the fragility of life in a community struggling to survive in the face of violence. Its like weve been wiped off the map, laments J. N.

Wharf Jeremie is a neighborhood situated on the northern outskirts of Port-au-Prince, along the shores of the capitals bay. It borders the industrial port and the ruins of Fort Dimanche, a former detention and torture center during the Duvalier regime. Known for its extreme poverty, the area has no sewage system. The streets are unpaved and littered with garbage, and the precarious homes are built from makeshift material.

The neighborhood is part of the Cite Soleil commune, one of the most dangerous and impoverished areas in Haiti. This sprawling slum, home to more than 300,000 people, is a labyrinth of dead ends and small sewage canals that snake through the community. With virtually no state presence, armed gangs like Viv Ansanm have stepped into the vacuum, imposing their own system of governance.

The coalition of gangs  which includes Micanor Altes  has been responsible for numerous massacres in recent years. The lack of government intervention and the weakness of Haitis security forces have allowed these groups to act with impunity, leaving residents in a constant state of fear. Living here is like walking on broken glass every day, says J. M., a resident of Cite Soleil.

An uncertain future

In 2025, the U.N. Security Council will decide whether to transform the Multinational Security Support Mission into a full-fledged United Nations mission. In the meantime, armed gangs continue to tighten their grip on Haiti. Government promises have rung hollow for many survivors, who feel abandoned and forgotten. We just want justice and a chance to live in peace, says M. B., whose family was dismembered during the massacre.

The citizens of Wharf Jeremie have issued a desperate plea for swift and effective intervention from local and international authorities. We need more than words; we need concrete actions to restore our peace of mind, said J. M., who lost his brother in the attacks. Others are calling for immediate humanitarian aid to assist those left homeless. We have nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat. Everything we had was destroyed, said E. D.

Residents are also demanding justice for the victims. We want those responsible to face the consequences of what they did. We cannot continue living under the control of these gangs, says R. B., who survived the massacre by hiding under his bed for three days.

The sacrifice of these souls will not be in vain, the government declared in a statement following the massacre. However, such words bring little solace to the residents of Wharf Jeremie, who continue to face a grim reality marked by fear and uncertainty. The scars of the tragedy remain raw, and the pursuit of justice promises to be a long and arduous journey.

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Julie Scelfo started MAMA  Mothers Against Media Addiction  earlier this year to help parents fight back against the harms of social media on children. A former journalist, Scelfo says she was inspired to take action after reporting on the youth mental health crisis and how screens and social media are affecting young peoples lives.

The group has 28 chapters in 17 states, with waitlists to start other chapters. Scelfo says the group wants to establish chapters in every state, provide parent education about technology, ensure the school day remains smart-phone-free for students and overcome the inertia in our state capitals and Congress so technology is safeguarded like other consumer products."

Scelfo spoke with The Associated Press recently about her work with MAMA, as well as a new Australian law banning children under 16 from using social media. The Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

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QUESTION: What are the biggest issues you hear from parents about technology, anything new that hasnt been talked about as much?

Im not sure it hasnt been talked about, but what I hear the most from parents is that they are extremely stressed about the ubiquity of technology in their childrens lives and they dont know what to do about it. Whether its the massive social pressure to get kids their own phones, or the fact that kindergartners are handed tablets on their first day of school, it can feel almost impossible for parents to do what they intrinsically know is better for their kids  which is to be outside in the world as much as possible and not parked in front of a screen. But parents cannot possibly bear the entire responsibility of keeping children off screens and keeping them safe online because the problems are baked into society and into the design of the products.

Parents and kids face a polycrisis  multiple crises happening at the same time which creates an effect even more devastating than each one would be individually. At a time when children should be building their social skills and attention span, they are increasingly interacting with the world through technology that can impede the development of both  and on platforms without adequate safeguards. Social media companies relentlessly target our kids with hidden algorithms that exploit their emotions for profit, and I dont think theres a real understanding of just how pervasive that exploitation is.

Q: Is Australias ban on social media for kids under 16 the right move by a government? Why/why not?

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Australias social media ban for children under 16 puts the responsibility of compliance where it should be  on tech platforms, not parents. With more than half of teenagers spending nearly five hours a day on social media platforms and our heart-breaking national youth mental health crisis, its unconscionable that governments around the world, including here in the U.S., have failed to pass meaningful social media regulation since the days when AOL still distributed CD-ROMs by snail mail.

Much like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would do here in the U.S, Australias ban represents a crucial first break in the long-standing logjam on any type of internet regulation and I applaud Australias legislators and Prime Minister Albanese for having the courage to stand up to Big Tech.

Big Tech is personalizing content to pull our kids into a world where addiction, anxiety, and even depression are side effects. To keep them on the app longer, children are shown more and more extreme content, leveraging the mountains of data they are collecting on our kids, with no common-sense safeguards or basic protections every parent expects. They are making billions while having the nerve to say its the parents job to make their products safe for our kids? Its time for governments to step in and force Beg Tech to take responsibility for the effects of their products. Big Tech has spent more than $51 million this year alone to prevent KOSA from passing.

Q: What are the reasons that teens should wait until 16 to be on social media?

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A: Todays youth spend nearly 9 hours on screens daily and its not healthy or safe for their hearts and minds. For example, Meta in September acknowledged taking action on 12 million pieces of suicide and self-harm content on Facebook and Instagram this year  just between April and June. Our kids compulsion to check their phones is exposing them to unsafe content and displacing critical, real-world experiences they need to properly develop socially, emotionally and academically.

Q: Wont kids just get around the restrictions, as they always do?

A: Every other industry is safeguarded. From toys to food to buildings to cars, we have regulations in place to keep children safe. Why should social media products be any different? Kids may try to get around the restrictions  just like they do for alcohol, tobacco or drugs  but nobody is saying that because they try, we should give them unfettered access to them. Parents cannot possibly bear the entire responsibility of keeping children safe online, because the problems are baked into the design of the products, and so we need policies that hold Big Tech accountable for ensuring their products are safe.

Q: What is your ultimate goal with MAMA?

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A: Just like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the genesis of this movement is fury and anger at the injustice of young people being robbed of their lives just because they happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I want to direct that energy into cultural change  we cant continue to tout the benefits of technology without having an open and real-time discussion about its significant, and widespread harms and without ensuring that powerful corporations, just like Big Tobacco, are forced to make their products as safe as possible for humans.

The ultimate goal for MAMA is to put tech products in their place: as powerful, and often helpful tools - but just a part of human life, not the center of it.
When we talk about student success, its easy to focus on academic scores and standardized tests as the only measures of progress. But academic performance is just one piece to the puzzle. True success lies in recognizing the full spectrum of a childs development  from academic grades to emotional well-being to social growth and their ability to interact with the world.

When we collectively make an effort to support our students in every way, we can make a real difference in their lives.

Unfortunately, some folks choose to focus solely on standardized tests (administered to students on one day) as the only measure of success.

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Opinion: UW-Milwaukee would be demoted by plan to split apart Wisconsin university system

So, when the state recently released student testing results and updated district and school accountability report cards, it came as no surprise that some were quick to politicize this process and attempt to call into question the validity or usefulness of data.

Changes more accurately reflect where students perform academically

Let me be clear: Recent updates to standardized assessments more accurately reflect where Wisconsin students perform academically. Report cards contain valuable data and are a key resource to inform communities and the work of our educators. They help schools see what is working and identify specific areas they have found success in, and where they can better support students.

These reports show that we are seeing progress in a variety of areas within our schools, but that there is much more work to be done to support kids.

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Like the very real and growing needs of Wisconsin families, education changes. And in recent years, Wisconsins standards in various subjects were updated to better reflect what students should know and be able to do in the classroom at a given point in time. This is a process that the DPI and educators have undergone routinely, and it occurs to keep up with our evolving understanding of how to best teach our kids for future academic and life success.

Opinion: Wisconsin parents deserve truth about their children's academic progress

Whenever our academic standards are updated, it also means our Wisconsin assessment, the Forward Exam, needs to be updated to accurately assess students on those learning goals, and that a standard setting process is required to take place to align the test to the updated learning standards.

Previously, cut scores (or selected points on a test score scale that determine if a score is sufficient) on the exam were aligned to an entirely different standard: the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Proficiency levels on this national test are considered an extremely high standard to meet, beyond grade-level knowledge. These cut scores reflected NAEP proficiency, and not what it means to be proficient on our Wisconsin test.

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Put a better way, if standards are the units of measurement, the test is our tape measure. Until last year, we were teaching in pounds and measuring in miles. This misalignment is exactly what needed to be changed. Our Wisconsin standards are set by grade level, so our Forward Exam performance levels should reflect where kids are based on these Wisconsin standards.

Diverse group of Wisconsin educators reviewed, updated measures

This past summer, I tasked a diverse group of nearly 100 Wisconsin educators, representing communities across the state and perspectives from various education sectors, to review and update our measures over the summer. These individuals are experts in education  the exact people who dedicate their lives to helping our kids succeed, and the people we trust with our children in schools every day. This necessary process was performed in a very open and transparent manner.

I am proud of the work our educators did to align our test with Wisconsins Academic Standards and provide families with results that better reflect what our students should know at each grade.

Opinion: Wisconsin makes it hard for parents to access data and understand report cards

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But in the end, the success of students should not be solely measured by numbers on a test, which is administered on one day to kids  many who struggle with issues outside of school.

About six out of 10 Wisconsin high school students have told us they deal with at least one mental health challenge. One out of every four of those same kids tell us they experience hunger due to a lack of food in their home. Many kids across our state do not have access to the same educational opportunities as others.

How do we expect our kids to perform well academically when they face so many challenges daily? How can we make real, meaningful change when some purposefully ignore significant factors that impact a students ability to learn?

State budget request an opportunity to reinvest in public schools

My 2025-27 Biennial Budget request represents an opportunity to ensure we meet the very real needs of our kids and our schools, who have been asking for support for many years. It is an opportunity to reinvest in our kids, and our public education system.

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Opinion: Your child may not be doing as well in school as you think. State lowered bar.

Through my budget, we have made a number of critical proposals. To name a few:

We have the ability to make real change. We must reinvest in our public schools and the future of our kids. And we have to recognize that we need to support the whole child, not by attacking the good work educators have done to align our tests to our own standards, but by fighting for more resources for our desperately underfunded public schools.

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Jill Underly is Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She was elected to a four-year term in the spring of 2021.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin updated school academic standards transparently | Opinion
Type 1 diabetics require insulin to live. The medication has surged in price, making it frequently unaffordable for those without insurance or with high-deductible plans. (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

I remember the room so clearly. It was a small conference space in the Concord Monitor newspaper office in New Hampshire, scarcely big enough for two people. I had ducked into the room to make a phone call to a mail-order pharmacy, one of the conveniences required by my health insurance company.

My voice shook, and I could barely contain my emotion.

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Do you understand that I need this drug to live? I told the person on the other side. Do you understand that without this medicine I will die?

If you want to understand why so many Americans of disparate political ideologies have cheered on Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, you might look to that moment, one that Im confident has been shared by countless people in recent decades. The exact medicine I was talking about doesnt matter in the grand scheme of things  some folks depend on EpiPens, others on asthma inhalers, others on insulin, others on antiretroviral therapy, still others on chemotherapy drugs.

Until you find yourself on that call, begging our nations health care cartel to keep you alive, you dont know what its like.

The shame grinds at you.

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But at least theres some sort of coverage underneath it all. Youre not one the approximately 172 Kansans who died this year because of the Legislatures blinkered refusal to expand Medicaid. Imagine their friends and families, reeling from preventable carnage.

We have numbed ourselves, I think, to the shocking cruelty of it all, to the everyday horror of begging for medicine, for medical care, for someone to listen. Insurers and the dubious shell companies they spawn (take a look into pharmacy benefit managers sometime) enjoy record profits. Meanwhile, everyday folks grit their teeth and persist.

Those a rung or two lower on the social ladder? Forget about it.

Mangione has been apprehended and will face justice. Murder and violence, no matter the motivation, are wrong. Killing Thompson not only wounded his loved ones and friends, but it arguably makes efforts to improve the system more difficult. No CEO wants to appear as though fear has changed their behavior.

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Yet when so many feel powerless as a system runs roughshod over them, we should not be surprised that some number (perhaps larger than we imagine) will condone horrifying violence.

Consider that the Kansas Legislature passed Medicaid expansion  yes, passed it  a mere seven years ago. Then-Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed the bill, and lawmakers couldnt override him. Each year, advocates trek to the Statehouse in Topeka and make their case. Each year, think tanks issue papers showing how many more parents and children would be covered. Each year, the news media points out the clear good that such a move could make.

One year, demonstrators even unfurled banners covered with red handprints, declaring the legislators had blood on their hands. Others have tried mildly disruptive tactics, anything to seize the attention and make the case.

We know the cost  you can calculate it with publicly available numbers. Once 2024 ends in a couple of weeks, some 1,720 Kansans will have died over 10 years.

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Yet nothing happens.

Calculating the toll

A report published in the Lancet found that Medicaid expansion was associated with 11.8 fewer deaths per 100,000 adults ages 25-64 annually. This allowed me to create the number used in this and previous columns. (Read more about the study.)

I divided 100,000 into 1,457,923  the total Kansas population between those ages in the 2020 U.S. Census. I multiplied the result by 11.8 and then by 10, the number of years that Kansas has gone without expansion. The states population has varied slightly over those 10 years, so the calculated toll (1,720 for the decade) is an approximation.

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Other estimates have been done. University of Kansas professor Donna Ginther has cited 648 probable deaths based on a paper from the The Quarterly Journal of Economics. That research focuses on the near-elderly.

Writ large, the same story has played out across the nation. Despite the Affordable Care Acts success in covering more Americans, the law did not prevent for-profit insurance companies from playing the angles to maximize their take. It has not meaningfully lowered prices. Mangiones manifesto points out  entirely accurately  that we spend more money on health care in the United States than any other nation yet see poor health outcomes.

Mangione faces second-degree murder charges in New York. If found guilty, he will face punishment from society. We punish those who commit acts of violence against others  as long as they do it one-on-one. The German philosopher Friedrich Engels described a different kind of murder in 1845. He called it social murder, described it as occurring when societys elites created conditions for the poor that inevitable prove fatal.

When society places hundreds of proletarians in such a position that they inevitably meet a too early and an unnatural death, one which is quite as much a death by violence as that by the sword or bullet; when it deprives thousands of the necessaries of life, places them under conditions in which they cannot live  forces them, through the strong arm of the law, to remain in such conditions until that death ensues which is the inevitable consequence  knows that these thousands of victims must perish, and yet permits these conditions to remain, its deed is murder just as surely as the deed of the single individual, he wrote.

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Engels also helped create communism with Karl Marx, so skepticism might be warranted. Yet he precisely defines the socially excused violence that threatens our state and nation.

The political process, if working correctly, should reform the mechanisms that create such suffering. Successive generations of reformers, from Teddy Roosevelt to Franklin Roosevelt to Lyndon Johnson, created a web of safety nets. Untold numbers of lives were saved.

Yet that process has solved fewer and fewer problems of late. Americans feel in their bones that something is amiss, that something has gone wrong and needs fixing. Conservatives blame liberals, while liberals blame conservatives. Neither want to blame actual culprits, the wealthy, because they underwrite each partys existence.

Extremism flourishes when officials close off everyday avenues of social and government change.

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I fear it, from any party or ideology. Once lit, certain fires can be difficult to extinguish. We have witnessed the results of popular uprisings over the past 150 years, and they do not fill one with confidence. Revolution often ends poorly. Dictators and strongmen rise, while the ultra-wealthy flee to stable fortresses elsewhere.

We know what we need to do. Create a responsive government at the state and national levels. Lower health care costs without sacrificing coverage or quality. Reorient society from a win-at-all-costs mindset to the neighborliness of an earlier age. Show others the caring we would hope they show us.

Yet how can we plausibly achieve these goals? Ideological chasms yawn. Many have abandoned hope, drawn into black holes of nihilism. Those of us who dare to imagine better outcomes wonder if we lead others astray by doing so.

We are all locked in that room together now, still on that phone call, begging for our lives.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygran and Vice President Richelle Montoya in 2022 during their campaign to lead the Navajo Nation. Handout photo

After an eight-month investigation, sexual harassment claims that Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya made against Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren are not warranted, according to the preliminary investigation released Monday by the tribes attorney general.

Vice President Montoyas recounting of the August 17, 2023, incident does not constitute sexual harassment under policies applicable to either Navajo Nation elected officials or employees covered by the Navajo Nation [Personnel Policies Manual], according to the investigation findings. Further, the facts reported would not constitute a violation of any criminal law of the Navajo Nation.

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The Navajo Nation Attorney Generals Office launched an outside investigation into the allegations in April after Montoya voiced her claims of harassment and bullying.

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Montoya first shared that she had been dealing with issues within the Navajo Nations Office of the President and Vice President during her remarks as part of the Navajo Nation Councils spring session on April 15.

During a Facebook Live on April 16, Montoya followed up on her remarks by sharing that she was sexually harassed and bullied in an incident that occurred in August of 2023, but she did not name the alleged perpetrator.

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In May, Nygren confirmed in a press conference that he is the accused of Montoyas incident, which took place in his office during a meeting on Aug. 17, 2023.

After calls from the Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Nation speaker, and the Navajo public, the investigation into the allegations was launched by Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch, who hired Tempe attorney Eric Dahlstrom from the Rothstein Donatelli law firm to look into the allegations.

Based on the preliminary findings, the investigation concluded that further investigation into Vice President Montoyas sexual harassment claim and the appointment of a Special Prosecutor are not warranted.

Nygren said the Navajo people can now move forward since he has been cleared of any improper behavior.

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This false allegation against me as President of the Navajo Nation has divided and hurt the entire Navajo Nation, Nygren said in a written statement. We need to heal from this and focus on moving forward.

Nygren said that he is happy his administration and the Navajo Nation can finally put the allegation behind them, but he believes that Montoya needs to be held accountable.

Sadly, this has been nothing but a disgraceful power grab from the get-go by the Vice President and her supporters, he said. Her false accusations and blatant lies all along have been an attempt to remove me as President.

In October, Nygren terminated Montoyas authority over any projects and called for her resignation, but she has not responded to the call.

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Branch said that she, like many other Navajo people, was frustrated with how long the investigation took, but it was critical to ensure a full and complete analysis and recommendation by the independent third-party counsel.

As part of the investigation, Branch said that multiple employees were interviewed, a phone and text tip line was set up to allow members of the public to express their concerns and a thorough review of public sources was conducted.

According to the Navajo Nation Office of the President, some individuals interviewed as part of the investigation included Montoya, Nygren and two of the presidents top aides, Chief of Staff Patrick Sandoval and Chief Legal Counsel Bidtah Becker.

I am satisfied that no rock was left unturned in the search for evidence of any potential wrongdoing, Branch said. Now that the preliminary investigation has concluded, she said she intends to follow the recommendations of the independent investigator.

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I do not believe it is in the best interest of the Nation to continue spending the Nations money on allegations that, even if taken as true, would not amount to any violation of Navajo law, she said. Recommendations from the investigator were not shared in the press release.

Although it is time to put this issue to rest and move forward as a Nation, I want to reiterate that the Navajo Nation takes any allegation of sexual harassment seriously, Branch said. The Department of Justice will do its part to ensure a full process to investigate and take appropriate actions in response to the findings of investigators.

Branch said the full investigative report would be released publicly once Navajo Nation leadership had been briefed.

Shortly after releasing the preliminary investigation report, Branch announced the termination of the Navajo Nations attorney contracts with Rothstein Donatelli LLP, claiming that the law firm delayed the results of the investigation, which caused instability among the Navajo government.

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The Navajo Nation deserves legal counsel that is diligent and that does its work in a manner that is appropriate to the level of care and attention that is warranted, Branch said. The inordinate delay in receiving the results of the preliminary investigation into the Vice Presidents allegations exacerbated the instability in Navajo government that the allegation introduced.

Accordingly the Nation will no longer work with Rothstein Donatelli, she added.

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MARCY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  An inmate at the Marcy Correctional Facility died on December 10th as a result of injuries sustained as a result of the use of force by members of the staff at the facility. The prison officials involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

According to a statement released by the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, the incident that resulted in the death of the unnamed inmate occurred on December 9th. The inmate was taken to a local hospital where they passed away the next day.

Given the circumstances of the incident, said Martuscello, I ordered an immediate investigation by the Departments Office of Special Investigations, as well as notifying New York State Police and the New York State Attorney General.

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Governor Hochul also released a statement. She noted that she has been briefed on the situation.

I have been briefed on the death of an individual in custody at Marcy Correctional Facility. I would like to offer my condolences to this individuals family and loved ones at this time. Based on preliminary information I have ordered a full investigation of this incident and will ensure anyone found to have violated laws or DOCCS protocols is held accountable. It is the responsibility of the correctional system to provide appropriate care and protection for those in its custody and as Governor I will not tolerate anyone who violates that responsibility. While we cannot discuss specifics of an active investigation, the DOCCS commissioner has placed relevant individuals on leave until the investigation is completed. Governor Kathy Hochul on the incident

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A male bulldog in desperate need of help is in caring hands after someone dumped the dog in a taped-up trash bag.

In a Dec. 13 Facebook post, the Des Moines Police Department said it was "requesting the community's assistance" in determining who left behind the "abandoned and emaciated" canine.

The agency added that someone brought the ailing animal to a City of Des Moines Animal Services facility on Dec. 10 after they found the bulldog on the side of an Iowa road, tied up in a trash bag with only his head sticking out.

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"The male bulldog's body was inside a plastic trash bag, secured closed with tape, rendering the dog unable to walk. The dog's head was outside of the bag. The person who reported finding the dog said that what caught his attention as he drove by and saw the trash bag," the Des Moines Police Department detailed on social media.



Des Moines Police Abandoned bulldog in Des Moines, bound by a trash bag Abandoned bulldog in Des Moines, bound by a trash bag

After arriving at the shelter, the dog had a veterinary exam, where the "staff found the dog to be emaciated, weighing slightly over 23 pounds,."

Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department said in a statement to The Associated Press, that the bulldog is slowly recovering in the City of Des Moines Animal Services' care.



Related: Woman Caught on Camera Stealing 12-Year-Old French Bulldog, Owner Says His Son, 5, Is Heartbroken: 'What Do You Mean He's Gone?'

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On Facebook, the police department shared that it believes the dog may have had previous veterinary care because the canine's ears are cropped and hopes that someone will recognize that animal and help the authorities find who abandoned the pet.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Des Moines Police Department requested that anyone who recognizes the bulldog or has relevant information about the dog should contact 515-248-6052, or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa.

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Islamic State is planning a mass prison break to free thousands of its fighters detained in Syria, according to Iraqi officials.

The terror group is feared to be trying to exploit the power vacuum left by the fall of the Assad regime to regroup just as Israeli bombs destroy the last of Syrias military assets.

Abdul Karim Abd Fadhil, the head of Iraqs national security service, said on Sunday that Islamic State (IS) was planning to target the prisons where thousands of its fighters have been held for years.

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His warning about prison security followed concerns voiced by US senator Lyndsey Graham. He said an IS jailbreak would be a nightmare for both America and Europe.

At least 40,000 people associated with IS remain in detention camps run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Kurdish fighting force that controls most of north-east Syria.

About 9,000 well-trained, battle-hardened IS fighters are spread across multiple prisons, the largest being al-Hasakah and al-Shaddadi. Hundreds were killed in a previous prison break attempt at al-Hasakah in 2022.

The rest of the detainees are women and children from Iraq and Syria, accused of being supporters of IS or families of fighters. About 8,000 are from overseas, including former British citizens.

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However, with most of their forces trapped within prisons, analysts estimate the groups numbers remain low, somewhere between 1,000 and 5,000.

Since rebel forces swept to power just over a week ago, ending Bashar al-Assads 24-year rule, IS has already carried out six attacks in the Syrian desert, killing 70 people. Most were fleeing members of the former regimes forces.

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, warned last week that IS would probably attempt to capitalise on the instability as power in Damascus changes hands. Joe Biden, the outgoing US president, said Washington was clear-eyed about the threat of an IS resurgence.

The US air force has since carried out dozens of precision strikes on IS camps, operatives and leaders.

Members of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Hasaka - Orhan Qereman/Reuters

Bassam Ishak, a representative of the Syrian Democratic Council, the political wing of the SDF, told The Telegraph that an IS resurgence was already under way.

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The SDF is occupied with fighting Turkish-backed rebels and the more they become engaged in these new fronts, the more IS will try to attack, Mr Ishak said. That increases the risk of a prison break with the help of sleeper cells.

There is a very serious danger now. Its very important that the SDF receives help to defend the region, he added.

The threat comes as the SDF, which was key to dismantling the IS caliphate in 2019, is occupied with an operation by Turkish-backed rebels to eliminate their lead militia, the Peoples Defense Units (YPG).

Turkey considers the YPG an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a decades-long insurgency against the Ankara.

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Before Assads fall there were warnings that IS could make a comeback, particularly in the vast desert regions where sleeper cells were thought to be regrouping and rebuilding.

IS is like a disease  when the body is sick, thats when it appears, Jerome Drevon, a senior analyst with Crisis Group, told The Telegraph. It is rarely the cause of problems and usually the symptom of something deeper.

The main question now is how to stabilise the new situation, because if there is chaos, thats how the group spreads, he said. I dont think they would be able to take territory at the moment, but the international community has to be engaged to stabilise the situation.

The jihadists remain the most deadly terror group internationally, responsible for 1,636 deaths in 2023, with Syria bearing the brunt.

Mazloum Abdi, the SDFs commander-in-chief, says he is open to talks with Turkey and Islamist-led rebels - DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP

IS has carried out nearly 700 attacks in Syria since January, almost tripling last years rate, Charles Lister, a director at the Middle East Institute, wrote in The New York Times.

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The attacks have also become more sophisticated with analysts warning the terror group could be planning more missions in Europe to reassert its status and attract new recruits.

Excluding Isis Khorasan in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the group has diminished capacities now, said Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence at Le Beck.

However, it could see the [new reality] in Syria and general disorder in the Middle East as an opportunity to reassert itself in the region with attacks on the West or Russia.

The SDF considers information about foreign fighters and their whereabouts highly sensitive. The status of many of the British people who went to Syria to join IS is unknown or they are presumed dead.

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Human rights groups say those left include 10 men, 20 women and 35 children who are British or have held UK citizenship

Among the known survivors is Jack Letts, also known as Jihadi Jack, who is in an SDF prison near Raqqa. A Muslim convert, he left the UK to allegedly join IS in 2014, declaring himself an enemy of Britain.

Shahan Choudhury and his wife, Mahak Sabrina Aslam, were also captured in 2019 and have since been stripped of their British citizenship. Mr Choudhury is in an SDF prison in Hasakah while Aslam is in al-Roj camp.

Shamima Begum, who joined IS at the age of 15, remains in al-Roj camp. Her multiple appeals to return to the UK have been rejected.

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The collapse of the former regime in Syria has also set off a scramble for control among foreign powers. Yet, countries are unable to legally deal with Syrias new regime which is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, as it is still designated a terrorist group by the UN, US and UK.

Despite former links, the Islamist-led rebel coalition have repeatedly pledged not to allow IS into their movement.

The terror group responded by trying to discredit HTS, calling them nationalists and revolutionaries rather than a jihadist group  a description likely to help rather than hinder HTSs public image.

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The Israeli Knesset has approved plans to increase the number of settlers in the Golan Heights, territory that was seized from Syria in 1967.

The announcement comes after the dramatic downfall last week of President Bashar al-Assad, with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that a "new front" had opened up in Syria close to Israel's border.

The "demographic development" plan to increase settler numbers only applies to the area of the Golan Heights that Israel seized during the Six Day War in 1967 and later annexed in 1981 and not to territory taken since al-Assad's ouster.

Netanyahu praised the plan which comes with 40 million shekels (10 million) in funding with the aim of doubling the settler population in the territory.

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Currently, there are an estimated 31,000 Israelis living in settlements considered illegal under international law across the Golan Heights.

The Israeli settlers live alongside around 20,000 Syrians, most of them Druze Arabs, who did not flee the area when it fell to Israel.

But in a television address on Sunday night, Netanyahu said Israel was not seeking a conflict with Syria.

"We have no interest in confronting Syria. We will determine Israel's policy towards Syria according to the emerging reality on the ground," he said.

"I remind you that for decades Syria was an active enemy state to Israel. It attacked us again and again, it allowed others to attack us from its territory, it allowed Iran to arm Hezbollah through its territory."

Israeli soldiers stand on an armoured vehicle before moving towards the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, 15 December, 2024 - Matias Delacroix/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

Since rebel groups spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) marched into Damascus last Sunday and brought an end to al-Assad's 24-year rule, Israel has conducted hundreds of air strikes across Syria, it says to destroy weapons dumps to prevent them falling into the hands of terrorists.

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Those strikes have been criticised by Syrias de-facto leader and head of HTS, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who said they "crossed red lines" and risked escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Criticism from the Gulf States

Israel's proposal to expand settler numbers in the Golan Heights has been criticised by both Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry called the proposal an attempt "to sabotage Syrias opportunities for security and stability."

While the Qatari Foreign Ministry called the plan "a new episode in a series of Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories and a blatant violation of international law."

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Separately, a delegation from Doha is currently in Damascus ahead of Tuesday's re-opening of Qatar's embassy in Syria, which has been closed since 2011 in response to al-Assads brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters.

A Syrian rebel removes a poster of Bashar al-Assad from the entrance to a notorious detention centre in Damascus, 14 December, 2024 - Hussein Malla/Copyright 2024 The AP. All right reserved

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said the British government is in "diplomatic contact" with the HTS rebel group.

Lammy noted that HTS remains a proscribed terrorist organisation but that the UK "can have diplomatic contact and so we do have diplomatic contact."

When HTS was established in 2011, it was a direct affiliate of Al-Qaeda and a senior figure in the so-called Islamic State was involved in its foundation.

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HTS later severed links with both groups.

Lammy's announcement comes a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press conference in Jordan that Washington had had "direct contact" with the HTS rebels and laid out the principles for ongoing US support for Syria's political transition.
Israeli military aircraft carried out a series of powerful airstrikes on military targets in the Syrian port city of Tartus, home to an important Russian naval base and ship repair facility, on the night of 15-16 December.

Source: The Times of Israel

Details: The attack focused on a number of facilities in Tartus and the Syrian Latakia Governorate. Israeli media reported that the airstrikes hit targets linked to the Russian military, including a base used by the Russian Navy and a military shipyard.

  "  -  ". pic.twitter.com/BaqRUOqhub    Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) December 15, 2024

Quote: "Israeli warplanes launched strikes targeting a series of sites, including air defence units and surface-to-surface missile depots, says the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in what it says were the heaviest strikes in Syrias coastal region since the start of strikes in 2012."

Background:

On 8 December, US President Joe Biden announced that the United States had carried out airstrikes in Syria to prevent the Islamic State from regaining power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed that during the night of 9-10 December, Israeli Navy missile ships had destroyed the Syrian navy as part of a large-scale operation to eliminate strategic threats to the country.

The Israel Defence Forces said that "the Northern Command's fire control centre conducted airstrikes on 130 targets in Syria, including weapons depots, military installations, launchers and firing positions".

The UN has called on Israel to stop targeting the country, which is getting back on its feet after the Assad regime.

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They have entered the room, left their bags on the armchair, undressed while chatting with the person next to them, and then sat down on a towel or sarong. With the naturalness of those who take off their clothes at home to put on their pyjamas or have a shower. Two Spanish cinemas  the Girona in Barcelona and the Lys in Valencia  on Sunday staged the first nudist film screenings in the country, with about 50 spectators in each auditorium. The majority were men. The origin of the initiative was the participation of a group of nudists belonging to the Valencian Naturist Association as extras in the film being shown, a Christmas thriller, entitled Tu no eres yo (You are not me), which was filmed in 2022 in Puig, Valencia, by directors Marisa Crespo and Moises Romero. A screening scheduled at the Embajadores cinema in Madrid was cancelled.

Nudism is taking off more than just your clothes; you take off the shame and the layers and impositions that weigh you down, said Angela, already naked before the screening, which she attended with her partner. They are veterans in nudism and soon they will travel to Mexico for a trekking trip, one of the most common pastimes of the group, in addition to going to the beach. At the exit to the cinema, Angela described the film as very cool, very suspenseful, and with some scares beyond having been without as many clothes as we wear in winter... the freedom it implies.

Among those present in Valencia was Juan Angel Manzano, a member of the naturist organization, an extra in the production and an ideologist of the initiative of the nudist screening. Marisa Crespo needed people aged around 60 for a scene in which naked people perform a ritual. It is at the end of the film and the scene is important, he said by phone, avoiding any spoilers. It was spectacular to work with them and our naked presence also normalized the situation for the actors, who felt more comfortable naked, he explained, adding that he has continued to act as an extra, although dressed. Manzano told the co-director that it would be really cool to see the film naked. She took it very well, talked to the distributors, and here we are. At the end of the show, he was very satisfied: Very good, a great experience, defintely one to repeat.

Spectators at the screening of 'Tu no eres yo' at the Girona cinema in Barcelona. Kike Rincon

In Barcelona, members of the Catalan Naturism Club attended the screening. Segimon Rovira, vice-president of the organization, pointed out that as naturists the idea is to be naked in natural areas: in the mountains, on beaches, but in winter we cant do that and so we organize visits to exhibitions or museums... not that we promote going to the movies naked, but it is good to normalize nudity, and separate it from any sexual connotation.

It went very well, everyone was happy and comfortable in a naturalistic environment, everything helps to normalize [nudity] but we dont want to force anything, Rovira added cautiously, adding that activities like this are also a way to maintain contact between members.

Both Rovira and Manzano explained that for the premiere of a nudist cinema session they opted for reduced numbers of members and acquaintances. The president of the Valencian association, Patxi Esparza, frames the initiative as a path towards other opportunities and normalizing nudism, as in other countries where cultural visits are normalized [...] We had attended the theater naked, but never the cinema.

Tu no eres yo tells the story of Aitana who, after years of absence, returns to her parents house for Christmas to surprise them with her girlfriend Gabi and their adopted son. As soon as she arrives home, she discovers that her family has replaced her with a stranger her own age, who wears her clothes, sleeps in her bed, and is treated like a daughter. From there, Aitana attempts to understand what is going on inside the house, which leads the viewer to experience the tension felt by the protagonist.

After the Barcelona screening, one of the cinema managers exited in pursuit of the spectators with a sock in his hand that someone had forgotten.

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Israel announced that it would close its embassy in Ireland on Sunday after the European country recognized Palestine as a sovereign nation and other acts that Israel said promoted antisemitic rhetoric.

The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards. Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel, the nations Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.

Israel will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries worldwide according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel, he added.

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Irelands prime minister rejected the severance and declared his country was a peaceful nation.

Ireland wants a two state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security, Prime Minister Simon Harris wrote in a post on X.

The comments follow Irelands decision to support South Africas case against Israel in the International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity.

Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that, Harris added.

Yair Lapid, Israels opposition leader, also condemned Israels move dubbing it a cop out.

The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Ireland is a victory for anti-Semitism and anti-Israel organizations, he wrote on X.

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The way to deal with criticism is not to run away, but to stay and fight!

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Irelands taoiseach Simon Harris has accused Benjamin Netanyahu of closing down Israels embassy in Dublin to distract from the killing of children in Gaza by Israeli armed forces.

Israel announced it would shut down its embassy in Ireland on Sunday, citing the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government.

You know what I think is reprehensible? Killing children, I think thats reprehensible, Mr Harris said on Monday.

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You know what I think is reprehensible? Seeing the scale of civilian deaths that weve seen in Gaza. You know what I think is reprehensible? People being left to starve and humanitarian aid not flowing.

Mr Harris, whose role is equivalent to prime minister, accused Mr Netanyahu, his Israeli counterpart, of indulging in the diplomacy of distraction.

Id respectfully suggest that, possibly, because it works as a distraction, youre all here today asking about Irelands position, the leader of the centre-Right Fine Gael party said.

What about Israels actions? What about what Netanyahu is doing to the innocent children of Gaza?

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Mr Harris added: I think we should be very careful in not falling for what I believe are distractions by the Israeli government. It is deeply regrettable that it decided to shut its embassy.

I dont in any way minimise that decision, but its nothing in comparison to whats happening in the Middle East, absolutely nothing.

Israel cited the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government as the reason for closing its embassy in Dublin - Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire

Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, hit back at Mr Harriss comments in his own statement, accusing Ireland of encouraging anti-Semitism and Mr Harris of being anti-Semitic.

There is a difference between criticism  and anti-Semitism based on the delegitimisation and dehumanisation of Israel and double standards towards Israel as opposed to other countries, Mr Saar said. This is how Ireland allowed itself to behave towards Israel.

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He went on to say that Ireland did not bother to promote measures to fight anti-Semitism within the country, on the contrary  they only encouraged it, before calling Mr Harris Irelands anti-Semitic prime minister.

Mr Saar pointed to Israels support of the International Criminal Courts decision to issue an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, and the fact that Ireland is one of the only countries in Europe that has not adopted the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition of anti-Semitism.

Israel will not be a punching bag

He also claimed that Zionism and Zionists have become derogatory words in Ireland and that Ireland called the IDFs actions war crimes.

Israel will not be a punching bag for every anti-Semite in the world to beat on, he added.

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Sinn Feins leader Mary Lou McDonald meanwhile called on the government to stand firm in the face of Israeli belligerence and progress its stalled Occupied Territories Bill, which would make it an offence to import goods made in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The closure of Israels embassy in Ireland follows a year-long genocide against the Palestinian people and the shredding of international law, she said. Sanctions are essential to push for a ceasefire, an end to this genocidal war and deliver a renewed peace process grounded in international law.

Relations between Israel and Ireland have been strained since May, when Mr Harriss government formally recognised a Palestinian state, cementing its status as one of Europes most outspoken critics of the war in Gaza.

Dublin said last week it would support an International Court of Justice petition accusing Israel of genocide.

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Mr Harris said in November that Ireland would arrest Mr Netanyahu if he travelled to the country after an International Criminal Court warrant was issued for the Israeli prime minister.

Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he landed in Ireland, according to the countrys prime minister - Stoyan Nenov/AP

In October, he warned Israel against firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, where Irish forces were serving.

Dublin was also angered after Israel summoned the Irish ambassador in May and allowed journalists to film her as she was shown videos of female hostages being taken during Hamass Oct 7 terror attack.

Respect for humanitarian law

Micheal Martin, the deputy prime minister and leader of the coalition partner Fianna Fail, denied Ireland was hostile towards Israel.

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Recognising a state of Palestine, which we did with Norway and Spain, and which other countries have done, is not a hostile act and should not be seen as a hostile act, he said at an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.

He said Irelands intervention at the International Court of Justice and recognition of Palestine was motivated by respect for international humanitarian law.

Ireland held elections last month, which were won by Fianna Fail. All three main parties were united by a similar stance on Israels war in Gaza.

People in Ireland feel a sense of kinship with Palestinians, which is rooted in its experience of British colonial rule. Like them, they believe the Palestinians are victims of a larger, belligerent neighbour.

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When recognising Palestine, itself a former British territory, Mr Harris evoked the language of the Irish declaration of independence.

In June, a poll found that 76 per cent of Irish people thought the EU should impose trade sanctions on Israel because of the war in Gaza.

Ireland has also had regular anti-Israel protests. A five-day demonstration by students camping out at Trinity College Dublin only ended after the university promised to divest from Israeli companies that are active in occupied territory.

Spain and Ireland are both pushing for the EU to review its trade links to Israel because of the war, but other member states, such as Germany, remain supportive of the country.

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Fianna Fail is expected to eventually form a coalition with Fine Gael in a repeat of the alliance formed after the 2020 elections.

The current government has previously rejected calls from the opposition to expel Israels ambassador to Ireland and has no plans to close Irelands embassy in Israel.

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In view of the ceasefire with the Hezbollah militia, the Israeli army is moving some of its troops from southern Lebanon to the Gaza Strip.

The army's 98th division has ended its three-month battle against the pro-Iranian militia in the northern neighbouring country and is preparing for its deployment in the Gaza Strip, the army said on Monday. A division usually consists of 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers.

Hezbollah and Israel ended more than a year of mutual attacks with a ceasefire in late November. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israeli troops must leave Lebanon within 60 days.

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However, the Israeli army continues to fight against the Islamist Hamas and other extremists in the heavily destroyed Gaza Strip. Recently, however, there have been increasing signs that a ceasefire could also come about there.

Rocket from Yemen triggers warning sirens in Tel Aviv area

A fresh rocket attack from Yemen triggered warning sirens in the greater Tel Aviv area on Monday evening.

The projectile was intercepted by Israel's air defence system before it entered Israeli territory, the army said. The sirens were triggered by the launch because of possible falling rocket parts.

In the morning, drones launched from Yemen had already been intercepted by the navy.

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The Houthi militia in Yemen claimed responsibility for the rocket attack. In a statement on Telegram, it said it had fired a ballistic rocket that had reached its target.

Like the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, the Houthi militia in Yemen is allied with Israel's arch-enemy Iran. Even after the ceasefire in Lebanon, it has continued its attacks on Israel, which is around 1,800 kilometres away.

The militia says it is operating in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been waging war against the Islamist organization since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.

A week ago, a house in Israel was hit by a drone attack from Yemen. In July, a man was killed in Tel Aviv when he was hit by a missile from Yemen.

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Israel attacked targets in Yemen, including power plants and a port, in retaliation for Houthi attacks in July and September. Several people were killed in the strikes.

Twenty reported killed in Israeli attack in Gaza Strip

Around 20 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a former school building in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said on Monday.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that children were also among the victims.

In contrast, the Israeli army stated that the attack on Sunday evening targeted a "command and control centre of Hamas terrorists." They claimed that these individuals had been operating from the former school building in the so-called humanitarian zone in Khan Younis.

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The claims from both sides could not be independently verified.

Since October 7th 2023, Israel has been fighting against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in Gaza, where, according to Palestinian sources from Sunday, around 45,000 people have been killed so far. These figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
A colossal explosion rocked the Syrian port city of Tartus overnight, following a presumed Israeli airstrike, fueling fresh scrutiny over Israel's actions in Syria following the Assad regime's ouster.

Footage of the blast emerged as Israel announced plans to double its population in the occupied Golan Heights, citing threats from Syria. The move earned international condemnation and came after Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani said he has no interest in engaging in new conflicts.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based war monitoring group, described the imagery emerging from Tartus as representing the most violent Israeli strikes on military sites in the eastern Tartus area.

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In the video which spread across social media Monday, the massive explosion can be seen erupting across the Syrian skyline.

NBC News has been able to geolocate the footage as being filmed from Tartus port area pointing at the mountains northeast of the city, with NASA satellites detecting aftermath fires in an area just more than 9 miles from the harbor.

A massive explosion from a reported Israeli strike on a munitions depot in the Syrian port city of Tartus on Sunday.

The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the footage. But an Israeli official who reviewed the video said the fireball was likely the result of a secondary explosion, citing the possibility of munitions igniting following an Israeli strike. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity as the person was not authorized to discuss Israels aerial campaign in Syria.

It comes days after satellite images appeared to show Russian forces packing up and dismantling military equipment at Russias Tartus naval base and Hmeimim air base, both located south of Latakia on Syrias Mediterranean coast.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's actions in Syria, which came as it continues to intensively bomb the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip, were aimed at ensuring the country's safety.

Strengthening the Golan means strengthening the State of Israel, and this is especially important at this time, he said in a statement Sunday after his government unanimously approved his plan to expand the Israeli population in the area.

An Israeli military vehicle patrols the Syria-Israel border in the Majdal Shams area of the Golan Heights on Sunday.

Israel occupied the Golan Heights during the 1967 Mideast War and later annexed the roughly 460-square-mile area in 1981 in a unilateral decision that was not recognized by the international community.

In 2019, then-President Donald Trump broke with the international community and years of U.S. precedent in moving to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territory  a policy shift that was not reversed by the Biden administration.

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The decision to expand the Israeli population in the Golan Heights comes after Netanyahu's office said Thursday that the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria had created a vacuum on Israels border and in the buffer zone established by the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement, which stipulated Israels withdrawal from areas of Mount Hermon it occupied during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

An Israeli soldier rolls up a portrait of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad near the village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Saturday.

Israel will not permit jihadi groups to fill that vacuum and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights with October 7th style attacks, it said.

The warning was followed by the announcement that Israeli forces would remain on Mount Hermon  a key strategic peak inside a buffer zone that has existed with Syria for decades  through the winter after occupying the site.

Jolani said Saturday that Israel was using false pretexts to justify attacks on the country, according to the Reuters news agency. But, he said, his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group had no interest in engaging in new conflicts as the nation looks to rebuild following the end to the Assad reign.

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With its roots in extremist Islamist movements, HTS remains a globally designated terrorist group and in 2018, the United States placed a $10 million bounty on Jolanis head.

The Syrian town of Quneitra, seen from the Golan Heights in Majdal Shams, on Wednesday.

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The former Al Qaeda fighter has projected a more moderate image and promised a Syria inclusive of the religions and ethnic groups represented in the country. The Biden administration has said it is considering removing HTS from its list of terrorist organizations.

By Monday, the plan to expand the Israeli population in the Golan Heights, as well as Israel's airstrikes on Syria over the weekend, began to draw international backlash, with the Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry condemning what it described as "a new stage in Israels goal of expanding its borders through occupation."

"Israels ongoing actions seriously undermine the efforts to bring peace and stability to Syria and further increase tensions in the region," it said in a statement Monday.

It comes after United Nations chief Antonio Guterres last week called on Israel to halt its aerial attacks and advance into Syrian territory following Assad's ouster, as he branded "recent and extensive violations" of Syria's sovereignty "deeply concerning."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Israel has repelled a new drone attack from Yemen, the military said on Monday morning, with a naval vessel in the Mediterranean reportedly shooting down the airborne device before it could enter Israeli territory.

The Houthi militia in Yemen, which is allied with Israel's arch-enemy Iran, like the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah movement, has continued its attacks on Israel, approximately 1,800 kilometres away, even after the ceasefire in Lebanon.

The militia claims it operates in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been waging war against the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas since the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

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A week ago, a house in Israel was reportedly hit by a drone attack originating from Yemen.

In July, a man in Tel Aviv was killed when he was struck by a device launched from Yemen.

In response to the Houthi attacks in July and September, Israel has attacked targets in Yemen, including power plants and a port, reportedly resulting in multiple fatalities.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's foreign minister accused Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris on Monday of antisemitism as he defended Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin over Ireland's policies.

"There is a difference between criticism - and antisemitism based on the delegitimization and dehumanization of Israel and double standards towards Israel," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.

He cited Ireland's support for what he called "politicized" proceedings against Israeli leaders by the International Criminal Court as well as Irish support for an action at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide over its campaign in Gaza.

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"Last night Ireland's antisemitic Prime Minister Simon Harris said in an interview 'Ireland is not anti-Israel but Ireland is absolutely anti the starvation of children'," Saar said. "Is Israel starving children?"

He said Israel was working to enable humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and prevent civilian casualties while he said Hamas was looting aid and using civilians as human shields.

The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin has highlighted Israel's increasing international isolation over the Gaza war, triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip by Hamas-led gunmen.

Harris has rejected Israel's criticism, called the decision to close the embassy deeply regrettable and said Ireland would always stand up for human rights and international law.

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Some 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, were killed in the attack and more than 250 abducted as hostages into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's campaign in response has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities, displaced most of the 2.3 million population and destroyed large swathes of the enclave.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Howard Goller)
DUBAI (Reuters) - The Israeli military said sirens sounded across central Israel on Monday after a missile was fired from Yemen and was shot down before it crossed into Israel.

Yemen's Houthi militants said they fired a ballistic missile at a military target in Jaffa, a city in central Israel, Yahya Saree, their military spokesperson, said in a televised statement.

The Iran-backed group in Yemen have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Hugh Lawson)
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  More than 45,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas militants, health officials in the embattled territory said Monday, as often-stalled ceasefire negotiations appeared to be gaining ground.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire deal in recent days, and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday he believed negotiators are closer to a deal than at any time since the only previous truce, a week-long pause in November 2023 that saw 105 hostages released.

We all estimate that an opportunity is being created following Hamass need to become more flexible, and I really hope we can advance to a practical stage in this process, Katz said ahead of a closed-door session of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

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Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a key Hamas ally, agreed to a ceasefire late last month.

Palestinian health officials updated the Gaza death toll to 45,028. They said 106,962 others have been wounded since the war began, and warned that the true toll is higher because thousands of bodies are buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access.

The ministry's count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but it has said more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The war is by far the deadliest round of fighting between Israel and Hamas, with the death toll amounting to roughly 2% of Gazas prewar population of about 2.3 million.

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A family dies as another airstrike hits a shelter

More than 50 dead were brought to hospitals across the bombed-out territory over the past 24 hours, Gazas Health Ministry said.

Among the latest killed were 10 people, including a family of four, in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City's eastern Shijaiyah neighborhood, Palestinian medics said.

Israel claims Hamas is responsible for the civilian death toll because it operates from within civilian areas in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Rights groups and Palestinians say Israel has failed to take sufficient precautions to avoid civilian deaths.

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The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Israel responded by heavy bombardment and a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a ceasefire last year.

A separate strike on a school on Sunday in the southern city of Khan Younis killed at least 13 people, including six children and two women, according to Nasser Hospital, where the bodies were taken. The hospital initially reported the strike had killed 16 but later said three bodies had been from a separate strike.

Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, said she met with children injured in Sundays strike. They included a 17-year-old girl with a severe leg injury and shrapnel wounds.

She survived along with her twin sister and three other sisters, Wateridge said, but their mother was killed. Wateridge said one sister described how their mothers bones were crushed under the rubble. There was nothing they could do to save her.

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The Israeli military said it had struck Hamas fighters operating inside a command center embedded in a compound that had served as a school in Khan Younis. It did not provide evidence.

A Palestinian journalist is mourned

In central Gaza's Nuseirat urban refugee camp, mourners gathered for the funeral of a Palestinian journalist working for the Qatari-based Al Jazeera TV network who was killed Sunday in a strike that hit Gaza's civil defense agency. They carried his body through the streets, along with his bulletproof vest.

Al Jazeera said Ahmad Baker Al-Louh, 39, had been covering rescue operations of a family wounded in an earlier bombing when he was killed.

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The strike also killed three civil defense workers, including the local head of the agency, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The civil defense is Gazas main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

The International Federation of Journalists said last week that 104 journalists and media workers have been killed in 2024, with more than half dying in Gaza.

The Israeli military said its strike targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in a command center embedded in the offices of the Civil Defense organization. It accused the journalist of having been a member of Islamic Jihad, which his colleagues in Gaza denied.

Gaza's civil defense rejected the claims that militants operated from the site.

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We were stunned by the Israeli occupation statement, Mahmoud al-Lawh, the journalists cousin, told The Associated Press. These claims are lies and misleading to cover up this crime.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
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Thank Israel's resolve for helping to topple Syria's dictatorship.

Over the weekend, rebel forces succeeded in running strongman Bashar Assad out of Damascus . After his father ruled for 30 years, Assad took over in 2000 and ran Syria "with an iron fist that crushed all dissent and relied heavily on the country's feared security forces," NPR observed.

With help from Russia and Iran , he managed to stay in power despite a civil war that has lasted more than a decade. Assad is infamous for using chemical weapons on his own people and for leaving thousands of bodies in his wake. He has now found safe haven in Vladimir Putin's Russia .

The rebels took advantage of the vacuum created by Putin's preoccupation with Ukraine and Iran's evisceration at the hands of Israel in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023 , Hamas massacre. In the ensuing 14 months, the Jewish state's military response has left Hamas in shambles and put Hezbollah in retreat. Israel has eliminated several terrorist leaders and carried out attacks that have exposed Iran's weakness.

"By removing the Assad regime, the insurgents  known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham  have cut off Tehran's main proxy militia, Hezbollah , from its supply lines," Jonathan Spyer , an analyst for the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis , wrote in The Wall Street Journal. "This was possible because of Israel's mauling of Hezbollah in November, prompting the terror group to accept a ceasefire."

He goes on to note that Israel's response to Oct. 7 "laid bare the profound inferiority of the Iranians and their allies in direct confrontation."

It's important to note that all of this happened in spite of the Biden administration, not because of it. At every turn, President Joe Biden and his foreign policy team sought to restrain Israel rather than encourage its defensive military actions. At the same time, the White House offered a mix of appeasement and hesitation in the face of Iran's belligerence and its efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

Assad might very well still be in power, and Iran's mullahs in a state of comfort, had Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acceded to the constant hectoring about "restraint" coming from Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken .

How the unrest in Syria ends is the larger question. The United States has designated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham a terrorist organization, but the group's leaders have disavowed a previous association with al-Qaida and "have tried to gain international legitimacy by eschewing global jihadist ambitions and focusing on organized governance in Syria."

It will now be up to the incoming administration of Donald Trump to keep them on the latter path, creating a more democratic and stable Syria .

(COMMENT, BELOW)
Washington / Mexico -

One month after his election victory, Donald Trump has ended the speculation. Last week, the president-elect announced his choice of retired Colonel Ronald Johnson, a former Green Beret with extensive experience in U.S. intelligence, as the next ambassador to Mexico. Together, we will put an end to migrant crime, stop the illegal flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our country and, make America safe again, Trump declared about his latest move in what has already become a tense chess game with Mexican authorities.

After threats of mass deportations, trade disputes, and increased pressure on drug trafficking, as well as tense early interactions with Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump has appointed Johnson, a decorated soldier and close ally of the Republican. Johnson will be the most visible face of the president-elects policy toward Mexico, a relationship critical to both nations. Their shared ties include a commercial exchange valued at one million dollars per minute and a 1,960-mile border crossed by a million people daily.

Johnson will also be responsible for implementing Trumps vision for Mexico, in a similar role as the one he fulfilled during his brief tenure as ambassador to El Salvador from September 2019 to January 2021, during Trumps first term. That assignment was Johnsons only prior experience as a top diplomatic representative.

Trump will look for a profile that is loyal above all, because that is his number one criterion for appointments. A person who is loyal to him, to his project, who will carry out his agenda for Mexico without question and in the most direct way possible, says Stephanie Brewer, director for Mexico of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

According to Brewer, Trumps vision for Mexico is extremely transactional, focused on migration, drug control, and certain commercial issues to counteract Chinas influence. The goal is to reduce, as much as possible, the number of people arriving at the southern U.S. border and secure new agreements with Mexico so that it accepts the deportation of non-Mexicans to Mexican territory. In drug control, Trump and his advisors have proposed actions, including military intervention, by U.S. forces in Mexico in an effort to project an image of a strongman who addresses problems.

Johnsons appointment reinforces the decisive, hardline image Trump seeks to project to Mexico and the broader Latin American region. Before serving as ambassador to El Salvador, Johnson had a long career in the U.S. Army, including extensive service in Latin America and the U.S. secret services.

Military and intelligence agent

A graduate of the State University of New York and a former instructor at the National Intelligence University, Johnsons military background has drawn significant attention in Mexico. His appointment sends a clear message that the priority will be security cooperation and combating organized crime in all its dimensions: drug trafficking, human smuggling, arms trafficking, and corruption involving politicians protecting cartels, says Martha Barcena, who served as Mexicos ambassador to Washington during Trumps first term.

Johnsons military career began in Panama. In the 1980s, he was stationed in El Salvador as one of 55 U.S. military advisors during the countrys brutal civil war. A specialist in covert operations, he became a member of the elite U.S. Special Forces, informally known as the Green Berets  a highly selective unit that also included figures like future National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

Ronald Douglas Johnson enlisted in the United States Army National Guard, in 1971.

After leaving the Army, Johnson transitioned to the CIA, where he served for two decades as an operative in high-risk zones, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans. In the 1990s, he was part of an operations group tasked with tracking and capturing individuals accused of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia. At the Central Intelligence Agency, Johnson rose to lead the Air, Land, Maritime, and Paramilitary departments, and was in charge of overseeing paratrooper operations. He also served as an advisor to the U.S. Southern Command, which handles Latin American affairs  excluding Mexico.

The resume of Johnson  who has been married for 40 years to Cuban-born Alina Arias, with whom he has four children  paints a picture of a man of action across sky, sea, and land. He is an expert parachutist, an avid diver and has a black belt in taekwondo. Johnson represents Trumps vision and project and the message that [the president-elect] wants to project: a militarized message, of playing the role of a strongman and of negotiating hard, explains Brewer. And that approach will not only be played out in Washington or in the bilateral forums between the two countries, but in the daily operations from the Embassy in Mexico.

Martha Barcena, Mexicos ambassador to Washington during Trumps first term, underscores that Johnsons intelligence background could significantly shape his perspective on Latin America, as well as his priorities as ambassador. His outlook could be influenced by the framework of the Southern Command, she notes, referring to his earlier advisory role there. Johnson himself has described his appointment to El Salvador as the greatest honor of his professional career. However, Barcena emphasizes that the challenges in Mexico City will be far greater. Obviously, the differences between the two countries are immense  not only in size and population but in the complexity, challenges, and interdependence of the bilateral relationship, she explains.

Johnsons nomination as ambassador to Mexico caps off a foreign policy team that blends experience in Latin America with a focus on security. The team includes Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Trumps nominee for Secretary of State, and Chris Landau, a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico who will become Deputy Secretary of State. Both Johnson and incoming National Security Advisor Michael Waltz  also a former Green Beret  bring extensive experience in covert operations, particularly in Latin America.

Arturo Sarukhan, Mexicos ambassador to the United States during Felipe Calderons presidency, highlights the influence of the Florida factor in Johnsons nomination, which still requires Senate confirmation. This was not a proposal from Trump but rather from Rubio and Waltz, argues Sarukhan. That means that, although he will not have a direct line of communication with Trump, he will have one with Rubio and Waltz, who are well aware of the general context of the bilateral relationship and have tough positions regarding the legacy left by the security policies of [former Mexican president] Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Lessons from El Salvador

Johnsons tenure in El Salvador has many parallels with the post in Mexico. Trump appointed him to address Central American gang violence, curb migration flows, and counteract the growing influence of China  concerns that also resonate in the U.S.-Mexico relationship. In El Salvador, Johnsons military credentials and unconventional diplomatic background stood out, much as they do now.

In El Salvador, Johnsons military background and unique profile among his diplomatic predecessors did not go unnoticed. Sarukhan recalls only one comparable precedent: John Negroponte. A former CIA official, Negroponte was a controversial figure who orchestrated Washingtons strategy to support the Contras from Honduras during the 1980s  a period that coincided with Johnsons own deployment in El Salvador. Negroponte later served as U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 1989 to 1993 under president George H.W. Bush.

Ronald Johnson and Nayib Bukele in December 2020 dining on lobsters in Miami, Florida.

From his first days in San Salvador, the former colonel quickly built a strong relationship with President Nayib Bukele, grounded not only in personal affinities but also in a pragmatic, transactional understanding. If the Salvadoran authorities aligned with the White Houses objectives, the Republican was willing to overlook internal political matters that had previously strained relations between the two countries. Sarukhan points out, for instance, that the incoming U.S. administration will likely focus on Mexicos protection of regimes like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, or even their flirtation with Moscow. Barcena agrees that the new ambassador will focus on anti-communist sentiment.

Oscar Chacon, a spokesperson for the pro-migrant network Alianza Americas, describes Johnson as an extremely pragmatic man who prioritizes achieving results over the political beliefs of his interlocutors. His pragmatism is not tied to ideological paradigms, even though he holds them, Chacon explains.

According to some experts, security will also be one of the key issues in bilateral relations over the next four years. Security is going to be a key area, especially with regard to Chinas presence in Latin America, said Bonnie Glick, who deputy admin of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) during Trumps term in office, last week.

Glick is optimistic about the future of U.S.-Latin America relations, which have often taken a backseat despite repeated promises from previous administrations. For the first time, we will have a secretary of state and an assistant secretary of state who are both experts on Latin America. Marco Rubio and Chris Landau, our former ambassador to Mexico, both speak fluent Spanish and are deeply committed to U.S. relations with the Americas. We said are going to see a strengthened interest in the Western Hemisphere, said Glick, who is now an adjunct senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar, appointed by the Biden administration, announced he will return to the U.S. on January 7, two weeks before Trumps inauguration. Salazar, with a more political profile, had a close relationship with Lopez Obrador until disagreements over judicial reform and organized crime distanced them last August. Johnson, on the other hand, appears to follow a line more akin to Chris Landaus, focusing less on political ideology and more on achieving specific objectives aligned with U.S. national interests in Mexico.

The main uncertainty in the U.S.-Mexico relationship  and Johnsons upcoming mission  lies in whether the two countries can collaborate effectively beyond their differences, reaching agreements that benefit both sides. Sheinbaum has expressed a desire to find common ground, hoping to manage Trumps threats while keeping essential cross-border relations intact. Unlike Bukele, however, the Mexican president has insisted on cooperation, not subordination, and has emphasized that she expects equal treatment from the White Houses next representative. After undergoing the necessary procedures and protocols, Johnson is expected to arrive in Mexico by the first months of 2025.

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DOHA (Reuters) - An Israeli technical team is in Doha for working-level talks with Qatari mediators on "remaining issues" in a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, an official with knowledge of the talks told Reuters on Monday.

The talks are currently focused on bridging gaps between Israel and Hamas on the deal U.S. President Joe Biden outlined on May 31, the official said.

Efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to reach a truce in Gaza and a release of hostages have gained momentum in recent weeks, though there has been no breakthrough.

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The three countries have, for more than a year, led rounds of so-far fruitless talks to broker an end to the 14-month-long war in Gaza.

In previous rounds, disagreements over new demands that Israel introduced about its future military presence in Gaza obstructed a deal, even after Hamas accepted a version of the proposal Biden introduced in May.

A round of talks in mid-October failed to produce a deal, with Hamas rejecting a short-term ceasefire proposal.

(Reporting by Andrew Mills, Editing by Franklin Paul and Sandra Maler)
The Italian government has approved its tenth military aid package for Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Source: European Pravda with reference to ANSA

Details: As on previous occasions, the content of the new military aid package is classified, and the timing of its delivery has not been publicly announced.

What is known is that details of the new aid package will be presented by Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Wednesday, 18 December at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Security (COPASIR).

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Background:

Earlier, it was unofficially reported that the Italian government was likely to approve the 10th aid package by the end of December 2024.

Italy has been providing military aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, all information about arms deliveries is classified.

Giorgia Melonis government requires parliamentary legislative approval to send weapons to Ukraine. They have authorisation that is valid until the end of 2024.

It was previously announced that a second Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system will be delivered to Ukraine.

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J. Ann Selzer, the pollster behind the shock voter survey which wrongly predicted that Iowa would turn blue in the 2024 election, is speaking out about the attacks she has faced over the wrong forecast.

The outlier poll sponsored by the Des Moines Register had raised eyebrows when it was published in early November because it showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading now-President-elect Donald Trump by three percentage points in a state that was considered safe for Republicans. Trump ended up winning the state by over 13 percentage points.

In an interview with PBSs Iowa Press broadcast on Friday, Selzer struck down any suggestion by her detractors that she had somehow manipulated the data.

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Im mystified about what the motivation anybody thinks I had and would act on in such a public poll. I dont understand it, she said.

Still, Selzer said she takes the allegations against her very seriously.

Theyre saying that this was election interference, which is a crime, she said.

Selzer added that those critical of her work are falsely suggesting without a single shred of evidence that I was in cahoots with somebody, I was being paid by somebody to deliver a specific finding.

Its hard to pay too much attention to it except that theyre accusing me of a crime, she said.

Trump, who comfortably won the 2024 presidential election, was one of Selzers most prominent critics, accusing both her and the Register of committing possible ELECTION FRAUD over the poll, which he described as totally Fake in a post on his Truth Social platform.

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Prior to this latest poll, Selzers track record in The Hawkeye State was nearly spotless, with only a miss in the 2018 gubernatorial contest. For instance, she nailed the final results of the 2016 and 2020 presidential races in the state and the margin of President Barack Obamas victory in Iowa in 2012.

During her appearance on Iowa Press, Selzer was also asked if she has identified the reasons why her methodology didnt serve her well in this race despite her past successes.

I wish I knew the answer to that, but like I said, there wasnt anything we saw that needed to be fixed, she said. The reality is that more people supporting Donald Trump turned out. Im eagerly awaiting the [Iowa] Secretary of States turnout report that will happen in January.

Nearly two weeks after the election, Selzer announced she is ending her polling career to take on new opportunities. In a column published in the Des Moines Register explaining the decision, Selzer noted that she had already planned to part ways with the outlet way ahead of the election polling results.

Would I have liked to make this announcement after a final poll aligned with Election Day results? she wrote. Of course. Its ironic that its just the opposite.
The Jamaican government has made a move towards removing King Charles as its ceremonial head of state in order to become a republic.

On Dec. 10, Jamaica's Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte tabled the Constitution (Amendment) Republic Act 2024 in the House of Representatives, the Lower House of Parliament, introducing the legislation to start the process of replacing King Charles with a Jamaican president. Jamaica is one of 14 realms where the King, 76, is head of state, and Forte previously said that Jamaica would move to become a republic by the next general election in 2025, according to the BBC.

Forte called the step a "historic moment," the Jamaica Observer reported. The outlet said the bill will now lay on the table of the House until March 2025 before it can be read for a second time, likely kickstarting a debate about the British crown's future relationship to the former colony.

Yesterday (Dec 10), the Hon. @MalahooForteMP, tabled the Constitutional Reform Bill in Parliament. This landmark legislation seeks to amend the Constitution of Jamaica to provide for a non-monarchical Head of State, paving the way for Jamaica to become a Republic.

 pic.twitter.com/JURD38HS2f  Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs (@mlcagovjm) December 11, 2024

Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Pose with Jamaican Prime Minister, Who Has Called for Independence from U.K.

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"The tabling of the bill marks the greatest progress made so far in our effort to reform the Constitution of Jamaica to achieve the national goals of having a Jamaican as head of state instead of the hereditary British monarch and also having our supreme law taken out from under the cloak of the imperial Order in Council and placed in proper form," Forte said, according to the Jamaica Gleaner. The lawmaker pointed out how the bill was introduced on International Human Rights Day and the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Michael Manley, former Jamaican Prime Minister, anti-imperalist and social justice advocate.

Forte told The Guardian that the bill was introduced to meet the mood in Jamaica, where people want to change the constitution.

"Every year when we celebrate independence on August 6, the nation is invited to reflect on its achievements since independence and what remains to be done, and every year the question is asked when are we going to abolish the monarchy and have a Jamaican head of state," the politician said in a piece published on Dec. 13.

The abolishment of the constitutional monarchy isn't the only item on the bill's agenda. It will also shift the definition of citizenship, appointment of senators independent from political parties in the House of Representatives and more.

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Jamaica became independent in 1962 after over 300 years of British colonial control, but the country opted to retain Queen Elizabeth as head of state.

MINA KIM/POOL/AFP/Getty King Charles leaves St. Peter's Church in London on Dec. 4, 2024. King Charles leaves St. Peter's Church in London on Dec. 4, 2024.

There's still several steps ahead for the bill to transition into law, including a review by joint committees, a vote in parliament and a national referendum. The Guardian said it is "expected to encounter hurdles" as opposition parties have sounded alarms around its timing before the national elections in 2025 and lack of clarity around making the Caribbean Court of Justice the most supreme in the land in lieu of the Privy Council of the U.K.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been vocal about an intention to break away from the British monarchy. Holness is the youngest prime minister in the Caribbean country's history and vowed to transform Jamaica from a constitutional monarchy into a republic during his election campaign. He was elected to lead in 2016 and said upon taking office that his government would introduce a bill to replace Queen Elizabeth with "a non-executive president as head of state."

STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty King Charles and Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica meet at Buckingham Palace on Sept. 17, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth. King Charles and Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica meet at Buckingham Palace on Sept. 17, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Related: The Biggest Moments from Kate Middleton and Prince William's Controversial Caribbean Tour

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In March 2022, Holness directly addressed his country's intention to break away from the crown while meeting with Prince William and Kate Middleton during what proved to be a controversial tour of the Caribbean for the royal couple.

"We're very, very happy to have you and we hope you've received a warm welcome of the people," the prime minister said in part to William and Kate. "There are issues here, which as you know, are unresolved, but your presence gives us an opportunity for those issues to be placed in context, to be out front and center and to be addressed as best we can. But Jamaica is, as you would see, is a country that is proud of its history and very proud of what we have achieved. And we're moving on and we intend to  fulfill our true ambitions and destiny to become an independent, developed and prosperous country."

Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage Juliet Holness, Andrew Holness, Prince William and Kate Middleton in Kingston, Jamaica in March 2022. Juliet Holness, Andrew Holness, Prince William and Kate Middleton in Kingston, Jamaica in March 2022.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales (then known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) visited Jamaica on behalf of the Queen in honor of her Platinum Jubilee, where their presence sparked anti-colonial protests in Belize and Jamaica. At the time, Prince Williams grandmother was head of state of both countries (roles which have passed to King Charles upon her death and his accession), and the movement to remove the British sovereign as the Jamaican head of state was gaining traction. Barbados cut ties to the crown and became an independent republic in 2021 (in a ceremony attended by the future King Charles) and the former British colonies of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica all mobilized to become republics in the 1970s.

In January, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posed for pictures with Holness at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Kingston, Jamaica. Prince Harry and Meghan have a personal friendship with Brian Robbins, the president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, and his wife, Tracy James, and the couples also posed together at the premiere. PEOPLE understands that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, longtime fans of the late Bob Marley's music and message, were delighted to attend the event after being invited by the Robbins family.

Jason Koerner/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Andrew Holness, Juliet Holness and Olivia Grange at the premiere of "Bob Marley: One Love" in Kingston, Jamaica on Jan. 23, 2024. Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Andrew Holness, Juliet Holness and Olivia Grange at the premiere of "Bob Marley: One Love" in Kingston, Jamaica on Jan. 23, 2024.

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King Charles is thought to emphasize that it's up to each country to decide how it wants to handle its relationship with the crown. Before he embarked on a tour of Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla in October, The Telegraph reported that he told anti-monarchist campaigners in Australia that whether the country becomes a republic "is a matter for the Australian public to decide." Like Jamaica, Australia is one of 14 Commonwealth realms to retain the British sovereign as head of state today.

Ian Vogler-Pool/Getty King Charles speaks during the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings on Oct. 25, 2024 in Apia, Samoa. King Charles speaks during the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings on Oct. 25, 2024 in Apia, Samoa.

A major moment of the King's tour was his appearance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, his first as sovereign, where he acknowledged in a speech that "the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate" as calls for slavery reparations intensify.

However, he stopped short of directly addressing reparations for the Atlantic slave trade, in which Britain took a leading role.



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TOKYO (AP)  Japans biggest bank apologized Monday for the alleged theft by an employee of more than 1 billion yen ($6.6 million) from customers safe deposit boxes.

The bank, formally known as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., said Monday that it was investigating and that verified thefts from about 20 of the 60 clients thought to have been affected amounted to 300 million yen (nearly $2 million). Compensation was being worked out, it said.

The thefts occurred at two Tokyo branches of the bank, from April 2020 until the end of October this year, when the problem was discovered.

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MUFGs president and CEO Junichi Hanzawa told reporters the female employee responsible for managing the safe deposit boxes and their keys is suspected of taking advantage of that position to steal cash and other valuables.

The case has undermined the customers' trust and confidence and shaken the very foundation of our banking business, Hanzawa said. He apologized for causing concern and trouble to MUFG clients.

MUFG said the employee admitted taking the money and using it for investments and her personal purposes. She was fired and was cooperating with the bank's internal probe and a police investigation but has not yet been arrested.

After news of the thefts surfaced, dozens more people came forward with claims of suspected losses that the bank is working to verify, it said.

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The MUFG case is the second recent one involving criminal activity at a major Japanese financial institution. In November, Nomura Holdings acknowledged that a former employee had been arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted murder and arson targeting a client in Hiroshima.

Asked about the MUFG thefts, the chief government spokesman said Monday that banking operations require high levels of trust and a sense of public service.

The case was extremely regrettable, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Jay-Zs lawyer Alex Spiro told reporters in New York on Monday that allegations from a woman who has accused the hip-hop mogul of sexually assaulting her with Sean Diddy Combs back in 2000 are untrue.

This is all a fantasy, Spiro told reporters, including CNN, at a private meeting held at Jay-Zs Roc Nation offices in New York City on Monday. We expect the case to be dismissed. If its not, we expect this all to crumble.

Spiro showed a Powerpoint presentation to a small room of reporters, walking through the timeline of the allegations from the accusers lawsuit that he said are demonstrably false.

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None of the details are right because this never happened, Spiro said. When something isnt real and when something doesnt happen, youre going to get the details wrong because you werent really there.

In an amended complaint filed by the woman as Jane Doe, she accused Jay-Z of raping her at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, when she 13. Jay-Z, whose given name is Shawn Carter, was previously unnamed in her original complaint, which was initially filed in October against Combs.

Carter denied her allegations immediately when the amended complaint was filed.

Spiros presentation to reporters was made days after Doe admitted in an interview with NBC News that there are inconsistencies in her original story, including key corroborating witnesses, while maintaining her rape accusation against Carter.

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I have made some mistakes, Doe told the outlet. 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.

This is not an account of inconsistencies, Spiro said Monday. This never happened. This is completely false.

In Does complaint against Combs and Carter, she said that she was taken to an afterparty after meeting a limo driver, who claimed to work for Combs, outside of Radio City Music Hall, where the MTV event was held. Spiro said that the limousine line was blocked off and guarded by police to prevent public access.

Spiro also showed reporters photographs of Carter, Combs and other celebrities at a VMA afterparty, held at a commercial establishment in New York City. He said Does story was not plausible because of the time it would take to travel from the city to the suburbs, where the alleged party was held.

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Does attorney, Tony Buzbee, had previously been accused by Spiro of trying to extort Carter prior to making his name public in the amended filing.

In an email to CNN, Buzbee called Spiros accusations regarding him and his client baseless and said courts exist to resolve factual disputes.

When asked about his vetting process, Buzbee said that four individuals at his firm interviewed the client and checked details after Does original case was referred by another firm. Buzbee said that a background check was run on Doe, and his firm engaged a seasoned investigator to vet some details she disclosed to us.

Those results were consistent with what the client had told us, Buzbee said, adding that his client has signed two separate affidavits.

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Our client remains adamant about her claim, he told CNN.

Hes upset. And he should be upset

Spiro took aim at Buzbee again on Monday, accusing him of shaking down celebrities, including Carter.

People like this, they dont send demand letters out to not get money. This is not for truth and justice. This is for money, Spiro said.

Spiro told CNN last week that he plans to ask the court to dismiss the case and that hed seek disciplinary action against Buzbee and his team. Carter is upset about the allegations against him brought forth by Buzbee, Spiro said Monday.

Hes upset that somebody would be allowed to do this, to make a mockery of the system like this. Hes upset that this distracts and dissuades real victims from coming forward, Spiro said. Hes upset that his kids and his family have to deal with this. Hes upset. And he should be upset.

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Prior to Buzbee filing Does amended complaint, Carters lawyers had filed an extortion suit against Buzbee, claiming that the Houston-based attorney was trying to shakedown innocent celebrities, politicians, and businesspeople with an army of masked accusers.

Buzbee told CNN Carters extortion case is utterly frivolous.

Lawyers for Combs, who has previously denied all civil allegations against him, criticized Buzbee in a statement to CNN.

This is the beginning of the end of this shameful money grab, they said.

As for the mounting civil allegations and criminal charges against Combs, Spiro distanced Carter from his case.

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Mr. Carter has nothing to do with Mr. Combs case or Mr. Combs. They knew each other professionally for a number years, just like in all professions, Spiro said. There is no closer association between any of them. Thats also a matter of fiction. Thats all that there is. He doesnt know anything about the charges or allegations against him. He has nothing to do with that case and theres nothing more to say.

CNNs Alli Rosenbloom contributed to this report.

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TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday pardoned 33 people and commuted the sentences of three women, one of whom was supported by Kim Kardashian.

Murphy's first use of his clemency authority comes after he set up a special review board in June aimed at bringing cases deserving of a pardon or commutation for review. There will be additional grants of mercy, the governor said.

Murphy said he wants New Jersey to become known for righting past injustices during an at times emotional ceremony, where at least one of the people pardoned was present in the room. Also in attendance were two adult children of a woman whose murder sentence was commuted.

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We rededicate ourselves to ensuring that New Jersey is the state for second chances, he said.

An emotional highpoint came as Murphy discussed Dawn Jackson, whose case Kardashian championed. Jackson's daughter was tearful as Murphy spoke, saying Jackson had gotten a GED diploma and an associate's degree in prison, where she's been serving a 30-year sentence since 1999 on a murder conviction.

Murphy said that in the three cases of commuting the women's sentences, including Jackson's, domestic violence was a factor that didn't play a mitigating role at the time of the convictions.

I think we're a much more  thank God I might add  survivor-centric society, he said.

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Loreale Wilson, Jackson's daughter, said the experience gave her a sense of perseverance.

What this means for me, I cant begin to put into words, but that I am completely speechless, overwhelmed with joy, and cant wait to experience all that God has for us, she said.

Kardashian, who has used her celebrity to put a spotlight on criminal justice reform, said in a statement that Murphy chose redemption over condemnation.

"Dawns second chance and impending freedom shows us whats possible when we focus on supporting survivors, prioritizing safety, and committing to real justice," Kardashian said.

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Abdur Azim stood alongside Murphy, smiling, as Murphy signed his pardon. He told the governor that getting the pardon was like having a knife pulled out from my heart. Azim had shoplifting, drug possession and robbery convictions going back to 1986. He currently works in the Department of Corrections, the governor said.

Along with Azim, Murphy pardoned 32 others who had a range of convictions, including for shoplifting, making threats and possessing drugs. Murphy said the clemency board he set up determined that each of them had accepted responsibility for their actions and were setting a positive example for others in their community.

Murphy's second term ends in January 2026. He's barred by term limits from seeking a third term in next year's gubernatorial contest.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday issued 33 pardons and three sentence commutations in his first act of clemency, nearly seven years after he took office.

My only regret is we did not get to this day sooner, Murphy said at a Trenton press conference, promising this was just the first round of legal relief, with more to come over his final year in office.

Murphy's clemency action in New Jersey comes a week after President Joe Biden issued a record-setting 39 pardons and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people.

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Most of the pardons in New Jersey are for non-violent offenses, predominantly property crimes and drug offenses. Some date back to the early 1970s, with the most recent crime being a 2011 conviction for making a false report to law enforcement.

The three sentence commutations are all for women who were convicted of murder, with the most recent one from 2006.

Over the course of their lives, each one of these women has suffered immense hardship. All of them are survivors in one form or another. But when they were originally sentenced for the crimes they committed years ago, they received sentences that were too long based on what we know today, Murphy said.

One of them is Dawn Jackson, a 53-year-old who has so far served 25 years of her 30-year sentence for stabbing her step-grandfather to death in 1999. Jackson, who pleaded guilty, said her public defender never raised the years of sexual abuse she endured from her step-grandfather and other family members. Jacksons case drew national attention when it was featured on Kim Kardashians "The Justice Project television show.

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What this means for my mother is that she can now go on with her life, creating memories with her children, her grandchildren, continuing the good fight and enduring all that life has to offer, Jacksons daughter, Loreale Wilson, said at the press conference.

Murphy ran for office as a progressive and instituted several major criminal justice initiatives, including expanding expungement and restoring the right to vote for those on probation and parole. That contrasted with his lack of clemency actions during his seven years in office. Murphys recent gubernatorial predecessors from both parties issued pardons or sentence commutations far earlier in their tenure, though most saved the bulk of them for their final year in office.

Murphy in June ordered the formation of a Clemency Advisory Board to consider pardon and commutation applications and make recommendations. The board gave expedited consideration to those convicted of non-violent crimes who later stayed out of the legal system. For commutations, they expedited applications for those given excessive trial penalty or if they were victims of domestic violence, sexual violence or sex trafficking.

The Murphy administration also said it made more robust victim outreach than in prior administrations ahead of granting clemency.

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In addition to Jackson, Murphy commuted the sentences of two other women convicted of murder.

 Myrne Diaz, who in 2011 was convicted of murder, robbery and several other charges in the 2006 beating death of her ex-boyfriend, Jose Cabrera, by two other men she had driven to his auto body shop under the pretense of looking at a car. Diaz claimed one of her co-defendents, McDonald Williams, whom she had a sexual relationship with, forced her to take them to the shop.

 Denise Staples, who in 2004 was sentenced to 60 years in prison for a 2001 stabbing murder that she claimed was in self-defense. Staples unsuccessfully appealed, arguing she was denied a fair trial.

All three of the women whose sentences have been commuted will be released from prison to begin a five-year probation term.

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Among those receiving a full pardon was Abdur Azim, who had served time for shoplifting, selling drugs and robbery  the most recent offense dating to 1990. Azim later became a social worker and now works on inmate reentry with the state Department of Corrections.

This pardon serves as an indicator to me personally letting me know that Im going in the right direction: forward, Azim said at the press conference. This pardon to me will provide me with the surge of energy to continue to beat the drum of hope for the individuals in need.

Samera Bishop initially applied for clemency in 2020 in the hopes of getting her criminal record expunged. She was sentenced to prison in 2003 on drug charges but in the years since, she has put herself through college and is a licensed social worker. When she heard about Murphy's clemency project, she followed up with the governor's office and, last week, got a call from Murphy congratulating her on getting pardoned.

"He wanted to thank me for the hard work and persistence I had," Bishop, 44, said in an interview. "He said that he hopes to give me a fist bump in the future."

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Officials did not indicate how many more pardons and commutations would come, but hinted it would be many.

Justin Dews, chair of the Clemency Advisory Board, said the board considered merit alone in reviewing applications and that he hopes future gubernatorial administrations will keep the system in place. Many of the crimes of those pardoned, he said, were driven by drug addiction and the foolishness of youth.

Never before has there been a thoughtful, systematic process to review clemency applications in New Jersey, Dews said. For the first time in our history, we can say that fairness and not favor is the guiding principle behind the governors clemency decisions.

Read the full list of those who were pardoned or had their sentences commuted.

Dustin Racioppi contributed to this report.
Gov. Phil Murphy fielded questions about drones from the press Monday at the Statehouse in Trenton. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

Federal authorities arrived in New Jersey Friday to investigate if the nighttime lights reported across the state since mid-November are drones on mysterious, malevolent missions or just aircraft mistaken by a panicked public as drones, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.

The governor, talking to reporters at the Statehouse in Trenton, said he pressed the Biden administration to send drone experts to investigate  and so far, they have found nothing alarming. Authorities do not believe public safety is at risk, he added.

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First of all, Id say, calm down. Theres no evidence of anything nefarious here, he said.

He added: We never say never, but  take a breath.

Murphy declined to detail exactly what the feds were doing to investigate, saying only there now are three very sophisticated systems that come with really sophisticated individuals scrutinizing the skies to determine whats happening.

The systems have a range of up to 15 miles and will hopscotch around the state until investigators have answers. Sunday night, they set up in two locations  at the state police headquarters in West Trenton and at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck  and the governor and several FBI investigators joined them to observe, Murphy said.

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While countless citizens have reported drone sightings, federal investigators are not seeing much, if any, of that right now, he said.

He acknowledged the uncertainty is unnerving. But he also took aim at elected officials who he said should be calming influences instead of fueling fears with speculation and conspiracy theories.

There is zero evidence, with all due respect, that somebodys hiding the pea here, that the federal government or our military or somebody knows whats going on here, and theyre not admitting to it. I see zero evidence of that, he said. Theres a lot of conspiracy theories out there right now. Lets put that one with the Iranians off to the side.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-New Jersey) last week blamed drone sightings on an Iranian mothership off the coast before walking that claim back on Friday (the Defense Department denied his allegation).

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Murphy attributed some reports of drones to harmless hobbyists, noting that drones are affordable, legal, and permitted to fly at night, while others are people misidentifying airplanes, helicopters, and other manned aircraft as drones.

There also are more eyes on the sky, which likely has inflated drone reports, he added.

You also have the phenomenon of  18 to 19 million eyeballs looking up at the sky every night, Murphy said. So theres a volume question, in terms of just pure observations. Im doing it myself. We take the dog out. The other night, Im looking up, and Im trying to figure out, is it a star? Is it an aircraft? What is that? So I get it.

He resisted labeling the publics drone concerns as mass hysteria, saying: It implies that people are completely hearing footsteps and theres nothing there. But I do think there is a huge mismatch right now between the noise and the reality.

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Still, residents in other states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, have increasingly been reporting drone activity, too, he noted. Drone activity also has been documented near airports and military sites, critical infrastructure, and President-elect Donald Trumps home in Somerset County.

So the drone mania is a wake-up call signaling the need for federal and state policymakers to tighten oversight over drones, he said. He called on federal authorities to pass legislation now before Congress that would give the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice more authority over drones.

We need a better act as it relates to drones and drone incursions as a country, Murphy said. It is extraordinary to me that a nation as great as ours and as powerful as ours has the deficiencies that we have now seen, in living color, as it relates to drone incursions.

Several state and federal lawmakers have criticized authorities response to the drone drama, saying the thousands of people who reported drones cant all be wrong.

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New Jersey Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Morris) said focusing on passing legislation is the exact wrong answer, he added.

We need to figure out where these things are coming from right now. Like all of the governors resources, all of his manpower, everything should be dedicated to figure out why are they there, and whats going on right now. If you rush to policy, youre going to come up with policy that is rushed, he said.

Bergen was an Apache helicopter pilot in the military who served a year in Iraq. Investigating the source of the drones should not be a huge challenge, he added.

All you got to do is follow one  one!  back to wherever the hell its going and figure out whats going on, he said.

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New Jersey Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-Bergen) echoed calls for a federal probe, saying the feds have authority over New Jerseys airspace and the drones could pose a national security threat. He introduced a resolution Monday urging such action.

The federal government must take decisive action and communicate their findings quickly and clearly to prevent those with nefarious motives from causing harm and copycat hobbyists from adding to the chaos in our skies, DePhillips said.

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A new school shooting shook American society on Monday. Police said a 15-year-old female student fatally shot two people and wounded six others at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, including two students who were in critical condition. A teacher and three students were taken to a hospital with less serious injuries, and two of them were later released. The shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers arrived and died en route to a hospital, according to the police.

Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Little has been released on the identity of the victims, but one of them was a teacher at the school, Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes explained at an impromptu press conference. The second victim was a student at the school, a teenager like the shooter. This investigation is still ongoing, the Madison Police Department added in a statement. More information will be released as it becomes available.

The incident occurred at around 11 a.m., on one of the last days of school before the Christmas holidays. Police were immediately on the scene but the school, a religious institution called Abundant Life, has 390 students from kindergarten age to 18-year-olds, according to the school.

Republican Senator Ron Johnson, Wisconsins representative in Washington, responded shortly after on social media: My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. I will continue to closely monitor the situation. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, said on the same platform: We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that tracks mass shootings in the United States, there have been 486 such incidents this year. For a shooting to be considered a mass shooting, according to the FBI, at least four people must be killed, not including the shooter, and they must not be members of the same family.

In the modern history of gun violence in the United States, school shootings constitute one of its most terrible episodes. The massacre at Columbine, Colorado, is often regarded as the beginning of a new era, 25 years ago this April. On that occasion, 15 people were killed in an attack planned for months by two students at the high school. This September, two teachers and two students were killed in a shooting at an educational center in the state of Georgia when a 14-year-old boy opened fire in a town in Apalachee, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta.

Of the 10 deadliest shootings in U.S. history, three occurred at a school or university: Virginia Tech in 2007 (32 dead plus the shooter), Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 (27 plus the shooter) and, in 2022, Uvalde, Texas, (21 and the attacker). That reality has meant that training in shooting drills has become a habit that children in the U.S., from a very early age, have to learn to live with.

This latest episode will likely reopen the recurring debate on the need to increase gun control in the United States, an unsuccessful effort to date in which the defense of the sacrosanct Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms, always ends up prevailing amid the inaction of Washington politicians. Some voices advocate increasing security in schools, installing metal detectors, and even arming teachers, a controversial proposal. Meanwhile, parents across the country cant help but be concerned every time they send their children to class in the morning, a space that should be safe, but from which there is no guarantee that they will return alive at the end of the day.

Errata An earlier version of this article stated that Tony Evers was a Republican, when he is a member of the Democratic Party.

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Former president Jimmy Carter, 100, will not attend Donald Trump's inauguration in January.

The decision is not a political one, but rather one rooted in Carter's health: He has been in hospice care since February 2023. President Carter has been in hospice care for nearly two years. As you can imagine, he no longer makes public appearances, a spokesperson for the Carter Center told the New York Post. The ceremony, which is held outside in cold temperatures, is too much to handle for Carter. The spokesperson confirmed to USA Today that if he were healthier, he would attend.

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Carter and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, attended Trump's inauguration in 2017.

Pool - Getty Images

When Carter entered hospice, the Carter Center said, after a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention.

They didn't specify the reason for his hospitalization, but later, his grandson, Jason Carter told T&C that the family thought they had just days left with him when he entered hospice care. Obviously we're not in charge, and God had other plans, Jason said in September 2024. It's given us a chance to have an enormous amount of reflection with each other, with him. He adds, The whole world has had this opportunity for real reflection about him and my grandmother and their legacy. It's been a remarkable outpouring of love and respect, but also of admiration for what he actually accomplished, both in the White House and after.

Carter is the nation's longest-living president; he turned 100 years old on October 1, 2024.

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EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  12 News continues to bring you Rhode Island employers who are currently hiring.

Skills for Rhode Islands Future (SkillsRI) is a non-profit, statewide, workforce intermediary that works to help unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders gain employment and access to economic mobility.

SkillsRI runs the states PrepareRI internship programs for rising high school seniors to provide work-based learning opportunities to ensure students have the skills they need to gain employment.

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The summer work-based learning experience is seven weeks long, which places students into paid internships with Rhode Island employers based on their career interests.

Students earn $15 an hour and can earn up to $4,200 this summer. The internship kicks off with a 40-hour paid, work-readiness boot camp from June 23 to June 27, with internships beginning July 7.

Students can apply online by Jan. 14 at 11:59 p.m.

In the above video, Nick Rayta, Associate Director of Talent Acquisition at Skills for Rhode Islands Future, joined 12 News This Morning, to chat about the company and its open positions.

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John Spratt, a longtime member of the U.S. Congress from South Carolina, died Saturday night, his daughter said.

I am heartbroken to announce that my father passed away last night, Catherine Spratt said on Facebook. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family  due to complications from Parkinsons disease.

Spratt, 82, a Democrat who represented South Carolinas 5th District from 1983-2011, was mourned by President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton and Current U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, among others.

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Guided by his wit, wisdom, decency, and grace, John deeply understood the promise of America, and he fought tirelessly to bring people together to help us live up to that promise, Biden wrote in a condolence letter to the family, according to Catherine.

FILE - This Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 picture shows House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, D-S.C.

The 5th District includes all of Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Union and York counties, in addition to parts of Newberry, Spartanburg and Sumter counties.

Today, the South Carolina Democratic Party joins countless South Carolinians and Americans in mourning the loss of a true statesman, former Congressman John Spratt. His passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who knew him, worked alongside him, and benefited from his tireless advocacy for our state and nation, S.C. Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain said Sunday. Congressman Spratt represented South Carolinas 5th Congressional District with unmatched dedication and grace for nearly three decades.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1942; Spratt grew up in York, South Carolina, and graduated from both York High School and Davidson College. He was awarded a Marshall Scholarship to Oxford, where he studied economics, and earned a law degree from Yale.

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Spratt also served in the U.S. Army from 1969-71, rising to the rank of captain, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, his daughter said.

After being elected to Congress, Spratt was the second-highest ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. He served as chairman of the House budget committee; among his accomplishments was the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

Clinton said Spratt was a skilled and deeply principled lawmaker, his daughter said. Clinton continued, saying Spratt was masterful in his knowledge of policy and was willing to work with anyone to pass legislation that would make a difference in peoples lives. He had a unique ability of knowing when to hold the line and when to compromise, and it earned him the respect of all in Washington. Ill always be grateful for the chance to work with him, especially on the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which he co-authored and helped produce record surpluses. John was a true public servant and a really good man.

Closer to home in South Carolina, Spratt worked to settle the Catawba Indian land claim that cleared the title to 225 square miles of land in York and Lancaster and paved the way for development in the area to thrive, the Rock Hill Herald previously reported. Spratt also was instrumental in securing more than $120 million in building projects for Shaw Air Force Base.

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Serving in Congress with John Spratt was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, Clyburn said on social media. He was a friend and confidant, a colleague and counselor, and a mentor and partner. His love of country and respect for humanity were always on display. He was an inconspicuous genius and the most ordinary, extraordinary person I have ever known. I have been missing him for a long time and will always remember his wise counsel.

Spratt is survived by wife, Jane Stacy Spratt; daughters Susan Elizabeth Spratt (David Tendler), Sarah Stacy Spratt (Brian Brennan), and Catherine Bratton Spratt, among other family members. No funeral arrangements have been announced.

Mandy Powers Norell, Trav Robertson and Jaime Harrison were among many involved in Palmetto State state politics who shared memorials about Spratt.

Congressman John M Spratt was one of the most intelligent and principled humans I have ever known & it was my honor to have worked for him. He saved many lives and fought for peoples rights. Hard to write through tears. Take your rest & flights of Angels greet you as you sleep. pic.twitter.com/fGOLL9UkY3  Trav Robertson (@TravRobertson) December 15, 2024

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Serving in Congress with John Spratt was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. He was a friend and confidant, a colleague and counselor, and a mentor and partner.



His love of country and respect for humanity were always on display. He was an inconspicuous genius and  James E. Clyburn (@RepJamesClyburn) December 15, 2024

Others who knew Spratt in the Rock Hill community also offered their thoughts on his death.

Former York Mayor Eddie Lee, a Winthrop University professor, friend and neighbor of Spratt for decades became a political ally since Spratt first won a seat in Congress in 1982. Lee knew Spratt so well he wrote the entry on Spratt for South Carolinas state encyclopedia. Lee and his family saw Spratt often through the end of Spratts life, up through this week.

In an era where there are politicians, John Spratt was a statesman, Lee said Sunday. He was a champion of the citizenry. He cared about his community and county and state and country.

Spratt served in Congress until Republican Mick Mulvaney defeated him in 2010. The political loss could be tied to Spratt role as a main supporter of President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act, South Carolina Public Radio reported.

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Spratt chose to come home to York after his political defeat in that 2010 Tea party movement year, rather than take a political job with the Obama administration, Lee said.

John Spratt came home, Lee said. He wanted to be a part of York even after his political career ended.

Lee continued that Spratt was a great champion for both the city of York and York County, including leading the charge in 2015-2016 to keep the historic York County Courthouse in downtown York.

Spratt, a lifelong Democrat, at times faced Republican opposition politically, but those in the GOP never doubted Spratts commitment to York County and South Carolina.

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S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York, said Spratts legacy will remain forever in York County where he lived.

No matter how far he rose in politics, John never forgot where he was from, Pope said. He was a fixture in York and always supported our community. He will be missed  but never forgotten.

Spratt was a powerful figure in the movement for equality and fairness for all people regardless of race or status in South Carolina and the nation, those who knew him said.

Nikita Jackson, the first Black chair of the York County Democratic Party, said Spratt served with honor and integrity. Spratt was chair of the U.S. House Budget Committee and was a leader who championed complex fiscal accountability, Jackson said.

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Congressman Spratts tireless efforts to improve the lives of South Carolinians and his deep commitment to public service made him a respected leader not only in the Palmetto State but also across the nation, Jackson said. Beyond his accomplishments in Washington, Congressman Spratt will be remembered for his humility, his genuine care for the people he served, and his unwavering dedication to the betterment of our communities.

Jackson said Spratt cared deeply about South Carolina and its people  including rural communities having opportunities in education, development and economic prosperity. That work for all people regardless of economic station continues to impact the lives of people, Jackson said.

Congressman Spratts memory will live on as an example of principled leadership and devotion to service, Jackson said.

Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys, who has known Spratt all his life, said Spratt never wavered from his most important role as a congressman  to be a voice for all people.

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The House of Representatives was designed to be the one branch of government closest to the people, Gettys said. John Spratt recognized his first duty was to the people and worked harder than anyone to make sure his people had a well prepared, forward thinking leader who knew the opportunity to increase wealth is the most important opportunity for all.

Former S.C. Rep. Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill, who served in the S.C. General Assembly for 30 years, said Spratt worked with Republicans in both the state legislature and congress to get results that would benefit all people regardless of political views.

Congressman Spratt was a man of great character, integrity and intellect, Simrill said. He will be remembered for his keen ability to work across the aisle to achieve success for his beloved community, state, and nation.

John Spratt was the epitome of a model statesman and a true Southern gentleman, said another Republican, Christi Cox, the chair of the York County Council. A man of exceptional character and steadfast integrity, he devoted his life to serving the people of South Carolina with passion and purpose. His tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others will forever stand as a testament to his enduring legacy of public service. On behalf of York County, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this time of loss. May his memory continue to inspire us all to serve with the same honor and dedication that he so fully embodied.
Gov.-elect Josh Stein addresses supporters in Raleigh on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

North Carolina Governor-elect Josh Stein has announced his Cabinet.

Stein, a Democrat who currently serves as attorney general, will be sworn into office on Jan. 11.

His appointees will head key agencies and departments across state government. They come from within state and federal government and the private sector, and include several officials appointed by Steins predecessor, Gov. Roy Cooper. Theyll be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

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Heres what to know about the Cabinet.

Administration: Gabriel J. Esparza

Gabriel J. Esparza, Department of Administration (Courtesy photo)

What the department does: Oversees construction, contracting, property and other business conducted by state government.

Who is Esparza? He previously worked at the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Express and an innovative tech start-up.

He will be the states first Latino cabinet member, Steins transition team says.

What Stein says: Gabe has a demonstrated ability to manage complicated organizations and get things done. I am looking forward to working with him to strengthen the backbone of state government and keep moving North Carolina forward.

Adult Correction: Leslie Cooley Dismukes

Leslie Cooley Dismukes, Department of Adult Correction (Courtesy photo)

What the department does: Oversees state prisons.

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Who is Dismukes? She is the criminal bureau chief at the NC Department of Justice. She previously worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Mecklenberg County District Attorneys office.

What Stein says: Leslie has been a key and trusted leader at the Department of Justice. She is an effective problem-solver, and I am excited that shes agreed to continue her service to North Carolina.

Environmental Quality: D. Reid Wilson

Reid Wilson, Department of Environmental Quality (Courtesy photo)

What the department does: Oversees all environmental resources, including air and water quality.

Who is Wilson? He is the secretary of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. He previously worked within the department; at the Conservation Trust for North Carolina; as a consultant for environmental groups, at the U.S. EPA; and at the Sierra Club.

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What Stein says: Reid has done a tremendous job heading the Department of Natural and Cultural and Natural Resources. I am excited for him to continue his service to the state by keeping our air and water clean and making sure that the Department of Environmental Quality efficiently serves its customers and the people of our state.

Health and Human Services: Devdutta Sangvai

Devdutta Sangvai, Department of Health and Human Services (Courtesy photo)

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What the department does: Oversees Medicaid, food stamps, low-income and childrens services, and a range of other social programs.

Who is Sangvai? He is a professor of family medicine, pediatrics and psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine. He previously worked at Duke Regional Hospital as president and at Duke University Health System.

He will be the states first Indian American cabinet member, Steins transition team says.

What Stein says: I am looking forward to Devs leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services. He is incredibly hard-working, knowledgeable about health care, and ready for the challenges of improving health and lowering health costs for people all across our state.

Natural and Cultural Resources: Pamela Cashwell

Pamela Cashwell, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (Courtesy photo)

What the department does: Oversees the states resources for the arts, history, libraries and nature.

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Who is Cashwell? She is secretary of the NC Department of Administration. She previously worked in the Department of Public Safety; the NC State Ethics Commission; the U.S. Department of Justice; and the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Cashwell is also leading Steins inauguration committee. Hailing from the Coharie and Lumbee tribes, she is the first American Indian woman to lead a cabinet department, Steins transition team says.

What Stein says: Pam has a proven record as a strong manager and administrator. And like me, she loves North Carolina  and its parks, museums, zoo, and other attractions that make our state a great place to live and visit. Shes going to do great work at DNCR.

Revenue: McKinley Wooten, Jr.

McKinley Wooten, Jr., Department of Revenue (Courtesy photo)

What the department does: Collects taxes and administers tax law.

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Who is Wooten? He is currently assistant secretary for tax processing, research and equity at NC DOR. He has served as a civil magistrate in Wake County and worked in the Department of Justice, Department of Administration, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

What Stein says: McKinley is an experienced manager who knows the Department of Revenue inside and out. He is a dedicated public servant, and I look forward to his efficient service to North Carolinas taxpayers.

Military and Veterans Affairs: Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette

Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (Courtesy photo)

What the department does: Administers services and programming for active duty military and veterans.

Who is Mallette? An attorney and Air Force veteran. She was active duty in the Air Force for a decade; served as a prosecutor in the Air Force Judge Advocate Generals Corps; clerked on the North Carolina Supreme Court and was a partner at an international law firm.

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What Stein says: North Carolina is the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation. Jocelyn has the experience and leadership skills to help DMVA do its level best to serve the men and women who are serving or have served our country.

Commerce: Lee Lilley

Lee Lilley (courtesy photo)

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What the department does: Oversees economic, community and workforce development.

Who is Lilley? He served as director of economic and pandemic recovery, as well as director of legislative affairs, for Gov. Roy Cooper. He also worked at an international public affairs firm and for former U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield.

What Stein says: Lee and I agree that North Carolina is the best place in the world to do business. I am looking forward to working closely with him to help North Carolina businesses succeed and to attract other businesses and good-paying jobs to our state.

Human Resources: Staci Meyer

Staci Meyer (courtesy photo)

What the department does: Oversees hiring and recruitment, as well as employee services, for state government.

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Who is Meyer? She serves as chief deputy secretary at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. She has worked at the DOJ and the NC Industrial Commission.

What Stein says: Staci knows firsthand that North Carolina state government is full of fulfilling jobs for public-spirited people. I look forward to working with Staci to ensure that my administration recruits and retains the best state employees possible to serve our people well.

Information Technology: Teena Piccione

Teena Piccione (courtesy photo)

What the department does: Provides IT services to state government, and oversees cybersecurity and broadband expansion.

Who is Piccione? She has worked at Google as a managing director of engineering, as well as executive roles at RTI International, Fidelity Investments and AT&T.

What Stein says: Making sure the states IT infrastructure is effective, efficient and secure is a top priority. I am excited that someone of Teenas experience and talent is joining my administration to deliver IT excellence.

Public Safety: Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, Jr. (Photo: ncdps.gov)

What the department does: Oversees law enforcement, juvenile justice, emergency response and recovery, and homeland security efforts.

Who is Buffaloe? He has served as head of DPS since 2021, appointed by Cooper. He previously worked in Elizabeth City government, a sheriffs office, as a corrections officer and law enforcement instructor. He was a member of the NC National Guard for a decade.

What Stein says: Western North Carolina is at a critical moment. We need Eddies steady leadership as we work to rebuild after Hurricane Helene. I am grateful for Secretary Buffaloes commitment to seeing the job done.

Transportation: Joey Hopkins

Joey Hopkins (courtesy photo)

What the department does: Oversees roads and bridges, rail, aviation, ferries, highways and other transportation infrastructure.

Who is Hopkins? He has served as head of DOT since 2023. He previously held a series of roles within the department, including chief operating officer.

What Stein says: The Department of Transportation has real work to do in western North Carolina. I am grateful to Secretary Hopkins for agreeing to stay in an interim role to help make sure we safely get people back on the road as quickly as possible.

State Budget and Management: Kristin Walker

Kristin Walker (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

What the department does: Oversees the state budget, and provides financial and policy analysis for the governor and state agencies.

Who is Walker? She has served as director of OSBM since 2022. She previously served as deputy director; as a fiscal analyst at the legislature; and at the National Science Foundation.

What Stein says: Kristin is a smart and creative leader. I am grateful that she will continue to work diligently on behalf of North Carolinas state budget.
A recent decision by a New York judge will allow a cryptocurrency plant to continue operating despite environmentalists' concerns over the plant's massive pollution output, the Associated Press reported.

What's happening?

Greenidge Generation, a large-scale crypto mine in the Finger Lakes region of central New York, began mining bitcoin four years ago using a former coal-burning plant that's been converted to a natural gas one.

Massive crypto-mining operations require thousands of computer servers that consume enormous amounts of electricity. Greenidge uses the plant to power its servers.

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The state of New York has ambitious climate goals, and in 2022, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation determined Greenidge's pollution output was in contradiction to these goals and denied a required air permit for the company.

Greenidge responded with a lawsuit. State Supreme Court Justice Vincent M. Dinolfo ruled last month that the DEC made an "interpretative error" under the law in failing to give Greenidge an opportunity to justify its continued operation, per the AP.

In a prepared statement, Greenidge said: "Transparent political bias lost today. The ruling ensures our facility will continue operating and our local employees will not have their careers ripped away by politically motivated governmental overreach that had no basis in law from the first day it began."

A group of environmental organizations has accused Greenidge of releasing millions of pounds of carbon dioxide  a planet-warming gas  into the air. They also allege the company is contaminating nearby Seneca Lake daily.

Why is this ruling important?

Mandy DeRoche, a deputy managing attorney in the Clean Energy Program at Earthjustice, said: "The Finger Lakes community has been sounding the alarm on the disastrous impacts of this facility on their water, air, and climate."

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"We will continue our fight until Greenidge shuts down for good," she continued, according to the AP.

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Nearby residents' health is being affected by Greenidge's pollution, and so is the climate crisis.

Carbon dioxide generated from burning fossil fuels enters the atmosphere and contributes to rising global temperatures. This climate crisis has caused extreme weather events to worsen and become more frequent, endangering lives and destroying natural habitats.

What's being done about pollution?

Environmental groups like Earthjustice have vowed to continue fighting to shut down Greenidge's operations. Not-for-profit corporations like Seneca Lake Guardian actively work to protect the environment in many different ways.

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The cryptocurrency platform Ethereum recently switched to "proof of stake" and reduced its energy consumption by a reported 99.95% as a result. While the consensus from analysts is that bitcoin, as Greenidge focuses on, does not appear likely to ever make such a shift, some analysts have at least pointed out that many firms similar to Greenidge have instead invested in building or purchasing renewable energy plants, such as solar or wind farms, with the hope that crypto could eventually prove to be a driver of clean energy innovation and infrastructure.

In the meantime, though, bitcoin computing needs nonetheless requires so much energy that the currency is globally responsible for millions of tons of net carbon dioxide pollution per year.

In our daily lives, we can each take small actions to reduce our own pollution output. Actions such as electrifying our homes, switching to electric vehicles, and planting native plants all add up to make a positive impact on the world and our future.

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.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP)  A Georgia judge on Monday denied a former prosecutor's legal motion to halt her upcoming trial on charges that she illegally interfered with police investigating the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

Senior Judge John R. Turner rejected former Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson's request to disqualify Georgia's attorney general's office from prosecuting her.

Johnson's defense lawyers argued in court last week that state Attorney General Chris Carr has a conflict of interest because members of his staff are key witnesses in the case.

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Jury selection for Johnson's trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 in the coastal port city of Brunswick, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Savannah.

Arbery, who was Black, was fatally shot Feb. 23, 2020, while he was running in a residential neighborhood. He was chased by white men in pickup trucks, including Greg McMichael, who started the deadly pursuit and whose son killed Arbery with a shotgun. McMichael was a retired investigator who had worked for Johnson.

No one was arrested in Arbery's death for more than two months until cellphone video of the killing leaked online and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case from local police. Since then, McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael, have been convicted of murder and federal hate crimes in separate trials. So has William Roddie Bryan, a neighbor who joined the chase and recorded the video.

Johnson was the top prosecutor in Glynn County when Arbery was killed. Though she recused her office because Greg McMichael had been an employee, Johnson was indicted in September 2021 on a felony charge of violating her oath of office as well as a misdemeanor count of hindering a police officer. Voters had ousted her from office months earlier in the 2020 elections.

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The indictment accuses Johnson of using her elected position to show favoritism to Greg McMichael. It also says she urged police not to arrest Travis McMichael after the shooting.

Johnson has denied wrongdoing. Her lead defense attorney, Brian Steel, said during a court hearing last week that Johnson was focused on seeking a high-profile indictment when the shooting happened and "didnt know what was going on with Ahmaud Arberys case.

Johnson's attorneys argued that the indictment against her describes Carr's office as a victim, meaning his staff would be among the key witnesses. Johnson's lawyers said that creates a conflict of interest for Carr's prosecutors handling the case.

The judge denied Johnson's legal motion in a ruling Monday without elaborating on his reasoning.

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Prosecutor John Fowler told the judge that people in the attorney generals office who dealt directly with Johnson in Arberys case no longer work there.

The charge that Johnson violated her oath of office stems from her recommendation to Carr's office in 2020 that it appoint George Barnhill, a neighboring jurisdictions prosecutor, to handle Arberys killing.

Carr has said he appointed Barnhill without knowing that Johnson had already called on him days earlier to advise police in Arbery's killing. Barnhill told police he saw no grounds for arrests, as he believed Arbery was shot in self-defense.

Johnson's court appearance last Wednesday was her first as a criminal defendant in the three years since her indictment.

Turner has said he couldn't move forward with Johnson's case during the nearly two years Steel spent in an Atlanta courtroom defending Grammy-winning rapper Young Thug in a sprawling racketeering and gang case.
A pile of scrap metal caught fire at Rhode Island Recycled Metals in Providence on Wednesday, July 11, 2024, the second fire at the scrapyard this year. (Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Emergency Response)

A Rhode Island Superior Court judge has authorized more oversight of an embattled Providence scrapyard, but not as much as state regulators wanted.

Judge Brian Sterns Dec. 13 decision comes more than five months after a fire broke out at Rhode Island Recycled Metals, prompting the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General to ask the court to shutter the Allens Avenue business and force it into court-appointed receivership.

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The Allens Avenue scrapyard has faced safety and environmental concerns for nearly all of its 15-year existence along the Providence River. The company has been under supervision of a court-appointed special master  a step down from receivership  since 2016 for a series of missing permits related to stormwater and remediation of potentially hazardous chemicals in its soil. After the July 10 blaze, the second fire at the site this year, Neronha in a series of court filings argued that the special master arrangement was not enough to overcome a continued pattern of violations, raising concerns for the health and safety of the mostly low-income, minority neighborhood that surrounds it.

Providence Superior Associate Justice Brian Stern listens to arguments on a motion by the attorney generals office to shut down Rhode Island Recycled Metals LLC on Friday, July 12, 2024.(Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

Two days after the fire, Stern granted Neronhas request for a temporary shutdown of the scrapyard, but allowed the business to reopen in early August with additional safety protocols, including a new fire suppression system, in place.

Meanwhile, the permanent proposal for receivership remained in limbo, with a flurry of filings from Neronhas office and the company over the last five months arguing for, and against, the total court-appointed control.

Sterns 16-page decision Friday ends the back-and-forth, denying Neronhas push for receivership but granting the special master expanded oversight over an environmental remediation and permitting application already under review by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

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The process now appears to be approaching the finish line, and the delay does not justify the extraordinary remedy of a Receiver, Stern wrote. Environmental concerns remain present, but these same concerns existed when the Special Master was first appointed, and the Plaintiffs have not shown that the current circumstances at RIRM require the appointment of a Receiver. Further, Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that the Special Master is unable to adequately address these concerns.

Rhode Island Recycled Metals, which protested the receivership, celebrated Sterns decision as a victory.

RIRM applauds the decision by the Court to reject the States Motion to Place RIRM into receivership and force RIRM to cease operations, Patrick Sweeney, a company spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday. This ruling now brings to a close nearly nine years of legal challenges in which the State attempted to usurp and interfere with the owners right to manage and develop their property, which included submitting appropriate environmental applications.

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Rick Land, the existing special master, recommended in a Nov. 4 report to the court  part of mandated updates on the companys compliance with safety measures  to expand his role to oversee the companys pending applications with DEM for an environmental cleanup plan. Rhode Island Recycled Metals indicated its support for Lands proposal.

While Neronhas office lost its case for receivership, he too framed Sterns decision in a positive light.

Todays decision represents a hard-fought victory for environmental protection and for the health and safety of RIRMs surrounding communities, and I am grateful to Judge Stern for his thoughtful and thorough decision on this matter, Neronha said in a statement on Friday. While we still believe that a full receivership is the best path forward, we are encouraged by the significant additional safeguards provided by this decision.

Per Lands recommendation, Stern also ordered the scrapyard to take intermediary environmental remediation steps within the next 10 days, including covering the middle third of the 12-acre site with a 4-inch layer of asphalt to keep potentially harmful metals from leaching out into the stormwater or surrounding land. The long-term plan submitted to DEM in February calls for a permanent cap on the land, along with a separate stormwater management system.

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Stern in his decision acknowledged the companys history of noncompliance with state and federal environmental protections, which prompted regulators to seek court intervention a decade ago.

The Court wishes to make clear that RIRM is operating on a short leash, and the Court expects that this path to compliance will be complete in the near future, Stern wrote.

Neronha also said his office will continue to watch the scrapyard closely.

Rhode Island Recycled Metals has long caused significant harm to the residents of South Providence, and more or less gotten away with it, for over 10 years, Neronha said. That stops now. We will continue to be vigilant in ensuring RIRMs environmental compliance at this site and with this new Order, and we certainly wont hesitate to take further action if necessary.

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Meanwhile, DEM is still reviewing the proposed improvement plan, following a Dec. 3 public hearing  the second since the fire, with a previous meeting in August devolving into a shouting match between residents and the scrapyards attorney. Written comments on the site cleanup plan and future uses can be submitted to the agency through Dec. 23, with more information available online.

After the public comment period ends, DEM will issue its decision letter, requiring a more detailed remediation plan, Evan LaCross, an agency spokesperson said. There is no firm deadline for when the decision is expected.

Separately, a $25,000 fine issued by DEM in December 2023 against the company remains under review because the scrapyard appealed the fine.

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Although details of Donald Trumps ambitious deportation plan remain scarce, the president-elect has clearly stated that he will prioritize expelling undocumented migrants who have been convicted of crimes and those with existing deportation orders. However, it is less clear who exactly he is referring to. During his election campaign, Trump cited various statistics to promote the notion that Joe Bidens administration had opened the floodgates to criminals, and allowed them to enter the United States, often from foreign prisons  an argument used to support his mass deportation plans.

On several occasions, Trump claimed that 13,000 undocumented murderers are roaming the country. The reality, however, tells a different story.

These are people who have been convicted of murder in the last 40 or 50 years, and that means is that there are 13,000 individuals who are not in immigration custody, explained Alex Nowrasteh, vice president of economic and social policy studies at the CATO Institute. This means they are either incarcerated, deported from the U.S., or deceased  these are not people who are roaming around the country at large. Nevertheless, because they are not held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, the assumption persists that they are wandering the streets.

The narrative that undocumented migrants pose a significant threat to public safety was pivotal in garnering voter support for Trumps stricter immigration policies. Approximately half of the U.S. population supports mass deportations.

However, statistics reveal a different picture: undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than both documented immigrants and U.S.-born citizens. Texas is the only state that differentiates between these groups in its criminal data, making it a key reference point for researchers nationwide. When Texas law enforcement arrests someone, they determine the individuals place of birth and citizenship status. Fingerprints of detainees are sent to the Department of Homeland Security, which confirms their immigration status.

Between 2012 and 2018 in Texas, the overall arrest rate for violent crimes was 213 per 100,000 for U.S.-born citizens, compared to 96.2 per 100,000 for undocumented immigrants. According to data collected by the CATO Institute, in 2022, 1,336 people were convicted of homicide in Texas. Of these, 1,209 were native-born Americans, 67 were undocumented immigrants, and 60 were legal immigrants. Despite making up 7.1% of Texass population in 2022, undocumented immigrants accounted for only 5% of homicide convictions. The trend is similar for other crimes such as assault, sexual assault, robbery, theft, and arson, with crime rates among undocumented immigrants consistently lower than those of U.S.-born citizens. Even in the case of drug-related offenses, undocumented immigrants are less than half as likely to be arrested as native-born citizens.

One reason for this is rooted in the high stakes faced by undocumented immigrants. After risking their lives on arduous journeys, braving jungles, deserts, and gang violence, they are unlikely to jeopardize their tenuous foothold in the United States by committing crimes. They are afraid of being arrested, so they do not commit crimes, explains Nowrasteh.

Most studies treat migrants as a uniform group regardless of whether they are in the country legally or not, with Texas being the exception. As a group, migrants have had lower incarceration rates than native-born citizens for over 150 years. This trend has become even more pronounced since 1960, with immigrants today being 60% less likely to be incarcerated than U.S.-born citizens, according to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Cities that have welcomed more undocumented migrants provide further evidence that increased migration does not lead to a rise in crime. In New York, Chicago, and Denver, which have seen significant influxes of migrants, homicide rates have actually decreased. Similarly, Texas border counties report lower violent crime rates than both the state and the national average, according to analysis by crime expert Jeff Asher, cited by The New York Times.

Traffic fines, not murders

The rhetoric Donald Trump has used to demonize undocumented migrants, frequently labeling them as murderers and rapists, does not align with the type of crimes they most commonly commit. According to ICE data, most offenses involve minor infractions, such as traffic violations or driving under the influence, rather than violent crimes.

The U.S. is home to an estimated 11 to 13 million undocumented immigrants, 90% of whom have no criminal record. Nearly five million U.S. children have at least one parent with irregular immigration status. Angela Kelley, senior advisor to the American Immigration Council, paints a contrasting picture: The 11 million who live here without status have resided in the United States for an average of 16 years. More than two-thirds live with a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse or child. They are not accidental tourists. They have put down roots, not robbed banks. It is bad policy and harmful to the United States to confuse people with criminal records with people who lack documents.

Trump has pledged to begin deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records on his first day in office. But during Trumps first term, when his administration enforced the infamous zero tolerance policy at the border  resulting in the traumatic separation of families  his interior deportations focused more on migrants who crossed the border illegally rather than those convicted of crimes. CATO data confirms that Trumps deportation policies were not primarily directed at violent offenders.

In contrast, the Biden administration has matched Trumps first-term deportation numbers but prioritized individuals with criminal convictions. Under Biden, two million migrants entered the country in 2021, the largest number on record, with 60% being undocumented. This influx, however, did not result in higher crime rates; instead, crime declined. Recent asylum restrictions introduced by Biden have also contributed to a reduction in illegal border crossings.

While Trump plans to start with criminals, his broader immigration strategy targets all undocumented immigrants, a vague and sweeping definition. This includes groups such as Central Americans in the Temporary Protection Program (TPS), who were granted asylum to escape extreme violence, and the Dreamers, individuals who came to the U.S. as children. Although Trump has softened his stance on Dreamers and expressed interest in reaching a bipartisan agreement, many question his sincerity.

David Leopold, legal counsel for Americas Voice, warned: Trumps mass deportation plan will target hardworking immigrants who have been here for years, raised children, enriched the fabric of our communities, but are prevented from obtaining U.S. citizenship because of Congresss decades-long failure to fix immigration law. Trump talks tough about deporting violent criminals but, as we saw during his first four years in office, he will deport anyone he can get his hands on.

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GUYMON  Sometime between September and October 2023, Tifany Adams issued a warning about what would happen if anyone tried to take her young grandchildren, a murder investigation found.

"Bodies would fall," she reportedly said.

The grandmother months later orchestrated a double murder to keep the boy and girl from their mother, Veronica Butler, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reported in court affidavits. She has confessed, the OSBI said.

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On Tuesday, a judge will begin hearing testimony at a preliminary hearing for Adams, 55; her boyfriend, Tad Bert Cullum, 44; and a third defendant, Cole Twombly, 50.

Two other defendants, Paul Grice, 32, and Cora Twombly, 45, are being called by the prosecution to testify against them. Cole and Cora Twombly are married.

"They each did their respective part," prosecutors alleged in a legal filing in September.

After hearing the testimony, Associate District Judge Clark Jett will determine whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial. The hearing in Texas County District Court could last three days.

Victims were ambushed on highway in Oklahoma Panhandle, investigators say

Killed March 30 were Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39. "Adams hated and despised Butler and wanted her dead," prosecutors alleged in the legal filing.

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Adams had been taking care of the children, then 6 and 8, at her home in Keyes. The OSBI reported the paternal grandmother was in a "problematic custody battle" with their mother who was seeking extended visitation. The next court hearing in the custody dispute had been set for April 17.

Investigators say the victims were ambushed on a highway in the Oklahoma Panhandle as they drove from Kansas to pick up the children for a birthday party. Kelley, a pastor's wife, was along to supervise the visit.

More: Who are 'God's Misfits'? Oklahoma homicide draws heat to S. Carolina ministry with same name

The case attracted national attention after the women went missing and again when the defendants were identified as belonging to an antigovernment group called "God's Misfits." Adams also had formerly been chair of the Cimarron County Republican Party.

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The women had been stabbed multiple times possibly after stun guns were used against them, according to their autopsy reports. The bodies were found on April 14 in a large sealed freezer that had been buried in a cow pasture that was leased by Cullum.

Underneath the freezer was a stun gun, a roll of tape, a sheathed knife and clothing, according to the autopsy reports.

Prosecutors allege Adams purchased burner phones so "the conspirators could communicate." They allege she also purchased the stun devices and the yellow straps used to secure the freezer.

Prosecutors allege her boyfriend, Cullum, used a skid steer to dig the hole, stabbed Kelley, drove the bodies from the ambush site to the cow pasture and buried them in the freezer.

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Prosecutors allege Grice stabbed Butler, slicing his own hand during the ambush.

"Cole and Cora ... were the lookouts on the day of the murders and ... confided in their daughter in hope of receiving an alibi," prosecutors wrote in the legal filing.

Adams issued the warning about bodies falling when James Taylor, then the Cimarron County sheriff, made a welfare check on the children, the OSBI reported in court affidavits.

Prosecutors have not said yet if they will seek the death penalty for Adams, Cullum and Cole Twombly. All three face two counts of first-degree murder, a count of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of unlawful removal of a dead body and two counts of unlawful desecration of a human corpse.

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Adams also faces two counts of child neglect.

Grice and Cora Twombly waived their preliminary hearings.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'God's Misfits' Oklahoma murder case testimony begins Tuesday
A federal judge has denied Sean "Diddy" Combs' request for an evidentiary hearing into claims that the government leaked tapes of the music mogul allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend for the purpose of harming his reputation.

On Monday, Dec. 16, in an opinion obtained by PEOPLE, Judge Arun Subramanian said Diddy has not carried his burden that the government had been leaking sensitive materials to the press, including 2016 hotel surveillance footage of his alleged physical assault against Cassie Ventura at the Intercontinental Hotel.

As to the Intercontinental Hotel video, Combs has not carried his burden to show that the government leaked it to CNN, Subramanian wrote. Combs argues that 'the most likely source of the leak is the government' but he doesnt point to any sound basis for this conclusion.

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The clip, which was released by CNN five months before Combs' Sept. 16 arrest for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, shows Combs grabbing Ventura by the neck before he threw her to the ground, kicked her and dragged her down the hallway.

Diddy's team accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of leaking the video to tarnish Combs' reputation in an October court filing.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Cassie Ventura and Sean "Diddy" Combs attend the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-GRAMMY Gala on January 27, 2018 in New York City. Cassie Ventura and Sean "Diddy" Combs attend the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-GRAMMY Gala on January 27, 2018 in New York City.

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Diddy's defense accused DHS of launching a seven-month smear campaign against Combs to "undermine" his "right to a "fair trial," by "leaking confidential grand jury materials," the filing states.



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"The leaks have resulted in damaging and highly prejudicial media coverage, particularly sensationalizing the investigation and the involvement of Mr. Combs family," the filing claims.

Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Lawyers Accuse Government of Leaking 2016 Cassie Video to 'Savage' Reputation Before Trial, Feds Deny Claim

Federal prosecutors denied the claims, stating in a letter to the court that they were "not in possession of the video before its publication by CNN. Indeed, at the time of CNN's publication, the Government did not possess any video of the March 2016 incident."

Subramanian, in his ruling, concluded, "The court once again reminds the government and its agents that if specific information comes to light that they leaked prohibited information, action will be taken."

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He added: "And the court reminds the public that whether the government can prove Comb's guilty in this case will turn on the evidence presented at trial, not in a 'trial by newspapers.'"

Combs is currently being held in Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center. He is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution and has pleaded not guilty.

His attorneys declined to comment about the judge's ruling.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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
SEBRING, Fla. (WFLA)  Judge Angela Cowden sentenced Zephen Xaver  the man who killed five women at a bank in Sebring, Florida  to death, following the recommendation from jurors at his sentencing trial in June.

Zephen Xaver pleaded guilty to five counts of murder for killing Ana Pinon Williams, Debra Cook, Marisol Lopez, Cynthia Watson, and Jessica Montague at a SunTrust Bank in 2019.

The verdict wont bring her back: Families speak after jury recommends death for Zephen Xaver

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In a nine to three vote, jurors recommended the death penalty in the sentencing trial for Xaver in June. This decision came after years of delays.

A Florida law signed last year only requires eight jurors to vote for the death penalty.

Families of the victims said the verdict has brought some closure.

I dont think a lot of people realize that you have to continue to live that same day over and over again until you do go to trial. There are constant court hearings, constant conference meetings with lawyers and it just eats you alive, said April Nelson, Cynthia Watsons daughter.

Im happy with the verdict. He deserves it. Hes a coward and this delay has just been trying to keep him alive, said Michael Cook, victim Debra Cooks husband.

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During his sentencing trial, his defense team tried to show Xaver had a history of psychological and medical issues that lead him to homicidal thoughts and eventually, the mass 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 Queen City News.
A pro-gun rights demonstrator carrying an AR-15 and a handgun stands outside of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville in August 2023. Assault weapons bans have faced more challenges in federal courts after the U.S. Supreme Court expanded Second Amendment rights in 2022. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

More than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court fundamentally expanded its interpretation of the Second Amendment, federal courts throughout the country continue to strike down state restrictions on gun ownership.

Since the high courts 2022 decision  in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen  that firearm regulations must have some historical comparison going back to the countrys founding, some state restrictions have been ruled unconstitutional. But lower courts are still figuring out the limits of that historical test and have not yet come to a broad agreement on key gun-related laws.

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Still, wins for gun rights supporters have mounted. Over the past two years, federal courts have struck down bans on assault weapons in trend-setting blue states such as California and Illinois.

In October, a federal district court judge ruled that New Yorks ban on carrying a concealed firearm on private property open to the public is unconstitutional.

In September, a federal district court judge in northern Illinois ruled the states ban on carrying a concealed firearm on public transit violated the Second Amendment.

And in July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld a lower courts ruling that found Minnesotas age restriction on residents carrying a handgun in public also was unconstitutional.

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It has been a busy time for gun rights attorneys, such as Bill Sack, director of legal operations for the Second Amendment Foundation, a Bellevue, Washington-based legal advocacy organization that has flooded the courts with challenges to gun regulations nationwide.

The second Bruen came down, there was the starting gun for a sprint, for which we have not stopped yet, he told Stateline. Stuff is ripe for a fresh challenge.

Sack and other gun rights advocates are now asking the courts to define the Supreme Courts new Bruen standard: a series of who, what and where questions about which gun rights limitations are allowed under the latest interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Who can own a firearm? Cases going through the courts are challenging laws that ban firearm ownership by anyone younger than 21, or anyone who has been convicted of nonviolent offenses or people who live in public housing.

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What sort of firearm equipment can someone possess? There are state laws that may put restrictions on owning handguns, assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and untraceable ghost guns that people can assemble from online-bought or 3D-printed parts, such as the one allegedly used by the suspect in the recent assassination of a UnitedHealthcare executive in New York City.

Where can people possess a firearm? The U.S. Supreme Court has established that states can ban firearms in sensitive places, but states and courts are still determining what that means. Some states ban firearms on mass transit and in public parks or government buildings. This month, Michigan banned firearms in and around polling places.

Still, Sack expressed optimism.

We are making major inroads, Sack said. The arc of history will show that this time period was very good for us and very bad for them.

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But Sacks confidence may be misplaced, said Esther Sanchez-Gomez, litigation director at the Giffords Law Center, a nonpartisan gun safety organization.

Last month, a federal judge in southern Illinois struck down the states ban on assault weapons. While that case is being appealed, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit ruled earlier this month that the ban can remain in place for now.

Sanchez-Gomez also pointed out that in August, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit upheld Marylands ban on similar weapons. The issue might need to be resolved by the Supreme Court.

Theres movement on assault weapons, she said in an interview. I wouldnt say that its a lost issue universally. Rather, Id say that theres a lot of different results coming out and that courts have yet to coalesce.

A shifting standard

In June 2022, the 6-3 conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of New Yorks law that established a strict permitting system to carry a concealed weapon. In the case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, the nations high court established the standard by which firearm-related cases should be judged.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Not only did the court rule that Americans have a constitutional right to carry a firearm in public for self-defense, but it also noted that gun laws must have some sort of historical grounding dating back to the countrys founding.

What youre seeing is courts across the country trying to figure out how to do that historical, constitutional test in real, practical terms.

 Esther Sanchez-Gomez, litigation director at the Giffords Law Center

Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas outlined that test in the majority opinion, writing that to justify a firearm regulation the government must demonstrate that the regulation is consistent with the Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation. That has forced litigants and lawmakers to find comparable laws from 200 years ago to justify a new gun restriction.

Advertisement Advertisement

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This was a departure from the previous standard, established 14 years earlier in District of Columbia v. Heller.

In that 2008 case, the Supreme Court ruled a person has a right to possess firearms but made clear that gun restrictions are constitutional. The decision held that a gun law could be judged on whether it served the public interest, such as by preventing firearm deaths.

That standard no longer applies, and courts are still determining whether there are limits to the Second Amendment and how a historical test from the Revolutionary era can be applied to modern firearm restrictions. Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has criticized the Bruen standard, saying it forces judges into service as amateur historians.

But the Supreme Court has shown that it views some gun restrictions as constitutional. In an 8-1 decision in United States v. Rahimi this June  with Thomas the lone dissenter  the court upheld a 1994 federal law that bans people with domestic restraining orders from owning firearms.

Advertisement Advertisement

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The Supreme Court gave us some additional clues, but it is still creating some confusion, Sanchez-Gomez said. What youre seeing is courts across the country trying to figure out how to do that historical, constitutional test in real, practical terms.

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh even noted in a concurring opinion in Rahimi that Second Amendment jurisprudence is in its early innings and that he expects the court will see many more cases.

Indeed, The Trace, a nonprofit news service that investigates gun violence, found that as of September, there had been more than 1,600 federal court decisions on Second Amendment challenges that cited Bruen.

A paper by law professors at the University of Southern California and the University of Virginia, published in July, found the Bruen decision had a substantial effect on firearm-related gun cases. Bruen seems to have generated more pro-gun decisions, researchers wrote, but they said the next few years may bring yet more changes.

The future of gun control cases

While Minnesotas minimum age requirement for possessing a firearm was struck down this year, similar restrictions in states such as Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania are still going through federal appeals courts and could have a different outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Courts also are trying to determine appropriate state firearm restrictions for sensitive places, where the presence of guns could be a significant danger. There are challenges across the country to firearm possession in post offices, parks and playgrounds.

In September, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld parts of Californias and Hawaiis sensitive places laws, allowing residents to carry firearms in some previously banned locations, such as financial institutions, hospitals and public transit, but continuing the bans in alcohol-serving bars and restaurants, beaches and parks.

In many of these cases, the makeup of the courts has been a deciding factor. For example, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, based out of northern Illinois, has tended to be more favorable toward gun safety laws.

Its unclear how gun regulations are going to fare in the courts in the coming years, said Adam Garber, executive director of CeaseFirePA, a gun safety organization that has advocated for tighter restrictions at the commonwealth and local level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the U.S. Supreme Court signaled a willingness to allow some restrictions in its latest decision this year, he said, the Bruen opinions effects linger.

The reality is that there is a real risk to gun safety laws across the nation because of a radical interpretation, Garber said. But we also saw courts say, Wait, wait, wait, were not saying no gun safety laws are allowed.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

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A pro-gun rights demonstrator carrying an AR-15 and a handgun stands outside of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville in August 2023. Assault weapons bans have faced more challenges in federal courts after the U.S. Supreme Court expanded Second Amendment rights in 2022. Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images.

More than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court fundamentally expanded its interpretation of the Second Amendment, federal courts throughout the country continue to strike down state restrictions on gun ownership.

Since the high courts 2022 decision  in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen  that firearm regulations must have some historical comparison going back to the countrys founding, some state restrictions have been ruled unconstitutional. But lower courts are still figuring out the limits of that historical test and have not yet come to a broad agreement on key gun-related laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, wins for gun rights supporters have mounted. Over the past two years, federal courts have struck down bans on assault weapons in trend-setting blue states such as California and Illinois.

In October, a federal district court judge ruled that New Yorks ban on carrying a concealed firearm on private property open to the public is unconstitutional.

In September, a federal district court judge in northern Illinois ruled the states ban on carrying a concealed firearm on public transit violated the Second Amendment.

And in July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld a lower courts ruling that found Minnesotas age restriction on residents carrying a handgun in public also was unconstitutional.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It has been a busy time for gun rights attorneys, such as Bill Sack, director of legal operations for the Second Amendment Foundation, a Bellevue, Washington-based legal advocacy organization that has flooded the courts with challenges to gun regulations nationwide.

The second Bruen came down, there was the starting gun for a sprint, for which we have not stopped yet, he told Stateline. Stuff is ripe for a fresh challenge.

Sack and other gun rights advocates are now asking the courts to define the Supreme Courts new Bruen standard: a series of who, what and where questions about which gun rights limitations are allowed under the latest interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Who can own a firearm? Cases going through the courts are challenging laws that ban firearm ownership by anyone younger than 21, or anyone who has been convicted of nonviolent offenses or people who live in public housing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What sort of firearm equipment can someone possess? There are state laws that may put restrictions on owning handguns, assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and untraceable ghost guns that people can assemble from online-bought or 3D-printed parts, such as the one allegedly used by the suspect in the recent assassination of a UnitedHealthcare executive in New York City.

Where can people possess a firearm? The U.S. Supreme Court has established that states can ban firearms in sensitive places, but states and courts are still determining what that means. Some states ban firearms on mass transit and in public parks or government buildings. This month, Michigan banned firearms in and around polling places.

Still, Sack expressed optimism.

We are making major inroads, Sack said. The arc of history will show that this time period was very good for us and very bad for them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Sacks confidence may be misplaced, said Esther Sanchez-Gomez, litigation director at the Giffords Law Center, a nonpartisan gun safety organization.

Last month, a federal judge in southern Illinois struck down the states ban on assault weapons. While that case is being appealed, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit ruled earlier this month that the ban can remain in place for now.

Sanchez-Gomez also pointed out that in August, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit upheld Marylands ban on similar weapons. The issue might need to be resolved by the Supreme Court.

Theres movement on assault weapons, she said in an interview. I wouldnt say that its a lost issue universally. Rather, Id say that theres a lot of different results coming out and that courts have yet to coalesce.

A shifting standand

In June 2022, the 6-3 conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of New Yorks law that established a strict permitting system to carry a concealed weapon. In the case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, the nations high court established the standard by which firearm-related cases should be judged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Not only did the court rule that Americans have a constitutional right to carry a firearm in public for self-defense, but it also noted that gun laws must have some sort of historical grounding dating back to the countrys founding.

What youre seeing is courts across the country trying to figure out how to do that historical, constitutional test in real, practical terms.

 Esther Sanchez-Gomez, litigation director at the Giffords Law Center

Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas outlined that test in the majority opinion, writing that to justify a firearm regulation the government must demonstrate that the regulation is consistent with the Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation. That has forced litigants and lawmakers to find comparable laws from 200 years ago to justify a new gun restriction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This was a departure from the previous standard, established 14 years earlier in District of Columbia v. Heller.

In that 2008 case, the Supreme Court ruled a person has a right to possess firearms but made clear that gun restrictions are constitutional. The decision held that a gun law could be judged on whether it served the public interest, such as by preventing firearm deaths.

That standard no longer applies, and courts are still determining whether there are limits to the Second Amendment and how a historical test from the Revolutionary era can be applied to modern firearm restrictions. Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has criticized the Bruen standard, saying it forces judges into service as amateur historians.

But the Supreme Court has shown that it views some gun restrictions as constitutional. In an 8-1 decision in United States v. Rahimi this June  with Thomas the lone dissenter  the court upheld a 1994 federal law that bans people with domestic restraining orders from owning firearms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Supreme Court gave us some additional clues, but it is still creating some confusion, Sanchez-Gomez said. What youre seeing is courts across the country trying to figure out how to do that historical, constitutional test in real, practical terms.

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh even noted in a concurring opinion in Rahimi that Second Amendment jurisprudence is in its early innings and that he expects the court will see many more cases.

Indeed, The Trace, a nonprofit news service that investigates gun violence, found that as of September, there had been more than 1,600 federal court decisions on Second Amendment challenges that cited Bruen.

A paper by law professors at the University of Southern California and the University of Virginia, published in July, found the Bruen decision had a substantial effect on firearm-related gun cases. Bruen seems to have generated more pro-gun decisions, researchers wrote, but they said the next few years may bring yet more changes.

The future of gun restrictions

While Minnesotas minimum age requirement for possessing a firearm was struck down this year, similar restrictions in states such as Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania are still going through federal appeals courts and could have a different outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Courts also are trying to determine appropriate state firearm restrictions for sensitive places, where the presence of guns could be a significant danger. There are challenges across the country to firearm possession in post offices, parks and playgrounds.

In September, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld parts of Californias and Hawaiis sensitive places laws, allowing residents to carry firearms in some previously banned locations, such as financial institutions, hospitals and public transit, but continuing the bans in alcohol-serving bars and restaurants, beaches and parks.

In many of these cases, the makeup of the courts has been a deciding factor. For example, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, based out of northern Illinois, has tended to be more favorable toward gun safety laws.

Its unclear how gun regulations are going to fare in the courts in the coming years, said Adam Garber, executive director of CeaseFirePA, a gun safety organization that has advocated for tighter restrictions at the commonwealth and local level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the U.S. Supreme Court signaled a willingness to allow some restrictions in its latest decision this year, he said, the Bruen opinions effects linger.

The reality is that there is a real risk to gun safety laws across the nation because of a radical interpretation, Garber said. But we also saw courts say, Wait, wait, wait, were not saying no gun safety laws are allowed.

Like Minnesota Reformer, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  A man has been convicted in the death of a 24-year-old in Kalamazoo last year.

Axel Armando Zuniga-Rivera, a 22-year-old of Kalamazoo, was convicted by a jury Friday of first-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of felony firearm, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said in a Monday release.

He was convicted in the death of Marcell Savon Alguarelles-Bell, 24, who was shot on Aug. 26, 2023.

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When police were called to the scene of a shooting in the 1600 block of E. Stockbridge Avenue near Cameron Street that day, officers found Alguarelles-Bell with multiple gunshot wounds, KDPS said.

Police say he was given immediate medical care and was brought to a local hospital, but he died of his injuries.

Before he died, he identified Zuniga-Rivera as the man who shot him, KDPS said. Zuniga-Rivera, who had fled to Indianapolis, was arrested on Sept. 7.

It is our hope that this verdict brings some measure of justice to the family of Mr. Alguarelles-Bell, though we know no court decision can truly heal their loss, Cpt. Danielle Guilds, head of KDPSs Criminal Investigations Division, said in the release. We are grateful to our detectives, the Prosecutors Office, and the community members who stepped forward to assist in this case. Their efforts demonstrate the importance of collaboration in holding those who commit violent acts accountable.

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Zuniga-Rivera is set to be sentenced on Jan. 10, 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 WOODTV.com.
Bethany Highman learned that a shooting had taken place at Abundant Life Christian School, where her children attend classes in Madison, Wisc., through a call from her mother.
MIAMI  A new study from the University of Miami shows dozens of luxury, beachfront condos and hotels, all along the southeast coast of Florida, are sinking into the ground at unexpected rates.

The study identified a total of 35 buildings in Miami Beach that have sunk by as much as three inches between 2016-2023.

Affected buildings include the iconic Surf Club Towers, Trump Tower III, Trump International Beach Resorts and the Ritz-Carlton Residence. In fact, nearly 70 percent of the buildings in northern and central Sunny Isles are affected, according to the study.

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"Almost all the buildings at the coast itself, they're subsiding," Falk Amelung, a geophysicist at the University of Miami and the study's senior author, told the Miami Herald. "It's a lot."

The study data also shows signs that coastal lands in downtown Miami, Broward and Palm Beach counties are sinking.

Experts say this raises a host of questions about development on vulnerable barrier islands.

Could this be a sign that rising sea levels, spurred by greenhouse gas emissions, is eroding the limestone on which South Florida is built?

"It's probably a much larger problem than we know," Paul Chinowsky, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, told the Herald.

School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say

Congress unveils bill to avoid a government shutdown

Breaking down the charges against suspect Luigi Mangione in the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting case
Dec. 16A new restaurant is preparing to open for business in the Springboro shopping center anchored by Dorothy Lane Market.

Wasabi has posted a banner at 784 N. Main St., the site of a former China Cottage location.

"Wasabi Japanese Cuisine Coming Soon!" the banner states.

No other information accompanied the sign. There is a Wasabi Steak & Sushi restaurant with four locations in northeast Ohio, but it is not yet clear whether the Springboro location will be related.

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China Cottage closed at the end of last year at that address, saying it planned to relocate.

"Big changes are on the horizon," a China Cottage sign stated at that time. "As our lease in our current Springboro location concludes at the end of this year, we are gearing up for an incredible relocation."

An inquiry last month on the China Cottage Facebook page about that restaurant possibly relocating in Springboro received the following response from the business:

"I wish we had more information at the moment, but we're currently working hard to build and create the perfect space for our customers. Thank you for your patience and please stay tuned and connected for updates. We'll share more information as soon as we have an ETA on the opening."
LA GRANGE, N.C. (WNCT)  A juvenile was arrested and charged after fires were lit at E.B. Frink Middle School in La Grange in Lenoir County.

Deputies responded around 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 after an alarm went off. They found a wreath on a door on fire and extinguished it and began investigating.

(Photo courtesy of Lenoir County Sheriffs Office)

Then, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, the La Grange Volunteer Fire Department responded to the school for a fire in an outbuilding on the property. The fire caused substantial damage to the building.

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A juvenile suspect was identified from security footage and the juvenile was taken into custody. He was also in possession of a loaded and stolen gun.

Law enforcement officers searched the home of the juvenile as well and found items and evidence linking to the Thursday fire.

The juvenile was taken to the Pitt County Juvenile Detention Center and was charged with:

Two counts burning of schoolhouses or buildings of educational institutions

Possession of a weapon on educational property

Possession of a stolen firearm

Possession of a handgun by a minor

Damage to real property

Breaking and entering

Second-degree trespassing

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
Kane County is set to build non-motorized watercraft launches and install electronic signs along the Fox River after both projects were approved by the Kane County Board.

The Fox River flows from Waukesha County, Wisconsin, through several cities in Kane County including Aurora, and to Ottawa, Illinois.

The two newly-approved Kane County projects are both, at least in part, designed to support the rivers designation as a National Water Trail. It received that designation in 2023, according to Kane County Executive Planner Karen Miller.

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What that means is that we are now part of the National Park Service, she said. We also have different goals that we try to strive for that are part of different categories, including education and conservation and partnership.

Kane Countys project to install five new non-motorized watercraft launch sites along the Fabulous Fox! National Water Trail was designed to improve accessibility to the water trail for paddling, Miller said. One of the goals of the rivers National Water Trail designation is to get more people out on the river so that they understand it better as a natural resource, she said.

The five new launch sites will be in Montgomery, Batavia, South Elgin, East Dundee and Carpentersville.

The Montgomery launch site is set to be in Montgomery Park, according to Miller. She said Kane County worked with both the village of Montgomery and the Fox Valley Park District, which manages Montgomery Park, to choose the location.

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The Batavia launch site will on the shoreline next to Clark Island, Miller said. Batavia is also looking to improve the area with other recreational amenities, she said.

The South Elgin site is set to be located in SEBA Park. The park is known regionally and nationally for its accessible playground, according to Miller.

She said that, since all five of the new non-motorized watercraft launch sites will be a universal design, meaning they are designed to be usable by people of all abilities and all ages, SEBA Parks new landing will be a nice compliment to its accessible playground.

The East Dundee site will be at William C. Bartels Park. Miller said the village is looking to expand the park across the road that currently separates it from the Fox River, and the new landing will be on this new riverfront portion of the park.

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The Carpentersville site is set to be within a new riverside park that the village is in the process of developing, according to Miller.

She said the five new non-motorized watercraft launch sites were selected from around 20 possible sites that were submitted to the county by public landowners up and down Kane Countys portion of the Fox River.

Kane County and its consultant on the project, Hey and Associates, Inc., of Chicago, are now in the process of getting permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to construct the new launch sites, Miller said. Construction is expected to start next year, hopefully sometime in the spring, she said.

There are currently 27 river access points just in Kane County, and many more up and down the Fox River. For a list of currently constructed access points, along with details about parking, prices, amenities and more, go to fabulousfoxwatertrail.org/access-sites/

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The project to build the five new non-motorized watercraft launch sites will cost the county almost $1.2 million, which will be paid for using federal funds given to the county through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The Kane County Board, at its meeting on Nov. 12, approved a contract for that amount with Earthwerks Land Improvement and Development Corporation for the construction of the launch sites.

At this months Kane County Board meeting, which was held last Tuesday, the board voted to approve the installation of solar-powered informational signs along the Fox River.

That project will cost the county around $300,000, with the total price being split between grant funds and the communities where the signs will be installed, Kane County Development and Community Services Department Director Mark VanKerkhoff said at last weeks meeting.

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The exact split of the cost-sharing agreement with local communities will depend on whether or not Kane County is awarded a state grant for the project, he said.

The signs will both promote the communities they are in to those on the Fabulous Fox! National River Trail, which will help to encourage economic development, and will promote the river trail to those in the community, encouraging them to use the trail, according to Miller.

She said that one side of the sign will have marketing for the river trail while the other will be a solar-powered digital display with real-time information about river conditions and about the communities they are installed in.

For example, a park district may want to advertise a festival, or a village may want to put up the agenda for their next board meeting, she said.

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The signs are also planned to be non-invasive to the river, VanKerkhoff said at a Kane County Board Executive Committee meeting earlier this month. As an example, he said St. Charles is proposing placing a sign at Mt. St. Marys Park near the restrooms, not at the edge of the river.

The contract approved by the Kane County Board last week will allow the county to lease up to 12 of these signs from Soofa, a Massachusetts-based company that specializes in outdoor advertising and smart city communication platforms, according to the companys website.

Although neither the county nor the communities they are in will own the signs, Soofa will be responsible for the maintenance of and any damage to the signs, VanKerkhoff said at the Executive Committee meeting earlier this month.

An informational meeting was held in May to gauge local communities interest in the signs, and since then, four communities  Carpentersville, East Dundee, South Elgin and St. Charles  have expressed very, very strong interest in getting at least one sign, he said at the time.

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Although the project passed the vote at last Tuesdays Kane County Board meeting, several board members voiced various concerns with the signs.

Board member Leslie Juby, District 11, said that she would not support a program that uses county funds to pay for advertising for some but not all county municipalities. Similarly, board member Michelle Gumz, District 8, said that, if municipalities want these signs, they should be the ones to pay for them.

Board member Mavis Bates, District 4, said she did not support the program because she would rather preserve the natural environment of the river and the areas around it rather than fill it with advertisements.

Board member Clifford Surges, District 21, said he originally did not want to support the project because he wasnt impressed with the signs and thought they were cheesy. But, when he showed photos of the signs to people, everyone loved it, so he ended up supporting the project, he said.

rsmith@chicagotribune.com
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. (Photo by 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A local small business owner is looking to make a splash in Dayton.

Karen Wick, a member of the Dayton Public Schools board and owner of Cocos Bistro, announced her candidacy for Dayton City Commission Monday.

Kicking off her campaign at Cocos Bistro in South Park, Wick said she is eager to tackle a new challenge after serving on the DPS board.

Our city is positioned for a lot of growth, and I think its time for new leadership and perspective leading us forward, said Wick. I think the value that I bring as being a city resident for over 40 years, raising my children and my family here, having a business here make me an ideal candidate for city commission.

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Wick said she is looking forward to to the challenge, having served on the Dayton City Schools board for years.

I was ready for a new opportunity and recognizing our city is positioned for lots of growth and I think its time for new leadership and perspective leading us forward, said Wick Monday morning.

Daytons city charter says that to make it onto the ballot, Wick will need to collect 500 valid signatures from registered Dayton voters.

If five or more candidates make it onto the ballot, there will be a primary election in May. The top four leading candidates will then face off in November for the two open commission seats.

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Those seats are currently held by commissioners Darryl Fairchild and Shenise Turner-Sloss. 2 NEWS has reached out to both to see if they will be running for reelection.

Wick says she stands apart from all competition.

I do think Im a creative and I think I am visionary, said Wick. I think I am a great communicator and collaborator, and I think that brings real value and what is needed to the city right now to connect some of the dots that are missing.

In addition to the commissioners, Dayton mayor is also up for election. 2 NEWS has reached out to Mayor Jeffrey Mims office to see if hes willing to share his re-election plan.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
EXCLUSIVE: Kay Burley is ready to turn off the 3am alarm clock.

Deadline understands that Burley, one of the UKs highest-profile news anchors, is expected to vacate Sky News 6am-10am breakfast slot after five years.

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Burley moved to breakfast in October 2019. The show, titled Breakfast with Kay Burley, relaunched from studios in Westminster this year with a chattier tone and new co-hosts, including Gareth Barlow and Mhari Aurora.

Burleys final show could be as early as this week. There has been newsroom speculation that she could be leaving altogether, though Deadline has been unable to verify the rumors circulating at the Comcast-owned network. Equally, sources are not ruling out a new role.

Sky News and Burley declined to comment.

If she did exit, it would be the end of an era. Burley was one of Sky News original presenters when Rupert Murdoch launched the pay-TV broadcaster in 1989. It would be massive if she left, said a Sky News insider.

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Before hosting breakfast, Burley anchored a late afternoon show. She is usually relied upon by Sky News during major news events and hosted the networks general election night coverage in July.

She has been in the hot seat for some of the biggest stories of the past four decades, including the invasion of Iraq, the death of Princess Diana, and the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York. The latter clinched Sky News the first BAFTA award in its history.

Burley was taken off air for six months in 2020 after it was revealed she broke Covid rules while celebrating her 60th birthday in London. She apologized for the error of judgment.

David Rhodes, the former CBS News president who serves as Sky News executive chairman, has been evolving the channels schedule amid changes in viewing habits and increased competition from GB News.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City man hopes the person responsible for hitting several parked cars in a residential parking lot, near 84th Street Terrace and Drury Circle in KCMO earlier this month, will come forward.

A week has passed since the incident, and no one has stepped up to claim responsibility.

Salvation Army hosts Christmas concert at Salvation Army Northland Corps

The Washburn University Law School student and father to a young child is now without any mode of transportation.

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It was 2:30 in the morning. I just looked at it and was like what can I do?, Amos Cooley said referring to seeing his damaged cars.

Cooley said there wasnt much he could do, other than document what he saw, pick up what he could, and file a police report.

He says he does have insurance on the vehicles, one with just liability coverage though, but his cars are now sitting still waiting on estimates to see what repairs can be made, if any.

I got my daughter, tried to figure out and put her back to sleep. Just dealt with it the next day, Cooley shared.

He says it all started with a phone call from a neighbor in the overnight hours of December 7th.

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I got a phone call telling me to come outside from a neighbor. They said something happened to my vehicles, he shared.

He had two cars parked, both were hit and are undrivable. It consisted of his primary car and a back-up.

I woke up and came out here and found my vehicles destroyed, he said. I believe one hit my Malibu and sped through it and it turned it and as it turned, it hit my other car, he said. and they just drove through it.

He shared video of the collision, along with photos of his damaged cars, with FOX4.

You can still see remnants of Cooleys Chevy and Cadillac that were once parked in the residential parking lot.

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Cooley is a father and a Law School student.

down at Washburn University. It was during finals week, so it kind of made it really hard to get to school. I got down there to stay the week and came back yesterday.

If they did it once, they will do it again. This time somebody could be in the car or hurt thats my biggest concern, Cooley added.

He says he had a kidney transplant last year and transportation is needed for appointments even now, as well as to pick up medication.

Get it over with. Its an unfortunate thing, but once you get it started, we can get past it.

Patrick Mahomes suffers ankle injury vs. Browns

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Cooley believes the car that hit his vehicles is orange in color and possibly a Jeep Renegade.

If you have information about what took place, youre encouraged to contact the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.

If you did it and you are seeing this, turn yourself in.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sir Keir Starmer has said allies must double down on support for Ukraine, as pressure grows on the UK to boost defence spending.

It comes just hours after Estonias defence minister Hanno Pevkur issued a stark warning to allies that spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence is simply not enough.

He urged allies to act immediately to boost funding, suggesting one possible method would be to introduce a security tax  something Estonia will be implementing from the new year.

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The prime minister is meeting with leaders from the 10 member states of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)  a UK-led European defence alliance  in Tallinn on Monday and Tuesday when defence spending is expected to be the main topic of discussion.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the opening of the summit, Sir Keir warned that the West cannot allow Russia to benefit from its actions in Ukraine.

He said: There will be discussions in the next 24 hours, as leaders are here in Tallinn for the JEF meeting. Its important that we double down on support for Ukraine.

Its really important that we see this as not just a Ukrainian sovereignty issue but as a much wider conflict. We cannot allow Russia to gain from the aggression weve seen throughout this conflict.

Keir Starmer warned the West cannot allow Russia to benefit from aggression in Ukraine (PA Wire)

While ministers have pledged to boost UK defence spending from its current point  at just above 2 per cent  to 2.5 per cent, it is not yet clear when or how this target will be achieved.

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Mr Pevkur said the topic of defence spending will be the main topic of discussion at the Tallinn summit, telling The Independent: My main message is that paying 2 per cent of GDP to secure the peace is not very much.

We dont have time to wait to go up to 3 per cent or even to 2.5 per cent. We need to do it immediately. We had to increase our taxes, so we are introducing a security tax here in Estonia from January next year.

He added: We urge the other countries to do the same, we urge other countries to boost their defence spending.

A number of Nato member states do not yet meet the 2 per cent of GDP threshold for defence spending. Meanwhile, there are also concerns over the failure of Sir Keir to specify a timescale in relation to his pledge to increase UK spending to 2.5 per cent.

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While Mr Pevkur acknowledged it is up to each country how they find their best option to secure finances for defence, he said he would be very clear at the summit that 2 per cent is not enough, it should be at least be 5 per cent.

Estonia is on track to spend 3.4 per cent of its GDP on defence in 2024. The country is looking to increase this to 3.7 per cent by 2026, Mr Pevkur said.

Speaking at the summit after Mr Pevkurs remarks, Sir Keir acknowledged that not many people in the UK are keen on their taxes going up again and they are right about that. But he added that the first duty of government is obviously national security to keep our people safe.

It comes amid growing concern over Britains preparedness for a conflict and the state of its armed forces.

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In a foreboding speech in Brussels last week, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte warned the West is not ready to deal with the threat of war from Russia, declaring it is time to shift to a wartime mindset and turbocharge our defence production.

Hanno Pevkur speaks about European security ahead of the JEF summit in Tallinn (Millie Cooke)

His intervention came alongside warnings from former defence secretary Ben Wallace and Labour peer Admiral Lord West that a failure to prioritise defence would be a grave error by the prime minister.

Asked about Mr Ruttes comments, Sir Keir said: Public finances are not in a good place in the UK. We inherited a failed economy and failed public services, thats the first double whammy in the UK  normally you have one or the other, not both.

And not many people in the UK are keen on their taxes going up again and they are right about that.

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Nor are they very keen on having their public services cut. So theres no point pretending that this isnt a real debate.

But the first duty of government is obviously national security, to keep our people safe. And that is why defence spending, Nato, working with our allies and JEF is so important.

Sir Keir also warned of the threat posed by hybrid attacks from Russia, saying that Nato must be fully alive to the threats from alternative forms of warfare.

It is a mistake with Russia, but also with others, to think that all the conflict is the traditional tanks and armoury conflict. It most certainly isnt any more, he warned.

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It comes after Estonian border officials accused Russia of stealing border infrastructure and flying conspicuous surveillance equipment into Nato airspace.

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trumps choice to lead HHS, will meet with several Republican members of key Senate committees this week.

Kennedy will meet with 25 senators, including incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Kennedy spokesperson told POLITICO Sunday night.

Mr. Kennedy is immensely prepared to meet with over 2 dozen Senators this week. He is energized, he is excited to talk about President Trumps vision to make America healthy again, the spokesperson said.

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POLITICO reported on Tuesday that Kennedy had scheduled meetings for this week with members of the Senate Finance and HELP committees.



Why it matters: Trump has promised to let Kennedy go wild on health and food policy in his administration soon after Kennedy dropped his presidential bid to endorse the now-president-elect, roiling many public health experts. Though Republicans will have an edge in the Senate during confirmation, it will take only four defectors to sink Kennedys nomination if Democrats oppose him in unison.

Several Republicans are expected to ask Kennedy about his views on vaccines. Kennedys debunked views questioning the safety of a number of vaccines have alarmed public health experts who fear his rhetoric could lead to deaths from preventable diseases.

Some Senate Republicans have not been as enthusiastic about Kennedy's nomination as they have been for some of Trumps other cabinet picks, and several key GOP senators have been noncommittal.

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Kennedy would need to be confirmed by the Senate Finance Committee. Hed also likely have a courtesy confirmation hearing with the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee without a formal vote.

Most of the senators Kennedy is slated to meet with this week are expected to be relatively open to him, with a few exceptions. Kennedy is expected to have more meetings in the new year. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told POLITICO last week he wouldnt meet with Kennedy until January.

Several other key senators dont have meetings with Kennedy next week, including some who have nodded to the importance of vaccine programs, such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

He is slated to meet with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who has signaled concerns about Kennedys anti-vaccine stances and what they could mean for childhood vaccination.

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And he's set to meet with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who introduced legislation in 2018 backing water fluoridation. Kennedy has signaled hed push to end fluoridation of public water.

Hell also meet with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who faces reelection in 2026 and whose state party censured him in 2023 for being insufficiently conservative in their view on certain policy issues.

Heres the full list of Republican senators, according to a Kennedy spokesperson:

Sen. Bill Hagerty (Tenn.)

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.)

Sen. James Lankford (Okla.)

Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.)

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune

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Sen. Josh Hawley (Mo.)

Sen. Katie Britt (Ala.)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Okla.)

Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho)

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)

Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.)

Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.)

Sen. Roger Marshall (Kan.)

Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.)

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.V.)

Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.)

Sen. Ted Budd (N.C.)

Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas)

Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.)

Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.)

Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.)

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Ala.)

Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska)
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  The housemate of an LGBTQ+ activist in Kenya sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday for the murder of Edwin Chiloba, whose mutilated body was discovered in a metal box almost two years ago.

The High Court sitting in Eldoret found Jacktone Odhiambo guilty in the January 2023 killing that drew global attention to attitudes toward gay rights in largely conservative Kenya, where President William Ruto has called gay rights a nonissue and sex between men is illegal.

Chiloba had been widely known in Kenyas LGBTQ+ community for his activism against discrimination.

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Odhiambo denied killing his housemate despite samples of his DNA being found on the victims body. He can appeal the sentencing. DNA evidence indicated the two men had an intimate physical relationship, but the court gave no finding on the motive for the killing.

During the trial, witnesses testified about hearing the housemates in an argument and seeing Odhiambo later move the metal box.

Justice Reuben Nyakundi said during the ruling that Odhiambo had planned the murder, waiting until the two returned home from a nightclub. Chiloba had marks on his hands showing that he tried to fight back, Nyakundi said.

LGBTQ+ people have decried discrimination and attacks in Kenya, but police ruled out the possibility that the killing was a hate crime.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  This is the last week for the 135th General Assembly of Ohio, and state legislators are trying to usher a number of bills across the finish line and to the governors desk, including several key education bills.

Three bills are scheduled to be discussed during Tuesdays final Senate Education Committee meeting: amended House Bill 8, substitute House Bill 206 and Senate Bill 295. If they make it out of the Senate, they will need to be approved by the full relevant legislative chamber.

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The Senate and House have one last session scheduled a piece, with the Senate meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and the House meeting half an hour later at 2 p.m. If need be, the House may also meet at 11 a.m. Thursday morning.

What is House Bill 8, the Parents Bill of Rights?

Ohios Parents Bill of Rights is a sweeping K-12 education bill that would allow parents to opt their students out of sexuality content, require educators to notify parents of various changes in their children and, as of last week, require school districts to implement religious release policies.

On Tuesday, Senate Education Committee members will discuss an amended version of the bill, which would maintain many portions of HB 8, likely with a key addition. The Senate schedule lists an amended HB 8 on its agenda, but the committee has also been debating a substitute bill that would fold in other stalled legislation.

The substitute version would require public schools to adopt a policy permitting religious release time, or excused absences for students who attend religious instruction during the school day. Similar legislation already exists in both chambers, which would just change one word of existing laws by requiring, rather than allowing, districts to implement these policies.

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Columbus ParkMobile users may qualify under $32.8 million settlement

HB 8s addition alters more than one word. Under the revised bill, districts would be required to implement policies within specific parameters, including reasonable access and opportunity to religious programming during non-core classes. The bill goes on to define core classes, a new addition to Ohio law, as math, English, social studies, science and health studies.

The amended bill maintains most of what was included in the version of HB 8 that passed in the House in June. The bill would still require teachers to let parents know about any changes in students mental, emotional or physical health, including any requests from students to identify as a gender that does not align with their biological sex at birth. These stipulations have raised concerns among opponents, especially LGBTQ+ advocates who said they worry HB 8 would lead to forced outing of students.

The bill still allows parents to opt their students out of sexuality content and maintains that school staff would not be allowed to encourage a student to withhold information from their parents unless it would result in abuse, abandonment or neglect. The amended bill also offers options to opt in to health services and language clarifying how parents can make complaints.

Substitute House Bill 206 amends expulsion laws

HB 206 amends Ohio laws about expelling public school students for actions that endanger other students or staff. In its latest version, HB 206 adds provisions defining imminent and severe endangerment to incorporate if students bring dangerous weapons to school or school events, and if they make specific or dangerous threats, including through social media.

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The expulsion bill would also require students to show sufficient rehabilitation before they are allowed back into the district. Students who do not show progress within the 180-day period permitted by law can be granted a 90-day extended expulsion and assessed again. Students must also be examined by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist who is tasked with making recommendations on the students reentry to school.

Exclusive: Sen. Sherrod Brown joins NBC4s Colleen Marshall for first interview after election

Under the amended version, superintendents also have more rights to develop conditions for a student being reinstated into a district, and have 15 days to create an education plan for the expelled student during their expulsion, rather than five days. Finally, the bill requires the students school district to provide expulsion records to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Senate Bill 295 would adjust options for poor performing schools

The third bill awaiting action in the Senate Education Committee has been fast-tracked, with several Ohio educators groups opposing the bill at its Dec. 10 hearing, and just one testimony in favor, from a charter school specialist.

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SB 295 would require the closure or restructuring of some poor performing schools, including public schools, community or charter schools, and STEM schools. The bill revises existing law about poorly performing districts, defining them now as a school building that teaches at least some students older than third grade and has been ranked poorly for three consecutive years.

Specifically, schools that have been ranked in the bottom 5% for performance index score and the bottom 10% in effect size in the value-added progress dimension by the Ohio Department of Education for three consecutive years would qualify. Generally, all districts are subject to the same criteria; however, charter schools that enroll most of their students in dropout prevention programs qualify for an alternative option if they receive this designation.

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Once a school is determined to be poor performing, the bill allows for five options for a district to take:

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Close the school and disperse students among higher performing schools in the district

Contract with an approved outside organization and allow them to operate the school

Replace the principal and most licensed staff

Make the school a part of a different school district

Collaborate with Department of Education and Workforce services to improve

Under Ohio law, charter or community schools are not allowed to restructure, and SB 295 expands options for those districts. If passed, the earliest a school could close or restructure under the bill would be the end of the 2027-2028 school year, using data from 2024 through 2027 to determine if it would be affected.

The bill has yet to be considered by the House, so it is unlikely it would be able to pass with such limited time. However, NBC4 Statehouse reporter Natalie Fahmy was told last week senators were working hard to get it passed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Drone activity caused officials to close airspace over one of the United States most critical Air Force bases for almost four hours late Friday and early Saturday, according to a base spokesperson and a Notice to Airmen posted on a federal website.

Bob Purtiman, chief of public affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, said that the airspace remained restricted for approximately four hours from late Friday into early Saturday, while authorities monitored the situation, CNN affiliate WHIO reported.

The drones, referred to as small unmanned aerial systems, were being monitored by base units, Purtiman told WHIO. To date, installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities or assets, he said.

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This airspace closure was first reported by The War Zone on Sunday.

In a recording of the Wright-Patterson air traffic control tower during the incident, posted on YouTube by The War Zone, a controller tells an aircraft identified as MedFlight 8 to use extreme caution for heavy UAS movement on the base. UAS is an acronym for unmanned aircraft system.

The controller can be heard in the audio, which the outlet said was shared by a reader, saying security forces are handling the situation and tells the flight that the bases class D airspace  usually the area around an airport up to an altitude of 2,500 feet  will be closed.

CNN reached out to the Air Force for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

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The Wright-Patterson activity comes amid a string of mysterious drone sightings, primarily in the Northeast, that have been raising alarms among residents and local officials alike.

Drone sightings have occurred near other military installations, including Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, as well as critical infrastructure like reservoirs.

Drone activity near US military sites has also been seen overseas. In November, British air bases used by the US Air Force reported drone incursions. Officials confirmed the incursions did not affect residents or critical infrastructure, and an investigation into their origin is ongoing.

Officials have urged calm and emphasized there is no evidence suggesting the sightings pose a security threat.

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Wright-Patterson, about five miles outside the city of Dayton, is home to critical US Air Force commands, including the Air Force Research Lab, which bills itself as looking for ways to counter technological advancements (that) bring threats to our way of life, according to a video on its website.

The undated video animation shows an image of a drone approaching what looks like a remote US military outpost.

Wright-Patterson is also home to Air Force Materiel Command, which conducts research, development, test and evaluation, and provides acquisition management services and logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapon systems ready for war, the commands website says.

The sprawling base also hosts the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, whose mission is to discover and characterize air, space, missile, and cyber threats, its website says, adding that it provides unique collection, exploitation, and analytic capabilities not found elsewhere.

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Another key base tenant is the headquarters of the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, which oversees 14 intelligence squadrons scattered the country.

The base is also home to the National Museum of the US Air Force, a massive facility which houses some of the most important aircraft in history, including Bockscar, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.

In another nod to history, Wright-Patterson was home to the 1995 peace talks that resulted in the Dayton Peace Accords between Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, which ended a three-and-half-year war in Bosnia.

The 8,000-acre base is one of the largest the Air Force maintains worldwide, with more than 38,000 military, civilian and contractor employees. It is also the largest single-site employer in the state of Ohio, according to the bases website.

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Officials are urging anyone who observes suspicious drone activity to report it to local law enforcement or security.

As drone activity has garnered significant media attention, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tom Adams suggested to CNN that recent sightings could be influenced by copycat behaviors due to heightened scrutiny and coverage of the issue.

I think were looking at a few different things. First, I do believe that there are probably some legitimate visual drone sightings by alert residents and law enforcement in New Jersey, Adams said on Friday.

Rob DAmico, the former chief of the FBI counter-drone unit, told CNN that more than 90% of reported drone sightings are likely misidentified manned aircraft or natural objects, while the surge in drone activity is creating confusion and exposing critical gaps in airspace security.

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What youre now seeing is people are starting to fly drones  to either make more chaos or to look for their own drones, DAmico said. They have to start telling the people and other government officials what theyre actually doing, what theyre seeing the more transparency.

Both the Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement continue to investigate the reported sightings, striving to determine the nature of the aircraft involved.

CNNs Isaac Yee contributed to this report.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 16, 2024 - 20:14 | All, Japan

The head of MUFG Bank said Monday his bank is considering penalizing its executives, including himself, as he apologized over the alleged theft by a former employee of more than 1 billion yen ($6.5 million) from customers' safe deposit boxes.

"The incident shook the foundations of the banking business, which is built on trust," MUFG Bank President Junichi Hanzawa said at a press conference. "We will do our utmost to dispel the concerns of customers who use our safe deposit boxes."

The press conference came after the revelation last month that the former employee, who was in charge of managing the spare keys for safe deposit boxes at some of MUFG Bank's branches in Tokyo, allegedly stole assets worth between 1 billion and 2 billion yen from some 60 customers.

It was the first press conference by the bank after it made the incident public in late November. Hanzawa said his bank prioritized dealing with the victims, grasping the extent of the theft and taking preventive measures.

The bank said it has already begun compensating the victims, but the total amount of stolen assets could exceed the earlier estimate as it continues to review complaints from a few dozen more customers and police investigate the case.

The former employee, a woman in her 40s, admitted to the theft and said she had no accomplices, according to the bank.

The incident came to light on Oct. 31 after the bank received an inquiry from a client, MUFG Bank said, adding that it fired the employee on Nov. 14.

Among preventive measures, the bank said it will store the spare keys for safe deposit boxes at its headquarters rather than at branches.

The president said the bank will continue to investigate the scandal to clarify managerial responsibility over the matter.

The incident adds to the series of scandals springing up in the country's finance industry in recent months.

A former employee of Nomura Securities Co. was indicted in November for allegedly stealing 18 million yen in cash from the house of company clients -- a couple in their 80s -- in Hiroshima, western Japan, in July and setting it on fire.

The financial watchdog has since September been investigating a Tokyo Stock Exchange official on suspicion of insider trading by leaking undisclosed information on multiple companies' stocks to a relative.

Related coverage:

MUFG Bank fires worker for stealing over 1 billion yen from customers

MUFG Bank probed on employee's alleged involvement in insider trading

MUFG bank, brokerages told to improve operations over info-sharing
King Charles III has another reason to be mad at his brother Prince Andrew.

The king, 76, is reportedly furious that Andrew, 64, had a staffer who has been accused of being a Chinese spy, according to a source for the Daily Mail.

BBC News reported Thursday that the disgraced Duke of Yorks ex-staffer, who is only known as a close confidant, has been banned from entering the UK as a result of the allegations.

Prince William, Prince Andrew and King Charles at Prince Philips funeral in 2021. WPA Pool/Getty Images

British officials reportedly believe that the 50-year-old man was a member of the Chinese Communist Party and had secretly worked for its United Front Work Department.

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Officials have reportedly said the access the man had to the royals was a serious breach of national security.

Prince Andrew at Windsor Castle in September 2022. Getty Images

Despite the scandal, the Daily Mail royal insider said that Charles has accepted he cant divorce or sack his younger brother, because there will always be a bond of blood.

The Palace has behaved the best it possibly can with a difficult relation, the source explained.

King Charles in London on December 12. Getty Images

Every sanction that can be imposed has been, but you cant divorce or sack your brother from being your brother, they continued. There will always be a bond of blood and all families often have difficult relatives to deal with.

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The insider added, Of course it is understood that it looks bad for the entire family but that is because of one individual.

According to BBC News, Charles was debriefed by British Intelligence about the Chinese spy crisis.

Prince Andrew, King Charles and Prince Edward at Windsor Castle in 2022. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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A source told The Mirror that the monarch is very aware of what has been and what is being done about it.

But another source said Charles is truly exasperated by the ongoing situation with his brother.

Its been exposed that Andrew had close ties with his ex-staffer engulfed in this scandal.

Prince Andrew at King Charles coronation in May 2023. Getty Images

The disgraced royal previously invited his former business adviser to his birthday party in 2020, where the man allegedly told Andrew that he couldnt act on his behalf when dealing with potential Chinese investors.

In a letter found on one of his electronic devices, one of Andrews advisers told him, Outside of [the princes] closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on, per the BBC.

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The Post reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

Andrew has been a pariah to his entire family, including Charles, since he was linked to disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

King Charles, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew at Trooping the Colour 2019. Getty Images

Hes has been living off a hefty allowance from the kings personal wealth since 2019, which has led to the siblings being locked in a bitter feud over the Royal Lodge  the property Andrew currently resides in.

Charles had been desperately trying to evict Andrew from the sprawling estate and into a smaller property, but Andrew hasnt budged.

Despite the drama, Charles allegedly invited Andrew to a Christmas event later this month that Prince William and Kate Middleton and their three children are supposed to be at as well.
King Charles might be shaking up a cherished Christmas tradition!

On Dec. 16, Hello! reported that the King, 76, is switching up the location of the royal family's traditional Christmas lunch, and will host the event at Buckingham Palace instead of Windsor Castle as he has for the past two years. The British royal family is known to convene about a week before the Christmas holiday for a private family meal, and it remains unclear why the sovereign may be hosting the event in London instead of Windsor.

Last year, Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor, Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips and more royal family members were spotted driving around Windsor on the day of the lunch, held on Dec. 20. In a twist, Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three kids, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, were not snapped arriving or departing  perhaps because of an especially quick commute!

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty; MediaPunch/BACKGRID (Left) Prince William and Kate Middleton in Paris in 2017; (Right) Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. (Left) Prince William and Kate Middleton in Paris in 2017; (Right) Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Related: King Charles Is All Smiles as He Gets into the Holiday Spirit and Decorates a Christmas Tree

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The Wales family moved to Adelaide Cottage on the vast grounds of Windsor Castle in 2022, relocating from London in order for William to be geographically closer to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth "in her final months," Robert Jobson wrote in the biography Catherine, the Princess of Wales.

King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the private family lunch for the first time together in December 2022, following his accession upon his mother's death at age 96 that September. The gathering was a revival of tradition, as the occasion had been canceled the previous two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It would be a poignant choice if King Charles hosts the holiday lunch at Buckingham Palace, as that's where Queen Elizabeth historically held the event. The Queen typically welcomed over 50 family members to the lunch in London, which was held about a week before she headed to Sandringham House in the Norfolk countryside for Christmas.

Chris Jackson/Getty Queen Elizabeth photographed at Sandringham to commemorate her Accession Day on Feb. 2, 2022.

Related: Prince William Reveals Rare Details About Royal Family's Private Christmas Party: 'It Will Be Noisy'

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The British royals have celebrated Christmas at Sandringham for generations, and Prince William and Princess Kate are set to ring in the holiday with the King there following a difficult year in which Kate and the King each received treatment for cancer. (The King's diagnosis was announced in February and his treatment is thought to be ongoing, while Princess Kate shared in March that she had cancer and announced in September that she completed chemotherapy.)

Several members of the royal family kickstarted the holiday season by stepping out to support Princess Kate's Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6, which King Charles and Queen Camilla skipped. The royal couple may have made the decision as a gesture of respect towards the princess on her big night, where they technically would have overshadowed her in the order of precedence as the seniormost royals in attendance.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Kate Middleton arrives for the Together at Christmas concert on Dec. 6, 2024. Kate Middleton arrives for the Together at Christmas concert on Dec. 6, 2024.



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Looking ahead to the royal family's most iconic Christmas tradition  a walk to and from St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate  PEOPLE confirms that Prince Andrew and his family will not attend the time-honored get-together hosted by the King.

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Prince Andrew and King Charles at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 19, 2022. Prince Andrew and King Charles at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 19, 2022.

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PEOPLE understands that the Duke of York, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and their young families will not be at the Sandringham Christmas celebrations in light of scrutiny for Andrew to stay away amid reports of his alleged connections to a suspected Chinese spy. The York family had been expected to partake in the tradition and stay at Wood Farm at Sandringham estate for Christmas like they did last year, though plans have apparently since changed.

It remains unclear if Prince Andrew (who is no longer a working royal) will join the royals at the traditional Christmas lunch in light of the scandal, and Buckingham Palace had no comment.



Read the original article on People
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a former military pilot, said Sunday that all of the mysterious drone sightings he has seen video of have been airplanes.

Honestly, every video Ive seen  and Ive spent the last couple of days looking at every one of these videos  every video I have seen on Twitter, on the internet, are all airplanes. Theyre literally all airplanes, Kinzinger said in an interview with CNNs Fredricka Whitfield.

Some of them will show an airplane thats kind of stable out there and says thats a drone, and actually, its an airplane flying towards you at 30,000 feet. And I can see the lighting on it.

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If any of these pictures that they have shown are actual drones, these drones then are complying with FAA lighting requirements: a green on the right, a red on the left with a strobe, Kinzinger said.

And so its not Iran, its not aliens. If there are drones, my guess is, if there are drones  again, because, again, all Ive seen are airplanes  then it is more than likely some company thats testing drones or something like that and has no requirement to tell the public that theyre doing it because theyre actually operating these things legally.

Kinzinger said if the public does not want to be reassured, then they wont be, but he noted that authorities have said that there is no threat.

I mean, look, if youre, if people dont want to be reassured, then the answer is no, Kinzinger said about whether enough is being said to reassure people that there is no threat. And, you know, look at what Im hearing from Homeland. And what Im hearing from FBI is we dont see a threat here.

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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday theres no question that the drone sightings are real, but that his agency has seen no evidence of foreign involvement.

Theres no question that people are seeing drones, Mayorkas said. And I want to assure the American public that we, in the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology, to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing the drone sightings.

He also said there are several explanations for the uptick in sightings.

Let me set the record straight here, Mayorkas said. There are thousands of drones flown every day in the United States  recreational drones, commercial drones. That is the reality.

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And in September of 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA, changed the rules so that drones could fly at night, he continued. And that may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk. And so that is the reality.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Waad al-Kateab made her name with a documentary called For Sama about the Syrian uprising and subsequent destruction of Aleppo. Her latest project, Death Without Mercy, is equally powerful but about a natural disaster  the apocalyptic earthquake that ravaged Turkey and Syria in 2023, killing some 60,000 people.

At the time the quake struck, Ms al-Kateab had only refugee status in the UK and was unable to travel. She pleaded for an emergency visa to visit her family in Gaziantep  the Turkish city at the epicentre of the earthquake where around half a million Syrian refugees were living but was refused.

Mercifully her family were unscathed and four months later a UK production company got in touch. It was about humanising the story, says Ms al-Kateab of the documentary, which will be released in February and which highlights the human failures that exacerbated the disaster.

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The film is assembled from hundreds of hours of raw video recorded by local film-makers, CCTV cameras, news reports and civilians organised in chronological order. It opens with jittery CCTV footage from the early hours of February 6, 2023.

A body is recovered from one of four collapsed 17-storey apartment blocks in Karamanaras in the days after the earthquake - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Within minutes, hundreds of buildings are collapsing and people are shown entombed in the rubble; there are entire families trapped in tiny air pockets, their faces coated with dust and pressed against the concrete. The terrifying claustrophobia they must have felt pervades the film.

It was a race against time  the urgency of the first 10 days. The audience should go through what our characters went through, says Ms Al-Kateab.

The film also documents the failed planning and building controls that caused so many of the buildings to collapse. At one point the words a man made disaster appear across the screen. They knew for years. It didnt matter to them, says Ms al-Kateab of the Turkish and Syrian authorities.

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It was this injustice that made so many people want to share the footage, Ms Al-Kateab adds. They said please show people.

Student Ibrahim Kantrji, 20, is rescued after four days trapped in rubble on the fifth floor of his apartment block - SImon Townsley/The Telegraph

The emergency response to the quake also comes in for criticism.

Survivors, many barefoot and wearing just pyjamas in the rain and near freezing temperatures, are shown huddling against the weather . A grown man breaks down in tears: We heard them, they were shouting Save us, rescue us! We cant save them, how can we?. Multiple heart-wrenching scenes show families unable to reach trapped relatives.

The UN says that the first 72 hours are the most important after an earthquake to save lives. But for many in Turkey and Syria no help arrived. The absence of sirens is deafening, civilians use their hands to dig for survivors under torchlight.

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Much of the action revolves around Fadi Al Halabi, a Syrian cinematographer, and Fuad Sayedissa, a Syrian activist, who were themselves caught in the quake. The things that they captured, the sensitivity, was just amazing, says Ms al-Kateab.

Waad al-Kateab made her name with a documentary called For Sama about the Syrian uprising - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

The two mens families were living in a newly built block of apartments in Turkeys Antakya called Renaissance when the quake struck. Despite being described in the marketing materials as a corner of heaven when it was built, the building collapsed like a house of cards, burying the majority of its 1,000 residents amid nine floors of concrete.

Safa Sayedissa, Fuads wife, woke up clutching her son Sami, just 40 days old. Still breastfeeding, and with a broken shoulder and bloodied leg, she squeezed through the rubble and shouted to get help. But her eldest Kutaiba, seven, was killed. His final words: Mama, I dont like earthquakes.

Fadi, who lost 13 family members, says he will never forget the moment he felt the earthquake in his home in Idlib, Syria. I ran outside immediately, I took out my phone and started filming, because I know how important it is. To document every moment of what is happening.

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The film is harrowing. There is a heartbreaking moment when Fadi identifies the body of a missing family member. And Fuad, following a trail of familiar toys and baby clothes, filmed the moment he discovers his sons lifeless body.

For Sama directors Edward Watts, left, and Waad Al Kateab, centre, with her husband Hamza al-Kateab at the Canne Film Festival in 2019 - CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images

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In moments of such pain, how can they bear to be in front of the camera? I dont like to call it a coping mechanism, or therapy. It was to save the story, to keep it alive  we knew the impact that this story could bring, says Ms Al-Kateab.

Ms Al-Kateab was interviewed by the Telegraph the day after dictator Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria was toppled by rebels and she is still reeling: My daughter Sama said to me last night, you are so weird, why are you crying then dancing?

Ms Al-Kateab and her family are currently applying for British citizenship but want one day to return to Syria  a trip she didnt believe her two daughters, Sama, nine, and Taima, seven, would be able to make in her lifetime.

Like many other Syrian journalists who adopted pseudonyms to protect their families, Ms al-Kateab is finally free to revert to her real name. For the first time I can say who I am. I was born in a little town called Masyaf [in Syria] and my real name is Waad Jarkas, she says. Now Mr Assad is gone, her documentary making no longer renders her a target.

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Death Without Mercy will be released in the US on Paramount Plus in February 2025 and is still seeking UK distribution.

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Here's more information about Abundant Life Christian School, 4901 E. Buckeye Road in Madison, the scene of a shooting Monday in which police said three people died and at least six people were injured:

What is Abundant Life Christian School?

About 335 students are enrolled in the school from kindergarten to 12th grade. It shares a 28-acre campus with Campus for Kids Learning Center, a program for infants through 4-year-old kindergarten, and the nondenominational City Church.

Abundant Life Christian School was founded in 1978, according to the schools website, and the main building is located next-door to City Church Madison, a Christian non-denominational church.

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More: What we know about the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison

The school was specifically organized to offer students academic excellence in a Christ-focused context, its website says.

About 200 families representing more than 50 local congregations enroll their children at the school, which offers classes from kindergarten through 12th grade.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Abundant Life Christian School in Madison
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, repeated that the latter had supported the Hungarian Prime Minister's initiative for a Christmas ceasefire in conversations with Viktor Orban but Ukraine had allegedly not agreed to it.

Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti; Telegram channel Vy slushali mayak (You have been listening to Radio Mayak, a reference to pro-government broadcaster in the Soviet Union  ed.)

Quote from Peskov: "You know that Putin is talking to Orban. And Putin has supported the peace efforts of the Hungarian PM (regarding the Christmas ceasefire  ed.). But at the same time, these efforts were not supported by the Ukrainian side, namely Zelenskyy. This is the situation."

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Details: Peskov also stated that the Kremlin was ready to resume peace talks but only as long as they are based on provisions of the so-called Istanbul peace talks.

Quote from Peskov: "Putin has repeatedly said that they [the talks  ed.] could resume on the basis of the Istanbul peace talks. They were agreed upon, but then the Ukrainian side also left the negotiating table."

For reference: On 12 December, Peskov said that Russia had forwarded its proposals to Budapest in response to Hungarian PM Viktor Orban's initiative to hold a Christmas ceasefire and exchange prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine. Peskov says that during a telephone conversation with Putin, Orban proposed a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on Christmas Eve and a Christmas ceasefire.

Quote from Peskov: "On the same day, the Russian Federal Security Service forwarded over our proposals for the exchange of prisoners to the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow but judging by Zelenskyy's reaction on social media and his entourage, the Ukrainian side rejected all of Orban's proposals."

Background:

On 11 December, Orban claimed that Hungary had proposed a ceasefire and a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war for Christmas but that President Zelenskyy had rejected the idea.

Orban made this comment in response to a tweet by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who had reacted sharply to the Hungarian prime minister's conversation with Kremlin leader Putin on Wednesday.

Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs called his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, to complain about Ukraine.

Michael Waltz, Donald Trump's nominee for National Security Adviser, said that the world would welcome a "certain cessation" of hostilities in Ukraine, similar to the "Christmas truce" proposed by Viktor Orban.

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Gov. Rick Perry deserves a lot of credit for Texas leadership in renewable energy. Unfortunately in his recent opinion piece for the American-Statesman, he didn't get some key facts about the environment right.

Im glad Governor Perry is concerned about whales  I am, too. But as of 2024, no U.S. whale death has been linked to offshore wind operations. The reality is, there arent a lot of wind turbines off Americas shores, and most of the planned wind projects are still in early phases of development.

All industrial-scale ocean activity has some impact on the animals that live there. Installing wind turbines in the ocean will disturb whales in the short term because of the noise and increased vessel traffic associated with fixing supports to the ocean floor and getting the turbines in place. Thats why federal agencies work with wind companies to develop strategies to mitigate these short term risks, including creating installation schedules timed to avoid whale migrations, enforcing installation stops if observers spot a whale nearby, and implementing new, innovative mitigation measures to reduce the impact of noise pollution created by installations.

Luke Metzger

Because offshore wind companies arent assessing as deep underground as oil and gas, those surveys are far quieter than those authorized in the oil and gas leasing process.

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The biggest threats facing whales include entanglements in fishing gear and being struck by boats and plastic pollution. Other risks include a rise in ocean noise and climate change, which threatens to alter whales habitat and food sources.

At Environment Texas, were all about conservation. We share a vision of a Texas of wide open spaces with plenty of state parks and other natural areas where people can hike, fish, camp, raft and hunt.

But we also know that Texas needs to supply power for our homes, businesses, schools and places of worship, and its best for our air and water if we do so as cleanly as possible. Fortunately, Texas has the greatest solar and wind resources in the whole country. The more we can harness the power of our sunshine and wind, the healthier our water, air and land will be.

In a 2005 special session called by Gov. Perry, the Legislature approved SB 20, a bill which increased the amount of renewable energy electric companies were required to buy and invest in the construction of new transmission lines to the windiest and sunniest parts of the state. That initiative, combined with federal tax incentives, created a boom in renewable energy.

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Today, Texas leads the nation in solar and wind energy and weve reaped enormous benefits. According to Josh Rhodes, an energy researcher at the University of Texas, because wind and solar are now among the cheapest forms of energy, renewables have saved the average residential household about $200 per year over the past five years while cutting carbon pollution by 577 million cumulative tons between 2010 and 2022. Unlike coal and gas plants, wind and solar use very little water and thus saved the state 252 billion gallons of water during that period.

Its an environmental success story and the growth of wind and solar energy is critical to cutting deadly air pollution plaguing our cities and the climate change threatening people and wildlife alike. At the same time, we need to make sure that we minimize the impacts to our land and wildlife from energy projects  fossil fuel and renewable energy alike.

But despite the facts, some politicians just dont like renewable energy and want to make it harder to build. Unfortunately, legislation under consideration in Austin would erect new bureaucratic obstacles to solar and wind power. If youre a landowner who wants to put wind turbines or solar panels on your property, youd face new government hurdles that dont exist now.

The result? Renewable energy development in Texas could grind to a halt. That would mean more air and water pollution threatening our health and land and higher electric bills.

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We need more clean energy, not less. More wind and solar energy, battery storage, energy efficiency and interconnection with the national grid which will strengthen our electric grid and protect consumers and the environment.

By protecting pristine areas like wild rivers and grasslands, creating setbacks from neighboring properties and reducing runoff and light pollution, we can develop our natural resources responsibly. Thats the solution  not bans on renewable energy or red tape that will hurt landowners and our environment.

Luke Metzger is executive director of the non-profit Environment Texas.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Gov. Perry deserves credit for Texas renewable energy, but facts are
A beloved St. Francis coffee house  known for celebrating Mexican traditions and serving its community  is set to expand to West Allis in 2025, according to City of West Allis Plan Commission documents.

La Finca Coffee House LLC, along with N&S Dream Properties LLC, submitted a proposal to open a second La Finca location at 7033 W. National Ave.

The Plan Commission recommended approval of the proposal Dec. 11.

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Heres what you need to know about the timeline for La Fincas proposed second location:

Where would La Finca be located in West Allis?

The planned location for La Finca's second coffeehouse is 7033 W. National Ave.

West Allis property records show the current owners of the location, N&S Dream Properties, LLC, first filed planning and demolition applications in September.

Demolition of the interior of the building, a former auto shop, has already begun. The new building size will be just under 2,000 square feet.

More: Popular St. Francis coffee shop is a DACA success story. Will Trump policies change that?

What is the story behind La Finca?

The Mexican-inspired coffee house opened its first La Finca location at 3558 E. Sivyer Ave. in St. Francis in 2017. Owned by sisters Janeth and Lizeth Zorrilla, the two were inspired by their family's Mexican roots and traditions which, according to them, allowed them to maintain a commitment to community connection.

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Coffee beans for La Finca are imported directly from their grandfather's farm in Mexico, as well as from another woman-owned farm in Oaxaca, according to La Finca's website.

What is the construction schedule for La Finca in West Allis?

The construction schedule for La Finca will have three phases.

Phase 1, demolition, has already begun and will continue until Dec. 30.

Phase 2, which will focus on interior concrete, framing and exterior finishes, is planned for Dec. 30 to March 1, 2025.

Phase 3, which will put the finishing touches on electrical and plumbing and the interior build-out, is planned for March 1 to June 1, 2025.

La Finca's second coffee house is proposed for 7033 W. National Ave. in West Allis, the site of a former auto repair shop.

The parking plan for La Finca would still need to be worked out

The parking plan has not been finalized.

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To accommodate parking needs, city staff is recommending that the business apply for a commercial on-street accessibility parking zone permit.

The property owner also owns the two parcels directly to the south, which may be able to accommodate parking.

Another option suggested by the city is pursuing shared parking with the property on the opposite side of South 71st Street.

If none of those options come to fruition, the city said there is ample street parking close to the proposed business, with over 60 public on-street parking spaces within a two minute walk.

What are the proposed hours of operation?

The proposed hours of operation are from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

What would the new La Finca in West Allis look like?

The second La Finca location would be a completely new building after construction is completed.

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The two-story building would feature natural cut stone with ledgestone that wraps itself around the base of the entire building, according to the architectural plan.

The second floor would offer veranda seating for visitors.

What's on the menu at La Finca?

The coffeehouse serves drinks such as lattes, horchatas, espressos, smoothies and more.

Additionally, it has a rotating food menu that offers items such as breakfast burritos, quesadillas and peanut butter toast.

La Finca's full menu can be found on its official website.

What would employment look like at the West Allis La Finca?

This location is planning to have four to six employees, which would consist of part-time and full-time staff.

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These job roles include managers, baristas, cashiers and cooks. The number of employees could change depending on the growth and success of the business.

When does La Finca in West Allis plan to open?

La Finca plans to open on June 15, 2025, or sooner if construction is completed earlier.

For more information on La Finca, visit the business' official website.

Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Popular coffee house in St. Francis proposes second shop in West Allis
The Government has quietly abandoned safeguards that would prevent activist councils from renaming streets over the heads of local residents. Local councils will now be free to rewrite history by changing the name of any street that they deem offensive  perhaps because it can be linked to the British Empire or the transatlantic slave trade, or maybe simply because its namesake had a contested historical record.

The wake of the summer riots of 2020 saw too many councils seeking to push a one-sided view of history by changing street and road signs. In just one year, nine local councils attempted to erase Britains heritage  seeking alterations to names like Gladstone Road, Nelsons Row, and Clive Way. This is why the previous Government took on board Policy Exchanges recommendation that all councils should be required to hold a referendum, and get support from two thirds of residents, before they are permitted to change a street name.

The worlds best kept secrets are in Hansard. Despite the new legislation being announced in 2022, the secondary legislation needed to implement the street vote mechanism was not passed before the General Election. Now, in response to a question from Nick Timothy MP, the Government have confirmed that they are binning these changes, robbing the public of the chance to prevent street renaming. In practice, this means that the new Government has neutered policy which Parliament has already legislated for, without so much as an announcement from the Secretary of State.

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What led Labour to take this decision? With whom did they consult before concluding that local authorities dont need guidance on when it is appropriate to alter a street name? As Policy Exchanges History Matters Compendium demonstrates, we are still a long way from peak woke.

Activists continue to attempt to decolonise our public spaces, our universities, and our museums, all without regard for the views of the general public. Plymouth City Council has been attempting to change the name of Sir John Hawkins Square to Justice Square since 2020 but they have never held a referendum of residents to see if there is genuine support for such a decision, now they will never need to.

There remains a clear appetite from campaigners seeking to denigrate Britains history. The devolved Welsh Government have already conducted an audit of 440 potentially offensive street names. They have declared roads like Churchill Close to be in doubt while Drake Close is condemned due to Francis Drakes definite personal culpability.

In her first speech as Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy pledged that the era of the culture wars is over. And yet, the policies of this Government are giving strength to divisive, radical campaigners. While keeping their own hands superficially clean, Labour are empowering activists and enabling them to ignore opinions held by the majority.

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As we have seen from the recent election of Trump in the US, voters will judge a Left-leaning government by the behaviour of their outriders. If councils across the country decide to erase local heritage by renaming streets, this will be understood as a reflection on the Government.

Where does this leave councils? The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 requires that local authorities secure necessary support before amending a street name. There is no provision for what this looks like, leaving activist councils free to ignore the public, and leaving moderate local authorities vulnerable to pressure from targeted campaigns. It is possible that the lack of clarity on what is meant by necessary support could leave councils open to Judicial Review on the basis of their decisions about street names.

The ideal would be for the Government to pass the regulations consulted upon before the election. But if Labour wont pass legislation to protect Britains history, then it is up to councillors to hold the line. 75 per cent of people believe that local residents should be given a vote on whether a street name is changed. Even if the regulations dont require it, there is nothing to stop a council from holding a referendum on a street name. Elected councillors must ensure that, in the absence of good law, residents are not ignored at the expense of activists.

A minority of radical campaigners cannot be allowed to re-write history. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a long march of ideology through the institutions. Activists have been allowed to erode safeguards that protect history and ensure the views of the public are represented. In dropping this legislation, the Government have opened another door for them to walk through.

Lara Brown is a Senior Research Fellow, Culture and Identity, at Policy Exchange

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 16, 2024 - 10:02 | All, Japan

Police continued their search on Monday for a man believed responsible for the stabbing death of a 15-year-old junior high school girl two days ago at a McDonald's restaurant in southwestern Japan.

The man, described by witnesses as being around 40 years old, also stabbed a male student who was waiting in line with the female victim, Saaya Nakashima, at the fast-food restaurant in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. The 15-year-old boy, who police did not name, survived but suffered serious injuries.

The assailant entered the restaurant and stabbed each victim once at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday as they were standing near the rear of a queue, according to the police. The attacker did not say anything during the incident and fled on foot, spending less than 30 seconds in the store.

Nakashima was stabbed in the abdomen and later confirmed dead at a hospital, while the boy, who was stabbed in the waist area and remains in hospital, was quoted as saying they were "stabbed by a complete stranger."

The two victims are believed to have been on their way home from cram school and entered the McDonald's together.

Related coverage:

Teenager killed in stabbing attack in southwestern Japan, man on run

Man in jail for murder newly accused of killing another girl in 2007

Railway firm to deploy blade-resistant umbrellas against knife attacks
The frigid wind and single-digit morning air did not deter Dan OConor as he prepared Thursday for his daily plunge into Lake Michigan. Before stripping off his many layers, he tossed a thermometer into the water near Montrose Harbor, like he often does before a jump.

OConor  dubbed the Great Lake Jumper  peeked over the concrete platform. The instrument read 34 degrees. Satellite data put Thursdays lakewide temperature closer to 45.5 degrees, almost 4 degrees above normal for that date.

Lake Michigan surface temperatures peaked at over 6 degrees above normal last month, the warmest they have been in November since 1995 when recordkeeping began at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In the first two weeks of December, daily lake temperatures hovered 2 to 4 degrees above the historical average.

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The lakes average temperature has also been abnormally high for this entire year, a condition mostly mirrored across the other Great Lakes. They are among the fastest-warming lakes in the world, a consequence of climate change that can have profound effects on the regions ecosystems and industries.

The lakes have a memory. And were starting to see in the data, that warm winter, that prior winter, does have an impact throughout the year and even into the following winter, said Bryan Mroczka, a physical scientist at NOAAs Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.

During last years meteorological winter, from December 2023 to February 2024, atmospheric temperatures in the area averaged 34.9 degrees, which was 6.8 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service. February was the warmest in Chicago and Illinois in nearly 150 years, and overall it was the citys fifth warmest winter on record.

Across the country, last winter also ranked warmest on record for the contiguous United States with eight states across the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast each breaking records, NOAAs National Centers for Environmental Information says.

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75 on Tuesday, an ice-free lake, little snow: Climate change blunts winter in Chicago

Besides the unusually mild winter, this years warm fall weather also contributed to these above-average surface water temperatures.

Weather records show temperatures in the lake tend to decrease rapidly in October, but OConor said he felt the drop happened later this year, in November, which is consistent with shorter winters.

He flipped into the water. Coming up for air, he said, Feels great  till I get out. Considerably colder air awaited him above the surface.

Even recent cold fronts might take some time to cool the lakes down, especially if the spells are short-lived.

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These are huge lake systems, gigantic bodies of water, Mroczka said. Its going to take several of these types of events to try to erase some of those abnormal gains that we saw during the fall.

Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 24, Lake Michigans surface temperatures averaged 53.7 degrees, more than 3 degrees above the normal of 50.6. The lakes previous highest annual average through November was recorded at 53.3 degrees in 2012. Lakes Erie, Huron and Ontario also broke their 2012 record highs for the same period.

Mroczka said its not outwardly clear what drove water temperature extremes in the lakes 12 years ago, but it was a hot year around the world, and a considerable drought across the country  including the Midwest and other parts of the Great Lakes region  could have contributed to higher temperatures.

In January 2013, Lake Michigan water levels also hit a record low.

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While many high annual average surface temperatures have occurred in the last 10 to 15 years, Mroczka said, the records dont go back far enough to find significant or reliable trends yet.

And 30 years, in terms of climate, is a blink of the eye, he said. The agency is working to add additional satellite data from the 1980s to its records.

There is even more limited understanding of how subsurface, or deep, water temperatures are changing because of climate change. In a 2021 study, however, scientists found that water temperatures from approximately 200 to 330 feet under Lake Michigans surface have also followed long-term warming trends over the last three decades  at a slower but still consistent rate  in connection with shortened winter seasons.

A world of difference

Over the 4 years that OConor has been jumping into Lake Michigan, perhaps the most visible change he has noticed has been a drop in water levels, evidenced by a gradient of different shades of gray on the concrete made by the waves and a strip of green algae closest to the water.

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When I started jumping in June of 2020, it was essentially up to the cement, he said, basically above the ladders. Now, levels are several feet down, he estimates.

Lake Michigan water levels drop to lowest in years amid warmth and lack of rain

In July 2020, Lake Michigan nearly broke its record high. This year, Lake Michigans water levels dropped below their long-term averages for the first time in a decade. Its one of the many consequences of warm surface temperatures, which contribute to low levels by enhancing evaporation.

Though imperceptible to humans, 1 degree can make the difference between bitterly cold, dry gusts of arctic air freezing the lake over or evaporating its warm surface waters.

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Warmer waters  even by a few degrees  can also affect the livelihoods of people and the complex ecosystems that depend on the lakes, according to Joel Brammeier, the president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Besides accelerating evaporation, warmer surface temperatures can reduce ice cover, which protects shorelines from erosion and coastal damage by breaking the impact of waves. Ice cover also provides habitat for some species of fish who need it to spawn. And many native aquatic species have life cycles that depend on cold water.

The warmer the water gets, the less habitat you have for those native species, and the more likely youre going to see invasions of new species that are more tolerant of warmer temperatures, Brammeier said. So, both biologically and commercially important fish species (will get) pushed out of the Great Lakes in favor of species from the southern United States that really shouldnt be there in the first place.

He noted how Lake Erie, already the warmest of all the Great Lakes, has been experiencing harmful algae blooms that turn water toxic, a phenomenon made more likely by higher water temperatures. These might affect drinking water in a freshwater system that serves over 30 million people.

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Brammeier pointed to an instance a decade ago when Toledo, Ohio, urgently warned its residents not to drink tap water because the intake water from Lake Erie was so toxic from an algae bloom that it couldnt be safely processed for human consumption.

As other parts of the Great Lakes warm up, they are becoming more susceptible to the kinds of algae blooms that are facing Lake Erie, he said. This is starting to show up in western Lake Superior, which is a real mystery, because Lake Superior historically has been cold enough that it really inhibits this algae growth, and thats not the case anymore.

Even though climate change plays out in eons or geologic time, Brammeier said, its concerning that humans are experiencing its effects in the span of one persons lifetime.

The Great Lakes are not an old ecosystem. They were formed  between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. So, geologically, theyre not old, he said.

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But compared to how fast the impacts of climate change are moving, the Great Lakes might as well be ancient, he added. Thats whats really concerning about all of this, that a way of life that many generations have become used to and comfortable with, in the Great Lakes, is really at risk because of the changes that are happening to our waters.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Office of the Michigan Attorney General released a report Monday detailing a sweeping review of allegations of sex abuse in the Lansing Diocese from 1950.

The attorney general says both minors and adults were sexually abused over the decades. The 1970s and 80s were the peak times for the abuse according to the report.

The attorney generals office says more charges could be filed, saying there are still open investigations.

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The report is 345 pages and draws on an estimated 1.5 million documents seized on Oct. 3, 2018, as part of a statewide effort by Attorney General Dana Nessel to review the growing clergy abuse scandal and subsequent alleged cover-ups.

The report details allegations against individuals within the Lansing Diocese of the Catholic Church. In a news release, Nessels team reports the new detailed review includes 56 entries on this list, which includes 48 priests, three religious brothers and an apparent former religious brother, and four deacons; 42 were ordained or incardinated by the Diocese of Lansing.

Lansing Diocese Report December 2024Download

Bishop Earl Boyea, who oversees the Lansing Diocese, released the following statement following the release of the Attorney Generals report.

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Having read this long and detailed report, my heart breaks for all those who have suffered due to the evil of clerical sexual abuse which is a great betrayal of Jesus Christ, His Holy Church, the priesthood, and, most gravely, those victims  and their families  who were harmed physically, emotionally, but above all spiritually when they were so young. To all those injured by such criminal and immoral actions I say clearly and without hesitation: these terrible things should never have happened to you; I am so deeply sorry that they ever did; please be assured of my prayers, penance, love and support. Statement Bishop Earl Boyea, Lansing Diocese, released by email Dec. 16, 2024

Attorney General Bureau Chief Danielle Hagaman Clark says for some, it may take some time to talk about the abuse they experienced, but this doesnt discredit them.

Delayed disclosure in reporting that abuse is always gonna occur and that doesnt mean that it isnt true, she says. It just means that a victim is not comfortable moving forward or even telling anybody about it until their ready.

Dana Nessel held a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the report and findings.

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UPDATE: This story has been updated to include information from a press conference held by Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A teenage student opened fire at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, killing a teacher and another teenage student in the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes did not give details about the age or gender of the suspected shooter who also wounded six others at Abundant Life Christian School, which has 420 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Of those wounded Barnes said two of them were in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The other four had non-life-threatening injuries, and a hospital spokesperson said two were discharged Monday evening.

Authorities identified the suspected shooter as a 15-year-old female student. She was pronounced dead while being transported to a hospital.

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Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes identified the shooter as Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha.

Here is the Latest:

Investigators spoke with shooters family members and searched shooters home, officials say

Detectives talked with family members of the shooter Monday evening and searched the shooters home in Madison as they worked to determine a motive, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.

Barnes said theyre currently speaking with the shooters father at one of their facilities and that hes cooperating.

He lost someone as well. And so were not going to rush the information, well take our time and certainly do our due diligence, Barnes said.

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2nd-grader called 911, police say

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a second-grade student called 911 at 10:57 a.m. Monday to report a shooting at the school.

Let that sink in, Barnes repeated twice at a news briefing. Police arrived within four minutes, he said. The shooting occurred in a study hall, police said.

Police identify the suspected shooter as a 15-year-old female student

Authorities have identified the suspected shooter who killed two people at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, as a 15-year-old female student.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes identified the shooter as Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha. She was pronounced dead while being transported to a hospital.

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Two injured in shooting discharged from hospital

Lisa Adams, spokesperson for SSM Health, said two patients were discharged on Monday night and two others remain hospitalized at St. Marys Hospital in stable condition.

She said personnel at its medical clinic near the school worked collaboratively with law enforcement in reuniting families.

Two students remained in critical condition at a different hospital, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.

These children are now the latest group of survivors of a school shooting

Madisons police chief ended the agencys third press conference of the day by asking people to focus their attention on the Abundant Life Christian School community.

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These children are now the latest group of survivors of a school shooting, Barnes said. This time, unfortunately, in Madison, Wisconsin.

School officials have not yet decided if classes will start up again this week. Barbara Wiers, director of elementary and school relations for Abundant Life Christian School, said Monday began the last week of school prior to winter break.

She said their goal is to get the schools staff together early in the week and then try to have some community opportunities for the students to reconnect.

Students handled themselves magnificently, school official says

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Barbara Wiers, director of elementary and school relations for Abundant Life Christian School, said students handled themselves magnificently.

She said when the school practices safety routines, leaders always announce that it is a drill. That didnt happen on Monday.

When they heard lockdown, lockdown, they knew it was real, she said.

Wiers said just before the school year, they had done a retraining with the Madison Police Department, so it was very fresh for faculty.

This has obviously rocked our school community, she said.

Wiers said the school has a total of 420 K-12 students. The school does not have metal detectors but uses other security measures including cameras, she said.

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Police wont yet give more information on the suspected shooter. That could come later

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes did not release more information about the suspected shooter, including age, gender or name.

Barnes said investigators may have enough information to release more detail later Monday. Authorities have planned a fourth press conference for about 8:30 p.m. CST.

Barnes also warned people against sharing unconfirmed reports on social media about the shooters identity.

What that does is it helps erode the trust in this process, he said.

Expert says school shootings by teenage females have been rare

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School shootings by teenage females have been extremely rare in U.S. history, with males in their teens and 20s carrying out the vast majority most of them, according to David Riedman, founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database.

In a blog post last year, he pointed to a handful of school shootings that involved perpetrators who identified as female, including a 16-year-old girl who shot and killed two and injured several others at San Diego elementary school in 1979.

By Ryan Foley

Parents hold their children tightly as they pick them up from a nearby medical clinic

Well into Monday afternoon, parents were directed to a medical clinic building about a mile from the school to pick up their children.

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Some left holding their young children against their chests, others squeezing kids hands or shoulders as they walked side by side.

One family draped an adult-size coat around a young girls shoulder as they left the building to a parking lot still teeming with police and law enforcement vehicles.

We need Congress to act. Now, says President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden called the shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School shocking and unconscionable in a statement Monday.

We need Congress to act. Now," he said.

From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that dont receive attention - it is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence. We cannot continue to accept it as normal, he said. Every child deserves to feel safe in their class room. Students across our country should be learning how to read and write  not having to learn how to duck and cover.

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He said that he and his wife, Jill, are praying for the victims. He thanked first responders who arrived quickly and said the FBI is supporting local law enforcement efforts. His team has also reached out to local officials to offer further support, at his direction.

He said that while his administration has taken aggressive action to combat the gun violence epidemic, more is needed:

Congress must pass commonsense gun safety laws: Universal background checks. A national red flag law. A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The Wisconsin school shooter was a 17-year-old female student, a law enforcement official tells AP

The shooter who killed a teacher and a student Monday at a private Christian school in Wisconsin was a 17-year-old female student, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

The official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. Police in Madison, Wisconsin, said the shooter apparently was dead by suicide when officers arrived.

By Alanna Durkin Richer

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers expresses sadness and frustration

In Las Vegas, Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers opened a news conference Monday by talking about the shooting.

Not a lot to say. Just a shame this keeps happening, Rivers said, unprompted and before any questions could be asked. Kids cant go to school safe, and it just seems like we dont do anything about it. Not going to get up here on the podium and give a long speech  except for its just bad and that we are thinking about them.

Las Vegas was the site of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history in 2017, when 58 people were killed and more than 850 were injured among a crowd of 22,000 at a country music festival.

The Bucks are in Las Vegas for Tuesdays NBA Cup tournament championship game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Police say the shooter's family is cooperating, and force is working hard to find answers

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes noted At this time, yes, the shooters family is cooperating.

Im feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas, he said. Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. ... We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.

Barnes said detectives were, working hard to find as many answers as we can.

Police identify the weapon used and talk about how they were alerted

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes identified the weapon police found as a handgun.

He said the gunfire was confined to one space. He didnt specify whether it was a classroom.

Someone from the school called 911 to report an active shooter, Barnes said.

He said the police training center is three miles from the school, and staff responded from there.

What began as a training day became an actual day, he said.

Madison police chief says motive still unknown

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said he didnt immediately know the shooters motive but added that detectives were working hard to find as many answers as we can.

Barnes said he was not releasing any information about the shooter, including name or gender.

Barnes declined to say anything about the shooter, partly out of respect for the students family.

Thats still someones child that is gone, he said.

A teacher and a teen student were killed in the shooting

A teacher and a teen student were killed in the shooting at a Wisconsin school by a fellow student, police chief says.

In addition to the deceased, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said six other students are being treated at area hospitals, including two in critical condition with life-threatening injuries and four with non-life threatening injuries.

Hospitals receive victims from shooting

Lisa Adams, a spokesperson for SSM Health St. Marys Hospital in Madison, said the hospital has received patients from the shooting but declined to provide further details.

We are praying for all affected by todays tragic incident at Abundant Life Christian School and our community as a whole. We are grateful for the first responders who acted swiftly today, she said. SSM Health is dedicated to serving our community. We remain committed to providing support and assistance in any way we can.

Emily Greendonner, a spokesperson for UW Health, said it is also receiving patients from the shooting and setting up areas for patients families. UW Health is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin.

School asks for prayers amid shooting, says it will release information when possible

The Abundant Life Christian School asked for the communitys prayers on its Facebook account Monday after a school shooting left at least three people dead, including the shooter.

Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS. We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able.

Please pray for our Challenger Family, school staff posted on the Abundant Life Christian School Facebook page.

Hundreds of commenters offered prayers from around the country, some from former students, former teachers and alumni.

The school of about 390 students noted on its page in previous posts that this was the last school week before holiday break. Commenters also issued well wishes and prayers on videos of students on school trips and singing at the annual Christmas choir concert from recent weeks.

Mother of child at school says parents await more details about the shooting

Bethany Highman rushed to the school that her daughter attends as soon as her mom, who lives near the school, called her about the shooting. Highman said she was able to briefly FaceTime with her daughter, so she knows she is safe.

Highman said she doesn't really know any details about what happened.

Were just as hungry for whats going on as Im sure all of you are, she said.

Highman said it is surreal because you never expect to go through this even though it does happen.

I bring my daughter to school knowing well that this happens in the world. That people are struggling. And I pray for my daughters safety and I pray for the entire schools safety. I pray for the hearts of the students, the teachers, the staff members. Its a very real thing.

Highmans world stopped when she got the call about the shooting.

As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters. Theres nobody around you. You just bolt for the door and try to do everything you can as a parent to be with your kids.

Highman said she is angry about the shooting and devastated for the families who lost loved ones.

This is the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years

Monday's was the the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut, Parkland, Florida, and Uvalde, Texas.

The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms.

But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws. Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues.

Investigators identify the weapon probably used in the shooting

Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

 By Alanna Durkin Richer

Madison Police now say 3 dead, not 5, in shooting at a private, Christian school in Wisconsin

Police have updated the death toll for the shooting.

Police often caution when disclosing the number of victims after a shooting that the information is preliminary and could change. That is not uncommon, especially as investigators gather additional information and details about injuries.

Gov. Tony Evers has been briefed on the situation

We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement.

Police have blocked roads around Abundant Life Christian School

Agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have responded to the scene to assist local law enforcement.

Abundant Life Christian School is nondenominational and has about 390 students, from kindergarten through high school, according to its website.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Abundant Life Christian School includes students in prekindergarten through 12th grade, not kindergarten through 12th grade. This story also corrects the age of the suspected shooter. The suspected shooter was 15. Authorities previously said she was 17.
Close to 80 people gathered outside the Iowa Capitol Oct. 8 for a demonstration against the Summit Carbon pipeline before a Supreme Court hearing. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Writers 'Collaborative. Linking Iowa readers and writers.

A public policy dispute over plans for about 1,000 miles of carbon dioxide pipeline across Iowa took a concerning turn last week. The pipeline companys latest tactic demonstrates why Iowa should finally pass an anti-SLAPP statute that has been floating around the Legislature for a few years.

Summit Carbon Solutions, an Ames company founded by businessman Bruce Rastetter, sent letters to six opponents of its plans to use eminent domain authority to build the pipeline, the Cedar Rapids Gazette and Iowa Capital Dispatch reported. With eminent domain, Summit could force landowners along the route to sell easements to the company so it could bury the proposed 2-foot-diameter pipe across their land.

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The letters demand the recipients retract what Summit claims are false and defamatory statements the six critics have made and cease making similar comments in the future. The letters warn recipients their statements have exposed you to significant legal liability.

The Gazette reported the recipients are Steve King, the former congressman from Kiron; Jess Mazour of Des Moines, an official of the Sierra Club of Iowa; Barb Kalbach of Dexter and Tom Mohan of Cedar Rapids, both members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement; Robert Nazario of Iowa Falls, like King, a member of the Free Soil Foundation, and Trent Loos, a Litchfield, Neb., farmer and podcaster.

The Summit project and the underlying eminent domain controversy are textbook examples of the kind of public policy issues the nations founders had in mind when they wrote the First Amendment in 1789. Freedom of speech was added to the Constitution to ensure people had the right in the new nation to offer their observations and opinions on important public policy matters.

But what Summit is trying to do  silence critics with large followings  goes against the spirit of the Constitutions free speech guarantees. Summits implied threats of litigation, whether real or hollow, could chill future public comment by people, businesses and organizations opposed to the controversial pipeline.

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This new tactic by Summit demonstrates why the Iowa Legislature should finally pass an anti-SLAPP statute. Thirty-three states have enacted such laws in recent years.

Retaliatory lawsuits like those Summit is threatening against its six critics can have a profound effect on citizens freedom of speech. If Summit followed through on its implicit threat and sued the six  even if the individuals ultimately won in court  the cost of mounting that defense could be staggering.

Such lawsuits often are brought to intimidate citizens from speaking out on matters of public concern or to intimidate journalists from reporting on important policy issues.

Anti-SLAPP laws derive their name from the acronym that stands for strategic lawsuits against public participation. These laws do not prevent plaintiffs from filing libel or defamation cases. Instead, anti-SLAPP laws typically establish an expedited process for judges to decide lawsuits arising from people or businesses exercising First Amendment rights on matters of public concern.

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Under an anti-SLAPP bill that stalled in the Legislature in 2021 and in 2023, if such defamation or libel cases are decided in favor of the defendants the person or business bringing the lawsuit  often a plaintiff with deep pockets or ulterior motives  would be responsible for reimbursing the defendants reasonable attorney fees.

The statements in issue in Summits letters to the six critics hardly could have caused a loss of reputation or community standing by a company that includes the word Solutions in its corporate name.

For example, a statement by one critic accusing the Iowa Utilities Commission of collusion to deny landowners property rights, or a remark by another critic that carbon pipelines could prove lethal, look far closer to opinion or hyperbole instead of declarations of demonstrable facts.

The late Iowa Chief Justice Mark Cady said it well in a 2014 decision by the Supreme Court. The ruling came in a case involving Rick Bertrand, a candidate for an Iowa Senate seat in Woodbury County, who sued his opponent, Rick Mullin, over the content of campaign ads Mullin purchased.

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Cady wrote in the courts 6-0 decision in Mullins favor: The First Amendment protects the use of rhetorical hyperbole and imaginative expression designed to evoke contempt for the targets of protected speech. After all, ridicule is often the strongest weapon in the hands of a public writer.

In the case of Summits pipeline proposal, Mazour told the NWest Iowa Review last year, Summit is using its power to take away democracy and peoples rights. They are in collusion with the Iowa Utilities Board to do so.

She told Iowa Capital Dispatch last week, This is clearly an intimidation attempt just to keep us quiet and hamper our free speech rights.

King told Waterloo radio station KXEL last week, These are just simply threats that say, Shut up or well sue you because we dont like the truth and what it does to damage our business model. 

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The pipeline project is the biggest boondoggle the world has ever seen, King told KXEL listeners, because it would be paid for with billions of dollars of federal tax incentives and would erode the property rights of landowners if Summit is allowed to use eminent domain power.

King, Mazour and the other recipients of Summits cease-and-desist letters probably believe a little dose of President Harry Truman is needed in this freedom-of-speech controversy: If a pipeline company cannot stand the heat of public debate, perhaps it should stay out of the mess hall.

Randy Evans is a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative and his columns are found on his blog, Stray Thoughts.

Editors note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and the authors blogs to support their work.
Two lawmakers are calling for a counter-drone measure to be added into the short-term funding legislation Congress needs to pass in the coming days.

Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) urging them to include a measure in the continuing resolution that addresses the recent spike in drone sightings.

In light of the recent incidents involving drones spotted over the eastern seaboard, we urge you to swiftly take action on counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) legislation that will allow for state and local law enforcement to protect their communities from this emerging threat in the year end continuing resolution, the lawmakers wrote in their letter.

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Unidentified drones have been spotted across New York and New Jersey, leaving residents questioning what they are and if theyre safe, and state and federal officials offering little explanation.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has assured the public that there is no foreign involvement in the drone sightings and that officials are being vigilant in investigating what was going on.

However, several lawmakers have been calling for the federal government to release more information.

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) suggested the drones were Iranian, which the Pentagon disputed. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said they were almost certainly planes, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for more answers from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

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In their letter, Houlahan and Garbarino acknowledged that DHS and the Department of Justice have said there are no immediate national security threats, but also noted that leaders from both departments have been extremely clear in multiple appearances before Congress that the government does not have enough resources to handle every drone threat alone.

In an interview Sunday, Mayorkas noted that there are hundreds of drones flown across the country every day.

The representatives argued that with the number of unregistered drones in the country, these sort of incidents are likely to become only more common, and said state law enforcement should be empowered to deal with drone threats.

Their calls for local authorities to be more involved echo those of others, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).

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The lawmakers wrote that they were in favor of a limited pilot program that would allow the counter-drone technology to be used responsibly in various local and state jurisdictions.

There has been bipartisan legislation introduced in both the House and the Senate that will address this emerging threat, including our bill H.R.4333. It is essential that as you consider a year-end continuing resolution, that this package include an expansion of the current C-UAS authorities to allow local and state law enforcement to access these technologies, they concluded.

The government spending deadline is Dec. 20, as congressional negotiators are struggling to reach a deal over the continuing resolution.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LONDON (AP)  A lawyer for convicted British killer nurse Lucy Letby said Monday that he plans to ask an appeals court to re-examine her convictions after the prosecution's leading expert changed his opinion on how three babies died.

Dr. Dewi Evans's testimony is no longer credible after he reversed his opinion that Letby killed three infants by injecting air down a nasal gastric tube, attorney Mark McDonald said.

The defense will argue that Dr. Evans is not a reliable expert, and given that he was the lead expert for the prosecution, we say that all the convictions are not safe, McDonald said.

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Letby, 34, is serving multiple life sentences with no chance of release after being convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to murder seven others while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwestern England between June 2015 and June 2016.

The Crown Prosecution Service defended the verdicts.

Two juries and three appeal court judges have reviewed a multitude of different strands of evidence against Lucy Letby, a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. In May, the Court of Appeal dismissed Letbys leave to appeal on all grounds  rejecting her argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed.

Prosecutors said at trial that Letby's methods left little trace and included injecting air into their bloodstreams, poisoning them with insulin and interfering with breathing tubes. Prosecutors said she was a constant malevolent presence" and was alone on duty in the neonatal unit when the children collapsed or died.

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Letby, who testified at two trials that she never harmed a child, has stood by her claims of innocence.

Experts said it is unusual to ask the Court of Appeal to reopen its previous decision to reject a case and would require convincing evidence to succeed.

It is vanishingly rare for a lead expert witness in a criminal case to change his mind on key evidence," said defense lawyer Sean Caulfield, who is not involved in the case. It is also rare for there to be a bid to reopen an appeal after it has already been refused by the Court of Appeal. I have never seen these two things happen in unison during my 20-year plus career. It is quite an astonishing turn of events."

McDonald said 15 medical experts around the world are reviewing trial evidence.

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An inquiry currently underway to examine failures by the hospital to recognize why babies were dying and why they took so long to stop Letby opened in September against a backdrop of experts and others who have questioned evidence used against Letby.

A group of scientists, doctors and legal experts that independently reviewed scientific evidence from Letbys trial warned Britains ministers of health and justice that legal systems were particularly vulnerable to errors when dealing with technical matters, especially in cases involving statistical anomalies in health care settings.

Evans gave his new opinions on the death of infants identified in court as Baby C, Baby I and Baby P in a signed response to a Channel 5 documentary, McDonald said.

Dont get me wrong, Im sure Dr. Evans is still going to say that Lucy Letby is guilty and he has a different view or different hypothesis in relation to it," McDonald said. But the cause of death that was before the Court of Appeal is different now, according to Dr. Evans, and I think that is a profound issue that needs to be relooked at.

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Evans has not yet responded to a request for comment following McDonald's news conference.

Additionally, two neonatologists working with the defense said there were medical reasons Baby C and Baby O became ill and could not be resuscitated, McDonald said.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Chechnya's Kremlin-backed leader Ramzan Kadyrov has said he is ready to step in if necessary and ensure that Syria gets the wheat it needs in what he said was the unlikely event that Russian wheat supplies to the country were disrupted.

Russian and Syrian sources told Reuters on Friday that Russian wheat supplies to Syria had been suspended due to uncertainty about the new government there after two vessels carrying Russian wheat for Syria failed to reach their destinations.

In a message posted on his Telegram channel on Sunday, Kadyrov said that the two rerouted vessels had been carrying "commercial" wheat and that Russian state-backed supplies to Syria had not been affected.

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"Even if for some impossible and incredible reasons this does happen, I, as the head of the Chechen Republic, am ready to take responsibility and ensure the necessary amount of wheat for Syria," Kadyrov wrote.

Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, supplies wheat to Syria through complex financial and logistical arrangements, circumventing Western sanctions imposed on both countries. It is not clear what share of wheat is supplied by the state.

Kadyrov did not specify how he would organise and finance wheat supplies to Syria if he had to step in and where the wheat would come from.

But he said he could act, if necessary, via a charitable fund named after his late father which helped to rebuild some mosques and provided humanitarian aid to Syria during ousted President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

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Russian analysts estimate Russia's exports to Syria at 300,000 tons so far this season, with the country ranking 24th among buyers of Russian wheat. They estimate Syria's total wheat imports at about 2 million tons.

Russia is the main supplier of wheat to Syria, and disruption in supplies could cause hunger in the country of over 23 million people. Sources told Reuters the two sides are in contact regarding supplies.

(Reporting by Olga Popova and Gleb Bryanski; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
At least three people, including the suspect, were killed and and six people are injured Monday in a shooting at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a deceased juvenile found at the scene is believed to be the shooter, who used a handgun.

Barnes said the juvenile is an enrolled student and no police officers fired shots at the scene. The name, age and gender of the juvenile were not released. They were described as a teenager.

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The chief said the suspects family was cooperating.

A teacher and another student were also killed. At least two other students are in critical condition and four students are recovering from injuries that are not life threatening, Barnes said.

The chief said the shooting was confined to one space in the building, but did not say whether it was a classroom or a hallway.

Several ambulances were seen driving away from the school earlier in the day. No other information about the victims was released.

The death toll was erroneously reported as five people, including the suspect, before it was lowered to three during a press conference.

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This is an ever-evolving situation, chief Barnes said. So theres a lot of work that has to be done, and were committed to doing that work. We just ask for your patience.

He said the shooters motive was still unclear.

Why did this happen? What do we know? What was the motivation? Barnes said. I do not know.

Officers responded around 10:57 a.m. local time at Abundant Life Christian School, a private K-12 school in the city with roughly 390 students. It also shares its campus with a day care center.

Madison police said the school has been cleared.

The Dane County Sheriffs Office is assisting the Madison Police Department, according to WMTV. FBI and ATF agents have also responded.

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I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Gov. Tony Evers wrote on social media. We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond.

Within hours of the incident, police in Green Bay, about 140 miles northeast, said theyd identified three juvenile persons of interest in relation to threatened shootings at two high schools in the city but that there was no threat to the public.

The shooting occurred less than two weeks after a man with a history of mental health issues opened fire on a group of students at a religious school in California, seriously wounding two boys.

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Recently, there have been sightings of unidentified drones flying above New York, New Jersey and other Northern states.

In Louisiana, there haven't been many drone sightings, except for one drone that was spotted flying in Mandeville in the southern part of the state.

Drone sightings in the U.S.

The flying of personal drones is a hobby many individuals take part in, however, after recent drone sightings, people are becoming suspicious of these drones.

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After concerns increased regarding the drones flying in the northeastern part of the country, law enforcement conveyed that the drones do not appear to be a threat to public safety. However, lawmakers have in turn called for more restrictions on who should be allowed to fly drones.

An Atlantic City man is accused of flying drones to drop dye packs into pools.

In addition to this, the FBI and other agencies have begun investigating these drones, and have asked individuals to share videos, photos and other information about the drones.

While the drone situation is still being investigated, officials from the FBI and other agencies have released reports assuring citizens that the drones do not pose a threat to public safety or national security, and that the drones are not the handiwork of a malicious foreign body.

Can you shoot down a drone in Louisiana?

Say you spot one of these unidentified drones flying over your property in Louisiana, would you be allowed, under state law, to shoot it down?

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Under federal law, it is illegal to shoot down an aircraft, even if it's unmanned. The Federal Aviation Administration says that shooting an unmanned aircraft could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement.

Federal law also says that anyone who damages, destroys, disables or wrecks any kind of aircraft in U.S. airspace will be subjected to fines or be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Also, individuals who attempt to fire at a drone could potentially face charges for reckless endangerment and criminal mischief if a lawfully operated aircraft is damaged.

In relation to this, the Department of Homeland Security has the authority to deal with unmanned aircrafts through the Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Can you shoot down a drone in Louisiana? What the FAA says
KYODO NEWS - Dec 16, 2024 - 19:25 | Japan, All

A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a man to life in prison for his role in a robbery that led to the death of a 90-year-old woman in western Tokyo in 2023, part of a series of burglaries orchestrated by a man using the pseudonym "Luffy."

In handing down the ruling at the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court, Presiding Judge Takehiko Okada said Shingo Kato, 26, played "a proactive role based on his strong financial desire and is deeply responsible for the woman's death."

The judge noted that Kato transported the woman, who was tied up, to the basement of her house, where another perpetrator armed with a crossbar was waiting, and said the defendant could have easily foreseen that she would be in grave danger.

Since 2021, a series of robberies and thefts have been reported across the country and at least 50 of them are suspected to be linked to a group led by "Luffy." However, this case was the only one that resulted in a death, shocking the public in Japan, where such violent crimes are rare.

The sentence aligned with the prosecutors' demand. Kato's defense team had sought a fixed prison term, arguing that he was merely following instructions from Rikuto Nagata, another perpetrator in the case.

Nagata, 23, was sentenced to life in prison by the court in November for his key role in the case. He has since appealed the decision.

During the trial, Kato had admitted to the charges, including the robbery resulting in death.

According to the ruling, Kato conspired with others, including Nagata, to enter the woman's home in Komae on Jan. 19, 2023, by posing as a parcel delivery worker. The woman was then kicked and fatally beaten with a crossbar, and items such as watches were stolen from her home.

The defendant was also involved in other crimes, including a burglary in Hiroshima in 2022, it said.

In relation to the series of burglaries, Kiyoto Imamura, 40, known as "Luffy," and three other ringleaders were arrested and indicted in Japan after being deported from the Philippines.

While the ringleaders planned and directed the crimes, the break-ins were carried out by individuals recruited through social media with promises of lucrative "yami baito," meaning dark part-time work in Japanese.

Related coverage:

Man sentenced to life in jail over fatal robbery linked to "Luffy"

Around 30 arrested over spate of robberies in Tokyo region
Dec. 15The District Attorney's Office in New Mexico's most populous county has seen two dozen murder cases involving juveniles so far this year, 50 armed robbery cases involving young people and 46 rape cases involving people under 18.

According to summer reports from Legislative Finance Committee staff, New Mexico hospitals fail to identify up to 40% of babies born with drugs in their system and struggle even more with families' follow-through on plans to care for those children.

And the state Children, Youth and Families Department is falling far short of targets set out in the landmark settlement agreement in the Kevin S. lawsuit and a subsequent corrective action plan aimed at reforming New Mexico's troubled child welfare system.

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Juvenile crime, the state's failure to serve children exposed to drugs and a struggling child welfare system are the issues at the heart of several proposals expected to be on the table during the coming legislative session starting Jan. 21.

"There is a renewed sense of urgency and some frustration with the fact that the Legislature has really made sizable investments to support CYFD and we're not seeing as much progress as we would like," said Rep. Meredith Dixon, D-Albuquerque, vice chairwoman of the powerful House Appropriations and Finance Committee.

CYFD spokesman Andrew Skobinsky wrote in an email the agency hopes lawmakers expand eligibility for its Fostering Connections program, which helps foster children who age out of the system to get on their feet with aid such as living stipends.

CYFD is also interested in strengthening the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA, in New Mexico, which in part aims to treat newborns who have been exposed to drugs. The agency also wants clearer guidelines on its responsibilities with respect to the Safe Haven for Infants Act, which allows parents to safely hand over babies 90 days or younger that the parents can't care for without fear of being criminally charged for child abandonment.

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Skobinsky said CYFD is open to suggestions.

"We will also enthusiastically embrace any additional legislation that we believe will be beneficial to the youth and families we serve," he wrote.

Oversight fight possible

Throughout the interim  time the Legislature is not in session  lawmakers have considered creating new oversight or governance structures for CYFD.

For example, Rep. Eleanor Chavez, D-Albuquerque, plans to reintroduce a failed push from the 2024 session to create a commission and executive director to guide CYFD.

That measure, she noted, would still require voter approval because it seeks to amend the state constitution. This year's iteration would up the number of members on the commission from three, as was originally proposed, to five.

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In the 2024 regular session, the resolution faced significant opposition, including from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office, before ultimately failing after its first committee. Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, the former sponsor of the bill, said at the time the governor's opposition scared off all its potential supporters and killed it.

Governor's Office spokesman Michael Coleman wrote in an email that while Lujan Grisham appreciates ideas to improve the efficiency of CYFD, "she does not support the establishment of a commission that would remove oversight from the executive branch."

"Under the leadership of Secretary [Teresa] Casados, CYFD is headed in the right direction and delegating oversight to an outside commission could create more problems than it would solve," he wrote.

CYFD also has consistently opposed the idea of creating a commission to guide it.

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"CYFD warns that removing the department from executive oversight could diminish collaboration between agencies, disrupt progress under the Kevin S. agreement, increase staff turnover, and jeopardize critical federal funding," Skobinsky wrote.

But Chavez said she thinks there's enough urgency this year to get a CYFD commission across the finish line, noting the agency's struggles to comply with the Kevin S. settlement. According to a recent report from field experts tasked with tracking the state's progress in the settlement, New Mexico in 2023 accomplished just 5% of the targets laid out for it.

"We've been through another year of difficulties at CYFD," she said. "... I do think that we have more support this year than we did last year, and I think that this is one solution that people can get behind."

Legislative committees

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Over the years, Legislative Finance Committee staff have made numerous recommendations to improve New Mexico's child welfare system, analyst Rachel Mercer Garcia said during a mid-November committee meeting.

Many of those proposals, however, have fallen by the wayside.

Lawmakers have directed LFC staff to draft bills for consideration during the coming session, which committee members will review for endorsement in January, Mercer Garcia said in an email.

Those recommendations include suggestions to require more reports and reviews out of the Substitute Care Advisory Council, which monitors children in state custody, and move management of CARA to the New Mexico Health Care Authority instead of CYFD.

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Skobinsky said it would be best for management of CARA to "remain at an agency with direct programmatic services to individuals to support child safety, parenting education, and substance misuse treatment."

Both ideas are also being discussed by another group  the Senate Memorial 5 task force  which was created earlier this year to provide recommendations on how to restructure CYFD.

That task force, though, is still working on a report that would contain several proposals for the coming session. And the group is behind schedule  the memorial requested recommendations to be submitted to the governor and Legislature by Nov. 15.

"We haven't finished," task force Chair Linda Lopez, a Democratic senator from Albuquerque, said in an interview. "... It's more about having a rehash of some of the information that we have heard all during the interim, and now just tweaking some of the language that will go into our final report."

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In addition to the overlap with coming LFC recommendations, the Senate Memorial 5 task force has several other ideas it's considering presenting to the Legislature.

Those include adding measures in the state budget to establish a percentage of caseworkers who have social work licenses; updating state statute so it lays out how CYFD should try to keep families together; and providing CYFD funding to have a third party conduct a study of foster care in New Mexico.

Lopez said she hopes the group will meet before the Christmas holiday to firm up its report. That report would then be presented to a standing committee during the legislative session, with bills to proceed from there.

Juvenile justice

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Top law enforcement officials have also put recommendations on the table to reform New Mexico's juvenile justice system.

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman has laid out dozens of amendments to the state Children's Code, largely focused on reforming New Mexico's juvenile justice system.

Among those amendments are proposals to expand the definition of "serious youthful offender" to include a host of new crimes for which juveniles could be sentenced as adults; automatically transferring young people in juvenile detention facilities to adult jails on their 18th birthday; and preventing young people from carrying a firearm, including long guns.

District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Nancy Laflin wrote in an email the agency has seen 204 juvenile gun cases so far this year. In 2023, the office saw 255.

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It's not clear, however, how much support Bregman has behind his proposals.

While he says lawmakers have expressed interest in some of his ideas, Bregman said he does not have a sponsor for all of his proposed revisions  though he wouldn't elaborate on which are most contentious.

"I feel like I have a lot of support out there for making some of these necessary changes to the Children's Code," he said in an interview.

State Attorney General Raul Torrez wants lawmakers to consider two draft bills: one that would limit the ability of defense investigators and others to conduct pretrial interviews, another that would create more rights and protections for victims throughout the judicial process.

His bills have seen early backing from some lawmakers, including from Dixon.

Children and drugs

Republican lawmakers in both chambers of the Roundhouse have similar priorities for the coming session.

At the top of that list seems to be redoubling efforts to tackle the issue of children being exposed to drugs.

Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, said she plans to reintroduce legislation making exposure to fentanyl use automatic evidence of child abuse.

That proposal did not go far during the most recent regular session, making it out of just one committee. Lord said she did not understand why that bill did not succeed, "especially with as [many] fentanyl issues as we have right now."

"That just seems like a given," she said in an interview.

Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, also noted an interest in bringing back that proposal. From 2020 to 2021, just 15% of families with plans of care under a federal act aimed at treating babies born with accepted referrals to services, according to an August Legislative Finance Committee report.

She also said she plans to reintroduce a failed bill from the most recent regular session that would have stopped families from opting out of plans of care recommended to them as part of CARA.

Brantley said in an interview reintroducing the past bill was an effort "to try and give some teeth to the court system [so] that ... if you have a drug baby, it's not a voluntary program," she said in an interview.

Skobinsky wrote in an email the agency wants to keep CARA voluntary, noting mandatory plans of care can be perceived as punitive and may discourage families from seeking treatment "in fear of stigmatization and concern that they will be subject to punitive measures."

Esteban Candelaria is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. He covers child welfare and the state Children, Youth and Families Department. Learn more about Report for America at reportforamerica.org.
Lucy Letbys defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died.

Mark McDonald, Letbys barrister, told a press conference in London on Monday that he would take the unprecedented step of asking the Court of Appeal to review all her convictions.

It comes after Dr Dewi Evans, a retired paediatrician from Carmarthen, gave interviews after the nurses murder trial, saying he had changed his mind on the cause of death of three of the babies.

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In October, The Telegraph revealed how Dr Evans no longer believed Baby C was killed by an injection of air into its stomach, as set out in the prosecutions case, although he still believed Letby was guilty.

Mr McDonald said the expert had also changed his mind on the causes of death in the cases of Baby I and Baby P, whom Letby was convicted of killing through air embolism.

He said: I have never known, in 26 years of being a barrister, an expert to change their mind a year after the convictions on the cause of death or what they said to the jury. That, to me, is astonishing.

The defence will argue that Dr Evans is not a reliable expert, and given that he was the lead expert for the prosecution, we say that all the convictions are unsafe.

Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies last year - Cheshire Constabulary

Letby, 34, of Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life terms in prison. Last year she was found guilty of murdering seven babies, along with seven counts of the attempted murder of six other babies, at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016.

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In July 2024 she was found guilty of a further attempted murder charge.

Her barrister also said that two neonatal experts had reviewed the evidence in the cases of two babies  Baby O and Baby C  and found no evidence of deliberate harm.

NHS consultants Dr Neil Aiton and Dr Svilena Dimitrova, who have been working on the case as independent experts, said they had found identifiable medical reasons why both babies became unwell and did not respond to resuscitation.

Letby was convicted of killing both babies by injecting them with air.

In a statement distributed at the press conference, the pair wrote: Baby C died due to problems caused by failing placental function at the end of pregnancy. We have seen no evidence of deliberate harm to these babies by anyone.

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We have provided evidence that Baby O died due to issues related to the resuscitation.

Dr Richard Taylor, a neonatologist from Victoria, British Columbia, who regularly helps police with inquiries, told the press conference he had reviewed the findings and was disturbed by what had happened to Baby O.

He said a doctor had been trying to relieve a build-up of air in the little boys abdomen and accidentally inserted a needle into the wrong side, puncturing his liver.

He said: The needle perforated the liver. The baby was still being ventilated with a needle in the liver. The liver was now being lacerated by the needle, and this led to bleeding free blood flow into the abdomen. The baby went into shock.

Dr Richard Taylor, a neonatologist, also spoke to the media at the press conference on Monday - Jonathan Brady/PA

Dr Taylor added: I think the doctor knows who they are. I have to say, from a personal point of view that if this happened to me, I wouldnt be able to sleep at night knowing that what I had done had led to the death of the baby, and now there was a nurse in jail, convicted of murder.

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Asked how Letby felt about a new appeal, Mr McDonald said: How would you feel? How would anybody feel? First of all, youve been sentenced to life in prison without any hope, and suddenly we found such profound and significant evidence that may possibly overturn your conviction. You decide how you would feel.

Sir David Davis, the Tory MP, said he was planning to raise the matter in the House of Commons in the new year.

Speaking after the press conference, he said: What today has done is both corroborated and reinforced my view that this is certainly a mistrial, and it certainly requires a retrial.

I think a retrial with proper experts would come to a different conclusion.

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The Telegraph has contacted Dr Evans, who had not replied at the time of publication.

04:55 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs live coverage of the press conference held by Lucy Letbys barrister. These were the key moments:

Mark McDonald, Letbys barrister, urged the Court of Appeal to reopen her case

He said Dewi Evans, the prosecutions chief medical witness, had changed his opinion on the cause of death in three cases  Baby C, Baby I and Baby P  and that appeal judges may have therefore been misled when they refused Letbys two previous attempted appeals

Mr McDonald admitted that reopening the appeal would be unprecedented and said he would also attempt to have Letbys case considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates miscarriages of justice

He said more than 50 unpaid experts were assessing the evidence used against Letby in her 2023 trial

One expert report was said to have found that Baby C and Baby O, whom Letby was found guilty of murdering, died because of identifiable medical reasons and that there was no evidence of deliberate harm

Richard Taylor, a consultant neonatologist from Victoria, Canada, went on to tell the press conference that a suspicious blood sample was used as unreliable evidence to convict Letby of Baby Fs attempted murder

He added that medical notes indicate Baby O may have instead died after a doctor injected a needle in the wrong side of their body, lacerating the liver by mistake

In response to the press conference, the Crown Prosecution Service said Letbys argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed had already been rejected in court

04:42 PM GMT

CPS: Letbys flawed evidence argument has already been rejected

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said Letbys argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed has already been rejected in court.

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Two juries and three appeal court judges have reviewed a multitude of different strands of evidence against Lucy Letby, the spokesman said.

She has been convicted on 15 separate counts following two separate jury trials.

In May, the Court of Appeal dismissed Letbys leave to appeal on all grounds  rejecting her argument that expert prosecution evidence was flawed.

04:29 PM GMT

Prosecution witness who changed mind will not take stand again

The chief medical witness used in the prosecution of Lucy Letby who has since changed his mind on the cause of death of three babies will not take the stand in any future trials.

Dewi Evans, a retired paediatrician from Carmarthen, Wales, has said previously that he would not consent to being used as a witness if Letby was to appear in court again.

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He retired from practising medicine in 2009 and set up a company called Dewi Evans Paediatric Consulting, which provides expert medical advice in legal matters such as child abuse cases and criminal trials.

04:11 PM GMT

Why Letbys victims are not being named

The victims of Lucy Letby are not being named for legal reasons.

It prohibits reporting the identities of the surviving and dead children involved in the case.

04:02 PM GMT

Press conference ends

The press conference has now ended.

04:02 PM GMT

Suspicious blood sample used to convict Letby of Baby Fs attempted murder

A suspicious blood sample was used as evidence to convict Lucy Letby of Baby Fs attempted murder, an expert has said.

Richard Taylor, a consultant neonatologist from Victoria, British Columbia, told the press conference that there was a ridiculously highs level of glucose  999 millimoles per litre  in a blood sample, which he said made its use in evidenceunreliable.

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When youve got such a high glucose result... it makes the insulin result really unreliable, he said.

The insulin number was about 40 times as high as Ive ever seen in my career. Its ridiculously high, something obviously suspicious about it.

Letby was convicted of attempted murder against Baby F, who survived, after the prosecution argued she added insulin to an intravenous drip.

Richard Taylor, a consultant neonatologist from Victoria, Canada, speaks at the press conference - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

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03:45 PM GMT

Unprecedented for so many unpaid experts to question Letby evidence

It is unprecedented for 50 or 60 or more experts who are not being paid to question the medical evidence used in the trial of Lucy Letby, it has been claimed.

Roger Norwich, a retired consultant paediatrician, told the press conference: Its almost unprecedented that 50 or 60 or more experts have come out of the woodwork to defend somebody on the basis of what we regard as absolutely appalling and unsustainable medical evidence.

Mark McDonald, Letbys barrister, added: All these experts have come forward, and theyre working day and night, some of them drafting reports, not one of them is being paid. Not one of them has asked for a fee.

And again, thats unique and also, in my experience, theyre doing it because they feel that something has gone wrong.

Roger Norwich, a retired consultant paediatrician, speaks at the press conference - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

03:37 PM GMT

I will not criticise Letbys trial defence lawyers, barrister says

Lucy Letbys barrister has said he will not criticise the lawyers who defended her during her trial.

Mark McDonald said: All I can say is that I have fresh evidence that cast a significant doubt on the conviction.

And can I say this: that I am in no way, and I will not, and you will not hear me criticise the trial defence team.

She was represented by a very leading and very experienced Kings Counsel, and youre not going to have me standing here criticising him.

Benjamin Myers KC, of Exchange Chambers in Manchester, represented Letby during her trial.

Mark McDonald speaks at the press conference - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

03:33 PM GMT

Doubts over Letbys convictions will not go away without reopened appeal

Doubts over Lucy Letbys convictions will not go away unless her appeal is reopened, her barrister has said.

Mark McDonald told the press conference: My experience in miscarriage of justice cases when there are significant doubts, it doesnt go away.

We will still be talking if this matter is not properly reviewed, if this matter does not go back to trial and fresh evidence called before the jury.

We will be continuing and so the best thing to do is actually to have this matter before the Court of Appeal, go on the fresh evidence that we now have, and go back to a trial and present that fresh evidence.

03:20 PM GMT

Unprecedented to reopen Letbys appeal, barrister admits

Lucy Letby has admitted that it would be unprecedented to reopen Lucy Letbys case at the Court of Appeal.

It is unprecedented, he said. Its a rarely used device. Theres authority on it, predominantly in the civil area of law, but there are criminal authorities on it.

But one of the aspects is that we also have another remedy, which is the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

But my argument is the Criminal Cases Review Commission is there to look at fresh evidence. This is not fresh evidence.

This is the lead prosecution expert who has changed his mind, and the Court of Appeal may not have been told the accurate picture as a result. That in itself, makes it unique that they need to re-look at what they have decided already.

03:18 PM GMT

No evidence of deliberate harm in cases of Baby O and Baby C

Mr McDonald has said that two new neonatal experts have reviewed the evidence in the case of Baby O and Baby C and found no evidence of deliberate harm.

Dr Neil Aiton and Dr Svilena Dimitrova said they had examined the cases and found identifiable medical reasons why both babies became unwell and did not respond to resuscitation.

In a statement handed out at the press conference, the pair wrote: We have provided evidence that Baby O died due to issues related to the resuscitation.

Baby C died due to problems caused by failing placental function at the end of pregnancy.

We have seen no evidence of deliberate harm to these babies by anyone.

The pair are also working on reports for other babies.

03:16 PM GMT

New reports indicate two babies died for medical reasons

New reports commissioned by Lucy Letbys legal team indicate that two babies in her case died for medical reasons, Mark McDonald has said.

The barrister said very detailed and lengthy reports had been written on Baby O and Baby C using hospital notes, post-mortem records and expert opinion.

He said: Our reports demonstrate that there are identifiable medical reasons why both babies became unwell, sadly, did not respond to resuscitation and subsequently passed away.

We have set out clearly within our report evidence showing that these babies could not reasonably be described as realm or stable, neither should their deteriorations be described as unexplained.

Our reports contain careful justified new evidence which has which has not been presented before, either in court or as part of previous examinations of these cases by multiple sources.

It is not our role to determine any impact this new evidence might have on the legal process.

Although some of the medical information within the report is complex, it is possible to draw clear and sound conclusions, which we believe will stand up to scrutiny.

03:08 PM GMT

McDonald set to bypass Criminal Cases Review Commission

It looks as if Mark McDonald will bypass the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and intends to go back to the Court of Appeal, reports Sarah Knapton.

He will argue that Dewi Evans, the Chief Medical Witness for the prosecution, has changed his mind on the cause of death in three cases  Baby C, Baby I and Baby P.

In October, I reported how Evans told me that he no longer believed that Baby C was killed by an injection of air into the stomach, and instead suggested that it was an air embolism into the bloodstream.

The stomach bubble was not responsible for his death, he told me. Probably destabilised him though. His demise occurred the following day, around midnight, and due to air in the bloodstream.

Letby was there. I amended my opinion after hearing the evidence from the local nurses and doctors. Baby C was always the most difficult from a clinical point of view. So I understand the confusion.

Mr McDonald believes that the change of heart suggests that Dr Evans is not a reliable witness and that Court of Appeal judges may have been misled.

03:07 PM GMT

Key witness has changed mind on deaths of three babies, says barrister

A key witness used by the prosecution in the trial of Lucy Letby has changed his mind on the cause of deaths for three babies, her barrister has claimed.

Mark McDonald said: The defences main ground of appeal in the Court of Appeal was the reliability of Dr [Dewi] Evans. The appeal was refused.

Remarkably, Dr Evans has now changed his mind on the cause of death of three of the babies: Baby C, Baby I and Baby P.

Dr Evans had said to the jury that Lucy Letby had injected air down a nasal gastric tube and this had led to the death of the three babies. This was repeated to the Court of Appeal who may have now been misled when they ruled on the application for leave against the convictions.

Dr Evans has also said that he has revised his opinion in relation to Baby C and has written a new report, which he has given to the police. Despite numerous requests, the prosecution has yet to give this report to the defence.

The defence will argue that Dr Evans is not a reliable expert, and all the convictions are not safe.

03:04 PM GMT

Letby to appeal to review all convictions at the Court of Appeal

Lucy Letbys new barrister has announced that he will seek to review all of her convictions at the Court of Appeal.

Mark McDonald told a central London press conference: Today the defence are announcing that it will immediately seek permission from the Court of Appeal to take the exceptional, but necessary, decision to apply to reopen the appeal of Lucy Letby and immediately review all her convictions.

In August 2023 Lucy Letby was convicted in the Crown Court at Manchester after a trial lasting over 10 months of seven counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. On 24 May 2024, the matter was before the Court of Appeal where all applications for leave to appeal were refused.

Letby has had two previous appeals refused by the Court of Appeal.

03:02 PM GMT

Press conference begins

The press conference has now started.

02:47 PM GMT

Why Lucy Letbys convictions have been questioned

Lucy Letby, 34, of Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life terms for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016.

But since the convictions, dozens of statisticians, scientists, doctors and nurses have come forward to challenge the evidence presented to the jury.

It has been revealed that door-swipe data used to place various doctors and nurses at the scene of baby collapses and deaths was flawed.

The jury was also not told about several internal and external reviews carried out by the Countess of Chester, public bodies, outside medical experts and pathologists that failed to find any evidence of foul play.

Nor did jurors hear that the neonatal unit had suffered an outbreak of the deadly bug pseudomonas and had been criticised for being crowded and understaffed, with consultants making only two ward rounds per week.

The prosecution has said Letby was convicted on a multitude of evidence from specialists, and that the defence could have called rebuttal witnesses but chose not to.

02:40 PM GMT

When does the press conference start?

The press conference in central London will start at 3pm.

02:36 PM GMT

More than 50 experts ready to question evidence against Letby

Mark McDonald, Lucy Letbys lawyer, has previously said more than 50 experts are ready to question the evidence against her.

The barrister said he recently met more than 50 experts in neonatology, pathology and statistics who were willing to do so.

Lucy Letby is now being represented by barrister Mark McDonald - Chester Standard/SWNS.com

02:34 PM GMT

Why is there a press conference?

The press conference was announced on Saturday by Mark McDonald, Letbys new barrister.

Mr McDonald said fresh developments on the case would be disclosed.

At the conference we will also be announcing new evidence which significantly undermines the convictions, he said in a statement.

Mr McDonald is planning to take Letbys case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

02:30 PM GMT

Welcome to the blog

Good afternoon. Tim Sigsworth here reporting on the Lucy Letby press conference due to be held by her barrister on Monday afternoon.

Mark McDonald, Letbys new barrister, said on Saturday that her legal team will disclose fresh developments on the case that significantly undermines her convictions.

Follow this live blog for all the updates from me and my colleague Sarah Knapton, The Telegraphs science editor.

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.
To the editor: Great story on Latino voters in Downey swinging toward President-elect Donald Trump. But consider the following for more context.

In Downey, Trump got only 1,656 more votes in 2024 than in 2020. More significantly, Vice President Kamala Harris got 8,520 fewer votes than President Biden in Downey.

Voters in Downey didnt run toward Trump; they stepped away from Harris.

Fernando Guerra, Los Angeles

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The writer, a political science professor, is director of the Center for the Study of L.A. at Loyola Marymount University.

..

To the editor: One reason political strategist Mike Madrid gives for Latino voters moving right is that many of the younger Latinos don't know or remember the fight over California's Proposition 187 in 1994.

But every one of them was alive when the last Trump administration ripped almost 5,000 immigrant children away from their parents.

Those acts of intentional cruelty should have led any moral person not to vote for Trump. It's sad that so many failed that test.

Alex Magdaleno, Camarillo

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
To the editor: Contrary to what Randall Balmer believes, evangelical Christians on the so-called right are not socially indifferent. They do a great deal to address social issues. ("Evangelical Christians once agitated for women, prisoners, the poor and ending slavery. What happened?" Opinion, Dec. 11)

Where is the left when it comes to marriage, families and the Ten Commandments? I think the right and the left have a different idea of how to achieve an appropriate expression of their faith.

In a nutshell, Balmer's comments amount to a political screed that twists everything to fit his leftist opinions. Good works, as many evangelicals will tell you, do not get you into heaven  rather they are a result and a sign of your acceptance and belief in Jesus. Good works do not dismiss bad behavior.

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I think Balmer may be mistaking leftist political goals for religion. Perhaps his politics are his religion.

Nathan Post, Santa Barbara

..

To the editor: For all the theological turbulence of the past two centuries, contemporary evangelicalism's guiding star has emerged. It is eternally opposed to the rise of secularism by whatever means possible, including the commission of democratic sins.

Hence, evangelicals now preach democratically repugnant priorities as their faith's salvation: Divert public-school funds to religious schools. Push for revisionist history to white-wash or outright bury notorious faith-based travesties. Elect politicians who abide demagogic sloganeering over critical thinking. Appoint judges who favor theocracy over democracy.

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Never mind the rank ungodliness of joining forces with ultra-conservative politicians. Just do their bidding to prevail in America's ever-widening culture wars  you know, fight like hell.

J.R. Groves, Pacific Palisades

..

To the editor: Balmer asserts that "white evangelicals since the rise of the religious right have embraced an agenda that exalts capitalism and cares little for 'the least of these.'"

I'm a white evangelical who defends free-market capitalism (not to be confused with crony capitalism) as the economic system producing the highest standard of living for the greatest number of people. That includes "the least of these," namely, immigrants fleeing the poverty and oppression of failed socialist regimes such as Cuba and Venezuela.

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Obedience to the teachings of Jesus compels me to donate financially to numerous charities  local, national and international  that aid the poor and oppressed.

Philip Ross, Palos Verdes Estates

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Bloomberg) -- Libyas National Oil Corp. declared force majeure at the Zawiya refinery in the countrys west after clashes between armed groups caused a fire.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The state firm said the blaze broke out early Sunday morning after storage units were struck by gunfire. The tanks sustained significant damage, the NOC said in a statement on its website, adding that the fire has been contained.

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It didnt identify the groups fighting. Libyan media reported the clashes were between two tribes and not connected to the OPEC members long-running division between rival eastern and western governments. One person was killed and others wounded before calm was restored, local media said.

The Zawiya facility, about 45 miles west of the capital, Tripoli, refines small amounts of fuel for domestic use while storing larger quantities that are imported due to Libyas limited processing capacity. A NOC spokesman, Khaled Ghulam, said fuel shipments arriving at the port were unaffected and there was enough in storage tanks to keep supplying Libyas consumers.

The North African nation has been roiled by violence and instability since the uprising that ousted long-time leader Moammar Qaddafi in 2011. It sits atop the continents largest proven oil reserves, a resource thats a frequent target of armed groups vying for influence.

The NOC had urged the internationally recognized government in Tripoli to intervene and resolve the clashes by any means necessary.

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Earlier this month, officials said Libyas oil production had risen to 1.422 million barrels  its highest daily level in more than a decade.

(Updates with comments from NOC spokesman in fourth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina explicitly said he disagrees with Donald Trumps suggestion that the members of the House Select Committee to investigate January 6, 2021, should be jailed.

Graham, a staunch Trump supporter, told Kristen Welker of Meet the Press on Sunday that he disagrees with the presidency-elect but did not elaborate further.

President-elect Trump told me he thinks the members of the January 6 committee should go to jail, do you agree with that statement? Welker asked.

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Graham replied, No.

Earlier this month, Trump told Welker during a sit-down interview that the members of the committee, which includes former representative Liz Cheney, should go to jail for doing their part to investigate and disclose information about the attack on the Capitol.

Lindsey Graham, the conservative South Carolina senator, does not agree with Donald Trump on jailing the January 6 House Select Commitee (NBC News / YouTube)

The president-elect inspired a violent mob of his supporters to storm and unlawfully enter the Capitol while Congress was certifying 2020 election results after spreading lies about mass voter fraud  claiming Democrats stole the election from him.

As a result, four people present on January 6 died while one other one died the following day.

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Though Trump did not direct his supporters to storm the Capitol, evidence presented by the January 6 committee indicated he also did not stop his supporters from doing so even when other lawmakers called on him to do so.

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington D.C. (REUTERS)

The committee was made up of nine lawmakers: then-representatives Cheney, Adam Kizinger, Elaine Luria, Stephanie Murphy, and now-Senator Adam Schiff as well as Reps Bennie Thompson, Zoe Lofgren, Pete Aguilar, and Jamie Raskin.

Trump attacked the committee for presenting evidence and testimony that painted him as an unhinged leader trying to hold onto any form of power and control  something he rejects. He also attacked the prosecutors who charged him with federal crimes for his actions leading up to that day.

Instead, Trump claims January 6 was a day of peace and love. Hes recently promised to pardon those charged with crimes in relation to that day.

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But now he also wants to go further in punishing the members of the committee.

Though Graham largely supports Trumps agenda, he broke from the president-elect when it came to his view on January 6.

Graham voted to certify the 2020 election results and criticized his Republican colleagues who chose to do so. However, he also voted to acquit Trump during his second impeachment and voted against commissioning the January 6 committee.

Though he may not have supported the committee, Graham clearly does not believe they deserve jail time for carrying out their duties to investigate the attack on the Capitol.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday said former Fox News host and defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth would soon release a woman who accused him of sexual assault from a nondisclosure agreement.

He told me he would release her from that agreement, Graham said on NBCs Meet the Press.

I mean, just think about what were talking about, he went on. Id want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody.

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Hegseth, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump last month, has been dogged by a series of shocking allegations about his behavior. An unidentified woman filed a police report after she claimed Hegseth assaulted her at a Republican conference in California in 2017. Hegseth has emphasized that no charges were filed in the matter, and maintained that he and the woman had a consensual encounter.

He paid the woman an undisclosed sum in a 2023 settlement that included a nondisclosure clause. Tim Parlatore, a lawyer for Hegseth, claimed earlier this month that he believed the woman had already broken the agreement, and said hed warned the womans lawyer directly about potential defamation lawsuits.

I suspect that shes not going to come forward at all, Parlatore said, according to The New York Times. Theres no benefit. Its all downside.

Parlatore left Trumps legal team in May 2023 due to internal disagreements.

Lindsey Graham says Pete Hegseth denies all the allegations against him and he believes him pic.twitter.com/6JqDLkhVxM  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 15, 2024

Other reports included claims that Hegseth was forced to resign from two veteran groups amid allegations of financial mismanagement. Another report included accounts claiming he regularly showed up to work at Fox News smelling like alcohol.

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Representatives for Hegseth have denied the reports. Hegseth himself said he would give up alcohol if he is confirmed to lead the Defense Department.

Im not going to have a drink at all. Its not hard for me, because its not a problem for me, he said earlier this month on The Megyn Kelly Show.

Graham said Sunday he was in a good place with Pete despite those accounts, unless something I dont know about comes out.

These allegations are disturbing, but theyre anonymous, the senator said. Hes given me his side of the story. It makes sense to me. I believe him. Unless somebody is willing to come forward, I think hes going to get through.

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Remember [Supreme Court Justice Brett] Kavanaugh? Graham went on. Five people accused Justice Kavanaugh of misconduct. Three were outright lies. The other two, I think, were not credible.

Earlier this month, Trump was reportedly considering possible alternatives for Hegseth, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).

Liza Hearon contributed to this article.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
KYODO NEWS - Dec 16, 2024 - 22:00 | All, World, Japan

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

----------

Cambodian trainee seeks damages over alleged rapes at Japan farm

TOKYO - A Cambodian technical trainee on Monday filed a damages suit against a manager at a strawberry farm north of Tokyo, alleging multiple instances of rape over a five-month period that led to pregnancy and an abortion.

The 23-year-old woman is seeking about 80 million yen ($520,000) in damages from the 58-year-old manager at the farm in Tochigi Prefecture, according to a complaint filed with the Tokyo District Court.

----------

South Korea prosecutors again summon Yoon over martial law declaration

SEOUL - South Korean prosecutors made their second request Monday for President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear at their office for questioning over his short-lived declaration of martial law, following one the previous day that he rejected, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The move comes after the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion Saturday against Yoon over his Dec. 3 imposition of martial law that triggered public outrage. Following the passage, his presidential authority was suspended, but he has yet to be formally impeached.

----------

MUFG Bank mulls penalizing executives over theft by ex-employee

TOKYO - The head of MUFG Bank said Monday his bank is considering penalizing its executives, including himself, as he apologized over the alleged theft by a former employee of more than 1 billion yen ($6.5 million) from customers' safe deposit boxes.

"The incident shook the foundations of the banking business, which is built on trust," MUFG Bank President Junichi Hanzawa said at a press conference. "We will do our utmost to dispel the concerns of customers who use our safe deposit boxes."

----------

Japan ruling, opposition camps agree to abolish dubious policy funds

TOKYO - Japan's ruling and opposition parties agreed Monday to abolish controversial policy activity funds that lawmakers can spend without disclosure, as part of efforts to regain public trust in politics.

The agreement comes after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party, at the center of a slush money scandal, and its junior coalition partner lost their majority in the House of Representatives in the general election on Oct. 27.

----------

Man given life term for fatal robbery in Japan tied to "Luffy" group

TOKYO - A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a man to life in prison for his role in a robbery that led to the death of a 90-year-old woman in western Tokyo in 2023, part of a series of burglaries orchestrated by a man using the pseudonym "Luffy."

In handing down the ruling at the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court, Presiding Judge Takehiko Okada said Shingo Kato, 26, played "a proactive role based on his strong financial desire and is deeply responsible for the woman's death."

----------

Japan defense chief Nakatani eyes visit to Britain in Jan.

TOKYO - Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is arranging a visit to Britain in January to discuss progress on the joint development of a new fighter jet with his counterpart, John Healey, government sources said Monday.

Nakatani and Healey may discuss plans under consideration for Saudi Arabia to join the Global Combat Air Program, a joint initiative by Japan, Britain and Italy to develop and deploy the next-generation combat aircraft by 2035, they said.

----------

Trump meets widow of ex-Japanese PM Abe in Florida

PALM BEACH, Florida - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday met with Akie Abe, the widow of slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, his wife said.

The former president, who will return to the White House for his second term on Jan. 20, and Melania Trump are believed to have hosted a private dinner for her. It is the first known meeting between Trump and a Japanese individual since he won the Nov. 5 presidential election.

----------

Japan Finance Ministry official arrested for upskirting in Tokyo

TOKYO - A 44-year-old official from Japan's Finance Ministry has been arrested for allegedly taking an upskirt photo of a woman at a train station in the suburbs of Tokyo, police said Monday.

Yasutaka Yoneta, who also serves as a specially appointed associate professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University, is suspected of placing his smartphone under the skirt of a woman in her 20s and taking a photo without consent. He has denied the charge.

Video: Kyodo News enters Syria after fall of Assad regime
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has called on the ministers of EU member states to jointly appeal to the European Commission and urge it to adopt a strategy for countering Russia's hybrid actions.

Source: LRT, a Lithuanian public broadcaster, citing Budrys, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In a discussion on deterring and responding to hybrid attacks initiated by Czechia, Budrys emphasised that hybrid attacks and sabotage are becoming increasingly dangerous.

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Quote: "Russia is using hybrid attacks to distract us from its aggressive war against Ukraine, to divert our resources elsewhere, to intimidate and divide our societies."

More details: Budrys stressed that a collective response should be sought, continued support for Ukraine should be maintained and strategic dilemmas should be created for Russia, "exploiting its vulnerabilities and dependencies".

Budrys called on the foreign ministers of EU member states to jointly appeal to the European External Action Service and the European Commission, urging them to adopt an EU strategy for countering Russia's hybrid actions.

According to LRT, citing a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania, together with Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Sweden and Romania, has prepared a well-reasoned proposal on this issue, which will be discussed at the EU Foreign Ministers' Council meeting in January.

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Background:

In the autumn, there were incidents involving damage to two communication cables: one between Finland and Germany and another between Lithuania and Sweden.

The Finnish and German defence ministers believe that these incidents were acts of sabotage.

At the end of November, Christian Freuding, Head of the Planning Staff and the Special Task Force for Ukraine at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, stated that Germany is now the primary target of Russia's hybrid attacks.

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Key highlights

Potentially affected Rhode Islanders should change passwords, freeze credit

For help, contact the call center at (833) 918-6603

Payments can still be made in person

Unemployment, TDI benefits not affected

Updates on cyberalert.ri.gov

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Hundreds of thousands Rhode Islanders are scrambling to secure their personal data after state programs were hacked.

The state is directing people to a website  cyberalert.ri.gov  and has created a hotline for those who may be affected by the cyberattack. The hotline is (833) 918-6603 and will be available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. If a reference number is requested, its B137035.

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McKee urges RI residents to act immediately after major cyberattack on state system

According to officials, an international cybercriminal group breached RIBridges, an online portal for obtaining social services, including:

 Medicaid

 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

 Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

 Rhode Island Works (RIW)

 General Public Assistance (GPA) Program

 Health coverage purchased through HealthSource RI

 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

 At HOME Cost Share

The cyberattack, first announced Friday night, exposed the private data of potentially hundreds of thousands of residents whove used those programs over the past eight years. McKee said theres a high chance that the hackers have obtained Social Security and bank account numbers, but they dont yet know the extent of the data that was accessed.

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Ransomware group Brain Cipher behind RI cyberattack; claims 1 TB of data stolen

State officials have since been urging Rhode Islanders to take steps to protect themselves, such as changing and strengthening their passwords.

Below are five key steps to take, according to McKees office:

1. Freeze your credit

You can do so by contacting credit bureaus:

Equifax: 1-888-298-0045

Experian: 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

2. Order a free credit report

McKees office says you should request one from the above reporting agencies, and you can also access a free credit report online.

Request a free credit report

3. Place a fraud alert on your files

If youre unsure how to do this, you can ask one of the credit bureaus for help, according to McKees office.

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This is free, and it lets creditors know to contact you before any new accounts can be opened in your name, McKees office added.

4. Use multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor, or two-factor, authentication makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your accounts by requiring a verification code when you log in.

You should also not only change, but strengthen your passwords. While complex passwords are good, experts say the longer the a password is, the better.

5. Be aware

McKees office warned to never share passwords and personal information like birthdays and Social Security numbers through an unsolicited call, text or email. Legitimate companies will not request information that way.

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RELATED: Deloitte hit with class action lawsuits over RIBridges cyberattack

The state is working with several agencies to conduct outreach and make sure Rhode Island residents, specifically older adults, know what they need to do to protect themselves.

Officials said theyre increasing staffing at the call center in an effort to reduce wait times, and the R.I. Department of Human Services has extended its office hours in Providence and Pawtucket to 47 p.m. on Dec. 17, 18 and 19.

What about my health insurance?

HealthSource RI (HSRI) Director Lindsay Lang said existing 2024 coverage is not affected by the breach, so customers can still access their health insurance for appointments and prescriptions.

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The open enrollment period for 2025 runs through Jan. 31. Those who enrolled and paid by Dec. 12 are all set for next year, according to Lang.

Anyone who needs to make a payment for 2025 coverage can do so in person or over the phone at 1-855-840-4774, since those transactions are processed by a separate vendor. Theres a 24-hour dropbox available at 401 Wampanoag Trail in East Providence, and payments can also be made at standalone CVS locations. (Those located inside stores like Target are excluded.)

As for those who still need to sign up for 2025 coverage, there are steps you can take to prepare for when the system comes back online. Lang said HSRI staff can review the different plan options and answer questions about cost, eligibility and the application process.

The HSRI system for employers is secure and up and running, Lang said. However, since it was hosted on RIBridges until 2019, Deloitte is trying to figure out if there are any impacts from the breach. Anyone who is affected will get notified by mail.

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Unemployment and temporary disability insurance (TDI) benefits are not affected, according to Lang.

Assisting the elderly

Officials said theyre working with senior centers and other trusted community partners to get the word out to older adults and provide any help they may need.

Anyone with questions can call the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at (401) 462-4444.

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Three people were killed, including the suspect, and multiple others were injured when a student opened fire inside Abundant Life Christian School late Monday morning, according to police in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Madison Police Department said the death toll of five people, which was widely reported Monday, was "erroneously" shared by police during the media briefing.

1:40 p.m. update

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said officers responded to an active shooter call at the school at 10:57 a.m. and arrived to find the suspected shooter, who was a student, dead at the scene.

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"At this time, three people have died as a result of the shooting, including the suspect," the Madison Police Department shared. "At least seven others are [injured]. Their injuries range from minor to life-threatening."

Courtesy of KARE 11.

No further information regarding the suspect or victims was immediately available Monday.

Abundant Life Christian School is a private, nonprofit K-12 institution founded in 1978, according to the school's website.

"Minnesota is praying for our neighbors in Wisconsin as America once again mourns the loss of innocent, young lives at the hands of gun violence," Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shared in a statement. "Gun violence should not be a fact of life for children in our country."

Abundant Life Christian School at 4901 East Buckeye Road in Madison, WI. Photo courtesy of Google Streetview.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
The motive for Monday's shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., that left three people  including the shooter  dead was believed to be a "combination of factors," according to police.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said authorities were investigating what prompted a 15-year-old student, identified as Natalie Rupnow or "Samantha," to open fire at the private Christian academy.

Barnes did not provide more details on a possible motive but said police were taking a look at the shooter's online history. "There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred," he told reporters on Tuesday, adding that people contacted police about the shooter's "social media activity prior" to Monday's shooting.

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He asked that anyone with information on the shooter, or anyone "who may have insights into her feelings leading up to" the shooting, to contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers.

Six other people were injured in the shooting. Two students remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump said he has a warm spot in his heart for TikTok when asked about the ban set to take effect next month.

During remarks at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, President-elect Trump appeared interested in saving the popular social media app.

Well take a look at TikTok, he said. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok.

Trump claimed he won the youth vote by 34 points and that TikTok may have been part of the reason.

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Trumps comments on TikTok come following a ruling earlier this month in which a federal appeals court left in place a law requiring China-based parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States.

If TikTok is not sold, then the app will be forced to shut down in the U.S. as soon as Jan.19, just one day before Trumps inauguration.

Trump has previously promised to save TikTok, though he has not provided any further details on how he would do so.

President Joe Biden signed the statute into the law earlier this year after concerns TikTok could pose a national security risk. However, TikTok has denied those claims.

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Monday was the first time Trump has addressed reporters since winning the election last month. He spoke for over an hour and covered a wide range of topics, including a deal with SoftBank.

Trump announced that the Japanese company plans to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects during his time in office. Trump said the deal would create 100,000 American jobs at a minimum.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Drones are the talk of the town at Logan Airport after two men were arrested for flying one dangerously close to the airport over the weekend.

The 14th one tonight: Mysterious drone sightings surge in Mass. amid growing calls for answers

The drone sighting came as several have been spotted on the east coast of the country without any explanation of where theyre coming from.

I dont know if its real or if its a threat at all, maybe its a distraction from some other things that have been going on, said Bryce Davis, who flew into Logan Airport Monday morning from Jacksonville.

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Boston police said on Saturday afternoon that an officer was able to identify the drone at the airport and locate the operators position on Long Island, one of the Boston Harbor islands.

Police said the Harbor Patrol Unit went to the island because of the proximity to Logan Airport and located three people in the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus.

They ran and only two out of the three were caught.

Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown, and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik, of Bridgewater, were arrested and charged with trespassing. Additional charges are expected.

Police said they found a drone in Duffys backpack.

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Boston 25 security analyst Dan Linskey said the circumstances of that drone occurrence appear to be different from whats happening in other areas.

He suspects a classified operation is underway that we may never know the nature of.

Whoever is conducting these operations for our safety and security will probably not report on it publicly because they need to keep this secret and make sure our technology is on cutting edge and ready to, prepared to defend ourselves if we need to deploy it overseas, Linskey explained.

Linskey added that if the drones were of concern, theyd likely be intercepted.

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Ill be looking for them though while were here the next few days, Davis added. Im excited to see one honestly.

Another traveler, Willard Warwick added, Id be more excited if it was aliens, thatd be fun.

Boston 25 reached out to lawmakers in Congress, but it appears they have not been briefed on the drone situation yet.

Boston police are still searching for the third suspect responsible for flying a drone at Logan Airport from Long Island.

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WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI)  A number of local law enforcement agencies in Jefferson County came together to spread some spread some holiday cheer.

Agencies like the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, New York State Police and Watertown Police Department were some of the law enforcement groups that participated in the event.

Apply for help with heating bills with NY HEAP

A total of 58 young shoppers were able to shop with officers to make their holidays bright.

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A number of local businesses, organizations and people also made donations to make the event possible.

The event has been going on since 2003 and has helped kids get presents.

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(Courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriffs Office)

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PROVO, Utah (ABC4)  Carp are no longer welcome at the Utah Lake.

To help remove the fish, Utah is offering a $5,000 grand prize and several monthly prizes as part of a year-long Great Carp Hunt contest.

The carp have been around in Utah Lake since the 1880s, according to Utah Lake officials. They were introduced as a way to replace the dwindling number of native fish and to provide locals with a popular food item. However, the carps aggressive foraging habits have destroyed the pondweed on the surface and lake floor plant life.

Over the years, various government agencies have worked to remove the carp through seining and semi-automated traps. Now teams of up to five anglers can compete for prizes to help remove carp from the Utah Lake.

How a Utah man found trouble with the law when trying to simply return a defective TV

We see this as a fun way for people to help remove a non-native species that has made negative impacts on the lake and the native fish, said Luke Peterson, Executive Director of the Utah Lake Authority. Since 2009, as much as 75 percent of carp have been removed and the native species, like the threatened June Sucker, are starting to come back but we still have a lot of work to do.

The Great Carp Hunt will reportedly have monthly two-day events, which will typically be held on the last weekend of each month, starting in January and through to November.

Teams will go out during event hours and catch as many carp as they can. Each team will be competing for monthly and annual prizes for categories such as most fish caught, longest carp caught, heaviest carp caught, and smallest carp caught, among others.

The year-long contest is open to fishers of all ages but does carry a yet-to-be-determined registration fee. Teams can register online at utahlake.gov/the-great-carp-hunt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Malaria killed almost 600,000 people in 2023, as cases rose for the fifth consecutive year, according to a new report from the World Health Organization.

Biological threats such as rising resistance to drugs and insecticides, and climate and humanitarian disasters continue to hamper control efforts, world health leaders warned.

Globally, there were 263 million cases last year, 11 million more than the previous year. The vast majority (94 percent) occurred in Africa.

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Officials said a $4.3 billion annual funding shortfall was among further challenges, which also include the spread of a new insecticide-resistant species of mosquito, genetic mutations in the malaria parasite that stop tests working, and the emergence of a new type of malaria parasite in Southeast Asia.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said: No one should die of malaria. Yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women.

There was now an expanded package of life-saving tools that protected against the disease, he said, but a need for more investment and action in the African countries with the highest rates.

About $4 billion went into fighting malaria globally last year, less than half of the $8.3 billion that official control plans consider necessary. That has meant gaps in the provision of tools such as medicines and insecticide-treated bed nets, with the most vulnerable groups often missing out, said the report.

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Only half of those at risk of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa slept under insecticide-treated nets, and only 45 percent of pregnant women in the region had the recommended three doses of preventive malaria therapy. About 80 million people in countries where malaria is found are refugees or internally displaced, making it harder for them to access prevention and treatment services.

Meanwhile, the climate crisis is increasing rates of extreme weather events that cause flooding, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and disrupting access to healthcare in countries such as Pakistan and Madagascar, the report said.

Earlier this month British health officials warned that they were seeing rising numbers of malaria cases in travelers returning to the U.K. In 2023, there were 2,106 cases of imported malaria, up 26 percent on the 1,555 reported in 2022. Six people died from the illness. Provisional figures recorded 753 cases in the first half of 2024.

A separate report published last month by the Malaria Atlas Project and Boston Consulting Group, with funding from the Gates Foundation, predicts that Africa will see more than 550,000 additional deaths from malaria in Africa between 2030 and 2049 due to extreme weather events such as floods and cyclones.

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Resistance to drugs that have been the gold-standard treatment for malaria is spreading, the report said, and mosquitoes are increasingly resistant to the insecticides used to treat bed nets.

However, the report included grounds for optimism, including the introduction in 17 countries so far of malaria vaccines for young children that have cut death rates by 13 percent. And the development of new bed nets made more effective by using more than one type of insecticide to combat resistance accounted for 78 percent of nets delivered to sub-Saharan Africa last year.

The WHO has certified 44 countries and one territory to be free of malaria, including Egypt in October. There are 83 countries where malaria is considered endemic and 25 of those now report fewer than 10 cases a year.

Kat Lay, The Guardian

ALSO ON YALE E360

In Warming World, Global Heat Deaths Are Grossly Undercounted
By Risako Nakanishi, KYODO NEWS - Dec 16, 2024 - 14:45 | All, Japan

A Cambodian technical trainee on Monday filed a damages suit against a manager at a strawberry farm north of Tokyo, alleging multiple instances of rape over a five-month period that led to pregnancy and an abortion.

The 23-year-old woman is seeking about 80 million yen ($520,000) in damages from the 58-year-old manager at the farm in Tochigi Prefecture, according to a complaint filed with the Tokyo District Court.

The woman, who began working at the farm in July 2022, claims she was sexually assaulted by the manager "almost every day" from December 2022 through April 2023 and was threatened by him with being sent back to her country if she refused, it said.

After finding out she was pregnant in January 2023, she was forced to undergo an abortion without being given a sufficient explanation in her mother tongue, and the assaults allegedly continued even after the abortion.

"It is a serious abuse of human rights, taking advantage of the vulnerable position of a trainee," her lawyer Kazuko Ito said, noting that the trainee was burdened with debt from expenses incurred to enter Japan -- a common situation for technical interns.

The man told Kyodo News on Sunday that the sexual acts were consensual and denied making any threats to her.

The woman sought protection and was given shelter by a labor union in Gifu Prefecture in April 2023 and later resumed work as a trainee in a different prefecture, but she was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder in June this year.

She filed a complaint with the Tochigi prefectural police in 2023 over the allegations, and the case was referred to prosecutors in December of that year, an investigative source said. However, the police included an opinion recommending against indictment, citing insufficient evidence.

"I believe that the laws in Japan will bring justice to a person in a weak position like me," the woman said in a statement.

Two other Cambodian women who were working at the strawberry farm during the same period have also joined the lawsuit against the manager, claiming he fondled their breasts and buttocks.

The three trainees also sought payment of unpaid wages in the suit.

Japan's technical internship program, introduced in 1993 to transfer skills to developing countries, has long been criticized as a cover for importing low-cost labor amid a shrinking working-age population. Many trainees have fled due to abusive treatment, including unpaid wages and harassment.

Japan revised in November its guidelines for the program to enable trainees to switch workplaces more easily by clearly stating job transfers are allowed if interns are abused or sexually harassed or there has been a malicious violation of laws and regulations.

Related coverage:

Cambodian trainee to sue farm manager in Japan over repeated rapes

Japan police bust "village" of overstaying Vietnamese

Japan revises foreign trainee rules to allow job transfers over abuse
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP)  Several fire departments were sent to a third-alarm house fire on Tennyson Drive in Longmeadow Sunday morning.

Longmeadow Fire postpones 4th annual Santa Run

According to Longmeadow Fire Chief John Rigney, upon arrival, crews found that the fire had spread through the walls and attic, and was intensifying.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control, but the home was deemed a total loss.

Both the Longmeadow Fire Department and the State Fire Marshals Office are investigating the cause of the fire.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Dec. 15Ashley Borough burgess  today's district magisterial judges  Walter Grey Gryskewicz was built like a linebacker.

Standing at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 225 pounds, the 28-year-old had already served as a state representative, Ashley councilman and the borough's judge when he was drafted into the U.S. Army midway through World War II.

News of his death in battle was announced on the first page of the Wilkes-Barre Record on Dec. 19, 1944.

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"Pvt. Walter Grey Gryskewicz, burgess of Ashley for the past six years and former representative from the 2nd Legislative District, was killed in action in Germany on Dec. 5, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Della Gryskewicz," the Record reported.

Gryskewicz, a private, was assigned to the U.S. Army's 1340th Engineer Combat Battalion when he was killed during the Battle of the Bulge.

Gryskewicz spent his entire life in Ashley, where he was born Dec. 17, 1911. While living at 91 Carey St. in Carey's Patch, Gryskewicz married another Ashley native, Della Vichulis, in 1934. They had three children early in their marriage.

Gryskewicz worked as a police officer for the Jersey Central Railroad with duties to patrol the Ashley planes in the mid-1930s at the time. He also served on Ashley council.

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While serving on Ashley's council, Gryskewicz was elected as the borough's burgess in 1937 and continued to hold the title of burgess as he campaigned for state representative in the 2nd Legislative District in 1940.

"Probably the biggest upset of the legislative fights in yesterday's primary was the victory of Walter Gryskewicz, burgess of Ashley for the Democratic nomination," the Record reported April 24, 1940.

Gryskewicz unseated the incumbent, state Rep. John C. Bohn, by 520 votes, in the 1940 primary election.

In the 1940 General Election, Gryskewicz defeated Republican candidate Peter Wolfe of Hanover Township to win the state representative seat.

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However, Gryskewicz only served one two-year term as he was defeated for reelection in the 1942 election.

With World War II raging, Gryskewicz was one of 47 men from the Wyoming Valley drafted in August 1943, being assigned to the U.S. Army.

"Burgess Walter G. Gryskewicz, 91 Carey St., aged 34 and married and the father of three children, is among the local Ashley group of young men who passed the physical examinations and will leave for New Cumberland with the contingent for training on Oct. 12," reported the Evening News on Set. 24, 1943.

Two Luzerne County judges appointed Gryskewicz's wife, Della, to fill the burgess seat in Ashley on Dec. 14, 1944.

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When Della Gryskewicz was appointed, her husband had been killed during the Battle of the Bulge. She was notified of her husband's death by a telegram from the U.S. War Department on Dec. 18, 1944.

Gryskewicz was buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.

Della Gryskewicz died in a Pittsburgh hospital on Sept. 4, 2011. She was 89 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Hanover Township.
BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH)  Lake Compounce is ready for the holidays!

Southern New Englands only theme park holiday event, Holiday Lights, features Connecticuts tallest Christmas Tree, more than 500,000 lights and a chance to meet Santa.

LIST: 2024 holiday light displays across Connecticut

Meg Forno, the marketing director for Lake Compounce, joins News 8s Brittany Taylor on Good Morning Connecticut to talk about what activities families can enjoy this holiday season.

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Click here to learn more about Holiday Lights.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Editors Note: This article was originally published by The Art Newspaper, an editorial partner of CNN Style.

Lorraine OGrady, an indefatigable conceptual artist whose work critiqued definitions of identity, died in New York on Friday aged 90. Her gallery, Mariane Ibrahim, confirmed her death via email, adding that it was due to natural causes.

OGrady became an artist comparatively late in life, when she was in her early 40s, and then worked for another two decades in relative obscurity before her work started coming to widespread attention in the early 2000s. She was included in the landmark 2007 exhibition WACK!: Art and the Feminist Revolution at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the 2010 Whitney Biennial in New York. In 2021, the Brooklyn Museum hosted a major retrospective, Lorraine OGrady: Both/And. For the occasion the artist, then in her late 80s, debuted a new performance art persona that involved her donning a full suit of armor.

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I thought that when I had the retrospective, there would be this great big moment when I would go into the galleries and see all of my work at the same time, in the same place, and have this big Aha! she told New York Magazine in 2021. The engagement of the audience, which involves a back-and-forth of question-and-answer, is the thing that was missing.

Lorraine O'Grady, Announcement Card 1 (Banana-Palm with Lance), 2020 - Courtesy Lorraine OGrady Trust

Performance and back-and-forth questioning with an audience are hallmarks of the three projects OGrady is arguably best known for  two under her own name, the other as a member of the anonymous feminist collective the Guerrilla Girls. In 1980, she premiered her most famous performance persona, Mlle Bourgeoise Noire, a figure clad in a dress made from 180 pairs of white gloves, during an opening at Just Above Midtown, a non-profit gallery championing Black artists work. After handing out white chrysanthemums to those in attendance, she slipped on a pair of white gloves, whipped herself with a white cat-o-nine-tails and, before leaving, shouted a poem that ended: Black art must take more risks!!! (She would reprise the role the following year during an opening at the New Museum in New York for an exhibition that she had not been invited to show in, though she had been asked to participate in its education programming.)

Lorraine O'Grady, Mlle Bourgeoise Noire Goes to the New Museum, 1981/2007. - Courtesy Lorraine OGrady Trust

Then, in 1983, she entered a float into the annual African American Day Parade in Harlem. It featured a large, gilded and empty frame, and was accompanied by a troupe of 15 Black performers hired by OGrady. Each one carried their own frame, holding them up in front of spectators lining the parade route, other performers and even  in one indelible image of OGrady wielding her frame  a New York Police Department officer. Images from that project, Art Is entered the wider lexicon of visual culture as OGradys career gained momentum in recent decades. In late 2020, a video released by the Biden-Harris campaign celebrating its election victory reinterpreted the piece, with OGradys blessing.

Boston beginnings

The child of Jamaican immigrants, OGrady was born in Boston on September 21, 1934. Her identity was shaped both by her Caribbean heritage and her familys anomalous class position. Her parents had been upper- and middle-class in Jamaica, but were confined to working-class jobs after they moved to the US. She did not fit naturally with either the predominantly White working-class community in Bostons Back Bay, where she spent most of her childhood, or with Bostons upper-middle-class African American elite.

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I always felt that nobody knew my story, but if there wasnt room for my story, then it wasnt my problem, she told New York Magazine. It was theirs.

Lorraine O'Grady, Art Is. . . (Girlfriends Times Two), 1983/2009. - Courtesy Lorraine OGrady Trust

Before finding art, OGrady tried many pursuits and careers, first opting to study Spanish literature at Wellesley College before changing tracks to study economics. After graduating she briefly worked for the Department of Labor before becoming a fiction writer. She enrolled in the Iowa Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa, but never finished her studies there. She moved to Chicago and worked for a translation agency before starting her own, completing projects for clients including Encyclopedia Britannica and Playboy. In the early 1970s she moved to New York City and became a rock music critic, writing for The Village Voice and Rolling Stone.

In the mid-1970s she started teaching literature at the School of Visual Art in New York. While cutting up an edition of The New York Times to make a gift, she began collaging together fragments of texts. These collages would become her first series, Cutting Out the New York Times.

The problem I always had was that no matter who I was with or what I did, I got bored pretty quickly, OGrady told New York Magazine. This was something I knew I would never get bored with, because how can I get bored? I would always be learning, and I would never, ever master it. That was part of the appeal.

Lorraine O'Grady, Cutting Out CONYT 04, 1977/2017. - Courtesy Lorraine OGrady Trust

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After that, though she continued to write  a book of her collected writings, edited by the scholar and critic Aruna DSouza, was published by Duke University Press in 2020  art-making became OGradys primary activity. She also taught new generations of artists, taking on a full-time job at the University of California, Irvine, in the early 2000s.

I dont think the average person who becomes an artist starts off thinking of it as anything other than self-expression, OGrady told the Brooklyn Rail in 2016. That gets educated out of them gradually. Self-expression is something that gets tamped down in graduate school in particular  teaching at UC Irvine, I watched people struggling against that, against having to learn how to fit into the market. I dont know that the nature of art itself has changed; I do think the idea of an art career has changed.

Lorraine O'Grady, Rivers, First Draft: The Nantucket Memorial guides the Woman in Red to the other side of the stream, 1982/2015. - Courtesy Lorraine OGrady Trust

Defying the conventional ideas of an art career until the end, OGrady had been busier than ever in recent years. Last year she left her longtime dealer Alexander Gray to join Mariane Ibrahim, a Chicago-based gallery with locations in Mexico City and Paris. At the time of her death, she was working on her first solo show with the gallery, at its French space, scheduled for spring 2025.

Lorraine OGrady was a force to be reckoned with, Ibrahim said in a statement. Lorraine refused to be labeled or limited, embracing the multiplicity of history that reflected her identity and lifes journey. Lorraine paved a path for artists and women artists of color, to forge critical and confident pathways between art and forms of writing.

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This past April, OGrady won a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship, which was to support a new performance art piece reviving an old character from her past work. And while the reception for her art changed drastically over the years, the work itself maintained an intellectual rigor, criticality and playfulness that spanned her performances, collages, photographic diptychs and series, writings and more.

Im old-fashioned. I think arts first goal is to remind us that we are human, whatever that is, she told the Brooklyn Rail. I suppose the politics in my art could be to remind us that we are all human. Art doesnt change that much, actually. Ive read lots of poetry from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome and they talk about the same things poets do today. Is anyone more down and dirty and at the same time more introspective than Catullus?

Read more stories from The Art Newspaper here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  K-3 reading proficiency in Louisiana improved slightly this year, according to the Louisiana Department of Educations 2024 Fall Reading Report.

The report shows that reading proficiency increased by 2.3% overall compared to Fall 2023. The literacy screener, administered three times annually, provided the data at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year.

By grade level:

First graders showed the largest improvement, rising 4 percentage points to a proficiency rate of 49.9% .

Second graders improved by 3.8 percentage points to 54.5% .

Third graders saw a 2.4 percentage point gain, reaching 54% proficiency.

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In contrast, students entering kindergarten saw a 1.1 percentage point decline, with 28.4% testing proficient. However, the report also noted cohort growth, with the 2023 kindergarten class improving by 20.4 percentage points as first graders in 2024.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley said, Louisiana students are benefitting from quality instruction, sound policy, and a return to basic fundamentals like phonics. Were seeing encouraging growth and must take advantage of this opportunity to continue aligning our state around what we know is best for students and teachers.

Students in third grade must score above the Well Below category on the end-of-year literacy screener to be promoted to fourth grade. Students will have up to three opportunities to meet this requirement: the initial screener in April, a retest in May, and a final chance after summer learning.

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, literacy screener results will be incorporated into school performance scores.

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Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education re-elects president

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Deputies and loved ones are asking for the communitys help in searching for an at-risk man who was last seen on Dec. 13 in El Monte.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department describes Derek Ceasar Elizondo as a 35-year-old Hispanic male who stands 5 feet and 8 inches tall and weighs about 175 lbs.

According to LASD, Elizondo, who is a resident of Los Angeles County, was last seen around 1:30 p.m. on Friday near the 10000 block of Railroad Street, wearing a black jacket, brown shirt, black pants and black shoes.

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Other visual descriptions of the missing person included that he has black hair and brown eyes.

Derek Ceasar Elizondo, seen here in a photo from Dec. 28, 2021, has been reported missing since Dec. 13, 2024. (LASD)

Elizondos family members are worried for his well-being, sharing that he suffers from what was only described as a mental disorder, and that he requires daily medication.

Officials encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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ILLINOIS  Only about 37.6 percent of kids in Illinois have gotten seasonal influenza vaccinations, a worrisome national trend among health officials after a record 205 U.S. children  and likely many times more  died of the flu last year.

As of Nov. 30, just over a third (37 percent) of U.S. kids 17 and younger had gotten flu shots, compared with 43 percent at the same time last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Illinois, 45.5 percent of children had gotten flu shots by this time in 2023. The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone 6 months of age or older. Flu can be more dangerous than a common cold for children under 5, and especially so for kids under 2.

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The CDC expects hospitalizations for flu and COVID-19 to start increasing in the coming weeks, and says vaccinations are the best way to avoid severe illnesses. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to take full effect.

Seasonal influenza rates are ticking up but remain low nationally, according to the CDCs latest surveillance data.

Activity is low in Illinois as of the week ending Dec. 7. However, public health officials expect viral activity to increase with the holiday season and its increased indoor gatherings, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

I am pleased to report that the overall respiratory illness level in Illinois remains low, Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a department news release. However, as the weather begins to get much colder throughout Illinois, we anticipate that these levels will increase in the weeks to come. If you havent yet received updated vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and RSV, if you are eligible, now is the perfect time to schedule these shots."

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"It takes about two weeks for vaccinations to provide their full level of protection, and getting your shot this week will help protect you and your loved ones before we all gather to celebrate the holidays. Vaccines are especially important if you are over 65, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions.

The CDC said that while 200 pediatric deaths were confirmed for the 2023-24 influenza season, as many as 724 children may have died of the flu. Not all children who die are tested for the flu, according to the government health agency.



Health officials said the low vaccination rates  only about 55 percent of kids ended up getting their shots last year  and an exceptionally long flu season combined to make it a particularly deadly one for children.

With adults included, about 28,000 people died from the flu during the 2023-24 season. Flu vaccination rates among adults ticked up the first year of the pandemic, but have since declined. The last time vaccine coverage was this low among adults was the 2017-18 season, according to the CDC.

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State health officials are also warning of a significant increase in whooping cough  or pertussis  cases this year. The largest monthly total in 20 years was recorded in October when 408 cases were reported, more than double the number in October 2023. According to preliminary data, the state has recorded more than 1,900 confirmed and probable cases of pertussis in Illinois in the year to date, the highest number since 2012.

The post-pandemic rise in pertussis cases is a cause for concern and IDPH is monitoring this increase closely throughout the State," Vohra said in the news release. "Please speak with your healthcare provider to ensure that you and your children are up to date on your pertussis vaccinations (DTap for children under 7 or Tdap for older children and adults).

Low Flu Vaccination Rates Among IL Children Worry Experts originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
Many ag conservation projects in the Lower Boise River area are irrigation conversion projects  changing from flood to pivot irrigation, saving water, labor and improving water quality. (Stan Haye/Canyon Soil Conservation District)

This story was first published in the Conservation the Idaho Way newsletter.

When the Lower Boise Watershed Council first set goals for improving water quality in the Lower Boise River in the 2000s, the challenge seemed profoundly daunting for all concerned.

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At the time, the Lower Boise River did not meet state or federal water quality standards for temperature, sediment, phosphorous and bacteria. Municipal wastewater treatment plants from Boise, Nampa, Meridian and other cities were all discharging increasing amounts of Class A treated water to the Boise River due to population growth. Agricultural return flows, drains and river-side livestock operations caused the Lower Boise to run chocolate brown below Caldwell and Middleton, carrying heavy loads of sediment and phosphorous into the river.

Water quality standards initially developed through Total Maximum Daily Load baseline plans created by the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in 2003 and 2009 projected it would take 140 years to reach recommended water quality standards just for total phosphorous, for example.

I didnt ever think Id see the light at the end of the tunnel, said Dan Steenson, an attorney for Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District who has served agricultural interests on the Lower Boise Watershed Council for more than 20 years.

Lower Boise farmers and ranchers were not required to make immediate improvements from a legal and regulatory standpoint, but as an attorney, Steenson knew that the ag producers could be vulnerable to a lawsuit under the Clean Water Act . So in 2009, he rolled up his sleeves to work together with the members of the Lower Boise Watershed Council, the cities, the Canyon Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Idaho Legislature to beef-up funding for ag-based conservation projects in the area.

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My thought was our best defense would be to create a good offense with more funding for the implementation of conservation projects in the Lower Boise River watershed, Steenson said. Participation is voluntary for ag groups, but the cities were spending hundreds of millions of dollars to make water quality improvements, and it made sense for us to do what we could to make improvements.

Today, we can show that ag has stepped up, and there have been significant reductions in sediment and phosphorous levels in the Lower Boise River.

This is a big picture view of ag best management practice projects implemented in the Lower Boise Watershed. Green pins

indicate the use of no-till drills in fields; yellow pins refer to pivot or drip irrigation projects. (Courtesy DEQ 2024 Lower Boise TMDL Implementation Plan)

USGS data show water quality improvements, less phosphorus since 2009

Indeed, recent U.S. Geological Survey data included in a 2024 report on the Lower Boise River water quality from the Lower Boise Watershed Council and Idaho DEQ show a strong trendline of substantial water quality improvements since 2009.

On the ag side, approximately 60 conservation projects have been implemented on Lower Boise River farms and ranches with more than $10 million invested to treat 18,600 acres of land, reducing sediment by 25,500 tons per year and total phosphorous loads of 53,770 pounds per year, according to the 2024 Lower Boise River Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan, authored by the Lower Boise Watershed Council and Idaho DEQ.

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Many of those improvements have been made via converting flood-irrigated lands to more efficient pivot irrigation systems and installing livestock best management practices such as riparian fencing or off-stream water troughs. In addition, theres also been a major increase in no-till, direct-seed farming in the lower Boise River area.

Over the last 10 years, the implementation of ag best management practices on farms, including pivots, has reduced total phosphorous levels by 92,896 pounds, a savings of 9,290 pounds per year.

Urbanization is playing a big role, too.

The growth of subdivisions in the Lower Boise area is playing a big factor in reducing sediment and phosphorous loads. Farms converted to subdivisions over the last 10 years have taken about 36,000 acres of land out of production, resulting in a reduction of 216,828 pounds of total phosphorous, according to the Lower Boise DEQ report. Combined, best management practices projects and urbanization have resulted in a total phosphorous reduction of 412,392 pounds per year in the Lower Boise River over the last 10 years.

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Now Steenson can see the light at the end of the tunnel. With continued implementation of our water-quality improvement projects and urbanization, were seeing that we could reach our total phosphorous goals within a 30 year period, he said.

The Lower Boise Watershed Council, combining their efforts with the Canyon Soil and Conservation District to improve water quality on ag lands, operate like a well-oiled machine  the council wins a steady stream funding for conservation projects, the Canyon district has a roster of landowners ready to step up and implement projects. The Canyon district has seasoned conservation professionals on staff to plan and implement projects with the landowners.

I think theyre making really good headway, and I think we all are, said Jeff Barnes, Director of Water Resources for the city of Nampa and secretary of the Lower Boise Watershed Council. The funding that they have secured for ag conservation projects is super helpful in directly helping farmers and ranchers in basin.

Everybodys chipping in, and its going to lead to a healthier river.

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Short- and long-range plans for the Lower Boise Watershed identify the highest-priority areas for treatment by sub-watershed. The U.S. Geological Survey has set up additional water-quality monitoring stations to track progress.

Stan Haye, a soil conservation technician for Canyon Soil and Conservation District, has a strong working knowledge of which state and federal funding programs will work best for producers, having worked with and for farmers, canal companies and the Natural Resources Conservation Services in the past. He stays busy working with landowners to implement a steady stream of new conservation projects.

Its been fun for me, Im really enjoying it, Haye says. I really like working with farmers to install soil and water conservation projects at the ground level. We have a good relationship with our ag partners, and they get me new producers all the time who are interested in making improvements on their farms.

Funding for Idaho conservation work

The Lower Boise Watershed Council has been tapping into several key funding sources for the on-farm conservation work, beginning with Section 319 grant projects funded by the Environmental Protection Agency/Idaho DEQ, the Commissions Water Quality Program for Agriculture grant program, and NRCS EQIP funding.

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During the Recession in 2009-2012, the Commissions Water Quality Program funding was suspended. In the meantime, Steenson worked with water users to create the State Agriculture best management practices grant fund, administered by Idaho DEQ. The Water Quality Program for Agriculture grant program was restored in 2021-2024.

Since 2009, the Lower Boise Watershed Council has had a consistent flow of grant money to use for ag conservation projects, partnering with farmers to make improvements, Steenson said. Knowing that we can count on consistent funding, its easier to plan and implement projects in partnership with the Canyon Soil and Water Conservation District. Theyve got great connections with farmers and ranchers who are ready to implement projects.

Recent water quality projects

Jeff Johnson, a Canyon County cattle rancher, recently completed a conservation project that converts a flood irrigation system to three pivots, utilizing funds from the Water Quality Program for Agriculture, Lower Boise Watershed Council, and the landowner. The project also involves installing a new pumping station with a Variable Frequency Drive technology for water-efficiency, a water-control structure and filtering systems.

Johnson is converting an open-ditch irrigation system to 1,750 feet of buried pipelines for additional water savings. Converting to buried pipelines from open ditches further exemplifies water savings of the water supply by yielding no loss at all, Haye said.

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The project location is directly adjacent to the lower Boise River. The goal of this project will be not only to improve the water use efficiency of the landowners operation but make a considerable impact in reducing the amount of sediment and nutrients from running into the lower Boise River, he said.

The project also will improve operations and crop yield on the 136-acre farm. By converting to sprinkler irrigation through center pivots, the water savings is estimated to be one to two acre-feet per acre, while crop production will increase between 12 and 20 percent, depending on the crop.

The benefits analysis indicates that pre-project, the sediment loading was 4 tons per acre. By converting the 136-acre farm parcel to sprinkler irrigation will prevent 551 tons of sediment, 1,100 pounds of phosphorus, and 1,763 pounds of nitrogen from flowing into the Boise River each year.

While the water quality improvements are significant, Haye said the big incentives for producers to convert to pivot irrigation are reduced labor costs, water efficiencies and often times, increased crop yields.

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Chris Gross drip irrigation project

Chris Gross raises mint, as well as wheat, beans, carrot seed, teff and popcorn seed on her farm in Canyon County near Wilder. With a Water Quality Program for Agriculture grant, she wanted to explore installing a drip-irrigation system on two fields that were previously flood-irrigated.

The $290,000 project received funds from Water Quality Program for Agriculture, the Mint Research Industry Council, AM Todd (Mint Buyer), and Gross to convert two separate parcels, one 48 acres, and another 30 acres (approximately one mile apart), from flood-irrigated cropland to a drip-tape irrigation system.

This is a drip irrigation system being installed on a mint field at the Chris Gross farm in Canyon County. (Courtesy of Stan Haye)

The new irrigation system includes a buried mainline at both field locations that converts a concrete/open ditch conveyance system to a buried pipeline.

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This was really more of an experimental project to see how it worked with raising the mint crop. Its very labor-intensive, Gross said. We see it as a pilot project that others could learn from.

The time and cost of installing the drip tape system in the fields was too high to justify normally, she said, because the income from the mint crop wouldnt cover the cost.

But there were water savings and water quality benefits to the Lower Boise River from converting to the drip system. The project reduced sediment by 226 tons/year, nitrogen by 361 pounds/year and phosphorous by 723 pounds/year, the grant report said.

No-till farming on the rise

The Canyon Soil Conservation District has three no-till direct-seed drills that are available for rent in the Lower Boise area and beyond  a 6-foot drill, a 12-foot drill and a 15-foot drill. A map of no-till projects shows that the practice is becoming more widespread.

We have dairies that are seeding triticale behind the corn crop to keep a cover on the soil, Haye said. We also have producers who are seeding triticale following a wheat crop. Some landowners with cattle are seeding cover crops following wheat harvest, and then grazing the cover crop. And some are drilling in alfalfa.

Jeff Johnson is one cattle producer in the Lower Boise who is grazing cattle on cover crops. He said that is working well on some hilly cropland he has near Parma. It helps with holding the soil in place, he said.

Flood Control District #10 bank repairs

Boise River Flood Control District #10 is another partner in the Lower Boise River Watershed Council. It gets funds through the Idaho Water Resource Boards Flood Management Grant Program for a variety of projects that reduce sediment via streambank repairs on the Lower Boise River.

Flood #10 has two projects on tap for the winter of 2024-25 in the Middleton area that will address streambank erosion with a series of bank barbs and rock rip rap to deflect the force of the main current of the river away from the streambank. One project will address streambank erosion on 80 feet of the river on the Mulchay property with two bank barbs and some gravel removal; a second project will address 280 feet of eroding riverbank with three bank barbs and some gravel removal.

Boise River Flood Control District #10 recently completed a $350,000 flood management project on the Boise River near Middleton to enhance river flow and prevent bank erosion on private property. Half of the projects cost was funded by a $175,000 flood management grant from the Idaho Water Resource Board.

Contractors for Flood #10 recently finished in-stream and riverbank-restoration work, including the integration of willows and riparian vegetation for bank stability. They also removed approximately 48,000 cubic yards of gravel in a -mile section of the Boise River.

How is the water quality now?

A graphic from the 2024 Implementation Plan shows water-quality trends for the main Boise River and its tributaries. For the main-stem Lower Boise River, the trends for most non-point sources are improving (shown in blue); the same is true for most of the tributaries.

This chart highlights agriculture projects in Lower Boise sub-watersheds and expected reductions in sediment and total phosphorous.

(Courtesy of the 2024 TMDL Implementation Plan)

It takes a team effort to improve water quality in the watershed, Barnes noted.

The Lower Boise Watershed Council is a great group of people working together toward a common goal. What Ive noticed is that we have really good communication between all of the groups and agencies involved on the Council. In my experience, thats extremely rare.

Steve Stuebner writes for Conservation the Idaho Way on a regular basis.

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AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Texas will buy any pieces of border wall that are being auctioned off in Arizona and donate it to the incoming Trump administration if it makes economic sense.

Patrick posted to his X account on Friday that the Texas Facilities Commission, the agency in charge of building the Texas border wall, had reviewed parts of the Arizona border wall that were being auctioned off on an auction site that specializes in government surplus, Gov Planet.

The TFC said the materials up for sale were mostly junk, with most panels covered in concrete and rust. There were a few panels that might be usable but not worth the cost of shipping to Texas from Arizona, according to Patricks message on social media.

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Patrick said the state will purchase any panels that make economic sense and donate them to President-elect Donald Trump when he takes over office in January.

Trump asked the Biden administration to stop selling border wall materials during a Monday press conference with reporters. He also mentioned he had been in discussions with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton about filing a restraining order against the administration. Our team reached out to the Attorney General office but did not hear back as of this publishing.

Make no mistake. Texas will make every effort, do whatever it takes, to assist the president and were going to secure this border once and for all for the people of America and Texas, Patrick said on Fox News.

He added, Ive got a billion dollars in my pocket to do it. I write the budget with Sen. Joan Huffman. We have the money. Were going to have about $6 billion in our budget for border security, well buy it.

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Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is fully supporting Patricks promise. In a statement to Nexstar, Buckingham said, I stand fully prepared to help Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick if he buys the border fencing being auctioned off by the Biden-Harris Administration. I have places to store the large sections of border wall if he should need that  on state land along the border from El Paso to the Rio Grande Valley. The Texas General Land Office is standing by to help ensure our southern border is secure.

Buckingham recently held an event in November to kick off the construction of border wall on a 1,400-acre piece of land the state had acquired along the border in Starr County. Texas-funded border wall construction continues as the TFC announced it was able to complete 50 miles of border wall construction this year.

The agency is also working on an additional 65.5 miles of border wall that is either under construction, awaiting construction, or completed as of December.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 post Luigi Mangione Documentary in Development from Director Alex Gibney appeared first on Consequence.

A new documentary on the alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione is in the works from the Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney.

Per Variety, the documentary will be produced by Anonymous Content and Alex Gibneys Jigsaw Productions and serves as the first project about the December 4th murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

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Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was apprehended for the murder at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania five days after the incident. He was found with a gun and silencer, fake IDs, and a three-page manifesto centering on the American healthcare system.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said shell casings recovered from the site of the shooting were matched to the gun and Mangiones fingerprints were also matched to a water bottle found near the scene.

Its been reported that Mangione suffered from debilitating back pain and had received treatment through surgery in recent years; a social media header appears to feature an X-ray of his spine.

Authorities have told CBS News that the document will be used to tie him to the shooting. He has been charged with forgery and firearms violations and currently remains in custody at a Pennsylvania state prison.

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The film, which is yet to be titled, will examine how killers are created, what this killing says about our society and the values we place on who lives and who dies. Mangione has yet to be indicted for the murder, but the killing has opened up significant questions about the nature of the United States health industry  where companies like UnitedHealthcare are known for rejecting about twice as many claims as the industry average  with many lending support to Mangione on social media.

The UnitedHealthcare CEO murder isnt the only ideologically-motivated incident Alex Gibney has been following; hes currently in production on a documentary based on Salman Rushdies memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, which recounts a 2022 stabbing attack on the author. Furthermore, Gibney is reportedly working on a project about Elon Musk.

In lighter news, Gibney directed a two-part documentary on Paul Simon that arrived this year, titled In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon.

Luigi Mangione Documentary in Development from Director Alex Gibney

Paolo Ragusa

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Tongrentang, a time-honored traditional Chinese medicine store, has a new brand, which adopts modern tech, such as a 24-hour automated medicine vending machine, to promote the new mode of traditional Chinese medicine. Join Josip, an international student, in exploring the store!

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Accused murderer Luigi Mangiones grandmother reportedly left tens of millions of dollars to her children and grandchildren after she died, but did so on one condition: that any grandchild receiving inheritance money not be charged, indicted, convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony.



Thats according to Mangiones grandmothers will, Fox News reported last Friday, noting that Mary Mangione left roughly $30 million to her living children and grandchildren after she died in 2023. The outlet reports that Mangiones grandmother had 10 children and 37 grandchildren.

"It is my precatory desire that the Trustees particularly consider invoking their discretion to implement this Section if the felony is a common law felony, a statutory felony if it is the codification of a common law felony, a heinous felony, any felony involving a physically violent act against another person or property or any drug related felony involving distribution or intent to distribute any type of drug or illegal substance," the Mangione matriarchs will reads, according to Fox News. "The decision of the Trustees is conclusive, final and binding on everyone. It is my precatory wish that the benefit of the doubt is not given to the individual."

Luigi Mangione/X.com Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

Mangione, 26, was charged in New York with second-degree murder, firearm possession, and forgery after he was arrested on Dec. 9, per an arrest warrant filed by the Manhattan District Attorney's office obtained by PEOPLE earlier this month.

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Related: What to Know About Alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooter Luigi Mangione's Family  and Why He's Been Estranged From Them For 6 Months

Jeff Swensen/Getty Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

The charges against Mangione stem from the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside of a Manhattan hotel, which prompted a five-day manhunt for Mangione after he fled the scene on a bicycle and investigators lost track of him in Central Park.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Related: Luigi Mangione Had 'Debilitating' Back Pain, Went 'Radio Silent' to Friends Before Healthcare CEO Shooting: Reports

NYPDnews/X; Luigi Mangione/Facebook Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

Mangione was arrested after an employee at an Altoona, Pa., McDonalds restaurant called local police. According to authorities, PEOPLE learned that Mangione had a manifesto on him at the time of his arrest in which he railed against the U.S. healthcare system, allegedly writing, these parasites had it coming.

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Investigators also found bullet casings at the scene of Thompsons death that reportedly had the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" engraved on them  a possible reference to "deny, delay, defend," a phrase used to describe insurance industry tactics for dodging claims.

One friend recently told the Honolulu Civil Beat that Mangione had been dealing with debilitating chronic back pain for years and that he recently became estranged from many of his friends and family, having gone largely unheard from since the summer. His mother, Kathleen Mangione, had reported her son missing in mid-November, roughly two weeks before Thompson was murdered.

Read the original article on People
BATESVILLE, Ark.  The Arkansas Department of Transportation awarded $100,000 to Lyon College on Dec. 4 to improve its SCOTS Cross Country Trail.

Officials said the award will fund resurfacing and improvements on the colleges scenic bluff trails. They said the work would ultimately provide a safer and more functional environment for recreation.

Arkansas State, Lyon College plan to open new veterinary schools

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This grant underscores the importance of fostering connections between our campus and the natural beauty surrounding us, Lyon College president Melissa Taverner said. By improving the SCOTS Cross Country Trail, were not only enhancing the experience for our students and employees but also supporting community access to outdoor recreation.

Officials said the funding came from ARDOTs 2024 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Lyons SCOTS trail is one of 54 TAP projects funded this year for $16.7 million and 11 RTP projects for $2.5 million.

Lyon College holds groundbreaking for first dental school in Arkansas

Additional information on Lyon College initiatives may be found at Lyon.edu.

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Taiwan has received its first batch of M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks as it continues its drive to modernize its armed forces, which face an expanding military threat from Beijing. While the upgrade for the Republic of China Army (ROCA)  which was still operating 1950s-era M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tanks up until recently  is obvious, there are still questions about how suitable the big and heavy Abrams is for the islands very particular defensive requirements.

Taiwans Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed today that the first shipment of M1A2T tanks had arrived from the United States. On its official social media channel, the MND published imagery showing the Abrams being inspected and then loaded onto flatbed trucks for onward transport. The tanks were apparently unloaded from a ship at the port of Taipei yesterday.

According to Taiwans state-owned Central News Agency (CNA), the initial shipment comprised 38 M1A2T tanks, at least some of which will be delivered to the ROCAs Army Armor Training Command at Hsinchu in northwestern Taiwan. Other reports from Taiwan suggest that 10 of the new tanks will remain with the training unit, while the others will go to frontline armored brigades in Linkou District, New Taipei, and in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County. From there, they would be best positioned to help defend northern Taiwan.

Part of the first shipment of M1A2T tanks is prepared for onward transport. Taiwan Ministry of National Defense

In total, Taiwan has 108 M1A2T tanks on order. Citing the MND, the CNA reports that another 42 of the tanks will be delivered next year, with the remaining 28 to follow in 2026.

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Taiwans order for M1A2T tanks was approved in July 2019, in a deal valued at around $2 billion, as announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The arms package also included 250 Block I-92F Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, M88A2 armored recovery vehicles, and Oshkosh M1070A1 heavy equipment transporters.

This proposed sale of M1A2 tanks will contribute to the modernization of the recipients main battle tank fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense, the DSCAs statement said at the time. These tanks will contribute to the recipients goal of updating its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other partners.

Covered by a tarpaulin, one of the first M1A2T is transported by road. Taiwan Ministry of National Defense

The T in the designation of the new tanks indicates that this version was specifically developed for Taiwan. Previous Taiwanese media reports also described these as M1A2X tanks.

Broadly speaking, the M1A2T is equivalent to the M1A2 SEPv3 version  or System Enhancement Package version 3  which you can read more about here.

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Development of the SEPv3 was launched by the U.S. Army in response to lessons learned during fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Changes to the tank address space, weight, and power issues, as well as enhancing overall survivability. The SEPv3 version offers increased electrical power, vehicle health management systems, upgraded armor, the ability to deploy the Israeli-made Trophy active protection system, integrated counter-improvised explosive device (IED) protection, a new auxiliary power unit, and embedded training aids. The U.S. Army describes it as the most reliable Abrams tank ever produced.

A U.S. Army M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tank. U.S. Army

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The M1A2T specifically features a reconfigured turret and various unspecified modifications to improve its survivability, as well as a modified electrical system and auxiliary power unit, and a new ammunition datalink  used when firing programmable munitions.

Taiwans requirement for new armor is reflected in the fact that the last tanks to be delivered from the United States were M60A3s, orders for which began to be received in 1994.

Since then, the ROCA has relied on M60A3s as well as locally upgraded CM11 and CM12 Brave Tiger tanks.

A Republic of China Army CM11 Brave Tiger tank.  via Wikimedia Commons

The CM11, which first appeared in 1990, is something of a hybrid, combining the turret from older U.S.-supplied M48A3 Pattons with the chassis of the M60A3. This tank also features a fire-control system derived from the M1A1 Abrams, making it more accurate, including on the move. Taiwan also obtained a significant number of additional fire-control upgrade kits and installed them on some of their remaining M48A3s, resulting in the CM12.

A Republic of China Army CM12 tank prepared for transport.  via Wikimedia Commons

Until 2022, the ROCA also used the M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tank, a type first delivered to the U.S. Army in 1951, which saw Cold War-era combat with the U.S. military during the Bay of Pigs invasion and later in Vietnam. Taiwan introduced it back in 1958 but later used it for training.

An M41A3 in Republic of China Army service. Youth Daily News

Nevertheless, much-reworked M41D tanks, based on the original M41 but with a new diesel engine, re-armed turret, and thermal imaging equipment, remain in use in small numbers.

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Even discounting the antiquated M41, the M1A2T is a much more modern and capable proposition than any of the ROCAs other tanks. The M60A3, CM11, and CM12 are all armed with 105mm main guns that are outclassed by the larger 120mm cannons on modern Chinese main battle tanks, for example. The M1A2T uses a 120mm main gun complemented by a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) that combines a sensor suite with a machine gun.

Facing the threat of a Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) invasion, Taiwans defensive strategy means that every single tank and armored vehicle would have to count toward the islands defense, were it to go to war. With Beijing continuing to claim Taiwan as its territory and with repeated threats to invade and seize control of the island by force if necessary, this has driven the retention of even obsolescent equipment. This is something that the M1A2T deliveries go some way to address.

ROCA tanks and other assets take part in Combat Readiness Week maneuvers in 2020:

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On the other hand, the Abrams is a big, heavy, expensive, and maintenance-intensive machine. Even sustaining these tanks in combat is a big ask, with their gas-turbine engines placing significant demands on fuel specifically.

While theres no doubting its firepower and performance, as well as very high levels of protection, its not invulnerable  as Ukraines experience has demonstrated.

At the same time, the weight of the Abrams  especially the SEPv3 version  is such that it is not always able to negotiate softer ground or more basic roads.

When Australia ordered the SEPv3, it was reported that significant parts of the north of that country  where much military training takes place  is too swampy and the roads too rudimentary to support the new tanks.

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The Trophy active protection system alone is said to add around 5,000 pounds of weight, with an overall weight, in combat, of 73.6 tons. Its unclear if Taiwan will receive Trophy for its Abrams, but the equipment would provide a very useful additional layer of protection against various threats  including potential drones.

The Abrams is also arguably not best suited to the kinds of urban warfare that the ROCA might have to engage in if it meets a PLA invasion  something that it already regularly trains for in these kinds of settings. Scenarios like this also pose a particular challenge for main battle tanks.

A ROCA M113 armored personnel carrier concealed under a bridge during an urban combat exercise. ROC Military News Agency

More generally, there are questions about the utility of heavy armor in potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region. Most such scenarios are expected to heavily feature air and sea platforms, as well as missiles. These concerns have also led to a resurgence in interest in light tanks, including the U.S. Armys new M10 Booker, which you can read all about here.

A U.S. Army M10 Booker light tank. U.S. Army The M10 Booker. US Army

In fact, the particular advantages of the M10 for Taiwan are something we have discussed in the past, speaking to an armor expert:

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The Booker would prove a valuable platform in a Taiwan ground fight  About two-thirds of the island is mostly rugged mountains. It features flat to rolling plains in the densely populated west, which faces mainland China. The M10s smaller size compared to an Abrams would allow it to better maneuver through the tight, restricted urban areas where much of the fighting would take place. It would be able to pass over bridges an Abrams might not be able to cross due to weight concerns and operate  with a much lighter logistical footprint.

The smaller 105mm main gun on the M10, the same expert added, is powerful enough to handle most Chinese equipment.

Nevertheless, for the time being, the ROCA is focused on the M1A2T and the major advantages in firepower and protection that it will bring compared with its predecessors.

Its also important to note that these tanks are just part of a multilayered defensive strategy for the ROCA, which also includes AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, long-range artillery, and multiple-launch rocket systems, as well as coastal defense missiles that would hope to create havoc among an invasion fleet before it even managed to land any troops and supporting armor.

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The nature of the modern battlefield and its myriad of threats means that tank-on-tank warfare is not as probable nowadays as it once was, although Ukraine has shown the tank is not a dead concept by any means. But should it happen that the ROCA has to face Chinese tanks in such a situation, the M1A2T Abrams at least offers a much higher level of capabilities than the tanks otherwise in Taiwanese service.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Todays edition of quick hits.

* The details about the latest school shooting are still coming into focus: At least three people were killed and six others injured in a shooting at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, police said. The suspected shooter, a juvenile student at the school, was found dead at the scene, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said during a news conference.

* Devastation roughly 500 miles off the southeast coast of Africa: Thousands were feared dead on Monday, after Cyclone Chido tore through Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean territory, leaving swaths of the population cut off.

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* Political uncertainty in Berlin: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of no confidence Monday, paving the way for early elections in February and ending a turbulent year at the polls for several of Europes leaders and governing parties.

* Political uncertainty in Seoul: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has not responded to a summons for questioning over his failed attempt to declare martial law. Yoon had been asked to appear for questioning on Sunday as part of an investigation by the prosecutors office, but said he was still forming his legal defense team, the prosecutors office told reporters. Prosecutors planned to issue another summons on Monday.

* Political uncertainty in Ottawa: Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister who led Canadas response to the first Trump administration, resigned abruptly on Monday from the cabinet in a stinging rebuke to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, marking the first open dissent from any cabinet member and raising questions about his hold on power.

* Difficult diplomacy: 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.

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* Ive followed this case relatively closely, and this settlement isnt the outcome I was expecting: 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.

* For the record, the deadline for a government shutdown is Friday: Congressional leaders were still trading offers Sunday afternoon on a government funding patch attached to a disaster aid package and a slew of other priorities leaders hope to clear before years end.

Im going to be off until Thursday  for book-related reasons  but Im planning to return to the usual publishing schedule then.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
After winning a second term, Donald Trump wasted little time in making a series of personnel announcements, and one of president-elect's first decisions was also one of the most controversial: The Republican said Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will be the incoming administrations border czar.

For those concerned about the incoming Republican presidents vision for an immigration crackdown, the choice was unsettling. As Rachel recently explained on the show, Homan is largely considered an architect of Trumps policy to tear children away from their parents at the border. He also happens to be one of the Republicans who helped write the right-wing Project 2025 blueprint.

At a radical rally in Pennsylvania in the runup to Election Day, Homan also publicly vowed, I will run the biggest deportation operation this country has ever seen.

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Thats not, however, the only thing on Homans mind. The Washington Post reported:

President-elect Donald Trumps incoming border czar, Tom Homan, suggested that mayors who dont help the administration deport undocumented immigrants in their cities could face criminal charges. Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Friday on Fox News that existing laws could be wielded against city officials if cities dont commit to aiding federal officials in their efforts to mass deport millions of people. He specifically referred to the federal criminal charge of impeding a federal officer.

Asked whether the incoming administration is prepared to bring charges against local officials, Homan replied, If they step over that line. He added, [T]here are laws on the books that we will prosecute.

As part of the on-air interview, Homan specifically pointed to the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson.

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Whats more, the future border czar  whose position does not require Senate confirmation  has been making comments like these quite a bit lately.

For example, about a week after being tapped for his upcoming position, Homan appeared on Fox News and threatened local officials with prosecution unless they cooperate with the Trump administrations mass deportation plans. Six days later, he returned to Fox News and suggested Denver mayor Mike Johnston would be among his potential prosecutorial targets.

Soon after, Homan said in reference to Chicagos mayor, I will prosecute him, before reiterating the point late last week.

Theres no shortage of problems associated with such rhetoric, but Im reminded of something Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said last week. Being a border czar is not an official position in the government, the Democrat said.

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Its an underappreciated detail. I realize that Homan has an ambitious to-do list, but when he makes comments such as, I will prosecute him, its worth noting that hell have about as much prosecutorial authority in the next administration as I do  which is to say, none.

Homan might like the idea of arresting state and local officials who disagree with him, but officials might be more intimidated if the incoming border czar had some authority as a law enforcement official. He will not.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The question was never whether Richard Grenell would have a position in Donald Trumps incoming administration. Rather, the question was which job hed receive.

Its not exactly a secret that Grenell hoped to become the next U.S. secretary of state, though the president-elect tapped Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for the position. This generated a fair amount of speculation as to where the partisan operative would end up.

At one point last week, Trump published an item to his social media platform describing Grenell as a fabulous person and A STAR. As for Grenells career path, the Republican added, He will be someplace, high up! Three days later, the president-elect also announced online:

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I am pleased to announce Richard Allen Grenell as our Presidential Envoy for Special Missions. Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea.

Those wondering what a presidential envoy for special missions might do exactly had plenty of company. A Politico report noted, The scope of the newly created position is unclear and the Trump transition team did not respond to a request for further details. Given the apparent focus on global flashpoints, it is possible Grenells portfolio could include Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Haiti or any number of other crises.

Oh, is that all?

For those unfamiliar with Grenell, The New York Times helped summarize the operatives background, noting, He got his start in government before Mr. Trumps rise, as a spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations under multiple presidents. But his online toxicity, foreign business contacts and tendency toward biting personal attacks on political opponents and the media turned off many centrist conservatives, helping propel him toward Mr. Trump, a man he denounced in 2016 as dangerous.

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Grenells most notable position in government came in 2020, when Trump tapped him to serve as the acting director of national intelligence, despite never having served a day in the intelligence community in any capacity. Soon after, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer expressed some rather pointed concerns about whether Grenell had fully disclosed his past work on behalf of foreign clients.

Those concerns did not come out of nowhere. On the contrary, they came on the heels of a ProPublica report published in February 2020 that alleged that Grenell used to work for a Moldovan politician who is now a fugitive and was recently barred from entering the U.S. under anti-corruption sanctions imposed last month by the State Department.

The same report added that Grenell allegedly did not disclose the payments he received for the work, and he did not register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which generally requires people to disclose work in the U.S. on behalf of foreign politicians.

A few days later, The Washington Post ran a related report on the considerable amount of foreign work Grenell and his public relations firm had done  an unusual background for someone in the U.S. intelligence community. The article added that at least some of Grenells work has been the type of activity that, in other cases, has drawn the attention of Justice Department investigators tasked with enforcing the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), according to two lawyers who specialize in that law.

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Meanwhile, a CNN report added, Years before becoming the nations top intelligence official, Richard Grenell touted his consulting work for clients in Iran, China and other countries, which included projects that could violate foreign lobbying laws or jeopardize his security clearance.

(Grenell has long denied any wrongdoing. Neither MSNBC nor NBC News independently verified the ProPublica, Washington Post or CNN reports.)

Whats more, before Grenell served as the acting director of national intelligence, he served as the U.S. ambassador to Germany during the Trump administration. His tenure was not exactly a success story: Multiple reports at the time indicated that Grenell managed to routinely infuriate German officials in Berlin.

Grenell was so reviled in his diplomatic post that some German officials spoke publicly about the possibility of asking him to leave the country.

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As Trumps presidency came to an end, Grenell also traveled to Nevada and claimed that thousands of illegitimate votes were being tallied. When NBC News Jacob Soboroff caught up with Grenell and asked him to bolster his allegation with evidence, it didnt go well.

Four years later, the Republican is poised to be rewarded for his efforts. The aforementioned Times report added, Since 2023, special envoys have required Senate confirmation if they met a specific standard set out in U.S. law, but it is unclear whether Mr. Trump and a Republican-controlled Senate would decide that Mr. Grenells position required confirmation.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Proponents of Jan. 6 conspiracy theories are probably accustomed to embarrassing setbacks, but last week was especially brutal. The Justice Departments inspector general, Michael Horowitz, unveiled the detailed findings of a four-year investigation, which concluded that while there were FBI informants at the Capitol, no FBI officials were responsible for instigating the attack.

Once these revelations were released, Donald Trump, left with no choice, grudgingly acknowledged reality.

No, Im just kidding. The president-elect actually published an item to his social media platform, shortly before midnight on Friday night, that cynically tried to move the goalposts.

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Wow! This is big news, the Republican wrote. What a disgrace. Let J-6 Hostages out NOW!!!

This came on the heels of Vice President-elect JD Vance taking a related step, pretending that humiliating news for Jan. 6 conspiracy theorists should actually be seen as evidence that helps Jan. 6 conspiracy theorists.

But these efforts are literally unbelievable. As we discussed last week, too many Republicans and their allies have spent nearly four years pushing the idea that federal law enforcement instigated the insurrectionist assault. The absurd claims grew so common that they were given a name: The fedsurrection narrative was rooted in the idea that it was the FBI, and not Trumps rabid followers, that was responsible for the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

This has never made any sense. As a Washington Post analysis noted last week, If the bureaus leaders disliked Trump (even though the FBI director was appointed by him), they only had to wait two weeks for him to be out of office.

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Nevertheless, we already knew  from congressional investigations and multiple federal court cases  that the conspiracy theory was baseless. To the extent that there were still any lingering doubts, the Justice Departments inspector general erased them in unambiguous detail.

To hear Trump tell it, the fact that the Jan. 6 mob included some who were confidential FBI informants is evidence of a disgrace. But thats preposterous: The far-right conspiracy theory wasnt that the Jan. 6 mob included some who were confidential FBI informants. We already knew this. Some even testified during Jan. 6 criminal cases.

Rather, the conspiracy theory was that the FBI was somehow responsible for instigating the attack and entrapping Trumps poor, unsuspecting supporters. Horowitzs report  the one the president-elect seemed so excited about  discredited the bizarre idea. Not only did the IG conclude that the FBI informants werent authorized or encouraged to break the law, but the same findings made clear that there were no undercover FBI employees at the Capitol, either.

Nevertheless, the incoming president is very likely to reference last weeks revelations when he prepares pardons for Jan. 6 criminals. In fact, as part of Time magazines latest cover story on Trump, published last week, the Republican not only said he intends to issue these pardons, he added that he hopes to do so maybe within the first nine minutes of his second term.

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Im not quite sure how that would work  perhaps hell interrupt his own inaugural address?  but time will tell.

As for the nature of Trump's plan, NBC News reported that the president-elect has expressed confusion about key elements  hes said, for example, that he thinks most or all Jan. 6 defendants were being held in a Washington, D.C., jail, for example, when in fact only a handful of defendants are still being held pretrial  and even some of the Republicans allies have expressed concern about his level of awareness of the details.

Watch this space.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The prospect of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the Department of Health and Human Services was already highly controversial, but reporting from late last week took the story to a new level.

According to several leading news organizations, a lawyer named Aaron Siri has petitioned the government to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine  and Siri is reportedly working with Kennedy on choosing federal health officials for the incoming Trump administration. (Katie Miller, a spokeswoman for Kennedy, told The New York Times that Siri has been advising Kennedy but has not discussed his petitions with Trump's pick to HHS.)

It was hard not to wonder how Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, would respond to the news. As it turned out, we didnt have to wait too long to find out.

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In a statement to NBC News, the Kentucky Republican  wholl soon step down from his GOP leadership post  didnt mention Kennedy by name, but the longtime senator said anyone seeking a confirmation vote must be specific about their intentions related to the polio vaccine.

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, McConnell wrote. He added that efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed  theyre dangerous.

It was a notable brushback pitch from a key GOP official, but it was also part of a recent pattern: McConnell has thrown a lot of these pitches at Trump and his team lately.

In an interview with the Financial Times, published last week, McConnell warned about the dangers of isolationism, which he seemed to tie directly to his partys incoming president. Were in a very, very dangerous world right now, reminiscent of before World War II, the senator said, adding, Even the slogan is the same. America First  that was what they said in the 30s.

McConnell has a newly published essay in Foreign Affairs magazine, warning against the right-wing flirtation with isolation and decline. Referencing a signature phrase from Trump, the Kentucky Republican added, America will not be made great again by those who simply want to manage its decline.

The senators written piece echoed a speech he delivered earlier this month, rejecting his partys isolationist wing.

In Congress last month, Matt Gaetzs bid to become the next attorney general collapsed in the face of opposition from GOP senators. While there was no official tally on the scope of the Republican opposition to the former Florida congressman, The New York Times reported that McConnell was among those staunchly opposed to his prospective nomination.

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When political observers take stock on Capitol Hill, looking for Republicans who might be a thorn in the president-elects side, they tend to focus on members such as Alaskas Lisa Murkowski and Maines Susan Collins. But what if McConnell  whos expected to retire at the end of his term, and who doesnt appear to have anything to lose by standing up to Trump  unexpectedly joins the faction of Trump skeptics?

To be sure, itd be a mistake to get ones hopes up. After all, McConnell publicly condemned Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack in the aftermath of the violence, only to vote with his party when it came time to consider the articles of impeachment. As my MSNBC colleague Jahan Jones recently noted, McConnell has arguably been among the biggest enablers of Donald Trumps rise in the Republican Party and American politics.

But the senator nevertheless appears increasingly willing to express discomfort with the state of the contemporary GOP.

Weve been building up to this point for quite a while. Early on in Trumps presidency, the Republican looked to McConnell as someone who would simply follow the White Houses demands. When the senator tried to explain how government worked, a profane shouting match soon followed.

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After the 2020 elections, the relationship collapsed further: Trump condemned the GOP leader as a corrupt hack, targeted McConnells wife, practically begged GOP senators to replace McConnell as their leader, said McConnell has a DEATH WISH for disagreeing with Trumps legislative strategies, and told The New York Times, on the record, that he considered McConnell to be a piece of s---.

As for McConnell, a book published by The Associated Press' Michael Tackett last year added that McConnell described Trump behind the scenes as stupid and a despicable human being.

It might seem as if their relationship couldnt get much worse. Were about to find out if thats true.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Hopes high for France's 4th PM this year to mend fractures

Xinhua) 08:10, December 16, 2024

Francois Bayrou speaks at the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

As French President Emmanuel Macron's centralist ally navigates the fractured domestic political landscape, Bayrou could restore much-needed France-Germany cooperation with a second Donald Trump term on the horizon.

PARIS, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Francois Bayrou's nomination as French prime minister -- the fourth this year to serve in the post -- provides a silver lining in France's political impasse.

As French President Emmanuel Macron's centralist ally navigates the fractured domestic political landscape, Bayrou could restore much-needed France-Germany cooperation with a second Donald Trump term on the horizon.

BAYROU'S TIGHTROPE

Following Bayrou's nomination, the far-right wing party National Rally (RN) announced that the party would not immediately censure Bayrou.

The president of the RN, Jordan Bardella, told French news channel BFMTV 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."

The RN's former president, Marine Le Pen, who came in third in the previous presidential elections, called on Bayrou to "hear and listen to the oppositions to build a reasonable and thoughtful budget."

"Any other policy that would simply be an extension of Macronism, twice rejected at the ballot box, could only lead to deadlock and failure," she said on her X account.

Former French far-right party leader Marine Le Pen speaks during a debate on no-confidence motions against the government at the National Assembly in Paris, France, on Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

Meanwhile, the hard-left party La France Insoumise has announced it will launch a no-confidence vote to bring down Bayrou.

The party has repeatedly said that the prime minister's position should be given to someone from the alliance of left-wing parties, which won the most seats in this year's snap legislative elections.

But other parties from the left-wing alliance New Popular Front are less aggressive about Bayrou's nomination and have laid out conditions for their support.

In a letter addressed to Bayrou, the Socialist Party said Macron's choice to nominate a "prime minister from his camp" risked "worsening the political and democratic crisis in which he has placed the country since the dissolution (of the National Assembly)."

The Socialist Party demanded that the new prime minister renounce using special constitutional powers to pass laws without a vote in the National Assembly in exchange for not voting to topple him.

The party, which will not participate in the upcoming government, also asked Bayrou to distance himself from the far-right-wing party RN and the "xenophobic" program of the RN.

The French Communist Party announced it wouldn't topple Bayrou "if there is no Article 49.3," the special constitutional power deployed by the last Prime Minister Michel Barnier to force passage of the 2025 social security budget without parliamentary approval.

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. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

For Marine Tondelier, leader of The Ecologists party, if Bayrou refuses to take action on pensions, the environment, and tax justice, her party would see no choice but to vote to topple him.

TWO BANKS OF THE RHINE

Following Donald Trump's election victory, Macron spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, seeking to "work for a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe."

Yet, a stronger France-Germany cooperation faces challenges as both countries struggle with domestic political gridlock.

According to Politico, at the Berlin Global Dialogue held in October, Scholz and Macron diverged on key topics, including proposals for joint EU borrowing, trade talks with South American countries, and how to counter the protectionist United States.

Germany, Europe's largest economy, is also mired in a political crisis. Next week, the current government will face a vote of confidence in the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag.

Last month, governor of the French central bank Francois Villeroy de Galhau called on France and Germany to unite to tackle risks facing Europe.

"Today, the French-German dialogue has been weakened, mainly due to domestic political instability on both sides of the Rhine," de Galhau said.

"To divide us would be to condemn us, and to condemn Europe," he said. De Galhau referred to long-term challenges facing Europe like climate change, an aging population, digitalization, geopolitical crises and Trump's election victory.

Europe appears to have made partial strides with the appointment of France's new prime minister. However, it remains to be seen whether Europe, guided by France and Germany, can be a balancing force during a second Trump term.

HOW FRANCE GOT HERE

France's political instability started in June when Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly after being defeated in the European parliamentary elections.

In the two rounds of legislative elections held on June 30 and July 7, Macron's centrist coalition lost the absolute majority, allowing the left-wing alliance of parties, the New Popular Front, to secure a relative majority in the 577-member National Assembly.

Instead of immediately nominating a prime minister from the winning camp, Macron accepted the resignation of Gabriel Attal but asked him to lead a caretaker government.

The ministers from Attal's government voted in the election of the speaker of the National Assembly, during which Yael Braun-Pivet, from Macron's party, was re-elected.

Yael Braun-Pivet reacts after being re-elected as Speaker of the French National Assembly in Paris, France, on July 18, 2024. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

Two months after the legislative elections, Macron finally nominated Michel Barnier from the right-wing The Republicans party to form an "inclusive" government.

With Barnier using special constitutional power 49.3 to force passage of the 2025 social security budget without parliamentary approval, the deputies of the French National Assembly voted in favor of a no-confidence vote, forcing Barnier to resign and his government to collapse.

A total of 331 deputies, mainly from the New Popular Front and RN, voted in favor. In the history of French politics, it was a rare sight to behold for the left and far right to join forces.

It marked a significant political crisis for France, as Barnier's government became the first to fall to a no-confidence vote since 1962. In 2024, France has seen four prime ministers: Elisabeth Borne, Attal, Barnier, and now Bayrou.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The News in Brief Monday, December 16, 2024

Estonia's Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, announced new sanctions against 14 Georgian officials and judges, including PM Irakli Kobakhidze. The move targets what Estonia describes as a "brutal and repressive regime" aimed at peaceful citizens.The decision precedes the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on December 16, where Union-wide sanctions against Georgian Dream officials are set to be discussed."The violence the Georgian authorities are using against protesters, journalists, and opposition leaders is unacceptable, criminal, and against human rights," Tsahkna stated. He urged EU nations to take similar measures against those undermining democracy in Georgia.With these latest sanctions, Estonia has now targeted 25 Georgian officials. The measures follow international backlash over the Georgian government's handling of protests. Demonstrations erupted after Kobakhidze announced a suspension of Georgia's EU integration process until 2028.Lithuania has imposed sanctions on 17 Georgian politicians, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, over violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters. Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys announced the decision, highlighting Lithuania's support for the Georgian people and their European aspirations."Lithuania stands with the people of Georgia and their European dream," Budrys said. "In coordination with Estonia, we have expanded the list of sanctioned Georgian politicians by adding 17 more individuals, including Prime Minister Kobakhidze. We will not tolerate violence and oppression against peaceful protesters, journalists, and the opposition. It's time for joint EU-level action now."The announcement comes ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on December 16, where Union-wide sanctions against Georgian Dream officials will be discussed.
GUIYANG, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- A direct flight route linking Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, with Jakarta, Indonesia, was launched on Sunday.

More than 100 passengers departed from Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport on the route's inaugural flight and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Sunday morning after five hours and 25 minutes.

The flight route is operated by Indonesian airline TransNusa and served by an Airbus A320 aircraft. Initially, it will fly one return journey each week, according to the Guizhou Civil Aviation Industry Group Co., Ltd.

Inbound flights are scheduled to depart from Jakarta at 6:35 p.m. local time every Saturday, arriving in Guiyang at 1 a.m. (Beijing time) the following day.

Outbound flights will depart from Guiyang at 2 a.m. on Sunday (Beijing time) and land in Jakarta at 6:25 a.m. local time.

The direct air route is set to build closer links between Guizhou and Indonesian destinations such as Bali, Surabaya and Manado, boosting tourism and economic, trade and cultural exchanges. 
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: U.S. Rep.-elect Mike Rogers (R-AL) is restrained by Rep.-elect Richard Hudson (R-NC) after getting into an argument with Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) walks away, in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is meeting to vote for the next Speaker after House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) failed to earn more than 218 votes on several ballots; the first time in 100 years that the Speaker was not elected on the first ballot. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The United States government has always been a rowdy, often nasty, bunch: fist fights, knives pulled, guns cocked.

Illustration depicting U.S. Rep. Preston Brooks (1819-1857) from South Carolina attacking Sen. Charles Sumner (1811-1874) with his walking cane, at Sumners desk in the Senate, because of a speech Sumner made that blamed Southerners for the proslavery violence in Kansas, on May 22, 1856. Sumner was beaten and defaced so badly that he did not return to the Senate for three years. (Photo by Fotosearch/Getty Images).

In 1838, two House members fought a lethal duel, and, in 1856, pro-slavery Sen. Preston Brooks took out his cane and thrashed abolitionist Sen. Charles Sumner.

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On Jan. 6, 2023, a North Carolina congressman had to stop an Alabama congressman from punching Floridas own Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Many in Washington and beyond would like to punch Matt Gaetz, but in this particular instance hed just tanked the 14th vote on making Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House, offending Rep. Mike Rogers, a McCarthy supporter.

McCarthy would go on to win the 15th vote.

Ten months later, McCarthyd been ousted and boy, was he mad!

So mad he shoved Tennessee U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett  a clean shot to the kidneys! howled Burchett  sparking a near brawl in a Capitol corridor.

This is what happens when Mean Girls  who dont have to actually be girls  run your government.

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Take Matt Gaetz (again). The failed attorney general nominee, Lolita-fancier, and blue ribbon jerk, set the Houses Mean Girl standard, referring to an incoming Republican senator as Mitt Romney without the good hair and long-time Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as McFailure, bringing a Holocaust denier to a State of the Union address, passing around nude photos of his exes, and calling women who favor reproductive rights fat and ugly.

Rep. Randy Fine speaks at an anti-abortion rally on the steps of the Historic Florida Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Florida Phoenix)

Gaetz is out of the House now, but the score-settling, tantrum-throwing state Randy Fine, only recently elected to the Florida Senate, has generously decided to run for Congress, so the nation will not feel the loss of his epic nastiness so keenly.

Fines resume includes calling a Brevard County school board member a whore and threatening Special Olympics funding because he didnt get invited to a party.

This past October, the judge presiding over an election filing dispute found him in contempt and ordered him to take an anger management course.

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Gaetz must be proud.

Such an expert hissy fit-pitcher will fit right in with the likes of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. These two nearly launched into a slap fight over who got to try and impeach President Biden first.

Greene said Boebert copied her articles and called her a little bitch.

Hands-down winner

For her part, Boebert, famous for groping her date and singing loudly at a 2023 performance of Beetlejuice (she was escorted out of the theater), called fellow representative Ilhan Omar black-hearted and probably a terrorist because she is Muslim.

Impressively vile as Greene and Boebert are, the hands-down winner of the Meanest Mean Girl in Congress is Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) speaks during a hearing with the House Oversight and Accountability committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on April 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (File/Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Mace used to be seen as a moderate Republican, a Donald Trump critic who demanded he be held accountable for lying and instigating the Jan. 6 insurrection.

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But she has now executed a perfect volte-face, becoming one of his most passionate groupies, practically vibrating with spite.

This past November, Delaware elected Congress first trans woman, something Mace seems to take as a personal insult.

U.S. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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Rep. Sarah McBride, a Democrat, doesnt make a big deal out of her gender status; Mace does, apparently convinced the minute McBride dares to enter a stall in the Capitol ladies, Western Civilization will crumble into dust.

She trash-talks her fellow member relentlessly, too: Sarah McBride doesnt get a say. I mean, this is a biological man.

Mace has videoed herself ripping down blue and pink trans flags, snarling like an enraged hyena, and insisted Mike Johnson, whose lordly powers as speaker include regulating toilets in the House of Representatives, forbade trans women to use womens bathrooms.

Now shes demanding Congress ban trans people from bathrooms in all federal properties.

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Does Mace think persecuting people who are four times more likely than straight folks to be assaulted, raped, or killed helps America achieve a more perfect union?

Or is she being horrible for the sheer hell of it?

Cruelty

MAGA Mean Girls take pleasure in tormenting people, especially those weaker than themselves, and causing gratuitous pain. As Atlantic Monthly essayist Adam Serwer wrote in 2018, The cruelty is the point.

And nobody enjoys cruelty more than Donald Trump, Mean Girl of the Century.

He kicked off his first campaign by ridiculing a disabled New York Times reporter, mocking women as pigs, and insulting veterans. Once in office, he delighted in images of caged migrant children, promoted police brutality, celebrated violence, and humiliated everyone around him.

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Now hes obsessed with punishing every person who has ever said anything negative about him, contradicted him, or failed to conspicuously celebrate his greatness: scientists, lawyers, teachers, doctors, journalists, judges, environmentalists, professors.

He wants to fire more than half the federal workforce.

Hope you dont think that tax return or that Social Security check will arrive on time  or ever  anymore.

(Hope you dont think that tax return or that Social Security check will arrive on time  or ever  anymore).

He threatens our allies, dissing NATO, and, just the other day, trolled Canada, musing on making it the 51st state and referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as governor.

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Canada is the United States largest trading partner.

He wants to jail reporters who displease him and destroy news organizations trying to hold him to account.

The United States Senate just blocked a bill that would have protected press freedom.

Trump told them to.

He wants President Joe Biden investigated for supposedly stealing the 2020 election; he wants former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, President Barack Obama, and the whole Jan. 6 committee tried for treason.

This is what you voted for, America: ignorant bullies, junior despots, petty mediocrities who take pleasure in others suffering.

Nothing they do will improve your life, make you safer or freer or bring down the price of eggs.

Theyre Mean Girls  Mean Girls dont do public service.
A government PSYOP. An alien landing. A foreign military threat. A complete hoax.

As a swarm of East Coast residents continue to report drone sightings in the night sky, a number of conspiracy theories, spread by right-wing pundits and influencers, have erupted online in response to the mysterious phenomenon.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the first drone sighting occurred on Nov. 18 near Morris County, New Jersey, and sightings have since been reported in five other states including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

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In a joint statement Thursday, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said that there is no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.

However, some internet sleuths are convinced that theres a secret, sinister plot at playwhile others are latching onto more outlandish theories.

Comedian Roseanne Barr stepped off the deep end by connecting the sightings to a conspiracy championed by Infowars founder Alex Jones called Project Blue Beam.

Now you see why I mention Project Blue Beam every week on my podcast..  Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) December 14, 2024

The decades-old conspiracy posits that the government will stage a fake alien invasion as a way to create mass panic and institute authoritarian controls over society.

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Jones and others have argued that the staged events will occur in phaseswith the government beginning by using holograms to trick the American people. Barr, for her part, seems to believe the mystery drones above New Jersey and the eastern seaboard represent the beginning of this bogus plot.

Now you see why I mention Project Blue Beam every week on my podcast, the comedian wrote on X on Saturday.

Researcher Dr. Steven Greer Accurately Predicted The Rollout Of Project Blue Beam That's Happening Now



WATCH/SHARE THE LIVE X STREAM HERE:https://t.co/iRbKT1cEXq pic.twitter.com/3n27ycFglz  Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) December 11, 2024

Jones also vouched for the accuracy of Project Blue Beam last week.

The longtime right-wing conspiracist welcomed ufologist and retired physician Dr. Steven Greer onto his Infowars show to discuss the phenomenon.

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They all have this agenda to want to control the world through one calamity after the other, and the big one theyve been planning is the hoax of an alien threat from outer space, Greer said.

Georgia congresswoman and prolific conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Green, for her part, is also convinced that the government is aware of whats going onbut is refusing to tell the nation about any of it.

In an X post published Saturday, Green wrote: The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad.

Its a slap in the face that the Pentagon continues to tell the American people they dont know who is flying the drones over New Jersey.



I think the Pentagon absolutely knows, but theyre full of crap.



And if they actually dont know, these officials should resign in disgrace. pic.twitter.com/48jM7jAuxw  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) December 12, 2024

On Sunday, Greene seemingly agreed with another X user who detailed their theory that the drones belonged to the U.S. military and were flying over highly populated areas as part of a training program for the next generation of drone warfare.

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I also think this could be true, Green wrote in response. However the government needs to come clean and tell the American people what is going on. Thats the most infuriating part to me. The government lies and hides everything while the people have to pay for it all.

The prospect of the aircraft being extraterrestrial in nature was also floated by Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh over the weekend.

I agree. Anyone who merely thinks theyre aliens is stupid. I know theyre aliens. Theres literally no other plausible explanation. https://t.co/ZUkYSLyZlT  Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 15, 2024

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Others believe that the drones are coming from a real threat on this earth. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Republican, claimed theyre coming from an Iranian mothership. He also accused the Pentagon of hiding the truth about the drones foreign origin.

We arent being told the truth, Van Drew told Fox News last week. They are dealing with the American public like were stupid.

The Pentagon denied Van Drews claims that the drones were part of a foreign operation, with spokesperson Sabrina Singh saying, There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and theres no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States.

As the drones continue to remain a mystery, pressure on federal authorities from local officials is also rising in tandem.

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This has gone too far, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement on Saturday. Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace.

The Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region, she added. To ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also announced on Saturday that he had asked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to deploy a special drone-detecting system in both New Jersey and New York.

Im pushing for answers amid these drone sightings, Schumer wrote in a statement. He also told reporters Sunday that it was remarkable that we have more questions than answers.
A Piqua man is facing charges after reportedly slamming a 1-year-old girl on the floor, causing a skull fracture.

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Michael Mayor, 34, was indicted last week with felonious assault and endangering children, according to Miami County Common Pleas Court records.

The charges stem from an incident on Dec. 5. Around 3:12 p.m. that day, Piqua police and EMS responded to reports of a toddler who was breathing but not responsive.

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A babysitter told dispatchers that a 1-year-old girl was pale, had bruises on her head, and she was unsure of where they came from, according to a Piqua police report.

The toddler was flown to Dayton Childrens Hospital for treatment. A doctor there later told police that she had suffered a fracture in the rear of her skull, had a subdural hematoma, and other complex injuries that were caused by a massive impact.

The toddler had been dropped off at the babysitters on the morning of Dec. 5. The babysitter left her with Mayor and other kids to take some of the children to school. While the babysitter was gone, Mayor had reportedly tried to put the girl for a nap on the bedroom floor. When she got back, the girl was on the bedroom floor and appeared to be sleeping.

The babysitter checked on the girl multiple times during the day and noted she appeared to be okay and breathing but was concerned that she had not woken up by 3 p.m. At that point, she tried to wake the girl up and found that she was unresponsive.

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Police spoke with prosecutors and they decided Mayor should be arrested and charged since he was the last person with the child.

While being interviewed by police, Mayor admitted to injuring the child after she wouldnt stop crying while he was trying to put her down for a nap.

He stated he shook her and when she cried louder, he began to slam her on the floor of the bedroom, the police report stated. He stated this was not done on the blankets and he did this several times until she stopped crying.

Mayor thought at that point that she had fallen asleep, so he put her down and walked away.

Mayor remains held in the Miami County Jail on a $1 million bond. His next court hearing is on Tuesday.

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ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT)  A man was arrested Sunday in a nearly 27-year-old murder case.

On Dec. 15, the Athens Police Department and ICEs Enforcement and Removal Fugitive Operations Team arrested Bernabe Roman.

Roman was wanted for the Dec. 25, 1997 murder of Jose Salinas Gomez in Athens. A Limestone County Grand Jury indictment warrant was issued for Romans arrest in February 1998.

After the agencies received information regarding Romans location, a search warrant was obtained for his home in the 24000 block of Bain Road in Athens.

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Both APD and ICE worked with the Athens High-risk Entry & Apprehension Team searched the home and took Roman into custody following a hold and callout.

A hold and callout is a tactic used by law enforcement, where the perimeter of a location is secured and held. The occupants of the location are then directed to exit the location in a controlled manner.

Roman is currently being held in the Limestone County jail with a bond of $75,000.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Mobile Police Department officers arrested a man after he allegedly broke into an orthodontist business before running from them.

Man killed in FBI-related Gulf Shores shooting had called for a militia: Court documents

28-year-old David Malcolm Malik Hale was arrested Saturday after police said he was seen walking from the back of McMurphy Orthodontic Practice.

According to an MPD news release, officers were called to the business just before 4 a.m. on Saturday for a report of an audible alarm.

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When officers arrived, they allegedly saw Hale, which is when they began giving him verbal commands.

The release said that although Hale seemed to comply with police at first, he then ran. He was eventually caught and taken to Mobile Metro Jail, according to the release.

Family says Atmore murder victim saved lives through organ donation

Hale is charged with attempt to elude, third-degree attempted burglary, and failure to obey.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man accused of robbing two USPS workers at gunpoint just a few days apart is now in custody.

Marshun Lewis, 24, was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery. He is being held on a $101,500 bond.

Marshun Lewis (Photo courtesy of the SCSO)

$150k reward offered after postal worker robbed at gunpoint

According to reports, on November 29, a USPS employee was robbed at gunpoint while delivering mail inside the Cedar Mills Apartments in the 5300 block of Hunt Lane.

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The victim told police that while putting mail into the mailboxes, she heard the click of a gun behind her. The suspect then pointed a gun at her head and demanded she give him the keys. She complied and the suspect ran off.

On December 2, police say another USPS employee was robbed at gunpoint while delivering mail inside The Landings Apartments in the 6700 block of Landing Way.

The victim told police that a blue Nissan Altima or Maxima was following behind him as he delivered mail inside the complex. When he returned from delivering a package, a man approached him from behind with a gun and demanded his keys.

The suspect grabbed the keys from the victims belt loop and fled the scene.

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The USPS offered a $150,000 reward for information regarding the suspect responsible for the incident, leading to a tipster coming forward the next day.

USPS reward poster

The tipster told police they recognized the suspect from a Facebook post as Marshun Lewis.

The tipster reportedly told investigators that Lewis had been involved in criminal activity in the past. He had allegedly stolen from blue collection mailboxes and had deposited stolen checks.

Reports say Lewis was investigated by the USPS in September of 2022 for a series of armed robberies involving postal employees. It is unclear if he was ever arrested for those robberies.

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Investigators found that Lewis owned a blue Nissan Maxima that matched the description of the one used in the robberies and was tracked to the area of The Landings Apartments on the date and time of the incident.

On December 9, a search warrant was executed at Lewis apartment inside the Preserve at Southwind. Reports say investigators recovered stolen checks, a Glock handgun case, clothing, and evidence related to identity theft.

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The stolen USPS keys and handgun were not recovered from the apartment. Lewis car was also seized and towed.

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It was like 17 police. They were in the field. They had neighbors outside. They was running, said a neighbor. They end up chasing him. Got him down or whatever like that. He must have dropped something. They got to looking all through the grass.

After leaving the apartment, a tipster reportedly told police that as law enforcement entered Lewis home, Lewis threw evidence over his third-floor balcony, including the handgun and USPS keys. They said someone then retrieved the handgun.

Officers searched behind Lewis apartment and found a brass keychain used by all USPS letter carriers hanging from a tree branch underneath his balcony, and a .40 caliber bullet lying on top of leaves in the same general area.

Lewis was taken into custody on December 13. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning.

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The USPS is also offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man responsible for robbing a USPS employee on December 10 at the Landings Apartments.

USPS reward poster

In 2019, Lewis was also accused of robbing multiple people in a Walmart parking lot who were looking to buy items from Facebook Marketplace.

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(KRON)  An armed man stole $6 worth of merchandise from a restaurant and vandalized another on Friday, according to the Vallejo Police Department.

The first robbery occurred at a restaurant on the 3600 block of Sonoma Boulevard. Officers learned that a man armed with a knife entered the establishment demanding food and money. Police learned the employees did not comply with the robbers commands. According to Vallejo PD, the suspect left the restaurant with $6 worth of stolen items.

VPD said the suspect subsequently vandalized property and threatened to kill employees of another store on the same street.

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Authorities look for Dollar Tree shoplifter who brandished metal pole: PD

Vallejo police said officers saturated the area and located the suspect on the 800 block of Redwood Street. Officers said the suspect refused to comply and did not let go of his knife.

Police said the suspect eventually complied after a long stand-off.

The knife, which was used in both robberies, was booked as evidence.

The victims identified the man as the suspect. He was arrested and booked into the Solano County Jail.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
DENVER (KDVR)  A man was rescued from near Guanella Pass with frozen shoes after his father called 911 to alert authorities of the overdue hiker.

According to the Alpine Rescue Team, the volunteer group was called to Mount Bierstadt on Friday after 8 p.m. The 20-year-old college student from Texas had set out in the morning to climb the peak, setting off from the winter trailhead, and told his father to call 911 if he didnt hear anything from the hiker by 8 p.m.

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Alpine Rescue Team members began their search at the top of Guanella Pass on the summer trail. At about midnight, a team near the creek crossing saw a light flashing a mile north of their location. The team broke trail in that direction.

At about 1 a.m., the volunteer team found the man above a small cliff band. The crew said he was unable to move as his shoes had frozen solid.

After climbing a short distance, crews were able to reach the man and warm his feet, followed by a short belay to the ground.

Teams then hiked/skied with the man and exited the field after 3 a.m. on Saturday.

FOX31s Vicente Arenas spoke with the hikers father on Monday.

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I was obviously  I was very fearful of what could be happening, the hikers father, George Hubka, said.

The Alpine Rescue Team said the fathers decision to call 911 when his son didnt report in made all the difference.

His father did that exact (right) thing. You know, if those two pieces hadnt happened, we wouldnt have known he was missing until maybe the next morning, maybe. Maybe longer than that, Alpine Rescue Team Public Information Officer Steve Wilson told Arenas.

The cost of that could be dire. You know, if he had been out there by himself all night long, you could, you probably would have had frostbite on his exposed digits at the very least, Wilson added.

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I hope that, you know, others who read this story will learn from it. And, you know, appreciate the work they do, and hope they also keep their kids safe, the hikers father George Hubka said.

FOX31 reached out to the hiker, but so far has not heard back.

The Alpine Rescue Team also advocated for hikers to pack extra layers of clothing in case of getting the clothes theyre wearing wet and said to bring a light source.

Aurora firefighters say propane grill caused house fire that displaced 2 families of 5

(H)ad our subject not had a light source, its unlikely he would have been able to signal the team, the group said on Facebook.

The Alpine Rescue Team, a volunteer group of search and rescue workers, shared this photo of the light seen by rescue workers who were searching for a man overdue returning from Bierstadt because his shoes were frozen solid. The Alpine Rescue Team, a volunteer group of search and rescue workers, shared this photo of rescue workers aiding a man who was overdue returning because his shoes were frozen solid.

The group noted that winter recreation in Colorado can have added consequences, and told recreationists to be prepared for a wide range of conditions when heading out to recreate.

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Colorados search and rescue teams are staffed with volunteers and are not paid. The group is funded through donations, which can be made here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man was charged with arson after allegedly setting three fires in one night at an apartment complex in Antioch.

Joshua Spain, 26, was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 14 and charged with arson, making a false report and disorderly conduct.

On Dec. 5, firefighters were initially called to extinguish two dumpster fires in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 400 block of Arbor Place.

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PREVIOUS: Arson investigation underway after Antioch apartment fire

Approximately an hour later  around 1 a.m.  fire crews were called back to the same apartment complex where a structure was engulfed in flames. Crews worked through the morning to fully extinguish the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The same day, the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) reported an arson suspect was arrested for questioning.

In newly obtained court documents, officials said a man dressed in a black cowboy hat and dark clothing was at the scene of the apartment fire and the two dumpster fires an hour before at the same location. The man  later identified as Spain  had reportedly told fire investigators that he was the person responsible for the dumpster fires, officials said.

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CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

According to reports, Spain provided a detailed account of how the apartment fire was started and alleged it was set by a Black man using an antifreeze bottle and a green lighter.

Spain claimed he was assaulted after he attempted to intervene as the man added cardboard to fuel the fire. He told authorities that he called 911 to report the incident, but hung up after describing the alleged suspect.

According to court documents, a man matching Spains description was captured on video surveillance footage walking towards the building carrying a large black item at 11:37 p.m. on Dec. 4. Minutes later, the man was seen leaving an area with fire growth visible in the background, according to court documents.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The individual returned to the building about ten minutes later carrying several large pieces of cardboard, officials said. Around 12:40 a.m. on Dec. 6, the man was captured leaving from the direction of the fire and looking back at the structure as the fire spread.

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Investigators said, The footage provided no evidence of any Black male in the area before or during the three fire incidents.

Based on video evidence, witness statements and Spains own admissions, police said they believed the suspect [Spain] is responsible for setting the dumpster fires and the fire at the apartment building.

Spain is being held at Metro jail on a $47,500 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
(WHTM)  Homicide charges were filed Tuesday against a New Jersey man after officials say an altercation at a Pennsylvania strip club months ago turned deadly when a man was fatally shot.

The Bucks County District Attorneys Office announced Wednesday that 28-year-old Pedro Rodriguez, of New Jersey, is charged with homicide, two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault, one count each of discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, and possession of an instrument of crime, and 17 counts of recklessly endangering another person.

It was after 1 p.m. when Morrisville Police rushed to The Border Gentlemens Club, located at 440 S. Pennsylvania Ave., for a shooting. After arriving, police found 28-year-old Mekhi Norman who was shot in the back of the head, left thigh, and chest.

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He died at the hospital from his injuries in September. The DAs Office says his death was ruled a homicide.

Norman was a bystander who was trying to help staff after the altercation broke out at the doorway to the club, and he did not know the shooter, according to the DAs office.

The DAs Office noted that there were 17 other people inside the club when shots were fired.

Rodriguez has currently been in Bucks County Correctional Facility since his arrest in August for the shooting, but the homicide charge was newly filed, replacing the attempted homicide charge, since the victim died. The DAs Office says he will be arraigned on the new charges on Friday.

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Online court records show he has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 17 in front of Magisterial District Judge Corryn L. Kronnagel.

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The other man from the incident, 21-year-old Kevin Perez, also of New Jersey, only faces five counts each of simple assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment, because he left before the shooting happened, according to a news release.

Detectives with the Bucks County District Attorneys Office and the Morrisville Borough Police Department investigated.

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DAMASCUS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad released on Monday his first public statement since leaving Damascus on Dec. 8, detailing the chaotic moments leading up to his departure for Russia.

The statement, released via the Syrian Presidency's Telegram account, addressed rumors surrounding al-Assad's departure and the collapse of his government after more than 13 years of civil conflict.

Al-Assad insisted that he did not plan the departure and remained in the capital city until the early morning hours of Dec. 8, attending to his responsibilities. When militant groups entered Damascus, he coordinated with "Russian friends" to relocate to the coastal province of Latakia, aiming to continue directing military operations from there, he added.

However, upon his arrival at Russia's Hmeimim Air Base, al-Assad realized that all remaining Syrian army positions had collapsed, and that ground forces had withdrawn from the front lines, said the statement.

With the situation deteriorating and the Russian base itself encountering drone attacks, al-Assad said Moscow arranged an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Dec. 8.

Al-Assad claimed that the idea of seeking asylum or relinquishing his post never arose before, saying his sole option had been to continue fighting.

He dismissed any notion that he would abandon the people of Syria, stressing he had refused "deals and temptations" throughout the war. Al-Assad noted that he remained in Damascus with his family during even the worst years of conflict, facing repeated threats of militant advances for more than 13 years.

The ousted president described himself as a leader who never aspired to personal power, viewing his role as part of a national project supported by the Syrian people.

With the state falling to what he termed "terrorists" and no capacity left to serve the public, he said the position of president became "meaningless."

Still, al-Assad insisted that his national identity and allegiance to Syria remain firm, expressing hope that the country will one day regain freedom and independence.

A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major offensive from northern Syria on Nov. 27 and had since swept southwards through areas held by al-Assad's government. Following territorial gains, including the capture of the capital Damascus, the alliance declared the end of al-Assad's rule on Dec. 8. 
Michael Bowlin drove nearly 100 miles from his home in Waco, Kentucky to Cincinnati last month. Then according to police, he snuck up behind a stranger, stabbed him, then "casually" walked around Downtown for an hour before driving home.

Bowlin, 31, appeared in Hamilton County Municipal Court Monday on two counts of felonious assault and one count of attempted murder in connection with the Nov. 29 attack in Mount Adams.

Cincinnati police detective Barney Blank said the stabbing was caught on camera. He said the victim is still in the intensive care unit. Blank said the victim does not know Bowlin or have any idea why he was attacked.

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Judge William Mallory set Bowlin's bond at $1.2 million Monday.

Cincinnati police released several photos in the wake of the stabbing asking for the public's help in locating Bowlin.

Mom paid for bail on earlier charge

Court documents show he was arrested the night of the stabbing at his home on unrelated charges related to a stolen trail camera. Local police did not know he had any connection to the stabbing.

Blank said after that camera theft arrest Bowlin begged his mom for bail money, which she provided. After he was released from Madison County Detention Center in Richmond, Kentucky, he packed up some things and left home, the detective said.

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His mother, who was worried about him, then reported him missing, Blank told the judge.

After a weeklong manhunt, Bowlin was arrested in Logan County, Ohio where he had a friend, Blank said.

On Monday, Bowlin's attorney, Rachel McKay, asked for a reasonable bond. She said Bowlin has no prior record as an adult or a juvenile, and the public records reflect that. She said Bowlin is "not someone who comes in contact with the court."

Bowlin will be held at the Hamilton County Justice Center while awaiting trial or until he posts bond. A grand jury is scheduled to hear the case by Dec. 26.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: $1.2 million bond for man accused in Mount Adams stabbing
MADISON, Tenn. (WKRN)  Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that happened near a home in Madison on Sunday night.

Officers responded to the 100 block of Harrington Avenue just after 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Jerome Gordon, 36, was found near a fence in the backyard with a gunshot wound to the head.

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He was reportedly taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

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The location where Gordon was shot is a condemned residence with unhoused individuals living behind it, MNPD said. Neighbors reportedly told officers they heard people arguing before the gunshots rang off.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Police said investigators are pursuing strong leads. Anyone with information about the deadly shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

No additional details about a possible suspect have been released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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CHICAGO  A death investigation is underway after a man was killed in a shooting in the citys South Shore neighborhood.

Police said around 9 p.m. Sunday, a 42-year-old man was discovered inside a third-floor apartment on the 7800 block of South Bennett , with a gunshot wound to the face and chest.

He was transported in critical condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

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No further details have been provided by police.

No one is in custody. Area Two detectives are investigating.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was killed on Sunday after getting struck by a car, Memphis Police confirm.

At 12:12 p.m. officers responded to a pedestrian struck in the area of Hollywood and Rangeline.

The pedestrian was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.

Memphis Police said that the driver remained on the scene.

This is still an ongoing investigation.

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LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  An Athens man was killed in a single-vehicle wreck in Limestone County Sunday night.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency identified the victim as 45-year-old Tony H. Coffman from Athens.

According to the Limestone County Coroner, Coffman was driving east on Friend Road near Shaw Road, when his car hit a telephone pole and a tree.

The coroner said Athens state troopers are investigating the scene.

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COURTESY HONOLULU EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES A Honolulu Emergency Medical Services ambulance.

COURTESY HONOLULU EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES A Honolulu Emergency Medical Services ambulance.

A man in his 20s was sent to the hospital in critical condition with multiple injuries to his upper torso area, according to the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

The incident happened at about 3 :53 a.m. today at Kalanianaole Highway and Poalima Street.

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No other details were immediately available.

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CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  A man accused of shooting and stabbing a woman in Carter County in 2022 pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder on Monday.

Lanny Markland, 42, pleaded guilty in Carter County Criminal Court, according to District Attorney General Steve Finney. In addition to the attempted murder charge, Markland also pleaded guilty to employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

PREVIOUS: Carter County man charged with attempted murder after woman shot, stabbed

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Markland will serve 30 years on the charges in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The attempted murder charge netted him 20 years, and the employing a firearm charge added another consecutive 10 years.

Markland is not eligible for parole due to the nature of his charges, Finneys office stated.

Marklands charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on Blue Springs Road in Elizabethton on Aug. 18, 2022. The Carter County Sheriffs Office charged Markland after his girlfriend at the time told authorities that he had shot her in the head with a small revolver while she was sitting on the bed. He then reportedly cut her face and neck with a pocketknife.

The victim told the sheriffs office that Markland also took her phone so she could not call 911. She was able to get away and find a neighbor for help.

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He was arrested hours later by the Elizabethton Police Department.

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A man who stabbed a person near a Troy carry-out has learned his punishment.

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Michael McBride Sr., 45, of Troy was sentenced to 14 months in prison and up to two years of post-release control, according to MIami County Common Pleas Court Documents.

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As News Center 7 previously reported, on Aug. 20 McBride stabbed someone in the back near a carry-out on Union Street after an argument.

He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault in November.

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SYDNEY, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australia's corporate regulator has launched legal action against global banking giant HSBC for failing to protect customers from scams.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on Monday lodged a lawsuit against the Australian arm of HSBC in the federal court.

In the filing, ASIC claimed that HSBC failed to protect 950 Australian customers from a long-running scam.

ASIC said that the customers lost a combined 23 million Australian dollars (14.6 million U.S. dollars) through unauthorized transactions between January 2020 and August 2024.

Of that total, almost 16 million Australian dollars (10.1 million U.S. dollars) was lost in the six-month period to March 2024.

ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said in a statement that the regulator will allege in court that HSBC Australia was aware of the risk of unauthorized transactions occurring and that there were gaps in their fraud controls.

"We allege HSBC Australia's failings were widespread and systemic, and the bank failed to protect its customers," Court said.

"All banks need to pull their weight in the fight against scams. We will not hesitate to take court action where we consider banks fail to comply with their obligations to protect their customers."

ASIC claims that HSBC Australia compounded the problem by failing to comply with its obligations under federal laws and took an average of 145 days to investigate customers' reports that they had been scammed.

Fraudsters perpetrating the scam used software to disguise their phone number so that messages appeared as though they were coming from the bank.

They then warned customers of suspicious activity and coerced them into sharing information that allowed the scammers to seize control of accounts and access funds.

Australia's national anti-scam center issued a warning over the scam in February. 
A Georgia man has filed a lawsuit against Costco Wholesale Corporation and Midea America Corp., alleging he suffered severe burns due to defects in a pressure cooker sold by the companies.

According to the complaint, Gabriel Jusi was injured on December 22, 2022, when his Instant Pot Duo Gourmet 60 pressure cooker malfunctioned.

The lawsuit claims the lid could be opened while pressure was still present, causing the contents to explode and resulting in significant burns.

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The pressure cooker was purchased online from Costco.

The lawsuit alleges that both Costco and Midea, the manufacturer, marketed the product as safe despite knowing of the risks.

The complaint states that the devices advertised safety features, which are supposed to prevent the lid from being opened under pressure, failed during regular use.

Jusi is seeking compensation for his injuries, medical expenses, pain, and diminished quality of life.

The complaint also accuses the companies of negligence and breach of warranty under the Washington Product Liability Act.

KIRO 7 News emailed Costco for a comment. We have not received a response yet.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Authorities are asking for help finding a fugitive wanted for felonious assault and burglary.

5 dead, including suspect, in Wisconsin school shooting: police

According to the U.S Marshals Service, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information that leads to the capture of Shawn Hamlett.

Shawn Hamlett. Credit: US Marshals Service  Northern Ohio

Hes wanted by the Youngstown Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service.

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Hamlett is described as a Black male, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He is known to frequent the Youngstown and Cleveland areas.

Mysterious drones shut down air base in Ohio

If you have any information in reference to Shawn Hamlett, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or you can send a web tip.

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The deaths of a man and a woman whose bodies were found at a Barron County home Sunday afternoon are under investigation.

The Barron County Sheriffs Department says it received a call of a woman lying in a pool of blood outside of a home just north of Chetek just before 1 p.m.

Deputies from Barron County, Rice Lake police officers, the Wisconsin DNR, and the Chetek Ambulance responded, and confirmed the woman was dead at the scene.

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When officers searched inside, they found a man who was also dead.

Barron County Sheriff's Department Facebook

The sheriff's office says that deputies responded to this same address in September for a domestic disturbance.

Police say the case is isolated, and there is no danger to the community. Police have not released the identities of the deceased at this time.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

Related: NWS 'watching closely' for 'more noteworthy snow' this week in Twin Cities
MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that the US government is in control of the drones that have been spotted over New Jersey and New York in recent weeks, which officials have so far been unable or unwilling to account for.

Greene, who is well known for amplifying online conspiracy theories, wrote on X late on Saturday night: The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad.

The congresswoman offered no evidence to support her claim but followed up with a second post, which went viral when it was shared by podcaster Joe Rogan, featuring a video from drone manufacturer John Ferguson.

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In the footage, Ferguson, the CEO of Saxon Aerospace, baselessly speculates that the drones could be patrolling East Coast interstates in search of anything from missing Ukrainian nuclear warheads to radioactive waste.

Greene thanked Ferguson for his courage and professional viewpoint and commented: Its shameful our government doesnt explain the truth as well. If Americans are in danger of a nuclear or dirty bomb, they deserve to know.

Her Connecticut Democratic counterpart Jim Hines responded to her posts by saying: This is absolutely not true. And really irresponsible to say.

Also seeking to debunk the mounting hysteria over the sightings was former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who told CNN Sunday: Ive spent the last couple of days looking at every one of these videos, every video I have seen on Twitter, on the internet are all airplanes. Theyre literally all airplanes!

Marjorie Taylor Greene is no stranger to far-fetched conspiracy theories (Reuters)

But Greene is far from the only right-wing figure to fan the flames of public concern and consternation, with other MAGA allies also pushing claims about the mystery sightings.

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Speaking at a Young Republican Club gathering in New York on Sunday evening, Donald Trumps former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon also blamed Joe Biden for the unidentified flying objects, claiming they served as evidence of his administration working against the incoming Trump cabinet.

Are they the guys who got the drones over New Jersey? the podcaster asked of the 46th presidents outgoing regime.

A senior Biden official said over the weekend that the government have not identified any basis for believing that the drones are part of a criminal action, pose a national security or public safety threat or are being operated by a malicious foreign actor.

But federal officials refusal to say what the objects drifting unimpeded across American airspace actually are, coupled with some frank admissions that they simply dont know the truth, have created a vacuum into which disinformation has been allowed to flow.

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On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that her state will be deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to get to the bottom of the matter.

She and her New Jersey counterpart Phil Murphy had already written to Biden calling for his administration to provide definite answers urgently.

Hines and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer both appeared on the Sunday morning political shows to echo their calls for federal action.

Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has meanwhile said that, if need be, the government should be prepared to take them out of the skies, especially if theyre flying over airports or military bases, a step ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in turn warned members of the public could be moved to take themselves without clear messaging.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas did attempt to clear the mystery up to some extent on Sunday when he told ABCs This Week: Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones. But theres no question that drones are being sighted.
(Bloomberg) -- South Koreas embrace of nuclear energy has been thrown into doubt as President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment case raises the possibility of the opposition coming to power and overhauling the nations broader energy strategy.

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With Yoon suspended from office because of a botched attempt to impose martial law, his push to build more reactors at home and ramp up exports of Seouls nuclear technology is at risk of stalling, alongside a flagship oil and gas discovery. Stocks related to the nuclear sector and the drilling project have already suffered losses due to souring investor sentiment since the political crisis began.

Asias fourth-largest economy has pledged to curb emissions by 40% from 2018 levels by 2030 and, while Yoon has come out in support of nuclear, successive governments have been criticized for dragging their feet on adding more renewables like solar and wind. The country is due to update its climate targets by early next year, but the political upheaval has now complicated that.

Everything is running into an extreme uncertainty, said Hong Jong-ho, a professor at Seoul National University Graduate School of Environment Studies. The political shift could prompt South Korea to re-evaluate its broader energy strategy, especially its policies around nuclear and renewable energy.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, Yoons most likely successor if he loses the impeachment case, is seen as more climate-friendly. During his campaign in the 2022 presidential election, which he narrowly lost, he pledged to expand renewables, bring forward the countrys 2050 net zero target by a decade, and pushed for stricter emissions targets with early phase-out of coal-fired power plants.

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At the same time, he has opposed building new nuclear reactors but is set to allow the use of existing facilities. Any roll-back in nuclear policy will contrast with a global resurgence in interest in the low-carbon energy source, as countries from China and Japan to the UAE and France, and tech giants like Microsoft Corp. push to build or revive reactors to help reduce their carbon footprints.

Yoons administration reversed his predecessors anti-nuclear stance and aimed to increase the share of nuclear energy in electricity generation from roughly 30% in 2023 to nearly 36% by 2038.

But critics argued that Yoons nuclear-centric strategy sidelined the potential of renewable energy, which aligns more closely with global green initiatives. At the same time, his push for oil and gas exploration off the countrys east coast also faced a backlash from climate activists and opposition lawmakers, who claimed these policies undermine the decarbonization efforts of the worlds eighth-biggest emitter.

For now, all eyes are on South Koreas Constitutional Court, which must decide whether or not to validate Yoons impeachment within 180 days. If it does, an election must be held for a new president within 60 days.

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All this could delay the parliamentary approval needed for the countrys long-term energy roadmap plan, at a time when the nation is under pressure to beef up its emissions targets. Despite being ranked at close to the bottom on the Climate Change Performance Index of nearly 70 countries and regions, its response to threats of a warming planet has never emerged as a key policy issue in parliamentary or presidential elections.

The change in leadership following the impeachment process has the potential to drive positive momentum for climate action and elevate South Koreas leadership in this field, said Oh Dongjae, head of gas at non-profit organization, Solutions for Our Climate. We expect to see many updated climate agendas emerge during and after the uncertain political situation, and this would motivate a fresh uptake of ambition, regardless of the outcome.

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The Senate is on track to vote on the countrys massive annual defense spending bill Wednesday, with signs that it will pass smoothly despite Democratic objections to language involving transgender care for minors and its massive $895.2 billion top line.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which easily passed the House last week, is scheduled for a floor debate Wednesday, after a vote to invoke cloture planned for late Monday.

All signs point to a relatively hiccup-free path ahead, with just days before a deadline to pass an overall government funding measure or contend with a potential government shutdown ahead of Christmas.

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Still, there are Democrats in the upper chamber displeased with the bill, with at least a dozen senators expected to oppose it.

Among them are Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley, (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), with the latter saying Wednesday the bloated bill is being placed ahead of bigger priorities such as health care, housing and feeding Americans.

Mr. President, most Americans would agree that we need a strong military. I certainly do. But we do not need a defense system that is designed to make huge profits for a handful of giant defense contractors while providing less of what the country needs, Sanders said in remarks on the Senate floor.

We do not need to spend almost a trillion dollars on the military, while half a million Americans are homeless, children go hungry and elderly people are unable to afford to heat their homes in the winter.

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The House and Senate earlier this month unveiled their more than 1,800-page compromise version of the NDAA, which includes measures to boost the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific, support pay raises for troops, and fund new ships, aircraft and help the defense industrial base.

But the legislation also includes language staunchly rejected by Democrats, including a provision that restricts coverage of gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members; the amendment, the most controversial in the NDAA, stops the Pentagons TRICARE health care insurance plan from covering the costs of gender dysphoria treatments for people under the age of 18.

The language, inserted late in the bills process at the insistence of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), was seen by even some Republicans as unnecessary given that President-elect Trump is soon to enter the White House and could administratively order such a ban.

The addition quickly drew condemnation from the left, with pro-LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign accusing Republicans of playing politics with the healthcare of children of servicemembers.

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Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, said he voted against the NDAA because of the amendment, which he called pandering to the most extreme elements of the GOP.

A provision aimed at curtailing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs within the military also made it into the bill and would restrict the Defense Department from creating any new positions related to DEI for a year.

Despite opposition from liberal Democrats and some apprehension from Republicans, the NDAA passed out of the House in a bipartisan 281-140 vote, with 81 Democrats voting in favor of it.

More than 40 Democratic and independent senators signed a letter calling to keep the FY25 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders, including those that severely restrict access to gender-affirming care.

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But its unclear if that many will vote against the bill over the provision. The letter was led by Merkley and fellow Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), and Cory Booker (N.J.).

The NDAA lays out defense policy and sets funding goals, but a defense appropriations bill must be passed along with it to actually provide the money.

Dangerous poison pill provisions like those included in the FY25 House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress ability to push forward must-pass legislation and keep the government open and working for the American people, the lawmakers write. As such, we urge you to reject these extremist riders from the final FY25 appropriations bills.

Seen as must-pass legislation, the NDAA has been signed into law every year for the past six decades.

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Besides the culture war amendments, the bill has multiple bipartisan measures, including the establishment of a Taiwan fund similar to a Ukraine initiative that allows the U.S. to send arms to the country by purchasing directly from private industry, and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all service members.

The defense bill would also allocate funds to build seven new warships, about 200 aircraft and more than 300 vehicles.

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Citing his ongoing corruption case, the citys Campaign Finance Board denied Mayor Adams about $4 million in public matching funds for his 2025 reelection run Monday, dealing a big blow to Adams as he tries to fend off more than a half dozen challengers in next years Democratic primary.

In a brief meeting at the boards Manhattan offices, CFB Chairman Frederick Schaffer said the panel made the decision because it has determined that there is reason to believe that the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program in violation of law.

Schaffer attributed that finding to Adams federal indictment, which alleges he solicited bribes and illegal donations to his 2021 campaign, mostly from Turkish government operatives, in exchange for political favors. Adams has pleaded not guilty to those charges, which are being brought by the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office.

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His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the board, added Schaffer, who used to be a prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office.

The matching funds program provides candidates $8 in public cash for each dollar contributed by NYC residents up to the first $250, a structure that can provide a massive boost as political hopefuls need lots of money to pay for ads, staff and other resources. The program was launched in 1988 as part of a series of anti-corruption reforms.

Adams 2025 campaign had sought about $4 million in public matching funds it now wont be allocated  at least for the time being. Schaffer noted Adams, whos set to go on trial in April, can appeal the boards decision.

Vito Pitta, Adams campaign lawyer, didnt immediately say whether the mayor will appeal. In a press conference at City Hall later in the day, Adams said he would conduct a vigorous campaign even if he doesnt get matching funds.

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We believe we should get matching funds  I keep saying I did nothing wrong  but if the determination is not made, Im not going to sit home and say, you know, How unfair it is for me. No, Eric, get your ass out there and do what you do, do what you do, Adams told reporters.

Im going to outwork everyone thats running for mayor. No one is going to outwork me, and Im going to get my message out.

Adams five-count indictment mentions abuse of the matching funds program as being among his alleged offenses, arguing the $10 million he received in public cash in the 2021 cycle was fraudulently obtained due to the inclusion of illegal foreign donations in his campaign coffers.

Besides the indictment, the CFB has dinged Adams campaign for various bookkeeping errors in recent months, including disclosing a draft audit finding his 2021 campaign failed to respond to repeated requests for information from the board and did not properly document $2.3 million in spending that included payments to top aides.

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Adams had raised about $4.1 million in private funds for his reelection campaign account as of the Oct. 9 end of the most recent reporting period.

His team said in October it had effectively stopped fundraising because it believed that with matching funds factored in, he had reached the limit. The spending cap for the June 24 mayoral primary is $7.9 million.

Adams has the option of not participating in the public matching funds program altogether. If he takes that route, hed be able to raise more on a per donor basis, with allowable contributions up to $3,700 per individual, compared with the $2,100 max allowed for mayoral campaigns enrolled in the matching funds program.

The mayor hosted a fundraiser with cryptocurrency industry executives in Puerto Rico last week where attendants were encouraged to give $3,700 each.

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The next matching funds payment is Jan. 15, and Adams could apply for public money then, too.

Even if he applies for public funds on future CFB payment dates, Laura Tamman, a Pace University political science professor specializing in New York election law, said its unlikely the board would change its mind unless something materially changes in his corruption case.

It is hard to imagine a scenario under which the CFB will ever grant matching funds to his 2025 mayoral campaign, said Tamman.

The only 2025 mayoral candidate cleared to receive the first round of matching funds Monday was Scott Stringer, the former city comptroller who has raised money for his bid for nearly a year.

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In order to be eligible for matching funds, mayoral candidates must raise at least $250,000 from 1,000 city residents. Having achieved that benchmark, Stringers slated for about $2 million in matching funds under the boards decision, adding to the $279,370 he had on hand as of the end of the last reporting period.

That gives him nearly $2.3 million to spend so far. Adams currently has $3.1 million in cash on hand in his campaign account.

Adams opponents responded to the boards decision with broadsides aimed at the incumbent.

New York City needs a proven reformer to clean up City Hall and get the government back to delivering for people in this city, Stringer said in a statement after the board meeting. Our campaign qualifying for matching funds shows that New Yorkers trust that I am the best candidate to do so.

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Comptroller Brad Lander, another 2025 mayoral candidate, also met the threshold to be eligible for Mondays first matching funds payout. However, in a slipup, Landers campaign failed to submit the so-called Certified Statement of Need in time to get included in the first tranche of payments.

All the other 2025 mayoral candidates had not met the fundraising thresholds required for the first matching funds round.

Several of Adams other challengers, including Lander, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, have said they expect to become eligible for public matching funds by the next Jan. 15 disbursement.

Todays decision by the Campaign Finance Board to deny Mayor Adams taxpayer matching funds upholds the integrity of this landmark program, Mamdani said. We can further restore faith in our democratic system by defeating Eric Adams and the culture of impunity he has fostered at the polls in 2025.
A mayor in Mexico's central San Luis Potosi state, who was a member of the ruling Morena party, was shot dead on Sunday along with three other people, local authorities said, while a prominent vineyard owner was murdered in another central region.

Jesus Eduardo Franco, mayor of Tancanhuitz municipality, and the three other victims were all found dead inside a vehicle, according to the state prosecutor's office.

"We deeply regret the death of our colleague Eduardo Franco, municipal president of Tancanhuitz," Morena party president Rita Rodriguez wrote on social media.

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"We ask authorities to reach the ultimate consequences and find those responsible," she added.

Politicians, particularly at the local level, frequently fall victim to bloodshed connected to corruption and the multibillion-dollar drugs trade. Earlier this month, a Mexican congressman who was a member of the ruling coalition was shot dead in coastal Veracruz state.

In October, a mayor was murdered and decapitated in the southern state of Guerrero. The next month, a former prosecutor and local police official was arrested in connection with the grisly killing.

Wine entrepreneur killed in central Mexico

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Meanwhile, a prominent vineyard owner was murdered in Mexico's Guanajuato state, a central region that has been plagued by violence linked to organized crime, authorities said Sunday.

Ricardo Vega was the owner of the Cuna de Tierra vineyard located in the town of Dolores Hidalgo.

"I deeply regret and strongly condemn the cowardly murder of Ricardo Vega," Mauricio Trejo, mayor of the nearby city of San Miguel de Allende, posted on social network X. "Insecurity reigns in Guanajuato."

Colonial-era San Miguel de Allende is part of an area rich in art and cultural festivals, where it is frequented by American tourists.

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The Mexican Wine Council, an organization of the country's vintners, expressed sadness over Vega's death and described him as a "visionary leader and tireless defender of Mexican wine."

Local newspaper A.M. reported that Vega was attacked Saturday by armed men as he drove his truck in the area. It said the killing was under investigation.

More than 450,000 people have been murdered and thousands have gone missing since the Mexican government deployed the army to combat drug trafficking in 2006, according to official figures.

2024 holiday gift ideas from Techno Claus

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  As the year is wrapping up, many of us are reflecting on the past year, and that includes the mayor of Hillsboro.

The Washington County city is one of the largest in the Portland metro area and is home to Oregons Silicon Forest and a vibrant downtown.

AM Extra was joined by Steve Callaway, Hillsboros mayor, to highlight what is going on in the community and to reflect on eight years in the position.

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Watch the full video in the player above.

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Outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell made a forceful case for US military support for Ukraine in a new essay that urged President-elect Donald Trump to reject the myopic views of some of his allies.

Standing up to China will require Trump to reject the myopic advice that he prioritize that challenge by abandoning Ukraine, McConnell wrote in Foreign Affairs.

A Russian victory would not only force the US to increase military commitments in Europe, he argued, it would also compound the threats from China, Iran, and North Korea.

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The piece is a shot at Ukraine aid opponents like incoming US Vice President JD Vance, as well as what McConnell terms the overall right-wing flirtation with isolation and decline.

McConnell, who plans to use his post-leadership tenure to champion a more muscular US foreign policy, also calls for a big defense spending hike.
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's ruling People Power Party leader on Monday announced his resignation in a televised press conference after President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached by the parliament last Saturday. 
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is taking aim at his party's isolationist wing  including Donald Trump  faulting them for undermining tough-on-Russia policies and sending mixed signals to allies.

The Kentucky Republican delivered a rare critique of the president-elect in a Foreign Affairs essay on Monday, warning against the right-wing flirtation with isolation and decline. McConnell, who is stepping down from the Senate GOPs top spot, urged Trump to reject voices in the party advocating for a retreat from U.S. commitments to Ukraine and NATO and called on the new administration to double down on American military might.

America will not be made great again by those who simply want to manage its decline, he wrote.

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By criticizing Trumps missteps on Russia and cautioning against a retreat from global commitments, McConnell staked his claim as a check on isolationist voices in his own party. Hell chair the Senate Defense Appropriations panel next year, teeing up a potential clash with a White House that could pursue a wholesale revamp of U.S. foreign policy.

The article represents McConnells most extensive comments about national security and foreign policy since he announced his departure. And they highlight the widening split within the Republican Party as he exits leadership and Trump returns to Washington.



McConnell called on the incoming Trump administration to invest more money in the military and not forfeit U.S. involvement in Europe in favor of focusing on Asia, particularly China. He called the two regions interconnected challenges.

While he jabbed at President Joe Bidens policies, he also pointedly criticized isolationist strains in the GOP. "The response to four years of weakness must not be four years of isolation, he wrote.

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"Standing up to China will require Trump to reject the myopic advice that he prioritize that challenge by abandoning Ukraine, McConnell added. A Russian victory would not only damage the United States interest in European security and increase U.S. military requirements in Europe; it would also compound the threats from China, Iran, and North Korea."

The sharp critique focused on Trumps first-term inconsistencies on Ukraine and global crises. McConnell credited Trump for sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, striking targets in Syria after a suspected chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime, and heightening U.S. energy production to counter Russia. But temporarily withholding $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine undercut those hawkish moves, he said.

"Trump sometimes undermined these tough policies through his words and deeds. He courted Putin, he treated allies and alliance commitments erratically and sometimes with hostility, McConnell wrote. These public episodes raised doubts about whether the United States was committed to standing up to Russian aggression, even when it actually did so."

McConnell has been a vocal supporter of continued aid to Ukraine and larger Pentagon budgets. He has reprimanded both parties for not taking global threats seriously.

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But his most notable criticism has been for his own party. His words underscore how he may serve as a foil to Trump and his wing of the GOP from his new post-leadership perch.

The essay resembles a speech the Kentucky Republican gave earlier this month at a defense conference warning against the isolationist policy strain in the GOP and urging the U.S. to double down on alliances and hard military power. The latest salvo marks an even more strident criticism of the GOP and defense of its hawkish tradition.

"As it takes these steps, the administration will face calls from within the Republican Party to give up on American primacy, McConnell wrote. It must reject them.

He chided Republicans who delayed action this year on billions in aid to Kyiv. But McConnell noted the GOP senators he led overwhelmingly supported the measure and those who did won their 2024 primaries.

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"The weakness of the Biden administrations policies was drowned out by frenzied attention to some Republicans objections to supporting Ukraine, he argued.

McConnell also endorsed a sweeping push to expand U.S. military power and ensure the country can respond to two global crises at once. He called for investments in munitions stockpiles, the defense industrial base and technical cooperation with allies.

McConnell, in line with calls from conservatives to slash spending, wrote that Trump should gut extravagant non-defense spending spurred by Democrats to finance increases to the Pentagon budget. He also called for overhauling entitlement programs and government regulations.
JOHNSONVILLE, S.C. (WBTW)  Months after hailing a landmark preservation deal in Florence County, Gov. Henry McMaster this week will make an in-person appearance in the area to celebrate the project.

Hell be attending a 10 a.m. news conference Monday at Odell Venters Landing in Johnsonville where officials will talk about the future of Snows Island.

In July, the Open Space Institute announced a joint partnership with the Florence County Council, state Office of Resilience, Darla Moore Foundation and Houston-based nonprofit Knobloch Family Foundation to acquire the 7,600-acre site.

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Snows Island is one of South Carolinas greatest natural assets, with significant environmental, cultural, and historical value, McMaster said in July, when the project was first announced.

The importance of this property is showcased by the range of partners that have come together to protect it, and when it is protected, it will be safeguarded for current and future generations to enjoy and cherish.

The 5,000-acre inland island is comprised mostly of forested wetlands  sitting at the confluence of the Lynches and Great Pee Dee rivers. Snows Island is adjacent to a 2,600-acre tract that acquired in April.

In July, the county council voted to use $1.5 million from its capital project sales tax to help finalize OSIs purchase  the first public conservation investment ever made by local government leaders.

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Snows Island epitomizes Florence Countys beautiful rivers and rich history, county council chairman William Schofield said. We are proud to play a pivotal role in ensuring that this incredible asset is protected and available to the public to enjoy forever.

Currently, 1.8% of Florence County is preserved  Snows Island addition nearly doubles that figure.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Snows Island served as General Francis Marions main encampment during the Revolutionary War  a launching point for his raids on British outposts and major assault on the Georgetown garrison.

* * *

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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This afternoon, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry released their Archewell holiday card, where they gave the first look at their children in years. The couple included a shot of Lilibet, 3, and Archie, 5, running to hug them in the top center photo of their card.



Both Archie and Lili are very much redheads like their dad, with Lilis long red curls standing out.

Courtesy of Archewell

Meghan and Harry havent released a close-up picture of Lili since her first birthday in June 2022. In December 2022, they shared a couple photos of both Archie and Lili in their Netflix documentary series. They have not shared any snaps of their kids since.

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The Archewell holiday card also includes photos from Harry and Meghans trips over the year, including their visits to Colombia and Nigeria.

A source told Us Weekly in August that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have avoided sharing photos of their children to protect them. Even in the holiday card, the couple chose not to show Lili and Archies faces.

I think every parent wants to share their kid with the world, but they just cant, a family friend told Us Weekly, referencing the security risk Meghan and Harry face. In 2020, the couple stepped back from their senior royal family roles and lost their U.K. taxpayer-funded police protection as a result. Harry has been fighting in court so that they can pay for that protection when they visit the U.K.

Williams kids, for example, have way more safety, even though theyre recognizable, the insider said, referring to Harrys brother, Prince William, and his three children with Kate Middleton. And the same doesnt apply to Meghan and Harrys children. They know the world wants to see [them, but] I would expect them to live smaller lives until that gets sorted, if it ever does.

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A man from Memphis, Tennessee, has been found guilty by a judge in Fiji of murdering his wife during their honeymoon in 2022, the prosecutors office said Monday.

Bradley Robert Dawson, 40, killed his wife, Christe Chen, who was 36, at the exclusive Turtle Island resort in the Yasawa archipelago two days after the newlyweds arrived in Fiji, then fled by kayak to a nearby island. Chen was discovered in the couples room by resort staff with multiple blunt trauma wounds to her head after the couple was heard arguing and did not appear at breakfast or lunch the next day.

Justice Riyaz Hamza found Dawson guilty in the Lautoka High Court last Thursday after a weeklong trial, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said. Dawson had defended the charge.

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The fact that Dawson was carrying his passport and other belongings with him when he was arrested indicated that he planned to flee, Hamza said, according to the Fiji Times newspaper. The judge said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Dawson and no one else had committed the offense.

The U.S. national, who remains in custody in Fiji, faces a mandatory term of life in prison when he is sentenced in January. Fiji law permits a presiding judge to set a minimum term to be served before a pardon is considered.

Photo of victim Christe Chen Dawson who was killed by her husband in 2022 while on their honeymoon in Fiji. - from Christe Dawson/Facebook

An attorney for Dawson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In 2022, a lawyer representing Christe Chens parents said their daughters body was so badly damaged that she could not be embalmed for return to the U.S. and her remains were cremated. Chen worked as a pastry chef before returning to school to become a pharmacist, and had worked in that capacity at a Kroger supermarket in Memphis.

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The familys lawyer, Ronald Gordon  who did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday  said Chen and Dawson were heard arguing over dinner the night before the murder.

Dawson worked in the information technology department at Youth Villages, a nonprofit child welfare and support organization based in Memphis, the organization confirmed when he was arrested. An online records search showed no criminal arrests for Dawson in Shelby County, which includes Memphis.

The Turtle Island resort, where the pair stayed, is an exclusive and remote 500-acre island that accommodates only 14 couples at a time. Yasawa is a group of about 20 volcanic islands in the west of Fiji, an idyllic South Pacific island nation of 930,000 people.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Over the last few days, renewed attention has been brought on a case in 2013 where two men in Tupelo, Mississippi were suspected of sending threatening letters containing poisonous ricin dust to different political figures, including former President Barack Obama.

On Dec. 11, The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga was released on Netflix, detailing the lives of Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator-turned-conspiracy theorist and James Everett Dutschke, a karate instructor-turned political hopeful, at the center of the case, which targeted Obama, Mississippi U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and Judge Sadie Holland. Ultimately, Curtis was exonerated and cleared of the charges while Dutschke pleaded guilty to sending the letters, as well as framing Curtis in the case. He is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence on the charges.

However, before being considered suspects in the case, both Curtis and Dutschke had had their own run-ins with the law in Alabama.

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Auburn Team Chaplain Chette Williams dies in Lake Martin drowning

On October 31, 2009, Curtis was arrested while performing at the Moody Oktoberfest and charged with being a fugitive from justice on a cyberstalking charge out of Ouachita Parish in Monroe, Louisiana.

Officials in Moody had apparently received information from Monroe, La., that Mr. Curtis was performing at this event in Moody, St. Clair County District Attorney Richard Minor told The Daily Home in 2013. Sgt. Thomas Hunt, who is now the police chief in Moody, escorted Curtis off the stage to the Moody Police Department, where he was told about his felony warrants out of Louisiana.

By November 25, 2009, the warrant had been recalled and the charges had been dropped by the following January.

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Then, on September 12, 2012, Curtis was arrested and charged with public intoxication after being found lying in the street with no shirt on in Leeds. Curtis ex-wife, Laura, told The Associated Press that, at least for a time, he had lived in the Birmingham area before moving back to Mississippi.

(Leeds officers) decided he was a danger to himself so we arrested him, Leeds Police Chief Byron Jackson told The Daily Home. There were no other issues with the arrest at all.

One of Alabamas oldest citizens dies at 107

In Kings of Tupelo, Curtis admitted to being very active online prior to the ricin case, often posting conspiracy theories about illegal organ harvesting that he believed was happening in Mississippi and was being covered up. These theories, as well as the antagonistic way he would treat friends and family over these claims, would eventually find their way to Dutschke, who worked as an insurance agent at firm owned by Curtis brother, Jack. Their relationship was cordial at first, with Curtis encouraging Dutschke to tell his story in a small newspaper he ran, but that eventually soured, resulting in back-and-forth harassment online.

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Prior to being fingered as the chief suspect in the ricin case, Dutschke had been arrested by a state trooper in Demopolis, Alabama on February 5, 1994, charged with speeding and driving with a suspended license. He pleaded guilty to both misdemeanor charges.

In addition to the federal ricin charges, Dutschke is also serving a 20-year consecutive prison sentence after being convicted of fondling several children at the karate studio he ran between 2007 and 2013.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The new Los Angeles District Attorney has reiterated that the Menendez Brothers cases will be handled separately.

In his first network interview, incoming DA Nathan Hochman explained to NBC News Lester Holt that the infamous brothers face their own individual cases. While that was always the case  each brother faced their own jury and case initially  much of the public packages the pair together when thinking about their crime.

While theyre called the Menendez Brothers case, theres an Erik Menendez case and a Lyle Menendez case, Hochman said. So we will look at each case separately, which is the way they actually should be handled.

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The brothers popularity surged earlier this year after Ryan Murphys Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, brought the case back into focus. That popularity led to an outcry that makes a new decision on the case  which currently has the pair serving life sentences without the possibility for parole  a possibly historically significant case, which Hochman acknowledged to Holt.

This is an important decision, although that decision is not going to get a more rigorous review of the facts and law than any other decision, even though so many other decisions dont get the media attention, he said. What Im actually hoping about the Menendez case is that people use that as the springboard to get interested in criminal justice issues.

Hochman continued, You know, theres a whole lotta people who heard a little bit about the Menendez case. I want them to learn a lot about the Menendez case, and not just stop with the Menendez case. There are plenty of cases out there that, if the public gets interested in, itll actually help the process of bringing justice across this this county, this state, maybe even this nation.

Former LA DA George Gascon was vocally in favor of resentencing or clemency for the brothers, who went to prison for the 1989 murder of their parents. Hochman is not of like mind, and just last week transferred two deputies who petitioned a judge to grant parole to Erik and Lyle. The Menendez lawyer, Bryan Freedman, issued a letter to Hochman since he took office, suspecting him of working against the brothers.

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Instead of wanting to meet with the victims family members that can share their own personal experiences of years watching and speaking directly with Lyle and Erik, you chose to meet with Milton Andersons attorney first  It does not make any sense to my client, he wrote. Anderson is the brother of Kitty Menendez, the mother of Erik and Lyle.

Freedman said, I thought that when you were ready to meet or talk to the victims that you would want to meet or hear from the victims that knew Lyle and Erik best over the past 30 plus years of incarceration. Instead of that happening, I was very surprised to read that you had instead spoken with the attorney who represented the one family member who did not interact with Erik and Lyle over these past 30-plus years.

Hochmans full interview with Holt airs tonight at 6:30 pm ET on NBC News.

The post Menendez Brothers Cases Will Be Handled Separately Under New LA District Attorney| Video appeared first on TheWrap.
In a letter written to Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman and obtained by TMZ, Menendez family lawyer Bryan Freedman says, There is concern however that your process of gathering information from the victims has been unfair.

Freedman added that instead of wanting to meet with the victims family members that can share their own personal experiences of years watching and speaking directly with Lyle and Erik, you chose to meet with Milton Andersons attorney first  It does not make any sense to my client. Anderson is the brother of Kitty Menendez, the mother of Erik and Lyle.

I thought that when you were ready to meet or talk to the victims that you would want to meet or hear from the victims that knew Lyle and Erik best over the past 30 plus years of incarceration, Freedman continued. Instead of that happening, I was very surprised to read that you had instead spoken with the attorney who represented the one family member who did not interact with Erik and Lyle over these past 30-plus years.

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Freedman added that Anderson has no personal knowledge of how Lyle and Erik have behaved while incarcerated and also cannot opine on whether they are a threat to society since he has not interacted with them in any way.

Was it Kathy Cady (Andersons lawyer) that you met with on behalf of Milton Anderson? Freedman continued. If so, how was the meeting arranged with Kathy Cady? Did she support your campaign for office? Did her support of your campaign or her writing a published op-ed give Milton Anderson any advantage to be able to have his attorney meet with you?

On Wednesday Hochman transferred Deputies Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, who petitioned a judge to grant parole to Erik and Lyle Menendez, from the case. In October, Theberge and Lunsford submitted a 57-page filing that attested the overwhelming evidence of the Menendez brothers rehabilitation in prison should result in a resentencing, which would immediately make them eligible for parole.

In January, Mark Geragos, another lawyer for the brothers, will ask Judge Michael Jesic to consider a resentencing.

The post Menendez Family Lawyer Accuses D.A. Nathan Hochman of Working Against the Brothers appeared first on TheWrap.
Metro Detroit native Kristen Bell will host one of Hollywood's major awards shows in 2025.

Bell, who grew up in Huntington Woods, will preside over the Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 23. The show will be streamed live on Netflix.

This is Bell's second time hosting the SAG Awards. She filled the same role in 2018 when she made history as the first-ever host of the program, which previously relied only on a roster of presenters.

Kristen Bell will host the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Bell's numerous credits include starring in two critically praised TV series, the CW's "Veronica Mars" and NBC's "The Good Place." The star of movies including "Bad Moms" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," she is best known to family-film audiences as the voice of Anna in the "Frozen" movies.

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This year, Bell starred with Adam Brody in the new Netflix sitcom "Nobody Wants This," in which she plays an agnostic podcaster who becomes involved in a relationship with a rabbi. The show has been renewed for a second season.

Bell is married to another celebrity from southeast Michigan, actor and podcaster Dax Shepard.

Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kristen Bell to host 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards
A 16-year-old New Mexico boy killed his family in a quadruple homicide, then turned himself in to police early Saturday, authorities said.

Diego Leyva was booked at the traumatic scene in Belen, New Mexico, state police said in a Facebook post. The four victims were not publicly identified.

All four family members were fatally shot, and a handgun was found on the kitchen table, cops said. Leyva was extremely intoxicated when he was detained, and police took him to a local hospital. Cops said he would be taken later to a juvenile detention facility.

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This incident is in the preliminary stages of investigation, state police wrote on Facebook. Once more information is learned and the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the district attorneys office for prosecution.

After killing his family, Leyva called 911 around 3:30 a.m. Saturday and told the dispatcher what hed done, according to police. Officers arrived shortly afterward at the home in Belen, about 30 miles south of Albuquerque.

Leyva walked out of the house with his hands in the air and surrendered without incident, authorities said.

The family home sits in a rural, undeveloped area of the town, the Albuquerque Journal reported, adding a Christmas tree was visible through a window at the house. Belen has about 7,500 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A New Mexico teenager has been arrested after allegedly killing four family members while intoxicated over the weekend, authorities said.

New Mexico State Police on Sunday night identified the victims in a statement as Leonardo Leyva, 42, Adriana Bencomo, 35, Adrian Leyva, 16, and Alexander Leyva, 14.

Police said all four died of suspected gunshot wounds.

The Valencia County Fire Department said Bencomo was an active volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department.

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"The Valencia County community experienced a tragic incident yesterday morning," it said in a statement on Facebook. "Our brothers and sisters at RCFD are shocked and saddened by this loss as expected."

The 16-year-old suspect called the Valencia County Sheriff's Office at around 3:30 a.m. MST Saturday, reporting that he had killed his family.

When sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene in Belen, located about 30 miles south of Albuquerque, the teenage suspect walked out of the residence with his hands above his head.

New Mexico State Police said the teenager was "extremely intoxicated" and was taken into custody without incident.

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Inside the residence, deputies found the four victims along with a handgun on the kitchen table.

After detoxing at a local hospital, the suspect was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque at around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

The boy has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

The scene is still being processed, and the evidence, once compiled, will be presented to the district attorney's office for prosecution, New Mexico State Police said.

According to The Gun Violence Archive, which tallies gun violence in the United States, there have been at least 28 mass murders in the country this year

"Our brothers and sisters at RCFD are shocked and saddened by this loss as The Gun Violence Archive, which tallies gun violence in the United States, there have been at least 28 mass murders in the country this year.
People mourn journalist Ahmed Al-Louh during his funeral at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Sunday evening in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a civil defense center in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a press statement that among the dead was a journalist named Ahmed Al-Louh, who worked as a photographer for Qatar's Al Jazeera TV. However, the Israeli army accused him of being a military operative for the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has topped 45,000, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Sunday evening in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a civil defense center in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources.

Marwan al-Hams, an official at Gaza-based health authorities, told Xinhua that about 21 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school for displaced people in Khan Younis, while dozens of others, mostly women and children, were injured.

A Xinhua photographer at the scene witnessed bloodied bodies of the dead and wounded among the rubble of the top floor of the school, which belongs to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the attack.

In central Gaza, four members of the civil defense, including a journalist, were killed in an airstrike targeting an emergency post in the middle of the Nuseirat refugee camp, sources said.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the civil defense in Gaza, accused Israel of committing a "heinous crime" against the civil defense teams. "The victims were carrying out their humanitarian and national duties," he told Xinhua.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a press statement that among the dead was a journalist named Ahmed Al-Louh, who worked as a photographer for Qatar's Al Jazeera TV. However, the Israeli army accused him of being a military operative for the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza.

In a statement issued later in the day, the Israeli army said its air force targeted a site in the Nuseirat camp used by "terrorists" to plan and carry out attacks against the Israeli Defense Forces.

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 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 risen to 44,976, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. 

People attend a funeral of journalist Ahmed Al-Louh at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Sunday evening in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a civil defense center in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a press statement that among the dead was a journalist named Ahmed Al-Louh, who worked as a photographer for Qatar's Al Jazeera TV. However, the Israeli army accused him of being a military operative for the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has topped 45,000, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People attend a funeral of journalist Ahmed Al-Louh at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Sunday evening in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a civil defense center in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a press statement that among the dead was a journalist named Ahmed Al-Louh, who worked as a photographer for Qatar's Al Jazeera TV. However, the Israeli army accused him of being a military operative for the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has topped 45,000, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People attend a funeral of journalist Ahmed Al-Louh at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Sunday evening in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a civil defense center in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a press statement that among the dead was a journalist named Ahmed Al-Louh, who worked as a photographer for Qatar's Al Jazeera TV. However, the Israeli army accused him of being a military operative for the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has topped 45,000, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Tanya Lattin, Commander at the Corrales Fire Department, gives Rachel Ralya's three year old son an injection of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday, June 23, 2022. (Photo by Shelby Wyatt for Source NM)

New Mexico health officials urged residents of the state Monday to get vaccinated for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV as people gather for winter holiday celebrations that can also spread infections.

Getting vaccinated against these winter viruses is about protecting yourself and safeguarding those around you, Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham said in a news release.

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Very high amounts of COVID-19 were found in samples from New Mexico sewers, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Members of the public are left to rely on sewer data to understand how much COVID-19 is spreading in their communities because public health officials no longer provide individual testing like they did earlier in the pandemic.

New Mexico started testing sewage for COVID-19 in April 2022, and stopped providing easily available, community-wide, free diagnostic testing for COVID-19 at the end of that year, to the dismay of local advocates.

As of Dec. 9, only 12.4% of New Mexicans had received the COVID-19 vaccine updated to fight against the latest variants, according to state health department data. Vaccination rates were even lower among Black and Hispanic New Mexicans, and among people aged 39 and younger.

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State health officials are directing people toward an online database of providers offering vaccines and vaccination events, and to a list of public health offices for people, including children, who do not have insurance to get a free vaccine.

In a separate news release later on Monday, the health department said state public health offices will be closed on Christmas and New Years Day, though nurses will still be staffing the health helpline during those holidays. That number to call is 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).

New Mexico in March 2023 privatized COVID vaccines and treatments as part of the end of the Biden administrations official response to the pandemic.

Since last fall, COVID has hospitalized six times more people in New Mexico than RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and flu combined. Between September 2023 and Dec. 7, the latest health department data available, COVID has sent 436 New Mexicans to the hospital, while influenza has hospitalized 69 and RSV has hospitalized three.

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We cannot talk about COVID in the past tense, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week. Its still with us, it still causes acute disease and Long COVID, and it still kills.

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Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn speaks about the documentary about him in Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

Rick Wilson, the former GOP political operative turned critic of Donald Trump and MAGA, has defeated a defamation suit filed by Michael Flynn, briefly Trumps national security adviser, involving social media posts tying Flynn to Russia and the Qanon conspiracy theory.

Following a January trial, a Sarasota County trial judge ruled that Flynn, also a retired lieutenant general, failed to prove that Lincoln Project co-founder and Tallahassee resident Wilson had defamed him.

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On Wednesday, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the decision.

Wilson argued that his messages were protected by the First Amendment as opinion or rhetorical hyperbole; the trial and appeals courts agreed.

We have the privilege of living in a country with a profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks, Judge Susan Rothstein-Youakim wrote for a panel also including judges Darryl Casanueva and Laurence Silberman.

Like it or not, such attacks are a characteristic feature of our democracy  regardless of the political persuasion of the speaker and regardless of the political persuasion of the public figure on the receiving end of that speech, the opinion continues. As the trial court noted, Wilsons tweets may not have been polite, and they may not have been fair. But the First Amendment required neither, and so we affirm.

Rick Wilson is the co-founder of the Lincoln Project and lives in Tallahassee. (Via subject.)

Flynn sought $50 million in damages and an order for Wilson to stop defaming him. Instead, he has been ordered by the court to pay Wilsons appellate fees  which, Wilson wrote, amount to Many zeroes. Six figures.

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Their decision wasnt just a win for me  it was a powerful affirmation of free speech, Wilson said in his newsletter. Not the warped, Elon-flavored The Nazis had some good points free speech MAGA Twitter loves to celebrate, but actual free speech: my right to call out Mike Flynns character, conduct, and record.

Ukraine invasion

Wilsons tweets came in response to Flynns reaction following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

My offense? I tweeted Putin Employee Mike Flynn after he tried some shameless Vladwashing of Russias invasion of Ukraine. And their second pillar  and I use that word as loosely as possible  was that I retweeted Jim Stewardson, who (in part) referred to Flynn as Q of QAnon fame, Wilson wrote Thursday in his Substack newsletter. I kept imagining the legal implications if a retweet could be found to be defamatory. The world would be in some deep legal waters.

Flynn has had a number of connections to Russia. He served 22 days as national security adviser but Trump fired him after concluding Flynn had lied to the FBI and Vice President Mike Pence about discussing U.S. sanctions placed by Barack Obama on Russia with the Russian government before taking office. Additionally, Flynn accepted a speaking engagement with RT, Russia Today, in Moscow in 2015, receiving $45,000, NBC reported.

Plain meaning

Flynns arguments focused on the plain meanings of the words Wilson used but the appellate judges replied that the context was crucial.

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And stripped from the rest of the tweet, Wilsons statement may indeed appear to be making a factual claim about Flynns economic relationship with Putin, the opinion reads. But that is not what a reasonable reader of Wilsons Twitter feed would think Wilson was trying to communicate. Rather, whether Flynn gets a regular paycheck from the Russian Federation  like Putins secretary perhaps  just isnt Wilsons point.

The court said Flynn provided no evidence that Wilson acted with legal malice, nor could the Qanon statement be proven true or false.

We agree with the trial court that no reasonable jury could find that Wilson defamed Flynn through the retweet of FYI, Mike Flynn is Q, the judges wrote.

Lawfare

Wilson wrote that the case exemplified the use of lawfare by the MAGA movement to intimidate critics.

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Flynns crusade against me is just one stitch in the broader MAGA tapestry of lawfare. Whether its their suits against the Federal Government, NBC, CNN, Nicolle Wallace, Andrew Weissmann, Fred Wellman, MeidasTouch, Jim Stewardson, or anyone else who dares to speak the truth, the strategy is clear: silence the critics of Trump World by any means necessary,  he wrote.

Thankfully, the lower court  and now the DCA  disagreed. Free speech isnt a one-way street, no matter how hard Flynn and his ilk try to rewrite the rules.

This article first appeared in the Florida Phoenix, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Michigan police officer has been fired after being arrested and accused of possessing child sexually abusive material.

Michigan State Police said 38-year-old Alexander Stachura, of Williamston, faces three counts of possessing child sexually abusive material and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime. Each count comes with a sentence of up to four years in prison.

Stachura worked with the Meridian Township Police Department in Ingham County prior to his arrest.

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The police department told News 8 affiliate WILX-TV that they were notified on Oct. 29 about an investigation into one of its officers. Stachura was placed on paid administrative leave and his access to all township facilities and computers was revoked.

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According to WILX, Stachura had been with the department for less than a year.

The criminal charges were filed on Dec. 10. Stachura was fired that same day. He was arraigned on the charges on Dec. 11.

The MSP Computer Crimes Unit encourages parents to speak to their children and family members about the safe use of the internet. A list of resources is available on the task forces website.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad says he had no plans to leave the country after the fall of Damascus a week ago but the Russian military evacuated him from their base in western Syria after it came under attack.

I did not leave the country as part of a plan as it was reported earlier, Assad said. The comments posted to his Facebook on Monday are the first by Assad since he was overthrown on Dec. 8 by jihadi-led Syrian rebels, who are now working to establish security and start a political transition.

Israel has been pounding what it says are military sites in Syria after the dramatic collapse of Assads rule, wiping out air defenses and most of the arsenal of the Syrian army. Israeli troops have also seized a border buffer zone, sparking condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.

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Here is the latest:

Israeli attack in Gaza kills a Palestinian man whose final embrace of his granddaughter became an iconic moment of the war

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  An Israeli artillery attack on Monday in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza killed the Palestinian grandfather Khaled Nabhan, according to hospital officials, a year after a video of him cradling his young granddaughter's lifeless body became an iconic scene of the war.

In a video widely shared on social media, Nabhan can be seen hugging 3-year-old Reem and calling her soul of my soul in a final goodbye before her body is prepared for burial. She was killed alongside her infant brother Tarek by Israeli strikes in November 2023.

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Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat confirmed Nabhan's death to The Associated Press on Monday. Videos shared on social media by local journalists showed Nabhan's corpse lying on a hospital bed, his salt-and-pepper beard matted with blood.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attack, but blames Hamas for civilian casualties, saying militants often operate in residential areas.

Israeli defense minister is optimistic about Gaza ceasefire progress

JERUSALEM  Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday he believed negotiators were closer to a ceasefire deal in Gaza than at any time since a weeklong truce in November 2023.

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We all estimate that an opportunity is being created following Hamass need to become more flexible, and I really hope we can advance to a practical stage in this process, he said ahead of a closed-door session of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire late last month, removing a key ally of Hamas from the battlefield.

There has been only one ceasefire in Gaza since the Hamas attack that triggered the war. In November 2023, 105 hostages  mainly women, children, and Thai foreign nationals  were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

UK will send a delegation to meet with Syria's new rebel leaders

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LONDON  The British government says it is sending a delegation to Syria to meet with the rebels who toppled President Bashar Assad, as well as to meet civil society groups.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told reporters that the U.K. would support an inclusive transitional political process that is Syrian-led and Syrian-owned.

Britain, along with the U.S. and other countries, classifies Hayat Tahrir al-Sham  the main rebel group and a former al-Qaida affiliate  as a terrorist organization. U.K. officials have suggested they may reconsider that designation, but have not given a timeline. They say British officials can still talk to HST in the meantime.

The U.K. said Sunday pledged 50 million pounds ($63 million) in funding to provide food, shelter, medical care and other emergency services for vulnerable Syrians as part of efforts to stabilize the country.

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US says it struck the Islamic State group in Syria, killing 12 people

WASHINGTON  U.S. forces conducted another round of airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Monday, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.

The strikes targeted IS camps and operatives in Syria, killing 12 people, U.S. Central Command said in a statement posted to X.

The strikes are aimed at preventing the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek opportunities to reconstitute in central Syria, Central Command said.

The U.S. has kept troops in Syria for the last decade, and Syrian government's unexpected collapse after a rebel offensive has raised fears of an IS resurgence.

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Trump says he had a very good talk with Israel's Netanyahu

WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that he had a very good talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

I gave warning that if these hostages arent home by that date all hells going to break out, Trump said, repeating his threat on social media about releasing the Israeli captives in Gaza by the time he takes office next month.

Appearing before the news media at his Florida estate on Monday, Trump deflected a question about conversations he may have had with Russia Vladimir Putin since winning the election in November. Instead, he said he would talk about Netanyahu.

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It was a recap call more than anything else, Trump added. He did not say when he spoke with Netanyahu.

On Monday, Netanyahu's office said the prime minister met with Adam Boehler, Trumps special envoy for the hostages, during a private visit by Boehler to Israel.

UN envoy to Syria meets with rebel leaders and visits notorious prison

DAMASCUS  The U.N. envoy to Syria was in Damascus on Monday, holding meetings with the countrys new rebel leaders and meeting with families whose loved ones disappeared into an notorious prison during the rule of ousted President Bashar Assad.

Geir Pedersen reaffirmed the U.N.s commitment to supporting the Syrian people in the wake of Assads sudden overthrow by jihadi-led rebels.

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Pedersen met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the main insurgent group, and Mohammed Bashir, Syrias interim prime minister who previously led the government in rebel-held territory.

The post-Assad transition has been surprisingly smooth. Reports of reprisals, revenge killings and sectarian violence have been minimal. Still, Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, and many of them fear the possibility that Sunni Islamist extremists will take over.

Pedersen also toured the cold concrete halls of Saydnaya Prison, long referred to as the slaughterhouse under Assad's rule.

Hopefully, what we see here is now a closed chapter in Syrias history, Pedersen said in a statement, after speaking with people whose relatives were detained or went missing.

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Tens of thousands of people came to the prison last week looking for their family members, but only a few dozen detainees were found inside. One relative asked Pedersen on Monday if the U.N. could bring special equipment to help search for chambers hidden beneath the prison.

Netanyahu's testimony in his corruption trial will resume Wednesday

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not testify Tuesday in his ongoing corruption trial, after his lawyers requested his testimony be cancelled.

He testified in court Sunday and he is expected to return on Wednesday. Netanyahu took the stand for the first time in his long-running corruption trial last week, becoming the only sitting Israeli leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant.

Netanyahu will answer to charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. Netanyahu, 75, denies wrongdoing, saying the charges are a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media and a biased legal system out to topple his lengthy rule.

The testimony is set to take place six hours a day, three days a week for several weeks, and will take up a significant chunk of Netanyahus working hours as he faces Israel's ongoing war in Gaza as well as developments in Syria and Lebanon.

Israeli military says it intercepted a projectile from Yemen

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen that had triggered sirens across the Tel Aviv metropolitan area on Monday afternoon.

The missile was intercepted outside Israels borders, the military said. However, shrapnel fell on the roof of a home in the east Jerusalem, which the military said was likely from one of the Israeli interceptor missiles. There were no reports of casualties or major damage, according to Israels emergency services.

The Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels, known as the Houthis, claimed responsibility for firing a hypersonic ballistic missile toward Tel Aviv.

The Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles toward Israel since the start of the war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, but nearly all of those weapons have been intercepted.

In July, an Iranian-made drone launched by the Houthis struck Tel Aviv, killing one person and wounding 10 others. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes on Houthi-held areas of Yemen, including the port city of Hodeidah.

The Houthis have also been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for more than a year  attacks they say won't stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

U.S. forces conducted another round of airstrikes Monday that targeted a Houthi "command and control facility in the capital Sanaa, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement posted to X.

Assad says he wanted to keep fighting in Syria but his Russian allies evacuated him

DAMASCUS, Syria  Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad says he had no plans to leave the country after the fall of Damascus a week ago but the Russian military evacuated him after their base in western Syria came under attack.

The comments are the first by Assad since he was overthrown by insurgent groups.

Assad said in a statement on his Facebook page that he left Damascus on the morning of Dec. 8, hours after insurgents stormed the capital. He said he left in coordination with Russian allies to the Russian base in the coastal province of Latakia, where he planned to keep fighting.

Assad said that after the Russian base came under attack by drones, the Russians decided to move him on the night of Dec. 8 to Russia. I did not leave the country as part of a plan as it was reported earlier, Assad said.

At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge nor was such proposal made by any individual or party, Assad said in the English text of his statement. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.

Death toll from Israel-Hamas war tops 45,000

Health officials in the Gaza Strip say the death toll from the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas militants has reached 45,028 people.

The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. It said more than half of the fatalities were women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The Health Ministry also said 106,962 have been wounded since the start of the war.

Turkey condemns Israeli plan to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights

ANKARA, Turkey  A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said Monday the decision marked a new stage in Israels goal of expanding its borders through occupation, adding that Ankara was concerned that the move would harm efforts to establish peace and stability in Syria.

The international community must show the necessary reaction to Israel and ensure that the illegal activities of (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahus government come to an end, the statement read.

Qatar also condemned the decision, calling it a new episode in a series of Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories and a blatant violation of international law.

The Israeli government approved Netanyahus plan on Sunday with the aim to encourage population growth in the area.

Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it, though the international community except for the U.S. regards it as occupied. Israeli figures show the remote territory is home to about 50,000 people, about half of them Jewish Israelis and the other half Arab Druze, many of whom still consider themselves Syrians.

Mourners in Gaza gather for funeral of Al Jazeera journalist

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  In central Gazas Nuseirat urban refugee camp, mourners carried Monday the body of Ahmad Baker Al-Louh, 39, a Palestinian journalist working for Al Jazeera, from the hospital through the streets. His blue bulletproof vest rested atop him.

Al-Louh was killed the day before in a strike on a point for Gazas civil defense agency and Al Jazeera said had been covering rescue operations of a family wounded in an earlier bombing when he was killed.

Sundays strike also killed three civil defense workers, including the local head of the agency, according to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The civil defense is Gazas main rescue agency and operates under the Hamas-run government.

Israeli strike kills 10 in Gaza City

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  The 10 included a family of four, Palestinian medics said Monday, as the Israel-Hamas war raged on for the 14th month in the Gaza Strip.

The strike late Sunday hit a house in Gaza Citys eastern Shijaiyah neighborhood, according to the Health Ministrys ambulance and emergency service. Rescuers recovered the bodies of 10 people from under the rubble, including those of two parents and their two children, it said.

US Embassy advises Americans to leave Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria  The U.S. Embassy in Damascus advised Americans to leave Syria, saying the security situation there continues to be volatile and unpredictable with armed conflict and terrorism throughout the country."

The embassy, which has been closed since 2012, posted a statement on X, warning U.S. citizens who were unable to leave the country to prepare contingency plans for emergency situations. It didn't give further details.

The statement also said that the U.S. government is unable to provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens and those who need emergency assistance to depart should contact the U.S. Embassy in the country they plan to enter.

Sleeper cells of the Islamic State group have claimed responsibility for deadly attacks over the past months in different parts of Syria. Despite their defeat in March 2019, the extremists still pose a threat in the war-torn country.

War monitor says Israel targets missile warehouses

DAMASCUS, Syria  The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported early Monday that Israeli airstrikes pounded missile warehouses and other former Syrian army sites along Syrias coast in the most violent strikes in the Syrian coast region since the beginning of the (Israeli) strikes in 2012.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the strikes.

The observatory said that violent explosions were heard in the coastal city of Tartous as a result of the successive strikes and the flying of ground-to-ground missiles from the warehouses.
MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A West Tennessee law enforcement officer and a suspect were killed during an officer-involved shooting in McNairy County Saturday afternoon.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), members of the Selmer Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious person outside a home in the 100 block of New Bethel Road just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.

ORIGINAL STORY: Selmer police officer, another person fatally shot in McNairy County

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Police said they were told a man had tried to force his way into a home, fired several shots into the door, and ran off before law enforcement arrived. After authorities learned the man was across the street, Officer Rick Finley  who reportedly worked part-time with the Selmer Police Department and full-time with the McNairy County Sheriffs Office  found him in a driveway.

When Finley got to the scene, he encountered 39-year-old Daniel Jeremiah Holmes, who allegedly attacked Finley before firing several shots and fatally wounding him. A second officer arrived and returned fire, striking Holmes, who was pronounced dead at the scene, the TBI said.

TBI agents continue to work to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his review and consideration, the bureau said in a statement. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters; that decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBIs involvement.

The McNairy County Sheriffs Office said authorities from across the state are escorting Finley  who was a sergeant at the sheriffs office  from Memphis to McNairy County on Sunday, Dec. 15. They should be traveling through Selmer around 5:30 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. before proceeding to the Shackleford Funeral Home, so anyone who wants to show support and pay their respects is asked to be on Mulberry between the city park and downtown.

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PREVIOUS: Officer, suspect identified in fatal officer-involved shooting

Law enforcement and emergency response agencies across Middle Tennessee, as well as a couple state lawmakers, turned to social media on Saturday and Sunday to share their prayers condolences with both the Selmer Police Department and the McNairy County Sheriffs Office:

Please join us in keeping the family of Selmer Police Officer, the Selmer Police Department, and the McNairy County community in your prayers, as they have lost an Officer in the line of duty today. Cannon County Sheriffs Office

On behalf of Sheriff Dale King and deputies at the Decatur County Sheriffs Office, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and officers at the Selmer Police Department and McNairy County Sheriffs Office who lost their beloved fellow officer, whose life was heroically sacrificed in the line of duty responding to a call for service. Decatur County Sheriffs Office

Sheriff Eads and the Dickson County Sheriffs Office are saddened to learn of the death of Officer Rick Finley of the Selmar Police Department and McNairy County Sheriffs Office. We ask that you join us in lifting the officers family, friends and these law enforcement agencies up in prayer. Rest easy brother Finley. Dickson County Sheriffs Office

The Henry County Sheriffs Office ask that you keep the McNairy County Sheriffs Office and Selmer PD in your prayers. As they mourn the loss of an officer this evening. Henry County Sheriffs Office

The Hickman County Sheriffs Office extends our deepest condolences to the McNairy County Sheriffs Office, Selmer P.D, and the family of your fallen deputy. Earlier this evening a Deputy working part time with the Selmer Police Department was shot and succumbed to their injuries. Our hearts are heavy with you during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hickman County Sheriffs Office

The Lewis County Sheriffs Office extends our condolences to the McNairy County Sheriffs Office, Selmer P.D, and the family of the fallen Deputy today. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Lewis County Sheriffs Office

Sheriff Hopper and the Smith County Sheriffs Office are saddened to learn of the tragic loss of a Selmer Tennessee Police Officer. Our condolences and our Prayers are with both the Department as well as the Officers family and friends. Smith County Sheriffs Office

We stand in solidarity with the McNairy County Sheriffs Office and the Selmer Police Department as they face the tragic loss of one of their own, who was killed in the line of duty today. We honor his sacrifice and unwavering commitment to serving and protecting his community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and fellow officers during this time of unimaginable grief. Please join us in lifting them up in prayer and reflection as we mourn the loss of this dedicated public servant. Rest easy, brother. Sumner County Sheriffs Office

The Williamson County Sheriffs Office extends our deepest condolences to the McNairy County Sheriffs Office, Selmer P.D, and the family of your fallen deputy. Our hearts are heavy with you during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Williamson County Sheriffs Office

Our hearts go out to the Selmer Police Department and the McNairy County Sheriffs Office during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Rick Finley, whose life was tragically taken in the line of duty. Officer Finleys courage, dedication, and sacrifice will not be forgotten. Please join us in keeping his loved ones and the entire Selmer and McNairy law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  Matthew 5:9 Wilson County Sheriffs Office

The Centerville Police Department extends our deepest sympathy to the Selmer Police Department and McNairy County Sheriffs Department for the loss of their officer and deputy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of mourning. Centerville Police Department

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and coworkers of part-time Selmer Police Department officer and full-time McNairy County Sheriffs Office Sergeant Rick Finley, who was killed in the line of duty. Sergeant Finley was working part-time for Selmer Police Department, when he was killed while on a suspicious person call. Coopertown Police Department

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Selmer Police Department, McNairy County Sheriffs Office, friends and family due to the loss of a fellow officer. Decherd Police Department

Our Thoughts Are with Selmer Police Department Tonight, we stand in solidarity with the Selmer Police Department as they mourn the loss of one of their own. Our hearts are heavy, and we extend our deepest condolences to their department, the officers family, and the entire community. Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts during this difficult time. #InHonor #PoliceFamily #EndOfWatch Gallatin Police Department

We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the McNairy County Sheriffs Office Deputy who tragically lost their life in the line of duty while serving part-time as an officer with the Selmer Police Department. In this profoundly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones, as well as the communities of Selmer and McNairy County. Let us take a moment to honor their dedicated service and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who work tirelessly to ensure our safety. Their commitment will not be forgotten, and their legacy will continue to inspire us all. Hendersonville Police Department

We are saddened to learn of the tragic loss of a Selmer Tennessee Police Officer. Our condolences and our Prayers are with both the Department as well as the Officers family and friends. Lebanon Police Department

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the McNairy County Sheriffs Office Deputy, who tragically lost their life in the line of duty overnight while serving part-time as a Selmer Police Department officer. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones, as well as the Selmer and McNairy County communities, during this difficult time. May we all take a moment to honor their service and remember the sacrifices made by those who work to keep us safe. Mt. Juliet Police Department

The Nolensville Police Department is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of an officer from the Selmer Tn Police Department due to gun violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen officers family and his colleagues during this difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Nolensville Police Department

We extend our deepest condolences to the Selmer Police Department, and the McNairy County Sheriffs Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Westmoreland Police Department

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out to McNairy County after an officer was killed in the line of duty yesterday. Please keep the officers, family and friends in your thoughts and prayers! Paris Henry County Rescue Squad

Prayers for the officer killed in the line of duty yesterday, his family, friends, as well as his work family. Its news you never want to see on here for sure Perry County 911 Dispatch Communications

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and colleagues of officer Rick Finley of the Selmer Police Department and McNairy County Sheriffs Office who was fatally shot in the line of duty on 12/14/2024. Trousdale County Emergency Services

Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Officer Rick Finley of the McNairy County Sheriffs Office and Selmer Police Department. We will never forget his sacrifice. U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.)

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This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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Miles College librarian receives coveted I Love My Librarian award

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A librarian at Miles College is one of 10 people nationwide to be selected for the I Love My Librarian Award.

Candice Hardy, director of the C.A. Kirkdendoll Learning Resources Center at Miles, was selected out of 1,300 nominations from across the country for the $5,000 award, which is presented by the American Library Association.

Librarians nationwide make positive impacts on their communities every day, and the inspiring stories from this years I Love My Librarian Award recipients prove how transformative their efforts can be to the lives of their patrons, ALA President Cindy Hohl said in a statement Monday.

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Men at the center of The Kings of Tupelo true crime series had previous run-ins with the law in Alabama

A 2009 graduate of Miles College, Hardy worked as an outreach librarian at the Birmingham Public Library before returning to her alma mater. At Miles, Hardy led a campuswide voter activation day before the presidential election, where students could discuss issues with local civic leaders. She also coordinated the installation of the Roots and Renaissance: An African American Journey Through Art exhibit, featuring art pieces curated by the Fairfield Black Art Collective from 25 local Black artists.

Ms. Hardy deeply cares about every student that walks through the door of the library, one of her nominators wrote. She goes out of her way to make sure that everyone feels welcome. Whether it is a smile, a kind word, or simply being there to help, her presence makes it a comforting place for all.

Hardy has hosted a career readiness event, a film screening and discussion panel on the Clotilda slave ship, as well as author visits.

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Created in 2009, the I Love My Librarian Award is sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with assistance from the New York Public Library.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Attorney William Harrison joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss who is investigating the murders of two military wives, whether their husbands will be tried in military or civilian courts, what kind of punishment they could face if convicted, and role of the Command in military cases in deciding whether an offense should be charged and how offenders should be punished.

Q. Two military service members in Hawaii are charged with murdering their wives. Who is investigating their murders, will they be tried in military or civilian courts, and what kind of punishment could they face  court martial, prison, or death penalty? First, does it depend on what kind of crime is committed?

Yes. When a crime is directly connected with an individuals service in the military, like mutiny, sedition, disobeying orders, or insubordination, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) exclusively applies. Violation of these crimes can result in court-martial in a military court.

Q. Does it matter where a crime is committed?

The federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over crimes committed on a military reservation like Schofield Barracks or Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. Crimes committed on military reservations by military service members are handled by the military police and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Office of Special Investigations (OSI), or Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) (in cases of serious crimes), investigates the incident and decides whether to file criminal charges within the federal system. In the case of the Kaneohe Marine Corps service member whose wife was found dead on-base, both military and local police are actively investigating the case and the command is fully cooperating with the investigation. The Military, Federal and Civilian authorities all have concurrent jurisdiction, however since the crime was committed on base by an active duty servicemember unless the military abdicated authority, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) would be invoked to prosecute in the military courts.

Q. What if the crime is unrelated to the military and is committed off-base?

There is concurrent jurisdiction for all crimes committed within the State that can be characterized as a State crime. Military courts have jurisdiction over offenses committed by servicemembers on duty or on military property. Federal courts have jurisdiction over crimes committed off-base or involving civilians. The military and the civilian authorities have a liaison office. They work closely with one another to decide jurisdictional. In cases such as DUI offenses, if committed off-base, the civil authorities have primary jurisdiction, on base solely the federal authorities. Schofield Barracks soldier Dewayne Johnson is facing multiple charges, including murder of his pregnant wife Mischa Johnson and unborn child. Her body has not been found and the Army Criminal Investigations Division is investigating and has even offered a $10,000 reward for credible information that can lead authorities to Mischa Johnsons whereabouts. In this case, there is concurrent jurisdiction and both jurisdictions may prosecute Johnson for the charges. As he is an active duty service member, Johnson can face court martial and criminal murder charges for the same offense.

Q. What is the role of the Command in military cases?

Unlike civilian communities, military commanders exercise discretion in deciding whether an offense should be charged and how the offenders should be punished. The disposition decision is one of the most important and difficult decisions facing a commander. The commander has a number of options available for the resolution of disciplinary problems. Briefly summarized, they are as follows (Source: https://vwac.defense.gov/military.aspx):

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The commander may choose to take no action. The circumstances surrounding an event actually may warrant that no adverse action be taken. The preliminary inquiry might indicate that the accused is innocent of the crime, that the only evidence is inadmissible, or the commander may decide that other valid reasons exist not to prosecute.

The commander may initiate administrative action against a soldier. The commander might determine that the best disposition for this offense and this offender is to take administrative rather than punitive action. Administrative action is not punitive in character; instead, it is meant to be corrective and rehabilitative. Administrative actions include measures ranging from counseling or a reprimand to involuntary separation.

The commander may dispose of the offense with nonjudicial punishment. Article 15, UCMJ, is a means of handling minor offenses requiring immediate corrective action. Nonjudicial punishment hearings are non-adversarial. They are not a mini-trial with questioning by opposing sides. The commander conducts the hearing. The service member may request an open or closed hearing, speak with an attorney about his case, have someone speak on his behalf, and present witnesses who are reasonably available. The rules of evidence do not apply. In order to find the service member guilty, the commander must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the service member committed the offense. The maximum punishment depends on the rank of the commander imposing punishment and the rank of the service member being punished. The service member has a right to appeal the imposing commanders decision to the next higher commander.

The commander may dispose of the offenses by court-martial. If the commander decides that the offense is serious enough to warrant trial by court-martial, the commander may exercise the fourth option, preferring and forwarding charges. The commander may chose from three potential levels of court-martial: summary, special, or general court-martial. These courts-martial differ in the procedures, rights, and possible punishment that can be adjudged. A summary court-martial is designed to dispose of minor offenses. Only enlisted soldiers may be tried by summary court-martial. A single officer presides over the hearing. The accused has no right to counsel but may hire an attorney to represent him. A special court-martial is an intermediate level composed of either a military judge alone, or at least three members and a judge. An enlisted service member may ask that at least one-third of the court members be enlisted. There is both a prosecutor, commonly referred to as the trial counsel, and a defense counsel. In addition, the accused may be represented by civilian counsel, at no expense to the government, or by an individually requested military counsel.

Q. How does the process of initiating charges differ between military court-martial and Hawaiis penal system?

In the military, charges are initiated through a process called preferral, where a commanding officer formally accuses a service member of an offense. This is followed by an investigation and, if warranted, a referral to a courtmartial. In Hawaiis penal system, charges are typically initiated by law enforcement through an arrest, followed by a prosecutor filing a complaint or indictment.

Q. What are the main types of court-martial in the military, and how do they differ from civilian courts?

In the military, there are three main types of courts-martial: summary, special, and general. Each type varies in severity and the level of offenses they handle. Summary courts-martial deal with minor offenses and involve a single officer acting as judge and jury. Special courts-martial are akin to misdemeanor courts and involve a military judge and at least three members. General courtsmartial handle the most serious offenses, similar to felony courts in the civilian system, and involve a military judge and at least five members. In contrast, civilian courts, such as those under Hawaii Penal rules, typically include district courts for misdemeanors and circuit courts for felonies, with a judge and jury system.

Q. What are the key differences in the rights of the accused in military court-martial versus Hawaiis criminal courts?

Both systems uphold fundamental rights such as the right to counsel and the right against self-incrimination. However, military courtmartial have unique aspects, such as the right to be represented by a military defense attorney at no cost, in addition to a civilian attorney if desired. In Hawaiis penal courts, defendants are entitled to a public defender if they cannot afford an attorney.

Q. How do the rules of evidence differ between military courts-martial and Hawaiis criminal courts?

Military courtmartial follow the Military Rules of Evidence, which are similar to the Federal Rules of Evidence but include specific provisions for military context, such as handling classified information. Hawaiis penal courts follow the Hawaii Rules of Evidence, which are based on the Federal Rules but tailored to statespecific legal standards.

Q. Can you explain the role of the convening authority in military court-martial and how it compares to the role of a judge in Hawaiis penal courts?

The convening authority in military courtsmartial is a commanding officer who has significant control over the courtmartial process, including referring charges, selecting members, and reviewing the verdict and sentence. In Hawaiis penal courts, the judge oversees the trial, ensures legal procedures are followed, and imposes sentences based on the jurys verdict.

Q. Are military service members entitled to a jury of their peers and who selects them?

The military justice system does not have a trial by a jury of your peers. Instead, military court-martial use a court member panel that is appointed by the accuseds commanding general. The panel is made up of commissioned officers and enlisted service members, and the number of people on the panel can vary. Panel members must be senior in rank to the accused, except in cases where it is impractical to do so. Unlike trials in civilian courts, the jury verdict in military court-martial is not required to reach a unanimous verdict in order to convict, unless its a death penalty case.

Q. What are the differences in sentencing and post-trial procedures between military courts-martial and Hawaiis penal system?

Sentencing in military courts-martial can include unique punishments such as reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, and confinement in a military prison. Post-trial, the convening authority reviews the case and can approve, disapprove, or modify the sentence. In Hawaiis penal system, sentencing follows state guidelines, and posttrial procedures include the right to appeal to higher courts.

To learn more about this subject, tune into this video podcast.

Disclaimer: this material is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and is constantly changing. For legal advice, you should consult a lawyer that can apply the appropriate law to the facts in your case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Andrea Deutsch stands in her pet store in Narberth, Pa. Deutsch is one of the millions of people who receive federal aid to help them pay their health insurance premiums on an Affordable Care Act exchange. The extra help is set to expire at the end of 2025, and states say they dont have the money to replace it. (photo submitted).

Andrea Deutsch, the mayor of Narberth, Pennsylvania, and the owner of a pet store in town, doesnt get health care coverage through either of her jobs. Instead, she is enrolled in a plan she purchased on Pennie, Pennsylvanias health insurance exchange.

Deutsch, who has been mayor since 2018, is paid $1 per year for the job. Her annual income, from Spots  The Place for Paws and her investments, is about $50,000. The 57-year-old, who is diabetic, pays $638.38 per month for health care coverage  about half of the $1,272.38 shed owe without the enhanced federal subsidies Congress and the Biden administration put in place in 2021.

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But that extra help is set to expire at the end of 2025. It would cost an estimated $335 billion over the next decade to extend it  a step the Republican-controlled Congress and the Trump administration are unlikely to take as they seek budget savings to offset potential tax cuts.

States say they dont have the money to replace the federal aid. In Pennsylvania, for example, doing so would take about $500 million per year, according to Devon Trolley, the executive director of the states exchange.

That is a significant amount of money, an insurmountable amount of money, Trolley said.

The disappearance of the federal help would make coverage unaffordable for millions of Americans, including Deutsch. She said it would be a struggle to pay double what she is paying now.

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You try not to go bankrupt by the end of your life, Deutsch told Stateline. You need assets to take care of yourself as you get older and to have a little bit of security.

Enhanced subsidies

The 2010 Affordable Care Act included some subsidies to help people purchase health insurance on the exchanges created under that law. Under the enhanced subsidies that started in 2021, some people with lower incomes who qualified for the original subsidies have been getting bigger ones. And those with higher incomes, who wouldnt have been eligible for any help under the original rules, are now receiving assistance.

Thanks to the enhanced subsidies, people making up to 150% of the federal poverty level, or $22,590 for an individual, are now getting free or nearly free coverage. And households earning more than four times the federal poverty level, who didnt qualify for subsidies before, are getting some help.

The enhanced aid also has helped push ACA marketplace enrollment to record levels, reaching more than 21 million this year. Southern states that have not expanded Medicaid as allowed under the ACA have seen the most dramatic growth in marketplace enrollment since 2020, according to KFF, a health policy research organization. The top five states with the fastest growth are Texas (212%), Mississippi (190%), Georgia (181%), Tennessee (177%) and South Carolina (167%).

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If the enhanced subsidies go away, premium payments will increase by an average of more than 75%, according to KFF. Some people, like Deutsch, would see their payments double.

Given those premium hikes, millions of Americans would no longer be able to afford the coverage theyre getting on the exchanges, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. CBO estimates that enrollment would drop from 22.8 million in 2025 to 18.9 million in 2026 to 15.4 million in 2030. Some of those people would find coverage elsewhere, but others would not.

Edmund Haislmaier, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said Republicans view the expiration of the enhanced subsidies as an opportunity to rework and address some of the basic flaws in the ACA.

Before the ACA, Haislmaier said, many self-employed people, such as small-business owners and freelancers, were able to find their own private insurance at competitive prices. But the health care law destroyed that market, he said, leaving such people with a selection of expensive and subpar plans.

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Haislmaier said it would take time for the Trump administration to determine how it wants to change the ACA  which President-elect Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to repeal during his first term  but that you can do that in a way that preserves access and preserves subsidies for the lower-income people who were the primary focus of the ACA.

States limitations

But Jared Ortaliza, a research associate at KFF, said letting the enhanced subsidies expire could result in higher premiums for everyone. Thats because higher prices likely would prompt many healthier people to forgo insurance, he said. Their departure would leave only chronically ill people on the exchanges, and the cost of their care is higher.

If sicker enrollees need coverage because they need care, theyll still choose to buy it, potentially. And if the market were sicker as a whole, that could drive premiums upward as well, Ortaliza told Stateline.

Ortaliza said states might consider keeping premiums down through so-called reinsurance, or reimbursing insurers for their most expensive enrollees. Theoretically, they also could try to replace the expiring federal aid with their own money.

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But few if any states have the financial flexibility to do that, said Hemi Tewarson, executive director of the nonpartisan National Academy for State Health Policy.

There might be a couple states who dont have current state subsidies that might add that, but that will be very nominal, Tewarson told Stateline, adding that officials from different states have been discussing potential solutions. They are all assuming that they would just have to absorb the loss of coverage across the population.

Trolley, the head of the Pennsylvania exchange, said her state is working to provide its own subsidy to make the marketplace plans even more affordable. But even when fully implemented, it would spend only $50 million on that help, a tenth of what it would need to replace the federal aid.

Two-thirds of the 435,000 Pennsylvanians who purchase insurance on the marketplace joined after the enhanced federal subsidies were put in place in 2021. If they expire, Trolley said, she worries that 100,000 or more exchange participants will leave.

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Jessica Altman, executive director of Californias exchange, said her state is in a similar situation. California currently receives $1.7 billion annually in enhanced subsidies from the federal government and spends an additional $165 million of its own money to keep costs down.

California estimates that if the subsidies expire, monthly premiums for the states enrollees would increase by an average of 63%. More than 150,000 people would no longer be eligible for federal help, and between 138,000 and 183,000 would disenroll, the state estimates.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
A Minnesota girl has been released from the hospital more than a year after she was struck by lightning in Florida, leaving her with permanent injuries.

Mila Vang, 13, and her mother, Nalee Yang, were both struck by lightning in August of 2023 while standing at a beach in Florida. The family had traveled to the state to celebrate Milas 12th birthday.

Nalee woke up shortly after the strike, but Mila was left unconscious. She underwent surgery and was brought to stable condition. Still, the incident left Mila without left-side body functions and unable to remember things or people, process information or eat, according to a GoFundMe created by Nalee.

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Mila remained at an Orlando hospital until last month, when on Nov. 19 she was transferred to Childrens Minnesota in St. Paul.

This past Thursday, Mila was released from the hospital and allowed to go home.

The GoFundMe supporting Milas recovery remains open, having reached around $65,000 of its $100,000 goal.
The photo taken on Dec. 15, 2024 shows date palm trees surrounded by sands at Tomnar village of Dongola city in Sudan's Northern State. Due to desert encroachment in northern Sudan, farmers usually resort to making earthen barriers to prevent sand encroachment and reduce its negative impact on farms. (Photo by Magdi Abdalla/Xinhua)

The photo taken on Dec. 15, 2024 shows a date palm tree partially buried in sands at Tomnar village of Dongola city in Sudan's Northern State. Due to desert encroachment in northern Sudan, farmers usually resort to making earthen barriers to prevent sand encroachment and reduce its negative impact on farms. (Photo by Magdi Abdalla/Xinhua)

The photo taken on Dec. 15, 2024 shows farmers checking sand encroachment on their farm land at Tomnar village of Dongola city in Sudan's Northern State. Due to desert encroachment in northern Sudan, farmers usually resort to making earthen barriers to prevent sand encroachment and reduce its negative impact on farms. (Photo by Magdi Abdalla/Xinhua)

The photo taken on Dec. 15, 2024 shows date palm trees surrounded by sands at Tomnar village of Dongola city in Sudan's Northern State. Due to desert encroachment in northern Sudan, farmers usually resort to making earthen barriers to prevent sand encroachment and reduce its negative impact on farms. (Photo by Magdi Abdalla/Xinhua)

The photo taken on Dec. 15, 2024 shows date palm trees partially burried in sands at Tomnar village of Dongola city in Sudan's Northern State. Due to desert encroachment in northern Sudan, farmers usually resort to making earthen barriers to prevent sand encroachment and reduce its negative impact on farms. (Photo by Magdi Abdalla/Xinhua)
A Minnesota couple has reportedly been sentenced to four years after they locked their children in cages for "their safety."

Benjamin and Christina Cotton from Red Wing, were sentenced by a Goodhue County judge on Friday, Dec. 13 after they pleaded guilty to one count of child torture after they kept their kids in makeshift cages at their home for four years, per CBS News, ABC affiliate KSTP and the Post Bulletin.

The couple was arrested and charged with 16 counts in June 2023. They initially received two counts of child torture, seven counts of malicious punishment of a child, and seven counts of neglecting a child. In September, they made a plea deal dismissing 15 counts, according to the outlets.

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On Aug. 17, 2022, Goodhue County Health and Human Services received a report of someone calling over concerns about the Cottons four young children as they accused the couple of offering "forms of extreme punishment on their kids which included locking them in cages, per CBS News and KSTP.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by the outlets, an investigator with Red Wing police and a social worker made a welfare check visit to the Cottons home the next morning. Christina, 40,  who greeted them at the residence  said the children had been "locked up for their safety when told about the report.

Goodhue County Jail Christina Cotton Christina Cotton

Related: 2-Year-Old Boy Found Unclothed in 'Caged Area' Littered with Feces, 5 People Arrested: Police

In the bedroom, the investigator and social worker found a 2-year-old child trapped inside a playpen that was covered by what appeared to be a dog gate, per the complaint. Two children, aged five and seven, were also located in a bunk bed in the room that had been "converted into an actual cage.

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A 9-year-old child was also reportedly found unconfined in a basement bedroom.

According to the complaint, per multiple reports, Christina initially said that the kids were kept locked up to keep them from dying because door alarms and child-proof locks would not work and they were usually locked up at night. She said she hadnt released the kids that day because she woke up late.

Authorities determined that the children were locked up for at least 13 hours before the investigator and social worker arrived at the home, per KSTP.

According to the complaint, per the outlets, the eldest three children were removed from the home and medically evaluated. They had extensive bruising and the youngest child wore a diaper duct taped to their skin.

Goodhue County Jail Benjamin Cotton Benjamin Cotton

Related: Ariz. Dad Locked Son, 6, in Closet and Starved Him to Death; Boy Weighed 18 lbs. When He Died

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Several instances of child abuse were reported by the children in interviews, including being hit really hard by Christina and Benjamin, 42, having their hands tied with duct tape behind their backs, being hit with a belt if chores weren't done and not being able to go to the bathroom at night due to being caged, per KSTP.

The 9-year-old was reluctant to speak and told officials that their parents "don't want them talking about trouble" and to "keep it in the family, CBS News reported.

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.

Red Wing Police Department Facebook A Red Wing Police Department patrol car A Red Wing Police Department patrol car

In court on Friday, the children wrote in statements to the judge to "please lock them into prison until they are old, as they called their parents cold-blooded and cruel, per the Post Bulletin.

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The outlet reported that it was determined through investigation that the children had been locked up for at least half of their lives.

PEOPLE has reached out to Red Wing Police for further comment at this time.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Read the original article on People
The Minnesota Republican Party on Saturday elected Wayzata City Councilor Alex Plechash as chairman, ousting David Hann.

Plechash, a Marine Corps veteran, former Exxon general manager and investment banker, has been involved in Minnesota politics for two decades.

He was elected to serve as the state's RNC National Committeeman in 2021, the same year Hann was elected to lead the party after the resignation of Jennifer Carnahan.

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Hann, a former state senator, was reelected chairman in 2022.

Hann shared the following statement with KSTP following his ouster at the MNGOP State Central Committee meeting over the weekend:

It has been an honor to serve the Republican Party these past three years. Weve made great progress, retiring our longstanding debt and putting ourselves in a great position to win in 2026. The Republican Partys continuing dedication to preserve the principles of our Founding is essential to the future of our country. I wish the best for the new administration in building on the foundation we have laid.

The right-wing activist group Action 4 Liberty has celebrated Hann's removal, taking credit for mobilizing "thousands of grass Patriots" to "#CanTheHann".

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In a statement Saturday, Minnesota DFL chairman Ken Martin said the Minnesota GOP has been "completely captured by the most extreme, fringe activists in Minnesota politics," adding: "Todays chaos shows that if Minnesota Republicans regain power, they will be beholden to the same far-right fringe that now dominates the national Republican Party."

In an interview on WCCO's The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar, Plechash said he's not a far-right activist.

Plechash, who commended Hann for his efforts to break the DFL trifecta in state government in the 2024 election, said his work as chairman will focus on growing support for the GOP in urban communities, building up the party's network of donors and helping Republicans take control of the House and Senate in 2026.

Alex Plechash. Photo courtesy of city of Wayzata.

"It is my feeling that Minnesota's values, for the most part, align with the Republican Party  we just need to do a better job of communicating," he told WCCO.

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During the interview, Plechash was asked about his plan to court Republicans and former Republicans who don't support President-elect Donald Trump and believe the party has changed direction.

"If people are fair, and they take a look at the policies that he's put into place and what that's meant for our country, I think people are going to begin to see that that's what we need," Plechash said. "I don't think there's been anyone in history like Donald Trump. He's a force to be contended with in a very positive way."

Plechash also endorsed Trump's cabinet picks, calling them "terrific."



Saturday's MNGOP election also decided other key party leadership roles. Donna Bergstrom has been reelected deputy chair and Joy Orvis was elected party secretary.
Dec. 16A rare and historically significant self-portrait by Catharine Carter Critcher is now on view at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site in Taos.

"We made a whole lot of phone calls and reached out to friends of the site, and said, 'Hey you guys, this is a really important opportunity,' " said Davison Koenig, executive director and curator of Couse-Sharp Historic Site. "Catharine is the only female member of the Taos Society of Artists. She probably had the fewest Taos paintings of any of the Taos Society of Artists. So it makes her work very desirable and sought after."

Couse-Sharp Historic Site staff made an interesting discovery when hanging the portrait.

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"Now that it's in strong light, we see something we never noticed in photos and is not in any of the information about the painting that we've found," said Regina Scherffius, director of operations and communication at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site. "There's a faint figure standing immediately behind Catharine, apparently back to back. Is it a shadow? A spirit? It will be a great conversation to have with those who come to view the painting."

The team is theorizing what the "ghost figure" represents, according to Koenig.

"What's the symbolism there, because it's clearly intentional, and it was hard to see in the light in the previous photographs," he explained. "But once you have it on the wall, properly lit, you go, 'Wait a second. Is that a mirror? No, it's not a mirror. Is it someone standing behind her? If so, why?' (It is) kind of interesting, (we) don't know."

There is not much known about the painting, and Koenig and his staff want to learn more.

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"The supposition is that this was probably painted during her year studying in Paris because she's really young in the portrait," he said. "And that was and still is a classic in art school, that students are always asked to do a portrait of themselves. That's often a rite of passage of art school. So that's our guess."

It is "really tough" to put an exact date on when the portrait was painted, according to Koenig.

"We really didn't know about this painting until it came up for auction," he said. "It's very exciting for us, because at the moment, this is the only known self-portrait of Catharine Critcher."

The portrait was previously in a private collection in New York. The purchase was made possible through the generosity of 14 donors. The work was purchased through the Santa Fe Art Auction on Nov. 8. The piece sold for about $30,000 at auction, according to Koenig.

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Critcher (1868  1964) was an esteemed portraitist, landscape painter and teacher whose contributions to American art continue to gain recognition, according to a Couse-Sharp Historic Site news release. Critcher was the only woman accepted in to the Taos Society of Artists during its active years between 1915 and 1927.

"Critcher challenged conventions and opened doors for women in the arts," according to the news release. "This self-portrait provides an intimate and rare glimpse into the artist's perspective and character, revealing the strength, poise and determination that marked her career."

The mission of the Couse-Sharp Historic Site is to focus on the underrepresented artists of Taos, particularly female artists, according to Koenig.

"This has largely been a male dominated world for a very long time and often they didn't get the same attention," he explained. "We're really excited because it enables us to immediately put it on display and have her presence in the museum at the site and not be overshadowed by the many Anglo men."

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The Couse-Sharp Historic Site recently lost one of its matriarchs, co-founder Virginia Couse Leavitt, who died on Nov. 26 at age 92.

Couse Leavitt was the principal scholar on the work of her grandfather, Eanger Irving Couse, the first president of the Taos Society of Artists, according to a Couse-Sharp Historic Site news release. Along with her late husband, Ernest Leavitt, she was the driving force behind preserving the archive, home and studio of Couse along with the property of neighbor Joseph Henry Sharp, also one of the original six members of the Taos Society of Artists.
The skier who went missing from Sun Peaks Resort last week was found deceased three days after he went missing, according to a press release published by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).



68-year-old Tomasz Jaholkowski was last seen loading the West Bowl Express lift at Sun Peaks, near Kamloops, on December 10, 2024. When Jaholkowski did not return to his hotel later, and no one had heard from him, local authorities sent search parties for him. The RCMP issued a press release asking people to keep an eye out for Jaholkowski.



On December 13, 2024 the RCMP issued a second press release saying that Jaholkowski had sadly been found deceased near an area of the ski resort, and that no criminality was suspected in his death. The press release also stated that the BC Coroners Service had been notified and was investigating further.

The West Bowl Express is a new chairlift at Sun Peaks. Jaholkowski was last seen loading the chair, but the specific location of his body has not been revealed by Sun Peak or RCMP. Photo: Sun Peaks Resort

Our thoughts and condolences are with Jaholkowski's friends and family during this time.

Related: Search for Missing Canadian Skier Enters Third Day

Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the worlds best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.
Year after year, hemp business owners and distributors have asked the state to impose age restrictions and testing requirements, rather than ban the products outright (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

Every time Missouri lawmakers have proposed legislation to essentially ban intoxicating-hemp products in the last few years, the hemp industry has mounted a united opposition to stop them.

Products like Delta-8 THC drinks can currently be bought everywhere from bars to coffee shops statewide.

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Year after year, hemp business owners and distributors have asked the state to impose age restrictions and testing requirements, rather than ban the products outright.

We dont have any mechanism to regulate them right now, and so theyre in no mans land, said Steven Busch, owner of Krey Distributing, one of the states alcohol distributors. And thats our biggest problem right now  that there are no rules. The 21-plus rule isnt even law, though everyones doing it.

Now for the first time, leaders of the hemp industry are pushing their own legislation to establish business licenses and regulations.

But the industry is far from united.

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Two bills have been pre-filed  one backed by Busch and one supported by the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association. One backed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association is expected to be pre-filed soon. Other bills are waiting in the wings to potentially be added as amendments.

The beer wholesalers legislation, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Barry Hovis of Whitewater, lays out regulations only for hemp beverages, which would regulate popular bar drinks like Missouri-based Mighty Kind cannabis seltzers. It would also establish the same three-tier distribution system that the alcohol industry has long abided by.

The bill backed by Busch and sponsored by Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of OFallon would regulate beverages as well, but it also includes guidelines for edibles, vapes and tinctures.

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The hemp trade association believes both bills set the maximum THC content for all items too low. The association also vehemently opposes the three-tier system.

It creates a monopoly on behalf of the distributors, said Craig Katz, spokesman for the Missouri Hemp Trade Association. It may have worked over decades in the alcohol industry and theyre used to it, but it doesnt really work for the hemp industry.

Its not only the alcohol industry thats used to the system.

All three bills direct the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to regulate hemp licensees, and the state agency has used the three-tier system since prohibition ended in the 1930s. It prohibits distribution companies from holding a license for retail or manufacturing facilities. Back then, it was intended to prevent market domination by restricting any one tier from having financial interest in another.

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On the other end of the spectrum, Republican state Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance has once again proposed legislation that would essentially ban a good portion of intoxicating hemp products outright and require the eligible ones only to be sold in regulated marijuana dispensaries.

His bill is supported by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association.

Andrew Mullins, executive director for MoCannTrade, said all sides agree that unregulated, intoxicating products are a health and public safety risk. The only real question for policymakers, he said, is whether the state should establish a dual, parallel, expensive system of regulation for these intoxicating products, which often have the THC potency as those found in highly-regulated dispensaries.

Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, Mullins said. If its non-intoxicating, its hemp. If it comes from the cannabis plant and its intoxicating  its marijuana and Missouri law should treat it as such.

No way to police it

Busch and the hemp trade association worked together over the summer to write one piece of legislation, but then a rift over distribution and THC content severed the groups in September. And its evident in the nearly-identical language in the two bills.

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We were working with them for almost four months, trying to gather feedback and get in alignment, Busch said. One of their board members took our bill, our work product, and decided that they were going to use whatever parts of it they wanted.

Katz doesnt deny that they included some of the language, but said the association also sourced from other places.

Buschs bill proposes to limit edibles to only 5 mg of THC per serving and beverages to 10mg of THC per serving.

The associations bill would limit it to 100 mg of THC per serving, saying that some people who use the products medicinally require a higher dose.

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Brian Riegel, owner of South Point Hemp manufacturer, said some of his customers use the products for arthritis and other pain.

If they were taking something thats been federally legal for the last six years, he said, in August theyre going back to being a criminal again.

Katz said the three-tier system prevents small businesses from selling their products online to customers, and it might be difficult for them to get picked up by distributors.

Another major difference is that Buschs proposal would essentially ban THCA flower, which makes up nearly 50% of the industry, Katz said, and is growing.

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Missourians can walk into a CBD shop right now and buy something that looks just like the canisters of marijuana buds and joints sold in state-regulated dispensaries.

Busch said he has no problem with the beer wholesalers bill, as its closely aligned with his. However, he doesnt believe Missouri lawmakers can responsibly stop at beverages.

Lets say that bill passed, then we still havent addressed what the governor identified this summer as illicit products being sold to children, Busch said. Were not going to have anything different than we have right now.

He believes this session will be different because all parties  from regulators to hemp retailers  believe that some legislation must get passed this year.

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The regulated marijuana side and our side, Busch said, we want to get something done because otherwise, every month or year that goes by the market gets bigger and bigger. And theres no way to police it.

The state fights back

Gov. Mike Parson speaks at his Capitol press conference announcing Executive Order 24-10 that bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products in Missouri until such time approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or State of Missouri through legislative action, he said (photo courtesy of Missouri Governors Office).

The argument that banning these products would harm thousands of small businesses in Missouri and further feed what critics call the marijuana monopoly was largely successful in blocking proposed legislation in the past.

However, the state has upped the stakes this year.

While Gov. Mike Parsons attempt this summer to ban intoxicating hemp through an executive order remains on hold, administrative rules are currently making their way to accomplish that goal.

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The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control proposed new state rules in November that would ban the sale of hemp-derived products for any licensed liquor retailer. A legislative committee that oversees administrative rules will review the proposed rules to ensure the agency has the statutory authority to make them.

The Missouri Hemp Trade Associations attorney Chuck Hatfield submitted a public comment to the division, saying it doesnt have the authority to implement a ban through rules  only legislation.

The division is authorized to issue, suspend, or revoke liquor licenses, enforce Missouris alcohol and tobacco laws, and collect revenue from alcoholic beverage excise taxes and license fees, Hatfield states in the comment.

Until the legislature acts, it states, [the divisions] hands are tied with respect to hemp-derived products.

The division was only one part of the enforcement efforts outlined in Parsons order.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services preliminary budget requests $877,000 to fund more food inspectors to implement Parsons executive order.

Those funds would become available on July 1, if lawmakers approve the request as part of the state budget.

The department estimates that 40,000 food establishments and smoke shops and 1,800 food manufacturers could potentially be affected by the governors order, the budget request states, but the majority of these facilities are at low-risk of requiring investigation.

It is estimated that all seven inspection staff can conduct 2,900-3,500 site visits annually, it states.

The department also budgeted $160,000 to hire two full-time attorneys, in the event that business owners challenge enforcement actions.

CORRECTION: This story was updated at 9:20 a.m. to state that a bill backed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association has not yet been filed and to clarify the role of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
Mitch McConnell, the retiring Senate minority leader, has warned Donald Trump against embracing right-wing isolationism when he returns to the White House in January.

In an essay for Foreign Affairs magazine, the veteran Kentucky lawmaker, 82, warned the president-elect that he is set to encounter a world far more hostile to US interests than the one he left behind four years ago  citing the ever-growing challenges posed by China, Russia and Iran.

These three US adversaries, along with North Korea, are now working together more closely than ever to undermine the US-led order that has underpinned Western peace and prosperity for nearly a century, McConnell wrote.

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President Joe Bidens administrations attempts to deal with those nations through engagement and accommodation failed, he argued, because Beijing, Moscow and Tehran have no wish to be integrated into the existing international order and prefer instead to undermine it.

The response to four years of weakness must not be four years of isolation, he advised Trump, warning against the Fortress America philosophy he is likely to be ushered towards by his conservative allies.

If the United States continues to retreat, its enemies will be only too happy to fill the void, McConnell wrote.

Advocating instead for a hard power strategy on foreign policy backed up by a robust American military in dialogue with its arms manufacturing sector, he explained: To reverse the neglect of military strength, [Trumps] administration must commit to a significant and sustained increase in defense spending, generational investments in the defense industrial base, and urgent reforms to speed the United States development of new capabilities and to expand allies and partners access to them.

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As it takes these steps, the administration will face calls from within the Republican Party to give up on American primacy. It must reject them. To pretend that the United States can focus on just one threat at a time, that its credibility is divisible, or that it can afford to shrug off faraway chaos as irrelevant is to ignore its global interests and its adversaries global designs.

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attends the Senate Republican leadership elections at the US Capitol last month. He is warning Trump against four years of right-wing isolationism (Getty)

Invoking Trumps most celebrated campaign slogan, McConnell added: America will not be made great again by those who simply want to manage its decline.

Digging into the specifics, he warned Trump that China is interested not simply in carving out a greater share of global trade but in a contest over the future of the international order and that allowing Russia to conquer Ukraine by walking back US support for Kyiv would only further that agenda and compound the myriad threats America faces.

McConnell also used the piece to offer some stinging criticism of Trumps own first term, saying he courted [Vladimir] Putin, he treated allies and alliance commitments erratically and sometimes with hostility, and in 2019 he withheld $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine.

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These public episodes raised doubts about whether the United States was committed to standing up to Russian aggression, even when it actually did so, he added.

He further rebuked the president-elect over his deployment of tariffs during his first term, which he has already pledged to repeat, writing: Rather than strengthen and harness the power of Western economies, the first Trump administration and then the Biden administration sometimes actively antagonized them, including with tariffs that have strained relationships with allies and tested the patience of American consumers.

This abdication was an invitation for China to expand its economic influence in Asia at the United States expense.

McConnell concluded his appeal for a more proactive America on the world stage by saying: The United States saw the light during World War II. But must it take another conquest of a close ally before the country turns its belated attention to the requirements of national defense?

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McConnell has become one of the few Republicans to criticize Trump in recent times as much of the party continues to fall in line.

Following the January 6 Capitol riot, McConnell voted against Trumps impeachment but said he had been practically and morally responsible for the events that day.

Earlier this month, he received a standing ovation after delivering a speech that made an indirect swipe at the president-elect.

Within the party Ronald Reagan once led so capably, it is increasingly fashionable to suggest that the sort of global leadership he modeled is no longer Americas place, McConnell said at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The cause for a fire that erupted at Mitchell Buick-GMC on Sherwood Way on Friday, Dec. 13 has been determined.

Owner Mike Mitchell told a Concho Valley Homepage reporter that the fire that broke out in the service and parts department around 9 p.m. Friday was caused by a customers electric Hummer that combusted.

Mitchell further reported that the air is contaminated so no one is allowed to enter the building without a respirator. No injuries were reported.

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A social media post from Mitchell Buick-GMC shared that the sales department will be in the pre-owned center building.

We thank you for your patience as we work to return to normal operations, the post read. Mitchell Buick-GMC also thanks the community for their outpour of support and the quick response of the San Angelo Fire Department.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  As young boys, DeJour Lavar Crippen aka DJ and his cousin Jordan spent a lot of time together. They were together on the night of December 2, after DJ clocked out from a parttime job.

I texted him, was like, What time do you get off? And at this time, it was already 9:30. I had no idea he had already gotten off of work an hour before and I get a phone call from his aunt, frantic, just screaming like Dee dee dee dee dee dee is dead, Jordan said.

Residents: Shooting incidents at Tallwood Apts. in VB rare

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According to Virginia Beach Police, Crippen was shot outside the Tallwood Apartments, near the intersection of Kempsville Road and Schoolhouse Road. Its an area the teens often visited. Police have charged another 17-year-old with pulling the trigger. He is charged with murder in the first degree.

DJs mom said the Indian River High School senior had just completed an exam required to join the Navy.

In online letters of condolence, he is remembered as being energetic, kind, and respectful.

DeJour Lavar Crippen (Photo provided by family)

DeJour Lavar Crippen (Photo provided by family)

DeJour Lavar Crippen (Photo provided by family)

DeJour Lavar Crippen (Photo provided by family)

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DeJour Lavar Crippen (Photo provided by family)

Mr. Thomas, with the Indian River Community Center, wrote the following on the Metropolitan Funeral Home website:

I cant say enough about DeJour. Myself and the staff at Indian River Community Center loved having DeJour in the the building after school. he was always kind, respectful, and full of jokes that kept us entertained. the very few times he had to be corrected on something, his response was always yes sir/maam or no sir/maam. to hear that he just recently took the ASVAB test really touched me, as I am a retired Navy vet. I remember talking to him about the Navy his freshman year and I told him then if he ever wanted to know more, dont hesitate to ask. he would have been a great sailor. he had the navy core values(honor, courage and commitment)instilled in him. I salute mom and dad for raising him well. on behalf of myself and the staff at Indian River CC we send our prayers and condolences to the family. We will miss him dearly. Metropolitan Funeral Home Condolence

Thats what makes it so hard. Because I know he would have been phenomenal. I mean, he would have been phenomenal, said Crippens mother. He had the Navy core values. He did. And it wasnt just me who was, you know, trying to encourage him to join the Navy, because thats what we could see him as. You know, so many people saw him.

Crippens mother said the suspect in her sons murder was known to him and his cousin Jordan. She believes DJ was not the intended target; that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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This is an ongoing investigation. Police ask if you know anything, you call the Crime Line with tips, at 1-888-Lock-You-Up.

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Horseshoe Lake, in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, and its surrounding forestland, which are within the footprint of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement, funded in part through Habitat Montana. (Photo by Getty Images).

Over the last seven years, Montanas state-level policies have helped manage growth in a responsible way, but lag behind other western states in regulating oil and gas development. Thats according to the 2024 Western States Conservation Scorecard, an evaluation of eight western states conducted by the nonpartisan conservation and advocacy organization Center for Western Priorities and released on Thursday.

The last time the Center released a conservation scorecard, in 2017, Montana ranked as the second-best state according to land access, outdoor recreation and development metrics, behind only Colorado. In the new scorecard, Montana dropped to fourth as a middle of the pack state, even as the report highlights that a study showing that 78% of Montanans think more emphasis should be put on conservation policy over energy production and development. Colorado remained the top-scoring state, while Idaho earned the lowest score.

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Montanas policies show that Western states can make progress on conservation in ways that work for them, the report says.

Montana scored highest in the land use and growth planning areas, earning three of four possible points. The report highlighted Montanans state-level growth planning framework, water supply and conservation requirements for development and emphasis on minimizing impacts on wildlife. The state missed a point on managing growing in high-risk wildfire areas.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte created a Housing Task Force in 2022 that developed recommendations to improve the states housing and affordability, including measures to help governments encourage greater density and prioritizing infill over greenfield development, the report notes. In addition, the Montana Land Use Planning Act, passed in 2023, overhauled the local government land use planning process, which the report characterized as a win. That bill, and several other housing bills passed by the 2023 legislature were subject to litigation.

The report criticizes Montanas wildfire policies as mixed, and currently not strong enough to guide development away from high fire risk areas. Local governments are allowed, but not required, to adopt growth policies that address issues including development in high fire risk areas  similarly, the state maintains a map of the wildland-urban interface, but does not require its use in decision-making.

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The Treasure State also scored well on several land access and protection metrics. The states Habitat Montana program, funded through non-resident hunting license fees, was lauded as successful, as was the passage of HB 701 in 2021 which spelled out how marijuana tax revenue  a portion of which goes to conservation programs. However, that proportion was greatly reduced compared to what was put on the 2020 ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana, and a subsequent bill to increase the percentage of revenue directed to conservation measures was vetoed by the governor  and spurred its own slew of litigation over procedure.

The scorecard noted that Montana officials have taken several anti-conservation positions in recent years, including Gianforte denying to participate in President Joe Bidens 3030 initiative to conserve 30% of Americas lands and waters by 2030, which Gianforte called vague and irresponsible, and Attorney General Austin Knudsens stance against the Bureau of Land Managements new public lands conservation rule.

Montana scored high on public access to public lands, due its strong stream access laws, and ability to use state trust land with the purchase of an annual conservation license. The launch of a new Department of Natural Resources and Conservation interactive public access map, designed to enhance outdoor recreation on state trust lands, also garnered praise.

While Montana is the 13th-highest oil producing state in the nation, according to 2023 numbers, and 16th highest in natural gas production, there are no statewide setback requirements for oil and gas wells from homes, schools or other sensitive areas. Adequate setbacks can help mitigate risks to communities and the environment from spills, leaks and emissions of toxic chemicals. The report also noted that while Montana ensures a fair return rate to taxpayers by matching the federal oil and gas royalty rate of 16.67%, the minimum bonds amounts required for well operators is below what the Center says would help protect taxpayers from having to cover clean-up costs in the event of an operator going bankrupt or otherwise being unable to plug and remediate old wells.

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Montana has room to improve in regulating oil and gas development, the report said. But, the state has taken important steps to better manage growth in a way that conserves water supplies and wildlife habitat.

The Center for Western Priorities describes itself as a nonpartisan conservation and advocacy organization that serves as a source of accurate information, promotes responsible policies and practices, and ensures accountability at all levels to protect land, water, and communities in the American West.
A coalition of more than 100 lawmakers wrote a letter on Sunday urging President Biden to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would outlaw gender discrimination in the Constitution.

We must continue our efforts to fully affirm and recognize the equality of rights for all people, regardless of sex, as part of our Constitution, a vital effort that has never been more urgent, Congress members penned.

This action is essential as we prepare to transition to an administration that has been openly hostile to reproductive freedom, access to health care, and LGBTQIA+ rights.

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Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment, have long advocated for Biden to take action toward instating equal rights under the law.

They cited concerns for gender-affirming health care requested by transgender minors and the rise in state abortion bans as reasons for the president to ratify the amendment.

We believe that recognizing the ERAs ratification would not only fulfill the promise of equality enshrined in our founding documents, but would also stand as a defining achievement of your presidency  one that will reverberate across generations, the lawmakers wrote.

In this critical moment, when the progress weve made on gender equality, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ protections is under threat, your decisive action to finalize the ERAs certification would be a powerful statement to the nation and the world: that the United States is committed to ensuring equality for all, regardless of sex.

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The amendment was approved by the House in 1971 and the Senate in 1972. As of Jan. 27, 2020, the ERA has satisfied the requirements of Article 5 of the Constitution for ratification  after Virginia became the necessary 38th state to ratify the ERA.

But the proposed addition to the Constitution faced pushback in President-elect Trumps first administration for not meeting deadline requirements.

Biden signaled support for the ERA in 2023 on Aug. 26, Womens Equality Day.



I have long supported the ERA since I first ran for public office  and it is long past time that we heed the will of the American people and make this Amendment the law of the land. No one should be discriminated against based on their sex  and we, as a nation, must affirm and protect womens full equality, he said in a statement.



As we mark Womens Equality Day, I continue to urge Congress to act swiftly to recognize ratification of the ERA and affirm the fundamental truth that all Americans should have equal rights and protections under the law, he added.



Bush and others say its time Biden acts on those beliefs.

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JERUSALEM, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that Israel and Hamas are "closer than ever" to reaching a ceasefire-for-hostage deal, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported.

Speaking at a closed session of the Israeli parliament's Security Committee, Katz said, "We are the closest we've been to a hostage deal since the previous one," referring to an agreement in November-December 2023 that secured the release of 81 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a temporary truce and the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Katz said that the "Philadelphi Corridor," a strip along the border between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, and the "Netzarim Corridor," which divides Gaza into northern and southern sectors, "will not pose an obstacle to the execution of the deal."

"There will be an overwhelming majority in the Cabinet and government for a hostage release deal," Katz added. However, key members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition have previously stated their opposition to an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, even under a deal -- a key demand by Hamas.

Negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have produced several proposals over the past year. However, Netanyahu's demand to maintain a military presence in the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors, alongside repeated Israeli rejections of a complete end to the war, has slowed progress.

The current deal under discussion includes multiple stages, Katz said, without providing further details.

Earlier Monday, a senior Hamas official told the Saudi channel Asharq News that the two conflicting sides are "closer than ever" to reaching an agreement. The official claimed that Hamas and other factions had shown "great flexibility" in agreeing to a gradual cessation of hostilities and a withdrawal based on an agreed timeline. He urged the U.S. administration to pressure Netanyahu to finalize the deal. 
A rare tornado touched down in Santa Cruz County on Saturday, toppling cars and forcing residents to take cover, as a fierce, wind-fueled storm pummeled most of Northern California.

One more storm is expected Monday to rake across the region, including Sacramento, before conditions improve, according to forecasters.

The National Weather Service confirmed the coastal tornado touched down at 1:39 p.m. as an EF-1, the second-weakest on the six-tiered Enhanced Fujita scale. Meteorologists reported that the top speed of the 30-yard-wide tornado was estimated at 90 mph and had traveled a third of a mile before dissipating five minutes later.

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Multiple cars were overturned in and around a shopping district in Scotts Valley, according to the citys police. Power lines were also down and roads blocked in all directions along Mount Hermon Road.

At least three individuals were transported to hospitals for evaluation and treatment of injuries, but no deaths were reported, weather service and police officials said.

Based on this and other remarkable footage of the damaging #ScottsValley, CA (Santa Criz County) tornado today, it's likely be this was at least an EF-1, possibly EF-2. @NWSBayArea will formally assess damage and make a determination. I'll discuss on livestream Sun or Mon. #CAwx https://t.co/Zi79B9dbNz  Dr. Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) December 15, 2024

Myrl Wallace was just stepping out of the Target store on Mount Hermon Road with some groceries when the rain began falling hard again.

After I got through the doors the rain went sideways, Wallace, 58, of Boulder Creek, said. I turned around and there was a tornado. It was right there, tearing down these branches. It picked up and moved my car, flipped it sideways and backwards against these trees.

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Wallaces gray Ford F-150 pickup was crumpled and battered. But at least he was unhurt.

Oh well, what are you going to do? Wallace said. For me, its not the end of the world. For others, its a lot worse. Ill be fine.

Scotts Valley Vice Mayor Derek Timm said the twister flipped several vehicles and blew down branches and trees, including one that fell onto the Scotts Valley Middle School. The harsh winds ripped traffic signal lights off of their support poles, blew down a lamp post in the Scotts Valley Target parking lot and knocked over electrical power poles, cutting off power and snarling traffic throughout the afternoon.

Luckily, there was no loss of life, Timm said, praising the quick and professional response of local public safety agencies.

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Timm, who grew up in Nebraska and Kentucky where tornados are more common, said Saturdays event brings back some not very pleasant memories. Such events are rare in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The closest thing he recalled was a roll cloud  like a sideways tornado  that came with the lightning storm that ignited the CZU Lightning Complex fire in 2020.

Its just hard to digest whats going on, he said.

Earlier that day, NWS radars indicated strong winds off the coast, meeting conditions that would trigger a tornado warning for San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. The warning, which was the first-ever in San Francisco, went into effect around 5:54 a.m. before being lifted about 20 minutes later. Hefty wind gusts knocked down trees and power lines across the city, blocking major roadways and streets and shocking residents.

California witnesses an average of 11 tornadoes a year  typically during the spring and fall, according to the NWS. Although tornadoes can occur across the state, they are commonly found in the northern Sacramento Valley.

Winds, rain blanket Sacramento region

More than 100 miles north, strong winds also plagued the Sacramento area during Saturdays quick-moving storm with gusts reaching 56 mph at Mather Airport and 48 mph at McClellan Airport. Sacramento Executive and International Airports saw gusts as high as 46 and 48 mph, respectively, though top winds through the citys core were in the mid-30s.

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The wind downed trees and power lines, mainly across portions of the foothills during the morning, the weather services Sacramento office said.

Executive Airport saw a new rainfall record Saturday with 1.10 inches of rain, breaking the previous daily amount on Dec. 14 of 1.02 inches set in 1997. On Friday, another record fell as 1.96 inches was recorded, the most on Dec. 13 since 0.86 inches of rain fell in 1978.

Records were set Friday at the downtown Sacramento gauge as 2 inches fell, the weather service said, surpassing the daily record in 1978 (1.07). Another record was set at Stocktons airport, which saw 0.84 inches (0.62 inches in 1946).

Since the water year began on Oct. 1, the city has received 6.01 inches of rain, 140% of average precipitation through Sunday.

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On Saturday, downtown Sacramentos gauge measured 1.22 inches of precipitation. Higher amounts were recorded in Foothill Farm (1.63 inches) and Orangevale (1.88), according to the weather service. Locations in the Sierra foothills ranged from 2 to 4 inches.

Flooding prompted road closures north of the capital in Glenn and Yuba counties, but no new flood advisories are expected, forecasters said.

In the Sierra, many locations received 8 inches or more of snow during the storm: Donner Peak saw 17 inches of snow while Soda Springs had more than a foot and Kingvale saw 14 inches in 24 hours. UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported that storm totals near Truckee totaled 40.9 inches since Thursday.

Hark! Soup weather approaches once more!



A weak, fast-moving system will bring cloudy and wet weather to the area on Monday, resulting in slick roads and longer than normal commutes. Here's a look at the latest forecast precipitation amounts. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/CS2OLElq4o  NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) December 15, 2024

While Sundays foggy conditions gave Northern California a break, more rain is expected Monday. Sacramento could receive a tenth- to a quarter-inch of rain while north state locations including Chico and Red Bluff could see up to a half-inch of new precipitation. Redding could get as much as a full inch of water before conditions clear out for the week. Mountain spots are expected to receive an inch to 2 inches of new snow above 4,000 feet.

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In the capital, a high of 51 degrees is expected Monday and an overnight low of 44 degrees into Tuesday. Temperatures in the Sacramento Valley are expected to warm after the quick storm, according to forecasters. Fog is likely to return to Valley spots in the mornings with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s during the day to the low 40s at night.

The Bay Area News Group and The Bees Daniel Hunt contributed to this story.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Morgantown is joining several other cities in north central West Virginia in offering free downtown parking to encourage local holiday shopping.

Starting Monday, Dec. 16, Morgantowns meter and surface lots are free. The promotional will run until Wednesday, Jan. 1. However, it does not include parking garages.

A post from Main Street Morgantown encourages residents and people from out of town to use the free parking as an opportunity to shop small and support local businesses without the stress of usual downtown parking.

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What to get the West Virginian in your life who has everything

To learn more about what shops and businesses are open in downtown Morgantown, check out these lists on Visit Mountaineer Country and Main Street Morgantowns websites.

Additionally, ParkMobile parking at West Virginia University have been reduced to 50 cents during finals week, which is Dec. 16-20.

Clarksburg is also offering free parking this month to encourage local holiday shopping.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  A woman has been charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a customer at a Morgantown spa.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Monongalia detachment of the West Virginia State Police, on Dec. 14, a victim was sexually assaulted at a business in Morgantown.

Xiaofang Huang

The victim had requested a spa treatment and body massage at Rosa Spa on Fort Pierpont Drive in Morgantown, and Xiaofang Huang, 39, was an employee of the spa at the time of the incident, troopers said.

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Westover man allegedly had images of sexual violence against children on his device

On that date, Huang performed an act of sexual assault on the victim, and it continued for several minutes after the victim tried to tell the employee [Huang] to stop, according to the complaint.

Huang has been charged with second-degree sexual assault. She is being held in North Central Regional Jail.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
MSNBCs Ayman Mohyeldin on Sunday said a striking pattern is emerging among Donald Trumps picks for roles in the president-elects upcoming second term.

Were seeing a whole lot of political losers, people defeated in elections in just about every way imaginable, Mohyeldin noted.

The anchor explained how onetime presidential candidates Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. all fit that bill. Trump has said he would nominate the trio, respectively, as secretary of state, director of national intelligence and health and human services secretary.

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Its not just people who have tried to compete with Trump for the White House and failed, Mohyeldin continued. Trump has also welcomed figures into the fold who lost key races for the Republican Party.

They included Mehmet Oz, Linda McMahon and Lori Chavez-DeRemer, he said.

It might seem odd for Trump to choose so many political losers, said Mohyeldin. But Trump has repeatedly said the biggest mistake of his first term was choosing the wrong people who sometimes pushed back against his policies.

Trumps batch of second-term picks are getting new political life and so will be entirely malleable and dependent on his will, he added. This allows Trump to tighten his control during his time in the White House.

Watch the video here:

Related...
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested Saturday that the U.S. government is behind the scourge of drones reportedly descending on New Jersey.

The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on, Greene wrote in a post on X. It really is that bad.

Greene has a habit of amplifying conspiracy theories, often born on the far-right reaches of the internet.

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This isnt the first time the Georgia Republican has suggested that the government has summoned forces from the heavens. When Hurricane Helene struck the southeast United States in October, Greene suggested the government had its hands in weather manipulation.

Yes they can control the weather, Greene wrote in a post on X. Its ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it cant be done.

While the they wasnt explicitly stated, it was understood to be the federal government. In another post, she seemed to suggest that the hurricane was meant to target Republicans. And somehow, thats nowhere near the most preposterous thing Greene has ever suggested.

Two years before she took office, Greene posted on Facebook linking mysterious lasers or blue beams of light to the 2018 California wildfires, and then tied those sightings to the Rothschilds, a wealthy Jewish banking family often evoked in blatantly antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Last week, Greene tried to stoke the fires of panic that get people such as Donald Trump elected by suggesting that the drone sightings were proof that the federal government could not keep Americans safe. Other Republicans have also jumped on the bandwagon. Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan claimed that hed seen some floating lights above his stateonly for a meteorologist to point out that they looked a lot like Orions Belt.
Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University.

Students will learn how to build a study and collect and analyze the data like neuromarketers by looking at key concepts such as attention, memory and emotion to analyze their studies.

The class offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the intersection of consumer neuroscience and marketing by leveraging advanced tools like iMotion Online for Education.

Middle Tennessee State University assistant professor of marketing Gaia Rancati takes pride in preparing her students for the fast-paced technological changes in the growing field, which is why she introduced new software using artificial intelligence, better known as AI, to her neuromarketing class to improve students collection and analysis of buyer behavior.

The class offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the intersection of consumer neuroscience and marketing by leveraging advanced tools like iMotion Online for Education, Rancati said, allowing students gain hands-on experience "in designing and analyzing studies using AI-powered eye-tracking and facial expression analysis.

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Rancati knows iMotion's benefits well, since shes a brand ambassador for the company, which led to her advocating for the introduction of the software into her class.

The program combines quantitative surveys, eye-tracking and facial expression analysis, allowing our students to gain hands-on experience with AI-based research using only their laptops, Rancati said. Students can design studies, collect data through shareable links, perform analysis and create visuals for presentations.

The neuromarketing class itself recently launched as well, but its newness didnt stop it from quickly becoming recognized on campus. The course won the MTSU Grant for Teaching and Research Innovation in 2023.

Were taking a look at the scientific methods behind market research that throws some of the traditional marketing research methods out in favor of more scientific, provable methods that take a look at how consumers really act and behave, said Nate Sosville, a senior marketing major. The standard assumptions of those consumer behaviors have been disproven over time.

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The 21-year old from Chattanooga said he enjoys working with AI because it uses information thats been aggregated from a lot of humans and their behaviors and their ways of communicating.

The use of AI will be interesting, especially in conducting sites like this (iMotion) where we can use generated content since its very akin to how a normal person would produce a type of content, he continued.

Rancati built the course because understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms that drive consumer behavior is crucial, she said.

The class explores how insights from neuroscience and psychology can be applied to enhance marketing strategies by delving into the brain's role in decision-making processes, emphasizing nonconscious influences that affect consumer choices, she continued.

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Students will learn how to build a study and collect and analyze the data like neuromarketers by looking at key concepts such as attention, memory and emotion to analyze their studies, Rancati explained.

Kayla Welker, a 20-year-old from Bartlett, said she enjoys the class because its a new perspective that youre not getting in most of your classes.

It (AI) can help you out with any career, and you dont know how much its going to take over. Thats the scary part, the junior marketing major said. It really could help you instead of taking your job like some people say.

Meanwhile, Rancati continues developing Tennessees first neuromarketing lab on campus for students. Opened a few years ago, the labs research is focused on retail, online shopping, the metaverse and artificial intelligence, such as robots, voice assistants and chatbots. The lab is closed for renovation until spring 2025 in order to expand from one room to three and from one neuromarketing station to three.

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The lab is the co-founder of the American Network of Neuromarketing Labs Affectively Research and partners with Dartmouth College and Rowan University in the U.S., Vrjie University in Belgium, University of York in the United Kingdom, and Politecnico di Milano and Sapienza University of Rome, both in Italy.

The lab will reopen on March 19, 2025, with a distinguished lecture series hosted by the Department of Marketing with speakers from around the world. The symposium will consist of a series of short talks on the topics of neuromarketing and AI. It will be open to the public at the State Farm Lecture Hall on campus and available to stream. Details on the time to come.

MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Neuromarketing class taps AI software to track consumer behavior
Multiple injuries and at least two deaths are reported in a shooting at a Wisconsin Christian school, authorities said Monday.

In a press briefing, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said it was a sad, sad day.

Officers responded to an active shooter call around 10:57 a.m. at Abundant Life Christian School, and multiple officers began administering lifesaving care to those injured inside the school. Barnes, a former teacher himself, confirmed there is nothing to suggest that Abundant Life had a history of violence or concern.

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A law enforcement official told CNN that the suspect was a female student. Barnes said the juvenile suspect is deceased, and no officers fired their weapons upon entering the school. Authorities said the suspect was 15 years old.

What we know is that a total of about seven persons were transported from the scene to area hospitals for treatment, Barnes said. We know that at least three people have lost their lives, including the juvenile person.

Police initially said at least three people were dead, then as many as four plus the shooter, then revised that number back down.

A handgun was recovered at the school. Barnes said police have been in contact with the shooters family and they are cooperating with the investigation.

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Barnes said he doesnt know why the suspect carried out the shooting but said an investigation is underway. He confirmed that the crime scene was confined to one area of the school.

Two others were killed in the shooting, including one teacher and one teenage student.

Two students were transported to a hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Four other students were transported to a separate hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

These are just the physical injuries that we know about, Barnes said, noting the shooting occurred during the school day and there will likely be mental injuries that the community deals with for a very long time.

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The campus has been cleared of threats and students are in the reunification process with their families at this time.

I think we can all agree that enough is enough and we have to come together to do everything we can to support our students to prevent press conferences like these from happening again and again and again, Barnes said in another briefing Monday.

Family will be notified before police release the names of the injured and deceased.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said he was closely monitoring the incident.

We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond, Evers said in a post online.

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The White House said President Biden has been briefed on the shooting. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Wisconsin to provide support.

CNN reported that Mondays shooting at Abundant Life is 2024s 83rd school shooting of the year, the most in any single calendar year since the outlet began tracking.

Updated on Dec. 17 at 11:31 p.m. EST.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Interstate 805 is back open Monday following an hours-long closure due to a crash Sunday that led to spillage of a hazardous material, according to CalTrans.

The crash was first reported just after 11 p.m. Sunday near the I-805 connector with State Route 52.

Details about what led up to the collision are unknown, although CHP logs indicate it involved a semi-truck and a sedan. Whether anyone in either vehicle sustained injuries is unknown.

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The crash left a significant amount of debris, including what appeared to have been some kind of oil, on the freeway, leading law enforcement to implement a hard closure to all but the far left lane just before 11:30 p.m.

The closure lasted until just before 1 p.m. on Monday, according to Caltrans, although one additional lane had been reopened around 8 a.m. while crews were still working to finish clearing the hazardous material from the roadway.

A SigAlert was in effect during this time for significant traffic congestion in the area.

The congestion appeared to be backed up along I-805 for several miles during the Monday commute, stretching down past the Interstate 8 overpass. At the peak of morning traffic, vehicles were moving through the area at estimated speeds of 11 to 13 miles per hour.

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MADISON, Wis. (CBS)  Two people were killed and a teenage suspect  later identified as a 15-year-old girl  was found dead in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday morning.

Just before 11 a.m., Madison police responded to the mass shooting at the private school located at 4901 E. Buckeye Rd. on the east side of Madison.

Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes said a second-grade teacher called 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report the shooting. (Police initially said the 911 call came from a second grader, but then corrected that Tuesday to say it was a teacher who called.)

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The shooting took place inside a classroom and study hall occupied by students in various grades, Barnes said.

The shooter has been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, a student at the school who lived in Madison and went by the name Samantha. It is believed she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after opening fire in the school.

"What we do know is this child was obviously very troubled," Barnes said in an interview with "CBS Mornings" on Tuesday. "There's usually some type of warning signs that we all may have missed and so we have to understand that we have to come together as a community. We have to wrap our arms around our children and understand what's going on in their lives."

Police said the two people who died in the shooting were a teenage student and a teacher.

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According to Pastor Chris Dolson, who was speaking at a vigil for the victims on Monday night, the teacher who was killed may have been a substitute.

"There's a woman who called in sick today. She's a teacher. And there was a substitute that came in to take her place that was shot and killed," Dolson said. "Survivor guilt kicks in when those things happen."

CBS News has not independently confirmed the teacher's identity.

Five other students and another teacher were injured. Two of the wounded students remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries Monday night, Barnes said.

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The surviving teacher and three other students were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and two of those victims have been released, while the other two have been stabilized, Barnes said.

Barnes confirmed officers found the teenage shooting suspect at the scene apparently having shot herself, and officers fired no shots. Police said the suspect used a 9 mm pistol, and police were working to trace the gun.

Rupnow was pronounced dead while being taken to the hospital, Barnes said.

All surviving students were reunited with their loved ones in the hours after the shooting, officials said.

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As police searched for a motive late Monday, the FBI was working with local law enforcement to process the scene, conduct interviews, and obtain search warrants.

"We'll spend a lot of time going through some items that we took from her house as a result of a search," Barnes said. "We'll look through her social media, talk to some of her friends, and really try to piece together how a 15-year-old was able to do something like this in such a short amount of time."

CBS News Chicago is told the suspected shooter's family is cooperating with police.

Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. / Credit: Scott Bauer / AP

"Right now, my heart is heavy for my community," Barnes said earlier Monday. "My heart is heavy for Madison, and we have to come together as a community and figure out what happened here and make sure that it doesn't happen at any other place that should be a refuge for students in our community."

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Barnes is a former public school teacher and taught history for four years before switching career paths to law enforcement.

"This affects me tremendously," he said. "I've always had a big heart for school and education. As someone who values the sanctity of school and understanding and being in that position to know how dedicated teachers really are, to understand that our kids need to be safe in order to learn."

Mireille Jean-Charles is the mother of three boys who attend Abundant Life Christian School. She spoke with Meryl Hubbard, a reporter for CBS affiliate WISC-TV in Madison.

"It's sad, you know, to be home and then somebody calls you and says your kids' school in lockdownand you don't know where they are. And I was there since 11. I finally got them, and thank God they were safe," Jean-Charles said. "But the traumait's a lot, because I'm sure they lost friends and a teacher, which is not OK. And I don't think they will be OK for a long time, and I'm not."

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As reported by WISC, school director of elementary and school relations Barbara Weirs said the school does not have metal detectors, but does follow safety protocols. Weirs said the school held a practice lockdown at the beginning of the current academic year, the station reported.

"We've joked around about how safe a 400-student-bodied schoolChristian private schoolis, right?" a man said. "If it can happen here, it can literally happen anywhere."

Hours after the shooting, several officers were seen removing the door from a Madison home in a search Chief Barnes said was connected to the investigation.

"Our detectives are working hard in the investigative process to find out as many answers as we can so that we can further prevent these things from happeningnot only in this community, but in other communities around our country," Barnes said.

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Dave Wagner is the former principal of the school.

"My heart grieves beyond words with them," Wagner said. "I know the principal. I know several of the teachers. They're going to be impacted for their life by the tragedy of this day.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers released the following statement:

"There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today after the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning. "Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in praying for the families and loved ones of those whose lives were so senselessly taken and for the educators, staff, and the entire Abundant Life school community as they grapple with the grief, trauma, and loss of this gut-wrenching tragedy. We are also praying and hoping all those injured survive and recover. "Kathy and I are also keeping in our hearts the first responders who acted quickly and ran toward danger to help save lives. This day will no doubt weigh heavily on them, and we are grateful for their critical response efforts in answering the call when they were needed most. "As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it. "Today my focus is on supporting these families and kids and the Abundant Life community, and the state stands ready to support them and the efforts of local law enforcement through what will undoubtedly be difficult days ahead."



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Gov. Evers has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to half-staff across the state immediately until sunset on Sun., Dec. 22.

Abundant Life Christian School is a private, nondenominational religious school that serves just under 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Parents, 8-year-old student describe their alarm

Students as young as kindergarten age experienced the shooting. Second grader Nora Gottschalk, 8, heard the gunfire personally.

Nora's father encouraged CBS News Chicago to talk to herthinking it could help her heal.

"She was calling all of us in. She did this'Everyone, come in!'" Nora said, "because that was the first time that's ever happened, and it's her first year as a teacher."

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Nora said she knew she was hearing gunshots. She said she was putting on her shoes when the gunfire rang outand caused a flood in her classroom.

"I think that one of the bullets hit one of the pipes when we were all in the classroom. It hit like right above our door, and the flood went like, 'Boop! Ssss!'" she said.

Nora said she was scared. Her dad, Karl, rushed to the school.

"I panicked. I mean, it could be mine. Seeing all the ambulances made me think, why is there 12 ambulances?" Karl Gottschalk said.

Meanwhile back at the school Tuesday, a group of school bus drivers brought flowers, candles, and prayers.

"My son was part of the Waukesha school shooting. He was a victim of that shooting. He had a gun pointed at his face that particular day," said school bus driver Megan Mojica. "So when I'm seeing everything go on here, it brought me back to that day."

It was a surreal scene the day after the shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School, where yellow tape still surrounded the playgroundand a sign was still up reading, "Happy Thanksgiving."

"The amount of stress is unknowable until you're there, and then it's just an overwhelming flood of certainty and fairbut it gets outweighed really quickly, you know, as we have faith," said Abundant Life parent James Smith.

James and Rebekah Smith said their daughter was already well familiar with active shooter drills.

"They have drills every month," said Rebekah Smith. "Our daughter was sick of practicing for active shooter."

The Smiths said their daughter, a high school junior, did not know the shooter wellonly having seen her passing in the hall.

"She's new and she didn't talk to anyone," Rebekah Smith said of Natalie Rupnow. "They were all talking about it, like her friends never had one conversation. They weren't in the same class either."

The Rev. Kellen Lewis also has four kids who attend the school.

"Hugging them a little bit extra tight, giving them a kiss, letting them know I love them. You know, it's tough," Lewis said. "It makes you appreciate your kids, but man, my heart goes out to those thatthey don't have their kids to hug anymore."

It is extremely rare for women to carry out mass shootings. Data from the think tank Rockefeller Institute of Government lists 441 mass shootings in the United States between 1966 and 2022  more than 95% of the perpetrators of those shootings were men, and just 4.3% were women.

The organization defines a mass shooting as "an incident of targeted violence carried out by one or more shooters at one or more public or populated locations," which results in multiple victims injured or killed and where both the victims and locations are chosen randomly or for "symbolic value." Their definition excludes shootings related to gang violence or militant activity.

Although exact figures vary somewhat between research groups, depending on how "mass shooting" is defined, other organizations report similarly low rates of these incidents being carried out by female shooters. The nonprofit Violence Prevention Group tracked 195 mass shootings between 1966 and 2022, categorizing a mass shooting as one where four or more people are shot and killed, excluding the shooter. That group's research showed 192 of the shooters were men, and just 4 were women. It also accounted for the perpetrator in a Nashville school shooting in 2023, who was transgender.

The number of women who carry out mass shootings in schools  one of the most common places for this sort of crime  is similarly low compared with men. Of 544 shooting incidents at K-12 schools between 2013 and 2024, the advocacy organization Everytown for Gun Safety found less than 5% of the perpetrators were female, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.

School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say

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MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  A teenage student opened fire with a handgun Monday at a Christian school in Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another teenager during the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said.

The shooting occurred in a study hall and was reported to police by a second grader, police said at a Monday night press conference. Wisconsin police identified the shooter as a 15-year-old female student.

Six others were injured and are being treated at the hospital, including two students who were in critical, life-threatening condition.

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But these are just the physical injuries we know about, said Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes. There will be other injuries that we have to face for a very, very long time.

During an earlier press conference, police initially said five people had been killed. However, they later clarified that was a mistake.

Police received a call reporting an active shooter just before 11 a.m. on Monday. When officers arrived, they found multiple gunshot wound victims.

Police said the shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, was dead by apparent suicide when officers arrived. Barnes declined to give details about the shooter, partly out of respect for the family.

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He also warned people against sharing unconfirmed reports on social media about the shooters identity.

What that does is it helps erode the trust in this process, he said.

Authorities said the investigation is active and ongoing.

Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., where multiple injuries were reported following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)

Investigators did not immediately know a motive for the shooting, Barnes said.

I dont know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening, he said.

Barnes said detectives were, working hard to find as many answers as we can.

School shootings by teenage females have been extremely rare in U.S. history, with males in their teens and 20s carrying out the vast majority most of them, according to David Riedman, founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database.

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In a blog post last year, he pointed to a handful of school shootings that involved perpetrators who identified as female, including a 16-year-old girl who shot and killed two and injured several others at San Diego elementary school in 1979.

Madisons police chief ended the agencys third press conference of the day by asking people to focus their attention on the Abundant Life Christian School community.

These children are now the latest group of survivors of a school shooting, Barnes said. This time, unfortunately, in Madison, Wisconsin.

School officials have not yet decided if classes will start up again this week. Barbara Wiers, director of elementary and school relations for Abundant Life Christian School, said Monday began the last week of school prior to winter break.

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She said their goal is to get the schools staff together early in the week and then try to have some community opportunities for the students to reconnect.

Abundant Life Christian School has 420 students from kindergarten to 12th grade, according to school administrators. This was the last week of school scheduled for the year ahead of the Christmas vacation.

In a statement, President Joe Biden cited the tragedy in calling on Congress to pass universal background checks, a national red flag law and certain gun restrictions.

We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart, Biden said.

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said its unthinkable that a child or teacher would go to school and never return home.

Targeted violence is preventable  when somebody conducts a school shooting they dont simply snap, they dont just decide one day to engage in this egregious behavior, instead, they make a decision and start research and planning towards an act of violence, said Trish Kilpin, Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) executive director. So encourage all in the community  students, parents alike  to report, to speak up.

It was the latest among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas.

The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws.

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Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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URUMQI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- More people in the international community have cast doubts over the Western sanctions against China's Xinjiang, as the sanctions use the pretext of "forced labor" to force legally operating companies to shut down, resulting in the layoffs of Uygur workers.

At the International Symposium on Employment and Social Security in Xinjiang, which was held on Monday in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, international experts reiterated the call for lifting unfair sanctions on Xinjiang.

More than 210 representatives from 44 countries, regions and organizations attended the event.

Xu Guixiang, spokesperson for the regional government, said the main purpose of the symposium is to let the world understand the real situation of employment and social security in Xinjiang. He highlighted that Xinjiang fully respects the employment wishes of its workers and is committed to protecting their basic rights in accordance with the law.

"Through working, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have changed their production methods, lifestyles and ways of thinking and gained tangible benefits," Xu said.

Xinjiang is China's main cotton producing area, with its cotton yield accounting for over 90 percent of the national total. Cotton from Xinjiang is regarded as one of the best in the world.

Since 2018, however, more than 40 enterprises and three non-business entities from the region have been sanctioned on grounds of so-called "forced labor." Some of the sanctioned textile and garment factories had to reduce production or close down, causing many workers to lose their jobs.

Experts said the whole process of cotton farming in Xinjiang -- from plowing, sowing to harvesting -- has been basically mechanized, leaving little demand for manual labor, let alone forced labor.

"The mechanization rate of cotton harvesting in Xinjiang has reached 97 percent," said Chen Quanjia, dean of college of agricultural sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University. "Now cotton picking machines are used in all fields except for some marginal plots, where only a very small amount of manual labor is needed."

Speakers at the event agreed that claims about "forced labor" in Xinjiang are based on unwarranted reports circulating on the internet and statements by anti-China personalities. They asserted that these claims have no legal and factual basis and do not reflect the reality in Xinjiang.

"This is an international campaign against China using the lies and distorted facts about Xinjiang," said French writer Maxime Vivas.

"What I learned about life in Xinjiang and all I saw runs counter to what those who wish to detour China's progress want us to believe," said Mark Levine, an American sociologist and professor at Minzu University of China, who has visited Xinjiang three times.

"I have seen how the Chinese government and the people have worked to improve the lives of all of its people over the past 19 years. I saw the successful eradication of extreme poverty through my many travels to cities and the countryside," said Levine who has lived and worked in China since 2005.

"The businesses under sanctions are all Xinjiang's basic industries and sectors that are essential to the region's development and stability. Unilateral sanctions, under the pretext of 'forced labor,' are actually depriving the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang of the right to employment," said Li Juan, director of the legislative affairs committee, under the standing committee of the regional people's congress.

Likewise, the same logic works behind the ever lengthening sanctions list that includes, but are not limited to, textiles, tomato products, wigs, PV, and chemical industries in Xinjiang.

The present situation is that anything that is associated with Xinjiang will be accused of being related to "forced labor" and the accused needs to prove its innocence, which is a complete reversal of the burden of prove, according to Alena Douhan, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.

"I call on the sanctioning parties to lift and suspend all unilateral sanctions applied to China, Chinese nationals and companies without the authorization of the UN Security Council," she said via video link.

By the end of 2023, relevant sanctions have disrupted the production and operational activities of over 100 enterprises in Xinjiang. In the face of suppression and blockade, Xinjiang still maintains trade relations with 192 countries and regions, according to the regional government.

Last year, Xinjiang's textile and clothing exports totaled 107.6 billion yuan (about 15 billion U.S. dollars), in which yarns, fibers and related products valued 16.99 billion yuan, a 74-percent increase from the previous year. 
Airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was closed for several hours because of drones that had crossed into the bases restricted airspace.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Airspace was blocked for around four hours late Friday night into early Saturday by small unmanned aerial systems, Bob Purtiman, Chief of Public Affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing told News Center 7 Sunday.

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To date, installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets, Purtiman said.

Units are monitoring airspace for additional airspace incursions by drones, Purtiman said.

>>RELATED: Mystery drone sightings continue in New Jersey and across the U.S. Heres what we know

Mysterious drone sightings, particularly in New Jersey, has been a topic of great discussion across the country as speculation and concern surrounds what they are and where they are coming from.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Ryan Zmuda from Fairborn told News Center 7s Malik Patterson on News Center 7 at 11 that hes been following national reports about drone sightings closely.

Obviously thats a big concern for national security. People can just fly them around in unrestricted airspace, Zmuda said. If theyre shutting [the airspace] down, then it kind of makes you wonder, what are they worried about there?

Base personnel and citizens traveling or working near the base are urged to contact local police or Wright-Patt security forces if they witness any suspicious activity, including small drones.

News Center 7 is reaching out to the Department of Defense and the Air Force for information on whether these drones could be connected to the drone sightings in other parts of the country.

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A critical U.S. Air Force base was forced to temporarily close its airspace over the weekend due to drone incursions.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, restricted its airspace for around four hours late Friday into early Saturday as authorities monitored the situation, a spokesperson told CNN. The incident is just the latest in a series of mysterious reports involving drones across the country.

The 8,000-acre baseone of the largest the Air Force maintains globallyhas more than 38,000 military, civilian, and contractor workers. The site hosts the Air Force Material Command, responsible for logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapon systems ready for war, the commands website says.

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The base is also home to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, which is tasked with the discovery and characterization of space, missile, and cyber threats.

Use extreme caution for heavy [unmanned aircraft system] movement on the base, a controller at the Wright-Patterson air traffic control tower was heard telling an aircraft in a recording made during the incursion, according to a recording published by The War Zone. The outlet was the first to report the airspace closure Sunday.

I can confirm small aerial systems were spotted over Wright-Patterson between Friday night and Saturday morning, base spokesman Bob Purtiman told The War Zone Sunday. Today leaders have determined that they did not impact base residents, facilities, or assets. The Air Force is taking all appropriate measures to safeguard our installations and residents.

Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio in 2019 / SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

It comes after the Department of Defense said there is no cause for alarm while acknowledging other drone incursions at military installations in New Jersey. We have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent, a Pentagon spokesperson told reporters Saturday.

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The growing concern about sightings prompted the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, and Defense Department to hold a joint press conference to allay fears last week.

But the FBI said fewer than 100 of 5,000 or so reports were deemed worthy of further investigation, after a hotline was set up to comb through potential sightings, according to The War Zone.

Former FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tom Adams suggested to CNN that recent sightings could be due to a mixture of factors, including people sending drones up because of the coverage the phenomenon has received.
DAYTON, Ohio (WJW)  The Wright-Patterson Air Force base in Dayton was shut down for hours this weekend because of drone activity.

People have been reporting these clusters of drone-like objects flying low in the night sky in several states, but very little information has been released about them. Now Wright-Patterson has been affected.

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Sunday the base confirmed its airspace was closed for four hours on Friday night and early Saturday because of small unmanned aerial systems being spotted in the vicinity. This shutdown meant that no airplanes were allowed in and out of the base. Wright-Patterson officials did not divulge the altitude at which the systems were flying, but they said they ranged in different shapes and sizes.

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The public affairs chief said something like this has never happened at the base before, but there appears to be no safety concern.

Installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted our base, our residents, our facilities or our assets, said Wright-Patterson Public Affairs Chief Robert Purtiman.

Drones, or suspected drones, have been flying over military installations recently, alarming people in several states, mostly New Jersey and New York. Officials have been reassuring people that military installations are able to detect and respond to drones and security personnel are trained to identify them.

They say so far none have been aligned with a foreign actor or have malicious intent or pose a national security or public safety threat.

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There is growing bipartisan outrage that the federal government has not offered a clear explanation as to who is behind the confirmed drone sightings. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy the Robin Radar System to get to the bottom of this.

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Were asking The Department of Homeland Security to deploy special detection systems like the Robin, which use not a linear line of sight, but 360-degree technology that has a much better chance of detecting these drones, said Senator Schumer. Were asking DHS to bring them to the New York and New Jersey area.

The sightings have caused concern in several states but many officials said the aerial objects are actually planes or helicopters. Police in Boston arrested two men after drones were spotted flying dangerously close to Logan International Airport.

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In Dayton, officials said they are taking measures to safeguard Wright-Patterson, including working with local authorities.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
DAYTON, Ohio (WJW)  Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, was shut down for hours this weekend due to drone activity.

The shutdown occurred amid reports of clusters of drone-like objects flying low in the night sky in several states, but very little information has been released about them.

Some of the drones, or suspected drones, have also been flying over military installations, alarming residents in states including New Jersey and New York. Officials have attempted to reassure the public that military installations are able to detect and respond to drones, and security personnel are trained to identify them.

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The FBI had said last week that the drones do not belong to the U.S. military and that foreign governments are not behind the objects.

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 via AP)

On Sunday, officials at Wright-Patterson confirmed its airspace was closed for four hours on Friday night and early Saturday because of small unmanned aerial systems being spotted in the vicinity. The shutdown meant that no airplanes were allowed in and out of the base. Wright-Pattersons officials did not divulge the altitude at which the systems were flying, but they said they ranged in different shapes and sizes.

Installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted our base, our residents, our facilities or our assets, said Wright-Patterson Public Affairs Chief Robert Purtiman.

There is growing bipartisan outrage that the federal government has not offered a clear explanation as to who is behind the confirmed drone sightings. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has asked the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy the Robin Radar System to get to the bottom of this.

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Were asking The Department of Homeland Security to deploy special detection systems like the Robin, which use not a linear line of sight, but 360-degree technology that has a much better chance of detecting these drones, said Senator Schumer. Were asking DHS to bring them to the New York and New Jersey area.

Trump wants to end daylight saving: Its been tried

The sightings have caused concern in several states but many officials said the aerial objects are actually planes or helicopters. Police in Boston arrested two men after drones were spotted flying dangerously close to Logan International Airport.

The Department of Defense has confirmed sightings at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, but officials also said they have no evidence the drones are being used maliciously or are being operated by foreign governments. The lack of answers from federal officials has prompted some local law enforcement agencies to take action.

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Similar sightings have been reported reported in San Diego County and other parts of Southern California, Nexstars KTLA reports. Mysterious drones have also been spotted over Bowie, Maryland, according to videos sent to Nexstars WDVM by a viewer.

Michael Mastronardy, the sheriff in Ocean County, New Jersey, told NewsNation that one of his deputies called 911 after spotting 50 drones over the ocean, which forced the U.S. Coast Guard to take action.

Mastronardy said the department contacted New Jersey state police, FBI and Coast Guard.

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Mysterious drones  or what could be drones  have been spotted on the East Coast. Now, what started out just after Thanksgiving as a curiosity is captivating the nation and become a full-blown conspiracy theory.

And more drones are now flying over Michigan  maybe.

"I think," said Jon Carroll, a licensed drone pilot and Oakland University professor who lives part of the year in Bedminster, New Jersey, where drones were spotted, "in some cases, what we're seeing is people who are noticing more air traffic because they are looking."

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Carroll added he hasn't seen any drones, but that doesn't mean they aren't there.

"In some cases," he speculated, "maybe people are flying where they shouldn't be."

Even though, as recently as a couple of days ago federal law enforcement officials said there is "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus," many people still are on edge.

Social media is buzzing with theories about who is behind the drones, with new sightings in more places reported daily. And officials, including the governor of New York, are seeking federal assistance to investigate.

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Even president-elect Donald Trump is getting in on the frenzy.

Trump has asked on the social media platform Truth Social: "Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge?" insinuating perhaps it's a deep state conspiracy, and urging the government to "let the public know" or "shoot them down!!!"

Sightings over Michigan

Americans have long been fascinated with unidentified flying objects, otherwise known as UFOs, and these sightings might be a version of that or they could be more, raising national security and other concerns.

More: Prominent UFO sightings in Michigan's history

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On top of that, in recent years, drones are being used by a wide variety of people for different reasons: hobbyists, filmmakers, police, and even the military and spy agencies, which gives Americans even more reason to be suspicious or concerned.

Detroit was abuzz earlier this year when a drone was spotted hovering over a Green Day concert at Comerica Park, causing not only a panic but a pause in the show that lasted for several minutes.

In the absence of official explanations, many people are making up their own.

And many residents and officials nationwide are taking the reported sightings quite seriously. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul requested drone detection assistance from the federal government after sightings closed runways at Stewart International Airport.

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Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he saw "dozens of large drones" above his home.

"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)," he wrote on Facebook. "I observed the activity for approximately 45 minutes."

He added he didnt know "if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security," but "the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."

On Monday, a Kalamazoo radio station, WKFR-FM reported sightings over Michigan.

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Another sighting of the mysterious flying objects over our neighborhood tonight. What I thought were drones now leaves me to question my assessment of this, as I spotted 2 flying objects flying in unison and at hyper speeds. Not common for drones. Check out the video as they fly in unorthodox patterns, zig zagging, flying upside down and disappearing altogether at hyper speeds. This may be the first sighting in MIchigan. I am torn as to whether I should report this or not. Posted by Rick Klecker on Sunday, December 15, 2024

"We can now add Michigan to the list," WKFR said, noting that there have been reports in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia and "now, we are seeing videos go viral of the mysterious drone sightings in Michigan."

Plane, spaceship or hoax?

Drone technology has "revolutionized various industries and recreational activities," Black River Law, a firm in Bessemer that offers some drone law tips in a blog. The company added that "the allure of exploring the state's diverse landscapes with drones is undeniable."

But the legal landscape spelling out when, where and how drones can be used also is complex. In addition to FAA rules, the Upper Peninsula law firm said, states and local municipalities may also impose their own sets of rules.

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"When you're flying a drone in public, shared airspace, you need to take it seriously," said Richard Indermuehle, a recreational drone pilot, who added it could pose a real danger to aircraft. "You want to err on the side of caution."

Dones, for the most part, he said, are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. They also come in all shapes and sizes, from small contraptions sold as toys to remotely piloted military aircraft that carry cameras, sensors and even missiles.

Professor Carroll, who has flown drones over four continents looking for archeological sites, said that in most cases, the obvious danger from drones is to civil aviation. But there's also a fear that drones can encroach upon personal privacy.

"While we can't say that this is a national security threat," he said, "what we can say is that if these reports are correct, people are flying drones in ways that they shouldn't, so it's a public safety concern."

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And Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard called Monday for more action on regulating and enforcing drone laws, noting that the flying devices are an emerging threat that can be turned into weapons.

Still, some have their doubts that the sightings are much of anything at all.

Comedian Michael Kosta recently mocked them on Comedy Centrals "The Daily Show." Kosta showed a video montage of recordings and opinions: "That is not an airplane." "It looks like a spaceship." And "that is definitely a plane."

Whats more, there also might not be much to the social media videos WKFR posted.

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One image on Facebooks The Hidden Truth profile page, shows a 10-second video of a glowing light supposedly taken Friday in Plymouth. The group is dedicated to, in its own words: "Uncovering the secrets they dont want you to know."

And in another post, Rick Klecker, 70, of Brighton, recently wrote on Facebook that he witnessed "mysterious flying objects over our neighborhood tonight," that were flying "in unison and at hyper speeds."

"I am torn as to whether I should report this or not," he posted, along with the video.

However, when contacted Monday by the Free Press, Klecker acknowledged that his post was a joke that seemed to have gotten "out of hand." He flies drones, he said, and the mysterious ones featured in the video are his.

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Klecker said he didnt think anyone would take the post seriously, noting the video is accompanied by the theme music from the "Twilight Zone." And, he added sarcastically, after realizing the Free Press was writing about his prank, his wife was "going to love this!"

His take on the drone brouhaha: A lot of hobbyists just like him are having some fun.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Drone sightings are quickly spreading online, even in Michigan
Nassau County Emergency Management will offer free Emergency Preparedness Training in 2025.

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The training, which will be held on January 16, 2025, will be held at Nassau County EM headquarters.

The Until Help Arrives course will educate and empower individuals to take action and provide life-saving care when they are the first on the scene during an emergency.

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This is the first course being offered in a brand new Community Preparedness Program. By attending the course, you will learn life-saving skills, earn a certificate, and a stamp in a Preparedness Passport.

To register, click HERE.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)  A National Guard solider appeared in federal court Monday charged with murder in a weekend shooting that left a man dead and triggered a lockdown at a Georgia military base.

Natravien Landry, 25, made an initial court appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Augusta, according to U.S. District Court records. He's charged with a killing Saturday morning at a home on Fort Eisenhower, where Landry served in a Georgia National Guard transportation unit.

Commanders at Fort Eisenhower, home to the U.S. Army Cyber Command, ordered a two-hour lockdown because of the shooting. Afterward they gave few details, saying a person had been arrested in an isolated fatal shooting at the Army post adjoining Augusta.

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An Army investigator's affidavit filed in court gave further details.

Landry was on duty Saturday and was taking a break when he went to the on-base home of a former girlfriend, and he confronted and fatally shot another man who had spent the night there, according to the affidavit.

Fort Eisenhower officials have not released the victim's name. He was identified only by initials in the investigator's affidavit.

David Stewart, listed in court records as Landry's attorney, did not immediately return phone and email messages Monday.

Landry fled in a car and was arrested later Saturday by sheriff's deputies in Meriwether County, about 180 miles (290 kilometers) from the base. The affidavit said Landry threw a 9mm handgun from the car's window after being pulled over and admitted to the shooting when questioned by an Army investigator.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The prime ministers of Malaysia and Thailand reaffirmed their commitment to economic cooperation and regional stability following a bilateral meeting here on Monday.

In line with this, the two countries will seek to deepen cooperation in a number of key areas including digital economy, tourism, commodities especially rubber, and management of their common border to combat transnational crime, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated in a joint statement following the 7th Annual Consultation.

The leaders also stressed the need to maintain ASEAN centrality, improve regional integration and connectivity, and expedite negotiations on several memorandums of understanding (MOUs) regarding the cross-border transportation of goods and passengers.

"Both sides agreed to facilitate permit requirements for plant-based goods transiting through Thailand via the ASEAN Express freight train service between Malaysia and China," it said.

"Both prime ministers reaffirmed their support of existing energy cooperation and initiatives which are central to the shared vision of a more integrated, sustainable and secure energy future for the region, including under the ASEAN Power Grid initiative," it said. 
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has been cleared of Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoyas sexual harassment claim after an investigation was launched by the Navajo Nation Department of Justice on April 19, 2024.

Vice President Montoya accused President Nygren on social media of sexually harassing her during an August 2023 meeting.

Today, December 16, Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch released preliminary findings of investigator Eric Dahlstrom of the firm Rothstein Donatelli, who previously served as a long-time special prosecutor to the Navajo Nation.

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Vice President Montoyas recounting of the August 17, 2023, incident does not constitute sexual harassment under policies applicable to either Navajo Nation elected officials or employees covered by the Navajo Nation [Personnel Policies Manual]. Further, the facts reported would not constitute a violation of any criminal law of the Navajo Nation, Branch said in a statement released on Monday.

Vice President Montoya claimed in a statement that President Nygren had made her feel uncomfortable in his office during a conversation and powerless to leave his office, preventing her (verbally) from exiting his office.

President Nygren sat across from me at his round table in his office. He sat back in a casual manner and just stared at me. I was uncomfortable enough to try and not have eye contact with him. His tone of voice was not business or friendly; it was strange.

After the accusations were made against Nygren, he held a press conference on May 28, 2024 where he denied any wrongdoing. He rejected the allegations and expressed his support for an open, independent, fair, and transparent investigationone in which the Navajo people could have full confidence.

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The Attorney General reported that Mr. Dahlstroms findings were based on thorough interviews of current and former employees. Among those interviewed were President Nygren, Vice President Montoya, Chief of Staff Patrick Sandoval, Chief Legal Counsel Bidtah Becker and others. A telephonic and text tip line was also set up to allow members of the public to express their concerns.

Sadly, this has been nothing but a disgraceful power grab from the get-go by the Vice President and her supporters, President Nygren said in a released statement on Monday. Her false accusations and blatant lies all along have been an attempt to remove me as President. She continues to attend chapter meetings and agency council meetings sharing malicious lies with our people and continues to work closely with the Recall President Nygren committee to attack, discredit and disparage me and my staff. Her actions have not only divided our Navajo Nation, but they hinder and undermine all the great work the Administration has done and is doing.

President Nygren said he feels the same as he did in October when he publicly asked for the Vice Presidents resignation. At the time, he said her signing of a recall petition was her announcement to the Nation that she no longer supported him nor the Administration or its goals and objectives.

Too many of our people are suffering. We have too much work to do. Since taking office, I have given very important projects to her, and she has failed to fulfill them and move them forward, President Nygren said.

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The full investigative report will be released publicly once Navajo Nation leadership has been briefed on it.

CORRECTION: The original headline read "Navajo Nation President Cleared of Sexual Assualt Allegations Made by the Nations Vice President." President Nygren was never accused of sexual assault, but was accused of sexual harassment.

About the Author: "Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter for Native News Online. Bardwell is also a student at Michigan State University where she is majoring in policy and minoring in Native American studies. "

Contact: neely@nativenewsonline.net
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from Peter Navarro, the formerly imprisoned official whom President-elect Donald Trump has tapped to be his senior counselor for trade and manufacturing.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Navarro sought Supreme Court intervention in a clash over records he retained on his personal email account when he served in a similar capacity during Trumps first term in the White House.

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Navarro asked the justices to order dismissal of a Justice Department lawsuit that seeks to recover the disputed records. The high court turned away the appeal without comment, as is its usual practice when it refuses to hear a case.

The Biden administration, which says the Presidential Records Act requires Navarro to return the materials, didnt respond to his Supreme Court filing. Thats a step the government often takes when it deems an appeal has little chance of being taken up.

Navarro served four months in prison after being found guilty on one count of contempt of Congress. He was prosecuted after refusing to comply with a subpoena to testify and provide documents to a House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

The case is Navarro v. United States, 24-451.

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LA GRANGE, N.C. (WNCN)  A child was found carrying a loaded, stolen gun when arrested this weekend for setting fires to their former middle school in eastern North Carolina, deputies said Sunday.

The first fire was discovered around 6 p.m. Thursday at E.B. Frink Middle School in La Grange, according to a news release from the Lenoir County Sheriffs Office.

Crews were dispatched to the school because of a fire alarm.

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Deputies arrived to find a wreath on fire on the front door of the school, officers said in the news release.

The fire was extinguished by deputies.

Lenoir County Sheriffs Office photo

Thanks to the schools security footage, deputies gathered a suspect description and canvassed the La Grange area, officers said, adding they did not find the juvenile.

The next fire was Saturday around 1 p.m., when volunteer fire crews were sent to the school because of a shed on fire.

CRIME TRACKER  Sign up for CBS 17s newsletter with the latest in local crime

Although the fire department quickly extinguished the flames, it caused substantial damage to the building, deputies said.

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Later, deputies found the juvenile suspect, who is a former student of the school, who matched the description of the person on video before the fire was set, deputies said.

Lenoir County Sheriffs Office photo

The suspect was taken into custody  and was found carrying a stolen and loaded firearm, deputies said.

Deputies executed a search warrant at the childs home and evidence was found linking the suspect to the Thursday fire, the news release said.

The suspect was transported to the Pitt County Juvenile Detention Center and was charged with:

Two counts of burning of schoolhouses or buildings of educational institutions

Possession of a weapon on educational property

Possession of a stolen firearm

Possession of a handgun by a minor

Damage to real property

Breaking and entering

Second-degree trespassing

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No other information was released by deputies.

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.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Governor-elect Josh Stein announced on Tuesday six more members of his cabinet, including the new leaders of the Department of Public Safety and Department of Transportation.

This comes after Steins announcement on Monday, announcing seven new cabinet members, including a new head of North Carolinas Department of Health and Human Services.

Devdutta Sangvai will become the next secretary of NCDHHS. Former Secretary of NCDHHS, Kody Kinsley was appointed by Governor Cooper. He replaced Dr. Mandy Cohen, who was appointed by President Biden to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Here are short biographies and information about each new member:

Gabriel J. Esparza, Department of Administration

Gabe Esparza (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Gabe Esparza has over 25 years of experience leading both public and private entities. He was previously the Associate Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and has served as a Commissioner on the Civil Service Commission. He was Vice President of Global Business Development at American Express and a senior executive at an innovative tech start-up. He is currently a Trustee at Central Piedmont Community College. He is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Esparza lives in Charlotte with his wife and two teenage children. He will be North Carolinas first Latino cabinet member.

Gabe has a demonstrated ability to manage complicated organizations and get things done, Stein said. I am looking forward to working with him to strengthen the backbone of state government and keep moving North Carolina forward.

Leslie Cooley Dismukes, Department of Adult Correction

Leslie Cooley Dismukes (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Leslie Cooley Dismukes is the Criminal Bureau Chief at the North Carolina Department of Justice. She previously served as Chief of the Criminal Division at the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and an Assistant District Attorney at the Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Office in Charlotte. Leslie is a graduate of Duke University School of Law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in Raleigh with her husband and daughter.

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Leslie has been a key and trusted leader at the Department of Justice, Stein said. She is an effective problem-solver, and I am excited that shes agreed to continue her service to North Carolina.

D. Reid Wilson, Department of Environmental Quality

Reid Wilson (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

D. Reid Wilson has served as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources since 2021. He previously served as the Departments Chief Deputy Secretary, as Executive Director of the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, as a public affairs consultant to national environmental groups, in leadership roles at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and as National Political Director of the Sierra Club. Wilson earned his undergraduate degree at Grinnell College in Iowa. He and his wife live in Raleigh and are the parents of two adult children.

Reid has done a tremendous job heading the Department of Natural and Cultural and Natural Resources, Stein said. I am excited for him to continue his service to the state by keeping our air and water clean and making sure that the Department of Environmental Quality efficiently serves its customers and the people of our state.

Devdutta Sangvai, Department of Health and Human Services

Devdutta Sangvai (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

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Devdutta Sangvai, MD, JD, MBA is a professor of family medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry at the Duke University School of Medicine. He recently served as president at Duke Regional Hospital and vice president for Population Health Management at Duke University Health System. Dr. Sangvai has served as president of the North Carolina Medical Society and has been a member of the North Carolina Medical Care Commission. He is currently president of the North Carolina Medical Board. Dr. Sangvai is a graduate of the Ohio State University and earned his M.D. at the Medical College of Ohio, his J.D. from North Carolina Central University, and M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business. Dr. Sangvai lives in Durham with his wife and two children, both studying at Duke. He will be North Carolinas first Indian American cabinet member.

I am looking forward to Devs leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services, Stein said. He is incredibly hard-working, knowledgeable about health care, and ready for the challenges of improving health and lowering health costs for people all across our state.

Pamela Cashwell, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Pam Cashwell (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Pam Cashwell has served as secretary at the North Carolina Department of Administration since 2021. Cashwell previously served as Senior Policy Advisory and Chief Deputy Secretary for Professional Standards, Policy and Planning at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, as Assistant Director at the North Carolina State Ethics Commission, and as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division and the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of Virginia. Hailing from the Coharie and Lumbee tribes of North Carolina, Cashwell is the first American Indian woman to head a cabinet department in North Carolina. Cashwell earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She lives in Wake County with her husband and two sons.

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Pam has a proven record as a strong manager and administrator, Stein said. And like me, she loves North Carolina  and its parks, museums, zoo, and other attractions that make our state a great place to live and visit. Shes going to do great work at DNCR.

McKinley Wooten, Jr., Department of Revenue

McKinley Wooten (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

McKinley Wooten, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary for Tax Processing, Research & Equity at the North Carolina Department of Revenue. He has over 30 years of public service, including serving as a Civil Magistrate in Wake County, Inspector General at the North Carolina Department of Justice, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Administration, and Director and Deputy Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. A native of Kinston, Wooten earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He is married to Laura H. Wooten, who served 30 years in North Carolina state government. They are parents of a young adult son and daughter.

McKinley is an experienced manager who knows the Department of Revenue inside and out, Stein said. He is a dedicated public servant, and I look forward to his efficient service to North Carolinas taxpayers.

Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Jocelyn Mallette (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette is an attorney and Air Force veteran. A third-generation service member, Mallette served on active duty in the United States Air Force for ten years. She served as an intelligence officer and a prosecutor in the Air Force Judge Advocate Generals Corps. Following her military service, Mallette clerked for the Honorable Barbara A. Jackson of the North Carolina Supreme Court and was a partner at an international law firm. She is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and the University of North Carolina School of Law. Mallette currently serves on the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and as the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Southeast Raleigh YMCA. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the Junior League of Raleigh. She lives in Raleigh with her husband and two children.

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North Carolina is the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation, Stein said. Jocelyn has the experience and leadership skills to help DMVA do its level best to serve the men and women who are serving or have served our country.

Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr., Department of Public Safety

Eddie Buffaloe (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

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Eddie Buffaloe has served as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety since 2021. He previously served as a law enforcement officer for 30 years, most recently in a dual role as Elizabeth Citys interim city manager and director of the Elizabeth City Department of Public Safety. He also has worked in a sheriffs office, as a correctional officer, and as a law enforcement instructor. He was a member of the North Carolina National Guard for 10 years. He also served as President of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. Buffaloe has earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mount Olive and a masters degree from Grand Canyon University.

Western North Carolina is at a critical moment, Stein said. We need Eddies steady leadership as we work to rebuild after Hurricane Helene. I am grateful for Secretary Buffaloes commitment to seeing the job done.

Joey Hopkins, Department of Transportation

Joey Hopkins (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Joey Hopkins has served as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation since 2023. He has worked at the Department of Transportation for more than 30 years, including as chief operating officer, deputy chief engineer, and division engineer. Hopkins is a graduate of North Carolina State University and lives in Garner with his wife and their two sons.

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The Department of Transportation has real work to do in western North Carolina, Stein said. I am grateful to Secretary Hopkins for agreeing to stay in an interim role to help make sure we safely get people back on the road as quickly as possible.

Lee Lilley, Department of Commerce

Lee Lilley (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Lee Lilley has served Gov. Roy Cooper as Director of Economic and Pandemic Recovery and as Director of Legislative Affairs. Lee also advised a variety of corporate clients at an international public affairs firm and was legislative director for Rep. G.K. Butterfield. Lee is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a native of Williamston, North Carolina, and lives in Raleigh with his wife and daughter.

Lee and I agree that North Carolina is the best place in the world to do business, Stein said. I am looking forward to working closely with him to help North Carolina businesses succeed and to attract other businesses and good-paying jobs to our state.

Staci Meyer, Office of State Human Resources

Staci Meyer (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Staci Meyer is currently Chief Deputy Secretary at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. She also has worked as a Special Deputy Attorney General at the North Carolina Department of Justice and a Commissioner and Chair of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. She earned her undergraduate degree from Clemson University and her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She lives in Wake County.

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Staci knows firsthand that North Carolina state government is full of fulfilling jobs for public-spirited people, Stein said. I look forward to working with Staci to ensure that my administration recruits and retains the best state employees possible to serve our people well.

Teena Piccione, Department of Information Technology

Teena Piccione (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

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Teena Piccione has worked at Google as the Managing Director for Cloud and Customer Engineering over Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Gaming, at RTI International as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, at Fidelity Investments as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and at AT&T as Vice President and leader of the Big Data Center of Excellence. She and her husband have two daughters and live in Wake County.

Making sure the states IT infrastructure is effective, efficient and secure is a top priority, Stein said. I am excited that someone of Teenas experience and talent is joining my administration to deliver IT excellence.

Kristin Walker, Office of State Budget and Management

Kristin Walker (Courtesy Stein Transition Press)

Kristin Walker has served as the State Budget Director of North Carolina since 2022, where she leads the Office of State Budget and Management. She has previously served as Chief Deputy Budget Director, Fiscal Analyst for the North Carolina General Assembly, and at the National Science Foundation, where she managed multi-million-dollar grant programs in the social and behavioral sciences. Walker earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a masters from the Sanford School at Duke University. She lives in Raleigh with her husband and two children.

Kristen is a smart and creative leader, Stein said. I am grateful that she will continue to work diligently on behalf of North Carolinas state budget.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Dr. Matthew Christiansen, who has served as the state health officer since last year, has stepped down from his position. (West Virginia Department of Health photo)

Dr. Matthew Christiansen, who has served as the state health officer since last year, has stepped down from his position, according to a news release sent Monday from the West Virginia Department of Health.

Christiansens resignation was effective starting Friday, Dec. 13, according to the news release. A copy of Christiansens resignation letter was provided to West Virginia Watch by C.J. Harvey, director of communications for Gov. Jim Justice. The letter  which was undated  did not provide any further details on Christiansens resignation.

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Christiansen was appointed as the state health officer in January 2023. He came to the position after serving several years as the director of the Office of Drug Control Policy.

I am incredibly thankful to Gov. Justice and Secretary [Sherri] Young for the opportunity to serve as West Virginias state health officer. It has been the honor of a lifetime, Christiansen said in the release and in his resignation letter. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done in rebuilding public health after the pandemic, and I plan to bring the lessons Ive learned here to my work going forward. Public health staff are unsung heroes who keep us healthy, and they deserve our respect and thanks every single day.

Before joining the state ODCP in 2020, Christiansen practiced primary care and addiction medicine at Marshall Health, where he also worked as an associate professor within the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicines Division of Addiction Sciences.

Outside of working as the state health officer, Christiansen currently serves as the vice chair of the West Virginia First Foundation, the private nonprofit created to distribute the states share of opioid settlement funds. Christiansen was re-elected as the organizations vice chair at a meeting last week.

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As vice chair, Christiansen  along with three other First Foundation board members  also last week presented a funding proposal for a new regional addiction response project. The board unanimously approved allocating $20 million from the First Foundations funds to the project, which is called the Appalachian Continuum of Care for Overdose Reduction Network, or ACCORN.

West Virginia Watch later confirmed that Marshall University would be involved in facilitating the project through its Division of Addiction Sciences.

No information was shared in Mondays news release regarding where Christiansen will go now that he is leaving his position with the state.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had discussed the situation in Syria with US President-elect Donald Trump, reaffirming Israel's peaceful intentions in the region.

"We have no interest in a conflict with Syria," Netanyahu said in a statement.

"We will determine Israeli policy regarding Syria according to the reality on the ground," Netanyahu said.

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He also referred to Syria as an "active enemy state" for decades, noting that it had repeatedly attacked Israel and allowed others to operate against the country.

"It allowed Iran to arm Hezbollah through its territory," Netanyahu added. "In order to ensure that this does not recur, ever, we have taken a series of intensive actions in recent days."

Israel has ramped up military activity in Syria since the overthrow of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad a week ago. It has carried out airstrikes on military targets and deployed troops into a buffer zone on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, beyond the ceasefire line.

The zone is under UN supervision in accordance with a 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries. Israel now plans to expand settlements in the area, drawing condemnation from Arab nations.

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Netanyahu also discussed with Trump the ongoing efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas following the October 7, 2023, massacre.

"We will continue to act relentlessly to return home all of our hostages, the living and the deceased," Netanyahu said. According to Israeli sources, around 100 hostages, including dead bodies, are still being held by Hamas.
Benjamin Netanyahu had a long talk over the weekend with his friend Donald Trump about the hostages still being held by Hamas, the Israeli prime minister revealed in a video posted to social media on Sunday.

After noting the changing face of the Middle East, including the toppling of the Assad regime in Syria, Netanyahu said he discussed all of this last night with my friend, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in a very friendly, warm and important conversation.

We discussed the need to complete Israels victory, and we spoke at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages, Netanyahu added.

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On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and abducted around 250 during targeted attacks on Israel, according to Israeli figures. More than 100 hostages have been freed, but officials fear that up to half of those still missing could be dead, according to Reuters.

Israel has responded by killing about 45,000 people in the Gaza Stripaccording to local health officialsand destroying much of the enclave. The United Nations estimates that most of the people killed were women and children.

We will continue to act relentlessly to return home all of our hostages, the living and the deceased, Netanyahu said, leaving out any mention of current President Joe Biden and the White House officials actively working to negotiate a ceasefire deal.

The less we discuss this, the better, Netanyahu added.

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A Trump spokesperson declined to give Reuters any other details about the call.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "I said we would change the Middle East and we are doing so. I discussed with President-elect Trump the need to complete the victory."https://t.co/3LhJGLqlC1 pic.twitter.com/42EbYtncjV  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 15, 2024

White House officials reported a potential breakthrough in the stalled ceasefire talks last week after Hamas agreed to two of Israels key demands.

Its leaders said they would allow Israeli forces to remain in Gaza temporarily while the fighting stops, and they finally provided a list of hostages that would be released under a ceasefire pact, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Hamas has become increasingly isolated in recent weeks after Lebanon and Hezbollah negotiated a ceasefire deal, and militants toppled the Assad regime in Syria, the New York Times reported. White House officials think those realities made its leaders more willing to concede on points that were previously considered deal-breakers.

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Trump, meanwhile has been laying the groundwork to take credit for any deal that might come before his term begins in January. In November, his future Middle East envoy met with Netanyahu and with Qatars prime minister, while Trump himself made vague threats on social media.

If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity, he wrote earlier this month on his social media platform Truth Social.

Israel understood the message to be directed at Hamas, which took the hostages captive, while Hamas claimed it referred to Netanyahu, who has sabotaged efforts to reach a deal, the BBC reported at the time.
SACRAMENTO, California  Dana Williamson, who as chief of staff to Gavin Newsom served as his enforcer at the Capitol and a top liaison to powerful labor unions and business interests across California, has departed the governors office. Her last day was Friday.

Williamson  described by Newsom aides and allies as his political assassin in Sacramento  will be replaced by Nathan Barankin, another veteran of California politics who recently joined the governors office after spending years as a political consultant and an adviser to Kamala Harris. His first day in the new role is Monday.

I greatly appreciate Danas counsel and her service to the state and the people of California over the last two years. Her insight, tenacity, and big heart will be missed, Newsom said in a statement.

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While we bid farewell to a fighter in Dana, I am thrilled to welcome Nathan to this role. His leadership and vision will ensure our administration continues delivering on our promise to create a more affordable, healthy, and prosperous California.

Though still new to the governors office, Barankin is a Sacramento and Washington veteran. He served as a top aide to former state Senate leader and California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, and then as chief of staff to Harris when she was attorney general and U.S. Senator. His long tenure atop the states Department of Justice is particularly relevant as California gears up for a potential legal siege against the incoming Trump White House.

Barankin is married to Ann Patterson, Newsoms cabinet secretary. With Barankins elevation from senior adviser to chief, Patterson will report directly to Newsom to comply with the offices nepotism policy, which applies to married couples.

I am deeply humbled to step into this role at a time of both challenge and opportunity. As chief of staff, my focus will be on serving the people of California by advancing the Governors bold agenda to create jobs, ensure safe neighborhoods, and improve the health and well-being of every family in our state, Barankin said in a statement.



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Williamson was the third chief of staff to Newsom, who has two years remaining in his final term. Blunt and unsparing, Williamson left little to interpretation. Within the governors broader orbit, where aides and advisers mostly play nice, she carried many of Newsoms grudges for him, even as she continued to nurse some of her own. At the same time, she avoided the spotlight, only occasionally sitting for on-the-record interviews.

Before joining his staff, she operated her own consulting firm in Sacramento, Grace Public Affairs, and was a senior aide to numerous California elected officials, including cabinet secretary to former Gov. Jerry Brown, whom she has remained close to, as well as former Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Williamson also was a strategist on several ballot measure campaigns, including major criminal justice reform efforts.

Williamson was not particularly close with Newsom when she became his top aide, taking the reins from then-chief Jim DeBoo. But she quickly solidified her place in his inner circle thanks to her experience navigating complex Capitol battles on everything from major climate policy to labor rights.

He's a little bit of a celebrity governor, and that can be intimidating to some people. And she is not intimidated. She gives zero fucks, which is part of what makes her so great, said Anthony York, Newsoms former communications director whose tenure overlapped with Williamson.

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Some in the Legislature may disagree, and some who end up on the wrong side of a text from Dana may disagree, but that's what I love about her, he added. And that was really essential, that the two of them were able to build that relationship right away.

Inside Newsoms office, Williamson was at the center of nearly every major initiative since she joined nearly two years ago. In her earliest days, she helped wrangle legislation requiring oil market participants to submit vast amounts of data to a new division within the California Energy Commission that will decide whether to cap and penalize oil refiners profits. The following year, Newsom secured new authority to regulate oil refineries, requiring them to prevent price spikes caused by maintenance and low supplies.

And she was behind the whirlwind, 48-hour period when Newsom arrived at his selection to replace the late Dianne Feinstein, and how Laphonza Butler became a U.S. senator.

Her perennial assignment to clean up the statewide ballot made Williamson one of the most revered  and feared  figures in Sacramento.

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Williamson, who is close to politically influential labor leaders like SEIUs Tia Orr and Teri Holoman of the California Teachers Association, helped mediate a truce in 2023 between unions and fast food giants on worker regulations, defusing a long power struggle and looming ballot fight. Indeed, on numerous occasions she sought to avert costly and internecine conflicts that appeared headed for the ballot but could be solved with legislation.

Last year, she helped broker another deal between business and labor on the Private Attorneys General Act, avoiding a pricey November battle. But not all negotiations were a success. Newsom and Democrats were unable to sidetrack or ultimately stop Proposition 36, the November ballot measure that increases penalties for some theft- and drug-related crimes.

Williamsons most notable and far-reaching achievement alongside Newsom was Proposition 1, which narrowly passed in March and rewrote the states decades-old mental health law. Williamson was involved from the inception of the effort, which authorized borrowing $6.4 billion for new facilities to house and treat the most severe cases. The issue was also deeply personal  she has spoken out about her own familys challenges with mental health issues.

Williamsons relationships were often front and center  sometimes via her biting (and now-defunct) Twitter feed where she sparred with lawmakers and advocates who had crossed her, including California Labor Federation leader Lorena Gonzalez. When one Central Valley lawmaker, the sole Democrat to vote against Newsoms oil profits bill, posted on social media about how she stood alone to oppose the measure, Williamson delivered a signature acerbic response: Alone and confused you shall likely remain.

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Williamson did not specify to POLITICO what her immediate plans will be after leaving, but reflected fondly on working under her third governor.

In two short years, weve made a lasting impact  two special sessions, workplace reforms that hadn't been touched in decades, a minimum wage increase for fast food workers, and mental health reforms that will be felt by every Californian, she said of her time under Newsom.

Its hard to leave this work, Williamson added. I've had the honor of serving under three governors and when asked what I will miss the most, my answer is always the same  the privilege of working with some of the smartest and most committed people I've ever known. I'm grateful for every day that I've had.
Archbishop of York Stephen Cortrell has apologised as scrutiny mounts over his handling of Church of England-linked sexual abuse case in 2019, leading to fresh questions around who will become the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

A BBC investigation has alleged that in a previous post as Bishop of Chelmsford, Mr Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to remain in post despite knowing that he had been banned from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.

Mr Cottrell has apologised for not taking more immediate action, but has appeared to reject calls for his resignation, saying: I am deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier, but that was the situation I inherited.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell (AFP via Getty Images)

The situation marks another damaging episode for the crisis-gripped Church of England. In November, Justin Welby resigned as the Archbishop of Canterbury after coming under sustained pressure over his handling of a Church-linked abuse case.

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Mr Cottrell is due to take over as temporary leader of the Church of England in just three weeks time, as a new Archbishop of Canterbury is formally selected.

Yet the process for electing the successor is far from simple. While several senior Church figures have been touted, it is unlikely that they were be named until the late spring, as multiple consultations, shortlisting and interviews are set to take place.

Here we look at the process for choosing the new archbishop:

Who appoints the archbishop?

The King  the defender of the faith and supreme governor of the Church of England  formally appoints archbishops, bishops and deans.

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Mr Welby sought permission from the King before he announced his intention to resign.

Once a candidate has been decided, their name is passed on to Downing Street, who subsequently passes it on to Buckingham Palace for approval.

Justin Welby with the King at his coronation (PA Archive)

Who recommends the appointment?

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) is responsible for appointing the next archbishop, but a period of consultation is first needed to set up this body.

The CNC examines the candidates, holds interviews, and puts forward a name to the Prime Minister, who then passes it to the King.

There will be 17 voting members of the CNC: an Anglican in public life chosen by the Prime Minister, a bishop, the Archbishop of York, three representatives elected from the Diocese of Canterbury, six from the General Synod  three ordained and three lay  and five Anglican communion representatives.

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In addition, the secretary general of the Anglican Communion, the prime ministers appointments secretary and the archbishops secretary for appointments are non-voting members of the Commission.

Once the King has approved the chosen candidate and they have indicated a willingness to serve, 10 Downing St will announce the name of the archbishop-designate.

The college of canons of Canterbury Cathedral then formally elects the new archbishop.

Who are the frontrunners to replace him?

Stephen Cottrell

The Archbishop of York is the second most senior bishop in the Church of England, meaning he will take over from Justin Welby while a leader is selected. He previously described the former Archbishops resignation as the right and honourable thing to do.

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Some have speculated that Mr Cottrell, 66, could be ruled out due to his age, and would likely not serve in the post beyond an interim tenure.

The recent allegations from the BBC have cast doubt on even this, however, as some senior members of the Church call for Mr Cottrell to resign.

Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the only bishop to call publicly for Justin Welbys resignation in November, has said it is now impossible for Mr Cottrell to remain in his post or lead the Church.

Martyn Snow

The 54-year-old Bishop of Leicester has been in his current posting since 2016. He was born in Indonesia and also worked as a vicar and youth chaplain in West Africa.

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He has been the Churchs lead bishop in its Living in Love and Faith program, which grapples with questions of sexuality and doctrine.

Graham Usher

The Bishop of Norwich is outspoken on issues relating to climate change, and most recently called on the government to hit major polluters with higher taxes in the run-up to this weeks COP29 summit in Azerbaijan.

Guli Francis-Dehqani has been tipped as a possible successor to Justin Welby

Guli Francis-Dehqani

The Bishop of Chelmsford was born in Iran, where her father was an Anglican bishop, but fled the Middle Eastern country with her family as a result of the Islamic revolution, in which her brother was killed, in 1980.

She is outspoken on justice issues, and recently called on western governments to address Palestinian dispossession in occupied territories.
The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcares CEO in Manhattan remains in a Pennsylvania state prison, while a possible indictment looms in New York as a grand jury considers evidence on charges he faces there, including one count of murder.

Luigi Mangione, who faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted on the charge of second-degree murder, is set to appear in a Pennsylvania court for a preliminary hearing next week on state charges following his December 9 arrest at a McDonalds in Altoona.

Mangione, 26, has been fighting extradition to New York after being accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Friday it is possible the suspect could soon waive his right to fight being handed over to New York authorities.

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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, Bragg said. So until that time, were going to continue to press forward on parallel paths and well be ready whether he is going to waive extradition or whether hes going to contest extradition.

Here are the latest developments in the case:

After a San Francisco Police Department officer recognized Mangione from a surveillance photo as the possible suspect on December 5, the day after the shooting, they shared the tip with the FBI.

Mangione has retained attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former Manhattan prosecutor, to represent him in New York.

A Center for Internet Security report released Saturday found widespread support of Thompsons killing could lead to potential copycats of the shooting likely to feel emboldened and encouraged.

A defense fund set up on Mangiones behalf raised more than $132,000 by Monday, according to a campaign page on GiveSendGo. It is unclear whether his defense team will accept the funds.

Authorities tracked down Mangione in Altoona last week after being alerted he looked similar to the person who gunned down Thompson in front of a Midtown Manhattan hotel as the health care executive prepared to attend his companys investors conference.

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Mangione faces charges in both Pennsylvania and New York. He remains in custody in Pennsylvania Monday on charges related to a gun and fake ID police say they found at the time of his arrest.

In New York, prosecutors have charged him with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged document and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to online court documents.

Investigators in New York believe Mangione, a former high school valedictorian and Ivy League graduate born into a well-to-do family, appeared to be driven by anger against the health insurance industry and corporate greed, according to an NYPD intelligence report obtained by CNN.

A view of the exterior of State Correctional Institution Huntingdon where Luigi Mangione, 26, is being held after being apprehended. - Matthew Hatcher/Reuters

Mangione is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Pennsylvania on December 30 in response to his petitions for writ of habeas corpus and imposition of bail, court documents from Thursday show. The habeas corpus petition is a key factor in whether Mangione can be extradited to New York.

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Following Braggs comments on Mangione possibly backing down from the extradition fight, CNN has sought comment from Dickey regarding whether he and his client have changed their position on extradition.

Mangiones Pennsylvania lawyer, Thomas Dickey, has said he has not seen the evidence against his client and anticipates he will plead not guilty to the murder and other charges in New York, as well as to charges related to the firearm and fake ID Mangione allegedly had in his possession when he was arrested in Pennsylvania.

Mounting evidence against suspect, authorities say

New York authorities have executed as many as three search warrants as part of their investigation, including at least two warrants for a backpack found in Central Park and a burner phone discovered along Mangiones believed getaway route away from the crime scene, sources told CNN.

The mounting evidence against the suspect accused of killing Thompson, authorities say, includes a 3D-printed gun they allege Mangione had when he was arrested, which matches three shell casings found at the crime scene.

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Mangiones fingerprints match those found on items near the scene, New York Citys police commissioner has said, and investigators discovered a three-page handwritten claim of responsibility and writings in a spiral notebook pointing to the suspects involvement, a law enforcement source briefed on the matter told CNN.

Thomas Dickey, attorney for suspected shooter Luigi Mangione, speaks to reporters in front of the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, after an extradition hearing Tuesday. - Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Three 9 mm shell casings from the crime scene had the words delay, deny and depose written on them, according to NYPDs Chief Detective Joseph Kenny. The words are similar to a title of a 2010 book critiquing the insurance industry.

Dickey has said he wants to see the ballistics and fingerprint evidence for himself.

Those two sciences, in and of themselves, have come under some criticism in the past, relative to their credibility, their truthfulness, their accuracy, however you want to do it, Dickey said on CNNs Erin Burnett OutFront on Wednesday.

Business leaders to discuss safety in wake of Thompson killing

The office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is convening business leaders and law enforcement to discuss safety this week.

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Kathryn Garcia, Hochuls director of operations and infrastructure, will hold a call with several business leaders and law enforcement on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the governors office told CNN.

Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, a nonprofit organization which represents New York Citys global business leaders and major employers, told CNN the call will include top State Police officials and counterterrorism law enforcement.

A source familiar with the planning told CNN the state is also considering setting up a hotline for CEOs so they can call to report security concerns or threats.

The hope is the call will provide a forum for questions and sharing of best practices regarding threats to business leaders around the city, Wylde said.

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Approximately 200 people, mostly security people as well as some CEOs are expected to join, according to Wylde.

The call comes as C-suite leaders across the country are left shaken in the wake of Thompsons killing and reassessing preparedness for potential threats.

The NYPD, in an intelligence report obtained by CNN last week, said it believed Thompsons killing was a symbolic takedown and could inspire others to act violently toward business leaders.

On Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged people are hurting when it comes to insurance and health care, and hurt people hurt themselves and they hurt others. That does not excuse the violence, he said.

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No matter how angry we are, you cannot take a weapon, a ghost gun, put a silencer on and target someone and shoot them. Thats the bottom line, said Adams.

CNNs Jason Hanna, Karina Tsui, Steve Almasy, Andy Rose, Brynn Gingras, Michelle Watson, Bonney Kapp, Dakin Andone, Emma Tucker, Meg Tirrell and Jason Carroll contributed to this report.

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Li Shuangcheng, director of the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, addresses the opening ceremony of a Chinese class for Nepalese journalists at the Confucius Institute in Lalitpur, Nepal, Dec. 16, 2024. The Chinese class was relaunched on Monday for 40 Nepalese journalists from different media outlets. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese class was relaunched on Monday for 40 Nepalese journalists from different media outlets.

In addition to basic Chinese language knowledge, special courses catering to journalistic work were offered as well, said Li Shuangcheng, director of the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University.

Addressing the opening ceremony held at the Confucius Institute situated in Lalitpur, Li noted that Chinese cultural elements were integrated into the course, allowing the learners to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture and enhance their comprehensive understanding of Chinese society and people.

Kishor Shrestha, chairman of the Nepal-China Media Forum, recalled that the Chinese class was first started in May 2019 and had to be halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharing his own experiences, Shrestha urged the learners to learn both the Chinese language and characters, stressing that Chinese is becoming an international language gradually.

"The Chinese language is one of the most spoken languages in the world and I'm really excited to be a part of this class," said Shristi Kafle, one of the learners.

"I believe that if I master this language, it will help me understand China, Chinese history and Chinese society better, and it will also help me to enhance my reporting skills about China," she added. 

Kishor Shrestha, chairman of the Nepal-China Media Forum, speaks at the opening ceremony of a Chinese class for Nepalese journalists at the Confucius Institute in Lalitpur, Nepal, Dec. 16, 2024. The Chinese class was relaunched on Monday for 40 Nepalese journalists from different media outlets. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)
The NHS is under fire for suggesting corridor care in crowded hospitals can be delivered safely.

Leading A&E doctors have criticised new guidance on how to treat patients in emergency department corridors as normalising the dangerous.

NHS England has produced guidance on providing safe and good-quality care in temporary escalation spaces.

But the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) said the nonsensical guidance is out of touch.

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The guidance, published in September, acknowledges corridor care is not acceptable and should not be considered as standard, but under current pressures some hospitals are using temporary escalation spaces more regularly  and this use is no longer in extremis.

It advises how staff can deliver the safest, most effective and highest-quality care possible to patients who need treatment but there are no free beds for them to be admitted to.

RCEM said it is not possible to provide safe and good-quality care in corridors or cupboards.

In Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, 28 per cent of A&E patients in November waited at least 12 hours before being admitted or discharged - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe

In a statement, the college said: Advice from arms-length bodies that appear out of touch with what is happening in our departments was always going to be poorly received.

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Use of corridors will lead to long waits in emergency departments which is associated with measurable harm to patients, it added.

RCEM said patient privacy and dignity are not maintained when they are being cared for in corridors, while rest and sleep for patients is difficult, if not impossible and patient confidentiality cannot be maintained.

It added that it is not possible to control the spread of infection and that treating patients is made more difficult and often delayed.

The college added: It is distressing for patients, particularly the old and the vulnerable, to be in open, noisy, brightly lit, often cold areas.

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These points are not consistent with good-quality care and render many of the statements within the document nonsensical, the College added.

A result of overcrowding

Dr Adrian Boyle, president of RCEM, said: While we understand why this guidance has been issued, as a College we are concerned that it represents a normalisation of what is an unacceptable and dangerous situation.

It is not possible to provide truly safe care in environments such as corridors and cupboards.

It also evidenced a lack of understanding for what has been happening in emergency departments for years.

So-called corridor care is a result of overcrowding, which leads to extended A&E stays that we know contribute to avoidable death. We and our members cannot, and will not, accept this situation.

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Rather than advising how to deal with overcrowding, all effort should be focused on preventing it.

The news comes as some health commentators warned hospitals are running red hot, with some predicting winter could be one of the worst the NHS has faced.

It comes as new figures published on Thursday revealed that some 5,000 patients were waiting at least 12 hours before being admitted or discharged from A&E every day.

Doctors said the long waiting times caused hundreds of avoidable deaths each week as patients deteriorated and missed out on life-saving treatment.

The worst-performing hospital was Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, where 28 per cent of patients arriving at A&E in November had to wait at least 12 hours before being admitted or discharged. This was followed by the Countess of Chester, where Lucy Letby worked, at 24 per cent.

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At the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, 20 per cent of patients had to wait longer than 12 hours.

This is nearly double the national average of 11 per cent, with a total of 150,696 people waiting for 12 hours in A&E last month, according to NHS data published this week.

Patients are meant to be seen within four hours under NHS targets, but only 57 per cent of patients were treated, discharged or admitted within four hours last month.

The latest figures show an average of 96,661 beds were filled each day last week, 94.6 per cent of the total available.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has recently ordered health service leaders to prioritise patient safety as winter approaches.

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Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS in England, has said patient safety must be paramount.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has recently ordered health service leaders to prioritise patient safety as winter approaches - Ben Whitley/PA

An NHS England spokesman said: As the document  developed with nurses and clinical leaders  makes clear, NHS England believes that caring for patients in temporary spaces is not acceptable, should never be considered as standard, and should only ever be used when all other options have been exhausted.

Patient flow through hospitals and capacity in A&E have been impacted by record levels of demand going into winter, a jump in patients hospitalised with viruses like flu and norovirus, and thousands of beds taken up by patients ready for discharge.

NHS staff are working hard to provide the safest possible care for patients this winter, including better use of live data, an expansion of same-day emergency care, and more care in the community.

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GRANT COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexico State Police arrested a man after he allegedly caused his wife to crash her vehicle before getting into an altercation with her, according to New Mexico State Police.

Patricio Aguilar, 61, was charged with aggravated assault against a household member, two counts of aggravated battery on a household member, and DWI.

APD officer pleads not guilty to charges related to alleged inappropriate search

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State Police intervened when an officer patrolling in Silver City saw two men walking away from a truck parked in the median on State Road 90. The officer saw one of the men, later identified as Aguilar, was bloody, had scratches on his body, and showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol, NMSP said.

Police learned Aguilar and his wife were going through a separation, and Aguilar had driven to his wifes workplace to discuss it. As his wife was leaving in her vehicle, Aguilar allegedly ran her off the road, causing her to crash her vehicle. Aguilar then grabbed his wife and forced her into his vehicle where he pulled out a handgun. Aguilar and his wife got into an altercation, and at least two shots were fired, and Aguilar tossed the gun out the window, according to State Police.

After Aguilar drove to their home, the wife exited the vehicle and began running, crying out for help. Aguilar reportedly chased her, and they both fell to the ground in the median of State Road 90. A passing driver stopped and intervened between Aguilar and his wife. A short time later, the NMSP officer arrived.

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BELEN, N.M. (KRQE)  On Sunday, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) released the names of the four victims from Saturdays homicide in Belen. Police said that 16-year-old Diego Leyva called 911 early Saturday morning and told the dispatcher he had killed his family.

NMSP says Leyvas father, 42-year-old Leonardo Leyva, his 35-year-old mother Adriana Bencomo, a 16-year-old brother, and a 14-year-old brother were killed by suspected gunshot wounds. A handgun was located on the kitchen table. According to the Valencia County Fire Department, Bencomo had served as a volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department for many years.

NMSP hands out more than 4,000 traffic citations during Thanksgiving weekend

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Diego Leyva was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque around 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Agents with the NMSP Investigations Bureau and Crime Scene Team are processing the scene and conducting interviews.

The case will be presented to the district attorneys office for prosecution after the investigation is complete.

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CANTON, N.Y. (WWTI)  Ten St. Lawrence County class of 2025 members were named as recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Evergreen STEM Scholarship.

Apply Now: NNYCF Offers Scholarships for Fall 2025

Recipients are awarded the scholarship due to their interest and intent to study in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics field. Recipients receive a one-year $3,000 scholarship toward their freshman year of college next fall.

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The Evergreen STEM scholarship is made possible thanks to the generosity of Charles Owens and his late wife, Higouhi Hi Owens. The scholarship is a permanent fund of the Community Foundation and provides $30,000 annually for high school students who live in St. Lawrence County. 90 students have been awarded Evergreen STEM scholarships totaling $270,000 in educational support, since its inception.

Class of 2025 Evergreen STEM Scholars: Front row, from left: Lily R. Mitchell; Annika R. Zysik; Evergreen STEM Scholarship founder Charles Owens, son, Bruce Owens, and daughter Sandra Owens Hosier; Maeve E. Putman; and Carly G. Bartholomew. Back row, from left: Alexis Stuntz; Willem J. Gleeson; and Myles A. LaPoint. Absent from photo: Meridyth C. Clark; Jason Liang; and Sydney Miner. (WWTI/ Kenneth Eysaman)

2024-2025 Evergreen STEM Scholars:

Carly G. Bartholomew, Gouverneur Central School, chemistry/biology;

Meridyth C. Clark, Colton-Pierrepont Central School, veterinary studies or biology;

Willem J. Gleeson, Heuvelton Central School, engineering;

Myles A. LaPoint, Edwards-Knox Central School, biology;

Jason Liang, Potsdam Central School, engineering;

Sydney Miner, St. Lawrence Central School, science/biology;

Lily R. Mitchell, Clifton-Fine Central School, architecture;

Maeve E. Putman, Ogdensburg Free Academy, biology/pre-med;

Alexis Stuntz, Hugh C. Williams High School, Canton, theoretical physics; and

Annika R. Zysik, Madrid-Waddington Central School, biology/chemistry.

Calling Theresa Nonprofits: Apply for $3K in funding

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Recipients recently had a chance to meet and thank Owens, his son, Bruce, and daughter, Sandy Owens Hosier, at a scholarship recognition and appreciation dinner in Canton; parents, school guidance counselors and several district administrators were also in attendance.

Owens and his wife established the scholarship at the Community Foundation in 2014 with the first scholarships being awarded in 2016 to inspire high school students to focus on post-secondary studies and careers in STEM while encouraging them to pursue employment opportunities in the North Country.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Trumbull County grand jury declined to indict a defendant in a Warren shooting case.

A no bill was returned in the case earlier this month, meaning Juvar King Jr. no longer faces charges. He had initially been charged with felonious assault following the shooting on Oct. 16 that injured a 42-year-old man.

The victim was found with gunshot wounds about 8 a.m. in a home in the 700 block of 4th St. SW.

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Aiming to narrow the state's economic divide, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday unveiled a blueprint to create more well-paying careers for Californians, especially those who don't have a college degree.

As more people question the value of higher education, unsure whether the economic payoff is worth rising college costs, Newsom wants to streamline and coordinate state and regional efforts to prepare students and workers for high-demand jobs with more hands-on learning, job-related skills and wider access to affordable education.

Every Californian deserves the opportunity to build real-life skills and pursue a fulfilling career  including those that dont require college degrees," Newsom said in a statement. "California is working to ensure that every person has what they need to get a well-paying, long-lasting job so we can build an economy for the future that supports all families."

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Read more: Good salary, little to no debt: A California college guide to top-value majors

Newsom presented his plan at Shasta College in Redding, a Northern California city whose 93,000 residents, on average, have lower incomes and educational achievement than the statewide average. About one-quarter of Redding residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 37.5% statewide. The median household income is about $69,000 annually, compared with $96,000 statewide.

Key elements of the blueprint, called the California Master Plan for Career Education, include:



A new "career passport" is envisioned as a digital tool with academic transcripts, verified skills and credentials earned outside the classroom  in the military, for instance  to help workers showcase their abilities to potential employers.

A statewide collaborative of educators, job-training providers and employers would evaluate economic trends and workforce needs, aligning curriculum and funding to meet the demand for skills. Newsom's office has targeted healthcare, climate, education and technology as some of the hottest areas of labor demand.

High schools and colleges would offer more work-based learning, including internships and apprenticeships, career exploration and stronger counseling. The plan encourages more opportunities for high school students to take college classes to acquire skills sought by employers.

Wider access to workforce training and education would be encouraged, especially for people with disabilities, English language learners, youths who are neither working nor attending school and those whose parents did not attend college.



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Read more: The most lucrative majors? Some community college grads can outearn elite university peers

Newsom also announced plans Monday to double the number of state jobs that will no longer require a college degree or other specific educational requirements, to about 62,000 next year from nearly 30,000 currently. The jobs include some research, analyst and informational technology positions. A high school degree will no longer be required for custodians. Some state investigator positions will allow more areas of study or experience, such as military service, to count as qualifications.

In addition, Newsom proposed an initiative to help 30,000 military veterans turn their service experience into college credit. The effort, which would be led by faculty, would begin with California community colleges.

The final plan will be presented early next year, with funding commitments included in the upcoming state budget proposal in January. At least $100 million would be provided to develop the career passports, a statewide system to help veterans receive college credit for work experience and other career programs.

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Initiatives to expand college and career education have drawn bipartisan support. State Assemblymember Heather Hadwick (R-Grass Valley) appeared with Newsom on Monday, expressing excitement for more opportunities for youths in her rural district  some areas so remote that the nearest Costco is a three-hour drive away, she said.

EdTrust-West, a nonprofit that promotes racial equity and diversity in education, also applauded Newsom's plan. "We are especially pleased to hear mention of credit for prior learning, e-transcript, and continuing to remove financial barriers to college and career training in his vision," Christopher J. Nellum, the nonprofit's executive director, said in a statement.

The master plan builds on Newsom's other college and career programs he began rolling out in 2021. They include the establishment of 13 regional collaboratives of K-12 districts, the state's three public higher education systems and local employers. The plan calls for collaboration to create accelerated degree and credential programs featuring work-based learning in such areas as education and healthcare.

"This is around recognizing that we needed to create a framework where you can get the benefit of a life well-lived, that...doesn't include some fancy degree," Newsom said of the master plan. "Everybody is included in this agenda, and I don't want people to feel like they're not."

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The master plan recognizes that college degrees still provide a valuable path for financial stability. It noted that households with at least one college graduate earn 33% more today than similar households did in 1980, indicating that the value of a four-year college degree has grown over time. In contrast, households with a high school graduate earn 8% less today compared with those in 1980, reflecting diminishing returns of a diploma. Research has shown that those with bachelor's degrees are more likely to be employed and earn $1.2 million more over a lifetime than those with a high school diploma.

The HEA Group, a research and consulting firm focused on college access, value and economic mobility, has produced guides to top-value college majors that yield high pay with low debt along with the most lucrative degrees.

But, the plan says, California must find ways to help those without college degrees thrive  many of whom may want to pursue college but can't afford it given the state's high cost of living and complexities of accessing public assistance. California has one of the largest economic divides in the nation, the plan said, with the top 10% of California earners making an average of $300,000 annually compared with the bottom 10% at $29,000 annually.

"The economic divide underscores the imperative for a more coherent career education infrastructure," the plan says. "Degree attainment cannot be the only pathway to stable, well-paid work. Even though individuals with bachelors degrees earn significantly more over their lifetimes than those without, degrees are not a panacea, particularly in the absence of practical experience and social capital."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
No injuries were reported after a fire broke out at a food product company facility in Shively Monday.

Louisville Division of Fire and Shively Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a fire in the 2500 block of 7th Street Road at the AAK Louisville facility at 5:43 a.m. When crews arrived, they found an active fire in a conversion tank, Shively Fire Chief Charles Mucker said.

The fire was contained to the exterior of the building, and the burning product was found to be cooking oil leaking from a malfunctioning gasket. A small hydrogen leak also occurred, Mucker said, and Louisville's Metropolitan Sewer District, Hazardous Materials and the Heath Department were called as a precaution.

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No injuries were reported, Mucker said, and crews remained on scene Monday morning to ensure the tanks were cooled and returned to normal operation.

AAK, a food product company specializing in plant-based oils and fats, is Sweden-based and co-develops products with its clients to meet their "unique needs." With 20 production facilities, 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centres and more than 3,900 employees globally, AAK has U.S. locations in Louisville, New Jersey and California.

Louisville Givaudan explosion Givaudan officials announce new hotline to report impacts from deadly explosion

The recent fire follows ongoing investigations into an explosion at another Sweden-based company facility in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood, Givaudan Sense Colour, which killed two and injured several others in November.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: No injuries reported after fire at AAK facilty in Shively
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  In July of 2022, Special Agents of the F.B.I. raided the headquarters of the Uhuru Movement in St. Petersburg and of the groups leaders in St. Louis and St. Petersburg.

A months-long investigation resulted in charges against the groups founder, Omali Yeshitela, and against group members Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel. The government accused them of taking money from Russian agents to spread misinformation and discontent about U.S. elections.

Gulfport woman stole Christmas decorations, mail from abandoned, storm-damaged homes: PCSO

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The Uhuru movement is part of the African Peoples Socialist Party and they make no secret of their hatred of the U.S. government, but group founder Yeshitela says their actions were just free speech.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge William Jung said the groups only illegal actions were that they didnt notify the Attorney General they were acting as foreign agents to carry out protests and to publish pro-Russian articles from Russian agents.

Jung sentenced Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel to three years of probation, with 300 hours of community service. He did not issue a fine, joking in court that fines are used as punishment and the group would only fund raise to pay any fine he issued.

Outside of the Federal Courthouse the three were surrounded by supporters as they proclaimed victory.

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We had a lawyer who said, if this thing even goes to trial, its an assault, a major assault on the First Amendment, said Yeshitela.

He thanked supporters and said the victory is for them and others who want to change the U.S. government.

The only reason this discussion is happening right now, about free speech, and the judge was given an opportunity to make a ruling to make the statements that he made, the only reason he was given this opportunity is because we fought, said Yeshitela.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Autopsy results are expected as soon as tomorrow following the discovery of a womans body inside a fifth-floor unit at a luxury apartment building in Bostons South End.

Sources told Boston 25 News that the case is being treated as a homicide due to circumstances that have not yet been made public.

No one was in custody and no person of interest had been publicly identified as of Sunday night.

Neighbors at The Harris South End received emails about the death but have not heard any follow-up information.

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I watch a lot of true crime shows. I do wonder if it could be some sort of homicide, some sort of planned thing, said neighbor Jawad Husain.

Boston 25 News briefly spoke with a woman who identified herself as a relative of the woman whose body was found.

She declined to comment on the investigation and understandably requested privacy.

Boston Police responded to a well-being check at 390 Harrison Avenue on Thursday night around 7 p.m. after receiving a call from the womans relative.

A police report said officers knocked on the door and then entered the unit after hearing no answer.

If there were any measures, I could take that would help make me more personally secure, it would be good to know, said another neighbor.

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The apartment building has an array of security cameras, is staffed with 24/7 concierge, and uses key fobs for its elevator and to get into rooms.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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By Elnur Enveroglu



In recent days, the Biden administration, in addition to making serious political blunders, has also begun to take inadequate steps regarding Azerbaijan. The fact that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized Azerbaijan in his latest statement in a biased manner and went so far as to damage relations between the two states generally indicates the wrong policy of the Democrats.

It is no coincidence that all this has not gone unnoticed by experts observing the region from abroad. Many experts state in their comments that the Democrats, who are living their last days in the United States, are taking such steps to spoil all relations. In general, the Biden administration is marking the culmination of its failure over the past four years.

"The recent statement issued by outgoing feckless Secretary of State Antony Blinken accusing Azerbaijan of a crackdown on media and civil society is the perfect illustration of how confrontational Bidens Foreign Policy has been in the past four years. It is unlike any other previous US administration - democrats have demonstrated how biased, confrontational belligerent, and immoral they have become in defending Americas interests abroad."

Peter Tase, the American political commentator and independent analyst said in an interview with Azernews following US State Secretary Antony Blinkens recent biased statement against Azerbaijan.

He added that under Blinkens leadership, Americas credibility and image have rapidly descended into abysmal levels.

Joe Bidens four brutal years of weaponizing the Department of Justice (turning it into a genuine Cheka) to ruthlessly punish (without any evidence whatsoever) the presidential candidate Donald J. Trump is nothing short of a disgrace and shameful.

Peter Tase said progress in US-Azerbaijan relations is much more promising under Trumps leadership as this might bring a fresh atmosphere to the South Caucasus and beyond.

The strategic partnership between the Republic of Turkiye and the United States is the bedrock of successful bilateral cooperation between Baku and Washington. The incoming Trump - Vance administration will particularly focus on strengthening its partnership and economic dialogue with Ankara and Baku. The nomination by President Donald Trump of Marco Rubio as the 72nd United States Secretary of State is a historic moment in the execution of American foreign policy in Eurasia. There are some like Richard Haass who argue, Turkey may be an ally, but it is not a partner; the truth of the matter is that Turkiye is Washingtons most important partner in Eurasia and within the NATO. After taking the oath of office, Marco Rubio will embark on his first official visit abroad as Secretary of State to Turkiye and is expected to conduct an official visit to Baku during his first year in office, the analyst said.

According to Tase, contrary to the deeply polarized Biden-Harris administration that has left profound blunders and a hostile environment in Washington, Mr. Rubio and his right hand, Christopher Landau, will particularly focus on strengthening the alliances with Baku - Azerbaijan, and with Turkiye, Eurasias main source of balance of power.

Besides, Washington will further improve its bilateral partnership with Ankara, as other stakeholders with massive geopolitical gambits, are jeopardizing regional security and maritime commercial corridors.

As regards the outgoing Biden administrations recent stance towards Baku, and claims about political prisoners Peter Tase emphasised that the administration wants to harm the long-time existing relations between Baku and Washington.

Blinkens inflammatory remarks against Azerbaijan and calling for the release of criminals: Rufat Safarov and Sevinj Vagifgizi, is a futile attempt to divert the public attention from the dirty business dealings conducted by Bidens henchmen with warmongering actors in Europe. The administration wants to cover the recent flagrant pardon of Hunter Biden (a dangerous individual addicted to prostitution and drug use) by his own father who happens to be the President of the United States.

According to him, Washington must establish a great level of dialogue and political cooperation with Baku and Ankara, in order to ensure a more peaceful and prosperous environment in the highly competitive, sensitive, and fragile Transatlantic community and geopolitical landscape.
SAO PAULO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed on Sunday at a press conference to "severely punish" those involved in the 2022 coup attempt.

"I believe that General Braga has every right to the presumption of innocence," Lula said, referring to the detained retired general Walter Braga Netto, who served as minister of defense under former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The press conference, held at Sirio Libanes Hospital shortly after Lula's discharge, marked his first public appearance since undergoing emergency skull surgery last week. His medical team and first lady, Rosangela da Silva, were present by his side.

Braga Netto, accused of attempting to interfere in investigations, was arrested on Saturday following an order from the Supreme Federal Court. According to the Federal Police, Bolsonaro was allegedly planning a coup in 2022 to prevent Lula from assuming the presidency.

Lula said it is unacceptable to have high-ranking military officials in the plot to assassinate the president.

Following his discharge, Lula will work at his residence in Sao Paulo until Thursday when he is due for a CAT scan to get a permit for travel to Brasilia to resume his work at the Planalto Palace. 
President-elect Trump spoke at Mar-a-Lago today and addressed the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of U.S. journalist Austin Tice are still unknown. Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO retired Admiral James Stavridis joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss the latest in the Middle East.
Gov. Kristi Noem presents her annual budget address to lawmakers in the South Dakota State Capitol on Dec. 3, 2024, while Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden looks on. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

To hear South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem tell it, her newly proposed and euphemistically named Education Savings Account program is all about giving disadvantaged parents the freedom to choose an education thats best for their children.

But thats not what its really all about.

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Its end-goal in practical terms is to give qualifying parents some $3,000 per student in tax money to send their children to religious schools  77% of private schools nationwide are Christian  where, not coincidentally, faith indoctrination is allowed in the academic curriculum and ideas such as abortion, gender fluidity and sexual diversity (supposedly rejected in the Bible as unnatural abominations) are formally demonized. And where ideas like the still-enduring and severe institutional inequities still burdening Black citizens in America  characterized as America-hating by naysayers  are pointedly not taught.

This disingenuous (meaning dishonest and, thus, arguably un-Christian) use of the term choice regarding educational goals has been bandied about for 68 years, since the U.S. Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education ruled that race-segregated public schooling in America was unconstitutional. Almost immediately thereafter, Whites-only, tax-exempt private schools, known as segregation academies, began robustly sprouting in the South to circumvent the Courts edict.

By 1958, more than a million Southern students were attending these academies, as state legislatures during the next seven years passed hundreds of new laws attempting to block, postpone, limit, or evade the desegregation of public schools, many of which expressly authorized the systematic transfer of public assets and monies to private schools, according to a study titled A History of Private Schools and Race in the American South, cited by the Southern Education Foundation in 2023.

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The high court then vacillated over a number of years between allowing and then disallowing tax exemptions for nonprofit private schools, religious and secular, but in 1983s Bob Jones University v. The United States the Court also disallowed such tax benefits for private religious schools if they discriminated by race in policies or practices, or favor one religion. Previously, the K-college schools curriculum was taught from a biblical perspective, teachers were required to be devout Christians, university donors and administrators held that the Bible prohibited interracial dating and marriage, and African Americans were ineligible for enrollment.

This should be a no-brainer. The First Amendments freedom-of-religion clause was created so that no single religion could dominate our nation, as Christianity had lorded over Europe for centuries, with catastrophic consequences when Catholicism splintered into myriad Christian sects during and after the tumultuous Protestant Reformation. During the 30 Years War (1618-1648) fought between Catholic and Protestant states in the Holy Roman Empire for religious hegemony in Europe, an estimated 8 million Europeans died from combat, famine and disease.

This kind of religious sectarian catastrophe is exactly what the American Founding Fathers were trying to avoid by establishing a constitutional requirement of religious freedom and sectarian non-coercion in their fledgling republic.

The problem since is that although U.S. leaders have labored mightily to achieve that, the lions share of Americans, despite the diverse abundance of religious denominations they have subscribed to, have been and remain predominantly Christian (68% today)  so Christian privilege, because of the faiths ubiquity in its many forms, is a dominant cultural force that has proved domineering and coercive in U.S. culture.

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Thats why Congress, under Christian pressure and general political fear  arguably unconstitutionally  changed the U.S. motto to In God We Trust from a secular phrase and inscribed our money with it, and arbitrarily inserted under God in the Pledge of Allegiance during the 1950s Red Scare over godless Communism.

And why the Supreme Court today, with its mostly devout Catholic justices and a 6-3 conservative bent, ruled on June 21 this year in Carson v. Makin that states that provided education vouchers for students to attend private secular schools would be discriminating against religion if faith-school vouchers were not also provided. This opens the door wide for required taxpayer support for Christian and Catholic parochial schools nationwide  and growing religious incursions into the tax-supported American public square.

The Founders surely would have balked at such.

Although Gov. Noem did not mention Christianity or God in her Dec. 3 address to the Legislature proposing her 2026 Education Savings Account program, they were loudly implied. With the lions share of private schools being Christian, in our state as well as America writ large, its a good bet that much if not most of the $4 million she estimates her plan will cost the first year would go toward indoctrinating eligible kids in the Bible and its invisible deity, and teaching watery history.

Lets call them Christian segregation academies.

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Authorities have arrested a Stockton man who allegedly tried to recruit an undercover police officer to work for him as a prostitute.

Lawrence Henderson, 35, used social media to recruit a woman who was actually an officer with the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Anaheim Police Department said in a news release.

Henderson and the undercover officer arranged to meet up in Orange County, and Henderson drove down from the Bay Area on Wednesday and was arrested upon arrival.

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Henderson was found to have a loaded firearm that was equipped with a high-capacity magazine, as well as an additional loaded 50-round drum magazine in his vehicle, the release said.

The Orange County District Attorneys Office filed multiple charges against Henderson on Friday:

Pandering

Attempted pimping

Possession of a firearm by a felon

Carrying a loaded firearm in public

Possession of ammo by a prohibited person

Possession of a high-capacity magazine

Resist/obstruct a police officer

While pimping and pandering are often conflated, they are two separate charges related to prostitution.

Under the law, human trafficking is described as depriving or violating the personal liberty of another person with the intent to affect a violation of pimping or pandering, the release explained. Pimping is described as knowingly deriving financial support in whole or in part from the proceeds of prostitution. Pandering is the act of persuading or procuring an individual to become a prostitute or procuring and/or arranging for a person to work in a house of prostitution.

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Henderson is being held at the Central Mens Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. Court date information was not available.

For more information about the OCHTTF, visit ochumantrafficking.com.

To report human trafficking, call local police or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 888-373-7888.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NORFOLK, Neb. (KCAU)  UPDATE: The Norfolk City Council has voted to approve settlements of over $800,000 combined with three members of the Norfolk Police Division, including the chief, who were placed on paid administrative leave months ago.

At Mondays city council meeting, council members voted unanimously (except for member Andrew McCarthy, who abstained due to a family member in the Norfolk PD) on all three items. As a result, Chief Don Miller, Captain Chad Reiman, and Lieutenant Josh Bauermeister are set to step down from their positions.

Former Plymouth County deputys prison sentence suspended

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I hope that we can now bring some healing to our community after this tonight, mayor Shane Clausen said.

Miller will be paid $408,000 by the city and will retire. Reiman and Bauermeister will resign from the Norfolk PD on Dec. 31 and be paid $250,000 and $150,000, respectively. All three will remain in good standing with the city.

PREVIOUS (10:27 a.m.): The Norfolk City Council will be voting whether to approve settlements with three members of the Norfolk Police Division (NPD), including the chief, who were placed on paid administrative leave months ago.

Three items on the city council agenda, items 26 through 28, show that the council is considering settlement agreements with Chief Don Miller, Captain Chad Reiman, and Lieutenant Josh Bauermeister. These actions come after an investigation into unknown allegations started months earlier.

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Weather doesnt stop the Little Yellow Dog auction

Miller and Reiman were placed on leave in late August. A couple of weeks later, Bauermeister was also placed on leave. At the time of the announcement of Miller and Reiman being placed on leave, a release from the city said that the decision was done in the best interest of the community. It also said that the leave is not disciplinary in nature, nor should it be interpreted as a pre-judgment of any kind

Further details werent provided as the city said it was due to the confidentiality of personnel matters. A third party was brought in to investigation allegations relating to the three NPD members.

In late September, the city council held a special meeting to speak with outside council regarding litigation in regards to personnel matters in the police department. Some from the community spoke at the meeting, some showing support for the three officers

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As part of the settlement agreements, Miller will retire in good standing from his position as police chief effecting on Dec. 31. Meanwhile, the city will pay Miller $408,000 as well as unused vacation and sick time.

Meanwhile Reiman and Bauermeister will resign from the Norfolk PD on Dec. 31 and be paid $250,000 and $150,000 as well as unused vacation and sick time. They will also remain in good standing with the city.

Sioux City event helps folks grieving during the holiday season

The city is agreeing to not take any action against the three as a result of the investigation and to not defame them. No details as to what the investigation was looking into has been stated. The settlement agreements were signed by the three Norfolk PD members on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, but the city council must approve otherwise they become null and void.

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Norfolk City Council will be meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. You can watch it 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
The Russians are reinforcing the units of the North Korean army after losses in assaults in Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation.

Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)

Details: Reportedly, North Korean army units suffered significant losses, with at least 30 soldiers killed or wounded, in the areas around the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka in Russias Kursk Oblast on 14 and 15 December 2024.

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In addition, at least three North Korean servicemen went missing near the village of Kurilovka

Assault groups are being reinforced with fresh personnel, in particular from the 94th Separate Brigade of the North Korean army, so as to replenish forces that took casualties and to continue active combat operations in Kursk Oblast, the intelligence reports.

Background:

Following massive assaults on Saturday 15 December, Ukrainian forces released images and videos of the dead Russian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast.

On 15 December, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that North Korean soldiers killed eight Kadyrovites  Chechen troops loyal to the country's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov  by friendly fire.

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North Korean soldiers have accidentally killed eight Russian troops after a misunderstanding caused by the language barrier, according to Ukrainian intelligence .

According to HUR, Kyivs military intelligence, the deadly incident occurred when fearful North Koreans opened fire on vehicles from Russias Akhmat Chechen legion in Kursk, which Moscow is trying to recapture from Ukraine.

It said that Russia has faced problems commanding North Korean troops because of the communication issue.

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HUR did not specify when the incident took place but announced separately on Monday that Ukrainian forces had killed or wounded some 30 North Korean soldiers over the weekend during fighting in the Kursk region.

The losses happened around the villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha and Martynivka, HUR said, adding that three North Koreans were missing near Kurilovka.

It marks the first time that casualties from Pyongyang have been reported since the US confirmed in late October that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers had entered the war.

Ukraine seized much of Russias Kursk region during a shock offensive in August - Russian Defence Ministry

Yuriy Butusov, a Ukrainian military blogger, said that a large Russian-North Korean assault on the village of Plekhovo was repelled on Saturday.

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Mr Butusov said that North Korean troops had reached Ukrainian positions due to their good physical training, fast movement and ignorance of their own losses before they were forced back by several successful counter-attacks.

Despite the losses, the enemy assault groups continued to advance, never stopping even under precision fire and shelling, he said.

Rybar, a prominent Russian Telegram channel, denied that a major clash between Russian and North Korean forces had taken place, saying none of the claims or footage had been verified.

Videos purporting to show North Korean troops in action in Kursk flooded social media over the weekend, many of them having been uploaded by Ukrainians.

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In one clip, drone footage shows the bodies of alleged North Korean soldiers being lined up in the snow after being killed while attacking Ukrainian forces.

Credit: 73rd Naval Special Operations Center

Kyivs 17th Heavy Mechanised Brigade released a tranche of blurry first-person drone videos showing what it claimed was combat against North Korean forces. Silhouetted figures are seen running away from the drones, which are commonly packed with lethal explosives.

On Monday, the Ukrainian brigade released screen grabs from close-up drone footage of enemy troops with an Asian appearance, saying they were North Koreans.

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The soldiers in the images appeared to be wearing slightly different uniforms to those issued to Russian troops but it was not possible to verify if they were North Korean. Russia also has Asian minorities that serve in its armed forces.

Ukraine seized much of Russias Kursk region during a shock offensive in August, although Moscow has gradually recaptured the territory in recent months.

Russia continues to advance across the front line in eastern Ukraine, with Vladimir Putin, the countrys president, saying they had captured 189 Ukrainian settlements this year.

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North Korean units fighting for Moscow sustained losses of at least 30 soldiers killed or wounded in Russia's Kursk region over the weekend, Ukraines main military intelligence directorate (HUR) said on Monday.

This is the first time that Kyiv reported North Korean losses of this scale and in some detail.

"Due to the losses, the assault groups are being replenished with fresh personnel, in particular from the 94th separate brigade of the DPRK army, to continue active combat operations in the Kursk region," the Ukrainian intelligence agency said in a statement, without providing evidence.

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Following massive assaults over the past weekend, Ukrainian forces have also released images and videos of killed Russian and North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.

Euronews could not independently verify these claims.

HUR reported the losses following President Volodymyr Zelenskyys statement that a "significant number" of North Korean soldiers have begun fighting alongside Russian forces in assault operations in Kursk. "The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region," he said.

North Korean troops have not yet joined Russian forces in any other areas of the front, but Zelenskyy said this could change. "And if this is not escalation, then what is the escalation that so many have been talking about," he asked.

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The first clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Russias Kursk were reported in early November. Zelensky stated on 1 December that North Korean soldiers had already been killed fighting for Russia but did not specify figures.

Ukrainian and Western officials estimate that over 10,000 North Korean troops had been amassed in Kursk, intended to help Russian forces in their push to kick Ukrainian forces out of Russias territory.

North Korean troops opened fire on Russian unit, HUR claims

HUR further reported on Saturday that North Korean forces operating in Kursk recently fired at Chechen "Akhmat" Spetsnaz battalion vehicles and killed eight Chechen personnel in a friendly fire incident, likely caused by the language barrier between the two units.

HUR noted that the lack of ability to communicate effectively hinders combat coordination between the two troops.

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Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate also said that the Russian military has established special protection protocols in places where North Korean personnel are located.

According to those, Russian soldiers must undergo inspections before entering these areas, and their phones and electronic devices are confiscated.
North Korean troops have joined combat operations in the Kursk Oblast, marking the first confirmed engagement of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian military, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder said on Dec. 16.

We do assess that North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat in Kursk. We have indications that they have suffered casualties, both killed and wounded, Ryder said, as reported by Reuters.

While the U.S. lacks precise casualty figures, Ryder added that North Korean troops began combat operations last week.

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Ukraines military intelligence (HUR) claimed that at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded during assault operations near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka on Dec. 14-15.

Fresh reinforcements from North Koreas 94th Separate Brigade are reportedly being deployed to replace the losses.

The HUR also alleged that a "friendly-fire" incident on Dec. 14 resulted in North Korean troops killing eight Russian soldiers.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify HURs claims.

North Korean soldiers have been present in Kursk Oblast since October, initially serving in support roles.

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Their recent participation in ground assault operations reflects a deepening military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow amidst ongoing war in Ukraine.

Read also: North Korean troops open fire on Russian unit, Ukraines military intelligence claims

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Poor coordination and a language barrier between the North Korean and Russian military in Russias Kursk Oblast have led to serious problems on the battlefield. Incidents of friendly fire and communication difficulties is reducing the effectiveness of joint operations.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Ineffective communication is complicating the coordination of combat operations, which is especially noticeable in the context of intense infantry attacks involving North Korean units. The ISW reports that such problems are systemic and will continue in the short term, impairing the overall combat capability of troops in the area.

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The language barrier is significantly affecting the effectiveness of interaction between North Korean and Russian forces, leading to mistakes such as friendly fire and disrupting the overall coordination of operations.

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) reported that North Korean troops mistakenly fired at Akhmat special forces vehicles, resulting in the deaths of Russian servicemen. [Akhmat is a Chechen armed formation fighting on Russias side  ed.]

DIU reported that a military contingent consisting of Russian and North Korean servicemen in Kursk Oblast had lost 200 people as of 14 December as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack on North Korean troops.

Poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean troops are likely to continue to cause friction in Russian military operations in Kursk Oblast in the near term.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 15 December:

Russian forces conducted a roughly battalion-sized mechanised assault on the Siversk front following a recent reported command change of the Russian forces operating near Siversk.

The recent Siversk assault indicates that Russian forces appear to be learning to conduct more effective assaults but remain far from restoring manoeuvre to the battlefield.

North Korean forces are reportedly facing expected struggles with high casualties and poor communication with Russian forces in Kursk Oblast, likely disrupting coordination between North Korean and Russian personnel and undermining Russian military operations.

Russia's immediate plans for its military assets in Syria remain unclear as reports continue that Russia has secured agreements to keep its main military bases in western Syria while also withdrawing from its other bases in the country.

Russian forces recently advanced near Siversk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk and Vuhledar.

Russian sources continue to complain about the Russian military's insufficient training system and inept military instructors.

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An American couple from Northern California was shot and killed by gunmen on Wednesday night in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, according to news outlets that spoke with Mexican officials.

The attack happened on Wednesday in the city of Angamacutiro, about 230 miles west of Mexico City, according to The New York Times, which spoke with officials in the Michoacan state attorney generals office.

City officials identified the couple as Rafael Cardona Aguilera and Gloria Ambriz, residents of Northern California who were on vacation, according to state officials.

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Mexican authorities told the Times that officers had found the couple inside a bullet-ridden vehicle on a street in Angamacutiro, although it was unclear if they were targeted.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed to KTXL the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Michoacan, adding that it is closely monitoring local authorities investigation into the reported killings.

The state of Michoacan is one of several in Mexico that have seen widespread violent crime in the last two decades after a federal government crackdown began against organized crime groups in 2006.

Michoacan is one of six Mexican states that U.S. officials advise citizens not to travel to due to crime. The other five states are Colima, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

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JAKARTA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police and soldiers will jointly deploy 141,443 personnel to secure Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations nationwide, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said on Monday.

The general noted that the personnel would be stationed at 61,452 locations across the country. "The locations to be secured include churches, shopping malls, airports, bus terminals, train stations, and venues hosting New Year's Eve celebrations," he said.

To support the mission, 2,794 security posts will be established, he added.

"With this deployment, we hope the Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations will run smoothly," he said.

In addition to securing key locations, the operation will focus on the journeys of travelers before and after the celebrations. According to the Transportation Ministry, 110.67 million people are expected to travel during this period. 
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Band practice at Northwest Guilford High School has taken on a whole new importance this holiday season.

The group is practicing for what may be one of the most important performances of their lifetime. After Christmas, they are headed to Rome to play in the New Years Day parade.

The band will march into Vatican City, and perform for the Pope before he delivers his New Years Day message to the faithful.

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Band Director Brian McMath has been before and says it is incredible.

It is an amazing experience to be, number one, in the Vatican City. You know, it is its own country, the smallest country in the world. And all of that to perform before the Pope. Weve even told he might acknowledge us in his speech, the visiting bands from the United States or other places. So yeah its a huge honor to go, he said.

This is a trip Mr. McMath has been working on for more than a year now. Its taken a lot of work and planning. But its a challenge hes willing to take on for his students sake.

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I love travelling with my kids, he says. It is my favorite thing to do. Its the most stressful thing I do, and Ive been all over the world with kids in my 28 years of teaching. To see their eyes open up and experience the world. That the Sistine Chapel is not just in a book. The Vatican City is not in a book. The Roman Forum, the Colosseum. Were in Florence. Were in Tuscany, Siena. And travels not as scary as you think it is.

Picking out the music theyll play was also not an easy task. While he thought about playing some Italian favorites, he chose a little bit of home.

McMath said, Were going to do some American songs that everybody will probably recognize, one of them being Sweet Caroline, which we all know. Thats a big one. If you know nothing, you know how to go bop, bop, bom. So hopefully the Italians will sing along with us. And the other one I chose was celebrate. I figured what better way to ring in the new year than to celebrate?

The band members know this will be a trip and performance of a lifetime.

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Emmie LaDow is a Sophomore Band member.

Im super excited to, like play on New Years Day for the Pope, she says. I think thats the most exciting thing and marching down into the Vatican.

Michael Van Rooyen a Senior member of the band agrees.

Im really excited. Ive actually never been out of the country before, so this is my first time. Im really excited, he said.

The band will be in Rome for a week, so they will also get to do some touring and sightseeing. Thats part of the students education that Mr. McMath knows will last far beyond their teenage years.

Says McMath. Music education is what we do. Its what I do every day, but its training them to be better people. Its giving them experiences that make them better people. That understand everyone in the world is the same. It doesnt matter. The commonalities. Thats why I love travel so much.

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The group will be one of two bands from the United States performing and creating great memories.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Norway will allocate 2.7 billion Norwegian kroner ($242 million) to bolster Ukraines navy and help it deter Russian threats in the Black Sea, the countrys Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced on Dec. 16.

"It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russias Black Sea Fleet (and to) protect exports by sea of grain and other products," Stoere said in a statement.

The money will be channeled through the Nansen Support Program, Norway's civil and military support program for Ukraine.

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The Black Sea remains heavily mined due to Russia's full-scale war, seriously threatening civilian vessels.

Minesweeping capabilities would help Ukraine strengthen security in the Black Sea, and enable continued shipping.

"Mines pose a significant threat to maritime security and safe passage in the Black Sea, and mine clearance operations are very difficult," Norways Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said.

"The systems we are providing will enhance the ability of Ukrainian forces to detect and defuse mines along their coastline," he added.

Following the announcement, the Nansen programs total value grew to 137.7 billion kroner ($13.2 billion). The program initially was set to spend 75 billion kroner ($7 billion) from 2023 to 2028.

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Norway is ranked 12th in the world in terms of the amount of aid provided to Ukraine, having so far provided $2.6 billion in humanitarian, financial, and military support, according to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker.

Read also: 30 North Korean soldiers killed, injured in Kursk Oblast assaults, Ukraines intelligence claims

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
If you take Donald Trump at his word, one of his first acts when hes back in the White House will be to grant pardons to rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

A key question is whether Trump would issue pardons on a case-by-case basis or grant a blanket pardon to any and every Jan. 6 defendant regardless of the severity of their charges or conduct.

Trump has only told reporters that he will move quickly to review everything and has hedged when pressed on whether he will forgo pardons for particularly violent offenders. During an interview on Meet the Press earlier this month, reporter Kristen Welker asked Trump if even those rioters who pleaded guilty to assaulting police would be pardoned. Trump replied that these people had no choice. It was not clear whether Trump meant they had no choice but to plead guilty and strike a deal with prosecutors or whether he meant they had no choice but to act as they did that day.

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Trumps attitude toward Jan. 6 rioters has always been empathetic. He has called them patriots and political prisoners. Just this October, he referred to Jan. 6 as a day of love  despite over 140 police officers being assaulted and the multiple deaths connected to that day.

Four of Trumps supporters died, including Ashli Babbitt, 35, of California, a U.S. Air Force veteran shot by a Capitol Police officer while she was trying to breach a window in the Speakers Lobby. Roseanne Boyland, 34, of Georgia died of an amphetamines overdose, and although she was trampled by rioters, medical examiners determined her cause of death to be acute amphetamine intoxication. Kevin Greeson, 55, of Alabama suffered a heart attack while standing with Trump supporters outside of the Capitol. Benjamin Phillips, 50, a Pennsylvania resident and the founder of a pro-Trump website, Trumparoo, died of a stroke.

Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, 42, died a day after the attack. Sicknick suffered two strokes; medical examiners attributed his death to natural causes but said the events of Jan. 6 played a role in his death. At least four officers died by suicide in the weeks and months after Jan. 6, including Capitol Police Officers Howard Liebengood and Jeffrey Smith as well as D.C. Metropolitan Police Officers Gunther Hashidaand Kyle DeFreytag.

More than 1,500 people have so far been charged with crimes connected to Jan. 6. Of that group, roughly 1,250 have been convicted or pleaded guilty, about half of whom have been sentenced to prison already, according to the Justice Department. Charges have run the gamut from misdemeanors and lower-level offenses like trespassing to felony assault and other serious charges with significant penalties.

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Only members of the extremist Proud Boys and Oath Keepers have faced the most serious charge of seditious conspiracy. The leaders of those groups have received the harshest sentences to date: Former Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in a plot to stop the transfer of power on Jan. 6, and former Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years.

Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. via Associated Press

Both men were convicted by juries of other offenses tied to Jan. 6, but not assault. If Trump decides to pardon rioters without assault convictions, the fact that neither Tarrio or Rhodes were charged with using physical violence that day  even though their plans relied on violence to achieve their goals  may end up being all the president-elect needs to absolve the extremist group leaders and let them out of prison.

Ahead of Trumps inauguration in January, Frank Bowman, a former federal prosecutor at the Justice Department and current professor at the University of Missouri School of Law, spoke to HuffPost about the prospective Jan. 6 pardons.

Is there anything or anyone who can stop Trump from issuing pardons for Jan. 6 rioters?

Nope. Theres not a darn thing anybody can do. There are some constraints on what a president can pardon. For example, presidents cant pardon state offenses or offenses that havent yet occurred and things like that. But in these instances, these would all be events that have occurred and, in many cases, there are already convictions.

So, if a pardon is granted to someone who has been charged but has not yet faced trial, their entire case is effectively wiped away? What if they are mid-trial when Trump issues a pardon?

In either of those instances, the president is at liberty to pardon people who have been convicted, who have been charged but not convicted, and indeed, he can pardon people who have committed offenses in the past but havent been charged with anything as of yet. The other thing a president can do is issue a variety of kinds of clemency that the Constitution says he can issue around pardons and reprieves. A reprieve is simply a delay in the imposition of a sentence, but the word pardon has been construed to mean both complete pardon  wiping everything aside, the conviction and punishment  or the president can issue a commutation.

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Trump could say, Well, Im not giving you a complete pardon but commuting your sentence to time served. Thats what Trump did with Roger Stone. Hes not unfamiliar with that approach. If the case is pending, essentially what the person pardoned does is: They get a copy of the pardon warrant, they take it to court and say they are pleading the pardon issued by the president and they move to dismiss. The court can review it and if it covers offenses being charged or already sentenced, the court can say, yep, thats it, youre pardoned. When Hunter Biden was pardoned, the district court judge got cranky about it and said things that, in my view, he ought not to have since its not his business to. But be that as it may, once a pardon warrant is issued and appropriately presented, then thats the end of the case.

If Trump issues a blanket pardon, what is the net effect you believe that would have on the American publics perception of justice?

The answer to that question turns on the era in which we find ourselves. In another era, when there was not the kind of division and siloing of peoples understanding of the world and different media streams, I think a president issuing lots and lots of pardons to people who assaulted the Capitol, hurt officers  the response would be quite negative. And, of course, what makes this prospective set of potential pardons so unprecedented is the fact that hes pardoning people who were essentially his co-conspirators in crime. Thats never happened.

Pardons following various kinds of rebellions, insurrections, domestic disturbances, civil wars and foreign wars are common, though. Pardons started with the Whiskey Rebellion: George Washington issued individual pardons. James Madison issued pardons to Barataria pirates operating under command of the Lafitte Brothers who helped Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. During the Civil War and Reconstruction Period, there were thousands of pardons issued to former confederates, both in general amnesties and specific cases. The Mormons were pardoned on twodifferent occasions, before the Civil War and afterwards. But in none of those cases was there even the slightest suggestion that the people being pardoned are people who had committed crimes in concert with the pardoning president.

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In the normal prior era of American history, this would be thought of as unspeakably outrageous. But, of course, Trump got reelected despite the fact that every sentient human being in the country recognized that he tried to overturn the election and that the people hes about to pardon are the people he sicced on the Capitol.

The problem is that there is a segment of electorate that either A, doesnt care, or B, has the deluded view that what happened on Jan. 6 was not a riot or insurrection but some sort of legitimate political protest against a corrupted election. And if you have, apparently, at least, 49-and-a-fraction percent of the American electorate who either thinks that Trump was done wrong by or that these patriots are so ignorant or otherwise unconnected to public life that they just dont care, well, there you are. The American public gave Trump the figurative permission to do what hes about to do. He didnt hide the fact that he was very likely to issue pardons to these people; he said it repeatedly during the course of his election campaign. I think its unspeakably scandalous and a terrible commentary on the state of our politics. I think its a bad harbinger of things likely to come. But, you know, nearly 50% of the voting population seems to think its just dandy.

And Congress is effectively helpless to stop Trump from issuing pardons?

There are only two potential legal constraints or constitutional constraints on misuses of pardons. One of them is impeachment. You can certainly be impeached for misusing pardons, several of the Framers said so in no uncertain terms back at the time of the founding. I would have said a few months ago, there are a lot of types of pardons or circumstances that the president could issue that would be crimes. For example, if you were to say, Give me $1,000 and Ill pardon you, thats a bribe under any ordinary understanding of how the law works.

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But now you have a Supreme Court that said a few months ago: Pardoning is a core power of the president and the exercise of which he has absolutely immunity over. We know that Donald Trump is not going to get impeached for anything because the Republican Party is far too cowardly to stand up to him. They already proved that in February 2021. And I think it quite likely that had a set of pardons like this been attempted in the past, there would be a serious movement on part of people in Congress to impeach the president that did it and it would be entirely constitutional to do that. Is that gonna happen? Of course not. Not a chance in a million.

What does history show us about how sedition or treachery in particular is treated when it comes to pardons?

Its perfectly acceptable under the Constitution for the president to pardon former insurrectionaries. The framers at the constitutional convention, later at the ratifying conventions, discussed quite a lot whether the president should be able to pardon treason. They asked the question of what to do when people the president is extending pardons to are his co-conspirators in some sort of treasonous enterprise, too. They knew that would be really bad.

The framers, [Alexander] Hamilton, each had something to say about this in the Federalist Papers and others had something to say about it at ratifying conventions. But it was waved off because, they believed, in cases of insurrection and so forth, it makes sense for the president to have the opportunity to pardon people to perhaps reconcile the insurrectionists, prevent a real outbreak of violence or reconcile the country. The Framers thought about, in essence, the precise problem that weve got or one very close to it and decided, for better and worse, they were not going to exclude even treason from the list of pardonable offenses.

Bottom line: How bad would blanket pardons be? Does it go toward this idea of reconciling after Jan. 6?

Bottom line: Do I think this is really bad? Yeah, its essentially saying, henceforth, presidents who commit the gravest crimes against the Constitution, as long as they can stay in office, can use the power of the pardon to create a zone of impunity for all of their co-conspirators. I think thats terrible. I think thats deeply dangerous. But its where we are. We have a Republican-majority Congress that cant even bestir itself to reject lunatics from high offices. Are they going to impeach Trump for something the population has given him permission to do? Of course not.

Lets say he pardons seditious conspirators. And a year after being pardoned, these people get involved again in some kind of criminal activity, perhaps against the federal government or federal agencies  or lets say its just more violent rioting. Nothing from the past influences charging decisions in the future, correct?

If the Proud Boys go out and start another riot, and theres anyone with a spine left at the DOJ  and, as an old DOJ guy, that is terrifying to say  if there are people left willing to make that call, then, yeah they could be charged. But with Trump, its not impossible that they could essentially be pardoned for something criminal 30 seconds after they do it.

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This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the school where Bowman is a professor.

Related...
NEW YORK  Twenty years after it was eliminated in a cloud of scandal, and after two years of delay, a New York City commission empowered to release people early from jail sentences has been resurrected, the Daily News has learned.

The renewed Local Conditional Release Commission has been meeting every two weeks since early September and so far, city figures show, has approved the early release of 24 people who had been convicted and sentenced to serve up to a year at Rikers Island.

Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes, who oversees the panels work, noted the people who are released are monitored by probation for a year after their release and have to adhere to certain conditions.

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The value is first of all we get people out to their families and to their respective employment and were getting them the resources and services they need, said Holmes, who also sits in on the meetings. Taking them out of that particular atmosphere is positive.

Twenty-four releases from a jail population of 6,500 that has grown 21% since January 2022 may be a drop in the bucket, but it was a long time coming.

Back in 2004, the commission then made up of Giuliani and Bloomberg-era appointees allowed state Sen. Guy Velella out early four months into his one-year jail sentence for accepting bribes to funnel state contracts

A controversy erupted, leading to probes by Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and the city Department of Investigation. The DOI found the panel violated its own rules in releasing Velella, R-Bronx, early.

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Mayor Mike Bloomberg forced the four members of the commission to resign and appointed five new members, adding one, who voted to send Velella back to jail. In the end, Velella served about 180 days behind bars. The disgraced senator died in 2011 at age 66.

Fast-forward to 2020, when the efforts of the jail reform movement led to a bill passed by the City Council and adopted under the City Charter bringing the commission back to life. But Mayor Bill de Blasio never appointed anyone to the panel.

It took two more years for the Adams administration to appoint the now-required five members. In July 2023, with just three of the five in place, the administration rushed out a notice recruiting prospective panelists following a News story about the delay. Mayor Eric Adams named the final two members to fill out the quintet last March.

The number of sentenced inmates in city jails fluctuates at around 400. In all, roughly 200 people have applied since summer for early release, the citys figures show. Of those about 90 were ineligible.

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Applicants have to fit certain criteria. No one serving time outside the city jails is accepted. Those with domestic violence convictions or sentences for child or sexual abuse, for example, would not qualify.

The crimes of conviction for those approved for release since September include low-level offenses like drug possession, petty larceny and grand larceny, along with lesser firearms possession offenses, Holmes said.

Of the 24 approved for release, 15 were actually released into the monitoring program, officials said.

Of the remaining nine, one release was pending. One was already out because he had served his sentence. Two were released to other programs. One was held on an unrelated warrant.

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Four declined release, possibly because they had short periods left on their sentences and didnt want to submit to monitoring.

The five-member panel is currently composed of City University Prof. Gregorio Mayers; George Goodmon, director of Manhattan Adult Services for the Probation Department; Fortune Society lawyer Lily Shapiro; David Fullard, a retired correction captain and professor at SUNY Empire State, and Maria Almonte-Weston of the Center for Justice Innovation.

They receive a stipend of $175 per meeting, city records show.

They really put their heart into this, said Holmes, who is a nonvoting member. They are very concerned about the individual before them.

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Holmes said the city could do a better job of preparing people to go back into the community while they are still in jail. If people were receiving these services in Rikers, getting what they need, they are in a better position when they are released, she said.

In addition to the commission, people sentenced to jail can also be released early by the correction commissioner at her discretion, a process known as 6A. During the pandemic, a large number of people were released using this mechanism, but since then its use has slowed.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Mayor Eric Adams was denied public funds for his 2025 reelection campaign, the New York City Campaign Finance Board announced on Monday.

The CFB cited the federal charges against Adams as one of the reasons why it denied him the money.

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After thoroughly reviewing all available information, including the details of the indictment of Mayor Adams, the Board has determined there is reason to believe the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program, in violation of law, including the Campaign Finance Act and Board Rules. His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the Board. Accordingly, Mayor Adams campaign for reelection has failed to demonstrate eligibility for public funds payment at this time. Our priority remains achieving an equitable and transparent democracy that is accountable to all New Yorkers. Frederick Schaffer, the chair of the CFB

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The CFB awarded other candidates a total of $4.8 million in public funds. Scott Stringer, who used to serve as the citys comptroller, was given $2 million of those funds.

Adams 2025 campaign counsel also released a statement on the CFBs ruling.

While todays ruling by CFB to withhold matching funds at this time is disappointing, we will continue to work with the board to address any issues so that funds can be appropriately disbursed. The mayors campaign continues to have far more resources than his opponents, and we are very confident we will have the support we need to spend the maximum amount allowable in the upcoming primary. Vito R. Pitta, Adams 2025 campaign counsel

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To see which candidates were awarded public funds, click here.

The announcement comes as President-elect Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning Adams during a press conference on Monday.

Adams was charged with bribery, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States back in September. The charges stem from a federal investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign, prosecutors said.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NEW YORK  The citys Campaign Finance Board denied Mayor Eric Adams public matching funds for his 2025 reelection run Monday, citing an ongoing corruption case and dealing a significant blow to the mayors campaign as he works to fend off more than a half dozen challengers in next years Democratic primary.

In a brief meeting at the boards downtown Manhattan offices, CFB Chair Frederick Schaffer said the panel is withholding matching funds from Adams because it has determined that there is reason to believe that the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program in violation of law.

He cited the mayors federal indictment, which alleges he solicited bribes and illegal campaign cash for his 2021 campaign, mostly from Turkish government operatives, in exchange for political favors. Adams has pleased not guilty to those charges.

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His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the board, Schaffer added.

Vito Pitta, Adams campaign compliance attorney, didnt immediately return a request for comment after the boards vote.

The only mayoral candidate who got cleared to receive the first round of matching funds Monday was Scott Stringer, the former city comptroller who has raised money for 2025 for nearly a year. Hes in line to get about $2.8 million in matching funds under the board vote.

Incumbent Comptroller Brad Lander also met the threshold to be eligible for Mondays first matching funds payout. However, in a slipup by the city governments fiscal watchdog, Landers campaign failed to submit the so-called Certified Statement of Need in time to get included in the first tranche of payments.

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All the other 2025 mayoral candidates had not met the fundraising thresholds required to be eligible for the first round of matching funds.

The next round is set to be disbursed Jan. 15, when several of Adams other challengers, including Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, say they are expected to be eligible.

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NEW YORK  Citing his ongoing corruption case, the citys Campaign Finance Board denied Mayor Eric Adams about $4 million in public matching funds for his 2025 reelection run Monday, dealing a blow to Adams as he tries to fend off more than a half dozen challengers in next years Democratic primary.

In a brief meeting at the boards Manhattan offices, CFB Chair Frederick Schaffer said the panel made the decision because it has determined that there is reason to believe that the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program in violation of law.

Schaffer attributed that finding to Adams federal indictment, which alleges he solicited bribes and illegal donations to his 2021 campaign, mostly from Turkish government operatives, in exchange for political favors. Adams has pleaded not guilty to those charges, which are being brought by the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office.

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His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the board, added Schaffer, who used to be a prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office.

The matching funds program provides candidates $8 in public cash for each dollar contributed by NYC residents up to the first $250, a structure that can provide a massive monetary boost. The program was launched in 1988 as part of a series of anti-corruption reforms.

Adams 2025 campaign had sought about $4 million in public matching funds it now wont be allocated  at least for the time being. Schaffer noted the mayor can appeal the boards decision.

The next matching funds payment is Jan. 15, and Adams could apply for public money then, too. Hes set to go on trial in April.

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Adams five-count indictment mentions abuse of the matching funds program as being among Adams alleged offenses, arguing the $10 million he received in public cash in the 2021 cycle was fraudulently obtained due to the inclusion of illegal foreign donations in his campaign coffers.

Besides the indictment, the CFB has dinged Adams campaign for various bookkeeping errors in recent months, including disclosing a draft audit finding his 2021 campaign failed to properly document $2.3 million in spending that included payments to top aides.

Vito Pitta, Adams campaign attorney, called the boards Monday decision disappointing. He didnt immediately say whether the mayor plans to appeal.

We will continue to work with the board to address any issues so that funds can be appropriately disbursed, Pita said in an email. The mayors campaign continues to have far more resources than his opponents, and we are very confident we will have the support we need to spend the maximum amount allowable in the upcoming primary.

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Adams had raised about $4.1 million in private funds for his reelection campaign account as of the Oct. 9 end of the most recent reporting period.

His team said in October they had effectively stopped fundraising because they believed that with matching funds factored in, he had reached the limit. The spending cap for the June 24 mayoral primary is $7.9 million.

Adams has the option of not participating in the public matching funds program altogether. If he takes that route, hed be able to raise more on a per donor basis, with allowable contributions up to $3,700 per individual, compared to the $2,100 max allowed for mayoral campaigns enrolled in the matching funds program.

The mayor hosted a fundraiser with cryptocurrency industry executives in Puerto Rico last week where attendants were encouraged to give $3,700 each.

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The only 2025 mayoral candidate cleared to receive the first round of matching funds Monday was Scott Stringer, the former city comptroller who has raised money for his bid for nearly a year.

In order to be eligible for matching funds, mayoral candidates must raise at least $250,000 from 1,000 city residents. Having achieved that benchmark, Stringers slated for about $2 million in matching funds under the boards decision, adding to the $279,370 he had on hand as of the end of the last reporting period.

That gives him nearly $2.3 million to spend so far. Adams currently has $3.1 million in cash on hand in his campaign account.

New York City needs a proven reformer to clean up City Hall and get the government back to delivering for people in this city, Stringer said in a statement after the board meeting. Our campaign qualifying for matching funds shows that New Yorkers trust that I am the best candidate to do so.

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Incumbent Comptroller Brad Lander also met the threshold to be eligible for Mondays first matching funds payout. However, in a slipup, Landers campaign failed to submit the so-called Certified Statement of Need in time to get included in the first tranche of payments.

All the other 2025 mayoral candidates had not met the fundraising thresholds required for the first matching funds round.

Several of Adams other challengers, including Lander, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, have said they expect to become eligible for public matching funds by the next Jan. 15 disbursement.

Todays decision by the Campaign Finance Board to deny Mayor Adams taxpayer matching funds upholds the integrity of this landmark program, Mamdani said. We can further restore faith in our democratic system by defeating Eric Adams and the culture of impunity he has fostered at the polls in 2025.

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NEW YORK  Mayor Eric Adams longtime top aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin expects to be indicted on corruption charges this week  but she preemptively denied breaking any laws Monday, while her lawyer argued shes being targeted for being close to the mayor.

She never did anything more than her job for anything more than her salary, Lewis-Martins lawyer Arthur Aidala said at a press conference at his office Monday. There were so many opportunities, if somebody wanted to do something criminal, to do so, and Ingrid never did that, never thought about doing that. And no one would even offer it because they know thats not who Ingrid Lewis-Martin is.

Evidently, prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office disagree.

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Lewis-Martin is expected to be indicted this week alongside other people on charges related to receiving improper gifts in her official capacity as chief adviser to the mayor, Aidala said. He declined to elaborate on the specific charges, but told reporters to just read The New York Times.

The paper reported Sunday that the allegations involve Lewis-Martins son Glenn Martin, a professional DJ who performs under the name Suave Luciano, and hotel operator Mayank Dwivedi. Prosecutors have also been probing real estate investor Joseph Douek, whos a member of the City Planning Commission, hotel owner Weihong Hu and media production mogul Gina Argento.

Im here falsely accused of  something. I dont know exactly what it is. But I know that I was told that its something thats illegal. And I have never done anything illegal in my capacity in government, Lewis-Martin said in brief remarks at the press conference.

During my tenure I have never taken any gifts, money, anything! I have not made any arrangements in advance to take any gifts or money or to have any gifts or money given to a family member or a friend in order for me to do my job, she added.

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Lewis-Martins legal issues burst into public view in September when investigators from Braggs office seized her phone and raided her home just as she stepped off the plan from a vacation to Japan with fellow city employees, city contractors and lobbyists. While other people on the trip, including top city official Jesse Hamilton, are under investigation for a real estate deal, Aidala said he did not expect the imminent charges to relate to that probe.

Lewis-Martin abruptly resigned from City Hall Sunday , POLITICO first reported. She had been planning for months to leave the Adams administration, but left on short notice ahead of the indictment because we knew this was coming, and this was something that she needed to focus on, Aidala explained.

Lewis-Martin is just the latest in a series of top administration officials who have resigned under criminal investigation. None have been charged. Adams himself was charged by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York of bribery and accepting illegal donations in September. He has pleaded not guilty and is planning to run for reelection in 2025.

There is no doubt in my mind that Ingrid Lewis-Martin is only in the crosshairs because of her official capacity, Aidala said.

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Aidala answered in the affirmative when asked if he thought Braggs office was trying to get her to cooperate against the mayor.

Theres a long tradition of when the Southern District gets a big case, the Manhattan DAs office tries to get whatever they can off of it  They all want the headlines, Aidala said, arguing the indictment would be a way to draw attention away from Braggs failure to convict Daniel Penny in the high-profile case of subway performer Jordan Neelys death.

Aidala lamented that the office did not allow Lewis-Martin to come in and privately make her case to prosecutors  though he acknowledged that he declined to have her testify directly to the grand jury.

Bragg spokesperson Danielle Filson declined to comment. Because this Office acts with the utmost integrity, it would be inappropriate for us to respond, she said in a statement.

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Aidala said the unusual press conference, held before an indictment, was a way to get ahead of the story and avoid a media frenzy at the courthouse later this week. He denied that had anything to do with him wanting his own media attention while hes reportedly being considered by President-elect Donald Trump for appointment as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Adams expressed support for Lewis-Martin, at a separate press conference Monday.

Shes not only a friend, but shes my sister, and I love her so much, and I just really ask God to give her strength in the days to come, he said. Its going to be hard to believe I walk out of my office and shes not going to be in the office next to me.
A cop from the 120th Precinct in Staten Island was busted on drunken driving charges, and three officers were placed on desk duty after they got into a car wreck with her while leaving their precincts holiday party, the Daily News has learned.

NYPD Officer Diana Todaro was busted at about 1:50 a.m. Friday after her fellow cops responded to a two-car wreck at Huguenot Ave. and Drumgoole Ave. West in Huguenot  more than 11 miles away from the precinct stationhouse.

Her three passengers, Officers Brandon Schneider, Melodie Muniz and Anthony Esposito, all of the 120th Precinct, were placed on modified duty after the early-morning smashup, an NYPD spokesman confirmed Monday. All three could face disciplinary charges, sources said.

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I was driving. I was coming from the holiday party, I had three or four drinks. My life is over, Todaro told her arresting officer after she was pulled over in a black Nissan Altima, according to a criminal complaint.

Todaros Altima collided with a Chevrolet Volt, crushing the bumpers and damaging the lights on both vehicles, the complaint alleges. The impact was severe enough to activate Todaros airbags, and she suffered a bloody gash to her forehead, according to the complaint.

Schneider, Muniz and Esposito each have less than four years on the job, NYPD records show.

They could face disciplinary charges for allowing Todaro to drive or being unfit for duty themselves, according to NYPD Patrol Guide rules.

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Todaro, 27, joined the force in 2023. She was charged with driving while intoxicated as a first offense and driving while impaired. She had been suspended and is due back in court Jan. 30.

Todaros arrest was one of at least three busts of cops for drunken driving in the past four days, a period in which police holiday parties are held around the city.

Officer Jose DeJesus, assigned to the Warrant Section, was arrested Saturday at about 6:30 a.m. near Roosevelt St. and Targee St. in Grasmere after he crashed his red Kia into a parked, black Jeep Cherokee, court records show.

I was following the GPS and I went straight, I was headed home, it told me to go straight, DeJesus told cops at the scene, the records show.

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Officer Sheikh Aktaruzzaman, 28, was arrested Friday at about 8:30 a.m. in the Soundview section of the Bronx on drunken driving charges.

Aktaruzzaman was dozing behind the wheel of his 2019 Chevy Camaro, the car still running and in neutral in the middle of the street, according to a criminal complaint.

I was coming from a Christmas party, he told the arresting officer, according to the complaint.
NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  Sen. Chuck Schumer is calling on the federal government to deploy a special detection system to get to the bottom of the drone sightings across New York and New Jersey.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the drone sightings and said the feds are deploying additional resources to help law enforcement address the issue. Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, whos been tracking the sightings since they first began, talks about the federal governments reaction on PIX11 Morning News.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Supported by strong domestic fundamentals and strategic investments, economists expected moderate growth for Malaysia in 2025. However, external challenges could temper its growth momentum.

The Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad, an investment research house, said in a recent report that Malaysia's domestic economic fundamentals remained strong, buoyed by resilient consumer and business spending.

Similarly, UOB Global Economics and Markets Research pointed to stable labor market conditions, ongoing investments, and energy transition initiatives as critical factors underpinning Malaysia's domestic resilience.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, along with its preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, will boost tourism, economists said.

OCBC Bank projected robust growth in services exports, particularly in tourism, as the government ramped up efforts to attract international visitors.

OCBC also cited Malaysia's progress in medium-term development initiatives such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the National Semiconductor Strategy, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

The government has indicated plans to resume free trade agreement negotiations with the European Union and has applied for BRICS membership. Both are expected to diversify Malaysia's export markets, boosting trade resilience and opportunities.

Despite domestic resilience, external challenges such as tariff uncertainty are expected to weigh on Malaysia's economic growth.

Maybank expected Malaysia's economic growth to moderate to 4.9 percent in 2025, down from 5.2 percent in 2024, due to weaker export performance amid global trade uncertainties.

UOB predicted Malaysia's economic growth at 4.7 percent in 2025, citing potential headwinds from potential protectionism trade policies. 
BAZETTA, Ohio (WKBN)  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources invites residents to start the New Year outdoors with fresh air, scenic trails, and a renewed focus on health and wellness through its annual First Day Hikes program.

Ohios First Day Hikes are part of the nationwide First Day Hikes in Americas State Parks program, which includes more than 1,000 hikes across all 50 states.

Beginning the year with a First Day Hike is more than just a fitness activity; its about reconnecting with nature, and making lasting memories with family and friends, said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. With trails across our state parks offering something for everyone, its the perfect way to celebrate Ohios natural beauty.

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Locally, Mosquito Lake State Park welcomes Valley residents to kick off their resolutions with a 3-4 mile hike through the park, winding down Beaver Trail. Hikers should meet in the campground parking lot on Jan. 1 at 10 a.m.

ODNR encourages hikers to dress in layers, cover exposed areas like heads, necks and hands, and bring water and snacks for the trail.

For a complete list of First Day Hikes in Ohio, click here.

Participants will receive a special sticker commemorating the Winter Hike program while supplies last.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A Jefferson County woman is accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from her employer in the summer of 2023.

According to the St. Louis County Police Departments probable cause statement, Karen B. Norris worked as the office manager for a contractor based in Jefferson County.

Police said over a two-week period in June 2023, Norris made four unauthorized withdrawals from the companys account at Montgomery Bank in Valley Park.

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The total value of the four withdrawals was $25,500, police said. One of the withdrawals was for $11,000, which triggered a federal bank reporting requirement.

Bank officials contacted the contractor and discovered Norris did not have permission to make any of the withdrawals, which were recorded on surveillance video.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Norris with stealing  $25,000 or more. She was issued a criminal summons to appear in court on Jan. 13, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
The full number of deaths caused by Cyclone Chido in the French overseas territory of Mayotte will not be known for some time, the authorities say.

"It will take days and days," said France's acting interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, during a visit to the archipelago on Monday.

The local prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, told the local radio station on Sunday evening that he thought "certainly several hundred" people had been killed in the storm.

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The French overseas territory of Mayotte is located in the Indian Ocean between the coast of the southeastern African country of Mozambique and the island nation of Madagascar.

About 310,000 people live on the archipelago. Cyclone Chido swept over Mayotte on Saturday with gusts of more than 220 kilometres per hour, leaving a trail of devastation.
The full number of deaths caused by Cyclone Chido in the French overseas territory of Mayotte will not be known for some time, the authorities said.

"It will take days and days," said France's acting interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, during a visit to the archipelago on Monday.

The local prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, told the local radio station on Sunday evening that he thought "certainly several hundred" people had been killed in the storm.

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According to a preliminary report by the authorities on Monday morning, 20 deaths have been confirmed so far, broadcaster France Info said.

More than 250 injuries were recorded.

The French overseas territory of Mayotte is located in the Indian Ocean between the coast of the south-eastern African country of Mozambique and the island nation of Madagascar.

About 310,000 people live on the archipelago. Cyclone Chido swept over Mayotte on Saturday with gusts of more than 220 kilometres per hour, leaving a trail of devastation.

Retailleau said most of the poor dwellings have been destroyed by the hurricane. Thousands of households are without electricity, and there are also problems with the water supply and the telephone network.

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Roads are blocked and some areas are cut off. In the island's capital Mamoudzou, the hospital and schools have also been hit, according to reports.

Rescuers in the overseas territory urgently searched for survivors on Monday.

Colonel Alexandre Jouassard from the Interministerial Crisis Centre told France 2 public television channel that there is still hope of finding people alive. "The coming hours are very important. We have deployed teams specialized in searching through rubble," Jouassard said.

Even several days after the storm, victims can still be found, he said, adding, "This is our priority."

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Meanwhile, local health-care provision is challenging. France's acting Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq described the situation on France 2 as "greatly deteriorated, with a severely damaged hospital and non-functional health centres."

She stressed the need for vigilance regarding communicable diseases, which could arise from the consumption of contaminated water or spoiled food.

Since hitting Mayotte, Chido has made its way to Mozambique on the African mainland, where the storm reached speeds of up to 240 kilometres per hour.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), it destroyed and damaged numerous homes, schools and health facilities in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
JAMM AQUINO /JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele.

1 /2 JAMM AQUINO /JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele.

COURTESY KUHIO LEWIS Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele, left, and Gov. Josh Green embraced Friday during groundbreaking ceremonies for a new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands housing project called Hale Moiliili at the site of the old Bowl-A-Drome.

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2 /2 COURTESY KUHIO LEWIS Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele, left, and Gov. Josh Green embraced Friday during groundbreaking ceremonies for a new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands housing project called Hale Moiliili at the site of the old Bowl-A-Drome.

JAMM AQUINO /JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele.

COURTESY KUHIO LEWIS Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele, left, and Gov. Josh Green embraced Friday during groundbreaking ceremonies for a new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands housing project called Hale Moiliili at the site of the old Bowl-A-Drome.

Kai Kahelea former state senator, U.S. representative and unsuccessful candidate for governor in 2022was elected chair of the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs barely an hour after he was sworn in for his freshman term as an OHA trustee.

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After staying out of the political spotlight for the past two years, Kahelea now 50-year-old lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Air National Guard and a long-haul captain for Hawaiian Airlinessaid hes had time to reflect on his earlier political career, earned a masters degree in strategic studies at the U.S. Army War College and now wants to change the culture at OHA, whose accomplishments were often overshadowed by dysfunction and feuds between trustees and staff.

Perhaps more important, Kahele wants OHA to work even closer with the nonprofit Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaiis congressional delegation, the state Legislature and, notably, his onetime political opponent Gov. Josh Green to build more housing for Native Hawaiians and address other Native Hawaiian needs.

He wants to reopen an OHA office in Washington, D.C., to make OHA more relevant to Congress and already has been in touch with some of his congressional contacts, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Kahele plans to appear regularly during the upcoming legislative session andalong with fellow OHA trustee and fellow former state Sen. Brickwood Galuteriahas been talking to state lawmakers ahead of the Jan. 15 opening day.

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During an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Kahele expressed humility at times and said that he understood that he let people down when he gave up his congressional seat after only one term to come back home to his wife and daughters in Hilo, costing Hawaii a Native Hawaiian voice in Congress.

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I know it was disappointing to people when I decided to leave,  he said. It was a lot. I miscalculated with my young family how much time I was going to be away from them.

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A state law passed in 2022 prohibits Hawaiis governor and mayors from holding outside jobs, so Kahele said he chose not to run for Hawaii County mayor this year to continue his career flying Hawaiians Airbus 330s to South Tahiti and American Samoa.

He was promoted to captain in 2023 and said the responsibilities for the crew, passengers and plane continue to shape his views on leadership.

His gubernatorial run against Green and former first lady Vicky Cayetano was notable for sometimes testy exchanges between Green and Kahele during televised debates.

Kahele acknowledged earlier last week that they had not spoken since Green beat him in the Democratic primary and went on to an easy victory in the general election.

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Then on Friday they finally metand embracedwhen they both attended groundbreaking ceremonies for a new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands housing project called Hale Moiliili at the site of the old Bowl-A-Drome.

We just exchanged quick aloha pleasantries, but did talk about getting together soon to discuss how we can work together (OHA &the State ) for all of Hawaii, 

Kahele wrote Saturday in a text to the Star-Advertiser.

The apparent sign of goodwill from both Green and Kahele will go a long way to answer speculation over whether the relationship between the state and OHA would deteriorate with Kahele as chair.

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Before they met Friday, Kahele pledged to put aside any ill will to help Native Hawaiians, especially when it comes to housing.

I am sure the governor, like myself, finds value in working together,  Kahele said. I clearly do. Im sure the governor does.

My message didnt resonate with voters, and Gov. Green was elected by the people of Hawaii,  Kahele said. I accept those results, and Im looking forward to working with him. We had a great relationship when he was lieutenant governor, and I am positive we can look past our differences.

In a statement, Green said, Over the past 2 years, our administration has worked with OHA to re-establish the OHA salary commission after it was left dormant for 8 years, as well as helping get more Hawaiians back on the land under Hawaiian leadership. Together, we are exploring transferring historic Hawaiian cultural assets and communities from state agencies to OHA to drive healthier outcomes for Native Hawaiians. We hope to have continued success together and with other key stakeholders in our community.

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Both Kahele and Green are practical politicians  with similar goals regarding Native Hawaiians and housing despite some very harsh words exchanged in some of the debates,  said Colin Moore, who teaches public policy at the University of Hawaii and serves as associate professor at the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.

In Hawaii politics we dont get a lot of that,  Moore said. There was some very tense moments. During the debates both picked on each other, not on Vicky.

Moore expected Kahele to reemerge on the political scene someday and, compared with Hawaii County mayor, in some ways OHA is a better fit,  he said.

I am a little surprised he became chairman right away,  Moore said. He does come with political experience. He has existing relationships and experience in the Legislature and at the federal level, which comes in handy. Hes well known statewide. Hes very charismatic, as well, and a strong communicator. That will increase OHAs political power.

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Kahele said he especially plans to push legislators to repeal the ban on housing for its 30 acres of Kakaako Makai land to create affordable workforce housing aimed at law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, health care, the hospitality industry, civil service,  Kahele said.

Itll be a mix of affordable housing and market-rate housing,  he said. And we can work with DHHL to create housing for Hawaiians. They will be part of the equation.

The project would provide housing in a critical area that leads into Waikiki and within walking distance of the last stop of the citys Skyline overhead rail system.

Internally, Kahele said that in just over a week he has empowered committee chairs to set their own agendas and operate more independently, which was not typical under former OHA chairs and helped stir OHAs reputation for dysfunction.

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In the past,  he said, previous chairs operated exclusively regarding agendas and communication and managed almost with an iron first. That is never a model for effective leadership. I am changing that overnight.

He knows OHA needs to rehabilitate its image with the general public and, especially, with Native Hawaiians.

And Kahale remains eager to make even more progress by working closer with the nonprofit CNHA, which includes people who came out of OHA, and with DHHL, which has a mandate to create housing just for Native Hawaiians.

Each brings different strengths, such as CNHA, which Kahele called more nimble than OHA.

But OHA has land and financial assets worth up to $1 billion that could be used to provide housing and serve other Native Hawaiian needs, he said.

Working together, we can be a powerhouse,  Kahele said.

Kuhio Lewis, CEO of CNHA, said in a statement :

I would like to congratulate Chair Kahele on being selected to lead OHAs Board of Trustees. This transition presents a significant opportunity to come together and address the critical issues facing our lahui. At CNHA, we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with OHA to advance solutions that uplift Native Hawaiians. Whether it is supporting the rebuilding of Maui, addressing housing challenges, or empowering our communities, we believe that through shared efforts, we can create a stronger future for our people. Together, we can build upon the foundations of our kupuna to ensure a thriving lahui for generations to come.

As for the past two years, Kahele wanted more time before responding to a question of what he had learned about himself and how it shaped his current views on leadership.

In a follow-up email to the Star-Advertiser, Kahele wrote :

Leadership is a journey of constant growth. One of the key takeaways for me is the importance of balancing my drive for achieving goals with a heightened sensitivity to the emotional and professional needs of my team. I recognize that my intensity, while often a strength in driving initiatives forward, can sometimes be overwhelming. This is a reminder that great leadership isnt just about operationalizing goals but also about creating an environment where my team feels valued, supported, and empowered. This is something I will need to constantly remind myself while at OHA, especially in the first year.

One area where I can improve is enhancing my emotional intelligence. Empathy is not my natural strength, but I am committed to developing it.  Moving forward, I want to ensure that every voice is heard, every opinion is valued, and every team member feels they are an integral part of the process. Leadership is not just about achieving results ; it is about inspiring collective excellence and ensuring that everyone shares in the success we create together.

During his interview, Kahele said, Ive never been a person that goes with the flow. Im someone who swims in a different direction.

As an example, he chose to pursue his masters degree through the Army rather than through the Air Force.

Kahele studied CEOs and businesses and learned more about communication and negotiation.

I felt it was really important for me to do something different and learn how the Army thinks,  he said.

Kahele highlighted his military service commanding C-130 combat missions in Afghanistan and his current role with the Hawaii Air National Guard as deputy commander of the 201st Air Mobility Operations Squadron with responsibility for the Indo-Pacific Region.

He now also holds a place in history as the first member of Congress to serve as an OHA trustee and the first incoming freshman to be voted by his peers to lead the board as its chair, Kahele said.

Combined with his experience and connections at the Legislature and Congress, Kahele said, Thats what OHA needs at this point in Hawaii history.

Or, as he put it in more personal terms, Kai Kahele is back.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A massive push in the form of dollars has been awarded to traffic safety programs throughout Ohio.

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is awarding $24 million in grants for statewide programming for traffic safety improvements and to reduce traffic-related fatalities.

The large sum award will fund 189 grants throughout the state. Of those 159 grants were awarded to 145 local agencies in Ohio. The remaining 30 are statewide initiatives.

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Statewide programming  A total of $13,638,500 was awarded through 30 grants to 18 agencies. The programs will establish initiatives centered on education, enforcement and awareness to address traffic-related issues.

Impaired Driving Enforcement and Selective Traffic Enforcement Program  A total of $5,589,225.86 was dispersed over 91 grants to 54 sheriffs offices and 37 police departments.

Summer Holiday Enforcement Program  A total of $270,961.66 was given through 14 grants to local police departments for summer overtime to reduce traffic fatalities.

Dedicated Traffic Enforcement Program  A total of $159,002.59 was awarded through 2 grants to one sheriffs office and one police department to fund a traffic enforcement officer position.

Countywide OVI Task Forces  A total of $2,408,786.10 was awarded through 10 grants to agencies conducting countywide high visibility enforcement, public awareness and impaired driving initiatives.

Safe Community programs  A total of $2,294,787.57 was given through 42 countywide grants to fund traffic safety issues.

These grants will support the ongoing efforts in Ohio to save lives and reduce injuries on our roads, said Gov. DeWine in a press release. From raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving to increasing enforcement to take impaired drivers off the streets, these programs will contribute to making the roads safer for everyone.

Ohio is on track to see a decline in fatal crashes this year, but we have much more work to do, said Emily Davidson, OTSO director in the release. In recent years, Ohio has seen encouraging improvements in some safety areas, such as an increase in seat belt use and a decrease in distracted driving. These grant funds will allow us to keep making progress.

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Agencies throughout Montgomery, Miami, Shelby, Miami, Greene, Clark, Butler and Mercer counties are recipients.

Click here for the full list of area agencies on the receiving end of the $24 million award.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Ohio Supreme Court has stood by its viral ruling that boneless chicken wings can have bones, voting against reconsidering the case.

In July, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled bones are a natural part of chicken, so consumers should be on guard for them  even in wings labeled as boneless. The ruling came after a man named Michael Berkheimer got a bone stuck in his throat after eating a boneless wing and attempted to sue the restaurant that served it to him. The courts ruling prevented Berkheimer from receiving a jury trial.

Ohio lawmakers seek more transparency in EdChoice voucher program

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Berkheimer asked the court to reconsider its decision, to which it handed back the same ruling last week 4-3 with a Republican majority, mirroring the vote in the original case. Writing for the majority, Justice Patrick Fischer said Berkheimers straightforward motion did not identify new points to be addressed and that he would vote to deny any motion for reconsideration that merely reargues a case.

The courts July decision drew national headlines and online criticism. Late Show host Stephen Colbert called the ruling hot legal garbage in August.

Courts must not be influenced or swayed  in any way  by the press, Fischer wrote. We are not courts of public opinion. We are courts of law.

Fischer was joined by justices Joseph Deters, Sharon Kennedy, Patrick Fischer and Patrick DeWine. Democrat justices Michael Donnelly, Melody Stewart and Jennifer Brunner dissented from the majority.

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Donnelly and Stewart were ousted from their seats in the November election, when the courts Republican majority jumped from 4-3 to 6-1. Brunners seat will be up for election in 2026.

In the new ruling, Donnelly said the majoritys opinion was rightfully subjected to ridicule and that they orchestrated their desired result by usurping the jurys transition role.

Months ago, this court received unprecedented media attention after it issued an opinion in what should have been a simple negligence case, Donnelly wrote. In short, if the public cannot trust the judiciary to be faithful in small things  like whether boneless can reasonably be understood as not including bones  how can the judiciary be trusted with greater things?

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In April 2016, Berkheimer went to the Butler County restaurant Wings on Brookwood and ordered boneless wings. He cut each of his wings into a few pieces before eating them. When he ate a piece of his chicken, he testified it felt like a piece of meat went down the wrong pipe.

In the following days, he experienced a fever and was unable to keep food down. He went to the emergency room, where a doctor discovered a five-centimeter chicken bone lodged in his esophagus. After multiple surgeries, weeks in the hospital and the prolonged use of an oxygen tank, Berkheimer was left with lasting heart and lung damage and a partially paralyzed diaphragm, according to court filings.

Statehouse passes bill to recognize Stillbirth Prevention Day in Ohio

In 2017, Berkheimer sued the restaurant owners, as well as the chicken suppliers and processors. A Butler County Common Pleas Court trial judge sided with the companies, deciding consumers should expect bone fragments in chicken dishes, and the 12th District Court of Appeals agreed.

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Berkheimer argued that the court of appeals did not consider the fact that the meal was advertised as boneless and gave no warning that a bone might be in the dish. The Ohio Supreme Court heard the case last December and agreed with the lower courts.

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On Nov. 5, voters in three states  Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska  rejected state private school voucher programs.

Private school vouchers are a program where a family can take public dollars to spend on private school tuition. Arguments in favor of a system like this have been made since the 1950s, when famous libertarian economist Milton Friedman argued that allowing school vouchers would improve educational outcomes for children by increasing parental choice, promoting competition among schools, and reducing government inefficiencies.

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Friedmans arguments came under fire in the decades hence, not the least of which in the public policy classic Exit, Voice, and Loyalty, where German Economist Albert Hirschman argues that Friedman overlooks an important mechanism available to parents in struggling schools: their ability to voice their concerns through the democratic process.

Policymakers in Ohio have largely embraced private school vouchers. Last year, the Ohio General Assembly expanded eligibility for private school vouchers to all families in the state, regardless of income. According to reporting from the Ohio Newsroom, this led to a quadrupling of use of private school vouchers, while enrollment in private schools has been steady.

From Fiscal Year 2023 to Fiscal Year 2024, voucher use increased by 60,000 students while enrollment in private schools increased by only 3,000 students. This means 95% of new voucher use in 2024 was by students who were already enrolled in private schools or would have enrolled in private schools anyways.

This means the policy change in Ohio to expand eligibility was largely a windfall to families that were already planning on sending children to private schools. And because of the policy change that was made, it was likely a regressive windfall that accrued mainly to well-off households. The most recent estimate of the size of total spending on private school vouchers in 2024 is about $970 million. For context, that is more than the state spent on the entire Department of Children and Youth (which runs state child welfare, child care, and early education programs) and the Department of Natural Resources combined.

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What are we getting for these investments? Last year, when this expansion was being considered, my firm asked 23 Ohio economists what expanding Ohios school choice voucher program would do for the state economy. They were tepid about the potential change. Only six thought the expansion would increase test scores, only three thought it would decrease poverty, while 11 believed it would lower the quality of public schools.

Certainly there are arguments for limited use of school vouchers. I think especially of innovative education models or schools that are focused on technical education, schools with workplace tie-ins and trade schools. Having innovative options for families that want a niche offering could help them learn and could create new learning opportunities for students that did not exist before.

That being said, it seems like the experiment of school vouchers in Ohio may have swung a bit far. Are we getting any value from the hundreds of millions of dollars we are pouring into private schools with our taxes? If we are, I would like to see evidence of it. Because we certainly wring our hands much more about programs that cost much less.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is hospitalized after a shooting Sunday night in northeast Columbus.

Columbus police dispatch said officers responded to the 4700 block of Heatherton Drive at approximately 9:50 p.m. for a reported shooting.

The victim is listed in serious condition, though no additional information was made availably by police.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to call the Columbus Police Felony Assault Unit at (614) 645-4141 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).

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ISLAMABAD, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to Egypt from Dec. 18 to 20 to attend the 11th D-8 Summit, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

At the summit, the prime minister will underline the importance of investing in youth and small and medium-sized enterprises for building a strong and inclusive economy, creating jobs, advancing innovation, and promoting local entrepreneurship, the ministry said in a statement.

Also, he will express Pakistan's strong commitment to the ideals of D-8, underscore the importance of fostering partnerships for mutual benefit and prosperity, and promote cooperation in agriculture, food security, and tourism, the statement said.

The D-8 group, established in 1997, is an organization for development cooperation among Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkiye. 
NEWTON, Iowa  A Lynnville woman died Saturday afternoon in a crash on Highway T-22 in Jasper County.

According to Iowa State Patrol, at around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday near the 3251 block of Highway T-22, a truck crossed the centerline and collided with another truck.

The report says a box truck was traveling southbound on T-22 when the right tires of the truck went off the edge. The driver then overcorrected and crossed into the northbound lanes.

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A pick-up truck was traveling in the northbound lanes and took evasive action. The trucks collided head-on and slid into the ditch.

Jill Van Dyke, the passenger in the pick-up truck, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck, Gerry Van Dyke, was transported to the hospital. The driver of the box truck did not sustain any injuries.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the accident.

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DOA

Soon after blowing the whistle on OpenAI's alleged use of copyrighted material in its training data, one of its former researchers was found dead of an apparent suicide.

In a statement to CNBC, a spokesperson for the firm said that OpenAI was "devastated" to hear of the untimely passing of its former employee Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old who died in his San Francisco apartment in recent weeks.

"We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today," the firm told CNBC, "and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time."

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According to the Bay Area's Mercury News  which, along with the New York Times, is suing OpenAI for alleged copyright infringement  Balaji's body was found on November 26 after someone requested a wellness check at his apartment. While it's unclear who made the call or why they put in the request, authorities currently believe there was "no evidence of foul play" and that his death was indeed a suicide.

Still, the youthful whistleblower's body was found almost exactly a month after the NYT published his allegations, which include Balaji's claim that his job was essentially hoovering up copyrighted material to train OpenAI's models without the consent of its creators.

Silicon Valley'd

A native of Cupertino, California, the Silicon Valley town that hosts Apple's headquarters, Balaji fell in love with AI after learning about a Google DeepMind neural network that had mastered the ancient Chinese game "Go."

"I thought that AI was a thing that could be used to solve unsolvable problems, like curing diseases and stopping aging," he told the NYT. "I thought we could invent some kind of scientist that could help solve them."

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After matriculating at UC Berkeley, the young man became one of the lucky grads at his alma mater who got the chance to work at OpenAI in 2020. A few years in, he began working to train the still-unreleased GPT-4 large language model (LLM).

Although the material he was feeding into it was copyrighted, he and his colleagues thought of it more as a "research project" despite the company's for-profit status  an assessment he later came to believe wasn't right.

Eventually, Balaji determined that the material he was feeding into GPT-4 was not "fair use" after all and said as much on his personal blog. He left OpenAI this August because, as he said, "If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company."

It's impossible to know what was going on in Balaji's mind when he died. Nevertheless, his death casts a pall over the firm, which has in the last year become the subject of ample media drama as its technology  and its client roster  gets more and more powerful.

More on ex-OpenAI-ers: AI Safety Researcher Quits OpenAI, Saying Its Trajectory Alarms Her
HAMPTON, Tenn. (WJHL)  Children at Hampton Elementary who may have gone without were given Christmas gifts on Monday.

Operation Joy and River of Life Miracles delivered shoeboxes stuffed with gifts to the school. Each child of Hampton Elementarys nearly 800 students from pre-K through 8th grade was given a shoebox of gifts, toys and a new coat.

Hampton, as a lot of people know, got hit really hard by Hurricane Helene, Operation Joys Mariah Walker said. And were just coming to give all the kids Christmas that maybe were impacted by Hurricane Helene and just to take these off of parents for Christmas season and just spread some joy.

Photo: WJHL Photo: WJHL Photo: WJHL Photo: WJHL Photo: WJHL

The shoeboxes are separated by gender and are age-specific. United Freedom from Ohio provided the shoeboxes so that children from pre-K through high school could receive some gifts.

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I make up a wish list usually in August and September, and I make videos on TikTok and Facebook and Instagram and just share them with my followers, Walker said. And then people send in gifts usually from the wish list, but this year, we actually had a lot of volunteers from out of state. We actually just came back from a parade in Georgia where they just did a Christmas toy drive for Operation Joy, and we brought back a whole U-Haul full of gifts.

Jury selection delayed in Megan Boswells trial

The non-profit organization will also deliver gifts and shoeboxes to Lamar Elementary, Happy Valley Elementary, Cloudland Elementary and area high schools this week.

As everyone knows, our kids have been through a lot, Hampton Elementary Principal Jake Jenkins said. So just being able to have some sort of something that can bring them joy, that can surprise them.

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Jenkins said the school kept Operation Joys efforts a secret from the students so they could be properly surprised on Monday.

A lot of times, we forget the small things, Jenkins said. We see houses being destroyed. We see all this stuff being destroyed, but we forget that things like Christmas or just a simple toy or a simple hug for a kid can make the world of difference to them.

By the end of the week, Operation Joy plans to have provided gifts to around 6,500 local children.

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Last Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray surprised the nation by announcing that he would be stepping down on Jan. 20, at the end of President Bidens term. Wrays 10-year appointment was due to run through 2027.

Wray was appointed by President-elect Trump in 2017, during his first sojourn in the White House. He took over at the FBI after Trump fired James Comey.

Comey had been fired because Trump was upset that he had not ended an investigation into whether the Russian government had colluded with Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. A similar fate seemed to have been awaiting Wray.

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On Dec. 1, Trump announced his intention to cut short the term of FBI Director Christopher Wray and select Kash Patel to lead an agency the president-elect often criticized on the campaign trail. At that time, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) predicted that Wray would either resign or Trump would fire him. Its no secret to anybody, including Chris Wray, that he is not going to continue to serve as the head of the FBI under Donald Trump.

Cruz was right. Wray will not be around to offer any resistance to the incoming president if he tries to use the FBI to harass and prosecute his political opponents.

As the New Yorkers Beverly Gage puts it, if Trump gets his way, the Bureau could be politicized in ways that even its notorious first director (J. Edgar Hoover) would have rejected. (F)or all his many faults and abuses of power, Gage writes, Hoover was nevertheless an institution builder; he believed in the FBIs nonpartisan independence.

Not so Kash Patel, the person Trump wants to install as head of the bureau.

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Hoover, Gage observes, used to describe the Bureau as the one bulwark against a hidden left-wing conspiracy that penetrated all corners of American life. In Patels world, the FBI is the conspiracy.

That is one reason Wrays decision is both regrettable and dangerous.

It is a capitulation to Trumps desire to bring all federal government agencies, including the FBI, to heel and turn them into personal fiefdoms that serve his every desire. Historian Ruth Ben-Giat notes that people like Trump want to exercise a form of governance known as personalist rule. Government institutions are organized around the self-preservation of a leader whose private interests prevail over national interests.

Moreover, Trumps attack on Wray violated, Gage argues, a long-standing norm distinguishing F.B.I. directors from other Presidential nominations; since they may have to investigate the Administration itself, they are supposed to be more independent and less subject to White House pressure.

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Wrays resignation also sends a message to others in the federal government who fear they will be targeted after Jan. 20. Get out while the getting is good.

Like me, Benjamin Wittes worries about the signal Wrays resignation sends the workforce, and the American people, about a leaders willingness to throw himself in front of a wrecking ball to protect core institutions of democracy. What Wray did indicates that it may be best for others to make a quiet exit mumbling platitudes while the wrecking ball roars by.

Chris Wray is throwing in the towel because Trump wants him to. That is exactly the response that authoritarian leaders want. Their playbook counsels them to purge anyone who stands in their way. But even for strongmen, it is better for their opponents to purge themselves.

One gets a sense of just how well Wrays resignation fits in with that plan from Trumps reaction to it  barely contained glee. Trump took to Truth Social and posted the following: The resignation of Christopher Wray is a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice. I just dont know what happened to him.Under the leadership of Christopher Wray, the FBI illegally raided my home, without cause, worked diligently on illegally impeaching and indicting me, and has done everything else to interfere with the success and future of America

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Trump went on to say, As everyone knows, I have great respect for the rank-and-file of the FBI, and they have great respect for me. They want to see these changes every bit as much as I doI look forward to Kash Patels confirmation, so that the process of Making the FBI Great Again can begin. Thank you!

Whom was Trump thanking? Could it be Wray himself? I think so. But I dont think anyone interested in preserving democracy and the rule of law in this country should share that sense of gratitude for what Wray has done.

Of course, Wray is not the first to face the fight or flight choice in dealing with authoritarian leaders. And the choice is far from easy.

Yet he should have stayed and tried to uphold the rule of law for as long as he could. That is exactly what Wray is asking his subordinates at the FBI to do.

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He called on them to fulfill their obligation to keep  Americans safe and uphold  the Constitution. That, he said, will not change. And what absolutely cannot, must not change, is our commitment to doing the right thing, the right way, every time. Wray spoke of what he called the unshakeable foundation thats stood the test of time and cannot easily be moved. And it  you, the men and women of the FBI  are why the Bureau will endure and be successful long into the future.

Finally, as he told his colleagues of his decision to resign, he said, without a hint of irony, That shared commitment binds us together.  One of the great strengths of the FBI is that were a team, separated by states and oceans and time zones, but still working together to support the FBIs mission.

Wrays resignation gives the lie to that shared commitment and to that all for one and one for all ethos. Staying would have shown, Wittes argues, that as long as there are investigations to supervise, to conduct and to protect and as long as there are all those people in the [FBIs] cafeteria, in the halls, in the file rooms and in the field offices who  need [that] firm layer of insulation from what was coming, he would be that layer of insulation until kicked out of the building.

The choice Wray made was to preemptively obey, spare himself the embarrassment, roll out the red carpet for Kash Patel, and make what Trump is doing look orderly and not quite so much like a purge of professionals from the chief federal government outfit entitled to bear arms against American citizens.

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Writing about the meaning of resignations like Wrays, political scientist Tom Dumm suggests that those who contemplate leaving face what Dumm calls (a) test of honor. When they actually resign, it is like a peaceful death.

While I understand why Wray resigned, I dont think he passed that test of honor. Still, I hope his resignation brings him a kind of peace. But I fear that what he did paves the way for anything but peace for the colleagues whom he leaves behind and the American people.

Austin Sarat is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science at Amherst College. His views do not necessarily reflect those of Amherst College.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Once again the international community has been stunned and surprised by the events in Syria that deposed and sent former President Bashar Assad and his family fleeing to Moscow. But what is new?

Consider how frequently geopolitics have surprised us  most notably the extraordinary dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Six months before Japans destruction of American battleships at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Hitlers Blitzkrieg had roared into the Soviet Union. Stalin was reportedly so surprised that he was catatonic for days.

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Years later, in 1979, former CIA Director Admiral Stansfield Turner asked how could anyone have predicted that an aged, exiled mullah living in Paris could return to Iran. Who predicted that after the U.S. and coalition withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021  an invasion itself provoked by the September 11th surprise attacks on the U.S.  the Afghan government would instantly collapse?

The unintended consequences of the Abraham Accords of rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia provoked Hamass Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack catching the vaunted Israeli intelligence apparatus completely unaware, not unlike in the 1973 October War.

The latest surprise is the Syrian oppositions offensive that overwhelmed Assads government almost as quickly as the Desert Storm coalition drove the Iraqi Army from Kuwait in 100 hours in 1991.

These examples of surprise raise the fundamental question of whether future geopolitical surprises can be anticipated or predicted. The obvious answer is no.

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So what can be done to minimize the uncertainties of surprise? A second equally profound question is if the longer-term consequences of surprise can also be anticipated.

Despite initial success, the Nazi, Japanese and Arab surprise attacks all failed catastrophically.

Germany and Japan surrendered unconditionally. Egypt, Jordan and Syria suffered huge losses, including territory, although the Sinai would eventually revert back to Egypt.

For the Syrian opposition, the fundamental question is whether governing will follow the disaster in Iraq after the 2003 invasion and the imposition of a highly repressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan to become the first Arab democracy or something in between.

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Can the prediction of future surprise attacks and their consequences be improved? Or is the iron grasp of history and the reality that while surprise attacks such as these succeed at first  and at first is critical  fail except for the 1967 Arab-Israeli Six-Day War?

Artificial Intelligence may have an answer.

War games have expanded far beyond traditional armed conflict in examining future scenarios and alternatives. The value of these games is not predicting the future. Instead, it is intellectual to consider many different outcomes without necessarily deciding the most likely and comparing the effects of different assumptions and variables. Despite the explosive growth of computing power, AI could bring even greater orders of magnitude capability.

Even with AI, war games are imperfect. In some cases, the outcomes are rejected for a number of reasons. The first is the absence of sufficient knowledge and understanding that explain American disasters in Vietnam and elsewhere. The second is groupthink often infected by the third reason: arrogance and hubris.

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China is a good example of this potential weakness. China is almost universally regarded by Democrats and Republicans in Congress as the pacing or major threat.

Suppose a war game concluded that internal Chinese weaknesses due to economics, demographics, real estate bubbles, an Army that has not fought a major war since Korea in 1950, and the inability of the Communist Party to meet the Chinese publics expectations makes military adventurism very unlikely, particularly against Taiwan. Without a doubt, that war game would be rejected even if groupthink considers it a concern valid.

AI has two major and even transformational virtues. First, it will be able to war game simultaneously in far more scenarios, probably by several orders of magnitude. Second, AI provides non-human-derived answers, that is thinking differently from man.

So far, the ways AI functions have not been fully understood in creating a new universe of possible solutions. Not without downsides, the risks should be mitigated by keeping a human as the final decision maker.

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Can AI defeat the flaws of decision-making? If AI had been used in the 2003 Iraq War, suppose it predicted a disaster once the Iraqi Army was disbanded? Would that have made a difference to groupthink? No!

AI provides a game-changing potential that must be pursued, in this case, regarding surprise. Whether it will work with surprise is one of AIs greatest challenges.

Harlan Ullman Ph.D. is United Press Internationals Arnaud deBorchgrave Distinguished Columnist, a senior advisor at the Atlantic Council, chairman of two private companies and principal author of the military doctrine of shock and awe. He is coauthor of the forthcoming book The Great Paradox: Strategic Thinking in an Unstrategic World.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace seems to be on a mission to be the most disgusting human being on Capitol Hill, argued The New Abnormal co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie, with her latest round of transphobic attacks proving what an absolute horrific, monster, she has become in pursuit of political power.

Mace has taken it upon herself to make life more difficult for transgender people and her Capitol Hill colleague, incoming Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride, the first transgender congresswomanwith ongoing transphobic attacks and legislative proposals. In a recent interview with right-wing commentator Benny Johnson, Mace again claimed that she was attacked by a trans ally at a Capitol Hill event on Tuesdaysome witnesses contradicting her accoun tand attempted to dehumanize transgender people by insulting them as demonic.

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This is a fight, said Mace. This is a battle between good and evil. Echoing a common argument made by anti-trans activists, she called for other members of the LGBTQ community to divorce themselves from trans people, and called for Republicans to embrace the LGBs.

Were going to protect women and kids because this is ridiculous, she added.Its outrageous, and my rights dont end where their feelings begin.

Johnson joined in on the dehumanization, adding of the transgender community, These people are pagans. Theyre truly fascistic in their politics.

Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.



Shes just a bad person, said Levy. And the interesting thing is shes now framing this as a battle between good and evil, with people who are not transphobic as the evil side. That literally describes her like a couple years ago.

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Levy added, She at one point styled herself as a champion of trans rights, and I guess she must have been evil when she did it by her own sort of admission. So all things just weird, and shes weird.

I have friends and family that identify as LGBTQ, Mace once told MSNBC . Understanding how they feel and how theyve been treated is important.

It seems Maces feelingsand understandinghave since changed.

You know what is an illness? Bigotry and hatred, and its literally eating them from the inside out, Moodie commented. And everything that she continues to say about trans people just reveals what an absolute horrific, monster, disgusting human being that she is.

Plus! Slate politics writer Alex Salmon joins The New Abnormal to discuss his new piece, Democrats Have a Pod Save America Problem, and the biggest shadow hanging over the party post-election.

Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher (update links).
Tech tycoons are lining up to donate big sums of cash to President-elect Donald Trumps inaugural fund ahead of his next stint in the White House. Jeff Bezos Amazon has pitched in a million bucks. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta has tossed in another million. And OpenAI CEO Sam Altman scrounged up a million of his own.

It is both an unsightly and an unsurprising spectacle. Top-dollar corporate donations to an incoming administrations inaugural fund  which has no legal contribution limit  are routine, a kind of open-air display of patronage and influence-peddling.

Big business often plays both sides when it comes to politics, donating in roughly equal measure to both Democrats and Republicans, and inaugural donations are no exception. After banning corporate donations in 2008, Barack Obama accepted them for his 2012 inaugural fund. President Joe Biden also allowed corporations to donate to his inaugural fund in 2020 (Amazon contributed to his fund, although with a significantly smaller $276,000 donation). Biden did, however, prohibit foreign agents and the fossil fuel industry from contributing.

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But with Trump, the donations hit different. Since Trump exhibits a personalist style of governance, corporate donations take on the gloss of not just a conventional effort to purchase influence but also a gesture of deference to a leader who can be at turns vindictive or lenient based on a whim. Consider how Trump singled out specific companies like Carrier on what was then Twitter as a tactic to prevent them from shipping jobs overseas (mostly unsuccessfully). Trump has also allowed companies that he favors to be exempt from massive tariffs.

President-elect Donald Trump at his swearing-in ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2017.

Bezos, Altman and Zuckerberg all have reason to want to get on Trumps good side. Bezos has, among many other things, cloud computing deals with the federal government to worry about. Zuckerberg knows that Trump has expressed interest in changing the laws that protect social media platforms from liability for whats on those platforms. And Altman knows that generative AI is a fledgling industry in which novel regulation could dramatically alter its profit capacity and pace of development in the coming years.

On top of all that, Trump has made bombastic legal threats toward business leaders  by name  including threatening to imprison Zuckerberg. However impractical or unrealistic Trumps authoritarian threats may be in reality, its not exactly a good feeling for business leaders to hear that the president wants them in jail. That kind of rhetoric would spur many people  out of a sense of self-preservation, if not basic self-interest and business acumen  to make an effort to mollify that leader. (Zuckerberg recently dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.) In other words, Trumps unpredictability and penchant for retribution seem like sufficient inducements for a high-profile rich person to give him money.

Trumps inaugural fund in 2017 raised all kinds of questions concerning international donors and inappropriate spending. According to The Guardian, Trumps fund received tens of thousands of dollars from shell companies that masked the involvement of a foreign contributor or others with foreign ties. And while Trumps record-setting $107 inaugural fund in 2017 was double the size of Obamas in 2008, his actual festivities were reportedly more limited and appeared less grand.

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In 2022, the Trump Organization and Trumps presidential inaugural committee paid $750,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the Washington, D.C., attorney generals office that alleged they misspent the money. As CNN reported, then-D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said at the time of the settlement, After he was elected, one of the first actions Donald Trump took was illegally using his own inauguration to enrich his family. We refused to let that corruption stand. With our lawsuit, we are now clawing back money that Trumps own inaugural committee misused. Trump, in a statement released by the Trump Organization, said the settlement signified absolutely no admission of liability or guilt.

The entire tradition of allowing corporations and plutocrats to donate to inaugural funds is bad, regardless of which party is ascending to power. Inaugural festivities dont need to be lavish, and they can be publicly funded. An inauguration isnt a Super Bowl, and it isnt meant to be some imperial spectacle  the public (to the extent it is even paying attention) can marvel at the peaceful transfer of power itself. No politician is immune to being swayed by corporate donations, but Trumps inability to compartmentalize, his seeming vulnerability to flipping dramatically on policy to win over megadonors and the whimsical nature of how he pursues policy make the whole ritual particularly susceptible to corruption. The norm for both parties should be to ban unlimited corporate and private donations altogether.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
At first glance, theres not a lot of promise for farm system advocates with the incoming Trump administration.

Take, for instance, Trumps pick to serve as Agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins. The section dedicated to agriculture on the web page of the America First Policy Institute, where Rollins served as CEO, has almost nothing on food or farming. In fact, the little that does appear there deals with energy policy, making it seem that U.S. agriculture should be more about oil exploration than growing food.

And if Trumps first term is any sign of whats to come, then we can expect a series of taxpayer-subsidized payments to offset losses that will be incurred during trade war 2.0.

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Meanwhile, from 2012 to 2022, the U.S. lost over 200,000 farms  about 10 percent of the countrys total. The only operations that increased in number during that time were megafarms that raked in more than $1 million a year in revenue, going from 81,660 in 2012, to 107,952 in 2022. Small and medium farms were decimated. With our food system becoming more and more dependent on imports, large-scale factory style operations and global suppliers make up our increasingly industrialized food system.

Such developments make Robert F. Kennedy Jr. taking the helm at the Department of Health and Human Services that much more important. For all the hubbub surrounding his stances on vaccines or fluoride in water, his condemnation of pesticides and opposition to food additives makes it clear that he believes our industrial agricultural system needs serious reform. Towards that aim, if RFK Jr. wants to make real change, he ought to consider using his full powers at the Food and Drug Administration to go after facilities abroad, as well as check the power of unregulated factory farms stateside.

First, the American system is one of checks and balances. No agency or department controls any one policy area entirely, including agriculture. This means that although the Department of Agriculture is primarily in charge of farm policy, the FDA, which is within Health and Human Services, also has some responsibilities in governing our food system.

The legislation that grants the FDA power in agriculture is not the farm bill, but the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. This act is one of many progressive-era laws that sought to protect consumers from corporate abuses of power. Subsequent laws expanded its power in terms of conducting inspections and issuing rules for industry.

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In terms of specifics, the FDA under RFK Jr. could get more involved in addressing problems in our industrialized food system by conducting more inspections of farms and facilities  particularly foreign ones.

On this note, China deserves attention.

While receiving more attention for what we export to them, China is actually the third largest supplier of agricultural goods to the U.S., trailing only Mexico and Canada. This is especially true with seafood, with about 80 percent coming from abroad, including from Chinese firms.

The FDA has the power not only to inspect foreign facilities where food (including seafood) is processed, but also to file injunctions and enter into criminal proceedings against firms that break labor laws. Reports have already disclosed forced labor in China is being used to supply seafood. The FDA under RFK Jr. could conduct more investigations on such firms abroad, where cheap labor may be making fish cheaper than what American fishers can sell it for.

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Stateside, the FDA could do more with regulating factory farms in terms of water contamination.

While also the province of the EPA, the FDA does have a stake in overseeing environmental contamination if there is a potential impact on consumer health. The recent multistate E Coli outbreak with McDonalds onions is just one example of the FDA, along with the CDC, analyzing one example of something going wrong with the food system. The point with such investigations is not just to point blame and punish wrongdoing, but also to prevent future disasters.

On water contamination particularly, a coalition of consumer and environmental groups urged the EPA to strengthen its factory farm water pollution regulations under the Clean Water Act. Of particular note is how an estimated 10,000 operations nationwide discharge waste water illegally without permits. Despite their very real concerns, their petition was denied last year.

On this point, the FDA could continue this investigation. It has the authority to investigate farms for their manure disposal and storage capacities, and as to whether they contaminate water sources. Taking up what the EPA could not, the FDA under RFK Jr.  if he really wants to reform our food system  could inspect large-scale factory farms, punishing the most egregious for harming our waterways and the environment.

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Then there is the issue of antibiotic overuse. Earlier this year, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) sent a letter to the FDA calling for more stringent limits on the use of antibiotics on factory farms, particularly as their misuse causes antimicrobial resistance in both people and animals. The FDA, thanks to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, has the power to regulate the use of drugs, such as antibiotics, in animal agriculture. Now, RFK Jr., to make America healthy again, has the chance to do so, setting limits on what factory farms can use.

We are told that many of Trumps Cabinet picks, including RFK Jr., are meant to blow up institutions. Hyperbole aside, maybe our food system, which is experiencing the ills of relentless concentration and environmental degradation, deserves to be shaken up a bit.

Anthony Pahnke (anthonypahnke.com) is vice president of Family Farm Defenders and an associate professor of international relations at San Francisco State University in San Francisco.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Its a safe bet that school choice will be high on the education agenda when President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, as it will for Republican governors in states like Texas and Florida. But not all forms of choice are created equal. Some can be downright unfair and potentially even harmful to students and families.

I fear that in the coming rush to expand publicly-funded private school choice, students with disabilities have a great deal to lose. As the leader and co-founder of a national nonprofit dedicated to advocating for students with disabilities to have access to high-quality educational opportunities and choices, I see school choice and parent empowerment as vital to student success.

I have also served as a board member, appointed and elected, for a local charter school and a traditional school district. In those roles, I saw firsthand the importance of open enrollment, a public budgeting process, open meeting laws, and essential accountability via state assessments, with an expectation that results are transparent and available for all to see. After all, exercising school choice is a big responsibility for families.

Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74

They deserve ready access to clear information and excellent school options  criteria that are especially urgent for students with disabilities and their families. But too often, as a new paper from the Center for Reinventing Public Education found, families are faced with convoluted admissions policies, limited transportation options and a dearth of choices that can actually meet their childrens needs.

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Related

Amid Choice Explosion, Report Spotlights the Marginalized Families Left Behind

Today, roughly one in five U.S. students requires support under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Their families come from across the political spectrum, from every corner of the country: small towns and rural areas, big cities, sprawling suburbs, and red and blue states.

The current push to expand private school choice  whether called vouchers, education savings accounts (ESAs), or tuition tax credits  promises little in the way of public access or accountability for delivering results. Instead, these approaches have the dubious distinction of potentially being bad for kids and taxpayers.

Despite multiple methods of enacting private school choice programs, what is universal is that the rights of children with disabilities are diminished when they step inside a private school. This includes not only the right to attend but also to be taught alongside their peers, and to access individualized supports. So, a child with autism, dyslexia, or Down syndrome, for example, may be denied access, and private schools are under no obligation to provide any specialized services or supports to help them succeed.

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This extends to needs that surface after enrollment  that is, a private school can simply inform the family that the child is no longer a good fit for the school. By contrast, a traditional or public charter school is required to conduct an evaluation and provide services. While some private schools cater to students with disabilities, it is very unclear to what extent this model is financially or programmatically sustainable absent designated funding or explicit federal protections.

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Exclusive: Microschools Fill Niche for Students with Disabilities, Survey Shows

Making good school choices requires information. Our public education systems are obligated to provide detailed information regarding school and student achievement, graduation rates, and other measures of school quality. Public school choice  among charters, magnets, and traditional schools  is also defined by transparent application and enrollment procedures to ensure fairness.

In the charter schools sector, for example, when demand exceeds the supply of seats, uniform enrollment systems and public lotteries provide transparency. Yet, as states expand private school choice, only some require participating private schools to adhere to the accountability and oversight systems that apply to public schools.

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The right of any child with a disability to attend school, to be included with peers, and to access individualized supports is only 50 years old in the United States. These important rights have created possibility and independence through education. But they hinge upon public schools: Those rights do not follow students into private educational settings. We cannot forget our recent history, when exclusion was the norm  and we must not go back.

President-elect Trump and his team are not hiding their cards. They have been transparent about seeking to leverage the federal tax code, and specifically tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and large corporations, to expand private school choice. As someone who has worked for many years to create the conditions for families to make informed school choices and to help schools earn and keep their trust, Ive learned that simply having options isnt enough. A choice in schools is only meaningful if it leads to a better education.
They say everything is bigger in Texas  apparently, including the hypocrisy.

How else do you explain people who say they oppose indoctrination in public schools, but want to turn elementary school classrooms into Sunday Schools?

With help from a temporary appointment by Gov. Greg Abbott (R), the state board of education has narrowly approved a controversial new curriculum that targets elementary school students for religious indoctrination. Texas officials may deny thats what theyre doing, but its the reality that Rice University religion scholar David Brockman found when he studied the plan.

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For example, the biblical creation story is used in an art lesson for kindergartners, with questions for students not about the art but about the biblical account.

It is difficult to avoid concluding that this art appreciation unit is being used to smuggle in what is effectively Bible study, Brockman wrote.

He also found that the teaching plan treats biblical stories about miracles and the Christian belief in Jesus resurrection as historical facts. A section on the Roman Empire for older students draws heavily on New Testament accounts of the life of Jesus, something unclear in the letter parents would receive about the curriculum.

The curriculum slants history, highlighting Christian opposition to slavery and segregation while ignoring the ways Christianity was used to justify and defend them. Brockman concluded that the way the curriculum addresses religious liberty suggests a political agenda and smacks of indoctrination rather than education.

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Religious-right activists have been trying to turn public schools into mission fields for a long time.

In 2000, People For the American Way Foundation published an expose of inappropriate proselytizing and antisemitic course materials in Bible classes being taught in Florida school districts.

A decade ago, Southern Methodist University religious studies professor Mark Chancey documented that Bible classes in Texas public schools were being taught from a fundamentalist viewpoint with materials designed to evangelize rather than provide an objective study of the Bibles influence.

This year, Oklahomas State Superintendent of Education Ryan Walters spent tax dollars to put Trump Bibles into public school classrooms and invited discredited Christian nationalist historian David Barton to put his notoriously inaccurate stamp on the states social studies curriculum.

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Knowledge of the Bibles influence on our culture can be valuable. It is possible, particularly in high school classrooms, to teach about the Bible and its role in art, history and literature, or as part of a course on the worlds religions, without violating the Constitution.

But teaching appropriately about the Bible in public schools requires a commitment to effective teacher training and oversight  and a commitment to upholding the Constitution, which seems woefully absent among the promoters of the new Texas curriculum.

America is an increasingly diverse nation. And Texas is one of the most religiously diverse states in the country. It is simply wrong, and a violation of core constitutional principles, for a politically empowered majority to use public schools to indoctrinate students into one particular faith. This is especially true when young kids are targeted.

Children are not developmentally able to make the sorts of distinctions that these lessons assume of them at age 5 or age 6, Chancey said while testifying against the curriculum. 5-year-olds arent going to say, Im so grateful Im learning these stories for the sake of cultural literacy!

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Which gets us back to hypocrisy. Right-wing activists make a lot of noise about parental rights, but this scheme is profoundly disrespectful to parents  Christians and non-Christians alike  who believe the responsibility for their childrens religious upbringing belongs to families and faith communities, not state officials.

In a recent op-ed in the Houston Chronicle, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum wrote that embedding one form of Christian orthodoxy into schooling betrays the promise and purpose of public education to serve all students, including Christian students who dont believe that version of Christianity.

Amen to that.

Svante Myrick is the president of People For the American Way .

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CANBERRA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Fiji after several tourists were hospitalized with suspected alcohol poisoning.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Sunday night advised travelers to Fiji to be wary of potential methanol poisoning through alcohol.

It comes after seven tourists, including four Australians, were hospitalized after consuming alcohol at a resort bar in Fiji on Saturday night local time.

DFAT's warning, issued through its Smartraveller service, advised Australians to "be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks."

It urged anyone who suspects drink spiking to seek urgent medical help.

Jason Clare, Australia's education minister, on Monday described the incident in Fiji as horrific.

"I guess my message for Australians travelling overseas is just be really, really careful with whatever you consume," he told ABC television.

Incidents in Fiji came after six tourists, including two Australian teenagers, died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos in November. 
The Republican Party of Orange County has forcefully swatted down unfounded claims of voter fraud in the 2024 election, debunking allegations that went viral after Democrats flipped a hotly contested congressional seat.

In a county home to some of the most competitive House races in the nation, a local party leader said he feared the false claims could dampen Republican participation in future elections if they weren't forcefully addressed.

Republican Party of Orange County Executive Director Randall Avila cited the 45th Congressional District in Los Angeles and Orange counties, where Democratic challenger Derek Tran unseated incumbent Republican Rep. Michelle Steel by just 653 votes in November.

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"If 1,000 people see [the claims of voter fraud] and think, 'Well, I shouldn't even vote, it doesn't matter,' it really hurts our cause, especially in races that are so tight like that," Avila said Friday.

Read more: Democrat Derek Tran ousts Republican Michelle Steel in competitive Orange County House race

The Orange County GOP pushed back on the voter fraud claims in a detailed email that went out last week to a mailing list of about 60,000 people, Avila said. The local party also debunked the claims in a question-and-answer format on social media.

"We support commonsense reforms such as Voter ID and ending universal vote-by-mail to ensure free and fair elections, but false claims of voter fraud only hurt our efforts and ultimately decrease Republican votes when our voters believe their vote does not count," the email said, along with a point-by-point explanation rebutting several issues raised.

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Voter fraud is vanishingly rare in the United States. But false claims of widespread malfeasance have permeated the American discourse  particularly in right-wing media ecosystems  since President-elect Donald Trump lost the 2020 election and falsely claimed to have won. The drumbeat of attacks on election integrity in the years since has taken a toll, with polling showing a sharp partisan divide in whether Americans have faith in the electoral process.

Sara Sadhwani, an assistant professor of politics at Pomona College who served on the states redistricting commission, praised the Orange County GOP's decision to speak out on the claims.

"Bogus claims about voter fraud have been abundant in the last several years, many of which have been made by President-elect Donald Trump. So to see the Republican Party coming out so clearly to debunk those myths is is a breath of fresh air," Sadhwani said.

The Orange County false claims were laid out in a blog post published recently and quickly went viral. They were amplified by a number of prominent right-wing figures, including Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally who was convicted of lying to Congress during investigations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign.

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The blog post claimed to have revealed "huge ballot discrepancies" that could alter the results of House races. The alleged discrepancies centered on a few issues. One was the number of ballots issued by the county (which includes every ballot printed, including the vote-by-mail ballots sent to the homes of voters who later voted in person) being greater than the number of registered voters. Another concerned the difference between the number of registered voters at the pre-election deadline and the final number of registered voters on election day. Local GOP leaders said the difference was due to about 40,000 Orange County residents registering to vote on or close to election day, as allowed by California law.

Avila estimated that at least 20 people had walked into the party's Tustin headquarters to raise the issue after seeing the misinformation online, along with 60 to 70 more individuals reaching out by phone. After the deluge of concerns, the party director said his office communicated with the local registrar of voters to gather information and get the facts straight before offering the detailed explanation.

"If there was voter fraud going on here with the House on the line, there would be lawyers here. We'd be in court," said Jon Fleischman, an Orange County-based Republican campaign strategist and former executive director of the California GOP.

Fleischman reiterated that that wasn't the "reality" on the ground, regardless of his criticism around some of California's election laws, like the fact that every Californian receives a vote-by-mail ballot and such ballots are accepted for up to a week after the election, so long as they are postmarked by election day.

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Read more: Decisive election waits for California's results. What's the hold-up?

"Elections should be over on election day," Fleischman stated, saying that laws that beget lengthy vote-count waiting periods add to public confusion and distrust.

Avila also called for reform of California's voter accessibility laws, which allow voters more options than in other states, and help engender California's notoriously slow vote counts. But like Fleischman, he drew a sharp line between those allowances and actual fraud.

"There's no real legal challenges here," said Mindy Romero, a political sociologist who runs USC's Center for Inclusive Democracy. "So not speaking out or pushing back on allegations of fraud just hurts the integrity of the election, period."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Orange County Elections Supervisor Glen Gilzeans millions of dollars in misspending broke Florida law, according to an investigative report released Monday, and has left his office in danger of overdrawing its checking account by nearly $590,000.

The 12-page report by Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond  which examined election office invoices and accounts from Oct. 1 to Dec. 12  placed the amount of Gilzeans overspending in the last 2 1/2 months at $5.1 million, which is more than 25 percent of his offices annual budget. That includes a $1.1 million disbursement to a prominent local nonprofit, previously identified by the Orlando Sentinel, which Diamond also called illegal.

Taxpayers want to know their tax dollars are in good hands, and unfortunately that is not the case right now with the supervisor of elections, said Diamond, whose Monday release is the most detailed in a series of county critiques of Gilzean.

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In response to the report, County Mayor Jerry Demings, perhaps Gilzeans leading detractor, called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend him from office.

Gilzean, who is exiting the office in January, dismissed the reports findings in a statement Monday, though without directly addressing the specifics. Comptroller Diamonds opinion of this offices finances isnt worth the paper its written on, he said.

While Diamond had previously made public some of the findings included in his Monday report, most of the details and dollar totals were new.

The report concluded that Gilzean has already spent about $9.9 million in just over two months since the start of the current fiscal year, amounting to about 51% of his budget for all of 2024-25.

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As a result of this persistent overspending, the newly elected Supervisor of Elections will take office with only 49% of the annual budget available on January 7th, Diamonds report said.

Gilzeans spending in the months of October, November and so far in December broke for three consecutive months a Florida statute that limits the monthly spending to one-twelfth of his total $19.1 million budget, according to the probe. He was a total of $5.1 million over that limit, the probe found.

While conceding that Gilzean may have needed to spend more than one-twelfth of his budget to conduct the November election, Diamond said Gilzean was required by law to get the Orange County Commission to waive those state spending limits, which he never did.

Investigators said that elections supervisors in two similar counties  Hillsborough and Palm Beach  have spent 27% and 35% of their annual budgets administering comparable elections, significantly lower than Gilzeans spending.

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Diamond additionally faulted Gilzean for making an unbudgeted $1.1 million payment on Oct. 3 to the Central Florida Foundation, another action he said needed board approval. Gilzean has said the money was paid to the Central Florida Foundation to administer and distribute grants as part of a program called OCVotes.

That expenditure was on top of a previously reported $2.1 million to Valencia College for scholarships and $1.9 million to CareerSource Central Florida in the previous fiscal year for retraining election workers. Demings has said those previous expenditures were also unauthorized.

In total, Diamond wrote, Gilzeans office had written $4.7 million in checks since Nov. 30 and had another $300,000 outstanding from previous months, exceeding the $4.4 million balance in the offices checking account and putting the office in danger of a $587,173 overdraft.

Investigators also found that Gilzeans office failed to follow generally accepted accounting practices.

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In the wake of earlier concerns about Gilzeans spending, Orange County commissioners voted last month not to release any additional county payments to the elections office, beyond $9.57 million already transferred. Gilzean responded by suing the county, saying additional payments were legally required.

In his statement responding to Diamonds report Monday, Gilzean said that a judge considering his lawsuit has already ruled that the county broke the law by withholding the funds. The court found that the Supervisor had a clear legal right to the funds, and the Comptroller had an indisputable duty to disburse them, he said.

However, the only ruling issued in that case came last Thursday, in which the judge said Gilzean had a facially sufficient claim to proceed with the suit and gave Diamond and the county 20 days from the receipt of an amended legal filing by Gilzean to show why the offices funding shouldnt be released. No hearing in the case has yet been held.

Commissioners will discuss how proceed on Tuesday, Demings said.

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Comptroller Diamonds investigation makes it clear that Mr. Gilzean did not follow the law, nor did he follow the best practices, Demings said in an emailed statement.

He suggested that DeSantis suspend Gilzean from office and allow his Democratic successor Karen Castor Dentel to take office early. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment on Demings suggestion.

DeSantis appointed Gilzean to the elections supervisor post in March to fill a vacancy created when longtime Democratic elections chief Bill Cowles retired. Gilzean, a Republican, announced in June he would not seek election. Doing so would have been a political uphill climb in one of Floridas bluest counties.

An appendix of expenditures listed in Diamonds report showed Gilzeans office paid $66,496 since Oct. 1 to the Winter Park law firm Sasso & Sasso. One of the firms partners, Michael A. Sasso, is a close friend of Gilzeans, and served as the best man in his wedding. Sasso also advocated for Gilzean to be hired as the Disney district administrator during his brief stint on its five-member board of supervisors.

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Gilzean has defended Sassos hiring, citing his legal experience. Sasso represented Gilzeans office in a case challenging a candidates eligibility to run for supervisor of elections.

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An outside investigation has found that Navajo President Buu Nygren did not sexually harass Navajo Vice President Richelle Montoya, according to Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch.

Montoya's account of the Aug. 17, 2023, incident "does not constitute sexual harassment under policies applicable to either Navajo Nation elected officials or employees covered by the Navajo Nation (Personnel Policies Manual)," said Eric Dahlstrom of Rothstein Donatelli, the outside counsel handling the investigation. "Further, the facts reported would not constitute a violation of any criminal law of the Navajo Nation."

Based on these findings, the investigation concluded that "further investigation into Vice President Montoya's sexual harassment claim and the appointment of a special prosecutor are not warranted.

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In a statement issued Monday morning, Nygren said: "Now that I have been cleared, we need to move forward as a Nation and a people. This false allegation against me as President of the Navajo Nation has divided and hurt the entire Navajo Nation. We need to heal from this and focus on moving forward."

Sexual harassment allegations by Montoya first came to light last April when she went live on her personal Facebook page to share that she had been harassed the previous August. She did not identify the individual involved. A few weeks later, Nygren denied the allegations against him, making the public aware that it was Nygren who Montoya had been talking about.

After Montoya outlined her allegations, the Navajo Nation Council issued a statement saying that leaders had agreed to a request to draft legislation to initiate an independent investigation into the allegation.

Despite the investigation findings that absolve him of the Vice President's allegation, Nygren said he expects there will continue to be those who doubt and dispute the report findings and efforts by the attorney general to ensure a fair and transparent process.

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"The attorney general is the attorney for the Navajo Nation," he said. "I appointed her, but the Navajo Nation Council confirmed her after fully vetting her. She hired a neutral, third-party investigator to conduct the investigation. Neither the attorney general nor my office interfered nor influenced that process."

Branch has come under significant scrutiny amid delays in the preliminary investigation, which has taken over seven months to conclude. Last week, the Naabikiyati Committee approved legislation calling for Branchs removal as attorney general. The legislation, passed without debate, is on an agenda Monday for a special Navajo Nation Council session. If removed by council, the Navajo Nation Deputy Attorney General Heather Clah would step in until a replacement is approved by council.

Like many of you, I have been frustrated with the amount of time this investigation took, but it was critical to ensure a full and complete analysis and recommendation by the independent third-party counsel, said Branch.

Branch also announced that she terminated the Navajo Nation's contracts with Rothstein Donatelli LLP. because of the delay in the investigation.

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"The Navajo Nation deserves legal counsel that is diligent and that does its work in a manner that is appropriate to the level of care and attention that is warranted," said Branch. "The inordinate delay in receiving the results of the preliminary investigation into the Vice President's allegations exacerbated the instability in Navajo government that the allegation introduced. Accordingly, the Nation will no longer work with Rothstein Donatelli."

She said that during the investigation, multiple employees were interviewed, a telephone and text tip line was set up to allow members of the public to express their concerns, and a thorough review of public sources was conducted.

Among those interviewed were Nygren, Montoya, Chief of Staff Patrick Sandoval and Chief Legal Counsel Bidtah Becker.

I am satisfied that no rock was left unturned in the search for evidence of any potential wrongdoing, said Branch. "As the attorney general, my responsibility is to the Dine people and the Navajo Nation as a whole. My role has not been to judge or point fingers at any party involved in this unfortunate situation. My role, from the beginning, has been to ensure that the allegations were taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

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She said now that the preliminary investigation has concluded, she intends to follow the recommendations of the independent investigator.

I do not believe it is in the best interest of the Nation to continue spending the Nation's money on allegations that, even if taken as true, would not amount to any violation of Navajo law, said Branch. Although it is time to put this issue to rest and move forward as a Nation, I want to underscore that the Navajo Nation takes any allegation of sexual harassment seriously.

The investigative report will be released publicly once Navajo Nation Leadership has been briefed on it.

I encourage any Navajo employee who feels they have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace to report it, said Branch. Together, we can ensure a safe and comfortable work environment for all of our Navajo communities.

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Request for comment from Vice President Montoya has not been returned

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: No evidence Buu Nygren harassed Richelle Montoya, per investigator
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Friends and family gathered in Beeghley Center for Youngstown State Universitys fall commencements on Sunday.

The graduation was separated into two ceremonies for undergrad and graduate programs. Over 1,600 students graduated this semester.

At the undergraduate ceremony, over 800 walked across the stage to get their diploma. First News spoke to some excited graduates about their next steps.

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Its really sentimental, leaving all my classes, and this is my last time on campus. I might cry a little, said Liliana Marinkovich.

Coming to school here, at least, the point here is to find what you want to do for the rest of your life, and I kind of did, said Aleksa Radenovic.

First News photographer Wilson Corbisello was also among the graduates.

The past 18 years or so now, I have been going to school every day except for summers, and now I wont have it anymore, Corbisello said.

WKBN wishes congratulations to all the Penguin graduates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
More than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are currently held in Russian captivity, with only 168 of them having been released so far.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, as reported by Ukrinform

Details: Lubinets stated that "Ukraine has a specific list with early data indicating that over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are being held in Russian prisons".

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He reiterated that the exchange of civilian detainees for prisoners of war is not covered under international humanitarian law or the Geneva Conventions.

Quote: "This exchange procedure is strictly for prisoners of war, yet we have managed to free 168 civilians. Its a small number, but there is a mechanism that enables us to achieve this.

The Ukrainian side and the negotiating team are doing everything possible to bring back all captives from Russian prisons, including journalists."

More details: The Ombudsman stated that there is a separate list of journalists being held captive by Russian forces. He stressed that Russians use torture and murder against journalists to "silence media representatives in temporarily occupied territories."

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Lubinets drew particular attention to the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna in captivity.

Quote: "The Russian side officially informed her father and even sent a death certificate. On the other hand, when I raised the issue of returning her body for proper burial, we have been in the process of consultations ever since."

Background: Earlier, Olga Skrypnyk, Head of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group, reported that as of December 2024, 301 Ukrainian women are in Russian captivity. At least 25 were detained before the full-scale invasion, and 276 were imprisoned after it began.

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NICHOLAS COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  A donation of over 200 pounds of dear meat from area hunters was given to a Kentucky non-profit over the weekend.

On Sunday, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement posted on Facebook that Game Wardens from the 8th District recently worked with Whitsons Deer Processing in Nicholas County to deliver over 200 pounds of donated venison to Gods Pantry Food Bank.

Somerset families invited to holiday skating event in support of children affected by addiction

(Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement)

(Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement)

Through the Hunters for the Hungry program, the venison was distributed to Gods Pantry, where it will provide much-needed protein to those who benefit from that organization, Game Wardens wrote.

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Read more of the latest Kentucky news

For more information about Gods Pantry Food Bank, visit the organizations website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Oviedo city leaders are trying to find money to build a new police station.

An overwhelming majority of people who took the citys survey about the cost of the building said they arent willing to pay another dime for it.

The survey was sent out after another referendum effort failed in November.

The city already has more than 11 million dollars on hand but said it needs more than that.

Those who responded to the survey said the city spends too much time complaining about being short on funds and needs to work within its budget.

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The survey will be discussed tomorrow night.

Channel 9 will keep you updated with the latest.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan on Monday began its last nationwide vaccination campaign for the year to protect 45 million children from polio after a surge in new cases hampered efforts to stop the disease, officials said.

According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the potentially fatal, paralyzing virus hasnt been stopped,

Pakistan has reported 63 confirmed cases since January.

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Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime ministers adviser for the polio eradication program, said the anti-polio drive will continue until Dec. 22.

As a mother, I am appealing to you to open your doors for health workers," she said.

Pakistan regularly launches such campaigns despite violence affecting medical personnel who oversee the vaccinations and security forces escorting them. Militants falsely claim that vaccination campaigns are a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.

Authorities deployed thousands of police officers to protect health workers following intelligence reports that insurgents could target them. However, gunmen opened fire Monday on police escorting polio workers in Karak, a city in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing a police officer and wounding a health worker, local police official Ayaz Khan said.

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Also on Monday, a gunman riding on a motorcycle shot and wounded a police officer assigned to escort polio workers from a health facility in the northwestern city of Bannu, said local police chief Hamid Khan.

No one has claimed responsibility for the twin attacks. But more than 200 polio workers and police assigned for their protection have been killed since the 1990s, according to health officials and authorities.

The latest anti-polio drive campaign began a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with medical staff and vowed that Pakistan would win the war against polio.

Afghanistan reported at least 23 confirmed cases in 2024, according to data from the World Health Organization.

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In September, the Afghan Taliban suddenly stopped a door-to-door vaccination campaign in Afghanistan, a devastating setback for polio eradication as the virus is one of the worlds most infectious and any unvaccinated groups of children where the virus is spreading could undo years of progress.

___

Associated Press writer Riaz Khan contributed to this story from Peshawar, Pakistan.
A Palestinian grandfather in Gaza whose tribute to his slain granddaughter went viral last year was killed by Israeli fire on Monday, his family and a hospital said.

Khaled Nabhan drew global attention in a widely shared social media video of his moment of grief in November 2023, as he kissed his lifeless granddaughter Reem goodbye  the 3-year-old girl he called the soul of my soul.

I used to kiss her on her cheeks, on her nose and she would giggle, he told CNN at the time. I kissed her but she wouldnt wake up.

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His grandchildren, Reem and 5-year-old Tarek, were killed while they were sleeping in their bed. Their home was brought down by what Nabhan said at the time was a nearby Israeli airstrike in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp in southern Gaza.

Speaking to CNN following the strike, Khaled described his final evening with his grandchildren, breaking down in tears as he recalled how they begged him to take them outside to play. He had refused because of the danger from Israeli airstrikes, he said.

He told CNN last year that the pair had been inseparable and that Reem's favorite game was pulling his beard. - Courtesy of Nabhan family

On Monday, Khaled was killed by an Israeli tank shell, according to Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, central Gaza.

Saed Nabhan, Khaleds nephew, told CNN on Monday that there was tank shelling in their neighborhood. As he ran towards Al-Awda Hospital, he was shocked to find his uncle among those killed.

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Saed said eyewitnesses told him that his uncle saw injured people and ran to help, but he was instantly killed by another tank shell.

He added: What a great man we have lost. We will never have someone like him again.

In footage shared on social media by local journalists in Gaza, Nabhans lifeless body is seen lying on a hospital bed, covered in blood, as weeping crowds huddle around him.

Oh, Abu Diaa, people are heard crying, referring to Nabhan by his nickname.

CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment.

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By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Hussam al-Masri

CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) - Relatives of Palestinians killed by Israel in Khan Younis gathered around their white-shrouded bodies on Monday before carrying them to their graves.

Palestinian health officials said on Sunday at least 20 people, including children, were killed in the strike at the school sheltering displaced families in the city in the southern Gaza Strip.

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The Israeli military said on Monday it had struck Hamas militants operating from a compound that previously served as a U.N.-run school. It said the compound served also as a training camp to prepare and plan attacks against Israeli forces.

Women wept as the bodies of the family members were carried away on medical stretchers by men who laid them on the ground to perform funeral prayers.

"People were safe, staying in their homes (shelters) after they prayed the dinner prayer. They were sitting, sleeping, and staying put in their places," said Manal Tafesh, whose brother and his children were among those killed.

"Our children are gone, our children are gone. Our youth are gone. Our children are gone, and our lineage ended. When will this darkness end?" she told Reuters outside the morgue.

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The military accuses Hamas of using civilian populations such as hospitals, schools, and mosques for military purposes. Hamas denies the allegations as an Israeli pretext to "justify indiscriminate killing of civilians".

Israeli bombardment continued on Monday. Palestinian health officials said strikes across the enclave had killed at least 17 people.

Medics said four people were killed in an airstrike in Beit Lahiya town in the northern edge of the Gaza Strip, where the army has operated since October, while three were killed in Israeli tank shelling that hit near the cemetery of Nuseirat camp in central areas and three others in Rafah in the south.

Later on Monday, seven Palestinians, including two women, were killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, medics said.

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The war began when the Palestinian militant group Hamas stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel then launched an air and land offensive that has killed almost 45,000 people, mostly civilians, according to authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The campaign has displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the enclave in ruins.

A bid by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to reach a truce, which would also include a hostage deal, has gained momentum in recent weeks, yet there has been no news of a breakthrough.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who returns to the White House on Jan. 20, about efforts to secure a hostage release.

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"We discussed the need to complete Israel's victory and we spoke at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages," Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Hussam al-Masri in Gaza; Editing by Alison Williams and Sandra Maler)
by Neth Pheaktra

The close collaboration between Cambodian and Chinese news media reaffirms the two countries' long-standing and strong friendship, highlighting the media's vital role in promoting socio-economic development and international cooperation.

The Ministry of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia is deeply committed to advancing the media industry, embracing digital transformation, and conveying authentic information about Cambodia to both domestic and international audiences. This dedication is evident in the ministry's engagement and cooperation with Cambodian media outlets, including radio stations, TV networks, and Chinese news agencies.

For example, we have collaborated with Chinese news organizations to conduct interviews and training sessions focused on news technology. These partnerships not only improved the quality of reporting but also promoted information sharing and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Looking ahead, Cambodia is eager to unite and collaborate with news industries from other countries based on three key principles:

First, international communication extends beyond simply crossing borders. It entails bridging cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. The Cambodian Ministry of Information aims to enhance communication and interaction with news regulatory bodies and media organizations from various countries by hosting forums, seminars and workshops regularly.

Through mechanisms like the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and support from China, Cambodia has successfully held such events. And, in this coming May 2025, we will co-host the 20th Asia Media Summit.

Second, media organizations from different countries should collaboratively explore innovative cooperation models. For instance, we can establish closer connections between print media, audiovisual platforms, and new media, engage in co-producing media products, and implement personnel exchange programs.

Furthermore, we can collaborate with businesses, educational institutions, and other organizations to expand resources and services linked to media, including economy and trade, culture, tourism, ecological protection, and community welfare. By doing so, we can strengthen the role of media as a bridge for in-depth exchanges and close cooperation among nations.

Third, we should fully harness the potential of social media platforms and new internet technologies. It is essential to focus on the application and advancement of these technologies, accelerate the intelligent development of media, and create high-quality content tailored to the evolving needs of audiences. By doing so, we can enhance mutual understanding among people from different countries while promoting the growth of the media industry.

However, technological advancements, such as the internet and artificial intelligence, have lowered the threshold for information dissemination, presenting challenges for the news industry. Relevant countries should collaborate to tackle the issue by guiding the media to effectively fulfill their social responsibilities, ensure fairness, objectivity, and accountability, and enhance public education on identifying false information.

With this regard, Cambodia will launch an anti-fake news campaign to ensure the provision of safe information and the public's access to trustworthy information.

I would say, "If people get food poisoned, it is easily treated. But if they are poisoned by fake news, their brains are spoiled, and it takes longer time to recover." We, therefore, call for joint efforts to promote "information diplomacy" to collectively combat fake news, mal-information and disinformation. This is a new war, a war in the digital era to eradicate fake news for the sake of safe information for all.

Editor's note: Neth Pheaktra is the Minister for Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The article is excerpted from the minister's recent speech at the third Yunnan International Communication Forum in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  A Panama City man will be spending at least 25 years in prison and possibly the rest of his life.

On Monday, a judge sentenced 52-year-old Lucas Rivera-Carmona for attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

On August 17, 2023, Rivera-Carmona fired 4-shots through the outside wall of his ex-wifes apartment at the Macedonia apartment complex.

Panama City man convicted of attempted murder after shooting into a home

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The ex-wife, her new boyfriend, and a child were inside at the time. One of the shots hit the boyfriend.

Rivera-Carmona was upset about the relationship and had threatened the couple the day before.

Earlier this month a Bay County jury found Rivera-Carmona guilty of the attempted first-degree murder charge as well as several other felony counts.

The judge handed him a life sentence, with a minimum of 25 years before being eligible 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 mypanhandle.com.
A man wanted on a Travis County arrest warrant for the continuous sexual abuse of a young child was apprehended Wednesday by U.S. Marshals. https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/panama-officials-extradite-man-wanted-on-child-sex-crimes-back-to-travis-county/
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Parents in Charles County say more protests will take place against Cracker Barrel if the restaurant chain does not give them a formal apology.

Roughly three dozen people demonstrated in front of the restaurant in Waldorf Sunday, nearly two weeks after employees allegedly denied service to 11 students with disabilities from the Charles County Public School district, along with seven staff members on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Hurt more than anything, said Johnna Penrod, one of the several parents who attended the three-hour protest. Penrods seven-year-old daughter, who has autism, was among those at the restaurant that day.

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As angry as I am, these kids voices need to be bigger than that anger, and if I decide to take my anger where I want to, I dont get anything done, Penrod said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Waldorf Cracker Barrel receives backlash after denying service to group of students with disabilities

Cracker Barrel fired the general manager of its restaurant in Waldorf, along with two other employees, earlier in the week after company executives met with parents and representatives from the school district on Monday, Dec. 9, to discuss what happened.

The chain said workers did not refuse service to the students but attributed the problem that day to staffing shortages and poor communication.

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Cracker Barrel also apologized for not living up to its standards and failing to provide these students and teachers with the hospitality for which Cracker Barrel is known.

Parents told DC News Now they are upset that there has been no formal apology to them.

Until [Cracker Barrel] apologizes about the discrimination, then its not an apology, its eye candy. Its gaslighting, said Dustin Reed, who organized the protest. Reed said his daughter, who has autism, was denied service that day. Own up to what it is, and thats an apology.

Theres something else parents want from the restaurant chain.

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I think that there needs to be training all across the board from up high all the way down to, you know, everyday employees, Penrod said.

In a statement, Cracker Barrel said it hopes for an opportunity to serve the affected students and staff.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Paris Hilton is continuing to advocate for victims of child abuse following the trauma she allegedly suffered as a teen at a Utah boarding school.

On Monday, Dec. 16, Hilton, 42, shared an open letter via Instagram addressing members of the United States House of Representatives. She called on them to prioritize passing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Bill before they adjourn for Christmas.

For most of my life, I carried a deep, unspoken pain, the mom-of-two wrote in the letter.

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I thought if I stayed quiet, if I buried it far enough, maybe I could convince myself it didnt happen. But silence doesnt heal  it only protects the people that caused the harm. Speaking up has been the hardest thing Ive ever done, but its also been the most powerful.

Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Paris Hilton Paris Hilton

Related: Paris Hilton Gives Emotional Testimony Against Utah Boarding School, Alleging 'Terrible' Abuse

As a teenager, I was sent to youth residential treatment facilities where I endured abuse that no child should ever experience, she continued. I was physically restrained, sexually abused, isolated, overmedicated, and stripped of my dignity. I was told I didnt matter, that I was the problem, and no one would believe me if I spoke up  not even my family. For years, I lived with the weight of that trauma, the nightmares, the shame. It wasnt until I found my voice that I began to heal.

The heiress added a caption that read, "Silence doesn't heal  it protects the people that caused the harm," alongside a brokenhearted emoji.

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"To every member of the House," she continued. "Think of the children who can't speak for themselves. They're counting on you. Let's turn pain into purpose and protect the most vulnerable among us."

Back in August 2020, Hilton told PEOPLE that the 11 months that she spent at Provo Canyon School were continuous torture. Parents Rick and Kathy sent a then 17-year-old Hilton to the boarding school after her partying.

She alleges that staff would bully her by saying terrible things and were physically abusive so that the kids would be too scared to disobey them.

When PEOPLE contacted the school in 2021, a representative said they wouldnt be commenting on the experiences of operations that took place before it changed ownership in August 2000.

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Related: Paris Hilton Opens Up About the Secret Terrifying Abuse She Suffered as a Teen

Hilton revealed in her open letter that advocating for change has been the most challenging and rewarding experience of her life. She also mentioned having met other brave survivors during her journey.

Hilton said that when The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act was passed unanimously on Wednesday, Dec. 11, after years of lobbying it was one of the best moments of my life.

It was proof that when we listen to survivors and put politics aside, we can create real, meaningful change, the star continued. But this journey isnt over. I cant celebrate until this bill becomes law, and now its up to the U.S. House of Representatives to finish what the Senate started."

Samuel Corum/Getty Paris Hilton arrives to testify at the House Committee, June 2024 Paris Hilton arrives to testify at the House Committee, June 2024

I always believed in turning pain into purpose, in creating something good from something dark. Survivors like me have carried this fight for far too long. Now, I ask you to carry it across the finish line. Lets make this a moment that our country can be proud of  a moment when we choose to protect the most vulnerable among us.

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A spokesperson for the reality TV star revealed to ABC News that she has been traveling to Washington every six to 10 months since October 2021 in an attempt to get Congress to reform youth residential treatment facilities.

Related: Paris Hilton Is 'Grateful' Carter Reum Was in Court as She Testified Against Boarding School: Source

I won't stop fighting until change is made," she told the outlet. "This is my lifelong mission and I really believe it's my true purpose in life. I will not stop fighting for these children and being a voice for them.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



Read the original article on People
Paris Hilton said she was shopping in Saks Fifth Avenue in New York last week when she heard The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act -- a piece of legislation shes tirelessly lobbied for over the past three years -- had passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous support.

The celebrity hotel heiress told ABC News that she was with her sister, doing a little girls, sister holiday shopping, when she got a FaceTime call with the update that the bill, which would place greater federal safeguards on institutional youth treatment programs, had hit its first major legislative milestone.

Hilton for years has been an outspoken, public advocate for reform in congregate care facilities and residential treatment programs for "troubled" minors. Shes brazenly described her own traumatizing experience at Provo Canyon School in Utah when she was a teenager.

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MORE: Paris Hilton urges federal action to reform 'troubled teen' facilities

We were all just bawling, in tears, just so proud and so happy, and the whole survivor community is just -- everybody is just so so grateful and so happy, and they feel so validated that they're being listened to, the entrepreneur, DJ, model and actress told ABC News about her reaction to the bills Senate passage on Wednesday.

PHOTO: In this April 27, 2023, file photo, Paris Hilton speaks to reporters as she heads for Capitol Hill to lobby Congress to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. (Aaron Schwartz/SOPA Images via Sipa USA via AP, FILE)

Now, with only a week left in the 118th Congress, Hilton is urging House leaders to prioritize the measure and bring it to the floor for a vote immediately.

We're all just hoping and praying that they'll do the right thing, said Hilton, who is headed back to Washington D.C. to meet with House members on Monday.

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I just really hope that they, you know, don't let politics stand in the way of saving children's lives. This is so urgent, because the House of Representatives has to pass this bill in the next week before the end of this year's session, or else the bill will die. We would have to do it all over again.

PHOTO: In this April 27, 2023, file photo, Paris Hilton shakes hands with Sen. Jeff Merkley at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, FILE)

ABC News did not receive a response from Speaker Mike Johnson on whether he'd consider bringing the legislation to the floor for a vote during the final week of the session. The legislation-- which would ordinarily need to pass through the House Energy and Commerce committee before it could get called by leaders to the floor-- is able to be fast-tracked by bypassing that step, according to a source familiar with committee business.

"When the U.S. Senate came together in a rare show of unity to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act unanimously on Wednesday December 11th, it was one of the best moments of my life. It was proof that when we listen to survivors and put politics aside, we can create real, meaningful change. But this journey isnt over. I cant celebrate until this bill becomes law, and now its up to the U.S House of Representatives to finish what the Senate started," Hilton wrote in an open letter shared to her Instagram page on Monday.

"To Leader Scalise, Speaker Johnson, and every member of the House: I urge you to think about the children who cant speak for themselves. Theyre relying on uson youto stand up for their safety and dignity. Passing this bill would be a testament to what we can achieve when we lead with empathy and courage."

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Hilton has traveled to Washington every six to 10 months starting in October 2021, according to her spokesperson, each time asking Congress to reform youth residential treatment facilities.

Shes met individually with members like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who thanked Hilton after the bills passage last week for her work on the issue, and Republicans like Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Some of her biggest advocates have been the cosponsors of the bill: Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, along with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Hilton said.

"A lack of oversight and transparency in residential youth programs has allowed for the abuse of children in facilities across the country for far too long," Cornyn said in a statement after the bill passed.

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"I'm proud that the Senate unanimously passed this legislation to ensure the vulnerable children in these facilities are protected, and I want to thank the countless advocates who have bravely shared their stories to help end institutional child abuse."

Hilton also testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in June, emotionally recounting her experience being at Provo Canyon School as a teen.

PHOTO: In this May 10, 2022, file photo, Paris Hilton poses outside the White House in Washington, D.C. (Shutterstock, FILE)

These programs promised healing, growth, and support, but instead did not allow me to speak, move freely, or even look out a window for two years, she testified in 2023. I was force-fed medications and sexually abused by the staff. I was violently restrained and dragged down hallways, stripped naked, and thrown into solitary confinement.

The Provo school in Utah, which is still operating today, released an updated statement in June 2024 saying they couldn't comment on the operations or student experiences at the school prior to August 2000, when it had changed ownership shortly after Hilton's stint there. Provo said it did not condone or promote any form of abuse," in their statement.

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Hilton has gone to the White House to advocate for child welfare, meeting with policy staff in May 2022. Should the bill pass through the House this week, it would land on President Joe Bidens desk to be signed into law before the end of his term. Hilton and her team expressed confidence in the presidents willingness to sign the measure.

We have had some prior conversations with the White House about the bill, and we don't have a reason to believe that they wouldn't sign it into law, Hiltons spokesperson said.

The socialites push for congregate-care reform started in 2021, when she came to Washington in support of a similar measure, the Federal Accountability for Congregate Care Act, which was a different bill that was introduced in October 2021 and led by Khanna, Merkley, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and then-Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

Before her visit in 2021, Hilton had opened up about her 11-month experience at Provo Canyon school in her 2020 documentary "This is Paris," and in a Washington Post op-ed.

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Hilton told ABC News that the lobbying process for her has been painful but also cathartic.

It's been a lot of workit's not easy to speak about so many things are so painful and traumatic, but I know that it's so important just to be able to be a voice for those who don't, and I'm so grateful to be able to use my platform and my voice just to ensure that no more children are traumatized in the name of treatment, Hilton said.

And it's been also just a very healing experience to see what an impact it's madeit's been just incredibly healing and cathartic.

Hilton is in New York with her friend and "The Simple Life" co-star Nicole Richie to promote a reboot of their iconic show, but said her work on issues related to the troubled teen industry was her most significant venture.

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I am so proud of a lot of things in my life, but the work -- my advocacy work that I'm doing to protect children -- is the thing that I'm most proud of, and this is what I want my legacy to be, Hilton said.

If the bill doesnt pass this session, Hilton said she would continue to fight for the issue.

I won't stop fighting until change is made. This is my lifelong mission and I really believe it's my true purpose in life. I will not stop fighting for these children and being a voice for them.

Paris Hilton calls on the House to take up child abuse bill before session ends originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Paris Hilton is heading back to the Capitol with an urgent plea, calling on every member of the House to pass a bill focused on youth congregate care facilities that she says would create real, meaningful change before the legislative session ends this week.

The reality TV veteran, whos become a regular on Capitol Hill while advocating for reforms to the youth residential treatment facility industry, will be back in Washington on Monday to meet with lawmakers, ITK has confirmed.

In an open letter issued the same day as her visit to the Hill and addressed to the entire House, Hilton said, As a teenager, I was sent to youth residential treatment facilities where I endured abuse that no child should ever experience. I was physically restrained, sexually abused, isolated, overmedicated, and stripped of my dignity.

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For years, I lived with the weight of that trauma, the nightmares, the shame. It wasnt until I found my voice that I began to heal, the 43-year-old Paris & Nicole: The Encore star wrote in the message posted on social media.

Last week, the hotel heiress hailed the Senates unanimous passage of the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which proponents say would require more oversight of youth residential treatment facilities. Hilton called the vote by the Senate, one of the best moments of her life.

It was proof that when we listen to survivors and put politics aside, we can create real, meaningful change. But this journey isnt over. I cant celebrate until this bill becomes law, and now its up to the U.S. House of Representatives to finish what the Senate started, Hilton, a mom of two, said.

Directly addressing Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and every member of the House, Hilton wrote, I urge you to think about the children who cant speak for themselves. Theyre relying on us  on you  to stand up for their safety and dignity.

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Passing this bill would be a testament to what we can achieve when we lead with empathy and courage, she said. The 118th Congress wraps up its legislative session this week before lawmakers leave for the holiday recess.

Signing her letter, With all my heart and urgency, Hilton told House members, Survivors like me have carried this fight for far too long. Now, I ask you to carry it across the finish line. Lets make this a moment that our country can be proud ofa moment when we chose to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Reality star Paris Hilton was back on Capitol Hill on Monday, meeting with representatives in hopes of passing a bill to reform residential treatment facilities for troubled teens.

Hilton, 43, has been in Washington, D.C., numerous times over the past three years to advance the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which passed the Senate unanimously last week. However, there is only one week left in the 118th Congress before it breaks for the holidays, and the bill still hasnt hit the House floor.

This journey isnt over. I cant celebrate until this bill becomes law, and now its up to the U.S. House of Representatives to finish what the Senate started, Hilton wrote in an open letter shared on Instagram.

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Hilton said she hopes the bill will pass the House and land on President Bidens desk before his term is over. She has spoken for years about suffering abuse in various facilities for wayward teens.

The hotel heiress was first taken to a facility when she was 16 years old in a staged kidnapping. She eventually spent time in four programs, including the Provo Canyon School in Utah.

I was physically restrained, sexually abused, isolated, overmedicated and stripped of my dignity, she wrote Monday. I was told I didnt matter, that I was the problem, and that no one would believe me if I spoke up  not even my family.

One version of the Provo Canyon School announced a closure in 2020  prompting a celebration from Hilton and other former residents  but at least one troubled teen facility is still using the name.

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According to Hilton and her allies, various boarding schools, wilderness camps and behavior modification programs make disgruntled teenagers into a $23 billion industry with little federal oversight. The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act would create guardrails for such programs, according to its advocates.

The House of Representatives has to pass this bill in the next week before the end of this years session, or else the bill will die, Hilton told ABC News on Monday. We would have to do it all over again.
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) and the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) have agreed to form a minority government in the eastern state of Saxony, after a majority of both parties' lawmakers approved a coalition agreement on Monday.

It comes after state elections in September, which saw the conservative CDU clinging on to first place with 31.9% of the vote, just ahead of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 30.6%.

Lengthy coalition talks ensued, with the CDU also considering a three-party alliance with the SPD and the upstart populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).

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However, those negotiations failed in the exploratory phase.

As the CDU and SPD are 10 seats short of a majority in the state parliament, the new coalition has announced plans for a so-called consultation mechanism to involve other parliamentary groups more strongly at the early stages of legislative proposals.

"The SPD in Saxony has clearly committed itself to taking responsibility, especially in this difficult situation, and has actively ensured that the coalition agreement provides a good basis for creating a government in Saxony that is capable of acting," said the party's top candidate Petra Kopping.

"We are aware that these will not be easy years," she added. "Nevertheless, I am confident that by pursuing this approach we will be able to establish a new political culture of participation involving all democratic forces and achieve good results for the people of Saxony."

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Parliament is scheduled to elect a new state premier on Wednesday, with the incumbent, Michael Kretschmer from the CDU, facing off against the AfD's Jorg Urban and Matthias Berger from the conservative Free Voters.

Berger has said he would establish a government of experts if elected.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday lost a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, or lower house.

The move paves the way for new elections expected to be held in February, but a number of formal steps must yet take place before the country can head to the polls.

So what happens next?

What does Scholz do now?

Under German electoral law, Scholz will now ask German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag.

What is the role of the German president?

Steinmeier has three weeks to decide whether to follow Scholz's recommendation and call new elections.

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The president has already indicated he will follow through on the request, and has described the February 23 date - agreed by Scholz's Social Democrats, the Greens and the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) last month - as realistic.

Steinmeier must make his decision by January 6 at the latest, and the vote must take place within 60 days.

Can the Bundestag still sit during the election campaign?

Yes. The Bundestag can still come together and vote on bills, which must be approved by the Bundesrat - the country's upper house - before becoming law.

Scholz has pushed for a number of key reforms, including financial support for low-income families and an extension to the Deutschlandticket public transport subsidy, to be passed before the new election.

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However, since the collapse of his three-party coalition in November, the chancellor is reliant on support in the Bundestag from either the opposition CDU/CSU bloc or the Free Democrats (FDP), his former coalition partner.

Who is favoured to win the German election?

Scholz's popularity ratings have plummeted during his time in office, as has his party's performance in the polls.

The SPD is currently at around 17% in the latest electoral surveys, well under the 32% achieved by the CDU and its sister party in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

The CDU/CSU alliance is led by Friedrich Merz, the overwhelming favourite to become Germany's next chancellor.

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However, he faces competition for votes from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is currently second in the polls on around 19%.

The Greens have put forward Economy Minister Robert Habeck as their candidate for chancellor, but the party is very unlikely to finish first as it is currently polling at around 12%.
RIYADH, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Adopting 39 decisions to pool global efforts, the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has drawn a vital blueprint for fighting desertification across the world.

After two weeks of intense discussions in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, the parties inked historic agreements, ushering in a new chapter of global anti-desertification.

According to the UNCCD, COP16 is the "largest, most inclusive, and most complex" one in the conference's 30-year history, with nearly 200 countries and over 20,000 participants in attendance. The conference concluded with a broad consensus on prioritizing land restoration and drought resilience in national policies, expanding international cooperation, and recognizing these as essential strategies for food security and climate adaptation.

KEY PROGRESS

Land restoration and drought resilience were central themes of COP16. In his opening remarks on Dec. 2, Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, emphasized the urgent need for land restoration and immediate action against drought, a "silent killer" that could affect up to 7.5 billion people by 2050.

Among the key agreements was a procedural decision on drought. On the final day, the parties agreed to continue discussions to adopt a decision at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026. The creation of an Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought was also confirmed.

New pledges for large-scale land restoration and drought preparedness were made, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which raised 12.15 billion U.S. dollars to support 80 of the world's most vulnerable countries in enhancing their drought resilience. Additionally, COP16 launched the International Drought Resilience Observatory, the prototype for the first AI-driven global platform designed to help countries assess and improve their ability to cope with increasing droughts.

Thiaw expressed optimism at the closing plenary, highlighting the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership as a landmark initiative in the fight against drought. He also pointed out the interconnectedness of land degradation with broader global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, forced migration, and global stability. "The solutions are within our grasp," he said.

Science played a crucial role in informing COP16's decisions. The UNCCD's Science-Policy Interface presented compelling evidence that three-quarters of the Earth's ice-free surface has become permanently drier in the past 30 years, with projections showing that 5 billion people could be living in drylands by 2100. This underscored the urgency of addressing land degradation.

Several key reports were released during the conference, including those on global aridity trends, land management transformation, drought mapping, and the economics of drought resilience, providing valuable science-based guidance for future decisions and policies.

CHINA'S CONTRIBUTION

China is faced with some of the world's most severe challenges in desertification, particularly in the northwestern, northern, and northeastern regions with vast drylands and deserts.

Since signing the convention 30 years ago, China has become the largest contributor to global greening and an international model for desertification control. Its pivotal role was also proved throughout the conference as a proactive partner of the UNCCD.

The Chinese delegation has been engaged in critical discussions, including the core budget of the convention, drought framework, and midterm evaluation, as well as the consultations of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention and the Committee on Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, by holding exhibitions, summits, ministerial dialogues, award presentations, and theme days at the China Pavilion during COP16, the country showcased its experiences and achievements to participants, to boost communication and further cooperation in addressing this global challenge.

"I was moved by the images of different generations of Chinese people fighting desertification and by China's leadership in this process," said UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza Murillo, commending the nation's long-term commitment and innovative approach to combating desertification.

Effective policies, community and local government involvement, as well as innovation and technology, are key components of China's success, she said.

Commending China's land control efforts as "integrated, strategic, and powerful," Barron Joseph Orr, chief scientist with the UNCCD, said after visiting the China Pavilion that China has been a "leader" in a holistic approach to resolving land degradation as "many countries are learning from China."

During his tour of the China Pavilion, Thiaw said China's desertification control efforts have presented a "concrete" solution to the world, showing "how much traditional knowledge is combined with new technologies, how much a long-term vision is combined with the need to have short-term solutions, how much business is associated with ecology, to create the positive movement that is needed to actually bring the land back to health," he said. 
CENTERVILLE, La. (KLFY)  A Patterson woman has been arrested and is accused of stealing from the St. Mary Parish school board, authorities said.

Dinah Dru Richard, 31, of Patterson, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with forgery, theft over $5,000 and malfeasance in office.

St. Mary Parish Sheriffs Office detectives were dispatched Dec. 11 to a theft complaint at the St. Mary Parish School Board Office in Centerville.

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Detectives said the school board credit card had been used for personal use by a school board employee, and found evidence to suggest that a forgery had been committed in order to sign off on the purchases.

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After being questioned, Richard was arrested and to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond details were not released.

The investigation is ongoing, officials said.

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Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, speaking to Slovakia's public broadcaster STVR on Dec. 15, argued that achieving peace in Ukraine would likely require accepting partial territorial losses and called for the immediate start of peace negotiations.

"When it comes to peace, I believe that realism must be maintained. Today, probably no sensible person in Europe believes that peace can be achieved without some partial territorial losses for Ukraine," Pellegrini said.

Pellegrini's comments come ahead of the January inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump who has vowed to get Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table for peace talks.

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Pellegrini has also previously indicated his objection to immediately providing Ukraine with an invite to the NATO military alliance, stating that immediate accession was "not realistic" during wartime.

Pellegrini is an ally of Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has been a vocal critic of military aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

On Dec. 2, the Russian-friendly, populist prime minister criticized the EUs new leadership over their supporting words for Ukraine, saying that the made by EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas and new president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, "did not correspond to the conclusions of the European Union."

Fico halted military aid to Ukraine from the Slovak Armed Forces' stocks after taking office in September 2023 in a stark foreign policy reversal. He recently announced he had accepted the Kremlin's invitation to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow next May.

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EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced temporary restrictions to the speed limit on several roads in Pennsylvania.

PennDOT is urging drivers to avoid unnecessary travel, but if they must head out, theyll see speeds reduced to 45 miles per hour on the following highways:

Interstate 80 between Exit 101 (Dubois / Penfield / Route 255) in Clearfield County and Exit 210A (Route 15 / Lewisburg) in Union County

Interstate 80 between mile marker 194 (Clinton / Union County line) and mile marker 247 (Columbia / Luzerne County line).

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On highways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not impacted by the restrictions on the listed roads and other areas must move to the right lane.

In addition to speed restrictions, PennDOT also says commercial trucks and large trucks should avoid traveling on Route 54 between Route 487 in Ralpho Township and Route 61 in Mount Carmel Township in Northumberland County due to the severity of the winter storm.

NWS issues winter advisory, rain, sleet, snow expected to fall

While PennDOT crews have been working to treat the roadways, their priority is to keep the roads passable, not completely free of snow and ice.

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PennDOT asks drivers to give plow trucks plenty of space when traveling and should never try to pass a truck while its spreading winter materials or plowing.

Authorities advise drivers to prepare an emergency kit for their vehicles which should include the following:

Non-perishable food

Water

Blanket

Small shovel

Warm clothes

When assembling an emergency kit, travelers should also include items for special needs of passengers, such as baby food, pet supplies, or medications.

To get the latest on speed limit restrictions, road conditions, and closures on 511PA.com.

You can also stay up to date on the latest weather alerts, use the Eyewitness Interactive Radar.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
(WTAJ)  Somerset County residents will have the opportunity to review and provide input on plans for the replacement of the Rockingham Bridge during a public meeting hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on Dec. 16.

The Rockingham Bridge, which carries T-712 (Whispering Pines Road) over Dark Shade Creek, is set to be replaced as part of a PennDOT initiative to improve infrastructure in the region. The meeting will feature a detailed plans display and offer attendees a chance to ask questions or share feedback with PennDOTs design team.

Kelly Jones, project manager with EADS, will be joined by PennDOT District 9 officials to guide the discussion.

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Red Cross urges blood donations during holiday season

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Shade Township Municipal Building, located at 1221 Number One Road, Cairnbrook. Media representatives planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP by contacting Monica Owens at moowens@pa.gov.

Public input is a key component of the projects development process, ensuring that residents concerns and insights are considered as plans progress.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters.

For further details about the meeting or the project, residents can contact PennDOT at (814) 696-7101 or visit 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder has confirmed that North Korean troops have engaged in combat on Russias side for the first time in Kursk Oblast, where, US assessments indicate, they suffered losses.

Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters

Details: Ryder confirmed during a briefing that US intelligence indicates that North Korean soldiers took part in last weeks fighting in Kursk Oblast.

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Quote: "We do have indications that they have suffered casualties, both killed and wounded."

Ryder said he had no further details.

Background:

Yesterday Ukrainian forces released photos and videos of dead Russian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast following recent assaults.

Ukraines Defence Intelligence has estimated that North Korean units lost at least 30 soldiers, either killed or wounded.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their cooperation since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The two nations have signed an agreement under which each side undertakes to provide immediate military assistance to the other in the event of armed aggression against one of them.

Confirmed reports have indicated that North Korea has supplied artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia.

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Lindsey Graham told Meet the Press that Donald Trumps defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, plans on releasing the woman who accused him of sexual assault from her nondisclosure agreement, essentially forcing her to choose between saying nothing or going public with her story and subjecting herself to vile partisan attacks.

He told me he would release her from that agreement, Graham said. I would want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody.

If people have an allegation to make, come forward and make it, the South Carolina senator added. Well decide whether or not its credible. Right now [Hegseth is] being tried by anonymous sources. That will not stand.

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Despite Grahams objections to anonymous allegations, the woman in question filed a police report against Hegseth, accusing him of sexual assault in 2017. The police report noted that she had bruises on her thigh. The defense secretary nominee and former Fox & Friends host later paid the woman an undisclosed sum.

Trump and Senate Republicans have done a 180 on Hegseth, from calling his allegations very disturbing to now being in a good place with Pete, as Graham said. Hegseth has been accused of sexual harassment, financial mismanagement of two different veterans groups, and workplace misconduct including intoxication and sexist behavior. Now the GOP is rallying around him in the same way they rallied around Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 nomination hearings. And as with Kavanaugh, they seem very prepared to make his alleged victims life hell.

All of these are anonymous allegations. Hes given me his side of the story. It makes sense to me, I believe him. Unless somebodys willing to come forward I think hes gonna get through, Graham continued. Remember Kavanaugh?  Were not gonna let that happen to Pete.
ST. PETERSBURG  Classes returned Monday to a building at Pasadena Fundamental Elementary School that had been evacuated amid fears of air quality problems following a teachers death related to Legionnaires disease.

Officials said that independent air quality tests from the school showed very low levels of mold and spores affecting Building 4 at the school. The analysis by Air Quality Environmental showed a spore count of 135 per cubic meter, compared to the outdoor count of 2,565 per cubic meter.

99% of the time air quality is dirtier outside (the schools) than inside, assistant superintendent Clint Herbic told the Pinellas County school board at a Dec. 10 workshop.

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The report indicated that high levels of spores are considered to be more than 70,000 per cubic meter.

A separate water quality analysis from Pace Analytical Services showed that the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease was not detected in the water supply serving Pasadena Fundamental Building 4.

Based on these results, building 4 is now clear for staff and students to begin to return to that part of the campus, the district said in a released statement.

District and school board officials received several questions and complaints about the situation after learning that teacher Katherine Pennington had died over the Thanksgiving break. Some social media groups heated up with chatter about concerns of mold and other related problems at different schools as the story circulated.

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Board vice chairperson Caprice Edmond asked pointed questions of staff at the Dec. 10 workshop related to what the district is doing to ensure safe environmental conditions in the schools.

Herbic said the district began conducting annual water quality tests at schools in 2016, when fears about lead in the water supply in Flint, Mich., were raging.

He said the district found about 20 schools had concerning readings, and so it increased the tests there to four times a year. It also began a project to insulate the pipes at those campuses with PVC, to prevent any lead leaching into the water.

That initiative is set to be complete in February, Herbic said.

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We will continue to test even after February, he added.

Regarding air quality questions, Herbic said the district accepts questions and concerns regularly and sends out a team for indoor and outdoor air testing within 48 hours of receiving the form or call.

The results generally show that indoor air quality is better than outdoor, he said.

Additionally, he said, the district cycles fresh air through all classrooms at least six times an hour, which is slightly above industry standards. That includes during the weekends when air cooling is turned off. The district also still uses higher quality air filters that it put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Were very confident that the air we have is clean, Herbic said. Its in good shape.

Edmond said she was pleased to hear the steps the district has taken. She also called for the administration to review its procedures and policies to ensure they are updated and followed.
PLAINVILLE, Mass. (WWLP)  One man is dead following a house fire in Plainville Friday afternoon.

Fire destroys over a dozen Connecticut businesses

The Plainville Fire Department states that crews were called to 61 School Street for a reported house fire at approximately 3:08 p.m. Firefighters arrived within minutes and found a heavy fire in the single-family, ranch-style home.

When firefighters entered the home, they found the sole occupant of the home, 68-year-old Mark Beyersdorfer, who was unable to escape the fire and died due to his injuries. There were no other injuries reported.

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The fire was put out and a preliminary investigation indicates the fire was accidental. The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the Plainville Fire Department, Plainville Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshals Office, and the Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office.

Crews from North Attleborough, Foxborough, Mansfield, Bellingham, Norfolk, Wrentham, Franklin, and Cumberland, Rhode Island were sent to assist in putting out the fire.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
A group of descendants of Hong Kong wartime veterans visited the old site of the fish market in Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, south China, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

HONG KONG, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- One early winter morning, 78-year-old Chen Kaixin stood among a crowd of tourists at the pier in Cheung Chau. "Look at how popular Cheung Chau is! Its other side should be known to more people," Chen said, unable to hide her excitement.

Hong Kong's Cheung Chau is a popular tourist destination famous for its traditional Bun Festival. It takes less than an hour by ferry from the bustling Central to reach the outlying island. However, the other side of its story remains little known.

Chen Kaixin was determined to uncover the story of her hometown Cheung Chau, also a place where her father Chen Liangming had fought.

Over 80 years ago, this dumbbell-shaped island of less than 3 square kilometers played a vital role in a silent yet thrilling mission.

At the end of 1941, Japanese invaders brought the war to Hong Kong. Hundreds of cultural elites and democrats who had taken refuge in Hong Kong were in a perilous situation.

Under the guidance of the Southern Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the predecessor of the East River Column, the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Force, launched a secret rescue operation that lasted over 200 days. In the end, more than 800 people left Hong Kong under escort, many of whom later became the backbone of the construction of New China.

During the operation, considering the numerous land checkpoints and arduous journey, some influential figures who were easily recognizable and key protection targets who were elderly and infirm were arranged to leave by sea. Cheung Chau served as a crucial transit point along the way.

Years earlier, the Communist Party of China had set up a branch in Cheung Chau. At that time, the small island with only a few thousand permanent residents had a dozen party members who frequently organized various activities.

"The Communist Party of China has been working here for many years, providing a solid organizational foundation for the rescue operation," Wang Yuzhen, a descendant of an East River Column veteran and Hong Kong's wartime history researcher, said.

This is a file photo of Chen Liangming. (Xinhua)

Chen Liangming was a native of Cheung Chau. During his studies in Shunde, a city in south China's Guangdong Province, he was influenced by progressive ideas. Upon returning to his hometown, he joined the revolution and became a member of the Communist Party of China.

With the efforts of Chen Liangming and others, various local forces were mobilized to support the large-scale rescue operation, and dozens of cultural elites and democrats successfully escaped via Cheung Chau.

As Chen Liangming's daughter, Chen Kaixin also has a revolutionary spirit deeply ingrained in her.

"People of the older generation were passing away one after another, and as children, we are getting old, but the Hong Kong story they have passed down to us must continue," she said. "This is a rescue mission, and time waits for no one!"

Chen and her sisters, together with Wang and several descendants of Hong Kong wartime veterans, reached out to relevant organizations and groups and formed a team of over a dozen people. They hoped to combine first-hand materials left by the elderly people and dig out a more comprehensive and rich historical memory.

In a book about the rescue operation published by the People's Liberation Army Press in 1999, two landing points in Cheung Chau were mentioned in different chapters, which were a joss stick factory and a fish market. These locations were corroborated by multiple other sources.

In April this year, under the guidance of members of the Islands District Council and the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, they visited several elderly people who were familiar with the situation.

"We warmly welcome their arrival," Ng Man-kit, chairman of the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, said, adding that Cheung Chau people should learn about the contributions made by their forebears in saving the country and feel proud of their hometown.

A group of descendants of Hong Kong wartime veterans visited the old site of a joss stick factory in Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, south China, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

While collecting oral histories, members of the team also consulted the Hong Kong Public Records Building and the Lands Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government multiple times, reviewing mapping data and photos of Cheung Chau from past years. They also extensively searched online databases both domestically and internationally.

Lai Sze Nga, the granddaughter of a veteran of the East River Column, was the youngest member of the team, and she took on most of the online work.

"Grandpa has passed away, and this is the best way for me to remember him. When I searched for information, I always felt a little closer to him," Lai said.

"I also want more young people to know about these things and understand that Hong Kong people have always had a tradition of loving the country and Hong Kong," she stressed.

After months of tireless effort, the team compiled a thick report, preliminarily identifying the old sites of the joss stick factory and the fish market, and found the descendants of two families.

The team also identified other revolutionary landmarks on the island, including a school, now the Cheung Chau Government Secondary School, where soldiers were briefly stationed after the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

This report has been highly valued by various sectors in Hong Kong. The research team at the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute is planning publications based on this material. Hong Kong's New Territories Association of Societies is hoping to establish revolutionary memorial facilities in the outlying island regions.

Recently, Chen often returned to her hometown, coordinating follow-up work with various parties. Like many others, she hoped that the wartime footprints of her predecessors would be seen by more people.
Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr., one of the most influential Black authors of the 20th century, will soon be buried in Cincinnati.

A public graveside burial service for Giovanni, an internationally recognized poet and provocateur, will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, according to a press release on behalf of her family.

The prolific writer, activist and educator died Monday, Dec. 9 in Blacksburg, Virginia at the age of 81 of complications from lung cancer. She is survived by her wife, fellow writer and professor Virginia "Ginney" Fowler; her son, Thomas Giovanni; her granddaughter, Kai Giovanni; two cousins, Haynes Ford and Allison "Pat" Ragan; and her nephew, Christopher Black.

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We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin, Ragan said in the release.

Who is Nikki Giovanni?

According to USA TODAY, Giovanni is one of the world's most famed African American poets who gained notoriety in the late 1960s as part of the Black Arts Movement. Giovanni wrote more than two dozen bestselling poetry collections and children's books during her lifetime, including the 1968 poetry book "Black Judgment" and the 1983 poetry book "Those Who Ride the Night Winds."

Where is Nikki Giovanni from?

Headshot of American poet Yolanda Cornelia 'Nikki' Giovanni, circa 1968. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images)

Giovanni was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, to her parents, Yolande Cornelia Sr. and Jones "Gus" Giovanni on June 7, 1943. Soon after her birth, Giovanni's family moved to Cincinnati. The family reportedly lived in an apartment unit at 1038 Burns Ave. in Wyoming.

She attended Oak Avenue School, a school for Black students that operated from the 1880s until integration in 1956. She also worked at the school washing dishes for quarters at a time.

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When the family had enough money to buy a home, they settled in Lincoln Heights, where Giovanni attended St. Simon School, an all-Black Episcopal school.

"I know I was born in Knoxville, but I grew up in Cincinnati," she said in a 2013 speech before a gathering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. "I am a Cincinnatian."

Giovanni left Cincinnati to live with her grandmother in Knoxville after her freshman year of high school, then left school again to attend Nashville's Fisk University, her grandfather's alma mater.

However, she was reportedly expelled within her first year for leaving for Thanksgiving break without permission, though Giovanni said it had more to do with her dressing down the dean for rules she considered too restrictive.

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She then returned to the Queen City and attended the University of Cincinnati while working at a drugstore until she returned to Fisk in 1964 on better terms, helping to re-establish the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

Within a few years, she would reluctantly be dubbed by literary critics "the princess of Black poetry."

"I never thought about not being successful," she told The Enquirer in 1972. That year, she sold out Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, reading poems alongside gospel music performed by the New York Community Choir to a crowd of more than 1,000.

Her work, which touched on civil rights, the Black Power Movement, hip hop and more, also earned her several awards and accolades such as the Langston Hughes Medal, seven NAACP awards, an Emmy Award, 31 honorary doctorates and a Grammy Award nomination. She also served as the Taft Museum of Art's first Duncanson Artist-in-Residence.

What is Spring Grove Cemetery?

Spring Grove Cemetery in Spring Grove Village is one of the most historic cemeteries in the United States.

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The National Historic Landmark has been around since 1845 and is where many prominent people throughout local and national history are buried, including Dr. Henry Heimlich, who is credited with inventing the Heimlich maneuver; Bernard Kroger Sr., founder of national grocery chain Kroger; James Gamble and William Procter, Procter & Gamble co-founders and Salmon P. Chase, sixth chief justice of the United States and former Ohio governor and representative.

Allie Clouse from The Knoxville News Sentinel contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Poet Nikki Giovanni to be buried in Cincinnati on Thursday
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Metro police are investigating a report of a gunshot near Boca Park in the west Las Vegas valley.

On Sunday around 2 p.m., police responded to reports of a gunshot in the 8700 block of Charleston Boulevard near Fort Apache Road, police said.

When officers arrived, they found the victim who said the gunshot stemmed from an argument in the parking lot. No one was injured as a result of the shooting, according to Metro police.

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Police said that there were no business or road closures as a result of the incident.

This is an ongoing investigation, stay with 8 News Now for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The Ormond Beach Police Department arrested New Smyrna Beach High School nurse Joshua Leggett Sunday.

Leggett was arrested on charges of traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and offense against students by an authority figure.

Volusia County Public Schools released a statement with Leggetts arrest:

Our staff is working with law enforcement to ensure their investigation can move forward appropriately, said Sarah Lux, Spokesperson for Volusia County Schools. The individual has been placed on leave and will have no interaction with students moving forward. Further action will be determined based on the findings of the investigation.

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Read: Police are on the look out for a missing endangered child out of Tavares

New Smyrna Beach Police are actively have their own investigation to see if any crimes were committed in their jurisdiction.

Stay with Channel 9 for the latest.

Read: Fatal DUI accident on OBT leaves one dead

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




*Editors note*  This story has been updated to correct the number of people who died in the shooting. Police erroneously shared that five people died

MONDAY, 12/16/2024 9:15 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Law enforcement in Madison has identified the suspected shooter who killed two people at the Abundant Life Christian School.

According to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, theyve identified the shooter as Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha. Barnes stated that she was pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital.

Police said the next public news conference about the shooting will be held on Tuesday at 1 p.m. CST.

MONDAY, 12/16/2024 2:50 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Nearly four hours after a reported school shooting in southern Wisconsin, officials provided another updated on the situation.

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According to authorities, there are three people dead from the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. A teacher and student were among the victims who died.

During the press conference, police announced that six others were injured and two of them are critical and considered life-threatening.

Man and ex-wife found dead with brutal stab wounds after suspected altercation in Wisconsin

The shooter was only identified as a teenager who attended the school. Officials said they were not identifying the shooter at this time.

Authorities did not know the motive of the shooting at this time. However, it was mentioned that detectives are working on finding out any information.

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The school building was cleared and police did say that there was no threat to the community at this time.

No additional information was provided. Local 5 will continue to update this story as more details are released.

UPDATE: Police say at least three dead in Wisconsin school shooting, suspected shooter was a juvenile

MONDAY, 12/16/2024 12:41 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southern Wisconsin provided more information regarding the deadly school shooting.

The Madison Police Department held a press conference regarding the reported shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. Police Chief Shon Barnes answered questions regarding the incident.

As of this time, three people are dead from the shooting. It was mentioned that the suspected shooter was a student at the school.

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Green Bay Police Department identifies three persons of interest in shooting threats at East and West High

Chief Barnes confirmed that the suspected shooter was among the three dead. The suspected shooter reportedly was found dead inside the building.

The injuries range from minor to life-threatening for those who were injured.

No additional information was provided.

ORIGINAL: Police: Multiple injured after school shooting in Wisconsin, people asked to avoid the area

MONDAY, 12/16/2024, 11:49 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southern Wisconsin say that multiple people are injured after a shooting incident at a school.

According to the Madison Police Department, on December 16 around 10:57 a.m., there was a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

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Authorities say that multiple injuries are reported and the investigation is active and ongoing. People are asked to avoid the area.

Green Bay Police Department investigating threat of potential school shootings at East and West High

The release mentions that roads will be blocked off along 4900 Buckeye Road. Drivers and community members are asked to find different routes of travel.

According to its website, the school has about 390 students from kindergarten through high school.

No additional details were provided. Local 5 will update this story as more information is released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Dec. 15The Ligonier Police Department is seeking the public's assistance regarding a Thursday robbery downtown.

Police were called to a robbery at Ligonier Liquor Store, 100 S. Cavin St., Ligonier, at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Suspects had already fled the scene upon police arrival but they were able to locate the possible vehicle as described by witnesses and conducted a traffic stop on it moments later.

Three suspects were in custody by 8:44 p.m.

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During the investigation, Ligonier police located several thousand dollars of stolen merchandise in the vehicle matching items from several other retail robberies in surrounding communities.

Police are seeking additional information on the possible theft ring and state they will work with other law enforcement agencies collectively.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ligonier Police Department at 260-894-4111.

Elkhart man crashes into tree

An Elkhart man was hospitalized after his vehicle crashed into a tree Saturday morning.

Elkhart County deputies reported that at 10:46 a.m., Christopher Ott, 47, of Elkhart, was traveling west on C.R. 42 approaching the C.R. 27 intersection when his 2018 Ford Expedition went left off the roadway at C.R. 42 and swerved back, left the other end, drove across a yard in the 17000 block of C.R. 42 before crashing into a tree and coming to a complete stop.

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Ott and his passenger were transported to Goshen Hospital for head, neck, and other injuries. The passenger had to be removed from the vehicle.

Crash sends one to hospital

Goshen police responded to a crash at 1:26 p.m. Thursday that sent one person to the hospital.

According to Goshen police, Paul Vellner, 47, of South Bend, was traveling straight on U.S. 33 passing through the intersection at Meijer Drive in a 2018 Freightliner Cascadia owned by Lippert. He was following Nathaniel Robinson, 36, of Elkhart, in a 2017 Ford F-150, when the light turned yellow and Vellner said the Robinson slammed his breaks, police reported. The Freightliner crashed into the truck.

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Robinson said he did not stop suddenly, but the light turned yellow and he did stop, the police report reads.

A passenger in Robinson's vehicle, Robin Smith, 57, of Elkhart, was hospitalized for pain.

ARRESTS

A 14-year-old at Goshen High School, 401 Lincolnway East, was processed and released at the Elkhart County Juvenile Detention Center at 2 p.m. Friday after he was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana. The teen was to be released to the custody of his parents.

A 39-year-old man was arrested and jailed by Goshen police at 12:23 a.m. Saturday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and never obtaining a license after he was stopped for a moving violation near Elkhart Road and Rieth Boulevard.

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A 27-year-old man was arrested and jailed by Elkhart County deputies at 11:51 p.m. Thursday on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangerment after he was involved in a crash near U.S. 33 and C.R. 50.

HIT-AND-RUN

A 27-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies at 11:16 a.m. Thursday a hit-and-run occurred at his house in the 22000 block of Ind. 120. A 45-year-old woman was cited and released.

OFFICERS REPORT

Goshen police were informed of narcotics found by a staff member at Oaklawn at 8:16 a.m. Friday.

The Crossing, 1824 Reliance Road, reported to Goshen police at 4:09 p.m. Friday finding marijuana.

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CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Goshen police were called to Chase Bank parking lot, 401 S. Main St., at 2:05 p.m. Thursday where a 61-year-old man reported that someone keyed his vehicle after a road rage incident.

THEFT

A 28-year-old woman reported to Goshen police at 3:55 a.m. Saturday her phone was stolen while she was at El Imperial Bar, 113 S. Main St.

A 51-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that between 12:07 and 3 p.m. Thursday, someone she knew stole a FedEx package and delivered it to the incorrect address in the 14000 block of U.S. 20 in Middlebury.

Goshen police were notified at 4:35 p.m. Thursday of a possible theft of medication at Majestic Healthcare, 2400 College Ave.

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FRAUD

Goshen police were notified at 9:09 a.m. Friday of a possible fraud in the 800 block of Logan Street.

A 33-year-old man reported to Goshen police at 2:52 p.m. Friday identity deception in the 1900 block of Lighthouse Lane.

An 82-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies at 3 p.m. Thursday that someone impersonated Apple Support and stole $10,000.

A 28-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that between Dec. 6 and Thursday fraud was committed.

Service Printers Inc., 28574 Phillips St., Elkhart, reported to Elkhart County deputies that between Nov. 29 and Thursday someone altered their check for a vendor and cashed it.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) The holiday season can be a happy time of year, but for others, the holiday season can make a challenging year even more so.

For Chandra Wright, the daughter of late Olney K9 officer Miranda Wright, its been one of those difficult years. But Olney Police Department and two non-profits wanted to lend a hand to her and her guardian, Chasidy McCullough, this holiday season.

Local ministry holds 4th annual Texoma Community Gratitude celebration

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Its been a rough year, McCullough said. Just getting used to changing schools, changing environments, just her getting used to being a 14-year-old in high school, and losing her mom, completely going from Texas to Oklahoma and just Its definitely a blessing for sure.

Chandra was nominated for the shopping spree thanks to the efforts of James Carpenter, who got the attention of the police charity LEO Only. Wounded Blue also pitched in for the shopping spree, along with several local officers.

They did a great job just coming in, just supporting her and just letting her know that, you know, as officers, we may wear a different uniform, but were all a family, and were here to take care of her, Carpenter said.

Wrights shopping spree was spent accounting for items she needs while she adjusts to her new life in Grandfield, OK. It also helped her realize she has an army of support behind her moms former co-workers.

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Its just kind of different because theyre not exactly there, but theyre there like theyre just in a different town, in a different state, but theyre still able to be contacted, Wright said.

As she adjusts to living without her mom, Chief Dan Birbeck and Olney PD are having to adjust as well.

I dont think there was anybody in Olney that didnt know Officer Wright, Birbeck said. And it left a big gap in our department when she passed, and its still pretty recent. Were still trying to find a new normal without her.

After feeling the support of police departments around Texoma, Wright will hopefully enter the next steps in her life with an army of support behind her.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
(FOX40.COM)  Emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing at an elementary school in Sacramento around noon.

According to the Sacramento Police Department, an officer found one victim with at least one stab wound at Bret Harte Elementary School.

Modesto Police to crack down on drivers using cell phones

Officials said the victim sustained nonlife-threatening injuries and has been transported to a local hospital for their injuries.

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Brain Heap, a spokesperson with Sacramento Unified School District, said the incident occurred in a split classroom with about 20-30 students, half of whom were 5th graders and the other half 6th graders.

Heap told FOX40 that the student used a kitchen knife to stab another student in the back of their shoulder.

According to a spokesperson from Sacramento City Unified School District the following message went out to the families of all students.

We want to make you aware of an urgent safety situation at Bret Harte today. A student attacked another student in the classroom. The parents of the students involved are aware and all other students are safe. Law enforcement is at the scene. We will keep you updated on the situation.

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Police said the suspect remained at the scene.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens (PIX11)  Police are searching for the driver who struck and injured multiple people crossing an intersection in Jackson Heights early Sunday morning.

Its pretty scary, said Silvy, an area resident.

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According to authorities, this was not a police chase, and the suspect was driving out of control and at a high-speed rate after evading a traffic stop nearby.

Security cameras captured when the driver of a white BMW plowed into a group of pedestrians at the intersection of Northern Boulevard and 80th Street.

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People rushed to aid those who were hit. Police say a 23-year-old male and a 28-year-old female were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition.

Certainly, glad it didnt happen during the daytime, I hope those two people in the hospital recover quickly, stated Maria Grieco who has lived in this section of Jackson Heights for decades.

Womans body found floating in water at Queens Park: Police

The driver and a passenger quickly got out of the vehicle and ran away. According to authorities, the passenger was taken into custody but the driver remains at large.

Have some respect, it is basic human dignity, stop and take responsibility. Check to see if they are ok. Whats happening to people? said Carlos.

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The car came to a stop after slamming into an FDNY 911 call box.

If that hadnt been there, it would have been a disaster for the restaurant, we would have to close today and who knows how much longer. Especially now in the busy season, stated Dudley Stewart, one of the owners of The Queensboro restaurant located right on this corner.

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A girl looks out from the window of a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has topped 45,000, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement.

There are still a number of victims under the rubble, and ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them, the health authorities noted.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that five people were killed and several others injured on Monday after Israeli warplanes bombed a house in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip.

Three more were killed and some others injured in the Israeli bombing of the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, it added.

The Israeli army has not commented on these incidents yet.

Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. 

People are seen inside a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A man collects items from the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People are seen inside a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People are seen on the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People are seen inside a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 16, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 52 people and wounded 203 others, bringing the total death toll to 45,028 and injuries to 106,962 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, according to the statement. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A 14-year-old Ohio boy was seriously injured after a police officer shot him during a car break-ins investigation in Cleveland.

Officers from the Cleveland Police third district vice unit were investigating a series of more than 30 "fresh" car break-ins that took place in the city's Midtown neighborhood on the night of Friday, Dec. 13, when they saw a car with three passengers sitting in the driveway of a vacant home on East 146th Street at around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday morning, according to a press release from thee Cleveland Division of Police.

Police said they tried to make contact with the three people, but they got into the car and drove away, cutting through an empty yard. Police tried to stop the car, they said, but the driver headed west down the city's St. Clair Avenue.

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Around 3:20 a.m. on Saturday morning, investigators, still patrolling East 146th Street, said that they saw the car, later identified as a stolen Kia Sportage, come back down the street and pull out of the same driveway.

Police said that they approached the Kia at around 4 a.m. and they found the 14-year-old boy  whose name has not been made public  sleeping in the driver's seat. Officers alleged that he woke up as they approached the car and put it into drive, hitting a police car in the process.

google maps A view of the 800 block of East 146th Street in Cleveland, Ohio A view of the 800 block of East 146th Street in Cleveland, Ohio

Police then claim the boy put the car into reverse, hitting a garage, before driving toward the officers. An officer  whose name has also not been made public  fired at the boy, hitting him one time in the right shoulder.

Police next took the teen out of the car and rendered first aid, before EMS took him to UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, WOIO reported. He has since been discharged from the hospital, per Cleveland.com.

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Cleveland police said that the 14-year-old and another teenager had been charged with another crime and were supposed to be on electronic monitors, but police said they had cut the electronic monitors off.

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Police also obtained video footage that showed one of the suspects had a gun. A firearm was also recovered from inside the Kia.

The shooting will be investigated by the police department's use-of-force team, and the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.

Read the original article on People
This week on Politics Now with Joshua Peguero:

-We did into President-elect Donald Trumps deportation plans. How Nevadas Governor plans to support them, and what one Nevada Senator is urging President Biden to do.

-The convicted HOA fraudster from southern Nevada who had his sentence commuted.

-The first democrat comes forward to say he plans to run for Governor.

-Huge lawsuit payouts by Metro Police and CCSD.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Pope Francis has said that Ukrainians and Russians are "cousins" who should reach an understanding.

Source: Pope Francis in a speech on the French island of Corsica on Sunday, as reported by Vatican News

Quote: "They are brothers, cousins. Let them come to an understanding! War is always a defeat. Peace to the whole world!"

Details: As the news portal notes, the Pope made this statement while offering his prayers to the Holy Mother of God for "the long-awaited peace for the Ukrainian people and the Russian people".

Background:

In March 2024, Pope Francis, speaking about Russia's war against Ukraine, said that Ukraine should have "the courage of the white flag" and be ready to negotiate. In a subsequent comment, a Vatican spokesperson noted that the Pope's statement was not a call for Ukraine's surrender. The Pope's words caused widespread reaction and many critical comments.

Subsequently, the Vatican, commenting on the Pope's words, acknowledged that the Kremlin should take the first steps to negotiate peace.

In April, the Pope called for world peace amid the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, saying that "a negotiated peace is better than an endless war".

The Pope condemned Ukraine's decision in August to ban the Russian church in the country.

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During Sunday prayer on Dec. 15, Pope Francis referred to Russia and Ukraine as "brothers," while reiterating calls for peace in Russias war against Ukraine.

"They are brothers, cousins. Let them come to an understanding. War is always a defeat. Peace to the whole world," the pope said during a visit to the French island of Corsica.

As a precursor to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has repeatedly framed its invasion as an effort to reunite the two nations as "one people," relying on numerous false historical claims. In the lead-up to the invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin invoked biblical imagery, describing the two countries as a "brotherhood" and comparing their relationship to that of Cain and Abel.

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The pope has earned a controversial reputation in Ukraine with his earlier remarks that relativized the responsibility of Russias war, encouraging Ukrainians to have the "courage" to negotiate for peace.

During his Sunday prayer on Dec. 8, Pope Francis called upon politicians and global leaders to bring about a ceasefire across the globe ahead of Christmas.

His words came as Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine is about to enter its third year, with 2024 marking the 10th anniversary of Russias illegal occupation of Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as the Crimean Peninsula.

In October, Pope Francis met President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican to exchange symbolic gifts. Zelensky received a bronze bas-relief with a flower and an inscription, "Peace is a fragile flower," while Pope Francis received a painting of the Bucha massacre.

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Chances that the Russian military would halt for Christmas appear slim as they gather speed in eastern Ukraine, ratcheting up their offensive operations before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January 2025.

Read also: Breakaway churches, spiritual awakenings, prayers in captivity. How war is changing Ukraines faith













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LOS ANGELES  Lawyers representing twin sisters who experienced cannabis-induced psychosis from Stiiizy products they started using when they were teens have filed suit against the brand, alleging they used deceptive marketing tactics to promote their high-potency products and have contributed to the uptick in cannabis-induced psychosis hospitalizations across the state.

The lawsuit against Stiiizy IP LLC, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, also claimed that they sold their potent THC vape pens and cartridges without adequate warning of the severe mental health risks associated with them, especially for young people.

One of the twin sisters mentioned in the suit  identified as Jane Doe 1  began using Stiiizy products as a freshman in high school, lawyers stated, after she was drawn to the companys brightly colored devices and frequent social media advertisements.

STIIIZY pod packaging. (Photo: AP/Business Wire)

After using these products, she quickly became addicted and started to experience extreme paranoia, delusions and attempted suicide twice in 2020  once by running into oncoming traffic and again by swallowing a bottle of Tylenol, lawyers said. Her mental health issues became so debilitating that she dropped out of school.

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Rappers Lamborghini bursts into flames after L.A. chase, crash

The other sister, Jane Doe 2, was exposed to Stiiizy ads on social media in middle school, and after exclusive use of the brands products, started experiencing paranoia, intrusive thoughts, depression and anxiety leading to self-harm behavior, according to the filing.

She continues to suffer from the trauma of her cannabis-induced psychosis, experiencing anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the suit alleges. Unable to complete high school, she has struggled to find employment due to her psychiatric injuries.

A general view of the atmosphere during the Stiiizy Retail launch event In Los Angeles at Hubble Studio on August 24, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Stiiizy)

The lawyers filing the suit have started the Cannabis Victims Law Center to help teens harmed by cannabis vaping get legal advice. According to the state hospital data analyzed by the group, hospital visits for cannabis-induced psychosis rose 54% from 2016 to 2019 as legal cannabis markets opened.

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CVLC offers free case evaluations for individuals who were impacted by underage use of cannabis vaping products. More information 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 KTLA.
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden was inducted Monday into the U.S. Department of Labor's Hall of Honor for his "tireless support of U.S. workers and labor unions."

"History will record Joe Biden as the most pro-worker, pro-union president this nation has had," Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said during the event honoring Biden, as she touted his more than 50 years of public service and contributions to improve working conditions and wages.

"Leadership matters. And President Biden demonstrated his commitment to working people daily by taking bold actions and daring to fight the big fights," Su added. "In the last four years, that has meant fighting to increase overtime pay, pushing for a national heat standard, protecting retirees' pensions and putting more than $1 billion in wages and damages into workers' pockets."

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Following his induction, Biden took the stage, where he thanked "all of the labor leaders here today."

"It's an incredible honor. I really mean that. I want to thank Acting Secretary Su and the Department of Labor for this incredible honor," Biden said.

President Joe Biden is greeted by Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su as he arrives at an event at the U.S. Department of Labor on Monday in Washington, DC., where he was inducted into the department's Hall of Honor for his "tireless support of U.S. workers and labor unions." Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

"You know I measure the importance of any award I ever receive on the character and consequence of the organization bestowing it. The Department of Labor is an organization of character and consequence," he added.

According to the Labor Department, Biden has created more than 16 million jobs in the United States and secured pensions for more than 1.2 million workers and retirees.

President Joe Biden arrives at an event at the U.S. Department of Labor on Monday in Washington, DC., to honor U.S. labor history, including Francis Perkins, the fourth Secretary of Labor. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

During Monday's ceremony, Biden also honored Francis Perkins, the fourth Secretary of Labor, and highlighted steps his administration has taken to strength America's workforce. He signed a declaration of new national monuments, designating the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle to honor the historic contributions of the first woman Cabinet secretary and the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of Labor appointed in 1933 by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

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"No one believes in worker power more than this president, which is why I am honored and delighted to honor his work within the walls of the Frances Perkins Building, adding his name to the Department of Labor's Hall of Honor," Su said. "No example says more about who President Biden is than the day he walked the picket line with striking autoworkers, becoming the first sitting president ever to do so."

President Joe Biden signs a declaration of new national monuments during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Labor on Monday in Washington, DC. Biden is honoring the nation's labor history, including Francis Perkins, the fourth Secretary of Labor, as he was inducted into the Labor Department's Hall of Honor. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

Today I was proud to welcome President Biden to the Department of Labor and induct him into the @USDOL's Hall of Honor! From his first day in office, @POTUS promised to lead the most pro-worker, pro-union administration in history. And he delivered. pic.twitter.com/yXB0j9j1W0 Acting Secretary Julie Su (@ActSecJulieSu) December 16, 2024

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Is the twice-annual time change most people love to hate on its last gasp?

Time will tell (pun intended), with President-elect Donald J. Trump now weighing in on the practice, joining Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who head Trump's newly created Department of Governmental Efficiency.

Florida has tried for years to make daylight saving time permanent, an action that requires congressional approval. The bill would need to be signed into law by the president.

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The alternative, making standard time permanent, can be done by a state without congressional approval.

When is daylight saving time 2025?

Daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

We'll lose an hour of sleep on March 9, 2025, when we set our clocks forward an hour at 2 a.m.

Daylight saving time will end 2 a.m. Nov. 2, 2025, when we turn our clocks back again.

President-elect Donald Trump: Daylight saving time 'inconvenient'

"The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldnt!" Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social.

"Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation."

Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy suggest stopping time changes

Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes! https://t.co/5ePhgzYLsF  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024

In a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, both Musk and Ramaswamy have called for the U.S. to stop changing its clocks twice a year.

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Musk said Americans want to abolish the annoying time changes! and Ramaswamy said time changes are inefficient and easy to change.

Trump has charged the two with cutting federal spending and eliminating waste in the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, which has been abbreviated as DOGE.

Florida has tried for years to make daylight saving time permanent

Florida has tried for years to get Congress to approve the Sunshine Protection Act, which would allow the state to stay on daylight saving time all year.

The bills have never been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives or signed into law by the president.

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In 2018, while governor of Florida, Sen. Rick Scott signed legislation that would exempt Florida from time changes, keeping the state on daylight saving time all year. Florida was the first state to enact legislation to permanently observe daylight saving time.

The bill was first introduced in 2018 by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida and Rep. Vern Buchanan, Florida-District 16, for the 115th Congress. It's been introduced in every Congress since then to change the "outdated tradition" of changing clocks back and forth, Rubio said in a November news release.

2018: 115th Congress

2019: 116th Congress

2021: 117th Congress

2023: 118th Congress

Read HB 1013, Florida's Daylight Saving Time bill

The Florida Legislature approved HB 1013 on Daylight Saving Time. It was approved by the Florida House with a vote of 103 to 11 and by the Florida Senate with a vote of 33 to 2.

What states don't observe daylight saving time?

Hawaii and most of Arizona (except the Navajo Reservation) do not recognize daylight saving time. They remain on standard time all year.

Can a state stay on daylight saving time all year?

Yes, but Congress needs to approve it.

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A state on daylight saving time, which is every state except for Hawaii and most of Arizona, is required by law to follow the dates set by U.S. Code 15 USC 260a, which establishes daylight saving time from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

"In order for a state to stay on DST year-round, Congress would need to approve an amendment to the Uniform Time Act," the DOT said in an email.

Some states want to stay on standard time all year

While Florida isn't one of them, some states want to permanently stay on standard time.

This doesn't require congressional approval and can be done by state law, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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"The state would just need to let DOT  and the rest of the world  know that they no longer observe DST, if that is the decision."

What's the difference between making daylight saving time permanent or making standard time permanent?

State preferences when it comes to time changes.

Daylight saving time would mean later sunrises and sunsets, which means more time for outdoor activities after work or in the evenings.

Standard time would mean earlier sunrises and sunsets, which some argue increase safety in the mornings for school children and is more in line with our biological circadian rhythms, according to Business Insider.

"The medical and scientific communities are unified ... that permanent standard time is better for human health," said Erik Herzog, a professor of biology and neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis and the former president of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms.

Is Florida alone in wanting to make daylight saving time permanent?

No, although there are states that prefer making standard time permanent instead of daylight saving time.

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That same division can be found among Americans.

A YouGov poll conducted in March 2023 asked respondents if they wanted to stop changing their clocks twice a year. The responses:

62% want to stop changing their clocks twice a year.

21% don't want to stop changing their clocks twice a year.

17% weren't sure.

But then there's a difference of opinion over which time to make permanent:

50% want permanent daylight-saving time.

31% want permanent standard time.

12% didn't have a preference.

7% aren't sure.

What states don't change time?

Hawaii and most of Arizona (except the Navajo Reservation) do not recognize daylight saving time. They remain on standard time all year.

Spring forward, fall back means what?

The handy phrase is a simple way to remember which way clocks should move in the spring and in the fall.

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When we "spring forward," clocks skip an hour and are moved forward one hour.

When we "fall back," we gain an extra hour of sleep as clocks are moved back one hour.

Daylight saving time and standard time: when do they begin and end?

Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.

So, standard time begins the first Sunday in November and ends the second Sunday in March .

Is it daylight saving time or Daylight Savings Time?

It's daylight saving time, no s and no capital letters.

Contributors: Joey Garrison, Jeanine Santucci, USA Today; C.A. Bridges, USA Today Network-Florida

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trump calls time changes inconvenient, costly
In a historic move, President Joe Biden has granted clemency to a record number of individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, marking a significant step toward criminal justice reform.

The president commuted the sentences of approximately 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he issued pardons to 39 individuals convicted of non-violent offenses, including drug crimes.

America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances, President Biden said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden holds news conference at the 2024 NATO Summit on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. NATO leaders convene in Washington this week for the annual summit to discuss future strategies and commitments and mark the 75th anniversary of the alliances founding.

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.

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Among those receiving clemency was Terry Southwest T Flenory, a former drug kingpin and one-half of the leadership behind the Black Mafia Family (BMF), the criminal organization that inspired the hit Starz show BMF.

(L-R) Nicole Flenory, Terry Flenory and Lucille Flenory attend the BMF Season 2 exclusive Detroit screening at Emagine Royal Oak on December 13, 2022 in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Also included in the group was the infamous kids-for-cash judge Michael Conahan, and Rita Crundwell, who plead guilty to partaking in a $54 million embezzlement scheme, which was believed to be the largest municipal fraud in US history at the time.

These moves came with a fair amount of scrutiny, as many felt those figures were undeserving of clemency and pardons due to the severity and widespread impact of their crimes.

Bidens clemency actions come amid growing calls for criminal justice reform, with many urging for policies that focus on rehabilitation over punitive measures. By granting clemency, Biden is taking a step toward addressing the disparities in sentencing and providing second chances to those who have shown a commitment to turning their lives around.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the media following the Supreme Courts ruling on charges against former President Donald Trump that he sought to subvert the 2020 election, at the White House on July 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. The highest court ruled 6-3 that presidents have some level of immunity from prosecution when operating within their constitutional authority, but do not have absolute immunity.

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Prince Andrew is being pressured to keep a low profile in the wake of the scandal involving his alleged connections to a suspected Chinese spy.

King Charles brother is once again at the center of controversy due to his connection with a 50-year-old man  whose identity remains undisclosed  who reportedly penetrated the very heart of the British establishment.

Reports in the U.K. now suggest that the Duke of York faces a crucial decision: fall in line and not attend the annual royal family holiday party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday or church on Christmas Day alongside the royals, or turn up and risk the ire of Charles and courtiers who believe he should stay out of the limelight.

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It puts the King in a tricky situation as he has shown support for his younger brother, 64, in recent years, inviting him  and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson  to join in the public side of the Christmas festivities. But, mindful of political and public pressure around Andrew's ties to the alleged Chinese spy, pressure is rising for action to be taken, and Charles would not want to be forced to ban Andrew from attending.

Chris Jackson/Getty Prince Andrew at the memorial service for King Constantine, Windsor Castle, Feb. 27, 2024 Prince Andrew at the memorial service for King Constantine, Windsor Castle, Feb. 27, 2024

Therefore, the ball would seem to be in Prince Andrews court to make that decision himself. He should do the decent thing and voluntarily withdraw from public view over Christmas, palace insiders told The Times on Dec. 16.

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Prince Andrew at Sandringham on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2023 Prince Andrew at Sandringham on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2023

According to the outlet, palace sources suggest that the onus should be on Prince Andrew to keep a low profile, rather than forcing the King to decide whether or not his brother should be banned from showing his face.

Related: King Charles Is Furious Over Prince Andrews Chinese Spy Scandal but Cant Sack His Brother: Report

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The Daily Telegraph reports a source saying that a decision to bar Andrew is really hard for Charles and the hope is that he will spare the King's "blushes" and decide himself.

It would be a bitter pill for the embattled [Andrew] to swallow the outlet suggests.

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Prince Andrew and Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson at Sandringham, with the rest of the royals, on Dec. 25, 2023 Prince Andrew and Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson at Sandringham, with the rest of the royals, on Dec. 25, 2023

The Sun was more blunt: Banned Old Duke of York was its front-page headline. It said he must uninvite himself from the Royal Familys Christmas bash due to his friendship, according to insiders. There are two high-profile gatherings aheadone with the extended family on Thursday, Dec. 19, and the other on Christmas Day itself, when the royals will parade to and from St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Buckingham Palace had no comment.

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Related: Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Their Kids Are 'Spending More Time' with Prince Andrew

Andrew last avoided church on Christmas Day in 2019, soon after he stepped back from public duties following his bombshell interview with the BBC about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

During the interview, Andrew also said he had no recollection of ever meeting Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleges she was forced to have sex with the royal three times between 1999 and 2002, including on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein, when she was 17 years old. Epstein died in prison while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges in August 2019.

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and announced his step back from royal duties a few days after the explosive interview aired. The royal said he continued to "unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein" in the official statement announcing his decision.

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The transition was made official when the late Queen Elizabeth stripped Andrew of his military titles and patronages in January 2022 amid Giuffre's civil sexual assault lawsuit. An out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum was reached the following month.

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Prince Andrew with his brother King Charles (r) at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 19, 2022 Prince Andrew with his brother King Charles (r) at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 19, 2022

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Andrew has since been involved in a tug-of-war over whether or not he and his ex-wife, Sarah the Duchess of York, would be able to stay at Royal Lodge, a vast home on the Windsor estate.

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Despite his brother Charles reportedly cutting off Andrew's allowance this summer, Andrew is reported to have found the funds to enable him to stay at Royal Lodge. There had been a suggestion that he would move to Frogmore Cottage, which has been vacated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.



Read the original article on People
The Daily Beast can reveal that Prince Andrew is eyeing a move to Bahrain and could do a Harry and leave the country after being effectively kicked out of the royal family all over again due to his links to an alleged Chinese spy.

It was revealed on Monday that the disgraced prince was being excluded from Christmas celebrations at King Charles grand country estate, Sandringham. The development comes just a year after a dramatic rehabilitation that saw him and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, with whom he still lives, invited to join the royal familys public walk to church and festive photocall for the first time in decades.

The king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, and Prince Andrew. / Mark Cuthbert / UK Press via Getty Images

Some reports in the British media have claimed that Andrew decided voluntarily not to attend this years family Christmas celebrations, but there is little doubt he would have been ordered not to come had he not recused himself. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

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Andrew is now likely to spend the day effectively in hiding at his home, Royal Lodge, where the former helicopter pilot has taken to projecting flight tracking apps on the walls. His ex-wife and children are also reportedly not attending Sandringham festivities so they may join him. Sarah likened herself in an interview this weekend as a carer to Andrew, whom she described, sympathetically, as a sad man.

However, it could be Andrews last Christmas in the U.K. The Daily Beast has been told by two friends of Andrew, who claim that he has been unfairly portrayed in the unfolding spying scandal, that he is now sick and tired of being painted as a pariah and is seriously contemplating a move to the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain.

He has wealthy if sometimes dubious supporters in both jurisdictions, but especially in the autocratic monarchy of Bahrain, where he has been a regular visitor for decades and has been feted by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the king of Bahrain, and Prince Andrew. / Max Mumby/Indigo / Getty Images

The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, moved to the UAE in 2020 after he was accused of corruptly enriching himself when he was king.

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One friend of Andrews who has known him and his wife for decades told The Daily Beast: The whole thing stinks to high heaven. Youd think Andrew had been passing state secrets to the man. Andrew is sick and tired of being painted as a pariah in the British media and is seriously contemplating a move to the United Arab Emirates of Bahrain.

None of us would blame him if he decided to do a Harry and leave. He cant do anything here anymore, he cant leave the house, he cant do any business, and now he is apparently Kim Philby.

Another friend said: Andrew has a vast array of contacts in the Middle East and could be leading a meaningful life there. I wouldnt be at all surprised if he thought enough was enough after this latest stich-up by the establishment.

When asked if they were suggesting Andrews relationship with the alleged spynamed on Monday as Yang Tengbohad been misrepresented by the security services to harm Andrews reputation, the friend said: Andrew doesnt have any power. He was entirely open about Yangs involvement with Pitch@Palace. This guy was meeting prime ministers and god knows who else. And yet mysteriously its his relationship with Andrew that matters? Come on.

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Andrews relationship with Yang emerged after the alleged spy was stopped at an airport under counterterrorism powers in November 2021.

Officers seized his phone, which contained detailed information about their relationship. In one message, Dominic Hampshire, an adviser to the duke, told Yang: I 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 letter hinted at internal subterfuge in Andrews camp, saying they had wisely navigated our way around former private secretaries and we have found a way to carefully remove those people who we dont completely trust Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor.

Andrew was previously expelled from the royal family after his disastrous BBC interview in which he failed to express any regret for his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

The Daily Beast was told by a friend of the king this weekend, His Majestys patience is wearing thin. He has stood by Andrew for many years, but everyone has their limits. I cant see the king wanting to walk to church with someone who was friends with a Chinese spy.
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's constitutional court said Monday that it will prioritize the case on whether to uphold or reject an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol that was passed by the National Assembly last Saturday.

The court's spokesperson said at a televised press conference that among others, Yoon's impeachment case will be prioritized, announcing a decision to hold the first preliminary hearing on the impeachment on Dec. 27 after having its first meeting of justices earlier in the day.

During the preliminary hearing set to be made public, both the parliamentary plaintiff and Yoon's defense counsel will be called to review issues and evidence while deciding on hearing dates for deliberation.

The court planned to secure investigation records from the prosecution and police early during the preliminary hearing, forming a task force with about 10 constitutional researchers to speed up the review of facts and legal issues.

The second motion to impeach Yoon was passed by the National Assembly last Saturday and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power will be suspended.

Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on rebellion charge following his martial law imposition on the night of Dec. 3 that was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.

At least two-thirds of the nine-member constitutional court should rule in favor of the impeachment to remove Yoon from office.

Currently vacant are three justices, for whom the majority opposition Democratic Party and the ruling People Power Party recommended two and one justices respectively.

If the court upholds the impeachment, a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days, but otherwise, Yoon will immediately be reinstated. 
LONDON (AP)  How do you solve a problem like Prince Andrew?

Thats the question facing King Charles III as the drama surrounding his 64-year-old brother roils Britain and the monarchy once again.

In the latest episode, a Chinese businessman has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he cultivated links with Andrew in an alleged effort to influence British elites on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. The man, identified Monday as Yang Tengbo, said he wasn't involved in espionage and had done nothing wrong or unlawful.

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The allegations represent the most high-profile example to date of a threat intelligence officials have repeatedly warned about: Chinas increasing efforts to secretly influence politicians and other members of the British establishment to support the countrys expansionist policies.

But the story also made news because it involves Andrew, once second-in-line to the British throne but now a constant source of tabloid fodder because of his money woes and links to questionable characters, including the late American financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his royal duties and charity roles, but the unflattering headlines kept coming. More recently, Charles has tried to persuade his brother to cut his expenses by leaving the sprawling royal estate he occupies west of London and moving to a cottage inside the security perimeter of Windsor Castle. But Andrew remains ensconced at the 30-room Royal Lodge.

The king needs to take more aggressive action to keep Andrew out of the public eye, such as barring him from processions and other royal events, said Ed Owens, author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?

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While Andrew said in a statement that nothing sensitive was ever discussed and that he ceased contact with the Chinese businessman as soon as concerns were raised, his constant brushes with scandal tarnish the work of the royal family, Owens said.

Andrew is toxic and he is very much damaged goods, he added. He can only, through his behavior, further undermine the reputation of the monarchy. Its in the kings best interest, its in the best interests of the future of the monarchy, for Andrew to take a step back.

Scandal fuels anti-monarchy criticism

Britains most prominent anti-monarchy group used the latest scandal to call for a parliamentary inquiry into alleged royal corruption.

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When a Chinese spy befriends a royal, they want access to the British state. We must know if the royals have given them what they want, said Graham Smith, leader of Republic, which seeks to replace the monarchy with an elected head of state.

Andrew has become a cautionary tale about the temptations and pitfalls of modern royalty.

When Andrew was born he was second in line to the throne, the proverbial spare who was there to step in if disaster struck the heir, his brother Charles. But after Charles married, Andrews position dropped with every new child and grandchild. He now stands at eighth place in the royal pecking order.

The Epstein scandal costs Andrew his job

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While other senior royals spend much of their time opening recreation centers and meeting community leaders on behalf of their more exalted relations, Andrew initially took on bigger tasks.

After 22 years in the Royal Navy, including combat operations as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, Andrew was named Britains special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.

But he was forced to step down in 2011 amid growing concern about his friendship with Epstein, who had been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Andrew had also been criticized for meeting with the son of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the son-in-law of ousted Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

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Even before that, some members of Parliament had raised concerns about the sale of Andrews former home, Sunninghill Park, to a son-in-law of former Kazakh ruler Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2007. The buyer allegedly paid 15 million pounds ($19 million)  3 million pounds more than the asking price.

But Andrews links to Epstein have been his biggest problem.

The disastrous BBC interview

Questions about the relationship resurfaced after Epstein was again arrested on sex trafficking charges in 2019. In an effort to silence criticism, Andrew gave a disastrous interview to the BBCs Newsnight program in which he tried to explain away his contacts with Epstein and failed to show empathy for victims.

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Amid the backlash, Andrew announced on Nov. 20, 2019, that he was stepping away from royal duties for the foreseeable future. In a statement, he called his association with Epstein a major disruption to my familys work.

But that didnt end the scandal.

In August 2021, one of Epsteins victims sued Andrew in a New York cour t, alleging that the prince had sex with her when she was underage. Andrew denied the allegations, but he was stripped of all military affiliations and royal charity work as the case moved through the legal process.

Netflix film brings a global audience

Andrew ultimately settled the case for an undisclosed sum, with a joint statement indicating the prince would make a substantial donation to a victims rights charity. British newspapers reported amounts for the settlement ranged from $6 million to $16 million.

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Even now, Andrews interview haunts the prince and the royal family. It resurfaced earlier this year in the Netflix movie Scoop, reminding a worldwide audience of his missteps.

He has consistently used his privileged position and his power to cozy up to convicted sex offenders, Chinese spies  in pursuit of his own interests, whether its about expanding his own influence or indeed extending his own business interests, Owens said. Thats the problem here, that hes used the position given to him by birth to seek out these opportunities.
Ever since Queen Elizabeth II has passed, Prince Andrew has become King Charles IIIs problem. The monarchs younger brother has been one headache after another, but his latest scandal might impact Charles legacy if the royal family doesnt address the situation swiftly.

The Duke of York reportedly has business ties to a Chinese national who is accused of being a spy, per the BBC. The 50-year-old man, who is only known publicly as H6, has been banned from the U.K., but not before the alleged spy was attempting to leverage Prince Andrews influence. Even though Andrew is no longer a working royal, he is still presenting problems for King Charles.

More from SheKnows

King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry at Sandringham.

Now, the Daily Mail is investigating whether the problematic friend of Andrews is the person who is supplying funds for him to stay in Royal Lodge. King Charles recently cut off his brothers yearly allowance and security detail that he was paying out of his personal accounts. Andrew suddenly found a source of income that was reportedly verified by Sir Michael Stevens, the keeper of the privy purse, as coming from legitimate sources, per The Times.

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For King Charles, he doesnt know how to punish his brother  all avenues have been utilized at this point. Every sanction that can be imposed has been, but you cant divorce or sack your brother from being your brother, a palace insider told the Daily Mail. There will always be a bond of blood, and all families often have difficult relatives to deal with. Of course, it is understood that it looks bad for the entire family but that is because of one individual.

It appears to be quite a frightening situation. The alleged secret agent reportedly had access to Buckingham Palace twice as well as St. James Palace, and Windsor Castle, according to the U.K. outlet. Its an international crisis that is weighing heavily on King Charles legacy because hes had feuds, health battles, and Andrews baggage ever since he took the throne.

The scandal is likely to affect Prince Andrews invitation to the royal familys annual Christmas walk at Sandringham. He has stood by Andrew for many years, but everyone has their limits. I cant see the King wanting to walk to church with someone who was friends with a Chinese spy, a source for The Daily Beast noted.

Prince Andrew may have finally worn out his welcome.

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Before you go, click to see all the biggest royal scandals in the past 50 years.

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A private schools group has apologised after hosting speakers who allegedly accused Israel of ethnic cleansing at an equality conference branded a festival of Jew hate.

According to an open letter, speakers at last weeks event in Denver described the establishment of the state of Israel as a racist endeavour, accused Israel of genocide, and downplayed Hamass Oct 7 attack in which more than 1,200 people were killed.



Called the People of Color Conference, the annual gathering hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools invited around 1,700 private schools from across the United States, including 60 Jewish day schools.



Some of the countrys most prestigious private schools sent delegations to the conference, including Manhattans Dalton School, Brearley, Collegiate, Trinity, Fieldston, as well as Los Angeles Milken Community Schools.

Jewish students hid their Star of David necklaces

The leaders of several prominent Jewish groups have since released an open letter denouncing comments made by speakers at the diversity and inclusion conference, calling their remarks extreme, biased anti-Zionist and anti-Israel rhetoric and accusing them of creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.

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Some Jewish students felt so unsafe that they left the conference early and hid their Star of David necklaces as audience members glared and whispered, according to the letter.



Jewish students and faculty attending PoCC were forced to hear this damaging and anti-Semitic rhetoric repeated time and again and watch as their peers applauded, according to the letter, co-authored by the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Federations of North America and Prizmah.



These occurrences, along with others reported by Jewish attendees, display a fundamental undermining of the principles of inclusivity and equity that NAIS stands for, the letter claims.



No student should ever be made to feel this way because of their identity.

Jew hate

Sarah Shulkind, the head teacher of Milken Community School, which was at the conference, described the comments as Jew hate.

Most horrifying is that the thousands of educators that were in that room teach at the nations most elite schools . . . they stood and cheered, she told the New York Post. It reveals to me two things: virulent, unapologetic Jew hate, and profound ignorance.

In response to the letter, Debra Wilson, the associations president, expressed remorse over the divisive and hurtful rhetoric and said that future speakers addresses would be vetted.



No last-minute changes will be permitted without explicit review and approval, she said,



That any student would feel the need to conceal their identity at our conference is antithetical to our mission and our values.



We are committed to ensuring that future NAIS events will be places where difficult topics and conversations are approached with sensitivity and care for all.



Concerns about the Denver conference focused on the remarks of keynote speaker, Dr Suzanne Barakat, an Arab American physician who has been a prominent voice on the subject of anti-Muslim violence.

One of the conference speakers was Dr Suzanne Barakat

In her address, Dr Barakat allegedly characterised Zionism as when some European Jews decided that the solution to solving anti-Semitism in Europe and Russia was the establishment of a state in Palestine and also accused Israel of genocide to applause from the crowd.



According to transcripts obtained by The New York Post, Dr Barakat called the establishment of the Jewish state ethnic cleansing.



Ruha Benjamin, a professor of African American studies at Princeton University who was referred to in the letter, criticised NAISs decision to apologise and defended calling Israels war in Gaza genocide.



The weaponisation of the charge of anti-Semitism is a disservice to everyone, she wrote in an email seen by The New York Times.



She added that such accusations are watering down its meaning and wielding it against anyone who dares name the reality that Palestinians are living.

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The row comes amid a spate of anti-Semitic incidents reported on college and school campuses over the last year following escalating tensions between administrators and students over the Israel-Hamas war.



A diversity administrator at the University of Michigan was fired last week after she allegedly said 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.

Ms Dawson has denied making those statements or any anti-Semitic comments, according to CNN.



Dr Barakat and Prof Benjamin were approached for comment.

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Four activists climbed up Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate on Monday using a lifting platform to unfurl a banner from the top reading "For democracy in Syria" and "Defend Rojava", according to police.

Police were alerted at around 2:20 pm (1320 GMT) and officers have been deployed to the site, a police spokesman said.

Due to very windy conditions, high-altitude rescuers are to bring down the four climbers.

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The activists are calling for the self-governing Kurdish regions in northern and eastern Syria, known as Rojava, to be recognized, according to a statement from the initiative RiseUp4Rojava.

They also called for an end to the attacks on the region.
(NewsNation)  As drones become more visible across New Jersey and New York, conspiracy theories continue to spread.

Project Blue Beam is a conspiracy theory dating back to the 1990s, but some believe the current drone sightings are a sign of it coming to fruition.

What is Project Blue Beam?

Canadian journalist Serge Monast is credited with coming up with the theory of Project Blue Beam, wherein there is a plot to engender a dictatorial, universal government that abolishes Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) in favor of a new world order.

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Mystery drones: Where they have been spotted?

In theory, this totalitarian state would be achieved through staged futuristic NASA technology that pretends to be proof of alien presence or attacks.

Monast claimed NASA and the U.S. were collaborating to abolish Abrahamic religions to establish a New Age religion with the Antichrist as the figurehead.

Who is talking about Project Blue Beam?

Several prominent figures have discussed how they believe continued drone sightings and Project Blue Beam are intertwined.

Actress Roseanne Barr posted on X Sunday: Now you see why I mention Project Blue Beam every week on my podcast.

50 drone sightings prompt New Jersey sheriff to action

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Alex Jones also discussed the topic, sharing a 2021 interview with ufologist and former physician Dr. Steven Greer in which the latter suggested a hoax cosmic threat would soon be coming into effect.

A fan page of influencer Charlie Kirk shared an image of a post from a Reddit conspiracy thread on X, purportedly written by a 25-year radar operator for a major [government] agency that echoed similar rhetoric to Jones.

On Sunday, Jones quote-tweeted footage of drones appearing in New Jersey, describing their presence as part of a larger psychological warfare operation ahead of major events.

Experts opinions on drone sightings

University of Pennsylvania mechanical engineering professor Vijay Kumar told Newsweek he does not believe the drones are a foreign state actor but rather a U.S. government initiative.

Multiple drones are seen over Bernardsville, N.J., Dec. 5, 2024 (Brian Glenn/TMX via AP)

Firstly, its not a coincidence, I think, that all these sightings have been near military bases. Ill just leave it at that, Kumar told the outlet. If I was an adversary, I would take great trouble to conceal what I was doing. So that leads me to believe that its not a military power thats trying to attack the U.S.

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East Coast drone sightings reach San Diego

Missy Cummings, director of the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center at George Mason University, suggested to Newsweek they may not be drones at all.

It is highly unlikely these are large drones as you describe, and if they are drones, they likely would be controlled by line-of-sight, so possibly from the water but probably not miles out to sea, she said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The public is being warned of increased police activity in a neighborhood in Natick on Monday amid an ongoing FBI investigation.

The Natick Police Department told Boston 25 News that officers are assisting the United States Attorneys Office with vehicle and pedestrian management amid an ongoing investigation focused on public safety in the area of Woodland Street between Juniper and Clover lanes.

An FBI Boston spokesperson said that federal investigators were conducting court-authorized activity.

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Police noted that there is no immediate threat to the community at this time.

Residents have been asked to avoid the area and refrain from sharing unverified information on social media.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this time, the department said in a statement. Updates will be shared as soon as they become available. Please avoid calling the department for additional information.

Details on the nature of the investigation werent clear.

**** UPDATE: There is no cause for public safety concern for residents in the area or the broader community.... Posted by Natick Police Department on Monday, December 16, 2024

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Officials with the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office are seeking the publics help in identifying the suspect in a robbery at a gas station last week.

According to a post on social media, deputies said the suspect is wanted for questioning about an aggravated robbery that happened on Thursday in the 3300 block of Bankhead.

Image courtesy of the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office

Pulaski County gas station robbed Thursday morning, suspect at large

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Officials said the suspect is believed to be a female driving a red Dodge Charger.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call police at 501-340-6963.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
The next meeting of the Public Council under the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan was held.

The meeting of the Council, which was held at the Republican Youth Library named after Jafar Jabbarli, was also attended by Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov and Deputy Director of the Ministry's Scientific-Methodological and Advanced Training Center for Culture Seymur Huseynov.

The Chairman of the Public Council, Academician Nizami Jafarov, provided information on the activities carried out over the past period, the preparation of the annual report, and other current issues ahead.

In their speeches, Deputy Chairmen of the Public Council, Akbar Goshali and Vugar Gadirov, emphasized the importance of organizing public hearings in all regions where public hearings have not been held so far, and also expressed their views on a number of issues that need to be resolved.

At the meeting, Council members - Honored Art Worker Ayaz Salayev, Khanoglan Ahmadov, and Samira Mustafayeva - spoke about the appeals made to the Council, the problems raised, initiatives, and proposals.

Deputy Minister Farid Jafarov spoke at the end of the meeting and expressed his views on the issues touched upon in the speeches, the problems raised, and the proposals put forward.
by Arison Tamfu, Wang Ze

YAOUNDE, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Buea, the chief town of Cameroon's Southwest Region, came back to life over the weekend as residents were mesmerized by the beat of drums intertwined with delicate melodies during a cultural festival to celebrate culture and promote peace.

It was a welcome respite in the region where an armed separatist conflict had put a dampener on cultural celebrations. Since 2017, separatist fighters have been clashing with government forces in Cameroon's Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest in a bid to create an independent nation.

The festival, themed "Peace, Cultural Revival, Social Cohesion and Investment Promotion" and organized by the South West Chiefs' Conference (SWECC), a local traditional leaders' organization, is the first of its kind in the region that is still struggling with the separatist conflict.

Peace and security were the main topics for those who addressed participants at Bongo Square, where activities took place.

"For the longest of time, this place has not been alive like what we are witnessing today," said Pauline Nalova Lyonga Egbe, Cameroon's minister of secondary education, who represented the country's prime minister at the three-day event.

"A couple of years ago, it was not possible for us to gather for a cultural festival. If we are able to gather here today, it is because some Cameroonians put their lives at stake to ensure the peace and unity of our country," said Moses Obenofunde, president of the SWECC, urging "our children who are still protesting to drop their arms and join us in the task for nation building."

Residents told Xinhua that they still find joy and meaning in their traditions and culture, which have been adversely affected by years of violence. For them, the South West Cultural Festival is more than just a festival. It is a way of life that celebrates their heritage and resilience.

"After several years of violence and deaths, this festival is truly an exciting experience for me. I am glad to have not only witnessed this but also taken part in it," said 55-year-old Jude Ebot, a respected member of a masquerade troupe that presented an eye-catching performance at the event.

The festival showcased a diverse array of traditional dances, artifacts, folklore and cuisine, spotlighting the diverse heritage of the region.

Behind the scenes, some performers meticulously applied face paint and donned elaborate costumes, highlighting the preparation involved in the centuries-old traditions. They then took turns to perform in front of dignitaries, traditional leaders and hundreds of curious onlookers.

For most people at the festival, stilt dancing portrayed a vital yet mysterious cultural ritual of the region. They watched in awe as stilt dancers, standing over eight feet (about 2.44 meters) tall on their stilts, displayed a performance that was part ritual, part acrobatics and a lot of fun.

Many women, wearing tribal costumes, sang and danced, keeping alive customs that have passed down through generations.

Some of the often secretive groups used elaborate masks and costumes in performances that combined dance, music and theater. The rituals are believed to channel spirits or ancestors during important occasions.

"These rituals protect our families and ward off diseases, violence or any other ills from our villages and bring good luck," Ebot told Xinhua.

People from various parts of the region said they hope new efforts for peace will ensure stability in the country.

"My only dream is to live in peace and harmony, and I wish the New Year 2025 bring us happiness and stability to the country and my compatriots," said Victor Mafany, who came to watch traditional dancers perform.

Josephine Enow, 35, another resident, said she is tired of war and violence and wants to see peace in her life and the development of her homeland.

"We call on the government and separatist fighters to dialogue and end the violence and make next year a year of peace for Cameroonians," Enow added.

When the festival ended Sunday, there was no report of armed attack as feared by residents, a clear sign that the people love their culture and desperately want peace, said Obenofunde. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russian forces have captured 189 locations in Ukraine so far this year.

"The Russian armed forces are firmly in possession of the strategic initiative along the entire contact line," Putin said at a meeting of the Defence Ministry in Moscow.

Defence Minister Andrey Belousov claimed that a total area of 4,500 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory had been conquered.

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The Russian figures cannot be independently verified. However, independent observers confirm that the Russians have made territorial gains this year.

According to calculations by the Ukrainian telegram channel UA War Infographics, Russian troops have conquered around 2,800 square kilometres since the beginning of the year. This would mean that Russian territorial gains are almost 20 times higher than the previous year's figure.

Belousov said that more than 1,200 volunteers were currently signing a contract for military service every day. "This year alone, more than 427,000 soldiers have already been recruited," he said, adding that Russia now spends a third of its budget  32.5%  on defence.

Russia has been waging war against Ukraine for almost three years and about a fifth of Ukraine's territory is now under Moscow's control.

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There was news of further casualties on Monday, with the Ukrainian authorities saying a 53-year-old woman had been killed in a Russian drone attack on a shop in the southern region of Kherson. A preliminary investigation has been opened for a war crime resulting in death, prosecutors said.

The Ukrainian Air Force announced on Monday morning that Russia had attacked with 49 drones during the night. Of these, 27 were shot down and 19 failed to reach their target and were lost, mostly due to the use of electronic countermeasures, it said.
Numerous factors have been floated to explain Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including NATOs expansion in Eastern Europe and a desire to restore Soviet-era might.

But Ivan Krastev, chair of the Center for Liberal Strategies in Bulgaria, and Stephen Holmes, a law professor at New York University, argue President Vladimir Putins obsession with Russias demographic decline may be the key.

In an analysis in Foreign Policy magazine on Dec. 6, they drew a parallel with mourning wars during the 17th and 18th centuries, when Native American tribes kidnapped women and children from other tribes to offset losses from wars or disease.

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In many ways, it resembles an updated version of such a war, a desperate attempt to replenish a dwindling population by forcibly incorporating a neighboring people into Russias own, Krastev and Holmes wrote. While the invasion was undoubtedly sparked by imperialist ambitions, anti-Western resentment, and a desire for Great Power recognition, it may also have been conditioned by Russias rapidly shrinking, aging, and emigrating population.

(For his part, Putin has made false claims of a neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine, which is led by a Jewish president, as his reason for invading.)

Russia has been tending toward a demographic crisis for years, prompting the Kremlin to try boosting fertility by offering tax breaks and expanding childcare for low-income families.

But that hasnt prevented the birth rate from hitting its lowest level in the past 25 years. Combined with recent war casualties and a related exodus of young people, the population is falling at an alarming rate.

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It currently sits at about 146 million, down from 148 million in the early 1990s, and the United Nations has predicted it could collapse to 74 million to 112 million by 2100.

This has been top of mind for Putin, even before he launched his war on Ukraine. In a 2021 speech to Russian schoolchildren, he preached the necessity of growing the population, which he views as more critical to national security than landmass.

Putin understands that, in the world of tomorrow, Russia will be a territorial giant and population dwarf, Krastev and Holmes said.

Tellingly, Russias war on Ukraine has involved the mass abduction of children, who are adopted by Russian parents, they point out.

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After failing to boost Russias fertility rate via pronatalist policies and to extend life expectancies, Putin seems to have concluded that the only way to achieve a sizable increase in his population is by annexing and subordinating ethnically and culturally related neighbors, by force if necessary.

Putin also sees a larger population as necessary to exploit the natural resources in the Arctic that are becoming more accessible from climate change, Krastev and Holmes added.

Meanwhile, he views Western feminism and LGBTQ-friendly policies as the causes of Russias shrinking population and as part of a conspiracy to make the country childless, they explained.

To be sure, other countries, especially in the developed world, are experiencing low birth rates and slower population growth or outright declines. In Japan, for example, Tokyos municipal government is turning to a four-day workweek and partial childcare leave to encourage people to have more babies.

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And as bad as Russias demographic trends look, Ukraine is in even worse shape, potentially influencing how and when Kyiv might approach an end to the fighting, according to Krastev and Holmes.

But even when the war ends, it could be followed by similar conflicts elsewhere.

The population loss experienced by historically dominant groups seems to be preparing the way for an upheaval of end-times aggression, inflamed by a primal fear of national extinction, they warned.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Russian leader Vladimir Putin said in a speech to the Russian Defence Ministry that the West was "pushing Russia to the red line", and Moscow could not help but respond.

Source: Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza

Quote: "The West is pushing Russia to the red line, and Moscow cannot help but respond."

Details: Putin also said that the serial production of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile would begin soon, and the number of personnel in the Russian Armed Forces had been increased to 1.5 million.

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The Russian leader says that the Russian troops have seized 189 settlements in Ukraine over the past year, and more than 100,000 US troops are currently deployed in Europe.

Putin also said that the US plans to deploy medium- and short-range precision-guided missiles in Europe "cause concern" and that Russia would lift its restrictions on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty if the US started deploying such systems.



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QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  Multiple migrant shelters in Queens will shut down amid concerns deportation centers could be set up across New York City.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards discusses the issue on PIX11 Morning News.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

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(FOX40.COM)  Another Northern California district attorneys office is implementing a race-blind charging initiative to help eliminate potential bias from prosecution decisions.

The San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office announced it began testing race-blind charging last week and will be fully operational by Dec. 20. The move comes after AB 2778, which mandates race-blind charging, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. The legislation was modeled after Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig who introduced the concept in 2021.

Jerry Brown on California issues, the law-making process, and the challenges of governing

What is race-blind charging?

Race-blind charging means prosecutors make charging decisions without knowing anyones race. Case files redact racial identifiers such as names so that prosecutors can review cases based on evidence alone.

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As District Attorney of one the most diverse counties in the nation, I am proud were not just complying with the law; were setting the standard for justice in California, said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas. By early adopting race-blind charging, were ensuring our justice system operates without racial bias. Im proud that San Joaquin County is leading the way, demonstrating our commitment to true equality.

AB 2778, which is now California law, requires all prosecution agencies to adopt race-bling charging to combat systematic biases by Jan. 1, 2025.

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Rarely in modern times has a budget unravelled so spectacularly as the first of the Labour Government unveiled in October. There have been controversial decisions before, such as Gordon Browns raid on pension funds in 1997 that arguably killed off final salary schemes in the private sector, though not in the public.

In 2012 George Osborne presided over a package that became known as the omnishambles budget because of an array of mistakes, including the so-called pasty tax on hot foods. Back in the early 1980s Geoffrey Howes early budgets triggered a recession while Nigel Lawsons fuelled a boom which eventually led to a downturn.

But Rachel Reevess first budget stands out because it is causing the very opposite of what she set out to achieve: growth. The mantra of the Labour election campaign was that tough decisions would be taken but economic prosperity would follow. It might mean penalising certain sectors (though again not the public sector) but the end results would justify the means.

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Yet the centrepiece of Ms Reevess budget was an increase in the National Insurance contributions of employers. This is often called a tax on jobs for good reason since it makes it more expensive to keep staff and hire new people.

The boss of the recruitment firm Reed has now observed a sharp fall in the number of jobs being advertised as a direct consequence of the Budget measure. James Reed told the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme on the BBC there had been a significant decline, adding when Ive seen that in the past, its been an indication that recession is around the corner.

The alarm bells of recession are ringing everywhere. Figures last week showed the UK economy shrank in September and October, with businesses that rely on lower-waged staff, such as restaurants, pubs and retail  sectors which rely on lower-waged staff  hit hardest.

Figures out on Tuesday are expected to confirm that unemployment remains low by historic standards. But the statistics are skewed by the fact that record numbers of people of working age are not seeking jobs. The Budgets inheritance tax raid on farmers and business owners also backfired with economists warning that it will cost the Exchequer 1.26 billion as it leads to thousands of job losses.

Several past Chancellors confronted with evidence that their Budget measures are damaging have admitted as much and reversed them. Does Ms Reeves have the courage to do the same?

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A man has been charged with murder after a shooting victim died in a Raleigh hospital over the weekend.

Christopher Fitzgerald Branch, 60, was identified by police on Dec. 14 as the person who died.

The Raleigh Police Department charged Glenn Levon Strickland, a 46-year-old from Clayton, with murder.

Branch walked into Wake Med around 10:16 p.m. Dec. 12 seriously hurt from a gunshot wound.

In an arrest warrant, police say Strickland shot a 9 mm handgun into a Lexus on Mangum Street, a residential street in south Raleigh.

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Its unclear whether Branch was inside that vehicle, but another person was, the court records state.

Police havent shared why Strickland is a suspect, but a news release said he was taken into custody a short time later.

Strickland is also charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill and one count each of possession of firearm by a felon, discharging a weapon into occupied property, and discharging a firearm in the city.

Strickland is being held without bail and has a court appearance scheduled for Monday afternoon, according to court records.
Randy Fine wants to try again to bar state agencies and local governments from putting up flags with a political viewpoint.

The Melbourne Beach Republican filed the bill as a House member earlier this year and on Monday refiled the bill (SB 100) as a state senator ahead of the next legislative session that starts March 4.

In a news release about the legislation, Fines office specified the Palestinian, Black Lives Matter and transgender flags as the main targets of the bill.

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The first flag that should be flown in a government building is the American flag, Fine said. Flags that promote Muslim terror or the mutilation of children have no place in taxpayer-funded buildings  whether that government building is our state capitol or a public school classroom.

The bill itself, however, doesnt specify those flags. It states local government entities, including public schools, and state agencies cant put up flags with a political viewpoint, including those reflecting a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint.

Fine is running for the U.S. House of Representatives for a seat opened when U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next national security adviser.

When he co-sponsored the bill earlier this year, it advanced through one Florida House committee along party lines, with Democrats opposed, but didn't gain traction in the state Senate.

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The new version of the bill is similar to the prior version, but it contains an added provision allowing active duty military members or veterans to use reasonable force to prevent the desecration, destruction or removal of the United States flag or to replace the United States flag to a position of prominence.

More: Trump casts shadow over congress candidates from Florida. Are policy plans made to please Trump?

Under Florida law, elected officials must resign their current office if they run for another office with overlapping terms. Fines resignation from the state Senate is effective March 31, the day before the special election for the U.S. House seat.

If the bill hasnt yet passed the Legislature, another senator could opt to take it over to push it through to Gov. Ron DeSantis desk.

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Supporters of Muslim terror, child mutilators and groomers have no right to taxpayer sponsorship of their repugnant messages, Fine said. As I prepare to leave the Senate, I look forward to ensuring the only official place in a government building that you will find their flags is in a garbage can.

Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Randy Fine aims to ban Pride, Palestine flags at government buildings
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  An international ransomware group that has previously targeted government agencies in Indonesia and France is taking responsibility for the major cyberattack that has rocked Rhode Islands state government, Target 12 has confirmed.

Deloitte, the contractor that runs the states RIBridges system, confirmed Monday that the cybercriminal group Brain Cipher is the organization behind the attack. Officials have warned that the group could release private data, including Social Security and bank account numbers, for hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders.

RELATED: RI residents urged to act immediately after data hack

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The hack of a Deloitte-run system first came to light on Dec. 4, when cybersecurity news outlets reported that Brain Cipher had announced the operation in a blog post on the dark web.

Unfortunately, giant companies do not always do their job well, the blog post said, according to a screenshot published by Cybernews. The company claimed to have accessed more than 1 terabyte of material, and suggested Deloitte had not followed elementary points of data security. It also set Dec. 15 as the deadline for Deloitte to respond.

At the time, Deloitte quickly told news outlets that its own internal systems hadnt been breached, though one of its clients systems had. But it wasnt until Monday, when Target 12 asked directly, that the company confirmed Brain Cipher had compromised RIBridges.

The only system impacted by the Brain Cipher data breach is RIBridges, Deloitte spokesperson Karen Walsh told Target 12. There is no impact to any other clients or Deloitte systems.

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I can assure you we are working around the clock to resolve this issue, Walsh added. Because this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot say anything more at this time.

Separately, Attorney General Peter Neronhas office confirmed that lawyers there are examining whether to pursue some sort of legal action against Deloitte over the security failure.

The attorney general will ensure accountability on behalf of Rhode Islanders for this failure to protect their most sensitive identity information, about which they are understandably very, very concerned, Neronha spokesperson Tim Rondeau said in a statement.

We will pursue any and all legal actions in order to help make those affected whole, he said. To that end, we have already taken preliminary steps such as notifying Deloitte of its obligation to preserve information and documents.

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Rhode Island officials said they were first notified by Deloitte of the data breach on Dec. 5, a day after Brain Ciphers blog post went up. Officials became more alarmed about the situation last week, after the hackers showed screenshots of file folders inside RIBridges and revealed malicious software had been put into the system. The state confirmed the hack Friday night.

Brain Cipher made headlines in June after it hacked Indonesias national data center, causing major disruption in the country. The group has also been blamed for an attack on French museums that occurred around the time of the Paris Olympics.

Like other ransomware operations, Brain Cipher will breach a corporate network and spread laterally to other devices, wrote Lawrence Abrams, a veteran technology journalist, on the website Bleeping Computer after the Indonesia incident. Once the threat actors gain Windows domain admin credentials, they deploy the ransomware throughout the network.

However, before encrypting files, the threat actors will steal corporate data for leverage in their extortion attempts, warning victims that it will be publicly released if a ransom is not paid, Abrams explained.

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RIBridges, originally known as UHIP, was developed by Deloitte under a state contract to create a central IT system for programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and HealthSource RI. Its launch in 2016 was a major fiasco, but the system eventually stabilized, and the state later extended Deloittes contract to run it.

Gov. Dan McKee has scheduled a news conference Monday at 3 p.m. to provide an update on how officials are addressing the cyberattack.

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.

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KINSHASA/LUANDA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A peace summit scheduled for Sunday to address conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was called off at the last minute due to a tough negotiation standoff.

Meanwhile, tensions have been on the rise on the ground with ongoing clashes between government military and rebels.

PEACE TALKS ABORTED

Angolan President Joao Lourenco was set to host DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in a bid to ease tensions gripping the eastern DRC by securing an agreement supposed to be signed by the three heads of state.

The summit was planned as part of the "Luanda Process," a peace initiative launched in 2022 and endorsed by the African Union, to accelerate regional stabilization.

Tshisekedi arrived in the Angolan capital of Luanda early Sunday for the summit and met with Lourenco and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, broker of the "Nairobi Process," a parallel peace mechanism led by the East African Community (EAC).

However, Kagame did not board a flight to Luanda and walked away from the summit.

"The agreement has been 99 percent negotiated," Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio told the press after the tripartite summit was called off.

"One of the parties requested the postponement of the summit until there is a common language," said Antonio.

NEGOTIATION STANDOFF

The peace agreement was aborted due to a tough negotiation standoff.

According to Rwanda's Foreign Ministry, the ministerial meeting in Luanda on Saturday failed to reach a consensus between Rwanda and the DRC regarding a commitment to direct talks with the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group.

"The DRC had accepted the principle of a dialogue with the M23, before surprising us with a refusal on the eve of the summit," said Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.

The eastern DRC continues to face instability due to the M23 rebel group, which has been advancing and seizing large areas of territory. The DRC government accuses neighboring Rwanda of providing military support to the M23, an allegation Kigali denies.

While denying ties to the M23, Rwanda has accused the DRC military of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a Rwandan rebel group whose members are blamed for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

"The ministers negotiated late into yesterday, but they could not reach an agreement on all points," said Antonio, adding that Sunday's summit "would therefore not have resulted in an agreement."

However, according to Kinshasa, the ministerial meeting on Saturday ended in a "deadlock" after Rwanda ambushed with a last-minute condition, which demanded that direct dialogue with the M23 precede the signing of any agreement.

"We are not going to talk directly with a terrorist group," DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner told a press briefing late Sunday in Kinshasa. "If the M23 group wants to have any hope of being able to express its grievances and concerns, it will only be within the framework of the Nairobi Process."

TENSIONS RUNNING HIGH

Also on Sunday, the M23 rebels reportedly took control of the town of Matembe in the eastern North Kivu province, the epicenter of hostilities.

The locality is considered strategic for the DRC military to stop the advancement of the rebellion towards the northern part of North Kivu and potentially the neighboring Ituri and Tshopo provinces.

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. 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.

The M23 is a group of former rebels of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) and got its name from the March 23, 2009 agreement signed between the CNDP and the DRC government.

In November 2012, the M23 occupied Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, for 10 days.

After being 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. According to the United Nations, nearly 6.4 million people have been displaced in the DRC due to armed conflicts and natural disasters. 
A hotel along First Street slated for demolition welcomed its final visitors Thursday afternoon as Macon-Bibb County leaders and local press toured the crumbling structure.

Commonly known as the Old Ramada Hotel, it closed for good after years of financial trouble. The city acquired it earlier this year and marked it for demolition due to its poor condition and the enormous cost needed to rehab it.

The hotel has been a hindrance to development in the area, said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller, and the county hopes destroying it will begin a new chapter of growth.

The abandoned Ramada Hotel in downtown Macon sits off 1st Street on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Macon, Georgia. Construction crews are preparing the 16-story hotel for a controlled implosion on New Years Day at 9 a.m.

A troubled history

The Old Ramada Hotel was first constructed as the Macon Hilton Hotel in 1969. With 16 floors and more than 300 rooms, it was a hulking new building that dominated the Macon skyline.

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A group of prominent Macon business people backed the new hotel and sold stock to about 200 other people to fund construction.

At the time, it seemed like Macon was on the upswing. Construction had just wrapped on Interstate 75, and local leaders hoped it would bring a new wave of visitors to the city. The hotel was a physical manifestation of that optimism, with it being the first new hotel built downtown since 1913.

The laundry room of the abandoned Ramada Hotel sits flooded on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in downtown Macon, Georgia. Contractors working on the property said that some areas of the building have 8-10 inches of water, especially in the basement where the laundry room is located.

However, the ill-fated hotel faced trouble from the beginning. During its construction, a drainage pipe ruptured and the construction superintendent suffered a heart attack, delaying the project.

By 1980, the hotels owner had gone bankrupt and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. bought it for $3.1 million. The company invested $5 million in an attempt to turn the hotel into a Holiday Inn, but within eight years it was sold again to South Carolina-based Zurich Corp.

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Zurich Corp. financed the $5.8 million purchase through the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. Just a few months later, three men from Panama were arrested at the hotel on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering after undercover federal drug agents lured them into the city on the promise of a major drug deal.

It was just one of many scandals the Bank of Credit and Commerce International was involved in that were allegedly related to laundered drug money from Central America, according to prior media reports. The bank was also tied to the financing of former National Security Council staffer Oliver Norths arms deals with Iran, and helping former Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseins hide Iraqi oil profits, according to prior media reports.

In 1991, the Hilton Corp. cut ties with Zurich Corp., citing the company not making timely renovations. The building was renamed the Macon Downtown Hotel.

However, that year brought even more trouble when a guest was brutally raped, beaten and murdered by a hotel employee inside the building, according to prior media reports. Just six months later, in November, the hotel was renamed the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in hopes of a fresh start.

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Even then, the hotel cycled through several more owners, name changes and rebrands, all failing to generate success.

Debris sits around a staircase in the basement of the abandoned Ramada Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in downtown Macon, Georgia. Construction crews are preparing the 16-story hotel for a controlled implosion on New Years Day at 9 a.m.

Bibb County acquires the Ramada Hotel

After the hotels most recent owner, Sangha Hospitality, went bankrupt, the hotel went up for auction in November 2023.

Macon-Bibb County bought it for $4.5 million out of its general fund, but will reimburse the money through SPLOST, funds raised through a local sales tax on select items. The transaction was finalized earlier this year.

Alex Morrison, director of planning and public spaces with Macon-Bibb County, said the city bought the hotel knowing it would be demolished. The county estimated it would take more than $100 million to repair, and Morrison said that the building lacks the necessary structures and amenities to be used as anything other than a hotel.

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The hotel  its facade a checkerboard of shattered windows and cracked concrete walls  has hindered development along First and Walnut streets due to safety concerns and its unsightliness, Miller said.

No one has built to the river because of this property standing here, Miller said. It is blighted, it is dangerous, it creates issues for the community.

A construction worker walks through what was once the ballroom of the abandoned Ramada Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in downtown Macon. Construction crews are preparing the 16-story hotel for a controlled implosion on New Years Day at 9 a.m.

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County officials jumped at the chance to acquire it, fearing it wouldve otherwise been caught in another ill-considered business deal and only decay more.

The demolition is slated to take place at 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. J.J. Martin, senior project manager with Target Contractors, said Target Contractors plans to implode the building. This involves using explosives to kick out the buildings supports, causing it to fall inward.

Imploding is a quicker and safer way to demolish buildings in crowded areas like downtown Macon, Martin said. It ensures surrounding buildings wont be harmed, and minimizes the amount of dust and debris released into the air.

Its going to come straight down, Martin said. Gravity pretty much takes care of it.

Debris floats in the basement of the abandoned Ramada Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in downtown Macon, Georgia. Construction crews are preparing the 16-story hotel for a controlled implosion on New Years Day at 9 a.m.

While the county hasnt released concrete plans for what will replace the building, Morrison said the property will likely become a more modern hotel or convention space that will tie into other revitalization efforts along the Ocmulgee River and help connect downtown to other parts of the city.

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The county especially hopes to use the property to bolster a project called Renaissance on the River, Morrison said, which is expected to bring a mixed-use development to the west bank of the Ocmulgee River, along Riverside Drive near New Street.

This has been a landmark property thats brought people from all over the world to Macon, Georgia, and we imagine it can be that again, Morrison said. This will help bring the gravity of downtown Macon back towards Walnut Street and the river.

The county has not released a timeline for when it will unveil plans to replace the hotel or begin construction.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A man from Raytown, Missouri pleaded guilty in federal court today in a case involving the production of child pornography.

Court documents show that Cecil L. Pulluaim, 54, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to two counts of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. Documents claim that Pulluaim used a minor victim to create child pornography on two occasions in April of 2023.

Additionally, Pulluaim admitted that he was in possession of child porn on June 16, 2023.

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New details revealed in death of Gardner 2-year-old girl: court docs

On that day in June of 2023, Raytown Police searched Pulluaims residence, seizing his iPhone, which contained five explicit videos of the child victim taken over two days. Police also found a dozen other videos and photos of child pornography.

Pulluaim is now subject to a mandatory sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum sentence would be 70 years in prison without parole.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office is finished.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna is prosecuting this case. The Raytown, Mo., Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.

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How can it be, you may be wondering, that 55 percent of Americans tell pollsters they approve of how Donald Trump is handling the transition? He has nominatedalmost but not quite literally across the boardunqualified extremists. These are people whove never run large, complex organizations and who, if they shouldnt be ruled out on those grounds, should certainly be ruled out on the basis of their way-outside-the-mainstream views and announced goals to all but destroy the agencies theyre going to run; theyre people whose only association with the word cabinet should be the ones they select when remodeling their kitchens.

Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Kash Patel are just the starting rotation, as it were (and Matt Gaetz the lone casualty so far). Many, many others are objectionable in some way. Trumps would-be IRS guy is an auctioneer (seriously) who, in a brief congressional stint, sponsored something called the Tax Code Termination Act. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guy, another former congressman who runs a medical practice and whom Trump proposes to head a 13,000-employee, $9 billion operation, is arguably more anti-vax than RFK Jr. And so on, and so on. We could do this with about two-thirds of them.

And people support this. Why?

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Heres a conventional explanation. Because Americans are ready to turn the page. Because Joe Biden is so deeply unpopular that the country is restless to see him and his whole crew go. Because people still think Trump the businessman can make things better.

Theres a little truth in all that. But heres another explanation. People dont really know about these Cabinet picks because average Americans just arent as read-in to the news as they once were. They watch the news on their phones in 30-second snippets. If they read, its headlines and social media posts, maybe. So they know, probably, that Trump nominated Dr. Oz to something or other. But do they know that he has a roughly $30 million financial stake in companies that will be doing business with the very Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that he is probably going to lead? I very much doubt it.

Let me make two points here. First, I dont think there was some golden age when every citizen, or even most citizens, read all they could about such matters. Thats ridiculous. The concept of the informed citizenry on which democracy depends has always been a challenge. Second, this is not a blame-the-idiot-people column. People are busy. They have lives and kids and bills and passions and hobbies, and they dont make a lot of time for politics. Thats life.

All this is increasingly a by-product of life in a time of widening inequality too. If youre working longer hours to make ends meet, and its that much harder to tend to the immediate obligations the real world throws at you, youve got much less time to read news and reflect. Just one more reason why a more broadly shared prosperity is so important.

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So no, I dont blame people. I blame the larger culture, which has been almost totally drained of common concern about our civic health. First and foremost, I blame Rupert Murdoch (and to a lesser extent his imitators), whose media properties have injected so much poison and so many lies into our discourse since 1977 that common civic agreement about basic morality in public life has become impossible.

We used to have thatexcept about sex, which allowed JFK (among others) to survive politically, and about which society was completely hypocritical. But on all other matters, we had a basic understanding about what kinds of actions did and did not reflect our best values, and this was why Richard Nixon had to resign in disgrace for committing far fewer offenses than Trump already has. Everyone, whatever their politics, agreed that Nixon had clearly crossed a line. But that impulse is dead in the United States, and the right-wing media killed it.

I blame the mainstream media also for failing too often to fight hard enough to maintain their commitment to that common civic agreement about basic morality. Every narrative and meme that the mainstream media uncritically picks up from the right-wing ecosystem and runs with for the sake of clicksand there have been thousands of them over the yearshas contributed its little share to our civic collapse.

Many mainstream media outlets, starting with The New York Times, still do tons of important work, and wed be far poorer without their scoops and investigations. But those occasional scoops have been, in my view, more than outweighed by an overall tenor of political coverage that has watched one of our two parties descend into a particularly un-American blend of authoritarianism and cartoonish radicalism without nearly enough alarm bells getting raised. So much of the political media hasnt reckoned with whats comingat least not in a public-facing way with their readers and viewers.

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Making matters worse is that we seem to have good reason to worry that some outlets now want to make peace with Trumpism. The owner of The Washington Post (and I think you know who he is), after nixing the papers already-written Kamala Harris endorsement, is donating $1 million to Trumps inauguration. The owner of the Los Angeles Times is cooking up these new rules promising a more fair and balanced approach to the news. ABC is paying Trump $15 million (plus a million to cover legal fees) to settle a defamation claim that came after several ABC and Disney executives made pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago to meet with transition officials.

Its chilling. Its nonetheless true that the mainstream media in general have been pretty aggressive in what theyve been writing about Trumps nominees. But that just leaves us with the other problem: No one is reading. Only about 10 percent of people read newspapers anymore, and their online engagement with newspaper websites averages less than two minutes.

So: Sure, your average American is ready to bid Biden hasta la vista. But that isnt why people are relatively sanguine about the early days of a coming administration that has the makings of the most corrupt presidential administration ever. Theyre sanguine because they just dont know. They havent heard. Or if theyve heard, they dont believe it. They still think the checks and balances they learned about in school will sort things out and hold Trump at bay. They dont realize that Trump & Co. have formulated specific plans to evade or trample those checks and balances, and if theyve read that, they dont believe it, either.

Ill bet you my mortgage that among people who read news, whatever their political views, concern runs much higher. But these days, that describes a rapidly dwindling number of people. You know how pollsters ask respondents basic demographic and attitudinal questions before they get to the substance? I propose that all pollsters start including questions about peoples media habits so we can see, repeatedly, week in, week out, the growing chasm between the informed and the less informed (or, in the case of people who rely solely on right-wing media, the anti-informed).

In sum: The transition approval is more proof that the right-wing media has won. Disinforming is the new informing. And its spreading to more and more mainstream outlets. The only question, which more and more of us are asking, is when the liberal establishment in this country will wake up and tackle this problem.
MARSHALL, Mich. (WOOD)  More than a month after the election, the state Board of Canvassers has certified the recount in a Michigan House of Representatives.

State Rep. Jim Haadsma, D-Battle Creek, was defeated by Republican challenger Steve Frisbie, a Calhoun County commissioner, in the 44th Michigan House District race, the board certified. Frisbie won by 79 votes, the recount, which began on Dec. 9 at Marshall United Methodist Church, found.

Both candidates did gain votes during the hand recount. That is typical during a hand recount, you usually see total votes increase for candidates, Michigan Elections Director Jonathan Brater said during the boards meeting Monday.

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He said theres a few reasons for that, but the main reason is that human counters will catch things that a machine counter will not. Sometimes what a machine will read as an over vote, meaning someone voted for too many candidates in one race, a human counter may recognize as a stray mark.

Frisbie on Monday told News 8 the process was a roller coaster for him.

You started off thinking you won by almost 1,400 votes, you go two days later and you elect the speaker of the house and in the middle of that process I got a phone call from the clerk going, We need to talk, we got a problem,' he said. Thats not a text you want to get from the clerk after an election.

He had high praise for election officials, saying he has faith that the system worked as its supposed to.

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The initial unofficial results for the race showed Frisbie with nearly 1,400 more votes than Haadsma. But the Calhoun County clerk quickly realized that about 2,800 absentee ballots from Battle Creek had not been counted, The Detroit News reports, and revised the unofficial results. Frisbie sued to try to stop a recount of the absentee ballots while the county canvass was underway, but a judge threw out that suit.

Recount begins in 44th Michigan House District

When the count was finished and certified, Frisbie was still the winner, with 61 votes over Haadsma. That was a narrow enough difference for Haadsma to file for a recount.

Haadsmas attorney previously told News 8 that the recount would remove any doubt and confirm the data transfer error involving absentee ballots and all write-in candidates.

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This is a standard request when a race is this close. We trust that the hand recount will reach the correct result, Chris Trebilcock, Haadsmas lawyer, said in a statement.

Frisbie was the only candidate in West Michigan running for state House to flip a seat. Republicans will claim a majority of seats in the House in January, with a 58 to 52 advantage. Democrats will still have control of the state Senate.

The 44th House District covers northern Calhoun County, including the city of Battle Creek.

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With the holiday season in full swing, the American Red Cross is asking people to donate blood to ensure patients have the care they need through the end of the year.

As millions of Americans travel throughout the next few weeks, people tend to put off blood donations until the new year, the organization said. Coupled with colder weather and flu and cold season, that makes the winter a critical time of need for blood donations.

The Wisconsin Red Cross is hosting dozens of blood drives throughout the next month, along with continuing to operate its seven blood donation centers throughout the city. Blood and platelet donations are particularly needed during the holiday season, the organization said.

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From Dec. 16 to Jan. 3, donors will receive a free, long-sleeve American Red Cross shirt, while supplies last. And from Jan. 1 to 26, which is National Blood Donor Month, all donors will be entered to win a trip for two to next year's Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Here's what to know about giving blood in Wisconsin.

Diana Winkel of Menomonee Falls settles in for her blood donation.

Where can you give blood in Wisconsin?

To find a blood donation site near you, you can enter your zip code into the Red Cross search tool. You will then be able to choose from a variety of nearby locations and upcoming appointment times.

For Milwaukeeans, the closest Red Cross donation center is at 2220 Silvernail Rd. in Pewaukee  though several donation drives will be held in the city in the upcoming weeks.

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Versiti, a blood health organization, also routinely hosts blood drives in the Milwaukee area. Find appointments near you here.

Upcoming blood drives in Milwaukee

Here are some upcoming Red Cross blood drives in Milwaukee within the next month.

Dec. 20: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Local 215, 5625 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Jan. 2: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Milwaukee Public Library East, 2320 N. Cramer St.

Jan. 8: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Granular, 316 N. Milwaukee St. #100

Jan. 14 : 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Broken Bat Brewing Co, 135 E Pittsburgh Ave

Jan 14 : 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., U.S. Courthouse, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Jan. 16: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, 1450 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.

How to prepare to give blood

Ahead of donating blood, the organization recommends getting a full night of sleep, staying hydrated and consuming iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans and spinach.

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Make sure to set aside an hour for your appointment, though the blood donation itself will only take eight to 10 minutes. You can read more about the appointment process here and blood donation eligibility requirements here.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How to donate blood in Wisconsin: upcoming drives, Red Cross centers
Buying a live Christmas tree and getting the family together to decorate it  or to watch someone else decorate it  are some highlights of the Christmas season.

If you are not careful, however, that Christmas tree can go from being a beautiful, pine-smelling symbol of the holidays to the fire-causing culprit that has turned your Christmas break into a time for finding housing for your family and pets.

The holiday season is not only a time to celebrate family and gifts, it is the time when the Red Cross chapters and fire departments across the nation see an increase in home fires, typically caused by Christmas trees  although presents also pose a risk.

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These fires are 100% preventable, however, as long as you know what to with your tree and those gifts, fire officials say.

"My biggest advice (is) to make sure the tree is in a proper location in the house," said Salt Lake Fire Capt. Brandt Hancuff. "You want to make sure the tree is 3 feet away from any source of heat ... fireplace, candle, even a space heater."

Monday, the Red Cross of the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter and the Salt Lake City Fire Department joined forces to demonstrate the speed at which a flame from a candle can quickly engulf and destroy everything in a room.

In a burn cube that was built in a steel-framed shipping container and placed outdoors, a mock living room was created with a sofa, a side chair and gifts in wrapping paper. A firefighter used a candle with a relatively small flame and lit the tree, which was fully engulfed in flames in just a few minutes. The flames then quickly spread across the room, destroying everything in its path.

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All caused by the flames from a candle on a Christmas tree.

Salt Lake City Fire Department Training Capt. Justin Morrow sets a Christmas tree on fire with a candle during a Christmas tree fire safety demonstration held by the American Red Cross of Utah and Salt Lake City Fire Department at the Salt Lake City Fire Training Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

"Sixty percent of the disasters we respond to every year are home fires, which is surprising to a number of people because they think of us in terms of hurricanes, tornados, other things of that nature," said Jeremiah Lafranca, executive director of the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. "One of the most common things with Christmas trees is that people just don't take care of them properly."

Local firefighters and staff from the area Red Cross remind anyone with a fresh tree to water it, making sure it does not get dry. They also suggest checking out your tree lights to ensure there are not any tattered areas of the cord. They also encourage families with fresh trees to shut the tree lights off when they go to bed or leave the house.

Although Christmas trees may be the cause of many house fires this time of year, presents are also flammable and can cause a home fire as well. Embers from the flames in the fireplace catching hold of a wrapped gift are not rare. As such, firefighters suggest using the same rule for gifts as you do with the tree: Keep them 3 feet away from any heat source, including space heaters.

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If some of these recommendations sound familiar, they should. The Salt Lake City Fire Department has been holding these demonstrations for at least the last 30 years. Firefighters often repeat the same tips to keep people and homes safe, but the firefighters do not mind  not if it can save a life.

"Not only do we respond to emergencies, if we can prevent the emergencies, that's the best," Hancuff said. "So we'll give this message every year to show the importance ... and at least prevent one (fire)."

Christmas tree fire safety tips:

Choose a fresh tree with green needles that don't fall off when touched. Cut 2 inches from the tree trunk base before placing it in the stand to improve water absorption. Keep the tree well watered and check the water level daily. Position the tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, space heaters or candles. Ensure the tree doesn't block any exits. Use only holiday lights certified by a recognized testing laboratory. Inspect light strings and connections for damage. Do not use broken or frayed wires. Turn off Christmas tree lights before going to bed or leaving home. Never use lit candles to decorate the tree. Dispose of the tree safely after the holidays, especially if it has dried out.

Information from the American Red Cross

A mock living room with a Christmas tree, presents and a couch burns during a Christmas tree fire safety demonstration held by the American Red Cross of Utah and Salt Lake City Fire Department at the Salt Lake City Fire Training Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Salt Lake City Fire Department Training Capt. Justin Morrow puts out a fire burning down a mock living room with a Christmas tree, presents and a couch during a Christmas tree fire safety demonstration held by the American Red Cross of Utah and Salt Lake City Fire Department at the Salt Lake City Fire Training Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Salt Lake City Fire Department Training Capt. Justin Morrow puts out a fire burning down a mock living room with a Christmas tree, presents and a couch during a Christmas tree fire safety demonstration held by the American Red Cross of Utah and Salt Lake City Fire Department at the Salt Lake City Fire Training Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

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(WTAJ)  The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is urging residents to make a lifesaving difference this holiday season by donating blood or platelets.

With just two weeks left in 2024, the organization highlights the urgent need for donations to help patients enjoy the holidays with their loved ones.

The Red Cross reports that seasonal factors like holiday travel, winter illnesses, and unpredictable weather often reduce donor turnout, making this time of year critical for maintaining a stable blood supply. Donors with type O negative blood and platelet donors are especially encouraged to contribute.

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To thank donors, the Red Cross is offering an exclusive long-sleeved T-shirt to those who give blood or platelets from Dec. 16, 2024, through Jan. 3, 2025, while supplies last. Additionally, individuals who donate between Jan. 1-26, 2025, will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Severe weather impacts drivers and roads across Central PA

Appointments are quick and easy to schedule using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Donors can also expedite the process by completing the RapidPass pre-donation screening online before their appointment.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Specific height and weight requirements apply to high school donors.

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Help ensure blood supply remains strong through winter by taking an hour to give this December.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters.

Every donation saves lives and makes a lasting impact.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, cut the relief on death duties provided to farms and family businesses in half in her maiden Budget - John Thys/AFP via Getty Images

Rachel Reevess inheritance tax raid on family businesses and farms will backfire by costing the Treasury over 1bn more than it makes, economists have said.

A drop in investment caused by the Chancellor slashing tax relief risks outweighing the extra income the Exchequer expects to gain from the changes, according to analysis by CBI Economics.

Its report says the Treasury has underestimated the impact of changes to business property relief (BPR), with the majority of family businesses forced to cut investment because of the raid.

Analysts estimate that 125,678 jobs will be lost as a result. Overall, the loss of economic activity will lead to a 2.6bn reduction in income from taxes such as corporation tax, income tax and national insurance over the next five years, the research suggests.

This is much more than the estimated 1.38bn in extra inheritance tax that Ms Reeves hopes to raise from cutting BPR, meaning that the Exchequer will be 1.26bn worse off than under the status quo.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, will cite the research in a speech in London on Monday as she warns that no one is safe from Labours tax raid.

Speaking at the Business Property Relief Summit, Mrs Badenoch is expected to say: Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves spent months, years even, on a charm offensive to convince businesses they had nothing to fear from a Labour government.

Within weeks of taking office, they unleashed the worst raid on family business in living memory. They promised to get growth going. Instead, growth is going backwards.

Keir Starmers decisions will drain investment and growth out of the British economy. And no one is safe. Businesses small and large, rural and urban, whether they make goods or provide services.

The warning from Family Business UK that Labours changes to BPR could lead to 125,000 job losses is chilling. For some context, that figure is equivalent to the entire population of Blackburn.

The changes to BPR mean that a 20pc levy will be charged on inherited business assets over 1m when someone dies. Agricultural property relief (APR) is also being limited, meaning farmland will be taxed too.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, said: Rachel Reeves is no economist. Her Budget measures and total lack of understanding of the private sector is driving us into recession.

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, said: Farmers have had to deal with botched trade deals, endless amounts of red tape and now this tax hike from the Chancellor will hit farmers even harder leading to the collapse of so many family farms and countless jobs.
Amid all the racket about whether Labours new devolution plan is a milestone or a car crash, an intriguing detail is coming to the fore. Westminster chatter about devolution is trapped in time, ridden with anxious memories about the awesome power of loony Left councils in the 1980s. Today, however, much of the country is itching to free itself from the loony centre.

Touring the Red Wall, I have found that Britains left-behind areas are fed up with Whitehalls fanatical faith in centralised power, even as the levers of state crumble and malfunction.

They are dismayed at the post-growth defeatism that dampens the spirit of Parliament. Northern movers and shakers, prickling with local pride, sigh that they dont get out of bed in the morning to manage decline. They are exhausted after decades of oscillating between destructive, totalising theories about how the world should work.

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Ironically, all of this means that a pent-up Thatcherite energy is wrestling to break free in a region that is ambivalent about her legacy. For if there is a new evangelical faith crystallising outside London to rival the Westminster cult of central planning, it is that the former seats of the industrial revolution can resurge in the new technological age, if only their animal spirits were not being impeded by a sclerotic central state that slows it down with an endless circus of complex and distorting funding bids and chopping and changing policy.

Several decades after the collapse of manufacturing, deprived regions finally have a feeling for what needs to be done. They just wish London would get out of the way and let them do it.

Where Parliament is gallopingly zealotish, the provinces are determinedly shrewd. Regional entrepreneurs are in the same breath mocking of Ed Milibands net zero histrionics and ruthlessly focused on the potential for Northern energy to take off like the City of London.

Though Labour claims to have started a devolution revolution with the publication of its White Paper, in truth it has not quite acquiesced to the Red Walls wishes. Its plans to extend devolution to the whole of England, and hand more powers in transport and housing to its 12 metro mayors dont go far enough. The bid to merge councils into mega-structures could even prove to be a step back.

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Britain will pay the price for Labours timidity. Because while the centre may be at a loss about how to fix broken Britain, the country has almost cracked the formula to levelling up.

Forty years into Britains bid to address regional inequality, the Red Wall is finally gaining clarity on what works  and what has failed miserably.

Not all the insights have been painful: the Red Wall is learning that small interventions can do huge things. In Hull, news of a smattering of energy firms offering new apprenticeship jobs that pay 20-somethings 50,000 a year has spread like wildfire in local comprehensives, raising aspirations. Meanwhile, tech clusters are finding that the cascading benefits of nurturing even just a couple of firms can be huge. Take space technology, where start-ups have launched purely based on the data produced by cluster firms building things for space missions.

But most of the lessons have been bitter. Westminsters insistence on making the regions compete against each other for pots of money wraps regeneration in paperwork.

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Councils are caught in a trap: their lack of powers means they remain a career backwater for second-rate politicians, reinforcing Londons snooty attitude that the provinces lack competence. Many places have learnt from bitter experience that sprucing up city centres in the hope of attracting talented professionals and entrepreneurs is a pipe dream.

After a rocky journey, we are on the verge of figuring out the formula for stimulating new markets in post-industrial areas. The freeport experiment is proving key. Last week I visited the Saltend Chemicals Park in Hull, part of the new Humber Freeport. Its cutting-edge projects include a green hydrogen plant and Europes first rare earth metal processing facility.

The net zero crusade has alienated many conservatives. Still, the Humber Freeport is flourishing not as the result of top-down diktat, but because it creates an environment that encourages business to take a punt on high-risk, high-reward energy innovation.

Freeports lure innovators with free-market carrots in the form of tax and customs relief. Even more cleverly, with their emphasis on vocational training and concrete state incentives to support economic growth  such as letting local governments keep the money raised through business rates  they are building microclimates remarkably similar to those that gave rise to early European capitalism.

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The organised training provided by medieval guilds and the fact that barons were predisposed to promote local markets as a speculative investment were both instrumental in the dawn of the capitalist age.

While freeports might be flourishing, there is a danger that if the country fails to devolve, it could all go wrong.

Humber is lucky that its established status as a world-leading energy centre happens to be aligned with No 10s net zero priorities. That will not always be the case. If freeports are micro-managed and financed by the centre, they will be tempted to distort their plans to fit whatever is in vogue with No 10 rather than playing to strengths.

After 20 years of moulding themselves to fit cookie-cutter centrally dictated innovation projects, science clusters are finally working out how they can unlock growth. This was brought home to me when I visited the research institute at Space Park Leicester.

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An intractable problem for innovation remains that academics and entrepreneurs might as well be from different planets; additionally, amid the collapse of corporate research and development, big business has become hopeless at sniffing out cutting-edge ventures in areas like satellite data.

The Space Parks answer is to throw rocket science professors and aerospace companies together, in a complex where they share facilities, interacting by accident as well as design, not just on formal projects but discussing radioisotopes over a baked potato and cheese in the canteen.

The hitch is that, even with the right approach, all this is several decades in the making. Labours half-hearted approach to devolution is only slowing things down. With Reform surging amid widening inequality, Starmer may live to regret his hesitation.

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Reid Hoffman said he'd faced threats after Elon Musk fueled a baseless conspiracy theory about him.

Musk has amplified claims that the LinkedIn cofounder was a client of Jeffrey Epstein.

Hoffman said he regretted his past association with Epstein and had hired security after threats.

Reid Hoffman, a cofounder of LinkedIn, said he had received threats of violence  and had to hire security  since Elon Musk fueled a baseless conspiracy theory about him.

Musk, the Tesla CEO who worked with Hoffman at PayPal, replied earlier this month to an X post in which a user implied Hoffman had visited the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's private island.

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He replied with the "100" emoji to a post saying: "This guy is TERRIFIED about Trump releasing the Epstein Client list after all his visits to Epstein Island."

Musk also made the claim during an October interview with the former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, in which he said Hoffman was among the "billionaires behind Kamala" who were "terrified" by the prospect of Epstein's client list being made public.

Speaking with the British newspaper The Sunday Times, Hoffman said Musk had developed a "conviction with no evidence" that he had a close relationship with Epstein.

"Elon's defamation makes me angry and sad," he said. "Angry because it is an ugly assault. Sad because it comes from someone whose entrepreneurial achievements I continue to admire."

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He added that he didn't want to "dignify" the threats he had received by sharing any details but said, "I've hired security staff as a result."

After Epstein's suicide in jail in 2019, Hoffman apologized for inviting him to a dinner party in 2015 with other tech tycoons  including Musk, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Palantir's cofounder Peter Thiel  while fundraising for MIT's renowned Media Lab.

Hoffman said he was told Epstein's involvement in raising donations had been vetted and approved by MIT. But he later wrote in an email to Axios that he regretted not conducting his own research into Epstein, who died while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

"My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015," Hoffman said in the email. "Still, by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice. For this, I am deeply regretful."

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He told The Sunday Times that he "went to no Epstein parties" and that he "didn't even know who he was."

Hoffman is a major Democratic donor who used X to voice his support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. "My message for American voters and Russian bots: don't vote for the guy too busy selling you a scamcoin," he wrote in a post on X on Election Day. In September, Donald Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, announced World Liberty Financial, a crypto project that launched its wlfi crypto coin in October.

Musk has become a close ally of Trump, having been tasked with leading a new advisory committee, the Department of Government Efficiency, alongside the pharmaceutical entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The decline in the prices of commercial residential homes in China's 70 large and medium-sized cities narrowed on a year-on-year basis in November, official data showed on Monday. 
Reid Hoffman said there was a "greater than 50% chance" he'd face retaliation for backing Kamala Harris.

The LinkedIn cofounder made the remarks on an episode of the "Diary of a CEO" podcast.

Hoffman was one of the vice president's most prominent Silicon Valley business supporters.

Reid Hoffman, the billionaire LinkedIn cofounder and outspoken Democrat, has said it's likely he'll face retaliation from President-elect Donald Trump for supporting Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

"I think that there's a greater than 50% chance that there will be repercussions from a misdirection and corruption of the institutions of state to respond to my having tried to help Harris get elected," Hoffman said on an episode of the "Diary of a CEO" podcast that aired on Monday.

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Hoffman said he hoped any retaliation from Trump would be fairly tame, naming possibilities such as Internal Revenue Service audits or phone calls from the incoming president trying to hurt his business prospects.

"It could get much worse, but I don't really want to speculate on it because I don't want to give anybody any ideas," he said.

He added that any repercussions would be "undemocratic and un-American."

Regardless, Hoffman said he had no plans to leave the United States.

Nearly 90 top business executives  including Hoffman  signed a letter endorsing Harris' candidacy ahead of the general election, touting her plan to expand tax deductions for small businesses. The letter said Harris' White House bid was "the best way to support the continued strength, security, and reliability of our democracy and economy."

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Hoffman was also part of a cohort of business leaders who put together an initiative to get right-leaning swing voters on board with Harris' candidacy by stressing her pro-business stances.

On the podcast, Hoffman said he'd spoken with fellow billionaires during the campaign who applauded his political actions but declined to partake themselves for fear of getting "penalized" if Trump won.

"Part of the reason why I think less people were public about it this cycle was because President Trump was threatening personal and political retaliation, and so you had to have a certain degree of courage to stand up  and courage in the public area," he said.

Since winning a second term, Trump has put several Silicon Valley business leaders in prominent roles, naming Elon Musk as cohead of the Department of Government Efficiency and David Sacks as the AI and crypto czar.

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Despite his dislike for Trump and many of his policies, Hoffman said some of the president-elect's deregulation efforts could broadly benefit entrepreneurs.

"I think they're going to reduce regulation across the board for all entrepreneurs, so I think that's helpful for entrepreneurship," he said.

Representatives for Hoffman and Trump didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
[Attached video shows previous Fox 8 coverage]

AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW)  The final controlled demolition of the old Avon Lake Power Plant is expected to happen this week.

Cant turn the ball over: Interceptions, fumbles central in Browns 21-7 loss to Chiefs

The Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group, or ALERG, has set the implosion for the week of Dec. 16 to Dec. 20, according to a news release. The exact date and time have yet to be determined, and will depend on weather conditions.

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If you live in Avon Lake, and you havent done so already, the City is urging residents to sign up for an alert system through their website so theyll be notified the day before the planned implosion, and again 30 minutes prior to it.

The plan 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 last week that both the city and ALERG will be doing air quality checks, but they had success with the first blast in July 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.

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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.

Lake Road between Miller Road and Moore Road will be closed for approximately one hour during the implosion, the release said. Further, a 1,700-foot exclusion zone will be established around the site for additional safety  building owners, businesses, and residents within the exclusion zone will be notified directly.

Threats made to entire Akron Police Department, mayor says

Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts at www.AvonLake.org/Alert, or by calling City Hall at 440-933-6141. Paper forms are also available at Avon Lake City Hall and Avon Lake Public Library. ALERG has established a toll-free hotline for residents with questions or concerns about the demolition: 1-844-822-8385.

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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.

Preliminary review: Deadly force justified in Champaign home invasion

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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.

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.

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This article was originally published on Dec. 15, 2022.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  It has been three years since a wind-whipped storm moved across Kansas, causing devastating fires and reduced visibility for drivers.

The storm system on Dec. 15, 2021, carried winds that reached up to 100 mph. It caused downed power lines, which sparked numerous fires. One of those fires became known as the Four County Fire. The fire caused the most devastation in Ellis, Rooks, Russell and Osborne counties.

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The blaze was impossible for firefighters to even engage, forcing authorities to order mandatory evacuations of Codell, Natoma, Paradise, Waldo and Luray.

December 2021 Kansas wildfires (KSN Photo) Four County Fire (KSN Photo) Four County Fire (KSN Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Emergency crews respond to field of flames in Ellis County Thursday night, Dec. 16, 2021. (KSNT/ Rebekah Chung) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) December 2021 Kansas wildfires (KSN Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Kansas Forest Service personnel work to control the Four County Fire (Courtesy: Kansas News Service) Livestock after the Four County Fire (KSN Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Four County Fire (KSNT Photo) Four County Fire aftermath (KSN Photo) A half-burned wooden fence post hangs on barbed wire near Koesters ranch in Russell County. The wind covered the burned grass in this area with a layer of tan soot and dust (Courtesy: Kansas News Service) Burned tree stumps stick out of an ash-covered piece of pasture near Koesters ranch in Russell County (Courtesy: Kansas News Service) Piles of dust and soot resembling desert sand dunes line the edge of a pasture in Russell County, with burned trees dotting the background (Courtesy: Kansas News Service)

Numerous homes, outbuildings and other structures were destroyed. Approximately 1,400 cattle, horses and other livestock perished in the fire. Derrick Scott Kelley died when he became trapped in the fire. Another man, Richard Shimanek, died from burns while trying to save his farm near Leoti.

The Kansas Forest Service said nearly 163,000 acres burned across the state.

The wind-driven dust also caused numerous crashes, including an eight-vehicle pile-up in Grant County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, there were 51 non-injury crashes, 20 injuries crashes, and three fatal.

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In the aftermath, recovery efforts from the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Office of the Governor and other groups helped repair the damage done.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
To support. To love. To care.

That's what "Mama" Nikki Giovanni meant to Chicago Poet Laureate Avery R. Young. Colleagues through the arts community, Young revered Giovanni's work and shared a few laughs with the legendary poet during her life.

When Young learned of Giovanni's death on Dec 9., time paused.

"It was heavy," Young said.

He knew that he had to do something to honor her memory. So, the poet ordered a bouquet and a teddy bear and placed it at the Poetry Foundation in her honor as an impromptu memorial. Young encouraged other poets touched by Giovanni's influence to do the same.

A small tribute to Nikki Giovanni was set up at the Poetry Foundation in Chicago on Dec. 12, 2024.

"God blessed me with enough breath in my lungs and mobility in my limbs to do that, so I did it," Young said. "She was such a powerful, powerful human being."

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Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr., truly has a larger-than-life spirit. Word of her death due to complications with cancer last week has prompted memorials in Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia and beyond.

Where to find Nikki Giovanni's works in Knoxville

Throughout her life, Giovanni wrote more than 25 books. This includes 13 children's poetry books, a dozen essays and conversations, and 20 poetry books, according to her website. Not to mention her films, CDs and Grammy-nominated records.

Her books are available locally at The Bottom, Union Ave Books and Fable Hollow Coffee & Bookeshoppe, among others. Nationally, you can find Giovanni's writing at Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million and more.

What are Nikki Giovanni's most famous poems?

Giovanni was a prolific writer, though one of her most popular poems was written early in her career. "Nikki-Rosa" was written in 1968, touching upon Giovanni's fear that others misinterpret poverty for unhappiness.

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"Black love is Black wealth and theyll / probably talk about my hard childhood / and never understand that / all the while I was quite happy," Giovanni wrote in "Nikki-Rosa."

Other famous poems by Giovanni include:

"Black Feeling, Black Talk" (1968)

"Black Judgement" (1968)

"Re: Creation" (1970)

"Gemini: An Extended Autobiographical Statement on My First Twenty-Five Years of Being a Black Poet" (1971), finalist for the 1973 National Book Award

"Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People" (1973)

"Those Who Ride the Night Winds" (1983)

"Knoxville, Tennessee" (1994)

"Love Poems" (1997)

"The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni: 1968-1998" (2003)

"Rosa" (2005)

"Bicycles: Love Poems" (2009)

"Make Me Rain" (2020)

"A Library" (2022)

Poet Nikki Giovanni signs a copy of her book "Knoxville, Tennessee" after a ceremony unveiling a marker in her honor at the Cal Johnson Recreation Center on Hall of Fame Drive in Knoxville in May 2019.

When will Nikki Giovanni's new book be released?

Giovanni still has one more book to share with the world.

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Her final book "The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things" will be released on Sept. 2, 2025, according to Amazon. The book is available for pre-order now.

Where to watch 'Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project'

"Going to Mars" is a documentary that looks at the historical periods that Giovanni lived through, from the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter. The documentary features live readings of Giovanni's poems

The film won an Emmy for Exceptional Merit In Documentary Filmmaking in 2024, among many other prestigious honors.

You can stream "Going to Mars: A Nikki Giovanni Project" on HBO Max.

Knoxville memorial service on Thursday

A special memorial tribute to Giovanni will be at noon Dec. 19 at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Knoxville, with words of commemoration by the Rev. Renee Kesler, president of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center.

Giovanni to be buried in Cincinnati cemetery

The famous poet will be laid to rest in Cincinnati, where she spent her formative years. Giovanni will be buried in Spring Grove Cemetery.

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A public graveside burial service for Giovanni will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, according to a news release on behalf of her family.

Memorial service planned at Virginia Tech

Plans for a memorial service for Giovanni are in the works at Virginia Tech, where she was a professor for 35 years. Giovanni retired from teaching in 2022.

The service will take place in February 2025, according to a Virginia Tech press release.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Remembering Knoxville's Nikki Giovanni: How to honor poet's legacy
Two of the most influential corporate citizens of Detroit have teamed up to solve a complex problem.

And then they fumbled the rollout.

General Motors and Bedrock presented a plan last month to demolish two towers of the Renaissance Center in an effort to create a more connected downtown riverfront while preserving the famed skyline. While Bedrock announced it would pay $1 billion for the redevelopment, the announcement also called for a $250 million appropriation from the State of Michigan.

Aerial photo of the General Motors Renaissance Center in Detroit on Friday, July 8, 2022.

Incoming Republican Speaker of the House Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, panned GM/Bedrocks $250 million state subsidy request: How insulting is it to the taxpayers that these guys say, Were leaving ... and we want you guys to pay to tear down the building on the way out?

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Days later, GM (the automaker owns five of seven towers) responded that if it cant garner the public funds, it would demolish all the buildings, at its own expense, an ultimatum some have called an extortion tactic.

Hear me out: Make the Renaissance Center a waterpark | Letters

But local leaders are singing an entirely different tune.

The now third-term lame duck, Mayor Mike Duggan  who announced this month that hes running for governor in 2026 as an independent  immediately endorsed the plans and encouraged the Legislature to authorize the public dollars.

The same went for City Council President Mary Sheffield  who announced her own 2025 campaign for mayor last week. Once a fierce opponent of tax incentives, she endorsed the GM/Bedrock plan as well.

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Craig Wilkins, an urbanist and associate professor of architecture at the University of Michigan, spoke to the Free Press shortly after the announcement, pushing for more public engagement.

If you build it they will come  thats bad design, he said. You build it based on what people want, and this doesnt seem like its had any kind of input from anyone other than the developers and the architects.

GM and Bedrock have to ignore self-imposed, artificial deadlines, and rethink community engagement, as well as the essence of a public-private partnership.

There is room for better alignment in what GM/Bedrock think is the best use, with what members of our community want for the RenCen. Our city leaders also need to eschew political calculations in this moment and focus on representing the publics interest for such a transformative opportunity.

PPP that works for you and me

General Motors is a publicly traded company that has a primary obligation to its shareholders. Full stop.

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Although it has prioritized corporate citizenship, it would be naive to believe that GMs disposition of the iconic landmark should be viewed solely from the eyes of a city planner, an urbanist or member of the general public.

It is therefore instructive to revisit GMs statement of purpose when understanding this obligation to its shareholders. "Our purpose at General Motors is to pioneer the innovations that move and connect people to what matters."

Nothing about this statement remotely relates to redeveloping a 5.5-million-square-foot dinosaur of commercial space, no matter how much sentimental value the iconic towers hold.

Which brings us to GMs partnership with Bedrock, the real estate development company founded by Dan Gilbert, who now owns more than 100 properties in and around downtown Detroit. Bedrock has the following mission statement: "We create a better experience for people in the spaces we develop and manage, while transforming communities for the future."

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While Bedrocks mission clearly offers a better connection to the reuse of the legendary landmark, determining the best possible conversion of a symbol of our skyline requires much more public input.

This is why the RenCen project needs to be a true public-private partnership, a term that gets used a lot, but is not often reflected accurately.

A PPP is a collaborative agreement between a government (or multiple government) agencies and private business  typically real estate developers. This leverages resources available to both sectors to deliver infrastructure more efficiently  such as planning expertise, and other front end operations that foster feasibility, as well as lower borrowing costs for the private sector.

But despite the mayor and city council president rubber stamping the project, absent any public engagement, the pushback from the incoming House speaker Matt Hall is timely, and represents what is best in a public-private partnership  collaboration.

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You dont have to look far to see our neighbors deploying PPPs as we compete for economic development activity around the Midwest. In my day job, Im the Detroit Market Leader for AECOM, an American, multinational infrastructure consulting firm. My firm has been working with Ramsey County, Minnesota for the past five years on that citys River's Edge project in St. Paul. Rivers Edge engaged a PPP in taking crumbling, underutilized assets (a former youth detention center), and reimagining the space to create a new amenity along the Mississippi River. We assisted Ramsey County in first analyzing feasibility for potential use of the site, and then designed the base infrastructure that will allow development to take place.

Another example includes Chicago selecting three proposals for adaptive reuse of office buildings and investing $550 million to create more than 1,000 mixed-income apartments along LaSalle Street in the downtown loop. Public engagement is critical and allows government and community to shape the direction of future use of an existing private asset. The feasibility assessment we performed at the direction of city government, coupled with the public investment, allowed this conversion to take place.

The bottom line is that a PPP doesnt work when the public simply becomes an ATM for the developer. These projects gave the public an equal seat at the table.

A deal like the RenCen redevelopment needs public leadership to push the developer to think bigger, and to maximize the public benefit.

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What needs to occur during a PPP in a project this size starts with a comprehensive planning study to seek extensive community feedback on best future use as it fits into a larger plan for both the downtown and east riverfront. A great example of such a robust planning effort was the East Riverfront Framework Plan of 2017.

Here, Detroit partnered with nonprofits, labor groups and the private sector to compile a team of planners and design professionals to create a shared vision for the future of the East Riverfront.

This was done with intensive engagement with the public and key stakeholders, and this work could serve as a template for the RenCen.

A meaningful PPP would put the public at the table to collaborate on the highest and best use for the RenCens next phase.

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But even with public input, consensus for the best use of the RenCen, and the waterfront property it occupies, may be hard to reach.

The case for full adaptive reuse into residential

Anyone who has ever entered the RenCen knows immediately that the biggest challenge is the fact that it is a maze, disconnected not just from downtown, but the riverfront, and everything else.

Its more like a casino than the intended city within a city  once you get in, its hard to find your way out. The plan to demolish two towers and the low-rise base to create a new promenade isnt a bad solution, but when the public is engaged, more options surely will present.

While the GM/Bedrock plan prioritizes connecting the downtown core to the Riverfront, total adaptive reuse is naturally the most sustainable choice, and also prioritizes density and connectivity to the East Riverfront. With real public support, this may pose a better future for the RenCen.

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Removing the low-rise cap that connects the high-rise towers, while fully preserving all five towers for full conversion to residential and public use creates a ton of opportunities.

The 25 Water Street development in New York Citys Financial District is one example. New York developers GFP Real Estate and Metro Loft Management are converting the 22-story, 1.1 million-square-foot office tower into a 1,263-unit apartment building.

In Cleveland, real estate firm The Millenia Cos. is redeveloping a 100-year-old downtown office structure into a proposed mix of workforce housing, retail and office space, a hotel, a museum and high-end restaurant. A sustainable reuse plan to make the RenCen a grid-interactive efficient building should also be a priority. Grid-interactive efficient buildings reduce energy and carbon waste, while being directly connected to the grid, offering flexible building loads back to the grid. These buildings use smart equipment, sensors and controls to optimize energy use based on occupancy, weather and other factors.

Another benefit of total adaptive reuse is creating much needed density. Ive written about how prioritizing connected neighborhoods is critical to growing our population. I can imagine that a potential extension of the QLINE and/or People Mover, fully connecting downtown to the the East Riverfront is an idea that would arise out of meaningful PPP discussion.

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This concept of developing a dense yet connected residential neighborhood would make the Renaissance Center more akin to Hudson Yards in New York.

While Hudson Yards was a ground-up development, an adaptive reuse of RenCen would share the fact the each can be considered a neighborhood with shopping, dining, living and working. Heck, it has the potential to become a neighborhood faster than The District Detroit. At least the RenCen buildings already exist.

A marvel and a model

The future of the Renaissance Center needs real public engagement through a public-private partnership  one where city and state leaders are at the table pressing for a solution that brings a new future, better aligned to existing city planning efforts, to the iconic buildings.

In this scenario, full adaptive reuse should be on the table. It has the potential to add to our population, while being the most sustainable option.

The RenCens next incarnation should serve not just as an architectural marvel, but as a model for civic-minded urban development  one that helps Detroit stand taller, live greener and connect more deeply than ever before.

Free Press contributing columnist Michael Griffie is an educator, attorney and infrastructure executive.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online or in print.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: A RenCen redo could work, with a lot more public input | Opinion
WASHINGTON, S.C. (WBTW)  South Carolina Rep. Rusell Fry has been appointed to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee when the 119th Congress convenes in January.

Fry, a Republican from Surfside Beach, said he was honored to be appointed to the committee, which is the oldest standing legislative committee in U.S. House. It deals with issues relating to the environment, energy, technology, affordable internet access, consumer protection, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, grid security, sports, and privacy, Frys office said in a news release.

This is a critical committee when it comes to the needs of South Carolina and our nation as a whole, Fry said. It wields the power to help increase energy production, lower energy prices, streamline technological innovation, ensure affordable healthcare, bolster manufacturing, and support tourism. The legislative actions of this committee will create a ladder for success for hardworking American families.

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Fry, who has been in Congress since January 2023, said he is excited about working on the committee.

Together, we will restore U.S. energy independence, cultivate a prosperous economy, and maintain dominance on the world stage, he said.

* * *

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.
Protesters and clinic escorts gathered outside EMW Womens Surgical Center in Louisville last year before abortion was banned in Kentucky. (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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.
Protesters and clinic escorts gathered outside EMW Womens Surgical Center in Louisville in 2022 before abortion was banned in Kentucky. (Photo by Deborah Yetter/Kentucky Lantern))

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

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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.

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.

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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.

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

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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.

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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.

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Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is sounding the alarm over  stars?

A recent spate of drone sightings over New Jersey have sparked widespread confusion and some panic among lawmakers, now including Hogan, who took to X Friday to call on federal officials to do something about the lights he saw floating in the sky.

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, Hogan wrote in a post.

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The former Republican governor included a two-minute video of the night sky, in which a few small lights can be seen, and its unclear whether the lights are static or in motion.

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. But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government, Hogan wrote.

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, Hogan continued, and he expressed frustration at not knowing the origin of the lights or whether they were dangerous.

That response is entirely unacceptable. I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue, Hogan wrote. The American people deserve answers and action now.

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While Hogan may have been speaking to the legitimate concern of citizens of the Eastern seaboard, its not clear that what he was able to film were drones at all.

Matthew Cappucci, a meteorologist, replied to Hogans post with what feels like an important fact-check.

With immense respect, Mr. governor, this is the constellation Orion, Cappucci wrote in a post on X. He included an image of the lights in the video labeled as the stars Bellatrix, Bettleguese, Mintaka, Alnilam, and Alnitak.

Its made up of stars between 244 and 1,344 light years away. The stars will be in a similar place tomorrow, Cappucci added.

Last week, right-wing fear hustler Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was quick to use the drones to suggest that the federal government was failing to keep Americans safe. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, clearly intent on taking the safety of his constituents seriously, used the drones to mock former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
BISHKEK, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov has been dismissed from his post due to a transfer to another position, the presidential administration said on Monday.

First Deputy Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev has been appointed as acting prime minister. His nomination needs to be approved by the parliament.

Japarov has worked as prime minister since October 2021. 
The News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s vaccine skepticism is getting outsized attention in his bid to become Donald Trumps Health and Human Services secretary  but his views on agriculture and abortion are shaping up as the bigger concerns in the Republican Senate.

As Kennedy arrives on Capitol Hill this week for crucial private meetings with senators, Republicans are preparing to press him on his antipathy toward industrialized agriculture and his more liberal abortion stance. While GOP senators are willing to give him a chance to explain himself, Kennedy allies inside Trumps network and Senate Republicans are already identifying abortion and agriculture as the biggest potential weak spots.

Kennedy has likened hog farms to a terrorist threat and pummelled subsidies for seed oils, both of which are big products in Midwest and Plains states. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said hes already hearing from farm groups back home that are concerned about Kennedy.

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Hes made some statements about pigs and about GMO corn and soybeans. I cant believe that hes going to have a problem with that. But if he does, he has a problem with me, Grassley told Semafor, predicting that when he gets a chance to clarify it, hes not going to come out anti-agriculture.

Kennedys confirmation may prove the ultimate test of Trumps sway over the Hill GOP. Matt Gaetz bowed out as the attorney general pick while facing major ethics problems, but Kennedy could prove a more substantively challenging vote for Republican senators: Hes a former Democrat with environmental and abortion views that fit that party better than the GOP.

Republicans generally feel little loyalty to someone who has criticized them so recently. They do, however, feel loyalty to Trump that could extend to Kennedy.

A transition spokesperson said the immensely prepared Kennedy will meet this week with 25 GOP senators, including moderate Sen. Lisa Murkowski, GOP leaders and key committee chairs.



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When it comes to agriculture, Kennedys focus on weaning the US off ultraprocessed food is gaining currency in both parties, but farm-state Republicans said in interviews that he cannot afford to browbeat Big Agriculture.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., praised Kennedys push toward more nutritious food and his ideas about regenerative agriculture, fewer pesticides, but warned against imposing any type of mandate on farm states that feed consumers in huge numbers.

And Kennedy will face scrutiny of his past support for abortion rights in a GOP conference dominated by anti-abortion senators. Anti-abortion activists quickly raised concerns after Trump tapped him, with former Vice President Mike Pence calling on Senate Republicans to reject the nomination.

Inside Trumps orbit, theres already some fretting that anti-abortion pressure may end up decisive. With already overturned, activists have at times fallen out of step with Trump  and according to one Kennedy ally in Trumps orbit, theyre telling senators that they will mobilize their membership against Republicans who back Kennedy ahead of the midterms.

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Its not clear whether Kennedy has developed an answer that will satisfy those qualms.

The pro-life leaders  have nothing to lose by lobbying against Kennedy, the Kennedy ally told Semafor. They cant be talked off the ledge.

A second person close to Kennedy downplayed the potential downside of the nominees abortion stance, telling Semafor that the issue wasnt central during his presidential run and that he plans to follow Trumps lead. (Trump signaled hed leave abortion to the states during the later part of his campaign.).





Know More

Kennedy allies aligned with Trump believe he can clear the hurdle of his past comments on agriculture. The first Kennedy ally pointed to Trumps nomination of Brooke Rollins as agriculture secretary as potentially helpful, given that she is closer to farm industry interests.

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Even thats not all good news for Kennedy: His supporters in Trumps circle fear that Rollins will ultimately get in the way of Kennedys Make America Healthy Again efforts for that very reason. The Agriculture Department would be in charge of enacting some of the food changes that Kennedy hopes to implement.

She helps him get confirmed, but also leads him to MAHAs grave, this person lamented.

The second person close to Kennedy described concerns over Rollins heading up USDA as understandable, but maintained that the two have a good relationship  and argued that she shares many of Kennedys concerns when it comes to food.

On the abortion front, Republicans will have to contend with their past criticism of current HHS Secretary Xavier Becerras record on the issue. Becerra held events on abortion rights and criticized the downfall of .

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In previous administrations, the belief was that [the health secretarys] view on the issue of abortion was important, said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who is withholding judgment on Kennedy for now but said abortion is a consideration in his nomination.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is expected to meet with Kennedy this week and said hell be asking questions about his positions on life. Daines also signaled hes likely to support Kennedy and said hell probably be confirmed.

Of course, Kennedys past criticism of the Covid vaccine and other inoculations will also come up in his Hill meetings. Hell need to make sure not to offend outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor warning nominees to steer clear of anti-vaccine views, as well as hardliners on abortion and farm-state senators.

The View From The Left

Republicans have privately speculated that Kennedy could get some Senate Democratic votes. One GOP senator said theres a disagreement within the party about how many, estimating a range between zero and five.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said hes expected to meet with Kennedy this week and isnt opposing him yet. And thats about all hell say.

I dont want to talk about RFK, thanks, Sanders said curtly.

Even if a Democrat or two support Kennedy, their leaders will want to see Republicans put up 50 votes first. That could be a challenge with a 53-seat majority that includes two independent-minded moderates in Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, as well as McConnell.



Burgess and Shelbys View

Before the election, Hill Republicans were skeptical that Trump would nominate Kennedy to a Senate-confirmable post  and even more skeptical that he could be confirmed.

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So was Burgess (Shelby, not so much).

Two things have happened since to somewhat ease Kennedys path. Nominating Kennedy as HHS secretary, rather than another health post, ensured his path to confirmation would run through the Finance Committee, not the health-focused panel where Murkowski and Collins would get an early vote on him.

The second factor is pure politics: After Gaetzs nomination failed, Trump and his allies are digging in on everyone else. That doesnt guarantee Kennedys confirmation, but it certainly makes most GOP senators think hard about whether they want the headache that comes with opposing Trumps nominees.

Even when those nominees are ex-Democrats.
MILAN (AP)  A major rescue operation was underway Monday in a cave northeast of the Italian city of Bergamo to free a woman who was injured in a fall and became trapped while exploring with eight other people.

Ottavia Piana, 32, remained blocked deep inside the Bueno Fonteno cave, where the temperatures were ranging from 7 degrees Celsius to 8 degrees Celsius (44-46 degrees Fahrenheit) in high humidity.

Piana, considered an expert cave explorer, was injured after falling some 5 meters (16 feet) Saturday evening during an expedition to map a kilometer (half a mile) of an uncharted branch of the cave, but rescuers said she is alert and responsive.

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She suffered multiple traumas, including to the face, ribs and knee, rescuers said.

Members of her team reported her missing after reaching the surface Saturday evening, and rescuers reached her late Sunday. They are using small explosives in an attempt to breach the last 100 meters (yards) to reach her.

A spokesman for rescue operation, Mauro Guiducci, said it was impossible to foresee how long it would take to free Piana.

One thing is certain, these kinds of operations are very long, Guiducci said, adding that a team of 20 technicians were operating inside the cave and dozens more were assisting above ground.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN)  The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is holding an event to hear directly from the Jefferson Township community.

From 5 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 17, business owners and residents of Jefferson Township are invited to attend a discussion session at the MCSO road patrol headquarters at 555 Infirmary Road.

During the hour, officials are wanting to hear and speak directly to those in the Township to improve modern policing and community trust.

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Some topics that will be discussed during the meeting includes enforcement of vehicle impoundment for roadway offenses, recreational shooting on private property and services provided within the Township.

Your perspective is key, and wed love for you to be part of the discussion. we hope to see you there, said the MCSO.

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The French rapist accused of allowing dozens of men to sexually abuse his drugged wife has told a jury in a final plea that the rest of my life [is] in your hands.

Dominique Pelicot, 71, asked his family for forgiveness as he hailed the courage of his former wife in his final statements on Monday morning ahead of a verdict later in the week.

In a trial that shocked France, Pelicot confessed to recruiting scores of men he met online to his family home to repeatedly rape or sexually assault Gisele Pelicot, 72, for almost a decade.

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Prosecutors have requested the maximum possible sentence of 20 years behind bars, portraying him as the worst sex offender in recent French history.

I would like to start by hailing the courage of my ex-wife he told the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon.

I regret what I did, making [my family] suffer... I ask them for forgiveness, he added, asking the family to accept my apologies.

Turning his head in the direction of the five magistrates who make up the jury, Pelicot said: There you go, you have the rest of my life in your hands.

He acknowledged in the brief speech that he had been saddled with titles that I rather intend to forget.

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They include The Monster of Avignon, the Ogre of Mazan and The Wolf who allegedly trapped clients by making them believe he was part of a libertine couple whose wife pretended to be asleep while having sex.

In fact, he was hiding sleeping drugs in Ms Pelicots food, making sure she was fully unconscious for the impending sexual assault.

Dominique Pelicot could receive the maximum sentence of 20 years for crimes against his wife

Speaking to the mother of their three grown up children, who have been at the trial throughout, he said: I would like to start by saluting the courage of my ex-wife, for having to put up with the innuendo that she was complicit [in my crimes].

I ask her, and the rest of my family, to please accept my apologies.

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Ms Pelicot has become a feminist icon, praised internationally for highlighting the horror of domestic sex abuse, after waiving her right to a closed trial and standing up to her aggressors in court.

Fifty other men aged 27 to 74 are also on trial, including one who did not abuse Ms Pelicot but raped his own wife with Pelicots help. Fourteen men have admitted aggravated rape, the others deny the charge.

Sitting in the glass defendants box, Pelicot reaffirmed that he had told the whole truth since the beginning of the trial on Sept 2.

Referring to his 2020 arrest, he said: I regret what I have done, making them suffer for four years. I ask them for forgiveness.

Gisele Pelicot has attended every day of the three-and-a-half-month trial - CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/GETTY IMAGES

He thanked the court for agreeing to allow him to remain seated on a special chair because of his poor health, which Pelicot said could have been interpreted as a relaxed manner, but was not.

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Turning to Beatrice Zavarro, his lawyer who during the trial described herself as the devils advocate, he said: She made sure I held on to the handrail.

Collapsing would have been a sign of cowardice towards my family and an easy way for the accused to agree with them. So, I held on.

Admitting he would carry an inner shame for the rest of his life, Pelicot continued: I have a shell that I created for myself, otherwise we die in prison.

He said: The deprivation of no longer seeing your loved ones is worse than the deprivation of freedom. I can tell my whole family that I love them.

The other accused were also given the opportunity to speak to explain the sexual violence inflicted on Pelicot.

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The verdicts are expected on Thursday.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Its been a slow start to the holidays but it is starting to pick up for the restaurant industry.

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Its on the heels of the pandemic, of the Lahaina fires or the back to back strikes for the hotels, but I think everyone, for the most part, is remaining resilient and positive, stated Ryan Tanaka, Owner of Giovanni Pastrami.

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Restaurant owners stated theyve had to adapt to changing consumer behavior.

With hotel prices changing, different attractions, people seeking different experiences, just understanding consumer preference as it changes, said Tanaka, So, we have online ordering available. We just opened a $15 breakfast buffet, which is one of the best deals in Waikiki.

Newly engaged server surprised with $900 tip: Are you serious?

Other restaruants are keeping annual traditions. Tikis Grill & Bar will have their yearly Christmas Bar open until Dec. 24.

Weve had a little slow start for the holiday season and thats why we actually do the Christmas bar here in Waikiki, stated Michael Miller, Tikis Grill & Bar Owner.

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This year, the Christmas Bar will feature a new attraction.

One of the neatest things is that we have a Harry Potter-type chair with a sorting hat with some candles over, said Miller. For the real big super fans, theyll notice the glass owls that are hidden behind that.

Those in the restaurant industry are looking forward to a holiday boost.

Theres 4,000 eating establishments in the state of Hawaii that employ 100,000 people. So, these are your neighbors and friends working at your local restaurant. I encourage our local community to spend their holidays there, you know, make special memories at their favorite eating place and to try somewhere new, stated Tanaka.

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Five popular restaurant chains used to have locations spread out across metro Detroit or Michigan.

Now, they're are down to one surviving location operating in the state.

You'll find one inside an airport and another way up in the Upper Peninsula right next to Wisconsin.

From dine-in to drive-in and drive-thru, here are five restaurants that are their brand's sole survivor in Michigan.

Max & Erma's

Eric Barker decorates the new Max & Erma's restaurant in Auburn Hills on Feb. 12, 2003.

Max & Erma's, a casual American fare restaurant, used to have about a dozen locations in metro Detroit.

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In 2016, the restaurant chain abruptly closed eight locations in Michigan as part of a restructing plan that included closing underperforming stores.

In 2024, only one restaurant remains in the state. It's located inside the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus.

Still on the menu is the chain's popular tortilla soup.

Sign of the Beefcarver

Sign of the Beefcarver is an Early American themed cafeteria restaurant with waitress service that began in 1957, according to the restaurant's website. It serves home-cooked comfort foods.

The only remaining restaurant is located in Royal Oak at 27400 Woodward Ave.

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The restaurant became the sole survivor after the Dearborn location closed in 2018.

The chain also previously had restaurants in Harper Woods, Southfield, Allen Park, Madison Heights, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Westland, Taylor, Mt. Clemens and Warren, according to the restaurant's Facebook page.

The first location to close was West Bloomfield in 1991.

Hot 'n Now

Hot 'n Now, an affordable fast food chain known for 39-cent burgers, fries and drinks, used to have more than 100 locations across the country, including many in Michigan, according to the Lansing State Journal.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2004 and by the mid 2000s, 14 franchise locations existed in Michigan.

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One location is still operating in Michigan in 2024. It's located at 609 S. Centerville Road in Sturgis. It's also the only remaining Hot 'n Now restaurant in the country.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

The only Perkins Restaurant & Bakery left in Michigan is located in Menominee. Diners can find it at 2340 10th St. near the Upper Peninsula's border with Wisconsin.

The American casual dining restaurant chain closed some Michigan restaurants in 2011, according to MLive. The closures included locations in Grand Rapids, Jenison, Holland Township, Norton Shores and Kalamazoo.

Daly Restaurants

Megan Martnez, 19, of Livonia brings out orders at the Daly Drive-In in Livonia, Sunday, July 7, 2013.

More than a dozen drive-in Daly Restaurants were once located in metro Detroit. Started in 1948 in Dearborn Heights, the small chain became known for their hamburgers with Daly E-Sauce and footlong Dalydogs.

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Besides the original Dearborn Heights location, there were also restaurants in Westland, Detroit, Livonia, Lincoln Park, Plymouth, Taylor, Clawson, Redford, Waterford, Farmington Hills and two additional locations in Dearborn Heights, according the the Daly Restaurants website.

The last remaining Daly location is in Livonia at 31500 Plymouth Road.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Restaurants with only 1 location left in Michigan: Max & Erma's, more
I'm now in Phyllis Schlafly mode: Yesterday, a group of 120 Democrats sent a letter to President Joe Biden, who is apparently still kickin', asking him "to take immediate action to recognize the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution."

The ERA is a zombie that won't die. First introduced 101 years ago, in the wake of suffragettes winning themselves and their peers the right to vote, the amendment was meant to eliminate laws that discriminate on the basis of sex. At the time, critics feared that this would winnow away certain protections available to women; The Washington Post notes, for example, that organized labor folks were worried that workplace protections which "capped the number of hours women could work, excluded them from certain occupations and imposed limits on heavy lifting" would be barred.

The amendment became a major issue in the 1970s, and the fault lines formed around many similar questions: Prominent hater Phyllis Schlafly, for example, led a campaign against the amendment, arguing it would make women subject to the draft, or bring an end to "dependent wife" Social Security benefits, or have judges no longer broadly favor the mother when adjudicating custody battles. "ERA was defeated when Schlafly turned it into a war among women over gender roles," wrote the legal scholar Joan Williams in the '90s. ("The women's liberation movement really resents homemakers," said one representative anti-ERA activist, per Williams. "They caused resentment to grow between homemakers and working women.")

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"There wasn't momentum for it until the modern women's rights movement, when both houses of Congress voted overwhelmingly in favor of a slightly reworded Equal Rights Amendment in 1971 and 1972," says the Post. "It then came up just short of the ratification threshold of passage by three-fourths of the states by the deadline set by Congress.The Texas legislature approved the amendment the same month it sailed through the Senate, and within a year, 30 states had ratified it." But it needed to garner that high threshold of support by the deadline38 states by 1982and it ended up three states short, with five states even rescinding their approval in the end.

In the early years of Donald Trump's adminstration, the ERA reemerged as an issue, with three states choosing to go ahead and ratify it, fearing what a Trump term might do for the rights of women.

Now it's back again. "This action is essential as we prepare to transition to an administration that has been openly hostile to reproductive freedom, access to health care, and LGBTQIA+ rights," write the group of Democrats. They're urging Biden to consider his legacy, and how this would "establish an unambiguous guarantee that sex-based discrimination is unconstitutional" which would apparently be remembered ashighly important? Or something. It's all a little odd, because the 14th Amendment is broadly considered to have already enshrined anti-discrimination protections into law. And because the original ERA appears to have expired, having failed to meet its 1982 deadline.

But in the letter to Biden, "the Democrats insist that because the ERA has met all the requirements for adoption outlined by the Constitution, the president must now issue a mandate for certification and publication to the National Archives and Records Administration to have the current archivist, Colleen Shogan, publish the amendment." That is legally suspect, to say the least, and would probably trigger waves of lawsuits pointing out that the deadline has passed and that the five states that rescinded their support must be dealt with.

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"I'm one to believe that we shouldn't worry about what could happen if we do the right thing," said Rep. Cori Bush (DMo.).

Scenes from New York: Starting January 5, you may be expected to pay a toll to enter certain parts of Manhattan as part of the city's new congestion pricing scheme. Here's how that works, and who is affected.

QUICK HITS

"Despite having installed a team of trusted acolytes, China's most-important man has complained the party's instructions are not being implemented on the ground. Officials are perceived as being either busy trying to advance their own interests, preoccupied with paperwork or too lazy to act," reports Bloomberg. "As such, China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong is deepening an anti-corruption campaign that he's used to root out unscrupulous officials and eliminate political rivals since taking office in 2012. That drive has ensnared a record number of senior officials for two straight years, and set off a purge that's still roiling the defense establishment."

"Israel's government has approved a plan to encourage the expansion of settlements in the occupied Golan Heights," reports the BBC. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move was necessary because a 'new front' had opened up on Israel's border with Syria after the fall of the Assad regime to an Islamist-led rebel alliance. Netanyahu said he wanted to double the population of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized during the 1967 Six-Day War and is considered illegally occupied under international law."

I am not sure Whoopi Goldberg is very smart:

Whoopi has no idea how health insurance works: "If I don't go to the hospital for a whole year, where is my money? Why don't you give me the money back?" pic.twitter.com/RPM6s4sKmM  Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) December 13, 2024

The post The Return of the Women's Libbers appeared first on Reason.com.
Donald Trumps role as the countrys first white president is obvious and omnipresent. He campaigned on white identity politics, racism and nativism. As compared to his racism and White identity politics, Trumps Christian faith is likely more befuddling if not unbelievable to those who do not follow politics closely.

Trumps version of Christianity is performative and strategic. Trump, in both his public and private life, has repeatedly demonstrated by his behavior and values that he violates almost every tenet of Christianity (as well as human decency and morality more broadly). He embraces cruelty, violence, greed, avarice, selfishness, revenge, lying, lust and dissembling. In total, Trump appears to worship power and himself instead of God and Jesus Christ.

At their core, Trumps Christian values are defined by his transactional relationship with the Christian right, and specifically White Christian nationalists, a group he has promised to elevate to supreme power in the country if they gave him what he wants: their votes, money and control over many tens of millions of people. The bargain was extremely fruitful for both sides: a majority of White Christians voted for Trump (again). With his return to the White House, Trump is poised to make White Christianity (better described as White Christian authoritarianism) the de facto official state religion of the country, with all of the power and privilege(s) that comes with it.

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The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is the president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. An ordained Baptist minister, he works with affiliates, networks and leaders in Washington, D.C. and across the country to forge powerful alliances among people of diverse faiths and beliefs to build a resilient, inclusive democracy and uphold religious freedoms. He hosts the weekly podcast and radio show The State of Belief, distributed by Religion News Service, holding weekly conversations with inspiring spiritual leaders, civic exemplars, artists and activists. Rev. Raushenbush previously served as senior vice president of the Auburn Seminary and as the founding and executive editor of HuffPost Religion.

In this conversation, Rev. Raushenbush reflects on his fears and finding hope in this time of uncertainty with Trumps imminent return to power and what they will mean for marginalized communities and others deemed to be the enemy within.

He explains how the Age of Trump and the rise of authoritarian populism and MAGA are also a moral crisis made possible by how the right-wing spent decades capturing and distorting morality, God and Christianity to advance its antidemocratic agenda and the culture of cruelty.

At the end of this conversation, Rev. Raushenbush offers a model of how Christians, members of other faith communities, and people of conscience more broadly, can be partners in defending American democracy and civil society from some of the worst assaults on civil rights, freedom and human dignity that Trumps administration and his allied forces have promised and threatened on day one and beyond.

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This is the first of a two-part conversation.

How are you feeling given Trumps election and what that will mean for the countrys democracy and civil society?

I am feeling determined. I do have moments of fury. I am also experiencing some fear.

I am a gay man with a family. Right now, nothing feels safe and secure. There is a great level of vindictiveness against the LGBTQ community right now. We are being targeted. Ultimately, as a society, we're in a fraught moment where it's unclear what will happen with Trump taking power. With all that said, there are moments of encouragement too. There are many people, really good people, who are inspiring me. For all of the bad things that will happen with Trump's administration, and all that it means for many targeted communities, this could also be a moment of opportunity. A moment to build alliances for mutual aid, support and positive change. Like many people, I am experiencing so many different emotions all at the same time.

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How are you processing the existential danger that comes with being a member of a targeted group in the Age of Trump?

Trump and the rise of illiberalism, intolerance and all that goes with it, have created a permission structure for cruelty on a massive scale. Of course, this involves overturning civil rights laws that protect marginalized groups. But there is also the day-to-day fear of being targeted for just trying to live and doing basic human things like holding your partner's hand in public. I live in a part of country where there is supposed to be all this tolerance and safety for gay people  yet all it takes is one second for something bad to suddenly happen.

I know that you are familiar with the work of James Cone, who was one of my professors at Union Seminary. His work on Black Liberation Theology and the Black Freedom Struggle greatly informed my own work and thinking about the liberation of LGBTQ people and how all these liberation struggles intersect. This moment of crisis and uncertainty with Trump's election and the rise of the MAGA movement has brought to the forefront many questions of faith and what it means to be a Christian.

I am very suspicious of many of my fellow Christians right now, given how many of them evidently support Donald Trump and his authoritarian populist movement. There is a long tradition of people using my faith to terrorize others. So, one of the things I do as a minister and as a leader of an interfaith organization is to try to make it clear in my talks and other work that religion is not automatically or necessarily good. Religion has been the source of much evil, which we can chronicle throughout our history. In America, we're in a moment where religion is again being used as a pretext for subjugation and discrimination. White Christianity, especially white right-wing Christian fundamentalism, is such a deep and important current within the MAGA movement and today's "conservatives" that I think even many people who are working in mainstream politics don't really understand what's happening. This weaponization of Christianity is very dangerous to the country and our freedoms.

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Given your religious training and political work, how do you reconcile or confront the Age of Trump and Americas democracy crisis as a moral crisis? This is far from being just about politics.

If a person is not able to correctly describe the fundamental immorality of what is happening right now and what is about to happen  with the assaults on the rights of the LGBTQ community, undocumented people, women, the poor and other marginalized and vulnerable communities  then they have lost their sense of what morality actually is.

When the government is restricting a person's rights to control their own body and other freedoms of personhood, then that is immoral. Sterile discussions about policy can mask the moral injury that is being done there. We need to develop a language that embraces morality questions and seeks moral clarity. That language is needed to explain to the public how public policy and politics can cause direct harm to real people and to their lives and happiness. This extreme right-wing movement that we are up against is very skilled at co-opting the language of morality and God and Christianity to do things like ban books, or force a certain type of prayer in schools.

People of conscience, who believe in the Constitution and the separation of church and state and the American democratic tradition, need to find ways to undermine how the right-wing has distorted and weaponized the language of "morality, "God," and "Christianity" for their own purposes. The origins of the crisis, embodied by the rise of Trumpism and the current version of the Republican Party, go back to the rise of the so-called Moral Majority in the 1980s under Reagan.

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Thinking about the Black prophetic tradition, what does it mean for Christians and other people of conscience to bear witness in this moment? To speak truth to power? And yes, to also engage in corporeal politics?

Witnessing means showing up and saying what's true. Witnessing is something that my organization encourages people to do in their local communities to push back against the Christian Nationalists who are trying to take over school boards and libraries, for example. Those of us who are Christians and reject Christian Nationalism must witness and speak boldly and make it clear that Christian Nationalists do not represent our faith or the version of Christianity, Christian ethics and Christian love that we believe in. One of the ways that the Christian Nationalists win is if we leave a vacuum for them to fill.

An integral part of witnessing in the Christian faith also involves sharing what God has done for you in your life. Applying that model of witnessing in a democracy means demanding that your government does not get to mandate a state-sponsored or official religion or place one religion above others. It means refusing to allow the government to impose some "patriotic" education program or try to erase history because it makes white people and other dominant groups uncomfortable.

One of the reasons the Interfaith Alliance was started was in direct reaction to the Christian Rights claim to speak for Christianity in America. The myth that America was founded as a Christian nation is central to the project of course. The Christian right is just one strain of religion in America. They most certainly, for example, do not represent the Black liberation tradition or other more progressive understandings of the Christian faith.

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The 2024 election has been described as the anxiety election. As public policy and other experts have pointed out we can document empirically how Trumps proposed policies will negatively impact the life chances and life outcomes of many millions of people in this country  and around the world. The dread and fear are palpable. I have been talking to friends who are mental health professionals and they have told me how they are overwhelmed by the number of new and returning clients that they are seeing since the election.

How are faith leaders, especially those who are involved in pastoral care on the day-to-day, managing right now?

This is a challenging time. Given all the rage, anger, uncertainty and the extremely polarized and divided society we are living in right now, our spiritual communities are experiencing that too. Faith communities can be sources of great comfort and hope, but they can also be very stressful. The faith leaders I am in contact with are having a difficult time dealing with all of this. So many people are in pain right now  and have been for a long time even before this election season.

Faith communities are going to be critically important as Trump returns to the White House and we face the range of damaging and harmful policies he is going to enact. Faith communities have the potential to be spaces for resisting and organizing in defense of these assaults and trauma. This will be a time of challenge, when religious communities can leverage their power to show up for one another, stand against mass deportations and/or attacks on Black and brown people's lives and defend civil rights and the social safety net. Faith communities play an important role, as they have historically in this country, in caring for people.

"Religious freedom" has been frequently used as an excuse to engage in discrimination  most recently, for example, against the LGBTQ community. But religious freedom can also be used as a way of pushing back against the powerful forces Trump commands. We can make clear that its our congregations right to house undocumented people. To support and aid LGBTQ people. To support abortion access.
Dec. 16FERGUS FALLS, Minn.  Multiple commercial solar projects in North Dakota and Minnesota that were previously stalled have found new life.

Otter Tail Power of Fergus Falls plans to build two new solar facilities for its energy generation fleet, the company announced on Dec. 9.

The move would add 345 megawatts of solar power to meet future energy needs of customers.

The company asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to determine that costs associated with Abercrombie Solar and Solway Solar are eligible for cost recovery.

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Otter Tail Power President Tim Rogelstad said the facilities fit the requirements of the company's recently approved Minnesota Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines the combination of resources needed to meet energy needs for its customers for the next 15 years.

"We expect that 57% of our energy generation will come from renewable resources by 2030, while ensuring electric service continues to be safe, reliable and economical," Rogelstad said.

The larger of the two Otter Tail projects is planned to be built in Richland County, North Dakota, northwest of Wahpeton.

Abercrombie Solar, currently known as the Flickertail Solar Project, is a 295-megawatt solar generation facility under development in Abercrombie Township.

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Otter Tail Power has signed an agreement with Flickertail to buy the development assets, once permits and regulatory approvals are received and other contractual requirements are met, with the intention of building the facility, a company news release said.

"We're looking forward to engaging with landowners and the township once we close on the development assets," Otter Tail Power spokesperson Rebecca Michael told The Forum.

The Flickertail project, previously planned for

Colfax Township in Richland County, stalled in 2022 under guidance of a different energy company.

Savion, based in Kansas City, Missouri, proposed a 350-megawatt solar project, which was clouded by a lack of an ordinance to allow such projects and by the possibility of $17.5 million in application fees.

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Expected to be completed in 2028, Otter Tail Power estimates its project will create approximately 300 construction jobs at peak construction and provide $23.8 million in local and state tax benefits over the 35-year life of the facility.

Otter Tail also plans a 50-megawatt solar generation facility in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Bemidji.

Solway Solar would be built in Lammers Township near Solway and could be fully operational in 2026, depending on the timing of project approvals, the company said.

"This location offers an opportunity to add solar generation where transmission interconnection facilities already exist, which helps keep costs low for our customers," Rogelstad said in the release.

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Otter Tail Power estimates the creation of 70 construction jobs during the peak of the nine-month construction period, and $4.2 million in local and state tax benefits over the 35-year life of the facility.

Meanwhile, another solar power project has been revived in Cass County, North Dakota.

Harmony Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid Renewables Development, is planned for a site northwest of Mapleton.

The company is seeking a new, "refreshed" letter of support from Cass County,

which reviewed the plan and gave its approval in 2017.

Harmony Solar would build a 200-megawatt solar energy conversion facility in Harmony Township, with construction beginning as early as mid-2025, company documents stated.

The company estimates the project to generate tax revenue of around $500,000 annually to the Central Cass and Mapleton school districts, Cass County, Harmony Township and the state of North Dakota.
(Bloomberg) -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is meeting with Republican senators who are seeking to better understand his views on abortion and vaccine policy as he courts their support this week for his nomination to the top role at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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President-elect Donald Trump chose Kennedy, a leader of the anti-vaccine movement and pharmaceutical industry critic, to serve as secretary of HHS in mid-November. The announcement drew criticism from public health experts and some Democrats and Republicans. It also sent shares of vaccine-makers spiraling.

Kennedys meetings with Republicans on key Senate committees are slated to run throughout the week, clearing the way for the expected contentious confirmation hearings that will make or break his path into Trumps cabinet.

Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Senator Rick Scott of Florida met with Kennedy on Monday.

After the meeting, Mullin said he planned to vote for him and that Kennedy supports the polio vaccine one hundred percent. The New York Times reported last week that a Kennedy adviser had demanded the revocation of a polio vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration.

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Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, also plan to speak with Kennedy his week, according to their spokespeople, who didnt provide more specific detail on timing.

In order to gain the nations top health job, Kennedy must win over the Finance Committee and then prevail in a vote of the full chamber. If all Senate Democrats ultimately vote against his confirmation, he can lose just three Republican votes.

Kennedy is poised to meet with more than two dozen senators, according to Politico, which first reported news of the meetings set to take place on Capitol Hill this week. A spokesperson for Kennedy didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vaccines and Abortion

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In order to help get Kennedy through the nomination process, several Republicans are seeking concessions focused on vaccination and abortion, according to a person familiar with the matter.

On vaccination, some of the Republican senators want more clarity on his positions, the person said. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer who has no background in health care or medicine, has spread misinformation about vaccination, including the discredited assertion that vaccines cause autism, though he recently suggested he wont take away anybodys vaccines. The lawmakers are interested in understanding how broadly his focus on vaccination will extend, the person said.

On abortion, the Republican senators want assurances that Kennedy will roll back Biden-era abortion protections, particularly around the federal Title X family planning program, which under the current administration has allowed abortion referrals and the inclusion of providers that offer abortion services; the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act; and the expansion of certain care through Medicaid waivers.

Some members of the Republican Party have already voiced concerns about his positions on vaccination and abortion. Former Vice President Mike Pence asked Senate republicans to reject Kennedys nomination because of his position on abortion.

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Mullin said he discussed abortion with Kennedy and came away satisfied with his response. What he said is that hes serving at the will of the president of the United States and he supports his policies on this, Mullin added. Thats good enough for me.

Asked about Kennedys past remarks about autism and vaccines, Mullin said Kennedy told him that theres nothing wrong with questioning vaccines, and said they should be studied.

The meetings come after Kennedy joined Trump for dinner earlier this month with Pfizer Inc. Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla and Eli Lilly & Co. Chief Executive Officer David Ricks. They talked for nearly three hours, and discussed potential public-private partnerships, Axios reported, sending shares of the two companies to session highs. Stephen Ubl, CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, was also present, the industry trade group confirmed.

Trumps pick of Kennedy to lead HHS has increased pressure on the industry. Hes raised questions about the safety of vaccines and over-reliance on medication rather than healthy living to combat chronic disease.

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We congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his victory and look forward to working with him to build on the successes from his first administration, Ubl said in a statement on Nov. 6, shortly after Election Day. He added that Trump had reined in abuses by pharmacy-benefit managers, a longstanding target of the pharmaceutical industry.

The Trump transition team didnt respond to requests for comment.

--With assistance from Antonia Mufarech, Gerry Smith and Nancy Vu.

(Updates with senators account of meeting, in fifth, thirteenth and fourteenth paragraphs.)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Displaced people from Al-Samrab area are pictured inside a school in Al-Ahamda neighborhood of Bahri city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Dec. 15, 2024. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which began in mid-April 2023, has killed more than 28,700 people and displaced over 14 million in the country, according to international organizations. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

KHARTOUM, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a drone attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a market in El Fasher, western Sudan, has climbed to 38, a non-governmental group said on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, state news agency SUNA reported that a drone attack by the RSF on a market in the Awlad Al-Reef neighborhood in El Fasher killed more than 15 people and injured many others.

"The death toll from the massacre in the Awlad Al-Reef neighborhood in El Fasher has risen to 38," the Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, a local non-governmental group, said in a statement.

The RSF has not commented on the incident.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which began in mid-April 2023, has killed more than 28,700 people and displaced over 14 million in the country, according to international organizations. 

Displaced people from Al-Samrab area are pictured inside a school in Al-Ahamda neighborhood of Bahri city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Dec. 15, 2024. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which began in mid-April 2023, has killed more than 28,700 people and displaced over 14 million in the country, according to international organizations. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

Displaced people from Al-Samrab area are pictured inside a school in Al-Ahamda neighborhood of Bahri city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Dec. 15, 2024. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which began in mid-April 2023, has killed more than 28,700 people and displaced over 14 million in the country, according to international organizations. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

Displaced people from Al-Samrab area are pictured inside a school in Al-Ahamda neighborhood of Bahri city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Dec. 15, 2024. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which began in mid-April 2023, has killed more than 28,700 people and displaced over 14 million in the country, according to international organizations. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

Displaced people from Al-Samrab area are pictured inside a school in Al-Ahamda neighborhood of Bahri city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Dec. 15, 2024. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which began in mid-April 2023, has killed more than 28,700 people and displaced over 14 million in the country, according to international organizations. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrives on Capitol Hill on Monday to kickstart several days of private meetings with more than two dozen senators and their staff in a bid to become the nation's next health secretary.

Among the senators on Kennedy's list is Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the GOP's pick to become the next Senate majority leader, and incoming Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, a doctor.

Kennedy's chances of getting confirmed by the Senate aren't clear. His past comments questioning vaccine science and the food industry could lose -- and gain -- votes on either side of the aisle depending on how he talks about his plans for the incoming administration.

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Here are three questions surrounding his nomination:

Would he try to limit access to certain vaccines like the polio shot or encourage schools to drop vaccine mandates?

Kennedy has said he's not opposed to all vaccines. He says he fully vaccinated, with the exception of the COVID-19 shot, and that he has vaccinated his children.

Kennedy also has falsely claimed that childhood vaccines cause autism, even though the study claiming that link has been retracted and numerous other high-quality studies have found no evidence that vaccines are tied to autism.

In addition, Kennedy has questioned the safety of the polio vaccine and enlisted the help of a longtime adviser and anti-vaccine advocate, Aaron Siri, to vet potential job candidates for the incoming administration.

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Siri petitioned the Food and Drug Administration in 2022 to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine on behalf of an anti-vaccination advocacy group.

Katie Miller, a transition spokesperson, said Kennedy and Siri have never spoken about Siri's petitions.

"Mr. Kennedy believes the polio vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly and properly studied," she said.

PHOTO: Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. departs the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (David Dee Delgado/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: RFK Jr.'s lawyer and top ally asked FDA to revoke approval of polio vaccine

Dr. Richard Besser, a former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an ABC News contributor, said senators should ask Kennedy if he would consider using his new post to discourage local school districts from requiring vaccinations.

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While state -- not federal -- laws establish vaccination requirements for local schools, they rely heavily on the recommendations by the CDC and FDA, which Kennedy would oversee as health secretary, if confirmed. Currently, all 50 states and Washington, D.C., have laws requiring vaccines to attend schools, although many offer exemptions.

"What will you do to make sure that parents can feel comfortable sending their children to school protected from measles, whooping cough and other vaccine-preventable diseases if vaccines are no longer required?" Besser said senators should be asking Kennedy.

On questioning the polio vaccine, Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history and a polio survivor, said last week that anyone seeking Senate confirmation would "do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts."

Will Kennedy use 'confirmation bias' to review government data?

Confirmation bias is the idea that people often seek out information that supports their own deeply held beliefs, rather than be open to accepting new information that might challenge their ideas.

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When it comes to the polio vaccination, Kennedy has said he's willing to say that he's wrong but that he has yet to see information that would convince him.

"If you show me a scientific study that shows that I'm wrong ... I'm going to put that on my Twitter and I'm going to say I was wrong," he said in a podcast last year with Lex Fridman.

It's likely several senators will ask Kennedy whether he'd be willing to change his mind on vaccines based on data, or if he's already convinced that the data is wrong or manipulated.

Critics say Kennedy is willfully ignoring the information that's out there already. In a letter obtained by The New York Times, more than 75 Nobel Prize winners urged senators to block his nomination, citing his "lack of credentials or relative experience" in matters of medicine, science and public health.

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"In view of his record, placing Mr. Kennedy in charge of [the Department of Health and Human Services] would put the public's health in jeopardy and undermine America's global leadership in the health sciences, in both the public and commercial sectors," the laureates wrote.

How would he try to change what Americans eat?

Kennedy finds the most political consensus when he talks about America's obesity crisis and blames the high levels of sugar, sodium and fat in ultra-processed foods. A longtime environmental advocate, he's also taken aim at the use of additives pushed by food companies -- earning him kudos from some Democrats.

"We're prioritizing corporations feeding us unhealthy products instead of family farmers growing fresh, healthy foods - and we let too many dangerous chemicals flood our food system," said Sen. Cory Booker last month after Kennedy's nomination was announced.

"We all must come together to build a system that works for all," he added.

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But one big question many senators will likely ask is how Kennedy plans to turn around America's eating habits in a way that doesn't hurt U.S. farmers or heavily regulate agricultural businesses that are key political supporters of President-elect Donald Trump. During Trump's first administration, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue rolled back Obama-era rules that sought to limit sodium and sugar in children's school lunches that accept federal subsidies.

MORE: RFK Jr. wants to regulate farms and food, but may face GOP opposition

FDA Administrator Robert Califf, who will step down when Trump takes office in January, testified recently before a Senate committee that there's a lot we still don't know about food science and safety. When the FDA does move ahead with regulation, he said the rule is often challenged in court.

"What sounds simple, given the current state of judicial affairs, First Amendment rights, [is] the fact that corporations have the same rights as individuals -- every little thing we do, unless specifically in detail instructed by Congress -- it's not just that we lose in court, but we lose years," he said.

ABC's Olivia Rubin contributed to this report.

3 key questions for RFK Jr. as he lobbies senators to be health secretary originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  Robert F. Kennedy Jr. swept onto Capitol Hill late Monday as the anti-vaccine health guru from the famous political family reintroduced himself to senators, this time as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the nation's Health and Human Services Department.

It was a soft-opening debut for Kennedy, whose wide-ranging views  yes to raw milk, no to fluoride, Ozempic and America's favorite processed foods  are raising alarms in the scientific community and beyond. In the Senate he's facing a mix of support, curiosity, skepticism and downright rejection among the senators who will be asked to confirm him to Trump's Cabinet.

Kennedy's first stop Monday was on potentially friendly terrain, to the offices of a few GOP senators allied with Trump, the start of a robust, weeks-long process.

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One Republican, Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, said Kennedy told him, I 100% support the polio vaccination. But Mullin added that their conversation also turned to other childhood vaccinations. He predicts Kennedy will be confirmed.

The more you talk to him, the more he explains it, the more you like him, Mullin said.

The man known simply as RFK, Jr., 70, is the latest in the Trump rival-turned-partner orbit, a former Democratic presidential hopeful now in line to run the world's largest public health agency, with its whopping $1.7 trillion budget, and some of the U.S. most important public services.

HHS has a broad reach across the lives of Americans  inspecting the nation's food, regulating medicines and overseeing research of diseases and cures. It provides health insurance for nearly half of the country  poor, disabled and older Americans, including via Medicare.

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Richard Besser, CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called Kennedy a truly dangerous choice.

Besser, in an op-ed in U.S. News and World Report, said Kennedy stands out as a single potential Cabinet member who could do the most damage to the American peoples lives.

Ahead of Kennedy's arrival he was given a word of advice from one important voice: outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, who cautioned the nominee against views opposing the vaccine.

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, McConnell said recently.

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Trump said Monday during his own press conference hes a big believer in polio vaccines and sought to tamp down fears about Kennedy, saying he will be much less radical than people think.

The incoming GOP leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said Kennedy will have to address questions about his views on the polio vaccine and other issues.

Well, I think hell have to address that, Thune said. Well find out.

But hardline Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a House member who has no vote in the confirmation process, has been influential in supporting and amplifying Kennedys views on vaccines.

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In the Capitol on Monday, Republican senators said they want to hear more about Kennedys views.

Im open," said GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. But if you come in and say I wont consider myself successful unless I eliminate these vaccines, that could be problematic.

Kennedys nomination will test the nations emerging political realignment, as Trump expands his base of supporters to include former Democratic voters shifting elsewhere. Kennedys views find favor but also opposition from both sides of the political aisle.

In particular, Kennedy's ideas about ridding the nations food of additives has drawn interest if not support from some Democrats, but his criticism of major farm interests have also raised concerns from the agricultural industry.

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Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley says hes interested in what Kennedy says about pigs because Iowa is the number one pig producer.

Other Trump nominees are also expected back on Capitol Hill this week. The president-elect's choice of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, Tulsi Gabbard for Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Kash Patel for FBI director and others are all running into turbulence from wary senators.

With Republicans taking control of the Senate in the new year, Trump's nominees have a pathway to confirmation. But with just a 53-47 majority, any nominee can only lose a handful of GOP supporters, in the face of Democratic opposition.

__

Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Stephen Groves contributed to this report
SCITUATE, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Island State Police kicked off their Kids, Cops and Christmas toy drive and fundraiser on Sunday morning.

Donations were collected during the agencys Santa at the Museum event at the R.I. State Police Museum and Educational Center on Danielson Pike.

This drive and fundraiser is also done in collaboration with the Attorney Generals office, Office of the U.S. Attorney and R.I. Department of Public Safety. People are asked to donate any new toys, winter clothes for children and/or gift cards that are $25 or less.

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Donations could be made both online and in-person. In-person donations can be dropped off at any R.I. State Police barracks, Cardis Furniture & Mattresses and Ocean State Job Lot locations until Monday.

The donations will be given to local organizations who work with disadvantaged families.

NEXT: Community Angels hold 16th annual toy and coat drive

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A Richwoods High School counselor was charged last week for misdemeanor battery for an alleged incident with a student.

Michael McKenna, 52, appeared in Peoria County Circuit Court last week on the single count of battery, a charge that could lead to a $2,500 fine and possibly up to a year in the county jail.

He will next appear in court on Jan. 23, 2025, where his attorney will be allowed to enter an appearance. Until then, hes free on pretrial release.

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According to Semone Roth of the Peoria Police Department, officers went to the school, located at 6301 N. University St., at about 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5 on a report of an altercation between counselor McKenna, 52, and the student, who was 14.

When police arrived, they were told there was an incident in the hallway when McKenna asked a student to remove his hoodie and the student, who has autism, refused, Roth said.

The student went to walk away when McKenna allegedly grabbed the backpack and pulled, causing the kid to fall, she said.

McKenna was taken to the Peoria Police Department, where he was questioned and then charged with battery and taken to the Peoria County Jail. He was released shortly after with a notice to appear later in court.

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Marjorie Kauth, a Peoria Public Schools spokeswoman, confirmed McKenna was still employed at the district but declined to answer any other questions, saying anything else is personnel related, and I am not at liberty to comment.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A Richwoods High School senior remains in the hospital after a minivan he was riding in collided with a semi in McDonough County on Saturday.

According to the Illinois State Police, Owen Post, 21, was driving a Chrysler van when it was struck head-on by a semi driven by Joshua Larson, 46, of South Carolina.

Owen Post and his father, Jon Post, 43, and other brother, Aiden Post, 18, were all hospitalized. Owen has since been released while Jon and Aiden remain in the hospital, according to multiple posts on social media.

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Three Peoria residents sustain serious injuries in McDonough County crash

The truck driver, Larson, was uninjured and was cited for improper lane usage, according to the state police.

The collision occurred at 5:40 p.m. Saturday, just north of Macomb near the intersection of Illinois Route 336 and McDonough County Road 1500 North, according to the state police.

There will be a concert in support of the Post family at 3:30 p.m. today at Richwoods High School, where Aiden went to school. A senior, Aiden Post is a member of the Jazz Band and the cross-country team.

Band director Christopher Render said the band will perform one or two of Aidens favorite songs.

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Hes been slow to respond due to the amount of medication hes been under but what did trigger a response was when his friends came up to him and put on some of his favorite jazz. Thats what got a response, he said.

So, we want to record a tune that we think he likes, that hes fond of and wish him well on his recovery, Render added.

The crash remains under investigation by the state police.

This story will be updated.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Rising numbers of Indian and Asian Pacific Islander voters in Arkansas

More than a 16% increase in Asian voter eligibility statewide from 2012 to 2022

Arkansas Indian American population has increased by more than 70% from 2010-2020

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  In the United States, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing group of eligible voters, according to the Pew Research Center. Arkansas has had a 16% increase in Asian voter eligibility in 10 years.

Indian Americans had a higher voter turnout than any other Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) group in the last two presidential elections, according to AAPI Data.

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Several prominent individuals of Indian descent have gained national attention, including Nikki Haley, Kash Patel, Vivek Ramaswamy, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Usha Vance, wife of J.D. Vance.

These individuals have not only increased the visibility of Indian Americans in national politics but also helped shape public perceptions of the AAPI community. As their influence grows, the voices of historically underrepresented groups are becoming more prominent.

MAP: How Arkansans voted in the 2024 presidential election by county

This shift is particularly evident in states like Arkansas, where the AAPI and NHPI populations are seeing significant growth, contributing to more diverse voices. In the last 12 years, the Natural State has seen a 56.9% increase in population growth.

Counties with the highest AAPI populations in Arkansas:

Arkansas had a 71% increase in the Indian American population between 2010 to 2020, according to AAPI Data. This put the state in the top 10 for Indian American growth.

Quick facts about Asian Americans and NHPI in Arkansas:

About 7.5% of Asian Americans and 33.4% NHPIs in Arkansas lack health.

About 13.2% of Asian Americans and 26.1% NHPIs in Arkansas lack broadband access.

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Overall, the United States is gaining more diverse voters by race and ethnicity.

Asian Americans cover six groups, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese. A 2022 report from the Northwest Arkansas Council said that minorities will grow from 29% to more than 32% or one-third of the regions population by the end of 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 KNWA FOX24.
Dec. 16Happy Monday.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation snowplow naming contest is back!

People have until noon Friday to send in their ideas.

"New Mexicans are known for their wit, humor and ingenuity," NMDOT spokesperson Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic said. "That's why we want your most unique, fun and New Mexico-inspired names for our hardworking snowplows."

People can only submit one name, which is limited to 20 characters, Bustos-Mihelcic said.

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Other contest rules include:

No inappropriate language.No politically inspired names, including plays on politicians' names or slogans.No previously selected snowplow names from 2024.

Last year's winners were:

District 1: Sleetwood Mac, SnowplowpillaDistrict 2: Billy the Skid, That's All SlickDistrict 3: Better Call Salt, Darth BladerDistrict 4: EE, I Snow, huh?, Walter WhiteoutDistrict 5: Snowzobra, Bisc-Snow-ChitoDistrict 6: Ctrl-Salt-Delete, Mr. Snow It All

"These trucks play an important role in keeping our communities connected and our roads safe during the winter months  so let's give them names that reflect their importance and a bit of local flavor," Bustos-Mihelcic said.

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WORST DRIVERS IN THE U.S.: New Mexico has the worse drivers in the country.

At least, that's what a Forbes Advisor study says.

The Land of Enchantment had the highest number of fatal crashes involving a distracted driver  10.16 per 100,000 licensed drivers. The state ranked second in traffic fatalities involving those who were speeding or racing  9.66 per 100,000 drivers  and third in fatal crashes involving drunken drivers  8.11 per 100,000 drivers, according to the study.

TRAFFIC FATALITIES: Data from the New Mexico Department of Transportation and University of New Mexico showed there were 25 traffic fatalities across the state during the month of November. This is up slightly from October, which had 23.

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The 25 fatalities marks close to a 36% decrease from November of 2023 when there were 39 fatalities.

Of the 25 traffic fatalities, seven were reported in Bernalillo County. Tied at the second-highest number of fatalities, Eddy, Lea and Santa Fe Counties each reported three fatalities.

PETITIONING FOR A LIGHT: Over 600 people have signed an online petition requesting a traffic light be installed at the intersection of New Mexico 333 and Mountain Valley Road near Edgewood.

"By adding a traffic light, we can significantly decrease the probability of accidents and enhance the safety of our community members," the petition states. "Time is of the essence. As more and more people choose to call the East Mountains, Edgewood and surrounding communities home, the greater the risk becomes."

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'NO AWARENESS:' Debbie Bock said she remembers a time when people pulled over to the side of the road when they heard an emergency vehicle siren.

Nowadays, she said motorists are not pulling over.

"What I have seen are unnecessary delays for emergency vehicles in transit; given that seconds can make a difference in responding to a fire or a medical emergency, even a short delay could result in greater loss of property, disability or loss of life," Bock said.

She said the Albuquerque Police Department should have a squad car accompanying every ambulance to ticket drivers with "no awareness" who don't make way for the emergency vehicle.

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"If APD carried out this type of sting operation and made sure that it got written up in the paper, it might have an impact."

I hope everyone has a happy, safe and peaceful holidays.

If you drive anywhere over the holidays and want to share your experience, or if you have any road-related questions or concerns, email ghasman@abqjournal.com.
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW)  Robeson County homicide investigators are on the scene of a deadly shooting outside of Lumberton, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said on Sunday.

Information was limited, but authorities said it happened in the 5000 block of Old North Carolina Highway 74 West.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
ROSCOE, Ill. (WTVO)  Roscoe Police said a bomb threat made on a school bus Friday was unfounded.

According to a joint release from the Roscoe Police Department and Kinnikinnik School District, around 3:40 p.m. on Friday, December 13th a student told a bus driver there was a possible bomb on the bus.

School administrators boarded the bus and determined it was necessary to contact police. Students were evacuated prior to the arrival of Roscoe Police officers at 3:50 p.m.

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The officers, in coordination with deputies from the Winnebago County Sheriffs Department, boarded the bus and did a search, but found nothing suspicious, officials said.

Police said an investigation into the threat is ongoing, but there is no threat to the public.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Rosie O'Donnell's daughter, Chelsea O'Donnell, makes it home just in time for the holidays following release from the holding facility.

The comedian's daughter was released from jail after her third arrest in two months and is now set to enter her mandatory 28-day treatment following a legal agreement to allow her to leave custody temporarily.

Chelsea O'Donnell's third arrest came after she was found guilty of drug possession a few weeks after her second arrest for the same offense. She was also initially arrested for child endangerment when the cops discovered hard drugs in the room with her infant child.

Rosie O'Donnell's Daughter Finally Seeking Help

MEGA

Court documents confirmed that the prosecutors drafted a deal to allow a temporary release for Chelsea to commence and complete her residential treatment program for her drug abuse-related problems. Her lawyer stated that the program would last for 28 days.

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In the agreement with prosecutors, the 27-year-old will return to the Marinette County Jail after completing the mandatory program, and her prior bond will be reinstated.

The former bond was set to $7,500 at a hearing on December 4. The deal noted that Chelsea would vacate jail premises on December 9, as the judge had signed off on.

Chelsea's biological mother, Deanna Micoley, would also fetch her from the facility and provide shelter for her till she "physically arrives at residential AODA treatment."

Following her December 9 release, In Touch reported that Chelsea then shared a much-awaited photograph last Thursday, December 12, with her loved ones in Wisconsin. The slides included a picture of her with Deanna.

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"My sister and I at my brother's Christmas concert," Chelsea wrote in the accompanying caption on the photograph.

Chelsea O'Donnell Was Denied A Furlough To Begin 'AODA Treatment'

Chelsea almost did not make it home, as the judge initially denied her plea for a furlough earlier in the month.

As reported by The Blast, Chelsea requested a furlough from the $7,500 cash bail set by a judge in Wisconsin after she was picked up for the third time in 60 days. The ex-convict's attorney claimed that she needed the exemption to fulfill her treatment.

"Counsel has spoken with Ms. O'Donnell about the specific details of the treatment obtained for Ms. O'Donnell and would like to direct the court regarding the specific details of the treatment out of respect for the personal information involved," her lawyer shared.

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However, her petition was denied by the Wisconsin judge the following day. Chelsea had been held in custody since her third arrest on November 18. She was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor, resisting an officer, and other charges.

Chelsea's Triple Phase Arrest Involved Possession Of Harmful Substances

The comedian's adopted daughter's struggles with addiction is certainly not an exaggeration, as her last encounter with the police during a drive led to the discovery of a smoking device with meth residue in it- a fact Chelsea vehemently denied.

She even disclosed her plan to commence an intensive outpatient program the following week to the cops at the point of her arrest. Chelsea expressed her desire to quit drugs for good.

Despite her enviable resolve, a bottle of meth and various pills were discovered on her during a strip search at the custody after the arrest.

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Her second arrest also took a similar direction. She was stopped and searched at a red light on October 11, where law officers discovered meth and pills on her, leading to her getting locked behind bars and getting an early November release.

Chelsea's first run-in with the cops happened in September when she called the police to her home following a heated argument with her boyfriend, Jacob Nelund. Upon arrival, one officer noted that:

"The inside of the house was disgusting; throughout the house, I saw rotten food, dirty moldy dishes, milk that stunk so bad it almost made me puke."

They also found her 11-month-old son, Atlas, living in the toxic space with "a meth pipe, a gem bag with methamphetamine inside, a marijuana grinder, and another container with marijuana shake in it."

Rosie's Reaction After Daughter's Furlough Was Denied

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The comedian has remained transparent about her stance and emotions during Chelsea's tumultuous two months. Following news of her daughter's denial, Rosie shared a throwback of her posing with Chelsea and her younger child, Dakota.

The trio looked happy as they smiled for the camera, seated side by side, a moment the mother seemed to miss. "Before it began #changes," she captioned the post. The producer took the same route during Chelsea's first arrest for child neglect and drug possession.

Rosie uploaded an old picture of her daughter with a baby and captioned it, "Chelsea is in the news today  this is a photo from a better time  here is the family's comment."

She noted that it was not news to her family as they have witnessed Chelsea struggle "with drug addiction for a decade." Rosie concluded, "We are all hopeful she will find her way out of this deadly disease."

Rosie O'Donnell Confirmed Daughter Was Facing Multiple Drug Charges Earlier In The Month

MEGA

The comedian was also first in line to confirm that her adopted daughter was yet again in the middle of another arrest for drug possession. The Blast noted that Rosie released a statement seemingly reacting to a set of inquiries as indicated in the picture frame accompanying her caption.

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"Good Morning Cindi, Just wanted to check in and see if Rosie O'Donnell had any additional comment now that Chelsea O'Donnell had been arrested again," the inquirer began.

They asked if the mother and daughter have had any recent conversations since Chelsea's arrests. "Can you share any information about the status of their relationship? Any information you can provide at this time would be appreciated," the message read.

The producer then replied to the questions, writing, "So yes, this is true - after being bailed out by her birth mother - Chelsea was arrested again - and is facing many charges related to her drug addiction."

Rosie expressed hope that Chelsea is "able to get the help she needs to turn her life around - #drug-addiction #tragic #sadness #truth" in her concluding sentence.

Will Chelsea O'Donnell stay out of trouble as he moves to complete her 28-day residential treatment program?
MANILA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached 3.42 billion U.S. dollars in October 2024, 2.7 percent higher than the figure recorded in October 2023, the Philippine central bank said Monday.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the cumulative personal remittances in the first 10 months of this year rose 3 percent to 31.49 billion dollars.

The BSP said the growth in cash remittances from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates contributed mainly to the spike in remittances in January-October 2024.

With an estimated 10 million Filipinos living or working overseas, personal remittances remain vital to the Philippines' foreign exchange source.

According to the Asian Development Bank, the Philippines is among the top 10 global recipients of remittances.

The BSP data showed that personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached an all-time high of 37.2 billion dollars in 2023, 3 percent higher than the amount recorded in 2022. The full-year 2023 remittances represented 8.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product. 
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Keir Starmers plan to boost ties with Beijing faces new hurdles after a Chinese businessmans close links to Prince Andrew spurred demands for tougher restrictions on Chinas operatives in the UK.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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The latest pushback was triggered when it emerged in court documents last week that a 50-year-old man, who acted as a business adviser to the Duke of York was banned from Britain on national security grounds in 2023. On Monday, he was named in the High Court as Yang Tengbo, a lobbyist who boasted of a web of political and business contacts in Britain.

The developments come at an awkward time for Starmer, who has tried to mend relations with Beijing  after years of strained ties under the Conservatives  as his new Labour government seeks sources of economic growth. The UK premier met Chinas President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Brazil last month, the first meeting between the leaders of the two nations in almost seven years.

Chinas foreign ministry denied Yang was acting as a spy. Chinas actions have been above board and there is no such thing as deceitful actions or interference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing. Id rather not have much comment on these baseless narratives.

Even so, reports of Yangs meetings with high-ranking members of the British establishment play into a long-running debate about how close to get to China. The UK is far from unique in trying to weigh security concerns against economic heft, but the question has resulted in an inconsistent approach across various governments.

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The decision to block Yangs entry has ramped up scrutiny of Starmers policy. Yet the spotlight is also on some of his Conservative predecessors, especially from before relations with Beijing nosedived over Hong Kong and other issues.

As well as working with Prince Andrew  the younger brother of King Charles III  the businessman was granted access to royal sites including the monarchs residence Buckingham Palace, the Sunday Times and others reported. He also appears to have met former Tory premiers David Cameron and Theresa May.

Yang said in a statement on Monday that he had waived his anonymity to reduce speculation about him, arguing that he had done nothing wrong or unlawful and that concerns raised by the Home Office werent justified. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue, he said.

Prince Andrew said in a statement Friday he had ceased all contact with the businessman following advice from the UK government.

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This case does not exist, sadly, in a vacuum, Foreign Secretary David Lammy told reporters late Monday. Where individuals pose a threat, as you would expect the UK government is absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

Starmer faces a difficult balance on what has become a key foreign policy problem. In his meeting with Xi, he raised human rights concerns including about the plight of a jailed newspaper publisher in Hong Kong. But he also pushed for respectful relations and said Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves would travel to China next year for talks on improving economic ties.

Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses, Starmer told reporters during a visit to Norway. Our approach is one of engagement, cooperating where we need to cooperate, particularly for example on climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues such as human rights, and to compete when it comes to trade.

But in Parliament, former Conservative security minister Tom Tugendhat said MI5, Britains domestic security service, had advised the previous government that China should be placed in the enhanced tier of the UKs foreign influence registration scheme  a proposal by the last Tory administration to require those acting in Britain on behalf of foreign powers to declare their activity.

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Putting China on the enhanced tier would require those working at the direction of Beijing to declare the widest range of activity, and would likely risk angering the Chinese government.

Labours Dan Jarvis, the current security minister, suggested a decision by the new government on Chinas status would not be made until next summer.

There has been mounting concern in the UK about alleged Chinese spying. Senior Labour ministers were informed after taking power that Chinese state actors have likely compromised its critical infrastructure networks, Bloomberg reported in October. UK officials have described such Chinese activity as systemic and more widespread than has previously been made public.

British officials have also accused Beijing of being behind data breaches at the UK defense ministry and voter watchdog, and have said Chinese military equipment is being used by Russia in Ukraine.

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China has denied all those allegations and in turn said in June it had caught a foreign consultant spying for the British government.

Still, the new UK government tends to defend its position on China by pointing to an ongoing audit of the relationship  a default position that risks wearing thin as more serious concerns over human rights and cyber threats emerge and the review drags on.

Though it was past Conservative governments that pushed for a golden age in China relations, Starmers outreach efforts have been criticized by the current Tory opposition. Conservative lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith, who has been sanctioned by China, told the BBC the Chinese businessman was the tip of the iceberg and that there are many more like him in the UK.

--With assistance from Eleanor Thornber and Martin Ritchie.

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(Updates with calls for tougher restrictions on Chinese operatives from first paragraph.)

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Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov has proposed the formation of drone forces in the country.

Source: Russian state-owned news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti

Quote from Belousov: "Following the directive of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, it is proposed to create a new branch of the military  the 'Unmanned Systems Forces."

Details: He added that the creation of such forces could be completed by the third quarter of 2025.

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Russian leader Vladimir Putin, during a Defence Ministry meeting, claimed that "several thousand drones" are supposedly being supplied to the Russian military every day.

Background:

In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the Cabinet of Ministers (the Ukrainian government) to set up a new service branch within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Drone Forces.

In June, Vadym Sukharevskyi was appointed commander of the Drone Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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By Barbara Erling and Marek Strzelecki

WARSAW (Reuters) - Russia is disrupting mobile communications and ship-tracking data across the Baltic Sea, endangering vessels and energy supplies to test how Western powers will respond, a Polish admiral overseeing the area said.

Vice Admiral Krzysztof Jaworski said Moscow was systematically using such tactics to hide the movements of its own vessels and disrupt the operations of others in the sea which is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia.

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"Hybrid war in the Baltic is the biggest challenge we are facing," Jaworski told Reuters in an interview last week, referring to the practise of launching conventional attacks alongside attempts to disrupt politics, energy supplies and other systems.

"We are talking about aggressive behaviour by Russia. They are trying to disrupt our lives," added Jaworski, Poland's Maritime Component Commander. "They are also testing us, us as an alliance (to see) how far they can go."

Russia's defence ministry could not be reached for comment. Russia denies accusations that it is sabotaging countries in the West and accuses the West of seeking to sow discord inside Russia.

There have been at least three incidents of possible sabotage to the several dozen telecommunication cables and critical gas pipelines that run along the relatively shallow seabed since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

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The head of Germany's foreign intelligence service, Bruno Kahl, said last month Russia's acts of sabotage against Western targets may eventually prompt NATO to consider invoking the alliance's Article 5 mutual defence clause.

On Monday the European Union adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

The new package added 52 vessels from Moscow's so-called shadow fleet that tries to circumvent Western restrictions to move oil, arms and grain, bringing the total listed to 79.

Jaworski said Russian commercial vessels had switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals - which allow electronic navigation - dozens of times since the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline in 2022.

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That broke maritime law, allowed vessels to move undetected and endangered other ships in the area, he said.

BALTIC BALANCE

There were also efforts to block other ships' identification and tracking systems and disrupt them with false readings, he added. "We are dealing with jamming of mobile and positioning data and with incidents of false echoes."

Finland's Coast Guard made similar complaints in October, saying jamming has led to ships getting lost and losing their course.

Jaworski said it was impossible to keep a constant watch on all of Poland's waters in the Baltic, though he believed his country was safe thanks to its own and allies' operations.

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He said NATO would keep its advantage in the region even if Russia moves more ships to the area, adding that the alliance could move its frigates usually positioned in the Atlantic and Mediterranean to the region to keep the balance.

Last week Poland's security bureau chief Jacek Siewiera said he expects Russia to relocate its naval vessels, including missile frigates currently in Syria to St. Petersburg - a journey that would take them into the Baltic Sea.

"Of course, every single additional ship of great strength can be a potential threat," Jaworski said.

Asked how Poland and its allies would respond to any such movement, he said they would limit themselves to observing, monitoring and being present at the sea "so that a potential adversary can also see that we are ready to act".

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Poland receives most of its natural gas it uses via the Baltic in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline shipments from Norway.

(Reporting by Barbara Erling and Marek Strzelecki; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Hugh Lawson)
Russia should prepare for multiple scenarios, including a war with NATO, in the next 10 years, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16, the Interfax news agency reported.

Speaking about a possible confrontation with the alliance, Belousov pointed to unspecified changes in NATO countries' doctrines and conclusions reached during the Washington summit in July.

(Preparing for war) is indicated by the decisions that were made at the North Atlantic Alliance summit held in July of this year. This is also reflected in the doctrinal documents of the United States and other NATO countries," Belousov said.

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During NATOs 75th-anniversary celebration and summit in July, Ukraine received more air defense systems, $43 billion in funding, a NATO representative in Kyiv, and new bilateral security agreements, as well as the pledge that its path toward membership is "irreversible."

Tensions between NATO and Russia have been mounting since the allied countries began providing arms and other support to Ukraine after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. Moscow has issued a number of veiled and overt threats to the West over its support for Kyiv, including warnings of a possible nuclear response.

Multiple Western officials have raised warnings about a possible open clash with Russia in the coming years, with NATO leaders calling for increasing the defense spending benchmark from 2% to 3% of gross domestic product.

Speaking at the meeting, Belousov claimed that Ukraine lost "almost 1 million people" during the full-scale war, a figure much higher than the numbers provided by Kyiv and the Western media.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine suffered 43,000 soldiers killed and 400,000 injured, while The Economist estimated Kyiv's casualties at 60,000-100,000 killed and 400,000 injured.

Belousov also announced the planned creation of a military branch dedicated to unmanned systems, which should be finalized in the third quarter of 2025. Ukraine already established the Unmanned Systems Forces in September this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke at the meeting, accusing the West of "pushing Russia to a red line from which we can no longer retreat." He further said that NATO is increasing its military presence near the Russian border and in other regions of the world.

The Kremlin's chief went on to accuse the U.S. of preparing a deployment of missiles with a range of "up to 5,500 kilometers" in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, saying that Russia will lift "all restrictions" on the deployment of its own weapons if Washington takes this step.

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Russia withdrew from multiple treaties on nuclear arms during the full-scale war and deployed a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, Oreshnik, in a strike against Dnipro in November.

Putin also claimed that Russian forces had conquered 189 settlements in Ukraine this year and that "over 1,000" people sign contracts with Russia's Defense Ministry every day to join the war.

Read also: Is NATO ready for war with Russia?

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Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski believes that the US and Europe should focus on compelling Russia into future peace talks, not Ukraine, which is a victim of aggression.

Source: Sikorski in a comment to reports in Brussels, writes AFP, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to Sikorski, Europe needs to mobilise even more as the next US administration takes office.

He believes that goals should be distributed so that both the United States and the European Union can help Ukraine improve its negotiating position for potential future negotiations, arguing that the aggressor, not the victim, should be coerced to come to the negotiating table.

Background:

Sikorski's statement came in anticipation of a meeting between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, and numerous European leaders in Brussels on 18 December.

Meanwhile, it is believed that Ukraine's European partners began to explore the prospect of sending foreign troops into Ukraine in the case of a possible "ceasefire" with Russia as a safeguard against future attack.

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Authors: Jan Vande Putte, nuclear and radiation expert at Greenpeace Ukraine Shaun Burnie, senior nuclear expert at Greenpeace Ukraine

In March 2022, almost three years ago, the director of Greenpeace International wrote a letter to Mr. Grossi, the head of the IAEA, asking to suspend his deputy director of the Nuclear Energy department Mikhail Chudakov. Why such an unusual request? Chudakov is a former operative of the Russian nuclear energy monopoly Rosatom, and his presence at such central position with access to confidential information was untenable after the full-scale invasion of the 24th of February and the illegal and violent occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on 4th of March. Mr. Grossi replied later in a letter that for all his staff including Chudakov he took full responsibility for the integrity of his deputy inside the IAEA.

This is not an old anecdote, it is illustrative of 3 closely related events that took place over the last three days during this intense week.

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First, on Tuesday 10th, there was the Russian drone attack on the IAEA vehicle on its way to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Mr. Grossi reacted saying that the attack on his colleagues was unacceptable "whoever did this". It was crystal clear who did it. It was Russia and Russia only. A dark move to intimidate the IAEA two days before an exceptional meeting of the Board of Governors of the IAEA, which is a decision making body consisting of 35 countries represented by their ambassadors in Vienna. Not just because Russia did not like the agenda but it knows the result of the meeting could challenge Russias current attacks on Ukraine.

Ukraine had called for such exceptional meeting to vote on its very diplomatically worded text recognising that "targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure critical for the off-site power supply of nuclear power plants represents a direct threat to nuclear safety and security" and further for the IAEA to take "additional measures immediately if risks arise to prevent a nuclear accident". The last sentence means: sending IAEA inspectors to Ukrainian electricity substations.

Russia does not want the IAEA presence at the substations it is targeting with its waves of missiles and drones. Russia has absolutely no consideration for the life of Ukrainian workers such as from DTEK or Ukrenergo, but killing IAEA staff would be a serious problem for Russia. The IAEA for decades and until today is helping Russia in the export of nuclear technology in the world. Not less than 80% of all exported nuclear reactors are Russian. And Mr. Chudakov has the lead at the IAEA to promote Russias export. Russias drone attack on the IAEA was in naval terms a shot across the bow. Non-lethal but a clear intimidation.

Then, what happened in Vienna this Thursday? Russia was almost entirely isolated. Only 2 countries, including Russia itself, voted against the Ukrainian resolution. Key BRICs countries such as South Africa and Brazil voted in favor. A clear diplomatic victory for Ukraine. And a strong call to the IAEA to take immediate action.

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Following the diplomatic humiliation in Vienna, Russia decided to show strength. At least to try. The drone and missile attack of Thursday night and Friday morning is the third event this week and a direct consequence of the vote. It is however not showing strength but desperation following geopolitical and diplomatic defeats. The reason Russia was isolated in Vienna had less to do with politics, but with genuine concern of governments around the world that Russia was playing Russian roulette with Ukraines nuclear power plants. Russia had crossed a line in the eye of the world. Crossing it again with its last attack is further weakening Russias position.

And this brings us to the fourth stage in this weeks story. The ball is now with Mr Grossi, will he be intimidated by Russia or not? A misleading and unfavorable but likely outcome would be that very soon, there would be another one-time visit of substations. Like the visit during the week of 21 October. Spending a few hours at each substation, taking pictures and moving back home. This October visit did not deter the missile attacks of the 17th and the 28th of November. So, repeating the October visit will not bring the protection that is essential.. What is needed is a continuous, permanent IAEA presence to deter Russia from attacking Ukraines vital infrastructure and to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. Not the strongest move, but probably the only effective one in the immediate future. Furthermore, countries supporting Ukraine need to get more serious. A nuclear disaster is not only an existential threat to Ukraine, but also a major threat to European countries. In their self-interest, they need to enact comprehensive nuclear and energy sanctions on Russia water-tight and send all the support to Ukraine it needs to end this war, a clear signal to Russia that its dangerous nuclear blackmailing does not work.
After negotiations with the new Syrian leadership, Russia withdrew at least 400 soldiers from the Damascus region. A representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham said that negotiations are underway to evacuate more soldiers across Syria.

Source: Financial Times (FT)

Quote from the FT: "Russia has evacuated at least 400 soldiers from the Damascus region in recent days in co-ordination with the main rebel faction that toppled Bashar al-Assads regime, an official from the group said."

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Details: According to Kamal Lababidi, a member of the political bureau of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Russian soldiers had been stationed at the headquarters of the Fourth Division of the Syrian Army in Qudsayya, a suburb of the capital.

Russian soldiers stationed at the embassy in Damascus also left Syria over the past week.

According to Lababidi, negotiations are underway to evacuate more soldiers across the country.

The future of the Russian presence in Syria is unclear, the FT reported. Moscow has provided troops to support Assad, but the withdrawal from Damascus is a sign that it is winding down its presence in Syria.

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This week, Lababidi said, Russian military envoys met with representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to negotiate the safe passage of the convoy. He said that the "Russians came by but only for co-ordination for the retreat of bases."

He also said that the Russians left Damascus in a convoy by land to Moscows Khmeimim airbase in northwestern Syria. From there, planes took the soldiers back to Russia.

A video provided by the FT shows a convoy of around 100 pieces of military equipment, including armoured vehicles, tractors, fuel tankers, mobile medical units and others, leaving the Damascus area.

While there are no plans to close the Russian embassy in Syria, Lababidi said a Russian official had informed him of a reduction in diplomatic activity.

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Background:

The Assad regime had held power in Syria for 24 years and collapsed after a 12-day offensive by rebels led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or the Levant Liberation Organisation, ended with the capture of the Syrian capital, Damascus, on 8 December.

The Institute for the Study of War said that the loss of military bases in Syria could seriously undermine the Kremlin's ability to conduct operations in Africa. It would weaken Russia's position in Libya and sub-Saharan Africa and call into question its influence over African authoritarian regimes.

Kremlin-aligned Russian news media TASS and RIA Novosti reported on 8 December that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family were in Moscow and Russia had granted them asylum.

On 10 December, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said that the Russians had used ships and military transport aircraft to take the remaining troops, weapons and equipment from Syria to Russia.

On 12 December, Bloomberg reported that Russia was nearing an agreement with Syria's new leadership to retain its bases at the naval port of Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase.

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Russia appears to be scrambling to reinforce its bases in Libya as it faces being thrown out of Syria, its other foothold in the Mediterranean.

Flight data show at least three Russian military cargo planes have flown from Belarus to Libya since Dec 8, the day the Russian-allied Assad regime in Syria was toppled by Islamist-led rebels.

The most recent flight landed in Benghazi, Libya, early on Saturday morning, according to data from FlightRadar24, a real-time flight tracking website.

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Experts believe that Russia is moving defence materials stockpiled in Belarus, its closest ally, to Libya, where it is rapidly increasing its military presence in response to the rebel seizure of Damascus.

The challenges in Syria seem to be pushing Russia to ramp up its presence in eastern Libya, even if that wasnt part of its original plan just weeks ago, said Jalel Harchaoui, a North Africa specialist and fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a defence think tank based in London.

Moscow is likely worried that its growing footprint in Libya is becoming more exposed and vulnerable there, prompting a logical step: send in more material to protect your newly-expanded presence, he added.

In 2024, Russia refurbished runways and built new facilities at its Libyan air bases, allowing it to project power along the southern Mediterranean coast.

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Libya also acts as a key staging post for the Kremlins efforts to expand its influence in Africa.

It is the only country on the African continent with a Russian military presence that can be flown to direct from Russia without refuelling. Russia could also fly to nearby nations that it maintains close ties with, including Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt.

Coupled with its long-time presence in the strategic Syrian port cities of Tartus and Latakia, Moscow had looked set to flex even more military might in the region  until Assads regime collapsed last Sunday.

With Assad gone, Russian forces now face an uncertain future in Syria, where its former rebel enemies are in the process of setting up a new government.

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Syria is scarred by years of brutal Russian attacks, in which the Kremlin bombarded opposition-held areas of the country in an attempt to prop up the Assad government.

Moscow has begun to evacuate its hardware and personnel from Syria, while senior officials seek to hammer out a deal with the new leadership that would see it retain its bases in the country.

It admitted on Sunday it had withdrawn some of its diplomatic staff from Syria on a special flight from its Hmeimim air base near Latakia.

A Libya-bound cargo plane left the Hmeimim base the day before, according to a Syrian security official. More departures are expected in the coming days.

Flight data showing Russian military cargo planes flying from Belarus to Libya on December 8th - Flightradar24

Russian troops have been filmed packing up an S-400 air defence missile system in Latakia, and armoured trucks have been seen lining up in Syrian streets preparing to evacuate positions.

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Mr Harchaoui said: Even if Russia maintains its core bases in Syria  its naval facility at Tartus and its air base near Latakia  recent events there have obviously not been in Moscows favour.

The upheaval makes Syria a more hostile environment for the Russian military, if only logistically, leaving it unable to stay there with the same level of comfort and security as before, he added.

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Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16 that Moscow aims to seize the entirety of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2025.

Speaking at a Defense Ministry meeting, Belousov reiterated Russias commitment to achieving what he described as the "goals announced by President Vladimir Putin in June."

"In 2025, Moscow plans to achieve victory in the war," he added.

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On June 14, Putin stated that Russia would agree to a ceasefire and peace talks only if Ukraine withdraws from the four Ukrainian oblasts and formally abandons its aspirations to join NATO.

Putins additional demands include recognizing Crimea and Sevastopol as part of Russia.

"As soon as Kyiv declares readiness for such a decision and begins a real withdrawal of troops, as well as officially abandons its NATO ambitions, we will immediately cease fire and begin negotiations," Putin said at the time.

Despite Russias claims, large portions of these regions remain under Ukrainian control. Regional capitals Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are firmly held by Ukraine, while Moscow occupies parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, territories it initially invaded in 2014.

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During the Dec. 16 meeting, Belousov also emphasized the need for Russia to prepare for potential conflicts with NATO within the next decade.

Putin's declaration of the illegal annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in September 2022 was widely condemned internationally.

The Kremlin continues to struggle in its attempts to secure full control over these regions amidst fierce Ukrainian resistance.

Read also: Russia must be ready for potential conflict with NATO within 10 years, defense minister says

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by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday gave Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger a six-month grace period from Jan. 29 to July 29, 2025 to reconsider their decision to exit the regional bloc.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, said the decision was to use the six-month grace period as a transitional period and to keep the West African bloc's doors open to the three countries during the period.

"The authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025," Touray said.

"In this regard, the authority extends the mandate of the president of Togo and the president of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS," he said.

Touray said ECOWAS leaders at the ordinary summit on Sunday commended the "exemplary diplomatic engagement of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the chairman of the authority of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, and other individual member states toward the three countries."

Touray said an extraordinary session of the council of ministers has also been directed to be held in the second quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and a contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the three countries.

Meanwhile, Touray commended regional leaders for their collective resolve to address the region's pressing challenges. He also encouraged the leaders to carry forward the optimism and the resolve that have guided the deliberations.

"Together, let us continue to champion the cause of a peaceful, secure and prosperous West Africa, to build ECOWAS into a community of peoples anchored to the ideals of freedom, justice, democracy and a vision of good governance that addresses the legitimate aspirations of our peoples," Tinubu said.

On Jan. 28, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger jointly declared an intention to withdraw from ECOWAS in response to earlier sanctions imposed by the regional bloc to pressure military juntas in those countries to return to constitutional order.

The move sparked concerns among ECOWAS bloc members, headquartered in Abuja, which later lifted the sanctions.

Last Wednesday, Tinubu told visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Abuja that the interests and welfare of the citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger remain a priority for the leaders of ECOWAS, assuring that diplomacy and wisdom will be guiding principles in reintegrating the countries into the regional bloc.

ECOWAS was founded in 1975, with a mission to promote economic integration in all fields of economic activities, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial matters, as well as social and cultural affairs. 
Russian forces have deployed a drone to drop explosives on a shop in the city of Beryslav, Kherson Oblast, killing a woman.

Source: Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office on Telegram, Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Quote: "The investigators reported that Russian soldiers deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle to drop explosives on a shop in Beryslav, Kherson Oblast, at around 10:00 on 16 December."

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Details: The prosecutors office said that a 53-year-old woman sustained fatal injuries in the attack.

A pre-trial investigation has been launched in criminal proceedings over a war crime that resulted in the death of a person.

"Prosecutors are taking every measure to document war crimes committed by representatives of the Russian armed forces," a statement by the prosecutors office said.

Before that, the Russians attacked an elderly man with a drone in Antonivka at 08:30. The local resident, 81, suffered blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to his shin and foot.

Background: Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Russia was using civilians in Ukrainian settlements to improve their own kamikaze drone attacks and the skills of drone operators. Western media believe that the Russians are attacking people to practice drone piloting.

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Vladimir Shishov, the former deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry's military property department, is suspected of involvement in the embezzlement of 600 million rubles ($5.8 million), Russian Interior Ministry official Andrey Kurnosenko told the state-owned TASS news agency in an interview published on Dec. 16.

According to the charges, Shishov embezzled 600 million rubles with the help of businessman Dmitry Levchenko, the manager of the RNGS Capital company. The ex-Defense Ministry official served in one of the highest echelons of state service.

Shishov was arrested on suspicion of fraud in October 2023 in a case that the Russian media linked to fraud regarding the supply of timber for Russian troops in the occupied parts of eastern Ukraine.

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The embezzled money was allocated for a "special infrastructure project," Kurnosenko said.

Since April, several Russian high-ranking military officials have been arrested on charges ranging from bribery to abuse of power after the dismissal of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov.

In mid-May, Russian President Vladimir Putin also dismissed his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu from the post of defense minister. Shoigu was replaced by former First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov.

Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) recently reported a sharp increase in registered criminal proceedings for bribery in the Russian military.

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Transparency International's 2023 corruption perception index saw Russia drop to its worst score in years, while Ukraine's score has improved, continuing the decade-old trend.

Read also: Russian authorities block Viber messaging app

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The Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Ukrainian military have explained that on 10 December, a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group (SRG) attempted to enter the territory of Sumy Oblast but was destroyed, while Russian propaganda presented it as a "breakthrough" of the border.

Source: press service of Special Operations Forces

Quote from SOF: "The enemy propaganda is once again trying to go for wishful thinking, claiming a "breakthrough across the border in Sumy Oblast and the capture of a border village". In fact, it was an attempt by an enemy SRG to cross the Ukrainian border, which was stopped by Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 10 December."

Details: The SOF operators detected a group of Russian saboteurs and tracked their route. At the same time, the SOF destroyed some of the group with accurate drone attacks and ambushed them.

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The remaining Russian soldiers were forced to flee back to Russia. At the same time, the SOF said that their operators caught up with the Russians and had them killed.

Background:

On 10 December, DeepState analysts said that the Russian troops had seized about two kilometres of territory in Sumy Oblast near the village of Oleksandriia, as well as part of Kursk Oblast in the direction of Sudzha.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) stated that no Russians had entered Sumy Oblast. Later, SBGS spokesperson Andrii Demchenko confirmed that there were no border breakthroughs on any of the sections that day.

Volodymyr Artiukh, Head of Sumy Oblast Military Administration, said that the military did not provide information about changes in the situation on the border and that the situation was under control.

Sumy Oblast remains one of the border oblasts where the SRGs are most active.

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Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 49 Shahed and other types of attack UAVs on the night of 15-16 December. A total of 27 drones were destroyed, 19 disappeared from radar and three are still in the air.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram

Quote from the Air Force: "As of 08:30, 27 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones have been confirmed downed in Chernihiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

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As a result of the active response by the defence forces, 19 Russian UAVs failed to reach their targets (disappeared from radar). Three UAVs are still in the air."

Details: Reports suggest that the invaders launched the drones from the areas of the Russian cities of Bryansk and Oryol.

The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force and defence forces.

"No hits were recorded, and there was no information on damage or casualties," the Ukrainian Air Force said.

Background: On the evening of 15 December, Russian troops launched another drone attack against Ukraine.

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Russian forces attacked the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on 16 December, using artillery and kamikaze UAVs. A woman was injured in the attack.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "They targeted the Nikopol, Myrove, Marhanets and Pokrovske hromadas. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

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A 57-year-old woman was injured. She was taken to hospital in a serious condition."

Details: The attack also damaged three houses, two outbuildings, a car and a truck. Local infrastructure and two businesses also came under fire.

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On 16 December, the Russian army launched an attack on a residential area in the city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The invaders attacked the city of Kupiansk. One civilian, a man, was killed, while another was seriously injured and hospitalised. Their identities are being established."

Details: Residential buildings were damaged in the attack.

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An updated report by the California Department of Public Health found that the number of people infected with salmonella during a 2023-2024 outbreak in raw milk from a Fresno County dairy was much higher than initially reported.

The outbreak originated in San Diego County on Oct. 18, 2023, with eight cases of salmonellosis from people who drank raw milk. But as epidemiologists tracked the illnesses and its source, the number of cases grew.

Over the course of several months, state and federal investigators linked the outbreak to Raw Farm LLC in Fresno County, the nations leading supplier of raw milk and other dairy products. Its the same company whose raw milk this fall has been linked to avian flu cases in human and pets.

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The states report, released on Oct. 15, reveals the breadth of the salmonella outbreak. Spanning from Oct. 18, 2023, through May 4, 2024, the report cited 171 cases  159 confirmed and 12 probable  of salmonella infections in five states: California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.

According to the state report, the illness onset dates ranged from Sept. 21, 2023, through March 11, 2024, with most cases in the Los Angeles and San Diego area. There were also several cases in the San Joaquin Valley, including four in Stanislaus County, three in Fresno County, two in Kings County, two in Madera County and two in San Joaquin County.

Response from Raw Farms and lawsuits

Mark McAfee, who founded the family run dairy in 1998, has acknowledged that some of his milk was the culprit behind the 2023 outbreak.

That is absolutely true, McAfee told The Bee. We found the cow with salmonella  we are not denying that  and we got rid of it.

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McAfee said since then he installed specialized equipment that detects pathogens, such as salmonella, at very low levels.

And, he said, we have not had a problem since.

But the consequences of that outbreak still linger in the form of 12 lawsuits filed by victims who were made sick from the milk.

Bill Marler, a personal injury lawyer specializing in foodborne illnesses, said his clients have endured visits to the emergency rooms and have suffered from painful cramps, fever, bloody diarrhea, vomiting and headaches.

One of his clients amassed more than $170,000 in medical bills as a result of being treated for salmonella. Others still have bowel issues, months after they got sick. And two of his clients were in the hospital for a week and a half, he said.

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McAfee isnt opposed to compensating people who were made sick from the milk, but he said he thinks some of the claims are exaggerated.

Bill Marler makes a lot of money on sick people, McAfee said. The demand being made on some of these cases is outrageous.

Marler denies his claims are out of line.

Customers still loyal to dairy

Despite the lawsuits and recalls, Raw Farms customers remain fiercely loyal to the dairy and will continue to consume its products.

Many of the dairy supporters have flooded their social media pages with messages of support.

Instagram user blissful.bites.by.hillori wrote: (As) a raw milk drinker and promoter of health, lets shine some light on what government agencies are doing to raw milk farmers!!

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For the moment, the dairy is under quarantine and can not produce any raw milk or cream products.

The dairies products have tested positive for bird flu at both retail and dairy storage and bottling sites in recent days

The bird flu has been found in roughly half of the states 1,100 dairy farms.
ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Salvation Army of Johnson City distributed holiday gift cards in Unicoi County on Sunday.

Corp Officer with the Salvation Army, Major RC Duskin, said the organization wanted to help the Erwin community during the holidays.

Cakebuds Bakery closing its Johnson City storefront to focus on custom orders

Just trying to give them a little assistance and being able to make this a Merry Christmas and an opportunity to respond in a positive way as a part of getting back to normal life, Duskin said.

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He said the organization hoped the holiday gift cards would make a slight difference as FEMA assistance and operations begin to slow down.

As we know there are limitations on some of the assistance that is being provided through FEMA and through the state and just trying to provide a lift, especially as we approach the holidays, Duskin 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) defended Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for her remarks about UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons shooting and the countrys health care system, calling it outrageous Thompson was killed.

Sanders joined NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday and was asked about Warrens comments that the visceral response to Thompsons death is a warning about how Americans view the industry. Warren later clarified and noted all violence is wrong.

Elizabeth Warren obviously understands killing and murder and shooting somebody in the back is totally unacceptable, Sanders said in remarks highlighted by Mediaite.

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But what I think has happened in the last few months is that  what you have seen rising up is peoples anger at a health insurance industry which denies people the health care that they desperately need while they make billions and billions of dollars in profit, he continued.

Thompson was shot and killed earlier this month outside a Manhattan hotel where his company was hosting its annual investor conference. The suspect fled, and a days-long manhunt ensued.

Twenty-six-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania last week as the suspected killer. He was arrested on gun charges in Pennsylvania and been charged with murder in New York but is fighting extradition.

Mangione has seen a flood of online sympathy and support, with many on social media expressing grievances with the U.S. health care system.

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Warren argued in an interview with HuffPost last week that violence is never the answer but acknowledged people can be pushed only so far. She said the killing was a warning that if people are pushed far enough, they lose faith in government to make change and lose faith in the health care system.

Sanders agreed, noting its outrageous to kill anyone, and nobody should applaud it.

I think what we need to ask ourselves when we talk about health care is why we are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee health care to all people, why we have a life expectancy which is significantly lower than in other countries, why working-class people die five to 10 years shorter than the people on top, Sanders said.

The Vermont senator said he feels very strongly about the issue and said it was long overdue for the country to guarantee health care for its citizens.

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The goal of health care is not to make drug companies and insurance companies phenomenally rich, its to guarantee quality care to all of our people, he said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HANOI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's garment-textile export value was expected to reach 44 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, marking an 11.26 percent increase from 2023, local media reported.

The country's garment-textile import turnover was anticipated to reach 25 billion dollars, up 14.79 percent, resulting in a trade surplus of 19 billion dollars, up 6.93 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association.

Vu Duc Giang, the association's chairman, said many companies were experiencing growth in orders for both 2024 and 2025.

Despite ongoing global complexities, fluctuating shipping costs, slow trade recovery and reduced global investment, Vietnam's garment-textile industry has managed to maintain strong growth, he said.

The industry hopes to generate over 48 billion dollars in export revenue in 2025, he said. 
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders along with 25 other Republican governors recently said in a statement that they would use their states law enforcement or National Guardsmen to help President-elect Donald Trumps mass deportation plan.

The statement, released by the Republican Governors Association on Dec. 11, says As Republican governors, we stand united in support of President Donald Trumps unwavering commitment to make America safe again by addressing the illegal immigration crisis and deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security.

A report released by the Pew Research Center in July said that the United States had 11 million undocumented immigrants in 2022.

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What new Arkansas laws will go into effect in January 2025?

The mass deportations are said to send back illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security and dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists.

In 2019, undocumented immigrants accounted for 1.9% or 58,000 of Arkansass population according to the Migration Policy Institute.

We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposal  whether through state law enforcement or the National Guard  to support President Trump in this vital mission, the RGA continued.

During the presidential campaign, Trump talked about creating the largest mass deportation program in history and called for using the National Guard and domestic police forces in the effort, the Associated Press reported.

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We would be finding people who are in violation of this law, and we would be sort of hand-delivering them to the nearest port of deportation so that they could be removed in a safe and orderly fashion, said Missouri state Sen. Curtis Trent, who is sponsoring one of the proposals.

Governor touts efficiency program expected to save Arkansas $300 million over 6 years

According to NewsNation, Trumps current immigration deportation plan could cost taxpayers between $150 billion to $350 billion and take up to 16 years.

In addition to Sanders, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt along with others were signatories in the statement.

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KNWA/FOX24 reached out to Sanders office for a statement regarding how the state will support Trumps commitment to addressing the immigration crisis.

President Trump won in a landslide because of his promise to clean up the Biden-Harris Administrations failures, including on the southern border, and Governor Sanders looks forward to working with the Trump Administration to make our country safe and strong again, a spokesperson for Sanders office said.

In August, Arkansas joined 15 other states in a lawsuit that would end a federal program that could potentially give nearly half a million immigrants without legal status who are married to U.S. citizens a path to citizenship.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus on Markham Street in Little Rock. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas has been an unlikely leader in Medicaid policy over the past decade. It was one of the first Southern states to embrace Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, thus giving health coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income Arkansans. Despite conservatives efforts in the years since to either restrict the program (remember the 2018 work requirement?) or kill it outright, Arkansass Medicaid expansion lives on. It now covers more than 220,000 people.

Now, with Donald Trump returning to the White House and Republicans in control of Congress, it seems inevitable Medicaid will be pared back or subject to new restrictions. The question is just how far Republicans will go. Will they be content to trim the program around the edges by placing more bureaucratic hurdles and work mandates in the way of people seeking health insurance? Or will they try to gut Medicaid expansion entirely?

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According to a disturbing new report from KFF Health News, the latter may be easier to accomplish than it initially seems, at least in some states. Arkansas is one of them.

Arkansas is one of nine states with a trigger law that would automatically end Medicaid expansion if the federal match rate for the program drops below a certain level. Should congressional Republicans cut federal funding even by a small amount  as congressional leaders have proposed  Arkansass program will evaporate, leaving countless people with no insurance options. Those people would likely forego regular doctor visits, prescription refills, and preventative care such as cancer screenings. And more Arkansans would turn to emergency rooms for primary care, racking up unpayable medical bills and hastening the decline of rural hospitals.

A backdoor to slash Medicaid?

First, lets review some basics. Medicaid is a giant, sprawling patchwork that provides coverage to many different groups  disabled people, pregnant women, children, elderly people in nursing homes, etc., all of which have different income eligibility thresholds. Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, expanded Medicaid to create another coverage category  working-age adults who earn less than a certain percentage of the federal poverty level. (The annual income threshold is 138% of the poverty line, which works out to about $43,000 for a family of four or $21,000 for a single person.)

But not every state opted to expand Medicaid as envisioned under Obamacare. Thats because Medicaid is a joint state-federal operation. The federal government sets broad rules, but states have a good deal of latitude to run their own programs how they see fit. Blue states generally embraced Medicaid expansion in the 2010s, but many red states refused to do so.

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Medicaid costs are also split between federal and state governments, with poor states getting a more generous match from the feds than richer states: Arkansas, with its high poverty rate, pays for only about 30% of the cost of most Medicaid services, while federal taxpayers pay for the other 70%. (The average federal match nationally is more like 57%, according to KFF.) To incentivize states to accept Medicaid expansion, Obamacare offered every state a much more generous rate on the group of people covered by Medicaid expansion  a 90% match. States only have to pay the other 10% of the expansion programs costs.

Its a sweetheart deal for states, which is why even many red states have reluctantly signed up for Medicaid expansion in the years since Obamacare was passed. Only 10 holdouts remain today, most of which are in the South. As a result, there are now many fewer Americans without insurance than there were 15 years ago.

In Arkansas, the uninsured rate has been almost cut in half since Medicaid expansion started in 2014. The program has been called many things over the last decade  the private option, Arkansas Works and now ARHOME  but its provided health care access to hundreds of thousands of people. ARHOME covered about 224,000 beneficiaries as of Nov. 1, according to the most recent report from the state Department of Human Services.

The trigger law

All that could change, though, if Congress cuts the 90% match rate, as some conservatives are pushing to happen.

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When the Arkansas Legislature authorized Medicaid expansion back in 2013, lawmakers were suspicious the federal government might one day backtrack on paying such a large share of the costs. So, they wrote a provision into the Medicaid expansion legislation that the program would be wound down within four months if the match rate is ever lowered below 90%. The same language is in the current version of the law.

This matters in part because Arkansas conservatives have always wanted to undo Medicaid expansion. The state embraced the program at a moment when Republicans were on the rise in state government but Democrats were not yet powerless; the original bill passed in 2013 thanks to the bipartisan work of then-Gov. Mike Beebe and a group of moderate Republican legislators.

Since then, conservatives such as state Sen. Bart Hester  now the Senate president pro tempore  have repeatedly tried to kill the program. Theyve failed. The prospect of cutting insurance for so many people proved too politically dicey, especially considering hospitals and other big health care interests want Medicaid expansion to stay put. Though theres little chance the Republican legislative majority would approve expansion today if the program were presented to them fresh, theyre afraid to yank away an existing benefit from hundreds of thousands of people.

But the trigger law could give Arkansas conservatives a workaround: If Republicans in Congress cut funding for Medicaid expansion at the federal level, DHS would be required to end the program and state legislators could pretend their hands are clean.

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That wouldnt actually be true, of course, because the state Legislature could and should revise state law to remove the trigger. If they sit idly by while Medicaid expansion is undone, state lawmakers will bear just as much responsibility as Congress. Still, its easier for a politician to sit back and do nothing than to affirmatively cast a vote to end a program.

Whether Republicans in Congress can really make such dramatic cuts is a different story. The last time Trump was in the White House, the GOPs efforts to repeal Obamacare famously went up in flames. Since then, the Republican Party has in some respects only grown more populist, at least rhetorically. While Elon Musk and others are vowing to slash literal trillions of dollars from the federal budget  a goal that would require enormous cuts in entitlement programs like Medicaid  Trump hasnt so far proven to be one for disciplined policy choices or fiscal austerity.

The return of work requirements

The more likely route may be for Republicans to just make Medicaid stingier, harder to access, and less useful for the people it serves.

State-level work requirements will almost certainly return in the second Trump administration. One Arkansas Republican on the House Public Health Committee, state Rep. Aaron Pilkington, recently told Stateline a work requirement is 100% on the table and something well look to ask for from the Trump administration.

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Thats despite the states own admission last year to the Biden administration that Arkansass work requirement experiment back in 2018 was hardly a success. While the intent was to encourage beneficiaries to engage in their communities and the workforce to achieve economic growth and eventual independence from government dependency, the monthly reporting of engagement hours was burdensome, DHS officials wrote in a document sent to federal Medicaid authorities in June 2023.

Research has shown most Medicaid expansion recipients do indeed work, regardless of the states rules  after all, ARHOME provides health insurance, not a paycheck, and people must still make rent and pay bills. Instead of pushing indolent people into the workforce, Arkansass 2018 work requirement mostly created new red tape and meaningless bureaucratic hoops to jump through. Beneficiaries had to log their work hours using a glitchy, confusing web portal, creating problems for those with limited internet access or computer skills.

Many of the roughly 18,000 Arkansans who were kicked off their insurance in 2018 were in fact working but were unaware of the new work rule. The state, led at the time by Gov. Hutchinson, thus punished people not for failing to hold down a job but for failing to log on to a DHS website and plug numbers into a form. (For a more detailed account, read our coverage of the Arkansas experiment from 2018.)

But work requirements remain alluring for Republicans. Perhaps thats less because theyre effective at pushing people to work and more because they simply keep people away from public benefits they should qualify for, thus saving states money.

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It is true that Medicaid is enormously expensive. The total cost of the program in Arkansas in 2023 was $8.6 billion, of which the state paid more than $2 billion. (That includes coverage for about 415,000 children on ARKids and 224,000 adults on traditional Medicaid, along with the 224,000 in ARHOME, the expansion program.) If Gov. Sarah Sanders and fellow Republicans want to keep cutting income taxes for corporations and higher-income Arkansans, the cost of Medicaid must be held down.

But that also comes with costs: More uninsured people mean more bad debt for rural hospitals, many of which are already financially shaky. Hospitals are required under federal law to treat people who need emergency services, and if more of those patients are unable to pay their bills, hospitals will be forced to absorb the cost. Some will likely close. Arkansans will lose access to basic health services, forgo necessary treatment until it becomes an emergency, and be bankrupted by medical debt.

Gavin Lesnick, a spokesman for Arkansas DHS, said the agency hasnt been in contact recently with federal authorities about the possibility of adding a work requirement. But DHS is always working on ways to make Medicaid more efficient and effective, he said.

This focus includes creating meaningful ways for beneficiaries to move from depending on government health insurance coverage to gaining economic independence, Lesnick wrote in an email. We look forward to continuing these conversations both within our agency and with the Governors Office, the Legislature, and other key partners.

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As shown by the recent outpouring of schadenfreude over the killing of a UnitedHealthcare CEO in Manhattan, Americans are fed up with the countrys dysfunctional health care system. Ironically, the coverage provided through Arkansas Medicaid expansion is better than much of whats now available through private, employer-sponsored insurance: It comes with no deductible, the state pays the premiums, and beneficiaries pay reasonable co-pays on a sliding scale based on household income. In a saner country, the people in charge would be working furiously to extend that sort of coverage to more citizens. But in America, and especially in states like Arkansas, theyre instead looking for ways to roll it back.

This article first appeared on the Arkansas Blog of the Arkansas Times.
A Midlands man whos accused of fatally shooting a police dog over the summer was charged with a federal crime and faces years behind bars, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

A federal grand jury in Columbia indicted 37-year-old Prosperity resident James Robert Peterson for being a felon in possession of a firearm, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release.

The charge stems from a June 11 incident when South Carolina Law Enforcement Division K9 Coba was shot in the line of duty while assisting the Newberry County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement was trying to apprehend a man, later identified as Peterson, who was wanted on a burglary charge.

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After Coba was shot and killed, Peterson was found in possession of firearm, according to the release.

Peterson was also shot during the incident, SLED previously said.

No other injuries were reported.

Coba

Coba was a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois mix who joined SLED in 2021, according to the law enforcement agency. The dog had been deployed 300 times and apprehended 16 criminals, according to Lt. Keith Thrower, who oversees SLEDs K9 tracking team.

He was always ready to put himself in harms way, Thrower said. You could feel Cobas intensity, whether he was on a fugitive or SWAT call, there was never any doubt that he did not have your back.

More charges

Peterson has previously been charged with state crimes connected to the June shooting, including first-degree burglary, breach of peace (aggravated in nature), cruelty to police dog, possession of firearm or ammunition by person convicted of certain crimes, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon as well as four counts of pointing and presenting firearms at a person, Newberry County court records show.

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Peterson has a previous felony conviction that prevents him from possessing a firearm, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release.

If convicted on the federal charge, Peterson faces a maximum punishment of 15 years in federal prison, according to the release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Peterson is being held in jail while awaiting trial on the federal charge, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

The case was investigated by the ATF and the Lexington County Sheriffs Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle Klein is prosecuting the case, according to the release. Public defender Tristan Shaffer was listed as Petersons attorney, court records show.
South Carolina Supreme court Justice John Kittredge arrives for his screening by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, S.C.(Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  The chief of South Carolinas court system is getting stricter on when state legislators who are lawyers can use their privileges to delay or potentially influence legal proceedings.

Recent orders from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kittredge, who took the helm of the states judicial department in August, pare back when lawyer-legislators can skip court and restrict senators ability to argue cases before the judges they control.

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The state Supreme Court has long excused lawyers in the General Assembly from appearing for depositions, trials and court hearings during the legislative session.

In 2001, then-Chief Justice Jean Toal turned the unwritten practice into an official order, telling judges to give lawyer-legislators a roughly seven-month pass, with limitations. Her order also applied to special sessions the rest of the year.

Chief Justice Don Beatty continued her order after he ascended in 2017 to the judiciarys top spot. But amid the COVID-19 pandemic and lengthening court backlogs that followed, Beatty issued a series of orders in 2022 that Yoyod between hardening and softening court requirements, after receiving complaints from lawyers on each side.

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I find that lawyers who serve as members of the General Assembly provide a great service to the citizens of this state, Beatty wrote.

But the exemption also enables people who hire lawyer-legislators for their defense to indefinitely delay their charges.

This month, Kittredge rolled the practice back with orders that go a little further than Beattys initial tightening of legislators privileges.

Instead of requiring lawyer-legislators to handle only bond revocations or family court hearings involving children during the legislative session, Kittredges order lets the presiding judge define whats an emergency. Essentially, the judge in each case can decide when a legislator must appear in court to keep the wheels of justice moving.

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However, in a state where legislators elect judges and decide whether they keep their seat on the bench, judges may use that authority sparingly.

Kittredges order also sets a cap on how long things can drag out. It requires lawyer-legislators to appear for trials if their client is facing criminal charges pending for two or more years. Beattys temporary order on that front required proceedings to continue if the charged dated back three years or more.

Like Beatty, Kittredge says lawyer-legislators must also appear for trials when a clients case has been stalled for 18 months or more.

This exception to the rule for absolute trial protection ensures that older cases will not languish for excessive periods of time, Kittredge writes.

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Kittredge also encourages judges to use Mondays and Fridays for emergency hearings involving lawyer-legislators as a way to keep schedules moving. The Legislature meets Tuesdays through Thursdays starting in January.

Suspects should not be allowed to delay justice simply by hiring a lawyer-legislator after their charges are filed, whether as the lead attorney or in an assisting role, Kittredge wrote.

Former Democratic Sen. Dick Harpootlian, who championed restrictions on lawyer-legislator immunity while he was in office, applauded Kittredge for his actions.

The Columbia lawyer said he was approached several times while in office by attorneys asking him to join a case and stall it, something he said he never agreed to do.

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Harpootlian famously waived his legislator privileges to try the case of Alex Murdaugh, convicted of murdering his wife and son, that for months gripped national attention and kept Harpootlian from the Statehouse.

Kittredge also issued an order to prevent senators from arguing contested cases before the magistrates they have direct authority over as it may lead the public to question the impartiality of the magistrate.

While the governor technically appoints magistrates, senators actually control who occupies those county-level judgeships.

The ban also applies to any member of the senators family and law firm.

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Public confidence in the judiciary is paramount, Kittredge wrote. Our justice system must not only provide equal justice to all, the public must believe in the integrity of our justice system.

Hearings involving bond or uncontested matters are the exception.
South Carolina police have arrested and charged two suspects in connection to the murder of 18-year-old MyAngel Walker. According to officials, Walkers family filed a missing persons report after the teen didnt show up the work on Thursday (Dec. 12).



We went to several different places... just searching for last known whereabouts, Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland told WYFF 4. It became apparent during the night that we were looking for something a little more than just somebody missing.

Walker recently graduated from high school and had dreams of becoming a nurse, her family told FOX Carolina. But on Friday (Dec. 13), Walkers dead body was located in an unbelievable state.

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According to Clinton Police Department, police arrived to the scene of a vehicle on fire Friday morning. Inside the car, officials found Walkers body burned from the fire with one gunshot wound, according to WECT.

It didnt take long for police to trace everything back to 19-year-old Malachi Pressley, who Walkers family identified as her on-and-off boyfriend. Police say Pressley allegedly shot the teen on Wednesday (Dec. 11) between 10 and 11 p.m.

19-Year-Old Malachi Pressley Charged With Murder of MyAngel Walker, 18 - Screenshot: Laurens County Sheriffs Office

The suspected then allegedly disposed of Walkers body with Taylor Kinard, 19. Now, Kinard has been charged with accessory after the fact. She had knowledge of it and she helped, Clinton Police Chief Michael Addison said, according to FOX Carolina

Pressley, on the other hand, was charged with Walkers murder. In response to Pressleys arrest, Walkers mother, Sade Woodruff, urged Anybody thats going through any type of domestic dispute, being abused, anything, get away. She continued telling FOX Carolina If you are able, get away.

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Both suspects have been denied bond. They are being held at the Johnson Detention Center in South Carolina.

Everything Ive heard of MyAngel has been, she was a very bright young lady with a very good heart, Chief Copeland continued. This is a tragedy that should not happen. But were glad that we were able to get justice for that family really quickly here.

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Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, faces a motion of confidence today that is expected to officially bring down his government.

The vote comes after the collapse of Mr Scholzs traffic light coalition, based on the colours of three parties, Mr Scholzs Social Democrats, the Free Democratic Party and the Green Party.

Friedrich Merz, the conservative Christian Democrat Union (CDU) leader, has labelled the floundering chancellor as the low point in the 75-year history of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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He leaves Germany in a deep crisis, isolated in Europe, and politically adrift, Mr Merz said. European leaders have stopped taking Scholz seriously. He either remains silent for hours or lectures the world without listening.

In 1972, West Germanys Willy Brandt used a motion of confidence to rally his coalition, win public trust, and achieve a historic election victory.

But a growing political consensus considers it extremely unlikely that Mr Scholz will today secure the necessary parliamentary support to continue to lead the German government.

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, during the no confidence debate in the Bundestag which could pave the way for an election in February - Filip Singer/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The chancellor asked Germanys parliament on Monday to declare that it has no confidence in him, taking the first formal step towards securing an early national election.

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Addressing parliament, Mr Scholz framed the snap election as an opportunity for voters to set a new course for Germany, casting it as a choice between a future of higher investment and one of cuts that he said the conservatives were promising.

Mr Scholz, who served as finance minister for four years in a previous coalition with the conservatives before becoming head of a new government in 2021, accused other parties of wanting to block the investments Germany needed.

Short-sightedness might save money in the short term, but the mortgage on our future is unaffordable, he told MPs.

Mr Scholz closed his speech by making a plea to the German people. I ask you, dear citizens, for your trust, he said.

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The Social Democrats face a grim outlook in public opinion polls. The partys approval rating stands at just 16 per cent, far behind the conservative CDU/CSU bloc at 31-34 percent and the hard-Right AfD party at more than 20 per cent.

Symbolises dysfunction and decline

Writing in Germanys Der Spiegel magazine, journalist Cornelia Schmergal said: The traffic light coalition, which once seemed united, has now fragmented. Mr Scholz is orchestrating his own political exit.

Even the act of asking for trust has become devoid of meaning under Mr Scholz, whose leadership now symbolises dysfunction and decline.

Todays events began at noon GMT, when Mr Scholz delivered his 25-minute speech explaining his motion of confidence.

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Then follows a two-hour debate, concluding with a vote expected by 3pm.

If Mr Scholz loses, he is expected to visit President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to request the dissolution of the Bundestag.

Mr Steinmeier has 21 days to make a decision. If the Bundestag is dissolved, new elections are likely to take place on Feb 23, 2025.

Olaf Scholz listens to the confidence debate alongside minister Robert Habeck - Hannibal Hanschke/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Mr Scholz would remain as caretaker leader until the election.

If Mr Scholz wins the vote of confidence, he could theoretically remain as chancellor, but his position would remain precarious.

Such a victory would likely depend on votes from the AfD.

Eric Linhart, a political scientist, told Ippen.Media: The chances of Mr Scholz winning are extremely low. Even if the AfD votes strategically for him, it would serve only to undermine his credibility further.

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Germany is facing elections in February following the collapse of Olaf Scholzs government on Monday after a feisty debate that saw the chancellor branded a failure.

Mr Scholz lost a vote of confidence by 394 to 207, with 116 members of the Bundestag abstaining, leaving him well short of the required 367 votes for a majority.

This was despite the chancellors last-ditch attempt to win over MPs with promises of massive spending on security, business and social welfare, which saw him accused of being on another planet by his rival Friedrich Merz.

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Mr Merz used every opportunity to attack Mr Scholz in parliament, saying his reign in office had been a failure marked by economic stagnation and international embarrassment.

Youve had your chance, Herr Scholz, and you squandered it. Today is a day of relief for Germany, said the chairman of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.

Its shameful how this government has handled Germanys position in the European Union.

Friedrich Merz said today is a day of relief for Germany - John MacDougall/AFP

The vote in the Bundestag marks the culmination of months of political turmoil and instability following the collapse of the ruling traffic light coalition, named after the colours of the three parties; the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democrats (FDP).

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The three-party government unravelled when Mr Scholz, 66, dismissed Christian Lindner, the FDP leader, over policy disagreements, leading it to withdraw almost all its ministers.

Mr Scholzs SPD faces heavy defeat in elections, with the CDU, Andrea Merkels former party, projected to return to power.

Speaking before the vote, Mr Scholz framed the confidence question as a referendum on Germanys future direction.

The decisions before us are so fundamental that they must be made by the people themselves he said.

But he also launched an embittered attack on the FDP for sabotaging democracy, and called for a new mandate to address Germanys economic and social challenges.

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Entering government requires moral maturity, which the FDP has clearly lacked, he said.

Mr Scholz framed the snap election as a choice between a future of higher investment and one of cuts that he said the conservatives were promising.

He argued that his government had made great progress over the past three years, including boosting spending on the German armed forces, which he said that previous CDU-led governments had left in a deplorable state.

Mr Scholz casts his ballot during the confidence vote - Markus Schreiber/AP

Mr Scholz  who served as finance minister for four years in a previous coalition with the conservatives before becoming the head of a new government in 2021  also outlined plans for massive spending on security, business and social welfare, and accused other parties of wanting to block the investments needed by Germany.

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It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany, Mr Scholz said, warning about Russias war in Ukraine and that a highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours flight from here.

But Mr Merz demanded to know if his rivals SPD party saw so much room for progress, why had it not accomplished any in the 22 years of the last 26 when the SPD was part of Germanys governing coalitions.

Where were you for the last 22 years? he asked. Were you on another planet?

The CDU leader, seen as a top candidate to become Germanys next Chancellor, also accused Mr Scholz of leaving Germany in one of its worst economic crises since the Second World War and criticised his lack of focus on competitiveness.

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He leaves Germany in a deep crisis, isolated in Europe, and politically adrift, Mr Merz said. European leaders have stopped taking Mr Scholz seriously. He either remains silent for hours or lectures the world without listening.

Despite the lost vote, Mr Scholz and his government remain in office until a new Bundestag convenes after the February elections. Until then, his administration continues to function, albeit solely in a caretaker capacity.

The approval of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, to dissolve the Bundestag is largely viewed as a mere formality, with a broad political consensus in favour of early elections.

Era of missed opportunities

This vote, originally scheduled for September 2025, has been moved forward amid calls for a resolution to the ongoing political crisis.

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The upcoming election campaign is expected to be fiercely contested, with key themes including migration, economic recovery and climate policy.

Meanwhile, another Chancellor candidate, Robert Habeck of the Greens criticised the CDU and its sister party, the Christian Socialist Union (CSU) in Bavaria, saying they are underfunded and backward-looking.

Mr Habeck is trying to present the Greens as champions of sustainable economic reform.

This is despite the fact that many Green party policies, particularly its stance on heating pumps, have been massively unpopular and seen as out of touch and elitist by many.

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Mr Merz and the CDU/CSU are focusing on economic recovery and restoring Germanys competitive edge, condemning Mr Scholzs term an era of missed opportunities.

Meanwhile, Mr Lindner and his FDP defended their decision to leave the traffic light coalition government, accusing Mr Scholz of blocking necessary reforms.

And Alice Weidel of the hard-right AfD has intensified her rhetoric even further than usual, berating the coalition for economic decline and a perceived failure to manage migration.

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes his decision to put a confidence vote to parliament will allow voters to "set the political course" of Germany, as he faced lawmakers ahead of Monday's vote widely expected to trigger early elections on February 23.

Scholz, from the Social Democrats (SPD), submitted the motion for the vote in the lower house, or Bundestag, last week, following the collapse of his centre-left coalition government in early November.

He is all but certain to see support for his government withdrawn as it no longer holds a majority in parliament.

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After the chancellor fired then-finance minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) in early November following months of fierce dispute over the 2025 budget, the junior partner left the three-party coalition, leaving Scholz in a minority government with the Greens.

Addressing parliament on Monday afternoon, Scholz justified his decision to bring the confidence vote before the Bundestag with a number of important political issues facing Germany, including long-overdue investments in its ailing economy.

"This decision is so fundamental that it must be taken by the sovereign itself, by the voters," he told lawmakers.

Early elections would allow "the citizens to set the political course" for the country.

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Lawmakers are scheduled to cast their ballots following a debate at around 3:30 pm (1430 GMT).

For the motion to pass, 367 lawmakers would have to vote in Scholz's favour.

While the 207 SPD lawmakers in parliament have said they will back Scholz, the Greens have recommended their 117 lawmakers abstain, to avoid the unlikely scenario that Scholz is forced to continue, which would plunge the country into further political turmoil.

The 196 lawmakers from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc will unanimously vote against Scholz, the opposition faction's parliamentary managing director said.

Three lawmakers from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) are going to vote for Scholz, according to party co-leader Alice Weidel.

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While the rest of the party's 76 lawmakers will vote against Scholz, the three lawmakers in question were concerned that the leader of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, Friedrich Merz, who currently looks most likely to replace Scholz, could decide to deliver long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Weidel told dpa.

Scholz has always opposed providing the German-made missiles, which would allow Kiev to strike targets on Russian soil well behind the front lines, citing concerns such a move could draw Germany into the war.

If lawmakers vote to withdraw confidence from Scholz's government, Scholz will immediately ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve parliament and call early elections some seven months earlier than originally planned.

The president then has 21 days to make that decision, a step which is considered a formality as he has already signalled support for the February 23 date proposed by Scholz.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during the no-confidence vote against him, a motion initiated by Scholz following the collapse of his center-left coalition government to pave the way for early elections on February 23. Hannes P Albert/dpa
HOUSTON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A teen boy killing four family members was arrested and charged with murder in the U.S. state of New Mexico, authorities said on Sunday.

Diego Leyva, 16, was detained after he called 911 on Saturday morning and told the police that he had killed his family at their residence in Belen, New Mexico, according to the Valencia County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the quadruple homicide of his family, said the police.

When police officers arrived, Leyva walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated, local media reported.

Police then entered the residence and found four victims who appeared to have been shot dead.

It was later identified that the victims, aged from 14 to 42, were all family members of the teen suspect.

An investigation is underway. 
The German politician who polls suggest is most likely to become the next chancellor says he expects a "very tough election campaign."

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), is set to go up against the sitting centre-left chancellor, Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD), on February 23.

The elections will be held seven months earlier than originally planned thanks to the collapse of Scholz's rancorous three-party coalition in early November.

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"The SPD in particular will not shy away from saying things that are simply untrue," said Merz, accusing the the party of distorting its positions on pensions.

"We will not cut pensions. The decision remains that the retirement age is 67 and not higher," he said.

Merz said he wants to see the CDU and its Bavarian sister party be the strongest force in the Bundestag.

"We can do that. We are doing well in the polls at the moment," he said. "But not as well as I see and think possible. However, an election campaign comes first from fighting and then from voting."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) speaks during the no-confidence vote against him, a motion initiated by Scholz following the collapse of his center-left coalition government to pave the way for early elections on February 23. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Think about all the ways you access information: emails, texts, news, social media, even word of mouth. Now imagine trying to manage every single one in response to a crisis  one that may still be happening  knowing your reports may be the only thing a parent knows about their child's safety.

For school districts, getting information out during a crisis can be complex, hard work. Situations evolve rapidly, meaning information may be changing nearly as fast as a district can put it out. Verification can be time consuming, and with whole communities trying to understand whats going on, misinformation can spread rapidly.

During Mount Horeb crisis, help was needed to manage misinformation

When a student brought what appeared to be a gun to Mount Horeb Middle School on May 1, Aubree Hanks sprang into action. Within 30 minutes, the district had acknowledged the crisis via social media, and Hanks, the districts resource development and public relations coordinator, was reaching out to the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association for backup.

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One person cant send out communications and review all social media and the press, anything thats coming out on YouTube, all at the same time, especially when youre trying to help in other ways as well, Hanks said.

It was particularly important  and difficult  for the WSPRA members who came to help to review social media comments. WSPRA members also helped with parent-child reunification and set up a media area.

Hanks wanted to make sure that the district addressed parent and community member questions and needs. She also wanted to nip in the bud any misconceptions or incorrect statements that were circulating, which also applied to any inaccuracies in the media caused by the changing situation.

Another way Hanks and her team worked to make sure they kept the community informed was by ensuring the same information was included in every avenue of communication. All press releases, emails to families and social media posts were similar. The district released information as soon as it had confirmed it was true, Hanks said.

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Consistency is key in communication, Hanks said. Were just always making sure that were being the source of truth for everybody and that our communication is consistent.

Dealing with the worst situations means preparing in advance

Most districts have done significant preparation in case of an event like the one at Mount Horeb. Some districts have templates. At Mount Horeb, that included directing parents to more specialized information and resources about how to talk to children about crisis situations.

Wisconsins Office of School Safety helped the district with communications and recovery. Director Trish Kilpin and OSS Critical Incident Response team member Chris Mand helped set up a template for day-after communication. They also went to the small community west of Madison within a day of the event and helped Mount Horeb put on community events like art-making and therapy dog sessions.

While we all can study up as best we can, it's really nice to have folks who deal with so many (crises) per year, Hanks said.

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And after Hanks nearly 16-hour day, that next-day relief was a huge help, she said.

Balancing verification, response time, privacy rights

Crisis communication generally needs a few pairs of eyes on it. This is particularly true in a larger crisis, when the Wisconsin Department of Justice and local police generally review what a school district is communicating so all messaging is the same, Hanks said.

But the situation is similar in smaller crises  or even during potential ones. When three Neenah schools were locked down due to a threat in 2021, all information the district sent out was first vetted by the police.

The Neenah school district makes a point of not sending out information until it knows the facts. That's part of its crisis communication plan, said Jim Strick, communications director for the Neenah school district. Police input is also important because the school doesnt want to compromise any situation or police investigation that might be in the works.

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We don't want to be putting out information until we know that it's 100% verified with the police and verified that this is actually what's going on, Strick said. "In some cases, that is extremely challenging.

Sometimes that verified information just isn't there. In the 2021 case, all the district could put out was that it was in lockdown.

Balancing that need for verification with the need to get information out quickly is the biggest challenge in a crisis situation, Strick said. Neenah puts out what it knows as quickly as possibly, but the district will always prioritize accuracy, even if that sometimes lead to speculation in the community.

In some cases, privacy rights may win over verification or speed. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act requires some student information remain confidential. Information on legal consequences in sealed juvenile records is also off limits.

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"The problem with FERPA in terms of calming the masses is we really can't give the people what they want," said Stephen Plum, superintendent at the Kettle Moraine School District in Waukesha County. "They want to know who's the person? Are they suspended? Are they coming back to school? Is there an expulsion in process? They want to know all of those details that FERPA does not allow us to engage in," Plum said.

Cell phones or tech free? It's harder in a crisis

Wisconsin school districts are grappling with whether students should be allowed to have cell phones at school, a question that becomes much more complicated in the event of a crisis.

School cell phone policies are, in some ways, lose-lose. If students surrender their phones at school, they wont be able to contact their parents in case of an emergency, and their parents wont be able to reach them during the day. But if students have them, theyre much more likely to be distracted during class.

More: Village of Mukwonago's Committee of the Whole tables cellphone ordinance indefinitely

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Some sources say student cell phone use during the school day could actually decrease student safety. The Ohio department of education lays out a few ways this could happen: Students might use their phones or social media to spread threats, misinformation or rumors. Phones may buzz when students need to be quiet. Students calling their parents during a threat might complicate evacuation and put families in danger.

In 2021, a bomb threat appeared to target a Wisconsin Rapids high school. When the district investigated, it found that the threat, which was seen on Snapchat, actually originated from New York. It had circulated on social media, staying nonspecific enough to raise caution nationwide.

One thing Wisconsin Rapids school officials realized when dealing with the threat was that its new cell phone policy, prohibiting students from having their phones on them, meant the district needed to change its crisis communication strategy, said superintendent Ronald Rasmussen.

Parents are very used to having ready access to their students at any point of the day because of the cell phones. And when you've taken the cell phone out of that, they still want to maintain that ready access, and so we're trying to balance parental wants or desires to have quick access to their son or daughter versus trying to maintain the educational environment, Rasmussen said.

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Wisconsin Rapids looked across the country for help shaping its cell phone policy, to Virginia, where in July 2024 the governor passed an executive order establishing cell phone-free public school education. Virginias guidelines specify at which grade levels students can have their phones on school property and what to do in an emergency.

Wisconsin Rapids' policy now allows students to bring their phones on school property; however, elementary and middle school policy specifies they must be in a locker or storage area unless students are granted an exception. High school students may use their phones between classes, but must put them in a locker or a "classroom cell phone pocket" for class.

Because students dont have their phones on them, the district takes more care about notifying parents. A code yellow or "soft lockdown" keeps students in their classrooms and is commonly used to keep hallways clear. There's a variety of uses for a code yellow, ranging from a student having a medical emergency to some external threats, like the nonspecific Snapchat threat in 2021. The district will notify parents if students are in a soft lockdown for over 10 minutes, regardless of the cause. And in the case of a threat, or code red, it will blast a notification out to all parents immediately.

Still, its hard to find a middle ground. Rasmussens own son is in high school, so even as the district has changed its policy, he understands how complicated communication can be.

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I want my son to have this phone, because then I can act if he runs out of the building due to a situation. I want him to have it so I can contact him, know where he is or he can contact me, Rasmussen said. So its a fine balance.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Alec Johnson contributed to this report.

Contact Green Bay education reporter Nadia Scharf at nscharf@gannett.com or on X at @nadiaascharf.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin school crisis communication can be complicated. Here's why
By Brad Brooks and Joseph Ax

(Reuters) -A 15-year-old girl opened fire in a Wisconsin school classroom on Monday, fatally shooting a fellow student and a teacher and wounding six other people before killing herself with the handgun, police said.

The shooting took place in a mixed-grade study hall shortly before 11 a.m. (1700 GMT) at the Abundant Life Christian School, which has 420 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

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The shooter was a student at the school, identified by police as Natalie Rupnow, who also went by the name Samantha.

A second-grade student, who would generally be 7 or 8 years old, called 911 to report the shooting at the school, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told a press conference.

"Let that soak in for a minute," Barnes said.

The two shot dead were a teenage student and a teacher, Barnes said without identifying the victims.

Two wounded students were in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while another teacher and three other students were wounded and expected to survive.

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School shootings have been a macabre routine in the United States, with 322 of them this year, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database website. That is the second highest total of any year since 1966, according to that database - topped only by last year's total of 349 such shootings.

Monday's rampage was a rarity in that it was carried about by a girl. Only about 3% of all U.S. mass shootings perpetrated by females, studies show.

There was as yet no known motive for the violence.

The shooter's parents were cooperating with the investigation, Barnes said, without revealing details of what was discussed.

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"We have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time," Barnes said of the parents.

Investigators were speaking with the girl's father at police facility, Barnes said, but not pressing him too hard because he just lost a daughter.

Asked how she got the gun, Barnes said, "Good question. How does any 15-year-old get ahold of a gun?"

At a previous press conference, Barnes lamented how the tragedy would affect Madison, the capital of Wisconsin with a population of about 270,000.

"Every child, every person in that building, is a victim, and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma don't just go away," Barnes said.

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Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway also commented on how commonplace such violence was.

"We need to do better in our country and our community to prevent gun violence," she said.

'LOCKDOWN, LOCKDOWN'

The shooter arrived at school on time and pulled out the handgun about three hours into the school day, officials said.

Once the shooting began, students were locked in their classrooms and "handled themselves magnificently," said Barbara Wiers, Abundant Life's director of elementary and school relations.

Students practice what to do in the event of a shooting, and are normally told, "this is just a drill," Wiers told the press conference.

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"They were clearly scared ... when they heard 'lockdown, lockdown' and nothing else they knew it was real," Wiers said.

Students were later taken off campus to a site where all the survivors were reunited with their parents, officials said.

Gun control and school safety have become major political and social issues in the U.S. where the number of school shootings has jumped in recent years.

The gun violence epidemic has afflicted public and private schools alike in urban, suburban and rural communities.

President Joe Biden called on Congress to enact gun-control legislation to prevent further massacres. Similar calls have gone unheeded after almost every school shooting in recent memory.

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"It is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence. We cannot continue to accept it as normal," Biden said in a statement.

In 2022, Biden signed into law the first major federal gun reform in three decades, about a month after an 18-year-old man opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 students and two teachers.

The Wisconsin shooting took place 12 years and two days after one of the most notorious school shootings in U.S. history: the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A 20-year-old man armed with a semi-automatic rifle killed 20 school children plus six adults who worked at the school.

Polling shows American voters favor stronger background checks on gun buyers, temporary limits on people in crisis and more safety requirements for gun storage at homes with children. Yet political leaders have largely declined to act, citing the U.S. constitutional protection for gun owners.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado, Joseph Ax in Princeton, New Jersey, Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California, Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico, and Kanishka Singh and Nandita Bose in Washington; Writing by Brad Brooks and Daniel Trotta; Editing by Frank McGurty, Paul Thomasch, David Gregorio and Lincoln Feast.)


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



After forty years, the creator of quantum scar theory has observed the phenomenon in real time.

Quantum scarring is a phenomenon in which traveling electrons end up following the same repeating path.

Electrons are chaotic and show duality, so they dont typically behave in an orderly way.

Scientists from California, Massachusetts, England, and Japan have used microdots of carbon graphene to directly observe a long-theorized phenomenon called a quantum scar. By trapping electrons in a particular way, physicists can apparently observe how they move, and then see that this movement continues in a predictable way. These predictable orbits are known as scars, and they function similarly to how people in a park or college campus will wear their own paths into the grass by walking the same way every day. The quantum scar is an electrons own desire path.

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The paper describing this research was recently published in the journal Nature.

In a press statement, coauthor Eric Heller from Harvard University describes quantum scarring as a window onto the strange quantum world. Electrons are peculiar, even among the subatomic crowdperhaps especially in that they behave in a chaotic way because (like photons) they show wave-particle duality.

With that in mind, scientists are tantalized by the idea of phenomena that could corral electrons into more predictable patterns of behavior. Even inside high-quality conducting materials, electrons often behave very randomly (in the proverbial sense), and arent traveling on efficient pathsexcept when thats the quickest way through a solid material. On the quantum nano scale, when building quantum computers and other microstructures designed for precision, those macro solid matter techniques just wont work.

It was Heller who originally coined the term scarring in 1984, to describe how an electrons behavior could create an area of higher probability density and cause the same electron to continue to follow that path on repeat. Now, a teamincluding Heller and eleven other scientistshas used emerging particle control technology to confine and directly observe this scarring in situ for the first time.

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To do this, they narrowed their research down to Dirac electrons, which somehow act even lighter than the regular kind. These electrons are proving useful in quantum research because of their very free and energetic motionsomething that can be easier to spot now that scientists are peering at these experiments through high-powered observational tools like electron microscopes.

This time, the scientists placed graphene quantum dots into a controlled environment. These graphene dots are nanoscale materials made by arranging a single layer of graphenewhich, like diamonds or graphite in pencils, is a different format of regular old carbon atoms. The resulting dots act like solid materials or molecules in some ways, but have novel properties that scientists are continuing to explore in emerging research.

The material was shaped like a stadium, and when the scientists zoomed way in and hovered over the stadium surface, they could see a ghostly image of an electron repeating a figure-8 shape. This is called lemniscate, from the Latin for a ribbon bow. What results is more predictable than any freewheeling electron, with less energy loss.

Particles often exhibit strange or novel behaviors within this kind of confinement. But before these behaviors can be turned into usable technologies, scientists must probe their boundaries to find which particular parameters and situations lead to those behaviors. In this case, its taken forty years for lab equipment to catch up to Hellers idea in a way that he and his collaborators can observe directly. That seems like a very special moment within one long career.

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A Scott County lawyer accused of misappropriating client funds has lost her license to practice law in Iowa. (Gavel photo by Getty Images; seal courtesy the State of Iowa)

A Scott County lawyer accused of misappropriating client funds has lost her license to practice law in Iowa.

Court records indicate attorney Rebecca Sharpe of Bettendorf was admitted to the Iowa bar in 2009. In 2018, she was hired to settle the $2 million estate of Evelyn Haack, who died earlier that year. Haacks will stated that 5% of her estate, or $100,000, should go to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. The church, however, never received the money or any notice of the intended bequest. Church officials learned of the bequest only after one of Haacks former friends asked about it three years later.

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Although some form of resolution concerning the bequest was reached between the church and Sharpe in October 2023, that was only after Sharpe took several steps to hide the bequest from the church and from the probate court, according to recent findings by the Iowa Supreme Court.

In 2019, the probate court granted Sharpes request for a total of $108,783 in attorney fees. Sharpe, however, collected from the estate an additional $65,291 and then used these funds for personal expenses, including a Florida vacation, the Attorney Disciplinary Board later alleged.

In March 2021, Sharpe informed the executor there was no money left in the estate and allegedly claimed, I have not been paid my entire fee because I was worried there wouldnt be enough money for taxes.

When the estate was closed, no estate taxes were paid. In early 2021, Sharpe hired an accountant to file the estate taxes but the delay resulted in $51,000 in penalties and interest being assessed against the estate. That resulted in a negative balance in the estate that was caused in part, the court later said, by Sharpes excessive withdrawals.

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Sharpe was also alleged by the Iowa Attorney Disciplinary Board to have mishandled other client funds, resulting in negative balances, overdrawn accounts and comingled funds.

After the board charged Sharpe with ethical violations, she filed a response in which she denied any wrongdoing. According to the Supreme Court, however, she was generally unresponsive throughout the subsequent disciplinary proceedings and failed to cooperate, resulting in motions for sanctions.

After a continuance in the proceedings was granted due to Sharpes claim of health complications, the Attorney Disciplinary Board indicated it found evidence contradicting her claim and Sharpes attorney withdrew from the matter.

The Grievance Commission of the Iowa Supreme Court later concluded Sharpe was guilty of several ethical violations, including one that makes it a violation to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyers honesty or fitness. The commission then recommended that the court revoke Sharpes license.

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In agreeing to a license revocation, the Iowa Supreme Court noted that in past cases, it has always held that it is almost axiomatic that we revoke licenses of lawyers who convert their clients money to their own use.

This case is an egregious example of converting client funds, the court stated in its decision. Sharpe converted $65,290.71 for her own personal use and has presented no evidence of a colorable future claim to the funds. It does not matter that her firm later reimbursed part of the funds to the client trust account or that Sharpe eventually settled with the church concerning its bequest.
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (WWTI)  A local scout pack joined community volunteers in an annual holiday tradition.

Members of Fort Drum Cub Scout Pack 26, Boy Scouts of America Troop 26 and Girl Scout Service Unit 512 joined others on Saturday, December 14 in Memorial Park to participate in National Wreaths Across America Day.

Fort Drum FMWR opens new coffeehouse inside The Peak

The event is to remember the fall and those who served in the United States Armed Forces. Fort Drum was one of nearly 4,600 locations that around the country where wreaths were placed by volunteers.

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According to the Wreaths Across America website, more than two million volunteers and supporters gather to help honor military members.

This is a nice way to show our respect for veterans and make this is great community event for people to get involved. Its just nice to have something for the Scouts to participate in where they can show support for our veteran community. Jamie Kieffer, Fort Drum site coordinator for the Wreaths Across America event

Scouts helped provide a color guard for the ceremony, and then individuals laid wreaths in front of the Military Mountaineers Monument for each branch of the armed forces, for prisoners of war and for Gold Star Families. Attendees also placed wreaths at the pedestals along Heroes Walk. This monument honors the 10th Mountain Divisions fallen warriors.

Last year, volunteers placed more than 3 million veterans wreaths at participating locations around the world. A third of the participants for the event were children.

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The nonprofit organization was founded in 2007 with the mission of remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve, and teaching the next generation the value of freedom. This years theme is Live With Purpose to draw inspiration from the stories of volunteers whose community service impacts countless others.

According to Kieffer, Scouts participated in a variety of community service activities during the entire year. Some of these events were fundraisers, coat drives and beautification and clean-up projects. Some of the projects helped support Fort Drum organizations like the Thrift Shop or Mountain Community Homes.

For more information about Wreaths Across America, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Members of Fort Drum Cub Scout Pack 26, Boy Scouts of America Troop 26 and Girl Scout Service Unit 512 joined other community volunteers Dec. 14 in Memorial Park to participate in National Wreaths Across America Day. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Members of Fort Drum Cub Scout Pack 26, Boy Scouts of America Troop 26 and Girl Scout Service Unit 512 joined other community volunteers Dec. 14 in Memorial Park to participate in National Wreaths Across America Day. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Members of Fort Drum Cub Scout Pack 26, Boy Scouts of America Troop 26 and Girl Scout Service Unit 512 joined other community volunteers Dec. 14 in Memorial Park to participate in National Wreaths Across America Day. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
Feminist campaigners have called for the press regulator to scrap misleading gender identity guidelines.

Last week, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled that an article describing a transgender author as a man pretending to be a woman amounted to discrimination.

The watchdog was accused of having a chilling effect on free speech following the ruling about the article in The Spectator, which had included the description of trans author Juno Dawson as part of a wider piece about Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister of Scotland.

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Campaigners with the womens rights group Sex Matters are now calling for IPSO guidelines for reporting gender identity issues to be scrapped in favour of rules based on reality.

Current guidelines advise journalists not to make pejorative or prejudicial reference to an individuals sex or gender identity, and should consider whether information about an individuals gender identity is genuinely relevant to an article.

In reference to court reporting, it states that journalists and editors should be aware of self-identification, and should consider the pronouns being used by court officials and witnesses.

Outlets including the BBC have produced a string of articles in recent years which refer to a transgender offenders as women, and use she/her pronouns.

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Helen Joyce, the head of advocacy for Sex Matters, believes newspaper editors should ignore IPSO in future if the regulator does not review its guidelines.

She said: Were calling for IPSO to withdraw its 2024 Sex and gender identity guidance, which is simply not fit for purpose.

It needs to replace it with something that is based on material reality  there are two sexes, people cant change sex and often peoples sex is relevant in reporting.

The guidance as it stands contravenes the Editors Code, the first clause of which is accuracy, sides with violent male criminals and against their female victims and forces media outlets to mislead their audience.

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If IPSO doesnt do this, then editors should leave the scheme and either run their own complaints schemes or join another regulator.

Juno Dawsons complaint about a discriminatory article was upheld by IPSO - Geoff Pugh

Dawson complained about a Spectator online comment piece written by Gareth Roberts in May.

The article focused on Nicola Sturgeons stance on transgender rights in Scotland but wrote that she was interviewed by writer Juno Dawson, a man who claims to be a woman, and so the conversation naturally turned to gender.

Dawson said this was inaccurate as she held a Gender Recognition Certificate and was declared a woman in all legal matters by the Gender Recognition Panel.

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IPSO found the article was discriminatory, prejudicial and pejorative. The ruling provoked outrage, and Michael Gove, The Spectators editor, said the ruling could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech.

The row comes after IPSO published updated advice for journalists on the reporting of transgender individuals along with those across the gender diversity spectrum, such as individuals who are non-binary, gender fluid, intersex and agender.

This aims to strike a balance between free speech and the right of transgender people to be free from discriminatory abuse.

As they currently stand, the guidelines advise court reporters to consider the way that the defendant is identified in court, including the name and pronouns used by court officials and/or any witnesses.

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This faithfulness to preferred pronouns in criminal cases has provoked several reports which have provoked the anger of womens right campaigners.

This included a May 2024 BBC report about a Woman, 70, in court over husbands death, which prompted complaints as it did not identify the accused as transgender.

The BBC also received complaints for referring to transgender murderer Scarlet Blake as a woman.

IPSO guidelines state that the press should not make pejorative or prejudicial reference to an individuals sex or gender identity.

Ms Joyce has raised concerns about this point, claiming the two terms refer to separate issues, and said she is worried that the guidance suggests biological sex and self-identified gender are equivalent.

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She has raised further concerns that journalists could be in breach of accuracy rules if they suggest someones self-identified gender is not in fact the same as their biological sex.

IPSO guidelines state that language relating to gender and identity is nuanced and that journalists should not publish inaccurate and misleading information.

Several womens rights groups, including Womans Place, raised concerns about IPSO guidelines in 2020 as part of a consultation process.

IPSO has been contacted for comment.

IPSO needs to abandon its current flawed approach centring on the fiction of gender self-identification

By Helen Joyce

Earlier this year Layla le Fey, a trans-identifying man, was convicted for making violent threats against me and Kellie-Jay Keen, the organiser of the Let Women Speak rallies.

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He tweeted at Keen that hed be happy to physically kick the s out of you and pull your eyes out and break your spine; and that he would be interested in setting fire to her house with her in it. To me, he posted: God how i would love to just rip your eyes out, chop your hands off and carve your face up really badly.

Keen and I are known for rejecting the fringe ideological claim that men can become women by saying theyre women; that is precisely why Le Fey threatened us. And yet in the press coverage of Le Feys trial and conviction, youd think it was a woman who had committed this crime.

The Brighton Argus, Le Feys local paper, called him a trans woman in its heading, followed by a woman could be jailed for making online threats (in the event, his sentence was suspended). It, and the other papers that ran the story, referred to him throughout with she/her pronouns.

Supposedly, referring to people the way they want is respectful. Well, what about respecting women? What about respecting Le Feys victims? What about respecting the truth? Calling a violent male criminal a woman simply because thats what he wants is condoning a lie about what happened.

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And what about respecting your audience? Polls show that around a third of the public dont understand the phrase trans woman, either saying they dont know what it means or that it means a woman who identifies as a man. Even among those who do know that trans women are male, many think they will have taken hormones and had surgery to remove their male genitals; in fact hardly any have medical treatment of any kind.

After seeing the coverage of Le Feys crime against me, I complained to IPSO, the press regulator, citing the first point in its Editors Code, namely that coverage must be accurate.

But it refused to even consider my complaint, saying that the article was about Le Fey and I was a mere third party. It said establishing Le Feys gender (I had said sex in my complaint) would be unacceptably intrusive  a ridiculous claim given that its not in dispute that Le Fey is male.

This ruling was part of a bigger, and disturbing, pattern. Most violent crimes, and nearly all sexual crimes, are committed by men. That some of those men identify as women is immaterial. Women who threaten to cut other womens eyes out and burn down their houses with their children inside are really rare; men who threaten and commit violence against women are sadly common.

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By rejecting my complaint IPSO didnt merely side with a violent male criminal against the women who were his victims, it sided with reporting that confuses and misleads readers and misrepresents the facts. Journalism thats knowingly inaccurate isnt journalism: its misinformation.

IPSO needs to abandon its current flawed approach, which centres the fiction of gender self-identification, and write new rules based on the material reality of the two immutable sexes, male and female. Until it does this, it will remain not fit for purpose.

Helen Joyce is the head of advocacy for Sex Matters

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A staff member checks medical facilities at the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Dec. 16, 2024. North China's Tianjin Municipality issued a license for medical services on Monday to a wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital, the first of its kind in the country. The Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, invested and built by Singapore's Perennial Holdings Private Limited, has a total investment of around 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars). This move signifies China's commitment to further opening up its medical sector. In late November, the country unveiled a plan to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in major cities including Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

TIANJIN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- North China's Tianjin Municipality issued a license for medical services on Monday to a wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital, the first of its kind in the country.

The Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, invested and built by Singapore's Perennial Holdings Private Limited, has a total investment of around 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars).

This move signifies China's commitment to further opening up its medical sector. In late November, the country unveiled a plan to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in major cities including Tianjin.

The new hospital features specialized departments such as orthopedics, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology and nephrology, in addition to an international division. Leveraging its location in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the hospital aims to expand its service scope, according to the Tianjin municipal health commission.

China has a three-tier hospital grading system, with the third-grade hospitals representing the highest level.

"This is a measure in response to China's announced policy of opening up its healthcare industry. We appreciate China's open foreign investment policy in the sector, which has injected confidence into investors interested in the country's medical and health field," said Pua Seck Guan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Perennial Holdings Private Limited.

The new hospital is expected to attract more foreign patients seeking private medical services in China. The group plans to actively promote exchanges and cooperation between foreign and local hospitals, and to strengthen the introduction of overseas medical experts and medical technologies, in order to better complement the public medical services, he added.

China has allowed the establishment of joint-venture medical institutions with foreign investors since 2000 and currently has over 60 foreign-invested joint-venture medical institutions. 

Staff members check a corridor at the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Dec. 16, 2024. North China's Tianjin Municipality issued a license for medical services on Monday to a wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital, the first of its kind in the country.

The Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, invested and built by Singapore's Perennial Holdings Private Limited, has a total investment of around 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars).

This move signifies China's commitment to further opening up its medical sector. In late November, the country unveiled a plan to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in major cities including Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

A staff member prints out a license for medical services for the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin at the government affairs service center in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Dec. 16, 2024. North China's Tianjin Municipality issued a license for medical services on Monday to a wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital, the first of its kind in the country.

The Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, invested and built by Singapore's Perennial Holdings Private Limited, has a total investment of around 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars).

This move signifies China's commitment to further opening up its medical sector. In late November, the country unveiled a plan to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in major cities including Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows an exterior view of the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin in north China's Tianjin Municipality. North China's Tianjin Municipality issued a license for medical services on Monday to a wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital, the first of its kind in the country.

The Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, invested and built by Singapore's Perennial Holdings Private Limited, has a total investment of around 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars).

This move signifies China's commitment to further opening up its medical sector. In late November, the country unveiled a plan to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in major cities including Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows the self-service zone in the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin in north China's Tianjin Municipality. North China's Tianjin Municipality issued a license for medical services on Monday to a wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital, the first of its kind in the country.

The Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, invested and built by Singapore's Perennial Holdings Private Limited, has a total investment of around 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars).

This move signifies China's commitment to further opening up its medical sector. In late November, the country unveiled a plan to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in major cities including Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

A staff member checks the computer at an office in the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Dec. 16, 2024. North China's Tianjin Municipality issued a license for medical services on Monday to a wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital, the first of its kind in the country.

The Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, invested and built by Singapore's Perennial Holdings Private Limited, has a total investment of around 1 billion yuan (about 140 million U.S. dollars).

This move signifies China's commitment to further opening up its medical sector. In late November, the country unveiled a plan to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in major cities including Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)
Rescuers in the French overseas territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean were urgently searching for survivors on Monday, amid fears that hundreds may be dead following Cyclone Chido.

Colonel Alexandre Jouassard from the Interministerial Crisis Centre told France 2 public television channel that there is still hope of finding people alive. "The coming hours are very important. We have deployed teams specialized in searching through rubble," Jouassard said.

Even several days after the storm, victims can still be found, he said, adding, "This is our priority."

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The top local official, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, has estimated that hundreds of individuals may have perished in the storm.

Meanwhile, local health-care provision is challenging. France's acting Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq described the situation on France 2 as "greatly deteriorated, with a severely damaged hospital and non-functional health centres."

She stressed the need for vigilance regarding communicable diseases, which could arise from the consumption of contaminated water or spoiled food.

The French overseas territory of Mayotte is located in the Indian Ocean, roughly midway between the south-east African coast of Mozambique and the island nation of Madagascar. Around 310,000 people live in the archipelago.

Cyclone Chido swept across Mayotte on Saturday, bringing storm gusts exceeding 220 kilometres per hour, and leaving a trail of devastation.
In the 11th Century, King Canute united the kingdoms of England, Denmark and Norway into what was known as the North Sea Empire. It was an incredible feat. Especially, as he was known as Cnut at the time.

However, he is remembered for setting his throne by the shore and commanding the incoming tide to halt. As the two-footers washed around his shins, he declared to his courtiers: Let all the world know that the power of kings is empty and worthless  heaven, earth and sea obey eternal laws.

Old Cnut has been forever linked with the futility of trying to stop the tides using his supernatural powers, even if he was trying to teach his fawning courtiers the opposite. Roughly 1,000 years later, his lesson could be applied to the continued building of seawalls to combat erosion.

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Seawalls damage virtually every beach they are built on. If they are built on eroding beaches - and they are rarely built anywhere else - they eventually destroy the beach. That was Cornelia Dean, the Science Editor of the New York Times, in her book "Against the Tide, The Battle of Americas Beaches." And that was in 1999.

That ancient advice hasnt stopped the California Coastal Commission from signing off on a massive $175-million seawall project at the south end of San Franciscos Ocean Beach as we reported here.

Deans thesis has been proven over and over again. Seawalls harden the coast and reduce its ability to adjust naturally. The seawalls reflect and concentrate wave energy which leads to further erosion. Meanwhile, groynes starve downdrift the coast of sand sediment which also leads to further erosion. Its a vicious cycle. And always ends with surfings version of kryptonite; backwash.

At Ocean Beach, the commission said the planned 3,200-foot-long buried seawall that will reach 55 feet deep is needed to protect a local wastewater treatment plant and 14-foot diameter sewage tunnel from erosion and sea level rise.

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Its an old but increasingly frequent problem seen all around the world, most recently at the base of the Uluwatu Cliffs. Existing infrastructure or private property, often built before the threat of erosion and water level rise was known about, or understood, are now under threat. Seawalls are often the first response to protect the property.

Related: California Approves Controversial Seawall Project at San Franciscos Ocean Beach

Its a 19th-century response to a 21st-century problem. A step back in time to the non-environmental brutalist engineering solutions of the 1900s, the esteemed Australian coastal engineer, Angus Gordon, told The Guardian. That was in response to erosion in Collaroy-Narrabeen in Sydney and the government building a huge concrete vertical seawall  7.5 meters high and pinned 10 meters below the sand.

On that famous surfing stretch storms have often resulted in beachfront properties and pools tumbling into the ocean, landing not far from where surfers get drained on the shorebreaks of South Narrabeen.

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Now beach systems, and sand movement, on the East Coast of Australia are some of the best understood in the world. Many of the groundbreaking studies have been done by the University of Sydney coastal geomorphologist Prof. Andrew Short. He's been studying the Collaroy erosion issues since 1976.

What we have now with this seawall is a total disaster, Short told a protest meeting after the latest seawall construction. The only people who benefit are the private landowners. Short said there are other options; all expensive, and complicated. The government could buy the land back from residents, or nourish the beaches. The cheapest alternative, to do nothing, has been the option taken so far.

The buyback plan is a tough political sell as it costs money upfront. However, it would see the existing houses turned to parkland and the beach return to a more natural state that would buy decades of time for other property further inland. Short said purchasing the homes at market value would be far cheaper than the cost of construction involved in the endless seawall cycle. The sand nourishment is more expensive and involves filling the Narrabeen basin with sand dredged from offshore. It however might give a century of protection.

Related: This Is So Sad: Jamie OBrien Calls Out Controversial Uluwatu Seawall Project

That was the response on the Gold Coast. In the 1960s, extending walls on the Tweed River to make it safer for navigation had stopped the longshore flow of sand from NSW into Queensland. This added to the erosion on the Gold Coast beaches. In 1998, The Tweed River Sand Bypass Project pumped sand from Letitia Spit to Snapper Rocks bypassing the Tweed River entrance.

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By 2015, 8,105,141 million tonnes of sand had been pumped at a cost of around $A7 million per year. It has significantly contributed to reducing the vulnerability of southern Gold Coast beaches to erosion and gave us the Superbank. On the flip side, it sandstormed Kirra to death. The bypass giveth...

At Ocean Beach, the Surfrider Foundation also believes there are better, cheaper options that dont involve dredging. They have asked the commission to reduce the project scope by building a smaller wall away from the coast, restoring dune habitat and conducting studies on moving the plants tunnel.

All the studies have shown that seawalls are not only not the solution, but tend to make the original problem even worse. By thinking long term, and using a range of shoreline stabilization techniques made of vegetation or other living, natural soft elements, everyone wins. King Canute knew that the sea always obeys eternal laws. Its time we listened to him.

Related: How Californias New Marine Sanctuary Affects Everyone Who Surfs
A second man has been charged in connection with a 2021 road slaying.

Joseph O. Smith, 32, of Glenwood, Ill. was charged Monday with murder and attempted murder. He is in custody.

Thomas Hill, 33, of Chicago, shot five times, died in a July 17, 2021 road shooting on Indianapolis Boulevard near the I-80/94 interchange. A woman with him was wounded.

His death was ruled a homicide.

Smiths co-defendant Damonte MG Montae Jones, 24, of Chicago, was charged in November.

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The woman said they had just left a birthday party at Up Your Alley in Schererville around midnight and were headed north on Indianapolis Boulevard when someone opened fire at the van.

Police arrived at 12:15 a.m. at the GoLo gas station, 7306 Indianapolis Blvd. in Hammond. Hill was found unresponsive, shot in the head in the drivers seat of a 2004 GMC van. The vehicle had crashed and was in the lot.

Investigators estimated at least 30 shots were fired.

Authorities said the slaying grew out of a deadly rivalry between the Gangster Disciples and Black Disciples, documents show. Police later learned the bowling alley birthday party Hill attended was for a known Black Disciples member.

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Investigators got a break in the case over a year later in another shooting.

After a Sept. 25, 2022, shooting at Serenity Lounge, 6217 Kennedy Ave., in Hammond killed one man and wounded three others at a birthday party, investigators linked some involved to Hills slaying, records show.

Officers found Brian Leonard, 29, of Chicago, and three others nearby shot multiple times, charges state. Leonard was pronounced dead at 2:45 a.m. at the hospital, according to the Lake County Coroners Office. His death was ruled a homicide.

Leonard was a rival gang member to the Gangster Disciples, records allege.

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Daquan Pierce, Marcus Mathis, Cordero Miller, Smith and Brian Emory are charged in connection with that slaying, court records show.

One of Smiths cell phones was recovered after the Serenity Lounge shooting. When it was extracted, it had a group chat that appeared to show plotting on the night of Hills death. Smith sent a screenshot of the flyer for the Up Your Alley birthday party to the group chat. Jones was believed to be in the Jeep, closest to Hills van.

North Chicago Police recovered an AK-47 in November 2021 linked to Hills killing.

mcolias@post-trib.com
LONDON (AP)  The senior clergyman who is due to take temporary charge of the Church of England faced calls to resign on Monday over his handling of the case of a priest accused of sexual misconduct.

The BBC reported that Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell let a priest remain in his post despite knowing he had been barred by the church from being alone with children and had paid compensation to one of his accusers.

The case occurred when Cottrell was bishop of Chelmsford in eastern England. He is now the second-most senior bishop in the Church of England. He is due to take over next month as the church's spiritual head from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who resigned in November over the way he handled separate sexual abuse claims.

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Cottrell said in a statement that he had faced a horrible and intolerable situation over the priest, David Tudor.

I suspended David Tudor from office at the first opportunity, when a new victim came forward to the police in 2019, he said. "Up until 2019, there were no legal grounds to take alternative action."

Tudor was eventually fired by the church and barred for life from the ministry in October after acknowledging he had sexual relationships with two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, in the 1980s.

I am deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier, but that was the situation I inherited, Cottrell said. It is extremely disappointing that this story is being reported as if it was an abuser being ignored or even protected. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth.

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Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley, one of the few bishops to publicly criticize the way the church has handled abuse allegations, said she felt incredulity at the latest claims.

She said Cottrell lacked the credibility or moral authority to be the churchs figurehead.

My personal view is that the evidence before us makes it impossible for Stephen Cottrell to be that person in which we have confidence and trust to drive the change that is needed, she told the BBC.

The archbishop of Canterbury is spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, which has 85 million adherents in 165 countries. It has been riven by sharply divergent views on issues such as gay rights and the place of women in the church.

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The latest allegations are likely to add to soul-searching and anger about a lack of accountability at the highest reaches of the church.

Welby resigned last month after an investigation found that he failed to tell police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it. An independent investigation concluded that abuse by the late John Smyth could have been stopped sooner if Welby had reported it promptly to authorities.

Welby plans to step down by Jan. 6  the Feast of the Epiphany  and Cottrell is due to take over until a permanent replacement is selected, a process likely to take months.
Iowa Sen. Chris Cournoyer was appointed as the lieutenant governor by Gov. Kim Reynolds in a Dec. 16, 2024 announcement at the Iowa State Capitol. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Gov. Kim Reynolds named Sen. Chris Cournoyer as her new lieutenant governor Monday, filling the role that was left open since former Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg resigned from the position in September.

The governor said Cournoyer, a LeClaire Republican who has served as a state senator since 2019, was her choice after months of consideration because of her work on issues like education and technology.

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Her first instinct isnt just to wonder why something isnt working right or to complain, its actually to get in there and fix the problem herself, Reynolds said. She takes responsibility, she gets her hands dirty and she does the work. And the people of Iowa couldnt ask for more in a lieutenant governor, and neither can I.

Cournoyer took the oath of office Monday, administered by Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen, officially taking the position as lieutenant governor. She thanked Reynolds for appointing her to the position, and said she was ready to help serve the state from the executive branch.

Its an honor, and somewhat surreal, to be standing at this podium as Iowas lieutenant governor, Cournoyer said.  This is a humbling responsibility for me, and Iowans can be confident that I will always approach it with the seriousness that it deserves. Thats why I want to thank you, Governor. Reynolds, for placing your trust in me.

In addition to serving in the Iowa Senate, Cournoyer was formerly president of the Pleasant Valley Community School District School Board, member of Governors STEM Advisory Council and previously worked as a senior consultant in the technology division of the Chicago-based Andersen Consulting  a firm that later became Accenture.

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Reynolds praised Cournoyers experience in these roles, saying she will play an important role as lieutenant governor in tackling issues like artificial intelligence and expanding STEM opportunities in Iowa schools.

Chris qualifications go far beyond an impressive resume, Reynolds said at the news conference held in the governors office Monday. In fact, I believe they get to the heart  of what it takes to be a lieutenant governor. First and foremost, shes someone that Iowans can trust to serve as governor if I were ever unable to. I have complete confidence in her character, her judgment and her ability. Its these same qualities that also make her ideally suited to serve as a member of my team.

Cournoyer will serve as Reynolds second-in-command for the remainder of the governors current term of office, until 2026  the time of the next Iowa gubernatorial election. Though Reynolds has not made any announcement regarding another reelection campaign, she is expected to run for another term in the next election.

Cournoyer took the oath of office Monday, administered by Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen, officially taking the position as lieutenant governor. She thanked Reynolds for appointing her to the position, and said she was ready to help serve the state from the executive branch.

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Its an honor, and somewhat surreal, to be standing at this podium as Iowas lieutenant governor, Cournoyer said.  This is a humbling responsibility for me, and Iowans can be confident that I will always approach it with the seriousness that it deserves. Thats why I want to thank you, Governor. Reynolds, for placing your trust in me.

Iowa Republicans and state leaders sent congratulations to Cournoyer for her appointment to the position. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver released a statement Monday saying Cournoyer had proven herself over the last 6 years as a smart, capable conservative as a member of the Iowa Senate Republicans.

During her tenure in the Iowa Senate, she was a leading advocate for legislation to secure Second Amendment rights, protections for law enforcement, historic income tax relief, and every other common sense conservative priority the Senate has advanced, Whitver said. She will be missed, but I am happy for her and I look forward to watching her succeed in her new role as Lieutenant Governor.

Alongside her role in the gubernatorial line of succession, the lieutenant governor is also assigned duties by the governor. For Gregg, that meant initiatives like the Empower Rural Iowa Initiative.

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Gregg, who became the Iowa Bankers Associations president and CEO in September after resigning as lieutenant governor, said that he chose to leave public office to spend more time with his family. He had held the position since Reynolds took office in 2017 after former Gov. Terry Branstad vacated the governor seat to serve as U.S. ambassador to China during President-elect Donald Trumps first term in office.

When Gregg was appointed to serve as the states executive second-in-command by Reynolds in May 2017, his role was limited. Former Attorney General Tom Miller issued a legal opinion in 2017 that Reynolds had technically not vacated her position as Branstads lieutenant governor when she ascended to the governorship, meaning that she could not formally appoint her own lieutenant governor. Gregg did not officially take the position until he and Reynolds won reelection in 2018.

Reynolds did not face the same challenges appointing a person to fill Greggs position in 2024, as Reynolds, who won reelection in 2022, has the power as governor to fill the vacancy for the remainder of her term. Additionally, Iowans approved a constitutional amendment in the 2024 general election that changed language in the Iowa State Constitution to clarify that a vacancy is created in the lieutenant governors position when a lieutenant governor takes the position of governor.

The largest difference in being officially appointed to the lieutenant governors position lies in the gubernatorial line of succession. When Gregg held the position unofficially prior to the 2018 election, Whitver, then-Senate president, would have become governor if Reynolds vacated the governors office at that time. For the past few months without a sitting lieutenant governor, Senate president Amy Sinclair has been next in line to serve as Iowa governor.

Reynolds will need to call a special election to fill Cournoyers seat in the Iowa Senate. The governors office has not yet shared details about their plans to fill the vacancy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jrs elaborate scheme to get his daughter-in-law a top job at the CIA is coming apart at the seams, after the Senate Intelligence Committee reportedly blocked the move.

Axios reported last Tuesday that the Department of Health and Human Services secretary nominee has been back-channeling support to get his former campaign manager Amaryllis Fox Kennedy nominated to deputy director of the intelligence agency under John Ratcliffe.

The move is reportedly part of an effort to uncover more details about the 1963 killing of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy.

RFK Jr. has big plans for his daughter-in-law / Kevin Wurm / REUTERS

But Fox Kennedy, who is married to RFKs son Bobby Kennedy III, has now been ruled out of the running because of opposition on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Axios reports. But all is not lost as she could get her hands on another administration jobpotentially in Tulsi Gabbards team. The former Hawaii congresswoman is President-elect Donald Trumps nomination for director of national intelligence.

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Axios added that Fox Kennedy could even wind up in a White House position.

Its thought that RFK Jr. wants Fox Kennedy at the CIA because it would give her the chance to dig into the agencys private documents about the shooting, carried out by Lee Harvey Oswald.

And the plan to get her into the hot seat was thought possible because Trump, who has promised to release the last of the JFK assassination files, enjoys a relationship with RFK Jr. that is one of the strangest in modern political history, according to The New York Times.

But before any of the pieces can fall into place, Senators are set to grill Kennedy on Capitol Hill Monday, concerning his plans for vaccines and food after his well-publicized doubts on vaccine science and thoughts on Americas obesity crisis.

Amaryllis Fox Kennedy / Netflix

Kennedys pick drew criticism mainly from many Democrats, but some Republicans expressed wariness, too. Even still, he kicked off his charm offensive in Washington D.C. in a bid to win over two dozen senators and their staff.

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For her part, Fox Kennedy is a former CIA operative who spent 10 years at the agency. She ruffled feathers there when she chronicled her experiences in the 2019 memoir, Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA. The book was met with controversy over reports that she didnt get the details of the memoir cleared with the CIAs Publication Review Board before publishing.

Former CIA officers also questioned the accuracy and truthfulness of Fox Kennedys account, reported the Daily Mail.
Senate President Ben Albritton fields questions from reporters during a news conference in the Florida Capitol on Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

Republican Senate President Ben Albritton wants to deploy state resources and farming communities to alleviate food insecurity, he said during a press conference Monday.

Albritton, a fourth-generation citrus grower, said he is working with Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson on proposals for the coming legislative session.

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Everywhere Ive spoken about this  its received vigorous applause, and that is to attack food insecurity in Florida, especially in children, Albritton said. And I know there are people that probably say, Oh thats a politicians answer. Well, anybody that knows me knows it breaks my heart every day that this is happening.

He said he was open to a conversation with Gov. Ron DeSantis about summer federal programs to feed kids. Last summer, Florida was among 13 states that didnt participate in the program, which gave low-income households with school-aged children $120 for grocieries.

The USDA estimates that more than 2 million children in Florida would qualify through the program, at a cost to the state of $13 million. Despite calls from anti-hunger, faith, and childrens advocacy groups, the administration hasnt signaled to the federal government that Florida plans to run the program next year.

Ive found this governor to be very reasonable and, he and I, were on great footing right now, and Im really excited about it, Albritton said. I have a lot of respect for him. So, well be having the conversation about the food insecurity proposals that the Senate will be coming up with in conjunction with the House and partnership with [Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services].

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Sen. Chuck Schumer is making a plea for federal officials to launch a declassified special drone detection system called the ROBIN  a 360-degree technology across New York, New Jersey and the metro area to track any unidentified object in the sky.

Im going to help pass and co-sponsor legislation that will combat these drones in a better way by allowing local police and state police departments to help the feds in sighting these drones which so many have requested, he said.

Schumer also explained the new legislation will allow authorities to detect drones since, at the moment, there isnt a proper way to record drone use.

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There is no system for registering any drone as long as a drone is too near an airport or a military base; as long as is flying below a certain level of altitude, people have a right to fly them, Schumer said.

Video seemingly shows drone flying in Brooklyn neighborhood: People arent insane

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the drone activity isnt foreign during an interview on ABC this week.

I want to assure the American people, that we have deployed additional resources, personnel and technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing those drone sightings, Mayorkas said.

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Drone activity shutdowns airport in New York

He added some of the sightings are drones, but other sightings might be aircraft that may be mistaken for drones.

I want to assure the American public that we are on it and we are working in close coordination with local and state authorities and it is critical as; we all have said, for a number of years, that we need from Congress additional authorities to address the drone situation, Mayorkas said.

Drone came down in New Jersey residential area: police

Schumer was asked if people flying these drones would face charges.

No, because at the moment flying isnt a crime unless its close to a military base or an airport, he said.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The state established another waiting list for services last week, this time for low-income parents seeking child care vouchers. (Getty Images)

Two separate waitlists overseen by the Family and Social Services Agency have been likened to crises by critics, delaying much-needed health and child care services to Hoosiers in need.

And now FSSA has added a third waiting list for applicants seeking child care services under the Child Care Development Fund and On My Way Pre-K.

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The vouchers support low-income families earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level, or roughly $45,000 for a family of four. Many low-income families couldnt afford child care without such subsidies and would instead drop out of the workforce, halting their professional development and no longer contributing to a communitys economy.

The agency has provided several updates to its waitlist for Medicaid waiver services, programs that are critical for Hoosiers seeking assistance as they age and for Hoosiers with disabilities. After starting the list earlier this year  and increasing the number of Hoosiers invited off each month  more than 12,000 Hoosiers are still waiting, including 4,617 Hoosiers on the Health and Wellness Waiver and 7,611 seniors on PathWays.

Whats up with child care vouchers?

Enrolled families will continue to receive child care vouchers as long as funding permits, according to the release, and a reassessment will start in the next federal fiscal year in October.

Several Democratic lawmakers from both chambers decried the move, which is the first time FSSA had employed a waitlist since 2018.

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House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, pointed to the lack of affordable options for parents and lamented the shortage of providers.

This waitlist is a result of all federal childcare funds being used to their capacities here in the state. If you recall, Republican leadership told us recently that Hoosiers shouldnt look to the state to solve this monumental problem, GiaQuinta said in a statement, linking to a story from WRBI. Now, tens of thousands of families risk losing access to childcare. As state lawmakers, we cant continue to shrug our shoulders and tell Hoosiers to wait for the federal government to come to their aid. Its time we put in the work.

GiaQuinta vowed that his caucus would focus on child care  something he previously criticized Gov.-elect Mike Braun for omitting from his legislative agenda.

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Sen. Shelli Yoder likened the new waiting list to a moral failure and fiscal disaster, pointing to the Republican majoritys decision to expand private school vouchers to nearly all Hoosiers in the last budget session rather than putting funds toward early childhood education.

Were telling a family of four earning up to $230,000 that they qualify for a need-based private school voucher, while a family earning $38,000 doesnt qualify for a Pre-K voucher. Thats not just unfairits absurd, Yoder, D-Bloomington, said in a release.

In its release, FSSA pointed to the number of recent changes implemented by the General Assembly earlier this year, including the decision to expand subsidy funding to child care employees explicitly and raise the eligibility level  moves that came without extra funding.

More than 70,000 children have benefited from CCDF while nearly 8,000 children enrolled in pre-K programming, according to the agency.

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Waitlists can serve two important functions, said Sam Snideman, the vice president of government relations for United Way of Central Indiana. Firstly, they can manage scarce resources but waitlists also signal to decision makers how much demand there is for a particular good or service.

Samuel Snideman, United Way of Central Indianas vice president of government relations, speaks during a medical debt relief event on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Child care is one of the three priorities for the organization ahead of the 2025 legislative session, alongside action on housing and medical debt. Roughly six out of every ten children who need child care have access, with a shortage of services that costs the state an estimated $4.2 billion annually in missed tax revenue and employee shortages.

 child care and pre-K services are really critical to the ability of the adults in a childs life to work and to be economically productive, which means its also critical to the proper functioning of the broader macro economy, Snideman said. When we dont have access  were really holding back  not only these kids and the sort of educational development that happens in those settings  but also the economic opportunity and prosperity for their families.

The legislature took limited, non-budgetary action earlier this year but Snideman said early childhood education advocates always knew 2025 would be a big year.

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So much of the American Rescue Plan and other COVID-era supports from the federal government were going away, Snideman said. Weve been using those funds in ways that sort of supported expansion and enrollment  to support and stabilize the sector from the provider perspective and from the family perspective.

Budget writers have warned that funds will be tighter during the 2025 session, in which the General Assembly will craft Indianas next two-year budget. But Snideman said legislators will have to provide adequate resources for child care funding, and that is not going to be cheap.

I think all of us who do advocacy are trying to be thoughtful about budget asks and mindful about the competing priorities, Snideman said. Certainly, the legislature has an unenviable task.

Building upon a pilot model from earlier this year, the group also proposes pursuing a tri-share model in which the government, employers and individuals split the costs of child care. Michigan and a pilot in northeast Indiana have been early pilots of this model and shown some preliminary success, Snideman noted, but Indianas model could be tailored for specific economic groups or sectors.

The Medicaid waiver waiting list

Dozens of Hoosiers have publicly shared their waiting list experiences, including elderly Hoosiers who spent down their financial resources in order to qualify for Medicaid. Needing help and anticipating Medicaid assistance, they moved into assisted living  only for the bill to come due as they sat on the waitlist.

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In addition to providing for assisted living expenses, the Medicaid waiver also covers other home- and community-based services, such as attendant care, adult day care, home-delivered meals or structured family care.

A coalition pointed to the recent reorganization of Medicaid services, including the introduction of managed care, and the programs $1 billion shortfall. In return, FSSA made a series of unpopular decisions to curtail certain services and introduced the Medicaid waiver waitlist.

 the State made abrupt and drastic changes to the Indiana Home and Community-Based Waivers  now called the PathWays Waiver and the Health and Wellness Waiverneglecting to consult key stakeholders and failing to consider the short-term and long-term effects on Hoosiers and the Indiana State budget, the coalition of organizations said in a release last week.

Members include AARP Indiana, The Arc of Indiana, the Indiana Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge Indiana, elder law attorneys and more.

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Some Hoosiers have turned to the courts for relief, accusing the state of failing its mandatory duty under federal law to ensure that such services are available in a class action lawsuit filed in October.

Eamon Kelly, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, pointed to a Friday order from the judge setting an aggressive schedule for proceedings.

We appreciate the Court setting a prompt schedule on our Motion for Preliminary Injunction.

The FSSA waitlist is unlawful. The FSSA is denying seniors access to assisted living that it should be approving promptly under federal law, Kelly told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

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Because the suit is class action, it seeks to provide relief to all elderly and disabled Hoosiers, though more Hoosiers are waiting than the state has federal permission to assist.

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BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Serbias secret service and police have been spying on journalists and opposition activists by installing spyware on their mobile phones, Amnesty International said Monday.

The watchdog's report, backed by testimonies of those who claim their phones have been hacked in recent months, says the spy software was used to unlock phones to capture covert screenshots and copy contact lists, which were then uploaded to a government-controlled server.

The report titled A Digital Prison: Surveillance and the Suppression of Civil Society in Serbia" said the Serbian police and the Security Information Agency (BIA) used spyware to infect devices while their owners were detained or interviewed by police.

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Our investigation reveals how Serbian authorities have deployed surveillance technology and digital repression tactics as instruments of wider state control and repression directed against civil society, said Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for Europe.

Serbias police said in a statement that the Amnesty report is absolutely incorrect, but also added that "the forensic tool is used in the same way by other police forces around the world.

Serbia's spy agency said on its website that it works exclusively in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia.

Therefore, we are not even able to comment on nonsensical allegations from their (Amnesty) text, just as we do not normally comment on similar content," BIA said.

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The Amnesty report comes as President Aleksandar Vucic is facing one of the biggest challenges to more than a decade of his increasingly autocratic rule, with widening anti-government protests that so far have been largely peaceful.

Protests have been led by university students and opposition activists 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. The protesters are demanding legal action against all those allegedly involved, including the prime minister and the president.

Vucic has accused Western intelligence services, NGO groups and foreign media of conducting a hybrid warfare against him and his country by illegally financing the protest actions.

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The Belgrade Center for Security Policy, an NGO group, strongly condemned the authorities misuse of digital technologies for surveillance and demanded an immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the allegations reported by Amnesty International. It also called for the prosecution of those responsible within the police and the Security and Information Agency.

In a country where civil protests are growing in scale, and discontent with the regime is becoming louder, these practices represent a direct attack on fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and the right of association, the group's statement said.

Igor Bandovic, director of the center, told The Associated Press that this is the evidence that ( Serbias) secret service, along with the ministry of interior, have been using invasive spyware practically on everyone who thinks differently from the government.

Serbia, which formally seeks European Union membership, has forged close ties with Russia and China, including their spy agencies in what Serbian government officials said is a joint action against the so-called colored revolutions - street protests against repressive regimes.

___

Associated Press writer Jovana Gec contributed to this report.
By Akbar Novruz



Today, December 16, marks the professional holiday of the employees of Azerbaijans Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), coinciding with the 19th anniversary of its establishment.

Over the past 19 years, the Ministry has been dedicated to fulfilling its duties in the timely detection, prevention, and elimination of the consequences of potential emergencies. This includes the creation of a reliable network for civil defense, protection of populations and territories from natural and man-made disasters, and ensuring safety in industries such as fire, water basins, mining, and construction. Additionally, MES has played a significant role in managing the aftermath of possible terrorist incidents.

The Ministry has also made strides in developing its information technology infrastructure, organizing electronic services, and maintaining comprehensive statistics on natural and man-made events across the country. In line with these efforts, the Crisis Management Center and the "112 Call Center" have been established.

The MES has proven its effectiveness in international operations as well, providing humanitarian aid and rescue efforts in disaster-stricken regions. The Ministrys emergency and rescue agencies have demonstrated professionalism by promptly intervening in fires, floods, avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, and other crises in residential, industrial, and public sectors, including large shopping centers, forests, and open areas.

Expanding international cooperation, the Ministry has delivered humanitarian aid to various countries under the direction of President Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijani rescue teams have actively participated in extinguishing forest fires in Israel, Georgia, and Turkiye. Notably, in February 2023, the MESs rapid rescue forces played a critical role in Turkiye after a powerful earthquake. A rescue team of 760 personnel assisted in the affected areas of Kahramanmara?, Hatay, and other cities.

Elvin Iskenderov, a rescuer from the Special Risk Rescue Service, was recognized for his heroic efforts in Turkiye, recovering three survivors and 25 bodies from the rubble in Kahramanmara?. In recognition of his bravery, Iskenderov was awarded the "Republic of Turkiye State Medal for Outstanding Sacrifice" by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan was officially established by a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on December 16, 2005.
HARARE, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lithium mining and processing company Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), in partnership with other Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe, is implementing community development programs in Goromonzi District of Mashonaland East Province to uplift residents' livelihoods.

The Goromonzi Community Development Project (GCDP) aims to support Zimbabwe's sustainable development goals by effectively responding to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 of attaining an upper-middle-income economy status by 2030, PLZ told Xinhua on Monday.

According to the 2022 census, Goromonzi District has a population of over 386,000 and is known for its natural resources, including water, land, forests, and key minerals.

"Our corporate mission is to contribute to the local economy and society wherever we invest. We are delighted to take the GCDP as an opportunity to collaborate with our Chinese enterprises investing in Africa," said PLZ General Manager Zhu Haijun.

According to Zhu, the development projects being implemented in Goromonzi District cover four sectors, including health enhancement, vocational education for youth, women's empowerment, and energy equity.

"Together we aim to explore a model of joint funding by Chinese enterprises to support the sustainable development of local communities," Zhu said.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Province Apollonia Munzverengwi said the project would effectively support the development of local communities.

"These initiatives will help create jobs and stimulate local economies, as we seek to improve our provincial GDP. The projects will also go a long way in improving the livelihood of our general populace in the district, the province, and the nation at large," she said. 
By Aleksandar Vasovic and James Pearson

BELGRADE/LONDON (Reuters) -Serbian officials installed homegrown spyware on the phones of dozens of journalists and activists, Amnesty International said in a report released on Monday, citing digital forensic evidence and testimony from activists who said they were hacked in recent months.

In two cases, software provided by Israeli company Cellebrite DI Ltd was used to unlock phones prior to infection, the report said.

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The Serbian spyware, dubbed NoviSpy by Amnesty, then took covert screenshots of mobile devices, copied contacts, and uploaded them to a government-controlled server, the report said.

In multiple cases, activists and a journalist reported signs of suspicious activity on their mobile phones directly following interviews with Serbian police and security authorities, Amnesty said.

The Serbian intelligence agency BIA published a statement on its website Monday which said it operates within local laws and accused the Amnesty report of containing "nonsensical statements." Serbias interior ministry and foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Cellebrite products are widely used by law enforcement, including the FBI, to unlock smartphones and scour them for evidence. Cellebrite said it appreciated Amnesty's work and Chief Marketing Officer David Gee said the company was investigating the allegations.

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Should those accusations be accurate, that could potentially be in violation of our end user license agreement, Gee told Reuters. If that were the case, Gee said, Cellebrite could suspend the use of its technology by Serbian authorities.

Putting surveillance software on devices is absolutely not what we do, Gee said. He added that Cellebrite had begun contacting Serbian officials but declined to provide further details.

FORENSIC EXPERTS

One of the activists featured by Amnesty in the report said they had noticed the contacts on their phone had been exported immediately after a meeting with the BIA.

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The activist told Reuters they showed their phone to digital forensic experts, who discovered the NoviSpy spyware had exported their contacts and sent private photos from their device to a BIA-controlled server.

According to Amnesty, Serbia received phone-cracking devices from Cellebrite as part of a broader package of assistance designed to help Serbia meet the requirements for integration into the European Union.

That package, which was funded by the Norwegian government and administered by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), was provided to the Serbian interior ministry from 2017 to 2021 in order to help Serbia fight organised crime, the report said.

The Norwegian government temporarily ceased delivery of Cellebrite devices to Serbia in 2018, Amnesty said. The Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade also raised concerns about the programme, the report added, but UNOPS eventually delivered the devices in June 2019.

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The claims made in the report are alarming and, if correct, unacceptable, Norways deputy foreign minister, Maria Varteressian, told Reuters. We will meet Serbian authorities as well as UNOPS later this month to get further information on the matter.

We expect UNOPS to investigate the allegations, she added.

UNOPS said in a statement it welcomed Amnesty's report and said the agency had in the years since 2017 "further enhanced mechanisms to assess and mitigate potential adverse effects." The agency did not elaborate on those measures.

(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade and James Pearson in London; Additional reporting by Raphael Satter in Washington, AJ Vicens in Detroit and Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo; Editing by David Holmes and Mark Potter)
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)  A Decatur man has been sentenced to prison after his own ineptitude, plus a tracking device in stolen money, helped identify him as the person behind three burglaries in the summer.

Court records show that Gerald Brandon, 35, had three criminal cases open against him and was charged with robbery in each one. He pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery without a firearm; all of the remaining charges against him were dismissed.

After accepting Brandons guilty plea, Judge Thomas Griffith sentenced him to six-and-a-half years in prison.

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Decatur Police, Crime Stoppers offer $1,000 reward for wanted mans arrest

Sworn statements from the Decatur Police Department detailed Brandons two-week crime spree and the mistakes he made that helped police identify him. Officer Rydick Braden, who signed all of the statements, said Brandons first robbery happened May 29 at a tobacco and vape shop in the area of Maryland Street and Mt. Zion Road.

Braden said the store was one that Brandon frequented often as a legitimate, paying customer for the previous two months. On May 29, Brandon entered wearing a facemask, brandished a six-inch kitchen knife and demanded money from the register. The clerk complied out of fear he would be stabbed.

[The clerk] advised he could recognize the male from his voice and eyes, Braden said. [The clerk] advised that the male had taken Newport cigarettes as well, which is what he has normally come to buy from the store in the past.

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It didnt help Brandon that while committing the robbery, he moved his hoodie slightly and exposed his distinct, red-dyed hair for security cameras to see.

Brandon grabbed the cigarettes and $1,500 to $2,500 from the register and fled the store.

Friend of man killed in Rantoul officer-involved shooting gets 15 years for armed violence

One week later, on June 6, Braden said Brandon tried to rob a video gaming parlor at Woodford Street and Mound Road. An employee told officers he walked into the parlor and demanded money from the register.

[The employee] advised the subject threatened to batter her and made comments similar to dont make this harder than it needs to be,' Braden said. She advised that she told the subject that she did not have access to the money.

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The employee told officers that when Brandon persisted in demanding she open the register, she demonstrated that she could not. Convinced, Brandon left the parlor empty-handed.

Braden said that when officers reviewed surveillance footage, they had no problem identifying Brandon as the culprit. He only pulled a ski mask over his face after entering the parlor.

Champaign Police, Crime Stoppers looking for tips in smoke shop burglary

Brandon made the same mistake 10 days later, when he entered a Circle K gas station on the same block as the video gaming parlor. Braden said that he was armed with a butter knife and entered the convenience store with a ski mask on top of his head but not over his face.

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The stations assistant maanager was doing morning tasks like cleaning, Braden said, and went into a back room to put away a vacuum cleaner. When she turned around to go back into the public part of the store, she saw Brandon standing in the back room with her.

[The manager] stated that [Brandon] had his hands in his pants pockets and stated something to the effect of Im not going to hurt you, just open the safe,' Braden said. [She] stated that she told [Brandon] she did not have access to the safethe man then raised the knife toward her and told her he knows she has access to the safe and to open it. [She] against stated she did not jave access to the safe.

Brandon settled for grabbing cash from the register, Braden said, along with three bottles of vodka. He stole just over $100 in cash.

Coroner releases names of two Champaign shooting victims

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Braden said the assistant told officers a tracking device was inside the money that was taken, which was later found on top of a building on the same block as the gas station. Witnesses said they saw a man in a hurry to enter the apartment building across the street and they later saw him throwing something onto the roof across the street.

Officers made contact with Brandon and from surveillance footage inside the gas station, they identified him as the suspect. Braden said the gas stations assistant manager also advised that she was 100% sure Brandon was the suspect.

A search warrant obtained for Brandons apartment found the clothes the gas station robber was wearing, the butter knife in the sink and the stolen vodka bottles under an air mattress.

Brandon was arrested within an hour of the gas station robbery, ending his two-week crime spree, and he was charged with robbery in all three crimes. He was denied pretrial release and has been in jail since June.

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He will be given credit for the time hes spent in custody, which will reduce his time in the Illinois Department of Corrections to an even six 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 WCIA.com.
By Alasdair Pal

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -Seven tourists including four Australians were hospitalised in a suspected case of alcohol poisoning at a resort in Fiji, the Australian and Fijian governments said on Monday.

The tourists became ill after drinking a cocktail at the Warwick Fiji resort on the south coast of Viti Levu island, Fiji's government said in a statement.

"This is an extremely isolated incident, affecting only these seven guests at a specific bar within the resort," the Fiji government said.

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Last month six foreign tourists died after consuming contaminated alcohol in Laos.

Management at the resort said it had not substituted ingredients or altered the quality of drinks served to guests, the statement said.

"While we understand the concern, we want to emphasise that the tourism experience in Fiji is typically very safe, and we have acted immediately to try and discover the cause of what made these guests, at this resort, fall ill," Fiji's government said.

Mereisi Makutu, the front office manager at the resort, told Fiji's state broadcaster it was investigating the incident.

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"Our main priority at the moment is to look after those guests that are in hospital at the moment," she told the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation in an interview.

Australia Treasurer Jim Chalmers told a news conference consular officials were helping those impacted along with their families, while Fiji's police were leading an investigation into the poisoning.

"We are thinking of the friends and family of the people who are affected. This is no doubt a very distressing time for them," he said.

The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Fiji to flag dangers of drink spiking, and warned Australians more generally about the risk of alcohol poisoning when travelling.

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"If Australians are travelling, be very alert to the potential risks in this case around drink spiking and alcohol poisoning," Chalmers said.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Wellington; Editing by Michael Perry)
Seven foreign tourists between the ages of 18 and 56 were hospitalized after drinking poisoned pina coladas at a luxury resort in Fiji, BBC reported.

One of the travelers is American, while the other six are Australian nationals; its unclear if the party was traveling together, or knew one another. Shortly after consuming pina coladas at Fijis five-star Warwick Fiji Resort, each of the seven guests began suffering from intense nausea and vomiting as well as neurological symptoms.

They were rushed to Sigatoka Hospital but later transferred to Lautoka Hospital. Officials at first reported the tourists to be seriously ill, but their conditions have improved in recent days. One victim, a 56-year-old female, was reportedly under medical surveillance. Another, a 19-year-old woman, reportedly suffered several serious medical episodes after consuming the drink.

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The incident comes less than a month after six tourists in Laos died from suspected methanol poisoning after a night of drinking. Methanol is an industrial-strength chemical typically used in the context of automobile maintenance, but its also commonly found in bootleg liquors.

According to Sydney resident David Sandoe, his daughter and granddaughter were two of the seven tourists sickened by the drinks. "It's very difficult to take a call at 11 at nightand your daughter says that they have been poisoned and they're in hospital," Sandoe said. He explained that his granddaughter even suffered a seizure, but reported that both mother and daughter are now doing very well.

Brent Hill, the chief of Fijis tourism board, told local outlet RNZ (via BBC) that the situation at the Warwick Fiji was a long way from the incident in Laos. Tourism minister Viliame Gavok added that the apparent pina colada poisoning is an "extremely isolated incident. Furthermore, the resort ensured Hill that "they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests.

An initial investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident. So far, no one else has reported any symptoms or illnesses associated with the resorts cocktails.
A 15-year-old girl opened fire at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin Monday, killing a classmate and a teacher, authorities said.

The female student, whose identity has not been released, opened fire just before 11 a.m. at Abundant Life Christian School, where six others were injured, law enforcement sources told CNN and the Associated Press. Her age was initially reported as 17, but authorities later confirmed she was 15 at a later press conference.

Officers arrived at the scene around 10:57 a.m., Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a press conference on Monday. I can confirm that the first officers arrived at 11:00 a.m., and immediately went in the building three minutes later, Barnes said.

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The shooter was found dead at the scene, cops said.

Today is a sad, sad, day, Barnes said at the first press conference after the shooting. Not just for Madison, but for our entire country.

Police said the six injured victims included two students who were in critical condition.

Injuries sustained by victims, the police incident website said, range from minor to life-threatening.

Two students remain in critical condition, their injuries are life threatening, Barnes said later that evening. Another two victims were already released from the hospital.

None of the victims' identities have been released.

Police officers who responded to the scene did not fire their weapons, Barnes said. And agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have since arrived to assist local law enforcement.

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This is a ever-evolving situation, he added. So theres a lot of work that has to be done, and were committed to doing that work. We just ask for your patience.

Barnes said police could not comment on a possible motive, or possible warning signs as officers continue their investigation. Theyre still talking to parents, who are cooperating, Barnes added.

Parents are being reunified with children after a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. / Scott Bauer/AP

Abundant Life Christian School is a private Christian institution that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Its 28 acre campus serves a student body of at least 300 pupils.

We do not have metal detectors, but we do have a number of security protocols in place, Barbara Wiers, the director of elementary and school relations at Abundant Life, said at a press conference Monday evening. These include cameras that are monitored by staff, Weirs added.

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The Abundant Life director said that students at the small Christian school practice emergency drills frequently, but they quickly realized the lockdown on Monday was a real threat. They knew it was real, but they handled themselves brilliantly, Wiers said.

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson responded to reports of the shooting shortly after news broke in a post on X.

My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School, he wrote. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.

My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. I will continue to closely monitor the situation. https://t.co/P2pMJmtsPW  Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) December 16, 2024

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers also spoke out in response to the shooting. We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond, he said in a statement.

According to a White House spokesperson, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Meteorologist Peyton Langford here with what you need to know about the severe weather potential tonight into Monday morning.

Setup

Theres a system aloft just off to the northwest, in the central plains expected to arrive in the next several hours. This will likely bring some isolated storms out ahead of a frontal boundary that will then bring some more organized convection in the early morning hours of our Monday.

Severe Weather Safety Guide

Timing

The timing for the early messy rain and storms will likely be 10 PM with storms continuing to develop after midnight. The more organized line of storms will likely arrive in Northwest Arkansas around 3 AM and about 3:30-4 AM in the River Valley.

Risks

The main threats with this system are hail and damaging winds. There is a very low tornado threat. The reason for this is, that these storms out ahead of the cold front have the chance to become supercells, and with plenty of instability, these storms will be able to grow pretty large. Theres also plenty of shear (change in direction with height), supporting healthy updrafts that can lead to stronger storms and presents the idea of a non-zero tornado threat.

As the front comes through with the more organized convection, the low tornado threat still exists, but strong winds become more of a threat than hail.

Follow YOUR Weather Authority Team:

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To make sure you are staying up-to-date with the forecast, download the YOUR Weather Authority app to get updates anywhere at any 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 KNWA FOX24.
On Monday, Dec. 16, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will announce he is commuting the sentence of Dawn Jackson, 53, who was imprisoned for 30 years for the 1999 fatal stabbing of her step-grandfather Robert McBride after years of sexual abuse.

The announcement culminates a years-long effort by Kim Kardashian to set Jackson free: Kim deserves enormous credit on this one," Murphy tells PEOPLE.

Incarcerated at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility For Women in Hunterdon, N.J., for the past 25 years, Jackson, who first submitted a clemency application in 2018, will walk out this week a free woman.

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We were all so emotional, we couldnt believe it, Kardashian tells PEOPLE in an exclusive joint interview with Murphy. Just to know these peoples cases were heard and people believe in them the same way we do.

After being charged with first degree murder in 1999, Jackson was advised to plead guilty and given a 30-year sentence. But it was later revealed that her long history of being sexually abused from the time she was a young girl  by McBride and others close to her during her upbringing  was never allowed in the courtroom.

Gov. Phil Murphy

Kardashian learned of the case in 2019 when Jackson wrote to her detailing the abuse. Jackson explained she had been told by her public defender to plead guilty rather than go to trial.

Related: Kim and Khloe Kardashian Visit Calif. Prison to Hear Inmates' Experiences

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I could feel her pain through the letters, says Kardashian, whos pursuing a law degree and focusing on criminal justice reform work. She sent Jackson's correspondence to two lawyers she works with, Erin Haney and Jessica Jackson, both of REFORM Alliance, a criminal justice reform organization.

I said Erin, we have to help this woman. She suffered so much abuse  from the time she was a baby. You think about how we want to protect our kids and to think that no one was there to protect her. None of that [testimony] was allowed."

Kardashian and Jackson formed a bond, through letters and phone calls. I think it just is a bit more of an emotional relationship because I deeply feel the compassion that she deserves after everything that she's been through, says Kardashian, who began publicly advocating for Jackson across her massive social media platforms, and in 2020, featured Jacksons story on Kim Kardashian:The Justice Project series on the Oxygen Network.

Its been an eye opening experience for the billionaire businesswoman, Skims co-founder, reality star and mom of four, who also helped secure the release of Alice Marie Johnson. a grandmother and non violent drug offender in 2018.

Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for ABA Alice Marie Johnson, Kim Kardashian Alice Marie Johnson, Kim Kardashian

This has been a great journey of empathy, she says, and has opened up my heart and soul to so many people that I never thought Id have the opportunity to get to meet.

'She's endured unimaginable trauma,' says governor

This past June, Gov. Murphy, a Democrat, launched the Clemency Initiative, which set forth categories of cases for expedited review, including those of survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Not only did society view domestic violence and survivors differently 30 to 40 years ago, but theres an enormous gap which jumps out at you, explains Murphy. Not just with Dawn but between what somebody could have pled for, versus the sentence they got by going through the full trial.

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Murphy told Jackson the good news on Friday, Dec. 13  shes one of 36 individuals who are being granted clemency  and called it, probably the most emotional moment of my seven years as Governor. Shes lived a hard life. Shes endured unimaginable trauma, sexual abuse, dating way back to when she was a kid. The sentence was too harsh  and if that wasnt enough shes taken accountability and shes a model citizen and I agree completely with Kim."

Related: Kim Kardashian Rocks a Power Suit for White House Meetings About Prison Reform

When Kardashian first began to work on criminal justice issues, she did not want to get involved with violent cases such as murder. I thought I'd stay with low level drug offenses, she says. But after meeting people inside [prison] and hearing their stories and to look at the picture of Dawn Jackson at 5 and 6 and 7 years old when she was getting raped, you think, 'How could no one help her?'"

Still, both she and Murphy acknowledge the severity of the charge against Jackson. Says Murphy. Youd be making a big mistake to not take the seriousness of that crime as a central factor, but at the end of the day, the judgement on Dawn was overwhelmingly that this was the right decision.

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Related: Kim Kardashian Reveals How She Pleaded Alice Johnson's Case to Trump in Emotional 'KUWTK' Scene

Adds Kardashian, Its the notion of throwing someones life away forever  especially if you dont consider what they have been through, especially if its been abuse since they were a child. Its a deeper conversation and a bigger issue.

Menendez brothers are 'not a threat to society,' says Kardashian

The decision also relates to the case of Lyle and Eric Menendez, now serving a life sentence for murdering their parents in 1989  a sentence Kardashian feels should be reconsidered in light of alleged childhood abuse that was not allowed into their court testimony.

I know its controversial, but even to me, the Menendez brothers, theyre not a threat to society, she says, I think we have to be able to understand and take abuse seriously and not just lock people up and throw away the key.

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Related: The Menendez Brothers: Will They Go Free?

Jackson, a mom of eleven who obtained a high school diploma and is now pursuing a degree in criminal justice, will now move in with one of her daughters. Its jaw dropping, life-changing moment, says Murphy, and were hoping to bring more of those across the goal line in the next year.

Kim knows this but not everyone believes in second chances, Murphy adds. And frankly, I think were a nation thats built on giving people second chances  and at the end of the day, thats what this is about.

Meanwhile, Murphy and Kardashian hope to meet Jackson together in the near future and take her to dinner. But for now, Kardashian is finishing up law school.

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Related: Kim Kardashian Announces New True-Crime Show After Reportedly Helping Free 17 People from Prison

I'm in my last course, which has been a five-year journey for me, she says. And at the end of this year, I'm taking my final bar exam, and I'm just going to be focusing on that. But we'll never stop focusing on the cases that we're working on and figuring out ways to amplify them.

More information about applying for a pardon or commutation can be found on the website for the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



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Law enforcement is mourning the death of a Florida deputy who was killed in the line of duty over the weekend.

Charlotte County Deputy Corporal Elio Diaz was shot to death Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop in Southwest Florida.

Authorities said Andrew Mosytn, pulled out a rifle and opened fire on Diaz, killing him.

Read: Alert issued for missing and endangered Tavares boy kidnapped by grandmother, police say

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Mosytn was later shot and killed by law enforcement officers.

They say they were forced to shoot when Mosytn reached for a rifle.

Read: Death toll in French territory of Mayotte from Cyclone Chido is several hundred, top official says

Florida Sen. Rick Scott reacted the corporals death on saying:

Devastated to hear of the passing of a Charlotte County deputy tonight. I spoke with Charlotte County Sheriff Prummell to let him know Ann and I are praying for his team and the deputys family tonight. Please keep them in your prayers.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez will have to pay $250 fine for posting Madeline Sotos body on social media, after reaching a plea deal with the State Attorneys office.

In the plea agreement, Lopez will pay a civil fine and pled no contest for posting the body of a Madeline Sotos body on social media.

Lopez has to pay a $250 fine before he was set to appear in court for hearing that was scheduled for Dec. 20.

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Lopez has stated that posting the picture was an accident.

Read: Osceola County Sheriff Lopez apologizes after social media post shows possible body of Madeline Soto

The photo was posted on Lopezs personal Instagram page less than 24 hours after law enforcement found Madeline Sotos body in a rural area outside St. Cloud.

The tragic discovery was five days after the 13-year-old was reported missing.

Read: FDLE launches investigation after Osceola County sheriff posts picture of body on social media

The disturbing photo shows a body in the woods and dressed in the clothes Stephan Sterns said she was last seen in.

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Lopez said he accidentally posted the image when sharing a post of himself visiting senior citizens.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Brunei's Intermediate Court recently sentenced a Bangladeshi national to two years and eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to house trespass with intent to commit theft, local media reports on Monday.

According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, the defendant entered a house through the back door while its occupants were asleep, intending to steal cash.

The victim was startled awake to find the defendant near her handbag. Her scream alerted her husband, who caught the defendant as he attempted to flee, according to the report. 
With Christmas just over a week away, youre probably waiting for a few holiday packages to arrive  or maybe you still havent done your holiday shopping.

Be warned: This holiday season, some packages might be arriving later than you hoped.

If you find yourself worried about potential shipping delays, you arent alone  54% of Americans are worried about shipping delays during the holidays, according to a study by BadCredit.org.

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There are already reports of shipping delays in northern Ohio, Indianapolis, Atlanta and other cities.

Lauren Beitelspacher, professor of marketing at Babson College, told CNBC that third-party shippers are particularly strained during popular shopping events, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays.

Due to an ongoing labor shortage, there arent enough people to sort, transport and deliver packages on time, CNBC reported.

And, according to AccuWeather, this months weather isnt helping.

AccuWeather meteorologists say several storms will spread rain and snow across parts of the country before Christmas, which could complicate shopping and shipping for people purchasing last-minute gifts, the article said.

2024 holiday shipping deadlines

If you still havent put in your holiday orders yet, here are the important shipping deadlines to keep in mind for the 2024 holiday season.

UPS holiday shipping deadlines

According to UPS, these are the shipping deadlines  your last dates to ship  to get your package by Dec. 24:

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Three day select: Dec. 19

Second day air: Dec. 20

Next day air: Dec. 23

FedEx holiday shipping deadlines

According to FedEx, these are the shipping deadlines to get your package by Christmas Eve:

Ground: Dec. 16

First-class mail: Dec. 18

Priority mail: Dec. 19

Priority mail express: Dec. 20

USPS holiday shipping deadlines

Here are the U.S. Postal Services shipping deadlines for 2024 to get your package before Christmas Day:

Ground advantage service: Dec. 18

First-class mail service: Dec. 18

Priority mail service: Dec. 19

Priority mail express service: Dec. 21

Amazon holiday shipping deadlines

While Amazon doesnt have specific holiday shipping deadlines, CNET created an estimate:

Free shipping: Buy by Dec. 14, delivered on Dec. 24

Two-day shipping: Buy by Dec. 22, delivered on Dec. 24

One-day shipping: Buy by Dec. 23, delivered on Dec. 24

Same-day delivery: Buy by Dec. 24, delivered on Dec. 24

CNET noted that Amazon has a habit of waiting until much closer to Christmas before it lists its holiday shipping deadlines.
Donald Trumps campaign adviser Alex Bruesewitz collapsed on stage while speaking at a GOP black tie event.

The 27-year-old strategist, who was tasked with helping the Trump campaign court young voters during the 2024 election campaign, was introducing incoming White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino at the 112th New York Young Republicans Club Gala at the Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan on Sunday evening.

Shocking footage shows Bruesewitz speaking at the podium before he begins to slur and stare blankly at the sea of Republicans sporting tuxedos, ballgowns and red MAGA hats.

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Im forgetting my words, Bruesewitz said, before collapsing as members of the crowd screamed.

Several attendees quickly rushed on stage to help as the camera panned out to the audience.

Bruesewitz, CEO of political lobbying group XStrategiesLLC, was then seen being helped backstage.

Following the incident, Trump called in to the event to send his best wishes to his adviser.

Footage shows Alex Bruesewitz collapsing on stage at the event (RSBN/X)

I know that Alex is going to be fine because hes a tough son of a gun, the president-elect said in a call broadcast live at the GOP event. Theres no doubt about that. So I want to say hello to Alex, because hes a very special guy.

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Master of ceremonies Raheem Kassam, a former aide to leader of Britains right-wing Reform Party Nigel Farage, later reassured the crowd he was fine.

I talked to our friend Alex Bruesewitz and you know what he said to me? He goes Did I at least look cool? I said Alex you used gravity like Ive seen nobody use gravity before in their lives, Kassam said.

But hes recuperating back there so give him a big cheer so hell hear you.

Jack Posobiec, the alt-right political activist and commentator, also said he spoke with Bruesewitz backstage after the incident.

Alex Bruesewitz (center) is escorted backstage after collapsing on stage (AFP via Getty Images)

He is getting checked out by medical after having a brief fainting spell onstage. All levels are normal, he wrote on X. Only thing he asked me was, Did it look cool?

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He added that the most likely cause of Bruesewitzs collapse was dehydration and locked legs.

While much of the events focus was on Trumps re-election to the White House, the audience also celebrated the acquittal of Daniel Penny, the ex-Marine accused of killing homeless man Jordan Neely after putting him on a chokehold on a subway train last year.

Daniel Penny became the folk hero that we need in a post-constitutional America besieged by existential, internal threats, club president Gavin Wax said. Penny received about as fair a trial as he could have gotten in New York City.

Thankfully, the jury, a Manhattan jury, thankfully did not buy their nonsense.

The Independent has contacted the Trump Transition Team and XStrategiesLLC for more information.
NORTHERN CHICAGO SUBURBS, IL  Hope your week is off to a good start. Let us get you caught up on the latest news from the northern Chicago suburbs from the past few days.

Here is a look at articles that have been getting attention from Patch.com readers:

Central School was secured for a time last week by Community Consolidated School District 62 "out of an abundance of caution."

William Zientek is accused of fatally shooting his estranged girlfriend Olga Duchon, 42, last month in his townhome in Barrington.

Residents from Arlington Heights and Palatine were nabbed by police.

The Mexican restaurant chain, based in Australia, specializes in burritos, bowls, nachos, tacos and nacho fries.

The crash happened Friday morning near Hebron.

The collision happened last week in Wayne.

The proposal restricts the sale of "intoxicating hemp products" like Delta-8 THC to state-licensed cannabis dispensaries.

The Federal Aviation Administration includes drones in its definition of aircraft under the Aircraft Sabotage Act.

John Ustich, a 28-year-veteran of the Northbrook Police Department, will be sworn in Tuesday at Village Hall.

POLICE REPORTS/BLOTTER

(Shutterstock)

RECENT NORTH SUBURBAN NEWS UPDATE

Shooting Near School Arrest | Doctor's Murder | Carjacking Incident originally appeared on the Deerfield Patch
Three people are dead after a student opened fire at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., the local police chief said at a press conference on Monday, Dec. 16.

The shooter, a teenage student at the school, was found deceased after officers responded to the scene, Chief Shon Barnes said at an early afternoon press conference.

Barnes said at a press conference later on Monday that authorities are not yet publicly announcing the student's age or gender.

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The fatal victims were one student and one teacher, Barnes said. The victims have not been publicly named. Police had previously said erroneously that five people were deceased.

Six students remain hospitalized. Of those two are in critical condition with "life-threatening injuries," said Barnes.

Police responded to an active shooter call reported at Abundant Life at about 10:57 a.m., Barnes said. Responding police did not fire their weapons, said Barnes.

Getty Police Siren Police Siren

"This is something we prepare for but hope we never have to do," said Barnes, who added that it was "a sad day for our community and our country."

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Authorities do not believe there are any other threats, but Madison public schools have been put on lockdown out of caution. Authorities are urging people to avoid the area around the school, and police have closed off streets around the Buckeye Road school.

Abundant Life requested on social media that people "please pray for our Challenger Family" following the shooting.



According to the school's website, Abundant Life Christian School was founded in 1978 and serves grades K-12.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

Read the original article on People
The sinking of two Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait on Dec. 15 may cause "significant" environmental damage, Greenpeace Ukraine warned.

The two tankers, which reportedly sank due to severe weather conditions, were carrying approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil on board each.

"Any oil or petrochemical spill in these waters has the potential to be serious," the head of Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Dr. Paul Johnston, said in a statement issued by Greenpeace Ukraine. "If the ships sink, then there is the potential for releases of oil and petrochemicals over a longer time span."

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Johnston added that the type of oil spilled will make a difference to the environmental impact, with heavy residual fuel oils causing more visible damage than marine gas oils which tend to break up easier.

It was not immediately clear as to what type of oil was spilled in the sinking of the tankers, which were originally built around 50 years ago and were hastily converted in the 1990s from full-fledged tankers to "river-sea" class vessels.

"If (the oil) is driven ashore, then it will cause fouling of the shoreline which will be extremely difficult to clean up," Johnson added.

Greenpeace noted that a 2007 Russian oil tanker spill in the Black Sea, which release 1,200 tons of oil, resulted in "severe" environmental damage which was observed upwards of one year after the incident.

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Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has caused massive environmental damage, including the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam and subsequent flooding, widespread forest fires, and the devastation of wide stretches of farm land.

According to a joint study conducted by Ukraine's Environment Ministry and climate NGOs released on June 13, the total damage associated with greenhouse gas emissions from the first two years of the full-scale invasion has exceeded $32 billion. That number does not include other types of environmental damage caused throughout Russia's full-scale invasion which likely amounts to hundreds of billions of dollars.

In October, the Kyiv School of Economics Institute warned that Russia's "shadow fleet" of old and poorly insured tankers pose significant environmental risks, as these often uninsured and aging vessels increase the danger of oil spills.

Read also: 70% of Russian oil shipped by shadow fleet, posing environment risk, report says









Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Sir Keir Starmer has watered down Britains support for Ukraine, the countrys former foreign minister has said.

Dmytro Kuleba said Labour had followed the US when considering whether to grant approval for Storm Shadow missiles to be fired deep into Russia instead of leading from the front.

He suggested the previous Conservative government had persuaded the US to be bolder in its support for Ukraine while Labour ministers follow the White House position.

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In comments first reported by The Times, Mr Kuleba said: The Conservatives were coordinating with the Americans but they did not restrict themselves to just following the Americans.

This is the change that came with Labour. They took a position they would follow the Americans.

[Britain] has to allow itself to lead conversations with the Americans on Ukraine, not only follow the decisions the United States are taking.

Dmytro Kuleba was the Foreign Minister for four years - GENYA SAVILOV

He said his first unpleasant conversation with British officials came in September when the Government refused to allow Storm Shadow missiles to be fired inside Russia without approval from President Biden. Approval for the missiles to be used was eventually granted.

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Under the Conservatives Britain was the first country to give Ukraine tanks and long-range missiles, decisions that encouraged the US and other countries to follow suit despite initial fears they would escalate the war.

Mr Kuleba, who served under President Zelensky for four years until September, said: Boris Johnson set the threshold high. Rishi Sunak had no other choice but to meet the threshold and push it further. When the Labour government came into office, we received rock-solid assurances things would continue as they were. To a large extent that was the case  except the story with the Storm Shadows.

The only unpleasant conversation I had with British officials a couple of weeks before my resignation  and it was the first unpleasant conversation since the beginning of the full-scale invasion  was about the delivery of Storm Shadows and permissions to use them against certain targets. . . Maybe the reason was the new government was cautious and they didnt want to rush with decisions.

Sir Keir Starmer has not visited Ukraine since his election victory in July.

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Rishi Sunak visited the country within weeks of entering Downing Street. Boris Johnson was the first Western leader to visit Kyiv after Russias invasion and has since made several visits to the country.

It comes as Russia steadily advances in Ukraine while Donald Trump is expected to begin pushing for a peace deal when he enters the White House in January.

A Government spokesman told the newspaper: The UK is taking a leading role in supporting Ukraine, which is why the prime minister committed 3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as it takes, and in 2025 the UK will spend more than it ever has on military funding for Ukraine.

We continue to push international partners to ramp up their financial support to Ukraine to ensure Putin loses, as the foreign secretary did at the Nato foreign ministerial meeting earlier this month.

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The prime minister has also met President Zelensky six times, including hosting him at No 10 twice.

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 (PIX11)  Mayor Eric Adams chief advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, is resigning from her post and retiring, she announced on Sunday.

Adams praised his former top aide and longtime friend in a statement, saying she has not been just a friend, a confidante, and trusted advisor, but also a sister. Weve always talked about when this day would come, and while weve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wont be right next door every day.

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Lewis-Martin may be indicted as soon as this week, according to The New York Times. Manhattan prosecutors will present evidence to a grand jury, reports said.

Her resignation comes as other members of Adams inner circle step down amid corruption allegations, including former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Schools Chancellor David Banks, Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, Public Safety Senior Advisor Tim Pearson and Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg.

More News: Politics

Today, the time has come for me to focus on my wonderful family and myself and retire, Lewis-Martin said in a statement.

Lewis-Martins lawyer, Arthur Aidala, is set to hold a press conference on Monday at his 5th Avenue office.

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Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A woman holds up a sign as members of Congress and representatives of women's groups hold a rally to mark the 40th anniversary of congressional passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) outside the U.S. Capitol March 22, 2012, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Six Florida U.S. House Democrats have joined more than 100 of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) before he leaves office next month.

We commend the work of the Biden-Harris administration to advance gender equality, reads a portion of the letter. We must continue our efforts to fully affirm and recognize the equality of rights for all people, regardless of sex, as part of our Constitution, a vital effort that has never been more urgent. This action is essential as we prepare to transition to an administration that has been openly hostile to reproductive freedom, access to health care, and LGBTQIA+ rights.

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Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kathy Castor, Maxwell Frost, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Darren Soto, and Frederica Wilson are the Florida Democratic members of Congress who signed the letter. A total of 122 House Democrats put their name on the letter sent to Biden.

Congress passed the ERA in 1972 with a stipulation that 38 state legislatures had to ratify it within seven years. When that deadline expired, only 35 states had done so, and the push to add equality protections on account of sex into the U.S. Constitution ended.

But in the past decade, three state legislatures have approved the ERA  in 2017, Nevada became the 36th state to do so; Illinois did the same in 2018 and Virginia passed it in 2020, bringing that number to 38.

A federal judge ruled in 2021 that the deadline to ratify the ERA had expired long ago. In his opinion, Judge Rudolph Contreras said that the three states that had ratified the ERA in recent years were too late to count.

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It also should be noted that five of the original 35 states that signed off on the ERA in the 1970s have since rescinded their support.

The ERA would help eliminate gender-based pay gaps, improve workplace protections, and ensure that gender biases no longer affect hiring, promotions, or job security, the Democrats write in their letter to the president.

With the ERA enshrined in the Constitution, people who experience sex-based discrimination would have a clearer legal path to challenge discriminatory laws or policies. Californias state ERA did just that, securing protections for women in the workforce and ensuring equal treatment in education and healthcare.

Certification

On August 23, President Biden issued a Proclamation on Womens Equality Day, in which he urged Congress to recognize the ERA and affirm the fundamental truth that all Americans should have equal rights and protections under the law.

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Yet, the ERA has already met the constitutional requirements for ratification, the letter signed by the congressional Democrats state. The amendment guarantees that (1) equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex, (2) Congress shall have the power to enforce this article, and (3) the amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

The Democrats note in their letter that [a]ccording to 1 U.S.C.  106b, when the National Archives and Records Administration receives official notice that a proposed amendment to the Constitution has been approved by enough states, the Archivist must certify that amendment, list the states that approved the amendment, and publish the amendment as an official part of the U.S. Constitution.

They note that the Archivist has not certified or published the ERA as part of the Constitution.

Public opinion polls taken over the years have shown strong support from American voters for the ERA.

A 2020 Pew Research Center Survey found that 78% of adults, including majorities of men and women and Republicans and Democrats alike, said they would favor adding the ERA to the Constitution. And a 2022 poll by the progressive think tank Data for Progress showed that 85% of all likely voters said they supported Congress passing the ERA.
After gauging responses from residents near the area of Main Street and Crawford Avenue in Skokie about what they would like to see in the area, which some have described as blighted, the village of Skokie published and presented a draft of a 20-year plan to revitalize the area with local businesses, public spaces, housing and green spaces.

Skokies Community Development Director Johanna Nyden presented to the Village Board at its Dec. 2 meeting a study and renderings of a reimagined Main Street corridor in Skokie that are designed to foster community in the immediate area. Nyden emphasized that the plan was closer to a vision for the area, and not a concrete plan for redevelopment, but she said that the village does want to take steps that will lead to further development in the area.

Much of the interest from the village to invest in the area surged after a local community group held popular block club parties, called Meetup on Main, near the intersection of Main Street and Keystone Avenue. The groups organizer, Lissa Levy, said the parties were inspired by the corridors rich history as an economic hub and third space for the community that today is lined with vacant stores.

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In June, the village approved awarding Soul Good Coffee and Zeldas Catering up to $175,000 in Storefront Enhancement Program grants and property tax breaks to rehab a vacant building at 4012-4024 Main Street to house those businesses. The Village Board also approved spending $180,000 for the village to acquire a vacant storefront at 4051 Main Street.

In August 2023, the village hired the consultant group MKSK for $65,000 to assist the village in conducting a study for Main Street between Crawford Avenue and Kildare Avenue. The first step was to analyze the areas existing physical condition and economic influences, and the consultants took input from local businesses, organizations and residents and identified opportunities for change.

In June, the village and representatives from MKSK presented their preliminary draft at a Meetup on Main event to gather more feedback from the community. Per village documents, the village received a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to support early work to implement the study.

Skokies vision for Main Street

Nyden said the corridor was split into five areas titled The Gateway, Meetup on Main, The Anchor, The Hive and Community Connector. Most of the envisioned blocks are on the south side of Main Street, with the exception being the first block west of Crawford Avenue on Main Street. The envisioned redevelopment would stretch from Crawford Avenue to Tripp Avenue.

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The first block, between Keystone Avenue and Crawford Avenue characterized as The Gateway, will house the incoming Zeldas Catering, Soul Good Coffee and third retail space. The village also recommends adding a shared parking lot accessible through the alley and a mixed-use building on that end. Nyden said many of the existing buildings in the area have a 30-foot setback between the buildings and the street curb, which the report identifies as an opportunity to create small plazas and add green space. The villages report also encourages higher density and taller mixed-use buildings on the south side of Main Street on that first block and a shared surface parking lot.

The Meetup on Main block, between Keystone Avenue and Karlov Avenue, is intended to remain as a gathering place with open spaces for people to gather. Functionally, the block would host two larger buildings, one as a signature building and one as existing retail space.

The Anchor block between Karlov Avenue and Kedvale Avenue would largely stay the same, with Zeldas Catering being expected to remain and for future developments to lean into a similar business practice, either through outdoor dining, partnerships with Zeldas and ghost kitchens.

The Hive block between Kedvale and Keeler Avenues is envisioned to host two mixed-use buildings, with the first floor of both buildings to have business incubator spaces, with an emphasis on locating local small businesses there. The added benefits of developing the block in that manner would be to increase tree canopy in the area.

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The Community Connector block between Keeler and Tripp would hold more apartments and retail space, similar to The Gateway block.

Nyden acknowledged that however future development plays out could end up looking very different from the initial vision, largely because most of the development will be done by private developers.

This is an offer up of where our corridor could be if these buildings became available over time, Nyden said. Instead of just letting the the real estate market play out, weve given some direction and desire as a community vision to how we want to see Main Street.

Village Board members reacted positively to Nydens presentation and echoed her sentiment that it was important to document what the community wanted for the corridor.

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I know its a dream, but its not a far-fetched dream, Trustee Keith Robinson said.

I appreciate and understand how long the community has been asking for development on Main Street, Trustee Khem Khoeun said. Its gonna take time, its gonna require that partnership between public, private and community, but being able to offer a vision, its an opportunity for more conversational dialogue to fill those spaces, she said.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced that Slovakia is holding "very intensive" talks to ensure Ukraine continues to transit Russian gas in 2025.

Source: Voice of America

Details: The gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia is set to expire on 1 January 2025 and Ukraine has stated it does not plan to extend the agreement.

According to Fico, Slovakia is conducting "very intensive" talks to maintain gas supplies.

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"We see no reason to pay more for gas due to geopolitical circumstances," the Slovak prime minister stated during a press conference on 13 December, accusing the West of exerting pressure regarding gas transit.

The European Union has prepared for the cessation of gas transit. The share of Russian gas in Europe has decreased to 6%, with Russian gas transiting through Ukraine dropping to 4%. Austria and Slovakia, which sourced over 90% of their gas from Russia in 2023, are considered the most vulnerable.

EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jrgensen confirmed that the EU is actively preparing to end all gas cooperation with Russia.

"Our main priority is to completely sever energy ties between the EU and Russia," Jrgensen stated in an interview with Politico.

Background:

Austrian energy company OMV terminated its long-term contract with Russia's Gazprom on 11 December, following the suspension of gas supplies to OMV on 16 November.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote on X (Twitter): "Our country is well prepared. We have built up gas reserves and found alternative suppliers. We cannot be blackmailed."

In response to concerns over potential supply disruptions, the Moldovan Parliament approved a 60-day state of emergency in the energy sector on 12 December.

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BEIRUT, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Three people were injured on Monday in an Israeli airstrike targeting the village of Al-Najariyah in the Sidon district in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry reported.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army bombed and detonated houses in the town of Naqoura, penetrated the town, and shelled it with heavy machine guns from midnight until Monday afternoon, according to Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA).

Israeli warplanes also launched a raid on Tebna between Sarafand and Qaqa'iyat al-Sanobar in southern Lebanon, the NNA said.

The Israeli side has yet to comment on these attacks.

A ceasefire agreement, effective on Nov. 27, aims to halt more than 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The ceasefire terms stipulate Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory within 60 days, with the Lebanese army deploying along the border and in the south to assume security control and prevent any armed presence.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have conducted strikes in Lebanon, resulting in casualties. 
Anne-Marie Rose Nicholson and Tyron Kaymone Slowthai Frampton, November 2024 (Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)

Note: This article contains descriptions of allegations of sexual assault.

Slowthai has been found not guilty in a rape trial brought by two fans, BBC News reports. The British rapper and his friend Alex Blake-Walker faced three joint counts of rape, alleged by two women who told the court that the incident took place at one of their homes, in Oxford, after a Slowthai concert in the city in 2021. Slowthai, whose legal name is Tyron Kaymone Frampton, reportedly broke down in tears as the verdict was read. Blake-Walker was also cleared on the three joint rape counts, as well as a fourth count of sexual assault.

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The prosecution attorney, Heather Stangoe, had said in opening statements that Slowthai and Blake-Walker first met the women before a 2021 show in Oxford and gave them VIP tickets. After the concert, the women, some of their friends, and a group including the two defendants went back to one of the womens homes for a party. Once there, according to Stangoe, the women were isolated from their friends by Slowthai and Blake-Walker.

The prosecution alleged that, on a balcony-style roof of the property, the men made jokes while raping and sexually assaulting the women. (Slowthai and Blake-Walker denied the charges, saying all sexual activity had been consensual.) They allegedly high-fived, discussed tag teams, and contemplated swapping the girls, Strangoe told the court, according to The Guardian. The second defendant told the court that Slowthai raped her twice with Blake-Walkers encouragement. I said stop to him, she told police in a video interview a week after the events. Slowthai was trying to pull my hair so I would continue. They were saying: No its safe well look after you, its safe with us. They were saying: Its so great, cant believe this is happening, and fist-bumping each other.

She told police that Slowthai pushed her against a wall and then to the floor before raping her. Asked why she did not tell him to stop, she replied, I felt helpless, like my body was not my own. When the womens friends realized what was happening, Strangoe added, they told the men to stop, at which point Frampton allegedly jumped down from the roof and ran away.

The defense lawyers argued that all the sex was consensual. The effect of celebrity, said Slowthais defense attorney, Patrick Gibbs, can make people enthusiastically do things they wouldnt otherwise do. BBC News reports that Slowthai told the court, I know she was consenting, there wasnt a question. She was the one who initiated oral sex. To the allegation of rape, he added, It was 50/50. We were laughing, we were smiling, we were looking into each others eyes. It is just not true. He admitted to fist-bumping Blake-Walker but denied they were spurring each other on. We were both excited with what was happening, he said.

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In his closing remarks, Gibbs told the jury, Theres all the difference in the world between being up for a good time, in a boyish and immature way, and forcing yourself upon someone against their will, adding that, even if acquitted, Slowthai would be canceled for the rest of time.

Prosecution lawyer Strangoe told the jury, This is not C.S.I, this is not an American dramathis is a case about real people and things that happened in real life.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

https://rainn.org

1 800 656 HOPE (4673)

Crisis Text Line

SMS: Text HELLO or HOLA to 741-741

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
Social media companies will be told to remove hate speech online even if theyre not sure its illegal.

Platforms including Facebook, Instagram and X  formerly Twitter  will be expected to establish crisis protocols so that they remove hate speech faster to prevent posts from going viral and inciting violence.

It follows the summer riots after the fatal stabbings of three young girls in Southport and false online rumours that the attacker was a Muslim asylum-seeker. At the time, Sir Keir Starmer appealed to social media companies to halt what he called violent disorder clearly whipped up online.

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The new protocols for crisis events will be published in April after Ofcom warned of a mixed response from social media companies to the summers disorder. None of the platforms adopted all of the measures that the regulator believed were needed  and some were significantly worse than others.

A lot of the content that was being pushed there was actually fundamentally illegal hate speech. So exactly the sort of thing that is covered by todays codes, said John Higham, online safety policy director at Ofcom.

A number of them had crisis response protocols, so special measures were put in place to deal with these surges of content. We want to see that being something that people do much more across the board in situations like that.

This would include war rooms where the companies surged experienced moderators into dealing with the content and prioritised the removal of the more serious and more viral content.

No ifs, no buts

Mr Higham said the standard for proof for removing illegal hateful content should be lower than the criminal standard. If a platform has reasonable grounds to believe that a piece of content is illegal hate speech, it should come down  no ifs, no buts. Its a lower standard than the criminal standard, he told The Telegraph.

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The move is likely to raise concerns over free speech following a similar row over the police recording of non-crime hate incidents.

Police forces recorded incidents against a nine-year-old who called a primary school classmate a retard and against two secondary school girls who said that another pupil smelt like fish.

The row was sparked after Allison Pearson, a Telegraph journalist, was placed under police investigation for allegedly inciting racial hatred in a tweet on the pro-Palestine protests a year ago. The police subsequently dropped the inquiry, saying they would take no further action.

The moves come as Ofcom, the regulator, published the first codes under the Online Safety Act, spelling out how adults and children will be protected from illegal harmful content including terrorism, child sexual abuse and inciting violence.

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While the crisis protocols will not be published until Spring, the social media companies have been given three months to implement measures to protect children from illegal harms  or face multi-billion pound fines.

The new rules will take effect in March and will require the companies to keep children safe by preventing strangers from contacting them and rewriting their algorithms to reduce the risk of children seeing harmful material.

All major tech platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp will have to abide by the measures or face fines of up to 18 million or 10 per cent of their global turnover, whichever is higher. That would be equivalent to more than 10 billion for Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Ofcom will also have the power to apply for a court order to block the social media firms access to UK users for the most serious breaches. The codes say companies will have to appoint a named executive who is responsible for compliance, reporting and complaints.

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Under the Online Safety Act, the regulator has powers to mount criminal investigations against executives for persistent breaches, with a maximum penalty of two years in jail for those found guilty.

We will be watching the industry closely

Peter Kyle, the Tech Secretary, said the companies had until March to implement the measures set out in the code  or face punitive action which he would fully back.

Describing the new codes as a significant step to protect social media users, Peter Kyle, the tech secretary, said: If platforms fail to step up the regulator has my backing to use its full powers, including issuing fines and asking the courts to block access to sites.

Ofcoms illegal content codes are a material step change in online safety meaning that from March, platforms will have to proactively take down terrorist material, child and intimate image abuse, and a host of other illegal content, bridging the gap between the laws which protect us in the offline and the online world.

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Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcoms chief executive, said: For too long, sites and apps have been unregulated, unaccountable and unwilling to prioritise peoples safety over profits. That changes from today.

The safety spotlight is now firmly on tech firms and its time for them to act. Well be watching the industry closely to ensure firms match up to the strict safety standards set for them under our first codes and guidance, with further requirements to follow swiftly in the first half of next year.

Those that come up short can expect Ofcom to use the full extent of our enforcement powers against them.

The code says complaints must implement safety defaults for child user accounts, which restrict the visibility and engagement between child users and other users.

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The key functions that companies must switch off as a default option for children include network expansion prompts, direct messaging from strangers, connection lists that allow outsiders to contact them and automated information displays.

Deep structural issues

The biggest concern in the codes focuses on the threat from child sex abusers. Companies will have to use scanning technology which is used to detect and remove child sexual abuse material.

Ofcom claimed its measures would make it more difficult for abusers to use their standard tactics of sending scattergun friend requests to large volumes of children, infiltrating friendship groups, and sending unsolicited direct messages to children with whom they are not connected.

Companies will also be required to set up complaints systems and ensure those who complain secure appropriate action in relation to them.

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However, the charity set up by the family of Molly Russell, the 13 year-old who took her life after being bombarded with suicide content warned the codes did not go far enough and failed to specify a single targeted measure to tackle suicide and self-harm material.

Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation said: Ofcoms task was to move fast and fix things, but instead of setting an ambitious precedent these initial measures will mean preventable illegal harm can continue to flourish.

While we will analyse the codes in full, we are astonished and disappointed there is not one single targeted measure for social media platforms to tackle suicide and self-harm material that meets the criminal threshold.

Robust regulation remains the best way to tackle illegal content, but it simply isnt acceptable for the regulator to take a gradualist approach to immediate threats to life.

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Today makes clear that there are deep structural issues with the Online Safety Act. The Government must commit to fixing and strengthening the regime without delay.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extremely worried about the arrival in the U.S. of a fly larvae called the New World screwworm that infests the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing infection.

As a result, the agencys Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, plans to spend $165 million in emergency funding to protect U.S. livestock and other animals.

The current outbreaks in Central America demonstrate the need for USDA to increase its investment in NWS eradication and prevention, said Jenny Lester Moffitt, the agencys undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs.

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If NWS were to spread to the United States, it would result in significant economic losses and threats to animal health and welfare. This funding will allow for a coordinated emergency response to control the outbreak and prevent NWS from spreading to the United States, she added.

The agency says the pest is a serious threat. They burrow into the flesh of a living animal and cause serious, often deadly damage. They can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. That is why the U.S. does not want it here.

The state veterinarian who works for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Amanda Price, said the United States has enacted restrictions on imports of live cattle and bison from areas where the pest has infiltrated because of the risk. In addition, horses coming into the country have to be quarantined for seven days and have treatment. Dogs coming in from impacted areas also have to have a health certificate within five days of entry into the country.

They have actually found it in people before. Its one of those things that you would probably notice pretty quickly, but where dogs and cats cant talk, it is one of those things that might go undetected, she said.

Where is the New World screwworm right now?

Over the last two years, the larvae has spread throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. In late November, the chief veterinary officer of Mexico notified U.S. officials of a positive detection in southern Mexico, near the Guatemalan border.

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APHIS is working with partners in Mexico and Central America to stop the spread of the pest into the United States and is asking all producers along the southern border to watch their livestock and pets for signs of NWS and immediately report potential cases to their local veterinarian, State Veterinarians Office, or APHIS Veterinary Services.

The only way to eradicate the pest is through a sterile insect technique. With this method, sterile flies are released into an area where a known population has become established. The sterile male screwworm fly mates with fertile female screwworm fly, causing the population of screwworm flies to decrease until it eventually dies out. But Price added it is a process that takes time.

The pest was eradicated at a cost of $800 million 30 years ago in Central America, Mexico and the United States. Price said she is not overly concerned now because of how swiftly the the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reacted, but it is a cautionary tale to be proactive.

Groups like the Wildlife Conservation Society believe that illegal cattle trafficking which bypasses important health controls is in part fueling the pests new emergence.

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This swift spread endangers millions of animals and threatens the livelihoods of ranchers across the region. By bypassing sanitary controls, often with stressed, undernourished, and injured livestock, cattle smuggling creates the ideal conditions for transboundary transmission of diseases, including brucellosis, tuberculosis, and parasites such as the screwworm, the group said.

APHIS is asking all producers along the southern border to watch their livestock and pets for signs of the pest and immediately report potential cases to their local veterinarian, State Veterinarians Office, or APHIS Veterinary Services.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the next G20 summit due to a pending arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a spokesperson of the South African president told Russias state-owned TASS news agency on Dec. 15.

South Africa, which has chaired the organization since Dec. 1, was also unable to host the Russian leader in August during their BRICS meeting in Johannesburg.

"The legal situation has not changed since the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. We cannot influence the ICC's decisions in any way," spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said, according to TASS. The next G20 summit is scheduled for Nov. 21-22, 2025.

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South Africa, the largest economy on the continent, has claimed neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war but continued to strengthen its economic and political ties with Moscow. The country is a member of the BRICS group alongside Russia, China, and others, and it even carried out joint naval drills with the two countries last year.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over allegations of war crimes, specifically the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia following Moscow's invasion in early 2022.

This forces the Russian leader to carefully select his travel destinations, as any country in the ICC must arrest him under the warrant. South Africa is a signatory of the ICC's Rome Statute.

In November, Putin also chose not to travel to Brazil for the last G20 summit but sent his Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in his place. The G20 group includes several countries that have fostered closer economic cooperation with Russia throughout its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including China and India.

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Putin visited Mongolia, a member of the ICC, in September of this year, where the Russian president received a warm welcome in Ulaanbaatar.

Read also: What Russias army in Syria stands to lose after fall of Assad

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By Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's Constitutional Court on Monday began reviewing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec. 3 martial law proclamation, starting a process to decide if he will be removed from office, while investigators plan to question him this week on criminal charges.

The court will hold the first public hearing on Dec. 27, spokesperson Lee Jean told a news conference, after the court's six justices met to discuss plans for reviewing the impeachment by the opposition-controlled parliament on Saturday.

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The court has up to six months to decide whether to remove Yoon from office or to reinstate him. The first hearing will be "preparatory" to confirm major legal issues of the case and the schedule among other matters, Lee said.

Yoon is not required to attend that hearing, she said.

In 2017, the court took three months to issue a ruling to strip then-President Park Geun-hye of the presidency following her impeachment for abusing the powers of her office.

Yoon and a number of senior officials also face potential charges of insurrection for the short-lived martial law.

A joint team from the police, the defence ministry and an anti-corruption agency are planning to call Yoon in for questioning at 10 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Wednesday in connection with the charges, a police official told Reuters.

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The presidential security service declined to accept summons for Yoon to appear saying it was not in the position to do so, Yonhap news said. An anti-corruption agency said the summons was also sent by express registered mail.

Yoon, himself a career prosecutor before becoming president in his first run for elected office, has named a former prosecutor, Kim Hong-il, to lead a team of attorneys in the impeachment review and in criminal investigations, local media reported. Kim could not be immediately reached for comment.

The government, led by acting president Han Duck-soo, has continued to try to reassure international partners and investors, while political parties pledged to cooperate in efforts to stabilize the situation.

Early on Monday, the finance minister, Bank of Korea governor and top financial regulators met and pledged round-the-clock monitoring of financial and foreign exchange markets.

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Yoon's surprise martial law declaration and the ensuing political crisis spooked markets and South Korea's diplomatic partners, worried over the country's ability to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.

PREPARING FOR TRUMP

Members of parliament have also raised concerns that the martial law debacle has been damaging at a time South Korea needs to be preparing for the second Donald Trump presidency in the U.S., the country's biggest ally.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and ruling People Power Party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong discussed tackling economic challenges, including heightened uncertainty for the trade-dependent country created by Trump's pledge to hike tariffs.

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Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung welcomed Trump's selection of his former intelligence chief to handle special missions including North Korea as a sign of commitment for dialogue to ease tensions.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said the nomination of Richard Grenell indicated North Korea will be one of the top priorities of Trump's presidency. Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on three occasions during his first term.

The benchmark KOSPI index fell on Monday, after last weeks sharp gains prior to the impeachment, as traders were seen booking profit amid eased political uncertainty.

The Saturday impeachment vote passed with at least 12 members of Yoon's ruling party joining in favour, which has thrown the party into disarray with its leader Han Dong-hoon announcing his resignation on Monday.

(Reporting by Jack Kim, Joyce Lee, Ju-min Park, Jihoon Lee, Writing by Jack Kim: Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Michael Perry and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
SEOUL, South Korea  South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has not responded to a summons for questioning over his failed attempt to declare martial law.

Yoon had been asked to appear for questioning Sunday as part of an investigation by the prosecutors office, but he said he was still forming his legal defense team, the prosecutors office told reporters. Prosecutors planned to issue another summons Monday.

Yoon, who faces criminal investigation on possible rebellion charges, was impeached Saturday by a vote of 204 to 85. His presidential powers were immediately suspended, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as acting president.

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Yoon gave a defiant speech after his impeachment, touting his achievements since he entered office in 2022, including the establishment of a trilateral security partnership with the U.S. and Japan, South Koreas historic rival.

I will not give up. I will do my best for our country, Yoon said.

A protester holding a placard calling on the Constitutional Court to accept the impeachment motion in front of the court in Seoul on Monday.

If Yoon continues to defy requests for questioning in the two inquiries, investigators could ask a court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

A separate team of investigators from the police, the defense ministry and an anti-corruption agency failed Monday to deliver Yoon a summons to appear for questioning Wednesday, which is his 64th birthday, according to an official from the newly formed Joint Investigation Headquarters.

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The presidential security service refused to accept the request document, saying that it was not its extent of services remit, the official told reporters.

But we also issued the attendance notice via mail. There will be no problem in relaying the notice, he added.

South Koreas Constitutional Court on Monday began reviewing Yoons impeachment over the short-lived martial law order, which stunned the East Asian democracy and key U.S. ally.

Yoon has apologized for declaring martial law but argued the opposition-controlled parliament gave him no choice by paralyzing the government. Within hours of his Dec. 3 announcement of the order, which banned all political activity and censored the news media, Yoon rescinded it after lawmakers voted unanimously to reject it.

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His party remains internally divided over his impeachment, which many members opposed. Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who urged lawmakers to vote for the second impeachment motion, said Monday that he was stepping down.

Yoons impeachment trial is set to begin Dec. 27, Constitutional Court spokesperson Lee Jin told reporters Monday, and the court has six months to decide whether he should be removed from office. If Yoon is removed or resigns, a presidential by-election will be held within 60 days.

Yoon is South Koreas second conservative president in a row to be impeached after Park Geun-hye in 2016.

Allies spooked

The political instability in South Korea, which has led to the resignations or arrests of multiple senior defense and military officials, had spooked markets, as well as the U.S. and other allies, amid concerns that nuclear-armed North Korea, which technically remains at war with the South, might try to take advantage of the situation.

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Those concerns appear to be easing after Yoons impeachment. South Korean markets ended Monday mixed, CNBC reported, with the blue-chip Kospi losing 0.22%, while the benchmark Kosdaq ended the day 0.69% higher.

South Korean justices arriving at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Monday.

Han Duck-soo, the acting president, told President Joe Biden by phone Sunday that South Korea will be carrying out its foreign and security policies without fail.

He also said it was important for the U.S. and South Korea to bolster their joint defense posture in the face of threats from North Korea and its growing cooperation with Russia.

According to the White House readout, Biden expressed his appreciation for the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in South Korea and reaffirmed the ironclad nature of the U.S. alliance with South Korea, which hosts nearly 30,000 American troops.

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In North Korea, where state media did not report on Yoons martial law declaration until a week after it happened, the state-run news agency KCNA reported Monday on Yoons impeachment, as well as the large crowd of protesters who gathered outside the National Assembly in Seoul in support of Saturdays impeachment vote.

That crowd was estimated at 200,000, Yonhap reported, citing the police, while there were smaller rallies in support of Yoon.

The people made this happen, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, told the crowd outside the National Assembly on Saturday after the impeachment motion passed.

On Sunday, Lee called for a swift impeachment trial and said his party would cooperate in efforts to restore stability.

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He said he would not seek the impeachment of Han, the acting president, over his alleged role in the martial law declaration, because too much impeachment would result in confusion.

Stella Kim reported from Seoul and Jennifer Jett from Hong Kong.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
People mourn Palestinian teenager Mohammad Abu Kishk killed by Israeli army gunfire, during his funeral in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 16, 2024. The Palestinian teenager was killed on Monday evening by Israeli army gunfire in the Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus in northern West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and local sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian teenager was killed on Monday evening by Israeli army gunfire in the Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus in northern West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and local sources.

The ministry said in a brief statement that the body of a Palestinian was brought to Rafidia Government Hospital in Nablus city.

Majed Abu Kishk, head of the popular committee -- a grassroots organization representing and organizing the camp's residents -- told Xinhua that Israeli forces stormed the camp on Monday, opening fire and killing 17-year-old Mohammad Abu Kishk, while several others were injured.

The Israeli army has not issued an immediate comment on the incident. However, Israel often describes such raids in the West Bank as "counter-terrorism operations" targeting individuals associated with Palestinian armed groups.

The West Bank has been witnessing escalating tensions since Oct. 7, 2023, during which more than 810 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. 

People mourn Palestinian teenager Mohammad Abu Kishk killed by Israeli army gunfire, during his funeral in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 16, 2024. The Palestinian teenager was killed on Monday evening by Israeli army gunfire in the Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus in northern West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and local sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
The head of South Koreas ruling party said on Monday that he would resign, following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

I step down as the leader of the People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon announced.

It has become impossible to carry out my duties as party chief due to the collapse of the partys Supreme Council.

Directing citizens during a televised press conference, the People Power Party (PPP) leader asked: Martial law in the advanced nation that is South Korea, in 2024. How angry and disappointed must you have all been?

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He added: I sincerely apologise to all the people who have suffered due to the emergency martial law incident.

Mr Han initially called for the presidents orderly exit but on Thursday changed his rhetoric and expressed support for Yoons impeachment.

He had signalled he would not stand down but changed his mind under pressure as members of PPPs Supreme Council expressed intent to quit.

Mr Han bowed to the cameras and apologised to citizens - STR

His resignation comes as South Koreas constitutional court started proceedings against Yoon.

Yoon was removed by South Koreas parliament on Saturday over his short-lived attempt to suspend civilian rule, which plunged the country into its worst political turmoil in years.

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The Constitutional Court has around six months to determine whether to uphold the impeachment.

Fresh elections must be held within two months if he is removed.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving as interim leader in Yoons stead.

A separate investigation into Yoon and his inner circle over the December 3 martial law declaration has rumbled on as the turmoil deepened. Yoon remains under a travel ban while the probe is underway.

The prosecution said in a news release on Sunday they had summoned Yoon for questioning over the insurrection allegations but he refused to comply.

They said they would issue a second summons, with Yonhap news agency reporting that could come on Monday.

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Vast protests against Yoon, with smaller rallies supporting him, have rocked the South Korean capital since his martial law decree.

Demonstrators in both camps have vowed to keep up the pressure as the Constitutional Court mulls Yoons fate.

Police arrested both the current and former heads of the Defence Intelligence Command on Sunday in connection to the insurrection allegations, Yonhap reported.

Prosecutors said they were also seeking an arrest warrant for the head of the Army Special Warfare Command Kwak Jong-keun, according to Yonhap.

Kwak is accused of sending special forces troops to parliament during the martial law bid, sparking a dramatic confrontation between soldiers and parliamentary staff.

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IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Schools in the Iron County School District will now have access to 24/7 online tutoring, personalized learning plans, and even celebrity and expert-led video courses.

The Iron County School Districtwhich encompasses 18 schools and 13,000 students in Cedar City, Parowan, and surrounding areasannounced a new partnership with Varsity Tutors for Schools, a leading online tutoring site.

How a Utah man found trouble with the law when trying to simply return a defective TV

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The partnership is effective immediately, and the district is currently working to help parents and students access the new resource. While the platforms unlimited access membership plans range from $269 to $299 a month, the districts access will come at no cost to the district or students and their families.

By partnering with Varsity Tutors, were ensuring our students and families have access to top-tier educational resources, whether its one-on-one tutoring, test preparation, or personalized learning plans, said Superintendent Lance Hatch.

The resources available to students will include, 24/7 on-demand chat tutoring, live group classes, practice tests, college and career readiness courses, and celebrity and expert-led StarCourses. The program also offers enrichment classes to students, which teach topics such as coding, content creation, comics, art, and chess.

Iron County School District is now among the more than 500 districts nationwide that use Varsity Tutors for Schools to assist students and close learning gaps, according to the press release. The website uses a mix of both tutors and technology  including Artificial Intelligence  to provide supplemental learning for students.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
ORLANDO, Fla.  U.S. Space Command is updating its approach to integrating commercial systems into operations as the broader national security space community takes a more forward-leaning posture toward working with the private sector.

Gen. Stephen Whiting, who leads the command, said the new strategy, which was signed out in November, focuses on SPACECOMs core tasks and how commercial space capabilities fit within those areas. The update follows the release of two high-level commercial integration strategies earlier this year  the first from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the second from the Space Force.

The strategies are part of a larger Defense Department push to better engage with private sector space companies, encouraging the acquisition workforce to look for off-the-shelf systems when possible and developing concepts for how it will leverage commercial technology in future conflicts.

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Last year, for example, the Space Force created a Commercial Space Office and charged it with identifying more opportunities to buy commercial systems and services. The service is also in the process of creating a Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve, or CASR, which would establish steady-state partnership with private sector companies for space capabilities that could then be surged as needed during a humanitarian crisis or war.

Speaking Wednesday at the Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Florida, Whiting said the primary lines of effort in the updated SPACECOM strategy revolve around advocating and identifying new capabilities, operationalizing that technology and sharing information with commercial partners about threats and other activities happening in the domain.

That work largely aligns with efforts like CASR and the work of the Commercial Space Office. Whiting said SPACECOM is working closely with the Space Force to determine what operational conditions might trigger the need for added capacity from CASR in different mission areas. He told reporters following his speech that commercial support through that program will likely come in waves, depending on how a crisis unfolds.

Depending on how a situation evolves, there might be additional phases of CASR where we would continue to get more and more capacity, he said.

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SPACECOM also regularly engages with the private sector through its Commercial Integration Cell. The organization was established in 2015 as a pilot enlisting private sector systems to help military space operators identify and resolve issues in orbit.

The command recently expanded the cells membership from 10 companies to 15 and will soon add two more. These are firms that do an extensive amount of work with the Defense Department and the intelligence community and as part of the cell, they have access to highly classified space threat information.

Whiting told reporters the five additional companies  BlackSky, Kratos, ICEYE, LeoLabs and Telesat  already provide the National Reconnaissance and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Were able now to provide them information at the highest levels about the threats that are in the domain, and they provide us insights into how their constellations are being affected or operating in the domain, he said.

As another example of SPACECOMs commercial integration efforts, Whiting noted that for the first time, the command has included private sector systems on its list of critical space assets. Having non-DOD systems on this list means SPACECOM has an obligation to protect and defend commercial space capabilities when directed, he said.
On Monday, members from a Charlotte ministry took gifts to children in Swannanoa, a community in western North Carolina heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene.

West Blvd Ministry in Charlotte arrived with a 20-foot U-Haul truck full of donations it had collected to ensure each child at W.D. Williams Elementary received presents. Some families in the area lost their homes and are struggling to get by during the holidays.

A look back at rescue missions in WNC

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Amanda Son and her three children are currently living in a donated RV after their home was destroyed by flooding from Helene. Shes thankful for organizations like West Blvd Ministry for providing presents for children at the school.

If it wasnt for the community and people coming in, I dont think our family would have made it through everything, she said. Its a beautiful thing. When I walked in and saw what was happening, I was a little shocked. Its wonderful that theyre able to do that.

The ministry says it collected donations from people across Charlotte to purchase enough gifts for the more than 400 children at the school.

Theres nothing like putting a smile on a childs face this time of year, said Bart Noonan with West Blvd Ministry.

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Volunteers helped the children choose two gifts each.

Some of these kids may have nothing right now and could be living in a tent, said Cullen McNulty with West Blvd Ministry. They could have lost every single toy they had. (Were) just looking to spread some joy.

The organization also made sure the 75 teachers and faculty got gifts this year.

Teachers and staff are thankful to be back after several classrooms flooded and school was out for weeks.

For us to have something like this for our kids, just to have a day to have fun and have a great time together is amazing, said Principal Christy Jones.

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The ministry says its helped people in Asheville, Old Fort, and Swannanoa since the storm and organizers say they will continue to pray in hopes of finding more ways to assist the families in WNC.

VIDEO: Family works to rebuild longtime business in Bat Cave
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis man appeared in court on Monday and admitted killing a rehabber last year over a debt related to tuckpointing work.

Prosecutors with the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office said Desante A. White, 29, fatally shot Timothy Moore on Sept. 19, 2023, in the 2700 block of Miami Street in the citys Gravois Park neighborhood.

White told the court he shot Moore during a confrontation over unpaid tuckpointing work that White had done for Moore. White said he shot Moore twice after Moore tried to take Whites keys.

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Moore was 32.

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White had been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was scheduled to go to trial this week. However, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

White pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Prior to sentencing, White apologized to Moores family in court and said he didnt intend to kill anyone, adding that things got heated real quick.

The circuit court judge overseeing the case sentenced White to 18 years in state prison. White will receive credit for serving more than a year of jail time.

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People from across the country are rallying around a Missouri City, Texas coffee shop after a neighboring Starbucks demonstrated some questionable behavior.

In an Instagram post that has since gone viral, a person who is reportedly the manager of a Starbucks can be seen walking into Bean Here Coffee (located just next door) with a sign in their hands. It turns out that the sign, which features a list of Bean Here's seasonal drinks and which the small business says was on their own property, was pulled out of the ground by the Starbucks manager.

According to the person who uploaded security footage of the encounter, the exchange started off friendly, but quickly went south. The Starbucks manager allegedly claimed that they were "protecting" their holiday menu by removing the sign. Then this person reportedly said, "You can put it back, but we'll keep pulling it out."

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Video of the incident has been flooded with thousands of comments from people eager to come to Bean Here's defense. One person even urged the coffee shop to call 911 on the Starbucks manager.

"Bold to bully a small company in behalf of another company who would replace you in a heartbeat," one person pointed out.

Bean Here Coffee confirmed with Delish that Starbucks has not reached out to the shop regarding the matter.

"I don't expect an apology from Starbucksthey seemed to want to reach out to news outlets more than just coming in here to talk it through, which they could easily have done just as they did when they walked in here to bring our sign back, along with the harassing tone and warning," Mike Ouano, a rep for Bean Here Coffee shared with Delish. "[As for] the manager, I'm a little dismayed by the interaction, but ultimately it's not his fault, he was merely told what to do, a big part of why I blurred his face in the video."

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The Missouri City coffee shop has since offered its thanks to the people who have come out in full force to show their support.

"Thank you all for the additional love and support these last few days. It's been a bit emotional for us here seeing how many of you came in droves and post about your support for us. It's very much welcome, very much appreciated and quite humbling to see the transparent amount of encouragement you've given us," the message posted on Instagram read.

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When Space Force Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba joined the military nearly 30 years ago, he recalled how "space was really a benign environment." But within the past five years or so, he said space threats from America's adversaries pose potential dangers to our armed forces and national economy.

Sejba commands STARCOM, which is relocating from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Patrick Space Force Base. The military move will bring hundreds of military and civilian jobs to Brevard County.

And Sejba said this Space Force field command will play a pivotal role in guarding against futuristic enemy weapons like lasers that can blind orbiting satellite GPS sensors  or operate from space as directed energy weapons.

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Rocket photography: FLORIDA TODAY's 2025 Space Launch Calendar is here

"Because of those threats, that's the reason why we're really looking at, 'How do we develop Guardians differently?' How we look at the systems we operate  they have to operate in a warfighting domain, which we now talk about openly," he said.

Sejba discussed STARCOM  or Space Training and Readiness Command headquarters  during a FLORIDA TODAY campus interview before he delivered the keynote address during Saturday morning's Florida Institute of Technology fall commencement ceremony.

Florida Tech bestowed 1,164 degrees to graduates from 61 countries and all 48 contiguous U.S. states. Nearly 350 fall graduates are Florida residents.

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Saturday's ceremonies at the Clemente Center capped a record-setting semester: The biggest incoming class in the Melbourne STEM university's 66-year history enrolled this fall with an expected 1,201 undergraduate students, beating the brief record of 1,041 undergrads from fall 2023.

STARCOM moving to Patrick Space Force Base

The Space Force debuted in December 2019 under Air Force leadership. Today, Sejba said the Space Force's 15,000-odd officer, enlisted and civilian Guardians have three field commands:

Space Systems Command, which manages a $15.6 billion Department of Defense space acquisition budget at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

Space Operations Command, which manages satellite systems at Peterson Space Force Base.

STARCOM on Florida's Space Coast: "I like to say everything else falls right now under STARCOM," Sejba said

"So what do I mean by that? It's education and training. It's doctrine and wargaming and lessons learned. It's tests and evaluation of a lot of our new systems that are coming online that our Guardians will operate," he said.

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Sejba is the second commander of STARCOM. He assumed leadership in July 2023 after serving as program executive officer for Battle Management and Command, Control, and Communications at Los Angeles Space Force Base.

He said "we've seen irresponsible behavior" from Russia and China conducting anti-satellite weapon tests. "Think of a missile launched from the ground into space against a satellite," he said.

Sejba cited Russia's November 2021 missile launch that blew up a Soviet-era satellite, creating a cloud of more than 1,500 trackable pieces of hazardous space debris in low-Earth orbit  sending NASA astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station into their capsules in case of a collision.

Russia is developing and deploying capabilities to actively deny access to and use of space by the United States and its allies and partners, U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander, said in a press release the day of that missile strike.

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Russia's tests of direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons clearly demonstrate that Russia continues to pursue counterspace weapon systems that undermine strategic stability and pose a threat to all nations," Dickinson said.

Florida Tech grads hail from 61 countries

Congratulations, Class of 2024! Though crossing the stage can feel bittersweet, remember that it's not a goodbyeyou'll always be a #Panther4Life. We look forward to witnessing all that you'll go on to accomplish as Florida Tech Alumni.#FloridaTechGrad #FloridaTech pic.twitter.com/mTH4qUak0R  Florida Tech (@FloridaTech) December 14, 2024

During his morning commencement remarks, Florida Tech President John Nicklow congratulated the assembled graduates for their persistence through "challenging assignments, hours of studying, and I'm sure some anxiety and stress sprinkled in here and there."

"Enrollment is rising, including a record incoming class in fall 2023 and 2024. We're moving forward with key resources investments, such as improving academic spaces and strengthening the IT infrastructure," Nicklow told the audience.

"We added eight new airplanes to our fleet at Florida Tech Aviation. And we have new housing in planning stages, and it's on the way," he said.

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On the latter topic, Florida Tech officials plan to build a six-story student housing building with 557 beds on campus at the northeast corner of Babcock Street and University Boulevard. Thursday night, the Melbourne Planning and Zoning Board will consider a site plan for the project, which will occupy 11 acres.

Servitas, a nationwide student housing developer with offices in Miami, Houston and Dallas, and BRPH, a design-construction firm headquartered in Palm Shores, will send representatives to Thursday's meeting, agenda records show.

STARCOM, Florida Tech exploring partnerships

Space Force Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba delivers the keynote speech to graduates during Florida Techs fall 2024 commencement ceremony Saturday at the Clemente Center.

Sejba said 40 to 45 STARCOM personnel are working on the Space Coast thus far. Over the coming years, STARCOM will steadily transition into a force of more than 450 uniformed Guardians and Airmen, federal civilians and contractors, a spokesperson told FLORIDA TODAY in September.

Discussions have occurred during the past year about Florida Tech partnering with STARCOM on educational opportunities, and Nicklow said he would like to launch a pilot program by late spring semester. These could include short courses and certificate programs, rather than full degree programs.

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"We're really exploring right now just how to look at education of Guardians differently than we ever have before. We just don't have the infrastructure and the people alone to be able to do this all ourselves," Sejba said.

Nicklow said Florida Tech partnership possibilities could include cybersecurity, space systems, Master of Business Administration in STEM technology, and contracts and acquisitions.

In May 2023, NASA astronaut Suni Williams delivered Florida Tech's keynote commencement speech. The alumna earned her master's degree in engineering management in 1995 from the university's Extended Studies Division in Patuxent, Maryland.

Williams launched to the ISS in June on the ill-fated maiden mission of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. After thruster malfunctions and other issues arose, Starliner returned to Earth uncrewed in September  and Williams is expected to remain on the ISS until a February return trip with NASA's Crew-9 astronauts aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

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For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: STARCOM commander warns of space threats, gives Florida Tech speech
As our security services have stated, the rise of China is the central intelligence challenge facing Britain in the next decade.

Under Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is now seeking to negate Western liberal values and norms, including human rights, free trade, the rule of law and the sovereignty of countries across the world they seek to suborn and control in the process of becoming the dominant world power.

Since the election of a Labour Government  including many MPs who used to criticise China robustly  nothing has changed in Chinas geostrategic aggression. Early on, the new Government commissioned a review of China policy still incomplete  which might have been expected to consolidate efforts to manage a growing threat.

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The opposite appears to be the case. Instead we have seen an inept, needy and inconsistent series of attempts at blandishment, beginning with the Foreign Secretary visiting Beijing, followed by an absurd encounter between the PM and Xi in Latin America, when Chinese officials chivvied British journalists out of the room when the PM raised human rights issues.

Yet it seems suppliant self-deception will continue with visits to Beijing next year by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, Lord Philip Hunt, Minister for Energy Security, and even the PM himself.

Meanwhile, a decision to expose a vital US base in the Chagos Archipelago to greater China risk demonstrated misjudgement of relations both with Britains most important ally and its most dangerous opponent.

The Governments policy is summed up as challenge, compete and cooperate. There are grounds for challenge, but as noted, attempts at calling the CCP out on human rights, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Xinjiang have been brushed off with imperious contempt.

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Hopes of achieving fairer economic competition with the China are equally doomed; all Peoples Republic trade policy is zero sum. Cooperation stumbles on the threshold; the CCP doesnt want to cooperate with Britain and the West, instead pursuing revisionist victory in collusion with our most vicious enemies including Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

We need to be quite clear about what this lamentable naivety adds up to. The CCP lied about the origins of Covid and used the viruss pandemic spread as a geostrategic weapon.

Emerging from the aftermath, with the rest of the world in disarray, Xi has accelerated a ruthless hybrid assault on his rivals, including Britain as a key ally of Beijings paramount adversary, the US.

Long-standing influence operations have been re-activated and driven forward in British politics, academia, trade and finance and other important sectors of the UK system. Elite capture achieved during the false dawn of a Golden Era has been leveraged to weaken and reverse the more hawkish approach that emerged towards the end of the last government.

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Concurrently, MPs critical of China remain sanctioned; British nationals from Hong Kong are being pursued on British soil by secret Chinese police operatives; cyber-espionage and disruption threats to our intellectual property, national infrastructure, data security and social wellbeing have worsened; efforts are made to drive wedges between Britain, the US and our other European partners; and UK economic activity in China is subjected to arbitrary, mischievous lawfare.

In these circumstances, what conceivable excuse does the Government have for increasing Britains UK dependence on a sworn enemy? Let it think again before it is too late.

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Candy, ice and lottery tickets have long been impulse items sold at checkouts in American grocery stores. Now bullets are joining the list of merchandise peddled to consumers as they exit at a growing number of stores around the country.

Dallas-based start-up American Rounds rolled its first automated retail ammo machine into a Fresh Value grocery store in Pell City, Alabama, late in 2023, selling various brands of rifle, shotgun and handgun ammo.

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The company advertises its machines as a safer and more convenient way to buy ammo than at a large retail store or online. But public health experts have questioned whether the companys suicide prevention efforts are sufficient, and elected officials in areas where machines were set up have worried that the easy availability of ammunition could lead to impulsive purchases by people who seek to do harm.

If youre in the ammunition space  you have a social responsibility to make things as safe as possible while maintaining the integrity of the Second Amendment, American Rounds CEO Grant Magers told The Washington Post. We wanted to accomplish both.

The ammunition kiosks operate in nearly a dozen grocery stores across Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Colorado. Fresh Value, Lowes Market and Super C Mart all host the kiosks at some store locations. Representatives for all three companies declined to comment when reached by The Post.

In a 2023 promotional video for the rollout of American Rounds kiosks, Fresh Value Chief Operating Officer Terry Stanley said the company was excited to offer  what we think is the first ammo kiosk.

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There is no doubt that foot traffic will increase based on the feedback that weve gotten, Stanley said. Were super excited not only to have it here, but in other locations in Fresh Value as well.

Since its kiosks made headlines in July, Magers said, American Rounds has signed over 200 contracts and received requests for machines in nearly every state. But the machines have still been placed in only a handful of new locations. Magers cited ongoing contract negotiations and production limits as causes for delay and said the companys goal is to ship around 100 units in 2025.

We knew we had something special, but we didnt know that it was going to explode like that, Magers said.

The machines use a touch screen to display their goods - there is no transparent glass panel to view the ammo inside, as with other types of vending machines.

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These are double-walled steel, 2,000-pound machines that are always indoors under security cameras, Magers said. [Ammo is] not sitting on a shelf, you know, like your bread aisle in the grocery store.

Company policy dictates that customers be at least 21 years old to purchase ammo at an American Rounds machine, regardless of state laws. The machine uses the same identity verification technology as the Transportation Security Administration at airport checkpoints, Magers said. There is no federal requirement that sellers verify a buyers ID before an ammo sale, but federal law does limit the types of rounds people under 21 can purchase.

Were the only company in America that say can say 100 percent, every [ammo] purchase, that theres an ID verified, Magers said.

Research indicates a correlation between firearm availability and suicide, which experts say is often an impulsive act, especially in rural areas similar to those where American Rounds machines operate, though the kiosks sell only ammunition and not firearms themselves.

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American Rounds says its aware of that phenomenon and has partnered with a pro-Second Amendment mental health nonprofit, Walk the Talk America, to reach kiosk customers in crisis. The company displays ads for mental health screenings on its machines, which also show customers the national suicide hotline phone number, 988, before every use.

Were offering material for people to get help that need help, Magers said.

But public health experts questioned the effectiveness of the safeguards.

Paul Nestadt, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the universitys Bloomberg School of Public Health, compared the machines warnings to signs on bridges saying, Dont jump. Seek help.

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Weve studied those. Theyre not effective, Nestadt said. If someone is impulsively going to attempt suicide, that sign doesnt seem to stop them.

Nestadt said a common myth about suicide is that it often involves a plan, while in reality the majority of attempts are impulsive.

By making [ammo] more accessible, theres less time for that impulse to pass, for the heat to die down, Nestadt said.

Magers responded to Nestadts analogy by highlighting the safety steps the company has already taken: raising age limits and requiring IDs. He compared his companys approach to safety to that of a car manufacturer.

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People still have car accidents and have tragedy, but they take steps to make it safer, Magers said. They dont just say, Okay, were not going to use cars anymore.

Nestadt said regardless of whether there are more safeguards, more ammunition availability always raises the risk.

When you put candy near the register  more candy is sold, Nestadt said. We know that more ammunition and guns in the community increases suicide rates. Weve been studying this for decades.

Ammo sales have been good and are steadily rising as buyers grow familiar with the machines, according to Magers, though American Rounds did remove one machine in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in July due to poor sales.

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The machine generated just four total sales in seven months, according to a Fresh Value statement provided to WBRC 6 News.

That location, just for whatever reason, just didnt generate any [sales], Magers said.

The same machine dispensed controversy when Kip Tyner, Tuscaloosa City Council president, raised constituent concerns at a council meeting on the issue. Tyner told WBRC 6 News he is not against guns but thought the machines were a joke at first and didnt like it at all.

We know weve got a problem with guns - and people that have guns, I should say, Tyner said. So why make it more convenient to buy ammunition?

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Magers said the machines removal took place before to the council meeting and had no connection.

- - -

If you or someone you know needs help, visit 988lifeline.org or call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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OTTAWA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc was appointed as the new finance minister on Monday in a swearing-in ceremony held at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

The new finance minister said after the ceremony that his top priority will be lowering the cost of living for Canadians and strengthening ties with the United States.

LeBlanc, a personal friend of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau since childhood, joined Trudeau for dinner with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort recently.

The 57-year-old New Brunswick MP, first elected in 2000, is the son of former governor-general Romeo LeBlanc.

LeBlanc said he will keep the post of minister of inter-governmental affairs.

Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigned as the finance minister on Monday morning in a letter to Trudeau, saying they were at odds about the best path forward for the country.

The Liberal government's economic update was released Monday afternoon, revealing that the deficit was much larger than the target for the fiscal year that ended March 31. The update put the figure at 61.9 billion Canadian dollars (43.5 billion U.S. dollars) against the target of 40.1 billion Canadian dollars (28.2 billion U.S. dollars). 
By Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Monday said there is no U.S. government organization currently on the ground in Syria for the search of Austin Tice, an American journalist taken captive during a reporting trip in August 2012, but did not rule out the possibility.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular news briefing that the U.S. was continuing to try and locate Tice, but did not have specific information about his whereabouts.

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When asked why the U.S. has still not yet sent a delegation to Syria, Miller said: "I'm not ruling out that we won't send personnel to Damascus. Stay tuned over the coming days."

Tice, a former U.S. Marine, is the focus of a massive search following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after 13 years of civil war. Rebels, led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have released thousands of people from prisons in Damascus where Assad held political opponents, ordinary civilians and foreigners.

Miller added that the U.S. government over the past week has had communications with HTS that have in part been largely focused on getting help to find Tice.

"We have a number of people engaged on trying to find Austin Tice and bring him home, and we communicated directly to HTS that anything that they could do to help us find him, we would greatly appreciate, and they committed to do that," Miller said.

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"We do not have specific information about where he is. We continue to work to try to locate him."

U.S. President Joe Biden said earlier this month the U.S. government believes Tice is alive.

Tice, who worked as a freelance reporter for the Washington Post and McClatchy, was one of the first U.S. journalists to make it into Syria after the outbreak of the civil war.

In August 2012, while traveling through the Damascus suburb of Daraya, he was taken captive.

Weeks later, a YouTube video was published showing Tice blindfolded with his hands tied behind his back. He was led up a hill by armed men in what appeared to be Afghan garb and shouting "God is great" in an apparent bid to blame Islamist rebels for his capture, although the video only gained attention when it was posted on a Facebook page associated with Assad supporters.

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On Friday, Reuters was first to report that Tice in 2013 managed to slip out of his cell and was seen moving between houses in the streets of Damascus' upscale Mazzeh neighborhood.

(This story has been corrected to say that Tice was taken captive in Daraya, not Aleppo, in paragraph 10)

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Costas Pitas and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Franklin Paul and Paul Simao)
A lawsuit filed by the state of California claiming Huntington Beachs voter-approved voting ID measure unlawfully conflicts with and is preempted by state law has been dismissed, according to the city.

In March, voters in the beachside city approved a measure requiring residents to show valid identification when casting a ballot. The measure, which impacts city elections, is expected to go into effect in 2026.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber filed a lawsuit against the city in April regarding the measure.

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Huntington Beach sues California over gender identity notification law

Today, the Superior Court formally dismissed the States entire lawsuit attacking the Citys new local Voter ID law. While we anticipate that this fight is not over, for now, the Court has completely dismissed the States case. This is a big loss for the State of California and a major success for the City of Huntington Beach, Pat Burns, the citys mayor, said in a posted to X.

Attorney General Bonta said in a statement that the state plans to appeal.

In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law that prevents the governing body overseeing elections in California from requiring voter identification at the polls.

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Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates has argued that the citys charter city status allows it to regulate local elections as it sees fit, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, the new law states that it will apply to all cities, including charter cities.

KTLA reached out to Californias Department of Justice but didnt receive a response in time for publication.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 15New Mexico State Police are still looking for answers after a teenager allegedly fatally shot his family at their Valencia County home early Saturday morning.

Diego Leyva, 16, was charged with four counts of open murder in the shooting deaths of his father, Leonardo Leyva, 42; mother, Adriana Bencomo, 35; and brothers Adrian Leyva, 17, and Alexander Leyva, 14, New Mexico State Police spokesperson Ray Wilson said.

At about 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, Diego Leyva called 911 and told a dispatcher that "he had killed his family" at a home on Camino Escondido, southeast of Rio Communities, Wilson said. When Valencia County deputies arrived, Leyva walked out of the home "with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated." A handgun was later found on the kitchen table, Wilson said.

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The teenager was was taken to a hospital "for detox." He was released from a local hospital early Sunday morning and has been booked at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center, Wilson said.

"This incident is in the preliminary stages of investigation," Wilson said. "New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents and Crime Scene Team are processing the scene and conducting interviews to learn what led up to these tragic events. Once the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the district attorney's office for prosecution."

Correction: The story has been updated to reflect that Adrian Leyta was 17 years old and not Diego's twin brother.
UPDATE: Pennsylvania State Police say Edward Surma, 55, has been located.

Pennsylvania State Police in Westmoreland County are asking for help from the public while searching for a man last seen on Friday who may be endangered.

Troopers are looking for Edward Surma, 55. They say he was last seen on State Route 130 in Pleasant Unity, Unity Township, around 8:40 a.m. Friday.

Surma is driving a 2015 silver Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle has a front license plate that reads ED and PA registration KFG1936.

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PSP says Surma may be at special risk of harm or injury.

Anyone with information on where Surma may be is asked to contact police immediately by calling 911 or 724-832-3288.

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PROSPECT, Conn. (WTNH)  A Prospect police officer was justified in shooting and killing a man armed with a knife in October 2023, according to a report released Monday from the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General.

Officer David Terni fired two shots at 48-year-old Michael Strenk after responding to a call of a possible disturbance and hearing about suspicious noises from the home.

In body camera video released by the office, Terni can be heard ordering Strenk to drop a knife hed taken from a kitchen drawer. Strenk then threw the knife in the officers direction, a report said, passing through the open window, missing Terni.

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The report said Strenk then charged Terni with another knife in his right hand. According to the office, Terni fired two shots, both hitting the man. Strenk was pronounced at the scene.

In summary, the investigation establishes that at the time that Officer Terni discharged his firearm, Strenk was threatening imminent deadly force against him and that Officer Terni acted justifiably in stopping the threat, the report reads.

WARNING: Some viewers may find this video disturbing. Discretion is advised.

Terni was at the scene for less than 35 seconds before Strenk charged him, according to the report released Monday.

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State Rep. Anna Eskamani filed Monday to run for Orlandos mayor, a high-profile first entrant in the contest for one of the regions most powerful offices.

The Orlando Democrat, who joined the legislature in 2018, gathered a few dozen supporters on the steps of City Hall early Monday to announce her long-anticipated candidacy. She then marched inside to file paperwork to enter the race to the cheers of the crowd.

We know that this is a pivotal moment in Orlandos history, and we need a leader that is people-focused, that is strategic and creative to finding solutions to our toughest problems, she said at the event.

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The race isnt until 2027, and it could be the first without an incumbent in nearly 25 years. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who became mayor in 2003 and sailed to an easy reelection last year, announced at the time that would be his final campaign.

But in response to Eskamanis announcement, Dyers office released a statement that didnt directly address his future plans.

Last year during the election, I was humbled that residents overwhelmingly confirmed the direction we are headed, his Monday statement reads. As we are only one year into this term, we remain focused on continuing to advance major projects and initiatives. Being Mayor is the most rewarding job and I am thankful every day for the opportunity to serve our community.

Asked directly if he still intends to retire, his office said the mayor wasnt available today.

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Orlando has a strong-mayor form of government, which means the mayor serves as the citys chief executive. The mayor also sits on numerous high-profile boards that set policy on a host of regional matters such as at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Agency, Orlando Utilities Commission as well as boards overseeing Lynx and SunRail.

Leading what is by far Central Floridas dominant city and one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant in the state, the holder of the job sets the tone and much of the regions policy on issues ranging from transportation to affordable housing to environmental protection.

The job of Orange County Mayor  currently held by Jerry Demings, who is term-limited in 2026  is the only comparably high-profile post in the region.

The Orlando mayors post pays $245,060 annually.

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Eskamani, in launching her bid so long before the election, will likely ward off at least some of the candidates thought to be eyeing the seat. Signaling her prominence in the regions progressive wing, she announced a slew of endorsements from local Democrats Monday, ranging from U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, to State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, to Tax Collector Scott Randolph, School Board Member Stephanie Vanos, Orange County Commissioner Kelly Semrad, and State Reps LaVon Bracy Davis and Johanna Lopez.

Obviously, being in an open race takes resources, she told reporters. My intention is to raise millions of dollars from grassroots supporters between now and 2027.

Although part of a small Democratic contingent in Floridas legislature, Eskamani has shown herself to be a formidable fundraiser. In her last campaign for State House, she raised $365,000 toward the race with only token opposition, and collected an additional $409,000 in her political committee People Power for Florida.

She said her initial platform consists of prioritizing transit, infrastructure, small business development downtown and addressing homelessness. She also favors broadening allowable uses for the Tourism Development Tax paid on hotel and short-term rental nights to be used on transportation.

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Those positions, and her support of like-minded candidates, have put her at odds with tourism and development interests in town  raising the possibility those groups would prefer a different candidate for mayor.

I suspect thats probably correct for at least some, if not many, of the development interests and growth interests in the city, said Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida. Jewett was a teacher of Eskamani as an undergraduate and when she pursued her PhD.

For her part, Eskamani said she hasnt taken contributions from Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World, and wouldnt in her mayoral bid.

Eskamani said Monday that she hadnt spoken to Dyer recently about her intention to run for mayor, but said they met three years ago and she told him then she planned to seek the post at some point in the future. She opted not to run against him in 2023 when he won about 73% of the vote.

rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani has filed to run to be the next Mayor of Orlando.

Eskamani plans to hold a news conference at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Orlando City Hall to discuss her announcement in more detail.

Eskamani, 34, has been actively involved in local politics since her first campaign in 2018.

Read: How a viral Instagram video boosted reservations at Omo by Jont

The decision to run for Mayor of Orlando comes after current Mayor Buddy Dyer announced that he is not planning to seek reelection after his term ends.

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Eskamani, a Democrat, says she has already received several endorsements, including those from Congressman Maxwell Frost, State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, and State Rep. LaVon Bracy.

Read: Young activists take on a government agency in a Florida climate lawsuit

Running for Mayor of my hometown is the honor of a lifetime, Eskamani said in a news release. Orlando is where I grew up, went to school, and started my first job. Its where my working-class immigrant parents saw an opportunity for their children and where I discovered my purpose after losing my mom to cancer at just 13 years old. In 2027, Orlando faces a pivotal moment. And with so much uncertainty at the national level, we need a people-centered leader with the courage to challenge the status quo and the vision to deliver bold, creative solutions to address our communitys everyday challenges - from homelessness and public safety to small business support and affordability. These issues are complex, but through grit, grace, and a relentless work ethic, I know I am the leader Orlando needs to move us forward into the future.

Channel 9 will have a crew at Eskamanis news conference and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




State Rep.-elect Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) (Contributed photo)

Eric Weaknecht is confident his experience in Berks County law enforcement will prove helpful in his new role as a legislator.

In 1984, he started his career as a deputy sheriff in the Berks County Sheriffs office and was elected Sheriff of Berks County in 2007. He has been re-elected four times and has also been an active member of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs Association, serving as secretary-treasurer since 2012.

State Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) has represented the 5th state House District for the past decade, but announced he was not seeking reelection in January.

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Weaknecht was the only Republican candidate on the primary ballot and defeated Democrat Heather Hanna in the general election to keep the seat red.

One of the things that I did as sheriff once I was elected was constituent services, he said. Opened up substations, opened up remote locations for people to renew their license to carry permits, I made it a lot easier to deal with us. And I think I can carry over to the state side with helping the people in the 5th Legislative District.

He said that since his office also enforced civil laws he will have insight on both criminal and civil legislation.

On his campaign website, Weaknecht lists a number of endorsements including the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA), the Berks County Chamber PAC, and Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC).

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Weaknecht says he has a track record of working with members of both parties on the Berks County Commissioners.

One of the things that I was very successful at was getting things accomplished as Sheriff, even with the Board of Commissioners, which are both Republican and Democrat here in Berks County, Weaknecht said. And I always worked with both to make sure that I would get what I needed as long as I could prove my case.

And a lot of people tell me that that could be a lot different in Harrisburg, he added.

This interview was lightly edited for length and clarity.

Capital-Star: Tell me a bit about your district and whats unique about it.

Weaknecht: The district is very large. Its the largest district in Berks County, as far as geographically. Its very rural, a lot of farming, a lot of small businesses.

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And I mean, just good, hard working people that want to be able to deal with a legislator that can help them with state issues, help them with passing laws that would benefit them, as far as regulations and stuff like that for their small businesses.

Capital-Star: What would you say is the most pressing issue facing your district right now?

Weaknecht: I would say the regulations that are being put on small businesses. When I was campaigning, I stopped at most of the small businesses in the district, and they all said the same thing that were like, if they want to expand, theres so much red tape and regulations that they got to deal with that theyre putting thousands of dollars out before they even get a yes or no on whether they can do an expansion.

Capital-Star: What would you say your top legislative priorities are? And what are the bills you would like to either introduce or support?

Weaknecht: Well, I think obviously the regulation issues would be my top concern. Its what I heard most on the campaign trail. Its what the voters asked me to do if I would get to Harrisburg. So that would be my top one.

Capital-Star: Are there other underlying issues that were also on voters minds when you talked to them?

Weaknecht: There is a lot of farming, and I know that the Farm Bureau, whenever I would meet with them, they have an actual list of legislative issues that they would like to see. So I would definitely be a voice for the agricultural community as well.
At the core of plaintiffs arguments to the court is the contention that the states school funding formula does not provide enough in per pupil funding to meet its obligations. (Jack Hollingsworth | Getty Images)

New Hampshires Supreme Court has long been clear: The state is constitutionally required to provide an adequate education to its resident students.

Now, the court is being asked to clarify that requirement. Last week, the court heard oral arguments in a pivotal case, Contoocook Valley School District v. State of New Hampshire, that could define whether the state is currently providing enough.

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The lawsuit has been brought by a group of school districts that say the current funding formula does not provide enough state funding for them to provide the bare minimum to run their schools without additional local funding, and that the shortfall is unconstitutional.

The three justices present Tuesday  Senior Associate Justice James Bassett and Associate Justices Patrick Donovan and Melissa Countway  asked pointed questions of both sides, making their leanings difficult to scrutinize.

Here are three takeaways from oral arguments:

Plaintiffs: $4,100 per student is not sufficient

At the core of plaintiffs arguments to the court is the contention that the states school funding formula does not provide enough in per pupil funding to meet its obligations.

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Currently, for those school districts that are not able to raise enough revenue from the statewide education property tax, the state provides about $4,100 per student, and additional aid for students that are lower income, have special education needs, or are English language learners.

But when the ConVal case went to trial, plaintiffs presented expert analysis suggesting that $4,100 does not come close to covering what is needed for an adequate education  the bare minimum to meet the states needs. Instead, the number is closer to $10,000, the analyses found.

The analyses helped drive the Rockingham County Superior Courts ruling in November 2023 that the $4,100 base adequacy amount should be raised to at least $7,356 per pupil. In that ruling, Judge David Ruoff noted that the minimum threshold he was setting was likely not enough to actually provide an adequate education, but that it was intended to be an absolute floor.

This month, the attorney for the plaintiffs, Michael Tierney, argued to the Supreme Court that the superior courts ruling was correct and rooted in accurate numbers .

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The overwhelming evidence is that the states funding of base adequacy is woefully inadequate, Tierney said. It doesnt even come close.

The state has disputed those analyses, arguing they are incomplete because they included only the base adequacy funding in their determinations and excluded the other sources of state funding for schools  including aid for students with special education needs and lower income students.

Plaintiffs counter that pegging the analyses to base adequacy payments is appropriate because the case is focused on whether the state is providing enough funding to meet its constitutional obligations for all students, and the base adequacy formula is the only relevant metric.

State: Cost should be limited to whats required in statute

Central to the states contention that the superior courts ruling was wrong is the idea that Ruoff went too far in his definition of what the state should be funding at all.

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Senior Assistant Attorney General Anthony Galdieri argued that the question of what the state is constitutionally required to fund has already been answered by the Legislature in statute.

Back in 2006, the Supreme Court held in Londonderry School District v. State of New Hampshire that the states school funding statutes at the time failed to define what constitutes an adequate education, and directed the Legislature to do so.

In response, lawmakers passed language in RSA 193-E:2-a that lays out the subject areas that school districts must provide  from English to physical education  and directs lawmakers and the State Board of Education to approve detailed rules to specify what those content requirements should entail.

That is the statute that courts must use to determine whether New Hampshire is fulfilling its school funding obligations, Galdieri argued last week. Anything not specified is extraneous and not constitutionally necessary, he added.

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Defining adequacy strictly by that statute would mean the state is on the hook only for expenses directly related to providing those educational programs. That would exclude transportation costs, administrative costs like superintendent salaries, and building expenses, Galdieri said.

The court needs to recognize that when the Legislature is going to define this and it has a mandate from this court that says whatever you define, you pay for, and a trial court comes in and says, Well, were going to read into that all the things needed to operationalize a school  it does not come from the plain text of these statutes, he said.

The plaintiffs strongly disputed that interpretation and countered that schools need to have those services in order to provide a meaningfully adequate education.

It was something that all of the witnesses, both from the districts as well as the state witnesses, agreed: that both factually and lawfully, all of those components need to be provided in order for districts to provide education in math or science or English or whatever the other subject areas are listed in statute, Tierney said. Those things  a heated building, transportation, principals for every 500 students  thats both factually required in order to have a school and its also lawfully required by the laws of the state.

The big question: Is intervention appropriate for the court?

A broader argument made by the state is that the Rockingham County Superior Court should not have waded into the arena of setting a minimum level for school funding at all.

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Galdieri said the states separation of powers should prevent the courts from directing funding levels from the Legislature. For that reason, the plaintiffs case should be found nonjusticiable, Galdieri said.

And he said while state courts have in the past required the Legislature to pass laws increasing the states contributions to education, the court has never dictated how lawmakers should do it. In his ruling last year, Ruoff had improperly done so, Galdieri said.

The danger of this decision is it effectively constitutionalizes the concept of base adequacy, he said.

Galdieri added: The danger with that is if the court goes ahead and constitutionalizes that  essentially, the Legislature is hamstrung.

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But Tierney rejected the idea that the superior court had violated the separation of powers doctrine. The court merely set a floor for funding, but still provided lawmakers flexibility, he argued.

The trial court did not order the Legislature to take one option or another, he said  The order made very clear that all options are open to the Legislature, but what is not open to the Legislature is to continue to underfund at less than $7,356 per pupil.
NEW YORK  Former Trump administration Cabinet member Steve Bannon suggested to a fired-up gathering of MAGA youth that the President-elect should seek a third term in 2028.

Speaking at the 112th New York Young Republican Club gala, Bannon said hed discussed Trump running for a fourth time in the next presidential election with a prominent Trump-world lawyer and believes thats a possibility regardless of the wording in the U.S. Constitution.

Since it doesnt actually say consecutive ... I dont know, maybe we do it again in 28? he proposed Sunday. Are you guys down for that? Trump 28?

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The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, makes no mention of consecutive terms.

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, it stipulates. And no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

Bannon was released from prison days before the 2024 election. He spent four months behind bars for defying subpoenas from the Jan. 6 House committee investigating the 2021 attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters falsely claiming President Bidens win in 2020 was not legitimate.

Bannon, 70, falsely claimed Sunday that Trump has won three elections.

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The War Room host conceded on his podcast in May that the federal government would have to act nearly in unison to repeal the 22nd Amendment, which is highly unlikely, according to Politico.

Trump, 78, has flirted with the idea of running again in 2028, though it doesnt appear to be something hes approached seriously. Vice President-elect JD Vance, 40, is regarded by some Republicans as an early contender to lead the party once Trump is out of office.

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BRATISLAVA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The European Union have approved a six-month extension of Slovakia's exemption on exporting oil products derived from Russian oil to the Czech Republic, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar announced on Monday.

The extension was unanimously approved at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.

Slovakia remains heavily reliant on Russian oil supplies due to a lack of viable alternatives. Blanar said in a ministry statement that the exemption is crucial for the Bratislava refinery, Slovnaft, which supplies oil products to the Czech Republic and provides diesel for purchase in Ukraine.

According to Eurostat, crude oil imports from Russia in Slovakia averaged 448.68 thousand tonnes per month during the period from 2008 until 2024, reaching an all-time high of 589.97 thousand tonnes in August 2023 and a record low of 68.55 thousand tonnes in June 2024.

The previous exemption, approved in December 2023, was valid through Dec. 5, 2024. 
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A local school celebrated the life of a late educator in a long-lasting way.

Highland Park High School unveiled a new bench to honor the late Mrs. Joyce Martin that was paid for through donations to the school on Friday, Dec. 13. The bench will sit in the library where she taught for eight years.

During her 22 years with the district, she made a strong impact on thousands of readers.

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She wanted people to read, she wanted individuals to remind themselves, that they are worthy and that anything they touch will turn to gold, daughter and organizer Royce Martin said.

Local gift shopping, carriage rides and more! How Emporia Main Street is ringing in the holiday season

The bench is painted purple after Martins favorite color.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
It turns out we can have our cake and eat it, too.

Contrary to widely held beliefs about economic prosperity and the planet's health, you can have growing economies and a healthy planet at the same time, Earth.com reported.

A recent study published by researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany examined trends of air pollution and economic growth levels across 1,500 subnational regions, which comprise 85% of harmful carbon pollution globally.

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The study found that countries can continue experiencing economic growth while cutting back on harmful carbon pollution. The study authors describe this process as "decoupling." Decoupling is the unlinking of economic success from what was thought to be inevitable, harmful pollution output.

"Thirty percent of regions  have fully decoupled, with higher-income and historically carbon-intensive regions exhibiting higher rates of decoupling," the study reads.

This decoupling trend is highly encouraging for achieving global climate goals  curbing levels of air pollution and limiting the increase of the warming of the planet by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the study also emphasized the need for the trend to pick up pace.

"If recent rates of  decoupling continue, less than half of subnational regions would reach" global climate goals by 2050, the study projected.

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The study highlighted successfully decoupled European Union countries with implemented climate policies. The study suggested that regions may achieve greater success in decoupling and reaching climate goals if governments reinforce climate goal priorities through effective climate policies.

Transitioning to a lower carbon economy is a way of developing responsibly in the modern world while preserving the planet. This shift also creates new industries, jobs, and innovative technology.

For example, one Chinese scientist proposed an innovative solution to transform the world's stretches of highways into solar power-producing fields.

Carbon-negative cement could revolutionize the future of the construction and building industry. NZero, a tech startup, is developing data-supported innovative technology for estimating building pollution in communities.

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Countries can have economic prosperity and demonstrate climate responsibility.

"This decoupling is a significant breakthrough," the author of the Earth.com article wrote.

To meet global climate goals by 2025, "All levels of government need to step up, and developed countries in particular should increase their efforts and investment in the energy transition in the countries of the global south," study co-author Max Kotz commented, per Earth.com.

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.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  A Sullivan County man was arrested on dozens of sexual exploitation of a minor charges after an investigation.

According to the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office (SCSO), detectives from Des Moines, Iowa reached out with information about an undercover operation. The Iowa detectives told the SCSO that agents posing as an underage girl had acquired the Facebook username and information of a suspect in Sullivan County.

Man who shot, stabbed girlfriend pleads guilty to attempted murder in Carter Co.

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Jeremy Hale, 45, of Fordtown Road, was identified as the suspect.

The SCSO reports that Hale asked who he thought was an underage girl to send him videos and photos of herself in situations over chats. Hale also allegedly sent a picture of himself in the chat.

The sheriffs office obtained search warrants for Hales Facebook and Google accounts, and he was also interviewed by the SCSO.

A grand jury returned and indictment, and Hale was arrested Monday morning.

According to the SCSO, Hale was charged with the following:

28 counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor

Aggravated statutory rape

Exploitation of a minor by electronic means

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As of Monday afternoon, Hale was being held in the Sullivan County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Since SunRail trains first rolled down the tracks more than a decade ago, advocates have dreamed of connecting the train line to the massive Orlando International Airport, which sees nearly 60 million passengers a year.

The planned Sunshine Corridor also would extend all the way to Disney Springs, making it possible to go from theme parks to airport gates without joining the crush of traffic on area roads.

But now, a critical hurdle for Central Floridas transportation future has finally arrived:

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The region must come together to pay for a $6 million study that demonstrates the Sunshine Corridor is worth its now-estimated $4.4 billion cost.

The need for consensus comes as local governments, as of Jan. 1, take over from the state the operations and maintenance of the existing, money-losing 49-mile SunRail route. While they may be worried about those costs, regional leaders will need strong persuasion to convince an incoming Trump administration to make a multi-billion federal investment in mass transit for the Orlando area.

The airport is the most critical connection, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel Thursday, as he recited his pitch. I know a lot of people, who probably never use SunRail, that would use SunRail simply to go to the airport.

So far, the city of Orlando has agreed to pitch in $500,000 toward the project, development and environment study  more commonly known as a PD&E. The Florida Department of Transportation  which will oversee the study  said it will kick in $2 million.

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Now, the onus is on Osceola, Seminole, Volusia and Orange counties, whose leaders mostly back the Sunshine Corridor, but have yet to commit to any funding for the PD&E study.

The two-year comprehensive analysis will consider track alignments, environmental impacts and community support. Without such a study, it would be impossible to apply for federal funding, Dyer said.

In effect, that would mean local governments would have to find a way to raise billions of dollars to build the Sunshine Corridor entirely without federal help; build only portions of it; or nix the project entirely.

Brett Blackadar, deputy director of public works for Orange County, called the Sunshine Corridor a critical project to help alleviate congestion in the tourist corridor, which is expected to grow with Universals new theme park Epic Universe set to open in May.

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More than 100,000 residents work in the area around the airport and theme parks along the corridor.

We see this [Sunshine Corridor link] moving around a lot of service workers around, especially those that already rely on public transportation, Blackadar said.

Orange is currently in discussions with the state DOT to contribute its $500,000 share of the PD&E study, he said.

Seminole County commissioners in April 2023 voiced support for the Sunshine Corridor and agreed to back any studies. But county officials have yet to decide how much to contribute toward the PD&E, although some have spoken enthusiastically about the corridor project.

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You wont have to drive your car to the airport ever again if you dont choose to. And thats huge, said Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart, who lives near Sanford.

Volusia County spokesman Clayton Jackson said Thursday the county staff recently received a letter from the state about contributing to the Sunshine Corridor.

But county leaders have not yet had the opportunity to discuss it, he said.

Osceola County also is in discussions with FDOT over its contribution. But at a Dec. 2 meeting, commissioners hesitated to fund the study after voicing concerns over the funding that will be needed to meet the Sunshine Corridors construction and maintenance costs. The issue is expected to return to the commission next month.

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You do the PD&E, but then what goes on from there? Commissioner Peggy Choudhry said Dec. 2. What is going to be our expectation . for future funding?

It is possible private funders will may step in if the five governments along the SunRail are unable to come up with the money, Blackadar said.

Anxious for the project to succeed, Universal in 2022, for example, donated 13 acres of land for a SunRail station at the Orange County Convention Center along the Sunshine Corridor.

The theme park giant also partnered with the I-Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce, which says the Sunshine Corridor has support from the areas businesses.

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We have a private-public partnership working together, and thats what it takes, said I-Drive Chamber President Maria Triscari.

In 2023, Orange County  with the chambers support  approved a special taxing district for the donated Universal land.

That is a mechanism that will generate funds, Triscari said.

Another likely source of funding is Brightline, which announced plans to extend its service, which reached the Orlando International Airport just over a year ago, to Tampa.

The Sunshine Corridor proposal would have SunRail sharing with Brightline about 12 miles of track  from the airport to the Convention Center, then to the South International Drive tourist area and eventually to Disney Springs. From there, Brightline trains continue to Tampa.

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John Tyler, the state DOT secretary for the Central Florida district, said the Sunshine Corridor could be built in stages, and he presented several options.

One shows a SunRail link from the Lynx Central station in downtown Orlando, heading south before making a sharp turn east just north of Meadow Woods and going straight to the airport. That would cost just under $400 million to build and serve an estimated 3.7 million riders within the first year.

A more expensive option would make an estimated $2.4 billion connection between the airport and the Convention Center. That would draw an estimated 4.4 million riders within the first year.

The longest route, to Disney Springs, would cost up to $4.4 billion and have an estimated 6.4 million passengers the first year.

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This is a very expensive project when you add up all of the costs to get all the way to Disney Springs, Tyler said. But youre also going to have a dramatic result in the ridership of SunRail. Just by connecting to the airport, youre tripling what youre seeing now for ridership.  It will deliver profound results.

Dyer said hes optimistic about gaining the support of the Trump administration. President-elect Trump has selected former Wisconsin congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy to lead the U.S. Transportation Department. That said, he has also tasked business mogul Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy with looking into how to cut trillions in federal spending.

We have to do more about mass transit for places other than New York and Chicago, Dyer said. For places like Central Florida, we cant build too many more roads.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court turned back an appeal Monday from Peter Navarro, the former White House official who is set to return in Donald Trump's second term after serving prison time on contempt of Congress charges.

The court declined to hear the appeal in a brief order without explanation, as is typical. It comes after the Justice Department sued Navarro, saying he had retained presidential records on an unofficial email account he used during his previous White House tenure under Trump.

The government says the records must be turned over to the National Archives. Lower courts have agreed, but Navarro argues that the Presidential Records Act doesnt allow the federal government to search email accounts and retrieve records. He indicated in court documents that he expects to file additional appeals in the case.

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Navarro served as a trade adviser during Trump's first term. A longtime critic of trade arrangements with China, he has been named senior counselor for trade and manufacturing for the incoming administration.

Navarro served a four-month prison sentence after being found guilty of misdemeanor charges for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

He is also appealing his conviction in that case, maintaining he couldnt cooperate with the House committee because Trump had invoked executive privilege.

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon also served prison time after being convicted of misdemeanor contempt of Congress charges.
The Supreme Court declined Monday to take up an appeal from conservative states challenging Californias ability to establish strict vehicle emission rules that effectively set the standard for the rest of the nation.

The move, which effectively leaves in place a lower court ruling that upheld those regulations, comes days after the court agreed to hear a narrow slice of the fight: Whether fuel companies have standing to sue over the regulations.

Given Californias size, automakers have for decades hewed to that states tighter emissions controls, which are permitted under a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency. The states and fuel groups argued in their Supreme Court appeal that the arrangement is unlawful.

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The Supreme Court on Monday shut down the appeal from the states. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas said he would have taken up the EPA case but did not explain why.

What remains of the legal dispute could be upended anyway when President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month. In 2019, the first Trump administration rolled back Californias decades-old waiver that had allowed it to set its own air pollution standards. The Biden administration reinstated the waiver in 2022.

California has moved faster than the EPA toward an all-electric vehicle future. The states air regulators voted in 2022 to set stringent rules banning the sale of new gasoline cars by 2035 and put interim targets in place to phase the cars out.

What California decides has major implications for the US car market given the size of the states economy and the fact that more than a dozen other states have followed its lead. In contrast to California, the Biden EPA has put in more forgiving vehicle emissions standards, allowing plug-in hybrids  vehicles that combine gas engines and EV-like batteries  to play a big role in the electric transition, along with EVs.

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But the Biden administration pointed to a decision from an appeals court in Washington, DC, earlier this year that dismissed most of the case, finding that the plaintiffs lacked the ability to sue. Thats partly because, the court reasoned, car manufacturers are increasingly moving toward electric vehicles on their own based on market demand, not government regulations.

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The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a religious freedom case for the first time in nearly two years.

The case, Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission, raises questions about access to faith-based tax breaks and how government officials define religion, as the Deseret News previously reported.

When the justices hear oral arguments in the case this spring, they will end a streak of religion-free argument sessions that began in late April 2023.

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And the court might not be done considering religious freedom questions. There are at least six religion cases on the Supreme Courts doorstep right now.

Heres an overview of the key questions raised in each one.

Religion cases on the cusp

Apache Stronghold v. United States

Key question: If the government allows copper mining in Oak Flat, a site thats sacred to the Western Apaches and other Native American groups, will it violate religious freedom protections?

Lower court ruling: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Apache Stronghold, determining that the destruction of Oak Flat does not constitute a substantial burden on religious freedom under the law.

Status: Apache Stronghold has been up for discussion at two of the justices private conferences this month, but the court has not yet announced whether it will hear the case.

Diocese of Albany v. Harris

Key question: New York requires employers to cover abortion care in company health plans, and some religious organizations arent eligible for the religious exemption. Does New York need to expand its exemption to ensure it covers Catholic ministries?

Lower court ruling: The New York Supreme Court upheld the states narrow religious exemption.

Status: Justices have received briefs from attorneys on both sides of the battle, but they have not yet scheduled the case for discussion in a private conference.

Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond

Key question: The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board wants to partner with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Charter School. Would providing public money to a faith-based charter school violate the First Amendment?

Lower court ruling: The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against the charter school board, determining that providing state funding to the Catholic school would violate the establishment clause.

Status: The case has not yet been weighed during a private conference, although the justices have briefs from both sets of attorneys.

Hittle v. City of Stockton

Key question: Ron Hittle lost his job as a fire chief in Stockton, California, after attending a leadership conference at a Christian church. Does his firing constitute wrongful termination and religious discrimination?

Lower court ruling: Hittle lost in front of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which said it did not see evidence of discrimination.

Status: The citys response brief is due Dec. 16. Once its filed, the justices can discuss taking up the case at one of their private conferences.

Mahmoud v. Taylor

Key question: A public school district in Maryland uses books that promote LGBTQ rights in its classrooms, and it does not allow parents to review the books or opt their kids out of the lessons. Does that approach violate religious families free speech and free exercise rights?

Lower court ruling: The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the religious parents who challenged the school districts policies.

Status: The justices wont hold a conference on the case until they receive a response brief from school officials. The brief is due Dec. 18.

Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections

Key question: The Louisiana Department of Corrections shaved Damon Landors dreadlocks, ignoring his religious freedom claim. Can he sue for damages under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA, even though hes no longer imprisoned?

Lower court ruling: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that former prisoners like Landor cant seek relief using RLUIPA.

Status: After debating whether to take the case during their Sept. 30 conference, the justices invited the U.S. solicitor general to submit a brief on the legal issues involved on Oct. 7. The case has not progressed since then.

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If one or more of these religion cases are taken up by the court by early January, the case or cases will likely be scheduled for oral arguments in April, when the justices will wrap up the oral arguments portion of the current term.

Cases taken up later likely wont be heard until next fall.

Petition denied

The Supreme Court has already turned down one religious freedom case: Young Israel of Tampa v. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority.

The justices announced on Oct. 7, the first oral arguments day of the current term, that they would not consider that case, which pitted a Jewish organization against a public transportation system.

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Young Israel of Tampa argued that the transit authoritys policy against promoting religious content amounted to religious discrimination, while Hillsborough officials said the policy ensured fairness and reduced entanglement between the government and religious organizations.

Although Young Israel scored a partial victory in front of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, it had pursued a broader win by asking the Supreme Court to consider bans on faith-related advertising in general.
(Bloomberg) -- Former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin must stand trial on bribery charges after the US Supreme Court refused to dismiss three counts alleging he took corrupt campaign donations from a real estate developer.

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The high court made no comment in rejecting Benjamins appeal, which contended that a federal indictment needed to lay out an explicit agreement to exchange official actions for campaign contributions.

Prosecutors say that in 2019 Benjamin, then a state senator, allocated $50,000 in state funds to a nonprofit group controlled by real estate developer Gerald Migdol. Soon afterward, Migdol allegedly gave $25,000 to Benjamins campaign for New York City controller and began arranging for additional small-dollar contributions.

Benjamin was indicted in April 2022, less than a year after Governor Kathy Hochul appointed him as lieutenant governor. He stepped down from the post the day the charges were announced.

Had it been successful, Benjamins Supreme Court appeal could have upended three of the five counts he faces. He is also accused of two counts of falsifying records.

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A federal trial judged tossed out the three charges but the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated them in March. The appeals court said that under a 2016 Supreme Court ruling, a so-called quid pro quo agreement need not be expressly stated but may be inferred from the officials and the payors words and actions.

The case is Benjamin v. United States, 24-142.

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SANAA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement on Monday that they have launched a "hypersonic missile" toward Israel, hitting a military target in Tel Aviv.

"In support to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, we carried out a military operation targeting a military target of the Israeli enemy in the occupied Jaffa area with a hypersonic ballistic missile," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement, referring to Tel Aviv.

"The operation has successfully achieved its objectives," he claimed.

The Houthi group "will continue to carry out more military operations against Israel," he said, adding that "these operations will not stop until the aggression on Gaza is stopped and the siege is lifted."

Earlier in the day, Israeli media reported that sirens sounded in Tel Aviv after a rocket was fired from Yemen.

Also on Monday, two Yemeni government military sources told Xinhua that the U.S.-British coalition launched a missile strike at a mobile rocket launcher of the Houthis in the area of Bahis in northwestern Yemen's Hajjah province, off the Red Sea.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV has confirmed the strike but said it was carried out by a fighter jet of the coalition.

On Sunday, the Houthi military authorities said that the U.S. and British aircraft have conducted "a new aggression" against targets in the adjacent province of Hodeidah. Medics told Xinhua at least five Houthi fighters were killed and seven others wounded in the strike.

The U.S. side has yet to comment on these alleged strikes.

Since November 2023, the Houthi group has been conducting missile and drone attacks on what it said were "Israeli-linked" ships in regional waters and beyond, as well as targets in Israel, to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid their conflict with Israelis.

In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the region has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group. 
The Supreme Court will not consider throwing out bribery charges against New Yorks former lieutenant governor, allowing his case to move forward.

Ex-New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin (D) was in 2022 charged with five counts, including bribery and honest services wire fraud. Prosecutors said he worked to direct a $50,000 state-funded grant to a real estate developers organization in exchange for campaign contributions.

A federal judge dismissed three of the five counts after finding that Benjamins indictment failed to allege an explicit quid pro quo, but a panel of three appellate judges revived those charges after reaching the opposite conclusion.

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Benjamin asked the justices to affirm the trial courts ruling, contending that prosecutors sought to elide the distinction between bribery and democracy by casting contributions to a candidate aligned with a constituents interests as evidence of improper influence.

Time and again, this Court has intervened when government overreach threatens to chill political activity that is core to our democracy and protected by the First Amendment, read Benjamins petition to the justices. This case presents an extreme example of that overreach, in an area of law that demands clarity yet has become perilously muddled.

The government said that since Benjamins case is ongoing, the justices should deny his petition, in addition to the fact that the high court has repeatedly denied other cases presenting the same issue.

It should do the same here, wrote U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar.

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The Supreme Courts decision not to hear the case comes despite its ruling this summer narrowing the scope of what can be considered an illegal gratuity to a government official, which made it tougher to prosecute federal officials for accepting bribes.

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The U.S. Supreme Court will not review the important environmental case of Ohio vs. EPA, letting stand a Circuit Court decision widely seen as a win for Californias ability to set its own environmental standards, such as the Advanced Clean Trucks rule.

As per most instances in which the Supreme Court denies a request for a full court review, there was no further comment Monday on the courts reasoning. However, according to the SCOTUS Blog, Justice Clarence Thomas indicated that he would have granted the states petition for review.

The action by the Supreme Court comes just days after a decision by the court to grant review of another case that could impact the ability of California to be granted environmental waivers by the Environmental Protection Agency.

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However, getting the Supreme Court to consider that case, Diamond Alternative Energy vs. EPA, is not seen as significant a victory for the forces pushing back against EPAs waiver power as it would have been had the justices chosen to take up Ohio vs. EPA.

According to Prasad Sharma, a partner with the trucking-focused Scopelitis law firm, a key argument in the Ohio case  rejected by the District of Columbia Circuit earlier this year  was that section 209 of the Clean Air Act, giving the EPA the ability to grant California environmental waivers, was unconstitutional. Had the court granted certiorari and later overturned the lower court, Sharma said, it would have had a very broad and sweeping impact. It was that D.C. Circuit decision that Ohio was asking the Supreme Court to review.

The issue the court will take up in Diamond Alternative  a biofuels subsidiary of petroleum refining giant Valero (NYSE: VLO)  is a narrower question of whether Diamond and other petroleum interests have legal standing to challenge the EPAs power to grant Californias Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) regulation waiver.

Diamond Alternatives challenge is to a waiver granted by EPA to California in connection with the ACC. That is the regulation that is part of the states push to move away from petroleum-based transportation, an effort that includes the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rules as parallel regulations in trucking. As its name suggests, ACC is focused on personal automobiles.

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A waiver request for ACF, submitted by the California Air Resources Board last year, is now before the EPA. The ACT already has its EPA waiver.

Sharma said if Diamond Alternative were to prevail when the Supreme Court takes up the issue, the case would go back to the District of Columbia Circuit for a determination on the merits of whether EPAs grant of the waiver was unlawful. That case, and the Supreme Courts decision on the redressability component of standing, could significantly impact a pending challenge to EPAs grant of a waiver for the ACT rule, which is also before the D.C. Circuit.

(There are numerous definitions online of redressability. This legal website describes it as the ability of a plaintiff to show that it suffered harm as a result of the incident or government action that is the focus of the lawsuit.)

Reed Sirak, an environmental attorney with the Benesch law firm, disputed that the Diamond case was notably less significant than Ohio vs. EPA.

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It is a potentially big deal because it would increase the ability of third parties that are not challenging the implementation of a rule to survive the standing test, Sirak said.

The Advanced Clean Cars rule is directed at automobile manufacturers. But Diamond is a fuel provider.

If Diamond is granted standing by a Supreme Court decision, it will make it easier for third parties that arent automobile companies to challenge future waivers.

The plaintiff in the pending ACT lawsuit is the Western States Trucking Association. Just before Christmas last year, its challenge to the ACT was held in abeyance while Ohio vs. EPA was adjudicated.

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Having the arguments of Ohio and other states in Ohio vs. EPA be heard and then accepted at the Supreme Court, Sharma said, would have been a much more crippling blow to the Clean Air Act structure and Californias unique authority under the act.

Alice Henderson, in a blog post published by the Environmental Defense Fund, celebrated the decision not to grant review. Henderson is the director and lead counsel for transportation and clean air at the EDF.

Californias clean car standards have successfully helped reduce the dangerous soot, smog, and climate pollution that put all people at risk, while also turbocharging clean technologies and job creation, she said. EPAs decision to grant California this preemption waiver is based on a rock-solid legal foundation and decades of precedent, and it ensures vital clean air protections for millions of people.

Another case that challenges the Clean Air Act waiver power is before the D.C. Circuit: Texas vs. EPA. Its complex legal challenge to EPAs power is considered by some legal observers as more extensive than what would have occurred had Ohio prevailed in its lawsuit.

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The post Supreme Court wont review Ohio case, boosting Californias emissions rules appeared first on FreightWaves.
DENVER (KDVR)  The survivor of the Nov. 23 crash of a Civil Air Patrol plane told investigators that the lead-up and subsequent plane crash happened within seconds, according to a newly released report.

The crash occurred near Storm Mountain on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Larimer County, and killed Susan Wolber, the pilot; and Jay Rhoten, the aerial photographer.

Womans death under investigation west of Jamestown, appears suspicious per police

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A third person, Randall Settergen, was on board as a mission observer. He sustained serious injuries and was airlifted from the scene, which was noted in GPS coordinates in the federal report, to a hospital for medical treatment.

The trio were on the flight to conduct aerial photography of the area for the Red Cross, which would be used for emergency response purposes, according to the National Transportation Safety Boards report. In November, Gov. Jared Polis identified the victims of the plane crash and noted that they were volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol, a nonprofit and auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft was part of the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron.

NTSB report details recollections of crash survivor

The NTSB report details an interview of Settergen, who is not named in the report.

Settergen told the NTSB that the photography mission had been completed, and the pilot was flying to the south of the mission area. He said that he believed the pilot was returning to the Northern Colorado Regional Airport located in Loveland.

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He said what happened next only took seconds.

He said he heard the pilot say Oh (expletive) and then saw the pilot lower the planes nose and start to turn.

Flight takes kids to visit Santa at North Pole scene in transformed Denver airport hangar

He stated that the airplane seemed to drop, and that the airplane encountered a downdraft, the report states. He heard the airplane hitting trees, and the next thing he remembered was being on the ground.

Settergen told the NTSB that he tried to help the photographer and pilot because he was worried about a possible fire. Because of the plane crash, the mission observers cell phone dialed 911 and connected him with a dispatcher.

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He was then rescued by a helicopter and said the flight nurse made a comment that the winds were swirling during the rescue, according to the report.

Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Larimer County on Nov. 23, 2024. (SkyFOX) Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Larimer County on Nov. 23, 2024. (SkyFOX) Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Larimer County on Nov. 23, 2024. (SkyFOX) Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Larimer County on Nov. 23, 2024. (SkyFOX)

Settergen told investigators that the plane operated normally throughout the entire flight, and communications between the crew and the Civil Air Patrol base were also normal, with no radio or distress calls from the pilot.

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The plane ultimately crashed on a steep slope in rough mountainous terrain, causing difficulty for rescue workers and investigators. According to the NTSB report, all sections of the airplane were found within the accident area. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further detailed examination.

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U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, (center) speaks with disaster survivors during a press conference in Washinton, D.C. on Dec. 11, 2024. (Courtesy Photo)

Disaster survivors from across the nation gathered in Washington, D.C., last week to demand a swifter, more comprehensive federal disaster recovery effort.

Survivors from Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana shared concerns about the speed and manner in which Congress has handled recent recovery efforts.

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Im hear to talk about the urgency in which my community needs Congress to act, said Jon Council, a disaster relief coordinator with Down Home North Carolina.

Were just over two months out from the storm, and we have people falling through the cracks of the official relief effort, folks who are underinsured with little to no safety net, he continued. Our people are living in RVs, tents, uninsulated homes that cannot be winterized.

Council noted that parts of western North Carolina had single-digit temperatures, high winds and snow last week.

Many people who are still in their homes are currently not able to heat them due to lost wages and other financial circumstances, Council said.

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Full recovery is impossible without government assistance, Council said.

We need Congress to act now before any more time or lives are lost to the wash of bureaucracy, Council said. We need the funding now before our folks are force to endure more hardships and potential loss of life and livelihood at the hands of a brutal winter.

Spotlighting a key federal disaster recovery program

The press conference came as Congress considers measures to fund the government.

Meanwhile, communities impacted by storms and wildfires in 2023 and 2024 are pressuring lawmakers to find a way to fund a faster and more effective recovery system.

Survivors, for example, are demanding the permanent authorization and full funding of HUDs Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. When the president declares a major disaster, Congress may appropriate CDBG-DR funds to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD if significant needs are unmet for long-term recovery.

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Permanent authorization and full funding for CDBG-DR would help to fill the gaps left by short-term Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid and insufficient insurance payouts, the survivors said. It would also ensure that rebuilding funds are available when they are needed mostnot years after the fact, they said.

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, has called on Congress to use the disaster aid bill to improve the federal disaster recovery response, including permanently authorizing the CDBG-DR program. Schatz and other supporters of the move contend the lack of permanent authorization delays vital resources from reaching disaster-impacted communities and households.

Every time Congress approves funds for the program to address specific disasters, HUD must publish a unique set of program requirements, which slows down the flow of funds to those in need, critics of the current process, they say.

In October, Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman highlighted the vital role CDBG-DR funding plays in disaster recovery in a letter to the Houses and Senates Appropriation Committees Subcommittees on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies.

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While the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Disaster Relief Fund supports emergency response and repair efforts and the Small Business Administrations Disaster Loans provide relief to business owners, non-profits, homeowners and renters, CDBG-DR offers flexible support for remaining unmet recovery needs for housing, infrastructure, and economic development, Todman wrote. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is working diligently to develop needs estimates from the recent hurricanes given the critical role CDBG-DR and other Federal relief programs play in community recovery.

The survivors want any new programs retroactively available for all disaster survivors since 2021.

It was powerful to hear from so many today about the need for leaders to step up and do the jobs we were sent here to do so that FEMA remains fully funded and that disaster survivors have the support they need so that no one has to wait for help to rebuild their homes and lives after catastrophic events, said U.S. Senator Andy Kim, D-New Jersey.

Kim said that some New Jersey residents are still working to recover from Superstorm Sandy (2012) and Hurricane Ida (2021) years after they occurred.

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There is so much to be done at the federal level to help communities across the country as we see a worsening climate crisis and severe natural disasters occurring at an increasingly alarming rate, Kim said.

The federal government must take care of citizens when disasters strike, Kim said.

You deserve to have the support that you need to rebuild your lives, Kim said. Thats so critical and I want you to know we stand with you on that.

A growing need

The nation must also come to grips with whether its prepared for future disasters, Kim said.

No, were not [prepared], Kim said. What are we doing? This shouldnt be hard. We should be taking the steps to make our country more resilient by fixing these broken processes that you all helped expose.

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Jim Mangino with the New Jersey Organizing Project, a grassroots organization fighting for a fair recovery in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida lost a home, a business and part-time job after Sandy.

CDBG-DR funding helped his family to fully recover, Mangino said.

Me, my wife and our two young daughters fought eight years to get home, and we made it because that funding [CDBG-DR] to get across the finish line, Mangino said.

He said most survivors attending Wednesdays press conference hadnt received CDBG-DR funding and still havent been made whole.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-NJ, said CDBG-DR funding is the program that is more likely to make you whole and to allow for rebuilding.

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Thats something that would kind of bridge the gap, so we dont have to constantly have these supplementals, Pallone. The authorization would be there for a plan to deal with the disaster, rather than having to  you still have to pass the money  but you wouldnt have to pass the authorization every time.

Pallone said the federal individual assistance program must be reformed as well as the federal flood insurance program.

Were hoping that it will be extended as part of the continuing resolution for the period of time until March, but that needs to be totally revised. There has to be a cap on the on the annual premium because its too high.

Several survivors of the 2023 Lahaina fire on the island of Maui also called on Congress to fully fund the CDBG-DR program.

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The fire that destroyed my familys home has left us and countless others grappling with skyrocketing rents, dwindling resources, and an uncertain future, said Krizhna Bayudan, a survivor of the Lahaina Fire and an organizer with the Hawaii Worker Center. CDBG-DR funding is critical to filling the gaps left by FEMA and insurance companies, providing rent assistance, and giving families like mine the chance to rebuild with dignity and hope.

Like SC Daily Gazette, NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Rob Schofield for questions: info@ncnewsline.com.
Deck Brewer Jr. appeared in court Monday for the first time since his indictment in the 1980 kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of 25-year-old Susan Leigh Wolfe.

Using DNA evidence, Austin police earlier this year identified Brewer as a likely culprit in the 44-year-old cold case, and an arrest warrant for him was issued in August. At the time, Brewer was incarcerated in Massachusetts for an unrelated crime. He was extradited and booked into the Travis County Jail about a month later, jail records show.

Last week, a grand jury charged Brewer with both murder and capital murder, since the offense occurred during an aggravated sexual assault, according to the indictment. Its unclear whether the case will go to trial.

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At Mondays hearing, Brewers court-appointed attorney, Jon Evans, wheeled his 78-year-old client into the courtroom at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center. Brewer spoke so softly during the hearing that the judge asked him to speak up to state his name.

As Brewer rested his head on his palm, Evans told state District Judge Brandy Mueller that Brewer was unwell but did not go into detail. Evans could not be reached for comment after the hearing.

Wolfe

Travis County prosecutors said they would seek life in prison for the capital murder charge plus additional jail time for the secondary murder charge.

Brewer and another person who has not been identified are accused of kidnapping Wolfe, a University of Texas nursing student, about 10 p.m. Jan. 9, 1980, while she was walking home from a friends house in the North Loop area. A witness to the kidnapping said a car approached Wolfe and the driver embraced her in a bear hug and covered her head before forcing her inside the car. The witness also saw a passenger in the car. Wolfes body was found the next day in an alley in East Austin. She had been sexually assaulted, strangled and shot in the head.

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At the next hearing Jan. 27, the defense and prosecution will present evidence gathered during discovery.

Anyone with information about Wolfe's killing is asked to contact the cold case unit at 512-974-5250. Tips also can be submitted anonymously at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man indicted in 1980 murder of UT student makes first court appearance
LIBERTY, Ohio (WKBN)  An officer is on paid leave after an investigation into a stolen vehicle resulted in an officer-involved shooting.

Liberty Township police officers responded to a notification from the Flock License Plate Reader system regarding a stolen vehicle entering the Township on Monday afternoon.

The vehicle was found parking lot of the Belmont Plaza Shopping Center. Inside was a driver who police identified as Jason Cain, 31.

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Reports state officers positioned both marked and unmarked police units to block the vehicle in an effort to prevent a potential pursuit before ordering Cain out. However, Cain reportedly ignored the officers commands and instead began ramming the police vehicles, placing officers and bystanders in immediate danger, a news release from the police department stated.

In response to the escalating threat, one officer fired a gun, hitting Cain, who then accelerated the stolen vehicle and crashed through the front wall of the Harbor Freight building before coming to a stop.

Officers ordered a female passenger from the vehicle and transported her to the Liberty Police Department for questioning. Meanwhile, additional officers rendered aid to Cain, who was later transported by the Liberty Fire Department to St. Elizabeths Hospital, where he is currently in critical condition.

As per standard protocol, one officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation into the incident.

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The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) was requested to conduct an investigation.

Stan Boney contributed to this report.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A 23-year-old is wanted and charged with murder after a shooting early Sunday near an elementary school in northeastern Franklin County.

The sheriffs office said the shooting happened just after 2 a.m. during an alleged drug deal near Licking Heights West Elementary School in Jefferson Township. Nicko Matthews-Cooper allegedly tried to rob Kaelan Amerson, 21, after the transaction.

Amerson and two others were inside a car, and Matthews-Cooper allegedly began shooting, hitting him multiple times in the upper body before driving off. Amerson lost control of the car, causing it to stop one block away at Narrow Leaf Drive.

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Deputies arrived and had medics take Amerson to a hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead. The other passengers were shot but only suffered minor injuries.

Matthews-Cooper has been charged with murder. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or of any possible surveillance footage are asked to call 614-525-3351.

Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office

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For anyone who has followed the Syrian Civil War since it began in 2011, the lightning speed with which the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell in December 2024 was nothing short of astounding. His family had been in power for more than 50 years, and he himself had been president since the turn of the century. And despite the very real threat that the civil war posed to his rule for many years, it had seemed the war was over and Assad was the victor.

The regimes fall triggered a kaleidoscope of flashbacks to the various stages of the war, which indelibly marked regional and global politics over the past 13 years: the mass anti-government protests in the wake of the Arab Uprisings; the initial violent response by Syrian security forces; the Assad regimes use of chemical weapons on Syrian civilians; the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State; Russia, Iran and Hezbollahs intervention on Assads behalf; Turkeys offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish militants; and through it all, the mass outflow of Syrian refugees to neighboring countries and Europe. Syrias civil war drove all these shifts in the geopolitical landscape, which in turn have shaped the world we live in today.

Ironically, more recent global shifts facilitated the rebel offensive that began in late November. With Russia, Iran and Hezbollah focused on other conflicts, the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, had evolved into a savvy and sophisticated armed organization able to spring its surprise offensive against the Assad regime with lethal effectiveness.

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The Assad familys autocratic rule and the civil war created interwoven challenges for Syrian society. They will now need to be addressed to create any sort of stabilityand for the new government, legitimacyin the country.

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The first challenge that is becoming immediately visible is the scale of the atrocities committed in Assads brutal prison system, which predates the civil war but grew in size and severity once the conflict began. That also raises the broader question of transitional justice. The caretaker government led by HTS said it plans to hold officials from the Assad regime accountable, but the degree to which Syrias institutions will be capable of doing so remains an open question. New institutions will also need to be formed as part of the transition process, and ensuring that those are inclusive will go a long way toward establishing domestic legitimacy. That will be complicated, however, in a society as fragmented as Syrias, as well as by the fact that the internal conflict is not fully resolved.

Theres also the broad challenge of reconstruction. Syria has been ravaged by the civil war, leaving millions of Syrians in poverty. In the short term, the country will require enormous amounts of humanitarian assistance. In the longer term, it will need to rebuild its entire economy from the ground up. Syria may get a boost from the return of refugees, of which there are millions living outside the country, who could contribute productive forcesas well as potentially capital, depending on where they are coming fromto reconstruction efforts. But reintegrating them will also soak up resources thata re in short supply.

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Meanwhile, Assads fall also has significant implications for great power competition and for the external actors who have been involved in the country.

Russia is likely to take the biggest hit from the transfer of power. After all, the effectiveness of the HTS-led surprise offensive was already in part attributable to Russias weakened ability to project force to the region the way it did prior to having focused its attention and resources on its invasion of Ukraine. Should the new government end Russias military presence in the country, Moscow stands to lose a naval base on the Mediterranean Sea and an airfield that it has used as a logistical hub supporting its operations across the Middle East and Africa.

The fact that the U.S. is not playing a meaningful role in managing the crisis in Syria also highlights the ways in which Washingtons ability to shape outcomes in the region has eroded. The diminished U.S. influence is also both a symptom and a cause of the broader erosion of the multilateral system. For example, the U.N. stands to play little role in Syrias transition of power, a loss not only for U.S. diplomacy but multilateralism overall.

Finally, Beijings almost complete absence from the situation is also notable. China has clearly proven itself to be an economic rival of the U.S. and a security power in East Asia, but despite recent effortssome successfulto gain leverage in the region, its diplomatic heft is still far behind other powers, both in the Middle East and globally.

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All of this leaves a vacuum in Syria, opening the door for interference by neighboring and regional powers. Israel has bombarded Syria with airstrikes since Assads fall and advanced its ground forces past a buffer zone between the two countries. Meanwhile, Turkey is seeking to advance its proxies in the northeast to take advantage of Assads fall, and the Gulf states are similarly jostling for influence with the transitional government. The big question now is whether these regional powers will help rebuild Syria or exacerbate domestic tensions that would impede a stable peace.

More Syria Coverage:

How the Assad regime turned Syrias brutal prison system into an extortion racket.

The enormous challenges facing Syrias transitional government.

Why European policymakers needs to reexamine their assumptions about Syrian society in the post-Assad era.

What the fall of the Assad regime means for the external actors in the country.

How the rebel offensive that ousted Assad has global connections.

Why the HTS-led offensive was hiding in plain sight.

Read all of our Syria coverage here.

The post Syrias Civil War Gives Way to the Post-Assad Era appeared first on World Politics Review.
Rebel forces in Syria are building a transitional government after toppling the regime of President Bashar Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza.

Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides.





Latest Developments





Dec 17, 12:08 PM

64 patients at Kamal Adwan Hospital still facing relentless bombing

The Kamal Adwan Hospital has been facing relentless and continuous bombing injuring more people in the building.



"The third floor was set on fire, and the water tank was destroyed. The intensive care unit was also targeted while the patients were inside. There were terrifying sounds in the hospital courtyard, and we saw a military vehicle advancing towards the hospital. Barrels were placed, and three of them exploded, causing panic and terror in the hospital," Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of the hospital, told ABC News.

PHOTO: People check the damage outside the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip, following a reported Israeli strike that hit the medical complex, Dec. 6, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images)

"Drones are constantly dropping bombs on the hospital. Anyone moving in the hospital risks being injured or killed. So far, there is no electricity, water or oxygen at all," the director said.

PHOTO: Victims are treated inside the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip, following a reported Israeli strike that hit the medical complex, Dec. 6, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)





Dec 17, 11:52 AM

Israel will occupy Gaza Strip, defense minister says

Israel will have security control over the Gaza Strip, effectively occupying it, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X Tuesday.



"After we defeat Hamas' military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action, just as in Judea and Samaria," Katz said.



"We will not allow any terrorist organization against Israeli communities and Israeli citizens from Gaza. We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7th," Katz said.



Katz's predecessor, Yoav Gallant, repeatedly insisted that Israel wanted to avoid the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.





Dec 17, 11:52 AM

Ceasefire deal 'possible' if Israel does not add new conditions, Hamas says

Amid reports that a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel may be edging closer, Hamas said a "prisoner exchange is possible if the occupation stops putting new conditions."



More than 45,000 people were killed and over 100,000 injured in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry



Over 90% of Gaza's 2.1 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.





Dec 17, 7:35 AM

HTS leader criticizes Israeli incursion, occupation

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham head Ahmed al-Sharaa -- also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani -- told The Times in a new interview that the transitional government in Damascus does "not want any conflict, whether with Israel or anyone else."

PHOTO: This handout image made available by the Syrian Arab News Agency early on Dec. 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa -- also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani -- the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, during a meeting in Damascus, Syria. (-/SANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel is continuing airstrikes across Syria and has occupied parts of a buffer zone -- demilitarized in a 1974 bilateral deal -- running between the two nations. Israeli leaders say their military operations are intended to prevent "extremists" from launching attacks into Israel.



But Sharaa said the new administration "will not let Syria be used as a launchpad for attacks."



"The Syrian people need a break, and the strikes must end and Israel has to pull back to its previous positions," he added.



Sharaa has asked the international community to pressure Israel to stop its strikes, withdraw from the buffer zone and respect the 1974 agreement.



-ABC News' Bruno Nota and Joe Simonetti





Dec 17, 5:10 AM

'Massive' Damascus graves could hold 100,000 bodies, NGO says

Mouaz Moustafa, the head of the U.S.-based Syrian advocacy organization, the Syrian Emergency Task Force, told ABC News there are believed to be well over 100,000 bodies in a "massive" burial site discovered 25 miles north of Damascus.



Moustafa told ABC News from the Syrian capital that the site in al-Qutayfah consists of "massive graves" where "lines or trenches were 6 to 7 meters deep, 3 to 4 meters wide and 50 to 150 meters long."

PHOTO: People search for human remains at a trench believed to be used as a mass grave on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 16, 2024. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images)

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"In my conversation with the gravediggers, they told me that four tractor trailer trucks each carrying over 150 bodies came twice a week from 2012 until 2018," Moustafa said.



"The bulldozer excavator driver described how intelligence officers forced workers to use the bulldozer to flatten and compress the bodies to make them fit and easier to bury before digging the next line or trench," he added.



The mass grave contained men, women, children and the elderly "tortured to death" by former President Bashar Assad's regime, Moustafa said.



The overthrown president was in power from 2000 to his ousting on Dec. 8. In his first statement since fleeing Syria, Assad on Monday blamed a "terrorist onslaught" for his defeat. His toppling marked the end of a 14-year conflict between Damascus and a collection of rebel groups.



Opposition groups and rescue workers are still uncovering evidence of the regime's human rights abuses. SETF believes it has identified three other mass graves so far, as well as two "smaller ones," Moustafa said.



-ABC News' Guy Davies





Dec 17, 4:50 AM

Israel to have 'full freedom of action' in Gaza after war, minister says

Israel "will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action" after the fighting in the devastated Palestinian territory ends, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post to X on Tuesday.

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers are pictured near the border with Gaza on Dec. 16, 2024. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Katz added that Israeli access to the strip will be comparable to its access to the occupied West Bank, which is nominally controlled by the Palestinian Authority but in coordination with Israel.



"We will not allow any terrorist organization against Israeli communities and Israeli citizens from Gaza," Katz wrote. "We will not allow a return to the reality of before Oct. 7."



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has faced domestic and international criticism for its failure to present a clear vision for post-war Gaza beyond the destruction of Hamas as a ruling force.



President Joe Biden is among the world leaders that have warned Israel against any post-war occupation of Gaza or permanent displacement of Palestinians.





Dec 16, 5:34 PM

State Department: Search for Tice still possible without team on the ground

The State Department's lack of boots on the ground in Syria isn't interfering in its efforts to track down missing American journalist Austin Tice, spokesperson Matthew Miller contended on Monday.



The department has had "more than one communication" with rebel group HTS "over the past week," he told reporters. It was also in touch with other groups, like the White Helmets, that were helping with the search, he said.



"We feel that right now we are able to get good information," he said.



Tice, an American freelance journalist and Marine Corps veteran, was kidnapped while reporting in Syria more than a decade ago.



In a recent letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu obtained by ABC News, Tice's family "urgently" asked the Israelis to pause their strikes in a neighborhood in Damascus where they believe he may be held prisoner and to deploy assets to the area to help search for him.



"I'm going to be looking for help anywhere I can, and what I've learned in 12 years and four months is go to the top first," Tice's mother, Debra Tice, told reporters on Monday when asked about the outreach.



"I think it would be polite to say the least, that perhaps theyre not bombing as people are trying to clear the prison. That would be my first suggestion," she added.



ABC News has reached out to the prime minister's office for comment.



-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston and Will Gretsky





Dec 16, 11:44 AM

Israeli defense minister expresses optimism for ceasefire deal

Israeli officials are expressing optimism about the prospects of a ceasefire deal in Gaza.



"We are closer to a deal than in any other point since the previous deal, the matter is top priority," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said while addressing the Knesset on Monday, according to the spokesperson of the foreign affairs and security committee.



The remarks come after Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to Doha, Qatar, last week for ceasefire negotiations.





Dec 16, 8:59 AM

Assad says he fled Syria after drones attacked Russian air base

Former Syrian President Bashar Assad on Monday released his first statement since the collapse of his regime, posting a statement to the presidency's official Telegram channel.



"My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur in the final hours of the battles," Assad said. "As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations."

PHOTO: A damaged portrait of Syria's ousted president Bashar Assad lies on the ground in the western Syrian port city of Latakia on Dec. 15, 2024. (Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images)

"Upon arrival at the Khmeimim air base that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen," the statement continued.

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"As the field situation in the area continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base itself came under intensified attack by drone strikes."

"With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia," Assad wrote.



MORE: Syria's Assad blames 'terrorism' for regime collapse in first statement since defeat



"This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all state institutions," he added.



-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian, Ghazi Balkiz and Joe Simonetti





Dec 16, 6:11 AM

Gaza death toll passes 45,000, officials say

A series of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza over the weekend and into Monday morning pushed the total death toll in the strip since Oct. 7, 2023, to more than 45,000 people, according to data from the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

PHOTO: A Palestinian woman mourns a relative who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City on Dec. 15, 2024. (Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images)

Per ministry figures, more than 2% of Gaza's total pre-war residents of 2.23 million people have been killed in 14 months of conflict with Israel.



-ABC News' Joe Simonetti

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
ABUJA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people died when a wooden boat capsized Saturday on the River Benue in central Nigeria, local authorities said Sunday.

The accident occurred in the Benue state as traders were returning from a weekly market, said local official Melvin James.

"Some people are still missing," James said, adding that local divers were continuing search and rescue efforts.

The victims were mostly women and children, said a witness.

Boat accidents are frequent in Nigeria, often caused by overloading, poor weather, and operational errors. 
HUSSEINIYEH, Syria (AP)  A rebel force deployed to a village in southeastern Damascus to stop looters who swarmed a residential complex and set some apartments on fire.

The raid by the rebel force comes a week after the fighters marched on the Syrian capital in their lightening offensive that forced Syrian President Bashar Assad to flee, ending five decades of his family rule.

The rebel fighters have prioritized security in Damascus, where there was limited looting of private properties and attacks on security and government buildings.

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On Sunday, a rebel force arrived at the village of Husseiniyeh after looters, including women and children, emptied a residential complex, walking away with furniture, windows, food, copper wires and anything they can get their hands on.

Our things were all looted. My house of 25 years is all looted. If they are not looting, they are burning. Everything. As you see. They started today with copper wires, one resident said. He then stopped a child walking away with a box containing metal cables.

Another resident, a school principal, said her house was looted and she was unable to stop it. She scolded the rebel force, and a fighter told her they will set up a checkpoint in the area to prevent the looters, who largely come from a nearby village.

At times, looters fired grenades at apartments, setting them on fire. The residential complex houses former military officers and soldiers.

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The rebels opened fire, shooting at the wheels of looters' cars and next to the crowd to disperse it. No injuries were reported. They also called on looters still inside the buildings to hand themselves in.

Some looters fled, still hanging on to their booty, while the rebels detained about a dozen.

___

Follow the APs Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria
Former Syrian President Bashar Assad on Monday made his first official statement since being toppled by a rebel offensive and fleeing the country for Russia, declaring that he left Syria after a request from Moscow to do so.

"My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur in the final hours of the battles," Assad said in a statement attributed to him and posted to the presidency's official Telegram channel.

"As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations," Assad said.

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"Upon arrival at the Khmeimim air base that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen," the statement continued.

PHOTO: A billboard with a picture of Syria's former President Bashar Assad shows damage by bullet holes after his ousting in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 16, 2024. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

"As the field situation in the area continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base itself came under intensified attack by drone strikes. With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia."

"This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all state institutions," Assad said.

"At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party," Assad said. "The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught."

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"At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party," Assad said. "The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught."

Assad made no comment on the longstanding allegations that his regime committed vast human rights abuses throughout his 24 years in power, abuses that opposition forces, human rights organizations and foreign governments say only intensified after the outbreak of civil war in 2011.

MORE: Syria live updates: US embassy says situation 'volatile,' urges citizens to leave

The fall of his regime saw jubilant fighters and residents emptying Assad's prisons. More than 100,000 people are still believed to be missing, disappeared into Damascus' sprawling and opaque security apparatus.

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The leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group, which led the surprise offensive striking out of Idlib southwards towards Damascus, vowed that the transitional government would hold to account those implicated in Assad's human rights abuses.

Ahmed al-Sharaa -- also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani -- said shortly after the fall of Damascus, "We will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers, security and army officers involved in torturing the Syrian people."

As Assad's statement was released, rescue workers were picking through a suspected mass grave discovered on the outskirts of the capital. The area was under military control and the road leading into it was closed to civilians. A United Nations delegation, meanwhile, was visiting the infamous Saydnaya prison in the capital.

In Monday's statement, Assad described himself as a leader "who, from the very first day of the war, refused to barter the salvation of his nation for personal gain, or to compromise his people in exchange for numerous offers and enticements."

PHOTO: Members of Syria's White Helmets civil defense service prepare to transport bodies uncovered at a mass grave in Damascus on Dec. 16, 2024. (Mohammed Al-rifai/AFP via Getty Images)

The former president said he "stood alongside the officers and soldiers of the army on the front lines, just meters from terrorists in the most dangerous and intense battlefields."

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"During the darkest years of the war," Assad said he was a leader who "did not leave but remained with his family alongside his people, confronting terrorism under bombardment and the recurring threats of terrorist incursions into the capital over fourteen years of war."

"I have never sought positions for personal gain but have always considered myself as a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people, who believed in its vision," he added. "I have carried an unwavering conviction in their will and ability to protect the state, defend its institutions, and uphold their choices to the very last moment."

"When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless," the former president said.

"This does not, in any way, diminish my profound sense of belonging to Syria and her people -- a bond that remains unshaken by any position or circumstance. It is a belonging filled with hope that Syria will once again be free and independent."

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ABC News' Somayeh Malekian, Ghazi Balkiz, James Longman and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.

Syria's Assad blames 'terrorism' for regime collapse in first statement since defeat originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
(Bloomberg) -- Attempts by four pro-European Romanian parties to form a coalition government and dial down political turbulence hit a hurdle over disputes on trimming the European Unions widest budget deficit.

Most Read from Bloomberg

At a meeting to discuss 2025 budget plans on Monday, members of the opposition Save Romania Union, or USR, questioned the accuracy of figures presented by Finance Minister Marcel Bolos. They demanded a commitment from all parties to rein in spending and avoid tax increases.

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Romania has revised its budget-deficit estimate several times for this year, with a forecast now at 8.6% of economic output compared with an initial target of 5% on higher spending ahead of elections.

The Black Sea nation has been shaken by political turmoil after the surprise first-round victory of pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu on Nov. 24. After security officials attributed his win to Russian meddling, Romanias top court annulled the results of the vote and demanded a repeat.

The back-to-back elections brought a surge in support for the far right, including in the parliamentary election on Dec. 1, which saw the right wing win a third of the seats in the assembly.

That result led pro-European parties to pledge to form a coalition to keep populists out of power. Negotiations began between the ruling Social Democrats and Liberals as well as the opposition USR, an ethnic Hungarian party and parliamentary representatives of ethnic minorities.

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Romanias new parliament convenes on Friday. The need for a new budget is creating pressure on the parties to forge an agreement. Only once a government is formed can a date for the re-run of the presidential election be scheduled. Outgoing President Klaus Iohannis will remain in his post until the next head of state takes office.

The USR has agreed to continue the talks for now. But the partys leaders, including Elena Lasconi, who would have faced Georgescu in the cancelled presidential run-off, will meet in coming days to decide if theyll take part in the next government.

Its obvious that we dont have the fiscal space to continue this style of governing, said Cristian Ghinea, a USR member and former EU funds minister. For us its unacceptable to discuss the government line-up first and then the measures. We want to agree on the measures and have a clear plan so that we know what to do.

If the USR chooses to remain in opposition, the pro-European parties may have a less certain majority.

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--With assistance from Irina Vilcu.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
On a former East German military site, where the communist state's National People's Army (NVA) once stored vast amounts of military equipment, tiny cannabis plants now take root.

The plants, imported from Austria, could grow over 1 metre tall under the right conditions, explains Christian Tonn, founder of the German Cultivation Association (DAG).

After eight to 10 weeks, they are ready for harvest.

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Tonn and his team aim to create the perfect environment for cannabis growers across Germany, with a new facility on a former site used by the East German armed forces in Relzow, a village in Germany's northern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state.

Concrete paths run between numerous halls, which once housed tanks and other military equipment.

Tonn explains that the site's 36 hangars, covering 120,000 square metres, are now being transformed for cannabis cultivation. Thirteen of these halls, totalling 40,000 square metres, are already secured.

In the past few months, the space has been fitted with high-tech equipment, including special LED lights, multi-storey shelves with precise angles for water drainage, and a computer-controlled irrigation, climate and nutrient system  making up the first cultivation module.

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The 230-square-metre module includes rooms for various purposes such as cultivation, drying and processing, along with an electronic security system and disinfection lock.

In line with Germany's new partial legalization of cannabis, non-commercial cultivation associations with up to 500 members are now allowed to grow and distribute cannabis to their members.

Germany loosened rules on personal cannabis consumption in a law passed early this year.

Since April 1, in the first change to go into effect, adults have been allowed to carry up to 25 grams of marijuana, while up to three plants can be cultivated at home.

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Since July 1, marijuana enthusiasts have been legally allowed to establish the so-called cannabis clubs.

DAG's aim is to provide these groups with the technology to cultivate high-quality cannabis at a cost of around 2 ($2.1) per gram, which is significantly lower than black market prices, Tonn says.

DAG plans to offer advanced management software that allows modules to be monitored and controlled remotely.

The Relzow facility is equipped with comprehensive security measures, including a fenced-in area under constant surveillance. To date, DAG states that it has invested over 1 million in the project.

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"We have received many enquiries from associations all over the country," says Tonn. The first association from another German state is expected to start in Relzow in early 2025.

However, some challenges loom.

Many cannabis clubs are currently still dealing with their authorization procedures. Furthermore, the state Ministry of the Environment and Agriculture has expressed concerns about large-scale operations such as DAG's.

According to the agriculture authority, a permit must be refused if associations cultivate in a common building, building complex or in close proximity to each other.

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The goal is small-scale, non-commercial cultivation for personal use as opposed to large-scale operations, aiming to avoid over-concentration of cultivation areas.

But Tonn remains undeterred, emphasizing that discussions and site visits with politicians are planned in the near future. Each association in Relzow operates its own separate module with exclusive access.

Additionally, DAG's business model offers flexibility, enabling associations not only to rent space in Relzow but "the module has been designed so that we can set it up practically anywhere," he adds.

According to Tonn, DAG plans to invest in research, particularly into cannabis growing techniques in Germany, in collaboration with a nearby university.

A tiny cannabis plant takes root on a former East German military site, now repurposed as a cannabis farm. Germany's partial cannabis legalization earlier this year allows adults to carry up to 25 grams, grow three plants at home, and form non-commercial cannabis clubs with up to 500 members for cultivation and distribution for personal consumption. Stefan Sauer/dpa
By Andrius Sytas

TALLINN (Reuters) - Estonia will propose that the leaders of the United Kingdom-led alliance of northern European NATO countries spend no less than 2.5% of GDP on defence in response to the threat from Russia, Prime Minister Kristen Michal said on Monday.

Only 23 of the 32 NATO members are on track to hit the NATO target of a minimum 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence spending.

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"Everybody in NATO and in the EU right now has the feeling in their back bone that you should increase defence expenditure, because of what is happening all over the world and with Russia," Michal told Reuters in an interview.

"Europe as the wealthiest region of the world has to spend more on defence, security and security."

Michal hosts the heads of the alliance, called the Joint Expeditionary Force, in Tallinn this week, and will focus discussions on Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, which he described as an "an environmental disaster waiting to happen".

Estonia has doubled its defence spending since the start of the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine, up to 3.2% of GDP in 2024.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in July that he would increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, but only when the country could afford it and after a review of defence strategy.

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would like to end the war in Ukraine quickly without revealing details of how he planned to do this and Michal said it was important to ensure lasting peace.

He proposed using 200 to 300 billion euros of Russias frozen assets abroad to rebuild Ukraine, and imposing additional taxes on Russian goods to raise up to 300 billion euros more.

That would bring lasting peace, Michal said, because Russia would be unable to continue hostilities, including so-called hybrid attacks, and Ukraine's military resources should also be strengthened.

"Ukraine is part of Europe, it should be a member of NATO," Michal added.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A teacher and a teen student were killed in the shooting at a Wisconsin school by a fellow student, police chief says.
NAIROBI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Seamless intra-African trade in cereals, including maize, rice, wheat and legumes, holds the key to tackling the food security crisis in Africa besides boosting rural incomes, officials said Monday at a forum in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

The two-day public-private dialogue forum was convened by the Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC), an industry lobby, and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an African-led institution aimed at promoting smallholder farming across Africa.

Senior policymakers, industry executives, donors and researchers are attending the forum to promote cross-border trade in grains by eliminating tariff barriers, improving quality and reducing transportation costs.

Paul Ronoh, principal secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, said that increasing the volume of grains traded across the borders could be the solution to the hunger and malnutrition crisis affecting the region due to climate change, shrinking arable land, crop pests and diseases.

"We need to shape policies that facilitate instead of hindering cross-border trade in grains to address food security, boost income for our smallholder farmers who are mainly women and youth," Ronoh said.

Ronoh said the eastern African region is trading nearly two million metric tonnes of grains annually even as governments intensify dialogue to address bottlenecks, including policy inconsistencies, punitive tariffs, and costly logistics such as transport and storage.

Gerald Masila, executive director of the EAGC, stressed that eliminating regulatory hiccups is key to facilitating private sector participation in regional grain trade that promises food and nutritional security, job creation and rural development.

According to Masila, harmonizing tax and foreign exchange regimes, providing subsidies for smallholder farmers and improving post-harvest storage will enhance cross-border trade in cereals, while helping countries bridge deficits arising from erratic weather patterns.

In addition, Masila urged countries in the region to establish vibrant commodity exchange platforms and improve access to credit for small-scale traders to sustain the flow of grains across borders.

Nega Wubeneh, AGRA's head of markets and trades, said the private sector should be at the helm of driving cross-border trade in grains as governments establish guardrails to ensure fair competition and food safety.

Providence Mavubi, director of industry and agriculture at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, a regional bloc, said that to increase the volume of grains traded across borders, governments should simplify licensing for traders, ensure farmers have access to quality seeds and manure, and invest in innovations to combat food waste. 
THE BRONX (PIX11)  Police are searching for a 15-year-old girl reported missing in the Bronx.

Yahshemah Jones was last seen leaving her residence around 10 p.m. on Thursday, police say.

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Police say Jones is approximately 56 and 105 pounds with long black hair and was last seen wearing a black jacket, white shirt, purple sweatpants, a black bonnet, and a nose ring.

The NYPD released the following photo of Jones:

Courtesy of the NYPD

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This article was updated to add new information

A teen girl who was found fatally stabbed on the city's east side early Monday near Arsenal Technical High School was a student identified by Indianapolis Public Schools as Anabel Trujillo. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said a teen boy was in custody in connection with her death.

"Arsenal Techs principal shared the heartbreaking news with students, staff and families," district spokesperson, Marc Ransford said in a statement. "The school will have the IPS Crisis Team onsite to assist students, staff and parents who are grieving this loss and senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those impacted by this tragic death. We will keep the safety and well-being of our students and staff our top priority."

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At 9:13 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police were dispatched to the 400 block of North Randolph Street, near the site of the former women's prison, on a report of a person stabbed.

Once there, officers found the teen, whose exact age wasn't immediately provided, mortally wounded. She died at the scene from multiple stab wounds.

"It's always happening around here," Tameka Brown, who lives in the neighborhood, told IndyStar. "And it's sad 'cause that's somebody's child. It's crazy. That's somebody child is laying out there in the rain. It hits so close to home."

Brown, who has a 14-year-old daughter, said she immediately called to check on her.

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More: Teen charged with promoting illegal parties, including one linked to a 2023 Halloween shooting

The address is roughly two blocks from Arsenal Tech High School. Police were seen around the campus hours after the girl was found and an officer said the school is on lockdown.

A district spokesperson said nearby Theodore Potter School 74 and H. L. Harshman Middle School campuses also were put on lockdown as a precaution. Lockdowns were being lifted Monday afternoon.

"The Indianapolis Public Schools community is devastated to learn that the female victim of the fatal stabbing on Monday, Dec. 16, in the 400 block of North Randolph Street has been identified as Anabel Trujillo, an Arsenal Tech student. We are grateful to the IPS Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) who quickly identified and apprehended the suspect.

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Arsenal Techs principal shared the heartbreaking news with students, staff and families. The school will have the IPS Crisis Team onsite to assist students, staff and parents who are grieving this loss and senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those impacted by this tragic death. We will keep the safety and well-being of our students and staff our top priority.

Because this is still an active investigation by IMPD, there are no further details that we can share at this time. We know this news is deeply upsetting, and we are committed to maintaining open lines of communication with our school community.

Detectives were in the neighborhood canvasing the area for security or surveillance footage much of the morning. Police have not released any information about a suspect, but minutes before 2 p.m. said they had a "person of interest" in custody.

"We are asking the community to come forward with any information they may have," said Thomas Thompson, the department's public information officer. "Please come forward."

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Police ask anyone with information to contact police at 317-327-3475 or anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477, by downloading the mobile P3tips app or visiting CrimeTips.org.

Crime scene tape blocks an area in the 400 block of North Randolph Street on the city's east side Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 as Indianapolis Metropolitan Police investigate the deadly stabbing of a teen girl.

Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formally Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. Education Reporter, Caroline Beck contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Teen girl found dead near Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis
German prosecutors on Monday issued an arrest warrant against four teenagers suspected of having physically beaten members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) who were campaigning in south-west Berlin last weekend.

The suspects, aged between 16 and 19, are accused of having verbally abused two SPD party members running a campaign stall at a bus stop in the capital's Lankwitz neighbourhood on Saturday before attacking them, according to the public prosecutor's office.

Both victims were reportedly pushed to the ground where the attackers continued to beat one of them, also kicking him with combat boots, which are often worn by members of Germany's neo-Nazi scene.

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When police arrived at the scene, the suspects used a racial slur against one of the officers and injured him in the face using a shard of glass. Another officer sustained a broken hand in the altercation.

Prosecutors said they see the actions as being motivated by suspected far-right extremist views.

Three of the suspects have been taken into custody, while the fourth suspect has been released subject to certain conditions.

Germany is gearing up for early elections expected to be held in February following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition government in November.

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Scholz, from the SPD, is set to face a confidence vote in parliament on Monday afternoon, which is widely expected to pave the way for the February election.

Saturday's events have highlighted fears of a highly polarized and tense election campaign period.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is planning to campaign on an anti-EU, anti-immigration platform, currently places second in the polls, ahead of the governing SPD.

Ahead of the European elections in June, in which the party saw record gains, Germany saw a rise in attacks on campaign workers, particularly from the SPD and the Greens.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso Animal Services centers will be temporarily closed to the public on Thursday, Dec. 19, to facilitate staff development and training, the City of El Paso announced in a news release.

The City said normal operational hours will resume on Friday, Dec. 20 at all centers:

El Paso Animal Services Center, 5001 Fred Wilson Ave.

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mission Valley Adoption Center, 9068 Socorro Rd.

Open daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Westside Adoption Center, 5625 Confetti Dr.

Open daily from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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As always, if you have an emergency, call 311 or 911 as appropriate.

For more information, visit ElPasoAnimalServices.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 KTSM 9 News.
BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Louisiana State Bond Commission has approved a request to place Bossier City term limits on the March 2025 ballot.

Bossier City residents have not voted on proposed changes to Bossier Citys charter in decades, but they will have that chance on Mar. 29 as the result of Bossier City residents who petitioned for term limits.

Bossier City group pushes for three-term limit for city council and mayor

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Bossier City voters will decide on a potential three-term limit for the citys mayor and councilmembers. The limit would apply to terms served after Jan. 1, 2025.

Bossier City Mayor Thomas H. Chandler campaigned on the issue of term limits. He said that his position on term limits has already been made clear.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Bill Greenblatt

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This story originally appeared in 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

Texas Is Suing a Second Doctor for Providing Gender-Affirming Care to Trans Kids

Attorney General Ken Paxton is now targeting a pediatric endocrinologist in El Paso.

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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.

He might go forward to try and get a default judgment, and then they'll have to try to enforce it, Cohen said. But really, we don't know what hell do then.

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The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

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Originally Appeared on them.
A Texas man has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for an 11-hour shooting rampage that spanned two states, left one person dead and wounded several others.

Christopher McDonnell, 32, was found guilty for his role in the series of shootings in Arizona and Nevada on Thanksgiving 2020. Charges consisted of more than 20 felonies, including murder, attempted murder, murder conspiracy, weapon charges and being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm.

Clark County District Judge Tierra Jones sentenced McDonnell on Friday to a minimum of 100 years in prison, according to KLAS-TV. With credit for time served, he would be eligible for parole in 2120.

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People are also reading: APD fires officer Christopher Taylor following prison sentence for fatal 2019 shooting

Trio of Texans involved in Thanksgiving 2020 shooting rampage

McDonnell was accompanied by his brother, Shawn McDonnell, 34, and Shawn McDonnells then-wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29, who faced dozens of charges.

Authorities say the shootings began on Nov. 26, 2020 in Nevada. Kevin Mendiola Jr., 22, was fatally shot at a convenience store in Henderson, near Las Vegas, and drive-by gunfire that wounded several others, The Associated Press reports.

The three then traveled to Arizona and engaged in more shootings, including one with a police officer. Prosecutors say Lewis drove the vehicle while Christopher and Shawn McDonnell shot randomly out of the windows. Lewis and Shawn McDonnell are still awaiting trial.

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Police say the rampage ended in Parker, Arizona, near the Colorado River. The Arizona Department of Public Safety participated in a chase until the vehicle rolled over. Shawn McDonnell was shot by troopers, and all three were arrested.

'Our lives will never be the same after this,' victim's family tells the court

Family of the victim, Kevin Mendiola Jr., spoke in court on Friday. Kevin Mendiola's brother, Christevin, and girlfriend, Jayde Libby, were also shot during the incident. The family says Kevin shielded Libby from the gunfire, KLAS-TV reports.

"He was a hero that night and now, hes our angel," father Kevin Mendiola Sr. told the court.

"He did the most heroic thing one could ever do," Libby said. "He saved me, and Ill never know why."

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"The hurt, the pain, the guilt and the stress that these three individuals put on my family," Christevin Mendiola said of those involved in the shooting. "Our lives will never be the same after this."

Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Swartzer also appeared in court, saying, "I dont think Ive ever seen a crime thats terrorized our community in the way that this crime has terrorized our community."

Judge Jones said this case emphasizes the need for better mental health support.

"What can the court do to ensure that theres not going to be other victims?" Jones said. "That theres not going [to be] someone else who has to suffer the loss from all the people that Ive heard from today."

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Christopher McDonnell pleaded guilty in October but said he was mentally ill. His public defender, Ryan Bashor, says McDonnell is a "troubled, troubled person" and asked for a sentence of 21 to 52 years, according to a Las Vegas news outlet. But prosecutors sought the maximum penalty.

McDonnell read from a brief statement at Friday's hearing, saying, "I take full responsibility for my own wrongdoings, and I appreciate the courts for administering justice."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas man gets 100 years in prison for Arizona, Nevada shooting rampage
JUBA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The humanitarian community in South Sudan has launched an appeal for 1.7 billion U.S. dollars to provide lifesaving assistance to 5.4 million people experiencing the most acute needs across the country, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a news release on Monday.

According to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) launched in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, South Sudanese people continue to be affected by high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition.

"The 2025 HNRP paints an accurate picture of the most acute needs of vulnerable people across the country, and a plan for assistance that is realistic and most importantly, life-saving," UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan Anita Kiki Gbeho said while launching the 2025 HNRP.

In 2025, 9.3 million South Sudanese, 69 percent of the total population of 13.4 million, are projected to require some form of humanitarian assistance. Of these, humanitarian partners will target 5.4 million vulnerable people facing the most acute needs with life-saving services.

South Sudanese Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Albino Akol Atak said the collaboration will continue in 2025, not only to bring relief to people affected by the crisis but also to support durable solutions and build their resilience.

According to the news release, the protracted humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is deepened by conflict, extreme effects of climate change, disease outbreaks, economic crisis and the impact of the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan. Since the outbreak of the Sudan crisis in April 2023, over 905,000 people have crossed into South Sudan, with an additional 337,000 people projected to arrive in 2025.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report released in November shows that 6.4 million South Sudanese are severely food insecure at crisis levels or worse. The report projects this number to increase to 7.7 million during the lean season from April to July 2025.

According to the report, nutrition projections estimate that among children under the age of five, 2.08 million are at risk of acute malnutrition and 650,000 are at risk of severe acute malnutrition in 2025, a 26 percent and 33 percent increase from the projections in 2024 respectively. 
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand said on Monday it will host two regional meetings on Myanmar this week, with at least one to have representatives of the junta, as the Malaysian Prime Minister said efforts were being made to bring Myanmar back to the fore of ASEAN.

Thai foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa will hold the separate consultations on Dec 19 and 20, after Thailand in October offered to host informal talks to find a way out of the crisis that has gripped Myanmar since a 2021 military coup.

Representatives from Myanmar will take part in Thursday's meeting, which Thai foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said would be an informal consultation on border security and transnational crime.

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Representatives from China, India, Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand, which all share borders with Myanmar, will also attend.

On Friday, there will be a foreign minister-level meeting on Myanmar for "interested members" of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including discussing ASEAN's "Five Point Consensus" plan for peace in the country, Nikorndej said.

It is not clear if Myanmar will have any representatives at Friday's meeting, and if so at what level.

Since the coup, ASEAN has snubbed Myanmar's military leaders by only inviting non-political representatives from the country to regional meetings of leaders and foreign ministers.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who will chair ASEAN in 2025, said on Monday that he was committed to implementing ASEAN's peace plan, which has made scant progress since its unveiling in April 2021 soon after the coup.

"We are taking measures through dialogues informally at different levels to ensure Myanmar participates, and bring back Myanmar to the fore of ASEAN," Anwar said at a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, without elaborating further.

Indonesia has said its foreign minister will attend the Dec 20 meeting.

Chaos has prevailed in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup sparked a nationwide rebellion and a civil war that has ravaged the nation of 55 million.

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At a summit in October, ASEAN called for "an immediate cessation" of violence and the creation of a "conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue" that is "Myanmar-owned and -led".

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um in BANGKOK and Ashley Tang in KUALA LUMPUR; Editing by John Mair)
President-elect Donald Trump called the glorification of shooting suspect Luigi Mangione a sickness, criticizing people who have celebrated the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York earlier this month.

I think its really terrible that some people seem to admire him, like him. And I was happy to see that it wasnt specific to this gentleman that was killed. Its just an overall sickness as opposed to a specific sickness, Trump said Monday during a wide-ranging press conference in Florida.

It was cold-blooded, just a cold-blooded, horrible killing, he went on. And how people can like this guy is  thats a sickness, actually. Thats really very bad. The way it was done. It was so bad. Right in the back. Very bad.

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Trump also suggested that some of the gleeful online posts about Thompsons death could be fake, adding that its hard to believe that that could even be thought of, but it seems theres a certain appetite for him. I dont get it.

Mangione, 26, has been charged with murder in Thompsons killing. He was arrested in Pennsylvania last week and remains in custody there. Police said his fingerprints match prints that investigators found on a water bottle and a granola bar wrapper near the scene of the shooting in Manhattan.

Mangione described his anger toward corporate America in a manifesto published last week. Words etched on shell casings at the scene  deny, defend, depose  also echoed a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.

Some people online have expressed support for Mangione and glee over the death of a top health industry CEO. Others condemned the killing but said the industry deserves the scorn and criticism, due to insurance practices that prioritize profits over peoples lives and well-being.

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All of that pain that people have experienced is being concentrated on this event, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told reporters last week. Its really important that we take a step back, this is not to comment and this is not to say that an act of violence is justified, but I think for anyone who is confused or shocked or appalled, they need to understand that people interpret and feel and experience denied claims as an act of violence against them.

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Thieves are targeting people who rely on food stamps, and the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is warning clients to lock their SNAP benefit cards.

Alice Brown cares for her two young grandsons in Southwest Atlanta.

She saved since June to get them a PlayStation.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Then, she woke up Wednesday and realized thieves had wiped their food stamp card clean, stealing more than $700.

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I took their Christmas money that I had to get their Christmas stuff, to buy food, Brown told Channel 2s Courtney Francisco. I couldnt leave them in the house with no food.

Carmen Gayle said DHS loaded her card with more than $400 Friday. Minutes later, she was at the grocery store ready to pay for groceries when her card declined.

I went straight into fix-it mode, said Gayle.

She moved the groceries aside and called customer service. The operator said the balance was only 23 cents. She and her teenage daughter left with no food.

We dont have nothing to eat and it was just embarrassing, said the daughter.

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Sunday was Gayles sons birthday.

I couldnt do nothing, said Gayle. No birthday for my son. No Christmas.

Plus, she does not have a car to drive to a food pantry.

DHS did not specify how long it will take to reimburse stolen funds.

They said 30 to 60 days, and no telling if you are going to get them back or not, said Brown.

DHS did point out a new security feature in place this month.

Clients can now go online or on their smart phone app and lock and unlock their cards until they are ready to purchase something.

Please lock your card, warned Brown.

She did have something to say to the thieves preying on families already struggling enough.

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I hope they get caught. They need to. Its not fair. Its not fair to these kids around here that need to have Christmas for the holidays, said Brown.

DHS said clients have 30 days to report fraud.

Georgians who think theyve been the victim of a scam or fraud involving their public benefits should contact the DHS Office of Inspector General at inspectorgeneralhotline@dhs.ga.gov or 877-423-4746, option 4.

SNAP recipients who have been the victim of fraud can submit a request for replacement benefits and learn more on this webpage. No police report is required.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Monday at least 23,000 of residents will soon have some  if not all  of their medical debt forgiven.

Lamont and other state leaders held a press conference at 11 a.m. Monday in Hartford.

How to get relief from unexpectedly high medical bills

During the conference, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Connecticut has so far spent $100,000 from the states allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to cancel out $30 million in debt for residents.

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The relief is thanks to a newly-launched partnership between Lamonts administration and a national nonprofit called Undue Medical Debt, which uses public investments to negotiate with hospitals and other providers on the elimination of large, bundled portfolios of qualifying medical debt owed by individuals and families whose bills are past due.

The ultimate goal of the debt cancellation, Lamont said, is to help those low-income residents get back on their feet. He said $6.5 million will ultimately be deployed to cancel debt.

Get that off of your credit history, Lamont said. Make it a little easier for you to rent that home or be able to buy a car. Those are the type of things that clean up your record and make it easier to get about your life in a more affordable way.

One top legislative Republican said he supported the general notion of forgiving medical debt, especially compared to other debt forgiveness programs backed by some Democrats.

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To forgive somebodys medical debt is certainly a lot more acceptable to someone like me than it would be for student loan debt, State Rep. Dave Rutigliano, the deputy Republican leader in the state House, said. He noted that medical debt often comes as the result of medical emergencies, which patients have no control over.

Still, some Republicans, including Rutigliano, have raised questions about the mechanism by which the state will forgive millions in debt.

The Governor may enjoy the headlines hes getting from this, but I have little doubt this policy decision will disappoint people with debt who dont qualify for relief, State Rep. Vin Candelora, the Republican leader in the state House, said back in February when Lamont first announced his debt cancellation plans.

There is no process for residents to apply for or request debt relief. Undue Medical Debt will send letters to those who are receiving each round of forgiveness, state officials said.

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Residents in this first round will receive a letter in the mail notifying them that either some or all of their medical debt has been eliminated. Those letters are expected to start arriving at homes on Dec. 23.

An example of the letter can be found below.

20241216-example-letter-medical-debt-reliefDownload

Were very grateful to the State of Connecticut for this sizable investment in medical debt relief and Im glad this first round of letters is landing in time for the holiday season, Allison Sesso, CEO and president of Undue Medical Debt CEO and president said in a statement.

New Conn. laws take effect Jan. 1: What to know

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Debt relief is only one, albeit important, piece of the puzzle in removing an emotional and financial burden on families. Im very glad that Governor Lamont has also committed to upstream solutions by way of legislation to ensure medical debts do not negatively impact ones credit score, she said.

This is expected to be the first round of several medical debt eliminations for state residents.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Nov. 13. Biden's administration has taken steps to protect federal jobs, but Trump campaigned on a promise to cut the federal workforce. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

By Kyle Cooper and Mitchell Miller

Thousands of people concerned about their federal government jobs once President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House participated in a Tele-Town Hall last week to learn more about plans to stop potential cuts to the workforce from happening.

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The event Thursday evening, hosted by Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-4th), attracted about 15,000 people, mostly federal workers from the D.C. area who are bracing for possible cuts that Trump has pledged to implement. Those in attendance were able to submit questions and interact with Ivey and union leaders who will look to defend their jobs from elimination.

No one should expect that on Jan. 20, theyre going to get fired, said Daniel Horowitz, the deputy legislative director of American Federation of Government Employees, a union for federal workers.

Trump has said he plans to reimplement Schedule F, which reclassify some federal workers to make it easier to fire them without cause. Horowitz said a rule put in place by the Biden Administration would at least slow down any plan for mass-firing of federal workers.

If you do, as a federal employee, get moved on to, say, schedule F, and you already had tenure protection as a member of the competitive service that would carry over, you would still have that and you could not be arbitrarily removed, he said.

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Horowitz said the Trump White House will likely seek to have that provision removed, but it will take months for that to happen. Ivey added that while the effort will be different for federal contractors, they should be prepared for a push to eliminate their jobs as well.

Any potential cuts would not likely affect federal retirees, Horowitz said, but they may not be off the hook entirely. Efforts to make cuts across the board may include changing federal retirement programs, which can impact existing benefits for current or future retirees, which will need to be closely monitored over the next 12 months, he said.

Its also possible that remote work will end and workers will be forced to return to the office. While the union will defend its members right to continue teleworking under its current agreements, Horowitz told federal workers at the town hall, if you get an order to go to the office, go to the office.

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Trump has also appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Efficiency, which isnt an actual agency but an advisory group tasked to come up with ways to make the government more efficient, potentially through unprecedented cuts to the federal workforce.

Musk and Ramaswamy visited Capitol Hill last week, to meet with lawmakers and discuss how they plan to slash the number of federal workers. Pledges have been made many times over the years to shrink the federal government, and some are skeptical this latest effort will lead to the sweeping changes Musk and Ramaswamy have committed to.

But Ivey said his constituents have taken notice.

Theres definitely concern, he told WTOP. I think a lot of people are worried that theyre going to be pushed out of their positions unfairly.

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But Republican critics of federal spending say much of it is wasted and that there is plenty of room for cuts. They argue that reducing the size of the federal bureaucracy would improve the overall economy.

Ivey said he and other members of the Maryland congressional delegation are working with local members of Congress to stop the cuts, including Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer of Virginia and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, all Democrats.

Virginia has more than 140,000 federal workers, and like Maryland and D.C., its economy relies heavily on federal dollars.

This is critical, Ivey said Thursday evening. Were going to be working together to focus on this.

 As part of Maryland Matters content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Kyle Cooper and Mitchell Miller. Click here for the WTOP News website.
The St. Cloud Police Department responded at 11:30 am to a bomb threat at the Publix grocery store at 3372 Canoe Creek Rd.

The Police department worked diligently with the staff to evacuate the store in a timely manner.

We are evaluating a threat made to the Publix, said the St. Cloud PD. Updates will follow.

Read: Monday Night Football: Watch the Bears battle the Vikings on WFTV Channel 9

Ch. 9 headed to the scene to further investigate and provide updates. However, after a while, the Police Department informed the public that officers cleared the store, and no threat was found.

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Read: 2 people killed in shooting at private school in Wisconsin; gunman also dead

According to St. Cloud OPD, the scene has been cleared and the store has been open back to normal within the last 2 hours.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Three children were among the four injured seriously Saturday in a three-vehicle wreck in Christian County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling east on Missouri 14, three miles west of Nixa, when it failed to negotiate a curve.

That vehicle struck a 2018 Honda CRV head-on. The 40-year-old male driver from Clever did not report any injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt, the patrol reported.

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Following that collision, a 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by a 63-year-old man from Clever hit the back of the Honda. He was wearing a seatbelt and did not report any injury.

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The 29-year-old female driver of the Chevrolet was seriously injured and was transported by ambulance to Cox South Hospital along with three passengers  a six-year-old girl and two boys, ages 7 and 12.

The children were also seriously injured in the crash. The driver and passenger were all wearing seatbelts, the patrol said.

The wreck was reported at 1:11 p.m. Saturday. All of the vehicles were towed from the scene.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Three children, one adult seriously injured in Missouri 14 wreck
Police responding to a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin - Credit: AP Photo/Scott Bauer

The juvenile shooter at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, was a 15-year-old female student, according to Madison police.

During an evening news conference on Monday, Police Chief Shon F. Barnes identified the shooter as Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha. She was pronounced dead while being transported to a hospital, and evidence suggested she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Barnes. The shooters age was initially reported as 17, but later at the press briefing, authorities confirmed she was 15.

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The shooting left one student and one teacher dead and six injured, said Barnes. At a press conference Tuesday, Dec. 17, Barnes said that the two students who suffered life-threatening injuries remain in critical condition.

Four other students were at other area hospitals. A spokesperson for SSM Health St. Marys Hospital said two patients were discharged on Monday night, while two others are in stable condition at St. Marys Hospital, per the Associated Press.

Also at the Tuesday briefing, Barnes corrected a mistake he made yesterday when he said a second grade student called 911 to report the shooting. It was actually a second grade teacher, Barnes said, taking responsibility for the mistake.

Barnes also said that police were looking into a supposed manifesto that had been circling online, stating that authorities could not confirm its authenticity. He said the possible motive was a combination of factors, but could not share specifics as the investigation remains ongoing.

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According to Barnes, police responded to the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School just before 11 a.m. local time, arriving to find multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds and the juvenile who they believe was responsible. Officers began to administer life-saving measures to the victims before some were taken to the hospital. Barnes also said that police officers did not fire their weapons after entering the school.

Police arrived within four minutes of the 911 call, Barnes stated yesterday. Law enforcement said it appeared the weapon used in the attack was a 9-mm pistol.

During an earlier press conference Monday, authorities erroneously said that five people had died in the shooting. The Madison Police Department issued a statement clarifying that three people had died about 20 minutes later.

Wisconsin governor Tony Evers issued a statement on X, saying he was closely monitoring the incident, adding: We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond.

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According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, about 335 students are enrolled at Abundant Life Christian School, which teaches kindergarten through 12th grade. It shares a campus with the non-denominational City Church, as well as the Campus for Kids Learning Center for infants and younger children.

This story was updated at 3:48 p.m. ET with additional information from Police Chief Shon Barnes second press conference. This story was updated 6:25 p.m. ET on Dec. 16, 2024, and at 12:58 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2024, with additional information about the school shooter. This story was updated Dec. 17, 2024 at 2:25 p.m. ET after Barnes clarified that a second grade teacher had called 911.

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Oak Buffs Police Department responded to a crash that turned scary when a car overturned and submerged into Sunset Lake.

On Thursday, December 12, police overheard what sounded like a crash in the vicinity of Our Market. When observing the noise, police found a broken telephone pole and a car overturned and submerged into water.

The officers found a 31-year-old female on the shoreline and a 35-year-old man trapped in the vehicle. The males feet were trapped under the vehicle, but he was alerting the officers about his unconscious mother in the back seat.

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Officers immediately went into the knee-deep water to render aid. They cut away the air bags to get to the 60-year-old mother, but noticed that she had no pulse and was not breathing. Officers began CPR until they were relieved by EMS. Oak Bluffs Fire Department used the jaws of life to save the male.

Both the 31 and 35-year-old were transported to Marthas Vineyard Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. The 60-year-old mother to both of the occupants was air-lifted to Brigham and Womens where she remains in critical condition.

Initial investigations believe that speed and alcohol were associated to the cause of the crash.

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 a result of a joint operation, the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine detained Ruben Voskanian, an Armenian national who committed a terrorist act in the city of Dnipro.

As reported by Azernews, citing Ukrainian media sources, Ruben Voskanian, who was accused of spying for Russia, was found to be the author of the terrorist act committed at the military commissariats.

It should be noted that one person was killed and two others, including two police officers, were injured in the explosion.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), the largest bank in Brunei, hosted a family day event aimed at promoting a positive work-life balance and reinforcing the bank's commitment to employee well-being, local media reported on Monday.

According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, the event kicked off with a walkathon, which was part of the activities lined up under the campaign. Employees were treated to activities including fun games and prize giveaways.

During the event, the bank also launched a campaign aimed at fostering a positive and healthy work environment. The bank will continue to organize activities in the future, such as wellness talks, runs, and other wellness activities, according to the report. 
SMITHFIELD, Va. (WAVY)  Three Smithfield residents were charged with firearms offenses after a shooting on Saturday afternoon.

At around 4 p.m., Smithfield Police were dispatched to the 700 block of Wrenn Road near Westside Elementary School in reference to a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was transported to a local hospital and has since been released. She was shot by another woman, identified as Keona Lawrence.

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A preliminary investigation determined the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute between four residents of two apartments. Witness statements and evidence suggest the altercation escalated when firearms were presented and discharged.

Search warrants executed on both apartments uncovered additional firearms, ammunition and evidence indicating shots were fired by all individuals during the incident.

Further investigation revealed residents Keona Lawrence and Iam Allah are convicted felons prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Charges for Iam Allah:

Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (18.2-308.2)

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 Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (18.2-308.2)

 Brandishing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school (18.2-282)

 Discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school (18.2-280)

 Reckless handling of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school (18.2-56.1)

Charges for Keona Lawrence:

Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (18.2-308.2)

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (18.2-308.2)

Brandishing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school (18.2-282)

Discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school (18.2-280)

Malicious wounding (18.2-51)

Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony (18.2-53.1)

Charges for Ricardo Woodard

Reckless handling of a firearm (18.2-56.1)

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The victim faces no charges at this time.

The investigation remains 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 WAVY.com.
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, asked the U.S. Supreme Court, on Monday, to intervene in its impending nationwide ban by blocking the law that would remove the app from millions of users.

In its filing, the popular social media app alleged that banning the app would shutter one of the most popular speech platforms at a highly political moment on January 19, just one day before Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated.

The Act will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration. This, in turn, will silence the speech of Applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern, TikTok wrote.

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At issue is a bipartisan law called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which is supposed to protect national security.

The law requires ByteDance to sell the social media platform to an American company or be banned.

TikTok is taking a dispute over a bipartisan law to the Supreme Court (AFP via Getty Images)

Already, TikTok has failed to delay the law from taking effect. Last week, they asked Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to delay the law, giving them for more time to make their case to the Supreme Court.

However, the appeals court upheld the law.

The companies had warned that without court action, the law will shut down TikTok, one of the nations most popular apps with more than 170 million domestic monthly users.

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TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Under the law, the government has sweeping powers to ban other foreign-owned apps that could raise concerns about collection of Americans data.

The 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 apps 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 US users are made in the US.

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If the Supreme Court decides to temporarily block the law, it would allow justices to take up the case and decide if the law is constitutional. They could also ask a lower court to re-consider its decision.

But if justices reject the emergency application, the law will go into effect.

The would put TikToks fate first in the hands of President Joe Biden on whether to grant a 90-day extension of the January 19 deadline to force a sale and second to President-elect Trump.

Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, said before the November presidential election he would not allow the ban on TikTok.

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The US would not be the first country to ban TikTok, with India imposing a nationwide ban in 2020.

Other countries and regions have implemented partial bans, including the European Commission and the European Council, which banned the app from official devices last year.

TikTok asked the Supreme Court to intervene by January 6.

Additional reporting from agencies.
TikTok filed another emergency petition on Monday, this time with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to temporarily block a law that will ban the popular app from the States next month.

The app, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, said the law tramples on the First Amendment rights of its 170 million monthly users. Earlier this year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok from the U.S. starting Jan. 19, 2025, unless its Chinese owners sell its American business.

Congress unprecedented attempt to single out applicants and bar them from operating one of the most significant speech platforms in this nation presents grave constitutional problems that this court likely will not allow to stand, TikToks lawyers wrote in the Monday filing, obtained by TheWrap.

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The chief concern U.S. lawmakers have with TikTok is that it doubles as a spyware app for the Chinese government; TikTok, according to Chinese law, is required to share user data with Chinas communist government, if it is asked to do so.

Most Americans dont seem to be too concerned with Chinas government having easy access to their data, though. Only 32% of Americans are in favor of the U.S. government banning TikTok, according to a Pew Research Center survey in September of 10,678 respondents aged 18 and older.

In Mondays legal update, TikToks lawyers argued the apps close ties to Chinas government do not warrant a ban. Strict scrutiny applies here just as it would if Congress banned a specified American citizen from operating a particular American newspaper merely because a foreign nation might be able to control what he printed or misuse his subscriber data, the filing stated.

This is just the latest effort by TikTok and its parent company to try and fend off the looming ban.

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Last week, TikTok and ByteDance filed an emergency injunction calling for an appeals court to temporarily block the law that bans the app, saying it would grant breathing room for the U.S. Supreme Court to conduct an orderly review. TikTok also pointed to President-elect Donald Trumps comment earlier this year that he was going to save TikTok in its filing, but the request was denied on Friday, Dec. 13.

Trump, during a press conference on Monday, reiterated hed like to keep TikTok in the U.S. He said hed take a look at saving TikTok, noting he had a warm spot in his heart for it because it helped get young people to vote for him.

The post TikTok Asks Supreme Court to Block US Ban appeared first on TheWrap.
WASHINGTON (AP)  TikTok on Monday asked the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to block the federal law that would ban the popular platform in the United States unless its China-based parent company agreed to sell it.

Lawyers for the company and China-based ByteDance urged the justices to step in before the law's Jan. 19 deadline. A similar plea was filed by content creators who rely on the platform for income and some of TikTok's more than 170 million users in the U.S.

A modest delay in enforcing the Act will create breathing room for this Court to conduct an orderly review and the new Administration to evaluate this matter  before this vital channel for Americans to communicate with their fellow citizens and the world is closed, lawyers for the companies told the Supreme Court.

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President-elect Donald Trump, who once supported a ban but then pledged during the campaign to save TikTok, said his administration would take a look at the situation.

As you know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, Trump said during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. His campaign saw the platform as a way to reach younger, less politically engaged voters.

Trump was meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, according to two people familiar with the president-elects plans who were not authorized to speak publicly about them and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The companies have said that a shutdown lasting just a month would cause TikTok to lose about a third of its daily users in the U.S. and significant advertising revenue.

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The case could attract the court's interest because it pits free speech rights against the government's stated aims of protecting national security, while raising novel issues about social media platforms.

The request first goes to Chief Justice John Roberts, who oversees emergency appeals from courts in the nation's capital. He almost certainly will seek input from all nine justices.

On Friday, a panel of federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied an emergency plea to block the law, a procedural ruling that allowed the case to move to the Supreme Court.

The same panel had earlier unanimously upheld the law over a First Amendment challenge claiming that it violated free speech rights.

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Without a court-ordered freeze, the law would take effect Jan. 19 and expose app stores that offer TikTok and internet hosting services that support it to potential fines.

It would be up to the Justice Department to enforce the law, investigating possible violations and seeking sanctions. But lawyers for TikTok and ByteDance have argued that Trump's Justice Department might pause enforcement or otherwise seek to mitigate the law's most severe consequences. Trump takes office a day after the law goes into effect.

The Supreme Court could temporarily put the law on hold so that the justices can give fuller consideration to First Amendment and other issues. They also could quickly schedule arguments and try to render a decision by Jan. 19.

On the other hand, the high court could reject the emergency appeal, which would allow the law to take effect as scheduled.

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With that last prospect in mind, the companies' lawyers asked for a ruling on their emergency request by Jan. 6 because they'd need the time to coordinate with their service providers to perform the complex task of shutting down the TikTok platform only in the United States.

The case has made a relatively quick trip through the courts once bipartisan majorities in Congress approved the law and President Joe Biden signed it in April.

___

Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Colleen Long contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- TikTok and its Chinese parent company asked the US Supreme Court to block a government ban set to take effect next month, invoking favorable comments about the popular social-media platform from President-elect Donald Trump.

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Making a late push to keep operating in a market with more than 170 million users, TikTok and parent ByteDance Ltd. asked the court to put the law on hold by Jan. 6 as the justices consider whether to hear a company appeal. The measure would ban TikTok in the US if ByteDance doesnt sell it.

Barring Supreme Court intervention, the ban will kick in Jan. 19, the day before Trump is inaugurated. But Trumps stance could affect how the ban plays out in practice because the Justice Department is charged with enforcing the law and, as president, he would have power to approve any divestment proposal.

There is a reasonable possibility that the new administration will pause enforcement of the act or otherwise seek to mitigate its most severe potential consequences, TikTok argued.

It would not be in the interest of anyone  not the parties, the public, or the courts  for the acts ban on TikTok to take effect only for the new administration to halt its enforcement hours, days, or even weeks later, the company said.

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Trump said Monday he would consider reversing the hard-line approach he took toward the app when he was president in 2020.

Warm Spot

Well take a look at TikTok. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, Trump said at press conference at Mar-a-Lago, attributing Republican gains with young voters to the platform. TikTok had an impact, so were taking a look at it.

The law doesnt require people to remove their TikTok apps. It instead bars companies that support TikTok  including Oracle Corp., whose servers house the platform  from continuing to provide critical services.

TikTok contends Congress violated the Constitutions First Amendment by singling out the company. The US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected that argument on a 3-0 vote, saying Congress was legitimately acting to protect national security and user privacy.

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The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States, Judge Douglas Ginsburg wrote for the panel. Here the government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversarys ability to gather data on people in the United States.

The appeals court a week later refused to temporarily halt the law while the Supreme Court decides whether to intervene.

TikTok told the Supreme Court the law will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration.

A group of content creators also asked the high court to put the new law on hold.

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Lawmakers said the legislation was necessary to prevent China from using the app to obtain information on US citizens or spread propaganda. The US government didnt offer evidence that China had used the app to influence US citizens or steal data as part of the case.

TikToks popularity has soared in recent years as a source of entertainment and information and a platform to build businesses. A Pew Research survey released in September showed about 17% of US adults regularly receive news from the app, representing a fivefold jump from 2020.

The Supreme Court cases are TikTok v. Garland, 24A587, and Firebaugh v. Garland, 24A588.

--With assistance from Zoe Tillman, Akayla Gardner and Gregory Korte.

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(Updates with excerpt from filing in seventh paragraph.)

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The News

TikTok asked the Supreme Court to temporarily block a law that would ban the hugely popular social media app in the United States in a few weeks time.

TikTok asked the top court for an injunction on the law, which would force its parent company ByteDance to either divest the app or face a ban, while the company appeals a lower courts ruling in favor of the law. The company maintains that the law violates the companys First Amendment rights, as well as those of its 170 million users in the US.

The delay would also give the incoming Administration time to determine its position, as the President-elect and his advisors have voiced support for saving TikTok, the company said in the filing.

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President-elect Donald Trump promised Monday to take a look at TikTok, saying he has a warm spot for the social media app.

While many nominees for cabinet-level positions have supported banning TikTok, the company is hoping Trump will try to halt the move. Trump is expected to meet with the CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, later on Monday, a source told Semafor. CNN first reported the meeting.

US lawmakers passed the TikTok ban on a bipartisan basis, citing national security risks. TikTok has denied that it has, or would, share US user data or seek to influence users according to Chinese government demands.
(Bloomberg) -- TikTok CEO Shou Chew met with president-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Monday just weeks before the popular video app is expected to be banned in the US over national security concerns.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The private meeting, confirmed by a source familiar with the discussion, came just hours after Trump suggested hed somehow try to reverse the ban to save TikTok, which he used to reach young voters on the campaign trail.

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Well take a look at TikTok, Trump told reporters earlier Monday from Mar-a-Lago. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok. Trump had previously tried to ban TikTok in 2020 during his first term as president, but has since switched his stance on the app.

It was not immediately clear what Trump and Chew discussed. A spokesperson for TikTok did not respond to a request for comment. CNN earlier reported about the meeting.

The shutdown, which is slated for Jan. 19, is required under a law signed by President Joe Biden, unless TikToks China-based parent company ByteDance Ltd. agrees to sell the app to an American owner.

The company has been fighting the law. After a federal appeals court in Washington decided this month to uphold the divest-or-ban law and then rejected TikToks request for an injunction. The social media company on Monday asked the Supreme Court to review the case.

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Chew is one of many tech leaders choosing to meet Trump before his inauguration next month. Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg had dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago the night before Thanksgiving, and Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook also met with Trump for dinner at Mar-a-Lago last week.

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By Andrew Chung and David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -TikTok made a last-ditch effort on Monday to continue operating in the United States, asking the Supreme Court to temporarily block a law intended to force ByteDance, its China-based parent company, to divest the short-video app by Jan. 19 or face a ban.

TikTok and ByteDance filed an emergency request to the justices for an injunction to halt the looming ban on the social media app used by about 170 million Americans while they appeal a lower court's ruling that upheld the law. A group of U.S. users of the app filed a similar request on Monday as well.

Congress passed the law in April. The Justice Department has said that as a Chinese company, TikTok poses "a national-security threat of immense depth and scale" because of its access to vast amounts of data on American users, from locations to private messages, and its ability to secretly manipulate content that Americans view on the app.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington on Dec. 6 rejected TikTok's arguments that the law violates free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

In their filing to the Supreme Court, TikTok and ByteDance said that "if Americans, duly informed of the alleged risks of 'covert' content manipulation, choose to continue viewing content on TikTok with their eyes wide open, the First Amendment entrusts them with making that choice, free from the government's censorship."

"And if the D.C. Circuit's contrary holding stands, then Congress will have free rein to ban any American from speaking simply by identifying some risk that the speech is influenced by a foreign entity," they added.

The companies said that being shuttered for even one month would cause TikTok to lose about a third of its U.S. users and undermine its ability to attract advertisers and recruit content creators and employee talent.

Calling itself one of the "most important speech platforms" used in the United States, TikTok has said that there is no imminent threat to U.S. national security and that delaying enforcement of the law would allow the Supreme Court to consider the legality of the ban, and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to evaluate the law as well.

Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, has reversed his stance and promised during the presidential race this year that he would try to save TikTok. Trump takes office on Jan. 20, the day after the TikTok deadline under the law.
The TikTok U.S. ban update has sparked widespread attention as the deadline for a potential ban on the app draws near. On January 19, TikTok may be removed from U.S. app stores, following a series of legal and governmental decisions. This move could have major implications for the apps millions of American users.

In this article, we will delve into the details of the recent update of the TikTok U.S. ban along with its impact.

Is US banning TikTok on January 19?

The U.S. government is taking significant steps to potentially ban TikTok from app stores by January 19, according to a recent update.

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A recent court ruling supports a law that mandates the sale of TikToks U.S. operations. This decision comes after national security concerns regarding the Chinese ownership of the app. The law requires ByteDance, TikToks parent company, to divest its stake or face a nationwide ban, which would impact 170 million American users of the app. (via Reuters)

In a letter to the CEOs of Apple and Google, U.S. lawmakers, including Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, have made it clear that they must be prepared to remove TikTok from their app stores if the ban is enforced. This is part of a broader effort to address potential threats posed by TikToks ties to the Chinese government. TikTok, which has been fighting the law, has warned that removing the app from stores would make it impossible for new users to download it and would severely limit the experience for existing users.

While TikTok has already filed an emergency request to block the law, the Department of Justice has confirmed that if the ban is enacted, it wont directly prevent current users from accessing the app. However, the loss of updates and technical support would ultimately render it unusable in the U.S.

The post TikTok US Ban Update: App May Be Removed on January 19 appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Four local companies have been fined by the Licensing and Enforcement Division of the Brunei-Muara District Office for illegal waste disposal, local media reported on Monday.

According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, two businesses were fined 2,000 Brunei dollars (1,482 U.S. dollars) each, while others received fines of 1,000 Brunei dollars (741 dollars) and 500 Brunei dollars (370 dollars).

The companies have seven days to pay the fines or face court prosecution, with penalties of up to 30,000 Brunei dollars (22,244 dollars) or 12 months' imprisonment, according to the media report.

Brunei is located in the northern region of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia, and it places a high priority on environmental protection. According to Brunei's laws, littering and improper waste disposal are subject to severe penalties. 
Dec. 16Volunteers help during the Salvation Army of Odessa's Angel Tree gift distribution Monday, December 18, 2023, at the Odessa Salvation Army. (Michael Bauer|Odessa American)

With only a few days until Thursday's distribution of toys and food to needy Odessans we need your help!

The Empty Stocking Fund currently has $62,345.88 in the bank with a goal of $150,000 to help several hundred needy families here in Odessa and more than 1,000 children.

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Two generous challenge grants help triple your donation. The Sewell Family of Companies and an anonymous donor have both pledged to match up to $50,000.

The Empty Stocking Fund was created by the Odessa American in 1995 and has raised more than $2.61 million. Empty Stocking funds enable the Salvation Army to provide toys and food baskets to needy families in Odessa.

Donations to the Empty Stocking Fund may be mailed or delivered to the Salvation Army Community Center, 810 E. 11th St., or the Odessa American, 700 N. Grant, Suite 800. Both zip codes are 79761.

Donate online at tinyurl.com/3a5w9jud

Want to know more? Call 332-0738.
Two years after 48,000 University of California academic workers won big pay gains in a historic six-week strike, labor experts and organizers predicted that their success, along with a labor-friendly Biden administration, would spur broad union activism within higher education institutions.

A flurry of recent university union activity coupled with fears of a more pro-business, anti-labor Trump White House is providing the answer. At campuses across the country  including top California universities, New York University and Harvard  unions representing graduate student workers, part-time and non-tenure track faculty and others are rapidly and aggressively moving to organize workers.

For many part-time and non-tenured faculty, who are a backbone of undergraduate education, the union activism reflects their longtime frustrations as lower paid and easily let-go instructors, experts said. Now, time is of the essence.

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Read more: 'You don't know what's next.' International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration

"It's the pre-Trump rush," said John Logan, a professor in the department of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, as unions anticipate new conservative appointees taking over positions in the federal agency that enforces U.S. labor laws. Unions, he said, "are thriving on campuses."

At USC, a majority of the 2,500 adjunct, part-time and full-time non-tenure track faculty last week said they had signed union authorization cards and filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for an election, with hopes that votes will be certified before Inauguration Day.

Read more: How California school leaders think Trump's Linda McMahon could affect education

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In Burbank, nearly 200 faculty members at the New York Film Academys Los Angeles campus voted this month to form a union. At the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita, a majority of the more than 600 full-time and part-time faculty and staff have signed union authorization cards, though there has not yet been an election.

"We don't know what Trump is going to do," said Nadia Suryawinata, a union leader at Caltech in Pasadena, where 2,000 graduate student workers and postdoctoral scholars formed a union in February and overwhelmingly voted this month to authorize their leadership to call a strike  a tactic to speed up negotiations to secure a contract.

"Time is running out. We want a contract by inauguration," said Suryawinata, a doctoral student in biology who teaches classes and conducts research.

University unions grow

Many of the campuses are organizing with United Auto Workers, the union with origins in car manufacturing whose ranks have increasingly become filled with academics. Campus unions now represent a quarter of the roughly 400,000 UAW members, including graduate-student workers and postdoctoral researchers at the University of California, Caltech, USC and Cal State. UAW is also part of the non-tenured faculty union drive at USC and efforts at CalArts.

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A September report from the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions at Hunter College found that both student worker and faculty unions are growing  with students labor movements moving at a faster clip.

Between 2012 and 2023, the number of unionized graduate student and postdoctoral workers more than doubled, from roughly 64,000 to 150,000. Faculty unions also increased by 7%, from 374,000 to 402,000, in the same period, the report said.

Read more: How Trump's win could reshape UC research, LGBTQ+ rights and student loan forgiveness

Today, more than a third of graduate-student and postdoctoral workers are unionized while a quarter of faculty are.

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"Among faculty, the drive for unionization has been strongest among non-tenure track faculty," said William A. Herbert, the executive director of the center who was co-author of the report. "This reflects the massive restructuring of faculty, over the past decades, to largely precarious low-wage college teaching and researching positions."

"Both groups are a cheap, disposable labor force for universities, and they are feeling the same pressures as everyone else who is working and trying to pay the bills," said Logan, the SFSU labor studies professor. "Some universities will pay adjuncts about $5,000 a semester per class."

In California, the biggest fight is expected at USC, where the potential new union called United Faculty-UAW would represent around a third of all faculty. Organizers filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Tuesday. The union would cover eligible employees at all USC schools except for the School of Cinematic Arts, where a separate adjunct faculty union formed in February, and the Keck School of Medicine. No election date is set.

The UC union of academic workers that struck in 2022, UAW 4811, recently averted a clash when membership voted to extend its contract by six months in exchange for 4% raises next October and "transitional funding programs" at each of the University of California campuses.

The Tommy Trojan statue at USC. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

The funding program, piloted at UCLA this year, allows graduate-student researchers who have had breakdowns in relations with their advisors or have reservations about their funding sources  such as opposition to work tied to the U.S. military or weapons research, an issue that arose during pro-Palestinian protests  to transition away from their current positions.

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At UCLA, union members must demonstrate "incompatibility in research goals, or irresolvable differences in the adviser-advisee relationship" to move to new advisors.

Girding for battle at USC

Pay is at the center of union organizing at USC, where non-tenure track professors complain of semester-to-semester contracts with little job security, minimal or nonexistent raises and moves by the university to cut benefits. Current openings for part-time roles at USC on its website list jobs with pay as low as $29.06 an hour in the case of an opening for an adjunct instructor of health policy and management in the Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Several faculty interviewed by The Times also cited cuts to tuition benefits for children and spouses of faculty as a reason they supported unionizing in hopes of having a bigger say in benefit decisions.

"The cost of living is enormous in Los Angeles and keeps on going up, but USC hasn't been able to keep up," said Sanjay Madhav, a unionization supporter in the USC Viterbi engineering school who has been a full-time non-tenure track associate professor at the school for 13 years.

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Patrick Corbin, an full-time, non-tenure track associate professor in the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, pointed to a COVID-era university decision as among the issues that led him to want a union.

Read more: How pro-Palestinian protests led to a massive UC strike, injecting new fuel into antiwar activism

Amid widespread cost-cutting and a national economic slump, "USC unilaterally froze their contributions to our retirement benefits," Corbin said. "I wasn't asked about that. I did not take a vote on it. I'm 60. I cannot get that loss back."

In a statement, USC said it opposes the union because the administration believes all faculty are managers as a result of being able to vote for Academic Senate officers and serve in other positions that make recommendations on how the campus runs.

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"USC respects the role of unions and has worked collaboratively with them for many years. But we have serious concerns  legal, academic, and operational  about a union purporting to represent almost all of our research, teaching, practitioner, and clinical faculty. All of our faculty have an equal voice, and exercise it regularly, in our system of shared governance over how the university operates," the statement said.

"We do not believe our faculty need a union to speak for them or that applicable law will permit it. We look forward to continuing to work, as we always have, in direct collaboration with our faculty on matters of importance to our university."

Union organizers argue that playing nonbinding advisory roles on campus is far different from being in management. As an example, they point to a recommendation the Academic Senate made in 2022 that USC implement an annual cost-of-living salary increase. The university rejected the idea.

An attempt to organize some of the same non-tenure track faculty in 2015 and 2016 under the Service Employees Industrial Union fizzled out. Faculty at Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science voted against unionization, but union supporters argued USC interfered with the process. Those at the Roski School of Art and Design voted in favor of unionizing. USC sued in multiple court cases over the legality of the Roski election and, by 2019, the SEIU withdrew its petition to represent faculty.

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"Back then, it felt like it was a very top-down approach by the SEIU. I wasn't involved, but I knew it was happening," said Scott Uriu, who has taught part time in the USC School of Architecture for 14 years and supports unionization. "Today it feels much more like a groundswell."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEW YORK (AP)  Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a former top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams, expects to be indicted on criminal charges related to alleged improper gifts, her lawyer said Monday.

Lewis-Martin abruptly resigned Sunday as Adams' chief adviser, the latest departure from an administration that has been enveloped in criminal investigations. The mayors office called it a planned retirement.

Lewis-Martins lawyer, Arthur Aidala, told reporters at a news conference Monday that she had been invited to speak with the grand jury considering charges but declined because the outcome of the investigation appeared to be predetermined. He said they wanted the opportunity to clarify emails and text messages that could get taken out of context but are easily explained away about what they mean.

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The case involves gifts given to Lewis-Martin, Aidala said, but he declined to discuss further details and claimed  without providing evidence  that the case was politically motivated.

Pieces of puzzles are going to be put together to make it look as horrible as possible, Aidala said as he sat alongside Lewis-Martin at his Manhattan office. But we know the truth, and the truth is Ingrid Lewis-Martin never broke the law.

Lewis-Martin said she has been "falsely accused of something; I don't know what it is.

And during my tenure, I have never taken any gifts, money, anything, she said. I have not made any arrangements in advance to take any gifts or money, or to have any gifts or money given to a family member or friend in order for me to do my job.

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Her decision to leave office comes as Adams faces federal corruption charges and several members of his administration have come under investigation. Adams himself has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty.

The federal investigation into Adams emerged in November 2023 after investigators searched the home of his top fundraiser, Brianna Suggs. Lewis-Martin has referred to Suggs as her goddaughter.

Aidala said he believed Manhattan prosecutors were targeting Martin to get her to cooperate against Adams. She would likely be indicted alongside others, he added, without specifying who else might face charges.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorneys office said in an email that it would be inappropriate" to comment because this Office acts with the utmost integrity."

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Adams declined to comment on potential charges against Lewis-Martin at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Lewis-Martins phones were seized and her home was searched in late September by prosecutors in Manhattan who, along with federal prosecutors, met her at an airport in New York as she was getting off a flight from Japan.

Hours after the search, Lewis-Martin took the extraordinary step of appearing on Aidalas radio show to discuss the investigation, telling her attorney, I do believe that in the end that the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DAs office to investigate us.

Lewis-Martin has been one of the mayors most trusted and longest-serving aides, working under Adams in prominent positions throughout his political career  when he was a state senator, Brooklyn borough president and mayor. She has said she first met Adams about four decades ago, when Adams and her husband, Glenn Martin, were in the New York City police academy.

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The mayor's office released a written statement on Lewis-Martin's retirement in which Adams said, Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted advisor, but also a sister."

Weve always talked about when this day would come, and while weve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wont be right next door every day, Adams said in the statement.

Lewis-Martin, in the statement from City Hall, said that her time alongside Adams has been an amazing ride but that now, today, the time has come for me to focus on my wonderful family and myself and retire.

___

Izaguirre reported from Albany, N.Y.
One Northside restaurant will not be reopening its doors anytime soon.

A car crashed into the building housing the Jamrock Caribbean and American Cuisine early Sunday morning.

The owner, Danielle Walker, opened the restaurant with her fiance 7 years ago.

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We have some amazing customers, said Walker.

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Since theyve been in business, Walker never imagined she would wake up one morning to her restaurant damaged.

We woke up in shock, many questions, we rushed up there, said Walker.

She said the car crashed not only into their building, but it also hit the beauty salon right next door.

I was in total disbelief, said Walker.

Read: Sheriffs office investigating bomb threat at St. Johns County Publix

The lounge area and DJ booth inside are destroyed and their restrooms are out of commission.

Walker said normally they host parties on Saturday nights and shes very thankful that no one was at the restaurant when this crash happened.

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Walker told Action News Jax that the crash caused more than $20,000 in damage including problems with the electrical wiring.

They boarded up the wall where the car hit the building to make sure no one enters their restaurant while they wait for the repairs to begin.

They will be closed until further notice.

Right now, it is unclear if the driver was impaired or some other factor caused the crash.

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At his first news conference since winning the presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his intent to make a little progress in ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking from Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 16, Trump described the conflict as horrible and emphasized the urgent need to stop it.

Were trying to get the war stopped, that horrible, horrible war thats going on in Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine, Trump said.

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He added, Were going to get a little progress. Its a tough one, its a nasty one, its nasty.

The President-elect criticized the high human cost of the conflict, claiming the death toll on both sides is likely far higher than reported.

Trump attributed the heavy casualties to Ukraines flat terrain, adding that the only thing that stops a bullet is a body, a human body.

Trump confirmed he had not invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to his January inauguration but noted that Zelensky would be welcome if he chose to attend.

Read also: How will Russias war in Ukraine end? The good, the bad, and the ugly scenarios

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The president-elect previously met with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Dec. 7 to discuss the war.

According to Reuters, the meeting did not yield a specific peace plan, though Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, while Zelensky underscored the need for security guarantees.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is racing to deliver additional aid to Ukraine, announcing a $988 million military aid package on Dec. 7.

However, Trump has signaled plans to reduce such assistance once in office to push Ukraine into negotiations that could include territorial concessions.

Although critical of Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S. ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, Trump reiterated that he does not plan to abandon Ukraine.

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Instead, he aims to use U.S. support as leverage to pressure Kyiv and Moscow to reach a peace agreement.

Read also: EU will train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by early 2025, chief diplomat says

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VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  One person is dead after an accident involving a car and train that happened in northeast Vigo County Sunday afternoon. The driver of the car who was killed in the crash is identified as 83 year old Betty Dean of Terre Haute.

The accident happened near Rio Grande Ave and Gallagher Road in Vigo County.

According to the Vigo County Sheriffs Department, the vehicle attempted to cross the train tracks before being struck by the train. The conductor of the train tried to activate the emergency stop but was unable to before impact.

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The release also stated the warning lights and arms were active at the time of the crash.

It is confirmed the Dean was the only occupant in the vehicle.

The Vigo County Sheriffs Office, Vigo County Coroners Office, and fatal crash team are still investigating the accident.

We will continue to update you as we receive 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 MyWabashValley.com.
At least seven people have been taken to hospital in Fiji after drinking pina coladas at a popular resort bar over the weekend.

Four Australian women, two Americans and one Fijian, aged 18 to 56, were hospitalised for suspected alcohol poisoning on Saturday night.

One of the Australians, 56, was under constant hospital surveillance while another, 19, had experienced serious medical episodes. The other two, aged 49 and 18, were in critical but less severe condition.

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Australia warned travellers to Fiji to look for the potential risks of drink spiking and methanol poisoning when consuming alcoholic beverages.

Fijis police and health ministry were conducting investigations and toxicology tests to determine the cause of the poisoning.

The victims reportedly drank cocktails at Warwick Fiji Resort on the Coral Coast and soon developed nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms.

The countrys government insisted that the episode was extremely isolated.

An incident of alcohol poisoning left six tourists dead in the Southeast Asian country of Laos last month.

We dont have the cause of the incident yet but our team is currently investigating, Jemesa Tudravu from the health ministry was quoted as saying by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He said police were conducting separate toxicology exams as part of their investigation.

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Viliame Gavok, deputy prime minister, said all seven guests had been transferred to the Lautoka hospital for medical care, investigation, and management.

We are glad to hear that they are stable and hope their conditions continue to improve, the minister said in a statement. This is an extremely isolated incident, affecting only these seven guests at a specific bar within the resort.

As we approach the festive season, we always advise everyone to exercise the usual caution about what they consume, Mr Gavok said.

He said the resort claimed they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests.

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The Warwick Fiji Resort earlier said it was operational despite the hospitalisations. We do not have anything to disclose because the resort is under investigation, the resorts reception said in a statement to the BBC.

The establishment said they were taking the matter very seriously and conducting a thorough investigation. They were waiting for the test result report from the health ministry to gather all necessary information.
Dec. 16COLUMBUS  Ashtabula County Treasurer Angie Maki-Cliff testified before the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee in support of Senate Bill 186, regarding issues surrounding delinquent property taxes.

The bill would provide safeguard against the transfer of tax debt, and ensures accountability in property transactions, she said.

"As a steward of taxpayer funds, it is my duty to advocate for legislation that protects the citizens who entrust me with this responsibility," she said.

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Maki-Cliff said her testimony included examples of how the current system has hurt every day citizens, including a disabled veteran who unknowingly inherited thousands of dollars in delinquent taxes when a home was gifted to him without legal oversight.

Maki-Cliff said another case involved a family who purchased a home in good faith, only to lose it at a Sheriff's sale due to undisclosed tax foreclosure.

"Theses stories illustrate the devastating consequences of the current system, and the urgent need for change," she said.

The bill would require delinquent taxes to be paid prior to transfer of real property, force affidavits from buyers at a tax sale to confirm they do not have interest to 10% or greater in any other properties with delinquent taxes and provides penalties for false statements in the affidavit, Maki-Cliff said. She said this reform would curb abusive tactics by property owners seeking to skirt the legal system.

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Maki-cliff said 3.25% of real property transfers in Ashtabula County in 2023 involved delinquent taxes.

"This number has doubled annually since 2020," she said. "This legislation is about fairness and fiscal responsibility.

"It ensures that those seeking to invest in our communities are held accountable for their existing tax debts, protecting the integrity of the system and preventing further exploitation."

Maki-Cliff said in Ashtabula County, the delinquency rate has been 4-6% the last several years, but have previously been as high as 8-12%.

"One thing we have seen an increase in, however, is the number of properties with delinquency at the time of transfer," Maki-Cliff said. She said it has doubled every year since 2020.

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Maki-Cliff serves on the Ohio County Treasure's Association Legislative Committee.

"Our committee has worked tirelessly on this bill for almost two years alongside the bill sponsor," she said. "I testified as a proponent of this bill in January before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. As a champion of this bill, it made since to my organization to once again ask me to testify."

After Maki-Cliff testified Tueday, the bill was amended into House Bill 496 and the Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended it for passage to the full Senate. She said the two branches of state government are scheduled to vote on the bill this week.
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korean prosecutors summoned President Yoon Suk-yeol for questioning for the second time on Monday after their botched attempt to subpoena the impeached president last week, according to multiple media outlets.

The prosecution's special investigation headquarters delivered their second summons to the president's side, asking Yoon to appear at the prosecutors' office in Seoul for questioning over insurrection and other charges.

The prosecution sent an official letter last week to the presidential side, asking Yoon to appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 10:00 a.m. local time Sunday (0100 GMT).

Yoon defied the subpoena last week, reportedly saying that his defense counsel had yet to be formed.

If Yoon agrees to the questioning, he will become the country's first sitting president to appear at the prosecutors' office as a criminal suspect.

Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on a rebellion charge following his martial law imposition on the night of Dec. 3 that was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.

The second motion to impeach Yoon was passed through the National Assembly on Saturday and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power will be suspended.

If Yoon continues to reject the summons for no justifiable reason, the prosecution could try and obtain an arrest warrant against Yoon and detain the president by force. 
Greenpoint residents were told theyll soon be able to unplug their noses, but some critics say the promises have them smelling bull.

A chemical, burning smell that has plagued the trendy neighborhood for more than a year will be cleared in the coming months, local politicians announced this week  although residents doubt the odor is going anywhere.

Green Asphalt in Long Island City is working to adjust its flumes so that the so-called Greenpoint Stink will no longer waft over residential areas, according to Assembly member Emily Gallagher.

The fumes from Green Asphalt have been plaguing Greenpoint for more than a year. Gabriella Bass

The Long Island City plant  the first 100% recycled asphalt plant in the country  estimates its hipster neighbors will be free from the stench by mid-2025.

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Ill believe it when I see it, one resident, who opted to remain anonymous, told The Post.

The four-year Greenpointer likened the asphalt aroma to that of burning tires straight chemical waste, a putrid mixture he and his girlfriend dubbed the Greenpoint Stink.

The couple almost never opens the windows in their Kingsland Avenue apartment  directly across Newtown Creek from the smelly plant  for fear the tainted air will slip in. They have also invested in an air purifier that is almost always running, he said.

Green Asphalt is the first 100% recycled asphalt plant in the country. Gabriella Bass

Our air quality is not that great. We know what it is and I, from having worked in that area, would see some mornings that theres st going up in the sky, he said of the asphalt plant.

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The stench first assaulted the area at the tail end of last summer, quickly adding yet another stench to the already infamously smelly neighborhood  Greenpoint routinely battles tainted air from the waste treatment plant, a plastic manufacturing site and the toxic Newtown Creek.

More than 200 residents complained of the burning smell to Gallagher, whose survey led the state Department of Environmental Conservation to finger Green Ahpalt as the smelly culprit.

Robin Rogers was skeptical the plant would follow through on promises to mitigate the stench. Gabriella Bass

The problem is not just the stench  asphalt fumes can cause serious injury and permanent damage including skin cancer, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Health effects from exposure to asphalt fumes include headache, skin rash, sensitization, fatigue, reduced appetite, throat and eye irritation, cough, and skin cancer.

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We began to get complaints about the smell last year, Gallagher told The Post in a statement.

We tracked and mapped them, and we shared the data with state and local agencies who helped to identify the source, Gallagher added. It has not gotten worse, and it occurs intermittently,

One resident said the smell was so recognizable that he dubbed it the Greenpoint Stink. Gabriella Bass

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According to the Assembly member, Green Asphalt plans to mitigate the stench through a new air dispersion model that would adjust the airstacks so that fumes would waft away from residential areas.

But where the Stink would be diverted is still unknown.

A representative for the company could not explain the specifics of the plan or how it would avoid affecting another community in the densely populated section of the city  but assured that the problem would be fixed within the first half of 2025.

Green Asphalt is currently working with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to determine the most effective course of action to address the communitys concerns, Green Asphalt told The Post in a statement.

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Green Asphalts goal is to remain in good standing with the community as we have over the last 13 years, and we continue to engage with local stakeholders in Greenpoint and Long Island City to resolve this as soon as possible.

Robin Rogers, a sociology researcher and professor at Queens College, suspected the plan was nothing more than something to placate Greenpoint residents.

The Greenpoint Stink is just another of the neighborhoods famous stenches, including the plastic manufacturing plant and those emanating from Newtown Creek. Paul Martinka

Thats the biggest bullst, Rogers, who has lived in Greenpoint for 25 years, said about the plan to divert the smell.

Rogers  who described the smell as acidic and similar to burning metal  said the neighborhood is often offered loose plans to fix ongoing problems, but is left without concrete solutions. She pointed to a town hall several years ago over the water testing at Newtown Creek, but when organizers were pressed for spefifics they clammed up.

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I wouldnt call it new, she said of the asphalt scent. You get used to it.

Carrie, who has lived in Greenpoint for 16 years, also shared skepticism the issue would be solved, especially on such a short timeline.

I have much faith in anything they do around here. I mean, look what they did to McGuinness, Carrie said, references a recent controversy over a bike-lane plan. No one is doing anything for this neighborhood. Its cool they say theyre going to, but I doubt it.

The stench is usually at its worst in the mornings, Carrie noted, claiming it has forced her to completely alter the path she walks her pup on their daily walks.

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The pair almost completely avoid McGolrick Park or the east side of the neighborhood, which seemingly get the worst of the smells.

I feel bad walking her, Carrie said of her dog. I only smell it when Im walking her and I feel bad that she smells it so much more intensely.

[Greenpoint] really wasnt meant to be a place for residential. It used to be all industrial, and its changed over the years, obviously, but no one is doing very much about it.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Dominic LeBlanc as Canadas finance minister to replace Chrystia Freeland, who shocked the country with a scathing resignation letter that suggested the government is mishandling its preparation for the return of Donald Trump.

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LeBlanc was sworn in during a late afternoon ceremony in Ottawa. The 57-year-old has been serving as public safety minister, overseeing Canadas border security response after Trump threatened 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico last month.

Hes a close friend and ally of Trudeau and has been in a number of key cabinet roles since the prime minister swept to power in 2015. When Trudeau flew to Florida to meet Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort last month, he took LeBlanc with him.

We understand that cost of living for a huge, huge number of Canadians is a very significant issue, LeBlanc told reporters. Thatll obviously be a huge focus in my work as the minister of finance.

We need to also be extremely focused on the challenges that the incoming American administration will pose with respect to the potential imposition of tariffs, LeBlanc said.

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Freelands resignation, which she announced publicly in a social media post shortly after 9 a.m. in Ottawa, cause disarray and confusion in the Canadian capital. She had been scheduled to release an update on the governments fiscal and economic situation in the afternoon.

When her resignation was announced, finance department officials were in a building not far from Parliament Hill, preparing to hand out documents outlining the fiscal plan to journalists, economists and others under an embargo. With no minister in place, officials guarded the documents for hours before eventually releasing them.

Meanwhile, Trudeaus political opponents, and even some members of his own party, ramped up their calls for the prime minister to quit. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party  which has been helping the government by supporting its budgets and other legislation  said Trudeau needed to resign. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, the odds-on favorite to win the next election, repeated his calls for the government to dissolve parliament and call a national vote.

Its chaos right now up in Ottawa, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said.

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The finance departments documents showed the governments financial position is deteriorating. The budget deficit for the fiscal year that ended in March ballooned by more than 50%, to C$62 billion ($43.5 billion). The deficit for the current fiscal year is now expected to hit C$48.3 billion, about 20% higher than projections made in April.

Freeland, a former journalist, had been finance minister since 2020 and held a number of senior cabinet posts before that. But she said she couldnt carry on in the cabinet while she was at odds with Trudeau over fiscal policy and how to respond to Trump.

Our country today faces a grave challenge, Freeland wrote in her letter. We need to take that threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.

The phrase political gimmicks is likely a reference to the announcement last month that the government plans to implement a two-month sales-tax holiday on certain items, such as toys and Christmas trees, and send C$250 checks to millions of Canadians. The tax holiday has started, but so far the government doesnt appear to have the necessary political support to pass the rebate checks in the House of Commons.

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, an outspoken critic of Trudeau, took aim at the prime ministers claim that hes a strong supporter of women in politics. Throughout his time in office, Trudeau has had a roughly equal number of women and men in the cabinet. But Freeland is not the first prominent woman to run into conflict with the prime minister during his nine years in power.

All I would say is that Alberta has had three female premiers, and there hasnt ever been a female leader of the federal Liberal Party, Smith told reporters. So I would say that perhaps somebody who declares himself to be such a supporter of women, maybe this is an opportunity for them to demonstrate that.

LeBlancs appointment will cool speculation that Trudeau is about to lure Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, into the government. Carney serves in a number of philanthropic and business roles, including as chair of Brookfield Asset Management and Bloomberg Inc.

--With assistance from Laura Dhillon Kane and Randy Thanthong-Knight.

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(Updates with new information beginning in the second paragraph.)

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Non Disclose, Sir

President-elect Donald Trump doesn't want his newfound son and Tesla CEO Elon Musk to be caught up in pesky regulations and government scrutiny.

According to documents obtained by Reuters, the Trump transition team is looking to drop a federal car-cash reporting requirement  which could greatly undermine the government's efforts to investigate Tesla's infamous driver-assistance software.

Tesla's Autopilot software, particularly the misleadingly-named Full Self-Driving add-on, has been under heavy government scrutiny after being linked to hundreds of crashes and dozens of deaths.

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So far, Tesla has reported more than 1,5000 crash reports to federal safety regulators, per Reuters.

But now that Trump, who has grown extremely close with Musk, is set to return to the White House in January, the rules requiring Tesla to be upfront about crashes involving its vehicles could soon vaporize.

Dismantling Rules

It's an especially pertinent topic now that Musk has bet the company's fate on the development of an autonomous ridehailing service. The company showed off a prototype "Cybercab" at an event earlier this year, with Musk promising to pump out countless robotaxis as soon as next year.

According to Reuters, Trump's transition team was tasked with devising a 100-day strategy for automotive policy, and identified the crash-reporting rule as "excessive" data collection.

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It remains unclear whether Musk or Tesla played a direct role in coming up with these recommendations, but given the close relationship between the mercurial CEO and the president-elect, it's not exactly a stretch.

Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has long been investigating crashes involving the car company's driver assistance software, told Reuters that the collected data was crucial to determine the tech's safety. Two former NHTSA staffers also argued that the requirement was pivotal in the regulator's investigations.

And it's not just Tesla. The NHTSA has collected data on more than 2,700 crashes through the requirement, involving six companies, four of which were involved in nine safety recalls.

During Tesla's third-quarter earnings call in October, Musk called for simpler federal rules governing the development of autonomous vehicles instead of relying on a patchwork of state laws.

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Since then, Musk has been put in charge of a so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash federal spending, which could put him in a conflicted position to call for the dismantling of rules that inconvenience his own business interests.

Whether those actions will prove popular with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, however, remains to be seen  as the regulation of autonomous vehicles has historically been a bipartisan issue, and individual states will likely want a say in the matter as well.

More on Tesla: Elon Musk's "Charity" Is Hoarding Money Instead of Giving It to the Needy
Donald Trump campaign adviser Alex Bruesewitz passed out and toppled over the lectern he was speaking from while onstage during a New York Young Republican Club gala Sunday night, concerning video shows.

Bruesewitz was reportedly introducing incoming White House senior aide Dan Scavino when he started slurring his words and subsequently fainted in front of hundreds of worried attendees inside a Manhattan venue, according to footage of the event.

Several people rushed to his aid after he collapsed and took the lectern with him in the scary moment.

Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz collapsed on stage during a speech at the New York Young Republican Club gala. RSBN

Master of ceremonies Raheem Kassam, who is a former aide of British conservative politician Nigel Farage, told the audience soon after that Bruesewitz was fine backstage and that he even asked a question.

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I talked to our friend Alex Bruesewitz and you know what he said to me? He goes, Did I at least look cool? I said, Alex, you used gravity like Ive seen nobody use gravity before in their lives, Kassam said. But hes recuperating back there, so give him a big cheer so hell hear you.

President-elect Trump also called in following the caught-on-camera tumble and sent his well wishes to his loyal adviser.

I know that Alex is going to be fine because hes a tough son of a gun, Trump said over the phone. Theres no doubt about that. So I want to say hello to Alex, because hes a very special guy.

The Trump supporter is the CEO of X Strategies LLC, which lists its mission as helping elect America First candidates.

Bruesewitz and President-elect Donald Trump. @alexbruesewitz/Instagram

Bruesewitz (center) is escorted backstage after collapsing while speaking during the New York Young Republican Clubs Annual Gala at Ciprianis Wall Street in New York City on Dec. 15, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

Bruesewitz has been the driving force behind the efforts to defeat Republicans who fight against Trump and the MAGA movement and works to replace them with Republicans who fight for values we hold dear, an excerpt from his X Strategies website states.

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The Post has sought comment from X Strategies LLC.

In footage of the start of Bruesewitzs speech, nothing appeared to be off as he commended the New York Republican Club for forcefully backing the 45th and future 47th president, and gave shout-outs to a number of Trump supporters at the event, including former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.

The black-tie event took place at Cipriani Wall Street and featured several prominent speakers, including Farage, Scavino, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, and senior Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski.
President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend doubled down on his opposition to automation as a possible strike by union dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast container ports draws closer.

On Saturday, Trump reposted to more than 8 million followers on his social media platform, Truth Social, a Facebook message by Dennis Daggett, International Longshoremens Association executive vice president, praising Trump for his support of the union in its protracted contract fight with employers at Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast container ports.

The reposting comes after the president-elect on Thursday backed the union in its contract dispute following a meeting with Daggett and his father, ILA President Harold Daggett, at Trumps residence, Mar-a-Lago, in Florida.

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I had the honor of meeting with President-elect Donald Trump yesterday, and I want to share an experience I never imagined in my wildest dreams, Dennis Daggett wrote in his Facebook post. Throughout my career, Ive never seen a Politician  let alone the President of the United States  truly understand the importance of the work our members do every single day. But yesterday, President-elect Trump not only demonstrated that understanding but also showed the utmost respect for the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication of our membership.

Trumps messaging comes amid stalled contract negotiations between the ILA and employers represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). The union claims automation is a job-killer, while the USMX says the technology is desperately needed to make the ports container handling globally competitive.

While the union has been visible and out in front in the war of words, member executives of the USMX, including those of foreign-based ocean carriers, have been reluctant to be the face of their group during negotations.

The sides are up against a Jan. 15 deadline to come to a new agreement, when an extension of the current contract covering tens of thousands of union workers at dozens of ports from Massachusetts to Texas expires.

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A three-day strike by the union in October brought container and roll-on/roll-off traffic to a halt. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Tsu brokered an end to the strike, when the sides agreed to the extension and a 62% pay hike for workers while negotiating container royalties and other details of a new six-year master contract.

But the ILA cut off bargaining over employers demands to include semiautomated cranes in the new contract. While the union says the USMX wants to eliminate jobs, it also claims the cranes pose a security risk to ports and maritime shipping.

The pay raise would be scuttled if a new pact is not reached before the extension expires.

While Trump publicly supports the union, there has been no indication what action he might take in the event of a prolonged strike.

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Prior to the election, President Joe Biden said he would not intervene in a walkout. The federal Taft-Hartley Act gives the president powers to end a strike and order a cooling-off period if its shown to seriously endanger U.S. interests.

In 2002, President George W. Bush invoked Taft-Hartley to end a strike by members of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union at West Coast ports.

Shippers for months have been frontloading imports ahead of a possible strike, as well as Trumps proposed China tariffs, while shipping lines announce service changes to manage disruptions.

CMA CGM, in an advisory to customers, said, If a strike occurs, we expect vessel operations to halt at 0001 hours on January 16th, 2025. Our dedicated teams are working on contingency plans to ensure that all  operations are completed prior to any labor disruptions.

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In the event of a work stoppage, U.S. East Coast and Gulf terminals will halt operations, leading to the suspension of gate and rail services. You will receive more details as the January 15 date approaches. Similarly, terminals and nearby depots will not be open to accept empty returns. Please hold your empties until the terminals and depots reopen. Escalations and emergent issues can be sent to your designated client solutions contact.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Apparel importers call for labor talks to resume, say port automation vital

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Freightos sees trans-Pacific container rates ease

The post Trump again backs longshore union as possible port strike nears appeared first on FreightWaves.
With the end of Joe Bidens administration on the horizon, American foreign policy is in flux.

Donald Trump, the president-elect, remains in Mar-a-Lago for now, but even without a presidential seal behind him has taken to holding discussions with world leaders beyond the typical congratulatory calls which occur in the post-election period.

And its increasingly becoming clear that US-Iran policy will be an arena where one of the biggest shifts in the USs posture will occur. A Wall Street Journal report in November unveiled the discussions underway about maximum pressure 2.0  a return to an updated version of the hardline policy platform the first Trump administration deployed against Iran with the expressed intention of cutting off the countrys nuclear program and weakening its government and state economy.

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The plan was also aimed at countering Irans support for armed militant groups around the Middle East, an effort which continued into the final days of the controversy-laden first Trump presidency. In January of 2021, just days before Trump left office, his administration designated the Yemen-based Houthi rebel group a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

That decision was short-lived, however, as incoming president Joe Biden reversed the designation almost immediately upon taking office.

Bidens own Iran policy was muddled for the entirety of his four years in office. The most clarity the US president himself gave on the matter came on a ropeline comment to a supporter in November of 2022, when he admitted that the 2015 Iran deal signed under the last Democratic administration was dead and not coming back. US-Iran relations had few developments until October 7, 2023, when it largely shifted to public and private warnings against direct Iranian aggression against Israel.

A return to a maximum pressure policy will mean confronting Iran both directly and indirectly, through the marginalization of groups like the Houthis that allegedly receive support from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and other organizations. The Houthis face an inevitable FTO redesignation and a renewed focus by the Trump administration, with Hezbollah in a severely weakened state due to the US-backed Israeli assault on Lebanon. Hamas, meanwhile, is due to face an Israel soon to be wholly unrestrained by its US backers.

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Senator Ted Cruz, an ally of the incoming president whose own foreign policy views trend slightly more traditionally conservative, said last week that the first priority of USs Middle East policy must be to not simply [reach] an end to the conflict. It is Hamas being utterly and completely defeated. And that is exactly what I believe will happen [under Trump], and that is an enormous blow to Iran as well.

Senator Ted Cruz called the total destruction of Iranian-backed militant groups including Hamas a regional priority for the incoming Trump administration. (The Independent)

Cruz spoke to The Independent briefly as he departed a briefing sponsored by the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), a group aligned with an international network of Iranian dissidents and exiles. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the network known as the NCRI, spoke to the gathering of lawmakers and Senate staffers on Wednesday (Dec 11).

That briefing was attended by a spectrum of senators ranging from right-wing to center-left, including two Democrats: Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker. With just a handful of senators, the grouping revealed how the full ideological range of the traditional Washington foreign policy consensus (which has never included progressives) seems eager to return to the aggressive posture against Iran emblemized by Trumps first term. Many of the speakers touched on the presumed strategic blows suffered by Tehran with the fall of Syrias government and the Israeli killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Trump may satisfy that consensus  and go beyond it  when he comes to power in January. The Wall Street Journal separately reported this week that the Trump team is weighing the possibility of direct military action to strike Iranian nuclear and weapon production facilities, something that has long been seen as the last-ditch option for preventing Irans theocratic autocracy from obtaining a nuclear missile.

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At least part of that shift in policy comes from the president-elects own anger resulting from news that the federal government thwarted an Iranian plot to assassinate him this year, Trumpworld insiders suggested to the Journal.

Whether direct military action is on the table remains to be seen, but what is certain is that the incoming administration will put the squeeze back on Tehran. Despite the State Departments denials, many international Iran experts agree that the Iranian government has found ways around US sanctions on its oil sales under the Biden administration, causing Republicans to accuse the White House directly of ignoring enforcement of US law as a matter of policy. Trumps team will likely search for ways to ramp up enforcement of existing sanctions while slapping new ones into place.

Rajavi, the NCRIs president-elect, spoke to the gathering via video conference from Paris. Her remarks were nonpartisan but predicted that IRGC forces in Iran would, like Assads forces, mel[t] like snow under the summer sun and declared that the Iranian government was the strategic loser of the war it started with its backing of Hamas in Gaza.

Sam Brownback, the former Trump administration ambassador at-large for religious freedom, also spoke at the briefing. In an interview with The Independent, he confirmed that he believed resuming sanctions pressure and political isolation of Tehran would provide the catalyst needed for such a civilian uprising in Iran to occur.

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It has to have a political component to it, said Brownback. I mean, we backed solidarity quietly, but we backed it. We need to back the people, the groups, that opposed the regime in Iran publicly, we need to say: These are freedom fighters. We support you.

Other senators who were at the briefing on Wednesday described the fall of Bashar al-Assads government in Syria as having a similar effect against Iran as did the hollowing out of Hezbollah under the last few months.

What Iran has lost right now is their influence with an oppressive leader, [and] to use [Syria] as a land bridge to supply some of the most awful terrorists with resources and funding, Booker, who had described Iranian-American dissidents in the briefing as his family, said to a handful of reporters as he headed to votes.

Senator Cory Booker was one of two Democratic senators who spoke at a bipartisan gathering of Iran hawks on Capitol Hill last week, a sign that the Trump administration could find much political support in DC on issues of Iran policy. (The Independent)

Shaheen, another Democrat, added in her prepared remarks: Iran has been dealt a significant blow. Their leadershipis on their back feet. The events in Syria demonstrate the fundamental weakness at the core of Irans regional strategic policies.

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She added to reporters afterwards that she and other Democrats would likely be able to work with the incoming administration on policies aimed at countering the regional influence of Tehran.

The Biden administration made little progress on the issue of reaching a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing question of Irans nuclear weapons program, which the US maintains it will stop at all costs.

That fact, combined with the accelerated pace at which the Trump team is engaging with US partners abroad, makes it increasingly clear that Washington is moving on from an administration whose stewardship of the Middle East receives mixed reviews even on the left.
Two special elections to fill congressional vacancies in Florida already have drawn a crowded field of candidates, including a pair of Republican contenders endorsed by Donald Trump.

But now these candidates are throwing out policy proposals that appear crafted to appeal not just to conservative voters, but to the president-elect himself.

Loosening Floridas gun laws, blunting benefits to undocumented immigrants, and moving the state closer toward allowing silver and gold as currency are among the campaign pitches being made in the contests which could be effectively decided in Republican primaries on January 28.

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I think its fair to say that some of this stuff isnt so much targeted at voters as at a president-elect, said Michael Binder, a University of North Florida political scientist and director of the schools polling center.

For those whove gotten Trumps endorsement, its a Thank you. Look at the kind of things Im ready to do once I get to Congress, he added.

President-elect Donald Trump casts a big shadow over a pair of special elections for Florida congressional seats. Trump met frequently with Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott during his first term in the White House.

Guns, immigration and Fox News advertisers become grist for campaigns

Florida Congressional District 1 in the Panhandle was vacated by former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz who was nominated by Trump to become U.S. attorney general, only to withdraw his name amid a series of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Ten Republicans have qualified as candidates for CD 1, along with one Democrat, Gay Valimont, who lost to Gaetz in November. There are also four write-in candidates and one no-party-affiliated contender who will be part of the April 1 general election.

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But only Floridas Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has Trumps endorsement.

Patronis, who once proposed that Florida should spend taxpayer funds on Trumps personal legal defense, announced Wednesday that his Cabinet office is studying whether gold and silver could be used as money in the state.

Ads for gold coins are a mainstay on Fox News, Newsmax and other conservative outlets. A Trump gold coin is often featured and Patronis seems to see the currency idea as having some appeal to voters on the political right.

Thats interesting because Trumps people seem to be saying hes going to be a big promoter of crypto (currency), Binder added.

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Another of the District 1 Republicans, state Rep. Joel Rudman of Navarre, also has been active on the policy front.

Although Rudman is resigning from the Legislature on Jan. 1, hes filed a bill for next springs session that would allow guns to be carried openly in Florida. His bill also would repeal the red flag law enacted in 2018 following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

The red flag laws allows a court to order that guns be confiscated from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Trump spoke at a National Rifle Association convention during his presidential campaign and outlined plans to expand gun access during his second term.

Although contenders are heading to exit in Tallahassee, they still file bills

Another Trump-endorsed Florida congressional candidate, state Sen. Randy Fine, a Brevard County Republican, is running to replace U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who the president-elect has chosen as his national security adviser.

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Although Fine plans to leave the Legislature on March 31, a day before the general election for the Congressional District 6 seat, he also has introduced a bill to erase another post-Parkland gun measure, which prevents people under age 21 from buying rifles and other long guns.

Fine voted in favor of the measure in 2018. But since then, he's been calling for its repeal.

The NRA sued to overturn the law claiming it violated the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment on gun rights, but lost in federal court and before an appellate panel. The NRA has asked the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review the challenge, which is still pending.

Fine also is advancing legislation which echoes some of Trumps anti-immigration themes.

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Although hell only be in the Legislature for the first month of the scheduled two-month session next spring, Fine wants to repeal in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.

Since 2014, Florida has allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates across its public colleges if theyd spent most of their high school years in the state. The measure was enacted by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott when he was the states Republican governor and it was portrayed as helping Dreamers, thousands of Florida children whose parents had brought them to the U.S.

Fine, though, said eliminating this provision is a no-brainer way to reduce the size of government and free up resources to help Floridians in need.

Trump has promised mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, which could include possibly 1.1 million people in Florida.

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Trump's deportation plan in Florida... Trump deportation plan could target as many as 1.1 million people in Florida

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Fine is among three Republican candidates running in Congressional District 6, which is a heavily GOP-leaning seat. Three Democrats have qualified, with nominees for both parties to be picked by voters Jan. 28.

The April 1 general election also will include a write-in candidate, another running as a no-party contender and a third campaigning as a Libertarian Party candidate.

Randy Fine, campaigns with his dad, Alan, and Alans dog, Sadie, outside the Tony Rosa Community Center in Palm Bay.

Could beach access play a role in Panhandle contest?

In the Panhandle race, Trump is featured heavily in Patronis first TV spot, which begins airing Saturday. In it, Patronis pledges that, President Trump can count on me and so can you.

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Rudman, running without the Trump imprint in the heavy Republican Congressional District 1, acknowledges his uphill fight.

But hes trying to broaden his reach to voters and also rolled out a bill that would repeal a 2018 state law which bolstered the power of property owners in the districts Walton County to declare their beachfront off-limits to the public.

The law spawned lawsuits and bitter clashes among neighbors. Rudman said businesses are also fearing an economic decline caused by tourists staying away from the county because of limited beach access.

Among the powerful Walton County property owners who pushed for that state law was Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor who Trump recently named ambassador to Israel. Huckabee sold his Walton County beach house in 2021.

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The 2018 law overturned a Walton County ordinance intended to keep the beaches open to the public. And Rudman said returning to that standard could appeal to the voters hes now trying to woo in the January primary.

Im definitely doing it for the people, Rudman said, adding, Im doing what I think President Trump would want me to do, and thats stand with working Americans.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida congress candidates run on Donald Trump's policies
Trump wants to kill the United States Postal Service.

The president-elect was asked about the USPS losing money during a press conference in Palm Beach on Monday.

Well there is talk about the Postal Service being taken private, you do know that. Not the worst idea Ive ever heard, it really isnt, Trump said. You know its a lot different today  between Amazon and UPS and FedEx and all the things that you didnt have. But there is talk about that, its an idea that a lot of people have liked for a long time. Were looking at it.

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The comments confirm a Washington Post report from over the weekend that Trump is considering plans to privatize the entire Postal Service due to its financial losses. He has reportedly spoken about the idea to Howard Lutnick, his commerce secretary pick and head of his transition team.

USPS privatization has been in the works for some time now. Trump-appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has been doing his best to corrode one of the oldest, constitutionally ensured institutions in this country.

On-time delivery rates fell when DeJoy was appointed in 2020, particularly in communities of color. He facilitated the removal and destruction of mail sorting machines that were crucial to allowing USPS to function smoothly. And he has multiple questionable investments. Last week, he even covered his ears while being grilled by congressional Republicans for dismantling USPS from the inside out.

Louis DeJoy is the perfect example of a Trump nominee. After Trump appointed him, he ran USPS into the ground. Now, he claims it doesnt work & will propose privatizing it, one X commentator wrote. Then, he, Trump & their cronies will steal the business, charge exorbitant amounts & rape the public.

The Postal Service is literally in the Constitution. Its an essential PUBLIC service, and it should never be privatized. This would hurt millions of Americans, especially those in the most rural places, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith said.
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump said he didnt expect Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to replace Marco Rubio, his nominee as Secretary of State, to represent the state in the US Senate.

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No, I dont, Trump said during a press conference Monday in Florida, adding that his daughter-in-law had opportunities for a television contract and that her predominant thought is our country and her family.

Still, the president-elect did not fully rule out the possibility, saying he did not know what DeSantis would ultimately do.

Rons doing a good job  thats his choice, Trump said.

The president-elect did shower praise on Lara, the wife of his son Eric Trump who served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.

She did an amazing job, Trump said, crediting her for an election victory that was too big to rig.

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Earlier this month, Lara Trump told Fox News she would consider a Senate appointment if DeSantis offered, but had not yet spoken to the governor about the possibility.

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US President-elect Donald Trump has criticised President Joe Biden's decision to permit Ukraine to strike Russian territory and hinted that he might withdraw that authorisation.

Source: Trump during a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, on 16 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Trump believes the United States should not have allowed Ukraine to strike "200 miles [about 320 km  ed.] into Russia".

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"I think that was a bad thing. That brought the Koreans in, North Korea," he added, despite the fact that permission for long-range strikes was granted after the involvement of North Korean troops in the Russo-Ukrainian war had been confirmed.

The US president-elect also maintained that Biden did not consult him before deciding on long-range strikes.

"I dont think that should have been allowed  certainly not just weeks before I take over. Why would they do that without asking me what I thought? I wouldnt have had them do that. I think that was a big mistake they made," Trump asserted.

Asked whether he might reconsider the decision after he takes office, the US president-elect replied: "I might."

Background:

Donald Trump's nominee for National Security Adviser, Florida Congressman Mike Waltz, believes that allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory threatens to further escalate the war.

Trump also said his administration is working to end the war in Ukraine and has made "some progress".

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WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump has picked Richard Grenell, a close advisor on foreign policy and intelligence issues, to be his presidential envoy for special missions.

"Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea," Trump announced in a post on his Truth Social media platform.

Considered one of Trumps staunchest loyalists, Grenell served in the first Trump administration as U.S. ambassador to Germany, where he sparked controversy for his contentious personality and management style. The 58-year-old longtime GOP political operative was one of Trump's most outspoken supporters during his first term inside the U.S. diplomatic corps.

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Grenell then served for a short period as Trumps acting Director of National Intelligence in 2020, a key post overseeing the nations 18 intelligence agencies including the CIA and National Security Agency. His tenure caused strife given his lack of intelligence experience.

Ric Grenell, former Acting Director of National Intelligence, raises his fist on the stage on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

More: Trump transition live updates Latest news as election winner makes moves

Previously, Grenell served Trump as Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations, Trump said Saturday. And before that he had spent eight years "inside the United Nations Security Council, working with North Korea, and developments in numerous other Countries," Trump said in his post.

"Rick has represented our Country exceedingly well and I look forward to working with him," Trump posted on Twitter in February 2020 in announcing Grenells selection to the intelligence job.

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More recently, Grenell was a featured speaker at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July, where he discussed Trump's strengths on national security issues and what he said were President Joe Bidens failures.

In September, Grenell sat in on Trumps private meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump Tower in Manhattan, Reuters reported. He has publicly advocated for ending Russias war with Ukraine on terms considered unacceptable by the Kyiv government.

Reports of failed diplomatic effort

In September 2020, Grenell quietly embarked on a back-channel pre-election mission to persuade Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power in favor of a pro-Trump opposition leader.

Grenell met near Mexico City on Sept. 17 with former Venezuelan vice president Jorge Rodriguez, a close ally of Maduro, according to a report in Bloomberg News that was later corroborated by other media.

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Grenell was apparently trying to orchestrate a political victory for Trump in the final stretch of the election that he ultimately lost to Democratic rival Joe Biden, but there is no evidence that the effort went anywhere. Maduro is a socialist strongman who has maintained power despite international opposition the New York Times reported at the time.

The previous year, the Times reported, Trump had demanded that Maduro resign, and his administration had formally recognized Juan Guaido, the leader of Parliament, who heads the countrys popular opposition movement, as Venezuelas president.

Maduro responded by angrily cutting diplomatic ties with the United States and ordering its diplomats out of the country.

(This story has been updated to add new information and to correct a misspelling/typo.)

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Josh Meyer is USA Today's Domestic Security Correspondent. Email him at jmeyer@usatoday.com and follow him at @JoshMeyerDC on X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump loyalist Richard Grenell named envoy for special missions
More than 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia invaded the Eastern European nation in February 2022. Cities have been leveled, and 370,000 injuries have been reported, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

But the scope and scale of that devastation is apparently easily comprehended by Donald Trump, who has refused to visit the country. Speaking with reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, Trump repeated several times that Ukraine had been flattened like a pancake while comparing the war to his lucrative Manhattan real estate career.

The president-elect took a detour while responding to a question about whether he believed Ukraine should cede territory to Russia, describing areas of the country as more akin to demolition sites than recognizable cities.

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A lot of that territory, when you look at whats happened to thosethere are cities where theres not a building standing. Its a demolition site. Theres not a building standing, Trump said. People cant go back to those cities.

But thats when the president-elects answer took a turn for the worse, suddenly conflating the controlled demolitions carried out by his multimillion-dollar real estate development company to the near-constant barrage of bombs dropped by Russian forces on Ukrainian cities.

Just like when I knock down a building in Manhattan, which is actually, this is worse actually, because we do it step by step, he continued. This thing, this isand by the way, in those buildings are many people. Many people are in those buildings.

Big buildingsthis is what I did, very wellthese are very long buildings, 15 to 20 stories high, and theyre flattened like a pancake.

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Its gotta be stopped, and Im doing my best to stop it, he added.

Trumps other answers about his international relationships were similarly befuddling. At one point, the president-elect insisted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had not yet decided if he would attend Trumps inauguration (Xi has reportedly declined the invitation) and claimed that leaders of hundreds of nations had phoned him to attend, dryly remarking that you wouldnt believe how many countries there are.

Ultimately, any attendance by a world leader at Trumps inauguration would be historically unprecedented. State Department records dating back to 1874 indicate that no foreign heads of state have ever shown up to the ceremony, typically over security concerns.

One of Trumps biggest and boldest campaign promises was that he would immediately end the Russian invasion of Ukrainethough his philosophy on how to achieve that was suspiciously scant of details and, at times, veered toward solutions that would invariably aid Russia.

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In June, Trump said he would be open to an increase in U.S. weapons aid to Ukraine so long as it shows up for peace talks with Russia.

Trumps advisers envisioned that the peace talkswhich Trump promised to facilitate upon winning in Novemberwould also quietly include Ukraine ceding part of the country that is currently occupied by Russian forces. The concept was drawn up by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, both former chiefs of staff in Trumps National Security Council.

Trump has also threatened to initiate U.S. withdrawal from NATO, the strategic Western military and trade alliance that opposes Russia. In February, Trump claimed he once told a European leader that hed allow Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO allies if other members didnt pay their bills.
Donald Trumps initial nomination of a Florida sheriff to run the Drug Enforcement Agency shows just how little he has vetted candidates for important positions in his upcoming administration.

And even more alarming, what it takes for one of Trumps picks to fall out of favor with him.

When Trump picked Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to run the DEA two weeks ago, it wasnt a nomination that fell into the growing pool of unworthy, unqualified picks that were making headlines.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chronister was a credible choice for Trump

Chronister was a credible choice. He was a sheriff who had been a law enforcement officer with the Hillsborough County department for 32 years. He was first appointed as its sheriff in 2017 by then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott. And Chronister had since won two elections for the sheriffs job, running as a Republican.

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In nominating Chronister as the DEA head, Trump said Chronister would be working closely with his attorney-general pick, Pam Bondi, who was also from the Tampa area, "to secure the border, stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs across the Southern border."

Editorial: Stop the Palm Beach COVID comeback comeback. Get vaccinated.

Chronisters selection barely went noticed while Trumps other picks  Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Mehmet Oz and the pro-wrestling woman for the Department of Education  called into question Trumps judgment.

At Trumps urging, they fought headwinds to step down, continuing to fight for Senate approval of their appointments.

Then Chad Chronister withdrew his name for consideration as DEA head

Meanwhile, four days after his nomination, Chronister quietly withdrew his name for consideration as DEA head. At least thats what he said.

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Chronister called his nomination by Trump the honor of a lifetime but said he came to the conclusion quickly that he should pass up the DEA job for the good of the people in Hillsborough County.

Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, Ive concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration, Chronister wrote. There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling.

I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.

It sounded like a sanitized version of the truth, something far less than the real story coming from somebody who was looking for a graceful exit.

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We might never have known what was really behind Chronisters alleged change of heart over the DEA job, if it hadnt been from Trumps brittle reaction to a story in the Wall Street Journal.

Trumps DEA Pick Pulls Out In Latest Setback, the headline read.

Trump says he was the one who pulled Chronister's nomination

Trump erupted on social media at the setback headline, taking it as an attack against him. He accused the Wall Street Journal of becoming more obnoxious and unreadable and then wrote on social media what was really behind Chronister no longer being considered for DEA administrator.

Besides, he didnt pull out, Trump said. I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters.

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My pastors. Oh, now this all makes sense.

Trump apparently picked Chronister without even doing a Google search on his name. If he had, he would have found my column and a lot of other news stories about how Chronister had dealt with televangelist Rodney Howard-Browne, a mega-church maniac and defiant public health threat during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was a well-documented story easily available after a click on a computer search engine.

Opinion: A rough draft of Floridas eventual apology to the rest of the country

Chronister had ordered the arrest of Howard-Browne in March of 2020 after the pastor of the River at Tampa Bay Church had, according to Chronisters office, intentionally and repeatedly hosted church services with hundreds of members in attendance, despite knowing he was in violation of orders set in place by the President, the Governor of Florida, the CDC and the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group.

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The charges were dropped two months later after the pastor implemented social distancing rules for his church.

But before that happened, a robust war of words erupted between the sheriff and the pastor.

"His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk, and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week, in danger, Chronister said.

The church already had the technology to hold virtual services, so there was no reason to risk peoples lives, the sheriff added.

The pastor told his congregants to ignore the county order that limited gatherings to no more than 10 people. That nobody could stop his congregation from meeting.

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Were raising revivalists, not pansies, the pastor said.

Howard-Browne also made wild assurances that nobody could spread COVID in his church. His church had installed 13 special coronavirus-vanquishing machines that kill every virus in the place, he told them.

If somebody walks in the door, its like, it kills everything on them. If they sneeze, it shoots it down at like 100 mph, he told his congregants. Itll neutralize it in split seconds. So we have the most sterile building in, I dont know, all of America.

Howard-Brownes brand of Christianity is replete with this kind of supernatural hokum.

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For example, in one of his sermons, he told his congregants that their faith would be rewarded by God with free toilet paper.

What you have in your hand will multiply, and every day, there will be multiplication, he sermonized. Youll look at your toilet paper, and youll think, Im gonna run out of toilet paper but you have another roll, where that other one was. You dont know how did that even take place  

You think youre going to run out, and when you look again, theres still enough, he said. Thats supernatural sustenance.

Chronister enforced the law during COVID

After Trump nominated Chronister for the DEA job, social media posters began complaining about how the sheriff had chosen to enforce the law rather than allow megachurches like Howard-Brownes to hold weekly super-spreader events during the early weeks of COVID.

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You belong in jail. Tyrant, one poster wrote to Chronister.

Another posted: We don't forget tyranny, and you were an early adopter of tyrannical control.

A day before Chronister wrote that he was withdrawing his nomination, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, joined the fray.

Im going to call em like I see em, Massie posted. Trumps nominee for head of DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest of a pastor who defied COVID lockdowns.

Suddenly, Trump was against his own pick  and this time, a pick that was actually qualified and suitable for the job.

Chronister took his job seriously

What doomed Chronister's chances to head the DEA had nothing do with fentanyl or the Southern Border. It was that he was a law enforcement officer who took his job to enforce the law seriously.

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Even against religious hucksters.

And in the end, Trump  a newly repackaged religious huckster himself who has a side job selling $60 Bibles to those who imagine him an exemplar of Christianity  picked being the protector of dangerous charlatans he calls my pastors over the rule of law.

Send in the clowns.

Opinion: Trump should ditch the King James version of the Bible. What about the King Donald version?

Frank Cerabino is a news columnist with The Palm Beach Post, part of the Gannett Newspapers chain.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump cancels Florida sheriff DEA pick over COVID policy | Opinion
Donald Trump indicated Monday he wasnt seeking any family favors from his one-time nemesis he nicknamed Ron DeSanctimonious.

The president-elect said he doesnt expect the Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to the Senate despite having discussed her as a potential pick with DeSantis.

I dont. I probably dont, but I dont know, Trump said at Mar-a-Lago when asked if he thought his former foe would tap her to fill Sen. Marco Rubios spot. Ron is doing a good job. It is his choice, nothing to do with me.

During a Mar-a-Lago press conference, Trump gushed over his unbelievable and incredible daughter-in-law. / Brian Snyder / Brian Snyder/Reuters

Trump reportedly has made it known to DeSantis that hed like him to appoint Lara as the Sunshine States next senator, an option the Florida governor is seriously considering, according to reports. All of which puts DeSantis at a crossroads as Trump regains tremendous power over the political landscape.

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The governor has a choice, Florida state lawmaker Randy Fine, a Trump ally who recently received the president-elects blessing to run for Congress, told The Washington Post. Does he want to rebuild his relationship with Trump and give the president what hes asking for, or does he want to move in a different direction? I think theres a real opportunity for him if he chooses to support the presidents choice.

Several of the president-elects biggest allies began championing Laras ascent to the Senate shortly after Trump tapped Rubio to serve as his secretary of State. A Florida resident and the former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, she has previously expressed interest in the congressional role.

It is something I would seriously consider, she told the Associated Press. If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100 percent consider it.

Lara Trump previously explored the possibility of a Senate run in her home state of North Carolina back in 2022. / Octavio Jones/Reuters

Lara, who is married to Eric Trump, stepped down from her leading role at the RNC last week, prompting a flurry of speculation about her next steps.

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On Monday, however, Trump revealed that his unbelievable and incredible, daughter-in-law was also being pursued for various television gigs.

Whoever

Those close to DeSantis reportedly say hes more likely to choose a candidate who has previously held public office in Florida, an accomplishment not included on Laras resume.

The governor announced in November his office was vetting candidates on social media, with a decision to be likely made by the beginning of January.

Florida deserves a Senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nations fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results, his post on X read.

Senator Marco Rubio is expected to resign from the Senate to assume duties as Secretary of State when the Trump administration takes power on January 20th, creating a vacancy roughly two months from today.



We have already received strong interest from several possible  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) November 18, 2024

According to Politico, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, and former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva are among those said to be in contention.

Whoever DeSantis chooses would serve for two years until the next regularly scheduled election in 2026, at which point the seat would be up for grabs again.
President-elect Donald Trump on Monday promised to continue his siege against the media, pledging to move forward with more litigation after winning a $15 million settlement in a defamation suit against ABC.

He alleged that the Des Moines Register had committed fraud with its pre-election release of a poll by longtime Iowa pollster Ann Selzer that found a 3-point lead for Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump in a state he ended up winning by more than 13 points. He also reiterated frustrations against 60 Minutes for its handling of an interview with Harris, which is also the subject of a suit from Trump.

In a written statement, Des Moines Register spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton said the paper has acknowledged that the poll did not reflect the ultimate margin of Trumps win, but added, We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe a lawsuit would be without merit.

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Trump also referenced ongoing lawsuits against publisher Simon & Schuster over the rights to recorded interviews he gave to journalist Bob Woodward, and the Pulitzer Prize board for reaffirming awards it gave to the New York Times and Washington Post for their reporting on ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

His comments came in his first press conference since winning the presidency. He covered a wide range of topics from vaccine mandates to relationships with foreign countries and a possible pardon of New York Mayor Eric Adams.

You need a fair press, Trump said, referencing the lawsuits. Im doing this not because I want to. Im doing this because I feel I have an obligation to.

Trumps press conference, a rare engagement with the media in an open setting since winning the presidency, coincided with an event outgoing President Joe Biden was attending at the Labor Departments headquarters to promote plans to establish a national monument honoring Frances Perkins  the countrys first female Cabinet secretary.

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Some of the other topics Trump weighed in on:

The polio vaccine and vaccine mandates

Trump said he was a big believer in the polio vaccine and promised that youre not going to lose it, noting that he saw what happened with polio and has friends that were very much affected by that.

Theyre still not in such good shape because of it, Trump said. Polio vaccine creator Jonas Salk did a great job, so I dont anticipate [getting rid of the polio vaccine] at all.

But he also said he wasnt a big mandate person, when asked whether schools should mandate vaccines and dodged a question about whether he believes vaccines cause autism, a claim research has repeatedly debunked.

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Were looking to find out, he said, later suggesting pesticides, also a target for Kennedy, could be causing rising autism diagnoses. Something bads happening.

Eric Adams pardon

Trump said he would certainly look at pardoning Adams and implied that the mayors indictment in a federal criminal bribery case was a reaction to his stance on migrants in New York City.

He essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in, Trump said of Adams. He made some pretty strong statements like, This is not sustainable. I said you know what? He will be indicted soon. And I said it not as a prediction, a little bit light heartedly but I said it.

New Jersey drone sightings

Trump said he will avoid going to his Bedminister property this weekend, amid reports of drones hovering over New Jersey.

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Something strange is going on  for some reason, [the government doesnt] want to tell the people. And they should, Trump said. I mean they happen to be over Bedminster.

He did not comment when asked if he had received an intelligence briefing on the drone activity.

I think maybe I wont spend the weekend in Bedminster, Trump added. I decided to cancel my trip.

Threat to fire federal employees

Trump also doubled down on Republicans plans to go after the federal workforce by threatening to fire employees who dont return to the office.

If people dont come back to work, come back into the office, theyre going to be dismissed, Trump said.

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His ire was directed at a recent collective bargaining agreement hatched between the Biden administration and employees at the Social Security Administration, which includes an extension of its current remote work policies for certain employees.

The president-elect said he would go to court to block the contract agreement, though it is not entirely clear on what grounds.

It is ridiculous, he said. It was like a gift to a union, and we are obviously going to be in court to stop it.

The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents SSA staff and about 800,000 federal workers overall, said it was ready to defend its contracts regardless of Trumps threats.

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Collective bargaining agreements entered into by the federal government are binding and enforceable under the law, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a statement after the president-elects press conference. We trust the incoming administration will abide by their obligations to honor lawful union contracts. If they fail to do so, we will be prepared to enforce our rights.

Ron DeSantis Florida Senate pick

The president-elect downplayed the possibility of his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, being appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Senate, saying that Ron is doing a good job and that it is his choice, nothing to do with me.

DeSantis has been considering several people for the seat, currently held by Trumps secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, including Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody or former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva.

World leaders at the inauguration

Trump did not confirm which world leaders would be at his inauguration in January, but he said many have called him and some really would like to meet. He added that he will try to meet with some of them: It would be rude not to.

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I spoke to over 100 countries. You wouldnt believe how many countries there are, Trump said.

He specifically addressed the attendance of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who he invited to the inauguration last week.

I dont know that he wont be at the inauguration. I havent really spoken to him about it, Trump said, adding that if Xi would like to come, I would love to have him.

Relationship with President Xi

Trump emphasized that he and Xi had a very good relationship until Covid, saying the pandemic didnt end the relationship but it was a bridge too far.

During the end of his first term, the president-elect often blamed China for the coronavirus outbreak, resulting in a rift in the pairs relationship . Since then, it appears that fences have been mended, with the Chinese leader sending Trump a  beautiful note  following his first assassination attempt in July.

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He was a friend of mine, Trump added. We spent hours and hours talking and hes an amazing guy. The press hates when I say that but hes an amazing person.

Tariffs

Trump said his administration would use tariffs to level the playing field with other countries that impose high tariffs on American goods.

Were going to make great deals, and we have all the cards, Trump said at the press conference, where he was joined by his Commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick.

Lutnick did not answer directly when asked if the incoming Trump administration plans to negotiate a second deal with China, building on the one Trump struck in his first term.

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Instead, he stressed the idea that tariff reciprocity was key to Trumps plans.

The president has a very clear agenda for tariffs, and I think reciprocity is something that is going to be a key topic for us. How you treat us is how you should expect to be treated, Lutnick said.

Were going to be treating countries very fairly, Trump added. If India imposes a 100 percent tariff on U.S. bicycles, then the United States will impose the same duty on their bikes, Trump said, citing a hypothetical example.

Russia and Ukraine

Trump said he plans to reverse the Biden administrations decision to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia.

The Biden administration lifted restrictions that prevented Ukraine from using a longer-range variant of the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System just two weeks after the election.

Trump said he blamed Bidens decision to lift the restrictions for bringing North Korea into the war, even though North Korean troops were already training in Russia and preparing to engage in combat before the move.

I dont think they should have allowed missiles to be shot 200 miles into Russia, Trump said, referring to the maximum range of the American weapons system. I think that was a bad thing and that brought the Koreans in. Why would they do that without asking me what I thought?

While Ukraines use of long-range weapons hasnt significantly changed its recent fortunes on the battlefield, the reversal would be a major setback for Kyiv. Ukrainian officials spent months lobbying Washington to allow strikes deeper into Russia.

Greta Reich, Daniel Payne, Lawrence Ukenye, Nick Niedzwiadek, Doug Palmer, Mia McCarthy and Jack Detsch contributed to this report.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end the right to citizenship for babies born in the U.S. to undocumented parents shortly after he takes office next month.

In an interview earlier this month with NBC's "Meet the Press," Trump said he would attempt to do so through executive action.

"Yes, were going to end that, because its ridiculous," Trump said.

But getting rid of birthright citizenship, a principle that can be traced in the U.S. to the end of slavery and the 14th Amendment of 1868, is highly unlikely. Here's why:

What is birthright citizenship?

There are two types of citizenship recognized by the U.S. government: one based on descent, and another based on birthplace.

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The first type grants U.S. citizenship to children born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent. The other guarantees that right to anyone born on U.S. soil, except the children of foreign diplomats.

The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. It states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

Thirty years after its ratification, the Supreme Court ruled that birthright citizenship applied to those born in the U.S. to immigrant parents. It has been interpreted to apply regardless of a parent's legal status.

The case centered on Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco in 1873 to Chinese parents who were lawful permanent residents. He left the U.S. temporarily at age 21 to visit his parents, who had by then moved back to China. But upon his return, he was denied entry under the Chinese Exclusion Act on the ground that he was not a citizen. The nation's highest court ruled that the 14th Amendment made Wong a citizen.

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Read more: Trump confirms deportation strategy will include national emergency declaration and military

How does the U.S. compare to the rest of the world?

During the NBC interview, Trump erroneously said the U.S. is "the only country that has it." In fact, more than 30 countries recognize birthright citizenship, most of them in the Western Hemisphere. Most countries around the world recognize citizenship by descent.

Sam Erman, a law professor at the University of Michigan who studies citizenship, said that the U.S. modeling birthright citizenship is part of the reason more countries have it now.

"If you have it based on descent, then you can end up with people who spend their whole lives in your country and dont get to be members  and their children, and their childrens children," Erman said.

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Birthright citizenship, he said, "works as a way to ensure that the people being governed in a place are actually part of the place."

Could Trump end it?

In a post last year on his campaign website, Trump wrote that he would issue an executive order his first day as president, directing federal agencies to require that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for their future children to become automatic U.S. citizens.

He said the order would clarify that children of undocumented immigrants "should not be issued passports, Social Security numbers, or be eligible for certain taxpayer funded welfare benefits.

On NBC, Trump said he would end birthright citizenship "if we can" through executive action.

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Legal scholars broadly agree it is not within the president's executive power to end birthright citizenship, leaving the courts or a constitutional amendment as the only ways to achieve a change.

Amending the Constitution is a rigorous process with a high bar that would require the approval of two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of each state legislature or state convention.

Targeting "anchor babies" and "birth tourism," Trump planned to sign an executive order that would end birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants during his first term. But he skirted the issue by instead issuing a rule to deny pregnant women visas if they appeared to be coming to the U.S. primarily to give birth.

Read more: California Sen. Alex Padilla urges Biden administration to protect immigrants before Trump takes office

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Republicans have also introduced bills in Congress to end birthright citizenship, though none have passed. In September, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024, which would end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and tourists.

After Trump's recent comments, Graham said he is also working on a constitutional amendment to end the practice, which he has vocally opposed for decades.

"One of the most valuable commodities in the world is American citizenship," Graham said during a news conference introducing his bill. "I can understand why almost everybody in the world would want to come to America and be a citizen. But we've got to have an orderly process when it comes to granting American citizenship. We have to have a process that is not exploited."

Graham has said the Supreme Court probably would take up the case, noting that there has never been a ruling by the high court involving cases of birthright citizenship in which the parents are undocumented or are on temporary visas.

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But Erman, the Michigan law professor, said it's unlikely that even the conservative-leaning court would move to end birthright citizenship.

"Wong Kim Ark was decided by a court that was quite anti-minority and quite conservative, and even there the text and the history is just really clear," he said. "If Wong Kim Ark could win in 1898, it feels like the precedent should be able to hold in 2024."

Read more: With an election looming, the U.S. is approving citizenship applications at the fastest speed in years

What opposition would Trump face?

Any move to end birthright citizenship is sure to face legal challenges.

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"Citizenship is both a bundle of rights and a form of belonging. Saying these people who are citizens are not really Americans I think does a lot of damage," Erman said.

Migration experts have warned that repealing birthright citizenship would cause the number of people in the U.S. illegally to skyrocket. Democratic lawmakers have voiced their opposition after Trump's recent comments.

"That concept of birthright citizenship is sort of like the backbone of America. It is very much a part of the history of our nation and it should continue as such," Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) said on CNN.

Even some Republicans have disagreed with Trump. Then-House Speaker Paul Ryan broke with Trump in 2018 when he said the president could not end birthright citizenship by executive order.

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As a conservative, Im a believer in following the plain text of the Constitution, and I think in this case the 14th Amendment is pretty clear, and that would involve a very, very lengthy constitutional process, he said. But where we obviously totally agree with the president is getting at the root issue here, which is unchecked illegal immigration.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian automaker Proton announced Monday that it has launched the firm's and the nation's first electric vehicle.

Its new energy vehicle arm, PRO-NET, has launched the Proton e.MAS 7, with prices starting from 109,800 ringgit (24,660 U.S. dollars), the automaker said in a statement.

Proton sees the launch a driver toward sustainability and innovation in the country's transportation sector.

It noted the move was in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap, which sets the transformation of Malaysia into a net-zero emissions nation by 2050 among its main objectives.

"Moving forward, we plan to export this latest model starting with Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius and Nepal next year, helping us to solidify our position in the international market and strengthen our commitment to providing eco-friendly, accessible mobility solutions globally," said Zhang Qiang, chief executive officer of PRO-NET. 
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would consider pardoning Mayor Adams, who is facing federal corruption charges.

I think he was treated pretty unfairly, Trump told reporters at a Mar-a-Lago press conference.

Trump downplayed allegations that Adams took bribes in the form of free luxury travel and airline upgrades provided by Turkey in exchange for cutting corners on approval processes for a new consulate building in New York.

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Being upgraded in an airplane many years ago? Trump said. I doubt if theres anyone here who hasnt been upgraded.

That would mean you spend the rest of your life in prison? I dont know, he added. I would have to see it.

The once and future president repeated claims that Adams was targeted for retribution because he took a hard line on undocumented migrants flooding into New York City.

I said, Hes gonna be indicted,' Trump said. And a few months later, he got indicted.

Adams told reporters at City Hall that he is innocent of the charges and welcomes any effort to clear his name.

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I have an attorney that is going to look at every avenue to ensure I get justice. I did nothing wrong, should not have been charged, Adams said.

Adams faces an April trial date on a five-count indictment that includes bribery, campaign finance and conspiracy charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has previously said he was not seeking a pardon from Trump and is focused on running the city.

The mayor stoked anger among fellow Democrats during the presidential campaign with comments that were seen as being generous to the Republican nominee, including saying Trump is not a fascist.

Critics, including those challenging Adams in the 2025 mayoral race, have questioned whether Adams is avoiding slamming Trump in hopes the incoming Republican president could help quash the criminal case against him.

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Adams is expected to run for a second four-year term in Gracie Mansion next year. He faces a crowded field of challengers in a June Democratic primary, several of whom lined up to criticize reports that Trump might give the mayor a get-out-of-jail-free card.

New Yorkers need a mayor they can count on to [deliver] a safer, more affordable city  not one who is focused on whether or not Donald Trump will pardon him, said Comptroller Brad Lander.

Scott Stringer, another primary challenger, said any pardon from Trump would amount to a black mark for Adams.

I dont think New Yorkers will tolerate this, he said.

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Earlier Monday, the Adams campaign was denied $4 million in matching funds by the citys Campaign Finance Board, citing his federal corruption indictment.

Pardoning Adams would be the easiest way for Trump to end the criminal case against the mayor.

The incoming president could alternatively instruct federal prosecutors to seek to drop the case once he returns to the White House on Jan. 20. But a judge would have to sign off on that request because the case is already hurtling toward trial.

Along with the federal probe into Adams, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been investigating some of the mayors closest associates in connection with apparently unrelated corruption allegations.

Longtime top Adams lieutenant Ingrid Lewis-Martin is expected to be indicted as soon as this week by a Manhattan grand jury on unspecified corruption charges. She resigned over the weekend as Adams top adviser at City Hall.
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would consider pardoning Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing federal corruption charges.

I think he was treated pretty unfairly, Trump told reporters at a Mar-a-Lago press conference.

Trump downplayed allegations that Adams took bribes in the form of free luxury travel and airline upgrades provided by Turkey in exchange for cutting corners on approval processes for a new consulate building in New York.

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Being upgraded in an airplane many years ago ? Trump said. I doubt if theres anyone here who hasnt been upgraded.

That would mean you the rest of your life in prison? I dont know, he added. I would have to see it.

The once and future president repeated claims that Adams was targeted for retribution because he took a hard line on undocumented migrants flooding into New York City.

I said, Hes gonna be indicted,' Trump said. And a few months later, he got indicted.

A spokesperson for Adams did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trumps remarks.

Adams, who faces an April trial date, has previously said he was not seeking a pardon from Trump and is focused on running the city.

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The mayor stoked anger among fellow Democrats during the presidential campaign with comments that were seen as being generous to the Republican nominee, including saying Trump is not a fascist.

Adams also declined to disavow comments made by Trump on two occasions, including at the Al E. Smith dinner, about him being sympathetic to the mayor as he faced a criminal indictment.

Critics, including those challenging Adams in the 2025 mayoral race, have questioned whether Adams is avoiding criticizing Trump in hopes the incoming Republican president could help quash the criminal case against him.

Adams is expected to run for a second four year term in Gracie Mansion next year. He faces a crowded field of challengers in a June Democratic primary, several of whom lined up to criticize reports that Trump might give the mayor a get-out-of-jail-free card.

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New Yorkers need a mayor they can count on to be honest with them and to focus every day on delivering a safer, more affordable city  not one who is focused on whether or not Donald Trump will pardon him, said City Comptroller Brad Lander.

The mayor is selling out New Yorkers to protect his own impunity, added Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Queens assemblyman whos also running against Adams next year.

Earlier Monday, the Adams campaign was denied $4 million in matching funds by the citys Campaign Finance Board, citing his federal corruption indictment.
President-elect Donald Trump indicated he would consider issuing a pardon to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, who was indicted on corruption charges in September.

At a press conference on Monday, Trump  one all too familiar with federal indictments  said he believed Adams was treated pretty unfairly and would issue a pardon if he reviewed the indictment.

Now I havent seen the gravity of it all but it seems like being upgraded in an airplane many years ago, Trump said  a reference to the upgraded flights that Adams allegedly took as a form of bribery.

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Federal prosecutors allege Adams accepted travel benefits from Turkish officials over the years in exchange for wielding his power for favors. Additionally, they accused Adams of participating in a straw donor scheme.

Adams has denied all wrongdoing and indicated he believes he was indicted for political reasons  a claim Trump has made as well.

The president-elect held a press conference on Monday  making a rare official public appearance since the election (Getty Images)

He has recently cozied up to Trump by publicly praising his immigration agenda.

Both Adams and Trump have taken a harsher stance on migrants crossing the border and being sent to New York City. Adams has complained about so-called migrant crime in the city since buses from the southern border began bringing more than 100,000 into Manhattan.

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Adams has complained about the lack of federal resources to assist in the influx of migrants and last week the mayor even met with Trumps border czar, Tom Homan.

As a result, Trump said he believed Adams was unfairly targeted for taking a more conservative stance on immigration.

I think he was treated  you know its very interesting, when he essentially went against what is happening with the migrants coming in and he made some pretty strong statements, Trump said.

Trump says he will consider pardoning Eric Adams pic.twitter.com/wXtDNugsoT  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 16, 2024

I said, You know what, hell be indicted soon. I said it, not as a prediction a little bit lightheartedly, but I said it. I said hes going to be indicted and a few months later he got indicted, the president-elect added.

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Trump is sensitive to federal indictments given he was federally indicted twice last year, once for allegedly unlawfully retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home and another time for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election results.

When Trump becomes president on January 20, he will obtain the power to pardon people. During his first term, Trump used the power to pardon his close associates.

So far, Trump has promised to pardon the January 6 rioters who were charged with crimes for their actions that day.
President-elect Donald Trump delivered unscheduled remarks at his Mar-a-Lago estate Monday, where, among other things, he told reporters hed consider pardoning New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Yeah, I would, Trump told reporters when asked if he was open to the possibility. I think that he was treated pretty unfairly.

It seems like being upgraded on an airplane many years ago, he added, apparently alluding to Adams having allegedly gone on numerous free luxury trips paid for by the Turkish government.

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I know probably everybody heres been upgraded, Trump continued, pointing at people in the audience. They see youre all stars, and they say, I want to upgrade that person from NBC, Im gonna upgrade him. And that would mean youll spend the rest of your life in prison.

Trump conceded that he doesnt know all of the facts in the case. He then speculated that perhaps Adams was targeted because he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in.

Federal prosecutors indicted Adams earlier this year over allegations he accepted bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for various political favors.

Instead of disclosing gifts hed received from foreign governments, prosecutors say Adams also falsified documents to suggest hed paid for them.

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Adams, a former New York Police Department captain, faces five counts for what prosecutors described as a decade-long trail of crimes including conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges.

The mayor has called the charges entirely false, based on lies.

Related...
By Jeff Mason and Steve Holland

PALM BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, saying he is troubled by images of carnage from the conflict.

"It's got to stop," Trump said at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

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Trump did not give a direct answer when asked whether he believed Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as part of a negotiated settlement to the nearly three-year-old war.

Trump said much of the territory in dispute has been reduced to rubble and would take a century to recover from.

"I mean, there are cities that there's not a building standing, it's a demolition site," he said.

He also said he had been shown pictures of body-strewn battlefields that reminded him of some of the grisly photographs from the 1861-1865 American Civil War.

Trump has said he would like to bring a quick end to the war but has been cagey on the details. He told Time magazine in an interview published last week that he had a "very good plan" to help but that if he reveals it now "it becomes almost a worthless plan."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
US President-elect Donald Trump would not rule out Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending his inauguration on 20 January 2025.

Source: Trump during a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, on 16 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Asked whether he had invited Zelenskyy to his inauguration, Trump responded, "No."

Quote: "But if hed like to come, Id like to have him. I didnt invite him, no."

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Foreign leaders are rarely invited to attend US presidential inaugurations, but the incoming president's administration gets to decide who is invited.

Background:

According to media reports, the US president-elect's team extended an invitation to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who declined.

CNN has also reported that the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, is among the invitees.

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NEW YORK -- President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would "look at" a pardon for embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has been indicted on federal corruption charges.

"I mean, I'd have to see it because I don't know the facts. So, I would certainly look at it," Trump said. "I think he was treated pretty unfairly."

Adams has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, and bribery. He's accused of accepting travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions. You can read the full Adams indictment here.

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Adams has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and has said he has no plans to resign and is seeking reelection. His trial is set to begin on April 21.

Adams ducked CBS News New York's questions about whether he would accept a pardon, but insisted he was not guilty of the charges and pointed to Presidents Biden and also Trump also criticizing the work of the Justice Department.



"I did nothing wrong," Adams said. "I should not have been charged, and I just think God has a way of showing the irony of life. You know? I'm just saying the same thing that President Biden said. President Biden stated that his Justice Department has been politicized. President Trump stated that."

Adams won't be getting campaign matching funds

Trump made the announcement the same day the New York City Campaign Finance Board announced it will not be giving matching funds to Adams for his reelection bid, a serious setback for his campaign.

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"After thoroughly reviewing all available information, including the details of the indictment of Mayor Adams, the Board has determined that there is reason to believe that the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program, in violation of law including the Campaign Finance Act and Board rules. His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the Board. Accordingly, Mayor Adams' campaign for reelection has failed to demonstrate eligibility for public funds payment at this time. Our priority remains achieving an equitable and transparent democracy that is accountable to all New Yorkers," New York City Campaign Finance Board Chair Frederick Schaffer said.

"While today's ruling by CFB to withhold matching funds at this time is disappointing, we will continue to work with the board to address any issues so that funds can be appropriately disbursed. The mayor's campaign continues to have far more resources than his opponents', and we are very confident we will have the support we need to spend the maximum amount allowable in the upcoming primary," Adams' 2025 campaign counsel Vito Patta said in a statement.

"Eric Adams' unethical and potentially illegal campaign fundraising practices have led the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) to deny him matching campaign funds for his re-election bid in 2025. New York's public financing system works  we have some of the most robust campaign finance laws, and we've been a model for states and localities across the nation," New York Working Families Party Co-Directors Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila said in a statement. "We are relieved to see the CFB's decision to put public tax dollars to good use and prevent abuse of the system. It is time for New York City to elect a new mayor who can govern with integrity in service of New York City's working families."

Despite all that, the mayor said he will press on by outworking his rivals.

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"There are always hurdles," Adams said.

The mayor also attacked some in the media, insisting he doesn't always get a fair shake, and added he won't be afraid to take those people on.

Adams' top aide abruptly resigns

These are just the latest developments in the investigation into Adams and his top aides, and come on the heels of Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams' top advisor for years, abruptly announcing her resignation Sunday night. That announcement comes as prosecutors have reportedly presented evidence to a grand jury looking into corruption allegations against her.

"During my tenure, I have never taken gifts, money, anything. I have not made any arrangements in the past for gifts or money," Lewis-Martin said Monday.

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Lewis-Martin's resignation came a month before she was expected to retire.

Federal agents subpoenaed Lewis-Martin and seized her cellphone after she returned from a trip to Japan in September. They also searched her home in Brooklyn.

The Manhattan DA's office has said it was looking into Lewis-Martin and four others reportedly involving the city's leasing of commercial properties.

2024 holiday gift ideas from Techno Claus

Jim Gaffigan on the gifts no one should give for the holidays

School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say
Donald Trump announced Monday he would sue political pollster Ann Selzer and The Des Moines Register, which published a shock poll showing Trump losing Iowa by three points.

Im not doing this because I want to, Im doing this because I feel I have an obligation to, the president-elect said.

Trumps announcement comes after he received a settlement from ABC News after he filed a defamation suit against the network. ABC News star anchor, George Stephanopoulos, said multiple times Trump was found liable for rape, when he was actually found liable for sexual abuse. As a result, ABC will contribute $15 million to Trumps future presidential library. Trumps win against ABC would embolden him to sue even more news organizations, critics said.

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The people in Iowa, their newspaper had a very, very good pollster who got it right all the time, Trump said. Then just before the election, she said I was going to lose by four points and it became the biggest story of all time, all over the world.

Trump says he plans to sue Ann Selzer and the newspaper in Iowa that published her poll showing Trump losing just days before the election pic.twitter.com/ujSmW3GTTM  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 16, 2024

Selzer predicted in a poll three days before the election that Kamala Harris would top Trump 47 percent to 44 percent because of older women showing out to vote for reproductive rights. The poll gave Democrats false hope that Harris would win the White House decisively. Ultimately, Trump won Iowa by 13 points.

Trump blasted the poll in a post on Truth Social at the time.

In fact, its not even close! All polls, except for one heavily skewed toward the Democrats by a Trump hater who called it totally wrong the last time, have me up, BY A LOT, he wrote.

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Selzer, who had an A+ rating for accuracy, first broke onto the scene as Iowas top pollster when she correctly predicted Barack Obama winning the Iowa caucuses over Hillary Clinton in 2008. She announced in a column after the 2024 election that shed be retiring from polling.

Would I have liked to make this announcement after a final poll aligned with election day results? Of course, she wrote. Its ironic that its just the opposite.

On PBS, Selzer responded to the allegation that her poll had been a form of election interference.

I am mystified about what the motivation anybody thinks I had and would act on in such a public poll. I dont understand it, Selzer said.

Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer responds to Donald Trumps attacks during an appearance on MSNBCs Morning Joe. / MSNBC

The suit against Selzer and the Register, which Trump said he would file on Monday or Tuesday, would be another in Trumps long list of lawsuits against journalists and the media. He currently has a lawsuit pending against CBS' 60 Minutes, which he claims favorably edited Harris' answers.

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They took Kamalas answer, which was a crazy answer, a horrible answer, and they took the whole answer out and they replaced it with something else she said later on in the interview, Trump said on Monday.

Trump is also suing famed journalist Bob Woodward for allegedly misquoting him and selling interview tapes for his book The Trump Tapes, as well as the Pulitzer committee for giving an award to journalists reporting on Russian election interference in 2016.

Trumps vengeance against the media is a change of heart from just last week, when he told NBC News' Kristen Welker that his retribution will be through success.

Im really looking to make our country successful. Im not looking to go back into the past, Trump said.

The Daily Beast has reached out to Trump for comment but did not hear back in time of publication.
NEW YORK  President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he was open to pardoning New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Adams is facing a federal criminal bribery case in New York involving the Turkish government, luxury travel perks and an expedited safety inspection of a midtown skyscraper. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to go to trial in April, as he runs for re-election.

I think he was treated pretty unfairly, Trump said, speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago. Now I havent seen the gravity of it all, but it seems like being upgraded in an airplane many years ago  I know probably everybody here has been upgraded.

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Trump  like the Democratic mayor himself  suggested without evidence Adams criminal case was the result of his criticisms of President Joe Biden's handling of the migrant crisis.



The Republican president-elect long said charges against him were similarly motivated by political retribution.

Since the spring of 2022, more than 225,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, a surge that strained the municipal social safety net. Adams earmarked $6.65 billion for related services.

I said it not as a prediction, a little light-heartedly, but I said it. I said hes going to be indicted, Trump said, repeating accusations of a politicized Department of Justice that Biden echoed in pardoning his son, Hunter Biden. And a few months later he got indicted. So, I would certainly look into (a pardon).
President-elect Trump said he thinks there are problems with vaccines and again drew a false connection between vaccines and autism rates on Monday.

There are problems. We dont do as well as a lot of other nations, and those nations use nothing, Trump said during a wide-ranging press conference at Mar-a-Lago.

During the press conference, Trump again hinted that vaccines are driving up autism rates and that his administration would investigate it. Its a position Trump has flirted with for years, but its recently come to the forefront as the president-elect has allied with vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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If you look at autism, so 30 years ago we had I heard numbers like 1 in 200,000, 1 in 100,000. Now Im hearing numbers like 1 in 100. So somethings wrong. Theres something wrong. And were going to find out about it, Trump said.

Autism diagnoses have been rising, but experts have attributed the increase to better awareness of symptoms in children and changing criteria to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in kids.

About 1 in 36 children now have a diagnosis of ASD, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to about 1 in 150 in 2000.

Trump also signaled he was opposed to vaccine mandates, which have long been part of the countrys public health policy.

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I dont like mandates; Im not a big mandate person, Trump said when asked whether schools should mandate vaccines.

Trumps opposition to school mandates was a common theme on the campaign trail, though his aides said he was only referring to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

In separate comments, Trump also defended Kennedy, his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Kennedy is meeting with GOP senators this week on Capitol Hill as he seeks to shore up support for his nomination.

I think hes going to be much less radical than you would think. I think hes got a very open mind. Or I wouldnt have put him there, Trump said

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Senators are likely to question Kennedy on his policy stances, many of which run counter to traditional GOP orthodoxy. He has a long history of questioning vaccines and has also promoted the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism.

But Trump also said he was a big believer in the polio vaccine and promised that youre not going to lose it, noting that he saw what happened with polio and has friends that were very much affected by that.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Brunei's Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Haji Mohammad Rosli, officiated the launch of the first edition of the Community Caring Program at the Islamic Da'wah Center on Sunday, local media reported Monday.

According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, the event aimed to assist underprivileged individuals and families, including asnaf converts, single mothers, and low-income households.

During the ceremony, essential necessities were presented to 48 individuals, donated by various companies in Brunei, the Borneo Bulletin said on Monday.

Brunei is a Southeast Asian country located on Borneo Island, with a population of approximately 340,000 citizens and a well-established social welfare system. 
President-elect Trump on Monday expressed confidence that he could settle the war between Russia and Ukraine but also stressed that it would be difficult and possibly harder to solve than the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Trump, speaking at a surprise news conference in Florida, called the war in Ukraine carnage and stressed it has to stop, but he acknowledged its challenges for the first time in detailed remarks.

He said the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas would be in a good place when he enters office for the first time, but he hesitated on Russia and Ukraine.

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I think actually more difficult is going to be the Russia-Ukraine situation, Trump said. I see that as more difficult.

Trump noted the complexity of the war, citing North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.

He also said he was opposed to the Biden administrations move last month authorizing Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike deep into Russia.

I dont think that should have been allowed, he said, and certainly not just weeks before I take over. Why would they do that without asking me what I thought? I wouldnt have had them do that, I think that was a big mistake.

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Trump suggested he might reverse the long-range strike authorization, which allows Ukraine to use the prized Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against Russian positions.

Trumps pledge to end the war has sparked fears that he might cede territory in eastern Ukraine to Russia, but the incoming president has refused to offer details about his plan to stop the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested he would be open to giving up territory for now in return for NATO membership, but that is likely a nonstarter for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had pledged on the campaign trail to end the war in Ukraine by the time he takes office. He had also at times claimed he would end the war in 24 hours.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Jeff Mason

PALM BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that Turkey will "hold the key" to what happens in Syria, where rebels backed by Ankara toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

Making his first comments on how he views the NATO ally's role in post-conflict Syria, Trump praised what he described as Turkey's "major military force" that he said "has not been worn out with war."

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By supporting the rebels, "Turkey did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost," Trump told a press conference at his residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

"Right now, Syria has a lot of, you know, there's a lot of indefinites ... I think Turkey is going to hold the key to Syria," Trump said.

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, who was backed by Iran and Russia, since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.

Since Assad's ouster, Washington and Ankara have held talks on countering any resurgence of Islamic State militants in Syria. Washington has kept an estimated 900 troops in eastern Syria as a hedge against the militants.

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Asked what he will do with those troops, Trump was vague, pointing instead to the strength of Turkey's military and highlighting his relationship with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

"Erdogan is somebody I got along with great ... He's built a very strong, powerful army," Trump said.

Appearing to allude to Turkey's Ottoman past, which included control over modern day Syria, Trump added: "They've wanted it for thousands of years, and he got it, and those people that went in are controlled by Turkey, and that's OK."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason with additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Washington; writing by Rami Ayyub; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump said he would take a look at whether to stave off a looming ban of TikTok Inc., reversing the hard-line stance he took against the Chinese-owned video sharing app when he was president in 2020.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Well take a look at TikTok. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, Trump said Monday at press conference at Mar-a-Lago, attributing Republican gains with young voters to the social media platform. TikTok had an impact, so were taking a look at it.

Trumps evolution on TikTok follows a presidential campaign that relied heavily on the app, which is popular with teenagers and young adults, to post viral videos mocking his opponents, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. TikTok is particularly popular with young audiences that Trump viewed as a key voting bloc.

Four years ago, Trump touted the dangers of China-based TikTok parent ByteDances ownership of the influential social media app when he signed an order that gave it an ultimatum: Sell the app or face a ban in the US.

That ban got held up in court and was eventually rescinded by Biden. But last year, the president signed a bipartisan bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok by Jan. 19, 2025  the day before Trump takes office  or face a ban.

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What we want to see is a divestment, not a ban. Weve been very clear about that, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier this month, adding that the administrations intent was to prevent China from being able to exploit data gathered on many Americans.

She declined to say whether Biden would attempt to enforce the divestiture before he leaves office.

Legal Action

A federal appeals court recently upheld that law. But ByteDance is seeking a temporary stay to appeal to the Supreme Court. That would effectively put the decision squarely on Trumps desk.

The law does not allow the president to waive the requirement. But it does give him some discretion in defining what constitutes a divestiture. The president could determine, for example, that TikToks US operations are sufficiently isolated from the Chinese company to ensure data privacy.

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Trump reversed his position on TikTok last year, seeing it as a better alternative to competing services from Meta Inc., including Facebook and Instagram reels. Hes called Facebook the enemy of the people after it banned him for instigating the attack on the US Capitol before Bidens inauguration in 2021.

Trump backed up his newfound support of TikTok by using it aggressively in his presidential campaign, pushing memes mocking his opponents. Last week, on the eve of the court decision, Trump posted numbers showing that two short-form videos  of him working in a McDonalds restaurant and boarding a garbage truck  resulted in five times more engagement on TikTok than they did on Instagrams video platform.

--With assistance from Josh Wingrove.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
President-elect Donald Trump slammed Monday the cold-blooded murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and trashed supporters of accused killer Luigi Mangione.

Trump said he was outraged that some Americans have expressed sympathy for the man accused of gunning down Thompson, 50, on a Manhattan sidewalk on Dec. 4.

Its a terrible thing that people seem to admire  like him. Trump told reporters at his first news conference since winning the presidential election. How people can like this guy is  thats a sickness, actually.

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It seems theres a certain appetite for [Mangione], Trump said. I dont get it.

Trump said the execution-style manner of the murder made it particularly disturbing.

It was just a cold-blooded, horrible killing, he said. The way it was done was so bad. Right in the back.

Mangione, who was arrested last week in Pennsylvania, reportedly decided Monday to waive extradition back to New York, where he will face murder and other charges related to the killing of Thompson.

The 26-year-old prep school and University of Pennsylvania graduate allegedly opened fire on Thompson as he walked to an investment conference at the New York Hilton hotel on Sixth Ave. in Midtown before dawn.

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Bullet casings found at the murder scene were inscribed with the words, Deny, Defend and Depose, according to police sources.

Mangione was taken into custody on Dec. 9, at a McDonalds restaurant in Altoona, Pa., after an employee recognized him from police surveillance photos.

Police who arrested Mangione say his backpack contained a handwritten manifesto that blamed health insurance companies for the troubled health care system and defended the idea of shooting an insurance company executive at his own parasitic bean-counter convention.

In the days after the murder, some have said Mangione expressed the deep anger that many Americans feel toward the health insurance industry.
Donald Trump has suggested that he could reverse permission for Ukraine to use American missiles inside of Russia.

Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago he said it was a big mistake to permit Ukraine to strike targets within Russia with US-supplied long-range missiles.

Especially just weeks before I take over. Why would they do that without asking me what I thought? I think that was a big mistake, he said.

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Asked by a reporter if he would consider reversing the decision once in office he responded: I might yeah. I thought it was a very stupid thing to do.

He also said on Monday he would talk to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, and Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, about bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, saying he is troubled by images of carnage from the conflict.

Its got to stop, Mr Trump said.

He did not give a direct answer when asked whether he believed Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as part of a negotiated settlement to the nearly three-year-old war.

Mr Trump said much of the territory in dispute has been reduced to rubble and would take a century to recover from.

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He has previously claimed that the missiles decision by the outgoing president risked escalating this war and making it worse.

Eric Adams

In the same press conference, Mr Trump said he would consider pardoning Eric Adams, the New York mayor charged with bribery.

The president-elect said he thought Mr Adams had been treated pretty unfairly and that accusations he had been bribed by the Turkish government amounted to being upgraded in an airplane many years ago.

Mr Adams was charged in September with secretly soliciting and accepting freebies and illegal campaign donations from wealthy foreigners, including Turkish officials, as far back as 2014.

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The federal charges include the allegation he took several trips to Istanbul and enjoyed business class flights and discounted hotel stays that were funded by the Turkish government.

In exchange, it is alleged that he pressured city officials to sign off the construction of a Turkish consulate in New York. He denies the charges.

Mr Trump said: I think he was treated pretty unfairly. Now, I havent seen the gravity of it all, but it seems like [the charges were] being upgraded in an airplane many years ago.

Mr Trump went on to claim that the Biden administration had charged Mr Adams because of his concerns about the relocation of migrants to New York, which he said last year would destroy the city.

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He essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in. He made some pretty strong statements, [that] this is not sustainable, he said.

I said, you know what, hell be indicted soon. And I said it not as a prediction, a little bit lightheartedly, but I said itand a few months later, he got indicted.

TikTok

Mr Trump also suggested on Monday that he could reverse a Biden-era ban on TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform.

He said he would take a look, at the ban, adding that he attributed his win among younger voters in the presidential election last month partly to the app.

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I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, he said, claiming he won youth by 34 points.

Under the law, which was pushed by China sceptics in Congress earlier this year, TikTok must be either divested from its parent company, Bytedance, by Jan 19 or face removal from US app stores.

On Friday a court in Washington, DC said it would not delay the ban to allow TikTok to appeal it at the Supreme Court, giving the company just a month to file and win its case.

It is not clear how Mr Trump could prevent any ban from taking effect before he takes office the following day, on Jan 20.

CNNs Kaitlan Collins reported that Mr Trump had met Shou Chew, TikToks chief executive, at Mar-a-Lago earlier on Monday.

Iowa poll

Mr Trump said he would take legal action against three media outlets he perceived to have opposed him during the 2024 campaign, including a newspaper in Iowa that suggested Kamala Harris was three points ahead in the state. Three days later, Mr Trump won Iowa by 13 points.

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He also said he would take legal action against the CBS news programme 60 Minutes, which he said had favourably edited an interview of Ms Harris during the campaign.

Drones

Responding to concerns over drones in the sky in New Jersey and other states, Mr Trump claimed the government knows what is happening with the aircraft but is not revealing it to the American public.

Federal officials have said they do not know where the drones have come from, but that there is no risk to the public.

The government knows what is happening. Look, our military knows where they took off from, Mr Trump said.

If its a garage they can go right inside. They know where it came from and where it went.

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For some reason, they dont want to comment, and I think theyd be better off saying what it is.

Our military knows. Our president knows, and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense, he continued.

I cant imagine its the enemy, because if it was the enemy theyd blast it.

Mr Trump, who now receives classified briefings, declined to comment on whether he has been briefed on the drones in recent days.

A briefing for members of the House Intelligence Committee on the drones will reportedly take place on Tuesday, and feature officials from top intelligence agencies.

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Donald Trump said he's planning on suing a newspaper over an election poll he didn't like.

It's in keeping with a flurry of recent threats  and suits  Trump has filed against the media.

That can create a landscape where publishers will have to be extra careful about what they say.

A pretty good journalism rule of thumb: Someone threatening to sue someone isn't news.

Literally anyone can say they're going to sue someone, for any reason. But many people who say they're going to sue someone don't follow through. So, the argument goes, you should wait until they actually file a suit, for real, to report on it.

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Then there's Donald Trump. He also threatens to sue people  and the press, specifically  all the time. But sometimes, he goes ahead with the threat. He's also going to be the most powerful person in the world, again, starting next month.

So. When Trump announces that he's going to sue journalists and news organizations  like he did Monday, when he suggested he would sue the pollster Ann Selzer, or The Des Moines Register, or both, for publishing a poll that showed him losing Iowa in the 2024 election  should we take him seriously?

Trump says he plans to sue Ann Selzer and the newspaper in Iowa that published her poll showing Trump losing just days before the election pic.twitter.com/ujSmW3GTTM  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 16, 2024

I think so.

That's in part because Trump, who has a long career of threatening media organizations, seems to be ramping up his legal energy. Over the weekend, he extracted a $15 million settlement from ABC News over a George Stephanopoulos interview from March that Trump said was defamatory. He's also filed a suit against CBS over the way its "60 Minutes" program handled an interview with Kamala Harris, claiming the network is guilty of election interference.

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Plenty of legal experts think Trump has no chance of defeating CBS in court  "The First Amendment was drafted to protect the press from just such litigation," Floyd Abrams, an attorney, told CNN this fall. But that same cohort didn't think much of Trump's chances against ABC.

Just as important: The threats Trump is making  along with those made by others in his circle, like Kash Patel, Trump's nominee to run the FBI who has promised to "come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections"  seem to be a strategy.

As The New York Times' David Enrich noted, those suits and threatened suits seem like the "latest sign that the incoming Trump administration appears poised to do what it can to crack down on unfavorable media coverage."

It's true that the First Amendment makes it hard to win suits against journalists, and everyone else in the US, over what they say or write. Even more so when the person filing the suit is a public figure. And Donald Trump may be the most public figure there is.

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But fighting lawsuits  even those without much chance of winning  can be very costly. (For its part, The Des Moines Register's parent company has said a lawsuit would be without merit.) And while it's possible for publishers who win suits Trump files against them to charge him for their legal fees  like The New York Times successfully did this year  you still have to have the money, and willpower, for the fight.

Perhaps just as important: It's one thing to fight Donald Trump in court when he's a private citizen. It's quite another when he's the president of the United States and can make life difficult for you or your company regardless of what happens in the courtroom.

All of which is something you now have to think about if you're in the business of journalism. Not just when Trump, or someone in his circle, complains about your reporting  but before you publish or air it. That seems to be what Trump would like.

So yeah. That's a story.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President-elect Donald Trump threatened more lawsuits against the mainstream media and reporters on Monday, just days after ABC News agreed to pay him $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit.

We have to straighten out our press, Trump said in a press conference. Our press is very corrupt, almost as corrupt as our elections.

The press conference, held at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, was Trumps first since winning reelection against Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

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In particular, Trump said hes looking to file a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer, who said Harris was beating Trump 47-44 in Iowa the weekend before Election Day. Trump ended up winning the state by 13 points, and Selzer announced her retirement two weeks later. On Monday, he called Selzers poll a fraud.

Shes gotten me right always. Shes a very good pollster. She knows what she was doing, Trump said, adding hed probably be filing a major lawsuit against them today or tomorrow.

Donald Trump has announced plans to sue Ann Selzer and the Iowa newspaper that published her poll, which showed him trailing in the race just days before the election. pic.twitter.com/dv3xvqlxwQ  Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) December 16, 2024

He also referenced some of his other pending media lawsuits, including one against CBS for how it edited its 60 Minutes interview with Harris earlier this year. The president-elect also pointed to a lawsuit he has against Bob Woodward and another against the Pulitzer Board for rewarding the Washington Post for its reporting on him.

In other media-related news, Trump said hed take a look at saving TikTok before it is banned on Jan. 19 from the States. Trump said he has a warm spot in his heart for TikTok because it helped get young people to vote for him, just like his appearance on Joe Rogan did, he added.

The post Trump Threatens to Straighten Out the Press With More Lawsuits | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Donald Trump promised Monday to launch a lawsuit against The Des Moines Register over a preelection poll that found Vice President Kamala Harris had leapfrogged the Republican candidate, in a state he went on to handily win.

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, one journalist asked Trump about his ongoing defamation cases, asking, Could you see moving that to other people with individual platforms, social media influencers, people that

Or newspapers, yeah. Trump interrupted.

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Yeah, oh, I do. I think you have to do it, because theyre very dishonest, Trump continued. We need a great media, we need a fair media. We need, uh, its very important. And we need borders, we need walls, but we need borders and we need fair elections.

Trump went on rambling on about how they were still counting votes in California, which is not true. The weave eventually wove itself back, and the president-elect continued his pledge to sue newspapers over alleged defamation.

I have a few others that Im doing, uh, Im gonna, as an example, were bringingIm doing this not because I want to, Im doing this because I have an obligation toIm gonna be bringing one against the people in Iowa, their newspaper, which had a very, very good pollster, who got me right all the time. And then just before the election, she said I was gonna lose by three or four points, and it became the biggest story all over the world  because I was gonna win Iowa by 20 points. The farmers love me, and I love the farmers, he said.

Trump was speaking about pollster Ann Selzer, whose Iowa poll anticipated that Harris would lead Trump by three points in the state. In reality, he won Iowa by 13 points, making for a 16-point error. Selzer & Co. had previously been considered the gold standard of polling in the country.

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Crucially, it wasnt the biggest story all over the world, but its one that has been bothering Trump for more than a month now. In a post on Truth Social last month, Trump called out Selzer by name and said that an investigation into her poll was fully called for!

As far off as Selzers poll was, its not illegal to publish a poll that doesnt accurately predict something. Trumps obsession with Selzer appears to be part of the president-elects penchant for targeting those who publish unflattering things about him.

Buried in Trumps incoherent rambling Monday, he pledged to make good on that threat and claimed that Selzers poll constituted fraud and election interference. He promised to file a major lawsuit against them, either today or tomorrow.

Trump also mentioned his other ongoing media lawsuits against CBS Newss 60 Minutes, journalist and author Bob Woodward, and the Pulitzer Center for giving prizes to journalists who wrote about Russian interference in the 2016 election, which Trump falsely claims was a hoax.

Trumps newest threat against the media comes on the heels of a $15 million settlement with ABC News in a defamation lawsuit he brought against the networka settlement that has baffled media experts, who believe that ABC could have won the suit, and consider the networks sudden surrender to be obedience in advance of Trumps coming presidential term.
(NEXSTAR)  Days before President-elect Donald Trump secured a second term in office, the majority of the U.S. saw daylight saving time come to an end, thrusting us into the winter tradition of early sunsets. Now, Trump is taking aim at the bi-annual custom.

In a recent post to Truth Social, Trump said Republicans will push to eliminate the inconvenient and costly practice. This comes after the leaders of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, called to abolish daylight saving time.

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While Trump has not confirmed which side of the clock hes on  permanent daylight saving or standard time  there has been a growing interest to ditch the practice. Polls have shown Americans prefer permanent daylight saving time, with multiple state and federal lawmakers agreeing.

Why there wont be a Supplemental Security Income check to start December

Health experts, however, say permanent standard time is undeniably better for us. Weve also seen permanent daylight saving time flounder before.

A back-and-forth relationship with the clocks

In 1918, the U.S. started observing daylight saving time as a wartime measure to save energy, but that lasted for only a year. It came back in 1942 during World War II but was so chaotic as states and localities were allowed to decide when they wanted to switch between daylight saving and standard times.

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In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act to standardize the twice-a-year changing of the clocks. However, amidst a national energy crisis in 1973, the U.S. again observed year-round daylight saving time.

Your paycheck may be larger in 2025, even if you dont get a raise

President Richard Nixon signed an emergency daylight saving time bill into law. At first, it was well-liked, receiving a nearly 80% approval rate in December 1973, according to the New York Times.

It wouldnt last, however.

Soon, parents were sending their children off to school in morning darkness  in some parts of the country, the sun would not rise until nearly 9 a.m.  prompting safety concerns. There were multiple incidents nationwide of children being struck by vehicles while on their way to school, including eight fatalities in Florida.

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Daylight saving ends: Where do efforts to lock the clocks stand?

While the U.S. Department of Transportation found no clear evidence on traffic accidents in relation to year-round daylight saving time  it also found that energy savings were between 0.4% and 1.5%  public opinion of the practice had dropped to 42% by February 1974.

Eight months later, in October 1974, President Gerald Ford signed a bill to put the U.S. on standard time for four months of the year. Weve largely been on the same schedule ever since.

Why experts want year-round standard time

Its permanent standard time that health experts agree on, largely because of the increased amount of sunlight we would get in the mornings.

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It would be better for our circadian rhythm, which could improve other health aspects like blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, Dr. Alaina Tiani, a clinical health psychologist who specializes in behavioral sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinics Sleep Disorder Center, told Nexstar. Studies have also shown relationships between sleep and circadian rhythm deprivation and mental health problems, drug use, speeding, delinquent behaviors, educational performance, and employment salaries.

Can the clocks be locked?

In short, yes. It would take an act of Congress. Many states have already enacted legislation calling on Congress to do just that.

What if we didnt fall back when daylight saving time ends?

Multiple bills have been introduced to enact permanent daylight saving time but all have stalled. However, Republicans will control the House and Senate in 2025, and could be nudged to pass legislation following Trumps remarks.

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For now, daylight saving time is set to begin on March 9, 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 PIX11.
TOKYO, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower on Monday as investors adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of key monetary policy meetings in the United States and Japan later this week.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 12.95 points, or 0.03 percent, from Friday at 39,457.49.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 8.23 points, or 0.30 percent, lower at 2,738.33.

The benchmark Nikkei was initially supported by gains in technology and machinery issues but fell later as investors grew increasingly cautious before the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan hold policy meetings from Tuesday to Wednesday, respectively, analysts said. 
In May of 2023, the world watched as Charles III was crowned King of England after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at the age of 96. Very few people alive could have remembered her coronation almost 71 years before and most Americans' only familiarity with that medieval ritual comes from viewing Netflix's "The Crown."

The UK Parliament prepared a detailed briefing on the history and protocol of coronations and it's quite fascinating. Much of the ceremony is symbolic these days, but the intent is clear. It is designed to make it clear that the new king is the legitimate monarch, ordained by God. Back in the day, this required that all peers pledge their fealty to the king one by one. It was apparently a long and tedious process. But since they abolished most of the hereditary peerage back in 1999, they shortened the process this time, with the Archbishop of Canterbury pledging to be "faithful and true" and Prince William kneeling before his father and saying, "I pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."

Then they called upon the people to pay homage and everyone in the Abbey said together:

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God save King Charles.

Long live King Charles.

May The King live forever

Back in medieval times, this would all be followed by a huge banquet and it was a given that to remain in the King's favor nobles and vassals would need to offer the king a monetary tribute.

I couldn't help but think of all this as I read about all the billionaires and foreign leaders making the pilgrimage to Donald Trump's golden palace down in Mar-a-Lago. The coronation (or what we used to call the inauguration) hasn't happened yet, but he's already being feted like a medieval king. And unlike the British monarchy, which has eliminated the paying of tribute to the king, here in America  where we supposedly cast off such practices in our revolution  our new president is busily collecting payments and demanding fealty from his liege lords and foreign allies. And he's making it very clear that he will not be happy if they don't come across with plenty of lucre to fill his royal coffers.

We have, of course, observed every Republican who can get his or her hands on some formal wear rushing down to pledge their undying loyalty. And we saw the unpleasant spectacle of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau being treated like a vassal by Trump, who declared that if Canada doesn't like his tariffs they can become a state and Trudeau could serve as governor, as if that would be a much greater privilege. He also met with his fellow far-right autocrats, Argentine President Javier Milei and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and has reportedly invited several foreign leaders to the inaugural, including Chinese Premiere Xi Jinping (who has declined the invitation.) No head of state has ever attended the inauguration according to State Department historical records because the United States used to pride itself on its peaceful transfer of power not being like a coronation in which foreign leaders paid tribute to the president. That's a very quaint idea today.

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But nothing compares to the media moguls and corporations who are racing to outdo each other to get into Trump's good favor or spare themselves from becoming the object of his anger. We all know that the man who never leaves his side these days is Elon Musk. He spent over a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump get elected, has a great deal of business with the federal government and has an apparent burning desire to turn the country into the same grotesque shadow of its former self as he's done to his social media company X. Trump is clearly thrilled to have the richest man in the world acting as his majordomo.

Musk's closeness to Trump may have inspired other billionaires to try to get in on the action. The Wall St. Journal reported on this embarrassing phenomenon last week under the apt headline: "The Week CEOs Bent the Knee to Trump." It describes the scene as Trump went to Wall St. to celebrate his Person of the Year Time Magazine cover:

Gathered behind red velvet ropes were senior executives at Visa, Meta Platforms, Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab and Citadel, according to people who were present. Real-estate and aerospace magnate Robert Bigelow was spotted in the crowd, as was investor Bill Ackman... Titans of the business world are rushing to make inroads with the president-elect, gambling that personal relationships with the next occupant of the Oval Office will help their bottom lines and spare them from Trumps wrath.

As the Journal reports, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, both billionaires who own media companies made ostentatious trips to pay tribute to the new president after having been on his enemies list in the first term. They each pledged a million dollars to Trump's inaugural (which is basically a personal slush fund with virtually no ethics requirements) as has OpenAI's Sam Altman.

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In fact, media owners and corporations are making many grand gestures to curry favor with the new president. The owner of the LA Times effectively took over its editorial board insisting that it be more Trump-friendly. And in one of the most egregious examples to date, over the weekend, ABC settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump in which he had sued them and anchor George Stephanopoulos. Legal observers say there was no chance in hell that Trump would have prevailed on the merits and, in fact, has failed spectacularly in similar lawsuits. Yet ABC News agreed to pay 15 million dollars to his (as yet non-existent) library fund and forced Stephanopoulos to apologize.

Day after day, Trump holds banquets at his Florida palace where wealthy, powerful people come from all over to pledge themselves to him. They clearly believe that it is not in their interest to oppose him in any way, instead they are giving him huge gifts and throwing themselves at his feet in what is surely a vain hope that he will return their loyalty. But they don't really understand the dynamic. They are there to serve the king, not the other way around. If it pleases him to dispense his favor then he may do it. But it's all about him, not them.

The real question is why these vastly wealthy people are so eager to be subjects. You would think with all their money they could afford to have some pride and integrity. But maybe that's really the one thing that money can't buy.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's team is discussing how to end the Russia-Ukraine war permanently rather than merely "pausing" it, Trump's pick for national security advisor, Mike Waltz, told CBS News on Dec. 15.

Trump, taking on Jan. 20, 2025, said he aims to bring a swift end to the war without revealing specifics of how to achieve the goal. Some ideas floated within the president-elect's team reportedly include delaying Ukraine's entry into NATO in exchange for arms while freezing the war along the current front lines.

When asked whether the upcoming Trump administration plans to restrict how Ukraine can use U.S. arms, Waltz said that a "blank check... just isn't a strategy," adding that such steps threaten to turn the conflict into a "forever war."

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Trump recently criticized the outgoing Biden administration's decision to permit Ukraine to strike targets within Russian territory with ATACMS missiles. At the same time, the president-elect indicated he does not plan to "abandon" Ukraine and instead leverage the U.S. assistance for Kyiv to push Russia to the negotiating table.

"What does success look like in line with our interests? How do we end the war? Who's at the table? How do we drive, you know, all sides to the table, and what's the framework for an agreement? Those are things that we're thinking through with his fantastic team that he's (Trump) assembling," Waltz said.

Waltz added that since Trump's reelection, his team has been in contact with European partners and Ukraine on how to end this war "in a way that restores stability, stops the carnage, and hopefully makes this a permanent end, not just a pause."

Read also: War will be resolved in next few months, Trumps Ukraine peace envoy believes, plans to listen ahead of peace talks

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Trump met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Dec. 7 to discuss the ongoing war. Reuters reported that while the three did not discuss specifics of any concrete peace plan, Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, while Zelensky stressed the necessity of security guarantees.

Trump also reportedly called on Europe to take up greater responsibility for ensuring security once a ceasefire is reached.

When asked about Trump's meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 9, Waltz noted that Hungary's leader "has regular engagement with the Russians" and "a good relationship with President Trump."

Trump's team will take a "hard look" at Orban's proposal for a Christmas truce as a "first step" to "stop the fighting," Waltz added.

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Budapest claimed that Kyiv rejected a proposal for a Christmas truce and a prisoner exchange with Russia, while a Ukrainian official said that Hungary never discussed the idea with Ukraine.

Orban has maintained warm ties with Russia throughout the full-scale war and criticized military support for Ukraine while also lauding Trump's reelection.

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.
Mike Waltz, Donald Trumps nominee for National Security Advisor, has stated that Trump's team is exploring possible ways to end Russia's war against Ukraine in a manner that prevents its recurrence.

Source: Waltz in an interview with CBS News

Quote: "What does success look like in line with our interests? How do we end the war? Who's at the table? How do we drive all sides to the table and what's the framework for an agreement? Those are things that we're thinking through with his fantastic team that he [Trump] is assembling."

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Details: Waltz emphasised that he would not disclose all the details.

He also noted that his team is actively coordinating with the current US administration ahead of Trump's inauguration on 20 January regarding any talks for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Quote: "Since the election, everyone coming to us, our European allies, President Zelenskyy and others have shifted to that framework I just talked about. How do we end this conflict? How do we do it in a way that restores stability, stops the carnage and hopefully makes this a permanent end, not just a pause? Those are all things that we're thinking through."

Background:

US President-elect Donald Trump's national security team is devising a plan to end the war in Ukraine and is engaging in discussions with the current US administration and Ukrainian representatives.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he did not take Donald Trump's election promise to end the war in Ukraine "in 24 hours" literally.

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Newly appointed Tennessee State University interim President Dwayne Tucker told state lawmakers Monday that he will work through the holidays to prepare a new financial plan for the public, historically Black university.

Tucker was appointed to his new role Friday after the abrupt resignation of now-former interim President Ronald Johnson last week amid pressing financial issues for the school. With his new appointment, Tucker resigned his spot on the TSU board of trustees, where he'd served since April, and temporarily stepped away from his role as CEO of LEAD Public Schools.

What I want to do is provide some stability to the university in terms of resources," he told the State Building Commission on Monday, which marked his first day as interim president. "That's the only way were going to move forward."

Board member Dwayne Tucker asks a question during the TSU Board of Trustees meeting at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

A longtime businessman, Tucker said that he's facilitated the turnaround of large companies in the past and that he plans to draw support from other business leaders as he works to address the university's issues.

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In recent months, the state has floated TSU over $30 million in cash to keep the institution financially viable. TSU was nearly unable to make payroll this fall and laid off more than 100 employees as of October. During his short tenure, Johnson also instituted budget cuts, a spending freeze on nonessential expenditures and a hiring freeze. Additionally, he presented a plan to avoid a $46.1 million budget shortfall at the end of the fiscal year on June 30  something Tucker and state leaders agreed Monday was not sufficient to ensure the university's sustainability.

Since he is brand new to the role, Tucker asked the commission for time to put his plan together, with a promise to work closely with state officials. The commission ultimately agreed to hear Tucker's plans at its meeting on Feb. 13.

Here's what to know about the discussion Monday.

More: Dwayne Tucker, CEO of LEAD Public Schools, named interim TSU president

Tennessee officials push TSU to sell property, cut programs and faculty

During the meeting, commission member Lt. Gov. Randy McNally asked Tucker if he would enact a financial exigency plan. According to TSU's bylaws, financial exigency is a formal declaration made by the Tennessee Board of Regents that means the school faces an imminent financial crisis due to insufficient funds. Under exigency, the school may cut both nonacademic and academic staff, including tenured faculty.

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Commissioners also urged Tucker to consider cutting faculty and low-performing academic programs, along with selling off or leasing its downtown campus and selling a largely unused 25-acre lot it has at the John C. Tune Airport.

Tucker said "everything is on the table" as he quickly works to gain an understanding of the full scope of TSU's financial situation. Commission member Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower asked Tucker and other TSU leaders present to show they understood the urgency of the situation at hand.

"The taxpayers of Tennessee are not called upon to bail out any other university  in the state the way weve been called on to bail out TSU primarily because of the poor judgment exhibited by the prior president," Mumpower said.

Last year, federal officials calculated that the state of Tennessee underfunded TSU by $2.1 billion over the course of 30 years.

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Tucker assured the commission that he understands the gravity of the situation, again citing his long career as a businessman. Tucker is also a TSU graduate and previously served as chair for its foundation board. He said that, in the weeks to come, he will create a clear, concise plan to present to the commission.

"I want to come to you with full peace of mind," he said.

State leaders praise TSU for cutting ties with former president Glenda Glover

Mumpower affirmed the board's decision to accept Johnson's resignation, along with the resignation of TSU's general counsel, Laurence Pendleton. He also praised the board for urging Johnson to end an agreement with Glover, prepared by previous leadership, that would give her a total of $1.7 million for a payout and ongoing advisory role over the next four years.

Mumpower also said Glover "made out like a bandit while only leaving a legacy of dysfunction."

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Mumpower pointedly asked Tucker and TSU Board Vice Chair Charles Traughber if they were personally committed to cutting all ties with Glover. Both said yes, while maintaining that her contract is the subject of potential litigation. As of November, Board Chair Dakasha Winton said Glover had drawn more than $500,000 in pay from the agreement.

After the meeting, Tucker said he felt the questions were fair and expressed hope for the future as he and state leaders work together to stabilize TSU.

This story has been updated to clarify what financial exigency would mean for Tennessee State University.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State University: Tucker promises new financial plan
It takes a lot of energy for marine mammals, birds, and reptiles to get around. Some humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations travel 5,000 miles every year. Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) migrate along the coasts of Argentina and Chile in search of food. To conserve crucial energy, migratory animals have adapted to swim at similar relative depths when they are traveling and not feeding, no matter how big or small their bodies are. This sweet spot is described in a study published December 16 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

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Some semi-aquatic animalsincluding minkgenerally swim at or near the waters surface. At this depth, wave generation is a primary source of wasted energy. However, for marine mammals, birds, and turtles that travel great distances over their lives, minimizing the energetic cost of moving through the water is necessary for particularly on long journeys.

The additional drag from wave creation can be reduced once a traveling object moves to a depth greater than three times its diameter. Comparing these drag-reduced depths with the actual travel depths of wild animals has been difficult due to just how hard it is to track animals in the wild.

[ Related: Why do birds migrate? Scientists have a few major theories. ]

In the new study, a team from six academic institutions from five countries compared the swim depths of several sea turtle and speies and crossed referenced it with data on some whales. Little penguins (Eudyptula minor) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) swam to within 1.5 centimetersor about half an inchof the surface. Motion data and video footage from cameras affixed to some of the animals was also used and compared with satellite tracking data for long-distance migrations in green turtles and the data from other studies of whales and penguins.

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They found that some of the penguins, turtles, and whales in the available data travelled at about three times their body diameter down from the surface in a drag-reducing sweet spot. The animals also swam at this depth whether they were moving towards a foraging ground or when swimming over a long distance when not feeding. This sweet spot minimizes the wave formation at the surface and the vertical distance that the animal is traveling.

Like many air-breathing marine megafauna, green turtles optimize their swim depth during migration to minimize the cost of transport, traveling at around three body-depths beneath the surface in order to avoid creating waves whilst maximizing horizontal distance travelled. CREDIT: R. D. and B. S. Kirkby.

There are of course examples where animal swim depth is driven by other factors, such as searching for prey, but it was exciting to find that all published examples of non-foraging air-breathing marine animals followed the predicted pattern, Kimberley Stokes, a study co-author and sea turtle ecologist/conservationist at Swansea University in the United Kingdom, said in a statement. This has rarely been recorded because of the difficulty in retrieving depth data from animals that migrate over large distances, so it was great to find enough examples to show a common relationship between swim depth and body size from animals across the size spectrum from 30 cm [11.8 inches] to about 20 m [65 feet] in length.

This way, animals big and small can do all that they can to keep up their strength to find food and ultimately thrive.
BOSTON (WWLP)  Two men have been arrested after operating drones near Logan Airport over the weekend.

Safety, Rules and Regulations to flying drones

Boston Police states that 42-year-old Robert Duffy, of Charlestown, and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik, of Bridgewater, are now facing trespassing charges, NBC Boston states. Authorities say an officer spotted a drone that was dangerously close to the airport.

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They were able to detect the suspects operating the drones in Long Island, which is part of the Boston Harbor Islands. Police say that a third suspect was with the two men, but ran before they could be arrested. A drone was discovered inside a backpack that Duffy was carrying.

Both Duffy and Folcik are expected to be in court on Monday.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. (WGNO)  Two men accused of multiple internet crimes against children have been arrested in Hammond.

According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office, 37-year-old Preston James Murray was arrested after he allegedly attempted to meet a child for sex.

They add Murray had driven a van outfitted with a sofa, speaker, alcohol and drugs, with insulated covering the windows for privacy.

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Quadruple shooting in Milneburg neighborhood left two dead, two wounded

He was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on Dec. 10 on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles, computer-aided solicitation of a minor, attempted carnal knowledge of a juvenile and possession of Schedule I controlled substance.

(Courtesy/Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy/Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy/Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office)

On Friday, Dec. 13, 46-year-old Joshua Collie was arrested and booked on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation, said deputies.

Collies arrest came after days of allegedly explicit chats with what he believed to be a minor, committing to pick them up for chicken nuggets and sex.

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Lafourche Parish: Second suspect in armed robbery arrested, booked

The arrests were made in collaboration with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrills Office.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
A flight to Melbourne was delayed by over three hours earlier this month after two pilots tested above the alcohol limit.

Flight JL774 was due to fly out from Melbourne, Australia to Tokyo, Japan on 1 December at 7.20am local time, however, it did not depart until 10.31am.

Japan Airlines confirmed to Aviation A2Z that the delay was due to two unnamed experienced male captains having alcohol levels that exceeded the companys limit.

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Both pilots conducted self-administered breath tests at their hotel around 5am local time, finding the exceeding alcohol limits. Captain A initially asked for a shift delay due to illness, while Captain B left for the airport, according to the outlet.

Additional airport testing confirmed that Captain B had elevated alcohol levels, requiring multiple tests before a safe reading was finally obtained by 8.15am.

After retesting at the hotel, Captain A then also cleared the alcohol limit and arrived at the airport around 6am, the outlet says.

The flight ultimately departed Melbourne three hours and 11 minutes after it was scheduled, and arrived in Tokyo at 5.57pm local time.

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The Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 103 passengers onboard, with 11 crew members, including two captains, one co-pilot, and eight cabin attendants.

Japan Airlines told The Independent that the flight was not operated with crew members under the influence of alcohol.

The pre-flight alcohol test confirmed a 0.00 mg/l (milligrams per litre ) reading. But the flight was delayed due to two scheduled flight crew members being found to have alcohol in their system during a pre-flight check at their hotel.

Subsequent tests confirmed a 0.00 mg/l alcohol level, and the flight eventually departed. Including other preparations, the departure was delayed by 3 hours and 11 minutes.

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We take this incident very seriously and deeply regret that it occurred despite strict warnings. We will take thorough measures to prevent recurrence, the airline added.

After an internal investigation on 3 December, both Captains A and B were found to have violated company alcohol regulations, the publication reported.

The pilots had reportedly consumed two glasses of sparkling wine as well as two bottles of wine between 2pm and 4pm on 30 November, the day before the flight was due to take off.

Japan Airlines has internal guidelines that prohibit drinking within 12 hours of boarding, and in 2018, introduced a new breathalyser system at airports abroad to test its pilots.

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Japan Airlines reported the incident to Japans Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

This incident comes months after a Japan Airlines captain got drunk at a hotel bar, causing a flight from Dallas to Tokyo to be cancelled in April this year.

The unnamed 49-year-old captain started drinking as he dined with fellow crew members at a restaurant after landing his flight from Tokyos Haneda airport on Monday, the airline said.

He continued to party in the lounge of his hotel and later his room, despite staff warning him against disruptive behaviour.

The situation escalated to the hotel staff having to call the police as he kept making noise. While the pilot did not violate the guidelines of drinking within 12 hours of boarding, the airline prohibited him from flying as a precautionary measure.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  West Springfield Police are investigating after two pedestrians were struck by a driver in the area of Riverdale Street and Daggett Drive around 6:10 p.m. Sunday.

West Springfield plans Piper Road redesign hearing

West Springfield Police Sgt. Joe LaFrance told 22News that the pedestrians, a woman and her four-year-old daughter, were taken to the hospital in critical condition. LaFrance stated that the driver is cooperating with the investigation.

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The northbound lane outside the Riverdale shops and the Daggett Drive entrance was temporarily closed due to the crash but has since reopened.

The West Springfield Police Traffic Bureau is currently looking for witnesses to the crash. If you witnessed the crash, please contact the Traffic Bureau at 423-263-3210 Ext. O.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
NEW DELHI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 Indian nationals were killed due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Georgia, officials said Monday.

The bodies were found on the second floor of an Indian food restaurant at a ski resort in Gudauri. The victims were identified as employees working in the restaurant.

"A Consular officer has reached Gudauri. Mission is in touch with the local authorities to get details of the Indian nationals who lost their lives," the Indian embassy in Georgia said in a statement.

Local media reports quoting Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs said no signs of injuries or violence were detected during the initial inspection of the bodies. 
The world's nations keep faltering in their efforts to join together to save the planet from several environmental crises.

In the past few months United Nations-sponsored negotiations to tackle climate change, plastic pollution, loss of global species and a growing number of deserts have either outright failed or come out with limited outcomes that didn't address the scale of the problems. It's been three years since activist Greta Thunberg dismissed global talks as blah-blah-blah, which became a rallying cry for young environmentalists.

If you are not feeling some kind of grief about whats going on, youre obviously not understanding whats going on," said climate negotiations veteran analyst Alden Meyer of the European think-tank E3G. He said he's been watching humanity collectively fail as a species.

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The Associated Press interviewed more than 20 experts and they called multilateral environmentalism broken because of a cumbersome consensus process, the power of the fossil fuel industry, geopolitical changes and the massive size of the problems they are trying to fix.

Progress is being made, especially on climate change, but it's too little, too slow and in stutter steps, United Nations officials and others said.

Is it frustrating? Yes. Is it difficult? Yes, said United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen. But it is the only way in which smaller and poorer nations get a seat at the table with powerful rich countries, she said. I wouldnt classify it as an outright failure.

Failed meetings

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It's a far cry from the hopeful days of 1987 when the world adopted a treaty that is now reversing the dangerous loss of stratospheric ozone by banning certain chemicals. That was followed by a 1992 Earth summit that set up a United Nations system for negotiating environmental problems, especially climate change called Conference of Parties or COPs. A flurry of these conferences in a row fell relatively flat.

The biodiversity COP in Cali, Colombia in October ran out of time, ending with no big agreement except to recognize Indigenous people's efforts. November's climate change COP in Baku, Azerbaijan, on paper reached its key goal of increasing financing for poor nations to cope with warming, but the limited amount left developing nations upset and analysts saying it wasn't nearly enough. A plastics pollution meeting in Busan, South Korea, the next week got many nations saying they wanted to do something, but didn't in the end. And the conference on desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia also failed to reach an agreement on how to deal with drought.

We can sum up all these four multilateral meetings of 2024 that we are still failing, said Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

Nine years ago, when more than 190 nations came together to adopt the historic Paris agreement, countries had a mindset that realized a healthy planet benefitted every one, but we've lost track of that, said former U.N. climate secretary Christiana Figueres, who shepherded that deal. Were now entering as though we were gladiators in the Colosseum with an attitude of fighting and confrontation. And that mindset is not very productive.

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A broken system

Panama lead negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey was part of all four meetings and said the entire system is fundamentally broken.

It feels like we have lost our way, not only as countries and governments, but as humanity. It feels like we no longer care for each other," Monterrey said from the desert meeting in Riyadh.

Monterrey said he thinks countries like his are going to have to fight environmental problems on their own or with just small groups of nations. Others are embracing the idea of  climate clubs  which is a group of countries working together, but not quite the whole world.

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We need to find alternative pathways, Harjeet Singh, of the Fossil Fuels Non Proliferation Treaty said, pointing to a climate case before the International Court of Justice. Figueres said one group of lawyers has filed 140 climate change-oriented legal actions in courts across the world.

The U.N. system is the worst system except for all the others. They dont have another, former Ireland President Mary Robinson, a member of the advocacy group The Elders, told The Associated Press.

But former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said: "We can't keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Problems with consensus

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Thirty years ago when the climate conferences started there was debate over how decisions should be adopted.

A prominent fossil fuel industry lobbyist and Saudi Arabia pushed hard to kill the idea of majority or supermajority vote and instead adopt the idea of consensus so that every country more or less had to be on board, said climate negotiations historian Joanna Depledge at Cambridge University in England.

Through that they managed to stymie, to weaken the negotiations, Depledge said.

The nature of consensus is we end up moving at the pace of the slowest, said PowerShift Africa's Mohamed Adow.

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Gore, Depledge and others are advocating for new rules to make COP decisions by supermajority rule, not consensus. But past efforts have failed.

Multilateralism isnt dead, but it is being held hostage by a very small number of countries trying to prevent progress, Gore said. "Theres no greater example of this than the way that the fossil fuel industry has hijacked policymaking at all levels.''

For 27 years, climate negotiations agreements never specifically mentioned fossil fuels as the cause of global warming, nor called for their elimination. Then after sharp fights last year in Dubai, it called for a transition away from fossil fuels.

A changing world

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Part of the problem is that in the 1980s there were two superpower nations and they had enough common interest among themselves to knock heads together and to make something happen, said Princeton University climate scientist and international affairs professor Michael Oppenheimer.

Now, the world is much more fractured and power is much more diversified, Depledge said. "Everybody is shouting with their own national circumstances.

But at the same time, those shouting nations  and businesses and the economy in general  are doing much more at home to fight climate change regardless of what's done at COPs, Figueres said.

Former top U.S. negotiator Jonathan Pershing, now environment program director at the Hewlett Foundation, points to the long arc of enormous progress made. (The Associated Press receives support for climate coverage from Hewlett).

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U.N. Climate Secretary Simon Stiell told AP, Lets not forget that without U.N.-convened global cooperation, we would be headed for up to 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) of global heating (above pre-industrial levels)  a death sentence for most of humanity.

All the experts told The AP that they still have hope  either because of or despite what's happened so far.

"To be hopeless is to give up on the lives of people today, said climate activist Mitzi Jonelle Tan. To be hopeless is to give up on my family, on our experiences here. To give up is to give up life.

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Follow Seth Borenstein and Sibi Arasu on X at @borenbears and @sibi123

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Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment

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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.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  University at Buffalo resident physicians on Friday reached a union contract agreement with University Medical Resident Services (UMRS) after over a year at the bargaining table with UB and local hospitals.

The agreement addresses UB resident physicians salaries, health care and professional development needs, Hurwitz Fine, UMRS legal counsel, and the Union of American Physicians & Dentists (UAPD) said in a statement on Monday. The deal comes after over 800 residents went on a four-day strike in September. At the time, the UAPD claimed that the residents were paid the least in New York State.

UB resident physicians strike for better pay, better benefits

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Residents were asking for better work conditions, pay and benefits, while UMRS said in September that its previous proposal was fair.

The contract, which extends through June 2027, was approved with 96 percent of the vote, UMRS and the UAPD said. It increases residents salaries by a range of 17.3 percent to 34.4 percent over the course of the contract.

The deal provides $2,000 annually to each resident for education and professional development, a $500 contract signing bonus and $40,000 annually for emergency medical expenses, to name a few.

UMRS is pleased that this agreement has been reached and ratified, said Hurwitz Fine member Lawrence Ross in the statement. UMRS, its hospital partners and the UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will continue to partner to provide residents and fellows with exceptional medical training and learning opportunities as all parties work together to improve health care in Western New York.

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UAPD union dues will now be 0.9 percent, which are the lowest physician dues in the country, according to the statement.

None of my colleagues want to strike, but I dont know what else to do at this point: UB resident physicians discuss intended strike

Residents said they look forward to continuing to provide care to patients in Buffalo and called the agreement a monumental step for residents and fellows across the country.

This is a game-changing first contract for Buffalos frontline providers, said UAPD President Dr.

Stuart Bussey in the statement. We look forward to working with UMRS and the University at Buffalos Office of Graduate Medical Education to make residents workplace even stronger, as well as help recruit the nations finest medical trainees to Western New York.

Latest Local News

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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KAMPALA (Reuters) - A Ugandan court has ordered the government to pay up to 10 million Ugandan shillings ($2,740) to each victim of Lord's Resistance Army commander Thomas Kwoyelo, the first senior member of the rebel group to be convicted by Uganda's judiciary.

In October, Kwoyelo, a mid-level commander in the LRA, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for war crimes including murder, rape, enslavement, torture and kidnapping.

According to the court ruling, Kwoyelo was found unable to pay any compensation to the victims due to his "indigent" status, leading the court to order the government to bear the cost.

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The scale of Kwoyelo's atrocities, according to the ruling, was such that they amounted to "a manifestation of failure on the part of the government that triggers a responsibility on the state to pay reparations to the victims," the ruling said.

The court also awarded additional cash compensation of varying amounts to the victims of other harm caused by Kwoyelo, including property destruction and theft.

Founded in the late 1980s with the aim of overthrowing the government, the LRA brutalised Ugandans under the leadership of Joseph Kony for nearly 20 years as it battled the military from bases in northern Uganda.

The insurgents' acts included rapes, abductions, the hacking off of victims' limbs and lips and use of crude instruments to bludgeon people to death.

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In around 2005, under military pressure, the LRA fled to the lawless jungles of South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, where it also committed violence against civilians.

Splintered elements of the group and Kony are believed to still live in those areas, although attacks are now infrequent.

The Ugandan military captured Kwoyelo in 2009 in northeastern Congo and his case crept through the Ugandan court system until his conviction in August.

($1 = 3,645.0000 Ugandan shillings)

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Felix Bate and Ros Russell)
LATEST: Russia detains two suspects over assassination of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports

Ukrainian prosecutors charged Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, in absentia with the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Dec. 16.

According to the SBU's investigation, chemical weapons have been used in more than 4,800 cases since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

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Since 2022, over 2,000 Ukrainian service members have been hospitalized with chemical poisoning, and three have died, Ukrainian Colonel Artem Vlasiuk said earlier this week.

"Russian forces mostly use ammunition with toxic substances by dropping them from FPV (first-person-view) drones on Ukrainian positions. When chemical grenades are detonated, their poisonous compounds affect human mucous membranes, especially the eyes and respiratory tract," the SBUs statement said.

When detonated, the irritating gases force Ukrainian soldiers finding cover in the trenches to leave and expose themselves to Russian gunfire, the statement noted.

Ukraine handed over soil samples that prove the use of banned materials to independent laboratories of the International Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for examination and were confirmed to breach international humanitarian law.

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Russia's use of gas attacks is rising, a Kyiv Independent investigation from August showed. Ukrainian soldiers and officers interviewed by the Kyiv Independent acknowledged that the tactic is effective, allowing Moscow to capture positions occasionally without destroying them.

The U.K. issued sanctions against Kirillov and his unit over the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine on Oct. 8.

Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department confirmed that Russian forces had used the chemical agent chloropicrin in Ukraine. The announcement was part of a larger statement about introducing new U.S. sanctions against more than 280 individuals and entities.

Read also: Silent killer: Russia boosts grinding Donbas advance with chemical warfare

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraines military intelligence agency and the Pentagon said Monday that some North Korean troops have been killed during combat against Ukrainian forces in Russias Kursk border region.

These are the first reported casualties since the U.S. and Ukraine announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war.

Ukraines military intelligence agency said around 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded during battle with the Ukrainian army over the weekend.

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The casualties occurred around three villages in Kursk, where Russia has for four months been trying to quash a Ukrainian incursion, the agency, known by its acronym GUR, said in a public post on the Telegram messaging app.

At least three North Korean servicemen went missing around another Kursk village, GUR said.

The White House also said it now believes North Korean troops are on the front lines of Russias war and are actively engaged in combat operations against Ukraine.

National security spokesman John Kirby confirmed the assessment Monday after Ukraines government said North Korean troops had moved from support roles into direct fighting on behalf of Russia. Kirby said North Korean troops are taking casualties in the fighting and promised a strong U.S. and allied sanctions response to North Korea.

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Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, told reporters that some North Korean troops have died in combat in Kursk but did not have a specific number of those killed or wounded. Those troops have primarily been used in an infantry role and started fighting in combat operations about a week ago, Ryder said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred questions to the Russian Defense Ministry, which didnt immediately comment.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged unwavering support for Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbor under a mutual defense pact.

The alliance gave a jolt to international relations, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that the planned deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles to Europe and Asia has brought new threats.

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In view of rising geopolitical tensions, we must take additional measures to ensure the security of Russia and our allies, Putin told a meeting with top military brass. We are doing it accurately and in a balanced way to avoid being drawn into a full-scale arms race.

However, military analysts say the language barrier has bedeviled combat coordination between Russian and North Korean troops.

The poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean forces will likely continue to cause friction in Russian military operations in Kursk  in the near term, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said late Sunday.

On Nov. 5, Ukrainian officials said their forces had for the first time engaged with North Korean units that had been recently deployed to help Russia.

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Ukraine seized land in Russias Kursk border region last August in what was the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II. The operation embarrassed the Kremlin and aimed to counter unceasingly glum news from the front line.

The incursion hasnt significantly changed the wars dynamics. Over the past year, Russia has been on the front foot, with the exception of Kursk, and has been grinding deeper into eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region despite heavy losses.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said Monday the military has been making steady gains in Ukraine, claiming that they have accelerated recently, with Russian forces capturing about 30 square kilometers (11.5 square miles) of territory a day.

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Copp reported from Washington.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has criticized Hungary's "peacekeeping" statements as unrealistic and manipulative, calling on Hungarian officials on Dec. 16 to stop distorting the realities of Russia's war against Ukraine for political gain.

The ministry accused Hungary of effectively advocating for Ukraine to surrender to Russian aggression while obstructing international efforts to support Kyiv.

Hungarian officials once again claim that they can stop the war. However, these statements do not reflect reality. Following Hungary's 'peacekeeping' calls to Moscow, deadly missiles and drones are striking Ukrainian cities and communities, the ministry said in a statement.

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Hungarys actual proposals are even further from peacemaking than its statements, it added, noting that Budapests continued unilateral contacts with Moscow undermine collective efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace.

The response came after Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed on Dec. 15 that President Volodymyr Zelensky had forcefully but politely declined Prime Minister Viktor Orbans proposal for a Christmas ceasefire.

Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow despite Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has consistently criticized EU sanctions against Russia and blocked initiatives to provide military aid to Kyiv.

Read also: Its a tough one, Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russias war against Ukraine

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Ukraine is reporting at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded over the weekend around several villages on the front in Russias Kursk region.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Russia is using North Korean troops to fight against Ukrainian forces around three villages in Kursk, where Russia has been trying to quash a Ukrainian incursion since August. A public post from Ukraines Main Directorate of Intelligence, also known as GUR, on the messaging app Telegram confirmed Kursk as the site of the North Korean casualties.

The GUR also said at least three North Korean service members went missing in a fourth village.

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This marks the first time Kyiv has detailed North Korean casualties since the Pentagon and Ukraine announced Pyongyang had sent about 10,000 troops to assist Russia in the ongoing war. The GUR said the casualties occurred around the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba and Martynovka in the Kursk region, but did not provide details.

Russia has not responded to comment on the casualties, according to The Associated Press, which said it could not independently verify the claims.

Due to the losses, the assault groups are being replenished with fresh personnel, in particular from the 94th separate brigade of the DPRK army, to continue active combat operations in Kursk region, the GUR wrote.

Ukraines presence in the Kursk region marks the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II. Kyiv reported North Korean forces in the region back in October and later reported unspecified clashes and casualties.

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The Associated Press contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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DHAKA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- With due solemnity and rich tributes paid to the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh Monday celebrated its 54th Victory Day.

On this day in 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent country.

The Victory Day's programs commenced with a 31-gun salute in the early hours followed by rich tributes of President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the National Monument in Savar on the outskirts of the national capital Dhaka.

Later, Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta paid their tributes together at the memorial.

A smartly turned-out contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute, while a bugle played a dirge.

The national flag was hoisted atop all government and private buildings. Important buildings and structures have been illuminated.

Also, key roads and road islands in the capital and other cities across the country have also been decorated with national flags and colorful festoons.

Special prayers were offered in mosques, temples, pagodas and other places of worship for the departed souls and the country's peace, progress and prosperity.

Newspapers have published special supplements marking the day, while televisions and radio stations aired special programs. 
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini believes that peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through compromise, including territorial concessions.

Source: Pellegrini in an interview with Slovak broadcaster STVR

Details: Pellegrini stated that Ukraine would have to make concessions to end the war.

Quote: "When it comes to peace, I think we need to remain realistic. Probably no one in Europe among reasonable people today believes that peace can be achieved without some partial territorial losses for Ukraine."

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Details: Pellegrini added that his position is based on analysis of daily reports on the situation at the line of contact.

He also urged Ukraine and Russia to start peace talks as soon as possible.

Background:

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has not granted permission for Slovak citizens to serve in the Ukrainian army, despite receiving four requests since he assumed office in June of this year. In Slovakia, it is a criminal offence to serve in a foreign army without the president's consent.

During his presidential campaign, Pellegrini endorsed Prime Minister Robert Fico's position on halting the supply of arms to Ukraine from the state reserve, despite having previously supported military assistance to Kyiv.

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Ukraines National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) has imposed personal sanctions on four companies and two individuals involved in the production of Russian combat FPV drones. The process was initiated by analysts from Ukraine's Economic Security Bureau.

Source: press service of the Economic Security Bureau

Details: Economic Security Bureau experts had identified a group of Russian businesses that specialise in developing and manufacturing reconnaissance and combat FPV drones  Upyr, Rusak, Lastochka, Antonov, Peresmeshnik, Voron, Dzhuzhik and Shchegol.

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Quote: "These drones are actively used in the combat zone and have specific modifications designed for the high-precision destruction of various types of targets," the Economic Security Bureau said in a statement.

In addition to producing drones, the firms also manufacture components for them and provide training for Russian troops with a view to their future participation in the war against Ukraine.

Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a National Security Council resolution to impose sanctions on a list of individuals and companies.

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Key developments on Dec. 16:

Russia sets 2025 goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions, Defense Minister says

'It's a tough one,' Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russia's war against Ukraine

Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says

North Korean troops suffer casualties in Russias Kursk Oblast, Pentagon says

Russia must be ready for potential conflict with NATO 'within 10 years,' defense minister says

EU will train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by early 2025, chief diplomat says

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16 that Moscow aims to seize the entirety of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2025.

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Speaking at a Defense Ministry meeting, Belousov reiterated Russia's commitment to achieving what he described as the "goals announced by President Vladimir Putin in June."

"In 2025, Moscow plans to achieve victory in the war," he added.

On June 14, Putin stated that Russia would agree to a ceasefire and peace talks only if Ukraine withdrew from the four Ukrainian oblasts and formally abandoned its aspirations to join NATO.

Putin's additional demands include recognizing Crimea and Sevastopol as part of Russia.

"As soon as Kyiv declares readiness for such a decision and begins a real withdrawal of troops, as well as officially abandons its NATO ambitions, we will immediately cease fire and begin negotiations," Putin said at the time.

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Despite Russia's claims, large portions of these regions remain under Ukrainian control. Regional capitals Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are firmly held by Ukraine, while Moscow occupies parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, territories it initially invaded in 2014.

During the Dec. 16 meeting, Belousov also emphasized the need for Russia to prepare for potential conflicts with NATO within the next decade.

Putin's declaration of the illegal annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in September 2022 was widely condemned internationally.

The Kremlin continues to struggle in its attempts to secure full control over these regions amidst fierce Ukrainian resistance.

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Read also: Russia sets 2025 goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions, Defense Minister says

'It's a tough one,' Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russia's war against Ukraine

President-elect Donald Trump expressed his intent to make a little progress in ending the war in Ukraine at his first news conference since winning the presidential election.

Speaking from Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 16, Trump described the conflict as horrible and emphasized the urgent need to stop it.

Were trying to get the war stopped, that horrible, horrible war thats going on in Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine, Trump said.

He added, Were going to get a little progress. Its a tough one, its a nasty one, its nasty.

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The President-elect criticized the high human cost of the conflict, claiming the death toll on both sides is likely far higher than reported.

Trump attributed the heavy casualties to Ukraines flat terrain, adding that the only thing that stops a bullet is a body, a human body.

Trump confirmed he had not invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to his January inauguration but noted that Zelensky would be welcome if he chose to attend.

The president-elect previously met with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Dec. 7 to discuss the war.

According to Reuters, the meeting did not yield a specific peace plan, though Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, while Zelensky underscored the need for security guarantees.

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Meanwhile, the Biden administration is racing to deliver additional aid to Ukraine, announcing a $988 million military aid package on Dec. 7.

However, Trump has signaled plans to reduce such assistance once in office to push Ukraine into negotiations that could include territorial concessions.

Although critical of Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S. ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, Trump reiterated that he does not plan to abandon Ukraine.

Instead, he aims to use U.S. support as leverage to pressure Kyiv and Moscow to reach a peace agreement.

Read also: Its a tough one, Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russias war against Ukraine

Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says

Ukraine is now among the nations with laser weapon capabilities, Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, announced on Dec. 16, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

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Speaking at the "European Defense Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry" conference, Sukharevskyi said Ukraine's laser system, called Tryzub, can down aircraft at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometers.

"This laser is real and operational," he emphasized, adding that efforts are underway to scale up its capabilities.

The Kyiv Independent couldn't immediately verify Sukharevskyi's claim.

Sukharevskyi also discussed the development of "mother drones," or "queen drones," which carry two FPV (first-person view) light attack drones.

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These drones, capable of flying over 70 kilometers into enemy territory, serve as repeaters and hit deep targets. He described this innovation as a "breakthrough" in Ukraine's drone technology.

The Unmanned Systems Forces, established less than six months ago, already include combat and research units operating across air, land, and sea.

Ukraine's defense industry has gained momentum since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov recently announced the serial production of Palianytsia, a lightweight missile-drone hybrid, further advancing Ukraine's military capabilities.

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Read also: Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says

North Korean troops suffer casualties in Russias Kursk Oblast, Pentagon says

North Korean troops have joined combat operations in the Kursk Oblast, marking the first confirmed engagement of North Korean soldiers alongside the Russian military, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder said on Dec. 16.

"We do assess that North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat in Kursk. We have indications that they have suffered casualties, both killed and wounded," Ryder said, as reported by Reuters.

While the U.S. lacks precise casualty figures, Ryder added that North Korean troops began combat operations last week.

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Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) claimed that at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded during assault operations near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka on Dec. 14-15.

Fresh reinforcements from North Korea's 94th Separate Brigade are reportedly being deployed to replace the losses.

The HUR also alleged that a "friendly-fire" incident on Dec. 14 resulted in North Korean troops killing eight Russian soldiers.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify HUR's claims.

North Korean soldiers have been present in Kursk Oblast since October, initially serving in support roles.

Their recent participation in ground assault operations reflects a deepening military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Read also: North Korean troops suffer casualties in Russias Kursk Oblast, Pentagon says

Russia must be ready for potential conflict with NATO 'within 10 years,' defense minister says

Russia should prepare for multiple scenarios, including a war with NATO, in the next 10 years, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16, the Interfax news agency reported.

Speaking about a possible confrontation with the alliance, Belousov pointed to unspecified changes in NATO countries' doctrines and conclusions reached during the Washington summit in July.

(Preparing for war) is indicated by the decisions that were made at the North Atlantic Alliance summit held in July of this year. This is also reflected in the doctrinal documents of the United States and other NATO countries," Belousov said.

During NATOs 75th-anniversary celebration and summit in July, Ukraine received more air defense systems, $43 billion in funding, a NATO representative in Kyiv, and new bilateral security agreements, as well as the pledge that its path toward membership is "irreversible."

Tensions between NATO and Russia have been mounting since the allied countries began providing arms and other support to Ukraine after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. Moscow has issued a number of veiled and overt threats to the West over its support for Kyiv, including warnings of a possible nuclear response.

Multiple Western officials have raised warnings about a possible open clash with Russia in the coming years, with NATO leaders calling for increasing the defense spending benchmark from 2% to 3% of gross domestic product.

Speaking at the meeting, Belousov claimed that Ukraine lost "almost 1 million people" during the full-scale war, a figure much higher than the numbers provided by Kyiv and the Western media.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine suffered 43,000 soldiers killed and 400,000 injured, while The Economist estimated Kyiv's casualties at 60,000-100,000 killed and 400,000 injured.

Belousov also announced the planned creation of a military branch dedicated to unmanned systems, which should be finalized in the third quarter of 2025. Ukraine already established the Unmanned Systems Forces in September this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke at the meeting, accusing the West of "pushing Russia to a red line from which we can no longer retreat." He further said that NATO is increasing its military presence near the Russian border and in other regions of the world.

The Kremlin's chief went on to accuse the U.S. of preparing a deployment of missiles with a range of "up to 5,500 kilometers" in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, saying that Russia will lift "all restrictions" on the deployment of its own weapons if Washington takes this step.

Russia withdrew from multiple treaties on nuclear arms during the full-scale war and deployed a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, Oreshnik, in a strike against Dnipro in November.

Putin also claimed that Russian forces had conquered 189 settlements in Ukraine this year and that "over 1,000" people sign contracts with Russia's Defense Ministry every day to join the war.

Read also: Russia must be ready for potential conflict with NATO within 10 years, defense minister says

EU will train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by early 2025, chief diplomat says

The European Union will train 75,000 Ukrainian military personnel as part of its EUMAM training mission by February 2025, EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas announced at a press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council on Dec. 16.

"The EU must continue supporting Ukraine militarily. By the end of winter, the EU will have trained 75,000 Ukrainian service members," Kallas said.

Kallas also highlighted that the EU has provided Ukraine with 4.2 billion euros in budget support this month and will begin allocating 1.5 billion euros monthly starting January 2025.

Kallas emphasized the importance of further aid, echoing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's call during the ministerial meeting for increased ammunition supplies, stronger air defenses, and expanded support for Ukraine's defense industry.

"We must give Ukraine what it needs to win the war," Kallas stressed.

Launched in October 2022, the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) has already trained approximately 60,000 Ukrainian troops as of August 2024, primarily in Germany and Poland.

The mission focuses on improving the operational capabilities of Ukrainian forces to bolster their resistance against Russia's aggression.

The EU's previous top diplomat, Josep Borrell, hailed EUMAM as the "most successful training mission the EU has ever launched."

With this expanded commitment, the EU continues to strengthen its military support for Ukraine as the war enters its third winter.

Read also: EU will train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by early 2025, chief diplomat says

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Ukraine's defence forces have succeeded in regaining positions in Kolisnykivka in Kharkiv Oblast, but the Russians are making successful advances in several districts of Donetsk Oblast.

Source: analytical project DeepState

Quote: "The defence forces have regained their position near Kolisnykivka. The enemy has advanced near Zelenivka, Storozheve, Dachenske, Chasiv Yar and in Novyi Komar (Donetsk Oblast  ed.)."

Background:

On 15 December, DeepState analysts reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had driven the Russian forces out of Kolisnykivka Forest.

On 15 December, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that the Russians were conducting active assaults on the southeastern outskirts of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, trying to seize a road junction and a residential block in the city while also infiltrating with sabotage and reconnaissance groups.

On the morning of 14 December, the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Forces reported that the Russians had improved their tactical position near the villages of Pushkine and Pishchane and west and east of Shevchenko in Donetsk Oblast.

On the evening of 14 December, a DeepState source reported that Russian forces had continued to advance into Kurakhove, gradually occupying the central part of the city. A video circulated by the Russians shows a Russian flag on the Kurakhove City Council building.

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Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Slovak President Peter Pellegrini's statement, in which he suggested that Ukraine may need to make territorial concessions for peace, reminding him of the fate of Slovak territories when they were surrendered to the aggressor.

Source: European Pravda, citing Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi

Pellegrini stated that Moscow and Kyiv should sit down for negotiations, and that Ukraine will need to make territorial concessions for peace.

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He emphasised that "no one in Europe among reasonable people today believes that peace can be achieved without some partial territorial losses for Ukraine".

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi reminded him of the fate of Slovak territories when they were surrendered to the aggressor.

Quote: "The last time Slovak land was handed over in the name of peace, it ended badly and brought no peace to the Slovaks or any other nations," he said.

Background:

Recently, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico declared that he considered it his "personal duty" to visit Moscow on 9 May 2025.

Fico had previously stated that he hoped to restore normal relations with Russia once its full-scale war in Ukraine came to an end.

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Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, affirmed in a call with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico that Kyiv opposes the continuation of the transit deal with Russian Gazprom, but added that Ukraine is willing to transport gas through its natural gas transmission system if it is not from Russia.

Source: Prime Minister of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Shmyhal said that he assured his Slovak counterpart that Ukraine wants guaranteed energy security for the whole of Europe, and in recent years the EU has done a lot to ensure that European countries have reliable supplies and energy resources cannot be used as a blackmail tool, which Russia regularly did.

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Quote: "Ukraine is ready to perform its duties under the Association Agreement with the EU. As a result, if the European Commission officially applies to Ukraine for the transit of any gas other than Russian, we will undoubtedly discuss it and are prepared to implement the relevant agreements based on the principles of energy security shared by the entire EU and each European nation," Shmyhal stated.

At the same time, the prime minister reiterated that Ukraine is not considering extending the gas transit agreement with Gazprom, which will expire on 1 January 2025.

Shmyhal also thanked Fico for his cooperation on the issue of electricity imports and said that last week 30% of Ukrainian imports came from Slovakia.

Background: Slovakia is one of the few European countries that remains dependent on Russian gas, and Bratislava has long hoped that Ukraine will continue to provide transit.

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The Khortytsia Operational Tactical Group has reported that Ukrainian forces are conducting an operation near the settlement of Uspenivka in Donetsk Oblast, aiming to inflict "maximum exhaustion on the enemy, destroy their resources, and preserve our personnel".

Source: Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Tactical Group, during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "Units from the defence forces are carrying out stabilisation measures as part of a defensive operation along the front line there. The operation being carried out by the defence forces is aimed at exhausting the enemy as much as possible, destroying their resources, and preserving our personnel.

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So in any case, first of all the enemy must be stopped and the front line must be stabilised."

Details: Voloshyn also said there are no Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups in Pokrovsk and no fighting is going on in the city's outskirts.

He said the Russian forces are attempting to advance towards Pokrovsk via the left and right flanks: "The enemy is avoiding frontal assaults and trying to bypass the city. This city is crucial for us, as it has a railway line that the enemy will likely try to capture."

So far, he added, Ukrainian defenders have managed to push back Russian forces near Pishchane, not far from Pokrovsk.

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Previously: On the night of 13-14 December, analysts from the DeepState project updated their map, reporting that the Russians had occupied the settlements of Veselyi Hai, Yelyzavetivka, Romanivka, Novotroitske and Pushkine, Donetsk Oblast.

Background:

DeepState reported on 12 December that Russian forces had occupied the village of Zoria. The situation around the "Uspenivka pocket" in Donetsk Oblast has been getting worse. DeepState said Russian forces had advanced in Novotroitske, Uspenivka, Kurakhove and Sontsivka and near Veselyi Hai in Donetsk Oblast.

DeepState focused on the area around Yelyzavetivka, Romanivka, Veselyi Hai and Hannivka, which have found themselves inside the "Uspenivka pocket". The Russians are trying to break through the defences from all sides. The villages of Trudove, Uspenivka and Dalnie are playing key roles in holding the line. These are the locations from which the Russian forces are concentrating their efforts to storm Uspenivka, which is at risk of being completely encircled.

On 13 December, the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Forces commented on reports suggesting that Ukrainian troops are on the verge of operational encirclement near the village of Uspenivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Oleksandr Lutsenko, the commander of the Donetsk Joint Task Force, was dismissed after the Russians rapid advance towards Pokrovsk. He has been replaced by Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi.

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The Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) drones successfully attacked  Russian ammunition depot near the occupied village of Markine in Donetsk oblast a "few days ago," an SBU source told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 16.

"There were thousands of ammunition rounds for armored personnel carriers, tanks, anti-tank guided missiles, mines, grenades, and millions of rounds of ammunition of various calibers," the source said.

A nearby fuel and lubricants depot was also destroyed as explosions could be heard in the area throughout the night, the source added.

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The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims.

Ukraine has been increasingly capable of striking ammunition and weapon depots in the rear to stall the Kremlin's logistics, hindering Russia's operations on the front line.

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Some of Ukraine's domestically produced drones have become capable of traveling 1,500 kilometers (over 900 miles), reaching depots in the rear that were thought to be at a safe distance from the front line.

Some of the examples this year include the strikes against the Russian towns of Tikhoretsk and Toropets with drones, setting ablaze over 30,000 tons of ammunition, allegedly including ballistic missiles.

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Ukraine has also been targeting oil refineries to prevent Moscow from adequately rotating its troops, resupply, and fortify its positions.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: North Korean troops joining Russian assaults in Kursk, Zelensky says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence said on Monday that at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed and wounded in weekend battles in Russia's western Kursk region, prompting commanders to send reinforcements to frontline units.

"North Korean army units are being re-equipped after losses in assaults" around the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba and Martynovka in the Kursk region, the GUR wrote in a post to its official Telegram channel.

PHOTO: A Ukrainian tank is pictured on Sept. 16, 2024 in the Kursk region of Russia. (Global Images Ukraine via Getty )

On Dec. 14 and 15, the GUR said, "units of the DPRK army suffered significant losses -- at least 30 soldiers were killed and wounded," using the acronym for the country's official name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

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At least three North Korean troops went missing around the village of Kurilovka in Kursk, the post added.

"Due to losses, the assault groups are being replenished with fresh personnel, in particular from the 94th separate brigade of the DPRK army, to continue active combat operations in the area," the GUR wrote.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby also confirmed the casualties, estimating that "several dozen" North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded while fighting in Ukraine.

"I don't know that we have an exact number, but we do believe that they have suffered some significant losses, killed and wounded," Kirby told reporters on Monday. "I would say certainly in the realm of dozens, several dozen."

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Kirby said they are also starting to see "movement of them from the second line to the front line." Such an "escalation" would come with increased sanctions for North Korea, he said.

MORE: Russia prepares counteroffensive with 50,000 troops, potentially including North Koreans, sources say

On Saturday, the GUR said that units made up of Russian and North Korean troops had suffered around 200 total casualties. Ukrainian FPV drones inflicted particularly bad losses among North Korean troops, the statement said.

The GUR also claimed on Saturday that the language barrier between North Korean and Russian troops is complicating battlefield operations. In one friendly fire incident, the GUR said confused North Korean troops opened fire on Chechen vehicles, killing eight fighters.

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Pyongyang is believed to have sent up to 12,000 troops to Russia in recent months, according to a November briefing by Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. Their focus is believed to be the Kursk region of western Russia, where Ukrainian forces seized ground in a surprise August offensive.

Sources told ABC News in November that North Koreans may be among the approximately 50,000 troops being readied for a significant counteroffensive in Kursk.

Russian leaders have said they will not consider any peace talks while Kursk remains partially occupied, though officials in Kyiv frame their retention of Russian territory as important negotiating leverage.

North Korea's provision of troops marked a new level of cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The two neighbors have drawn closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with North Korea already providing Moscow with artillery munitions and ballistic missiles.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Kyiv has "preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults -- a significant number of them."

PHOTO: Soldiers are pictured during a military parade at Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang, North Korea, on July 27, 2023. (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images)

"The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region," Zelenskyy said in a statement posted to his Telegram page. "So far, only there. But we have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the frontline. There are also already noticeable losses in this category."

"We will defend ourselves, including against these North Koreans," Zelenskyy added. "And we will continue to act in coordination with all our partners to stop this war -- to stop it decisively, with guaranteed peace."

Ukrainian forces claim 'significant' casualties among North Koreans in Kursk originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has welcomed the approval of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia and stressed the need to continue to put pressure on the Russian economy.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine following Sybihas online participation in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels

Details: Sybiha called on the Allies to continue raising the cost of war for the aggressor state and its economy.

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"We should continue to increase the pressure through sectoral sanctions against Russian metallurgy, energy and other critical sectors. The lower the oil prices and energy profits for Russia, the closer a just peace will be," he said.

The Ukrainian minister also reiterated the critical need for 20 additional air defence systems such as HAWK, NASAMS or IRIS-T, as well as more man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), artillery systems and ammunition, long-range missiles, electronic warfare, engineering equipment, drones and other equipment.

The minister also called on partners to invest in Ukraine's defence industry, stressing that this is the fastest and most effective way to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities.

Sybiha said that the events in Syria have once again proved this: Russia is not as strong as it seems.

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"The events in Syria are a spectacular failure of the Kremlin, which demonstrates that Russia is capable of suffering defeats and retreat. It can and should be forced to peace. This is only possible if we are strong and united," he said.

Background:

On Monday, 16 December, the Council of the European Union adopted the 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures against Russia, North Korean officials and Chinese suppliers of drone kits.

The new Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys called for tougher sanctions against Russia and Russian liquefied natural gas.

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SOFIA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- President of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) Dobri Mitrev has urged easing conditions for hiring workers from non-European Union (EU) countries following a survey showing lack of labour was one of "the biggest obstacles to business" in Bulgaria

"Against the backdrop that over 250,000 jobs can currently be filled in the Bulgarian economy, but there are no people for them, easing the conditions for hiring such people will help the Bulgarian economy and industry," Mitrev said, noting that it was extremely important to ease conditions for hiring workers from non-EU countries.

According to BIA's 20th annual survey published on Monday, year-on-year declines in production volumes and sales were reported by 44 percent and 40 percent of those surveyed, respectively, against 29 percent and 32 percent who reported increases.

The survey covering 738 business representatives also showed that 19 percent of the companies increased their investment in new production capacities and facilities and 18 percent in new products, while declines were reported by 35 percent and 31 percent, respectively. 
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticised Budapest's "peacekeeping" declarations as unrealistic and urged Hungarian officials to avoid abusing the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Source: Ukraines Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Hungarian officials once again claim that they can stop the war. However, these statements do not reflect reality. In fact, following Hungary's peacekeeping calls to Moscow, deadly missiles and drones are striking Ukrainian cities and communities," the Foreign Ministry said.

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The statement noted that Budapest's actual proposals are "even further removed from peacekeeping than its statements," as Hungary de facto calls for leaving Ukraine at the mercy of the aggressor and obstructs partner efforts to support Ukraine, despite the fact that Russia is waging a genocidal war against Ukraine.

"We urge the Hungarian side to cease its immoral manipulations regarding peace and Christmas, and to refrain from unilateral contacts with the aggressor state that undermine collective efforts to restore a just peace. The only obstacle to peace is Russia and its war-obsessed dictator. Ukraine seeks peace on its own territory more than anyone else in the world," the Foreign Ministry stressed.

"The joint efforts of our state and its partners are focused on achieving a just and sustainable peace. Ukraine consistently upholds the principles of honest dialogue and mutual respect. We will continue constructive engagement with our partners who genuinely seek an end to the war, rather than the defeat of Ukraine," the statement added.

Background:

Viktor Orban claimed that he had suggested a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, but that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had rejected the proposal.

Later, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto effectively confirmed that this was false, as Orban had not spoken with Zelenskyy and could not have known his response to Hungary's suggestion.

He also criticised his EU counterparts for their lack of support for Viktor Orban's Christmas truce proposal at a foreign ministers' meeting on 16 December.

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UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher met with the commander of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and newly appointed Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir on Monday to discuss scaling up humanitarian assistance in the country.

Following Fletcher's meeting, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that he welcomed the caretaker government's commitment to protect civilians, including humanitarian workers.

"I also welcome their agreement to grant full humanitarian access through all border crossings; cut through bureaucracy over permits and visas for humanitarian workers; ensure the continuity of essential government services, including health and education; and engage in genuine and practical dialogue with the wider humanitarian community," Guterres said.

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Syria's Bashar al-Assad was ousted after insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept through Syria in a lightning offensive, ending more than 50 years of iron-fisted rule by his family.

Guterres called on the international community to rally behind the Syrian people as they "seize the opportunity to build a better future." The United Nations says seven in 10 people in Syria continue to need humanitarian aid.

Fletcher also plans to visit Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Timour Azhari

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - The U.N.'s Syria envoy urged an inclusive Syrian transition based on a nine-year-old Security Council resolution during a meeting with the commander of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the envoy's office said on Monday.

Syria's ruling General Command, in a separate statement about Sunday's meeting with the U.N.'s Geir Pedersen, said they had discussed the need to review Security Council Resolution 2254, saying it needed to be updated to "suit the new reality".

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The meeting marked one of the most significant international encounters yet for Sharaa, leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which has emerged as the ruling power in Damascus since toppling Bashar al-Assad just over one week ago.

Photos of the meeting showed Sharaa, whose group was an al-Qaeda affiliate until it severed ties with the jihadist network in 2016, wearing a blazer and open shirt as he met Pedersen, the U.N. Syria envoy since 2018.

HTS is designated a terrorist group by Western and regional powers, including Turkey, which had long been one of the main international backers of the Syrian opposition.

The new administration in Damascus has set out few details on its thinking for the next steps for Syria, which is emerging from more than five decades of iron-fisted rule by the Assad family and nearly 14 years of devastating civil war.

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Newly appointed Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated government in Idlib province, has said he will remain in office until March.

Pedersen briefed Sharaa on the outcome of an international meeting convened in Jordan on Saturday, the statement from his office said.

"The Special Envoy briefed on the outcome of the Aqaba International Meeting ... stressing the need for a credible and inclusive Syrian-owned and led political transition based on the principles of United Nations Security Council resolution 2254 (2015)," a statement from Pedersen's office said.

"The Special Envoy stressed the intention of the United Nations to render all assistance to the Syrian people."

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UN RESOLUTION IN FOCUS

U.N. Resolution 2254 has emerged as a focal point of diplomacy over Syria since Assad was ousted and fled to Russia.

It was passed in 2015 at the height of the conflict, which spiralled out of pro-democracy protests against Assad's rule in 2011. The resolution was approved after Russia intervened militarily on Assad's side, propping up his rule.

The resolution states support for a Syrian-led political process which is facilitated by the United Nations and, within a target of six months, establishes "credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance and sets a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution".

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It further expresses support for free and fair elections, held under the new constitution, to be held within 18 months.

Sharaa "stressed the importance of rapid and effective cooperation to address the issues of the Syrians and the need to focus on the unity of Syria's territories, reconstruction and achieving economic development", the Syrian statement said.

Sharaa spoke of the need for "caution and precision in the stages of transition and rehabilitating institutions to build a strong and effective system". The importance of providing a safe environment for refugee return and political and economic support for this was emphasised, the statement added.

"Leader Sharaa pointed out the need to implement these steps with great care and high precision without haste and under the supervision of specialized teams, so that they are achieved in the best possible way," it said.

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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday she had instructed the bloc's top diplomat for Syria to go to Damascus and make contact with the new government.

The Kremlin said on Monday that no final decisions had yet been taken on the fate of Russia's military bases in Syria and that it was in contact with those in charge of the country.

Four Syrian officials told Reuters over the weekend that Russia was pulling back its military from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains but was not leaving its two main bases following Assad's fall.

(Additional reporting by Clauda Tanios in Dubai, Hatem Maher and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Gareth Jones)
JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  Cindy and Charles Ickes Jr. knelt together on a blustery winter afternoon and placed a wreath next to their sons black gravestone.

His mother quietly spoke: Charles Ickes III, United States Marine Corps, thank you for your service, buddy.

Ickes III, an Afghanistan War veteran, died at home on Aug. 13, 2016, at age 23. On Saturday, he was one of 1,000 veterans honored during the first Wreaths Across America ceremony ever held at Richland Cemetery.

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I think hed be very happy to see this because of the camaraderie they have, Cindy Ickes said. When Charlie was buried, his brothers and sisters in the Marine Corps came from everywhere. Theyre a tight network. I think hed be happy that this is happening for his fellow military (members).

Cindy Ickes and cemetery Manager Ginger Pollock led the effort to hold the local event in conjunction with National Wreaths Across America Day, when wreaths are placed on veterans graves.

Thank you so much to the Ickes for your tenacity, Army Maj. Gen. Laura McHugh, from Fort Indiantown Gap, said in a brief speech. I have no doubt that Charlie is looking down on us and smiling and really proud of your efforts.

More than 3 million wreaths were placed at 4,909 participating locations this year.

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Today we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom, Pollock said.

Fellow veterans, adults and children, including members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 2025, participated in the Richland event.

We just like to be involved in the community, said Jeff Haynal, the troops assistant scoutmaster. We try to make sure that the boys understand and recognize the importance of the fallen. Its a good thing to do before Christmas.
Luigi Mangione has been indicted in New York for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the grand jury has upgraded charges to first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Mangione, 26, is also charged with: two counts of second-degree murder, one of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism; two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree; four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree; and one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree.

The slaying in the heart of Midtown Manhattan was "intended to evoke terror," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a news conference.

PHOTO: Police place bullet casing markers outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

MORE: UnitedHealth Group says slain CEO Brian Thompson was 'one of the good guys'

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Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson outside a hotel on Dec. 4 as the CEO headed to an investors conference.

"This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated," Bragg said in a statement Tuesday.

PHOTO: Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing Dec. 10, 2024, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

In Pennsylvania, where Mangione remains in custody, he faces charges including allegedly possessing an untraceable ghost gun.

Bragg said its possible Mangione waives extradition during his next court appearance on Thursday.

Mangione has hired Karen Friedman Agnifilo as his lawyer in New York. She was a 25-year veteran of the Manhattan District Attorneys Office and its second in command for eight years.

PHOTO: Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the New York City killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson departs after an extradition hearing at Blair County Court House in Hollidaysburg, Pa, Dec. 10, 2024. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

MORE: What we know about Luigi Mangione, Ivy League grad charged in CEO's murder

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Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9 after nearly one week on the run.

When Mangione was apprehended, he had a 9 mm handgun with a 3D-printed receiver, a homemade silencer, two ammunition magazines and live cartridges, prosecutors said.

PHOTO: A New York police officer stands outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York. (Stefan Jeremiah/AP)

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Thompson's murder ignited online anger at the health insurance industry. Many people online have celebrated the suspect and some have donated to a defense fund for Mangione.

"There is no heroism in what Mangione did. This was a senseless act of violence," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at Tuesday's news conference.

"Any attempt to rationalize this is vile, reckless and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice," she said.

MORE: Supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione establish defense fund

"Just a cold-blooded, horrible killing," President-elect Donald Trump said about the case at a news conference Monday.

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"It's really terrible that some people seem to admire him, like him," Trump said.

"It seems that there's a certain appetite for him. I dont get it," Trump added.

Sources said writings police seized from Mangione suggest he was fixated on UnitedHealthcare for months and gradually developed a plan to kill the CEO.

Among the writings recovered from Mangione was a passage that allegedly said, "What do you do? You whack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention," according to law enforcement officials.

UnitedHealthcare CEO killing latest: Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as terrorism in New York originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida  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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.
Luigi Mangione, the suspect named in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has hired prominent attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him.

A spokesperson for Friedman Agnifilo's firm, Agnifilo Intrater LLP, confirmed to PEOPLE that the former Manhattan chief assistant district attorney was retained to represent Mangione, 26, in New York  where he faces a murder charge in the Dec. 4 killing of Thompson.

Friedman Agnifilo, who has three decades of criminal justice experience and held the role of Manhattan chief assistant district attorney from 2014 to 2021, will "not be making any statements at this time," the spokesperson said.

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Before her time in private practice and before her years in the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, Friedman Agnifilo worked as general counsel on criminal justice policy for New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's office from 2006 to 2010, per her firm. A longtime New York prosecutor told CNN that Mangione's new attorney has "as much experience as any human being, especially in the state court" and "knows every corridor, every judge, every clerk in the courthouse."

As multiple outlets including Vanity Fair, The New York Post and The Daily Beast have since reported, Friedman Agnifilo is married to attorney Marc Agnifilio, who is involved in another high-profile case related to Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Related: Despite Internet Rumors, McDonald's Tipster Could Claim Reward After Calling 911 on Luigi Mangione

PA Department of Corrections Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

Marc Agnifilio is representing the Bad Boy mogul, who in September was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. At the time of Combs' charges in Manhattan Federal Court, the attorney told PEOPLE that his client was "an innocent man with nothing to hide."

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The music producer will remain in jail until his May 2025 trial, after voluntarily withdrawing his latest bail appeal, per court documents obtained by PEOPLE. His indictment primarily centers around "freak offs," which authorities alleged to be sex performances involving women who were forced or coerced into participating. Combs is currently jailed at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center.



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.

Mangione  the alleged UnitedHealthcare gunman  was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pa., on Monday, Dec. 9, following a days-long manhunt. He is currently being held at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon in the state.

Related: A Timeline of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Sexual Assault Allegations and Arrest

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Authorities allege that the Ivy League graduate was the masked shooter who killed Thompson earlier this month outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, before fleeing the scene on a bike and leaving the city.

Police have since said that they discovered Mangione with a ghost gun, a suppressor, fake IDs and a manifesto allegedly describing those in the health insurance industry as "parasites."

He is charged with second-degree murder in New York, as well as weapons and forgery charges in Pennsylvania.



Read the original article on People
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. fraud case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani appears to be backed by documents that will help prosecutors make a strong case, legal experts said, but the tycoon is unlikely to be extradited to stand trial anytime soon.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn last month unsealed an indictment accusing Adani of bribing Indian officials to convince them to buy electricity produced by Adani Green Energy, a subsidiary of his Adani Group conglomerate, and then misleading U.S. investors by providing reassuring information about the company's anti-corruption practices.

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Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and another Adani Group executive were charged with securities fraud and conspiracy. Five people affiliated with Azure Power Global, a formerly-U.S.-listed company also allegedly involved, were charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Azure has said it had cooperated with the investigation and that those charged were no longer with the company. Adani Group has called the allegations "baseless" and vowed to seek "all possible legal recourse."

Gautam Adani is not in custody. He has made at least two public appearances in India since the indictment, including at a Dec. 9 event also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the indictment, prosecutors found ledgers of the alleged payments on Sagar Adani's cellular phone, which they called "bribe notes." Prosecutors also said Gautam Adani emailed himself a copy of a search warrant and grand jury subpoena the FBI had served on his nephew on March 17, 2023.

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Those electronic records could be important pieces of evidence for prosecutors to try to prove that Sagar Adani and Gautam Adani knew they misled investors by failing to disclose the investigation and insisting they had strong anti-corruption practices when in fact they had paid bribes, experts said.

"The allegations include references to corroborating material, and that always provides for a stronger case," said Stephen Reynolds, a former federal prosecutor and current partner at law firm Day Pitney.

To be sure, prosecutors may face challenges. Gautam Adani could argue that he was not personally involved in crafting the statements the company made to investors about its anti-bribery practices, said Paul Tuchmann, a former federal prosecutor in Brooklyn and now a partner at law firm Wiggin & Dana.

Prosecutors may also struggle to secure live testimony from witnesses in India because the process could require assistance from New Delhi, and the government may be reluctant to facilitate testimony that could paint Indian officials in an unfavorable light, said Mark Cohen, a former federal prosecutor in Brooklyn and current partner at law firm Cohen & Gresser.

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India's foreign ministry on Friday referred to a Nov. 29 statement in which it said it had not received any request on the case from Washington, and called the case a matter between private firms and the U.S. Justice Department.

The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on whether the United States had asked India to extradite Gautam Adani.

'PLAY BY THE RULES'

Both Adani Group and Adani himself have recently made public statements emphasizing that the conglomerate's executives had not been charged with violating the FCPA.

Conspiracy to violate the FCPA is punishable by up to five years behind bars. The fraud charges Gautam Adani and the other Adani Group defendants face are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

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Drew Rolle, the deputy chief of the business and securities fraud section at the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney's office, said his office had a responsibility to protect the integrity of U.S. capital markets.

The office has secured a number of convictions in foreign bribery cases with U.S. connections. In August, jurors found Mozambique's former finance minister guilty on fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges for embezzling loan proceeds he had told banks were destined for economic development projects.

Rolle said honest companies are harmed when firms like Adani's allegedly mislead investors.

"It's not only a bribery case, it's an important securities enforcement case," he said at a Dec. 6 conference in New York hosted by the Practicing Law Institute. "If you're going to access our capital markets, you're going to play by the rules."

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Aditya Kalra and Shivam Patel in New Delhi; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Today, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the Sheikh-ul-Islam spoke about Azerbaijan-Vatican relations and said that these relations, founded by Heydar Aliyev, are gradually deepening.

"The high level of Azerbaijan-Vatican relations, founded by Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, continued by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and developed through the efforts of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, makes us extremely pleased. The apostolic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Azerbaijan in 2016, the sincere meeting with religious denominations in the Heydar Mosque, our visit to the Vatican in 2022, and the reception by His Holiness the Pope are also of great value for the leaders of religious denominations in Azerbaijan," the Chairman of the CMB emphasized.

Drawing attention to the religious activity of our country in the post-war period, the Chairman of the CMB noted that the restoration of mosques and churches destroyed during the enemy occupation is currently being carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva: "If you have the opportunity to visit Free Karabakh, you can get acquainted with the work carried out by our state on the restoration and protection of religious and spiritual heritage in our territories that have been subjected to culturicide. For example, along with all other temples, in the central part of the capital Baku, as well as in Karabakh, in the city of Shusha, along with mosques and other temples, the repair and protection of the Armenian church, as well as the ancient Albanian Apostolic churches, is being carried out by our state."

Then, Paul Richard Gallagher spoke about the growing Azerbaijan-Vatican relations as a result of targeted measures implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and expressed his satisfaction with these relations, speaking about the tolerance of the Azerbaijani people towards different religions.

The meeting continued with an official reception.
MOSCOW, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The West is pushing Russia towards its red line, leaving Moscow no choice but to respond, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday at an expanded meeting of the collegium of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Western countries are using a false Russian threat to scare their populations, while pushing Moscow to its red line and forcing a response, said Putin, adding that the West wages hybrid wars and pursues a policy of containment in relation to states they oppose, including Russia.

He pointed out that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is ramping up military spending, deploying strike groups near Russia's borders, and increasing the number of U.S. troops in Europe, with the total now exceeding 100,000.

The bloc is also strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, while forming U.S.-led military alliances that weaken the long-standing security architecture there, he said.

"U.S. efforts aimed at creating and preparing high-precision ground-based weapons with a range of up to 5,500 km for deployment in forward zones are concerning," Putin said, warning that if the United States moves forward with the deployment of such missiles, Russia will lift its own unilateral restrictions previously imposed within the framework of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

At the same time, he noted that the Russian army and navy are being modernized, and 95 percent of the country's strategic nuclear forces are now equipped with modern weapons.

Putin said the mass production of the country's new Oreshnik intermediate-range missile systems will begin in the near future.

He said that Russia's strategic nuclear forces are crucial in maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that it is also "important to keep non-strategic nuclear forces in constant combat readiness and continue ... conducting exercises to practice their use." 
By Marianna Parraga

HOUSTON (Reuters) - A U.S. judge overseeing an auction of shares in the parent of Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum on Monday agreed to reopen a data room to allow potential buyers to prepare new bids, a court document showed.

Judge Leonard Stark ordered the data room to be opened on Wednesday after listening to creditors in the case urge a new bidding round. The court is auctioning shares in Citgo parent PDV Holding to repay $21 billion in claims against Venezuela and state oil firm PDVSA for expropriations and debt defaults.

A conditional offer of up to $7.3 billion by an affiliate of hedge fund Elliott Investment Management had failed to gain support from creditors, leading to the bidding restart.

"The virtual data room shall be reopened on December 18," Stark said in his order. A court officer supervising the auction and creditors must present their arguments on issues still in dispute in the coming days, he added.

For months this year, Elliott affiliate Amber Energy had exclusive access to the data room while negotiating its bid. That exclusivity was widely criticized by creditors and Venezuela's lawyers as it sidelined others, they told the court.

Stark in recent weeks made public his inclinations on a new schedule and structural changes aimed at granting a fair bidding process for all parties, including equal access to the data room and a termination fee.

If those proposals are confirmed, the auction could set a stalking horse bid, which was not used in the first two bidding rounds this year.

Amber's highly conditional offer and parallel lawsuits by the same Venezuela-related creditors in other U.S. courts this year soured the court's effort to craft a deal that would satisfy creditors.

The new bidding will relaunch a process that had led to negotiations, but no approved agreement.

An attorney for Amber on Friday confirmed that a proposed purchase agreement with the court officer overseeing the auction was "moot."

Amber's original offer proposed to withhold proceeds from creditors while it settled bondholder claims, potentially leaving little or nothing for creditors who originally brought the case.

(Reporting by Marianna Parraga; Editing by Richard Chang)
A national private school group has apologized for comments made by speakers at a recent diversity and inclusion conference that were criticized by several Jewish organizations as antisemitic and perpetuating an anti-Israel bias.

The conference, known as the People of Color Conference, was held earlier this month in Denver by the National Association of Independent Schools, a group of around 1,700 private schools across the United States, including some of the nations most prestigious schools. The gathering aimed to promote the organizations commitment to equity and inclusion in teaching, according to its website.

The leaders of four national Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, condemned the speakers in an open letter, calling their remarks extreme, biased anti-Zionist and anti-Israel rhetoric and accusing them of creating a hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty in attendance.

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The letter, which was directed to the associations president, said the conferences speakers labeled the establishment of Israel a racist endeavor, and accused Israel of genocide, among other remarks and activity that normalized antisemitism.

CNN has not seen a transcript or recording of the remarks and has reached out to NAIS.

Jewish students and faculty attending PoCC [People of Color Conference] were forced to hear this damaging and antisemitic rhetoric repeated time and again and watch as their peers applauded, said the letter dated last Wednesday and co-written by the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Federations of North America and Prizmah.

The letter noted that one Jewish student in attendance said he and his peers felt so targeted, so unsafe that they hid their Stars of David in their shirts, while others glared and whispered.

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These occurrences, along with others reported by Jewish attendees, display a fundamental undermining of the principles of inclusivity and equity that NAIS stands for, the letter said.

In response to the letter, NAIS president Debra Wilson expressed remorse over what she called divisive and hurtful rhetoric and said the organization has begun implementing changes to vet future speakers and content included in the conference.

No last-minute changes will be permitted without explicit review and approval, she said, in an open letter dated the next day.

That any student would feel the need to conceal their identity at our conference is antithetical to our mission and our values, she wrote. We are committed to ensuring that future NAIS events will be places where difficult topics and conversations are approached with sensitivity and care for all.

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A rise in antisemitic incidents have been reported on school campuses over the last year and comes after months of escalating tensions between university administrators and pro-Palestinian students amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Last week, an administrator with the diversity, equity and inclusion office at the University of Michigan was fired after she was accused of making antisemitic remarks. Rachel Dawson, who served as director of the universitys Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, was accused of saying that the university was controlled by wealthy Jews and that Jewish people have no genetic DNA that would connect them to the land of Israel, according to documents obtained by CNN.

Dawsons attorney has denied that she made those comments and said that her client will take appropriate legal action for what she alleges is a violation of her clients constitutional rights as a public employee.

In recent months, Jewish civil rights and legal groups, like the Brandeis Center, have also filed complaints against school districts for allegedly failing to address the sharp increase in antisemitic incidents since Hamas October 7th attack on Israel.

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Last month, a Republican-led investigation into antisemitism on college campuses found that administrators overwhelmingly failed to clamp down on students and faculty who engaged in antisemitic behavior. The US House Education Committee released a 325-page report saying that college officials made astounding concessions to organizers of pro-Palestinian encampments while withholding support from Jewish students.

The report was published exactly six months after the US House passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act  a bill aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. Supporters of the legislation say it will help crack down on antisemitic hate, while opponents say that the language in the bill is overly expansive and could lead to censorship.

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One thing stands out when looking at Ukraines Armed Forces  it is made up predominantly of older men.

Ukraine has never publicly released information about the age of its troops, but the average age is reportedly around 43 years old. Exact figures on the size of Ukraines armed forces are also not publicly known, with estimates ranging from the hundreds of thousands to around 1 million.

Time journalist Simon Shuster, who published a book profiling President Volodymyr Zelensky in January 2024, quoted one of Zelenskys aides who was concerned about the age of Ukrainian troops.

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Theyre grown men now, and they arent that healthy to begin with, the unnamed aide told Shuster. This is Ukraine. Not Scandinavia.

With some exceptions, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave the country during martial law, but only men over 25 are eligible for the draft. Until earlier this year, the minimum draft age was 27.

Despite lowering the draft age to 25, news emerged in mid-October that U.S. lawmakers were pressuring Kyiv to further lower the draft age. Presidential Office advisor Serhii Leshchenko wrote on X that politicians from both parties were pushing Ukraine to start mobilizing its 18-25-year-olds.

The unnamed U.S. lawmakers reportedly cited the fact that America drafted men aged 18-26 during the Vietnam War when some 2.2 million U.S. soldiers were conscripted to fight through the selective service process. The average age of an American soldier in Vietnam was around 22 years old.

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The conscription of young men to fight in Vietnam was a major catalyst of the anti-war movement, drawing hundreds of thousands to protest and an estimated 30,000 men to emigrate to avoid the draft.

Active conscription ended in the U.S. in 1973. In more recent wars, American soldiers were statistically older, with the average age of an American soldier in the Gulf War around 27 years old. Data from 2010 shows the average age of an American soldier deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan was 33.4 years old.

Zelensky has refused to budge on changing the conscription age and has instead continued to press for the delivery of more U.S. military aid.

Western allies provided enough aid to fully equip only 2.5 out of the 10 Ukrainian brigades that Ukraine had requested support for, Zelensky said in an interview with Sky News published on Nov. 29.

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The Associated Press reported at the end of November that the Biden administration is still pushing for Ukraines draft age to be lowered.

The pure math of Ukraines situation now is that it needs more troops in the fight, AP quoted an unnamed senior Biden administration official.

Ukraines draft age

In addition to men, women aged 18 to 60 with a medical or pharmaceutical education have been required to be on the military register since 1992 but are still allowed to leave the country.

Until April 2024, Ukrainian men only became eligible for conscription at 27. Ukraines draft age was lowered to 25 in April when Ukraine updated several laws on mobilization to ramp up the number of available troops amid Russia's ongoing war.

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The laws simplified the process for identifying eligible conscripts, introduced additional penalties for those dodging the draft, and lowered the minimum age of compulsory military service from 27 to 25.

There are no official figures for the number of men who have escaped mobilization abroad, but over 20,000 have reportedly illegally left Ukraine. Law enforcement agencies have uncovered around 600 criminal networks that help evade military service by aiding them in fleeing abroad.

Despite reports, Kyiv has said it does not have concrete plans to bring back military-aged men who are in the EU forcibly.

Yaroslav Kryvulya (L), a reserve officer in the Ukrainian army who leads a local paramilitary civil formation called TSEL, checks the digital identity documents of a man who hade broken the nightly curfew rule in the early hours on Feb. 23, 2023 in Lviv, Ukraine. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Other men are dodging the draft in Ukraine by staying away from official employment and keeping a low profile to avoid being noticed by draft officers. Exact estimates of how many men are avoiding the draft internally are impossible to know.

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After signing the law lowering the age of military service, President Zelensky said that Ukraines military needs younger men because they are physically fitter than older men and can master technology used on the battlefield faster.

"This is a request from the military command in response to the specific needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Zelensky said in an interview with French YouTuber Hugo Travers.

"With all due respect to our fighters, there's a difference between a 25-year-old combatant and a 50-year-old one."

Younger fighters can also master the different technologies used on the battlefield, Zelensky said. "This is a modern type of war," especially in terms of technologies such as aerial and maritime drones and cybersecurity.

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"The new generation masters new technologies much more rapidly," Zelensky said.

Lack of equipment

Ukraine is unlikely to lower the age further. One argument Kyiv has cited is that its armed forces already suffer from a lack of equipment, a situation made worse by delays in military aid from partners like the U.S.

It doesn't make sense to see calls for Ukraine to lower the mobilization age, presumably in order to draft more people, when we can see that previously announced equipment is not arriving on time, Dmytro Lytvyn, Zelensky's communications adviser, wrote on X on Nov. 27.

Because of these delays, Ukraine lacks weapons to equip already mobilized soldiers.

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Zelensky repeated this argument in an interview with Sky News on Nov. 29, when he said that Ukraine will "never have enough resources if the West doesn't provide enough aid.

"They speak about mobilization, but the real problem (is) with 10 brigades which our partners didn't equip."

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a meeting with journalists on Dec. 9 that the U.S. was ready to take over the training of new Ukrainian soldiers and provide them with the necessary weapons if Ukraine changes its mobilization policy.

Ukrainian soldier reflected in a car rear-view mirror, on his way to his fighting position, in the direction of Toretsk as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Nov. 17, 2024. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Ukrainian soldiers attend military training as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, in the regions close to the front line in the Donetsk region, Ukraine on March 15, 2024. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Ultimately, the decisions about the composition of its military force are those are decisions that the Ukrainians have to make for themselves, Miller said.

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Later on Dec. 9, Zelensky wrote on social media that Ukraine will not use "the youth of soldiers" to make up for its gaps in military equipment and training.

The priority should be providing missiles and lowering Russia's military potential, not Ukraine's draft age. The goal should be to preserve as many lives as possible, not to preserve weapons in storage."

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Ukraines demographic crisis

Regardless of training or equipment, one reason why Ukraines draft age is not 18 likely relates to concerns about the countrys demography.

If you have a look at Ukraine's demographic tree, it makes perfect sense, retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan told the Kyiv Independent.

Like other countries that gained independence after the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine saw a fairly significant drop-off in birth rates, and that's now manifesting as a smaller population of people under 30 than a lot of other countries, say, in Europe or the U.S. or Australia.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated Ukraines serious demographic crisis. Ukraine's population has declined by over 10 million since Russia first invaded in 2014 and fell to an estimated 37 million by January 2024.

Ukrainian convicts who joined the 92nd Assault Brigade of Ukraine's army attend a training session in an undisclosed area in the Kharkiv Oblast, on June 28, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

Evacuees arrive by bus at an evacuation point in the Kharkiv region, on May 12, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine has the lowest birthrate in Europe and an increasingly aged population, with 30% of the population of retirement age.

From Ukraines perspective, we understand we need young men to fight, but we also need young men to have kids, Ryan said.

This is kind of a pragmatic balance that the Ukrainians are trying to achieve, and it's the kind of dilemma that no country would really want to have to resolve because there's probably no resolving it.

However, the U.S. is probably using a harsher calculus, Ryan said. They're probably coming from the perspective of if you don't win the war, your demography won't matter.

There just is no single or simple solution to this. Every potential solution involves trade-offs and every potential solution will have political, human, and societal impacts.

Unpopular policy

The lowering of the draft age appears to be an unpopular sentiment in Ukraine, even among those already serving in the military.

Maria Berlinska, a Ukrainian activist and veteran, spoke out against the pressure from Ukraines partners to lower the draft age, writing on Facebook that she was categorically against it.

Sending yesterday's schoolchildren to the front who have not yet seen life is unreasonable and dishonest, Berlinska argued.

Her thoughts were echoed by 43-year-old Ukrainian soldier and writer Artem Chapeye, who wrote on Facebook on Dec. 10 that men under 25 have not yet lived.

The most absurdity is noticeable in the U.S., where you can't legally drink until 21, but you could be taken to war, Chekh said.

In her post, Berlinska argued that Ukraine should receive manpower from abroad, rather than asking more Ukrainian youths to fight.

We are now holding back the invasion of the Axis of Evil countries, we are keeping security for all of Europe, for many NATO countries, with a shield. Therefore, it is time for their armies to get involved, it is time to send their people here.

Do you want our children to fight? Ok, no problem, just together with your children.

Katya Denisova and Chris York contributed to this report.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday it has finalized rules requiring aviation-repair stations in foreign countries to conduct drug and alcohol testing for employees performing safety-sensitive maintenance functions for U.S. airlines.

The rule, which requires compliance by December 2027, will impact about 977 repair stations in 65 countries, the FAA said. The agency said foreign governments or repair stations can obtain a waiver based on existing testing and requirements.

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"This rule will ensure these employees are held to the equivalent high level of safety standards, regardless of where they are physically located," said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker.

The rule, which requires repair stations to send their testing data electronically to USDOT, was proposed in December 2023 by the FAA, and Congress required the agency to implement its provisions.

The FAA has been considering the issue for decades. Aviation unions for years have called for testing for maintenance functions that are outsourced to repair stations outside the United States.

Transport Workers Union President John Samuelsen said last year the proposal would close a "big safety gap."

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"Airline mechanics in China and other lower-wage, lower-standard countries who work on U.S. commercial aircraft will have to undergo drug and alcohol testing - just like mechanics here," he said at the time.

Airlines, which previously said privacy and employment laws in foreign countries could conflict with U.S. drug and alcohol testing requirements, raised concerns the government may not be able to manage waivers and exemptions submitted. They said the rule could conflict with laws in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the European Union, China, Singapore, Peru, Japan, Chile, Brazil and others.

Chinese repair stations noted that China has very strict management and control of the illegal use of drugs, forbidding any misuse of prohibited drugs. Some said, however, that drug testing is not commonly requested by companies in China.

(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Bill Berkrot)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed the need to strengthen military support for Ukraine with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Source: US Department of State, as European Pravda reports

Details: The US State Department said that Blinken spoke with Lammy on Sunday, 15 December.

They discussed the need to increase security assistance to Ukraine, especially "given Russia's escalatory decision" to ask North Korea for military supplies to continue its brutal war of aggression.

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The two officials also discussed the situation in Syria and the principles endorsed by the United States and regional countries that should be followed during the transition process and the formation of a new government.

Blinken reiterated the United States' support for an accountable and representative Syrian government elected by the Syrian people.

Background:

North Korea and Russia have intensified their cooperation since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The countries signed an agreement that obliges each party to provide immediate military assistance to the other in the event of armed aggression against one of them.

In recent months, there have been confirmed reports that North Korea has sent artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia and, more recently, its own troops to fight against Ukraine.

Recently, the Pentagon stated that North Korean troops are still in Russias Kursk Oblast and have not yet taken direct part in hostilities against Ukraine, but they are ready to engage at any time.

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By Luc Cohen

(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear Democratic former New York state lieutenant governor Brian Benjamin's challenge to corruption charges involving campaign contributions from a developer in a case that involves the scope of federal bribery law, allowing the case to proceed.

The justices turned away Benjamin's appeal of a lower court's decision that had revived the charges and had found that prosecutors sufficiently detailed his plan to direct state money to a Harlem developer in exchange for the campaign donations. Benjamin has not yet gone on trial and the developer has died.

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The Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office in 2022 charged Benjamin with funneling a $50,000 state grant to developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for the campaign contributions.

In Benjamin's challenge to the indictment, U.S. District Judge Paul Oetken dismissed the most serious charges - bribery, honest wire fraud and conspiracy charges - after finding that prosecutors had merely "implied" an agreement between Benjamin and Migdol. The judge did not dismiss two other charges in the indictment, accusing Benjamin of falsifying records.

The Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March reversed Oetken's decision, saying prosecutors had "sufficiently alleged an explicit quid pro quo" between Benjamin and Migdol, who died in February.

In urging the Supreme Court to take up the case, Benjamin's lawyers wrote that because campaign contributions were protected under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protections for free speech, any corruption charge stemming from such a donation must be based on a clear and unambiguous agreement between the parties, not one merely implied.

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"Constituents give to candidates they hope will take actions aligned with their interests. Candidates, if elected, take actions that often further the interests of those who helped elect them. This is not bribery; it is democracy," Benjamin's lawyers wrote in a legal filing to the Supreme Court.

The U.S. Justice Department, defending the indictment, told the Supreme Court in a filing that the First Amendment does not protect the exchange of official acts for campaign contributions.

In Benjamin's case, prosecutors said he directed the $50,000 grant in June 2019 to a charity Migdol ran in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood when Benjamin was a state senator representing the area. Prosecutors said that grant was in exchange for Migdol's contributions to two of Benjamin's campaigns.

The Supreme Court has issued multiple rulings in recent years that make it harder for federal prosecutors to bring corruption cases against government officials.

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It ruled in June that it was not a crime for a state or local official to accept gratuities as tokens of appreciation for an official action, siding with an Indiana city's mayor who was convicted for accepting $13,000 from a truck company that received more than $1 million in contracts during his tenure.

The Supreme Court in 2023 overturned the conviction of a onetime aide to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a decision that limited the ability of prosecutors to charge private individuals close to government officials with bribery.

Prosecutors have acknowledged that Migdol's death would affect a trial for Benjamin, since the developer was expected to be a key witness. But they said they have no plans to abandon the charges.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
The local nonprofit organization Veterans Empowered Together (V.E.T.) sponsored a Fill the Humvee drive to benefit Toys for Tots on Saturday afternoon outside of Owensboros Target. This is the third year that the veterans group, which focuses on helping veterans to cope with civilian life and providing comradery among veterans, has organized the event at a retail establishment to help benefit Toys for Tots.

We thought that we would set up outside a retail business with the Humvees to help get donations for Toys for Tots because the Humvees help draw people in and provide more visibility for what we are doing, said V.E.T. board member Nicole Besherse.

Toys for Tots is a program by the US Marines designed to collect and distribute toys to economically disadvantage children at Christmas time. Donations can made by providing monetary contributions or by providing unwrapped toys to the campaign. The campaign began in 1947 by Marine Corp Reserves Major Bill Hendrix and his wife who wanted to donate her handcrafted dolls to an organization giving to children in need. When Major Hendrix realized that such an organization didnt exist, his wife encouraged him to start one. Major Hendrix and the other Marines in his Reserves unit rallied together to then collect and distribute around 5,000 toys to children in need in the Los Angeles area.

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The campaign became its own nonprofit organization in 1991 and has been ranked as one of the top rated charities by Philanthropy 400.

Todays drive has been steady and weve had a pretty good turnout, said another V.E.T. board member Brian Basham. Out of the three Humvees that we brought to fill, weve already been able to fill one and a half. Plus, weve received some cash donations as well.

The group even had Santa and Mrs. Claus available for photo opportunities with the children coming in and out of Target.

The parking lot here at Target is packed with people doing their Christmas shopping, said Besherse. Its the perfect opportunity for shoppers to see what we are doing and maybe pick up an extra toy while theyre already out doing their shopping to help benefit Toys for Tots.

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Over 800 local communities from the United States, Washington D.C., the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico participate in toy collection drives to benefit Toys for Tots according to the organizations website, toysfortots.org. Community businesses can sign up to host a toy collection box.

The local Owensboro Toys for Tots campaign, which is coordinated by Lou Drawdy, has distributed over 28,000 toys to over 5,000 children in the community.

I love that this is a great way to give back to our community and makes the campaign more visible as well, Basham said. Its great to see everyone out her supporting such a great cause, especially during the holiday season.

Besherse and Basham both wanted to thank the local Reserves for donating the use of the Humvees.

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We appreciate all of the support weve received from the community. Were also thankful to Target for hosting us and for all of the volunteers who came out to help collect toys and support Toys for Tots, Besherse said.

More information about the V.E.T. organization can be found on the groups Facebook page, V.E.T. Veterans Empowered Together, or via their website at www.veteransempoweredtogether.com.

More information on the Toys for Tots organization, including ways to make monetary donations, can be found by visiting www.toysfortots.org.
AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  Akron police are investigating an incident in which an ATM was stolen from a mini-mart after a vehicle crashed through the building.

Mysterious drones shut down air base in Ohio

According to a press release from Akron police, just after 7 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a break-in at the Wilbeth Mini-Mart in the 700 block of E. Wilbeth Road. Police said a vehicle intentionally crashed into the building and a suspect stole an ATM and possibly other items.

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As the investigation continued, officers were able to obtain information that identified the vehicle involved as a pickup truck. They later saw the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop, but the driver led officers on a short pursuit. The chase was canceled shortly after the pursuing officer lost sight of the truck. It was later abandoned in the 2100 block of Romig Road, police said.

Pieces of the ATM along with other evidence fell onto the road during the pursuit and were recovered by police.

Blessing in disguise: Nick Chubb out for season

Detectives are currently working to identify the suspect or suspects involved in the incident. If anyone has information, youre asked to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau

at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.

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A similar incident happened last week in Westlake where a group of thieves crashed a stolen van into a convenience store, loaded up an ATM into another stolen van and then made their escape.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  A man detained in Venezuela during the civil unrest that followed the countrys disputed July presidential election died in custody Monday, marking the third such death reported by an inmates rights organization.

The Venezuelan Prison Observatory nongovernmental organization said the 43-year-old man had spent more than four months at a detention facility. His death came as Venezuela's top prosecutor announced that roughly a fourth of the 2,000 people detained in connection with post-election demonstrations had been granted prison release orders.

The inmates' rights group said the man was detained Aug. 1 along with his son. He was hospitalized with severe abdominal pain in December, which the organization said prison officials determined to be a kidney colic. However, his family reported that medical attention was delayed and that they were not given precise information about the condition, according to the groups post on X.

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The mans son remains in custody.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab, in a statement posted on Instagram, said that a review of cases linked to the unrest resulted in 533 release measures sought" by his office and "agreed upon by the judicial system. It wasn't immediately clear how many of those orders had been executed.

He did not address the in-custody deaths.

President Nicolas Maduro ordered the review of cases amid increasing pressure from the international community for the repression campaign his government unleashed after the election, including the arrests of more than 2,000 adults and minors.

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Venezuelas governing party, which controls all aspects of government, tightened the crackdown on dissent after it and the opposition both claimed to have won the July 28 presidential election, prompting nationwide protests. At least 24 people were killed in the demonstrations, and a human rights watchdog has implicated state security forces in some of the deaths.

The United States, European Union and even some fellow leftist governments in Latin America have demanded that Venezuelas National Electoral Council present detailed voting records, as it has in the past, to refute tally sheets presented by Maduros opponents showing their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, prevailed by a two-to-one margin.

The U.S., EU and other nations recognized Gonzalez as the election winner. But the former diplomat left Venezuela for exile in Spain in September after Saabs office issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the publishing online of the tally sheets.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
US President-elect Donald Trump called the decision by outgoing President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to attack Russia with long-range Western weapons "a very stupid thing to do."

"I don't think they should have allowed missiles to be shot 200 miles into Russia. I think that was a bad thing," Trump said.

"I don't think that should have been allowed ... certainly not just weeks before I take over," he told journalists on Monday.

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Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida at his first press conference since his election victory at the beginning of November, Trump also described Biden's move as a "big mistake."

Trump did not rule out reversing the decision after he takes office at the end of January.

Biden in November authorized Kiev to use powerful long-range US weapons, called ATACMS, deep inside Russia, under certain conditions.

Trump again urged that the war be ended quickly. He did not, however, provide any details of exactly how he envisages this.

When asked whether he had already spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump did not answer. He also did not give a clear answer to the question of whether Ukraine should cede territory to Russia in order to end the fighting.

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"Well, I'll let you know after my first meeting," he said. It remained unclear exactly what he meant by this.

Trump also said that he had not invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his inauguration on January 20.

But Trump added: "If he wants to come, I'd love to have him there."
MOSCOW, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia is still in talks with the Syrian side on the status of Russia's military bases in the country, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

The spokesman said that no final decisions have been made on the issue so far.

"We are in contact with the representatives of the forces that are in control of the situation in the country. Everything will be determined through dialogue," he said at a briefing when commenting on the future of Russia's bases in Syria.

Russia currently operates two military bases in Syria: a naval base in the port city of Tartus and an air base near Jableh. 
Two American citizens who were fatally shot last week while vacationing in Mexico have been identified as residents of Sacramento.

The New York Times and other news outlets reported Saturday that the attack in Angamacutiro, a town halfway between Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City, took place Wednesday when gunmen attacked a couple visiting family in the Michoacan state.

Town officials identified the victims as Rafael Cardona Aguilera and Gloria Ambriz de Cardona, and said they had arrived last month for a holiday stay. Authorities said the victims were the brother and sister-in-law of the wife of the towns mayor, Hermes Arnulfo Pacheco Bribiesca. The couple had been staying with family through the holidays, a frequent tradition for many Americans with Mexican roots.

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The town, population 15,000, is plagued by violence from warring drug gangs, according to the Times, and follows other high-profile killings and abductions in the region.

Authorities said security officials found Ambriz dead from her wounds and Cardona gravely wounded inside a vehicle riddled by bullet holes. Cardona later died at a hospital.

Prosecutors said it wasnt clear why Cardona, 53, who was born in California, and Ambriz, 50, a naturalized American born in Mexico, had been targeted. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico told the Times it was following the situation closely.

Authorities found Cardona and Ambriz in a 2016 Ford Platinum pickup and collected ballistic evidence at the scene, ABC News reported. Family of the victims in Angamacutiro, where they will be buried, celebrated a funeral Mass on Saturday.

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The slaying follows other high-profile killings in Angamacutiro, which borders one of Mexicos most violent states, the Los Angeles Times reported. The towns police chief was assassinated in October by men armed with assault rifles and its former mayor remains missing after being abducted earlier this year. The mayors brother, who was a state lawmaker, was killed in 2020.

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos new president, campaigned on promises to thwart violence in the country, according to USA Today, but has faced a bloody start to her term, including the slaying of a judge Wednesday in Acapulco.

The U.S. State Department has warned Americans not to travel in Michoacan state due to crime, kidnapping and violence, and has limited travel routes allowed for U.S. government workers inside the state.
A restaurant owner is suing Oregons largest city over what his attorneys are calling biased and selective enforcement of an odor code, which they say ultimately drove his restaurant out of business.

Eddie Dong and his Vietnamese restaurant Pho Gabo were treated differently because of their race and/or national origin and because their business activities reflected such characteristics, according to a lawsuit filed Dec. 11 in Multnomah County, which includes Portland.

The $2.4 million lawsuit names the city of Portland, where Dong owned and operated Pho Gabo from 2018 until early 2024. He also has two other locations elsewhere in Oregon that remain open.

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The city declined to comment on the pending litigation in an email Dec. 13 to McClatchy News.

The lawsuit centers on an odor code passed in 1991 that banned continuous, frequent, or repetitive odors that could be detected for more than 15 minutes a day, the suit said.

The city council in November approved updates to the code, according to the citys website. But as originally written, the code provided no standard for what constitutes an odor or any other direction to ascertain how an entity could comply with its requirements, and, if taken literally, would mean virtually any restaurant that cooked food on location was in violation, the suit said.

Pho Gabos odor code trouble started in March 2022, when an anonymous citizen filed a complaint with the city saying Dongs restaurant repeatedly produced grilled meat smells, the lawsuit said. The person then filed several more formal and informal complaints over two years, including at least four voicemails, at least one monthly complaint observation log, and at least one email, according to the lawsuit.

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Before that, Pho Gabo didnt have any complaints on record with the city, the suit said.

The city started odor inspections at the restaurant in September 2022, and it issued a notice of violation on Sept. 29, after an inspector determined that repeated odors were being emitted in violation of the Odor Code, according to the lawsuit.

Over the following months, Dong and Pho Gabo frequently engaged with the city and took steps to get rid of any detectable odors, the lawsuit said.

From April through early June of 2023, inspections turned up no odor issues, the lawsuit said. Then on June 10, an inspector reported odors at noon, and Dong and Pho Gabo were warned that continued odors would result in fines, according to the suit. The anonymous complainant also was encouraged to log their observations, the lawsuit said.

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In November, fines started piling up, with inspection notes framing the smells as like a Wok dish, like a WOK [sic] meal, and smells from the wok. the lawsuit said.

Meanwhile, Dong and Pho Gabo took steps to cut down on any odors, including consulting with contractors, having the air filtration and exhaust system professionally cleaned, exploring an upgrade to the filtration system, making changes to its schedule for preparing and grilling meat, and preparing and grilling meat and other aromatic food elsewhere and then bringing it pre-cooked to the Portland location, according to the lawsuit.

This led to various costs and a decline in food quality and sales, and the city continued issuing fines and the anonymous persons complaints kept driving inspectors back to the restaurant, the lawsuit said. The city said the fines would keep being issued until Dong and Pho Gabo put in a new, costly air filtration system, but there were no assurances from the city that the cycle of complaints and fines would stop, according to the lawsuit.

Eventually, the city paused odor code enforcement after public outcry, but it didnt rescind prior fines or reimburse Dong and Pho Gabo, the lawsuit said.

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In a last-ditch effort to save his business, Mr. Dong simply asked (the city) for minimal assurances that (he and the business) would not be subject to the selective enforcement of the Code in the future, but the city wouldnt agree, according to the lawsuit.

Dong shuttered the location in early 2024, although his lease runs until January, the lawsuit said. Despite the restaurants closure, the city issued a fine on March 1, the suit said.

Dongs attorneys are seeking $2.4 million, citing not only Dongs financial losses but also grief, public shame ... anger, mental anguish, anxiety, and loss of personal or professional reputation suffered as a result of the citys actions.

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In the wake of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, claims emerged that the violence was instigated not by supporters of Donald Trump but by Antifa agitators or even government agents. For example, in his documentary Patriot Purge, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested that federal agents played a formative role in the riots. Direct incitement by federal agents? The intentional entrapment of American citizens? No decent person wants to believe that, he said, as PolitiFact noted at the time. But increasingly theres evidence it is true.

According to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll released earlier this year, 25 percent of Americans believed it was definitely or probably true that FBI operatives had organized and encouraged the January 6 Capitol attack, with a further 26 percent saying they were not sure about the claims merit. Less than half of Americans said this theory was definitely or probably false.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a new report December 12 examining the FBIs role in the leadup and aftermath of the January 6 riots. The report, released from the DOJs office of the inspector general, found that while 26 FBI confidential informants were in Washington, D.C., the day of the Capitol attack, there were no undercover FBI agents at the Stop the Steal! rallies, the breaching of the Capitol building, or within any other protesting crowds on January 6.

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Some posts shared online incorrectly summarize those findings.

Literally everything youve been told about January 6th is a lie, tweeted Liz Wheeler, a right-wing influencer and podcaster. The truth: It wasnt an insurrection. Protesters didnt have illegal weapons. It wasnt coordinatedexcept by Feds. 26 undercover FBI sources entered the Capitol & restricted areas. Another prominent X account with nearly 250,000 followers similarly claimed, The IG report just released admits to at least 26 undercover FBI operatives involved on J6.

These claims are partly false. While the FBI had 26 confidential human sources at January 6-related events, such sources were there of their own accord and FBI policy forbade them from engaging in any illegal activity.

FBI agents vs. confidential human sources: Whats the difference?

The report found no evidence that any undercover FBI agents were at the Capitol or other protest sites on January 6. FBI policy does not permit the FBI to have undercover employees in crowds at First Amendment-protected events absent some investigative authority, the report stated. In fact, one senior FBI agent in the agencys Washington field office told the inspector general he denied another FBI offices request to have undercover agents engage in investigative activity on January 6.

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Confidential human sources are not FBI employeesthey have not gone through formal FBI agent training and, while some are paid for their services, are not salaried employees in the federal intelligence agency.

According to the U.S. attorney generals official guidelines, confidential human sources include any individual who is believed to be providing useful and credible information to the FBI for any authorized information collection activity, and from whom the FBI expects or intends to obtain additional useful and credible information in the future, and whose identity, information, or relationship with the FBI warrants confidential handling. The FBI is tasked with recording payments made to various confidential informants, though receipts are not made publicly available, so specific payment amounts and informant identities remain confidential.

Signing up to be a FBI confidential informant is not as simple as volunteering for a local soup kitchen. Informants must first pass a standardized validation process, which requires an FBI agent to collect personal information, including their identity, prior criminal history, and potential motivations for becoming an informant. If approved, informants must attest that information they give is truthful, shared voluntarily, and that they will not take or seek to take any independent action on behalf of the United States Government.

The FBI often relies on confidential informants when the agency is trying to gauge information, but lacks first-hand accounts and critical details. [Confidential human sources] can play a crucial role in DOJ law enforcement, including the FBls efforts to combat crime and protect national security, the DOJ report stated. They provide the FBI with information and insights about the inner workings of criminal, terrorist, and espionage networks that otherwise would be unavailable.

How many confidential FBI informants were in Washington on January 6, and what were they doing there?

The report found that 26 confidential FBI informants were present in Washington on January 6. Three informants traveled there to report on the activity of specific suspects, while the 23 other informants were in the city in connection with the events planned for January 6.

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The FBI said its informants were not allowed to engage in any illegal behavior, even if the suspects they were following participated in the unlawful Capitol attack. None of these FBI [confidential human sources] were authorized to enter the Capitol or a restricted area, or to otherwise break the law on January 6, the report stated, nor was any [confidential human sources] directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6. However, of the 26 FBI informants, 13 illegally entered the Capitol security perimeter, while an additional four went inside the Capitol building. None have been prosecuted to date.

The U.S. attorneys office in Washington, D.C., explained it is not giving the FBI informants special legal privileges. Rather, the office said it has generally abstained from prosecuting January 6 participants whose only offense was illegally entering the restricted Capitol area. The D.C. U.S. Attorneys Office generally has not charged those individuals whose only crime on January 6, 2021 was to enter the restricted grounds surrounding the Capitol, which has resulted in the Office declining to charge hundreds of individuals, the office said in the report. We have treated the [confidential human sources] consistent with this approach.

In October 2021, the New York Times reported that two FBI informantsmembers in separate chapters of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist grouphad entered the Capitol building during the riots, based on confidential records the outlet obtained. The Times reported that an FBI agent communicating with one of the informants appeared not to grasp that the building had been breached, the records show, and asked the informant to keep him in the loopespecially if there was any violence. The second informant reportedly debated whether or not to enter the Capitol building with fellow Proud Boys members. When they entered, the informant followed inside, but reportedly did not engage in any violence, destruction, or vandalism. The records say that he hurt no one and broke nothing, the Times reported, adding the informant swiftly left the Capitol through a window upon hearing from police officers that shots were fired in the building.

Nonetheless, the report states that FBI informants relayed critical information relevant to the January 6 events. The [Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General] determined that many of these 26 [confidential human sources] had provided information relevant to the January 6 Electoral Certification before the event and that a few [confidential human sources] also provided information about the riot as it occurred.

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These include warnings that the Oath Keepersa far-right militia group present in Washington on January 6had more than 200 members traveling to D.C. and may become involved in unplanned violent activity, and additional warnings regarding travel plans of the Proud Boys. The FBI had informants in more than one field office that were reporting on Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers leader who was later sentenced to 18 years in federal prison on charges including seditious conspiracy.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

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Virginias new corrections ombudsman, Andrea Sapone, is hitting the ground running, pledging to investigate allegations of mistreatment and address health and safety concerns raised by incarcerated people and their families.

Hired in late September by the Office of the State Inspector General, Sapone said her office has already begun tracking letters and emails from those seeking assistance.

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It takes a village to raise and identify concerns and find solutions, Sapone told members of Virginias Corrections Oversight Committee Friday morning.

The Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) plans to improve transparency and accessibility for its corrections ombudsman unit by updating its website to include the units mailing address and an online complaint form,Sapone said. She added that she is working on protocol to ensure that inmates and family members who reach out can be informed about the status of investigated claims.

Sapone also called for a formal memorandum of understanding between OSIG and the Department of Corrections to establish coordination procedures for investigations.

Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Alexandria, a member of the Corrections Oversight Committee, said that he and other lawmakers are frequently contacted by incarcerated people and their families seeking assistance.

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He emphasized that while it may be tempting for lawmakers to intervene directly in complaints it is crucial to forward the information to the ombudsman to ensure a proper investigation.

You know, you hear compelling stories that may or may not be true and we need to regulate ourselves to make sure that our role is to oversee the ombudsmans office and not get engaged in individual cases, Marsden said.

People in Red Onion State Prison relay poor conditions

An investigation into living conditions and treatment of inmates at Red Onion State Prison is what some lawmakers, prison reform advocates and loved ones of people incarcerated there have been calling for in recent weeks.

Ahead of Thanksgiving, Department of Corrections Director Chad Dotson confirmed that six incarcerated individuals had intentionally burned themselves. He said that they received medical treatment and were referred to mental health services.

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The confirmation came after the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) urged Dotson and Gov. Glenn Youngkin to investigate. The caucus, which had been contacted by families of those incarcerated, suggested the self-harm incidents were acts of protests against prison conditions or efforts to prompt transfers to other facilities.

Red Onion has also seen hunger strikes, with inmates citing poor living conditions and food, mistreatment,racism by some correctional officers and the excessive use of solitary confinement, according to the caucus

In a statement, the caucus said the hunger strike and the self-harm reflect the psychological and physical toll that gruesome prison conditions can have on incarcerated individuals.

When Dotson confirmed that at least six people at the prison had harmed themselves, he said they did so by tampering with electrical outlets.

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Dotson dismissed reports from the prison as bad-faith efforts to try to score cheap political points by advocacy groups.

He also accused these groups of pushing for prison abolition and policies that would make Virginians less safe.

Ekong Eshiet, who is incarcerated at Red Onion, has recently expressed concerns about his safety.

Allegedly among those who engaged in self-harm, Eshiet was contacted by The Mercury through JPay, a service that allows incarcerated people to communicate with those who are outside the prison.

He suggested reaching out to his sister, who did not respond to calls or messages before this articles publication.

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Prison Radio, an organization that amplifies the voices of incarcerated individuals, has released an audio recording of Eshiet. In the recording he recounts facing discrimination due to his name and Muslim faith and described the challenges he encountered during his personal hunger strike. He also spoke openly about setting himself on fire.

Eshiet described his situation as being in fear for my life.

Expressing his hope for a transfer to another facility to serve the remainder of his sentence, Eshiet said, Im trying to get up off this. Im doing my best, like Im going about this the right way. I guess, like with the hunger strike way. But if I have to, I dont mind setting myself on fire again.

For Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, the situation seems like a cry for help.

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I mean something has to be going on, right? she said in an interview with The Mercury.

Like the VLBC, Favola has been working to uncover more information about potential issues within the prison. Earlier in November, she and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, sent a letter to Dotson, requesting a detailed report after families of inmates shared troubling anecdotes about conditions at Red Onion and another facility, Wallens Ridge.

I cant say that I have any evidence to point specific fingers at, Favola said. However, she expressed hope that the newly established ombudsman position will facilitate a thorough investigation into the matter.

Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, the VLBC chair, told The Mercury that he and his colleagues are still gathering intelon the conditions at Red Onion. As the caucus prepares to unveil its legislative priorities ahead of the upcoming General Assembly session, Bagby suggested that continued prison reform efforts may be among the initiatives.

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One proposal aims to regulate the duration a person can spend in solitary confinement. Although Virginia law refers to the practice as restorative housing, concerns about its excessive use have been raised by lawmakers and reform advocates. The measure passed the Democratic-controlled legislature earlier this year but was ultimately vetoed by Youngkin.

The bill would have mandated mental health evaluations every two days for individuals in solitary confinement and built on a related reform signed into law by Youngkin last year. That earlier legislation requires that people in solitary confinement receive a designated number of hours outside their cells each day.

In his veto message for the 2024 bill, Youngkin described the measure as unnecessary bureaucracy that would burden facility administrators and hinder the departments focus on safety and inmate rehabilitation.

Renewed hope

In the meantime, prison reform advocates, incarcerated individuals and their families continue to speak out.

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At the recent Corrections Oversight Committee meeting, several people used the public comment period to share concerns about the conditions their loved ones have reported. They urged lawmakers to visit the prisons firsthand and called for thorough investigations into the issues.

Kimberly Dyke-Harsley El shared that a family member, currently incarcerated at Greensville Correctional Center, went several days without access to his blood pressure medication.

Similarly, Gigi Badawi recounted spending over a year navigating back-and-forth communications with the Department of Corrections to ensure necessary medication for her son at Indian Creek Correctional Center.

And activist Phil Wilayto called on lawmakers to investigate the allegations emerging from Red Onion.

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Its time for those of us who have advocated for our incarcerated loved ones to be taken seriously instead of immediately dismissed, Badawi said. I have renewed hope that the new ombudsman and her team will look into allegations.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  A northern Virginia man targeted by an FBI sting operation has been convicted on terrorism charges for collecting funds on behalf of the Islamic State group.

Mohammed Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, was convicted late Friday afternoon on all five counts against him, including providing material support to a terrorist organization, after a weeklong trial at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria. The jury deliberated for about three hours.

Prosecutors said Chhipa met several times with an undercover FBI operative who gave him hundreds of dollars on multiple occasions in 2021 and 2022, earmarked for a Syrian woman and Islamic State group member known as Umm Dujanah.

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Prosecutors alleged that bank records showed that Chhipa sent more than $74,000 to the Islamic State group in a similar fashion  collecting donations personally from supporters, converting the cash into bitcoin and sending it to bank accounts in Turkey for use by the group.

Chhipa was particularly interested in sending funds to help women from the Islamic State group escape prison camps to which they had been sent after the terrorist group was routed from territory it held in Iraq and Syria, prosecutors said in the trial's opening statements.

Chhipa's lawyers had argued that their client was a target of relentless investigation by the FBI, and played on his clear desire to find a wife by using undercover operatives who, among other ruses, pretended to be marriage brokers or even a willing bride.

The FBI investigated Mohammed Chhipa for 10 years and came up with nothing. Nothing. So, after a decade of bearing no fruit, the FBI decided to create the crime themselves, defense attorney Jessica Carmichael said during Friday's closing arguments.

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Chhipa has said in court papers that he is now married to Allison Fluke-Ekren, an American from Kansas who is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Fluke-Ekren pleaded guilty last year to organizing and leading the Khatiba Nusaybah, a battalion in the Islamic State group in which roughly 100 women and girls learned how to use automatic weapons and detonate grenades and suicide belts.

Prosecutors, though, say that the marriage was conducted online and has no legal status in the U.S. They said Chhipa, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from India, has been trying to adopt Fluke-Ekrens children.

Chhipa will be sentenced in May.
(WKBN)  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently revealed the results from the annual Lake Erie fish surveys with mixed hatch results.

The annual trawl surveys revealed that walleye hatches were below average and yellow perch hatches were above average in two of the three management zones.

Despite the lower-than-average walleye hatches this year, ODNR says the past six years of above-average hatches have helped contribute to a sustainable population of adult walleye.

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Because recent hatches have been above average and walleye can live more than a decade, Lake Erie anglers can expect walleye fishing to remain fantastic for many years, ODNR stated.

The 2024 western basin walleye hatch index was 19 fish per hectare  a standard measure of catch per area. This was the smallest hatch since 2016 and below the average of 58 fish per hectare, ranking 21st of 37 years.

Central basin results were similar with a survey index of 7 young-of-year walleye per hectare, slightly below the average of 7.6 fish per hectare. This was the lowest value since 2017.

Although this years hatch is below average, those looking to catch some walleye can expect these fish to contribute to the catch in 2026. Walleye typically grow to the 15-inch minimum length for harvest two years after hatching.

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The western basin yellow perch hatch was above average and should make a noticeable contribution to the catchable adult population in 2026, according to ODNR.

The Ohio-Ontario survey index was 673 young-of-year yellow perch per hectare, above the average of 462 fish per hectare and ranking seventh in the surveys 37 years.

Yellow perch hatch results were also encouraging in the central zone, with an index of 50 young-of-year perch per hectare, above the average of 37. The east zone index of 11 per hectare was well below the average of 36.

Variability in regional yellow perch hatch success is expected on Lake Erie because of the size of the lake, differences among basins and zones, and prevailing weather conditions.

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Hatch success is largely determined by the timing and availability of favorable conditions for both spawning and survival of newly hatched yellow perch in the spring and summer. Strong lake-wide yellow perch hatches are rare, according to ODNR.

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(Bloomberg) -- Robby Starbuck has viewed your profile.

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The LinkedIn alerts for Walmart Inc. executives started appearing on Nov. 18, offering an early signal that the anti-DEI campaigner was setting his sights on the biggest US private employer.

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Just a week later, the innocuous notification had rippled into a shockwave. Walmart announced a raft of changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, from shifting how it evaluates supplier programs to ending use of the term LatinX.

The retreat by the worlds largest retailer is notable not only for its policy turnaround but also the speed at which it came together. Interviews with Starbuck and people familiar with Walmarts decision show the company adopted a mix of his demands and changes already in the works just five days after the conservative agitator told executives he was prepared to release a video calling for a boycott just before Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year.

Set against rising DEI backlash  and an incoming US presidential administration that welcomes the crusade  the Walmart agreement shows the new reality that companies face: Toe the fine line between dialing back diversity policies while not abandoning support for underrepresented workers and customers. The balance is getting more complicated following the US Supreme Courts reversal of race-based college admissions, as employers weigh the legal and business dynamics around programs designed to correct discrimination and promote inclusion.

For Starbuck, what started as pitched battles is evolving into what is more like negotiated withdrawals from the field. He now claims victories at 15 companies, yet hes only called for public boycotts at four. The rest came in a form of preemptive release, or in the case of Caterpillar Inc., a coordinated release. Each win adds to the blueprint he can take to the next target  and he says many more are in the works.

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The key for companies is to make concessions without completely rolling over, said Geoff Morrell, president of global strategy and communications at Teneo. Morrell, who was head of corporate affairs at Walt Disney Co. when that company was sparring with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the so-called Dont Say Gay legislation, said he advises companies against getting involved in divisive social issues.

All companies should recognize that this need not be a zero-sum game, he said. If you find the right balance, you can  as some have  move forward quickly with minimal internal blowback or impact on your brand.

The issue is likely to intensify when President-elect Donald Trump takes office with a cadre of advisers who are vocal critics of DEI initiatives. When Starbuck announced Walmarts shift, the news drew plaudits from the likes of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and billionaire Elon Musk, one of Trumps closest advisers.

The president-elect has signaled he may use the Justice Department to challenge diversity initiatives. Last week, he named Harmeet Dhillon, a conservative California lawyer, as assistant attorney general for civil rights and noted her background suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers. Elsewhere, in another setback for DEI, a federal appeals court last week struck down a Nasdaq rule that required listed companies to either have a diverse board, or explain publicly why they couldn't do so. Nasdaq said it won't appeal the ruling.

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Quick Response

Starbuck, a 35-year-old Tennessean who made his name as a conservative warrior through social media, has won concessions from the likes of Toyota Motor Corp. and Harley-Davidson Inc. Walmart was his biggest whale yet.

By his telling, he had zeroed in on the retailer by Nov 18. His team reviewed the LinkedIn profiles of about 20 executives the first half of the week with the intention of sending a signal that the company was a target. By that time, Starbuck was putting the finishing touches on a 20-minute social-media video  or story, as he calls it  that he aimed to release criticizing Walmart around the key Thanksgiving holiday shopping weekend.

Starbuck said he contacted the company officially that Wednesday night, and discussions with executives started Thursday Nov. 21 through a series of emails and phone calls. He and Walmart executives went through various changes, going back and forth on issues.

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I felt that there was a very early interest in making a change, he said. I knew it would be a change story by Thursday.

Within Walmart, senior leaders werent surprised about Starbucks approach following the activists public campaigns this year, said a person close to the matter. Executives began conversations with the goal of understanding areas he was interested in. By the end of that Thursday, there was a sense at the retailer that an agreement could be reached.

Discussions with Starbuck were matter-of-fact and moved quickly because many of the changes were already underway, said the person, who asked not to be named because the discussions were private. Starbucks 20-minute video included topics and areas that were new to some executives involved in the discussions. They quickly agreed on some issues, such as monitoring marketplace merchandise to remove items marketed to children that are judged to be inappropriate sexual or transgender products, while others required more in-depth conversations, the person added.

Most changes were in place by Saturday and were final by Sunday, the person said. Walmart held discussions with executives so that they could answer any questions from employees about upcoming changes. Starbuck recorded the four-minute video he would use to announce the changes, which Walmart executives viewed. On Nov. 25, when the clock ticked over to 5 p.m. local time for Starbucks Franklin, Tennessee, farmhouse and Walmarts Bentonville, Arkansas, headquarters, he broke the news.

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MASSIVE news: Walmart is ending their woke policies. I can now exclusively tell you whats changing and how it happened, he said on X. Walmart informed its employees via a memo two days later, the night before Thanksgiving.

Legal Issues

Walmart was already weighing a backtrack on DEI partly for legal reasons before Starbuck showed up.

Call it what you want to call it, as long as the intent of the work is still there, said LaTricia Hill-Chandler, chief DEI officer at Arkadelphia, Arkansas-based Southern Bancorp Inc. Hill-Chandler, a Walmart diversity manager for about three years before she left in 2019, said the changes initially stung, given how many people the retailer employs  about 1.6 million in the US  and its millions of customers across the country.

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At the same time, they reflect the new norm that companies across all industries are grappling with as the discussion around DEI changes, partly to avoid legal issues, she said. At Southern Bancorp, which focuses on lending and banking services for underrepresented people, shes examining whether to change the racial equity strategy to inclusive economic or inclusive engagement strategy.

Walmart Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon wrote in a Friday memo to employees that hes received feedback in person and digitally about the recent policy changes.

Some of the notes shared appreciation while others shared concern and disappointment, he said in the memo viewed by Bloomberg News. We have been and will continue to be committed to ensuring every associate feels valued and part of the team.

Walmart concluded that some of the criticism about its past practices was fair, he said, adding that the company is aiming to evolve by learning and taking feedback. Changes arent about politics but fostering a sense of belonging for all employees, shoppers and suppliers, McMillon said.

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As one of the biggest companies and employers in the country, Walmart has tried to stay out of the political spotlight. Its diversity representation among executives has risen in recent years, and the company has promoted more people of color. It runs education and mentorship programs for staffers, along with internal councils with executives who work with employee resource groups. The retailer also partners with historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.

Outsider Influence

Jo-Ellen Pozner, associate professor at Santa Clara Universitys Leavey School of Business, said its concerning from a corporate governance perspective that Starbuck is making changes along with company executives.

Bullies have power because people give them power, she said. Its not a wise move on part of Walmart or anybody else to let an actor who shareholders have not actively supported, whom the board hasnt vetted, to change the strategic direction of any aspect of organizational functioning as a kind of fealty payment.

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For his part, Starbuck said his goal is always the same, to get companies to be more neutral and focus on their products and services, not social causes, which is what he said he explained as part of the first formal discussions with the retailer.

Starbuck isnt backing down. He has said that he has seven companies under close study, including three more that may be soon ready for their own videos. One of his kids even gave him a Christmas list of companies they'd like him to fix so they can shop there, he said.

Its a question if theyll ever be seen. Starbucks Walmart video  at 20 minutes, his longest so far  wont be made public because the two sides reached a deal. In his view, a win is better than a fight.

(An earlier version of this story corrected the spelling for Geoff Morrells surname.)

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Residents of Venice Beach were rattled Sunday night as they stood along the boardwalk watching dozens of inexplicable low-flying objects hover over Venice Beach as on the east coast, government officials demand answers from homeland security officials about hordes of drones flying overhead.



"The sheer amount of these things over the beach looked insane like some sort of 'Independence Day' sort of shit," said screenwriter and producer Zack Balmat, 28, referencing the Bruce Willis movie. He was standing at the edge of the sand with his girlfriend Hope Pomales, a banking executive, 26, as "a drone the size of a sprinter van," as he described it, darted across the sky. With that, she spun and returned to her Westminster Avenue home, saying it was "getting scary."

Related: Dubais Luxe Haven: The Lana Redefines Elegance

"I have never seen so many things flying back and forth, back and forth," Balmat said. "There were some just hovering, then would move quickly. Others were just going across the sky back and forth. It was fucking nuts. I don't what this shit this, what is going on. But seeing it on the news in New Jersey is one thing. Seeing it over your head is another."



Venice is not the only area in which strange drone sightings are reported. KTLA received video from a Redondo Beach man that showed what he described as moving lights zooming across the sky that he observed while putting up Christmas lights at his Redondo Beach home.



What is this? he was heard asking aloud, according to the report. [Theyre] just hanging out.

Related: An Epic 34-Story Complex Is About to Transform L.A.'s Arts District Forever

Last week, officials said in a joint statement between the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responding to reports of swarms of inexplicable drone activity reported by residents of New Jersey that there was "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus." However, the statement added that homeland security entities "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."



The answer did not appease officials in Ohio or New York where drones have been creating "War of the World" like concerns by flying over military bases and leading to air traffic shutdowns. Drones flying around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, forced base officials to close the airspace for about four hours late Friday into early Saturday, military officials said in a statement. In New York, the Stewart International Airport an hour north of New York was shut down for more than an hour, leading Governor Kathy Hotchul to demand answers from homeland security officials.



"This has gone too far," Hotchul said in her statement. She called on Congress to pass legislation that would broaden oversight into drone activity, a bill called 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.

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Homeland Security officials seem just as befuddled as the public concerning the mysterious flying objects. I want to assure the American public that we are on it, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABCs This Week. He did not elaborate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said hes asking Secretary Mayorkas to deploy special detection systems that use 360-degree technology to detect drones, as two men were arrested in Boston over the weekend for flying a drone dangerously close to Logan International Airport.

.@SecMayorkas joined @CNNSitRoom to discuss the reported drone sightings in New Jersey.  pic.twitter.com/Z3ocNjTzz1  Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 14, 2024

Last week, California federal prosecutors announced the arrest of a Chinese national living in Brentwood who was caught flying a drone over a Santa Barbara military base.
WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  The Washington Police Department is mourning after the death of its 4-year-old K9 Loki on Monday.

According to a Washington police Facebook post, Loki died of medical complications while under veterinary care.

Loki was a Dutch Shepherd breed born in the Netherlands and brought to Washington. He was paired with Sgt. Ron Moore, who said he wanted to be a K9 handler growing up and has been living the dream while working with Loki.

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I am heartbroken and devastated, to say the least, Moore stated. Loki and I spent so much time together, and he was a mans best friend. As devastating and heartbreaking as this moment is for me, the past four years have been some of the best years of my life. I got to live my childhood dream with the best dog a guy could ask for.

Moore also thanked the citizens of Washington, the Washington Police Department and Macon County K9 Training Academy for the wonderful memories he was able to make with Loki.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SOFIA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian border police in the port city of Burgas have seized 73 kg of cocaine concealed in a cooling system of a ship, authorities said on Monday.

The contraband was discovered on Friday when authorities searched the ship loaded with copper concentrate, the Bulgarian Interior Ministry said in a press release.

The cocaine was distributed in six large packages, each containing about 10 smaller packages of the substance, the ministry said.

The Prosecutor's Office of Bulgaria estimated the value of the cocaine on the black market to be more than 13 million BGN (7 million U.S. dollars).

All 22 crew members were interrogated, the Prosecutor's Office said, adding that the investigation is ongoing. 
Deputies in Watauga County are asking for the publics help to find a man with health issues.

Robert Perry, 77, was last seen wearing a button-up shirt and work pants.

ALSO: Some question level of police force used against man outside Rock Hill Publix

Authorities say hes living with a cognitive impairment.

The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons says Perry is driving a gold 2003 Honda CR-V.

He was last spotted in Carrollton Pike, Virginia.

Anyone with information on Perrys location is asked to call the Watauga County Sheriffs Office at 828-264-3761.

WATCH: NC residents sound alarm about rehab centers in California
Credit: X/ @sentdefender

Israeli strikes on military targets in Syria overnight set off explosions as powerful as a 3.1 magnitude earthquake.

The attacks on Syrias coastal Tartus region, also home to a Russian navy base, were described as the heaviest strikes in the area in more than a decade.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli warplanes hit air defence units and surface-to-surface missile depots, part of a campaign to destroy regime weapons stockpiles that could fall into the hands of Islamist rebels.

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The Britain-based monitor said violent explosions were heard as a result of the successive strikes and the flying of ground-to-ground missiles from the warehouses.

Israel is also reported to have targeted missile launchers in the Hama area and radars in Deir ez-Zor military airport.

Videos shared on social media showed a bright orange flash followed by explosions, which sent a mushroom cloud into the night sky.

A 3.1 magnitude tremor was reported by the Geographic Survey of Israels seismology department at 11.49pm on Sunday night in the region of the bombings.

Tartus is home to Russias naval base, which was temporarily abandoned last week, according to satellite images.

Since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Israel has carried out a bombing campaign across Syria, wiping out most of the military arsenal of the former Syrian army.

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Last week, the IDF said it had conducted 350 strikes in Syria, destroying 80 per cent of the strategic military capabilities left behind by the Assad regime.

Israeli troops seized a border buffer zone in Syria in the strategic Golan Heights with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.

The new Syrian administration, led by a rebel coalition, has complained to the UN Security Council about the Israeli bombardment and incursions into Syrian territory in the Golan Heights.

It also stressed it does not want a military confrontation with Israel.

Future of Golan Heights

Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Islamist group that led the offensive against the Assad regime, said the Israeli strikes crossed red lines but conceded that Syria was in no fit state to seek further conflict.

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Syrias 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 said in an interview to Syria TV.

On Sunday, the Israeli government unanimously approved a 40 million shekel (8.7 million) plan to increase the population of the Golan Heights  a strategic plateau, which Israel has occupied since 1967 and annexed in 1981 in a move recognised by the US.

Last week, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, declared the occupied Golan would be Israeli for eternity and he has since furthered intentions to develop it and settle there.

He said he had directed the IDF to thwart potential threats from Syria and prevent hostile actors from accumulating equipment left behind by the Assad regime.

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We have destroyed the capabilities that the Assad regime took decades to build, he said, adding: We did this to ensure that dangerous weapons would not be directed at us once more from Syrian territory.

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WeChat, the ubiquitous social media app operated by Tencent Holdings, has vowed to crack down on the rising number of advertising scams that use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to create deepfakes of celebrities from Chinese doctor Zhang Wenhong to Hong Kong actor Raymond Wong Pak-ming.

The app has taken targeted measures against "violations that misuse AI to impersonate well-known figures for improper marketing and [to] maliciously attract traffic", according to a WeChat announcement on Sunday.

WeChat said it has deleted 532 examples of such content and shut down 209 accounts that used deepfake celebrities in marketing videos, adding that it vows to intensify its efforts against the practice.

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"[We will] further enhance our capabilities and levels of technological governance and maintain a healthy ecosystem," WeChat said in the statement, while it urged content creators to comply with regulations and platform rules.

Famous Chinese doctor Zhang Wenhong talks about the risks of Covid during an interview in Beijing, November 15, 2020. Photo: TPG/Getty Images alt=Famous Chinese doctor Zhang Wenhong talks about the risks of Covid during an interview in Beijing, November 15, 2020. Photo: TPG/Getty Images>

The crackdown comes as more attention is being paid to deepfake video content on social media, especially the use of AI to impersonate public figures to promote products.

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Zhang Wenhong, a Chinese infectious disease expert, was previously seen promoting protein bars in videos uploaded by a WeChat video account holder under the name of "Banhua 234", but the doctor denied it was him in the video, according to a report by Chinese national broadcaster CCTV over the weekend.

Zhang, who became a household name in China during the pandemic, told CCTV that he had made multiple complaints to the platform, and voiced his concerns that the videos, which have been circulating for weeks, would harm consumers' rights.

Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Raymond Wong Pak-ming is another public figure who had to issue a statement debunking deepfake videos of him promoting "an unknown ointment brand".

"This behaviour is purely fraudulent and aimed at misleading the public for profit," Wong said in his statement posted on China's X-like social media platform Weibo in October.

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Chinese regulators have been tightening their scrutiny of generative AI text and video amid new challenges arising from use of the technology.

Beijing rolled out the Administrative Provisions on Deep Synthesis for Internet Information Service, which took effect in 2023, requiring service providers and users to ensure any doctored content is explicitly labelled and can be traced back to its source.

Based on the 2023 provisions, regulators proposed in September 2024 new guidelines requiring labelling and identification of deepfake content, which further require platforms to regulate any AI-generated content they distribute.

Earlier this month, China's state broadcasting authority urged short video platforms - including ByteDance-owned Douyin, the domestic version of TikTok, and Kuaishou Technology - to clean up any "peculiar adaptations" of classic films or television dramas generated using deepfake technology.

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This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
By Andrius Sytas

TALLINN (Reuters) - Twelve Western countries have agreed measures to "disrupt and deter" Russia's so-called shadow fleet of vessels in order to prevent sanctions breaches and increase the cost to Moscow of the war in Ukraine, Estonia's government said on Monday.

The measures were agreed by Germany, Britain, Poland, the Netherlands, the five Nordic nations and the three Baltic states, said Estonia, where leaders of the 10-nation Joint Expeditionary Force were due to meet on Tuesday.

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Western nations have slapped sanctions on a wide range of ships they say are used by Moscow to avoid restrictions on the export of Russian oil and other cargoes. Vessels in the shadow fleet are not regulated or insured by conventional Western providers.

"We are taking concerted steps to deter Russia's shadow fleet and avoid attempts to evade sanctions," Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said in a statement.

Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia will begin to check insurance documents of ships under suspicion passing through the English Channel, Danish straits, the Gulf of Finland and the sound between Sweden and Denmark, he added.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Terje Solsvik and Ros Russell)
There is a glorious feeling of a brighter dawn amongst all our Syrian friends and colleagues, as Assad scuttles off to the tyrants lair in Moscow. The people of Syria are rid of the evil Assad dynasty, which has wrecked this moderate and secular country over the last half century.

As two people who spent time in Syria during its darkest days, and one who was born and brought up in Damascus, it is not so surprising that we are slightly more upbeat than the majority of commentators at the moment about the prospects of the nation going forward after Assads toppling.

We ostensibly worked and supported the medical sector in NW Syria which was under direct attack from Assad and then Putin for the majority of the last 13 years. It was always difficult when the civilians in Idlib province asked us why the outside world was leaving them to be slaughtered. The only solace we could offer was the amazing medical training that the Syrian British Medical Society (SBMS) conducted over many years and the knowledge to collect evidence of these atrocities and war crimes. We explained that those who committed war crimes in the 1990s in the Bosnia War were convicted of their crimes many years after the event by evidence collected at the time.

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SBMS, with its many Syrian doctors, saved thousands of lives and helped keep the Idlib Health Directorate running. It has left a legacy of training and teaching which will hopefully be rolled across the country now it is free of the tyranny of Assad.

We are upbeat because we know the rank and file in Syria, and are aware that they have the talent and humility to get things done. We were there from 2012-2020, and judge that most are moderate and secular and want to build a new democratic Syria. If they are allowed to create this future, aided by Western advice and support as opposed to direction and threats, there is a chance of a brighter dawn.

If the West and the Arab states can subdue ISIS and other rogue elements who might want to set Damascus on fire as they did in Baghdad in 2003, and as the Taliban have done in Afghanistan, there is the potential for Syria to rise like a mighty phoenix from the last 50 years of depression to become a vibrant, fair and prosperous nation.

Success can only come in the form of a national, secular, and moderate solution: this is, after all, what the vast majority of Syrians want.

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Residents of Westwood will vote this spring on the sale of a city park as part of a controversial commercial development project, a win for citizens who had pushed for the effort to get voter approval through a petition and a months-long legal battle.

Westwood City Council members voted Thursday to put the question of whether the city would sell Joe D. Dennis Park before the public on the April 1 ballot. The election will take place by mail, city officials said.

We won, said Beckie Brown, one of the citizens who pushed for the vote, in a statement released by her attorneys. Democracy won. The City is finally doing what weve been asking them to do for over a year: hold an election.

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In a statement, Ryan Kriegshauser, one of Browns attorneys, said in recent months that Westwood citizens had been bullied, threatened, and shut out of conversations around the sale of the park.

One womans tenacity all the way through a Court of Appeals victory finally broke the dam, he said. Because of one mere citizen, voters will have the final say on what happens to their park.

The city has been pursuing a project that would see Johnson County-based Karbank Real Estate Company build an office and retail development on the land off Rainbow Boulevard. The site also includes the former Westwood View Elementary School, as well as a piece of vacant city property previously occupied by the Westwood Christian Church.

The company agreed to pay off city debt on the church property and offered to buy the school property, which would be redeveloped into a new park.

A rendering of the Karbank office and retail development proposed for Westwood, at Rainbow Boulevard and 51st Street.

The decision to give voters a say on the sale comes as part of a winding saga that included an effort from citizens to halt the sale through the petition process and an appeal by Brown to the Kansas Court of Appeals, which sent the matter back to a Johnson County judge for further proceedings in a ruling last month.

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Simply put, this spring, the residents of Westwood will have the opportunity to vote on this question, as has been requested by many in petitions, legal briefings, websites, yard signs, and social media posts, Mayor David Waters wrote in an announcement about the vote. The City Council trusts thatregardless of the outcomethe results of this election will be respected by the residents of Westwood. As Mayor, I can certainly commit that the City will respect this process and the ultimate decision made by our Westwood community.

Waters wrote that city officials originally believed it would be legally questionable to hold a vote on the sale but said that based on the ruling by the appeals court last month, city officials now believe they can accept the validity of the petitions and will place the question before voters.

Although it has taken longer than we might have hoped to reach this point, he wrote, the City respects the decision of the Court, the requests made by the petitioners, and the decision to be made by the residents of Westwood.

This story contains previous reporting from Sarah Ritter and Eric Adler.
The holiday season is here, with parades, festivities, and appearances by Santa Claus becoming more frequent across the county. With Christmas right around the corner, people are beginning to check the forecast to see if the upcoming holiday will be snowy as the famous song describes.

In 2023, a white Christmas remained a dream for many, with snow absent from the December holiday for all but a few areas in the Northeast, across the West, and part of the northern Plains. To be considered a white Christmas, there must be at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on the morning of Dec. 25.

There is a better chance for a white Christmas this year compared to 2023, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, but many areas may end up more green than white due to a lack of snow.

A decorated Christmas tree stands in the snow-covered landscape shortly before sunrise in the village of Unterjoch. (Photo by Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images)

A white Christmas is a guarantee across the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, the part of the country that has a snowy holiday almost every year. It is also looking promising in a few areas of the East.

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Things look good for the few towns and cities around the Great Lakes that have been buried in feet of lake-effect snow this month, including Erie, Pennsylvania, which has had its snowiest start to winter on record.

Some snow has fallen elsewhere across the interior Northeast and the Appalachians, but the big question will be whether it will be cold enough for the snow to remain on the ground until Dec. 25.

"The cold sticks with us at the start of Christmas week, but then it warms up as we head towards the middle of the week on Christmas," Pastelok said.

Even near the Rockies, some of the lower elevations, including Denver, may not have snow on the ground when the holidays arrive; although folks won't need to travel far to see a winter wonderland in the mountains during the holidays.

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A stormy pattern setting up over the Pacific Northwest will also deliver the gift of a white Christmas to the areas near the mountains that typically have snow on the ground for the holidays. "It's some of these lower spots, [such as] interior Washington, maybe not much [snow] there because temperatures are not really that cold," Pastelok added.

The very end of December is likely to be good for skiers, even in areas where no natural snow falls.

In the Midwest and across the East, "there'll be a period of cold where you can make snow," Pastelok said. The good snow-making weather will be a boost for ski resorts that have missed out on snowstorms, or that have seen snow melt due to stretches of mild weather.

Across the Rockies and West Coast states, there has been plenty of snow in the mountains to fuel a strong start to the ski season. Even at California's Mammoth Mountain, where little snow fell in December, the resort measured 62 inches in November, the snowiest November since 2010.

Read AccuWeather's complete 2024-2025 U.S. ski forecast.
WARSAW, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's visa-free policy for Polish citizens has sparked interest among first-time visitors and encouraged repeat travelers to further explore the country's diverse attractions, a Polish tourism professional has said.

Eva Gajewska, a project manager at CT Poland travel agency, said her office has seen a surge in inquiries since the policy was introduced in July. "We've received a lot of calls and inquiries since the policy was implemented," she said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The policy allows Polish citizens holding ordinary passports to enter and stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit. On Nov. 30, the maximum stay was extended to 30 days, making travel even more convenient.

Explaining that even though her agency is regularly frequented by travelers keen to visit China, she said the visa-free option has intrigued many new clients. "Many new clients were drawn by the visa-free offer, which made planning their trips much easier," she added. Their China tour packages are already booked through April 2025, Gajewska said.

This ease of travel has also encouraged Polish tourists to explore China more extensively. Gajewska told Xinhua that her agency has also upgraded its offerings to include extended tours, which are now feasible under the 30-day visa-free exemption.

"We've created an 18-day itinerary that starts in Beijing, moves on to Luoyang, and Xi'an to visit the Terracotta Army, then continues by train to Suzhou and Shanghai, and by flight to Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longsheng, finishing the trip in Hong Kong," she elaborated, alluding to a journey encompassing some of China's most popular tourist destinations, renowned for their historical, cultural, and natural attractions. "It's our most popular tour," she said.

Gajewska highlighted the policy's appeal to repeat travelers, noting that many of her clients who first visited China in the 2000s are now eager to return. "They've heard about China's rapid and huge development, and want to see the changes for themselves," she said.

China's vast landscapes and rich cultural diversity attracted tourists to return repeatedly, often focusing on new regions with each visit. "For first-time travelers, they usually choose the eastern coast. On their second trip, they might explore Sichuan and Yunnan, and for the third, they often choose the Silk Road or the southern provinces," Gajewska explained.

"Polish tourists understand that one trip is not enough to truly experience China, so they're going back," she said.

The visa-free policy has bolstered cultural and tourism exchanges between China and Poland, making it easier for tourists to experience China's rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cities, Gajewska said. 
Christmas 2024 has arrived, but if you were hoping to wake up to a blanket of snow on the ground you might have been disappointed... unless you woke up in parts of the Northeast, upper Midwest or the higher elevations of the West.

So what is a white Christmas? It occurs when there's at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on Christmas morning. It doesn't have to be snowing on the actual holiday for that to happen. A trace of snow also doesn't count.

White Christmas 2024

The recent cold pattern and snowfall allowed wishes for a white Christmas to come true in parts of the Northeast (mainly west of Interstate 95).

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People across portions of the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains were also treated to a snowy Christmas morning, and it's also no surprise that there was also at least an inch of snow on the ground on Christmas morning in some of the higher elevations of the West.

Overall, 26.4% of the country experienced a white Christmas this year, which is below average but not record-breaking.

On average, about 38% of the Lower 48 has snow on the ground on Christmas, according to 21 years of data compiled by the NOHRSC. Since 2003, those percentages have varied widely from year to year, from 17.6% in 2023 to a whopping 63% of the contiguous U.S. in 2009.

christmas_2024_snow_cover.png

New York City enjoyed its first white Christmas in 15 years in 2024, which was confirmed when snow depth Christmas morning was measured at 1.0 inch exactly in Central Park.

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The last official white Christmas at Central Park was in 2009, when there was 2 inches of snow on the ground.

How Typical Is A White Christmas?

The map below shows the locations with a historical chance of a white Christmas in any given year. The chances are based on averages from 1991 to 2020.

There isn't much territory outside the Mountain West, the far northern tier and northern New England where the odds of a white Christmas are higher than 50%.

(192-hours: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days  only available on our Premium Pro experience.)

Last year, just 17.6% of the Lower 48 experienced a white Christmas. This was the lowest percentage since records began in 2003. Outside of the West's higher elevations, there was an area of snow in the Central and Northern Plains and a few spots in the interior Northeast.

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In 2022, 53% of the Lower 48 experienced a white Christmas, the highest percentage since 2009. Much of the West, Midwest and interior Northeast were covered in snow. This was mostly due to Winter Storm Elliott which brought widespread snow and bitterly cold temperatures.

Regional Historical Odds

Let's take a closer look at various white Christmas statistics, including the yearly probability, the number of white Christmases in each city's historical record and the last time it happened.

The annual probability is based on data from the National Weather Service from 1991 to 2020.

Northeast

Not much snow was on the ground in the Northeast last Christmas; even areas where a white Christmas is more common like Syracuse and Buffalo did not have snow last year.

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While there was no snow last year, New York City has seen up to 8 inches on the ground on Christmas (in 1912), and 7 inches is the top Christmas snow depth in Washington, D.C. (2009).

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New England

A white Christmas was in short supply in New England last year.

Both Burlington, Vermont, and Caribou, Maine, had a brown Christmas in 2023, but have had more than 30 inches of snow on the ground in Christmases past.

The record snow depth in Boston on Christmas morning is 11 inches (1995). Concord, New Hampshire, has measured up to 26 inches on the ground (1970). Boston last had a white Christmas in 2009, while Concord had a few inches on the ground in 2021.

Midwest

The Midwest also did not have a white Christmas in 2023.

Marquette, Michigan, has a 96% chance of a white Christmas but it didnt happen last year. It was a mild Christmas with temperatures near 60 as far north as Chicago.

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Cleveland and Detroit have a top Christmas snow depth of 13 inches (in 2005 and 1951, respectively). Both last had a white Christmas in 2022.

Plains

A few white Christmas wishes came true in the Plains last year.

Pierre, South Dakota, had 2 inches on the ground, and 4.2 inches of snow fell during the day. However, Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota, and Bismarck, North Dakota, where white Christmases are more common, did not have snow last year.

In 2022, Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Missouri, had an inch of snow on the ground for Christmas.

West

Parts of the West did have a white Christmas last year.

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Billings, Montana, had an inch of snow on the ground in 2023. Their record Christmas snow depth is 9 inches in 1984.

Seven years ago, Seattle and Portland experienced their sixth white Christmas on record. Seattle had 2 inches of snow that Christmas morning.

In Alaska, Anchorage and Fairbanks unsurprisingly saw snow on the ground on Christmas morning last year, with 26 inches and 18 inches on the ground, respectively.

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Yes, It Has Happened In The South

Christmas snow cover isn't just a northern thing. Some years, parts of the southern U.S. have marveled at the sight of a white Christmas. But it's been more than 10 years since a white Christmas was observed in much of the South.

The extensive cold and widespread snow reached as far south as Tennessee in 2022. A trace of snow was reported on the ground in 2022 in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Memphis, Tennessee. The greatest Christmas snow depth in Memphis (10 inches) happened in 1963, while Tulsa's record is 6 inches in 2009.

In 2020, a white Christmas was observed in Knoxville, Tennessee, (2 inches) and Roanoke, Virginia (1 inch). Nashville had a trace of snow on Christmas Day in 2020.

Three relatively recent events brought an unusual Christmas Day snow cover to parts of the South:

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-In 2009, Oklahoma City had a snowstorm of record (13.5 inches), and one of only two white Christmases on record occurred in Dallas (2 inches).

-In 2004 in Texas, Corpus Christi had a record snowstorm (4.4 inches), and Brownsville (1.5 inches) had its first day of measurable snow since 1895. Brownsville is on the same latitude as Miami, Florida.

-In 1989, a pre-Christmas snowfall was followed by a strong arctic cold outbreak that brought both Charleston, South Carolina (4 inches), and Savannah, Georgia (2 inches), their only white Christmas. Jacksonville, Florida, missed a white Christmas by a day when an inch of snow fell Christmas Eve morning. It had melted by Christmas Day.

Linda Lam is a lead meteorologist at weather.com. Growing up in Massachusetts she developed a fascination for winter storms and hurricanes that led her to pursue a career in meteorology.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Ector County ISD has confirmed two cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, at Odessa High School. Heres what you need to know about the illness:

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by bacteria, and it can spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms typically begin as a mild cough, which can develop into severe coughing fits. In some cases, pertussis can lead to serious complications, especially in infants and young children.

Pertussis spreads easily through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Early symptoms include a runny nose, mild cough, and mild fever. As the illness progresses, it may lead to severe coughing fits, which can be followed by a whooping sound. Symptoms generally appear five to 10 days after exposure, but it can take longer for the cough to develop.

What should you do if you suspect your child is sick?

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Monitor Your Child: Watch for signs of pertussis, particularly a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, or a whooping sound after coughing.

Seek Medical Attention: If your child develops symptoms, especially a persistent cough, we recommend seeking medical advice promptly. Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.

Vaccination: Ensure your childs vaccinations are up to date. Pertussis is preventable with the DTaP vaccine for children and the Tdap vaccine for older children and adults.

We are working closely with health authorities to monitor and manage the situation. We are following recommended cleaning and sanitization protocols to minimize the risk of further transmission. If your child is diagnosed with pertussis, please inform us immediately so we can take further steps to protect others. Children with pertussis should stay home from school or daycare until they have completed five days of prescribed antibiotics or as directed by a healthcare provider, the district said in a statement.

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For more information on pertussis, head to this 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 Yourbasin.
George Stephanopoulos ended Sundays This Week program without any mention of him or ABC News settling Donald Trumps defamation lawsuit against them. The suit was triggered by a segment on This Week, but ABC News has not reported on TV its agreement to pay $15 million to Trumps presidential foundation at all.

The quiet approach on air is in keeping with the networks attitude toward the settlement writ large. This problem needed to go away, an ABC executive remarked on condition of anonymity.

But the speculation  about why ABC agreed to settle, and why now, and why at such expense  has not gone away.

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Judging from social media reactions to the news, partisan know-it-alls on the right think the why is obvious: ABC lied about Trump, they say, so now the network is being punished accordingly.

Some Trump critics on the left are also certain that they know whats going on: They say ABC and parent company Disney are bowing to Trump for craven political purposes.

Ultimately, the reasons for the settlement may remain a secret between the two sides. But media lawyers who spoke with CNN said it is rare to see a settlement at this stage of a legal dispute.

The lawsuit stemmed from a March 10, 2024, ABC segment in which Stephanopoulos repeatedly said that Trump had been found liable for rape in the E. Jean Carroll civil case. Trump has denied all wrongdoing toward Carroll, but last year 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.

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Trump filed suit one week after Stephanopoulos report, accusing him of actual malice, the high bar that public figures must meet to prove they were defamed. ABC filed a motion to dismiss the case, but in July, Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga rejected those arguments and allowed it to move forward, which meant the network was subjected to the pre-trial discovery process  a fancy way of saying that the anchorman had his emails and other work materials scrutinized.

Last week, with a trial date on the books for April, the judge said that ABC must hand over any remaining documents to Trumps legal team right away. She also ordered both Stephanopoulos and Trump to be deposed in the coming days. The settlement means that wont happen.

According to court documents, ABC and Trumps team agreed to the settlement terms last Friday. Settlement terms are often kept confidential, but not this time; a court filing on Saturday effectively announced the payout and ABCs apology, enabling Trumps allies to publicly celebrate.

Why now?

Why would they do this now? is the question Ken Turkel, a trial attorney at Turkel Cuva Barrios, asked a colleague over the weekend. Turkel, who is representing Sarah Palin in her resurrected defamation suit against The New York Times, said he was merely speculating like other observers. But one obvious possibility is that perhaps they didnt want to be actively litigating against a sitting president.

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Given the facts as alleged in the parties respective filings, thats probably the only thing that looks different about this case, he said.

In my experience, when media defendants are unsuccessful at the dismissal stage, which was in July, they focus on preparing for summary judgment to challenge the legal sufficiency of a plaintiffs claim, he said. It begs the question as to why ABC settled before the summary judgment stage.

Turkel also said you would have to consider whether the discovery process unearthed emails or other internal ABC data that damaged the networks case.

Thats what Erick Erickson, who practiced law before becoming a conservative radio host, said he took away.

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No, a $15 million settlement is not the cost of doing business. It is avoiding discovery, Erickson wrote on X.

The funds have been earmarked to a Trump presidential foundation and museum in the future, and one can only imagine how Trump might troll ABC with a Gallery of Fake News or something similar.

ABC declined to comment on its reasons for settling.

The president-elect has a long history of litigation, with numerous unsuccessful cases against news outlets in the past. Some media law experts believed ABC had a good chance of beating him at trial, given the inherent challenge of proving Stephanopoulos acted with actual malice. But trials also add uncertainty and a risk of severe reputational damage  factors that ABCs parent company, Disney, is now avoiding.

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Renowned First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams told CNN there is no escaping the reality that the settlement was a major victory for Trump.

The case undoubtedly posed a genuine level of risk for ABC since George Stephanopoulos had inaccurately summarized the jury verdict as one in which the jury had found Trump liable for rape when it had instead found him liable for sexual abuse and not rape, Abrams said. But for a person, especially one now about to become our president, held by a jury to have committed an act of sexual abuse to receive an amount of this magnitude in settlement is disturbing.

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Kamala Harris was thrust into the national spotlight in the summer when President Joe Biden, about 100 days from the general election, dropped out of the race and endorsed his vice president for the job.

The last-second change didnt prove to be the winning move for Democrats, as Harris lost to former President Donald Trump, leaving the former U.S. Senator from California without a clear direction in her political future.

More than a month removed from that election loss, even the VPs team believes that future remains uncertain, according to reporting from CNN.

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The outlet reported on Sunday that the tight-knit circle close to Harris is split between two options: run for president again in 2028, or shift ambitions to the race to become Californias Governor in 2026.

There is one consensus in that group, CNN reports  she cant do both.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a concession speech after the 2024 presidential election, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, on the campus of Howard University in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A win in the 2026 California Gubernatorial race would mean she would have to launch a presidential bid just months, maybe weeks, after being sworn in. The poor optics from an overly ambitious move such as that would likely leave her hypothetical presidential campaign dead on arrival.

Leaving a run for governor on the table, however, is a riskier proposition.

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With Trump unable to run for a third term, Democrats are viewing 2028 as a fresh slate in terms of candidates. Names like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Georgia Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and current CA Gov. Gavin Newsom are among the names being floated in whats sure to be a crowded field.

With the ground Harris made up this year after replacing Biden and her historic fundraising, some on her team believe shed be a strong candidate to win a Democratic primary in 2028. If voters had buyers remorse with a second Trump administration, Harris could present as a return to normalcy, especially if her general election opponent was Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Vice President-elect JD Vance, R-Ohio, waves as his wife Usha Vance looks on at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Running for governor would be a step down, and it would interfere with her ability to run for president again, one person close to Harris told CNN. I dont know if shes going to run for president again, but a shot at running for president again is worth giving up running for governor.

But those her ability to launch a successful campaign in 2028 are far from a certainty, and if Harris failed to make it out of a crowded primary  as she did in 2020  then passing on a chance to be governor of the countrys most populous state would be viewed as a missed opportunity of the greatest degree.

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Meanwhile, Harris  the nominee for California governor  looks to be a much safer call in comparison. A poll conducted shortly after the November election showed that nearly half of California voters would support her as a candidate.

The CNN report suggests that Harris could produce a crowd-clearing effect in that Democrat-heavy race, while some are attempting to deter her from the statewide election, labeling it as a consolation prize.

The decision isnt clear and obvious, even among Harris staff. What is clear, however, is that the decision needs to be made quickly, as the stove is heating up for the race to become Californias next governor.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An collision early Monday has left one pedestrian dead on the westbound lanes of Loop 202, just east of Dobson Road in Mesa. The incident happened around 6 a.m. when at least one vehicle struck the pedestrian. Multiple other vehicles also ran over the body.

According to initial reports, it appears the pedestrian had stopped their vehicle in the area shortly before being hit. Authorities have not yet confirmed the reason for the vehicles stop.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety and Mesa police are assisting with traffic control. Due to the ongoing investigation, westbound Alma School Road and McKellips Road on-ramps are closed. Drivers are being diverted off the highway at Country Club Road, with the closure expected to last for another two hours.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Loop 202 freeway closed for fatal accident: What we know
The Maryland native accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month faces five charges in New York, the most serious being second-degree murder.

Each state defines its own murder statute, and many state laws lay out differing levels of seriousness with different definitions of what constitutes each degree.

Had the shooting taken place in Maryland, where Luigi Mangione grew up and graduated as Gilman Schools valedictorian, the suspect would most likely be charged with first-degree murder. But New Yorks degrees of homicide are different. In New York, second-degree murder mainly refers to intentionally causing the death of another person  roughly the same as Marylands first-degree murder statute, said Bradley S. Shepherd, a Maryland defense attorney with Posner & Cord LLC.

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New Yorks second-degree murder statute also includes killings that happen in the commission of other felonies, as well as certain other reckless conduct that leads to a persons death.

First-degree murder under New York law refers to a killing involving specific aggravating factors  intentional homicides in which the victim is a judge, a first responder or a police officer  or when a defendant uses torture, kills a witness to prevent them from testifying or kills somebody in furtherance of an act of terrorism. It also includes murder-for-hire cases.

Its not a common thing, and its not easy to satisfy that standard, said Nicole Brenecki, a partner at the Brooklyn, New York-based law firm Jodre Brenecki LLP.

Criminal defense attorneys weighed in that the only route they saw New York prosecutors obtaining a first-degree murder conviction against Mangione, 26, would be to prove that he killed Thompson to further an act of terrorism.

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It would be a really grandiose theory, said Brenecki. Theyd really have to nail him on the intent of the homicide being a terrorist act to influence the healthcare industry, she said.

Thats very, very big and serious, she said, noting that she personally didnt think itd be worth it for prosecutors to upgrade the charge.

The most common penalty for both first- and second-degree murder in New York is life, and the main difference is that a first-degree murder conviction can lead to life without the possibility of parole, said Richard Schoenstein, a partner at New York-based Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP. Only a very narrow range of second-degree murder convictions, specifically involving victims under the age of 14, can lead to a sentence of life without parole.

The minimum term of imprisonment is slightly higher for defendants convicted of first-degree murder  they must serve at least 20 years before being paroled, rather than 15 for second-degree murder. Both Maryland and New York have eliminated the death penalty.

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Upgrading Mangiones charge adds a degree of proof and legal complexity that Im not sure is necessary, said Schoenstein. He wasnt sure what the upside of pursuing first-degree murder conviction would be but speculated they could do it based on the reaction to the high-profile killing, which has included online praise of Mangione.

Maybe you want to send a message by attacking it as an act of terrorism, he said, noting it would still complicate the case.

There are only two degrees of murder in Maryland as well. The state defines first-degree murder as premeditated and intentional, resulting in a life sentence. Second-degree murder, which has a maximum sentence of 40 years, is defined as any murder that is not in the first degree. That could mean an intentional killing that was not premeditated, said Shepherd. It also includes depraved heart murder, which covers acts taken with an extreme disregard for human life that result in death, which would also fall under New Yorks second-degree murder statute.

Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, is currently jailed on forgery and weapons charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested at a McDonalds days after the killing. His legal team there is fighting his extradition to New York, where he faces more serious charges connected to the Dec. 4 killing in Midtown Manhattan.

_____
Editors Note: Follow the latest news on the drone sightings here.

As pressure mounts on federal officials to address ongoing concerns about possible drone sightings, East Coast residents, especially in New Jersey, remain on edge, with similar reports emerging in Ohio that prompted a temporary airspace closure over a vital military base.

Federal officials have so far downplayed many of the reported sightings, saying they are likely small airplanes or other manned aircraft. But they nonetheless expressed concern Sunday on sightings seen across at least six states  New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio  while arrests have been made in connection with drone operation near restricted areas in Massachusetts and California.

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I want to assure the American public that we are on it, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABCs This Week.

Mayorkas said federal officials are not aware of direct national security concerns tied to the possible drone sightings.

We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast, and we are vigilant in investigating this matter, he said.

His comments Sunday came a day after telling CNN, Let me calm those nerves. We have not seen anything unusual. We know of no threat. We know of no nefarious activity.

The House Intelligence Committee is expected to receive a classified briefing about the drones Tuesday afternoon, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

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The recent surge in drone sightings over sensitive military installations has prompted federal authorities to take action. In a notable case, a man has been arrested for allegedly violating airspace regulations related to a key military base, the Justice Department announced last week.

Yinpiao Zhou, 39, of Brentwood, California, has been arrested for allegedly flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and photographing its layout as SpaceX was preparing to launch a National Reconnaissance Office payload, according to the criminal complaint. Charged with failing to register an aircraft and violating national defense airspace, Zhou was detained at San Francisco International Airport while attempting to board a flight to China.

Zhou, who has not entered a plea, is scheduled to be in court again Monday for a status conference. CNN reached out to his public defender Monday for comment.

Asked by CNN whether the allegations against Zhou have any connection to drone sightings in the Northeast, a spokesperson for the federal prosecutors office said, We dont allege that in our complaint.

Inconsistencies in messaging from various officials

Weeks of unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey have left residents and officials confused by inconsistent messaging from authorities. While public safety officials and residents demand a clear response, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby reassured the public on Thursday that there is no threat to safety.

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Gregory McNeal, a drone expert, told CNN that growing distrust in government communication is fueling demands for greater transparency and accountability from federal officials.

While this may reflect a broader issue in the discourse of American politics, it is certainly a fact that both elected officials and citizens believe they are not getting reliable information from the government. Its not necessarily that the information is inaccurate. Rather, they do not trust the details being provided by the government, McNeal said.

New Jersey Republican Assemblyman Erik Peterson went so far as to accuse federal officials of dishonesty.

Theyre lying. Thats the long and the short of it, he said in an interview with CNNs Victor Blackwell. Peterson, who said he has seen drones flying above his rural residence, said the lack of streetlights and nearby flight paths makes them easy to spot.

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Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey expressed frustration over the lack of information from federal authorities.

Ive had briefings that make me feel confident theres not an imminent threat to public safety, but it doesnt answer the question, where are all these drones coming from? he said. It cant be the Wild West of drones out there in Jersey or anywhere else. We got to get to the bottom of this, and people deserve answers.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal agreed that people have a right to be concerned given how little is being publicly disclosed.

I have a lot of trouble believing that the federal government is doing enough here because there is a near-total absence of relevant and significant information, Blumenthal told CNNs Kate Bolduan on Monday, and that gap in disclosure is causing or contributing to the alarm that people are feeling.

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Getting hold of what these drones exactly are, is very, very hard, Scott Clancy, a former Royal Canadian Air Force general who served as director of operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, told CNNs Kasie Hunt on Monday. Clancy said sensors to identify craft with low radar cross-sections are very localized and distinguishing between threats and legal operations is difficult.

Drone activity triggers airspace closures

Meanwhile, reports emerged Sunday of drone activity near one of the US Air Forces biggest and most important bases in Ohio.

Officials closed airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton for nearly four hours late Friday into early Saturday, according to a base spokesperson and Notice to Airmen. Bob Purtiman, chief of public affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing, confirmed the restriction to CNN affiliate WHIO.

This airspace closure was first reported by The War Zone on Sunday.

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CNN reached out to the Air Force for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Wright-Patterson is home to critical US Air Force commands, including the Air Force Research Lab, which bills itself as looking for ways to counter technological advancements (that) bring threats to our way of life, according to a video on its website.

The undated video animation shows an image of a drone approaching what looks like a remote US military outpost.

Massachusetts on Saturday also joined the list of where sightings have been reported. New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia have also had sightings.

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The reports in the Northeast began November 18 near Morris County, New Jersey, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Republican Assemblyman Paul Kanitra of New Jersey told CNNs Sara Sidner on Friday there had been drone sightings every night since then. Kanitra said federal officials were losing trust with the American people because several of the drone reports have come from places like military facilities, but federal officials have been dismissive.

FBI official says there has been slight overreaction

The FBI and DHS have said they believe most of the drone sightings are cases of mistaken identity, with members of the public misidentifying small, legally-operated manned aircraft for drones.

An FBI official on Saturday noted some drone sightings reported to tip lines were matched to similar flight approach patterns from nearby airports.

Theres been a slight overreaction to the reports, the FBI official said at a news conference. Still, he noted: We cant ignore the sightings that have been there, and we are concerned about those just as much as anybody else is.

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Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, President-elect Donald Trumps incoming national security adviser, took issue on Sunday with drones reported over military sites and restricted air spaces, including near President-elect Donald Trumps home in Bedminster, New Jersey.

I think what the drone issue points out are kind of gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authorities, between the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, the Defense Department, he told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday. Its pointing to gaps in our capabilities and in our ability to clamp down on whats going on here. We need to get to the bottom of it, and I think the Biden administration is working to do that.

As drone activity has received extensive media coverage, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tom Adams told CNN that recent sightings may be driven by copycat behavior resulting from increased scrutiny of the issue.

Rob DAmico, the former chief of the FBI counter-drone unit, told CNN that more than 90% of reported drone sightings are likely misidentified manned aircraft or natural objects, while the surge in drone activity is creating confusion and exposing critical gaps in airspace security.

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What youre now seeing is people are starting to fly drones  to either make more chaos or to look for their own drones, DAmico said.

New York getting a new detection system

As states asked Washington for assistance with drones, federal authorities will be deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York state, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Hochul didnt name the system or give any details like when it would go into operation.

This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations, she said in a Sunday news release.

In Massachusetts, two men were arrested Saturday night on trespassing charges after a drone came dangerously close to Logan International Airport in Boston, police said in a statement.

And runways at New Yorks Stewart International Airport were temporarily closed for about an hour Friday night after the Federal Aviation Administration alerted the airports operator to a drone sighting there, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport about 70 miles north of New York City.

Despite the reports, some are doubting that anything serious is going on.

One military veteran told CNN that federal authorities would be doing more than appearing on Sunday talk shows or giving briefings if people were in danger.

If the aircraft were a legitimate threat, we would be seeing different kinds of action, Missy Cummings, one of the Navys first female fighter pilots and now a professor at George Mason University, told CNN.

CNNs Josh Campbell, Artemis Moshtaghian, Jack Forrest, Zoe Sottile, Annie Grayer, Sam Fossum, Michelle Watson, Isaac Yee and Andy Rose contributed to this report.

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Lightning struck deep in the central Idaho mountains on July 24, 2024, igniting the Wapiti Fire that burned across 129,063 acres around Stanley, Idaho  a place known for its scenic vistas and idyllic rural landscape.

Local communities evacuated, then returned home when the danger had passed. But for ranchers who graze livestock here, evacuation doesnt end when the smoke clears.

When federal land burns, livestock often cannot return to the area for two years, according to federal land use and forest management plans. Two years of lost income and the added cost of purchasing feed and repairing infrastructure can be as devastating to rural communities as the fires themselves.

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I study the impacts of environmental policy on rural communities, particularly those that provide the food, fiber, timber and minerals that society relies on. Research and ranchers experiences, including in my home state of Idaho, raise questions about whether the two-year rule, implemented decades ago, is really necessary and whether its actually doing more harm than good.

2-year delay can tip ranchers into the red

Wildfires are burning more often and across more land in the West today than in the past with hotter, drier conditions. To make matters worse, many landscapes are threatened by invasive cheatgrass that burns easily and regrows faster after fires than native plants do.

Often, restoration efforts are focused on slowing the spread of cheatgrass. Herbicides and plant seeding are marshaled to slow the growth of cheatgrass after fires.

Buried in the multitude of federal land management plans that guide the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Services management actions is another restoration tool  a two-year grazing rest period after wildfires for land leased to ranchers. Some plans require a two-year break before cattle can return to the land, and some only recommend it.

A sheepherder stands with his horse and herding dog in the mountains of Hailey, Idaho, in 2022. While rangeland in the Plains is primarily private land, in the West, much of it is under federal management. Matt Moyer/Getty Images

That two-year rest can tip the scales for ranchers finances into the red, forcing some to sell cattle herds that took decades to develop, lease other grazing lands  often at a financial loss  or close up shop altogether.

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Few question that the land must have a chance to recover  ranchers livelihoods depend on healthy rangeland  but is it necessary to wait two years and sacrifice a rural community to do it?

Grazing after fires has pros and cons

Indigenous communities across the West used fire since time immemorial to manage these sprawling landscapes. Fire can clear underbrush and dead plant material. It can provide new growth for deer, elk and cattle to feed on.

Livestock graze on invasive grasses when native plants are dormant, which can help increase native species and reduce invasive grasses, including varieties that easily burn. Reducing invasive grasses reduces risk of future fire. Trampled plant material can increase soil moisture, a benefit to the arid soils of the West.

There is also evidence, however, that grazing after wildfires can increase soil erosion as hooves break up sensitive soils. And grazers also eat native plants that take longer to establish.

Grasses and other ground cover regrow after a fire in the Wasatch Mountains near Manti, Utah. Jon G. Fuller/VW Pics /Universal Images Group via Getty Image

But there are caveats to some of the evidence used to underpin arguments for a two-year break.

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A 2016 study documented increased soil erosion when grazing resumed two weeks after a fire. But cattle, deer and elk would not likely be on a fire scar within two weeks.

A 2019 study of post-fire impacts suggests that the steepness of the burned areas and grazing immediately following a fire can increase soil erosion, but it also acknowledges that it is currently unknown how the impact of livestock changes over time after wildfires.

Similarly, a 2014 study found that during the first growing season after a fire, grazing that removed up to 50% of the biomass did not affect recovery. It found no evidence  to suggest complete rest from grazing was required to conserve plant productivity. Instead, it found that recovery was more responsive to weather than grazing  a factor on burned and unburned areas alike.

Not all fires are the same. They vary in burn severity, a measure of the impact to plant and soil ecology. Plants and soils respond differently to fire depending on a host of factors, from weather and topography to fire-return intervals and human interaction.

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Instead of a blanket two-year rest policy, the rule could be revised to demand a tailored decision-making process that accounts for variance in fire severity, plant communities and weather. In my view, allowing strategic and intentional grazing in post-fire landscapes benefits rural communities, while removing it can sound a death knell.

Recovery, or not

Rural ranching communities in the West hold their breath every fire season.

The fires can be devastating, but so can the recovery time. Fences and barns burn. Cattle herds are sold in lieu of purchasing expensive feed, and then must be rebuilt later. Lines of credit collapse, generational ranches are sold, and rural community traditions are lost.

Wildfires in Idaho can burn wide swaths of forest and rangeland. Jared L. Talley/Boise State University

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In Boise, residents are already looking forward to spring, when skis will be replaced with mountain bikes and hiking shoes. The foothills, where another 2024 fire burned nearly a quarter of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area, will be emerald green with invasive grasses, and thousands of deer and elk will graze through the burned area to their summer feeding grounds. No rules can stop them.

Near Stanley, where the Wapiti Fire burned, cattle ranchers are working hard to find unburned land to lease for their herds. Theyre making plans to rebuild fences and working with the banks to keep their operations running until they can return to their grazing allotments in two years. Research suggests that the wait doesnt always need to be so long.

Phoenix Willard, a student in environmental journalism at Boise State University, contributed to this article.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Jared L. Talley, Boise State University

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Jared L Talley is affiliated with the Idaho Environmental Forum, Boise State Hazard Climate Resilience Institute, Holistic Management International, the University of Idaho Range Center, and the Western Center.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A faded sign right outside black gates leads to a property once used for state highway purposes.

A facility, which sits on just over 28 acres, will now be the home of the future Williamson County Medical Examiners office. In October, the county purchased the facility, located at 9500 N Lake Creek Parkway in Austin, from the Texas Department of Transportation for $18 million.

Williamson County recently purchased just over 28 acres in North Austin. (KXAN Photo/Richie Bowes)

We have to revitalize that and remodel that, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said on KXAN News Midday on Friday. I think over time, and I mean, in the next few years, youll see a progression from where were at today to a full Medical Examiners office in Williamson County, Texas.

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READ: A Hanging on Backbone Creek Investigation

As the countys population booms leaders have been looking to the future.

Judge Angela Williams, Justice of the Peace in Precinct 2, welcomes relief from the hiring of death investigators. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost)

Right now, the countys four Justices of the Peace determine cause and manner of death. Last Tuesday, the county approved an additional $47,827.06 for the hiring of four death investigators who will start early next month. In August, commissioners budgeted $309,083.72 for the positions. The new hires will help the judges take death calls, respond to scenes and prepare reports across the county.

We are thankful that death investigators will begin their work in 2025, providing the necessary support to ensure our communitys needs are met, said Judge Angela Williams, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 2.

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For the last year, the judges have shared concerns with KXAN investigators of juggling court dockets and death inquests. The judges rule on everything from homicides to death from natural causes. If a case needs additional investigation, they request an autopsy from either a private firm in Williamson County  or the Travis County Medical Examiners Office.

Our JPS have, in my view, been overwhelmed and overloaded because of the increase in population. And at the county court level, were giving them the resources so they can be successful, Gravell said.

READ: Williamson County approves additional funding for death investigators

According to Texas law, a county with a population of 2.5 million must have a medical examiner, but the commissioners court may establish one at any time. KXANs A Hanging on Backbone Creek investigation highlighted the push for counties across the state to establish medical examiners offices. KXAN investigators found just 14 of the states 254 counties have a medical examiner. State lawmakers have promised to look at the issue during the upcoming legislative session, which starts in January.

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Continued discussions and actions to move forward with a medical examiner is a positive step that ensures Williamson County is prepared to meet future needs and provide the best services for our community, added Williams of the move to secure the property.

Judge Rhonda Redden, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4, said the purchase of the property was timely, necessary, and an incredible bargain. She added that the death investigators are in the initial phase of transitioning from a JP inquest system to a medical examiner system for processing death inquest cases.

This will enhance the quality of inquest investigations and provide better service to our citizens. We are excited to be a part of the next steps in establishing a medical examiners office, not only for the future of Williamson County but for the State of Texas, Redden said.

Judge Evelyn McLean, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3, added that the ongoing efforts to eventually establish a medical examiners office guarantees that Williamson County is equipped to address future growth and deliver top-notch services.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
It was a dreary Sunday that started with freezing fog, but warmer temperatures decreased the slipperiness hazard through the day. Afternoon temperatures were actually above normal for mid-December.

Low clouds will hang on through the evening in eastern South Dakota, and then break up toward morning. A westerly breeze and the cloud cover will prevent temps from dropping off too much, with low mainly in the 20s by morning. There could be a sprinkle or brief snow flurry in Sioux Falls and SE South Dakota early Monday morning.

Monday afternoon will be windy, with a brisk west wind that will eventually wind around to the northwest. It will be a warming wind, with highs in the 30s in the north and low 40s in southern parts of KELOLAND. Skies will be partly to mostly sunny.

We have a fast-moving, moisture-starved clipper system moving through from the northwest on Tuesday. Were looking at snowfall with limited accumulation, under an inch in most places. Fortunately, the winds wont be as strong so that will limit the blowing snow factor. Highs will reach the mid 20s to low 30s.

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Well have another low-end shot at snow showers on Thursday. That will be followed by a shot of cold air. Saturday looks to be coldest, with highs only in the teens despite mostly sunny skies Saturday. That seems appropriate, since Saturday is the first day of Winter.

As far as the White Christmas outlook, we still see no signs of any big snows, with only shots of light snow over the next ten days. In fact, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are looking warm, near 40 in Sioux Falls!

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WARSAW, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries met on Monday in Wisla, Southern Poland, to discuss crisis prevention, particularly in the context of floods, as well as the situation in Ukraine and potential pathways to end the war, according to a statement from the Polish Presidential Office.

The presidents of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary also exchanged views on cooperation within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the allocation of three percent of GDP for defense-related spending, a measure the Polish leader has advocated for many months.

"We will certainly also discuss these matters more broadly at the NATO forum," Polish President Andrzej Duda said.

In addition, the leaders addressed inter-neighborhood issues, focusing on preventing crisis situations such as flooding. Discussions also covered energy security and cross-border traffic, according to the statement.

Since July this year, Poland has held the annual presidency of the Visegrad Group for the seventh time. This meeting marked the final V4 summit for President Duda, whose term concludes in August 2025.

The V4 presidency rotates annually among member states. Following Poland, Hungary will assume the presidency. 
A Viroqua resident's desire to support a town 900 miles away reeling from disastrous flooding led two Wisconsin community radio stations to help raise tens of thousands of dollars for their Western North Carolina counterparts recovering from Tropical Storm Helene.

Staff and supporters of community radio stations WDRT-FM in Viroqua and WORT-FM in Madison teamed up to raise funds for WART-FM, a volunteer-led community radio station which brands itself as wART.

The North Carolina station is part of the Madison County Arts Council, a nonprofit that promotes programming for contemporary and traditional arts. Both the station and the arts council suffered damage in flooding from Helene in late September.

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Between a dance party fundraiser in Viroqua, a promise to match $5,000 in donations from Madison and the generosity of people from all over the country, the three radio stations raised more than $15,000 throughout October.

That money is helping wART replace lost equipment, relocate its broadcasting studio to a classroom at a local community college and, in some cases, upgrade the radio station's gear, Erich Hubner, arts council president said in an email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"It's a terrible way for it to happen, but thanks to this outside help, we will have a better studio than before, once everything is up and running," Hubner said.

The radio station, which got back on the air in a temporary studio about a week after the storm, plans to broadcast live from its new studio within the next week, according to Hubner.

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"The support we received from WORT and WDRT literally made our replacement studio possible," he said.

A Facebook post from an old friend moved a Viroqua resident to fundraise for a Western North Carolina radio station

Before the storm, wART broadcast daily from a little red caboose on the edge of downtown Marshall, a town that sits beside the French Broad River about 20 minutes from Asheville.

Catastrophic flooding of the French Broad caused by the remnants of Helene swept through the town Sept. 27, destroying Main Street businesses, art studios and homes. The nearly 26 feet of floodwaters pushed the caboose and its radio equipment 300 feet down the street, according to the wART website.

Julie Tomaro, a Viroqua resident and owner of the upholstery business Blue Bobbin Studio, saw a Facebook post from an old friend who lives in Marshall that showed Helene's destruction. Once the flooding went down, residents and volunteers took to the town to shovel out thick mud from buildings and search for art and belongings before clearing debris.

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While not directly involved in Viroquas community radio station WDRT, Tomaro spent much of her fall working in the same building as the station's studio while organizing the Driftless Area town's harvest parade. She thought people at the station might want to show up for another community radio station 900 miles away  and she was right.

WDRT staff members organized and promoted an event at the Viroqua VFW and called it the "Halloween Dance Party for Hurricane Relief."

The idea was that it might be more enticing if they asked people to 'come to a dance party,' instead of just give us money, Tomaro said.

Tomaro hosted an interview with wART founders on WDRT and spread the word about the event on-air with the Viroqua station's membership and outreach coordinator Emily Grantham.

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Maybe others would want to be a part of this, Tomaro wondered. She emailed someone at Madison's WORT about the fundraiser plans and got a response. Another Wisconsin community radio station was in.

Flooding from Tropical Storm Helene ruined a sound board and other equipment in the wART FM community radio station in Marshall, North Carolina. Wisconsin stations WDRT-FM and WORT-FM raised money for wART to replace lost equipment and relocate its broadcasting studio.

Madison's WORT matches donations with wART

Soon after hearing from Tomaro, WORT in Madison, Wisconsin, made a pledge to match up to $5,000 in donations to wART in Madison County, North Carolina.

The match amount was thanks to Mike O'Connor, who led the effort to get WORT's call letters and license back in 1975.

It was a "normal impulse" to help out another station because community radio at its heart is collaborative and cooperative, just as community radio founder Lorenzo Milam intended in his Call to Action, O'Connor said.

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Engineering for one another or sharing an extra transmitter with an out-of-state station has been typical to help other stations stay on-air, he said.

O'Connor and WORT's staff also felt compelled to help because they view wART as a sort of sister station. Both serve "Madison" communities  one Wisconsin's capital, the other a Western North Carolina County.

There's also some call letter rivalry in the Wisconsin station's oral history. O'Connor says back in 1975 when trying to get Madison an FCC-licensed station, he tried to claim the call letters WART but was denied. He begrudgingly settled on WORT.

"I thought WART would be a nice, not too serious call letter that would make people smile," O'Connor said.

'Silver linings' shine through the devastation in Marshall

Tomaro said people who live far from where a tragedy occurred can feel a level of helplessness, but "you always have some level of ability to do something.

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Tomaro's outlook is rooted in grassroots, mutual aid work she took part in as a volunteer running a disaster relief site in St. Bernards County in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina.

Mutual aid is an approach where people in a community come together to support one another, to collectively meet each others needs, often without reliance on governmental bodies.

That's exactly how Marshall mobilized after the storm. The strength and resilience of Madison County residents in the wake of Helene is one of two "silver linings" from the disaster, according to Hubner.

"Folks came together almost immediately in Marshall (and in Hot Springs, the other river town in Madison County) to clean up and stabilize the situation as best we could," Hubner said.

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The other silver lining: "the love and support we received from outside our community," including WDRT and WORT's contributions, he said.

"Radio is a media built on connecting, sending and receiving," Hubner wrote in his email. "We could really feel the love and goodwill from these other stations and their listeners."

People at wART and the Arts Council recently sent out thank you letters to anyone who donated, Hubner said. "It was very emotional to see all of the names and addresses."

Bridget Fogarty covers Milwaukee's west suburbs for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at bfogarty@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin radio stations raise funds for NC station hit by Helene
(WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin say one man was arrested for his fourth Operating While Intoxicated offense Sunday night after he led police on a 9-mile pursuit inside an allegedly stolen vehicle.

Wisconsin car thieves steal vehicle from gas station, abandon 2-year-old on side of road

According to a release from the Wisconsin State Patrol Northeast Region Fond du Lac Post, troopers received an Attempt to Locate from the Wood County Sheriffs Office for 38-year-old Joshua M. Fuller from Vesper as he was believed to have stolen a vehicle and may have also stolen several firearms.

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Officials say that a driving complaint was called in at 11:20 p.m. on a vehicle matching the description of the Toyota sedan believed to be stolen by Fuller.

At 11:40 p.m., a trooper initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on I-41 and County Highway G in Winnebago County leading to a 9-mile pursuit as the vehicle sped off and showed poor driving behavior.

A Grand Chute police officer was able to later successfully deploy tire deflation devices around I-41 and College Avenue and Fuller was taken into custody without any further incident.

Authorities say Fuller showed signs of impairment and, as part of an OWI investigation, he was taken to a local hospital for an evidentiary blood draw with the results of that blood draw still pending.

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House damaged, no one hurt following garbage can fire in Fond du Lac

38-year-old Fuller is currently being held in custody at the Winnebago County Jail on the following potential charges:

OWI  4th Offense

Eluding a Traffic Officer

He is also being held on several other unrelated warrants and the Wood County Sheriffs Office is said to be investigating the alleged stolen vehicle and stolen firearms.

No other information on this incident is available at this time. Local Five will update this story should any additional details be released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The Wisconsin school shooter was a 17-year-old female student, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP)  A woman is being held without the right to bail for allegedly robbing Westfield Bank in South Hadley.

In a news release sent to 22News from the Northwestern District Attorneys Office, on Wednesday, December 11th a woman told a teller at the Westfield Bank on Willimansett Street to give her $5,000 or a bomb would go off.

Two arrested after flying drone near Logan Airport

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During a multi-department investigation, 26-year-old Rosa Murillo was arrested on Friday by Amtrack Police. Murillo pleaded not guilty to charges of armed robbery and making a bomb threat in Eastern Hampshire District Court. She is being held without the right to bail under the dangerousness statute without prejudice.

Investigators worked around the clock to identify and apprehend the defendant. The Commonwealth thanks the South Hadley Police Department, Chicopee and Holyoke Police, the

Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Hampden County Sherriffs Department, and the Amtrack Police Department for their work on this investigation, said ADA

Covington.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Womans death under investigation west of Jamestown, appears suspicious per police

DENVER (KDVR)  Boulder law enforcement reported they found a womans body after investigating a missing person report.

Boulder County Sheriffs Office deputies discovered a 49-year-old womans body after responding to the 200 block of Ridge Road. They said the area is located just west of Jamestown.

On Tuesday, the Boulder County Coroners Office identified the woman as Heather Warren.

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Officials said the circumstances surrounding Warrens death appear suspicious but later clarified there was no danger to the public. On Sunday, Boulder County detectives were actively investigating and speaking with two individuals affiliated with Warren.

Warrens cause and manner of death will be determined by the Boulder County Coroners Office. The case is active and the Boulder County Sheriffs Office said it will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.

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WEATHERSFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  First News has learned more information regarding the woman who is facing charges after reports state she crashed into a cemetery and then urinated in an arresting officers patrol car.

Shakela Clark appeared in Niles Municipal Court Tuesday morning where bond was set at $25,000. She is set to return to court Wednesday for pretrial.

Read next: Garbage truck fire closes road

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Police were dispatched to 2001 Ohltown Mineral Ridge Road, the address of Ohltown United Methodist Church, around 3:30 a.m. Friday for reports that a vehicle went off the roadway. Police told First News this is the second crash at the cemetery within a week.

Upon arrival, police reported an SUV had crashed through fencing, coming to a stop on top of multiple gravestones in the church cemetery.

Reports state Clark was found unconscious in the drivers seat of the vehicle.

After rousing her, police inquired as to how Clark ended up in the cemetery on top of gravestones, and reports state she responded that she was there to visit her grandmothers grave.

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Clark told police she fell asleep behind the wheel. However, she later said she purposely lined up the gravestones and ran them over, according to reports.

Im very concerned about the Weathersfield Township Cemetery and the loved ones of gravestones that have been desecrated, the judge told Clark in court.

Clark said she spoke to one of the family members of a desecrated gravestone, claiming he told her that things can be replaced but people cant, and that he is happy she is OK.

Police asked her to take a field sobriety test, and subsequently placed her under arrest for OVI. When police asked where she was earlier in the night, Clark told them she was coming from a bar in Warren Township.

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Once in the back of the patrol car, reports state Clark repeatedly stated she was going to urinate in the back of the cruiser, was told to wait until they reached the station, and then informed the officer she had pulled down her pants and proceeded to urinate in the cruiser regardless.

During her Tuesday court appearance, the judge told Clark the projected estimate for her damage to the police car alone was estimated to be $1,000.

Clark spoke to the court, stating I had informed the officer several times that I had to urinate, and he told me because the news was there he didnt want me to get outside and embarrass myself.

Reports state Clark was belligerent toward officers, insulting them and their parents, and stating she was glad Trump was going to be president so that a wall could be built and she could not wait for [the officer] to get deported.

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Reports state she refused to take a breath or urine test.

Clark is charged with willful or wanton operation, obeying traffic control devices, OVI-refusal, and criminal mischief.

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BASEL, Switzerland - (NewMediaWire) - December 16, 2024 - Andrea Kleiner is to become the new Head of Business Clients at Baloise in Switzerland on 1 April 2025, joining the Executive Committee. She is taking over from Executive Committee member Patric Olivier Zbinden, who will in future be heading up the Customer Service division. Andrea Kleiner brings a wealth of managerial experience and a comprehensive track record in the insurance industry. Having graduated with a degree in biochemistry from ETH Zurich, gained an MBA from Cornell University in Ithaca and a Certificate in Insurance Management from the University of St. Gallen, she completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University in Boston in 2024. Andrea started her career in 2000 with professional services company Accenture, before moving to Boston Consulting Group in 2004 and then Swiss Life in 2008. At Swiss Life she played a key role in establishing process management and digitalising the value chain for private clients. Andrea joined Die Mobiliar in 2016, where she held a number of key functions and made a decisive contribution to growing profit and positioning the company in the non-life business. As head of personal insurance, she brought about permanent improvements in efficiency by introducing a new system of portfolio management and modernising the contract process. Andrea went on to become head of the private customer segment. In this capacity she had profit and loss responsibility for underwriting in the private customer business, which comprised the personal transport, household and legal insurance units. She also headed up a strategic project to refresh the corporate strategy. Andrea joined the executive board of Die Mobiliar as head of business development in 2021. This position saw her drive core projects forward, including digital transformation and the development of new business models. She was responsible for the analytics and AI strategy across the group and for group-wide innovations management. Andrea oversaw important M&A transactions and led cross-divisional digitalisation projects. Through these initiatives, Andrea shaped the company's strategic direction and its ability to remain competitive. By appointing Andrea Kleiner to Baloise's Executive Committee, we are reiterating our commitment to the strategic goals that we announced in our investor updates in September 2024. With her experience in business model transformation, digital innovation and the optimisation of processes, Andrea will help to drive the implementation of our insurance business initiatives in order to ensure profitable growth, enhanced efficiency and a sustained increase in gross premiums in the period until 2027. "Andrea Kleiner is a very experienced, visionary and customer-focused leader. She combines strategic thinking with a drive to get things done and brings the expertise needed to take the Business Clients division forward, strengthen Baloise's role as a dependable partner for businesses, and fully exploit opportunities in growth fields. With her comprehensive skillset, Andrea is an ideal addition to Baloise's Executive Committee," said Clemens Markstein, CEO of Baloise in Switzerland. Contact

Baloise, Aeschengraben 21, CH-4002 Basel

Website: www.baloise.com

E-Mail: media.relations@baloise.com / investor.relations@baloise.com

Media Relations: Tel: +41 58 285 70 53

Investor Relations: Tel: +41 58 285 81 81 About Baloise



The focus is firmly on the future at Baloise. We aim to make tomorrow more straightforward, safer and more carefree for our customers, and we are taking responsibility for this today. Baloise is more than just a traditional insurance company. Through our smart finance and insurance solutions, we offer a complete service package. Dependable support, reliable cooperation and trust-based relationships are key aspects of our stakeholder interaction. We take care of financial matters so that our customers can concentrate on the important things in their lives and can find inspiration in the everyday. Baloise, a European company founded more than 160 years ago, currently employs 8,000 people at its headquarters in Basel (Switzerland) and across its subsidiaries in Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. Our services generated a business volume of around CHF 8.6 billion in 2023. Baloise Holding Ltd shares (BALN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
A Long Island woman who no longer drives has been receiving thousands of dollars in tickets from all over the country because of her Star Trek-themed license plate.

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Beda Koorey. of Huntington, New York, told CBS News New York that when she started to lose her eyesight in 2020 she gave up driving, sold her car, and surrendered her license plates.

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Kooreys New York license plates shared the same number as the Starship Enterprise, NCC 1701, and Star Trek fans all over the globe have been buying matching novelty plates and putting them on their vehicles.

This has led to hundreds of tickets being delivered to Kooreys mailbox, CBS News New York reported.

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I want to cry because its a simple matter that they could have fixed, Koorey said

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Koorey said she has even received threats from Ohio and Canada, places where people with those fake plates committed crimes.

Kenneth Mollis, an Attorney, volunteered to help Koorey with the issue.

This is a lady who was beaten up by a big, bad corporation for four years, Mollins said.

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles told CBS News New York that Koorey was no longer attached to the Star Trek plates.

However, Mollins research determined her name and address were never removed, so he went to the top of the DMV hierarchy.

Mollins was able to get the matter resolved, meaning that Koorey will no longer get those tickets.

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Thank you so much, Koorey said. Yay, finally, after four years.

The question still stands, if Koorey wont receive any more tickets, who will?

Some companies who manufacture Star Trek and other novelty plates sell them with pre-drilled holes for mounting on vehicles.

Its now illegal to sell vanity plates in New York, Mollins said.

The Parking and Violations Bureau is working to dismiss Kooreys 194 New York City tickets.

Meanwhile, Mollins said he will be working on hundreds of summonses from 23 other states that want Kooreys money.

Now Im going to make a hole in the yard and bury these documents, these hundreds of tickets, Koorey said.

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An Atlanta woman says her personal information was broadcast live on a social media platform after she called 311.

This homeowner told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln that not only is this a safety concern, but shes also worried about identity theft.

When Courtney Teague called 311, she had no idea that the city of Atlanta employee on the other end of the call was broadcasting their entire conversation live on a social media platform while dressed in a bathrobe.

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I gave them my information and low and behold my information was actually being live streamed, Teague said.

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Teague said minutes after that call, she received a voicemail from a woman in Chicago who saw the live stream.

I do have a recording of you giving all your information. I think that is very private, it shouldnt happen. I would hate if it were to happen to me, the voicemail said in part.

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Willis McDonald, a cyber security researcher, said hackers and scammers only need the most basic personal info like an address to do harm.

Some of those basic details allow you to start patching together different pieces of information to gain access to different accounts, McDonald told Lincon.

McDonald said victims should monitor all accounts, freeze their credit, and change their passwords immediately.

You would hope with a lot of these lines, these support lines, customer service lines that they would have enough sense to not record this, he said.

A City of Atlanta spokesperson told Lincoln, that immediately after this incident, the employee was taken off the phones. The spokesperson said the employee is no longer employed with the City. It said his actions were not a part of city policy and his actions were unacceptable.

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Teague did file a formal complaint with the city.

My information was put out there publicly, but I havent had any follow up beyond an email with someone saying they would get back with me, Teague said.
Nigel Farage has hit out at two-tier justice after a woman who threw a milkshake over him avoided jail.

Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, hurled a cup containing the liquid at the politician outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea during the general election campaign.

The OnlyFans model was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months after admitting assault at Westminster Magistrates Court.

In a post on social media after the sentencing, Mr Farage said: We now live in a country where you can assault a member of Parliament and not go to prison.

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The latest example of two-tier justice.

Before he sentenced Thomas Bowen at Westminster Magistrates Court, Judge Ikram said: In recent months I have dealt with several cases of unlawful attacks on politicians, whether online or physical.

This is a dangerous trend.

He added: This was an attack on a parliamentary candidate campaigning for election, but this was not just an attack on him, but in my judgment, an attack on our parliamentary democracy.

The risks of face-to-face engagement with the public are just too clear, bearing in mind the murders of two other Members of Parliament in recent years.

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He added: A clear message must go out, public debate must not be shut down by criminality such as this.

Thomas Bowen was arrested shortly after the incident and told police in an interview that she saw a post online advertising Mr Farages attendance that day, prosecutor Nishma Shah said.

She told officers she does not agree with his political views, and when she saw him exiting the pub she decided to do it as she had the opportunity.

Thomas Bowen told police she did not intend for the cup to hit Mr Farage.

Ms Shah said that the defendant said she did not regret her actions.

Victoria Thomas Bowen told police she did not intend for the cup to hit Nigel Farage - Jonathan Brady/PA

Zarif Khan, defending, said Thomas Bowen has conceded that it was wrong what shes done on the day and there is some evidence in my submission of mental health issues.

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He said she has been harassed, including online trolling, threats and being shouted at in the street.

Mr Khan said: This was a naive stupid reaction by this young woman, at a time when she was going through some personal distress.

The judge said the incident was humiliating and it was in the full glare of cameras and a video of the incident was widely distributed.

He added it was an unprovoked targeted attack, adding: It is also clear to me irrespective of what you now say that at the time you had no regret at all in attacking the now elected member of Parliament for Clacton.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A woman who was wanted after being accused of stabbing two people on Thanksgiving night has been taken into custody, according to the Shelby County Sheriffs Office.

Sunday night, the sheriffs office announced that 27-year-old Gabrielle Jones was arrested in the Greenbrook Apartments in the area of Whitten Road and Greenbrook Parkway.

Woman wanted for Thanksgiving stabbing that left 2 injured

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The sheriffs office says Jones was wanted in connection with a stabbing that left a man and woman in non-critical condition. The stabbing occurred in a parking lot on Hacks Cross Road near Lowrance Road on November 29.

Jones has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

According to an affidavit, the female victim was stabbed eight times and underwent three surgeries due to her injuries.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Johannesburg  Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, one side in a civil war that's torn the African nation apart for more than a year and created one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet, are accused of raping scores of women and girls and using some as sex slaves in a new report by Human Rights Watch. The New York-based rights group says the paramilitary forces' use of sexual violence in the country's South Kordofan state since September 2023 constitutes war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.

HRW lays out the findings of an investigation based on the cases of almost 80 women and girls in a report published Monday, detailing horrific new allegations of abuse in Sudan, where both sides in the civil war had already been accused of war crimes.

Researchers gathered evidence on 79 women and girls between the ages of 7 and 50 whom HRW says were raped, with most incidents occurring at an RSF military base in Dibeibat, near the town of Habila in South Kordofan.

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Survivors and witnesses told the group that the men who carried out the attacks were all uniformed RSF forces or members of allied militias.

"Survivors described being gang raped in front of their families and over prolonged periods of time, including while being held as sex slaves," said HRW Associate Crisis and Conflict Director Belkis Wille, who conducted many of the interviews with the survivors.

Ezzaddean Elsafi, a senior RSF adviser, denied the accusations in the HRW report to CBS News, claiming "people wearing RSF uniforms" behind the alleged attacks were impersonators, not actual RSF forces.

"RSF takes this very seriously and will investigate. We are highly sensitive to sexual violence against women and the perpetrators will be held accountable," said Elsafi, denying that the group even has a significant presence in South Kordofan, though acknowledging it has forces "in the Debibat area," near the boarder with North Kordofan state.

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"This is absolutely disinformation," he said of the HRW report.

HRW said it had shared a summary of its investigation's findings with the RSF's overall commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, but had not received a response.

Wille has spent years documenting sexual violence in conflicts around the world, including by ISIS militants against Yazidi women in Iraq, but she told CBS News, "What is really astonishing to me after meeting these women and girls is the scope and scale" of the crimes in Sudan.

CBS News has seen video of the full interview HRW conducted with an 18-year-old woman whom the group identified as Hania. She said she was pregnant in February when RSF fighters burst into her home in Habila and grabbed her, her 17-year-old neighbor and 16 other girls she knew from her neighborhood. She said they were taken in 10 vehicles to the military base in Dibeibat.

A Sudanese woman identified only as Hania, 18, told Human Rights Watch she was pregnant in February 2024 when RSF fighters burst into her home in Habila, South Kordofan state, and abducted her, her 17-year-old neighbor and 16 other girls from their village. / Credit: Human Rights Watch

When they arrived, Hania said she recognized more than 30 other girls from her town already there, with about 100 fighters holding them captive.

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She said when she tried to resist being raped, one of the militants "started beating me with a metal whip." Over the next three months, she said "the fighters came in groups of three every morning to take some girls to rape them, and then in the evening another group of three would come and take another set of girls to rape them."

Hania said the RSF men held her and the other women and girls in a type of animal pen constructed with wire and tree branches, where they were chained up in groups of ten.

"What was clear from these cases is that in areas with RSF with control, absolutely nowhere is safe  not if you flee, or even in your home. Woman and girls are at risk of being raped no matter where," Wille told CBS News.

Another woman, Hasina, 35, told HRW that six uniformed RSF men shot and killed her husband and stole all their cattle and money. She said the cows were her family's investment so, with them and her money stolen, she felt she had no means to flee like many of her neighbors had done, and she and her six young children, some just babies, had no choice but to stay in their home.

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The RSF fighters returned three days later, she said, and "all three men raped me, and left."

Later that evening, "three more came back and raped me again and told me to stay in my house."

She said she was gang-raped almost every day for the next month before she fled.

Women carry firewood back into Camp Al-Hailu, a makeshift camp set up by displaced Sudanese civilians in the war-torn country's South Kordofan state, in an image captured from video released by Human Rights Watch on Dec. 16, 2024. / Credit: Human Rights Watch

HRW met Hasina at Camp Al-Hailu, a makeshift facility with little to no resources for internally displaced civilians in South Kordofan.

"She really is barely able to wake up and keep going because of what she lived through. Her kids are now in a camp with little food and looked very malnourished when I saw them.  She is struggling to function as a mother," said Wille, adding that women living in tents next to Hasina were helping to care for her kids.

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Wille said there was no psychological support for traumatized women in the camp or across much of the country.

"When I brought up the question of justice and accountability to these women, all of them looked blankly at me, as justice is a meaningless concept to them," she said. "The scale with which it happens here means it's become normalized behavior by the RSF. None of these women have ever heard of a soldier or fighter ever being held accountable."

Hania and a friend who was also pregnant managed to escape from their captors. They were interviewed by HRW in the Nuba mountains. They said 49 girls were still being held at the base and she'd heard of girls being held at two other RSF bases, as well.

"We have no way of finding out more about these women, as access is very difficult and dangerous, and in these areas there is no electricity, no cellphone networks, so no information comes out. There is an absolute silence on these abuses," said Wille. "We will likely never know what happened to these women and girls."

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The International Rescue Committee charity says the humanitarian crisis driven by Sudan's civil war has been the biggest ever recorded for the second year in a row in 2024, with more than 30 million people in need of humanitarian aid. It's estimated that roughly half of Sudan's 50 million people are suffering from severe hunger.

Last week, some 20 months into the war, the fighting appeared to intensify, with both sides accusing the other of carrying out fresh atrocities. International efforts to broker a peace agreement have stalled and there is no end in sight to the fighting.

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The worlds largest iceberg is on the move again, drifting through the Southern Ocean after months stuck spinning on the same spot, scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have said.

Spanning an area of 3,672 square kilometers (1,418-square-miles) when measured in August  slightly bigger than Rhode Island  the A23a iceberg has been carefully tracked by scientists ever since it calved from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelf in 1986.

It remained grounded on the Antarctics Weddell Sea floor for more than 30 years, probably until it shrank just enough to loosen its grip on the seafloor.

A satellite image of the A23a iceberg seen in Antarctica in November 2023. - European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Reuters

Then, the iceberg was carried away by ocean currents before it became stuck again in a Taylor column  the name given to a spinning vortex of water caused by ocean currents hitting an underwater mountain.

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Now that the iceberg has broken free, scientists expect it will continue drifting along the ocean currents toward warmer water and the remote island of South Georgia, where it is likely to break up and eventually melt, BAS said in a statement published Friday.

A23a has held the largest current iceberg title several times since the 1980s, occasionally being surpassed by larger but shorter-lived icebergs, including A68 in 2017 and A76 in 2021.

Scientists have said that, while this particular iceberg probably broke away as part of the natural growth cycle of the ice shelf and wont contribute to rising sea levels, climate change is driving worrying changes in this vast, isolated continent, with potentially devastating consequences for global sea level rise.

Throughout the icebergs journey, scientists have studied its erosion as well as the ways in which sea ice can influence global ocean cycles of carbon and nutrients.

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We know that these giant icebergs can provide nutrients to the waters they pass through, creating thriving ecosystems in otherwise less productive areas, Laura Taylor, a biogeochemist who collected samples from the water around the iceberg, said in the BAS statement.

What we dont know is what difference particular icebergs, their scale, and their origins can make to that process.

We took samples of ocean surface waters behind, immediately adjacent to, and ahead of the icebergs route. They should help us determine what life could form around A23a and how it impacts carbon in the ocean and its balance with the atmosphere.

CNNs Amy Woodyatt, Jack Guy and Taylor Nicioli contributed to this report.

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Six people were injured in a wrong-way crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway early Monday morning, authorities said.

Cops said Joan Feinstein, 75, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of the parkway and struck another vehicle near the Lincoln Ave. exit in Rye Brook just after midnight, News 12 Connecticut reported.

Feinstein, a Rye Brook resident, suffered life-threatening injuries, according to WABC. A family of five was traveling northbound in the other vehicle, and everyone inside suffered non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

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All six people were taken to Westchester Medical Center for treatment, WABC reported. The family included two adults and their children ages 25, 17 and 12, all from New Haven, Conn.

Traffic on the Hutch was diverted through Rye Brook until around 7 a.m., according to WABC. The parkway is a major connector between Connecticut, the Hudson Valley and the five boroughs.

Several deadly incidents have occurred on the high-traffic road in the past. Earlier this month, a driver died in a one-car crash in New Rochelle when their vehicle went off the road and struck a utility box.

Back in September, another wrong-way crash killed a 62-year-old Connecticut resident, William Saleeby. In that wreck, the wrong-way driver was drunk behind the wheel, according to police. Jose Ramon Espinal, 48, was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter.

Most famously, five children were killed in a fiery one-car wreck on the parkway in March 2023 in Scarsdale. In that tragedy, an unlicensed 16-year-old boy was behind the wheel and either fell asleep or became distracted, according to investigators. He was not speeding at the time.
A Maine man charged with drunken driving was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 95 when he collided head-on with another vehicle whose driver was pregnant, state police said.

Stephan Adams, 30, of Windham, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving to endanger after the harrowing crash on Saturday night in Falmouth, state police said in a statement.

State Police had received a report of a wrong-way driver at mile marker 53.

Adams, driving a black 2017 Toyota Rav-4, was traveling northbound in the southbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a car operating southbound, according to state police, who described the injuries suffered in the crash as minor.

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Three people, including Adams, the pregnant driver of the southbound vehicle and her passenger were all taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center in Portland, state police said.

Their conditions were not known Monday.

Falmouth is a small town north of Portland. The towns population was 12,444 at the 2020 census.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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GENEVA (Reuters) - World Trade Organization members agreed on Monday to hold the next ministerial conference in Cameroon in early 2026, the global trade watchdog said in a statement.

The WTO holds such conferences every two years where trade ministers from around the globe gather to try to reach deals to set or update new trade rules.

Cameroon's ambassador Salomon Eheth told a WTO meeting in Geneva he hoped the event scheduled from March 26-29, 2026 would be an opportunity to show the world the potential of Cameroon and Africa for investment and sustainable development, the WTO statement said.

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Analysts expect the road ahead for the three-decade-old WTO will be challenging, likely characterised by trade wars with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who returns to the White House on Jan. 20.

The organisation has struggled to conclude negotiations in recent months and its last meeting in Abu Dhabi in February achieved only minimal results in negotiations where all 166 of the body's members must agree by consensus.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was re-appointed in November for a second term, said in a Geneva meeting last week that negotiators needed a fresh approach to negotiations in order to break the current deadlock.

"We must focus on delivering outcomes wherever and whenever possible," the former Nigerian finance minister said. "Negotiating in the 2020s requires a more dynamic approach, one where each area is considered on its own merits, allowing us to make progress across the board."

(Reporting by Emma Farge, editing by Rachel More)
Arctech's SkyLine II solar tracker system has powered Azerbaijan's largest utility-scale solar project, a 312MW plant in the Garadagh Gobi Desert.

The achievement marks a significant milestone in Azerbaijan's renewable energy sector, showcasing the system's capability to handle challenging environments with its advanced features and corrosion resistance.

The solar power plant, located near the coastline, faces complex weather patterns and high corrosivity.

Arctech's SkyLine II, with its innovative synchronous multi-point drive mechanism, ensures operational stability during high winds and reduces wind pressure on solar panels.

The system's terrain-following feature allows adaptation to complex topographies, reducing earthwork and preserving the desert ecosystem.

SkyLine II's steel components undergo hot-dip galvanisation and pre-galvanisation treatments, while aluminium alloy parts are anodised, meeting C3 or C4 corrosion resistance standards [international standards on the corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint]. This ensures a service life of 25 years, making it well-suited for the corrosive local environment.

The 550-hectare Garadagh plant generates 500 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, powering 110,000 households and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 200,000 tonnes each year.

The COP29 climate talks, held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024, reached agreements to advance the global energy transition. Azerbaijan, with between 2,400 and 3,200 annual hours of sunshine, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2050 and increase renewable energy capacity to 30% by 2030, diversifying its energy system.

Arctech is committed to accelerating the global energy transition by establishing local teams worldwide for sales, technical support, supply chain management, after-sales service and brand marketing. These efforts ensure the long-term stability and operational efficiency of solar projects.

The company also recently entered an agreement with the China Energy Engineering Group to deliver 2.3GW of SkyLine II solar trackers for the PIF4-Haden project in Saudi Arabia, which is managed by Acwa Power.

The deal boosts Arctech's portfolio in the Middle East and Africa to more than 15GW, strengthening its foothold in the region.

The PIF4-Haden project is located in the desert and is subject to high winds.

"Arctech SkyLine II system powers Azerbaijans largest solar plant" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping dismissed internal divisions within the ruling Communist Party as unavoidable, while calling for greater efforts to instill discipline, according to newly disclosed remarks he made at an anti-graft meeting in January.

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Changes in the external environment and in the party membership will inevitably lead to various conflicts and problems within the party, Xi said at the annual huddle of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. It is necessary to eliminate all kinds of negative influences in a timely manner with the courage of turning the blade inward to ensure that the party is always full of vigor and vitality.

The top leaders remarks were revealed in the Communist Party journal Qiushi on Sunday, just weeks after another high-ranking military official was abruptly suspended from duty  that ousting was notable as Miao Hua has been considered a Xi loyalist. Other parts of Xis speech were previously reported by the official Xinhua News Agency in January, without such details.

That rare admission of internal strife from Xi shows the limits of his push to consolidate control of the party, even after clinching a precedent-defying third term in 2022. Despite having installed a team of trusted acolytes, Chinas most-important man has complained the partys instructions are not being implemented on the ground. Officials are perceived as being either busy trying to advance their own interests, preoccupied with paperwork or too lazy to act.

As such, Chinas most powerful leader since Mao Zedong is deepening an anti-corruption campaign that hes used to root out unscrupulous officials and eliminate political rivals since taking office in 2012. That drive has ensnared a record number of senior officials for two straight years, and set off a purge thats still roiling the defense establishment.

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Former Foreign Minister Qin Gang and then Defense Minister Li Shangfu were both purged from their high-profile posts after less than a year on the job, as investigations penetrated the upper echelons of power.

That widening crackdown has contributed to bureaucratic paralysis as officials scared of making mistakes refrain from taking risks to boost the nations slowing economy. Top leaders appear aware of the issue, as they last week reiterated the need to step up positive incentives and stimulate innovation for local officials.

Xi has also sought to clamp down on bureaucratic practices that over-burdened grassroots officials by launching another campaign at the start of the year thats supposed to reduce red-tape and free up more energy for cadres to implement policies.

The party doesnt disclose all speeches delivered by Xi in full, and often releases them months  or even years  after the fact, sometimes as a way to signal policy priorities. The Qiushi article on Sunday also urged to remove viruses that erode the healthy body of the party in order to consolidate the Communist Partys legitimacy.

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(Updates with more context.)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images, Erika Goldring/TAS24/Getty Images, Justin Casterline/Getty Images

At Yahoo News, we're holding space for 2024. Instead of just listing the top stories for the year in search, we're highlighting 15 tidbits and factoids we felt put the yodel in 2024.

From the topics that dominated the landscape to the peak times you searched them, we've got a by-the-numbers breakdown of what was top-of-mind for Yahoo visitors. You played games, shopped our best deals and sought out your sign. You were busy! Let's jump in.

Fact 1: Yahoo visitors read more stories about Taylor Swift and Donald Trump than anyone else this year.

Fact 2: On average, 3% of stories read each month were about the 14-time Grammy winner who spent 2024 on her "Eras Tour."

Fact 3: Swift was the most popular celebrity search in all 50 states. Interest was particularly high in Kansas, where she and partner Travis Kelce were the most-searched and second-most-searched celebrities and even ranked as a couple at No. 9.

Fact 4: Interest in Swift peaked in February  right around the Super Bowl  with more than 100 million views on 5,000 articles about her.

Fact 5: In 2024, there were more Yahoo searches for Swift than for the next 36 music artists combined.

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Fact 6: When you shake off Swift, stories about Family & Relationships piqued readers' interest more than any category.

Fact 7: Yahoo visitors spent 313,000 hours reading horoscopes. (Thats 13,000 days in the stars!)

Fact 8: Astrology fans spent the most time on Scorpio horoscopes and the least on Geminis.

Fact 9: Sydney Sweeney was the actress people searched for most often.

Fact 10: Caitlin Clark beat out both Kelces and Simone Biles as this years most-searched athlete.

Fact 11: The most popular time to play Yahoo Games is after lunch at 2 p.m.

Fact 12: One dedicated Mahjongg Solitaire player among you achieved a 242-day streak, playing every day for eight months.

Fact 13: Vermonters spent 7 times as much time playing games as North Dakotans.

Fact 14: Banana bread was the most sought-after recipe on Yahoo Search. It ranked first in every state except Mississippi and Kansas.

Fact 15: The Saker mini chainsaw was the most popular item with Yahoo shoppers this year.

Who knows what 2025 holds, but for now, we're glad we helped you get your Swift, Clark and mini-chainsaw fixes for the year.

Our Yahoo Trends in 2024 report is based on analyses of internal data from January to November 2024. The project was led by Robin Kwong and Coleen O'Lear. Mark Bowers, Kent Johnson, Mike Bebernes, Jenn Rourke and Ed Hornick contributed.
Oklahomas parole grant rate increased in 2024 after years of decline, an Oklahoma Watch analysis found.

Nearly 29% of state prisoners seeking parole from January through November received a favorable recommendation, up from 24% in 2023. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has the authority to grant parole for nonviolent offenders and recommend the conditional release of violent offenders to the governor.

The December docket meeting was moved to mid-January after former Vice Chairman Calvin Prince, who is under investigation for improper behavior with a woman he supervised in a Pontotoc County Drug Court class, abruptly resigned on Nov. 29. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Tulsa attorney Susan Stava to fill Princes seat on Dec. 4, but one vacancy remains following chairman Ed Koniezckys resignation on Nov. 6.

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Parole denials increased significantly in 2022 and 2023, correlating with an uptick in the states prison population as the COVID-19 pandemic waned. Several other states saw a similar decline in parole grant rates, according to analysis by the Prison Policy Initiative.

More: Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board facing 550-case backlog after resignations

Justice reform advocates have argued that a full-time parole board would be better equipped to review cases and have confidence in recommending parole, particularly for violent offenders. Lawmakers heard testimony on this issue at an Oct. 30 interim study on sentencing reform and could consider changes during the 2025 legislative session.

Violent offenders remained the least likely to receive a favorable recommendation, with about 20% making it past the first review stage. That was a significant uptick from 2023, when approximately one in 10 offenders were granted a more intensive stage two review. Most prisoners who receive a stage two hearing are recommended for parole.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

The board is set to consider about 550 cases when it meets on Jan. 13. Executive director Tom Bates said he expects all vacancies to be filled by then.

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Keaton Ross covers democracy and criminal justice for Oklahoma Watch. Contact him at (405) 831-9753 or Kross@Oklahomawatch.org. Follow him on Twitter at @_KeatonRoss.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma parole rate is on the rise
On the worst days, Tamara Kcehowski said, she has thrown up when the stench from Los Angeles' nearby sewage plant overwhelms her El Segundo apartment. She said her dog, Maggie, has even retched alongside her.

On the not-so-bad days, she says she often deals with a dull headache or burning eyes. Some mornings, she wakes up gagging or coughing.

None of this was part of Kcehowski's life before July 2021, when major failures at the nearby Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant dumped millions of gallons of untreated sewage into Santa Monica Bay and released high levels of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs and can cause health issues.

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At the time, Kcehowski was hopeful the facility's response would be swift and that her community would suffer the stinky mess for only a few days  or at worst a few weeks.

But now, more than three years later, the noxious odors and elevated hydrogen sulfide emissions persist, despite repeated complaints and appeals to the city of Los Angeles, air quality regulators and local officials. Although she's lived in El Segundo with her daughter since the early 2000s, she now wonders if her only recourse is to move.

"Youve had three years to take care of this issue, and you still haven't," said Kcehowski, 58. "Were still suffering, why?"

Tamara Kcehowski is frustrated by smells emanating from the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant. She said the smells have been sickening and continue now more than three years later. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Hyperion  the largest wastewater treatment facility west of the Rockies  sprawls across 200 acres of oceanfront Los Angeles and sits just outside the city limits of El Segundo. Every day, 4 million inhabitants of L.A. and 29 other cities  including El Segundo  flush a quarter-billion gallons of wastewater into Hyperion's treatment tanks.

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While most people are blissfully ignorant of their wastewater's journey after showering or using the toilet, it's become an unpleasant fact of life for many El Segundo residents. Many complain the city of Los Angeles has ignored their plight and has failed to make needed changes to limit, and track, odors. They worry their concerns will always be outweighed by the sanitation needs of millions.

Theres no question its worse than it ever has been, at least going back to the early 90s when it was really bad, said El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyles. Its incredibly frustrating. ... It doesn't feel like the city of L.A. is taking this matter as seriously as they should."

For its part, the facility has slowly addressed a laundry list of needed improvements in the aftermath of the July 2021 spill, some of which have dramatically improved odors.

But the wastewater flowing to Hyperion "cannot be stopped, diverted or stored," said Tonya Shelton, a spokesperson for L.A. Sanitation and Environment, the city department that manages the sewage plant. "Hyperion will nonetheless continue to work closely with both the [South Coast Air Quality Management District] and the City of El Segundo to ensure that operations are not only compliant, but reflect a spirit of partnership for the surrounding community."

Odor complaints still up

In the three years before the July 2021 spill, residents complained fewer than 150 times about odors around Hyperion.

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But in the three months after the spill  which officials found was likely caused by equipment failures, operational missteps and staffing issues  more than 2,500 odor complaints flooded regulators, according to South Coast AQMD data. Although community concern peaked in those initial months, Hyperion continues to be barraged by odor complaints, which routinely reach into the hundreds each month.

The alarming uptick in complaints led to increased oversight by the local air district beginning in 2022, when regulators determined L.A. Sanitation was "unable to contain the sewage odors at Hyperion and cannot conduct operations at the wastewater treatment plant without being in violation" of district rules and regulations.

An abatement order required the plant to improve infrastructure, operations and monitoring. It was aimed at minimizing smells primarily from hydrogen sulfide, a known byproduct of wastewater treatment facilities released during the breakdown of organic matter. It can be deadly at high levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, but both lower and longer-term exposure can also cause health symptoms, particularly for the respiratory and nervous systems.

After more than two years under the order, L.A. Sanitation and AQMD officials reported last month that Hyperion had successfully met all the mandated conditions  but members of the air quality hearing board were not convinced the problem had been resolved.

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Everything that is being done is not getting rid of the odors, Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, a board member, said at the late November hearing. "The problem still remains  the odors are still affecting the public in such a negative way. ... The city of El Segundo, especially, is still suffering.

At that hearing, a South Coast AQMD air quality inspector testified that there were no remaining shortcomings related to the abatement order. However, he said that during his recent visits to El Segundo there "are pockets that I can consistently detect odors in the community."

The board members voted unanimously to extend oversight of Hyperion through at least next August, instead of terminating the abatement order in January.

Boyles said he was in "disbelief" that the board even considered lifting the abatement order, but was glad it stood by his city's concerns.

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Still, he and the El Segundo City Council are considering filing a lawsuit against the city of L.A. It's something Boyles considers a last resort, but the city has taken that route in the past when conditions around the sewage plant have deteriorated.

El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyles and City Manager Darrell George, from left, are photographed near the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

Two groups of residents have already filed suit against L.A.'s sanitation department over air quality issues immediately after the spill, one specifically alleging the city's failure to monitor noxious gases. Those cases remain in litigation.

After the spill, Hyperion officials admitted that there were several shortcomings and repairs were needed. L.A. has since spent an estimated $114 million on improvements, including placing new covers on a tank that AQMD officials found to be a principal source of odors, Shelton said. The plant has also enhanced employee training, implemented an air monitoring system along its perimeter, increased neighborhood checks for odors and, most recently, hired environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay to improve community relations.

An external review of the plant after the spill called for 33 immediate fixes, of which about 85% have been completed, the city has reported.

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But Shelton emphasized that an odor-free plant handling millions of gallons of sewage a day is not realistic.

"Despite the completion of these projects, and though Hyperion continues to put concentrated effort into minimizing odors, odors are a part of work at any wastewater treatment plant, and the presence of odors does not always mean there is a problem to remedy or changes to implement," Shelton said in a statement. "Hyperion continues to work with the community on this issue."

Air quality compliance issues

For decades, a single air quality violation in a year was rare for Hyperion. But since the 2021 sewage spill, Hyperion has seen a surge in compliance issues. In just the last six months, the South Coast AQMD has issued the facility eight such nuisance violations, which indicate a discharge of air contaminants causing odors traced back to Hyperion, according to recent inspector testimony.

Officials have also issued some violations tied to hydrogen sulfide emissions.

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While Hyperion historically tested for the colorless toxic gas in certain scenarios, it was only in May 2022  after months of complaints and violations  that Hyperion began consistently monitoring for hydrogen sulfide along its eastern border with El Segundo neighborhoods.

Since then, there have been several occasions when levels of the compound have spiked above 30 parts per billion on average for an hour  California's standard for acute risk from hydrogen sulfide. Such high levels were recorded three times in 2022, four times in 2023 and once in February of this year, Shelton said.

In one instance from June 2023, hydrogen sulfide reached a one-hour average of 64 ppb  more than double California's standard  when Hyperion operators had turned off pollution control devices, or scrubbers, for maintenance. Shelton noted that during several of the other spikes, there were issues at the plant or heightened winds that likely influenced the hydrogen sulfide measurements, but some were unexplained. However, Shelton noted that "Hyperion is consistently well below" the 30 ppb level.

In recent months, the monitors have regularly recorded the gas at much lower levels, around 1 to 3 ppb, though spikes have occurred. The state of California considers a long-term average of 7 ppb, across several months, to be dangerous.

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Officials have found that people can detect hydrogen sulfide at levels from 0.05 ppb to 30 ppb, though it's not exactly clear the levels at which symptoms occur, and this likely varies by person. Research on the effects of chronic or low-level exposure remains limited.

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department in 2022 reported that "odors alone from hydrogen sulfide cause well-documented physiological responses, including nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and other symptoms." Some studies have also found that experiences with odor can alter sensitivities, as well as increase stress.

For those residents who say they smell the gas regularly, chronic exposure is a worry.

"Im concerned with a 1 [ppb] every single day for 365 days a year, Kcehowski said. "What is this doing for us for this length of time?"

Tamara Kcehowski walks through her El Segundo neighborhood, which has been dealing with foul odors from the nearby Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Funding an unglamorous job

Hyperion has been in operation since 1925, and underwent its last major upgrade in the 1990s. Since that time, it has been instrumental in transforming Los Angeles County beaches from a potential health hazard to a worldwide tourist destination.

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But even with such an important  albeit unglamorous  role in keeping Santa Monica Bay clean for humans and sealife, accessing the necessary funds for Hyperion's upkeep has been a challenge, said Elsa Devienne, author of the book "Sand Rush," which chronicles the history of L.A.'s coast.

"Nobody wants to think about sewage, nobody wants to spend a cent on it," Devienne said. "So investment in those things only happened when things get really, really bad."

Many times, state or federal oversight  often in the form of lawsuits  has been the only surefire way to enact necessary change at the plant, Devienne said.

That history again played out this year. A settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency required L.A. to invest $20 million into improvements at the plant. But notably, that deal focused only on water quality issues  not emissions or air quality.

There is, however, some funding on the horizon: for the first time in years, the Los Angeles City Council approved a sewer fee rate hike, which is expected to generate nearly $115 million in additional funds for L.A. Sanitation in its first fiscal year. By 2028, the increases are expected to more than double a typical single-family home's bimonthly sewer fee, from $72.27 to $155.55, estimates show.

"The project lists are long, but they have been working really hard lifting up the odor control projects, to support the city [of El Segundo] to be better neighbors," said Meredith McCarthy, senior director of community outreach for Heal the Bay.

The last few months of improvements have addressed the most urgent issues and what McCarthy called low-hanging fruit, but she said the facility's maintenance backlog remains "pretty spectacular" and continued investment is needed, especially if Hyperion is going to play its important role in the city's aggressive shift to recycled water over the next decade.

'No change, wasted effort'

While McCarthy is hopeful the plant is now on the right path, she knows it doesn't change the last few years of suffering felt by many El Segundo residents.

Although overall complaints have decreased, Boyles insists that its not because foul odors are no longer an issue.

"Our residents are so fatigued by this matter, Boyles said. "People are getting worn down. ... We cannot give up on them."

Chuck Espinoza, who lives not far from the plant, is among those who have given up. He was submitting odor complaints most days of the month soon after the spill, when he and his family for the first time started suffering from headaches and burning eyes. But the multi-step complaint process eventually felt like a pointless time-suck.

No change, wasted effort and its all for nothing, Espinoza, 51, said. Giving up for me has been the best thing for my sanity."

Before the spill, he estimated that his neighborhood smelled funky once a week. But after July 2021 it's been at least three to four times a week, he said, and he described the recent odors as more chemical.

I dont think we even know what were being exposed to," Espinoza said. He said he worries about long-term effects, including for his children, but he said he feels "completely powerless to even address what those are."

But for some residents, Hyperion hasn't changed much about life in the industry-surrounded city.

Chuck Nicolai, who lives only a few houses from Espinoza, said he and his wife haven't noticed any dramatic changes or issues since the spill. When he bought his house in the mid-1980s, Nicolai remembers a horrible smell from the plant. But since it modernized in the 1990s, he said he can't complain.

He considers it a part of life in El Segundo, similar to dealing with fumes from the nearby Chevron plant or the constant noise from the airport.

Its SoCal coastal, the best climate in the world," Nicolai, 79, said. "You live here, you get used to the jets and Hyperion."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In the aftermath of the recent murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, I feel both sympathy for his familys loss and rage at the misrepresentation of the thousands of stories of needless anxiety, suffering and premature death that have flooded social media.

Whether the story posted is from a patient or a doctor, the antagonist is always the same  the health insurance industry.

In their anger, have some people overstepped the bounds of moral decency? Yes.

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Thats something people do when they are chronically anxious about going into medical debt, and always vulnerable to the whims of a health insurance industry that profits from denying them care. But to make that the story is despicable.

People expressing anger at health insurers are different from Jan. 6 rioters

And that is just what the Washington Post editorial board did on December 7, A sickness in the wake of a health insurance CEOs slaying .

These editors compared heart-wrenching posts on social media to the violent mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

They categorized these posts as very different in their degrees of moral transgression and practical impact, but similar in their embrace of extreme measures to right perceived wrongs.

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Apparently, these writers consider posting on social media ones anger and frustration at UnitedHealthcares tactics of delaying and denying care in the service of record-breaking profit as extreme measures to right perceived wrongs but then dismiss them as of little practical impact.

Sadly, thats my point. As much as I want to believe that this time our elected officials will listen to our deafening outcry and take substantive action on our behalf to, at the very least, sanction and regulate the health insurance industry, Im not holding my breath.

Opinion: Luigi Mangione isnt a hero. Hes a troubled man accused of murder.

Rather, I fear that this outpouring of rage at the health insurance industry will have no practical impact no matter how loudly or persistently we cry because members of Congress are not listening to us. They listen to the threat of losing campaign contributions if they fail to do as their corporate donors demand.

Reformers and activists should unite to change the system

The Washington Post editors listen to their billionaire owner who proffers a narrative dictated by the health insurance industry Wizards of Oz, from behind the safety of the black curtain. Ignore all those silly Munchkins. The mighty Oz has spoken.

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And once again, the moment is lost because wizards like Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group and Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post, control the narrative to their financial advantage.

I wonder what would happen if all of us Munchkins came together and took control of the narrative?

Maybe all the people who have been harmed by the health insurance industry would join their voices with the voices of health reform activists, campaign finance reform activists, climate activists, reproductive justice activists, racial justice activists, fair wage activists, affordable housing activists, food security activists and more.

Just think of the power of all our voices, together, demanding a multitude of social justice reforms.

Carol Paris

There are no unsolvable problems, but I find that the best solutions emerge by listening to a broad spectrum of people sharing their ideas, even on social media. Together, lets build the society we want.

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Id like to start by building the healthcare system the American people want, a National Health Program that puts patients before profits and makes corporate health insurance industry middlemen obsolete.

Paris Dr. Carol Paris is a healthcare activist who currently serves as vice president of Physicians for a National Health Program. She lives in Sewanee, Tennessee.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Health insurance critics are feeling rage for a reason | Opinion
(Bloomberg) -- President Yoon Suk Yeols demise may have been swift and shocking, but he is just the latest in a growing list of South Korean leaders whove seen their fortunes turn after rising to power.

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Though the nation has only voted-in eight presidents since fully democratic elections began in the country in 1987, all but three of them have either ended up in jail, gotten impeached or both. One killed himself.

Heres a look back at the former heads of state and what happened to them.

Park Geun-hye

Park took office in 2013 to become the countrys first and only female president and served for three years before she was impeached in 2016. The Constitutional Court forcibly removed her the following year. The conservative politician was later convicted of criminal charges including bribery, extortion and abuse of power.

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She was pardoned in 2021 by then-President Moon Jae-in after serving five years of a 22-year sentence. While in prison, she was hospitalized several times for shoulder and back pain.

Her father was Park Chung-hee, the countrys longest serving president. Though he was a military dictator who seized power in a coup in 1961, he is also credited with modernizing the country before his assassination in 1979.

Lee Myung-bak

Lee was the countrys fifth democratically-elected president and served in that role from 2008 to 2013. Lee rose from poverty to become an executive at Hyundai Engineering & Construction, and gained popularity as a self-made man. His hard-charging style earned him the nickname bulldozer.

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He entered politics in his 50s, becoming a member of parliament and mayor of Seoul. He focused on improving quality of life in the capital by speeding up commutes and restoring a river in the center of the city. His presidency was also marked by mass protests and renewed tensions with North Korea.

After leaving office, he was jailed for corruption in 2018 after receiving a lengthy sentence. He was pardoned in 2022 by Yoon.

Roh Moo-hyun

The former human rights lawyer served as president from 2003 to 2008 and often boasted that his administration was the nations cleanest.

In 2004 he was impeached for election-law violations and economic mishandling, in the National Assemblys first attempt to remove a head of state. Still, the constitutional court ended up restoring him to office about two months later.

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Roh also made the ambitious move to try and shift the nations capital away from Seoul but faced strong opposition. Months after leaving office, he became embroiled in a bribery investigation and took his own life.

Roh never attended university. He studied on his own to become a judge and then a lawyer, opening his own firm in 1978 and specializing in human rights cases. The 2013 movie The Attorney was based on his life.

Roh Tae-woo

Koreas first democratically-elected president led the country from 1988 to 1993. His presidency was marked by historic diplomatic accomplishments that included South Koreas ascension to the United Nations. It was also marred by massive corruption that culminated with a criminal conviction three years after leaving office.

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Roh was associated with the bloody military crackdown against anti-government protesters in Gwangju in 1980, when armed troops put down a 10-day revolt that resulted in the death of hundreds, if not thousands. Roh, then a general, was the right-hand man to Chun Doo-hwan, a former general who became president by military coup and was Rohs predecessor in office.

Chun picked Roh as his partys candidate for the presidential election in 1987, a move seen as a military handover of power. In response, pro-democracy rallies spread in Seoul and across the nation.

Roh bowed to the pressure and allowed an open vote, with prospects slim at the time that he could win. He won despite taking just 36.6% of the popular vote after opposition leaders Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung both entered the race and split the progressive vote.

He and Chun were tried for corruption, mutiny and treason for their roles in the Gwangju killings and the coup that brought Chun to power. Chun was sentenced to death and Roh received a 22.5-year prison sentence.

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But they were released under a presidential amnesty in 1997 and Roh mostly faded from the publics view.

Roh died in 2021 at the age of 88. Chun died less than a month later at 90.

--With assistance from Sam Kim.

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Election officials on Monday denied a request from New York City Mayor Eric Adams 2025 campaign for millions in public matching dollars.

The decision  based on bookkeeping irregularities and a federal criminal case against Adams involving straw donors  deals a body blow to the beleaguered mayors reelection effort, which he must now redouble to make up for the withheld cash.

It comes just a day after Adams top adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin stepped down amid a criminal probe into her own dealings  an investigation that appears to be unrelated to the federal case.

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Adams campaign attorney Vito Pitta expressed hope the New York City Campaign Finance Board will reverse its decision at a future meeting.



While todays ruling by CFB to withhold matching funds at this time is disappointing, we will continue to work with the board to address any issues so that funds can be appropriately disbursed, he said in a statement. The mayors campaign continues to have far more resources than his opponents, and we are very confident we will have the support we need to spend the maximum amount allowable in the upcoming primary.

Mayoral candidates who receive donations from New Yorkers of up to $250 are eligible to have the contribution matched eightfold with public tax dollars  a system that encourages small-dollar donations to reduce influence peddling.

But officials from the Campaign Finance Board, which oversees the citys campaign finance system, voted unanimously Monday to deny Adams request for that lucrative line of funding.

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After thoroughly reviewing all available information, including the details of the indictment of Mayor Adams, the board has determined that there is reason to believe the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program in violation of the law, including the Campaign Finance Act and the board rules, Board Chair Frederick Schaffer said at the meeting. His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the board. Accordingly, Mayor Adams campaign for reelection has failed to demonstrate eligibility for public funds payment at this time.

All told, Adams had asked for $4.5 million from the board  roughly equal to the $4.1 million he has raised directly from donors over the last three years.

Schaffer noted that Adams campaign would be able to appeal the decision.

Without the additional cash, Adams will have to hit the fundraising circuit along with all his competitors, a time-consuming distraction for a sitting mayor who thought he had already raised the maximum allowed with six months to spare before the June Democratic primary.

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Adams voiced confidence just a day before the ruling, saying on MSNBC that the board follows precedent when it comes to doling out matching funds  and that the only time theyve denied matching funds under similar circumstances was when someone was convicted of wrongdoing.

But he appeared to anticipate the CFBs ruling as well.

Candidates who participate in the matching program can accept a maximum of $2,100 from each donor under CFB rules. At a Dec. 3 fundraiser in Puerto Rico co-hosted by cryptocurrency mogul and former child actor Brock Pierce, an event first reported by POLITICO, the mayor asked for maximum donations of $3,700  a sum hes only allowed to collect if he opts out of the matching program.

Adams campaign attorney Pitta said at the time the invitation including that limit was not authorized by the campaign, and that the campaign was still participating in the matching funds program  a declaration supported by his statement Monday.

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While the CFBs denial presents yet another setback for Adams  his poll numbers are also historically low and hell be defending himself in a criminal trial just weeks before the primary  being free of the matching system does have its perks.

As a sitting mayor, he would likely have an easier time raising the larger-dollar donations hed be allowed. And he would be permitted to exceed the spending cap placed on those in the matching program  though his competitors would then be allowed to try to catch up.

The board has raised numerous issues with the mayors 2025 reelection campaign including scores of potentially invalid claims for matching dollars and undisclosed individuals who are suspected of acting as third-party fundraisers.

More problematic for Adams has been the attention from federal prosecutors.

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Damian Williams, the recently departed U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, has alleged Adams accepted straw donations and participated in a wide-ranging bribery scheme involving the Turkish government that entailed funneling illicit foreign money to his 2025 campaign.

Multiple news reports, including one in POLITICO, have also found evidence of straw donations. A report in THE CITY discovered the Adams campaign appeared to mislead regulators about the cost of a fundraiser.

A leading challenger to Adams reelection, Brad Lander, also failed to get public matching funds Monday after missing a key paperwork deadline, POLITICO first reported. In fact, Scott Stringer was the only mayoral candidate to be granted the money, receiving a payment of $2.1 million.

New York needs a proven reformer to clean up City Hall and get the government back to delivering for people in this city, Stringer said in a statement. Our campaign qualifying for matching funds shows that New Yorkers trust that I am the best candidate to do so.

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Other candidates failed to meet the threshold for qualifying donations, but will be eligible for payment in February.

The New York Working Families Party, a frequent Adams foe, immediately pounced on the boards decision  a line of attack that's sure to be replicated throughout the mayors reelection effort.

We are relieved to see the CFBs decision to put public tax dollars to good use and prevent abuse of the system, party co-directors Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila, who called Adams fundraising practices unethical and potentially illegal, said in a statement. It is time for New York City to elect a new mayor who can govern with integrity in service of New York Citys working families.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was dealt a pair of dire political blows on Monday, even as a potential legal lifeline emerged when President-elect Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning Adams if the mayor was convicted in his coming federal corruption trial.

Trump, during a news conference in Florida, said he believed Adams had been treated pretty unfairly by prosecutors and promised to look at the case  and a potential pardon. His remarks came shortly after a city agency denied Adams reelection campaign millions of dollars in public matching funds and just before the mayors top adviser, who abruptly resigned on Sunday, said she expects to be charged this week.

In September, federal prosecutors indicted Adams, who is up for reelection next year, on charges of bribery, corruption, wire fraud and soliciting and accepting donations from foreign nationals. He pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing.

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The first-term mayor also is facing a swarm of Democratic primary challengers and, with the citys Campaign Finance Board cutting him off from matching funds valued at more than $4 million, will find it nearly impossible to compete on the fundraising front.

There is reason to believe the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program in violation of law including the campaign finance act and board rules, said Frederick Schaffer, the board chair, during a public meeting on Monday. The independent agency controls the program that offers candidates an 8-to-1 match of small-dollar donations.

Vito Pitta, the mayors political counsel, said in a statement that the campaign would keep attempting to access the taxpayer-funded program and that the mayors campaign continues to have far more resources than his opponents.

Adams, who has lost nearly his entire inner circle during the course of the scandal, will also be without close aide and confidant Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who announced her departure from his office over the weekend and, in a news conference of her own on Monday, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is poised to indict her in the coming days.

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I am being falsely accused, Lewis-Martin said at her lawyer Arthur Aidalas Midtown office. Ive worked in government for over 35 years.  I have never taken any gifts, money, anything.

Lewis-Martin has been under investigation at least since September, when investigators from the district attorneys office seized her phones at John F. Kennedy International Airport as she and a group of colleagues and friends were returning from a vacation to Japan. The inquiry has examined possible bribery and money laundering in the citys leasing of commercial properties, several people told CNN.

A possible pardon

Adams has frequently suggested that his prosecution is politically motivated payback from the Biden administration over his criticism of the presidents handling of the border and a migrant crisis thats drained city coffers. He made the claim again in an interview with talk show host Phil McGraw set to air on Monday night.

The tip of it is I was extremely vociferous about what was happening to this city during the migrants and asylum seeker issue, Adams told McGraw, who asked him why a grand jury voted to indict him. McGraw has refashioned himself as a border hawk and spoke glowingly of Donald Trump at the then-candidates October rally at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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Adams reticence to publicly back Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the final stretch of the presidential campaign and his increasingly warm response to Trumps election, including a meeting last week with the president-elects incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has fanned rumors that the mayor is angling for a pardon.

No American should go through what Im going through. No American should go through it, Adams told McGraw, echoing Trumps past rhetoric about his own legal troubles. The only consolation to this is that mommys not alive. I would not want my mother to watch me go through this. It hurts a lot.

This is not the first time Trump has addressed the case against Adams. At a pre-election charity event in New York, Trump wished Adams good luck and expressed confidence he would be exonerated.

I know what its like to be persecuted by the DOJ for speaking out against open borders, Trump said. We were persecuted, Eric. I was persecuted, and so are you, Eric.

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Asked on Monday if he would consider pardoning Adams, Trump said, Yeah, I would.

I think that he was treated pretty unfairly, Trump said. Now, I havent seen the gravity of it all, but it seems, you know, like being upgraded in an airplane many years ago I know probably everybody here has been upgraded.

Adams has been accused by federal prosecutors of accepting thousands of dollars in travel perks from Turkish officials, including flight upgrades on Turkish Airlines. The mayor was also charged with soliciting and accepting straw donations for his 2021 and 2025 campaigns.

I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target  and a target I became, Adams told reporters in late September, claiming without evidence that his criticism of Biden made him a target for the Justice Department.

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Adams decision to retain attorney Alex Spiro, a longtime counsel to Trump-ally Elon Musk, has also fueled speculation that the mayor is intent on winning favor with the president-elect.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) called for an end to taxes on tips in the state on Monday, by including language in the upcoming state budget to eliminate the practice.

We have delivered over $5 billion in tax relief to date, and we remain committed to lowering the cost of living for hardworking Virginians. Its their money, not the governments, Youngkin said in a press release.

By removing tips from taxable income, it will directly increase the take-home pay of hundreds of thousands of Virginians and give them more buying power, which in turn will improve financial stability, stimulate local economies, and honor the value of their hard work, he continued.

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Youngkin told Fox News in an interview that no taxes on tips is going to become the mantra in Virginia.

Youngkins proposal echoes President-elect Trumps call during the campaign to end taxes on tips. Vice President Harris also endorsed eliminating taxes on tips. Its unclear whether Virginia Democrats will support Youngkins proposal.

The governor said that as many as 250,000 people working in Virginias food and hospitality industry could see relief from the initiative.

The proposal, which requires approval from the states General Assembly, comes ahead of the beginning of the states legislative session next month. It also comes ahead of next years gubernatorial race in the state, in which Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) looks likely to face off against Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.).

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ROCHESTER, N.Y., December 16, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carestream Health recently secured an agreement with BSF Medical - SARL, a leading distributor of medical solutions covering cardiology, urology, endoscopy, radiology, and pharmaceutical products in Algeria.

"We are excited to be joining forces with a strong organization like BSF," said Mahmoud Lazzouli, Carestreams Business Development Manager Northwest Africa - Consumables Business. "As one of the leading providers in Algeria, their commitment to their customers needs and strong track record of customer satisfaction stands out."

As one of Algerias largest medical equipment distributors, BSF provides solutions to both the public and private sectors.

BSF Medical  SARL was encouraged by Carestreams own track record of customer satisfaction in the region, additionally citing Carestreams history of imaging excellence and ability to provide custom-tailored, high-performance solutions as factors for pursuing a partnership.

"Carestream has a long history of excellence in the medical imaging space," said Mr. Zakaria Benhabib. "We cant wait to see how we can help not only each other, but our customers and their patients with an easier, more impactful imaging experience."

With the addition of BSF, Carestream now has over 200 committed partners across the globe.

"Were looking forward to seeing the impact of this new partnership," said Mr. Lazzouli. "Together, were going to continue to put customers first to create a better imaging experience for providers and their staff, as well as their patients."

About Carestream Health

Carestream is a worldwide provider of medical imaging systems; X-ray imaging systems for non-destructive testing; and precision contract coating services for a wide range of industrial, medical, electronic, and other applicationsall backed by a global service and support network. For more information about the companys broad portfolio of products, solutions, and services, please contact your Carestream representative, or call 1-888-777-2072, or visit www.carestream.com.

CARESTREAM is a trademark of Carestream Health.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216724771/en/

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Youngstown man already serving a federal sentence on child pornography charges pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of rape in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Daniel Fleischer, 42, entered his plea to the charge, a first-degree felony, before Judge Anthony Donofrio the day jury selection was to begin in his trial.

The attorneys in the case are recommending a sentence of five years to run consecutive to a 37-year sentence he is serving in federal prison.

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Sentencing will take place Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., in order to give the victim the chance to submit a statement.

The rape charge stems from a September 2021 indictment by a Mahoning County grand jury for the 2011 sexual assault of a child.

He was sentenced the same month to 37 years in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio following a 2018 search warrant served by investigators at his Brownlee Woods home.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russians were most likely attempting to cover up North Korean losses.

Source: Zelenskyy's evening video address on 16 December

Quote: "The commander-in-chief reported on the involvement of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside the Russian army. There are many details about the elimination of these forces as well.

Preliminary data suggests that the Russians are trying to conceal the losses of the North Koreans. Ukraines defense forces and intelligence are working to determine the full extent of the actual losses suffered by Russian units that include North Koreans. Unfortunately, we are forced to defend against them as well."

Details: The president added that "there is not a single reason for North Koreans to die in this war."

Background:

Ukrainian forces released photos and videos of dead Russian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast following recent assaults.

On 15 December, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that North Korean soldiers killed eight Kadyrovites  Chechen troops loyal to the country's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov  by friendly fire.

Ukraines Defence Intelligence has estimated that North Korean units lost at least 30 soldiers on 14-15 December, either killed or wounded, in areas around the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka in Russias Kursk Oblast.

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By Jessica DiNapoli

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Procter & Gamble has promised a group of shareholders it will disclose more details about how it audits wood-pulp suppliers, the investors told Reuters, after shareholders pushed the maker of Charmin toilet paper for years to source forest products more sustainably.

The world's biggest consumer products maker has previously said it performs audits but provided little information about them. Logging's impact on the environment has raised scrutiny of P&G and other major pulp users.

The next step is for P&G and the investors to discuss specifics of what the company will now disclose, said Andrew Shalit, a shareholder advocate at Green Century. Shalit sees such disclosures as important to helping environment-minded investors evaluate their holdings in P&G and other companies that buy pulp, particularly from Canada's ecologically sensitive forests.

The maker of Bounty paper towels said this month it guards details of its global supply chain for competitive reasons.

Green Century wants clarity on P&G's supply chain to set an example for other companies that rely on Canadian pulp, such as Home Depot, in which Green Century also invests, Shalit said.

"We think it will benefit P&G for the depth and rigor of their oversight to be better understood by investors," he said.

Home Depot did not respond to a request for comment.

"We agreed to share additional information to reassure consumers of the thorough and robust steps we are taking to protect forests for future generations," a P&G spokesperson said, adding that the information would be available in mid-2025. "It is important to note that P&G aims to protect primary forests, and that for every tree used in our paper products, at least two are regrown."

The company relies on third-party certifiers, such as the nonprofit Forest Stewardship Council, to ensure its wood pulp is sourced sustainably. But a Reuters investigation this year found the certifications do little to stop clear-cutting of forests that absorb carbon and slow climate change.

P&G made the commitment for greater disclosure after Green Century and other investors holding nearly $1 billion in shares collectively planned to put forward a resolution about the company's forestry practices at its annual meeting earlier this year, Shalit said. Major P&G shareholders Robeco, BNP Paribas Asset Management and AXA Investment Managers were also involved in talks with P&G, he said.

"By relying on an increasingly fragile ecosystem, companies expose themselves to sourcing risks," said Peter van der Werf, Robeco's head of active ownership. "This is why we encouraged P&G to explore how its vision for fiber resilience could be strengthened in the long run."
There are very few countries that have made more efforts than Hungary for a peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict over the past one thousand days, the foreign minister said.

The war has been going on for more than a thousand days and Hungary's position has not changed ever since it broke out, Peter Szijjarto told public broadcaster Kossuth radio. Hungary's position, which has since been proven true, is that this war has no solution on the battlefield where there is only death, suffering and more destruction, he said.



He said that the war claiming human lives in the ranges of a million had not opened the eyes of everyone, adding that weapon deliveries had not changed the balance of power. The Russian army is forging ahead and occupying more and more territories, Szijjarto said.



"The only solution is to be found solely at the negotiating table; there must be talks, but for peace talks a ceasefire in needed first," the foreign minister said.



Szijjarto noted Prime Minister Viktor Orban's proposal of a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners in humanitarian steps with the upcoming days of the Christmas celebrations taken into consideration.



He also noted the prime minister's phone conversation with the Russian president earlier this week that lasted for more than an hour.



Szijjarto said that as Hungary's foreign minister he had informed his Ukrainian counterpart as well as the head of the Ukrainian president's office [about that phone conversation] asking them to arrange a phone conversation between Viktor Orban and the Ukrainian president which he said was rejected "in a bit uneasy, yet cultured manner".



"Hungary has tried to do everything [possible] under its mission for peace in the past half year, even more than what could be or would have been expected from a country this size," Szijjarto said.



"We have made every possible effort under our EU presidency in the past six months to use the presidency for a good cause, for a ceasefire, for starting peace talks," Szijjarto said.



Talking about a threatening email received by Hungary's embassy in Paris on Saturday, the minister said that it had been sent from a country neighbouring Hungary and contained a picture of a bomb.



The minister said his colleagues in Paris had immediately notified the foreign ministry's security centre. French authorities arrived at the scene quickly and very professionally with appropriate technology and search dogs. As no explosive device was found, the embassy staff returned to their offices to continue their work, Szijjarto said.



He said that in his assessment "the world is in an especially dangerous situation today", with armed conflicts going on at several places, terrorist attacks taking place, terrorist organisations carrying out coup attempts". "In this situation every threat needs to be taken seriously," the foreign minister said.



"And we have done just that, as the safety, health and the life of our colleagues is most important to us," he said. He also emphasized that "everything at the embassy has returned to normal," adding that security regulations had been reinforced.



On another topic, Szijjarto called it a step "less worthy of allies" that the United States had put Gazprombank on a sanctions list as "it was clear which countries in the central European and south-eastern European regions buy energy from Russia due to physical, infrastructural and geographical realities, and it is also clear that they pay through Gazprombank".



The minister said they had worked hard with the Slovaks, Serbians, Turks and Bulgarians in recent weeks to find a legal solution that will continue to guarantee the security of their energy supply without violating US sanctions, and they have succeeded.



Answering questions about how they managed to disperse a false media report that Bashar al-Assads airplane had landed in Budapest, he said that "it was a very rough situation" and it was incredibly dangerous "to involve Hungary in such a red hot conflict".



It is possible that this situation arose as part of an orchestrated secret service operation that posed an extraordinary threat to Hungary, so I believe that it is necessary to investigate as thoroughly as possible where this started, who participated in it, and those who participated why they did so.



"Putting Hungary in danger cannot go unpunished," he said.



Meanwhile, Szijjarto: Hungarian embassy in Paris receives threat

Staff at Hungary's embassy in Paris have received a life threat in an email, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook on Saturday, adding that French police were searching the premises at the time of his post.



The sender of the email had attached the image of a home-made bomb, but such a device has not yet been discovered, Szijjarto said.

Szijjarto said the email "is believed to have arrived from a neighbouring country," adding that the Hungarian secret services were also investigating the case.



MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only



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Janos Lazar has begun to jockey for a position to take over the place of Viktor Orban in Fidesz one day, as panic begins to be predominant within the governing party, Tisza party leader Peter Magyar alleged on ATV on Tuesday evening.

Magyar claimed that Janos Lazar "who has a fine ability to recognise the situation", admitted in an interview on Monday that Fidesz has been shaken and is not certain about winning the elections.



It is indicative of the crisis of the system that during his tour of the country, people very close to Fidesz appeared at his forums, Magyar said, but he would not name them.



He remarked that conflict reached a peak when Fidesz spokesman Tamas Menczer clashed with Magyar outside a Pecs orphanage last week.



Magyar maintained that Fidesz misjudged the situation in adopting such an aggressive style, as many Fidesz voters were shaken upon seeing that.



The number of Tisza supporters began to soar and the turnover of their webshop smashed records recently, Magyar said.



He also said that about 10,000 people have responded to the Tisza Party's call for potential candidates for the 2026 parliamentary elections.



Assessments of the applicants, comprising several rounds and political examinations is under way.



Magyar also said the number of supporters is still growing.



More about Lazar

Janos Lazar, born 19 February 1975, is a Hungarian politician and Member of Parliament. He was former leader of the Fidesz parliamentary group and State Secretary, then Minister of Prime Minister's Office in the cabinets of PM Orban.



On his website he says the following about 'My belief':

"I am Hungarian and a Christian, a citizen of the Great Hungarian Plain and a European. I am also a husband and a father, and as a politician I fight for our children to prosper in their homeland, as members of a peaceful and thriving nation.



I am Hungarian, proud to be a citizen of my homeland and proud of its national culture. I consider every aspect of the one thousand years of Hungarian identity to be my heritage: I take strength from our chapters of glory, and strive to learn from our failures.



I raise my sons to see role models in those Hungarians who have achieved great things, and to always stand up as patriots for their fellow Hungarians  regardless of whether they live in Hungary, in former Hungarian territories, or anywhere else in the world.



For me a nation is more than simply a group of people who happen to speak the same language: each of us bears responsibility for all the members of our nation. We belong together."



More:

lazarjanos.hu



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Local and central government officials inaugurated a 4-kilometre stretch of the M85 motorway, between the city of Sopron and the border with Austria.

The stretch, which includes a 780-metre twin tube tunnel, was built at a cost of HUF 67.2bn, funded entirely with state resources. The stretch was built by a consortium of Domper, Subterra-Raab and Pannon-Doprastav.



Orban: Sopron only able to develop when connected to world around it

Throughout its history, the city of Sopron has only been able to develop when it was connected to the world around it, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in Sopron, in western Hungary, on Saturday, at the inauguration of the final stretch of the M85 motorway and the Vienna Hill tunnel.



In his speech, Orban noted that in 1921 Sopron and its surrounding villages voted in a referendum to remain within Hungarys borders, but the global powers had separated Hungarians with the new borders forced on them.



But, he added, the fact that we are here 103 years later was a testament to the nations strength and its confidence in the future.



The prime minister said that after the first world war Hungarys enemies had decided that Hungarians should be small and poor. But Hungarians never accepted this fate, and we always wanted Hungary to be a big and rich country. If we lose the war, well win peace, Orban said.



He said Hungarians had always lost out when the nation had been pushed to civilisational borders.



We were on the losing end when the Christian-Islam civilisational border was located on the countrys territory, centuries of war cost Hungarian lives, and the countrys economic strength was also lost, he said.



We were also losers of the Cold War when we were ripped away from Europe, the prime minister said. Sopron was also a loser of this period, with the most difficult period in its history being the time when the Iron Curtain was but a few kilometres away, multiplying all the tragedies of the Trianon peace treaty.



Sopron has only been able to develop when it was connected to the world around it, Orban said.



The Sopron area connects not just north and south, but also east and west, and is where the Carpathian Basin meets the Alps region, Orban said.



And whats true for Sopron is also true for Hungary: it can only develop if it can take advantage of its favourable geographical location and if it connects to the world around it instead of closing itself off, the prime minister added.



He said this required active political and economic relations as well as infrastructure connecting the country to the rest of the world such as airports, railways, bridges and motorways.



He said his government had decided to turn areas that had been on the periphery during the Cold War into central hubs and put Hungary on the map, in the middle of Europe.



The government has spent 4,200 billion forints (EUR 10.3bn) on public road developments over the last 15 years, building 870 kilometres of motorways and highways, Orban said.



Including the M85 motorway, there are now 10 expressways that extend to the countrys borders compared to just three in 2010, Orban said.



The completion of the M85 links it with the Austrian border and the entire Hungarian motorway network, he said.



Romanias accession to the European Unions passport-free Schengen zone meant that we have eliminated the Romania-Hungary border, he said, adding that Saturdays inauguration could be considered connecting Hungarians in Burgenland with Hungarians in Transylvania.



He said next year will see the M44 expressway linked to the motorway at Kecskemet, in central Hungary, and preparatory works are under way on road M49 as well as the new section of the M4 motorway. Today there are ten four-lane expressways that extend to the border, but that number will rise to 19 within ten years, he added.



Next year the government will spend some 8,100 forints on more than 300 investment projects which will make Hungary a real connection point and a commercial and logistics hub in Europe.



Orban said his plan was that in 2025 well push the clouds of war aside, adding that the government was working to make 2025 a fantastic year for the economy.



BMW and Chinas CATL and BYD plants will start production and the Demjan Sandor Programme which aims to scale up SMEs will also be launched, the prime minister said.



Wages will rise, and Hungary will see an unprecedented minimum wage increase over the next three years, he added.



Meanwhile, Over 27pc of expressways renovated this year - MKIF

Over 27pc of the 1,237kms of expressways managed by the Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development Company (MKIF) were renovated this year MKIF said.



Renovation work was also completed on 131 bridges and overpasses, it said.



Next year, MKIF plans to renovate 3.1m sqms of road pavement, 40 bridges and overpasses and 30 motorway lay-bys.



Source:

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The Szeged city council has decided to file a request for Ft 100 million in compensation from Renault, because the city purchased 32 waste transport vehicles from Renault in 2005, when the French manufacturer was part of a price cartel, according to a European Commission ruling in 2016.

At the time, the Commission imposed a fine of 2.9 billion on leading truck manufacturers Daimler, MAN, DAF, Iveco and Volvo/Renault because they were part of the cartel which operated in 1997-2011.



Injured parties can file a claim for damages in the courts of the member states. Hungarian courts must apply the laws in force at the time of the purchase, according to which the limitation period is five years. As the municipality became aware of the ECJ decision after this period had expired, the claim can no longer be enforced before a Hungarian court.



The municipality was approached by a New York-based company that will finance the entire cost of the compensation procedure, provided that the compensation amount received is shared.



If they win the case, the municipality will receive an estimated Ft 90 million and the law firm Ft 48 million.



Szeged will not have to pay any legal fees if the plaintiffs lose the case.



The municipality is authorising a Munich law firm that is already experienced in the procedure to represent it.



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Fidesz is initiating an amendment motion to abolishing the time limit for prosecuting homicide cases, the party caucus wrote on its Facebook page.

It said the public is justifiably shocked by the legal situation prevailing in the matter of Tamas Till, an 11-year-old boy who disappeared around Baja, southern Hungary in May of 2000.







He was reported as missing but police found his remains last June, buried in an outbuilding of a farm.



Under existing law, the perpetrator cannot be prosecuted, as he was a minor at the time and the deadline for prosecuting the killer has passed.



The killer, recently identified, was 16 years old at the time. Charges could not be filed against him because the 15-year deadline for prosecuting crimes committed by minors had passed.



The Fidesz caucus said the unusual and unacceptable situation requires an immediate response as it goes against the moral standards of all people of good conscience.



Parliament tightens criminal code's statute of limitations rules

Parliament on Tuesday voted unanimously to tighten the criminal code's rules on the statute of limitations.



In line with the amendment approved with 190 votes in favour, zero tolerance will apply regardless of the age of the perpetrator, and the statute of limitations will be eliminated in cases of serious crimes punishable by life imprisonment.



Current regulations stipulate that the maximum prison sentence for perpetrators aged under 16 is 10 years, and for perpetrators aged between 16 and 18 years it is 15 years. Additionally, there is currently a statute of limitations in force in such cases, and the crimes lapse after 10 years or 15 years, respectively.



In line with the amendment approved by parliament, a statute of limitations will be applicable only in the case of crimes punishable by over 10 and 15 years in prison.



The new regulations will enter into force on January 1.



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Russia has accused Ukraine of using Western-made missiles to attack a military field located in the country's southwestern region. The Russian defence ministry said Kyiv fired at least six ATACMS supplied by the United States. Moscow has vowed revenge for the airstrike, saying the long-range missile attack will not go unanswered. Meanwhile, Putin discussed his ongoing war on a call with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.

The Hungarian leader's move drew the ire of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. President Zelensky slammed Orban for undermining Western unity and mocked him for boosting his image. Orban, too, hit back at Zelensky, emphasising the Ukrainian leader seemed to have no interest in a Christmas ceasefire.



Source:

FirstPost
New Delhi: The announcement of Sajid Nadiadwala's Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss and starring Salman Khan, has created a buzz among audiences. This mega project has captivated attention since its reveal, and the excitement among fans for its release is at its peak. Now, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has announced an exciting gift for Salman Khan fans on his birthdaythe release date of the teaser is set to drop on 27th December 2024.

Finally, the audience will get a glimpse of the much-awaited Sikandar, as producer Sajid Nadiadwala has revealed the teaser's release date. Scheduled to launch on December 27, 2024, the teaser will serve as a special birthday gift for Salman Khan's fans.

As one of the biggest superstars, Salman Khan enjoys a massive fan following eagerly anticipating his return to the big screen. With the teaser of his much-awaited film Sikandar dropping on his birthday, it promises to be nothing short of a celebration for his fans. This announcement has further heightened the excitement to witness glimpses of Sikandar on this special occasion.

Produced by Nadiadwala Grandson, 'Sikandar', directed by AR Murugadoss, stars Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles. This action-packed entertainer guarantees an unparalleled cinematic experience, slated for the Eid 2025 weekend.
Bollywoods rising star Utkarsh Sharma recently opened up about his experience working alongside the legendary Nana Patekar in the upcoming film Vanvaas, directed by Anil Sharma. Set to release on December 20, the film not only promises a gripping storyline but also showcases a heartwarming bond between two actors from different generations.

In an interview, Utkarsh shared his admiration for Nana Patekars relentless dedication and professionalism, praising the veteran actor for his inspiring preparation despite being in his 70s. He is very professional. Theres an image that he might be strict or a disciplinarian, but he is not like that at all. At 70-plus, he still rehearses and prepares so much for the set. As a junior, it makes you want to step up your game, Utkarsh remarked.

Breaking Boundaries on Day One

Reflecting on their first day of shooting at Banaras Ghat, Utkarsh revealed a pivotal moment that defined their on-set dynamic. Amid the chaos of the location, the young actor sought Nana Patekars advice about a scene. To his surprise, Patekar responded by asking Utkarsh for his thoughts, encouraging him to experiment.

That one moment broke the boundary of junior and senior actors before we even started shooting, Utkarsh recalled. He gave me complete creative freedom and was always supportive. It felt incredible to have that trust from someone so accomplished.

A Unique Camaraderie

Utkarsh described Patekar as not just a mentor but also a collaborative partner who made the working environment comfortable and inspiring. Sir was never strict with me. He always allowed me to explore my character. His encouragement and openness made me feel confident, Utkarsh added.

Excitement Builds for Vanvaas

The camaraderie between Utkarsh and Nana Patekar has heightened anticipation for Vanvaas. The film promises intense drama, strong character arcs, and exceptional performances from the duo.

With Vanvaas, Utkarsh Sharma steps into a challenging role that is expected to cement his position as one of Bollywoods most promising talents. Paired with Nana Patekars brilliance, the film is set to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Mark your calendars for December 20 as Vanvaas hits theaters, showcasing an extraordinary blend of talent, passion, and storytelling.
A meeting of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was held in Armenia. The event was timed to coincide with December 9  the day the Convention "On the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide" was adopted  and December 10, which is Human Rights Day. Once a year, PACE committees have the right to hold a meeting outside France, where the Assembly's headquarters are located. In 2024, with the Parliamentary Assembly's policy towards Azerbaijan exceeding all bounds of decency, Armenia was chosen as the venue for the event. This was to be expected.

By the way, December 10 is not only Human Rights Day but also the anniversary of the illegal "referendum" held in 1991 in Nagorno-Karabakh by separatists under the control of emissaries from Yerevan. Thus, the PACE committee meeting was quite fitting, and the issues discussed seemed to resonate with the Armenian audience.

Objectively speaking, it is strange to hold a meeting of such a commission in Armenia, and even stranger to coincide it with these particular dates. Armenia, a country with numerous crimes on its conscience that fall under the definition of genocide, has placed itself at the forefront of the fight against genocides, even though it is a nation where human rights are largely unknown. There, human rights are often limited to the rights of Armenians, to whom everyone else owes something.

The fact that the interests of terrorists, saboteurs, and separatistsArmenians claiming Azerbaijani landswere discussed in present-day Yerevan, built on the site of the destroyed Azerbaijani city of Irevan, added a special piquancy to the event. Just imagine the absurdity of the momentrecording ethnic cleansing of Armenians in a report, all while standing on land from which the indigenous Azerbaijani population was forcibly expelled.

Recently, for the first time at the international level, the Armenian side was asked at the UN why there is not a single Azerbaijani living in Armenia. The Armenian deputy minister could not answer this question clearly. In 35 years of conflict and occupation, no one had ever asked Yerevan such a question, and the deputy minister was unprepared for it. Meanwhile, the world is well aware that Armenia is guilty of ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis and genocide. However, in the "democratic world," discussions about a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia typically focus only on the 2020 war, leaving aside thirty years of Armenian barbarism and atrocities. The PACE Human Rights Committee is unlikely to take an interest in the glaring fact of Armenias mono-ethnicity. Mono-ethnicity, especially in the Caucasus, is an unnatural phenomenon, achieved only through artificial and violent means. But PACE and other structures that support Armenians consider this an internal matter for Armenia. Yet, at the meeting in Yerevan, the internal affairs of Azerbaijan were discussed, specifically the right of return for Armenians to Karabakh. Not a word was said about the right of Azerbaijanis to return to Armenia. This was a kind of demonstration, a challenge to Azerbaijan, with which PACE has managed to sever relations.

There is no detailed information about the content of the PACE Committee meeting in Yerevan. As Vladimir Vardanyan, Chairman of the Commission on State and Legal Affairs of the Armenian Parliament, explained to journalists, meetings of PACE committees, unlike plenary sessions, are held in a closed format. These are prepared reports that are discussed in committees and are intended to be adopted at plenary sessions. The issues raised in these meetings are also addressed in several reports, which are then adopted by PACE. In short, at the next PACE plenary sessions, documents against Azerbaijan will be put to a vote. After the withdrawal of the mandate of the Azerbaijani delegation, it will be possible to discuss and adopt such papers with complete comfort.

In his comments to the media, Vardanyan expressed one curious thought while trying to explain why PACE continues to meet without any tangible benefits for pressure on Baku. He stated that the committee's meeting discussed "the legal and humanitarian consequences of Azerbaijan's military operation in Karabakh," but added that it would be ineffective to demand actions from PACE that go beyond its mandate or cannot be implemented.

PACE has indeed done all it could, adopting many meaningless resolutions and statements demanding the return of Armenians to Karabakh and the release of separatist leaders and war criminals, touchingly referred to as "prisoners of war." The Assembly demanded the immediate release of Rubiks and Araiks. However, PACE is unable to do more because the limits of its powers have been reached. No international organization has the legal right to interfere in the judicial system of a sovereign state or its internal affairs. Vardanyan had to admit this fact. The only consolation for the Armenian side is the suspension of the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation, which he hastened to remind journalists of, perhaps to smooth out the bitter aftertaste of his revelations.

It should be noted that PACE has repeatedly issued resolutions and statements in support of Armenian interests. The attacks of Armenophilia became especially active after the anti-terrorist operation in September 2023. Angry resolutions followed one another. Prior to that, in a resolution dated June 2023, the Assembly persistently demanded that the Lachin road be handed over to the Armenians to continue the lawlessness, end the "blockade," and enter into a dialogue with the separatists within the framework of the "international mechanism." Armenia responded to this document with delight, considering it an important development and rejoicing that the amendments proposed by the Azerbaijani delegation had failed. A few months later, the Lachin road was indeed opened to Armenians, but only for one-way travel. The resolutions of PACE, the European Parliament, and other guardians of Armenian interests played an important role in this outcome. PACE should not have turned into a mouthpiece for the Armenians but should have attempted to approach the issue objectively and from the standpoint of international law. Azerbaijan knows its rights very well and has never crossed its borders.





Therefore, the demands of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe hang in the air and serve only as a temporary source of satisfaction for the Armenian side.

And, by the way, Armenia should not be offended by PACE's incapacity. After all, strangely enough, there have been a couple of instances when objective documents were unexpectedly adopted by European structures, but the Armenian side never considered their implementation.

For example, Resolution No. 1416, dated January 25, 2005, entitled "On the Conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh Region, which is being addressed by the OSCE Minsk Conference," stated that "a significant part of the territory of Azerbaijan is still occupied by Armenian forces, and the Nagorno-Karabakh region is still controlled by separatist forces." PACE "referred to UN Security Council Resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993), and 884 (1993), urging the relevant parties to comply with them, particularly to refrain from hostile acts and to withdraw armed forces from all occupied territories."

You wont believe it, but in May 2010, the European Parliament (!) adopted a resolution titled "Requirements for the European Union Strategy for the South Caucasus." It expressed concern about the "expulsion of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes" and demanded the "withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan."

In those years, Europe still tried to protect its image and maintain its dignity by avoiding pro-Armenian adventures. Today, everything has changed: the image and dignity have been lost. European structures and officials have chosen a side and stopped pretending to be neutral. But even despite the volumes of anti-Azerbaijani decisions, PACE, the European Parliament, and others cannot practically help their proteges, only observing as Azerbaijan implements its legitimate rights and solves problems with remarkable efficiency.

"The world reacts to mass crimes after they have been committed, as we witnessed in our region in 2023," Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said resentfully at a strange forum on genocide prevention held in Yerevan. Holding an event on genocide prevention in Armenia is as strange as the meetings of the PACE Human Rights Committee.

But we will agree with Mirzoyan. Indeed, the world reacts to mass crimes too late, and often not at all. If, back in the late 1980s, the world had reacted to the brutal ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis in Armenia, if it had taken measures against the aggressor in the early 1990s, condemned the organizers of the Khojaly genocide, and spoken out from high rostrums about the unprecedented barbarism and vandalism of Armenians in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the events of 2023 might not have happened.

In conclusion, we recall that December 10 is associated not only with Human Rights Day and the separatist "referendum," but with another eventone that is not just important, but essential for the present and future of this region, making all discussions, meetings, and resolutions irrelevant. On December 10, 2020, a Victory Parade was held in Baku. And no matter how much the Armenians and their supporters would like to focus on other matters, this factor must be taken into account, because it will determine the fate of Armenian statehoodnot the human rights days devalued by the diversity of European politics or the concept of "genocide" cheapened by the Armenian narrative.
By Shivansh Tiwary

(Reuters) - Honeywell said on Monday it was considering a plan to separate its high-margin aerospace business, a move backed by activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has been pushing for the company's breakup.

The company, one of the last surviving U.S. conglomerates, has been on a deal-making spree this year under CEO Vimal Kapur, as it focuses on automation, aviation and energy businesses, while shedding segments that do not align with its plans.

Its shares have, however, underperformed this year, attracting the attention of Elliott, which has taken a more than $5 billion stake in the company and pushed for the separation of its aerospace and automation business.

Honeywell said on Monday its board had made "significant progress" on its review of strategic alternatives to date and the company would provide an update with its fourth-quarter results, usually scheduled in the last week of January. Shares were up 2% in early trade.

Elliott responded by welcoming the company's announcement.

"We believe the portfolio transformation Vimal and his team are leading represents the right course for Honeywell, and we look forward to the upcoming completion of the review and to supporting Honeywell as it implements the necessary steps to realize its full value," the activist investor said.

A standalone aerospace business, which is Honeywell's biggest unit by revenue and counts Boeing and Airbus as its customers, could be valued between $90 billion and $120 billion including debt, analysts said.

The aerospace unit, which builds everything from engines to cockpit components, has benefited from rising jet production in the last few years, though supply chain disruptions have hurt the company's ability to meet some of that demand.

For the first nine months of 2024, Honeywell's aerospace business reported revenue of $11.47 billion, accounting for about 40% of the firm's total sales for the period.

The jetmaking boom is set to continue in the coming years amid record backlogs at planemakers, while a shortage of planes is set to boost demand for repairs.

"The setting of an imminent date (Q4 EPS) for a strategic update suggests a larger break-up is likely, in our view," Barclays analysts wrote in a note.

A potential spinoff will echo a similar announcement by General Electric in 2021. As of Friday, GE's aerospace business had a higher market value than Honeywell as a whole.

Honeywell had disclosed in November that it would sell its personal protective equipment business to Protective Industrial Products for about $1.33 billion in cash.
Narayana Murthy Net Worth In Rupees: Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again defended his support for the 70-hour workweek, urging Indians to work diligently to help the country achieve a leading position globally. During a visit to Kolkata, a city he described as "the most cultured place in the entire country," Murthy underscored the importance of striving for excellence.

In 2023, Murthy proposed the idea of a 70-hour workweek to accelerate Indias growth. While the suggestion sparked widespread criticism, including concerns raised by the medical community, it also garnered support from some quarters, notably Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal.

Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce's centenary launch alongside RPSG Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka, Infosys Co-Founder Narayana Murthy said "At Infosys, I said we will go to the best and compare ourselves with the best global companies. Once we compare ourselves with the best global companies, I can tell you we Indians have a lot to do".

'800 Million Indians Get Free Ration'

Adding further, he stated We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free ration. That means 800 million Indians are in poverty. If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard? he added.

Notably, Indians get free ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) under the PM Modi Government. It is a scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and the poor.

Furthermore, Murthy said that he realised the only way a country can fight poverty is by creating jobs that lead to disposable incomes. The government has absolutely no role in entrepreneurship. He stressed that entrepreneurs play a crucial role in building nations by creating wealth and generating employment.

"Entrepreneurs build a nation as they create jobs, they create wealth for their investors and they pay taxes. Therefore, if a country embraces capitalism, it will create good roads, good trains, and good infrastructure," he said.

His comments come amid concerns of workplace stress faced by young Indians, resulting in the loss of lives of many. Health experts have also warned of severe consequences of working long hours that may not only be detrimental to the physical and mental health of the employees but may also have serious effects on their personal and social relationships.

Infosys Co-Founder Narayana Murthy Networth:

According to the recently released Hurun India Rich List 2024, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has a net worth of Rs 36,600 crores, making him the fifth-richest person in Bengaluru and 69th richest in India. (Image Credit: IANS Input)
Friction erupted within the INDIA bloc over the controversy surrounding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). On Monday, Trinamool Congress MP and party National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee disagreed with Congress on the issue.

Banerjee schooled Congress, dismissing their allegations as "just random statements" and demanded that people making such allegations should demonstrate how the EVMs can be "hacked"

"The people who raise questions on EVM, if they have anything then they should go and show a demo to the Election Commission. If work is done properly at the time of EVM randomisation and the people who work on the booth check during mock polls and counting, then I don't think there is any substance in this allegation," he said, ANI reported.

Reacting to Mamata Banerjees nephew and Omar Abdullah's statement on EVM, BJP Leader Amit Malviya took a jibe at INDIA ally Congress and said that Rahul Gandhi is in serious trouble.

"After Omar Abdullah, if even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees nephew, who brazenly steals election in Diamond Harbour, using police and state machinery, claims that EVMs cant be manipulated, then the Congress and Rahul Gandhi are in serious trouble. Their isolation is complete," Malviya said.

After Omar Abdullah, if even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees nephew, who brazenly steals election in Diamond Harbour, using police and state machinery, claims that EVMs cant be manipulated, then the Congress and Rahul Gandhi are in serious trouble. Their isolation pic.twitter.com/BlUCdEtQkV  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 16, 2024

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed the Congress party's vehement objections to EVMs.

"When you get a hundred plus members of Parliament using the same EVMs and you celebrate that as sort of a victory for your party, you can't then a few months later turn around and say... we don't like these EVMs because now the election results aren't going the way we would like them to," Abdullah said, PTI reported.
NSA Ajit Doval is likely to visit China on December 17, where he is expected to meet with Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, in Beijing. This follows their previous meeting on September 12 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, during which the framework for the disengagement along the LAC in October is believed to have been discussed.

Ahead of his visit, questions are being raised about Ajit Doval's objectives during this bilateral meeting. Speculation is rife about whether he will discuss key challenges related to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan with China. Zee News' special report will explore the details of India's 007's next critical mission.

Watch Today's Full Episode Here

Ajit Doval has served as India's National Security Advisor during all three terms of the Modi government.

According to today's DNA, it is possible that during his visit to China, Doval may raise concerns related to Bangladesh, as the anti-India agenda of the Yunus government has become a volatile issue that could escalate at any moment.

Bangladesh has provided shelter to militants from ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army). Furthermore, officials from Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and highly trained Pakistani militants have also reportedly arrived in Bangladesh.
Delhi Air Pollution: As Delhi grapples with deteriorating air quality due to unfavourable weather conditions, the Centre's air quality panel for Delhi-NCR on Monday imposed the strictest Stage 4 curbs under the winter air pollution control plan.

The plan includes a ban on all construction activities, as the region's air quality deteriorated to 'severe' due to unfavourable weather conditions. During the winter season, stage 4 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) also include a ban on the entry of polluting trucks carrying non-essential goods into Delhi and mandatory shifting of school classes, except those for X and XII, to hybrid mode.

The urgent step to impose Stage 4 curbs was prompted by the major drop in AQI, which breached the 400 mark on Monday night. Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 379 at 4 pm.

The air quality in the national capital dropped amid extremely calm wind conditions and the buildup of an inversion layer, which adversely affects the vertical mixing heightthe height up to which pollutants can disperse.

The decision to further step up anti-pollution measures came just hours after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented restrictive measures under GRAP Stage 3, after AQI in Delhi breached the 350 mark in the afternoon.

Schools To Operate In Hybrid Mode, Work From Home For Employees

According to the revised GRAP schedule, classes for students in grades VI-IX and XI in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar must operate in hybrid mode (physical and online) under Stage 4.

Classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available. Stage 4 also includes a ban on all construction and demolition activities, including public projects like highways, flyovers, power lines, and pipelines. Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi.

Public, municipal, and private offices must decide on allowing only 50 percent of staff to work in offices, with the remaining staff working from home. States may consider additional measures like closing colleges and non-essential businesses and implementing odd-even vehicle restrictions.

Under Stage 3, imposed earlier in the day, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt. Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.

During winters, Delhi enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorises air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).

(With PTI Inputs)
J&K News: In a massive action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, police in Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara have attached two residential properties belonging to drug peddlers in the border area of Karnah. This is the first time (under the NDPS Act) such stringent action has been taken in this region, demonstrating the firm commitment of the police to combat the drug menace.

One of the properties attached is in Pingla Haridal, which belongs to Riyaz Ahmad Shah, son of Talib Hussain Shah. This property was attached in connection with case FIR No. 02/2019 U/S 8/21 NDPS Act registered with Police Station Karnah.

The second property attached is in Chitterkote Karnah and belongs to Jahangir Ahmad Khan, son of Rehmat Ali Khan. This attachment is linked to case FIR No. 14/2020 U/S 8/21 NDPS Act.

The combined market value of these properties is estimated to be approximately 40 lakhs. This action underscores the resolve of Kupwara Police to root out drug-related activities from the district, particularly in sensitive border areas like Karnah.

Police urge the public to support efforts made by the police by reporting any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. This proactive approach will contribute to building a drug-free and safe environment for all.
Tourists, common people, students and the business community have termed the connecting rail track from Kashmir to Delhi as a welcome step believing it will prove to be a game-changer for Kashmir.

Northern Railways made history by cutting through the Himalayan range to connect the Kashmir Valley to other parts of the country via rail. It took 20 long years for Indian Railways to complete this project, spending Rs 37,000 crores. The historic announcement was made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The Minister wrote on X, "Historic milestone; initial track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is complete. The ballast-less track works for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, were successfully completed today at 02:00 hrs."

The news spread a wave of happiness among the people of Kashmir. Kashmir, being a tourist destination, welcomes millions of tourists every year. However, many wish to visit Kashmir but cannot afford the airfare or find the road journey unsafe and exhausting. Now, with the train connection, they can visit without hassle. Kashmir could also become a weekend destination for more people.

Navdeep Singh said, "We had a lot of difficulties getting here. We first had to take a train from Punjab to Jammu, then I found out there was no direct train, so I boarded a cab to Banihal and then took a train here. It will be a great benefit for tourists coming from Delhi to Kashmir to enjoy their weekend here."

The business fraternity in Kashmir has also welcomed the step, believing it will be a game-changer for the region and bring new heights to Kashmirs business and tourism industries.

Manzoor Pakhtoon, a member of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and president of the Houseboat Association, said, "This is a welcome step and a historic development. It was our long-standing demand to have train connectivity to all metro cities. Its good that the track is completed, and we hope the train will soon reach here. It will benefit us because middle-class tourists couldnt visit due to high airfare, but now all classes can visit. Everyone wants to come to Kashmir at least once in their life. The tourism sector will get a boost, and we believe there will be more chances for development and employment opportunities. Other industries will also grow because, in winters, highways get closed, but with rail connectivity, that wont happen."

This has been a long-standing demand from the common people of Kashmir to have cheaper and faster connectivity with the rest of the country. People in Kashmir believe this will bring a 360-degree change to their lives.

Ashiq Hussain, a local, said, "I think its a very good thing. When we had to travel to Jammu, we faced a lot of difficulties, but now with the train, well get great relief. It will help businesses too. Trains will make the journey much easier. We should welcome it. Its good for everyone including students and common people. We were waiting for this."

Thousands of Kashmiri students study outside Kashmir, and they either have to travel by plane or road, which is expensive and time-consuming. With the new train connection, they will not only save money but also time and the journey will be faster and more comfortable.

Security Arrangements

The 272-kilometer-long railway track from Baramulla to Katra is fully secured. Of these 272 kilometres, 193 kilometres from Baramulla to Sangaldan already have train services running with foolproof security arrangements. Two security wings, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the General Railway Police (GRP), are dedicated to the protection of railway stations and tracks.

RPF is stationed at every station from Baramulla to Katra and is responsible for station security. X-ray machines are installed at every station to frisk people and their luggage to ensure no untoward incidents occur.

GRP is responsible for tracking security. Every 5 kilometres on the track, 5-7 GRP soldiers conduct rounds, with guard rooms at each entry and exit point of bridges and tunnels. They also have rotating patrol shifts, and the soldiers are from Jammu and Kashmir Police, transferred to the General Railway Police.

The track, which passes through the most difficult terrain of the Himalayas, has the maximum number of bridges and tunnels in any railway track in the country. It includes 931 bridges and 38 tunnels, with the longest tunnel being 12.5 kilometers long and the highest bridge in the world over the Chenab River, standing 359 meters above the river  higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Every bridge and tunnel has security guard rooms at their entry and exit points. CCTV cameras are installed at every station, tunnel, and bridge, monitored round the clock by railway and security authorities from sub-control rooms connected to the main control room in Srinagar and Udhampur. A frisking point may be set up at Katra for checking passengers and their luggage.

Once train operations begin from Katra to Srinagar, additional deployments of CRPF and SSB are also planned to sanitize the area and secure small and large stations, as well as sensitive locations.

Project Details

This rail project began in 2004 and took 20 years to complete, passing through the difficult terrain of the Himalayas and the Chenab River. The project cost approximately Rs 37,000 crores. The track includes 931 small and large bridges, with the highest being the Chenab Bridge, the worlds highest railway bridge and 38 tunnels, including a 12.5 km electrified tunnel, the longest in India.
The Union Government has deferred the tabling of the One Nation One Election bill in Lok Sabha and priority has been given to the passage of supplementary demands for grants. According to reports, the government has deferred the introduction of bills related to 'one nation one election' in the Lok Sabha till after the completion of financial business.

According to reports, the two bills related to the simultaneous polls - The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill) - could be brought either on Tuesday or later this week after the House passes the first batch of supplementary demands for grants listed for Monday.

The updated list of business issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat does not include the two bills originally expected on Monday's agenda. However, the government retains the option to introduce legislative items at the last minute through a 'Supplementary List of Business,' subject to the Lok Sabha Speaker's approval.

Last week, the two billspertaining to the implementation of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblieswere circulated among members in accordance with procedural rules.

The Winter Session of Parliament is set to conclude on December 20.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, launched a scathing attack on the BJP during a parliamentary session, accusing the ruling party of being against social justice and misleading the nation on key issues. Claiming BJPs opposition to the caste census, Kharge said, The BJP is against reservation, which is why they oppose the caste census.

Kharge also called for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he had misled the country by distorting Jawaharlal Nehru's letter to the states. He further attacked the BJP for its past opposition to the Constitution, stating, It is clear from the debates of the Constituent Assembly that erstwhile leaders of the RSS were against the Constitution. Those who hated the flag, the Ashok Chakra, and the Constitution are today teaching us lessons on the Constitution.

Kharge criticized the BJP for making empty promises, or jumlas, to deceive the public while shifting blame onto the Opposition. He also accused PM Modi of dwelling on the past instead of addressing present achievements that could strengthen Indias democracy. The Prime Minister lives in the past, not in the present. It would have been better if he had listed recent accomplishments that have fortified democracy, Kharge remarked.

The Congress leader concluded by claiming that a future Congress-led government would expedite the implementation of womens reservation faster than the BJP, reiterating the partys commitment to social justice and inclusivity.

Kharge also said that while the PM travels everywhere, he has no time to visit Manipur even when violence has gripped the state.
In 2019, when the United Shiv Sena decided to ally with Congress, the majority of Shiv Sena members and MLAs were not happy with the decision. The discontent within the party was such that several leaders reportedly cleared the rumblings within the party to Uddhav Thackeray on multiple occasions. Two and half years into the alliance, the Shiv Sena split into two with 41 of the total 63 MLAs siding with Eknath Shinde who led the rebellion.

Fast forward to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls - the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of Shiv Sena-Uddhav Thackeray, NCP-Sharad Pawar and Congress - secured a decisive win over the Mahayuti alliance of the BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena. It was deemed as the semifinal victory for Uddhav Thackeray whose party bagged nine seats. The final took place five months later with Eknath Shinde sweeping the polls, reducing Uddhav Sena to just 20 seats in the assembly. The result affirmed Shinde's claim on the Shiv Sena with the Uddhav cadre reiterating the demand to return to the Hindutva fold.

Soon after the election results, the Sena-UBT leaders dropped broad hints of going back to its core Hindutva agenda. The party has mounted a strident attack on the Centre for atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the neighbouring country in August and has now come forward to 'protect' an '80-year-old' Hanuman Temple outside Mumbai's Dadar station that was served a demolition notice by the railways, reported PTI. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray performed 'maha aarti' at the temple amid efforts by the party to corner the ruling BJP on the Hindutva plank. E

Before the polls, the Sena-UBT was shy of vehement display of its Hindutva card in a bid to not upset the Muslim voters, a core vote-bank of the MVA. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party's ambiguous stand on the Uniform Civil Code and Waqf Board Amendment Bill gave the BJP further ammunition to attack its former ally. However, now the party is changing its stance. Political experts see this as a key policy shift ahead of the upcoming civic elections across Maharashtra including in Mumbai's BMC. The cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was controlled by the undivided Shiv Sena for 25 years from 1997 to 2022. In 2017, the Shiv Sena and the BJP were involved a close fight and won 84 and 82 seats, respectively.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party won four of the six seats in Mumbai, though a closer look revealed it did not do well in seats with its traditional voter base. In assembly segments like Worli, held by Aaditya Thackeray, it had leads of less than 7,000. The ruling BJP accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) of winning with the help of minority votes. In the assembly polls, results of which were declared on November 23, victories in just 10 of the 24 constituencies it contested in Mumbai was another sign of its waning voter base, especially among core supporters.

Political analyst Abhay Deshpande told PTI the Shiv Sena (UBT) has realized that the party's 'secular' stand may not work in the BMC, so it has moved back to its core Hindutva agenda. The party's secular stand may help in wards where the Congress has a weak candidate and the minority votes will gravitate to the Shiv Sena UBT, he added.

Prakash Akolkar, the author of 'Jai Maharashtra -- Ha Shiv Sena Navacha Itihas Aahe' (Jai Maharashtra -- This is the History of Shiv Sena) said the party moving back to Hindutva stems from its "frustration" from electoral setbacks. "In the first session, after he took over as the chief minister in 2019, Uddhav Thackeray had said his party made a mistake of mixing religion with politics. Now the party is going back to its main Hindutva plank. This shows that the party has no real ideology," Akolkar said.

The Shiv Sena-UBT is likely to go for display of its 'Hindutva' card in a bid to regain the lost voter base as well as to counter the BJP, which has emerged even stronger in the state. Shiv Sena-UBT may also sever ties with Congress in future and may work to build a strong base from scratch on its own. (With PTI inputs)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on his first official trip to India, has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of full cooperation while ensuring regional peace. Dissanayake said that India has always helped Sri Lanka and the island nation has very significant place in the foreign policy of India.

At the joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, "I have also given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support for India."

Dissanayake also said that Sri Lanka wants to find a durable and sustainable solution to the fishermen's issue that has become a plague for both our countries. "There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry," said Dissanayake, flagging the wrong fishing practice by fishermen of both nations.

Recalling India's help during the financial crisis, Dissanayake said, "We faced an unprecedented economic crisis some 2 years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process. I know that Sri Lanka secured a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka."

The Sri Lankan President further said that the people of both nations have elected the current governments to ensure social protection and durable development.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said that the two countries will be boosting their connectivity in the coming time. "Ferry service and Chennai-Jaffna flight connectivity have boosted tourism and strengthened our cultural ties. We have decided that after the successful launch of Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai ferry services, now ferry service will be started between Rameswaram in India and Talaimannar. Work will also be done to realize the immense potential of tourism through the Buddhist circuit and Ramayana trail of Sri Lanka," said PM Modi.

PM Modi further added, "We hope the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of Tamilians and fulfil its commitment to full implementation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and to conduct the Provincial Council Elections. I have assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to be a trusted and reliable partner in its efforts to develop Sri Lanka in many ways..."
By Yuka Obayashi

TOKYO (Reuters) -Some Japanese aluminium buyers have agreed to pay a global producer a premium of $228 per metric ton over the benchmark price for shipments from January to March, up 30% from this quarter, two sources directly involved in the talks said.

The fourth consecutive quarterly increase, the figure exceeds the $175 per ton paid in the quarter from October to December. It is also the highest premium since 2015, though slightly lower than the initial offers of $230-$260 made by producers.

Japan is a major Asian importer of the light metal and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the yardstick for the region.

Negotiations between other buyers and sellers are still ongoing.

The agreement comes amid concerns over tighter supply in Asia after China said it would cancel a 13% export tax refund for aluminium semi-manufactured products from Dec. 1.

The move is expected to boost ingot demand from Asian rolling mills outside China to produce semi-finished products, a source at a global producer said, noting that inquiries for the primary metal is already increasing.

Strong global alumina prices, which prompted some producers to reduce aluminium output, along with civil unrest in Mozambique, have heightened worries over tighter global supply and higher premiums, the source said.

The sources declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Russian aluminium producer Rusal said in November that it will cut output by more than 6% in response to high global alumina prices and as tight monetary policy and an economic slowdown dampen domestic demand for the metal.

Last week, Australia's South32 said that it has withdrawn its output forecast for its Mozal Aluminium smelter in Mozambique amid post-election civil unrest.

"Although Japanese domestic demand remains sluggish, we settled at $228 due to overseas supply risks and the possibility that prolonged negotiations could push prices even higher," another source at a Japanese end-buyer said.

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Jacqueline Wong)
Telugu actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan has emerged as the second most searched actor worldwide on Google in 2024. Serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan's increasing political influence and lasting stardom have propelled him to become the most searched Indian celebrity globally.

Google's 2024 search data reveals that comedian and podcaster Katt Williams secured the top spot as the most searched personality. Pawan Kalyan's ascent to the second position highlights his rising significance and widespread impact. His political endeavors, combined with his established popularity as an actor, have captured global attention.

Check out the Top 10 Most Searched Celebrities on Google in 2024 (Worldwide)

Katt Williams

Pawan Kalyan

Adam Brody

Ella Purnell

Hina Khan

Kieran Culkin

Terrence Howard

Nimrat Kaur

Sutton Foster

Briggitte Bozzo

The 2024 list of the most searched celebrities on Google features two other prominent Indian names: Hina Khan and Nimrat Kaur. Hina Khan, ranked 5th, stands out as the most searched Indian actress on the list. This year, she garnered widespread attention for her brave disclosure about her fight against stage three breast cancer. Despite the difficult diagnosis, Hina has stayed resilient and optimistic in her journey to recovery. In an emotional post, she expressed:
In a world where corporate culture often feels like an unshakable hierarchy, Aashi Sahni stands out as a creator who found humour and success in calling out its quirks and flaws. From relatable rants about office politics to satirical takes on workplace stereotypes, Aashi's content resonates with anyone whos ever dealt with the 9-to-5 grind.

But how did she manage to turn her corporate rant into a thriving career? Lets dive into her journey.

The Beginning: From Social Media Manager to Content Creator

Aashis corporate career started as a social media manager at an automobile company. Tasked with growing the companys online presence, she quickly realized that dry, product-driven content wouldnt connect with audiences. When I joined, automobile company had 64,000 followers, and our videos barely got 3,000 views. I knew we needed to make the content more relatable, she recalls. But how would an automobile company profit out of making reels?

I realized that before selling a product, we needed to build a connection with our audiencecreate a family around the page, Aashi explains. And while her content started as part of her job, it soon became evident that her comedic takes on corporate culture were resonating far beyond the brands followers.

Breaking Stereotypes Through Humor

Aashi's content often tackles serious workplace issues like favoritism, toxic management, and gender bias, but with a humorous twist. As a woman in the corporate world, she has firsthand experience with these challenges. Even if a woman achieves a target, people assume its because her manager helped her or she got lucky, she shares.

Her videos highlight these stereotypes while flipping the narrative. In her own words, Audience connect with fun content. If we cant engage with serious, dull content, why should they?

Turning a Job Into a Personal Brand

While creating content for automobile company, Aashi started gaining personal followers who appreciated her take on office life. Soon, she realized her true calling wasnt just managing social mediait was creating content that spoke to people on a personal level.

Eventually, she left her corporate job to focus entirely on content creation. It wasnt easy, but I knew I could create something unique by sharing the realities of corporate culture in a way that people could laugh at and relate to, Aashi says.

Building a Community Around Office Struggles

One of the reasons Aashis content is so popular is its relatability. From dealing with overbearing colleagues to surviving toxic team dynamics, her videos reflect experiences that many workers endure but rarely voice.

Aashi often answers questions from her followers about office politics and toxic workplaces. One viewer asked, What do I do about favoritism in my office? Promotions and perks always go to those who dont work properly. Aashis advice? Strike a balance between standing your ground and maintaining your mental peace. You have to make people recognize your efforts. Sometimes, you need to speak up and claim credit for your work, even if it feels uncomfortable, she advises.

Whats Next for Aashi Sahni?

Today, Aashi has carved a niche for herself as a digital creator who brings a fresh perspective to corporate culture. She continues to create content that entertains, educates, and connects with her ever-growing audience.

Her journey from a social media manager to a celebrated content creator proves that the frustrations of office life can be more than just watercooler complaintsthey can become a powerful platform for storytelling and change.

As Aashi herself puts it, If you can find humor in something as serious as office politics, you can pretty much survive anything.
New Delhi: Apple's iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE 3rd generation will be removed from sale in the EU on December 28 to comply with EU regulations requiring all phones to have a USB-C port, a report has said. These are the last iPhones with Lightning connectors available in the EU. Apple Authorized Retailers in the EU will continue to sell them until inventory is depleted.

Why is Apple removing from sale three iPhones?

The EU mandated in 2022 that all phones and gadgets sold in 27 countries must have a USB-C port to reduce electronic waste. Apple fought against this change but released the iPhone 15 in 2023 with a USB connector and gradually moved all its iPads to USB-C.

Apple will remove its Lightning-connector iPhones, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE 3rd generation from sale, both online and offline stores, in all 27 EU countries starting December 28, according to a report spotted by MacRumors. These are the last iPhones with the Lightning port on sale in the EU, and Apple's authorized resellers will have them in stock till they last.

iPhone 14 Sales in India

Apple typically removes older models from its catalogue, but iPhone 14 series can be purchased in India through online and offline sellers, with future support for three to four years.
Despite their seemingly unimportant appearance, socks are an essential part of any clothing. Whether you're working out, hitting the streets, or just relaxing at home, a quality pair of socks can make all the difference in your comfort. Selecting the ideal pair might be difficult with so many alternatives. From fabrics to styles, this buyer's guide will help you make sense of the women's sock market and pick the ideal pair for any situation.

1. Hummel Droplet Women Pack of 4 Multi-Colour Socks

Image Source- Marvelof.com

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The Hummel Droplet Women Pack of 4 Multi-Colour Socks is a fun and stylish choice for adding a pop of color to your wardrobe. Designed with vibrant shades, these socks are as trendy as they are comfortable.

Key Features:

Vibrant Multi-Coloured Design: Four brightly colored socks in different shades to match any mood or outfit.

Iconic Chevrons: Stylish Hummel branding adds a fashionable touch.

Comfortable Composition: Made of 75% cotton for softness, 23% polyamide for durability, and 2% elastane for stretchability.

Versatile Use: Suitable for both activewear and casual daily wear.

Limited Size Range: May not be suitable for individuals with larger or smaller than average foot sizes.

2. Balenzia Mickey and Friends Ankle Socks for Women

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The Balenzia Mickey and Friends Ankle Socks are a fun and comfortable addition to your sock drawer. Crafted from a blend of combed cotton, nylon, spandex, and elastic, these socks offer the perfect balance of comfort, durability, and style.

Key Features:

Comfortable Blend: Made with a combination of combed cotton, nylon, spandex, and elastic for a soft and stretchy feel.

Fun Design: Features adorable Mickey and Friends characters for a playful touch.

Durable and Long-Lasting: Built to withstand daily wear and tear.

Perfect Fit: Stretchable material ensures a comfortable fit for most foot sizes.

Limited Durability: While the socks are durable, excessive wear and tear may affect their longevity.

3. Balenzia Crew Socks for Women

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The Balenzia Crew Socks for Women bring bold colors and unique designs to your everyday wardrobe, letting you express confidence and individuality. Crafted from 100% cotton, these ribbed crew socks feature a mix of bold patterns and an embroidered monogram, adding an elevated touch to comfort and style.

Key Features

Premium Material: Made from 100% cotton, ensuring breathability, softness, and comfort.

Bold Patterns & Monogram: Features stylish designs with an embroidered monogram for a sophisticated, personalized look.

Universal Fit: Suitable for both men and women, making them versatile additions to your wardrobe.

Softening Treatment: Enhances fabric smoothness for added comfort against the skin.

Light Cushioning: Provides additional support and comfort, ideal for extended wear.

Care Requirements: Pure cotton may require delicate washing to maintain quality and avoid shrinkage.

4. REACH Bamboo Fibre Ankle Length Socks For Men & Women

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The REACH Bamboo Fibre Ankle Length Socks offer a blend of comfort, innovation, and functionality. Made from bamboo fiber blended with spandex, these socks are breathable, soft, and designed for both men and women.

Key Features:

Soft Bamboo Fiber: Made from natural bamboo, offering enhanced softness and comfort.

Breathable Mesh Design: Ensures proper air circulation, keeping feet fresh and cool during physical activities.

Anti-Odor Technology: Naturally antimicrobial and moisture-wicking bamboo inhibits bacteria growth, preventing bad odors.

Hypoallergenic: Gentle on sensitive skin and suitable for those with allergies.

Basic Design: Sea green color and simple design may not appeal to those seeking more vibrant patterns.

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In his first reaction after he was overthrown by insurgent groups, Syrian President Bashar Assad said that he had no plans to leave the country after the fall of Damascus a week ago. He was evacuated by the Russian military after their base in western Syria came under attack.

In a statement on the social media platform Facebook, ousted President Assad said that he left Damascus on the morning of Dec. 8, hours after insurgents stormed the capital city. He also stated that he left in coordination with Russian allies to the Russian base in the coastal province of Latakia, where he planned to keep fighting.

Assad said that after the Russian base came under attack by drones, the Russians decided to move him on the night of Dec. 8 to Russia. I did not leave the country as part of a plan as it was reported earlier, Assad said, as quoted by news agency AP.

Meanwhile on Monday, a U.K.-based war monitor said Israeli airstrikes hit missile warehouses in Syria in the early hours and termed it the most violent strikes since 2012. Following the dramatic fall of Assads regime, Israel has been pounding what it says are military sites in Syria and wiping out air defenses and most of the arsenal of the former Syrian army.

According to a Financial Times report, Assads regime airlifted around $250 million (Rs 2,082 crore) in cash to Moscow. The transactions took place in a two-year period2018 and 2019and included nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and currency notes of 500 euros, the outlet further said.

The FT report revealed that these banknotes were flown to Vnukovo airport in Russias capital city, Moscow, and deposited in sanctioned banks of the country. The report further stated that Assad's relatives were secretly purchasing assets in Russia during the same period.

(With AP Inputs)
Despite atrocities against Hindus and minorities on the rise, Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus is not ready to conduct general elections in the near future and restore normalcy in the country. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced on Monday that Bangladesh's next general elections could be scheduled between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. That means, Bangladesh will have to wait for almost one year to get an elected government and until then, Yunus will be in the commanding position.

Yunus clarified about the possibility of holding national elections during his address to the nation on Victory Day, marking Bangladesh's victory in the 1971 Liberation War. Victory Day commemorates the moment on December 16, 1971, when General Amir Abdullah Niazi of Pakistan's armed forces and 93,000 soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini, marking the end of Bangladesh's nine-month war for independence.

In his address, Yunus emphasised the importance of political consensus to move forward with elections. He said, "If political consensus allows us, again, to conduct elections based on accurate electoral rolls with a few reforms, it may be possible to hold elections by the end of 2025."

Yunus acknowledged, however, that additional time might be needed to implement the necessary reforms. "And if we add to this the extent of reforms expected in terms of the electoral process and the Electoral Reforms Commission's recommendations and on the basis another six months may be required," he added.

His comments came amid political instability in Bangladesh. On August 5, a student-led movement ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after weeks of protests and violence that led to over 600 deaths. Hasina fled to India, and an interim government led by Yunus took charge. (With ANI inputs)
Abu Dhabi-based future energy company Masdar has announced the inauguration of the 500MW Zarafshan wind farm in Uzbekistan, the largest such facility in Central Asia, by the country's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The project underscores Uzbekistan's commitment to expanding its clean energy capacity and highlights the collaboration between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in advancing renewable energy.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi stated: Uzbekistan has built upon its legacy as a vital artery on the ancient Silk Road  the historic trade route uniting east and west  becoming a key hub for renewables in the region, moving at pace and at scale to develop landmark clean energy projects and attract investment.

The inauguration of Zarafshan, one of the largest operational wind farms in Central Asia, highlights the scale of the countrys vision and Masdars commitment to helping Uzbekistan achieve its clean energy goals with renewable energy projects that power its homes and businesses  and sustainable growth  while successfully cutting emissions.

Uzbekistan aims to achieve 20GW of clean energy capacity by 2030, aligning with its broader strategy to enhance its renewable energy infrastructure and reduce its carbon footprint.

Masdar is pivotal in delivering significant projects, including the region's largest solar and wind farms and its first battery storage project.

The company has pledged to invest $2bn in clean energy projects in Uzbekistan, aiming for a total capacity exceeding 2GW.

UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Masdar chairman Sultan Al Jaber stated: The UAE and Uzbekistans enduring relationship is critical to a shared commitment to drive low-carbon socioeconomic progress and clean energy capacity growth.

Uzbekistan has become a leading investment destination and a clean energy hub for the region as we work to deliver our shared goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, as outlined in the historic UAE Consensus.

Masdar is developing a pipeline of 4GW of renewable projects in their early stages, demonstrating its commitment to the region's clean energy future.

At COP29, held in Azerbaijan in November 2024, Masdar and the Uzbekistan Ministry of Energy signed an agreement to develop a 1GW wind farm in the Mingbulak region.

The new project will create 1,000 jobs during construction and 60 jobs in operation, providing clean energy to 300,000 homes.

The agreement is the first phase of a broader strategy to establish three wind farms in Uzbekistan.
QatarEnergy has expanded its upstream portfolio in Namibia by acquiring a 27.5% working interest in the petroleum exploration licence and petroleum agreement for offshore block 2813B.

Block 2813B (PEL0090) is located roughly 200km offshore Namibia and around 70km north of QatarEnergys Venus discovery. The licence spans 5,433km, with water depths ranging from 2,400m to 3,300m.

The interest was secured through an agreement with Harmattan Energy Limited (HEL), an indirect subsidiary of Chevron. HEL will remain the operator with a 52.5% interest.

The remaining interests in Block 2813B are held by Trago Energy and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, each with a 10% stake.

Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy president and CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said: This agreement demonstrates our commitment to continue expanding our upstream footprint in Namibia, and the strengthening of our partnership with our valued partner Chevron.

Al-Kaabi added: "Following successful drilling operations in our other acreage in Namibia, we look forward to soon begin drilling the first exploration well on this block. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Namibian authorities and our partners for their support.

In November 2024, QatarEnergy announced an agreement with TotalEnergies to acquire additional stakes in two offshore blocks in Namibias Orange Basin.

The deal adds a 5.25% interest in block 2913B (PEL 56) and a 4.695% interest in block 2912 (PEL 91), raising QatarEnergy's holdings to 35.25% in block 2913B and 33.025% in block 2912.

Last month, QatarEnergy also signed an agreement to acquire a 23% stake in the North El-Dabaa (H4) offshore exploration block in Egyptian waters from Chevron.

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, around 10km offshore, the block has water depths ranging from 100m to 3,000m.

Following the deal, Chevron will remain the operator with a 40% stake, while Woodside and Egypt's Tharwa Petroleum Company retain their 27% and 10% stakes, respectively.

"QatarEnergy boosts Namibia exploration with new offshore block stake acquisition" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




(Reuters) - All regulatory closing conditions related to Novo Holdings' $16.5 billion acquisition of U.S. contract drug maker Catalent had been fulfilled, the companies said on Saturday, adding that the transaction is expected to be completed in the coming days.

Novo Holdings in February agreed to buy Catalent to boost output of the popular weight-loss drug Wegovy. According to the terms of the deal, Novo Holdings would sell three of Catalent's factories, where injection pens are filled in sterile conditions, in Italy, Belgium and the United States, to Novo Nordisk for $11 billion.

Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which makes the blockbuster GLP-1 injectable weight-loss drug Wegovy.

Novo Nordisk said that the acquisition is expected to have a mid single-digit negative impact on the company's operating profit growth for 2025, and that the company is not expecting to initiate a share buyback programme in 2025.

The deal had received EU antitrust approval earlier in December, and the European Commission said in a statement that "The proposed merger would not raise competition concerns on any of the markets examined in the EEA (European Economic Area) or on any substantial part of it".

Several U.S. consumer groups and two large labor unions had urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in October to block the deal. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren had also called on the FTC to scrutinize the $16.5 billion deal.

The FTC in May had sought more information on Novo's acquisition of Catalent. However, there had been no update from the FTC since then.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru, Editing by Franklin Paul)
TikTok will be banned in the United States on Jan. 19, 2025, after a federal appeals court rejected its bid to overturn the ban that President Biden signed in April. The law states that if TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, doesn't divest its ownership to non-Chinese companies, the app will be banned in the U.S.

With the ban date quickly approaching, it has the potential to ripple through the U.S. economy, particularly among the seven million small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that use the platform to generate revenue and grow their brands.

Don't Miss:

Oxford Economics released a report in March 2024 that reveals TikToks impacts on U.S. businesses. In 2023, the platform supported $24.2 billion in the U.S. GDP, including $15 billion in revenue generated by small businesses through organic reach and TikTok's paid advertising. According to the report, TikTok has also facilitated 224,000 American jobs and contributed $5.3 billion in taxes.

In an article from TikTok Newsroom, Blake Chandlee, TikTok's President of Global Business Solutions, expressed the importance of the platform. Businesses across America depend on TikTok's unique ability to help them reach otherwise unreachable customers, generate new revenue streams and drive awareness of their brands, products and services."

According to Oxford Economics, the food and beverage, health and wellness and business service sectors particularly relied on TikTok, collectively contributing billions to the GDP.

See Also: The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year  for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market.

Small business owners in diverse industries express that TikTok has transformed their businesses. Felicia Jackson, owner of CPR Wrap, stated that TikTok has driven over $300,000 in sales in just two days, saving her company. "It's amazing," she told TikTok Newsroom. "And best yet, two lives have been saved using our product because they saw it and bought it off TikTok."

Similarly, Desiree Hill, a mobile mechanic, attributed her rapid business expansion  including leasing a 9,000-square-foot shop and hiring five employees  to her success on TikTok.
Trump's Ex-Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo Backs Nippon Steel's $14.9B Acquisition Of US Steel Citing National Security Concerns

President-elect Donald Trumps Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has thrown his support behind Nippon Steel Corp.s (OTC:NPSCY) (OTC:NISTF) proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of United States Steel Corp. (NYSE:X), arguing the deal would strengthen Americas position against Chinese market dominance.

What Happened: In an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal on Friday, Pompeo, who now serves as a strategic adviser to Nippon Steel, emphasized that the transaction would enhance U.S. national and economic security while protecting American jobs.

Dont Miss:

The deal faces significant opposition from both President Joe Biden and Trump. According to Bloomberg sources, Biden is expected to block the acquisition on national security grounds when the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States refers its decision later this month.

Pompeo countered these concerns, stating that blocking the deal would undermine Americas national security by diminishing our ability to maintain robust and competitive domestic steel production. He highlighted Nippon Steels commitment to invest $2.7 billion in union-represented local steel facilities.

U.S. Steel spokesperson Amanda Malkowski has previously defended the transaction, stating that this transaction should be approved on its merits. Nippon Steel expressed confidence in the American legal system, indicating it would pursue legal action if necessary.

See Also: Its no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art  this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Heres how everyday investors are getting started.

Why It Matters: The Japanese steelmakers proposed acquisition comes amid growing concerns about Chinas steel overproduction and its impact on global markets.

Biden has until Dec. 22 or 23 to receive CFIUSs referral and must announce his decision within 7 days. U.S. Steel shares have experienced volatility as investors react to developments surrounding the proposed acquisition.

In November after his election victory, Trump made a declaration in a post on Truth Social, stating, "I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation."
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court heard from law students with disabilities last week that the process for pursuing accommodations on the bar exam is expensive, time-consuming and unfriendly  and a proposed rule change is only the first step to fixing the problem.
Two Veterans Health Administration clinics in southern Colorado are changing their hours, according to a news release.
By Qabil Ashirov



Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, Azernews reports, citing a post shared on the ministry's "X" account.

The post reads that a one-on-one meeting between the parties had begun.

It is worth noting that Azerbaijan and the Holy See have maintained diplomatic relations since May 1992. This relationship reflects mutual respect and cooperation, particularly in areas such as cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian efforts.

High-level visits and regular diplomatic engagements underscore the importance both entities place on their relationship.

Cultural exchanges are a significant aspect of their relations. Azerbaijan has shown interest in the Vatican's cultural and religious heritage, and there have been several initiatives to foster mutual understanding and respect between the Azerbaijani people and the Catholic Church.

Both parties working together on various initiatives aimed at promoting peace, social justice, and interfaith harmony. The Holy See has also shown support for Azerbaijan's efforts in preserving its multicultural and multi-faith society.

These diplomatic and cultural engagements illustrate the strong and growing relationship between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, based on shared values and mutual interests.
Exactly one year after they swam the Rio Grande River into the U.S., a young Venezuelan couple and their school-aged child were coming out of the Thanksgiving holiday in Denver with mixed feelings of gratitude  thankful to be alive and sheltered but doubtful about everything else.

Gabriel and Ana  who consented to an interview by The Denver Gazette on terms that their real names not be used  intimately know the mess that illegal immigration has become in large cities.

They are part of it.

Their answers to basic questions  why did you come? How rough was the crossing? Would you do it again?  yielded several surprises.

At a moment when a new administration in Washington is pledging to conduct the largest mass deportation program ever, the pair said that the U.S. border with Mexico should become much better protected.

What I liked about Trump was that he was talking about closing the border, Gabriel, 33, said through an interpreter, two weeks after the election.

Immigrant advocates prepare for Trumps Operation AuroraThere are people coming across who do not intend to work. Its making the situation much harder for those who are working, obeying the laws and acting responsibly, he added.

The interview comes at a moment when Venezuela has gained outsized attention as a major departure point for immigrants. A week ago, the Wall Street Journal reported Trump is being pressured by advisors to drop his longstanding opposition to Venezuelan oil trade, as a means to prompt dictator Nicolas Maduro to reduce the influx of immigrants to the U.S.

Gabriels and Anas experience in Denver has been far from typical. After arriving last November, the family found a temporary shelter at a motel near downtown, then made a connection to a household willing to open their home to an immigrant family. Their quarters now include a bedroom and bath, and a separate bedroom for their grade schooler, who is attending a public school in Denver.

Exactly a year ago, with the child riding on Gabriels shoulders, the pair set foot on the Texas side of the Rio Grande, with $50 in their pockets. Minutes before, they had each paid 200 pesos to operators of a cartel-run immigrant camp on the rivers Mexican side for permission to cross.

Despite struggling to get a work permit here, theyve each picked up odd jobs, earning enough to buy a used SUV for $1,800, pay for groceries and utilities, and pay a lawyer $2,300 to work on getting them permit and an asylum application.

That picture is nothing close to how they had expected this all to go, after hearing accounts from other Venezuelans about how easy it would be to cross through Central America and enter the U.S., and what it would be like here.

We kept hearing about the ability to cross the border, Ana said of her conversations with others in 2022. My cousin got in, This guy got in, she said.

The chatter, she added, was that it would be easy to cross and to make money.

Youll work a little, youll get a house, thats all lies, added Gabriel.

The couple said their decision to go was prompted in large part by word of mouth accounts about the ease of crossing through the jungle border into Central America, about lax border enforcement at the U.S. border, and about easy pathways to asylum in the U.S.

Those messages are widely attributed to propaganda promoted by drug cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, who, by some estimates, have turned human trafficking into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. According to some accounts, criminal groups further exploit the human traffic at the U.S. border, where immigrant caravans are used as decoys for drug smuggling operations carried out simultaneously.

The couple had opted to leave Venezuela after their baby arrived, well into the decade-long rule of Maduro, who succeeded as head of the Socialist Party of Venezuela following the death of Hugo Chavez in 2013. Everyday commodities  food, milk, diapers  were impossible to find in the stores, Ana said.

The family packed and made the relatively easy trip across into Colombia, where goods and better paying jobs were comparatively plentiful.

But as more Venezuelan refugees followed them west over the border, wages dropped and jobs became harder to find. The couple saw their prospects fall, then moved on to Ecuador, only to see more Venezuelans arrive.

We thought about (heading for the U.S.) for a year, then decided, Lets go, Ana recalled.

The pair saved for travel expenses. Despite having seen scary videos about the 60-mile-wide Darien Gap rainforest separating Colombia and Panama, they picked one of three entry points into the gap  where they were each charged $200 USD to a non-governmental group patrolling the border, possibly the Marxist guerilla group FARC.

That was the first of many waypoints, in which migrants are charged to pass, each run by guerillas or criminal groups. A boat ride through part of the gap was $40 each, plus $25 for the kid. At the Panamanian frontier, they turned and fled south after three gunmen assailed them.

The walking part through the jungle had taken three and a half days, where they overnighted in camps that Ana described as horrible. At one point, the route passed a river of death that reeked of human remains.

Each saw bodies of the dead along the way, some appearing to have lost limbs, whether to animals or humans wasnt clear.

The worst part? Mexico

The Denver Gazette asked whether the Darien Gap was the worst part of the journey.

No, the pair replied. Mexico.

After crossing five countries, the low point of the trip began as they headed north by train from Mexico City.

At some point, Ana began hearing stories from travelers that the narcos, who were ever present along the route, will steal women and children, and turn them into sex workers.

She now said she couldnt sleep during the long train rides, following circuitous routes to avoid authorities and ticket checks.

At the northern end of the route was Piedras Negras, across the river from Eagle Pass, Texas. There, in sight of the U.S., the pair was waylaid by Mexican immigration police, who put them on a bus back to the Guatemalan border, 1,200 miles south.

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Ana said they had little choice there but to turn around and head north again.

We couldnt stay in Mexico. I would rather have gone back to Venezuela than to stay in Mexico, she said.

Meanwhile, the story from other travelers about their chances of crossing into the U.S. was turning more ominous.

Everyone was saying theyll kick you out now, you need to go these other routes, she said.

One year ago, the pair again arrived at the Rio Grande, at the immigrant camp run not by the Mexican government but by one of the cartels. On Nov. 21, they were part of a group of 300 people who were taken to a crossing point, where their escorts charged them each the 200 peso crossing fee.

Some other immigrants couldnt pay, and the pair witnessed when the escorts summarily stripped those of their possessions.

Then all were told to enter the water.

Gabriel said that point on the river chosen by the escorts was not where it was lowest and slowest.

We crossed at the worst part, he said. They said they would call (Mexican) immigration if we didnt cross.

Gabriel put the child on his shoulders and he and Ana held hands with 15 others and waded into the current. The water grew deeper, and as he struggled to keep the child above the water, at some point he could no longer touch bottom.

Gabriel, Gabriel! Ana recalled shouting as he disappeared.

Gabriel said that neither really knew how to swim, but that it didnt matter because the current was so strong.

I was starting to drown, we were dying, he said.

At some point, Gabriel felt the river floor under his feet. He has no recollection of how he had made it. He said he believes that he and the child were saved by God. A U.S. patrol boat arrived and began throwing life vests to the party.

A year later, the border and its sojourners are growing in the headlines as the transition between administrations looms.

The day before Thanksgiving, President-elect Trump phoned the new Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, with Trump claiming Sheinbaum had agreed to close down immigration through Mexico. Sheinbaum later denied the account.

In large metropolitan areas where illegal immigration has grown as a hot button issue, Venezuelans have become an outsized component of the debate. The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has gained infamy over the past year for criminal activities, including human trafficking and dealing in drugs and arms.

The gang reportedly included among its members Jose Antonio Ibarra, convicted Nov. 20 in Georgia for the murder of nursing student Laken Riley. Here in Colorado, the groups activities at apartment complexes put Aurora under the national spotlight.

Trump has vowed to crack down on gang members and other criminal elements in what he has dubbed as Operation Aurora. Trump said he would start that crackdown in Colorados third most populous city.

Asked about the phenomenon, Gabriel singled out recent Venezuelan immigrants in particular as a reason why he now advocates closing the border. Some Venezuelans, he said, bring along a gangster culture with them, using the Spanish word delincuentes  criminals  in describing them.

What does the couple make of their own experience in transiting the Americas into the U.S.? Was it worth it?

I wouldnt recommend it, said Ana.

The couple added that despite their relatively comfortable situation now and their limited success finding work, they have discussed going back to Venezuela.

That option looked all the more attractive last July 28, when Edmundo Gonzalez Unity party was favored to win the Venezuelan presidential election that would have ended Maduros socialist rule.

Gabriel and Ana joined other Colorado Venezuelans in an election night rally here on behalf of the opposition, but the festive event turned to mourning as Maduro declared victory.

Two weeks ago, after Trumps own victory, Bidens Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized Gonzalez as Venezuelas legitimate president-elect.

Meanwhile, Maduros government continues to watch over an exodus of immigrants. According to U.S. Border Patrol interceptions, Venezuelan immigration increased ten-fold in 2022 and had surged another three-fold by 2023, when 334,914 were intercepted.

Since 2022 Venezuelans have at times been reportedly ranked as the second largest population of immigrants crossing the border, and at moments have been the largest.

Aside from their view that the border should be better enforced, Gabriel and Ana said they remain grateful to President Biden for letting them into the U.S., and that they worry a little about being deported.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has pledged to make a goal line stand to prevent federal agents from deporting immigrants. Ana told The Gazette that if the couple does end up being deported, they will have to accept it.

But the pair has gained some words of reassurance from their lawyer, whom they paid $2,300.

The first thing (Trump) is going to do is kick out criminals, Gabriel cited their attorney as telling them. If we keep working and dont do anything bad, were not going to be people of interest.

Stay out of Aurora, the attorney cautioned them, they said.

The couple reported that their child is doing well in school, rapidly picking up English, with math as a favorite subject.
By Qabil Ashirov



Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry extended its congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of its National Day.

Azernews reports, the ministry shared a post on its official "X" social media account.

"We sincerely congratulate the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people on the occasion of Bahrain's National Day," the post stated.

The warm message posted on the Azerbaijan ministrys official social media account underscores the importance of maintaining and strengthening international friendships and alliances. Celebrating the national days of other countries is a testament to Azerbaijan's dedication to global unity and its support for the sovereign rights and cultural heritage of other nations.

In addition, it is worth noting that Azerbaijan and Bahrain share a history of diplomatic relations characterized by mutual respect and cooperation. Diplomatic ties between the two nations were officially established in 1996, and since then, both countries have worked to strengthen their bilateral relations across various sectors, including economic, cultural, and political domains.

Economic cooperation has been a cornerstone of Azerbaijani-Bahraini relations, with both countries exploring opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism. Bahrains strategic location in the Persian Gulf and Azerbaijans significant role in the South Caucasus region make them valuable partners in fostering regional connectivity and economic growth.

The diplomatic relationship is marked by high-level visits and meetings, which underscore the commitment of both nations to further enhance their partnership and address global and regional challenges collaboratively.
On Sunday, a transition for soldiers of the National Guard became available in the Army+ application, there are already 3,607 positive decisions on the transfer of soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine between units, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Today marks a new step in our state application Army Plus  transfers are now possible for the warriors of the National Guard of Ukraine. Currently, at the first stage, transfers are available within the National Guard, but the goal is to enable transfers between units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard as well, Zelenskyy said in his video address Sunday evening.

According to him, units from our Border Guard Service will also be integrated into Army Plus in the near future. As of today, there have already been 3,607 approved transfer requests for our warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Zelenskyy noted.
Georgian mobile operator, Cellfie Mobile, and global telco, Vodafone, have announced a new non-branded partnership agreement, in which Cellfie Mobile will look to expand its range of services, leveraging Vodafones expertise and advisory services.

Georgia, a small nation of 3.7 million, bordered by Russia to the north and Turkey to the south, has three mobile operators of which Cellfie is the smallest with 24% market share.

According to Vodafone, the Georgian telecommunications market is rapidly evolving, with increasing demand for high-speed connectivity and innovative solutions, calling for competitive services to meet customer expectations.

Under the partnership agreement Vodafone will share best practice in telecoms network design, operational efficiency and customer support.

We are looking forward to supporting Cellfie, an agile and dynamic organisation that is ambitious about delivering better connectivity for the people of Georgia," said Petr Dvorak, CEO of Vodafone Partner Markets.

"This collaboration underscores our commitment to supporting local operators across the world through non-equity working partnerships that enhance connectivity and drive innovation.

Mariam Kopadze, CCO of Cellfie Mobile, said the collaboration with Vodafone will focus on introducing value-added products that will be tailored to customers' everyday needs.

We are delighted to partner with Vodafone and bring the expertise of Europes leading telecoms provider to the local market," Kopadze said.

"Through this partnership, Cellfie Mobile plans to leverage Vodafones extensive experience in digital innovation to launch a suite of new services for our customers.

"I would like to thank our colleagues at Vodafone for a great beginning and I look forward to our continued collaboration."
Twilio , the leading customer engagement platform, today shared some trends that will shape brands customer experience strategies in Australia in the coming year:



Robert Woolfrey, VP for Communications in APJ

1. The future of brand relationships will be built on an Ecosystem of Trust.

Trust has always been the cornerstone of brand loyalty, but in 2025, consumer trust is poised to hit an all-time low. According to Twilios 2024 Consumer Preferences Report, 68% of consumers in Australia say they will not purchase from a brand they dont trust.

With consumers growing increasingly cynical and scrutinising every interaction, brands must demonstrate greater respect by putting themselves in their customers shoes.

Its time to return to the basics in 2025keeping promises, following through, and delivering reliable and supportive experiences, during key moments of truth. As the focus shifts towards cultivating an 'Ecosystem of Trust, more brands will turn to Chief Trust Officers, to help redefine customer experience, marketing, and technology strategies for building lasting customer relationships.

AI will continue to be a key driver in solidifying this Ecosystem of Trust. Brands will increasingly bet on predictive AI as they strive to eliminate guesswork, refine recommendations and improve communications ultimately strengthening brand-customer interactions.

Ben Chamlet, Senior Director for Solutions Engineering in APJ





2. Consumers are giving retailers a run for their loyalty. More brands will turn away from traditional "earn-and-burn" models.

Customer loyalty programmes driven mainly by discounts and cashbacks are on their way out. Instead, brands will shift towards creating experiences that surprise and delight customers, making them feel valued as their individual preferences and behaviour are taken into account. For instance, instead of offering financial incentives, brands might surprise loyal customers with preferential access to new products, or exclusive invites to previews  which cost retailers little, but provide genuine value to loyal customers.

A key priority will be around strengthening phygital loyalty programmes, combining in-store activations with special offers for loyalty members. Brands will become more intentional about leveraging data to test, iterate, and quickly refine their loyalty strategies.

Brands will use data not only to create meaningful moments for customers but also to remove friction from the journeyincluding streamlining checkout and simplifying rewards redemption.





Chris Connolly, Solutions Engineering Lead for Communications, APJ

3. Bots will move away from deflecting, towards genuinely connecting and engaging.

Most chatbots today serve as mere stopgaps, deflecting issues until a human agent steps in to provide real solutions. In addition, chatbots trained on static resources like FAQs or manuals offer generic answers but often miss the opportunity to deliver truly individualised responses tailored to each customer. As they operate based on straightforward rules and predefined content, chatbots struggle to generate responses that truly simulate human engagement.

2025 will mark a turning point in front-line communications as the focus shifts towards eliminating friction in such chatbot engagements. Brands are already adopting conversational AI systems capable of better identifying user intent and generating sentences that mimic the nuances of human conversations. Conversational AI can engage with customers, reference previous interactions, and respond in a way that feels more dynamic and natural.

Beyond conversational AI, brands are also realising the potential of intelligent AI agents that can offer/ upsell products and services, take action on customer issues, make decisions within constraints, and operate across communication channels. These agentswhich are not confined to chat windowshave an in-depth understanding of consumer preferences collected over time, past purchases, and previous customer interactions such as login issues or unresolved concerns. They can tailor their communication style to a specific context across channels. AI agents can even be triggered based on an event in the customer journey.

The holy grail is to make these AI agents invisible yet highly effective, creating a customer service experience that feels natural, effortless and trusted. Contextual data can help turn this into reality, empowering AI agents to better anticipate consumer needs and resolve issues quickly and eliminate the hassle of requiring customers to repeat themselves.

4. The future of verification and authentication is inclusive.

Historically, SMS OTPs have been the go-to method for two-factor authentication (2FA). Their simplicity and wide adoption have made them a reliable choice, but they come with notable limitations, such as vulnerability to SIM swapping and security concerns around unencrypted messages.

In 2025, we can expect a significant shift in how brands approach user authentication, driven by the emergence of new messaging protocols like RCS, Silent Network Authentication (SNA) and Passkeys. SMS OTPs wont disappear entirely, but will become a mere thread in organisations broader, more flexible authentication strategy.

Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution, brands will tailor verification methods to suit different scenarios and user needs. RCS, for example, enables secure, encrypted, end-to-end messaging that eliminates the need for a code  users can simply click to approve their identity. While passkeys offer a smoother, frictionless experience, they are rapidly being deployed across all apps, and many developers have yet to fully adopt them. In these cases, SMS-based OTPs will remain an important fallback option, especially when users switch devices or face compatibility issues.

SNA is also on the rise as a friction-free authentication mechanism that works by checking if the user's device is both known and connected to the right network in the right place. Unlike other OTP methods, the end-user doesnt need to interact with the app to enter digits or press buttons.

In 2025, more brands will adopt a combination of verification methods, considering factors like security requirements, device type, and user location, to create a more adaptive authentication process that balances robust security with a seamless user experience.

Liz Adeniji, Area Vice President, Asia Pacific & Japan, at Twilio Segment





5. Data will become the X factor as LLMs level the playing field.

Deploying a bot that can greet users, tell the time, and engage in small talk has become the baseline. What will set brands apart going forward is how they leverage their customer data to deliver truly seamless, superior experiences.

Smarter practices around data collection and management will take centre stage in 2025. One emerging trend is the shift towards data expiration, as brands recognise the risks of holding excess data while customers grow more protective of their information. Moving forward, brands will focus on collecting only essential datasuch as email, phone number, and namewhile letting temporary or unnecessary data expire.

The importance of having clean and consistent contextual data cannot be overstated as brands increasingly integrate AI agents and conversational AI into the customer journey. More brands will invest in customer data platforms (CDPs) and scalable data validation frameworks to ensure data reliability and trustworthiness at scale.

6. Brands ditch point solutions as they consider the bigger picture. Technology will bring teams closer together.

In many organisations, marketing, sales, and customer service teams often operate in silos  each focused on their data and objectives. This fragmentation complicates attribution and campaign performance reviews due to the lack of a unified view of the customer.

In 2025, more organisations will move away from isolated, point solutions as they realise the value of breaking down silos. They will adopt more holistic, ROI-driven approaches to resolve issues such as redundant customer retargeting, and work towards better reallocating resources toward initiatives that enhance customer satisfaction. By aligning data seamlessly across business units, these brands can enable smarter, more personalised marketing that truly resonates with individual customers.

Emerging technologies like CDPs and data warehouses will continue to gain traction, serving as unifying forces that dissolve the traditional silos that exist within business divisions and teams. These technologies will serve as the cornerstone for collaboration, bringing together diverse teams and business units under a common language - data. Key leaders including the CTO, CMO, CPO, CCO, CDO and CRO will increasingly contribute to shaping the data strategy and vision of an organisation, fostering a comprehensive, unified view of the company and business practices (not just a customer).
Israel has conducted airstrikes against several locations in Syria, including Damascus, Homs, and Daraa, according to sources.

The military continued attacks on Syrian territory following the fall of the Assad regime.

Warplanes targeted the area near the Sednaya Prison, north of the capital, a site known as a torture center under the Assad regime.

They also struck a weapons depot belonging to Assad regime forces in Daraa and Homs.
China, France vow to uphold cooperation

08:13, December 16, 2024 By Zhao Jia ( Chinadaily.com.cn

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, shakes hands with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, during the 26th China-France Strategic Dialogue in Beijing on Saturday. (Li Tao/Xinhua)

China-France relations have seen positive momentum under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, which has emerged as a progressive force driving China-European Union ties while contributing to global peace and stability, according to officials.

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, convened the 26th China-France Strategic Dialogue on Saturday in Beijing, commending the achievements of bilateral cooperation and outlining ambitious plans for the future.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized that Beijing is willing to collaborate with Paris to uphold the "China-France spirit", characterized by independence and self-reliance, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit. He called on both nations to adhere to the consensus reached by their leaders, viewing each other from a strategic and long-term perspective to create further positive agendas.

Highlighting areas of potential growth, Wang called for deeper cooperation in traditional sectors such as nuclear energy and aerospace, while also opening new opportunities in fields including artificial intelligence and green development.

Bonne said that France values its traditional friendship with China as well as the mutual trust between the two heads of state, and pledged continued adherence to the one-China policy.

He expressed France's readiness to strengthen high-level exchanges, expand innovative cooperation in various sectors, and further enhance people-to-people ties with China.

Trade relations between the two nations are robust. France is China's third-largest trading partner in the EU, while China is France's largest trading partner in Asia.

Addressing China-EU trade tensions, Wang stressed that trade wars will only lead to mutual losses. He reaffirmed China's commitment to a free trade system and called for the EU to adopt a constructive mindset in resolving trade disputes and find mutually acceptable solutions via sustained dialogue.

Bonne said that France opposes trade wars and supports strengthened EU-China cooperation for mutual benefit.

Cui Hongjian, director of Beijing Foreign Studies University's Center for European Union and Regional Development Studies, said: "The EU's attempt to resolve trade frictions through noneconomic means must be corrected. Measures like imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are counterproductive to fostering economic and trade cooperation."

Bonne's two-day visit to Beijing, accompanied by a team of aides, is seen as preparation for a potential visit by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2025. Observers noted that frequent interactions between President Xi Jinping and President Macron, who met twice this year, have had broad and positive impacts on bilateral ties and beyond.

Cui said China and France have demonstrated their shared responsibility as major independent nations by addressing global challenges and hot spot issues, reflecting the global vision and constructive role of bilateral ties.

During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Iranian nuclear issue and the situation in the Middle East.

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. As founding members of the body and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France reiterated their commitment to multilateralism.

Wang called for steadfast support of the UN-centered international system and emphasized the need to work toward an equal and orderly multipolar world. He also advocated international unity and cooperation as well as rejection of a Cold War mentality and zero-sum games.

Bonne highlighted France's rejection of bloc confrontation, saying that the country will adhere to its tradition of independent diplomacy and seek mutual respect and inclusive cooperation in international relations.

Cui, from Beijing Foreign Studies University, said: "In a world facing turbulence and changes  from the protracted Ukraine crisis to the sluggish global economy and increasingly severe climate challenges  both China and France need dialogue. By enhancing communication and coordination on major international issues, the two nations can contribute to the healthy development of China-EU relations and bring more peace, cooperation and dialogue to the world."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The United Nations General Assembly passed two key resolutions yesterday with majority support, reaffirming the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Azernews reports, citing middleeastmonitor that the resolution titled Supporting the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East garnered 159 votes in favour, with nine countries opposing and 11 abstaining.

Meanwhile, the resolution Demand for ceasefire in Gaza was backed by 158 countries, with nine objections and 13 abstentions.

Argentina, Israel and the US were among the countries that voted against both resolutions.

In response, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates expressed gratitude to the nations that sponsored, supported and voted for the resolutions. It emphasised that this support underscores a commitment to the United Nations Charter, principles of justice, human rights and international law.

The ministry highlighted that the renewed backing for UNRWA sends a strong message about the agencys critical role in delivering essential services to Palestinian refugees, safeguarding their rights, and promoting regional stability.

That resolution demands that Israel respect UNRWAs mandate and calls on the Israeli government to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.

The votes followed two days of speeches at the United Nations, where speakers called for an end to Israels ongoing military onslaught in Gaza, which has killed over 44,800 people, mostly women and children, and now faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war on Gaza, which has claimed the lives of more than 44,800 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and injured over 106,200 others.
Why failure should be part of every doctors story [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

We sit down with medical student Ashley McCray to explore the powerful lessons learned from failure and the resilience it builds. Ashley shares her personal story of perseverance after failing her licensing exam, the stigma surrounding failure in medicine, and the importance of grace and vulnerability in shaping stronger physicians.

Ashley McCray is a medical student.

She discusses the KevinMD article, Failure is not the end: Creating space for grace in the medical field.

Our presenting sponsor is DAX Copilot by Microsoft.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Ashley McCray. Shes a medical student. Todays KevinMD article is Failure Is Not the End: Creating Space for Grace in the Medical Field. Ashley, welcome to the show.

Ashley McCray: Hi, Im happy to be here.

Kevin Pho: Tell us about yourself.

Ashley McCray: I am a rising fourth-year medical student. I started medical school several years ago, and by faith, I have made it this far. Im Christian, and I know that God is the reason that Ive gotten here. My story started with a car accident four weeks into medical school caused by a hit-and-run driver, and I miraculously survived that accident.

Being in a car accident is why I had such a hard time during my first year of medical school. Ive had numerous people support me on my journey, but sometimes it was hard. Thats why I wrote the articlebecause I want people to give grace to those who need it. I recently got into another car accident several years later. That was actually last month or earlier this month, and I survived miraculously again. I had to reschedule my licensing exam because of it.

What Im asking people to do when they look at people who have failed is to give them a chance. Give them a chance to tell their story, like youre giving me a chance to tell mine.

Kevin Pho: So, tell us about how that failure of the licensing exam happened. Is this step one that were talking about?

Ashley McCray: Yeah, so Im actually a DO student. So, its COMLEX Level 1 for me.

Kevin Pho: OK.

Ashley McCray: But it was step one when I failed it. I started out as an allopathic medical student, but now Im an osteopathic medical student.

Kevin Pho: OK. Tell me about how you bounced back from that setback. What are some of the things that you did?

Ashley McCray: I persevered after I failed the exam multiple times at my last institution. I applied to medical school again on hope and a prayer, and I got in by faith, grace, persistence, love, and an emphasis on grace. This is like a dream that Im livingto have gotten into medical school twice.

Kevin Pho: Sometimes, as you know, failure is a taboo topic in the medical field. Why do you think its so difficult for those of us in the medical field to talk about failure?

Ashley McCray: I think its because theres a standard of perfection for medical professionals. Were held to that standard on so many levels, from being a student to working in the field. I just think being a perfectionist isnt what we should strive for. We should strive for giving each other grace and doing our best, not being the best, like I said in the article.

Kevin Pho: When you say giving yourself grace, what does that look like? What did you do to give yourself grace?

Ashley McCray: I told myself that failure wasnt an option and that I could get back up and try again, instead of thinking that failure was the end and that there was no grace to try again.

Kevin Pho: Tell me about the people around you who gave you support during these difficult times.

Ashley McCray: First things first, its people that God put in my path, like professors, friends from back home, and my family. Those are the people who I received by grace.

Kevin Pho: How about the medical school itself? Did you receive support from the medical school during the times when you werent able to pass the exam?

Ashley McCray: Well, I didnt really receive the best support from my first medical school, but I received support from my second medical school.

Kevin Pho: What made the difference?

Ashley McCray: One of the things thats been hard is learning that I have ADHD. I dont know if that might come across in the interview, but thats part of why I was a little late to the interviewtime management. So Im so sorry about that.

Kevin Pho: In terms of the diagnosis of ADHD, was there any support from the school to help you through classes or these exams?

Ashley McCray: There wasnt any support at my first medical school. But at my current school, the accommodations have helped me pass pretty much all of my exams. Ive passed all of my shelf exams this year.

Kevin Pho: What kind of accommodations did you receive?

Ashley McCray: The accommodations that they gave me were time accommodationstime and a half in a separate room. Thats what I needed to succeed.

Kevin Pho: How important is it for medical students who may have ADHD like yourself to seek out help and perhaps have some of these accommodations?

Ashley McCray: I think its extremely important. Its made all the difference in my academic performance. Unfortunately, I wont have accommodations for my licensing exam, and thats part of why Ive had so many failures. In fact, I think thats the reason why Ive had so many failures. The medical licensing boards make it challenging to get accommodations. It was even challenging to get them at my school, but by grace, I was able to receive them.

Kevin Pho: Is there anything that youre doing differently to prepare for the upcoming exam?

Ashley McCray: Yes, I bought a prep course this time. Ive never done a prep course before, and thats something I do recommend to other people if they can afford it.

Kevin Pho: How about your advice to other medical students who may be in similar situationsfor instance, those who may not have passed the first step exams in allopathic medical schools?

Ashley McCray: Honestly, for me, the reason I kept going for so long is because of faith. I had faith in passing one day. God told me I would pass, and Im still believing that I will pass. When people have asked me this privately, Ive genuinely said, Pray about it and see if this is the path for you because God told me it was the path for me. Thats what I would tell themseek wise counsel and give yourself grace.

Kevin Pho: How do you think these experiences will change you as a future physician when you talk with patients?

Ashley McCray: Oh, definitely. It helps me empathize with the patients I see as a medical student. It increases the empathy I have because of the journey and story God gave me.

Kevin Pho: When you say grace, whether you received it from others or extended it to yourself, tell me how that has helped you through the highs and lows of your medical school career so far.

Ashley McCray: It gives me space to be imperfect. It gives me space to try again. It gives me space to advocate for myself and for other people. I advocate all the time as a medical student, and thats how its going to impact me as a doctor.

Kevin Pho: Were talking to Ashley McCray. Shes a medical student. Todays KevinMD article is Failure Is Not the End: Creating Space for Grace in the Medical Field.

Ashley, tell me the message that you want to share with other medical students who may be listening to you today.

Ashley McCray: God is everything to me. Jesus is everything to me. That is why I have survived those accidentsbecause there have been multiple. That is why I got into medical school twice. That is why I have been living in a miracle, and that is why Im going to pass my exam. That is my advice to share with everyone.

Kevin Pho: Tell me some take-home messages that you want to leave with my audience.

Ashley McCray: Have faith, extend grace, and you will see success.

Kevin Pho: Ashley, thank you so much for sharing your story. Thanks for coming on the show.

Ashley McCray: Thank you so much, Kevin. Thank you.
The fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria has evoked deep concern in India, prompting India to respond cautiously to the rapidly changing events in the region.

In its first statement after Assads ouster, Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called on all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society.

New Delhi refrained from taking sides in the unfolding situation in Syria.

Indias immediate concern is the safety of its nationals in the country. According to the MEA, there are around 90 Indians in Syria. We are closely following the situation, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, adding that the Indian mission remains in close contact with our nationals for their safety and security.

Besides, for India, the upheaval in Syria marks the loss of what analysts call a crucial Islamic voice of support on one of its thorniest issues: Kashmir.

While New Delhi has long maintained that the Kashmir dispute is a bilateral matter between itself and Pakistan, Syrias consistent backing at the United Nations and elsewhere was seen as a quiet but significant win.

This voice of support from within the Arab Islamic world was important, said Kabir Taneja, a Middle East expert and deputy director at the Observer Research Foundation think tank in Delhi. Under Bashar al-Assad, Syria had repeatedly affirmed that Kashmir was an internal matter for India to settle itself without outside interference.

Now, with Assad gone, the future of that support is uncertain.

Opposition forces seized the Syrian capital last weekend, forcing Assad to flee and ending his familys decades-long rule over a country that had been torn apart by a civil war that killed over half a million people and displaced millions more.

The dramatic turn of events took Delhi by surprise, according to Indian media reports. India had hosted a delegation of Syrian officials just weeks before.
On 15 December Argentinas Vice Presidentsought to play down tensions with Presidentwhich have erupted amid controversy over the expulsion of Senatorfrom the senate three days earlier.

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On 14 December Mexicos Presidentconfirmed the arrest of drug trafficker, known as Mini Lic, in the US.

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On 15 December local and international media reported that Haitis police (PNdH) had killed, alias Jeff Mafia, the right-hand man of Haitis most powerful gang leader,

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Google recently said that it had solved a major problem in supercomputing with a new generation of processor called Willow.

Along with other technology companies such as Microsoft and International Business Machines (IBM), Google, whose parent company is Alphabet, is working on quantum computing. The new development promises to increase computing speeds while limiting mistakes, or errors, which are a problem with quantum computing systems.

Scientists at the company's Santa Barbara, California quantum laboratory announced they had at least partly solved the error problem on December 9. On the same day, the scientific publication Nature published their paper on error correction.

Google said that the Willow processor carried out a computation in under five minutes that would have taken a fast supercomputer longer than the current age of the universe to complete.

The work of the Google researchers, however, does not have any commercial uses yet. But Google hopes quantum computers will one day solve problems in medicine, battery chemistry and artificial intelligence (AI) that today's computers cannot solve.

The Willow chip

The Willow processor, or chip, runs on units of data called quantum bits or qubits for short. Qubits permit fast computing but can easily create errors. Google researchers have a theory that qubits might be affected by subatomic particles from events in space.

As more qubits are placed onto a chip, however, the errors can increase to make the chip no better than todays usual computer chips. As a result, scientists have been working on quantum error-correction since the 1990s.

Hartmut Neven, who leads Googles Quantum AI group, said that Willow has 105 qubits.

In the paper recently published in Nature, Google researchers said they have found a way to connect the Willow chip's qubits so that error rates go down as the number of qubits goes up. Neven also said Willow can correct errors in real time. That is an important step toward making quantum computers useful.

"We are past the break even point," Neven told Reuters. In a blog post, he said it was an unmistakable sign that error correction is improving overall.

In 2019, IBM challenged the claim that Google's quantum chip solved a problem that would take a normal computer 10,000 years to complete. IBM said the problem could be solved in two-and-a-half days using different assumptions about computer system design.

Google said in its blog post that it considered some of those concerns in its newest estimates. Even under the best conditions, Google said a computer of today would still take a billion years to get the same results as its latest chip.

Some of Google's competitors are producing chips with more qubits than Willow. But Anthony Megrant, who is also with Google Quantum AI, told Reuters that Google is trying to make the most dependable qubits possible.

Google produced its earlier chips in a shared building at the University of California, Santa Barbara. But for the Willow chips, Google built its own special laboratory. Megrant said that the new lab will speed up the process of making future chips.

One major problem is that quantum chips must be kept at low temperatures in machines that can produce extremely low temperatures called cryostats. The new laboratory permits the researchers to work more quickly.

"If we have a good idea, we want somebody on the team to be able to...get into that clean room and into one of these cryostats as fast as possible, so we can get lots of cycles of learning," Megrant said.

Im Jill Robbins.

Stephen Nellis reported this story for Reuters news agency. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English with additional information from Google and Nature.

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

quantum  adj. of, relating to, or using the principles of quantum theory

computation n. an operation carried out by a computing device that is mathematical and digital in nature

commercial adj. related to business activity

assumption n. one of the basic conditions that is accepted in making a computation, but which might not exist in reality

cycle  n. a repeating series of events or actions

What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.
German Nobel laureate Erwin Neher has a close affinity with traditional Chinese medicine, saying the potential of TCM, with a history of more than 2,000 years, has drawn him to the Macau Special Administrative Region to deepen his research in the field.

The renowned biophysicist, specializing in cell physiology, holds true to his belief with a resounding vote of confidence in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Areas bid to be a world-class innovation and technology hub that could take on Silicon Valley.

Neher, who was appointed by the Macau University of Science and Technology in 2016 to head a biophysics laboratory named in his honor, won the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award in late September, becoming the first expatriate scientist in the Hong Kong and Macau SARs to receive the nations top friendship award. The prize was created in 1991 in recognition of foreign experts outstanding contributions to Chinas development.

TCM enthusiast

Nehers story with China is one of serendipity, driven by his immense interest in TCM.

The honor of being awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1991 along with German cell physiologist Bert Sakmann won Neher worldwide fame as countries made a beeline for his counsel and academic expertise.

I did get offers, of course. But the offer here was particularly attractive because Im going to learn more about the ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, he tells China Daily in an exclusive interview in Macau.

Ive always been interested in traditional Chinese medicine, and I saw potential in using the techniques I had developed to study the components that you can isolate from traditional Chinese medicine formulations, he says, referring to his job at the MUST lab where he combines his research on ion channels with TCM to explore the effects of some small molecules in Chinese herbal medicine through ion channels to find solutions for various diseases.

A longtime fan of TCM, Neher jumped on the chance, saying its a continuation of his research from the 1980s in which he and Sakmann developed a new technology to record the abnormal activity of ion channels that are closely linked to conditions like cancer, inflammation, Alzheimers disease and stroke.

Neher is convinced that TCM, developed over thousands of years in China, has identified substances that work in various ways. He says formulations of TCM contain numerous substances that influence the human bodys signal mechanisms. We have learned so much in the past 30 to 50 years about these signals (in our bodies) that its time to look into the formulations of TCM. Besides doing academic research with TCM, the biophysicist, who is currently recovering from a fractured ankle, says that he is trying some TCM given to him by a friend to speed up bone regeneration.

I must say I dont know many other laboratories in this field. But whats here is very impressive. The school has basically everything in terms of analytical instrumentation that you can imagine.

The MUST lab is supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT)  a research fund set up by the Macau SAR government in 2004. Members of the lab are also accessible to national funding programs.

Neher says the funds have enabled the facility to compete with others. In 2020, the FDCT allocated 170 million patacas ($21.21 million) for 141 scientific research projects. The funding grew to 300 million patacas for 200 projects in 2021, and to 350 million patacas for 214 projects in 2022.

Observing progress

Currently, Macau has 10 higher education institutions and four State Key Laboratories. In November 2023, the Macau SAR government unveiled a plan for the citys economic diversification from 2024 to 2028, pledging to strive for substantive progress in developing the innovation and technology industry.

Its cooperation zone with Guangdong province, established in September 2021 on Zhuhais Hengqin Island, has so far created 30 national and provincial-level technological innovation platforms. The zone encompasses incubators for technology firms, and research and development institutions, with about 300 firms recognized as national high-tech companies, and with more than 40 specialized enterprises.

Over the years, Macau has also set up two national co-working spaces  the Macau Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre and the University of Macau Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship  to provide workspaces and support services for local technological innovation teams.

Neher is impressed by the substantial growth he has seen in Macaus scientific infrastructure in the past eight years. Things are happening here, maybe 10 times faster than in my home country, Germany, he says, noting that every time he returns to Macau, he finds much progress has been made in architecture, laboratories and equipment.

The laureate lauds Chinas readiness to adopt innovative approaches, which he finds more constructive than the often skeptical attitude in Germany to wards new developments.

In his view, Chinese peoples willingness to integrate new methods of communication, payment and other advancements into their daily lives has fostered an ecosystem ripe for technological breakthroughs. The Chinese government is making huge efforts to take the country forward by improving and amplifying science and engineering, particularly in medical sciences.

In 2019, the same year when the outline development plan for the Greater Bay Area was revealed, Neher became director of the Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory on the recommendation of a Chinese student of his. Its the first Nobel lab for neuroscience at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

I see Shenzhen as being the most rapidly developing area in the world, says Neher, adding that the countrys tech and innovation hub has a highly appealing talent program that attracts individuals at all levels, positioning the city as a technological leader in various aspects globally.

He believes the Hong Kong and Macau SARs, combined with Shenzhen, have the potential to emulate Silicon Valley in the future, and the Greater Bay Area will become a world innovation center.

Basic research is key

But my position is always that, in order to get really new insight, one also needs to do basic research which just asks how things work.

For any person aiming to be the first to make a genuine breakthrough in drug development, one must grasp the underlying principles better than others with the same goal, he says, and greater support must be given to fundamental research to strike a balance between it and practical applications.

Citing the European Research Council, which allocates grants to individuals supporting research teams for five years on topics that promise fundamental knowledge breakthroughs, Neher suggests that Macau, besides funding innovation, new products and medicines, could introduce more programs to support basic research to attract Nobel laureates like himself.

Chinese scientists are already making significant contributions to the international exchange of knowledge, he says, as evidenced by their growing presence at major events like the recent World Life Science Conference in Hainan province which Neher attended. Chinese scientists do play an increasing role in that international dialogue.

Neher attributed his path to a Nobel Prize to his early interest in research when he became fascinated with various subjects, including technology, electronics, horology and biology. It was through those interests that he discovered his passion for biophysical research and decided to focus on this field.

However, according to Neher, a good scientist requires a certain mindset. You need to have an inquisitive kind of mind, the ability to identify a problem and to be so captivated by that problem that you hardly stop thinking about it and will think about it from all angles.

He says scientists may possess the ability to design experiments with positive expectations to solve problems effectively, but they may get disappointed because its inevitable that experiments rarely yield immediate results. With luck, a scientist with a brilliant mind can navigate these challenges by contemplating mechanisms thoroughly.

Asked what it would take to win the Nobel Prize, Neher refers to what a colleague had once told him: The number one rule  there is no rule at all. Stephy Zhang, China Daily

Nehers biography

1963-66

Studied physics at the Technical University of Munich

1967

Obtained Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

1970

Obtained doctorate in physics from the Technical University of Munich

1972-82

Research associate at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry

1975-76

Research associate at Yale University

1983-2011

Director of the Membrane Biophysics Department at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry

1989

Fairchild Scholar at the California Institute of Technology

1991

Awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine

2016

Appointed director of Dr Nehers Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery at the Macau University of Science and Technology

2019

Became director of the Neher Neural Plasticity Nobel Prize Laboratory at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

2024

Received the Chinese Government Friendship Award
To commemorate the 160th anniversary of renowned Chinese artist Qi Baishis birth, an exhibition titled Lotus Blossoms in Pairs, Plum Blossoms in Clusters  The Artistic World of Qi Baishi was inaugurated yesterday at Wynn Palace.

Organized by the Beijing Fine Art Academy and the Federation of Associations of Cultural Sectors of Macau, the exhibition aims to showcase the profound heritage of Chinese culture and the unique appeal of Macau, while also promoting Chinese art on the global stage through the display of Qi Baishis digitalized masterpieces.

Wu Hongliang, president of the Beijing Fine Art Academy, said the exhibition features 25 selected calligraphy works and paintings by Qi Baishi, symbolizing the 25th anniversary of Macaus return to China. The inclusion of lotus-themed artworks reflects the beauty of Xiangtan, HunanQi Baishis hometown, also known as the City of Lotusesand the deep connection between Macau, the Island of Lotuses, and the artists place of origin.

This exhibition not only promotes Chinese culture but also incorporates modern technology to offer visitors a fresh perspective on Qi Baishis art, demonstrating the in-depth integration between art and technology, said Wu Zhiliang, president of the Federation of Associations of Cultural Sectors of Macau.

Linda Chen, president and vice chairman of the Board of Wynn Macau, Limited, said the exhibition is a new innovative project of Illuminarium at Wynn Palace that is dedicated to promoting the diversification of Macau as a bridge for cultural exchange between East and West and showcasing Chinese culture and art on the international stage.

The exhibition is divided into two sections. The first section, Tianqu Scenery Paintings: Digital Art World of Qi Baishi, will bring the masters works to life at the Illuminarium through immersive experiences.

The second section, Blossoming Flowers of Home: Bird-and-Flower World of Qi Baishi and Joyous Flowers for a Prosperous Year: Auspicious World of Qi Baishi, will display the artists Chinese painting masterpieces depicting auspicious objects, inviting viewers to interactively experience Chinese literatis appreciation of calligraphy and paintings.

The exhibition is open to the public with free admission from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday until Feb. 15, 2025. Victoria Chan
The International Ladies Club of Macau (ILCM) held its Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar yesterday at the Grand Coloane Resort. This years theme, Islands Gift of Giving, reflects ILCMs commitment to philanthropy and festive celebration. The event featured a variety of activities designed to engage attendees and raise funds for local charities.

The bazaar began at 11 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by performances, including a unique When East Meets West instrumental show. Attendees enjoyed giant lawn games and choir performances from local schools, including the MAC and TIS choirs. The day rounded off in exciting activities such as tug-of-war competitions and a Santa show.

Ada Chan, director of Marketing and Communications for the Grand Coloane Resort, emphasized the events significance in her opening remarks. Its all about coming together for a bigger purposespreading goodwill and supporting those in need, she stated. The collaboration between ILCM and the resort has been a tradition since it began in 2011.

ILCM president Jolene Zhao echoed Chans sentiments, expressing gratitude for the support from vendors and volunteers.

The money we raised today is going directly to charities that help people in need this season, Zhao said. She highlighted the importance of community involvement, noting that contributions made during the bazaar would significantly impact local charitable organizations.

Among the many charities supported by ILCM are the Cradle of Hope Association, Good Shepherd Centre, and the Holy House of Mercy, providing essential services ranging from child welfare to elderly care within the region. Nadia Shaw
Top Israeli Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has called for unemployed Israelis not to join the army amid anger over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews, according to Anadolu.

"Even an idle person should not join the army," Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas Party, a key ally in the Israeli government, said in statements carried by Israeli Channel 13.

He said that religious school students went to the army and were ruined. They all became secular.

The Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, which represent religious Jews in the government, have long pushed for exemptions from military service for the ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredi.

The Haredi say that their primary role in life is to study the Torah and reject military service, despite a ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court in June that mandated conscription for them, similar to other Israelis.
Wu Zhiliang, president of the Board of Directors of the Macao Foundation, says that the Macau SARs cultural development can contribute to the endeavor of sharing Chinas positive narratives.

 How do you view Macaus development since its return to the motherland? Among the achievements made by Macau, what impressed you the most? In your sector, has there been any major progress over the past 25 years?

Wu Zhiliang (WZ)  Over the past 25 years, there has been significant progress in Macaus development. If we look at it from a historical perspective, the Macao Special Administrative Region is indeed in its best period of development now. Macaus economy has become more integrated with the world, and her social structure has become increasingly diversified as a result. In terms of economic development, as its status as a world-class tourism and leisure center has become increasingly reinforced, Macaus economy has become increasingly resilient. The improved economic prospects have also made the Macau SAR government more capable of improving peoples livelihoods, and as a result, improving their quality of life.

Meanwhile, the citys community spirit and of helping one another out remains the same, not to mention the desire of residents to carry out the spirit of patriotism. It is with patriotism as the guiding focus that the people of Macau have created an economic miracle and have united as one to overcome occasional adversities such as SARS, calamities caused by typhoons Hato and Mangkhut, charges instigated by external forces and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

 The central government has rolled out an array of policy initiatives for Macau. Does any particular policy benefit your sector? If so, how?

WZ  The central government has indeed rolled out many policy initiatives that help further develop the potential of Macau. In terms of culture, for example, it is with the full support of the central government that the Historic Centre of Macao was successfully inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. This is an affirmation by the international community of the role of Macau as an exchange platform for promoting dialogue between different civilizations. And since its inscription, the Macao Foundation and the educational and cultural agencies of the government have consistently collaborated with local schools and associations to organize dissemination and research projects surrounding the historic center, which reinforce the connotations of the historic center and all of Macau. The Macau Story has also become more complete.

Over the past 25 years, we have also witnessed a shift in cultural work in Macau, from bilateral exchanges between two countries (Portugal and China) to multilateral exchanges between China and a greater variety of countries and civilizations. For example, Macau is now part of UNESCOs Creative City Network of gastronomy, while it is also home to the World Health Organizations Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine and a United Nations University Institute. In 2025, we will also be one of the annual East Asia Cities of Culture representing China.

In addition to Macaus established international cultural events, such as the International Music Festival, the Art Festival, the Macau Fringe, the Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, a new pattern is emerging whereby the world can understand China through the Macau SAR, and explore ways to achieve a harmonious co-existence of humankind through experiencing the Macau SAR. And because one of the objectives of the policy initiatives rolled out by the central government is to further develop Macau into a genuine international city, Macaus cultural development can further elevate its international status and eventually help establish it as a city with international status.

 This year marks the third anniversary of the establishment of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. In your opinion, how should Macau continue to leverage the Hengqin zones advantages to further develop itself and your sector?

WZ  The In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin provides a hinterland for Macau to expand its economic and social development. Over the past three years we have witnessed increasing connections between the two territories, especially through the Macau New Neighbourhood new residential project, where living conditions with an ambience similar to that in Macau are being created. Social services and education provided by grassroot associations in Macau have also been extended to Hengqin, not to mention public services like the Health Centre (a government clinic) and a 24-hour one-stop government service center.

There are now about 6,500 Macau businesses settled in the In-Depth Cooperation Zone, which comprises about 11 percent of all businesses in operation in the Zone. A business incubation base has been set up by the University of Saint Joseph in Macau, in collaboration with Zhuhai enterprises. The University of Macau is about to build new campuses in the zone soon, and other Macau higher education institutions will follow suit.

The cultural sector is also setting foot in the zone, seeing it as an ideal springboard to promote exchanges and dialogue between different cultures and art forms.

 The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has seen many notable developments over the past few years. How has Macaus integration with other parts of the GBA impacted your career? What kind of collaboration in the GBA you are anticipating?

WZ  One of Macaos positions in the GBA, as detailed in the Outline Development Plan, relates to culture and tourism  that is, to develop into a world-class tourism and leisure center, as well as a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist. Since one of the basic principles of the GBA development is innovation and reform, we should also bear this in mind when we are building a Cultural Bay Area, as described in the Outline Development Plan.

Combining the respective strengths of Guangdong as the pioneer of the nations reform and opening-up, and Hong Kong and Macau as free and open economies, the GBA cities are fully capable of shaping common cultural values when joining forces to promote a vibrant development of culture. We should also create conditions to promote exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures and civilizations, with Hong Kong and Macau as the bases. The two cities share development targets in common, while there are also distinctions. Both cities can have a positive impact on improving hospitality levels and the quality of GBA cities in the Chinese mainland.

To reinforce and realize these development goals, it is impossible for Macau to monopolize cultural and arts development in the GBA context. We should instead promote a Cultural Bay Area to blossom everywhere, and promote more interaction and mutually complementary exchanges between the cities.

 Macau is a unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. How do you think this fusion can help the nation enhance communication with the international community and tell good stories of China?

WZ  Different ethnicities, cultures, religions and faiths have co-existed and co-prospered in Macau throughout her history, thereby forming her unique features as a place where China meets the West, where the past meets the present, and where there are not only differences but also commonalities. Chinese wisdom calls for inclusion and tolerance of differences while always seeking commonalities. The historical experience of Macau has enriched the connotations and external influence of the Chinese culture. It has built a bridge in academic and technological exchanges. It is an example of exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. Such cultural symbolism is so easily identified, and the Macau SAR has formed its own system of discourse in telling the stories of China in languages that other civilizations are able to understand. Gang Wen,MDT/China Daily
A woman has reported a significant financial loss of HKD390,000 after falling victim to an online scam linked to a purported Taiwanese male netizen.

Police said the victim, a middle-aged woman, became involved in the scheme after meeting the suspect while browsing the internet on September 22.

The suspect, claiming to work in computer maintenance at a Macau casino, allegedly informed the victim of a loophole in a gambling website that promised easy profits.

Trusting his assertions, she registered for an online gambling account and transferred funds to various designated bank accounts as instructed.

Initially, the victims account appeared to show winnings of HKD100 million. However, when she attempted to withdraw her funds, she was met with demands from customer service for additional payments as a margin before any withdrawals could be processed.

Following discussions with family members who identified the situation as fraudulent, the victim reported the incident to the police on December 5. Investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made at this time.

Authorities urge the public to exercise caution when engaging in online transactions and to be wary of unsolicited offers promising quick financial returns. Staff reporter
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 Generals 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 Velosos 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 generals 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.

Indonesias 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. SLAMET RIYADI, YOGYAKARTAMDT/AP
Chinese leader Xi Jinping would likely see President-elect Donald Trumps invitation to attend his inauguration as too risky to accept, and the gesture from Trump may have little bearing on the increasingly competitive ties between the two nations as the White House changes hands, experts say.

Trumps incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed last week that Trump extended an invitation to the Jan. 20 ceremony. The Chinese Embassy in Washington said it had no information to provide. But experts dont see Xi coming to Washington next month.

Why wouldnt Xi attend?

Can you imagine Xi Jinping sitting outdoors in Washington, D.C., in January at the feet of the podium, surrounded by hawkish members of Congress, gazing up at Donald Trump as he delivers his inaugural address? said Danny Russel, who previously served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

Russel, now vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said Xi would not allow himself to be reduced to the status of a mere guest celebrating the triumph of a foreign leader  the U.S. president, no less.

Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank, said Beijing will play it safe when theres no protocol or precedent for a Chinese leader to attend the inauguration of a U.S. president.

I dont think the Chinese will take the risk, Sun said. There could be risks in the guest list, for example, Sun said, noting that Taiwans top diplomat in the U.S. attended the swearing-in of President Joe Biden in 2021. Beijing considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory and has repeatedly warned the U.S. that it is a red line not to be crossed.

Whats ahead for U.S.-China relations?

But it should be expected that planning is underway for Trump and Xi to meet in person soon, Russel said. Trump prefers in-person meetings with foreign leaders, especially key adversaries, and Beijing might believe it can get a better deal by dealing directly with Trump, Russel said.

Trumps return to the White House is expected to further intensify the U.S.-China rivalry. He has picked several China hawks for his Cabinet, including Sen. Marco Rubio as the secretary of state and Rep. Mike Waltz as the national security adviser.

Beijing has adopted a wait-and-see approach but says it is prepared to hit back should Washington raise tariffs on Chinese goods or make other unfriendly moves. DIDI TANG, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP
Three people died, including the shooter, and six were injured in shootings Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School on Madison's Far East Side.

Two of the injured were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after the shootings at the private school at 4901 E. Buckeye Road shortly before 11 a.m., authorities said.

Here's what we know so far:

Second grade teacher called police

A second grade teacher at Abundant Life Christian School was the first call to police about a shooter in the building, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said.

"Let that sink in for a minute," he said.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes clarified this fact after initially saying that a second grade student called police. It was a teacher. Barnes said authorities reviewed the log and realized it was a teacher and that he misspoke at a press conference.

Shooter identified

The shooter was identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who goes by the name Samantha. She died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

She was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital.

Barnes said that there are documents allegedly written by the shooter circulating online, but those have not been verified.

Barnes said officers are still working to determine how Rupnow got the gun.

How does any 15 year old get a hold of them or anyone for that matter? You get into the philosophical question about guns and gun safety, something that we all should be talking to our loved ones about.

Chief gives timeline of events

Barnes said the the second grader called 911 at 10:57 a.m. Officers reached the scene at 11 a.m, and 24 seconds later entered the building.

Officers bravely entered the building as soon as they arrived not knowing what they were going to encounter," Barnes said.

At 11:05 officers reported that the shooter was down. Also at 11:05, officials started setting up a reunification center for parents.

Paramedics from Madison Fire arrived at 11:05 a.m., and Barnes said they were instrumental in providing aid and "potentially saving lives.

The incident was reported to the public at 11:13 a.m. The building was cleared a minute later, and at 11:23 bomb dogs cleared the building. The fire department started transporting victims at 11:16.

I dont know how we can minimize what has happened today, but were going to do the best we can to provide services for all these children and staff. We cannot forget the staff who bravely took care of their students.

Police at Madison home

Madison Police put tape up and had two cruisers parked outside a home on the North Side, about six miles from the school.

At a press conference Monday evening, authorities said the search is connected to the school shooting.

The home on Monday evening still had its Christmas lights on that mimic dripping icicles but on this day the blue front door was lying in the front yard, likely the work of investigators who earlier in the day searched the home. The doorframe was also splintered.

The girl's family is cooperating with law enforcement.

Authorities said it was unclear where the gun came from, the police are partnering with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to find out.

Two students who had non-life threatening injuries were released from hospital, two with non-life threatening injuries are still hospitalized and two others remain in critical condition.

Officers were going into the school three minutes after it was called in, Police Chief Shon Barnes said.

The school does not have metal detectors or a school resource officer.

Student describes moments of shooting

Adler Jean-Charles is a sixth grader at the school. He was in an English class with his twin brother when he heard what sounded like two gun shots.

We heard them and then some people started crying Adler said, moments after being unified with his mother. And then we just waited until the police came and then they escorted us to the church.

Leaders show frustration over latest shooting

City leaders on Monday showed frustration over the continued gun violence in schools across the country.

I think we can all agree that enough is enough, Barnes said. We have to come together to do everything we can to support our students, to keep press conferences like these from happening again and again and again.

At a later briefing, he said, "We have to do better. We have to collaborate better. We have to understand the warning signs. , and we have to use our resources when see things that may be going on with someone these children are now the latest group of survivors of a school shooting.

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway urged people who need help after Monday's shooting to speak up. And Trish Kilpin, State DOJ Director of Office of School Safety, said, "Targeted violence is preventable. When someone conducts a school shooting, they dont simply snap Instead they make a decision and start research and planning toward an act of violence they often demonstrate observable behaviors that others notice."

She encouraged people to report anything they hear or see to the state's school safety tip line.

School receives support

Barbara Wiers, director of advancement for Abundant Life, said there was a great deal of community support Monday for families.

"We had so many people stepping up to help our families," she said. "This has obviously rocked our school community but we know it affects not just our community but Madison and the greater area and all schools."

Friday was supposed to be the last day of class before Christmas break, so Wiers said it was unclear if the students will be back at all this week.

Shooter was a 15-year-old girl

The Associated Press is reporting that the shooter, who died in the school Monday, was a 15-year-old girl.

Parent frustrated by lack of information

3:21 p.m. | More than three hours after the shooting, Rob Nelson was still waiting to be unified with his two children but had spoken with his 14-year-old daughter, Olive, a freshman, who had texted him about the shooting.

He said students from the school were taken out the school and taken across the parking lot to the church.

She had messaged me that her school was on lockdown and that she had heard gunshots," he said. "She heard pops and bangs that sounded like a gun, and Olive is very familiar; we are a hunting family. But she said she was safe but was not sure about my son.

Nelson eventually heard from his 12-year-old son, Charles, a few hours later because his seventh grade sons phone had been in his locker.

He said he was also OK, and I can tell you that that was the roughest two hours of my life, Nelson said. The kids will not be going back to school here.

Parents entering Dean Clinic were required to go through metal detectors and sign in and each were issued a white name tag with their name hand-written in black marker. Parents "were packed into a small room and given very little information, Nelson said during a break in which he walked to a nearby Kwik Trip.

Its a lot of disappointment in there with the amount of information that has been given, he said. I had no alerts, no other information. My phone never rang, and its a small, little private school.

Shooter used handgun; home being searched

3:06 p.m. | The shooter used a handgun, Barnes said, adding that all the gunfire occurred in one area of the school.

The person was dead by the time police arrived, he said, adding that police are searching the shooters home. The shooter's parents are cooperating with investigation, Barnes said.

Candlelight vigil planned for Tuesday evening

3:00 p.m. | The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County is planning a candlelight vigil in response to the shooting on Capitol Square at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

As an organization dedicated to serving youth and families, we feel it is our responsibility to step forward and create spaces for connection and healing, said Michael Johnson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County.

Supporters are asked to gather at the Vel Phillips statue at the South Hamilton Street corner.

"The entire community is invited to attend and stand together in this time of sorrow and hope," Johnson said.

Dead are a teacher, student; 2 other students critical

2:40 p.m. | Barnes identified the dead as a teacher and a student. Two other students remained in critical condition, the chief said.

Four others, including teachers and students, were also hospitalized with injuries that were not believed to be life threatening.

2:35 p.m. | Kyla, a high school teacher at another school, who lives in the area and has close very close family friends who attend the school stood on the sidewalk outside the school wrapped in a blanket, her eyes red from crying.

Kids that Ive known since they were born, said Kyla, who asked to be identified only by her first name. They were just at my house, right over the road, over the weekend, building gingerbread houses like we do every year. They mean the world to me. They're my family. Their mom works at the school.

I know it's cliche now at this point to say, but you never think that this is going to happen right in your backyard, right in front of you, she said. There are no words in the English language to describe how anybody, teachers, caregivers, family members, friends feel right now.

Gothard: Shooting affects entire community

2:15 p.m. | In a statement, Madison School District Superintendent Joe Gothard said the district stands "in solidarity with our friends and neighbors at Abundant Life Christian School during this extraordinarily difficult time.

"This unimaginable tragedy impacts not just one school but all of us in the greater Madison community," Gothard said. "No one should face these complex emotions in isolation. As a community bound by mutual respect and compassion, we urge everyone to continue looking out for one another, to offer kindness, and to keep the Abundant Life Christian School community in your thoughts."

After the shooting, nine Madison schools were placed in "Secure" mode, meaning no one was allowed to enter or leave the buildings. The precaution was lifted at 1:15 p.m.

Mother, daughter reconnect via Facetime

2:09 p.m. | Bethany Highman has a daughter at the school where Highmans sister is a teachers assistant. Highman was able to Facetime her daughter who was with her sister in the school.

Theyre not really telling us too much. But my daughter is OK, Highman said. I was just briefly able to see my daughter through something very traumatic and let her know that I was close to the church. Shes safe. I really dont know any details. Im just as hungry for whats going on as Im sure all of you are.

Highmans husband was in Sauk City when he heard about the shooting at his daughters school. He has no idea how he will explain the shooting to his daughter, whom he was waiting to be reunited with at Dean Clinic.

It definitely breaks your heart. Im real sad but Im glad shes ok, LeBaron said. Theres wicked people in this world and we got a taste of it today.

'Unreal. I don't have any words': Relatives in shock

2:00 p.m. | Robert Nelson had walked about three blocks from the Dean Clinic to the corner of Buckeye and Tarragon drives but was stopped by police who told him to return to the clinic, which is being used as a reunification center.

Nelson has a 12- and 14-year-old at the school and was miffed Monday about the lack of security at the private school.

In a a little small, supposedly, private, Christian school on Buckeye Road that has no security, Nelson said. I drop my kids off every day and the principal stands there  and kids just come walking in.

Louis Bentley, whose sister has two girls, ages 6 and 13, at the school, lives a few blocks from the scene and had heard about the shooting from a customer who had called his office in Monona. He had heard the sirens prior to the phone call and, after speaking with the customer, called his sister.

She was on her way from Sun Prairie as Bentley looked over the mass of emergency vehicles that filled Buckeye Road near the school.

This is scary, Bentley said as he held a small dog. Its never a good time for this ever, but its the holidays and our family is very close. I just pray to God that this is going to, Bentley said, as his voice trailed off to sobs.

Rachel Marquez has four nieces and nephews ages 2 to 13 at the school. She was notified by her sister that there had been shooting and immediately made her way toward the school.

Unreal. I dont have any words, Marquez said. I think youre always surprised. You always think it cant happen to you.

A former parent, who asked to not be named, said she was heartbroken and sick over the shooting. The Abundant Life Christian School community is tight-knit, she said, where everyone knows everyone. When her son attended the school, she felt it was one of the best and safest.

We just have to pray for Madison, Wisconsin, for the school, for teachers, for the kids who have to go back there, she said. Its a very sad day, and I know we will rise up, that Challenger nation is strong, but they need prayer for everyone.

Students being bused to reunification point

1:30 p.m. | Students were being brought by Metro Transit buses to the reunification point at the SSM East Clinic at 1821 S. Stoughton Road.

Biden, Evers monitoring response

1:20 p.m. | Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said in a post on X he is closely monitoring the situation at Abundant Life Christian School.

We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond, Evers said.

My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said in a post on X.

Action not only prayers, Senator. Action!, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, said in response to Johnsons post.

President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the shooting and senior White House officials are in communications with local officials in Madison to provide support as needed, the White House said.

SSM East Clinic closed for day

1:14 p.m. | SSM Health ceased operations, including urgent care, for patients Monday afternoon at its Dean Medical Group Madison East clinic at 1821 S. Stoughton Road, because of the shooting.

We ask that all members of the public please avoid the area, SSM Health said in a statement.

Patients whose appointments were cancelled will be contacted for rescheduling. Patients who need urgent care are asked to go to the Dean Medical Group Madison West clinic, at 752 N. High Point Road, or Dean Medical Group in Janesville, at 3200 E. Racine Street, Janesville.

SSM Health St. Marys Hospital in Madison, UW Hospital and UW's American Family Children's Hospital said they were receiving patients injured in the shooting.

Barnes: 'My heart is heavy for Madison'

1:00 p.m. | "Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison, but for our entire country," Barnes said. "Another police chief is doing a press conference to speak about violence in our community, specifically in one of the places that's most sacred to me as someone who loves education and to someone who has children that are in school.

"I'm feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas, every child, every person in that building, is a victim and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma don't just go away, and we need to figure out, try to piece together, what exactly happened right now, my heart is heavy for my community. My heart is heavy for Madison."

Update: 3 dead, 5 injured

12:50 p.m. | Madison police corrected the number of casualties in Monday's school shooting, confirming that three people are dead, including the shooter, and five have been injured.

A police spokesperson earlier misstated the number of dead.

Madison alderman: Avoid the area

12:49 p.m. | Ald. Jael Currie is urging people to avoid the area around Abundant Life Christian School, the site of a shooting Monday morning, which is still an active scene.

"My heart goes out to the Abundant Life Christian School community in the light of this tragedy," said Currie, who represents the district.

Family members should go to the SSM Health clinic at 1821 S Stoughton Road, first floor.

Law enforcement gave an update on the situation as 12:15 p.m. and the next one is set for 2:30 p.m., according to Currie.

Barnes: Police did not fire their weapons

12:30 p.m. | The shooter, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was a student at the school, Barnes said. The chief declined to say how the shooter died but said police did not fire their weapons.

Five others were injured. Their injuries range from minor to life-threatening.

Police chief Shon Barnes to address media

12:18 p.m. | Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes is expected to address the media shortly.

First responders meanwhile were trying to redirect parents and other family members from the school to the reunification point at the Dean clinic four blocks to the west, at East Buckeye and Stoughton roads. Some parents, unable to get through on Buckeye, have attempted to reach the school via side streets and have been referred to the clinic.

Abundant Life chief: 'We're praying hard'

11:50 a.m. | Chuck Moore, the executive director of the Madison nonprofit that runs Abundant Life and five other Christian schools, said he's had no communication from the school and didn't know whether the shooter and victims were part of the school community.

"We've had no communication from the school yet. We've been told we shouldn't go there," he said. "We've got emails and texts out. When it's appropriate, I'm sure we'll hear something. Of course you don't know who's been hurt."

He did not know where Abundant Life students and staff were as of just before noon. The school has about 390 students, from kindergarten through high school, according to its website.

Today was a regular school day for the school, which has about 420 students and about 25 to 30 staff, Moore said. The five other schools that are part of the nonprofit, Impact Christian Schools, were put into a "soft lockdown," he said.

"We're praying hard for them and we're communicating with the rest of our schools," he said.

Parents racing to the scene

11:43 a.m. | Distraught parents were seen racing toward the school, only to be stuck in traffic on East Buckeye Road as they waited to enter the reunification center.

"I can't believe this," one woman was heard crying to a police officer directing traffic.

Reunification point established at SSM Clinic

11:38 a.m. | Parents were being urged to meet at the SSM Health urgent care clinic at the corner of East Buckeye Road and Stoughton Road.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) concluded a transformative year with the successful implementation of key programs and initiatives that strengthened the industry.

The department expects international visitor arrivals to reach 7.7 million in 2024, up from 5.45 million recorded in 2023 on sustained recovery of various industries from the pandemic.

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DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said, however, tourism should go beyond attracting visitors to include livelihood creation, employment generation and the economic resilience of destinations.

The DOT expanded its focus to ensure that tourism programs not only yield short-term impacts but also contribute to the medium- and long-term sustainability of destinations.

Diversifying products

In 2023, the DOT diversified its tourism offerings to include gastronomy, health and wellness, dive tourism and cultural heritage. These efforts have fostered a multidimensional approach to market and product development, strengthening the industrys resilience against disruptions.

Adding to this is the Philippines positioning as a culinary powerhouse with notable achievements in various cities. Angeles City was named Asias Leading Emerging Culinary Destination. Bacolod City was declared the hub for Slow Food in Asia and is set to host the Asia-Pacific Terra Madre conference in 2024. Iloilo City was honored as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy. These recognitions highlight the countrys growing reputation as a global leader in gastronomy tourism.

Integration of technology

The DOT pioneered the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the tourism sector, aligning its efforts with the national AI strategy.

Establishments that adopt technology-driven innovations in accommodation standards are now incentivized. AI-powered customer service tools, such as virtual assistants in hotels and resorts, have been introduced to enhance the visitor experience. AI applications are also being used to manage foot traffic at popular attractions, ensuring better crowd control and safety.

Through collaboration with private sector stakeholders, the DOT has accelerated the adoption of smart technologies to provide a seamless and modern tourist experience.

Upgraded infrastructure

The modernization of airports and seaports has significantly enhanced accessibility for tourists, while expanded road networks and improved tourist amenities have further enriched the visitor experience. Efforts to increase international and domestic routes and flights have made the Philippines a more attractive destination for both global and local travelers.

The DOT has championed green investments by funding sustainable tourism projects that prioritize environmental conservation. These initiatives aim to balance increased tourist activity with the preservation of the countrys natural and cultural resources.

2025 Vision

As part of the 2025 strategic plan, the DOT will focus on expanding digital platforms to provide real-time tourism information and streamline services for travelers. It also plans to empower local communities by integrating small and medium enterprises into the tourism value chain, thereby fostering inclusive economic growth.

Furthermore, the DOT intends to deepen international collaboration by building partnerships with local governments and international stakeholders to develop innovative and resilient tourism programs.

Sustainable growth

The DOTs approach aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s Bagong Pilipinas initiative, positioning tourism as a transformative force for national development. Frasco reiterated the DOTs commitment to a tourism framework rooted in resilience, sustainability and inclusivity.

We envision a tourism industry that fosters cultural understanding, sustains peace and brings joy to generations to come. By embracing sustainability and innovation, the Philippines is poised to deliver unforgettable experiences, transform lives, and cement its place as a premier global destination, Frasco said.
The Philippines is strengthening its position as a hub for semiconductor investments, with US firms expressing growing interest in the countrys dynamic electronics and semiconductor sectors.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met on Monday key representatives from the US semiconductor industry at Malacanang, including Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) president John Neuffer.

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Our government has identified the semiconductor industry as the priority sector for investment. This reflects its vital role in driving economic growth, technological innovation and job creation. The visit aligns with our efforts to position the country as a premier investment destination in the region and the global stage, said Secretary Frederick Go, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA).

The meeting was followed by high-level talks with Philippine economic officials to explore strategies for advancing potential collaborations and driving sectoral growth.

The government and US stakeholders agreed to focus on three critical areas for collaboration.

The parties aim to expand the Philippines assembly, testing and packaging (ATP) capabilities to strengthen its role in the global semiconductor supply chain, while also focusing on capacity building in integrated circuit (IC) design to advance the countrys position in electronics manufacturing.

Education and workforce development will be prioritized to ensure the industry has access to a skilled, future-ready talent pool.

The semiconductor sector accounted for nearly $50 billion in exports in 2023, making it the countrys top export earner while supporting three million jobs, both directly and indirectly.

The government is optimistic about leveraging opportunities presented by the US CHIPS Act, particularly the $500-million International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund allocated for seven countries over five years.

The US delegation included SIA director Jennifer Meng, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and executives from leading firms such as Allegro Microsystems, Amkor Technology, Analog Devices, Microchip Technology and OnSemi.

Go said the visit is part of SIAs tour across Southeast Asia to assess the regions semiconductor ecosystems.

Both sides are optimistic about forging partnerships that could buttress the Philippines role as a critical player in the global semiconductor industry.
Turkiye is ready to provide military support to Syrias new government set up by rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad if it requests it, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday.

He said the new leadership should be given a chance and that Turkiye was ready to provide the necessary support if needed, in remarks reported by state news agency Anadolu and other Turkish media outlets.

It is necessary to see what the new administration will do. We think it is necessary to give them a chance, Guler said of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel alliance, which is rooted in Al-Qaedas Syria branch and designated a terrorist organisation by many Western governments.

HTS has sought to moderate its rhetoric and its transitional government has insisted the rights of all Syrians would be protected along with the rule of law.

We have military training and cooperation agreements with many countries. We are ready to provide the necessary support if the new administration requests it, the Turkish defence minister said, without specifying what might be provided.
A growing layer of people, especially among the youth, are looking for radical answers to the crises that plague our lives. The founding conference of the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) in Germany is living proof of this. From 30 November to 1 December, 260 comrades and visitors from across Germany met to launch the RKP and discuss its perspectives and tasks.

We were able to organise a congress of this size as a result of our comrades impressive efforts in building the organisation, particularly over the last year. We are the only organisation to have recognised the need for a clearly communist orientation and as a result we have been boldly presenting our ideas to the world. The younger generations have only known decline throughout their lives. These are the layers we have aimed to reach through our work.

Since last summer, we have grown from 150 to 300 comrades in Germany. We have rented an office in Berlin, launched our new monthly newspaper Der Kommunist and, based on the popularity of our ideas, decided to found the RKP.

Germany in crisis

Our perspectives for the coming period, which were presented at the party congress, made it clear why the founding of our party was not done on a whim, but was absolutely necessary. The German working class has no party to act as their political weapon in the upcoming class struggles. We want to forge this weapon by organising the most radical layers of workers and youth today.

Saturdays talk and discussion on our perspectives for Germany highlighted the fatal impact of the capitalist crisis on the country. The industrial backbone of the economy in this country is contracting and plants are being closed. To get industry out of this crisis, Finance Minister Christian Lindner presented a paper to his coalition partners in November calling for deregulation and greater austerity.

The German working class has no party to act as their political weapon in the upcoming class struggles. We want to forge this weapon by organising the most radical layers of workers and youth today / Image: derkommunist.de

The Social Democrats and the Greens, however, were not prepared to implement these counter-reforms with the rigour Lindner demanded, causing the coalition to collapse. Yet severe attacks on living standards are exactly what the ruling class is now demanding. After the elections in the spring, the next government will try to enforce these wishes for the capitalists.

This will lead to a backlash from the working class, but it will not be able to rely on any major political force. This includes Die Linke (the Left Party), which has drifted into shallow populism and personality politics.

The partys founding congress also stated:

The working class and youth need a party that truly represents their interests. That is why we are proposing to campaign during elections. But we are not standing for election on the ballot paper. While all the other parties say Support us and mean a cross on the ballot paper, we say Support us and mean: dedicate your life to the struggle for world socialist revolution! Because that is the only realistic alternative.

The power of ideas

Journalists from two major daily newspapers were also present at the congress. As was to be expected, neither of them dealt much with our political ideas in their articles. While one dismissed the congress as an amusing oddity, the other article in the supposedly left-wing newspaper taz was characterised by its pessimistic and cynical undertone.

What both newspapers had to admit, however, was the enthusiasm with which we defended our ideas. The delegates' contributions helped raise the political level of the party congress enormously and were better than any previous congress. They testified to the thoroughness of the discussions about our perspectives, which have taken place in our local branches over the last few months.

In the discussion on party building on Sunday, many comrades reported on the successes their branches have had in recruiting new communists. The general lesson our comrades drew from their experiences was that in order to consolidate the organisation and make it ready to achieve new goals, the study of Marxism must be a permanent focus in the building of the party. This alone can give us guidance in the class struggle and confidence in our work.

The willingness to conquer these ideas was also reflected in the fact that we sold over 2,200-worth of Marxist literature over the weekend. This is four times as much as at our last seminar!

Revolutionary sacrifice

Time and money: these are the sacrifices that every true revolutionary has to make, explained one comrade during the fundraiser on Saturday evening. This spirit of sacrifice was evident across the party as representatives from all of the branches took to the stage to announce what they would be donating, with the sums often exceeding their original targets.

This money allows us to remain politically independent as a party, as we can fund the professionalisation of our work out of our own pocket. At the same time, by collecting donations from our membership and from social movements, we protect ourselves against attacks from the state, such as those currently being pursued against our comrades Alyona, Leonard and Adrian because of their solidarity with the struggle for Palestinian liberation.

Our party

The whole weekend has shown the enthusiasm with which our comrades want to build the RKP. They know that a truly communist party is needed to lead the working class to victory.

On Sunday, as comrades unanimously voted to found the RKP, the whole hall erupted in loud chants of, RKP. We will build our party with this enthusiasm and revolutionary optimism.
A peace Summit between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, scheduled for December 15 in Luanda, Angola, collapsed before it began. Mediated by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, the meeting aimed to ease tensions but failed due to the absence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

The Angolan Presidency announced the cancellation, confirmed by a Congolese delegate who noted, The tripartite will not take place since one party is not there. Kagames absence disrupted the planned discussions.

Rwanda attributed its withdrawal to a deadlock over the DRCs refusal to negotiate with the M23 armed group. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stated the impasse left the summit without reason to exist.

The DRC accused Rwanda of bad faith, rejecting talks with the M23 as a red line. Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama insisted, We will not dialogue with the M23 because the M23 does not exist. It is Rwanda. She criticized Rwandas stance as a major obstacle to peace in eastern Congo, where conflict has displaced millions.

Despite the setback, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi met with Lourenco and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who oversees the Nairobi peace process. Kagames absence, however, left the summits main goals unmet.

The collapse underscores mistrust between the DRC and Rwanda. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the M23, which Rwanda denies. This failure complicates regional peace efforts, leaving key issues unresolved and raising doubts about future cooperation.
Cyclone Chido, which wreaked havoc on Mayotte on Saturday, December 14, continued its destructive path across the Indian Ocean, striking the Comoros archipelago and northern Mozambiques Pemba region. While the cyclone caused significant damage in all three areas, the devastation appears to be most severe in Mayotte, the 101st French Department.

By Sunday morning, December 15, Cyclone Chido had reached Mozambique, bringing severe weather to the region. According to a provisional report released that evening, at least three people have died as a result of the storm. The cyclone, still powerful when it made landfall, hit a densely populated area in northern Mozambique, intensifying the need for urgent humanitarian aid.

Red Cross teams in the region have been mobilized to assist victims. Christian Pallier, head of the Red Cross delegation for the Indian Ocean, highlighted the organizations readiness to respond: We are in contact with the Mozambican Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross to deploy support if necessary. This may involve resources from our warehouses in Reunion or from one of our other facilities in the Indian Ocean zonewe have 11 in total.

Before reaching Mozambique, Cyclone Chido battered the Comoros archipelago. While the full extent of the damage in Comoros has not yet been reported, early assessments suggest it was less severe compared to Mayotte.

Mayotte, however, bore the brunt of the storm. With winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and torrential rainfall, the cyclone left extensive destruction in its wake. Roads were blocked, homes were destroyed, and power outages affected much of the island. Emergency services have been stretched thin as they work to restore infrastructure and assist displaced residents.

As Cyclone Chido moves further across the Indian Ocean, humanitarian organizations continue to monitor its trajectory and coordinate relief efforts. The Red Cross and other aid agencies are assessing needs across affected regions, with Mozambique now the primary focus due to the storms recent landfall.

The cyclones devastation highlights the vulnerability of Indian Ocean nations to extreme weather events, underscoring the importance of preparedness and rapid response to mitigate the impact of future disasters.
An extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) is set to take place on Monday, December 16, in Yaounde, Cameroon. The meeting comes at a critical time for the region, which is facing worrying warning signals due to slippages and failures in the implementation of recommended reforms, according to the organization.

This situation threatens to jeopardize the disbursement of International Monetary Fund (IMF) budget support to several member countries.

The summit will bring together the leaders of CEMACs six member states and a high-level IMF delegation, including Genevieve Verdier, the mission chief for CEMAC, and Abebe Selassie, director of the IMFs Africa Department. At the core of the discussions will be concerns over rising public debt across the region, particularly in countries like Congo.

Cedric Jiongo, a CEMAC specialist at Sikafinance, highlighted the gravity of Congos fiscal struggles: Congo is facing significant budgetary difficulties, with public debt nearing 100% of GDP and growing internal arrears. The country has experienced multiple payment delays and has had to reschedule debt repayments. In short, Congo is struggling to manage its current debt. The regional organization also warns that, over the medium term, the fiscal outlook for CEMAC is expected to worsen, with Gabon anticipated to run larger deficits.

Beyond the economic challenges, the summit carries political significance. It is expected to provide an opportunity for Cameroons President Paul Biya to reassert his presence on the regional stage. Since returning to Cameroon on October 21, President Biya has kept a low profile. Hosting this high-stakes summit could mark his first major public appearance in months.

The meeting was originally slated to be held in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. However, CEMACs current president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, reportedly agreed to have the event relocated to Yaounde, underscoring the regional cooperation required to address these pressing challenges.

The outcomes of this summit will be closely watched as they may determine the future stability of CEMACs economies and the extent of IMF support to its member states.
Leaders and representatives of the Economic Community of West African States convened their 66th summit in Abuja, facing a delicate moment as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger declined to attend. These countries, each led by military governments, accuse the regional bloc of unfair sanctions and assert their intention to move forward without ECOWAS.

During the summit, chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS confirmed the withdrawal of the three Sahel countries from the organization within a 6-month period.

The six-month transition period will commence on January 29, 2025, after which the exit of the three Sahel countries will become definitive on July 30, 2025, unless they reconsider their decision.

Senegals President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was to present a report on his recent attempts to mediate with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso during an earlier summit.

Participants also address pressing regional security issues, review the payment of the community levy, and examine the implementation of the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme to promote the free movement of goods and people.

The absence of three member states underlines the gravity of the current situation. Instability, military coups, and security crises now threaten the regions cohesion. Delegates stress the need for strong leadership, open communication, and concrete steps toward reconciliation.

Member states established ECOWAS in 1975. Over the decades, it has evolved into a key political authority in the region. Countries such as Benin, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, and the Gambia depend on ECOWAS to encourage economic cooperation, resolve disputes, and maintain stability.

With recent events testing its foundational ideals, the blocs leaders recognize that they must act decisively. Achieving a stable, secure, and prosperous West Africa requires unity, engagement with dissenting members, and a renewed commitment to collective solutions.
Morocco is interested in becoming a permanent Security Council member, as part of a reform that will give Africa two seats in the UNs most influential organ.

The Kingdom is eligible to become a member of the Security Council because, quite simply, the fundamental criterion for membership is to contribute to peace and security in the world, particularly by contributing to peacekeeping forces, Moroccan UN envoy Omar Hilale told state news agency MAP.

Morocco is best placed to represent Africa in the Council, he said.

African states have for long urged a reform of the Security Council to address the underrepresentation of the continent in global governance. The proposal is backed by the UN chief and the US as well as most of the global south.

Morocco has been one of the leading African contributors to peacekeeping in the continent sending blue helmets to Cote DIvoire, Somalia, DRC and CAR as well as a contribution to peacekeeping in Kosovo.

The Kingdom has also forged win-win ties with most of Africa cooperating on key issues such as resilient and sustainable farming, banking, infrastructure and education.

The arguments in favor of increasing African membership in the council are: repairing the historical injustice of its underrepresentation in global governance, recognizing African contributions in shaping the contemporary world order, and securing the legitimacy of the UN in the face of emerging threats to international peace and security.
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Staphylococcus aureus cultures in the Liu Lab. Credit: Kyle Dykes/ UC San Diego Health Sciences

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections that can sometimes lead to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome. The microbe poses a significant threat to public health, made worse by the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) in recent years.

According to The Lancet, S. aureus was associated with more than 1 million deaths around the globe in 2019.

"It is a pathogen in dire need of control because it causes significant morbidity and mortality not just in the United States, but worldwide," said George Liu, M.D., Ph.D., professor of and chief of pediatric infectious diseases at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.

Yet, despite working well in mouse models, approximately 30 clinical trials to date have failed to result in an effective human vaccine for S. aureus. Now, UC San Diego researchers have identified a key reason for these failures, indicating that it may be possible to modify the vaccines to work in humans.

In a study published on December 16, 2024 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), they report that S. aureus induces an overabundance of a protein called interleukin-10 (IL-10) in B cells, leading to the inactivation of antibodies, rendering them unable to kill S. aureus.

In a related study published in Nature Communications, UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers also found that an overabundance of IL-10 in response to S. aureus shuts down the ability of helper T cells to fight the pathogen.

Liu says S. aureus shares a long history with humans. "For a bacterium to readily live in our nose and gut, it needs to develop a strategy that effectively dampens the immune response to be able to survive."

In infancy, the majority of us are colonized with S. aureus, which hitches a ride in our nasal passages. For the most part, it doesn't harm us.

But a previous study from 2022, led by Chih-Ming Tsai, Ph.D., an assistant project scientist in Liu's lab, showed that this early exposure fools our immune cells into producing modified antibodies that fail to mount an effective defense against S. aureus. What's more, the bacteria retain a "memory" of those non-protective antibodies that can be brought back during later infections.

Tsai says that's why vaccine candidates that have worked well in mice with no previous exposure to the pathogen have failed to protect humans from new encounters with S. aureus. However, when the researchers exposed mice to human S. aureus antibodies before vaccination to replicate our early experience with the bacteria, the vaccine no longer worked.

Irshad Hajam, George Liu, and Chih-Ming Tsai in the Liu lab, Israni Biomedical Research Facility. Credit: Kyle Dykes/UC San Diego Health Sciences

B cells

In the JCI study, Tsai, Liu, and their team sought to understand what renders the S. aureus antibodies useless at fighting the pathogen after vaccination. The researchers exposed mice to S. aureus, and later inoculated them with Iron Surface Determinant B (IsdB) vaccine, which had previously been shown to confer immunity to S. aureus in mice that were naive to the bacteria.

The team found that B cellswhite blood cells that make antibodiessecrete an abundance of IL-10 when challenged with S. aureus for a second time. Within the B cells, IL-10 directs the enzymes to add a sugar called sialic acid to the Fc region of the antibodiesthe region responsible for generating an appropriate immune response.

With the sugar abundantly present, the anti-staphylococcal activity of antibodies produced by the B cells is neutralized, making them incapable of killing the pathogen.

"The IL-10 is helping make tons of this sugar type and by doing so, it's turning off our immune system," said Tsai. However, the researchers also found that blocking IL-10 at the time of immunization restores vaccine efficacy. "The same vaccine that didn't work before now works perfectly in mice," he added.

Chih-Ming Tsai and Irshad Hajam with Staphylococcus aureus cultures. Credit: Kyle Dykes/UC San Diego Health Sciences

Irshad Hajam examines Staphylococcus aureus cultures. Credit: Kyle Dykes/UC San Diego Health Sciences

T cells

While the JCI study focused on the role of IL-10 in B cells, the Nature Communications paper, led by first author Irshad A. Hajam, Ph.D., an assistant project scientist in Liu's lab, examined how S. aureus interacts with CD4+ T lymphocytes, also known as helper T cells. These are white blood cells that detect infections and activate other immune cells to attack and kill pathogens.

The researchers found that, like B cells, helper T cells also secrete an overabundance of IL-10 in response to S. aureus in mice previously exposed to and later vaccinated for S. aureus.

IL-10 shuts down the ability of the helper T cells to produce interleukin-17 (IL-17A), a cytokine that is particularly effective at fighting S. aureus infections. But by blocking IL-10 or adding a substance called CAF01known to enhance vaccine efficacy by increasing the response of T cells to microbial infectionsthe researchers were able to restore IL-17A levels.

"Adding CAF01 during vaccination helped turn the ineffective IsdB vaccine into one that worked in S. aureus-exposed mice," said Hajam. "Surprisingly, it also worked with several other failed vaccines against S. aureus."

The findings from both studies could be good news for human S. aureus vaccine development. Liu says it may be possible to make already-developed but failed S. aureus vaccines effective by blocking IL-10 or boosting IL-17A during vaccination.

He adds that IL-10 production by a number of other microbes including (Clostridioides difficile and malaria) could be a reason why promising vaccines for these conditions have failed in human clinical trials, suggesting that blocking the cytokine could restore their efficacy as well.
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A. Anatomical location of seed in Subcallosal Cingulate Gyrus (SCG) to probe BOLD signals while people with Parkinsons disease visualized learned choreography elicited by music trained in the DfPD class. B. Geriatric Depression Scores (GDS) for this subset of PwPD (p<0.05, paired t-test, n=7 PwPD). Credit: bioRxiv. DOI: 10.1101/2022.10.14.512180

Dancing lowers the depression associated with Parkinson's disease, and the benefits can be seen in multiple ways, according to a study involving York University researchers published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

"It was very cool to see that dance had a positive effect on the mood circuits in the brain, which we could see in the imaging," says Faculty of Health associate professor Joseph DeSouza, an author of the study. "These improvements that we could see on MRI brain scans were also reported by the participants via survey. Our study is the first to demonstrate these benefits across these two detection methods."

The study followed 23 participants in the Sharing Dance Parkinson's program at Canada's National Ballet School who had a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, as well as 11 healthy controls, who were mostly family members or caretakers of those with Parkinson's disease.

The participants took weekly dance classes for eight months, which progressed from simple leg and foot work and plies to interpretive movements, waltzes, and more complicated, choreographed dances.

The researchers include DeSouza; former York Ph.D. student Karolina Bearss, now a professor at Algoma University; former York Ph.D. student Rebecca Barnstaple, now assistant professor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness, cross-appointed with Theater at the University of Guelph; and Rachel Bar, a former York undergraduate student who is now director of research and health at Canada's National Ballet School.

They honed in on a node in the brain, the subcallosal cingulate gyrus (SCG), that has been shown in previous research to be implicated in depression. They measured mood and depression scores in all participants using the Geriatric Depression Scale before and after every class and conducted regular MRI scans at York.

The researchers found that after each dance class, reported depression rates dropped, and the effect was cumulative from class to class, with significant improvements after eight months.

They also found that the MRI scans showed reduced signals in a frontal-cortex brain region associated with emotional regulation and that in a smaller subset of the participants, a significant decrease in depression scores was correlated with changes in the SCG node.

"We essentially showed that SCG BOLD [blood oxygen leveldependent] signal decreases while dancing over time. Which means that the SCG was not functioning as fast as it would if you had depression," says Bearss.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Before diagnosis, there is a prodromal phase that can last two to 10 years and is characterized by low mood, even before other symptoms appear, such as tremors and other issues with motor control.

"People with Parkinson's disease tend to have multiple symptoms that are not just motor related, there are a lot of symptoms that include mental and social well-being impairments, one of those being depression," explains Bearss.

This research builds on Bearss and DeSouza's three-year-long study that found that dance training helps people with Parkinson's disease with motor control, mood, and other functions of daily living.

Dance is thought to have a double benefit, with music activating the brain's reward centers, and the movement acting on sensory and motor circuits. DeSouza, who has been dancing with participants in the program for 14 years, says that while dancing is not a treatment for Parkinson's disease per se, the benefits are clear.

"We're not trying to cure Parkinson's with dance," says DeSouza, also with the Center for Vision Research and Connected Minds at York.

"What we're trying to do is to have people live a better quality of life. This goes for both those with the disease, and their families that take care of themthey also get benefits of feeling better."
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Corresponding author Andrew Sheriff looks at a computer monitor in a lab. Credit: Northwestern University

Just as a conductor coordinates different instruments in an orchestra to produce a symphony, breathing coordinates hippocampal brain waves to strengthen memory while we sleep, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.

This is the first time breathing rhythms during sleep have been linked to these hippocampal brain wavescalled slow waves, spindles and ripplesin humans. Scientists knew these waves were linked to memory but their underlying driver was unknown. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"To strengthen memories, three special neural oscillations emerge and synchronize in the hippocampus during sleep, but they were thought to come and go at random times," said senior study author Christina Zelano, professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "We discovered that they are coordinated by breathing rhythms."

Northwestern scientists discovered that hippocampal oscillations occur at particular points in the breathing cycle, suggesting that breathing is a critical rhythm for proper memory consolidation during sleep.

"Memory consolidation relies on orchestration of brain waves during sleep, and we show that this process is closely timed by breathing," said corresponding author Andrew Sheriff, a postdoctoral student in Zelano's lab.

B-roll from the lab at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Credit: Northwestern University

The findings have important implications for disordered breathing during sleepsuch as sleep apneawhich is linked with poor memory consolidation.

We've all had the experience of better memories after a night of sleep. This was noted as far back as ancient Rome, when the scholar Quintillion wrote of the "curious fact" that "the interval of a single night will greatly increase the strength of the memory," the study authors said. He was describing what we now call memory consolidation, which is accomplished by the exquisitely tuned coordination of different brain waves in the hippocampus.

"When you're sleeping, your brain is actively replaying experiences you had during the day," Sheriff said.

Sheriff had just returned from a conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he had to learn his way around a new city.

"The hippocampus plays a major role in forming a map of a new area," Sheriff said. "I would wake up and feel I had a better representation of the city around me. That was facilitated by the oscillations that occurred during my sleep, which we found are coordinated by breathing."

The study indicates people with disrupted breathing during sleep should seek treatment for it, Sheriff said.

"When you don't get sleep your brain suffers, your cognition suffers, you get foggy," Sheriff said. "We also know that sleep-disordered breathing is connected with stroke, dementia and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

"If you listen to someone breathing, you might be able to tell when they are asleep, because breathing is paced differently when you're sleeping. One reason for that may be that breathing is performing a careful task: coordinating brain waves that are related to memory."

Other Northwestern authors include Guangyu Zhou, Justin Morgenthaler, Christopher Cyr, Katherina K. Hauner, Mahmoud Omidbeigi, Joshua Rosenow, Stephan Schuele and Gregory Lane.

More information: Andrew Sheriff et al, Breathing orchestrates synchronization of sleep oscillations in the human hippocampus, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405395121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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Can you literally step away from depression? A new global review of data found that "increasing the number of daily steps, even at modest levels, was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms."

The Spanish study found that up to a level of about 10,000 steps per day, the odds for depression decline as daily step levels rise.

The findings were published Dec. 16 in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Researchers led by Estela Jimenez-Lopez, of the University of Castile-La Mancha, noted there's already solid evidence that exercise of any kind is a natural antidepressant. But what about something as easy as walking?

To find out, they looked at data from high-quality studies on daily step counts and their links to mental health.

In total, the new review covered 33 studies involving a total of more than 96,000 adults worldwide. Studies included people who used fitness-tracker devices to calculate their daily steps.

Compared to a baseline of 5,000 steps taken per day, folks who took even 1,000 more steps daily saw a 9% drop in their odds for developing depression, the researchers found.

Those benefits quickly mounted up: Compared to folks walking 5,000 steps per day or less, those who walked 7,000 steps/day had a 31% lower odds for depression, the study found.

"In addition, counts above 7,500 steps/d were associated with a 43% lower prevalence of depression," Jimenez-Lopez and colleagues wrote, and those trends held true for "all age groups, [and] females and males."

There did seem to be a leveling out of mental health benefits at about 10,000 steps per day, the data showed.

As has been observed in studies on physical health, "increasing the number of steps [beyond 10,000/d] may not be associated with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms," the researchers wrote.

The new findings add walking to many other forms of physical activityaerobics, weight training, yoga and even tai chias ways to help keep depression at bay, the researchers said.

The bottom line: "Setting goals for the number of daily steps may be a promising and inclusive public health strategy for the prevention of depression," the study authors concluded.

More information: The American Heart Association has more on the benefits of walking. Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni et al, Daily Step Count and Depression in Adults, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.51208 Journal information: JAMA Network Open

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A senior UN aid official called Friday for inclusive governance, the rule of law, and robust humanitarian measures to steer Syria toward a stable transition. Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria emphasized the critical need for unity, humanitarian assistance, and reconstruction in the wake of the Assad regimes fall. He urged the global community to support Syria as it takes its first steps toward political transition and stressed its importance in shaping the countrys future.

Abdelmoula emphasized the importance of preserving evidence and respecting fundamental legal standards in the pursuit of justice and reconciliation. He expressed particular concern for the fate of documents and possible mass graves linked to the former regimes suspected crimes against humanity. Preserving these sites is crucial, he noted, for any future transitional justice mechanisms that will likely involve both domestic and international legal frameworks. He added, Im very, very, very worried that many of these places will be ransacked by the rebel forces.

Abdelmoula cautioned that unchecked humanitarian suffering could lead to renewed instability, creating fertile ground for extremist groups, including ISIL, to re-establish footholds. Restoring public order and ensuring basic services, he argued, are not only urgent humanitarian priorities but also legal and ethical imperatives that align with international standards.

Appealing to foreign governments and the international community to support a comprehensive reconstruction strategy, Abdelmoula made the point that reconstruction efforts must balance humanitarian needs, compliance with human rights obligations, and the pursuit of future accountability processes. The stability of Syria will benefit everyone  not only the sub-region but the entire world, said Abdelmoula. While acknowledging ongoing security incidents such as the Israeli air strikes, inter-factional clashes, and instability in border areas, Abdelmoula remained hopeful adding, that now is an opportunity for all of those external actors to contribute towards the stability of Syria that will benefit everyone.
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Two independent studies from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) show that patients with type 2 diabetes who are treated with the drug Ozempic have an increased risk of developing damage to the optic nerve of the eye, which can lead to severe and permanent loss of vision. Both studies are based on Danish registers and are the largest in the world.

In their separate studies, Jakob Grauslund, Professor of Ophthalmology, and Anton Pottegard, Professor of Pharmaceuticals, have used two different methods to investigate all Danish users of Ozempic.

Both of the new register-based studies from SDU confirm a concern that was raised earlier this year in a smaller American study. In the American study, it was observed that Ozempic more than doubles the risk of the rare condition NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), which causes damage to the optic nerve of the eye.

Jakob Grauslund and his research colleagues have validated the hypothesis of the American study in Denmark, where the drug Ozempic is used by 106,454 patients in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

"We have examined data from all 424,152 Danes with type 2 diabetes. We found that Ozempic more than doubles the risk of developing NAION. NAION is damage to the optic nerve of the eye caused by a sudden stop of blood flow to the optic nerve. It is a condition that can lead to severe and permanent loss of vision," says Grauslund, Professor of Ophthalmology at the Department of Clinical Research, SDU, and Department of Ophthalmology E, Odense University Hospital.

"In the study, we found that the risk is doubled. At the same time, in the clinic we have noticed that since Ozempic came on the market in 2018, the number of NAION cases in Denmark has continued," he continues. "Whereas we used to see between 60 and 70 cases of NAION per year, we are now seeing up to 150. In addition, we have noticed that the patients who come to hospital due to NAION are more often patients with type 2 diabetes."

In Grauslund's study, the researchers divided the patients into two groups: those who were treated with Ozempic and those who received other treatment. In the statistical analyses, age, gender, blood sugar and a wide range of other conditions were also taken into account.

Same findings with a different method

Anton Pottegard and his research group, who are experts on medicine use, have closely examined a smaller but more specific sample of the group of patients with type 2 diabetes. They have compared new users of Ozempic with users of another drug used in the treatment of diabetes who are at the same stage of the disease. This ensures a very even and direct comparison. They have done this in both Denmark and Norway.

"In collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, we have looked at all Danish and Norwegian diabetes patients who started treatment with Ozempic and compared them with people who started treatment with another medication. As was the case for Jakob Grauslund, we found that the risk of developing NAION doubles if you take Ozempic," explains Pottegard, Professor of Pharmaceuticals at the Department of Public Health.

Risk is doubled

As with the American study, both studies from the University of Southern Denmark show that Ozempic increases the risk of developing NAION and that this applies to everyone with type 2 diabetes and not just to those patients who are already very ill.

"Fortunately, according to our study, the number of people affected is lower than was found in the American study, but the number of cases of NAION among the people who are receiving Ozempic has still doubled," says Grauslund.

The higher number of cases in the American study may be due to the focus on a limited group of patients and because the American data have a number of limitations that are not applicable in the Scandinavian health registers.

"The American study proposes a hypothesis about a possible association, so it was important to investigate whether it could be confirmed in follow-up studies with better data sourcesdata sources such as those we have access to in the Nordic region," explains Pottegard. "These are the registers we have now used to confirm this suspicion."

Could lead to a change in treatment

Left untreated, diabetes can lead to other changes and complications in the eyes. Although these conditions are less severe than the damage caused to the optic nerve by NAION, they are much more common. It is therefore not the intention of Grauslund and Pottegard to advise diabetes patients to stop their treatment.

"This is a serious but very rare side effect. Often, we only learn about this kind of thing after a new drug has been on the market for a few years, as is the case with Ozempic. It should be emphasized that it is neither more serious nor more common than the rare side effects of many other medicines that we continue to use. It is, so to speak, just a new piece of the puzzle of understanding how this drug works," explains Pottegard.

"We hope that our results can be used by doctors and patients to discuss the pros and cons of treatment with Ozempic," adds Grauslund.

Kurt Hjlund is a professor of diabetes at Steno Diabetes Center Odense, SDU and Odense University Hospital. He sees patients with type 2 diabetes every day and is responsible for choosing the best treatment for them.

Hjlund is among the group of authors behind one of the studies. He says, "It is extremely important that type 2 diabetes is treated, but you have to consider whether the small increased risk of severe vision loss by using Ozempic means that you should instead use one of the other new drugs that protect against kidney and cardiovascular disease. This is commensurate with the new guidelines which came into force on 25 November. We cannot yet with certainty identify patients with a particularly high risk.

"However, treatment with Ozempic should be stopped if NAION is detected in one eye. The vast majority of patients can be confident in receiving treatment with Ozempic, as the absolute risk is so low, but some people may prefer an alternative treatment following consultation with their doctor."

Danish and international authorities have been informed of the findings. NAION as a potential side effect of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, has been a focus for the authorities over the past six months. The new findings will be incorporated into their ongoing work.

Grauslund's study has been accepted in the International Journal of Retina and Vitreous, and Pottegard's study is currently available on the medRxiv preprint server.
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Many young people are turning to menstrual cups as a reliable, safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly option for managing their menstruation needs.

But new research from Burnet Institute found early negative experiences can be distressing and deter continued use.

The study involved an online survey of 530 people aged 1524 living in Australia who had ever tried using a menstrual cup.

During their first cycle using a menstrual cup, 54% of participants reported leakage and 25% reported pain or discomfort while the cup was in place.

Twenty-nine percent of people abandoned using a menstrual cup after trying it, and out of that group nearly half (40%) stopped after just one cycle. Of those who discontinued using a menstrual cup, 69% said they stopped because of discomfort and leakage.

Burnet senior research fellow Dr. Julie Hennegan is the lead author of "Menstrual cup acceptability and functionality in real-world use: a cross-sectional survey of young people in Australia" published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

She said no previous studies had examined how menstrual cups performed in real-world settings.

"Initial challenges are more common than what is reported in clinical trials," she said.

"Forty-five percent of people couldn't remove their cup on the first attempt, 17% needed help to remove it, and 12 participants reported that their intra-uterine device (IUD) was displaced during removal."

Dr. Hennegan said the figures decreased with subsequent use.

"Half of those who persisted, felt confident using their menstrual cup after three cycles," she said.

Many participants reported having insufficient information on how to use a menstrual cup, highlighting the need for better menstruation health education for young people.

"Most young people in our study didn't know that menstrual cups came in different sizes and shapes to suit different needs," Dr. Hennegan said.

"Comprehensive menstrual health education should start in our schools, empowering young people with the knowledge to make informed choices about their bodies.

"With the right education and support, more people could make choices they're comfortable with, because everyone deserves access to menstrual products that work for them."

More information: Julie Hennegan et al, Menstrual cup acceptability and functionality in realworld use: A crosssectional survey of young people in Australia, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13910
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The World Health Organization has set a target of reducing hepatitis C infections to fewer than two per 100 people who inject drugs per year as part of an elimination strategy for hepatitis C. In 2024, Canada unveiled its 20242030 Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infection Action Plan that emphasized support for harm reduction programs and expanding the PNEP.

Researchers from Canada and Australia sought to assess the return on investment for Canada's PNEP, and the potential impact of scaling it up, as part of efforts to eliminate blood-borne infections in prisons.

Using a modeling study, they found that expanding the program to 50% of people in all federal prisons who inject drugs from 2025 to 2030 would prevent 15% of new hepatitis C cases and 8% of injection-related infections compared with the status quo. The work has been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

"Needle exchange programs are evidence-based strategies that prevent transmission of blood-borne viruses, reduce injection-related infections, improve access to medical care, and facilitate entry into substance dependence programs for people who inject drugs," writes Dr. Farah Houdroge, Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia, with co-authors.

"This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting PNEPs as effective harm reduction strategies that are also cost saving. Given that they show both health and economic benefits, PNEPs should be a priority not just in Canada, but globally," the authors say.

In a related commentary, authors argue that more comprehensive interventions to make substance use in correctional institutions safer, and specifically reduce related risks of acute death, are needed.

"Prison-based programs aimed at mitigating the health harms of substance use by correctional inmate populations should be carefully evaluated as part of their implementation, as has been done in the related research with specific respect to needle exchange programs. Without systematic expansion of and increased access to such programs, prisoners in Canada will remain at unnecessarily high risk of ill health and death from the adverse consequences of substance use," the authors conclude.

More information: Costbenefit analysis of Canada's Prison Needle Exchange Program for the prevention of hepatitis C and injection-related infections, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2024). The burden of drug overdose deaths among correctional populations: implications for interventions, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.241661 Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal
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High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) is noninferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for endotracheal intubation or death within seven days for most patients with acute respiratory failure, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with the Critical Care Reviews Down Under meeting, held from Dec. 10 to 11 in Melbourne, Australia.

Israel S. Maia, M.D., Ph.D., from the HCor Research Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and colleagues assessed whether HFNO is noninferior to NIV on the rates of endotracheal intubation or death at seven days. The researchers randomly assigned 1,766 hospitalized patients with acute respiratory failure (classified into five groups) to HFNO (883 patients) or NIV (883 patients).

The researchers found that the primary outcome of endotracheal intubation or death within seven days occurred in 39 percent in the HFNO group versus 38 percent in the NIV group overall. The primary outcome occurred at the following rates in the immunocompromised patient group with hypoxemia: 57.1 percent in the HFNO group versus 36.4 percent in the NIV group, with enrollment stopped for futility. The corresponding rates were 32.5 versus 33.1 percent in the nonimmunocompromised group with hypoxemia; 10.3 versus 21.3 percent in the acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema group; 51.3 versus 47.0 percent in the hypoxemic COVID-19 group; and 28.6 versus 26.2 percent in the group with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation with respiratory acidosis. The incidence of serious adverse events was similar between the groups (HFNO: 9.4 percent; NIV: 9.9 percent).

"The small sample sizes in some patient groups and the sensitivity of the findings to the choice of analysis model suggests the need for further study in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunocompromised patients, and patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema," the authors write.

One author disclosed ties to Roche Diagnostics, Novartis, and Bayer.

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Big syringe, little bubbles: John Kheir, MD, holds the microbubbles that aim to provide emergency oxygen. Credit: Michael Goderre/Boston Children's Hospital

For years, researchers and clinicians have been trying to find a way to rapidly deliver oxygen to patients when traditional means of oxygenation are difficult or ineffective during critical moments of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Sometimes, hypoxemia caused by airway obstruction or lung disease can be so severe that methods to boost low-oxygen levels (including the placement of a breathing tube) are ineffective. A patient can have cardiac arrest, potentially leading to severe organ damage. Research has shown that as many as 40% of in-hospital cardiac arrests are triggered by low-oxygen levels.

After 15 years of research, Boston Children's cardiologist John Kheir, MD, and researcher Yifeng Peng, Ph.D., believe they have developed a safe and effective oxygen delivery method for those emergencies: injectable oxygen carried into the bloodstream by a rapidly dissolving gas microbubble.

In pre-clinical testing, Kheir and Peng injected specifically designed pH-sensitive microbubbles that delivered precise amounts of oxygen and significantly improved survival by preventing catastrophic organ damage. Their study is published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Their work paves the way for a future clinical trial, and they are excited by the promise of the innovation. "This opens a door to potentially creating a controlled and predictable way of providing necessary oxygen during hypoxemia, cardiac arrest, and other shock states," Kheir says.

Design and fabrication of LmD PMB gas carriers for IVO 2 therapy. Credit: Nature Biomedical Engineering (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01266-8

Searching for the proper oxygen-delivery system

It might seem counterintuitive, Kheir says, that a shot of oxygen would make a difference in a vast system that circulates, in adults, about 200 milliliters of consumed oxygen per minute. But he and Peng have long believed that if a single dose of oxygen was given through an injectable gas carrier "at just the right time and to just the right place," it could make a difference. They just needed time to prove it.

They first experimented with lipid-coated microbubbles, but the bubbles coalesced in the bloodstream and would have created a lethal embolism if they were not injected at a precise rate. The failure helped them recognize that the bubbles needed to be designed in a way that prevented them from coalescing.

A second attempt focused on hollow-core polymeric microparticles, but those failed to deliver a meaningful amount of gas to circulation. Kheir and Peng went back to the drawing board again.

Injected oxygen worked in test group

Their third attempt combines the best aspects of previous approaches. The new gas carrier is a microbubble that's engineered with a solid-like polymer shell which, after being triggered by blood pH, dissolves into tiny soluble molecules that can then be excreted from the body. That makeup keeps the drug stable in storage and allows it to be injected during critical situations such as cardiac arrest.

Their research is the first anywhere that showed a gas carrier of oxygen can be rapidly and safely delivered in a large dose to animals, Peng says. The key to success is that a microbubble has to dissolve rapidly, otherwise it will cause blood-flow obstruction.

"Injecting gas into your bloodstream is considered a horrible idea, and people would be afraid of that as a solution on its own," Peng says. "But as long as that bubble dissolves quickly, you can actually inject a lot."

Peng and Kheir received a competitive grant to start manufacturing and testing the drug in anticipation of a clinical trial. They first need to create manufacturing practices aligned with Food and Drug Administration regulations. But after 15 years of trial and error, those steps seem like they can be achieved in far less time.

"It's exciting," Kheir says. "It's not just a potential solution for this medical issue. It's a platform technology. There are a lot of other gases we can put in and there are a lot of other medical situations suitable for a focused amount of gas delivery. The possibilities of what we can do with a drug like this are numerous."

More information: Julia Garcia Mancebo et al, Systemically injected oxygen within rapidly dissolving microbubbles improves the outcomes of severe hypoxaemia in swine, Nature Biomedical Engineering (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01266-8 Journal information: Nature Biomedical Engineering
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A former Montana health department staffer who described himself as the lead author of legislation to scrutinize nonprofit hospitals' charitable acts said new rules implementing the bill amounted to a hospital "wish list" and that the state needs to go back to the drawing board.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services recently adopted the rules outlining how the state will collect data on nonprofit hospitals' charitable acts with the goal of eventually creating giving standards. That could include benchmarks, such as how much financial aid hospitals must provide patients.

The state's rules come more than four years after a legislative audit found shortcomings in the health department's oversight and more than a year after Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the law.

The aim is to fill in national oversight gaps that make it hard to weigh whether hospitals do enough for patients and their communities to earn their tax-exempt status as charitable organizations.

Brenton Craggs, a former regulatory affairs coordinator for the health department who said he was the initial architect of the 2023 oversight law, said the state's plan caters to the Montana Hospital Association.

"This is basically a wish list of demands from the hospital association," Craggs said. "They wanted us to be bound to federal standards."

The biggest red flag, Craggs said, is that the state's rules allow hospitals with operating losses an exemption from Montana's eventual community benefit and financial assistance standards.

"Almost every, if not every, single nonprofit hospital in the state will have operating losses during their fiscal years," Craggs said.

He also said the state should ensure hospitals can't count unpaid bills they submitted to debt collectors as part of uncompensated care they list as a benefit. As is, Craggs said, a hospital can claim that loss "while simultaneously financially ruining the patient."

Katy Mack, a spokesperson for the Montana Hospital Association, said parts of the oversight as proposed in the law and rulemaking process weren't workable with federal law, accounting practices, or the sustainability of rural hospitals.

"Hospitals are not opposed to reasonable and informed oversight," Mack said. "Hospitals are opposed to one-size-fits-all rules that force them to divert resources from priorities identified by their community."

Craggs' rebuke reflects a nationwide tension between states' seeking to put checks on nonprofit hospitals and pushback from those hospitals. The debate centers on whether nonprofit hospitals give back their fair share.

Nonprofit hospitals must report "community benefits" they provide, such as services offered at a loss or free health screenings. But federal law doesn't specify what qualifies or how much to give. Hospitals report their giving inconsistently and, in some cases, count something that's good for business as a benefit.

Montana is among the latest states trying to define what should count as a benefit. Hospitals lobbied against cumbersome oversight from the start.

In the health department's notice that it had adopted the rules in September, state officials said the 2023 law ultimately restricted the reports it could require nonprofits to submit.

The law also required the state's definitions of, and standards for, community benefits to align with federal standards "wherever possible." The agency's adoption notice said that, while it would try to stick to those standards, the department recognized that it "may not always be possible."

Health policy analysts have said stopping at federal standards would be meaningless.

"The whole point of the state-level policy is to improve upon what the federal government has not done," said Christopher Whaley, a health economist at Brown University who studies the business of health care. "If a state is saying we have to follow what the federal government does, then they're just going to end up in the same exact place."

Craggs, who now works as an attorney for the Montana Office of Public Instruction, filed a letter opposing the state's rules during the public comment period before they were adopted. KFF Health News obtained that letter through a records request for the public comments regarding the rulemaking.

In an interview, Craggs said he was the health department's lead on the oversight legislation and that he was removed from that work after he publicly pushed back against changes the association had proposed during a Jan. 25, 2023, legislative hearing.

Jon Ebelt, a health department spokesperson, said the agency didn't want to comment. He said the state's notice of its adoption of the rules stands on its own.

According to state lobbying reports, the oversight bill was among the association's watched legislation for the 2023 session. The organization ultimately supported the bill after lawmakers made amendments.

Republican Rep. Bob Keenan, the bill's sponsor, said some of the changes were "draconian." But Keenan said he ultimately supported the policy as amended because he knew it was the result of long negotiations with the association. Lawmakers could make future changes, he said.

Craggs said the state's oversight goal was to create standards that worked across hospitals, big and small. Instead, he said, the state's exemptions give hospitals an easy out and the agency is kicking the can down the road on creating standards.

Montana missed the law's July deadline to set standards and the health department has been vague about what shape those standards could take. Officials have said they need to compile years of data to set fair benchmarks and that they'll begin establishing standards in 2026.

Craggs said past reports of hospital data are already available for officials to begin setting those standards. But he added the data the state plans to collect from hospitals has too many gaps to offer meaningful oversight.

In the adoption notice, the state said it must balance interests. It said the department will also take action if it appears any hospitals abuse their exemption from giving standards.

"Many critical access hospitals and rural emergency hospitals operate on very thin margins in remote, rural, and/or frontier areas," the notice said.

The agency said hospitals with losses still must meet federal rules.

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Louisiana has reported what appears to be the state's first case of bird flu.

In a health alert issued Friday, state officials said the case involves "a resident of southwestern Louisiana. The individual had exposure to sick and dead birds that are suspected to have been infected with H5N1," the virus that causes bird flu. The patient has since been hospitalized.

At least 60 human bird flu cases have been diagnosed in the United States so far this year. The majority of the cases have been in California and Washington, and the infections have mostly surfaced in workers who had been in contact with infected poultry or dairy cows.

For now, there's no evidence that the bird flu is spreading from person to person, and the cases have largely been mild, with the main symptom being conjunctivitis, or pinkeye. No deaths have been reported.

Just last week, U.S. health officials reported that the strain of bird flu detected in a California child is similar to the strain spreading through livestock, though the patient had no known exposure to infected animals.

While the findings were not definitive, tests "showed that the virus was very similar to viruses detected in both dairy cattle and poultry as well as to A[H5N1] viruses from previous human infections in dairy workers in California," the health update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated.

"This case does not change CDC's assessment of the immediate risk to the general public, which remains low at this time," the agency added.

Meanwhile, California health officials reported last week that their investigation into how the child may have been exposed to bird flu is continuing. The child received flu antivirals and has since recovered.

Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, who studies influenza, said it is unlikely that community spread explains the California case. Instead, other animals that could have come into contact with the virus, such as cats, dogs or rodents, might be contributing to its spread.

In fact, research published last week suggested that cats may be unrecognized carriers of bird flu.

Experts have worried for months that the longer the virus spreads among humans and animals, the more likely it will mutate and be able to spread easily between humans.

In the California case, no person-to-person spread of the virus has been detected and the child's family members all tested negative.

Bird flu has been spreading in poultry since 2022, and cases in dairy cows began to crop up in March. The virus was discovered in a pig for the first time earlier this year.

Bird flu infections in peoplenearly all among farmworkershave now been confirmed in seven states.

California accounts for the largest share of human bird flu cases in the country, with 34 confirmed infections. Washington has recorded 11 cases, and Colorado 10, CDC data shows.

And earlier this month, Canadian officials announced that a teen in British Columbia had been hospitalized in critical condition with what is believed to be bird flu.

It's not clear how the teenager picked up the H5N1 virus because the patient is not known to have any contact with infected animals, officials noted. They added that this is the first human case of the virus reported in both the province and Canada.

Across the United States, more than 845 dairy herds in 16 states have been infected since the outbreak in dairy cows was first confirmed last spring. Avian influenza has been spreading in wild and domestic birds in the United States for several years.

"We should be very concerned at this point," Dr. James Lawler, co-director of the University of Nebraska's Global Center for Health Security, told the New York Times. "Nobody should be hitting the panic button yet, but we should really be devoting a lot of resources into figuring out what's going on."

More information: The CDC has more on bird flu.

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Missing a day here or there may not seem like a problem. But school absences add up quickly. Missing two days a monthexcused or unexcusedcan add up to a child being considered chronically absent.

Chronic absenteeism means missing too much schoolfor any reason, excused or unexcused. Experts and a growing number of states define chronic absenteeism as missing 10% (or around 18 days) during a school year.

While chronic absenteeism measures total absences (excused and unexcused), truancy measures only unexcused absences. The number of unexcused absences it takes for a student to be considered a "truant" differs by state.

Too many absences are serious, not only for students, but also for parents. Schools handle minor truancy with warning letters, parent-teacher conferences and other means. However, in some states, parents can be fined when their kids miss too much school.

As of the 202223 school year, over a quarter of U.S. students in kindergarten through 12th grade missed a month or more of the school year. This is nearly double the number of students who were chronically absent before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Missing just two days a month of schoolfor any reasoncan make life harder. Children who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are less likely to read on grade level by the third grade.

For older students, chronic absenteeism is strongly associated with school failureeven more so than low grades or test scores. When absences add up, these students are more likely to be suspended and drop out of high school.

When a child misses school, they miss out on more than just a good education. Their health and well-being may be impacted as well.

Beyond academics, school provides a major source of nutritious food for students. School is where many students get special services like physical or occupational therapy, behavioral health therapy and more.

Regular school attendance also provides an engaging environment. This can help young people build relationships with peers and adults and gain a deeper sense of community and purpose.

The good news is that showing up at school has powerful, positive effects on children.

Regular attendance at school does more than help your child learn. It also boosts student development and overall health. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages families to reduce unnecessary absences, learn about attendance policies where you live and prioritize getting kids to school on time, every day.

Here are a few tips families can use to make sure children are making the most of their education:

Set attendance goals with your child and track their progress on a calendar. Try offering small rewards for not missing any school, such as a later bedtime on weekends.



Help your child get a good night's sleep. A lack of sleep is associated with lower school achievement starting in middle school. Not getting enough sleep is also linked with missed school and tardiness. Most younger children need 1012 hours per night and adolescents (13-18 years of age) need 8-10 hours per night.



Prep the night before to streamline your morning. Have your child lay out their clothes before going to bed. Have backpacks and lunches packed. Develop backup plans for getting to school in case something comes up, like a missed bus or an early meeting.



Schedule extended trips during school breaks. This helps your child stay caught up in school learning. It also sets the expectation for your child to be in school during the school year.



When possible, try to schedule medical appointments before or after school hours.



Don't keep your child at home unless they are truly sick. Reasons to keep your child home from school include a fever greater than 100.4 degrees F, vomiting, diarrhea, a hacking cough, toothache or other infectious illnesses.



If your child has a chronic health issue such as asthma, allergies or seizures, talk with your pediatrician about developing a school action plan. Meet with and get to know the nurse at your child's school.



Talk with your child about the reasons why they do not want to go to school. School-related anxiety can lead to school avoidance. Talk to your child about their physical and emotional symptoms. Try to get them to talk about any emotional struggles they may have with issues like bullying, fear of failure or actual physical harm. If you are concerned about your child's mental health, talk with your pediatrician, your child's teacher or a school counselor.



Follow the rules. Be sure you know what your school's requirements are for when your child will be absent or late. If we want our children to follow rules, we must lead by example.



Look for activities at school that match your child's interests. Special activities like this can help kids connect with school and keep them motivated to attend.

2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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: iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111439

Richard Addante, who has spent more than a decade researching episodic memorythe cognitive process that involves processing and retrieving long-term memoryhas identified a new kind of human memory process.

According to Addante, associate professor of psychology at Florida Institute of Technology, the current framework in the psychology field for this process divides episodic memory into two different branches: recollection, which is our ability to recall a memory in its entirety; and familiarity, which is the partial recollection of a memoryremembering specific details, but not remembering broader, contextual elements.

In his research recently published in iScience, Addante is challenging this framework with his evidence of a third, distinct episodic memory process which he calls "context familiarity." This process accounts for instances where we can retrieve just the contextual elements of a memory, while forgetting the specific details, a process that is not well-accounted for in the existing framework.

The Florida Tech professor is proposing a new model for episodic memory that divides it into three branches: recollection (remembering all of a memory); item familiarity (remembering details/forgetting context); and context familiarity (remembering context/forgetting details).

The implications of this research not only change how human memory is learned and studied, but Addante says it may also improve how memory deficits are diagnosed clinically, such as patients with types of amnesia, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. Addante says he believes a more accurate model for memory will lead to better diagnostic tools and more accurate diagnoses.

More information: Richard J. Addante et al, Context familiarity is a third kind of episodic memory distinct from item familiarity and recollection, iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111439 Journal information: iScience
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Credit: iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111333

An international team of scientists led by Universite de Montreal medical professor Frederic Charron, director of the molecular biology of neuronal development research unit of the UdeM-affiliated Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), has discovered an important interaction between the WAVE complex and the Boc receptor, essential for axon guidance.

Axon guidance is the pathfinding step that enables axonsthe longest part of a neuron, through which the nerve impulse is propagated outside the cellto be correctly directed to their target. Their movement is enabled by the actin cytoskeleton, a network of proteins in cells which, similar to the human skeleton, provides structure and support.

Published in November in iScience, Charron's extensive work shows that the WAVE complex, already known for its role in actin cytoskeleton assembly, interacts directly with Boc, a receptor crucial for signaling induced by the guidance molecule Sonic hedgehog (Shh). This interaction is vital for proper guidance of developing axons.

A guidance signal that attracts

During embryonic development, Shh acts as a guidance signal, attracting axons. The team led by Charron, who also holds the Canada Research Chair in Developmental Neurobiology, had previously demonstrated that the Boc receptor mediates this attraction.

However, the underlying mechanisms were not yet fully understood. This research identifies the WAVE complex as a key player in this process. The WAVE complex, through its interaction with Boc, facilitates the cytoskeletal changes required for axon guidance.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of axon guidance is crucial to developing therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. Axon guidance defects can lead to severe problems in the development of the nervous system and contribute to various neurological diseases.

Charron and his study's collaborators in the U.S. and Germany believe that the identification of the WAVE complex as a critical component in Shh-mediated axon guidance opens up new avenues of research and potential treatments.

More information: Nursen Balekoglu et al, The WAVE regulatory complex interacts with Boc and is required for Shh-mediated axon guidance, iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111333 Journal information: iScience
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A New York doctor has been sued by the state of Texas for prescribing abortion pills via telehealth to a Dallas woman.

In a news release announcing the filing of the lawsuit, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claims that Dr. Margaret Daly Carpenter violated state law by illegally providing abortion drugs across state lines.

"In this case, an out-of-state doctor violated the law and caused serious harm to this patient," Paxton said in the news release.

"This doctor prescribed abortion-inducing drugsunauthorized, over telemedicinecausing her patient to end up in the hospital with serious complications. In Texas, we treasure the health and lives of mothers and babies, and this is why out-of-state doctors may not illegally and dangerously prescribe abortion-inducing drugs to Texas residents."

The lawsuit is one of the first challenges to shield laws that Democrat-controlled states have passed to protect physicians after Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022.

Reaction to the Texas lawsuit was strident.

"Abortion is, and will continue to be, legal and protected in New York. As other states move to attack those who provide or obtain abortion care, New York is proud to be a safe haven for abortion access," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement released Friday.

"We will always protect our providers from unjust attempts to punish them for doing their job and we will never cower in the face of intimidation or threats. I will continue to defend reproductive freedom and justice for New Yorkers, including from out-of-state anti-choice attacks."

New York doctors were equally adamant.

"The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) is very concerned by the reports of out of state public officials bringing legal action against New York physicians seeking to provide reproductive health care services to their patients," MSSNY President Dr. Jerome Cohen said in a statement.

"The MSSNY House of Delegates has adopted policy to protect practitioners licensed and residing in New York from legal or personal liability when delivering health care services to residents of New York State or any other state, whether in person or via telemedicine, when the services provided comply with New York State laws and regulations," Cohen added.

Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis, said a challenge to shield laws, which could have a chilling effect on abortion pill prescriptions, was expected.

Still, "will doctors be more afraid to mail pills into Texas, even if they might be protected by shield laws, because they don't know if they're protected by shield laws?" she asked CBS News.

Texas bars nearly all abortions and has been one of the most aggressive states at pushing back against abortion rights.

Neither Carpenter nor the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, where she's co-medical director and founder, responded to CBS News' request for comment.

Abortion pill prescriptions are a key reason that the number of abortions nationwide have increased even as state bans on abortion took effect, CBS News reported. Most abortions in this country involve pills rather than procedures, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

But anti-abortion advocates have been emboldened to challenge the pills' use and seek ways to restrict their use under a conservative U.S. Supreme Court and a Republican Congress and White House, CBS News reported.

More information: The Cleveland Clinic has more on the abortion pill.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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President-elect Donald Trump is calling for an end to daylight saving time, a practice he describes as inconvenient and costly.

"The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn't!" Trump wrote in an X post on Friday.

The biannual clock change, which has been used in the United States since World War II, is meant to make the most of daylight hours during the summer months. However, it has faced criticism for its impact on health, productivity, and overall convenience.

Efforts to eliminate daylight saving time have come up in Congress before, most notably through the stalled Sunshine Protection Act. Sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the bipartisan bill sought to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.

Trump has tapped Rubio to lead the State Department in his new administration.

"Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary," said Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida when the Senate first approved the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, according to an AP News report.

Most of the world does not observe daylight saving time, and some U.S. states already opt out. Both Arizona and Hawaii remain on standard time year-round.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Credit: Markus Winkler from Pexels

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, maker of diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy, said Monday it was investing 8.5 billion kroner ($1.2 billion) to build a new factory in Denmark to produce drugs against rare diseases.

The 40,000-square-meter (430,000-square-feet) production facility and warehouse in Odense "marks the first time in this century that Novo Nordisk breaks ground in Denmark by establishing a new production site," the company said in a statement.

"Designed to be modular and flexible, it will accommodate multiple product types within rare disease, such as hemophilia, both now and in the future," Novo Nordisk said.

Henrik Wulff, executive vice president at Novo Nordisk, said the facility would help the company "meet the growing global demand for our life-changing medicines".

In November, the drugmaker posted a 21-percent rise in net profit to 27.3 billion kroner ($3.85 billion) for the July-to-September period, but lamented capacity limitations at its production sites.

Novo Nordisk said that construction work on the Odense site had commenced and it is scheduled to be completed in 2027.

It is expected to create 400 jobs once completed.

Sales of Wegovy, which has been approved for use to treat obesity in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway and the United States, rose by 42 percent in the first nine months of the year, according to Novo Nordisk.

Sales of the company's other semiglutide bestseller, Ozempican injectable anti-diabetic treatment which has become popular for its slimming propertiessoared by 54 percent in the same period.

Novo Nordisk has a hold on 74 percent of the market for weight-loss treatments.

The World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2035, over half of the world's population will be overweight or obese and the global economic impact could then exceed $4 trillion a year.

 2024 AFP
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Head lice can be a wintertime headache for families and schools, but simple precautions can stop the spread of these pesky parasites.

Every year, 6 million to 12 million children in the United States, ages 3 to 11, experience head lice infestations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contrary to popular belief, these tiny insects don't jump or fly, said Ali Wurster, a nurse practitioner with the Texas A&M Health Mobile Health Clinic.

"They actually crawl," Wurster explained in a university release. "A kid can be sitting in a classroom even a foot away from another child, and if their heads don't touch, the lice are not going to jump onto someone else."

While many believe individuals with dirty or unclean hair are more likely to attract lice, the reverse is true, Wurster said. The small, sesame seed-sized parasites prefer a clean scalp.

They spread most commonly among school-aged children through shared items like hats, coats, brushes or dress-up clothes, which present prime modes of transfer for the parasites.

To prevent head lice, avoid sharing hats, brushes or clothing. School staff should regularly sanitize common items. Wurster also recommended keeping heads apart during nap time to further deter spread.

While not harmful, head lice can cause significant discomfort and should be mitigated as soon as possible both to ease symptoms and stymie further spread.

If lice are found, treatment is straightforward. Over-the-counter and prescription topical creams such as Nix and Permethrin work effectively, Wurster said. After applying the treatment, remove lice eggs (nits) with a fine-toothed comb, seal them in a plastic bag and repeat treatment in seven days if needed.

Wash clothing, bedding and other fabric items in hot water and dry on high heat. Non-washable items, like stuffed animals, should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.

The CDC no longer requires children with lice to be sent home immediately; they can finish the school day, begin treatment after school, and return the next day.

Despite misconceptions, families and schools can quickly address and oftentimes prevent head lice with an accurate understanding of how the parasites spread and best practices for treatment.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has praised the reunion between President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, calling it a positive move toward uniting the country.

CS Wandayi emphasized that Raila Odingas Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is part of the broad-based government, backing its initiatives, including efforts to foster national unity. He also noted that Kenyatta, as a Kenyan citizen, has the freedom to collaborate with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

We support all efforts to unite Kenyans, we are also in support of Rutos 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.

During a tree-planting event organized by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) at Narasha Forest in the Mumberes area of Eldama Ravine, Wandayi expressed his support for President Rutos initiative. He affirmed that there is nothing wrong with the efforts to build relationships and alliances for the countrys prosperity.

When questioned about whether the demands raised by him and other Azimio leaders had been addressed, Wandayi clarified his role in the government.

I am in the government now to support it and work for the betterment of the people, he explained, citing the Bibles teaching that there is a time for everything.

Wandayi also commended KenGen for its support in the governments ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of efforts to combat climate change.

Planting trees will help conserve the environment and protect the country and the world from the harsh effects of climate change, he stated.

Additionally, Wandayi highlighted that the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, along with its affiliated agencies, had successfully completed tree planting at all their designated sites.
Doctors in Nairobi will today hold a peaceful demonstration to protest delays in the implementation of a return-to-work formula (RTWF) and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) signed after their May 2024 strike.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) announced that the protest aims to pressure the government to fulfill long-standing agreements made with the union. These agreements include a CBA signed on June 30, 2017, and a Return-To-Work Formula (RTWF) agreed upon on May 8, 2024.

The union has voiced concerns that the governments failure to implement these agreements has severely impacted doctors welfare and hampered health services in both public and private sectors.

KMPDU Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah, detailed the protest route in a formal letter to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. The demonstration will begin at 8 a.m. at Kenyatta National Hospital, proceeding to Nairobi Hospital, the Ministry of Health offices at Afya House, and finally, Parliament Buildings. The letter was also sent to key security offices, including the Regional Police Commander for Nairobi Region and the OCS offices at Central and Kilimani Police Stations.

In addition to the demonstration, KMPDU has reaffirmed plans to begin a nationwide doctors strike on December 22, 2024. Dr. Atellah made the announcement during a meeting with doctors at Kakamega County Referral Hospital, citing the governments ongoing failure to deliver on its promises.

The government has repeatedly ignored court orders, violated CBAs, and disregarded RTWF agreements, said Dr. Atellah. The medical fraternity has had enough. We will strike today, not tomorrow. From midnight on December 22, 2024, we will take to the streets and stay at home. The time for empty negotiations has passed.

The KMPDUs frustration stems from the governments inability to address critical issues, which has left medical professionals with no choice but to take industrial action.

We demand the government honor its promises and implement our agreements, Dr. Atellah added, emphasizing that the strike is a final step after the governments continued neglect of the agreements.

The medical fraternity has had enough. Deliberations concluded with a resounding, united call to action: We strike today, not tomorrow. From midnight, December 22, 2024, we will take to the streets and stay at home. This is no longer the time for hollow boardroom negotiations and counterstrategies.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed plans to make a significant announcement in January 2025, aimed at reclaiming the dignity of the Mt. Kenya region.

Speaking during a Sunday service at Bahati Church in Ichamara, Murukweini, Nyeri County, Gachagua reiterated his belief that the November 28, 2024, incident in Limuru was a government-planned assassination attempt against him. He expressed deep concern over what he called a deliberate strategy to destabilize the Murima region.

The government has already used Mt. Kenya leaders to advance their agenda by orchestrating my impeachment, Gachagua claimed. Now, they are inciting the youth and using them to fuel a civil war within the community for political advantage.

Gachagua urged the youth to resist such manipulation, warning of the catastrophic consequences that internal conflicts could bring to the region.

This is a war whose end you do not know. Do not allow yourselves to be used to destroy your own community, he cautioned.

He further alleged that he had identified those responsible for the November 28 Limuru attack and questioned why no arrests had been made.

If this was not a government plot, why have the perpetrators not been apprehended? Instead, my allies are being harassed to why no arrests had been made, he added.

The former Deputy President promised that his January 2025 announcement would align with the aspirations of the Mt. Kenya people.

Come January 2025, I will make a significant public announcement that aligns with the wishes of the Mt. Kenya people. Together, we will reclaim our dignity and overcome this betrayal and humiliation, Gachagua declared.
The Kenyan government will recruit 5,000 police officers in March 2025, ending a two-year recruitment hiatus.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki made the announcement on Sunday, December 15, during an interdenominational service in Lodwar, Turkana County.

Kindiki explained that the recruitment aims to bolster security nationwide, particularly in volatile regions such as northeastern Kenya.

We have employed additional officers in the Kenya Defence Forces, and even for police officers whose recruitment was delayed, we will begin hiring about 5,000 officers in March, he said.

Addressing unemployment, the Deputy President noted the governments focus on creating job opportunities in both the public and informal sectors.

We are trying to create more job opportunities in the public sector and the informal sectors, he added.

Kindiki also disclosed that President William Ruto is expected to announce a new Cabinet Secretary for Interior soon. He pledged to work closely with the incoming CS to build on the progress made during his time as Interior Minister.

We are praying for a new Interior CS who will soon be announced, and we will collaborate closely to build on the strides we made earlier, Kindiki stated.
Detectives from the Operations Directorate have arrested Brian Otiende Anyanga, a serial fraud suspect and the alleged ringleader of a notorious land fraud cartel operating in Nairobi.

According to detectives, this gang has been issuing fake lease certificates while pretending to work at the Nairobi County Lands Registry, causing significant losses to landowners and developers across the capital.

Brians arrest follows the recent capture of his accomplice, Lawrence Martins Ochieng, who was involved in a land fraud case in which a victim nearly lost two prime parcels of land in Nairobis Pumwani area. The fraudsters provided fake documents posing as genuine certificates of lease, resulting in the victim losing over Kes.553,000, although the crime was intercepted in time.

Upon learning that Ochieng had been apprehended by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on December 2, Brian went into hiding in his Buruburu residence. However, after a two-week manhunt, detectives apprehended him on Saturday, December 14.

Brian, who is also facing an ongoing gold scam case and is out on bond, will be arraigned at Milimani Law Courts today(Monday, December 15).

Meanwhile, detectives are analyzing several suspicious land documents seized during the investigation to determine if any officials at the Lands Registry were complicit in the fraud.

The investigation continues to unravel more details of the cartels operations.
Indian stock markets started the fresh week on a cautious note on Monday, as both indices declined marginally during the opening session. The US Federal Reserve meeting is set to start on Tuesday, and markets around the globe are expecting a 25 basis points cut. The Nifty 50 index opened at 24,753.40 points, with a decline of 14.90 points or 0.06 percent, while the BSE Sensex dipped by 132.81 points or 0.16 percent to open at 82,000.31 points. Experts noted that Indian markets will monitor the Fed rate cut due this week. Expectations of a 25 bps cut are very high. The markets are likely to remain in a consolidation phase, but a year-end rally could gain traction this week. Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert told ANI, "This will be a week dominated by the US Fed's last FOMC meet of the year. A rate cut of 25 basis points is a near certainty. The commentary will be watched closely for clues on the Fed rate cut momentum in 2025. January 2025 will bring President Trump's policies to the centre of attention. Indian markets saw a sharp intraday bounce back on Friday after consolidating for a week. Given it's a Fed policy week, we could see steady market action, but we are hopeful for a yearend rally gaining traction this week." In the sectoral indices on the National Stock Exchange, a mixed trend was visible, with Nifty FMCG, Nifty Media, Nifty Metal, Nifty Pharma, Nifty PSU Bank, and Nifty Realty surging, while other sectors including Nifty Bank and Nifty Auto declined at the time of filing this report. In the Nifty 50 list, 19 shares gained while 30 declined at the time of filing this report. The top gainers of Nifty 50 included ITC, Cipla, L&T, Reliance, and Adani Enterprises, while the top losers included BPCL, JSW Steel, and Tech Mahindra. "This objective remains valid as long as the market stays above 23,873, but more critical support now is the Friday low of 24,180. Seasonal patterns also support a bullish view, as the nifty has risen in the second fortnight of December 80% of the time in the last decade, with an average gain of 1.1," said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research, Axis Securities. In other Asian markets, a mixed trend was visible, with the Nikkei 225 index, Taiwan Weighted index, and South Korea's KOSPI index surging marginally, while the Hang Seng index and Jakarta Composite declined at the time of filing this report. (ANI)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 16: Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, India's oldest industry Chamber celebrated its 189th Foundation Day recently. Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group who was the Chief Guest on the occasion shared his vision on India's Viksit Bharat journey and stated that there are four fundamental aspects that will drive India's Viksit Bharat journey: Business, Innovation, Talent and Sustainability (BITS). Speaking at the Chamber's 189th Foundation Day, he said, "These four pillars will shape India's future as a global leader. For Business, the government has done its bit by creating the enabling ecosystem and it is now for the businesses to drive growth forward. The large Indian companies of tomorrow will emerge from the entrepreneurs of today. In Innovation, India has demonstrated the power of public digital goods like Anna Yojana Scheme, Housing for All, etc. The need of the hour is to leverage tech across all sectors. As for Talent, globally Indians are creating or leading the biggest companies. India's workforce is shifting from agriculture to more productive sectors. Industry 4.0 needs to adopt AI, ML, IoT and needs concerted efforts in education and skilling. In Sustainability, economic growth and social equity need to advance in sync." He commended the vast history of the Chamber in promoting the Mumbai region and serving as an effective vehicle between industry and the government. He added, "Viksit Bharat by 2047 is an inspiring vision and the Chamber's mission statement captures this vision. Ten years ago, India was the 11th largest economy in the world. Today, we are the fifth and on the way to beating Japan to become the fourth largest economy. By 2030, 80% of households in India will enter the middle income group, up from the current 50%. This is the largest national development effort any economy has made. Initiatives like Aadhaar, Jan Dhaan, UPI have brought in financial inclusion. Urbanisation is on the rise, every minute 30 people are moving from the villages to the cities. By the next decade, 25% of the incremental global workforce will come from India - this will power Viksit Bharat." He said 18-year-old chess grandmaster D Gukesh's recent historic win is emblematic of the rise of a new India, which is young and self-assured. On the same occasion, Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry unveiled its much-anticipated report on Viksit Bharat @ 2047 setting the stage for India's vision of development over the next two decades. The report which was commissioned to Artha India Research Advisors, was unveiled by Pinky Mehta, President of Bombay Chamber & CFO, Aditya Birla Capital Ltd., alongwith key industry leaders including Sudhanshu Vats, Vice President, Bombay Chamber & Managing Director Designate, Pidilite Industries Ltd.; Sudhir Kapadia, Senior Advisor, EY India; Dr. Sachchidanand Shukla, Chairman, EPR&D Committee, Bombay Chamber & Group Chief Economist, L&T, Dr. Niranjan Rajyadhyaksha, Executive Director - Research & Strategy, Artha Global and Sandeep Khosla, Director General, Bombay Chamber. Sudhir Kapadia, Senior Advisor at EY India, set the context for the report launch, providing deep insights into India's economic journey and the strategic steps needed to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat. His expert perspective framed the conversation, emphasising the importance of sustainable growth, innovation, and inclusive development for India to emerge as a global leader. Citing examples of Germany and Japan where the national resolve to rebuild post WW2 was palpable, he said that there need for a similar national resolve to achieve a Viksit Bharat. The evening also saw an interesting Fireside Chat between A. Balasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO of Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd and Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman, State Bank of India. The speakers discussed the change in growth dynamics, with India's GDP growing by $1 trillion every three years, and explored the levers of growth such as the startup economy, AI, renewables, and the transformation of traditional industries. Looking ahead to 2047, they delved into how India's economy and industries will evolve in the vision of Viksit Bharat and the need to effectively leverage AI for sustainable growth. They also highlighted three key areas for focus: efficiency of capital, investment in talent and capacity building, and energy efficiency as critical to achieving long-term progress. This was followed by a panel discussion on Viksit Bharat@2047: Blueprint for a Developed India. Moderated by Dr. Sachchidanand Shukla and including speakers like Sudhanshu Vats; Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist, Axis Bank; Dharmakirti Joshi, Chief Economist, CRISIL and Dr. Niranjan Rajyadhyaksha, it explored India's path to becoming a developed nation by 2047. Earlier in the day, Bombay Chamber hosted two events - the annual Sustainability Conclave themed Green Growth for a Viksit Bharat and the Smart City Leaders' Conclave with industry experts deliberating on the topics. (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)
The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has reported that capital expenditure (CAPEX) by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and other monitored organizations over the past few years has exceeded targets. In a social media post, Finance ministry on Monday posted that "With consistency in monitoring, @DPE_GoI has been able to ensure increased Capital Expenditure #CAPEX over the past years and it stands at 56.84 per cent for FY2024-25 as on 30.11.2024". As of November 30, 2024, CAPEX expenditure by CPSEs for the current financial year 2024-25 has reached 56.84 per cent of the annual target, showcasing robust progress in infrastructure development and economic activities. Over the years, CPSEs have exceeded the CAPEX targets. In FY2022-23, the CAPEX target was Rs 6.45 lakh crore, and CPSEs surpassed this by achieving Rs 6.48 lakh crore, crossing 100 per cent of the estimate. The growth continued in FY2023-24 as well, where CPSEs achieved a remarkable Rs 8.05 lakh crore against a target of Rs 7.41 lakh crore, marking over 108 per cent achievement. In the current fiscal, as of November 30, 2024, CPSEs have spent Rs 4.41 lakh crore which is 24.2 per cent more as compared to the same period in the previous financial year. For FY 2024-25, the government set an ambitious target of Rs 7.76 lakh crore. The government is also empowering and delegating more financial powers to CPSEs by upgrading their status to Maharatna and Navratna. Nine CPSEs have been upgraded to Navratna status while Hindustan Aeronautic Limited or HAL is granted Maharatna status. CPSEs who were upgraded to Navratna status NFL, NHPC, SJVN, Railtel Corporation of India, Mazagon Dock, Solar Energy Corporation of India etc. This demonstrates the government's commitment to driving capital-intensive projects and contributing to India's economic growth. DPE monitors the CAPEX performance of select CPSEs to ensure timely and effective investments in critical sectors. This reflects significant momentum in public sector investments despite being midway through the financial year. The Department of Public Enterprises emphasized its role in monitoring and facilitating CAPEX by CPSEs, underscoring the importance of consistent performance reviews to meet and exceed targets. These investments are critical for the nation's infrastructure, employment generation, and overall economic resilience. (ANI)
BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 16: TECNO, the global smartphone brand known for its innovative technology, is a proud partner of DPIFF 2025, honouring the rich cultural heritage of Indian cinema. Aligned with its commitment to delivering best-in-class features at an accessible price point, the brand exemplifies a shared dedication to art and excellence. By blending cinematic achievements with cutting-edge smartphone technology, TECNO aims to redefine storytelling and foster seamless connections between art and technology, sustaining the incredible momentum it has built over the years. The highly anticipated Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2025 is set to captivate audiences worldwide, celebrating the pinnacle of cinematic excellence. In a recent development, the authorities have announced TECNO as the official 'Co-Powered By Partner' for the upcoming awards ceremony, marking a significant collaboration that bridges innovation and artistry. The occasion is set to unfold on 20th February 2025 in Mumbai, India, bringing together eminent personalities from the film fraternity, government officials, industry leaders and media professionals. The evening will be a grand celebration of cinematic excellence, recognising the exceptional achievements and dedication of 2024. Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of Tecno Mobile India, shared his anticipation about the association, expressing, "TECNO and the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival share a deep appreciation for the power of art. At TECNO, we draw inspiration from India's rich art and cultural heritage, blending it seamlessly with our technology to empower the new generation of creators and consumers. We're honoured to support this iconic celebration of Indian cinema and contribute to the vibrant creative landscape of this country. Our smartphones are designed to enable users--from remote heartlands to bustling metros--to explore, capture, and share their unique stories like Indian cinema. Partnering with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival is a natural extension of our commitment to celebrating and supporting Indian cinema's vibrant creative landscape." The association symbolises a shared passion for celebrating Indian craftsmanship, both in the art of filmmaking and in technology. Abhishek Mishra, CEO of DPIFF and Consultative Committee Member of FCI within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, highlighted the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Tecno Mobile, a brand that embodies innovation and a visionary outlook. This alliance underscores our mutual commitment to celebrating India's rich cultural heritage while embracing the transformative power of technology in storytelling and creativity. Together, we aspire to honour the exceptional talents of Indian cinema and underscore the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future of artistic expression, seamlessly bridging tradition and modernity in ways that inspire." TECNO has strengthened its portfolio with the launch of advanced smartphones like the Phantom V Fold 2, which builds upon the success of its predecessor. The device is expected to feature cutting-edge specifications, including a 7.8-inch LTPO display, MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor, a triple 50MP camera setup, and advanced charging capabilities, all priced competitively for INR 79,999. These developments underscore TECNO's commitment to harmonising style, state-of-the-art technology, and affordability, reaffirming its vision of fostering creativity and connectivity in one of its most pivotal global markets. This vision perfectly complements DPIFF's mission of celebrating artistic brilliance and innovation, making their association a natural alignment of shared values. Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2025 will feature the theme 'A World Stage: The Global Legacy of Indian Cinema'. It will pay tribute to the universal acclaim Indian cinema has achieved, while recognizing its invaluable contributions to the cultural and artistic enrichment of global filmmaking. From legendary megastars to visionary filmmakers, every individual will be reverently celebrated beneath this emblem of unity and cinematic grandeur. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The government on Monday informed Lok Sabha that there is no anticipated timeline for the introduction of comprehensive regulatory guidelines for the Virtual Digital Assets industry in India. The government was asked by two members of Parliament whether it was taking steps to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the Virtual Digital Assets industry. The members also sought details of the timeline anticipated for the introduction of regulatory guidelines. The government in its reply noted that Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) are by definition borderless and require international collaboration to prevent regulatory arbitrage. The Indian government does not register crypto exchanges and it maintains crypto assets, by definition, are borderless and require "international collaboration" to prevent regulatory arbitrage. Therefore, India believes any comprehensive regulatory framework on VDA can be effective only with significant international collaboration. Meanwhile, the government in March 2023 brought VDAs under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) to bring the transactions involving VDAs within the ambit of it. Further, the income from these virtual assets is also taxed. Further, during India's Presidency of the G20 last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Stability Board (FSB) Synthesis Paper, along with the 'G20 Roadmap on Crypto Assets,' was adopted. The synthesis paper provides a coordinated and comprehensive policy and regulatory framework for crypto assets, addressing the full range of risks, including those specific to emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). "All jurisdictions, including India, are expected to evaluate their country-specific characteristics and risks, and engage with standard-setting bodies and the G20 to appropriately consider any necessary measures for crypto assets," MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary today said in reply in Lok Sabha. Further, the government said it has undertaken formal and informal consultation with stakeholders including industry and with relevant international organizations from time to time on policy formulation of crypto assets. "There is, however, no timeline anticipated for introduction of comprehensive regulatory guidelines for VDA industry in India," the government added. (ANI)
PRNewswire Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], December 16: Wriver, a global leader in luxury furniture, proudly announces the opening of its Experience Centre in Gurgaon. Spanning 24,000 square feet, this state-of-the-art space offers an immersive journey into Wriver's world, where design excellence meets masterful craftsmanship, all proudly Made in India. Designed by Wriver Design Studio, the Experience Centre is a landmark of architectural and interior innovation. Its striking facade, with bold vertical louvres, transitions into warm, inviting interiors where furniture takes centre stage as the protagonist. Across multiple levels - flowing like a river - the displays change as we move from one area to another. The space showcases Wriver's iconic collections, including the award-winning Lithic Series, celebrated both on national and international platforms, with its revolutionary Pesta Mosaico finish - crafted from upcycled materials like paper, wood, and metal shavings, underscoring Wriver's commitment to sustainable luxury. The Experience Centre features an open floor plan across three expansive levels, each designed to offer a seamless flow and an immersive journey into Wriver's world of timeless design that energises modern living. Viewers can explore a mix of curated living, dining, office, lounge, bedroom and outdoor spaces, alongside displays and interactive zones. The layout encourages discovery, inviting guests to engage with material samples, finishes, and customizable design options--embodying Wriver's ethos that true luxury lies in the details and personalised luxury. The grand opening event celebrated creativity and collaboration, drawing industry leaders, acclaimed architects, and design enthusiasts. Notable attendees included Zafar Chaudhary, Monika Choudhary, Akshat Bhatt, Dominic Dube, Sanjyt Singh, and Pooja Bihani. Guests enjoyed live performances, interactive design challenges, and exclusive previews of upcoming collections. Immersive installations throughout the space highlighted Wriver's innovative approach to luxury living. "This Experience Centre is more than a showroom--it's a platform for dialogue and discovery," said Kapil Bharti, Co-Founder of Wriver India. "We invite visitors to explore our philosophy, craftsmanship, and the endless possibilities of luxury interiors." As a hub for collaboration, the Experience Centre fosters a vibrant community of architects, designers, and homeowners. With its launch, Wriver solidifies its position as a global leader, offering a must-visit destination for those seeking timeless elegance and cutting-edge design. About Wriver Wriver India is a brand that redefines the boundaries of furniture design. Their pieces aren't merely functional objects; they are living, breathing works of art that elevate living spaces. Crafted with a passion for innovation and a deep respect for tradition, Wriver's designs seamlessly blend Indian craftsmanship with a global language of aesthetics. Wriver furniture transcends mere ergonomics, becoming a curated extension of your personal narrative. Each piece is meticulously crafted to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and inspire creativity. Beyond providing comfort and support, Wriver furniture serves as a catalyst for personal expression and a reflection of your unique aesthetic. It's more than an object; it's a statement piece that invites you to engage with your living space on a deeper level. Website Link: https://www.wriver.in/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2581825/Wriver_Experience_Centre.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India's merchandise exports in November were at USD 32.11 billion whereas the merchandise imports were to the tune of USD 69.95 billion, commerce ministry data showed Monday.

India's merchandise exports so far this year - April-November - were 2.2 per cent higher at 284.31 billion versus USD 278.26 billion a year ago period.

India's overall exports, merchandise and services combined, in November were to the tune of USD 67.79 billion, a 9.6 rise on a yearly basis, the commerce ministry data showed today. Same month last year it was USD 61.85 billion.

Exports of merchandise goods, however, declined from USD 33.75 billion to USD 32.11 billion and exports of services rose from USD 28.11 to USD 35.67 billion during the month.

So far in 2024-25, April-November, India's total exports now stood at around USD 536.25 billion, up 7.60 year-on-year versus USD 498.33 billion a year ago period. The government has expressed optimism about reaching its full-year target of USD 800 billion.

The country's imports too increased year-on-year in November, data showed today. The same was the case in September and October.

The overall imports, both merchandise and services combined, increased from USD 68.74 billion to USD 87.63 billion.

Trade deficit, meaning the difference between the exports and the imports, it widened from USD 66.91 billion to USD 82.95 billion so far in 2024-25.

In the previous financial year 2023-24, India registered record exports at USD 778 billion. In 2022-23, the country exported goods and services combined at USD 776.3 billion.

In break up, services exports rose from USD 325.3 billion to USD 341.1 billion in 2023-24. Merchandise exports though marginally declined from USD 451.1 billion to USD 437.1 billion.

Overall trade deficit significantly improved from USD 121.6 billion in 2022-23 to USD 75.6 billion in 2023-24.

Among various steps the government took was to launch a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in varied sectors, including electronic goods, to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. These seemed to have reaped dividends. (ANI)
The US Trade and Development Agency on Monday awarded a technical assistance grant to Haryana Airports Development Corporation (HADC) Limited to support the comprehensive redevelopment of Maharaja Agrasen International Airport (Hisar Airport) into an integrated aviation hub focused on cargo and logistics. As per a statement from USTDA, the project will increase air cargo throughput at Hisar Airport, located in the National Capital Area, which includes New Delhi. "USTDA's partnership with HADC is an example of USTDA's longstanding commitment to advancing India's growing civil aviation sector," said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA's Director. "Our work will enhance the redevelopment of Hisar Airport, strengthen local supply chains, and create opportunities for U.S. companies to deploy their technology for its implementation." Since opening in 1967, Hisar Airport has primarily been used for general and business aviation purposes like private aircraft and pilot training. It is located over three hours by car from the nearest international airport, impeding businesses seeking to take advantage of air cargo services. This USTDA-funded technical assistance will alleviate these challenges by facilitating the airport's transformation into a cargo hub, supporting two-way trade and investment in local infrastructure while strengthening India's supply chain network. "The agreement between HADC and USTDA demonstrates the progressive vision and spirit of cooperation between the two nations, Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini was quoted in the statement. "Our vision is to take advantage of USTDA's international expertise to make Hisar into an integrated cargo complex. This will help India achieve its aviation infrastructure growth targets." "Since 2007, the United States and India have worked together to foster tremendous growth in the civil aviation sector," said U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti. "Today, we celebrate the latest step in building an even better aviation experience for our citizens, businesses, and passengers throughout the world. Together, through partnerships like these, the United States and India are laying the groundwork for the future of civil aviation." The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. (ANI)
PNN Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], December 16: In today's competitive global market, a robust understanding of finance and accounting is no longer optional--it's a necessity. Businesses depend on skilled financial professionals to manage their revenue, expenses, and taxes effectively. For aspiring professionals eager to carve out a niche in this high-demand sector, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and Accounting integrated with ACCA-UK, offered by the Center for Management Studies (CMS) at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), is the perfect springboard for success. CMS is renowned for offering one of the best BBA with ACCA colleges in Bangalore. Designed to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, this program is a gateway to numerous career opportunities across diversified fields, ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one. Why Choose a BBA in Finance & Accounting Integrated with ACCA-UK? This cutting-edge BBA with ACCA program merges global certification with a comprehensive academic curriculum. By enrolling, students gain: * Advanced Financial Skills: Master concepts in finance, accounting, insurance, and auditing.* Global Perspective: Understanding the roles of financial markets and institutions worldwide.* Tech-Savviness: Learn to integrate technology into financial processes.* Career Readiness: Develop skills for preparing, presenting, and analysing financial statements, making informed investment decisions, and mastering corporate finance. "At CMS, our goal is to create professionals who lead with knowledge, ethics, and global competency in finance and accounting," says Dr. Dinesh Nilkant, Pro Vice Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). Comprehensive Curriculum with Career-Focused Highlights CMS's BBA with ACCA program is tailored to empower students with: * A deep understanding of financial management issues from an organisational perspective.* Analytical skills to navigate corporate finance, taxation, and portfolio investments.* The ability to utilise industry-relevant tools and frameworks for strategic financial planning "The BBA with ACCA program at CMS ensures that students graduate with both knowledge and confidence, making them invaluable assets in the financial domain," shares Mr. Mackey Agarwal, Head of Admissions & Marketing, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). Career Enhancement Opportunities Graduates of the BBA ACCA program will find themselves equipped with an unparalleled skill set, ready to excel in roles such as: * Financial Analysts* Budget Managers* Corporate Business Consultants* Merchant Bankers* Investment Advisors The program goes beyond classroom learning by offering: * Placement Assistance: Industry tie-ups and internship opportunities with leading corporations.* Certification Opportunities: Programs like NCFM, NISM, and certifications from the Corporate Finance Institute (Canada). "Our students at CMS don't just secure jobs--they set benchmarks. Our industry connections and mentorship programs ensure that they are always a step ahead," notes Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Chief Manager of Admissions & Marketing, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). Why CMS at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)? As one of the best BBA with ACCA colleges in India, CMS offers: * A state-of-the-art learning environment in the heart of Bangalore.* Faculty comprising industry veterans and academic pioneers.* A vibrant campus culture fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth.* A program structure that aligns with global financial standards, preparing students for international opportunities. Career Outcomes: Exploring Opportunities With a degree in BBA in Finance & Accounting integrated with ACCA-UK, graduates are well-prepared to take on roles across a spectrum of industries, including: * Banking and Investment Corporations* Insurance and Mutual Funds* Share and Capital Markets* Commercial and Foreign Trade CMS graduates are not just job-ready--they're future-ready. The university's reputation as one of the best BBA with ACCA colleges in Bangalore is reflected in its robust placement record and alumni success stories. Eligibility To apply for this esteemed program, candidates must have a minimum qualification of passing the 10+2 examination in Science, Commerce, or Arts from a recognised board such as PUC, ISC, CBSE, or an equivalent. Contact Information * Website: www.jainuniversity.ac.in* Email: enquiry.ug@jainuniversity.ac.in (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], December 16: In the world of business, branding and advertising are the cornerstones of success. A compelling brand identity paired with strategic advertising can propel businesses to new heights, creating loyal customers and ensuring sustainable growth. Recognising the significance of these pillars, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Center for Management Studies (CMS), Bangalore, offers a cutting-edge Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Branding and Advertising program. As one of the best BBA colleges in Bangalore, CMS is a pioneer in delivering industry-relevant education that equips students to excel in the competitive world of marketing. Why Choose the BBA Branding and Advertising Program at CMS? The BBA Branding and Advertising program at CMS is meticulously designed to nurture creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. With a perfect blend of theory and practical learning, the program enables students to master the art of brand building and innovative advertising. "Branding is not just about creating recognition; it's about creating an emotional connection," says Dr. Dinesh Nilkant, Director, Admissions, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). "Our program empowers students to harness the power of branding and advertising to transform businesses." As one of the top private BBA colleges in Bangalore, CMS provides a vibrant learning environment that fosters innovation and hands-on experience. From developing marketing strategies to designing impactful advertising campaigns, students gain comprehensive insights into the world of branding and advertising. Program Highlights: Building the Future of Marketing 1. Strategic Learning Approach: The program is crafted by seasoned industry experts and academicians, ensuring a curriculum that aligns with real-world marketing demands. 2. Holistic Skill Development: Students acquire critical communication, storytelling, and analytical skills essential for thriving in advertising and branding roles. 3. Experiential Opportunities: The hands-on approach includes case studies, live projects, and internships, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios. 4. Comprehensive Curriculum: The program focuses on understanding branding concepts, developing marketing strategies, and leveraging advertising for brand equity. "Our mission is to create industry-ready professionals," shares Mr. Mackey Agarwal, Head, Admissions & Marketing, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) and JAIN College. "This is why we stand out as one of the top BBA colleges in Bangalore." Career Enhancement Opportunities As one of the best BBA Branding and Advertising colleges in Bangalore, their program not only equips students with academic knowledge but also prepares them for a successful career in marketing. CMS is renowned for its robust placement assistance, connecting students with leading companies in advertising, branding, and public relations. At the end of the program, graduates are equipped to: * Create impactful advertising campaigns.* Develop and manage brand portfolios effectively.* Apply strategic thinking to solve marketing challenges. "CMS is committed to nurturing creative and analytical thinkers who can redefine the marketing landscape," says Saurabh Kumar, Chief Manager, Admissions & Marketing, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) and JAIN College. Why CMS is Among the Best BBA Colleges in Bangalore 1. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure:CMS offers a modern campus with resources that facilitate innovative learning. 2. Industry Connections:The institution's strong ties with industry leaders ensure students gain exposure to the latest marketing trends and practices. 3. Vibrant Campus Life:CMS hosts numerous extracurricular activities, workshops, and networking events, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience. 4. Comprehensive Support System:From academic mentoring to placement guidance, CMS is dedicated to student success, making it one of the good BBA colleges in Bangalore.Career Outcomes: Opportunities Beyond Graduation The BBA in Branding and Advertising opens doors to diverse career opportunities in industries such as media, retail, and technology. Graduates are well-prepared for roles such as: * Advertising Media Planner* Brand Manager* Copywriter* Public Relations Specialist* Creative Developer As one of the best BBA colleges in Bangalore, CMS takes pride in its alumni who are shaping the future of marketing through innovation and creativity. Your Path to Marketing Excellence The BBA in Branding and Advertising program at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), CMS, is more than an academic journey--it's a transformative experience. By choosing CMS, you're stepping into a world of endless possibilities and unparalleled learning opportunities. "CMS provides the perfect platform for aspiring marketers to thrive," concludes Dr. Dinesh Nilkant. "Join us to become a part of a legacy that values creativity, innovation, and excellence." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Cine Talkies convenor Sunil Barve opened up on this year's theme, and discussions around cinema and said that his platform aims to connect Indian cinema with its roots and culture. Sunil Barve, film producer-director Vipul Shah and chief guest Ramesh Taurani attended the program 'Cine Srishti: Bhartiya drishti' organized by Sanskar Bharati in Mumbai. In a conversation with ANI, Sunil Barve said, "Sanskar Bharati's attempt at Cine Talkies 2024 was originally because when we talk about cinema, we often talk about the release of films, and events about star-studded shows. Or we talk about award ceremonies, but we never see discussions on cinema." "It must have been done on the street, but we have never seen it on such a large scale and keeping this in mind, Sanskar Bharati decided that it is very important to organize this program called Cine Talkies....this year's theme was Woods to Roots. We have Tollywood, Bollywood Kollywood etc, however, our Indianness is more important," he added. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar also shared his views in the program 'Cine Srishti: Bhartiya Drishti' organized by Sanskar Bharati. He emphasised the importance of women-centric films and urged that there should be more such movies made in Bollywood. He praised the entire idea behind the program, saying, "It was a very good program organised by Sanskar Bharati. There was a very good discussion, especially today there was a discussion on women-centric cinema," the ace director while discussing the idea behind the program. Madhur, renowned for films such as Chandni Bar, Page 3, and Fashion, added that there is a need to make more women-centric films. "There was a good panel here and many things were discussed like how women-centric films should be increased further in Bollywood and how they should be supported. I have always made films on different topics, whether it is Page 3, Corporate, Fashion, Heroine or Babli Bouncer...More filmmakers, producers and production houses should come and support such women-centric films and good topics so that our women-centric cinema can be brought to the mainstream," he added. (ANI)
The music world mourns the loss of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, who passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, in San Francisco, USA. He was 73. Zakir Hussain Bio Widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, Ustad Zakir Hussain was not only a master of his craft but also a cultural bridge-builder who elevated Indian classical music to international acclaim. His contributions to both traditional and contemporary music have left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain inherited his talent and passion for tabla from his father, the iconic Ustad Alla Rakha. Demonstrating exceptional promise from a young age, Zakir Hussain began performing by the time he was a teenager. His unmatched skill and innate rhythm soon catapulted him to prominence in the Indian classical music world. Zakir Hussain redefined the role of the tabla, transforming it from a mere supporting instrument to a central figure in performances. His mastery of intricate rhythms and his ability to convey profound emotion through his music made him an iconic figure in the world of classical music. Zakir Hussain was a trailblazer in blending Indian classical music with global genres, creating groundbreaking collaborations that expanded the reach of his art. He partnered with legends like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan in traditional settings, while his groundbreaking collaborations with international musicians such as John McLaughlin in ''Shakti'' and Mickey Hart in ''Planet Drum'' pushed boundaries. The ''Planet Drum'' album earned him a Grammy Award and showcased his extraordinary ability to merge cultural rhythms into a harmonious global sound. Over a career spanning almost six decades, Zakir Hussain received numerous prestigious awards, including: Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Indian government, 4 Grammy Awards for his contribution to world music, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, recognising his excellence in Indian classical music, the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award for traditional artists in the US. Despite these accolades, Zakir Hussain remained grounded. In several media interviews and winning speeches, he expressed viewing himself as a lifelong student of music. Beyond the stage, Ustad Zakir Hussain dedicated much of his time to nurturing future generations of musicians. He taught extensively at institutions like the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Francisco and conducted workshops around the world. The news of his demise has triggered an outpouring of tributes from leaders, artists, and fans worldwide. Musicians and admirers have shared stories of his profound impact on their lives, celebrating his remarkable journey and mourning his loss. Zakir Hussain''s passing leaves a void in the world of music that cannot be filled. His artistry not only transcended borders but also brought people together from all corners of the world. Survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and daughters, Anisa and Isabella, his music will continue to inspire countless musicians and listeners. The beats of his tabla will echo in the hearts of millions for generations to come. (ANI)
Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family confirmed the news. Ustad Zakir Hussain's passing marks the end of an era. Bollywood celebrities expressed their grief and paid homage to the legendary Tabla maestro.

Amitabh Bachchan took to X and wrote, "a very sad day".

https://x.com/SrBachchan/status/1868352490355544511

'Jab We Met' actress Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a snap on her Instagram story in which Ustad Zakir Hussain was seen shaking hands with veteran actor Randhir Kapoor. She captioned the picture, "Maestro forever' accompanied by a red heart emoji.

Actor Riteish Deshmukh called the demise of the Tabla maestro a 'devastating blow to India and global music community."

While offering his condolences to the family, the actor wrote, "The irreparable loss of Zakir Hussain Sahab is a devastating blow to India and the global music community. Sir, Your music was a gift, a treasure that will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.

Your legacy will live on. May your soul rest in eternal glory, surrounded by the rhythms and melodies. Condolences to the family and loved ones of the legendary Zakir Hussain Sahab."

https://x.com/Riteishd/status/1868345858049405436

Renowned Guru Gaur Gopal Das shared a beautiful poster on his Instagram story and wrote that the artist will be missed.

"Prayers for your onward journey in the rhythm of the universe. You'll be missed" wrote Guru Gaur Gopal Das.

The 'Khiladi' Kumar of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar called Ustad Zakir Hussain a 'treasure' of the country's musical heritage. Taking to his Instagram handle, the 'Housefull' actor wrote,

"Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country's musical heritage."

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh paid tribute to the tabla maestro by sharing his photo along with a red heart and folded hands emoji.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDmy1KJB2wo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=invalid&ig_rid=504614a5-4ff6-42d4-ad01-3fb38ab16efe

Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain was the son of the iconic tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.

His collaboration on the Planet Drum album with Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart also earned him a Grammy Award.

Zakir Hussain's contributions to music were recognized by numerous prestigious awards over the years, including the Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Indian government, as well as four Grammy Awards. (ANI)
Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, took his last breath on December 15, Sunday, in San Francisco at the age of 73. Bollywood celebrities and prominent figures from various fields have expressed their sorrow and paid heartfelt tributes to the late artist. The Padma Bhushan and Grammy Award winner, Zakir Hussain died due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, as confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family. Mourning his loss, the 'Gangs of Wasseypur' actor Manoj Bajpayee wrote that he was shocked and heartbroken by the passing of the tabla maestro. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Manoj Bajpayee wrote, "The rhythm of a maestro can never be muted. RIP Zakir Hussain Sahab. Shocked and heartbroken by his passing, his legacy will live on in every beat." https://x.com/bajpayeemanoj/status/1868527952297943325?s=48&t=pGU8BerQmkbmBgzLSg580g Actress Aditi Rao Hydari remembered the sound produced by Zakir Hussain through tabla and called it 'divine.' Taking to her Instagram handle, she wrote, "The sound of the divine..the sound within. Rest in peace Ustaad Saab. May rhythm dance with eternally." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDoL1IIS5Zq/?img_index=1 Dia Mirza also offered her condolences to the family of Zakir Hussain. The "Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein" actress shared a beautiful photo of Zakir Hussain in which he was seen smiling while playing the tabla. She wrote, "When he played his inner light shone so bright! His joy embraced us all... we experienced divinity. He would make us laugh and enchant us with his humility, grace and wisdom... his childlike enthusiasm was infectious and his respect for all artists was unparalleled. There is only ONE and we will forever be grateful for his legacy of love, laughter and kindness. The maestro who's golden heartbeat will forever enliven our hearts. Ustad Zakir Hussain you are loved and will always be remembered with utmost respect. Deepest condolences to all his loved ones. And deepest gratitude to him. Om Shanti" https://www.instagram.com/p/DDoGVJmoXfg/ Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar expressed his gratitude to the tabla maestro for his music. "One of the greatest artists of our time is no more. Thank you Zakir bhai, for all the joy you brought to the world through your music and your humanity. RIP. Deepest condolences to the family." wrote Farhan Akhtar. Meanwhile, other Bollywood celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Riteish Deshmukh, have also offered their condolences to Hussian's family. Zakir Hussain's contributions to music were recognized by numerous prestigious awards over the years, including the Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Indian government, as well as four Grammy Awards. His excellence in Indian classical music was honoured by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and in 2014, he received the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honour for traditional artists in the United States. As news of his death spread, tributes poured in from across the globe. Musicians, artists, and fans alike mourned the loss of a man whose music not only transcended borders but also united people of diverse cultures. (ANI)
In a heartfelt tribute to the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, renowned actor Anupam Kher expressed his profound grief over the passing of the iconic musician, who left a deep imprint on the world of music. Speaking to ANI, Kher shared his sorrow, recalling Hussain as a dear friend and an extraordinary talent, whose death has left an irreplaceable void. "Ustaad Zakir Hussain was a very dear friend to everyone," Kher said, adding, "I have met him many times, and each time, he greeted me with so much beauty, respect, genuineness, and love. Speaking about his art is like showing the sun to the world - it's beyond words." Kher fondly reminisced about witnessing several of Hussain's performances, including in Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Delhi. "He was magical. It is too soon for him to have left us. The tabla will continue to play, and the sound will be there, but it will not have the same rhythm. The magic will be gone," Kher added, adding, "The world has lost an artist of such a rare calibre, one that is difficult to find again. May God give his family the strength to cope with this loss. It's truly sad. Farewell, Zakir Hussain Sahab." In addition to his heartfelt words, Kher took to Instagram to further express his grief, sharing a video of Hussain playing tabla at one of his concerts. "The heart doesn't know how long it will remain sad! The voice doesn't know how long it will stay silent!! Farewell, my friend," Kher captioned the video, adding, "You may have left this world, but you will remain in our memories for centuries! You, your talent, and your childlike smile that touched the deepest corners of our hearts!!" https://www.instagram.com/p/DDm6YSSusgv/ Among other celebrities including Salim Merchant, Akshay Kumar, and Amitabh Bachchan, the loss of Ustad Zakir Hussain also prompted a heartfelt tribute from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shared his deep sorrow following the passing of the tabla virtuoso. In a social media post, the Prime Minister described Hussain as a genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music and brought the tabla to international recognition. "Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji," Prime Minister Modi wrote, adding, "He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity." PM Modi went on to emphasize that Hussain's performances and compositions would continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers. "His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the global music community," he concluded. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1868544110367560025 Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 73 in San Francisco, USA, due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher, a spokesperson for the family. Hussain was widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, not only for his exceptional mastery of the tabla but also for his role in elevating Indian classical music to a global stage. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was the son of the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha. He inherited his father's talent and passion for the tabla and quickly rose to prominence in the world of Indian classical music. Over the years, Hussain became renowned for his virtuosity, ability to convey profound emotion through his performances, and his groundbreaking collaborations that merged traditional Indian rhythms with global music styles. Throughout his illustrious career, Hussain earned numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and national honours, for his contributions to both Indian and world music. His legacy as a cultural bridge-builder will continue to inspire musicians and listeners worldwide. (ANI)
The world of music is in mourning following the demise of the iconic tabla virtuoso, Ustad Zakir Hussain, who passed away on December 15, 2024, in San Francisco at the age of 73. Hussain, who had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, was a towering figure in Indian classical music and one of the most recognized percussionists worldwide. His death was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, who spoke on behalf of the family. The loss has been deeply felt by those who knew and worked with him. Renowned musician Shankar Mahadevan, who considered Hussain a mentor, expressed his sorrow in a statement provided by his team, saying, "Today is an extremely sad day. I have lost my mentor, my guru, my guiding light, someone who has played such an important part in my music -- Ustad Zakir Hussain. I have been fortunate enough to be a small part of his magnanimous musical journey. He was not just a great artist, he was the greatest artist that our country has produced. The tabla will never sound the same again." Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes from around the globe, describing Ustad Zakir Hussain as a revolutionary figure in the world of music. "Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm," the Prime Minister said in a social media post. PM Modi further praised Hussain for his ability to seamlessly blend Indian classical traditions with global music, making him a symbol of cultural unity. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1868544110367560025 Ustad Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, was the son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha. From a young age, Zakir showed prodigious talent, inheriting the rhythmic genius of his father. His skill and devotion to the tabla were unparalleled, and he quickly rose to international fame. Hussain's musical career spanned both traditional and contemporary genres, and his innovative performances and soulful compositions earned him admiration worldwide. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu paid condolences to tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain who died at the age of 73 in a San Francisco hospital on Monday. In a post on her official X account, Murmu recalled conferring Padma Vibhushan upon Zakir Hussain in 2023. "The demise of tabla wizard Ustad Zakir Hussain is a great loss to the world of music. He was known for his extraordinary creativity and inventiveness. He mesmerised generations of music lovers across the world. He was a bridge between the musical traditions of India and the West. I had the privilege of conferring the Padma Vibhushan upon him. I convey my deepest condolences to members of his family and his countless admirers," she wrote. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, mourned the demise of Zakir Hussain. Taking to social media X (formerly Twitter), Modi in a post, described Hussain as a genius who revolutionised Indian classical music, bringing the tabla to global recognition. "Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity," the post read. The Prime Minister further highlighted that Hussain's iconic performances and soulful compositions would continue to inspire generations of music lovers and musicians. "His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community," the post further read. Hussain, who had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, was a towering figure in Indian classical music and one of the most recognized percussionists worldwide. His death was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, who spoke on behalf of the family.The loss has been deeply felt by those who knew and worked with him. Renowned musician Shankar Mahadevan, who considered Hussain a mentor, expressed his sorrow in a statement provided by his team, saying, "Today is an extremely sad day. I have lost my mentor, my guru, my guiding light, someone who has played such an important part in my music -- Ustad Zakir Hussain. I have been fortunate enough to be a small part of his magnanimous musical journey. He was not just a great artist, he was the greatest artist that our country has produced. The tabla will never sound the same again." (ANI)
Parliament strips Yoon of powers; court to make final call

08:18, December 16, 2024 By Yang Han ( Chinadaily.com.cn

The parliament of the Republic of Korea impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday over his short-lived martial law decree, sparking jubilation among supporters of the action, but the decision requires endorsement from the country's Constitutional Court, which analysts said indicates that political uncertainty in the ROK is far from over.

The 300-member National Assembly passed the impeachment motion 204-85 in the afternoon, after which Yoon's presidential powers and duties were suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo took over as acting president pending a final court decision.

Lam Peng Er, head of the Korea Centre and principal research fellow of the East Asian Institute at National University of Singapore, called the parliament's decision "just the end of the beginning" of the political crisis in the ROK. "It is going to be a very tricky, uncertain transition, so South Korea now is in uncharted territory," Lam said.

The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers. If Yoon is removed from office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

Lam said that while the court's decision will be a complicated process, a potential fresh election will see intensified competition between the ruling and opposition parties, with factional politics adding to political uncertainty.

Saturday's secret ballot voting on Yoon's impeachment was the second held in the National Assembly within two weeks of his Dec 3 imposition of martial law. Ruling party lawmakers boycotted the first vote on the motion on Dec 7.

With all 300 members present this time, 204 voted in favor and 85 against. There were three abstentions and eight invalid votes. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said the outcome was driven by "the people's ardent desire for democracy, courage and dedication", The Associated Press reported.

Hundreds of thousands of people who had gathered near the parliament roared in jubilation following the announcement. They waved banners about the constitutional order being preserved and chanted, "We did it!"

Prime Minister Han, a seasoned politician who has previously held a string of top government posts, was quoted by Yonhap News Agency as saying, "I will give all my strength and effort to stably manage state affairs in this difficult time."

Han convened a National Security Council meeting and vowed to maintain a strong security posture and manage international credibility in a stable manner.

Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the ROK's ruling People Power Party, of which Yoon is a member, said on Sunday that they have rejected a proposal by the main opposition Democratic Party to set up a bipartisan consultation mechanism to stabilize the operation of state affairs, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, told reporters on the same day that his party will not consider an impeachment move against Han as of now.

Yoon is the third ROK president impeached while in office. In December 2016, the National Assembly impeached Park Geun-hye, the country's first female president, over a corruption scandal. The Constitutional Court took 91 days to uphold her impeachment and removed her from office in March 2017. In 2004, then president Roh Moo-hyun was impeached by the ROK parliament over an alleged election law violation, but the court later overturned his impeachment and restored his presidential powers. The court's decision came in 63 days.

According to ROK law, the Constitutional Court can uphold a presidential impeachment with at least six votes in favor, but it typically requires a review by seven of the nine justices. The court currently has six justices after three reached the end of their term earlier this year.

Cho Hee-kyoung, a law professor at Hongik University in Seoul, said the court is likely to uphold the impeachment, as it is clear that Yoon's imposition of martial law was unconstitutional. "Basically, the court only needs to be convinced that the order came from Yoon, and he knew what he was doing," she said.

Cho noted that nomination of new justices is in progress, with two candidates recommended by the main opposition party and one by the ruling party, but their final appointment could take time, because it calls for a consensus of the two parties.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Hussain, a global icon in Indian classical music, had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease.

The news of his death was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, who spoke on behalf of Hussain's family. His demise has left a void in the world of music, with tributes pouring in from across the globe.

Hundreds of students from the University gathered to perform table as a homage to the late maestro.

Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts, Professor Gaurang Bhavasar, spoke about Hussain's deep connection with Vadodara.

Sharing his thoughts with ANI, Bhavasar said, "First of all, we offer our tribute to the great guru of tabla, the one who gave tabla global recognition. Ustad Zakir Hussain had a very close relationship with Vadodara. He visited here several times and presented his performances."

He added, "The entire faculty, the family of the Faculty of Performing Arts, and the Maharaja Sayajirao University family are paying tribute to him through the tabla. We believe his legacy will stay with us forever."

Ustad Zakir Hussain, born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, was the son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha.

From a young age, Zakir showed prodigious talent, inheriting the rhythmic genius of his father. His skill and devotion to the tabla were unparalleled, and he quickly rose to international fame.

Hussain's musical career spanned both traditional and contemporary genres, and his innovative performances and soulful compositions earned him admiration worldwide. (ANI)
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Monday inaugurated a three-day photo exhibition on 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', organised by the Central Bureau of Communication, Hyderabad, as part of its Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme (ICOP). The event was held at the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad. According to a press release issued by PIB, Governor Varma, in his address, highlighted the concept of cultural confluence, which pairs one state with another, as envisioned by the Prime Minister to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Sardar Patel played a pivotal role in uniting princely states and fostering national unity. The Governor described this state-pairing initiative as a brilliant concept, noting that the exhibition allowed attendees to discover lesser-known aspects of Indian culture. India's unique civilisation, rich in diversity, enhances the nation's vibrancy. This diversity is reflected in its myriad dance forms, music, art, and festivals, while an underlying unity strengthens collective progress. The Governor emphasised that India celebrates the concept of Dharma, encompassing right thought, deeds, and actions. He noted that every culture embodies this principle of Dharma. Modern festivals, he said, often reflect this unity, even though pairing every state may present challenges. For instance, Telangana's Bathukamma festival may resonate with cultural expressions in Haryana, reflecting shared values despite differing manifestations. He lauded the state-pairing initiative as a unique endeavour, especially beneficial for children and adults. While diversity in nature, culture, and cuisine is celebrated, the exhibition encourages a deeper exploration of similarities between states like Haryana and Telangana. It highlights archaeological sites and cultural practices that underscore these connections. Although no two states are identical, India's core values--right thought, action, and paths--are consistently represented across its diverse cultures, songs, and festivals. The Governor described the exhibition as an eye-opener and quoted the Rigveda: "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti", meaning "Truth is one; the wise describe it in various ways." Ashish Goyal, IIS, Additional Director General of the National Museum, New Delhi, and Director of the Salar Jung Museum, said in his inaugural address, "Today's exhibition aims to bring the culture of Haryana closer to the people of Telangana." He highlighted that the Salar Jung Museum, which attracts nearly one million visitors annually, has introduced three self-ticketing kiosks to enhance visitor comfort and engagement. These kiosks were inaugurated by the Governor during the event. Ashish Goyal, along with Shruti Patil, Additional Director General of PIB and CBC, accompanied the Governor through the exhibition. The event showcases the art, culture, cuisine, and traditions of Telangana and Haryana, paired under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme. This initiative, by the Government of India, seeks to enhance interaction and promote mutual understanding between the people of different states and Union Territories. India's composite national identity is woven from diverse linguistic, cultural, and religious threads. The shared history of cultural evolution and the freedom struggle, founded on non-violence and justice, underscores the nation's strength in unity amid diversity--a value to be cherished for the future. The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme fosters interaction and mutual understanding between paired states/UTs through structured exchanges in language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism, and more. Telangana has been paired with Haryana for this initiative. The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is hosting the three-day photo exhibition on 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' at the Salar Jung Museum, showcasing approximately 50 panels comparing the art, cuisine, festivals, monuments, and tourism spots of Telangana and Haryana. The event also features expert talks on art, poetry, and theatre. Notable speakers, including Padma Shri Mohammad Ali Baig and Sahitya Akademi Awardee Goreti Venkanna, will address students during a session on December 17, 2024. The exhibition is open to the public from December 16 to 18, 2024, at the Salar Jung Museum. (ANI)
Two youths from Bihar, who were working as migrant workers in Manipur were shot dead by terrorists in the state's Kakching district on Sunday. The deceased -- Dasharat Kumar (17) and Sunalal Kumar (18) were residents of Rajwahi village of Bihar's Gopalganj district. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the "act of terrorism" and expressed condolences to the grieving family. He also announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the families of the deceased. "I strongly condemn the brutal killing of young brothers, Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17), from Bihar in Kakching district, Manipur. This act of terrorism is a direct assault on our values, and my deepest condolences go out to their grieving families," said the CM in a post on X. He further mentioned the "possibility" of the act being a "larger conspiracy to destabilise the state." "In this crucial juncture, we cannot ignore the possibility that this horrific crime is part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize our state and push it further towards chaos. We must stand together against these destructive forces and ensure that they do not succeed in creating fear and insecurity," he added. The Chief Minister said that the case could be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) if needed. "An ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to each bereaved family, and every possible effort is underway to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible. If required, the case will be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure a fair and thorough inquiry," CM Biren Singh further stated. Meanwhile, CM Nitish Kumar directed officials to provide benefits as per rules to the family of the deceased and also to make necessary arrangements to have the two people transported to their native village. https://x.com/NBirenSingh/status/1868313433617170647 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also condemned the killing of the people on Sunday, and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the families. "I am deeply saddened by the killing of Laxman Kumar Ji and Dashrath Kumar Ji, residents of Gopalganj district of Bihar, in the riotous violence in Manipur. This incident is very sad. Deep condolences to the families of the deceased," he said in a post. "I have directed to give Rs. 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the families of the deceased late Laxman Kumar Ji and late Dashrath Kumar Ji. Along with this, I have directed to provide other benefits as per rules from the schemes run by the Labor Resources Department and Social Welfare Department. I have directed the Resident Commissioner of Bihar in Delhi to take information about the situation and provide all possible assistance and also make necessary arrangements to send the bodies of the deceased to their native village," he further stated. https://x.com/NitishKumar/status/1868227452457406698 Earlier, the Gopalganj district office had informed that the post-mortem of the two deceased was done in a hospital in Imphal, and their families were also contacted immediately. "The district administration is in constant touch with the concerned officials of Manipur to bring the bodies of the deceased and provide other assistance," the statement read. "The district administration is providing all possible assistance to the family members of the deceased as per the provisions," it added. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Sunday paid tributes to Indian social activist Potti Sriramulu, calling him the driving force behind the formation of Andhra Pradesh and other linguistic states. He stated that Potti Sriramulu was not just a leader of a community or caste rather he was the leader of the entire Andhra community, according to a press release. To commemorate Potti Sriramulu's sacrifice, the Andhra Pradesh government organized the 'Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu Sacrifice Day' event on Sunday morning at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram. "Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu, who undertook a hunger strike unto death for the formation of a separate Andhra State, is a timeless inspiration for all of us. He was the driving force behind the formation of linguistic states in India. He was not just a leader of a community or caste; he was the leader of the entire Andhra community," Kalyan stated. He stressed that it is everyone's responsibility to remember great leaders like him who lived and sacrificed for the country. He added, "Achieving comprehensive development across all sectors and transforming Andhra Pradesh into a $2.2 trillion economy would be the true tribute to Potti Sriramulu." Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan paid floral tributes to the portraits of Potti Sriramulu and India's first Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. They also released a book highlighting Potti Sriramulu's sacrifice and screened a documentary about his life. During the event, Pawan Kalyan said, "We must organize events like birth and death anniversaries of great personalities to remember their sacrifices. This helps future generations understand their contributions. Forgetting is natural, but such events remind us of the sacrifices of great leaders." He recalled, "Potti Sriramulu undertook a hunger strike unto death and endured immense suffering for the formation of a separate Andhra State. He lived not for personal gain but for society, the state, and the nation. His greatness became evident only after the state's formation." He further stated, "Even finding a statue of Potti Sriramulu outside the Arya Vysya community is challenging. He is not just a leader of a particular caste or community but a leader the entire nation is proud of." Pawan Kalyan reflected, "While India was divided on religious grounds, the national leadership under Prime Minister Nehru opposed the formation of linguistic states. However, Potti Sriramulu went on a hunger strike unto death for the self-respect and identity of the Telugu people. His struggle shook the nation, and his sacrifice ultimately led to the formation of Andhra State. His death even made it challenging to find people to carry his body. Music legend Ghantasala and a few others carried his mortal remains." "Today, we proudly identify ourselves as Andhras due to his sacrifice. His legacy is the foundation of our existence as Telugu people," he said. "The formation of our state is rooted in the sacrifice of Potti Sriramulu. He laid down his life for the identity of the Telugu people. Only when we rise above personal, family, or regional interests can we emerge as great leaders like him." He continued, "While Potti Sriramulu dreamed of a separate Andhra State, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao fought for the self-respect of Telugu people. Running a political party is tough, and crafting government policies for 50 million people is even harder. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has efficiently led the state and brought governance closer to the people." The Deputy CM lauded the 'Vision 2047' document, which was meticulously prepared with inputs from several intellectuals. He affirmed, "Vision 2047 transcends caste and religion, ensuring opportunities for all based on merit." The event saw participation from state ministers P. Narayana, Achchennaidu, Parthasarathy, MPs, MLAs, and senior officials. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated the Indian Army, ex-servicemen as well as the country and the people of the state on the occasion of 'Vijay Diwas'. "This day displays the valour and honour of the Indian Army. Our brave soldiers always contribute with readiness to protect the country, which we are proud of," the CM said according to a statement by the Chief Minister's Office. "The supreme sacrifice made by the brave soldiers to protect the borders of the country will always be remembered," he added. Vijay Diwas for the 1971 Liberation War is celebrated nationwide on December 16, to commemorate India's victory against Pakistan in the 13-day war, which ended with Pakistan signing the instrument of surrender in Dhaka and the subsequent liberation of Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan). According to reports, 3,900 Indian soldiers are believed to have died and 9,851 were injured during the war of 1971. "We are proud of the bravery of our soldiers and the whole country salutes their bravery," the CM said according to the statement. India and Bangladesh will jointly commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas of the 1971 India-Pakistan war today, with the annual exchange of war veterans and serving officers. Eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces have arrived in Dhaka to commemorate Bangladesh's Victory Day celebrations. Similarly, eight distinguished Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces also reached India to participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata today, the Indian Army said on Sunday. On the eve of Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu attended an 'At-Home' reception at Army House in the national capital, hosted by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan were also present for the occasion. (ANI)
The parents of the two Bihar youths killed in Manipur, have requested the Manipur government to facilitate the return of the bodies of the two deceased back to their native village. The two deceased -- Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17) were residents of Rajwahi village of Bihar's Gopalganj district and had gone there to work as migrant workers. They were shot down in the Kakching district of Manipur. The families said the two boys had gone to Manipur a day after Diwali to earn some extra money. They also said they were not aware that a violent conflict is going on in Manipur. Mother of Dashrath Kumar, Radhika Devi told ANI on Sunday, "We did not know there was a conflict in Manipur, if we had known, I would not have sent my son there. He was just 17...I just want to see the face of my son again, that is what I ask of the government." The father of Dashrath Kumar, Mohan Sohan said that he got the information of his son's death from his other son who had also gone out of the state to work. "I got a call from my other son, his name is Santosh, he told me 'Dad, my brother is dead' and Suna lal is also dead. Since receiving that news, we are just running around, talking to people, being lost," the father said. "The boy had gone to work in Manipur...around 6 people were there to work. Four men had stayed behind while the other two had gone ahead with a cycle, after that suddenly as the ones on the cycle looked back after a sound, they saw that others had been shot," he added. The mother of one of the deceased, Sunalal Kumar said, "The incident happened in Manipur, they shot him. He had gone to Manipur to earn some money after Diwali, he used to do labour work there." Earlier, Manipur CM N Biren Singh condemned the killing of the two people and called it an "act of terrorism." "I strongly condemn the brutal killing of young brothers, Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17), from Bihar in Kakching district, Manipur. This act of terrorism is a direct assault on our values, and my deepest condolences go out to their grieving families," said the CM in a post on X. The CM also announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the families of the deceased. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also condemned the killing and ordered officials to provide benefits as per rules to the family of the deceased and also to make necessary arrangements to have the two people transported to their native village. "I have directed to give Rs. 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the families. Along with this, I have directed to provide other benefits as per rules from the schemes run by the Labour Resources Department and Social Welfare Department. Also Resident Commissioner of Bihar in Delhi to take information about the situation and provide all possible assistance. Also make necessary arrangements to send the bodies of the deceased to their native village," the Bihar CM stated. (ANI)
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit clarified that the alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was "never in question", responding to discussions about the possibility of an alliance. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Dikshit stated, "The alliance was never in question. The AAP kept launching the idea because they feared losing if they fought alone. But it is good that the alliance did not happen." He went on to slam Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's leadership over the past decade, claiming it has led to the breakdown of the city's systems. "In the last 10 years, he (Arvind Kejriwal) has brought Delhi to a place where all the system has collapsed. These 10 years of failure will make him lose," Dikshit said. Dikshit also explained Congress's strategy, aiming to attract voters who are disappointed with Kejriwal's governance. "Our strategy is to attract those voters who are disappointed by him... Our past has been a golden period and we will associate with the upcoming promises, the disappointed voters will come to us on their own..." Earlier this week, the INDIA bloc alliance for Delhi, formed for the 2024 general elections, appeared to be short-lived as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday ruled out any possibility of an alliance with Congress. In a post on X, Kejriwal said, "Aam Aadmi Party will be fighting this election on its own strength in Delhi. There is no possibility of any alliance with Congress." This statement came after reports suggested that Congress and AAP were in the final stages of talks for a Delhi election alliance. Earlier, on December 7, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Devendra Yadav had criticized AAP and its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal for being responsible for the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the national capital. Devendra Yadav also demanded that Kejriwal ask for the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, just as he had asked for the resignation of former CM Sheila Dixit during the Nirbhaya case. The Delhi Congress president further alleged that women were facing the brunt of increasing crimes, including gang wars, firing, murder, rape, harassment, and snatching incidents. Congress, which was in power in Delhi for 15 successive years, has performed poorly in the past two assembly polls, failing to win any seats. The Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025. AAP won 62 out of the 70 seats in the 2020 assembly elections, while BJP secured eight seats. (ANI)
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher appealed to the people of the state of Punjab to participate in the 'Rail Roko' agitation scheduled on December 18. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Pandher said, "I want to appeal to the people of Punjab to participate in the 'Rail Roko' agitating on December 18. We request all the people of all the 13,000 villages in Punjab who live near railway tracks to block their nearest railway crossings and railway stations from 12 to 3 pm." Pandher announced that a tractor march would be organised outside Punjab on December 16, followed by a 'Rail Roko' in Punjab on December 18. The announcement came hours after a 'Jathha' of 101 farmers, blocked by the police at the Shambhu border due to security concerns, was withdrawn for the day. Pandher claimed that 17 farmers were injured after the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters at the Shambhu Border. He further alleged that several farmers are in serious condition and accused the authorities of negligence in providing treatment at the hospital. "The Indian government, the fifth-largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical water was thrown at us using cannons, bombs were hurled, and tear gas shells were fired. Seventeen farmers have been injured, many of whom are in serious condition, and they are not being given proper treatment in the hospital. We urge the Punjab government to ensure adequate treatment," he said earlier. "On December 16, a tractor march will be organised outside Punjab, and on December 18, we have called for a 'Rail Roko' in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in large numbers," he added. Pandher criticised the opposition for not effectively addressing farmers' concerns in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. He specifically accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of failing to fulfil his promises to the farmers. The 'Jathha' of 101 farmers was stopped from entering the national capital at the Shambhu border point in Haryana on Saturday afternoon. Tensions arose at the protest site as the farmers attempted to move forward, but police cited security concerns and the need to regulate the movement of protesters into Delhi. Police presence at the border was significantly increased after the farmers announced their fresh attempt to march towards Delhi. As the protest gains momentum, farmers are intensifying their demonstrations to press the government into addressing their demands. (ANI)
Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Monday to discuss the removal of 1971 war photograph from Army Headquarters, New Delhi and its implications. In his notice to Speaker Om Birla, Manickam Tagore said that the removal of the photograph, which commemorates the historic surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 16, 1971, is not only troubling but is a direct affront to the historical memory of this monumental event. "The photograph symbolized a victory that marked the liberation of Bangladesh and was a moment of immense pride for India, with over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering to the Indian Army in a swift 13-day war," he said. "This action is part of a disturbing trend observed in recent years, where similar efforts to alter or erase India's original history have been reported across various ministries, monuments, and defence establishments. These incidents appear to be part of a wider push by the PM Modi government to erase or reframe historical events that do not align with certain narratives," he added. The Congress MP also highlighted that the 1971 victory, led by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, remains one of the most significant military triumphs in India's history and the removal of this iconic photograph is an attempt to diminish its importance and erase its Legacy from our collective memory. Further, he urged the Central government to "immediately" restore the photograph to its original position. "I urge the PM Modi government to immediately restore the 1971 surrender photograph to its original position at the Amy Headquarters and ensure that such acts of historical revisionism are not repeated. Our history, our victories, and the sacrifices of our armed forces must be preserved with utmost respect and dignity," Tagore said. He also demanded the government to constitute an independent committee on this. "Additionally, I call on the government to constitute an independent committee along with MPs from all parties to investigate the reasons behind the removal of such historical symbols and recommend measures to protect and preserve our national heritage. This committee should also examine similar occurrences in the past, present, and future across all sectors and suggest preventive measures to ensure that our history is not tampered with in any manner," the Congress MP said. December 16, 1971, was the day when Pakistan signed the instrument of surrender in Dhaka, following a 13-day India-Pakistan War. This resulted in the surrender of over 93,000 soldiers, and the Pakistan Army's capitulation against Indian forces was complete. Following this decisive victory, India announced itself as a major regional force. The creation of Bangladesh was a devastating event for West Pakistan, the aftershocks of which continue to this day. Along with the physical fall of Dhaka, Pakistan was also defeated psychologically. The two-nation theory, that Muslims of the subcontinent formed a nation, was demolished. For India, the 1971 victory is a historic milestone, and December 16 is commemorated nationwide as "Vijay Diwas" to honour India's triumph over Pakistan. According to reports, 3,900 Indian soldiers are believed to have died and 9,851 were injured during the war of 1971. (ANI)
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj exuded confidence in BJP's victory in Delhi as he slammed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's candidate list in the run-up to Delhi Assembly elections 2025. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Swaraj said that AAP may announce whichever name they want but the people of Delhi have decided their final pack up. "AAP released its final list today. They may announce whichever name they want but the people of Delhi have decided their final pack up," Swaraj said. Earlier, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that while it may be part of their "strategy," "no one wants AAP candidates to win" as the party has failed Delhi. Commenting on AAP's candidate list, Tiwari said, "It doesn't matter to us. They have released a list, and they will later make changes to it. It is their strategy, but no one wants AAP candidates to win. AAP has failed Delhi." The assembly elections in Delhi are likely to be held in February 2025 as the current government's tenure ends in January 2025. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the dates. AAP unveiled its fourth and final list of 38 candidates on Sunday for the 2025 Delhi Elections. According to the list, the party's national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will contest from New Delhi, Chief Minister Atishi from Kalkaji, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj from Greater Kailash, and Minister Gopal Rai from Babarpur. Additionally, Satyendra Kumar Jain will contest from Shakur Basti, Durgesh Pathak from Rajinder Nagar, Ramesh Pehalwan from Kasturba Nagar, Raghuvinder Shokeen from Nangloi Jat, Som Dutt from Sadar Bazar, Imran Hussain from Ballimaran, and Jarnail Singh from Tilak Nagar. The list features two new names, while 36 sitting MLAs have been re-nominated. AAP has fielded Ramesh Pehalwan from Kasturba Nagar and Pooja Naresh Balyan, wife of BJP leader Naresh Balyan, from Uttam Nagar. On Sunday, BJP leader Ramesh Pehalwan and his wife Kusumlata Ramesh joined AAP in the presence of Arvind Kejriwal, the party's national convener. AAP released its third list of candidates on Friday, fielding Tarun Yadav from Najafgarh. Earlier, on December 9, the party issued its second list, replacing 17 sitting MLAs with new faces. However, three familiar names--Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, and Deepu Chaudhary--were re-nominated. Chaudhary had previously contested but lost in the last election. Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years, has struggled in the past two assembly elections, failing to win any seats. In 2020, AAP won 62 out of 70 seats, while BJP secured the remaining eight. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has said that the state government might introduce legislation to curb violence against doctors. Reaffirming support for doctors and healthcare professionals, she said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had announced an Rs one crore honorarium for COVID warriors working in government and private hospitals, including doctors, nurses, and blood bank staff. "AAP government has always stood with the doctors of Delhi, is standing with them, and will continue to stand with them in the future. If the need arises in Delhi, the government will bring in a Doctors Protection Act to prevent such violence and take other necessary measures," CM Atishi said in a release. She said this during the Annual Conference of the Delhi State Medical Association, where she was invited as the Chief Guest. CM Atishi said that the state government doesn't differentiate between healthcare professionals working in the public or private sector. Speaking on the cases of violence against doctors in hospitals, CM Atishi said, "I want to assure the Delhi Medical Association and all doctors in Delhi that the government will take all necessary steps to prevent violence against doctors. This is my commitment to all of you." "During the COVID crisis, both government and private sector doctors risked their lives to care for patients. The Delhi government announced a one crore rupee honorarium for COVID warriors, and this was given to not only government doctors but also private doctors, nursing homes, nursing staff, and blood bank staff working in private hospitals...Whenever our government has formulated policies for doctors, we have included both government and private sector doctors without any discrimination," she added. CM Atishi further stated that the AAP government was committed to providing good education and health facilities to the people of Delhi. "Education and health are our biggest priorities. We are fully committed to providing good education and health facilities to the people of Delhi," she said. The Delhi CM acknowledged doctors' role in providing healthcare and emotional support to patients. CM Atishi said doctors not just provide medicine but manage the entire family during difficult times, the press release read. "Health has always been a major priority for the Delhi government because education and health are not just government sectors. They are investments in the future of our country. Our government has always prioritized education and health, whether it is setting up Mohalla Clinics for primary healthcare, upgrading facilities in government hospitals, or reducing the response time of CAT ambulances from 55 minutes to just 15 minutes," CM Atishi said. (ANI)
The opposition Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is expected to file a breach of assembly notice against Telangana Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramakra on Monday, accusing him of spreading false information regarding the state's debt figures. Former minister and party's working president Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR), in a post on X, cited a report allegedly by the RBI, that revealed that Telangana's debt had risen from Rs 72,658 crores in 2014-15 to Rs 3,89,673 crores by March 2024. https://x.com/KTRBRS/status/1868482474969563407 KTR alleged that the sharp increase contradicts the state Finance Minister's claims of managing the state's debts effectively. "We will be moving a privilege motion against the Congress Govt for its repeated attempts to mislead the legislature & the people of Telangana by stating that the total state debt is 7 lakh crore whereas RBI report exposed their lies stating that the debt is only 3.89 lakh crore," he said. "The report released by the Reserve Bank of India recently titled 'Handbook of Statistics on Indian States' has proven that the Finance Minister's speech on debts is completely untrue," KTR added. He accused the finance minister of deliberately providing false information, tarnishing the reputation of the previous BRS government, and misleading the public about the true scale of the state's financial burden. "Therefore, under Rule 168 (1) of the Telangana Legislative Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, we are giving a breach of assembly notice on behalf of the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi party against the Finance Minister," KTR added. In a separate post, KTR took a swipe at the Telangana government's proposed "Tourism Policy." He mocked the government's focus on tourism, pointing out areas where, according to him, the opposition Congress government had achieved "remarkable progress." https://x.com/KTRBRS/status/1868502322868867217 "As the Telangana assembly proposes to discuss 'Tourism policy,' the two specific areas where Congress Govt has achieved remarkable progress in this sector are Delhi Tourism, with more than 100 trips made by CM and all Ministers combined, and Jail Tourism, with 40 Kodangal farmers jailed, actors jailed even after bail, social media warriors being jailed, and LnT CFO being threatened to be jailed," the post mentioned. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to soldiers who contributed to India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan on Vijay Diwas. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated that the selfless dedication and unwavering resolve of soldiers safeguarded our nation and brought glory to India in the war. "Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakeable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history," PM Modi's post reads. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1868498120096772506 Vijay Diwas for the 1971 Liberation War is celebrated nationwide on December 16 to commemorate India's victory against Pakistan in the 13-day war, which ended with Pakistan signing the instrument of surrender in Dhaka and the subsequent liberation of Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan). Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his wishes on this occasion, calling it a symbol of the culmination of courage, unwavering dedication, and valour of the country's soldiers. "'Vijay Diwas' is a symbol of the culmination of the courage, unwavering dedication, and valour of the brave soldiers of the army. On this day in 1971, the brave soldiers of the army not only defeated the morale of the enemies and hoisted the tricolour with pride but also brought about a historic change on the world map while protecting human values," Amit Shah said in a post on X. "The country will remain proud of the bravery of its warriors till eternity," he added. https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1868498377442562487 Meanwhile, on this occasion, officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, along with officers of the Bangladesh Army, laid a wreath at Vijay Smarak, Fort William, Army HQ Eastern Command in West Bengal's Kolkata. As per the Indian Army, eight distinguished Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces have reached India to participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Monday morning moved suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha, demanding a discussion on the law and order situation in Delhi. He said that Delhi has become a "hub of crime," which poses a threat to the safety of citizens including public representatives. "I would like to draw your attention to the rapidly rising crime and deteriorating law and order in Delhi. Delhi, which is the administrative centre of the country, has now become a hub of crime. The incidents happening here are posing a serious threat to the safety of not only citizens but also public representatives," Singh said. In the notice, Singh mentioned the alleged attack on former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal which happened on November 30, 2024, saying that such incidents have created an atmosphere of "fear and insecurity" among people. "The alleged attack on former Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal on November 30, 2024, has also raised serious questions on political and public safety," Singh said. Recent incidents like the murder of a child in Shalimar Bagh, bomb blast in Prashant Vihar, threats to schools in Rohini, murder of a businessman in Shahdara, and shooting of a gym trainer in broad daylight in Trilokpuri are evidence of this deteriorating situation, he added. "These incidents have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the citizens of the capital. Therefore, I request you to urgently discuss these issues under Rule 267," he said. Meanwhile, Congress MP Vijay Vasanth on Monday morning moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka authorities. "In 2024 alone, 350 fishermen and 49 fishing boats have been apprehended, the highest in the last six years. The government must urgently address this ongoing issue," Vasanth, who is Congress Lok Sabha MP from Kanyakumari, said in the adjournment motion notice. The issue significantly impacts the livelihoods of over 11 lakh people engaged in fishing across Tamil Nadu, the Congress MP said, adding that the fisherfolk communities, spread across more than 608 marine fishing villages in Tamil Nadu, consist of over 10.48 lakh fisherfolk and fishing remains the primary livelihood. Earlier, Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Monday to discuss the removal of the 1971 war photograph from Army Headquarters, New Delhi and its implications. The winter session of Parliament commenced on November 25 and has seen frequent disruptions. The session will go on till December 20. (ANI)
Officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force participated in the Vijay Diwas celebrations, paying their respects at the Army Headquarters Eastern Command.

As part of the commemoration, flowers were also showered from helicopters at the Vijay Smarak, Fort William.

Vijay Diwas is observed every year across the country on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

India and Bangladesh are jointly marking the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas, commemorating the 1971 India-Pakistan war today, with the annual exchange of war veterans and serving officers.

Eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces have arrived in Dhaka to participate in Bangladesh''s Victory Day celebrations.

Similarly, eight distinguished Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces have also reached India to participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata.

On this occasion, officers of the Indian Army laid a wreath at Shaheed Smarak, Colaba Military Station, in Mumbai and a similar wreath-laying ceremony was held in Chennai

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the soldiers who contributed to India''s victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan on Vijay Diwas.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi praised the selfless dedication and unwavering resolve of the soldiers, saying they safeguarded our nation and brought glory to India in the war.

"Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India''s historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakeable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation''s history," PM Modi''s post reads. (ANI)
Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year across the country on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the Indian armed forces in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

The Defence Minister paid homage to the soldiers on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.

In a post on X, the Union Minister outlined that the country will never forget the sacrifice and service of the Indian armed forces and saluted the 'bravery' and 'sacrifice' of the forces for their unwavering courage and patriotism.

"Today, on the special occasion of Vijay Diwas, the nation salutes the bravery and sacrifice of India's armed forces. Their unwavering courage and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe. India will never forget their sacrifice and service," the post read.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to soldiers who contributed to India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan on Vijay Diwas.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated that the selfless dedication and unwavering resolve of soldiers safeguarded our nation and brought glory to India in the war.

"Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakeable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history," PM Modi's post stated.

Meanwhile, on the occasion, officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, along with officers of the Bangladesh Army, laid a wreath at Vijay Smarak, Fort William, Army HQ Eastern Command in West Bengal's Kolkata. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday expressed his condolences over the death of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary table virtuoso. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rajnath Singh in his post paid tribute to Hussain, stating that he had left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain, who left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. Zakir Hussain who made playing the tabla his way of life, gave Indian music a reputation all over the world with the swara and dhamaka of his art," the post read. Further in his post, the Defence Minister described Hussian's demise as an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. "His demise is an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief," the post further read. Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15 in San Fransisco, USA, at the age of 73. The cause of the death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family. Widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, Ustad Zakir Hussain was not only a master of his craft but also a cultural bridge-builder who elevated Indian classical music to international acclaim. His contributions to both traditional and contemporary music have left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain inherited his talent and passion for tabla from his father, the iconic Ustad Alla Rakha. Demonstrating exceptional promise from a young age, Zakir Hussain began performing by the time he was a teenager. His unmatched skill and innate rhythm soon catapulted him to prominence in the Indian classical music world. Zakir Hussain redefined the role of the tabla, transforming it from a mere supporting instrument to a central figure in performances. Over a career spanning almost six decades, Zakir Hussain received numerous prestigious awards, including Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Indian government, 4 Grammy Awards for his contribution to world music, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, recognising his excellence in Indian classical music, the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award for traditional artists in the US. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

President Dissanayake inspected a Guard of Honour by the combined defence services.

On this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake introduced each other to their respective ministers, diplomats, and officers.

The Sri Lankan President is on a state visit to India from December 15 to December 17.

This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September.

Earlier on Sunday, the Sri Lankan President was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan in Delhi.

Following his arrival, President Dissanayake also met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

In a post on X, Dissanayake said, "During my official visit to India, I had the privilege of engaging in productive discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Our conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities, fostering regional security, and advancing key sectors such as tourism and energy. These engagements reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations."

Jaishankar, during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday, highlighted the island nation's prominent role in India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook.

However, Jaishankar, during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday, highlighted the island nation's prominent role in India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook.

He further affirmed confidence that President Dissanayake's talks with Prime Minister Modi today will lead to greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo. (ANI)
BJP State President BY Vijayendra Yediyurappa has promised to address allegations of bribery regarding the Wakf property issue during the upcoming legislative session. The controversy centers around claims made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who accused Yediyurappa of attempting to bribe former Minority Commission Chairman Anwar Manippady with Rs 150 crore to suppress investigations into Wakf property encroachments. Speaking on the matter, Yediyurappa firmly denied the allegations, stating, "CM Siddaramaiah and the Congress party are making fools of themselves by raising the Anwar Manippady issue. Today I am going to raise this issue in the House because the minister Priyanka Kharge has alleged that I was ready to give Rs 150 crore to close the Wakf issue. It is my duty to answer the query, I am going to answer in the House. I will put the facts before the House." The controversy escalated after Siddaramaiah's claims on social media, where he accused Yediyurappa of trying to bribe Manippady during the tenure of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. According to Siddaramaiah, Manippady had publicly stated that Yediyurappa visited his residence and offered Rs 150 crore to keep silent on the Wakf property encroachment report. Manippady reportedly rejected the offer and informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. Siddaramaiah also called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter, stating, "PM Modi must break his silence and order a CBI inquiry into these allegations immediately! The people of Karnataka deserve answers, not cover-ups." The Chief Minister also questioned PM Modi's silence, referring to his "Na Khaunga, Na Khane Dunga" slogan, suggesting that the BJP's actions in Karnataka contradicted Modi's anti-corruption stance. Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Priyanka Kharge criticized PM Modi for targeting the state government while ignoring corruption within his own party. She remarked in a post on X, "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 Vijayendra, of massive corruption by officially writing to him." (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday condoled the demise of Zakir Hussain and said that he had succeeded in creating a special place in the hearts of the people. Addressing the media, Raut said "Zakir Hussain succeeded in creating a special place in the hearts of people all over the world. His demise is a very sad news for the country. I pay my tribute to him." Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his condolences over Hussain's death. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rajnath Singh in his post paid tribute to Hussain, stating that he had left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain, who left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. Zakir Hussain who made playing the tabla his way of life, gave Indian music a reputation all over the world with the swara and dhamaka of his art," the post read. Further in his post, the Defence Minister described Hussian's demise as an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. "His demise is an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief," the post further read. Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15 in San Fransisco, USA, at the age of 73.The cause of the death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family. Widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, Ustad Zakir Hussain was not only a master of his craft but also a cultural bridge-builder who elevated Indian classical music to international acclaim. His contributions to both traditional and contemporary music have left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain inherited his talent and passion for tabla from his father, the iconic Ustad Alla Rakha. (ANI)
In a tribute to the shared history and sacrifice of soldiers, a special reunion between the Bangladesh delegation and Indian war veterans was held on Vijay Diwas 2024. The event, which marked India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, served as a reminder of the strong bond between India and Bangladesh. In a post on X, the eastern Command of the Indian Army shared photos of the Bangladesh delegation and Indian war veterans as they relived the glorious 1971 Liberation War. https://x.com/easterncomd/status/1868473885030494222 Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, emphasized the importance of this day, saying, "Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also shared his tribute, highlighting the key role of the Indian armed forces in the victory. He stated, "'Vijay Diwas' is a symbol of the culmination of the courage, unwavering dedication, and valour of the brave soldiers of the army. On this day in 1971, the brave soldiers of the army not only defeated the morale of the enemies and hoisted the tricolour with pride but also brought about a historic change on the world map while protecting human values. The country will remain proud of the bravery of its warriors till eternity." The occasion also saw a joint wreath-laying ceremony at Vijay Smarak, Fort William, Army HQ Eastern Command in Kolkata, attended by officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with their counterparts from the Bangladesh Army. As part of the celebrations, eight distinguished Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces joined the commemoration in India.(ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday stated that the present government is working against the principles of the Constitution of India. Addressing the media, Sanjay Raut claimed that critical institutions such as the judiciary, Parliament, the Election Commission of India (ECI), and Raj Bhavan which should be the guardians of the Constitution and the ruling government is not in the interest of the nation. "The present government is working against the Constitution of India. Today, there will be a discussion on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha.. The role being played by the judiciary, Parliament and the Election Commission of India, Raj Bhavan, which should be the guardians of the Constitution, and the ruling government is not in the interest of the nation," he said. "If the government had won more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, the topic of discussion in the Lok Sabha would have been 'Why is it necessary to change the Constitution.' In a country where the judiciary and the Election Commission of India are working under the pressure of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Modi, the Constitution is in danger," Raut added. The winter session of Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The is scheduled to conclude on December 20. Earlier on December 15, Raut launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent speech in the Lok Sabha, questioning his sincerity and commitment to fighting corruption Raut also criticised the PM's relation with business magnate Gautam Adani, implying that the Prime Minister's tolerance of Adani undermines his claims of zero tolerance towards corruption. "Ask your 56-inch chest, how many corrupt people are around me? He should ask himself. You (PM Modi) are tolerating Adani and he talks about zero tolerance towards corruption. PM Modi never does what he says," Raut told reporters. He further accused Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar of being "corrupt," demanding that PM Modi should remove the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief from the party (alliance). "He (PM Modi) should remove Ajit Pawar from the party (alliance). He took an oath in your 'great' presence...Eknath Shinde is one of the most corrupt leaders and the other 10-12 people who came with him underwent raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). Can you dare to sideline them?" Raut remarked. (ANI)
As the Mahayuti leaders were sworn in as ministers in the newly formed Maharashtra government, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday accused at least 15 ministers in the cabinet of being "tainted," saying that they have been charged with "corruption" and "harassment". Congress Vijay Wadettiwar says, "There are about 15 ministers in this cabinet, who are tainted and have corruption, harassment charges against them. Sab criminal unki parshbhoomi rahi hai (They have a criminal background). They work with goons and safeguard culprits," Wadettiwar, former Leader of Opposition (LoP), told ANI. The senior leader said that Mahayuti could change ministers after one year instead of replacing them after 2.5 years. If they work well, keep them or else remove them (from the cabinet), he added. "They have such a huge majority that they can change ministers after a year, why do they have to change after 2.5 years? They can keep changing ministers every year. If they work well, keep them or else remove them," Wadettiwar said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on Monday said that the cabinet portfolios will be distributed in two days. He asserted that there was no delay. "There is no delay. You will get to know about the portfolios ministers have received within two days," Samant told reporters. Speaking on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal's resentment for being denied a ministerial berth, Shiv Sena leader Samant said, "We are all family and such things keep happening in a family. Our leaders including Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis will figure a way out." Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the government was planning to table 20 bills during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly. The Maharashtra assembly session started on December 16 and is scheduled to end on December 21 in Nagpur. Speaking at a press conference in Nagpur's Ramgiri on Sunday, CM Fadnavis emphasised that "dynamic governance" has begun in Maharashtra. According to a statement by the CM's office, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde outlined the government's commitment to "Mission Prosperous Maharashtra," while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar assured balanced development across the state. Fadnavis on Sunday also announced that 39 leaders have taken the oath as cabinet ministers, including six as state ministers, and that portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised within two days. The cabinet expansion came more than two weeks after CM Fadnavis and his deputies were sworn in on December 5. The Mahayuti alliance had faced criticism from the opposition for delaying the announcement of its cabinet despite having a significant majority. In the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (ANI)
After the Mahayuti leaders in Maharashtra took oath as ministers, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on Monday assured that the allocation of cabinet portfolios will be distributed within two days. He asserted that there was no delay. "There is no delay. You will get to know about the portfolios ministers have received within two days," Samant told reporters. Speaking on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal's resentment for being denied a ministerial berth, Shiv Sena leader Samant said, "We are all family and such things keep happening in a family. Our leaders including Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis will figure a way out." The Shiv Sena MLA said that the winter session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly was focused on the development of the Vidarbha region and the entire state. "Today is the first day (of Maharashtra assembly winter session). The newly appointed ministers will be introduced in the assembly and bills will be tabled. The session is in Vidarbha (region) and it is meant for the development of the region and (the entire) Maharashtra," Samant said. Earlier, as the cabinet expansion of the Maharashtra government concluded, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the government was planning to table 20 bills during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly. The Maharashtra assembly session started on December 16 and is scheduled to end on December 21 in Nagpur. Speaking at a press conference in Nagpur's Ramgiri on Sunday, CM Fadnavis emphasised that "dynamic governance" has begun in Maharashtra. According to a statement by the CM's office, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde outlined the government's commitment to "Mission Prosperous Maharashtra," while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar assured balanced development across the state. Fadnavis on Sunday also announced that 39 leaders have taken the oath as cabinet ministers, including six as state ministers, and that portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised within two days. The cabinet expansion comes after a delay of over two weeks following the swearing-in of CM Fadnavis and his deputies on December 5. The Mahayuti alliance had faced criticism from the opposition for delaying the announcement of its cabinet despite having a significant majority. In the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (ANI)
Union Minister Amit Shah on Monday applauded the Chhattisgarh government on their action against the Naxalites. Addressing a press conference in Jagdalpur Shah said, "In the past year, a large number of Naxalites have been killed. Under the leadership of the Chhattisgarh government, commendable action has been taken against Naxalites in the state with a very good strategy. We will eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026..." Further, the Union Minister said that the central government in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh government would extend support to the families affected by Naxalism. "The central government, in collaboration with the state government, will extend support to the families affected by Naxalism...I urge everyone to extend their support to the campaign of the central and state governments to end Naxalism..." the Union Minister further said. On Sunday, the minister had stated that around 9,000 Naxals had surrendered in the Northeast between 2019 and 2024 alongside numerous youths from Naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra who have also laid down their arms. During his interaction with surrendered Naxals in Jagdalpur, Shah emphasised the Union Government's initiatives to reintegrate former insurgents into society. He noted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed him as Home Minister in 2019, a key priority was addressing the violence that had hindered development across large parts of India, including Naxal-affected regions. "From 2019 to 2024, in the Northeast alone, 9,000 people have surrendered. In Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, many youths in Naxal-affected areas have also surrendered," Shah said. He explained that the government implemented policies to facilitate the reintegration of those willing to abandon violence, offering them a pathway back to mainstream society. Shah added that the government had developed a comprehensive plan to support surrendered individuals and those impacted by Naxal violence. "In 2019, when PM Narendra Modi entrusted me with the role of Home Minister, many youths were taking up arms, disrupting their own lives and the development of regions such as Kashmir, the Northeast, and Naxal-affected areas. We decided to allow anyone who wished to surrender their weapons to do so," Shah said. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue court on Monday issued a notice to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj in a defamation complaint filed by former Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendra Jain. Jain has filed a criminal defamation complaint against BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj. He has also filed a civil defamation case against her. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Mittal issued notice to Swaraj and listed the matter for hearing on December 20 at 11:00 AM. The court has asked Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, the counsel for Satyendra Jain, to file a processing fee (PF) to serve her copy of the complaint. Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj appeared through video conferencing and Advocate Kaustubh Khanna physically appeared. On December 10, the court had listed the complaint of Satyendra Jain for order on pre-summoning evidence or notice in support of his complaint. Jain has alleged that Swaraj made defamatory remarks against him during an interview on a TV channel on October 5, 2023, claiming that this interview was watched by millions of people. He has claimed that these remarks were made by Swaraj to defame him and to gain undue political advantage. The allegations were levelled in the context of an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at his house, the plea said. Former Delhi Minister Jain has alleged that Swaraj falsely stated that Rs. three crores were recovered from his house. He claimed that she had also stated that 1.8 kg of gold and 133 gold coins were recovered from his house. "It is stated that these statements were made in context with the raid of ED at the complaint's house. He is on bail in this case and the same is pending before the court," read the complaint filed. Jain alleged that Swaraj had further defamed by calling him "Corrupt" and "Fraud". Several false, malicious and defamatory allegations were levelled against the complainant, he alleged. In his complaint Jain said, "It is stated that the accused has played havoc with the reputation of the complainant and the smear campaign has caused a cascading effect on the complainant as husband, father, brother, friend and as a common of the society, apart from scarring his otherwise unblemished political reputation. It is said that the damage and dent caused by the frivolous allegations levelled by the accused is immeasurable as the complainant's character and reputation stand assailed not only as the elected representative and mass leader but even in his personal capacity." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of legendary table maestro, Ustad Zakhir Hussain. Taking to social media X (formerly Twitter), Modi in a post, described Hussain as a genius who revolutionised Indian classical music, bringing the tabla to global recognition. "Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity," the post read. The Prime Minister further highlighted that Hussain's iconic performances and soulful compositions would continue to inspire generations of music lovers and musicians. "His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community," the post further read. Earlier, on Monday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also condoled the demise of Zakir Hussain, recalling his ability to win a special place in the hearts of people worldwide. Addressing the media, Raut said "Zakir Hussain succeeded in creating a special place in the hearts of people all over the world. His demise is a very sad news for the country. I pay my tribute to him." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also expressed his condolences over Hussain's death. Taking to X, Rajnath Singh in his post paid tribute to Hussain, stating that he had left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain, who left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. Zakir Hussain who made playing the tabla his way of life, gave Indian music a reputation all over the world with the swara and dhamaka of his art," Singh wrote. Further in his post, the Defence Minister described Hussian's demise as an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. "His demise is an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief," the post further read. Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15 in San Fransisco, USA, at the age of 73. The cause of the death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family. Widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, Ustad Zakir Hussain was not only a master of his craft but also a cultural bridge-builder who elevated Indian classical music to international acclaim. His contributions to both traditional and contemporary music have left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain inherited his talent and passion for tabla from his father, the iconic Ustad Alla Rakha. (ANI)
Union Minister Amit Shah offered his condolences on Monday over the demise of the tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. Taking to social media X (formerly Twitter), Shah wrote in his post that Hussain crafted masterpieces that transcended the borders of language and culture. "A rhythm fell silent today. Pained by the demise of the tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. Blessed with musical genius, Hussain Ji crafted masterpieces that transcended the borders of language and culture by evoking the emotions behind rhythms. His music will remain as a thread that unites humanity," the post read. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his deep sorrow over Hussain's passing. Taking to social media X, Modi in a post, described Hussain as a genius who revolutionised Indian classical music, bringing the tabla to global recognition. "Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity," the post read. The Prime Minister further highlighted that Hussain's iconic performances and soulful compositions would continue to inspire generations of music lovers and musicians. "His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community," the post further read. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also expressed his condolences over Hussain's death. Taking to X, Rajnath Singh in his post paid tribute to Hussain, stating that he had left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain, who left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. Zakir Hussain who made playing the tabla his way of life, gave Indian music a reputation all over the world with the swara and dhamaka of his art," Singh wrote. Further in his post, the Defence Minister described Hussian's demise as an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. "His demise is an irreparable loss for the world of art and music. My condolences are with his family and fans in this hour of grief," the post further read. Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15 in San Fransisco, USA, at the age of 73. The cause of the death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family. (ANI)
The Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with Sunita Dwivedi, on Monday installed the 'iconic 1971 surrender painting' at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The iconic phainting portrays the ceremonial surrender of Pakistani soldiers to the Indian Army on 16 December, 1971, in Dhaka following the liberation of Bangladesh was installed on the occasion of Vijay Diwas. December 16, 1971, was the day when Pakistan signed the instrument of surrender in Dhaka, following a 13-day India-Pakistan War. This resulted in the surrender of over 93,000 soldiers, and the Pakistan Army's capitulation against Indian forces was complete. Following this decisive victory, India announced itself as a major regional force. "On the occasion of #VijayDiwas, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS, along with the President #AWWA, Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, installed the iconic 1971 surrender painting in its most befitting place, The Manekshaw Centre, named after the architect and the hero of the 1971 War, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw." The Indian Army posted on X. Senior serving officers of the Indian Army and veterans were present on this occasion. As per the Indian Army, the installation at the Manekshaw Centre, named after the Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, will benefit a large audience due to substantial footfall of diverse audiences and dignitaries from India and abroad at this venue. "This painting is a testament to one of the greatest military victories of the #IndianArmedForces and the commitment of #India to justice & humanity for all. Its placement at the #ManekshawCentre #NewDelhi will benefit a large audience due to substantial footfall of diverse audience & dignitaries from #India and abroad at this venue," the post further reads. Notably, the painting was earlier installed in the Army Headquarters, New Delhi. Earlier in the day, Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Monday to discuss the removal of a 1971 war photograph from Army Headquarters, New Delhi, and its implications. In his notice to Speaker Om Birla, Manickam Tagore said that the removal of the photograph, which commemorates the historic surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 16, 1971, is not only troubling but is a direct affront to the historical memory of this monumental event. He urged the central government to "immediately" restore the photograph to its original position. For India, the 1971 victory is a historic milestone, and December 16 is commemorated nationwide as "Vijay Diwas" to honour India's triumph over Pakistan. According to reports, 3,900 Indian soldiers are believed to have died and 9,851 were injured during the war of 1971. (ANI)
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday lashed out at the Congress saying that they were getting into hot water by blaming Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for their defeat. He said that the Congress has lost its confidence and the peoples trust. "Congress cannot win by blaming EVMs," he added. "We are still going among the people. We are running a membership drive of inducting 1.5 crore people and doing our work. By blaming EVMs for their loss, Congress apne pair par kulhadi maar rahi hai (Congress is getting into hot water). Congress cannot win by blaming EVMs, they have lost their confidence and trust," Bawankule told reporters. Speaking on the proposed 2.5-year formula to have a rotational ministerial berth in the Maharashtra government, Bawankule said that there was no dispute in portfolio allocation. "There is no delay in allocating portfolios to the ministers. There is no dispute. I was also part of the talks and the matter stands finished. There is no dispute and it will be announced soon," Bawankule said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday accused at least 15 ministers in the cabinet of being "tainted," saying that they have been charged with "corruption" and "harassment". "There are about 15 ministers in this cabinet, who are tainted and have corruption, and harassment charges against them. Sab criminal unki parshbhoomi rahi hai (They have a criminal background). They work with goons and safeguard culprits," Wadettiwar, former Leader of Opposition (LoP), told ANI. Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on Monday assured that the allocation of cabinet portfolios will be distributed within two days. He asserted that there was no delay. "There is no delay. You will get to know about the portfolios ministers have received within two days," Samant told reporters. Speaking on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal's resentment for being denied a ministerial berth, Shiv Sena leader Samant said, "We are all family and such things keep happening in a family. Our leaders including Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis will figure a way out. "The Shiv Sena MLA said that the winter session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly was focused on the development of the Vidarbha region and the entire state. Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the government was planning to table 20 bills during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly. He also said that 39 leaders have taken the oath as cabinet ministers, including six as state ministers, and that portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised within two days. The cabinet expansion came more than two weeks after CM Fadnavis and his deputies were sworn in on December 5. The Mahayuti alliance had faced criticism from the opposition for delaying the announcement of its cabinet despite having a significant majority. In the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (ANI)
Taking a jibe at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said on Monday that she studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the students there are so progressive and contributive to nations development whether it is in Economics, Political Science but here today, there's talk of dismantling democratic values. "They studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University but I do not know what they studied because the students who studied there are so progressive and they have a big hand in building the country whether it is in Economics, Political Science or History but here the talk is about eliminating the democratic things," Kharge said. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,' Kharge emphasized that all must adhere to the Constitution and its Preamble. "Merely pointing fingers at each other won't help. The Jan Sangh had once aimed to structure the Constitution based on the laws of Manusmriti. This was the intent of the RSS. Those who despise the tricolor, the Ashoka Chakra, and the Constitution are now lecturing us. On the day the Constitution was implemented, these people burned effigies of Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru at Ramlila Maidan. They insult the Nehru-Gandhi family without shame," he said. "In 1949, RSS leaders opposed the Constitution of India because it was not based on Manusmriti... Neither did they accept the Constitution nor the tricolour. On 26 January 2002, for the first time, the tricolour was hoisted at the RSS headquarters under compulsion. Because there was a court order," he added. He recalled that in 1931, during the Karachi Congress session presided over by Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru proposed a resolution on fundamental rights and economic policies, which was passed. "The Constitution didn't emerge out of nowhere but was shaped by pivotal movements, the freedom struggle, and even earlier events. Nehru made the demand for a Constituent Assembly a central issue in the 1937 elections. These people neither respect Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, nor Ambedkar.," Kharge added. The LoP also mentioned that that in 1949, RSS leaders opposed the Indian Constitution because it wasn't based on Manusmriti. "Even today, the spirit of Manusmriti remains ingrained in them, and they blame us instead. They neither respected the tricolor nor the Constitution, which is why it took a court order on January 26, 2002, to compel the RSS headquarters to hoist the national flag," he said. Mallikarjun Kharge also asserted that the Constitution empowers the poor and serves as a moral guide for governance. "It leaves no room for discrimination based on caste, creed, gender, or economic status. Yet, threats to the Constitution persist. For the sake of future generations, we must preserve and protect it. We need to remain vigilant because their intentions are unpredictable and can change at any time," he said. Further, he praised former PM Indira Gandhi over 1971 war and also called on the Centre to take steps to protect the minorities in Bangladesh. "The 1971 war, in which our brave leader Indira Gandhi broke Pakistan into two and captured 1 lakh Pakistani soldiers. Known as the "Iron Lady," she showed that anyone who threatened us would face severe consequences. Considering the current situation in Bangladesh, the government should open its eyes and take steps to protect the minorities," Kharge said. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor and former Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal offered condolences on the death of Padma Vibhushan awardee Ustad Zakir Hussain. In a post on X, Kejriwal said that the news of the demise of the maestro is "extremely sad" and said that the country has lost a precious gem. "The news of the demise of famous tabla player Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain is extremely sad. Indian music world has lost a precious gem today. His art and music will remain alive in our hearts for centuries. May God give peace to the departed soul. Humble tribute," the post read. https://x.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1868544873080787172 Speaking to ANI on Zakir Hussain's death, RJD MP Manoj Jha said, "We all have grown up listening to him. You might remember that 'Wah Taj Wah' had become a tagline. May God give strength to his fans." Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty said that it gave her "immense pain" and she remembered the tabla maestro as a "good human being." "It gives me immense pain to hear about #ZakirHussain's demise. He was the one who introduced the beauty of the Tabla to Western countries. He was a good human being and I knew him personally. It is a great loss to India and the music world," she said while speaking to ANI. Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15 in San Fransisco, USA, at the age of 73. The cause of the death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family. Widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of all time, Ustad Zakir Hussain was not only a master of his craft but also a cultural bridge-builder who elevated Indian classical music to international acclaim. His contributions to both traditional and contemporary music have left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain inherited his talent and passion for tabla from his father, the iconic Ustad Alla Rakha. (ANI)
On Sunday, Thai AirAsia X launched direct flights between Delhi and Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK), marking the 150th destination connected to Delhi Airport.

The new route will operate with Airbus A330 aircraft twice a week, with plans to increase the frequency to four times a week by mid-January 2025.

In a statement, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) highlighted that over the years, Delhi Airport has added more than 20 exclusive international destinations, including Phnom Penh, Bali Denpasar, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Washington Dulles, Chicago O'Hare, and Tokyo Haneda, among others.

In the past decade, the airport has experienced a 100 per cent increase in transfer passengers, further solidifying its position as a leading transit hub in South Asia.

Out of all the long-haul destinations from India, 88 per cent of destinations are connected from Delhi and 56 per cent of all long-haul weekly flights departing from India, operate from the Delhi airport. Almost 50 per cent (42 per cent, to be exact) of long-haul passengers from India choose Delhi as their gateway.

Delhi Airport enables seamless connections for four million domestic passengers annually to international destinations. The ongoing introduction of wide-body aircraft by Indian carriers is poised to transform Delhi Airport into a super-connector hub, reinforcing its position as a leading choice for international and long-haul travel.

"This milestone of connecting 150 destinations is a testament to our unwavering commitment to enhancing global connectivity and providing world-class travel experiences. We are proud to lead India into a new era of aviation and remain dedicated to being a hub of choice for travellers worldwide," said Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited.

Delhi Airport's state-of-the-art infrastructure, passenger-centric facilities, and efficient transfer processes have played a pivotal role in its success, making it a benchmark for excellence in the aviation industry. (ANI)
Members of Parliament from Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) have raised concerns over the ongoing farmers' protest in Delhi, calling for a more compassionate response from the government and the immediate fulfillment of farmers' demands, particularly the implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP). Congress MP Pramod Tiwari stated that the government's response to farmers' grievances has been insufficient. "The demands of farmers should be fulfilled and MSP should be implemented," Tiwari said, echoing the long-standing demand from farmer groups that the government guarantee MSP for crops to ensure fair prices for their produce. Meanwhile, Congress MP Amar Singh highlighted the protest led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an 'Amaran Anshan' (hunger strike) for the past 20 days. Singh stressed the urgency of resolving the issue through dialogue, "It has been twenty days since the farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is sitting on 'Amar Anshan'. A Union Minister should go to hold talks with the farmers and the farmers do not need permission to come to Delhi... " Singh remarked, emphasizing that the farmers' demands must be addressed without delay." Singh further said that all the "demands of the farmers" should be fulfilled underlining that prolonged inaction is only exacerbating the farmers' distress. Earlier in the day, SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav also criticized the government's refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue with the farmers. "This Government doesn't want to resolve any issue through dialogues. It wants to use lathi, tear gas and even bullets if it comes to that. They should use 'boli' instead of 'goli', they should talk to people," Yadav said, referring to the heavy-handed tactics employed during past protests. Yadav urged the government to create a "delegation of 2-3 ministers" who could engage directly with farmer leaders to find a peaceful resolution. "Fighting is not a solution. Why do farmers have to agitate again and again?" he questioned. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday said that it does not make a difference if he wasn't made a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet because he is never finished, implying that he still remains relevant. "I feel I have been rewarded (for challenging Manoj Jarange Patil). If my supporters are gathering in Nashik, what can I do about it? I am an ordinary worker, what difference does it make if I am ignored or thrown out? I may or may not have been given ministerial posts but Chhagan Bhujbal is never finished," Bhujbal, former Minister of Maharashtra, told reporters. Reacting to several senior leaders not being named in the Maharashtra cabinet, the senior leader said that nothing can be said about the decision taken by party leaders. Bhujbal said party leaders informed him that senior leaders were not included to give a chance to new people. "The decision is in the hands of the party leaders. Nothing can be said about it...Who is to be included in the cabinet is the decision of the party leaders. They (party leaders) told us that senior leaders were not included to give a chance to new people," Bhujbal said. This comes after Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said that there was no dispute in relation to the cabinet portfolio allocation. "There is no delay in allocating portfolios to the ministers. There is no dispute. I was also part of the talks and the matter stands finished. There is no dispute and it will be announced soon," Bawankule said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday accused at least 15 ministers in the cabinet of being "tainted," saying that they have been charged with "corruption" and "harassment". "There are about 15 ministers in this cabinet, who are tainted and have corruption, and harassment charges against them. Sab criminal unki parshbhoomi rahi hai (They have a criminal background). They work with goons and safeguard culprits," Wadettiwar, former Leader of Opposition (LoP), told ANI. Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on Monday assured that the allocation of cabinet portfolios will be distributed within two days. He asserted that there was no delay. "There is no delay. You will get to know about the portfolios ministers have received within two days," Samant told reporters. Speaking on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal's resentment for being denied a ministerial berth, Shiv Sena leader Samant said, "We are all family and such things keep happening in a family. Our leaders including Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis will figure a way out." Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the government was planning to table 20 bills during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly. He also said that 39 leaders have taken the oath as cabinet ministers, including six as state ministers, and that portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised within two days. The cabinet expansion came more than two weeks after CM Fadnavis and his deputies were sworn in on December 5. The Mahayuti alliance had faced criticism from the opposition for delaying the announcement of its cabinet despite having a significant majority. In the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (ANI)
Congress Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi on Monday urged the Union government to raise its voice against the 'atrocities' committed against minorities in Bangladesh. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Congress MP from Wayanad urged the government to hold talks with Bangladesh. "The first issue I want to discuss is that this government should raise its voice against the atrocities committed against the Hindu and Christian minorities in Bangladesh; it should hold talks with them and take their support," Priyanka Gandhi said. Gandhi, on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, paid tribute to soldiers who fought in the 1971 war and highlighted the leadership role of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the war. "Today is Vijay Diwas. First of all, I want to salute the brave soldiers who fought for us in the war of 1971. Whatever was happening in Bangladesh, no one was listening to the voice of the people of Bangladesh, our Bengali brothers and sisters. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister at that time; I want to salute her. She showed courage in the most difficult situations and showed such leadership that made the country victorious," Priyanka Gandhi stated. She further raised the alleged removal of the 'iconic 1971 surrender painting' from the Army Headquarters in New Delhi. "The second issue is that today, a picture has been taken down from the headquarters of the Army in which the Pakistani Army is surrendering in front of the Indian Army," she added. Earlier in the day the Army clarified that Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with Sunita Dwivedi had installed the 'iconic 1971 surrender painting' at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The iconic painting portrays the ceremonial surrender of Pakistani soldiers to the Indian Army on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka following the liberation of Bangladesh and was installed on the occasion of Vijay Diwas. December 16, 1971, was the day when Pakistan signed the instrument of surrender in Dhaka, following a 13-day India-Pakistan War. This resulted in the surrender of over 93,000 soldiers, and the Pakistan Army's capitulation against Indian forces was complete. Following this decisive victory, India announced itself as a major regional force. (ANI)
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Monday lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's statement on the discussion of the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha and said that he should find a new scriptwriter. "Sanjay Raut... elections are over. Please find a new scriptwriter, the ruling government only works in the interest of the nation. Sanjay Raut comes out every morning with a frivolous agreement that the government of India is working against the Constitution of India and the role of the judiciary, Parliament, Election Commission of India, Raj Bhavan and the custodians of the Constitution is under threat," Shaina NC said speaking to ANI. Further, the Shiv Sena leader said that there was no threat to the Constitution, judiciary, Parliament, Election Commission of India and the Raj Bhavan. "If we had won more seats in the Lok Sabha elections, it would have been a topic of discussion. You are questioning our integrity. There is no threat to the Constitution, judiciary, Parliament, Election Commission of India, Raj Bhavan because PM Modi and the stakeholders of the ruling government are working in the interest of the nation..."Shaina NC further said. Earlier today, Sanjay Raut had claimed that critical institutions such as the judiciary, Parliament, the Election Commission of India (ECI), and Raj Bhavan which should be the guardians of the Constitution and the ruling government is not in the interest of the nation. "The present government is working against the Constitution of India. Today, there will be a discussion on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha.. The role being played by the judiciary, Parliament and the Election Commission of India, Raj Bhavan, which should be the guardians of the Constitution, and the ruling government is not in the interest of the nation," he said. "If the government had won more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, the topic of discussion in the Lok Sabha would have been 'Why is it necessary to change the Constitution.' In a country where the judiciary and the Election Commission of India are working under the pressure of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Modi, the Constitution is in danger," Raut added. The winter session of Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The is scheduled to conclude on December 20. (ANI)
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia slammed the opposition parties over raising issues related to the Constitution in the lower house of the Parliament saying the opposition, which itself didn't respect the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exposed them. The Union Minister further added that if anyone was serving the country keeping the Constitution in the heart, then it was only PM Modi. "The Opposition which itself doesn't respect the Constitution, the PM has exposed them. Now the people of the country also know that holding a copy of the Constitution in hand and serving the country following the principles of the Constitution are two different things. If anyone is able to do this then it is PM Modi," Scindia told ANI. Earlier on Saturday, Modi launched a scathing attack on Congress, accusing them of disrespecting the Constitution and presented eleven pledges for India's bright future, noting that the government and people should follow their duties and the country's politics should be free of "parivarvad". Responding to a two-day discussion in Lok Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution, PM Modi made repeated reference to the Nehru-Gandhi family, accusing every generation of its leaders of disrespecting the Constitution. "Congress has continuously disrespected the Constitution. It has made attempts to reduce its importance. History of Congress is full of such examples," he said. He took the "biggest jumla" jibe at Congress over its 'Garibi Hatao' slogan and said his government's mission is to free the poor from their difficulties. "If we follow our fundamental duties, no one can stop us from making Viksit," the Prime Minister said. Slamming Congress for the emergency, he said the country was turned into a prison, citizens' rights were snatched, and press freedom was curtailed. Taking a dig at Congress, he said from 1947 to 1952, India did not have an elected government but a temporary, selected one, with no elections held. He highlighted that before 1952, the Rajya Sabha was not formed, and there were no state elections, meaning there was no mandate from the people. The two-day debate on 75 years of the Constitution started in Lok Sabha on December 13. 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)
The Indian Army on Monday commemorated the 53rd anniversary of Vijay Diwas marking the triumphant liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistani occupation in 1971 in Assam's Guwahati, an official release said. This momentous occasion celebrates the bravery and resilience of the Bangladeshi people and Indian Armed Forces who fought side by side for freedom and independence. The Bangladesh Liberations War was a pivotal moment in modern history, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh as a sovereign Nation. The war culminated in the surrender of more than 93,000 Pakistani Forces on 16th Dec 1971, an unparalleled feat in modern wars, the release said. "As we celebrate this milestone, we honour the sacrifices of the bravehearts who laid down their lives for the Nation. To celebrate this momentous victory Senior Army Officers of Indian Army and Bangladesh Army exchanged sweets at the Akhura, Indo-Bangladesh Border as a symbol of their enduring friendship and cooperation. This tradition shall be a hallmark in strengthening of bilateral ties between the two Nations," the release added. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to soldiers who contributed to India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan on Vijay Diwas. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated that the selfless dedication and unwavering resolve of soldiers safeguarded our nation and brought glory to India in the war. "Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakeable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history," PM Modi's post reads. On this occasion, officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, along with officers of the Bangladesh Army, laid a wreath at Vijay Smarak, Fort William, Army HQ Eastern Command in West Bengal's Kolkata. (ANI)
Farmers organized a march to Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border on tractors, where protesting farmers continue to remain over their various demands. The ongoing agitation has intensified after violent clashes between farmers and police, with 17 farmers reportedly injured. The farmers have vowed to continue their protests, including a tractor march planned for December 16 and a 'Rail Roko' on December 18. Meanwhile, Haryana Minister Anil Vij Haryana Minister Anil Vij has urged farmers to find alternative ways to protest, rather than blocking trains. In a statement, he said, "After permission from the Administration, every organisation can hold a protest. The farmers should not block trains as it will cause inconvenience to many people. They should find another way to protest." Earlier, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher confirmed the planned protests, stating that the tractor march would be held outside Punjab on December 16, followed by a large-scale rail blockade in Punjab two days later. His announcement came after a group of 101 farmers, known as the 'Jathha,' was blocked by police while trying to march toward the Shambhu border. Pandher condemned the actions of the police, accusing them of using excessive force to disperse the protestors. "The Indian government, the fifth-largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical water was thrown at us using cannons, bombs were hurled, and tear gas shells were fired. Seventeen farmers have been injured, many of whom are in serious condition, and they are not being given proper treatment in the hospital. We urge the Punjab government to ensure adequate treatment," Pandher claimed. He called on the Punjab government to ensure adequate medical care for the injured farmers. Pandher also announced that the farmers would continue their protest with a 'Rail Roko' (Rail Blockade) in Punjab on December 18. He urged the people of Punjab, particularly those living near railway tracks, to participate in the blockade by stopping train services from 12 to 3 pm. Addressing the political climate, Pandher criticized the opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, for not effectively representing farmers' concerns in Parliament. "We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in large numbers," he added, stressing the importance of the upcoming protests. Despite the heavy-handed response from authorities, farmers have remained committed to their demands, which include securing Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees and opposing corporate control over agricultural markets. (ANI)
Press Release

December 16, 2024 Senate approves bills of national, local scope before X'mas break With only three session days before Christmas break, the Senate on Monday, December 16, 2024, approved on third and final reading several measures which aim to improve the country's prospect as an investment destination, spur economic growth, and create jobs. Also passed were local bills aimed at protecting the country's seascapes and landscapes nationwide. The Senate adjourns session on December 18, 2024 for the holiday season and will resume on January 13, 2025. Passed were Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2898, authored by Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero, or an Act Liberalizing the Lease of Private Lands by Foreign Investors. The bill seeks to extend land lease limits for foreign investors to 99 from 75 years in a bid to entice foreign investments. Senate Bill No. 2898 also allows foreign investors to sublet properties unless barred by a contract. The bill is a priority measure of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr.'s government. It seeks to amend the 31-year-old Investors' Lease Act, allowing foreign investors to lease private land for an initial period of 50 years, and is renewable once for a period of not more than 25 years. The proposal will allow foreign investors to lease land for agriculture, agroforestry and ecological conservation purposes. "Attracting foreign investors has been a long-standing priority of the government, spanning several administrations. Foreign direct investment, as a source of financing, is critical in realizing socio-economic objectives such as increasing employment levels, creating decent work, infusing technology into domestic businesses, and improving the integration of local enterprises with the global market." Escudero explained. "This bill seeks to address this economic roadblock by strengthening the legal framework for long-term leases provided under Republic Act No. 7652. It expands the allowable lease period to 99 years, subject to certain conditions and requirements," he added. Also passed on third and final reading was SBN 2878 which seeks to reorganize the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Into the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev). Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, chairperson of the Committee on Economic Affairs, led the deliberations on the proposed measure, which positions DEPDev as the government's primary policy, planning, coordinating and monitoring body for economic development. Further, the Senate unanimously approved SBN 2799 or the Metro Bataan Development Authority Act to facilitate the holistic development of the province with the creation of the Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA). On child care, the Senate passed on third reading SBN 2575 which seeks to ensure the alignment of basic education and early childhood care and development. On social justice, the Senate approved on final reading SBN 1273 or the Muslim Filipinos, Indigenous Peoples, and Other Denominations Access to Public Cemeteries Act filed by Sen. Robinhood Padilla. Under the bill, public cemeteries will determine the size of burial grounds for Muslims, indigenous peoples, and other denominations. If the portion is insufficient, the local government may acquire land. Several local bills approved by the Senate were measures seeking to protect seascape and landscape areas in Leyte (SBN 2617); Ilocos Norte (SBN 2252); Quezon Province (SBN 1725, 1691); Nueva Vizcaya (SBN 355); Lanao del Norte (SBN 2619); Zamboanga del Norte (SBN 2618); Albay (SBN 2616); Tarlac (SBN 2615); and, Aurora Province (SBN 2614). The Senate also approved on third reading SBN 2872, or an Act Declaring the Sixteenth Day of May of Every Year a Special Working Holiday to be known as the "National Education Support Personnel Day," mandating the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to lead in its Observance.
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice on a plea moved by Delhi Police seeking transfer of the case proceedings against three accused under MCOCA from Dwarka District Court to special MP/MLA court at Rouse Avenue. In this case, AAP MLA Naresh Balyan has also been arrested. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued notice on the petition. The matter was listed on December 18 before the concerned bench. The court recorded the submissions made by the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Laksh Khanna who urged the notice to be issued for tomorrow that the copies of the plea will be served to three accused/respondents who are in judicial custody. APP Khanna also submitted that the matter is urgent and sensitive as the proceeding of judicial custody of three respondents is listed tomorrow. Delhi police sought transfer of case proceedings under MCOCA against three accused Ritik alias Peter, Rohit alias Anna and Sachin Chikara. These accused are in judicial custody and presently case proceedings are before Special MCOCA Judge Vandana Jain of Dwarka Court. APP Laksh Khanna submitted that an MLA has been arrested in this case and proceedings related to him are going before the Special MP/MLA Court at Rouse Avenue. On the other hand, proceedings related to three respondents are going before the Special Judge (MCOCA) at Dwarka Court, he added. The proceedings cannot be going in one FIR before two courts. The matter ought to be heard by the Special MP/MLA court at Rouse Avenue, APP Laksh Khanna submitted. In the morning, the matter was mentioned the matter before the bench of the acting Chief Justice. On December 13, the Rouse Avenue court had declined the police custody of AAP MLA Naresh Balyan in judicial custody. He was remanded to judicial custody after police interrogation in MCOCA case. He was arrested on December 4. Delhi police had taken seven days custody of Balyan after producing him before the Special MP/MLA judge at Rouse Avenue court. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja had remanded Naresh Balyan in judicial custody. It was submitted by Delhi Police that some new facts emerged during the interrogation. The SPP submitted that the custody required to identify the other associate of an organised crime syndicate. The accused is not disclosing the names of his associates. It was also argued that custody is required to know the manner in which Balyan was sending money abroad to Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu. It was argued by Advocate M S Khan had opposed the police custody extension. He submitted that further custody is not required. He said that as per witness 9 associates are identified. Approval from a competent officer is required to register an offence under MCOCA. 15 FIRs Were registered against Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu. All were investigated and charge sheets were filed in some of them. Delhi police is relying on the offences linked with the period of 18 5 2021 to July 2023, the accused counsel argued. "No fresh offence is there. Those offences can't be reinvestigated under the garb of MCOCA," Advocate M S Khan had argued. There should be continuous criminal activities to invoke an MCOCA, he added. He further argued that there should be continuous criminal activity as a member of a crime syndicate. It is very clear that there should be a fresh act done by the accused. No fresh act is there. No ground for further remand is made out. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to valiant soldiers and laid a wreath at the Shaheed Smarak in Gandhi Park, Dehradun, on the occasion of Vijay Diwas on Monday. According to an official release, addressing the Vijay Diwas celebrations at Gandhi Park, Chief Minister Dhami said Indian soldiers not only protected the nation's integrity and honour during the 1971 war but also defeated the enemy with their exceptional battle skills. The Chief Minister described the 1971 war with Pakistan as a golden chapter in India's history, a source of pride and inspiration for every Indian. "In the 1971 war, our army demonstrated to the world that India is not only capable of defending its sovereignty but can also stand for humanity and justice when necessary. In this war, our three armed forces compelled Pakistan to surrender in just 13 days," said CM Dhami. Referring to the creation of Bangladesh, he added, "The nation of Bangladesh, for whose liberation nearly 3,900 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in the 1971 war, is now making offensive remarks against India, seemingly influenced by communal ideologies. The widespread atrocities and violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh are a grave violation of humanitarian principles." Chief Minister Dhami further stated that approximately 100,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army on 16 December 1971, marking a unique event in global military history. "In that war, about 3,900 Indian soldiers attained martyrdom, including 255 brave sons of Veerbhoomi Uttarakhand. Additionally, 74 soldiers from our state were honoured with various gallantry awards for their indomitable courage," he noted. He emphasised the state government's commitment to the welfare of soldiers and their families under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highlighting the state's progress, the Chief Minister said Uttarakhand is achieving new milestones in development. He stated that the state secured the top rank in the NITI Aayog's index and has significantly reduced unemployment. The government is also working towards doubling the state's per capita income. Referring to the upcoming National Games to be held in Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the event would establish the state not only as the "Land of Gods" and "Land of Heroes" but also as the "Land of Sports." Earlier in the day, the Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with Sunita Dwivedi, unveiled the "iconic 1971 surrender painting" at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The painting depicts the ceremonial surrender of Pakistani soldiers to the Indian Army on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka, following the liberation of Bangladesh. December 16, 1971, marks the day Pakistan signed the Instrument of Surrender in Dhaka after a 13-day war with India. The surrender of over 93,000 soldiers marked the complete capitulation of the Pakistan Army against Indian forces. This decisive victory established India as a significant regional power. (ANI)
Continuing its probe into various Assam Ponzi scam cases, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed five additional charge sheets in separate cases against 18 accused, including 16 individuals and two organisations, according to a press release issued on Monday. The release stated that these cases were investigated by CBI Guwahati and are distinct from four charge sheets earlier filed by CBI Delhi, which is also handling Assam Ponzi Investment Scam cases. One of the charge sheets was filed against three accused, including two private individuals and a private company, before the Special CBI Court in Guwahati. This relates to an ongoing investigation into large-scale financial fraud, part of the Assam Investment Scam cases being probed by the CBI at the request of the Assam government. In this specific case, the CBI registered charges against Hemen Rava, Director of Upepithets Holdings Pvt. Ltd., alleging that he engaged in a financial scam that violated RBI and SEBI guidelines. It was alleged that Rava induced the general public to enter into notarised loan agreements with promises of high returns, misappropriating funds for personal gain and defrauding investors who fell prey to his scheme. The CBI's investigation uncovered significant material evidence implicating the two accused individuals and Upepithets Holdings Pvt. Ltd. The findings revealed their involvement in operating an illegal deposit scheme that solicited funds from investors under false pretences. They used deceptive means, such as notarised stamp papers, to promise guaranteed monthly returns of 6 per cent or higher, the press release noted. Another charge sheet was filed against five accused, including four private individuals and a cooperative society, in connection with deposits collected by Brahmaputra Sanchay and Biniyog Cooperative Society under the scheme "Grihalakshmi." The CBI alleged that investors were lured with promises of substantial returns, such as bonuses and interest, but the deposits were subsequently misappropriated. The investigation revealed that the accused promoted unregulated deposit schemes through the cooperative society, making false promises of annual returns of up to 15 per cent, the CBI stated. In another case, a charge sheet was filed against four private individuals. The CBI investigation established that the accused had conspired to operate an unregulated deposit scheme, intending to defraud the public. The funds collected were misappropriated and diverted to the bank accounts of the accused, their family members, or associates for personal use. All the accused are currently in judicial custody. A separate charge sheet was filed against two private individuals accused of running stock trading businesses under the guise of their company, "Go Millions LLP," which was ostensibly formed to sell cosmetics and other products. The CBI alleged that the accused induced the public to invest money with promises of high returns, violating SEBI and RBI guidelines, and misappropriated the funds. Additionally, the CBI filed a charge sheet against four private individuals for conspiring to collect deposits through UPI, cash, or cheques in the name of Titan Capital Market. The investigation revealed that the collected funds were neither deposited nor invested in any regulated deposit scheme, as claimed, the CBI said. During the investigation, the CBI traced databases containing details of depositors who had been deceived into investing in these unregulated schemes. Further investigations into various aspects of these cases are ongoing. (ANI)
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things." The row erupted when Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying the bag during a Parliament session. It had "Palestine" written on it and several emblems embedded in it, including a watermelon, a symbol which is often associated with Palestinian solidarity. Reacting to the BJP's accusation of appeasement, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that instead of talking about this "rubbish," the government should take some steps regarding the atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus. She asserted that the Central government should talk to Bangladesh about this issue. " The atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus...something should be done regarding this. Talks should be held with Bangladesh govt regarding this...and they should not say such useless things" Vadra told reporters in the Parliament premises. The BJP seized on the opportunity to criticize her, alleging that the bag's inscription indicated her support for Palestine over India's interests. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused her of "appeasement" and said the Congress party uses different agendas to get votes by entangling them. Manoj Tiwari said, "Congress does appeasement. They don't do anything good to the Muslim community. They use different agendas to get votes by entangling them. You may have heard PM Modi has said about Congress' one gimmick - 'Garibi Hatao', which was used by Nehru Ji, Indira Ji, Rajiv Ji and currently it is being used by both Rahul and Priyanka Ji. They love and support the people of the country by dividing them. Now, the people of the country knows this trick." Union MoS SP Singh Bhagel noted that Vadra carrying a bag with Palestine written on it was not just a mere coincidence, rather it was an attempt to give a message. He stated that through this move, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes. Baghel told ANI, "This is not just a coincidence, rather, it is being tried to give a message. If only she carried an Indian bag, which is unique for every district and is being made in several cities, including Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, etc. If she could use 'Swadeshi' product, as it could give huge boost to that industry...By carrying a bag written Palestine on it, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes." Notably, on December 11, Palestine Embassy Charge de Affairs Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer met Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at her residence to congratulate her on her victory in the Waynad Lok Sabha seat. Jazer said that Vadra assured him of her support for Palestine's freedom. "I met Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi at her residence to congratulate her on her victory as a member of the Indian parliament in the 18th Lok Sabha (Wayanad) constituency. Mrs. Priyanka affirmed her support for the Palestinian people's struggle to achieve their aspirations of freedom and independence," the statement said. Jazer said that Vadra recollected meeting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as a child when he visited India to meet Former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi. Since October 2023, Israel-Palestine has been engaged in an ongoing conflict after Hamas attacked Israel and captured its citizens. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. India's policy towards Palestine has been long-standing and consistent. We have supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel, as per MEA. "India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 07 October 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. We have called for restraint and de-escalation and emphasized peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We have also called for the release of the remaining hostages. The Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have spoken to several leaders, including the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel and the President and Foreign Minister of Palestine. External Affairs Minister met the Foreign Minister of Palestine on 20 January 2024 in Kampala and reiterated India's support for a two-state solution. We also reiterated our position in multilateral fora such as the UN, G20, BRICS and Voice of Global South Summit," the statement reads. (ANI)
According to customs officials, airport security detected two gold bars, weighing 300 grams and valued at Rs 22.2 lakh, concealed inside an adaptor.

"A male passenger (Indian) arriving from Riyadh was intercepted at Delhi airport by Customs officials on December 15. X-ray scans revealed two gold bars of 300 g worth Rs 22.2 lakh cleverly concealed inside an adaptor," said the Customs department.

A week earlier, a passenger travelling domestically from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to New Delhi was caught with 13 gold pieces weighing nearly 999 grams.

The estimated value of the foreign-origin gold was approximately Rs 72.72 lakh. Authorities stated that further investigation was underway.

Airport security had flagged suspicious images during the X-ray screening of the baggage. The passenger was intercepted based on information provided by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at IGI Airport.

In another incident, customs officials reported that three male passengers travelling from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to New Delhi were intercepted.

The passengers, holding Uzbek passports, admitted to concealing eight irregularly shaped gold pieces in their rectal cavities, according to Delhi Customs. (ANI)
Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Monday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the deteriorating law and order situation in the national capital, stating that gangs and gangsters have become increasingly active, demanding ransom money for protection. Bhardwaj described the situation in Delhi as unprecedented. He remarked that nowadays, a woman cannot even walk in her own colony, and a person cannot park their vehicle outside their house without fearing theft. The minister emphasised that this issue affects the public directly and that residents of Delhi expect an explanation from the Union Home Minister. "Today in Delhi, a woman holding a phone in her hand cannot walk in her colony without fearing it will be snatched. A person cannot park their vehicle outside their house without worrying it will be stolen. Delhi has moved beyond petty crimes. Gangs and gangsters are now active, demanding ransom money for protection," Bhardwaj told ANI. "This is unprecedented in Delhi. This is not an election issue but a public concern, and the people of Delhi demand answers from the Union Home Minister," he added. Earlier in the day, AAP leader Manish Sisodia also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its handling of law and order in Delhi. Sisodia noted that while Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had successfully addressed key issues such as schools, electricity, and hospitals, the law and order situation under Home Minister Amit Shah's leadership had deteriorated. "The people of Delhi entrusted Kejriwal ji with responsibilities such as improving schools, electricity, and hospitals. He delivered--government hospitals are better, there is a 24-hour power supply, zero electricity bills, and government schools are performing fantastically. On the other hand, the responsibility for law and order was given to Amit Shah and the BJP," Sisodia said. "But what has happened under his watch? Law and order have worsened--murders and shootouts are taking place. People feel that Amit Shah is unable to handle the situation," he added. Sisodia further claimed that the people of Delhi are increasingly frustrated with the BJP's failure to address these issues. "In this election, the people are sending a warning to Amit Shah--either improve law and order, or they will know how to address it themselves," he added. (ANI)
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar criticised the Congress for questioning the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), stating that their allegations lack any logical or scientific basis. The Union Minister told ANI, "It is not possible for anyone to substantiate the complaints about EVMs with logical or scientific reasoning. How long will you continue to mislead the public?" He questioned the opposition's inconsistent stance, saying, "Wherever you win, you claim that 'EVMs are fine,' and wherever you lose, you question the EVMs. This is not right. Your stand should be consistent. Double standards will not work." Amid the Opposition's doubts over the reliability of EVMs, Trinamool Congress MP and National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday disagreed with the Congress on the matter. He dismissed the allegations as "random statements" and urged those making such claims to demonstrate how EVMs could be hacked. "The people who question EVMs should present evidence and show a demonstration to the Election Commission. If the EVM randomisation process is conducted properly and booth workers verify during mock polls and counting, then I don't see any substance in these allegations," he said. He further added, "If anyone still believes that EVMs can be hacked, they should approach the Election Commission and demonstrate how it can be done. Simply making random statements achieves nothing." The Congress had earlier raised doubts about EVMs following the party's loss in the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections. The party also approached the Election Commission to express concerns about the electoral process in Maharashtra. "EVMs are a part of the election process. However, there are broader issues with the entire election machinery in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, including targeted manipulation. The results of these elections are inexplicable and raise serious questions about democracy," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told ANI on December 1. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CT Ravi said on Monday that the names of Congress leaders mentioned in the report submitted by former Minority Commission Chairman Anwar Manippady regarding Waqf property encroachments. CT Ravi said that if Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is taking Anwar Manippady's allegations against BJP State President BY Vijayendra seriously, he should launch an inquiry into the matter. "Anwar Manippady gave a statement, and if CM Siddaramaiah takes those statements seriously, he can take action and inquire who acquired the 1,000-acre land. There is no BJP leader's name in the Anwar Manippady report. The names of senior Congress leaders are there in the list," said CT Ravi. This comes after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday accused BJP State President BY Vijayendra of trying to bribe Anwar Manippady, the former Minority Commission Chairman. Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar said that the former Chairman of the State Minorities Commission Anwar Manippady was doing a U-turn due to political pressures. Speaking to reporters at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, he said, "I watched Anwar Manippady's statements on social media. He had said that he had written to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The Chief Minister has also quoted his statements in a tweet. The records won't go anywhere, let him release the documents before we do." He was replying to queries on Anwar Manippady retracting his statement. When asked about CM's statement that the investigation must be handed over to the CBI, he replied, "All facts are before us. Let the CBI write to the state government seeking permission to investigate, we will think about it then. We will not hand this over to the CBI. The BJP knows this and hence is seeking a CBI inquiry." Asked why so much confusion is being created about this issue, he said, "You are the one who is creating the confusion. You have reported what Anwar said and the CM has also quoted his statement in a tweet. Anwar has been made to issue a new statement to cover it up. The media should investigate it." Asked about Anwar's statement that Congress leaders had made an offer to him, he said, "He should have said this earlier itself. What is the use of saying it now? What one says in power is more important."Earlier BJP State President BY Vijayendra Yediyurappa had promised to address allegations of bribery regarding the Wakf property issue during the upcoming legislative session. Speaking on the matter, Yediyurappa firmly denied the allegations, stating, "CM Siddaramaiah and the Congress party are making fools of themselves by raising the Anwar Manippady issue. Today I am going to raise this issue in the House because the minister Priyanka Kharge has alleged that I was ready to give Rs 150 crore to close the Wakf issue. It is my duty to answer the query, I am going to answer in the House. I will put the facts before the House." (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday announced that the two major cooperative brands, the 'Bharat' brand of National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Amul's 'Amul' brand, can now supply organic food to the public. The Union Home Minister was speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCOL, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and the Chhattisgarh Government. Shah stated that over the next four years, certified organic grains that have been thoroughly tested will be introduced into Indian markets. He highlighted that the agreement aims to benefit Adivasi farmers. "A lot of products started appearing in the market claiming to be organic, but people remained doubtful. While consumers were ready to pay a premium for organic products, there was no certification system in place. Farmers, in turn, could not receive fair prices as consumers were unsure about the authenticity of the products," Shah said. "To address this trust deficit, we established National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL). Now, the two leading cooperative brands -- the 'Bharat' brand of NCOL and Amul's 'Amul' brand -- can deliver organic food. Within the next four years, certified organic grains that are thoroughly tested will be available in every district in Indian markets. Currently, 16 organic products are available online. Whenever you buy a product from the 'Bharat' or 'Amul' brand, you can be assured it is tested and certified. This MoU has been signed to uplift Adivasi farmers," he added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to Chhattisgarh, from December 14 to 16. He arrived in Raipur on Saturday. The NCOL aims to enhance the returns for farmers by providing organic producers and farmers' organisations direct access to markets. By leveraging strong national and international branding, members are expected to achieve better earnings for their organic produce. NCOL will serve as an umbrella organisation, managing the supply chain of organic products produced by cooperative societies and institutions across India. It will work in collaboration with relevant Ministries under the Government of India's 'Whole of Government Approach' to aggregate, brand, and market organic products. Any cooperative society or association of individuals (as permitted by the Central Registrar) can become a member of NCOL. As of now, approximately 2,000 cooperative societies have joined NCOL or have applied for membership. NCOL's objectives will be realised through initiatives like creating a knowledge repository, conducting research and development, and offering comprehensive support to cooperatives and associated companies producing organic products. This support will include financing, capacity building, technical guidance, and the development of market intelligence systems. NCOL was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, on January 25, 2024. Three major cooperative organisations -- the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd (NCCF), the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) -- along with two statutory bodies, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), have jointly promoted NCOL. (ANI)
CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar on Monday defended Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for carrying a Palestine bag to Parliament and said that carrying a Palestine bag is not Muslim appeasement. He also highlighted CPI's stance on the Palestine issue, emphasizing that it's a humanitarian concern rather than a Muslim-centric issue. Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "... Carrying a Palestine bag is not Muslim appeasement. Those who relate Palestine issue as Muslim issue are doing injustice because that is a humanitarian issue... It is a genuine international issue which we all have to support and CPI stands with Palestine..." Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things." The row erupted when Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying the bag during a Parliament session. It had "Palestine" written on it and several emblems embedded in it, including a watermelon, a symbol which is often associated with Palestinian solidarity. Reacting to the BJP's accusation of appeasement, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that instead of talking about this "rubbish," the government should take some steps regarding the atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus. She asserted that the Central government should talk to Bangladesh about this issue. " The atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus...something should be done regarding this. Talks should be held with Bangladesh govt regarding this...and they should not say such useless things" Vadra told reporters in the Parliament premises. The BJP seized on the opportunity to criticize her, alleging that the bag's inscription indicated her support for Palestine over India's interests. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused her of "appeasement" and said the Congress party uses different agendas to get votes by entangling them. Manoj Tiwari said, "Congress does appeasement. They don't do anything good to the Muslim community. They use different agendas to get votes by entangling them. You may have heard PM Modi has said about Congress' one gimmick - 'Garibi Hatao', which was used by Nehru Ji, Indira Ji, Rajiv Ji and currently it is being used by both Rahul and Priyanka Ji. They love and support the people of the country by dividing them. Now, the people of the country knows this trick." Union MoS SP Singh Bhagel noted that Vadra carrying a bag with Palestine written on it was not just a mere coincidence, rather it was an attempt to give a message. He stated that through this move, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes. Baghel told ANI, "This is not just a coincidence, rather, it is being tried to give a message. If only she carried an Indian bag, which is unique for every district and is being made in several cities, including Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, etc. If she could use 'Swadeshi' product, as it could give huge boost to that industry...By carrying a bag written Palestine on it, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes." Notably, on December 11, Palestine Embassy Charge de Affairs Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer met Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at her residence to congratulate her on her victory in the Waynad Lok Sabha seat. Since October 2023, Israel-Palestine has been engaged in an ongoing conflict after Hamas attacked Israel and captured its citizens. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. India's policy towards Palestine has been long-standing and consistent. We have supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel, as per MEA. (ANI)
Press Release

December 16, 2024 Explanation of 3rd Reading Vote Sen. Joel Villanueva

Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement

Monday, 16 December 2024 Mr. President, dear colleagues: It is with great honor and confidence that I vote YES to this historic measure. Please allow me to extend my sincerest gratitude and congratulations to the Sponsor, Senator Imee Marcos, for her hard work in shepherding this resolution. Our concurrence to the ratification of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan Concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan further solidifies our commitment to promote regional and global peace and stability, and deepens our security and defense relationship. It will be remembered in history as one of the highlights of our diplomatic partnership, which now spans almost seven decades. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, in his address to the Joint Session of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives in November 2023, said "In order for everyone to live with dignity, it is essential to build a peaceful and stable world." That is precisely what this Agreement is ultimately about - advancing the interests of our people. Today, as we give our concurrence to this agreement, we join the Japanese people in their desire to build a "heart-to-heart relationship of trust", as Prime Minister Kishida best puts it, as equal partners and friends. A-ri-ga-to go-zai-mas. We thank the Japanese government and the Japanese people for their reliable and enduring friendship. Thank you, Mr. President, and may God bless us all.
BJP leader Anirban Ganguly on Monday accused Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of promoting the Muslim League agenda -- divisive politics by carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it to Parliament. Slamming Congress MP Vadra, Ganguly said that Priyanka Gandhi is unaware of the geopolitical landscape and termed the Congress party as the "new Muslim League." Notably, the Muslim League, founded in 1906, was a political organisation that represented the interests of the Muslim community in British India. Its significance lies in its role in fostering Muslim nationalism and ultimately leading to the creation of Pakistan in 1947. "Congress is the new Muslim League. Priyanka Gandhi is neither well-informed nor is she educated. She is absolutely unaware of the geopolitical landscape... Right from Pt Nehru to Priyanka Gandhi, they have always shown their anti-Hindu mindset. They never said anything for the persecuted minorities in Bangladesh. Her carrying the Palestine bag to the Parliament is nothing but the Muslim League agenda..." Ganguly told ANI. Ganguly also attacked her for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, adding that she first needs to agree that minorities in Bangladesh are in trouble. He said, "Whenever Priyanka Gandhi says something, shows that she is unaware of the ground reality. CAA was opposed by Priyanka Gandhi and her party and now she demands that minorities be brought to India... They first need to agree that minorities in Bangladesh are in trouble... They are speaking on Palestine and showing their support but not speaking anything about Bangladesh Hindus..." Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things." The row erupted when Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying the bag during a Parliament session. It had "Palestine" written on it and several emblems embedded in it, including a watermelon, a symbol which is often associated with Palestinian solidarity. Reacting to the BJP's accusation of appeasement, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that instead of talking about this "rubbish," the government should take some steps regarding the atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus. She asserted that the Central government should talk to Bangladesh about this issue. " The atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus...something should be done regarding this. Talks should be held with Bangladesh govt regarding this...and they should not say such useless things" Vadra told reporters in the Parliament premises. The BJP seized on the opportunity to criticize her, alleging that the bag's inscription indicated her support for Palestine over India's interests. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused her of "appeasement" and said the Congress party uses different agendas to get votes by entangling them. Manoj Tiwari said, "Congress does appeasement. They don't do anything good to the Muslim community. They use different agendas to get votes by entangling them. You may have heard PM Modi has said about Congress' one gimmick - 'Garibi Hatao', which was used by Nehru Ji, Indira Ji, Rajiv Ji and currently it is being used by both Rahul and Priyanka Ji. They love and support the people of the country by dividing them. Now, the people of the country knows this trick." Union MoS SP Singh Bhagel noted that Vadra carrying a bag with Palestine written on it was not just a mere coincidence, rather it was an attempt to give a message. He stated that through this move, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes. Baghel told ANI, "This is not just a coincidence, rather, it is being tried to give a message. If only she carried an Indian bag, which is unique for every district and is being made in several cities, including Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, etc. If she could use 'Swadeshi' product, as it could give huge boost to that industry...By carrying a bag written Palestine on it, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes." Notably, on December 11, Palestine Embassy Charge de Affairs Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer met Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at her residence to congratulate her on her victory in the Waynad Lok Sabha seat. Since October 2023, Israel-Palestine has been engaged in an ongoing conflict after Hamas attacked Israel and captured its citizens. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. India's policy towards Palestine has been long-standing and consistent. We have supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel, as per MEA. (ANI)
Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has written to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi to convene a special sitting of the Legislative Assembly immediately for laying 14 pending CAG reports on the table of the House. He has stressed that the session be convened without any further loss of time to ensure adherence to the constitutional mandate. It may be noted that the session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly has not been prorogued as yet. These 14 reports include "Performance Audit on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi", Performance Audit on Prevention and Mitigation of Vehicular Air Pollution in Delhi", "Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services", "Performance Audit Report on Functioning of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)", apart from revenue, expenditure and financial audits of the government, pertain to the period when Arvind Kejriwal was the Chief Minister of Delhi and have been lying pending since year-and-a-half in many instances. The LG has given his formal consent for tabling of all these reports. The communication to this effect signed by the LG said the he has recommended placing a copy of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India relating to the Government of NCT of Delhi before the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi in pursuance of Section 48 of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. The LG noted that the CAG reports are vital to assess the financial and administrative health of Government in a democratic set up. An official release said that the reports are the touchstone of transparency in governance. It said adherence to the constitutional mandate of placing such reports on the Table of the Legislature from time to time expeditiously is an essential ingredient of a functional democracy to ensure full disclosure and to seek guidance of the Apex Legislative Body for taking course corrections where necessary. These reports were received by the Government from CAG on different dates in the past. "My Secretariat also forwarded the communication received from CAG on these reports to the Finance Department on various dates for necessary action. Despite my communications to the then Chief Minister on February 22, 2024 and the incumbent Chief Minister on November 29, 2024, no action was taken by either of the Chief Ministers. Even a Writ Petition No. 15341 of 2024 in the matter of Vijender Gupta and Ors. Vs GNCTD and Ors. is pending before the High Court of Delhi seeking directions to the Government to lay the CAG Reports before the Legislative Assembly of Delhi," the LG said, according to the release. It said that by not laying the CAG Reports promptly before the Legislative Assembly, "the Government has failed to discharge its constitutional obligation and has deprived the members of Legislative Assembly from discharging its core duty of exercising legislative control over the executive". (ANI)
The event was attended by Lalthansanga, Minister for Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation, as the Guest of Honour.

In his address, Chief Minister Lalduhoma acknowledged the historical challenges faced by Mizoram's farmers with various crops and plantation initiatives, which often resulted in disappointment and eroded trust in government programmes. He emphasised the potential of rubber as a globally high-demand crop that offers sustainable income opportunities while supporting environmental conservation.

The Chief Minister assured the public that the mission is meticulously planned and aims to effectively utilise Mizoram's arable land, transforming the state into a hub for rubber production.

Prior to the launch, key officials conducted an in-depth study by visiting Tripura, Kerala, and the Rubber Board of India, acquiring valuable insights and expertise to ensure the programme's success.

Lalthansanga, the Minister for Land Resources, lauded the Chief Minister's vision and disclosed that the initiative was developed following extensive consultations with Sawar Dhanania, Chairman of the Rubber Board of India. He reiterated that the nodal department is fully prepared to execute the mission efficiently and deliver tangible benefits to farmers.

The Rubber Mission, scheduled to commence in the 2025-26 financial year, aims to cultivate 1,000 hectares annually, benefiting 1,000 farmers each year. During the first phase, spanning four years, the mission targets the development of 4,000 hectares of land.

In a noteworthy moment during the event, Pankaja Borah, General Manager of NABARD's Mizoram Regional Office, handed over a sanction letter of Rs 27.98 crore for the initial phase of the mission, which will cover seven districts in the state. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has said that the Centre should take a strong stand over "atrocities against minorities" in Bangladesh and give a statement in Parliament about Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to the neighbouring country. "The atrocities happening in Bangladesh against minorities, our government (must) highly condemn this and central government must take a strict stand on this. What did the Foreign Secretary say during his visit, what were the talks held, they should speak about that in the House. EAM must give a statement," Banerjee, MP, told reporters here. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka on December 9. It was the first high-level visit from India to Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina was deposed as Prime Minister in August this year and the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed office. Misri had raised the issue of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, with Bangladesh leaders and officials. "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 had told reporters in Dhaka. There have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 led to protests. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI)
Educator and YouTuber Faizal Khan on Monday once again spoke out against the "normalisation" process in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam. He emphasised that discrimination must not occur against students. He noted that normalisation is used when exams can't be held on a single day or when student numbers are high and said that it will be unfair to students, particularly in General Studies exams, as it can lead to inconsistent results and the method is more suitable for subjects like mathematics where marks can be adjusted uniformly. While speaking with ANI on the recent controversy related to the 'change in exam pattern' and 'normalisation process' regarding the BPSC Preliminary Examination, Faizal Khan, also known as Khan Sir expressed concern over the potential for discrimination among students if different sets of questions are used in various districts. "Normalisation' is done when exams can't be held one day or the number of students is too much, and in different regions, different sets of questions are given to students. For example, in Bihar, you give three different questions in Bhagalpur, Buxar, and Shivanj...what happens is that if you give me these 3 different sets of question papers, I will get different marks, and I won't be getting the same marks for all question papers," he said. Khan Sir has been actively advocating for the BPSC to hold the exam in a single shift to avoid the need for normalisation. "This particular formula can be applied only to Mathematics...but it won't apply to General Studies... This discrimination must not happen with students," he added. Khan Sir also addressed the issue of police actions during the protests, where students demanded that exams be held in 'one shift and one paper' to avoid the normalisation process in early December. He stated that he was not mistreated by the police following his arrest during the protest. He explained that he joined the protest because the police lathi-charged the students, and he stayed back because he thought the students demands wouldn't be met if he had left. "Police did not misbehave with me in any way; I was sick for the past one and a half months. I thought to take proper treatment once the BPSC exam was over...When in the morning, students were lathi-charged, so I went there...and I thought if I left (the protest), the students demand wouldn't be fulfilled, so I stayed back, and that way my health further deteriorated," he said. Earlier this month, students studying for BPSC had protested against the change in exam patterns and the normalisation process and demanded that exams be held in 'one shift and one paper' to avoid the normalisation process. (ANI)
Delhi's Patiala House Court has granted a conditional pardon to Lokesh Sharma, the former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Rajasthan's ex-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in connection with the illegal phone tapping case. Sharma was granted the pardon after he agreed to become an approver. The court's decision was made on the condition that Sharma would provide a truthful disclosure of all circumstances related to the case, including the involvement of various individuals and his own role in the commission of the offence. Anuj Kumar Singh, CJM of Patiala House Court on Monday tendered the pardon to accused/applicant Lokesh Sharma, for commission of offences under Section 409/120B IPC, Section 26 Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Section 72/72A I.T. Act 2000, in case FIR No.50/2021 PS Crime Branch on the condition that he would make full and true disclosure of whole of the circumstances within his knowledge relating to the offences and of every other person concerned involved, whether as principal or abettor including the role played by him the commission of offences. The illegal phone tapping case was filed by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat against Ashok Gehlot, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting his phone conversations. An FIR was registered in the matter on March 25, 2021. (ANI)
Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh said here on Monday fusion of traditional knowledge with modern technology could give India's advantage over others, as per a statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology. The Minister underscored the transformative potential of blending India's ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific innovations while speaking at the celebration of five years of the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI), as per the ministry. Organized by the Department of Science and Technology, the event celebrated the strides made in preserving and modernizing India's rich heritage. The Minister highlighted this fusion as India's unparalleled strength in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Jitendra Singh lauded India's heritage as a treasure trove of knowledge, with nearly 5 million ancient manuscripts, palm-leaf inscriptions, and thousands of historically significant monuments such as Konark, Khajuraho, and Chola temples etc. Each, he said, is a testament to India's scientific prowess, architecture, and innovation. "No other country in the world has such an extensive and ancient repository of wisdom. This is our unique strength, and we must harness it to lead globally," he remarked. He pointed to key initiatives under SHRI, such as non-invasive techniques for heritage preservation, digitalizing the Ajanta caves, and artifact restoration. These efforts, he said, not only preserve India's legacy but also showcase how heritage and technology can coexist to pave the way for societal progress. Jitendra Singh emphasized the government's commitment to synergizing traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technologies, a philosophy consistently championed by Prime Minister Modi. "India's journey in leveraging its heritage alongside modern science has seen milestones like the creation of the Ayush Ministry, Aroma Mission, and Hydrogen Mission," he said. He noted the government's work in digitalizing traditional knowledge under the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), making it accessible for global research while ensuring its protection from misuse. He cited examples of successful fusion, including the Lavender Revolution through CSIR's Aroma Mission, which transformed the lives of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, and projects like the Deep Sea Mission and Hydrogen Mission that draw inspiration from India's ecological heritage. "These examples show how India's traditional wisdom complements the most advanced scientific innovations to address today's challenges," he explained. Jitendra Singh referenced Prime Minister Modi's global initiatives, such as International Yoga Day, which has been celebrated annually since 2015 with support from 190 countries. "This global acceptance of Yoga demonstrates India's ability to translate its heritage into universal solutions, setting a precedent for other traditional knowledge systems to gain global recognition," he stated. The Minister urged Indian scientific institutions to adopt global benchmarks and strategies to showcase India's achievements. "If we aspire to lead the world by 2047, we must not only innovate but also gain global acceptance for our work. Traditional knowledge, when scientifically validated and marketed effectively, will become India's most valuable global asset," he said. Jitendra Singh highlighted the need to integrate scientific innovation with livelihood opportunities, particularly through traditional crafts and skills. He urged greater alignment between government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme and heritage preservation efforts. This scheme, he explained, offers training, tools, and financial support for artisans, ensuring that traditional crafts not only survive but thrive as sustainable sources of income. He also called for more collaboration between scientific institutions, startups, and private enterprises to create market-driven solutions for traditional knowledge systems. "From creating start-ups around ancient crafts to developing AI-powered heritage conservation tools, India has the potential to lead in innovation that respects its cultural roots," he said. (ANI)
A contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) against the Uttar Pradesh administration and police for not taking steps against the 'Dharam Sansad' which is being organised between December 17 to 21 in Ghaziabad by the Yati Narasinghanand Foundation. The bench then asked Bhushan to send an email seeking urgent listing. The lawyer alleged that a call was issued for the "genocide of Muslims". The petitioners argued that the Ghaziabad District Administration and the Uttar Pradesh police have failed to act as per the directions issued by the apex court to take suo motu action against hate speeches. They pointed out that the website and the advertisements for the 'Dharam Sansad' include hate speeches against the followers of Islam religion and incite violence against them. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested a key operative of the banned terrorist outfit, ULFA (I), for planting IEDs in Guwahati, Assam during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations, the agency said. As per a release, NIA teams with the active support of Assam Police carried out searches at the house of Jahnu Baruah alias Arnab Axom in Dibrugarh in an intelligence-based operation carried out in the early hours of this morning. Several incriminating materials, including digital devices, were seized during a search of his house and are currently under examination. He was summoned to the local police establishment for further examination. The accused, during preliminary investigation, confessed to his involvement in planting four of the 11 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that were recovered by the state police during the I-Day celebrations. The IEDs had been planted as part of the military protest and I-Day boycott call by Paresh Baruah, SS C-in-C of ULFA(I), in a video, which had warned of dire consequences for anyone disobeying the instructions. Consequently, Jahnu Barua was arrested after following the due procedure. Jahnu Baruah, who planted the four IEDs at Pan Bazar, Dispur, Gandhi Mandap and Satgaon in Guwahati, had been under surveillance and monitoring for the past several weeks. He was one of the several suspects identified by NIA, based on technical and human intelligence, as being involved in the collection and transportation of the IEDs that were planted to trigger large-scale explosions in Assam on the occasion of I-Day, causing loss to property and life and inciting terror in the state. NIA had taken over the investigation of the case from the state police on September 17 and found that the IEDs were planted at the behest of Aishang Asom alias Abhijit Gogoi and other top leaders of ULFA (I). Investigations in the case are continuing. (ANI)
Home Minister Amit Shah on his two-day visit to Chhattisgarh met the families of jawans killed in Naxal attacks at the Amar Vatika in Bastar on Monday. While interacting with the families, Shah acknowledged the loss of the families and said, "The pain of losing your loved ones cannot be diminished, but we stand firmly with you. The Chhattisgarh government is making efforts to preserve the memories of the martyrs to ensure their sacrifices remain eternal." He further assured the families, "We are committed to ensuring that no one else has to suffer the loss you have faced. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the jawans and citizens who lost their lives in Naxal violence. I promise you that we will eradicate Naxalism completely from the sacred land of Maa Danteshwari." Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai also reassured the families that the sacrifices of their loved ones would not go in vain. "Both the Central and Chhattisgarh governments are united in safeguarding your interests. We are resolute in our commitment to ensuring the well-being of all affected families," he said while offering his condolences and paying homage to the martyrs. He further announced, "To honour the memory of our brave jawans, the Chhattisgarh government will install statues in their villages, preserving their legacy for future generations." The Home Minister met civilians affected by Naxal violence and while expressing his deep condolences assured them of the unwavering support of the central and state governments. The Union Home Minister highlighted the remarkable efforts of India's security forces and police in countering Naxalism. He remarked, "Over the past year, a well-executed strategy has significantly curtailed the influence of Naxalism, enabling us to accelerate developmental activities systematically. The Central Government fully supports the anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh." Elaborating on the government's approach, Shah said, "Our efforts are focused on three fronts: encouraging Maoist rebels to surrender, arresting those involved in violence, and responding firmly to those threatening lives. Those who choose the path of violence are being dealt with in their own language." Shah also appreciated the Chhattisgarh government's initiative to dedicate one day every week at the Inspector General's Office to address the grievances of martyrs' families. He suggested that district collectors also participate in this initiative, ensuring a more comprehensive support system. "While nothing can truly lessen the pain of losing a loved one, we aim to create mechanisms to alleviate your suffering," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also expressed his solidarity with the families, saying, "We wanted to meet the families of our brave martyrs and those affected by Naxal violence. You are part of our extended family, and your pain is our shared grief. Your loss deeply touches all of us." The event was attended by families of the fallen soldiers and victims of Naxal violence. (ANI)
Press Release

December 16, 2024 Explanation of Vote: Basic Education and Early Childhood Care and Development Act (SBN 2575) Senator Joel Villanueva Mr. President: As a co-author and co-sponsor of this measure, we support the approval on Third Reading of Senate Bill 2575 or the Basic Education and Early Childhood Care and Development Act. The foundational years below five years old are critical for nurturing our learners, and that is why it is crucial that we invest in early childhood care and development to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life.[1] Through this measure, we are improving the implementation of our ECCD programs, which shall cover the full range of health, nutrition, early childhood education, and social development programs for the holistic needs of children below five years old. As noted by Philippine Institute for Development Studies, effective interventions in early childhood "lowers the age of school start, improves reading comprehension and nonverbal cognitive ability test results, and boosts the chance of earning more later in life."[2] Congratulations are in order to the sponsor, Senator Win, for stewarding this very important measure. Tiyak na matutuwa ang ating former seatmate who is now Secretary of Education, Sec. Sonny Angara, who is also coincidentally the principal author of this bill. We also thank the sponsor for incorporating our amendments. As an advocate of lifelong learning, we want to ensure that the TESDA will play an active role in the professional development of our Child Development Workers through the various relevant training that the TESDA offers. We vote yes to this measure because a yes vote is a yes for a brighter future for all Filipino children. We look forward to the enactment of this bill. Thank you and may God bless us all. ****** [1] Starting strong: Why early childhood care and development matters in the Philippines. PIDS - EDCOM Policy Notes. May 2023. Available at: https://edcom2.gov.ph/media/2023/06/Pids-Policy-Note-2023-13-ECCD.pdf [2] Ibid.
At the annual Chintan Shibir of the state government in Somnath, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel mentioned the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in establishing Gujarat as a leader in technology-driven governance and socio-economic development, a release said on Monday. According to the release, Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has cultivated a culture of "Je Kahevu Te Karvu" (delivering on commitments). Reflecting this ethos, the state government swiftly formed an AI Task Force to implement the Chief Minister's announcement. The use of Artificial Intelligence has become essential in modern times to ensure that citizens can access scheme benefits, services, and facilities efficiently and promptly through optimal utilization of technology. Recognizing AI's transformative potential, the state government, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has signed an MoU with Microsoft to establish an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence at GIFT City, the release said. The centre will leverage key technologies such as machine learning, cognitive services, and Bot Services. These technologies will include pilot projects in various sectors, the rollout of successful pilot projects, and various training programs. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center will offer comprehensive support to both the government and industry, ensuring timely and effective services to citizens. It will promote grassroots innovation and accelerate technological advancements in key sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. At Chintan Shibir organized by the state government in Somnath, the Chief Minister outlined a strategic vision for leveraging AI to address social challenges, drive good governance, and improve the speed and transparency of decision-making. Aligning with this vision, the AI Task Force has been established. The Principal Secretary of the Science and Technology Department will lead the Task Force as its Chairman, with the Deputy Director of ICT and e-governance serving as the Member Secretary. The Task Force is initially set for a one-year term, with annual reviews to evaluate its progress. Its scope and activities will be extended and amended as necessary. The Task Force includes the Director of ICT and e-Governance, the Director of IIT Gandhinagar, and the Director of IIIT, along with senior experts from the IndiaAI Mission, NIC, C-DAC, NVIDIA, and iSPIRT. The scope of work of the AI Task Force formed by the state government includes: strategic planning, AI adoption, policy advocacy, collaboration, capacity building, data security, monitoring and evolution, technology infrastructure, offering specialized training on AI models tailored to the needs of Gujarat. The task force will also assume key responsibilities, such as offering expert AI guidance for developing infrastructure, including a state data centre integrated with advanced AI technology, said the release. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the establishment of the AI Task Force, with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) issuing a detailed resolution formalizing its formation, it added. (ANI)
As per the release, the properties belong to Hemant Sharma, a resident of Rajpur Road, Dehradun, who is involved in the BTC Fund Scam. The assets include 4 immovable properties and bank balances.

ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by Police Station Rajpur, Dehradun and registered by Police Station Dineshpur, Distt Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand under various sections of IPC,1860 against Hemant Sharma and others for cheating people through a website named BTCFUND.in

ED investigation revealed that Hemant Sharma had fraudulently received substantial amounts from the sale of Bitcoins, which were invested by multiple people on the site named BTCFUND.IN., controlled by Hemant Sharma and other co-accused persons, added the ED statement further.

Hemant Sharma has lured various persons on the pretext of high return and claimed that many foreign nationals have also associated with said company and people from all over India have invested in the site.

ED investigation further revealed that the proceeds of crime generated by committing predicate offence i.e. cheating various people were further utilised for acquiring four immovable properties by Hemant Sharma a part of which was the bank balance in his account.

Further investigation is in progress. (ANI)
Chaura has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.

Amritsar Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jaspal Singh told ANI that Chaura will remain in custody until December 30.

"Narain Singh Chaura was produced before the court today. He has been sent to judicial custody until December 30," Singh stated.

Advocate Jagdeep Singh Randhawa mentioned that the police had sought a three-day remand for Chaura, but the court instead granted a 14-day judicial custody.

"They requested a three-day remand, but he has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody," Randhawa said.

Previously, on Saturday, the Amritsar Court had extended Chaura's police remand by two days.

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 under heavy security and performed 'seva' at Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib.

SAD leaders have sharply criticised the Punjab government, demanding swift action against the accused involved in the attack on their party chief.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia condemned the incident, stating, "This attack occurred at the most sacred site of our religion. Why has the accused not been arrested sooner?"

Daljit Singh Cheema accused the investigation of being biased, saying, "The investigative officers are seen roaming around with a history-sheeter. Those who should be investigated are leading the inquiry. There is absolutely no law and order in Punjab." (ANI)
The delegation, led by MLA Mohan Lal Brakta, informed the Chief Minister about various issues and demands related to the area's development.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to developing rural areas and ensuring balanced progress across the state. He assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed with due consideration.

Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Khabal, Kuldeep Vijrvaan, was also present on the occasion.

Earlier today, CM Sukhu chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of various schemes implemented by the Horticulture Department.

According to an official release, he emphasised the importance of diversification in horticulture and highlighted the need to develop improved storage and marketing systems to ensure fair prices for farmers and horticulturists.

He announced that the government is planning to establish modern cold storage facilities at the district level to support horticulturists. Additionally, work is underway to set up a potato processing unit in the Una district.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister instructed the department to prioritise Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Mandi Mediation scheme to maximise benefits for farmers and horticulturists.

Sukhu also revealed that the state government is considering a Rs 500-crore dedicated project for the rejuvenation of apple horticulture. The five-year project will focus on promoting high-density plantations to enhance farmers' incomes and strengthen the rural economy.

The Chief Minister reviewed the achievements of various state horticulture schemes for the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. (ANI)
Hell Race Adventures organised 'The Hell Race: The Border Chapter (Jaisalmer-Laungewala)' 2024 on December 14-15, 2024, to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the Armed Forces on the occasion of Vijay Diwas 2024, commemorating their heroics during the Indo-Pak War of 1971, said a press release. The event brought together nearly 900 participants, including serving soldiers, veterans, and civilians, in a heartfelt salute to the indomitable spirit of the Armed Forces. Runners competed in three endurance categories--50 km, 100 km, and 161 km (100 miles)--for both men and women, showcasing exceptional resilience and determination, said a release. The race commenced at the Indira Indoor Stadium, Jaisalmer, against the picturesque backdrop of the desert at dawn. Participants covered challenging terrain, culminating at the historic BP-698, Laungewala Yudh Sthal, the site of the iconic Battle of Laungewala during the 1971 war, added the release. The event concluded with a grand flag-in ceremony, where Maj Gen Ashish Khurana, General Officer Commanding, Battle Axe Division, felicitated the winners across various categories. In his address, he praised the participants for their dedication and emphasized the importance of remembering the valour and sacrifices of the Indian Army, stated the release. This unique event not only honoured the sacrifices of our soldiers but also inspired participants and spectators alike to embrace the values of courage, unity, and resilience. The jubilant celebrations after the race reflected a collective sense of pride and gratitude for the Armed Forces, said the release. (ANI)
The listed agenda of Lok Sabha for Tuesday includes the Constitution Amendment Bill concerning simultaneous elections.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal.

Meghwal is also likely to tomorrow introduce a Bill to 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. This bill seeks to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry for purposes of simultaneous elections.

The Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation One Election' bill earlier this month.

While the BJP and its allies are in support of the bill, several opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK are opposed to it.

The Union Cabinet had in September accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. The panel was headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Kovind.

The panel recommended the implementation of simultaneous polls in two phases. It recommended holding Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously in the first phase and conducting local body elections (panchayat and municipalities) within 100 days of general elections.

It said there should be a common electoral roll for all elections. (ANI)
Union Minister BL Verma slammed the Congress hours after the TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee objected to the allegations of the Congress over the functioning of the Electronic Voting Machines. "Whenever elections took place, and Congress lost, it raises questions on the EVMs. When they win, they remain silent..," the minister told ANI, in response to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee differing with the Congres on the EVM functioning. With the Opposition raising questions on the reliability of the Electronic Voting Machines, Trinamool Congress MP and party National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday differed with the Congress on the issue. He termed the allegations as "just random statements" and demanded that people making such allegations should demonstrate how the EVMs can be "hacked". "The people who raise questions on EVM, if they have anything then they should go and show a demo to the Election Commission. If work is done properly at the time of EVM randomisation and the people who work on the booth check during mock polls and counting, then I don't think there is any substance in this allegation," he said. "If still someone feels that EVMs can be hacked, then they should meet the Election Commission and show how EVMs can be hacked...Nothing can be done by just making random statements...," the TMC MP added. Earlier the Congress had raised doubts about the EVMs after the party lost the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections. The party even met the Election Commission raising doubts on the electoral process in Maharashtra. "EVM is a part of the election process. There are issues in the entire election machinery in the Maharashtra assembly elections and targeted manipulation has taken place...The results of the Maharashtra assembly elections are impossible. No one can understand them...We have raised questions on the entire election machinery which is very dangerous for democracy," Jairam Ramesh told ANI on December 1. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, P Narayana, has announced that the construction of the state's capital city, Amaravathi, will be completed within the next three years. This ambitious project aims to transform Amaravathi into one of the top five metropolitan cities globally. The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has cleared projects worth Rs 24,276 crores, including the construction of trunk roads, layouts, and iconic buildings. The Assembly building, spanning 103 acres, will feature a 250-meter-tall structure, offering a panoramic view of the city. Other notable projects include an eight-storied High Court, a 47-storied General Administrative Department building, and five additional towers. CRDA meeting was held with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday and he cleared the construction of trunk roads, layouts and iconic buildings with Rs 24,276 cr. P Narayana made it clear that all these constructions will be completed in the coming three years, said a press statement. Briefing media persons on the decisions taken at the CRDA meeting, the MAUD Minister said till now works worth Rs 45,249.24 cr have been cleared by the CRDA. The Assembly building will be built in an extent of 103 acres with a height of 250 meters spreading to 11.22 lakh square meters. Except when the Assembly is in session, the people will be allowed to have a glimpse of the entire capital of Amaravathi from the top of this Assembly complex, he said. The eight-storied High Court will be constructed spreading over 20.32 lakh square feet in an extent of 42 acres with Rs 1048 cr while the 47-storied General Administrative Department (GAD) building will be built with 17.03 square feet, Narayana revealed. This apart, five other towers will be constructed spreading over 68.88 lakh square feet with a total cost of Rs 4,688 cr, the Minister said. As part of providing basic amenities, four highways and other roads with an extent of 579.5 km long will be constructed with Rs 9,699 cr, while Rs 7,794 cr will be spent for trunk roads and for STP works Rs 318 cr will be spent thus the Monday's CRDA meeting cleared works worth a total of Rs 24,276 cr, Narayana observed. The Minister said the process of calling for tenders for these works will begin by next Monday and the process, in all likelihood will be completed by the end of this month. "If anything is left the tender process will be completed by the end of January for those works," the Minister noted. Narayana made it clear that all these works will be completed in the coming three years at any cost to transform Amaravathi into one of the best five metros in the world. Stating that some leaders who held some posts in the previous government are resorting to slinging mud on the State Government, Narayana asked them to examine the SOR at least once. As the previous government only destroyed Amaravathi the construction cost of these works has gone up steeply, the Minister stated. The MAUD Minister also clarified that all the necessary works will be taken up in all the 29 villages where land-pooling has been taken up and also made it clear that justice will be done to the farmers in the capital region. Narayana also said that the State Government will go ahead with the capital construction works after ensuring that there are no legal or technical issues. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has slammed the previous government, accusing them of preventing the reopening of the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for over four decades. The temple was recently reopened on December 14, following an anti-encroachment drive by local authorities. Speaking in the state assembly, CM Yogi said, "They (Samajwadi Party) never allowed to open the temple, which is being opened now, since 1978..." CM Yogi also warned that those involved in the recent stone-pelting incident in Sambhal would be brought to justice. "Not a single arrest has been made without evidence (in Sambhal), and I would like to remind you that none of those indulging in stone pelting would be spared. We follow the directions of the Supreme Court. We respect the court too...When one reads the original copy of the Constitution they will find that it doesn't mention secular or socialism anywhere...", he added. Meanwhile, three idols were recovered from a well near the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following the temple's reopening during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple, which had reportedly remained closed since 1978, was reopened on December 14 as part of an encroachment clearance operation carried out by local police and administration. Meanwhile, the Winter Assembly session of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha commenced on Monday in Lucknow, with extensive security arrangements in place. On the first day of the session, a formal business session will be conducted in the House, while the supplementary budget, expected to range between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 crore, will be presented on December 17. Discussions and passage of the budget are scheduled for December 18. The legislative work will take place in the House on December 19 and 20. The Winter Assembly session will conclude on December 20. (ANI)
The Assam government has set a target to make at least 30 lakh women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the state into Lakhpati Didi (Lakhpati Baideu), with a plan to generate a business worth Rs 30,000 crore annually. The Assam Panchayat and Rural Development department has prepared a roadmap for the next 10 years to help women SHG members achieve this goal. Assam Panchayat Rural & Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass told ANI that, as of now there are around 8.50 lakh Lakhpati Didi in the state who are making their business of Rs 1 lakh annually each. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have emphasized women's empowerment. Assam will not move forward until we empower women. Our Chief Minister has launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan. There are around 32 women in SHGs, and we are trying to make them Lakhpati Baideu. As of now, there are around 8 lakh Lakhpati Didis, and we are working to extend this to 32 lakh women. Our Chief Minister is trying to make all 32 lakh women as Lakhpati Didi,"Ranjeet Kumar Dass said. "If we succeed, the total business from these women will be around Rs 3200 crore annually. Under this mission, we are providing Rs 10,000 to each SHG member in the next few months. The next step is to link them with banks to secure loans of up to Rs 1 lakh. We have already distributed 10,900 scooters to Jeevika Sakhi and GP Sakhi, and we are also providing Rs 500 per month for fuel costs. Next year, we plan to distribute 5,000 additional scooters," he added. The Minister further mentioned that the central government has given us Rs 1577 crore as a revolving fund and capital subsidy, and we have invested the amount among the women SHGs. "The Assam Chief Minister has released Rs 445 crore under the Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Yojana. With continued support, 30 lakh women members of SHGs will achieve financial independence, and which GDP will also increase. If 30 lakh women will income Rs 1 lakh each then it will be around Rs 3000 crore annually," Dass said. He also noted that if the women SHG members' businesses grow to Rs 3,000 crore annually, within the next 10 years, their business could reach Rs 30,000 crore, significantly boosting Assam's GDP. He noted that if the women SHG members' business grows to Rs 3000 crore annually, within the next 10 years, their business could reach Rs 30,000 crore, and Assam's GDP may take place in number 1. On the other hand, talking about the success of the recently concluded Asomi Saras Mela organized by Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM), the Assam Minister said that, this year the women SHGs, entrepreneurs sold their products worth Rs 19.69 crore. "Previous year's tune was around Rs 8 crore and this year the women SHGs, entrepreneurs have made their business worth around Rs 19 crore. We are promoting the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat as Local for Vocal and Vocal for Local and people's response is good. Purnima Mahila Self Help Group of Lakhimpur district of Assam has sold their handloom products worth Rs 1.04 crore in this year's Asomi Saras Mela. In the district level Saras Mela, there was a business of Rs 3 crore in Dibrugarh. The Prime Minister and Assam Chief Minister are trying to help the women and have taken lots of initiatives," Ranjeet Kumar Dass said. He also said that the state government is continuing its efforts to empower women of the state. "The central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also increased the MSP in various products for the development of the farmers," Ranjeet Kumar Dass said. (ANI)
The Patna Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets worth Rs 23.72 crore in connection with a money laundering case, the agency said in a release on Monday. "Directorate of Enforcement(ED), Patna Zonal office has provisionally attached 7 immovable properties on 16/12/2024 worth Rs. 23.72 Crore (approx.) acquired by associates of Sanjeev Hans, IAS namely Praveen Chaudhary, Pushpraj Bajaj and his family members under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),2002 in connection with money laundering case against Sanjeev Hans, IAS (Bihar-1997) and others," read the ED statement. Investigation has revealed that these 7 immovable properties, viz. 3 land parcels in Nagpur, 1 flat in Delhi and 3 flats in Jaipur have been acquired in the name of close associates of Sanjeev Hans by utilizing Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated by him out of criminal activity. ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR in Rupaspur police station and a subsequent FIR registered by the Special Vigilance Unit, Bihar. ED investigation revealed that Sanjeev Hans has earned illicit money by indulging in corrupt practices while holding various prime postings in Bihar Govt. and also during his Central Deputations during the period from the year 2018 -2023. Having noticed that Sanjeev Hans in connivance with some private individuals and entities has indulged in corrupt practices and also the role of his associates in the generation and laundering of POC, searches were conducted at various locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Patna, Pune, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Nagpur. During search operations, shares worth Rs 60 Crore(approx.) were found in the newly opened Demat Accounts of the family members of one of the close associates of Sanjeev Hans and 70 bank accounts involving huge cash deposits of Rs. 6 Crore (approx.) therein have been freezed. Further, total seizure, in this case, includes gold jewellery and luxury watches amounting to Rs 80 Lakh and Rs 65 Lakh respectively recovered from the Patna and Delhi premises of Sanjeev Hans and unexplained cash of Rs 1.07 Crore, 13 kg silver bullion worth Rs 11 lakhs (approx) and 1.5 kg gold bullion -jewellery worth Rs 1.25 Crore (approx.) and forex worth Rs 20 Lakh from premises of his associates. Further investigation is under progress. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday visited Gundam village in Bijapur's Chhattisgarh, the den of Bastar's most-dreaded Maoist leader, Madvi Hidma, commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army, and interacted with villagers there and shared the government's commitment to eradicating Maoist insurgency by March 31, 2026. Gundam is a place where the security forces established a security camp, or Forward Operating Base (FOB), on February 14 this year. Highlighting the significant progress, Shah told the villagers that the influence of Naxalism has now been confined to a limited area as well as encouraged them to avail themselves of government welfare schemes. He also assured them that the government's all basic facilities will be provided to them within one year in the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma. Shah assured the villagers that within a year, the "government would provide basic amenities, including roads, electricity, schools, hospitals, and drinking water facilities in the village." The Home Minister emphasised that multiple security camps have been set up across Bastar to free locals from the fear of Naxal violence. He also encouraged villagers to actively participate in development programs and integrate into the mainstream. "Send your children to school regularly," Shah urged villagers, adding that education is the key to solving many challenges. The Home Minister informed the villagers about the medical facilities available at the nearby camp hospital and encouraged them to seek free treatment instead of relying on traditional practices. He also explained the benefits of government schemes such as free 35 kg rice and the Maternity Welfare Scheme, ensuring the villagers were aware of the assistance available to them. During the visit, the Home Minister inspected the village's primary school, interacted with students about their studies, and motivated them to attend classes regularly. He also informed the women about the transformative benefits of education. To address villagers' needs, Shah directed the district collector to organise public service camps for creating essential documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, bank passbooks, and Ayushman cards. Stressing the importance of financial inclusion, Shah remarked, "A bank passbook is crucial to access all government welfare schemes." While interacting with security personnel at the Gundam FOB, Shah directed them that "Naxals who have taken up arms and are fighting must definitely be killed." Meanwhile, Shah also advised security personnel to form two or three groups and adopt some villages in the region to build the reputation of the force and the government's initiatives for their welfare. Gundam in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, a place once used by Naxals as their training camp, is now freed from Naxals. This was the place where the Naxals celebrated their 'Sahidi Diwas.' Gundam is around 10 km away from Hidma's village, Puwarti. Hidma is the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist) central committee and the mastermind behind many fatal ambush attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre in which 75 CRPF personnel were killed and the 2017 attack in Sukma that left over two dozen people dead. He has a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head but has managed to evade capture. (ANI)
Rajya Sabha saw a lively debate on Monday on 75 years of the Constitution with opposition members accusing the BJP-led government of eroding constitutional values and the BJP leaders attacking Congress over decisions of its government starting from first Prime Minsiter Jawaharlal Nehru. There was also sparring in Lok Sabha during the debate on the supplementary demands for grants for 2024-25. Initiating the debate in Rajya Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a scathing attack on former Congress leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi and said that many of the Constitutional amendments that they brought were not about strengthening democracy but protecting their power Sitharaman asserted that post Second World War, over 50 countries had become independent and had their constitution written but many have changed their entire feature but India's Constitution stood the test of times. "India's experience has shown that a constitution remains robust yielding to several amendments which were the need of the hour. I would like to talk about the first Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951. There was an interim government between August 15, 1947, and it lasted till April 1952, post which an elected government took over the charge. But during 1951, when the first constitutional amendment was passed it was an interim government and not an elected government. The amendment added three more heads to Article 19 (2) saying public order could be a cause to restrict freedom of speech, friendly relations with foreign could be a cause to freedom of speech or an incitement to an offence could also be a cause. These were the amendments brought at that time," she said. She highlighted the Supreme Court's two "landmark" judgements in 1950, one year back from this amendment that paved the way for freedom of press under Article 19 (1) (A). "Many High Courts also upheld the freedom of expression of our citizens but the interim government in response thought that there was a need for the first Amendment that was brought by the Indian National Congress (INC) and it was essentially to curb the freedom," Sitharaman said. The Finance Minister also added that India, a democratic country which prides itself even today on freedom of expression saw the first interim government coming up with a constitutional amendment which was to curb the freedom of speech of Indians and that was within one year of adoption of the Constitution. "In the Parliament, it also did not move smoothly with various eminent members presenting scathing remarks but Prime Minister Nehru went ahead. The interim government continued to curb the freedom of speech before the amendment and prior to it. Majnu Sultanpuri and Balraj Sahani were both jailed in 1949 for reciting a poem against Jawaharlal Nehru. Congress' record of curtailing freedom of speech didn't confine with these two people," Sitharaman added. Further, Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out the Constitutional amendments brought in to nullify a judgement that arose between Indira Gandhi vs Rajnarayan wherein the order of the Allahabad High Court setting aside the election of Indira Gandhi was challenged. "During the pendency of this case in the Supreme Court, the Congress enacted the 39th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1975 which added Article 392 (A) to the Constitution which says that elections to the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker cannot be challenged in any court in the country and it can be done only before a parliamentary committee. Imagine that for a person to save her chair, an amendment was made even before the court judgement," she said. "The judgement that came from the Supreme Court in the Shah Bano case, the Congress passed the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce act 1986 which denied Muslim women their right to alimony. Our party passed the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam whereas the right of Muslim women was denied by this act," she added. Sitharaman also slammed the Congress on enforcing Emergency in the country. "On December 18, 1976, the then-president gave an accent to the 42nd Constitutional amendment act. During the Emergency when the term of Lok Sabha was extended without proper justification. In the extended term, when the entire opposition was put to jail then came the Constitutional amendment. That was a total invalidated process. Only five members opposed the bill in the Lok Sabha. There was no one in Rajya Sabha to oppose it. The amendments were not about strengthening democracy but protecting those in power," the Finance Minister said. In his remarks, Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders of "untruth" and sought an apology him for "distorting facts" about Nehru. "PM Modi distorted facts about Nehru's letters to CMs for which he should apologise to the people of the country. This is my demand," Kharge said. Taking a jibe at Sitharaman, Kharge said on Monday that she studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the students there are so progressive and contributive to nations development whether it is in Economics, Political Science but here today, there's talk of dismantling democratic values. "They studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University but I do not know what they studied because the students who studied there are so progressive and they have a big hand in building the country whether it is in Economics, Political Science or History but here the talk is about eliminating the democratic things," Kharge said. Kharge emphasized that all must adhere to the Constitution and its Preamble. "Merely pointing fingers at each other won't help. The Jan Sangh had once aimed to structure the Constitution based on the laws of Manusmriti. This was the intent of the RSS. Those who despise the tricolor, the Ashoka Chakra, and the Constitution are now lecturing us. On the day the Constitution was implemented, these people burned effigies of Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru at Ramlila Maidan. They insult the Nehru-Gandhi family without shame," he said. "In 1949, RSS leaders opposed the Constitution of India because it was not based on Manusmriti... Neither did they accept the Constitution nor the tricolour. On 26 January 2002, for the first time, the tricolour was hoisted at the RSS headquarters under compulsion. Because there was a court order," he added. He recalled that in 1931, during the Karachi Congress session presided over by Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru proposed a resolution on fundamental rights and economic policies, which was passed. "The Constitution didn't emerge out of nowhere but was shaped by pivotal movements, the freedom struggle, and even earlier events. Nehru made the demand for a Constituent Assembly a central issue in the 1937 elections. These people neither respect Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, nor Ambedkar.," Kharge added. The LoP also mentioned that that in 1949, RSS leaders opposed the Indian Constitution because it wasn't based on Manusmriti. "Even today, the spirit of Manusmriti remains ingrained in them, and they blame us instead. They neither respected the tricolor nor the Constitution, which is why it took a court order on January 26, 2002, to compel the RSS headquarters to hoist the national flag," he said. Mallikarjun Kharge also asserted that the Constitution empowers the poor and serves as a moral guide for governance. "It leaves no room for discrimination based on caste, creed, gender, or economic status. Yet, threats to the Constitution persist. For the sake of future generations, we must preserve and protect it. We need to remain vigilant because their intentions are unpredictable and can change at any time," he said. Further, he praised former PM Indira Gandhi over 1971 war and also called on the Centre to take steps to protect the minorities in Bangladesh. "The 1971 war, in which our brave leader Indira Gandhi broke Pakistan into two and captured 1 lakh Pakistani soldiers. Known as the "Iron Lady," she showed that anyone who threatened us would face severe consequences. Considering the current situation in Bangladesh, the government should open its eyes and take steps to protect the minorities," Kharge said. Taking part in the debate, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri attacked the Congress over anti-Sikh violence in 1984. He said he cannot think of any occasion in his public life which could even remotely rival the solemnity and the honour of being asked to speak during the discussion on the Glorious Journey of 75 years of Indian Constitution in the Rajya Sabha "I was two years and two months old when the Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly, and have been a witness to its journey so far which has been characterised by moments of triumphs and disappointments - moments when the leadership of the day, particularly during the govt led by Prime MInister Narendra Modi rose to the demands of the Constitution, and moments when leaders of the past went against letter and spirit of the document that drew upon our history, civilisation, culture, and experience of 7,000 years, ensuring that it was not overpowered by a mindset borne out of 190 years of colonial rule," he said. "Some in our midst have added voice to the inculcate notion that democracy was imported to India in 1947. This misses the point entirely - India has had democratic traditions from all the way back to the 6th century BC in places such as Vaishali which was the capital of the Republic of Vajji. Ours is the oldest democracy, the mother of democracies. It pre-dated the Westphalian order by a very long period which is why we proved many prophets of doom wrong," he added/ Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that India got independence along with around 30-40 countries. He said except for India, hardly any other country has been able to save democracy. "The trio of Gandhi, Nehru and Patel must have done some work which helped the country strengthened our democracy," he said. Targeting BJP, Congress member Randeep Singh Surjewala said that Dr Ambedkar had cautioned against "bhakti" in politics and alleged that they have seen how "institutions have been destroyed due to andhbakti" in the last 10 years. BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi said that India has always been democratic since time immemorial. He also attacked the Congress and said the issue of PoK was not solved despite the victory scored by India in the 1971 war with Pakistan. He said that India released about 90,000 Pakistan soldiers who surrendered and alleged that the Indira Gandhi government could not secure the release of 54 Indian prisoners of war. The Lok Sabha took up discussion on the supplementary votes for grants for 2024-25 with party leader KC Venugopal accusing the Finance Ministry of not acting on allegations against the SEBI chairperson. He alleged that the government's "inaction" has tarnished its credibility and "jeopardised" the integrity of India's financial governance framework. He called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into allegations concerning SEBI chairperson. "Inaction undermines the government's claim of transparency and commitment to investor confidence," Venugopal said. He demanded that the Finance Minister clarify her position on the issue. In his remarks, Congress leader Manish Tewari expressed solidarity with the agitating farmers struggling for their "legitimate demands". "Why is the Government not talking to them or allowing them to come to Delhi?" he asked. He said the common man is living under the constant burden of price rise. "Where is the 5 trillion dollar economy the Centre keeps talking about when the common people are finding it difficult to run their households?" he asked. Earlier, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi urged the Union government to raise its voice against the "atrocities" committed against minorities in Bangladesh. "The first issue I want to discuss is that this government should raise its voice against the atrocities committed against the Hindu and Christian minorities in Bangladesh," Priyanka Gandhi said. On Vijay Divas, she paid tribute to soldiers who fought in the 1971 war and highlighted the leadership role of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the war. "Today is Vijay Diwas. First of all, I want to salute the brave soldiers who fought for us in the war of 1971. Whatever was happening in Bangladesh, no one was listening to the voice of the people of Bangladesh, our Bengali brothers and sisters. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister at that time; I want to salute her. She showed courage in the most difficult situations and showed such leadership that made the country victorious," Priyanka Gandhi stated. She further raised the alleged removal of the 'iconic 1971 surrender painting' from the Army Headquarters in New Delhi. "The second issue is that today, a picture has been taken down from the headquarters of the Army in which the Pakistani Army is surrendering in front of the Indian Army," she added. Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat later responded to the issue and said the painting has been relocated to the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment and more people can see it. He said the matter should not be politicised. (ANI)
Shiv Sena has issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House today as some "important legislative business" is scheduled to be discussed, Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party said. "All the Lok Sabha MPs of Shiv Sena are informed that some very important issues/legislative work will be brought in the Lok Sabha for discussion and passage tomorrow, Tuesday, December 17. All the Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena Party are requested to compulsorily be present in the House for the entire time tomorrow," Chief Whip of Shiv Sena in Lok Sabha, Shrirang Barne stated. Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party also issued a three-line whip to all its MPs of Lok Sabha for their presence on December 17. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to give a reply to the debate on supplementary demands for grants for the financial year 2024-25. The 'One Nation, One Election' bill, which provides for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, is also expected to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The listed agenda of Lok Sabha for Tuesday includes the Constitution Amendment Bill concerning simultaneous elections. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal. Meghwal is also likely to introduce a Bill to further 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 tomorrow. This bill seeks to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry for the purposes of simultaneous elections. The Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation One Election' bill earlier this month. While the BJP and its allies are in support of the bill, several opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK are opposed to it. The Union Cabinet had in September accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. The panel was headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Kovind. The panel recommended the implementation of simultaneous polls in two phases. It recommended holding Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously in the first phase and conducting local body elections (panchayat and municipalities) within 100 days of general elections. It said there should be a common electoral roll for all elections. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party MPs on Monday expressed their full support for the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, which aims to synchronise national and state elections, calling it a "very important bill." 'One Nation, One Election' bill, which provides for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies is slated to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The listed agenda of Lok Sabha for Tuesday includes the Constitution Amendment Bill concerning simultaneous elections. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal welcomed the bill, noting that simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections used to be held until 1966. He pointed out that the current practice of holding elections throughout the year occupies security forces, who are then pulled from their duties at borders and law enforcement, and emphasised that the bill would save time and resources, helping to accelerate development. "We welcome this bill. The first Lok Sabha elections took place in 1952. Till 1966, the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections happened simultaneously. Now the elections go on for the whole year. Our forces have to look after law and order and the borders. All our forces are occupied, but they are called from there and deployed for elections. The Code of Conduct is imposed, holding all the development projects. Now one nation, one election would be implemented, which would save time and money, and the development will accelerate," Lal said. Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma also supported the bill, highlighting its potential to save money, resources, and time, and expressed that the savings could be used for development and infrastructure projects. "This is a very important bill, and it will save a lot of money, resources, and time. Development should be accelerated, and the money saved will be used for the development and infrastructure development. I am looking forward to it... We welcome this bill because this is the most important, and I think that this should have been done earlier," Sharma said. Meanwhile, BJP Lok Sabha MP Sudhakar K expressed that 'One Nation, One Election' aligns with the government's goal of ensuring uninterrupted progress and explained that the election processes often waste valuable time, hindering development and administration. Sudhakar urged lawmakers to support the bill, stressing that it would benefit the nation as a whole by promoting good governance and development. "(One Nation) One Election is the ultimate wish of this government...It is just to make sure that the country is going to be put on a path of progress without any hindrance due to continuous election processes. We waste at least one and a half years during the election processes of various states," he said. "The administration and the development take a back seat... It's a very good move. Secondly, we will even save a lot of funds... We'll be supporting this, and maybe it is being tabled tomorrow... I request all the members of all the parties to not stick to the political part of it. This is in the interest of the nation. Please support this bill and ensure that this country is put on the path of good governance and development," he added. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal. Meghwal is also likely to introduce a Bill to further tomorrow 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. This bill seeks to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry for the purposes of simultaneous elections. 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. The Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal in September, 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)
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi participated in the 'Vijay Diwas Santhya' event in Chennai on Monday and paid tributes to the Indian armed forces for the victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He said that the Bangladesh Liberation War was not only a victory for the valiant armed forces, but also a victory for the idea of an "inclusive and harmonious India" for everyone. "Governor Ravi, at the 'Vijay Diwas Sandhya - Tributes to Indian Armed Forces on the 1971 War Victory' event at@iitmadras, elaborated that the victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was not only a triumph of our valorous Armed Forces but also a victory for the idea of an inclusive and harmonious India. It defeated the communal ideology that led to the partition of our nation at independence and strengthened our resolve to live together as one Kutumbam.," Raj Bhavan stated in a post on X. He further stressed the need for modernisation of defence to strengthen national security. "Modernisation on an unprecedented scale is needed to strengthen national security. The Governor further emphasized that it should be implemented with the highest purpose of #Let's make it in India. He reminded that it is the responsibility of the community to honour our brave soldiers and support their families with compassion, saying that this is #FiveCommitments for a Developed India integral," the post added. https://x.com/rajbhavan_tn/status/1868697375822524609 The Governor also felicitated the Gallantry Award winners and Veer Naris at the event. In another post, the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan commemorated the armed forces for the 1971 victory. "On Vijay Diwas, we salute our Armed Forces for their decisive victory in the 1971 war. Their courage, valour and sacrifices liberated the people of Bangladesh from a reign of terror marked by one of history's darkest chapters - a period of widespread violence and unspeakable suffering. Protecting millions of innocent lives and upholding their human rights and dignity, this victory led to the creation of Bangladesh and serves as a strong reminder to remain ever vigilant against those forces who challenge the unity and integrity of India," Raj Bhavan stated. Notably, Vijay Diwas is observed every year across the country on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. (ANI)
Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that the announcement of the 'civil disobedience movement' was made by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and not him, ARY News reported. Gandapur said that their demands include the release of the party founder, restoration of their mandate, and reversal of unconstitutional amendments. "There is no clarity on this matter yet. We will act on 'civil disobedience' once clarity emerges," ARY News quoted Gandapur as saying. Regarding the civil disobedience movement, Gandapur reiterated that the decision rested with Imran Khan, and whatever action he announces will be followed. Meanwhile, the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that the strategy of the proposed 'civil disobedience movement' has been devised, claiming it would be "more successful" than the 2014 one. He added that they want to negotiate and it is their top priority. "We are ready to talk with the government if it has powers, but it has to show its authority", he added. Earlier on December 6, incarcerated former PM Imran Khan said that if the PTI's demands are not met, a 'civil disobedience movement' will follow. He said, "We have two demands- A commission should be formed under the senior most judges of the Supreme Court to conduct an independent inquiry into the events of May 9 and November 26. -Unjustly imprisoned political prisoners should be released A committee headed by Umar Ayub has been formed for negotiations. If the demands are not met, civil disobedience, reduction of remittances and boycott movement will be initiated." https://x.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1865035028083757060 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub on Monday expressed the party's willingness to engage in negotiations with anyone, "whether human or angel," to resolve ongoing political issues, The Express Tribune reported. (ANI)
Dissanayake said that they discussed strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities and fostering regional security.

In a post on X, Dissanayake said, "During my official visit to India, I had the privilege of engaging in productive discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Our conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities, fostering regional security, and advancing key sectors such as tourism and energy. These engagements reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations."

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Earlier on Sunday, Dissanayake also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Jaishankar, during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday, highlighted the island nation's prominent role in India's Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook.

He further affirmed confidence that President Dissanayake's talks with Prime Minister Modi today will lead to greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo.

"Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India's Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation," the EAM stated in a post on X.

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Dissanayake said he held "fruitful discussions on the matters of mutual interest" during his meetings with EAM Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Earlier in the day, the Sri Lankan President was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan in Delhi.

This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September.

The Sri Lankan President is on a day State visit to India from December 15 to December 17. Dissanayake will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. (ANI)
Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership for pursuing a "politics of violence," ARY News reported. Tarar said that PTI's protests have never been peaceful. Terming PTI as 'Tehreek-e-Intishaar' (Movement for Disorder), the Minister said that during the last protest, demonstrators, equipped with modern weapons, sten guns, tear gas shells, and grenades, stormed Islamabad and resorted to unprovoked firing. He said that May 9 and November 26 are the darkest days in the country's history, ARY News reported. Tarar said that the guards of Ali Amin Gandapur were seen firing shots, adding that PTI wants to do politics over corpses. He said that PTI wants a state of unrest to prevail in the country and compromise the state's interest for political gains. Tarar said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have already rejected PTI's call for protests and will similarly reject their next call for disruption, as reported by ARY News. Meanwhile, incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan said in a post on X that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being targeted. "The fire of provincialism is being ignited in the country. It is being told that Pakhtuns are being targeted on ethnic basis in Islamabad. I strongly condemn it - Tehreek-e-Insaaf is a federal party that has united the whole of Pakistan - I instruct our nation that you must remain united despite any attempt by the miscreants of the government. We all are only Pakistanis beyond any race!" https://x.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1865035028083757060 Khan added that if PTI's demands are not fulfilled, a 'civil disobedience movement' will be launched. "We have two demands- A commission should be formed under the senior most judges of the Supreme Court to conduct an independent inquiry into the events of May 9 and November 26. - Unjustly imprisoned political prisoners should be released A committee headed by Umar Ayub has been formed for negotiations. If the demands are not met, civil disobedience, reduction of remittances and boycott movement will be initiated," he said. (ANI)
A majority of French respondents believe Taiwan's future should be decided by its people, according to an annual survey conducted by the Descartes Foundation and the Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defence, Taipei Times reported. The findings reflect robust support for Taiwan's democratic values, despite China's persistent claims and threats regarding the island nation. The survey, part of a 103-page report on public perceptions of global conflicts, provides valuable insight into the French public's stance on international issues. The survey, conducted in August, involved 4,000 French participants who were asked about their views on four major geopolitical conflicts: the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, tensions between France and Mali, and the rising hostilities in the Taiwan Strait. Laurent Cordonier, research director at the Descartes Foundation and the head of the study, said the report explored the impact of foreign information manipulation and interference, particularly how aggressors in international conflicts shape narratives to rationalise their actions. For the Taiwan Strait issue, respondents were presented with statements reflecting both Chinese and Taiwanese perspectives. From China's side, the survey cited three statements: "By supporting the Taiwan government, the US and other Western powers illegally intervene in China's internal affairs"; "Taiwan has historically belonged to China and is part of China's territory"; and "Only the Chinese government has the right to decide Taiwan's future." The findings revealed limited support for these views among French respondents. Only 28.4 per cent agreed to some extent with the first statement, while 46.7 per cent disagreed. Similarly, 20.3 per cent agreed with the second statement, and 48.4 per cent disagreed. The third statement saw the lowest agreement, with just 11 per cent expressing support, while 72.2 per cent rejected it outright. In contrast, the Taiwanese government's statements received overwhelming support. The first statement--"It is the people of Taiwan, not the Chinese government, who can freely and democratically determine Taiwan's future"--resonated with 79.5 per cent of respondents, while only 6.2 per cent disagreed, reported Taipei Times. The second statement, which emphasised Taiwan's autonomy as crucial to safeguarding democratic values, was backed by 72.9 per cent of respondents, with only 7.7 per cent opposing it. The third statement, highlighting that Taiwan has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party and denouncing China's attempts at unification by force, also found strong support, with 69 per cent agreeing and just 8.3 per cent disagreeing. Cordonier noted that the results highlight a clear preference among French respondents for Taiwan's right to self-determination, with levels of support surpassing even those for Ukraine in its war with Russia. This reflects the French public's broader alignment with democratic values and scepticism toward authoritarian regimes. The survey also examined how respondents view various nations involved in current conflicts. Taiwan received a relatively positive impression from 57.7 per cent of participants, while only 14.5 per cent viewed it negatively. In contrast, Russia held the worst reputation among surveyed countries, with China ranking third-worst. The findings also explored demographic and political patterns in the responses. Older respondents, particularly those aged 65 and above, were more likely to support democratic nations like Taiwan and oppose authoritarian states. Politically, centrist voters showed the highest levels of support for Taiwan, while far-left and far-right voters were more sympathetic to China. Additionally, the sources of news played a role in shaping opinions. Those favouring democracies tended to rely on professional and international media, while those expressing support for authoritarian states often consumed news from social media and platforms like YouTube, Taipei Times reported. The survey further asked respondents about France's potential role in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. More than half (56.5 per cent) said France should diplomatically support Taiwan and condemn Chinese aggression. However, only 16.8 per cent supported sending French troops to help defend the island. Meanwhile, 39.3 per cent agreed that France should do nothing if China attacks Taiwan, while 40.5 per cent disagreed. The findings, Cordonier said, provide a deeper understanding of public opinion on global conflicts, revealing robust support for self-determination and scepticism toward narratives crafted by authoritarian regimes. (ANI)
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will likely visit China soon for Special Representative talks, according to sources. NSA Doval's likely visit to China comes after New Delhi and Beijing in October reached an agreement regarding patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas. The border standoff between India and China began in eastern Ladakh along the LAC in 2020, and was sparked by Chinese military actions. It led to prolonged tensions between the two nations, significantly straining their relations. Earlier in 2020, the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question, Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China held a telephonic conversation, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The two Special Representatives had a "frank and in-depth exchange of views" on the recent developments in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas. The 22nd meeting of the Special Representatives of India and China was held in New Delhi on December 21, 2019. The Indian side was led by NSA Ajit Doval while Wang Yi led the Chinese delegation, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) On December 3, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India remains "committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, resonable and mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement." He said that in his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi, an understanding was reached that the Special Representatives and the Foreign Secretary level mechanisms will be convening soon. Briefing the Lok Sabha on India-China ties as well as disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishakar said that bilateral ties between the two countries have been "abnormal" since 2020 when "peace and tranquillity in the border areas were disturbed as a result of Chinese actions." "Recent developments that reflect our continuous diplomatic engagement since then have set our ties in the direction of some improvement," he said. In his speech in Lok Sabha, he shared with members of the expectation regarding direction of ties with China in the near future. "Our relationship had progressed in many domains, but was obviously negatively affected by recent events. We are clear that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas is a pre-requisite for the development of our ties. In the coming days, we will be discussing both de-escalation as well as effective management of our activities in the border areas," Jaishankar said. The External Affairs Minister said that "the conclusion of the disengagement phase now allows us to consider other aspects of our bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost." Jaishankar said, "The immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points so that there would be no further untoward incidents or clashes. This has been fully achieved. The next priority will be to consider de-escalation, that would address the massing of troops along the LAC with associated accompaniments." He also recalled the 2020 face-offs between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Earlier in November, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his counterpart Admiral Dong Jun in Laos, where he emphasised that India-China needs to move from disengagement to de-escalation to further build trust and confidence. This was the first meeting of Defence Ministers following the recent disengagement agreements and the meeting of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russia's Kazan. (ANI)
Kazakhstan marked a significant milestone on December 16, celebrating the 33rd anniversary of its independence. The day is not only a moment for national pride but a time to reflect on the remarkable transformation Kazakhstan has undergone since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since its independence, Kazakhstan has emerged as a key player in Central Asia, experiencing exponential growth across various sectors. The nation's economy, bolstered by energy, manufacturing, and technology industries, is the largest in the region. Moreover, Kazakhstan has positioned itself as a leader in green energy initiatives and sustainable development, drawing significant international attention. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's recent State of the Nation address, delivered on September 2, 2024, laid out a bold vision for the country's continued progress. Tokayev highlighted nine strategic directions focused on sustainable socio-economic development, including landmark laws passed to combat human trafficking, strengthen child protection, and address violence against women and children. In addition, Kazakhstan has created a favourable business environment, attracting over 441 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) since 1991. This influx of investment has led to the establishment of thousands of companies, making Kazakhstan a prime destination for global businesses. Kazakhstan's focus on improving its investment climate was further emphasised with the introduction of a new investment policy aimed at 2026, which includes attracting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments. Kazakhstan's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) provides businesses not only access to the domestic market but also to the broader EEU market, valued at around 2 trillion USD and home to 184 million people. As the country marks its 33rd year of independence, Kazakhstan also looks to the future with a renewed sense of confidence and determination. The launch of the "Kazakhstan: Born Bold" campaign embodies the spirit of ambition and resilience that defines the nation. The campaign, which highlights the country's achievements and its vision for the future, emphasises Kazakhstan's readiness to embrace new challenges and opportunities. President Tokayev, speaking at the World Nomad Games in September 2024, encapsulated this sentiment when he declared that "nomads are born bold," underscoring the strength and resilience of the Kazakh people. "Kazakhstan: Born Bold" is not just a marketing initiative, but a reflection of the nation's commitment to being at the forefront of innovation, economic development, and international cooperation. The campaign also highlights Kazakhstan's growing partnership with India, which has become one of the country's most strategic global allies. Over the years, Kazakhstan and India have fostered strong ties, with cooperation extending across multiple sectors, including trade, energy, education, and digital technologies. Tourism between the two nations has also seen a noticeable increase in 2024, reflecting the mutual interest in cultural exchange. Kazakhstan views India as a key player in the region, and both countries have significant potential to deepen their collaboration further. By strengthening their partnership, Kazakhstan and India aim to create a new economic and cultural context that will benefit both nations and the wider region. Kazakhstan's Independence Day is not only a celebration of its achievements but also a moment to look ahead with confidence and ambition. The country's bold vision for the coming years aligns with its desire to play a central role in shaping regional and international developments. With a focus on sustainable growth, technological innovation, and stronger international partnerships, Kazakhstan is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come. (ANI)
On December 12, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Czech Chamber of Deputies adopted a resolution addressing the People's Republic of China's (PRC) misinterpretation of United Nations Resolution 2758 and reaffirming support for Taiwan's participation in international organisations, an official press release by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) stated. The resolution, which received strong cross-party backing, was led by IPAC Czechia Co-Chair Rep. Eva Decroix, with support from committee members Hayato Okamura MP and Helena Langsadlova MP. The resolution directly challenges Beijing's use of UN Resolution 2758 to justify its sovereignty claim over Taiwan, rejecting what it describes as a distortion of the resolution's original intent. It also condemns China's increasing military provocations in the Taiwan Strait, urging the European Union and its member states to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations, stated the press release. This move by the Czech Chamber of Deputies is the sixth parliamentary motion passed under the International Parliamentary Alliance on China's (IPAC) "Initiative 2758." IPAC's Initiative 2758, aimed at challenging China's narrative and boosting Taiwan's presence in global forums, was endorsed by over 50 members during a meeting in Taipei this July, with Rep. Eva Decroix among the signatories. The resolution adds to similar motions passed by other countries and regions, including Australia, the Netherlands, the EU, Canada, and the United Kingdom, all of which have expressed support for Taiwan. Reflecting on the resolution's passage, IPAC Czech Chairman Rep. Eva Decroix stated, "This resolution sends a clear message: Taiwan's security is integral to upholding a rules-based international system. PRC's military provocations and its attempts to misinterpret UN resolutions to suit its narrative must be called out, and I am proud that the Czech Parliament took a stand on this issue today." Beijing has long maintained its goal of reunification with Taiwan, employing diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. Despite these efforts, Taiwan continues to maintain its independence, supported by a significant portion of its population. (ANI)
The world mourns the loss of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, whose groundbreaking contributions to Indian classical music brought the art form to global prominence. Among the many tributes, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti expressed deep sorrow, highlighting Hussain's profound impact on music and his enduring legacy. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Garcetti wrote, "Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the legendary Zakir Hussain, who inspired generations of musicians and whose remarkable gift touched so many people around the world. May his memory be a blessing." https://x.com/USAmbIndia/status/1868557275406983677 The US Embassy in India also paid homage to the maestro, acknowledging his role in strengthening cultural ties between nations. "Forever in our hearts, Wah Ustaad Wah! We pay our tributes to Ustad Zakir Hussain, a true maestro who touched millions of hearts worldwide with this special video we created with him to celebrate 75 years of the US-India relationship," the Embassy posted on X. https://x.com/USAndIndia/status/1868508759661723846 Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of legendary table maestro, Ustad Zakhir Hussain.Taking to social media X (formerly Twitter), Modi in a post, described Hussain as a genius who revolutionised Indian classical music, bringing the tabla to global recognition. "Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji. He will be remembered as a true genius who revolutionized the world of Indian classical music. He also brought the tabla to the global stage, captivating millions with his unparalleled rhythm. Through this, he seamlessly blended Indian classical traditions with global music, thus becoming an icon of cultural unity," the post read. The Prime Minister further highlighted that Hussain's iconic performances and soulful compositions would continue to inspire generations of music lovers and musicians. "His iconic performances and soulful compositions will contribute to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the global music community," the post further read. (ANI)
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) political leader, Sikyong Penpa Tsering had a series of important engagements in Washington, DC, aimed at strengthening international support for the Tibetan cause and addressing key issues affecting the Tibetan people. Sikyong had a significant meeting with Richard R Verma, the United States Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources, according to the statement shared by Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Verma, who has deep experience in Tibetan affairs from his time as the US Ambassador to India, took a personal interest in the well-being of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, particularly following the leader's recent knee surgery. Their discussion underscored the strong ties between the US and Tibetan communities, with Verma demonstrating his continued commitment to Tibetan issues. This meeting was followed by an hour-long session with Uzra Zeya, the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, who also serves as the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Sikyong expressed his gratitude to Under Secretary Zeya for her consistent support and dedication to the Tibetan cause. The meeting was attended by Representative Namgyal Choedup, Alison Bartel, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary, as well as representatives from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). Concluding his engagements, Sikyong met with staff members from both the majority and minority parties of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This crucial discussion focused on ongoing human rights concerns in Tibet and the broader geopolitical implications of Tibet's struggle for autonomy and cultural preservation. Sikyong's meetings in Washington, DC exemplified the ongoing diplomatic efforts of the Central Tibetan Administration to advance the Tibetan cause on the global stage. Through these dialogues with U.S. officials and the public, Sikyong continues to advocate for greater international recognition of Tibet's unique cultural and human rights issues. The Tibet-China conflict, a complex geopolitical dispute, revolves around national sovereignty, human rights, and cultural identity. At its heart lies Tibet's political status, its relationship with China, and the rights of Tibetans under Chinese governance. The issue carries significant historical, cultural, and political implications and continues to attract global attention without resolution. (ANI)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during his visit to Delhi, highlighted unity, social protection, and sustainable development as the cornerstones of his administration's vision. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he reflected on Sri Lanka's historic electoral mandate and democracy's strength in diversity, as both leaders witnessed the exchange of MoUs to bolster bilateral ties. At the joint press statement, President Dissanayake said, "Social protection and durable development are the cornerstones on which the people of our countries have elected both of us to power. This is the Parliament which has the most number of Members of Parliament from one single party. Never in the history have we had a composition like this." He highlighted the transformative mandate of his government, adding, "The National People's Power achieved a historic electoral victory at the recently concluded presidential election and general election. The message expressed by the people of Sri Lanka paved the way for a new culture to emerge in Sri Lanka." Reiterating the inclusive nature of governance in Sri Lanka, he stated, "People have placed their faith in us. The people in all parts of the country, who belong to all communities, creeds and religions have voted for us. Diversity is the cornerstone of democracy." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, reaffirmed India's commitment to Sri Lanka's progress. "India has so far provided 5 billion dollars in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka. We have cooperation in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, and the selection of our projects is always based on the development priorities of the partner countries," he said. PM Modi announced initiatives such as the rehabilitation of the railway signalling system, scholarships for Sri Lankan university students, and training for 1,500 civil servants over the next five years. "India will also cooperate for the development of agriculture, dairy, and fisheries in Sri Lanka. India will also participate in the unique digital project in Sri Lanka," he added. The long-standing India-Sri Lanka partnership, rooted in shared civilisational and historical ties spanning over 2,500 years, remains pivotal in the 'Neighbourhood First' policy. With matured and diverse cooperation, the nations continue to strengthen cultural, economic, and social bonds. (ANI)
Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mihail Popsoi, who is on his first official visit to India on Monday, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and laid a wreath at Rajghat. He also signed the visitors book at Rajghat. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "Remembering Gandhian values of truth, non-violence and peace. Deputy PM and FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1868558620583133307 Popsoi arrived in Delhi on Sunday. Welcoming Popsoi in India, Randhir Jaiswal on X wrote, "Warm welcome to Deputy PM & FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova on his first official visit to India." "His visit will deepen India-Moldova bilateral ties and foster a stronger partnership," the post added. The Modlovian minister and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar jointly inaugurated the Embassy of Moldova in India yesterday. In his speech, the EAM thanked Moldova for providing crucial help during 'Operation Ganga' in evacuating Indian students and also expressed confidence in the growth of ties between the two countries. In his speech, Jaishankar noted that the inauguration of the embassy serves as a significant milestone in the relationship between India and Moldova. "Every time an embassy opens here, I know we've done something right in our foreign policy. Whether it's a mission opening here or one of our embassies or consulates opening abroad, I see that as a reflection of India's growing engagement with the world", he said. Jaishankar noted that the inauguration of the embassy is a statement of a deeper relationship with Moldova and reflects the shared commitment of the two nations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. He noted that India and Moldova have supported each other on the global stage in multilateral institutions and international challenges like climate change and sustainable development. Jaishankar and Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister signed the declaration of intent on Migration and Mobility in the national capital yesterday. "Held productive talks with DPM & FM @MihaiPopsoi today in New Delhi. Discussed our growing bilateral and multilateral cooperation. And new opportunities in investment, education, technology and culture. Today's signing of declaration of intent on a Migration and Mobility partnership will open new avenues for our partnership," Jaishankar wrote on X. Moldova also joined the International Solar Alliance, Randhir Jaiswal announced today. The agreement was signed between Jaishankar and Popsoi. "Moldova joins the International Solar Alliance (ISA)! Moldova signed the ISA Framework Agreement. We welcome Moldova joining global efforts to promote clean energy and sustainability through the ISA platform," Jaiswal posted on X. In a press release, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "India and Moldova share friendly and cordial relations. The two countries cooperate effectively on matters of mutual interest in multilateral fora. Regular exchanges between both sides reflect the strengthening of bilateral ties. The Indian community in Moldova, including students, acts as a living bridge, fostering strong people-to-people connections between the two nations." (ANI)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to the Indian government for its support during their economic crisis and subsequent recovery efforts and acknowledged the country's role in debt-free structuring process. The remarks by Dissanayake came while addressing a joint press statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India. The Sri Lankan President said, "We faced an unprecedented economic crisis some two years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process." He added, "I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka." Dissanayake also called for a "durable and sustainable solution" to the fishermen's issue that has affected both the nations, India and Sri Lanka. "We also want to find a durable and sustainable solution to the fishermen's issue that has become a plague for both our countries. There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry." he said. Speaking about the digitising of public services, the sri Lankan President added, "India has achieved tremendous success in digitising the public services. So, likewise, Sri Lanka is also taking the same path. PM Modi assured me of support in that endeavour..." He also thanked PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmu for the warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation. "After becoming the President of Sri Lanka, this is my first foreign visit. I am so happy that I was able to come to Delhi on my first State visit. I want to thank India for the invitation extended to me and also for the warm hospitality that was extended to the whole delegation, including myself. I want to thank PM Modi and President Murmu...This visit paved the way for the cooperation between the two countries to be developed further," Dissanayake said. PM Modi and President Dissanayake made the joint statement after holding talks in the Hyderabad House in Delhi. The Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that issues related to the livelihood of fishermen were discussed during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and both sides agreed on the need for a humanitarian approach to address the issue. During a joint statement at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, PM Modi expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government would meet the aspirations of the Tamil community. He emphasized the importance of implementing the Sri Lankan constitution in full and holding provincial council elections as committed. "We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen and agreed that we should move forward with a humanitarian approach in this matter. On reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, President Dissanayake told me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will meet the aspirations of the Tamilians, and fulfill its commitment to fully implement the Constitution of Sri Lanka and holding Provincial Council Elections. I have assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to be a trusted and reliable partner in his efforts to develop Sri Lanka," PM Modi said. The two leaders also announced plans to enhance connectivity. PM Modi said that he and Anura Kumara Dissanayake have decided to start a ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. "Ferry service and Chennai-Jaffna flight connectivity have boosted tourism and strengthened our cultural ties. We have decided that after the successful launch of Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai ferry services, now ferry service will be started between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. Work will also be done to realize the immense potential of tourism through Sri Lanka's Buddhist circuit and Ramayana trail," he said. Highlighting security and defence cooperation, PM Modi said that they have decided to soon conclude defence cooperation agreement, and have cooperation on hydrography. "Our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to conclude the defence cooperation agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," he added. Welcoming President Dissanayake to India, PM Modi expressed happiness that New Delhi was his first foreign visit after assuming office. "I welcome President Dissanayake to India. We are happy that you (Anura Kumara Dissanayake) chose India as his first foreign visit. This visit will bring a new speed and energy to the ties. For our partnership, we have adopted a futuristic vision," he said. The Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15 to December 17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. Speaking about economic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, PM Modi said, "In our economic cooperation, we have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity. We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be important pillars of our partnership. Work will be done to establish electricity grid connectivity and multi multi-petroleum pipeline. Pace will be given to Sampur Solar Power Plant. LNG will be supplied for Sri Lankan Power plants. To boost bilateral trade, both sides will try to conclude the Ekta soon." PM Narendra Modi said that India has so far provided 5 billion dollars in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka and added that the cooperation has reached all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. "India has so far provided 5 billion dollars in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka. We have cooperation in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka and the selection of our projects is always based on the development priorities of the partner countries. Taking our development cooperation forward, we have decided that grant assistance will be given for the rehabilitation of the signalling system of the Maho-Anuradhapura railway section and Kankesanthurai Port," he said. Announcing monthly scholarships for 200 students in the universities of Jaffna and Eastern Province from next year, PM Modi said, "Under education cooperation, from next year, monthly scholarships will be given to 200 students in the universities of Jaffna and Eastern Province. In the next 5 years, 1500 civil servants of Sri Lanka will be trained in India. Along with housing, renewable energy and infrastructure, India will also cooperate for the development of agriculture, dairy and fisheries in Sri Lanka. India will also participate in the unique digital identity project in Sri Lanka." Highlighting people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka, he said, "The people-to-people relations between India and Sri Lanka are linked to our civilisations. When the Pali language was given the status of classical language in India, it was celebrated in Sri Lanka too." Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, was also present with him. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "President @anuradisanayake of Sri Lanka paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat this morning. Bapu's timeless values of truth and non-violence continue to inspire humanity all over the world." (ANI)
India and Moldova on Monday signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation and facilitating the exchange of information on training programmes for diplomats. The MoU was signed by Raj Kumar Srivastava, Dean of the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), and Ana Taban, Ambassador of Moldova to India. Sharing a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "The diplomatic academies of India @SSIFS_MEA & Moldova signed an MoU on cooperation & exchange of information on training programmes for diplomats." "The MoU was signed by Raj Kumar Srivastava, Dean, SSIFS & Ana Taban, Amb of Moldova to India," the post added. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1868607445570072695 The signing of the MoU comes amid the visit of Moldovan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi. Earlier in the day, Popsoi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and laid a wreath at Rajghat. He also signed the visitors book at Rajghat. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, "Remembering Gandhian values of truth, non-violence and peace. Deputy PM and FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today." Popsoi arrived in Delhi on Sunday. Welcoming Popsoi in India, Randhir Jaiswal on X wrote, "Warm welcome to Deputy PM & FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova on his first official visit to India. His visit will deepen India-Moldova bilateral ties and foster a stronger partnership." The Modlovian Minister and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar jointly inaugurated the Embassy of Moldova in India on Sunday. In his speech, the EAM thanked Moldova for providing crucial help during 'Operation Ganga' in evacuating Indian students and also expressed confidence in the growth of ties between the two countries. In his speech, Jaishankar noted that the inauguration of the embassy serves as a significant milestone in the relationship between India and Moldova. "Every time an embassy opens here, I know we've done something right in our foreign policy. Whether it's a mission opening here or one of our embassies or consulates opening abroad, I see that as a reflection of India's growing engagement with the world," he said. (ANI)
India and Sri Lanka are discussing cooperation between them and the UAE to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for the supply of affordable and reliable energy. This is among energy projects at various stages of consideration between the two countries. According to a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the two countries agreed to take steps towards the implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and further augment its capacity as per the requirements of Sri Lanka as part of energy development. "Emphasizing the need for reliable, affordable and timely energy resources for ensuring energy security and meeting basic needs of the people, both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and facilitation towards timely implementation of ongoing energy cooperation projects between India and Sri Lanka," the statement said. In this regard, the leaders agreed to continue consideration of the several proposals which are in different stages of discussion "including supply of LNG from India to Sri Lanka, establishment of a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka and cooperation amongst India, Sri Lanka and UAE to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for supply of affordable and reliable energy". The also agreed to continue consideration of joint development of offshore wind power potential in Palk Straits, while prioritizing environmental protection including fauna and flora. "Acknowledging the ongoing cooperation in the development of Trincomalee Tank Farms, both leaders decided to support the development of Trincomalee as a regional energy and industrial hub," the release said. The two leaders agreed to expedite the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve delivery of government services to the public. PM Modi and Dissanayake agreed to collaborate on avenues to fully roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka with assistance from India. Both leaders agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to explore the implementation of a DPI stack in Sri Lanka based on experience and systems already established in India, including advancing ongoing technical discussions on the implementation of DigiLocker in Sri Lanka. The two leaders agreed to promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries and in keeping with payment systems-related regulatory guidelines of both countries. The two leaders agreed to continue bilateral exchanges to garner learnings from India's Aadhaar platform, GeM portal, PM Gati Shakti digital platform, digitized customs and other taxation procedures, with a view to exploring the benefits of establishing equivalent systems in Sri Lanka. With a view to supporting human-resource development and promoting innovation and technology in Sri Lanka, PM Modi and Dissanayake agreed to seek to expand collaboration in research and development in sectors like agriculture, aquaculture, digital economy, health and other areas of mutual interest. The two leaders agreed to explore cooperation between educational institutions of India and Sri Lanka. They expressed willingness to foster coooperation between Start-up India and Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), including for mentorship for Sri Lankan start-ups. PM Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appreciated the ongoing collaboration for the development of the dairy sector in Sri Lanka with the aim of promoting self-sufficiency and nutritional security. "Noting President Disanayaka's emphasis on agricultural modernization, the two leaders agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to examine possibilities for the comprehensive development of the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka," the joint statement said. The Sri Lankan President is on a state visit to India from December 15 to December 17. This is the first foreign visit of Dissanayake after assuming office in September. (ANI)
A large protest organised by the Awami Action Committee (AAC) took place on Monday in Skardu's Yadgar area in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan, condemning the recent arrests of political activists, including prominent leader Muhammad Javed and political worker Ali Taj. As per reports by the Pamir Times, the protesters voiced their strong opposition to the filing of FIRs against political dissidents and their subsequent detentions, urging for the abolition of the controversial Fourth Schedule and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) in the region. The Fourth Schedule, part of Pakistan's legal framework, has faced criticism for being used to suppress political dissent and target individuals based on vague or politically motivated charges, rather than on legitimate evidence of criminal activity. Similarly, the ATA, introduced in 1997, grants the government broad powers to combat terrorism but has been controversial for its use in suppressing civil liberties and curbing political activism. During the protest, participants expressed their frustration with what they described as a growing climate of fear and repression in PoGB. One protestor said, "There are different laws for Gilgit-Baltistan and different laws for the establishment. We are raising our voice against this injustice. When it comes to Gilgit-Baltistan, we will stand united, regardless of sectarian differences. The blood of all is the same." This protest in Skardu follows another demonstration just days earlier in Hunza, where political activists gathered in front of the Hunza Press Club to demand the release of Muhammad Javed, former chairman of the Karakoram National Movement, and other political leaders. Protesters in Hunza held placards reading "Free Javed" and "Freedom of Speech," while rallying for the restoration of fundamental rights such as political participation and freedom of expression. According to reports, Muhammad Javed, along with two other leaders, was arrested by local police following an FIR filed by customs officials at the Sost Police Station in Hunza. The FIR accuses over 88 individuals of being involved in the illegal transportation of goods imported from China. The document alleges that the suspects assaulted customs officers, forcibly removed the goods, and obstructed roads, among other charges. In addition, the accused face allegations of delivering provocative speeches that allegedly incited unrest. However, protesters strongly dispute these accusations, asserting that their actions were political, not criminal. The activists emphasised their unwavering support for the detained leaders and made it clear that their protests would not end until those arrested were freed. The ongoing protests in PoGB reflect mounting frustration over the increasing arrests of political leaders and activists in the region. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said that during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended an invitation to him to visit Sri Lanka, which was accepted, with dates yet to be finalised through diplomatic channels. Misri further said that both the leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on regional issues, including reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka, constitution implementation, and provincial council elections, while emphasizing a humanitarian approach to resolving fishermen-related concerns. While speaking at a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India, Misri said, "President Dissanayake while expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality that he had received here extended an invitation to PM Narendra Modi to visit Sri Lanka. The PM accepted the invitation. It is understood that the dates for such visit will be worked out through diplomatic channels." He added, "The two leaders also had a detailed conversation on promoting reconciliation in Sri Lanka. PM urged President Dissanayake for a full and effective implementation of the Sri Lankan Constitution and for holding provincial council elections at the earliest." Addressing the issues related to fishermen, Misri said, "He said, "The leadership had extensive discussions and agreed that issues related to fishermen should be dealt with humanitarian perspective since these are issues related to livelihood. Use of force must be avoided under all circumstances." Earlier in the day, PM Modi said that issues related to the livelihood of fishermen were discussed during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Dissanayake, and both sides agreed on the need for a humanitarian approach to address the issue. During a joint statement at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, PM Modi expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government would meet the aspirations of the Tamil community. He emphasised the importance of implementing the Sri Lankan constitution in full and holding provincial council elections as committed. "We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen and agreed that we should move forward with a humanitarian approach in this matter. On reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, President Dissanayake told me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will meet the aspirations of the Tamilians, and fulfill its commitment to fully implement the Constitution of Sri Lanka and holding Provincial Council Elections. I have assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to be a trusted and reliable partner in his efforts to develop Sri Lanka," PM Modi said. Notably, the Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. (ANI)
A protest rally was held in Noshki on Monday, organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and the family of the missing teacher Farid Ahmed Badini. The rally began at Mir Gul Khan Nasir Library and ended at the Noshki Press Club, passing through Nawab Akbar Bugti Road along the way. Protesters, comprising women, children, youth, and political party members, raised their voices with slogans calling for the return of Farid Ahmed Badini and other missing individuals, according to a report by The Balochistan Post. The rally included speeches from Lubana Badini, the daughter of Farid Ahmed, as well as Bibarg Baloch, Maheen Baloch, Comrade Amin Baloch, Farooq Baloch from the National Party, Mir Khursheed Jamaldini from BNP, Maulana Zakaria Adil, Zahir Baloch from GTA, Mushtaq Baloch, Mah Parah Baloch, and several others. The speakers raised alarms about the increasing cases of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and called for the immediate release of Farid Ahmed. They emphasised that as a teacher and a societal contributor, Farid is not safe in the region. His month-long disappearance has deeply troubled his family, particularly given his health conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure. They cautioned that if Farid Ahmed is not released within a week, they would launch an indefinite sit-in on the national highway. 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)
Protests continue to intensify across Sindh against the federal government's proposed canal project on the Indus River, with various political and farmer groups voicing their opposition, The Dawn reported. Activists from Awami Porhiyat Tehreek, PPP-SB, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), and local farmers staged marches, rallies, and sit-ins on Sunday, condemning the construction of six new canals, which they argue would deprive Sindh of its water resources. According to reports by Dawn, the leaders of Awami Porhiyat Tehreek, including President GN Khoso, rallied in Wahi Pandhi, accusing the federal government and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari of conspiring against Sindh. They warned that the people of Sindh, numbering over 50 million, would not tolerate any move that threatened their access to water. Activists criticised the provincial government's failure to protect Sindh's interests, accusing them of prioritising personal gains while disregarding the needs of the local population. The Dawn reported that Kashif Saeed Sheikh, head of Jamaat-i-Islami's Sindh chapter, voiced concerns that the canal project posed a serious threat to Sindh's agriculture and history. He called on Sindhi people to resist, stressing that the Indus River was vital for the province's survival. Sheikh also blamed President Zardari for approving harmful projects like the Greater Thar Canal, which further undermined Sindh's water rights. Farmers, including notable landowners such as Faisal Kachchelo and Ali Hassan Chandio, organised protests and sit-ins, demanding the federal government scrap the canal project. They accused the PPP of betraying Sindh by selling out its water share to Punjab. Additionally, Awami Tehreek President Vasand Thari announced a "Save Sindh Peaceful March" scheduled for December 22 in Sukkur to mobilise support against the project. Thari and other leaders emphasized that the project would devastate Sindh's agricultural sector and overall prosperity, according to The Dawn. The protests have garnered widespread support from various sectors of society, with activists and farmers pledging to intensify their resistance if the project proceeds. The growing movement underscores the deepening discontent in Sindh over water rights and governance issues. (ANI)
Switzerland's suspension of India's Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status will not impact the bilateral relations between the two countries, according to the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi. In response to a question from ANI regarding the potential effects of this decision on Swiss investments in India, the embassy clarified, "The current suspension from the Swiss side of the application of the most-favoured-nation clause (MFN) under the protocol to the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and India does neither affect the free trade agreement between the two countries nor Swiss investments in India. It adapts the Swiss interpretation of the most favoured nation clause to the one taken by India and confirmed by the Indian Supreme Court." When asked about the implications for the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the embassy stated, "The decision taken by the Swiss competent authority on December 11, 2024 is deemed to ensure equal treatment between Swiss and Indian investors. Since India does not grant the 5 per cent tax rate to Indian dividends paid to Swiss investors, Switzerland will align itself, with effect from January 1, 2025, and will also maintain a residual tax of 10 per cent instead of 5 per cent." The embassy further added, "This change restores the taxation modalities to the situation applicable prior to the Swiss communication of 13 August 2021. The change in this residual rate has no impact on the validity of the double taxation agreement as such, or on any other treaties under international law concluded between Switzerland (independently or under the EFTA framework) and India." The embassy further noted that the MFN clause in the double taxation agreement would remain applicable should the necessary conditions for its application be fulfilled. On the broader question of potential impacts on bilateral ties, the Swiss Embassy emphasised that relations between the two countries remain strong and unaffected by this development. "The bilateral relationship between Switzerland and India is excellent," the embassy affirmed. "Since the signature of the TEPA (Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement) in March 2024, our partnership has entered a new era. Switzerland remains committed to promoting investments in India. This decision does not negatively affect investments from Switzerland to India, nor does it impact the EFTA-India TEPA." (ANI)
Expats donate blood at Shanghai charity event

Chinadaily.com.cn) 08:19, December 16, 2024

Azahar Muhammad Mishkat, an international student majors in Material Science and Engineering at Shanghai's Tongji University, donates blood at the Shanghai Blood Center on Saturday. (Gu Yingjie/chinadaily.com.cn)

More than 100 expatriates hailing from 37 countries gathered at the Shanghai Blood Center on Saturday to participate in a community blood drive, showcasing their deep connection to the city by giving back in a meaningful way.

The blood drive was a pivotal component of the charity event named "United for Shanghai, Lifeblood of a Caring City," which was jointly organized by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Shanghai Blood Center, and Bloodline. Attendees included government representatives, institutional figures, and international guests from diverse backgrounds.

James Nelligan, the head of the Shanghai American School, expressed the profound significance of the event as a unifying force. He emphasized the power of such initiatives in bringing people together, saying, "Nothing says community more than when we forget all of the other things that make us different and remember what makes us the same".

Executive Vice President of Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Kong Fu'an (fourth from left) and other representatives cut the cake with blood donors at the community blood drive. (Gu Yingjie/chinadaily.com.cn)

Bloodline, a non-profit organization dedicated to rallying expatriates for voluntary blood donations to aid children fighting blood cancer, has spearheaded more than 50 blood drives since its establishment in 2017.

Ashish Maskay, the founder of Bloodline and a Nepalese surgeon serving as the director of Shanghai expatriate healthcare at Shanghai United Family Hospital, revealed that over 5,000 individuals from 68 countries have contributed blood donations through the platform.

Maskay underscored the communal spirit driving the initiative, saying, "It's all about coming together as a community and giving back to the city we love so much". He highlighted the participants' shared affection for Shanghai as the driving force behind their altruistic actions.

Helena Mathis, an exchange student from Austria at Tongji University, donates blood at the Shanghai Blood Center on Saturday. (Gu Yingjie/chinadaily.com.cn)

Among the participants was Azahar Muhammad Mishkat, a PhD student at Tongji University in Shanghai, originally from Bangladesh. Mishkat, who has been in the city for two years, pledged to be available for emergency blood donations and expressed his commitment to continue supporting such causes after his first blood donation journey with Bloodline on Saturday.

Daria Fontana, an exchange student from the University of Venice in Italy, said this was her first blood donation experience. Despite being previously ineligible due to being underweight, Fontana was elated to finally contribute. She enthusiastically spread the word about the initiative at her school, encouraging her peers to join in.

Moreover, the event featured the "Shanghai, My City" short video collection and screening activity, attracting a diverse array of foreigners keen on capturing and sharing their Shanghai experiences through their unique perspectives.

Gu Yingjie contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during his three-day official visit to Bhutan thanked King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, for attending the Advantage Assam roadshow and said that Wangchuck's hospitality reinforces the special bond that ties the people of Bhutan and India. Accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the Chief Minister expressed his commitment to strengthening the region's ties. The visit, at the invitation of Bhutan's Royal Government, also includes Sarma's participation in Bhutan's 117th National Day celebrations. Sharing a post on X, Sarma wrote, "I am deeply honoured by the special gesture by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who graced the #AdvantageAsssam roadshow. His Majesty's warmth and hospitality reinforce the special bond that ties the wonderful people of Bhutan and India!" https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1868682950964863328 In another post, he wrote, "Thank you for the warm embrace and affection H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bhutan." https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1868661145932111935 Sarma further said that he and his wife Riniki were mesmerised by the display of Assam's culture in Bhutan's capital Thimphu. "Riniki and I were absolutely mesmerised by the heart touching display of Assam's culture in Thimphu. Nothing gives me greater joy than to see our great culture going beyond Bharat's frontiers," Sarma wrote on X. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1868639522541765101 Notably, earlier in the day, Sarma, accompanied by his wife arrived in Thimphu for a three-day official visit. He will also participate in the grand celebration of Bhutan's 117th National Day. The couple was welcomed at the airport by Bhutan's Foreign Minister, Lyonpo DN Dhungyel. "Just landed in Thimphu, Bhutan. Thankful to H.E. Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, for welcoming Riniki and me at the airport. I look forward to boosting Bharat's ties with this beautiful nation during my three-day visit," Sarma posted on X. According to a statement from Bhutan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Himanta Biswa Sarma is visiting Bhutan at the invitation of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The visit is scheduled from December 16 to 19. This marks the first official visit to Bhutan by the Chief Minister of Assam.Bhutan and Assam share a warm, historic bond of friendship and neighbourly ties. This visit is expected to further strengthen these relations, fostering closer connections between Bhutan and the Indian state of Assam. (ANI)
The Kaski District Police on Monday submitted an investigation report to the District Government Attorney's Office, recommending charges against former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in three cases. In the first phase of the investigation, Lamichhane has been recommended to be persecuted under cases of cooperative fraud, organised crime, and money laundering. Along with Lamichhane, former Deputy Inspector General Chhabilal Joshi, Leela Pachhai, Ram Bahadur Khanal, and Krishna Bahadur Gurung are under police custody for allegedly embezzling savings from the Pokhara-based Suryadarshan Cooperative. Lamichhane was arrested on November 18 from Kathmandu. The Kaski District Attorney Kamala Kafle confirmed that the police have submitted the investigation report and are in the process of reviewing it. "Preparations are underway to present the case in court," Kafle confirmed to ANI over the phone. Lamichhane, who is in the custody of Kaski District Police, will be presented before the court once again on Tuesday to request an extension. "As the last extended date ends on Monday, he (Rabi Lamichhane) will be presented before the court on Tuesday requesting an extension. The investigation report is still under review. It will take time to determine which charges will be applicable so that an extension will be requested again on Tuesday," Kafle added. Along with Lamichhane, the police have recommended the Government Attorney's Office prosecute 51 people, all in connection with the embezzlement of savings at Suryadarshan Savings and Credit Cooperative in Kaski. "We have submitted a report naming 51 people, including those who have been arrested and those who are yet to be arrested, as defendants," confirmed Deputy Superintendent of Police Basanta Sharma of Kaski District Police Office. Some of the defendants have been released on bail or are in prison, while most are absconding. As per the police official, around NRs 1.51 billion has also been claimed from the defendants. The police investigated the defendants based on a supplementary complaint filed on February 5. Former DIG Joshi was arrested on September 22, and Pachhai on September 25. Lamichhane was arrested from the party office in Kathmandu on October 18 and taken to Pokhara the same day. Similarly, Khanal was arrested on October 25. Investigations are also ongoing against all four of them in Chitwan, Rupandehi, Parsa, and Kathmandu. They are being investigated for embezzlement of savings of Sahara Cooperative in Chitwan, Supreme Cooperative in Rupandehi, Sano Paila Cooperative in Parsa, and Swarna Laxmi Cooperative in Kathmandu. Police investigations have shown that loans were given to Gorkha Media Pvt. Ltd. and Nature Herbs, among others, from these cooperatives and that the funds were embezzled. The parliamentary special inquiry committee on cooperative fraud had recommended investigating various individuals, including Lamichhane. The committee had submitted its report to the House of Representatives on September 16. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, focusing on key bilateral issues, including trade, investment, connectivity and energy and said that the two nations will work together to strengthen the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Sharing a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Today's talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake covered topics such as trade, investment, connectivity and energy. Our nations also look forward to collaborating in sectors such as housing, agriculture, dairy and fisheries." "India and Sri Lanka will also work together to strengthen the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Likewise, we will also focus on maritime security, cyber security and disaster relief," the post added. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1868648757916831746 In another post, PM Modi said, "It was indeed wonderful meeting you, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Your visit to India is going to add great momentum to the India-Sri Lanka friendship!" Meanwhile, Dissanayake said that he engaged in discussions with PM Modi on sectors of trade, defence, energy, BRICS, United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS), and stopping illegal fishing. In a post on X, Dissanayake wrote, "It is a privilege to visit India on my first overseas trip as President and I am grateful to PM @narendramodi for supporting Sri Lanka during the economic crisis and for aiding debt restructuring." The post added, "We discussed trade, defence, energy, BRICS, UNCLCS, and stopping illegal fishing during our meeting today. I invited PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka and assured India that Sri Lanka's territory would not be used against India's security interests." https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868630044421296161 The visit of the Sri Lankan President also witnessed the signing of several agreements, including an MoU on civil servant training and a protocol to amend the double taxation avoidance pact, alongside announcements of grant assistance for development projects and educational scholarships. The announcements include a financial assistance scheme for 100 new students annually from the University of Jaffna and Eastern University each until the end of academic courses of the beneficiaries and grant assistance of USD 14.9 million for the railway signalling project in Maho-Anuradhapura section. The MoUs include protocol amending the agreement between Sri Lanka and India for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion concerning taxes on income along with an MoU between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), India and Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) on Training and Capacity Building Programme for Civil Servants of Sri Lanka. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1868605721765703734 Earlier in the day, PM Modi said that issues related to the livelihood of fishermen were discussed during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Dissanayake, and both sides agreed on the need for a humanitarian approach to address the issue. During a joint statement at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, PM Modi expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government would meet the aspirations of the Tamil community. He emphasised the importance of implementing the Sri Lankan constitution in full and holding provincial council elections as committed. "We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen and agreed that we should move forward with a humanitarian approach in this matter. On reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, President Dissanayake told me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will meet the aspirations of the Tamilians, and fulfill its commitment to fully implement the Constitution of Sri Lanka and hold Provincial Council Elections. I have assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to be a trusted and reliable partner in his efforts to develop Sri Lanka," PM Modi said. Notably, the Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. (ANI)
"On behalf of Bangladesh Army, GOC 33 Infantry Division and Area Commander, Comilla Area Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, NDU, AFWC, PSC and Chief of Staff, 101 Area Major General Sumit Rana on behalf of Indian Army were present," the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) of Bangladesh said in a statement.

"Three staff officers and one captain-level BGB officer were present as members of the Bangladesh team in the event. Similarly, three Indian Army officers and BSF officers of Captain rank were present. The representatives of both countries exchanged courtesy calls and greetings," it added.

"It may be noted here that such courtesy meetings between the two countries are customary on nationally important days like 16th December (Victory Day), Pahela Boishakh (Bengali New Year Day). In continuation of this, today's short courtesy meeting was held. The 18-minute courtesy call ended at 1148 hrs (Bangladesh local time)," ISPR further said.

Notably, In 1971, India's allied forces helped Bangladesh's freedom fighters in a bloody nine-month war. On December 16, 1971, General Amir Abdullah Niazi, the chief of Pakistan's Armed Forces surrendered along with 93,000 soldiers before the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh. (ANI)
Foreign Ministers and representatives of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union on Monday unequivocally condemn the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK's) deployment of troops to Russia and the provision of military support for use in the conflict against Ukraine. The Foreign Ministers also recalled and reinforced May 2024 coordinated sanctions action and joint statement on DPRK-Russia cooperation. "We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union condemn in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation, including the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia for use on the battlefield against Ukraine. In a continued show of support and unity, we recall and reinforce our May 2024 coordinated sanctions action and joint statement on DPRK-Russia cooperation," the US State Department said in a press release. The countries further said that direct DPRK support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security. "The DPRK's export of ballistic missiles, artillery shells, and other military materiel to Russia for use against Ukraine and Russia's training of DPRK soldiers involving arms or related materiel represent flagrant violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), and 2270 (2016). We are deeply concerned about any political, military, or economic support that Russia may be providing to the DPRK's illegal weapons programs, including weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, which would exacerbate the already tense environment on the Korean Peninsula," the statement said. The statement further said, "Together, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We urge the DPRK to immediately cease all assistance for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops. We urge Russia to immediately end its war of aggression against Ukraine and cease its military cooperation with the DPRK. We encourage members of the broader international community to join our call and we will continue to act in concert, including through imposition of economic sanctions, to respond to the danger posed by the DPRK-Russia partnership." US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in November had said that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, with around 8,000 deployed in the Kursk region. Notably, Russia and North Korea have stepped up military cooperation since the beginning of the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv in February 2022. (ANI)
India and Sri Lanka reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties for a secure and stable Indian Ocean Region. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka's stance on not allowing its territory to be used in any way that could compromise India's security. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in 'India - Sri Lanka Joint Statement: Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future' said, "Recognizing shared security interests of India and Sri Lanka, both leaders acknowledged the importance of regular dialogue based on mutual trust and transparency and giving primacy to each other's security concerns. As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region." The MEA added, "India being Sri Lanka's closest maritime neighbour, President Disanayaka reiterated Sri Lanka's stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability." Expressing satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation in training, exchange programmes, ship visits, bilateral exercises and assistance to augment defence capabilities, PM Narendra Modi and President Dissanayake agreed to advance maritime and security collaboration. President Disanayaka also thanked India for its support through the provision of a Dornier Aircraft for maritime surveillance; and establishment of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka amongst other assistance vital for Sri Lanka to enhance its maritime domain awareness. He further appreciated India's role as a 'first responder' for Sri Lanka in the field of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. Importantly, the recent success in collaboration efforts of Indian and Sri Lanka Navies in the seizing of vessels trafficking a large quantity of narcotics with suspects was mentioned and President Disanayaka expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy. Taking cognizance of various security threats such as terrorism, drug/narcotics smuggling, money laundering, and, both leaders agreed to further strengthen the ongoing efforts in training, capacity building, and intelligence and information sharing, the MEA said. "In this context, they agreed to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation; foster cooperation in hydrography; provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka's defence capabilities; intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges; extend assistance to strengthen capabilities of Sri Lanka on disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation, including through training, joint exercises and sharing of best practices; and enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailor-made training programmes, wherever required," the MEA added. Meanwhile, India conveyed its full support for Sri Lanka's Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Both leaders underscored the need for a substantive action plan by IORA member countries for the security and development of all in the region. Both leaders also underlined their commitment to further strengthen and enhance regional cooperation under BIMSTEC. President Disanayaka requested Prime Minister Modi's support for Sri Lanka's application to become a member of the BRICS. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Sri Lanka's support for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028-2029, the MEA said. Notably, the Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. (ANI)
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives in Beijing on Wednesday with his Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Notably, NSA Doval is India's Special Representative on the India-China boundary question and Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee is the Special Representative of China on the same. "As agreed during the meeting of the two leaders in Kazan on October 23, the two Special Representatives will discuss the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question," the MEA stated. The border standoff between India and China erupted in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control in 2020 due to Chinese military actions. It led to prolonged tensions between the two nations, significantly straining their relations. The 22nd meeting of the Special Representatives of India and China was held in New Delhi on December 21, 2019. Ajit Doval and Wang Yi led the Indian and Chinese delegations respectively. Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India remains "committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement." He said that in his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, an understanding was reached that the Special Representatives and the Foreign Secretary level mechanisms will be convening soon. Briefing the Lok Sabha on India-China ties as well as disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishakar said that bilateral ties between the two countries have been "abnormal" since 2020 when "peace and tranquillity in the border areas were disturbed as a result of Chinese actions." (ANI)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Union Minister JP Nadda, during his state visit on Monday and discussed about enhancing cooperation between the two nations. Earlier in the day, he paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Raj Ghat. He also signed the visitor's book and planted an Ashoka Pendula plant at Gandhi Darshan. In a post on X, he said, "Today (16), I paid my respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial. I laid a wreath, observed a moment of silence, signed the Visitor's Book, and planted an Ashoka Pendula plant at Gandhi Darshan. A truly humbling experience." https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868659681914401233 Dissanayake said he had a "productive meeting" with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, where he discussed enhancing economic cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization. He also discussed strengthening of India-Sri Lanka ties with BJP President JP Nadda. In a post on X, he said, "Had a productive meeting with Jagdeep Dhankhar today (16), where we discussed enhancing economic cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization. Appreciate his congratulations on my electoral victory. Later, I also met with Indian Health Minister JP Nadda to further strengthen ties." https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868645014458576913 The Vice President's office in its statement said that the discussions between the two centred around the multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka. "Hon'ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar called on the Hon'ble President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, in New Delhi today. Discussions centred around further strengthening the thriving, multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka, built upon the firm foundations of kinship, history and culture," the statement read. https://x.com/VPIndia/status/1868620919935287512 Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda said that he held an "insightful conversation" with Dissanayake. "Met and interacted with H.E. Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in New Delhi as part of the 'Know BJP' initiative. We had an insightful conversation where we discussed ways to enhance party-to-party relations and I also shared information about our party's ideology, organizational structure, and contributions to the nation's progress. Our interaction focused on advancing India-Sri Lanka relations. Looking forward to strengthening our relationship for the benefit of both nations," Nadda said. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1868642993856782604 Notably, the Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. (ANI)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met President Droupadi Murmu on Monday and discussed strengthening the 'long-standing' India-Sri Lanka ties. Terming it a "meaningful meeting," Dissanayake said that their discussions on Monday focussed on regional security and mutual cooperation. In a post on X, he said, "Had a meaningful meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (16). We discussed strengthening the long-standing ties between Sri Lanka and India, focusing on regional security and mutual cooperation. Grateful for the warm hospitality and dinner reception." https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868723715573440936 The President's Secretariat informed about President Murmu's meeting and said India will continue to support Sri Lanka for its 'sustainable development'. In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, "President Droupadi Murmu received President Anura Kumara Disanayaka of Sri Lanka at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour. The President said that as a close and trusted partner, India would continue to support the Sri Lankan Government's efforts for the sustainable economic development of Sri Lanka." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1868690215545790468 The Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. Earlier in the day, President Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to Dissanayake at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to H.E. Mr Anura Kumara Disanayaka, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka at Rashtrapati Bhavan," the official statement read. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1868545568362139865 Dissanayake also held discussions with several Indian business leaders here. Highlighting Sri Lanka's investor-friendly environment, he invited them to explore opportunities in the areas of tourism, IT, and renewable energy. In a post on X, he said, "Engaged in productive discussions with Indian business leaders in New Delhi today (16). Highlighted Sri Lanka's investor-friendly environment and invited them to explore opportunities in key sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy. Together, India and Sri Lanka can strengthen economic ties!" https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868699493694349548 Dissanayake requested Prime Minister Modi's support for Sri Lanka's application to become a member of the BRICS. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Sri Lanka's support for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028-2029, the MEA said. The Sri Lankan President also reiterated Sri Lanka's stance on not allowing its territory to be used in any way that could compromise India's security. The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region. (ANI)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Raj Ghat on Monday. He also signed the visitor's book and planted an Ashoka Pendula plant at Gandhi Darshan. In a post on X, he said, "Today (16), I paid my respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial. I laid a wreath, observed a moment of silence, signed the Visitor's Book, and planted an Ashoka Pendula plant at Gandhi Darshan. A truly humbling experience." https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868659681914401233 He also met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Union Minister JP Nadda and discussed enhancing cooperation between the two nations. Dissanayake said he had a "productive meeting" with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, where he discussed enhancing economic cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization. He also discussed strengthening of India-Sri Lanka ties with BJP President JP Nadda. In a post on X, he said, "Had a productive meeting with Jagdeep Dhankhar today (16), where we discussed enhancing economic cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization. Appreciate his congratulations on my electoral victory. Later, I also met with Indian Health Minister JP Nadda to further strengthen ties." https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868645014458576913 The Vice President's office in its statement said that the discussions between the two centred around the multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka. "Hon'ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar called on the Hon'ble President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, in New Delhi today. Discussions centred around further strengthening the thriving, multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka, built upon the firm foundations of kinship, history and culture," the statement read. https://x.com/VPIndia/status/1868620919935287512 Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda said that he held an "insightful conversation" with Dissanayake. "Met and interacted with H.E. Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in New Delhi as part of the 'Know BJP' initiative. We had an insightful conversation where we discussed ways to enhance party-to-party relations and I also shared information about our party's ideology, organizational structure, and contributions to the nation's progress. Our interaction focused on advancing India-Sri Lanka relations. Looking forward to strengthening our relationship for the benefit of both nations," Nadda said. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1868642993856782604 Notably, the Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. (ANI)
By Stephen Blank

As a second Trump Administration takes power it is worth inquiring of its future policies towards Central Asia and the Caucasus. While neither region is likely to be a priority of U.S. policy, both offer Washington numerous opportunities to advance its interests, vis-a-vis the regional states as well as the larger actors bordering them, most prominently Russia, China, and Iran. If the incoming administration adheres to the framework that Trumps first team propounded of this being an era framed by great power competition, it may indeed come to see the value of upgrading U.S. policy towards these countries. Across Central Asia and in the Caucasus, particularly among the Georgian population now rising against its government, and in Armenia, a stronger U.S. profile would certainly be welcome.

BACKGROUND: For Washington to fully benefit from enhanced relations with the governments of Central Asia and the Caucasus, it must acknowledge and adapt to the current regional realities. These regions have transformed significantly over the past generation, necessitating a rethinking of U.S. engagement strategies.

First, it is imperative to recognize that Central Asian states, as well as Russia and China, have come to terms with the Talibans control of Afghanistan and now consider Afghanistan an integral part of Central Asia. Despite Washingtons current reluctance to adopt a similar stance, advancing economic and political engagement with Central Asia and the Caucasus creates a foundation for future dialogues involving Afghanistan. These engagements would prepare the groundwork for meaningful regional discussions and collaborations when conditions become favorable.

Second, Azerbaijan is rapidly emerging as a key player in Central Asia. President Aliyev is frequently invited to and actively participates in regional presidential summits and Azerbaijan takes full part in significant regional economic, trade, and transportation initiatives. These projects, either in progress or under serious consideration, underscore Azerbaijans importance in shaping the regions geopolitical and economic landscape. Consequently, any effective U.S. policy towards the Caucasus or Central Asia must account for these evolving regional dynamics. Recognizing and leveraging the interconnectedness between these regions will allow the U.S. to engage more effectively and with greater agility in advancing its strategic interests.

U.S. policymakers must also rethink both regions in a broader context. Central Asia and the Caucasus have established lasting inter-regional connections and ties to major global actors, including Turkey, Iran, India, South Korea, and Japan, alongside Russia and China. On economic grounds alone, Washington should increase its presence through trade, investment, environmental initiatives, and security cooperation, especially as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development forecasts robust growth for these states. Wider U.S. engagement is needed in contrast to its neglect for the region during the Afghanistan warwhen U.S. policy was narrowly focusedand subsequent disengagement after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.

Continued U.S. and Western inattention gives Moscow and Beijing opportunities to solidify hegemonic influence, despite local governments explicit preference for multivector foreign policies. While the Biden Administration accepted Kazakhstans 5+1 presidential summit, this event has not become a recurring engagement, nor have there been significant high-level visits. Initiatives like the Economic Resilience in Central Asia (ERICEN) program are underfunded and lack alignment with an overarching strategy. This pattern of inadequate resources and strategic disconnect has long characterized U.S. initiatives in the region.

Similarly, strategy documents, such as the Trump Administrations Central Asia Strategy to 2025, have achieved little, reflecting a lack of both intellectual and institutional commitment to the strategic importance of these regions. This is further evidenced by the absence of a strong U.S. response to Russian interference in Georgia, minimal involvement in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, and the overall lack of a comprehensive strategy for Central Asia. Such bipartisan neglect highlights the critical need for a reformed and proactive approach to U.S. policy in the region.

IMPLICATIONS: To reverse this record of failure, the new administration must rethink its approach to these regions, recognizing their growing linkages and the potential of regional and international cooperation. Such collaboration will strengthen these states independence from Beijing and Moscow, aligning with vital U.S. interests. However, this objective requires large-scale institutional reform.

The State Department, Pentagon, and the National Security Council should establish a dedicated structure for Caucasus and Central Asian affairs. At the State Department, this would involve appointing an Assistant Secretary of State to oversee this portfolio, to whom the corresponding country desks report directly. In turn, he or she can report directly to the Under Secretary, Secretary of State, their opposite numbers at the Pentagon, and the White House at the National Security Council. Such a structure would elevate these regions importance in policymaking and provide the president with a more transparent and effective process for addressing issues in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

This reorganization would enable an integrated whole-of-state approach, ensuring that that U.S. policies align with its strategic interests and that regional voices are heard. It also allows the U.S. government to conduct policies towards these areas based on its interests rather than on the values of junior bureaucrats as in the State Departments Bureau of Labor and Democracy. Its members previously boasted that they were going to impose democracy on Central Asian states and achieved merely an ignominious failure. They failed because they refused to take into account that every one of these governments has alternatives to Washington and factions within them who lean towards Moscow and Beijing. Therefore, in the absence of sustained U.S. engagement, all that these lectures achieved was increased anti-American resentment and a turn to other powers who took these states as they are. This outcome is visible in U.S. relations with Azerbaijan, which has many other patrons and several pro-Russian figures in its government. Baku spurned Congressional and Administration demands for democratization and subsequently moved closer to Russian policy. Undoubtedly, they saw these demands as moves initiated by this bureau and the Armenian lobby who influenced Congress in the absence of any coherent U.S. strategy.

Structural and intellectual reorganization will allow Washington to engage strategically and consistently with regional governments. By connecting democratization efforts with significant economic, political, and defense projects, these governments will find it harder to forgo the benefits of cooperation. Additionally, this structure minimizes the

influence of single-interest Congressional lobbies by emphasizing comprehensive and strategic policies. As Central Asia and the Caucasus gain prominence, increased administrative capability will enable better collaboration with Congress to shape balanced and forward-looking strategies. A proactive, strategic approach will not only enhance U.S. influence but also support the independence and development of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Addressing the importance of these regions in U.S. policymaking is critical to securing long-term stability and countering hegemonic ambitions by other powers.

CONCLUSIONS: The opportunities of the future and lessons from the past are unmistakable. Previous U.S. policies failed for reasons detailed in academic and professional literature. However, the Trump administration has a chance to respond to the regions desire for enhanced U.S. economic, political, and military cooperation. Possibly excepting the pro-Moscow Georgian government, every state in the region seeks greater U.S. engagement, albeit on their terms.

This desire signifies a positive development that Washington should support by implementing the structural and policy changes outlined here. These adjustments would bolster the independence of Central Asia and the Caucasus and facilitate their cooperation with international institutions to spur regional development. This progress would empower these states to shape their futures independently, and not according to the wishes of Moscow or Beijing.

Failure to seize these opportunities and continuing inaction will leave these regions vulnerable to becoming backward, conflict-ridden dependents of Russia and China. The new generation, more aligned with Western values, may lose its chance for a brighter future. Rather than becoming stable regions fostering global cooperation, Central Asia and the Caucasus risk devolving into conflict zones where international rivalries escalate.

The U.S. must act decisively to prevent such an outcome. By prioritizing these regions and adopting a proactive strategy, Washington can mitigate great power competition and avert prolonged instability across Eurasia. The stakes are too high to ignore the transformative potential of effective engagement in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

AUTHORS BIO: Stephen Blank is a Senior Fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute, www.fpri.org.
As many as two people were killed and six others sustained injuries in a shooting incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, CNN reported citing officials. The juvenile shooting suspect was also found dead at the scene, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. The suspect appears to be a student at the school, he added. At least seven people were taken to area hospitals after the shooting at a Madison, Wisconsin, school on Monday, according to fire chief Chris Carbon. The fire department was dispatched to the school at around 10:57 am (local time), he said at a news conference. They responded with five engine companies, four ladder companies and 15 ambulances, as reported by CNN. "Six other people were injured, two students are now in critical condition in the hospital, and these injuries are considered life-threatening injuries," Barnes said. "Four students are also at other area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries." Four people were taken to St. Mary's Hospital by the first responders and three others were taken to University of Wisconsin hospitals, Carbon said. Medics with the police department were conducting training about three miles away when they were called to the school, Barnes said. "They left the training center immediately and came down here -- and doing in real time what they were actually practicing for," he added. "Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS. We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able. Please pray for our Challenger Family," the Abundant Life Christian School said in a Facebook post. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway mourned the incident, saying, "This is an incredibly sad day for our community." Stating that there's no danger to the community at this time, Rhodes-Conway said the "entire community has been impacted by this tragic incident." The Madison Mayor further stressed the need to take better steps to prevent gun violence. "I am on record that I think we need to do better in our country and our community to prevent gun violence. And I hoped that this day would never come in Madison," she said Monday at a press briefing. "It is not something that any mayor, any fire chief, any police chief, any person in public office ever wants to have to deal with," she said as quoted by CNN. (ANI)
A teenager was jailed on murder charges after he reported killing four members of his family at a New Mexico home Saturday, officials said.

The 16-year-old called 911 at 3:32 a.m. to report the deaths near the small city of Belen, 33 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico State Police said.

The teenager, who was "extremely intoxicated," left a residence and surrendered to arriving deputies with his hands raised, police said.

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Inside, authorities found four people dead and a handgun on the kitchen table, police said.

State police released the identity of the teenager and the victims; however, NBC News does not typically name juveniles accused of crimes.

The four people who were killed were 42, 35, 17 and 14. Their relationships to one another and the suspect were not immediately available, but police said he "told a dispatcher he had killed his family."

On Monday, state police corrected the age of one victim, previously described as 16, saying the victim was 17.

Authorities did not release additional information, including a possible motive.

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"New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents and Crime Scene Team are processing the scene and conducting interviews to learn what led up to these tragic events," the agency said.

The teenage suspect was "medically cleared" at a hospital and booked at the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque early Sunday, police said.

The suspect was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, police said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jessica Martinez of the judicial district that includes Belen, said it was likely the 16-year-old would be charged as an adult because New Mexico law allows defendants ages 16 and 17 who are charged with first-degree murder to be prosecuted in open criminal court without red tape.

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It was not immediately clear whether the suspect has legal counsel. Public defenders based in Albuquerque did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
PROVIDENCE  A housing crisis that hasn't gone away. A primary care doctor shortage that shows no signs of easing. And a mountain of questions about responsibility for Rhode Island's failed westbound Washington Bridge that legislative leaders seem reluctant to ask, in public, while the state is suing private companies for damages.

None of these problems are new. In fact, they were all top of the agenda during the last legislative session that ended in June.

But they remain big unsolved problems Rhode Island lawmakers will face when the new two-year legislative session begins on Jan. 7 under the shadow of a projected deficit between $300 million and $350 million that will most definitely limit the lawmakers' ability to spend their way out of any dilemma.

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In a rare personal moment during a look-ahead interview on Monday, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi told The Journal his own primary care doctor recently hit burnout and quit, leaving him in the same predicament many other Rhode Islanders have faced in recent years: the extreme difficulty of finding a new a doctor.

Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi presiding over the last session of the House in June.

Should the state be graced with any currently unexpected dollars in 2026, Shekarchi said he would like to do what top Senators wanted to do during the last legislative session: Provide "incentives" to keep or attract more doctors to Rhode Island, whether it be through higher Medicaid reimbursement rates or medical school loan forgiveness.

But personal anecdotes aside, Shekarchi said he cannot, at this point, rule out any of the no-no's of past years, including the so-called "millionaires tax" that Massachusetts has already tried to mixed reviews and that the Rhode Island unions have pushed here for years without luck.

Here are some highlights of the interview with Shekarchi and House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski:

What will be the most important issues for the Rhode Island House this year?

WASHINGTON BRIDGE: A year after the sudden demise of the westbound Washington Bridge became the biggest story in the state, Shekarchi said he is ready to hold a new round of House Oversight Committee hearings on the bridge in January.

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However, from Shekarchis description of the hearings, the focus may be on a path ahead to a replacement bridge rather than a look back into why the last bridge failed and who was responsible.

My members were going door to door in this election cycle and they've had a lot of [bridge] questions, namely when, how much and in terms of what the design will be and look like, he said.

Could the Oversight Committee issue subpoenas for the forensic analysis of the bridge failure the McKee Administration has refused to make public?

Since I've been speaker, we have not issued subpoenas, Shekarchi said. I would defer to Oversight Chairwoman [Patricia] Serpa if she felt there was a need. But I will tell you that to the best of my knowledge, everybody who's appeared before oversight in the past has done so voluntarily and has been truthful.

Work continues on the dismantling of the westbound span of the Washington Bridge, as seen from the East Providence side of the Seekonk River on Oct. 21, 2024.

The ultimate cost of building a new bridge may not be known until the bid due date in June, but Shekarchi is confident the state will at the very least keep the $221 million in federal "mega" dollars already pledged when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

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Why? "I feel very comfortable that [U.S. Senators] Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, while in the minority, still have good reputation[s] and good, strong, broad-based bipartisan support that [will ensure] what has been awarded to Rhode Island will stay."

TAXES: With no more big dollops of COVID cash to sustain a record-high $14-billion state budget, Shekarchi said he cannot rule out a tax increase in the next budget go around.

Asked the chances Rhode Island will add a surcharge to the tax bills of the state's highest earners, Shekarchi said he remembers the pushback to that perennial idea his first year as speaker.

As far as how it has worked out in Massachusetts, which has a 4% surtax on taxable income over $1 million, Shekarchi said: "I think the jury is still out. I'm also reading information that there's a mass exodus of young people from Massachusetts who are entrepreneurs ... relocating to New Hampshire and other places to start their businesses ... at least in part, because of the 'millionaires tax.'"

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Shekarchi noted Massachusetts also "has a lot more millionaires than Rhode Island has ... [so] I don't think what we would receive is anywhere near what Massachusetts is receiving."

"You're still going to have a deficit to deal with," he said.

TOLLS: Though Rhode Island's suspended truck tolls have been ruled legal, the caps the state had on daily toll charges were not.

"I would like to do something, if at all possible [to help the in-state trucking industry] and something that will withstand constitutional scrutiny," Shekarchi said. "It's easy to say that. It's another thing to practically do it ... I'm looking at and listening for ideas by several different people, the truckers, the advocates, some of my colleagues."

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In so many words, he did, however, rule out an expansion of the tolls to passenger vehicles and said, in response to legislative Republicans who want to scrap the tolls altogether: "No, I don't think we should just scrap it."

HASBRO: Shekarchi is among the Rhode Island leaders trying to keep Hasbros corporate headquarters in the state.

He said state officials made a presentation to the toy company showing six potential new headquarters sites.

I have also spoken to [CEO] Chris Cocks privately. I've also met with the single largest shareholder of Hasbro and I've spoken to them and the governor [is] leading that effort and I'm playing a part, Shekarchi said.

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He declined to handicap the states prospects of keeping the company.

HEALTH CARE: For the past year, Attorney General Peter Neronha has warned that some of Rhode Islands hospitals are in unsustainable financial positions, but while Shekarchi said he has discussed health care with Neronha, the attorney general did not make any specific policy recommendations.

Is the speaker worried about a looming hospital finance crisis, like what happened with the Steward hospitals in Massachusetts?

Not in the short term, because I've spent a lot of time with both hospital systems, Care New England and the Brown Health Group, he said. They have seemed to get their footing ... We've been very generous to the hospitals. When you talk about COVID money, we gave a lot of money to the hospitals. I'm proud of that.

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On the primary care shortage, Shekarchi said the House will reexamine raising medical reimbursement rates, building a new University of Rhode Island medical school (or at least an osteopath school) and changing the law to make it easier for foreign doctors to practice medicine here.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS: Lawmakers for several years have been looking to respond to anger at the proliferation of short-term rentals in Rhode Islands coastal communities, but have not settled on a solution to the issue.

Shekarchi said he is interested in creating a two-tiered system where more corporate rental owners of multiple properties would be regulated different from mom-and-pop homeowners who use it to supplement their income.

SUPERMAN: Has the speaker received any request from the owner of the vacant Industrial Trust or Superman Building in downtown Providence?

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There hasnt been any formal ask or informal ask of any dollar amount for the Superman Building to me, for the General Assembly that I'm aware of, he said.

Is Shekarchi eyeing a run for governor?

"I am considering running for speaker, which is coming up in ... three weeks and then I'm going to be the best possible speaker I can be and I let the future worry about itself."

Would he run against Gov. Dan McKee? Reiterating what he has said before, he said: "I can't ever see myself running against the governor."

He will not, however, weigh in on the public feud between Gov. Dan McKee and Neronha, or McKee's not-so-great poll numbers, saying only: "The poll numbers are just that, poll numbers. It's way too early. I know a lot of people are in the political mode, especially in the media ... [but] I'm in a government mode. I'm trying to worry about next year's session and next year's budget."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Shekarchi lays out the RI House's priorities for next legislative session
Donald Trump Jr has said he will always care for Kimberly Guilfoyle and that the couple retain a special bond amid reports that they have ended their four-year engagement and parted ways.

While the couple has still not officially confirmed the split, the president-elects eldest son, 46, was recently pictured with Florida socialite Bettina Anderson celebrating her 38th birthday at Buccan, an exclusive Palm Beach restaurant, and enjoying a romantic evening stroll along the beach.

The photos, published by The Daily Mail, coincided with Guilfoyle, 55, being picked by President-elect Donald Trump to be his next US ambassador to Greece, leading to jokes from the likes of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that she had effectively been exiled to Athens to avoid an embarrassing break-up.

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Now, Don Jr has told Page Six he and Guilfoyle will never stop caring for each other  though he stopped short of confirming their relationship is over.

Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and will always keep a special bond, he said.

I could not be more proud of her and the important role shell continue to play in my fathers administration, he added, alluding to her ambassadorship, which Guilfoyle said she was honored to accept.

Donald Trump Jr and Kimberly Guilfoyle pictured together at his fathers Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on April 4 2023 (AP)

Don Jr also took the opportunity to hit out at some of the gloating press coverage surrounding the apparent demise of their relationship.

Anyone taking baseless and petty fake news cheap shots at her in the tabloids are just embarrassing themselves, he said in defense of Guilfoyle.

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Shes been an undefeated prosecutor, national TV news star, a leader of the MAGA movement and close advisor to the president.

The people of Greece are getting an absolute star and now the whole world will see it more than ever.

Since the very beginning, no one on Team Trump has worked harder than Kimberly to help elect and re-elect my father  and no one deserves this ambassadorship more than she does.

According to insiders, Don Jr had been complaining about Guilfoyles fashion sense for some time before their relationship appeared to come to an end.

Don Jr has been telling people for months that Kim is so uptight and always dresses so professionally in these kinds of dresses and high heels, and never looks relaxed or casual, a MAGA insider told People.

Kimberly Guilfoyle delivering an iconic speech during the online-only Republican National Convention in August 2020 (Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty)

The tight dresses need to go and she has been told that.

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Another source told the outlet: Don Jr has always wanted to look good in his fathers eyes. Someone like Bettina, who is and has been a model, and is in Waspy circles of Palm Beach is something that would impress him.

How welcome Guilfoyle will be when she takes up residence in Jefferson House, the US ambassadors home in the affluent Kolonaki district of the Greek capital, is far from certain.

In an appearance on Fox Newss The Five in 2015, which emerged last week, she once dismissed the countrys citizens as freeloaders after their government rejected a bailout offer from the European Union.

Nobody likes freeloaders, she declared during a discussion about the Greek sovereign debt crisis.

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It doesnt matter if you made great yogurt. I dont care.

Suck it up. Get up in the morning. Go to work. You guys are retiring too early. And thats part of the problem. You have, like, politicians making out-of-control promises, buying votes with entitlements that they cant support.
A killer with a skull face tattoo has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for his role in an 11-hour two-state spree of violence that killed one and injured several others.

Christopher McDonnell , 32, pleaded guilty but mentally ill in October to 23 felonies, including murder, attempted murder, murder conspiracy, other weapon charges, and being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm, according to Clark County District Court records seen by the Associated Press.

McDonnell, his brother Shawn McDonnell, 34, and Shawn McDonnells then-wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29, all from Tyler, Texas, unleashed a shooting attack on members of the public across Nevada and Arizona on Thanksgiving Day in 2020.

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The brothers indiscriminately fired a round of bullets at cars and into a 7-Eleven in Henderson, Nevada, on November 26 2020 while Lewis drove the vehicle, according to prosecutors.

McDonnells bullets fatally struck Kevin Mendiola Jr, 22, of North Las Vegas, in the 7-Eleven.

As the spray of bullets was fired, Mendiola Jr attempted to shield his girlfriend, Jayde Libby, but despite efforts, she and his brother Christevin Mendiola, suffered wounds from the gunshots but fortunately survived, according to his family to the courts, as per 8NewsNow .

The trio, pictured Christopher McDonnell, 32, left, Shawn McDonnell, 34, center, and Kayleigh Lewis, 29, right, each received at least 50 felony counts in relation to the gunning spree (La Paz County Sheriffs Office)

Christevin Mendiola told KFox14 : The hurt, the pain, the guilt, and the stress that these three individuals put on my family. Our lives will never be the same after this.

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Seth Spangler was also struck while he had been shopping with his daughter and 2-year-old grandchild, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal .

A bullet, fired by Christopher McDonnell, punctured Spanglers lung as he stepped out of the store, leaving him bleeding from his back, the outlet said.

I call him Skeletor Spangler said in testimony, in reference to the striking inkwork around McDonnells eyes.

His daughter had been waiting in the car with her 2-year-old when Christopher McDonnell approached her window with a gun.

I pleaded for my life. Please dont shoot. My daughter is in the back seat, she testified, as per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

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But McDonnell then decided to aim his gun at her child in the backseat, she said. Fortunately, he decided to spare the woman and her child, reported the outlet.

As the group continued their rampage into Arizona around 1 a.m. they hit a police officer and targeted other motorists before their car rolled over bringing them to a halt near the Colorado River town of Parker, Arizona  where police arrested them, reported 8NewsNow.

Clark County District Judge Tierra Jones handed McDonnell the lengthy sentence Friday meaning that if still alive, he would be eligible for parole in 2120.

The trio originally faced at least 50 counts each for charges relating to the spree including the death penalty.

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Shawn McDonnell and Lewis who were both charged with committing an act of terror are reportedly awaiting trial.

Christopher McDonnells public defender, Ryan Bashor, described his client as a "troubled, troubled person"  prosecutors denied requests for a reduced sentence instead opting for the maximum penalty, reported KFOX14.

The Independent contacted the Henderson Police Department for further information.
BERLIN (Reuters) -Chancellor Olaf Scholz will call on Germany's parliament on Monday to declare it has no confidence in him, taking the first formal step towards securing an early national election in February following his government's collapse.

Here are the main parties contending, their poll standings, and the key policy issues:

PARTIES

Germany has two centrist, "big tent" parties: Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the opposition conservatives, an alliance of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU).

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However, they have both lost support in recent years, with smaller parties such as the environmental Greens and far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gaining ground.

The SPD, conservatives, Greens and AfD are all fielding candidates for chancellor.

Also running are the pro-market Free Democrats (FDP), the far-left Linke and the leftist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), who are all at risk of missing the 5% threshold to make it into parliament, according to opinion polls.

POLLS

The conservatives have been leading nationwide polls for more than two years and are at 31%, according to the latest survey published by INSA, followed by the AfD on 20%.

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Scholz's SPD has dropped to third from first place in the 2021 election, with 17%, followed by the Greens on 11% and the BSW on 8%. The FDP and Left party are polling at 5% and 3% respectively.

However, analysts say polls can shift quickly, with voters less loyal to parties than they once were, recalling the 2021 election campaign when the conservatives went from frontrunner to runner-up within a few months.

The conservatives' leader Friedrich Merz, in particular, is considered to be prone to gaffes and quick to anger.

POLICY DEBATES

- Ukraine

Germany's mainstream parties are all in favour of helping Ukraine fend off Russia's full-scale invasion, while the AfD and BSW want an end to weapons deliveries to Kyiv and a resumption of good relations with Moscow.

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However, Scholz and his SPD have recently struck a more cautious tone - emphasising the need for diplomacy and prudence - than the conservatives, Greens and FDP, who are for example all in favour of Germany delivering long-range Taurus missiles.

- Reviving the economy

Scholz has proposed incentivising private investment and modernising infrastructure with an off-budget 100 billion euro fund. His Social Democrats also plan to introduce a "Made in Germany" premium to boost investment. The plan includes a direct tax refund of 10% on equipment investments by businesses.

The SPD also plans to incentivise purchases of German-made electric cars with a temporary tax deduction offered to buyers.

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Economy Minister Robert Habeck, the Greens' candidate for chancellor, has like Scholz called for reform of the constitutionally enshrined debt brake to allow for higher public spending.

Merz had also signalled some openness to a moderate reform of the debt brake but his party's manifesto has pledged to retain it. The AfD and the FDP are fierce defenders of the limit on public borrowing.

The CDU/CSU manifesto has also proposed extensive financial relief for companies and citizens, including income and corporate tax cuts, and lower electricity charges. They have not said how these would be financed.

The AfD seeks Germany's departure from the EU - or "Dexit" - and also wants the country to ditch the euro and reintroduce the Deutsche Mark.

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- Migration

The anti-Islam, anti-migration AfD has called for borders to be closed and asylum seekers to no longer have the right to family reunification. Some senior members have gone further in their comments and were present at discussions among far-right activists on deporting millions of people of foreign origin, including German citizens.

The conservatives have adopted a much stricter stance on immigration in recent years, advocating for pushing back asylum seekers at the borders, while calling for limits on family reunifications and naturalization for refugees.

They also want everyone applying for asylum in Europe to be transferred to a safe third country for processing their claims.

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The SPD has also toughened its position by enforcing stricter border controls and accelerating deportations, although it also wants to bring in more foreign skilled workers.

In contrast, the Greens maintain a more open asylum policy, promoting state-backed sea rescue initiatives and simplifying family reunification processes and enhancing integration.

- Energy

High energy prices remain a major challenge for households and businesses in Germany and an important election campaign topic.

The CDU, SPD and Greens agree on expanding renewable energy to reduce costs but differ on financing approaches: the CDU suggests using higher CO2 certificate revenues to lower network fees, while the SPD and Greens support debt-financed state subsidies. The CDU and AfD also propose assessing a return to nuclear power, an idea rejected by the SPD and Greens.

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The AfD opposes renewable energy subsidies entirely, advocating for unrestricted coal-fired power plant operations and abolishing CO2 pricing to lower consumer costs and enhance energy security.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh, Maria Martinez, Riham Alkousaa and Matthias WilliamsEditing by Alexandra Hudson and Gareth Jones)
PROVIDENCE  A Superior Court judge has expanded the powers of a special master overseeing the ongoing cleanup of a waterfront scrap metal operation in the city, giving him complete control and management oversight of permitting for remediation and redevelopment of the Allens Avenue site.

In the decision released Friday, Judge Brian Stern modified the 2016 order in which lawyer Richard Land was appointed special master and granted him authority over aspects of the operations of Rhode Island Recycled Metals, but Stern stopped short of placing the business in receivership, which would have subjected it to even stricter oversight.

The office of Attorney General Peter Neronha and the state Department of Environmental Management had requested in July that Lands position be changed to receiver following a fire in a pile of scrap metal that raised concerns over pollution in nearby South Providence neighborhoods.

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They also requested that the court order Recycled Metals to shut down. Stern is allowing the business to stay open, but he ordered a series of interim site improvements to control runoff into the nearby Providence River.

An excavator pulls charred metal out of a pile to help firefighters pour water onto the burning heart of a scrap metal fire at Rhode Island Recycled Metals.

Despite having the petitions turned down for receivership and to cease operations, Neronha applauded Sterns decision, calling it a hard-fought victory for environmental protection.

While we still believe that a full receivership is the best path forward, we are encouraged by the significant additional safeguards provided by this decision, he said. As a result of todays decision, the Special Master will now have complete control and management of the sites environmental permitting process and compliance, including site remediation and stormwater pollution prevention.

Rhode Island Recycled Metals also commended Sterns ruling.

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With this decision behind us, we remain committed to fulfilling our obligations and working collaboratively on this important project with the Special Master, the Community within the environmental justice zone, RIDEM, and the City of Providence, the company said in a statement through its spokesman, Patrick Sweeney.

The case over the scrap metal business goes back to 2010 when the DEM cited the company for unpermitted discharges of stormwater. A subsequent inspection found that it was crushing and dismantling marine vessels without a permit.

After several years of efforts that failed to resolve the issues, the Attorney Generals office and the DEM filed suit in Superior Court and the special master was appointed to oversee the business.

A cleanup of the site has moved forward but at a snails pace. In 2018, a sunken ferry and a derelict Russian submarine were both removed from the Providence River and broken up, leaving a single vessel, a submerged tugboat, remaining in the water off the Recycled Metals site. The tug wasnt removed until this September.

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Remediation of the land portion of the property has proceeded in a similar stop-start fashion. That part of the cleanup has been delayed after fires in April and July sent plumes of smoke over the Providence waterfront and had to be extinguished by city firefighters. They were the third and fourth fires at the site since 2018.

But there has still been progress in the work to improve the property.

With the process approaching its completion, the Special Master, with additional powers, can adequately address the Plaintiffs concerns and guide the Defendants through the remaining steps to reach compliance, Stern wrote in his decision.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Special master to take lead in cleanup of RI Recycled Metals site
By Syed Fazl-e-Haider

Pakistan and India, the longstanding rivals in South Asia, have instigated an arms race in the South Caucasus region. This development comes amid a broader arms supply deficit caused by Russia's preoccupation with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While India is deepening its military partnership with Armenia, Pakistan is enhancing the defense capabilities of Azerbaijan. Both states are actively seeking to fill the vacuum in arms procurement left by Russia's reduced presence in the region. India has aligned with Armenia, leveraging this partnership to pursue strategic connectivity projects in the South Caucasus. Conversely, Pakistan views Azerbaijan as a strategic ally, with their collaboration deemed essential for countering India in the competition for regional influence.

BCKGROUND: India and Pakistan have shared a contentious relationship since their emergence as independent states in 1947. The two states have engaged in three full-scale wars, primarily over Kashmir, a territory claimed by both. In 1998, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests shortly after India, marking a significant escalation in their rivalry. This ongoing antagonism often manifests in international forums, where the two countries accuse each other of fostering cross-border terrorism. Their rivalry extended to the South Caucasus in 2020, during the 44-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Pakistan supported Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War in 2020. However, the close relationship between the two countries predates this conflict, with their cordial ties dating back to Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Pakistan was among the first nations to recognize Azerbaijan's independence, second only to Turkiye. After Armenian forces attacked Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region shortly after its independence, both Turkiye and Pakistan strongly condemned Armenia's actions. Since then, they have consistently supported Azerbaijans position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in international forums, both politically and diplomatically. Pakistan has gone so far as to refrain from recognizing Armenia, refusing to establish diplomatic relations with the country. In return, Azerbaijan has endorsed Pakistans stance on the Kashmir dispute, a position that has antagonized India.

During the Second Karabakh War in 2020, Islamabad was alleged to have sent military advisers to support Azerbaijan. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan even claimed that Pakistani soldiers were actively fighting alongside the Azerbaijani army against Armenia during the 44-day conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Pakistan, however, categorically dismissed these allegations, labeling them as "baseless and unwarranted." Ultimately, Azerbaijan emerged victorious in the six-week war over the disputed region.

Turkiye strongly backed Pakistan's position on Kashmir, reciprocating Pakistans unequivocal support for Azerbaijan during the Karabakh war. The mutual endorsements of Islamabad's stance on Kashmir by Ankara and Baku provoked concern in New Delhi. Pakistans support for Azerbaijan during the conflict played a pivotal role in fostering closer ties between India and Armenia in the aftermath of the war. Observing its rivals activities during the Karabakh conflict, India responded by significantly enhancing its defense partnership with Armenia over the subsequent four years.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye formalized their alliance by signing the Trilateral Islamabad Declaration in 2021, underscoring their solidarity with Azerbaijan in the aftermath of the war.

IMPLICATIONS: The supply of military equipment by India and Pakistan has significantly reduced Azerbaijan's and Armenia's dependence on Russia for weapons and ammunition. Historically, both South Caucasian nations relied heavily on Russia for defense supplies, particularly in the period preceding the 2020 Karabakh War. Between 2011 and 2020, Russia accounted for 94 percent of Armenia's major arms imports, including armored personnel carriers, air defense systems, multiple rocket launchers, and tanks. Similarly, Azerbaijan depended extensively on Russian military supplies during the same period, purchasing armored vehicles, air defense systems, Smerch rockets, transport and combat helicopters, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and tanks.

India considers Armenia a strategic partner in the South Caucasus and has consequently deepened its military ties with Yerevan. Armenia has emerged as the largest foreign recipient of Indian weapons, with defense contracts concluded since 2020 estimated at US$ 2 billion. According to a report by the Indian Ministry of Finance, Armenia has become the leading importer of Indian arms, securing deals for the purchase of Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems and Akash anti-aircraft systems. This development reflects a significant realignment in the defense landscape of the region.

In September, Azerbaijan formally introduced Pakistans fourth-generation JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets to its air force, marking a significant milestone in defense cooperation between the two nations. This development followed a US$ 1.6 billion agreement signed in February for the acquisition of JF-17 Block III aircraft. The deal includes not only the supply of aircraft but also ammunition and pilot training provided by Pakistan. The advanced combat capabilities of the JF-17 Block III are expected to enhance Azerbaijan's military edge in the South Caucasus. Notably, Azerbaijan has requested 60 JF-17 jets, intended to replace its entire fleet of aircraft, making this the largest defense export deal in Pakistans history.

The defense agreements between India and Armenia, as well as those between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, have significantly diminished Russias position as the principal supplier of weapons and ammunition to the South Caucasian nations. This shift has been exacerbated by Russias ongoing war in Ukraine, which has undermined its ability to deliver weapons in a timely manner under previously signed contracts. The entry of India and Pakistan into the regional defense market has provided Armenia and Azerbaijan with an opportunity to diversify their military procurement, reducing their historical reliance on Russian defense supplies.

The entry of India and Pakistan into the South Caucasus has resulted in the formation of two rival blocs competing for regional influence. One alliance, referred to as the Three Brothers, comprises Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan, while the opposing group includes Armenia, Iran, France, and India.

For India, Armenia holds strategic importance as a potential bridge to access the vast market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). New Delhi views Armenia as a vital transit hub for connecting Indian goods to EU countries and envisions its role in facilitating bilateral or multilateral partnerships with nations such as Iran, France, and Greece to implement strategic connectivity projects in the South Caucasus.

Conversely, Islamabad considers its partnership with Azerbaijan critical for countering India's influence in the region. Azerbaijan has also emerged as a key player in the energy transit corridors connecting the Black Sea, South Caucasus, and Europe, further enhancing its geopolitical significance. This dynamic positions Azerbaijan as a strategic ally for Pakistan, particularly in the context of their shared interests in limiting India's regional ambitions.

CONCLUSIONS: Pakistan's defense cooperation with Azerbaijan and India's arms sales to Armenia are shaping new security dynamics that link the South Caucasus and South Asia. The extensive defense contracts between India and Armenia are poised to strengthen Armenia's position as a strategic ally for India in the region.

India's military partnership with Armenia is influenced by its geopolitical rivalry with Pakistan, which is actively supporting Azerbaijan's defense capabilities. Both Pakistan and India aim to secure reciprocal cooperation from the South Caucasian nations to advance their strategic interests. For Pakistan, Azerbaijan holds particular importance as a potential partner in trans-regional energy cooperation, given Pakistan's energy deficiencies. Azerbaijan's pivotal role in the energy transit corridor connecting South Asia and the South Caucasus further underscores this strategic alignment.

Conversely, India, as an observer in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), is working to deepen its cooperation with Armenia across economic sectors, with a particular emphasis on defense. Armenia's strategic position could also facilitate India's broader connectivity initiatives with Europe. Meanwhile, Pakistan is likely to leverage its relationship with Azerbaijan to counterbalance India's growing influence in the region, highlighting the interconnected and competitive geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus and South Asia.

AUTHORS BIO: Syed Fazl-e-Haider is a Karachi-based analyst of the Wikistrat. He is a freelance columnist and the author of several books. He has contributed articles and analysis to a range of publications. He is a regular contributor to Eurasia Daily Monitor of Jamestown Foundation.
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Credit: Courtesy of Deni Seymour

Two 16th-century cannons unearthed in Arizona may be the oldest firearms ever found in the United States, new research finds.

Archaeologists found the cannons while excavating a site called San Geronimo III (also known as Suya), a small town established by the Spanish more than 480 years ago. Both firearms, or weapons that use gunpowder to discharge a shot, arrived at the site during a Spanish expedition led by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado.

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During the expedition, Coronado and his party traveled up from what is now Mexico into the modern-day U.S. states of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Kansas from 1539 to 1542. By this time, Spanish conquistadors had conquered much of Mesoamerica and Peru, destroying the Aztec and Inca civilizations.

The expedition hoped to find riches, a faster route to East Asia and, eventually, planned to enslave the local population, the researchers wrote in a study published Nov. 21 in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology . The expedition set up San Geronimo III in 1541, but the group encountered Native American resistance, which led to a battle at the town that resulted in the Spanish fleeing, abandoning both of the cannons at the site.

One of the cannons, discovered by archaeologists in 2020 and described in the journal article, was in excellent shape and does not appear to have been fired during the battle. There was no gunpowder residue that indicates that it was fired, said study co-author Deni Seymour , an independent scholar who leads research at the site. "It looks like the battle in that area unfolded so quickly that [the cannon operators] could not access, load, and fire the cannon," Seymour told Live Science in an email.

Related: Obsidian blade could be from Coronado expedition fabled to be looking for 'Cities of Gold'

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The second cannon was found in March 2024 and will be analyzed in a future study. Unlike the other cannon, its barrel was blown off.

"It was fired in the battle, which is when and why the barrel blew out," Seymour said. "They probably put too much powder in trying to repel an onslaught of attackers who were overrunning them."

a photo of a cannon in the dirt

Both cannons were known as hackbut or hook guns  lightweight bronze cannons that were relatively easy to transport overland. They likely would have fired buckshot, which consisted of up to 86 pellets per round. This "would have made a devastating load against a formation of lightly clad Natives, with just small shields," Seymour and co-author William Mapoles wrote in the journal article.

Even "a single pellet, depending on where it hits, can put an aggressor out of action," the researchers wrote. "That many pellets would have come at the attackers like a swarm of hornets."

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The Spanish did not rely on cannons alone to defend the site. Archaeologists found the remains of crossbow bolts made of copper and iron. They also found the remains of the expedition's swords, daggers and armor.

Despite these weapons, the Spanish were still defeated, and the expedition ultimately ended in failure. The Spanish in Mexico didnt try to establish a permanent presence in the region until the 1690s, the researchers wrote.

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Sharonah Fredrick , an instructor of Spanish at the College of Charleston who has written and published extensively on Native American resistance to European conquests, said the discovery "is of extreme importance particularly regarding the history of the Native American peoples in Arizona." The cannons show "that the Spanish Conquest, like the English and Dutch ones that came later, were precisely that: conquest and violence first; discovery second,"Fredrick told Live Science in an email.

Matthew Schmader , a researcher at the University of New Mexico who has done extensive archaeological work in the region, said the discovery shows "that Indigenous peoples put up organized resistance to the arrival of outsiders from the very beginning."
HANOVER, WV (WVNS)  A man is in custody after a domestic altercation, according to West Virginia State Police. Austin Cline, age 29, allegedly shot at the victim. The victim was 47 year old Teddy Toler.

The suspect and victim are nephew and uncle.

Cline is charged with wanton endangerment, domestic assault and possession of a controlled substance. Cline is being held at Southern Regional Jail.

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The Government has made diplomatic contact with the rebel group that toppled the Assad regime in Syria.

It comes after the US said overnight that it had also made direct contact with the rebels, following earlier reports that Joe Biden had sent messages to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) via Turkey.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said the UK had made contact as he announced 50 million of humanitarian aid for Syria.

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He said that HTS, which now runs most of Syria, remained a banned terrorist organisation, but that Britain can have diplomatic contact and so we do have diplomatic contact, as you would expect.

Part of the new UK aid would go to chemical weapons inspectors working in Syria, Mr Lammy said. Israel has been bombing depots to prevent the weapons from falling into the hands of rebels.

Mr Lammy said: We want to see a representative government, an inclusive government. We want to see chemical weapons stockpiles secured, and not used, and we want to ensure that there is not continuing violence.

For all of those reasons, using all the channels that we have available, and those are diplomatic and of course intelligence-led channels, we seek to deal with HTS where we have to.

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France, meanwhile, announced on Sunday that it would send a diplomatic mission to Syria to make first contact with the rebels. The French mission would be the first from a Western power as allies contemplate lifting sanctions and engaging.

On Sunday, Turkey also offered to give military training to the Islamist-led rebels governing Syria  the latest move by Ankara to position itself to take a major role in the countrys future.

Yasar Guler, the Turkish defence minister, said his country would give the support if the new administration requests it.

He added that the rebel government should be given a chance after assurances that it would respect governmental institutions and international organisations, such as the UN.

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Turkey, a Nato member, backed some of the Syrian rebels who toppled Bashar al-Assads regime last weekend, ending almost 14 years of civil war.

Ibrahim Kalin, Ankaras intelligence chief, then visited Damascus on Thursday for talks with the new rebel leadership, according to the Syrian information ministry.

Yasar Guler, the Turkish defence minister, said his country would give military training if the new administration requests it - Johanna Geron/Reuters

Turkeys engagement with the new Syrian authorities comes amid uncertainty over Russias future there, and as Western countries consider working with the rebels.

HTS, which led the rebels who seized Damascus last week, is attempting to transition from a militant insurgency to a more legitimate governing authority, but is still designated as a terrorist organisation by countries including the US and the UK.

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Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said over the weekend that Washington had made direct contact with the rebels, following earlier reports that Joe Biden sent messages to HTS via Turkey.

Britain last week suggested that it would reconsider HTSs proscribed status, as it is currently legally impossible for the Government to work with the group. US contact with HTS also underscores international efforts to support Syrias transition and stabilise the country.

Russia, meanwhile, a key backer of the Assad regime, has been withdrawing troops from parts of northern Syria in recent days. Sources told Reuters, however, that Moscow did not intend to abandon its two major bases in the country.

The Kremlin claims it is in discussions with Syrias new government over the Tartus naval port, Russias only Mediterranean repair and resupply hub, and the Hmeimim air base, a major staging post for military and mercenary activity in Africa.

Video reportedly shows Russian troops pouring into Khmeimim airbase in Syria | Credit: SameralAtrush/X

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The growing relationship between Ankara and the new Syrian government will be a cause for concern in Aanes, the Kurdish-led autonomous region in the north-east of the country, where Turkish-backed rebels have been carrying out an offensive against Kurdish-led forces since early December.

Mr Guler said on Sunday that the aim of this operation was to dismantle the Peoples Defense Units (YPG).

Turkey sees both the YPG and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) it is part of as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party, which has fought a decades-long insurgency against Ankara.

Aanes political leadership has said it was keenly seeking negotiations with the new Syrian government.

Critics of the Turkish-backed operation against Kurdish-led forces say it could further destabilise Syria, with the Turkish-led rebels already seizing control of the city of Manbij and advancing towards Kobani on the Turkish border.

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Kurdish channels reported on Saturday that US armoured vehicles had entered Kobani, with videos circulating on social media. The SDF warned of an imminent rebel offensive against the city after a four-day ceasefire was agreed on Thursday.

Iran, a vital backer of the previous regime, has been dealt a significant blow as the rebel takeover means it can no longer supply Hezbollah, its Lebanese proxy, with routes through Syria.

Assads government had provided a land corridor for weapons and materiel to be sent from Iran to Lebanon, but Naim Qassem, the Hezbollah leader, acknowledged on Saturday that it had been lost.

The group will now look for alternative supply routes or see whether the Syria route could be re-established under a new regime, Qassem said in a televised speech.

Naim Qassem, the Hezbollah leader, said the land corridor to Iran had been lost - Al Manar TV/Reuters

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Israel, meanwhile, has launched dozens of overnight airstrikes on Syria, firing 61 missiles at former Assad regime military sites in less than five hours on Saturday evening, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

However, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the HTS leader, has said the new government is not interested in a conflict with Israel, telling Syrian state media that there are no excuses for any foreign intervention in Syria now after the Iranians have left.

We are not in the process of engaging in a conflict with Israel, he said, adding that diplomatic solutions were the only way to ensure stability.

That is despite a statement by Israel Katz, Israels defence minister, saying that Israeli troops would remain for the winter on Mount Hermon after seizing the Golan Heights buffer zone last week.

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On Friday, Israel conducted secret talks over Syria with Jordan, according to Axios, with officials reportedly discussing engagement with the new rebel government.

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Frances Perkins, the daughter of a Worcester shopkeeper and the secretary of labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was recognized by President Biden Monday with his designation of the Frances Perkins National Monument in Maine.

The Perkins family had a homestead in Newcastle. The main building, known as the Brick House, is part of the existing Frances Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark site.

Like others in her extended family, Frances Perkins spent summers in Newcastle.

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The national monument designation recognizes Perkins as the first woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet and for her behind-the-scenes work on the New Deal. She was secretary of labor for 12 years, mostly under FDR.

Far from the woods of Maine and the government buildings of Washington, Frances Perkins grew up at 18 Cottage St. in Worcester. She attended the Oxford Street School and Classical High School in Worcester (later merged into Doherty Memorial High School).

Her father, Frederick Perkins, was a Boston businessman who opened the F.W. Perkins paper and twine store on Main Street in Worcester in the 1880s. The business later became Perkins & Butler and set up at 12-18 Federal St.

Perkins & Butler eventually focused on stationery and other paper goods. The store sold Worcester-themed postcards.

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After Worcester, Frances Perkins graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1902 and became a teacher for a short time. She then became a social worker in New York, with a focus on worker rights. She was a member of the New York industrial commission and later the federal industrial commission, appointed by FDR. He asked her to join his Cabinet after he became president.

While in New York, Perkins was a witness to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in March 1911, according to the Frances Perkins Center, the group that runs the Maine site. The factory blaze claimed 146 workers and became a symbol of poor workplace conditions and safety. Frances Perkins was a key player in many of the reforms that followed.

Her appointment as labor secretary took effect March 4, 1933, making her the first woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet.

The post allowed her to push for rights of working people. She is remembered as a driving force behind the New Deal.

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She outlined her work with the president in the 1946 book, "The Roosevelt I Knew."

In 1913, she married Paul C. Wilson, an economist, but kept her maiden name.

In 1994, the public library branch in Greendale, one of three branches built in the early 1900s with money from Andrew Carnegie, was renamed in honor of Frances Perkins.

In 2020, the Perkins family, whose ties to the homestead lasted 270 years, turned over the homestead to the nonprofit Frances Perkins Center.

Frances Perkins and Balto

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester's Frances Perkins, FDR Cabinet member, gets national monument
Palmera House, an all-day cafe, is the newest member to join Bedford Avenue.

The new business combines plants, home goods and a welcoming cafe, and is set to open its doors the first week of January at 2307 Bedford Ave.

Owner Erica Kerns-Calfee said it wont just be a shop with gifts, it will be an all-day cafe and gathering space.

I wanted to design a space where people could truly disconnect from the rush of daily life and reconnect with themselves and nature, she said.

The idea for Palmera House has been years in the making, shaped by Kerns-Calfees career and personal passions. After two decades in corporate America with brands such as J.Crew and Madewell, she shifted gears, trading the world of high fashion for a more hands-on venture.

Working in fashion was fun, but plants became a real passion for me when I was living in San Antonio. I started keeping them alive for the first time and fell in love with the process, she said.

Her love for plants began as a personal journey, but soon grew into a vision for a community space that could blend nature, design and hospitality. When she returned to Lynchburg in 2021, after her time with Moore & Giles, Kerns-Calfee realized there was an opportunity to bring her ideas to life in a way that would resonate with others.

I always knew I wanted to create something unique, something that Lynchburg didnt have yet, she said. I was done working for someone else. All this effort and time and blood, sweat and tears that I put into all of these things, its for someone elses company.

The cafe will offer an all-day menu with options such as smoothies, bowls, salads, burrata and charcuterie.

Its a place where you can grab something quick to go or linger with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, she said. The cafe element allows us to create an even more welcoming and dynamic space.

The building itself has undergone a transformation and was in disrepair when Kerns-Calfee first saw it.

When I walked in, the roof was caving in and the building was in terrible shape, she said but could immediately envision what she has created today.

I stood in this corner and I was like, OK, so here the bodega is gonna be here and theres gonna be a wine shelf here and theres gonna be this living wall, like the vision was there for the space, I just could see how you can sort of separate it and make it this multi-functional spot, she said.

Over the past two years, the Palmera House team has worked to bring that vision to life. The result is a thoughtfully designed space that feels both modern and timeless. The interior features a mix of greenery, natural textures and curated home goods, creating an atmosphere thats equal parts boutique shop and cozy cafe.

People that know me walk in here and theyre like, Oh, so this is your house, because my house is an explosion of plants, shells and just really interesting found objects and different things that are just sort of collected in an interesting way, she said.

In addition to its cafe offerings, Palmera House will feature a rotating selection of curated home goods, vintage rugs and plants.

The home goods and rugs will rotate, offering unique items like coffee table books, pots and giftable items, Kerns-Calfee said. I want the space to feel like a blend of a hotel lobby and a cozy shop.

Plant lovers will also find an impressive selection of greenery, from easy-to-care-for houseplants to unique statement pieces.

Plants bring life and warmth to any space, Kerns-Calfee said. Whether youre a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, well have something for you.

Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the thoughtfully curated selection available at Palmera House. Kerns-Calfee has partnered with Flying Fox, a Virginia winery to offer exclusive bottles that have never been sold outside their tasting room.

Palmera House will also offer a private dining room, created for intimate meals, that seats up to 14, and can be used any time of day.

Despite setbacks during the renovation process, including HVAC delays and the challenge of keeping plants alive in temporary downtown spaces, Kerns-Calfee describes the process as a labor of love.

Ive been up on ladders watering plants and making sure everything is ready. Im excited to share this space with the community, she said.

Palmera House will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and come spring, Kerns-Calfee plans to have an outdoor patio open.

You feel like youre walking into a vacation spot, so even though its freezing, come on in for a little short vacation, she said.
FUKUOKA, Dec 16 (News On Japan) - JR Kyushu High-Speed Ferry is planning to withdraw from the Japan-Korea high-speed ferry business following the revelation that it concealed water leakage incidents while operating the high-speed ferry 'Queen Beetle,' which runs between Hakata and Busan, South Korea.

On December 13th, JR Kyushu announced that resuming operations would be difficult.

Speaking to Kyodo News in Fukuoka City on the same day, JR Kyushu President Yoji Furumiya stated, "Implementing robust countermeasures for the vessel's structural issues is challenging. While we are still aiming to resume operations at this point, it might not be possible."

Source: Kyodo
TOKYO, Dec 17 (News On Japan) - On December 13th, it was announced that a new joint venture will be established to advance the collaborative development of the next-generation fighter jet involving Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

The joint venture will be formed by three companies: Japan Aircraft Industries Promotion, supported by investments from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and others; the UKs BAE Systems; and Italys Leonardo.

Last week, the three nations launched an international organization, GIGO, to oversee the joint development of the next-generation fighter jet. The newly established joint venture will handle the aircraft's design, development, and delivery.

Source: BIZ
Kitakyushu, Dec 16 (News On Japan) - A stabbing incident in Kitakyushu involving two junior high school students has revealed that the male student sustained severe wounds that could have been fatal. According to police, at around 8:30 p.m. on December 14th, a third-year junior high school student, Sakiya Nakajima (15), and her male classmate (15) were repeatedly stabbed by a man in his 40s using what appeared to be a knife at a fast-food restaurant in Kokuraminami Ward, Kitakyushu.

Nakajima was stabbed in the abdomen and died from blood loss, while the male student was stabbed near his lower back.

Further investigations revealed that the wounds inflicted on the male student were deep enough to be potentially life-threatening.

Police suspect that the perpetrator had strong murderous intent toward the male student as well and are continuing their search for the suspect.

In response to the incident, Kitakyushu City has strengthened safety measures during school commuting hours.

A local elementary school principal commented, So far, we have been notified that over 20 students are staying home out of fear.

Elementary and junior high schools in Kitakyushu have implemented a policy of mandatory group departures from school by 5 p.m. for the foreseeable future.

Previously: Manhunt Underway After Fatal Stabbing of Schoolgirl at McDonalds

Source: ANN
In a historic venture reminiscent of Marco Polo's explorations, which blended cultures through trade and the exchange of knowledge, the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU) hosted a key academic event in Milan, Italy, in November.

The opening of the 2024 Tsinghua International Conference on Art & Design Education (ICADE 2024) in Milan, Nov. 15, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

The 2024 Tsinghua International Conference on Art & Design Education (ICADE 2024) was convened at the Tsinghua University Milan Institute of Art & Design in Milan from Nov. 15-16. The conference has successfully convened three editions since its inception in 2021.

Themed "New Dimensions: Imagination Beyond the Horizon," the conference sought to redefine educational paradigms through an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach. Milan provided the perfect backdrop for the two-day dialogue among global academic leaders in art and design, with its rich legacy at the intersection of scientific innovation and artistic heritage.

Ma Sai, dean of AADTHU, spoke at the event, stating that the identity and mission of designers is to use innovative and technological means to solve complex social issues, promote the common development of humanity, and shape future talents with research, collaboration and leadership skills across interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives.

"We hope to cultivate students through interdisciplinary and cross-cultural methods, on one hand breaking down traditional disciplinary barriers, and on the other hand stimulating students' awareness of problem discovery and expanding their global horizons. The core is to use interdisciplinary and cross-cultural projects to better cultivate students' lifelong learning abilities," Ma said.

These overarching goals were reflected in every aspect of ICADE 2024, as it set out to prepare a new generation of creative professionals equipped to engage with both local particularities and global universals.

Attendees take part in a forum during ICADE 2024 in Milan, Nov. 15, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Distinguished figures such as Qiu Yong, secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee and chairperson of the University Council, and Giuliano Noci, vice-rector for China at the Politecnico di Milano, highlighted the event's role as a crucial platform for global innovation in education  a real East-meets-West summit.

Qiu emphasized the role of cultural and educational exchanges in strengthening the friendship between China and Italy. He underscored Tsinghua's commitment to advancing cutting-edge disciplines, using aesthetics as a medium to promote the integration of art, science, and technology. As an important platform for promoting cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange in art and design, this conference in Milan plays a pivotal role in deepening cooperation between Western and Chinese art and design education while advancing the global development of these fields. He anticipates collaborative explorations on how the convergence of art and technology can spark creativity, contributing to innovations in both technology and culture.

ICADE 2024 was structured around six thematic forums, each representing major anticipated trends in art and design education. The themes of the forums were: "Tradition and Innovation: The Evolution of Aesthetic Paradigms," "Carbon and Silicon: The Wonders of Human-Machine Synergy," "Founding and Breaking: The Shifting Boundary Between Disciplines," "Constants and Variables: The Formula for Diverse Environments," "Identity and Mission: Shaping Talents for the Future," and "Intersection and Integration: Constructing an Academic Ecosystem." Additionally, three roundtable panels were held on the subjects of "The Education and Inheritance of Traditional Crafts in the Context of Globalization," "The Balance Between Physical and Digital Spaces" and "Images, Emotions, and Communication."

Professor Christoph Lindner, president of the Royal College of Art in London, discussed the integration of critical thinking with artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable designs and innovations. "Critical thinking is the process of deeply analyzing and evaluating things, and it is not intended to encourage people to reject AI, but rather to highlight the importance of innovation with the aid of AI," he said. "We envision these as future learning methods, exploring how our academic community can provide students with a more innovative learning environment to uncover other innovative potentials of AI."

Echoing this sentiment, professor Clement Valla, dean of Experimental and Foundation Studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, stated that human-machine collaboration is not only a new direction for art and design education, but also reveals the creative tension between humans and machines. "The clash between carbon-based and silicon-based entities is also a space worth exploring for art and design," he said. "This means adopting approaches from machine and material ecology, providing a perspective for exploring the applications of technology as a tool." He also advocated for integrating core computational principles into flexible curricula, using human-machine interfaces as bridges to explore the infinite possibilities of uncertainty and personalized symbiosis.

Participants pose for a group photo after a forum during ICADE 2024 in Milan, Nov. 16, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Deepening the thematic discourse, professor Emmanuel Tibloux from the Ecole nationale superieure des Arts Decoratifs (ENSAD) explored the societal impact of art and design education. He emphasized the need to enhance designers' abilities to address regional challenges in ecological and societal contexts, shifting design education from classrooms to communities, and promoting sustainable development. "The core of art education is not simply to train designers to voice concerns for the education industry, but to enable real-world impact, helping local residents redesign and manage their regions to achieve transformative changes. This can also allow participating designers to develop their own design careers," he said.

Cultural integration and the sharing of diverse perspectives formed another cornerstone of the conference. Professor Lorenzo Imbesi, president of the Cumulus Association, mentioned that design education connects multiculturalism, promotes knowledge sharing and innovation, and aims for sustainable development and global well-being, thereby shaping future-oriented design talents. "As designers, we possess an innovative spirit that allows us to integrate design into interpersonal communications, thus creating a more open environment for knowledge sharing," he said. "Knowledge is fluid and unbounded; it interconnects, holding immense value for everyone."

Professor Gordon Hush, head of the Innovation School at the Glasgow School of Art, expressed his interest in the intersection of sociology and design. He emphasized the importance of designers using sociological perspectives to consider their intentions, processes and the potential consequences of their creations. "When you're inventing new things, sometimes they're good, sometimes they're not so good, sometimes they come with consequences," he noted.

Hush also argued that much of the current design discourse is focused on future implications rather than contemporary issues, making it crucial to integrate concepts from sociology and social philosophy to guide designers' thoughts and actions toward their goals.

Visitors attend an exhibition held during ICADE 2024 in Milan, Nov. 16, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Over the course of two days, the event brought together more than 150 university presidents, professors and experts from over 50 arts and design institutions and organizations across 14 countries, establishing a global platform for academic exchange in art and design. These world-renowned educational leaders jointly explored "new directions, new methods and new dimensions" for fostering art and design talent, thereby injecting fresh vitality into the field. The discussions not only guided the dialogue but also sparked meaningful engagement among participants, prompting them to consider how these focus areas could realistically reshape the global educational landscape.

Alistair Hudson, scientific-artistic chairman of the Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe (ZKM), said he was impressed by the variety of ideas and perspectives that came together at the event, and that the educational institution's eyes are open to so many different possibilities and perspectives.

Complementing these insights was the "New Dimensions: International Students' Work Exhibition," held from Nov. 15 to 18, featuring cutting-edge graduate projects from Tsinghua University along with notable international contributions.

A visitor attends an exhibition held during ICADE 2024 in Milan, Nov. 16, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Encompassing six themes  "Form and Function," "Tradition and Innovation," "Sensation and Expression," "Micro and Macro," "Digital and Physical" and "Earth and Space"  the exhibition explored the vast potential of art and design education across different levels. From balancing form and function to innovating aesthetic paradigms, from extending sensory perception to considering environmental design, from micro to macro scales, and from merging digital and physical realms to envisioning deep space exploration, the students thoroughly examined the dynamic interplay between art and technology, tradition and modernity, and the individual and society from an interdisciplinary perspective. The works highlight the accomplishments of modern design education and offer reflections and inspirations on how future art and design can influence human lifestyles and promote social development.
Toyama, Dec 17 (NHK) - A 53-year-old man has pleaded not guilty at a central Japan court of sexually abusing his daughter when she was in high school eight years ago.

Former company executive Daimon Koji denied the charges in the first hearing at the Toyama District Court on Monday.

He is accused of sexual violence against his daughter, Fukuyama Riho, in August 2016.

Fukuyama, who is now 24, spoke to reporters in March after her father was arrested. She gave her real name, and accused him of starting to abuse her when she was in junior high school.

In the hearing, Daimon admitted having sex with his daughter, but said she was not in a state of inability to resist.

Prosecutors told the court that Daimon had inflicted violence against his daughter, instilling fear in her, and had sex with her several times.

They said she was concerned about the possible danger to her younger sister. They also said the victim was unable to resist because the family depended on the father's income and she wanted to attend high school and go on to university.

A lawyer for the defendant said Daimon had hit her before, but it was within the scope of discipline and did not cause fear. The lawyer also said there were times when she refused her father by shaking off his hand.

The defense counsel argued that Daimon should be criticized morally and ethically, but is innocent as he did not make her unable to resist by using violence.

Fukuyama reportedly plans to question the defendant in the court through her lawyer.
HYOGO, Dec 17 (News On Japan) - A criminal complaint against Hyogo Governor Saito and a PR firm representative over alleged violations of the Public Offices Election Act has been accepted by investigative authorities, it was revealed.

The controversy centers on the recent Hyogo gubernatorial election, in which Saito secured re-election. A PR firm representative had posted online about being "entrusted with overall public relations," raising concerns of potential violations of election law.

Lawyer Nobuo Gohara and Professor Hiroyuki Kamiwaki filed the criminal complaint with the Kobe District Prosecutors Office and Hyogo Prefectural Police on December 1st.

According to Gohara, the complaint was accepted by both institutions as of December 16th. Gohara noted, "Given that political cases are often not accepted, this decision was made with exceptional speed."

In response to the allegations, Governor Saito has repeatedly stated, "I do not believe there were any actions that violate the Public Offices Election Act."

Source: ANN
In the ever-evolving world of shisha, few names command the respect and recognition that Tangiers Shisha does. Since its inception in 2005, Tangiers has earned a cult-like following for its unique approach to flavor creation, dedication to quality, and commitment to preserving the traditional essence of hookah while embracing modern trends. While many shisha brands have emerged and faded over the years, Tangiers has remained a cornerstone in the industry. But what sets it apart, and how does it compare to other leading shisha brands? Lets dive in.

The Tangiers Legacy

Tangiers Tobacco was founded by Eric Hofmann in San Diego, California, with a mission to create premium tobacco that catered to enthusiasts seeking something different. Tangiers quickly gained recognition for its high-quality, small-batch production methods and unique flavor profiles.

What Makes Tangiers Unique?

Dark Leaf

Tangiers specializes in dark-leaf tobacco, which offers a richer, more robust smoking experience compared to traditional washed tobacco. The natural nicotine content is higher, giving a more pronounced buzz, and appealing to experienced smokers.

Complex Flavor Profiles

Tangiers is known for creating nuanced and complex flavors that stand out. Signature blends like Cane Mint, Kashmir Peach, and Noir Horchata have become staples for hookah enthusiasts worldwide.

Handcrafted Excellence

Unlike mass-produced brands, Tangiers takes pride in its handcrafted approach. The tobacco is carefully packed, ensuring consistency and quality in every batch.

Heat Sensitivity and Preparation

Tangiers require a precise packing and heat management technique, making it a favorite among experienced smokers who enjoy the ritualistic aspect of hookah preparation.



Tangiers vs. Other Shisha Brands

While Tangiers has cemented its reputation, how does it stack up against other popular shisha brands like Al Fakher, Fumari, and Starbuzz?

Flavor Diversity

Tangiers: Offers an extensive range of flavors with a focus on natural, earthy, and bold profiles. Its flavors are less artificial and more complex, appealing to seasoned smokers.

Al Fakher: Known for its straightforward, classic flavors like Double Apple and Grape. Its a great option for beginners due to its simplicity and forgiving nature.

Starbuzz: Aimed at the modern market, Starbuzz offers vibrant, sweet, and often candy-like flavors such as Blue Mist and Pirates Cave, catering to casual smokers.

Fumari: Famous for its fresh, fruit-forward flavors like White Gummi Bear and Lemon Mint, Fumari is a versatile brand that appeals to a wide audience.

Tobacco Base

Tangiers: Focuses solely on dark-leaf tobacco, making it a niche product for experienced smokers

Al Fakher: Primarily uses blonde leaf tobacco, which is milder and suitable for beginners.

Starbuzz: It also uses blonde leaf tobacco but often incorporates glycerin-heavy mixes for larger smoke clouds.

Fumari: Blonde leaf tobacco with a wetter cut, ensuring a smooth and flavorful smoke.

Smoking Experience

Tangiers: Provides a robust and potent smoking session with a strong buzz. It requires precise preparation, making it less beginner-friendly but highly rewarding for enthusiasts.

Al Fakher: Known for its easy-to-use nature, providing a milder experience with manageable nicotine levels.

Starbuzz: Popular for its thick smoke clouds and approachable flavors, making it a social favorite.

Fumari: Offers a smooth, flavorful, and forgiving smoking experience, ideal for both beginners and experienced smokers.

Community and Loyalty

Tangiers: Boasts a passionate and dedicated community of fans who appreciate the brands authenticity and craftsmanship.

Al Fakher: A widely available brand with mass appeal, often the first choice for newcomers.

Starbuzz: Maintains a loyal following due to its modern marketing and trendy appeal.

Fumari: Has a growing base of fans who appreciate its fresh and innovative flavors.

Why Tangiers Continues to Thrive

In a market saturated with options, Tangiers Tobacco remains a standout for several reasons:

Authenticity: Tangiers has stayed true to its roots, focusing on quality over quantity and maintaining the artisanal touch. Innovation: While grounded in tradition, Tangiers isnt afraid to experiment with bold and unconventional flavors, keeping its offerings fresh and exciting. Exclusivity: The brands meticulous production process and distribution strategy make it a sought-after product, adding to its allure. Longevity: Tangiers commitment to excellence has allowed it to withstand market trends and continue thriving nearly two decades after its founding.

Conclusion

Tangiers Tobacco is more than just a shisha brandits an experience. Its rich, bold flavors and dedication to quality have earned it a legendary status among hookah enthusiasts. While other brands like Al Fakher, Starbuzz, and Fumari cater to various segments of the market, Tangiers remains the go-to choice for those seeking an authentic and unparalleled hookah session.

Whether youre a seasoned smoker or an adventurous newcomer ready to take your hookah experience to the next level, Tangiers Tobacco offers a journey through flavor, tradition, and craftsmanship that few brands can rival.
Key Highlights

Petty theft is when someone steals something that is not worth much, usually less than $950.

It is seen as a less serious crime than grand theft, but people can still face fines, jail time, or community service.

The rules and penalties for petty theft can change depending on the state you are in.

Common defenses for petty theft charges include not having the intent to steal, being wrongly identified, or questioning the value of the stolen property.

Its important to know your states laws and to get legal help if you are accused of petty theft.

The Legal Definition of Petty Theft

Petty theft is a type of larceny. It means taking someone elses property without their permission. What makes petty theft different from grand theft is the value of the stolen items. This value decides how serious the crime is. Even though petty theft may seem small, being convicted can lead to serious legal problems.

Different states have different laws. Its important to learn about the specific rules and penalties for petty theft in your area. Speaking with a legal expert can help you understand your situation better.

Understanding the Basics of Petty Theft in the United States

Petty theft is seen as less serious than grand theft. However, it is still a crime that can lead to serious problems. It happens when someone takes another persons property without permission. The value of the stolen items is below a certain amount set by the California Penal Code and laws in other states.

To defend against a petty theft charge, it is important to challenge the key points of the case. The prosecution must show strong evidence. They need to prove that the accused person took the property, that it belonged to someone else, that the act was intentional, and that the accused did it without the owners permission.

How Petty Theft Differs from Other Types of Theft

The main difference between petty theft and grand theft is the value of the stolen property. Grand theft happens when someone steals something worth more than a certain amount of money, which can differ by state. Petty theft is when the value is lower. Even though the definition of theft is the same, the type of crime can change depending on the value of what is stolen. This affects how the law views the crime and the penalties involved.

These categories help to sort different crimes and ensure that the law responds properly. For example, taking a candy bar is treated differently than taking a car, even though both are theft. Knowing these differences can make the legal effects and possible consequences clearer for everyone.

Common Examples of Petty Theft

Petty theft includes many cases where people take items of little value without permission. The details can change depending on state laws, but the main idea is always the same. Its about taking someone elses property illegally.

Here are some common examples of petty theft to show the different ways it can happen.

Shoplifting: A Primary Example of Petty Theft

Shoplifting is when someone steals items from a retail store. It is a common type of petty theft. This means taking goods that are for sale without paying for them. Some ways people shoplift are hiding items, changing price tags, or just leaving the store without paying. No matter how they do it, the main issue is taking stolen property.

The crime of petty theft can lead to serious problems. These problems can include being banned from stores, facing criminal charges, and having a bad reputation. Even if it seems like a minor crime, the legal and personal effects can be big. They can affect how the person is viewed in their community and limit their chances in the future.

Petty Theft in the Workplace

Petty theft can happen not just in stores, but also at work. This means that employees might take things like office supplies or company money for their own use without permission. Even though these actions might seem small, they can lead to a culture of dishonesty and make others feel distrustful.

In cases of theft at work, possession of the property is very important. If an employee has company property outside the workplace for no good reason, it helps prove their guilt. However, employers usually look at an employees criminal history before taking legal steps. If someone hasnt done this before, the company might handle it quietly. But if the person has stolen before, they could face harsher punishments.

Misappropriation of Lost Property

Finding lost items doesnt mean you own them. If you find a wallet or phone, you should try to return it. Keeping it without trying to return it is wrong and can be petty theft.

Its important to know if you really believe the lost item can be returned to its owner. If you find an ID card with the item, returning it is a good idea. But if there is no ID, its better to hand it over to the authorities or the management of where you found it.

Legal Consequences of Petty Theft

The legal consequences of petty theft can change based on the situation and the state it happened in. Petty theft is usually seen as a misdemeanor. However, it can still lead to serious punishments that can affect a persons freedom, money, and future.

Its important to understand what a petty theft charge could mean. Although it might seem like a minor issue, the effects can be significant. These consequences can have lasting impacts on many parts of a persons life.

Fines and Penalties Associated with Petty Theft Convictions

A petty theft charge can result in different fines and punishments. Even though it is seen as less serious than other theft crimes, the exact effects vary. This depends on the situation, the persons criminal history, and the laws in their state.

In many places, fines for petty theft usually cannot exceed about $1,000. However, this can change based on how much the stolen property is worth. Along with fines, people found guilty of petty theft might have to go to jail. This is not common for first-time offenders, but jail time is possible, especially if the person has a serious criminal record.

The Impact of a Petty Theft Conviction on Your Criminal Record

A petty theft conviction is a minor crime, but it can still have a big effect on your criminal record. This record can cause problems in many areas of your life for years. Employers, landlords, and schools often check backgrounds. Because of this, you may lose chances for jobs, places to live, or education.

For many people, the first conviction for a theft crime like petty theft can be a wake-up call. It can push them to reflect on their behavior and try to make things better. But having this record can make it hard to move on. Talking to a lawyer and looking at options like record sealing or expungement can help reduce the long-lasting effects of a petty theft conviction.

State-Specific Laws on Petty Theft

Navigating the rules about petty theft can be tricky. Each state in the U.S. has its own laws that explain what petty theft is and how offenses are punished. What is seen as petty theft in one state might be looked at differently in another state. This could lead to harsher penalties.

It is important to know the rules in your state about petty theft. This includes the value that makes it different from grand theft, possible defenses you might have, and the types of punishments you could face.

A Comparative Look at Petty Theft Laws Across Different States

Petty theft, often referred to as misdemeanor theft or petty larceny, is governed by state law and included within each states individual penal code. Consequently, the specifics of what constitutes petty theft can differ considerably. For example, California law sets the threshold for petty theft at $950, while other states may have different limits.

State Petty Theft Threshold Maximum Penalty California $950 Up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 fine Florida $300 Up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,000 fine Texas $1,500 Up to 1 year in jail and/or $4,000 fine New York $1,000 Up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,000 fine

This table highlights the variations in how petty theft is defined and penalized across different states. Its crucial to consult the specific penal code of the relevant state for accurate and current information.

Notable Differences in Petty Theft Penalties

Petty theft, also known as petty larceny, is often seen as a less serious crime than grand theft. However, the penalties can still be serious. They may include a small fine or even jail time in state prison. The consequences depend on several factors. These factors include the value of the stolen property, the offenders criminal record, and the state where the crime was committed.

For example, a first-time petty thief who steals something of low value might just get a small fine and probation. In contrast, repeat offenders or those who take more valuable items could face greater punishments, including time in jail. Also, some states have tougher penalties for petty theft if it involves specific items like guns or cars, even if they have low value.

Defending Against Petty Theft Charges

Facing a petty theft charge can be scary, especially if its your first time dealing with the legal system. It may seem small, but a conviction can lead to serious consequences. It is important to create a strong defense plan with an experienced attorney. This can help protect your rights and reduce the severity of the charges.

Having a good lawyer can really change how your case ends. They can look at the details of your situation. They will find any weak points in the prosecutions case. Then, they can present a strong defense for you.

Common Legal Defenses Used in Petty Theft Cases

In a case of petty theft, having a strong defense is very important. A criminal defense attorney can use different methods based on the details of the situation. One common method is to question whether the prosecution can prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defense attorney may say that the accused person did not have the intent to steal. This means they truly believed they were allowed to take the item. Moreover, if they can show that the value of the stolen items is low, it may lower the charges from a misdemeanor to a lesser violation. In the end, a good defense attorney will work hard to make a strong case for their client and aim for the best outcome possible.

The Role of Intent in Petty Theft Accusations

A key part of proving a petty theft charge is showing the intent behind the act. Prosecutors need to prove that the accused person knew they took property that didnt belong to them. They must show the intent to keep the rightful owner from using it.

Showing intent can be hard, especially if the accused thought they had a good reason for taking the property. For example, if someone borrows something without asking but plans to return it later, that probably isnt petty theft. Also, if someone tricks the owner into giving up their property, this case might be seen as a different crime, not petty theft.

How Mistaken Identity Can Be Argued in Court

Mistaken identity is a defense that can be used in court to challenge a petty theft claim. Sometimes, people are wrongly accused of stealing something they did not take. This can happen because of mistakes made by witnesses, especially in busy places or when its hard to see.

In these cases, the defense attorney for the accused person may show proof that their client was not at the crime scene when it happened. This proof could be from witnesses who provide an alibi, receipts from different places, or any other information that raises doubts about what the prosecution says. To prove mistaken identity, a smart plan is needed to show that the evidence against the accused person is not correct and to prove their innocence.

Preventing Petty Theft: Tips and Strategies

Addressing petty theft needs two main actions: putting in place safeguards and raising awareness. By taking steps to protect their things and encouraging a secure environment, both businesses and people can lower the chances of becoming victims of this crime.

Even though petty theft seems small, the effects can be upsetting and expensive. Having safety measures is the first way to protect against it. Awareness helps people take charge of their safety and care for their belongings.

Effective Measures Businesses Can Take to Minimize Petty Theft

Creating a safe business environment needs a well-rounded plan to stop petty theft. Using visible security measures, like surveillance cameras and security staff, can scare off some thieves. Also, a good store layout and smart placement of products can make it less appealing for shoplifters.

Its important to train employees on how to prevent theft. This helps them spot suspicious behavior and know how to react. Staff should learn how to approach possible shoplifters, check transactions, and stay alert in areas where theft could happen. By using these methods as part of a broader business plan, you can reduce losses and keep a safe place for both customers and workers.

How Individuals Can Protect Themselves from Becoming Petty Theft Victims

Protecting your personal property takes awareness and some good security habits. When youre out in public, pay attention to what is happening around you. Make sure not to leave your valuables alone. Keeping your things close and locking your bags can help stop thieves.

At home, make sure your doors and windows are locked, even if you are just stepping out for a bit. Putting in a security system or using motion-sensor lights can scare off burglars. Remember, your goal is to prevent theft by making it harder for thieves. By taking these simple steps, you can lower your chances of facing a theft charge and reduce the stress that comes with dealing with crime.
L-R: Trade Commissioner/ Managing Director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Lagos, Takashi Oku; Group Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Knut Ulvmoen; Vice President, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin; Ambassador  Designate of Japan to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo; Director  Service, Yokogawa Nigeria Limited, Olushola Olanlehin, during the visit of Japanese Business Community in Nigeria, to Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and Fertiliser complexes in Lekki, on Friday

The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex has been hailed as an astonishing masterpiece, showcasing Nigerias technological advancements on the global stage.

This accolade was shared by a delegation from the Japanese Business Community in Nigeria, led by Japans Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo. The Dangote Group also reiterated that its petroleum products are in demand worldwide, as it expands its polypropylene section to reduce Nigerias reliance on imported polypropylene, a crucial material used in packaging, textiles, and the automotive manufacturing industries.

The Japanese delegation, which toured the impressive facilities housing both the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as well as Dangote Fertilisers, commended the state-of-the-art technology on display, noting that it reinforces Nigerias role as the gateway to Africa.

Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Takashi Oku, remarked that while Nigeria remains the gateway to Africa, the Dangote Refinery stands as a remarkable project that showcases the countrys technological progress. He added that the facility, as the worlds largest single-train refinery, is a point of immense pride for Nigeria. JETRO is Japans governmental organisation for trade and investment.

We had heard about the excellence of the Dangote Refinery through the media but seeing it in person has left us truly amazed by its vastness and grandeur. It demonstrates that Nigerias population is not only growing but also advancing in technology. We are keen to collaborate with Nigerian companies, especially Dangote Refinery, he said.

Emphasising that the refinery has bolstered Nigerias leading position in Africa, he further noted that the facility serves as an ideal introduction to the country for the global community.

Managing Director of Itochu Nigeria Limited, Masahiro Tsuno, also praised the sheer size and automation of the Dangote Refinery, calling it a miracle and one of the wonders of the world.

Ive seen many standalone refineries across the globe, including in Vietnam and the Middle East. However, this size of a refinery built by one single investor is probably a miracle in the world. And Im just actually witnessing a miracle, to be honest, today, he said. Tsuno indicated that his company would seek collaboration with the refinery across various sectors, including polypropylene and other petroleum products.

Commending the ambassador-designate and his team, which described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a wonder of modern technology, Vice President of Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, explained that the facility is the vision of a Nigerian investor- Aliko Dangote, designed and built by Nigerians, and intended to serve the global market.

He said that it is a point of pride that a Nigerian company not only designed but also built the worlds largest single-train refinery complex. Dangote Industries Limited, a Nigerian company, acted as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the refinery. In the process, cutting-edge technologies from around the world were incorporated to ensure that the facility meets the highest standards. Edwin assured the ambassador-designate and the delegation that the company is open to collaboration, always striving to maintain the best possible standards.

Even now, we have a lot of Japanese equipment inside both the refinery and the fertiliser plant. There are significant opportunities for collaboration, as we always seek the latest technology in any business we engage in. For instance, our cement plant laboratory is managed by robots, and we always embrace advanced technology. With Japans focus on technological innovation, there is ample scope for cooperation and for supplying various types of technology, he said.

Edwin also stated that the Dangote Petrochemical project will significantly boost investment in downstream industries, creating substantial value, generating employment, increasing tax revenues, reducing foreign exchange outflows, and contributing to Nigerias Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He confirmed that products from the refinery meet international standards and are already being exported globally.

In recent weeks, weve exported petrol to Cameroon, Ghana, Angola, and South Africa among others. Diesel has gone all over the world, and jet fuel is being heavily exported to European markets. Our products are already making their mark internationally, he said.

He further added that by leveraging Africas vast crude oil resources to produce refined products locally, the Dangote Group aims to create a virtuous cycle of industrial development, job creation, and economic prosperity.
By Ikenna Ngere

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 192 foreign nationals for their alleged involvement in romance and cryptocurrency investment scams.

Naija News learnt that this operation is regarded as the largest crackdown of its kind in the commissions history.

The suspects include 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Khazartans, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian.

They were apprehended in a surprise raid at a seven-storey building, known as the Big Leaf Building, situated at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the EFCC, the arrests followed months of surveillance and actionable intelligence on the syndicates activities.

Investigations revealed that the suspects used the facility, which posed as a legitimate corporate office, to train Nigerian recruits on how to perpetrate romance and investment scams.

They also used the identities of Nigerians to carry out their fraudulent activities.

The building, equipped with high-end desktop computers, had several floors dedicated to illegal operations. On the fifth floor, investigators discovered 500 SIM cards from local telecom providers, allegedly purchased for fraudulent purposes.

Further findings revealed that the suspects recruited Nigerian accomplices to help target unsuspecting victims in countries like the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several European nations.

Using desktop computers and mobile devices, the Nigerian operatives created fake profiles to engage victims on platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram.

The scammers posed as romantic partners or business professionals and lured victims to register on a fraudulent investment platform, www.yooto.com, where they were required to pay an activation fee starting at $35 to open an account.
By Emperor Simon

President Bola Tinubu has approved free transportation nationwide ahead of Christmas celebration.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, announced this while briefing State House correspondents shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the President on Monday.

He said the Federal Government will commence a nationwide free train services from the 20th of December to 5th of January 2025.

He also announced that FG has renamed the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.

On the 2025 budget, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun disclosed that the cabinet also deliberated extensively on the Appropriation Bill.

He expressed confidence that the budget will boost private sector participation in the national economy.

The Minister of Information confirmed that this FEC is the last meeting for the year, and that FEC will be on recess from 18 of December until 6th of January 2025.
By Seun Opejobi

Former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has disclosed that the cabal in President Bola Tinubus administration is more dangerous than that of his predecessor, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dalung said the cabal around Tinubu is more sophisticated and has been in power for a long time.

Featuring on Seun Okinbaloyes podcast, Mic On, the former minister said the cabal shields Tinubu from the present reality in Nigeria.

According to Dalung: Tinubus cabal is a more sophisticated group of people who have been in power for a long time. They know power, they are informed, and so they are more dangerous than any other cabal I have ever known or seen.

There is a cabal in Tinubus government, and they are more dangerous because they are more sophisticated.

Well, they are the gatekeepers of the president. They are found very close within the circumference of power, and usually, they dont allow governance to flow.

They shield the president from the obvious reality and dont allow any information to reach him. Ill correlate this with what happened during Buhari tenure.

There was a time someone went to see the president to brief him about the situation in the country, and one of the officers asked, What will you be telling the president? He hesitated, and then he told him, Look, my friend, we cant allow you to tell the president that. What if he collapses? So the man was prevented from telling the president.
An undated file picture shows the entrance of Dingling Mausoleum at the Ming's Thirteen Tombs (Shisanling) located north of Beijing. (Xinhua Photo)

Two emperors' mausoleums in Beijing have recently opened to the public, meaning that six out of the 13 tombs in the Changping District belonging to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) emperors are now accessible to the public, according to the management organization of the tombs.



The two mausoleums belong to Emperor Jiajing and his consorts, as well as Emperor Chongzhen and his consorts.

According to Yuan Jiangyu, vice director of the management center of the Ming Tombs in Changping, the fortress-shaped Minglou Tower in Jiajing's mausoleum was built with exquisite materials. Its eaves, rafters and arches resemble wood, but they are actually made of stone.

The mausoleum of Chongzhen, the last emperor of Ming Dynasty, is the smallest among the Ming Tombs. It was built on the renovation of his concubines' tomb, bearing rich historical information, said Yuan.

According to the management center, all the 13 emperors' mausoleums are expected to be fully accessible by 2030.

Currently, the mausoleum of Jiajing can be visited on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by appointment, while that of Chongzhen can be visited on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Each mausoleum has a maximum of 20 appointments per day. It is expected that the reception capacity will gradually expand based on the number of reservations and the progress of tomb repairs, said Yuan.
Morocco is the country best placed and most legitimate to represent Africa as a permanent member of the Security Council, the Kingdoms Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Omar Hilale, said on Friday in Rabat.

In an interview with MAP on the sidelines of the 13th annual international conference of the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) The Atlantic Dialogues, Hilale stressed that the Kingdom has precisely this capacity to represent the continent and defend Africas causes and interests.

The Kingdom is eligible to become a Security Council member because, quite simply, the fundamental criterion for membership is to contribute to peace and security in the world, notably by contributing to peacekeeping forces, the ambassador explained.

In this respect, he recalled that since the 1960s, Morocco has been among the most consistent countries in deploying its soldiers on UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

The Moroccan ambassador stressed that the Royal Armed Forces have played a fundamental role, particularly in Africa, thanks to their knowledge of African culture and language, but also through social action in favor of populations and the promotion of dialogue between different communities, in accordance with the high guidelines of King Mohammed VI.

Another key factor in Moroccos contributions to international security is its commitment to universal values, Hilale argued, describing the country as a global rules-abiding nation that respects the Charter and principles of the United Nations.

It is also a question of the Kingdoms ability to represent the African continent and defend the causes and interests of Africa and its countries, the Moroccan diplomat added, highlighting Moroccos active solidarity with African states.

Given its continued engagement in bilateral and trilateral cooperation, as well as its initiatives in mediation, cooperation, and humanitarian assistance, Morocco has the attributes that legitimately make it eligible, when the time comes, for a permanent seat on the Security Council, the ambassador said.
Leaders from Congo and Rwanda canceled a much-anticipated meeting in Angola intended to ease the crisis caused by the M23 rebel insurgency. Observers had hoped these face-to-face talks would produce a breakthrough. Instead, the latest setback suggests that efforts to quell the nearly three-year conflict in eastern Congo continue to falter, leaving more than 1.9 million people displaced and fear of a broader regional conflict looming.

Congos presidency announced that the meeting did not take place because Rwanda demanded direct negotiations with M23 rebels. Congo refused this condition, believing that discussing terms directly with the insurgents would legitimize their actions. Rwandas foreign ministry confirmed that it saw no basis for signing any agreement without such engagement.

This cancellation marks a frustrating turn in a conflict that evokes memories of past wars that cost millions of lives in the Great Lakes region between 1996 and 2003. Leaders in the region had hoped this encounter might foster stability and discourage further bloodshed.

Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 with troops and weapons, while Rwanda denies these accusations and insists it only took steps to defend itself. Analysts say the international community must exert greater pressure on both parties. Without it, they fear the violence will intensify and undercut any chance of long-term peace.

With the talks in Angola canceled and both sides entrenched in their positions, the region risks sliding deeper into conflict. Many believe only stronger diplomatic efforts and firm international backing can pave the way for genuine negotiations.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This decision was acknowledged by ECOWAS Heads of State during a Summit held in Abuja on Sunday, December 15. A six-month Transition period will commence on January 29, 2025, after which the exit of the three Sahelian countries will become definitive on July 30, 2025, unless they reconsider their decision.

Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, has been tasked with overseeing the withdrawal process. During the Transition period, Touray and his team will address the status of ECOWAS contract employees from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. They will also manage the relocation of community Agencies headquartered in these three nations, which are founding members of the organization.

In a formal and solemn address, Touray reflected on nearly a year of escalating tensions, during which the military juntas of these nations often set the agenda. He stated, The Authority of Heads of State and Government notes that, in accordance with Article 91 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS as of January 29, 2025. The Authority instructs the President of the Commission to initiate the withdrawal formalities after this deadline.

The Commission will adhere to established procedures for managing a countrys exit, drawing on its experience from Mauritanias withdrawal in 2000. However, at the request of Senegal and Togo, ECOWAS leaders agreed to continue mediation efforts with the departing nations. This six-month period is intended to provide Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger an opportunity to reconsider their decision. If they choose not to return, their withdrawal will be finalized on July 30, 2025.

This impending departure marks a significant moment for ECOWAS. The withdrawal of these three nations, key players in the Sahel and founding members of the organization, raises questions about the blocs cohesion and its ability to navigate the shifting dynamics of the region.
Cyclone Chido which hit Mayotte, leaving a heavy death toll that could reach several hundred and might even approach a thousand or more, has reached the Comoros and Mozambique.

Mayottes authorities consider Chido the most devastating cyclone to strike the French territory in nearly a century. The storm flattened entire neighborhoods, destroyed infrastructure, and left vast parts of the island without electricity and safe drinking water. Emergency teams face immense difficulty assessing the precise number of casualties and injured individuals because roads remain blocked and communication lines lie in ruins.

Communities that depend on informal metal shacks have suffered the most. Officials find it extremely challenging to tally the losses in these areas since some settlements no longer exist. Rescue workers, firefighters, and medical personnel have arrived from other regions and territories. They focus on restoring electricity, ensuring access to clean water, and providing urgent medical care. Security forces have deployed throughout the island to maintain order and prevent looting, while emergency crews distribute essential supplies.

Chido also impacted other islands before moving toward the African mainland. Officials in Mozambique fear that millions of people now face the threat of flooding, landslides, and dangerous waterborne diseases. They warn that collapsing infrastructure and limited resources will make recovery efforts even more difficult.

Before reaching Mozambique, Cyclone Chido battered the Comoros archipelago. While the full extent of the damage in Comoros has not yet been reported, early assessments suggest it was less severe compared to Mayotte.

Observers link the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms to climate change. Communities that contribute little to global emissions must bear devastating consequences.
Somaliland, Somalias self-declared independent region, has inaugurated its new president after last months election, which strengthened its push for international recognition.

Somaliland sworn in its sixth president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, on Thursday (12 December), only a day after Somalia and Ethiopia agreed in Turkey to hold technical talks over a dispute sparked by Addis Ababas deal with the breakaway region. Setting the record straight during his inaugural speech, Abdullahi stated that his new governments first job is to renew its relations with the rest of the world in order for us to be able to create a new Somaliland that will help the security of the entire region, including the Red Sea. The 69-year-old from the opposition Waddani Party, won over 50% of the votes, defeating the incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye Party.

The election, whose peaceful nature and the significant voter turnout was hailed as evidence of Somalilands democratic strength, is widely seen as giving a boost for the regions drive for international recognition, as evidenced by Abdullahis pledge to strengthen its foreign policy while advancing Somalilands case for recognition as an independent state. Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than three decades ago, yet it remains unrecognized by the United Nations, the African Union, or any other nation as a sovereign state. Abdullahis administration is now tasked with tackling the complex internal and external challenges, including the clashes in Somalilands Sool region, and the pursuit of international recognition, alongside a reassessment of its regional agreements, notably with Ethiopia.
Unfounded and fanciful. It is in these words that French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot responded to lengthy and tedious accusations by an Algerian regime in disarray, blinded by Morocco-phobia and mired in conspiracy theories.

Speaking to French media, Barrot was responding to uncorroborated allegations by the Algerian regime which- through its official media and mouthpieces- accused France of fomenting a rebellion in Algeria, backing Kabyle independence group MAK, and using the media to undermine Algerias image.

These allegations were behind the summoning of the French ambassador to Algiers, Algerian mouthpiece media such as Al Moujahid reported.

Barrot confirmed the summoning and expressed full support for the French Ambassador.

Deja vu

Algerias accusations against France are a deja vu from a Moroccan or Emirati perspective.

The Algerian regime has not issued an official statement regarding the summoning last week of the French ambassador, as it continues to use its media to express conspiracy theories, attacking sovereign states using puppet media.

The same accusations of undermining national security have been beaten to death by the Algerian regime when speaking of Morocco or the UAE.

Morocco has described the allegations permeating Algerias unilateral decision to cut ties as unjustified and absurd, and abstained from responding to the numerous accusations that have become a national sport.

The UAE has also been accused of undermining Algerias security but has opted not to respond to any of the accusations of the Algerian regime through its sycophant media.

Accusing France of using its security services to smuggles arms into the country is a serious claim that is equal to a casus belli or at least a sufficient reason to cut ties.

Yet, the Algerian regime as usual talks the talk but does not walk the walk.
Photo: Peter K. Afriyie/AP Photo

In the span of 24 hours, Mayor Eric Adams was dealt two significant blows: one to his administration, the other to his reelection campaign.

On Monday, the citys campaign finance board officially denied Adamss 2025 campaign the use of public matching funds as he mounts a likely uphill battle for a second term against a crowded field. The board cited the pending federal case against the mayor in which prosecutors allege, in part, that Adams misused the matching program by applying for the funds while using donations from illegal contributors. In a statement, board chairman Frederick Schaffer said there is reason to believe the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching-funds program in violation of law.

That hit came just hours after it was reported that Adams had lost one of his top staffers. On Sunday, Politico reported that his senior adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin had abruptly resigned from her role, the latest in a series of high-profile exits that have plagued City Hall over the past few months. Though Lewis-Martin had previously voiced her plans to retire, her departure comes as a Manhattan grand jury is said to be hearing evidence against her and could potentially return an indictment as early as this week, per the New York Times. Arthur Aidala, Lewis-Martins attorney, said during a press conference Monday that he is pretty certain that they will be in court this week, confirming that an indictment is imminent.

Since January 2022, Ingrid Lewis-Martin has served in City Hall as Adamss senior adviser. She and Adams have been close friends since the 1980s; she was his top adviser and chief of staff when he was a state senator, and then his deputy when he was Brooklyn borough president.

Ingrid has not been just a friend, a confidant, and trusted adviser, but also a sister, Adams said in a statement. Weve always talked about when this day would come, and while weve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid wont be right next door every day.

The Times reported that the Manhattan district attorneys probe is said to be focused on commercial real estate and how the city leases those properties. A source told the outlet that investigators were looking into possible money laundering and bribery.

In September, Lewis-Martin was returning from an overseas trip in Japan when she was met at the John F. Kennedy International Airport by investigators with the Manhattan district attorneys office. Her phone was seized, and her home in Brooklyn was also searched, per ABC News. She also received a grand-jury subpoena from federal authorities. Lewis-Martin was traveling with Jesse Hamilton, the deputy commissioner for real estate in the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, as well as Cushman & Wakefield vice-chair Diana Boutross, who both had their devices seized.

In an unexpected twist, Lewis-Martin joined her lawyer Aidala on his radio show not long after the phone seizure and personally addressed her legal situation. Notably, she did not explicitly deny any potential wrongdoing. We are imperfect, but were not thieves, Lewis-Martin said, per the New York Daily News. And I do believe that in the end, that the New York City public will see that we have not done anything illegal to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal government and the DA office to investigate us.

Initial reports suggest that the ongoing investigation into Lewis-Martin is unrelated to the mayor, who is currently contending with his own legal issues. In September, Adams was indicted on five federal corruption counts with prosecutors alleging that he intentionally sought illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals. Adams has maintained his innocence in the matter, and his trial is set to begin in April 2025.

But even though their cases arent related, the possible indictment of Lewis-Martin only adds to the swirl of questions surrounding Adamss administration. Since federal agents conducted mass raids on the homes of several top Adams appointees in September, many of those figures have since left City Hall, including NYPD commissioner Edward Caban, first deputy mayor Sheena Wright, and school chancellor David Banks. The three have yet to be officially implicated in any wrongdoing.

Despite Adams and Lewis-Martins long-standing history, there are reports that their once-close bond has been weakening. Sources tell the Daily News that Adams was unhappy with Lewis-Martins radio appearance, and that they havent been in contact in weeks.

Adams did receive some potentially positive news on Monday. President-elect Donald Trump indicated during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago that he would consider pardoning the mayor once in office.
John Fetterman is snuggling up to the new bosses in Washington. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images

The reaction among Democrats to Donald Trumps return to power has been significantly more subdued than what we saw in 2016 after the moguls first shocking electoral win. The resistance is dead, and its not clear what will replace it. But Democratic elected officials are developing new strategies for dealing with the new realities in Washington. Here are five distinct approaches that have emerged, even before Trumps second inauguration.

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Some Democrats are so thoroughly impressed by the current power of the MAGA movement they are choosing to surrender to it in significant respects. The prime example is Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, the onetime fiery populist politician who is now becoming conspicuous in his desire to admit his partys weaknesses and snuggle up to the new regime. The freshman and one-time ally of Bernie Sanders has been drifting away from the left wing of his party for a good while, particularly via his vocally unconditional backing for Israel during its war in Gaza. But now hes making news regularly for accommodating steps in Trumps direction.

Quite a few Democrats publicly expressed dismay over Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, but Fetterman distinguished himself by calling for a corresponding pardon for Trump over his hush-money conviction in New York. Similarly, many Democrats have discussed ways to reach out to the voters they have lost to Trump. Fettermans approach was to join Trumps Truth Social platform, which is a fever swamp for the president-elects most passionate supporters. Various Democrats are cautiously circling Elon Musk, Trumps new best friend and potential slayer of the civil-service system and the New DealGreat Society legacy of federal programs. But Fetterman seems to want to become Musks buddy, too, exchanging compliments with him in a sort of weird courtship. Fetterman has also gone out of his way to exhibit openness to support for Trumps controversial Cabinet nominees even as nearly every other Senate Democrat takes the tack of forcing Republicans to take a stand on people like Pete Hegseth before weighing in themselves.

Its probably germane to Fettermans conduct that he will be up for reelection in 2028, a presidential-election year in a state Trump carried on November 5. Or maybe hes just burnishing his credentials as the maverick who blew up the Senate dress code.

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Other Democrats are being much more selectively friendly to Trump, searching for common ground on issues where they believe he will be cross-pressured by his wealthy backers and more conventional Republicans. Like Fetterman, these Democrats  including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren  tend to come from the progressive wing of the party and have longed chafed at the centrist economic policies advanced by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and, to some extent, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Theyve talked about strategically encouraging Trumps populist impulses on such issues as credit-card interest and big-tech regulation, partly as a matter of forcing the new president and his congressional allies to put up or shut up.

So the idea is to push off a discredited Democratic Establishment, at least on economic issues, and either accomplish things for working-class voters in alliance with Trump or prove the hollowness of his populism.

Colorado governor Jared Solis has offered a similar strategy of selective cooperation by praising the potential agenda of Trump HHS secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as helpfully shaking up the medical and scientific Establishment.

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At the other end of the spectrum, some centrist Democrats are pushing off what they perceive as a discredited progressive ascendancy in the party, especially on culture-war issues and immigration. The most outspoken of them showed up at last weeks annual meeting of the avowedly nonpartisan No Labels organization, which was otherwise dominated by Republicans seeking to demonstrate a bit of independence from the next administration. These include vocal critics of the 2024 Democratic message like House members Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Ritchie Torres, and Seth Moulton, along with wannabe 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Josh Gottheimer (his Virginia counterpart, Abigail Spanberger, wasnt at the No Labels confab but is similarly positioned ideologically).

From a strategic point of view, these militant centrists appear to envision a 2028 presidential campaign that will take back the voters Biden won in 2020 and Harris lost this year.

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Were beginning to see the emergence of a faction of Democrats that is willing to cut policy or legislative deals with Team Trump in order to protect some vulnerable constituencies from MAGA wrath. This is particularly visible on the immigration front; some congressional Democrats are talking about cutting a deal to support some of Trumps agenda in exchange for continued protection from deportation of DREAMers. Politico reports:

The prize that many Democrats would like to secure is protecting Dreamers  Americans who came with their families to the U.S. at a young age and have since been protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created by President Barack Obama in 2012.

Trump himself expressed an openness to do something about the Dreamers in a recent Meet the Press interview. But he would almost certainly want significant policy concessions in return, including border security measures and changes to asylum law that Democrats have historically resisted.

On a broader front, the New York Times has found significant support among Democratic governors to selectively cooperate with the new administrations mass deportation plans in exchange for concessions:

In interviews, 11 Democratic governors, governors-elect and candidates for the office often expressed defiance toward Mr. Trumps expected immigration crackdown  but were also strikingly willing to highlight areas of potential cooperation.

Several balanced messages of compassion for struggling migrants with a tough-on-crime tone. They said that they were willing to work with the Trump administration to deport people who had been convicted of serious crimes and that they wanted stricter border control, even as they vowed to defend migrant families and those fleeing violence in their home countries, as well as businesses that rely on immigrant labor.

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While the Democrats planning strategic cooperation with Trump are getting a lot of attention, its clear the bulk of elected officials and activists are more quietly waiting for the initial fallout from the new regime to develop while planning ahead for a Democratic comeback. This is particularly true among the House Democratic leadership, which hopes to exploit the extremely narrow Republican majority in the chamber (which will be exacerbated by vacancies for several months until Trump appointees can be replaced in special elections) on must-pass House votes going forward, while looking ahead with a plan to aggressively contest marginal Republican-held seats in the 2026 midterms. Historical precedents indicate very high odds that Democrats can flip the House in 2026, bringing a relatively quick end to any Republican legislative steamrolling on Trumps behalf and signaling good vibes for 2028.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos from left: Sciocomm Media, Nicole Rifkin, Hugo Yu, Jeff Brown, Erin Jang, YouTube/ @candmpence

Weve nearly reached the end of 2024, which means its time for our annual look at New York Magazines most-read stories of the year. For the editors, these lists are always a fascinating snapshot of our readers interests and a reminder of the types of conversations we want to keep going into the New Year. In 2024  a year marked by upheavals in politics, culture, and technology  our readers were more likely to turn toward the personal, flocking to accounts of chronic illness, an adult autism diagnosis, unconventional relationships, elaborate digital scams, and many stories about divorce. You were also captivated by richly rendered pieces of investigative reporting about podcast superstar Andrew Huberman, disgraced parenting influencer Ruby Franke, a group of particularly bold squatters in Beverly Hills, and the very bitter battle tearing apart the paleontology world.

Below, youll find our 20 most-read articles, defined by total minutes of audience engagement. Its just a small selection of the work were proud to publish in New Yorks print magazine and on all its digital sites: Vulture, the Cut, Intelligencer, Curbed, Grub Street, and the Strategist. If you missed any of these, we hope youll use this as a guide to catch up before the New Year arrives. And to stay current with us in 2025, be sure to sign up for One Great Story, our daily recommendation newsletter, and to subscribe.

The presidents mental decline was like a dark family secret for many elite supporters. Read the story 

20.

By Elizabeth Weil

Illustration: Ryan Melgar

What does the eighth-richest woman in the world want? Read the story 

19.

By Irin Carmon

Photo: Haiyun Jiang/Redux

The veep-elects wife is the child of immigrants, a former Democrat, a highly skilled lawyer  and a total mystery. Read the story 

18.

By Caitlin Moscatello

Photo: Jeff Brown/

For $120,000 a year, Christopher Rim promises to turn any student into Ivy bait. Read the story 

17.

By Reeves Wiedeman

Illustration: Kyle Platts

A woman hurled a burrito bowl at a Chipotle employee. Then a judge made her walk in the victims shoes. Read the story 

16.

By Chris Heath

Photo: Courtesy of Hannah Pittard

A tale of literature and treachery. Read the story 

15.

By Sammy Sussman

Photo: Hiroyuki Ito/Getty Images

Two players were fired for sexual misconduct. Why were they allowed back into the orchestra? Read the story 

14.

By Mary H.K. Choi

Photo: Elinor Carucci/Elinor Carucci

Id long suspected something was off. Then, at 43, an unexpected answer arrived. Read the story 

13.

By Justine Harman

Photo: Mike Powell/Getty, U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Anthony Flores and Anna Moore met Dr. Mark Sawusch getting ice cream. Soon, he was dead and they were living in his house. Read the story 

12.

By Kerry Howley

Photo: Jackson Leibach

Two paleontologists have turned on each other, each claiming to have found new evidence about the worst day on earth. Read the story 

11.

By Caitlin Moscatello

Photo: Left: ConnexionsCoaching/Facebook. Right: Ron Chaffin/St. George News

She broadcast her familys wholesome life on YouTube. How did she end up abusing her children? Read the story 

10.

By Elizabeth Weil

Photo: David Benjamin Sherry

What drove a Colorado mother to flee into the Rocky Mountains with her teenage son and her sister? Read the story 

9.

By Bridget Read

Photo: Michelle Groskopf/Michelle Groskopf

After a fugitive doctor abandoned his mansion, an enterprising group of party throwers slid in the front door. Read the story 

8.

By Grazie Sophia Christie

Illustration: Celine Ka Wing Lau

A womans life is all work and little rest. An age-gap relationship can help. Read the story 

7.

By James D. Walsh

Christopher Pence kept adding to his family. Then he decided to remove two people from the mix. Read the story 

6.

By Bridget Read

Illustration: Illustration by Kyle Hilton

Nine stranded passengers made a mad dash across Africa to meet back up with their boat. Read the story 

5.

By Emily Gould

Photo-Illustration: Erin Jang

Seven years into my marriage, I hit a breaking point  and had to decide whether life would be better without my husband in it. Read the story 

4.

By Beth Raymer

Photo: Jeff Brown/

My family knew that my father had been tapping the phone lines. Only later would I discover the secrets the recordings contained. Read the story 

3.

By Tom Scocca

Photo: Hugo Yu

I had my health. I had a job. And then, abruptly, I didnt. Read the story 

2.

By Charlotte Cowles

Illustration: Nicole Rifkin

I never thought I was the kind of person to fall for a scam. Read the story 

1.

By Kerry Howley

Photo-Illustration: New York Magazine; Source image: Sciocomm Media

The private and public seductions of the worlds biggest pop neuroscientist. Read the story 
The first National Kung Fu Competition of Albania was held in Tirana on Sunday, bringing together young martial artists from six Albanian cities.

The event was organized by the Shaolin Kung Fu Albania Academy, with support from the Chinese Embassy and German Embassy.

Throughout the year, the academy has been running programs aimed at inspiring Albanian youth aged 14-18 in cities such as Tirana, Berat, Pogradec, Korce, Tropoje, and Shkoder. Operating under the motto, "You are worth it! You can do it!", these initiatives have fostered physical fitness, self-confidence, and discipline among participants.

Deputy major of Tirana Keti Luarasi welcomed this event, saying that there is nothing more beautiful than young people getting active in all possible sports, while teaching themselves practice, rules and discipline.

"We should organize as many sport activities as possible, so that children can get involved in sports, to train their minds and bodies, and to have a healthier youth." added Luarasi.

Counselor of Chinese Embassy Wang Dexin highlighted the cultural and physical benefits of martial arts, noting that it strengthens the body, promotes health, and offers a window into traditional Chinese culture. "This competition is a great opportunity for young people from different Albanian cities to come together, compete, and build friendships," said Wang.

Over three hours of intense competition, 30 participants aged 14 to 19 displayed their skills across various Kung Fu forms.

The Shaolin Kung Fu Albania Academy, founded by martial arts master Albert Kola in 2014, is the first Chinese martial arts school in Albania.
Photo-Illustration: Eddie Guy

Stripping fluoride from drinking water, ending milk pasteurization, and undermining our vaccination regimen is an ominous to-do list for a country that has recently emerged from the worst pandemic in a century. But RFK Jr. wont be able to shake up the $1.7 trillion Health and Human Services Department by decree. HHS officials who served in the first Trump administration describe the department as a maze of red tape where buy-in from agencies across the government is required to push through any changes. When we were there, we got stuff thrown back at us to say, Thats not good enough because it didnt meet the presidents objectives, says Paul Mango, the deputy chief of staff at HHS under Trump.

Even basic policy changes required input from other executive departments like the National Economic Council and the Office of Budget and Management. Its not quite as loose as you would imagine, Mango adds.

Many of RFK Jr.s ideas actually fall under the purview of other agencies. Any long-term reform to limit fluoride in drinking water is up to the Environmental Protection Agency. Authority over pesticide use and subsidies for seed-oil producers will belong to Trumps Department of Agriculture pick, Brooke Rollins, who may not want to alienate powerful interests in the heartland. (One can only ponder how the executive branch could enforce an order to make frying oil tallow again, another RFK Jr. bromide.) Coordinating all this interagency activity might be a heavy lift for a politician who ended his campaign in debt. Hes an inspirational leader whos able to communicate, but hes not a manager, Jeff Hutt, a spokesperson for the official MAHA PAC, told Politico.

With HHS expected to hemorrhage staffers, RFK Jr. also may not have the bureaucratic clout to pull off big reforms. The primary barrier to changing something like food ingredients right now is a lack of resources, and I dont see the next year or two as being a golden age for hiring lots of new scientists at the FDA, says a former HHS official under Trump. Still, RFK Jr. could cause some immediate havoc at HHS by firing researchers who dont enjoy federal protections and shifting priorities at the National Institutes of Health, the agency that oversees vaccine research and funds pandemic prevention. The week after the election, he vowed to replace 600 NIH staffers on day one. He has called plans to test for bird flu another nightmare of authoritarian control, just as the current H5N1 virus strain may be one mutation away from human-to-human transmission. RJK Jr. appears to be filling his ranks with true believers: The lawyer vetting HHS officials has filed a petition for the federal government to repeal its approval of the polio vaccine.

The biggest questions of RFK Jr.s time at HHS will be answered by Trump. Just how much does the president-elect care about any of this? He did attempt to repeal Obamacare, but otherwise HHS was not a top priority in his first term before the pandemic. However, Trump harbored some kooky health ideas even before growing close to RFK Jr.: See his endorsement of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. On a phone call with RFK Jr. in June, Trump went off on the (debunked) dangers of vaccines in children, saying that you see the baby all of a sudden starting to change radically. Neither RFK Jr. nor the Trump transition team responded to a request for comment on RFK Jr.s goals within the incoming administration.

And while Trump did not express much interest in health-care reform during the campaign, House Republicans under Speaker Mike Johnson are drooling at the chance to make massive cuts to federal health-care spending  an important reminder that, for all of RFK Jr.s obsession with beef tallow, the most important day-to-day programs HHS oversees are Medicare and Medicaid. At least he does not sound openly hostile to the programs that provide health care to 148 million Americans; so far, he has focused on reform for doctors to prioritize primary care and prevention while arguing for dental to be added to Medicare.

For better or worse, the HHS is probably going to be RFK Jr.s show. One thing I learned about President Trump is hes a great leader in the sense that he sets broad guidelines and delegates authority, says Mango. I think he trusts the individuals whom hes putting in those roles to align with his agenda. As Trump put it in his victory speech in November, He wants to do some things, and were going to let him go to it  Go have a good time, Bobby.

The MAHA Cabinet A guide to the nominees who may be in charge of your health and well-being. Photo-Illustration: Source Photographs: Donald J. Trump/Facebook (Trump); Getty Images (Salad). Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration commissioner

Trump nominated Makary, a top surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins, to course-correct an agency RFK Jr. has criticized for being a revolving door to big pharma. A frequent guest on Fox News, Makary opposed widespread vaccine mandates but endorsed universal masking and vaccinations for health-care workers during the pandemic. Jim ONeill, Health and Human Services deputy secretary

ONeill served for years as the head of Peter Thiels personal foundation and as the CEO of an anti-aging research nonprofit  a pet issue of the Silicon Valley billionaires. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator

The television doctor and failed Senate candidate had been an informal adviser to Trump during the pandemic after going on Fox News to promote hydroxychloroquine as a COVID treatment. Oz, whose show has allegedly made more than $50 million from his endorsements of a supplement company accused of being a pyramid scheme, is expected to help oversee the health care of the oldest and neediest Americans. Janette Nesheiwat, U.S. surgeon general

Nesheiwat spent much of her career as a CityMD urgent-care provider before becoming a Fox News contributor at the beginning of the pandemic and later a supplement seller. She has cited her accidental shooting and killing of her father as her motivation for becoming a doctor. Dave Weldon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director

Weldon, a former congressman who practices medicine in eastern Florida, has a decadeslong relationship with RFK Jr. and once claimed that the measles vaccine causes autism. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health director

Bhattacharya argued for herd immunity before the development of a vaccine and predicted that only 40,000 Americans would die from COVID. The toll is 1.2 million and counting. Photo (heads): Getty Images
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images

For years, Syrias long-running civil war was frozen in place. The countrys dictator, Bashar al-Assad, had used brutal means, including chemical weapons, to claw back territory taken by rebels in the early days of the war, which broke out after Assad violently suppressed the Arab Spring protests in 2011. With ISIS largely vanquished after the mid-2010s, Assad retained control of key cities and seemed in little danger of losing his grip on power. (The possibility of his ouster seemed so remote that countries that had previously isolated internationally were welcoming him back into the fold.) Then, suddenly, the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which had retained control of the countrys northwest corner, launched a shockingly successful offensive, overcoming Assads defenses  which were left vulnerable by the depletion of support from his battered allies Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia  with ease. HTS took back all of Syrias major cities, other rebel groups seized previously government-held territory, Assad fled to Russia, and Syrians celebrated in the streets and scoured for disappeared loved ones.

What comes next? HTS has proven competent, and at least so far  pragmatic. But an enormous amount of uncertainty lingers on what the future holds for everyday Syrians, and for the countrys relationship with the outside world. For insight into these questions, I spoke with Sam Heller, a Beirut-based researcher, analyst, and fellow at the progressive think tank Century International.

Youve been following events in Syria for a long time. How familiar were you with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham before it ousted Assad?

Im pretty familiar. I havent met the leadership the way some of my colleagues have, but Ive definitely researched them for a number of years. My focus had turned more to issues related to the state of the Syrian economy and some of the humanitarian implications of the countrys economic crisis. But Ive written a lot about HTS previously in its various incarnations. So its been a real ride.

I ask because, from the outside, it really seemed like all this came out of nowhere. And Im wondering if it also came out of nowhere for experts like you  or did it make sense that HTS was the group to finally accomplish what others couldnt over 13 years?

The way they invested in their project and then ultimately mounted this attack  I think it makes sense. The real surprise was the collapse in Syrian military and government ranks, the way the Assad government imploded after HTS managed to initially overrun Syrian military lines and break through their initial defenses.

For someone who hasnt been paying close attention, it seemed there was a jumble of various rebel groups, and its been difficult to distinguish them over the years.

A point I tried to make earlier in the conflict was that you didnt need to know all the names and acronyms of the different factions because they werent all equally relevant. And it turns out that some of them occupied a superior position and the others revolved around them or functioned from a subordinate or auxiliary position.

Looking at this northwest province, Idlib, which became HTSs home base  I was delving into this in 2016 and 17, and it became clear that on paper there was a sort of rainbow of armed groups. But in practice, most of them fell under the auspices of either Jabhat al-Nusra and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham or its principal Islamist rival in the area, this group called Ahrar al-Sham. Thats how things were organized in terms of power in this region.

What ended up happening was that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, along with a few other smaller factions, became Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. They crushed and defeated Ahrar al-Sham, establishing sole dominance over Idlib. And there were subsequent rounds when they eliminated smaller rivals or splittist or defector individuals and factions on the path to eventually consolidating more fully their grip on this region. They were ultimately successful in establishing sole functional control of this area. Its something they leveraged to strengthen their negotiating position opposite the Turks and then other outside international interlocutors, to impose themselves as a necessary or an unavoidable negotiating partner  one that really just had to be dealt with for anyone who was concerned with Idlib.

HTS and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, have presented themselves as quite reasonable. Theyve said a lot of moderate-sounding things about rebuilding the state and introducing a market economy and not necessarily imposing their views on everyone. But they are still hardline conservatives, and they have ruled as such in Idlib. Do you believe HTSs rhetoric about being more pragmatic than ideological?

I think they are certainly pragmatic and smart; they have demonstrated that over time. I dont think that necessarily means they are nonideological.

Of course, you can be both, but some people are more one than the other.

It remains basically an open question: What do they really believe, and what are their bedrock principles? Particularly as weve seen the group go through these kinds of iterative transformations  these changes in how it has dealt with other military and civilian forces within the opposition and the way it has presented itself to Syrians and to the outside world  its hard to know. At least to date, they have held fast to at least a minimum program of political Islamism. It would be surprising to me if they were prepared to really jettison that entirely. Certainly, theyve made some kind of pragmatic modifications and tweaks on the way, but I take them seriously. Theyve been fighting all this time, and I think theyve been fighting for something, for a vision of the country that is not just a reproduction of secular Baathism.

Wasnt it affiliated with Al Qaeda for a while?

At the start, they were the Islamic State of Iraqs advanced force in Syria. The Islamic State tried to reabsorb them when it announced the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham, which they rejected. They then defensively announced their affiliation with Al Qaeda, apparently as a way to maintain their independence from what is now ISIS.

Two great organizations to choose between.

Well, Ive seen people make the case, and its plausible, that had they not done that, ISIS wouldve just gobbled up the entire Syrian opposition.

In terms of how they will govern the country, we need to think not just of their ideology and political vision but also about some of the practicalities in how they have controlled Idlib. Like I said, they eventually managed to subordinate Idlibs other armed groups, though they never eliminated them. Even until this latest offensive, those groups were still present and functioning, just in auxiliary fashion, in support of HTS. But that process was years long and frequently violent. Its not something that happened in some other opposition- held areas, which have remained more state of nature, anarchic.

What else do we know about their governing style?

In terms of civilian governance, HTS did some stage-managed legitimating exercises when they established their salvation government in Idlib, including a general conference to build up the perceived popular, broad-based support for this project. And they established a parliamentlike Shura council to ostensibly play a supervisory or advisory role in the government.

The government itself always seemed to be basically a mix of HTS people, HTS-linked but independent individuals, and then unaffiliated, colorless technocrats. But it was always understood to be under the control of HTS and al-Julani, who never had any brief in this government, who had no formal position in this interim political governing apparatus they built, but who was understood by everyone to be the boss of Idlib.

Now they have marched to Damascus. But Im pretty skeptical that they will be able to reproduce a similar model over the whole of Syria, especially because theyre no longer in two-thirds of this one rural province. Its a much larger space. It is more complex and diverse, and there are a lot of armed actors, including groups that remobilized and participated in the march on Damascus and who do not answer to HTS. So the idea that HTS can just dictate outcomes  I am unconvinced.

One thing theyve done thats interesting is integrating Assads bureaucrats into their government. Its sort of the opposite of when Saddam Hussein was ousted and the U.S. led a big de-Baath-ification effort to clear out his loyalists, which was later viewed as a huge mistake. HTS is instead co-opting the opposition.

Im still waiting to see what theyre going to do with elements of the military and security forces. But certainly they seem to be commandeering the apparatus of the Syrian state, which is a thing weve seen elsewhere. ISIS did something similar in Mosul, for example  it inherited the largely intact institutions, at least on the local level of the Iraqi state, and just installed its own supervisory leadership within them.

Ive been curious about how the remnants of the Assad regime feel about all this stuff  whether theyre cooperating because they have to or whether they may welcome the prospect of a new Syria.

It is hard to know whats in peoples hearts. These are people who have lived a long time in a very scary authoritarian system and have become accustomed to dissimulation and performative loyalty, so you cannot necessarily take everyones welcome of this new political order at face value. And there are definitely people who are voting with their feet, attempting to leave the country and flee to Lebanon. There are also people still around who I think are distressed by some of whats going on, including some retaliatory violence in areas of the Syrian coast. But the real extent of it is hard to know.

Also, Syrians who had fled the regime and are now returning.

It definitely sounds like there are people coming back and people who are considering it. Refugee return from Lebanon to Syria is something Ive been working on recently  an ongoing research project. Then there is a segment of refugees, Syrians abroad, who were fleeing persecution by the Assad government or conscription into the Syrian military, and others who were fleeing more general insecurity and violence. They were either running away from or not returning because of the countrys general socioeconomic collapse over the past several years, since 2019, 2020, in particular.

So now the Assad government is gone, but I think if people are going to return sustainably, Syria needs to be a place that is safe, where there is law and order, and where there are livelihood opportunities and some public services. People have got to be able to put their kids in schools.

And this is not a state that has been doing well over the past few years, right?

HTS or whatever new government takes shape is inheriting a very depleted Syrian state and economy, a country that is already in deep crisis.

I guess you could look at that two ways. One is that its a Herculean task to rebuild the country. The other is that the bar is low, so any small improvements, anything they do to open society a bit, could be seen as a success.

I hope theyre able to meet peoples minimum humanitarian needs in the near term. Im very concerned about that. But there have been cases elsewhere in the region where economic hardship has soured people on a revolutionary or a post-authoritarian system  in Tunisia for example. Its not super-auspicious circumstances for whoever takes over in Syria.

Whats your sense of how this group will or will not realign Syria on the international stage? It probably could benefit from aid from neighboring or distant powers. The Assad regime was very much in league with Iran and Hezbollah, and this group isnt. They seem to really have relations only with Turkey right now.

Turkey and Qatar are their most natural, ready partners.

Whys that?

Those two countries were invested over the long term in the Syrian opposition and in the maintenance of some of these remaining opposition-held areas in northern Syria along the Turkish border, even as some other regional governments eventually fell away or reoriented themselves on Syria. Turkey played a more visible, direct role, but Id at least heard previously that some of Turkeys involvement was subsidized or supported by Qatar, which is a close ally of Turkey.

Why is Qatar so invested?

Qatar has always had its own independent political line distinct from some of the other Gulf monarchies  occasionally in ways that I think have deeply irritated countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. And theyve supported Islamist groups  the various versions of the Muslim Brotherhood but also other members of the broader Islamist movement across the region. Thats a long-standing thing.

Its also a clear point of tension between them and the UAE, for example, which is very fiercely anti-Islamist and which recently repaired its relations with the Assad government and was attempting to midwife the Assad governments international rehabilitation and economic revival. I would be surprised if the UAE is excited to support this new Syrian government.

Meanwhile, the U.S. still classifies HTS as a terrorist group.

The U.S. and many others, including Turkey, technically, and the U.N. Security Council.

Do you think thats going to change soon, assuming it stays on a path of relative moderation?

I think it could, if only for practical reasons. Syria is extensively sanctioned already  whole sectors of the economy, key public institutions. How those regimes interact and then affect the functioning of the Syrian state and economy is not clear, but it is obviously extremely worrying. I think the competing impulse or impulses for a lot of governments will be between, on the one hand, concerns about HTS and the character of any new Syrian government, and on the other, an interest in Syrias stability and, hopefully, post-conflict recovery. Which also matters to countries that would like to see the return of Syrian refugees and prevent potential new out-migration from Syria.

Im hoping that for most countries, the priority of stabilizing Syria, of making it a place where people can live again, wins out over whatever  I think understandable  discomfort they may have at the countrys new government.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
.

During his recent Meet the Press interview, Trump said Kennedy, as Health and Human Services secretary, would investigate the possible connection between autism and vaccines, which Trump seemed open to believing was real:

If you take a look at autism, go back 25 years, autism was almost nonexistent. It was, you know, one out of 100,000, and now its close to one out of 100. I mean, whats happening? Im open to anything. I think somebody has to find out. If you go back 25 years ago, you had very little autism  I mean, something is going on. I dont know if its vaccines. Maybe its chlorine in the water, right? You know people are looking at a lot of different things. I want them to look at everything.

This just asking questions approach to vaccine safety is of course a longstanding tactic used by vaccine skeptics and anti-vaxx activists, and it rests on a presumption that these potential connections havent already been credibly examined. They have. There is no evidence that MMR or other childhood vaccines cause autism, and the increased number of autism diagnoses is attributable to multiple factors, including increased awareness and screening.

Asked by Time whether Trump agreed with Kennedy autism was linked to vaccinations, the president-elect said he wanted to see the data:

I want to see the numbers. Its going to be the numbers. We will be able to do  I think youre going to feel very good about it at the end. Were going to be able to do very serious testing, and well see the numbers. A lot of people think a lot of different things. And at the end of the studies that were doing, and were going all out, were going to know whats good and whats not good. We will know for sure whats good and whats not good.

A potential problem is that the federal health officials conducting the testing and providing the numbers could be vaccine skeptics or anti-vaccine activists with their thumbs on the scale.

Take, for instance, Trumps pick for CDC director, former representative and longtime vaccine-safety skeptic Dave Weldon. The Washington Post conducted an extensive review of Weldons many comments about vaccines over the years and reports that he repeatedly promoted false claims that vaccines cause autism, and he routinely emphasized the experiences of individuals while dismissing dozens of studies based on data from hundreds of thousands of patients that showed no link between vaccines and autism.
13 items in this article 1 item on sale! Illustration: Tiago Majuelos

The Christmas enthusiasts on the Strategist team gathered to discuss the oversize socks they drape on their couches and what they put inside them.

For more gift ideas, see our mega-list of gift guides for every person.

Whats the secret to a delightful Christmas stocking?

Liza Corsillo, senior writer: My father has always been our familys stocking filler. His philosophy, which I agree with, is there should be one bigger thing that costs up to $30 and a bunch of little things that fit into its story. The bigger item is wrapped, and the other things are not.

Jen Trolio, senior editor: I do the stockings for all of us, including myself. My feeling is that stocking stuffers are supposed to be cutesy add-ons that are largely quirky and sometimes practical. And you want brand-name itemsLip Smackers, not the off-brand lip gloss from the corner store. Its a real bummer when theres a good concept but a crappy execution.

Amelia Jerden, sleep writer: I like the tradition in my partners family. He and his sister, as the kids, shop for their parents stockings. They usually go to Fresh Market and get fun snacks and candies.

Does a good stocking require edible treats?

L.C.: There should be at least one food item because you get hungry opening presents and you want to have something you can eat right away.

J.T.: I like to include fruit that my kids havent tried before. If its too big, itll sit on the mantle. Weve done star fruit. Somebody got a pomelo one year.

Lauren Ro, writer: I once went to World Market around Christmas. They have international candies that are great for stocking stuffers.

Sam Daly, deals editor: My mom loves to shop at World Market for stocking stuffers. Personally, Im very intrigued by the Kelp Pickles from Barnacle Foods, which I think my dad would like.

J.T.: Last year, I gave my kids these great gummies that looked like LEGOsthe Amos 4D Gummy Blocks Candy Bricks. This year, I have my eye on a similar weird candy from the same brand. Theyre called Peelerz, and youre supposed to be able to peel a little banana or peel a mango skin. Also this is everyones annual reminder that Nutella makes mini-jars. And dont forget about Pocket Coffeechocolate pieces filled with liquid espresso.

L.C.: It would be nice to receive pistachios. Or any fancy nuts.

Jeremy Rellosa, writer: My mom always gives me and my brother fancy beef jerky. Hes a protein fiend, and he usually takes mine.

Bella Druckman, junior writer: My brother is a frat bro, so I put a Smirnoff Ice in his stocking a couple years back.

Whats your best advice for the procrastinators shopping on Christmas Eve?

Tembe Denton-Hurst, writer: Little Vaselines.

J.T.: A fresh box of crayons for kids so they can take them back to school in January.

Alexis Swerdloff, deputy editor: I would say dont be afraid of things that seem basic but are good quality, like Uniqlo socks, which come in a rainbow of colors. And do gift cards for teens.

S.D.: Yes, a Steam gift card for video games. You can do $10, so its pretty cheap.

J.R.: Chipotle is also nice. You got them a burrito and a soda.

L.C.: I dont want to see a Dunkin Donuts or a Starbucks gift card ever again in my entire life. Ive seen so many of them over the years.

J.R.: One thing my mom gives every year is a Lotto scratcher. Its a fun little ritual to scratch it while we open stockings.

Any final suggestions for a truly standout stocking stuffer?

L.C.: I gave my husband fitness gloves that have padding for doing pull-ups or whatever he does. Those were a hit.

Ashley Wolfgang, newsletter editor: The ornaments from John Derian are beautiful and whimsical.

L.C.: I put the Hooga Book Light in my husbands stocking last year. When he misplaced it a few months later, he was like, You have to get another book light. Also I went to the American Girl doll store recently. They have miniature versions of the historical dolls. Theyre 6.5 inches tall, and they come with a tiny book. Thats a great gift.

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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
The Biden administration is considering expanding measures against the shadow fleet, but the impact on Russian oil exports is expected to be minimal.

The West is unlikely to impose sanctions on the shadow fleet due to concerns about rising oil prices.

Ukraine has identified 238 tankers it said belong to a shadow fleet of ships that Russia is using to keep its oil and fuels moving around the world, with hopes this information (which the west has had for years) will force western authorities to sanction the carriers.

Ukraine has identified this shadow fleet as having a total deadweight of over 100 million tons, approximately 17% of the worlds oil tanker fleet. It has included a number of vessels that it says have been switched from the Iranian ghost armada to carry Russian oil.

The Military Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said the list, published on its website, details an armada built up by Russia at a cost of about $10 billion. That consists of over a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with confused ownership and management structures, located in friendly jurisdictions, under convenient flags, it said.

We work on sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said. This should be supported at the level of the entire European Union. It is the tanker fleet that provides Putin with the largest part of the income for the war against Ukraine.

The issue is that it won't be supportednot now, not back in 2022, when Europe had every opportunity to permanently block Russian oil exportsfor the simple reason that the West has zero interest in actual sanctions, as these would send oil prices sharply higher. Instead, the West wants to pretend it is sanctioning Russia to send a virtue signal to the population. Meanwhile, the population pretends to care and applauds every toothless action from its elected (and unelected) rulers.

Its hard to gauge whether the list would influence Western sanctioning authorities, whove already targeted large numbers of shadow fleet tankers with zero effect for the reasons noted above. Bloomberg reported this week that the outgoing Biden administration is considering widening measures against Russias shadow fleet and possibly even targeting some of the nations oil exports. Expect zero impact on actual oil exports.

By Zerohedge.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The worlds top LNG importer, China, has hit the brakes on spot LNG purchases in recent weeks as Asian prices have hit the highest level for the year.

After several months of stocking up on cheaper LNG supply, Chinese natural gas inventories are now estimated to be high enough to allow importers to retreat from spot LNG cargo purchases at the higher prices.

The slowdown in Chinas LNG imports in recent weeks could free up more spot supply for Europe, which is depleting its gas inventories at the fastest pace in eight years amid cold snaps, low wind speeds, and concerns about supply security with the imminent expiry of the deal for transiting Russian pipeline gas to Europe via Ukraine.

Over the past month, Chinas LNG imports have slowed and have been trending 12% below the 2020-2023 four-year average for this time of year, vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg showed this week.

Thats a marked slowdown from the imports for most of the year, which have been higher than average and higher than in 2023.

Rising spot LNG prices in Asia have been key to the lower imports in China over the past month.

In recent weeks, the average LNG price for January delivery into northeast Asia has hit $15.00 per million British thermal units (MMBtu)the highest level so far this year.

As China appears to be well-stocked on gas, it hasnt been too keen to import LNG at these high prices.

China has ramped up its total gas imports so far this year and has built a high level of stockpiled gas as it looked to avoid a supply crunch when global markets tighten this winter.

Related: Oil Prices Rise Alongside Geopolitical Risk

But in November, Chinas total natural gas imports  including pipeline gas and LNG  inched down by 1.4% compared to the same month of 2023, according to official data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs.

Price trends shaped Chinese oil and gas import levels last month. While Chinas crude oil imports rebounded in November amid lower prices and a government mandate for additional crude stockpiling, the highest spot LNG prices in Asia for 2024 led to a decline in overall natural gas imports.

Spot LNG prices in Asia have now jumped by about 30% since the beginning of the year.

In a sign that China may be well supplied with LNG for the winter, some Chinese LNG buyers have offered or already resold some cargoes in recent weeks. CNOOC Ltd is offering to sell an LNG cargo from Australia for February, while another Chinese state-owned giant, PetroChina, has sold several shipments over the past month, traders have told Bloomberg.

If Chinese buyers continue to back out from the spot market due to high LNG prices, this would be good news for Europe, which is scrambling for security of supply.

European benchmark natural gas prices hit a one-year high last month amid cold snaps combined with very low wind speeds in most of northwestern Europe.

In recent weeks, Europe has been depleting its natural gas stocks at the fastest pace since 2016 as demand has increased with the colder temperatures.

The European market is anxious ahead of the looming end of Russian pipeline gas supply to Europe via Ukraine after December 31. Recent competition for spot LNG supply with Asia for winter demand has also played a role in spiking European natural gas and power prices.

But China, the biggest LNG buyer in Asia, and in the world, could inadvertently help alleviate concerns in Europe about supply and rising prices, if the high spot Asian prices continue to deter Chinese LNG buyers.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Behind closed doors in Moscow, Kyiv, Brussels, Washington, and other capitals, diplomats, elected leaders, and military officers are gearing up for what will likely be a full-court press to find a resolution to Europe's largest land war since World War II.

On the battlefield, momentum has shifted decisively toward Russia, its forces grinding down Ukrainian troops across the 1,100-kilometer front line. It's pummeling Ukraine's energy infrastructure, trying to black out and freeze an exhausted population.

In Western negotiating rooms, sentiment has shifted decisively toward a push to resolve a conflict that has killed or wounded more than 1 million men on both sides over 34 months and counting.

Nowhere else is the shift more apparent than in the election of Donald Trump who, even before his inauguration in January as the next U.S. president, has insisted he will find a way to end the fighting "within 24 hours."



"There's a lot of talk, a lot of noise that some peace talks are imminent," Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, a Brussels-based think tank, said on December 12. "We don't really have a plan. Nobody seems to have a plan yet. And of course, the situation on the ground is not in favor of Ukraine at the moment, so it's a very difficult moment."



Here's what we know about the ideas under discussion, for a cease-fire or otherwise.



Blood And Treasure



European and U.S. officials this week took up active discussion about whether Western troops could be sent to Ukraine as peacekeepers, once the shooting stops and a cease-fire or armistice is in place.

French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly floated the idea of 40,000 troops being deployed to Ukraine, and he traveled to Warsaw to discuss the idea with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on December 12.



At a news conference after the meeting, Tusk told reporters that Poland did not intend to send troops to Ukraine, and he said Warsaw would not be forced into doing so.



The proposal for Western peacekeepers also came up five days earlier in Paris, when Macron hosted a meeting that included Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump, who has repeatedly said Europeans should take a more active role in supporting and defending Ukraine, said that he wanted European soldiers on the ground to monitor any cease-fire.



Trump does not want U.S. troops involved, the Journal reported, though he backs some sort of U.S. support for the effort.



Ukraine's leadership, which released a five-point Victory Plan in October, supports Western peacekeepers. But there's little incentive for Moscow to agree, says Oleksandr Khara, a former Ukrainian diplomat.



"Of course, it's good that they're talking about this, butthere's no basis for the beginning of peace talks to begin," Khara, now an expert at the Kyiv-based Center for Defense Strategies, told Current Time.



"Since Russia believes that it can still break Ukraine, and the West has wavered, and Trump is going to put pressure on Ukraine and stop supplying weapons and other aid, why then sit down at the negotiating table when it's possible to seize more Ukrainian territory, kill more Ukrainians, and, in fact...show that there's no point in [arguing] with Russia?" he said.



North Atlantic Allies



One of the Kremlin's original grievances in justifying its February 2022 invasion continues to be one of Kyiv's central demands: NATO membership.



As recently as December 9, Zelenskiy repeated his insistence that membership was paramount.

But many NATO members are cool to the idea of Ukraine's membership.

At a summit in 2008, U.S. and European leaders hashed out a weak compromise that pledged eventual membership but didn't actually set up a road map. Some officials and experts have argued that was a mistake that led to Russia's 2022 invasion.



Since the invasion, NATO has expanded, admitting Sweden and Finland. But admitting Ukraine at present would mean admitting a battered, exhausted country partially occupied by a foreign power, problematic to many alliance members.



The United States is also cool to the idea. In Paris this week, Trump reportedly told Macron and Zelenskiy he didn't support Kyiv's membership bid, according to the Journal.



Deferring membership is "capitulation to Russian demands, and this will be a massive win for Putin," Mick Ryan, a retired Australian major general, wrote in a blog post. "This will justify in the minds of Putin, and authoritarians like him, that the Russian aggression against Ukraine has worked because keeping Ukraine out of NATO was a core demand of Putin before the war."



Buffer Zones



Barring some unforeseen event, Ukraine is all but certain to lose territory to Russia, which currently occupies around 20 percent of Ukrainian land. That includes nearly all of the eastern Donbas region, plus the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.



For most observers, setting up some sort of no-man's-land. The demilitarized zone that has separated North and South Korea for decades is a model for many.



Putin floated the idea in March after winning reelection.



"I do not exclude that...we will be forced at some point, when we deem it appropriate, to create a certain 'sanitary zone' in the territories today under the Kyiv regime," he said.



For Ukraine, the tricky part is where that line will be drawn -- and how much of its economic base it will lose. Much of Ukraine's mining and heavy industry is in the Donbas occupied by Russia; and about 8 million hectares of Ukrainian farmland is occupied, according to one estimate.



In an audacious move, Ukraine invaded Russian territory in August, seizing part of the Kursk region. Zelenskiy later said the aim was to create a buffer zone and to push Russian missiles further away from Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv.



Since that time, however, Russia has ground down Ukrainian troops, taking back nearly half of the Kursk territory initially seized by Ukraine.



Also tricky with such a zone -- buffer, sanitary, demilitarized -- is surveillance and verification: what each side, or the peacekeepers, would be allowed to do to keep an eye on the other. The explosive evolution of drone warfare could potentially complicate this.



The Elephant In The Room

The biggest question mark for future talks may be Ukraine's largest weapons supplier: the United States, and the incoming Trump administration.



Trump has for years complained about the amount of U.S. weaponry sent by the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden and has suggested Zelenskiy was a con man. He has also said that his skills as a businessman and real estate developer make him a negotiator capable of reaching a deal with Putin.

Trump's point man is Keith Kellogg, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who advised Trump's vice president during his first term.



In a widely cited paper he co-authored before Trump's November election, Kellogg laid out a plan including freezing the front lines and using both sticks and carrots to get Kyiv and Moscow to negotiate.



For Kyiv, for example, the sticks mean cutting off U.S. weapons. For Moscow, that means things like flooding global markets with oil to drive down prices for the commodity, which Moscow relies heavily on for revenues.



Carrots for Moscow would be lifting Western sanctions or delaying Ukraine's NATO ambitions. For Kyiv, it would be continued military aid, funding for reconstruction, or even nonrecognition of Russian-occupied territories -- similar to what Washington did over four decades regarding the Soviet annexation of the three Baltic states.



"We tell the Ukrainians, 'You've got to come to the table, and if you don't come to the table, support from the United States will dry up," Kellogg told Reuters in June. "And you tell Putin, 'He's got to come to the table, and if you don't come to the table, then we'll give Ukrainians everything they need to kill you in the field.'"



The Kremlin itself -- impatient with an invasion that was supposed to be over in just days and that has thrown its economy out of whack -- has signaled openness to a new, Trump approach.

But there are doubters.



"We don't think [Putin] is serious about negotiations," a senior NATO official, speaking on condition that he not be identified publicly, told RFE/RL last week.

"He may be willing to talk, but as long as he believes that he is winning, there is no incentive for negotiations. And he continues to believe that time is in his favor."

By RFE/RL

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The lightning-quick removal on 8 December of Syrias President Bashar al-Assad after 53 years of Assad family rule will have seismic effects on the Middle East for years to come. Geographically, it holds a vital strategic position in the region, bordering Iraq to the East, Jordan to the South, Israel and Lebanon to the West, and Turkey to the North, with a long Mediterranean coastline as well. It critical geopolitical importance reflects this, beginning with a crucial role in the resurgence of pan-Arabism under Bashars father, Hafez, and later occupying a key role in Russias projection of influence across the Middle East, and Irans too. That Bashar al-Assad has gone is catastrophic for many of these countries. That he has been overthrown by a loose-alliance of disparate militant groups, led by the radical Islamic paramilitary organisation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) may well prove at least equally catastrophic to many others.

No country yet will have felt the loss of Assads Syria more than Russia, as it became a turning point for President Vladimir Putins Middle East strategy after he ordered his forces into the country in 2015 to prop up Bashar al-Assads rule. Following the subsequent flow from Russia of money, munitions, and men to secure his power, al-Assad rewarded Putin with extraordinary deals for his military that dramatically enhanced the power he was then able to project across the Middle East and into southern and eastern Europe. After this, Russia identified Syria under the Assad regime as being crucial to it for four key reasons, as fully analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. First, it was the biggest country on the western side of the Shia Crescent of Power that Russia had been meticulously developing for years as a counterpoint to the U.S.s own sphere of influence centred then on Saudi Arabia (for hydrocarbons supplies) and Israel (for military and intelligence assets). Second, it offered a long Mediterranean coastline from which Russia could send oil and gas products  or anything else it wanted  from itself or from its allies (notably Iran) for export either into major oil and gas hubs in Turkey, Greece and Italy or into north, west and east Africa. Third, it was a vital military hub, with one major naval base (Tartus  and Russias only Mediterranean port), one major air force base (Khmeimim) and one major listening station (just outside Latakia). And fourth, it showed the rest of the Middle East that Russia could and would act decisively on the side of the autocratic dynasties across the region. By happy coincidence for Russia, Syria also had significant oil and gas resources that could be used by the Kremlin to offset part of the costs it incurred by this geopolitical manoeuvring. What will happen to Russias military assets in Syria is currently unknown, as are the prospects for it being used a transport hub to various parts of south and eastern Europe and Africa. However, the fact that Vladimir Putins regime was unable to protect its man in Damascus has been noted by all world leaders, and the loss to his prestige in the Middle East is incalculable.

Related: U.S. Drillers Hold The Line

By extension in several key regards, Irans loss with the exit of the Assads from Syria is probably as great as Russias. Economically, the Islamic Republics oil exports through Syria was a significant part of its budget revenues and the route itself was one key component of its ability to keep generating income despite increasingly onerous sanctions imposed on it. Politically, efforts were being expedited to finalise a Land Bridge running all the way from Iran, across Iraq, and into Syria that Tehran has desperately being trying to create since its 1979 Revolution brought it into being as a global Islamic power. The Land Bridge was intended to enable Iran and Russia to exponentially increase weapons delivery into southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights area of Syria to be used in attacks on Israel as part of a wider rolling plan to further destabilise the Middle East. Russias extensive military presence along the Syrian coast, at Tartus, Khmeimim, and Latakia, was to have formed the end point of this Land Bridge for a supply route that ran across several major oil and gas routes developed by Russian, Chinese and Iranian companies, as also analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. Under international law, oil and gas firms are entitled to station as many security personnel as they wish in and around these high-value sites, including around the transport system that connects them. Although Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that despite al-Assads removal from power the Iran-led Axis of Resistance would only strengthen, this seems extremely unlikely. Aside from the suspension of the Land Bridge project, Syria was a key staging post for men and materiel to be used against Israel by Iranian proxy Hezbollah. With Syria currently out of Irans network, and Hezbollah and Hamas enormously debilitated by Israeli manoeuvres since the massacre of its citizens by Hamas on 7 October 2023, Tehran can only look to the Houthis in Yemen as an ongoing support for its agenda in the region over and above the militias it still backs in Iraq.

Having said this, there is no guarantee that all is lost for either Russia or Iran in the next phase of Syria. The most likely outcome is that there will be chaos for an extended period, as occurred elsewhere in the region after the removal of strong leaders before, and as still endures in Libya after the fall of longstanding President Muammar Gaddafi. Running through the core of Russian intelligence and military operations in the Middle East and Africa has been the ability to project the country into chaos and to emerge with something it wants, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. It would not be as beneficial to Russia as the Assad regime, but it would be something that might enable the country to keep its crucial bases in the country. Iran might also find itself a place in such an arrangement, although successfully engineering it for both countries would require an end to the money, men, and material currently being focused on the war with Ukraine. This Libyan-style Syria with a Russian-Iranian influence might benefit both sides even more than Assads Syria did, given the potential for Islamic terrorism that could be centred on effectively a new Caliphate operating in such a geographically- and geopolitically-advantageous position.

The way could be clear for such an operation, as Donald Trump in his first term as president made repeated calls to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country, including those at the strategically vital At-Tanf exclusion zone that is the tri-border junction of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. And very recently, Trump wrote that the U.S. would have nothing to do with Syria. That said, he may be reluctant not to follow through on the potential long-term advantages for the U.S. of denying both Russia and Iran their key client state in the Middle East, with its direct land and sea access into southern Europe, as well as being a key staging post for their expeditions into Africa. Several formerly impeccable senior security and energy sources in Washington, London, and Brussels exclusively told OilPrice.com last week that the sudden  and otherwise inexplicable  success of the Syrian rebels led by HTS was in no small part connected to a massive surge in U.S. and U.K. support for them in the run-up to the coup. The U.S. wanted to put Moscows and Tehrans leadership on notice that Washington can easily redraw and restructure borders and regimes in not just the Middle East but also in Eastern Europe, if it wants to, a senior security source in the European Union told OilPrice.com last week. In this sense, it also sends a clear message to President Vladimir Putin personally, ahead of the onset of peace negotiations this year between Russia and Ukraine, he concluded.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Abu Dhabis financially backed group XRG and British oil and gas major BP have closed a deal to set up a new natural gas joint venture in Egypt. The new JV will be called Arcius Energy, 51% owned by BP and 40% by XRG, with Egypt as its main focus. In statements to the press, BP CEO Murray Auchincloss said, "Arcius Energy brings together the strengths of our two companies to create a dynamic new platform for international growth in natural gas in the region." The British major indicated that Arcius Energy has been assigned a 10% interest in the Shorouk concession, entailing the giant offshore gas field Zohr, a 100% interest in the North Damietta concession, covering the producing Atoll field, and exploration concession agreements in North El Tabya, Bellatrix-Seti East, and North El Fayrouz.

At the same time, ADNOC veteran Naser Saif Al Yafei was appointed as Arcius chief executive. Al Yafei previously led the strategy, sustainability, and transformation group of ADNOC Gas. Arcius new CFO is Katerina Papalexandri, VP of gas and low-carbon energy growth at BP.

ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber said in a statement that the JV "fully aligns with XRGs objectives to accelerate the transformation of energy systems and build a world-scale integrated gas and chemicals portfolio to meet rising global demand."

The BP-XRG JV is the first concrete move made by the latest addition to Abu Dhabis expanding sovereign wealth or investment fund portfolio, following the creation of ADQ, IHC, Alpha Dhabi, and others. ADNOCs substantial war chest, worth several hundred billion dollars, is now being deployed aggressively. XRG was established in recent weeks, and ADNOC announced last week that XRG board members now include Blackstone's Jon Gray and former BP CEO Bernard Looney. Although Looney was dismissed by BP last year, the new JV between XRG and BP represents a direct link between all parties. ADNOC is playing on multiple chessboards to become an integrated oil and gas company and challenge IOCs current power positions. Officially, XRG, which has around $80 billion in assets, is set up to invest in overseas opportunities, mainly in low-carbon energy, including gas, chemicals, and renewables.

XRG, set up to operate separately from ADNOC, aims to double its asset value in the next 10 years. While independent, its strategies are still shaped by ADNOC. XRGs Global Chemicals division aims to become a top-5 global chemical player, driven by expectations that demand for chemicals will increase by 70%. The groups Low Carbon Energies unit focuses on cleaner energy, particularly low-carbon ammonia. ADNOC forecasts an overall demand growth of 70-90 million metric tons by 2040. XRGs International Gas follows ADNOCs directive to establish a world-scale integrated gas portfolio and support ADNOCs LNG strategy.

The establishment of XRG, promoted as a low-carbon energy investment company, coincides with ADNOCs continued expansion of its crude oil production capacity. In May 2024, ADNOC announced that production capacity had increased to 4.85 million bpd from 4.65 million bpd. The Abu Dhabi giant also continues to show a growing appetite for acquisitions. In November, ADNOC advanced its $16.3 billion takeover of German plastics and chemicals maker Covestro. In December 2023, ADNOC acquired a controlling stake (50% + 1 share) in the chemical JV Fertiglobe from OCI, approved in October 2024. In February 2024, ADNOC acquired a 24.9% shareholding in Austrian energy and chemicals company OMV AG from Mubadala Investment Company.

Diversification and monetization of assets have become a strategic priority. Following several successful IPOs, ADNOC is currently assessing the options and timing for a potential float of ADNOC Gas shares. On November 25, ADNOC stated that it continues to explore strategic opportunities to drive growth and prioritize shareholder value, including in ADNOC Gas. While no formal program to float ADNOC Gas has been announced, ADNOC indicated significant value creation potential. A decision regarding a higher free float has not yet been taken.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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A poster for the Cultural Mapping of the Grand Canal (Beijing) project. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]



The results of a community project aimed at documenting and preserving the cultural heritage of the Beijing section of the Grand Canal were officially unveiled at the College of Architecture and Landscape of Peking University in Beijing on Dec. 15.

The project, which began in August 2023, brought together over 100 volunteers and more than 10 expert advisors to jointly record and showcase the rich historical and cultural legacy of the Grand Canal.

The Grand Canal is a vast waterway system running from Zhejiang province in the south to Beijing in the north. As the terminus of this historic waterway, Beijing is home to numerous culturally and historically significant sections of the canal. Over centuries, it has played a pivotal role in facilitating trade and fostering cultural exchanges between northern and southern China.

After more than a year of research and collaboration, the project participants surveyed and mapped cultural resources in seven districts across Beijing, gathering data on 402 cultural sites, producing 25 short videos, and creating five regional hand-drawn-style cultural maps, along with a comprehensive cultural scroll detailing the Beijing section of the Grand Canal.

The project was initiated by the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO Beijing (WHITRAP Beijing), Peking University's Center of Archaeology and Art for the General Public, and Beijing WMWB Cultural Technology Co., Ltd.

Zhang Jianwei, a researcher at Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology and one of the co-initiators of the project, emphasized the importance of public engagement in the project. He noted that the core value of the initiative lies in its ability to encourage widespread participation in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Zhang explained that the unveiling of the results marked a beginning, adding that with a vision for the future in which this sustainable and efficient model is widely adopted, the project will allow people to collectively safeguard and revitalize our cultural heritage for future generations.

The project has addressed gaps in the field of Grand Canal research, said Li Dihua, associate professor at Peking University and deputy director of WHITRAP Beijing. He emphasized the value of including the daily lives of residents living along the canal in the studies. Li expressed his hopes that the model could be extended to other sections of the Grand Canal in the future, advancing both academic research and the promotion of canal culture.

Shao Yong, secretary general of WHITRAP, commended the innovative approach of the project and praised the dedication of the volunteers. She emphasized the initiative's importance in raising awareness among young people and encouraging public participation in cultural heritage preservation. Shao also encouraged further community involvement, urging that this enthusiasm be transformed into tangible actions to protect the Grand Canal and other cultural heritage sites.

Zhang Jianshuo, co-initiator of the Cultural Mapping of the Grand Canal (Beijing) project, presents the key outcomes of the project at Peking University, Beijing, Dec. 15, 2024. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]

Zhang Jianshuo, co-initiator of the project and a member of the Cultural Landscape Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (China), provided a comprehensive overview of the project's origins, milestones and key outcomes.

He introduced international outreach efforts, as well as collaborations with local schools. Beijing No. 4 High School International Campus, for instance, launched a cultural heritage course and organized students to plan exhibitions about the Grand Canal. In addition, grade nine students of Beijing No. 1 Experimental School were involved in creating the youth editions of the Grand Canal cultural maps.

Liu Qing, a designer at Beijing WMWB Cultural Technology and creator of the cultural map, shared insights into the design process and collaborative approach to the mapping effort. She outlined the criteria for selecting key cultural sites and explained how the project fostered collective creation through volunteer participation.

In 2024, the project expanded to include international collaboration with students and faculty from the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Russia.

Professor Maria Riadova, representing the Russian team, shared their invaluable experiences in preserving the Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The team produced engaging short films that delve into the intricacies of safeguarding movable cultural heritage, underscoring the significance of hands-on learning in fostering a deep appreciation for cultural heritage.

This collaboration has not only facilitated cultural exchange between Chinese and Russian students, but has also ignited a passion and sense of responsibility among young people to actively participate in preserving shared cultural heritage, the professor said in a video message at the event.

Following the presentations, an open discussion ensued, where attendees, industry partners and volunteers shared their insights and experiences.

Participants in the Cultural Mapping of the Grand Canal (Beijing) project pose for a group photo at the results release event at Peking University, Beijing, Dec. 15, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The results release event was jointly organized by WHITRAP Beijing, Peking University's Center of Archaeology and Art for the General Public, and Beijing WMWB Cultural Technology Co., Ltd., with support from the College of Architecture and Landscape of Peking University.
Chinas CNOOC has struck a deal to sell its business in the United States to Britains Ineos, the two companies reported over the weekend. The deal is worth $2 billion and includes stakes in two deep-water fields in the Gulf of Mexico, per a Reuters report citing an unnamed source.

Ineos said that the acquisition would boost its global oil and gas production to over 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily. Neither of the companies involved named the price tag of the deal.

This is a major step for us into the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, which builds on our growing energy business, the British chemical companys chairman said in comments on the news. INEOS Energy is all about competing in the energy transition to provide reliable, affordable energy to meet world demand as the population continues to grow. And progressing carbon storage projects, Brian Gilvary also said.

This is the third major recent investment by Ineos in U.S. oil and gas, following an LNG supply deal inked with Sempra Energy back in 2022 and its acquisition of Chesapeake Energys oil and gas assets in southern Texas a year later. The total value of these three recent deals exceeds $3 billion, the UK company said, and will provide Ineos with a new growth platform.

For CNOOC, the deal was motivated by market conditions although the company did not elaborate on the nature of those. According to an earlier Reuters report, the Chinese state giant had made plans to shrink its Western presence in anticipation of sanctions. There have been threats from Washington that Chinese companies would be punished for working with Russian oil exporters.

CNOOC has assets in the UK and Canada as well, and these could be put up for sale as well. Not yet, however, as the Chinese company just last month announced the start of production at a new project in Canada. Lake Northwest is expected to produce 8,200 barrels of crude daily at peak rates, to be reached by next year.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Several fires at Libyas Zawiya refinery this weekend prompted a temporary force majeure declared by the National Oil Corporation on Sunday. By Monday morning the fires were brought under control, according to a Reuters report citing a NOC official, but the force majeure had yet to be lifted.

The fires were caused by gunfire, which ignited several oil tanks at the refinery, which is Libyas largest, with a processing capacity of 120,000 barrels daily. The damage was caused by armed clashes using light and medium weapons in the refinerys vicinity, the NOC also said on Sunday.

The company called on the Libyan government to put an end to the armed clashes or risk further damage at the refinery and potentially the loss of human life. No details were given with regard to the groups involved in the clashes that prompted the force majeure.

Just a month earlier, the National Oil Corporation had reported the latest increase in oil production, to 1.386 million barrels daily. Adding some 200,000 bpd in other liquid hydrocarbons brought Libyas total to 1.59 million barrels dailya major milestone for the war-torn oil producer.

The recent boost in oil production following the resumption of full-scale production in early October follows the country's effort to stabilize operations after political disputes and field blockades disrupted output earlier this year. The temporary resolution of those issues has allowed Libya to steadily ramp up production by bringing its largest fields back to full operation.

However, challenges remain and the news of the fires at the Zawiya refinery are the latest evidence of this fact. The countrys oil industry is still at risk of field shutdowns due to ongoing political tensions. Still, with major companies like Eni and BP returning to Libya, theres hope that stability will continue to improve.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Germany will shut down its Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal in the first quarter of 2025, with government-owned operator Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH (DET) announcing there will be no regasification activity at the terminal between Jan. 5 and April 1, 2025. The terminal is owned by energy giant Uniper, with the German government being the majority shareholder.

During the gas crisis, our capacities have already made a significant contribution to calming the market, the gas supply has been stabilized and gas prices have since fallen significantly," DET said in a statement.

The Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal--which receives most of its LNG from the United States--was built in response to Europe's energy crisis. The plant has an annual regasification capacity of 7.5 billion cubic meters, a significant chunk of the EUs LNG imports of ~120 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023.

European natural gas futures plunged below 40 per megawatt-hour on Monday, with prices declining sharply after hitting a one-year high a week ago as markets eased their concerns of low gas supply in the continent amid ample supplies and milder weather. Hungary and Bulgaria have continued receiving Russian gas as member states found technical solutions to pay Gazprom despite sanctions on Gazprombank. Slovakia has also announced that it will continue negotiations to secure gas supplies after the current flows through Ukraine are halted at the end of the year. Meanwhile, other European nations have found alternative sources. For instance, major German utilities signed LNG deals with the UAEs ADNOC, while record wing power in the UK allowed it to export electricity to the European continent.

European gas inventories remain robust. According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data, inventories stood at 96.401 billion cubic metres (bcm); the w/w draw was 3.56 bcm, well below last years 4.23bcm draw and slightly below the 3.68 bcm five-year average w/w draw. Inventories have drawn by less than last year on 11 of the past 12 days, reducing the y/y deficit to 9.98 bcm from 11.40 bcm. The European Centre for Medium-Term Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) projections show central European temperatures five degrees Celsius above the 30-year average at the start of next week and then remaining above average through to the end of the forecast period (24 December).

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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India plans to deliver LNG to Sri Lanka as part of efforts to boost bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, the Indian foreign ministry said on Monday as Sri Lankas newly elected president visited India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Sri Lankas President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his first visit to India since Dissanayake won the presidential election in September.

The two countries also continue discussions on establishing a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka, and trilateral cooperation involving the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to build a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for supply of affordable and reliable energy.

Also in the energy sector, India and Sri Lanka are considering a joint development of offshore wind power potential in the Palk Straits, while prioritizing environmental protection, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said.

India provided $4 billion in financial support to Sri Lanka during the 2022 economic crisis in the form of emergency financing and forex support. India and other international creditors to Sri Lanka, including China, have entered into a preliminary debt restructuring agreement with the country which has seen an unprecedented crisis.

Emphasizing the need for reliable, affordable and timely energy resources for ensuring energy security and meeting basic needs of the people, both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and facilitation towards timely implementation of ongoing energy cooperation projects between India and Sri Lanka, Indias foreign ministry said.

Earlier this year, Indias biggest natural gas importer, Petronet LNG Ltd, announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LTL Holdings Ltd (LTL) of Sri Lanka to supply LNG to LTL's dual-fueled power plants in Kerawalapitiya, Colombo.

The companies decided to develop an LNG supply chain from Petronets Kochi LNG terminal to LTLs power plants in Colombo, using LNG tank containers and a multi-modal transport system. The initial term of the LNG supply is set for five years, Petronet LNG said in August.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Chinese oil and gas giant PetroChina is building a team to begin a business of trading with copper, lithium, and other metals critical to the energy transition.

Richard Fu, a Trading Manager, has said in a post on LinkedIn that he had been hired by PetroChina International (London) Co., Limited.

I am honoured to start the green energy transition metals and minerals business for PetroChina, trading physical and paper copper, lithium and others, Fu wrote in the post without elaborating further.

The Chinese giant could also include nickel trading in the portfolio of its new business unit, an anonymous source with knowledge of the plans told Reuters.

PetroChina could also consider trading carbon and electricity on the European markets, according to the Reuters source.

The new venture for the Chinese oil giant is the latest foray into metals after major energy commodity trading houses have recently began building such trading units or returned to trading battery metals.

For instance, Vitol Group, the worlds largest independent oil trader, is hedging its bets and seeks to expand into metals crucial for the energy transition, including copper, iron ore, and aluminum, CEO Russell Hardy told the Financial Times Commodities Asia Summit in Singapore last month.

The petroleum, the oil business, we still think it will reach a peak at some point, about 10 years ahead from where we are today, Hardy said.

In view of the expected peak in oil demand and the surge in electrification, Vitol will seek where its edge in metals trading will be.

Other major energy traders are also betting on metals to boost volumes and profits amid higher demand. The top independent oil trading houses have boosted their metals and agriculture trading businesses to capture volatility in the short term and expected supply shortages in the long term.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Shells Nigerian subsidiary has approved the Bonga North deep-water project off the coast of Nigeria, the UK-based supermajor said on Monday, announcing the final investment decision for the development.

The Bonga North project will be a subsea tie-back to the Shell-operated Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility which Shell operates with a 55% interest.

The project will sustain oil and gas production at the Bonga facility, Shell said.

Bonga North currently has an estimated recoverable resource volume of more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and will reach a peak production of 110,000 barrels of oil a day (bpd), with first oil anticipated by the end of the decade, the supermajor added.

This is another significant investment, which will help us to maintain stable liquids production from our advantaged Upstream portfolio, said Zoe Yujnovich, Shells Integrated Gas and Upstream Director.

The announcement of the FID came a day after Nigerias maritime agency said this weekend that an oil spill had occurred at Shells Bonny loading terminal in Nigerias Delta region after a pipeline ruptured. Shells local unit has shut down the affected pipeline.

Shell is also seeking to sell its onshore assets in the largest African OPEC producer.

Early this year, Shell said it had reached an agreement to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary to Renaissance, a consortium of five companies for US$1.3 billion.

At the time, Shells Yujnovich said that This agreement marks an important milestone for Shell in Nigeria, aligning with our previously announced intent to exit onshore oil production in the Niger Delta, simplifying our portfolio and focusing future disciplined investment in Nigeria on our Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions.

But the deal has yet to be approved.

In October, Nigerias upstream regulator blocked the sale, although it approved a separate transaction in which ExxonMobil sold its onshore operations to Nigerian firm Seplat Energy.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Team Trump is proposing radical changes to the U.S. policy toward electric vehicles and tailpipe emissions, including axing the EV incentives and the government mandate for federal EV fleets, and rolling back the Biden Administrations rules on tailpipe emissions and fuel economy standards, Reuters reports, citing a draft document it has seen.

During the campaign, President-elect Trump has repeatedly slammed the crazy EV mandate of President Joe Biden, whose Administration has sought to support EV sales with incentives and mandates for federal agencies to use electric vehicles.

Under Biden, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also introduced new air pollution limits to encourage automakers to produce and seek to sell more EVs.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) sued the EPA over the vehicle emission standards, with Senior Vice President and General Counsel Ryan Meyers saying that EPA has exceeded its congressional authority with this regulation that will eliminate most new gas cars and traditional hybrids from the U.S. market in less than a decade.

Meanwhile, EV sales havent surged, as hoped, and automakers, including the biggest in the U.S., have slowed down the rollout of new EV models or bet on more hybrids.

Ford Motor Company, for example, said earlier this year it is delaying the planned rollout of some of its next-generation EVs as it is expanding hybrid vehicle offerings, in the latest sign that consumer uptake of EVs has slowed down.

The new Trump Administration is now proposing to not only axe the $7,500 EV tax incentive but also shift funds from whats left of Bidens $7.5 billion funding for EV charging stations to processing of battery minerals and the national defense supply chain and critical infrastructure, according to the document Reuters has seen.

Tariffs are on the agenda in this planned policy reversal, too. Trumps transition team is recommending the President impose tariffs on all battery materials globally. This, the team argues, would increase U.S. production. Then, the U.S. would negotiate individual exemptions from tariffs with allies, per the document seen by Reuters.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Two Russian oil tankers believed to have drifted before running aground offshore have spilt oil in the Black Sea in the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia from Crimea.

According to Russian officials quoted by Tass news agency, the tankers were carrying around 4,300 dead weight tonnes of oil each, with Russian authorities investigating the incidents for criminal negligence.

Oil accidents due to negligence are pretty common in Russia. Last year, two oil tankers collided in the Irkutsk region in Russia thanks to a captain operating under the influence of alcohol, causing oil spillage into a local river. According to Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev, it was not clear how much fuel spilled into the Lena River, the world's 11th longest, but said one tanker that sustained significant damage was carrying 138 metric tons of gasoline. The governor estimated that as many as 60 to 90 tons of fuel might have spilled in the river.

However, the Norilsk oil spill--considered the worst of its kind in the country--was caused by the adverse impacts of climate change. In May 2020, melting permafrost caused a large storage tank near Norilsk to sink after weeks of unusually warm weather in the Arctic with the Ambarnaya River famously running red. One source estimated that as much as 29,000 tonnes (about 218,000 barrels) of diesel could have found its way into the soil and nearby water bodies. President Vladimir Putin declared a state of federal emergency in the Krasnoyarsk region as Norilsk Nickel, the owner of the tank, scrambled to try and contain the spill from contaminating the Arctic zone. Putin was incensed that the incident was only reported to the authorities two days later after pictures of the crimson river were shared online, and ordered Nornickel billionaire oligarch and part-owner, Vladimir Potanin, to bear the full costs of cleaning up the mess. Nornickel was fined nearly 150 billion rubles (~2 billion USD), marking the largest compensation for environmental damage in Russias history.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Venture Global has reached first LNG production at its second facility, Plaquemines LNG, in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, the U.S. LNG plant developer says.

The 20-million-mtpa Plaquemines LNG plant achieved the first production milestone 30 months after its Final Investment Decision (FID), Venture Global said.

Between current and planned facilities, Venture Global is prepared to invest $50 billion in energy projects based in the United States which will create jobs, support local economies, strengthen the balance of trade and unleash much needed US LNG supply to our allies, Venture Global CEO and co-founder Mike Sabel said in a statement.

While the plant achieved first LNG production, its buyers under long-term contracts  including ExxonMobil, Chevron, EDF, and Petronas  may have to wait until the end of 2026 or 2027 to receive cargoes when the commissioning period expires and the facility achieves the so-called commercial operation date.

Venture Global, with its other plant, Calcasieu Pass, is already embroiled in a legal battle with some international oil and gas majors and big LNG traders, including Shell and BP.

Venture Global acquired some notoriety over the past two years after Big Oil majors accused it of withholding LNG volumes contracted under long-term deals in order to sell them on the spot market for a fatter profit. To do this, Venture Global used a loophole that allowed it to keep its one operating facility in Calcasieu Pass formally categorized as under construction, which relieved it of its supply commitments under long-term contracts.

Venture Global has been seeking to extend the construction period for its Calcasieu Pass LNG plant.

Once the Calcasieu Pass facility is officially recognized as completed and fully operational, Venture Global would need to start servicing its long-term contracts with Shell, BP, and Spains Repsol.

The three supermajors, along with two other European energy companies, were foundation buyers for the Calcasieu Pass facility, meaning they provided Venture Global with the money to build the plant in Louisiana in exchange for a commitment from the company to supply them with certain volumes of LNG over a long-term period.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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People visit the Intelligent Industry and Information Technology exhibition area at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, Nov. 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]



With President-elect Donald Trump threatening to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods when he takes office on Jan. 20, experts from Tsinghua University have underscored China's economic resilience and that decoupling is self-defeating during an exclusive interview with China.org.cn.

Dong Yu, executive vice president of the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University, highlighted China's distinctive strengths in weathering external risks. "China's comprehensive industrial chain gives us a resilience that no other country possesses," he said. Alongside its globally recognized product quality, these strengths have secured China's competitive edge in the international arena.

In particular, a raft of incremental policies deployed in late September have effectively boosted social confidence and driven a remarkable rebound in the economy, it was noted recently at the annual Central Economic Work Conference.

On the issue of overcapacity in certain industries, Dong dismissed criticism as overlooking the significant demand from global markets. He pointed to Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, where Chinese exports are not only driving economic growth but also improving local livelihoods. "China's approach is not about monopolizing markets; it's about fostering mutual benefit," he explained.

Domestically, China is reinforcing its economic robustness by boosting the dynamism of its domestic economy and building a unified national market. "Effective efforts should be made to expand domestic demand and upgrade regional industries and consumption," Dong said.

Despite rhetoric about decoupling, Dong stressed the complementary nature of Sino-U.S. economic relations. According to China's General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade between the two nations reached 4.44 trillion yuan (around $612 billion) in the first 11 months of 2024 in yuan-denominated terms, a 4.2% increase year on year. "China and the U.S. are among each other's largest markets," Dong noted, cautioning that full decoupling would impose unsustainable costs on American consumers due to the significant reliance of American households on affordable goods imported from China.

While acknowledging competition in certain areas, Dong advocated for pragmatic collaboration in fields such as innovation, green development, global poverty reduction, risk management and cultural exchanges. He placed particular emphasis on technological cooperation, noting that open sharing of technological advancements can accelerate their application and enhance global progress. "Technological isolation only slows innovation and delays improvements in human welfare," he said.

Ju Jiandong, chair professor at Tsinghua's PBC School of Finance, also emphasized the importance of maintaining stable economic growth in a turbulent international environment. "Amid international uncertainties, we aim to maintain a healthy GDP growth rate," Ju said. This sentiment echoed the Central Economic Work Conference's emphasis on maintaining steady economic growth and keeping employment and prices generally stable in the coming year.

Ju addressed the implications of potential U.S. tariffs, noting that such measures would primarily burden American consumers with higher prices. He warned that aggressive decoupling efforts could ultimately harm the U.S. manufacturing sector rather than achieve their intended goals. "To de-Sinicize is to de-Americanize," he said.

Ju also pointed to China's vast market in the developing world as a key advantage. With exports to developing countries accounting for up to 60% of China's total exports, maintaining market share in these regions is vital. He further emphasized structural reforms  particularly advancements in green energy and electric vehicles, where China leads globally  as crucial drivers of China's economy.

Recognizing the opportunities and challenges of Sino-U.S. relations, Ju called for deeper economic and financial collaboration. He proposed further opening China's capital markets to foster international partnerships and to ensure that global stakeholders can benefit from China's economic growth. Such measures, he argued, would make the idea of decoupling economically infeasible for the U.S.
By Oregon State Senator Brian Boquist,

Highlights, excerpts from Sen. Boquist newsletter

 OPB. 12/14/2024. Oregon officials, experts grappled behind the scenes with youth gender-affirming care guideline: Records show how state medical advisors decided questions around youth transgender care were outweighed by a state law ensuring access meaning politics decided not medical health. Surprised? Remember the walkouts on this topic?

 Oregon Capitol Insider. 12/13/2024. Capital Chatter: A fiery day in Salem as special session opens and ends: This years wildland fire season was so bad that Gov. Tina Kotek ordered the Oregon Legislature into special session Thursday to belatedly pay the bills. Agencies asked for roughly $105 million while the legislature gave them $218 million as the State Treasurer allegedly would not pay the bills? Nobody seems to know why?

 Sunday Edition. 12/15/2024. Portland seeks budget, staff cuts after new forecast shows $27M shortfall: Portland leaders are staring down difficult decisions after a new budget forecast shows a higher budget shortfall than previously projected, the city announced Tuesday. The news theme in this edition is transitions: presidential, congressional, legislative, and even local like Portlandia. Here we see the incoming elected city officials who defeated establishment candidates suddenly find huge problems that were kept from the voters by losing candidates.

 Oregon Capitol Chronicle. 12/13/2024. Fatal drug overdoses in Oregon reached record levels in 2023 Oregon Health Authority releases finalized drug overdose figures for last year, which show a trend of rising fatalities every year since 2019: 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. Yet the new OHA directors spending priorities are below  not this!

 Oregon Capitol Chronicle. 12/13/2024. After statewide tour, Oregon health authority director plans to improve Oregons health care system, a new report identifies goals in 16 areas, including in rural regions, Medicaid, public health and street medicine: Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi wants to improve Oregons health care system, including keeping rural hospitals open and supporting homeless people and testing children for lead poisoning. The most bloated incompetent agency in Oregon wants to get bigger with your money  what do you think? OHA wants to you the taxpayer to give them $39 billion in 2025. Lund Report link. You happy with your health insurance? Delay, deny, defend? How about your doctor who takes every Friday off then charges you hundreds for a visit? Oh, then the Doc wants you do get a thousand-dollar blood test as well? Why does America have the most expensive health care system yet has the worst health care in the western world? Sound like education as well?

 Portland Tribune. 12/7/2024. Portland city employees balk at Mayor-elect Wilsons return-to-office proposal: At a virtual town hall meeting with around 1,400 city employees on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 5, Mayor-elect Keith Wilson shared plans to require them to work at least four days a week at the office  up from the current mandate that theyll work in person for half of their work week. Anyone surprised public employees do not want to work? Given the world situation they may well get their wish to stay home  unemployed  without pay  without electricity  without worry  without a future?

 The Lund Report. 12/5/2024. Oregon nurses union says largest health care worker strike in state history is on the table: Nearly 5,000 Providence nurses and other health care workers could strike as the union raises the stakes in negotiations with the hospital system. The United States has the most expensive health care in the world: $12,555 per person. 43% of Americans are obese with 73% being overweight. USG NIH link. America is one of the least healthy nations. Experts claim life expediency is dropping while mortality rates are accelerating. The CDC, FDA and NIH are not experts but corporate funded pimps. Will Biden pardon them all as well? Where does all the money go? Pain News Network.

## Get the entire newsletter in your email box which includes the complete newsletter with more news: People can send questions, inquiries or newsletter subscriptions request to [email protected] or visit calloutthemedia.com to fill out the subscription form
" " The Hindu religion recognizes countless deities, including Ganesha, shown here in multiple forms. Pakin Songmor / Getty Images

Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions in the world, with roots stretching back over 4,000 years. According to The Pew Research Center, there are about 1 billion Hindus in the world, representing 15 percent of the global population. Approximately 94 percent of Hindus live in India, and 60 percent of Southern Asia's total population is Hindu.

The religion recognizes millions of Hindu gods and goddesses, each embodying different aspects of the divine and providing guidance, protection and blessings.

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Many Hindus build small altars in their homes, offering prayers and food to their chosen deities, known as Ishta Devata. They may pray to specific gods depending on their needs  seeking Saraswati's wisdom during exams or Ganesha's blessings to remove obstacles.

The divine is seen as simultaneously personal and universal, with gods and goddesses often representing different manifestations of one ultimate reality" Brahman. Here's a brief look at Hindu deities, grouped by the Trimurti (which represent creation, preservation and destruction).
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Map of Mars illustrating the fourteen missions to Mars, key sites, and examples of artifacts contributing to the development of the archaeological record: (B) Viking-1 lander; (C) trackways created by NASA's Perseverance rover; (D) Dacron netting used in thermal blankets, photographed by NASA's Perseverance rover using its onboard. Front Left. Hazard Avoidance Camera A; (E) China's Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover in southern Utopia Planitia photographed by HiRISE; (F) the ExoMars Schiaparelli Lander crash site in Meridiani Planum; (G) Illustration of the Soviet Mars Program's Mars 3 space probe; (H) NASA's Phoenix lander with DVD in foreground. Credit: Justin Holcomb

Are human spacecraft, landers, rovers and other space-exploration debris little more than trash littering the surface of Mars, or the modern equivalent of Clovis pointstreasured artifacts marking Homo sapiens' lust for new frontiers?

A new paper by University of Kansas anthropologist Justin Holcomb argues physical artifacts of human Martian exploration deserve cataloging, preservation and care in order to chronicle humanity's first attempts at interplanetary exploration.

The paper, "Emerging Archaeological Record of Mars," appears in Nature Astronomy.

"Our main argument is that Homo sapiens are currently undergoing a dispersal, which first started out of Africa, reached other continents and has now begun in off-world environments," Holcomb, its lead author, said.

"We've started peopling the solar system. And just like we use artifacts and features to track our movement, evolution and history on Earth, we can do that in outer space by following probes, satellites, landers and various materials left behind. There's a material footprint to this dispersal."

Much as archaeologists use "middens" (or, ancient garbage dumps) to reveal secrets of past societies here on Earth, Holcomb argues that much of the material deemed "space trash" actually has great archaeological and environmental value.

"These are the first material records of our presence, and that's important to us," he said.

"I've seen a lot of scientists referring to this material as space trash, galactic litter. Our argument is that it's not trash; it's actually really important. It's critical to shift that narrative towards heritage because the solution to trash is removal, but the solution to heritage is preservation. There's a big difference."

The KU researcher argues future missions to Mars and other planets must consider potential archaeological damage at landing locations and other sites where human exploration is planned.

NASA Mars Curiosity's view of Martian soil and boulders after crossing the "Dingo Gap" sand dune. Photo courtesy NASA.

"Missions to other planets must consider this in their planning," Holcomb said.

"They won't land in areas that could disturb these sites. They'll think about them differently than just trash lying around. That's probably the main thing. From an academic perspectivewhich is what these papers aim to addresswhat are the implications? We need to track our species' movements through space and time, and we do that through stratigraphy."

Holcomb's co-authors were Beth L. O'Leary of New Mexico State University; Alberto Fairen of Centro de Astrobiologia in Madrid, Spain, and Cornell University; KU's Rolfe Mandel; and Karl Wegmann of North Carolina State University.

Holcomb's argument for safekeeping traces of human exploration on other planets builds on earlier work, where he argued for declaration of a "lunar anthropocene"or age of human dominion over the moon's landscape.

"On the moon, we argued we could create an anthropocenea human age," he said. "On Mars, we don't think there's an anthropocene, but there is an archaeological record that needs to be a stratigraphic horizon, allowing us to place this material into a framework. And of course, we could do this across the solar system."

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The KU researcher traces the origin of human alteration of the Martian landscape to the crash landing of the Soviet Union's Mars 2 rover in 1971.

"The Mars 2 crash represents one of the first times our species touched another planetnot a celestial body, because that was the moon," Holcomb said. "But the Mars 2 crash is the first time our species left a preserved imprint on the surface of another planet."

While anthropologists have some grasp of how climate and geology contribute to the degradation of artifacts on Earth, the otherworldly environments of planets like Mars are sure to affect how quickly and severely artifacts experience damage by cosmic energies, winds, water and soil. These Martian processes are little understood presently.

"That field is called geoarchaeologyspecifically, the field that studies geological effects on archaeological materials," Holcomb said.

"Planetary geoarchaeology is a future field for sure, and we need to consider the materials not only on Mars in general but also in various places on Mars, which have different processes. For example, Mars has a cryosphere in the northern and southern latitudes, so ice action there will increase the alteration of materials much more rapidly.

"With Mars' iron-rich sandswhat happens when materials get buried? The most obvious issue is burial by large dune sands. Mars has global dust storms, which are unique. A single storm can literally travel across the entire globe.

"On top of that, there are local dust storms. The Spirit Rover, for example, is right next to an encroaching dune field that will eventually bury it. Once it's buried, it becomes very difficult to relocate."

Holcomb advocates establishing methodology for tracking and cataloging human material on Mars and subsequent planets humans might visit, perhaps via an already existing database like the U.N. Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space.

"If this material is heritage, we can create databases that track where it's preserved, all the way down to a broken wheel on a rover or a helicopter blade, which represents the first helicopter on another planet," Holcomb said.

"These artifacts are very much like hand axes in East Africa or Clovis points in America. They represent the first presence, and from an archaeological perspective, they are key points in our historical timeline of migration."

More information: Emerging Archaeological Record of Mars, Nature Astronomy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-024-02439-w Journal information: Nature Astronomy
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UC Berkeley postdoctoral scholar Alexandra Kahn (left) and graduate student Monica Donegan with historic grapevine specimens from the University and Jepson Herbaria. Credit: Mathew Burciaga/UC Berkeley

A century-old grapevine cutting is providing new clues into the history of a deadly plant pathogen that is decimating crops across the globe.

First reported in Anaheim, California in the 1880s, Pierce's disease of the grapevine has since been found in much of California, as well as in other parts of the U.S., and more recently, Europe. Triggered by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the disease clogs the tiny tubes called xylem that transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. Starved of nourishment, the vine's grapes shrivel, its leaves turn brown and drop, and eventually the plant dies. A 2015 study estimated that the disease costs California growers and taxpayers more than $100 million a year in lost revenue and prevention efforts.

In a new study, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the French agricultural research organization CIRAD identified a 120-year old grapevine cutting in the UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity that still contained traces of X. fastidiosa DNA from the early 1900s. The findings are published in the journal Current Biology.

By comparing the genome of this century-old X. fastidiosa strain with the genomes of more than 330 contemporary strains, the team was able to reconstruct the history of how the pathogen first arrived in California and later spread throughout the state.

"Having a better estimate of what happened historically is vital for understanding the very complex, pathogen-riddled world around us right now," said study co-first author Alexandra Kahn, a postdoctoral scholar at UC Berkeley.

Scientists had long assumed that X. fastidiosa was first introduced to California in the 1880s or slightly before, when many species of grapes were brought to the state from the east to establish vineyards. At the time, local newspapers such as the Pacific Rural Press started reporting a mysterious new disease that was affecting "a large number of vineyards" in Anaheim and the Santa Ana Valley.

Symptoms of Pierces disease in a vineyard. Credit: University of California

However, the genomic data suggests that the pathogen actually arrived in the U.S. nearly 150 years earlier, around the year 1740, and came from Central America. The data further suggests that the disease in California arose from not one but at least three separate introductions of the pathogen.

"Even though this occurred over 250 years ago, it's still relevant to understanding the global spread of plant pathogens today," said Monica Donegan, a graduate student at UC Berkeley and co-first author of the study. "We found that the simplest assumptions about the routes and timing of pathogen introduction may be deceiving, which can impact things like international trade policies and quarantines for plant pathogens."

The fact that there were likely three separate introductions of X. fastidiosa also suggests that multiple, genetically distinct pathogen populations of the pathogen may exist in California. Like different variants of SARS-CoV-2, these populations may all cause similar symptoms, but respond differently to stressors like climate change.

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"These biological differences, even if they're small, can be meaningful when it comes to disease management," said study senior author Rodrigo Almeida, the Professor and Hildebrand-Laumeister Chair in Plant Pathology at UC Berkeley.

The grapevine cutting was collected by an individual named Alfred Tournier on Aug. 2, 1906, in Modesto, California. The cuttings are bereft of leaves, but still cling to a few barren or "matchstick" petioles, the scientific term used for the stalks that connect leaves to the stem of a plant.

Tournier's cuttings were labeled Anaheim disease, the original name given to Pierce's disease. They are now among approximately 1100 historic grapevine specimens in the UC Davis herbarium's collection. Working with herbarium curator Alison Colwell, the researchers tested 10 sickly-looking grapevine specimens from the collection, but only found one that was positive for X. fastidiosa bacteria. They also tested grapevine specimens from the University and Jepson Herbaria, but did not find any that tested positive.

"A grapevine with a lot of X. fastidiosa is not necessarily a prime candidate for an herbarium collection, so we were very lucky to find even one infected sample," said Donegan.

The X. fastidiosa-infected herbarium sample (left) is missing nearly all of its leaves, a classic sign of Pierces disease. The annotation (right) indicates that the vine is infected with Anaheim disease, the original name for Pierces disease. Credit: Rodrigo Almeida

Study co-authors Nathalie Becker and Adrien Rieux led the painstaking work of isolating the old and degraded X. fastidiosa DNA from the specimen. With the genome sequence in hand, the researchers then used bioinformatics software to compare the genes from the century-old X. fastidiosa to contemporary strains. This analysis provided an estimate of how quickly the pathogen's DNA mutates over time, which, in turn, allowed them to estimate the timing of key moments in the bacteria's evolutionary tree.

"The sample allowed us to calibrate the mutation rate of the pathogen as it evolved in California over the last hundred years," Kahn said. "Once we had established this relationship between evolutionary time and absolute time, we could reconstruct the chronological history of the disease outbreak."

In recent decades, X. fastidiosa has spread from the U.S. and Latin America to other countries, including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Israel and Taiwan. Knowing the evolutionary rate of the pathogen can also help researchers estimate the timing of these introductions and prevent further spread.

"It was only recently that people realized they could use these historic herbarium specimens to study plant pathogens," Almeida said. "I think this highlights the value of herbarium collections for research. There's a lot of pressure on these collections because we can't support them adequately, but they provide a huge value, and you never know how we may benefit from them in the future."

More information: Monica A. Donegan et al, Century-old herbarium specimen provides insights into Pierce's disease of grapevines emergence in the Americas, Current Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.029 Journal information: Current Biology
The opening ceremony of the 7th Forum of Deans of Economics Schools from Hundreds of Chinese Universities is held at the School of Economics, Peking University, Dec. 14, 2024. [Photo courtesy of School of Economics of Peking University]



The 7th Forum of Deans of Economics Schools from Hundreds of Chinese Universities and the Economics Talent Recruitment Fair were held at the School of Economics, Peking University, in Beijing from Dec. 14-15.

The forum focused on the theme of "Promoting High-Quality Economic Development Through Comprehensive Deepening of Reform," explored the mechanisms driving China's high-quality economic development, and aimed to accelerate the establishment of an independent economic knowledge framework, providing academic support for the national modernization and rejuvenation goals.

More than 36 university presidents and 229 economics school deans from 206 universities across the country participated in the two-day event, which featured a packed agenda.

Highlights included the presentation of the 2nd Sun Shangqing Award for Development Knowledge Research and Exchange, a special honorary professor conferment, remarks from international guests, donation ceremonies, roundtable discussions, parallel academic sub-forums, and a recruitment fair. A new addition this year was the China Economics Doctoral Forum, which offered doctoral students a platform to present their research.

Dong Zhiyong, dean of Peking University's School of Economics, delivers a welcome speech at the 7th Forum of Deans of Economics Schools from Hundreds of Chinese Universities, Beijing, Dec. 14, 2024. [Photo courtesy of School of Economics of Peking University]



At the opening ceremony, Dong Zhiyong, dean of Peking University's School of Economics, highlighted the blueprint for further deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Dong called for Chinese economists to systematically summarize the experiences of reform and opening up and explore mechanisms to promote high-quality economic development in China.

The award ceremony for the 2nd Sun Shangqing Award for Development Knowledge Research and Exchange at the School of Economics, Peking University, Dec. 14, 2024. [Photo courtesy of School of Economics of Peking University]



The forum delved into four key areas during the roundtable sessions: constructing a high-level socialist market economy, strengthening mechanisms for high-quality economic development, building systems to support comprehensive innovation, and enhancing mechanisms for high-level opening-up.

The discussions provided a platform for experts to share their insights and offer recommendations to address pressing economic challenges while supporting China's broader development objectives.

In addition, nine parallel sub-forums were held covering a range of key topics, including building a unified national market, enhancing mechanisms for integrating the real economy and the digital economy, promoting region-specific development of new quality productive forces, and advancing reforms in the financial system.

An economics talent recruitment fair takes place at the School of Economics, Peking University, Dec. 14, 2024. [Photo courtesy of School of Economics of Peking University]



Notably, the Economics Talent Recruitment Fair attracted more than 3,000 postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. candidates from domestic and international institutions. Recruiters from 148 universities and research organizations met face-to-face with job seekers, facilitating meaningful connections and fostering talent development in economics disciplines.

The forum concluded on Dec. 15 with the issuance of a joint proposal calling on academic institutions to strengthen theoretical research, improve talent cultivation, align educational efforts with national development strategies, and enhance the global promotion of Chinese economic thought.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted K-12 education and its effects have been well documented. However, there has been less focus on how the pandemic affected the special education system; specifically, that system in Michigan.

To provide more insight and data, researchers at Michigan State University's College of Education have published a new study exploring learning gaps for students with disabilities and especially for those who are Black, Asian, and economically disadvantaged studentswith the 201921 school years showing staggering declines in identifying students who could benefit from special education.

Declines in special education identification during remote learning

The study, published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, examined the number of students who were identified by school specialists as needing special education services from a sample size of over 2.9 million Michigan students from 2012 to 2023.

During the 201920 and 202021 school years, identifications fell by a staggering 19% and 12%, respectively. Specific learning disabilitiesbrain-based disorders that affect a person's ability to understand or use language, read, write, or do mathwere the most impacted. Economically disadvantaged students and students from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly Black and Asian students, experienced disproportionately larger declines in special education services.

According to Associate Professor Adrea Truckenmiller, one of the researchers on the study, "Even before the pandemic, our evaluation processes for specific learning disabilities were difficult for schools with strained resources to implement and were not sensitive enough to detect specific learning disabilities before grades 3 through 5. These data from the pandemic show how events can exacerbate already vulnerable systems."

The study attributes the disruption in special education identification to the challenges in providing pre-referral intervention and other required evaluation procedures during remote learning across most of the state's public-school districts.

Identification rates returned to pre-pandemic trends during the 202122 school year and saw continued growth into 202223. However, the sharp decline in identifications from 201921 could have long-lasting implications.

Why in-person learning matters

The research suggests that districts with fully remote learning had the steepest declines in special education identification. This trend appeared less severe in hybrid and fully in-person settings, highlighting the importance of physical classroom interactions in identifying and supporting students with disabilities.

The scholars also addressed the complex process schools must follow to identify specific learning disabilities, which involved weeks of targeted interventions, detailed data collection, and strict criteria to ensure accurate diagnoses.

"There is a lot of evidence suggesting that the earlier a student is identified and receives support, the better the long-term outcomes are," said Matthew Guzman, the study's second author and fourth-year doctoral student in the Education Policy program. "Missing that window could have lasting negative effects, which is why it is so important to address these gaps now."

Providing early intervention in grades K-3 can help close the achievement gap between students with and without disabilities. It also reduces the need for intensive instruction outside the general classroom, allowing more students with disabilities to stay fully included in general education.

Other researchers on the study included Marisa Fisher, associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education; Scott Imberman, professor in the Department of Economics and in the Education Policy doctoral program; Katharine Strunk, former director of the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC); and Bryant Hopkins, former postdoctoral researcher at EPIC.

The scholars hope the study will inform future policy on improving early identification processes, addressing disparities in special education services and ensuring equitable support for students with disabilities, especially during times when resources are stretched thin.

More information: Bryant G. Hopkins et al, Trends in Special Education Identification During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From Michigan, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis (2024). DOI: 10.3102/01623737241274799
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Solfatara on Volcano island near the Sicilian coast with elemental sulfur precipitating from volcanic gases originating from magmatic fluids. Credit: Zoltan Zajacz

When one tectonic plate sinks beneath another, it generates magmas rich in volatiles such as water, sulfur and chlorine. As these magmas ascend, they release magmatic fluids, in which sulfur and chlorine bind to metals such as gold and copper, and transport these metals towards the surface of the Earth.

As the extreme conditions relevant to natural magmas are very difficult to reproduce in the laboratory, the precise role of the different forms of sulfur in metal transport remains highly debated. However, an innovative approach by a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has demonstrated that sulfur, in its bisulfide (HS-) form, is crucial for the transport of gold in magmatic fluids.

These findings are published in Nature Geoscience.

When two tectonic plates collide, the subducting plate plunges into the Earth's mantle, heats up and releases large amounts of water. This water lowers the melting temperature of the mantle, which melts under high pressure and temperatures exceeding a thousand degrees Celsius to form magmas. As the liquid magma is less dense than the rest of the mantle, it migrates towards the Earth's surface.

'"Due to the drop in pressure, magmas rising towards the Earth's surface saturate a water-rich fluid, which is then released as magmatic fluid bubbles, leaving a silicate melt behind," explains Stefan Farsang, a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Earth Sciences at UNIGE's Faculty of Science and first author of the study.

Magmatic fluids are therefore composed partly of water, but also of dissolved volatile elements such as sulfur and chlorine. These two elements are crucial because they extract gold, copper and other metals from the silicate melt into the magmatic fluid, thus facilitating their migration towards the surface.

Several forms of sulfur

Sulfur can easily be reduced or oxidized, i.e. gain or lose electrons, a process known as redox. The redox state of sulfur is important because it affects its ability to bind to other elements, such as metals. However, one debate has divided the scientific community for more than a decade: what is the redox state of the sulfur present in the magmatic fluid that mobilizes and transports metals?

Zoltan Zajacz, associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at UNIGE's Faculty of Science and co-author of the study, explains, "A seminal paper in 2011 suggested that S 3 - sulfur radicals play this role. However, the experimental and analytical methods had several limitations, particularly when it came to reproducing relevant magmatic pressure-temperature and redox conditions, which we have now overcome."

Methodological revolution

The UNIGE team placed a quartz cylinder and a liquid with a composition similar to that of a magmatic fluid in a sealed gold capsule. The capsule was then put into a pressure vessel, which was then brought to pressure and temperature conditions characteristic of magmas emplaced in the Earth's upper crust.

"Above all, our setup facilitates flexible control of the redox conditions in the system, which wasn't possible before," adds Farsang.

During the experiments, the quartz cylinder is fractured, allowing the synthetic magmatic fluid to enter. The quartz then traps microscopic-sized droplets of fluid like those found in nature, and the form of sulfur in these can be analyzed at high temperature and pressure by using lasers with an analytical technique known as Raman spectroscopy.

While previous spectroscopic experiments were typically run up to 700 C, the UNIGE team succeeded in raising the temperature to 875 C, characteristic of natural magmas.

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Bisulfide as a transporter

The study shows that bisulfide (HS-), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and sulfur-dioxide (SO 2 ) are the major sulfur species present in the experimental fluids at magmatic temperatures. The role of bisulfide in metal transport was already well documented in lower-temperature so-called hydrothermal fluids that originate from the higher-temperature magmatic fluids. However, bisulfide was thought to have very limited stability at magmatic temperatures.

Thanks to their cutting-edge methodology, the UNIGE team was able to show that in magmatic fluids too, bisulfide is responsible for transporting most of the gold.

'"By carefully choosing our laser wavelengths, we also showed that in previous studies, the amount of sulfur radicals in geologic fluids was severely overestimated and that the results of the 2011 study were in fact based on a measurement artifact, putting an end to this debate," says Farsang.

The conditions leading to the formation of important precious metal ore deposits have now been clarified. Since much of the world's copper and gold production comes from deposits formed by magma-derived fluids, this study may contribute to their exploration by opening up important perspectives for understanding their formation.

More information: Stefan Farsang et al, Sulfur species and gold transport in arc magmatic fluids, Nature Geoscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-024-01601-3 Journal information: Nature Geoscience
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Credit: Pixabay from Pexels

A study coordinated by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) with the involvement of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and the Universitat de Barcelona (UB) has analyzed the preferences of primary and secondary school teachers in Norway, Chile and Catalonia. According to the research, teachers are committed to qualitative evaluation of their work, working in socially diverse classes, and having clear objectives and collective incentives.

The results, published in an open access article in the journal Teaching and Teacher Education, reveal that the value respondents place on these specific job aspects varies significantly by context.

"One way to address teacher dissatisfaction and burnout is not to apply the same policies everywhere, but to better tailor educational policies to their specific preferences, taking into account the country or cultural context. This personalization could help to avoid the dissatisfaction generated when teachers perceive that policies are poorly adjusted to their reality," highlights lecturer in Psychology and Education and coordinator of the research group of the Laboratory of Social Education (LES) of the UOC, Gerard Ferrer Esteban.

Esteban, alongside Antonina Levatino, UB researcher at the time of the research and now professor at the University of Seville, and Antoni Verger, professor in the Department of Sociology at the UAB, the institution coordinating the research, are the authors of this publication.

"For example," says Antoni Verger, "in contexts such as Catalonia or Norway, with a tradition of horizontal school governance, more importance is given to collegiality than to individual financial incentives. In these cases, promoting qualitative evaluation and collective incentives can help improve teacher well-being and reduce burnout and demotivation.

"In contrast, in places like Chile, where working conditions are more precarious, school governance policies that respond to teachers' material needs and expectations tend to be prioritized."

Despite these differences between the three education systems, the study also identified some common preferences among teachers in different contexts, which, according to the researchers, can shape education policies that improve teacher motivation and well-being:

1. More diverse and equitable education centers

A common thread among teachers in all three education systems is a preference for socially diverse classrooms, which represent richer and more inclusive learning environments. According to the researchers, this preference is related to the idea that working in diverse environments favors collaboration, adaptation and enrichment of the teaching task.

In this sense, for Gerard Ferrer Esteban, school desegregation policies are the key to guaranteeing diversity in classrooms and avoiding the concentration of students according to their socioeconomic or foreign origin.

"These policies can not only improve overall educational results, but also help reinforce social cohesion and mutual respect. In addition, more diverse and equitable educational centers generate a more positive and enriching work climate for teachers, which would increase their satisfaction and professional commitment," adds the researcher.

2. Commitment to qualitative assessment methods

The aspect in which the work has detected the most similarities between the preferences of teachers in the three countries is in the methods for evaluating the task.

In all three education systems, they like to be evaluated for their classroom practices with qualitative methodologies, such as classroom peer observation and constructive feedback, rather than using outcome-based methods and metrics based on external standardized tests.

"It is not true that teachers do not want to be evaluated, as is often said from outside the school world. What teachers do not want is to be evaluated with tools that are only based on the results of their students and that, therefore, do not perceive the complexity of their work," says Antoni Verger.

In this sense, qualitative methods are seen by the study participants as more constructive and less stressful, since they provide a more complete view of educational practice and promote continuous improvement through collective feedback and professional reflection.

"This type of evaluation also enhances collegiality and teamwork, important factors for teacher satisfaction and well-being," the UOC researcher emphasizes.

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3. Collective incentives at school level

Another common element among the participants in the study is the rejection of management practices that encourage competitiveness among teachers, rigid hierarchies and pressure for results.

These practices, which are often associated with public management models inspired by organizational measures typical of the private sector, such as new public management (NPM), can generate tensions and discontent, as they erode trust and collaboration among colleagues, key aspects for creating a good working environment.

In contrast to this competitiveness among colleagues, a common preference in the different contexts studied are collective incentives, implemented at the school level (and not individually), which could foster a more motivated, cooperative and cohesive work environment.

"It is understood that this could have a positive impact on teacher well-being and overall school performance," explains Gerard Ferrer Esteban.

4. Clear objectives and effective communication

Another common preference is to have clear and well-communicated objectives. According to the researchers, when educational objectives are well defined and shared, teachers work more confidently and the stress associated with uncertainty or lack of direction is reduced.

"These objectives, combined with proper evaluation and effective communication, help to create a structured and motivating work environment, which improves teachers' professional experience," stresses Gerard Ferrer Esteban.

An innovative methodology to avoid bias

To reach these results, the researchers asked study participants to choose between pairs of schools, which differed in five characteristics related to different work dimensions: school composition, educational quality assessment, goal-setting, relationships, and outcome-based financial incentives.

"These are aspects that have been directly or indirectly altered by contemporary educational reforms," the authors explain.

According to the researchers, this is an innovative approach in the field of social sciences that helps to overcome the limitations of surveys with direct questions, since it allows for an unbiased estimate of the importance given by teachers to different job dimensions.

Specifically, they are experiments that serve to mitigate potential social desirability bias, i.e., when answering in the way that is believed to be socially desirable, rather than according to actual beliefs.

"This bias may appear when teachers are asked about productivity-based financial incentives and other instruments that are controversial and often considered politically charged," concludes Gerard Ferrer Esteban.

Ensuring that teachers are motivated and fully committed to their work is crucial for their well-being, but also for the educational success of their students.

More information: Antonina Levatino et al, Unveiling teachers' work preferences: A conjoint experiment on the implications of school governance reform across three countries, Teaching and Teacher Education (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2024.104631
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Claus Lammerzahl, Professor of Gravitational Physics at the University of Bremen, and Dr. Sebastian Ulbricht, scientist at the Natural Metrology Institute, have proposed in a new article that gravity could be the basis for the quantum-physical realization of quantities.

The article was published in Physical Review Letters and focuses on metrology, the science of measurement. In 2019, this field experienced a revolution: Units such as the kilo, the meter, and the second were redefined on the basis of quantum physics.

Previously, they had often been determined by comparison with natural phenomena or specific objects. For example, the reference for the kilogram was the "original kilogram," a metal cylinder kept in a safe in Paris.

Today, units are defined on the basis of fundamental constants. To realize a unit such as the kilogram, that is, to construct it so that it can be used in everyday life, it must be traced back to these fundamental constants.

This can be done, for example, with a special scale called a Kibble scale. This connects mass with electrical quantities. It measures the mechanical power and thus also the weight of an object, and balances this with an electrical power. The resulting electrical voltage and the electrical current can then be determined using quantum effects, the quantum Hall and the Josephson effect, and thus traced back to the basic electrical quantities of quantum physics.

"Units such as the kilogram are thus traceable to electrical units," explains Lammerzahl. "But it would also be possible to realize them in terms of gravity. After all, a gravitational field is to masses what an electromagnetic field is to charges."

Electromagnetism and gravity have interesting parallels: Both are described by fields that mediate certain fundamental interactions in nature. In their new publication, Lammerzahl and Ulbricht therefore introduce a gravitational Josephson and a gravitational quantum Hall effect.

"We were able to transfer the auxiliary effects of metrology, which previously only applied to electromagnetic fields, to gravitational fields," explains Lammerzahl. The work of Lammerzahl and Ulbricht could thus serve as a basis for realizing mechanical units such as the kilo on the basis of gravitational force.
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Credit: Molecular Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.033

Researchers at the University of Wurzburg have discovered a process that breaks down mRNA molecules in the human body particularly efficiently. This could be useful, for example, in the treatment of cancer. The study is published in Molecular Cell.

They are like the architects of our body: messenger ribonucleic acids, or mRNA for short. They contain detailed blueprints for proteins, which are read and translated by their colleagues, the ribosomes. We could not survive without the proteins in our bodiesthey control cell division, provide a strong immune system and make our cells resistant to external attack.

As in real construction, some blueprints at the cellular level require additional instructionsfor example, if a protein needs to be produced particularly quickly or if the blueprint is faulty. In our body, this role is played by so-called RNA modifications, small chemical changes that act like additional comments attached to individual components of the mRNA.

Researchers at the University of Wurzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, have now focused on a specific modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A). "m6A is interesting for science because this modification is often altered in people who suffer from metabolic disorders, cancer or heart disease," explains bioinformatician Kathi Zarnack.

"Its function: When m6A is attached to an mRNA, it triggers the degradation of the mRNA as soon as the first proteins have been produced according to the blueprint it contains. This is particularly important for proteins, of which too many must not be produced as this would be harmful to the cell."

The Wurzburg researchers were the first to discover and observe this degradation process: It couples the degradation of an mRNA directly to the proteins produced and is significantly faster and more efficient than previously known mechanisms for mRNA degradation.

Crucially, this particular pathway only works when m6A is present in specific regions of the mRNA. In this way, m6A particularly "comments" on the blueprints for proteins involved in cell differentiationthat is, whether a cell will exist as a nerve cell, muscle cell, skin cell or some other form.

Drugs that control the addition of m6A to mRNA could take advantage of this process. By specifically suppressing m6A, it would be possible to produce more proteins with desirable functionsand, conversely, to inhibit the production of undesirable proteins.

The problem is that until now, it has been difficult for scientists to predict the effects of such drugs because it was not known in which regions of the mRNA the m6A modification had to be located in order to trigger degradation.

"With our study, we are now contributing to a better understanding and more precise prediction of which mRNAs are particularly sensitive to these drugs," says biochemist and RNA biologist Julian Konig, Zarnack's colleague.

In the future, the researchers plan to investigate in more detail how m6A-marked mRNA is degraded, for example, how ribosomes recognize the modification, and how targeted mRNA degradation by m6A can be used clinically.

More information: You Zhou et al, m6A sites in the coding region trigger translation-dependent mRNA decay, Molecular Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.033 Journal information: Molecular Cell
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

New research from the University of Wollongong (UOW) has provided a scaffold for how tertiary students could be better supported to complete mandatory professional placements during their degree.

Greater access to scholarships, grants to undertake placements, subsidized transport and parking, and more flexibility for students who are juggling family responsibilities are among the raft of strategies put forward by hundreds of students from across Australia and New Zealand.

Drawing on the responses of more than 550 students from the medicine, health and education-related fields, the study, published in the Australian Health Review, revealed that most students who undertake unpaid placements faced "placement poverty," which refers to the financial burden experienced due to compulsory training.

Led by Dr. Kelly Lambert, from UOW's School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, this was the first time that researchers had sought to quantify the impact of placement on student well-being in the post-COVID landscape, and to examine the differences between the health and education professions.

In many disciplines, placement is a mandatory component of student learning and is required to demonstrate professional competency before entering the workplace. Unpaid placement hours vary between fields, from 420 hours for postgraduate teaching, 700 hours for physiotherapy, 1,000 hours minimum in occupational therapy and psychology, and more than 2300 hours in medicine.

Dr. Lambert said the urgency of the issue was exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis.

"The study highlights that all students need support. There is a societal perspective that only nursing and teaching students are required to undertake placements, but it is much broader than that, particularly in the health professions," Dr. Lambert said.

"We heard stories of students working 50 hours a week to save for their placements, on top of a full study load. Or students juggling full-time jobs on top of the full-time job of a placement.

"Burnout is very real and it has implications for the workforce. The known financial strain of professional placement may discourage students from entering these vital professions."

One medical student told the researchers that the burden of unpaid placements was too much on top of high study loads and personal responsibilities.

"Medicine is a full-time gig and l am a high-achieving student. But instead of my afternoons being a time of study, they are filled with work to try and make ends meet."

More than 70% of students surveyed for the study experienced food insecurity during their placements, while just under 50% had to rely on financial support from either the government or family members. This was the first time that researchers have looked at food insecurity through the prism of placement poverty.

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As part of the study, the students suggested a number of strategies to alleviate the impact of poverty placement, which provided an insight into the issues that are important to students and how they can be supported to complete their degrees.

These included part-time placement options, flexibility for those with children, financial counseling, greater support for rural placements, access to emergency funds, subsidized parking for hospital placements, subsidized uniforms, financial counseling, discounted accommodation, access to bulk-billed medical care and counseling, and tools to recognize and manage burnout.

The proposed strategies outlined the practical, financial, academic, and well-being steps that could be taken to improve graduate outcomes and ensure that students do not begin their careers in these fields on the back foot.

A greater number of scholarships would also improve outcomes, with the study finding that only 10% of health students, and 4.5% of teaching students received a scholarship to help with the costs of placement.

The study revealed that students' placement preferencesthe location where they are sent to undertake their placementwere largely, at 63.8%, determined by cost rather than learning opportunity. Yet close to 60% of the students said they were not given the chance to choose the location of the placement, and whether they could afford it.

Earlier this year, the Australian Government announced the introduction of the Commonwealth Prac Payment as part of its 2024 Budget. It will be available for nursing, teaching, midwifery, and social work students and will come into effect from July 2025.

The payment is in line with the reforms to higher education proposed in the Australian Universities Accord, which aims to improve equity and accessibility for all students.

Dr. Anne McMahon, Senior Lecturer in UOW's School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences and co-author of the study, said the financial burden of unpaid, mandatory placement was a driving force of inequity among students, and, if not addressed, would ultimately lead to a lack of diversity in the health and teaching professions.

"The fundamental diversity in our society will not be reflected in our professional groups in every discipline that requires placements as they cannot force their way through without an insane amount of personal and well-being cost," Dr. McMahon said.

"Our research showed that single parents, students with children, people living with a disability or from a lower socioeconomic background are less likely to begin and finish degrees that require mandatory professional placements."

Dr. Lambert said more must be done to attract students to health and education, professions that underpin society.

"Health and teaching are crying out for graduates, so why do we not reduce the financial and emotional burden of poverty placement in these disciplines?"

More information: Kelly Lambert et al, Placement poverty has major implications for the future health and education workforce: a cross-sectional survey, Australian Health Review (2024). DOI: 10.1071/AH24233
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Credit: Monstera Production from Pexels

In a new study, around half of the high school and university students from seven European countries are concerned about the use of plagiarism detection software in education. Their concerns lead to counterproductive behavior and misdirected learning, according to the researchers behind the study.

The research, led by the University of Copenhagen's Department of Food and Resource Economics sought to develop a better empirical understanding of text-matching software (TMS) worries among students in Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia.

The study is published in the International Journal for Educational Integrity.

Asked about how they felt about their institutions' use of plagiarism software, 47% of high school students and 55% of undergraduate participants in the study expressed concerns about being monitored. Their concerns extend beyond the fear of getting caught cheating.

According to postdoctoral researcher Mads Goddiksen, lead author of the study, these concerns stem largely from uncertainty about how the software is used and what counts as cheating.

"It's paradoxical that a technology intended to ensure academic integrity is causing unnecessary worries among students. Our research clearly shows that uncertainty about how the software operates, how it's used, and what constitutes plagiarism leads to worries and counterproductive writing practices," says the researcher.

Writing to outsmart the software, not to learn

In interviews, students described how they avoid reusing sources from previous assignments or unnecessarily rewrite texts to "outsmart" the softwarea development against which Mads Goddiksen warns.

"The biggest issue isn't the worry itself, but that students lose focus on writing well and ethically. Instead, it becomes about avoiding the software flagging something as problematic. This affects the quality of both their assignments and overall education," he explains.

Goddiksen emphasizes that plagiarism detection software cannot independently determine whether plagiarism has occurredit merely highlights text overlaps. Understanding this distinction is crucial.

"There's nothing inherently wrong with paraphrasing or reproducing content from other sources in an assignmentthis is largely what academic writing involves, as long as it's done transparently. However, today, such practices may pop up in plagiarism checks because the software identifies similarities in phrases and formulations. This makes students nervous and renders the software ineffective if used on its own," Goddiksen explains.

However, many students in the study mistakenly believe that the software alone determines what counts as plagiarism, even though this is not the case. This misunderstanding makes the students change their writing behavior to adapt to the perceived control. For example, one Danish undergraduate stated, "I am really afraid to gamble with these things. So I make a lot of footnotes, roughly 8090 in a 12-page assignment. I have not had any critique yet, but I don't think it is what you are actually supposed to do."

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Clearer guidelines and consistent practice

The researchers stress that the solution isn't to abolish plagiarism detection software, but to use it correctly.

"The technology can be a helpful tool for identifying potential issues, but it requires institutions to communicate clearly about it and ensure that instructors and students understand the software's limitations," explains Goddiksen.

The study recommends more instruction on academic writing and proper citation practices for students. Educational institutions and instructors also have a responsibility to clarify what they consider plagiarism.

"We propose a combination of instruction and clearer procedures for how to use the software. Educators need to step in and explain where the boundaries for plagiarism are for specific assignments and how they use the software. This won't just alleviate concerns but serve to ensure that the technology supports learning rather than hindering it," says Associate Professor Mikkel Willum Johansen from the Department of Science Education, a co-author of the study.

Today, numerous companies offer tools that can not only identify textual overlaps, but also determine whether texts may have been generated by artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT). This new form of monitoring presents challenges for educational institutions as well.

"The problem is that these systems can only suggest whether something appears to be generated by AI but they cannot say so with certainty. Unlike plagiarism detection software, they lack an original text for comparison. For this reason, AI-detection systems are highly unreliable. This underscores the importance of institutions having clear procedures and a consensus on how to use the technology, so that we avoid penalizing students unfairly," concludes Mikkel Willum Johansen.

The study is based on 3,424 survey responses and 36 interviews conducted in Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia.

More information: Mads Paludan Goddiksen et al, The dark side of text-matching software: worries and counterproductive behaviour among European upper secondary school and bachelor students, International Journal for Educational Integrity (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s40979-024-00162-7
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Artists visualization of Cahokia. Credit: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, painting by William R. Iseminger

In a new report, scientists with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey describe how increased flooding, erosion and other effects of human-induced climate change are degrading many of the state's cultural sites. ISAS research archaeologist Andrew White, a co-author of the report, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about the scope of the problem.

In "An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage in Illinois," you and your colleagues describe climate-related harms to cultural sites across the state.

What are the worst climate-related forces endangering Illinois cultural sites?

Our report focuses on what we think are three major threats to cultural sites in Illinois: flooding, erosion and development. All three have been damaging or destroying cultural sites in our state for more than a century. Climate change will likely amplify the effects of all of them, perhaps significantly.

Our climate scientists tell us to expect more intensive rainfall events and more extreme heat in the coming century. Intense rainfall events will likely overwhelm natural and artificial drainage systems, damaging cultural sites by generating more surface runoff, eroding riverbanks and flooding rural and urban areas.

Extreme heat will lead to drought and crop failures, increasing the vulnerability of agricultural fields to erosion that can damage the fragile archaeological sites that lie just below the surface.

Development will also have a major impact. Despite an increase in climate-related events that we expect here, Illinois will likely remain more hospitable than many other parts of the country. After all, our risk from things like wildfires, sea level rise and hurricanes is low to zero.

Climate-related migration will likely lead to population increases in our towns and cities. Even moderate population growth will cause developed areas to expand by perhaps 12 million acres, destroying thousands of archaeological sites that exist now in agricultural fields and natural areas. Increasing population will also encourage the redevelopment of the core areas of cities, potentially threatening historic structures and neighborhoods.

What is the value of these cultural sites?

Cultural sites are valuable to different people for different reasons. For archaeologists, cultural sites preserve material evidence that teaches us about the past. These sites and the materials that we find there help us tell the stories of people, events and cultures that are not written down anywhere.

To others, cultural sites are places integral to their identity, connecting them to past generations in personal and profound ways. Destruction of a cultural site, whether by a sudden flood, the planned construction of a strip mall, or a gradual process like erosion, erases both what we can learn and what we can feel from that place.

How much is known about what the extent of the damage will be?

We can't say exactly what will happen in any given site or region, but we can make some reasonable predictions about how things are likely to play out over the long term.

To do that, we've combined what we know about the cultural sites that exist in Illinois with both climate projections and information about flooding, erosion and development. We project that increasingly severe flooding will damage thousands of historic buildings and historic districts and intensify erosion along streams and rivers, which were prime locations for people to live in the past just as they are today.

Illinois is an agricultural state, and soil erosion threatens most of the 70,000 cultural sites that we know about, as well as many more we have yet to discover. And we project that even a modest population increase of 1% per year will affect more than 50,000 sites. In many cases, the sites will be completely lost.

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Which Illinois sites are most affected so far?

It's easy to see the damage to sites that are the most visible. Earthen mounds, like Monks Mound at Cahokia, are extremely vulnerable to erosion associated with intense rainfall. Flooding damage is also highly visible. Many historic structures and historic districts are in areas that are inundated more frequently.

The Farnsworth House in Plano, for example, is a well-known historic house that was purposely built along the Fox River. Frequent floods are making the structure more difficult to maintain and insure. Saving this historic landmark is likely to be costly.

Although the visible damage is significant, the damage that we can't see is likely much worse. The erosion of agricultural fields is a slow process that erases archaeological sites gradually each year a bit more topsoil is washed away, and the plow cuts a little bit deeper. Development gobbles up farmland before we have a chance to even recognize the sites that are there, let alone learn anything about them.

You mention changes to Monks Mound at the historic site of Cahokia. What does it look like today? What is being lost or is in danger of being lost?

Monks Mound is a great example of how even known, protected sites may be vulnerable to climate change. The mound is the largest earthwork in the Western Hemisphere and is a focal point of the ancient city we call Cahokia, located across the Mississippi River from what is now St. Louis.

Although the mound is protected within a state historic site, it is vulnerable to slumping and erosion caused by excessive rainfall. Built more than 900 years ago, the shape of the mound has changed significantly over the last few decades as portions of the original surface have slumped after heavy rains. This sort of damage is likely to continue and worsen if episodes of intense rainfall increase.

Cahokia is a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is important to both Indigenous communities and scientists for its connection to the Mississippian peoples that built it and lived there a thousand years ago. Losing Monks Mound to climate change would be a major tragedy.

Do you expect these trends to continue or worsen?

Climate change is likely to intensify the negative effects of flooding, erosion and developmentand things are likely to get worse. The amount of destructive change we expect to see also largely depends on the amount of global warming we experience in the coming decades. A warmer planet means stronger storms, more flooding, more intense heat and more displacement of people living in some parts of the country.

We estimate that there were perhaps a million or more cultural sites in Illinois in the early 1800s. A good percentage of those, maybe 12%, has already been lost to development and other factors. It's possible we could lose another 1012% over the next 100 years, which would nearly double the rate of site destruction. Many of the sites that are not destroyed will be seriously degraded.

That's a tremendous amount of information and cultural value that is in danger of being lost. Most cultural sites are fragile and unprotected, and those that we have not discovered far outnumber those we have. Once a site or historic structure is destroyed, it is gone forever.

Are there interventions that can help mitigate these problems?

Identifying the issues and the scope of the problem is just a first step. Having some working hypothesis about the impacts that we can expect makes it possible to start planning. And while this is a pressing issue, the gradual "slow onset" nature of many of the threats means that we do have some time to plan and act to lessen the effects.

To plan effectively, we'll need to know more about how the three main threats will unfold and affect particular areas or sites. That means we will need more information about erosion rates, flooding potential and areas likely to be targeted for new development.

We also will need to know more about the cultural sites that are in harm's way in areas of the highest potential impact. We can't save a site if we don't know it exists, so we should prioritize survey and site-identification activities in areas most likely to have cultural sites that are also at most risk of climate-related damage.

Even our best efforts will not save every cultural site. Effective collaboration among archaeologists, Indigenous communities, city and state agencies, preservation organizations and interested members of the public could go a long way toward slowing the destruction of our cultural heritage and leaving meaningful places for future generations to manage, enjoy, learn from and be inspired by. That is a worthwhile goal.

More information: Aiuvalasit, Michael J et al, An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage in Illinois. hdl.handle.net/2142/125136
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At least a third of the territory's 320,000 residents live in shantytowns, where homes with sheet-metal roofs were flattened by the storm.

Rescuers raced against time Monday to reach survivors after a devastating cyclone ripped through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, destroying homes across the islands, with hundreds feared dead.

Images from Mayotte, which like other French overseas territories is an integral part of France and ruled from Paris, showed scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to piles of rubble.

The crisis, which erupted at the weekend the day after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Francois Bayrou as the sixth prime minister of his mandate, poses a major challenge for a government still only operating in a caretaker capacity.

The cyclone has left health services in tatters, with the hospital extremely damaged and health centers knocked out of operation, Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq told France 2.

"The hospital has suffered major water damage and destruction, notably in the surgical, intensive care, maternity and emergency units," she said, adding that "medical centers were also non-operational".

Macron was due to chair a crisis meeting in Paris at 1700 GMT, the Elysee said.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, whose super ministry is responsible for Mayotte, arrived on the island.

'Spared nothing'

Cyclone Chido caused major damage to Mayotte's airport and cut off electricity, water and communication links when it barrelled down on France's poorest territory on Saturday.

The scenes of devastation were unimaginable.

Asked about the eventual death toll, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the top Paris-appointed official on the territory, told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere "I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand".

With roads closed, officials fear that many could still be trapped under rubble in the inaccessible areas.

The mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, told AFP the storm "spared nothing".

"The hospital is hit, the schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated," he said.

Some 160 additional soldiers and firefighters to reinforce the 110 already deployed.

The nearby French island of La Reunion was serving as a hub for the rescue operations.

'Apocalyptic scenes'

Chido was packing winds of at least 226 kilometers (140 miles) per hour when it slammed into Mayotte, which lies to the east of Mozambique.

At least a third of the territory's 320,000 residents live in shantytowns, where homes with sheet-metal roofs were flattened by the storm.

The scenes were apocalyptic.

One resident, Ibrahim, told AFP of "apocalyptic scenes" as he made his way through the main island, having to clear blocked roads himself.

As authorities assessed the scale of the disaster, a first aid plane reached Mayotte on Sunday.

It carried three tons of medical supplies, blood for transfusions and 17 medical staff, according to authorities in La Reunion.

Patrice Latron, prefect of Reunion, said residents of Mayotte were facing "an extremely chaotic situation, immense destruction".

Two military aircraft are expected to follow the initial aid flight, while a navy patrol ship was also due to depart La Reunion.

'Until last minute'

There have been international pledges to help Mayotte, including from the regional Red Cross organization PIROI.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is "ready to provide support in the days to come".

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the WHO "stands ready to support communities in need of essential health care".

Cyclone Chido caused major damage to Mayotte.

With around 100,000 people estimated to live clandestinely on Mayotte, according to France's interior ministry, establishing how many people have been affected by the cyclone is proving difficult.

Ousseni Balahachi, a former nurse, said some people did not dare venture out to seek assistance, "fearing it would be a trap" designed to remove them from Mayotte.

Many had stayed put "until the last minute" when it proved too late to escape the cyclone, she added.

Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide fueled by climate change, according to experts.

The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of the Meteo France weather service told AFP.

Chido blasted across the Indian Ocean and made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, where officials said the death toll stood at three.

The UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, warned 1.7 million people were in danger and the remnants of the cyclone could also dump "significant rainfall" on Malawi through Monday.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new retail crime study has revealed escalating challenges for the retail sector, with shoplifting, employee theft, fraud and customer aggression rising to record levels.

The 2024 ANZ Retail Crime Study by Griffith University's Professor Michael Townsley found almost 2% of turnover was lost in the 2024 financial year, costing $7.79 billion in Australia alone.

Customer theft, dominated by concealment and opportunistic strategies, remained the largest driver of external losses, however employee theft cost millions annually, with insider knowledge amplifying its impact.

Professor Townsley said it was alarming to see all facets of retail crime increasing with such speed.

"Before COVID, crime was slowly rising, but when a lot of shops closed due to lockdowns, we saw a bit of a pause and crime went down," he said.

"Since then, it just got picked up again, and with added cost-of-living pressures, police-recorded instances of shoplifting and employee abuse have gone through the roof."

Shockingly, Professor Townsley said there had been an increasing trend among small businesses to buy stolen goods.

"Financial pressures affect all strata of society, and with more demand for cheap food, small businesses are trying to meet their customers' demands," he said.

"When cafes and restaurants are doing it tough and their cost of goods has doubled but they're unable to double their own prices, they're beginning to contemplate things they previously wouldn't have thought about."

With spending having moved largely online in recent years, retail fraud has been becoming more prevalent, with more sophisticated schemes evolving as retailers try to stay ahead of the wave.

Online fraud tactics range from using stolen credit cards to purchase goods, through to claiming packages weren't delivered (when they in fact were) in order to gain additional products or a refund, therefore getting the item for free.

"Online shopping has really grown, and largely its adoption was accelerated due to COVID," Professor Townsley said.

"Many retailers had to roll things out faster than they probably planned to, which left some vulnerabilities for a lot of merchants.

"Particularly during peak times, such as Christmas or Black Friday, retailers have a far higher volume going through their systems, and fraudsters will tend to play on that.

"Fraudsters might, for example, create a sense of urgency saying things such as "Christmas is in three days' time and my little boy is really looking forward to this trampoline' and retailers, who are ultimately trying to help people and delight their customers, will send another item."

Some aspects of online fraud can also be perpetrated from overseas, which makes it incredibly difficult for retailers to combat or for law enforcement to track.

Focus has therefore moved to ways of prevention, with many retailers pushing loyalty programs or creating their own apps, which often incorporate a range of tracking measures and identification points, plus legislative measures and industry-led initiatives to foster safer retail environments.
Chinese officers and soldiers wave goodbye at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A new fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy set sail from a military port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province on Sunday to take over an escort mission from the previous fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.

The 47th navy fleet comprises a guided-missile destroyer, a missile frigate and a supply vessel. It carries over 700 officers and soldiers, with two helicopters and more than 10 special force members on board.

Prior to the departure, the fleet conducted trainings focused primarily on the armed rescue of hijacked merchant ships, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy, as well as on the practical use of weapons.
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This Jan. 2, 2010 image made available by NASA shows the planet Saturn, as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute via AP

New research suggests that Saturn's rings may be older than they lookpossibly as old as the planet.

Instead of being a youthful 400 million years old as commonly thought, the icy, shimmering rings could be around 4.5 billion years old just like Saturn, a Japanese-led team reported Monday.

The scientists surmise Saturn's rings may be pristine not because they are young but because they are dirt-resistant.

Saturn's rings are long thought to be between 100 million and 400 million years old based on more than a decade of observations by NASA's Cassini spacecraft before its demise in 2017.

Images by Cassini showed no evidence of any darkening of the rings by impacting micrometeoroidsspace rock particles smaller than a grain of sandprompting scientists to conclude the rings formed long after the planet.

Through computer modeling, the Institute of Science Tokyo's Ryuki Hyodo and his team demonstrated that micrometeoroids vaporize once slamming into the rings, with little if any dark and dirty residue left behind. They found that the resulting charged particles get sucked toward Saturn or out into space, keeping the rings spotless and challenging the baby rings theory. Their results appear in the journal Nature Geoscience.

This April 25, 2007 image made available by NASA shows a part of the rings of the planet Saturn, as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute via AP

This July 6, 2017 image made available by NASA shows the planet Saturn on the sunlit side of the rings from a distance of about 47,000 miles (76,000 kilometers), as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute via AP

This Aug. 22, 2009 image made available by NASA shows a section of Saturn's rings, as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute via AP

Hyodo said it's possible Saturn's rings could be somewhere between the two extreme agesaround the halfway mark of 2.25 billion years old. But the solar system was much more chaotic during its formative years with large planetary-type objects migrating and interacting all over the place, just the sort of scenario that would be conducive to producing Saturn's rings.

"Considering the solar system's evolutionary history, it's more likely that the rings formed closer to" Saturn's earliest times, he said in an email.

More information: Ryuki Hyodo et al, Pollution resistance of Saturn's ring particles during micrometeoroid impact, Nature Geoscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-024-01598-9 Journal information: Nature Geoscience

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Researchers demonstrate excited state dynamics of BFDBM derivatives using structural spectroscopic analysis and computational modeling. Credit: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c10277

Excited state dynamics are essential for understanding fluorescence properties in molecules, impacting their application in technologies. Research at Shinshu University explores how molecular structure and geometry influence light emission in aggregation-induced emission molecules.

The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, reveals that changes in molecular shape affect emission behavior in both solution and solid states. These insights are crucial for advancing applications like organic light-emitting diodes and bioimaging, enabling innovations in material design and energy interactions.

Light emission from molecules, particularly fluorescence, has fascinated scientists for over a century, revolutionizing areas like imaging, sensing, and display technologies.

Recent advancements have brought attention to aggregation-induced emission (AIE)a unique phenomenon where molecules emit light more efficiently when in a solid or aggregated state. Studying the reaction dynamics underlying this phenomenon is thus, important for understanding the molecular structural changes.

Now, in a recent study, researchers from Japan explored -substituted dibenzoylmethanatoboron difluoride (BF 2 DBM) complexes to unravel how molecular geometry and restricted excited state dynamics influence AIE.

"AIE phenomenon has only been explained by theoretical quantum chemical calculations up till now. However, in our study, we explained this phenomenon by two spectroscopies for the first time," says lead author Yushi Fujimoto, a doctoral student at the Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Japan. The study was conducted in collaboration with Osaka University and Aoyama Gakuin University.

AIE is a fascinating phenomenon that challenges the conventional quenching behavior seen in many materials. Most of the time, molecules tend to lose their luminescence when aggregated due to quenching effects.

Certain molecules that exhibit the AIE phenomena tend to emit light instead of dimming under restricted conditions. This happens because, in solid form, the molecules cannot move freely. These restrictions help them emit light rather than lose energy in other ways.

This behavior is explained by the restricted access to conical intersection (RACI) model, which describes how structural changes in a molecule can control its ability to emit light. The researchers demonstrated this effect in synthesized molecules of BF 2 DBM derivatives, namely 2aBF 2 and 2amBF 2 , which were -methyl-substituted derivatives.

"We analyzed the AIE effects of the molecules in solids and solutions using advanced techniques like steady-state UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and time-resolved visible and infrared spectroscopy to observe the molecule's light emission behavior over time," explains Prof. Hiroshi Miyasaka, a well-known researcher from Osaka University.

The first molecule, 2aBF 2 , exhibited strong fluorescence in both solution and solid states, while the second molecule, 2amBF 2 , displayed weaker fluorescence in solution but showed much brighter emission in solid form.

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Co-author Prof. Akira Sakamoto from Aoyama Gakuin University clarifies this by saying, "Spectroscopy is a letter sent from molecules. Here, the molecular shape played a crucial role, with 2amBF 2 adopting a bent configuration in solution, causing energy loss through non-radiative processes, leading to weaker fluorescence.

"In solid form, the bending was restricted, forcing the molecule to maintain a stable structure that emitted light."

The study also reveals that rapid changes were observed within a short time frame. In solutions, the 2amBF 2 molecules underwent shape changes within a few trillionths of a second. These quick transitions to bent shapes facilitated energy loss and suppressed fluorescence.

These findings have significant implications for the future development of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and bioimaging technologies. As co-author, Prof. Fuyuki Ito points out, "The exploration of excited state dynamics is crucial for enhancing the properties of luminescent materials, which can lead to advancements in OLED applications and bioimaging."

This insight emphasizes how understanding the molecular behavior in excited states can improve the performance and efficiency of these cutting-edge technologies. By leveraging advanced spectroscopy and computational tools, the work sheds new light on how molecules interact with energy, deepening our understanding of fluorescence and its practical applications.

More information: Yushi Fujimoto et al, Excited State Dynamics of Geometrical Evolution of -Substituted Dibenzoylmethanatoboron Difluoride Complex with Aggregation-Induced Emission Property, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c10277 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society
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Island Ring Rd in Nauru. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The A$140 million aid agreement between Australia and Nauru signed last week is a prime example of the geopolitical tightrope vulnerable Pacific nations are walking in the 21st century.

The deal provides Nauru with direct budgetary support, stable banking services, and policing and security resources. In return, Australia will have the right to veto any pact Nauru might make with other countriesnamely China.

The veto terms are similar to the "Falepili Union" between Australia and Tuvalu signed late last year, which granted Tuvaluans access to Australian residency and climate mitigation support, in exchange for security guarantees.

And just last week, more details emerged about a defense deal between the United States and Papua New Guinea, now revealed to be worth US$864 million. In exchange for investment in military infrastructure development, training and equipment, the US gains unrestricted access to six ports and airports.

Also last week, PNG signed a ten-year, A$600 million deal to fund its own team in Australia's NRL competition. In return, "PNG will not sign a security deal that could allow Chinese police or military forces to be based in the pacific nation."

These arrangements are all emblematic of the geopolitical tussle playing out in the Pacific between China and the US and its allies.

This strategic competition is often framed in mainstream media and political commentary as an extension of "the great game" played by rival powers. From a traditional security perspective, Pacific nations can be depicted as seeking advantage to leverage their own development priorities.

But this assumption that Pacific governments are "diplomatic price setters," able to play China and the US off against each other, overlooks the very real power imbalances involved.

The risk, as the authors of one recent study argued, is that the "China threat" narrative becomes the justification for "greater Western militarisation and economic dominance." In other words, Pacific nations become diplomatic price takers.

Defense diplomacy

Pacific nations are vulnerable on several fronts: most have a low economic base and many are facing a debt crisis. At the same time, they are on the front line of climate change and rising sea levels.

The costs of recovering from more frequent extreme weather events create a vicious cycle of more debt and greater vulnerability. As was reported at this year's United Nations COP29 summit, climate financing in the Pacific is mostly in the form of concessional loans.

The Pacific is already one of the world's most aid-reliant regions. But considerable doubt has been expressed about the effectiveness of that aid when recipient countries still struggle to meet development goals.

At the country level, government systems often lack the capacity to manage increasing aid packages, and struggle with the diplomatic engagement and other obligations demanded by the new geopolitical conditions.

In August, Kiribati even closed its borders to diplomats until 2025 to allow the new government "breathing space" to attend to domestic affairs.

In the past, Australia championed governance and institutional support as part of its financial aid. But a lot of development assistance is now skewed towards policing and defense.

Australia recently committed A$400 million to the Pacific Policing Initiative, on top of a host of other security-related initiatives. This is all part of an overall rise in so-called "defense diplomacy," leading some observers to criticize the politicization of aid at the expense of the Pacific's most vulnerable people.

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Lack of good faith

At the same time, many political parties in Pacific nations operate quite informally and lack comprehensive policy manifestos. Most governments lack a parliamentary subcommittee that scrutinizes foreign policy.

The upshot is that foreign policy and security arrangements can be driven by personalities rather than policy priorities, with little scrutiny. Pacific nations are also susceptible to corruption, as highlighted in Transparency International's 2024 Annual Corruption Report.

Writing about the consequences of the geopolitical rivalry in the Solomon Islands, Transparency Solomon Islands Executive Director Ruth Liloqula wrote: "Since 2019, my country has become a hotbed for diplomatic tensions and foreign interference, and undue influence."

Similarly, Pacific affairs expert Steven Ratuva has argued the AustraliaTuvalu agreement was one-sided and showed a "lack of good faith."

Behind these developments, of course, lies the evolving AUKUS security pact between Australia, the US and United Kingdom, a response to growing Chinese presence and influence in the "Indo-Pacific" region.

The response from Pacific nations has been diplomatic, perhaps from a sense that they cannot "rock the submarine" too much, given their ties to the big powers involved. But former Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Meg Taylor has warned:

"Pacific leaders were being sidelined in major geopolitical decisions affecting their region and they need to start raising their voices for the sake of their citizens."

,

While there are obvious advantages that come with strategic alliances, the tangible impacts for Pacific nations remain negligible. As the UN's Asia and the Pacific progress report on sustainable development goals states, not a single goal is on track to be achieved by 2030.

Unless these partnerships are grounded in good faith and genuine sustainable development, the grassroots consequences of geopolitics-as-usual will not change.

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Credit: Shodo Mtow

Researchers at Meijo University and University of Tsukuba collected and taxonomically re-examined numerous enigmatic jumping bristletails. These were first reported 75 years ago. The team observed extreme specialization in the external genitalia of the males and discovered that this species belongs to a unique group, potentially representing a primitive state leading to "copulation" during evolutionary development. The study is published in Zootaxa.

Insects account for 75% of all animal species, making them the most diverse animal group. Of these, 99% belong to Pterygota, which have acquired wings, while the remaining 1% consist of primitive groups collectively known as Apterygota. Apterygota, which have not yet evolved wings, include Protura, Collembola, Diplura, Archaeognatha, and Zygentoma.

Jumping bristletails are a subgroup of Apterygota that are approximately 15 mm long. They feed on green algae that grow on land and inhabit damp, shaded environments such as moistened rock faces and tree bark. It is hypothesized that the ancestors of terrestrial insects initially fed on algae that advanced onto land simultaneously. Jumping bristletails retained many primitive traits, such as their morphological characteristics, providing significant insights into early insect evolution.

Approximately 75 years ago, Halomachilis kojimai (Japanese name: kojima-ishinomi) was described in Akkeshi, Hokkaido. However, the description was preliminary and inadequate and the original samples were lost. In this study, researchers collected numerous specimens of jumping bristletails identified as the same species and clarified their taxonomy.

The findings revealed that this species belongs to the genus Petrobiellus Silvestri, which is endemic to the Far East and includes only a few known species. A detailed examination confirmed that this species exhibits unique characteristics, contributing to the understanding of innovations in mating behavior essential for the evolutionary transition of insects to terrestrial life.

More information: Shodo Mtow et al, What are Halomachilis akkesiensis and Halomachilis kojimai described from Hokkaido, Japan? (Insecta: Archaeognatha: Machilidae), Zootaxa (2024). DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.3.10 Journal information: Zootaxa
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Lightning struck deep in the central Idaho mountains on July 24, 2024, igniting the Wapiti Fire that burned across 129,063 acres around Stanley, Idahoa place known for its scenic vistas and idyllic rural landscape.

Local communities evacuated, then returned home when the danger had passed. But for ranchers who graze livestock here, evacuation doesn't end when the smoke clears.

When federal land burns, livestock often cannot return to the area for two years, according to federal land use and forest management plans. Two years of lost income and the added cost of purchasing feed and repairing infrastructure can be as devastating to rural communities as the fires themselves.

I study the impacts of environmental policy on rural communities, particularly those that provide the food, fiber, timber and minerals that society relies on. Research and ranchers' experiences, including in my home state of Idaho, raise questions about whether the two-year rule, implemented decades ago, is really necessary and whether it's actually doing more harm than good,

A tour of burned landscape after the 2024 Wapiti Fire near Stanley, Idaho.

Two-year delay can tip ranchers into the red

Wildfires are burning more often and across more land in the West today than in the past with hotter, drier conditions. To make matters worse, many landscapes are threatened by invasive cheatgrass that burns easily and regrows faster after fires than native plants do.

Often, restoration efforts are focused on slowing the spread of cheatgrass. Herbicides and plant seeding are marshaled to slow the growth of cheatgrass after fires.

Buried in the multitude of federal land management plans that guide the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service's management actions is another restoration toola two-year grazing rest period after wildfires for land leased to ranchers. Some plans require a two-year break before cattle can return to the land, and some only recommend it.

That two-year rest can tip the scales for ranchers' finances into the red, forcing some to sell cattle herds that took decades to develop, lease other grazing landsoften at a financial lossor close up shop altogether.

Few question that the land must have a chance to recoverranchers' livelihoods depend on healthy rangelandbut is it necessary to wait two years and sacrifice a rural community to do it?

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Grazing after fires has pros and cons

Indigenous communities across the West used fire since time immemorial to manage these sprawling landscapes. Fire can clear underbrush and dead plant material. It can provide new growth for deer, elk and cattle to feed on.

Livestock graze on invasive grasses when native plants are dormant, which can help increase native species and reduce invasive grasses, including varieties that easily burn. Reducing invasive grasses reduces risk of future fire. Trampled plant material can increase soil moisture, a benefit to the arid soils of the West.

There is also evidence, however, that grazing after wildfires can increase soil erosion as hooves break up sensitive soils. And grazers also eat native plants that take longer to establish.

But there are caveats to some of the evidence used to underpin arguments for a two-year break.

A 2016 study documented increased soil erosion when grazing resumed two weeks after a fire. But cattle, deer and elk would not likely be on a fire scar within two weeks.

A 2019 study of post-fire impacts suggests that the steepness of the burned areas and grazing immediately following a fire can increase soil erosion, but it also acknowledges that "it is currently unknown how the impact of livestock changes over time after wildfires."

Similarly, a 2014 study found that during the first growing season after a fire, grazing that removed up to 50% of the biomass did not affect recovery. It found "no evidence  to suggest complete rest from grazing was required to conserve plant productivity." Instead, it found that recovery was more responsive to weather than grazinga factor on burned and unburned areas alike.

Not all fires are the same. They vary in burn severity, a measure of the impact to plant and soil ecology. Plants and soils respond differently to fire depending on a host of factors, from weather and topography to fire-return intervals and human interaction.

Instead of a blanket two-year rest policy, the rule could be revised to demand a tailored decision-making process that accounts for variance in fire severity, plant communities and weather. In my view, allowing strategic and intentional grazing in post-fire landscapes benefits rural communities, while removing it can sound a death knell.

Recovery, or not

Rural ranching communities in the West hold their breath every fire season.

The fires can be devastating, but so can the recovery time. Fences and barns burn. Cattle herds are sold in lieu of purchasing expensive feed, and then must be rebuilt later. Lines of credit collapse, generational ranches are sold, and rural community traditions are lost.

In Boise, residents are already looking forward to spring, when skis will be replaced with mountain bikes and hiking shoes. The foothills, where another 2024 fire burned nearly a quarter of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area, will be emerald green with invasive grasses, and thousands of deer and elk will graze through the burned area to their summer feeding grounds. No rules can stop them.

Near Stanley, where the Wapiti Fire burned, cattle ranchers are working hard to find unburned land to lease for their herds. They're making plans to rebuild fences and working with the banks to keep their operations running until they can return to their grazing allotments in two years. Research suggests that the wait doesn't always need to be so long.

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The Common Bronzewing is one of the birds that has increased beak size in response to climate change. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

For wildlife, climate change is a bit like the "final boss" the protagonist faces in a video game: big, hulking and inescapable.

This formidable enemy has forced wildlife to alter where and how they live. Higher temperatures exert so much stress on wildlife that over generations, they are forced to change and adapt.

We wanted to better understand how this pattern of change was playing out in Australian birds.

Our two pieces of recent research identified that, in response to warming, more than 100 species of Australian birds have developed smaller bodies and bigger beaks over time.

Shape-shifting wildlife

When we talk about shape-shifting, we're not talking about werewolves or Ant-Man. Rather, we are referring to body size getting smaller and appendages such as beaks, tails and limbs getting bigger.

This enables animals to shed excess heat more efficiently by providing more surface area to do sosomething engineers know when designing radiators, for instance.

Just as the hot water pipes in radiators help dissipate internal heat through the periphery, bird beaks are perforated with blood vessels that transfer heat from the body's core to the beak surface, where it is then lost to the environment.

This way, for both a radiator and a beak, increasing the surface area of the structure (while minimizing the distance the heat has to travel from the core) maximizes the heat loss.

The link between body shape and heat loss has led to the prediction that animals will change body shape over time, in response to climatic warming.

Three years ago, Deakin University researchers published a paper showing examples of such changes occurring in a handful of diverse species all across the world.

Now, we significantly expand on this with two recently published studies focusing on Australian birds. We identified decreasing body sizes and increasing beak sizes over time, in response to climatic warming. Combined, the studies include over 100 species of birds from across Australia.

What we did and what we found

Our studies used two different data sets and methods to detect shrinking and shape-shifting.

The first used an extraordinary dataset collected by community scientists of the Victorian Wader Study Group and the Australasian Wader Studies Group, who have been monitoring Australian shorebirds for nearly 50 years.

Their monitoring includes measurements such as bill length, wing length and body mass in more than 100,000 individual birds. The data allowed us to identify increasing beak sizes and decreasing body sizes in both resident and migratory species of shorebirds in northern and southern Australia.

For example, iconic migrants like red knots and sharp-tailed sandpipers have both increased beak size over the last 50 years.

The second dataset, collected by Deakin researchers, used 3D scans of museum specimens to measure the beak surface area of specimens from the past century.

Through this approach, more than 5,000 specimens were measured for beak surface area, which was supplemented by measurements of wing length.

The results showed the same pattern of bigger beaks and smaller body sizes were identified across a vast range of birds, all the way from ducks to songbirds.

For example, the chip-stealing silver gull and dazzling common bronzewing have both increased beak size over the past century.

Australia is heating up. The shape-shifting and shrinking that we see in birds indicate ways in which they may be adapting to cope with these higher temperatures.

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Short-term weather versus long-term trends

One surprising aspect, reflected in both studies, is that short-term spells of excessive heat can cause responses in bird shape that contradict the long-term trends.

While body size decreases in response to shorter-term periods of higher temperature, bill size also shrank.

Since beak sizes increase over the long-term because of climatic warming, why would they decrease in response to short-term bursts of higher temperature?

Climatic warming does not only affect the temperature birds experience, but also their environment.

In an environment with high baseline temperatures, such as Australia, periods of high temperature may mean less food. This can hamper the growth of young birds.

In this way, both body and beak size would decrease after hot temperatures due to stunted growth as food gets more scarce.

And in short-term periods of extreme temperatures, having a big beak can be a liability. Hot air from the environment will actually move into the beak, causing the bird to heat up too much, with potentially fatal consequences.

Whatever their cause, the contrasting trends between short and long-term responses to hot environments show things are complex in a changing climate.

A question of survival

It might be tempting to view shrinking and shape-shifting as proof animals are successfully adapting to climate change.

However, that would be a premature conclusion: it shows us that some species are responding, but we don't know how these changes impact their survival prospects.

Such questions are difficult to answer but form the focus of our current research.

Importantly, while both studies show bigger beaks and smaller bodies across species overall, both also show certain species are adapting more than others.

And many are not shrinking or shape-shifting at all in response to climate change.

Is that because these species don't need to adapt, or because they can't?

If the former, we can breathe a small sigh of relief. If the latter, we should be very concerned.

In the aftermath of COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference in November in Azerbaijan, discussion of how climate change impacts fauna should be high on everyone's agenda.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
China, US: Connecting through tourism

08:21, December 16, 2024 By Mingmei Li ( Chinadaily.com.cn

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 natural 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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Guwahati: On the occasion of International Human Rights Day on 10 December, over a hundred concerned citizens staged a strong protest in front of the office of assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in the prehistoric city against the ongoing inhumane persecution and oppression of Hindus and other religious minorities in the neighbouring country. Lok Jagaran Manch, organiser of the protest demonstration also submitted a strongly-worded memorandum to the interim government in Dhaka through the city-based Bangladesh diplomat.

Addressing Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of the caretaker government, the memorandum explicitly accused both Islamist fundamentalists and the Bangla government of perpetrating atrocities against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. It highlighted dissatisfaction with attacks, killings, looting, arson, and inhuman abuse of women by Islamist extremists against Hindus and other minorities there. Before submitting the memorandum, a protest meeting was held at the premises of Navagraha Kali Mandir in Silpukhuri locality, where the dire situation faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh was highlighted.

Noted intellectual Diganta Biswas Sharma criticized both Bangladesh and Pakistan for failing to ensure the safety of religious minorities, citing the Nehru-Liaquat pact. Social activist Kailash Sharma demanded the revocation of the Nobel Peace prize awarded to Yunus. Advocate Bijon Mahajan called for measures to protect oppressed Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Other prominent figures like social activists Paramesh Dutta, Simantini Barua with others strongly condemned the failure of the Bangladesh government to protect its Hindu population.

The protesters then marched through the streets of Silpukhuri and staged a protest in front of the Bangladesh's assistant High Commission office. Later a delegation led by Dhruva Prasad Baishya and others met the official and handed over the memorandum addressed to Yunus. The delegation demanded that Dhaka ensure the rights of Hindus and other minorities to live with dignity and peace, free from arbitrary interference by the government or Islamic extremists. The silence and inaction of authorities on horrific conditions faced by spiritual leaders, particularly Hindu sages and saints, as well as other religious minorities in Bangladesh were strongly criticised.

Condemning the arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das as unjust and undemocratic, the memorandum also highlighted the lack of legal protection for detained Hindus, terming it a grave injustice. It raised objections against the forced dismissal of Hindu employees from their jobs in Bangladesh, calling it shameful and inhumane. The memorandum concluded with a call for immediate action from concerned Bangla authorities to end the atrocities against Hindus and other minorities, secure the release of Chinmoy Krishna, and protect the lives, dignity, and rights of all minorities in the country. It also demanded the safeguarding of religious worship places and an end to all forms of human rights violations there.
French tourist dies by drowning off Riviera Maya beach

Akumal, Q.R.  A 56-year-old man was pronounced dead on arrival at a Tulum hospital Sunday. The man, a tourist from France, died by drowning off a Riviera Maya beach early Sunday morning.

The mans wife heard him cry for help while being dragged out to sea. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. Hotel lifeguards, along with three people from the beach, were able to reach him and return him to the sand where CPR efforts were applied while they waited for an ambulance.

The unnamed French tourist was rushed to a private hospital in Tulum alive but on consciousness. He was pronounced DOA (dead on arrival). The man was swept out to sea by the strong current and winds.

The man and his wife were guests at a Riviera Maya hotel located near the sea side town of Akumal. They had arrived to spend the holidays in the area.

The man was rushed to a private hospital in Tulum where he was pronounced DOA.

Strong winds have plagued the region for nearly a week due to unstable winter weather. The sea has often been off limits to small boats and swimmers due to the strong winds that continue to create large sea swells.
Gilberto Gomez Martinez wins Puerto Aventuras reelection as mayor

Puerto Aventuras, Q.R.  Gilberto Gomez Martinez has been reelected the Mayor of Puerto Aventuras. On Sunday, Thousands turned out for the towns election of a new mayor.

Voters stand outside after a rain to cast their ballot Sunday. Photo: December 15, 2024.

Luis Herrera Quiam, the General Secretary of the Municipality of Solidaridad, highlighted the importance of the democratic exercise. We recognize the commitment of the inhabitants of Puerto Aventuras to go to the polls and we reaffirm the support of the municipality to guarantee a transparent and safe process, he said.

People began to line up early outside the voting booths set up inside three of the towns elementary schools. There, they cast their ballot for the Mayors Office of Puerto Aventuras, corresponding to the period 2024-2027.

The Operating Commission of the Neighborhood Assembly for the Election of Members of the Mayors Office of Puerto Aventuras was chaired by Luis Herrera Quiam. Herrera Quiam was at the site to supervise the election process.

The casting of ballots was supervised by the municipal secretary. Photo: December 15, 2024.

According to statistics released at the end of the day, Gilberto Gomez Martinez, the towns first-ever mayor, won reelection. Running candidates Gabriela Isabel Moreno won a total of 392 votes, while Damaris del Carmen Ortega won 353 of the towns votes.

Votes were counted from the three ballot boxes at the end of the day. Photo: December 15, 2024.

After a count, Herrera Quiam declared Gilberto Gomez the winner. Gomez Martinez, who won with 2,818 votes, will continue his work and remain in office until 2027.
Mexico extradites two nationals wanted in U.S. court

Mexico City, Mexico  Mexico has extradited two nationals wanted in U.S. courts. The two fugitives were handed over to U.S. federal marshals Sunday for their return to the U.S.

According to the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR), both men of Mexican nationality were wanted separately for criminal association, narcotics and arms trafficking charges.

Jose L was wanted by the Federal Court for the Southern District of California for criminal association and arms trafficking. Between 2014 and 2015, Jose L headed an organization that trafficked arms and ammunition from Mexico to the United States.

Jose L was arrested in February 2020 in Mexico City and held for extradition purposes.

In a separate case, Lorenzo S was returned to the U.S. to face charges in an Illinois court for heroin trafficking. According to the FGE, Lorenzo S was a member of a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico and was in charge of directing the transportation and distribution of narcotics to the United States.

He headed the drug trafficking organization between 2015 and 2016, transporting large quantities of heroin from the state of Texas to Chicago. Lorenzo S was wanted by the Federal Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Lorenzo S was arrested in October 2022 in Cuernavaca, Morelos. The Government of Mexico subsequently granted the extradition of the defendants to the Government of the United States.

The fugitives were handed over at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to the U.S. agents designated to transport them to that country.
Several high-profile research papers have brought renewed attention to the potential collapse of a crucial system of ocean currents known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, as we discussed in part one of this two-part post. Huge uncertainties in both the timing and details of potential impacts of such a collapse remain. Even so, scientists warned in a recent open letter (see below) that such an ocean circulation change would have devastating and irreversible impacts.

The AMOC is a vast oceanic loop that carries warm water northward through the uppermost Atlantic toward Iceland and Greenland, where it cools and descends before returning southward. The Gulf Stream, which carries warm water from the tropics toward Europe, is an important section of this loop. Studies of ancient climates reveal that in the distant climate past, AMOC has gone through cycles of collapse that lasted hundreds of years. As we saw in part one, these off cycles of the AMOC brought massive environmental changes that would lead to tremendous havoc should they descend on todays complex, interconnected world.

In part one, we looked at observations from the North Atlantic that suggest a gradual weakening in AMOC strength over the last few decades, but only a marginally significant drop over the past 40 years of AMOC monitoring, including the largest near-surface component, the Gulf Stream.

By no means does this rule out the possibility of a forthcoming AMOC collapse. New research is leading to startlingly specific time frames for when the AMOC might collapse. These studies arent without controversy, as well see below. But collectively, theyve raised the profile of AMOC  and also raised fears that the initial impacts of AMOC collapse could manifest within the lifetimes of many of us.

Stefan Rahmstorf at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research is an eminent researcher whos studied AMOC and its various modes for more than 30 years. In October 2024, discussing the specter of AMOC collapse, Rahmstorf warned:

Even with a medium likelihood of occurrence, given that the outcome would be catastrophic and impacting the entire world for centuries to come, we believe more needs to be done to minimize this risk.

Hunting for advance notice

The end-stage impacts of a collapsing AMOC wouldnt arrive until long after the causative wheels were set into motion. So several of the new studies have looked into ways to get early notice that a tipping point is at hand  basically, a flashing red light that would imply a century-long AMOC collapse was about to get underway, which might, in turn, make some types of long-range preparation more feasible. Its roughly akin to a cardiac scan that might reveal adhesions of heart-dangerous plaque decades before any full blockage.

Papers from European research groups that have helped draw attention to AMOC this decade include the following:

Observation-based early-warning signals for a collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Boers, Nature Climate Change 2021). Led by the Potsdam Institutes Niklas Boers, this study used eight independent indices gleaned from Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperature and salinity data. One goal was to piece together a broader picture of AMOC behavior since the late 1800s, given that organized observations of AMOCs three-dimensional flow began only in the 2000s.

The overall conclusion of Boers and coauthors: AMOC could be close to a critical transition to its weak circulation mode.

Warning of a forthcoming collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Ditlevsen & Ditlevsen, Nature Communications 2023). This study emerged from the brother-and-sister team of climate scientist Peter Ditlevsen and statistician Susanne Ditlevsen, both at the University of Copenhagen. Using a broad set of assumptions about how AMOC works, the team focused on a single variable to represent the complex beast that is AMOC. That variable was built from monthly global variations in sea surface temperature as compared to such variations in the subpolar Atlantic, where increased meltwater is already counteracting global warmings influence.

This 150-year series of data points (1870-2020) was then analyzed for statistical elements that have been linked elsewhere to early warning signs of tipping behavior  especially increasing variance and increasing autocorrelation, two measures that each suggest movement away from steady-state behavior.

The Ditlevsens came to an arresting conclusion: We estimate a collapse of the AMOC to occur around midcentury under the current scenario of future emissions. Their analysis found a median tipping year of 2057, with an expansive 95%-confidence-level range from 2025 to 2095.

As with any forecast, the team acknowledged this one is only as solid as the multiple assumptions about AMOC on which its built. They added, given the importance of the AMOC for the climate system, we ought not to ignore such clear indicators of an imminent collapse.

Physics-based early warning signal shows that AMOC is on tipping course (van Westen et al., Science Advances, 2024). In contrast to the simplify-where-possible approach of the Ditlevsens, postdoctoral researcher Rene van Westen of Utrecht University, Netherlands, who is working through spring 2025 at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, and colleagues used one of the worlds most sophisticated tools for depicting Earths climate in 3D detail: the Community Earth System Model. A number of previous studies using complex, high-end models that couple the atmosphere and ocean hadnt typically produced the on-to-off switch of an AMOC collapse  even for simulations that span many hundreds of years  because theyre designed with various computational guardrails (including their handling of ocean salinity) that inhibit such a drastic change from occurring.

To get around this challenge, van Westen and colleagues carried out an idealized experiment, designed not as a literal forecast but to provide insights into what signals might precede an AMOC collapse. They did so by keeping greenhouse gas values at preindustrial levels but with a steadily increasing infusion of polar meltwater into the North Atlantic, building to dozens of times more than the current Greenland melt rate. After 1,750 years of model time, at which point six Greenlands worth of ice had entered the ocean, a classic AMOC collapse began.

By the time the collapse was done, the impacts included Arctic sea ice spreading far into the North Atlantic and wet and dry seasons trading places in the Amazon. The average February temperature plummeted by a bone-chilling 15 degrees Celsius (27 degrees Fahrenheit) in London and by around 3C (5F) across the mid-Mississippi Valley of the United States.

Figure 1. Trend in annually averaged surface (two-meter) air temperature, in degrees Celsius, over the century spanning AMOC collapse in the idealized model of van Westen et al., 2024. Circles denote where trends are below the 95% significance level. Warming spans most of the Southern Hemisphere, with extreme cooling toward higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. The 1750-1850 at top refers to the number of years since the start of this idealized simulation of preindustrial climate, rather than to real-world years. (Image credit: van Westen et al., 2024 / licensed under CC BY 4.0)

The new modeling also lent support to a different early-warning indicator of imminent collapse, this one toward AMOCs south end. As freshwater in the uppermost South Atlantic moves north and passes through the tropics, it gradually gets warmer and saltier. The authors found that a long-term decline in northward transport of uppermost South Atlantic water, as measured at latitude 34 degrees south, gave more reliable early warning than the indicators used by Ditlevsen and Ditlevsen. They also noted that in recent decades the transport at this latitude has been decreasing (i.e., not good), but that observations there arent yet sufficiently long to gauge the timing of a tipping point.

Some journalists were very much angling for a statement about when the tipping point would occur exactly, van Westen told the Utrecht University news site, but I just kept on saying: We dont know.

Research still in review, led by Utrecht University doctoral candidate Emma Smolders and including van Westen, draws on the physics-based South Atlantic index to come up with an AMOC-collapse timing range for a high-emissions scenario thats similar to the range found by Ditlevsen and Ditlevsen, albeit somewhat narrower.

Uncertainties too large to predict tipping times of major Earth system components from historical data (Ben-Yami et al., Science Advances, 2024). This research team  led by doctoral researcher Maya Ben-Yami at the Technical University of Munich and including Niklas Boers from the 2021 paper above  issued several notes of caution about specific forecasts of a tipping time for the AMOC.

Although the utility of such predictions, if robust, would be undeniable, the problem lies in the multiple levels of uncertainty inherent to such extrapolations from historical data, they wrote. Among the issues explored by Ben-Yami and colleagues:

Techniques optimized to predict tipping times are built on the assumption that a tipping point exists. As a result, they can be prone to what Ben-Yami and colleagues call false positives.

Since the AMOC is a product of multiple flows with many complexities, it may not behave as expected from the strongly simplifying assumptions that underly tipping-time predictions.

As observations in data-sparse regions become more plentiful over time, the century-scale analyses of past climate  which carefully fill in gaps across the earlier, more limited data  may show increased variance unrelated to the AMOC simply because of how the data are filled in.

None of these critiques guarantee that the AMOC wont end up behaving as predicted in some studies. It just means we still lack enough information to predict with confidence when the AMOC will tip. (A response from Ditlevsen and Ditlevsen to the Ben-Yami et al. paper is now in review.) In an email, Ben-Yami said:

My hope is that future work is careful when trying to predict a tipping time for the AMOC from historical data. This means that new methods need to be rigorously tested, for example by applying them to test data from different scenarios, to different observational data sets, and to a large range of models. And personally I would rather see research focused on improving AMOC understanding, modeling, and observation rather than trying to predict an exact tipping time  The AMOC is going to weaken with future warming, regardless of whether or not it has already weakened in the last century. The question is more about how much and how fast it will weaken.

Similarly, van Westen emphasized in an email:

Moderate AMOC weakening (of about 30%) can already cause climate impacts, and these impacts become even larger when the AMOC declines furthers (or collapses). To limit this weakening and its impacts, we need to reduce our emissions. This will also mitigate other (disastrous) climate impacts, such as more intense heat waves, the frequency of extreme weather, and additional sea level rise.

The IPCCs carefully parsed wording on AMOC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, issues major assessments only every six to 10 years. Its a deliberate pace that hasnt yet caught up with the latest AMOC research. The IPCCs tilt toward consensus science makes its reports solid and authoritative and reduces the risk of conclusions that whipsaw back and forth  but it also means that it can take years for a paradigm shift to move the assessment needle.

The first several IPCC assessments made only general statements about AMOC. The fourth and fifth assessments (published in 2007 and 2013) concluded that during the 21st century, an AMOC slowdown was very likely, but a large or abrupt transition was very unlikely.

The sixth assessment, released in 2021, reiterated those very likely and very unlikely themes. The report hewed closely to the gradual decline portrayed in most of the global models used for the assessment, which can capture slow AMOC change but arent tailored to allow for collapse-style changes. An average decrease of roughly 30% in AMOC strength was deemed likely by 2100 under most emission scenarios. The amount of decline is largely independent of emission changes until around the 2060s; after that point, the scenarios with greater emissions lead to a more rapid decline.

Figure 2. AMOC transport relative to 19952014 (defined as maximum transport at 26N), in Sverdrup units (Sv). On average, the current AMOC strength is about 18 Sv. Assessed observational change from 2004 to 2018 (teal) is drawn from the RAPID array of undersea cables, smoothed with a 12-month running mean. Shading around the mean shows the 12-month running standard deviation around the mean. A subsequent study, discussed in part one of this series, has reduced the downward trend in RAPID data between 2004 and 2022 by about 40% after accounting for shifts in the geomagnetic field that affected the cable data. (Adapted from Figure TS.11(b), Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, IPCC Sixth Assessment Report)

This latest IPCC report also included some stronger bet-hedging. It announced there was only medium confidence that an AMOC collapse wouldnt happen this century, with that lukewarm confidence level stemming from known biases in the climate models used for this assessment. The report added:

 such a collapse might be triggered by an unexpected meltwater influx from the Greenland Ice Sheet. If an AMOC collapse were to occur, it would very likely cause abrupt shifts in the regional weather patterns and water cycle, such as a southward shift in the tropical rain belt, and could result in weakening of the African and Asian monsoons, strengthening of Southern Hemisphere monsoons, and drying in Europe.

Sounding an alarm with renewed vigor

In the wake of the newly specific research on early-warning methods and AMOC collapse timing, several of the scientists involved have intensified their outreach efforts, especially in 2024.

The Potsdam Institutes Stefan Rahmstorf weighed in 20 years ago during AMOCs biggest moment in pop culture to date: the 2004 blockbuster film The Day after Tomorrow. That movie depicted an AMOC shutdown from hell that buried New York under immense, relentless snow drifts and flung tornadoes at Los Angeles, among other lurid outcomes. When the movie came out, Rahmstorf said:

Luckily it is extremely unlikely that we will see major ocean circulation changes in the next couple of decades  at least most scientists think this will only become a more serious risk towards the end of the century.

Two decades later, in early 2024, Rahmstorf said in a comment on the website he cofounded, RealClimate:

Indeed I have in recent years changed my mind about the likelihood [of an AMOC collapse], mainly based on the observations-based early warning signal papers  and on the increasing evidence that models have an AMOC which is systematically too stable, when compared to observations-based stability indicators.

In October 2024, Rahmstorf joined Niklas Boers, Peter Ditlevsen, and 41 other climate scientists from Europe, Australia, Asia, and North America to release a widely publicized open letter to the Nordic Council of Ministers (see PDF). This letter pointed to what the scientists termed a serious risk of a major ocean circulation change in the Atlantic. A string of scientific studies in the past few years suggests that this risk has so far been greatly underestimated. Such an ocean circulation change would have devastating and irreversible impacts especially for Nordic countries, but also for other parts of the world.

Alluding to the latest IPCC assessment, they wrote:

The purpose of this letter is to draw attention to the fact that only medium confidence in the AMOC not collapsing is not reassuring, and clearly leaves open the possibility of an AMOC collapse during this century. And there is even greater likelihood that a collapse is triggered this century but only fully plays out in the next.

Signaling that even the latest findings are still works in progress, they added: Despite significant research into the possibility and mechanisms of a collapse, the probability of such an occurrence remains highly uncertain.

What do we do now?

Its not yet game over for the AMOC. As we discussed in part one of this post, the actual observations of 3D AMOC flow through the North Atlantic are still too brief to separate natural variations from long-term trends. And a modest decrease observed over the last 40 years has just been revised in an even more modest direction.

More papers on AMOC evolution, including follow-up studies by several of the authors above, are already in the pipeline. And more forecasts of AMOC-collapse timing are surely on the way. Some 100 presentations and posters related to AMOC were featured in December at the American Geophysical Unions 2024 annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

As for now, were left with a dystopian, world-changing possibility  but one thats still shrouded by enough observational and methodological uncertainty to make the answer to When will it happen? both less concrete and more worrisome than wed like.

There are myriad ways to adapt to climate change thats already unfolding or imminent, many of them spotlighted here at Yale Climate Connections, such as moving to higher ground and making communities more heat-resilient. Its far less clear how one might prepare at this point for a possible AMOC collapse, given the huge uncertainties in both the timing and details of potential impacts.

Perhaps the best way to channel AMOC anxiety would be to work toward emission reductions that could help prevent or at least forestall an AMOC collapse in the first place. That can include everything from demanding climate action on the local, state, and federal levels to talking climate with neighbors and colleagues, as well as inspiring others by example through a lower-emissions lifestyle. Here too, youll find plenty of ideas at Yale Climate Connections.

As Rene van Westin put it in the Utrecht University article cited above:

Climate scientists have been saying for a long, long time that the climate is changing and that this change has harmful consequences, so we need to do something. I see our study as an extra page on top of this pile of scientific articles. The evidence is already overwhelming. But it would be great if it would nudge politicians in the right direction because there needs to be more and more urgent climate policy.

Jeff Masters contributed to this post.
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here.

Dear Care and Feeding,

My husband and I have two teenage sons. We moved to our current city to live close to my husbands parentslets call them Tom and Sarah18 years ago. They lived 20 minutes away and took care of each grandson until they were each 2 (daily) and babysat regularly. My adult brother-in-law, Stu, lived at Tom and Sarahs home through all of this. When my sons were 5 and 7, Tom surprised everyone and moved away to live with another woman. He filed for divorce after 40-plus years, and it was left to us to help with the house and support Sarah. Stu still lives at home with Sarahit just happens to be a different home, now.

Fast forward to last year: Tom got divorced and moved back nearby. Last Christmas, we reconciled as did one of my husbands other siblings. Tom and Sarah are amicable and sit by each other at kids sports. Our boys text with Grandpa Tom, go fishing with him, and so on. The only one who hasnt made any attempt to work through all of this is Stu.

Thanksgiving came around, and this year Sarah asked if Tom could join us. We host every year and were OK with it, but Stu said that if Tom came he would not. Ultimately, we didnt extend the invite to Tom. But oddly enough, this last year hes been more involved and present than Stu. Maybe making up for lost time, making amendswhatever the motivation, were all good. I want to invite him for Christmas but my husband doesnt want to deal with Stu. No one does. I dont think Tom handled anything well years ago but weve told him how it affected us and moved forward. I dont know how to navigate this. If Stu pitches a fit to get his way, the actual kids are deprived of Grandpa during the holidays. I get avoidance is easier, but shouldnt we model healthier behavior?

Hoping for Holiday Cheer

Dear Holiday Cheer,

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If you are hosting Christmas, then you get to decide who to invite, and your guests can opt in or out as they choose. But I would suggest you consider the following:

Is Sarah OK with Tom coming to Christmas? Just because she was fine with one holiday doesnt mean she would be fine with the otherdifferent days have different significance to people. So, run the idea by her, first.

Do you have any insight into why Stu has been unwilling or unable to forgive Tom? If hes being stubborn, thats one thing (and Id say make your plans, let the Stus fall where they may), but if hes genuinely still hurting and hasnt been able to get past it, that might warrant some more grace from you all.

If you invite Tom, is there a way to do a few festivities that Tom isnt present for, so that Stu can avoid his father without missing the entire holiday? Maybe Stu and Sarah are at your home for all of Christmas day, and Tom is invited to join for dinner.

Would you consider keeping folks separate this year, but letting Stu know that Tom will be invited next year and thereafter? That would give him time to wrap his head around the concept and decide what he wants to do about his dad, if anything.

Ultimately, while I understand you want your kids to have all their loved ones near, youll have to think carefully about whether this is the right time to bring Tom fully into the fold. Even if it might make your logistics harder, hopefully, youll find a way to allow everyone to have a merry Christmas.

Get parenting and family 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 Care and Feeding, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Care and Feeding following up) Submit

Dear Care and Feeding,

Im not into The Elf on the Shelf thing. My 7-year-old today told me he wishes we had an elf like his friends do. He asked, How do you get an elf? Does Santa send it? Why didnt he send us one?

I hardly do Santa. I dont talk about Santa and dont label gifts from Santa. Is just stuff they hear at school. But he seemed sad about us not having an elf. I changed the subject but want to know the best response for next time.

Elf Isnt Coming

Dear Elf,

If youre trying to keep a belief in Santa alive (even though hes not a big part of your traditions), how about something like this: Parents have to write to the North Pole inviting an elf to come stay with them. I didnt invite one to our home because [I dont need an elf to watch you and report to Santa; I know youre a good kid/they get up to no good/Im allergic to elf]. When youre a grown-up, though, you can invite an elf to your home, if youd like.

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If you arent really into Santa in your home, anyway, and prefer to use this as an opportunity to come clean about the myth, may I suggest the book The (Wonderful) Truth About Santa by B.K. Gendron and Jessica Jansen, which emphasizes the joy in keeping the magic alive for others. It could be a good, gentle way to explain why your holidays look different than others.

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Catch Up on Care and Feeding

 Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here.

 Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group!

Dear Care and Feeding,

Im a recently married woman in my late 30s. My husband and I are getting a lot of questions about when/if we plan to have kids. The truth is, we are unsure and mostly leaning toward no at this point. However, I find myself nervous about how Ill feel in the future if I dont. When I was in my 20s, I worked with kids. I was adamant I wanted my own, and was nearly obsessed with locking down a man and making it happen. A career change about a decade ago led to me traveling a lot for work, a lifestyle Ive come to enjoy.

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Ive also watched friends and family members have their own children. I love playing auntie, but Im usually glad to be giving the kids back at the end of the day and doing my own thing. I used to have far more patience for typical kid antics that are gross or annoying, but now I often find myself irritated in public when I witness a kid having a meltdown or revolted when they dip their chicken in their milk. I also know that I do not perform well on little sleep and my partner and I are not in a good financial place. When I mention my concerns to people, they always have an answer: Hire help! Lean on family! Your body will adjust to two hours of sleep!

But I know its not that easy. However, Im terrified that I will reach the point of no return with my biological clock and then suffer from a sadness and longing I wont be able to recover from. Of course, adoption is always an option, but Im truly scared that I will live with regret if I dont have a child of my own. Is this enough of a reason to try to get pregnant before its too late?

Running the Clock

Dear Clock,

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I think, in general, if someone asks the question, Is this enough of a reason to get pregnant, the answer is almost always no! Or at least, not now. Because I dont think parenting is something you should do just in case you would later regret not doing it.

Think of it in terms of risk: The risk of having a kid and then regretting it is that you have this person in your care for 18-plus years and in your life forever. If you dont like parenting, there is really no way to do less of it without dire emotional (to them) or legal (to you) consequences. And regretting parenthood can really do a number on your marriage.

Conversely, the risk of not having a kid is that you come to regret it later, but thats a consequence that only affects you, and you can ease some of that pain though volunteerism or being a really present auntie. Plus, as you said, adoption and fostering are things you could consider if you truly do change your mind.

If you were writing in to say that you really want to have kids but you arent sure you can hack it, then yes, I would be telling you to think about your family and friend networks and how you can work around your concerns. But your letter makes it pretty clear that you dont actually want kids right now and are unsure if youre wrong to think that way. You arent.

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I think often we get caught up with the idea of how things might be, and then when we start to better understand the practicalities, it makes us rethink them. You love kids and loved the idea of nurturing this little person. Now, you have a full and fulfilling adult life, and the practicalities of what parenthood really looks like have you reassessing what you are up for. To me, that sounds like youre making an informed decision. But if you think it might just be fear or inertia keeping you from plunging into parenthood, why not talk it out with a professional? I know you said finances werent great, but your employer might offer therapy through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Having someone unbiased to listen to your pros and cons might help you gain clarity. Good luck!

Allison

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My husband and I have a 14-month-old son, and Im a stay-at-home mom. When I need to run out for occasional errands during the day, my local mother-in-law is generally glad and available to watch him. Recently, I needed to pick up a prescription and a few groceries, so she came over. My son is currently transitioning to one nap a day, and I asked her to make sure he doesnt sleep for more than 45 minutes, so that it doesnt disrupt his nighttime routine. When I got home a bit over an hour later, he was just waking up on his own.
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Within the span of less than a week, Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have again shown how their ideology dictates their legal judgments, often in hypocritical directions.

On Monday, in Parents Protecting Our Children v. Eau Claire Area School District, they asserted that the court should have granted the petition of conservative parents who challenged the policy of a Wisconsin school district offering support to students handling issues related to their gender identity. Because these parents were unable to establish any harm to their children under the policy, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit found that their claims were based only on a worry that may never come to pass, leaving them without standing to allege infringement on their parental rights. Alito and Thomas, however, criticized this approach, insisting that lower courts should not use standing as a way of avoiding some particularly contentious constitutional questions. In their view, the court should have followed Troxel v. Granville and considered how the policy might conflict with parents fundamental constitutional right to make decisions concerning the rearing of their children.

By contrast, during oral arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti last week, neither Alito nor Thomas showed an iota of concern for parental rights as they reviewed Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Unlike the Wisconsin parents, the Tennessee parents have children who currently suffer from the cut of their access to medical care advised by doctors. Yet, Alito and Thomas took no note of parental rights being infringed upon. While one may see this as resulting from the courts decision to focus merely on the governments petition that relied on the equal protection clause, it was notable that Alito and Thomas did not stop, like most of their colleagues, at the question of discrimination. Instead, their questioning went beyond the findings of the lower court, introducing and amplifying foreign studies and implying that those might give Tennessee a right to override the decisions of parents and doctors in the area of gender-affirming care for minors.

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Those conflicting analyses of parents ability to make decisions concerning their children in the context of gender identity reveal a position of parental rights for me but not for thee. If our Constitution protects parents autonomy regarding their childrens upbringing, how can the protection apply only to parents who oppose responsiveness to gender-identity issues? And if Alito and Thomas are so convinced that courts should hear those parents, why do they sound so eager to allow Tennessee to override parents support of their childrens gender identity?

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Presumably, Alito himself might reply that the constitutional protection of parental rights, and not only the constitutional protection of equality, should not apply to the medical issue raised in Skrmetti, whereas it is still the rule in the education context of Eau Claire. On that point, he might cite again, as he did during the oral arguments in Skrmetti, his past decision in Geduldig v. Aiello to argue that governmental intervention in medical matters should not be subject to the elevated standards of review that protect constitutional rights. Still, Geduldig didnt entail parents fundamental rights, and other precedents, like Parham v. J.R., directly affirm their constitutional status in the medical domain.

Any minimal commitment to consistency and impartiality thus prevents reconciling the positions taken by the most conservative court members in Skrmetti and Eau Claire. The latter case might offer a sliver of hope, as it shows that three other conservativesChief Justice John Roberts and Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrettrefused to consider the premature concerns of parents of unharmed children. By comparison, it is less clear how to construe Justice Brett Kavanaughs express but unexplained wish to grant the same petition. His willingness to hear conservative parents in Eau Claire matches his interest in Tennessees response in Skrmetti to the argument that the state should have deferred to parents on medical care issues. He was also careful not to join Alito and Thomas call to federal judges to delve into difficult constitutional questions, which aligns with his comment in Skrmetti that policy debates might better be left to the democratic process. Time will tell if Kavanaugh will show consistency and support granting the still-pending petition of the parents in Skrmetti or any forthcoming similar petitions that Barrett explicitly invited during oral arguments.

In any case, Alito and Thomas were correct about one thing: Whenever constitutional rights are at risk, the judiciary has a virtually unflagging obligation  to exercise the jurisdiction given to them. Their words should be forcefully applied to Skrmetti, in which childrens well-being and parents duty to care for them are on the chopping block.
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It was the Midsummer Mardi Gras festival, and the city of New Orleans had taken to the streets in celebration, when 23-year-old Raphael Schwarz had the misfortune of being arrested for public intoxication and booked into Orleans Parish Prison on Aug. 27, 2005the eve of Hurricane Katrina.

From his cell, Schwarz watched the jail flood. As the flooding worsened, deputies left, trapping him for four days without food, electricity, or ventilation in chest-level water so toxic it could strip off skin. As another incarcerated person at Parish Prison later told Human Rights Watch, They left us here to die.

Schwarzs ordeal is not an anomaly but rather the result of systemic neglect that detained individuals in the U.S. endure to this day. Just over a month ago, as Hurricane Milton headed for Florida, Tampas mayor warned that if people ignored evacuation orders, they were going to die. But thousands locked up in counties along the storms path had no choice.

Unlike the public, the 1.9 million people incarcerated in prisons, jails, and detention centers nationwide are at the total mercy of officials overseeing them during disasters. These facilities are highly vulnerable to environmental harm, yet there are no comprehensive laws protecting those within them during emergencies. As climate change intensifies, addressing this gap has become more urgent than ever. The U.S. must commit to two broad-scale efforts to secure the rights of this community: decarcerate and evacuate to ensure that the horrors of Orleans Parish Prison are relegated to history.

Despite containing only 5 percent of the worlds inhabitants, the U.S. accounts for nearly 25 percent of its detainees, of which people of color are vastly overrepresented. Prisons and jails are often located in areas of environmental degradationmore than 600 are near or on toxic sitesand highly susceptible to heat, floods, and wildfires.

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Even though the summer of 2024 was the Earths hottest season on record, many facilities still lack air conditioning, and over 620 facilities in the U.S. are at extreme flood risk. In California, where blazes are common, 24 of the states prisons sit within 5 miles of fire-hazard zones.

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A chronic lack of oversight exacerbates these problems. For instance, the National Environmental Policy Act requires structures like highways and hospitals to submit detailed environmental impact reports in order to receive federal funding. But it doesnt apply to prisons or jails.

This combination has thus made more than 6,500 prisons, jails, and immigration detention centers vulnerable to environmental disasters nationwide.

There are relatively few laws that focus on incarcerated individuals during emergencies. Post-Katrina reforms, for example, provided for disabled people and even house pets, yet made no mention of those in custody. As David Fathi, the director of ACLUs National Prison Project, told the Appeal, In disaster planning as in everything else prisoners are an afterthought, if they are thought about at all.

Incarcerated individuals can sue if their rights have been violated under the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. But to bring a successful claim, an inmate must show that prison officials intentionally deprived them (or substantially risked depriving them) of food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or reasonable safety. This can be difficult to prove in natural disasters, as officials are allowed to argue that they didnt know about the risks of an emergency or paint any measures they took as appropriate.

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Bringing a claim has become even harder since the 1995 passage of the Prisoner Litigation Reform Act, which imposes filing fees and other bureaucratic red tape on incarcerated litigants. After its passage, claims by prisoners shrank by over 40 percent. This is partially why numerous lawsuits post-Katrina failed.

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Related From Slate Alito and Thomas Have Already Taken the Most-Contradictory Positions of the Supreme Court Term Read More

Without governmental oversight or fear of future lawsuits, the preparedness of jails and prisons has been meager; a 2022 study found that only six states even mentioned incarcerated people in their protocols. Many facilities do not evacuate at all, with administrators citing logistical hurdles or claiming that their institutions are disaster-proof, despite reports of overcrowding, understaffing, and crumbling infrastructure within many.

Given the scale of mass incarceration, as well as the growing threat of climate change, the remedy to addressing prisoners safety during natural disasters must be widespread. Broad-scale release is not a foreign concept. In response to COVID-19, efforts to decarcerate led to an 11 percent decrease in U.S. detention (although many argue that this was not enough). Those practices, which balance the need for decarceration with public safety concerns, can be applied here, including refusing to jail people for technical violations or commuting sentences for those with less than six months left.

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Of course, this is not the entire solution. Legislation like the bipartisan Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act should be passed, which would require federal facilities to provide adequate emergency plans. Independent oversight boards should also be implemented to provide guidelines on best practices.

Outside the disaster context, more funding should be allocated to improve conditions behind bars when evacuation is not possible or necessary, such as by providing air conditioning. At a minimum, NEPA ought to expand to include carceral institutions, while portions of the PLRA that make it harder to file lawsuits in these cases should be repealed. Similar measures should be taken at the state and local levels.

Raphael Schwarz survived his ordeal, but as climate disasters shift from rare emergencies to regular headlines, it is imperative that the U.S. move swiftly to prevent others from enduring the same fate. One thing is clear: Any effective solution here will see imprisonment not as an isolated issue but as one inexplicably intertwined with public health and environmental justice.
Sisters Coffee Company out of Sisters, Oregonabout two hours southeast of Portland, in the beautiful central Oregon mountainsjust launched a fresh brand redesign in September 2024. It took the team a little over a year from idea to finished product and was, to be sure, a collaborative effort. We spoke with Sisters Coffee Company CSO and Co-Owner Jesse Durham to learn more about the process, the people, and their favorite design details in the final package.

What was the core inspiration behind this design?

The core inspiration for our packaging is the beautiful Three Sisters mountain backdrop that we see in Sisters, Oregon everyday. We wanted a design that felt ownable and authentic, which can be hard to do with so many amazing coffee brands out there. After a lot of contemplation, I kept coming back to the idea of the mountains that we grew up with and love so much, and how the word Sisters is in our name brand. Sharing this beautiful mountainscape that is right outside our roastery and flagship cafe felt like the most genuine and honest way of expressing our brand.

Who designed it?

It was a group effort in so many ways. I came up with the initial concept of using parts of the mountain range on each bag, and upon lining the bags up side by side they create the entire mountain range, as seen from Sisters, Oregon. I drew up a rough sketch in Illustrator and sent it to Flask, the creative agency who helped us update our brand identity. They did a wonderful job in assisting me with design layout, font selection, color selection etc.

How does collaboration play a role in your design process?

I could not have gotten this design across the finish line without the help of so many talented individuals, many of whom are my co-workers at the roastery. First with my brothers, Justin and Jaredwe are a sibling-owned and operated business, and the three of us (with Flasks help!) designed our new logo which were tremendously proud of. Second with our teamthey were always willing to offer their creative critique and support. We are very fortunate to have numerous leaders in our company who have worked at Sisters Coffee a long timethey know our brand well and always lent a creative ear as the design progressed. Im very thankful to have had them as a sounding board.

Flask was wonderful to work with as wellthey provided loads of design and branding expertise that helped elevate the design itself.

From first vision to final product, how long did the design process take?

We made the decision to redesign our bags in the summer of 2023, and we launched the new bags in September of 2024, so just over a year. We took our time with the projectwe wanted to get it right and were willing to wait until we felt confident about the design.

When did it launch?

We launched on September 6th, 2024! Its been a very celebratory couple of weeks and it feels very rewarding to finally be able to share the packaging with our community, customers, and friends.

How does the package design reflect the companys overall branding and messaging?

Sisters Coffee was founded by our parents in 1989. Were a second generation, family-owned business that is warm and yet scrappy. Our coffees are accessiblewe feature very high-end microlots right next to some of our flagship blends that weve had for the past 35 yearsin that regard we like to ensure that we have a coffee for everyone who comes into our cafes, no matter what you are looking for. Above all, Sisters Coffee loves to create connection through whole-hearted hospitality and kindness. Sisters, Oregon is like that too, and I can think of no better artistic expression of that message than the lovely mountains we call home.

Tell us about some of your favorite design details.

By far, my favorite design detail is that when you line up all seven bags in order, they create the landscape as seen from Sisters. I hope customers will try it! In order from left to right they should be placed as follows: French Roast, High Desert Sunrise, Espresso Blend, Sisters Blend, Jack Creek Cold Brew, Black Butte Gold Decaf, Black Butte Gold.

I also really like the mountain silhouette on the labelsomehow this extra little detail illustrates the amount of intention and care we invested into the design.

Are there key elements of the packaging meant to educate the consumer?

Not anything that is particularly noteworthy or unique from what other roasters are doing. I mean of course we have tasting notes, roast level and origin info on our bagsthose are important details that help a customer make an informed purchase. But more than anything this was a heart-motivated project that was meant to capture the warm, inviting spirit that makes Sisters Coffee so special.

I will say that when I attended Dr. Fabiana Carvalhos class (at SCA Expo in 2023) on how packaging influences consumer behavior and perception of coffee quality, I learned the importance of clearly displaying the roast level on the bag. Her class made an impression on me, and I was sure to make the roast level prominent on the label of each bag.

Is the design optimized for shelf presence? How does it aim to stand out?

Yes, I hope so! Grocery is an important sales channel for us, so I spend a lot of time studying the coffee aisle. When deciding on a direction for the design, I cross-referenced it with the coffee shelf to make sure that my design was unique from other coffee brands. The mountain range, sunset, and overall color palette of our packaging feels original, and I have yet to see packaging that creates a landscape when all bags are lined up together.

Are any of the packaging materials recyclable or compostable?

We had been using the Biotre bag, but with this new packaging have made the switch to post consumer recycled material, which feels good to know that were reusing packaging instead of using brand new raw materials.

Where is this available to purchase?

You can find Sisters Coffee at most grocery stores in Oregon and Washington, and were also in Nuggets Markets in the Bay Area. You can also buy our coffee online at sisterscoffee.com, or, best of all, we would love to serve you at one of our cafes in Sisters, Bend, or Portland, Oregon.

Visit Sisters Coffee official website. Follow Sisters Coffee on Instagram @sisterscoffee.

Photos courtesy Sisters Coffee by Lauren Svatos, Tyler Roemer.

Coffee Design is an original feature series on Sprudge curated by Sprudge co-founder Zachary Carlsen. Read more from our Coffee Design archives.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241215/nearly-140-people-killed-in-afghanistan-in-2024-due-to-unexploded-mines---official-1121181642.html

Nearly 140 People Killed in Afghanistan in 2024 Due to Unexploded Mines - Official

Nearly 140 People Killed in Afghanistan in 2024 Due to Unexploded Mines - Official

Sputnik International

Unexploded mines in Afghanistan have claimed the lives of 137 people and injured another 333 people, including children, in 2024, the country's Directorate for Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) said on Sunday.

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"Since the start of 2024, nearly 240 incidents have occurred nationwide, resulting in a total of 470 victims. Among them, 386 are children who have either been martyred or injured," DMAC Chief Nooruddin Rustamkhil was quoted as saying by the Tolo News portal. At the same time, nearly 60 square miles of land in Afghanistan were cleared of unexploded mines during the same period, the DMAC chief noted. There are 57 bomb disposal teams in the country that are also working to raise public awareness of the dangers of mines, he added. Earlier this year, the head of the international landmine clearance charity HALO Trust, James Cowan, said that Afghanistan was the leader in the number of demining specialists working in the country and that there were 2,235 deminers clearing its land from unexploded ordnance and mines.The war in Afghanistan was Americas longest war. Begun in late 2001, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, the war is estimated to have cost taxpayers over $2.2 trillion (or about $300 million per day for almost 20 years), according to Brown Universitys Costs of War project. As many as 100,000 Afghan civilians were killed in the conflict, as were 70,500+ Afghan security forces personnel, tens of thousands of Taliban fighters, over 3,500 US and coalition troops, and 4,000+ western mercenaries.In February 2020, the Trump administration signed a peace agreement with the Taliban, committing the US to pull all troops out of Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for a halt to militant attacks, and promises not to allow terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda* and Daesh (ISIS)* to operate on Taliban-controlled territories. The agreement also pledged the Taliban to engage in negotiations with what was then the Afghan government to bring peace to the war-torn nation.* Deemed a terrorist group in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/us-providing-ukraine-with-antipersonnel-mines-threatens-civilian-lives---human-rights-watch-1120947825.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/anti-russian-sanctions-are-crazy-coup-against-european-industry---german-politician-1121183643.html

German Politician Slams Anti-Russian Sanctions As State Coup Against European Industry

German Politician Slams Anti-Russian Sanctions As State Coup Against European Industry

Sputnik International

The European Union's continued implementation of sanctions against Russia harms member states that still import Russian oil and is comparable to a "state coup" against the European industry, Ralph Niemeyer, head of the German Council for the Constitution and Sovereignty, told Sputnik.

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On Wednesday, the Hungarian EU presidency announced that ambassadors from member states had agreed on the EU's 15th package of sanctions against Russia. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said the new package of restrictions targeted Russia's "shadow fleet." After these sanctions were imposed, Russia began manufacturing many goods at home. Now even European companies are eager to return to the Russian market, Niemeyer told Sputnik, adding that this situation shows that these restrictions "no longer impress anyone." Russia has repeatedly affirmed its resilience against escalating sanctions. President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that efforts to contain Russia would inflict serious harm to the global economy. Furthermore, Western countries have frequently admitted the ineffectiveness of sanctions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241123/europe-is-hurtling-towards-new-energy-crisis-with-depleted-reserves-short-sighted-russia-sanctions-1120980271.html

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Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone fence on the eastern side of the Golan Heights, on Dec. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Israeli government approved a plan on Sunday to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel, according to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.



The 10.81-million-U.S. dollar plan, unanimously approved by the cabinet, is being advanced "in light of the war and the new front with Syria," the statement said.

According to the statement, the plan aims to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights. It includes establishing a student village, a development program to integrate new residents, and initiatives to strengthen the education system and renewable energy infrastructure.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time," Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting on the plan. "We will continue to hold on to it (Golan Heights), make it flourish, and settle in it."

Israel captured part of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war and annexed it, despite international condemnation. Following the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government on Dec. 8, Israel seized the UN-monitored buffer zone, a demilitarized area established in 1974 under a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

Israeli forces also took control of a Syrian army outpost and stationed troops on the summit of Mount Hermon on Golan. Meanwhile, Israel increasingly launched airstrikes on Syrian army assets across the country, claiming to prevent the weapons "from falling into the hands of terrorist elements."

Israel's military actions have sparked condemnation from regional countries and prompted calls from the international community for respect for Syria's sovereignty.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/at-least-20-killed-in-idf-strike-on-school-in-southern-gaza---reports-1121182241.html

At Least 20 Killed in IDF Strike on School in Southern Gaza - Reports

At Least 20 Killed in IDF Strike on School in Southern Gaza - Reports

Sputnik International

At least 20 people, including children, were killed in an Israeli strike near the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on a school belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

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School was a shelter to displaced persons, there are also wounded people, the agency said. According to the agency, the Israeli army allegedly also demolished several residential buildings in northern Gaza Strip.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. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has surpassed 44,800, according to local health authorities.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241212/hamas-may-agree-on-deal-that-allows-israel-to-stay-in-gaza-after-ceasefire-1121151292.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/brics-mice-congress-in-moscow-hosts-participants-from-16-countries---tourism-committee-1121190807.html

BRICS MICE Congress in Moscow Hosts Participants From 16 Countries - Tourism Committee

BRICS MICE Congress in Moscow Hosts Participants From 16 Countries - Tourism Committee

Sputnik International

Participants from 16 countries are taking part in the Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition, which is being held in Moscow, the chairman of the capital's tourism committee, Evgeny Kozlov, said on Monday.

2024-12-16T13:56+0000

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The Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition is being held in Moscow from December 16-17, hosting participants from the BRICS countries and the Global South. The event will bring together representatives of the business tourism industry, including specialists and associations, event organizers and hoteliers. Kozlov added that the international congress would feature more than 13 sessions and 50 speakers. Speaking at the plenary session of the congress, the head of the tourism committee said that 1,260 specialists had gathered at the event. Last week, the Moscow mayor's office said that representatives from Brazil, South Africa, India, Iran, Egypt, and China, among others, would attend the event.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/representatives-of-60-countries-attend-event-on-brics-summit-at-russian-embassy-in-japan-1120949336.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/first-batch-of-us-made-abrams-tanks-arrives-in-taiwan-1121184765.html

First Batch of US-Made Abrams Tanks Arrives in Taiwan

First Batch of US-Made Abrams Tanks Arrives in Taiwan

Sputnik International

The first batch of US-made M1A2T Abrams tanks has arrived on the island, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Monday.

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"Heavy Armors Have Arrived! Welcome to join us! " the ministry said on X. The batch of 38 M1A2T tanks, a variant of M1 Abrams, arrived in the Port of Taipei on Sunday evening, the Focus Taiwan newspaper reported. Washington approved a $2.2 billion deal to sell 108 Abrams tanks to Taiwan in 2019 as part of the US's efforts to strengthen Taiwan's defenses along its northern coast. Taiwan plans to receive a further 42 tanks in 2025, with the remaining 28 units set to arrive in 2026. China, which sees the island as its integral part, has repeatedly condemned US arms exports to Taiwan, which it says fuel Taiwanese separatism. Formal relations between China's central government and its island province were severed in 1949 after Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang forces, were defeated in a civil war with the Communist Party of China and moved to Taiwan. Business and informal contacts between the island and mainland China resumed in the late 1980s. Since the early 1990s, the two have been in contact through non-governmental organizations  the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and the Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation.The situation around Taiwan worsened after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in early August 2022. China, which considers the island part of its territory, condemned Pelosi's visit as US support for Taiwanese separatism and held large-scale military exercises.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/german-parliament-gives-vote-of-no-confidence-in-scholz-government-1121192157.html

German Parliament Gives Vote of No Confidence in Scholz Government

German Parliament Gives Vote of No Confidence in Scholz Government

Sputnik International

In a vote in the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament, a majority of lawmakers supported a vote of no confidence in the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, paving the way for early elections in February, the president of the Bundestag, Barbel Bas, said on Monday.

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Some 394 of the 717 lawmakers who took part in the vote voted against the vote of confidence in Scholz as a chancellor, while 207 voted in favor and 116 abstained. A minimum of 367 votes in favor or against was required for a vote of confidence or withdrawal of confidence. February 13, 2025, is set as the date for early elections due to the lack of a vote of confidence in the government and the impending dissolution of the parliament by the country's president.Scholz's three-party government imploded in early November after he fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner, the Free Democratic Party leader, citing his unwillingness to greenlight new proposals for the 2025 budget and more aid for Ukraine.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/israeli-military-intercepts-yemeni-drone-over-mediterranean-1121184976.html

IDF Says Defenses Intercepted Yemeni Drone Over Mediterranean

IDF Says Defenses Intercepted Yemeni Drone Over Mediterranean

Sputnik International

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday it intercepted a drone over the Mediterranean Sea after it was presumably launched from Yemen.

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"A short while ago, a UAV that was launched from Yemen was intercepted by an Israeli Navy missile boat in the Mediterranean Sea. The UAV was intercepted prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the IDF wrote on Telegram. The Yemen-based Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, has claimed responsibility for last week's attacks on US destroyers and supply ships in the Gulf of Aden, as well as for drone strikes on targets in Ashkelon, Tel Aviv and in southern Israel. The Ansar Allah movement, which governs northern Yemen and controls much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, declared its support for Palestine in late 2023 and vowed to attack any ships linked to Israel after the Jewish state launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas' October 2023 attack. The movement pledged not to interfere with freedom of navigation in the region. Some companies suspended shipping through the Red Sea over security concerns.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241031/unable-to-wrest-control-of-red-sea-from-houthis-us-and-uk-launch-fresh-strikes-on-key-yemeni-port-1120740607.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/israeli-plans-for-golan-heights-reflect-lack-of-desire-for-peace-in-region---cairo-1121182515.html

Israeli Plans for Golan Heights Reflect Lack of Desire for Peace in Region - Cairo

Israeli Plans for Golan Heights Reflect Lack of Desire for Peace in Region - Cairo

Sputnik International

Israel's plans to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights reflect its lack of desire to achieve a just peace in the region, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

2024-12-16T04:44+0000

2024-12-16T04:44+0000

2024-12-16T04:44+0000

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Earlier, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unanimously approved a plan for the development of the Golan Heights, which includes strengthening local settlements and doubling the number of settlers in the region. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is currently actively strengthening its defenses in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights amid the change of power in Syria. Earlier in December, Netanyahu said that the agreement on the disengagement of forces with Syria in the Golan Heights, reached shortly after the Yom Kippur War of 1973, was no longer valid, as the Syrian military had abandoned its positions. The prime minister stressed that together with the defense minister and with the full support of the cabinet, he had given the order to the Israeli army to occupy the demarcation zone and the positions that control it. Defense Minister Israel Katz, in turn, gave the order to army units to prepare for wintering in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights. In parallel with taking control of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, the Israeli Air Force carried out a large-scale air operation last week to eliminate the military potential of the Syrian armed forces. The Israeli army reported the almost complete elimination of the Syrian air defense system, the Syrian fleet, the destruction of dozens of military facilities, including weapons factories, air bases, underground complexes and strategic missile reserves. The leadership of the Jewish state stated that this was done in order to prevent these weapons from falling into the hands of those who could use them against Israel. The Golan Heights were part of Syria until 1967. During the Six-Day War, Israeli troops occupied this territory, and following the Yom Kippur War (1973), the parties concluded an agreement on a truce and the separation of forces. In 1974, UN peacekeeping posts appeared on the Golan Heights.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241211/lebanese-foreign-ministry-condemns-israels-seizure-of-syrian-part-of-golan-heights-1121148402.html

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israel's plans to expand settlements, occupied golan heights, egyptian foreign ministry
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/japan-welcomes-start-of-us-marines-redeployment-from-okinawa-to-guam---defense-minister-1121183059.html

Japan Welcomes Start of US Marines Redeployment From Okinawa to Guam - Defense Minister

Japan Welcomes Start of US Marines Redeployment From Okinawa to Guam - Defense Minister

Sputnik International

Japan considers the redeployment of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam to be important work, Japanese Defense Ministry Gen Nakatani at a meeting with Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki.

2024-12-16T05:18+0000

2024-12-16T05:18+0000

2024-12-16T05:18+0000

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The defense minister visited the governor of Okinawa in connection with the start of the transfer of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam. Earlier, the US command reported that it had begun the redeployment, the first 100 people would be transferred to Guam within the next year. Governor Tamaki demanded that all Marine Corps exercises be transferred to Guam and asked the Defense Ministry to carry out appropriate work in this direction. Tamaki also expressed concern over the resumption of flights of American Osprey tiltrotor aircraft without full information from the American side. In 2006, Japan and the United States reached an agreement to ease the burden on Okinawa, where 70 percent of American bases are located, and to relocate 9,000 Marines to Guam and Hawaii. Of these, 4,000 are to go to Guam. On Saturday, the US Marine Corps announced the start of the transfer of the first 100 personnel, which will be carried out over the next year. The cost of the relocation will be 8.6 billion yen ($57 million), of which Japan will pay 2.6 billion yen ($17.3 million). The training grounds built on Guam will also be available to the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/okinawa-on-fire-division-brewing-in-japan-over-us-militarizing--nuclearizing-1119579206.html

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us marines redeployment from okinawa to guam, japanese defense ministry gen nakatani, us marines redeployment
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/kremlin-on-readiness-of-trumps-team-to-discuss-ceasefire-it-is-not-in-charge-yet-1121186069.html

Kremlin on Trump Teams Readiness to Discuss Ukraine Truce: Theyre Not in White House Yet

Kremlin on Trump Teams Readiness to Discuss Ukraine Truce: Theyre Not in White House Yet

Sputnik International

US President-elect Donald Trump's team is not yet in charge of the White House, Joe Biden's team is there, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, commenting on reports that Trump's team is ready to discuss Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

2024-12-16T09:50+0000

2024-12-16T09:50+0000

2024-12-16T10:24+0000

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joe biden

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On Sunday, Trump's pick for national security adviser, Michael Waltz, said that the president-elect's team will review Orban's proposal regarding a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine. Currently it is premature to talk about deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine, Dmitry Peskov said.Russia is ready to resume negotiations on Ukraine on the basis of the Istanbul agreements, the spokesman recalled.Last week, media reported that European leaders plan to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss peace plans and the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.Dmitry Peskov said that the question of the alleged killed North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region should be asked to the Russian Defense Ministry.Russian President Vladimir Putin will address an extended meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry board on Monday and will hear a report from Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Dmitry Peskov said."Today is a rather tense, eventful day for the head of state. We expect that an extended meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry board will begin in about an hour. The president will speak, and the defense minister's report will also be heard," Peskov told reporters.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241213/foreign-peacekeepers-in-ukraine-european-politicians-are-at-loggerheads-1121161340.html

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us president-elect donald trump, kremlin spokesman dmitry peskov, discuss ceasefire, hungarian prime minister viktor orban
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/kyrgyz-president-accepts-prime-ministers-resignation-1121184027.html

Kyrgyz President Accepts Prime Minister's Resignation

Kyrgyz President Accepts Prime Minister's Resignation

Sputnik International

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree on Monday accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov due to his transition to another position, the press office of president Japarov said.

2024-12-16T06:54+0000

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"President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree relieving Akylbek Usenbekovich Japarov of his duties as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic due to his transition to another position," the statement read. Under Kyrgyz law, the prime minister's resignation does not trigger the dissolution of the cabinet. First Deputy Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev will take over as acting prime minister. His nomination requires parliamentary approval. Akylbek Japarov's new role has not yet been disclosed. The 60-year-old has led Kyrgyzstan's government since 2021. During his tenure, the country experienced steady economic growth and significant reduction in poverty levels.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240523/cis-security-chiefs-to-meet-in-kyrgyzstan-for-counterterrorism-summit-1118647233.html

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kyrgyz president, prime minister akylbek japarov, resignation of prime minister
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/new-drone-warfare-branch-proposed-for-russian-armed-forces-1121188320.html

New Drone Warfare Branch Proposed for Russian Armed Forces

New Drone Warfare Branch Proposed for Russian Armed Forces

Sputnik International

Russia is set to establish a new branch of its armed forces dedicated to unmanned systems, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced at an expanded session of the Defense Ministry board.

2024-12-16T11:35+0000

2024-12-16T11:35+0000

2024-12-16T11:45+0000

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vladimir putin

andrei belousov

russia

defense ministry

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"In accordance with the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's directive, we propose creating a new branch of the military - the 'Unmanned Systems Forces,'" Belousov stated. He added that the formation of this new branch could be completed by the third quarter of 2025, pending approval.The initiative follows President Vladimir Putin's earlier call to increase the production of drones and robotic systems. Putin also emphasized the need to continue improving the combat and operational capabilities of unmanned systems to meet modern military demands.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240210/russian-defense-minister-shoigu-inspects-production-of-drones-1116708084.html

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new drone warfare branch, russian armed forces, defense minister andrei belousov
 Flash

Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader, Ahmad al-Shara, held a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Sunday in Damascus to discuss the political transition in the country, according to a statement released by local al-Watan Online news outlet.

Al-Shara, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, said that UN Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015 concerning Syria's political transition, now requires an update to reflect the current realities in the country, urging a "fresh approach" that aligns with Syria's new leadership and evolving circumstances.

During the meeting, al-Shara underlined the importance of "swift and effective" cooperation to address Syrian citizens' needs, restore the country's territorial unity, and pave the way for reconstruction and economic development.

He also stressed the need for "careful, deliberate steps" in rehabilitating state institutions to ensure the forming of a "strong and efficient" governance system.

The HTS leader pledged to create a safe environment for the return of refugees, adding that the measures are being implemented with "great caution" and supervised by specialized teams so as to ensure optimal outcomes for the nation's future.

For his part, Pedersen said that the UN is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in the country and is looking forward to the next steps toward a political transition following the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking to reporters in Damascus earlier in the day, Pedersen emphasized the importance of Syrian state institutions fully resuming their functions under secure conditions.

"We are working with all segments of the Syrian people ... and we want to see no acts of revenge. Instead, we must ensure that institutions return to work, backed by the necessary security measures," he said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/polands-imports-of-russian-fertilizer-hit-record-334mln-in-2024---reports-1121185483.html

Poland's Imports of Russian Fertilizer Hit Record $334Mln in 2024 - Reports

Poland's Imports of Russian Fertilizer Hit Record $334Mln in 2024 - Reports

Sputnik International

Poland imported fertilizer from Russia hit a record high of 318 million euros ($334 million) in 2024, Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported on Monday.

2024-12-16T09:39+0000

2024-12-16T09:39+0000

2024-12-16T09:39+0000

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poland

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Mineral fertilizer imports from Russia rose 140% to 952,000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2024, while their value rose 123% to a record 318 million euros. By contrast, Poland bought German fertilizer worth just over 200 million euros during the same period. The total value of fertilizer imports to Poland exceeded 1.1 billion euros. Arkadiusz Zalewski, an agricultural resources market analyst at the Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics, said the hike in Russian fertilizer imports was the highest since 2017. Poland appealed to the European Commission in late November to introduce tariffs on fertilizer imports from Russia and Belarus. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia backed the tax increase, while other EU states said they would consider doing so at a later stage. The Polish Ministry of Development and Technology says import duties could reach up to 30%.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240627/mali-expects-new-deliveries-of-fuel-fertilizers-from-russia-in-coming-months---minister-1119148029.html

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poland's imports of russian fertilizer, fertilizer from russia, hit record
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/putin-russia-liberated-189-settlements-in-2024-special-operation-1121187136.html

Bloodshed, Chaos and US Manipulation: Putin Paints Grim Global Picture at Defense Meeting

Bloodshed, Chaos and US Manipulation: Putin Paints Grim Global Picture at Defense Meeting

Sputnik International

President Vladimir Putin addressed the Russian Defense Ministry board, summarizing the years developments in the ongoing special military operation, discussing the global situation, and outlining additional measures needed to ensure the countrys security.

2024-12-16T10:33+0000

2024-12-16T10:33+0000

2024-12-16T12:25+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined key objectives for strengthening the countrys defense capabilities and advancing the Armed Forces during an expanded session of the Defense Ministry board.He also highlighted significant achievements and ongoing challenges faced in 2024.He stressed the importance of improving the armed forces' combat readiness and capacity."We are paying serious attention to improving the combat structure of our Armed Forces and increasing their potential," Putin said.Advances Against UkraineReflecting on 2024, Putin called it a pivotal year in achieving the goals of the special military operation."This year, 189 settlements were liberated," he said, noting that Russian forces hold the strategic initiative along the front line."Thanks to the professionalism and courage of our soldiers, the heroic work of defense industry workers and the nationwide support for our army and navy, our troops maintain firm control over the strategic initiative," the president said.He expressed deep gratitude to those on the front lines and in supporting roles."I want to sincerely thank our heroes  soldiers and officers  who fight selflessly on the front lines, as well as the personnel of the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard and special services," Putin said. "They carry out even the most difficult tasks without sparing themselves or their lives for victory and for the Motherland."The president underscored the need for continued vigilance and unity, reaffirming the government's commitment to ensuring the country's security and achieving its strategic goals.Turning to external challenges, Putin accused the United States of fueling the conflict in Ukraine by supplying weapons, funds and military advisors."In an effort to weaken our country and inflict a strategic defeat, the US continues to pump weapons and money into the illegitimate regime in Kiev, encouraging further escalation of the conflict," he said.US Aspirations for World DominancePutin described the global military-political climate as both challenging and unstable, pointing to ongoing conflicts and heightened tensions in multiple regions."Today, the military-political situation in the world remains challenging and unstable," Putin stated during an expanded session of the Defense Ministry board.He highlighted the persistent violence in the Middle East and the growing risk of conflict elsewhere."The bloodshed in the Middle East does not cease, and there is significant conflict potential in several other parts of the world," Putin noted.He also accused the US of waging covert warfare and enforcing a policy of containment against nations it calls its opponents, including Russia."The US imposes its so-called 'rules' on the international community, constantly changing and manipulating them as it sees fit," the Russian leader said. "For them, the only stable rule is that there are no rules."He also noted the formation of new military-political alliances, driven by the US, which he argued are undermining decades-old security frameworks."The US is initiating the creation of new alliances that disrupt the established security architecture," he said.Putin expressed concern over NATOs growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region and its preparations to deploy ground-based missiles with a range of up to 5,500 kilometers."The alliance is expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific, and there are already plans to deploy these missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific," he warned.The president stressed that those actions pose significant risks to global stability, further eroding trust and cooperation on international security.US Stokes Russian Threat FearsRussian President Vladimir Putin outlined the US tactics toward Russia of pushing the country to its limits while frightening its own people with imaginary threats.He also stressed that Russias updated military doctrine maintains a policy of nuclear deterrence, dismissing accusations of nuclear saber-rattling."We have clarified the basic principles for the use of nuclear weapons, as outlined in the updated foundations of state policy in the area of nuclear deterrence," Putin stated. "Let me stress again: we are not rattling nuclear weapons  this is a policy of deterrence."Russia to End INF Limits if US Deploys Missiles in Europe or AsiaPutin warned that Russia would lift its self-imposed restrictions on deploying medium-range missiles if the US begins deploying such systems.If Washington goes ahead with those deployments, Moscow will "remove all voluntary restrictions," he vowed.Putin also emphasized the importance of ensuring the militarys readiness to detect and intercept intermediate-range missile launches if the US deploys them."We have already discussed the risks of US deploying intermediate-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific," he added. "We will respond comprehensively to such threats, with the priority being the timely detection and interception of missile launches."Russia Needs to Create Single Hub for Intel and RetaliationPutin said it was necessary to establish a single hub for processing intelligence and launching attacks."Now, due to the introduction of advanced developments in the defense industry, it is necessary to form a single information space as soon as possible, combining intelligence and destruction tools at the strategic, operational and tactical management level," Putin said.US Fuels Conflict in Ukraine by Sending Mercenaries, AdvisersThe US is encouraging the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine by sending mercenaries and military advisers there, the president noted.The US government tries to frighten its people with claims that Russia plans to attack other nations, Putin added.Mass Production of Oreshnik Missile to Begin SoonMass production of the Oreshnik missile complexes will be ensured in the near future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said."We pay serious attention to improving the combat strength of the armed forces, increasing their capabilities," Putin said."It is necessary to tweak all issues of mass production and deployment of such domestic strike systems, including hypersonic ones. He pointed out that the medium-range Oreshnik ballistic missile, recently combat-tested in Ukraine was Russia's newest weapons, and assured that it would enter mass production.Russia needs to increase the production of UAVs, the president added.Russian froces receive several thousand drones every day, he added.Russia Will Not Let Arms Race Stop Economic DevelopmentRussia is getting involved into a full-scale arms race to the detriment of socio-economic development, Vladimir Putin said.Tracking of the launch of medium-range missiles and intercepting them was now crucial to Russia's defense, the president added.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/putin-us-fuels-ukraine-conflict-by-sending-mercenaries-and-military-advisers-1121192292.html

Putin: US Fuels Ukraine Conflict by Sending Mercenaries and Military Advisers

Putin: US Fuels Ukraine Conflict by Sending Mercenaries and Military Advisers

Sputnik International

The United States is encouraging the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine by sending mercenaries and military advisers there, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

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"In their effort to weaken our country and deliver a strategic defeat, the US continues to supply the regime in Kiev that is in fact illegitimate with weapons and money, while sending mercenaries and military advisers, thereby encouraging further escalation of the conflict," Putin said at an expanded meeting of the of the board of the Russian Defense Ministry. The US scares its population with statements that Russia allegedly plans to attack someone, Putin added. Western countries have ramped up their military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has repeatedly said that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the conflict settlement and directly involve NATO countries in the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241028/foreign-mercs-attempt-to-violate-russias-borders-shows-level-of-us-meddling-in-ukraine-conflict-1120709880.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240726/how-many-foreign-mercs-have-fought-and-died-in-ukraine-1119524041.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/serbias-vucic-says-us-russia-to-start-talks-on-sanctions-against-nis-on-monday-1121181933.html

Serbia's Vucic Says US, Russia to Start Talks on Sanctions Against NIS on Monday

Serbia's Vucic Says US, Russia to Start Talks on Sanctions Against NIS on Monday

Sputnik International

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the start of talks with the US and Russia on expected sanctions against the Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS, 56.15%-owned by Gazprom Neft and Gazprom) on Monday, and also called on students and university professors to stop protests and blockades of streets and faculties.

2024-12-16T04:21+0000

2024-12-16T04:21+0000

2024-12-16T04:21+0000

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Vucic indicated on Saturday that official Belgrade would not impose sanctions against Russia due to the expected restrictive measures by the US against NIS. At the same time, he allowed for the possibility of talks on reducing the share of Gazprom and Gazprom Neft in NIS due to the expected US sanctions. According to him, restrictive measures could be introduced as early as January 1. On Monday night, he held a meeting with the leadership of the Security and Information Agency (BIA, counterintelligence). Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, who previously headed the defense ministry, the interior ministry, and the BIA, said on Sunday that the expected US sanctions would be part of a hybrid war against Serbia, along with student and opposition protests, with the aim of forcing official Belgrade to impose sanctions against Russia. Vucic also addressed the protesters over the death of 15 people on November 1 when the canopy of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed. NIS previously issued a statement that its work continued unimpeded, and petrol stations were continuously supplied with oil products. It noted that NIS continued to monitor the current situation, analyze all possible scenarios and potential consequences for the company's activities, and currently there were no legal restrictions on the activities of the company and its partners. The President of Serbia announced on Saturday night that the United States would soon impose sanctions against NIS "due to Russian ownership." He specified that he expected this from the EU a year ago, but "it did not come from there." The Serbian leader also indicated that since the introduction of sanctions, the Croatian Adriatic oil pipeline operator JANAF would stop supplying raw materials from the terminal on the island of Krk. In 2022, Russian oil supplies via the Adriatic oil pipeline (JANAF) in Croatia were banned as part of the EU sanctions package, since then the company has switched to processing raw materials from Iraq and other countries. The Serbian and Hungarian authorities previously confirmed plans to build a 128-kilometer oil pipeline to connect with the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary, and deliver it for processing at the NIS refinery in Pancevo. In 2022, Gazprom Neft, which participated in the privatization of the largest oil company in the Western Balkans in 2008, reduced its stake in Serbia's NIS to 50%, Gazprom received 6.15%. In 2020, Vucic launched the Deep Processing project at the NIS refinery in Pancevo near Belgrade. NIS is one of the largest vertically integrated energy companies in southeastern Europe, engaged in exploration, production and refining of oil and gas, and marketing of petroleum products. NIS employs over 10,000 people, its annual contributions to the Serbian budget reach 9%, it owns 400 petrol stations, the Pancevo Oil Refinery, a production site in Novi Sad, the Petrohemija enterprise and, together with Gazprom Energoholding, the Pancevo Thermal Power Plant. The largest shareholders are Gazprom Neft and Gazprom (56.15%) and Serbia (29.87%).

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241011/hungarys-mol-says-will-delay-its-refineries-transition-to-non-russian-oil-by-one-year-1120506454.html

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serbia's vucic, us and russia on expected sanctions against the naftna industrija srbije, gazprom neft
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/south-koreas-ruling-party-leader-resigns---reports-1121182359.html

South Korea's Ruling Party Leader Resigns - Reports

South Korea's Ruling Party Leader Resigns - Reports

Sputnik International

The leader of the South Korean ruling People Power Party (PPP), Han Dong-hoon, resigned as party chairman on Monday, the Yonhap news agency reported.

2024-12-16T04:37+0000

2024-12-16T04:37+0000

2024-12-16T04:37+0000

asia

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court

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Earlier, Han expressed support for the impeachment of the president, although he was initially against it and advocated for his resignation, calling on his party's parliamentarians to vote based on their own "convictions." In the end, although the party's internal decision was to vote against impeachment, 12 PPP lawmakers followed's call and voted "for." He added that he had made all efforts to find a better path for the country instead of impeachment, but had failed. Han's resignation comes 146 days after he was elected as the party chairman at the party congress on July 23. Immediately after the parliament approved the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, Han announced his intention to continue serving as chairman. However, five of the elected members of the party's supreme council resigned, leading to the automatic dissolution of the party leadership. Following his official resignation, the PPP will transition to governance through the emergency committee system. Earlier, the South Korean parliament supported the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yol, with 204 parliamentarians supporting the removal of the president from office, and 85 voting against. Three lawmakers abstained, eight ballots were invalid. All 300 members of the South Korean parliament took part in the vote. In connection with the approval of the impeachment by the parliament, Yoon Suk-yeol's powers are temporarily suspended, the Constitutional Court will consider the issue of removing the president from office. The court will have 180 days to do this, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes the acting head of state until the final verdict is made. The Constitutional Court began considering the issue of removing Yoon Suk-yeol from office on Monday. But, according to experts contacted by Sputnik, the court will need almost all 6 months allotted for this by law to make a decision on removing or reinstating him as the president of South Korea.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241215/south-korean-official-calls-for-new-consultative-body-between-parliament-government---reports-1121174378.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/syrian-kurds-call-for-nationwide-ceasefire-and-dialogue-in-syria-1121191841.html

Syrian Kurds Call for Nationwide Ceasefire and Dialogue in Syria

Syrian Kurds Call for Nationwide Ceasefire and Dialogue in Syria

Sputnik International

The Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria called on Monday for an end to all fighting in the country and the start of a comprehensive national dialogue.

2024-12-16T15:02+0000

2024-12-16T15:02+0000

2024-12-16T15:59+0000

world

bashar assad

syria

russia

damascus

syrian democratic forces (sdf)

hayat tahrir al-sham

turmoil in syria

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"We call for an end to military operations over the entire Syrian territory in order to start a constructive, comprehensive national dialogue," the statement read. The Kurdish administration reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia) in coordination with the US-led military coalition and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Cooperation between the Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria and the interim government in Damascus will serve the interests of all Syrians and help successfully conclude this challenging period, the statement added. Abdel Salam Ahmad, a high-ranking SDF official, told Sputnik over the weekend that the new administration had made no contact with the Kurdish authority. He said he was concerned that the Libyan scenario could replay itself in Syria, given the disagreements within the armed Syrian opposition over the vision for the country's future. Syria's armed opposition captured the Syrian capital of Damascus on December 8. Russian officials said that Assad stepped down as president after holding negotiations with participants of the Syrian conflict and left Syria for Russia, where he was granted asylum. Mohammed al-Bashir, who ran an Idlib-based administration formed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other opposition groups, was named interim prime minister on December 10. He announced later that an interim government had been formed and would remain in place until March 2025.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241211/what-is-the-strategic-importance-of-deir-ez-zor-and-could-it-cause-new-kurdish-syrian-conflict-1121150295.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/top-us-universities-urge-foreign-students-to-return-before-trumps-inauguration---reports-1121181791.html

Top US Universities Urge Foreign Students to Return Before Trump's Inauguration - Reports

Top US Universities Urge Foreign Students to Return Before Trump's Inauguration - Reports

Sputnik International

Top US universities are asking their international students leaving the country during winter break to return to the United States before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who won the presidential election, on January 20, 2025, amid his loud statements about restricting migration, the Axios portal reported.

2024-12-16T01:11+0000

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Earlier, the media reported that Trump intends to make a "furor" by signing more than 25 executive orders and directives on the first day of his return to the White House on January 20 to significantly change government policy in the areas of migration, energy, education and other areas. At least ten universities, mostly on the East Coast, including the University of Southern California, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told international students to return to the United States before the inauguration on January 20, the publication said. The portal has obtained a letter from the University of Southern California addressed to international students, which states that they must show up for classes on January 13, which is especially important because the new presidential administration will begin work on January 20 and may issue one or more executive orders affecting entry into the United States and visa services. Trump said in November that he intended to implement a program of mass deportations of immigrants who had entered the US illegally, which involves declaring a state of emergency and deploying military resources. Deportations were one of the key themes of his election campaign. During his first term, Trump already declared a state of emergency in order to use Pentagon funds to build a wall on the border with Mexico. Trump, who already served as US President from 2017-2021, won the presidential election, which took place on November 5. He became the first US politician since the 19th century to return to the White House after a four-year hiatus. Trump's victory was announced by all leading media outlets involved in vote counting: the Associated Press, Fox News, CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS. The Electoral College from the states must vote for candidates in accordance with the will of the voters on December 17, and the new Congress will approve the results of the vote on January 6. The inauguration will take place on January 20.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241125/migrants-in-us-preparing-for-mass-deportation-promised-by-trump---reports-1120993608.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/trump-says-zelensky-should-be-prepared-to-make-deal-to-end-ukraine-conflict-1121192915.html

Trump Says Zelensky Should be Prepared to Make Deal to End Ukraine Conflict

Trump Says Zelensky Should be Prepared to Make Deal to End Ukraine Conflict

Sputnik International

US President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky should be prepared to make a deal to end the conflict.

2024-12-16T18:57+0000

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"He should be prepared to make a deal," Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago.Trump added that his team is going to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky about ending the conflict in Ukraine."We'll be talking to President Putin, and we'll be talking to Zelensky and representatives from Ukraine," Trump told reporters.Trump also mentioned that during the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris he had been approached by Zelensky."He would like to have peace. He wants peace," Trump said.Trump added he might reverse the decision by the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russia, calling it a bad thing.When asked if he would reverse the decision made by incumbent US president Joe Biden, whose presidential term is due to end in January, Trump said I might.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/kremlin-on-readiness-of-trumps-team-to-discuss-ceasefire-it-is-not-in-charge-yet-1121186069.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/us-cut-javelin-missile-delivery-to-ukraine-after-early-improper-inventory-in-2022-1121182682.html

US Cut Javelin Missile Delivery to Ukraine After Early Improper Inventory in 2022

US Cut Javelin Missile Delivery to Ukraine After Early Improper Inventory in 2022

Sputnik International

The United States has greatly reduced the number of Javelin anti-tank missiles delivered to Ukraine after 2022, while the latest audit report from the US Department of Defense (DOD) detailed how the early shipments of such weapons to Kiev in 2022 were not properly inventoried, a Sputnik analysis of DOD reports from 2022 onward has showed.

2024-12-16T04:54+0000

2024-12-16T04:54+0000

2024-12-16T04:54+0000

military

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javelin

foreign military sales (fms)

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The United States rushed massive amounts of weapons, including thousands of Javelins, to Ukraine in the months that followed the start of the Russian military operation in February 2022. According to a US Department of Defense (DOD) fact sheet, the number of the Javelin anti-armor systems pledged to Kiev passed 8,500 by August 2022. 91% Improperly InventoriedThe latest audit report released by the DODs Office of Inspector General (OIG) on Monday shed more light on how chaotic the weapon shipments to Ukraine were during the early days of the conflict. The DOD OIG audit report focused on the weapons provided to Ukraine that were designated as "defense articles requiring Enhanced End-Use Monitoring (EEUM)," because those items "incorporate sensitive technology, or are particularly vulnerable to diversion or other misuse." The EEUM defense articles include Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), Air-Intercept Missiles-9X (AIM-9X), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) and Javelin Missiles and Command Launch Units, Stinger Missiles and Gripstocks, as well as other sensitive military hardware that required such enhanced end-use monitoring. According to the DOD OIG audit report, about 67% of the delinquent EEUM-designated defense articles, which were not properly tracked or monitored, entered Ukraine in 2022. The audit report pointed out that many of the defense articles, including the Javelin missiles, delivered to Ukraine in 2022 were no longer in the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). Nevertheless, the report suggested that those defense articles could either be lost, destroyed or expended by the UAF without proper record-keeping. Compared to the previous audit report on the same EEUM defense articles released in January, the DOD OIG audit report released on Monday acknowledged improvement in the first quarter of 2024, when the number of Javelin missiles without inventory information decreased by 80%. 70% Drop After 2022The DOD OIG audit report revealed that the number of Javelin missiles provided to Ukraine had dropped sharply after March 31, 2023, while keeping the specific figures redacted as classified information in an infographic within the report. Fortunately, details from the DODs annual budgets reports could fill the blanks and help paint a clearer picture of the drop in the Javelin missiles delivery. According to its annual budget reports in recent years, the DOD initially planned to purchase only 650 Javelin missiles during fiscal year 2022, with 279 missiles for the US Army, 370 missiles for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and one missile for the US Marine Corps. However, the actual number of Javelin missiles the DOD procured during fiscal year 2022 jumped to 7,722, with the US Army taking 6,286 missiles, the US Marine Corps buying 1,005 missiles, 418 missiles going towards Foreign Military Sales, and another 13 missiles for the US Navy. Similar to other sudden increases of the US military budget during recent years, the sharp increase of the DODs procurement of Javelin missiles during fiscal year 2022 most likely served the purpose of replenishment of the weapons provided to Ukraine. As a result, the additional 7,072 Javelin missiles the DOD ordered during fiscal year 2022 were mostly likely used to replace the same number of missiles delivered to Ukraine. The DODs annual budget reports for fiscal year 2023 and 2024 showed that the growth of additional Javelin missiles procurement slowed significantly after fiscal year 2022. For fiscal year 2023, the DOD purchased a total of 2,871 Javelin missiles, about 2,221 more than the 650 missiles as original requested for that fiscal year. The additional 2,221 Javelin missiles for fiscal year 2023 were only about 30% of the additional 7,072 missiles for fiscal year 2022. For fiscal year 2024, the number of Javelin missiles the DOD procured stayed the same as the original budget request of 1,161 missiles, the DODs budget report for fiscal year 2025 showed. Although the DOD proposed to buy 2,113 Javelin missiles for fiscal year 2025, about 1,500 of those missiles were planned for Foreign Military Sales. Records from the DODs annual budget reports matched the DOD OIGs audit report's revelation on the sharp drop in the Javelin missiles delivery to Ukraine from 2022 onward. Figures from the DOD budget reports indicated that the number of Javelin missiles the US provided to Ukraine after 2022 fell by over 70%. A report released by the Congressional Research Services in September highlighted the potential production bottleneck of the Javelin missiles. The US Army awarded the largest single-year Javelin contract to date, valued at $1.3 billion, to the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a special co-production company set up by key US defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, in August. The JJV said it planned to ramp up the production of Javelin missiles to 3,960 per year by late 2026. Possible Weapons TraffickingIt is unclear if the sharp drop in the supply of Javelin missiles to Ukraine after 2022 was linked to the early inventory problems mentioned in the DOD OIG's Monday audit report. It was also possible that Ukraine's demand on the battlefield after 2022 led to the US prioritizing the delivery of other weapon systems to Kiev. According to the DOD OIG audit report, the average cost of the Javelin missile stood at around $78,838 per unit as of May 2024. The sharp drop in the delivery of Javelin missiles to Ukraine could have also resulted from Kiev starting to rely on more cost-effective anti-tank weapons, such as FPV drones, which were much cheaper to produce. Nevertheless, media reports that emerged in 2023 speculated that some of the US-supplied weapons, including the Javelin missiles, could have been improperly handled and would end up somewhere else. In a story released in June 2023, US media outlet Newsweek quoted an anonymous high-ranking Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commander, who expressed concerns over the possible transfer of US-supplied weapons to countries in the Middle East, such as Iran, after the weapons were captured by Russia. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said in a post on X in October 2023 that the weapons provided to Ukraine were being actively used against Israel. During US President Joe Biden's meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco last week, the two leaders discussed the possible security risk of US-supplied weapons being trafficked from Ukraine to Africa. "Russia came up briefly in the sense that there's a concern that with the war in Ukraine, there may be arms that will end up in the African continent, and that represents a risk security wise," an unnamed senior official in the Biden administration told reporters during a background briefing on the US president's visit to Angola.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240118/us-sending-javelin-anti-tank-missiles-to-kosovo-in-attempt-to-set-balkans-on-fire-1116249490.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240217/arena-m-russias-unique-javelin-stopping-active-protection-system-1116844500.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/whats-known-about-israels-strikes-on-syria---1121183762.html

Whats Known About Israel's Strikes on Syria?

Whats Known About Israel's Strikes on Syria?

Sputnik International

What is known about Israel's strikes on Syria.

2024-12-16T07:26+0000

2024-12-16T07:26+0000

2024-12-16T07:26+0000

world

middle east

syria

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latakia

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The Israeli air force struck military bases in western Syria's Latakia and Tartous overnight, according to local sources. The Israeli airstrikes caused colossal explosions in the central Syrian provinces of Hama and Homs. The IDF strikes on Syrian military sites were detected by a magnetometer station in Iznik, Turkiye, 820 km away, causing a Mag 3.0 quake, according to independent researcher Richard Cordaro.Israel carried out around 75 attacks targeting Syrian weapons and ammunition depots, air defenses, bases and warehouses outside Damascus, and air defenses at the airport in Hama, as well as other sites overnight, according to The Times of Israel. The Israeli military claimed it had destroyed 70-80% of Syrias strategic military capabilities by December 10 after about 480 strikes spanning 48 hours hit most of the countrys strategic weapon stockpiles. About 350 of the strikes were by manned aircraft targeting airfields, anti-aircraft batteries, missiles, drones, fighter jets, tanks and weapon production sites in Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia and Palmyra, the IDF said. Other attacks supported ground operations that targeted weapons depots, military structures, launchers and firing positions. IDF ships struck two Syrian naval facilities, where 15 vessels were docked, with dozens of sea-to-sea missiles reportedly destroyed. Israel was trying to justify its unwarranted seizure of territory in Syria, leader of the armed opposition, Abu Mohammad al-Julani told Syria TV on December 14, adding that We are not in the process of engaging in a conflict with Israel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241210/israel-incursion-in-syria-not-a-protective-move-but-full-blown-offensive--middle-east-expert-1121145022.html

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South Korean prosecutors said on Sunday that impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol did not comply with a summons for today and they will soon issue another order, Yonhap news agency reported.

The special prosecution team handling an investigation into Yoon's botched martial law imposition said it had sent a summons to Yoon on Dec. 11 to call him into the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for questioning at 10 a.m. Sunday. Yoon did not show up.

The summons was sent to Yoon's office and the prosecution had confirmed its delivery, Yonhap said, citing a prosecution official.

The prosecution said it plans to send a second summons to Yoon soon, the Yonhap report added.

Yoon was impeached in a National Assembly vote on Saturday over his short-lived imposition of a highly controversial emergency martial law earlier this month.

The impeached president was accused of abusing his power to declare martial law for unconstitutional and unlawful purposes and to order military commanders to dispatch troops to the parliament and arrest key political figures, the Yonhap report said.
The Ohio Standardbred Development Fund will meet on Thursday, Dec. 19 at Scioto Downs in the Three Diamonds Room.

The meeting will begin at 2 p.m.

The meeting is open to the public and horsepeople are encouraged to attend.

(Ohio Harness Horsemens Association)
ASUS launched its AI PCs under its ExpertBook series, which are designed to revolutionize productivity, collaboration, and security for professionals across industries with onboard AI Processing capabilities. This includes the ASUS ExpertBook B5, and ASUS ExpertBook B3 series which are powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors. These laptops integrate cutting-edge AI features, robust enterprise-grade security, and durable designs to cater to the needs of modern businesses. By introducing this next-generation AI PC, ASUS shows its dedication to innovating advanced AI technology and establishing new standards for improving business processes in all industries, regardless of company size.

The ASUS ExpertBooks B5 and B3 are light and robust, AI-ready marvels that combine the latest up to Intel Core Ultra processors and high-performance integrated Intel Arc graphics, ushering in a new era of productivity, plus a taller 16:10 display for deeper immersion, with optional touchscreen functionality. With AI-powered features like an intelligent camera, noise cancelation plus, seamless Wi-Fi 6E and optional 4G LTE connectivity, these ExpertBooks ensure that everyday business is smarter, faster and smoother. Security is also paramount, with biometric login, TPM 2.0, SSD with up to RAID 0/1 support and an optional smart card reader for enterprise-grade protection. From top to bottom, inside and out.

The ASUS ExpertBook B5 and B3 are expertly crafted for effective, enjoyable work  making it the perfect on-the-go companion for mobile professionals to multitask confidently. These laptops offer hardware customization from numerous touch and non-touch Display panels up to 120Hz, CPU, Memory, Storage, and so much more. They have incredible memory support of up to 64GB via the dual SO-DIMM memory modules and support for Dual NVME slots with RAID 0/1 functionality allowing easier IT upgrades.

The new ASUS ExpertBook AI PCs feature a design that embraces an eco-conscious outlook and embodies accountability and sustainability.

Key Features of the ASUS ExpertBook B5 (B5404)

AI-driven Performance

The ASUS ExpertBook B5 features up to the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with vPro support, three AI processing engines, support of up to 64GB DDR5 memory via dual SO-DIMM slots, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, up to Intel Arc Integrated graphics and highly efficient battery to deliver smooth performance for daily AI-intensive tasks. It includes ASUS AI ExpertMeet, an AI assistant for managing virtual meetings and a Microsoft Copilot key for further AI exploration. The resulting experience enables modern business professionals to tackle more complex workloads, enhance productivity and enjoy seamless multitasking and smoother collaboration. (ASUS AI ExpertMeet feature will soon be available with The Asus ExpertBook B5)

Expertly Crafted for Mobile Multitasking

The ASUS ExpertBook B5 embodies mobility with an ultralight premium Magnesium-Aluminum all-metal chassis and the Steel Reinforced internal chassis and hinges, so its travel wherever business needs to happen. This sustainably crafted design is also imbued with military-grade strength, to meet the ultra-demanding MIL-STD 810H US military standard. It also undergoes thorough in-house testing by ASUS, including panel-pressure, shock and drop tests, to ensure superior durability and reliability.

The new laptop is driven by a capacious battery that keeps the productivity going throughout the working day. It also has support for fast-charging technology, so topping up the battery is satisfyingly swift. Wi-Fi 6E technology enables ultrafast wireless connections, extended range, rock-solid reliability, even in crowded areas, and wider spectrum for speedier throughput and reduced interference. Theres even optional 4G LTE support for anywhere connectivity, ensuring seamless connectivity between workplaces.

Audio & Video

The ASUS ExpertBook B5 delivers exceptional audio quality for AV conferencing through AI noise-cancelling enabled dual-array microphones and stereo speakers enhanced with Dolby Atmos, ensuring crystal-clear voice reproduction with unparalleled fidelity. The Full-HD ASUS AiSense camera with motion tracking technology ensures superior camera performance by dynamically re-adjusting the frame to keep you centered and automatically enhancing color and sharpness, whether indoors or outdoors. Simultaneously, the two-way AI noise-canceling technology employs sophisticated machine-learning techniques to filter sound around the speaker and eliminate noise from the person at the other end of the conversation  so virtual chats feel as natural as being in the same room.

Enterprise-grade Security and Manageability

ExpertBook B5 is made for business and equipped with multiple design features and technologies to maximize security and ease IT administration, and seamless remote-work experiences. The inclusion of multiple log-in options, including an integrated fingerprint sensor, optional IR camera for face login and optional smart card reader provides both convenience and robust multi-factor authentication and means organizations businesses can enjoy enhanced security without worrying about data breaches.

Businesses choosing ExpertBook B5 also benefit from the extensive range of services and solutions on offer from ASUS, driver updates tool, OS imaging tools, and centralized management and security-management services. These are important for simplifying the deployment process, from device registration and image building to pre-configuration and enrolment, to make things easier and faster for IT staff, enabling them to focus on their core activities.

Key Features of the ExpertBook B3 (B3404)

Powered by innovation

The ExpertBook B3 is engineered to enhance business capabilities, providing the fast and responsive performance essential for todays demands, and enabling seamless multitasking, advanced data handling, and streamlined operations. It features up to Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with vPro support, three AI processing engines, up to 64GB DDR5 memory via dual SO-DIMM slots, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage with dual NVME slots that support RAID 0/1, up to Intel Arc Integrated graphics and highly efficient battery to deliver smooth performance for daily AI-intensive tasks. It includes ASUS AI ExpertMeet, an AI assistant for managing virtual meetings, and a Microsoft Copilot key for AI led productivity. (ASUS AI ExpertMeet feature will soon be available with ExpertBook B3)

Flexible configurations

The latest ExpertBook B3 laptops offer the freedom and flexibility to be tailored to meet specific requirements or everyday computing tasks with configuration options that include an IR camera and fingerprint sensor for fast, secure biometric login, smart card reader for multifactor authentication and even 4G LTE connectivity for seamless remote working. The optional touchscreen B3 models are also compatible with the optional ASUS Pen 2.0, and other MPP 2.0-compatible input devices, for versatile productivity.

Productivity-first design

Smartly designed for modern business and forward-thinking organizations, ExpertBook B3 embraces a true productivity-first approach, making it ideal for todays hybrid-working paradigm. With exceptional visuals, 65W USB-C PD fast charging and a long-lasting battery of up to 63Wh in a 3-cell configuration, it ensures seamless and efficient productivity experiences.

The ASUS ExpertBook B3 delivers exceptional audio quality for AV conferencing through AI noise-cancelling enabled dual-array microphones and stereo speakers tuned by Dirac, ensuring crystal-clear voice reproduction with unparalleled fidelity. To provide exceptional remote-working and video-conferencing experiences, the B3 features AI-powered noise-cancelation technology that cancels out unwanted background noise and picks up the users voice for optimum conference-call quality.

This PC delivers superb visual experiences with more vertical workspace with cutting-edge anti-glare IPS 120Hz display in 16:10 aspect ratio, featuring a vibrant 2560 x 1600.

 Enterprise-grade security and privacy

The new ExpertBook B3 series is packed with technology to provide strong data security and privacy protection. The built-in biometric security in the form of an integrated infrared camera for facial recognition and a fingerprint enabled power button for easy access. These are bolstered by a smart-card reader to enable easy two-factor authentication, with a password and recognized card required for login. A discrete TPM 2.0 chip securely stores authentication information utilized by software, safeguarding crucial data and transactions, including passwords and encryption keys. Testing to the rigorous US MIL-STD-810H military standard also assures superb physical durability.

The new laptops also benefit from a physical webcam cover for an assurance of instant privacy when its not in use with just a quick finger flick required for operation. Theres also an integrated Kensington lock slot, providing a physical security option for safeguarding the hardware when used in unsupervised locations.

Availability & Pricing

The ASUS ExpertBook B5404CMA and B3404CMA are now available for businesses in India. To enquire about these new ASUS ExpertBook AI PCs, customers can reach out to the ASUS representatives in their region.
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A digital recreation of the Mcity Test Facility will enable researchers anywhere to test their autonomous algorithms without having to travel to Ann Arbor. Credit: Darian Hogue, Mcity

The first open-source digital twin of the Mcity Test Facilitythe University of Michigan's test center for connected and autonomous vehicles and technologiesis now available to the public, giving researchers around the world a new free tool.

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical environment that also exchanges data with that environment, enabling simulation and testing. The new Mcity digital twin is the first open-source digital twin for mobility systems testing, including autonomous driving. It provides a faster, safer, less expensive way to test autonomous and connected vehicle software.

Researchers anywhere can use the facility's featureswith a variety of road materials, markings, signals and intersectionsto test their autonomous algorithms without having to make the trip to Ann Arbor.

"This takes our almost 10-year-old track and puts the digital replica directly over it," said Greg Stevens, Mcity's director of research. "That's a living, breathing manifestation of that physical track where people can do mixed reality testing and development."

The digital twin works with TeraSim, an open-source traffic simulator developed by Mcity researchers. It introduces other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers, and generates safety-critical events like potential collisions. Using traffic behavioral models calibrated with real-world data, it simulates both normal and high-risk driving scenarios.

Mobility officials have touted AVs, along with connected vehicles and infrastructure, as a path to safer, more efficient and equitable transportation. Still, a great deal of research remains ahead before the technologies will produce everyday benefits for a large portion of the population. Testing in the real world takes time and money and creates a host of safety issues, but virtual testing can enable control software to demonstrate a high level of safety ahead of that stage.

"You can drive millions of miles in your AV in a digital twin built off of a real-world environment before your AV actually touches the real world," said Darian Hogue, an Mcity software engineer who helped develop the digital twin. "With this, we can control all kinds of factors. That includes controlling and manipulating simulated pedestrian traffica factor that is random in the real world. This focuses and accelerates simulated testing."

Opened in 2015, the Mcity Test Facility is the world's first purpose-built proving ground for connected and automated vehicles. Its physical features include:

A simulated downtown area with urban streets.

A 1,000-foot straightaway, plus access ramps, a curve and a traffic circle.

Multiple road surfaces with a variety of road markings and crossing types.

Traffic signals and traffic signs.

Bridge deck, underpass, guardrails, barriers and crash attenuators.

House and garage exterior with accessibility ramp for first-mile/last-mile testing, deliveries and ride hailing.

Mcity is continuously adding new features, and officials have worked to make the facility and its technologies available to a larger group of researchers. In 2022, development of Mcity's digital infrastructure enabled remote use of the Mcity Test Facilitydubbed Mcity 2.0. This led to the creation of the Mcity digital twin.

Mcity officially launched its remote use capabilities in October. Researchers operating from their home bases can test their autonomous algorithms in virtual and mixed reality environments by connecting to Mcity's cloud-based digital infrastructure. Using 5G wireless communications, they can control physical vehicles and traffic signals on Mcity's test streets and receive real-time data in returnall while protecting proprietary information.

"What differentiates the Mcity digital twin is that it supports virtual testing, while remote use involves testing a physical vehicle at our physical test track from a remote location," said Mcity Director Henry Liu, professor of civil and environmental engineering and the Bruce D. Greenshields Collegiate Professor.

"As an open-source tool, the Mcity digital twin lowers barriers to use of the test facility by technology developers and researchers. The digital twin could also help developers better prepare for on-site testing at Mcity."
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A plane carrying giant pandas Xingqiu and Yilan arrives in Adelaide, capital of South Australia, Australia, Dec. 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Australian officials have welcomed South Australia's new pair of giant pandas, describing their arrival as evidence of the country's strengthening relationship with China.



Four-year-old male Xingqiu and three-year-old female Yilan arrived in Adelaide, capital of South Australia (SA), on a flight from China's Sichuan Province on Sunday morning local time, becoming the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere.

The pandas will spend the next 10 years at Adelaide Zoo, replacing the previous pair Wangwang and Funi -- who returned to China in November after 15 years in Australia.

Hailing the arrival of Xingqiu and Yilan, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, an Adelaide local, said the pandas would bring joy to tourists from across Australia and overseas and provide a boost for SA's tourism sector.

The two pandas will spend one month in quarantine before being moved into the Adelaide Zoo's Bamboo Forest enclosure, which has been upgraded in anticipation of their arrival.

"I am looking forward to welcoming Xingqiu and Yilan to Adelaide, and visiting the Adelaide Zoo with my daughters early next year, once the pandas are out of quarantine," said the Australian foreign minister in a joint media release with the Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell, Deputy SA Premier Susan Close and state Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison.

"I know families have enjoyed coming to see the pandas at Adelaide Zoo just like my family has," said Farrell in the media release. He hoped to see a spike in visitors coming to see "such majestic creatures" up close.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia, which has a very special significance, Li Dong, Chinese consul-general in Adelaide, said at the press conference welcoming the giant pandas on Sunday.

The Chinese diplomat said the new round of giant panda cooperation will last for 10 years, during which he looked forward to a better prospect for cooperation in various fields between China and Australia.

"I hope everyone will become good friends with Xingqiu and Yilan, and work together to protect the cooperation and exchanges between China and Australia, and between China and South Australia," Li said.

Close said that many South Australians are thrilled to have an ongoing panda presence at Adelaide Zoo.

She told reporters at the press conference on Sunday that the arrival of the pandas is an example of the renewed strength of friendship between Australia and China.

The arrival of the pandas came days after China Southern Airlines returned to SA with the resumption of its direct round-trip services between Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, and Adelaide for the first time since 2020.

Bettison said that with the return of the flights and the arrival of the pandas, the connection between the state and China is stronger than ever.

"Our relationship with China is incredibly important. That direct aviation link, reinstated after COVID, is a big game-changer for us," she said at the zoo.

In 2009, two pandas, Wangwang and Funi, began their stay at Adelaide Zoo. As the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere, they drew more than 5 million visitors in 15 years until this November when they returned to China.

Building on the success of past cooperation, the new partnership will further advance collaboration in areas such as breeding research, disease prevention, public education and cultural exchange. This initiative aims to strengthen research efforts and foster closer people-to-people ties between China and Australia.

"This is such an exciting new chapter for giant pandas in Australia, and we look forward to learning all about Yilan and Xingqiu's personalities, likes and dislikes," Director of Adelaide Zoo Phil Ainsley said in a statement issued on Sunday.

"So we can't wait to see what is in store during this new giant panda era and for the next generation of South Australians to grow up with Yilan and Xingqiu, hopefully sparking a love for their species and conservation into the future."
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Palestinians check the destroyed municipality building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Sunday evening in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a civil defense center in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources.

Marwan al-Hams, an official at Gaza-based health authorities, told Xinhua that about 21 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school for displaced people in Khan Younis, while dozens of others, mostly women and children, were injured.

A Xinhua photographer at the scene witnessed bloodied bodies of the dead and wounded among the rubble of the top floor of the school, which belongs to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the attack.

In central Gaza, four members of the civil defense, including a journalist, were killed in an airstrike targeting an emergency post in the middle of the Nuseirat refugee camp, sources said.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the civil defense in Gaza, accused Israel of committing a "heinous crime" against the civil defense teams. "The victims were carrying out their humanitarian and national duties," he told Xinhua.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a press statement that among the dead was a journalist named Ahmed Al-Louh, who worked as a photographer for Qatar's Al Jazeera TV. However, the Israeli army accused him of being a military operative for the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza.

In a statement issued later in the day, the Israeli army said its air force targeted a site in the Nuseirat camp used by "terrorists" to plan and carry out attacks against the Israeli Defense Forces.

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 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 risen to 44,976, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
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Smoke rises as a result of a series of Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israeli warplanes launched multiple airstrikes late Sunday, targeting former military arsenals across Syria, according to a war monitor.

The latest raids hit missile bases in Battalion 107 near Zama and weapons warehouses in rural Tartus, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

Earlier in the evening, an Israeli jet reportedly struck radar installations at the Deir Al-Zour Military Airport in eastern Syria.

Earlier Sunday, Israeli aircraft targeted former munitions depots dug into mountains in Rural Damascus, causing a series of powerful explosions.

There were no reports of casualties.

These attacks are part of an ongoing military campaign by Israel that began on December 8, targeting any remaining military capabilities linked to Syria's former leadership, as the country's new authorities are working to stabilize the country's security situation.